WWE is gearing up for their Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, and there is a lot going on to set up the big show. One Australian WWE Superstar is rather bummed, because it seems the company has snubbed her from the show.

WWE Didn’t Include Indi Hartwell

Indi Hartwell voiced her frustration on social media towards WWE official Adam Pearce for not arranging a qualifying match for her in the upcoming Elimination Chamber event.

In preparation for WWE Elimination Chamber, the company held numerous qualifying matches to secure spots in the men’s and women’s chamber matches. Indi Hartwell, although she’s from Australia, is not included.

In the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, and Naomi have all successfully secured spots in the match. Jade Cargill was supposed to be in the match, but she is no longer competing in the unforgiving structure.

The final participant in the women’s match remains undetermined, with a Last Chance Battle Royal scheduled to feature previous qualifying match losers and additional female talent competing for the coveted spot.

On February 18, Indi Hartwell responded to a fan’s tweet showing support with the hashtag #WeWantIndi, which was posted under WWE’s announcement of the “Last Chance” Battle Royal. In her reply, Hartwell directly addressed Adam Pearce, questioning why she was not given the opportunity for a qualifying match.

“Crazy how @ScrapDaddyAP didn’t give the Aussie a qualifying match.”

Crazy how @ScrapDaddyAP didn’t give the Aussie a qualifying match.. https://t.co/5FpmP9slO1

— Indi Wrestling (@indi_hartwell) February 18, 2024

Indi Hartwell isn’t the only Aussie who is upset about not getting into an Elimination Chamber match. Bronson Reed was not happy either, and this caused him to do a lot of thinking about how things are panning out for him in WWE.

What’s Next

This week’s episode of WWE Raw, on February 19, will feature a Last Chance Battle Royal. Sadly, Indi Hartwell isn’t advertised to be in that match, but the lineup includes names like Shayna Baszler, Michin, Zoey Stark, Zelina Vega, and Alba Fyre.

The 2024 Elimination Chamber event will take place on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Optus Stadium in the Perth, Australia. The show will start at 5:00 AM EST, and we will have coverage of the show.

SE Scoops will have more updates on this story as they are made available. 

WWE has a few Superstars who are out of action with an injury. Braun Strowman needed neck fusion surgery in June 2023, and he hasn’t been back to the ring since then. As fans wait for his return to action, Strowman is still making appearances for WWE.

Strowman Arrives in Saudi Arabia 

Braun Strowman surprised fans with an appearance at the WWE Experience in Saudi Arabia. This indoor theme park in Riyadh’s Boulevard City solidifies WWE’s connection with its Saudi fan base. They promise an immersive WWE experience, which goes along with the name.

WWE launched the WWE Experience in Riyadh on Friday, February 16th, featuring interactive attractions like The Undertaker’s Graveyard Escape puzzle. Tons of WW artifacts are also there, along with interactive exhibits. Visitors can also create their personalized entrance experience.

Truly a #WWEExperience like no other…

The WWE Experience is officially OPEN in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia! pic.twitter.com/NDENyR4fMg

— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2024

Despite his absence from the ring since last May due to neck fusion surgery, Braun Strowman made a notable presence at the event. Throughout his recovery, the former Universal Champion has kept fans updated on his health journey.

WWE recently shared some images from the Saudi Arabian WWE Experience on social media. Among the attendees were Natalya, Jinder Mahal, Chelsea Green, and Braun Strowman. 

Braun expressed gratitude on social media for the opportunity to participate in the Riyadh event, acknowledging how great the WWE experience is, while saying it was an honor to make the trip.

Absolute honor!!!! Great time amazing #WWEExperience https://t.co/kL143yu20n

— The Monster of all Monsters (@Adamscherr99) February 18, 2024

What’s Next

We haven’t heard when Braun Strowman may make his way back to the ring. At this time, it doesn’t appear that they have set any timetable to make that happen. In the meantime, he seems to be doing well, and he is still in great shape.

SEScoops will have more on this story as more updates are available about Braun Strowman’s return to the ring.

WWE has brought a few people in who were already celebrities on their own. Logan Paul definitely brought a ton of attention to the company, and his time is not over yet.

Logan Paul’s Impressive Stat

In the latest development, Logan Paul emerged victorious over The Miz in a Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifier on Friday’s SmackDown. This win secured his spot in the Men’s Chamber match at the upcoming PLE event.

Competing against formidable opponents such as Randy Orton, AJ Styles, LA Knight, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, and Kevin Owens, the winner of this match will earn a shot at Seth Rollins’ World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania.

Additionally, WWE Stats highlighted that this marked Paul’s first non-PLE match in his career, making it his tenth overall match. Notably, he became the first wrestler to participate in nine PLE matches before competing in matches on television or at house shows. That is quite impressive, and highlights his special attraction booking.

This is set to be @LoganPaul's first non-PLE match in his @WWE career, and his 10th match overall.

He'll become the first Superstar to compete in 9 PPV/PLE matches before having a match on #WWERaw or #SmackDown. https://t.co/hBosqEgntn

— Wrestling Stats & Info (@WWEStats) February 16, 2024

I was told in November last year that “the internal feeling about Logan Paul is that he’s already generated great publicity for the US Title.” Obviously, WWE is happy about what he is able to do with his few appearances.

Logan Paul in WWE

Logan Paul made his debut in WWE at WrestleMania 37 in 2021, initially serving as the special guest of Sami Zayn for his match against Kevin Owens. That was just the beginning for The Maverick, because it seemed that he was meant to be a WWE Superstar.

LP had his first-ever official match the following year, teaming up with The Miz for a tag match against Rey and Dominik Mysterio. His heel tactics continued from that point on with each appearance.

Logan Paul secured a victory over Rey Mysterio to claim the United States Title at WWE Crown Jewel 2023 and later retained the title via disqualification against Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble.

CM Punk was on the road to WrestleMania 40, where he was going to have a match against Seth Rollins. His Elimination Chamber win won’t happen this year, leaving fans to wait for his return from a triceps injury instead. Even though he’s out of action, Punk wants to remain in the mix.

CM Punk Speaks on Return

CM Punk participated in an interview with TNT Sport during his attendance at UFC 298 on Saturday night. In the discussion, he covered topics such as his recovery from torn triceps, The Rock’s return for the WWE WrestleMania 40 buildup, and the potential for his own return to WWE.

“Yeah, well, I’m a clumsy idiot. I tore my left tricep about two years ago. So, the right one was jealous. I’m like, I’m like an old car. I’m like a 72 Nova, you know what I mean? We have to, we have to change some parts every now and again. So once we fix up all the parts, the engine is still strong. We’ll still be good to go. We’re thinking maybe six to eight months, but I’m not really in a rush to get back to compete. I’m in a rush to get healthy. I’m in a rush to get better. And the sooner I do that, the better. I’ll be when I come back. “

CM Punk stated that he believes that timing is crucial, emphasizing that he wrestled for a significant period before signing with WWE. Having spent ten years on the road without a break, he acknowledges the toll it took on him. He admits that in his youth, he pursued every opportunity without considering balance, leading to burnout. Ten years ago, he reached a point of burnout and decided to explore other ventures, which allowed him to engage in various fulfilling activities. 

With time, he has realized that past grievances become less significant, as people come and go, and leadership changes. Returning now feels comfortable, akin to an old slipper, and he’s grateful for the experience, acknowledging that the journey wouldn’t have been the same without its challenges. He concludes by expressing gratitude for the present moment, emphasizing that it’s a good day.

CM Punk Speaks On The Rock’s Return

Punk also spoke on The Rock’s return. He is glad to be in the mix, even though he’s injured. That will provide him with an opportunity to talk a little bit of trash.

“I think it’s fantastic. Ten years ago, I was the guy that was wrestling The Rock when he came back, and now ten years later, he’s coming back, and I think the landscape has completely changed, right? WrestleMania is two nights now. It’s even bigger. Him coming back only helps. I always say high tide raises all ships. So I’m just happy that even though I’m hurt, I’m still gonna kinda be in the mix. My mouth still works, so I’m gonna still be able to talk some trash. I don’t know if you saw the kickoff we did in Vegas with Rock and Roman and Seth and Cody. It was a lot of fun and I hope to just continue to do that while I’m recuperating because I can always just talk trash with the best of them. It’s the best part. It’s what I do.”

CM Punk was on the panel during WWE’s WrestleMania kickoff event in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. He had a lot of fun, even though Big E jokingly admitted that he was only there, so Punk didn’t get fired. Only time will tell how much he shows up on the road to WrestleMania, but he seems game to do as much as he can.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of CM Punk’s recovery, hopefully he is able to make a return soon.

WWE has a lot of names throughout their history that brings up a variety of memories. Rita Chatterton is a name that reminds fans Vince McMahon has been up to the kind of acts that Janel Grant’s lawsuit alleged he did for a long time. She is still getting out there and recently made a rare public appearance.

Rita Chatterton’s Allegations Against Vince McMahon

Rita Chatterton claimed that Vince McMahon sexually assaulted her in his limousine in July 1986. She departed from WWE that year amidst conflicting narratives, with WWE’s attorney stating she was “fired for cause.”

Chatterton joined WWE at 27 years old. During her initial role with WWE, Pat Patterson reportedly doubted her credentials as a referee. After presenting her referee license, Patterson was visibly angered. Chatterton alleges Patterson stormed off, exclaiming, “Who the f*ck would give a female a referee license?”

Her name has come up a lot more in recent memory, especially after Janel Grant’s lawsuit against McMahon brought heinous allegations to light. 

Chatterton’s Special Appearance

Rita Chatterton is back in the pro wrestling scene, and she recently made another appearance at an indie show. The Dynasty hosted Chatterton as a special guest, and she was the timekeeper for a match during the event. 

WWF's FIRST EVER female referee, @Rita Chatterton, will be at the Meet & Greet 2/17 taking pictures & signing autographs. Proceeds will directly benefit International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame

Tix @EmpireLive518 or online https://t.co/JQwVWbICxM Group rates online pic.twitter.com/u0PKM2ntjN

— The Dynasty (@WeAreTheDynasty) February 5, 2024

On a related note, this was the same event where Velveteen Dream also made his return to the ring. As Patrick Clark, he won the main event match after issuing an open challenge.

What’s Next

Bret Hart apologized to Rita Chatterton after years of doubting her story. The recent allegations about Vince McMahon shined a new light on a part of McMahon’s life that he never wanted to be exposed.

It will be interesting to see if Chatterton is interviewed by Bill Simmons’ upcoming six-part Netflix docuseries. SEScoops will have more updates as they are made available. 

WWE saw The Rock’s return to the fold as he inserted himself on the road to WrestleMania. He still has a full schedule outside the company, and today is an exciting day for him.

The Rock is ready for Daytona 500

The Rock is back on WWE television as WrestleMania 40 approaches, but he’s not thinking about that today. The Daytona 500 is going down and he has an important role.

Dwayne Johnson will be the Grand Marshal for this iconic race, The Great One will likely get a grand introduction during the pre-race rituals as well.

While taking to Instagram, The Rock shared his arrival in Daytona Beach in his pick-up truck a day before the race. However, he also noted heavy rain and expressed hope for clearer weather to ensure a safe racetrack.

Gettin’ into some midnight tequila trouble in Daytona Beach baby!! (actually, heading to the gym because I can’t sleep;) I’m pumped to pull Grand Marshall duties for tomorrow’s iconic DAYTONA 500 – a super cool honor for me and I can’t wait. Hoping our weather clears up for a safe track and awesome race for the boys. Completely SOLD OUT – 100,000+ STRONG! LFG!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3euU4vMjs5

The Rock talked up the 100,000 plus sold out crowd for the Daytona 500 race, and he joked that it was all because of him. Then he quickly admitted that he had nothing to do with any ticket sold for that event. He said it was all thanks to the incredible NASCAR drivers.

He also hoped that it doesn’t rain for the big race. It was pouring last night, and he said that they have had discussions about what they will do. In the end, he hopes for all the drivers’ safety. 

What’s Next for The Rock

Although The Rock might have had a huge smile on his face for this video, that is far from his current WWE character. He is currently a huge heel on WWE television, as he lambasted the crowd in Salt Lake City for SmackDown this week.

The Rock also made it very clear that he joined The Bloodline stable. His road to WrestleMania also saw a big change as he conceded his match against Roman Reigns to Cody Rhodes. It will be interesting to see if his current heel streak carries over into some boos from the Daytona 500 crowd.

Update: Rain Delay

The Daytona 500 was rained out. That being said, The Rock made it clear that he will be around to be the Grand Marshal for the race on Monday. 

Welcome to SEScoops’ Daily Drop – a rundown of the top stories in pro wrestling all in one place.

Our mission is to provide our readers with the most important and interesting news from WWE, AEW and more that’s timely, informative and engaging. The Daily Drop is a destination where you can get a snapshot of the top stories in wrestling.

• WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 48 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 18, 2024:

WWE

– SEScoops was able to report who had a hand in The Rock and Roman Reigns’ SmackDown promo this week.

– LA Knight is being considered for a big title match at WrestleMania 40.

– Fightful Select provided a new extensive report about Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE.

– Velveteen Dream ended his long hiatus from the ring by re-appearing at an indie wrestling show.

YO ITS PATRICK CLARK (FKA velveteen dream) WTF pic.twitter.com/mkKMxXlOtO

— Za’Nief Washington (@zanief_) February 18, 2024

– Nic Nemeth revealed that he actually requested his WWE release several times before the company finally fired him in September 2023.

AEW

– Rush made his current visa situation very clear, as there was a previous report on the matter.

– There was another injury for the AEW roster 

– Ric Flair, who is now associated with Tony Khan’s company, discussed the fact that skeletons in his closet ended his political aspirations.

– New information is out that revealed the ballpark of how much Mercedes Mone asked for from WWE. She reportedly inked a deal with AEW and will make her debut during the March 13th episode of AEW Collision in Boston.

What’s Next

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Dynamite: Big Business is coming to Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

– WWE NXT Stand & Deliver will be on the afternoon of April 6th, right before the first night of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.

– WrestleMania XL will take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, airing as a two-part event.

– Backlash France will be held on May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.

– WWE NXT Battleground is scheduled for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, and will be available exclusively on the WWE Network and Peacock.

– WWE Money in the Bank will take place on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.

– WWE Bash In Berlin is set for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

Pro wrestling gets in your blood, and it’s hard to get out once you’ve started. Even for controversial figures, they find a way back in. Now, Velveteen Dream is making his mark in the pro wrestling world in his own way, years after his WWE release.

Velveteen Dream Returns

Velveteen Dream, now known as Patrick Clark, returned to wrestling, stepping back into the ring at Dynasty in New York. This was a big surprise, one that nobody saw coming.

YO ITS PATRICK CLARK (FKA velveteen dream) WTF pic.twitter.com/mkKMxXlOtO

— Za’Nief Washington (@zanief_) February 18, 2024

The former WWE NXT Superstar interrupted the first match and issued an open challenge. The responses online were shocked, and posts started coming out directly after that about Dream’s surprise.

Alec Odin took Dream’s open challenge. In the end, the former NXT North American Champion won the main event match. Dream was also working as a babyface and he greeted fans around the ring as well.

Velveteen Dream interrupts the opening match at Dynasty in Albany, NY. Makes an open challenge. pic.twitter.com/CgMrSUEbIt

— Headlocked Comics (@HeadlockedComic) February 18, 2024

Dream worked as a face, went over clean. Slapping hands with fans around the front row. pic.twitter.com/f1vpmZyVzs

— Headlocked Comics (@HeadlockedComic) February 18, 2024

Allegations Against Velveteen Dream

In March 2020, Patrick Clark faced allegations of inappropriate contact with a minor on social media. He addressed and denied the accusation in April 2020. During the Speaking Out movement in June 2020, Dream faced further accusations of inappropriate contact with a minor and grooming by pro wrestler Joshua Fuller.

WWE released Velveteen Dream in May 2021. On August 26, 2022, Dream was arrested in Orlando, Florida, on a charge of Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia. This followed an incident on August 20, 2022, at a gym in Florida where he allegedly assaulted an employee.

Patrick Clark’s Recent Advocacy

Prior to his return to the ring, Patrick Clark was also spotted in another settling that few saw coming. During the February 6th Culpeper County Board of Supervisors meeting, he urged the board to prioritize the collective desires of the county’s residents and suggested potential drawbacks of implementing large-scale solar power.

SEScoops will have more on this story and many more in the pro wrestling world. 

WWE fans saw The Rock make his big return to the company on the road to WrestleMania 40. His match already saw a change, one that he conceded to, and this week’s SmackDown opened up Pandora’s Box for The People’s Champ when it came to heel promos. Although The Rock had a lot to do with what went down, he didn’t accomplish it all by himself.

The Rock & Roman Reigns’ Creative Input (Exclusive)

A report got out before SmackDown this week that The Rock and Roman Reigns did not have a script for their promo this week. That time on the microphone saw The Great One unleash on fans in epic fashion, drawing from his heel roots with brutal insults and one-liners. 

I asked around about this situation after The Bloodline closed out SmackDown this week. It was confirmed to me that the Bloodline’s promo was scripted. They did not go out there without a net or anything figured out beforehand.

Roman Reigns and The Rock had major influence on the script. In the end, it was a discussion between Triple H, Roman, Heyman, Rock and Brian Gewirtz. Michael Hayes produced the segment, as he produces practically all of Roman Reigns’ segments and matches.

Okay, so it was reported last night before SmackDown that The Rock and Roman Reigns had no script for their big Bloodline segment.

I am told that is not true.

They had major influence on the script. It was a discussion between Triple H, Roman, Heyman, Rock and Brian Gewirtz.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 17, 2024

What’s Next For The Rock

The Rock channeled his 1998 heel character on SmackDown this week. This is far from the end, as Dwayne Johnson commanded the WWE Universe to shut their mouths and enjoy the ride.

WrestleMania 40 will be a huge show, and The Rock will compete. He may not get the singles match against Roman Reigns that he initially wanted, but they will undoubtably stir up a lot of headlines along the way. 

Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE continues to receive a spotlight from outside the pro wrestling bubble. As many still examine this situation, there is now additional details.

Mystery WWE Executive

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that there is a lot of talk about this lawsuit, especially within WWE. One big thing that remains a mystery is who the other executives in the company that Grant mentioned in her lawsuit. 

Regarding the unidentified executives under speculation, their identities remain a mystery to many within WWE. Nonetheless, it was reported that a credible source within the company indicated that one of them may have departed from WWE a while ago.

Insight On John Laurinaitis

John Laurinaitis has been vocal through his attorney, a development anticipated by some insiders. One long-serving WWE employee regarded Laurinaitis as McMahon’s “fall guy” since the summer of 2022, assuming he had financial safeguards in place. However, the potential filing of actual charges was seen as a significant turning point by many within the company.

Another source said “I’m sure he thinks he’s doing himself favors by saying management knew and proper WWE protocols were followed, but too many things happened there under his watch.”

Ashley Massaro’s Addition To The Situation 

The recent resurgence of headlines involving the late Massaro stemmed from a Vice article. It was reported that Fightful spoke with Massaro in March 2019 to arrange an interview at Starrcast II in Las Vegas that May. She intended to discuss her plans to resume in-ring training and weigh whether to delve deeper into her allegations of rape during a WWE Tribute to the Troops tour. Tragically, Massaro passed away just two weeks prior Starrcast.

Based on conversations with WWE talent, they have reportedly not been instructed to refrain from discussing the lawsuit in interviews or public appearances. Several have been queried about it. While no other companies are reportedly participating actively in the investigations, talent from various US-based companies have been given permission to address issues or participate in investigations if they choose to do so.

We’ve spoken to one former talent who has indicated that they’re weighing the options of whether to tell their story via the media, or whether or not they wanted to take legal action. We will not provide their identity unless they approve of such.

SEScoops will have more updates on this ongoing story as they are made available. There is already a lot to unpack, and there will likely be even more before this situation is over.

Dolph Ziggler was one of the more surprising releases that WWE handed down in September 2023. Since then, he has appeared for NJPW and made his TNA Wrestling debut as well. It seems that he wanted to get started on his life after WWE prior to his release, because he asked WWE to let him go in the past.

Nic Nemeth’s WWE Release

Now going as Nic Nemeth, he has garnered attention post his WWE departure with his ventures in the pro wrestling realm.

Nemeth showed up during NJPW during last month’s Wrestle Kingdom event, where he has since participated in various matches. Additionally, he has begun working in TNA Wrestling following his promotional debut at the Hard to Kill pay-per-view event.

Ziggler was let go by WWE alongside several other wrestlers due to budget cuts after the sale to Endeavor. He had been with WWE since 2004, predominantly featured as an upper-mid card talent, and held the Intercontinental and United States Titles multiple times.

During a conversation with Denise Salcedo, Nemeth revealed that he had requested his release from WWE several times with the intention of returning, but WWE consistently refused, citing their need for him.

“It would be different if I was hobbling around or if I didn’t get reactions or wasn’t good at my job. I would be happy to take a backseat and help people out. But I’m sitting around six days a week, not working, basically in the prime of my career. So let’s get going. And so I said, ‘How about this? How about I leave for six months? How about I leave for a year?’ How about I get the hell out of here?’ But even a couple of years ago, when they said yes, the next Sunday, I’d get a phone call saying, ‘Hey, we need you.’ It’s great.”

Nemeth also reminisced about sending an email to WWE officials, including Vince McMahon, expressing his heartfelt thoughts about his situation. In the email, he outlined both positives and negatives of how he felt. McMahon was the sole individual to acknowledge the message and expressed a desire to have a conversation. Approximately two weeks after this email exchange transpired, Nemeth received his release from the company.

What’s Next

Nic Nemeth is still taking stand-up comedy dates, and he’s doing his thing in TNA Wrestling. At this time, we haven’t heard about him coming into AEW, but you never know what the future will hold for the former Dolph Ziggler.

SEScoops will keep our eye on this story for more developments.

AEW is expected to bring in former WWE Superstar Mercedes Mone. A big date is set for Boston, and many are expecting her to show up on Collision. WWE was in the game for her, but it was already reported that they hit a financial roadblock. That being said, it seems that Mone wasn’t even asking for more than someone on the top of the Women’s Division is making.

Mercedes Mone’s Big Pay Day

AEW has a ton of money to throw around, but that hasn’t kept everyone around. Tony Khan admitted that he offered Jade Cargill more than she asked for to stay in AEW, but she is now a WWE Superstar. Mercedes Mone saw that money on the table and she took it.

Tony Khan has a lot of money to spend on AEW contracts. He has a reported net worth of $1 billion. His father, Shahid Khan, has a net worth of 11.7 billion. Mercedes Mone made it clear that she’s going to where the money is, and AEW was able to offer more.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Mercedes Mone asked WWE for a lot of money, but it wasn’t more than the top female Superstar is getting. One would assume that he is talking about Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, because they have the top paychecks in the women’s division.

“I don’t know her actual money demands, but I know in a general what she was looking for from WWE, and it was kinda in the range, and for a star of her caliber, while it would be a little bit more than WWE would be paying her, what she was looking for, maybe even more than a little bit more, but it was not more than they pay other women, and she was one of their bigger stars.”

AEW outbid WWE, and they’re getting The Boss. It was then stated that what this tells us is that when AEW is able to outbid for Mone, that they may be losing out on the deal financially. That being said, it’s not enough to worry the company, because “we would see it, because there would be talent cut.”

What’s Next

It is very much expected that Mercedes Mone will debut for AEW at their March 13th episode of Dynamite, that Big Business show in Boston’s TD Garden will provide the former Sasha Banks with a grand entrance for AEW in her hometown.

On a totally unrelated note, but I couldn’t resist from including this, AEW also rolled out a similar red carpet for CM Punk’s debut. They booked a large arena in Chicago without announcing Punk’s debut. They simply strongly alluded to it by naming that episode of Rampage “The First Dance.”

Of course, CM Punk and Sasha Banks both walked out of WWE. At this point, Punk is back in WWE, albeit he’s on the shelf due to an untimely injury. Now, it’s Mercedes Mone’s time to get a spotlight in AEW. 

Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will host WrestleMania 40 on April 6 and 7, 2024. LA Knight doesn’t want to miss the showcase of the immortals this year, and odds are he will find himself in a rather important match.

WWE’s WrestleMania Plan For LA Knight

WWE has a lot of options for WrestleMania, and they want to make sure their biggest stars are represented. LA Knight has a massive fan base at this point, and this latest update could get them very excited about the show of shows.

I reported on February 8th that WWE had an idea for LA Knight that would see him battle Logan Paul for the United States Title. It appears that they have narrowed down their options and are very possibly going with that idea.

LA Knight will get a #WrestleMania match. There are still options, and discussions were still going for the rest of the card as of yesterday.

I’ve been told one idea would see him get a title shot. ?Keep in mind … There are a lot of matches being discussed for Mania, that's…

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 8, 2024

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer confirmed that WWE had those plans for LA Knight at WrestleMania. This could see him walk out of the showcase of the immortals as US Champion, because that match was the plan.  

“That was the plan I don’t still know if it is the plan but that was discussed at one point.”

What’s Next

Only time will tell if LA Knight is able to beat Logan Paul for the WWE United States Title at WrestleMania 40. He has certainly worked hard over the past year and seen a huge rise in popularity. 

The Elimination Chamber could also see LP and LA have a chance to jumpstart their feud, because they are both in the unforgiving structure for that big match in Perth.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is made available. 

Welcome to SEScoops’ Daily Drop – a rundown of the top stories in pro wrestling all in one place.

Our mission is to provide our readers with the most important and interesting news from WWE, AEW and more that’s timely, informative and engaging. The Daily Drop is a destination where you can get a snapshot of the top stories in wrestling.

• WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 49 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 17, 2024:

WWE

– The Rock officially joined The Bloodline during the February 16th episode of WWE SmackDown. That closing segment of the show did not feature any match getting booked for WrestleMania 40, but they are well on their way to cementing a match.

– WWE taped their February 23rd episode of SmackDown after this week’s show. You can check out all of those spoilers here.

– Shotzi is still pretty devastated over her serious knee injury. Her NXT Women’s Title match against Lyra Valkyria ended in terrible fashion with an injury, and she will likely miss a lot of time.

– After a lot of speculation about where he would land, Bron Breakker finally signed with WWE’s SmackDown brand. He is still 1/2 of the NXT Tag Team Champions, but he did not have his title with him during the 2/16 episode of the blue brand.

AEW

– Mercedes Mone is hyping an upcoming fight, and this is right in time for the hype before AEW’s Big Business special episode of Dynamite on March 13. The TD Garden will likely see the former Sasha Banks make her debut for the company during that show.

– Tony Khan announced that RVD will return to AEW for their 4/20 episode of Collision.

TNA & Everywhere Else

– Scott D’Amore is out, and TNA Talent aren’t happy. They reportedly banded together and signed a big letter to express how unhappy they are. 

– There is some contradicting information on who is in charge of TNA creative now. Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Tommy Dreamer has the book now, but Tommy Dreamer has denied this.

– PW Insider later clarified this report, and it was reported that there is a different man making the calls for creative. 

Coming Up

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Dynamite: Big Business is coming to Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

– WWE NXT Stand & Deliver will be on the afternoon of April 6th, right before the first night of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia. 

– WrestleMania XL will take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, airing as a two-part event.

– Backlash France will be held on May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.

– WWE NXT Battleground is scheduled for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, and will be available exclusively on the WWE Network and Peacock. 

– WWE Money in the Bank will take place on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.

– WWE Bash In Berlin is set for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

WrestleMania 40’s landscape was changed in a big way when The Rock made his way back to the company. He took Cody Rhodes’ spot against Roman Reigns, but fans had a lot to say about that. Now, Mania has a much different setup.

The Rock Returns To Salt Lake City

Roman Reigns made his way to the ring during the final segment of SmackDown this week. He hyped up the crowd, and then he said that tonight is historic, because The Rock has joined The Bloodline.

Then The Rock made his way to the ring, complete in a shirt that was straight out of his Hollywood heel character from years ago. He welcomed himself back to Salt Lake City, and he announced a new all-time in-door attendance record. 

The Great One proceeded to berate fans for being Cody Crybabies and causing the WrestleMania main event to change. He wondered what is Cody’s story anyway, because Roman beat Cody last year, and now he wants a rematch.

While bringing up how Michael Jordan once crushed the Utah Jazz’s dreams decades ago, The Rock drew even more boos from the crowd. He said that you don’t get another shot at a story, just because you want it … just ask the 1998 Utah Jazz.

The Rock called fans a bunch of “crybaby bitches” and they should “sit down” and enjoy the ride that he’s taking us on. In the end, he said “if you smell what The Bloodline is cooking.” They concluded the night without booking any WrestleMania match, but things are certainly taking shape.

"IF YA SMELLLLL WHAT #THEBLOODLINE IS COOKIN' ????@TheRock promises to do everything he can to make sure @CodyRhodes leaves #WrestleMania empty handed. #TheBloodline is back. ?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/SITh3wwdVe

— WWE (@WWE) February 17, 2024

More WrestleMania Insight

I exclusively reported on SEScoops that a source within WWE confirmed that The Rock initially intended to have a match with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. The current situation regarding the show wasn’t what The Rock initially wanted, suggesting it wasn’t part of an initial plan. He later agreed that Cody Rhodes versus Roman Reigns should be the main event match.

Since the start, I’ve mentioned that plans were set, and the only individual capable of altering them is The Rock. That’s precisely what occurred, pleasing “Cody crybabies” who wish to witness The American Nightmare conclude his storyline.

The Rock voiced his wish for a match against Roman Reigns on January 1st, appearing on the Day 1 episode of RAW. Shortly after, the match was organized, despite Cody Rhodes winning the 2024 Royal Rumble match. Triple H was aware of the agreement for Rock vs Reigns.

Fan backlash and mainstream attention prompted The Rock to change course. Now, we have a brand-new vibe for WrestleMania 40.

SEScoops will have complete coverage of this story as more updates are made available. 

WWE saw some big moments during the 2024 Royal Rumble event. One of the more exciting debuts came when Bron Breakker made his way to Tropicana Field. He took Bron Breakker’s spot in the big match, and now he has an official main roster home. 

Bron Breakker’s WWE Main Roster Home

This week on SmackDown, Nick Aldis took the stage on the show. He didn’t have much time to make the big announcement, so he got right to work.

Aldis introduced Bron Breakker, who came out without his NXT Tag Team Title. Breakker was very happy to be on the blue brand, and he quickly signed a contract with the SmackDown logo on the top of it.

This marks a big step for Bron Breakker. It was initially thought when he was called up that RAW when he made his Royal Rumble debut on the main roster. Those plans were never locked in. Now, he will be on the blue brand, with his debut going down next week on SmackDown.

BRON BREAKKER SIGNED TO SMACKDOWN ?

THE A SHOW ??#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/f6IQHdTXjp

— s e t h (@futurafreesky) February 17, 2024

What’s Next

Bron Breakker has a lot of potential as a second generation Superstar. Now, he will get his chance to do his thing on Friday nights. 

SE Scoops will have more on this story as more updates are made available. 

WWE has a lot of plans as they head down the road to WrestleMania. This week on SmackDown, they made even more advancements toward the Elimination Chamber. The event is scheduled for Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Optus Stadium located in the Perth suburb of Burswood, Western Australia, Australia. It will commence at 5:00 AM EST, and 2:00 AM for fans residing on the West Coast.

? @LoganPaul: Double Champ ?

What do y'all think about that? Will Logan qualify for #WWEChamber tonight and move one step closer to challenging @WWERollins at #WrestleMania? ?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/weEphxXSVX

— WWE (@WWE) February 17, 2024

WWE Sets Elimination Chamber Match

Logan Paul beat The Miz in a qualifying match on SmackDown this week. That punched his ticket for the Elimination Chamber match. Now, the men’s match is set.

Kevin Owens, LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Bobby Lashley and Logan Paul will be in the 2024 Men’s Elimination Chamber match. The winner of the contest will get a shot at Seth Rollins’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

This was a big win for Logan Paul. He will not have to defend the United States Title in Perth. He also made a quip about how he plans to take Rollins’ title to become a double champion in WWE.

As of this writing, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan and Tiffany Stratton will be joined by two other Superstars to make up the 2024 Women’s elimination Chamber match.

Logan Paul advances to #WWEChamber!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/5djiyweD0X

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 17, 2024

2024 WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth Premium Live Event Card:

• The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. British Strong Style (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) – Tag team match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
• Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi and TBD – Elimination Chamber match for a Women’s World Championship match at WrestleMania XL
• Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax – Singles match for the Women’s World Championship
• Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul – Elimination Chamber match for a World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XL

SEScoops will have more on this story as more information is available. 

WWE has a lot of things going on, and The Rock’s return for the road to WrestleMania certainly stirred the pot. The rumor mill is churning in overtime as well, and that leads us to one story that needs to be squashed. 

Debunking Triple H vs The Rock

Several fans are talking about a rumor regarding Triple H and The Rock filming a promo hinting at a match against each other at WrestleMania 40. However, there is no truth to the notion that such a promo was filmed, let alone that the match will take place. 

I reported on February 10th that there is no chance that match will happen. Triple H’s cardiac issues forced him into retirement. Also, as COO of WWE, he has a lot on his plate and couldn’t possibly wrestle. 

I asked around about a POSSIBILITY of Triple H vs The Rock being a destination of any kind.

Trips did drop some blatant jabs, after all.

I was told ? “No. No chance at all” of that match happening.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 11, 2024

PW Insider confirmed my report, and they also wrote a little about where this entire rumor might have started. Aside from Triple H throwing some obvious Rock references toward The Great One on SmackDown, it is evident that the match isn’t happening.

There is absolutely zero truth to the idea that was even filmed, much less that it’s going to happen. I’m not sure where that started but it seemed as if the alleged verbiage was actually from a faceoff the two had nearly a decade ago for a tease of a bout that never actually happened. There’s not a lot that I would say can never happen in WWE, but Paul Levesque returning for a main event level match after his heart issues – that one I absolutely do not see, especially if people are assuming it based on such a silly report.

Triple H & The Rock will ALWAYS be RIVALS#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/DczHEKy5Bn

— Degenerate George (@DGen_Media) February 10, 2024

What’s Next

You never know what can happen in WWE, but Triple H is not coming back for another match. The Rock has a WrestleMania match in mind now, and it is only a matter of time before fans find out that he will team with Roman Reigns to take on Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story. 

WWE switched up their commentary team recently, as Kevin Patrick was moved off the blue brand. Now, he is breaking his silence on his WWE exit, as abrupt as it was. He is excited about his next steps in the broadcasting world.

Kevin Patrick Speaks on WWE Release

I broke the news that WWE removed Kevin Patrick from his role on the SmackDown commentary team. This came as a bit of a surprise for some fans, but others welcomed the change. WWE moved Wade Barrett over to SmackDown alongside Corey Graves, and Pat McAfee returned to WWE so he could call RAW alongside his buddy, Michael Cole.

Kevin Patrick is now breaking his silence about his WWE release. He also had nothing but great things to say.

While taking to Twitter/X, Kevin gave his love to WWE. The company provided him with an excellent platform to execute his craft on. His stint on the main roster wasn’t a lengthy one, but he had an incredible experience. 

Nothing but love for 3 incredible years at WWE! From the exhilarating experiences & all the brilliant friends I worked with along the way, I’m flooded with gratitude. In saying that, it was time to turn the page, and I couldn’t be more excited for this new chapter! Cheers

Nothing but love for 3 incredible years at WWE! From the exhilarating experiences & all the brilliant friends I worked with along the way, I’m flooded with gratitude. In saying that, it was time to turn the page, and I couldn’t be more excited for this new chapter! Cheers ??

— Kevin Egan (@kev_egan) February 16, 2024

What’s Next For Kevin Patrick

Kevin Patrick already has a new gig. Major League Soccer has revealed that Patrick, while going by his real name Kevin Egan, will join the panel for the second season of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. MLS Season Pass offers extensive coverage, encompassing every regular season match, Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the MLS All-Star Game, and Leagues Cup matches.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story and so many more. Our best goes out to Kevin Patrick as he starts his road after WWE.

Jeff Hardy and Sammy Guevara’s match on AEW Rampage is getting attention for all the wrong reasons. A botched spot resulted in a lot of fear among fans that Hardy was injured. Now, we have the latest update on his health status.

Jeff Hardy’s Injury Status

During the AEW Rampage taping this week, Sammy Guevara executed a shooting star press, and unfortunately, his knee landed heavily on Hardy’s face. Although the incident appeared severe, Hardy confirmed he was alright, and the match continued with Guevara executing a GTH finisher.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Jeff Hardy sustained a broken nose but, fortunately, no concussion during his match taped on February 14th against Sammy Guevara for the February 16th Rampage show. 

Jeff Hardy suffered a broken nose but no concussion in his match taped 2/14 against Sammy Guevara for the 2/16 Rampage show. Guevara did a shooting star press and his knee landed hard on Hardy’s face. It looked bad but Hardy did say he was okay and they went right to Guevara doing a GTH finisher

Jeff Hardy received a broken nose but no concussion from this spot with Sammy Guevara on the taped #AEWRampage. Jeff went on to finish the match.

(WON)pic.twitter.com/jFWjpBsVrD

— Jack Cassidy ? (@RealJackCassidy) February 16, 2024

What’s Next

It’s ironic that with all the risks Jeff Hardy takes, all he did was lay still on the mat this time. It was the Spanish God’s Shooting Star Press that did the damage. Hopefully, Hardy will not miss much time at all after this little setback.

AEW Rampage will reportedly kick off this week’s episode with Jeff Hardy vs Sammy Guevara. We will have to see how they cut everything together for television. 

This is better news for Jeff Hardy, because things could have been a lot worse. Still, a broken nose is no fun at all. SEScoops is sending our best to Hardy has a heals up.

AEW has brought in a few names for one-time appearances, and several of them have been former WWE Superstars. RVD has made a couple of appearances for Tony Khan already, and now he’s booked for one more.

RVD’s Next AEW Appearance

Tony Khan logged onto Twitter/X to reveal that RVD is booked for AEW Collision’s April 20th event. That 4/20 return for RVD in AEW is most appropriate. This is exciting, but AEWTix currently has no listing for the April 20th show, so we’re not sure which market is getting the Whole F’n Show.

While Tony Khan was at it, he also threw in a plug for tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite’s upcoming episode. 

I’m excited to announce that RVD will return to @AEWonTV on TNT for 4/20 Saturday Night AEW Collision!

I can’t wait for THIS Wednesday #AEWDynamite in Tulsa on TBS: AEW World Champion @SamoaJoe / @swerveconfident / @briancagegmsi vs Hangman Page/FTW Champion @730hook / @TherealRVD !

I'm excited to announce that RVD will return to @AEWonTV on TNT for 4/20 Saturday Night #AEWCollision!
+
I can't wait for THIS Wednesday #AEWDynamite in Tulsa on TBS:
AEW World Champion @SamoaJoe/@swerveconfident/@briancagegmsi vs
Hangman Page/FTW Champion @730hook/@TherealRVD!

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) February 16, 2024

What’s Next For RVD

RVD has a big match coming up before 4/20. Big Time Wrestling booked a first-time ever collision between Matt Riddle and RVD will take place Saturday, March 9th, 2024 during “The Reunion 3: Cavalcade of Legends” Super Show from Chillicothe, Ohio at the OU-Shoemaker Center.

Rob Van Dam and Tony Khan are not under any written contract. That being said, his participation with AEW could have cost him a spot during the WrestleMania 40 festivities. Only time will tell if he shows up in Philly for the big two-day extravaganza, but he will be on AEW Collision for their Stoner Christmas episode.

WWE 2K24 is on the way, and although a lot of the hype has surrounded questions about whether they will be able to remove Brock Lesnar and Vince McMahon from the game, there is a lot more to talk about. Now, the soundtrack drop, featuring Post Malone, is stirring up a lot of buzz.

WWE 2K24 Soundtrack

Today, WWE 2K24 revealed its latest trailer for the 2K Showcase of the Immortals, providing fans with a preview of WrestleMania’s five-decade history, representing the pinnacle of sports entertainment. With numerous memorable moments to explore, 2K assures an exhilarating experience awaits players.

2K announced the soundtrack for WWE 2K24 today, and there are some big names on the list. Post Malone, Tyler Childers, Turnstile, Grimes, Speed, Yeat, and more are featured.

? ? #WWE2K24 pic.twitter.com/uOYz6IWB2P

— #WWE2K25 (@WWEgames) February 16, 2024

Post Malone has two songs featured, “Chemical” and “Laugh it Off.” He also sat down for an interview, where he explained the adrenaline-pumping kind of music he looks for in a good game soundtrack. Post Malone will also be a playable character in the new game.

What makes a ? video game soundtrack? Our Executive Soundtrack Producer @PostMalone takes us into the process pic.twitter.com/e0NJI73gSL

— #WWE2K25 (@WWEgames) February 16, 2024

WWE 2K24 Showcase Of The Immortals

The 2K Showcase of the Immortals feature enables players to replay 21 matches spanning five decades of WrestleMania history. Each match becomes accessible upon completing the previous one.

The game includes legendary encounters such as Hulk Hogan’s historic bout against Andre the Giant, as well as contemporary classics like Becky Lynch’s showdown with Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair. It offers an extensive journey through WrestleMania’s rich history.

WWE 2K24 Release Information

Three editions of WWE 2K24 will be available, including the Deluxe Edition, Forty Years of WrestleMania Edition, and Standard Edition, with release dates staggered worldwide in March 2024. Stay tuned for additional information on the game’s soundtrack, roster, Superstar ratings, and more.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of WWE 2K24, and everything else in the pro wrestling world.

TNA Wrestling is going through another big change right after their re-branding. Scott D’Amore is out, but now another man is running the creative side of things. The Innovator of Violence, Tommy Dreamer now has the book for TNA.

Scott D’Amore’s Replacement as Head Booker

Last week, the wrestling community was surprised by the news that Anthem chose to end D’Amore’s tenure, who many consider crucial to TNA Wrestling’s future. Over the last six months, D’Amore has strongly advocated for changes in the company’s offerings, including introducing new talent, welcoming back familiar faces, and reviving the recognizable

D’Amore tried to purchase TNA Wrestling after it was made clear that the company would fire him. They did not sell, and now D’Amore is out.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that Tommy Dreamer is now the head booker for the company’s creative direction after D’Amore’s firing. This was expected, but at least Anthem didn’t place someone else in the role from outside the pro wrestling world.

“Tommy Dreamer is now the head of creative as many expected with D’Amore gone.”

Backlash After Scott D’Amore’s Firing

It should be noted that there was a big letter sent to Anthem in protest of Scott D’Amore’s firing. Some members of the roster reportedly signed-off on it as well, and it is a rather scathing review of the current circumstances.

TNA Wrestling talent were also offered to start discussions about their release from the company if they don’t like this new creative direction. As of this writing, we have not heard about anyone who has departed as a result of D’Amore’s exit.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this still-developing story, so keep checking back for more updates.

UPDATE: Denial & Clarification 

Tommy Dreamer has now denied this report. He said that he is not head booker of TNA Wrestling.

PW Insider reported to clear up this misinformation from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Ariel Shnerer is reportedly looking over all content coming out of TNA Wrestling from this point on.

“Ariel Shnerer will be overseeing all TNA content going forward and will be working in conjunction with new TNA President Anthony Cicione. It will be Shnerer who will have the last word on any talent and creative decisions, although Cicione will be the top of the pyramid.” 

The Rock is back for another road to WrestleMania, but the match he’s getting isn’t the one he originally wanted. It was his call the whole time to make that change, as I reported several times before. It turns out that Dwayne Johnson was convinced to let Cody Rhodes have the main event match, but it took a lot of backlash.  

WrestleMania 40 Plans Changed

I exclusively reported on SEScoops that a source within WWE confirmed that The Rock initially intended to have a match with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. The current scenario regarding the show was not The Rock’s original preference, indicating that it was not part of a preconceived plan from the outset. He then conceded that Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns should be the main event match.

I was told that “The Rock conceded it should be Roman vs Cody.”

Follow Up: I was able to confirm that Rock's original plan was to have a match with Roman. It wasn't the situation we have now. After all the negative reaction, Rock conceded it should be Roman vs Cody.

A tag team match at WrestleMania seems to be the direction now, with Rock &… https://t.co/jyEqNKjnSP

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 12, 2024

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter confirmed that report, saying that it was The Rock’s decision to book at tag team match for Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. The word “conceded” was even used in Dave Meltzer’s report.

There is said to be far more behind the scenes that hasn’t come out but given the timing can’t be talked about now. But Johnson over the weekend said it was best to be out of the Reigns match, put Cody in, which by this point everyone conceded by then. It was Johnson who then pitched the heel turn, and he did pitch the idea of the Reigns & Rock vs. Rhodes & Rollins match for night one. So that was his idea if that is how it turns out. 

From the very beginning, I reported that plans were locked in, and the only person who could change things is The Rock. That is exactly what happened, much to the delight of “Cody crybabies” all over, who want to see The American Nightmare finish his story.

Why The Match Was Changed

The Rock publicly expressed his desire for a match against Roman Reigns on January 1st, appearing during the Day 1 episode of RAW. Subsequently, the match was arranged shortly thereafter, despite Cody Rhodes winning the 2024 Royal Rumble match. Notably, Triple H was aware of the agreement for Rock vs Reigns.

Negative fan reaction, and mainstream attention on the matter, caused Rock to make a call to pivot. That being said, he will now apparently play up the heel gimmick on WWE television for the Cody crybabies.

Welcome to SEScoops’ Daily Drop – a rundown of the top stories in pro wrestling all in one place.

Our mission is to provide our readers with the most important and interesting news from WWE, AEW and more that’s timely, informative and engaging. The Daily Drop is a destination where you can get a snapshot of the top stories in wrestling.

• WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 50 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 16, 2024:

WWE News and Notes

– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT is officially SOLD OUT with over 11,000 tickets distributed, per Wrestletix. 

SmackDown will feature appearances from The Rock and Roman Reigns, as well as Elimination Chamber qualifying matches with:

• Logan Paul vs. The Miz
• Kevin Owens vs. Dominik Mysterio
• Naomi vs. Zelina Vega
• Tiffany Stratton vs. Alba Fyre

– Drew McIntyre still has yet to sign a new WWE contract, but the Scottish Warrior’s will be on television through WrestleMania 40. Time was added to the back-end of his deal to make up for dates missed due to injuries.

– WWE saw a notable behind-the-scenes departure on February 15th. Jennifer Pepperman has left WWE. She a senior writer and producer who was heavily involved with the Women’s division on SmackDown. 

We’ve updated our WWE Releases tracker to reflect Pepperman’s departure.

– Speaking of WWE releases, former voice of Monday Night Raw Kevin Patrick has already landed his next gig. He’ll be part of the panel for the second season of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. 

– Former WWE executive Stephanie McMahon has been named as part of the alleged cover-up regarding Ashley Massaro being sexually assaulted while in Kuwait on WWE business. A friend of the late WWE superstar alleges that Stephanie McMahon worked with her to brush the incident under the rug.

Cara Pipia, friend of Ashley Massaro, a former WWE star who accused Vince McMahon of covering up an alleged rape, joined #Banfield to discuss the allegations made. MORE: https://t.co/UH9s3sC401 pic.twitter.com/Ep927Xrxgb

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) February 15, 2024

AEW News and Notes

– Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT (taped Wednesday from Cedar Park, TX) will see:

• No DQ match: Jeff Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara
• Anna Jay vs. Queen Aminata
• Bang Bang Scissor Gang in 12-man tag team action

– AEW may have to start watching their language a lot more. It was reported that WBD is nixing their profanities, so the bleeping will take over the regular S-Bombs on every show.

– We’re still waiting on new word regarding Jeff Hardy’s injury during the February 14th Rampage taping. As of this writing, the concern was for his head, and some thought he may have broken his nose. That show will air tonight.

Jeff and Matt Hardy flip off Sammy Guevara after the botch that knocked out Jeff pic.twitter.com/Wl2TnbFXuJ

— Wrestlelamia.com (@wrestlelamia) February 16, 2024

Coming Up

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of these stories, and everything else that breaks in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more updates!