2K has released the last update for the upcoming ECW DLC pack for WWE 2K24, known as the ECW Punk Pack, which will be available on Wednesday, May 15. They have revealed CM Punk’s appearance in the game, accurately capturing his likeness. They even nailed the WWE Universe’s rambunctious “CM Punk” chants.

WWE and 2K recently released previews of the ECW Punk Pack characters, featuring The Sandman, The Dudley Boyz, and Terry Funk. Today, they unveiled a screenshot of CM Punk, the last member of the pack. This release was accompanied by a video showcasing his entrance in the game.

This marks CM Punk’s first official appearance in a WWE game since WWE 2K15. During the interim period, the only way fans could get Punk in the game was via a talented CAW artist in the 2k community. 

Cult Of Personality. ??

Step into the ring as the Best in the World, CM Punk, with the ECW Punk Pack for #WWE2K24. Available May 15. pic.twitter.com/EWSwFonrLl

— #WWE2K25 (@WWEgames) May 10, 2024

CM Punk returned to WWE during the closing moments of the 2023 Survivor Series event. That surprise in the Windy City caught everyone off-guard, and 2K also didn’t have him prepared for their upcoming game. They got to work in rapid fashion to correct this omission from the roster.

In case you’re wondering how far WWE video games have come since CM Punk was last featured in a game, you can check out his 2K15 entrance below. The difference is pretty astounding. 

Future WWE 2K24 DLC Packs:

• June 26: DLC Pack #2 (“Post Malone & Friends Pack”)
  • Post Malone
  • Sensational Sherri
  • Mosh
  • Thrasher
  • Honky Tonk Man
  • Jimmy Hart Manager
  • MyFACTION Superstar Cards
• July 24: DLC Pack #3 (“Pat McAfee Show Pack”)
  • Pat McAfee
  • Ty Schmit
  • Boston Connor
  • AJ Hawk
  • Darius Butler
  • Additional MyFACTION Superstar Cards
• September 20: DLC Pack #4 (“Global Superstars Pack”)
  • Jade Cargill
  • Nia Jax
  • Michelle McCool
  • Carlito
  • Kairi Sane
  • Lyra Valkyria
  • Dragon Lee
  • MyFACTION Superstar Cards
• November 13: DLC Pack #5 (“WCW Pack”)
  • Diamond Dallas Page
  • Iron Sheik
  • Mr. Perfect
  • Great Muta
  • Lex Luger
  • MyFACTION Superstar Cards

WWE 2K24 Release & Reception

WWE 2K24 was released on March 8, 2024. Cody Rhodes is featured on the standard edition of the game. Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair appear on the special edition, the first time females have shared the cover. The 40 Years of WrestleMania special cover was changed to remove Brock Lesnar.

The game is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Critics have noted the game’s improvements and refinements from previous versions.

Reviews:

• IGN: 8 out of 10
• GameSpot: 8 out of 10
• Metacritic: 81%
• User Ratings: 3.7 (based on 316 reviews)
• Our Exclusive Review: 8.5 out of 10

Big Bill’s new pairing with former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho signifies the end of his previous partnership with Ricky Starks. We’ve seen wrestlers teaming with multiple tag partners and being part of multiple ongoing storylines, but that won’t be the case here. Fightful Select reports Bill and Starks have officially parted ways and there are no plans for the former AEW tag champs to work together on television. After reaching the top of the mountain together, they’ve decided to go their separate ways.

While Big Bill is sitting under the Learning Tree, Starks is out of action recovering from a leg injury. That process is never fun, but he let his social media followers know he’s doing just fine while off the road.

Laid up with a fine lady, eating grapes. Pick a day https://t.co/K3FQNod6T9

— Ricky Saints (@starkmanjones) May 8, 2024

Big Bill in AEW

Big Bill has gone through a lot since his WWE release, and it was well-documented. He has also spoken candidly about overcoming those struggles.

After a run in the NWA and Impact Wrestling, AEW opened their doors to the former Realest Guy in the Room.

Big Bill made his AEW debut on May 4, 2022, as MJF’s pick to face Wardlow in a storyline for their Double or Nothing match. Although Bill lost that debut match to the Warddog, he wasn’t finished in Tony Khan’s company. By August, the 37-year-old signed with AEW, initially as part of Stokely Hathaway’s stable, The Firm.

In August 2023, Big Bill teamed up with Ricky Starks, who managed him after obtaining a manager’s license. They won the AEW World Tag Team Championship from FTR on October 7 and held it for 123 days before losing it to Sting and Darby Allin.

On April 24, 2024, Big Bill told FTW Champion Chris Jericho he wanted to join his Learning Tree. After assisting Jericho in a match, Jericho welcomed him into the group a week later. All signs point to the fact that Bill’s stories in AEW are far from over.

We have a first look at the DLC character of hardcore legend Terry Funk in WWE 2K24. The all-time great is part of the the first DLC pack for the game, the ECW Punk Pack that will be available Wednesday, May 15. 

WWE and 2K have been giving first looks at the ECW Punk Pack characters, including The Sandman and The Dudley Boyz. Today, it’s a screenshot of the great Terry Funk. CM Punk is the final remaining member of the pack.

Terry Funk U is almost in session

The Hardcore Legend arrives in #WWE2K24 on May 15 with the ECW Punk Pack pic.twitter.com/zyl9UkHOMR

— #WWE2K25 (@WWEgames) May 9, 2024

Terry Funk’s contributions to the pro wrestling business are vast, and he picked up championships all over the globe in over 50 years in the pro wrestling business. Sadly, he passed away on August 23, 2023. While the specific cause of his death has not been disclosed, it is known that he was dealing with health problems and was living in a nursing home at the time. He will forever be remembered as a legend and a trailblazer, one who influenced generations after him.

Future WWE 2K24 DLC Packs:

After the ECW Punk Pack release on 5/15, here’s the release schedule for the remaining WWE 2K24 DLC packs:

• June 26: DLC Pack #2 (“Post Malone & Friends Pack”)
  • Includes Post Malone, Sensational Sherri, Mosh, Thrasher, Honky Tonk Man, Jimmy Hart Manager, MyFACTION Superstar Cards
• July 24: DLC Pack #3 (“Pat McAfee Show Pack”)
  • Features Pat McAfee, Ty Schmit, Boston Connor, AJ Hawk, Darius Butler, additional MyFACTION Superstar Cards
• September 20: DLC Pack #4 (“Global Superstars Pack”)
  • Includes Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Michelle McCool, Carlito, Kairi Sane, Lyra Valkyria, Dragon Lee, MyFACTION Superstar Cards
• November 13: DLC Pack #5 (“WCW Pack”)
• Features Diamond Dallas Page, Iron Sheik, Mr. Perfect, Great Muta, Lex Luger, MyFACTION Superstar Cards

WWE 2K24 Release & Reception

WWE 2K24 dropped on March 8, 2024, with Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley leading the promotional charge as the game’s cover Superstars. Cody was featured on the standard edition of the game. Ripley and Belair were on the special edition, making history as the first females to share the cover in the process. The special 40 Years of WrestleMania cover of the game saw an alteration after Brock Lesnar was scrubbed from the game.

The game is available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. Critics have responded positively to the game. They highlight its improvements and refinements from previous versions.

IGN and GameSpot each gave the game a score of 8 out of 10. Metacritic has given it a score of 81%. Users have also shared their opinions, rating it 3.7 based on 316 reviews. In our exclusive review, we gave WWE 2K24 a score of 8.5 out of 10:

WWE SummerSlam tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster. The company’s hot streak of running stadium shows continues, as the event takes place Saturday, August 3, 2024 from Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The venue opened in 1999 and has max capacity of approximately 67,000 people. 

If you’re looking to attend SummerSlam as a true VIP, On Location sells Priority Pass packages that premium seating, meeting WWE Superstars, photo opportunities and more. Here’s an early look at the seating chart for this year’s SummerSlam, with some of the most desirable seats going up for sale during this week’s 2-day pre-sale event.

SummerSlam is one of WWE’s original ‘big 4’ events, along with WrestleMania, Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble. Cleveland’s own Logan Paul, the reigning WWE United States champion, says wrestling fans should expect a star-studded roster of celebrity guest appearances. 

“I wanna bring my brother Jake. I want MGK to be there, I want the Kelce brothers to be there. I want it to be one of the biggest events Cleveland has ever seen.”

He added, “Oh, Dave Chapelle will absolutely be there” and hopes to secure an opponent that he can “bring the house down” with. Who could that be?

SummerSlam Attendance

Last year’s SummerSlam was held at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, with an attendance of 51,477 and a gate of $8.5 million. Cleveland Browns Stadium has a listed capacity of 67,431 and WWE should have no problem packing fans into another huge NFL stadium.

WWE continues to break records, most recently with WrestleMania XL. The event generated gate receipts totaling $38.5 million from two nights at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. WWE also sold 44,569 tickets, generating $7.3 million, for the 2024 Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field. 

Check out our exclusive video from SummerSlam 2023 with Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar shaking hands after their match. 

It’s time for the Daily Drop on May 9, 2024. There is a lot to unpack from all over the pro wrestling world, as always. This is why SEScoops has this daily round-up and update for you.

First off, it WWE RAW isn’t leaving USA Network this year. The red brand will start on Netflix in 2025, but there was a big question about where RAW will go when their deal is up at the end of October. Now, USA Network has secured the remaining months of 2024 with a $25 million deal, per TKO’s latest financial call. Many are seeing that as a steal for the USA Network’s part, but it is a small amount compared to the 5 billion Netflix is giving WWE as part of their 10-year deal that starts in January.

WWE:

WrestleMania 43 Proposal: The Detroit Sports Commission is drafting a proposal to host WrestleMania 43 in their city. This would be a big deal historically, as it would be 40 years after WrestleMania 3, and 20 years following Detroit’s last WrestleMania event.

WWE Isn’t Using GoD: SEScoops exclusively reported that WWE has no plan to use Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa’s Guerillas of Destiny name. Loa debuted at WWE Backlash as part of the Bloodline stable, but the GoD moniker isn’t coming with him, despite the fact that he is aligned with Tonga once again.

TKO Financial Update: In the first quarter of 2024, TKO reported earnings of $629.7 million but incurred a net loss of $249.5 million, primarily due to a $335 million settlement of an antitrust lawsuit. The lawsuit claimed that UFC functioned as an illegal monopsony, suppressing fighter wages and hindering rival promotions, with over 1,200 individuals involved. Meanwhile, UFC generated $313 million in revenue, slightly less than WWE’s $316.7 million. UFC’s highlight for the quarter was the UFC 300 event, which brought in $16.5 million at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

CM Punk Blocked Music Change: During a recent interview, Living Colour vocalist Corey Glover stated that WWE wanted to do a sound-alike song for “Cut of Personality,” but Punk blocked it. He wanted to use his actual song, which is what ended up happening thanks to the Second City Savior putting his foot down.

AEW:

Ric Flair Reacts: After his Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza blowup, The Nature Boy released a public statement on the matter. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer said that things “just escalated.”

AEW Fight Forever Update: AEW released the Fight Forever Season Pass 4 bundle, capturing attention worldwide. This release includes not just Samoa Joe but also two new arenas: the Japanese Shrine Arena and the Fright Forever Arena. Players can also access new characters Adam Copeland and Jay White. AEW Fight Forever is available on all consoles and PC, and fan reactions to this update will reveal how much AEW has improved its game and how it compares to 2k.

JOE! JOE! JOE! ?

Prepare for war as @SamoaJoe enters the #AEWFightForever ring in the World War Joe DLC Pack! The DLC also includes the all-new Japanese Shrine arena, two new attires, and 11 new moves including signature taunts!

World War Joe can be downloaded today on console… pic.twitter.com/QcjoLX7gRW

— AEW Games (@AEWGames) May 8, 2024

Kenny Omega’s Announcement: Although he is far from being medically cleared, Omega appeared on AEW Dynamite from a hospital bed, where he booked an Anarchy in the Arena match for Double or Nothing on May 26.

Current AEW Double or Nothing 2024 Card:

• Swerve Strickland (c), with Prince Nana, vs. Christian Cage with The Patriarchy for the AEW World Championship
• Mercedes Moné vs. Willow Nightingale (c), for the TBS Championship
• Will Ospreay Vs. Roderick Strong (c) for the International Championship
• ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm (c) vs. Serena Deeb
• Anarchy in the Arena match: The Elite vs. Team AEW.

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

• Saturday, May 25: King & Queen of the Ring (PLE)
• Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)
• Sunday, June 9: NXT Battleground (PLE)

Ric Flair’s blowup at Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza caused a chain reaction that resulted in video of the incident surfacing. Now, the Nature Boy is making no excuses for his behavior.

The 16x World Champion expressed regret about his recent outburst at a Gainesville pizza restaurant. He mentioned on “The MJ Morning Show on Q105” that he should have left the restaurant the moment things turned sour.

Flair admitted, “It just escalated, and I was wrong for getting mad, but I kind of felt like I was defending my position.” He also reconsidered his initial negative review of the restaurant, acknowledging that he had enjoyed his time and meal there before the conflict arose.

Despite his enjoyment, the incident escalated after Flair, who had taken pictures with customers and spent $1,500, was asked to leave following a disagreement with the kitchen manager about bathroom use. This disagreement led to a heated exchange, captured in a video that portrayed Flair negatively.

The incident, captured on video, showed Flair yelling at a Piesanos staffer following an alleged bathroom incident with the kitchen manager. A patron even suggested taking the argument outside.

The restaurant’s co-owner defended the decision to ask Flair to leave, supporting the staff’s actions. During the incident, Flair used strong language towards the manager and even challenged him to a physical altercation outside. He concluded the incident by offering a $1000 tip to a staff member.

One of All Elite Wrestling’s most chaotic matches is returning later this month at AEW Double or Nothing: Anarchy in the Arena.

Former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega appeared on this week’s AEW Dynamite to address the violent attack he sustained last week at the hands (and feet) of The Elite. Omega, who is out indefinitely recovering from diverticulitis, checked in from a hospital bed to deliver an important announcement. The Elite will face justice for attacking him last week on Dynamite. At Double or Nothing, The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada and Jack Perry will face FTR and two additional partners in the Anarchy match. Later in the show, they were revealed to be Bryan Danielson and Eddie Kingston. 

Anarchy in the Arena involves two teams battling in a no-rules falls-count-anywhere match. Often involving two warring factions, the unique stipulation combines elements of hardcore and cinematic matches and is dubbed ‘Stadium Stampede’ when held in larger stadium venues. We got a preview of Anarchy in the Arena when the two teams brawled at the conclusion of this week’s Dynamite:

Double or Nothing Coming Together

Anarchy in the Arena joins the growing card for the upcoming AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view on Sunday, May 26 from Las Vegas.

Swerve Strickland puts the AEW World Championship on the line against Christian Cage, Mercedes Moné Makes her AEW in-ring debut and challenges Willow Nightingale for the TBS championship, Will Ospreay goes for gold against International Champion Roderick Strong and more.

Current match lineup for AEW Double or Nothing:

• Swerve Strickland (c), with Prince Nana, vs. Christian Cage with The Patriarchy for the AEW World Championship
• Mercedes Moné  vs. Willow Nightingale (c), for the TBS Championship
• Will Ospreay  Vs. Roderick Strong (c) for the International Championship
• ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm (c) vs. Serena Deeb
• Anarchy in the Arena match: The Elite vs. Team AEW.

Watch Kenny Omega’s address from AEW Dynamite 5/8/24:

Tanga Loa made his WWE debut at last weekend’s Backlash PLE from the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. He reunited with his brother, Tama Tonga, as part of the new and improved Bloodline. 

We’ve received questions from readers about whether or lot they’ll be using their old team name from New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Guerrillas of Destiny. SEScoops has confirmed with multiple sources that Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga will not carry over the GoD name into WWE.

Before joining WWE, Tanga and Tonga reigned in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as the Guerrillas of Destiny and held the IWGP Tag Team Championship an impressive seven times 

We may see the name referenced in passing, there are no plans for them to use the name regularly or as part of any merchandise. A search of the US Patent & Trademark Office database shows no current owners for the  ‘Guerrillas of Destiny’ trademark.

Since Roman Reigns lost the WWE Undisputed World Title to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL, WWE fans have witnessed a significant transformation in the Bloodline. Loa’s arrival could further reshape the landscape.

WWE Backlash signaled a significant shift for the Bloodline with the introduction of a new, powerful tag team to the WWE Universe, led by Solo Sikoa in Roman Reigns’ absence. Although Paul Heyman may be leery about things, he is still following along. 

WrestleMania brings a financial windfall to any market who gets to host the destination event. Cities across the world bid to host WWE’s biggest show of the year and another city is preparing a strong offer to host the event in 2027.

Today, on a Detroit local radio station, it was shared that the Detroit Sports Commission is in the process of preparing a proposal to host WrestleMania 43 at Ford Field. The stadium was built in 2002 and is the official home of the NFL Detroit Lions, with a capacity of 65,000. 

WrestleMania 41 was confirmed this last week to take place in Las Vegas on April 20 and 21 at Allegiant Stadium. As of this writing, WWE has not booked WrestleMania 42 or 43’s location. 

Detroit’s WrestleMania History 

This would make sense in the realm of history. WrestleMania 43 will mark the 40th anniversary of WrestleMania 3. The event was known as the “biggest main event in sports entertainment.” In the final match, WWF World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan defended his title against André the Giant.

During the match’s finish, Hogan executed a legendary scoop slam on André that will live on forever. He followed this by hitting the ropes and delivering a leg drop. After retaining the WWE Championship, Hulkamania was running wild. 

Detroit also played host to WrestleMania 23, where Vince McMahon and Donald Trump stole the show with their battle of the billionaires.

We’ve got a first look at the Dudley Boyz’ ring entrance in WWE 2K24. WWE Hall of Famers Bubba Ray and Devon Dudley will be available next Tuesday, May 14 as part of the game’s first DLC pack. The ‘ECW Punk Pack’ also includes The Sandman, Terry Funk and CM Punk.

Devon Dudley is rated 84 in the game, while Bubba Ray is an 85. 

D-Von! Get the tables!

The WWE Hall of Famers, The Dudley Boyz are coming to #WWE2K24 with the ECW Punk Pack on May 14. pic.twitter.com/DIdvraIACU

— #WWE2K25 (@WWEgames) May 7, 2024

Future DLC Packs

Here’s a look at future WWE 2K24 DLC packs:

• June 26: DLC Pack #2 (“Post Malone & Friends Pack) includes Post Malone, Sensational Sherri, Mosh, Thrasher, Honky Tonk Man, and a Jimmy Hart Manager, along with MyFACTION Superstar Cards.
• July 24: DLC Pack #3 (“Pat McAfee Show Pack) features Pat McAfee, Ty Schmit, Boston Connor, AJ Hawk, Darius Butler, and additional MyFACTION Superstar Cards.
• September 20: DLC Pack #4 (“Global Superstars Pack”) includes Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Michelle McCool, Carlito, Kairi Sane, Lyra Valkyria, Dragon Lee, and MyFACTION Superstar Cards.
• November 13: DLC Pack #5 (“WCW Pack”) features Diamond Dallas Page, Iron Sheik, Mr. Perfect, Great Muta, Lex Luger, and MyFACTION Superstar Cards.

WWE 2K24 Reception

WWE 2K24 launched on March 8, 2024, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game received positive reviews from critics, noted for its improvements and refinements over the previous version. 

It received scores of 8/10 from IGN and GameSpot, and an 81% on Metacritic. Users have rated it 3.7 based on 316 reviews.

We rated the game an 8.5/10 in our exclusive review:

Welcome to the Daily Drop for May 8, 2024. There is a lot to cover every day in the pro wrestling world, but this should get you up to speed.

Before we get going, Vince McMahon and WWE came up in an unlikely place yesterday. Daniels mentioned her initial interest in discussing professional wrestling when she first met Trump. She knew about the long-standing friendship between McMahon and Trump and wanted to explore that connection. She shared a conversation with Trump where he realized the similarities between adult film stars and professional wrestlers, noting both are like athletes. Daniels, who works in adult films, chuckled in court as she compared her industry to pro wrestling, describing it as “real but not real.”

Now, let’s get into the Daily Drop!

WWE:

Announcer Call-Up: NXT ring announcer Alicia Taylor is on her way up to SmackDown. That will see female ring announcers on each WWE main roster brand for the first time in history, as Samantha Irvin still has RAW on lock.

Jacy Jayne Injured: During NXT this week, it was confirmed that Jacy Jayne suffered a broken nose during Spring Breakin’ week two. She needed surgery, and at this time there is no return time table for her return to the ring.

Sexyy Red Is For Trick: Popular rapper Sexyy Red was watching NXT this week, and she wasn’t happy about Noam Dar jumping Trick Williams. She posted on Twitter/X to say make it very clear that she was watching NXT this week.

Mannnn wtf I just watch on Supernova Sessions? MetaFour betta watch dey back cause Trick Williams gon be on dey ass now!! ??

— Sexyy Red (@SexyyRed314_) May 8, 2024

Randy Orton Auditions: While speaking to Adam’s Apple, Randy Orton opened up a bit about acting outside WWE. He does still do auditions from time to time, but in the end, he’s actually glad when he doesn’t land those roles.

”I was just talking to Cody Rhodes about this (venturing into acting) in Marcé, France and it’s… I really love what I’m doing now. I love watching movies. There’s a lot of work that goes into them. 10, 12 hours a day on set… and I do auditions. I’m with U.T.A. and I do turn in some auditions, I do some self-tapes here and there but, sometimes I’ll see these roles pop up a year or two later that I don’t get and I’ll see it and I’ll be like, ‘Man, I’m glad I didn’t get that role.’ I would’ve busted my ass.

AEW:

AEW Dynamite 5/8 Card:

• TNT Championship: Adam Copeland vs. Brody King
• Orange Cassidy vs. Trent Beretta
• Mariah May vs. Harley Cameron
• Swerve Strickland face-to-face with Christian Cage
• We’ll hear from Serena Deeb
• Kenny Omega will make an important announcement

RVD Is All Elite: Although he never inked a deal with AEW, WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam stated that he is more than willing to go back to AEW for an extended run. So far, all of his appearances were handshake deals.

Hardy Boyz Want To Retire Together: In an interview with ComicBook, Matt Hardy discussed his retirement plans alongside Jeff Hardy. He mentioned that both he and Jeff aim to conclude their wrestling careers together, mirroring the way they started.

“That would definitely be our goal. It is very important to us to finish how we started. We started as two brothers on this journey. Our goal was to win the tag team titles of the world one time, and obviously we did that many times over. We do want to end that way. We’ve talked, and we’re both very aware of that. We want to end our careers together as a team.”

Ric Flair Footage: Tiktok user @bussines11.11 uploaded footage of Ric Flair’s incident at Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza in Gainesville, Florida. This was not the best look for the Nature Boy at all, as the footage captured him using strong language toward the manager by calling him a ‘dip****’ and challenging him to a fight outside the restaurant. Flair concluded the incident by offering a $1000 tip to a staff member.

Footage from the restaurant that Ric Flair says he was kicked out of

"I'm gonna give you a $1,000 tip just to say to him kiss my ass."pic.twitter.com/3nBngQHW2M

— Vick (@Vick_8122) May 7, 2024

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

• Saturday, May 25: King & Queen of the Ring (PLE)
• Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)
• Sunday, June 9: NXT Battleground (PLE)

Ric Flair has seen controversy follow him for decades, and things aren’t slowing down for the 75-year-old legend. The 16-time World Champion was recently involved in a controversy after criticizing Piesanos Stone Fired Pizza in Gainesville, Florida. He claimed he was treated disrespectfully, but a video of an incident he had with the staff paints a different picture.

Flair stated, “I graciously took 20 pictures with customers and staff,” after spending $1,500 at the restaurant. Despite this, he was asked to leave following a disagreement with the kitchen manager, which Flair attributed to the manager spending too much time in the bathroom. This led to a heated, profanity-laden exchange.

Here’s the footage, courtesy of Tiktok user @bussines11.11:

Footage from the restaurant that Ric Flair says he was kicked out of

"I'm gonna give you a $1,000 tip just to say to him kiss my ass."pic.twitter.com/3nBngQHW2M

— Vick (@Vick_8122) May 7, 2024

Flair advised people looking for a pleasant dining experience in Gainesville to avoid Piesanos. In response, the co-owner of the restaurant defended the decision to ask him to leave, supporting the staff’s actions during the incident.

The ‘Nature Boy’ is visibly frustrated, uses strong language towards the manager, calling him a ‘dip****’, and challenging him to a physical fight outside the restaurant. Flair ended the incident by offering a $1000 tip to one of the staff members.

Read more about this story, including previous statements from the restaurant owner and Flair:

Ric Flair’s Controversies

Flair has gotten his share of negative headlines in recent years.  His involvement in the infamous ‘Plane Ride From Hell’ carrying WWE executives and wrestlers was brought back to the public consciousness when it was documented on Vice’s Dark Side of the Ring two years ago. Flair was involved in an incident where he flashed two stewardesses and allegedly sexually assaulted them by backing one against the wall while only wearing his ring robe. 

Dark Side producers emphasized that the episode recounting these events is not mere mischief, but a dark and troubling account that highlights the severe impact on the flight crew forced to handle the aggressive behavior of intoxicated wrestlers.

Vince McMahon and WWE were referenced in court several times on Tuesday during Stormy Daniels’ testimony as part of the ongoing hush money trial against former US President Donald Trump. 

Daniels said that when she first met Trump, she “really wanted” to ask him about professional wrestling. McMahon and Trump have been close friends for decades and she was eager to explore that connection. She recalled a conversation with Trump where it “sort of clicked” for him that adult film stars are similar to athletes and pro wrestlers. Daniels, an adult film star, laughed on the stand as she her world to pro wrestling. Like WWE, “it’s real but it’s not.”

Visit Google News for more coverage of Stormy Daniels testifying in Donald Trump’s hush-money trial.

Trump faces charges of falsifying business records to conceal payments made to Daniels, who asserts they had an affair. He has entered a not guilty plea and denies the affair claim. 

On Monday, both current and former officials from the Trump Organization provided testimony on how Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, was reimbursed for the $130,000 payment to Daniels.

Judge Juan Merchan has reiterated that Trump violated his gag order twice and has warned him again about the potential for jail time if he continues to post attacks on witnesses and the jury. 

New York Mayor Eric Adams stated that the city’s Department of Correction and Rikers Island are prepared to accommodate Donald Trump if he is incarcerated for violating Judge Merchan’s gag order in the trial.

Welcome to the Daily Drop for May 7, 2024. It’s Tuesday, so NXT has the fallout from their two-week Spring Breakin’ special tonight. There is also a lot to unpack from all over the pro wrestling world.

Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s beef has stretched into the pro wrestling realm. After Shawn Michaels’ Sweet Chin Music was brought into the picture, he extended an open invitation to have them settle their beef in NXT. CM Punk then quoted Kendrick on WWE RAW, as he cut a promo on Drew McIntyre.

Now, let’s get into today’s Daily Drop!

WWE:

WWE NXT Card for 5/7:

• NXT Women’s Championship Match: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Chelsea Green
• Singles Match: Wes Lee vs. Josh Briggs
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Combine

The King is Gone: Jerry Lawler is no longer under WWE contract, ending a relationship that continued since 1992. He is still under a Legends deal, but the company decided not to renew his commentator deal on January 2024. The news just broke on May 6.

WWE 2K24: They just released the Sandman’s entrance, which will be a part of the next wave of DLC content for WWE 2K24. 2K also put a new patch through that should correct some issues that gamers have been experiencing.

Internal Promotion: WWE’s corporate structure has undergone another change, with Chris Legentil stepping in as the new Head of Talent Relations. He replaces Dan Ventrelle, who was released from the company in April 2024.

Ricochet Vents: Following his loss to Ilja Dragunov in the King of the Ring tournament on RAW this week, Ricochet took a moment to vent backstage for a camera. He posted this shoot sounding promo on Twitter/X with a caption that said, “who gives a sh*t anymore?”

Honestly, who gives a shit anymore. ????? pic.twitter.com/WrdFyYwnQD

— Ricochet (@KingRicochet) May 7, 2024

AEW:

Absolutely Not Injured: Ricky Starks has spoken out to squash the narrative that he is injured. He’s been taking time off from AEW, but he claims to be physically ready to go.

Flair’s Ejection: The pizza shop owner, who kicked Ric Flair out recently, spoke up to justify his actions. Co-owner Jerry Roberts responded to inquiries via text about Ric’s departure from their establishment, confirming that he had a reason to kick The Nature Boy out.

“We have reviewed video of the incident that took place recently at our restaurant. It is clear, our team worked in a professional manner to ensure the safety of guests and staff. We have thanked our team for their professionalism. We are proud of how they responded to this situation using and displaying our team values.”

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

• Sunday, May 26: NXT Battleground (PLE)
• Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)

CM Punk showed up on WWE RAW this week without an arm brace on, showing that he is closer to a return to action. Sadly, Drew McIntyre is injured, and he was pulled from the King of the Ring tournament. That led to the Second City Savior cutting a memorable promo.

Drew McIntyre exited the arena early during this week’s RAW, coinciding with CM Punk’s arrival. Punk then urged fans to tweet at McIntyre to return to the arena and proceeded with his promo, during which he sharply criticized the Scottish Warrior.

Hey @DMcIntyreWWE..

PUNK’S WAITING FOR YOU TO COME ON BACK pic.twitter.com/QfSpYmvWlk

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 7, 2024

During his promo, CM Punk dropped a line that said McIntyre hates the way that he walks, and hates the way that he talks. Many fans were quick to notice that Punk quoted one of Kendrick Lamar’s recent songs in that promo.

CM Punk X Kendrick Lamar reference from tonight’s Raw pic.twitter.com/cNVQkhEsF4

— Teffo (@Teffo_01) May 7, 2024

Punk and McIntyre have been feuding for months, but both have sustained injuries during this period. McIntyre seemed poised for significant roles in King of the Ring and Clash at the Castle. However, his injury might disrupt these plans.

In case you missed it, Kendrick bodied Drake in a few songs, including Euphoria, where he spit the lyrics.

It’s always been about love and hate, now let me say I’m the biggest hater I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk, I hate the way that you dress. I hate the way that you sneak diss, if I catch flight, it’s gon’ be direct. We hate the bitches you f*ck ’cause they confuse themself with real women.

Pro Wrestling Connection

This Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud entered the pro wrestling bubble when Shawn Michaels’ Sweet Chin Music was mentioned.

In his song, “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar references pro wrestling by alluding to Shawn Michaels’ famous finishing move. Lamar uses the imagery of “tuning up the band” to metaphorically deliver a Sweet Chin Music. The notable line starts at 2:23 in the track:

“Put the whole label on me, I’mma get ’em dropped.

Sweet Chin Music and I won’t pass the aux.”

Shawn Michaels later commented on Twitter/X, as he invited Kendrick and Drake onto NXT so they can hash out their beef. HBK even offered to mediate the proceedings. We will have to see if they take him up on that offer.

WWE 2K24 has released Patch 1.06, targeting stability improvements across several game modes. The update fixes issues with MyFACTION leaderboards, Ring Announcer settings in Title Matches, and allows more flexibility in MyGM mode by enabling players to book SuperStars from different tag teams in the same match. 

WWE 2K24 has rolled out its latest update, bringing a series of stability improvements to enhance the gaming experience. This update addresses several issues reported by players, ensuring smoother gameplay across various game modes.

WWE 2K24 Patch 1.06 Notes

• Stability Improvements
• Addressed reported concerns of leaderboards not loading correctly within MyFACTION
• Addressed reported concerns related to setting the Ring Announcer to None when entering a Title Match
• Addressed reported concerns of auto complete preventing players in MyGM from booking SuperStars from different tag teams in the same match

One of the key fixes in this patch includes a solution to the leaderboards not loading correctly within the MyFACTION mode. Players had reported this issue, which affected their ability to track progress and standings accurately. The update ensures that leaderboards will now function as intended, displaying data correctly and reliably.

The patch resolves a problem related to the Ring Announcer settings in Title Matches. Previously, setting the Ring Announcer to “None” could cause issues during these matches. With this update, players can now choose this setting without experiencing disruptions.

Another significant fix addresses the issue in the MyGM mode, where auto-completion settings prevented players from booking SuperStars from different tag teams in the same match. This enhancement will allow for more flexibility in match setups, providing players with a broader range of strategic options.

These updates, along with several other minor fixes, are part of WWE 2K24’s ongoing efforts to respond to community feedback and improve the overall gameplay experience. 

Patch 1.06 is now available for download across all platforms where WWE 2K24 is supported.

Previous WWE 2K24 Update

2K keeps putting hours into releasing updated patches for their latest offering. The 1.05 update for WWE 2K24 introduced significant audio enhancements, including full Create-A-Superstar (CAS) support for announcers Samantha Irvin and Alicia Taylor. Additionally, the update expanded match options, allowing players to select their preferred Ring Announcer from Mike Rome, Samantha Irvin, or Alicia Taylor, providing gamers with more customization options for their in-game experience.

They also tweaked camera angle issues for several moves in the game. They also addressed reported concerns related to shadows not displaying properly in the WrestleMania 31 daytime arena.

WWE 2K24 Reception

WWE 2K24 was launched on March 8, 2024, and is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.  The game was well-received by critics, earning generally favorable reviews. It was praised for its incremental improvements and refinements compared to its predecessor. Notable scores include an 8/10 from both IGN and GameSpot, and an 81% on Metacritic. Additionally, it has a user rating of 3.7 based on 316 reviews.

We reviewed WWE 2K24 before it was released. SEScoops correspondent Tyriece Simon gave the game an 8.5/10:

It’s time for the Daily Drop on May 6, and there is a lot to get into. It’s Monday, and the company has a packed episode of RAW planned for fans. You also never know what will break to start off the week.

Although Minneapolis thought they would get the hosting duties for WrestleMania 41, they were mistaken. Las Vegas will host the show of shows on April 20 and 21 instead. It was later reported that WWE’s new ownership decided to make the decision to pivot toward the new Vegas location.

Let’s get into today’s Daily Drop!

WWE:

WWE RAW Card for 5/6:

• King of the Ring: Gunther vs. Sheamus
• King of the Ring: Drew McIntyre vs. Finn Balor
• King of the Ring: Kofi Kingston vs. Rey Mysterio
• King of the Ring: Ricochet vs. Ilja Dragunov
• Queen of the Ring: Zoey Stark vs. Ivy Nile
• Queen of the Ring: Shayna Bazsler vs. Zelina Vega
• Queen of the Ring: Lyra Valkyria vs. Asuka
• Queen of the Ring: Iyo Sky vs. Natalya

Kevin Owens’ WWE Contract: While in France, Kevin Owens spoke to Alistair McGeorge of Metro and revealed that he has nine months left on his current WWE deal.

I really don’t take anything for granted, I’ve (got) nine months left on my contract, and I don’t know what can happen from here on out.

That’s just life. If I’ve learned anything over the last few years, it’s that nothing is guaranteed. I’ve learned that through some very unfortunate events. We’ve lost so many good people that was never expected.

That’s just one example of how I do not take anything for granted, how I look at things now.

New Stable Coming: A new stable is coming to WWE television, and that is why QR codes have been popping up. Currently, four individuals are set to join the new Uncle Howdy faction, which is yet to be named. These include Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan, who are all likely to become part of the new iteration of The Wyatt Family. Each has previous experience in different factions: Cross was part of Sanity, Gacy led The Schism, Lumis was a member of The Way, and Rowan was an original member of The Wyatt Family.

CM Stuck: After the WWE Backlash kickoff show, CM Punk stuck around the WWE Headquarters for a bit longer than he initially planned. The Second City Savior was locked in the building, and this opened the door for him to post a slew of entertaining Instagram updates. You may check out a super cut of his experience in the post below.

The whole CM Punk misadventures inside WWE Headquarters: SUPER CUT! pic.twitter.com/kMYB9MaRQs

— Teffo (@Teffo_01) May 5, 2024

AEW:

Bad News For Fenix: Rey Fenix was scheduled to participate in House of Glory Wrestling’s Cinco de Mayo event on May 5 in Jamaica, New York, where he was set to compete against Pentagon Jr. in a brother versus brother match. However, the anticipated matchup did not take place. During the event, Pentagon Jr. announced that Fenix was not medically cleared to wrestle, disappointing fans who were looking forward to the bout.

Ric Flair Ejected: Flair, who is now with AEW, claims he had a bad night. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer had spent $1,500 at the establishment and took photos with the staff. Flair claims he was then asked to leave due to an issue with the kitchen manager, who, according to Flair, was taking too long in the kitchen.

I Spent $1500 At @PiesanosSFP To Be Disrespected More Than I Ever Have In My Entire Life. After Taking 20 Pictures With Customers And Staff, I Was Asked To Leave Because Of An Issue I Had With The Kitchen Manager Taking Too Long In The Bathroom. I Would Highly Recommend That…

— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) May 5, 2024

Ethan Page Speaks: Although Ethan Page left AEW, he still sold merchandise for them. He brought up how his AEW action figure sold out after his departure in a new video. He is a top seller for AEW on Ringside Collectibles, and he wants to stay there for as long as possible. It’s worth checking out, and you may find that below.

pic.twitter.com/vgrMRuErdY

— “All Ego” Ethan Page (@OfficialEGO) May 3, 2024

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

• Saturday, May 25: King & Queen of the Ring (PLE)
• Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)
• Sunday, June 9: NXT Battleground (PLE)

It’s time for the Daily Drop on Sunday, May 5, 2024. There is a lot to unpack in the pro wrestling world, so let’s not waste any more time.

WWE finally announced that WrestleMania 41 will take place in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. 4/20 weekend will be very busy in Vegas, for a few reasons. Tanga Loa also debuted as the newest member of the Bloodline at Backlash. That should go on to change a lot for the stable’s future.

Let’s get into today’s Daily Drop!

WWE:

Gulak Not Gone Yet: While Drew Gulak was rumored to have been released, it is now reported that he remains with WWE, although his contract will not be renewed after it expires next month. Gulak has gained a reputation for targeting the actual injuries of NXT talents during their recovery, which has led others to view him as a bully. This behavior included pressuring talents to remain silent about his actions. Multiple sources from the backstage staff, including producers and the creative team, mentioned that Drew Gulak’s approach in WWE was counterproductive. He was described to me as a poor politician by multiple sources, Gulak tried to maneuver his way to the top but ended up undermining his own position. He was difficult for producers and writers to work with because he believed he was outsmarting everyone. However, once the team started sharing their experiences, Gulak became a subject of mockery among them.

Jessika Carr Made History: During WWE Backlash in France, WWE referee Jessika Carr became the first woman to ever officiate a World Title match as Cody Rhodes defended his gold against AJ Styles. Cody Rhodes also sent out a post to give Carr a spotlight.

Wanted to mention this after the contract signing, (and forgive me if I’m wrong but I don’t think I am…)

It’ll also be the VERY FIRST PLE Main Event for The Undisputed @WWE Title officiated by a woman @WWELadyRefJess https://t.co/g26bva41sR

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) May 4, 2024

Seth Rollins’ New Look: The Messiah showed up at the 2024 Kentucky Derby, and he looked very different. Although he was wearing a classy hat, it appeared that Rollins had his hair trimmed down considerably.

AEW:

Tony Schiavone’s New Ink: The AEW announcer recently mourned the loss of his dog, Bug. This week, he paid tribute to his old friend by getting a tattoo to remember him. The new piece looks great, and you can check it out below. RIP Bug.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C6huEs3uHmG

JR Loves TK’s Neck Brace: During his Grilling JR podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer announcer gave Tony Khan flowers for rocking a neck brace like he did. Ross considered it “old school,” which was very much appreciated.

“I was waiting to see if Tony was gonna follow through and complete the cycle by wearing a neckbrace and he did. I was proud of him for doing that because it was old school. Now whether you like the angle or you didn’t like the angle, that’s another issue but him following through and wearing the neckbrace…good for Tony Khan on that deal. That was old school like thinking and I’m really glad that he wore the neckbrace.”

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

• Sunday, May 26: NXT Battleground (PLE)
• Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)

Cities all over the world put in bids to host WrestleMania, and the company took their time announcing 2025’s event. Fans who plan to attend next year’s event are heading to Sin City.  During the Kentucky Derby after WWE Backlash, the company used another worldwide platform to announce that WrestleMania 41 will take place April 19 & 20, 2025 from Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium.

WWE Money in the Bank 2022 was initially announced for Allegiant Stadium during SummerSlam of the prior year It was scheduled for Saturday, July 2, 2022, marking what would have been the first MITB held in a National Football League stadium. However, on May 26, 2022, the venue was changed to the nearby MGM Grand Garden Arena. The date remained the same, making it the first Money in the Bank PLE to be held on a Saturday. Tickets that had been purchased for the Allegiant Stadium were refunded, and those ticket holders were given the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the new venue.

Previous WrestleMania 41 Location Reports

Minneapolis was once considered a likely candidate to host WrestleMania 41. Confidence in this possibility was so high that it was even hinted at during a government house floor session while discussing a bill, albeit without directly mentioning the WWE event. It was noted that an event of significant scale, second only to the Super Bowl, was expected to be announced imminently. 

#WrestleMania 41 coming to Minneapolis at @usbankstadium ?!?! pic.twitter.com/RhCVDXB786

— George Charles (@CGB824) March 7, 2024

U.S. Bank Stadium had submitted a bid to host what is often called the showcase of the immortals. This outcome is particularly disappointing for Tiffany Stratton, who hails from Minnesota. During a recent conversation with SEScoops, Stratton shared her hope to headline WrestleMania 41 in her home state, ideally against Charlotte Flair:

WWE Superstars Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins walked the red carpet at Saturday’s 150th Kentucky Derby. The race was won by Mystik Dan in a 3-way photo finish.

#3 Mystik Dan takes the 150th Kentucky Derby! #KentuckyDerby150 #KYDerby150

? #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/hYbi8AghlB

— TwinSpires Racing ? (@TwinSpires) May 4, 2024

Seth Rollins has been out of the public eye since WrestleMania 40, where he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Drew McIntyre. He played a pivotal role in the Bloodline Rules main event between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, ultimately sacrificing himself to help Cody conquer the Tribal Chief. Since then, Rollins underwent knee surgery and signed a new multi-year WWE contract. 

On Saturday, Rollins showed up looking dapper as usual and was sporting a different look than we last saw him. It’s hard to see everything going on under that hat, but he’s sporting a very different haircut and has trimmed his beard down to short stubble. Below, you can see photos, along with clips of them talking about the inspiration behind their outfits, the Kentucky Derby and a big announcement – WrestleMania 41 is headed to Las Vegas in 2025.

Chatted with @WWERollins and @BeckyLynchWWE on the @KentuckyDerby red carpet. Their fashion theme is past and future… I guess I’m the present! @enews pic.twitter.com/Lm6ZD5FBZp

— Kenny Holmes (@KHOLMESlive) May 4, 2024

Hey @WWE Universe! ??

Seth FREAKIN Rollins and The Man @BeckyLynchWWE are at the Kentucky Derby! ?

Who do they like in the Run For The Roses? ?#KYDerby pic.twitter.com/38yLNjGmtF

— World Horse Racing (@WHR) May 4, 2024

Look who popped up on the red carpet. ?@WWE’s Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch teased a special Wrestlemania announcement coming later today. pic.twitter.com/1uuroF6RJQ

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 4, 2024

Becky Lynch, whose contract is also up for renewal, has not yet signed a new deal. She is also taking a hiatus from the company after Mania. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani before WrestleMania XL, Lynch expressed concern over her contract situation. She’s the new Women’s World Champion after Rhea Ripley had to vacate it due to injury.

History was made at Saturday’s WWE Backlash premium live event from a sold-out LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. Not only was it the largest gate for an arena event in company history, but we also saw new Women’s Tag Team Champions crowned. Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair captured the titles by defeating Asuka and Kairi Sane and ending their 99-day reign.

We have NEW WWE Women's Tag Team Champions at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/5HXtDxs8yT

— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2024

Ceremonial Triple H Photo

Backstage after their win, Cargill and Belair took a photo with Triple H. He congratulated them and hyped them as quite possibly the ‘biggEST storm’ to hit the women’s tag team division since it launched. 

Quite possibly the biggEST storm to ever hit this division.

Congratulations to @BiancaBelairWWE & @Jade_Cargill, your NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. #WWEBacklash pic.twitter.com/P7w5DvvMT7

— Triple H (@TripleH) May 4, 2024

This marks Bianca Belair’s first time holding tag team in WWE and represents a new challenge for the 3-time Women’s Champion and (2021) Royal Rumble winner. It’s the first WWE championship for Jade Cargill, who previously had a long run with the AEW TBS Champion. Cargill has already made noticeable progress in the ring since joining WWE and will learn a great deal by teaming with a world-class worker like Belair.

After The Event

Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair kicked off the WWE Backlash press conference. When asked about being role models, Cargill expressed that it means a great deal to her, especially as an example for her daughter. Belair highlighted the significance of representation for women and praised the NXT Women’s Division.

The pair were also asked about their experience winning in France. They both shared their happiness, with Cargill describing the victory as electrifying and unexpected, noting that their formation as a tag team was a surprise to many. They expressed ambitions to dominate the Women’s Division and discussed potential opponents from both the main roster and NXT.

When questioned about her switch from AEW to WWE, Cargill mentioned that the support from everyone has been overwhelming. She described the transition as unprecedented and expressed gratitude for the opportunities she has received in WWE.

????. I want to say this with my chest….and this is me being the most vulnerable…as a person who has a target on her back all the time. The ones who are happy for me. Thank you. This is such an amazing moment in my career…in 3 years. What I have accomplished. God is great.

— Jade Cargill (@Jade_Cargill) May 4, 2024

Tanga Loa debuted as the newest member of Roman Reigns’ stable during WWE’s Backlash event in France. The Guerrillas of Destiny are now a part of the Bloodline.

Kevin Owens and Randy Orton took on Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga in the opening match of Backlash. They started the tag team match with chaos, which led SmackDown GM Nick Aldis to declare the contest a No DQ match. During the closing moments, Tanga Loa showed up to make his mark.

Loa’s unexpected debut helped the Bloodline secure a victory. Paul Heyman stood alongside the celebrating stable, but he didn’t have the most confident look on his face.

His appearance was a surprise since there were no prior reports of him signing a deal with WWE. Jacob Fatu has also signed a new deal, and it remains to be seen how he will be integrated into the storyline.

THE BLOODLINE continues to EXPAND at #WWEBacklash! pic.twitter.com/A3tvnzUWCk

— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2024

Who is Tanga Loa

Real name Tevita Tu’amoeloa Fetaiakimoeata Fifita, Tanga Loa comes from a prominent wrestling family. He is the son of Haku and the brother of Tama Tonga and Hikuleo.

Before his WWE debut, Tanga achieved significant success in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He won the IWGP Tag Team Championship seven times alongside Tama Tonga. So, the two have already done a ton prior to Loa’s Backlash debut.

Additionally, Loa captured the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship three times; twice with Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga, and once with Taiji Ishimori and Tama Tonga.

The Bloodline’s new incarnation added a seasoned tag team to the mix with Tanga and Tama. Jimmy Uso was ejected from the stable following WrestleMania XL, and it was later revealed that he suffered an injury that required surgery and a long wait until his return to the ring.

Roman Reigns still has a huge hand in the Bloodline’s creative direction, even though his absence. He is still setting the stage for the head of the table’s return, whenever that comes around. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad0wmhhHNLk

Welcome to the Daily Drop for Saturday, May 4. WWE Backlash is this afternoon, and fans are waiting for that historic event. We have a lot of other things we must mention as well.

WWE released several NXT Superstars from their contracts on Friday. Aside from Drew Gulak, the biggest name that the company cut was Olympic Gold Medalist Gable Steveson. Things just never panned out for him in the company, despite years of trying to get him ready for a massive spot that they wanted to carve out for him.

We have updated our 2024 WWE release and departure tracker, which you can check out here.

Let’s get into today’s Daily Drop!

WWE:

WWE Backlash is upon us, and the show will start much sooner for fans in the United States. The France-based event will start at 1:00 PM EST. You can find the card below.

• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) (c) vs. Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill
• Randy Orton & Kevin Owens vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga)
• WWE Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton
• World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest (c) vs. Jey Uso
• Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c). vs. AJ Styles

WWE’s Noise Warning: The SmackDown fans received a noise warning in France. We can only imagine how loud it will be for Backlash.

The @WWEUniverse in France literally received a warning about the noise level tonight at #SmackDown @LDLC_Arena. Absolutely insane.

Like @myMotorhead said… “Only way to feel the noise is when it's good and loud.” pic.twitter.com/i4KMGnfUtY

— Triple H (@TripleH) May 3, 2024

WWE Speed: The company has a new champion after the first WWE Speed tournament is over. In the end, Ricochet pulled down the championship, which earned him a classic point pose photo with Triple H.

WWE COO Steps Down: The company saw several releases on Friday, but news also broke that the company’s Chief Operations Officer, Brad Blum, also submitted his resignation from the company.

AEW:

No Collision: AEW Collision will not air this week due to the playoffs. They will resume their weekly Saturday night schedule next week on May 11.

Christian’s HOF Stance: Christian Cage appeared at the Steel City Comic Con, where he was his trademark self. When asked about whether he wants to get into the WWE Hall of Fame, he replied: “I could give two sh*ts bout the Hall of Fame … when there is a Hall of Fame, let me know.”

Christian Cage at Steel City Con was asked about not being inducted in the WWE HOF yet:

“I could give two shits out about the Hall of Fame. When there's actually is a Hall of Fame, let me know.” pic.twitter.com/aw0DoMTVTX

— Drainmaker ?? ? (@DrainBamager) May 3, 2024

Former WWE NXT Superstar Debut: During the recent ROH Honorclub show, Amari Miller debuted under the new ring name Camron Branae. She faced Nyla Rose in her first match for the brand. Although Branae lost the bout, she made a strong impression on the fans.

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C6fVcIQOCh6

Julia Hart Return Timeline: We have an injury update on Julia Hart. She has already gone through a surgery and will be out of action for a few months from now. The earliest one can expect for her to return to the ring would be late Summer or early Fall.

Here are the upcoming major wrestling events

• Saturday, May 4: WWE Backlash France (PLE)
• Sunday, May 26: NXT Battleground (PLE)
• Sunday, May 26: AEW Double or Nothing (PPV)

WWE released another ten wrestlers on Friday, most of them from the NXT developmental brand and the Performance Center. The list includes the following names, according to Sean Ross Sapp:

• Darrell Mason
• Vlad Pavlenko
• Ezekiel Balogun
• Kiyah Saint
• Emma Diaz
• Valentina Feroz
• Keyshawn Leflore
• Trey Bearhill
• Julian Baldi 

Drew Gulak was also let go just weeks after being called out by Ronda Rousey for touching the string of her sweatsuit. He hadn’t appeared on WWE television since and his absence was explained in a creative angle.

WWE Chief Operations Officer Brad Blum tendered his resignation earlier this week and Cameron Grimes, Xia Li, Xyon Quin, Jinder Mahal, Sanaga, Veer Mahaan, and Von Wagner were all recently let go, as well. 

We’re sending our best to everyone who lost their jobs with WWE.

Friday’s SmackDown took place at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. This episode serves as the final show before tomorrow’s Backlash premium live event, also in Lyon. Since it was pre-taped, we have the spoilers here.

WWE has one more show until Backlash is upon us. The Saturday premium live event will take place on May 4 at 1:00 PM EST. Fans in the United States will get to see that show live.

The company already advertised many segments and matches for this week’s SmackDown.

• A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller & Austin Theory) versus The Street Profits – WWE Tag Team Championship Match
• New Catch Republic (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) against Authors of Pain
• Cody Rhodes and A.J. Styles face off ahead of their Undisputed WWE Championship match at Backlash
• Debut of the RKO Show, hosted by Randy Orton & Kevin Owens

WWE fans in the UK had a rare treat, as SmackDown aired live for them at 6:00 PM local time. Since fans in the United States must wait to see the show on FOX, you can find the spoilers for this week’s show below.

WWE SmackDown Spoilers For 5/3 Episode:

• Dark match result: Rey Mysterio defeated Carlito
• Cody Rhodes, AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and Kevin Owens shown arriving at SmackDown.
• Bayley, Naomi, Bianca Belair, and Jade Cargill defeated Tiffany Stratton & Damage CTRL (Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai); tensions noted among winners.
• Backstage promo by Grayson Waller & Austin Theory.
• Kayla Braxton interviewed Belair & Cargill about their upcoming title match against Asuka & Sane at Backlash; Bayley and Naomi interrupted, causing tension.
• Carmelo Hayes expressed his interest in joining the King of the Ring tournament; interaction with Bobby Lashley who offered advice and a warning.
• AOP defeated Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate.
• Paul Heyman met with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis; and his request to cancel Owens & Orton vs. Sikoa & Tonga at Backlash was denied.
• Heyman hinted at controlling Roman Reigns’ draft status; and then a confrontation on The RKO Show led to a brawl involving Sikoa & Tonga.
• The Street Profits gave a backstage promo.
• LA Knight defeated Angel and declared for King of the Ring; Santos Escobar also declared.
• Dragon Lee attacked Carlito during a backstage interview.
• WWE Tag Team Champions Grayson Waller & Austin Theory retained their titles against The Street Profits.
• Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles had a confrontational face-to-face before Backlash; Styles slapped Rhodes.
• Post-show brawl between Sikoa & Tonga and Owens & Orton, with security trying to intervene.