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Tony Khan Says “WWE Is The Harvey Weinstein Of Pro Wrestling” — “AEW Is The Pepsi”

AEW has not been shy about taking shots at WWE whenever they can. During a recent appearance to promote the NFL Draft, Tony Khan took another chance to shade the competition.

Tony Khan appeared on the NFL Network to discuss the Jacksonville Jaguars’ next move in the NFL Draft. While on the show, the fact that he was wearing a neck brace took center stage.

While explaining how the Young Bucks assaulted him, Khan was sure to plug AEW’s shows on TBS and TNT as much as he could. Then the conversation steered toward his company’s biggest competition as Khan made a controversial comparison.

“There has not been a challenger brand that has gained market share like this in many, many, many years. We’re like the Pepsi of pro wrestling, and we’re against a really evil Juggernaut. WWE is our competitor, that’s who we’re facing. AEW is like the Pepsi of pro wrestling and WWE is like the Harvey Weinstein of pro wrestling, and I’m very proud of what we do down here.”

When Khan dropped his Weinstein line, the hosts of the show laughed and stopped him from going further. He said that fans will have to tune into AEW’s television shows if they want an update on his neck injury.

The fact that he called AEW the “Pepsi of professional wrestling” was an obvious dig at CM Punk. His Pepsi tattoo is a huge part of his image, which even brought Danhausen to refer to him as “Pepsi Man.”

Tony Khan’s Previous Controversies 

Tony Khan has taken many shots at WWE over the years, from the company’s production to their booking. Digs at Vince McMahon’s company eventually became a trademark for All Elite Wrestling.

The allegations against Vince McMahon have also not been ruled out of play when it comes to Tony Khan. He has used McMahon’s current lawsuit situation as fodder to fire at WWE in the past.

Being The Elite was full of jokes about WWE as well, and Tony Khan has taken many opportunities to defend his company from critics like Eric Bischoff. Khan also rubbed it in when Bischoff cancelled his “Strictly Business” podcast to add more fuel to the fire.

Posted April 26th, 2024 in AEW, WWE. Tagged: , .

WrestleMania 40 Ticket Sales Topped $38.5 Million, Up 78% From 2023

WWE’s 40th WrestleMania event packed Lincoln Financial Field on April 6 and 7. The star-studded spectacle attracted a ton of attention and also raked in a ton of cash.

The Rock’s return to a WWE ring was expected to draw a big box office. They already achieved impressive growth in virtually every metric there is at this point. 

  • WrestleMania 40 attendance reached 145,298 over two nights, surpassing the previous gate record by 78%.
  • Viewership for WrestleMania 40 increased by 41% over both nights compared to WrestleMania 39.
  • Social media views for the event exceeded 660 million, setting a record as the most socially viewed WrestleMania ever.
  • Merchandise sales rose by more than 20% from the record set at WrestleMania 39.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel experienced its most viewed day in history with over 67 million views on WrestleMania 40 Sunday.

WrestleMania XL became WWE’s most watched event in history, surpassing the viewership record set at WrestleMania XXXIX last year by 41%, per John Wall Street.

This two-night event also established a new WWE record for a gate, generating $38.5 million in ticket sales, which represents a 78% increase from the previous year and a 147% increase from 2022.

Future WrestleMania Events

WrestleMania brings a ton of outside money to their host city every year. This is why hotspots all over the world are vying to host the show of shows.

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has expressed interest in bringing WrestleMania to the UK’s capital city.
While campaigning for the upcoming mayoral election on May 2, Khan, who is not related to WWE’s Nick or AEW’s Tony, mentioned WWE’s flagship show in a press release, discussing London’s potential as a major sports hub. The 54-year-old Labour Party member is among those hoping to host the event in London.

At the moment, Las Vegas is a front-runner to host WrestleMania 41. Although Minneapolis may have thought hosting the Mania was a lock, and they put in a bid for it, nothing has been confirmed by WWE yet.

WWE President Nick Khan stated that the company intends on keeping WrestleMania and the other big five premium live events within the confines of the United States until further notice, but they are very open to bring all other events overseas. 

Posted April 26th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Dominik Mysterio Fact Check: “No Surgery For This Guy”

Dominik Mysterio says his elbow injury will not require surgery, despite reports to the contrary. 

The third generation star injured his elbow on 4/15 in a match against Andrade on WWE Raw. This past week, he was slated to join JD McDonagh in a match against Andrade & Ricochet. However, he appeared with his arm in a sling and was unable to compete. Andrade & Ricochet faced McDonagh & Santos Escobar instead.

The latest Wrestling Observer stated that Dominik’s injury requires the ‘Tommy John’ procedure named after the MLB pitcher, but Dirty Dom is here to pour cold water on this report:

The current plan is to maintain Dominik’s presence on television as a character during his recovery period. 

This is another unfortunate setback for the Judgment Day. Fresh off an incredible performance at WrestleMania against Becky Lynch, The Nightmare was forced to vacate her Women’s World Title after injuring her AC joint, and she will be out of action for a few months.

Dominik Mysterio Denies Surgery

Dominik has responded to the surgery reports on social media, denying them outright. He posted, “No Surgery for this guy,” and accompanied it with a well-known gif from Martin Scorsese’s “Wolf of Wall Street.” The gif features Leonardo DiCaprio’s character announcing to his office, “Not F***ing Leaving!”

What is Tommy John Surgery

Tommy John surgery is something that fans hear about in professional baseball more than anywhere else. That procedure is becoming even more common as MLB shortened the pitch clock, which gave pitchers even less time to rest between throws.

Formerly known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, Tommy John is a surgical procedure that repairs a torn ulnar collateral ligament inside the elbow. The procedure was first performed in 1974 by Dr. Frank Jobe, and it famously saved the career of Major League Baseball pitcher Tommy John, for whom the surgery is named.

The surgery involves replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon from elsewhere in the body, typically from the forearm or hamstring. Following Tommy John surgery, patients are required to wear an elbow brace for approximately one month. Athletes generally undergo a longer recovery and rehabilitation period than non-athletes due to the significant stress that throwing imposes on the elbow.

Typically, the timeline for returning to baseball or similar activities extends to about 12 months, allowing for gradual healing and strength restoration in the ligament.

Since Dr. Frank Jobe first performed ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction on Tommy John on September 25, 1974, more than 1,000 professional pitchers have undergone this surgery on their pitching elbows. There are a lot of pitchers who are expected to miss, at least, a majority of the 2024 MLB season due to Tommy John surgery. Now, we can add a WWE Superstar to the list. 

Posted April 26th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Daily Drop (4/26): 2024 WWE Draft Coverage Begins, Tony Khan Wears Neck Brace For NFL Draft

Welcome to the Daily Drop for Friday, April 26, 2024. There is a lot going on in the pro wrestling world, and tonight will be a big night as well.

Before we get going, there are some additions coming to the WWE Family. Luke Gallows celebrated the birth of his new con. Also, Erik and Valhalla are now expecting their second child. That should explain why Valhalla, and her antlers, have disappeared from WWE television recently.

The 2024 WWE Draft starts tonight on SmackDown. This will give fans a chance to see the company shake up their rosters. We already covered the complete draft pool and rules for this year, which you may check out below.

Now, let’s get into the Daily Drop!

WWE:

WWE SmackDown Card (4/26):

  • Cody Rhodes and A.J. Styles to sign contract for Undisputed WWE Title Match
  • 2024 WWE Draft begins

The Undertaker Wants More Titles: The Phenom has officially come forward to say that WWE should introduce a secondary title situation for their women’s division, something akin to the United States or Intercontinental Titles.

Sharpshooter Origin: In a recently resurfaced interview that is now making the rounds online, Bret Hart is featured admitting that Konnan is the one responsible for teaching him the Sharpshooter as a finisher.

Vince McMahon’s New PR Firm: McMahon has hired Sitrick And Company to represent him. Sitrick And Company has represented several high-profile clients, including Pepsi and Make-A-Wish. Their roster also featured the late Kobe Bryant and the late Roy Disney, who was Walt Disney’s brother and a longstanding executive at the Disney corporation.

AEW:

Grizzled Young Veterans Are AEW: Zack Gibson and James Drake, known as Grizzled Young Veterans, are prepared for their AEW in-ring debut. They will wrestle The Acclaimed on Collision this Saturday.

Tony Khan’s Neck Brace: In case you’re wondering, Khan did appear during th NFL Draft in a neck brace. They also brought attention to how he took a piledriver the night before during the broadcast.

Upcoming PPV’s and PLE’s:

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)

Posted April 26th, 2024 in News. Tagged: , , .

Grizzled Young Veterans Set For AEW In-Ring Debut

AEW will soon see the debut of two more former WWE NXT Superstars. The Grizzled Young Veterans are very prepared for their first match in Tony Khan’s company.

The Grizzled Young Veterans’ AEW debut will take place on this week’s Collision (4/27). The company made this announcement via a video on social media.

The former NXT Superstars are in the land of All Elite to make a statement. They also said The Acclaimed have been on their radar for “a few years now,” and they will collide this Saturday. Gibson and Drake promised to teach Max Caster and Anthony Bowens a lesson.

Grizzled Young Veterans’ WWE Exit & Return To Indies

There was a time when Grizzled Young Veterans had some steam in WWE. They made their mark by winning the NXT UK Tag Team Championship Tournament in 2019 and went on to become the inaugural NXT UK Tag Team Champions. The two were then brought to Orlando’s version of NXT, but things didn’t pan out for them.

After a run in NXT UK as Grizzled Young Veterans, the two entered NXT, but were written off television. James Drake and Zack Gibson were eventually unveiled with Joe Gacy’s in his Schism faction, adopting the ring names Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler as The Dyad.

They were unhappy with the creative direction that WWE was taking them toward. After their departure, they have made this very clear in an interview with Metro.

“In a nutshell, this is one of the big driving forces as to why we wanted to leave and get out because without going into too much, we just weren’t particularly happy with how things were going,” said Gibson. “It all felt a bit boring. And ultimately, you know, this is our job, but it’s also it’s our hobby, and it’s our life. So we want to be enjoying what we’re doing.”

“Our decision to move on wasn’t necessarily like, ‘We don’t like that company anymore!’ It’s not a big middle finger to the company, the company is doing great business, it’s just we felt that as a product, we weren’t doing the best business,” Gibson explained.

The Grizzled Young Veterans have been making the rounds since exiting WWE. They re-appeared in DPW, spreading their message that they are not a cookie cutter tag team enhanced by sports entertainment’s creative influence. During the event, they answered an open challenge set by DPW’s tag team champions, The Workhorsemen.

They have also launched ‘Burning Heart Pro Wrestling‘ which has been “created by wrestlers, for wrestlers and fans.” The promotion’s first event will take place on June 21, at the Liverpool Olympia in Liverpool, England.

James Drake and Zack Gibson could do big things in AEW. SEScoops will keep an eye on this story to see if Tony Khan locks them down with contracts.

Posted April 25th, 2024 in AEW, WWE. Tagged: .

Daily Drop (4/25): Tony Khan Gets KO’ed, Another Top WWE Star Injured

Welcome to the Daily Drop for Wednesday, April 24, 2024. AEW Dynamite went down last night, complete with tons of Dynasty fallout.

Before we get started, there’s another big injury to address. While his injury is undisclosed, Jimmy Uso is out of action. We’re hoping for his quick return, but he was not included in the 2024 WWE Draft pool for a reason.

Now, let’s get into today’s edition!

WWE:

Janel Grant Responds: On Wednesday, Grant’s attorneys filed a motion to strike against what they described as “inflammatory lies” in Vince McMahon’s memorandum. According to Grant’s motion, the statements were used “as a platform to launch vicious falsehoods attacking Janel’s moral character in an attempt to harass and intimidate her into submission.”

2024 WWE Draft: The company dropped their complete list of Superstars in each night’s Draft Pool. They also released the rules for this year’s draft. Needless to say, the WWE rosters will look very different in about a week.

WrestleMania London: The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, expressed interest in bringing WrestleMania to his city. Khan mentioned his hope to host WWE’s premier event in a press release during his campaign for the upcoming mayoral election on May 2.

AEW:

Tony Khan KO’ed: On Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, The Elite attacked Tony Khan during Jack Perry’s return, and the incident also marked Shad Khan’s first appearance on-screen. As The Elite moved back to the stage, referees, wrestlers, and medical staff rushed to assist Tony Khan. During this moment, Tony’s father, Shad Khan, entered the ring. This served as Shad Khan’s debut on AEW television for an angle.

After The Attack: Jack Perry was featured in a video after he attacked Tony Khan on AEW Dynamite. He said that TK got what was coming to him. It certainly looks like AEW is turning The Elite into a new nWo type faction. We will have to see how they proceed with this story.

NFL Playing Kayfabe: After Tony Khan’s attack on AEW Dynamite this week, the NFL listed his participation in the 2024 NFL Draft as “questionable.”

Unified Trios Titles: During Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite, it was announced that Bullet Club Gold members Jay White, Austin Gunn, and Colten Gunn will defend their Unified Trios titles this Saturday against Top Flight & Action Andretti. Bullet Club Gold previously combined the AEW World Trios and ROH World Six-Man Tag Team titles into a single championship at Sunday’s Dynasty pay-per-view, securing a win over The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn.

AEW Audio Issues: During Wednesday’s show at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida, there were persistent audio issues affecting both commentary and live segments. Before the show’s final segment with The Elite, Tony Khan addressed these issues on X.

“Thank you all watching #AEWDynamite now! We’re having an exciting show, live worldwide now! Our partner TBS is having some audio issues on tonight’s show, thankfully we understand our other worldwide partners aren’t affected, but TBS is working to fix the issue immediately!”

Upcoming PPV’s and PLE’s:

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)

Posted April 25th, 2024 in News. Tagged: , .

Vince McMahon Attempting To Push Janel Grant Lawsuit Into Arbitration

Vince McMahon has submitted a motion to compel arbitration in the lawsuit brought against him, WWE, and John Laurinaitis by Janel Grant. This is his latest move in the ongoing legal situation brought on by Grant’s earth-shattering allegations.

On January 25, Janel Grant initiated a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis, claiming sex trafficking, emotional abuse, and sexual assault. The lawsuit details Janel’s experiences of sexual, physical, mental, and emotional abuse.

McMahon is now pushing to move the case to arbitration, per Wrestlenomics. He is aiming to handle the dispute over the nondisclosure agreement privately, rather than in a public courtroom.

The NDA that was the focal point of this situation, agreed upon by McMahon and Grant, includes an arbitration clause. Although Grant’s complaint argues that the NDA is not enforceable.

Vince McMahon resigned from WWE in response to those terrible allegations, although he had denied that they are true. Grant’s legal team has also stated that they are overwhelmed by the response from others who want to come forward about McMahon.

Vince McMahon’s Defense

In his defense, McMahon claims that Grant’s allegations of sexual abuse and coercion are fictional and aimed at attracting publicity, contradicting her own previous statements.

McMahon asserts that he and Grant had a consensual relationship, denying any coercion or mistreatment. Grant’s January-filed complaint accuses McMahon and Laurinaitis of sex trafficking and details sexual assault. She claims that several of WWE’s top executives were aware of her relationship with McMahon.

In his motion, McMahon also refutes Grant’s assertion that she was grieving her parents when they met in 2019, noting that her father died in 2017 and her mother earlier. He references a 2017 lawsuit about the foreclosure on Grant’s parents’ home. McMahon mentions that Grant was living with her fiancé in the same condo complex during their relationship.

Vince McMahon’s argument describes it as “nonsensical” that Grant would return to her fiancé, located four floors below, without any issues after the alleged acts. McMahon also notes that neither Grant’s fiancé, Brian Gonvalves—a lawyer and executive at TelevisaUnivision—nor anyone from the building, police, or Grant’s friends contacted him about the alleged abuse.

McMahon’s legal team insists the lawsuit should be paused while the matter proceeds to arbitration, pointing out that the NDA was signed by McMahon personally and on behalf of WWE, and argues that Laurinaitis and WWE should also be compelled to arbitration with Grant.

Latest on Laurinaitis’ Side of Things

John Laurinaitis has been implicated in the significant lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon. He is accused of facilitating the sexual abuse that Janel Grant experienced, although he presents a different version of events.

Laurinaitis has also released a statement concerning these allegations. While not denying any acts in Grant’s lawsuit, he did claim that he was a victim in the situation.

The former WWE executive waved his right to be served Grant’s lawsuit. Ronda Rousey has since spoken out about Johnny Ace, calling him a “dirt bag.”

Posted April 25th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

Jimmy Uso Dealing With Injury While Off WWE TV

After Jimmy Uso lost to his brother at WrestleMania 40, he was booted from the Bloodline in dramatic fashion. According to Fightful Select, he’s dealing with an undisclosed injury. He joins a growing list of WWE Superstars who are out, including Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, CM Punk and Cruz Del Toro.

Uso was kicked out of the Bloodline stable during the SmackDown after WrestleMania 40. Tama Tonga jumped him, and now the faction is going in a brand-new direction. It is unclear how long Jimmy Uso will be out of action, but we are wishing him a speedy recovery.

Jimmy Uso sustained a knee injury during a ladder match at WrestleMania 36, which led to him being off television for nearly a year, just as the Bloodline storyline began. During his absence, his brother took on the role of “Main Event” Jey Uso, Roman Reigns’ right-hand man, and significantly advanced his career in the process.

Jey Uso recently stated that he felt as though his Mania match against Jey was a let-down. Perhaps Jimmy’s injury could take some of the blame for this.

Other WWE Injuries

Jimmy Uso is not the only notable injury in WWE right now. Rhea Ripley was taken out of action after WrestleMania 40. She suffered a sprained AC joint during that segment and had to vacate the Women’s World Title.

Seth Rollins is also taking time off from WWE after WrestleMania 40. He has a nagging knee injury, as he injured his MCL in January and had to take a few weeks off to recover on the road to the show of shows.

Posted April 24th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

2024 WWE Draft Rules & Full List Of Eligible Superstars

The 2024 WWE Draft will take place Friday, April 26 for SmackDown and Monday, April 29 for RAW. To make things easier for everyone, they separate the rosters into Draft Pools. Now, we know the Superstars who are up for grabs.

WWE has revealed the list of Superstars for each night of this year’s WWE Draft Pool. The number of Superstars up for grabs is far greater on RAW, and because it is a three-hour show. There will also likely be a supplemental draft.

While it is unclear if WWE will split up any teams or factions this year, that is always a possibility. Each night also noted that NXT Superstars will be eligible for call-ups, so fans can likely expect a few new faces on the main roster.

While injured Superstars like Rhea Ripley are absent, it is notable that Braun Strowman appears in Monday’s Draft pool. He underwent neck fusion surgery on his C4 and C5 vertebrae in mid-2023 and has been out of action since.

2024 WWE Draft Pool

2024 WWE Draft Rules

The company also revealed the rules for this year’s Draft with a social media post.

For the 2024 WWE Draft, SmackDown will conduct four rounds, totaling 16 picks, while RAW will have six rounds with 24 picks. The red brand is a longer show, so they will need more picks.

Champions from each brand are protected from being drafted. Women’s Tag Team Champions are also eligible to be picked.

SmackDown is set to make the first selection on Friday, and RAW will have the first pick on the following Monday. The rosters will be officially locked on Monday, May 6th.

WWE just signed massive television deals for RAW and SmackDown, where SmackDown is moving to the USA Network and RAW is heading to Netflix. We will have to see what happens to RAW between October and January 2025 when that Netflix deal actually starts. Unless WWE surprises us with another roster shake-up, these rosters will usher in those upcoming media rights deals.

Posted April 24th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Daily Drop (4/24): AEW Women’s Locker Room Speaks Out, Unexpected Bray Wyatt Tribute Appears, New NXT Champion Crowned

Welcome to the Daily Drop for Wednesday, April 24, 2024. WWE NXT brought Spring Breakin’ Week One last night, and there is a lot to unpack all over the pro wrestling world.

Before we get started, we must acknowledge Trick Williams, the new NXT Champion. He made it to the top of NXT during Spring Breakin’ Week One, as he toppled Ilja Dragunovfrom his seemingly unbeatable perch on top of the NXT brand. Triple H also responded to William’s historic win, where he praised the new NXT Champion.

WWE:

No More No-Competes: In a landmark decision handed down on Tuesday, all non-compete contracts in the United States are banned. The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 to ban non-compete agreements for all workers, with the new rules effective in the next 120 days. We will keep a very close eye on this story, because WWE Superstars are considered independent contractors and not full-fledged employees. Needless to say, this could dramatically change how WWE contracts are handled.

Cameron Grimes’ Release: The former NXT North American Champion’s name was added to the recent list of released Superstars. He hadn’t appeared on WWE television in a very long time, so this cut wasn’t a massive surprise. He let everyone know about this with an emotional video message on Twitter/X. Matt Hardy, who has known Grimes since he was literally born, has been incredibly supportive on social media. 

Jey Uso Speaks On WrestleMania 40 Match: While speaking to the Gorilla Position, Jey Uso opened up a bit about his match against Jimmy Uso at WrestleMania 40. He knows that some people were disappointed by the match, and he felt like he let some fans down by how their contest turned out.

“I just said this to someone. I kinda felt like we did let the people down. [Really, you feel that?] Yeah, man, cuz I wanted to go out there and have a straight up banger too. I wanted to do the wrestling part but let alone make sure the emotion part is there. It was just a time issue. You know what I’m saying? You just gotta play your position on the team. That’s what happened. I’m still happy though, uce, I got a singles match at WrestleMania with my brother. That’s a big picture. So, I’mma always have me and him in a face-off at WrestleMania. I’mma frame a picture, that’s always, it’s marked off our box.”

NXT Spring Breakin’ Week 2: The NXT brand announced a packed card for next week’s Spring Breakin’ show on 4/30. That included an NXT Tag Team Title match.

WWE NXT 4/30 Card:

  • NXT North American Champion Oba Femi defends against Ivar
  • NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom defend against Akam & Rezar
  • NXT Underground match: Natalya (w/Karmen Petrovic) vs. Lola Vice (w/Shayna Baszler)
  • Thea Hail vs. Jacy Jayne
  • Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe debut

Raven Shoots Hard: Raven had a lot to say about how Hulk Hogan treated him. He also shared a story or two about drugs in the pro wrestling business. You may check out the entire interview from Ten Count Media below.

Bray Wyatt Tribute: At the Cage Warriors 171 event in Glasgow, Scotland, MMA fighter Chris Bungard honored the Eater of Worlds with a tribute. Bungard entered the arena dressed in Bray’s signature Wyatt Family look, complete with hat and shirt. He also sang “The Whole World in His Hands,” a children’s song that was long-associated with the late WWE legend. 

AEW:

AEW Dynamite 4/24 card:

  • Jon Moxley vs. Powerhouse Hobbs – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Kyle Fletcher – AEW World Championship Eliminator match
  • Mina Shirakawa vs. Anna Jay
  • Willow Nightingale’s Championship Celebration
  • Chris Jericho to speak
  • Chuck Taylor to choose between Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta

Kenny Omega’s Return: Although he is still out of action with diverticulitis, Kenny Omega is being advertised for the May 1 episode of Dynamite in Winnipeg. The past we heard, Omega may need surgery, so we will have to see how they use Omega, if he can make the show in his home city.

AEW Women’s Division Speaks Out: Saraya uploaded a third video, which she claims will be the final edition, with the AEW Women’s Division letting fans know what it’s like to be a female wrestler. A lot of the information from this video pertains to creepy fan behavior.

AEW Collision Viewership: The April 20th edition of AEW Collision attracted an average overnight viewership of 461,000 viewers, maintaining a rating of 0.13 in the 18 to 49 demographic. This represents an increase from the previous show, which had 442,000 viewers and the same demographic rating of 0.13.

Upcoming PPV’s and PLE’s:

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)

Posted April 24th, 2024 in News. Tagged: , , , .

Trick Williams Wins NXT Championship at Spring Breakin’

Trick Williams’ rise to the top of NXT was an amazing story to watch, and it reached a peak during Spring Breakin’ Week One on 4/23. Williams defeated Ilja Dragunov to become the new NXT Champion.

This match had a special stipulation for Trick, because he would be banished from NXT if he lost. In the end, he walked out of the NXT Arena as the brand’s top champion.

Before he went out, Williams was on the phone with his mother, who is in the hospital. She was certainly a source of inspiration for him during this match.

Williams entered this match 0-3 against his opponent. He and Dragunov last battled for the NXT Title at Vengeance Day in February. That match ended with the Mad Dragon retaining his championship.

After ending Dragunov’s 204-day reigns as champion, Trick Williams is the 30th man to hold the NXT Title. He was elated to speak about his win after Spring Breakin’ was over.

The Match Finish

This match had a big-fight feel to it as it main evented the Spring Breakin’ special. The Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile were also sitting in the front row, cheering Trick on.

This match saw many high-intensity spots, including Williams putting Dragunov through the announce table with a Rock Bottom. They continued in the ring, where Trick kicked out of two H-Bomb finishers from the Russian.

Finally, Williams nailed a Trick Shot to secure the clean win and become the new NXT Champion. After the match, Dragunov hugged Trick before he left the ring while the NXT Arena chanted, “Whoop that, Trick!”

Trick Williams’ Rise in WWE NXT

After entering WWE as Carmelo Hayes’ right-hand man, Trick quickly gained a following of his own. He eventually broke the news to Hayes that he wanted to maintain their alliance, but he needed to do things on his own.

Trick Williams is coming off of two big matches against Carmelo Hayes. He defeated HIM at NXT: Stand & Deliver on April 6 during WrestleMania 40 weekend. He then met, and defeated, Melo once again last week in a cage match on NXT. Those matches paved the way to this big match for Trick.

Trick Williams has been on WWE’s radar for quite a long time, and in line for a push. Shawn Michaels also gave special care to his program with Carmelo Hayes, ensuring that they snagged the main event spot at Stand & Deliver.

It was previously reported that WWE has paid attention to Trick Williams, and officials took notice of the reaction he got in his surprise SmackDown appearance back in January. There have also been pitches for Trick and Melo to continue their rivalry on the main roster.

The 29-year-old Williams actually entered WWE by way of an XFL tryout. He had aspirations on the gridiron in his eyes prior to accepting an offer to test his abilities at the Performance Center.

2024 WWE Draft

Ilja Dragunov already declared that he will be in the 2024 WWE Draft. Those important dates are coming up sooner than mater, as it will kick off with Friday, April 26 for SmackDown and Monday, April 29 for RAW.

We will have to see if Carmelo Hayes has his name called during the 2024 WWE Draft. SEScoops‘ own Muscleman Malcolm had a chance to speak with Hayes during WrestleMania weekend, where he dove into a little-known part of his personal pro wrestling history.

Trick Williams may not be a part of the WWE Draft this year, because he has a brand-new assignment as NXT Champion.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of the upcoming Draft festivities. Odds are, it will be an exciting time as WWE shakes things up.

Posted April 23rd, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

Cameron Grimes Released By WWE, Matt Hardy’s Supportive Message

Cameron Grimes has been released from WWE. He announced the news in a video he released on Tuesday shortly after learning the news. 

After introducing himself as Trevor Lee, he delivers the news that he’s been released from WWE and thanked everybody he worked with. It’s been difficult being off television for a year, but he’s spent that time honing his skills and learning everything he can from whoever he can. He plans to get back out there soon and show the fans what he can do. 

The former Million Dollar Champion also told a heartfelt story involving his father, who is no longer alive. Lee says the last thing he told his father before he passed away is that he signed with WWE, which meant a lot to him then and still does today.

Support from a lifelong friend

Wrestling legend Matt Hardy replied to Trevor Lee’s video with a supportive message for his longtime family friend. Hardy was very close with Lee’s father Tracy Caddell, the wrestling promoter and OMEGA Wrestling co-founder who passed away in July 2018. 

The Hardy Boyz and Trevor Lee (2013)

Hardy has known Lee his entire life and visited him in the hospital the day he was born 30 years ago. The ‘Broken’ one wrote on X:

“Trevor, I love your passion & your raw emotion. I’ve been in your life & known you since you were literally born. I am IMMENSELY proud of you. So is your father. The first release from your dream hits hard, but it ushers in a period of personal growth & mandatory change. It’s also a great time to show the world exactly who you are.”

Hardy commented Lee as, “one of the most gifted pro wrestlers I’ve ever seen.” He’s got a bright future in the business because, “It’s in your blood, in your soul.”

WWE’s Recent Releases

Cameron Grimes’ WWE release joins a recent list of roster cuts over this past week, including Jinder Mahal, Sanga, Veer Mahaan, Von Wagner, Xyon Quinn and Xia Li. 

Additional office/other departures include Dan Ventrelle, Trent Wilfinger, Sue Aitchison, Sid Scala and Rob Schamberger, who already has something in the works with AEW.

Posted April 23rd, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Daily Drop (4/23): WWE Crowns Becky Lynch Champion, Paige VanZant’s AEW Status

Welcome to the Daily Drop for Tuesday, April 23, 2024. WWE brought another episode of RAW this week, and there is a lot to talk about as we get this week started.

First off, Becky Lynch is the new WWE Women’s World Champion. She won a battle royal in the main event of RAW this week, defeating Liv Morgan as the last competitor. Since Rhea Ripley already promised to come after her title upon her return, it looks like we may have a WrestleMania 40 rematch waiting for us down the line.

Let’s get into today’s edition of the Daily Drop!

WWE:

  • Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Trick Williams – NXT Championship Match
  • Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Tatum Paxley – NXT Women’s Championship Triple
  • The D’Angelo Family (Tony D’Angelo, Channing ‘Stacks’ Lorenzo & Luca Crusifino) vs. No Quarter Catch Crew (Charlie Dempsey, Damon Kemp & Myles Borne) – Six-Man Tag Team Match
  • Sol Ruca vs. Blair Davenport – Beach Brawl

WWE Releases: Although Xyon Quinn and Von Wagner never made it to RAW or SmackDown, their releases came down from the main roster. They were both free agents, so this was not an NXT call. It also makes us wonder whether they will be under 90-day non-compete clauses, since NXT releases only require a 30-day waiting period before they can appear for another company.

Dominik Injured: Dirty Dom showed up on RAW this week in a sling. That was a big surprise, and he was pulled from his scheduled match. Although he did appear on television, Dom did not get physical. It was later confirmed that not only was Dominik Mysterio injured, but he was also pulled from action on the European tour for an undisclosed injury.

QR Codes Continue: There was another QR Code during RAW this week, and fans are intrigued. This week’s tease also included a blatant reference to Bray Wyatt and Uncle Howdy within the hidden messages. Obviously, WWE is planning something big for this angle, and we’re here for it.

AEW:

Tony Khan’s Memory Lane: The AEW President recently recalled an email exchange he once had with legendary pro wrestler Lou Thesz.

Max Caster’s Mouth: The rap that Caster laid down during AEW Dynasty got a lot of attention. It was noted how this line about Jay White may land him in some hot water this time around.

PVZ’s AEW Status: Former UFC fighter Paige VanZant is not with AEW anymore. She may still appear on the company’s roster page, but Dave Meltzer confirmed during Wrestling Observer Radio that she didn’t want to be a pro wrestler, so she is no longer All Elite. For the record, VanZant is making a killing with her NSFW OnlyFans content.

Scapegoat Spotted: Footage of Jack Perry in the AEW Dynasty crowd before his big return to television started making the rounds online. He walked around with a popcorn bucket with a Sting mask on for a minute before rushing the ring. As you can hear from the voices behind the camera, they were certainly not fooled by Perry’s disguise.

Upcoming PPV’s and PLE’s:

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)

Posted April 23rd, 2024 in News. Tagged: , , .

Becky Lynch Wins Vacant WWE Women’s World Title In Battle Royal During 4/22 RAW

Rhea Ripley’s sudden injury created a need for a new Women’s World Champion. The April 22 episode of RAW ended with a battle royal to help the company decide a new top female on Monday nights.

After a chaotic battle royal match, Becky Lynch pulled down the win to become WWE Women’s World Champion. The Man now holds the title that she failed to snag at WrestleMania 40.

The 4/22 episode of WWE RAW marked the first occasion in WWE history where a vacant women’s championship was claimed in a battle royal. Previously, the only woman to win a title in a battle royal was Gail Kim, who beat then-champion Jazz and five other women during her WWE RAW debut in 2003.

The next WWE draft is from April 26, 2024 (SmackDown) to April 29, 2024 (RAW). It’s anyone’s guess how the upcoming roster shake-up will mold the women’s division for the red brand.

The Battle Royal Match Finish

The battle royal included several notable spots. Natalya eliminated Chelsea Green, but she got back in without the referee seeing her. Then Becky Lynch was put through the announce table by Nia Jax, leaving her out of commission, but still in the match.

The final five women in the match included Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Liv Morgan Zoey Stark and Becky Lynch, who was KOed thanks to that table spot. Then Jax took Stark and Baszler out of the match.

As Nia Jax and Liv Morgan set themselves up to be the last two in the match, Becky Lynch crawled back into the ring. The three of them continued as Liv and Becky tried to take out Nia. Then The Irresistible Force was finally sent to the floor after a collaborative effort.

Becky and Liv made eventually made their way to the apron, where Morgan nailed a Codebreaker, but Lynch reversed Morgan’s follow-up into a Manhandle Slam to win the match.

Why Rhea Ripley Vacated Title

Rhea Ripley looked to be a strong, and unbeatable, Women’s World Champion coming out of WrestleMania 40. Then Liv Morgan jumped her backstage during the RAW after the show of shows, and the Nightmare was injured.

Recent reports suggest that Ripley might need four to six weeks to regain shoulder mobility following a sprained AC joint injury. The incident is considered a “total fluke.” Typically, recovery from such an injury requires up to three months before she can resume ring activities.

Ripley had to make the sad announcement last week on RAW that she was vacating the Women’s World Championship. Before she left, Ripley also made it very clear that she will target whoever is champion when her return comes around.

Posted April 22nd, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , , .

Second Generation Wrestler Von Wagner Released From WWE

WWE released several wrestlers this past week and we can add Von Wagner’s name to that list, as Fightful Select reports the 2nd generation star has also been let go. 

Wagner (Calvin Bloom) is the son of Wayne Bloom, who longtime fans may remember as Beau Beverly of the early 90’s Beverly Brothers tag team. Prior to wrestling in NXT, he played as a tight end for UCF from 2012 to 2016. He was long hailed as a top prospect and a favorite of key people in management, but he never seemed to catch on or get much momentum. 

In addition to the latest round of talent releases, including Von Wagner, Jinder Mahal, Xyon Quinn, Veer Mahaan, Sanga, and Xia Li, WWE recently parted ways with several other people, including Dan Ventrelle, Rob Schamberger, Trent Wilfinger, Sue Aitchison, and Sid Scala. Schamberger and AEW already have something in the works together. 

Stay tuned as we track the next moves of Von Wager, Jinder Mahal and the rest of these recently released (former) WWE Superstars.

Posted April 22nd, 2024 in WWE.

WWE NXT Battleground Will Take Over UFC Apex For June Premium Live Event

WWE’s NXT brand is always building toward their next big show. We already know that NXT Heatwave is scheduled for July 7, 2024, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and now they have some big news for Battleground. 

NXT Battleground will take place at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas on Sunday, June 9. This event is notable as the first WWE event to be held at the 130,000-square-foot UFC APEX facility, which regularly hosts UFC Fight Night events.

“We are always exploring new frontiers to showcase NXT and we are excited to bring Battleground to this world-class event and production facility in partnership with UFC,” said WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels.

With this move, WWE changed up their previous Battleground plans from Savannah, Georgia hosting the event. It was previously reported in late March that the UFC Apex was being eyed for Battleground’s landing pad.

What is the UFC Apex

The UFC Apex is located in Enterprise, Nevada, and owned by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which is part of TKO Group Holdings, an Endeavor subsidiary. This facility, a hub for UFC live events and productions, will now also host NXT Deadline.

After opening their doors on June 18, 2019, the Apex became a pivotal location during the COVID-19 pandemic. After hosting three events in Jacksonville, all subsequent U.S.-based UFC events were held at the Apex without spectators. 

The Apex continues to host select Fight Night events and has started allowing limited public attendance. The venue utilized a 25-foot wide Octagon for its events, smaller than the standard 30-foot version.

TKO Group Holdings merged WWE and UFC under the Endeavor umbrella, sparking speculation about hosting simultaneous events in the same city to create a major destination event. The UFC Apex serves as a great location to test out this merger. 

Posted April 22nd, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

Daily Drop (4/22): History Made At AEW Dynasty, WWE Injuries, The Rock’s MMA Training

Welcome to the Daily Drop for Monday, April 22, 2024. AEW brought a packed Dynasty pay-per-view last night, and there is a lot to unpack.

Last night’s AEW Dynasty PPV is the most popular subject of conversation, capped off by Swerve Strickland being crowned the new AEW World Champion. The TBS Title belongs to Willow Nightingale after she took down and she’ll be the first AEW opponent for Mercedes Mone at Double or Nothing next month.

Chris Jericho got “go away heat” as he beat Hook for the FTW Title. Also, Jack Perry finally returned to AEW. He jumped into the Young Bucks and FTR’s ladder match and helped the Jackson brothers become the first-ever three-time AEW Tag Team Champions. Now, let’s get into the Daily Drop!

AEW:

Bryan Danielson Injury Scare: Danielson vs. Will Ospreay is being hailed as one of the greatest matches in company history. The conclusion saw Ospreay unleash Tiger Driver 91 for the victory. Danielson landed hard and was tended to by medical personnel after the match. He remained unresponsive for a significant period, causing concern among the St. Louis fans. Thankfully, it was later confirmed that Danielson was fine and was selling the effects of the move and the entire match. At the post-show press conference, Ospreay teased retiring Tiger Driver 91 due to how dangerous it is.

Ospreay on Triple H Dig: Ospreay addressed his recent on-camera shot at Triple H, which was actually a receipt, where he mentioned grinding on the boss’ daughter. 

“If you throw a jab, I throw one back. And although I wasn’t mentioned by name, it was clearly about me.” He went on to admit that shots like that won’t be coming from him anymore, “I don’t wanna do that anymore because I feel like I lowered myself to that standard. I don’t need to do that anymore… that’s the first time I’ve ever experienced true tribalism between the two. It’s not nice. It’s unnecessary.”

Julia Hart’s Condition: The TBS Title match at AEW Dynasty ended with a title change as they planned, but Dave Meltzer confirmed during Wrestling Observer Radio that Julia was injured in the process. Their match only went around six minutes

Jeff Hardy’s AEW Contract Ticking Down: Initial reports suggested that AEW had extended Jeff Hardy’s contract into 2025. This extension was thought to compensate for time he missed due to injuries and a sabbatical following his 2022 DUI arrest. However, Jeff has informed other talent at conventions that his contract is actually set to expire in the spring of this year. Jeff Hardy joined AEW in 2022 and quickly teamed up with his brother. Matt Hardy is now a free agent, and he’s free to speak to anyone he likes. He just returned to TNA Wrestling, but it was under a non-exclusive deal.

Swerve’s Entrance: Strickland’s entrance at AEW Dynasty received a ton of props from fans all over, who really dug his Black Panther tribute.

WWE:

WWE RAW 4/22 Card:

  • New Women’s World Champion will be crowned
  • Andrade & Ricochet vs. Dominik Mysterio & J.D. McDonagh
  • Awesome Truth vs. DIY – World Tag Team Championship match
  • Gunther returns for the first time since losing the IC title at WrestleMania

Drew McIntyre Injured: Add Drew McIntyre to the long list of WWE wrestlers out with injuries, including Rhea Ripley, CM Punk, Seth Rollins to name a few. At WrestleMania, the ‘Scottish Warrior’ defeated Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight title (before dropping it just minutes later to Damian Priest.) It turns out that McIntyre was injured in the match against Rollins and badly hyperextended his elbow. He did work last week’s WWE UK tour as advertised, but will probably take some time off to heal. On a side note, we haven’t heard anything about him signing a new WWE contract, negotiations getting series, or anything to that effect.

The Smashing Machine: The Rock just wrapped up his road to WrestleMania 40. The Final Boss promised that he will return to the company for a match against Cody, but he has an important role coming up that needs his attention. “The Smashing Machine” will chronicle the life of fighter Mark Kerr, exploring his ascent in the world of MMA and his battles with personal issues. Johnson will portray Kerr in the film, and his MMA training will start very soon for that new role.

Bayley Still Sign Ripping: Remember when Bayley went viral practically every week when she ripped up a fan’s sign as part of Damage CTRL? She hasn’t dropped that trend. She spotted a fan holding a sign that said IYO SKY was his champion, and Bayley got to work.

Upcoming PPV’s and PLE’s:

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)

Posted April 22nd, 2024 in News. Tagged: , , .

Swerve Strickland Wins AEW World Title From Samoa Joe At Dynasty

AEW Dynasty was a historic event for the company. Not only did they debut a new pay-per-view in Saint Louis, but the company ended the night with a new AEW World Champion.

Swerve Strickland’s road to the top of AEW reached its peak at AEW Dynasty. The Mogul Embassy leader proved that the Chaifetz Arena in St Louis is Swerve’s House, as he defeated Samoa Joe for the AEW Title.

After the main event match was over, Joe swiftly headed backstage while streamers fell on Strickland, who celebrated his win with Prince Nana and ringside fans while pyrotechnics went off while the new champion celebrated.

The AEW Dynasty Main Event Match

At the AEW Dynasty pay-per-view event at the Chaifetz Arena in St Louis, MO, AEW World Heavyweight Champion Samoa Joe faced Swerve Strickland with the title on the line.

Strickland aggressively started the match, attempting an outside dive that Joe countered with a powerslam onto the announce table. After Strickland ripped up the protective padding, he executed an outside dive, but Joe responded with a powerslam on the exposed concrete.

As the match continued, Joe attempted to leave with his title, but Strickland stopped him. Then Swerve delivered a 450 splash and a double foot stomp for a two count.

Joe then applied a rear-naked choke, which Strickland escaped. Strickland nearly won again with a House Call and another two-count, followed by a powerbomb from the middle rope and a double foot stomp that finally clinched his victory.

Posted April 22nd, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: , .

Jack Perry Returns At AEW Dynasty To Help Young Bucks Win Tag Titles

Jack Perry has not been seen on AEW television since All In, where he faced Hook in a Zero Hour match for the FTW Title. Not two weeks after AEW finally aired Perry’s fight footage with CM Punk backstage from All In, he made a shocking return during Dynasty.

Perry made his return during the Saint Louis pay-per-view to help the Young Bucks beat FTW for the AEW Tag Team Titles. The former Jungle Boy’s presence was felt near the end of their ladder match.

During the closing moments of the match, Jack Perry attempted to interfere by pushing Dax off the ladder but was halted by security. Thanks to this distraction, Nick managed to climb the ladder, grab the championship titles, and secure a win for The Young Bucks.

Jack Perry’s Return

At the AEW Dynasty pay-per-view in the Chaifetz Arena in St Louis, The Young Bucks competed against FTR in a ladder match for the vacant AEW Tag Team Championships. Those titles haven’t had owners since Sting and Darby Allin relinquished them following The Icon’s retirement.

As the match continued, Matt Jackson pushed Cash Wheeler from the top of a ladder using Dax Harwood as support. Nick then hit a 450 splash from the top rope to the floor, sending Cash through a table. Dax applied a piledriver to Matt on a ladder, and Nick followed with a springboard into a sunset flip powerbomb.

Unexpectedly, Jack Perry, disguised in a Sting mask, tried to interfere by pushing Dax off the ladder but was stopped by security. Despite this, Nick was able to climb the ladder and retrieve the championship titles, securing victory for The Young Bucks in this challenging ladder match.

The Young Bucks spoke highly of Perry, referring to him as a Scapegoat, before they aired the CM Punk fight footage. Now, Perry is back in the AEW fold, and all signs point to a continued alliance with the heel EVP team, who are now the first three-time AEW Tag Team Champions in company history.

Posted April 21st, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: , , , .

Chris Jericho Got ‘Go-Away Heat’ In His FTW Title Win At AEW Dynasty

Chris Jericho used to be a massive babyface in AEW, with fans singing Fozzy’s “Judas” at the top of their lungs as he made his way to the ring every week. Things certainly changed at Dynasty, because Lionheart got some go away heat.

Hook put the FTW Title on the line against Chris Jericho at AEW Dynasty. The Saint Louis crowd was very passionate, and against Jericho as he won the championship from Taz’s son.

During the AEW pay-per-view, fans directed chants at Chris Jericho, including “Fozzy Sucks,” “Go home, Jericho. Go Home,” and “Please retire.” This was very loud and also quite noticeable on camera.

Jericho’s Recent Controversy

In late December, allegations surfaced involving Chris Jericho and Kylie Rae. It was alleged that an incident with Jericho led to Rae requesting her release from AEW.

Chris Jericho was called out for having people sign NDAs himself, which led to these allegations coming out. A tweet was posted talking about women who are waiting until it’s safe to speak about Chris Jericho. Kylie Rae reacted to it, as she posted a heart emoji.

Chris Jericho was hit with “NDA” and “Kylie Rae” chants at the Worlds End pay-per-view, so he should be used to the negative attention from fans at this point. 

Posted April 21st, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: , .

Wardlow Involved In Automobile Accident Before AEW Dynasty– Is Thankful To Be Okay

AEW fans were gearing up for Dynasty on Sunday night, but Wardlow had an announcement to make. He just escaped a near-catastrophic car wreck situation, and he is thankful to be okay.

Wardlow mentioned that he has faced numerous challenges recently but remains undeterred, stating that nothing can stop him. Despite being injured, he expressed gratitude for being alive and thanked everyone who reached out to show their support, appreciating their concern.

The former TNT Champion also included a photo of his banged-up car with his post. The photo displays a highway sign for Exit 240 – W 150th St, located on Interstate 71 in Cleveland, Ohio. This was a scary situation, and we’re glad he was able to walk away.

Wardlow’s Current AEW Booking

Wardlow’s momentum in AEW may have stalled a bit thanks to Adam Cole’s situation. Although being placed as part of the Undisputed Kingdom was a good spot for Ward-Dog, the faction’s leader has been taken off the road.

Cole’s ongoing ankle rehab caused him to leave the road, because it was getting in the way of his recovery progress. Due to this, Cole’s Devil angle hit the brakes and the faction hasn’t been featured on AEW television in the significant fashion most assumed they would receive after paying off such a long-running mystery angle like unveiling The Devil’s identity.

Wardlow was not booked for a match at AEW Dynasty, but he made an appearance at the AEW Dynasty pay-per-view on Sunday during the match between Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly.

Posted April 21st, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: .

Willow Nightingale Wins TBS Title At AEW Dynasty, Faces Off With Mercedes Mone

AEW Dynasty was a historic night in Saint Louis, as the company brought their inaugural pay-per-view. The event also saw Willow Nightingale walk away with the TBS Title.

Julia Hart has carried the TBS Title with pride while representing the House of Black. She battled Willow Nightingale at Dynasty, and in the end, a new champion was crowned after delivering a devastating powerbomb.

As Willow celebrated her big victory, Mercedes Mone made her way to the ring, where she stood face-to-face with her. While congratulating Willow on her title win, Mone made her presence very clear.

What’s Next For the TBS Title

Mercedes Mone already called her shot to face whoever is TBS Champion next. This win for Willow will set that match up for the future.

Willow and Mercedes already have unfinished business. The two were battling for the NJPW Strong Women’s Title when Mone suffered an ankle injury that took her out of action for months. Mercedes has made reference to her previous run-ins with Willow already.

With Mercedes Mone stepping up to Willow at Dynasty, the two will likely battle with the TBS Title on the line in the near future.

Posted April 21st, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: , .

Logan Paul Thinks Ronda Rousey Is Projecting By Claiming He Gets Preferential Treatment in WWE

Ronda Rousey’s recent remarks against WWE have piqued a lot of interest among WWE fans. Logan Paul heard her remarks about how he received special treatment, and he had to respond. 

Paul mentioned that he aims to handle his response maturely because he appreciates Ronda Rousey and respects her contributions to MMA. He grew up watching her “snap arms” with his brother, Jake Paul. According to Logan, their interactions in person have always been very amicable.

The Maverick then went on to explain that he understands that Ronda Rousey may have experienced a different WWE than he did.

“I feel she’s maybe using me as an example to express her dissatisfaction with how she was treated in WWE, but I can’t speak on that because I don’t know how she was treated. I don’t think she’s a hater. I think she might be unhappy with how her run in the WWE went, but I don’t know anything really about that.” 

“All I know is how I work and the facilities and time that I’ve been given to make my matches as best as possible. I think WWE recognizes that when I put on a good match, which will happen every single time I perform, the outcome and the reaction of the fans is immense. It fills the audience. I think I’ve proven my value, both in and out of the ring, on the mic, wrestling. The impressions that I’m delivering the company are second to none.”

What Ronda Rousey said About Logan Paul

In case you missed it, during an interview on Steve-O’s Wild Ride, Ronda Rousey expressed her wish for more rehearsal time before her matches, similar to the preparation that Logan Paul receives. She acknowledged Paul’s skill on the microphone and his strong performances.

Ronda commended Logan Paul’s microphone skills and expressed frustration over the unequal distribution of rehearsal time, noting Paul receives more as a rising star. She highlighted how proper resources can lead to great performances, as seen with her debut match, which benefited from extensive preparation. 

I wish I was allowed the time to rehearse that he gets. It’s not evenly spread. He’s like their next big star. They are rolling out the red carpet. It goes to show that if you give people the time to rehearse and the resources, you can do amazing things. It’s frustrating that everybody doesn’t get that treatment. My first match with them was incredible because we had six weeks to rehearse, all the best minds in the business coming and putting in their two cents and it was an instant classic.

Posted April 21st, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: , .

Update on TNA Returns At Saturday’s Rebellion PPV

Sami Callihan returned to TNA Wrestling during Saturday’s Rebellion pay-per-view. This was a surprise, because he had just resurfaced in MLW. He wasn’t the only unannounced return, as ‘Broken’ Matt Hardy and Mike Santana also showed up after several years away.

SEScoops has learned that Sami Callihan will be working with TNA and MLW moving forward. His outta nowhere appearance involved an attack Kon, Jason Hotch, and John Skyler, which helped Jordynne Grace in retaining her TNA Knockouts World Championship against Steph De Lander.

TNA’s Approach

Callihan was one of several stars who returned to TNA at Saturday night’s PPV, along with Mike Santana and Broken Matt Hardy, who clarified after the show that he’s free to work anywhere.

All three stars, Hardy, Santana, and Callihan, have re-appeared on the TNA roster page. 

Back in TNA, but not exclusively

TNA pay-per-views often feature surprises in the way of debuts and returns. Bringing back three established former stars on a non-exclusive basis gives us some insight on what the company is currently looking for. Mike Santana, House of Glory’s reigning champion, has some really interesting match-ups awaiting him in TNA.

All three wrestlers also did a lot to boost their personal stock during their time away from the company. 

Hardy and Santana both spent time in AEW, where they received a spotlight on Tony Khan’s television shows. Whereas, Sami Callihan returned to MLW in January and will still be featured on the company’s programming and PPV’s.

Posted April 21st, 2024 in News. Tagged: , , .

LWO Member Cruz Del Toro Undergoes Surgery

WWE star Cruz Del Toro will be out of action after undergoing surgery for an unspecified arm injury in Birmingham, Alabama on Thursday, April 18.

Cruz’s last televised match took place during the go-home SmackDown before WrestleMania 40, where he participated in the WrestleMania Tag Team title qualifying tournament on SmackDown.

On Thursday he dropped an Instagram post from the Birmingham Surgery Center in Homewood, Alabama, where he underwent a procedure to repair an unspecified injury. In the image, Del Toro is shown with a cast on his left arm.

Cruz Del Toro shared the news of his injury on Instagram, where he thanked everyone for their motivation and kind words. Several WWE talents, including Natalya, Michin, Adam Pearce, and Byron Saxton, commented on Del Toro’s post with messages of support, but he must start a new journey back to the ring now.

A special thank you to Dr. McKeon and the team at Birmingham Surgery Center for their care, the surgery was a success. Thank you for your messages of support and good wishes. I will be back soon and better than ever. Like someone said… #todayisdayone

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C56gn-LPXZg

The LWO member last competed in the ring during the April 5 SmackDown show in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. His partner, Joaquin Wilde participated in a singles match on NXT this week in a losing effort against Ridge Holland.

Prior to his injury, Del Toro and partner Joaquin Wilde have been active on both the SmackDown and NXT brands. They participated in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic on NXT and the WrestleMania Tag Team title qualifying tournament on SmackDown.

The LWO in WWE

The current members of the LWO are Rey Mysterio, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro, Zelina Vega, Carlito, and Dragon Lee. The stable was revived in 2023 as Mysterio was being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

During Rey Mysterio’s US Title match against Logan Paul at WWE Crown Jewel, Escobar appeared at ringside to take brass knuckles from a member of Paul’s entourage, but he left them on the ring apron as he chased off Paul’s’ friends. This allowed Paul to use the brass knuckles on Rey to win the match.

Santos Escobar sealed the deal for his direction by turning on Mysterio during the November 10 episode of SmackDown.

After taking some time off due to injury, Rey Mysterio returned on the March 1 episode of SmackDown to help Carlito defeat Escobar in a street fight. Rey later challenged Escobar to a match on SmackDown, which he lost the following week due to interference from his son, Dominik.

In a surprise that reunited Andrade and Zelina Vega, he stepped in for Dragon Lee to help Mr. 6-1-9 defeat Escobar and Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 40.

Posted April 19th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: .

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