Where has Ricky Starks been on AEW? “Absolute” is completely cleared to wrestle but one of the company’s biggest stars on the rise has been nowhere to be seen since being hurt months back on AEW Collision.

Starks took a nasty DDT during Tag Title Tournament match on Collision. He ended up taking a full three count, allowing Top Flight to advance. Reports were that Starks and his partner Big Bill were supposed to advance. However, the potential injury to Ricky prompted an immediate audible.

Of all things, Reddit conjured up the discussion of Starks, and Fightful decided to look into the situation. Some of their AEW sources claim that Starks turned down pitches to be on television. A different source said that the only pitch Starks turned down was breaking up with Big Bill. The plan was to turn Bill full heel and Starks babyface, but Starks reportedly believed a contentious break-up wouldn’t benefit either. Starks reportedly wasn’t particularly happy with the lack of follow-up to his memorable match with Bryan Danielson.

There was also speculation that Starks wasn’t allowed in Calgary due to legal matters, but those rumors have been dispelled. Starks is not in the men’s bracket of The Owen Hart Cup after winning the tournament in 2023. Ricky defeated CM Punk in the finals of the tournament last year.

Regarding Starks’ interest in WWE, Fightful states there is a contingency in AEW who believe WWE is a goal. That notion makes complete sense considering that he’s close friends with Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill and CM Punk. It was actually Rhodes who brought Starks into the AEW fold. Starks was one of the names during COVID to challenge ‘The American Nightmare’ for the TNT Championship.

MLW is making moves and that includes long-time pro wrestling personality David Marquez.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful is reporting that Major League Wresling has hired Marquez as their new Head of Production. Not only that, but there are plans in place for MLW to hire former WWE and TNA producer, David Sahadi.

David Marquez has recently re-emerged on MLW programming as a backstage interviewer, both while having sold-out shows in Chicago and Atlanta. Previously, Marquez appeared as a personality on NWA and was the promoter of CWF Hollywood in California.

Sapp also noted that the company plans to make production changes that happen to include a TV truck starting this July.

David Marquez Adds To The Evolution Of MLW

MLW has found success hitting the road once again after having extended stays in Philadelphia, a trend that greatly began during the global pandemic. The company has lost big names such as Alex Hammerstone and Jacob Fatu, but has made an effort to build new stars such as Alex Kane, Matthew Justice, One Called Manders, Janai Kai, Rickey Shane Page and AKIRA.

MLW CEO Court Bauer also has brought veteran names into the fold including their first-ever World Champion, Satoshi Kojima and NJPW star Minoru Suzuki. They’ve also brought back Matt Riddle, who notoriously got a lot of his early pro wrestling work under the MLW banner. Riddle was the recent winner of Battle Riot VI and will have a future World Title shot down the line whenever he chooses, but before that he will take on Sami Callihan this July at their next PPV, Blood & Thunder.

Along with Riddle, Major League Wrestling has been the wrestling promotion to introduce big names to the wrestling world. MJF, Swerve Strickland as well as the aforementioned Hammerstone and Fatu all cut a great deal of their teeth under the MLW banner.

Penta El Zero Miedo has an AEW contract reported expire this summer, but would The Lucha Brother go to WWE?

Lucha Libre Online reported this month that Penta’s current AEW deal is done sometime in August or September and that WWE is interested in scooping the luchador up.

Penta was a guest on COMIENDO CARNITAS, and addressed the matter, stating that the WWE interest was only a rumor. Miedo confirmed that his contract did indeed end in August or September (noting his agent had to remind him). Penta makes clear that AEW is currently where his alliegance stands and prefers to focus on the present.

“There isn’t anything tangible. If there was to be anything tangible, we would need to evaluate it, check what is more convenient both financially and in-ring. Someone told me that it was like playing for Barcelona while you should play for Real Madrid. I can see that perspective, but I am not that young and it would be my last big contract.”

Penta makes clear he has no problems with either company and was asked if he’d be interested in going to WWE.

“It would be a good episode in my career, but I do not like to fantasy book. If it happens, it happens. I am focused on AEW and I am happy where I am at right now. Of course there is some complaints like more focus on the projection and rivalries, like it happens with every wrestler and company.”

Penta signed with AEW back in 2019 wrestled on AEW television earlier this month against The Butcher, but hasn’t been in a prominent television storyline in quite some time. 

H/t to Fightful for the transcription.

RELATED: Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix Present: Hit the Lights Lucha Libra Show For 6/1 At The Temple

Sika Anoa’, WWE Hall of Famer, has passed away today at the age of 79. Sika’s passing was announced by his nephew, Jahrus Anoa’i. Jahrus took to Instagram to write the following about his beloved uncle.

“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Former Hall of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th. Sika was a celebrated figure whose contributions and legacy have left an indelible mark. His memory will live on through his achievements and the many lives he touched.”

“He was many things: a hard working father, a caring brother, a supportive uncle, and a proud grandfather. He was a cherished friend to many, a loving family member whose warmth and kindness knew no bounds, and an inspiration to countless individuals. His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, reminding us of the impact one person’s life can have on so many. Rest in love Uncle Sika.”

Sika leaves a historic legacy in pro wrestling, not just through his own accomplishments, but his whole family. The nature of his passing is currently undisclosed.

We at SEScoops would like to send our deepest condolences and prayers to the entire Anoa’i family during this time.

The Legacy Of The Wild Samoans

Sika and his brother Afa were notoriously known as The Wild Samoans, as they were a force in the territories. The brothers also became three-time WWE Tag Team Champions under the management services of Captain Lou Albano.

The Wild Samoans were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2007. Sika’s “bloodline” would continue to carry on through his sons, the late Rosey and Roman Reigns, who the latter is one of pro wrestling biggest stars of the 21st century. Sika and Afa appeared on WWE programming to appoint Reigns as “The Tribal Chief” in 2020.

Wrestling fans are far too familiar with how WCW ended as the story’s been told over and over, but according to Brian Gewirtz we all may get a different look tonight when VICE premieres the Who Killed WCW docuseries

Speaking with Eric Bischoff on a bonus episode of “83 Weeks” former WWE Head Writer Brian Gewirtz and Evan Hunsey of Dark Side Of The Ring gave details at how the show came about and what fans can expect from the episodes that will make it differ from what WWE can typically put out that tends to lean towards the company narrative. Gewirtz broke it down for the former WCW President.

“The talent sitting down aren’t told like, ‘Yeah, of course you can curse. Yeah, you can talk about this thing, you can talk about this business thing that normally wouldn’t appear in a WWE program or that kind of thing.’

“I know from watching it that WCW and Turner executives specifically had never really been interview to tell their side of things or tell their story and all these factors, plus the fact that you’re now approaching 23 years since the end of WCW, it seems like if there was ever a time to play off of the 90’s nostalgia plus the relationships that we’ve cultivated and our relationship with VICE, especially Evan and Jason’s, that now would be a great time to do it.

• Who Killed WCW Preview Shares Insight on Infamous Lawn Dart Moment

How Did The Rock Get On Board?

Bischoff asked Gewirtz how The Rock felt about doing a WCW-focused series and ‘The Final Boss’ was all about it.

“He was like, ‘Great, let’s do it. Let’s do it and if we’re going to do it, let’s do it in the exact way that we’re pitching it which is unfiltered and the no bullshit version of the story. He was on board for that. [The Rock said] ‘No I would love to sit down and give the perspective of the WWE during this time,’ even though that is going to be a small part of it.”

“Who Killed WCW” premieres tonight at 10 PM ET on VICETV.

Brian Cage re-signed with AEW over a year ago and the length of ‘The Swole-verine’s’ deal is pretty swole.

‘The Machine’ has been running with The Gates of Agony as The Mogul Embassy recently turned on AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, but no matter what the future holds for the group, who just added Hechicero on AEW Rampage, Cage is completely content with sticking around All Elite Wrestling.

Speaking on “The Lightweights Podcast,” the former FTW Champion expressed just that about his current deal.

“I don’t see myself going anywhere else. With how long I’ve been there and how long my contract is for and everything else, it makes sense to stay put and I’m happy with that.”

• Brian Cage Shows Off Insane Bruising After Rough Spot On AEW Dynamite

When Cage was asked if his deal was about six more years, Cage said it was and he didn’t negotiate it alone. ‘The Machine’ had an agent to help nail down a deal for him. That was a first for Cage as he flew solo when negotiating his first few name deals in wrestling.

Cage has been with AEW for years at this point, first aligning himself with the now defunct Team Taz and has primarily remained a heel for the majority of his run.

While Cage is locked down by AEW, some names have been floating around as free agents recently. Arn Anderson, Mark Henry and Jake Hager all just announced their exit from AEW, but one major name to leave WWE is Becky Lynch. While it’s expected that Becky will stick around WWE after an extended leave, AEW could front the kind of contract Cage has in an effort to secure ‘The Man’ comes around AEW.

H/t to Fightful for the transcription.

MLW is looking to continue to soar like the Falcons or the Hawks down in Atlanta after a sold out event this past weekend.

Major League Wrestling presented Battle Riot VI at the historic Center Stage down in the ATL and the place was packed to the gills for one of the promotion premier events. Now MLW has announced that another tentpole shows in Fightland will be making its way back to Atlanta on September 14. Tickets are set to go on sale this Wednesday, June 5 at 10 AM ET, and if Battle Riot is any indication, Major League Wrestling will have some surprises in store.

• Mark Henry & Teddy Long Appear At MLW Battle Riot VI

Battle Riot VI featured promoted acts such as Ernest “The Cat” Miller, Jimmy Yang and Violent J as participants in the 40-man match, but the real shining star of the show was Paul Walter Hauser. Hauser elminated several people in the match, including former World Champion Tom Lawlor before being eliminated by Sami Callihan. However, it was Matt Riddle winning the whole bout after tossing Callihan with the two being the final two entrants.

Primarily having a residence in the northeast, MLW has finally spread its wings after the pandemic and now have two consecutive sold out shows, one in Chicago and now in Atlanta. However, the company recently returned back to its roots when it returned to Tampa Bay back in March for their War Chamber event.

Currently advertised for Fightland is Riddle, Alex Kane and World Champion Satoshi Kojima who retained his title against the aforementioned Lawlor.

It doesn’t take a Mel Kiper to tell you Triple H didn’t want any major shake-ups on his roster and to many, the WWE Draft had to feel a bit underwhelming. Aside from a few NXT call-ups and two stars on the rise jumping ship, the Draft was more about retaining than rearranging. However, there will absolutely be a benefit to both the brand and the stars that did move and it’s worth dabbling into the details.

WWE Raw

RAW did indeed stay the course for Mondays as they retained their main stars in Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre and Jey Uso, but they did create some interesting ripples in adding several factions.

WWE RAW GM Adam Pearce also kept hold of all of The Judgment Day while adding LWO and The Final Testament. The latter may be the set of stars to greatly benefit from the move as Karrion Kross along with Scarlet initially established themselves as stars in NXT. However, Kross was horribly repackaged in his first main roster call-up during the Vince McMahon era and both were later released.

Kross and Scarlet packed a punch in their return via SmackDown. Despite that, the duo found themselves lost in the shuffle once again before forming The Final Testament with AOP and Paul Ellering. The group remained around the midcard as they ultimately lost to The Pride at WrestleMania 40 in a Philadelphia Street Fight.

Now being on Mondays, it’s a different day and different platform for The Final Testament and they could eventually have some interesting adversaries on the brand, including Priest and The Judgment Day, but with a “Wyatt 6” burgeoning in the wings, Kross and his crew can finally find themselves in a deserved top spot.

We already got to witness Ilja Dragunov in action and he already set himself apart from many on the main roster as he took out Ricochet in the first round of The King Of The Ring tournament. He’ll undoubtedly be a major player on Mondays as he’s capable of being a force, but has also shown the ability to fight from underneath. Lyra Valkyria was another name to be embedded in the brand as she defeated Dakota Kai and got the badge of approval from Becky Lynch earlier in the night.

With RAW on its way to Netflix in 2025, a lucha legend like the aforementioned Mysterio will be an invaluable addition to the brand, but they also acquired a top rising star in Bron Breakker. There’s been early teases of Breakker’s first feud being with Sheamus and he’s a name that’s carved through the crop down in NXT. Probably the biggest backing has come from recent WWE Hall Of Famer Paul Heyman as ‘The Wiseman’ has been an unofficial advocate for the son of Rick Steiner.

As far as the tag division is concerned, RAW lost a key team in #DIY, but they found a dark horse pick in New Catch Republic, but perhaps one of the low-key greatest moves may be Raw roping in social media standout Dijak, who rejuvenated his identity back down in NXT.

WWE SmackDown

SmackDown was the show to get a big time boost from the stipulation that none of the champions can jump ship as they hold onto the business’ biggest babyface in Cody Rhodes. Anything can change before 2025 turns, but if Cody keeps grounded on SmackDown, Netflix will be without ‘The American Nightmare’ and that’s huge for USA Network when SmackDown makes the move over.

Like RAW, SmackDown kept its biggest names with The Bloodline, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, AJ Styles, Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. Roman Reigns remains a wild card, but with Solo Sikoa staking his claim for the family, it’s likely we’ll have a major confrontation as 2024 carries on.

As far as rising talent, it’s clear Triple H is well-aware of the limitless ceiling of Carmelo Hayes. Not only was he a top pick for SmackDown, but Carmelo was immediately put into the fire going up against Rhodes in the main event.

The women’s division has Bayley, Cargill, Belair, and Tiffany Stratton, but did acquire a new dominant name in Nia Jax. Initially, the show would seem like they’d have an uphill battle by losing Damage CTRL, but Piper Niven, Chelsea Green, Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae can certainly fill those spots.

That being said, some stars may see new horizons on SmackDown with one name being Shinsuke Nakamura. While he was an excellent heel on RAW, Nakamura was consistently made to lose on the brand as he helped build Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania.

Baron Corbin could get some new beginnings on the blue brand as he found revitalization down in NXT, particularly his teaming with Bron Breakker. It will be intriguing to see if SmackDown makes use of him as a heel or babyface, but he’s got some understated potential to be a player down the line for SmackDown.

Who ‘Won’ the 2024 WWE Draft?

Was there really a winner of the WWE Draft? It depends on how one frames it. If you’re going from acquisitions, WWE RAW stood out by securing surefire future star names like Breakker and Dragunov, but also got superstar support with Rey Mysterio.

However, if you look at who won by retaining talent, SmackDown undoubtedly got the edge by keeping hold of Rhodes, Stratton, The Bloodline and Orton. It’s telling for for what the tone may be as WWE programming makes its way to new channels in 2025.

Despite the fresh match-ups in the men’s, women’s and tag divisions on Raw and SmackDown, the general consensus is that this year’s WWE Draft was underwhelming. That said, 

This recap was originally written by SEScoops’ Dominic DeAngelo on MLW.com.

Atlanta is more than ready to riot as the historic Center Stage is sold out for Battle Riot VI. We first see Salina de la Renta enter the building after a brief interview with David Marquez and she arrived just in time for the World Featherweight Title fight to kick off the festivities!

MATCH 1
MLW World Featherweight Championship
Delmi Exo vs. Janai Kai (c)

This match was Kai’s toughest to date as a rejuvenated Delmi showed that she was studying tape of the champion Kick Demon and CONTRA’s latest member. Delmi actually had the champ dead to rights but Salina de la Renta came out to confront Cesar Duran who was at ringside and attempted to spray him in the face. Duran ducked and it caught Delmi in the face instead. Kai took advantage and dropped Delmi with a harsh boot for the 1-2-3.

WINNER and STILL MLW World Featherweight Champion: Janai Kai

Backstage we see David Marquez sitting with Emmy-award winning actor Paul Walter Hauser who made media waves in May announcing that he was entering the Battle Riot. Hauser is all types of ready and even has the “classic” WCW costume of Arachnaman for good luck. Ernest The Cat Miller, Jimmy Yang and ICP’s Violent J all come to introduce themselves to Hauser and as he’s rubbing elbows, a hand slips in and steals Hauser’s good luck charm!

• Actor Paul Walter Hauser Enters MLW Battle Riot VI

MATCH 2
Ritual Combat Match
AJ Francis vs. Alex Kane

The rules for a “Ritual Combat” match are simple: sit on the throne for ten seconds untouched and you are the rightful “King” of BOMAYE. The elders are introduced and needless to say the two names are legendary: it’s Teddy Long and Mark Henry!

The fight begins and Francis is quite dominant, putting his ruthlessness and strength to good use. Kane encounters some close calls when it comes to the ten count, but the former World Champion musters up the energy to stop it on numerous occassions. That’s even after being body slammed on an open chair and powerbombed off the apron! Even Mark Henry makes it known that he’s not all too enthused with AJ’s actions

Francis goes to finish Kane by setting up a table but it’s Kane who puts AJ through through it with a superplex! Kane walks up the entryway, sits on the throne, and AJ can’t answer the ten count!

WINNER and KING of BOMAYE: Alex Kane

Post-fight, both Henry and Long make it clear that Kane earned his throne the right way.

We see Mads Krugger and he promises that the new crusader in CONTRA Unit will shake the league at its foundation.

It’s World Title fight time. And we get to catch the first glimpse of the new World Championship!

MAIN EVENT #1
MLW World Heavyweight Championship
Tom Lawlor (with MSL) vs. Satoshi Kojima (c) (with Okumura)

Tom Lawlor literally came loaded for this match as the official pull out all sorts of foreign objects out of Lawlor’s gear. Due to that, he ruled that MSL must leave the arena within 10 seconds or he’d forever be banned from MLW! MSL fell on his way out and we’re off to the races.

Even without the weapons, Lawlor showed exactly why he was a former MLW World Champion as he had Kojima’s number greatly in this match, wearing the champ down with submission holds and hard strikes. However, Lawlor eventually got caught by a Lariato! One didn’t keep him down, but two did and Kojima fights through pain to retain once more!

WINNER and STILL MLW World Heavyweight Champion: Satoshi Kojima

Before we get to the Riot match, Salina aimed to seek out her revenge on Cesar Duran. She had some help pinning him down with Bad Dude Tito and it seemed like she had Duran dead to rights. However, Duran began singing Salina a familiar lullaby that clearly had the Bruja shaken. It was one her mother sang. Duran stood up and presented her footage on the big screen and we see photographs of a young Salina, then older photos of her mother – with a young Cesar Duran. Duran reveals that his happens to be Salina’s “papa” and de la Renta is a broken mess! Duran laughs manically as this throws a clear wedge in the ongoing power struggle between the two!

MAIN EVENT #2
Battle Riot VI

The first two entrants to this fight happen to be fitting. Entrant #1 is your World Middleweight Champion Mistico while entrant two is MLW original Jimmy Yang!

What a Riot this was as we had surprise appearances from the likes of CW Anderson and Scotty Riggs, and Tom Lawlor tried to enter on three different occassions as himself, The legendary Masked Assassin, and using Paul Walter Hauser’s Arachna-Man costume!

Speaking of Hauser really shined in the Riot. He actually eliminated Lawlor nearly upon entry and lasted a very good while until Sami Callihan took him out! Another newbie to the ring, YouTube sensation Chris Danger also showed up, actually hitting Violent J with a stunner and eliminating him!

However perhaps the biggest surprise of the Riot was the newest CONTRA member. Mads Krugger wasn’t lying when he said his newest soldier was earth-shattering as it was MINORU SUZUKI. No one was safe in the ring with Minoru running rampant. Suzuki even helped to eliminate last year’s winner, Alex Kane. After that, there’s only five remain as Riddle is ganged up on.Suzuki is a big threat but it’s Riddle who knees him out!

The final four ended up being Davey Boy Smith Jr., Timothy Thatcher, Matt Riddle and Sami Callihan. Riddle has to fight on the apron against Callihan and Smith and Thatcher joins on the apron to help him! Thatcher pulls Davey off but both men hit the floor are eliminated. Riddle ultimately ends up putting Sami down seconds later and he’s your Riot winner!

WINNER: Matt Riddle

Several names took part in creating the blueprint for the Casino Gauntlet match that went down on the 5/29 episode of AEW Dynamite, but one significant name was a catalyst, as expected.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Khan was instrumental in laying out the main event match for AEW Dynamite, which happened to be the fallout show for this past weekend’s Double Or Nothing. 

Internally, Khan was listed as a coach on the match and had help from QT Marshall, Colt Cabana and Serpentico at laying out the match. AEW has been very happy with the reception as it will be Will Ospreay challenging Swerve Strickland for the AEW World Championship at Forbidden Door.

• Will Ospreay Pitches Scott D’Amore To Run ROH

Some surprise names were implemented into the bout including Mistico, Shota Umino, Lio Rush and Hechicero. The other competitors were PAC, Claudio Castagnoli, Orange Cassidy and Jay White.

Ospreay happened to also be the winner of the first Casino Gauntlet, a match that actually earned him the right to face Roderick Strong for the AEW International Championship at Double or Nothing, who Ospreay ended up defeating.

Many were speculating that Strickland and Ospreay would first go head-to-head later this year at ALL IN at Wembley Stadium, but fans will get at least an early sample of that fight next month when Forbidden Door takes place in Long Island.

This news of Tony Khan laying out the fight comes not long after the AEW President was accused of booking AEW television last minute by Bryan Alvarez.

Other matches that went down on the 5/29 AEW Dynamite was Jon Moxley in another IWGP World Title Eliminator Match against Rocky Romero, Mercedes Mone took on Skye Blue and Swerve Strickland faced Killswitch.

Tony Khan is clearly passionate about the “one true sport” of professional wrestling, but has his booking method been to AEW’s detriment?

F4WOnline‘s Bryan Alvarez was chatting with users on the website’s forum and stated that Tony Khan has been making last-minute decisions when it comes to finalizing shows, including AEW Double Or Nothing this past Memorial Day weekend.

“Tony switched the script on [AEW Double or Nothing] multiple times during the afternoon. Most people, not just the wrestlers, have no idea what they’re doing until the day of the show, and sometimes not until an hour or so before the show. People are flown to towns and given nothing to do, others are begged the day before the show to please get to the town so they can do something last-minute.”

There may have been an example of this on Wednesday as Saraya was set to go one-on-one with Mariah May, marking her first singles match since her absence, but that bout was removed and rescheduled for next week’s episode of Dynamite. In between those changes Saraya took to social media to briefly post “About to really start speaking my mind,” before deleting her comment.

This, and I just realized shes’s since deleted it. https://t.co/SFl1tWel6K pic.twitter.com/fvkE7WbmMb

— Danny (@dajosc11) May 30, 2024

• Tony Khan On Potentially Expanding Dynamite To Three Hours: “I’ve Tasted Blood”

On the recent AEW Double or Nothing media call Tony Khan was asked by Alvarez’s co-hort in Dave Meltzer if there’s anything he’d like to change over the course of AEW”s five years to which Khan credited himself as a wrestling historian and would like to learn from the mistakes of pro wrestling’s past. Khan potentially booking weekly television last minute is falling in line of the footsteps of Vince McMahon, also to his product’s detriment, would book WWE RAW and SmackDown at the very last minute.

However, Khan making last-minute changes appears to not be a recent occurance.  For what it’s worth, during ALL OUT 2023 weekend, I overheard two AEW talents talking about how they were uncertain of their status for that night’s episode of AEW Collision (the one before CM Punk was terminated), with one prominent name making it known “That’s AEW.”

H/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

If it wasn’t for Ric Flair, we may have saw Kurt Angle show up on WCW Monday Nitro, but “The Nature Boy” knew the right place for an Olympic Hero was WWE.

Ric Flair was a styling and profiling guest on the 5/29 episode of “Busted Open Radio” and started talking about the array of stars during the Attitude Era. Flair then mentioned how he flat out told Kurt Angle, who was looking to get into pro wrestling to avoid WCW.

“I said, you don’t want to go to Atlanta, brother. You will get lost.”

Bully Ray asked Flair for clarification and Ric went into further detail about how the encounter happened.

“We were in a gym working out in Nashville, TN and I met Kurt several times and he walked over and said, ‘I’m thinking about getting into professional wrestling,’ he said ‘What do you think about me going to WCW?’

• Ric Flair Rips “Bull***” ‘Who Killed WCW’ Docuseries Produced By The Rock

Flair thought about it for a second, said “Give me a minute.”

“I went in the locker room, got my phone, came out, called Vince [McMahon], put him on the phone and he was working out with Dory Funk Jr. two weeks later.”

Flair said WCW would have greatly misused Angle at the time.

“Kurt when healthy, is absolutely one of the great ones.

“Kurt is a special kind of athlete and a special kind of guy and legitimately really tough.”

Flair covered a great deal of ground during his interview, talking about his daughter Charlotte, the unbridled star power of The Rock and how Ricky Steamboat is in the top two of the greatest all time wrestlers alongside Shawn Michaels.

Please credit Busted Open Radio and h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

Ethan Page was one of the two big surprises during WWE NXT this Tuesday and by that surprise appearance its safe to assume that “All Ego” is now in the WWE pro wrestling universe.

Fightful Select has a new report on Page’s status. While it’s unknown if Ethan Page’s contract with AEW expired or he was just released but he told names in the industry that he was hoping to be a free agent by this timeframe.

In the same realm, Page had a desire to float under the radar until “he appeared somewhere else.” Mission accomplished as Page shocked that Capitol Wrestling Center on Tuesday night, revealing himself to be the attacker of Noam Dar and Ora Mensa before he ambushed NXT Champion Trick Williams.

• Ethan Page & Jordynne Grace Hid In Former WWE Star’s Garage Ahead of Surprise NXT Appearances

According to Fightful, Page’s deal with WWE was finalized over the course of last week and had a secret meeting go down at the WWE Performance Center. Sources within the company are reportedly pleased and excited about Page’s debut.

Ethan Page wasn’t the only former TNA talent to shock the wrestling world on Tuesday night. TNA Knockout Champion Jordynne Grace showed up as the surprise opponent for NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez at the upcoming NXT Battleground.

Page, who has been the sole proprietor of Alpha-1 Wrestling, also joins former AEW star Shawn Spears as a name to join the NXT ranks in 2024. Page was one of the several under-utilized talents in All Elite Wrestling and greatly remained off programming as of recent.

Will Ospreay loves the passion of Scott D’Amore and he thinks that incorporating him into the AEW product would be extremely valuable to the company.

Speaking with Adrian Hernandez ahead of AEW Double Or Nothing, Ospreay expressed how much he respects the former TNA President and praises D’Amore for being the catalyst for the continued success of TNA despite no longer being with the promotion.

“I can’t tell you enough how much respect I have for Scott D’Amore. If there was anything that I want to put out there; if there was a way that AEW could hire Scott D’Amore in any type of fashion.”

Ospreay had one idea in mind as to how Tony Khan could utilize the talent and mind of Scott D’Amore.

“Have that guy run Ring of Honor or something. The passion that he had for TNA, and just how he completely single handily transformed that company.”

• Arn Anderson Announces Exit From AEW

Tony Khan purchased Ring Of Honor years back and made the brand its own entity. Much to the chagrin of many, all the new programming resides on the ROH Honor Club. Khan has been criticized as to how he has handled the brand as a great deal of the product flies under the radar due to it solely being on Honor Club.

D’Amore was let go by TNA after he was the primary proponent for rebranding the company and since then, D’Amore has trademarkedd “Maple Leaf Wrestling” and is putting on a Border City Wrestling event later this year. Ospreay spent a “cup of coffee” in TNA as a free agent before signing on full-time with All Elite Wrestling.

H/t to Fightful for the transcription.

People at AEW are firing back at the report made by an entertainment website earlier today stating that Tony Khan was disappointed at the initial offer made to him by Warner Bros Discovery.

According to AEW sources close to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, Khan was not upset by WBD’s first offer, but negotiations are still ongoing between the two parties. The report regarding Khan’s supposed mentality on the matter came from Matthew Belloni of The Puck, who noted that WBD’s exclusivity window with AEW is closing in July. He also added that Khan and Warner Bros are “playing nice” with one another as negotiations continue.

• Next Themed AEW Dynamite Will Promote WBD Property

Meltzer added into his report that Belloni previously had WWE CEO Nick Khan on his podcast and that the two are supposedly longtime friends.

There is concern that WBD CEO David Zaslav may bungle the AEW deal for WBD as the executive has been heavily criticized for likely losing the rights deal for the NBA.

Just last month, Zaslav sent a memo to Warner Bros Discovery executives to look for cost-cutting measures after ending 2023 in debt. However, there could be some great viability in locking AEW in a new deal considering that live television is a hot commodity during this always changing era of the streaming service.

On the latest media call with Tony Khan ahead of Double or Nothing, the AEW President expressed a desire to ink a new deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, but there might be a high-demand for the AEW package in the open market.

Arn Anderson will be leaving AEW and is grateful for his time and opportunity with the company.

Speaking on a live version of The ARN Show, The Enforcer revealed that his AEW contract is expiring on May 31 and he’ll be making his leave from the company. Arn expressed his extreme gratitude for Tony Khan, calling him a wonderful human being and noting how much of an impact the AEW President has made on the wrestling industry, giving talent a different place to go and work.

Anderson addressed his future in wrestling, stating that he believes in the talent and ability of his son Brock Anderson, who is no longer with AEW, and wants to spend his remaining years in wrestling helping him develop into a star.

• Arn Anderson Getting Inducted Into The National Wrestling Hall Of Fame

Anderson wanted to thank everyone he worked with in AEW, naming Khan, Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross, Dean Malenko and Jerry Lynn for all the work that they’ve done.

The Enforcer was indeed a force for AEW as one of the notable legends early on under the AEW banner. Anderson first debuted at ALL OUT 2019 when he delivered a spinebuster to Shawn Spears in his grudge match against Cody Rhodes

From then on, Anderson was a key component to Rhodes’ act in the company as he was apart of The Nightmare Family and would accompany Cody to the ring as a coach. For a very brief time, Anderson was an ally to Wardlow during one of his runs as TNT Champion.

“Thank you and see you down the road,” Anderson said. Arn will still stay busy with his Brock, but will also continue doing his series on The Four Horsemen Network.

Adam Copeland will be out with injury and Brody King wants The House Of Black to take credit for it.

Copeland revealed that he fractured his tibia in his barbed wire steel cage match against Malakai Black. The TNT Championship was on the line and despite the broken leg, Copeland came out on top in thanks to a surprise appearance from his old Brood buddy, Gangrel.

The former Edge took to social media to share the unfortunate news that he did hurt himself. The injury occurred when Copeland dove off the top of the cage to land on Black, but it obviously didn’t go as planned. 

• Adam Copeland Announces He Needs Surgery For A Fractured Tibia

Adam did start off by saying that “The House always wins” and Brody King tends to agree with that assessment. During the bloody battle at Double Or Nothing in Las Vegas, King and Buddy Matthews teased that they would be aligning with Copeland, but it was all just a ruse in an effort to help Malakai Black.

Brody was clearly satisfied with the result of both the injury and the match. He happened to address the former by sharing a classic photo and tee shirt of Greg Valentine. ‘The Hammer’ notoriously broke the legendary Wahoo McDaniel’s leg and had a shirt made in homage to his accomplishment. King made a few changes. to Greg’s original garb, however.

? pic.twitter.com/7WRxEpir0b

— Big Bad Brody King (@Brodyxking) May 28, 2024

The same night Copeland got injured is the very same night that the previously injured MJF made his return to the ring. It’ll be interesting to see the direction AEW takes with Copeland being unable to defend his TNT Championship.

Stokely Hathaway is in his element as a heel and he welcomes any creative type of heat he’s getting online after turning on Willow Nightingale.

Hathaway and Kris Statlander got sick of supporting Willow Nightingale, especially after she lost the TBS Women’s Championship to Mercedes Mone in one of the three main event matches of AEW Double or Nothing. Nightingale was super over as a babyface while Mone is finally easing into her heel identity and so will Stokely and Statlander. 

AEW has advertised that we’ll hear more from Hathaway and Statlander on the forthcoming Dynamite, but Stokely heard quite a bit from fans after he and Statlander did Willow dirty at Double or Nothing.

Stokely took to X to share screenshots of some of the creative negative comments he’s gotten so far, including:

“I hope you got diarrhea for a month you f***ing traitor.”

“Count your days Milk Dud.”

“I know Darby used your head and a magnifying glass to light the flame-thrower.” 

Also, some fans kept it simple with “F*** you, man,” “You b****,” and “Big Stoke, more like B**** Stoke.” He also added another one in the replies that said “I hope you done like Darby and hit by a bus.” 

• Mercedes Mone Wins AEW TBS Title At Double Or Nothing In Her Debut Match

Aside from my own actions, what did I do to deserve this? pic.twitter.com/UDJUIForaI

— Big Stoke (@StokelyHathaway) May 28, 2024

This prompted Stokely to take a dig a Darby stating, “Also Darby looks like a dumbass. If I was a MTA bus driver, I’d hit him too. FOH,”

Also Darby looks like a dumbass. If I was a MTA bus driver, I’d hit him too. foh.

— Big Stoke (@StokelyHathaway) May 28, 2024

Mone is feeling great after winning the TBS Championship in her first AEW match and her first bout in over a year.

“Words can’t describe this feeling. It’s good to be back. And it’s really good to be a champion.”

Words can’t describe this feeling. It’s good to be back. And it’s really good to be a champion ? #TheCEO #AEW #MercedesMoné #TBSChampion pic.twitter.com/KBmJGWagpB

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) May 27, 2024

Warner Bros. Discovery is aiming to secure AEW programming but is Tony Khan picking up with CEO David Zaslav is laying down?

Matthew Belloni of the entertainment website Puck News is hearing that the exclusive rights window between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery is closing despite the latter wanting to keep five hours of AEW programming on their television product.

However, Belloni is reporting that AEW President Tony Khan is currently disappointed with the current offer on the table from WBD and that Khan is awre of the leverage AEW has since Zaslav lost the NBA rights for Turner Sports.

On the recent media call before Double Or Nothing, Khan praised executives as WBD and remained optimistic about the two parties coming together on a deal.

Belloni notes that both sides are “playing nice” with one another for the time being, and plays both sides of the coin when it comes to AEW’s value to other networks or being a viable suitor due to WWE’s relationship with several media properties.

• Tony Khan Wants Bryan Danielson To Stay In AEW Forever

Whether a savvy move or not, Zaslav’s low offer to AEW makes sense considering the report that he issued an order for all departments in WBD to look at cost-cutting measures moving further into 2024.

AEW inked their first deal with WBD back in 2020, and the company has made sure to create a lot of synergy between their product and the other properties that WBD has had to offer including Game Of Thrones, Mad Max, and the aforementioned NBA. 

Becky Lynch was unable to re-gain her WWE Women’s World Championship and it could be quite some time until ‘The Man’ comes around again in WWE.

Lynch reportedly remains without a new deal in WWE and her contract with the company is set to expire this weekend. That being said, Becky battled Liv Morgan in a steel cage in the main event of the 5/27 episode of WWE RAW. However, she came up on the losing side of things when Dominik Mysterio yet again got involved, helping Morgan retain her gold before the two revealed they were in canoodling cahoots as Liv and Dirty Dom shared a kiss to close the show.

• Liv Morgan Kisses Dominik Mysterio During Closing Moments Of 5/27 WWE RAW

With news of her contract ending, speculation amongst fans runs rampant as to what Lynch’s future holds in WWE, let alone pro wrestling. Lynch has expressed how much she loves being a mother and if she chose to hang up the wrestling boots, she absolutely could, cementing her legacy in the squared circle. However, retirement doesn’t appear to be her gameplan as following the loss, Lynch took to Instagram to share a photo of herself walking away, but with the simple caption of “To be continued.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C7f19M3NkMb

Lynch doesn’t join a crop of top talent in WWE to sign new deals with the company. Just recently, it was revealed that Drew McIntyre inked a new contract as did current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest. With the way Lynch has been booked over the course of WrestleMania season, it wouldn’t seem like Becky would bounce over to AEW even if she were to remain un-signed.

The Young Bucks has their new kicks ready for a superkick party. Ahead of their Anarchy In The Arena match at AEW Double Or Nothing, The Young Bucks hyped the release of their new sneakers at Champs Sports by wearing robes with the Reebok logo on them.

“Minutes before the craziest battle we’ve ever been part of. Happy 5 year anniversary!”

Minutes before the craziest battle we’ve ever been part of. Happy 5 year anniversary! pic.twitter.com/oeYV78zqp7

— Matthew & Nicholas Jackson (@youngbucks) May 27, 2024

Even after The Elite survived the wild main event battle against Team AEW, Matthew & Nicholas Jackson made sure to put their shoes on display at the media scrum. 

Fun fact: this is also Matthew and Nicholas Jackson's first ever AEW media scrum.

Who imagined this happening after the events of All Out 2022. But here we are. pic.twitter.com/atFYdC4Efc

— Drainmaker ?? ? (@DrainBamager) May 27, 2024

As of this writing, the Reebok AEW Pump Omni Young Bucks Zone II sneakers are still available for sale at $130.00. The Young Bucks posted on X the link to the shoes which can be ordered online. The sizes still available range from 7.5 to 12.

– $130

– Some sizes still available. https://t.co/fU0DZvJ2ZB pic.twitter.com/Ej5y7IK0oN

— Matthew & Nicholas Jackson (@youngbucks) May 27, 2024

A big aspect of The Young Bucks’ persona has been the high-priced sneakers they wear during their matches. Before Reebok released these new kicks, Matthew & Nicholas Jackson would be wearing all different types of Air Jordans in the ring. They aren’t the only pro wrestlers to do such as Roman Reigns became known for wearing Jordans too.

The Young Bucks have been hyping the new sneakers in commercials and have a very classic feel to them, particularly with the “pump up” feature.

For reference, Champ Sports has an array of casual sneakers available for sale on their website, including some Jordans that are comparable to the Young Bucks Zone II. 

MJF is back in the wrestling business and he put all of the AEW on watch.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman made his return to the company at Double Or Nothing this past Sunday in Las Vegas and had some choice words for fans, including addressing his contract status.

MJF made it perfectly clear that he should be known as ‘The Wolf Of Wrestling’ and much like Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf Of Wall Street, he “ain’t f***ing leaving!”

Sure enough, right after Double Or Nothing ended, AEW’s merchandise department made the most of that moniker and quote by putting it on a tee shirt.

AEW promoted the shirt on socials and MJF reposted it on his own account. The tee does reflect the font of The Wolf Of Wall Street movie poster.

• MJF Wants Everyone To ‘Grab Some Chapstick’ Following AEW Return

THE WOLF OF WRESTLING. Get @The_MJF’s NEW shirt that just arrived at @ShopAEW! #AEWDoNhttps://t.co/cOrdoW07D0 pic.twitter.com/fAuOY1Kmjf

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 27, 2024

MJF shocked Las Vegas by showing up, dressed up in the 2002 street garb of Triple H and hitting Adam Cole with a massive brainbuster. Friedman got on the mic, disparaged his former comrade Cole and also revealed a new tattoo on his ankle. The new ink is an AEW poker chip that has the text of “bet on yourself.”

The former AEW World Champion has been off programming since dropping the gold to Samoa Joe at December’s World’s End PPV. Despite never getting a rematch for his previous hardware, current AEW World Champ Swerve Strickland said that MJF has to earn his shot to enter his “house.” Strickland happened to successfully defend his title against Christian Cage in one of the three main events.

Eddie Kingston is getting surgery done, but it’s actually further down the road than one would think.

According to Mike Johnson PWInsider, the former Triple Crown Champion in AEW is set to go under the knife for his torn ACL and meniscus on July 8. The reason for the hold-up is that Kingston has to wait for his fractured tibia to heal.

Kingston suffered the unfortunate injury during the NJPW Strong Resurgance event as he defended his NJPW Strong Openweight Title against Gabe Kidd.

The word is that Kingston will be out of action for at least a year. With his tibia expected to heal over two months, his ACL and meniscus tears are expected to take around 10 months to heal after his surgery in July.

• Report: Eddie Kingston Will Be Out For A Year With Injury

Before getting injured, Kingston was one of the four fighters to go up against The Elite in the Anarchy In The Arena match. Eddie was ultimately replaced by a returning Darby Allin who showed up last week on AEW Dynamite. Team AEW consisted of FTR, Bryan Danielson and Allin while The Elite had The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada and Jack Perry.

While Team AEW didn’t win, Allin may have been the unofficial MVP of the bout because he was wielding a flame thrower and lit Jack Perry’s legs on fire.

Even though Kingston is on the shelf, it hasn’t stifled his passion for pro wrestling. While injured, Kingston has shared that he’s been watching watching matches of Asuka, who Eddie named as one of his modern favorites.

We at SEScoops want to wish Kingston a speedy and healthy recovery.

MJF is back in AEW. He’s got a new look, a new tattoo, but not a new attitude. 

The former AEW World Champion made his surprise return at Double Or Nothing in Las Vegas, taking out a promo-cutting Adam Cole with a brainbuster. He demeaned his former best friend and then called out the locker room for needing a New Japan or a Vince McMahon. MJF then made it clear that he’s the new Wolf Of Wrestling and that he “Ain’t f***ing leaving” AEW

Max was far from done with the coarse discourse as he took to social media to make it known he’s been a factor for the five years of AEW.

• MJF Paid Tribute to Triple H at Double or Nothing

“Y’all were gagging on it with a smile on your face for 5 years straight, then pretended you didn’t like the taste? If I were you I’d grab some chapstick cuz I’m about to take over the game you love, AGAIN. #BetterThanYou”

Y’all were gagging on it with a smile on your face for 5 years straight, then pretended you didn’t like the taste?

If I were you I’d grab some chapstick cuz I’m about to take over the game you love, AGAIN. #Betterthanyou

— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™? (@The_MJF) May 27, 2024

Fans haven’t seen MJF since AEW’s World’s End PPV at the end of December as he’s been recovering from injury. Max lost to Samoa Joe at that PPV and it was pretty evident that Friedman inked a new deal with AEW despite a storyline trying to create suspicion.

Speaking of ink, MJF also revealed that he got a new tattoo to further hammer home that he’s AEW-committed. During his return promo, Max made the cameraman zoom in to see a classic style tattoo on his ankle of an AEW poker chip with the words, “Bet On Yourself.”

The fine readers of SEScoops know to respect the personal space of the talented athletes who put their bodies at risk for our entertainment. However, there are some folks out there who cross the line and put wrestlers in uncomfortable positions, including approaching them when they’re with their children, out eating or clearly making it known that they’d appreciate privacy.

Asuka is the latest WWE star to be swarmed by ‘fans’ at the airport expecting her to sign merchandise that many of them will directly put for sale online. Footage has been posted on social media of Asuka signing items for an eager gathering of wrestling fans while in between towns.

As seen below, it’s apparent that many of the items are likely bound for online auction. Some examples of this are individuals holding out full pages of what appears to be trading cards likely featuring the star, as Asuka is seen signing one item multiple times in different areas.

Can y'all leave Asuka tf alone?

She's the Empress of Tomorrow, not the Empress of helping you pay your rent. pic.twitter.com/fVG8FybRGQ

— Jay (@CreatureLives) November 17, 2023

Wrestlers Being Swarmed At Airports Has Become An Ongoing Problem

The trend of autograph seekers such as the ones mentioned above has become an unfortunate trend at airports. Over this last year, many fans on social media have became accustomed to the likes of Rey Mysterio, Jeff Hardy and Rhea Ripley all dealing in similar situations. 

Ripley was one name to express her frustrations at aggressive airport “fans” and started to set a strict guideline about what she would sign.

“Today has put me off completely! I will not sign ANYTHING that isn’t a personal photo of us anymore. Hate me, I don’t care.  Disagree with me, try putting yourselves in our shoes for one bloody day.”

Kris Statlander was another star to note about the boundaries these autograph seekers will step over to get an item signed.