SEScoops

Author: Chris Stephens

  • WWE Acknowledges Natalya With Women’s Royal Rumble Mementos

    WWE Acknowledges Natalya With Women’s Royal Rumble Mementos

    WWE recently acknowledged Natalya for all her contributions to the women’s divisions. As an 11-year veteran in WWE, Natalya serves as something of a team captain for the women’s roster.

    They gifted her several signed items and mementos from the Women’s Royal Rumble match.

    Natalya recently Tweeted out a photo of the gift she received:

    Natalya in the 1st Women’s Royal Rumble

    Natalya was the 18th wrestler in the Women’s Royal Rumble match and the 25th to be eliminated. She spent 25 minutes in the match which was the 3rd longest of anyone. Becky Lynch was in the Rumble for 30 minutes and Sasha Banks for 53.

    Natalya eliminated Michelle McCool, Beth Phoenix, and helped to eliminate Nia Jax. She was eventually eliminated by Trish Stratus who was then eliminated by Sasha Banks.

  • Kota Ibushi to Face Bullet Club’s Hangman Page at Supercard of Honor

    Kota Ibushi to Face Bullet Club’s Hangman Page at Supercard of Honor

    Kenny Omega’s Golden Lovers teammate, Kota Ibushi, will face Bullet Club’s Hangman Page at Supercard of Honor XII on April 7th, 2018. The match will take place just two weeks after the Golden Lovers face the Young Bucks at Strong Style Evolved on March 25th, 2018.

    Ring of Honor announced Ibushi’s Supercard of Honor opponent recently:

    Tickets are still available for the event, which runs simultaneously to NXT’s Takeover: New Orleans show.

    Supercard of Honor XII Confirmed Lineup

    • Cody vs Kenny Omega
    • ROH World Championship
      Dalton Castle (c) vs Marty Scurll
    • Women of Honor Championship Tournament
      Tournament Finals
    • Hangman Page vs Kota Ibushi
    • ROH World 6-Man Tag-Team Championships
      SoCal Uncensored (Scorpio Sky, Kazarian, and Christopher Daniels) vs. the Young Bucks and Flip Gordon
    • Tomohiro Ishii vs Punishment Martinez
    • ROH World TV Title
      Last Man Standing
      Kenny King (c) vs Silas Young
  • Finn Balor Debuts New Clothing Line

    Finn Balor Debuts New Clothing Line

    Finn Balor has just released a new line of clothing he says is designed, imagined, worn, and loved by him. The clothing line is also said to be ethically and ecologically sourced.

    Balor even serves as the clothing line’s model (complete with plank pose) on the website: SmileItsPeak.com

    Wale has already picked up some of Finn’s clothes:

    https://twitter.com/Wale/status/973979815584849920

    PE&K Mission Statement

    Here is the company’s mission statement taken directly from their website:

    “Our goal at PE&K is to provide clothes that will make you smile, whilst having the least amount of impact on our lovely planet as possible.

    • All our shirts are made in USA , and printed in UK,
    • We don’t use plastic, but if there is, biodegradable YAY!
    • And the only paper we use will be the sticker for shipping & international custom sheets (We are trying to source recyclable paper)
    • No stickers
    • No wasted cardboard
    • Nothing that is going to hurt our planet
    • We like to say. We are friends of the environment”

    Finn Balor is scheduled to face the Miz and Seth Rollins in a triple-threat match for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania.

  • Kurt Angle Posts Training Pic with Ronda Rousey

    Kurt Angle Posts Training Pic with Ronda Rousey

    In what is arguably the most high-profile match scheduled for WrestleMania, Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey are scheduled to face Triple H & Stephanie McMahon.   The 49-year-old Kurt Angle appears to be relishing the opportunity to team with Rousey. After spending years away from WWE, he probably felt he’d never receive another opportunity like this.

    Angle posted the following pic of the two training together yesterday:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BgUEA8nh9i_/?taken-by=therealkurtangle

    To help demonstrate how dedicated he is to staying in shape, Angle also posted the following:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BgUurjdhtB_/?taken-by=therealkurtangle

    Angle also posted the following fan art:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BgV0EEkBclC/?taken-by=therealkurtangle

    Team Angle Rousey

    While rumors state WWE was hoping the Rock would be Rousey’s partner, Angle works too. The Rock as Rousey’s partner would better play up the WrestleMania 31 segment they were involved in but substituting Kurt Angle for anybody is rarely much of a downgrade.

    Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey have a shared Olympic history and it makes sense Angle would want to keep Triple H and Stephanie from exploiting her.

  • NXT Matches and Segments for Tonight (non-spoiler)

    NXT Matches and Segments for Tonight (non-spoiler)

    Tonight’s episode of NXT is a taped show from Center Stage in Atlanta, GA. Four matches have been announced for the show as well as an important title match contract signing for Takeover: New Orleans.

    • Andrade “Cien” Almas and Aleister Black Contract Signing
      • Black and Almas will meet for the NXT Championship at Takeover: New Orleans. Their contract signing tonight should be eventful.
      • William Regal announced Black had earned a title shot after he defeated Killian Dain last week.
    • United Kingdom Championship
      Pete Dunne (c) vs Adam Cole

      • The leader of the Undisputed Era gets a chance to become the first American United Kingdom champion. Cole and Dunne were involved in a backstage altercation last week.
    • Tommaso Ciampa Appearance
      • Last time he appeared on NXT, he didn’t say a word and left after the fans began chanting for his rival and former tag team partner, Johnny Gargano.
      • He sent out the following tweet to instruct fans on how to respond to him this time:

    https://twitter.com/ProjectCiampa/status/973596664127778818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwe.com%2Fshows%2Fwwenxt%2F2018-03-14

    • Dusty Rhodes Classic (1st round)
      Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli vs Eric Young & Alexander Wolfe (Sanity)
    • Dusty Rhodes Classic (1st Round)
      Heavy Machinery vs the Street Profits
    • Dakota Kai vs Lacey Evans
  • Matt & Reby Hardy Address Jeff’s Recent Troubles

    Matt & Reby Hardy Address Jeff’s Recent Troubles

    In the days since Jeff Hardy’s recent DWI arrest in Concord, NC, his brother Matt has posted several references to him on social media. The latest came on Tuesday night with a reference to Jeff needing help.

    Matt’s wife Reby, who will be part of the Ultimate Deletion match scheduled for next week’s RAW, has also chimed in on Jeff’s situation. Reby says she and Matt have worked too hard on bringing the Broken Universe to WWE for Jeff to derail their plans.

    In response to a fan on Instagram who said Brother Nero is needed for the Ultimate Deletion match, Reby vehemently disagrees. She wrote:

    “Matt has busted his ass to get to this point. He & I have been fighting for this to happen for nearly a year. After the hard work & $50K+ in legal fees that *WE* paid, I’m gonna have to say NO. He is not “needed”. Jeff is clearly doing his own thing & it has nothing to do with us right now.”

    Jeff Hardy’s DWI and Standing in WWE

    Considering WWE has released multiple performers recently due to alleged criminal charges, some are concerned as to how Jeff’s recent arrest will impact his standing in WWE.

    Jey Uso was arrested for DUI in January. WWE released the following statement in regards to his arrest:

    “Joshua Fatu is responsible for his own personal actions. We are investigating the matter and awaiting information from local law enforcement officials.”

    Which sounds a lot like what WWE released in regards to Jeff Hardy’s recent arrest:

    “Jeff Hardy is responsible for his own personal actions. We are investigating the matter and awaiting information from local law enforcement officials.”

    WWE has taken no action towards Jey Uso, so perhaps the same will be the case for Jeff Hardy, although Hardy does have a history of substance abuse issues which may further impact how the company handles the situation.

  • New Japan Cup Night 5 Tournament Match Results (2 Quarter-Final Matches)

    New Japan Cup Night 5 Tournament Match Results (2 Quarter-Final Matches)

    Today/last night in the New Japan Cup, the first two quarter-final matches took place. We’ve printed the results from the tournament thus far and the upcoming schedule below.

    In the first tournament match of night 4, Juice Robinson pulled off a mild upset by defeating Michael Elgin via pinning combination. The second match featured Hiroshi Tanahashi defeating Bad Luck Fale via count-out.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUvH486_lps

    New Japan Cup 1st Round Results

    1. Juice Robinson defeated Yujiro Takahashi
    2. Michael Elgin defeated Tomohiro Ishii
    3. Bad Luck Fale defeated Lance Archer
    4. Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Taichi
    5. Kota Ibushi defeated YOSHI-HASHI
    6. Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tetsuya Naito
    7. Toru Yano defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr.
    8. SANADA defeated Chuckie T
    9. Juice Robinson defeated Michael Elgin
    10. Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Bad Luck Fale via count-out

    Upcoming New Japan Cup Matches

    (Quarter-Finals)

    1. Kota Ibushi vs Zack Sabre Jr (March 15th)
    2. SANADA vs Toru Yano (March 15th)

    Semi-Finals

    1. Juice Robinson vs Hiroshi Tanahashi (March 16th)
    2. Ibushi/ZSJ vs. SANADA/Yano (March 18th)

    Finals

    1. Semi-Final Winner A vs Semi-Final Winner B (March 21st)
  • 205 Live Results: First Cruiserweight Qualifies for WrestleMania

    205 Live Results: First Cruiserweight Qualifies for WrestleMania

    The main event of 205 Live last night was the first semi-final in the cruiserweight championship tournament. Also on the show, two cruiserweight tag-teams faced each other as the division prepares to introduce tag-team titles.

    205 Live Results 

    1. Hideo Itami & Akira Tozawa defeated Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik (w/Kalisto)
      • After the match, Itami was standing over Metalik and got into a shoving match with Dorado. Tozawa had to pull Itami away.
    2. “Gentleman” Jack Gallagher defeated Murphy Myers
      • This was a squash match victory for Gallagher.
    3. Cruiserweight Championship Tournament (Semi-Final)
      Cedric Alexander defeated Roderick Strong

      • Each guy hit their finish on the other, only for their opponent to get their foot on the ropes.
      • Alexander won with a small package.
  • Matches for Smackdown, Mixed Match Challenge, and 205 Live Tonight

    Matches for Smackdown, Mixed Match Challenge, and 205 Live Tonight

    Tonight’s episodes of Smackdown Live, WWE Mixed Match Challenge, and 205 Live emanate from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.

    Smackdown looks to be a segment heavy show as no matches have been announced for it ahead of time.

    Smackdown Live

    Segments Announced for Smackdown Include:

    • Shane McMahon’s WrestleMania announcement
      • Following the events at Fastlane, where Shane cost both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn a chance to win the WWE championship, Shane is scheduled to make an important announcement regarding WrestleMania tonight. It’s likely both Owens and Zayn will have a vested interest in what Shane has to say.
    • Asuka Appears on Smackdown
      • Two days after appearing at Fastlane and challenging Smackdown women’s champion, Charlotte Flair, Asuka is being advertised to appear on Smackdown tonight.
      • How will Charlotte Flair respond to Asuka’s challenge?
    • AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura Road to WrestleMania Begins
      • Tonight will be the first Smackdown after AJ Styles versus Shinsuke Nakamura has been officially confirmed as the WWE championship match at WrestleMania. Now that Nakamura knows it will be him versus AJ Styles in a rematch from their Tokyo Dome encounter, what will he have to say to Styles tonight?
    • Randy Orton United States Championship Reign Begins
      • At Fastlane, Randy Orton defeated Bobby Roode to win the United States championship. After the match, he was attacked by Jinder Mahal and then by Bobby Roode as well. Orton has a target on his back now as champion, what will happen between him and his two challengers tonight?
    • What Comes Next for the Bludgeon Brothers?
      • Sunday night, the Bludgeon Brothers destroyed the New Day and the Usos causing their Smackdown tag-team championship match to be declared a no contest. With Smackdown’s two top tag teams having been put on notice by Harper and Rowen, we should find out what is next for the division tonight.

    WWE Mixed Match Challenge

    Tonight’s match is the final round of the quarter-finals. Thus far the advancing teams to the semi-finals include Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman and the Miz and Asuka.

    Tonight’s match will pit Lana and Rusev facing Bobby Roode and Charlotte Flair.

    A 4th team will be voted back into the tournament for the semi-finals.

    205 Live

    Just one match has been announced for 205 Live tonight. The 1st semi-final match of the cruiserweight championship tournament will pit Cedric Alexander taking on Roderick Strong.

    One of Strong or Alexander will make their WrestleMania debut this year and get a chance to win the cruiserweight championship.

    The other semi-final will most likely take place next week and be contested between Drew Gulak and Mustafa Ali.

  • Kevin Owens Comments on Shane McMahon’s Appearance on Raw

    Kevin Owens Comments on Shane McMahon’s Appearance on Raw

    Last night on Monday Night Raw, Shane McMahon was shown on camera sitting next to his father backstage. This was during the 1st segment of the show where Roman Reigns walked to the back to confront Vince.

    On Smackdown, Shane McMahon just cost both Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens chances to win the WWE Championship at Fastlane. Shane broke up pin attempts by each competitor to prevent them from winning.

    Kevin Owens took to Twitter last night to comment on Shane McMahon’s appearance on Raw:

    https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/973365017159651328

    Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn at WrestleMania

    After losing out on a WWE Championship opportunity on Sunday, Zayn and Owens, like Cena, have no clear path to WrestleMania.

    Shane McMahon is advertised as having a special announcement for tonight’s Smackdown. His announcement may have something to do with Owens’ and Zayn’s role at this year’s WrestleMania.

  • Possible Reason Ronda Rousey Missed Raw Last Night

    Possible Reason Ronda Rousey Missed Raw Last Night

    Despite previously being announced for all Raw shows leading up to WrestleMania, Ronda Rousey was not on Monday Night Raw last night. WWE did not release an official announcement regarding Rousey not being on the show.

    Rousey did appear on the Ellen Show this morning, however. The Ellen Show films in Los Angeles and Raw was from Detroit last night.

    Rousey explained to Ellen why she made the change to pro-wrestling and how she learned her “mean mug”.

    Ronda Rousey on Ellen and Not Raw

    It’s possible the Ellen Show reached out to Rousey and WWE last minute about the appearance. The company may have felt the Ellen appearance would bring in more mainstream media attention to WrestleMania than Rousey appearing on Raw would. That is just speculation, however.

  • Reason Why Daniel Bryan Missed Fastlane

    Reason Why Daniel Bryan Missed Fastlane

    Daniel Bryan was not present for Smackdown’s Fastlane pay-per-view last night. Brie Bella recently posted the reason why Bryan was not in Columbus last night to her Instagram account. Both Bryan and Brie were attending the wedding of Daniel’s cousin, Billy.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BgK0dXmnCZp/

    Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon Storyline

    Daniel Bryan’s absence from the show last night could play into WWE storyline. In the main event in Columbus last night, Shane McMahon cost both Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn chances to win the WWE championship.

    Bryan hasn’t posted on social media since the pay-per-view but will most likely have something to say tomorrow night.

  • New Japan Cup Night 4 Results; Updated Schedule

    New Japan Cup Night 4 Results; Updated Schedule

    The 1st round of the 2018 New Japan Cup concluded last night/early this morning. Toru Yano defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr via count-out and SANADA defeated Chuckie T on the 4th night of the tour.

    The quarter-finals take place March 14th and 15th and will include English commentary. The semi-finals will be held on the 16th and 18th with the finals on the 21st.

    New Japan Cup 1st Round Results

    1. Juice Robinson defeated Yujiro Takahashi
    2. Michael Elgin defeated Tomohiro Ishii
    3. Bad Luck Fale defeated Lance Archer
    4. Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Taichi
    5. Kota Ibushi defeated YOSHI-HASHI
    6. Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tetsuya Naito
    7. Toru Yano defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr.
    8. SANADA defeated Chuckie T

    Upcoming New Japan Cup Matches (Quarter-Finals)

    1. Juice Robinson vs Michael Elgin (March 14th)
    2. Bad Luck Fale vs Hiroshi Tanahashi (March 14th)
    3. Kota Ibushi vs Zack Sabre Jr (March 15th)
    4. SANADA vs Toru Yano (March 15th)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lgizutGPZ8

  • Matt Hardy References Brother’s Arrest in Latest Post

    Matt Hardy References Brother’s Arrest in Latest Post

    Jeff Hardy was arrested yesterday and charged with DWI in Concord, North Carolina. Hardy’s arrest came after he crashed his car into a guardrail and spun out into the middle of the road. He was released and given a court date next month.

    After news of his brother’s arrest broke, Matt Hardy posted the following:

    Matt Hardy History of Substance Abuse Issues

    Matt Hardy himself has had an issue with DWI arrests in North Carolina. In 2011, he was arrested twice in one summer for the offense. He was fired from TNA Wrestling as a result and wouldn’t be brought back for 3 years. The next month Reby called the cops to say Matt was strung out on pills and they raided his house.

    After the police raid, Matt checked himself into WWE-sponsored rehab and hasn’t had any issues since.

  • ROH Anniversary Show PPV Lineup for Tonight

    ROH Anniversary Show PPV Lineup for Tonight

    Ring of Honor is back on pay-per-view tonight. The company is hosting their 16th-anniversary show tonight out of Sam’s Town in Las Vegas. ROH’s 1st ever event was “The Era of Honor Begins” on February 23rd, 2002.

    In addition to being available via PPV, tonight’s show can be viewed by Honor Club VIP members and at a discounted rate for month-to-month subscribers.

    ROH 16th Anniversary Show Lineup

    Pre-Show (Facebook Live)

    • Women of Honor Tournament (1st Round)
      Sumie Sakai vs Hana Kimura
    • Women of Honor Tournament (Quarter-Finals)
      Tenille Dashwood vs Brandi Rhodes

    Main Card (Honor Club and PPV)

    • Flip Gordon vs Hiromu Takahashi
    • Cody vs Matt Taven
    • Marty Scurll vs Punishment Martinez
    • ROH 6-Man Tag Team Championships
      the Hung Bucks (Hangman Page and the Young Bucks) (c) vs SoCal Uncensored (Kazarian, Christopher Daniels and Scorpio Sky)
    • ROH TV Title
      Kenny King (c) vs. Silas Young
    • ROH Tag Team Championships
      The Motor City Machine Guns (c) vs. the Briscoes
    • ROH World Championship
      Dalton Castle (c) vs Jay Lethal
  • 2 NXT Female Wrestlers Released

    2 NXT Female Wrestlers Released

    NXT made a round of cuts last night, releasing two women from WWE’s developmental program.

    Abbey Laith Released

    Formerly known as Kimber Lee, Abbey Laith was released from the company yesterday. She signed with WWE in January of 2017 and made it to the 3rd round of the Mae Young Classic.

    Before signing with WWE, Laith competed in Chikara, Shine, and Shimmer. In 2012, she joined a CZW stable with Drew Gulak called “Campaign for a Better Combat Zone”. Gulak and CZW initially trained Laith in 2011.

    Sage Beckett Released

    A graduate of the Dudley Boyz school, Sage Beckett also began her WWE developmental career in January of 2017. Before signing with WWE, she was known as Rosie Lottalove in TNA.

    Beckett did not wrestle much in NXT but she did compete in the Mae Young Classic. She was defeated by Bianca Belair in the 1st round.

  • Rey Mysterio Jr. Injury Update

    Rey Mysterio Jr. Injury Update

    Over the weekend, it was reported Rey Mysterio Jr. suffered a torn biceps. Mysterio suffered the injury during a match in Waterbury, CT on Friday night.

    The Wrestling Observer Newsletter was the first to report on Mysterio’s injury, though this was before he had seen a doctor. While Mysterio felt he had torn his biceps, the Observer is now reporting his injury was only diagnosed a grade 1 level strain. A mildly strained biceps should heal on his own within weeks.

    The Lucha Libre focussed website, Lucha Blog, tweeted out an update last night:

    Rey Mysterio Jr’s Upcoming Schedule

    News that Mysterio’s injury is not as severe as once feared should be welcome news to fans of NJPW. On March 25th, Mysterio is scheduled to face Jushin Liger at Strong Style Evolved.

    The favorable diagnosis is also a good sign Mysterio will be able to compete over WrestleMania weekend as well.

  • Update on WWE’s Massive Stadium Show in Australia

    Update on WWE’s Massive Stadium Show in Australia

    Last week, a report from the Melbourne Herald Sun indicated WWE had booked the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Australia for a massive event in October. It is believed the MCG could fit 100,000 fans for such an event.

    The deal is said to have been finalized awhile ago but WWE wants to hold off on publisizing it too much. The company is expected to ramp up promotion for the event following WrestleMania.

    A recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter revealed some new details about the planned show.

    Ronda Rousey Returns to Australia 

    When publicity for the event begins to ramp up, it is believed Ronda Rousey will play a central role in it. Rousey famously lost the UFC women’s bantamweight championship to Holly Holm at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne. Attendance for that event was listed at 56, 214.

    According to the Observer, the current idea is for this to be a PPV event which will air on the Network. This has not been confirmed, however.

  • Update on 50-Man Royal Rumble, Second Performance Center Discussed

    WWE is planning the largest ever Royal Rumble match to take place in Saudia Arabia. The event will take place from the King Abdullah Sports City on April 27th, 2018.

    The 50-Man Royal Rumble was mentioned on Smackdown and Raw this week but there has been no confirmation that this will be a WWE Network special. It appears this event is part of WWE’s plan to increase their exposure in the middle east.

    Increased WWE Exposure in the Middle East

    WWE is making a strong push into the Middle East and is attacking this initiative on several fronts. In addition to WWE running live events in Abu Dhabi, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE is considering opening a second Performance Center there.  This facility would be used to cultivate talent from both the Middle East as well as India.

    WWE isn’t the only promotion looking at running developmental programs internationally. NJPW is running a week of camps in Los Angeles later this month with Katsuyori Shibata serving as the head instructor.

    Originally, WWE wanted to run just one live event in Abu Dhabi last year but strong ticket sales led them to run another night from the same venue.

  • Rich Swann Voices Frustration with Promoters, Announces Pending Retirement

    Rich Swann Voices Frustration with Promoters, Announces Pending Retirement

    Rich Swann recently expressed frustration with promoters refusing to book him due to the criminal charges filed against him late last year.

    He compared his situation to hardcore wrestler, Nick Gage, who was convicted of a bank robbery in 2010.

    It’s not clear which promotion Swann is referring to. Gage wrestles for several independent promotions.

    This led Gage to respond:

    Swann then seemingly announced his retirement:

    Rich Swann Arrest, Dropped Charges, Departure from WWE

    At the time of his departure from WWE, Swann had been under suspension since December 10th, 2017 as a result of charges filed against him for battery, kidnapping and false imprisonment. Witnesses allege to have seen Swann put his wife, wrestler Su Yung, in a headlock after she fled a vehicle which she had been traveling in with Swann.

    WWE announced shortly after his arrest that if he was found guilty he would be released immediately. All charges were eventually dropped against Swann but his WWE career ended all the same. News of his WWE departure came on February 15th, 2018, Swann’s 27th birthday.

  • Liv Morgan & the Riott Squad Cut Promo on Bobby Roode

    Liv Morgan & the Riott Squad Cut Promo on Bobby Roode

    The Riott Squad are evidently not impressed that Bobby Roode interrupted their segment with Charlotte Flair last night. Things were looking as though they were about to get physical with the 3 Riott Squad members alone in the ring with the Smackdown Women’s Champion but Bobby Roode’s music hit and the situation de-escalated quickly. Roode and Charlotte are also tag-team partners in the Mixed-Match Challenge tournament.

    Roode was coming out to work the commentary booth for the match between Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton but the Riott Squad did not take kindly to the interruption. Liv Morgan, in particular, has promised that if it happens again she will rip all the sequins off his robe.

    She posted the following fiery promo below:

    Charlotte Flair versus Ruby Riott at Fastlane

    Charlotte Flair will defend her Smackdown Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott on Sunday. It is also worth noting that Asuka has yet to declare which champion she will face at WrestleMania, so this match could have WrestleMania implications.

    The 27-year-old Riott has been on the main roster since November. She started her pro-career in 2010 and eventually signed with WWE in 2016.

  • John Cena Comments on Possible WrestleMania Match With Rey Mysterio Jr.

    John Cena Comments on Possible WrestleMania Match With Rey Mysterio Jr.

    John Cena is doing some promotional work for Nickelodeon today in New York’s Time Square. He will be hosting the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards later this month. Earlier today, the art for the TMNT character he will be voicing in the fall was released as well.

    Despite his busy schedule, Cena had time to answer questions regarding potential opponents for him at this year’s WrestleMania. Sports Illustrated caught up to him at the event.

    Cena had this to say in regards to recent rumors Rey Mysterio will be his WrestleMania opponent, “Rey Mysterio is great,” said Cena. “I’ll say that, and that’s what I can say about Rey.”

    John Cena on WrestleMania 34 Opponent

    According to a report from the Wrestling Observer, however, Mysterio tore his biceps this weekend. If the diagnosis turns out to be correct, Mysterio could miss WrestleMania.

    “I have never asked for a WrestleMania opponent,” said Cena when pressed further about other potential Mania opponents. “If you look at what I’ve done in my WrestleMania entirety, from coming out at Safeco Field in a sweat suit rapping to two cardboard cutouts, to working with established superstars to working with rookies, to being fortunate enough to use the platform to ask a beautiful young lady to marry me.”

    During the interview, Cena even hinted it is possible he missed WrestleMania altogether this year.

    “What a great story it would be for me to miss and have to buy a ticket,” said Cena. “The year doesn’t stop at WrestleMania, we do Raw the next night. Now imagine if this stalwart, this statue of the WWE now has to look inside himself and ask, ‘Do I still have it?’ after being left out of the biggest show of the year.”

  • NXT Preview: Dusty Rhodes Classic Begins

    NXT Preview: Dusty Rhodes Classic Begins

    Tonight’s edition of NXT is a taped show from Center Stage in Atlanta, GA. In addition to the Dusty Rhodes Classic beginning, only one other match has been announced for tonight’s show.

    Matches and Segments Announced For Tonight

    • Dusty Rhodes Classic Tournament (1st Round)
      Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) vs. TM61 (Shane Thorne & Nick Miller) 

      • The 8-team single-elimination tournament begins tonight with a rematch of the finals from 2016. AOP defeated TM61 last time at Takeover: Toronto while Paul Elleriing hung in a shark cage above the ring.
      • The winners of this match will take on the winners of Heavy Machinery vs the Street Profits in the semi-finals.
    • Aleister Black vs Killian Dain
      • These two will clash in what is essentially a title-eliminator match.
      • 3 weeks ago, Black was seemingly going to announce he wanted to challenge for the NXT title but Dain interrupted his promo.
  • John Cena’s TMNT Character Art Revealed For Upcoming Movie

    John Cena’s TMNT Character Art Revealed For Upcoming Movie

    John Cena will be hosting the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards on March 24th, 2018. Nickelodeon has also revealed the art for Cena’s character in the upcoming animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Movie. Cena will be voicing the character of Baron Draxum.

    John Cena in “Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”

    The Ninja Turtles brand has crossed-over with WWE in the past as well. Kevin Nash once played the role of “Super Shredder” in “TMNT 2: Secret of the Ooze”. Similarly, Sheamus once played the role of Rocksteady in 2016’s version of a Ninja Turtles movie.

    Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is expected to be released in September.

  • Eddie Edwards Talks Taking a Baseball Bat to the Head From Sami Callihan

    Eddie Edwards Talks Taking a Baseball Bat to the Head From Sami Callihan

    Eddie Edwards defeated Sami Callihan this week on Impact Wrestling but was attacked after the match by his opponent. During the post-match beatdown, Callihan placed a folding chair on top of Edwards and struck it with a baseball bat. The bat grazed the chair and then struck Edwards in the head.

    Aftermath of Eddie Edwards versus Sami Callihan

    Eddie Edwards spoke to TMZ Sports about the incident:

    Edwards suffered a broken nose and orbital bone.

    Jim Cornette was not impressed and expressed as much below:

    Kassius Ohno was not impressed with Callihan’s response to Cornette:

    Callihan also talked to TMZ Sports about the incident:

    Impact Wrestling’s “Cross Roads” show next week will feature 4 championship matches. Eddie Edwards will team with Lashley to take on oVe.