For the first time since 2013, Rebecca Quinn, better known to the WWE Universe as Becky Lynch, does not have a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. The former Champion’s deal has expired as of midnight on June 1st, 2024, officially making her a free agent.
It was widely speculated that Becky Lynch was planning on taking some time off following her loss to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40. However, when Ripley went down with an injury, Lynch was called upon to step up and take on the mantle as the company’s Women’s World Champion.
Lynch lost her title in Saudi Arabia at WWE’s King & Queen Of The Ring PLE to Liv Morgan. On this week’s edition of Monday Night RAW, Lynch lost a Steel Cage match against Morgan, with inadvertent assistance from Dominik Mysterio. This was Lynch’s final WWE match under her previous contract.
According to a report from Fightful Select, despite WWE and Lynch having yet to reach terms on a new contract, the promotion is committed to continuing to work with the 7-time world champion on a new deal. Sources from within WWE noted to the outlet that Lynch has been “class” to work with, and those close to both WWE and Lynch herself do not suspect that she will go to another promotion.
However, it’s expected that the 37-year-old will receive significant offers. Fightful Select reports that Lynch is expected to receive one of the biggest offers in professional wrestling history for female talent.
Livy better be prepared to do what she’s never done before because The Man is coming for a fight at King & Queen of The Ring. @WWEpic.twitter.com/niABWPgnK9
Lynch commanding big money should be no surprise to anyone. From being The Lasskicker in NXT to becoming the biggest babyface in the promotion, Lynch has always stood as a beacon of quality and hard work. Once considered the “forgotten” member of The Four Horsewomen, Lynch has easily become one of the most well-recognized and respected female stars not only in WWE but throughout the entire professional wrestling industry.
There’s no question that Becky Lynch is one of WWE’s biggest stars of the last decade, and her absence will be felt. No matter how brief a period.
Could Becky Lynch go to another promotion like AEW?
The conversation surrounding Becky Lynch’s contract expiration has unsurprisingly led people to speculate what Lynch could do outside of WWE. To be clear, all current reporting indicates that Lynch will re-sign with WWE at some point, however until pen is put to paper, anything is possible.
One promotion that many fans are pointing to as an alternative option to her former employer is All Elite Wrestling, WWE’s biggest rival in the industry. AEW has shown it’s interest in signing big-name female free agents, including former WWE Superstars Saraya (fka Paige) and Mercedes Moné (fka Sasha Banks).
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, AEW President Tony Khan was asked about the possibility of Becky Lynch joining his company. While Khan carefully tiptoed around the subject so as not to find himself “contract tampering,” he did admit that Lynch is a “great star.”
Recently, current AEW star Chris Jericho was asked by TMZ Sports about the prospect of Lynch joining AEW, and here’s what he had to say:
“Five years ago, Becky would have no other options. [I’m] not saying that she’s coming but there is an option and who knows what could happen? No one thought that Jericho would come to AEW. No one thought that Moxley would come or Bryan Danielson or Adam Cole or any of these guys that have come over.
So it’s exciting for the fans. It’s exciting for the wrestlers, the talent, because now suddenly if there’s a bidding war that just benefits us. So I think it’s it’s very important.”
Could we see The Man appear as a full-time star in another promotion? It would certainly be a massive shock, but as we’ve learned in recent years, money talks. Could a promotion like AEW create an enticing deal that Lynch cannot afford to say no? We will have to wait to see how things play out.
Again, it should be emphasized that Lynch was looking to take time off following WrestleMania 40, regardless. So it may be a while before we see The Man pop back up on the wrestling scene for the next chapter of her career.
Earlier this month, New Japan Pro Wrestling officially announced that AEW star and current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley would face EVIL on June 9th at the historic Osaka-jo Hall in Japan. EVIL, the leader of the Bullet Club sub-group “The House of Torture,” has now demanded that their match be a Lumberjack Match, adding an extra challenge to the already anticipated showdown.
During an Interview with New Japan Pro Wrestling, EVIL declared that he is the rightful IWGP Champion and that a Lumberjack Match would ensure that Moxley would have “no escape.”
“Since this low life mud show ‘wrestler’ wants to run away from any kind of a fair fight under IWGP rules then I have something for him. June 9 in Osaka Jo Hall, a Lumberjack Match for the title. That way he has no escape…
He can talk about “gang warfare” all he wants, but all he has in his gang of reprobates is that waste of space, Umino, right? When he’s trapped in the ring with no way out around him, he’ll see his future is as bleak as that fake title he carries around.
If he wants to bring his snot-nosed brat with him, he can, and we’ll make sure both understand what justice looks like. June 9 in Osaka Jo Hall, I’ll crush you in a Lumberjack Match. Don’t you forget it!” – EVIL
The match type is one that EVIL is very familiar with; in January, he defeated Tama Tonga for the NEVER Openweight Championship in the aforementioned match stipulation. One can assume he’s hoping for the same results at Dominion. EVIL’s clash with Jon Moxley was made official shortly following his attack on Moxley At NJPW Resurgence.
While this is the first time Moxley and EVIL will square off one-on-one, it isn’t the first time they have shared a ring. Recently, the two faced off as part of a 6 man-tag-team match at Night 1 of NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2024.
Jon Moxley has been nearly unstoppable since winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
Since dethroning Tetsuya Naito at Windy City Riot to win his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Jon Moxley has been on a solid run in both NJPW and AEW. Moxley has already defended the championship three times since winning it in April, defeating Powerhouse Hobbs, Ren Narita, and Shota Umino.
Jox Monley was supposed to defend the championship against Takeshita at AEW Double or Nothing. However, it was later reported that NJPW vetoed the match being for the title.
AEW Double or Nothing Match Card (Photo Credit: All Elite Wrestling)
The report from The Wrestling Observer noted that the Japanese promotion likely did not want to announce another title match ahead of Moxley’s bout against EVIL at Dominion. The match was later made into an “Eliminator Match,” meaning that Takeshita could have received a championship match at a future date if he had won.
Moxley faced off against Rocky Romero in a match with the same stipulation on the latest episode of AEW Dynamite.
On May 15th, The Young Bucks announced on AEW Dynamite that Champs Sports would sell an exclusive Reebox AEW Pump Omni Young Bucks Zone II sneaker. Today, The All Elite Wrestling EVPs have confirmed reports of strong sales, revealing that their limited-time sneaker is completely sold out.
As previously reported, Champs Sports held nearly 3,000 pairs of sneakers, selling them for $130.00. They were available in sizes 7.5 to 12. The Young Bucks promoted the sneakers on social media and at AEW’s Double or Nothing Media Scrum.
In a short post on X, the current AEW Tag Team Champion revealed that Champs Sports was totally sold out.
— Matthew & Nicholas Jackson (@youngbucks) May 31, 2024
According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the reception of shoe sales was overwhelmingly positive, noting that future footwear collaborations could be coming.
“It was a one time special edition release, but with the success they are already in talks about a future project for the next year.”
The Elite’s reign over AEW has hit a speedbump
At AEW Double or Nothing, The Young Bucks, along with fellow members of The Elite, Jack Perry and Kazuchika Okada, narrowly defeated the AEW frontlines contingent of Bryan Danielson, Darby Allin, and FTR in an Anarchy In The Arena Match. This essentially cemented The Elite as the unmatched powerhouse stable of All Elite Wrestling.
On the following edition of AEW Dynamite, The Young Bucks attempted to present Jack Perry with the newly vacated TNT Championship. Thus ensuring that every member of The Elite would be draped in gold.
Just before The Elite could award Jack Perry the #TNT Championship, "The Fallen Angel" returned to make a HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!
Unfortunately for the corrupt outfit, AEW President Tony Khan threw them a curveball. As The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels returned, following his “firing” weeks before. Daniels revealed that Khan had appointed him as Interim EVP and that, going forward, he would be a direct spokesman for The President.
Daniels interrupted The Young Bucks’ impromptu coronation ceremony to announce that a new TNT Champion would be crowned at Forbidden Door through a multi-man ladder match. He also mentioned that qualifying matches would be arranged for the ladder match, ensuring that no one would receive any free passes. This led to The Elite attempting to attack Daniels, but The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn intervened to even the odds.
It appears that The Elite’s hold on AEW is not as tight as they had assumed!
Gable Steveson‘s WWE run ended like a disappointing mid-season NFL halftime show, overhyped by the network and met with apathy.
While that might come across as a bit harsh, there truly isn’t much else to say when it comes to Steveson’s time in WWE. The Gold Medalist was introduced to fans at WrestleMania 38 and ended his career with a handful of dark matches before being released earlier this month.
One of the few Superstars who had a chance to work with Steveson was former NXT standout Trevor Lee, known to the WWE Universe as Cameron Grimes. Of Gable Steveson’s five main roster Dark Matches, Lee competed in two of them, and it seems like the experience wasn’t exactly something that
Gable Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the most dominant college wrestlers in NCAA history, is signing with the Bills, per his agent Carter Chow.
Steveson now will try to join Bob Hayes as the only athlete to win a Super Bowl ring and an Olympic gold medal. pic.twitter.com/TfJn4Cd7B1
Today news broke that Steveson was signed by the NFL team Buffalo Bills, drawing various reactions from fans, media personalities, and others alike. In response to a post from former WWE media personality, Kazeem Famuyide, who asked “what position” Steveson would play, Trevor Lee gave what could only be described as a blunt answer:
“Whichever one requires the least amount work and has other people make him look good I’m assuming? Wait wrong sport….”
Gable Steveson’s only televised match in WWE came via its developmental brand’s Great American Bash PLE in 2023. When the 24-year-old Indiana native took on Baron Corbin in one-on-one action. During the match, it was clear that Steveson still had a lot of work to do. The crowd in Austin, Texas turned on the young star and was cheering for the clear heel in Corbin.
Although becoming a WWE Superstar wasn’t in the cards for Steveson, the National Football League may be the environment he needs. There is no doubt that he’s an incredible athlete, and with the right training, an NFL career could work out very well for the University of Minnesota alumni.
In professional wrestling, podcasts covering the industry are as common as clotheslines and headlocks. For those brave explorers seeking to venture into the pro wrestling podcast vortex, we here at SEScoops want to make your journey as easy as possible. Each week, we will update you on the Top 25 most-listened to wrestling podcast episodes, with a focus on the Top 5 (including embeds).
This feature uses data from Apple Podcasts compiled by Chartable.
Some within the WWE Universe are still wrapping their minds around the fact that The Undertaker – The Phenom and Lord of Darkness – has a podcast. However, it’s very true, and the WWE Hall of Famer is currently killing it. On the latest edition of The Deadman’s podcast, Calaway invited UFC Fighter Tim Kennedy to discuss training, fights inside and outside the cage, mental health, hunting, and more.
Love or hate him, Jim Cornette doesn’t care what you think. His presence in professional wrestling goes back decades, and he is one of the pioneers in producing weekly content on wrestling commentary. One can expect to find a plethora of “hot takes” and in-depth conversations on the latest happenings around the industry. In the show’s latest episode, Cornette is stuck with no power due to bad weather and trudges on anyway.
3) Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru | ?
Jim Cornette’s Drive-Thru is very similar to Cornette’s other show, The Jim Cornette Experience. The difference is that Cornette opens up the show to the fans, as he and Brian Last answer questions on various topics.
4) Insight with Chris Van Vliet |
Chris Van Vliet isn’t just one of the most well-respected interviewers in professional wrestling; he’s an internationally recognized media personality. CVV is a 4-time Emmy Winning TV Host, YouTuber, and Inc. 500 entrepreneur who’s interviewed everyone from Anne Hathaway to Hornswoggle. In his latest episode, Vliet talked to WWE Superstar Sonya Deville about returning from injury, transitioning from MMA to WWE and more.
5) Busted Open |
Sirius XM biggest professional wrestling show is available on all your favorite streaming platforms! Host Dave LaGreca speaks with a rotating cast of co-hosts, including Bully Ray, Mark Henry, Tommy Dreamer, Thunder Rosa, and Nic Nemeth (fka Dolph Ziggler). The show covers the latest in professional wrestling news throughout the industry, with special emphasis on WWE, AEW, NJPW, and TNA.
Top 6-25 Wrestling Podcasts – Apple (May 30, 2024)
On May 21st, Brandi Rhodes publicly shared her story following surgery for Endometriosis, a disease in which tissue similar to the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus and in places where it shouldn’t. Her experience was that of a cautionary tale, as this common disorder could have been identified quickly if any of the numerous doctors she appealed to had conducted a routine ultrasound and pelvic exam. Instead, it took 3 years.
The powerful social media posts gained tons of attention, adding to the larger conversation of how women often feel dismissed or taken seriously by doctors. Recently, the former Chief Brand Officer of All Elite Wrestling spoke with TODAY.com, where she detailed her frustration and further emphasized the need for women not to be afraid to speak up.
The Rhodes Family: Brandi, Cody and Liberty
During her interview, Brandi Rhodes detailed the many doctors’ appointments she arranged to try and uncover why she had been experiencing the “internal pain,” along with other troubling symptoms she had been struggling with since her pregnancy.
“The biggest shock was postpartum, when this was supposed to be going away, it definitely was not going away… That was the point at which I gave up. I just said, you know what, maybe this is in my head.”
Shortly after this, Rhodes was inspired by Maryse Mizanin, a fellow member of the WWE family. In February, the former WWE Divas Champion openly talked about her own health struggle. She revealed that she had been diagnosed with a rare pre-cancerous condition and needed laparoscopy surgery.
Brandi Rhodes detailed her immediate reaction following doctors finally identifying Endometriosis as the source of her pain.
“It’s been three years. What took so long?” [To husband, Cody Rhodes]: I’m so mad. I’m so worked up because I knew something was wrong. And the way that I felt so dismissed in so many different ways… This is so wrong.
The former in-ring competitor concluded her interview with an appeal to women everywhere to be their own best advocate, urging them not to hesitate to speak up if they sense something is amiss.
“Feel empowered by your own feelings…It can feel really discouraging, and you can start to second guess yourself and feel like maybe this is (your) fault. But it’s not. You just haven’t met the right professional yet.”
As expressed by TODAY.com, Rhodes is currently recovering from her surgery and is receiving support from her husband, mother, and the staff of her Naked Mind yoga studio.
The last time Brandi Rhodes was seen on WWE TV was at WrestleMania 40 when she joined her husband Cody Rhodes for his entrance ahead of his main event match for the WWE Undisputed Championship. She would later join him in the ring following his epic and historic victory.
On behalf of everyone at SEScoops, we wish Brandi Rhodes a speedy and full recovery and encourage our readers to take her advice: “listen to your body” if you think something is wrong, advocate for yourself and be persistent.
Coming off a successful Double or Nothing pay-per-view, AEW will look to capitalize on Sunday night’s momentum with it’s next edition of AEW Dynamite on Wednesday. However, this week’s episode of Dynamite will not just be any old episode, as it’ll be a House of Dragon-themed episode.
For those who don’t know, House of Dragon is an HBO series that serves as a prequel to its famous Game of Thrones series. As the House of Dragon is set to begin it’s second season on June 16th, AEW and WBD are taking the opportunity to promote the show on AEW’s flagship program.
In a statement on X, AEW President Tony Khan commented on the upcoming episode, announcing the main event of the episode, which will feature AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland taking on The Patriarchy’s Killswitch.
This is not the first time All Elite Wrestling has held a Game of Thrones-themed edition of Dynamite. Since 2020, the promotion has held a “Winter is Coming” special of Dynamite every December. The phrase is synonymous with the HBO series and has been the backdrop of several memorable matches and moments in AEW history.
One moment that stands out is the AEW debut of The Icon Sting in 2020, marking the legend’s return to TNT after nearly 20 years.
As noted, this week’s main event will pit Swerve Strickland against the heavy of Christian Cage’s Patriarchy faction, Killswitch. Cage was unsuccessful in dethroning Strickland in their intense World Heavyweight Championship match in Las Vegas.
Are AEW and WBD a marriage made to be? Or a Red Wedding?
Khan had subtly mentioned that a House of Dragon-themed episode of Dynamite was in the works during the Double or Nothing Media Scrum, following questions from the media regarding AEW’s ongoing TV rights negotiations with Warner Brothers Discovery.
When speaking publicly, Tony Khan has only been incredibly positive when discussing his relationship with WBD, citing that AEW enjoys working with them and would like to continue the partnership.
Early Tuesday, reports emerged from Matthew Belloni of Puck News that Khan was “unhappy” with the initial offers produced by WBD. While later reports from both WrestleNomics and Wrestling Observer stated that this wasn’t the case, they each confirmed that no deal had yet been reached.
While a deal between WBD and AEW seems to be the best-case scenario for all parties involved, if WWE’s recent media rights deals have taught us anything, it’s that truly anything can happen in this space.
At AEW’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view, The Rated “R” Superstar Adam Copeland took on Malakai Black in an intense Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match. During the bout, Copeland attempted to dive the top of the cage onto The House of Black leader, who was laid out on a table.
Unfortunately, Copeland would end up landing awkwardly moments after leaping off the structure. While the former multi-time world champion continued the match, fans expressed concerns about what potential injuries the fall may have caused. Today, we got our answer from the man himself.
As told by Copeland in a pre-recorded message posted on X, he revealed that he had suffered a Fractured Tibia. The 30+ year ring veteran described himself as being “cocky”, and that his body “pulled the emergency brake.” Copeland noted that the injury would require surgery, although the timetable for that is unknown.
“I guess the house always wins…I’ve been feeling really good lately and having so much fun in the ring, and I got cocky…My brain forgets what my body always seems to remember late, which is that I’m 50, and I need to make better choices. So, my body pulled the emergency break on me the other night, and I ended up fracturing my tibia, which is going to require surgery. I don’t know the time frame on that yet. I will find out the time frame next week…” – Adam Copeland via X
Copeland also made a point to give high praise to his opponent from Sunday night, Malakai Black, describing the former NXT Champion as an “animal” and “really good’. He ended the video by saying, “I will see you soon-ish”.
Adam Copeland signed with AEW in October 2023, has since garnered a 17-4-1 record, and is the current AEW TNT Champion for the promotion.
Recovery time for a Fractured Tibia ranges dramatically based on several factors, including the severity of the injury, age, and type of rehab method. At this time, All Elite Wrestling has not formally commented on Copleand’s announcement.
On behalf of everyone at SEScoops.com, we wish Adam Copeland a speedy recovery!
Becky Lynch marched into Saudi Arabia as Women’s World Champions; unfortunately for The Man of WWE, that’s not how she will arrive home. Lynch lost her championship in the opening match of WWE King & Queen of The Ring, however it wasn’t without controversy.
During the match’s closing moments, Becky Lynch looked to have the match well in hand, only to find herself distracted by a lurking Dominik Mysterio. Mysterio, seeking to ensure that Liv Morgan would not win the match, would inadvertently help Morgan secure her second World Championship.
WWE’s Byron Saxton would catch up with Becky Lynch later in the evening, just in time to see an infuriated Lynch going off on Dirty Dom. As Saxton looked to question Lynch about her loss, The Man made it clear that the story between her and new champion Liv Morgan was far from over.
Becky Lynch revealed that she has a rematch clause in her contract and was on her way to speak with RAW General Manager Adam Pearce to make the match official for Monday night. RAW will take place in Savannah, Georgia, on Memorial Day.
While Becky Lynch is looking to utilize her contract to trigger a championship match, the WWE Universe does have questions about her legitimate contract status with the company. According to multiple reports, Lynch’s contract expires in June, and as of this writing, she has not signed a new deal.
Could Becky Lynch’s rematch against Liv Morgan be her final match on Monday Night RAW? It’s unlikely, but we must see how things play out.
Introduced in 1985, The King of the Ring was a staple of WWE programming for over 15 years. The tournament and the event didn’t just deliver many iconic matches. It provided the opportunity for WWE to turn participants into generational Superstars.
The birth of “Austin 3:16”, Brett Hart’s back-to-back wins, Triple H’s vindication (albeit a year late), and many more incredible tournament matches were made possible by this event. After the 2002 edition of the tournament, the fan-favorite event was sunlit. However, after over 20 years, WWE will host its King & Queen of the Ring PLE in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Get the latest breaking news, rivalry analysis from a panel of experts, and so much more on the Countdown to #WWEKingAndQueen of the Ring!
While the King of the Ring tournament did continue in various forms after 2002, it never quite recaptured the same magic. While the WWE Universe was treated to fun reigns from the likes of Booker T and William Regal, these were the exceptions rather than the rule. The reward for winning King of the Ring became nothing more than bragging rights, and over time, along with weaker barracks and underhyped tournaments, the King of the Ring theme lost its luster.
Things changed in 2021, with WWE bringing back the tournament and introducing the women’s version of the contest called “The Queens Crown.” The 2021 King of the Ring and Queens Crown finals would take place at that year’s Crown Jewel event; this marked the first time since 2006 that the tournament finals were held on a major PLE. While imperfect, this 2021 iteration was certainly a step in the right direction.
During Night 2 of WrestleMania 40, WWE announced the long-awaited King & Queen of The Ring PLE date. WWE had originally planned for the event the previous year. However, the company ultimately decided to revive Night of Champions instead.
Who will seize their destiny and become the next King and Queen of the Ring?
While the initial rounds would take place on Monday Night RAW and SmackDown, the Finals would culminate at the event’s namesake PLE. The first time WWE has done so since 2002. This is not just in any venue but inside the Jeddah Superdome, which instantly propels the importance of each tournament.
2024 King & Queen Tournaments:
The brackets also saw a massive upgrade in overall quality, consisting of a strong mix of young up-and-coming talent and established stars. This combination created a fun tournament, notably because of the tournament’s unpredictability.
Fans saw multiple potential outcomes to the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments for the first time in years. Off the bat, Superstars Gunther, Tiffany Straton, LA Knight, Jade Cargill, Iyo Sky, and Carmelo Hayes were flagged by fans as tournament favorites.
Unfortunately, during the initial round of the tournament, several Superstars in both the Men’s and Women’s tournaments were replaced due to various medical reasons:
On May 23rd, WWE’s CCO Triple H announced that the winners of each tournament would receive a championship match. This again helps set this year’s tournament apart from others that came before it.
Despite these changes and substitutions, each tournament’s 16 participants, all had their opportunities to shine, even if their time in the tournament was short-lived. While every match had its highlights, there were certainly several that stood out above the rest.
1) Gunther vs Sheamus (Round 1) – This match was the first time these two had shared the same ring since WrestleMania 39, but as expected, their chemistry was incredible. The match was an intense and hard-hitting affair and even included an additional layer of story with The Celtic Warrior battling self-doubt. As expected, the bout was a certified BANGER.
In the end, Gunther defeats Sheamus and, eventually, finds his way into the finals of the tournament.
2) Ilja Dragunov vs Ricochet (Round 1) – Here, we found one of the many matches where the WWE Universe was sincerely unsure of what direction WWE would go in. Illja Dragunov had just been called up to the main roster and was coming fresh off a historic NXT Championship reign. However, Ricochet was the newly-crowded WWE Speed Champion and had just begun to gain momentum on his own.
The high-flying style of Ricochet beautifully clashed with Dragunov’s stiff ground-and-pound approach. The Mad Dragon would emerge the victor, but the duo’s match certainly had everyone on Monday Night RAW talking.
3) Bianca Belair vs Tiffany Stratton (Quarterfinals) – Following some social media controversy from earlier in the week, Tiffany Stratton looked to put the past behind her as she squared off against Bianca Belair on the May 17th edition of SmackDown. The two women are widely considered some of WWE’s most talented female stars, setting up for an interesting bout, to say the least.
In the end, Belair’s raw power was too much for Stratton. However, the exciting match had the WWE Universe buzzing. “Tiffy Time” is truly getting closer and closer!
4) Iyo Sky vs Lyra Valkeryia (Semifinals) – Iyo Sky had just been WWE Women’s Champion going into WrestleMania 40, with the Genius of the Sky proving that she belonged in the main event seen as the face of Damage CTRL. It seemed only fitting that WWE would want to push her to the finals of the Queen of the Ring tournament, however she would find a major roadblock in recent NXT call-up, Lyra Valkeryia.
Many WWE fans considered their match to be the best women’s match in the tournament, with the two giving it all they had. In the end, Valkeryia would secure the surprise win. Leaving Iyo Sky shocked that she allowed the NXT stand out to best her.
Fun fact: Lyra Valkeryia and Iyo Sky’s match time was a little under 20 minutes, more time than EVERY match in the 2021 Queen’s Crown tournament combined.
5) Jey Uso vs Ilja Dragunov (Quarterfinals) – This bout between Jey Uso and Ilja Dragunov certainly came with lively debate amongst the WWE Universe. It was one of several scenarios where fans were sincerely split on who should win. Truly a Yeet or No Yeet conundrum.
Based on the tournament’s bracket layout, fans noted that there was an opportunity for WWE to have Dragunov clash with Gunther. The Mad Dragon’s sworn enemy since the days of NXT UK and a match that the WWE Universe has been begging to see on the main roster since the moment Dragunov arrived.
However, no one could deny the unmatched wave of momentum that Jey Uso had been riding. Even in defeat by World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest at WWE Backlash, fans only remained high on Main Event Jey Uso.
Would WWE give Jey Uso a much-needed win following his setback in France? Or would they seize the opportunity to push Ilja Dragonuv?
Ultimately, WWE decided to save a clash between The Mad Dragon and The Ring General for a bigger moment. Instead, giving Jey Uso one of the most impressive single wins in his entire career. The match was phenomenal, with the fans on the edge of their seats for every move and pinfall attempt.
Our New King and Queen of the WWE Realm:
After two excellent matches at Saturday’s King & Queen of The
Ring, we now have our 2024 King and Queen of the Ring: Nia Jax and Gunther!
In a true David vs Goliath match-up, finalists Lyra Valkyria and Nia Jax went one-on-one to decide who the 2nd Queen of the Ring in WWE history would be. The story of the match was what you would expect: Jax used her strength to brutalize Valkeryia, while Valkeyria’s resilience and speed were showcased. In the match’s final moments, Valkeriya made a fatal mistake, allowing herself to get stuck in a corner. Thus allowing Jax the opportunity to hit her Annihilator, with the ring vet picking up the 1,2,3 moments later.
While Nia Jax is far from being “beloved” by the WWE Universe, her dominance since returning full-time in September 2023 cannot be denied. Picking up victories against some of the biggest names in WWE, including Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Raquel Rodrigez, and Jade Cargill. It was a cool moment to see Triple H crown Jax as Queen, with Michael Cole reminding everyone how much Jax had gone through over the past several years.
In the co-main event, a significant match in the history of the King of the Ring unfolded, featuring the future Hall of Famer Randy Orton against WWE’s rising star Gunther.
The match itself was everything fans of both men could ask for, with Chops and RKO’s coming in from every direction possible. Ultimately, Gunther’s vicious assault on Randy Orton’s back and knee was too much for The Viper to overcome, with The Ring General becoming the KING General in a nearly 30-minute classic.
The match did have some slight controversy, as fans online noted that Randy Orton’s shoulder was definitely up during the roll-up pinfall. Whether this leads to any additional storyline developments down the road is not clear at this time.
Overall, Gunther and Nia Jax were the correct choices for the PLE. Now, both will get to reign as King and Queen, eagerly awaiting their guaranteed upcoming championship matches at Summer Slam in Cleveland, Ohio.
Way Too Early 2025 Predictions
Following two epic and memorable tournaments, the WWE Universe is already thinking about the future Kings and Queens that may rise.
In WWE, a year into the future might as well be millions of lightyears away, as change is as common in WWE as dropkicks. However, given everything we know about the current state of WWE, we can make some educated guesses on potential favorites.
As WWE did this year, one should think of a good mix of rising stars, established names, and fresh new arrivals. The picks above check all those boxes, with Flair, Belair, and Rollins serving as the well-established names who are more than deserving of royal recognition,
The Montez Ford pick may seem surprising to some, but it’s made with sound reason. WWE has shown a clear interest in making Ford a bigger star, well beyond his role as one-half of The Street Profits. The multi-time tag team champion oozes with both in-ring talent and charisma, even getting his own show on HULU with real-life wife Bianca Belair. The King of the Ring tournament could be perfect for Ford to have his breakout moment.
Carmelo Hayes and Tiffany Stratton represent the future. The two are young blue chip stocks with tons of upside potential. Fresh out of NXT, they are ready-made for the WWE main roster. Seeing either of them with a crown on their head one day would surprise no one.
At the age of 28-years-old, 3x SuperBowl MVP Patrick Mahomes has already secured his name in the NFL Hall of Fame. Now, the Quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs has expressed interest in possibly getting physical inside the squared circle; and WWE is happy to oblige. Mahomes expressed his interest to RAW Commentator, and part-time in-ring competitor Pat McAfee while on the former NFL punter’s program, The Pat McAfee Show. Mahomes and McAfee discussed the QB’s special appearance on the April 29th edition of Monday Night RAW. That night Mahomes was partially involved in an angle between United States Champion Logan Paul and Superstar Jey Uso.
During a conversation with McAfee, Mahomes expressed his enjoyment of his brief appearance on WWE TV. He mentioned his interest in stepping into the ring to showcase his skills. Additionally, he explained the reason behind assisting Logan Paul by giving him one of his Super Bowl rings to use as a weapon against Jey Uso.
”The WWE thing was awesome, that thing was sweet, I should’ve got in the ring and show my skills a little bit!”
I’ve seen enough to know that Jey Uso is good at getting out of those situations. When he does the yeet, that was intense man, I loved that. At the same time though, that’s my man Logan, I know he’s not the biggest fan favorite there in WWE, but I had to make sure to help him out a bit.
I was definitely scared of the big dude (Braun Strowman), he was a lot bigger than I expected…”
While Pat McAfee invited Mahomes to get inside the ring half-jokingly, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H was much more direct. Tweeting directly at Patrick Mahomes, and ensuring him that the door is always open for the Face of the NFL.
Could we see Patrick Mahomes headlining a WWE PLE event in the near future? Only time will tell. In 2020, Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million extension with the Chiefs, a deal that may make it challenging for Mahomes to compete inside a WWE ring. However, it would not be the first time a pro athlete became a focal point of a WWE program.
If WWE and Mahomes ever did strike a deal, the future NFL Hall of Famer could easily turn to Pat McAfee for advice. McAfee is no stranger to in-ring competition, having wrestled names like Adam Cole, The Miz, Baron Corbin, and Austin Theory since joining WWE in 2018.
Sting and Darby Allin’s bond continues even after the Icon’s unforgettable retirement back at AEW Revolution. Sting has kept a low profile since then, but we may not have seen the last of his bloodline.
During a recent interview with Sean Ross Sapp for Fightful Allin said he’s helping Steve Borden Jr. follow in his father’s footsteps. Sting’s son has spent time at his house learning the basics of wrestling and working out in his ring. The full interview drops this Thursday on Fightful’sYouTube.
Sting’s son was so inspired by his father’s match at Revolution that he wanted to begin his own wrestling journey. Allin noted further that Steve had never considered becoming a professional wrestler before Revolution, but that event provided an intense emotional rush for him. When Sting asked if he’d help train his son, he jumped at the chance.
“Do not shame your dad, do not shame your dad, do not shame your dad”
In March, Steve and his brother Garrett participated in an emotional farewell match for their father Sting. Sting and Darby Allin successfully retained the AEW World tag titles against The Young Bucks in a Tornado Tag match. Sting’s career ended with him celebrating as a champion, a final chapter that was worthy of his legacy.
As part of Sting’s entrance, Steve and Garrett dressed as different versions of Sting that fans had seen throughout the years. Garrett played the part of “Surfer Sting”, the babyface star that Sting portrayed in WCW, with Steve embodied “Wolfpack Sting”, when The Icon joined nWo Wolfpack.
Sting and his sons make a grand entrance at AEW Revolution 2024
Sting’s face-painted sons even got physical in the match, hitting The Young Bucks with a flurry of their dad’s infamous Stinger Splash in the corner.
WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view had several big stories going into it. The Shield’s War with a newly reformed Evolution, Bray Wyatt continuously trying to get John Cena to follow the Fireflies, and Daniel Bryan’s first title defense following the Miracle on Bourbon Street at WrestleMania 30.
However, almost no one was talking about the budding feud between 3MB and the Los Matadores. Despite this complete lack of appreciation, it was 10 years ago this month that these teams would clash in what is widely considered one of the greatest “Pre-Show” matches in WWE history: Wee LC.
The bout was built as a punny version of WWE’s Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match (TLC), with Hornswoggle taking on Los Matadores’ El Torito. WWE went all out with smaller ladders, chairs, and tables; even going so far as to bring in other Little People for the roles of ring announcer and even commentary table.
While the match’s construction has middle-school-level humor written all over it, the participants took it very seriously. They wanted to prove that they could turn what could easily be a lemon of a match into delicious lemonade and that they did! During a recent interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, former WWE Superstar Hornswoggle spoke about the match, which he describes as the “coolest” match he’s ever done.
“Wee LC. That’s the most talked about match I’ve ever done. I will never top it. I will never do anything cooler have never done anything cooler than that match…
One of those moments where I was like, okay, it was pretty awesome. And then I remember being in my gear literally to like, two matches left and Torito was leaving. He goes ‘You Okay?’ I go I’m okay…I’m still in the moment, man.”
The match was filled with exciting and chaotic moments, as Superstars smashed through tons of tables and ladders, with each competitor’s team members getting involved in the action themselves. Although the former Cruiserweight Champion is proud of the match in hindsight, he admitted that he was very nervous about how it would be received. He feared that the fans would dismiss it or even boo.
“I didn’t know how they would react, it’s two midgets. One a bull, a midget bull and a midget Rockstar going into a match on the pre-show. First thing that crowd sees that night. With mini ladders and mini tables, mini chairs, mini commentary and mini announcer I didn’t know how they’d react. I thought they’re gonna blow the sh*t up. I really did.
And I remember being backstage in my heart knowing we’re going to kill it. In my mind going, if they start booing, we’re done. The coolest moment of my life match of my life, going into it is gonna be the worst thing ever.” – Hornswoggle
As fate would have it, the crowd did just the opposite. Instead, the New Jersey crowd in the Izod Center that night went wild for the Pre-Show Classic. Respecting the innovation, humor, and physical action that came with the match.
Hornswoggle notes that the match was a tremendous source of pride for him, a match where people backstage didn’t just enjoy the match ironically, but sincerely. The former Superstar looked back on the evening as a “shove it” moment, where they got to prove everyone wrong.
“I never thought it would hold up like it has I never thought it would be such a not even talked about thing. [It was] A shove it up the a** moment. I’ll say to the fans, I guarantee the locker room didn’t take it seriously. Shove it up their a**. I get to gorilla and everyone is on their feet clapping for us. One of those moments where I was like, okay, it was pretty awesome.”
For those interested, Dave Meltzer himself awarded the match 3 stars, tied for the second-highest-rated match on the entire 2014 Extreme Rules card, tying with Wade Barrett and Big E’s Intercontinental Championship match. Both though lost out to the epic Shield vs Evolution 6-man-tag match, which gained a 4.75 rating.
Regardless of one’s affinity for “star ratings”, it does reflect how highly people respected and enjoyed the first and only Wee LC match to date. The bout is looked back on incredibly favorably by the WWE Universe and consistently referenced as a gem of a match.
Could we see another Wee LC match in WWE? Most likely not. However, if the company’s new regime has taught its fans anything, it’s “Never Say Never!”
The American Nightmare has expressed interest in potentially having a Manager in his corner.
In a recent interview on Busted Open Radio, the former AEW EVP expressed his discomfort with being by himself during the contract signing for his upcoming Championship match with Logan Paul at King & Queen of the Ring. In contrast, the reigning United States Champion was accompanied by his lawyer and members of his Impulsive entourage.
During his interview, Cody Rhodes mentioned that he would welcome having someone “like” Arn Anderson in his corner in the future.
“It was something I missed when Logan and I were doing this contract signing to see him flanked by so many people.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m looking for the classic wrestling manager to join me on this title reign. I don’t know who that is or what that is, but it just felt like I wouldn’t mind someone to holler the stuff that you just did.” – Cody Rhodes, via Busted Open Radio
Cody Rhodes is no stranger to having allies in and out of the squared circle. The WWE Universe saw how the dubbed “CodyVengers” came together to help the American Nightmare defeat The Bloodline and come out of WrestleMania 40 as champion.
Since returning to WWE in 2022, Rhodes has not had a formal manager. In contrast, during his time in All Elite Wrestling, Rhodes led the Nightmare Family, with professional wrestling legend Arn Anderson as his coach/manager. All of this leads to the obvious question: “Who would that person be?”
As mentioned, one contender is WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson himself. One glaring issue with that choice is that the former “Enforcer” of the Fourhorseman is currently signed to AEW, and works as a road agent. Additionally, given Cody Rhodes’ parameters of requiring a “classic wrestling manager,” this limits the options for Rhodes. For example, it excludes people like his wife Brandi Rhodes from consideration.
One name that does come to mind is former WCW Champion, and real-life friend to Rhodes, Diamond Dallas Page. DDP has been an outspoken supporter of Cody Rhodes, The Nightmare Factory, and Rhodes’ overall journey in professional wrestling for nearly his whole life. Page has been present for some of Cody Rhodes’ biggest career milestones, including his NWA Championship match at the inaugural ALL IN pay-per-view in 2018, his second Royal Rumble victory earlier this year, and more.
Diamond Dallas Page, a WWE Hall of Famer in his own right, meets all the requirements that Rhodes would be looking for in a manager. Page is a smart ring veteran who has accomplished everything in the industry and is someone that Rhodes can trust unconditionally. Additionally, DDP is already signed to a WWE Legends contract.
Another name that could get thrown into the mix was the man Cody Rhodes was directing his response to in the first place, WWE legend Mark Henry. As reported earlier today by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com, Henry’s contract with All Elite Wrestling is set to expire soon. Having the World’s Strongest Man in your corner is never a bad investment!
Before Liv Morgan became WWE’s Queen of Extreme, she began her wrestling career as a member of The Riott Squad. A trio of NXT standouts which featured Morgan, Sarah Logan, and the team’s fearless and conniving leader Ruby Riott (now known as Ruby Soho in AEW). During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the former Women’s Champion provided some insightful commentary on her formative time with the trio.
When asked about as chapter in her career where she saw a lot of personal improvement, Morgan said it was when she got called up to the main roster in late 2017. Shenoted how being a part of the Riott Squad as a rookie on the main roster helped her shed self-doubt and insecurities about her in-ring work. Furthermore, she stated how the team’s heavy work schedule helped her get good “reps” in.
“Honestly, probably when I got called up to SmackDown. I don’t know what it was, I think because in NXT, I felt like I was trying to make it to the next level so I felt, I guess very insecure because I felt like any mistake I made would enable me from making it to the next level.
Then when I finally got called up, I didn’t really have that fear anymore. So I don’t know, it’s just I was able to flow better. I had less pressure and less fears and I had The Riott Squad with me, I owe so much to Ruby and Sarah for kind of taking me under their wing and guiding me and teaching me.
So I feel around that time is when I really progressed. Also we were doing so many live events. When you’re doing so many reps it’s hard not to get better because we were just working so much.”
While The Riott Squad lasted for a little over two years on the WWE main roster, the trio never quite conquered the women’s divisions of RAW and SmackDown like they would have liked. The team was essentially dissolved in April 2019, when Morgan was drafted to SmackDown in a “Superstar Shakeup”.
Despite their eventual breakup, the three talented stars remained good friends through it all. In 2021, Liv Morgan reposted a photo of all three stars getting matching tattoos to commemorate the anniversary of their debut on the main roster, dubbing November 21st as “Riott Squad Day”
11.21.17… The absolute best day of my entire life.
Liv Morgan looks walk out as Champion at The King and Queen of the Ring
Morgan is set to go one-on-one with World Women’s Champion Becky Lynch at the King and Queen of The Ring Tournament in Saudi Arabia next week.
The 29-year-old star has never defeated Becky Lynch in a one-on-one match, and her last PLE title win was last summer. When she and Raquel Rodrigez won the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Morgan hasn’t held single’s Gold since 2022.
Image Credit: WWE.COM
Becky Lynch won the World Women’s Championship on the April 22nd edition of Monday Night RAW, shortly following Rhea Ripley’s relinquishing of the belt due to an injury caused by Liv Morgan. The Man of WWE won the title in a grueling 14-woman Battle Royal, last eliminating Morgan to secure the win.
Liv Morgan’s main event status has been called into question several times by her critics, but a win over one of the biggest female stars in WWE would instantly silence them.
Following a vicious assault from the returning trio Gallus, WWE Superstar Ivar was one of several laid out at the closing of this week’s edition of NXT. Unfortunately, it seems as though Ivar will not be able to get his revenge anytime soon.
According to WWE, Ivar has sustained an injury following the backstage attack and will be “out of action indefinitely”. Along with Ivar, Gallus took out Wes Lee and Josh Briggs. The three men were set to take part in a triple-threat-match the following week to decide the #1 contender to Oba Femi’s NXT North American Championship.
While Ivar’s status for the upcoming triple-threat match is still up in the air, WWE has decided to remove the former RAW Tag Team Champion from the ongoing Speed Tournament.
The tournament was set to name a #1 Contender to face current Speed Champion Ricocohet. The company announced via social media that Apollo Crews will replace Ivar and face Tyler Bate in the Semi-Finals of the tournament.
Ivar did comment on the announcement, only posting broken heart emojis on X.
At this time, it’s unknown if Ivar’s injury is legitimate or a part of a larger storyline with Gallus. WWE has been faced with a bit of an injury bug as of late, with a seemingly ever-growing list of top talent sidelined with injury. Names include Drew McIntyre, Asuka, CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, and more.
Ivar himself dealt with an undisclosed injury earlier this year, causing him to be deemed “medically unable to compete” on the March 25th edition of Monday Night RAW. The high-flying Viking would return to action soon after.
Ivar’s been flying solo since his tag team partner Erik was injured in September 2023. In November of that year, Erik announced that he had undergone successful neck fusion surgery. Recently, Erik revealed that he is receiving Stem Cell treatment as part of his recovery.
The tyrannical EVP duo of Nicholas and Matthew Jackson revealed that Champs Sports will soon be selling their very own Young Bucks-branded Reebok Pumps. The announcement was made on the May 15th edition of AEW Dynamite, where a commercial showcasing the shoes and featuring AEW stars: The Young Bucks, Kazuchika Okada, John Silver, and Evil Uno was shown.
AEW EVP's & The #AEW World Tag Team Champions Matthew & Nicholas Jackson unveil their new shoe!
Here are some high resolution photos of the stylish kicks:
The Young Bucks’ “Superkick Party” Reebok PumpsThe Young Bucks’ “Superkick Party” Reebok Pumps
This is certainly not the first time the reigning AEW Tag Team Champions have had an exclusive footwear line. The duo are well-known sneakerheads, wearing flashy brands and styles to the ring for years. In September 2022, Nicholas and Matthew Jackson announced a collaboration with Diadora for their line of basketball sneakers.
The Young Bucks are NOT the EVPs to mess with
The Young Bucks have been on a ruthless quest to cement their control of AEW by any means necessary for some time. Following the debut of Kazuchika Okada and the return of Jack Perry, the Young Bucks made their move to seize control by attacking AEW President Tony Khan on the 4/24 edition of Dynamite.
Since their shocking actions against Khan, The Elite has run roughshod through the AEW roster. They have concentrated their power through title belts, and ironclad contracts; even going as far as to attack their old friend Kenny Omega. On the May 15th edition of Dynamite, the brothers “fired” The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels who had been critical of the duo.
DARBY ALLIN RETURNS to become the fourth member of Team #AEW for Anarchy in the Arena at #AEWDoN against The Elite!
Despite their recent successes, things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows in The Elite’s world. The Elite will have to contend with the combined forces of Bryan Danielson, FTR, and a returning Darby Allen in an Anarchy in the Arena match at AEW Double or Nothing next week.
Since the departure of Vince McMahon from WWE, and the simultaneous rise of Paul Levesque as the company’s Chief Content Officer, discussions over each man’s differences in the creative process and booking philosophy have been a continuous source of conversation.
The King of King’s nearly 2-year reign as Head of Creative has been met with mostly positive reviews, with critics, fans, and pundits alike citing a more streamlined approach to storytelling, production, and usage of talent.
Current WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn recently sat down for an interview with Daily Mail‘s Alex McCarthy, where he described the staunch differences in how Triple H and Vince McMahon viewed his character. Here’s what he said, as transcribed by WrestleTalk:
“I think Hunter sees me differently from how Vince saw me, especially as a good guy. I think Vince saw me much more as a bad guy, for a number of reasons. He saw my irksome qualities that he thought lent itself to being an irksome character.
This distinction can be seen plainly when you examine Sami Zayn’s booking between WrestleMania 38 and 39. Zayn went from an intolerable heel in a comedic feud with Johnny Knoxville and the entire cast of Jackass, to becoming one of the biggest babyfaces in the company; locked in an intense, emotional, and tangled storyline with The Bloodline and his real-life best friend Kevin Owens.
Furthermore, Zayn spoke on the differences between Triple H and his father-in-law’s philosophy on booking weekly programming. As fans have heard several times before, the former NXT Champion detailed Triple H’s long-term booking strategy, and how that clashed with McMahon’s more haphazard, even at times “chaotic” approach. He would note, however, that there are pros and cons to both.
“Having said that, I think things were a lot more unpredictable because of the nature of Vince’s week to week kind of approach, that sometimes the marble would just fall in the right hole, and now you’re champion, whereas with Hunter, I think it’s much more he has longer-term vision, and if you’re not part of that vision, then the chances of breaking into that vision are much, much slimmer…It’s kind of a double edged sword. He might see me in a way that lends itself more to being in that mix and possibly winning it. But on the other hand, I could have just slipped on a banana peel and won the world title.”
Since Triple H’s take over of the creative process, Sami Zayn has found himself at the center of some of WWE’s biggest storylines and matches. Becoming one of the company’s top babyfaces, proven more so at WrestleMania 40 when he became the first person to pin The Ring General since his call-up from NXT. Winning his fourth International Championship in the process
While Superstars have gone on record to praise the new leadership and overall company direction, some former talent have expressed that changing the guard in WWE had unfortunate consequences.
Take former WWE Superstar Eric Bugenhagen, aka Rick Boogs, as an example. For the better part of 2021 and early 2022, Bugenhagen seemed to be a hot commodity in the eyes of the WWE machine; armed with an impressive physique and strong character.
Unfortunately, Bugenhagen would find himself released by WWE in September of 2023, following a 9-month absence that began due to an injury he sustained at WrestleMania 38.
In the weeks and months that followed, Bugenhagen would express how some in the new regime didn’t quite see what Vince McMahon had seen in him.
While he has never directly implicated Triple H, he stated that his release was due to a “backstagepowerplay“, and noting that before his release, he has only received positive accolades from McMahon and corporate. Bugenhagen went as far as to say that he feels some in the new management had a “grudge” against him.
