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Chelsea Green Eager For Match With Actress Vanessa Hudgens

Chelsea Green is riding high after becoming the inaugural WWE Women’s United States Champion and is ready to take on all-comers. While speaking to The Wrestling Classic, Green discussed her future in the ring, and had some celebrity opponents in mind.

“I keep seeing Miss Vanessa Hudgens. I want to give myself a match with Vanessa Hudgens and a match with Cardi B. Those are my dream celeb matches right now.”

Green challenged Cardi B shortly after her title win at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2024. The ‘feud’ between the two goes back much further though, with Green wanting to face the music artist back in 2023.

Hudgens is a known WWE fan and even Yeet-ed with The Usos and Cody Rhodes after last week’s SmackDown. During the show, Hudgens shared her respect to the first-ever Women’s U.S. Champion, which caught the attention of Green on X.

The actress, best known for her break-out role in High School Musical, was seen in the crowd during this week’s historic Raw on Netflix. Time will tell whether fans one day see Hudgens in action against Green and if the (by default) longest-reigning, most dominant Women’s U.S. Champion of all time, gets her match with Cardi B.

Alexa Bliss Joining Netflix’s Sakamoto Days Anime

WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss is set to expand her role in entertainment with a voice-over role in the upcoming Sakamoto Days anime. Bliss will provide the English voice for the character Obiguro, the Anime News Network reports.

Sakamoto Days tells the story of Taro Sakamoto, a retired legendary hitman who has settled into a quiet and mundane life as a family man. When a bounty is put on his head, Sakamoto must keep himself and his family alive while observing his wife’s no-killing rule. Bliss will portray one of the several assassins seeking the bounty.

Alexa Bliss’ Roles

Though best known for her time as a WWE Superstar, Bliss has had her fair share of on-screen roles outside of the ring. These include:

Total Divas (2015–2019)

  • Role: Herself
  • Details: Bliss appeared as a guest in seasons 4, 6, 8, and 9, and was a main cast member in season 7 of this reality TV series that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of WWE female wrestlers.

Walk the Prank (2017–2018)

  • Role: Herself
  • Details: She appeared in two episodes of this children’s TV show that combines scripted comedy with real pranks on unsuspecting people.

Carpool Karaoke: The Series (2018)

  • Role: Herself
  • Details: Bliss featured in an episode where celebrities sing along to their favorite songs while driving.

Punky Brewster (2021)

  • Role: Herself
  • Details: She made a guest appearance as her wrestling persona alongside fellow WWE wrestler Charlotte Flair in this revival of the 1980s sitcom.

The Masked Singer (2023)

  • Role: Axolotl
  • Details: Bliss competed as the character “Axolotl” in the ninth season of this singing competition show, where celebrities perform in elaborate costumes to conceal their identities.

The Queen of Villains (2024)

Role: Voice of Maki Ueda
Details: Bliss provided the English voice for wrestler Maki Ueda in this Netflix series based on Japanese pro wrestling legend Dump Matsumoto.

Alexa Bliss Sakamoto Days 1
Bliss will voice Obiguro, a master assassin who is an expert in karate who targets Taro Sakamoto.

Bliss hasn’t competed in WWE for nearly two years, but rumors of a return to the ring continue to circulate. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Alexa Bliss as she expands her star power both in and out of the ring.

Mark Henry Claims Hulk Hogan’s Made No Effort to Address Racist Comments

Hulk Hogan was resoundingly booed during this week’s Raw, the show’s debut episode on Netflix. Many attribute the negative response to lingering backlash over racist comments Hogan made, which Mark Henry believes the Hulkster has not adequately addressed.

Speaking to TMZ, Henry, who received a far warmer reception during his recent return to WWE, shared his thoughts on the fan reaction to Hogan.

“With the social climate and the things [Hulk’s] said and done and his lack of effort to try and fix it, people are gonna come down on it.”

Hogan was fired from WWE in 2015 after a leaked video revealed him making racist comments. In the footage, Hogan expressed disgust at the idea of his daughter dating a Black man, repeatedly used the n-word, and admitted to being “a racist, to a point.”

According to Henry, Hogan made little effort to genuinely reflect or grow from the incident, instead seemingly hoping the controversy would fade over time.

“He never wanted to go forward and fix it. That’s what happens when you think everything is gonna go away. It’s not gonna go away.”

WWE reinstated Hogan in 2018, though fan reactions have been mixed since his return. Upon rejoining the company, Hogan held a backstage meeting where he apologized for his comments and for damaging WWE’s image. However, his apology also included a cautionary message to others about being recorded without their consent.

Hulk Hogan Booed On RAW: Hulkster Reacts & Future Plans

Hogan has been featured in promotional material for this month’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, though questions remain as to whether he’ll appear in person. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on the controversial Hall of Famer, whose actions outside the ring continue to shape his legacy among fans.

WWE Reaches Multi-Year Deal With Cosm For Shared Reality PLEs

WWE is stepping into the ring with Cosm in an innovative partnership to deliver premium live events (PLEs) within a shared reality.

These events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and the Royal Rumble, will be delivered in Shared Reality at Cosm’s experiential venues in Los Angeles and Dallas. Those in attendance will be transported ringside and granted a front-row view of the PLEs, starting with next month’s Royal Rumble 2025 event.

Peter Murphy, Senior Vice President of Media and Content, Cosm, shared his excitement about the partnership.

“At Cosm, we bring fans together to experience the biggest and best events in the world, wherever those events may be taking place. Now, we get to showcase the WWE in Shared Reality, delivering another incredible way for fans to experience their shared passion.”

Alex Varga, Co-Head of Revenue, WWE, was similarly amped to partner with Cosm, who they said was redefining the future of fan experience.

“WWE Premium Live Events are larger than life, and with such an innovative partner in Cosm, we will collectively bring the energy of our biggest moments to an expanded WWE universe.”

Cosm launched in Los Angeles in July 2024 and opened its second venue in Dallas’ Colony’s Grandscape the following month. Last year, plans were announced for a third location in downtown Atlanta and a fourth venue will be located in downtown Detroit.

This partnership highlights WWE’s constant efforts to develop its viewing experiences, as seen with the recent highly successful launch of Raw on Netflix. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE and its technological developments.

Seth Rollins Says Fewer WWE Live Events Will Extend His In-Ring Career

Seth Rollins aims to wrestle far longer than he first envisioned, thanks to WWE scaling back on their live events schedule. On the Insight podcast, Rollins reflected on WWE Superstars not spending as much time taking bumps in the ring.

“Live Events, non-televised events have kind of dissipated, which for guys like me, I’ve wrestled over 2,000 matches in my career, that’s nice for me.”

In late 2024, TKO President Mark Shapiro shared that WWE planned on cutting back on the number of untelevised events. This change is already being felt, with WWE’s first live event of 2025 not coming until March 15, in Dortmund, Germany as part of the upcoming European tour.

With fewer live events, Rollins is less at risk of getting injured and has more time to recover from knocks in the ring. Looking to the future, the former World Champion believes this lighter schedule will extend his time in the ring,

“I feel like I’ll be able to extend my career probably longer than I thought I was going to and then it just depends on where I want to go from there.”

Though Rollins is pleased to be competing at fewer events, not everyone in WWE shares his opinion. In September 2024, Liv Morgan shared her sadness at the change, saying that the ‘house shows’ are “so much fun” for the talent involved. Morgan shared that it was at live events that she really honed her craft, and is sad that future talent won’t get that same opportunity.

Seth Rollins Scenes Cut From Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World

Fans eager to see Seth Rollins in Captain America: Brave New World will be disappointed when the highly anticipated Marvel film hits theaters next month. On the Insight podcast, Rollins confirmed that, despite filming scenes for the movie, he is not included in the final cut.

“It releases in February. I wish it the best, but I am not a part of that film… hopefully it’s successful, but it will be sans Seth Rollins.”

Rollins did not elaborate on why his role was cut, emphasizing that any explanation he provided would be speculative and not official. The former WWE World Champion also hinted at the presence of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), limiting what he could reveal about his involvement in the film.

“The script went through a lot of rewrites and reshoots so what I was there to do, essentially my role got either repurposed or completely erased.”

Photos from the set showed Rollins wearing a dark robe, leading fans to speculate that he was involved with the villainous Serpent Society.

Seth Rollins Denies Being Spotted In Captain America 4 Trailer

Interestingly, this marks the second time a member of Rollins’ family has been cut from a Marvel film. Becky Lynch, Rollins’ wife, her post-credits scene for The Eternals removed, reportedly for being “too depressing.”

Although Rollins’ Marvel debut didn’t materialize, the Monday Night Raw Superstar continues to thrive in the wrestling world. Following his unforgettable Raw on Netflix main event against CM Punk, fans are excited to see what’s next for the “Visionary,” both in and out of the ring.

Captain America: Brave New World will be released on February 14, 2025.

Current Movies Starring Pro Wrestlers: In Theaters & In Production

Brie Bella Teases WWE Return: “It’s Always Hard To Say No”

Brie Garcia, formerly known as Brie Bella in WWE, has opened up about the possibility of returning to the ring following Nikki’s appearance at Raw’s debut on Netflix. During an appearance on the We Got Time Today show, Brie said that while the drive to compete is always there, time is not on their side.

“The hard thing about getting older, is that there’s that person inside you who, it’s like, ‘I would do anything to go back ten years to compete in the ring against the women today.”

Brie hasn’t competed in years, but admtted on the podcast that both she and her sister discuss potential promos they could cut, should a return happen. Even with her full-time career a distant memory, Brie remains closely attached to WWE.

“You still are always there. So any time if WWE calls and is like, ‘Hey, ladies, we want you back,’ it’s always hard to say no.”

Brie recently celebrated her husband Bryan Danielson’s AEW World Championship win at AEW All In London 2024, but clearly is open to a return to WWE. With both sisters last competing in the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble, it remains to be seen if they can still bring the action three years later, possibly in the Rumble match on February 1.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Brie Garcia, as her days in the ring may not be over just yet.

Buddy Matthews Responds to Will Ospreay Amid Malakai Black Reports

Will Ospreay’s intriguing comments for Buddy Matthews didn’t go unnoticed, as questions remain about the future of the House of Black. During this week’s Dynamite, Ospreay encouraged Matthews to step out of the shadow of Malakai Black.

Ospreay got the win in their singles match, and after the show, Matthews admitted that 2025 had not kicked off as he had hoped. The Australian, who hopes to compete at Grand Slam next month, then turned his attention to Ospreay.

Will, even though you put a hiccup in my 2025, your words tonight didn’t go to deaf ears.”

Ospreay’s comment about Matthews stepping away from come at an interesting time, with reports that Black is finishing his time with AEW. The Dutchman hasn’t competed for AEW since November’s Full Gear pay-per-view, where he was on the losing end of a four-way tag team match with Matthews.

Matthews has been associated with Black since his arrival in AEW in 2022, and the prospect of the Australian going solo has intrigued fans. With his wife Rhea Ripley seeing huge success on her own in WWE, many are hoping to see Matthews do the same in AEW, if his time working with Black is indeed at an end as rumored.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Buddy Matthews and his status going forward in AEW, potentially as a singles performer.











Kenny Omega Brings Back Signature Catchphrase After AEW Dynamite

The fun didn’t stop for Kenny Omega after this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite went off the air. Grabbing the mic after the show, Omega said goodbye with his signature ‘bang’ catchphrase.

“And now that we are finally off the air, and finally I am not being attacked by anybody, I can finally say Goodbye and good night bang!”

The show in Clarksville, Tennessee marked Omega’s return to Dynamite. During the show, Omega discussed his struggles with diverticulitis, his doubts about returning to the ring, and his determination to prove that he can still be the best.

Omega’s homecoming was interrupted by Don Callis, and Brian Cage, Lance Archer and Kyle Fletcher thwarted the Cleaner’s attempt to get his hands on Callis. Will Ospreay arrived to make the save with a steel chair, leading to a tense face-off between former rivals to end the show.

Omega’s next match will be against Brian Cage on the January 15 episode of AEW Dynamite. With this being Omega’s first match on Dynamite since the November 15, 2023, episode of AEW’s flagship show, fans are excited to see how the Canadian fares in just seven days time.

Hulk Hogan Booed On RAW: Hulkster Reacts & Future Plans

Hulk Hogan’s return to WWE programming didn’t go entirely during this week’s Raw, but fans may not have seen the last of the Hulkster.

What Happened On Raw?

During Raw’s historic debut episode on Netflix, Hogan appeared to promote his Real American Beer, an official sponsor of WWE events. Despite talking about his love for the fans, the Hulkster, who was accompanied by a flag-waving Jimmy Hart, was resoundingly booed by those inside the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Hogan’s Response

The Hulkster was reportedly not entirely surprised by the frosty reception he received this week. Sportskeeda’s Chris Featherstone reports that Hogan “thought it was going to be 50/50” with half the fans on his side and half against him.

Samantha Irvin Recalls Hulk Hogan Being Booed During Ad Breaks

Why Did Fans Boo Hulk Hogan?

There are several reasons that fans may have booked one of pro wrestling’s biggest stars, including:

  • Racist Remarks: racist remarks. In the video, Hogan used racial slurs, rejected the idea of his daughter dating Black men, and admitted to being “a racist, to a point.”
  • Political Controversies: Hogan’s support for Donald Trump in the 2024 U.S. presidential election has alienated some fans. Controversy deepened last year after Hogan blamed a racially insensitive comment about Kamala Harris on his beer consumption.
  • Backstage Politics: Several wrestlers have accused Hogan of using backstage politics to advance his career at the expense of others.
  • Exaggerated Stories: Over the years, Hogan has been known for telling dubious anecdotes. Notably, he claimed to have wrestled at SummerSlam 1992 in memory of a young fan who had passed away—despite not appearing at the event.

WWE Announces Multi-Year Partnership With Hulk Hogan’s ‘Real American Beer’

What’s Next?

Hogan’s current standing among fans has raised questions as to what role, if any, the Hulkster will play in future WWE plans. The Daily Mail reports that “Plans are for Hogan to be a bad guy again and to help out a future storyline with another wrestler.”

The belief is that a heel turn could work, given the success of The Rock’s Final Boss character in 2023, after fans rejected the Brahma Bull. Hogan has reportedly stipulated that he does not want his politics or support for President-Elect Trump to be a part of his on-screen character.

CM Punk Royal Rumble Stats: Everything To Know Before 2025 Match

CM Punk will be a part of the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match, bringing an exciting favorite to the contest. Punk declared his intention following this week’s episode of WWE Raw, the debut episode of the red brand on Netflix.

Here’s everything you need to know about CM Punk’s Royal Rumble legacy and what his entry means for this year’s event.

CM Punk Confirms His Entry for 2025

Punk announced the news in a post-show promo at the WWE RAW on Netflix premiere. The Best in the World shared that not only does he plan on winning the Men’s Royal Rumble, but that he’ll be winning gold this year.

CM Punk’s Royal Rumble Career Highlights

CM Punk has participated in seven Royal Rumbles, boasting an impressive track record:

EventEntrant NumberTime in MatchFinishing PositionEliminationsEliminated ByNotable Moments
20071127:16221The Great KhaliLasted longer than any other ECW star.
20081223:50171Chavo GuerreroEliminated Chuck Palumbo
20091822:29181Big ShowEliminated William Regal
2010310:0475Triple HAt times, Punk was the only Superstar in the ring.
2011135:21217John CenaPunk scored the most eliminations, thanks in part to the help of the New Nexus.
2014149:12273KaneKane eliminated him after being eliminated by Punk. This was Punk’s final WWE match until his 2023 return.
20242721:45292Cody RhodesPunk suffered an injury that forced him out of action for months.

Career Totals Across Royal Rumbles

  • Total Entries: 7
  • Wins: 0
  • Cumulative Time in Match: 3 hours, 9 minutes, 57 seconds
  • Eliminations: 20
  • Average Time Per Entry: 27 minutes, 8 seconds
  • Best Finish: Runner Up (2024)
  • Worst Finish: 7th (2010)

#30 Flops: The Worst Final Entrants in the WWE Royal Rumble Match

For any WWE Superstar, being the 30th and final entrant into a Royal Rumble match is a win in and of itself. After all, the #30 spot is mathematically the best position to be in and has produced winners including John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker, and Cody Rhodes. But we’re not here to talk about the winners.

While #30 has produced plenty of winners, entering last is far from a guaranteed Rumble victory. Over the decades, we’ve seen plenty of #30 entrants be eliminated as quickly as they entered.

Here are some Superstars who squandered their coveted spot as the #30 entrant. 

The Warlord (1992)

wardlord 1
Despite his size, The Warlord had some terrible luck in the Royal Rumble match. 

Until Santino Marella broke the record in 2009, the Warlord’s name was synonymous with having the shortest stint in a Royal Rumble with 2 seconds at the 1989 Rumble. Well two years later, the Warlord had better luck, but still had an abysmal performance. Lasting 1:43, Warlord scored no eliminations in the 1991 Rumble before being eliminated for the third time in his career by Hulk Hogan. 

Adam Bomb (1994)

When Adam Bomb made his way to the ring as part of the 1994 Royal Rumble, Vince McMahon on commentary declared “ADAM BOMB IS GOING TO WIN THE ROYAL RUMBLE!” Now mind you, the match still had Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and Lex Luger all in the bout.

As you’ve figured out by now, Bomb didn’t live up to McMahon’s declaration as he was flattened and thrown out by the bigger stars in 4:55.

Duke ‘The Dumpster’ Droese (1996)

duke droese 1
Nobody believed that Duke Droese would be headlining WrestleMania 12 by winning the 1996 Rumble.

We can’t help but wonder what the fans in Fresno’s Selland Arena felt when Duke Droese was the final participant in the 1996 Royal Rumble match. Seriously, did a single person think it’d be Bret Hart Vs ‘The Dumpster’ at WrestleMania 12?

Droese eliminated nobody before being thrown out by Diesel and Kama after 1:10. 

Vader (1998)

Once a top star of Japan and WCW, Vader’s WWF run did not do the superheavyweight justice. Never was that more evident than the 1998 Royal Rumble match, in which Vader lasted just 2:15.

His sole elimination saw Vader throw out comedy cameo The Honky Tonk Man, making it clear that the powerhouse was not meant to be taken seriously as a possible winner.

Chyna (1999)

The first woman to enter a Royal Rumble match, Chyna did score a single elimination in the 1999 match, which is more than what most people on this list can boast.

But at 35 seconds, it felt like WWE wanted Chyna out of the match as quickly as she came in. 

Booker T (2002)

booker t rumble 2002 1
Booker T’s Royal Rumble debut would be a bad night for the former WCW World Champion. 

Perhaps the biggest name who joined WWF after WCW’s 2001 demise, Booker T had a rough start in the promotion. While he was Vince McMahon’s pick in the 2002 Rumble match, Booker would last just 33 seconds before being tossed out. It’d be a long time before the talented wrestler would be treated as a main eventer. 

Rey Mysterio (2014)

rey mysterio 2014 rumble 1
8 years on from his 2006 win, Rey Mysterio entered to a chorus of boos in the 2014 Rumble match. 

One of wrestling’s most beloved heroes, Rey Mysterio’s entrance as the #30 entrant in 2014 was quite a shock to behold.

Simply put, fans wanted Daniel Bryan, and Rey’s arrival snuffed out their last hope. Rey lasted 2:10 and scored 0 eliminations, making his role seem even more egregious. 

Dolph Ziggler (2018)

ziggler us champion 1
Dolph had vacated the U.S. title weeks before his lackluster role in the 2018 Men’s Rumble match. 

After surrending his newly-won U.S. title in late 2017, fans were curious as to what was to come for Dolph Ziggler. For months, Ziggler was nowhere to be seen, until he returned to programming as the #30 entrant in the 2018 Men’s Rumble match.

Unfortunately for the Show-Off, his return was entirely anti-climactic, and he would be eliminated in 2:01 by Finn Balor. Ziggler’s only elimination would see him toss out the cameoing Goldust, who lasted longer in the match than Dolph himself. 

Nia Jax (Men’s 2019)

Nobody expected R-Truth, the original #30 entrant in the 2019 Men’s Rumble to win, but the decision to replace him with Nia Jax was entirely bizarre.

The following sequence which saw a bunch of male Superstars hit their finishers on Jax wouldn’t help matters either, especially as some fans online seemed too eager to watch her get ganged up on. Jax would eliminate Mustafa Ali before being dumped out herself at 3:09. 

Nia Jax (Women’s 2023)

Four years on from her bizarre entry into the Men’s Royal Rumble, Nia Jax made a surprise return to WWE during the 2023 Women’s Rumble.

Her big return is probably best remembered for WWE displaying graphics with her name over ten seconds before her return. Jax eliminated nobody in her 1:57 stint in the match. 

Oba Femi Breaks Historic Ground With WWE NXT Title Win

Oba Femi captured the WWE NXT Championship during this week’s New Year’s Evil show, and the Ruler also made history in the process. Femi dethroned Trick Williams to win the gold in a triple-threat match that also included Eddy Thorpe.

With his win, Femi has become the fifth Black WWE NXT Champion. This means that WWE has now crowned more black NXT Champions than have ever held the WWE Championship. Femi follows in the footsteps of former champions Big E (2012), Keith Lee (2019), Carmelo Hayes (2022), and Trick Williams (2022). WWE has crowned four black WWE Champions: The Rock, Kofi Kingston, Bobby Lashley, and Big E.

Femi’s win was also only the 2nd time in WWE history that a brand’s main title changed hands between two black men. The only time this previously happened came in late 2021 when Big E won the WWE Championship from Bobby Lashley.

Here is how WWE NXT Champions break down by nationality:

NationalityNo. Of ChampionsChampions
American13Seth Rollins, Big E, Bo Dallas, Samoa Joe*, Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Adam Cole, Keith Lee, Karrion Kross, Bron Breakker, Dolph Ziggler, Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams
English1Adrian Neville
Canadian4Sami Zayn*, Kevin Owens, Bobby Roode, Ethan Page
Syrian1Sami Zayn*
Irish1Finn Balor
Samoan1Samoa Joe*
Japanese1Shinsuke Nakamura
Mexican1Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas
Dutch1Aleister Black
Russian1Ilja Dragunov
Scottish1Drew McIntyre
Nigerian1Oba Femi

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Oba Femi, as the new NXT Champion is ready to carry the silver brand into a new era in 2025.

Surprising Superstars Who Showed Up In WWE NXT

The Rock made his first-ever appearance in WWE NXT this week, where he shared his love for WWE and teased that his issues with Cody Rhodes aren’t over yet. The Final Boss is hardly the first surprising name to have shown up in WWE’s developmental brand:

CM Punk

CM Punk has been keeping a close eye on NXT since his return but competed for the brand in a dark match in 2012. In a meeting of the internet ‘darlings’, Punk teamed with Seth Rollins to defeat Kassius Ohno and Antonio Cesaro.

Chris Jericho

Appearing on the May 1, 2013, episode, Chris Jericho bested Bray Wyatt in the main event of WWE NXT. Wyatt would arrive on the main roster later that year and the pair would feud in 2014.

Sheamus

Already a former World Champion, Sheamus defeated Luke Harper in July 2013 during the Celtic Warrior’s first-ever match in NXT. Nine months later, Sheamus returned to the brand to defeat Aiden English.

John Cena

Cena made an appearance for NXT in 2023, but also appeared for the gold brand back years earlier. A segment with Enzo Amore and Big Cass ended with Cena delivering an AA to Damian Sandow, but as this was a dark segment, fans at home couldn’t see John.

Team Hell No

After appearing on the game-show edition of NXT in 2010, Daniel Bryan returned to the gold brand alongside Kane on the November 28, 2012, episode. Team Hell No retained their tag titles on the night against Johnny Curtis and Michael McGillicutty.

Christian

Years before he was waging war on deceased fathers, Christian hosted a post-show edition of the peep-show after an October 2013 WWE NXT. This unlikely segment saw the unlikely guest of World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio and ended with Rusev standing tall over Del Rio.

Too Cool

The first-ever NXT TakeOver event saw Scotty 2 Hotty and Grandmaster Sexay surprise fans in tag-team competition. The pair challenged then-champions The Ascension but failed to capture the gold.

Batista

Batista’s 2014 run didn’t go as WWE planned as the fans rejected the Animal in favor of Daniel Bryan, ultimately turning Batista heel. That same year though, Batista won fans back after an NXT taping. After Bo Dallas suggested the pair team up as ‘Bo-tista’ the Animal rejected the idea with a Batista Bomb to the delight of the crowd.

Chris Jericho Horror Movie Dark Match Coming to Shudder

Dark Match, a new horror movie starring AEW’s Chris Jericho, will land on the popular horror streaming service Shudder later this month. A description for the film reads:

A wrestling company lands a lucrative gig in a remote town, only to find themselves at the mercy of a cult leader with sinister intentions.

Jericho will play the role of ‘Prophet’ but isn’t the only notable name attached. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Ayisha Issa (Transplant), Steven Ogg (The Walking Dead, Westworld), Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries), Michael Eklund (The Call), and Jonathan Cherry (Goon). Lowell Dean (Wolfcop) is attached as writer and director.

Dark Match will mark the latest big-screen role for Jericho, who’s first foray into horror acting came in 2009’s Albino Farm. In 2022, Jericho played ‘Burke’ in Terrifier 2 and reprised the role for the film’s sequel last year.

Jericho’s love of horror has also extended into his pro-wrestling career, with his ‘Painmaker’ character during his New Japan run blending elements of horror and the macabre. While Jericho has shared his goal to develop the character and create a Painmaker movie, little has been heard about this project in recent years.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Chris Jericho as the wrestling legend continues to show his entertaining chops both in and out of the ring.

Chris Jericho Visits Childhood Street in Winnipeg Named After Him

Report – Becky Lynch Returning To WWE, Signs New Contract

Fans can expect to see Becky Lynch back in the ring in the future as the former Women’s Champion has reportedly signed a new deal with WWE. Sources confirmed to Fightful Select that Lynch and WWE reached an agreement for her return, though this does not mean she’ll be back on TV immediately.

Lynch attended some Netflix-related events ahead of Raw’s debut on the streaming juggernaut this week, though told people she was there simply to support the company. Lynch’s husband Seth Rollins headlined the show in a loss to CM Punk.

Lynch was also featured in promotional material for the red brand’s debut on Netflix, but did not have a role on the show. It’s been reported that she was supposed to confront Rhea Ripley after the latter’s Women’s World Championship win, but that plan was nixed. Instead, The Undertaker appeared and shared a moment with Ripley in a huge endorsement of the Australian star.

Becky Lynch’s previous WWE contract expired in June 2024, though reports at the time stated that WWE officials were optimistic that she’d be back in due time. With the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match drawing near, fans can look forward to seeing The Man come around, potentially as a surprise entrant in the 30-Woman match.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Becky Lynch, as her return to WWE programming and the ring doesn’t appear to be a question of if, but when.

The Rock Is 20 Steps Ahead of Cody Rhodes In NXT Appearance

The Rock was part of this week’s WWE NXT, during which he teased that his issues with Cody Rhodes are far from over.

The Final Boss appeared during a segment with Ethan Page, who was seen confronting Ava. The Rock interrupted Page’s complaints and addressed him directly about breaking Je’Von Evans’ jaw. In classic Rock fashion, he warned Page that “payback’s gonna be a b***h.”

The Rock made it clear that Ava is the real boss in NXT, adding that if Page wants to stay on The Rock’s good side, he needs to respect Ava. Later, Ava and The Rock shared a heartfelt on-screen moment with Ava saying it was special to have her father around.

Later in the night, The Rock cut a promo and mentioned Cody Rhodes, referencing his recent supportive gesture toward the American Nightmare during the RAW Netflix debut. Addressing skeptics, he assured fans that he was thinking several steps ahead and urged them to trust the journey he’s taking them on.

Despite the show’s time constraints, The Rock joked that they could “go all night.” He dropped an unscripted f-bomb but quickly apologized for it before ending the night by thanking the fans for their passion and emphasized their importance to NXT.

The Rock’s comments about Cody Rhodes come as a relief to fans of his popular heel run of 2024, many of whom took issue with Rock and Rhodes being fine with each other on Raw. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The Rock, as despite what was said during the red brand’s debut on Netflix, the Brahma Bull may not be finished with the American Nightmare after all.

WrestleMania 41 Plans Take Shape for John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and The Rock

John Cena Reflects On Being Invisible In New McDonald’s McValue Ad

John Cena explores what it truly means to be invisible in McDonald’s latest ad. The commercial humorously reflects on Cena’s iconic catchphrase, which has since become a meme, with fans pretending not to be able to see him in photos.

In the ad, Cena acknowledges the enduring joke, admitting that it “has gone too far” as he jokes about being “invisible for 20 years now.” While he initially found the meme amusing, the ad concludes with a reflective Cena stating, “I’m invisible.” The unique commercial for McDonald’s McValue range showcases Cena’s acting range, balancing humor and seriousness effortlessly.

Though fans may “not see” Cena in the ad, the WWE legend will be impossible to miss in 2025. On this week’s Raw, Cena launched his farewell tour by officially entering the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match. A victory in the 30-man contest would make Cena only the second wrestler in history, alongside ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, to win the Rumble three times. It would also guarantee him a World Championship match at WrestleMania 41.

Both in and out of the ring, John Cena remains a towering figure in entertainment so it’s no surprise that McDonald’s wanted to collaborate with the 16-time World Champion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates as Cena embarks on what promises to be an emotional farewell tour.

Sheamus Shares Who Nearly Took His WWE Title Push In 2009

Sheamus shocked the wrestling world by capturing the WWE Championship in late 2009, but the Celtic Warrior wasn’t the promotion’s only option for Raw’s top spot. Speaking on the Insight podcast, Sheamus revealed the surprising name who could have taken his place.

“I went with John, and we had a couple of matches on a European tour… There was a throw up between me or [Jack] Swagger to go with.”

Sheamus’ meteoric rise culminated in winning the WWE Championship in a Tables Match against John Cena at WWE TLC, just 166 days after his televised debut. This rapid ascent marked the third-shortest time a wrestler had gone from debut to World Champion, trailing only Ric Flair in 1992 and Brock Lesnar in 2002.

Jack Swagger, meanwhile, would not capture a world title until 2010, when he won the World Heavyweight Championship by cashing in Money in the Bank. Swagger’s reign was brief, and he never regained the same level of success in WWE before his release in 2017.

Today, Sheamus remains a dominant force in the ring, focused on winning the Intercontinental Championship—the only title he needs to achieve Grand Slam status. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Sheamus, who continues to show no signs of slowing down.

Sheamus Celebrates New WWE Contract: “Pints are on me!”

Samantha Irvin Recalls WWE Fans Booing Hulk Hogan During Breaks

The frosty reception Hulk Hogan received at WWE Raw’s debut on Netflix is hardly the first time those at a WWE event have booed the Hall of Famer. Taking to X, former WWE ring announcer Samantha Irvin shared that whenever Hulk Hogan impressions sprouted during commercial breaks, those at WWE shows made their views clear on the Hulkster.

Hogan appeared to promote his Real American Beer, the official beer sponsor of Raw and WWE programming moving forward. Despite speaking about his passion for WWE and the fans, those inside Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome had no love for the controversial two-time WWE Hall of Famer.

Hogan’s name has been linked to controversy for years, with several wrestlers accusing him of politicking and hurting the careers of others for his own gain. In 2015, Hogan was fired from WWE after racist comments surfaced in a leaked video. In the footage, Hogan expressed opposition to his daughter dating Black men, repeatedly used a racial slur, and admitted to being “a racist, to a point.”

More recently, Hogan faced backlash for his ties to Donald Trump. In 2024, the wrestler sparked controversy by making ‘jokes’ about using wrestling moves on Kamala Harris. Hogan later attributed the comments to being under the influence of his Real American Beer, stating it was “the beer talking.”

Hogan has been promoting this month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, after being completely committed from last month’s event. With the January 25, event coming to Texas, a state that endorsed the President-Elect, it remains to be seen what kind of response the Hulkster will receive.

Triple H On WWE Using Insider Terms: “We’re Not Hiding What We Do”

Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque isn’t shying away from what WWE represents in its new era, after the promotion first-ever Raw as part of Netflix. Before the historic episode, WWE debuted a cold open video package featuring Levesque using insider wrestling terminology such as “shoot,” “face,” and “heel.”

The use of these terms sparked a debate online with fans both for and against using insider lingo. On the post-show media scrum, Levesque reflected on the reaction to his verbiage.

“The reaction seems like we did a good job with it. That was the intent, to capture the emotion and let people know, we’re not hiding what we do.”

Levesque has no intention of “insulting anybody’s intelligence” by perpetuating the notion that professional wrestling is a completely legitimate sport. Under his leadership, WWE is embracing its identity as an “art form” designed to resonate with both loyal fans and newcomers.

“It was all part of trying to capture that and say, ‘If you’ve watched, watch this and hopefully we honor what you love. If you’ve never watched this, watch this, we’ll explain to you what we are.'”

These terms had previously been banned by Vince McMahon, and their inclusion further demonstrates that WWE has moved on from its previous head. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE’s new era, an era that will be more honest about the inner workings of the wrestling business.

John Cena Promises A “Little Sprinkle” of Every Era in Farewell Year

John Cena kicked off his farewell tour during the historic WWE Raw on Netflix, during which he declared himself for the Men’s Royal Rumble match. At the post-show press conference, the 16-time WWE World Champion shared his intentions for his final year in the ring to be a celebration of all facets of his wrestling journey.

“Hopefully, by the end of all this, if you want to see a certain facet of the 23 years I’ve been in the business, hopefully you can get that little sprinkle.”

Over the years, Cena has embodied numerous personas, beginning as ‘The Prototype’ in OVW before making his main roster debut on SmackDown in June 2002. After a rocky start as a generic babyface, he found his footing as the brash Doctor of Thuganomics, eventually evolving his character into the multifaceted performer fans know today.

When asked if his role as Peacemaker might make a surprise appearance during his farewell tour, Cena acknowledged the character is owned by DC Comics but added, “never say never.”

While John’s days in the ring are numbered, the WWE icon remains fiercely loyal to the promotion that thrust him to superstardom. On the press conference, Cena made clear that his ‘farewell’ to the ring will not be a goodbye to WWE.

“I’m going to retire, but they will have to fire to get me to stop being a part of this place.”

John Cena is slated to participate in major WWE events throughout 2025, including the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 41, before officially retiring from in-ring competition. Fans can look forward to an emotional year ahead as one of WWE’s greatest icons bids farewell to the squared circle.

John Cena’s Retirement Tour: Stars Vying to be a Final Opponent

Big E Breaks Silence On New Day Betrayal: I Don’t Recognize Them

On the December 2, episode of WWE Raw, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turned on Big E, ending a friendship that fans had seen blossom over a decade. Since then, Kingston and Woods have had plenty to say about their former friend on TV and online, and now Big E himself has weighed in.

During the WWE Raw on Netflix Premiere Post-Show, Big E was asked for his take on his so-called ‘brothers.’

“These are not the two men that I stood side by side with for the last ten years. This version of those two, I don’t recognize.”

Big E doesn’t care for this “current direction” for Woods and Kingston, which he said is nothing more than “whining, complaining, b*tching, and moaning.” Nevertheless, the former WWE Champion is intrigued to see where the New Day goes from here.

“Clearly, we’ve moved in different directions. I’m excited or interested to see what they do with their careers because right now it’s just kind of spinning.”

Big E is unfortunately still not cleared to compete, though fans remain hopeful to see him back in the ring and get payback on his treacherous former allies. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Big E in this post-New Day chapter of his career.

Kofi Kingston Lashes Out At Fans As Mom Rejects Him Over Big E Breakup

Fans Boo Hulk Hogan At Historic WWE Raw On Netflix

The WWE Universe made their voices heard during this week’s Raw when Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan made an appearance. In the show’s third hour, Hogan appeared on the entrance stage to promote his Real American Beer. The beverage, a new partner of WWE, will feature its logo in the corners of the ring going forward.

Though Hogan spent decades of his career as a beloved babyface, the Hulkster was hardly welcome by the fans in Los Angeles’ Intuit Dome. There were loud boos from the crowd in attendance for the Hulkster, who was accompanied by a flag-bearing Jimmy Hart.

The frosty reaction underscores Hogan’s polarizing reputation. In 2015, Hogan was fired from WWE after racist comments surfaced in a leaked video. In the footage, Hogan expressed opposition to his daughter dating Black men, repeatedly used a racial slur, and admitted to being “a racist, to a point.”

More recently, Hogan faced backlash for his ties to Donald Trump. In 2024, the wrestler sparked controversy by making ‘jokes’ about using wrestling moves on Kamala Harris. Hogan later attributed the comments to being under the influence of his Real American Beer, stating it was “the beer talking.”

Hulk Hogan has been promoting this month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, which will take place on January 25, 2025, from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. While WWE may have plans for the Hulkster at the event, the two-time Hall of Famer may be in store for another frosty reception judging by Raw on Netflix.

Roman Reigns Set For Jan. 27 Raw, WWE 2K25 News Teased

Fans can expect to learn much more about WWE 2K25 in a matter of weeks, if a tease on this week’s WWE Monday Night Raw is to be believed.

During the show, Roman Reigns confirmed his role as the OTC by defeating Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat. In a backstage segment, Paul Heyman asked his Tribal Chief about his next appearance, which Reigns confirmed will be on January 27. As the pair entered a locker room, the WWE 2K25 logo was featured on the door, teasing that updates about the much-anticipated game will be shared on the January 27, Raw.

Reigns won’t be the only notable name at the January 27, edition of WWE Raw. That same show will also see Bill Goldberg appear inside Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. The WWE Hall of Famer will compete in his final match this year, with many predicting a showdown with World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER to be in the works.

Find Out More About Goldberg’s Imminent WWE Return

WWE 2K25

WWE 2K25 will be the 25th installment in the series, and the eleventh game under the WWE 2K banner. The game is expected to release in early 2025, the same time window as recent installments in the WWE 2K franchise.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Roman Reigns, as the one, true Tribal Chief continues to be a force to be reckoned with on TV, and in the WWE 2K series.