Fans can expect to see much more of Omos in Pro Wrestling NOAH, following his victory at New Year 2025. At the January 1, event, Omos won the GHC Tag Titles with Jack Morris, making the Nigerian Giant the first active WWE Superstar to win NOAH gold.
Yesterday, January 2, Omos was in action once again as he, Morris, and Yu Owada defeated El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Galeno Del Mal & Saxon Huxley. Now, NOAH has confirmed that Omos will be in action at least three more times in January 2025.
WWE star Omos in Pro Wrestling NOAH:
?1/1 w/ JM v NM/TS ? WON GHC Tag ?1/2 w/ T2X v Wagner’s/Huxley ? ?1/11 w/ JM v AR – LIVE on WU, English ?1/12 v Alejandro/Kai – VOD to follow ?1/19 w/ Owada v Fujita/Soya – VOD to follow#noah_ghc#WWEpic.twitter.com/FQ1oRZZviw
This schedule is certainly different than what fans have seen of Omos in WWE, or rather, what they’ve not seen. The former Raw Tag Team Champion has not been used on TV since April 2024, when he competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Omos’ most recent singles match on TV saw him earn a squash win in May 2023.
Omos has his supporters in WWE, but there’s no word on any plans for his return to the largest wrestling promotion on the planet. In the meantime, the GHC Tag Team Champion will continue to represent WWE in NOAH, where he’s quickly become a featured attraction.
John Cena: Hour-Long Showdown With Shawn Michaels.
Considered one of the best Raw matches in history, John Cena and Shawn Michaels battled for an hour in London during the April 23, 2007, show. Though Cena didn’t win, the match, which had fans on the edge of their seats, remains a highlight of his WWE career.
Sean Waltman: Defeating Razor Ramon
The 1-2-3 Kid’s win over Razor Ramon was Raw’s first big upset, but would hardly be the last. Over three decades later, Waltman’s shocking victory over his Kliq ally is an all-time Raw classic.
Mick Foley: First WWE Championship Win
Mankind’s historic win over The Rock in January 1999 didn’t just see Mick Foley win the big one, but also a notable shift in the Monday Night War. Tony Schiavone on Nitro spoiled the result, mockingly adding “That’ll put butts in seats,” only to see hundreds of thousands of fans switch from WCW programming to Raw.
Randy Orton: Home Invasion By Triple H
Randy Orton made his feud personal with Triple H in 2009 by RKO’ing Stephanie McMahon and sealing his dastardly deed with a kiss. On the March 9, show, Triple H showed he could make things personal as he invaded Orton’s home, culminating in throwing the Viper through a window.
R-Truth: First WWE U.S. Title win
Over a year before they’d be ‘Awesome’ allies, R-Truth defeated The Miz in May 2010 to win his first U.S. Championship. The win “meant the world” to the veteran Truth, who wanted to show “people like me, that they can do it too.”
Rey Mysterio: Eddie Guerrero Tribute Show
Mere days after the tragic passing of Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio competed on the November 14, 2005, Raw where he battled Shawn Michaels. Mysterio was not “in the best state of mind” but is pleased he was able to deliver with HBK on such an emotional night.
Carlito: First Night Title Win
In 2004, Carlito made his WWE debut on SmackDown by winning the U.S. Title in his first match from John Cena. The following year, Carlito would prove this was no fluke by defeating Shelton Benjamin to win the Intercontinental Championship in his first match after being drafted to Raw.
Big E: Dethroning Bobby Lashley
After years of speculation and fan support, Big E finally became WWE Champion in September 2021, cashing in Money in the Bank on Bobby Lashley. Though Big E’s in-ring future remains uncertain, winning WWE’s richest prize on Raw is a pivotal moment for the Superstar’s career.
Fans can look forward to many more iconic moments from Raw once the red brand debuts on Netflix. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE’s big move as a new era on the streaming juggernaut continues to draw near.
Mercedes Moné successfully retained her AEW TBS Championship at Worlds End, but Kris Statlander wasn’t the CEO’s only battle on the night. In the latest edition of her Moné Mag newsletter, Mercedes shared that in the days running up to the show, she was dealing with exhaustion and “the lingering effects of a relentless illness.”
The day of the show, Moné felt even worse, raising questions backstage as to whether she’d be able to compete.
“I reached out to my doctor for advice on managing my illness, and on the day of the event, I was terrified about how I would make it through the show.”
Moné was seen to by her Boston’s Vital Care team, who provided her with an IV bag before she made it to the arena. Thankfully, Moné was able to make it through the match, which she chalked up to her own adrenaline as well as “renewed energy” from Statlander.
Despite her illness, Moné and Statlander delivered a show-stealing performance. At nearly 25 minutes, the match became the longest women’s match in AEW history, breaking the previous record set by the same pair at Full Gear 2024. Once again, Moné emerged victorious.
The year 2024 was a monumental one for Mercedes Mone. Within just 12 months, she joined AEW and became a double champion, cementing her legacy in professional wrestling. As The CEO continues to reign as TBS Champion, fans eagerly anticipate what she will achieve in 2025.
WWE has implemented a significant change to its business operations by halting its usual live events for the first few months of 2025. According to the current schedule, no live events are planned for January or February. The first untelevised show of the year is slated for March 15 in Dortmund, Germany, as part of WWE’s upcoming European tour, which includes live events and TV tapings across various countries.
According to Sean Ross Sapp, talent that he has spoken to from WWE “are very happy” that there are no house shows until mid-March.
In late 2024, TKO President Mark Shapiro shared that WWE planned on cutting back on the number of untelevised events. Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia & Technology Conference, Shapiro explained that such events are only marginally profitable and not essential for the company’s brand growth.
“The WWE brand, while we still have to grow it, it’s on fire right now. We don’t need to carry these marginally profitable events.”
WWE has not yet announced its live event schedule for the post-WrestleMania 41 season, leaving fans curious about the possibility of untelevised events in their areas. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates as WWE continues to evolve its event strategy in this transformative period.
John Cena’s retirement tour is set to begin in just a few days, with several dates already confirmed and culminating in December 2025. The WWE icon will begin his farewell duringWWE Raw’s debut on Netflix, with fans excited to see what the 16-time World Champion has in store.
Few opponents are as closely associated with Cena as Cope (formerly Adam Copeland/Edge), who shared countless battles with him during their storied WWE careers. In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Cope shared his reflections on Cena’s retirement.
“He’s an intelligent man, so, I’m sure he has already come to terms, and I think he’s been coming to terms with it for a long time.”
While Cena may have accepted his retirement, Cope believes it will be far more difficult for fans to do the same.
“I think it’ll be harder for the fan base to come to terms, which usually ends up being the case.”
WWE NXT Tag Team Champion Axiom is hoping to get in the ring when WWE returns to Spain later this year. Speaking with Vicente Beltrán of ViBe & Sports, Axiom, a Madrid native, recalled watching WWE live in his own country in 2006.
“I remember watching Rey Mysterio and hoping he would call me to the ring to help because Khali & Finlay were cheating a lot.”
Now, Axiom doesn’t need Mysterio’s permission to get into the ring, but hopes WWE grants him the opportunity to compete in his home country.
“It would mean a lot to me, as someone from Vallecas in Madrid who joined WWE and is an NXT Tag Champion, and it would be a full-circle moment for me. It would be me telling that kid to put a mask on, and he would meet his idols.”
WWE will visit Spain in March 2025, with WWE SmackDown scheduled to take place at the Olimpic Arena in Badalona. The show will be WWE’s first TV taping in Spain and part of a tour of Europe during the road to WrestleMania.
In the meantime, Axiom and Nathan Frazer are continuing to dominate NXT, and were recently named Tag Team of the Year during the 2024 Year-End Awards. They will be challenged by OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) who earned a shot at the Tag Team Champions last month.
Adam Copeland’s new ring name, “Cope,” is officially here to stay after the Rated-R Superstar filed a trademark for the moniker. Michael Dockins, known as the “gimmick attorney,” shared a photo on X of Cope holding paperwork that confirmed the name’s trademark status.
— "Gimmick Attorney®" Mike Dockins (@gimmickattorney) January 2, 2025
Cope debuted the name during this week’s AEW Dynamite: Fight For the Fallen, where he teamed with FTR to secure a victory against the Death Riders. This marks a significant shift for the former World Champion, who had spent decades competing as Edge in WWE and joined AEW under his real name in 2023.
The Fans Respond
While the new name represents a fresh chapter for the 51-year-old wrestling icon, it has sparked mixed reactions among fans. Many on social media criticized the change as unnecessary, with comparisons drawn to Vince McMahon’s tendency to shorten wrestler names in WWE.
Didn't call him Adam Copeland Not calling him Cope either.
I’m sorry, but shortening his name to Cope is a McMahon like decision. Keep it at Adam Copeland. #AEWDynamite
— The Pride of the North Sentinelese: Meh (@9inchruler) January 2, 2025
The self-professed gimmick attorney, Dockins is no stranger to helping wrestlers secure ring names and other monikers. In the past, Dockins has worked with Kenny Omega and Mercedes Mone and helped Windham Rotunda trademark ‘Wyatt6’ in 2022.
Cope will be in action this Saturday on Collision, where he and FTR will take on Chris Jericho and the Learning Tree. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Cope, as his new ring name is here to stay.
AEW fans might have witnessed the end of The Acclaimed following this week’s AEW Dynamite: Fight For The Fallen. During the event, the former Tag Team Champions suffered a decisive loss to The Hurt Syndicate. Max Caster carried the match for his team, while Anthony Bowens appeared uninterested in aiding his long-time tag partner.
In a digital exclusive interview, Caster expressed outrage over what he described as a “two-on-one attack” by The Hurt Syndicate, once again proclaiming himself the “best wrestler alive.” This declaration enraged Bowens, who accused Caster of bringing the loss upon himself.
“You’ve been pissing me off for months, so much so that Billy [Gunn] doesn’t even want to show up and deal with you.”
Caster didn’t hold back, telling Bowens “F*** Billy Gunn” and asserting himself as the leader of The Acclaimed. Bowens fired back, hinting at a potential showdown between the two.
“The only reason why I haven’t punched you in the face is because Billy asked me not to.”
Caster may have been at odds with The Hurt Syndicate this week, fans are speculating about Caster’s future with MVP’s faction. After all, The Hurt Syndicate previously offered The Acclaimed business cards. While Bowens dismissed the idea of aligning with MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Bobby Lashley, Caster seemed to consider the proposal.
The Acclaimed has spent years as one of AEW’s most popular tag teams, but now Max Caster and Anthony Bowens can barely stand each other. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The Acclaimed.
Cope, formerly known as Adam Copeland, delivered an emotional message to the Asheville crowd following this week’s AEW Dynamite: Fight For The Fallen. In the main event, Cope debuted his new ring name and teamed with FTR to defeat The Death Riders.
The show doubled as a fundraiser for those affected by Hurricane Helene, which tore through Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas in late 2024. After the show, Cope took the mic to express his pride in being an Asheville resident and praised the city’s resilience.
“I live in the 828. Here in the 828, we’re tough sons of b****es. We don’t let a hurricane keep us down, do we? No, we don’t. We pick ourselves up, we dust ourselves off, we dig out, and we all come and have a good time. I cannot say enough about this community.”
Dax Harwood, also from Asheville, reflected on how far the town has come since Hurricane Helene, as he added:
“Last time I was in this building, it was bleak. We had just about 1,000 people. But tonight, you packed it out to see Rated FTR, and we love you guys. Thank you very much
Closing the post-show segment, Cope led the crowd in a spirited “828” chant, fostering a sense of unity among those affected by Hurricane Helene. Last week, he shared that his own family had been impacted by the storm, revealing they had been without clean drinking water for months and had relied on bottled water.
The Rated-R Superstar will be in action this Saturday on Collision, when he and FTR battle the Learning Tree. No matter where his journey in wrestling takes him, however, Cope will always be grateful to those in Asheville and is proud to call the town home.
Posted January 2nd, 2025 in News. Tagged: Cope, FTR.
On the latest episode of AEW Dynamite, Adam Copeland returned to action, but is now going by the name ‘Cope.’ The WWE Hall of Famer is just the latest wrestling star to have his name shortened, but he isn’t the only one.
Here are some times wrestlers had their names cut short, for better or worse.
The Undertaker
One of wrestling’s most iconic names, The Undertaker originally debuted as “Kane The Undertaker” during a 1990 WWF Superstars taping. By the time of his official TV debut, the “Kane” portion was dropped but would resurface seven years later for Glenn Jacobs.
GUNTHER
Before reigning as WWE’s World Heavyweight Champion, GUNTHER was known as WALTER. In early 2022, WWE rebranded him as Gunther Stark, but quickly shortened the name to avoid controversy, as “Gunther Stark” was also the name of a Nazi naval officer.
Cody
When Cody Rhodes left WWE in 2016, he competed simply as “Cody” due to WWE’s trademark on the Rhodes surname. In November 2020, “The American Nightmare” successfully reclaimed the Rhodes name, which he now proudly carries as the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion.
Sheamus
The Celtic Warrior debuted in WWE’s developmental system as Sheamus O’Shaunessy. By the time of his main roster debut on WWE ECW in 2009, the name was shortened to Sheamus. The streamlined moniker didn’t hinder his success, as he ended the year as WWE Champion after defeating John Cena.
Riddle
Originally known as Matt Riddle, WWE shortened the Original Bro’s name in 2020. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the change was influenced by Riddle’s MMA background and his association with marijuana.
Carlito
The Judgment Day star has been wrestling as Carlito, fans may have forgotten that he debuted in 2004 as Carlito Caribbean Cool. It wasn’t long before WWE ditched two-thirds of the former U.S. Champion’s name, and Carlito has gone by one moniker ever since.
The Rock
Perhaps the most successful example of a name change, “The Rock” was born from the transition of Dwayne Johnson’s initial persona, “Rocky Maivia.” The shift not only marked a turning point in his career but also cemented his legacy. To this day, even non-wrestling fans recognize “The Rock” as a cultural icon.
Jeff Jarrett made a huge announcement about his future during this week’s AEW Dynamite, the promotion’s annual Fight For The Fallen event.
In a backstage segment with his wife Karen by his side, the Jarretts spoke about this being a difficult decision, but the pair remain “unbreakable.” Transitioning to the ring, Jeff wished the fans in North Carolina a “slappy new year,” and reflected on the many highlights of his legendary career. Along the way, Jarrett acknowledged launching TNA Wrestling in 2002, though did so without naming the promotion.
"The Last Outlaw" is thinking about the past and HIS future, but why?
Holding up his boots, Jarrett asked fans if they wanted to see him ride off into the sunset, which the audience was vehemently against. Jarrett said he isn’t ready to step away just yet either, but that he has signed his final contract as an active professional wrestler.
Jarrett shared his aspirations of capturing gold one more time, he made it clear that he isn’t aiming for a trios title. Instead, Jarrett is setting his sights on a much higher title, the AEW World Championship and declared himself for the Casino Gauntlet Match on the January 8 episode of AEW Dynamite.
Leland Owens, known for filing lawsuits against WWE and UFC has had his case against AEW and Byan Danielson officially dismissed. On December 26, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington dismissed Owens’ case, the latest in a series of peculiar claims.
The lawsuit, filed on December 13, alleged “intellectual property infringement” and “theft” of ideas Owens claimed to have shared with Danielson. Owens stated he created the name “Shockwave,” which AEW trademarked as a potential show name, though such an event has yet to be confirmed. He also linked “Shockwave” to an undefined “Engage PPV or PLE” without providing any clear explanation. Owens sought either “a reasonable offer” or full rights to his alleged ideas, while also citing “emotional stress” in his complaint.
Just two weeks later, on December 27, Owens filed another lawsuit—this time against the United States Government. In this filing, Owens claimed he provided the government with film and television ideas, as well as inventions, but received no compensation. Owens named Bryan Danielson, Mercedes Moné, Vince McMahon, and Donald Trump as parties involved in this alleged wrongdoing, and again cited “emotional stress” and demanded”reasonable payments” and recognition.
Now, both of these cases have been dismissed, with the court citing Owens’ failure to establish federal jurisdiction. However, the dismissal was without prejudice, leaving open the possibility for Owens to revisit the matter in the future.
This isn’t the first time Owens has taken aim at the wrestling world. In a previous lawsuit against WWE, he accused Stephanie McMahon of making disparaging remarks about his daughter, allegedly leading to a hush-money offer. He has also claimed that Danielson and Mone, during their time in WWE, were involved in misusing his intellectual property. Neither of these suits saw him receive a penny from WWE.
2025 is upon us and for many, this is a time to set resolutions and goals for the new year. With 12 months ahead, the Superstars of WWE have revealed what goals they have in mind, both in and out of the ring, for the new year.
Liv Morgan, fresh off a stellar 2024, has set her sights high. The Judgment Day star plans to solidify her legacy as “the greatest Women’s World Champion of all time” and aims to capture the Women’s Tag Team Titles alongside Raquel Rodriguez. On a personal note, Morgan shared her intention to “flourish my perfect relationship with Daddy Dom.”
CM Punk is determined to prove why he’s known as the “Best in the World” by winning the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble and securing “all the titles.” Outside the ring, Punk promises to ensure The New Day continues using the janitor’s closet as their dressing room. He also declared his intent to shave Dominik Mysterio’s mustache.
Dominik Mysterio has a different kind of aspiration: to be less “misunderstood and hated.” According to Mysterio, he sees himself as a “cool guy,” and hopes 2025 will be the year fans start to agree.
For The New Day, 2025 represents a chance to reclaim their glory as champions and plan on holding gold once more now they’ve ditched Big E. The group hasn’t held tag titles since April 2021 and looks to end that drought in the coming months.
Kevin Owens‘ 2025 goal is to remind fans that he is the “true, rightful WWE Champion.” Owens plans to hold onto the title for the next decade and will have the chance to prove he’s worthy to be champion at next month’s Royal Rumble.
WWE Superstar Omos has kicked 2025 off to a strong start by becoming one-half of the GHC Tag Team Champions. At Pro Wrestling NOAH’s New Year 2025 event, Omos teamed with Jack Morris to end the reign of Naomichi Marufuji and Takashi Sugiura. The new champions were joined by former WWE Superstar Yoshi Tatsu.
This match marked Omos’ in-ring debut for NOAH, who last competed in WWE during the April 5, 2024, edition of SmackDown as part of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
— ?????????? ?PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) January 1, 2025
Omos’ involvement with NOAH is the latest example of WWE being willing to work with other promotions. In 2024 alone, WWE partnered with NOAH, Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, Marigold, and TNA Wrestling. However, Omos is the first WWE Superstar to win a non-WWE championship since the Sports Entertainment juggernaut began working with other promotions.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Omos, now that the Nigerian Giant has the GHC Tag Team Championships in his colossal clutches.
WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque and members of the McMahon family celebrated the arrival of 2025 with Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago. On X, Andrew Guliana, son of former New York City mayor Rudy Guliani, shared a photo with the Game.
Levesque didn’t attend the festivities alone, as Stephanie McMahon and Linda McMahon also attended. The elder McMahon has been touted by President-Elect Trump to lead the Department of Education despite no history in teaching. In 2010, McMahon stepped down from Connecticut’s Board of Education, and it was reported days later that she had falsely claimed her bachelors degree was in education (it is in French.)
The President-Elect and his wife Melania were also seen celebrating at Mar-A-Lago, though it’s unclear if Vince McMahon joined his daughter and son-in-law in Florida. The 79-year-old former Chairman of WWE is a known friend of Trump and is currently facing Janel Grant’s lawsuit alleging sexual trafficking.
While Triple H and the McMahons were spotted at Mar-A-Lago, WWE opts not to reference Trump on TV, despite his status as a WWE Hall of Famer. Given the ongoing toxic nature of politics, the Sports Entertainment juggernaut opts to avoid the topic altogether, despite Trump’s recent victory and McMahon’s apparent appointment in his cabinet.
Joe Hendry had a huge 2024, both in TNA Wrestling and WWE NXT, but could fans be seeing the viral star on Monday Night Raw very soon?
During this week’s episode of WWE NXT, Hendry made a cameo appearance to accept the award for “Moment of the Year.” The TNA star graciously acknowledged the honor and playfully reminded fans that his catchphrase “Say his name and he appears” means “anywhere, any time, any show.” Immediately after, WWE teased Raw’s highly anticipated debut on Netflix, fueling speculation that Hendry might make a surprise appearance on the January 6 episode.
Joe Hendry appearing on NXT was chosen as the Moment of the Year ??
Joe Hendry also teased that if you say his name, that means "anywhere, anytime, ANY SHOW" ?
Hendry appearing would certainly be a highlight of what is gearing up to be one of the biggest episodes of Monday Night Raw in history. Current plans for the show include:
Main Event: CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins
Tribal Combat: Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa
Last Woman Standing for the Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
Singles Match: Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre
John Cena’s Retirement Tour Begins
Music Performance: Travis Scott, the creator of Raw’s new theme song, will be live.
Whether Hendry is on WWE Raw or not, January 2025 will be a massive month for the Scottish star. At TNA Genesis on January 19, Hendry will challenge Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Championship. Hendry has come up short twice before with the title on the line, first at Slammiversary and later at Bound for Glory thanks to the interference on John Layfield.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Joe Hendry, and whether the popular star does appear on Raw’s Netflix debut as teased.
2024 was a monumental year for the world of professional wrestling, from the WWE exit of Vince McMahon to huge signings in AEW. With 2024 officially at an end, many in the world of wrestling are looking back at the year that was.
On X, WWE NXT Tag Team Champion Nathan Frazer reflected on teaming with Axiom, adding that the pair have become like brothers.
2024… it’s been a year that neither of us could have ever predicted.
Somehow we stumbled upon being one of, if not the best tag team in the world right now. And through it all, we’ve legitimately become brothers.
IYO SKY had an impressive 2024, including walking into WrestleMania as Women’s Champion. The Damage CTRL star also competed outside WWE and is ready to do even bigger things in 2025.
2024 was a great year with many of my dreams coming true! I will continue to fly even higher in 2025!????
NXT Superstar Arianna Grace ended 2024 with a party of her own, and hopes that 2025 proves to be as beautiful as the Beauty Pagent queen.
Watching NXT on CW is the best way to bring in the new year. Get your champagne popping to the show, that is also my home, NXT! ???? happy new years my little beauty queens. May your year ahead be as beautiful as me, I love you all so much! @WWENXTpic.twitter.com/oEhohCNseZ
Michin shared that she can’t wait to see what 2025 brings for everyone and included a photo of herself and her husband Keith Lee. The Limitless One has been out of action since December 2023.
Thank you for an incredible 2024! Can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for us all. Manifesting success !!
WWE legend Victoria, a key woman in the Ruthless Aggression Era, has officially reconnected with the company by signing a Legends deal. This week, the former WWE Women’s Champion shared her excitement over the deal during live signing on Whatnot.
“I was so excited about getting the Nostalgic Legends contract… That [WWE] is my home, and I’m just very proud to be a part of the company still.”
A WWE Legends deal allows for WWE to produce new merchandise for those who sign, as well as use them in video games. During the stream, Victoria shared that “I’ll be in the WWE games,” introducing a new generation of fans to the veteran. Her last appearance in a WWE game was in Smackdown vs. Raw 2009, released in 2008.
Though there are obvious perks to her role as a WWE Legends deal signee, Victoria doesn’t want to take advantage of her new role. When asked, Victoria made clear she doesn’t expect any freebies, even with WWE coming to her home town on San Diego for SmackDown on January 17.
“I don’t ask for free tickets. I think someone said, ‘Do you get free tickets for WrestleMania?’ I go, ‘Absolutely not. Are you kidding me? I wouldn’t even ask. I’d be embarrassed.’”
Victoria last competed for WWE in the 2021 Women’s Royal Rumble match, which was ultimately won by Bianca Belair. With this new deal to her name, fans shouldn’t count a return from the legendary wrestler, which could spell disaster for WWE’s current women’s roster.
OVW’s Class of 2002
Victoria (Lisa Maria Varon) was part of the legendary Ohio Valley Wrestling Class of 2002, widely considered to be the most successful WWE developmental class in history.
This iconic group of raw potential went on to become some of the biggest stars in professional wrestling, dominating the industry for generations to come.
The core members of the class included a few names you’ve probably heard of: John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista (Dave Bautista), Brock Lesnar, Shelton Benjamin and Victoria (Lisa Marie Varon).
Posted January 1st, 2025 in WWE. Tagged: Victoria.
2024 was a huge year for WWE NXT, with exceptional matches and moments over the 12 months. During the final WWE NXT of 2024, the silver brand handed out its end-of-year results.
Here’s a look at some other wrestling-inspired projects already available for streaming:
Fighting With My Family: A biographical comedy-drama film that tells the origins of WWE’s Paige [now AEW’s Saraya] and her journey from a wrestling family in Norwich, England, to becoming one of wrestling’s most captivating female stars.
Mr. McMahon: This docuseries delves into Vince McMahon’s controversial leadership of WWE, highlighting the company’s record-breaking highs and significant challenges during his tenure.
Wrestlers: A documentary series offering an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), focusing on the organization’s new ownership and a roster of rising stars striving to make an impact beyond the ring.
The Big Show Show: A family sitcom featuring Paul ‘The Big Show’ Wight as a fictionalized version of himself, navigating life at home with his wife and three daughters after retiring from professional wrestling. Fans can expect cameos from Mick Foley, Mark Henry, and more.
The Queen of Villains: A Japanese miniseries focusing on the life of Dump Matsumoto, a notorious female wrestler from the 1980s, blending biographical drama with fictional elements to depict her rise as an intimidating figure in the wrestling world.
The Main Event: A family-friendly film where an 11-year-old boy discovers a magical wrestling mask that grants him super strength, allowing him to pursue his dream of becoming a WWE superstar.
Against The Ropes: A drama series that follows a woman recently released from prison who seeks to reconnect with her daughter by entering the world of lucha libre wrestling, embracing the sport’s challenges and culture.
GLOW: Set in the 1980s, this comedy-drama series chronicles the lives of a group of women who reinvent themselves as part of the iconic Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling promotion, blending personal struggles with the flamboyant world of televised wrestling.
Heels: A drama series centered on two brothers (played by Stephen and Robbie Amell) who run a family-owned wrestling promotion in small-town Georgia. Heels explores their personal and professional conflicts as they portray rivals in the ring.
30 for 30: Nature Boy: A documentary film from ESPN’s “30 for 30” series, profiling the life and career of professional wrestling legend Ric Flair, known as “Nature Boy,” highlighting his influence on the sport and personal challenges.
These projects show that there is a market for wrestling in the mainstream, and WWE will soon carve its own place on the world’s most popular streaming platform. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE and its exciting move to Netflix.
Posted December 31st, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: Netflix.
In a matter of days, WWE will arrive on Netflix, the product of a multi-year, multi-billion dollar deal between two juggernauts of entertainment. Soon, subscribers will have access to a bevy of WWE content, and what can fans expect to see in their recommendations?
WWE Monday Night Raw
Live broadcasts will commence on January 6, 2025. This marks the first time Raw is available exclusively on a streaming platform, and a stacked show has been announced.
WWE NXT and WWE SmackDown
WWE’s other two weekly shows will only be available for fans outside the United States. For fans in the U.S. NXT and SmackDown will remain on The CW and the USA Network, respectively.
Premium Live Events
Another exclusive to fans outside the United States, Netflix will play host to all future PLEs. The first of this new era will be the WWE Royal Rumble 2025 which will stream live on February 1.
Hosted by former WWE Champion Big E, this series revisits must-see matches and moments featuring WWE Superstars and Legends.
WWE Top 10
Fans will have the chance to relive the biggest and best matches in WWE history with appearances from Superstars like John Cena, Triple H, and Becky Lynch.
WWE Road to WrestleMania
Follow the action-packed path to WrestleMania, where top Superstars raise the stakes with thrilling matches and unforgettable moments.
WWE Superstar Profiles
Get up close and personal with WWE’s brightest stars as they chase championships and glory in front of the WWE Universe.
WWE Legends Profiles
Celebrate the legends who’ve made history inside the ring with unforgettable matches and jaw-dropping moments.
Archival Content
Netflix will host a selection of WWE’s extensive archive, including classic pay-per-view events and memorable matches. Though every show is not expected to be available at launch, placeholder pages suggest that select programming will be included.
WWE on Netflix will launch on January 1, following the closure of the WWE Network on December 31, 2024. Stay tuned to SEScoops for a close look at WWE’s exciting future on Netflix.
Posted December 31st, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: Netflix.
For decades, Vince McMahon ruled over WWE with an iron fist, with rules and methods, some of which on the surface, seemed like madness to fans. This week, John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield was on the Something to Wrestle podcast and shared new insight to McMahon’s approach to commentary.
“Vince didn’t like a lot of things like ‘very,’. Like you’re ‘very’ happy… Vince didn’t like that because he thought it sounded redneck-ish, stupid.”
Another word the ‘very’ wealthy McMahon discouraged was “that,” which he felt signaled a lack of proper diction. JBL gave the example in which commentators were required to specify whether a left or right arm was being targeted, rather than ambiguously referring to “that” arm.
JBL initially joined WWE’s commentary team in 2006 but returned to active in-ring competition in late 2007. Following Jerry Lawler’s heart attack in 2012, JBL stepped back behind the commentary desk, where he remained a fixture on Raw and SmackDown until 2017.
These insights further illustrate McMahon’s micromanagement style, which shaped WWE commentary for decades. In 2008, Mick Foley had a brief stint as a commentator but described McMahon’s control as overbearing. Earlier this year, Michael Cole shared that McMahon’s demands during live tapings were not only intense but occasionally crossed professional boundaries, noting, “He said things to me that were inappropriate.”
Nowadays, McMahon’s time screaming in headsets is a distant memory and Triple H has adopted a fresh approach with those behind the desk. Nevertheless, McMahon’s dominating attitude remains fresh in the minds of those who felt his wrath on the headset for decades.
R-Truth has a knack for making his fellow WWE Superstars crack up on-screen, though the veteran never tries to make anybody ‘break.’ Over the years, Truth’s comedic antics have led to many Superstars failing to hide their smiles and laughter,
In a recent episode of the Insightpodcast, R-Truth explained that despite his reputation, he doesn’t aim to disrupt his peers’ performances.
“I haven’t tried to break anybody, it just happens… A lot of people when they’re in a promo with me… I think their guard is up so much.”
In January 2020, Truth got a rare smile from Brock Lesnar during a segment in which Truth threatened to eliminate Paul Heyman from that year’s Men’s Royal Rumble. On the podcast, Truth named the segment as the one he’s most proud of and recalled a backstage bet.
“I was like, ‘What bet?’ He [Paul Heyman] is like, ‘That you can make Brock laugh’… And that was the most impromptu thing that just came off like sliced bread.”
It’s not just the Beast Incarnate’s who’s been rib-tickled by Truth. In recent years, the former U.S. Champion has repeatedly mistaken Triple Ha and Tomasso Ciampa for another.
“Hunter was another one… ‘ I’m not going to break, this is going to be business’… I know what to say to [get him to break]. And that was one of the moments I was waiting on.”
Even John Cena isn’t immune to Truth’s funny bone, as the WWE icon has been caught out by his former adversary. On the podcast, Truth shared that praising Cena as his ‘childhood hero’ always gets to Cena, five years his junior.
“I broke him too with that one. That was good, man. And they’re still running with it. I love it.”
At 52 years old, R-Truth is enjoying what he calls “the most fun” of his career as his humor continues to bring joy to fans and colleagues alike. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on R-Truth and his ongoing ability to bring smiles to the faces of even the most serious performers.
Posted December 31st, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: R-Truth.
Sheamus is back on WWE programming, and the Celtic Warrior foresees a huge 2025 in his future as part of the new era of Monday Night Raw.
During this week’s Raw, the final episode before the red brand’s highly anticipated move to Netflix, Sheamus attacked Ludwig Kaiser, marking his first appearance since Survivor Series: WarGames. At the event, both Sheamus and Kaiser unsuccessfully challenged WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker.
Following Raw, WWE cameras caught up with Sheamus, who vowed more beatdowns for Kaiser and outlined his ambitious plans for the upcoming year.
“2025 is gonna be the year of the Celtic Warrior. Bron Breakker, see you. There’s a match with you… a match the world wants to see so I can finally defeat you and get my ultimate dream of becoming Intercontinental Champion.”
In recent years, Sheamus has challenged for the Intercontinental Championship five times in aired matches but has come up short every time. These losses have seen Sheamus battle in a series of acclaimed matches with GUNTHER and now Bron Breakker. The title is the final piece of Sheamus’ quest to achieve the coveted Grand Slam.
As Sheamus prepares to dominate WWE’s new era, fans are eagerly watching to see if 2025 will truly be the year of the Celtic Warrior. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Sheamus’ journey toward wrestling history.
Posted December 31st, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: Sheamus.
The excitement didn’t end after this week’s Raw, as a thrilling six-man tag team street fight sent the Houston crowd home happy. This week’s episode marked the final Raw of the year and the last televised installment ahead of the much-anticipated move to Netflix on January 6.
After WWE Raw (December 30)
After the show went off the air, fans were treated to an electrifying street fight as The New Day joined forces with Santos Escobar to battle Rey Mysterio, Jey Uso, and LA Knight. The trio of fan-favorite babyfaces secured the victory, much to the delight of the energetic Houston audience.
Our Dark Match tonight is a 6 man tag team street fight with La knight , Rey Mysterio and Jey Uso vs Santos Escobar and New Day #WWERawpic.twitter.com/r0C0ALQ4OX
The New Day has been at odds with Mysterio as of late, with Rey making clear to their pair that they are no longer welcome in the locker room. Last week, Mysterio offered an olive branch, saying an apology for betraying Big E would go a long way into the pair being welcomed back but Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods refused to share any remorse.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE Monday Night Raw, as the company prepares to embark on a new era for the red brand on Netflix.
