Drew McIntyre is gearing up for an intense clash with Cody Rhodes, in a program that promises emotional and physical turmoil for both Superstars. During a recent TikTok livestream, the Scottish Warrior hinted at major developments on the horizon.

“I don’t want to give too much away. It’s going to be significant when the time comes… The world is going to be along for the ride. Feelings will be hurt, bodies will be,” McIntyre teased.

Drawing parallels between their careers, McIntyre noted that both he and Rhodes left WWE at different points, only to return as larger-than-life Superstars. McIntyre highlighted that he “redefined what independent wrestling meant” during his time away, while Rhodes made waves by co-founding AEW.

“Cody and I, it’s going to be big when it happens.”

The two share a history as a tag team, having briefly held the WWE Tag Team Championships in 2010 for a 35-day reign, which was cut short by the unlikely duo of John Cena and David Otunga. More recently, McIntyre secured a victory over Rhodes on the February 19, 2024, episode of WWE Raw.

Currently, both Superstars are entrenched in high-profile storylines—McIntyre with the OG Bloodline and Rhodes with Kevin Owens. However, McIntyre’s words suggest that fans won’t have to wait long for these two top-tier talents to collide once again.

Drew McIntyre: ‘It’s Awesome’ to See Friends Succeed in AEW

WWE’s global reach is set to expand even further in 2025 as the company intensifies its focus on international markets. Chris Legentil, WWE’s executive VP of talent relations and head of communications, shared insights this week on the Sports Business Journal Sports Media podcast, discussing WWE’s evolving approach to premium live events (PLEs) and its groundbreaking partnership with Netflix.

“This year alone, we did more than half our (premium live events) outside the U.S.”

A major component of this international strategy is WWE’s collaboration with Netflix, which will now host PLEs for fans outside the U.S. Legentil explained that the partnership will influence the selection of future event locations.

“We’re going to be working with them [Netflix] hand-in-hand to select locations across the world where we can grow our audience and hopefully gain some subscribers for them.”

In 2024, WWE staged eight main-roster PLEs outside the United States, with notable events in Germany, Scotland, France, Australia, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. The trend continues in 2025, with Elimination Chamber confirmed for March 1 in Toronto, Canada. Meanwhile, UK fans eagerly await news of a potential WrestleMania, following John Cena’s tease during Money in the Bank 2023.

Cody Rhodes Shares Five-Year Vision For WrestleMania In The UK

As WWE cements its status as a global wrestling powerhouse, fans can look forward to even more international PLEs in the years ahead. For the latest updates on WWE’s premium live events, stay tuned to SEScoops, and visit our Events hub for all upcoming show details.

At TNA Final Resolution, Tessa Blanchard made her much-anticipated return to the promotion, marking her first appearance for TNA in over four years. However, her comeback has sparked widespread criticism online, with many fans voicing disapproval over TNA’s decision to bring back the controversial former World Champion.

Wrestling Fans React to Tessa Blanchard’s Polarizing TNA Return

Lance Storm, who works as a producer for TNA Wrestling, was backstage during Final Resolution. Speaking to Figure Four Daily, Storm shared his observations on the backstage atmosphere.

“I only saw positive responses and interactions. Most people don’t want to make a scene, so if there were people who weren’t happy about it, they kept quiet.”

Blanchard’s previous departure from TNA (then known as Impact Wrestling) in 2020 followed accusations of bullying and the use of racist language. In 2023, she and La Rosa Negra—the wrestler who alleged Blanchard had directed a racial slur at her—were seen together smiling, suggesting the pair had reconciled.

Storm also shared his personal perspective on Blanchard’s return. He believes the second-generation wrestler deserves a second chance but feels her refusal to apologize for past allegations has only prolonged the controversy.

“People deserve second chances. I don’t know if mistakes—no matter how bad—should follow you for the rest of your life.”

Blanchard’s return to TNA began with a dramatic attack on Jordynne Grace, igniting a feud between the two. Reports suggest that Grace was initially reluctant to work with Blanchard. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on Tessa Blanchard’s comeback and her evolving storyline in TNA Wrestling.

This week’s ROH Final Battle will mark Billie Starkz’s second consecutive challenge against Athena, following her narrow defeat in last year’s main event. In an interview with SEScoops‘ Ella Jay, Starkz reflected on her growth since her previous encounter with the Forever Champion.

“Genuinely just being able to be in the AEW environment. Being around all these women and learning over the last year, I feel like I’ve grown as a competitor. I’m 10 times the monster that I was at the last Final Battle.”

Before their rivalry intensified, Athena served as a mentor to Starkz during their time in ROH. However, the champion’s mistreatment of her “minion” ultimately ended their partnership. While Starkz is determined to dethrone Athena this week, she acknowledged the champion’s influence on her career.

“She’s a great mentor. She’s one of the smartest brains in wrestling and she’s been doing this for over a decade. I feel like Athena is willing to help out women’s wrestling but in the most narcissistic way.”

Athena’s self-assuredness is not without merit. Since capturing the ROH Women’s World Title in December 2022, she has defended it 25 times against competitors such as Starkz, Marina Shafir, and Willow Nightingale. Athena not only holds the record for the longest reign as ROH Women’s Champion but also the longest reign of any ROH Champion in history, regardless of sex.

Athena Says Billie Starkz Match Will Main Event ROH Final Battle 2024

ROH Final Battle 2024 will take place on December 20, from the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from the show, and whether Starkz can do what no woman has been able to when stepping in the ring with Athena.

WWE’s resident Final Boss, The Rock, did not hold back when preparing for his much-anticipated return to the ring at this year’s WrestleMania. On Night One, The Rock competed in his first full-length match in over a decade, while Night Two saw him make a high-profile appearance in the main event between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.

In an interview with PEOPLE, the Brahma Bull reflected on the grueling preparation required to get back into peak ring-shape.

“It’s incredibly hard. The training becomes really extensive, and the training camp becomes extensive. I went [to] training camp for WrestleMania, which was about an eight- to nine-week training camp.”

Despite the intensity, the Hollywood A-Lister successfully powered through the rigorous training. Along the way, he had support from the NXT trio Gallus, who ensured his in-ring performance met fans’ high expectations.

The WWE Universe last saw The Rock during his surprise cameo at WWE Bad Blood, where he reignited his feud with Cody Rhodes. Speculation has since swirled about a potential appearance when WWE Raw debuts on Netflix, though no confirmation has been made.

With his WrestleMania comeback deemed a success, fans are already looking forward to seeing The Rock back in action in 2025, with a role at WrestleMania 41 looking increasingly likely. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on The Rock, who is holding nothing back to ensure he’s at his very best in the ring.

Conor McGregor is feeling immensely confidence as he continuues to tease a potential showdown with Logan Paul, promising not just a win but a knockout of the “novice.” Taking to X (formerly Twitter), McGregor showcased his trademark bravado to hype up the possible fight.

Earlier this week, McGregor revealed discussions with the wealthy Ambani family about hosting a boxing exhibition in India against WWE’s resident “Maverick.” The MMA star has been out of competition since 2021, with a planned return to the octagon earlier this year canceled due to a broken toe. Meanwhile, Logan Paul recently suffered a defeat to LA Knight at SummerSlam 2024 in his most recent WWE appearance.

Logan Paul Joins WWE Raw On Netflix Roster

A Paul vs. McGregor bout would undoubtedly draw massive attention, but it could also spark controversy given both competitors’ histories. McGregor was recently found liable in a civil rape case involving Nikita Hand, resulting in a $250,000 payout to the victim, though the fighter intends to appeal. Paul has faced his share of scandals as well, both prior to and during his WWE tenure.

Paul has kept quiet about McGregor’s request for a match, but recently shared a screennshot of McGregor’s tweet with the ‘eyes’ emoji. The Prime viral sensation is at least entertaining McGregor’s trash talk, because he knows the value of keeping his name out there even if this never gets past the hype stage.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on the hypothetical Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul fight, a possible collision between two of the biggest names in combat sports and entertainment.

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) have announced a new media rights agreement that will make AEW’s programming available across more platforms. Beginning January 1, 2025, AEW content will expand to include streaming on the Max platform in addition to traditional TV broadcasts.

Key Highlights of the New Agreement

Continued Broadcasts on TBS and TNT

AEW Dynamite will remain on Wednesdays on TBS, while AEW Collision stays on Saturdays on TNT.

Streaming on Max

U.S. subscribers of Max will, for the first time, have the option to stream Dynamite and Collision live, with episodes available on-demand after their initial broadcast.

Content Library Expansion

Max will add AEW’s content library, including episodes of Dynamite, Collision, Rampage, and pay-per-view events from 2019 through 2024. The rollout will include highlights such as Dynamite’s inaugural year and the most recent two months of programming.

Special New Year’s Events to Launch the Partnership

• AEW Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen: Premiering on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, this special event will air live on TBS and Max from Asheville, NC. Proceeds will support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in the region.
• AEW Collision: The first Saturday broadcast under the new deal will air live on January 4, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET from Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC, on TNT and Max.

Pay-Per-View Integration on Max

Starting later in 2025, AEW pay-per-view events will also become available on Max. Additional details, including pricing, will be announced closer to the launch.

This agreement is a significant move to increase AEW’s accessibility and integrate its content into Max’s slate of live sports and entertainment programming.

CM Punk shocked the world when he returned to WWE, a promotion that the Best In The World never wanted to leave in the first place. Speaking at this week’s Raw on Netflix event, Punk addressed his comeback at last year’s Survivor Series: WarGames.

“I never honestly wanted to leave, but you know, stuff happens. This [being back in WWE] has been a dream come true for me.”

Punk infamously walked out of WWE in January 2014, and has chalked up his decision to a number of factors. Not only did the former World Champion feel burned out, but a misdiagonsed staph infection, mixed with inadequate time to heal, led to his decision.

Punk was handed his termination papers on his wedding day in June of that year, timing that Vince McMahon would later state was an unfortunate coincidence. Now back in WWE under the creative direction of Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, Punk is already reasserting himself as a top name in wrestling, and plans to do so for a long time to come.

CM Punk Match Confirmed For WWE Raw Netflix Debut

Other Highlights

CM Punk had plenty to say during his appearance at the WWE Raw on Netflix launch event, including:

• He said his torn triceps injury would’ve ended some other careers, adding that it’s the worst thing to happen to him.
• Now that he’s back, Punk is seeing 2025 as a fresh start after his 2024 did not go according to plan.
• Punk teased that he and others will “break new ground” on Netflix and said it’s “really exciting” to be a part of the January 6, move.

Ivar of the War Raiders is thrilled to be back in the ring, though lingering effects from his recent injury continue to impact him. Alongside his partner Erik, the duo returned to action in October after significant absences for both men. For Ivar, his time away began in April due to a severe neck issue.

On the Insight podcast, Ivar provided an update on his recovery, noting significant improvements:

“I’ve got most of my mobility back to my neck. It’s a little stiff now because I have another herniation, but I still have very good range of motion.”

Despite his progress, Ivar acknowledged that some effects of the injury are permanent and will stay with him throughout his life.

“I do have permanent nerve damage and nerve pain in my hands, and that will never go away. That’s something I live with.”

These challenges haven’t stopped Ivar and Erik from reclaiming their spot at the top. On the latest episode of WWE Raw, the War Raiders captured the World Tag Team Championships with an assist from Damian Priest. The victory ended the 188-day reign of Finn Balor and JD McDonagh, a run that saw only three televised title defenses.

The War Raiders Reflect On Long, Brutal Road After World Tag Title Victory

Ivar’s battle with permanent nerve damage underscores the physical toll professional wrestlers endure to pursue their dreams and entertain fans. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more updates on the War Raiders as they dominate the Raw tag team division.

Both in WWE and AEW, the trio of MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin have been a dominant force, first as the Hurt Business and now as the Hurt Syndicate. Now, Shelton Benjamin has compared the faction to another dominant group in entertainment: Marvel’s The Avengers.

On the AEW Unrestricted podcast, Benjamin made his comparison to the superhero group, which includes Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer.

“MVP is clearly Tony Stark, I would like to say I’m somewhere between Thor and Captain America, but Bobby is clearly The Hulk [laughs]. That is the dynamic that I like.”

In both movies and comics, The Avengers boasts a large roster, and the Hurt Syndicate could soon be adding names to its ranks. Shortly after MVP’s arrival in AEW, he handed business cards to Mercedes Mone and The Acclaimed’s Max Caster, though neither have officially joined yet.

Much like The Avengers, which features an ever-expanding roster in movies and comics, the Hurt Syndicate appears poised to grow its ranks. Shortly after MVP’s arrival in AEW, he handed business cards to Mercedes Moné and The Acclaimed’s Max Caster. However, neither has officially joined the faction—at least not yet.

Recently, Ricochet hinted at aligning with the group, even teasing a heel turn during last week’s Dynamite. On this week’s episode, Ricochet’s attempt to ingratiate himself with the faction backfired when the business card previously handed to him by MVP was torn up. Despite this rejection, MVP and his allies left “The One and Only” unharmed, teasing that Ricochet’s hopes of becoming a member may not be entirely dashed.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on the Hurt Syndicate and their evolving recruitment efforts.

AEW’s MJF cemented his place on the naughty list during the “Holiday Bash” edition of Dynamite with sharp comments about Santa Claus. Sporting Hanukkah-themed attire, MJF made his entrance at Washington’s Entertainment and Sports Arena, wasting no time in dismissing the local crowd—and the Washington Wizards.

While declaring he’s no Scrooge, MJF said this was the most wonderful time of the year because Hanukkah is approaching. For those who don’t celebrate, he added that Santa isn’t real and unapologetically doubled down. The crowd responded with chants for Kris Kringle.

Switching gears back to wrestling, MJF mocked Adam Cole, referring to him as a “starving, freakishly small child.” Promoting AEW’s World’s End pay-per-view, MJF shared a QR code for ticket purchases, sarcastically vowing that proceeds would help “put Cole out of his misery.”

Despite MJF’s taunts, Adam Cole managed to get the upper hand. Appearing on the titantron, Cole revealed he had spoken to Tony Khan and would settle their feud at World’s End. To drive his point home, Cole ambushed MJF with a surprise superkick in the ring. Though the Salt of the Earth escaped before Cole could deliver the Panama Sunrise, the message was clear.

MJF and Cole will clash at next week’s World’s End pay-per-view, marking the one-year anniversary of Cole’s shocking reveal as the Devil. Stay tuned to SEScoops for breaking news and live results from World’s End.

Dave Bautista’s transition from WWE heavyweight to Hollywood powerhouse has been nothing short of extraordinary. After a series of low-profile films, Bautista’s breakout role came with Marvel in 2014, and now the Animal is part of several high-budget franchises. In addition to his on-screen work, Bautista has his own production company, Dogbone Entertainment, which has reached a major deal.

As first reported by Deadline, Bautista and Dogbone Entertainment have aligned with WME (William Morris Endeavor,) a noteworthy development considering that WME is the primary owner of TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company. This strategic move marks another significant milestone in his impressive career as the Animal continues to succeed both on and off camera.

Dogbone Entertainment, a full-service production company, focuses on creating captivating content for both film and television. Its projects emphasizes action-packed narratives with heart, sharp comedies, and compelling dramas that inspire meaningful conversations. Notable projects under Dogbone’s belt include My Spy: The Eternal City for Amazon, The Killer’s Game for Lionsgate, and In the Lost Lands.

Dave Batista Hopes to Make Directorial Debut in 2025

Despite the success of his production company, Bautista’s time in front of the camera is far from over. Earlier this month, the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion was confirmed for a major project with Anne Hathaway with Dogbone aiding with production. Fans have also caught their first look at Bautista in The Last Showgirl, in which the Animal sports a dramatic new look.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Dave Bautista as the wrestling legend continues to be a force to be reckoned with in entertainment outside of the squared circle.

This week, The New York Times reported that Lee Fitting, WWE’s Head of Media and Production, created a hostile work environment for women during his lengthy tenure with ESPN. Among his alleged actions, Fitting reportedly asked for the hotel room numbers of female staff and on at least one occasion, encouraged a staff member to sit on his lap.

Read More On The Claims Against WWE’s Lee Fitting

In light of the report from The Athletic, representatives for Janel Grant issued the following statement:

Janel Grant’s Spokesperson Responds to New Allegations of Top WWE Producer’s Abusive Workplace History

WWE continues to cultivate an unsafe work environment by employing alleged predators and silencing survivors of harassment and workplace misconduct

NEW YORK – Today, Kendra Barkoff-Lamy, the spokesperson for Janel Grant, released the following statement on The Athletic’s new reporting of decades of sexual misconduct and workplace harassment by Lee Fitting, former ESPN Senior Vice President of Production and current WWE Head of Media & Production.

“How can WWE claim they are committed to improving the company’s culture, and at the same time, hire a man earlier this year who was accused of sexual misconduct and workplace harassment in his previous role? The allegations against Lee Fitting during his time at ESPN are extremely concerning. Revelations like this are why Janel Grant’s lawyers sent a letter to WWE and Endeavor, urging them to release all current and former employees from their NDAs. The same old boys club who enabled Janel Grant’s abuse are continuing to put alleged predators in leadership roles, and this pattern must change once and for all.”

In October, attorneys for Ms. Grant sent a letter to WWE President Nick Khan, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and Endeavor (WWE’s parent company) CEO Ari Emanuel calling on WWE leadership to waive the company’s non-disclosure agreements and allow former and current employees, wrestlers and contractors to speak out about sexual misconduct, sexual assault, harassment, workplace aggression and the toxic culture at WWE. To date, there has been no response from WWE or Endeavor to the letter.

The full letter is available HERE

Grant alleges that Vince McMahon sexually abused and trafficked her during her time with WWE and that the company was complicit with the actions of the former Chairman. The case was recently unpaused while a federal investigation into McMahon is ongoing. A WWE spokesperson told the Times that they had no comment on the allegations against Fitting.

Lee Fitting, WWE’s Head of Media and Production, was reportedly dismissed from ESPN in August 2023 following allegations of workplace misconduct. Fitting, who spent over 25 years with ESPN, is credited with elevating College GameDay into one of the network’s flagship programs. His departure was confirmed in a memo by ESPN executive Norby Williamson. According to reports, security accompanied Fitting out of the building on the day of his termination.

The allegations, detailed by The New York Times, include claims from anonymous former female ESPN employees who accused Fitting of creating a hostile work environment. They allege he objectified women, criticized their physical appearance, and made inappropriate jokes, some of a sexual nature.

• In a 2012 meeting, Fitting reportedly commented that a woman (not present) could “open her throat” to down a beer, adding that this implied she’d excel at fellatio.
• During a 2014 meeting, he allegedly told a woman without a chair, “I’ve got a seat for you right here,” while gesturing to his lap.
• Asking female staffers for their hotel room numbers.
• Bragging about his and his wife’s sex life to colleagues.
• Dismissing complaints about crude remarks by labeling women as “no fun” or claiming his comments were acceptable as the women were “one of the guys.”
• Telling a female talent he wanted her in a ponytail and allegedly saying, “Put your hair up in a ponytail before I do it for you,” after she had already been through hair and makeup.
• Criticizing a female staffer’s on-air laugh, saying he found it annoying.

In 2023, a formal complaint to ESPN’s human resources department led to an internal investigation. Shortly thereafter, Fitting was dismissed from the company. One woman involved in the investigation told The New York Times, “It finally caught up to him.” Another remarked, “I can’t believe it took this long.” Fitting has denied some allegations through a spokesperson but declined to address claims of mistreatment or provide reasons for his departure from ESPN.

Fitting joined WWE later in 2023, succeeding Kevin Dunn as head of production. Fans have praised his contributions, particularly the removal of rapid camera cuts that defined Dunn’s 40-year tenure. Despite this acclaim, WWE declined to comment on the allegations against Fitting when approached by The New York Times.

WWE is currently facing unrelated legal challenges, including a lawsuit involving alleged abuse of minors, further fueling scrutiny of its corporate practices. This is a developing situation.

Jamie Hawn, the alleged victim of former AEW coach BJ Whitmer, has accused the promotion of “careless, egotistical, and inhumane actions” stemming from the 2023 incident. In June of that year, Whitmer entered the home of Hawn, his girlfriend at the time, and according to a police report, attempted to strangle her. Whitmer accepted an Alford Plea in March 2024, meaning he accepts any punishment handed but maintained that he was innocent.

BJ Whitmer Receives Sentence for Domestic Violence Charges

Now, Hawn has launched a GoFundMe, in which she shares that she is homeless and facing severe financial hardship. Hawn claims that she was provided emotional and financial support following the incident by AEW’s then-Chief Legal Officer Megha Parekh, including enhanced home security. That support came to an end when Chris Peck took over the role from Parekh in September 2023.

Hawn alleges Peck breached a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) by providing inaccurate and damaging information about her to Whitmer’s defense attorney. This information influenced the outcome of the case, Hawn adds, and left her unable to fully recover from what had transpired.

“I was brutally assaulted and then robbed of any chance of justice. Chris Peck single-handedly derailed my efforts to protect myself and my children.”

Hawn also alleges that Peck misrepresented her intentions in the case against Whitmer as financially motivated, a claim she believes was unfairly shared with the defense team. She has called on AEW to take accountability for Peck’s actions. Hawn says her original outreach to AEW was to advocate for better protections for domestic violence victims in the wrestling industry.

“My goal is to bring light to an issue to prevent others from being manipulated by a billion-dollar company at their most vulnerable state.”

The aftermath of the case has left Hawn and her three children living in their car. A recent vehicle breakdown left them stranded, and she now fears losing custody of her children. Funds raised through the GoFundMe will go toward securing immediate shelter, transportation for her children to attend school, and essentials such as food and winter clothing.

The wrestling community has taken notice of Hawn’s plight, with AEW star Miro contributing $500 to her campaign. Hawn’s GoFundMe page with further details on what transpired can be found here.

The 2024 WWE NXT Year End Awards are here, with fans once again having their say on who should take home prizes from the silver brand. Fans can vote by clicking here in six categories.

Male Superstar Of The Year

• WWE NXT Champion Trick Williams
• WWE NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo
• Oba Femi
• Ethan Page

Female Superstar Of The Year

• WWE NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez
• Kelani Jordan
• Lola Vice
• Jaida Parker

Tag Team Of The Year

• WWE NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom
• Meta-Four (Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson)
• Chase U
• Hank Walker & Tank Ledger

Moment Of The Year

• Tyrese Haliburton cuts down Orlando Crowd – Sept 17th NXT TV
• Jaida Parker smashing a brick on Lola Vice – ECW Arena – Nov 6th
• Carmelo Hayes turns on Trick Williams – Vengeance Day
• Trick Williams wins his first NXT Title – NXT Spring Breakin’ Week
• Joe Hendry in NXT
• Ethan Page falls into winning the NXT Title – Heatwave
• Wes Lee Turns on Zach Wentz and Trey Miguel – Aug 7th NXT TV
• Giulia Debuts – No Mercy
• NXT launches on the CW Network in Chicago
• Ten Women Tag Team Match Main Events ECW – Nov 6th
• Chase U calendar sales save Chase U from going bankrupt

Match Of The Year

• Ilja Dragunov vs. Trick Williams – NXT Title – Vengeance Day
• Oba Femi vs. Josh Briggs vs. Dijak – North American Title – Stand & Deliver
• Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs. Andre Chase & Duke Hudson – NXT Tag Team Title Match – Heatwave
• Roxanne Perez vs. Thea Hail – Women’s Title – Great American Bash Week 1 (7/30)
• Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge – Deadline
• Kelani Jordan vs. Sol Ruca – Women’s North American Title – Heatwave

Best PLE/Show of The Year

• New Year’s Evil
• Vengeance Day
• Roadblock
• Stand and Deliver
• Spring Breakin’
• Battleground
• Great American Bash
• Heatwave
• No Mercy
• Halloween Havoc
• NXT 2300
• Deadline

2024 has been a huge year for WWE NXT with massive changes and huge debuts. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE NXT.

A new trailer for Queen of the Ring, a biopic chronicling the life and career of wrestling legend Mildred Burke, debuted this week.

An official synopsis reads:

“In a time when pro wrestling for women was illegal across the country, a small-town single mother embraces the danger to change culture as she dominates America’s most masculine sport, becoming the first million-dollar female athlete in history.”

Emily Bett Rickards (Arrow) stars as Mildred Burke, arguably the most prominent figure in women’s wrestling from the 1930s to the 1950s. Wrestling fans will recognize AEW’s Kamille portraying June Byers, one of Burke’s longtime rivals. The cast also features Britt Baker as Debbie Nichols, Toni Storm as Clara Mortensen, and WWE’s Trinity “Naomi” Fatu as Ethel Johnson.

Queen of the Ring premiered at the Buffalo International Film Festival in October and is set to hit theaters in March of next year. The production team hopes to replicate the critical success of The Iron Claw, A24’s biopic on the Von Erich family, which earned widespread acclaim upon its release last year.

Review: ‘The Iron Claw’ Makes You Thankful For Family & The Von Erich Legacy

Burke’s influence in wrestling remains unparalleled. The NWA World Women’s Championship is also referred to as “The Burke” in honor of its first-ever champion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more updates on Queen of the Ring ahead of its theatrical release.

WWE taped the December 24, episode of WWE NXT tonight from the Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA. This taping will allow talent and crew to have more time with their families over the holiday period. Below are the complete spoiler results for the taped show:

Stephanie Vaquer Vs. Cora Jade saw Vaquer score a clean win. After the match, Kelani Jordan attacked Jade with a Kendo Stick. Vaquer stepped in to stop Kelani going too far, and the former Women’s North American Champion stormed to the back.

NXT Heritage Cup: Charlie Dempsey Vs. Lexis King: Dempsey had Wren Sinclair in his corner while King had William Regal. The British legend, annoyed at King’s refusal to use brass knuckles, took matters into his own hands and decked him. Dempsey grabbed the knuckles, only to be framed by King. The ref disqualified Dempsey and Lexis King is the NEW NXT Heritage Cup Champion.

Unholy Union Segment/Match: Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn were backstage and set up a match against Fatal Influence. At ringside, Tatum Paxley, Gigi Dolin, and Shotzi showed up and gave Unholy Union the assist, helping them secure the win.

Segment: Izzi Dame tells off Shawn Spears and warns Zaria that she “shouldn’t bother with friends like Sol Ruca.”

Dion Lennix Vs. Ashante Thee Adonis: Nikkita Lyons showed up at ringside and helped Adonis pick up the win.

Trick Williams, Oba Femi, and Eddy Thorpe Segment: Thorpe argued that his foot was under the rope in his NXT Championship match with Trick, and demanded a rematch. Williams called for a triple threat match in Los Angeles at New Year’s Evil. A brawl ensued that ended with Femi standing tall and holding the WWE NXT Championship.

The downward spiral of Ethan Page was on full display during this week’s WWE NXT, with the former NXT Champion dramatically claiming he had “lost his smile.” In an emotional in-ring promo, Page revealed that he’s uncertain about his love for wrestling after recent setbacks.

Je’Von Evans interrupted, urging Page to shed his “All Ego” persona and show everyone the real Ethan Page. Trying to boost Page’s confidence, Evans added, “We’re all proud of you.” However, Page responded by viciously attacking Evans. He wrapped a chair around Evans’ neck and stomped on it, leaving Evans coughing up blood as officials attended to him.

Page’s internal conflict has been brewing since his defeat in the Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline earlier this month. Following that loss, he admitted he wasn’t sure about his future, and suffered a further setback in a live event match against Dante Chen last week, before deleting his X account.

Page’s promo this week echoed Shawn Michaels’ infamous “lost my smile” moment from the February 13, 1997, edition of WWE Raw, which also took place at the Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Ethan Page and what lies ahead for the former NXT Champion after his shocking attack on Je’Von Evans.

Chelsea Green is embracing her role as the first-ever WWE Women’s U.S. Champion, and the self-proclaimed “Hot Mess” is already setting her sights on a major celebrity challenge: Cardi B. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Green humorously declared herself the “longest-reigning champion of all time” before throwing down the challenge to the rap superstar.

While Cardi B has yet to step inside a WWE ring, her relationship with the company spans years. In 2021, Cardi’s hit song served as the SummerSlam theme, though plans for her in-ring appearance were scrapped after she announced her pregnancy. Recently, Cardi teamed up with Bianca Belair to promote SummerSlam 2025, which will take place at MetLife Stadium.

Green captured the Women’s U.S. Title at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, defeating Michin in the finals of a 12-woman tournament. The Canadian-born star overcame Bianca Belair and Blair Davenport in the first round before besting Bayley in the semi-finals. Notably, this isn’t the first time the Hot Mess has had Cardi B in her sights.

Celebrity involvement in WWE has been a long-standing tradition, and a potential showdown between Chelsea Green and Cardi B would undoubtedly generate significant mainstream attention. For now, Green continues to celebrate her historic championship win—and, as she humorously points out, her record-setting reign as WWE Women’s U.S. Champion.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson continues to dominate Hollywood and WWE alike, now adding another record-breaking accolade to his name. According to Deadline, Johnson’s new holiday film Red One shattered records with 50 million worldwide viewers in its first four days on Prime Video. The previous record-holder was Road House.

Red One follows Callum Drift (Johnson), the head of North Pole security, who assembles an elite team after Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) is kidnapped. The film also stars Chris Evans, Kiernan Shipka, and Lucy Liu. It debuted on Amazon Prime last weekend after a brief theatrical run.

This accolade is just the latest for Johnson, who continues to be one of the most successful names in Hollywood. Johnson recently made history by topping the box office with both Moana 2 and Red One. This marks the first time an actor has had two #1 films in the same month, a testament to his Hollywood dominance.

Meanwhile, in WWE, The Rock has been notably absent since his surprise appearance at WWE Bad Blood in October. However, anticipation for his return is high, particularly as Raw prepares for its Netflix debut. This week’s Raw featured, what some considered a subtle hint: a Rock-themed production truck spotted during a backstage segment where Adam Pearce discussed the January 6, show.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who continues to electrify both in and out of the ring.

WWE’s Logan Paul could be stepping into a boxing ring against Conor McGregor soon enough, according to comments by the ‘Notorious’ Irish fighter. Taking to X, McGregor shared that he and Paul are in early talks for a boxing match in India.

McGregor is speaking with the Ambani family, the richest family in Asia. Mukesh Ambani serves as the Chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries. As the ninth-richest person on the planet with an estimated net worth of $100 billion, Ambani certainly has the resources to host McGregor Vs. Paul.

The Notorious One hasn’t fought since July 2021, during which he suffered a broken leg agaisnt Dustin Poirier. He was set to return against Michael Chandler, with their feud even being referenced on WWE Raw, before McGregor pulled out due to a broken toe.

McGregor has some boxing experience, including an exhibition with Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather in 2017 for which he reportedly earned $130 million. Paul likewise has boxing experience and is 1-1 in professional bouts. The Maverick’s most recent win saw him defeat Dillon Danis in October of last year.

Conor McGregor In WWE?

Before his 2021 injury, many predicted that McGregor would one-day make his way to WWE, and the fighter himself has teased a move. In October 2024, McGregor shared a drink with Cody Rhodes, exciting fans eager to see the Notorious One in wrestling. In 2016, McGregor drew the ire of the wrestling world by tweeting that “I’d slap the head off your entire roster. And twice on Sundays.”

Becky Lynch Calls Conor McGregor In WWE Very Likely

While McGregor certainly has star power, bringing him on board could be a PR disaster for WWE. Last month, McGregor was found liable for the assault of Nikita Hand in a civil rape case. McGregor was forced to pay his victim over $250,000 and intends to appeal the verdict.

As for Paul, he recently retired from WWE, though fans believe they’ve not seen the last of him. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on this major fight between two huge names in combat sports and entertainment.

New World Tag Team Champions The War Raiders were in a reflective move following their first title victory in over half a decade. On Raw, the pair dethroned The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and JD McDonagh) in the show’s main event. This marks Erik and Ivar’s second times as champions, after previously winning the Raw Tag Team Titles in October 2019.

This win comes after both Erik and Ivar were forced to miss months of action due to serious injuries. In a WWE Raw Digital Exclusive, Ivar spoke about the win, which came in his hometown of Boston.

“It’s been a long, long, hard, vicious, brutal, trying road… To be here, it couldn’t be more emotional and just perfect for me.”

Erik was similarly emotional following the victory, especially after what he and Ivar had been told in the past.

“There were points in the last five years, but also in the last ten years, where both of us were told more than once we’d never wrestle again. We might never walk again. I might not be able to hold my sons. Through all that, we’re still here.”

The Judgment Day had held the World Tag Team Titles since June, with their reign seeing criticism for a notable lack of defenses. Balor and McDonagh defended just one time in the first 100 days of their reign, and just three times on TV throughout their six-month reign.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The War Raiders and see how they fare as the brand new WWE World Tag Team Champions.

Cody Rhodes knows what it takes to finish the story, and will do exactly that as part of CBeebies Bedtime Stories next month. The reigning Undisputed WWE Champion will be a part of the January 1, 2025, show, and will read a story aimed at helping young viewers wind down and relax before bedtime.

Cody will be reading Gigantic by Rob Biddulph. The story tells the tells the tale of Gigantic, the smallest blue whale in the Atlantic, who must team with his friends to save his brother Titan when the much larger whale gets stuck on land. Rhodes’ appearance will air at 6:50PM on New Year’s Day on CBeebies and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

Rhodes isn’t the only notable name taking part in the special holiday line-up of bedtime stories. Joining him are Idris Elba, Justin Fletcher, Mo Gilligan, Perrie Edwards, Kylie Minogue, and James Norton, offering festive tales for families to enjoy.

Cody Rhodes Joining Liam Neeson & Pamela Anderson In Naked Gun Reboot

Meanwhile, in WWE, Rhodes is recovering following a brutal post-show attack by Kevin Owens after Saturday Night’s Main Event. WWE’s first SNME show since 2008 saw Rhodes triumph over Owens in the main event, only to be ambushed afterward and hit with a package piledriver. In a storyline update, WWE reported that Rhodes is dealing with axial compression of the cervical spine and a cervical strain with spasm. On the latest episode of Raw, Joe Tessitore revealed that Rhodes is recovering at home and will miss this week’s WWE-Netflix crossover event.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Cody Rhodes, as the American Nightmare is proving to be a hit both in and out of the ring.

WWE dropped a cryptic teaser during the December 16 episode of Raw, with fans convinced that this is the tease of a former AEW star. The brief vignette showed a zero with a line through it before transitioning into the Raw on Netflix logo. On social media, many believed that the vignette teased the arrival of Penta El Zero Miedo, potentially as part of Raw’s debut on Netflix on January 6.

Penta was quietly removed from AEW’s roster after his contract expired and has since re-established himself as part of Lucha Libre AAA. His brother Rey Fenix, on the other hand, remains part of AEW, despite not competing for the promotion since July. Reports of injury time being added to Rey’s contract will keep him a part of AEW well into 2025, keeping the brothers from making a debut in WWE as a tag-team.

Buzz is already high at Penta’s potential WWE debut, and this tease being followed by a teas for Raw on Netflix leaving fans to wonder whether his debut will come on the January 6, show. The stacked show already has major names and plans confirmed, with Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and more set to appear.

CM Punk Match Confirmed For WWE Raw Netflix Debut

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the ‘0’ tease and whether it is indeed Penta who makes his much-anticipated debut for WWE in the near future.