Liv Morgan is closing in on the greatest year in WWE history if she and Raquel Rodriguez can capture the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Morgan was asked if the only thing keeping 2024 from being the greatest year of her career is winning tag-team gold.
“For sure, for sure, 100% and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
On this week’s WWE Raw from Riyadh, Morgan and Raquel came face-to-face with Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. A challenge for a title match was made and Morgan is immensely confident in her chances of becoming a double champion.
“If you think I’m annoying now, if you think you hate hearing me laugh and the sound of my voice now, then wooo. Let me tell you, I’m never, ever, ever gonna shut up.”
Later on Raw, Morgan and Rodriguez interfered in a battle royal to determine Liv’s next challenger and eliminated Belair and Cargill. In the interview, the 30-year-old Superstar isn’t surprised she’s run afoul of the EST and the Storm.
“Everyone wants a piece of Liv Morgan. Lucky enough, there’s enough of me to go around. And lucky enough for me, I have the most dominant group in WWE watching my back, the Judgement Day, and I also have Raquel Rodriguez.”
Should Morgan win the tag titles with Rodriguez, she’ll become the fourth double-champion in WWE’s history of women, behind Asuka, Sasha Banks, and Bayley. Morgan is already a two-time Tag Team Champion with 55 days with the gold to her name.
Those opposed to Donald Trump will just have to “learn to love it” according to Ric Flair, following Trump’s re-election to President of the United States. The 78-year-old billionaire bested Democratic nominee Kamala Harris earlier this week, winning both the Electoral College and the popular vote.
On X, Flair shared his clear support for Trump and gave some advice to those not on board the Trump Train.
Flair isn’t the only wrestling personality backing Trump, as Hulk Hogan has repeatedly endorsed the Republican party leader. Jake Hager also shared several comments supporting Trump on election night, in addition to claiming Tony Khan is a “communist” who threatened to fire him for supporting the President-Elect. Hager has deleted several of his tweets and has yet to provide proof of his claims.
The election news comes as a crushing blow to many in the wrestling world, with Trevor Lee saying he’s disappointed in the U.S. for electing its first convicted felon President. Mick Foley and Dave Bautista had endorsed Harris ahead of this year’s election, while Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson endorsed the Biden/Harris ticket that defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in 2020.
Clearly, this election didn’t go the way many had hoped, though Flair, Trump, and others in wrestling could not be happier. It remains to be seen what awaits the United States in Trump’s second term, which will see Linda McMahon play a crucial role in the transition.
Tiffany Stratton has certainly earned her place on WWE TV since her main roster call-up, but don’t expect to see her alongside real-life partner Ludwig Kaiser. While several real-life romances have played out on WWE screens, that hasn’t been the case for these two Superstars. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Stratton was asked for her opinion on possibly being aligned on TV with her German boyfriend.
“I don’t know, if it happens, sure, if the timing and storyline is right then yeah, why not? We are not in a rush to be together on screen, we are on separate brands but, if the time comes, I am down, we don’t see each other too often. We have like two days together, but we make those days count.”
Though not on WWE TV, the pair can be regularly spotted together on Tiffany Stratton’s TikTok which highlights the pair’s respective lives as Superstars and workout routines. Like Miss. Money in the Bank herself, the channel has proven exceptionally popular and is closing in on half a million followers.
As for TV, Stratton appears poised for a breakout moment soon enough, with the ‘Buff Barbie’ still in possession of the Women’s Money in the Bank contract. Recently, Stratton teased cashing in on her ‘friend’ Nia Jax at Crown Jewel, but Stratton didn’t leave Riyadh with the WWE Women’s Championship.
As for Kaiser, he remains the loyal ally of GUNTHER though has fallen short of his efforts to eliminate Sheamus, much to the chagrin of the World Heavyweight Champion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kaiser and Stratton and their roles both on and off TV.
WWE’s collaborative relationship with Pro Wrestling NOAH picked up some serious steam this week when Yoshiki Inamura visited the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. On X, WWE NXT head Shawn Michaels hyped up the arrival of the 31-year-old wrestler to clips of his time at the PC. Michaels added that Inamura “is going to be a problem for anyone he steps in the ring with” to footage of him wrestling in the Performance Center.
I’m excited to welcome @noah_ghc Wrestler @noah_yoshiki to #WWENXT. This hard-hitting young man is going to be a problem for anyone he steps in the ring with.
WWE has seen a strong collaboration with NOAH in 2024, as part of the Sports Entertainment juggernaut’s willingness to work with others under its current administration. In May, Yasuaki Okamoto spoke of strengthening NOAH’s relationship with WWE after being appointed the new President of CyberFight Inc, the parent company of NOAH.
It didn’t take long for Okamoto’s plans to come to fruition, as AJ Styyles would compete at NOAH Destination in July. In August and September, NXT’s Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights were part of the NOAH N-1 Victory 2024 tournament, making this growing relationship between WWE and NOAH more significant. In January 2023, WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura was granted the opportunity to face The Great Muta at a NOAH show as part of the latter’s retirement tour.
As for what Yoshiki Inamura’s future with NOAH and WWE NXT looks like, that remains to be seen. Nevertheless, fans are excited to see what the Japanese star will do and what other crossovers we could see from both sides of this budding partnership.
Arianna Grace has become a popular act as part of WWE NXT, despite a deep-seated resentment toward the industry early in her life. Despite her name, Grace is the daughter of former WWE Superstar Santino Marella who was on the road with the company for years. Speaking to Nikkita Lyons on The Lyon’s Den, Grace shared her issue with the industry that formed from a young age.
“I always thought of it as his thing. And I also harbored a little bit of resentment toward the industry when I was little. Because I felt very much like ‘Oh, wrestling stole my dad. I don’t see my dad because he’s wrestling. I hate wrestling.'”
Despite this issue with wrestling, Grace leaped at the opportunity to pursue a career in the ring after her father suggested the idea to her.
“When he mentioned to me ‘Why don’t you try it?’ I was like, wow. I could take something that I felt caused me a lot of pain and turn it into something that gives me my life back. And that’s what we did.”
Marella’s days with WWE are far behind him, though the father and daughter have reunited in TNA, where Santino serves as an on-screen authority figure. Grace meanwhile, has served as the liaison between NXT and TNA and oversees the working relationship between the two. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Arianna Grace and her path in the industry she once loathed for taking her father away.
New Japan Pro Wrestling has ‘punished’ Gabe Kidd following his altercation with Kenny Omega at NJPW Power Struggle 2024. On X, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi had the following announcement:
“On November 4 in Osaka, after he delivered an address to the crowd, Kenny Omega was involved in a physical altercation with Gabe Kidd.
“We take this type of incident seriously, and after investigation have determined that Kidd’s actions in physically assaulting a non active wrestler were unbecoming of a professional.
“Gabe has been issued with a formal warning and a fine as a result.
“I would like to formally apologise to Kenny Omega and AEW for the distress caused.”
Hiroshi Tanahashi has a special announcement.
On November 4 in Osaka, after he delivered an address to the crowd, Kenny Omega was involved in a physical altercation with Gabe Kidd.
We take this type of incident seriously, and after investigation have determined that Kidd’s…
The incident between Omega and Kidd came after the former AEW World Champion teased a return to the ring as part of the Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5. After going backstage, Omega and Kidd ‘brawled’ in the closest Omega has come to a fight since December of last year. It was also the first time Omega has gotten physical at a wrestling event since being attacked by The Elite in May.
Omega’s brawl with Kidd has sparked talk among fans of a match between the pair for the latter’s Strong Openweight Championship at Wrestle Dynasty. The first-of-its-kind show will feature talent from AEW, New Japan, CMLL, Ring of Honor, and Stardom and will take place from the famed Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The show will take place one day after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, which will also emanate from the Tokyo Dome.
Any match for Omega will hinge on him being cleared in time, though Kota Ibushi has predicted a return is not too far away. Nevertheless, the idea of Omega finally getting back in the ring to wrestle is welcomed news to his legion of fans eager to see him back in the ring.
Ivy Nile has proven to be a force to be reckoned with since arriving on WWE’s main roster, and now the American Made has been spotlighted in Hers Magazine. On Instagram, Nile shared the exciting news and spoke of her passion for fitness, both physical and mental.
Nile saw plenty of support from her fellow WWE Superstars in the comments. The Final Testament’s Scarlett said the magazine had an “amazing shot” while Tiffany Stratton called Nile a “FIT QUEEN.” Lash Legend is eager to get five copies of the magazine while Natalya said it was “awesome” to see the American Made star be featured.
Ivy Nile’s Fitness Prowess
Nile’s commitment to fitness was a huge part of her life long before she signed with WWE in January 2020. The year prior, Nile, under real name Emily Andzulis, competed on NBC’s Titan Games, hosted by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Nile also competed in MMA in the Women’s Flyweight division before her WWE arrival.
Now a part of WWE’s main roster, Nile continues to show her strength and conditioning as part of Chad Gable’s intense American Made faction. As part of the group, Nile has picked up wins against the likes of Alba Fyre, Maxxine Dupri, and most recently, the LWO’s Zelina Vega. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Ivy Nile who is continuing to make a name for herself in and outside the squared circle.
Posted November 6th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: Ivy Nile.
AEW fans have been given a tease of what’s to come in Tony Khan’s first promotion if the company’s trademark filings are to be believed. According to the US Patent & Trademark Office database, AEW filed trademarks for “AEW Parade of Champions” and “Parade of Champions” on November 5, 2024. The terms encompass a variety of uses in entertainment related to professional wrestling, including at live performances, on TV programs, and in multi-media content distributed across a variety of platforms.
AEW is hardly short of champions, with some fans having argued that there are too many titles within the company. Currently, AEW has eight recognized championships, as well as accolades such as the Owen Hart Men’s & Women’s Tournament, and the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Ring of Honor’s seven championships can also often be found on AEW TV, as well as gold from other promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling and AAA.
News of AEW’s Parade of Champions comes after AEW filed trademarks for “AEW WrestleMax,” “WrestleMax,” and “AEW Max Month,” presumably linked to their streaming partnership with Max, set to begin in early 2025. AEW announced the renewal of its WBD partnership last month which will see pay-per-views move to the Max streaming platform.
Events will be available at a discounted price for Max subscribers while non-subscribers may still have the option to purchase events on an a la carte basis in the United States. The move to Max will make it easier for fans to access AEW content in one place rather than having to juggle various platforms including Bleacher Report, TrillerTV, and cable services.
WWE ID hopes to give independent wrestlers a clear path to a future in the company, and Gabe Sapolsky will take a leading role in the new program. On X, Sapolsky changed his bio, which reflects his position as WWE Creative Consultant & Domestic Talent Scout. Sapolsky also changed his cover image to the WWE ID logo.
Sapolsky being a part of WWE ID makes a lot of sense given his history in various independent promotions. From origins in ECW writing a newsletter, Sapolsky co-founded Ring of Honor in 2002 before launching Dragon Gate USA seven years later. In 2010, EVOLVE Wrestling became the latest promotion launched by Sapolsky. Sapolsky was
Now part of WWE ID, Sapolsky will continue to demonstrate his talents for recognizing talent in independent wrestling. In his memoir Yes: My Improbable Journey to the Main Event of WrestleMania, Bryan Danielson recalls being valued by Sapolsky.
“It was the first time anybody had chosen me to be “the Man” – the only time, really- and I can’t thank Gabe, ROH, and the ROH fans enough for giving me the opportunity to be the guy to carry the promotion.”
Sapolsky’s role with WWE will likely see him work with a team in WWE ID as the promotion further expands its reach into the independent wrestling scene. On X, the official WWE ID account confirmed that the first member of the program will be revealed this weekend at the latest event for Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling promotion.
Reality of Wrestling is just one company that is tied to WWE ID, as Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Factory and Seth Rollins’ Black & Brave Academy are also linked. ROW is led by World Champion Zilla Fatu, who Booker has endorsed as a future WWE Superstar. The son of Umaga, Fatu was at this year’s SummerSlam in Cleveland, which again fueled speculation that a WWE move is coming. Fatu even teased that he was the signing to be announced this weekend, though his post has since been deleted. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WWE ID and the future Superstars who join WWE through the innovative new program.
Cody Rhodes is eager to have a ‘debriefing’ with The Rock over what has transpired between the two this year. Speaking on The Flagrant podcast, Rhodes reflected on the return of The Final Boss which ultimately saw fans choose Rhodes over The Rock.
“The fans have made a choice and it’s very real. I think there is just a lingering tension, perhaps? I universally love him. I grew up a Rock fan. We have yet to debrief on WrestleMania and what happened.”
Rhodes also suggested that some “bad advice” could be to explain for Rock’s attitude this year which has seen the typically beloved Hollywood A-Lister go all in on a heel turn.
“I think maybe some bad advice came and he didn’t get good knowledge on ‘ok, here’s the layout, here’s who’s sitting at that table. But, I’d love that if could ever have this little debrief.”
Rhodes and Rhodes last shared the ring on the Raw after WrestleMania 40, where the Final Boss promised to come back with Rhodes in his sights. That return came at WWE Bad Blood where The Rock had a staredown with Rhodes and Roman Reigns from the entrance.
With The Rock calling B.S. on reports of missing WrestleMania 41, fans are excited at the prospect of Rhodes Vs. Rock at next year’s Showcase of the Immortals. Back in May, this match was the plan for next April’s event, though as always, plans are subject to change in WWE. Whatever The Rock has in store, fans are excited to see it, and Cody Rhodes is ready for whatever that may be, whether it means a debrief of throwing down in the ring.
It’s been close to a decade since Wade Barrett last stepped into the ring as a competitor, but the commentator is ready for one more match. Speaking with Phil Johnson for PWMania, Barrett was asked for his ideal opponent if he wrestles again, and had a fellow Superstar from the UK in mind.
“Absolutely it would be Drew McIntyre. He’s someone I go way back with and very close friends with the guy over the years. He did talk a little smack to me a few weeks ago on Raw and I haven’t forgotten about that. I’m not going to make a major deal of it, but he’s lucky he stopped where he did.
“Let’s just put it that way because if he did take one more step forward, the old bull hammer would have come out, boom, knocked him on his ass, and perhaps that in-ring comeback would have happened by now, but I’m not clamouring for anything like that.”
The pair’s real-life friendship has been no secret on WWE TV, with Barrett attempting to calm McIntyre during his post-Money in the Bank tirade. The incident Barrett is referring to though took place on the September 9, 2024, edition of Monday Night Raw and saw McIntyre warn Barrett to stay out of his way amid the Scotsman’s feud with CM Punk.
What Barrett Loves About Triple H’s Leadership
Should Barrett step into the ring again, it’ll be a decision that’ll involve the 44-year-old and WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque. In the interview, Barrett spoke highly of the unpredictable nature of Levesque’s creative direction.
“I love the fact that today, I don’t know who’s going to be in the main event of the next premium live event. I have absolutely no clue what the card is going to look like. I don’t know if Cody Rhodes is going to be anywhere near the card, he might be left off and he’s one of the biggest stars we’ve ever seen. I don’t know if Roman Reigns is going to be there, CM Punk might be back, I have no clue. That to me is really, really exciting and I think that one of the key factors in the success of Triple H is his ability to keep the audience guessing and not be so formulaic.”
Triple H also excels in “tying up loose ends” Barrett adds, and has thrived in preserving continuity since taking the creative reins from his father-in-law.
“I think he has a real respect for the need to tie up loose ends and call back things that maybe happened a year ago that everyone forgot about.”
Whether Barrett proves to be one of those callbacks fans are reminded of in the ring, that remains to be seen. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Wade Barrett and his potential return to competition.
Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley have proven the be a united force on WWE TV, and could Tag Team gold be in store for the Terror Twins? Speaking to the Wrestling Classic Podcast, Priest was asked about a possible title pursuit for the pair and was fully on board.
“It’s definitely possible. If they allow Rhea to be my partner for the World Tag Team Titles, we could 100% win it. I can see us beating anybody. Right now in WWE, there’s nobody I feel I can’t stand toe-to-toe with, and I know she thinks the same way.”
The idea of winning tag titles with Rhea Ripley isn’t just a spur-of-the-moment idea for Priest, who also advocated for the return of the Mixed Match Challenge.
“For Rhea and me to win titles together? That would be huge, very meaningful. We’ve talked about it. At the very least, they should bring back the Mixed Match Challenge and create a title for it.”
The Mixed Match Challenge lasted for two seasons online and saw male and female tag teams face off in mixed-tag competition. The first season’s winners were The Miz and Asuka while season two’s R-Truth and Carmella not only won bragging rights but earned the coveted #30 spots in their respective 2019 Royal Rumble matches. The show was well-received by fans, as its online non-canon nature allowed talent to have more fun in the ring, as seen in the video below.
Rhea Ripley has often been compared to Chyna, so it’d be fitting if she won a men’s tag team title, over two decades after Chyna’s reigns as Intercontinental Champion. In the meantime, however, Ripley won’t be competing for any gold, as she is out with an orbital socket fracture and has been written off with an attack at last week’s NXT. Ripley is believed to have suffered the injury during a headbutt spot with Morgan, who has been gloating about taking ‘Mami’ out.
A feud for the World Tag Team Titles would put Priest and Ripley at odds with their former allies Finn Balor and JD McDonagh, who have held the gold since June of this year. Priest became the number one contender for the World Heavyweight title on this week’s Raw and stay tuned to SEScoops to see if a tag title reign with Rhea Ripley is in his future as well.
Tyrese Haliburton has proven to be a Superstar on the basketball court, and now the Indiana Pacers star has shared his top five all-time wrestlers. Speaking to Landon Buford, Haliburton, who appeared for WWE NXT back in September, gave his picks.
Haliburton acknowledged the Original Tribal Chief on his list, though only at the #5 position. Highlights of Reigns’ career include his lengthy reign as WWE Universal Champion, and his record nine WrestleMania main events.
4: The Undertaker
The Phenom dominated in WWE for three decades before his final farewell at Survivor Series in November 2020. With legendary feuds across various eras, it’s hardly a surprise to see The Undertaker part of Haliburton’s top five ranking off his all-time favorite WWE Superstars.
3: Shelton Benjamin
A name not typically found on top 5 lists, Shelton Benjamin has seen championship success both in and out of WWE. More recently, Benjamin has arrived in AEW where he already holds victories over company stalwarts Lio Rush and Sammy Guevara.
2: Shawn Michaels
Mr WrestleMania’s success in the ring both before and after his devastating 1998 back injury has led to him being on many high-ranking lists. These days, Michaels serves as WWE’s Senior VP of Talent Development, Creative and oversees NXT.
1: John Cena
It’s not just WWE who consider John Cena as the Greatest of All Time as Haliburton picked the 16-time World Champion as his personal G.O.A.T. Cena will kick-off his retirement tour in January 2025 as part of Monday Night Raw’s move to Netflix.
Haliburton’s picks reflect a blend of various eras and styles and show the basketball star’s deep-rooted passion for all things wrestling. With Haliburton having already appeared for WWE and teasing surprises for next February’s Royal Rumble, don’t be surprised to see more of the Indiana Pacer in the world of pro wrestling.
Irvin’s candidness sparked a backlash among some fans who believed Irvin was ungrateful to WWE for the opportunity to be an announcer. On the Insight podcast, Ricochet gave another reason behind the vitriol of some commenters online.
“I feel like she broke tradition. That’s why people are kind of upset. Because, again, how long was Fink doing it? How long did Lillian do it? Justin Roberts still doing it. The fact that she only did for four years and then she found out this isn’t what I was born to do.”
Ricochet added that Irvin’s decision to walk away from wrestling doesn’t just contrast with previous announcers, but also wrestlers.
“Look at Rey Mysterio and AJ Styles, because they’ve been doing it for so long, and they’re still in it, they’re still doing that. So I think especially when wrestling fans find something that makes them feel good and makes what they like watching better, they just want it forever.”
Irvin does not plan on joining AEW, as Ricochet himself has made clear to fans, and she reportedly intends to pursue other ventures in entertainment as well as music. Lilian Garcia has since returned to WWE as Raw’s ring announcer and has wished Irvin the best with her post-WWE ventures.
Ultimately, Irvin is pleased to have been a part of WWE, even if her career with WWE did not play out how she hoped. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Samantha Irvin and her future outside of professional wrestling.
A future episode of Monday Night Raw will be dedicated to The New Day, despite the ongoing tensions prominent in the faction. In a WWE Raw Exclusive, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce told Kofi Kingston that the upcoming show will celebrate ten years of The New Day.
“This year, ten years as New Day. It’s time to celebrate, man. You guys are one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history. Because of that, if it’s cool with guys, I actually wanted to dedicate a special episode of Raw to celebrating you. An entire episode, if it’s cool with you guys.”
Kingston said it was a great idea, but admitted that he and Xavier Woods are going through a rough patch right now. Nevertheless, the former WWE Champion remained confident that everything would be alright when the anniversary comes around.
It was in November 2014 that WWE began airing vignettes for Kingston, Woods, and Big E, which is when they officially debuted their ‘The New Day’ moniker. The trio had their in-ring debut as a group during the November 28, 2014, episode of SmackDown, where they defeated Curtis Axel, Heath Slater, and Titus O’Neil. If Pearce plans to host the New-Day dedicated show close to the anniversary, the options are either Monday, November 25, or Monday, December 2.
The New Day has shown signs of dissension this year, and with Big E still out of action, it remains to be seen what kind of tribute episode is in store for the popular faction. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The New Day and whether Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods can finally get back on the same page.
Presidential hopeful Donald Trump turned to his past in pro wrestling to excite his supporters ahead of this week’s election with Kamala Harris. Appearing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the 78-year-old Republican candidate was reportedly late to the scene and didn’t arrive until after midnight. The campaign then played the Battle of the Billionaires for ten minutes as they waited for the former President to appear.
Um. Trump is over an hour late to his final rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has been playing this video of him from WrestleMania for 10 minutes straight. pic.twitter.com/yZXVW4WlNi
The match saw Trump put his hair on the line against the iconic ‘do of Mr. McMahon with ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin serving as the guest official. Trump’s representative Bobby Lashley defeated McMahon’s Umaga, resulting in the then-WWE Chairman being shaved and kick-starting a feud with Lashley over the ECW World Title.
This isn’t the first time Trump has leaned into his WWE past during his time as a politician. In 2017, Trump used a clip from the match that saw him clothesline McMahon though had the CNN logo over Vince’s face. Critics called it an incitement of violence against journalists while Trump supporters praised it as demonstrative of Trump’s stance against the ‘fake news’ media.
This election has seen endorsements for both candidates from the wrestling world. Glenn ‘Kane’ Jacobs as well as Ryback have endorsed Trump, while The Undertaker suggested his support for the Republican nominee during an episode of his Six Feet Under podcast. Mick Foley has thrown his support behind Kamala Harris while Dave Bautista made his feelings on Trump clear during an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash is coming to WWE NXT, though what role the former World Champion will play is yet to be revealed.
On his Kliq This podcast, Nash shared that while he won’t be attending this week’s stacked edition of the silver brand, he will be around next month. Nash didn’t confirm whether his role with the show will be on-screen or behind the scenes, but this tease has excited fans eager to see the former WWE and WCW World Champion.
Nash’s role with WWE NXT, whatever it may be, will see ‘Big Daddy Cool’ reunite with Kliq buddy Shawn Michaels, who today serves as WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development and leads creative in NXT. Before Michaels, NXT was overseen by Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, another friend of Nash, who these days can be found running the main roster. Nash was backstage at at WWE SummerSlam 2024 in Cleveland,
WWE NXT in Philadelphia
WWE has yet to announce Nash for any NXT shows in December, as all attention right now is on this Wednesday’s show in Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena. The show has been moved to avoid competing with coverage of the U.S. Presidential Election, and will see NXT once-again go head-to-head with AEW Dynamite.
With the show being in the 2300 Arena, the episode will feature several ECW alum including Bubba Ray Dudley, Dawn Marie, and Rob Van Dam. Stay tuned for the latest from Kevin Nash as fans could soon be seeing the NWO founder on WWE programming within a matter of weeks.
Posted November 5th, 2024 in NXT. Tagged: Kevin Nash.
Crown Jewel 2024 was truly a history-making night for WWE, and not just for the Crown Jewel Title victories of Liv Morgan and Cody Rhodes. In a press release shared this week, WWE shared that the show saw a 28% increase in viewership from the Crown Jewel 2023 event, which was headlined by Roman Reigns Vs. LA Knight.
This year’s event was also the most viewed WWE event ever from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The sixth annual Crown Jewel was also a sell-out inside the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh.
WWE began its lucrative partnership with Saudi Arabia in 2018 with that year’s Greatest Royal Rumble event. At first, the partnership saw backlash from fans due to Saudi Arabia’s restrictive laws against women and LGBTQ+ people. Despite this, WWE has made strides in this deal, including now hosting women’s matches in the country. Crown Jewel 2024 saw a total of ten female wrestlers compete, as well as appearances by Tiffany Stratton and Raquel Rodriguez in non-in-ring roles.
WWE is expected to return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2025 with two more high-profile events featuring the very top names in the promotion. In the meantime, WWE will again travel outside North America next March for a series of TV and live events in Europe. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE’s Saudi Arabia deal as the promotion remains committed to its highly lucrative relationship with the Middle Eastern Kingdom.
Jacob Fatu and Jake’s Network Of Hope are addressing an issue head-on after the WWE Superstar was accused of ‘ghosting’ the charity. On November 3, a user of the /r/SquaredCircle subreddit asked for an update on the situation in which Fatu allegedly ghosted the charity. The organization reportedly spent $2,633 in 2023 for his appearance, plane tickets, and hotel accommodations. Fatu canceled his appearance due to what was called a family emergency and while Jake’s Network of Hope understood, they asked for the money to be returned.
The organization has released a statement saying they’re addressing the matter privately and that Fatu apologized via phone call in May. The organization added that at this time, the money had not been repaid.
“Jacob Fatu and our organization are addressing this matter privately, beginning with a phone call and heartfelt apology back in May. While the full amount owed hasn’t yet been repaid, we appreciated Jacob’s acknowledgment. It can be tough to face up to your wrongdoings, and we commend him for taking steps toward confronting his.”
Jake’s Network of Hope is a nonprofit that aims to provide hygiene products and essential daily living items to people of all ages. The situation with Fatu made NBC 26 news when it first arose last year, with the nonprofit organizers stating they had heard of other concerning behavior from Fatu.
This update comes at a pivotal time for Fatu, who debuted for WWE earlier this year and has since become a fixture of SmackDown’s main event scene. At Crown Jewel, Fatu teamed with Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga to defeat Roman Reigns and The Usos. We will continue to monitor this situation for further updates.
Kenny Omega wasn’t afraid to get physical at NJPW Power Struggle 2024, as Gabe Kidd discovered firsthand at the event in Osaka, Japan. During the show, Omega spoke about his recovery from diverticulitis and said he’d love to return to the ring at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Omega added that he wants to face one of the young talents from New Japan at the event.
When Omega got backstage, he was confronted by one of those young stars, 27-year-old Gabe Kidd. The reigning NJPW Strong Openweight Champion had some barbs for Omega, resulting in a brawl between the two. The segment marked the closest Omega has come to a fight since December of last year, and his first time getting physical at a wrestling event since being attacked by The Elite in May.
It’s not just at NJPW Power Struggle that Kidd and Omega have been at each other’s throats, as Kidd and Omega beefed via X in August.
Let me turn off the caps lock quick and get real for a minute.
First of all, I been out drinking with 10/10 Japanese birds every night of the G1 and I’m still outshining all these fools, so sorry I’m late to replying.
Omega’s brawl with Kidd has already sparked talk among fans of a match between the pair at Wrestle Dynasty. The first-of-its-kind show will feature talent from AEW, New Japan, CMLL, Ring of Honor, and Stardom and will take place from the famed Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The show will take place one day after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, which will also emanate from the Tokyo Dome.
While Kota Ibushi has predicted Omega’s imminent return, a match with Kidd or anyone else will hinge on the AEW EVP being cleared in time. Nevertheless, the idea of Omega finally getting back in the ring to wrestle is welcomed news to his legion of fans who could get to see him tangle with Kidd once again soon enough.
Kenny Omega is inching closer to a return to the ring and shared at NJPW Power Struggle 2024 that he hopes to wrestle in a matter of months. Appearing at the Osaka event, Omega said that he’d spoken with NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi and they’d shared their ideas. One idea was for Omega to wrestle again for New Japan against one of the company’s young talents.
Omega said he’s been making progress in his recovery and “in a little bit” he should be able to return to action. Despite being a member of the AEW roster, and an EVP, He added that if he returns to wrestling, he would like to be back in Japan.
The Canadian wasn’t sure when he’d be able to be back, but said “How about January 5th?”, the date of Wrestle Dynasty. Omega ended by calling New Japan the King of Sport, the best pro wrestling in the world, and his home.
Omega has been out of action since December 2023 due to diverticulitis, a condition that has affected other wrestling names including Brock Lesnar and Shane McMahon. Omega’s desire to return in time for Wrestle Dynasty fits in with last month’s comments by Kota Ibushi, who predicted Omega would be wrestling again within a matter of months. Omega underwent surgery earlier this year after appearing on AEW TV where he was betrayed by The Elite.
Fans are excited at the prospect of Omega wrestling again, though the AEW staple’s comments about NJPW being the best are bound to raise some eyebrows. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kenny Omega and his journey back to the ring.
WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker isn’t giving up on Omos despite the former Raw Tag Team Champion’s ongoing absence from WWE programming. During a recent Patreon Q&A, the Phenom said he was “optimistic” about Omos’ future in WWE, and WWE “using him judiciously” has left him “excited.”
“At some point, I believe he becomes like the guardian of the castle, basically like I used to be. Anybody, any giant monster, anybody that ever came down the pike, I always got them.”
Later on, The Undertaker reiterated his belief that Omos will play a key role in WWE storylines going forward, and is hoping to see talent who can go toe-to-toe with the seven-footer.
“He will be the one that decides who comes and who goes in a storytelling aspect. I just hope that we get some guys coming down the road that actually can pose a physical threat to you.”
The Undertaker certainly has high hopes for the Nigerian Giant, who he has previously compared to Andre the Giant, but Omos’ role, or lack thereof, over the past year has sparked doubts over his future.
Despite once being pushed heavily, including a title win in his first main roster match, Omos hasn’t competed since the Andre the Giant Battle Royal in April. His last singles match on TV came at Backlash 2023 against Seth Rollins, while his most recent win televised win was a squash match on the May 1, 2023, edition of Raw.
Ironically, Omos was not eligible in the 2023 WWE Draft, with the explanation that WWE wanted to keep the Giant as a spectacle across Raw and SmackDown. With his manager MVP now a part of AEW, questions remain as to what Omos’ future will look like, but having the endorsement of a WWE icon can’t hurt the 30-year-old Superstar.
‘Main Event’ Jey Uso’s popularity has once again proven to be undeniable after topping the WWE merchandise sales charts for the month of October. A report by Wrestlenomics reveals that Jey was WWE’s top merch seller when it comes to apparel, besting top names like CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
Merchandise Rankings Estimate: Oct 1 to Oct 31, 2024 WWEShop (Apparel Only) – Categories
Jey Uso (Items in top 10 daily: 41) [reverse rank value: 9,340]
CM Punk (51) [5,507]
Roman Reigns (44) [3,792]
John Cena (29) [2,842]
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (12) [2,669]
Chris Jericho (9) [2,650]
Cody Rhodes (18) [2,483]
Jimmy Uso (13) [1,680]
Rhea Ripley (11) [1,444]
nWo (2) [987]
October was a month of major changes for Jey, who began riding high as the Intercontinental Champion. By the end of the month though, Jey had lost the title back to Bron Breakker and had formed a shaky alliance with Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso. The trio lost to Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline at WWE Crown Jewel.
Jey’s spot as the number-one merch seller only further proves his popularity, not just in October but throughout the year. In May, Jey took second place behind CM Punk and has remained a fixture of the Top 10 rankings for months. You can check out the assortment of Jey’s merchandise, ranging from T-shirts to titles to foam ‘YEET’ hands by clicking here.
As one of the most popular stars on TV and with these impressive sales figures, fans can expect to see plenty of ‘Main Event Jey’ on programming, whether as a singles competitor or as part of Roman Reigns’ newly re-formed Bloodline. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Jey Uso, as the WWE Universe is well and truly behind the YEETing Superstar.
Posted November 4th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: Jey Uso.
The National Wrestling Alliance continued to grow this week as the World League Wrestling promotion is now an official NWA territory. In a statement, the NWA announced the inclusion of the Missouri-based WLW, the fifth regional promotion to join the NWA in the last two years.
WLW was founded by Harley Race over a quarter of a century ago and has been active ever since. Trevor Murdoch, a former NWA World Champion and current Tag Champion who began his career in WLW before arriving in WWE, shared his excitement for the news and the connection to Race in a statement:
“When you thought of NWA back in the day, you thought of Harley Race. It was a company had a lot of pride and respect for… As the student of Harley Race and representative of him throughout my career, it feels good that I can do this for World League Wrestling and bring these two together.”
As an official territory, the NWA will recognize all NWA WLW champions going forward. Additionally, a talent-sharing agreement will benefit both promotions, according to Murdoch.
“We are going to be a developmental system for the NWA to find some of the top, young talents that have not been seen, that might not be getting opportunities they deserve.”
Race, an eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, isn’t the only huge name tie to WLW which has always worked with legends like ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, and Meng/Haku. WLW joins other companies to become NWA territories, including Exodus Pro, which made the move in October 2023.
Murdoch is one of several major players in the NWA, which includes Mike Knox, Kenzie Page, Max the Impaler, and reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion Thom Latimer. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the NWA and its continued efforts to expand with territories across the United States.
The newest WWE NXT referee won’t have trouble laying down the law after joining the silver brand following a career in boxing. At last Saturday’s live event in Orlando, Florida, Vicky D’Errico made her WWE debut as a referee.
D’Errico was recruited by WWE after participating in the tryouts over WrestleMania 40 week in Philadelphia. WWE official Darryl Sharma warmly welcomed D’Errico to the company on social media.
D’Errico joins Jessika Carr and Daphne LaShaun as WWE’s third active female referee, a role that has been male-dominated in the past. Now, she will be keeping an eye out for pinfall and submissions, but the newest NXT official won’t be afraid to keep the Superstars in check if they feel like bending or breaking the rules
Boxing Success
D’Errico was previously a professional boxer and fought for the Rough N’ Rowdy promotion. She debuted at Rough N’ Rowdy 10 in November 2019, and she would win the Women’s Middleweight title upon her return at Rough N’ Rowdy 20.
In May 2023, D’Errico retained the gold at Rough N’ Rowdy 21, to extend her undefeated record with the promotion.