In the main event of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Forged in Excellence event, Konosuke Takeshita retained the AEW International Championship against TNA Wrestling’s Josh Alexander. After the match, Takeshita continued his attack but this assault was cut off by another AEW star.

Ricochet made the save and took the fight to Takeshita, sending the International Champion on the defensive. Ricochet would end the show by standing tall with the AEW International Championship and shaking hands with Alexander.

Ricochet clearly has his eyes on capturing the AEW International Championship, a title he has challenged for twice already. Ricochet previously challenged then-champion Will Ospreay for the gold on the October 2, episode of AEW Dynamite, which served as the show’s fifth anniversary. Takeshita interfered and attacked both men before winning the gold in a three-way match at AEW WrestleDream. On the October 19 episode of AEW Collision, Ricochet beat AR Fox and targeted Takeshita in a post-match promo.

Since arriving in AEW at All In: London 2024, Ricochet has been one of the company’s most regularly featured stars, and has now arrived in Maple Leaf Pro. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Ricochet and whether he becomes the next AEW International Champion.

At the Republican National Convention, Hulk Hogan publicly endorsed Donald Trump, describing the former U.S. President as his personal hero. This week, the Hulkster once again backed the Republican party leader, who he predicts will win in a landslide when voters go to the polls next month.

Appearing on FOX News, Hogan called Trump “quick on his feet” and a politician who can “pivot.” Hogan praised an incident when the former President “schooled that guy who didn’t know a thing about tariffs.” Trump has praised tariffs as “the greatest thing ever invented” and has shared plans to impose tariffs on foreign goods entering the United States. Supporters of Trump have said this will increase the chance of these products being made in the U.S. though economists have argued that this plan will see the cost of tariffs passed onto consumers.

Speaking about the polls, many of which show Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris tied or Harris ahead, Hogan predicted that his preferred candidate would emerge on top in the election.

“So I hear what you’re saying about the polls, and it’s even-steven, but let me tell you something. I don’t believe the polls! It’s going to be a landslide. You know – too big to rig brother is the theme here.”

Too big to rig has been a rallying cry among Republicans who continue to allege that the 2020 election saw illegal interference that favored President Joe Biden. Hogan’s appearance on FOX is somewhat ironic given that FOX paid $787 million to Dominion to settle a defamation lawsuit over lies shared by the network over Dominion’s role in the 2020 election.

Hogan has publicly endorsed Donald Trump while Hollywood A-Lister Dave Bautista has made his views on Trump clear and is backing Kamala Harris. While every voter has the right to keep their choice private, it’s pretty clear who Hulk Hogan will be casting his ballot for on November 2.

In recent years, content creators like Logan Paul and KSI have shown their merits in the world of pro wrestling, including a lengthy U.S. Title reign for the Maverick. Now, viral YouTuber BDE has stepped foot in the squared circle, which proved disastrous for TNA Wrestling’s own AJ ‘Top Dolla’ Francis.

BDE attended the recent Pro Wrestling Revolver Bad Trip show at the Calumet Center At Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Dayton, Ohio. During the show, BDE would end up in the ring with Francis and drop the former WWE Superstar/TNA Digital Media Champion with a picture-perfect cutter.

BDE, real name Brandon, produces WWE-themed content on his YouTube channel, which has amassed over 1.28 million subscribers since launching in May 2014. Many of BDE’s videos center around challenges in the WWE 2K series of video games, and the viral YouTuber has amassed over half a Billion views in total. BDE’s most popular video sees him try and win a Royal Rumble on every WWE 2K game and has amassed over 5 million views.

The success of BDE, Logan Paul, KSI, and others, demonstrates how media popularity has extended far past the world of conventional broadcast television. WWE will make a huge leap of its own come January 2025 when WWE Raw moves to Netflix as part of a lucrative ten-year deal. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from the world of wrestling and those who are able to entertain both in and out of the ring.

The House of Black has proven to be a force to be reckoned with since coming together in All Elite Wrestling in early 2022. On the latest episode of AEW Collision, the trio of Buddy Matthews, Brody King, and Malakai Black picked up yet another win and made history in the process.

The House of Black defeated Alpha Zo, Chris Nastyy, & Olumide on AEW Collision. As Tony Schiavone pointed out on commentary, this win makes the three men the most winningest trio in AEW history.

The trio of wrestlers have won 25 matches as a unit since first competing in AEW. The group’s first time teaming together came at AEW Revolution in March 2022, where they defeated PAC, Penta Oscuro, and Erick Redbeard. Since then, the group has gone on to get wins over Death Triangle, the Dark Order, the Elite, the Jericho Appreciation Society, and other notable three-person teams in AEW.

The House of Black are former AEW Trios Champion, with their 175-day reign being the second-longest in history (only behind The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn at 238 days.) Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on the House of Black as the group continues to assert its dominance and make history in All Elite Wrestling.

WWE has had its share of questionable angles and segments, from Katie Vick to Kurt Angle & Sharmell. In 2016, one segment left a current AEW star feeling very uncomfortable but was thankfully changed before it made it to TV.

In the Rolling Stone article ‘Inside the WWE Writers Room, ‘A Kingdom Ruled by Fear’, the publication delves deep into the environment within WWE’s creative team. One example given comes from a segment planned for the January, 18, 2016, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw that aired on Martin Luther King Day.

Former creative team member Michael Leonardi recalled working on a segment that would have featured Mark Henry, Titus O’Neill, R-Truth, and Neville (now AEW’s Pac.) Leonardi described how the original script had Neville, a white wrestler, say, “I’ve got a dream too, and that dream is to win the Royal Rumble,” a direct reference to Dr. King’s iconic speech.

Neville felt incredibly uncomfortable about delivering the line. Due to time constraints and the fact that they were in the middle of taping, Leonardi made a quick adjustment to the script. Instead of Neville, the line was reassigned to R-Truth. This change happened on the fly, and the segment aired as planned.

This is just one of many examples of how WWE under Vince McMahon sparked controversies, often with the writing team being forced to work with ideas they did not personally agree with. Last year, a former writer alleged that several racist and offensive storylines were pitched, including Mansoor being responsible for 9/11. Now, McMahon’s is gone from WWE, and for those on the creative team, they’re likely breathing a heavy sign of relief that the 79-year-old’s era is a thing of the past.

The October 18, edition of WWE SmackDown featured some huge names appear including Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Nia Jax, and the debuting Motor City Machine Guns. Michael Cole was not part of the broadcast in a rare absence for the voice of WWE and now more has come to light about his hiatus.

Without Cole around, Monday Night Raw’s Wade Barrett filled in behind the announce desk alongside Corey Graves. While speaking to Sal Licata of WFAN recently, Cole shared that he was taking a 10-day vacation in Cozumel, Mexico with his family.

“I’m actually leaving tomorrow for Cozumel, Mexico, for a 10-day family vacation with the entire family and grandkids.“

On SmackDown, Graves explained Cole’s absence by saying he was away on a ‘special assignment.’ After filling in for Cole, Barrett shared that he’s curious as to what this assignment was for the veteran broadcaster.

This week marks the third time Michael Cole has missed an episode of WWE programming throughout his 27-year career with the company. Cole missed Monday Night Raw’s season premiere in October 2023 due to a personal commitment. Before that, he missed a show back in September 2017 to attend his son’s wedding.

Michael Cole’s WWE Future

With Cole signing a new contract with WWE earlier this year, fans can expect much more of him in the future, despite his absence this week. Cole is set to reunite with Pat McAfee in January 2025 once the popular sports broadcaster returns to WWE after hosting College GameDay. That same month, WWE Raw will move to Netflix, marking a new era in broadcasting for the red brand, one that Michael Cole will be a part of.

Samantha Irvin’s time as a WWE Raw ring announcer has come to end, via a lengthy statement shared on social media. On Instagram, Irvin shared her news and had plenty of thanks to those who have helped her along the way.

WWE Universe, my time has come to an end as your Monday Night Raw Ring Announcer. I love you all tremendously and this does not mark the end of my art, I have a lifetime more to share. Thank you to every WWE fan who accepted me.

To the Women’s Locker Room: you are the most incredible group of people on the face of this Earth. I am beyond proud to be your colleague and friend.

To the Crew & Cameramen: I can’t thank you enough for the encouragement, the laughs. You created such a wonderful positive atmosphere for me. Love you all.

To the WWE Superstars, past and present: I have thank you since 1989 and will continue to thank you for the rest of my days for entertaining us. For raising the bar over and over again. For risking your bodies and finding new ways to keep us shocked and wanting more. There is no form of entertainment like this and not just any entertainer can be a wwe Superstar. The respect I have for you is more than I can express. Thank you for making it so easy to pour emotion and excitement into your introductions. You are the stars that the stars idolize. It doesn’t get any bigger and I’m proud to have used my voice to let the world know it.

Thank you Paul Heyman, Michael PS Hayes & Michael Cole. I will continue to apply what I learned from you to every aspect of my career. Thank you for invigorating my creativity.

Thank you Brian ‘Road Dogg’ James, Scott Armstrong, Gabe Sapolsky, and George Carroll Jr. for giving me my first opportunities to rise to the occasion.

Thank you to HHH for trusting me and showcasing me on this platform.

Thank you Mark Henry for giving me my big break. I hope I made you proud.

Thank you to all the Coaches, Producers, Medical, Writers, Talent Relations, Makeup, Photography, Social Media, Digital, Travel, Department, Catering, Merch, 2K Team, Referees, Security and Announce Team for everything you did to help me along the way.

To my fans, my entire career I’ve been waiting for you! We are meant to be and I can prove it. Stay tuned.

All my love! And still…

Samantha.

Many of those in the comments took Irvin’s statement as a sign of her exit, not just from the role of Raw’s announcer, but from the entire WWE. At this time, Irvin has not confirmed that she is leaving WWE, nor did she specify any role in the company outside of her recent announcing duties. Irvin has removed all references to WWE in the bio of her Instagram and X accounts.

Irvin joined WWE in 2021, initially as the ring announcer of 205 Live, but her skills behind the mic would see her moved to the main roster the following year. At this year’s WrestleMania, Irvin announced 14 matches and was praised by announcing icon Michael Buffer after the Showcase of the Immortals. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Samantha Irvin and the next chapter of her career.

‘Timeless’ Toni Storm came up short in her debut for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) but it’ll take more than one setback to keep the AEW star away. During the October 18, edition of Viernes Espectacular, Storm made her long-awaited in-ring debut for the promotion. The match had been scheduled for earlier this month before Hurricane Milton made Storm’s journey to Mexico City impossible.

Inside the legendary Arena Mexico, Storm and Catalina held nothing back, in what was also Storm’s first time competing in Mexico. The finish of the match saw Catalina hit a diving splash to pick up a huge win over the former AEW Women’s World Champion. After the match, Storm grabbed the microphone and vowed to return to Arena Mexico soon.

What’s Next?

With this win under her belt, La Catalina’s attention turns towards the 2024 Women’s Grand Prix, which will include Willow Nightingale, Zeuxis, and more. This win is the latest momentum-building victory for the luchador, who has also won the 2023 CMLL Women’s Universal Championship Tournament.

As for Storm, fans eagerly await her return to AEW programming as she has been missing since her title loss to Mariah May at AEW All In: London in August. More recently, Storm promoted AEW Grand Slam 2025 in Australia and has teased facing May for the gold in her home country. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Toni Storm and her efforts in and out of AEW.

Since Bad Blood, Kevin Owens has attacked Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, seemingly payback for Rhodes’ willingness to team Roman Reigns at the PLE. The Prizefighter did not appear during the latest episode of WWE SmackDown, but cast doubt on his future via a video shared to social media.

Earlier this week, Owens said he’d been silenced by WWE and gave the company’s higher-ups until SmackDown to share a video, detailing his side of what’s happened. Taking matters into his own hands, Owens has now shared a video on his own X account, in which he claims Randy betrayed him, not the other way around.

“I would have never done that to you [Orton]. I thought what we had was different. I can’t believe you picked Cody Rhodes over me.”

Owens added that between WWE disrespecting him and Orton’s ‘betrayal’ of the former Universal Champion, he doesn’t know “if or when” he’ll return to WWE TV.

WWE has gone a different way with the presentation of this angle, including relying on fans to record and share Owens’ attack on Rhodes. Similarly, the full footage of Owens’ attack on Orton was first shared by Sports Illustrated, which obtained CCTV footage of the attack. Now, it remains to be seen when Owens will be back on WWE programming (if ever,) as the Prizefighter continues to believe he is the victim of these betrayals. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and the Undisputed WWE Champion.

The Motor City Machine Guns have officially arrived in WWE, debuting during the October 18, edition of WWE SmackDown after weeks of vignettes. Now, fans can look forward to seeing Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin in action next week in what will be nothing short of a dream match for fans of tag-team wrestling!

On this week’s SmackDown, MCMG won their debut match against A-Town Down Under and Los Garza, advancing in a tournament to determine the number one contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championships. The show also saw DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tomasso Ciampa) advance in the tournament with a win over Pretty Deadly and the Street Profits. DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns will face off next week with the winners earning a shot against The Bloodline.

DIY and MCMG are two talented teams who both established loyal fanbases on the independents before arriving in WWE. Now, fans will get to see these four talented wrestlers do what they do best with a shot at the WWE Tag Team Titles on the line.

WWE SmackDown – 10/25/2024

Next week’s SmackDown will be the penultimate episode of the blue brand before WWE Crown Jewel on November 2. Here is the confirmed card as it currently stands.

• DIY (Tomasso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) Vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley (WWE Tag Team Championship No. 1 contenders match)
• World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER will come to SmackDown to come face-to-face with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes ahead of Crown Jewel.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for full coverage of SmackDown including breaking news and live results.

The October 18, edition of WWE SmackDown saw the blue brand continue on the road to WWE Crown Jewel, as well as the latest developments in the Bloodline saga. While the crowd inside the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina got a stacked show with top names, commentator Michael Cole was nowhere to be found.

Instead of Cole, Monday Night Raw’s Wade Barrett donned the headset alongside Corey Graves. Graves shared that Cole was on a “special assignment” and as a result would not be a part of the show this week.

This marks the third time Michael Cole has missed an episode of WWE programming throughout his 27-year career with the company. Cole missed Monday Night Raw’s season premiere in October 2023 due to a personal commitment. Before that, he missed a show back in September 2017 to attend his son’s wedding.

Michael Cole’s WWE Future

With Cole signing a new contract with WWE earlier this year, fans can expect much more of him in the future, despite his absence this week. Cole is set to reunite with Pat McAfee in January 2025 once the popular sports broadcaster returns to WWE after hosting College GameDay. That same month, WWE Raw will move to Netflix, marking a new era in broadcasting for the red brand, one that Michael Cole will be a part of.

Since his 2020 transformation into the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns has called on fans and Superstars alike to acknowledge him with many doing exactly that. On this week’s SmackDown, it was Reigns’ turn to acknowledge somebody else, though things didn’t go well for the Original Tribal Chief.

During the October 18, edition of SmackDown, Reigns and Jimmy Uso shared a backstage segment. Jimmy mentioned that Paul Heyman would likely suggest talking to Jey Uso. Roman, however, promised he would “fix things tonight.” When Jimmy asked how he planned to do that, Roman replied, “I’m going to acknowledge Solo.”

In the show’s closing segment, Reigns came out alone, declaring that the fans would acknowledge him “for the last time.” Solo Sikoa then arrived with The Bloodline and Sikoa demanded that Reigns acknowledge him. Roman, in a rare moment, complied: “I acknowledge you, does that make you feel better?” But Solo wasn’t satisfied. He wanted Roman to acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief.

Solo pressed Reigns to acknowledge him as Tribal Chief, telling him to do it “or else.” As the fans changed “no,” Reigns fired back, stating “or else, what?” Solo laughed, saying neither man has truly changed, before the Bloodline brought out a beaten, limping Jimmy Uso, clearly the victim of a backstage attack.

A brawl broke out and while Reigns tried to fight the Bloodline by himself, the numbers proved to be too much. As SmackDown went off the air, fans chanted “Solo sucks” while Solo Sikoa stood tall, declaring that the ring now belonged to him.

Each year, WWE adds new inductees into its Hall of Fame, with the annual tradition honoring the very best in the world of wrestling and entertainment. For better or worse, Vince Russo is arguably the most well-known writer in the history of wrestling, but the former WCW World Heavyweight Champion has no plans to be a Hall of Famer.

On his Legion of Raw podcast, Russo discussed WWE’s Hall of Fame and those who want nothing more to be inducted. The 63-year-old on the other hand, shared that he would say no if WWE made an offer to him.

“Bro, I know guys where the most important thing in their lives was getting into the WWE Hall of Fame. I would turn down an invitation. Not that it will ever happen, it won’t, but I would turn down an invitation. That’s me and my freaking opinion, bro.”

Saying No to the Hall of Fame

Russo isn’t the only notable name who’d say no to the WWE Hall of Fame if presented with a potential induction. Last month, Jonathan Coachman shared on Cafe de Rene that he’d turn down the honor if asked, and shared his issues with the current crop of inductees.

“The Hall of Fame is supposed to be the absolute very best at what they do whether it’s a manager, talent, whatever. And that’s not what they do. They check boxes every year so they can have a good show.”

In 2021, WWE released Jeff Hardy after he refused to enter rehab, only to learn that his concerning behavior at a live event was not due to the influence of drugs. When trying to coax Jeff back (an act that’d keep him from AEW,) WWE reportedly offered Jeff a Hall of Fame induction, but he said no.

Becoming a WWE Hall of Famer is a huge deal to many, but not everyone has an acceptance speech prepped in their pocket. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from Vince Russo, but don’t expect him at a Hall of Fame ceremony anytime soon.

WWE NXT Superstar Cora Jade is mourning the loss of her dog Stitch who went missing hours before dying this week. On X, Jade shared the heartbreaking news with her followers that her dog had gone missing and hoped someone could reunite her with her furry friend.

Unfortunately, Jade shared in an update that Stitch was hit by a car and that the driver did not stop. The NXT Superstar was appreciative that the person who found her dog was able to contact her and care for Stitch in his final moments.

This tragedy comes mere weeks after Cora Jade made her return to NXT during the brand’s debut on The CW Network. During the show’s premiere episode on the network, Jade aided Roxanne Perez in her successful NXT Women’s Title defense against Giulia. Jade has explained her alliance with Perez as being on board with the new heel attitude of The Prodigy. The 23-year-old had been out of action since January of this year after she tore her ACL during an NXT Live Event match against Lyra Valkyria.

Jade and Perez have been at odds with Giulia and the recently-debuted Stephanie Vaquer in recent weeks, guaranteeing all four women a prominent role on WWE NXT programming. In her personal life though, Cora Jade is evidently struggling, and we at SEScoops would like to offer our condolences at this sad time.

WWE and Netflix are stepping in the ring together to debut a brand-new behind-the-scenes documentary. WWE President Nick Khan shared the news during the University of Southern California Next Level Sports conference.

A statement from Bloomberg reads:

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., part of TKO Group Holdings Inc., is set to debut a behind-the-scenes documentary series on Netflix Inc., WWE President Nick Khan announced on Thursday.

The new series is part of WWE’s expanding partnership with Netflix, Khan told the University of Southern California Next Level Sports conference in Inglewood, California. Earlier this year, the two companies signed a $5 billion, 10-year deal that will bring WWE’s flagship program, Raw, to the streaming service in 2025.

Netflix has already forayed into the world of professional wrestling with its six-part Mr. McMahon docuseries premiering on the streaming juggernaut last month. While critics have questioned the lack of new insight, the series has proven to be popular and remained in Netflix’s top 10-viewed programs during its first two weeks.

WWE will begin hosting Monday Night Raw on Netflix this coming January with a PLE-worthy show set to kick off this new era of the red brand. Fans outside the U.S. will also receive WWE SmackDown and WWE NXT as well as Premium Live Events. Netflix already hosted the Bad Blood 2024 PLE in Brazil in a taste of what fans outside the U.S. can come to expect very soon.

The Netflix partnership marks a huge future for WWE with its ten-year deal valued at a reported $5 billion. Soon, fans will get the chance to see much more of WWE, both the on-screen product and work from behind the scenes, on the streaming service.

TNA Wrestling star Steph De Lander is officially on the mend following neck fusion surgery. De Lander surprised fans at Victory Road in September when she disclosed her neck injury and announced that surgery would be necessary, an operation that would involve the fusion of her C5 and C6 vertebrae.

This week, De Lander shared a positive update on social media, humorously noting that she now has a “brand new neck.” The former WWE NXT Superstar jokingly adding that she might as well have gotten a BBL while she was at it.

De Lander previously shared that she expects to be out of action for at least six months, meaning she will miss the remainder of 2024. Fans are already eagerly anticipating her return to the ring once she’s fully healed. De Lander’s work alongside ‘Indy God’ Matt Cardona has proven to be a hit with fans, as the two often assist one another in matches and rile up fans.

Injuries are an occupational hazard for any professional wrestler and right now, De Lander is prioritizing her long-term health by focusing on getting fully healed. We here at eWrestlingNews would like to wish Steph De Lander a full and speedy recovery.

At WWE’s recent live event in Manchester, England, interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall surprised fans in his hometown. Aspinall appeared in the ring with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER, and fans could be seeing much more of him in the squared circle.

Speaking to The Sun after his appearance in Manchester’s Co-Op Arena, Aspinall shared plans for a future in WWE after he finishes in MMA.

“When I have retired from MMA, I’m switching over to WWE. And I’m going to be the WWE Heavyweight Champ.”

There’s no shortage of huge names who have transitioned from the Octagon to the ring, with Brock Lesnar, Matt Riddle, and Ronda Rousey finding great success in WWE post-MMA. In May of this year, Derrick Lewis shared that he was “in talks” with WWE, though the fighter has yet to appear for the promotion.

With WWE and UFC coming together under the TKO umbrella in September 2023, the crossover potential between the two parties has already played out on-screen. This partnership hasn’t just seen talent from either side crossover, but resulted in WWE NXT Battleground taking place inside the UFC Apex in June 2024. While Aspinall’s focus at this time remains on Jon Jones and a Heavyweight Championship unification fight, don’t be surprised if fans see much more of Tom Aspinall in a WWE ring.

Hulk Hogan has led a career in entertainment most can only dream of, from making a name in wrestling and platforming from that success into films and TV. As a WWE icon, Hogan is no stranger to being immortalized in wrestling video games, but he also played a role in one of the most beloved entries into the Pokemon series.

This week, Game Freak (the team behind the Pokemon video games) experienced a leak that revealed plenty about both past and present projects. Along the way, it was shared that Hogan was one-third of the inspiration behind the character of gym leader Drayden. Some of the character’s physical appearances, including “a muscular body like a wrestler” and “mustache control” were inspired by none other than the Hulkster.

Serving as one-third of Drayden’s inspiration isn’t Hogan’s only connection to the massively popular world of Pokemon. In 2006, Hogan commentated on the Pokemon TCG world tournament in New York City. Speaking at the event, the Hulkster shared what he feels has made Pokemon a worldwide phenomenon.

“I think Pokemon is so popular because it’s pure entertainment for the kids. It’s a very positive form of entertainment. It teaches them values and how to stay focused and team play.”

With his jacked physique, Hogan would fit right at home alongside Pokemon like Machamp, Buzzwole, or Conkledurr.

Since 2012, TNA Wrestling has welcomed some of its premier stars into its Hall of Fame with Sting, Kurt Angle, Jeff Jarrett, and Abyss all receiving the honor. This year, the ‘Man-Beast’ Rhino will receive his spot in the TNA Hall of Fame alongside Bob Ryder.

Rhino

Rhino joined TNA Wrestling in July 2005, just over a month after exiting WWE following that year’s One Night Stand pay-per-view. At that year’s Bound for Glory, Rhino would reach the top of the mountain, dethroning Jeff Jarrett as NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Rhino is also a two-time TNA World Tag Team Champion and won the 2008 Turkey Bowl contest.

Outside TNA, Rhino is known for being the final ECW Champion of the original promotion, where he also held the World TV Championship twice. In WWE, Rhino held the Hardcore title three times, the WCW U.S. Championship once, and was one-half of the inaugural WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

Bob Ryder

Concerned over WWE’s monopoly of wrestling in the U.S. following the demise of WCW and ECW, Ryder co-founded TNA Wrestling in 2002 alongside Jeff and Jerry Jarrett. Ryder was TNA’s first employee and became the company’s longest-tenured employee in history as he remained with TNA until his passing in 2020. During his tenure, Ryder held several roles with the company, including working as the Director of Travel Operations.

Before co-founding TNA, Ryder proved himself for years as an innovator in the wrestling media. At WrestleMania 11, Ryder became the person to conduct an online interview for the WWF when he fired questions as opponents Shawn Michaels and Diesel. In a statement after his passing, TNA referred to him as “the heart and soul of the promotion.” Eric Young, a friend of Ryder’s will induct and receive the honor on his behalf.

Rhino and Ryder will be inducted as part of the Countdown to Bound for Glory on October 26, from Wayne State University Fieldhouse in Detroit, MI (Rhino’s hometown.) Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Bound for Glory including live results and breaking news.

The United States is mere weeks away from its national election, in which Donald Trump aims to regain the White House after losing four years ago. Trump’s never been shy from making fun of others and on the latest Jimmy Kimmel Live, WWE legend Dave Bautista gave Trump a taste of his own medicine.

Amid an intense workout, Bautista told men who think Trump is tough that he’s not. The former WWE World Champion poked fun at Trump for wearing “more make-up than Dolly Parton,” later adding that the two have similar ‘jugs.’ To embarrassing clips of the Republican leader, Bautista also lays into how Trump drinks water and his deferment from conflict due to alleged bone spurs.

The Animal also brings up some of the controversies surrounding Trump, including reports that he “creeps around beauty pageant dressing rooms” and that he “bends over for Putin.” During this latter claim, an image of a headline, alleging that Trump chose to give Putin COVID-19 tests during the pandemic, is featured.

Concluding his comments about Trump, Bautista brings up the various things that the former President is ‘afraid’ of before ending with some of Trump’s own verbiage.

“He’s afraid that real American men will find out that he’s a weak, tubby, toddler. What’s wrong tough guy? Did someone grab you by the p***y? Whiny little b***h.”

– Dave Bautista to Donald Trump

Americans will go to the polls on Tuesday, November 5, to decide between Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, or one of the other candidates running for office. While everyone who votes has the right to keep who they voted for private, it’s pretty clear who Dave Bautista won’t be selecting.

Shawn Michaels spent his in-ring career known as the ‘Sexy Boy’ and the WWE Hall of Famer has a handsome man in mind to portray him in a movie. On Instagram, the WWE NXT roster was asked who they’d want to play them in a movie about their lives. When Michaels, the Head of NXT, was asked, he didn’t know who’d portray him today but picked Brad Pitt as his younger doppelganger.

“Young me? Brad Pitt. Old me? Uh, I don’t even want to think about it, he’s probably not with us anymore.“

WWE NXT: The Movie

Michaels wasn’t the only name from WWE NXT to give his pick for the perfect movie casting. You can check out the dream casting for the WWE NXT roster below:

• Thea Hail: Madelyn Cline (Stranger Things, Glass Onion)
• NXT North American Women’s Champion Kelani Jordan: Singer Mya or Halle Berry (X-Men, Gothika)
• Mark Coffey: John Goodman (The Blues Brothers, the Big Lebowski)
• Je’Von Evans: Jaden Smith (The Pursuit of Happiness, After Earth
• NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez: Jenna Ortega (Wednesday, Scream)
• Ethan Page: Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes)
• Karmen Petrovic: Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman, Death on the Nile)
• Ashante Adonis: Michael B. Jordan (Creed, Black Panther)
• Oba Femi: Winston Duke (Black Panther, Fall Guy)
• Jakara Jackson: Meagan Good (Stomp the Yard)
• NXT Heritage Cup Holder Charlie Dempsey: Steve Coogan (Stan & Ollie, Joker 2)
• Lash Legend: Porsha Williams (The Real Housewives of Atlanta)
• WWE NXT Champion Trick Williams: Himself

With the success of The Iron Claw and a Hart family movie reportedly in the works, the world of wrestling is proving to be popular on the big screen. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE NXT and its continued work on its new home on the USA Network.

At AEW WrestleDream, Jon Moxley captured the AEW World Championship from Bryan Danielson, bringing an end to the American Dragon’s full-time in-ring career. On this week’s Dynamite, Moxley made his first comments as the new AEW World Champion and laid out his intense vision for the All-Elite promotion.

In a video segment, Moxley spoke of wanting others to have the same opportunity that he’s had in wrestling, something he thinks hasn’t been the case in AEW as of late. Moxley spoke of the company’s massive roster, which includes “150 dudes on the roster with their junk in their hands.”

“I hate what AEW has become. Egos out of control. Celebrating, when there’s no need to celebrate and dancing and partying when there’s no need for dancing and partying! I cannot stand it anymore!”

Adding that he’s not sentimental, Moxley vowed to “burn down the forest to plant a new one” and that he and his allies will make a better future happen no matter what it takes. Moxley added that those in AEW can either join his group or run for the hills, before ending on this chilling message.

“For those in AEW, what’s the need to know? What is the new paradigm? It’s very simple: You work for me now.”

The video ends with a shot of Wheeler Yuta, who betrayed Bryan Danielson at WrestleDream to align himself with Jon Moxley. Later in the show, Moxley and his group attacked the Conglomeration and focused their beatdown on Orange Cassidy. It remains to be seen who will stand against Moxley and his allies and who will fall in line, as the new AEW World Champion doesn’t plan on taking any prisoners in his war with AEW.

AEW fans can expect to see much more of Shelton Benjamin now that the Gold Standard has officially signed with AEW. On this week’s Dynamite, Benjamin made his in-ring debut for AEW with a victory over Lio Rush. The match had been set up in a segment between the two and MVP at AEW WrestleDream.

On Twitter, AEW President Tony Khan congratulated Benjamin on his win and shared that the former WWE U.S. and Intercontinental Champion has officially joined the promotion.

Shelton Benjamin’s AEW Theme Song

Here is Shelton Benjamin’s first AEW entrance music, titled ‘Shining Forever’ by Mikey Riki’s featuring Mega Ran. Ain’t no stopping him now!

Plans for The Hurt Syndicate

Benjamin has been aligned with MVP as part of The Hurt Syndicate and the group could soon be welcoming a new member. Despite losing to Benjamin on Dynamite, a tweet from Lio Rush revealed he has a card from MVP, teasing interest in aligning with the wrestler/manager.

Between the arrival of Shelton Benjamin, the tease from Lio Rush, and reports of Bobby Lashley’s imminent arrival, MVP could soon have quite the faction at his disposal. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Shelton Benjamin now that the talented veteran is officially ‘All-Elite.’

The late, great Brian Pillman had a notable career both in and outside WWE, filled with championship title wins and memorable moments. Despite this, Pillman has yet to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, but his son Lexis King hopes that changes soon enough.

In WWE, King has opted not to use his real name of Brian Pillman Jr., as he hopes to forge a legacy for himself separate to the ‘Loose Cannon.’ Speaking as Pillman Jr. on Twitter though, the WWE NXT Superstar said that an induction for his father into the WWE Hall of Fame is all he has ever wanted.

King has quite the dream about seeing his father inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, and if it happens, it won’t be his first dream that comes true. In July of this year, King celebrated having his first WWE action figure released as part of a line that also included his father.

Whether Brian Pillman becomes a WWE Hall of Famer, that will be up to Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque and the Game’s creative team. With his legendary career, there’s countless fans who are behind the idea, and Lexis King is ready to lead the campaign for a posthumous induction for his father.

DELTA has officially signed with WWE and is set to make her debut on NXT later this month at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Now, with vignettes airing on NXT to hype her arrival, all eyes are on what the Australian powerhouse will bring to WWE’s developmental brand.

DELTA first caught WWE’s attention during their tryouts in February, held during Elimination Chamber week in Perth. After making a strong impression, she was given the opportunity to complete her scheduled matches in Australia before fully transitioning to WWE.

WWE Superstars are taking notice of DELTA’s pending arrival, with fellow Aussie Rhea Ripley naming her as someone she wants to work with.

Like many new signings, DELTA will start her WWE journey in NXT, where the women’s division continues to thrive. Her signing comes on the heels of WWE securing other top-tier talents, including Stephanie Vaquer and reports of a deal with Giulia. This trio ushers in a new era for the brand’s women’s division, and creates countless fresh match-ups with the likes of NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez and North American Champion Kelani Jordan.

Who Is DELTA?

DELTA began her wrestling career in 2019, inspired by her older brother and fellow wrestler, Dean. Her in-ring debut came on December 31, 2020, when the siblings teamed up to defeat Cyden Cornell and Savannah Summers at Riot City Wrestling (RCW).

From there, DELTA’s star continued to rise. She debuted in Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW) in 2021 and quickly made her mark, capturing the RCW Tag Team Championships. She later secured the MCW Women’s Championship twice and became the first woman to hold both the MCW Intercommonwealth Title and the RCW Championship—breaking new ground in the process.

After her WWE tryout in February, DELTA challenged Jordynne Grace for the TNA Knockouts Championship at Oceania Pro Wrestling’s H.E.R. event in April. OPW kindly shared this match in its entirety, embedded below.

In July, she had an emotional farewell match in Australia, defeating her brother at RCW’s Heavy Is The Crown. DELTA now looks forward to the next stage of her career with WWE.

With vignettes already building anticipation for her debut, NXT Halloween Havoc is shaping up to be a can’t-miss event. WWE fans should be excited, but the rest of the women’s roster might want to spend extra time at the Performance Center and sharping their skills.