Logan Paul has gone by many titles in his career, from YouTuber, to Boxer, to the longest-reigning WWE United States Champion of the past decade. Now, the controversial Maverick can be known as a father after he and his fiancée Nina Agdal have welcomed their baby daughter into the world this week.
On Instagram, the happy couple shared the exciting news that “Esmé Agdal Paul has entered the chat.” Several internet personalities wished the couple well in the comments, as did WWE’s very own Natalya Neidhart.
Since arriving on Monday Night Raw in June, the Wyatt Sicks have been an enigmatic force on TV, captivating fans with their presentation and work in the ring. Now, the Uncle Howdy-led faction has taken their message off of TV after emerging victorious in their first match at a WWE live event.
The group was part of WWE’s event in Columbus, Georgia, with Joe Gacy promoting their presence in Columbus ahead of the show via Instagram. The Wyatt Sicks earned a victory over American Made’s Chad Gable, and Brutus & Julius Creed with Erick Rowan getting the win for his team with a pin on Julius.
‘Main Event’ Jey Uso also made the trip to Columbus, Georgia, for his first title defense after capturing the Intercontinental Championship on Raw from Bron Breakker. In Columbus, the new champion proved his win was no fluke with another win over Breakker.
WWE Superstars join the promotion from all walks of life, with some coming from an athletic background in an entirely different sport. Delicious Orie has already established himself in the world of professional boxing, and the Olympian is interested in taking the WWE by storm.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Orie, who competed in this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris, shared his love for pro wrestling after attending the September 24, edition of WWE NXT.
“I started watching it when I moved to the UK. I used to watch the likes of John Cena, The Undertaker while there was the odd appearance from the older legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels. Me and my friends would do the moves.”
Orie added that it was “crazy” to get the chance to meet Michaels at WWE NXT’s final show on the USA Network, and was also pleased to meet Booker T. When asked about a potential future in WWE, Orie shared that it is something
“It’s something we could think about. I want to be an inspiration for people. I know wrestling would increase my profile so much and I want to be a global star. That’s the aim, to be known all over the world.“
Orie represented Great Britain in this year’s Summer Olympics and while he didn’t take home a medal, he’s seen plenty of success. In the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Orie took home gold in Birmingham when representing England and again won gold in last year’s European Games in Kraków and Ma?opolska, Poland.
WWE’s Olympians
WWE’s first Olympic Gold Medalist was Kurt Angle who had an incredible career from 1999 to 2006 which included five reigns as a WWE World Champion. It wouldn’t be until 2021 that WWE signed its second gold medalist, Gable Steveson, though his underwhelming WWE run ended this year. Currently, Tyra Mae Steele, aka Tamyra Mensah Stock, has been honing her skills at WWE NXT live events as well as on NXT Level Up.
Chad Gable competed at the 2012 Summer Games in London, England, before turning his attention to the world of pro wrestling and debuting in WWE NXT three years later. Clearly, WWE has become a hotbed for Olympians looking to forge a new chapter, and could Delicious Orie be next? Time will tell…
Since launching in 2019, AEW has proven to be the most direct competition WWE has seen since the demise of World Championship Wrestling. Like WWE, AEW hosts its events in large venues across North America, but that has led to an issue for Tony Khan’s promotion in recent years.
Critics of AEW have often shared photos online of shows with throngs of empty seats to hit out at Tony Khan’s creative direction and the company’s overall product. Despite these unflattering images, AEW has no plans to move to smaller venues.
AEW hit a record low in attendance last night, with almost 90% of the arena empty for Dynamite.
It's really sad to see what AEW has become.
Y'all can disagree all you want, but Tony choosing Jack Perry over his BIGGEST draw, CM Punk, was the final Nail in the coffin for AEW. pic.twitter.com/tLHw2Jo0oW
AEW chooses not to scale down to smaller venues for a number of reasons, Fightful Select reports. The promotion prioritizes factors like venue amenities, accessibility, parking availability, and the flexibility to expand seating as needed. They also consider the effectiveness of mailing lists and the adequacy of concession staff when choosing event locations.
While some feel that a move to smaller, more intimate venues would benefit AEW, Tony Khan will run his company in the manner he feels is best, which right now means closely prioritizing these factors when choosing its venues to host events. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on All Elite Wrestling as the promotion continues to provide an alternative to WWE each and every week on TV.
As the reigning WWE Women’s World Champion, Liv Morgan is one of the most featured stars on TV and is regularly afforded screen time on Monday Night Raw. Liv can also be found at WWE’s live events but is far from happy about TKO’s reported plans to reduce the number of these untelevised shows.
TKO President Mark Shapiro told those at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia & Technology Conference this month that WWE will be cutting down on the number of its “low-margin marginally profitable, untelevised events,” and predicts that just 200 events will happen next year, compared to over 300 in 2022. Speaking to the New York Post, Morgan shared her disappointment over the news.
“I’m sad to see them kind of go a little bit because the house shows are so much fun and it’s so so much more intimate. House shows are truly for the love of the game.”
Morgan added that it was at untelevised events in 2017, 18, and 19 that she truly came into her own as an in-ring talent, something that younger stars won’t have the same opportunity to do moving forward.
“I’m sad to see that go for the newer guys and girls coming in who aren’t going to be able to have that experience and have that reps at live events under that belt but it is what is. Time home is always nice.”
While WWE live events have been a staple for decades, TKO is focusing on its profit margin and believes live events aren’t just profitable enough. While live events will remain a fixture going forward, it may prove increasingly unlikely that WWE will roll up in your hometown.
As for Liv Morgan,her next major match will be broadcast and come at WWE Bad Blood where she’ll face Rhea Ripley with the Women’s World Championship on the line. Dominik Mysterio will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage, theoretically keeping him from interfering despite an alleged fear of heights. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Liv Morgan and her ongoing ‘revenge tour’ in WWE.
Posted September 28th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: Liv Morgan.
This Tuesday, October 1, WWE NXT will make its long-awaited debut on The CW after a five-year tenure as part of the USA Network. Expectations are high for the gold brand as it embarks on this new chapter, and fans can look forward to content rated TV-14, according to The CW’s official listings.
In 2022, it was reported that WWE would be moving Monday Night RAW from PG to a TV-14 rating, a decision said to have been made by the USA Network. Shortly after though, it was clarified that WWE had decided not to change Raw’s rating with the decision being down to not wanting to cause any issues with the show’s advertising partners.
TV-14 shows contain material parents may find unsuitable for children under the age of 14. The FCC’s official warning is that “parents are cautioned to exercise some care in monitoring this program and are cautioned against letting children under the age of 14 watch unattended.” These materials may range from suggestive dialogue, profanity, sexual situations or intense violence.
WWE NXT – October 1
The premiere of WWE NXT will take place on October 1, from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The card for the show so far is as follows.
Ethan Page (c) vs. Trick Williams (WWE NXT Championship, CM Punk as guest referee)
Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Giulia (WWE NXT Women’s Championship)
Wes Lee vs. Zachary Wentz (Street Fight)
Lola Vice & Jaida Parker vs. Two members of Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx)
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE NXT’s debut on The CW, including breaking news and live results.
As the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair are two of the biggest stars on the company’s roster. While the EST and the Storm aren’t currently set to compete at Bad Blood 2024, the pair will have a role at WWE’s upcoming Premium Live Event.
During the September 27, edition of WWE SmackDown, Belair and Cargill shared that they will be the official hosts of WWE Bad Blood. Not only that, but the Tag Team Champions also teased surprise appearances by “VIP guests” in Atlanta.
Belair and Cargill join other WWE Superstars who have served as the host of Premium Live Events, including The Miz who (alongside Snoop Dogg) hosted WrestleMania 39. This didn’t go so well for the A-Lister who was forced into impromptu matches with Pat McAfee and Shane McMahon, both of which he lost.
At this year’s Money in the Bank, Trish Stratus hosted the show in her native Toronto, Canada. In NXT, Meta-Four served as the hosts of Stand and Deliver in April of this year.
WWE Bad Blood 2024
WWE Bad Blood 2024 will take place on October 5, from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia and will be WWE’s fourth Bad Blood event, as well as the first in over 20 years.
Here is the card for WWE Bad Blood 2024 as it currently stands:
Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley (WWE Women’s World Championship, Dominik Mysterio will be suspended above the ring in a shark cage)
Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Hell in a Cell)
Nia Jax (c) vs. Bayley (WWE Women’s Championship)
Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu) (with Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa)
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE Bad Blood 2024, including breaking news and live results from the much-anticipated show.
MJF has made a name for himself as one of AEW’s top stars and boasts the record for the longest reign as AEW World Champion. Now, the self-professed scumbag is joining the cast of Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2,Deadline reports.
MJF will join Adam Sandler, who is reprising his role as the titular Gilmore, a failed hockey player with a volatile temper who joins the world of professional golf. Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald will reprise their roles as love interest Virginia Venit and golfing antagonist Shooter McGavin. Bad Bunny, who’s no stranger to the world of wrestling, has also joined the cast while Sandler has teased a cameo by Travis Kelce.
MJF’s most recent match for AEW saw him best Daniel Garcia at All Out 2024 but was laid out with a piledriver after the match. With no return data in sight for the former World Champion, MJF will have time to work on Happy Gilmore 2 before he returns to the ring.
MJF On The Big Screen
MJF portrayed Lance Von Erich in 2023’s The Iron Claw, a film he also served as an Executive Producer on, but his scenes were ultimately cut from the final edit. That same year, MJF loaned his voice to Waylon Jones, aka Killer Croc in Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two.
Although MJF has yet to find his big live-action break in acting, the AEW star has plenty in the pipeline. The 28-year-old recently wrapped up work on the indie comedy The Floaters alongside Seth Green and Aya Cash and has filmed scenes for Stranglehold, playing one-half of a burly duo alongside Ron Perlman (Hellboy.)
Only a select few wrestlers have successfully transitioned from wrestling to acting and MJF intends to join the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Dave Bautista, and John Cena. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on MJF and his projects outside the squared circle.
Posted September 27th, 2024 in AEW. Tagged: MJF, Netflix.
In 2024, WWE NXT’s collaboration with TNA Wrestling has excited fans and allowed for talent from both sides to step through the ‘prohibited portal.’ NXT Superstars have become regulars on TNA programming and vice versa, and could this partnership be represented in WWE’s next video game, WWE 2K25?
During a recent Q&A on Fightful Select, Sean Ross Sapp was asked if TNA talent could be included in WWE 2K5. Sapp explained that it would require approval from TNA, as well as separate agreements with both 2K and WWE. As independent contractors, TNA talents cannot be licensed without proper approval from the appropriate bodies.
TNA’s last video game was 2011’s TNA iMPACT on iOS and Android devices, while the company’s most recent console release was also TNA iMPACT, released in 2010. With that said, Jordynne Grace, who’s proven to be pivotal in the NXT-TNA collaboration, provided mocap for Ivy Nile in WWE 2K23 and described the American Made member as “dope.”
I actually did motion capture for her stuff in the 2K game. She’s dope https://t.co/Jdw4LigFQJ
WWE 2K4 was released in March of this year to positive reviews by critics and players alike as the hit series continues to deliver a stacked roster and new features. While it remains to be seen if Grace, Joe Hendry, Moose, or The Rascalz appear in the next installment, WWE’s partnership with TNA has shown that no idea is off limits to Paul Levesque and his team.
Sonya Deville returned to WWE TV in May of this year in a backstage segment with Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, a precursor to the Pure Fusion Collective. While Baszler is officially back after suffering an ACL tear in July 2023, the former Women’s Tag Team Champion is still struggling to regain her confidence in the ring.
Althought Baszler had optimistically hoped she’d just suffered a nasty sprain, a trip to the bathroom mere days after her injury made clear to her how serious her situation was. Speaking to WWE – Die Woche, Deville shared that she wouldn’t wish an ACL injury on anyone and described her recovery as a long, treacherous recovery process.
“You think you’re gonna get the surgery and then a couple of months are gonna go by and you’re gonna feel great, but it takes a very long time.”
Deville, WWE’s first openly lesbian Superstarin the promotion’s history, admitted that she’s still trying to find her place in the ring, despite being back for months.
“To get back into full-blown wrestling shape, it took a long time, and I’m still getting my confidence back in the ring. It’s still a forever-evolving process, but all is well. No pain, knock on wood. We’re good.”
Deville’s comments underscore how for wrestlers, a recovery from a serious injury can be just as much a mental process as much as it is about physical wellbeing. Not only did the injury rattle Deville’s confidence in the ring, but it also ended her time as a WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, her first title reign in nine years with the promotion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Sonya Deville as the former MMA fighter continues to find her place on WWE’s roster after her grueling ACL injury.
WWE Hall of Famer John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield has been making his presence felt in the wrestling world as of late with appearances in TNA, GCW, AAA, and beyond. Recently, the self-professed ‘Wrestling God’ arrived in MLW to assist Brock Anderson and has caught the attention of Emmy Award-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser.
On the latest MLW Pit-Fighters, Hauser made clear he has no love for JBL, who he said “came back from the dead.” He added that Layfield has no place in MLW, stating that “I know he’s one of the boys, but he’s not one of our boys.”
Hauser, perhaps best known for his role in Blackbird, confirmed that he will return to MLW in Chicago later this year and had a stark warning for the former WWE Champion.
“If JBL sticks his nose or his clothesline into my business, I will knock his ancient ass to the ground. And when he wakes up, he’ll think he’s back in Connecticut wearing a cowboy hat with his boss’ ass on his breath. So stay clear, Temu Stan Hanson.”
He may be busy on set, but @PWHIsAWrestler is keeping eyes on MLW and has plans for @JCLayfield . #MLWPitFighters ?
JBL, who is still under a WWE Legends contract, has explained his recent resurgence, stating he didn’t want his ill-fated alliance with Baron Corbin to be the end of his pro wrestling legacy. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on the WWE Hall of Famer as he continues to capture the attention of fans with his appearances outside WWE.
In July, Artem Chigvintsev, the husband of Nikki Garcia, was arrested and charged with corporal injury to a spouse, a felony that could’ve seen him face years in prison. This week, it was confirmed that Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley has declined to file criminal charges, after a thorough review of the investigation.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Chigvintse, best known for his work on Dancing with The Stars shared his relief that he will not be facing charges over what allegedly transpired in August.
“I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped. This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed. My focus has always been and will always be, our son Matteo. He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life. All along, my main concern has been for him. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward.
“I am hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on. I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and legal team for standing by me during this challenging time. Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was. I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters—continue being the best father I can be.”
Chigvintsev’s attorney, Ilona Antonyan, also provided a statement, adding that the goal now is to focus on a 50/50 custody schedule of Matteo between Artem and Garcia. Chigvintsev has been seeking joint custody of his and Nikki’s son, while she has sought sole custody with Chigvintsev being given visitation rights.
Antonyan adds that the investigation has proven that Chigvintsev was not the aggressor in the incident that led to his arrest.
“My understanding of the investigated facts surrounding the 8/29/24 incident have led me to conclude from the beginning that Artem was not the primary aggressor. I believe that to be true even if the burden of proof would be the preponderance of evidence, which is the standard of proof in family court. He was protecting himself and Matteo.”
A representative for Nikki Garcia, known to WWE fans as Nikki Bella, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. While the couple intends to divorce, the hope now is that both sides can do what is best for seven-year-old Matteo.
John Cena is heading to Springfield. The 16-time WWE World Champion will guest star on The Simpsons Season 36 premiere, airing this Sunday on FOX.
We have a first look at Cena’s animated character, which has been anticipated ever since his guest spot was announced back at San Diego Comic-Con. He joins an already star-studded season, with Danny DeVito, Tom Hanks, and former Simpsons writer and late-night host Conan O’Brien also making returns.
Cena’s guest spot on The Simpsons continues a longstanding tradition of celebrity cameos in the series. Notably, he’s not the first WWE Superstar to visit Springfield.
That honor goes to Bret “The Hitman” Hart, who appeared in Season 8’s The Old Man and the Lisa (air date: April 20, 1997). In the episode, Hart purchases Mr. Burns’ mansion after the billionaire loses his fortune, despite his initial hesitation due to the “old man stink!” lingering in the house.
For Cena, this animated appearance is another milestone in his post-WWE career, where he has successfully transitioned into film and television.
Best known for his role as Peacemaker and as Jakob Toretto in the Fast and Furious franchise, Cena continues to expand his entertainment footprint with this stop on one of the most beloved television shows in history.
In July of this year, wrestling fans were shocked as Shane McMahon, the prodigal son of WWE, met with Tony Khan at an airport in Arlington, Texas. This week, McMahon was once again in an airport, and once again, his time traveling left the 54-year-old feeling very ‘Elite.’
On Twitter, the Young Bucks shared that they bumped into McMahon at an airport with the AEW World Tag Champions saying they had an “interesting flight today.”
McMahon has said that it was sheer “coincidence” that he and the Bucks were on the same flight, Cultaholic reports. The trio were seen speaking and laughing together before boarding their flight in New York. All three sat in first class, with McMahon sitting behind the reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions. It’s added that the two parties didn’t interact much during the flight, as the Bucks slept through most of the journey to Salt Lake City.
McMahon and Tony Khan had a “really nice” meeting in which they discussed their mutual fondness for wrestling and “possibilities moving forward.” Their meeting came after Conrad Thompson claimed that McMahon had spoken to some in AEW about the possibility of joining Tony Khan’s first promotion. It was later clarified that Shane was not making a formal pitch to join AEW and was simply stating that it would be an interesting moment in wrestling
What Does The Roster Say?
Tony Khan and Shane McMahon
Shane McMahon joining AEW would certainly be huge and has the backing of AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson, who’s open to working with Shane in AEW. McMahon and Danielson were once authority figures on SmackDown and teamed together at WrestleMania 34 in 2018.
MJF on the other hand has warned Shane to stay away from him, citing that it’s in the best interest of Shane’s health if the pair were kept at a distance. MJF has also mocked McMahon’s WrestleMania 39 quad tear, commenting that the ‘apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,’ a nod to Vince McMahon suffering the same injury in 2005.
What’s Next?
While Shane has yet to appear on AEW programming, this chance encounter with the Young Bucks will add fuel to the rumors that he could be joining. Although a McMahon being All-Elite would’ve seemed impossible just a year ago, fans likewise once felt it was impossible that Vince McMahon would leave WWE, never mind doing so twice.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Shane McMahon as fans continue await what the future holds for him, and whether his future is in AEW.
Netflix’s Mr. McMahon docuseries has finally been released on the streaming juggernaut, four years after the project was first announced. The six-part series delves into some of McMahon’s most controversial moments, though critics feel it fails to reveal anything that hasn’t already been covered.
One name fans don’t see over the six, one-hour long episodes is Janel Grant whose lawsuit alleging sexual abuse and trafficking resulted in McMahon’s WWE exit in January this year. In a statement shared with Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, Grant’s lawyer Ann Callid argued that Netflix’s docuseries has shown McMahon’s true colors.
“The ‘Mr. McMahon’ docuseries makes it clear there is no difference between Vince McMahon’s on-air persona and his true self, they are one and the same. His “character” – known for violent outbursts, sexual deviance, and manipulation – is the real Vince McMahon and exactly what Janel Grant experienced behind closed doors at WWE for years.”
Callis adds that the the series only scratches the surface of McMahon’s alleged criminal activities, and is hopeful for Grant to have her own chance to tell her story her way.
“While the docuseries put McMahon’s obsession with power and control on full display, it only scratches the surface of his criminal behavior and it fails to tell the full story of his abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking of Ms. Grant. She deserves the opportunity to tell her story, on her own time, and in her own way. We look forward to her day in court and to seeing McMahon at last held accountable for his actions.”
Grant’s comments echo her previous statement, released before Mr. McMahon launched on Netflix, in which she addressed McMahon insisting that what happened with Grant was a consensual affair. The interviews conducted with McMahon took place before Grant’s lawsuit went public, and as a title card in the doc states, McMahon refused to take more questions after that.
In a rare public statement of his own, McMahon has distanced himself from the project, claiming he was misrepresented by selected editing, outdated soundbites, and out-of-context footage. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Netflix’s docuseries which is proving to be a huge topic of discussion in the world of wrestling.
Drew McIntyre and CM Punk have held nothing back in their feud that has proven to be a highlight of WWE Television in 2024. Just days ahead of their collision at WWE Bad Blood, McIntyre has now taken aim at Punk’s dog Larry with an infamous moment from the hit animated show Futurama.
On his Instagram Stories, Punk shared a video of his popular pooch in the ring with fans in the comments sharing their love for Larry. On Twitter though, McIntyre gave a ‘spoiler’ of Larry’s fate after WWE Bad Blood, comparing the dog to Seymour from Futurama.
For those not initiated with the animated series, Seymour is the beloved pet of protagonist Phillip J. Fry, who is accidentally cryogenically frozen for 1,000 years. McIntyre’s clip shows Seymour waiting in vain for Fry to come home, a fate that McIntyre wants to inflict upon Larry when he faces CM Punk inside Hell in a Cell next month. This isn’t even McIntyre’s first dig at Larry as he referred to him as a “stupid-looking dog” during a June 2024 edition of WWE Raw.
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson will put the gold on the line against Jon Moxley at AEW WrestleDream following Moxley’s victory on AEW Grand Slam: Dynamite. While Moxley has punched his ticket to potentially regaining the richest prize in All Elite Wrestling, the three-time former champion had little time to celebrate.
After the match, Danielson launched a surprise attack on his former ally, payback for the assault the champion endured at AEW All Out 2024 earlier this month. Danielson even choked Moxley with a necktie, not only delivering payback, but giving fans a nod to his 2010 WWE firing for choking Justin Roberts during the debut of the Nexus. Grabbing the mic, Danielson confirmed that he and Moxley would clash for the AEW World Championship at AEW WrestleDream.
BRYAN DANIELSON FINALLY GETS PAYBACK ON JON MOXLEY!
Moxley’s title opportunity comes at the expense of Darby Allin, who had earned a title opportunity by winning the Royal Rampage back in July. There had reportedly been talks of Allin receiving a World Championship run, and whether that’s still the plan or not, it certainly won’t come to fruition at WrestleDream.
AEW WrestleDream will take place on October 12, in Tacoma, Washington, the home state of the American Dragon. With Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, and Marina Shafir on his side, Moxley will have the numbers advantage, even if Danielson has the crowd on his side. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on this feud as the two former allies prepare to tear each other apart next month at AEW WrestleDream.
AEW Grand Slam: Dynamite saw some of the very top names of the All-Elite promotion in action, including Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, The Young Bucks, and Mariah May. The show also saw a huge debut unfold in New York City as MVP has arrived in AEW.
An interview segment began with Tony Schiavone asking Prince Nana for an update on Swerve Strickland’s medical status following the brutality of All Out 2024. Nana confirmed that Strickland is not currently cleared to compete but is working toward his return.
It was then that MVP interrupted things, making his AEW debut after parting ways with WWE earlier this year. MVP criticized Nana’s management of Strickland, accusing him of focusing more on dancing and selling coffee than on advancing Strickland’s career. MVP handed Nana a business card, instructing him to pass it on to Strickland whenever the former AEW World Champion wants to “get serious” and “talk business.”
Just when we started to hear about Swerve Strickland, we got a surprise appearance and OFFER from MVP!
MVP has arrived in AEW, but the question is whether he’ll bring in some more WWE alum. MVP reportedly intends to reunite with Bobby Lashley and there had been talk of both men coming to AEW before MVP’s debut this week. Lashley and MVP reportedly intend to revive the Hurt Business alongside Shelton Benjamin, who was released from WWE last September.
With the Hurt Business name under the ownership of WWE, MVP has filed a trademark for ‘The Hurt Syndicate’ and recently told a fan that the Hurt Business is “dead” but he is still in business. Now, MVP’s business has brought him to AEW. Stay tuned to see what’s to come for MVP and whether he will be able to coax Swerve Strickland into taking on his managerial services.
At AEW Grand Slam: Dynamite, HOOK defended the FTW Championship against Roderick Strong, proving his skills against the veteran wrestler. Little did fans know going into this match that this would be the final FTW Championship match in the title’s illustrious history.
After the match, HOOK shared an embrace with Strong before joining Tony Schiavone at ringside to make a stunning announcement: he was retiring the FTW Championship. HOOK handed the title to his father Taz, declaring “This is yours” in a moment that brought tears to the eyes of the Human Suplex Machine/commentator.
While first introduced in ECW by Taz in 1998, it wouldn’t be until 2020 that the gold debuted in AEW. Five men held the title during its All-Elite run, with Ricky Starks boasting the longest reign at 378 days. HOOK holds the record for the most combined days, as his three reigns saw him hold the gold for a total of 627 days.
With the FTW Championship now officially retired, HOOK’s emotional tribute to his father marks the end of an era. It also raises the question as to what’s next for HOOK and whether he is ready to set his sights on AEW’s sanctioned titles. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on HOOK as he starts a new chapter in his career, one without the FTW Championship around his waist.
As an icon of pro wrestling, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin forged a legion of fans as one tough S.O.B and worked with the very top stars of the Attitude Era. Over his career, the Texas Rattlesnake fought the likes of Triple H, Mankind, and The Rock, but now a teenage girl is proving to be Austin’s main adversary.
In recent years, Austin has gotten involved in the sport of off-road racing and has wasted no time in racking up wins. Speaking to Too Much Access, Austin gushed about his love of getting behind the wheel.
“I’ve been doing it for about a year and a half, and I’ve absolutely fallen in love with it. It’s just so different from anything I’ve ever done.”
Austin explained the similarities between learning to wrestle and learning to off-road race. Aside from initially “sucking” at both, a common mistake newcomers make in each discipline is wanting to “go fast” right from the start. He made the same error and quickly learned that mastering the fundamentals serves you far better in the long run.
Stone Cold and Off Road
At 59-years-old, Austin is facing off with racers decades younger than him. Most recently, a 14-year-old girl has proven to be a thorn in the pro wrestling icon’s side.
“One of my arch-rivals last year was a 14-year-old girl. She can drive her ass off. So when you’re born out there and you get that DNA in you, them kids are fast. It’s fun, it’s competitive, it gives me something to do.”
Austin is enjoying his newfound passion as an off-road racer, but fans may still see him in the ring yet. The Bionic Redneck has teased getting involved with WrestleMania 41 when the Show of Shows comes to April in 2025. If so, Austin’s off-road racer could give the Hall of Famer quite the entrance, as he’s not overshadowed by a certain teenage driver.
The reviews are in for Netflix’s Mr. McMahon docuseries, with the consensus being that a more thorough in-depth analysis could have been conducted on WWE’s ex-CEO.
The six-part series was first announced in 2020 with interviews beginning the following year, before the ‘hush money’ scandal that forced McMahon into retirement in 2022. While McMahon was interviewed for the project, his clips come from before Janel Grant’s lawsuit in January 2024 that resulted in McMahon’s second exile. As a card in the doc states, McMahon refused to give any more interviews after Grant’s lawsuit went public and McMahon himself has distanced himself from the series.
The Reviews Are In
Garrett Martin of Paste Magazine is among those who believe Mr. McMahon comes up short when trying to give a complete picture of arguably wrestling’s most controversial figure, and again fails to demonstrate the harm McMahon’s tactics have had on others.
“Mr. McMahon fails to paint a full portrait of the man, or to fully contend with the negative impact he’s had on so many. And interviewing him doesn’t add much of value.”
Ryan Woodrow of Men’s Journal agrees that while the docuseries could have given further analysis, it does at least cover the bulk of McMahon’s many controversies.
“It digs up every skeleton he has and puts it on display – even if I don’t think it adequately examines most of them.”
The Wall Street Journal’s John Anderson has a more favorable review, arguing that this documentary series will be the closest analysis fans will get of the 79-year-old McMahon.
“[Chris] Smith [the Filmmaker] probably gives us as honest a portrait of his subject as one is likely to get—despite Mr. McMahon’s claims of being a sphinx, something with which his ex-employees concur.”
Adam Silverstein of CBS Sports believes that the series will prove to be ground-breaking for those unfamiliar with McMahon, but light on revelations for its core audience.
“Those unfamiliar with the intimate details about McMahon’s personal and business life will receive a thorough education. Die-hard wrestling fans will be familiar with nearly all of the stories and controversies.”
And BJ Colangelo of Slash Film believes that a phrase from McMahon’s repertoire is best suited to describe Mr. McMahon.
In 2024, kayfabe is a fluid entity in professional wrestling, with many wrestlers acting out of character out of the ring and on social media. In 1996 though, kayfabe was strictly maintained, until a quartet of wrestlers decided to ‘kill’ professional wrestling in the eyes of Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart’
The Curtain Call – What Happened?
On May 19, 1996, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall wrestled their final WWF matches before leaving for WCW with Hall beating Triple H while Nash lost to Shawn Michaels. After the latter match, the four friends embraced and posed in the ring, despite Nash and Triple H being heels while Michaels and Hall were faces. The incident was dubbed ‘The Curtain Call’ as it pulled back the curtain to fans, shattering kayfabe for the live crowd in MSG.
Bret Hart – The Kliq Killed Wrestling
Appearing on Netflix’s Mr. McMahon docuseries, Hart makes his views clear on the actions of The Kliq, who he believes changed the perception of wrestling on that night in New York.
“They killed wrestling that day. That was when wrestling wasn’t real anymore. We’d pulled the curtain back and said, ‘This is how it works.’ That was the unveiling of the new direction that wrestling would be. It’s not wrestling anymore. It’s entertainment.”
The Hitman Punches McMahon
Hart’s feelings on The Kliq are similar to those of McMahon, who opted not to punish Michaels, the newly-crowned WWF Champion at the time. In the docuseries, Hart recalls attacking McMahon after the Montreal Screwjob and makes his current feelings on the former WWE Chairman crystal clear.
“[Punching McMahon was] Probably the best thing I ever did and he deserved every bit of that.”
Netflix’s Mr. McMahon has proven to be a captivating watch and offers insight from those who know the controversial billionaire best. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Bret Hart as the Hitman isn’t holding back with his views on the world of wrestling.
Netflix’s Mr. McMahon docuseries aims to give viewers an in-depth look at the life, career, and legacy of Vince McMahon, over two years after his initial retirement from WWE. McMahon gave several interviews for the project, first announced back in 2020, and the 79-year-old billionaire wasn’t afraid to broach the topic of sex.
During the final episode of the six-part docuseries, McMahon speaks candidly about how his brain processes things and considers his mind to be akin to different computers.
“I have, not two different brains, but like, computers in my head and sometimes they work against me. I have one computer talking to you right now and there’s another one going on with me thinking something completely different.”
McMahon goes on to explain how he has a third ‘computer’ that thinks of completely unrelated matters, which has made it difficult for McMahon to be normal.
“And then there’s a third one sometimes… And so it’s difficult for me sometimes to pay attention to things. It’s bothered me through the years because all I wanted to be was normal. I wanted to fit in. But I deal with it.”
When asked what this third brain is thinking of at the moment, McMahon said:
“Something having a lot of fun and it’s involving sex.”
McMahon’s comments come amid a paused lawsuit against him filed by Janel Grant who alleges she was abused and trafficked by McMahon and John Laurinaitis. McMahon was interviewed for the Netflix docuseries before the allegations that resulted in him stepping down from WWE twice within the span of two years.
Vince McMahon will forever be tied to pro wrestling but his legacy will forever be linked to the allegations by Grant and others. Mr. McMahon is now available to watch on Netflix.
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SEScoops.
This week, four years after it was first announced, Netflix’s docuseries about the life, career, and legacy of Vince McMahon will launch on the streaming giant. In the run-up to its launch, McMahon had begun working with a PR film, but now Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics reports that this partnership has come to an end.
McMahon is no longer being represented by Sitrick And Company, a firm that he’d been aligned with since April of this year. When asked about the reason for the end of the relationship, Michael Sitrick, founder of the firm, refused to go into in-house details, stating “With respect to clients, we don’t comment beyond the fact that we are no longer working together.”
Sitrick And Company
Like his now-former client, Sitrick has garnered quite a reputation in his field, with Fortune once calling him an “accomplished practitioner of the dark arts of public relations.” The L.A. Times had a similar take to Sitrick, calling him a “puppet master” who’s pulled the strings behind some of the media’s biggest stories. Sitrick And Company has presented some huge names including Pepsi, Make-A-Wish, and the late Kobe Bryant.
Over two years on from his initial departure from WWE, McMahon remains a controversial figure among fans and those in the industry. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Vince McMahon and his efforts to handle his legacy in this post-WWE chapter of his life.
This week’s WWE NXT (the final before the gold brand’s move to The CW) saw Roxanne Perez and Giulia field questions ahead of next week’s title match. Speaking from San Fernando, Chile, and appearing via satellite, Vaquer interrupted proceedings, asking what the pair would do knowing they have her waiting for them on the other end of the title match.
While this marked Vaquer’s WWE NXT debut, it’s been teased for some time that Vaquer would be entering the women’s title picture. Mere days after Vaquer joined WWE, Roxanne Perez declared her superiority over both Vaquer and Giulia, making clear that the NXT Women’s Champion is keeping a close eye on her potential challenger.
Whether it’s Perez or Giulia who hold the gold this time next week, Stephanie Vaquer is waiting in the wings for a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the CMLL alum and her role in NXT’s new era on The CW.
