Rey Fenix, alongside Penta El Zero Miedo, has been with All Elite Wrestling since 2019 and the Lucha Bros. are considered one of the greatest tag teams in the company’s history. As of late, there’s been plenty of talk about the future of the tag team in wrestling, and now a social media post from Fenix has left fans believing something big is coming.

On Instagram, Fenix shared several photos, many of which came from his time with All Elite Wrestling. Fenix’s caption “Bendita Lucha Libre, Gracias por todo” (Bless Lucha Libre, thanks for everything) certainly suggested that he is preparing to start a new chapter in his career.

Fenix’s post comes amid reports that he and Penta could soon be part of WWE, if they’re not already. Last month, it was reported that the Lucha Bros. were expected to leave AEW, and when Fenix withdrew from an independent event, many saw it as a sign he’d already joined WWE. Last week, it was reported that the pair had signed a multi-year deal with WWE, one that would see them skip WWE NXT and head straight to the main roster. The comments on the Instagram post saw many wishing the pair well in WWE, believing they are leaving AEW to join Tony Khan’s chief rival.

An update has stated that Fenix and Penta are still under contract with AEW, raising questions as to what the future of the group will look like. Should they join WWE, the pair will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Women’s Tag Champion Jade Cargill, NXT Champion Ethan Page, and others.

No matter what the future holds, fans can expect to see much more of the talented Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Miedo in the squared circle. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on the Lucha Bros. and their futures in wrestling.

Vicent Winey recently appeared on WWE Monday Night Raw, where he lost a squash match to Odyssey Jones. While Jones’ career in WWE is now a distant memory, Winey’s future looks bright, as he’s received a brand new name by the promotion.

Winey made his in-ring debut as Harlem Lewis during the latest taping of WWE NXT Level Up with a loss to Dante Chen. WWE recently trademarked the name Harlem Lewis, confirming its use for Winey going forward. Winey has also changed his name on Twitter/X to Harlem Lewis, confirming the moniker he hopes to make a name for himself with.

Vincent Winey

Harlem Lewis joined WWE earlier this year and in addition to his Raw appearance last month, has been appearing at NXT live events under the Winey name. So far, he is yet to score a victory in WWE and is sitting at a 0-9 win/loss record. His most recent match saw him on the losing eight of an eight-person tag at NXT’s August 23, live event in Fort Pierce.

Sporting Past

Before wrestling, Lewis played as a linebacker for the Morehead State Eagles Football team and played in the NCAA Division 1 league. In 2021, he began playing for the Ancona Dolphins, an American football team based in Ancona, Italy, again as a Linebacker.

WWE Romance

Lewis is currently dating WWE NXT’s Cora Jade, who had previously been in a relationship with Monday Night Raw’s Bron Breakker. In April, Jade and Lewis confirmed their relationship with a series of Instagram Stories. Jade has missed most of 2024 after suffering a torn ACL in January but teased a return to the ring in August.

As Harlem Lewis, Winey hopes to take NXT by storm and eventually make it to WWE’s main roster. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Harlem Lewis and his future as an NXT Superstar.

When AEW launched in 2019, Tony Khan gave WWE its most significant competition in close to two decades as fans flocked to an alternative to ‘Sports Entertainment.’ Both companies have seen major changes in the nearly six years since Khan and others announced AEW, but the 41-year-old’s competitive spirit remains stronger than ever.

Appearing on WFAN Daily, Khan was asked about AEW’s standing in wrestling, and how long it’ll be until they “dethrone” WWE. Khan admitted that his battle with WWE is a constant fight, one that neither side can take a break from.

“I want to be ahead, but it’s a constant fight—it’s 52 weeks a year. You’d appreciate that in this industry; it’s a 52-week-a-year business. Wrestling is the only sport with no offseason.”

When asked if competing with WWE had become an obsession, Khan answered diplomatically, noting that such an obsession isn’t confined to just pro wrestling.

“Fighting is an obsession. I think it’s really a driving obsession, competition, especially in wrestling and sports. I think it’s similar to sports—you have to focus on doing your best.”

Facing Off With WWE

AEW hasn’t backed down from going head-to-head with WWE, as seen in the ‘Wednesday Night Wars’ that saw Dynamite consistently garner more viewers than NXT. In October 2023 though, the tables turned as WWE NXT comfortably beat Dynamite when AEW’s flagship show aired on a Tuesday. Both shows featured stacked cards, proving that there’s still plenty of competitiveness between the two sides.

Though not an in-ring talent, Khan isn’t afraid to trash-talk, even referring to WWE as the Harvey Weinstein of pro wrestling. In October 2023, Khan labeled Triple H and Shawn Michaels “bald a**holes” ahead of NXT’s aforementioned win over Dynamite.

As the competition between the two companies intensifies, the ultimate winners are the fans, who now have two titans of the wrestling world delivering their best week after week. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on AEW and WWE and their never-ending battle to be the best.

This week, Mr. McMahon, a six-part docuseries from Netflix, will launch on the streaming juggernaut, giving fans an up-close look at one of wrestling’s most controversial names. With steroids, sexual harassment, and Chris Benoit covered in the trailer alone, no topic will be off limits in this series, despite Vince McMahon’s best efforts.

McMahon reportedly attempted to prevent the release of the docuseries, Dave Meltzer reports, after realizing it would not be as favorable to him as he had hoped. Before WWE’s deal with Netflix was signed in January of this year, McMahon tried to buy the rights to the series to block its release. When Netflix refused, McMahon turned to Ari Emanuel, hoping the Endeavor CEO would be able to win over Netflix brass, but again came up short.

This practice of buying media to prevent its release is known as ‘Catch and Kill’ and isn’t confined to McMahon alone, with celebrities and allies using the practice to bury bad press. In 2015, American Media paid $30,000 to a Trump Tower doorman for the exclusive rights to his story that he’d overheard a conversation about Donald Trump having a child with a woman who is not his wife. Despite paying, American Media, whose CEO David Pecker is a friend of the former president, never published the story.

Despite McMahon’s best efforts, Mr. McMahon will launch on Netflix this week with wrestling fans eager to see how his controversial legacy is covered. McMahon has already begun distancing himself from the project, claiming to have been grossly mischaracterized. Janel Grant’s attorney Ann Callis has also issued a statement, calling McMahon’s conduct abhorrent and criminal.

When Ethan Page parted ways with AEW in May of this year, it didn’t take long for the Canadian to find his way to WWE, debuting in NXT that same month. Just 40 days after his arrival, Page captured the NXT Championship, setting a record for the fastest debuting Superstar to win a world title.

After a three-year run in AEW that saw him never win gold, Page joins Cody Rhodes & GUNTHER as a flagbearer for WWE today. On the Insight podcast, Page described what his reign has meant to him, using a single word: “validating.”

“Validating? I think that’s the perfect word, validating. Imagine your whole life you have this vision of what your potential could be, and no one around you sees the same vision as you. Then magically, the greatest wrestler of all time just has the same vision as you and says, ‘I’ll let you do that.’ And here I am, doing it. Yeah, the boyhood dream.”

Reflecting on his All-Elite tenure, Page admitted it was time to move on and that his NXT success so far proves he made the right decision.

“It was time. Yeah, it was time. And I wasn’t getting what I magically got here, which was the opportunity to show what I bring to the table.”

What’s to Come?

Page’s rapid rise to the top of NXT will see him defend the NXT Championship against Trick Williams next week during WWE NXT’s premiere on The CW Network. Whether Page’s reign continues or ends abruptly, the All-Ego star is confident this kind of opportunity wouldn’t have happened in AEW. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on Ethan Page and WWE NXT’s move to The CW.

On the latest episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, Jey Uso captured the Intercontinental Championship, his first singles title since coming to the main roster in May 2010. Not only did this win mark Jey’s first solo title after years of being a tag-team champion, but the Main Event Superstar also broke an eleven-year drought in WWE.

With his win, Jey has become the second son to win the Intercontinental once held by their father. Jey’s father, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, captured the gold in June 2000, but Val Venis ended his reign just 13 days later. Much like his son, this reign would be Rikishi’s only time holding a singles championship while working for WWE.

The only other son to have followed in their father’s footsteps and win the Intercontinental Championship is Curtis Axel, who won the gold at WWE Payback in June 2013. Axel’s father, Mr. Perfect, held the Intercontinental Championship twice from April 1990 to August 1991 for a total of 404 days. Since Axel’s win, no son had been able to capture the Intercontinental title once held by their father, until now.

Jey’s victory has been long overdue in the eyes of many, with Joe Tessitore noting on commentary that he had previously tried six times to win a singles gold, all of which ended in tragedy for the ‘Main Event’ star. Jey was understandably emotional after Raw went off the air, and fans can’t wait to see what the future holds for the brand-new WWE Intercontinental Champion.

On the latest episode of WWE Raw, Jey Uso captured the Intercontinental Championship, his first singles title since joining the main roster in May 2010. For many, this is a win that’s been long overdue, and Uso was overwhelmed after Raw went off the air.

In fan-recorded footage from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, Jey can be seen crying tears of joy following his victory over Bron Breakker. Fans serenaded Jey with a ‘You Deserve It!’ chant, a call that Uso vehemently agreed with.

Jey appreciates those who’ve been with him on this journey and is proud to win the title in front of his home state of California. Jey encouraged any kids at the show to do well in school, work hard and listen to their parents, before giving a one-word message to wrap things up: YEET!

Uso’s victory marks the end of Bron Breakker’s 51-day reign that began at SummerSlam 2024 with a victory over Sami Zayn. Breakker retained the title against Zayn on the August 12, edition of WWE Raw in a two-out-of-three falls match.

Uso is one of WWE’s most popular Superstars, but coming up short in past title matches as well as Money in the Bank had left many wondering if the company would ever pull the trigger on Main Event Jey. Now, Uso has added his name to the lineage of the Intercontinental Championship in a win that fans and wrestlers are thrilled to see.

Jey Uso has been a part of WWE’s main roster for over 14 years and is considered one of the greatest tag-team wrestlers to ever grace the ring. After splitting from his brother Jimmy last year, Jey has been proving himself as a singles wrestler and at long last can call himself a singles champion.

Jey captured the WWE Intercontinental Championship in the main event of the September 23, edition of Monday Night Raw, defeating Bron Breakker. The crowd in Ontario, California was firmly behind ‘Main Event Jey’ from the start with Jey making his entrance through the WWE Universe.

The match saw the quickness and agility of Uso collide with the intensity and raw power of Breakker. There were plenty of near falls in the match, with a spear-splash combo by Jey proving exceptionally close.

In the end, it was a second spear-splash combo that scored Jey the victory and the Intercontinental Championship once held by his father Rikishi.

WWE Superstars React

It’s not just the fans who are pleased to see the YEET Master finally capture gold, as on Twitter, some of Jey’s friends and colleagues celebrated his victory.

Uso’s victory marks the end of Bron Breakker’s 51-day reign that began at SummerSlam 2024 with a victory over Sami Zayn. Breakker retained the title against Zayn on the August 12, edition of WWE Raw in a two-out-of-three falls match.

Since splitting from his family, Jey has been one of WWE’s most popular Superstars, but coming up short in previous title matches (as well as Money in the Bank) had left fans wondering if WWE didn’t see Uso as a champion. Now, those fears can be put to rest as ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso has joined the lineage of the Intercontinental Championship. YEET!

AEW President Tony Khan has worked closely with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) for years now, with a new deal between the two sides estimated to be in the ballpark of $170 million ballpark. Fans can expect plenty more of AEW programming on TNT and TBS and Khan has big plans for his product on the streaming platform MAX.

Sitting down with WFAN Daily Monday morning, Khan shared his enthusiasm for AEW’s future with WBD and future plans with the streaming platform.

“The plan is, I think, to do a lot of things potentially with MAX. That could involve a variety of things… Everything is on the table.”

One of the biggest changes fans can look ahead to is AEW ending its partnership with Bleacher Report who are set to be phased out as the home of AEW pay-per-views.

“We’ve had great conversations about streaming. We’ve been doing it on B/R, but they are sunsetting Bleacher Report. We’re going to be doing our PPVs on other apps.”

Although the home of AEW programming on demand will be changing, Khan has made clear that AEW’s live TV content will remain on TNT and TBS, a point he felt the need to reiterate this week.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… I can promise you, I’m 100% confident that you’re going to have AEW on TBS and TNT for a long time to come.”

Khan’s latest update on his talks with WBD comes ahead of AEW’s Grand Slam events, a highlight of the promotion’s calendar. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on AEW’s talks with Warner Bros. Discovery and for all the excitement from Grand Slam.

After an impressive run with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), former Strong Openweight Champion Hikuleo, who stands an imposing 6 feet 8 inches tall, signed with WWE in July 2024. At 33 years old, Hikuleo brings both size and experience to the roster, adding another talent with ties to the famed Anoa’i wrestling family. Fans have been eager to see how Hikuleo will be integrated into WWE, and new reports suggest that his journey will begin in NXT.

According to PWInsider Elite, Hikuleo has been added to WWE’s internal NXT roster, though the exact timing of his in-ring debut remains unclear. His last match was at NJPW’s Dominion event in June 2024, where he participated in a four-way elimination tag-team match.

Given Hikuleo’s strong familial connections, many speculated that he might bypass NXT entirely and debut directly on the main roster as part of the ongoing Bloodline storyline. As the brother of Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, Hikuleo is a natural fit for the group’s angle, which has seen Solo Sikoa’s faction clash with Roman Reigns. Both of Hikuleo’s brothers, as well as Jacob Fatu, skipped the NXT developmental process. However, it appears that won’t be the case for Hikuleo.

WWE seems to have different plans, opting for Hikuleo to further develop his skills in NXT before positioning him as a main roster talent. This strategic move comes at a pivotal time, as NXT is set to move to The CW next week. Hikuleo’s arrival, with his towering presence and Bloodline ties, is expected to provide a significant boost of star power to the developmental brand. His presence could help mark a new era for NXT on its new network.

With all this in mind, wrestling fans should stay on high alert for Hikuleo’s arrival in NXT sooner rather than later.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Hikuleo and The Bloodline.

At 2018’s Greatest Royal Royal, the wrestling world was introduced to Mansoor, who’d make history as the promotion’s first Saudi Superstar. While Mansoor would be showcased at WWE’s massive events in Saudi Arabia including wins over Cesaro and Dolph Ziggler, he had his eye on joining AEW while working for the larger promotion.

On AEW Unrestricted, Mansoor admitted that he and Mason Madden had their eyes on joining AEW while with WWE and compared the in-your-face blockbuster dynamic of Hollywood director Michael Bay to the more nuanced style of David Lynch.

“If WWE is like a Michael Bay movie, I see AEW as a David Lynch movie. There was always something so alluring, There was always an element of that outsider intrigue… we were like ‘God I feel like if we were over there [in AEW] we would be doing something really special.'”

It wouldn’t be until this year that Mansoor and Madden finally made their dreams of appearing for AEW a reality by appearing on the July 27, edition of AEW Collision in a losing effort to FTR. Mansoor has since racked up five matches for AEW though boasts a rather unfortunate 1-4 win/loss record.

Though Mansoor isn’t quite in World Championship contention just yet, he and Madden are getting the chance to shine in both AEW and Ring of Honor. His comments reflect the very different nature of WWE and AEW and why some wrestlers prefer one company to the other. While some prefer the larger spectacle that WWE can provide, others prefer the most concentrated efforts on pro wrestling as a craft found in AEW.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the MxM Collection as they continue to make waves outside of WWE.

WWE could be the first wrestling promotion to hold a major event at one of the world’s most advanced entertainment venues—The Sphere in Las Vegas—if Jim Ross’ predictions are correct. On his Grilling JR podcast, the AEW commentator was confident that with Nick Khan at the helm, WWE is well-positioned to be the first wrestling promotion to book the state-of-the-art venue.

“I think Nick Khan will lead the way because of all of their Vegas connections. It would surprise me if WWE was not the first company to go into The Sphere.”

Jim Ross on WWE running The Sphere

The Sphere: A State-of-the-Art Venue

With its innovative dome design featuring 360-degree LED screens and an immersive sound system, The Sphere has become one of entertainment’s most sought-after venues since opening its doors in 2023. So far, it has hosted high-profile concerts by U2 and film screenings, as well as WWE’s TKO partner UFC for their recent UFC 306 event.

Ross believes The Sphere’s distinctive look and feel make it an ideal venue for WWE, likening it to Arthur Ashe Stadium, where AEW is set to return to for its Grand Slam. “Somebody will jump on it, and WWE has proven that they are generally the first jumpers. I think there’ll be wrestling in The Sphere, and I think it’ll be WWE first,” Ross continued.

WWE’s Financial Muscle vs. The Sphere’s High Costs

While The Sphere offers a cutting-edge experience, it comes with significant operating costs. Reports suggest that hosting events at the venue can run into the tens of millions ensuring that only the biggest, most profitable wrestling companies will have a chance at hosting an event in the venue. However, as Ross alluded to, WWE’s substantial production capabilities and financial resources would make the high costs manageable.

“WWE’s got a huge production staff, much larger than AEW,” Ross said, implying that WWE’s scale gives them the advantage to take on a venue of this caliber.

WWE is no slouch when it comes to hosting grand spectacles, from WrestleMania to its annual events in Saudi Arabia. With the promotion boasting record profits in recent years, money should not be a concern should the company choose the high-tech arena.

AEW Unlikely to Follow WWE into The Sphere

While Rhoss is confident WWE’s debut in The Sphere is coming, he doesn’t expect AEW to follow suit immediately. Ross believes that it’d backfire for AEW to head to The Sphere straight after WWE if Tony Khan wants his company to be seen as different.

“If that happens, then why would AEW zoom in and look like a copycat? They wouldn’t. They have some distance between it. It has a unique look, why not try it?”

Fellow AEW name Jeff Jarrett also recently shared his belief that AEW will not host a show in The Sphere anytime soon. Speaking on his My World podcast earlier this month, Jarrett argued that it’s close to “impossible” for a promotion to make its money back with a show in The Sphere. The former Head of TNA predicted that wrestling won’t come to The Sphere in the next 12 months, though remains open to being proven wrong.

WWE in The Sphere—When, Not If?

Ross may no longer be part of WWE but is evidently keeping an eye on his former employer’s continued efforts to be trailblazers in the industry. WWE already has ties to Las Vegas, with WrestleMania 41 coming to Sin City in April of next year, making a future event in The Sphere more likely than ever before.

At this stage, it’s not a matter of if WWE will host an event at The Sphere, but when. Whether it’s WrestleMania, SummerSlam, or an entirely new event yet to be conceived, the potential for a groundbreaking WWE show in The Sphere is very much within reach.

The discourse surrounding WWE and AEW can often get toxic on social media with fans batting for their preferred company as the superior brand. This past weekend, stars from WWE, AEW, and the wider wrestling world united to raise money for very special causes.

The Swing For A Cause Celebrities & Veterans Softball Tournament, Homerun Derby, and Jam Session saw some of the top names in wrestling take to the field to raise money. Names involved include AEW’s Kamille, WWE’s AJ Styles, Ernest ‘The Cat’ Miller and Arn Anderson.

On Twitter, Kamille was pleased to play her part in raising money for a very special cause and shared some photos, including one with AJ Styles.

Zicky Dice, a TNA Wrestling alum trained by WWE’s own Seth Rollins, also shared a photo, calling himself, Styles, and Carlie Bravo a trio of “softball legends.”

Diamond Dallas Page, Dan ‘The Beast’ Severn, Luke Gallows, Brock Anderson, and Savannah Evans were scheduled to participate, according to Swing For A Cause’s website. Swing For A Cause partners with various charities including the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Benefitting Boot Campaign, the Wiley H. Manns Foundation, and MVP: Merging Vets & Players.

WWE and AEW stars may not work together, but there is clearly a bond among wrestlers, as seen at the recent 49ers Vs. Rams NFL game. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on these wrestlers and their work in and out of the ring.

Mick Foley is regarded as one of the most popular WWE stars of all time, thanks to his willingness to put his body on the line for the fans and affable personality. Now, fans can expect to see more of the WWE Hall of Famer as he’s reportedly signed a new contract with the promotion.

Foley has signed a new Legends Deal with WWE, Fightful Select reports. The deal will see Mick’s name, image, and likeness be used for merchandise, action figures, video games, and more as per the terms of his contract.

While Mick hasn’t appeared on WWE programming in person for some time, he did appear via video for WWE NXT on the show’s November 7, 2023, episode. Foley’s most recent appearance for WWE saw him announce Iron Survivor qualifying matches pitting Tiffany Stratton against Fallon Henley and Tyler Bate against Dijak.

Mick Foley Won’t Wrestle

While some fans may hope that Foley’s new contract could lead to an in-ring return, the three-time WWE Champion has made it clear that he won’t be stepping back between the ropes. Earlier this year, Foley floated the idea of having one final deathmatch before his 60th birthday in June 2025. The proposal garnered interest from several prominent wrestlers, including Matt Cardona and fellow Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam.

Foley called off the idea of wrestling again in April, after suffering concussion symptoms that left his family worried about his safety in the ring. While we can’t count out a potential Royal Rumble cameo for the Hardcore legend under his new deal, don’t expect a fully-fledged match, never mind a deathmatch, from Mrs. Foley’s baby boy.

Congratulations are in order for Pretty Deadly’s Kit Wilson and WWE NXT’s Stevie Turner as the couple celebrated their love by getting married this past weekend. On Instagram, Prince shared photos of the couple’s outdoor ceremony.

Several WWE names offered their congratulations to the happy couple including Fallon Henley, Alicia Taylor, Grayson Waller, and Kelly Kincaid. Kincaid is the partner of Prince’s Pretty Deadly ally Elton Prince and the couple recently welcomed their daughter Poppy into the world.

Wilson was called up to WWE’s main roster alongside Prince last year and the pair challenged for the Undisputed WWE Tag Titles that June, albeit unsuccessfully. Turner is currently serving as the assistant to NXT GM Ava, a role that has put her at odds with Mr. Stone.

Wedding Bells

Wilson and Turner aren’t the only WWE names to tie the knot recently, as NXT Superstar Brooks Jensen got married this past weekend as well. In July, Angelo Dawkins married his partner Grace in a ceremony officiated by his tag-team partner Montez Ford. In case that wasn’t enough star power at the wedding, Bianca Belair, the wife of Ford, was also around to celebrate the couple’s love.

Love is certainly in the air in the world of professional wrestling, and now Wilson and Turner can look forward to forging a new life together as newlyweds. We at SEScoops would like to extend our congratulations to the happy couple at this joyous time.

CM Punk’s 46th birthday is still a month away, but that hasn’t stopped his ‘daughters‘ Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade giving the veteran a gift. The two NXT Superstars didn’t need to spend a fortune to make their feelings clear on the former WWE World Champion and even included a reference to one of Punk’s most infamous moments.

On his Instagram Stories, Punk shared the gift in question; a birthday napkin claiming that the Raw Superstar is turning 100 years old. Punk is encouraged to “enjoy your fruit and protein” by his ‘daughters’ who he believes are “alright when they’re not being brats.”

At the top of the napkin is a quote from Punk that reads “I’m old and tired and I work with children.” Punk infamously delivered a variation of these words during his infamous All Out 2022 post-show rant. That rant and the backstage fight that followed would see Punk and other top names suspended from AEW and would forever shift the Best in the World’s relationship with the promotion. The napkin also includes an image of a cupcake, a nod to Punk’s sweet treat of choice as he delivered his post-show comments.

What’s to Come?

CM Punk will appear on the October 1, edition of WWE NXT, which will serve as the show’s premiere and fittingly take place in Chicago, Illinois. At the latest NXT, it was confirmed that Punk will officiate the NXT Championship match between Ethan Page and Trick Williams.

Perez will also be in action on the night as she’ll defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Giulia. Despite this napkin gift, Perez had strong words for Punk on the latest NXT, declaring that she now sees she should have been a Drew McIntyre, the man Punk will face in Hell in a Cell at WWE Bad Blood on October 5.

Since his return to WWE, Cody Rhodes has proven himself to be “undeniable,” culminating in his emotional victory at WrestleMania 40. Now, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion has achieved another major milestone in his career, this time in the realm of merchandise sales through Fanatics.

Cody has broken into the top 5 of all athletes and personalities in overall sales, sources at Fanatics told Fightful Select. No other wrestler, in or out of WWE, has reached this elite quintet; another sign of the popularity of the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion. In May of this year, Rhodes broke into the top 10 merch-sellers on Fanatics and has only grown more popular with audiences ever since.

It’s not just with Fanatics that fans can see the undeniable popularity of Cody Rhodes, who made over $1 million over WrestleMania weekend in merchandise alone. In the run-up to his epic weekend in Philadelphia, Rhodes dominated WWE’s own merchandise sales, regularly outperforming The Rock and leaving the Final Boss scraping into the top 10.

WWE And Fanatics

A deal between WWE and Fanatics was reached in March 2022, mere days before Rhodes’ return to the promotion at WrestleMania 38. The deal has seen Fanatics sell several items of licensed merch ranging from t-shirts to replica championship title belts. At the time of the agreement’s inception, then-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon described Fanatics as an “industry leader” and Fanatics founder/CEO Michael Rubin as a “visionary.”

What’s to Come?

Rhodes will compete at WWE Bad Blood 2024 where he’ll team with Roman Reigns to take on The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. With a special entrance planned for the Undisputed WWE Champion, expect merchandise to fly once more at the October 5, event in Atlanta, Georgia. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Cody Rhodes and his unlikely tag team with the OTC.

AEW wrestlers and WWE Superstars don’t share the ring, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t friendships that go beyond where a talent works. This week, the ‘Forbidden Door’ was opened at an NFL game that saw the San Francisco 49ers take on the Los Angeles Rams.

On Twitter, AEW’s Leila Grey shared some photos from the game, which she watched alongside TBS Champion Mercedes Moné, Bayley, Naomi, and Tamina Snuka.

Despite holding a 24-14 lead in the fourth quarter, the 49ers were unable to fend off a late surge by the Rams, who clinched a 27-24 victory with a game-winning field goal as time expired. Bayley’s love for the 49ers is no secret, as she presented George Kittle with a WWE Legacy Championship earlier this year and pumped up fans at the January game.

This game also proved to be a reunion for Moné, Naomi, and Tamina who formed Team B.A.D (Beautiful and Dangerous) when Mone was called up to the main roster in 2015. The group feuded with Team Bella (The Bella Twins and Alicia Fox) and PCB (Paige, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch) before Moné (then Sasha Banks) split from Team B.A.D in early 2016.

While discourse about WWE and AEW may get heated among fans on social media, these five wrestlers enjoyed each other’s company at the game, even if the result didn’t go their way. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WWE and All Elite Wrestling.

• Seth Rollins Has Viral Moment With Ty Hilton At Bears Vs. Colts Game

At WWE Bad Blood 2024, Cody Rhodes will team with Roman Reigns to take on The Bloodline, represented by Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. If Rhodes teaming with the man he dethroned at WrestleMania 40 isn’t strange enough, the American Nightmare will have a special entrance for the October 5, show.

Rhodes’ entrance music will be performed by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Marching Band at Bad Blood 2024. The news was confirmed by the band on X, who are excited to expand their reach and gain national exposure with WWE.

This entrance will mark Rhodes’ first time being accompanied by live music in WWE and serves as a testament to the high standing of the reigning WWE Champion. WWE has typically reserved live music entrances for its very top talent including Triple H, The Undertaker, Rhea Ripley, John Cena, and the late Bray Wyatt.

Claim Your Kingdom

Rhodes’ theme song ‘Kingdom’ has proven to be a certified hit with wrestling fans with crowds across the globe singing the American Nightmare to the ring. Following Rhodes’ WrestleMania 40 victory over Roman Reigns, Kingdom reached #1 in the iTunes U.S. Rock charts.

After a particularly boisterous rendition of his theme in New York’s Barclays Center, Rhodes shared his delight that fans sing along to his theme song.

Rhodes will have quite the entrance at WWE Bad Blood, but the question remains as to whether he and Roman Reigns will be able to co-exist given their history. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE Bad Blood 2024, including breaking news and live results.

WWE NXT star Brooks Jensen has been steadily gaining attention on the gold brand, thanks in part to his envelope-pushing angle that has blended real life and his work in the ring. This week, Jensen shared another glimpse into his real life by revealing he has got married.

On Twitter, a fan shared their hope that Jensen is having a great day, which caught the attention of the NXT Superstar. Jensen shared that he certainly is having a great day as he’s now a married man.

Keeping Fans Guessing

In May, Jensen tweeted out his booking information for promoters, suggesting that he was no longer part of NXT. Jensen went as far as to appear at an independent event to further the angle, catching the attention of fans who were unsure whether this was a work.

Adding to the emotional weight of the angle, Jensen’s now-wife, Chloe, released a video responding to him no-showing an independent event, again blurring the lines and intriguing viewers. Despite this, Jensen was under contract with WWE throughout the angle, with this storyline designed to elevate his character on the gold brand. More recently, Jensen has been aligned with Shawn Spears as the ‘Chairman’ is proving to be a bad influence on the 23-year-old Superstar.

We would like to send our congratulations to Brooks Jensen and Chloe. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from Brooks Jensen in and out of the ring.

Ahead of TNA Victory Road 2024, Steph De Lander revealed that she will be undergoing neck fusion surgery, nixing plans for a tag-team match on the pay-per-view. Appearing on the That’s Cooked podcast, De Lander gave details about her upcoming operation and how long she expects to be out of the ring.

“It’s going to be a fusion of a C5-C6. Is it career-ending? Absolutely not. How long am I going to be out? Probably six-plus months, maybe a little bit longer, and that’s just the way it is.”

De Lander has spoken with other wrestlers who’ve undergone neck fusion surgery, who have gushed about feeling “like a million bucks” after the operation. The TNA star admitted to being relieved to hear this, stating “People have really positive experiences, which is what I need to hear.”

C5-C6 Neck Fusion Surgery

The type of surgery De Lander is set to undergo aims to treat compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots and is typically used when non-invasive methods have failed. In 2022, Robert Roode underwent surgery on his C5 and C6 vertebrae and can be found these days working as a producer for WWE. While Roode hasn’t wrestled for WWE in years, he is greenlit to compete, proving that this surgery is not a career-ender.

De Lander’s career has risen quickly over the past few years, thanks in part to her partnership with ‘Indy God’ Matt Cardona. Now, the former WWE NXT Superstar is prioritizing her health and well-being, and we here at SEScoops would like to wish Steph De Lander the very best in her neck fusion surgery and her recovery.

During the April 24, 2024, edition of AEW Dynamite, Tony Khan found himself the victim of an attack by The Elite, culminating with a spike piledriver by The Young Bucks that wrote Khan off of TV for months. While Khan has since made a full recovery and resumed his regular appearances for AEW, fans shouldn’t expect him to engage in any more physical confrontations.

Speaking to amNY Metro, Khan was asked if he has any interest in showing his mettle in the ring. While Khan is fiercely passionate about pro wrestling, The Elite has made the AEW President wary of future physical altercations.

“I didn’t step into the ring voluntarily. I would hope to avoid such physical altercations in the future.”

Khan’s injury, and the aftermath, were highlighted in NFL Films’ A Day in the Life of Tony Khan, which aired this week on FS1. He appeared wearing the neckbrace during the 2024 NFL Draft, and later auctioned off the brace for charity, raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to support the fight against childhood diseases.

Wrestling Authority Figures

Khan’s restraint from wrestling sets the AEW President apart from other executives with Vince McMahon, Eric Bischoff, and Paul Heyman all stepping in the ring over their respective careers. Some have even gone on to hold championship gold with McMahon boasting reigns as WWE and ECW World Champion, and even won the 1999 Royal Rumble. The former WWE Chairman, soon to be the subject of a Netflix docuseries, holds victories over Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Bobby Lashley, and even God.

Khan may hope to avoid physical altercations, but wrestling fans have learned time and again to never say never. While the idea of the AEW President lacing up a pair of boots may seem far-fetched, so did the idea of Shane McMahon join AEW until his meeting with Khan earlier this year. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Tony Khan and whether the billionaire steps foot in an AEW ring as a competitor.

Since his WWE release in September 2023, Matt Riddle has competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling, AAA, MLW, and other promotions. One major company where fans have yet to see the Original Bro is All Elite Wrestling, though that could change if legendary commentator Jim Ross has his way.

On his Grilling JR podcast, Ross shared that he believes Riddle should be given an opportunity in AEW, but understands why Tony Khan may be hesitant to bring him on board.

“I would suggest that he’d be given a shot. I understand Tony’s reluctance because Matt has a little baggage. How much that baggage weighs, I don’t know, but I know he’s a very talented kid.”

Riddle’s ‘baggage’ includes being accused of sexual assault by Candy Cartwright in 2020, though she dropped her lawsuit against him in July the following year. Riddle was also notorious throughout his WWE run for stirring up trouble with other wrestlers including Brock Lesnar and Bill Goldberg. Shortly before his release, Riddle was involved in an incident at JFK Airport where he was reportedly intoxicated.

While Riddle recently met with Tony Khan, the Original Bro isn’t sure he made a good impression, stating “I don’t know if he likes me” during an interview with SI Takedown. With that in mind, AEW has worked with ‘problematic’ names before, including Ric Flair, so fans know not to count out the possibility of a Riddle appearance.

With Jim Ross advocating for Riddle, fans know to never say never to the former U.S. Champion doing something with AEW down the line. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Matt Riddle and whether he one day competes in an AEW ring.

WWE SmackDown Superstar Elton Prince and NXT interviewer Kelly Kincaid are celebrating after becoming parents for the first time. On Instagram, the couple shared news about the birth of their daughter Poppy Faye Howley, who was born on Friday, September 20. Several WWE names issued their congratulations including Nia Jax, Natalya, Nick Aldis, Indi Hartwell, Thea Hail, and Prince’s tag-team partner Kit Wilson.

Prince debuted for WWE in 2019 as part of NXT UK and is a two-time NXT Tag Team Champion as well as a one-time NXT UK Tag Team Champion. While Kincaid currently works as an interviewer, she has a background in in-ring competition and worked with Ring of Honor under the name Quinn McKay.

Baby Fever

Young Poppy is the latest baby born to a wrestler in 2024. In April, Luke Gallows announced the birth of his son Thomas, while Cassie Lee and Shawn Spears welcomed their second child into the world two months later. Earlier this month, WWE announcer Mike Rome welcomed a baby boy, Salem, who is “20 and a half inches of awesome” according to his proud papa.

Tenille Dashwood and Mike Rallis recently shared that they are expecting their first child, while former WWE Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey is currently expecting her second. The baddest woman on the Planet shared the news, and her baby bump, at San Diego Comic Con.

We at SEScoops would like to offer our congratulations to Elton Prince and Kelly Kincaid on this joyous addition to their family.

At WWE SummerSlam 2024, LA Knight defeated Logan Paul, ending the longest United States Championship reign of the past decade. While Knight has a long way to go before he has a longer reign than the Maverick, he has already surpassed Paul in one notable metric.

On the September 20, 2024, edition of WWE SmackDown, Knight retained the star-spangled strap with a hard-fought victory over Andrade. With this win, Knight has now surpassed Paul in terms of televised title defenses. The megastar’s 49-day reign has seen three successful title defenses on TV (equal to one every 16.3 days).

Paul only had two successful title defenses aired over his 273-day reign (one every 136.5 days) with his defense at the Royal Rumble against Kevin Owens ending in a disqualification. Throughout his reign, many fans debated whether WWE was right to put the gold on the part-time Superstar with Kevin Nash recently calling Paul out on his schedule.

LA Knight Addresses SmackDown Botches

While Knight was able to retain against Andrade, one spot in the corner didn’t go smoothly for the reigning U.S. Champion. Knight attempted to leap to the top rope multiple times to hit his signature top rope superplex on Andrade, only to repeatedly slip before hitting the move.

Speaking after the show, Paul acknowledged this error and chalked it up to things never being guaranteed to work when you compete on live TV.

“It’s a game of inches, you can say it’s a game of chances, you can damn sure say you’re playing roulette out there. Things almost didn’t go my way.”

While Andrade will resume his feud with Carmelo Hayes on next week’s SmackDown, the future remains bright for LA Knight. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE’s megastar and his future as the reigning United States Champion.