SEScoops

Author: Thomas Lowson

  • Thunderbolt Patterson Added to WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024

    Thunderbolt Patterson Added to WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024

    Thunderbolt Patterson, an influential though often overlooked name in wrestling, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on the eve of WrestleMania 40. He will be inducted on Friday, April 5, following that evening’s episode of WWE SmackDown. 

    Patterson began his wrestling career by moving to Texas and working with Dory Funk Sr. (father of WWE Hall of Famers Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk.) His dedication to wrestling saw him move far from his home in Iowa.

    Patterson immediately captivated audiences with his interviews that featured a delivery reminiscent of Black Southern church pastors. It was this charisma that his contemporary Virgil Runnels would take inspiration from, transforming the son of a plumber into the ‘American Dream’ Dusty Rhodes. 

    In the ring, Patterson faced legends including Bruiser Brody and WWE Hall of Famer The Sheik. He was also an accomplished tag-team wrestler and was an ally of the late Ole Anderson. The two would eventually split and their brutal rivalry would serve as a catalyst for the launch of the legendary Four Horseman. 

    Behind the scenes, Patterson was vocal about supporting his fellow wrestlers and ensuring fair treatment. He spoke openly about ensuring the health and safety for wrestlers and was also vocal against racial discrimination in the industry. 

    WWE Hall of Fame 2024

    Thunderbolt Patterson is the fifth name confirmed for this year’s class of the WWE Hall of Fame.

    Earlier this month, Paul Heyman was announced as an inductee after turning down the honor in the past. More recently, Bull Nakano was announced as a WWE Hall of Fame inductee. The Japanese star is a former WWE Women’s Champion and is currently the commissioner for the all-women’s Sukeban promotion. 

    The US Express will be inducted this year, the only tag team to have received the nod so far. Boxing icon Muhammad Ali will be posthumously inducted on April 5. 

  • Ex-WWE Star Cinta de Oro Felt “Naked” After Being Forced to Unmask in 2011

    Cinta de Oro was no fan of being forced to unmask in 2011 and has admitted that he felt ‘naked’ when said unmasking happened in WWE. 

    De Oro is known for his WWE run as Sin Cara, but he was the second Superstar to don the mask and name. De Oro became Sin Cara after the original man behind the mask, known as Mistico in CMLL, was suspended for 30 days for violating WWE’s Wellness Policy. 

    Feeling Naked

    Later that same year, the first Sin Cara confronted de Oro’s imposter version, with the pair being dubbed Sin Cara Azul (Mistico) and Sin Cara Negro (de Oro.) This feud culminated with a Mask Vs. Mask match on a Mexico City edition of SmackDown in which de Oro lost.

    Sitting down with Sportskeeda’s Wrestle Binge podcast, de Oro recalled being told of his unmasking and how upset he was at the time. 

    “I was very devastated because I had never wrestled without a mask in my career… Without a mask, I felt like I was naked. I didn’t feel it was me.”

    Time as a Lucha Dragon

    Ironically, Cinta de Oro would re-mask years later after the original Sin Cara was released by WWE but the promotion wanted to keep the character going. By 2014, he was part of the Lucha Dragons and would capture the NXT Tag Team Championships with Kalisto that same year. In the interview though, de Oro shared his honest take on being a Lucha Dragon. 

    “I used to hate when they would tell me to do this (mimics Lucha chants). I felt like I was a cheerleader… But then as the crowd started loving it, then you become part of it.”

    Eventually, de Oro’s time with WWE would come to an end in 2019 after he asked for his release. That same year, he would return to Mexico to compete for AAA. 

  • “That’s A Wrestler!” Booker T Praises John Cena’s ‘Nude’ Oscars Stunt in the Name of Entertainment

    “That’s A Wrestler!” Booker T Praises John Cena’s ‘Nude’ Oscars Stunt in the Name of Entertainment

    John Cena proved the lengths he’ll go to entertain with his viral appearance the 2024 Oscars, according to his friend and former rival Booker T. 

    At this year’s Academy Awards, Cena was on-hand to present the award for ‘Best Costume’ alongside Jimmy Kimmel. In a throwback to the 1974 ceremony that saw a streaker interrupt a speech by David Niven, Cena appeared in the ‘nude’ and covered his unmentionables with a large envelope. 

    Of course, Cena wasn’t actually nude at the Oscars, despite what some may believe. Backstage photos have revealed he wore skin-colored trunks to give the illusion of nudity. 

    John Cena at the Oscars

    Cena’s performance at the Oscars immediately went viral with people from both in and out of wrestling weighing in. Addressing what happened in Tinseltown during the latest episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T said it demonstrated how willing John is to entertain. 

    “That was risky, but it just goes to show you how far we have come and how far John is willing to go to entertain. That’s all. That’s all it is. That’s a wrestler, doing something like that. Wrestlers gonna put themselves out there.”

    What’s Next? 

    John is hoping to appear (clothed no less!) at WrestleMania 40 when the Showcase of the Immortals comes to Philadelphia, PA next month. The show will be the fifth-annual two-night WrestleMania, a tradition which began thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of right now, there have not been any publicly confirmed plans for the 16-time WWE World Champion. 

    H/T – Fightful

  • Buff Bagwell: The Biggest Takeaways from Dark Side of the Ring Spotlight on WCW Alum

    Buff Bagwell: The Biggest Takeaways from Dark Side of the Ring Spotlight on WCW Alum

    The latest episode of Dark Side of the Ring that focused on the life of Marcus ‘Buff’ Bagwell proved to be quite the spotlight on the infamous WCW star.

    Here are just some of the many interesting talking points from the latest Dark Side of the Ring. 

    Buff Loves His Family

    Right from the start, we get a sense of Buff’s love for his family, which is paid for in kind. The episode opens with Bagwell in his mother’s office that is filled with pictures and magazine covers of his wrestling career. Bagwell makes clear that his success comes down to the late Judy Bagwell and her drive. 

    Bagwell adds that from a young age, his family saw big things in him. It is mentioned that there was wrestling on TV growing up by there was never an inkling of getting into the business. 

    Buff’s Father’s Parenting

    Buff isn’t the only notable Bagwell as his father Steve was a famous drag racer and self-made millionaire. Steve was the more calmer of the Bagwell parents but really lost it if he lost his cool. Former WCW and TNA referee, Mark “Slick” Johnson recalls a time when Steve lost a bet and fired a machine gun on a bunch of geese in anger. Steve confirms the story is true. 

    Another example of Steve’s parenting saw him hand out bags of cocaine to his son and his friends and would tell them “Have fun tonight but stay out of trouble.” The rationale was that if his son was going to get drugs, he’d rather he get them from a trusted source. 

    Buff and the NWO

    Buff says he didn’t need to be asked twice about joining the NWO. He said his time in the faction changed his career and he was thrilled to be in the ring with such talent. 

    Buff on Monday Night Raw

    After WCW’s collapse, Bagwell was signed to WWE in 2001 but after a critically panned match on Raw against Booker T, he was let go shortly after. Buff says he didn’t think the match was bad, but it wasn’t a barn-burner five-star classic either. Addressing being fired within days of the match. He said: 

    “I had a horrible match? So What? I am Buff Bagwell….why would you get fired over a bad match?”

    Losing His Mom & Getting Clean

    In November 2021, Judy Bagwell passed away after a battle with Alzheimer’s. This is the most difficult loss in Buff’s live and Steve breaks down talking about his wife. Steve recalls her final moments in which Judy fell into a state where she could not wake up and Steve spent over an hour trying to get her to wake. Buff says everyone says their mom is the best but he knows his was the best. 

    Judy’s death is seen as a wake-up call to Buff, who’s issues with substances is addressed multiple times in the episode. Buff talks about working to get sober after his niece made clear that he had to or the family would leave him. Buff shares his gratitude to ‘Diamond’ Dallas Page for all his work. 

    Feeling the Love

    Buff’s ex-wives, Judy (not his mom) and Tonya say they still love and support him and that he has a great support network. Eric Bischoff adds that Buff is a lovable guy and that’s why his ex-wives still love him, and that’s he loves him. Steve says he’s most proud of Buff for working on staying sober and  Tonya concludes by saying she’s rooting for him. 

    Special thanks to 411 Mania for assistance with this report.

  • The Next Shane McMahon? KSI Ready to Do Much More After RKO from Randy Orton

    The Next Shane McMahon? KSI Ready to Do Much More After RKO from Randy Orton

    KSI may have been left aching after appearing on last week’s SmackDown, but that won’t stop him from getting back on WWE programming. 

    During last week’s episode of SmackDown, Logan Paul and KSI announced that PRIME Energy will sponsor the ring mat of all WWE premium live events. This unprecedented move in WWE will begin with next month’s WrestleMania 40 event in Philadelphia, PA. 

    The PRIME Energy co-founders were interrupted by Randy Orton, who many expect will challenge the U.S. Champion at WrestleMania. While Paul escaped the RKO attempt, KSI was less lucky and was hit with the move before being dragged onto the PRIME logo. 

    KSI Ready to Return to WWE

    On the most recent edition of the ImPaulsive podcast, KSI spoke about taking the RKO from WWE’s Legend Killer. 

    “Honestly, one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life… My nose is smushed, my lip got cut up. The inside of my lip is destroyed from my teeth slamming into his bicep.”

    KSI was certainly hurting after his run-in with Randy Orton but is hoping to do much more as part of WWE programming. 

     “I like to see myself as the Shane McMahon of WWE. I don’t mind getting a Stone Cold Stunner. I just want one suplex.”

    KSI in WWE

    KSI’s unfortunate appearance on SmackDown is not the only time he was left hurting at a WWE event. At WrestleMania 39, KSI, dressed as a PRIME bottle, attempted to help Logan Paul during his match with Seth Rollins. Things backfired when Rollins would pull KSI onto the announce table and Paul, who had lept from the top turnbuckle when Seth had been prone, crashed into his friend and business partner. 

    After that appearance, KSI teased challenging Bobby Lashley, which earned a response from the All Mighty former WWE Champion. KSI’s involvement in WWE is somewhat ironic, given that early into his YouTube career, his WWE video game playthroughs proved some of his most popular content. 

    H/T – Fightful

  • Boss Time! Mercedes Mone Flaunts ‘Bosston’ Arrival Ahead of AEW Big Business

    Boss Time! Mercedes Mone Flaunts ‘Bosston’ Arrival Ahead of AEW Big Business

    Tonight’s AEW Dynamite is expected to mark the debut of Mercedes Mone, and the ex-Superstar is hardly being subtle with her imminent arrival. 

    From the moment AEW announced its ‘Big Business’ edition of Dynamite, there had been speculation that Mone would be joining the company. That same month, it was reported that Mone had been signed to the company and had been on the company’s payroll for some time. Mone has not publicly commented on reports that she has already signed with AEW. 

    Mercedes Mone is In ‘Bosston’ 

    Many see Mone’s debut on tonight’s edition of AEW Dynamite as a foregone conclusion, and her most recent social media post certainly adds credence to the idea that she’ll appear on the show.

    Taking to social media, Mone shared a photo from her flight to make clear she’s arrived in her hometown on Boston, MA, where tonight’s Dynamite will take place. If this wasn’t clear enough, Mone refers to ‘Beantown’ as ‘Bosston’ which is how the city is referred to on promotional material for the Big Business Dynamite. 

    Update: Wednesday afternoon, with five hours until Dynamite, Mone kept the hype going:

    AEW Dynamite Preview:

    Here our preview for tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Big Business special live from Boston’d TD Garden:

    What’s Next for Mercedes Mone? 

    Should Mone debut for Dynamite tonight as expected, there’s no shortage of talented women she can step in the ring with. Some have speculated that a feud with Saraya could happen given their history. It was a move from Mone (Sasha Banks) at the time, that led to Saraya (Paige) being forced to retire from wrestling due to a neck injury. The Brit would return to the ring at Full Gear 2022. 

  • Movements Within WWE to Bring Brock Lesnar Back to Programming

    Brock Lesnar could be back on WWE programming, and soon, if movements happening within the promotion prove successful. 

    Lesnar is referenced in Janel Grant’s shocking lawsuit against WWE, in which she alleges to have been abused and trafficked by Vince McMahon. While not mentioned by name, Grant alleges that she was trafficked to a former UFC Champion who has been identified as Lesnar. 

    In the wake of Grant’s lawsuit, Lesnar was pulled from this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble match and his name and stats were omitted from a Royal Rumble statistics video. Plans for a match with Dominik Mysterio at Elimination Chamber were also shelved.

    Bringing Back Brock? 

    Last weekend, Lesnar was re-added to WWE’s roster page, leading to speculation that he could make a comeback despite the scandal. During the most recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez said that there have been moves within WWE to make such a return happen. 

    “In the last few days, there have been moves regarding Brock Lesnar… There are movements to bring him back.”

    Alvarez made clear that his comments should not be seen as confirmation that Brock will be brought back and believes it would be a bad idea on WWE’s part. 

    “I’m not saying he’s going to be back… I wouldn’t bring him back but I can tell you that there have been inquiries made… It seems like a bad idea to me. Put it that way.”

    What’s Next? 

    If WWE intends to bring Lesnar back, they may do so in time for the Beast to have a match at WrestleMania. The former WWE Universal Champion has wrestled 12 times at WWE’s annual showcase and boasts an even 6-6 record. 

  • WWE Releases ‘Era’ Championships to Celebrate 40 Years of WrestleMania

    WWE Releases ‘Era’ Championships to Celebrate 40 Years of WrestleMania

    WWE is celebrating four decades of WrestleMania with new limited-edition championships from four distinct eras of professional wrestling. 

    The new championships are $699.99 each on WWEShop.com and are being promoted with shipping within one business day. Each title features side plates bearing a 40 Years of WrestleMania insignia as well as a similar metal end plate. 

    The Golden Era

    The four champions represent a different era in the promotion’s history. The Golden Era title celebrates WrestleManias 1 to 10 and features the Winged Eagle plates synonymous with Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Bret Hart, and others. The strap features the iconic WrestleMania logo. 

    The Attitude Era

    The Attitude Era Championship features the plates of the ‘Big Eagle’ title held by ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, Mick Foley, and others. The strap features the logos for WrestleManias 11 to 20. Dubbing this the Attitude Era title may raise some eyebrows, given that the acclaimed period of wrestling history didn’t really come into effect until WrestleMania 14 and the consensus among many is that it ended after just three years. 

    The Ruthless Agression & PG Era 

    The Ruthless Agression & PG Era title is emblazoned with the logos of WrestleManias 21 to 30. The plates come from the ‘Spinner Belt’ introduced by John Cena in April 2005. This championship is the only one of the four that includes a nameplate, which includes the dates 2005-2014. 

    The Modern Era

    The Modern Era championship features the plates seen on the current Undisputed WWE Universal Championship and WWE Women’s Championship. Like the other titles, it features the logos of WrestleManias 31 to 40. 

  • Logan Paul Calls Out LeBron James For Cleveland SummerSlam Showdown

    Logan Paul Calls Out LeBron James For Cleveland SummerSlam Showdown

    WWE SummerSlam 2024, is coming to Cleveland, Ohio, and U.S. Champion Logan Paul wants a piece of Lebron James at the biggest party of the summer.

    On his ImPaulsive podcast, the reigning WWE U.S. Champion, a native of Forest City,  confirmed that SummerSlam will take place at the Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 3. As Paul pointed out, the show will mark the first time that SummerSlam has taken place in Cleveland since 1996.

    Logan Paul’s Potential Opponent

    Paul and his co-hosts, which includes his PRIME Energy co-founder KSI, spoke about bringing the excitement to the upcoming show. The Maverick especially wanted to put on a good show in his hometown. 

    When one of Paul’s co-hosts suggested LeBron James, Paul said he’s “probably” going to be stepping in the ring with the basketball legend. Dave Chapelle was also thrown out as a potential opponent, which Paul was also on board with.

    WWE & Cleveland

    WWE has a rich history of hosting Premium Live Events in the city of Cleveland, Ohio. WWE’s first PLE in the city was the aforementioned SummerSlam 1996 which saw then-WWF Champion Shawn Michaels retain his gold against Big Van Vader. Other WWE events hosted in Cleveland include No Mercy 1999, Survivor Series 2004, Unforgiven 2008, and WWE TLC 2014.

    The promotion’s most recent PLE in Cleveland was Fastlane 2019 which saw The Shield defeat Baron Corbin, Bobby Lashley, and Drew McIntyre in a six-man tag-team match. The bout marked the first match featuring the Shield following Roman Reigns’ return from his second victory over leukemia. 

  • Christian Cage Says “They All Want to be Me” After Candice LeRae Brings Up Maxxine Dupri’s Dead Brother

    Christian Cage Says “They All Want to be Me” After Candice LeRae Brings Up Maxxine Dupri’s Dead Brother

    Imitation is considered the sincerest form of flattery, and Christian Cage certainly felt flattered during a segment on this week’s WWE Monday Night Raw.

    The segment in question saw LeRae scold Dupri during this week’s Raw. In her tirade, LeRae referenced an incident at a a WWE live event in which a fan mercilessly booed Dupri. With that said, LeRae’s most shocking comment was left to the end. 

    “You know why everyone boo’s you? You don’t belong here. You think the internet hates you? You should hear what the girls in the locker room say. It’s a good thing your dead brother isn’t here to see what an embarrassment you’ve become.”

    Christian Cage Weighs In

    LeRae’s comment about Maxxine’s brother has spawned a debate about whether WWE went too far in the name of entertainment. Plenty of people have taken to social media to share their take on the situation. In a tweet of his own, Christian Cage didn’t mention the segment by name, but said how everybody wants to be him. As the comments showed, it’s clear that the AEW TNT Champion who has a tendency to bring up dead relatives was talking about LeRae’s comment on Raw. 

    Maxxine Dupri’s Brother

    Wyatt Zmrzel passed away at the age of 22 after a life of numerous challenges. Wyatt was born with adrenoleukodystrophy; a rare genetic condition that affected his ability to use the right side of his body and left him prone to seizures. 

    Due to adrenoleukodystrophy, Wyatt relied on car services for transportation. In December 2017, a Lyft driver made a turn onto a highway at a rural intersection. The Lyft vehicle collided with a Toyota 4-Runner, killing Zmrzel.

  • CJ Perry Says Social Media Has Hit Her Mental Health Hard Following Separation with Miro

    CJ Perry Says Social Media Has Hit Her Mental Health Hard Following Separation with Miro

    AEW’s CJ Perry has spoke about the impact social media has made on her mental health following her split from fellow All-Elite talent Miro. 

    TMZ Sports first reported earlier this week that the couple had “broke up once and for all” and that their split had happened in the winter of last year. It was added that the pair had been experiencing an on-and-off relationship for several years. 

    CJ Perry on Social Media

    Taking to Twitter, Perry didn’t address the split directly but spoke about her mental health being severely impacted whenever she is on the platform. Perry added that it’s hardly a surprise that for the most part she tries to keep off of the site. 

    CJ Perry and Miro

    Perry and Miro, as Lana and Rusev respectively, met in WWE and the Ravishing Russian would serve as a manager. The couple were called up to the main roster in 2014 but had an on-screen split in 2015. That year’s angle, which saw Rusev align with Summer Rae and Lana with Dolph Ziggler, was cut short after Miro and Perry announced their real life engagement. 

    Miro would be released from WWE in 2020 and debuted for AEW under his real name that same year. Perry’s tenure as Lana ended the following year and she joined AEW in 2023. At AEW Worlds End, Perry turned on Andrade El Idolo following the former NXT Champion’s loss to Miro. While many saw this as a sign of Miro and Perry reuniting as an on-screen duo, it’s unclear what the future holds given their real-life separation. 

  • Chad Gable Hurting After “Visceral” Raw Loss Robs Him of Family’s Dream at WrestleMania

    Chad Gable Hurting After “Visceral” Raw Loss Robs Him of Family’s Dream at WrestleMania

    Chad Gable has shared just how visceral his loss on this week’s Raw has been for him after coming up short in the Intercontinental Title contenders gauntlet match. 

    The Olympian was part of the six-man match which also featured Ricochet, Bronson Reed, Shinsuke Nakamura, JD McDonagh, and Sami Zayn. The match came down to Gable and Zayn, both of whom have made emotional cases for challenging GUNTHER at WrestleMania. Despite a valiant effort by Gable, Zayn got the win and the title shot at WrestleMania 40. 

    Chad Gable on His Visceral Loss

    In a WWE Raw Digital Exclusive after the match, Gable reflected on last night’s match and this latest setback. 

    “For those who have never felt something like this, it’s more visceral than I can describe. It’s not coming up short. It’s really letting people down that depend on you in a number of ways. For me this meant a lot more than WrestleMania, a lot more than a championship. It was a very personal, personal thing for me [and] my family.”

    Chad Gable on Sami Zayn

    After his defeat, Gable and Zayn shared some words in the ring. When asked what Sami said, however, Gable said he wasn’t going to divulge their private conversation. 

    “For now, that’s going to stay between me and Sami. To be honest, I was less interested in what he had to say and more interested in getting out of the ring.” 

    Gable acknowledged that was the winner of the match but argued that facing GUNTHER at WrestleMania would always mean more to him than the Canadian.

    “I’m a man, willing to say that he [Zayn] was the better man tonight. I don’t think it meant more to him. I don’t think it still means more to him than it does to me but I have no problem showing respect.”

  • WWE WrestleMania 40: Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder Match Set For Undisputed Tag Gold

    A huge ladder tag-team ladder match has been confirmed for WrestleMania 40, one that will see the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships on the line. 

    During a segment on the March 11, 2024, episode, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis spoke about wanting to make this year’s WrestleMania the biggest ever. The pair announced that the Judgment Day will defend the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania in a six-team ladder match. 

    Tag teams will have the opportunity on both Raw and SmackDown to earn a spot in the ladder match. The first qualifying match will take place on this Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown. 

    Who Could Make the Cut?

    There’s no shortage of tag teams in WWE who’d love a shot at the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. From Monday Night Raw, fans can watch the likes of the Creed Brothers and their allies in Alpha Academy. There’s also Awesome Truth, Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci, as well as DIY and the New Day. 

    SmackDown is hardly lacking in tag teams either. The blue brand is the home of The Final Testament, which includes the Authors of Pain. The Latino World Order could also qualify for the title match though we’re sure Legado Del Fantasma would love to stop that. The O.C., Pretty Deadly, The Pride and New Catch Republic can also be found on Friday Nights. 

    WWE WrestleMania 40

    This year’s WrestleMania will be the fifth annual two-night WrestleMania, a tradition that began with the Covid-19 pandemic. The show will also be the first WrestleMania following the launch of TKO Group Holdings last September. The card for the show so far is as follows:

    • Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Universal Championship)
    • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley (WWE Women’s Championship)
    • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch (WWE Women’s World Championship)
    • Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
    • Seth “Freakin” Rollins & Cody Rhodes Vs. Roman Reigns & The Rock 
    • GUNTHER (c) vs. Sami Zayn (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
    • The Judgment Day (c) vs. TBA vs. TBA vs. TBA vs. TBA vs.TBA (Six-Pack Ladder Match, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships)
  • AEW Star Makes Surprise Appearance on 3/11 WWE RAW in Photo with Rhea Ripley

    AEW Star Makes Surprise Appearance on 3/11 WWE RAW in Photo with Rhea Ripley

    One of the stars of AEW was shown on this week’s Raw in what has become a surprising trend by the Sports Entertainment Juggernaut.

    The March 11, edition of Monday Night Raw saw the red brand Superstars continue on the road to WrestleMania 40. Sami Zayn earned an Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania with a victory in a Gauntlet match, besting five very game opponents. Elsewhere on the show, Jey Uso laid down a challenge to his treacherous brother Jimmy for a match in Philadelphia.

    Buddy Matthews on WWE Raw

    During this week’s Raw, WWE shared a photo from UFC 299, hardly a surprise given that WWE & UFC are part of TKO Group Holdings. The photo in question, as Michael Cole made clear, was of Rhea Ripley at the most recent UFC event. Ripley was photographed with her fiance Buddy Matthews of AEW. Cole didn’t mention AEW or Matthews, despite Pat McAfee asking “with who?!” was Ripley sat with. 

    Monday Night Raw is All Elite

    While Matthews’ appearance was a surprise during this week’s Raw, he is hardly the first AEW star to be referenced on WWE’s longest-running weekly episodic show. Last week, Michael Cole made reference to Sting, who had competed in his final match at AEW Revolution 2024. Cole made sure to congratulate the Icon who had been with WWE from 2014 to 2020. 

    In June 2022, WWE celebrated 20 years since the on-screen debut of John Cena. Many of Cena’s greatest rivals paid tribute to the 16-time WWE World Champion, including some from AEW. Bryan Danielson, Paul Wight, and Chris Jericho all appeared on Raw via video packages to recognize the impressive career of ‘Big Match John.’

  • Stephanie McMahon, Nick Khan & More Named in Janel Grant’s “Sexual Slave” Lawsuit

    Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan are among those named in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against WWE, in which she claims she was abused and trafficked during her tenure. 

    Grant’s daming lawsuit against WWE and former chairman Vince McMahon alleges that she was a sexual slave during her time and was trafficked by McMahon to various men in the company. McMahon has denied all wrongdoing and has claimed that the lawsuit is rife with fabrications. 

    Nick Khan Named

    The suit claims that Khan, WWE’s CEO, was instrumental in a scheme that saw Grant hired in an undefined role, Front Office Sports reports. Khan is listed in the paperwork as ‘Corporate Officer 1’ alongside WWE COO Brad Blum (Officer 2.) McMahon presented Blum and Khan to Grant as his ‘key fixers’ according to the suit. 

    A statement from WWE reads: 

    “WWE takes Ms. Grant’s allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact. Neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum, prior to the lawsuit being filed on January 25, 2024, were aware of any allegation by Ms. Grant that she was the victim of abuse or unwanted physical contact; nor does the complaint allege that either had knowledge of such.”

    The suit claims that in March 2021, Grant told McMahon that Khan responded to her introducing herself in a corridor by telling her he knew exactly who she was. McMahon told her, according to the suit, that Khan had “inquired whether Grant could be trusted.” A WWE spokesperson denies this conversation ever happened. 

    It should be stressed that neither Blum or Khan have been accused of acting sexually inappropriate with Janel Grant. 

    Brad Blum’s Alleged Role

    Grant claims that when she first met with McMahon, she had minimal work history, but that the 78-year-old ensured her a meeting with Blum, the EVP of operations at the time. The interview with Blum saw “hardly any questions” asked, but she was hired to a $75,000-a-year role in WWE’s legal department. When McMahon told Grant that Blum had warned him “that there were a lot of rumors circulating” about the relationship, she was moved to another department. 

    Stephanie McMahon in the Lawsuit

    The suit also makes reference to Stephanie McMahon (Corporate Officer 3) who stepped down from WWE in January 2023 following her father’s return. Stephanie is mentioned once in ambiguous context in the suit. She is described as knowing “of other instances of [Vince] McMahon engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct” and motioned for Grant to sit near her during a meeting. The meeting in question was said to be among WWE’s executive committee which Grant claims was odd for her to be present for, saying it was far above her pay grade. 

  • WWE WrestleMania 40: Sami Zayn to Challenge Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER

    WWE WrestleMania 40: Sami Zayn to Challenge Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER

    Sami Zayn hopes to win his second championship in as many WrestleManias when he challenges Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER next month. 

    On Monday Night Raw, Zayn emerged as the victor of a Gauntlet Match to determine the Austrian’s next challenger. The match featured Zayn, Chad Gable, Shinsuke Nakamura, ‘Big’ Bronson Reed, Ricochet, and JD McDonagh of the Judgment Day. 

    The match started with Ricochet, the man GUNTHER dethroned in June 2022, taking on McDonagh. The One and Only pinned McDonagh before Bronson Reed eliminated Ricochet. Zayn would be the fourth entrant in the match and would eliminate Reed. He would then eliminate Nakamura and Chad Gable to get the win and the coveted title shot. 

    Sami Zayn as Intercontinental Champion

    Zayn is a three-time Intercontinental Champion and won the title for the first time in March 2020. After opting to take a break from WWE programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zayn would be stripped of the title but in storyline claimed to still be the champion when he returned to TV in August that same year. 

    At Clash of Champions in September 2020, Zayn was crowned the Undisputed Intercontinental Champion but lost the title to Big E in December. His third reign began in February 2022 but he would lose the gold to Ricochet mere weeks later. 

    WWE WrestleMania 40

    This year’s WrestleMania will be the fifth annual two-night WrestleMania, a tradition that began with the Covid-19 pandemic. The show will also be the first WrestleMania following the launch of TKO Group Holdings last September. The card for the show so far is as follows:

    • Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Universal Championship)
    • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley (WWE Women’s Championship)
    • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch (WWE Women’s World Championship)
    • Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
    • GUNTHER (c) vs. Sami Zayn (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
  • Latest on Peacemaker Season 2 Gives New Hope for John Cena At WWE WrestleMania 40

    Latest on Peacemaker Season 2 Gives New Hope for John Cena At WWE WrestleMania 40

    John Cena could indeed be free for an appearance at WrestleMania 40, despite previous concerns that his filming schedule could prevent him being at the show. 

    Cena is eager to do something at WrestleMania 40, though no plans have been publicly confirmed for the 16-time WWE World Champion just yet. There have been concerns that Cena’s commitment to filming Peacemaker could keep him from the annual two-night mega-show. The hit series from DC Studios sees John reprise the role of Peacemaker/Christopher Smith he first played in 2021’s The Suicide Squad. 

    Latest on Peacemaker Season 2

    Cena’s blossoming acting career keeps him very busy, which is why WrestleManias 37 and 38 came and went without an appearance. Now, the show’s own Jennifer Holland has given hope to fans wishing to see Cena at WrestleMania 40. Responding to a fan’s question about the show’s second season, Holland, who portrays Emilia Harcourt shared her excitement. She also noted that the plan is for Peacemaker season two to begin filming this Summer, long after WrestleMania.

    “Yessss we start filming this summer! It’s gonna be so gooooood.”

    John Cena at WrestleMania

    Cena made his WrestleMania debut in 2003 during the pre-show, and would open the show by winning the U.S. Championship the following year. Cena has competed a total of 16 times at WrestleMania with eight of those matches being for a World Championship. He currently boasts a win/loss record of 10-6. 

  • Charlotte Flair Donates 200 Items of Clothing to Women& Children’s Shelter in Amazing Act of Generosity

    Charlotte Flair Donates 200 Items of Clothing to Women& Children’s Shelter in Amazing Act of Generosity

    Charlotte Flair’s efforts to thin her impressive wardrobe has resulted in the WWE Superstar donating 200 items of clothing to a shelter. 

    On her Instagram Stories, Flair noted that her closet was getting out of hand. Rather than just throw away items of clothing, the former WWE Women’s Champion donated 200 pieces to a local women’s and children’s shelter in an incredible act of generosity. Flair also shared a before and after photo to show the difference to her closet. 

    Charlotte Flair’s WWE Status

    During the latter part of her December 9, match with Asuka, Flair was hurt and was seen being tended to by WWE’s medical crew after the match. The injury happened when Flair came off the top rope at an awkward angle and her legs bounced off the ropes. Despite this, Flair was able to finish the match that saw Asuka get the victory. 

    This injury wasn’t enough to keep Charlotte from supporting her husband Andrade at a CMLL event, in what would be one of the former NXT Champion’s final appearances before returning to WWE. In January, Flair had knee surgery and has been showing significant improvements. 

    What’s Next for the Queen? 

    Charlotte was recently spotted at the WWE Performance Center with John Cena, which many have taken as a good indicator of her health. With that said, Flair is still expected to miss months of action, and will likely miss SummerSlam 2024 as well as WrestleMania 40. Next month’s Showcase of the Immortals will have some ‘flair’ as Charlotte will be making an appearance at the WWE World experience in Philadelphia. 

  • A Five-Star Idea? Kenny Omega Considering Rating Matches on Twitch Amid AEW Hiatus

    A Five-Star Idea? Kenny Omega Considering Rating Matches on Twitch Amid AEW Hiatus

    Kenny Omega could put his wrestling knowledge to use by ranking matches on Twitch amid his current absence from AEW. 

    The former AEW World Champion has been missing from AEW programming since late 2023 after being diagnosed with diverticulitis. At first, Omega believed he was dealing with a hernia, before receiving the accurate and alarming diagnosis. Despite recently being advertised for upcoming AEW events in his native Canada, there’s no timeline for when fans should expect Omega back in the ring. 

    Kenny Omega on Twitch? 

    While Omega hasn’t been competing, the AEW EVP has remained active on Twitch where fans can find him playing video games and sharing updates about his life and condition. Taking to Twitter, Omega said he’s thinking about delivering match ratings. the Cleaner admitted that the idea of rating matches may rub some fans the wrong way. 

    Omega’s Many Stars

    Kenny Omega isn’t rating matches yet but the former AEW World Champion knows all about giving high-star performances. Omega currently has 25 matches rated five or more stars by the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer. 12 of these matches surpassed the five-star scale. His highest rated match took place at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall and saw Omega and Kazuchika Okada give a seven-star performance. 

    What’s Next?

    It’s ironic that Okada and Omega had the seven-star match as it seems the pair will face off nice more. On last week’ AEW Dynamite, the Young Bucks fired Omega as a member of the Elite. That same show saw Okada debut and align with the Bucks, seemingly replacing Omega in the role. 

  • Adam Copeland Continues to Tease A Big Surprise For Christian Cage I-Quit Match

    Adam Copeland Continues to Tease A Big Surprise For Christian Cage I-Quit Match

    AEW TNT Champion Christian Cage is in for a world of hurt when he next faces Adam Copeland if the Rated-R Star is to be believed. 

    Since arriving in AEW at WrestleDream, the WWE Hall of Famer has feuded with his former friend. At AEW Worlds End, Cage captured the TNT Championship from Cage, his first title victory since 2011. Unfortunately for Copeland, his reign was short-lived as Killswitch would attack him from behind and gift his guaranteed TNT title shot to Cage who promptly won the gold back. 

    Copeland’s Surprise for Christian Cage

    On the March 6, episode of AEW Dynamite, Copeland ambushed Cage and challenged him to an I-Quit natch for the TNT Championship for the March 20, episode. The choice of date is no coincidence, as the show will take place in Toronto, Canada. 

    On the March 9, edition of AEW Collision, Copeland once again got the better of Cage and the Patriarchy. He also teased having a surprise for Cage when they next face for the TNT Championship. Taking to Twitter, Copeland continued to tease having something special for his former friend. 

    What’s Next?

    Hopefully, Copeland’s surprise will help nullify the numbers advantage that the Patriarchy gives the reigning AEW TNT Champion. In addition to Killswitch, Cage has Nick Wayne at his beck and call, as well as Mama Wayne. Copeland has some allies of his own in AEW, including Darby Allin and FTR. 

  • Jay Lethal Paid Tribute To His Recently Passed Mother On 3/9 AEW Collision

    A recent AEW Collision match featuring Jay Lethal saw a tribute to the wrestler’s mother who sadly passed away very recently. 

    On last week’s episode of Collision, Lethal teamed with Mark Briscoe and Jeff Jarrett to face the House of Black in a street fight. The match saw the House of Black get the win after Malakai Black put Briscoe through a flaming table. 

    Jay Lethal’s Tribute

    Those who watched the Collision match closely may have noticed an armband worn by Jay Lethal. This is because Lethal’s mother Shirley Shipman passed away on February 29, PW Insider has learned. A celebration of her life will take place at the Nesbitt Funeral Home tomorrow in Elizabeth, New Jersey. More information can be found here.

    A Family Affair

    Shirley Shipman, like her husband Ron, was deeply supportive of their son’s pursuit of wrestling glory. The Shipman’s even got involved from time to time in their son’s career. During a 2012 ROH show, Lethal challenged Kevin Steen (now Owens) for the ROH World Championship. During the match, Steen antagonized the Shipman’s who were sat at ringside by biting Jay. Ron fired back by throwing his drink at the Canadian, prompting Steen to spit in Shirley’s face. This exchange would fire up Jay to the delight of the crowd. 

    During a JAPW show, Lethal and his father were outnumbered by heels for a six man tag where Ron was to team with his son against Steve Corino, Ricky Landell and Rick Silver. Shirley came out to proclaim that they had a partner before introducing Charlie Haas. 

    We at SE Scoops would like to extend our deepest condolences to Jay and his family at this very sad time.

  • John Cena Comes Clean About His Life-Long Lie: “I’m Visible, People Can See Me”

    John Cena Comes Clean About His Life-Long Lie: “I’m Visible, People Can See Me”

    WWE’s own John Cena has revealed the truth that he’s buried for decades behind a lie; that he is visible and that fans can indeed see him. 

    Despite being one of WWE’s most prominently featured Superstars for years, Cena’s catchphrase ‘You Can’t See Me’ would become synonymous with Big Match John. The line has since branched off into a meme among fans who pretend not to be able to see Cena when he makes appearances both in and out of the ring. 

    John Cena Comes Clean

    During a recent interview with MTV’s Josh Horowitz, Cena and Ricky Stanicky co-star Zac Efron were asked whether they’ve ever lied in an interview. Cena (admittedly tongue-in-cheek) used the question to make his stark confession. 

    “[I lie in interviews] All the time. I don’t think there’s an ounce of truth in anything I’ve said. Ever. I’m living in a lie. I’m living a whole lie. I think I’m visible. I think people can see me.”

    The topic of dishonesty is a pivotal part of Ricky Stanicky. The film tells the story of friends who in their youth made up a fake friend (the titular Stanicky) to get our of trouble and obligations. Now grown up, the friends are confronted about Stanicky and hire an actor [Cena] to bring their fake friend to life. 

    What’s Next for John Cena? 

    Should the fans forgive Cena for his years of lying, the WWE Universe may indeed see John at WrestleMania 40. Cena is eager to do something at WWE’s annual two-night Showcase, though there are no confirmed plans for Big Match John publicly known at this time. 

  • RVD Says It’s Cool That Paul Heyman Is Getting His Flowers Ahead Of WWE HOF Induction

    RVD Says It’s Cool That Paul Heyman Is Getting His Flowers Ahead Of WWE HOF Induction

    Former WWE and ECW World Champion Rob Van Dam is pleased that Paul Heyman is getting his proverbial ‘flowers’ with his upcoming Hall of Fame induction. 

    Earlier this month, it was announced that Heyman will be inducted as part of this year’s class on April 5. The honor is richly deserved for Heyman, who has excelled in various roles in wrestling. In addition to being Roman Reigns‘ special counsel, Heyman has managed others, worked as a commentator, a writer, and ran ECW during the company’s peak.

    Rob Van Dam on Paul Heyman’s Induction

    Few names did better under the watchful eye than RVD, who became a success in both the original ECW and WWE. In a recent interview with Wrestle Binge, the former World Champion was pleased that Heyman is getting his due. 

    “It’s pretty cool they’re giving him his flowers because he was the man. He was the one that made ECW happen… he’s the guy that made everything possible.”

    RVD also heralded Heyman’s work in WWE and recalled many in the company being opposed to Paul at first due to his ECW history. 

    “When I was there back then… he didn’t get a lot of respect in the way of the other agents didn’t like ECW, were trying to fight it, didn’t want it to come in. They were giving him a hard time.”

    Van Dam concluded by stating that ECW became a success of Heyman’s leadership, braveness, and passion, and is pleased to see the sacrifices Heyman has made pay off. 

    WWE Hall of Fame 2024

    Heyman will be part of what is shaping up to be a star-studded class of inductees. Bull Nakano will be inducted this year. The former WWF Women’s Champion had a successful run in and out of WWE and is currently the commissioner of Bushiroad. The US Express will also be inducted as part of this year’s class. 

    H/T – Fightful

  • WWE Megastars Collide: The Rock & John Cena Reunite Backstage At 2024 Oscars

    WWE Megastars Collide: The Rock & John Cena Reunite Backstage At 2024 Oscars

    WWE’s own John Cena was able to reunite with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson following the 16-time World Champion’s viral appearance at the 2024 Oscars. 

    Cena was on hand to present the award for ‘Best Costume’ but was hardly dressed for the occasion. In a throwback to the 1974 ceremony that saw a streaker interrupt a speech by David Niven, Cena appeared in the ‘nude’ and covered his unmentionables with a large envelope. During a video package for the nominees, Cena and co-host Jimmy Kimmel were able to fashion a makeshift outfit for the WWE megastar turned Hollywood powerhouse. 

    John Cena & The Rock Reunite

    Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was also present for this year’s Oscars as he presented an award with fellow WWE alum Bad Bunny. In a photo shared online, Cena can be seen greeting his friend and former WrestleMania rival. 

    What’s Next? 

    The Rock will make his return to the ring at WrestleMania 40: Saturday. He will team with Roman Reigns to face Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins. Should The Bloodline win, the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match the next night will be under ‘Bloodline Rules.’ Should Rhodes and Rollins win, then the Bloodline will not be involved in the next night’s main event. 

    As for John Cena, his future in WWE remains unclear. Cena is hoping to do something at WrestleMania, but no plans have been confirmed for the 16-time WWE World Champion. Cena was part of last year’s WrestleMania event where he lost to then-U.S. Champion Austin Theory in the Saturday opener. 

  • WWE’s Naomi & Zelina Vega Pay Tribute to Late Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama At Live Event

    WWE’s Naomi & Zelina Vega Pay Tribute to Late Dragon Ball Creator Akira Toriyama At Live Event

    The Superstars of WWE paid a touching tribute to Akira Toriyama at a recent live event, following the manga titan’s death at the age of 68. 

    Toriyama’s death was announced last week. He had suffered an acute subdural hematoma, which is a type of bleeding near the brain, his studio reported. Toriyama is best known for creating the manga hit Dragon Ball, which has spawned shows, movies, video games, and more. The main series follows Goku and his efforts to collect the titular Dragon Balls to protect the Earth. 

    WWE Tributes to Akira Toriyama

    At a recent WWE live event, WWE’s Zelina Vega and Naomi paid a special tribute to Toriyama while in the ring. The pair performed a ‘Fusion’ move from Dragon Ball. In the hit series, this allows two characters to ‘fuse’ and become even more powerful than as two individuals. On Twitter, Vega shared the spot in question. 

    In a tweet of her own, Naomi said she was “fused for life” with her “sis” Vega. When a fan pointed out that the fusion in the show only lasts for 30 minutes, Naomi admitted that she’s still learning about Dragon Ball. 

    Zelina Vega and Dragon Ball

    While Naomi is a newbie to the world of Dragon Ball, Vega’s love for the series can’t be denied. At WWE Money in the Bank 2023, Vega wore an attire referencing series villain Frieza, but was unsuccessful in the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match that was won by reigning WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY.