When the decision was made to cancel the film, there was considerable backlash online. It was later reported that Warner Bros. was willing to shop the project around to another distributor. Deadline reports that Coyote Vs. Acme is having no problem finding a new distributor with several major parties interested in the film.
Netflix has already made a bid for the film, while representatives from Paramount, Apple, and Amazon have also seen the movie. Of those, Paramount has made a bid and despite already having a streaming service, a theatrical release remains a possibility.
Amazon is yet to make a formal bid but is said to be “mulling” the idea over. Deadline’s report noted that it takes longer for Amazon to conduct business and get decisions made through the proper channels. Marketing execs are trying to decide whether the film can be profitable for Amazon.
Warner Bos. wants the buyer to cover the $70 million production and then some. Coyote Vs. Acme is the latest major project canceled by Warner Bros. late in the game. In August 2022, Warner Bros. announced that despite entering post-production, they had canceled the Batgirl movie The move was widely described as “unprecedented” in Hollywood history for a big-budget film production.
The ongoing AEW Continental Classic will allow Bryan Danielson the chance to face some of the promotion’s top stars, but not Kenny Omega.
Danielson is part of the Blue League in the round-robin tournament, meaning everyone from each league faces everyone in their league. Danielson has already faced Eddie Kingston, Andrade El Idolo, and Daniel Garcia and has accumulated six points so far. He has yet to face Brody King and his Blackpool Combat Club ally Claudio Castagnoli.
Danielson Wanted Omega in the Continental Classic
A dozen of AEW’s most exciting Superstars are part of the AEW Continental Classic, but Kenny Omega isn’t among them. Speaking with Mail Sport’s Alex McCarthy, Danielson spoke about wanting to face the Cleaner.
‘I really wanted Kenya Omega in it and I don’t know. People think I do a lot more than I do. I don’t know what happened or why he’s not in the tournament.”
Danielson added that the idea of being in the tournament was presented to Omega, and gave a reason for why the former AEW World Champion isn’t competing.
“I know it was at least brought up to him and I don’t know if he didn’t want to do it or I know that he and Chris Jericho are the number one contenders for the Tag team championship. So maybe that’s why, you know.”
Danielson is one of three wrestlers in the Blue League to be on six points, with Brody King and Andrade El Idolo sharing the same score. Claudio Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston have three points, while Daniel Garcia has been eliminated without scoring a single point.
Bryan Danielson had an injury scare during his match with Andrade which will air tonight. Click here to find out the latest update.
More has come to light about Charlotte Flair’s situation and potential injury during this week’s episode on SmackDown.
This week’s show was WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops show and saw some of WWE’s top Superstar appear on the broadcast. Raw’s Cody Rhodes thanked the troops in attendance and around the world while CM Punk made reference to his AEW firing in an explosive promo. In the main event of the show, Randy Orton teamed with LA Knight to defeat The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa.
Update on Charlotte Flair
During the latter part of her match with Asuka, Flair was obviously hurt and was seen being tended to by WWE’s medical crew after the match. PW Insider reports that Flair was setting up for a move but slipped and got caught on the ropes, wrenching her knee and striking her head. The move was not shown on TV as it took place during a commercial break. When WWE returned to the live broadcast, the commentary team said that Asuka had taken Flair out.
While the incident was not broadcast, fans at the show in Providence, RI caught the incident, which you can see above.
Flair was walked out by officials after the match and was seen telling senior WWE referee Charles Robinson about her knee. It’s been reported that “there was absolutely some concern among others talents about her knee specifically.” At this time, WWE has not given an update on Flair’s situation and it is unclear if she will miss any time.
The tournament brackets have been revealed to determine the next challenger for United States Champion Logan Paul.
On last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, Paul announced the tournament to determine his first challenger. The Maverick said that while he would love to give Rey Mysterio a rematch but is unable to due to Mysterio’s injury. Paul captured the title from the WWE Hall of Famer at Crown Jewel 2023, giving the YouTuber his first taste of championship gold in WWE.
The U.S. Championship Tournament Brackets
On this week’s SmackDown, WWE gave the first-round tournament brackets for the United States Championship Contenders Tournament. The brackets are as follows:
Santos Escobar Vs. Dragon Lee
Bobby Lashley Vs. Karrion Kross
Austin Theory Vs. Kevin Owens
Grayson Waller Vs. An NXT Superstar to be announced
Two of the first-round matches took place on this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Bobby Lashley defeated Karrion Kross to advance to the semi-finals, while Santos Escobar defeated Dragon Lee. Lashley and Escobar will face off in the next round.
IMPACT Wrestling (soon to be TNA Wrestling) is set to team with Endeavor to deliver its TNA+ on-demand streaming service.
IMPACT will make the move to TNA Wrestling official next month with their TNA Hard to Kill 2024 pay-per-view. The change was announced in the closing moments of Bound for Glory 2023 this past October. IMPACT World Champion Alex Shelley recently told SE Scoops in an exclusive interview that the reaction to the name change has exceeded the expectations of those in IMPACT/TNA.
In a statement, IMPACT Wrestling announced that Endeavor Streaming will power the new TNA+ app which will deliver “an enhanced user experience to all fans across the top streaming platforms.” The TNA+ service will come into effect on Friday, January 5, just eight days before TNA Hard to Kill 2024. The TNA+ app will feature a new look, expanded options and “increased functionality.”
The TNA+ app will feature TNA’s full archive of content, in addition to exclusive original content and wrestler-created series. Users will even have the chance to interact with some of TNA’s top stars.
The New TNA+
IMPACT/TNA Wrestling President Scott D’Amore gave the following statement:
“This is truly an incredible opportunity for us as we forge into an exciting new chapter of the TNA legacy. We are proud to partner with Endeavor Streaming on this initiative, and we look forward to continuing to provide our fans with the absolute best in new, classic and exclusive professional wrestling content, available to them anywhere, anytime, on their favorite devices, when TNA+ launches on January 5.”
Pete Bellamy, Chief Commercial Officer at Endeavor Streaming, added:
“Wrestling fans are some of the most passionate in the world of sports and entertainment and TNA+ is the perfect ‘always-on’ personalised OTT service to help TNA build a deeper relationship with its global audience. We’re looking forward to working with TNA to deliver the best streaming experience for wrestling fans.”
Further details and subscription information for the new service can be found at TNAwrestling.com.
Endeavor is no stranger to the world of professional wrestling. In April of this year, the company reached a deal with WWE to acquire the Sports Entertainment juggernaut for $9.3 billion. This acquisition was finalized in September with the launch of TKO Group Holdings.
NXT Superstar Tyler Bate could be a main roster Superstar soon enough as a call-up could be in the works.
Bate has been with WWE for some time now, and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that he could soon be on the main roster. There has been ‘talk’ of calling up the British Superstar, and the report adds that his size isn’t considered as big a deal now with Vince McMahon no longer running WWE’s creative department. It is stated that WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque is far more open-minded as to who can be a top star.
Based on recent programming, Bate could be a SmackDown Superstar if he is called up to the main roster, as that is the current home of Butch. The pair have been both allies and enemies in WWE, and Bate was made an honorary Brawling Brute not too long ago. Butch is certainly in need of an ally right now, as he was recently abandoned by Ridge Holland and was attacked by Pretty Deadly on last week’s SmackDown.
Bate has accomplished plenty in WWE already despite not making it to the main roster. In 2017, Bate became the first WWE United Kingdom Champion (later rechristened the NXT UK Championship). Bate was also the final holder of the title when the title was unified with the WWE NXT Championship at Worlds Collide 2022.
Bate was also the only triple-crown champion in WWE NXT UK, having held the main championship, the NXT UK Tag Team Championships and the NXT UK Heritage Cup. In WWE NXT, he is a former NXT Tag Team Champion.
The Superstars of Monday Night Raw will be able to spend Christmas Day with their loved ones rather than compete on the three-hour show.
With Christmas Day falling on a Monday this year, there have been questions as to what this means for the red brand. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was pointed out that no show is being taped for the December 25, episode of the red brand. Instead, the plan is for a ‘Best Of 2023’ show to fill the three hours instead. While WWE hasn’t publicly confirmed this plan, one executive told the Observer that to the best of his knowledge, the reports of a ‘Best Of’ show are accurate.
WWE & Christmas Day
This news will come as a relief to the Raw roster, who would much rather spend the special day with friends and family than at work. In 2017, WWE hosted a live Christmas Day episode of Raw, meaning the 25+ Superstars who appeared on the show, in addition to the numerous crew members, had to be away from their families on Christmas Day. The practice earned WWE considerable backlash from fans at the time.
That show saw some of WWE’s top Superstars appear across the three hours. In the opener, John Cena defeated Elias, while later in the show, Samoa Joe defeated Roman Reigns by disqualification. In the main event, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins captured the Raw Tag Team Championships from The Bar.
Get into the festive spirit with these five epic Holiday-themed moments. Click here to see what made the list.
There’s no secret as to how Billy Gunn can compete at the level he currently displays, according to the AEW Trios Champion.
At 60 years old, Gunn is the oldest champion in AEW, and likely the oldest star on the roster. Despite this, the tag team specialist continues to wow fans with a performance you’d expect to see from talent decades younger than the former King of the Ring. Speaking to the A2TheK Wrestling show, Gunn was asked what his secret is.
“I wish I had one, I wish I had a secret I can tell. It’s just, the last [year] I just focus more on me staying healthy. I’ve never, luckily for me, I’ve nd Dr done any sort of crazy stunts. Other than bumping a lot which, yeah it has it’s wear and tear, but I just really focus a lot on my training and my food and all that. I have great people around me so it’s just as long as I’m going to do this, I want to make sure I can perform at the level that makes me happy. Because if I don’t, then I just want to walk away. Though my kids and wife will say different, I’m walking away.”
When asked if he has a retirement date in mind, Gunn made it clear he doesn’t intend to plan that far in advance.
“I don’t really look at things like that. It’ll just be when it’s right. When it’s done, it’s done. There’s no time schedule, I can’t go ‘Hey, All In in London next year will be [my last match]. My brain doesn’t function like that. My brain and me tell my body I can wrestle until I want to. Which I know is not really a thing… But me not doing something doesn’t really enter my mind.”
Gunn’s most recent match took place on the November 4, episode of AEW Collision and saw the Acclaimed retain the AEW Trios Championships against Dalton Castle and his boys.
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
It’s been over two decades since the WWE Universe was introduced to John Cena on the June 27, 2002, episode of SmackDown. This week, Cena looked back at his debut match against Kurt Angle and poked fun at the unfortunate ring attire he wore for his first match on TV.
Randy Orton is back in WWE and is ready to take out every member of the Bloodline. The Viper will have the chance to do just tonight on SmackDown when he teams with LA Knight to face Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa.
Last week, WWE filed trademarks for a series of new names and now some have been appointed to NXT talent. PW Insider reports that Andrzej Hughes-Murray, a former LA Rams linebacker, will now compete as Dion Lennox. Kevin Robertson, a former Temple University defensive tackle will now be working as Kanu Carver.
Latest on WWE NXT Europe
WWE announced NXT Europe in 2022, but despite initial hopes for the brand to be up and running in 2023, that hasn’t been the case at all. Speaking on the pre-NXT Deadline media call, Shawn Michaels said that WWE remains committed to NXT Europe. WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative pointed at upcoming shows in Europe such as Bash in Berlin and WWE Backlash: France as a sign WWE has big plans for the continent.
A Women’s Royal Rumble Favorite
Next month, WWE will host its seventh-annual Women’s Royal Rumble match, with the winner earning a title shot at WrestleMania 40. In odds shared by Sky Bet, Bayley is the favorite to win next month’s match with 10/11 odds. Behind the Role Model is Jade Cargill (2/1), Becky Lynch (10/1), Raquel Rodriguez (10/1), and Charlotte Flair (12/1.) WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY and WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley share 16/1 odds.
While the Judgment Day have made it clear they’re not interested in Truth’s services, that’s not how the former 24/7 Champion sees things. Speaking on The Bump, Truth shared how he was able to get into the faction’s base.
“Door was unlocked. They’re a very trusting group, and they’re more humble than you think. I’m trying to hook it up, you know what I’m saying? I’m that close from being in the group. I’m that close.”
As part of his application, Truth pointed out that he goes way back with reigning NXT North American Champion ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio.
”I actually knew lil’ Dom when he was little, ‘Dirty Dom’ is what they call him — I’ve known him since he was little. [He and Lil Jimmy] they hung around each other all the time. It makes sense. And you know, JD [McDonagh], we’ve got to work with JD. His attitude, his temper, it’s not becoming.”
R-Truth isn’t the only wrestler interested in joining the Judgment Day. Click here to find out which WWE Hall of Famer sees himself as a future member.
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
Lex Luger wanted to prove every one of his doubters in the World Wrestling Federation wrong when he jumped ship to WCW.
After three years with the WWF, Luger returned to WCW in 1995 and appeared during the debut episode of WCW Monday Nitro. Not only did Luger appear on Nitro, but due to the pre-taped nature of Raw, he also appeared on the WWF flagship show that was aired that same night.
Proving His Doubters Wrong
Luger’s arrival in Nitro was a shocking way for WCW to introduce their new show, and was deeply personal for Lex himself. Speaking in a WWE YouTube video about the best matches and moments of his career, Luger reflected on his Nitro debut being a closely guarded secret backstage.
“Nobody in WCW other than Hogan, Sting, only a handful of people knew I was going to be coming out at that match. And I walked into the position [backstage] and guys were like ‘What are you doing here? Aren’t you still wrestling for WWE?’ Not anymore. I wanted to make it all the way to the top, still I wanted to prove to all the naysayers in WWE.
“My contract was coming up. I had planned on resigning up until a couple of weeks before that with WWE. It would’ve been a new two or three-year contract. And then they [WCW] invited me to come under contract back home in WCW and debut in that show as a surprise. That was like lightning how that went down.
The White Shirt
For many, the most iconic moment of Luger’s appearance on Nitro isn’t what he did in the ring, but rather his puffy white shirt. Speaking about his choice of attire, Luger was just as perplexed as to why he was wearing the oversized shirt.
“It was a custom-made shirt for an NBA guy in Atlanta. Kevin Willis, played 23 years in the NBA, he made my suits and everything. People ask me about that moment, that shirt, all the time. Because I was always the guy with his shirt off so everybody’s expecting me to come down and no matter what, I was going to take my shirt off right? But the shirt stayed on. I’m honestly not sure why I kept the shirt on but I did.
“It’s unbelievable how people talk about that and want to see it in action figures and everything, the big white shirt, it’s crazy. I gave it to a young man I’m mentoring, who could be the next Total Package.”
Concluding, Luger appreciated the response fans gave him at the debut Nitro, which would set him up for a role as a headliner for WCW for years to come.
“Quite the response from the crowd at the Mall of America. I was like, man. I felt like if there was any wavering confidence at WWE at the time of where my direction of my character and career were going, when I got in that ring, it felt right.”
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
Will Bray Wyatt’s first WrestleMania since his return to WWE go ahead without the former Universal Champion?
Wyatt was controversially released from WWE in July 2021, with his final match being his WrestleMania 37 loss to Randy Orton.
The Eater of Worlds returned to WWE at last October’s Extreme Rules event in the climax of the ‘White Rabbit’ storyline.
WrestleMania Doubts
Ever since Elimination Chamber 2023, WWE has been teasing a WrestleMania match between Wyatt and Bobby Lashley.
Last Sunday, Wyatt did not appear as advertised for a WWE live event in Madison Square Garden, and it has been reported that he has been dealing with a physical issue.
During the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer answered questions about Wyatt’s status for WrestleMania.
“From what I understand, the match is still on for WrestleMania, and he should be back very soon. So we’ll see. But that’s pretty much all I can say, I mean there is something to it but I’m not at liberty to discuss it, but it’s not, as far as I know everything that I’ve been told is that it’s not a creative issue or anything like that.”
Dave Meltzer.
Lashley’s Match
Should Wyatt be forced to miss WrestleMania, that will leave Lashley without a dance partner, which does not sit well for the All-Mighty.
On Twitter, the two-time former WWE Champion has seemingly distanced himself from the Bray feud and has said he’ll fight anyone at WrestleMania.
I’ve worked too hard to be denied.
I will be ready to fight on the biggest stage of them all, #WrestleMania.
Dutch Mantell may be a “miserable old wrestler” according to Ric Flair, but the Nature Boy has now been branded an “ungrateful a**.”
Last July, Flair competed in what was promoted as his last match, which was heavily criticized by fans and those in the industry.
After Mantell recently criticized the match when speaking to Sportskeeda, Flair took to Twitter to fire back at the former Zeb Coulter.
Thank God They Used The Word Veteran & Didn’t Call You A Legend. Just A Miserable Old Wrestler Trying To Make A Buck. And BTW, You Never Had A Legacy To Begin With. WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/48uzk2gqas
Taking to Facebook, Mantell responded with the following open letter to the Nature Boy.
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE NATURE BOY
Ric…I have great respect and admiration for your contribution to the wrestling profession. I never meant to ruffle your feathers on my podcast but I was just speaking the truth about your last match.
That was almost 10 months ago but you’re still touchy about it? But I wasn’t the only one who mentioned it was subpar. All the dirt sheet writers said it…in print and on their podcasts. Did you say anything to them? To set the record straight, very few fans got upset over my critique of your match. Truthfully, they agreed with me.
If I had just said the match is sucked, that would’ve been an upgrade. But Ric…you came out of nowhere to attack me personally. Why? Telling the TRUTH? It was a bad showing. Period. Everybody damn near universally agreed that it was an abortion.
What I want to know is who agented that match if anyone? You were in there with one of the top wrestlers in the world, Jeff Jarrett. If you can’t look good with him, then the issue is you.
How hard is to lay out…RIC FLAIR’S LAST MATCH. All you had to do was do a strut, yell some WHOOS in the air and slap on the Figure 4 for the finish…hit the bell, music, confetti, fans cheer and that’s it. My 12-year-old granddaughter could follow that formula. But, I heard Ric laid it out then I heard he faked a heart attack because he thought the match was ending too soon?? WTF?? It should’ve ended 10 minutes sooner than it did.
But Ric you said that I’m just an old wrestler trying to make a buck. I don’t disagree with that. Yes I am an old bastage and yes, I do try to make a buck. Just because I’m not involved in the wrestling game anymore doesn’t forego my bills. I have to pay money out every month just like everybody else in the world does. But that has absolutely nothing to do with your seriously flawed match.
Another thing Ric, is that “faking a heart attack was believable because fans thought you were having one. Did you go over that with Jeff before the match by “saying hey Jeff, I might fake a heart attack out there somewhere”? It was so believable that I even thought you were in trouble.
But, of course, you said you’d been drinking, partying, had no sleep and you looked like hell. And that’s being generous.
Nobody wants to see their hero on a stage where they’re concerned about their health or possible death. But then, you made yourself look worse, if that’s possible by telling your own fans to go get F’ed if they didn’t believe you made 300K. That was total disrespect.
You can disrespect me, hell that’s happened a lot in my career but why disrespect the fans who love our sport? Those fans are the ones who make this country work, who get up every day to go to work, raise families, pay bills and taxes and keep this country running and buy tickets and PPV’s to see your ungrateful ass.
Nobody wants to see us settle this in a public forum such as Twitter or here. But for now Ric…I’m in total agreement. We’ll end this. But I’ll still speak of you Ric because you’ve created an audience for it. We don’t set the rules…fans do. They’re the reason either one of us is here. If they ask, I’m going to reply. Without them Ric, we both might be driving trucks or Ubers making $300 Grand a day. What a country we live in, huh? Have a great day sir.
Comments below: No Ric…you’re not allowed to comment. Tell your social media manager to STFU.
The question as to which match will headline WrestleMania 39: Night One has been on the mind of fans for some time.
This year will mark WWE’s fourth two-night WrestleMania: a concept that the company adopted in 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
The two-night format has allowed more Superstars to have a WrestleMania main event to their name, including AJ Styles, Bianca Belair, and Kevin Owens.
WrestleMania 39: Night One
With WrestleMania 39 going Hollywood (given its LA setting) WWE has been releasing parody trailers for popular films and TV shows featuring the Superstars.
This week, WWE featured Rhea Ripley in a Stranger Things parody, with the Judgment Day member playing Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven.
In the video, an unseen (but very recognizable) voice all but announced that Ripley will be headlining Night One, stating:
“Feeling that pressure, huh? Of being the main event of WrestleMania? Is it triggering you right now, Rhea? You want some? Then, go get some!”
At WWE WrestleMania 39, Ripley (the winner of the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match) will face SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair.
This will make Flair the first and only woman in WWE history to headline two WrestleManias (after previously closing out WrestleMania 35 in 2019.)
It had previously been reported that this match was the favorite to headline Night One, with Night Two being headlined by Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns Vs. Cody Rhodes.
While not confirmed by WWE yet, Logan Paul told listeners of his popular ImPaulsive podcast that his match with Seth Rollins will be on Night One.
That show will take place on April 1, which will mark Paul’s 28th birthday.
Jade Cargill’s reign as AEW TBS Champion could be in grave jeopardy if she steps into the ring with one of women’s wrestling’s most decorated champions.
This week, AEW Dynamite will make its debut in Winnipeg, Canada, and Tony Khan wants to make a great first impression in the city.
It has been announced that Cargill will put her title and her undefeated streak on the line against a Canadian wrestler.
Cargill Vs. Taya?
One name being thrown around as a possible contender for Cargill is Taya Valkyrie, who recently finished up her time with Impact Wrestling.
Many have seen this as a sign that the former Franky Monet is AEW-bound, and this isn’t the only clue.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided another clue that Valkyrie may be the Canadian set to face Cargill.
“She [Valkyrie] was scheduled to be on a World Series Wrestling tour of Australia that’s taking place right now, and she’s not there. That leads me to believe… I actually thought that she’s the mystery Canadian that Jade Cargill is going to wrestle on Wednesday, and the fact that she has a tour scheduled, and she’s not there, she did give notice.
“She’s done with Impact, and she’s leaving MLW, and she isn’t on this tour. We know she’s either going to WWE or AEW, but the point is, they talked about a mystery Canadian, and she’s Canadian and it’s starting to add up that it could be. So, unless she’s debuting on Raw, SmackDown, or NXT this Tuesday, she didn’t have to leave that tour.”
Dave Meltzer.
Valkyrie is no stranger to championship matches, being a former Reina de Reinas Champion, Knockouts Tag Champion, and the longest-reigning Impact Knockouts World Champion.
AEW is Winnipeg
Whether Valkyrie is Cargill’s mystery opponent or not, this week’s Dynamite debut in Winnipeg will be one to remember.
The stacked card includes new AEW Trios Champions the House of Black defending their gold against The Elite and Jericho Appreciation Society.
The Blackpool Combat Club will face the Dark Order (including the returning Stu Grayson.)
AEW All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy will take on Jeff Jarrett to determine the first AEW International Champion.
Former TNA Wrestling star Anthony Mayweather, better known to fans as Crimson, has been arrested for violation of a protection order.
Mayweather, 38, made several calls to his juvenile son’s phone and sent several text messages to his wife, Heather Mayweather, despite the protection order against him prohibiting this.
The former TNA wrestler made these calls and sent these texts, even while police were present, according to Clarksvilletoday.com.
After a warrant was issued for his arrest, Mayweather was detained and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on March 8, and charged with contempt.
A judicial commissioner set his bond at $1,000, and Mayweather was previously arrested for headbutting his wife in 2016.
Crimson in TNA Wrestling
During his second tour of Iraq, Mayweather decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling and would train at the NWA Main Event school in Clarksville, TN.
In 2010, Mayweather competed in a series of dark matches for TNA, which resulted in him being signed and would debut as ‘Little Red,’ the brother of Amazing Red, that December.
Mayweather was reintroduced as ‘Crimson’ the following month and would go on a winning streak, which would include becoming World Tag Team Champions with Matt Morgan.
When the pair lost the titles (with Morgan being pinned) TNA stated that Crimson was still undefeated, and the newly-turned heel feuded with Morgan.
After a 470-day streak, Crimson’s undefeated streak was definitely broken by James Storm, who defeated him at Slammiversary 2012.
Crimson was moved to OVW for further conditioning shortly after, and would make appearances in 2015 and 2017 for TNA/Impact Wrestling.
All Elite Wrestling may have some impressive viewing figures (albeit figures not as high as this time last year) but two wrestling legends aren’t tuning in.
It’s no secret that AEW’s ratings have fallen dramatically in recent months, with many attributing that to the absence of CM Punk.
There has been some good news recently for AEW, with last Friday’s AEW Rampage drawing the show’s highest ratings since January.
The Pact
AEW has a passionate fanbase of people both in and out of the wrestling industry but two names not watching (for now) are Kevin Nash and Steve Austin.
During the latest episode of Kliq This, Big Daddy Cool explained why he and the Rattlesnake are changing channels whenever AEW is on their TVs.
“I just want to go on record today, I have not watched AEW in months. It goes back to Steve Austin and I got a pact that he’s not watching it therefore I’m not watching it and what I can tell by Twitter is [Undertaker] is now not watching it.”
“Steve Austin and I got a pact that he’s not watching it therefore I’m not watching it.”
Kevin Nash.
“It’s nothing against any of the talent over there, anybody that does anything over there. It’s just something that we decided. It’s like lent, you have to give things up so we did that. It doesn’t change the fact that Kenny Omega is my favorite wrestler. Doesn’t change that at all.”
Nash’s comments about The Undertaker stem from a Twitter exchange, in which Nash joked that Bret Hart doesn’t watch AEW.
In response, the Phenom said that Nash’s comments got a “huge pop” from him.
Big Daddy Cool’s comment about Kenny Omega being his favorite wrestler come after Nash made the claim during Omega’s feud with Will Ospreay.
Could IWGP Women’s Champion Mercedes Moné one day make her return to WWE?
After she (and Naomi) walked out of the May 16, 2022, episode of Monday Night Raw, questions circulated around Moné’s future with the company, and she went unused for months.
Despite reports that she and Naomi had made peace with WWE, Moné would debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 17 this past January.
The Return?
It was last month that Moné captured the IWGP Women’s Championship from KAIRI in the former’s first match since departing WWE.
Like Moné, Alundra ‘Madusa’ Blayze knows what it is like to draw the ire of WWE, as she was blacklisted for two decades for throwing the WWF Women’s Championship in the trash on WCW programming.
Appearing on Under The Ring to talk about her career and her new book “The Woman Who Would Be King: The MADUSA Story,” Blayze spoke about Moné’s future.
“I think Mercedes has actually during a time when she was still champion, I believe tag team championship, whatever she was feeling, she felt like whatever and she handed the titles in and she walked out because she wanted to fulfill something, her dream, something she always wanted to do. I mean, God bless her on that, you know, somebody following what they want to do.”
“Hopefully, she will go back to WWE someday if she wants to.”
Alundra Blayze.
“Hopefully, she will go back to WWE someday if she wants to. Right now she’s just fulfilling it. Let’s hope and continue that everything is great over there with her and Stardom. Maybe she’s paving the way that women can do what they want to do. I may have waited until my contract expired and then did it, but you know, everyone has their own reason and choice and I don’t know what that was, so I can’t say on hers.”
Could A Return Happen?
While Moné is out of WWE right now, that doesn’t mean we may not see Sasha Banks walk down the aisle once more.
After all, Blayze was blacklisted for twenty years but was eventually brought back, and other names fans thought they’d never see again (Bret Hart, Ultimate Warrior, etc.) have returned over the years.
It has been reported that some in WWE believe that once Moné gets NJPW ‘out of her system’ she will return to the Stamford-based promotion.
Four wrestlers from the independent scene are lucky to be alive after being involved in a very serious car accident.
On Twitter, the Absolute Intense Wrestling account shared a photo of the wrecked vehicle, and said that Dominic Garrini, Joshua Bishop, Derek Dillinger, and Marino Tenaglia were involved.
Thankfully, the AIW account informed fans that it appears that everyone who was in the car at the time of the accident is going to be okay.
— Absolute Intense Wrestling (@aiwrestling) March 12, 2023
Garrini has competed in promotions including EVOLVE, MLW, and Chikara, and made an appearance for AEW in February of last year.
On the February 16, 2022, taping of AEW Dark: Elevation, Garrini was on the losing end of a ten-man tag team match.
Bishop is also a regular in multiple promotions, and in addition to being the reigning AIW Absolute Champion, holds the BLP Midwest Championship.
Dillinger has dominated AIW for months as the AIW Intense Champion, with his most recent title defense coming at AIW: This Aggression Will Not Stand Man last month.
Next month will mark six years since Tenaglia made his wrestling debut, and has been a regular in Absolute Intense Wrestling throughout his career.
We here at SEScoops would like to extend our best wishes to Dominic Garrini, Joshua Bishop, Derek Dillinger, and Marino Tenaglia at this unfortunate time.
Which match will close out WrestleMania 39: Night One on Saturday, April 1?
With the star power in the match between Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns Vs. Cody Rhodes, it has long been accepted that this match will headline Night Two.
WWE is yet to confirm the main event for either night, or whether any match will be on Saturday or Sunday.
Intercontinental Main Event
WWE SmackDown Superstar Sheamus has never closed out a WrestleMania, but he plans on changing that in a matter of weeks.
Sheamus will face friend and longtime rival Drew McIntyre this Friday, with the winner facing Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER at WrestleMania 39.
Taking to Twitter to promote the St. Patrick’s Day clash, Sheamus said that his victory would mean he headlines WrestleMania 39: Night One.
St. Patrick’s Day 2023. Kansas City. Drew McIntyre V Sheamus. Winner: IC Title Match Main Event at Wrestlemania 39 Day One.. Next Friday “Remember Murrayfield” #SCOvIRE#luckoftheirishpic.twitter.com/UDGCPhmi23
The Sheamus-McIntyre match was formed last week, after both men scored a pinfall during a five-way to determine GUNTHER’s opponent.
It has been reported that WWE’s plan is for a triple-threat match for the title at WrestleMania 39.
The Intercontinental Championship has headlined one WrestleMania, that being WrestleMania 6 when Champion the Ultimate Warrior faced WWF Champion Hulk Hogan in a title-for-title match.
Other Night One Contenders
Sheamus Vs. McIntyre Vs. GUNTHER would be a physical main event to WrestleMania 39: Night One, but it isn’t the only option.
It has been reported that WWE is considering SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair Vs. Rhea Ripley as the closer for the show.
Some have argued that given his popularity, Sami Zayn should headline Night One in the rumored tag match with Kevin Owens against Undisputed WWE Tag Champions The Usos.
AAA wrestler El Cuatrero’s wrestling future looks uncertain after being arrested over attempted femicide.
It was reported earlier this month that CMLL star Stephanie Vaquer had accused the AAA Trios Champion of gender violence.
In an update, it is revealed that Cuatrero has been arrested for attempted femicide (the killing of a female based on their gender) and it is claimed he tried to strangle Vaquer.
The report adds that Cuatrero is currently in Reclusorio Oriente.
Mediante orden de aprehensión, @PDI_FGJCDMX detiene al luchador Cuatrero, como lo adelantamos, por tentativa de #feminicidio a la amazona del @CMLL_OFICIAL@Steph_Vaquer, a quien presuntamente intentó estrangular.
El Cuatrero, alongside Forastero and Sansón are currently in their first reign as AAA World Trios Champions, after winning the titles at Verano de Escándalo in August of last year.
There has been no confirmation yet as to what AAA will do with their reigning Trios Champions, who surpassed 200 days with the gold last month.
El Cuatrero
Cuatrero comes from a large wrestling family, as the son of lucha libre legend Cien Caras and the nephew of Máscara Año 2000 and Universo 2000.
Like many luchadors, his real name is not a matter of public record, but El Cuatrero translates from Spanish as ‘The Horsethief’ or ‘The Cattle Rustler.’
El Cuatrero remains undisputed in Luchas de Apuestas, winning the masks of Los Centellas, and later of Ángel de Oro in March 2018.
He is best known for his tenure in CMLL, where he is a former World Trios Champion (again with Forastero and Sansón.)
Cuatrero is also a former CMLL World Middleweight Champion, and CMLL Arena Coliseo Tag Team Champion (with Sansón.)
The Bloodline may be one of WWE’s most popular acts in years, but they apparently cannot hold a candle to The Elite.
Following Roman Reigns’ heel turn in 2020, his cousins The Usos would fall in line behind their Tribal Chief, who has been advised by his special counsel Paul Heyman.
Last September, Solo Sikoa was added to the faction by helping Reigns retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Clash at the Castle.
Without a Doubt
The Bloodline storyline, especially the chapter with Sami Zayn, has been heralded as one of the best thing wrestling fans have seen in years, but they are not the only faction around.
Last November, the Elite made their AEW return at Full Gear, after being suspended for their roles in the backstage fight following All Out.
Speaking on the Cafe de Rene podcast, Jake Roberts was asked which group he thinks is better.
“Kenny. Kenny and The Bucks without a doubt. I think Kenny Omega is f***ing unbelievable. He is f***ing on spot. I don’t like a lot of stuff The Young Bucks do but brother they’re doing it and getting away with it.”
At AEW Revolution 2023, the Elite lost the AEW Trios Championships to the House of Black.
The Elite Vs. The Bloodline?
At this time, the idea of a six-man-tag match between the two factions is purely hypothetical, but that is something WWE hopes to change.
The belief is that if they can sign Omega (who has previously been under a WWE developmental deal) then it may encourage the Bucks to jump ship to WWE.
The Street Profits will be sticking together for the long term according to recent comments made by Angelo Dawkins.
The team, consisting of Dawkins and Montez Ford, debuted on a March 2016 edition of WWE NXT, and has been a team ever since.
The Street Profits are one of three teams to have held the NXT, Raw, and SmackDown Tag Team Championships (the others being The Revival/FTR and the New Day.)
Sticking Together
Given the number of tag teams and groups that have split due to a betrayal (The Rockers, Evolution, The Shield, etc) it’s no wonder why many expect one member of the Steet Profits to betray the other.
While speaking to the Attitude Era Podcast, Dawkins was asked if there were plans for him and Ford to go their separate ways.
“Nah, never. Never. We’re brothers till the end bro. We’re always gonna support each other no matter what, we always got each other’s back, we ain’t never turning [on each other.]”
Angelo Dawkins.
Singles Push
While Dawkins has no plans to turn on Ford and vice versa, being a tag team may not prevent the Street Profits from reaching singles success.
In recent years, Ford’s ability and charisma have earned him praise from several notable names, including Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who Ford idolized during his youth.
Last October, it was reported that Dawkins had been impressing a lot of the right names backstage, with the bigger member of the team having as many singles matches from June to October as he did from April 2021 to May 2022.
During this week’s WWE NXT Roadblock event, Dragon Lee made his TV debut for the brand and appeared in the crowd.
The masked Superstar had initially been scheduled to debut at NXT Vengeance Day, but visa issues caused his arrival to be delayed.
Big Plans
Dragon Lee has had just one match as a WWE Superstar to his name, but WWE already has big plans for the masked wrestler.
It has been reported that WWE intends for Dragon Lee to be on the main roster by the time of WrestleMania 40, which will take place in Philadelphia next April.
Dragon Lee is optimistic about his future in the company, and has said he believes he can be the next Rey Mysterio if given the opportunity.
