A.J. Francis has been finding success since becoming a free agent this year. He’s appeared for different indie promotions and has also recently taken his talents to TNA Wrestling. A new report has shared that the company has reached a deal with Francis to keep him on the roster for the rest of the year.
Fightful Select reported on March 28 that TNA Wrestling has reached an agreement for Francis to remain with them through 2024. His deal will still allow him to appear in independent promotions like Game Changer Wrestling and Major League Wrestling. However, it prohibits Francis from working for WWE or All Elite Wrestling while under contract with TNA.
After the report became public, Francis confirmed his status with the company on Twitter. The TNA Wrestling superstar said he plans to continue accepting bookings on the indie wrestling scene, including DEFY Wrestling.
The company has also shown that they have plans for Francis on TV. He recently formed a new tag team with Rich Swann on the March 28 episode of TNA Wrestling. Swann aligned with Francis on the March 14 episode of the brand to help him defeat Joe Hendry. They will be known as First Class and have put the rest of the roster on notice.
While Francis has formed a team with Swann, it’s unclear if his feud with Hendry is over. The company could decide to rematch Francis and Hendry in the future, but it seems First Class has their sights on the tag division.
What’s Next For A.J. Francis & Rich Swann(Spoiler)
TNA Wrestling has already taped its next few episodes heading into its next pay-per-view event, Rebellion, on April 20. First Class had their first match as a tag team against the former TNA World Tag Team Champions ABC(Ace Austin & Chris Bey) during the taping.
It’s unclear when the match will air, but Francis and Swann could soon be feuding with ABC for the foreseeable future. As of now, First Class also isn’t on the TNA Rebellion card. However, that may change as the event gets closer next month.
That said, Francis is building momentum in TNA Wrestling and is showing how valuable he can be to the company. If he can continue to display his ability, he could become one of the hottest free agents next year.
Major League Wrestling is off to a hot start after hosting six pay-per-view events to kick off the year. They are set to have their annual War Chamber PPV card on March 28 at The Coliseum in St. Petersburg, Florida. In a press release, the company revealed that it would return to the same venue for MLW Blood & Thunder later this year.
MLW shared that Blood & Thunder will be held at The Coliseum on July 12, and tickets go on sale on April 2. The press release notes that the lowest ticket price will be $15. The official card has yet to be announced, but fans who attend will have a chance to have a special meet-and-greet at the event.
MLW Blood & Thunder Poster
In the press release, MLW also discussed the importance of holding events at The Coliseum and why they like it.
“The historic Coliseum was built in 1924 and purchased by the City of St. Petersburg in 1989. It has undergone extensive renovations, and the architecture and ambiance creates a flexible space to host a variety of events, making it one of the Tampa Bay area’s most unique multi-use facilities,” wrote MLW.
For fans who can’t attend the show, MLW confirmed that the event will stream live with a $7.99 subscription to TrillerTV+. Although the event is still months away, the company is showing that they are trying to get as many fans as they can to want to be a part of their live PPV schedule.
MLW War Chamber Preview
MLW War Chamber is another big event that the company hopes will succeed. The card will have five matches, including two championship bouts. The main event will also have CozyMAX (Satoshi Kojima & Shigeo Okumura) & The Second Gear Crew (1 Called Manders & Matthew Justice) taking on World Titan Federation (Davey Boy Smith Jr., Josh Bishop, Richard Holliday & Tom Lawlor).
Tickets for the event are still on sale for as low as $15 on Eventbrite. MLW War Chamber will also be available to stream with a subscription to TrillerTV+.
MLW War Chamber Match Card
(Match Card Is Subject to Change)
Alex Kane vs. AJ Francis
Bad Man Tito vs. TBA
(C) Janai Kai with Jesus Rodriguez & Salina de la Renta vs. Unagi Sayaka-MLW Women’s World Featherweight Championship Match
(C) Matt Riddle vs. Kosei Fujita-NJPW World Television Championship Match
CozyMAX (Satoshi Kojima & Shigeo Okumura) & The Second Gear Crew (1 Called Manders & Matthew Justice) vs. World Titan Federation (Davey Boy Smith Jr., Josh Bishop, Richard Holliday & Tom Lawlor) with Saint Laurent-War Chamber Match
TNA Wrestling has been experiencing some significant changes to start the year, with bringing in new talent and the letting go of others. The most notable decision came from TNA Wrestling’s owners, Anthem Sports & Entertainment, to terminate Scott D’Amore’s contract on February 7.
Although the company has also seen hot free agents like Nic Nemeth and Alex Hammerstone debut this year, TNA Wrestling is on the verge of losing longtime veterans The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin).
Shelley and Sabin’s deals with TNA Wrestling are expected to end next week. They’ve already taped an episode for their final match for the company, which is slated to air on April 18 on AXS TV. It is unclear if TNA Wrestling will make a final attempt to re-sign them, but The Motor City Machine Guns will likely be free agents soon.
Shelley recently hinted at his future and shared a positive message on Twitter about change. Although he doesn’t address leaving the company directly, the former TNA World Champion seemingly sounded like the end is drawing near.
“While things change, I want to express this – try to leave things better off than when you found them. Everyone is someone, treat them with respect, show up enthused, do your best, and help others whenever possible. I hope this isn’t too “Live, Laugh, Love” wall art cringe,” wrote Shelley.
It isn’t certain if Sabin and Shelley want to sign up with another company, such as WWE or All Elite Wrestling. However, they are already being advertised for an independent wrestling appearance next month.
What’s Next For Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin?
The Motor City Machine Guns will hold a meet-and-greet for Smash Wrestling’s event Riot At The Music Hall on April 21 at the London Music Hall in London, Ontario, Canada. The promotion shared that fans who bought a VIP Perk to the show will be able to take in-ring photos with them and potentially ask questions.
Neither Shelley nor Sabin have advertised other appearances at this time. However, they could be competing on the independent scene for a while. Shelley holds titles for independent wrestling promotions, including the Prestige Championship. They’ve also competed for Deadlock Pro Wrestling over the past few months and were the tag team champions until they lost to Jake Something & Mike Bailey on March 10.
The team will have many options if they decide to leave TNA Wrestling. While anything can change to make them re-sign, Shelley’s comments seem to point towards looking at a fresh start after creating great moments over the years with the company.
After a year of hardship, WWE superstar Cody Rhodes has found his way to a rematch against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. In their first encounter, the ‘Tribal Chief’ retained his title at WWE WrestleMania 39 on April 2. After winning the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, Rhodes aims to avenge his loss and “Finish his story” at WrestleMania 40 on April 7.
Since the match announcement, many wrestling fans have picked ‘The American Nightmare’ to defeat Reigns. Former WWE superstar D’Lo Brown recently shared his prediction for the match and believes the company has to give Rhodes the win at the ‘Grandest Stage Of Them All.’
Brown appeared on Sirius XM Busted Open on March 27 to explain why Rhodes must become the new champion at WWE WrestleMania 40.
“…You have to because I don’t know if his character could go another 365 days to a third WrestleMania. I don’t know if fatigue will play in,” said Brown. He continued, “It is hard to keep the interest of the fans and get them sympathetic with you. It’s even more difficult to do it for two years, damn near impossible to keep it up for a third year to finish the story, in my opinion.”
Despite believing Rhodes should win, Brown was also hesitant to say whether he had proven himself to be the company’s true leader.
D’Lo Brown Doesn’t See Cody Rhodes As The Guy
Brown shared that Rhodes is in his position because the company has set him up to be its most featured superstar. However, he is yet to think of ‘The American Nightmare’ on that level.
“He’s going to be the guy because that’s what the direction they are going. I look at Cody, and I don’t say this disrespectfully; I’ve never seen that top-tier echelon guy,” said Brown. He added, “…They have made Cody since he’s come back over from AEW into that top-tier guy, so for the purposes of the story they are telling, he’s the guy.”
It’s unclear what Rhodes could do to change Brown’s position on him to see him as “The guy.” It’s possible a big win at WWE WrestleMania 40, and how he moves forward in the company may change his point of view.
WWE fans rejoiced last year when friends turned rivals Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair teamed up in a Wargames Match at WWE Survivor Series. For a few years, their relationship was strained and evident when they both were on TV. However, Lynch and Flair were able to reconcile and appear to be on better terms lately.
In her new book, Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl, Lynch discusses her relationship with Flair from her perspective. She also discussed their fallout and reconciliation in depth in a recent interview with Adam Silverstein of Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast.
Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair at WWE Survivor Series Press Conference
Lynch was asked about how they repaired their friendship and her thoughts on where she stands with her currently. Lynch replied that despite their issues, they still loved each other and would’ve been there for each other in bad times. She also noted the passing of her peers like Bray Wyatt and put into perspective that life is too short to hold on to past issues.
“…Having that hostility towards somebody kind of weighs on you, you know what I mean? I think life is too short for that and we witnessed that. We’ve seen the tragic passing of people that went far too young, like Bray Wyatt, like Luke Harper, and other friends who passed away that were very close to me in the last few months too, and so all of those things I think as you grow and mature you realize that these petty differences aren’t worth the toxicity it leaves in you and the weight that it carries,” said Lynch.
She also confirmed that the interactions fans saw from them at the WWE Survivor Series were genuine and that they reconciled.
More On Becky Lynch’s New Book
Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl is available on Amazon and other platforms in hardcover, digital, and audio. Her peers, including her husband, Seth Rollins, Stephenie McMahon, and John Cena, have praised the book.
One of the notable praises comes from Mick Foley, who helped inspire her to write a memoir.
Amazon shared and transcribed Foley’s thoughts on her book on their website.
“Becky Lynch: The Man is one of the finest wrestling books—or memoirs of any kind—I have had the pleasure to read. Actually, it was equal parts, honor and pleasure; Becky allowed me in on the ground floor of her creative process, and I read with great joy as she found her voice as a writer. I am so glad she has chosen to share that voice and her remarkable life story with all of us.”
Lynch’s rollout of her new book seems to be going very well as she explores a new career venture. The hope is that she will add becoming a New York Times Best-Selling Author to her many accomplishments over the years.
WWE fans have been enjoying the direction the company has been going under the creative leadership of Paul Levesque(AKA Triple H). For years. the company has faced issues like plans being changed during a TV episode to the last minute with Vince McMahon at the helm. However, creativity has seemingly run more smoothly with Levesque in charge, and superstars like Becky Lynch appreciate the shift.
Paul Levesque(Triple H) and Vince McMahon Backstage
In an interview with Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast, ‘The Man’ discussed the differences in WWE creative under Levesque and McMahon. She shared that consistency is the main factor and praised the former nine-time WWE Champion for his long-term storytelling.
“…Paul tends to have a long-term vision of something and an idea of something and then executes, whereas before, you know, it was notorious that the show was being rewritten as it was going, and we were live on TV, and people didn’t know what was happening in the third hour and there would be stories that would start and then Vince would change his mind and so with Paul, he sees things through and for better or worse that gives a different viewing experience,” said Lynch.
‘The Man’ also explained why it’s important to let storylines develop over time as intended rather than nixing them altogether.
“…You might not like the story on week two, but you don’t know where it’s going on week four, and so if we listen to people that saying ‘Yeah, but we don’t like the story on week two,’ well then you might never get the magic that you were going to get on week four, and so I think it’s important to listen to the audience to a certain degree,” said Lynch.
More On Becky Lynch’s Thoughts On Storytelling
Lynch went into detail about storytelling and why letting things play out as intended over time is good. The former WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion used herself as an example from when she was feuding with Bianca Belair and defeated her in 26 seconds at WWE SummerSlam on August 21, 2021.
She noted that the fans didn’t like some of the ‘heel’ things she did during her rivalry and that it was meant to elicit negative reactions.
“…You were meant to be outraged. You were meant to want to see her succeed, and then I think I started talking about her hair, and people were outraged that I might touch her hair,” said Lynch. She continued, “…If you don’t know where we are going… also, I am a heel. You are meant to be outraged by the things that I do, and please understand that is a heel. Heel isn’t like somebody that gives cool zingers. It is somebody that is unlikable that you want to see the babyface overthrow. Doesn’t always work out.”
Lynch reaffirmed her stance that it is good to see things through, which is something that WWE is doing more under Levesque’s leadership. It seems WWE creatively is in a better place than it has been for their talent and fans. Hopefully, the company’s momentum will continue and allow for more creative storytelling that can make for great weekly TV programming.
WWE is having an incredible run heading towards its milestone event, WrestleMania 40, next month. Ahead of the ‘Grandest Stage Of Them All,’ the company will hold WWE Monday Night Raw tonight in the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. It is on track to be a sold-out show, and it’s expected to have the brand’s biggest crowd in five years.
Wrestlevotes shared on Twitter that tonight’s show is on pace to have the highest attendance since the April 8, 2019, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. It’s worth noting that the event occurred that night after WWE WrestleMania 35 and had an attendance of 15,741.
Tonight’s episode is not expected to surpass the episode from 2019 but is on track to have over 15,000 in attendance. WrestleTix reported on Twitter that 61 tickets were left at noon, and they distributed 14,961 tickets. However, as of this writing, Ticketmaster has 25 standard admission tickets.
WrestleTix also noted that the last time the company hosted the venue was for WWE Survivor Series on November 25, 2023. However, the show had a higher attendance, with 17,102.
If the rest of tonight’s tickets are bought, the attendance for tonight’s show would be 15,022. On Ticketmaster, tickets are available for resale for as low as $70 and as high as $535. The tickets that aren’t on resale are on the side of the entrance area, so it’s unclear if fans will want to purchase them. However, tonight’s show may be intriguing enough to be a completely sold-out show.
Preview Of Tonights Episode Of WWE Monday Night Raw
One of the big selling points of the episode is the promoted return of CM Punk. The WWE superstar has been off TV rehabbing a torn tricep that he suffered at WWE Royal Rumble on January 27. It’s expected he will have a segment on the episode with Drew McIntyre, who has been taunting him for weeks.
The episode also announced three matches, including one between Jey Uso and Shinsuke Nakamura. Uso hopes to build momentum for his match against his brother, Jimmy Uso, at WWE WrestleMania 40. Another bout on the card has Candice LeRae taking on Ivy Nile. LeRae is being positioned as a ‘Heel,’ and the contest will likely continue her storyline with Maxxine Dupri.
Tonight’s episode is another indicator of the company’s momentum toward its biggest event of the year. Fans attending the show may be in store for a great episode that continues to set the stage for next month’s WWE milestone event.
Former WWE superstar Ronda Rousey tells it all in her new book, Our Fight: A Memoir, which will be released on April 2. She is promoting the book ahead of its worldwide release, and she has been opening up about her career in WWE.
In an interview with Cageside Seats, Rousey detailed her frustrations with her time at the company and how she felt mismanaged under Vince McMahon’s regime.
WWE President Nick Khan currently leads WWE, and Levesque is the Chief Content Officer. In the interview, she spoke highly of Levesque and wished he was entirely in charge, dating back to her return to WWE in 2022. Rick Ucchino transcribed the following quotes:
“I’m so glad that it’s getting turned around,” Rousey said after certain changes were brought to her attention. “Triple H has been great towards the women in the company and really believing in us. He’s the whole reason that I was there, ‘cause he believed in me. I really wish that my last run was under Triple H running things and Vince being gone.”
Ronda Rousey Recalls Conversation With Paul Levesque & Calling WWE Mediocre
Rousey also revealed that WWE wanted her to stay before she decided to leave last year. She lost her last match in the company against Shayna Baszler at WWE SummerSlam on August 5, 2023. Before the final appearance, the former WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion detailed her conversation with Levesque in her book.
In a meeting to get her to stay, Rousey shared that she felt it was time to move on and even called WWE mediocre at the time.
“I had a long sit down with Triple H, and I was like, ‘I can’t be associated with mediocrity.’ And that’s what they seemed to be happy with at the time. And I hope that is different now, but I can’t say… that I’ve ever experienced it any other way,” said Rousey.
If Levesque had more creative control in WWE two years ago, Rousey may have decided to re-sign with the company. However, the issues behind the scenes were enough to make the former UFC superstar walk away for good.
For many years, John Cena has been involved in many big matches and moments at the ‘Grandest Stage Of Them All.’ He has won championships and even proposed at a WrestleMania. However, Cena has recently shared that he also had a featured match involving him being cut short compared to what was initially planned.
On his TikTok account, Cena shared that his Triple Threat Match against Big Show and Adam Copeland (FKA Edge) for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship was cut short. The match occurred at WWE WrestleMania 25 on April 5, 2009.
Fans may recall that the match before Cena’s was Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker. While Michaels and ‘The Deadman’ put on an all-time classic WrestleMania performance, the Triple Threat Match was cut for time.
Cena reflected on the match on TikTok and spoke about WWE’s decision. He also thanked Big Show and Copeland for their cooperation.
“…Those guys had a long match, which means you got to find the time somewhere, which means they took a lot of time away from this match. Yes, taking time away from your match happens at every level. I want to thank my opponents, Edge and The Big Show, for being so calm and collected and adjusting what we needed to do, and still being able to take some high-risk and give the audience some crazy moments,” said Cena.
One example he remembered was picking up both his opponents at the same time. He also revealed the match was supposed to last 30 minutes and noted how quickly he got out of the ring after his win.
Will John Cena Make An Appearance At WWE WrestleMania 40?
As WWE WrestleMania 40 approaches, fans wonder if Cena will appear. He is not scheduled for a match or a segment at the event.
Cena will likely not be in a match or be limited in how physical he can be with others, but fans will still enjoy seeing the former WWE Champion make a surprise appearance.
WWE superstar Drew McIntyre has found his groove in the company as he heads towards one of the biggest matches of his career. In recent months, McIntyre’s character shift as a ‘heel’ has engaged and entertained wrestling fans on a different level than he has before.
Rather than being a menacing ‘heel’ like he has in the past, ‘The Scottish Warrior’ has centered his persona on being true to himself and speaking his mind. He believes this is what is making him stand out on the roster and encourages others to follow his approach.
“Trying to be myself, trying to be logical, trying to have fun and trying to create compelling TV.. and it’s cool that people responded so positively.
Like I said, there was more truth in McIntyre from 2019 to 2023 that I had ever in WWE, but now it’s 100 percent me,” said McIntyre.
He’s also gotten more comfortable understanding when it’s the right time to escalate his intensity during promos. The veteran encourages other WWE Superstars to find their voice and continue striving to engage the audience.
Social Media Menace
Another difference in McIntyre’s character is his increased activity on social media. Whether trolling CM Punk or Rollins, McIntyre has created fan engagement off TV and used the same sense of humor in front of a live audience.
When speaking on his social media presence, ‘The Scottish Warrior’ shared that his sense of humor can be a little darker or meaner than others. McIntyre’s humor helps add to his ‘heel’ character, allowing fans to either adore him or want to see the former champion get what’s coming to him.
“…I’ve got my ears and eyes open all the time. It’s very much, you know, a collaboration, but again the British personality, British sense of humor is very different than American sense of home. We are highly offensive,” said McIntyre.
He acknowledged that how he jokes with his wife or friends might make other people think he doesn’t care for them. However, that is their sense of humor, which makes his social media presence unique. McIntyre credited his friends who have helped him and enhanced his character.
“I’ve got a couple of buddies, one particular, who collaborators, I guess is the best word, but he’s just my mate, and we just come up with this crazy stuff, and he’s good with the memes and whatever, and we talk crap and make fun of each other, and then it becomes ‘man I should totally say that about such and such’ and If I don’t know the current lingo that the kids are saying, he knows it. He’s a little bit younger,” said McIntyre.
McIntyre also noted that he is constantly looking for new things on social media to use for his wrestling persona on TV. The former champion’s being more of himself has proven successful as he adds more complexity to his character. That said, it is unclear if this will result in him finally defeating Rollins to become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
The stakes are even higher this year. After making a grand return to WWE, The Rock inserted himself into Cody Rhodes’ business with Roman Reigns. Now aligned with The Bloodline, Rock will team with Roman Reigns against Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL Saturday, the night before Rhodes vs. Reigns 2.
Rhodes’ primary focus is on the Tribal Chief, but a one-on-one showdown with the Final Boss is inevitable. Wrestling legend Jeff Jarrett has seen it all and is certain that WWE is building towards Rock vs. Cody. On the latest episode of his My World podcast, Jarrett said SummerSlam on August 2 would be the ideal setting for this blockbuster attraction.
“So we can fantasy book all we want. Will we see Rock vs. Cody at some point. Our running thread is creative is subjective, and you have to factor in, I mean, all the obvious..”
The primary factors that would affect this match taking place are The Rock’s Hollywood commitments, as well as each man remaining healthy.
“So many things to factor in, but the short answer is absolutely you will [see the match],” said Jarrett.
The Rock’s WWE Schedule (2024)
While The Rock will be at WWE WrestleMania 40, he’s expected not to be sticking around with WWE afterward. This year, he has several movies slated to be in production, including The Smashing Machine and Moana 2. However, he may still be involved with WWE by August.
Jarrett’s co-host Conrad Thompson also pointed out that the former WWE Champion is also on the board of TKO Group Holding. As a board member, The Rock could have more incentive to want to compete in a big match at WWE SummerSlam. However, it will depend on whether he can get through his movie production schedule and find the time to be involved with WWE as a wrestler.
Rhodes and The Rock have done a great job teasing a match to get fans interested. It will be on The Rock and WWE to make it work for the big summer event.
Becky Lynch has fought with some of the best female talent WWE has had in the company’s history. She has faced up-and-comers from NXT, along with established athletes like Nia Jax and Liv Morgan. However, there’s only one opponent she considers her “wrestling soulmate.”
When asked about who she’s most enjoyed sharing the ring with, she couldn’t pick just one person. Becky Lynch named Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair as her wrestling soulmates.
“The very cool thing about that is I think there are several,” she began. “I think Charlotte and I obviously have an undeniable chemistry and an undeniable history, and I think no matter how many times myself and Charlotte have wrestled, I think people are always going to want to see more,” said Lynch.
Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch
The wrestler/author/mother also praised Bianca Belair and shared why she loves competing against her.
“Another is Bianca Belair. She’s fabulous. I love stepping in the ring with her. Every time we do, I feel like there is a little bit of magic that happens, and so there is a couple,” said Lynch.
She also joked about loving to beat Jax in the ring. They recently wrestled in a Last Woman Standing Match on the March 18 WWE Monday Night Raw episode. Lynch won the match and seemingly ended her feud with her rival.
Despite being in the ring with many great performers, Lynch did share that she is still looking to have one match with a WWE Hall of Famer.
Why Won’t You Fight Me?
Lynch spoke about her desire to wrestle WWE Hall of Fame Beth Pheonix, who we last saw in the ring at WWE Elimination Chamber 2023 when she and husband Adam Copeland battled Judgement Day’s Rhea Ripley and Finn Balor.
It might be a long shot, but Lynch’s dream is to wrestle Beth Phoenix at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland.
“I think it has to be in Dublin, Ireland. I think it has to be in Croke Park, and I think my opponent, and it’s a match I’ve been trying to get for a long time, would be Beth Pheonix,” said Lynch.
“I’ve been trying to get her in the ring and whoop her ass for a long time now, and it’s just not happening, and I want to know why is that? Why is That Beth Phoenix? Why won’t you fight me?”
It’s unclear if Phoenix is still interested in competing in WWE after her husband, Adam Copeland, signed with AEW last year. However, Lynch has publicly made the challenge and is welcoming a big showdown in Ireland against the Hall of Famer.
Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is headed back to the main event of another WrestleMania. ‘The ‘Tribal Chief’ defends his championship in a highly anticipated rematch with Cody Rhodes on WrestleMania XL Sunday on April 7. Despite his dominance as champion, fans and some of his peers believe his reign may finally be nearing its end.
The stage is set for Rhodes to finally ‘finish his story.’ After winning the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble and choosing Reigns as his opponent, fans believe WWE WrestleMania 40 will be his moment to win. WWE superstar Xavier Woods is also starting to believe Reigns will not make it past the event as champion.
In an interview with WWE Die Woche (WWE The Week) with Sebastian Hackl, Woods shared his prediction for the Reigns vs. Rhodes match. He doesn’t think Reigns holds the title past the event and that it will create new opportunities for other talent.
“…There’s no way he gets through WrestleMania with that championship. If he does, I don’t know. I can’t even say anything because, just in case that he does, but I fully believe he will no longer be champion after WrestleMania 40,” said Woods. He added, “…And then I feel like we might just have a champion who shows up and defends the title a bit more and then people will have a shot at winning the heavyweight championship. Excuse me, the universal championship.”
Potential Future With Cody Rhodes As Undisputed WWE Universal Champion
Woods’s statement may echo other talent beliefs and hope that Rhodes will be the new champion. While fans have appreciated Reigns’ championship run over the years, he hasn’t been as active in defending as some may hope.
His last successful title defense occurred at WWE Royal Rumble on January 27 in a Fatal Four Way match against LA Knight, AJ Styles, and Randy Orton. This is a problem, as he only defended the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship five times throughout 2023.
WWE WrestleMania 40 will mark more than two months since the ‘Tribal Chief’ put his title on the line. Rhodes’s winning the championship is expected to make him more active and put WWE in a position to consistently find fresh challengers. ‘The American Nightmare seemingly has the odds stacked against him but is confident he’ll win the title and usher in a new era in WWE.
All Elite Wrestling fans have been looking for answers as longtime veteran Matt Hardy’s career seems to be winding down. Hardy has been featured less on TV, with his last match occurring on the January 3 episode of AEW Dynamite. Despite his current status with the company, Hardy has confirmed that he still intends to keep wrestling for the foreseeable future.
On Twitter, Hardy was asked by a fan if he was considering retirement and, if true if he would consider staying in AEW as a Producer. Hardy replied on Twitter that he doesn’t plan on retiring from being an active wrestler anytime soon.
SEScoops’ Dominic DeAngelo transcribed the following quotes.
“…Yes, it is coming up in March and we’ve spoke about it, we’ve talked about it and I guess we’ll see what happens. So we’ll see, if you listen to the podcast just give me your feedback, tell me what you think I should do next. I’m a person of the people, I listen to the people.”
He also noted that he loves AEW but understands if a deal isn’t made to keep him on the roster. While Matt’s future remains unclear, his brother, Jeff Hardy, looks to be sticking around in AEW ahead of Matt’s potential exit.
Potential Reason Why Jeff Hardy Is Expected To Be Under Contract With AEW
The two brothers seemingly hoped to align their contract to test free agency or get an extension with AEW. While Matt signed with the company in March 2020, Jeff would debut with the company two years later.
However, unforeseeable circumstances like inactivity and injuries may result in Jeff staying in the company longer than anticipated. It’s unclear when his contract will expire or if the company will try to sign both brothers to new deals.
Although Matt’s immediate future looks murky, his fans can be assured that he still wants to keep wrestling and isn’t looking at retirement just yet.
Popular free agent Nic Nemeth has quickly made an impact in TNA Wrestling. He made his shocking debut at TNA Hard To Kill on January 13 and put the roster on notice. Two months later, the company granted him the opportunity to challenge for the TNA World Championship at their next premium live event.
On the March 14 episode of TNA Wrestling, Nemeth was involved in a tag team match alongside Speedball Mountain (‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey & Trent Seven) against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) and Steve Maclin. After Nemeth won the match, TNA World Champion Moose, Eddie Edwards, and Brian Myers attacked the ‘Babyfaces.’
Moose made sure to hit the former WWE talent with his title and celebrated as the show went off the air. After the episode ended, TNA announced on Twitter that Moose would defend the TNA World Championship against Nemeth at TNA Rebellion on April 20.
The upcoming title opportunity will be Nemeth’s second since leaving WWE. On February 23, he defeated David Finlay at New Japan Pro Wrestling The New Beginning in Sapporo to win the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. A win over Moose would be impressive, as he would win two titles from TNA and NJPW in less than two months.
That said, Moose is still early in his reign, and TNA may not have him lose it this quickly. Nemeth is also not signed exclusively to the company, which may hurt his chances of winning the TNA World Championship. Regardless, the match has the potential to be exciting, and fans will be interested if Nemeth wins.
More Matches Announced For TNA Rebellion
Although TNA announced Moose’s next championship defense, they had another match to make official. On Twitter, TNA shared that Edwards and Myers would defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Speedball Mountain at the next PLE.
Speedball Mountain has been building momentum as a team, so it seemed like a matter of time before they earned a title opportunity. Edwards and Myers won their championship at TNA Sacrifice on March 8 by defeating ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey). It may be early for another title change, but Speedball Mountain will present an exciting challenge at TNA Rebellion.
The upcoming PLE looks like an interesting show that fans may not want to miss. Nemeth will have a chance to make history by winning his first TNA World Championship.
WWE superstar Sami Zayn has punched his ticket into a featured match at WWE WrestleMania 40. On the March 11 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, He won a thrilling Gauntlet match to challenge WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther for his title. The match will occur at WWE WrestleMania 40 in April, but it’s unclear if it will happen on Night One or Two. That said, some fans wanted Chad Gable to have the opportunity instead of Zayn.
As one of the participants in the Gauntlet Match, Gable seemed to have a chance to get his long-awaited rematch with Gunther. However, WWE decided to have Zayn win the Gauntlet and eliminate Gable last in a close matchup.
Although the company has been building up Zayn to challenge for a title, some fans online have responded negatively to their recent decision. The negative backlash seems to have gotten Zayn’s attention as well.
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T shared on his podcast that he spoke to Zayn and wasn’t happy with the negative responses. The former five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion also revealed what advice he gave to Zayn in their conversation.
“…He was so literally upset about the online heat that he got from fans. He was like, ‘I thought loved me, you know, and then I see all this stuff.’ I said, Man, you can’t listen to that white noise,” said Booker T. He added, “…You have to think about how great that match was, and you are going look back on it match one day and think that was some really really good work that I did, but he still was feeling that heat.”
Fans Wanting Conclusion To Chad Gable’s Storyline
Booker T mentions that it was the match that fans were upset about from the episode. However, it seems more about the decision to have Gable lose the Gauntlet Match.
Gable still has unfinished business with Gunther, and it seems fans won’t get to see it resolved anytime soon. He was involved in a well-received feud with the champion last year. Their previous bout ended with Gunther victorious, but the company left it open for another match. The storyline also became more personal when Gable’s family got involved.
This resulted in fans wanting to see the underdog get his revenge and potentially dethrone the champion on the ‘Grandest Stage of Them All.’ Unfortunately, WWE went a different direction, and Gable’s storyline is still unresolved.
After the match, Gable somberly admitted that he didn’t know what would be next for him. It’s possible the underdog superstar could still be in line to challenge Gunther for the title after WWE WrestleMania 40. However, it does look bleak as Zayn will get his chance at the title first, and the company has other roster members awaiting their opportunity.
WWE superstar Jey Uso is ready to welcome more members of his legendary family into the company. The company has made a strong effort to showcase the lineage of the Anoa?i Family with the Bloodline stable(Roman Reigns, The Rock, Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso), which fans have gravitated towards in recent years.
As the group continues to be a focal point on WWE TV, Jey has expressed interest in having other family members join the company to get a bigger spotlight.
In an interview with Battleground Podcast, Jey discussed the Bloodline’s success in WWE. He was also asked if he had any advice for other members of his family who may want to join the company and align themselves with the faction. While Jey is no longer in the group, he has no problem seeing unsigned talent from his family sign to be led by the ‘Tribal Chief.’
“Man, come. We family at the end of the day, come. Some of your worst enemies might be in your family, but at the end of the day, we are all still family,” said Jey.
Jey also noted that he likes that several family members wrestle for different promotions and are thriving. However, he wants to see everyone under the WWE umbrella.
“…I feel like if we all come to the big leagues, the WWE, bruh, it’s mindblowing what could happen,” said Jey. He added, “…Man, at least almost ten deep in there, Uce, like what, and let alone some big hitters. So, man, the future is bright is all I’m going to say.”
Popular Free Agents From The Anoa?i Family
Although Jey doesn’t share names, fans have wanted to see former MLW World Champion Jacob Fatu join WWE to side with the group. ‘The Samoan Werewolf’ is a free agent who has expressed interest in joining the company. Whether WWE wants to sign him is unclear, but fans hope a deal will be made soon.
Another famous free agent who could be heading to WWE is Tama Tonga. Although he isn’t related by blood, he is still considered family as the son of Haku. Multiple outlets reported that he is expected to sign with WWE after spending most of his career in New Japan Pro Wrestling. It’s unclear when he could debut, but he’s seemingly on track to be on the roster soon.
Jey may soon get his wish, as the company could make significant moves to sign two famous and accomplished members of the Anoa?i Family. Hopefully, this will lead to more great storytelling in WWE that will last for the next few years.
Wrestling legend and All Elite Wrestling Commentator Jim Ross is preparing to slow down his career. He recently signed a new deal with the company to stay around as he hopes to use his years of wrestling broadcasting to good use. However, it seems this year could signal the end of his time as an AEW Commentator.
On his podcast, Grilling Jr., Ross said he believes this year could be his last as a commentator. The episode is currently on AdFreeShow Patreon, but WrestlePurist’s Twitter account was able to transcribe the following quote.
“…It’s realistic to think that (this will be last year in commentary). I’m 72 years old, I feel good, I get healthier every day, which is great, but I have to think realistically this could be my last year and more than likely will,” said Ross.
He also noted that his situation is still being determined and that his future as a commentator depends on himself and AEW President Tony Khan. Ross has shared that his new deal isn’t an extension but an entirely new contract. The company could use him in other business areas if he were to be removed from commentary for good.
His wealth of experience as a former WWE Executive Vice President of Talent Relations makes him very valuable for helping behind the scenes. He can also coach other potential AEW broadcasters to help them follow in his footsteps. That said, Ross seems to have started preparing himself to finish his phenomenal career as a commentator.
Jim Ross Current Health Update
One of the positive news Ross shared recently is that he is getting healthier after having surgery to remove cancer in his right hip. He had surgery on February 1 and seems to be recovering fine with the assistance of a walking cane.
On the March 7 episode of Grilling JR, he noted that he had his cane with him when he did commentary for AEW Revolution on March 3. He also reassured fans that he really uses it to initially move after being stationary for some time and that he feels good.
Khan has shown that he values Ross’s contributions to the broadcast team and ensures he is comfortable on the job. While it’s unfortunate that this may be JR’s last dance as a commentator, fans should celebrate the work he is still doing for AEW.
Popular free agent Nic Nemeth is having a career resurgence after leaving WWE last year. He has been appearing on the independent wrestling scene for TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling. However, he’s taking another step in his wrestling career by joining SiriusXM Busted Open.
Dave LaGreca announced on the recent SiriusXM Busted Open episode that he is excited about Nemeth’s addition to the team.
When speaking about joining the podcast, Nemeth said, “…For someone who loves watching wrestling, as you all know, hopefully, my insight of being able to survive for 19 years at 5’11, 195 pounds, having no friends in the office, somehow that can apply to this, but mostly me figuring out which channel wrestling is on would be the best part.”
It was noted that Nemeth’s schedule for the show’s appearances has yet to be figured out. However, he will appear in the March 15 episode with LaGreca.
The move to wrestling media could be great for fans to get the perspective of someone as accomplished in WWE as Nemeth. He also showed good chemistry with LaGreca, Bully Ray, and Tommy Dreamer, which is promising for his future on the podcast.
Nic Nemeth On His Excitement On Being An Independent Wrestler & His Future
Nemeth has been making waves in wrestling since making his shocking debut at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4. A month later, he defeated David Finlay to become the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion. He’s also teased challenging TNA World Champion Moose, which can happen later this year.
The IWGP champion spoke about his newfound excitement about being an independent wrestler. He also shared that he is catching up with more wrestling from different promotions and where he feels he could test himself.
“…I love it. There is an entire world out there that I’ve never even seen in person or been face-to-face with anyone, and there are a million opponents that I’ve never even been in a locker room with, so I’m excited for the wrestling part, but also the part where I’m learning and following all the television aspect of it and pay-per-views and premium live event, however you guys say them depending on the company. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it,” said Nemeth.
Nemeth’s move to becoming an independent wrestling star seems to be going well. He is gaining traction on his own and is enjoying the direction of his career in 2024.
Wrestler turned Hollywood star John Cena is hitting his stride since focusing more on his acting career. He has shown flashes of his acting ability but caught fans’ attention with his role in James Gunn’s DC film Suicide Squad in 2021 as Peacemaker. Cena’s performance as the morally gray character led to his show on MAX(FKA HBO Max) reprising his role, which was highly successful.
Cena’s star power has continued to grow as he’s been featured in more movies recently, including Fast X, Barbie, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Film and WWE fans have been enjoying his work but were taken aback by the promotion of his latest film, Ricky Stanicky.
The new film, currently streaming on Amazon Prime, has been getting some added attention due to Cena’s unique promotion. Ricky Stanicky is being advertised as an “X-rated comedy,” so the former WWE superstar created an Onlyfans account to help garner interest. Although it may sound risque, the videos of Cena Onlyfans were in good taste. That said, fans have wondered if the movie is worth watching.
After watching the nearly two-hour film, I can share this review of Ricky Stanicky and will rate it between 1 and 10 at the end.
Ricky Stanicky: Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, Jermaine Fowler & John Cena at Bar
What Is Ricky Stanicky About?
The movie follows Dean (Zac Efron), JT (Andrew Santino), and Wes (Jermaine Fowler), who created a fake person, Stanicky, to help them escape their problems and responsibilities. Their lies continue from their childhood to being adults. However, the three friends’ latest lies finally cause their romantic partners to become suspicious.
On the verge of getting exposed, the three friends call upon failed actor and celebrity impersonator Rod (Cena) to act as Ricky Stanicky to remove their partner’s doubt. This led to many shenanigans in the film as Dean, JT, Wes, and Rod try to keep up the Stanicky persona.
Ricky Stanicky: Zac Efron, Andrew Santino & Jermaine Fowler at Airport
Mixed Bag Of A Film
Ricky Stanicky may feel like two different movies for fans. It starts out being very raunchy, and that’s when it can be the least funny. In the first 30 seconds of the film, we get our first d*ck joke, and it’s neither creative nor funny. Unfortunately, this was the tone for the first half of the movie.
After Cena is introduced to the family and friends of Efron, Santino, and Fowler, the film takes a turn. The film turns down the raunchiness a little and begins to feel like a completely different movie. The jokes in Ricky Stanicky start to land a little more as Cena tries to keep up with the persona, to the later disdain of Efron and Santino. However, the film attempts to make another d*ck joke, which goes on for too long and is referenced again towards the end of the film.
The film gets more ridiculous when Cena gets a reason to stay in the movie after he initially meets Efron, Santino, and Fowler’s family and friends. The reason is absurd, but it does lead to funny moments between Cena, Efron, and Santino.
If the movie had been less heavy-handed with the raunchiness early on, it could have been a funnier film.
Ricky Stanicky: John Cena at a Party
John Cena Shines In Performance
The film’s central focus is Efron, Santino, and Fowler, but Cena shines the most on-screen. After an incredible performance in The Iron Claw, Efron feels wasted in Ricky Stanicky, and anyone could’ve played his character. His role has more dramatic screens than the rest of the cast. However, he feels misplaced, and a serious revelation comes later in the film about his childhood that feels unearned.
Santino and Fowler try their best to use their comedic expertise to film. The jokes may be hit or miss for fans, but it wasn’t enough to carry the plot. Fowler had some good moments that made me laugh and surprised me. That said, it’s Cena who was able to show his range from being silly to having a few good emotional scenes.
The former WWE superstar gives his all by being outrageous, with one scene peeing on himself in an airport. When he first appeared on screen, he was given raunchy material to work with that wasn’t really clever and may not work for everyone. However, he’s shown later when he can deliver his charisma and not force a joke to be naturally funny in the movie. Cena’s performance in Ricky Stanicky makes me hope he is involved in more serious roles to showcase his acting ability. However, his talents weren’t enough to elevate the film from watchable to great.
John Cena, Zac Efron & Andrew Santino in a scene for Ricky Stanicky
Conclusion & Why Fans Should Give It A Try
The Ricky Stanicky is suitable for being on stream. If fans have Amazon Prime, they can watch it on Amazon Prime Video at no additional cost. The subscription service also has a 30-day trial deal. I believe this makes the film more accessible to watch than going and paying to see it if it went to theaters.
If you are a Cena fan and want to see his acting range, you may want to see the film. He steals the show with his performance in Ricky Stanicky with his comedic and dramatic scenes. Although it’s not enough to save the movie, ultimately, he gives his all to playing his role.
The film is okay and watchable, but it could’ve been better. I give the film a 6 out of 10.
Wrestling fans around the world can finally play WWE 2K24, the installment of WWE and 2K’s best-in-class wrestling video game franchise.
WWE 2K24 Deluxe ($99.99) and 40 years of WrestleMania ($119.99) editions are now availablefor PlayStation 4 &5, Xbox Series X|S/One and Steam. The Standard Edition ($69.99) will be released this Friday, March 8.
After a remarkable entry in the series last year, fans wonder if WWE 2K24 can be even better. I’ve played WWE 2K24 enough in advance on Xbox Series X to share this review, which I will rate between 1 and 10 at the end.
The developers of WWE 2K24 did a great job improving the gameplay from last year’s game. At first glance, fans may think the wrestling mechanics is precisely the same as WWE 2K23. However, the newest title adds minor tweaks that make it stand above its recent predecessors.
One of the notable additions in the game is the ability to exchange strikes in the middle of a match. WWE 2K24 adds a fun mini-game where you and your opponent must press a button at the correct meter to land a blow. This allows a fun exchange as you try to get the better of your opponent and take control of the match.
Another interesting decision was making the managers outside the ring as challenging as the opponent standing across from you. A player can choose managers like Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan or Miss Elizabeth, who can cause distractions, hand weapons, or even remove the turnbuckle pad. It makes having or going against someone with a manager competitive, as you deal with a wild card at ringside.
WWE 2K24: Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels Casket Match
WWE 2K Adds Fan Favorite Match Types
The exact match types, including War Games, are present in the newest game. That said, WWE 2K24 adds a few new matches, like the highly requested Casket and Ambulance match. Both are a great addition to WWE 2K24 and deliver fan service that longtime WWE 2K gamers have hoped to see.
The two new match types also create an exhilarating experience as you try to put your opponent in a position to be victorious. When trying to close the casket or the doors of an ambulance on your rival, you are put to the test in a mini-game of rapidly pressing the right buttons to end the contest.
WWE 2K24 also has the Special Guest Referee match, which puts players in control or at the mercy of an official. I found this returning match type fun when playing online with someone as a referee, as you don’t know if they will keep it neutral and add an exciting challenge.
All Persona Cards we've found so far:
– Elite Cody Rhodes (Pre-Order) – Elite John Cena – Elite Hulk Hogan – Seth Rollins '14 – Sheamus '09 – Trick Williams '22
One of the delightful additions to WWE 2K24 was the improvement on My Faction mode. After WWE 2K23, fans wanted to be able to take characters they collected and play in other parts of the game. The developers have listened to the demand and have effectively made playing My Faction mode important to the overall experience.
WWE 2K24 introduces unique character cards called Personas, which could be a variation of a wrestler or potentially someone completely new. This allows fans to play with that character elsewhere in the game. One of the wrestlers I unlocked when selecting my pack of cards to begin My Faction was Sheamus from 2009, and he had his older theme and appearance.
If anyone had hesitations about playing My Faction in the past, WWE 2K24 makes it worthwhile. The ability to play with unique wrestlers in different game modes allows for more options to the already stacked roster.
WWE 2K24: My Rise Psycho Sally
My Rise Takes Another Step Forward
This year’s My Rise mode is one of the best efforts of the WWE 2K series. The newest title does stick to the same formula of two different storylines for a created male and female character but improves on past games.
It feels like the developers had fun being creative and thinking of different scenarios for gamers to explore. WWE 2K24 My Rise mode puts your character on the journey to the WWE as you try to become a superstar and champion. Fans also have more options than in the past when creating their character, as WWE 2K24 adds new features like different hairstyles and clothing.
I appreciate WWE 2K developers’ ambition and use of My Rise mode to create fun storylines. Another great addition was having different wrestlers contribute voice acting, making the journey worth exploring. WWE 2K24 My Rise was a delightful surprise and makes me wonder if the 2K decides to focus more on it in the future.
WWE 2K24: Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant
WWE 2K24 WrestleMania Showcase Mode Doesn’t Live Up To Its Past
When it was announced that WWE 2K24 would have a WrestleMania showcase mode, I was excited about the possibilities. The last game that celebrated the history of the ‘Grandest Stage Of them All’ was WWE 2K14, and, unfortunately, the newest title couldn’t replicate what made it special.
2K had 39 WrestleManias to highlight and celebrate some of its legendary matches but made the disappointing decision to showcase 21 bouts, some from the same event. This is unfortunate as WWE 2K14 allowed fans to go through the years and highlight one or two matches at every WrestleMania.
What makes it worse is the decision to have cutscenes of the actual matches occur while you are playing them. This leads to jarring moments that take you out of the experience and makes the 40 years of WrestleMania Showcase mode feel like a chore.
A decade after WWE 2K14’s successful attempt to take fans on a nostalgia trip, the WWE 2K24 showcase feels like a half-baked idea and makes me wonder if the developers had too much on their hands.
WWE 2K24: 40 Years Of WrestleMania Cover
Overall Conclusion Of WWE 2K24
WWE 2K24 is a step up from his past titles, especially with the gameplay and new features. The graphics look amazing, as they should for a next-gen console. WWE 2K developers also show that they listen to fan feedback about the game’s improvements.
Although the showcase mode was a letdown, it wasn’t enough to ruin my appreciation of the game. The improvements in My Faction are great and what I believe fans will gravitate toward for replay value as they try to unlock new characters. I also think gamers will be intrigued by going through My Rise to see what unfolds in the storylines.
WWE 2K24 has My GM and My Universe, but it is still relatively the same as WWE 2K23 compared to the other game modes. The game does have me wondering if there needs to be a new WWE 2K game every year, as more time could’ve possibly made the latest installment better. However, it’s hard to deny WWE 2K24 delivers a satisfying experience and overall lays the smackdown on past WWE 2K games. I give WWE 2K24 an 8.5 out of 10.
All Elite Wrestling is looking to increase their workload in 2024. They’re off their busiest year to date with more pay-per-view events, a total of eight. After a recent AEW media call, fans should expect to see more this year and beyond.
In preparation for AEW Revolution on March 3, AEW President Tony Khan held a media call to answer questions and promote the show. Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer asked Khan if he had an idea of how many PPVs he wanted to have this year and if he believed the company could come close to being profitable.
Khan touted the success of their PPV schedule last year and the growth of their schedule since they began in 2019. However, he believes nine events would be great for the company.
“…I believe we have the capacity to increase,” said Khan. He added, “…I want to be open and honest, I can see this year being nine to ten, and I think nine is a good sweet spot. It feels like that’s about the right number, and I don’t want to make a huge change or increase, but definitely, eight was incredibly successful, and I don’t want to do anything totally different, but I do see an opening for nine probably, maybe ten, but nine feels like a great number for us right now.”
When Can AEW Add Their Ninth PPV On Their 2024 Schedule?
Given their success last year, the slight increase to nine PPV seems reasonable. It’s worth noting after AEW Revolution on March 5, 2023, the company held a PPV every month except for April and July.
It’s possible AEW could add a PPV in either of the months and keep a similar timetable for events they had last year. The company recently filed a trademark for AEW Dynasty, which fans believe could be the name of a new event. If true, this would give AEW their ninth PPV show and potentially help them have a financially successful year.
Khan also noted in the media call that he is also running Ring Of Honor and plans to host three streaming events. The brand is set to have ROH SuperCard Of Honor on April 5, which could rule out AEW having a PPV event that month.
Regardless, it seems Khan already has plans in motion for a ninth event and is looking to host 12 PPVs this year combined from two of his organizations. It’s an ambitious goal that he hopes fans will want to support.
Free agent Mustafa Ali’s year is off to an incredible start after leaving WWE in 2023. He recently became the TNA X-Division Champion by defeating Chris Sabin at TNA No Surrender on February 23. The new title holder has revealed on Twitter that he’ll have his official inauguration to start his reign on this week’s episode of TNA Impact.
“…Citizens of
@ThisIsTNA! It’s happening! With great pride, I invite you all to attend the X-Division Title Inauguration Ceremony, this Thursday 8/7c on AXIS TV,” wrote Ali.
It’s unclear what exactly Ali has planned for his reign, but he wants it to feel important. The free agent has made himself into a superstar on the independent wrestling scene and has fans looking to see what he does next. He also has fans questioning WWE’s decision to release him.
The company let go of Ali last September, as well as other superstars. Although some former WWE talent are still trying to find their way outside the company, Ali thrives on the independent wrestling scene.
Ali has started the year competing for different promotions in his quest to prove he’s one of the best in the world. He has competed and earned wins for popular independent organizations like Game Changer Wrestling, Prestige Wrestling, and Revolution Pro Wrestling. However, his big win to date happened for TNA, defeating Sabin to become the TNA X-Division Champion.
As of now, it is unclear if Sabin will get a rematch for the title. However, he seems to continue in TNA as a ‘heel.’
What’s Next For Mustafa Ali (Spoiler)
TNA had tapings for the next few episodes of TNA Impact last weekend. PWInsider’s Billy Krotchsen shared the results from the taping and Ali’s first opponent as champion.
It was revealed that Ali would be aligned with The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler) for his inauguration as X-Division Champion. He also won a match during the tapings against Kevin Knight. Interestingly, it’s reported that Ali and The Good Hands got into an altercation against Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA, and Sabin after the match.
It seems the issues between Ali and Sabin aren’t over. However, TNA may also have a Six-Man Tag Team match between the two groups.
The free agent’s announcement and spoilers for the upcoming TNA Impact episode are significant for Ali fans, as TNA seemingly has exciting plans for him and his reign.
Matt Riddle wants to explore free agency after a few years in WWE. He was cut from the company in 2023, along with many other superstars. Although he’s making strides on the independent wrestling scene, another year in WWE could’ve earned him a big payday.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Riddle shared that he believes there were several reasons he was let go, including his airport incident and failed drug test. He also shared that he was set to make $1 million before he was released, which could have influenced WWE’s decision.
“…It was written in my contract that I was going to make a $1 million this upcoming year guaranteed, which was a lot more than I was making last year and a lot more than what I was making a year before that, so I think there were multiple variables that played into my departure,” said Riddle.
‘The King Of Bros’ also addressed if he believes WWE merging with UFC to form TKO Group Holding was a factor in being released. Riddle was a former UFC fighter and had issues with the organization. However, he thinks his contract was the more significant reason for his departure.
Matt Riddle Thinks Contract Played Bigger Role In Departure Than WWE & UFC Merging
When responding to Helwani’s question about TKO Group Holding playing a role in his release, Riddle believes it was minimal if it did. He feels the pay increase and his value at the time hurt his chances of sticking around with the company.
“…I think at the end of the day, it was a complete business move and one thing that I have noticed with all of these guys, just like I failed a bunch of drug tests and got fired from the UFC. Other people have failed drug tests and still have jobs,” said Riddle. He continued, “…I think, for the most part, it was a money thing. I think maybe my value went down a little bit, and for the amount they were still paying me or guaranteed to pay me, I honestly think that played a bigger factor than anything.”
Riddle noted that talent like Mustafa Ali and Nic Nemeth were let go, so the company wasn’t just looking at behind-the-scenes issues and was trying to cut costs.
Since then, WWE hasn’t had mass talent releases, and the hope is that they won’t anytime soon.
WWE and other superstars are standing up for Maxxine Dupri after her recent performance at a live event. A video circulated recently of the Alpha Academy member being booed and ridiculed after a match during a WWE house show tour. This led to the WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley being among the first superstars to speak out for her peers.
On Twitter, Ripley called out the fans in attendance for their actions. She also noted that wrestling is still new to Dupri but that she is actively trying to learn and improve.
“I really wish that some of you got booed and ridiculed in the public eye while being new at your job. Learning and getting better is all apart of being human. Be better as humans,” wrote Ripley.
As the video started circulating on social media, other wrestlers and fans publicly supported Dupri. Zelina Vega shared her thoughts on the situation on Twitter and spoke highly of the new WWE superstar.
“This is absolutely horrible. She doesn’t deserve that. She’s such a kind soul and works really hard. I would love if the bad parts of the biz don’t harden her heart. They probably just mad cuz they can’t drink your bath water Maxxine,” wrote Vega.
All Elite Wrestling superstar Britt Baker also supported Dupri, leaving a 100 emoji under Ripley’s Twitter post.
Although fans may be critical of Dupri’s in-ring ability, it’s worth noting that she just started wrestling last year.
More On Maxxine Dupri’s WWE Career
WWE fans may recall that Dupri’s initial introduction to the company involved being a manager for Maximum Male Models (ma.ce & man.soor) in 2022. After the group fizzled, she started working as a manager for Alpha Academy last year and gained fan interest.
Her popularity alongside Alpha Academy made them collectively featured ‘babyfaces’ on WWE TV. After a few months as solely a manager, WWE began to involve her in a feud with her faction against The Viking Raiders (Erik, Ivar & Valhalla). She would finally make her in-ring debut teaming with Gable and Otis in a Mixed Tag Team win against The Viking Raiders at WWE Monday Night Raw on July 3, 2023. Although she seemed limited in-ring for her debut, fans accepted Dupri and showed appreciation for her efforts.
Since then, she has only competed in 12 matches, according to Cagematch. While she may believe she could be better in-ring, she has less than a year of experience and room to improve. Hopefully, the support for other superstars like Ripley will give fans a different perspective and allow Dupri to grow as a performer.