SEScoops

Category: AEW

  • Kyle O’Reilly Was Okay With Never Wrestling Again Following Surgery Complications

    Kyle O’Reilly Was Okay With Never Wrestling Again Following Surgery Complications

    Kyle O’Reilly is set for his big return match this Saturday on AEW Collision and is just thankful he’s able to get back in a wrestling ring.

    O’Reilly has been out of action for just under two years after suffering a neck injury which required double fusion surgety. However, he made his AEW return at Revolution and now has his first singles fight back against Bryan Keith. 

    While backstage, an AEW camera crew caught up with Kyle to get his reaction about finally being able to put the boots back on. O’Reilly revealed that he lost the ability to use his right arm after a rare complication.

    “I really didn’t know if I was ever gonna wrestle again. For a long while I was pretty damn sure that in June of 2022 my match with Jon Moxley was the last of my career and I was okay with that, I really was. If I could just get my arm back and I can brush my teeth again, I can wipe my a** like a normal human again and I can take care of my daughter and be a father that’s really all that I was focused on. That’s all that mattered and it took a long time to get any of that back. I mean I couldn’t move my arm for a damn near ten months.

    O’Reilly said he really had a lot support while he was away, both from the fans and his wrestling colleagues. One fan reaching out to him was all the motivation he needed to get back in the ring. Kyle is confident in his ability to still compete, but he’s still uncertain how his body will react to first hitting the mat.

    “He’s a good opponent to see if I really do have that beast in me.”

    He says Keith is young and hungry to make a name for himself and there’s not better way to test his own meddle against The Bounty Hunter.

  • Roadblock Removed: Katsuyori Shibata Set For AEW Collision After Pressing Visa Issues

    Roadblock Removed: Katsuyori Shibata Set For AEW Collision After Pressing Visa Issues

    AEW has a lot of people on their roster with incredible stories, but few are as dramatic as Katsuyori Shibata. He nearly died in 2017 from a brain injury after wrestling Kazuchika Okada. Shibata collapsed after that match and was taken to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma. Now, he is gearing up for his return.

    Although Shibata was signed to AEW, he hasn’t been around in recent memory. It seems that he had another hurdle to get over this time around. Now, he is gearing up for his return despite having visa issues.

    Shibata’s Recent Issues

    In a new development, Fightful Select has reported that Katsuyori Shibata is slated to clash with Bryan Danielson in a high-stakes showdown set for AEW Collision. That being said, there was a tough road for Shibata at the end of 2023.

    Sources close to the situation have revealed that Shibata faced an unexpected hurdle in November, compelling him to return to Japan due to pressing visa issues. This turn of events led to him relinquishing the ROH Pure Title to Wheeler YUTA. 

    What’s Next For Shibata in AEW

    Despite these setbacks, it was made clear that AEW President Tony Khan harbored substantial hope for Shibata’s future within the company. Additionally, insiders indicated that Shibata harbored contentment with his tenure in AEW.

    Recent developments have seen Shibata’s visa woes resolved. This encouraged the powers-that-be in AEW to seize the opportunity and thrust him into a marquee matchup against Bryan Danielson on the next Collision episode.

    SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more in the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for more stories and updates that you need.

  • AEW Collision Preempted: March Madness Shakes Up TBS Schedule

    AEW Collision Preempted: March Madness Shakes Up TBS Schedule

    AEW fans can’t wait to see what Tony Khan books for the company in the months and years to come. Collision gives the company a prime-time spot on Saturday night, but next week’s show will not air.

    The March 23 episode of AEW Collision will be preempted. They are not airing the show next week due to the NCAA Match Madness coverage.

    AEW Collision Preempted

    The upcoming Men’s NCAA basketball tournament will prompt changes to AEW’s programming schedule next week, with Collision being notably absent.

    The Wednesday, March 20th edition of AEW Dynamite, originating from Toronto, Canada, will be followed by a live Rampage episode on Friday due to NCAA coverage. Both shows are slated to air on TBS.

    AEW’s official schedule confirmed reports indicate that there will be no Collision airing on Saturday, March 23rd due to the tournament schedule. Things appear to be back to normal for the March 30 episode.

    AEW’s Current Canadian Tour

    Beginning this Saturday, AEW embarks on a four-show Canadian tour, spanning Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City, and London, Ontario, over the following two weeks.

    Collision’s absence marks a departure from their usual schedule, with the last preempted episode occurring last month during NBA All-Star Weekend. Previous preemptions occurred for Saturday pay-per-views like Full Gear in November and Worlds End in December.

    SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more around the pro wrestling world. Please keep checking back for more of the stories you need.

  • Who’s House: Swerve Strickland Set To Take 2024 Rolling Loud Los Angeles Stage

    Who’s House: Swerve Strickland Set To Take 2024 Rolling Loud Los Angeles Stage

    AEW is Swerve’s House, but that title also goes to any venue that currently holds his greatness. The top performer for Tony Khan’s company is versatile, and he is about to flex on a totally different stage.

    Swerve Strickland is booked for the 2024 Rolling Loud music festival in Los Angeles. The Dates of the show are March 14 through 17, and Swerve is going to be doing his thing on one of the stages.

    2024 Rolling Loud Los Angeles is Swerve’s House

    Swerve Strickland is set to showcase his talents beyond the squared circle at the upcoming Rolling Loud music festival in Los Angeles. Scheduled to perform alongside DJ Five Venoms and Friends from March 14-17, 2024, Swerve will bring his unique flair to the Rolling Loud LA music festival.

    The festival boasts a star-studded lineup, with performances by Nicki Minaj slated for Friday and Post Malone taking the stage on Saturday. Side note: Posty was also the WWE 2K24 music curator, and he’s a playable character in the new game.

    More on Swerve Strickland’s Music & AEW

    Despite his musical endeavors, Swerve Strickland remains focused on his wrestling career, particularly his pursuit of the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. He hasn’t stopped the musical grind, as he still releases music.

    Only time will tell if Prince Nana will join Swerve at Rolling Loud, but we can only hope that he will be there. After all, Nana and Swerve have become a regular highlight of AEW television.

    Following his loss at AEW Revolution, where Hangman Adam Page submitted to Samoa Joe, Strickland reignited his feud with Samoa Joe. So, he’s not done with the AEW Title chase yet.

    Samoa Joe, who is now fresh off a successful title defense against Wardlow at AEW Big Business on March 13, was confronted by Swerve Strickland. This set the stage for a potential showdown between the two down the line. It may have to wait until Rolling Loud is over with at this point.

    SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more. Please keep checking back for more updates on the stories you need.

  • Mercedes Mone Upset A Lot Of People After WWE Return Proclamation Before AEW Debut

    Mercedes Mone Upset A Lot Of People After WWE Return Proclamation Before AEW Debut

    In late 2022 and again in late 2023, Varnado engaged in negotiations with WWE. On both occasions, she sought a higher compensation than what WWE was offering, with reports indicating she aimed for compensation comparable to Charlotte Flair or Becky Lynch’s paydays. Since they hit a financial roadblock, she moved on. It seems that she still thinks she will return to WWE.

    Mercedes Mone recently said on an interview that a WWE return is certainly in her future. This was before her “surprise” AEW debut, even though she wasn’t “officially” announced everyone knew she was going to be at Big Business, but Mone still worked the interview and said a WWE return is in the cards. This apparenlty upset quite a few people, and for good reason.

    Mone Causes Controversy

    While the specifics of Tony Khan’s offer remain undisclosed, it was noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that individuals familiar with the proposal described it as substantial, evidently surpassing WWE’s offer but falling notably short of the rumored $5 million per year figure circulating.

    That being said, a controversy arose surrounding a Mercedes Mone interview on the Kick Rocks podcast. Although the interview did not acknowledge her move to AEW, as the intention was to keep it a secretm she did say that she will be back in WWE someday.

    Mone remarked on the podcast, “I know I’m gonna be back there one day. Like I said, I have a lot of unfinished business in a lot of places.”

    It was noted by Dave Meltzer in the WON that “Boy did this one rub a lot of people the wrong way. Time will tell, and quite frankly she should always have it in her mind the possibility of going to WWE, but saying so days before she’s about to start in AEW wouldn’t be the right time politically to say that.”

    The timing of Mone’s comments, just days before her AEW debut, raised eyebrows, as it was deemed politically inappropriate to express intentions of returning to WWE at that juncture. While maintaining the possibility of returning to WWE is prudent, making such remarks before commencing work at AEW was seen as ill-advised.

    Mone is Making Money

    We previously reported that an unnamed female WWE Superstar said that there were indications the offered amount could potentially elevate Mercedes Mone to the status of the highest-paid female wrestler in the industry. They were also very happy with AEW’s offer and Varnado’s decision to accept it, as it was emphasized that there will be positive implications for top female talent in the wrestling market.

    Mercedes Mone is making a ton in AEW, and she will probably be featured promimently on Tony Khan’s television shows for a long time to come. He needs to make his money back on the CEO, but she will also remain true to herself the entire time, so you never know what she’ll say on a live microphone.

    SEScoops will have more on Mercedes Mone in AEW, and so much more. We will keep our eye on all of the news to continue providing you with the headlines and stories you need.

  • Mercedes Mone Outlines Comeback Journey After Career-Threatening Injury

    Mercedes Mone Outlines Comeback Journey After Career-Threatening Injury

    Mercedes Mone recently became All Elite but that journey hasn’t been smooth. She has now revealed how she recovered from her ‘career-ending’ ankle injury and finally managed to sign with All Elite Wrestling. 

    Mone was sidelined with an ankle injury which she sustained during her match against Willow Nightingale at NJPW STRONG Resurgence last year. She had a bad landing which caused major damage to her ankle. At the time, there were plans in the pipeline for her AEW in-ring debut. 

    However, in an unfortunate turn of events, the injury forced Tony Khan to nix the plans. She went on to make her presence felt at AEW All In in London as she was in attendance at the Wembley Stadium.

    Mercedes Mone talks about her road to recovery and signing with AEW

    Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Mercedes Mone recalled when she was informed that her ankle injury was labeled career-ending before she made her official AEW debut. The former Sasha Banks fought through the injury and she’s back inside the squared circle.

    “I got an MRI in May, and the surgeon told me, ‘This is career-ending,’” said Moné. “That was the biggest shock in my whole life. I’d never really been injured like this before. My worst injury before this was from Hell in a Cell in 2019, when my pelvis was out of place for eight months. This was so much more painful. People thought it was just a broken ankle. I was non-weight bearing for three months. It was a fight every day.

    “It was devastating when I was told I was never going to come back. But I always knew I would be back, and I told that to my surgeon. Now I’m healthy and my surgeon is calling his mentor saying, ‘Look at what happened here, it’s incredible.’ I don’t like being told no. I always believed I would be back, and now it’s true.”

    Mercedes Mone arrived at AEW Dynamite ‘Big Business’ edition this past Wednesday and delivered a heartwarming promo. She was also involved in a segment with Willow Nightingale with whom she has ‘unfinished business’. 

    We will have to wait and see how this storyline pans out.

  • AEW’s Mercedes Mone Shatters Glass Ceiling with Contract Pay Day

    Mercedes Mone is now All Elite, and pro wrestling fans just got a taste of what she will do in Tony Khan’s company. It also cost him a lot to secure the CEO. 

    Tony Khan has a lot of money to throw around. After inking a deal with Mercedes Mone, she is now apparently the highest-paid woman in pro wrestling.

    Mercedes Mone’s AEW Money

    It was reported that WWE and Mercedes Mone came to a financial roadblock when it came to bringing her in. It was noted that she didnt’ want to be paid more than everyone on the women’s roster, but she did want to be paid what top stars are making. Although WWE didn’t bite at that, AEW was certainly game to lay down that massive contract for her.

    According to information shared with Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, a female WWE star mentioned that they had heard the amount offered to their colleague was sufficient to establish her as the highest-paid woman in professional wrestling. They expressed gratitude towards AEW for extending the offer and were pleased that their colleague accepted it, seeing it as a positive development for the marketability of top female wrestlers. 

    One WWE woman star noted to us that they were hearing that the number was enough to make her the highest paid woman in pro wrestling and that they were thrilled at AEW for making the offer and happy for her to have accepted it, 

    The unnamed WWE Superstar also reportedly emphasized the importance of equitable pay for women in the industry, highlighting their significant contributions in drawing audiences and maintaining substantial social media followings. Additionally, they remarked that the deal represented a significant advancement for women in an industry where they typically earn less than their male counterparts.

    What’s Next 

    We will have to see what is next for Mercedes Mone in AEW. She got off to a good start at Big Business, as she bookended the show as well. Only time will tell if the money Tony Khan is giving the former Sasha Banks will turn into a financially solid decision.

    SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is known. As always, we will have all the updates and headlines that you need to stay up to date on everything going on in the pro wrestling world.

  • Daily Drop (3/15): Brock Lesnar’s Current WWE Creative Status Confirmed, Mercedes Mone Helps AEW Viewership

    Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Friday, March 15. A lot of things changed in the past 24 hours, including Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut at Big Business.

    Days until WrestleMania 40: 22

    First off, Scott Hall’s name trended on social media all day yesterday. He passed away two years ago on 3/14. He will never be forgotten, and you may check out a tribute post here.

    WWE:

    – Brock Lesnar is not any closer to making a return to WWE. He is not being thought of in any creative capacity. After a report of a “movement” within WWE to bring him back, I asked around and was told that there is no movement to bring Brock Lesnar back within WWE. I was told that “No one is going to get involved in that situation. This is a legal issue and until the lawyers decide that Brock is to be brought back, there is no movement at all, or a movement on his behalf.”

    – Booker T says he and CM Punk almost got into an argument at the last NXT taping.

    – It was also noted that CM Punk kept a low profile at the tapings.

    – Damian Priest admitted that he got boos going for Dominik Mysterio at his wedding reception, because he’s just that good of a friend.

    WWE SmackDown Match Card 3/15/24:

    • Rey Mysterio Returns
    • Bayley vs. Dakota Kai

    AEW:

    – AEW Dynamite’s Big Business episode on March 12 brought in 801,000 viewers and captured a rating of 0.27 in the coveted 18-49 demographic.

    – Chris Jericho issued a challenged for the 3/20 AEW Dynmaite.

    – Mercedes Mone’s first AEW merch pays tribute to her cousin, Snoop Dogg.

    – Kyle O’Reilly will wrestle for the first time since his injury. He will take on Bryan Keith on Collision.

    – Swerve Strickland explained the logic behind breaking into Hangman Page’s home during that angle.

    – AEW saw another stable disbanded as the Bang Bang Scissor Gang are no more.

    AEW Rampage Lineup 3/15/24:

    • Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, and Mike Bennett vs. Top Flight and Action Andretti
    • Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta vs. Evil Uno & John Silver
    • Toni Storm & Mariah May vs. TBA
    • Bracket revealed for AEW World Tag Team Championship tournament

    Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

    • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
    • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
    • AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
    • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
    • WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
    • WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
    • WWE SummerSlam is taking over Cleveland’s Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 3rd.
    • WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.
  • Mercedes Mone Shines at Boston Celtics Game Following AEW Big Business Debut

    Mercedes Mone Shines at Boston Celtics Game Following AEW Big Business Debut

    Mercedes Mone has continued to make waves outside of the ring following her AEW debut on this week’s episode of Dynamite. 

    Mone arrived in AEW during the Big Business episode of Dynamite, following weeks of speculation that she’d be joining. Mone had hardly been subtle in the run-up to the show, making clear to fans that she was in Boston, MA, her hometown and the host of Big Business, mere hours before the show.

     Mercedes Mone & the NBA

    Mone caused quite the stir with her appearance at the Big Business edition of AEW Dynamite and her momentum has carried forward to the world of basketball. AEW’s newest signing was spotted at this week’s game pitting the Boston Celtics against the Phoenix Suns. Broadcaster Reggie Miller took the opportunity to highlight her recent signing with AEW and promote upcoming episodes of AEW Dynamite on TBS. 

    What’s Next for Mercedes Mone? 

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

    Mone has said that the women’s division was a major factor in her decision to sign with AEW. The division is home to stars Mone has never faced before. Last year, Britt Baker said she was hoping to see Mone join AEW so that they could eventually have a match. 

  • STARDOM & CMLL Wrestlers Set to Compete at AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door III This Year

    STARDOM & CMLL Wrestlers Set to Compete at AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door III This Year

    This year’s AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door event will be the biggest show of its kind thanks to the influx of, and usage of talent from CMLL and STARDOM. 

    AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling held its first Forbidden Door show in 2022 and hosted an equally successful sequel event last year. The name comes from the proverbial ‘forbidden door’ that wrestlers have been allowed to step through to compete for promotions other than the one they work for. 

    STARDOM & CMLL At Forbidden Door

    On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that STARDOM and CMLL wrestlers will be a part of this year’s Forbidden Door event. Meltzer added that he believes the ROH Supercard of Honor event on April 5 will also feature talent from STARDOM. 

    Tony Khan & STARDOM

    Mere hours before this week’s AEW Big Business, Tony Khan shared a photo with STARDOM President Taro Okada. Khan said it was an honor to welcome Okada to the show.

    This meet-up comes at an interesting time, as STARDOM’s previous President Rossy Ogawa was fired from the promotion earlier this year. Following Ogawa’s exit, Khan poked fun at his situation via a series of tweets.

    On his show, Meltzer suggested that the tweet above and similar made clear that Khan’s loyalty was with STARDOM, not the ex-President that many on the all-female roster support. This loyalty has clearly paid off for Khan, who will now be able to feature several talented women at the upcoming Forbidden Door event. 

  • Did it Do Big Business? Ratings For 3/13 AEW Dynamite Revealed

    Did it Do Big Business? Ratings For 3/13 AEW Dynamite Revealed

    The ratings are in for AEW’s much-anticipated ‘Big Business’ episode of Dynamite, which marked the arrival of Mercdes Mone to the company. 

    The former WWE Superstar opened the show to a raucous ovation by her fellow Bostonians in the TD Garden. Ever since Big Business was announced, fans speculated on Mone making her debut at the event. The former WWE & IWGP Women’s Champion had hardly been subtle, as she made clear to fans she was in Boston mere hours before the show.

    AEW Big Business’ Ratings

    The AEW Big Business edition of Dynamite drew 801,000 fans and a 0.27 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic. While this is an increase from the previous week’s 779,000 (0.27), it is hardly the massive jump many expected for a show that in addition to featuring Mone, saw an AEW World Championship match. 

    For comparison, the March 15, 2023, episode of AEW Dynamite drew 852,000 fans with a 0.27 rating in the 18-49 demographic. That show in Winnipeg, Canada, was headlined by the House of Black defeating the Elite to retain the AEW Trios Championships.

    One aspect of the show that AEW can be proud of is the debut of Mone. The former WWE and IWGP Women’s Champion garnered 1 million viewers for her segment, the highest-rated segment by far of the evening. 

    Disappointing Numbers

    Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer added that these were disappointing numbers considering how much build AEW had made for Big Business. The show’s final segment, which saw Mone make the save for Willow Nightingale after she was attacked by Julia Hart and Skye Blue, was especially concerning. 

    Quarter-Hour BreakDown

    Here is the full quarter-hour breakdown for this week’s AEW Dynamite. 

    • 8-8:15 (Mercedes Mone’s Debut): 1,000,000 (0.32) 
    • 8:15-8:30: 899,000 (0.29)
    • 8:30-8:45: 815,000 (0.27)
    • 8:45-9: 737,000 (0.24)
    • 9-9:15: 798,000 (0.27)
    • 9:15-9:30: 799,000 (0.29)
    • 9:30-9:45: 732,000 (0.26)
    • 9:45-10: 627,000 (0.22)
  • The Undertaker Says Sting’s Retirement “Ruined” Him Coming Back For One More Match

    The Undertaker Says Sting’s Retirement “Ruined” Him Coming Back For One More Match

    WWE never booked The Undertaker vs Sting, although they very well could have. Sting recently stated that he could have retired on that match, and it seems that Taker might have considered coming out of retirement to face The Icon.

    Sting recently retired at AEW Revolution, and that was a big moment that is still fresh in our minds. During a recent edition of his podcast, The Undertaker quipped that since Sting is retired, he doesn’t have a reason to wrestle again.

    Taker Speaks Candidly

    The Undertaker retired from wrestling in 2020 after his final match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36. However, he recently shared that he had considered a return to the ring if Sting hadn’t also retired recently.

    The potential matchup between The Undertaker and Sting is a dream for many wrestling fans, but it has only existed in speculation and imagination.

    Although they briefly appeared together in WWE in 2015, they never faced off in a match. This is something that WWE had a window to make happen, but Vince McMahon never booked the match

    During a recent Q&A session on his Patreon platform, Undertaker quipped that if Sting hadn’t retired, then he could have another match.

    “Well, I mean, if Sting hadn’t retired, maybe. He ruined the whole thing. I got new knees and he went and had to go and retire… Oh my gosh, we’re going to get so much heat for that.”

    Of course, Sting retired under the AEW banner with a contract to Tony Khan. So, the idea of Taker wrestling Sting was even more off the table. It’s still nice to know that Taker still thinks of what might have been.

    The Undertaker is still Struggling

    We previously covered how The Undertaker expressed that he’s still struggling with the decision to retire. Recently, he mentioned to his wife that he was considering a comeback, but he ultimately convinced himself otherwise.

    He clarified that there won’t be another match. He explained that after returning from Australia and feeling tired, he briefly entertained the idea, but he wants to make it clear that fans shouldn’t expect it to happen.

    SEScoops will have more coverage of The Undertaker, and whatever else he has up next in the pipeline. Keep checking back for more headlines and the coverage you need.

  • Chris Jericho Issues A Challenge For 3/20 AEW Dynamite

    Chris Jericho is back to his Lionheart ways and has taken HOOK under his wing. After the duo picked up a victory on this week’s AEW Big Business special, All Elite Wrestling’s first World Champion laid down a challenge to his partner for a singles match next week on AEW Dynamite.

    Jericho & Hook Victorious at Big Business

    Jericho and HOOK seemed to compliment one another well in the ring and that was made clear in the finish as the two isolated Bishop Kaun. HOOK attempted to lock Kaun in the Red Rum and Jericho slid in to put him in the Walls of Jericho.

    When Toa Loa went for the save, Jericho gave him a springboard dropkick and HOOK cinched in the Red Rum for the submission win.

    LionHOOK Explodes Next Week

    Paquette caught up with Jericho and Hook backstage after their hard-earned W. She dubbed them LionHOOK, which Jericho loved.

    Jericho said the Gates of Agony were no joke, but Hook showed him he’s got ‘future world champion’ potential. He likes what he’s seen from hook when they’re on the same team, but wants to see what Hook is made of when they’re on opposite sides of the ring. 

    HOOK fist-bumped Jericho and agreed to the challenge, which was made official later in the show. 

    Chris Jericho vs. Hook will take place on the March 20 edition of AEW Dynamite from Toronto.

    HOOK is no stranger to teaming with wrestling legends. Prior to his pairing with Jericho, the 24-year-old former lacrosse payer teamed with Rob Van Dam on several occasions.

  • Kyle O’Reilly’s First AEW Match Since June 2022 Announced

    Kyle O’Reilly will be stepping back in the wrestling ring after there was a time he thought he’d never receive that opportunity again.

    O’Reilly underwent neck fusion surgery in 2022 and he hadn’t been back until making an unexpected return at AEW Revolution. While it seemed he may align with the Undisputed Kingdom, Kyle made clear that he planned to take his return into his own hands.

    On this Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision O’Reilly steps foot in the ring against All Elite newcomer “The Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith in singles action.

    Wildly enough, O’Reilly’s last match happened to be an AEW World Title match against then-champion Jon Moxley. O’Reilly competed in a Casino Battle Royal to earn his shot, but came up short against the champ. 

    A lot has changed since O’Reilly has been away, including the exit of his ReDRagon partner, Bobby Fish, who just recently competed in Major League Wrestling against that promotion’s former World Champion in Alex Kane. Also, Kyle’s long-time friend Adam Cole is clearly out with injury, but did up becoming “The Devil” in the extensive storyline involving MJF in 2023 and now leads Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett and Wardlow.

    Also On Tap For AEW Collision

    Not only will Collision host Kyle O’Reilly’s in-ring return, but it also be the start of the AEW World Tag Team Title tournament. This is after Sting and Darby Allin defeated The Young Bucks to retain their tag gold, but being Sting’s retirement match, the titles were vacated.

  • Mercedes Mone’s First AEW Merch References Cousin Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Records

    Mercedes Mone’s First AEW Merch References Cousin Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Records

    Mercedes Mone made AEW Big Business her business on Wednesday and the company made sure they tied her first piece of merchandise tied into her own history.

    Mone is the new “CEO” of AEW and she was the one to kick off Big Business in her hometown of Boston, MA as the TD Garden went bonkers for the former Sasha Banks.

    AEW decided to embrace Mone’s mogul identity as they unleashed a classic hip-hop design that is reflective of imagery used by the storied Death Row Records label.

    Death Row Records was an independent record label consisting of Dr. Dre, the late 2Pac, The Dogg Pound and of course, Mone’s cousin Snoop Dogg.

    Mercedes cut a “hero’s welcome” promo in front of the crowd and did get a little emotional in front of the crowd. She end-capped the evening as Willow Nightingale took on Riho in the main event of the program, but Mone made clear that she had unfinished business with Willow Nightingale.

    Mercedes Mone & Snoop Dogg

    Snoop Dogg and Mone are indeed tight as it was Dogg who introduced her to the ring for WrestleMania 32. Snoop may be the true locksmith to pro wrestling’s forbidden door as he’s not just a WWE Hall Of Famer, but also famously got physical on AEW Dynamite with a questionable top rope splash onto Serpentico. 

    However, Dogg completely redeemed himself as he ended up defeated The Miz at WrestleMania 39 after Shane McMahon unexpectedly got injured after a surprise return. That moment got high praise from COO Triple H.

    “I’ve known Snoop for years in this environment and what kind of a fan he is, but tonight he put himself on a different playing field and respect factor for me. I know a lot of guys that have been in business a long time; if that happened, they’d go, ‘what do we do?’ It was amazing.”

  • Violated: Swerve Strickland Explains Shocking Reason For Hangman Page Home Invasion

    Violated: Swerve Strickland Explains Shocking Reason For Hangman Page Home Invasion

    AEW has featured a few big angles to hype fans for pay-per-view confrontations. Adam “Hangman” Page and Swerve Strickland’s war may be over for now, but there were plenty of reasons to do battle.

    Strickland recently opened up about the meaning behind breaking into Hangman Page’s house during his feud going into Full Gear, where the two tore each other apart in a Texas Death Match.

    Swerve Speaks on Hangman’s House

    Swerve Strickland reflected on his ongoing feud with ‘Hangman’ Adam Page. Over the past few months, Strickland and Page have been embroiled in a heated rivalry that has captivated the wrestling world.

    In an interview with Fightful, Strickland discussed various aspects of his feud with Page, including its origins and development. He explained, “I honestly didn’t know where we were going to start, what was the baseline. Will Washington came up with the idea of, ‘Hey, we don’t know where you’re going following Wembley, but I have an idea of what I want to do with Swerve. I think you two right now, we need to get Hangman back in them singles—’ ‘Cause he was doing trios.” Strickland described Page as the main character of AEW and expressed his intention to challenge and disrupt Page’s purity.

    Regarding his approach to the feud, Strickland likened it to adding iodine to pure water, gradually altering the character dynamics and storyline themes. He emphasized the importance of these elements in defining characters and shaping the narrative tone. Strickland also touched on the symbolism behind his entrance music, which he described as luring fans into a false sense of security before revealing darker undertones.

    In particular, Strickland highlighted a symbolic reference to “Hangman’s house” in his actions, indicating a deliberate intrusion into Page’s personal and psychological space. Reflecting on his recent actions, Strickland acknowledged a period of introspection and contemplation about the consequences of his character’s evil deeds.

    “It’s like a candy coated painting of things. Hangman is the elements of ‘I’m dragging you down to hell, we’ll see who comes out at the end of it.’ It seems like we both came out, but somebody came out differently. So I came out of it, ‘Oh, man. I think this evil, this resentment I’m holding inside of me is holding me back from achieving my goals.’ ‘Cause if you noticed, when I started doing that, the International title? I had it, lost it. The Continental Classic? I had it, I lost it. The TNT title opportunity. I had it and I lost it. The AEW World Title? I had it and I lost it. I was like, ‘Is this evil worth it?’ So now I’m kind of understanding, which goes back to the promo I cut this past week on TV. Am I supposed to play this role of the guy that gets close enough, but can’t get it done? Or maybe this is karma from all the bad I was doing. Maybe it’s what got me to there, but something more is gonna have to get me over the hump.”

    Swerve & the AEW World Title

    With two singles victories already under his belt, Strickland faced Page for the third time on the February 7 edition of Dynamite, resulting in a draw. Additionally, the duo, along with Samoa Joe, competed in a three-way match for the AEW World Championship at Revolution, which Joe emerged as World Champion once again.

    We will have to see what Swerve Strickland is able to do in AEW. It stands to reason that he may be a future World Champion. If anything, you know that Tony Khan is booking him in a position where he has a ton of trust and attention.

    SEScoops will have more on Swerve Strickland’s journey in AEW, and whatever happens next. Keep checking back for more updates and headlines that you need! 

  • AEW Breakup: Stable Surprisingly Splits During Big Business Dynamite

    AEW Breakup: Stable Surprisingly Splits During Big Business Dynamite

    AEW has a few stables going, but they don’t have as many as they used to. Now, after their Big Business Dynamite, it is apparent that they have one less faction on their roster, but the war is not over.

    The Bang Bang Scissor Gang joined up as Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, and Billy Gunn joined Bullet Club Gold. Now, they are no longer together after Jay White betrayed the former AEW Trios Champions.

    Bang Bang Scissor Gang Breakup

    AEW recently disbanded the Bang Bang Scissor Gang, a stable that hadn’t been around for long, to set up a feud between its former members. The dissolution of the group was evident on the March 13 episode of AEW Dynamite when Jay White won a singles match against Darby Allin. 

    Following the match, White attempted to inflict more damage on Allin, prompting The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn to rush to the ring to intervene. This did not set too well with Switchblade. 

    Initially, White appeared to back off, allowing Caster and Bowens to assist Allin out of the ring. However, when Caster and Bowens left the ring, White suddenly attacked Billy Gunn with a chair, surprising the Boston fans in a big way. 

    Despite Caster and Bowens’ attempts to intervene, they were overpowered by Colten and Austin Gunn. This caused a beatdown for the babyfaces.

    What’s Next

    The dramatic turn of events marked the end of the Bang Bang Scissor Gang’s run. The trio had joined forces on the January 20 episode of Collision. Currently, The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn still hold the AEW World Trios Championship, while Jay White & The Gunns retain the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team titles.

    SEScoops will have more on this story as additional updates are made available. Odds are, fans have not heard the last of this story at all. The Acclaimed will not likely go after the Bullet Club Gold stable to turned on them.

  • WWE Mishap: Triple H Believed To Have Mishandled Will Ospreay Contract Talks

    WWE Mishap: Triple H Believed To Have Mishandled Will Ospreay Contract Talks

    Will Ospreay is All Elite, and he’s set to have some epic matches for Tony Khan’s company. WWE was in the game to bring Ospreay in, but that didn’t happen. In the end, AEW snagged him, and Triple H missed out.

    There is now apparently a feeling within WWE that Triple H kind of dropped the ball with Will Ospreay. Dave Meltzer stated that it is believed that Triple H undervalued what Ospreay could bring to the table.

    Will Ospreay in AEW

    Will Ospreay made headlines last year at AEW Full Gear, officially joining the AEW roster and shifting gears to a full-time role. Despite potential interest from WWE, Ospreay opted for AEW, a decision that garnered attention from WWE personnel who felt Triple H may have underestimated Ospreay’s worth.

    During AEW Full Gear, Ospreay declared his intention to join AEW full-time after fulfilling his commitments with NJPW. This move solidified his status as one of wrestling’s top free agents, culminating in his decision to sign with AEW after weighing options from various companies.

    Ospreay’s contributions extend beyond his in-ring performances, as evidenced by his display of personality on AEW television, notably during the recent AEW Dynamite: Big Business episode. 

    Dave Meltzer spoke about this on Wrestling Observer Radio, where he shed light on WWE’s perspective, indicating that Ospreay’s promo abilities were overlooked by Triple H during negotiations.

    “He’s had two matches on this run and he’s getting this kind of a reaction, so yeah. I think that they, I mean I know people in WWE when this was going down and it was becoming very clear that he was going to AEW instead of WWE. They offered a lot less money, and I know people there who were saying that [Triple H] didn’t realize, he just thought it was one of these great workers, but this guy [Ospreay] has more, as far as complete package, there are very few people when it comes to complete total package.”

    What’s Next For Will Ospreay

    Will Ospreay joined the Don Callis Family, and that was quite a way to book him in the Land of All Elite. Tony Khan will likely have years to book Ospreay from this point on, so he is only getting started.

    Only time will tell if Will Ospreay will ever end up in WWE. At 30 years old, he still has plenty of time to make a decision about his career down the line.

    SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more, as new developments arise. Keep checking back for more updates and headlines that you need.

  • Daily Drop (3/14): WWE Superstars Sneak Into AEW Big Business, Mercedes Mone Called Out For Ripping Off GUNTHER

    Daily Drop (3/14): WWE Superstars Sneak Into AEW Big Business, Mercedes Mone Called Out For Ripping Off GUNTHER

    Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for Thursday, March 14. A lot of things changed in the past 24 hours, including Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut at Big Business.

    Days until WrestleMania 40: 23

    WWE:

    – Minneapolis officially put in a bid to host WrestleMania 41. They have already been rumored to host the show of shows next year at the Vikings US Bank Stadium.

    – Thunderbolt Patterson was announced as an inductee for the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame.

    – WWE is thinking about switching up their start times for premium live events going forward.

    – Bayley, Naomi, and Tamina Snuka were at AEW Big Business last night to see Mercedes Mone’s debut for Tony Khan’s company.

    – Ex WWE Superstar Nic Nemeth joined the cast of Busted Open Radio.

    AEW:

    – Some have called out Mercedes Mone’s AEW theme song for ripping off GUNTHER’S old WWE theme. He even apparently commented on the drama, because there was quite a bit of it.

    – Tony Khan spoke about how much trust he puts into Darby Allin to be safe while performing his incredibly dangerous stunts.

    – The show kept going with Mercedes Mone after AEW Big Business was over last night. You can check out that footage here.

    Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events:

    • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
    • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
    • AEW is coming to St. Louis, MO with AEW: Dynasty LIVE on PPV on Sunday, April 21st at Chaifetz Arena
    • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
    • WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
    • WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
    • WWE SummerSlam is taking over Cleveland’s Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 3rd.
    • WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.
  • Tony Khan Has Faith That Darby Allin Will Perform Insane Stunts As Safely As Possible

    Tony Khan Has Faith That Darby Allin Will Perform Insane Stunts As Safely As Possible

    AEW President Tony Khan is well aware of how dangerous Darby Allin’s spots may be, but is confident that the wrestler always finds a way to do them safely. 

    Since arriving in AEW, Allin has put his body on the line several times in spots far more dangerous than seen from others. At AEW Revolution 2024, a spot involving Allin saw the former TNT Champion fall off a ladder and go through glass panes. This spot has raised questions as to whether it was necessary in Sting’s final match and whether Allin goes too far with stunts like this, and if so, why AEW allows it. 

    Tony Khan on Darby Allin

    Sitting down with TV Insider, Khan addressed the spot in question. The AEW President began by touting the importance of safety, an attitude that extends to all on his roster. 

    “It has to be something safe. Whenever a wrestler comes in and wants to try something, especially dangerous, I just want to know that there is a safe way to do it.”

    Focusing on the former AEW TNT Champion, Khan pointed out that Allin makes sure to ensure he can survive whatever wild stunt he sets his mind to. 

    “He is fanatical about finding a way to pull off the impossible and do these incredible, seemingly death-defying stunts. He always finds a safe way to pull them off. He always has a rationale for why he is able to do it.”

    What’s Next? 

    On this week’s AEW Dynamite, Allin was still selling the effects of the glass pane spot (though we have to wonder how much of it was selling.) This made the former champion an easy target for Jay White. While Allin tried to fight back, a missed Coffin Drop would seal his fate and White would get the win. 

    Allin’s next big stunt will be his biggest to date but will take place outside the confines of an AEW ring. The daredevil is planning to begin his climb of Mt. Everest this month, which will of course mean that he won’t be appearing on AEW Dynamite. 

  • Doing Big Business: How Many Tickets Were Distributed for 3/13 AEW Dynamite?

    Doing Big Business: How Many Tickets Were Distributed for 3/13 AEW Dynamite?

    AEW’s Big Business edition of Dynamite proved to be a historic night for the promotion, and Boston’s TD Garden was packed for this stacked event. 

    The March 13, 2024, edition of AEW Dynamite saw the much-anticipated arrival of Mercedes Mone, close to two years after her WWE exit. Mone spoke about her journey in wrestling and being home in Boston. Later in the show, Mone made the save for Willow Nightingale, who was being attacked by Skye Blue and AEW TBS Champion Julia Hart. It’s notable that Mone saved Willow, given that it was during a match with Nightingale that Mone suffered last year’s ankle injury. 

    AEW Big Business Does Big Business

    AEW’s Big Business edition of Dynamite saw over 9,400 tickets distributed, sources confirmed to WrestleTix. They added that this means that several upper decks and sections on the hard cam side will have been fully open and distributed. 

    The show did a reported gate of $345,660, which makes for an average ticket price of $36 a seat. WrestleTix reported that the average ticket price was much lower than usual. 

    AEW Big Business

    This week’s show also saw AEW World Champion Samoa Joe retain against Wardlow. The Bang Bang Scissor Gang imploded as Bullet Club Gold turned on The Acclaimed following Jay White’s victory over Darby Allin. In tag-team action, Chris Jericho & Hook, dubbed ‘LionHook,’ defeated Gates of Agony. The Elite defeated Pac, Eddie Kingston and Penta El Zero Miedo, with Kazuchika Okada setting his sights on Kingston’s AEW Continental Championship.

  • It’s Boss Time: Wrestling World Reacts to Mercedes Mone’s AEW Big Business Debut

    It’s Boss Time: Wrestling World Reacts to Mercedes Mone’s AEW Big Business Debut

    Mercedes Mone is officially All-Elite, and the arrival of the former WWE Superstar has proven to be a huge talking point among those in pro wrestling. 

    Mone arrived in AEW during the Big Business episode of Dynamite, following weeks of speculation that she’d be joining. Mone had hardly been subtle in the run-up to the show, making clear to fans that she was in Boston, MA, her hometown and the host of Big Business, mere hours before the show. 

    Wrestling World Reacts

    After weeks of anticipation, Mone’s arrival in AEW has spawned a ton of reactions. WWE’s own Tyler Breeze was pleased to see his former colleague become All-Elite. 

    Matt Hardy was excited to see Mone at the show and felt her kicking off Big Business was the right move. 

    Taya Valkyrie was ready to throw out the challenge to the newest member of AEW’s women’s division. 

    Renee Paquette was also pleased to see the ‘CEO’ in AEW. 

    AEW’s chief music producer Mikey Rukus joked that he was under the impression that a different woman in wrestling would be debuting on the show. 

    Former Women’s World Champion Nyla Rose had similarly been under the impression that AEW had something planned other than Mone. 

    Referee Aubrey Edwards shared her own experiences watching Mone compete during her WWE run as Sasha Banks. 

    Danhausen had quite an interesting reaction to Mone’s arrival, as he’s clearly a fan of AEW’s newest signing. 

    WWE’s Cathy Kelley shared her excitement for Mone’s debut through the power of emojis. 

    And AEW President Tony Khan took to Twitter to make things official. 

  • Watch: What Happened With Mercedes Mone After 3/13 AEW Dynamite Went Off Air

    Mercedes Mone made her presence felt in a big way during tonight’s Big Business episode of AEW Dynamite from the TD Garden in her hometown of Boston, Massachusetts.

    The former WWE star’s official debut for All Elite Wrestling was all but confirmed by the promotion prior to the event. Company president Tony Khan didn’t make the fans wait for long to see what they had come for.

    The CEO made her debut during the opening segment of the Wednesday night show. She got a huge ovation from the hometown crowd.

    The former IWGP Women’s Champion then cut a promo mentioning her idol, Eddie Guerrero and thanking the fans. Mercedes Mone ended her promo by declaring that AEW was the only place where revolution can be global.

    What Happened After Dynamite

    This wasn’t the last of Mone fans got to see. The main event of the show featured Willow Nightingale who defeated Riho in a singles match. After the bout, Julia Hart and Sky Blue attacked Nightingale.

    Mercedes Mone then made her way out, this time wearing her new ring gear. She took out Blue first and later delivered the Mone Maker to Hart.

    The show ended with Nightingale lifting Mercedes’ arm. The debuting star stayed in the ring for some time after the cameras stopped rolling to soak in the moment.

    Mone spent a good amount of time greeting the fans at the ringside and dancing to her theme after Dynamite went off air, before finally making her way to the back.

    The former champion’s debut was a huge success for AEW. Now it’d be interesting to see what the company has planned for her moving forward.

  • Bayley at Big Business: WWE Superstar Spotted During Mercedes Mone’s Boston AEW Debut

    Bayley at Big Business: WWE Superstar Spotted During Mercedes Mone’s Boston AEW Debut

    AEW Big Business went down at the TD Garden in Boston, and there was considerable excitement from the crowd all night. Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut dominated discussions prior to the event, and she had a very close friend who was there for the big night.

    The Big Business show brought a lot of attention and fans in Boston. It seems that Bayley also made the show, and she was spotted during the event.

    Bayley at Big Business

    During the March 13 episode of AEW Dynamite, Mercedes Mone entered the scene, confirming her All Elite status. While her debut had been widely anticipated, her appearance comes as no surprise to many amidst swirling rumors.

    Ahead of the event, rumors circulate about Bayley and Naomi attending to show support for their friend. We’re not sure about Trinity, but Bayley was spotted in the Garden

    WWE Superstar Bayley was indeed spotted at TD Garden, surprising fans all over, but they shouldn’t be too shocked considering their past. While Naomi’s presence remains unconfirmed, considering their past support for Mone, it wouldn’t be unexpected is she was there too.

    It appears that Trinity, Tamina, and Bayley were all there at Big Business. The video from Naomi on Twitter/X was a pretty funny hint that they made the show.

    Connection Between Mercedes Mone & Bayley

    Bayley has said in the past that she begs Mercedes Mone all the time to come back to WWE. That didn’t happen this time around, but you never know what the future holds. At this point, Mone has a multi-year contract with AEW to deal with.

    Mone and Bayley were also at Trinity’s Hard to Kill match in Impact Wrestling. They are known to support each other, even if they aren’t in the same company.

    SEScoops will have a lot more on this story, and so much more, so please keep checking back for future updates.

  • Mercedes Mone’s Strategic AEW Signing: The Inside Story

    Mercedes Mone’s Strategic AEW Signing: The Inside Story

    Mercedes Mone made her debut for AEW at Big Business in Boston on March 13. This debut was expected, but there is a lot more to it.

    A lot of things went into Mercedes Mone’s debut for AEW. It was quite a road, but now she is All Elite, but how long has this deal been underway? It appears that she was associated with AEW for months prior to her debut.

    Mone is All Elite

    Mercedes Mone made her official debut as a member of the All Elite Wrestling roster at Big Business on March 13, but reports suggest she’s been associated with AEW for over two months prior. According to Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select, negotiations began well before her debut, with some indicating that discussions began as early as December when Mercedes secured several trademarks related to her name. Although details about the contract remain unconfirmed, it’s believed to be a multi-year agreement.

    Furthermore, it’s been suggested that New Japan Pro Wrestling played a role in the negotiations, expecting to continue working with Mercedes extensively. However, it’s understood that AEW will be her primary focus. Mercedes endured a severe injury in May, which required two surgeries and a lengthy recovery period, preventing her from immediate in-ring action.

    In the lead-up to her debut, there were initial talks between Mercedes and AEW, but they didn’t come to fruition. At one point, she explored options with WWE, but discussions stalled, leading to her eventual departure. Despite speculation about her potential appearances elsewhere, it became evident that AEW was the likely destination.

    As discussions resumed in January, there were considerations for Mercedes’ debut, with dates in early January initially discussed. However, her physical clearance delayed these plans. Ultimately, AEW orchestrated her debut at the Big Business event in Boston without formal announcement, setting the stage for her introduction to the AEW audience.

    Mercedes Mone’s Dealings With Other Companies

    Amid rumors about a potential match with Giulia at NJPW Battle In The Valley, sources within NJPW reportedly refuted these claims, clarifying that no plans were made for her participation. 

    By the time of the WWE Royal Rumble, expectations were reportedly high for Mercedes’ AEW debut, with many within the wrestling community anticipating her arrival. The buildup to her debut at the Boston TD Garden show solidified her transition to the AEW roster, confirming her departure from WWE and setting the stage for her future endeavors in AEW.

    SEScoops will have more on this story, and so much more. Mercedes Mone is All Elite, and this is an exciting time for fans.