SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Dijak Downplays Potential Match With Kazuchika Okada

    Former New Japan Pro Wrestling superstar Kazuchika Okada has the wrestling community buzzing as he enters free agency. It was revealed on January 18 that he would be leaving NJPW and is looking to find a new home. 

     It’s speculated that he will either go to WWE or All Elite Wrestling after his contract expires. Okada is seemingly keeping his decision private as he figures out where he wants to sign. 

    However, the Japanese wrestling outlet Monthly Puroresu reported on January 23 that they’ve spoken to sources close to Okada, who shared he’s expected to sign with WWE. Furthermore, Puroresu shared that, instead of starting on the main roster, he would compete on WWE NXT, similar to how his friend Shinsuke Nakamura began his WWE career. 

    Although it’s worth noting Okada hasn’t publicly made a decision, fans started thinking of potential matches for him in WWE NXT. One talent that fans asked about facing the ‘Rainmaker’ is Dijak, who isn’t enthusiastic about the potential matchup. 

    In response to fans’ interest, Dijak downplayed the idea of facing Okada on Twitter unless it came with bigger stakes. 

    “I don’t give the slightest sh*t about wrestling Okada unless he’s the NXT Champion, so you can take your fantasy booking nonsense and go F yourself with it,” wrote Dijak

    It’s unclear if Dijak is responding in character or if he feels this way. He is currently focused on becoming an NXT Champion but is also involved in a feud with Joe Gacy. If Okada were to join WWE NXT, he’d seemingly be another opponent that would stand in Dijak’s way of becoming champion. 

    That said, AEW is confident they’ll sign Okada instead. 

    Conflicting Reports On Kazuchika Okada Free Agent Status

    Although Puroresu reported that Okada is seemingly WWE-bound, other outlets have shared that AEW believes they will be with them soon, including recently Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer. 

    Meltzer reported on January 26 that “…The last word was that he had not made up his mind. I know people here(AEW) range from hopeful to, I’d perceive as confident he will be coming. If he was to sign, the likely arrival would be around the Greensboro show with his final New Japan date on 2/24.” 

    It seems nothing is yet set in stone as both companies look to sign Okada. As of now, potential dream matches will have to wait until the former NJPW superstar decides. 

  • Slim Jim Pulls WWE Royal Rumble Sponsorship After Vince McMahon Lawsuit Allegations

    Slim Jim Pulls WWE Royal Rumble Sponsorship After Vince McMahon Lawsuit Allegations

    The recent bombshell lawsuit against Vince McMahon brought some honorific allegations to the public. The WWE headquarters sounded like the setting for a psychological horror movie by the accounts of the victim, Janel Grant, in the court paperwork. That negative public attention has now cost WWE a longtime sponsor.

    Slim Jim Pulls Out Of WWE Business

    WWE SummerSlam showcased a Slim Jim Battle Royal, which LA Knight won. This success granted him a place at the post-SummerSlam press conference, where he seized the opportunity to boast about his triumph and plug Slim Jim as their new spokesman. Now, that situation has changed dramatically. 

    However, recent developments suggest that LA Knight may no longer be associated with Slim Jim, as WrestleVotes shared concerning information about the beef jerky stick company’s sponsorship with WWE. As of right now, Slim Jim has pulled their advertising money from WWE.

    Hearing rumblings that Slim Jim has notified WWE they are pulling their sponsorships from tomorrow’s Royal Rumble event. It is yet to be determined if they will remain partners in the future.

    Slim Jim Expands Statement

    Sean Ross Sapp reports that he received word from Slim Jim on this matter. It was stated that they decided to pause their relationship with WWE after those allegations about Vince McMahon came to light.

    “Slim Jim values integrity and respect in all of our partnerships. Given the recent disturbing allegations against Vince McMahon, at this time we’ve decided to pause our promotional activities with WWE. This decision reflects our commitment to our brand values and responsibility to our community. We will continue to monitor the situation and base our future engagements on our values and what’s best for our brand.” 

    Vince McMahon’s Lawsuit

    The decision by Slim Jim to distance itself from WWE comes on the heels of an explosive Wall Street Journal report outlining allegations against Vince McMahon by former WWE employee Janel Grant. In her lawsuit, Grant provided graphic details and text messages that detailed mental and physical mistreatment by McMahon, as others were names as well. 

    In light of these accusations, we will have to see what steps TKO takes as public demand starts to rally behind McMahon’s total removal. While such a move seems unlikely unless McMahon voluntarily steps down, sponsors like Slim Jim have the potential to influence this decision by withdrawing their financial support from the sports entertainment giant.

    WWE’s History With Slim Jim

    Slim Jim and WWE’s partnership has nostalgia written on it at this point. It’s hard to see one of those meaty snacks in any supermarket without imagining Randy Savage jumping through the ceiling for a 30-second promo on protein snacks.

    Now, Bianca Belair and LA Knight have taken the helm of those Slim Jim commercials. They still open up those ads with Macho Man’s iconic voiceover. Sadly, this partnership has come to an end.

    Update: The Partnership is back on

    Following Vince McMahon’s resignation from WWE, Slim Jim announced that they resumed their partnership with WWE on the morning of the 2024 Royal Rumble event.

  • Nia Jax Refuses To Let Vince McMahon’s Scandal Take Her Focus Off WWE Royal Rumble

    Nia Jax Refuses To Let Vince McMahon’s Scandal Take Her Focus Off WWE Royal Rumble

    TKO Executive Chairman Vince McMahon’s past has caught up to him yet again after a lawsuit was filed against him by a former employee. As of now, it is unclear what actions will be taken on McMahon after new allegations of sexual assault and sex trafficking. 

    The lawsuit comes at an interesting time for WWE superstars, as the company prepares for the WWE Royal Rumble and is speaking with the media on-site. While some focused questions will be about Saturday’s premium live event, talent may also be asked about their thoughts on the new allegations about McMahon. 

    One of the superstars who has spoken about her mindset heading into the PLE after the startling allegation is Nia Jax. She talked to Nick Hausman about whether the news on McMahon has affected her as she prepares for the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble Match. 

    In the interview, Jax shared that it doesn’t and that she is focused on the WWE Royal Rumble this Saturday. 

    Hausman transcribed the following quotes. 

    “… I’m all business,” said Jax. She continued, “… this business is built on hard work and dedication, and that’s what every single wrestler in this room is doing right now, and so we just move forward. And it’s, you know, and we’re gonna put on an amazing show.”

    It’s unclear if other superstars feel the same way as they prepare for one of WWE’s biggest events of the year. However, McMahon’s recent allegation has made fans question if more questions will be asked this Saturday.

    Will There Be A Press Conference After WWE Royal Rumble?

    The current expectation is that the company will hold a press conference after WWE Royal Rumble. If it were to occur as usual, it’s unknown what talent will be available for questions, but it is assumed that the Head Of Creative, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, will appear. 

    Wrestling’s Observer’s Dave Meltzer has reported that WWE has told talent to “Lay low and not talk about anything other than the Royal Rumble or storyline-related things.” It’s unclear if Levesque or other WWE superstars will comment directly on McMahon as the TKO Chairman deals with the new lawsuit. 

  • Tyler Bate Wants To Airplane Spin Omos At WWE Royal Rumble

    Tyler Bate Wants To Airplane Spin Omos At WWE Royal Rumble

    WWE superstar Tyler Bate is looking for his big moment at the WWE Royal Rumble this Saturday. Since joining the main roster, Bate has looked impressive, showcasing his strength and technical in-ring ability. However, he plans to have his most ambitious showing on the main roster at the expense of ‘The Nigerian Giant.’

    Bate spoke recently with TNT Sports’ Chamatkar Sandhu about being on the WWE Friday Night Smackdown brand and his year-long goals. The former WWE NXT United Kingdom Champion said he wants to win the tag team championships with Pete Dunne and potentially end the Judgement Day’s(Damian Priest & Finn Balor) title reign. He also admitted wanting to showcase his strength in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble Match against Omos. 

    “…We also have the Royal Rumble coming soon, and for the past seven years, I’ve been a part of the WWE, I’ve been saying that I want to get into the Royal Rumble and I want to Airplane Spin the biggest guy in the middle of the ring. So Omos, if you are listening,” said Bate. He added, “…I’ve been saying it and it’s going to happen. It’s going to happen at some point.”

    Although Bate wants to compete in this year’s match, WWE has yet to announce if he will be an entrant in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble Match. 

    Tyler Bate’s Status In The The Men’s Royal Rumble Match

     Currently, WWE has only advertised seven participants in the men’s match, including CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. For the past few years, the company has shared most of who would be involved in the match before the event. It’s unclear if that has changed, and fans will have to wait to see who makes an appearance. 

    While there is uncertainty, it’s possible Bate could be one of the other competitors involved in the 2024 Mens Royal Rumble Match. He has been featured since jumping to the main roster, and the company would seemingly want to showcase the former WWE NXT United Kingdom Champion. 

    For now, fans will have to wait for a full reveal of who will have a chance to main event WWE WrestleMania 40 in April. 

  • The Rock “Headstrong” On Making Roman Reigns WrestleMania Match Happen (Report)

    The Rock “Headstrong” On Making Roman Reigns WrestleMania Match Happen (Report)

    Roman Reigns Vs. The Rock has yet to be made official behind the scenes by WWE, but the Brahma Bull is focused on making the match a reality.

    The Brahma Bull returned to WWE on the Day 1 episode of Raw and teased coming for Reigns’ spot as the Head of the Table. A match between the pair has been teased for years and was at one point locked in for WrestleMania 39. 

    The Rock & WrestleMania 40

    A potential Reigns-Rock match will come as bad news to fans of Cody Rhodes, who until the Day 1 edition of Raw, seemed poised to face the Tribal Chief at WrestleMania 40. In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that despite the anticipation of a match between the two, The Rock has yet to sign a deal confirming his involvement with WrestleMania. 

    An agreement has yet to be reached, but the Brahma Bull is eager for the match to happen. One person in the company noted that Johnson was “headstrong” about wrestling Reigns at WrestleMania. Reigns himself laughed at the idea of facing The Rock during the episode of SmackDown that followed the Day 1 Raw. During an episode of ESPN’s First Take, The Rock admitted there is a chance of a match with Reigns at WrestleMania. 

    The Rock’s Return to WWE

    If The Rock does compete at WrestleMania, it won’t solely be as a wrestler. This week, Dwayne Johnson was appointed to TKO’s Board of Directors. As part of his lucrative deal, Johnson has full ownership of ‘The Rock’ moniker in a deeply personal move for the former WWE Champion. 

  • Bayley Utilizing WWE’s Royal Rumble To Cement Her Legacy And Make 2024 Her Best Year

    Bayley Utilizing WWE’s Royal Rumble To Cement Her Legacy And Make 2024 Her Best Year

    As the WWE Royal Rumble approaches, Bayley is ready to show the wrestling world that 2024 will be her year. She helped make Damage CTRL (Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai) one of the dominant groups in the WWE. While she is proud of the success of her faction, ‘The Role Model’ wants to win gold and cement her legacy this year.

    In an interview with Uproxx Sports, Bayley boasted that she believes she is on a different level than her peers and plans to prove it at the WWE Royal Rumble on January 27. Uproxx Sports’ Raj Prashad transcribed the following quotes. 

    “To me, this year in particular is about cementing my legacy and my career,” Bayley said. “I’ve done a lot up until this point. With Damage CTRL, I feel like I’m on a different level than everybody else, even the women that I came up with because it comes with a different responsibility.” 

    This year marks Bayley’s fifth attempt at winning the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. However, ‘The Role Model’ is seemingly one of the favorites to be victorious and challenging for a woman’s title. 

    Bayley’s Chances Of Winning The 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble Match

    She is currently involved in a storyline where her group is counting on her to win and challenge WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley at WWE WrestleMania 40 in April. She also aims for all members of Damage CTRL to hold titles at the same time this year. 

    “Let me just say it, this is the last time I’m gonna say it. IYO is champion, right? And in Damage CTRL, that means we’re all kind of a champion,” said Bayley.

    She explains, “She deserves to have that all to her own. Kabuki Warriors, we’re gonna get them those tag titles because it’s what they deserve. If I get a title from Rhea Ripley, how cool would that look?” 

    She added that she wants Kai to win the NXT Women’s Championship when she is cleared to wrestle again. This would mark a rare achievement, with an all-female faction in WWE simultaneously holding all the women’s titles in the company. 

    “…We’re about making history. We’re about never before seen, and we’re about taking over the world. So, the only way we could do that is by knocking Mami off her little high horse. She thinks she’s the stuff right now. Wait til I get my hands on her,” said Bayley.

    It’s unclear if Bayley will ultimately win, as she has 29 other opponents vying to defeat her in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. That said, the former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion remains confident that she will shock the world and have her moment this weekend. 

  • What Has WWE Told Superstars About The Latest Vince McMahon Allegations? (Report)

    What Has WWE Told Superstars About The Latest Vince McMahon Allegations? (Report)

    A lot has already been said about the latest allegations against Vince McMahon, but don’t expect any comments from current WWE Superstars.

    This week, Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, filed a lawsuit against McMahon and the promotion. Grant alleges that she was sexually abused by McMahon and John Lauriniatis and was trafficked to several wrestlers, including a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. McMahon’s camp, which includes former WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt, has denied the claims, calling the suit “replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth.”

    WWE Superstars Keeping Quiet

    The allegations against McMahon have led to a lot of discussions about WWE and their business practices but those within the promotion are keeping quiet. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is reported that Superstars have been encouraged to “lay low.” The gist is that talent should not talk publicly about anything other than the upcoming Royal Rumble Premium Live Event or storyline related matters.

    This lawsuit comes at a time of great attention on WWE. In addition to this weekend’s Royal Rumble event, the promotion recently finalized a ten-year deal to bring Monday Night Raw to Netflix. 

    A Company-Wide Clean Up

    While WWE Superstars won’t be speaking on the matter, the same rule doesn’t apply to ex-WWE talent. On Wrestling Observer Live, Lance Storm gave his view on the matter.

    “I think there needs to be a legitimate cleaning house of anyone who covered anything up, who knew about this. This is absolutely disgustingly horrible and Vince McMahon needs to be gone and done. And I hope there’s criminal charges brought if any of this is even remotely true.”

    Storm deemed the situation “absolutely disgustingly horrible” and stated that if any of the accusations were remotely true, Vince McMahon should be held accountable, even if that leads to criminal charges.

  • Bianca Belair Has an Idea Of What Kind Of Heel She Wants To Be In WWE

    Bianca Belair Has an Idea Of What Kind Of Heel She Wants To Be In WWE

    Bianca Belair is a former Women’s Champion in WWE, and she has maintained a consistent position as one of the top babyfaces since entering the main roster in 2020. Notably, her Royal Rumble win in 2021 and WrestleMania main event with Sasha Banks marked significant highlights in her WWE career. She did that as a babyface, but the idea of turning heel is always out there for the EST of WWE.

    Bianca Belair Discusses Possible Heel Turn

    Despite her established face status, fans vividly recall Belair’s time as a heel in NXT, and some would like to see her flex that side of her character on the main roster. With ongoing speculation about a potential heel turn being a frequent topic of discussion, she obviously heard that chatter from fans.

    During a conversation with Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Belair addressed these rumors. She acknowledged that her heel run in NXT contributed to her standing out as a performer, but did not necessarily benefit others in the company.

    ‘At NXT, I was a heel, but if I ever turned heel now, I want to be the right type of heel. I was the cool heel in NXT, which I don’t feel like benefitted anyone but myself. I got myself over.

    If I’m in there with a babyface that’s not as established, it’s very hard for them. I learned when I got to the main roster how great it is to work with an amazing heel like Bayley when I first came in.‘

    Belair Wants To Help Other Talent

    The WWE superstar also emphasized the importance of Bayley’s heel character in helping her establish herself as a babyface on the main roster. If Belair were to turn heel in the future, she expressed a desire to play a similar role in supporting other talents.

    ‘The reason why I think I hit the ground running, as a good guy, was I had this amazing heel who was established and over. She helped introduce me to the audience and helped people get to know me and care about me.
    That’s what I want to do if I ever turn heel, so I won’t be the heel you like and cheer for.‘

    Since the Street Profits aligned with Bobby Lashley in 2023 to form The Pride, speculation has surrounded the possibility of Belair joining the group and experiencing her first heel turn since her main roster debut. As of this writing, that hasn’t happened yet, but you can never write off any possibility in WWE.

  • Royal Rumble Surprises: List Of Expected and Rumored WWE Returns

    Royal Rumble Surprises: List Of Expected and Rumored WWE Returns

    Fans can expect to see several surprise returns as part of the upcoming Royal Rumble event, it has been reported.

    The WWE 2024 Royal Rumble premium live event will take place on Saturday, January 27 from Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. It will be the 37th annual Rumble event and the seventh event to feature both men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches.

    SE Scoops will have a live correspondent on hand for the Royal Rumble. Stay tuned for more information about exclusive content coming to the site, social media and YouTube from St. Petersburg.

    Wrestling fans are eagerly anticipating some surprise entrants in the men’s and women’s matches. Less than three weeks out as of this writing, the first round of rumored names include Sean Waltman, Naomi, and Liv Morgan, according to reporting from PW Insider.

    Who Not To Expect In The 2024 Royal Rumble

    Hulk Hogan

    Okay, let’s get this one out of the way, because we must address it. Hulk Hogan’s name was not churning in the rumor mill for the 2024 Royal Rumble match until he put it there. The Hulkster showed up on RAW this week and said he may have one more match left in him. That is not happening this year. I asked around about this right after Hogan’s promo, and everyone gave me a resounding “No way” and/or “Hell No!” when I asked whether Hulk Hogan is coming in for the match at Tropicana Field.

    Shane McMahon

    Shane McMahon used to have a lot to do with the Royal Rumble match, as he also used to help produce it. I asked around as late as this week and was able to confirm that Shane-O Mac is not in any discussion for the 2024 Royal Rumble match. So, despite many expected surprises, Vince McMahon’s son will not be one of them either. 

    Royal Rumble Potential Surprise Entrants

    Sean Waltman

    Waltman was recently at the WWE Performance Center which is also in Florida. On January 12, the nWo and DX alum said he can still go in the ring, but there’s “zero chance” he’ll be there:

    There was talk last week at the PC about Waltman being in Florida over the Rumble weekend. Last year, Waltman told a fan “maybe” when asked about competing in the match. Waltman is a two-time WWE Hall of Famer. His most recent match for WWE was a 10-person tag-team match on the July 8, 2002, edition of Monday Night Raw.

    Naomi / Trinity Fatu

    Former WWE star Naomi is among those being discussed for a return in the Women’s Rumble match. The reigning IMPACT/TNA Knockouts World Champion competes as Trinity but is expected to finish with that promotion at tapings later this month. The belief within WWE is that she will be returning once her run with IMPACT/TNA expires. Naomi/Trinity famously walked out of WWE in May 2022 alongside Sasha Banks (now Mercedes Mone) due to creative differences with WWE.

    Liv Morgan

    Liv Morgan is also said to be in the mix, as there were talks back in November of her returning from her shoulder injury. Morgan was recently arrested for marijuana possession, but there is little to no heat on her from WWE management. Her legal issue has not changed plans for her, and she recently saw the most serious charge against her dropped.

    Giulia

    Giulia’s status is a very interesting one. Rumors have been flying around about WWE interest in here. In face, it was reported that AEW backed off of her completely after interest from WWE was evident. Only time will tell if Giulia shows up at the Royal Rumble. She has not been to the WWE Performance Center yet, but the idea of her showing up in Tropicana Field is certainly possible.

    Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks

    Mercedes’ free agent situation is very interesting. The former Banks, who is notorious for keeping her contracts close to the vest, is now bound for another company after her NJPW deal expired. Although rumors of a WWE return are strong, those in WWE still believe that she is heading to AEW. Others, like Sean Ross Sapp have indicated the same. There were talks between WWE and Mone, but they hit a financial roadblock.

    Jade Cargill

    A lot of things are going on with Jade Cargill, and WWE has big plans for her. As a former TBS Champion in AEW, World Wrestling Entertainment didn’t jump right to debuting her in the ring. Instead, they opted for a slow burn debut, where she showed up at Fastlane. Then, they placed her in the WWE Performance Center, so she could polish up her skills and get ready for her big moment. It will be interesting to see if WWE pulls the trigger on her debut at the Royal Rumble, and just how much time they give her in the match.

    Kazuchika Okada

    Okada is leaving NJPW, and that news broke the pro wrestling world wide open. We have not heard any explicit report of a WWE contract offer, but the man has been on WWE’s radar for years. It may be possible that NJPW would allow Okada to perform at the Royal Rumble, even if he has more dates with them. Obviously, Okada’s addition to WWE would also greatly shake up the WrestleMania landscape as well.

    Kamille

    Although it is expected that Kamille may debut for NXT first, WWE has their eye on the former NWA Women’s Champion. She was just backstage at AEW Dynamite, but that was only because they were very close to her home. That didn’t give any indication that Tony Khan is close to snatching her away from WWE. By all appearances, Kamille is going to WWE, where she will probably be a major player when the time comes.

    This page will be updated in the weeks and days leading up to the Royal Rumble.

  • Jey Uso Hails Roman Reigns’ Remarkable Evolution: “He’s the blueprint of what hard work does”

    Jey Uso Hails Roman Reigns’ Remarkable Evolution: “He’s the blueprint of what hard work does”

    Former Bloodline member Jey Uso has nothing but high praise for his cousin and the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

    ‘The Trible Chief’ has become one of the most recognizable and unstoppable characters in WWE history. His journey to superstardom dates back to his early days at Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which was then WWE’s developmental territory. It was there that Reigns developed his skills and started laying the groundwork for his future success.

    His history-making WWE Universal Championship reign for 1,243 days and counting remains to be one of the greatest chapters in WWE and Reigns has established himself as the ‘Tribal Chief.’ 

    He has demonstrated unmatched skills in the ring and has become the face of WWE SmackDown brand. His phenomenal development as a performer and a character highlights his commitment to the business which cements his place among the greatest of all time in the WWE.

    Jey Uso lauds Roman Reigns’ meteoric rise

    Just like any other WWE fan, Jey Uso is also thrilled about the idea of Roman Reigns vs. The Rock. Regarding the dream match potentially materializing as soon as this year’s WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, Jey is excited while highlighting how far Reigns has come. 

    During a recent interview with Chamatkar Sandhu of TNT Sports, “Main Event” Jey Uso said:

    “Yeah, I’m so excited because, like I said, people want to see that match, and it’s a big W for my family still,” Jey stated. “Like that makes me joyful. It’s breathtaking. I look at my cousin now, Roman, and I’m just happy on how far he’s come. From the day he walked into FCW, developmental, which I was there, to present. Inspiring, man.

    “He’s the blueprint of what hard work does and you can never knock that. He has great work ethic. He deserves all the time off that he has, he earned it. But I really fell like The Rock is stepping back into a place where he don’t know what’s gonna hit him, let alone The Great One. We The Ones, or we used to be The Ones, but that’s The Great One.”

    Roman Reigns will defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against LA Knight, Randy Orton and AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event on Saturday, January 27.

  • LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa Added To SmackDown

    LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa Added To SmackDown

    This weekend’s Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will be a massive show but ahead of the event, WWE has announced a blockbuster clash for Royal Rumble’s go-home SmackDown show. LA Knight is set to take on the Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa on this week’s Friday Night SmackDown lineup. 

    LA Knight and Solo Sikoa clash in a rematch

    Knight vs. Sikoa is a rematch from the October 13 SmackDown where Knight secured a win over Sikoa in the build up to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal title at Crown Jewel in November.

    Knight has a huge opportunity at hands as he participates in a four-way Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match with title holder Roman Reigns, AJ Styles, and Randy Orton. 

    Apart from LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa, WWE announced a Women’s Tag Team title match as Katana Chance & Kayden Carter put their titles on the line against Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane). On the other hand, Carlito will square off against Santos Escobar, while Austin Theory faces  Carmelo Hayes. A face-to-face segment with The Pride and The Final Testament factions has also been announced.

    Lineup for the Friday, January 26 SmackDown:

    • LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa
    • Women’s Tag Team Champions Katana Chance & Kayden Carter defend against Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)
    • Carmelo Hayes vs. Austin Theory
    • The Pride (Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits) & The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Authors of Pain, Scarlett & Paul Ellering) face-to-face
    • Carlito vs. Santos Escobar
  • Rhea Ripley: “I Was Trying to be The Girl Next Door, But That Wasn’t Me”

    Rhea Ripley: “I Was Trying to be The Girl Next Door, But That Wasn’t Me”

    Rhea Ripley has become one of WWE’s very top Superstars, but that has only come about after she narrowly avoided being released. 

    Ripley is WWE’s reigning Women’s World Champion, a reign that began at WrestleMania 39 with her SmackDown Women’s Championship win over Charlotte Flair. Ripley’s work with The Judgment Day has been praised by fans and has helped make the ‘Mami’ one of WWE’s must-see Superstars. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lT9DIey1Ts

    Ripley Is True to Herself

    With her unique look, Ripley certainly stands out among the roster of WWE’s women. When she debuted in WWE, Ripley had a more traditional look to her, complete with long, blonde hair. During a recent interview with The Ringer, Ripley recalled trying to fit in with what she believed WWE wanted from her, which ironically led to talks about whether to let her go. 

    “I was on the chopping block. I nearly got fired a few times. I don’t know if they wanted me to know that, but I did know that

    Realizing that a change needed to be made, Ripley looked to her taste in music and the performers she has gravitated toward throughout her life. 

    “They didn’t care about what anyone thought. And I really aspired to be like that. I love the studded jackets, I love the painted jackets. I love the black makeup, the black hair. I’ve always loved that grungy look. And that’s been me, deep down. I’ve just been hiding it for so long because I was trying to be the girl next door, the beachy sort of vibes, but it wasn’t me.”

    Ripley’s most recent title defense saw the Eradicator retain against Ivy Nile on the Day 1 edition of Monday Night Raw. She is not booked to compete at this weekend’s Royal Rumble event. 

     Rhea Ripley recently reached another milestone in her WWE career… 

  • Bianca Belair Unveils Her Strategy for a Potential Heel Run: “Right type of heel”

    Bianca Belair Unveils Her Strategy for a Potential Heel Run: “Right type of heel”

    Is the former Women’s Champion Bianca Belair looking for a heel turn? 

    Well, ‘The EST of WWE’  has been one of the most popular superstars. She was called up from NXT and joined the main roster during the pandemic era of WWE. Bianca Belair won the 2021 Royal Rumble and at WrestleMania 37, she headlined the WrestleMania Saturday with Sasha Banks. That night Belair became the Smackdown Women’s Champion for the first time. 

    It can be said that Bianca Belair has shone on the main roster as a babyface. She has inspired several women off the screen with her character and continues to portray a heroic role. However, Belair’s heel run in NXT years ago was undeniable as well. It seems that we could see Bianca Belair as a heel in the near future.

    Bianca Belair shares her plan for her possible heel run

    Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the MMA Hour, Belair was asked if she prefers being a babyface or heel, to which she replied: 

    “I love being a good guy, I love being a babyface because it puts purpose to what I do. I feel like it has a bigger impact and I’m able to do stuff with the community and it’s very purposeful and inspirational and impactful. That being said, when I was a heel in NXT, it was so much fun. I feel like being a heel is a lot easier. It’s a lot easier to get people to not like you than to get people to like you and keep liking you and keeping it fresh.”

    In addition to this, she also discussed what she would want out of a heel run if she turned now:

    “At NXT, I was a heel, but if I ever turned heel now, I want to be the right type of heel. I was the cool heel in NXT, which I don’t feel like benefitted anyone but myself. I got myself over. If I’m in there with a babyface that’s not as established, it’s very hard for them. I learned when I got to the main roster how great it is to work with an amazing heel like Bayley when I first came in. The reason why I think I hit the ground running, as a good guy, was I had this amazing heel who was established and over. She helped introduce me to the audience and helped people get to know me and care about me. That’s what I want to do if I ever turn heel, so I won’t be the heel you like and cheer for,” she said.

    Recently, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley were featured on the cover of WWE 2K24: Deluxe Edition. A video clip was also released where Triple H surprised them.

  • Vince McMahon Trafficking Allegations May Change Planned WWE Royal Rumble Surprise

    Vince McMahon Trafficking Allegations May Change Planned WWE Royal Rumble Surprise

    Vince McMahon made headlines in a huge way, as a new lawsuit surfaced that was full of horrible allegations. WWE is days away from the Royal Rumble event, and despite plans in place, the card and booking is always subject to change.

    Huge Royal Rumble Surprise May Change

    It was recently reported that Brock Lesnar is returning to WWE television very soon. With the Royal Rumble coming up, that brings a natural idea that he may re-emerge at Tropicana Field.

    Sean Ross Sapp has now reported on Fightful Select to confirm that Brock Lesnar is expected for the January 27th pay-per-view event. Everything is subject to change, but Lesnar is slated to be at the Royal Rumble.

    That being said, Lesnar was slated for a return prior to the recent Vince McMahon lawsuit. The former Universal Champion’s name was brought into the controversy, and that may force a change for things.

    This week, Fightful learned that Royal Rumble was originally discussed as a potential target. This was reiterated to Fightful Thursday, but it was noted that in light of Lesnar’s implied inclusion in the Vince McMahon lawsuit, that may change.

    Numerous Royal Rumble surprises are anticipated, with one having the potential to undergo changes for evident reasons. You may find a few more expected spoiler returns here.

    Brock Lesnar’s Involvement in Vince McMahon Lawsuit

    The recent lawsuit against Vince McMahon did not specifically name Brock Lesnar, but it was very heavily implied that the Beast Incarnate was involved in some way. The lawsuit noted that a former UFC Heavyweight Champion under WWE contract wanted to “play” with the victim as part of his contract renewal.

    In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).

    Reactions to Vince McMahon Allegations

    TKO Group Holdings already stated that they plan to take action internally regarding this matter. This is in spite of the fact that these allegations took place prior to Endeavor’s takeover.

    Vince McMahon’s camp has released a statement of outright denial. It seems that McMahon is going to fight these allegations.

    With the Royal Rumble coming up on Saturday, and so much going on in WWE, it’s easy to see that this will be a very busy weekend for everyone involved. SE Scoops will have continued coverage for more breaking news concerning Vince McMahon’s latest controversy as well.

  • Vince McMahon’s Camp Vehemently Denies Recent Shocking Lawsuit Allegations

    Vince McMahon’s Camp Vehemently Denies Recent Shocking Lawsuit Allegations

    Vince McMahon made headlines in a huge way, as a new lawsuit surfaced that was full of horrible allegations. Text messages, allegedly from Vince McMahon, and a victim’s statements tell stories of sexual assault and a total abuse of power. Now, McMahon’s people have spoken on the matter.

    McMahon’s Statement on the Matter

    Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE’s headquarters, claimed in the lawsuit filed on Thursday that she experienced abuse and sexual exploitation by McMahon during his tenure as chief executive.

    Vince McMahon’s camp responded to this new lawsuit. In a statement released to Deadline, it was stated that the allegations are full of lies, and Mr. McMahon will defend himself.

    “This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself.”

    TKO Responds

    TKO Group Holdings stated that, although these alleged acts took place before their takeover of the company, they are taking this situation seriously. They also said that they plan to handle things internally.

    Details On Vince McMahon Allegations

    These allegations against Vince McMahon were quite damning. McMahon and John Laurinaitis were accused of horrible things by the victim. A top WWE Superstar, one that many believe may be Brock Lesnar, was also mentioned in the lawsuit.

    The lawsuit did not specify the wrestler but characterized them as both a UFC fighter and WWE talent. Considering the timeline is 2021, it’s relatively straightforward to narrow down the options, even though Brock Lesnar was not mentioned.

    According to the lawsuit, McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who expressed that “he likes what he sees.” Additionally, 4 WWE Producers and television production techs were allegedly recipients of this explicit content.

  • TKO Plans To Take Action After Horrific Vince McMahon Allegations

    Vince McMahon stepped away from WWE following the public revelation of a hush money scandal. An internal investigation took place, and McMahon eventually made a comeback to WWE to play a role in their eventual merger with the UFC. However, a lawsuit surfaced with significant allegations, ready to expose a side of the man that could change McMahon’s legacy.

    TKO Group Holdings Statement

    The Wall Street Journal has reported that a woman, Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE’s headquarters, claimed in the lawsuit filed on Thursday that she experienced abuse and sexual exploitation by McMahon during his tenure as chief executive.

    Vince McMahon and WWE is the subject of a new blockbuster lawsuit from former employee Janel Grant. There were a lot of accusations, including some that involve WWE producers, tech guys, and one top WWE talent. 

    Variety reports that TKO Group Holdings released a statement on these allegations against Vince McMahon. It was made clear that they do not oversee the daily operations of WWE, and they are taking these horrific allegations seriously. They will also take action by addressing the situation internally. 

    “Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”

    There May Be More To Uncover

    This new set of allegations against Vince McMahon is very concerning. It was also made clear in the lawsuit that his accuser is coming forward for those who cannot, but wish that they might. The idea that there may be more with stories about Mr. McMahon is quite concerning.

    ‘Ms. Grant is filing this lawsuit not just to address her own suffering, but also to act for those who are afraid to speak out. Plaintiff Janel Grant is a former employee of WWE who was the victim of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking at WWE.’

    We will have continued coverage of this ongoing lawsuit at SE Scoops. This is a very new story, so there will likely be plenty of updates to come.

  • Logan Paul Has Re-Signed With WWE, Brawls with Kevin Owens at Performance Center

    Logan Paul Has Re-Signed With WWE, Brawls with Kevin Owens at Performance Center

    WWE United States Champion Logan Paul will remain with the promotion for the foreseeable future after signing a new deal, but his celebration was short-lived. 

    Taking to Instagram this week, Paul shared a video of himself training in the ring. The Maverick said that WWE had renewed his contract and that he has been training at the Performance Center in Orlando. From there, Paul would run the ropes before taking several bumps as part of his training. 

    Logan Paul then discussed WWE’s deal with Netflix to bring Raw to the streaming service in 2025 as well as The Rock’s appointment to TKO’s Board of Directors. During more training in the ring, Paul was confronted by Kevin Owens. After some punches were shared, the trainers, which included Shane ‘Hurricane’ Helms, were able to keep the two apart. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C2iDyh9JplF

    Logan Paul in WWE

    After debuting for WWE in 2021, Paul signed with the promotion the following year. He is currently 4-4 in the ring and has won at WWE’s two biggest shows, WrestleMania and SummerSlam. He has held the U.S. title since WWE Crown Jewel last November, where he dethroned Roman Reigns. 

    What’s Next for Logan Paul? 

    Paul’s next match will take place this weekend and see the Maverick defend the United States Championship against Owens. The match at the upcoming Royal Rumble Premium Live Event will mark Paul’s first title defense. 

    Win or lose, Paul will appear at next month’s Elimination Chamber: Perth event. The show will be WWE’s first Premium Live Event in Australia since 2018. While not confirmed at this time, it’s likely that Paul will compete at WrestleMania 40 this April. 

  • Vince McMahon Allegedly Involved Top WWE Talent & Producers In Explosive Lawsuit Allegations

    Vince McMahon Allegedly Involved Top WWE Talent & Producers In Explosive Lawsuit Allegations

    Vince McMahon and WWE is the subject of a new blockbuster lawsuit from former employee Janel Grant. There is a lot to unpack in this situation, and another big name that everyone knows very well may be involved as well. 

    WWE Talent Mentioned In New Lawsuit

    In July 2021, according to the lawsuit, Vince McMahon instructed Janel Grant to create personalized sexual content for a WWE superstar he sought to re-sign. 

    The lawsuit didn’t specify the wrestler but described them as both a UFC fighter and WWE talent. Given the timeline is 2021, it’s pretty easy to narrow down those choices, although Brock Lesnar was not named.

    The lawsuit states that McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who said that, “he likes what he sees.” 4 WWE Producers and television production techs were also allegedly received this explicit content.

    In December of the same year, McMahon allegedly provided Grant’s personal cellphone number to the unnamed WWE Superstar. The lawsuit claims that the wrestler requested a video of her urinating, and after she complied, he used derogatory language, calling her ‘b*tch.” 

    In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).

    Lawsuit’s Allegations Get Even Heavier

    The WWE Superstar, whom the lawsuit noted is widely acknowledged as a top talent with a substantial fan base that contributed to viewership and live event attendance, was allegedly recruited by McMahon for a sexual encounter with Ms. Grant. This purported recruitment occurred while she held the position of coordinator in the legal department. By July 2021, McMahon reportedly informed Ms. Grant that the WWE Superstar was intended to be their next “playmate.”

    Similar to previous instances, McMahon allegedly expressed his fantasy of witnessing Ms. Grant engaged in explicit acts with the WWE Superstar, describing a desire to “rip” her open. McMahon also disclosed his intention to have WWE Superstar sign a new contract, while the Superstar expressed interest in returning to other professional pursuits.

    Upon information and belief, McMahon began to recruit WWE Superstar for a sexual encounter with Ms. Grant while she was still a coordinator in the legal department. By July of 2021, McMahon informed Ms. Grant that WWE Superstar would be their next “playmate.”  As in other instances, McMahon described his fantasy of seeing Ms. Grant engaged in unmerciful sexual acts with WWE Superstar during which he would “rip” her open.

    McMahon also confided to Ms. Grant that he wanted to have WWE Superstar under a new contract, while WWE Superstar indicated an interest in a return to other professional endeavors.

    Around July 12, 2021, McMahon allegedly directed Ms. Grant to create personalized sexual content for WWE Superstar. After sharing the explicit photos with WWE Superstar, McMahon informed Ms. Grant that he was pleased with the content.

    On July 21, 2021, McMahon or someone at his behest arranged for the WWE Superstar to fly into a local airport and travel to Connecticut for what McMahon described to Ms. Grant as a “business dinner” and a subsequent sexual encounter at McMahon’s condo. 

    The dinner, allegedly discussing WWE Superstar’s ongoing involvement with the company, was preceded by a brief visit to Ms. Grant’s building. However, the WWE Superstar, reportedly too intoxicated, did not return for a sexual encounter and was taken back to the plane.

  • New Bombshell Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon & WWE Alleges Heinous Crimes

    New Bombshell Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon & WWE Alleges Heinous Crimes

    Vince McMahon retired from WWE after a hush money scandal went public. There was an internal investigation in the matter, and McMahon later returned to WWE to help usher in their eventual merger with the UFC. Now, some incredibly heavy allegations have emerged thanks to a new lawsuit.

    New Unspeakable Vince McMahon Allegations

    The Wall Street Journal has reported that a woman, Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE’s headquarters, claimed in the lawsuit filed on Thursday that she experienced abuse and sexual exploitation by McMahon during his tenure as chief executive. 

    She received a payout from McMahon, and has filed a new lawsuit accusing McMahon, the company, and a former executive of sex trafficking. This legal action raises questions about the scope of an internal company probe conducted by a law firm last year.

    Grant asserted that McMahon enticed her with promises of career advancement, only to exploit and traffic her to other men within the company. John Laurinaitis was also named in the lawsuit. 

    Filed in a Connecticut federal court, the lawsuit provides a detailed account of Grant’s interactions with McMahon, including graphic descriptions of alleged incidents. According to Grant, on June 15, 2021, McMahon and another WWE executive reportedly locked her in an office at WWE’s headquarters in Stamford, where they took turns sexually assaulting her while other staff members were working.

    On June 23, 2021, in the midst of a workday, McMahon allegedly locked Grant inside his private locker room at WWE’s offices and forced himself on her over a massage table, the lawsuit claimed. Later that day, McMahon’s personal assistant delivered $15,000 in Bloomingdale’s gift cards to Grant in her office.

    According to legal documents, McMahon is accused of using sex toys forcefully, including dildos named after WWE Superstars, causing injuries such as bruising and bleeding. The lawsuit also alleges an incident where McMahon is said to have defecated on a woman’s head during a threesome.

    As one example of McMahon’s extreme depravity, on May 9, 2020, he defecated on Ms. Grant during a threesome, and then commanded her to continue pleasuring his “friend”— with feces in her hair and running down her back—while McMahon went to the bathroom to Case 3:24-cv-00090 Document 1 Filed 01/25/24 Page 4 of 67 5 shower off. Upon his return from the bathroom, McMahon and his “friend” actively resumed the threesome, which lasted over an hour and a half, while Ms. Grant remained covered in McMahon’s filth. When McMahon’s “friend” left, McMahon ordered her to stay and to continue to sexually gratify him.

    The lawsuit also includes screenshots of explicit text messages that McMahon allegedly sent to Grant, with one from May 2020 stating, “I’m the only one who owns U and controls who I want to f*ck U.”

    Vince McMahon in WWE Now

    Vince McMahon was removed from creative control of WWE when Triple H was appointed the company’s Chief Content Officer. McMahon still holds a seat on the company’s board of directors.

    It was previously noted that TKO Group Holdings named Vince as a potential risk for their continued success. We have to wonder about the internal investigation that went down within WWE after the hush money scandal first broke. 

    As of this writing, WWE has not released any public statement on the new Wall Street Journal report. We have also not heard whether Netflix’s upcoming documentary will need a fresh edit, but it’s very likely that there is more story to tell in this situation. It was reported that the upcoming multipart documentary will not pull any punches, and neither did this lawsuit.

  • Ivy Nile On ‘Her Full Circle Moment’ With The Rock, Match With Rhea Ripley At WWE Raw Day 1 (Exclusive)

    Ivy Nile On ‘Her Full Circle Moment’ With The Rock, Match With Rhea Ripley At WWE Raw Day 1 (Exclusive)

    Before she graced the screens of WWE NXT and WWE RAW, Ivy Nile made a name for herself on another notable television program — that being NBC’s Titan Games. 

    Competing under her real name of Emily Andzulis, Nile appeared in season one of The Titan Games, where she soon became the show’s first female champion. The following year, Nile inked a contract with WWE, pivoting her focus to a full-time career as a professional wrestler. 

    On January 1, 2024, Nile’s worlds intersected, as the former host of The Titan Games — Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson — made a surprise appearance on the special Day One edition of WWE Raw to lay the smack down on Jinder Mahal and set the stage for a match with Roman Reigns.

    During a recent interview with Ella Jay for SEScoops, Ivy Nile revealed that she and The Rock caught up backstage at the 2024 ‘WWE Day 1’ edition of Raw in what she described as an insane, full-circle moment for her life and career.

    “It’s insane. It’s like, how did this happen? It was almost five, six years ago that the Titan Games happened. Next thing you know, I’m in WWE and I see him, not a lot, but more than the average person. So when he was at Day One, I didn’t know he was going to be there. Next thing you know, I saw him and it was like, ‘Wait a second.’ We had a short conversation. It’s about like he’s super proud that a titan of his is now here, so it’s really cool. I got to talk to him for a little bit, and I had a match that night, so there definitely a lot going on, for sure.”

    Ivy Nile on working with Rhea Ripley

    As Nile alluded to, January 1 also marked her first televised title opportunity on WWE’s main roster. On this occasion, Nile challenged Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s World Championship.

    Ripley has been a dominant champion during her reign, but Nile believes she was able to push ‘The Eradicator’ out of her comfort zone by utilizing the element of surprise. 

    “Rhea Ripley, she is one of the most dominating females in all of WWE, right? And from me being someone who just got moved up [to the main roster], that doesn’t have a lot to show for, I think that worked in my favor because she didn’t have a lot to see what I could do,” Nile said. “She didn’t know what I could do. So for me, I studied her, I watched her matches, like what she does and what she likes to do. I just like to study her like film study. And with her, with me, she kind of didn’t know [what to expect], so that kind of helped in my favor. So I can throw out a bunch of stuff that she didn’t really know I could do, and maybe that caught her off guard. I think that’s what worked for me. I think that’s pretty much what it was.”

    After a feverish 13-minute battle, Ripley finally put away Nile with a Riptide to retain the WWE Women’s World Championship. You can watch highlights from the match herE:

  • Details On WWE Firing Kevin Patrick After SmackDown Removal

    Details On WWE Firing Kevin Patrick After SmackDown Removal

    WWE has seen their fair share of commentators and play-by-play announcers come through the company. It’s hard to get the right chemistry, and understand what is really going on to tell a story in the squared circle. Pro wrestling fans are also incredibly hard to please when it comes to their commentary teams, and now they are set to see another change for the company’s announcer set-up.

    Kevin Patrick is Gone from WWE

    I broke the news that Kevin Patrick was removed from WWE SmackDown’s announce team during RAW this week. Now, we have confirmation that his removal from the blue brand spelled an end to his WWE career.

    Patrick will now likely be known as Kevin Egan once again, because he has officially been released by WWE. PW Insider reports that the former SmackDown announcer has been let go.

    Kevin Egan previously worked as a backstage interviewer in WWE before he was moved to a commentator role. His tenure with the company spanned from March 2021 to January 2023.

    To fill the gap left by Patrick for this week’s SmackDown, Corey Graves will be joined once again by Michael Cole. This is only a temporary fix, as Cole is the announcer on RAW. It was noted that this adjustment was prompted by Cole’s prior commitment to call the Royal Rumble the following night in Florida.

    The decision to remove Kevin Patrick from the SmackDown commentary team appears to have been made abruptly, given initial plans for Patrick to be at SmackDown this Friday.

    I was told that things just weren’t working out, so WWE higher-ups made the call to shift things dramatically right before the Royal Rumble event.

    More Kevin Patrick’s WWE Release Details (Exclusive)

    I was told that the WWE creative team was informed that, “he was relieved of his duties as announcer for Smackdown.” He was released a short time after that, but you can never say never in WWE.

    When asking specifically about Patrick’s situation, on Monday I was told that, “People get fired and hired back the next day” in WWE, so no departure is 100% forever. We will have to see where his road takes him, because others have returned to the company later on.

    We’re wishing Kevin Egan the best in his future endeavors, because he has a lot of experience that he could help contribute to any team.

  • Broadcaster Kevin Patrick Released From WWE Days After Being Pulled From SmackDown Job

    Broadcaster Kevin Patrick Released From WWE Days After Being Pulled From SmackDown Job

    The WWE tenure of Kevin Patrick has come to an end with the Irish broadcaster’s release from the promotion today. 

    PW Insider broke the news about Patrick’s departure from the company. This news comes mere days after Patrick was removed from SmackDown’s commentary team, with the belief backstage that his tenure on the blue brand just wasn’t working. Patrick has since been replaced by Michael Cole, who will be calling the action with Corey Graves moving forward. 

    January hasn’t been an easy month for Patrick by any stretch of the imagination. In the weeks leading up to his release, there was a consensus in WWE that he needed to prove himself in the high-profile role on SmackDown. Patrick’s time on the blue brand would be short-lived, as he was only moved to SmackDown a few weeks ago.  Despite this, Patrick was said to be well-liked by those in the company. He was the co-host of the After the Bell podcast with Corey Graves. 

    More on Kevin Patrick

    Patrick studied journalism at Ireland’s Griffith College Dublin, and worked as part of the RTÉ Sport team covering the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. He left Ireland for the United States in 2009.

    Prior to joining WWE, he worked for a number of major media companies, including CNN, Fox Sports and also did commentary for Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United home games on Apple TV+.

    Kevin Patrick isn’t the only notable member of his family. His father Liam was an All-Ireland-winning Gaelic footballer. While Kevin played for Raheny GAA, an injury would cut his athletics career short. 

  • “Come Take Over WWE With Us” – Bayley Offers Damage CTRL Invite to Top NXT Prospect

    “Come Take Over WWE With Us” – Bayley Offers Damage CTRL Invite to Top NXT Prospect

    The future of Damage CTRL may be looking increasingly uncertain, but Bayley hopes to bring an NXT Superstar on board when the time is right. 

    Damage CTRL debuted at SummerSlam 2022, which marked the return of Bayley after an injury that kept her out of the ring for over a year. The Role Model showed up in Nashville with Dakota Kai (who had been released earlier that year) and Io Shirai (since renamed IYO SKY) whose contract was close to expiring. 

    A New Member? 

    In November of last year, Kairi Sane and Asuka joined the faction, despite the Empress’ previous battles with Damage CTRL. On Instagram this week, Bayley threw out an offer to WWE NXT Superstar Cora Jade who is currently out of action with an ACL injury. 

    Cora Jade’s Injury

    Jade suffered her injury at a WWE NXT live event during a match with NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria. It was later confirmed that she suffered a torn ACL. Jade, a former WWE NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, is expected to miss up to a year of ring time due to the injury. This injury comes at an awful time for Jade. She had only returned to WWE programming weeks prior at NXT Deadline after a hiatus from TV that lasted for several months. 

    Cora Jade joined WWE in 2021. She has previously competed under the name Elyanna Black and has made appearances for TNA Wrestling (IMPACT Wrestling) at the time, as well as AEW. 

    Cora Jade’s efforts in the ring haven’t gone unnoticed by one of WWE’s veteran performers… 

  • WWE Royal Rumble Returns & Surprises: Several Possible Spoilers

    WWE Royal Rumble Returns & Surprises: Several Possible Spoilers

    WWE’s Royal Rumble event is set to go down at Tropicana Field on January 27th, and the pro wrestling world can’t wait to see how Triple H books his first Rumble without Vince McMahon’s creative oversight. Now, we have a couple possible spoilers about whom to expect during one of the big matches.

    The Women’s Royal Rumble match

    Mike Johnson from PW Insider reported that Sonya Deville and Jade Cargill could be potential entrants in the upcoming women’s Rumble match. Both of them are reportedly scheduled to be at the Royal Rumble event, but there’s no assurance that they will actively participate in the Rumble match.

    Sonya Deville has been on the mend from a torn ACL, focusing on her recovery. Her inclusion in the Rumble match would mark a significant return for Deville, adding anticipation to her comeback in the wrestling scene.

    Jade Cargill Has Been Training Hard

    Jade Cargill is undergoing training at the Performance Center, gearing up for her WWE in-ring debut. While her participation in the Rumble match is not confirmed, fans are eager to see how her training translates into her first official WWE match.

    I asked around specifically about Jade’s status for the Royal Rumble match this Saturday. Although I did not pull down any concrete spoiler on her participation, one tenured member of the creative team told me that, “I’ve heard lots of things regarding Jade Cargill.”

    As the 2024 Royal Rumble event approaches, the potential involvement of Sonya Deville and Jade Cargill add an element of unpredictability to the women’s Rumble match, keeping the excitement high for wrestling fans.

    Another Possible Royal Rumble Surprise

    Trinity finished up her time with TNA Wrestling. She also gave a heartfelt speech after her final television taping event for the company. Her WWE return has been reportedly in line for several weeks. That being said, Naomi’s return is also expected for the Royal Rumble event.

    That being said, the Women’s Royal Rumble match could include some big surprises this year, with The Glow, Deville, and Jade Cargill’s names in the situation, anything can happen.

  • End of the WWE Network: Streaming Service to Be Absorbed By Netflix Next Year (Report)

    End of the WWE Network: Streaming Service to Be Absorbed By Netflix Next Year (Report)

    The era of the WWE Network will seemingly come to an end next year as part of the promotion’s lucrative deal with Netflix. 

    This week, WWE and Netflix confirmed a deal that will see Monday Night Raw move to the streaming juggernaut. The deal, valued at over $5 billion, will last for ten years, though Netflix has the offer to end the deal at the five-year mark or extend it past ten years for another decade. 

    The End of the WWE Network?

    For fans outside the United States, they will receive Raw, SmackDown, WWE NXT, and Premium Live Events as part of this deal. This has raised questions about the future of the WWE Network, which fans outside the U.S. currently use for said shows. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that Netflix will take up the brunt of the workload. 

    ”For most of the world, they’re going to be taking over the WWE Network. The WWE Network itself, that exists outside the United States, that will be folding at the end of the year and Netflix will pick up the content.

    “So a lot of people have asked will they pick up all the content? All the archives? I don’t know. But they will be the sole source of that, the archival content of all the old territories and all the old stuff that was on the old WWE Network. That will, that will move to Netflix outside the United States in January.”

    Meltzer then looked at WWE’s relationship with Peacock, where the WWE Network in North America currently resides. Meltzer wouldn’t be surprised if this also falls under Netflix’s watch when the time is right. 

     “When the Peacock deal is up, if Netflix were to get that, that’d be interesting to see how much more they would pay. Obviously, it’s a $200 million deal per year deal right now. So that’s the next deal. That’s coming up.”

    Raw will move to Netflix in Jan 2025, but their deal with the USA Network will expire in September 2024…