SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Andrade El Idolo’s Expected WWE Return Was A Interesting Process

    WWE has seen several returns over the last couple of years. Triple H brought back several people that Vince McMahon either released or he let their contract expire. Now, all signs point to Andrade’s return.

    Andrade’s Expected WWE Return

    Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that Andrade el Idolo has concluded his time with All Elite Wrestling, and has reached an agreement with WWE. This was said to be a “roller coaster” situation.

    Initially Andrade signed to a two-year deal with AEW, the inclusion of injury time extended his contract. So, his contract was stretched to the end of the year.

    AEW talent noted Andrade’s transparency regarding his contract status, as he did not hide anything backstage. El Idolo made it clear that his deal would conclude in or by the end of 2023. Despite there was a brief time when he reportedly expressed intentions to stay with AEW and consider another contract, towards the end of his run, he informed fellow wrestlers of his decision to return to WWE.

    Some within AEW even anticipated his appearance on WWE programming shortly after his departure. They were surprised that he hasn’t debuted yet. With the Royal Rumble coming up on January 27th, that could very well be a landing pad for his return as well.

    Reasons Behind Andrade’s AEW Exit

    Although Tony Khan left the door open for Andrade’s return publicly, individuals working closely with Andrade found the process frustrating, with him revealing days before World’s End that he was concluding his time with AEW.

    Additionally, it is reported that Charlotte Flair advocated for Andrade’s return to WWE, and Andrade himself had suggested that AEW link up with Ric Flair.

    WWE has not confirmed Andrade’s return to the company just yet, but the general belief is that he is coming back to television. The former NXT Champion may be back on RAW or SmackDown very soon.

  • R-Truth Reveals Which Judgment Day Member Pushed To Keep Him Around

    R-Truth Reveals Which Judgment Day Member Pushed To Keep Him Around

    WWE has a few sure-fire angles going, one that are guaranteed to be money-makers. R-Truth’s story with the Judgment Day shocked everyone to see how rapidly the WWE Universe responded.

    R-Truth In Judgment Day

    Judgement Day is comprised of Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh. It is hard to get into their family, but R-Truth apparently found a way through their bank accounts.

    WWE ran an angle on RAW this week where R-Truth made direct reference to how well his new Judgment Day t-shirt is selling. He gave Priest his cut of the profits, and that calmed him down a bit.

    While speaking to Busted Open Radio, R-Truth revealed that it was Damian Priest who pushed for him to remain in the Judgment Day stable. Señor Money in the Bank saw that the angle was working, and he was very correct in his observation.

    “I was happy. I was ready to get out of the house and go back to the sport that I love. When they said I was working with Judgment Day, I was like, ‘Let’s do it. What are we doing?’ They could have said I was working with anybody and I was ready. I will say this, Judgment Day, they all want me.”

    “I will say Damian Priest, he was like, ‘Bro, we should keep you around. This thing is working.’ He actually went to, I think it was Hunter [Triple H] and the writers. Damian Priest fought for it.”

    R-Truth Is Raking In Cash For Judgment Day

    R-Truth became the top merchandise seller in WWE after his Judgment Day angle took off. He dethroned CM Punk from his #1 position, a place the Second City Savior has been since his November 25th WWE Survivor Series return.

    Judgment Day has not officially accepted R-Truth into the stable yet. If he can keep bringing in this kind of revenue, then that may grease the wheels.

  • ACL Injury Cost Cora Jade ‘Everything’ But She Feels Free

    ACL Injury Cost Cora Jade ‘Everything’ But She Feels Free

    NXT star Cora Jade is keeping a positive attitude despite encountering a significant setback in her wrestling career.

    Jade, 23, is one of the top rising stars in WWE’s developmental brand. Already a former NXT Women’s tag team champion (with Roxanne Perez, 22), her hopes for a bright 2024 came crashing down when she sustained a knee injury this past weekend at a non-televised NXT event from Dade City, FL.

    Later in the evening, Jade posted a meme stating, “I laugh to keep from crying,” which many fans perceived as cause for concern regarding her medical outlook.

    During Tuesday’s NXT broadcast on the USA Network, WWE provided an update on her condition. Upon a medical evaluation, it was determined that Cora Jade had sustained an ACL tear that will keep her out of action for up to one year.

    Cora Jade reacts

    Cora Jade is learning that major injuries can be an unfortunate part of a successful career in WWE.

    The determination and work ethic that brought her to the ‘big time’ will serve her well in the months ahead. She faces a long road to recovery and sounds like she’s keeping a level-headed outlook about things.

    Following the announcement that she’ll be lucky to step foot in the ring before the end of 2024, she posted an inspirational quote on social media, along with a photo of her left knee in a brace.

    SEScoops wishes Cora Jade a full and speedy recovery.

  • WWE Star Grayson Waller Protects Pro Wrestling Kayfabe By Threatening To Beat Up Man During Interview

    WWE Star Grayson Waller Protects Pro Wrestling Kayfabe By Threatening To Beat Up Man During Interview

    WWE Superstars get asked a lot of questions, and some of them repeat themselves. Most pro wrestlers are tired of getting asked, “is it fake?” That question is actually probably less insulting than the one Grayson Waller and LA Knight had to deal with recently.

    The Grayson Waller Incident

    On the Sunrise talk show in Australia, Grayson Waller and LA Knight faced an unusual request from the host. The host asked Knight if he could perform one of his signature moves on someone in the studio. Knight said no and passed the task of handling the question to Grayson Waller.

    The hosts then proposed doing a WWE move on their floor manager, because he is leaving them soon. That is when the floor manager walked onto the set and prepared to face off with Waller.

    The floor manager acted like he was preparing for a fight, and not taking it seriously. Waller, however, became quite annoyed at this suggestion and chose to uphold the integrity of the wrestling business.

    “I don’t think you understand, because if I go over there we’re gonna have the police here, because I’m not gonna give you some fake punch. I’m gonna punch you straight in the jaw. The disrespect that you give me when you act like this isn’t real. Don’t act tough. You guys disrespect us, are you kidding me?”

    They were able to remove the floor manager from the set, and Waller composed himself. LA Knight remained seated for the entire thing, as you can see in the footage from the incident.

    History of Protecting Kayfabe in Pro Wrestling

    This is not the first time that a pro wrestler needed to protect kayfabe. John Stossel learned that the hard way nearly 40 years ago.

    The Stossel controversy occurred in December 1984, during an interview with David Schultz, who was also known as “Dr. D.” Stossel questioned the legitimacy of professional wrestling, asking if it was fake.

    In response, Schultz slapped Stossel across the ear, causing pain and hearing loss. Then he slapped him again for good measure when the journalist got to his feet.

    The incident was recorded and later aired on the “20/20” program, leading to legal action. Stossel filed a lawsuit against Schultz and WWF, resulting in a settlement of $425,000.

    There was also a legendary 1997 appearance of Vader and The Undertaker in Kuwait. That interview took quite a turn, and the Deadman stayed in character as the host of that program realized it was Vader Time.

    Thankfully, Grayson Waller was able to escape this situation without a lawsuit, but he seemed ready to take things to a Schultz level if they needed to escalate that far.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C2NA5anuYlW

    Grayson Waller Reacts

    While Waller did not drop any clever words, or pontificate about respect for pro wrestling, he did let fans know he is aware that he is now the new David Schultz. He did so by simply tweeting out a photo of the former WWE Superstar who once busted John Stossel’s ear drum.

  • Roxanne Perez Reveals What It Means To Secure NXT Women’s Title Shot

    The rising NXT superstar Roxanne Perez has yet again secured a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship and has explained what it means to her. 

    ‘The Prodigy’ is aiming to become a two-time NXT Women’s Champion when she takes on Lyra Valkyria at Vengeance Day next month. Though she had odds stacked against her, Perez outlasted 19 other women to earn a title.

    Last night on NXT, Roxanne Perez competed in the 20-woman battle royal to determine the number one contender for the NXT Women’s Championship. She made it to the final four which turned into a four-way match as previously announced. The bout also consisted Kelani Jordan, Fallon Henley and Kiana James. and Perez eventually won the match. 

    Perez is quite confident on her quest to dethrone the NXT Women’s champion and reclaim the title.

    Roxanne Perez: I’m The Prodigy, and you can’t break me 

    In a WWE NXT Exclusive, Roxanne Perez shared her thoughts on her triumph last night and reiterated that she’s the best woman in the locker room.

    “What does it mean to me? I just stood in the ring with 19 other women and prevailed. It was me against the world tonight. But did I doubt myself? No. But I’m pretty sure every single person out there did, just like they have been for the past year. When I said that I’m the best damn woman in this locker room, I wasn’t lying. I’ll say it once, I’ll say it twice. I’ll say it a third time. I’m The Prodigy, and you can’t break me,” Perez said.

    Roxanne’s last reign as champion lasted for 109 days. At last year’s NXT Stand & Deliver Perez dropped the title to Indi Hartwell in a ladder match which also involved Gigi Dolin, Zoey Stark, Tiffany Stratton, and Lyra Valkyria.

    On next week’s edition of NXT, Perez and Valkyria are set to have a contract-signing segment for the title match.

    We will have to wait and see if Roxanne Perez manages to dethrone Lyra Valkyria at Vengeance Day which takes place on February 4 at the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee.

  • How Often WWE Tests Talent For Steroids Under Current Wellness Policy

    How Often WWE Tests Talent For Steroids Under Current Wellness Policy

    WWE wants to make sure that their talent is safe at all times, and they have a system in place to make sure that they aren’t taking anything that could be dangerous to them. Steroids were a way of life in WWE for years, but the company doesn’t want them around anymore.

    How Often WWE Tests Talent For Drugs

    Grayson Waller and LA Knight visited Australia to hype the upcoming Elimination Chamber that is coming to Perth on February 24th. They went on The Kyle & Jackie O Show during that media tour, where Knight discussed how wrestlers keep healthy and deal with injuries.

    Knight was asked about ways that Superstars heal from injuries. He was quick to shut down any ideas of steroid use, as he stated that WWE runs monthly tests to make sure talent is clean.

    “You can’t (use steroids). Yeah, because that would actually make recovery easy but, no, every month we get tested. Every single month.”

    History of WWE’s Wellness Policy

    WWE’s Wellness Program started in 2006 to make sure wrestlers are healthy. This testing program was implemented following Eddie Guerrero’s passing, but the company has not 100% confirmed that Latino Heat was the reason for this testing.

    They test for drugs randomly, and if someone fails the test, they get suspended. The first time is 30 days without pay, the second time is 60 days, and the third time means the wrestler loses their job if they refuse rehab. WWE tells the public when someone fails a test, but failures are few and far between at this point.

    WWE no longer tests for marijuana. There used to be a $2,500 fine associated with popping dirty for THC on your drug test, but that is no longer their policy. We haven’t heard about any marijuana fines being given out for years.’

  • Ash By Elegance: I Honestly Think WWE Didn’t Believe In Dana Brooke

    Ash By Elegance spent close to a decade as part of WWE, but the former Superstar believes that higher-ups simply didn’t believe in her. 

    Elegance competed as Dana Brooke from 2015 to 2023 before her release from the promotion last September. At Hard to Kill 2024, the Elegant wrestler made her debut for TNA Wrestling. She would also debut her new ring name at the event. 

    Ash By Elegance On Her WWE Run

    Brooke spent close to a decade competing in a WWE ring but rarely received any pushes from the company. On a recent edition of Busted Open Radio, Elegance spoke about feeling overlooked by most people in WWE. 

    “I honestly think they didn’t believe in me. You know, producers, T.J. [Wilson] was a very big advocate for me and he would always be like, ‘Dana can do it, Dana can do it, Dana can do it’ and it just — it wasn’t happening and I wasn’t that girl. I wasn’t the girl that they were trying to push to that next level. [I] was the one that I was always given to take the pin fall and I was okay with it, thinking in my mind, there’s gonna be a shot. There’s gonna be that next time and there just never was that next time.”

    Elegance also recalled a spot she pitched that WWE turned down, deeming the move simply too unsafe despite her credentials.

    “It was 2018 or ‘19 in the Money in the Bank match where I wanted to hang from the briefcase and swing from it and fall and a pile of girls catch me and they’re like, ‘No, no, no. That’s a little too dangerous.’ I’m like, ‘Do you not know I was in gymnastics for 18 years?… Just let me do it’ and it would be a wow factor and I just don’t think that they had the confidence in me.”

    There is credence to the notion that WWE had no intentions to elevate Dana Brooke. In April 2023, it was reported that WWE confiscated a fan’s sign reading ‘Give Dana Brooke A Chance.’

    H/T – POST Wrestling

  • Joel Embiid Keeps Up The DX Crotch Chop Celebration Despite Past NBA Fine

    Joel Embiid Keeps Up The DX Crotch Chop Celebration Despite Past NBA Fine

    NBA players may get paid to play a game for a living, but it’s serious business to the powers that be. Joel Embiid has already been slapped with a fine for celebrating like DX, and he’s not stopping.

    Joel Embiid’s Crotch Chopping History

    WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H previously extended an invitation to Joel Embiid for WrestleMania 40 following the NBA star’s fine for performing D-Generation X’s signature taunt. He laid down a crotch chop, just like a DX member; and while it captured headlines, the NBA didn’t dig it.

    The Philadelphia 76ers player laid down D-Generation X’s signature crotch chop during a game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 29th. Subsequently, it was revealed that the Cameroonian player received a $35,000 fine for this action. This is what caused Triple H to extend his invitation.

    Joel Embiid Is At It Again

    Embiid, who is well-known for his expressive on-court celebrations, once again made headlines as he led the Philadelphia 76ers to victory against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. In a standout performance, Embiid contributed significantly to the win, scoring an impressive 41 points.

    As the game reached its decisive moments in the fourth quarter, Embiid added to the excitement by making a midrange jumper and drawing a foul in the process.

    That is when Embiid directed a playful taunt towards the opposing team, signaling them to “suck it.” The DX crotch chop came back, and we can only imagine that the NBA will take action with another fine. We have to assume that Triple H will hear about that if it happens.

    DX owned up to putting countless kids in detention during their run as a stable in WWE’s Attitude Era. Emulating the “suck it’ taunt may appear fun on television, but it doesn’t fly with teachers. It’s also a good idea to keep the gesture off the NBA court, but Joel Embiid didn’t get that memo.

  • Lexis King Was Excited About Dropping The Brian Pillman Jr Name For WWE NXT

    WWE has a few second and third generation Superstar on their roster. They even have a fourth generation in Ava, but there is only one Lexis King. He came to WWE NXT by way of AEW, but there are no hard feelings about anything that he experienced along the way to get him here.

    Brian Pillman Harbors No Ill-Will Toward AEW

    Lexis King mentioned experiencing self-doubt during his time in AEW, clarifying that he harbors no negative sentiments towards the company. King, formerly known as Brian Pillman Jr., operated under his real name while in AEW and has since transitioned to WWE, joining the NXT roster. During an interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, King discussed a significant turnaround in his career while in NXT. He emphasized that any uncertainty about his work stemmed from his own concerns rather than any shortcomings on AEW’s part.

    When it comes to AEW, Lexis King is not holding onto any sour grapes, because he had a lot of experiences while being paid very well by AEW.

    “There’s no ill will. But it’s sort of just that mindset. You know, I’ve put myself in that mindset. Nobody else put me in that; I put myself in that mindset of, ‘What’s going on here?’ Sort of that self-doubt. And then I kept grinding … I moved back home. I kept grinding, going to the local school, trying to find out what makes me tick as a performer. And just the experience [of] living there. The experience traveling with AEW made me the performer I am today.”

    Brian Pillman Jr Opens Up About Becoming Lexis King

    Some might have assumed that Lexis King may not be 100% thrilled about giving up the Brian Pillman Jr name. After all, that is his actual name. On the contrary, King is happy to have a chance to live out one of his pro wrestling fantasies, as he has his own name now.

    “I don’t wanna get into it, but it is my name, so when I go there, I was like, ‘hi, I’m Brian Pillman Jr,’ yada yada yada. Then they gave me the whole ‘you can’t keep your name’ kinda talk, and I was like, ‘well, I don’t wanna make it seem like that’s a bad thing,’ which it’s not. “

    “You know, coming into it, I always fantasized about having my own wrestler name. Because my whole career I’ve had his name. My whole life I’ve had someone else’s name. I’ve been walking around with someone else’s name. Brian Pillman is a name that my father made, he made that name on his own. There’s not much I can add to it.”

    The Lexis King Name Holds Personal Significance To Brian Pillman Jr

    Brian Pillman Jr.’s WWE ring name, Lexis King, holds significant personal meaning for him. The name Lexis is derived from Alexis, his half-sister who tragically passed away in a car accident. 

    His last name King is connected to his mother, Melanie Pillman, who previously went by the last name King. Melanie Pillman faced challenges with drug addiction before her passing last year. Additionally, King is the last name of his sister, Skylar King.

  • Dakota Kai Clears The Air About Her In-Ring Return From Injury

    Dakota Kai Clears The Air About Her In-Ring Return From Injury

    Dakota Kai has been recovering from a torn ACL since last May, but some fans may not realize she is injured by the amount of screen time she gets in WWE. She recently shared an update on her recovery progress. 

    Dakota Kai Speaks on her Injury

    Despite being part of the Damage CTRL stable and making appearances on television with her stablemates, Dakota Kai is only cleared to stand at ringside during matches. Some fans mistakenly believed she was already cleared for in-ring action.

    During a recent Twitch stream, Kai clarified that although she can move normally, she hasn’t received the necessary medical clearance. Currently, she is still waiting on the green light for her return to the ring.

    In the meantime, Dakota Kai is really enjoying all the time she’s having with Damage CTRL on WWE television. 

    “I’m so sick of seeing people saying, ‘She can run and jump, but she’s not cleared still? No, that’s not how this works. Obviously, I can run and jump because I’ve been doing it for the last few months, but they have a set date for when you actually get cleared because I have to still do matches, and they have to check all the boxes of when I’m actually cleared. I’m not going to be in a wheelchair for nine months and then suddenly stand up and go, ‘I’m cured.’ That’s not how it works.”

    How Dakota Kai Was Injured

    On the May 12th episode of SmackDown, Dakota Kai and Bayley faced defeat in their Women’s Tag Team Championship match against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Both Kai and Morgan sustained injuries during the match, with Kai tearing her ACL and Morgan injuring her shoulder. 

    Kai reappeared physically for the first time at SummerSlam, celebrating Sky’s WWE Women’s Championship victory. Subsequently, Kai has consistently taken on a managerial role for Damage CTRL until she receives medical clearance for in-ring competition.

  • Chelsea Green’s 8-Year Saga To Attain Green Card Comes To An End

    Chelsea Green’s 8-Year Saga To Attain Green Card Comes To An End

    WWE Superstars must travel the world for their job, but that is very hard to pull off without proper documentation. Now, Chelsea Green can rest easy, because she has a very important piece of paperwork locked down.

    Chelsea Green’s Green Card.

    Chelsea Green returned to WWE since last year’s Royal Rumble after Triple H re-signed her. She has achieved notable milestones in the past year, as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with multiple partners in the same reign.

    Green now has another reason to celebrate, because she has successfully obtained her green card. This was quite an adventure of patience, because she waited for 8 years.

    The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion logged onto Twitter/X, where she revealed that her green card issues are now over.

    ”Only my fellow expats understand the stress of the immigration system… I am so relieved to say after 8 years, 5 pro wrestling companies & 4 visas, I finally have my green card!”

    What is a Green Card?

    Chelsea Green has been vocal about her visa issues, with reports indicating her prolonged wait for the green card dating back to September 2022. Thankfully, travel restrictions and green card issues will no longer be an issue for the former Hot Mess. A green card is a vital piece of documentation for many.

    A green card is a document that allows someone who’s not a U.S. citizen to live and work in the United States permanently. It’s like a proof or authorization, given by the government, that you have the right to reside and be employed in the country.

    People usually apply for a green card for various reasons, like family reunification, employment opportunities, or seeking refuge. Once someone has a green card, they’re considered a permanent resident, which means you can stay in the U.S. indefinitely. That being said, Chelsea Green isn’t leaving the United States. Her husband, Matt Cardona, is probably very happy about that fact. 

  • Lexis King Opens Up About His “Enlightening” Experience With John Cena

    Lexis King Opens Up About His “Enlightening” Experience With John Cena

    Lexis King goes by a new name, but John Cena made it clear you make your own name in pro wrestling.

    King, real name Brian Pillman Jr., made his WWE debut at NXT Halloween Havoc and revealed in a new interview with Chris Van Vliet that John Cena came down to visit the roster down in Orlando, FL.

    “He actually came and did a seminar with us at the PC. I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll see what’s going on.’ I’m so glad I went. It was the most enlightening…it wasn’t just little questions that people would ask. We were getting into it. We were talking about contract negotiations and all this different stuff. It was amazing, the amount of questions we were able to ask and get answered.”

    King, however, noted about the one very intriguing piece of advice Cena gave to the the hopeful future WWE Superstars sitting under his learning tree.

    “One of the coolest things he said was, ‘You can’t control the booking and who is wearing what belt, but you can be the best version of said character.’”

    Cena told the NXT roster that he believes it not to be beneficial to pitch ideas to WWE as they have a staff for doing that. Just focusing on the character you’re given to portray is key. 

    King noted that in AEW he made successful pitches to the company, but he won’t do it again while in WWE. He also opened up about how he really questioned his own value in wrestling while apart of the AEW roster.

    Please credit Chris Van Vliet and h/t to Fightful for the transcription.

  • Triple H Sends Public ‘Thank You’ To WWE Talent & Crew After Pulling Off RAW Despite Terrible Winter Weather

    Triple H Sends Public ‘Thank You’ To WWE Talent & Crew After Pulling Off RAW Despite Terrible Winter Weather

    WWE runs their live RAW all year, and this week’s episode in Little Rock, Arkansas was challenging, because the weather was not on their side. Now, Triple H has spoken out about how well his team was able to pivot due to the weather.

    Triple H Thanks His Crew

    Numerous challenges arose for WWE talent over the past 24 hours concerning flights and weather for talents. Some individuals were unable to fly and had to resort to driving to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the show, while others found themselves stranded at airports.

    Triple H jumped on Twitter/X to send out a public thank you. He commended his staff for the amazing job that they do, as they made RAW happen in the middle of such terrible weather.

    “I can’t say enough about the amazing job our talent, crew and staff did these last few days. Through winter storms, blizzards and incredibly tough travel, they did what needed to be done to put on a show for the @WWEUniverse… which included completely redesigning #WWERaw on less than 24 hours’ notice. They really are the best in the business. To put it simply, I couldn’t be more proud or grateful.”

    Triple H highlighted their noteworthy efforts in dealing with winter storms, blizzards, and challenging travel conditions. Despite facing these obstacles, the team worked tirelessly to ensure the continuation of the show for the WWE Universe. 

    WWE Had To Re-Design RAW Set This Week

    That quick-thinking required the rapid redesign of the WWE Raw setup with less than 24 hours’ notice. Triple H is obviously proud of his crew for pulling off such a feat. It’s also a good thing they had a backup stage available.

  • R-Truth winning over Finn Balor and the Judgment Day with bags full of cash

    R-Truth is finding creative ways to prove to Damian Priest, Finn Balor, Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio that he can be an indispensable member of the Judgement Day.

    Truth has been on a mission to become a full-fledged member of the faction despite most of the group’s dismissals. However, that could change in storyline after the former two-time WWE United States Champion has shown that he is a money-maker.

    On the January 15 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, Priest had a backstage segment with Truth ahead of their tag team match. The man currently in possession of the Men’s Money In The Bank briefcase confronted Truth about selling one of his new collaborative t-shirts with Judgement Day. However, the former WWE United States Champion calmed his concerns when he gave Priest a stack of cash from the proceeds.

    Truth also noted that everyone in the group would get a cut of the profits and that he made a new collaborative t-shirt for ‘Tom and Nick Mysterio.’

    WWE has released new merchandise on the WWE Shop called “The Judgment Day & R-Truth Three Amigos T-Shirt,” featuring Truth and “Dirty Dom” for $32.99. This marks the third t-shirt since the storyline between Truth and Judgement Day began, which may show the success of their collaboration. 

    Finn Balor Very Happy With R-Truth Selling T-Shirts

    Later in the show, Truth teamed with The Miz to take on Priest and Balor. Before it could start, Truth gave Balor and Mysterio a handful of $100 to share the success of their t-shirt sales. It’s worth noting that McDonagh, who was at ringside, didn’t get anything because, in the storyline, he lost his spot in the group to Truth.

    Judgment Day would defeat the “babyfaces” after Priest landed South Of Heaven on Truth. Despite giving them issues, both Balor and Mysterio were elated after the match and thankful for Truth.

    In a Twitter post, Balor shared a backstage video of himself and Mysterio looking at the money that Truth gave them. While expressing their happiness, Mysterio mentioned that McDonagh didn’t get his money cut. 

    Balor responded, “He don’t deserve a cut. His name is not on the shirt.” While that comment could be in jest, this could lead to more implications for the group.

    Will Judgement Day accept R-Truth?

    In the tag team match, WWE fans noticed Priest was unhappy after landing the South Of Heaven on Truth. In the backstage segment between them, he noted that the rest of the group was not thrilled with Truth’s antics. As the former WWE United States Champion becomes more involved with the faction, this could lead to internal issues between Judgement Day.

    McDonagh is already having issues with Truth, but Mysterio and Balor may also get fed up with the ongoing antics. This could lead to Priest being put on the spot to handle Truth, and he may be conflicted. The group has had issues, but this longtime WWE veteran could be the catalyst for Judgement Day finally butting heads. 

    Currently, it seems the group will continue trying to get along with Truth as he shows his worth. However, it seems only a matter of time before something will push them too far. 

  • R-Truth: I Like Being Funny, the 24/7 Championship Was My Playground

    R-Truth: I Like Being Funny, the 24/7 Championship Was My Playground

    WWE’s 24/7 Championship may not have been to everyone’s taste, but R-Truth had a blast defending the unique piece of gold. 

    The 24/7 Championship was introduced in 2019 and was immediately met with negative responses from fans who took issue with the design. Shortly after however, the title would become a highlight of WWE programming with various comedy segments leading to title changes. After a while though, the momentum would die down and the title would become less relevant on programming. 

    R-Truth on the 24/7 Championship

    R-Truth would become synonymous with the 24/7 Championship, as he’d have more reigns and hold the title for longer than anyone else on the roster. Speaking on the Busted Open Radio podcast, Truth recalled being approached about the title and the initial response from fans. 

    “They gave me a call. They called me and said ‘Hey, they want you to go to SmackDown.’ No, I was on SmackDown as a matter of fact, they want you to go to Raw and do a backstage promo. Didn’t tell me what it was. When I got to Raw. I saw Mick [Foley] pull that thing out of the bag like that right. And everybody said that thing was ugly. Everybody thought it was ugly. Nobody even liked it. It had a different look, we’re gonna say that. It just looked different.”

    Despite the backlash, Truth had no issue with the title as he’s always relished in flexing his comedic chops. 

    “I like laughing I like being funny. And y’all give me an opportunity to make things funny. That was just my playground right that moment. All the things myself, the writers was coming up with was just like, we [were] just hitting home runs. There was no rules when it came to 24/7 title man. If it was rules, we broke them all and I think people were just loving that.”

    The 24/7 Championship was retired in late 2022 in a decision by Triple H. The title’s end saw Nikki Cross (nearly) throw it in a trash can. 

  • Kofi Kingston update following after Xavier Woods’ return on Raw

    The January 15 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw gave fans an update on Kofi Kingston’s status. On the January 8 episode of the show, Kingston was attacked by Ludwig Kaiser, resulting in him being injured. WWE Commentator Michael Cole revealed on this past WWE Monday Night Raw that the former WWE Champion is expected to be out for a few weeks. 

    Cole shared that Kingston’s injury was a “Cervical neck sprain and an AC sprain.” It’s unclear if these injuries are legitimate or a part of a storyline. Both injuries would seemingly rule out Kingston’s involvement in the WWE Royal Rumble on January 27. 

    That said, his partner Xavier Woods made his return and wants to get revenge for Kingston. Woods faced Kaiser on the January 15 episode and lost by disqualification after The New Day member hit him with a chair. They continued to brawl after the match, with Woods getting the better of the exchange.

     In a backstage interview with Byron Sexton, the former King Of The Ring Winner tried to explain his actions but was attacked from behind by Kaiser. Before the Imperium member could continue, Jey Uso appeared to stop the assault. 

    For two weeks, Uso helped Kingston in his feud against the Imperium (Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci). Since Vinci and Kingston are out with an injury, this could lead to Uso and WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther being more involved in the storyline. 

    What Could Be Next In The Storyline?

    Although Woods is looking to get revenge on Kaiser for Kingston, Uso could soon set his sights on Gunther’s championship. “The Ring General” has looked unbeatable since winning the title on the June 10, 2022, episode of WWE Friday Night Smackdown. He has successfully defended the title 19 times and would be looking for new challengers. 

     Uso’s involvement in the storyline with Kingston and Woods may provide WWE a way to transition to him challenging the WWE Intercontinental Champion. Since moving to WWE Monday Night Raw, Uso has been showing that he can stand on his own without his family, and it would solidify his decision by potentially winning the title.

    For Woods, his ongoing feud with Kaiser may lead to the return of both Kingston and Vinci in a few weeks. The company could decide to have a featured tag team match between The New Day(Kingston & Woods) and Imperium (Kaiser & Vinci) within the next few months. 

    While the storyline seems to point in this direction, WWE has plenty of options. Regardless, it doesn’t seem the company has a plan for everyone involved, which may lead to big matches heading into the “Road To WrestleMania.”

  • WWE Superstars Experience Travel Nightmare Due To Winter Weather

    WWE Superstars Experience Travel Nightmare Due To Winter Weather

    WWE RAW took place in Little Rock, Arkansas this week, but now Superstars need to get home. The weather is not helping them out one bit.

    WWE Superstars Having Travel Nightmare

    Johnny Gargano previously mentioned that he, along with Tommaso Ciampa, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell, faced travel issues due to widespread weather problems across a significant part of the United States. Snow is accumulating all over, leaving many stranded. WWE Superstars have places to go, so they need to make arrangements.

    According to PW Insider, numerous challenges arose in the past 24 hours concerning flights and weather for talents. Some individuals were unable to fly and had to resort to driving to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the show, while others found themselves stranded at airports.

    WWE Made More Changes To RAW Set Due To Winter Weather

    In addition, WWE implemented substantial changes to their Raw stage and lighting setup around the ring. It was a nice change, one that was welcomed by fans.

    The report also highlighted that many wrestlers are currently grappling with flight-related problems as they attempt to return home. Some are opting to drive to alternative cities in the hopes of improving their chances of reaching their destinations.

  • Carmelo Hayes Returns To Action On 1/16 WWE NXT After Injury Scare

    Carmelo Hayes Returns To Action On 1/16 WWE NXT After Injury Scare

    WWE prioritizes the safety of its talent, particularly in the current scrutinized environment. In the episode of SmackDown on January 12th, a match had to be abruptly called off due to a botched spot.

    Update On Carmelo Hayes

    WWE SmackDown last week witnessed Austin Theory facing off against Carmelo Hayes, but their match concluded prematurely, raising concerns among viewers about the unexpected turn of events. Currently, it seems that Carmelo may not have fully recovered from the incident.

    Tonight’s episode of NXT on the USA Network features a packed card with various matchups, including a scheduled bout involving Carmelo Hayes. However, there is uncertainty regarding his participation alongside Trick Williams.

    The apprehension stems from Carmelo Hayes’ recent SmackDown match against Austin Theory, where an unfortunate move led to Theory landing on his head, and Hayes also had an awkward landing.

    Austin Theory is presently undergoing medical protocol, and according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Carmelo Hayes’ status for this week’s NXT is questionable. Meltzer stated, “So Hayes, as of today, was questionable for that match. Yeah, I mean, they weren’t sure one way or the other if he was going to be able to do it.”

    Austin Theory’s Status

    Austin Theory is also reportedly under medical protocol after that botched spot on SmackDown. As we exclusively noted, the referee in that match was worried about both competitors. He was also praised for ending the match early.

    WWE NXT January 16th, 2024 Lineup:

    • NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender Battle Royal (Final Four Becomes Fatal Four-Way Match)
    • Latino World Order (Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro) vs. Chase U (Duke Hudson & Riley Osborne) Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round Match
    • Carmelo Hayes (Questionable) & Trick Williams vs. Edris Enofe & Malik Blade Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic First Round Match
    • Lyra Valkyria & Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice & Elektra Lopez
    • Joe Coffey vs. Ridge Holland
    • Obe Femi will break his silence as NXT North American Champion

    Update On Carmelo Hayes:

    Hayes showed up to compete alongside against Edris Enofe and Malik Blade in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. In the end, Williams and Hayes won their match to advance further in the 2024 tournament. 

  • Jinder Mahal Really Regrets Spending So Much On A World Heavyweight Title Celebration

    Jinder Mahal Really Regrets Spending So Much On A World Heavyweight Title Celebration

    Jinder Mahal is likely hoping he can get a refund for all the extra Pyro he ordered after this week’s Monday Night Raw didn’t go his way. 

    In the main event, Rollins retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Jinder Mahal in a hard-fought match for both men. The bout had one of the biggest ‘big fight feels’ fans have seen in some time, thanks in part to Tony Khan’s recent outburst.

    The match saw plenty of creative add-ons that made a title change look possible, with Indus Sher providing backup for Mahal. Mr. Money in the Bank Damian Priest would also make his presence felt at ringside but was neutralized by Drew McIntyre. 

    Jinder Mahal Reacts

    Mahal didn’t shock the world for the second time on this week’s Raw, and was left with some buyer’s remorse after the match. On Twitter, Mahal regretted ordering a ton of pyro for his championship celebration. 

    Mahal won’t be celebrating this week, but had he won the World Heavyweight Championship, it would’ve gone something like this. 

    World Heavyweight Title in Jeopardy

    Seth Rollins retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, but his reign could be in serious jeopardy. Rollins is believed to have suffered an injury during this week’s main event match. The Architect was helped to the back after the match and was seen limping. Rollins will undergo an MRI to examine the extent of this potential injury. WWE has not given a statement on Rollins’ condition at this time. 

    Seth Rollins’ beef with CM Punk isn’t just for the WWE cameras… 

  • Seth Rollins Scheduled For MRI After Possible Injury On 1/15 WWE RAW

    Seth Rollins put it all on the line as he defended the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Jinder Mahal on RAW this week. Then, the Visionary was apparently injured during the match. Now we have an update, as we wait for official word on his condition. 

    Seth Rollins’ Current Injury Situation 

    Earlier reports indicated a potential injury to Seth Rollins’ left leg during the match. Despite the apparent setback, Rollins completed the match. It was later mentioned that he managed to put weight on the injured leg backstage.

    While discussing Seth Rollins’ injury status on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided insights into the situation. Meltzer mentioned that Seth Rollins is scheduled for an MRI to assess the extent of the injury, determining whether it is a serious concern or a minor issue.

    “I just know he’s getting an MRI. Then we will find out. Basically, I was told it could be something minor, or it could be something worse. We won’t know until the MRI result comes back.”

    What’s Next For Seth Rollins

    It was noted that this “could be a bad time if he’s out for a couple of months, really, really bad.” At this time, we do not know how long Seth Rollins will be out of action, but he has a history of knee issues in the past.

    Rollins would miss WrestleMania if he needs to be out of action for three months at this point. As of this writing, it is a waiting game to see how bad his injury is.

    Seth Rollins does not have a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match scheduled for the Royal Rumble on January 27th yet. We will have updates on his condition as they are made available. 

  • Bayley Was Shocked by CM Punk’s Return, Thought AJ Lee Would’ve Said Something

    Bayley Was Shocked by CM Punk’s Return, Thought AJ Lee Would’ve Said Something

    Bayley was as shocked as the WWE Universe to see CM Punk return to WWE, as her friend/mentor AJ Lee gave no hints leading up to the show.

    Punk made his shocking return to WWE in the closing moments of Survivor Series: WarGames 2023, which took place in Punk’s hometown of Chicago, IL. The event marked Punk’s first time appearing in front of a WWE crowd since walking out of the company following the 2014 Royal Rumble pay-per-view. The show also marked Punk’s first appearance at a wrestling event following his firing from AEW in September.

    Bayley on CM Punk’s Return

    WWE went to great measures to keep CM Punk’s return to WWE under wraps. In a recent interview with the New York Post, Bayley recalled her reaction and the atmosphere backstage.

    “Someone has it on film somewhere, I’m watching the monitor and his music hit, I frick’n went crazy. I’m like, no way did they actually do this. I ran into Gorilla [position] to go say hi to him and he was so happy.”

    The Damage CTRL member admitted that she was extra surprised as she keeps in contact with Punk’s wife AJ Lee, who had kept mum on the return of her husband.

    “I didn’t text her [before]. Everybody reads online, but I was like there’s no way. This is crazy…  And I was like, wait, no, it’s not gonna happen. He would have said something. She would have said something.”

    Bayley on AJ Lee Returning

    With CM Punk a WWE Superstar again, fans are buzzing over the possibility of AJ Lee returning to the ring. In the interview, Bayley shared her own excitement that the former Divas Champion could lace up her boots again. 

    “He gives me the best hugs. He’s like, ‘This one’s from me. This one’s from April.’ It’s nice to have him there but it makes me want her around. So I’m like, ‘Hey what’s up? What are you doing? Are you gonna hang out with us?’ ‘Sorry, I’m watching [our dog] Larry’”

    What’s Next?

    Punk will make his televised in-ring return later this month as part of the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. Bayley will be part of the Women’s Royal Rumble match. Neither Superstar has won a Rumble match to date. The WWE 2024 Royal Rumble event will take place at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. 

    Would Bayley let AJ Lee win the Women’s Royal Rumble match… 

  • Watch: What Happened With Seth Rollins After Raw Went Off Air

    Watch: What Happened With Seth Rollins After Raw Went Off Air

    Seth Rollins was in good spirit and cheering the fans on, but clearly hurt from his match after this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw on USA Network.

    This week’s episode of the red branded show was centered around the Architect defending his title against Jinder Mahal. This match had been the center of attention for wrestling fans all week after Tony Khan’s latest Twitter tirade.

    There were a lot of moving parts in this bout that was also the main event of the show. Jinder was accompanied by Indus Sher for this opportunity while Damian Priest also came out with his Money In The Bank Briefcase.

    Seth Rollins managed to overcome the defying odds in the end, however. After Drew McIntyre attacked Priest and Indus Sher were sent back by the referee, the Visionary defeated Mahal to retain his title.

    The show went off air soon after the bell rang but Seth remained in the ring for a while. He cut a promo referencing the cold weather that forced WWE to change the set for tonight’s Raw. Rollins finally thanked the fans for coming to the show.

    While the WWE World Heavyweight Champion was in good spirits after the show, reports have confirmed that he did hurt his knee during the match with The Maharaja. You can check out more about it here.

  • Becky Lynch is Coming for Rhea Ripley, the Women’s World Title & WrestleMania 40

    Becky Lynch is Coming for Rhea Ripley, the Women’s World Title & WrestleMania 40

    Becky Lynch plans on making history at the upcoming Royal Rumble PLE and has her sights set on a WrestleMania showdown with Rhea Ripley. 

    On this week’s Raw, Rhea Ripley spoke about the upcoming Women’s Royal Rumble match. Ripley said that whichever woman wins the match shouldn’t waste their opportunity by challenging her for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 40. 

    This brought out Lynch, who was declared for the Women’s Rumble match during the WWE 2024 Preview Special earlier this month. Lynch vowed to make history by becoming the first two-time winner of the Women’s Royal Rumble match. Lynch also made it clear that if when she wins, she’ll challenge Ripley at WrestleMania 40. Ripley seemed amused by the idea and said she’s rooting for Lynch to win. 

    Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley

    Arguably WWE’s two most popular women on the roster at this time, Lynch and Ripley have shared the ring as adversaries on five occasions. Their first match was on the November 20, 2019, edition of WWE NXT and ended in a no-contest. The most recent match between the two was at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2022. In the titular structure, Lynch, alongside Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Mia Yim, and Bianca Belair, defeated Ripley, Nikki Cross, Bayley, Dakota Kai, and IYO SKY. 

    This week’s Raw isn’t the first time Lynch has made it clear she wants Ripley. Last month, The Man said that she was sick and tired of the Australian’s lengthy title run. 

    WWE Royal Rumble 2024

    Here is the card as it stands for the 2024 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event

    • Men’s Royal Rumble match (Confirmed entrants: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, GUNTHER)
    • Women’s Royal Rumble match (Confirmed entrants: Bayley, Nia Jax, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair)
    • Roman Reigns (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight (Undisputed WWE Universal Championship)
    • Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens (WWE United States Championship)

    Don’t expect to see Becky Lynch in any other wrestling promotion… 

  • CM Punk Reacts to GUNTHER’s Rumble Declaration with Infamous AEW Star’s Tweet

    CM Punk Reacts to GUNTHER’s Rumble Declaration with Infamous AEW Star’s Tweet

    CM Punk had quite the reaction to GUNTHER’s declaration on this week’s Raw, in a post that poked fun at a current AEW star. 

    On this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw, GUNTHER returned from a brief hiatus and declared that he will be in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match. The Austrian is already being considered a favorite after his impressive outing last year, which saw him be the final man eliminated. GUNTHER broke the record for time in a 30-person Rumble match and was praised by Triple H for his efforts. 

    CM Punk Responds

    With GUNTHER’s impressive run on the main roster, CM Punk is keeping an eye on the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion. On Instagram, Punk reacted to GUNTHER’s declaration, saying if what he’s heard is real, it’s going to be a tough time for the 28 other Superstars in the match other than himself and GUNTHER. 

    Punk’s comment is a nod to the infamous tweet by Keith Lee that he sent in early 2022 about the Austrian. Following reports that WWE would be changing the name of WALTER to GUNTHER, Lee had the following to say. 

    The tweet has become a meme among fans given GUNTHER’s exceptional tenure on the main roster. In contrast, many have felt that Lee’s tenure with AEW has been far from groundbreaking, with many believing he is being wasted in the promotion. 

    The 2024 Royal Rumble Matches: Who’s In? 

    GUNTHER and Punk are just two names confirmed for the Men’s Royal Rumble match. The pair are joined by Bobby Lashley, who like Punk and GUNTHER is yet to win a Rumble match. Former winners Cody Rhodes (2023), Drew McIntyre (2020), and Shinsuke Nakamura (2018) have also been confirmed for the match. 

    On the women’s side of things, Bayley and Nia Jax are hoping to win their first Royal Rumble matches. Bianca Belair, the winner of the 2021 Rumble, and Becky Lynch, who stood tall in 2019, hope to make history by becoming the first two-time Women’s Royal Rumble match winner.

    Could WWE be on course to a highly-physical match at WrestleMania 40… 

  • Why Did WWE Change the Stage for This Week’s Monday Night Raw?

    Why Did WWE Change the Stage for This Week’s Monday Night Raw?

    This week’s Raw looked far different than what fans are used to seeing, but the decision to change the stage wasn’t entirely the company’s call. 

    The January 15, 2024, edition of Monday Night Raw saw the red brand continue toward the Royal Rumble PLE on January 27. The show saw the return of GUNTHER and Xavier Woods, while Becky Lynch vowed to win the Women’s Royal Rumble match and face Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40. 

    In the main event of the show, Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Jinder Mahal. There had been a lot of buzz going into the match, thanks in part to Tony Khan’s outburst on social media about the booking of Mahal. While Rollins retained the title, the Architect was seemingly hurt during the match and had to be assisted backstage. 

    Reason for Raw’s Staging Change

    This week’s Raw saw the use of a new stage which was far different from what the WWE Universe is used to seeing. While some suspected that this was merely a cosmetic change, the move was one made of necessity. The Wrestling Classic reports that WWE had to ground rig everything for Raw, as there was a risk that attaching the usual stage to the ceiling would prove to be too much pressure. 

    The show took place at the Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, which has been hit hard by recent weather. There was a concern that the traditional stage hung from the ceiling, in addition to the heavy snow on the roof of the venue, would have made the venue unsafe for fans.