SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • What Happened With Drew McIntyre After SmackDown Went Off Air

    WWE Raw star Drew McIntyre made a surprise appearance on this week’s episode of SmackDown and picked up an impressive victory after the show went off the air.

    The first SmackDown of 2024 was an eventful show with a number of big developments. This included Kevin Owens defeating Santos Escobar to become the #1 contender for Logan Paul’s US title.

    The main event of the show was a triple threat match among AJ Styles, Randy Orton and LA Knight to determine the #1 contender for Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble.

    All three of these men were committed to earning a shot at the glory of defeating The Tribal Chief. The very physical match between them even led to Knight getting busted open the hard way during a spot.

    What Happened After SmackDown

    The match however ended without a winner when The Bloodline attacked all three participants. Nick Aldis then revealed that Reigns will now have to face all three of these competitors in a fatal four way at the upcoming PLE.

    The broadcast ended with The Bloodline standing tall in the ring but the night was far from over. Fans got to see not one but three dark matches after this bout.

    The first two dark matches after the show ended saw Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley picking respective victories over Chelsea Green and Ivy Nile.

    The third and final dark match was between Drew McIntyre and Ricochet. The One and Only showed some impressive moves but McIntyre ended up picking the victory after delivering Claymore.

  • WWE Offers NXT Deal To Former Top NWA Star

    WWE Offers NXT Deal To Former Top NWA Star

    WWE appears to be also busy in free agency.

    AEW President Tony Khan made clear on a couple of occassions that he planned to be very active in pro wrestling free agency, but WWE has confirmed to be contact with a top independent talent.

    PWInsider is reporting that WWE has reached out to former NWA Worlds Women Champion Kamille and offered her a NXT contract.

    Kamille first entered into the NWA as Nick Aldis’ “insurance policy” enforcer before she ended up becoming an unprecedented women’s champion, holding the title for over 800 days before she dropped the belt to Kenzie Paige

    Kamille is one of the rare women wrestling stars that rivals the look and presentation of Jade Cargill, who WWE notoriously signed a deal with the company last year. 

    Cargill has made several appearances on WWE programming since signing, but she also has focused her attention on improving her skills at the WWE Performance Center and hasn’t been since in months.

    Other Women Free Agents WWE Has Interest In

    Kamille isn’t the only name that WWE apparently wants to scoop up. The former champ joins the likes of Giulia, a top women’s star in NJPW who WWE reportedly has massive interest in.

    However, WWE also has interest in two major names with previous ties to the company. It’s being reported that Trinity Fatu, the current TNA Knockouts Champion, is expected to re-sign with WWE once her contract expires, which appears imminent.

    As for her former tag partner, Mercedes Mone, WWE does want to re-sign her, but there is no word as of yet if they’re close to a deal or where the former Sasha Banks may land.

  • AOP Returns to WWE, Forms new faction with Karrion Kross

    AOP Returns to WWE, Forms new faction with Karrion Kross

    WWE brought New Year’s Revolution for fans on SmackDown on January 5th. The show also marked the return of a pair of former Tag Team Champions.

    AOP Returns To WWE

    During WWE SmackDown this week, Akam and Rezar made their long-awaited return to WWE television. This went down in Vancouver, and fans were very excited to witness WWE history first-hand.

    The Authors of Pain were paired up with Karrion Kross and Scarlett. They will battle Bobby Lashley and the Street Profit’s new trio to start things out for themselves in the WWE landscape once again.

    AOP made their return during SmackDown, as they interrupted a promo from Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits. After revealing Paul Ellering on the entrance ramp, Akam and Rezar laid waste to Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits. Karrion Kross then joined them in the ring to finish Lashley off.

    The segment concluded with Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits laid out in the middle of the ring. Karrion Kross and the newly returned AOP stood tall.

    Who are AOP?

    Authors of Pain achieved the WWE NXT Tag Team Championship once, and also secured the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship on one occasion. Additionally, they clinched the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in 2016.

    Hints About AOP’s WWE Return

    Hints about the Authors of Pain’s return to WWE have been impossible to avoid at this point. Akam and Rezar were teased to join Karrion Kross.

    AOP’s return is a long time coming, as rumors of their comeback have been going around for a while. Now they are back on WWE television, so Triple H can book them in his vision. 

  • Matt Riddle Has No Hard Feelings Over His WWE Release

    Matt Riddle Has No Hard Feelings Over His WWE Release

    WWE released Matt Riddle from his contract in September 2023, and that 90-day non-compete clause is already over. He experienced a lot during his time in the company, and it doesn’t seem that there are any sour grapes at this time.

    Matt Riddle Speaks On His WWE Release

    Matt Riddle is already getting his name out there, one that WWE was gracious enough not to change during his run with the company. In addition to his marijuana endeavors, Riddle is also taking bookings. 

    Although some former WWE Superstars aren’t fans of the company, and they’re not shy about saying so, Matt Riddle is not burning that bridge. The Original Bro is not bitter at all about his WWE release, and he made that crystal clear.

    Matt Riddle opened up to FOX News about his WWE release. He harbors no hard feelings after he was cut from WWE, and he seems that things happen for a reason. 

    “No, I have no hard feelings. And I would just say, with WWE, they run a ship, they run it a certain way, and when you work for WWE, everything you do is under a magnifying glass. It doesn’t matter if you did anything wrong, if you did something right, if it was in between, it’s perception.” “And the WWE, unfortunately, if a situation happens, and they don’t like the perception, they make their decision.”

    “But I’m not going to argue with them. That’s their company. I don’t run it. I just worked there. I’m thankful that they gave me the time that they did and that’s all I can say.  I have zero hard feelings. I don’t know if I can say that for them. They might have some hard feelings, but I feel like they’re pretty professional. They’re more about that paper, that money. So, I don’t think there’s any hard feelings. I mean, they did have to pay me for three months when I didn’t work. That was on them. They fired me.”

    Matt Riddle’s Future After WWE Release

    WWE’s decision to terminate Matt Riddle’s contract surprised many fans, but it was prompted by a series of incidents that strained his relationship with the company. He exhausted multiple opportunities with upper management, and even those who had previously defended him could no longer do so.

    Matt Riddle raked up over two dozen different infractions during this time with WWE, especially during the latter half of his main roster run. It got to the point where nobody could save him, and he was fired from the company weeks after he had an inebriated incident at JFK Airport while going home from WWE’s live event in India.

    Matt Riddle is staying busy, and he has a few dates on his schedule. Apart from his MLW bookings, he is also slated for a first-ever encounter with RVD, in Chillicothe, Ohio, which may be a historic meeting of the minds.

  • The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns Could Happen Outside WrestleMania (Report)

    Will The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns, the most anticipated dream match of a generation, take place on a show other than WrestleMania 40? 

    The Brahma Bull returned to WWE programming during this week’s Day 1 edition of Monday Night Raw to an eclectic response from the crowd. WWE had been teasing the return of a former WWE Champion in the days before the show, and after a fakeout with Jinder Mahal, The Rock returned. During his promo, The Rock asked the fans if they’d like to see him as Head of the Table, alluding to taking the spot held by Roman Reigns. Reigns had quite the reaction to his cousin’s threat on social media.

    Not Happening at WrestleMania? 

    With the tease on this week’s Raw, many have predicted that The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns will at long last take place at this year’s WrestleMania. This has come as bad news to fans of Cody Rhodes who hope that his story will be finished this April with a victory over Reigns, something Rhodes failed to do at WrestleMania 39. 

    In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is made clear that everyone in WWE is “tight-lipped” about the possible Rock-Roman showdown. Dave Meltzer noted that the match could happen as soon as WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth. The local government has reportedly requested the Brahma Bull for the February 24 event. 

    There’s also the possibility that the match could happen at one of WWE’s high-profile events in Saudi Arabia. While no dates have been announced, two Saudi events are expected this year. Meltzer noted that the Saudi government pays “ridiculous money” to have high-profile shows. It was added that bringing The Rock in “could possibly negotiate a bonus that would make it the biggest money event in company history.”

  • Liv Morgan’s Felony Possession Charge Dropped, Legal Update

    Liv Morgan was arrested on December 14th, at 6:30 PM for charges including possession of marijuana (under 20 grams), possession of drug equipment, and possession of potentially synthetic cannabinoids. Now, she has one less charge to worry about after hiring an established attorney. 

    Liv Morgan Resolving Legal Issues

    As outlined in Liv Morgan’s arrest report, on December 14th, a Sumter County Deputy approached Morgan’s vehicle, and “the odor of marijuana was detected.” Upon searching Morgan’s vehicle, law enforcement discovered a “small plastic bag containing marijuana” and a vape pen containing “an oil-like substance.” Subsequently, the substance was subjected to testing, confirming it to be marijuana, as detailed in the arrest report.

    According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Liv Morgan has enlisted the services of Jack Goldberger, a prominent criminal defense attorney in Florida. He will help her get out of this legal predicament. 

    Goldberger has already succeeded in having her felony synthetic marijuana charge dismissed, which is a big win for her.

    Regarding Liv Morgan and her arrest a few weeks back, she hired Jack Goldberger, one of the best criminal attorneys in Florida. The state dropped the synthetic marijuana charge which was the felony and transferred the marijuana case to a different division which hasn’t been listed yet. The belief at this point is most likely it will be a misdemeanor charge and most first-time offenders with marijuana in Florida pay a fee of $100, and they’ll drop the charges without anything appearing on her record

    Liv Morgan’s WWE Return

    Liv Morgan’s recent arrest is not anticipated to impact her scheduled WWE return. The company had already finalized plans for her comeback in 2024, and there seems to be no alteration in those arrangements.

    With the Royal Rumble coming up on January 27th, Liv Morgan’s name is a favorite to return. She might have to deal with some strange fan chants in Tropicana Field about marijuana, but that would only make her WWE return more memorable. 

  • Long-Awaited Returns Expected For 1/5 WWE New Year’s Revolution SmackDown

    Long-Awaited Returns Expected For 1/5 WWE New Year’s Revolution SmackDown

    WWE started off 2024 for RAW in a huge way with Day 1. That included The Rock’s return. It is SmackDown’s turn now, as they have New Years Revolution ready to go. That may include a long-awaited return.

    Possible Spoiler for 1/5 WWE SmackDown

    PW Insider reports that Paul Ellering has been spotted in Vancouver, the site of WWE’s New Years Revolution SmackDown. Naturally, an AOP return is expected for tonight’s show.

    WWE Hall of Famer Paul Ellering was spotted in Vancouver this morning. 

    The expectation, as PWInsider.com reported previously several weeks ago, is that he and The Authors of Pain will return to WWE on tonight’s Smackdown as part of an alliance with Karrion Kross and Scarlett.

    Authors of Pain Future in WWE

    Many WWE Fans expect that Karrion Kross will be aligned with the Authors of Pain upon their return. That could be a powerful faction with Kross, Scarlett, Paul Ellering and AOP.

    I was told that Authors of Pain were quietly signed to new deals well over a year ago. It’s been the plan to pair them back up with Paul Ellering as well. That trio was a favorite of Triple H’s, one that Vince McMahon disbanded upon AOP’s entry onto the WWE main roster.

    Vince McMahon wanted someone younger, and an active wrestler, to lead AOP to the ring. That is why Paul Ellering was replaced by Drake Maverick. Now, Ellering is getting back with AOP.

    This week’s SmackDown will be their New Years Revolution show. They have a loaded card planned, which you may find below.

    Second Possible Spoiler For 1/5 WWE SmackDown

    Pretty Deadly has a match against Butch this week on SmackDown. Butch needs to find a partner for that match. It was also noted on PW Insider that Sheamus is expected to fill that slot.

    Sheamus, whose WWE contract expires this year, has been out of action with a shoulder injury. He sat on the sidelines while other members of the Brawling Brutes carries on without him. This week may see the Celtic Warrior’s return.

    WWE SmackDown January 5th New Years Revolution Card:

    • Roman Reigns returns LIVE to SmackDown 
    • AJ Styles, Randy Orton and LA Knight to collide in Triple Threat Match 
    • Kevin Owens battles Santos Escobar in the United States Championship Tournament Final 
    • Logan Paul comes to SmackDown
    • Butch must find a partner to take on Pretty Deadly

  • Released WWE Superstar Has No Plan To Wrestle Again

    WWE’s September releases affected numerous Superstars, and Rick Boogs’ name was on that list. While some released Superstars are already working elsewhere, Boogs doesn’t seem eager to get back in the squared circle.

    Rick Boogs Doesn’t Plan On Wrestling Again

    Recently, Rick Boogs opened up on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, as he shed light on his WWE tenure, the release, and his future endeavors.

    Shinsuke Nakamura’s former guitarist stated that he has no plan to wrestle again. The option is out there for him, and he realizes that, but he seems to have interests elsewhere.

    “No. When I first decided I was going to do wrestling, pursue it, I had to be all in on something. So like, I was doing strength and conditioning stuff, personal training. I was like, if I’m gonna commit to this other endeavor, I just quit my job. I have a wife and a daughter. I just got unemployed for the sake of you know, getting hungry that I really wanted to make it happen, which my wife was not happy about. She was like, ‘Why did you have to quit?’”

    Rick Boogs’ Future After WWE

    In terms of his post-release well-being, Rick Boogs expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming chapter in his life. He mentioned starting a YouTube channel, hinting at the varied directions he’s exploring in this new phase.

    Rick Boogs has previously shared his perspective on Vince McMahon’s departure from his position, viewing it as a significant setback for his own career. Vince McMahon was booking him, but then Boogs didn’t get that same love when the Chairman of the Board left his creative position.

    Despite this, Rick Boogs has multiple skill sets, including his guitar playing ability. He can also hype up just about any crowd you put him in front of.

    Rick Boogs’ future in the ring remains uncertain, leaving room for speculation. You can never say never regarding a return to the ring, especially since so many pro wrestlers have retired only to come back time and time again.

  • Watch: Jade Cargill Trains for WWE In-Ring Debut with WWE & AEW Stars

    Watch: Jade Cargill Trains for WWE In-Ring Debut with WWE & AEW Stars

    It remains unclear when Jade Cargill will make her in-ring debut for WWE, but the ex-AEW star will be ready for when it happens. 

    Cargill signed with WWE in September 2023, shortly after her tenure with AEW came to an end. The former & inaugural AEW TBS Champion made her WWE TV debut on the Fastlane kick-off show and would make appearances on WWE Raw, SmackDown, and WWE NXT. 

    Jade Cargill Trains for WWE Debut

    Jade Cargill has yet to wrestle for WWE, but speculation continues to grow about what’s next for her. Despite her absence from TV, Cargill remains active in the ring. On her Instagram Stories this week, WWE Superstar Natalya shared a video of Jade training for her much-anticipated debut match.

    Cargill wasn’t the only notable name training with Natalya. AEW’s Ricky Starks was also spotted training. Starks has friends in WWE and was infamously spotted backstage at the 2023 Royal Rumble event. WWE’s B-Fab and Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis were also at the training session. On Twitter, Natalya expressed her delight at the training session. 

    What’s Next for Jade Cargill?

    As Triple H made clear during the Survivor Series post-show press conference, WWE will not be rushing plans with Jade Cargill. While Cargill knows what brand she’ll be working with going forward, the former TBS Champion has not confirmed publicly where she’ll be heading. 

    Whatever’s next for Jade Cargill, it likely won’t involve Charlotte Flair. It had been rumored for some time that Flair would be Cargill’s first WWE opponent, especially after an interaction between the two on SmackDown. Unfortunately, Flair suffered an injury last month that will keep her out for much of 2024. The Queen recently thanked fans for their support after undergoing surgery. 

  • WWE Schedule 2024: PPV Dates, Locations and Venues

    WWE Schedule 2024: PPV Dates, Locations and Venues

    WWE will also have international events in Saudi Arabia as part of the promotion’s decade-long agreement with the nation. The dates of these events have yet to be announced, but two will take place in the year ahead.

    2024 is shaping up to be a big a year for the world’s premiere pro wrestling promotion, but they’ve got their work cut out for them if they want to make it their biggest year ever. WWE executive Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque recently touted last year’s record-shattering success:

  • CM Punk: Seth Rollins Wouldn’t Have Gotten The Chance if it Wasn’t For Guys Like Me

    CM Punk: Seth Rollins Wouldn’t Have Gotten The Chance if it Wasn’t For Guys Like Me

    CM Punk is ready for the upcoming Royal Rumble event and hopes a win in the Men’s Rumble match will set him on course for WrestleMania and Seth Rollins. 

    Since his shocking return to WWE at Survivor Series, Punk has proven to be a thorn in Rollins’ side. The reigning World Heavyweight Champion has made it clear why he’s against Punk, who for years would put down WWE in public appearances. Rollins has also been shutting down CM Punk chants at events the Best in the World hasn’t been present for. 

    CM Punk on the Royal Rumble

    After competing on WWE’s record-breaking Holiday Tour, Punk will make his televised return to the ring as part of the Men’s Royal Rumble match on January 27. Speaking on the WWE 2023 Preview Special, Punk shared his mindset going into the match. 

    “It’s just gonna be just like walking out in front of the Chicago audience for Survivor Series. I think there’s a lot of ghosts I’m trying to put to bed, and it’s almost Kismat. You couldn’t write a better story ten years after walking out, my last match was at Royal Rumble. I’m walking back in ten years later, and my good buddy Cody likes to say he’s gonna finish his story. To me, this is finishing what I started, this is picking back up where I left off.

    “Ten years wiser and still all that experience that I have inside the Royal Rumble and inside the wrestling ring is gonna come in handy, and I’m gonna get to win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania. At least that’s the plan, I know there’s 29 other guys that are gonna do their best to stop me, but I’m supremely confident.”

    CM Punk on Seth Rollins

    Punk’s most recent televised match for WWE was as part of the 2014 Royal Rumble match. Punk was the #1 entrant in the match while reigning World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins entered at #2. On the show, Punk was asked about his take on Rollins at the time. 

    “I viewed Seth as somebody who was following in my footsteps, I think there’s a lot of people in wrestling as a whole that are in the WWE now that for better or for worse, I think looked up to a guy like me. I always like to thank the legends that helped pave the way for the roads that I travel now. Guys like Terry Funk, Eddie Guerrero, Brett Hart, Tracy Smothers, Chris Candido.

    “There’s a litany of guys that I always feel that I wouldn’t have gotten the opportunities that I got if it weren’t for them, I don’t know. I guess I’m in a position where it feels maybe strange, me vocalizing it, but I think Seth is a guy at least I definitely thought it ten years ago that he’s a dude that I don’t think would have gotten the opportunities that he has gotten if it wasn’t for me.”

    For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops. 

  • Mick Foley Never Saw His WWE Title Win Coming, WCW Made a “Tactical Error”

    Mick Foley Never Saw His WWE Title Win Coming, WCW Made a “Tactical Error”

    Mick Foley’s first time capturing a World Championship felt all the sweeter as he never dreamed he’d be put in such an elevated position. 

    Foley would win his first WWF Championship 25 years ago on January 4, 1999. The win would see Foley (as Mankind) best The Rock in a No-Disqualifcation match. With DX and the Corporation brawling at ringside, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin would ultimately aid Foley with a chair shot to the skull of The Rock. Post-match, Foley dedicated the win to his family. 

    Mick Foley Wins the ‘Big One’

    Speaking in a recent video for WWE, Foley reflected on his WWF Championship win on the January 4, episode of Raw. The Hardcore Legend admitted that while he knew he’d be winning the gold, it didn’t feel quite real until after the pinfall. 

    “It set in for me the moment I held the title. Because I had never seen that coming for me, so I never made that my goal. I wanted to have memorable feuds, I wanted to try to move people up the ladder, I wanted to try to create great moments. But never once did I think one of those moments would be holding the WWE title. So because I never let it define success for me, I never felt bad when I did not have it. But I have to tell you, when they handed it to me, it felt more like a lifetime achievement award than it did a WWE title.”

    Foley’s title win would prove to be historic for far more than just his win. On WCW Monday Nitro, Tony Schiavone was directed to spoil the result, as Raw had been taped the week prior. This strategy backfired as fans tuned into Raw in their droves to see Foley finally win the big one. 

    “They made a tactical error in giving away the results of the Mankind Rock match. And so I believe within seconds, up to 500,000 homes or fans switch channels, and the rest is history.

    “What should have been a solid victory for WCW turned into a route by WWE, almost specifically, almost exclusively, because they made so many people wanna watch our show to see history being made.

    “Even among the WCW fans, there was a feeling that I had been a hardworking guy who had never quite gotten to the top. And there were a lot of fans, even their fans, who wanted to witness it.”

    Working With The Rock

    Foley’s victory over The Rock wouldn’t be their first time facing off and it would not be his last time sharing the ring with the Great One. In the video, Foley recalled feuding with the Hollywood star and later teaming for segments such as ‘This is Your Life’.

    “The Rock and I had this great rivalry and a great chemistry. We’d later see it play itself out as tag team partners but we wouldn’t have been those great tag team partners without the rivalry and the chemistry as opponents.

    “There’s a phrase I use, it’s called embracing the ridiculous. And some people, they’re just a little short of being able or willing to do that. I think it’s those who embrace the ridiculous, who sink their teeth into every opportunity they are given, that really make a difference.”

    Foley would become a three-time WWF Champion. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BahE2IpVptw

    Mick Foley recently took his love of Santa Claus and Christmas to the world of indie wrestling. Click here to find out more. 

    For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops. 

  • ‘Scared of the Unknown’ – Charlotte Flair emotional following knee surgery

    ‘Scared of the Unknown’ – Charlotte Flair emotional following knee surgery

    WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair has shared her gratitude to those wishing her well after her recent injury. 

    During the latter part of her December 9 match with Asuka, Flair was hurt and was seen being tended to by WWE’s medical crew after the match. The injury happened when Flair came off the top rope at an awkward angle and her legs bounced off the ropes. Despite this, Flair was able to finish the match that saw Asuka get the victory. 

    Charlotte Flair is Thankful

    In a tweet, Flair gave an update to her fans. The former Women’s Champion was dressed in a hospital gown, suggesting she has had her surgery. 

    Family, Friends & Fans,

    THANK YOU for all the positive, beautiful messages & flowers I feel supported in every way. It has taken me a few days and many MANY tears to wrap my head around everything. I happen to be an expert in overthinking and this is the first time I’ve ever been truly scared. Scared of the unknown but also feeling like I’m losing what I’m most proud of and that’s being an athlete. I don’t like showing physical weakness and this has left me feeling exposed. A process I know I will grow from but a very new one to me. This was a huge blow to me mentally and obviously physically going into 2024. 2023 was a rollercoaster and I am trying to stay positive and maybe this was the only way to stop, refocus, rebuild & eventually conquer again.

    I can’t thank this year’s Smackdown locker-room enough. I enjoyed every second and will be rooting from the sidelines

    I have been a bad guy for most of my career but this year was different for me. I CHERISHED every hug, high-five and fist pump this year at live events and for the first time in my career felt comfortable in my own boots being the good guy I learned so much as a performer and plan on starting right where I left off.

    I promise I am going to work 24/7 over the next nine months to come back the best version of the Queen you’ve ever seen.

    “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life, as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

    Climbing my own mountain will be my greatest test yet.

    Thank you for all the love

    Here is to 2024.

    Love, Ashley

    Aka Charlotte 

    Charlotte wasn’t going to let her injury stop her from supporting her husband at a non-WWE event. Click here to find out more. 

  • Logan Paul Making Things Right With CryptoZoo Scandal By Paying Victims Back

    Logan Paul is known outside the WWE Universe for his varies ventures, but not all of them have been successful. The United States Champion’s name was involved in an NFT project in late 2021, and now he is paying back people who lost money.

    What Was CryptoZoo?

    The CryptoZoo NFT project, initially presented as a game, turned out to be a fraudulent venture. The idea was that investors would buy NFTs, pictures of an egg, and then they would hatch into an animal. A website was supposed to be created where investors could then take multiple NFTs and place them together, breeding them into a new animal form. That new form could be rare, and worth much more as an NFT. It was all a gamble, as is anything in Web3.

    The problem started when the eggs never hatched. Animals were never revealed, leading to an OpenSea page full of unhatched eggs. Investors, who put in a ton of money on Logan Paul’s name, hoping for at least a pump and dump, never got that pump at all, because CryptoZoo remained an unrevealed project. 

    Investors purchased NFTs with the promise of revealing creatures, but the eggs never hatched, leaving investors without returns. Despite Logan Paul’s pledge to reimburse victims at their mint price, which has decreased in Ethereum value since 2021, the promised restitution is yet to be fulfilled.

    From 2019 to 2021, Ethereum price rallied and reached its highest price of $4,815 on November 9th, 2021. On January 4th, 2023, at the time of this writing, Ethereum is worth $2,277.67 each. The mint price for CryptoZoo was 0.1 ETH.

    Logan Paul Paying Victims Back

    SomeOrdinaryGamers, an incredibly popular YouTuber with over 3 million subscribers, and others used their influential platforms to call out Logan Paul for not fulfilling his commitment to repay those affected by the CryptoZoo scandal. 

    Logan Paul got the message, and today he released a lengthy post, a message to all CryptoZoo investors with information about how to attain that refund in Ethereum. 

    Today, I am incredibly happy to announce that I am delivering on my promise to buy back Base Egg and Base Animal CryptoZoo NFTs for their original purchase price. This buy-back program is being carried out at http://EGGNFTBUYBACK.COM. Claims can be submitted through this site through February 8.

    I approached the CryptoZoo project like everything else I am passionate about – with only the best possible intentions and success for everyone who shared our vision. I never made a single penny from the project, period. In fact, the opposite is true, because I spent hundreds of thousands of dollars trying to make it happen. With this buy-back program, I am personally committing more than $2.3 million to buy back Base Eggs and Base Animals from every person who intended to play CryptoZoo. Like you, I was highly disappointed that the game was not delivered.

    As I said a year ago, CryptoZoo was derailed by bad actors. Bad actors who DID steal money and who betrayed our team while internally sabotaging the game. This has now been confirmed by an extensive investigation that has involved a forensic analysis of blockchain activity and the review of thousands of communications.

    With this evidence in mind, today, I have filed a lawsuit in federal court in Texas to hold these bad actors accountable. The 25-page lawsuit is public and it can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bu0WMbW3co-HlXq-HlXbLdpAOZSzJKmf/view?usp=sharing… … This lawsuit is not based just on snippets of conversations taken out of context. This lawsuit is the result of an exhaustive investigation that included the review of the entirety of conversations and tracking nefarious trading activity related to the project. Nefarious trading activity taken behind our backs, without our knowledge, and with the intention of defrauding us all.

    As far as the game itself, unfortunately it will not be released. I personally spent $400,000 to have it developed and after its completion in early 2023 & some further diligence, unfortunately, there are too many regulatory hurdles that would need to be cleared that I did not originally understand and would ultimately delay this buy-back even further. This buy-back is a way for me to make whole those who intended to play CryptoZoo. The buy-back is not intended to compensate those who gambled on the crypto market and lost. It’s important to remember that the Zoo Token was created to support the CryptoZoo game and its players; it was “not intended as an investment vehicle,” as outlined in the original WhitePaper.

    This solution has been anything but simple, so I want to thank everyone for their patience as we figured out the logistics of making sure the first ever NFT buy-back is a smooth process: http://EGGNFTBUYBACK.COM

    Insight Into The CryptoZoo Scandal

    It is important to note that it was never proved in any fashion that Logan Paul intentionally scammed anyone with the CryptoZoo project. Coffeezilla produced an amazing documentary series about the entire fiasco, which showed documented evidence that people Logan Paul trusted may not have had the best intentions. 

    The CryptoZoo game will never be released, leaving investors with yet another rugpull that they can add to a digital wallet full of NFTs that didn’t do anything except lose money.

    Logan Paul is still WWE United States Champion, even though he traded Patrick Mahomes the title for his Super Bowl ring. The Maverick will defend his title again at the Royal Rumble in Tropicana Field on January 27th. 

  • 2024 WWE Money In The Bank Date & Location Revealed

    2024 WWE Money In The Bank Date & Location Revealed

    Money in the Bank holds a significant place in WWE’s annual calendar, as the event alone has the power to change the creative direction for the entire company with one quick cash-in. As 2024 continues, WWE has revealed which city will host this year’s MITB event.

    2024 WWE Money in the Bank Location

    WWE COO Triple H took to X to reveal that Toronto has been chosen to host the Money in the Bank event in 2024. That will be a first-ever for Toronto as they get to host the yearly ladder match themed show.

    This announcement extends beyond just the Money in the Bank event, as SmackDown and NXT Heatwave are also set to make their mark in the city.

    This summer, for the first time ever, Money in the Bank heads to Toronto and headlines a massive weekend at @ScotiabankArena .

    7/5 #SmackDown

    7/6 #MITB

    7/7 #NXTHeatwave

    Thrilled to bring one of the most exciting events of the year to Canada… this is going to be epic.

    WWE’s Plan For 2024

    The action-packed schedule kicks off on July 5th with a SmackDown event, followed by the highly anticipated Money in the Bank event on July 6th. The wrestling extravaganza continues on July 7th with NXT Heatwave, promising a trifecta of thrilling events for fans in Toronto.

    WWE previously revealed plans for four Premium Live Events set to captivate international audiences in the initial eight months of 2024. These events include Elimination Chamber: Perth in Australia on February 24th, WrestleMania Backlash in Lyon, France on May 4th, and Bash in Berlin, Germany on August 31st.

    Triple H’s announcement has undoubtedly sparked a wave of exciement among Toronto fans. As WWE continues to roll out its plans for 2024, the anticipation for unforgettable moments and what might go down in Toronto in July is only growing stronger.

  • “He asked me if we were going to die” – Ex-WWE Star Eve Torres recalls harrowing near-death experience

    “He asked me if we were going to die” – Ex-WWE Star Eve Torres recalls harrowing near-death experience

    Former WWE Divas Champion Eve Torres Gracie recently revealed that she went through a terrifying, potentially fatal incident. 

    Torres made it to WWE after she won the 2007 Diva Search competition. Eve had been arguably the greatest Diva Search wrestler ever due to her charm and strong in-ring abilities. It helped her rise to prominence in the Divas division rapidly. Furthermore, she consistently delivered excellent character work irrespective of being a babyface or a heel. Torres won the Divas Championship three times in her career. 

    Taking to social media, Eve Torres revealed a horrendous accident that could have taken her and her family members’ lives. 

    Eve Torres talks about the incident

    She stated that she had gone to the beach with her father and kids, Renson and Raeven. The former WWE Diva said she defied her better judgment while on the beach, only to have her and her son Raeven unexpectedly carried away by the tide. Even worse, her father was struggling for his life and they ended up being apart.

    Holding hands and swimming together with her son, Eve Torres was part of what was a terrifying experience for her and her family. She made it to a rock for help, but to her dismay, she was unable to see her father. She further revealed that she cried out for help and declared that her father had been saved by a brave man.

    She and her son were left crying throughout the incident, but fortunately, nothing worse happened in the end, and her father was brought to the rocks.

    Eve Torres’ post-WWE career

    Eve Torres parted ways with WWE in 2013 but she has been making sporadic appearances. She went to focus on marriage preparations with her husband, Rener Gracie, who belongs to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu royalty.

    Torres has taken up the role of an instructor, becoming a prominent figure in the Gracie Women Empowered Self-Defense program. 

    We will have to wait and see if she ever decides to make a comeback to WWE.

  • Matt Riddle Speaks On Switching Up His In-Ring Style After WWE Release

    WWE released Matt Riddle from his contract in September, and now the King of Bros is ready to reinvent himself. 

    Matt Riddle After His WWE Release

    Matt Riddle’s departure from WWE last year stirred some talk, thanks to his off-ring behavior causing controversy. Now, he’s making a comeback, but not where fans might have expected. Instead of joining AEW, Riddle is heading to Major League Wrestling (MLW), surprising many in the process. His return to the ring is scheduled for January 6th at MLW Kings of Colosseum, where he’ll face off against Jacob Fatu.

    In a recent interview with Ryan Gaydos of Fox News, Matt Riddle opened up about his time in WWE, expressing a desire to move away from the more entertaining side of wrestling. This may also call for a change to his established persona.

    Matt Riddle plans to focus on showcasing his actual wrestling skills, steering clear of the ‘goofball’ persona he had in WWE. With 2024 priving a fresh start, Riddle is excited about refocusing on his wrestling career and presenting a more serious and authentic side of himself in the ring.

    ”The last couple months, they’ve been good. I feel like the last probably 10 years, I’ve been wrestling pretty hard in the sense, like on the indies before I went to the ‘E’ (WWE), I was pretty busy traveling to Europe and wrestling everywhere. And then, of course, with the ‘E,’ I was traveling everywhere. So, the last three months, I kinda just had my first vacation in a really long time. I had a kid. A little son, Matthew. So, it was really getting ready and kinda like a reset button. The last couple of months, I totally just didn’t want to do anything other than work out, relax and take care of my family.”

    “And now that (it’s) the New Year and I got that time and everything else like that, I think it’s just time to cook again and just really been focusing on that and what I want to do in the ring. I feel like before was more of a … it’s always entertainment, but it was a lot of entertainment before. And now, I think, the direction I’m going in, I’m going to be able to show the world what I can do in the ring and just present that version of myself rather than kind of a goofball on TV.”

    Why WWE Released Matt Riddle

    Matt Riddle was released from WWE after a string of internal issues. He was also involved in an inebriated ordeal at JFK Airport as he was on his way home from WWE’s last live event in India. 

    Matt Riddle simply burned all of his chances with management, who did stand behind him, as they couldn’t back him up any longer. The Orirginal Bro had also returned to the company just a few months prior to that after a length hiatus so he could attend rehab.

    The indies will be good to Matt Riddle, and he’s already raking up dates. He will wrestle RVD in a first-time ever match in March, and his MLW return is also likely a solid endeavor for him. So, Riddle won’t be hard to find if fans want to look for him after his time in WWE ended.

  • TKO Group merges WWE and UFC’s Global Partnership Teams

    TKO Group merges WWE and UFC’s Global Partnership Teams

    TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of the UFC and WWE, has announced it is combining the global partnership teams of the two companies. 

    The new team is led by TKO EVPs Grant Norris-Jones and Lou Koskovolis. Described as an ‘unprecedented integration’ that will leverage the strengths of the two, the new ‘sports marketing powerhouse’ will be better-positioned to serve WWE/UFC’s audience of one billion young and diverse fans across 170 countries.

    Here is the official press release from TKO Group:

    TKO Merges UFC® and WWE® Global Partnerships Teams to Create Sports Marketing Powerhouse

    Combined Unit to Offer Blue-Chip Brands Unprecedented Integration within Two of the World’s Most Iconic Sports and Entertainment Properties

    NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company, today announced that it has combined the UFC and WWE global partnerships teams into one unit, providing brands with access to one of the most formidable sports marketing portfolios in the world.

    UFC and WWE, which collectively serve more than one billion young and diverse fans in 170 countries, provide brand partners unparalleled scale and reach across multiple platforms, including premium live events, original content, and digital media. Further powered and enhanced by the Endeavor flywheel, the company’s global infrastructure that also includes IMG’s dynamic sales teams around the world, UFC and WWE together can offer marketers significantly expanded inventory, vastly increased brand visibility, extensive international reach, and unique integration opportunities across UFC and WWE premier content.

    Grant Norris-Jones, who has played a key role in driving UFC’s global partnerships to six consecutive years of record revenue, has been elevated to lead the integrated unit as Executive Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships for TKO, which includes the entirety of UFC and WWE properties. Norris-Jones will work alongside Lou Koskovolis, who is also taking on an expanded role as TKO’s Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships. Together, they will focus on delivering unique, authentic integrations for TKO’s corporate partners. This new joint effort will further benefit from additional support and collaboration with the Endeavor Partnerships team to maximize value for brands across the entire Endeavor portfolio of assets.

    With partnership sales, activations, and operations teams in New York, Las Vegas, Stamford, Conn., London, Sao Paulo, Sydney, Shanghai, and Toronto, the newly combined unit will focus on creating new revenue opportunities and brand integrations across UFC’s and WWE’s must-watch live and original content.

    “Since Endeavor acquired UFC in 2016, UFC’s global partnerships business has become a significant growth area,” said Andrew Schleimer, Chief Financial Officer, TKO, “and we believe WWE’s partnerships business has similar potential. Together, UFC and WWE create a sports marketing powerhouse, with hundreds of live events per year and a reach that’s equal to, or better than, the world’s biggest sports properties. The newly integrated global partnerships team will offer premium brands the opportunity to integrate and activate within UFC’s and WWE’s extraordinarily popular content to engage their massive fan bases around the world.

    ”In recent years, UFC has partnered with brands that are consumer product and category leaders, including Anheuser-Busch, Crypto.com, DraftKings, Jose Cuervo, Monster Energy, PRIME Hydration, Timex, and VeChain.In addition, WWE has worked with dozens of blue-chip brands across its roster of promotional assets. Over the last year, WWE has activated with Applebee’s, General Mills, Mattel, Netflix, PepsiCo, Pizza Hut, Slim Jim, and Snickers.

    About TKO

    TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company that comprises UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, and WWE, an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. Together, our organizations reach more than 1 billion TV households in approximately 170 countries, and we organize more than 350 live events year-round, attracting over one million fans. TKO is majority owned by Endeavor Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EDR), a global sports and entertainment company.

    About UFC

    UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and 243 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 900 million TV households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

    About WWE

    WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), is an integrated media organization and the recognized global leader in sports entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, premium live events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion homes worldwide in 25 languages through world-class distribution partners including NBCUniversal, FOX Sports, TNT Sport, Sony India and Rogers. The award-winning WWE Network includes all premium live events, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library and is currently available in more than 180 countries. In the United States, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, is the exclusive home to WWE Network. Additional information on WWE can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

  • Cody Rhodes Makes Dreams Come True, Buys WrestleMania 40 Tickets for School Fan Club

    Cody Rhodes Makes Dreams Come True, Buys WrestleMania 40 Tickets for School Fan Club

    Cody Rhodes has ensured that a club of young wrestling fans will be at WrestleMania 40 when the Showcase of the Immortals comes to Philadelphia this August. 

    The Wrestling Club is a group organized by Victor Taylor Perry at KIPP AMP Middle School In Brooklyn, New York. The kids gather to watch wrestling from various promotions, discuss the matches they’ve seen and share their collective love for the industry. The Wrestling Club has proven to be quite popular online and has been visited by the likes of Kenny Omega, FTR, Big E, Shelton Benjamin, Titus O’Neil, and AJ Styles.  

    Going to WrestleMania 40

    Like any WWE fan, the Wrestling Club dreams of one day attending a WrestleMania. In November, Perry set up a fund that people could donate to that would go towards making this dream a reality. This week, Cody Rhodes decided to make those dreams come true and revealed that he has paid for the tickets and hotels for the club. 

    Responding, Perry was overwhelmed by the immensely generous offer by WWE’s popular Superstar. 

    WrestleMania 40

    WWE WrestleMania 40 will take place on April 6, and April 7, marking the fifth two-night WrestleMania; a format that debuted during the Covid-19 pandemic. This will be the second WrestleMania to be hosted in the city of Brotherly Love, following on from WrestleMania 15 in 1999. 

    No matches have been confirmed for the show, and questions remain as to Cody Rhodes’ involvement with the event. While many predicted that Cody would challenge Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns once more, that may no longer be the case. On this week’s Raw, The Rock teased coming for Reigns’ spot as Head of the Table. 

     WWE has reportedly been considering Jimmy Uso Vs. Jey Uso for WrestleMania 40 though that match has yet to be announced. 

  • Logan Paul Trades WWE US Title For Patrick Mahomes’ Super Bowl Ring

    Logan Paul Trades WWE US Title For Patrick Mahomes’ Super Bowl Ring

    Logan Paul is used to capturing attention, and he is apparently not bad at making a deal, either. The Maverick recently had a run-in with Patrick Mahomes, and it resulted in an interesting interaction.  

    Logan Paul Makes A Trade For WWE US Title

    Logan Paul defied many expectations with his athletic ability in WWE. The United States Championship holds his title proudly, but he’s not 100% attached to it.

    Logan Paul and Patrick Mahomes recently made a deal. Paul wanted to trade his title for the NFL player’s Super Bowl ring. Mahomes wasn’t down, until Paul included a Lemonade Prime as a kicker. 

    Logan Paul Outside WWE

    Logan Paul is creating ripples, both inside and outside the ring. His controversial antics, like showering with the championship belt, brought mixed reactions. Regardless of the controversy, he seems to really enjoy his time as the reigning champion.

    Beyond wrestling, Logan Paul is a business partner with KSI, co-founding the popular Prime energy drink brand. Thankfully, he had some Lemonade Prime handy to help close that trade with Patrick Mahomes. 

    Patrick Mahomes has two Super Bowl rings, as he won with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020 and 2023, so he could apparently part with one of them. Logan Paul is set to battle Kevin Owens with the United States Title on the line at the Royal Rumble on January 27th. Hopefully, Mahomes will let Paul have his US Title back for the Tropicana Field event. 

  • Erik Of Viking Raiders Speaks On Undergoing Stem Cell Therapy During WWE Injury Hiatus

    Erik Of Viking Raiders Speaks On Undergoing Stem Cell Therapy During WWE Injury Hiatus

    The Viking Raiders have been absent from WWE television lately. Erik, one half of the imposing team, is dealing with health issues. He is out of action due to a neck injury, but he’s trying hard to repair the damage.

    Erik Rowan’s Neck Injury

    Erik’s last pro wrestling match occurred on the September 14th episode of WWE Main Event. Although initially slated for the September 18th episode of WWE RAW, he couldn’t take part in that event due to injury. 

    Erik recently underwent C6/C7 neck fusion surgery and is currently in the process of recovery. To aid in his rehabilitation, Erik and his partner Valhalla went to get stem cell therapy at the Ways2Well clinic in Austin, Texas. 

    In a recent update, Erik spoke about the toll that over 20 years in professional wrestling has taken on his body. He may be on the injured list right now, but the Viking Raider seems confident that he will return.

    During the discussion, Erik highlighted the importance of the source of stem cells used in their therapy. He also expressed relief in discovering that the stem cells were sourced from amniotic donor stem cells, harvested from scheduled C-section procedures without causing harm. 

    “It was actually the first question I asked – what was the source of the stem cells that are used in treatments in Ways2Well? And I was very relieved to learn it was all amniotic donor stem cells. So, it’s all from a scheduled C-section from a mother’s tissue. It’s amniotic, there’s no harm done in the harvesting, which was super important to us.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C1dMO-aPkUU

    Erik’s Personal Relationship With The Viking Raiders

    Ivar, Erik, and Valhalla form the WWE’s Viking Raiders faction. The Viking Raiders were known as War Machine prior to entering WWE, so they have years of time together. 

    The team will have to take a breather while Erik recovers, but Triple H has made good use of Ivar in the meantime, spotlighting him on several occasions. 

    Erik and Valhalla, formerly known as Sarah Logan, were married in December 2018 after being together for years. Their family expanded with the arrival of their son, Raymond Cash Rowe, in February 2021.

    The exact timeline for Erik’s return to the wrestling ring remains unclear as he progresses through his recovery.

    Why Stem Cell Therapy Is Controversial

    Stem cell therapy has been a topic of debate due to ethical concerns related to the source of stem cells. The use of embryonic stem cells, derived from embryos, sparked moral and ethical discussions because of the destruction of human embryos involved in their extraction. That led to strict regulations and limitations on the use of embryonic stem cells in different regions worldwide. 

    Stem cell therapy holds potential for medical advancements and treating various conditions. The ability of stem cells to differentiate into different cell types makes them valuable for regenerative medicine. Stem cell therapy has seen documented success in treating diseases such as leukemia, spinal cord injuries, and specific types of cancer. 

    While the debate around stem cell therapy centers around the need to consider ethical concerns while recognizing its potential to transform medical treatments, Erik of the Viking Raiders can attest to the fact that stem cell therapy is effective. 

  • Hulk Hogan’s status for WWE’s Hulkamania 40th Anniversary plans

    The spirit of Hulkamania is set to be celebrated by WWE, but it’s uncertain whether Hulk Hogan will be making a televised appearance. 

    Hogan captured the WWF Championship for the first time on January 23, 1984, which is widely recognized as the day that ‘Hulkamania’ was born. Hogan would capture the title from The Iron Sheik, who proved to be a transitional champion after dethroning seven-year champion Bob Backlund. The Iron Sheik won the title due to Vince McMahon wanting the gold on Hogan but didn’t want the Hulkster to dethrone his fellow babyface. 

    A Celebration of Hulkamania

    Wrestle Votes reports that WWE is planning quite the celebration to mark 40 years of Hulkamania’s birth. New pieces of merchandise and collectibles about Hogan’s win are in store. The report adds that an appearance by Hogan isn’t out of the question, but is not being planned as of right now. Hogan’s most recent appearance for WWE came as part of the Raw is XXX episode in January 2023. 

    Hulk Hogan: Superhero and Sinner

    Hogan is considered by many to be one of, if not the single most influential professional wrestler the industry has ever seen. Hogan’s clean-cut babyface would enamor fans for years during the appropriately named Hulkamania Era, while his transformation into Hollywood Hogan and formation of the NWO would usher in the era of ‘cool heels.’

    The Hulkster is also considered one of wrestling’s most controversial names. In 2015, Hogan was fired from WWE after racist comments he’d made years earlier came to light. Hogan was also removed from WWE’s Hall of Fame but was reappointed and welcomed back into the company in 2018. While WWE has forgiven Hogan (and given him a second HOF induction) fans have been less accepting of the Hulkster, who has often faced claims of politicking at the expense of other wrestlers. Hogan’s controversies are set to be covered in a new series coming to VICE TV. 

    Hulk Hogan recently shared how difficult it has been for his body after having so many surgeries. Click here to find out more. 

  • “New Brood” – Adam Copeland on The Judgment Day’s Original Concept & Formation

    “New Brood” – Adam Copeland on The Judgment Day’s Original Concept & Formation

    Wrestling factions can go through a lot of changes in their lifetimes. Groups and and remove members, often violently. 

    WWE Hall of Famer Edge (Adam Copeland) and Damian Priest launched The Judgment Day as a duo, but it did not stay like that for long. Today’s incarnation is one of the most dominant forces in WWE, but the group looks quite different from what Copeland originally had in mind. 

    Judgment Day grew to be one of the biggest draws in WWE. With Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio, the group is featured heavily on WWE television. Although they never took a turn into the supernatural realm as was originally rumored for the stable, they certainly took on a new life of their own.

    While speaking to Sam Roberts on the Not Sam Wrestling podcast, Copeland spoke about the original concept for the Judgment Day.

    Original Plan For WWE’s Judgment Day Stable

    The Rated R Superstar says the Judgment Day came about when he was approached about starting up a ‘New Brood,’ the Attitude Era’s gothic trio of  Edge, Christian and Gangrel. The Brood helped put Edge and Christian on the map when they first arrived on the scene in WWE, so maybe Copeland could do something similar for one of WWE’s rising stars. 

    “Well, you know, with the initial inception of the Judgement Day, I really I wanted it to be these underutilized talents that I thought could be far more than what they were being utilized for. Rhea Ripley is a star and Damian Priest is a star and Finn Balor’s a star.

    So initially, it was brought to me like, ‘Hey, we want to kind of start a New Brood,’ or something that feels somewhat like that. I’m like, ‘Who would it be?’ I was like, ‘Ripley and Priest.’ ‘Well, we want it go be four.’ So, it’s like.. Balor! Okay, well, then it was like, ‘We want somebody really huge.’ I was like, okay.. all right.. and then I got a text two weeks later. ‘How about Balor?’ I’m like, ‘Yep! amazing idea.’ [Laughing]”

    Edge was kicked out of Judgment Day when Finn Balor made his way to the stable. After that, the Rated R Superstar and his former stable went their separate ways. 

    As Judgment Day remains a stable on WWE programming, they still have Edge to thank. They might not publicly thank the man who helped start the faction, because he is with AEW now, but they know where the genesis of that sable came from.

  • WWE Has Been Teasing The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns For Much Longer Than You Think

    WWE Has Been Teasing The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns For Much Longer Than You Think

    WWE has spent a long time planting the seeds of the much-rumored showdown between Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and The Rock. 

    The Brahma Bull returned to WWE programming during this week’s Day 1 edition of Monday Night Raw to an eclectic response from the crowd. WWE had been teasing the return of a former WWE Champion in the days before the show, which at first appeared to be Jinder Mahal. The Modern-Day Maharaja ran down the United States before the return of The Rock who laid out Mahal with a Spinebuster and his People’s Elbow. 

    WWE Teasing The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns

    It wasn’t just Mahal who The Rock had his eyes on during the Day 1 edition of Monday Night Raw. During his promo, the Great One also asked the fans if they’d like to see him as Head of the Table, alluding to taking the spot held by Roman Reigns. Reigns had quite the reaction to his cousin’s threat on social media. 

    The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns has been a dream match for fans for years and it is something that WWE has been working on for just as long. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Reigns being christened ‘The Tribal Chief’ in 2020 was setting up a showdown with the Brahma Bull. 

    “That whole thing, ‘The Head of the Table’ and all that, and ‘Tribal Chief,’ was all done originally to build up the Roman Reigns-Rock match.”

    Meltzer added that WWE wanted to host the Reigns-Rock match at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022. That match was shelved, reportedly so that the match could take place at WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles. While the two combatants were once a lock for that show, plans fell through. 

    What does John Cena make to the possibility of The Rock facing Roman Reigns? Click here to find out. 

  • TNA Star Reveals Unique Behind The Scenes Role in WWE 2K23 Video Game

    TNA Star Reveals Unique Behind The Scenes Role in WWE 2K23 Video Game

    WWE 2K23 may feature some of the top names past and present to work for the promotion, but it also features IMPACT/TNA’s own Jordynne Grace. 

    WWE 2K23 is the tenth game in the 2K series and was released in March of 2023. The game was released for PS4, PS5, Windows, and the Xbox series of consoles. The game was released to generally positive reviews and it is the highest-rated pro wrestling game on Metacritic since WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006.

    Jordynne Grace in WWE 2K23

    WWE 2K23 marked the video game debut of Ivy Nile, who was part of the ‘Race to NXT’ pack of downloadable content. This pack included Trick Williams, Wendy Choo, Tony D’Angelo, and WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race. Nile has a 74 ranking in the game. 

    While Nile is part of WWE 2K23, the promotion did not use her when crafting her moveset for the game. When a fan on Twitter said Nile could be the daughter of Scott Steiner and Jordynne Grace, the latter revealed that she was brought in to do motion capture for WWE 2K23. Grace also had a positive view on Nile, describing her as “dope.”

    Ivy Nile in WWE

    Ivy Nile made her debut for WWE in 2020 at an NXT live event in Ocala, Florida. She has competed on WWE NXT and WWE NXT UK and has challenged for the NXT Women’s Championship and NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships. On this week’s Day 1 edition of Raw, she unsuccessfully challenged WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley.