SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Brooke Hogan Married In Private Ceremony To Former NHL Player Steven Oleksy

    Brooke Hogan Married In Private Ceremony To Former NHL Player Steven Oleksy

    Brooke Hogan is no stranger to the limelight, as she was a star on Hogan Knows Best, and many fans remember her from TNA Wrestling. In recent memory, it appears that she has elected to do things a bit more privately.

    Brooke Hogan’s Secret Wedding

    Brooke Hogan, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, reportedly got married last year in a private ceremony, but her ceremony took place a while ago, and it was a very private engagement.

    According to TMZ Sports, Brooke Hogan got married to former NHL defenseman Steven Oleksy on June 8th, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. The ceremony involved only the bride and groom, with another event later in the month with Oleksy’s family in Michigan.

    We have not seen any photos from this super secret wedding, nor do we know who was on the guest list.

    Who Is Brooke Hogan’s Husband, Steven Oleksy?

    Steven Oleksy played 62 NHL regular-season games with the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins from 2012 to 2017. During this time, Oleksy recorded three goals and 16 assists for 19 points, along with a solid plus-15 rating.

    Originally from Chesterfield, Michigan, Oleksy went undrafted after playing collegiately at Lake Superior State University but worked his way up through the minors, making his NHL debut after stints in the ECHL, IHL, and AHL.

    Even though he hasn’t played in an NHL game since 2017, Oleksy extended his professional career for an additional five seasons, competing in the AHL, ECHL, and an Austrian league.

    Nick Hogan Update

    In other news, Brooke Hogan’s brother, Nick Hogan, is dealing with his own life-changing circumstances. He was arrested for DUI in early December 2023, a problem he has yet to take care of yet.

    Police body camera footage of Nick Hogan’s DUI arrest showed Hulk Hogan showing up as well. He needed the assistance of a cane to walk, and he was not in a situation he enjoyed at all. We can only imagine that Brooke Hogan’s wedding had a much better atmosphere.

  • Feel The Glow: Trinity Fatu, Formerly Naomi, returning to WWE (Report)

    Feel The Glow: Trinity Fatu, Formerly Naomi, returning to WWE (Report)

    Could we see Trinity Fatu return to WWE?

    According to Fightful Select, that Fatu’s deal with TNA is set to expire very soon and that sources within WWE have said that they feel confident they could re-sign the former Naomi. 

    Sean Ross Sapp reported on Tuesday:

    Not only that, but others believe that the company expected it to happen. One source from WWE actually said the following:

    “Something huge would have to happen for her to not end up back in WWE sooner than later, but this is a crazy free agent period.”

    Trinity has undoubtedly established herself outside of WWE as she made the move to IMPACT and it didn’t take her long to become the Knockouts Champion. 

    She’s to face Jordynne Grace at Hard To Kill, the official PPV showcasing the TNA rebrand.

    Reverberations From Trinity’s WWE Walkout

    Fatu would have plenty incentive to return to WWE considering her husband Jimmy Uso is still with the company, but there is an interesting aspect to all this. Fatu notoriously walked out of WWE back in May of 2022 with Mercedes Mone and from how it seems, Mone is expected to join AEW in what is absolutely a “crazy free agent period” for pro wrestling.

    During his media appearances for AEW World’s End, President Tony Khan reiterated on two occassions that he plans to be busy in free agency, particularly when it comes to the women’s division, but if the news goes as reported, he may have to scratch Fatu off his list of names.

  • Eric Bischoff Explains Why He Fired Triple H From WCW

    Eric Bischoff Explains Why He Fired Triple H From WCW

    Triple H is now the man spearheading WWE’s creative direction, as he breaks barriers and records with the company Vince McMahon brought to power. The Game is a student of pro wrestling, but he wasn’t always under WWE’s roof. Once he was in WWE, Triple H stayed, but it took getting fired from WCW to get him there.

    Why Triple H Was Fired From WCW

    While speaking to Inside The Ropes, Eric Bischoff was questioned about letting so many people go like Steve Austin, Mick Foley, and Triple H. He had all of them in WCW prior to their historic WWE runs, but Bischoff fired them all for different reasons. 

    Eric Bischoff commented on Triple H’s early career in WCW, noting that while he was good, it was challenging to foresee him becoming a star in 1993. Bischoff also acknowledged Triple H’s marriage to the boss’s daughter, emphasizing that he was a dedicated student of the game, a great performer, but not on the level of superstars like The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin. 

    Although Eric Bischoff recognized Triple H as a reliable utility player who worked hard, studied wrestling, and maintained consistency, leading to his eventual breakthrough; that wasn’t enough to keep Terra Ryzing in World Championship Wrestling.

    “Triple H. He was just starting out. He was good. But there’s nobody that’s going to be honest about it that could go back and look at Triple H in 1993 and go ‘Oh, he’s gonna be a star.’ He married the boss’s daughter. It is what it is folks. This isn’t gonna do me any good. I think Paul Levesque, Triple H, he’s a student. He really is a student of the game. He is a great performer. But he’s never been a Rock.”

    “He’s never been an Austin. He’s never been a Cena. He’s been a great utility player at a certain level. He’s been around forever but he’s never been a superstar. In 1993 I don’t believe anybody that’s really being honest can say ‘Yeah, when I saw him in 1993, I knew he was going to be a big star.’ He just worked hard. He studied. He did the right things.”

    “He doesn’t drink. He doesn’t do drugs. He just studies professional wrestling. He worked his way up to a point where he was able to break through because he was so consistent. He was so good and so consistent, but he was never great.”

    Eric Bsichoff’s Role in the Monday Night Wars

    The Monday Night Wars was a competition between WWE and WCW, primarily led by Vince McMahon and Eric Bischoff, respectively. WWE’s Monday Night Raw and WCW’s Monday Nitro went head-to-head, battling for television ratings. Ted Turner, the owner of WCW, provided financial backing and support for Bischoff’s strategies, aiming to dethrone McMahon’s WWE.

    Eric Bischoff, the mastermind behind WCW’s surge, implemented the strategy of giving away spoilers and live results to entice viewers to watch his show instead of WWE’s. This led to 83 weeks of domination for WCW, even though WWE was working hard to cultivate new stars on their own show, some that Eric Bischoff had fired along the way.

    Vince McMahon responded by introducing edgier content, including the infamous Attitude Era, which featured stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mick Foley’s Mankind character, and Triple H. 

    The Monday Night Wars eventually came to an end when Vince McMahon bought his competition. Eric Bischoff had a deal worked up to purchase WCW before that, but it did not come with any television deal attached. 

    WWE, on the other hand, went on to book their Invasion storyline with whatever WCW talent they could bring in who weren’t under huge contracts with Ted Turner to sit at home and collect paychecks.

  • Details On WWE’s Talent Meeting Prior To January 1st Day 1 RAW

    Details On WWE’s Talent Meeting Prior To January 1st Day 1 RAW

    WWE kicked off 2024 with a huge episode of RAW, and fans did not know what to expect. They received two action-packed title matches, and The Rock’s return. Those within the company also had a meeting prior to the whole event starting in San Diego.

    WWE’s Meeting Before Day 1 RAW

    PW Insider reported that Paul Levesque and Nick Khan held a talent meeting before the January 1st episode of WWE RAW. This was said to be a positive meeting with good vibes.

    We haven’t heard much yet other than it was a short, positive meeting.

    It was further reported that, “One source relayed it was a ‘great meeting’ that focused on rallying the troops. It was just much a ‘rah rah’ meeting to thank them for everything they’ve done and will do for the company.”

    WWE is heading into a new year, and they had a blockbuster 2023 behind them. The company is also going to see some shifting internally, because long-time WWE Executive Producer Kevin Dunn is no longer a part of the picture.

    Kevin Dunn’s WWE Departure

    Last week, it was reported that Dunn would be stepping down from his role as WWE’s Executive Producer & Chief, Global Television Distribution. 

    Kevin Dunn concluded his three-decade tenure with the company, steadfast in his decision not to conform to imposed directives, so he is retiring instead. Kevin Dunn remained committed to his hands-on approach to overseeing production, even though there was reportedly a push for him to stay.

  • John Cena Reacts To Hype Over The Rock vs Roman Reigns Match

    John Cena Reacts To Hype Over The Rock vs Roman Reigns Match

    The Rock’s return to WWE television this week sparked a lot of conversation. Fans all over are now discussing the possibility of The Rock vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. John Cena also took notice.

    The Rock’s Surprise WWE Return

    During the January 1st episode of WWE RAW, The Rock made an unexpected appearance, taking the opportunity to address Jinder Mahal to shut down his anti-American promo.

    The Rock got some “Day One Douche Bag” chants going for Jinder Mahal, and then the segment was kicked up a notch.

    In an attempt to ambush The Rock, Jinder Mahal jumped Dwayne Johnson in the ring. However, The Rock acted fast, responding with a series of punches, his signature spinebuster, and ultimately delivering his People’s Elbow.

    The Rock then picked up the microphone and engaged with the San Diego crowd, asking them whether he should sit at the “head of the table” when he goes out to dinner after the show.

    John Cena Reacts To The Rock vs Roman Reigns Hype

    That dig at Roman Reigns was apparent, and they even called attention to it after the next commercial break. It appears that John Cena saw that go down as well, and he responded on Instagram.

    Although John Cena never uses captions on Instagram, he certainly didn’t need to in this instance. The Greatest of All Time dropped a graphic of The Rock and Roman Reigns, adding to the hype of this perspective match.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C1mZ8AoO7jD

    Exclusive Insight On Roman Reigns vs The Rock at WrestleMania

    Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns was the match at WrestleMania 40. At this time, the WWE creative team is totally in the dark regarding the possibility of that match changing. I personally spoke to members of the creative team this morning about this very subject.

    This is all happening in real time, but The Rock 100% has the pull in WWE to claim that match if he wants it. This will be a very interesting road to WrestleMania. 

  • Raquel Rodriguez Reveals Medical Diagnosis That Has Kept Her Out Of Action For The Past Month

    Raquel Rodriguez Reveals Medical Diagnosis That Has Kept Her Out Of Action For The Past Month

    WWE Superstar Raquel Rodriguez has revealed a medical diagnosis that has kept her away from in ring action for the last few weeks.

    The former NXT star posted a video on Instagram earlier today providing an update on her recent absence. She revealed that she has been diagnosed with a disease called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome [MCAS], which has stopped her from doing the things that she loves:

    “What’s up guys. Happy New Year. So long story short. Last year I posted a video about being a WWE superstar with eczema. And in the month of December, it got progressively worse and I have been diagnosed with something called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Basically, I was red, swollen, there was a lot happening in this area physically. It kept me from doing the things that I love, like travelling, going to the gym and wrestling.”

    Rodriguez’s last match was at a live event back on December 3. She was defeated by Nia Jax in a singles bout during the house show in Portland. The female star revealed that she has since moved back to Texas to be with her family:

    “I also didn’t want to be on camera. I didn’t want to look in the mirror. And I understand that all of those things can mess with someone both emotionally and mentally but thank God I moved back to Texas when I did because I had the best support system in the world during this time, which is my family. I’m so grateful to them and for everything they have done for me and you guys as well who have sent me kind messages and reminded me that I didn’t have to go through this alone. 

    So to anyone who has been struggling or had to celebrate the holiday season a little bit differently this year. I just wanted to say remember to give yourself a little bit of compassion and grace, for the things that you don’t understand and the things that you can’t control. Life can be really hard sometimes, and it can throw us these crazy curveballs and I know they feel like they’re gonna last forever, but I promise they’re not. This is going to pass. So let’s go into 2024 remembering to give kindness to others and give kindness to ourselves. I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen this year.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C1lRmQ4OEiL

    A patient suffering from MCAS can experience repeated episodes of the symptoms of anaphylaxis. This can include allergic symptoms such as hives, swelling, low blood pressure and difficulty in breathing.

    There is no timetable for Raquel Rodriguez’s recovery or return to action at this point. The WWE star did note in her Instagram post that she will share more on her healing journey as she develops a better understanding of her condition.

    SEScoops sends our best regards to the wrestling star as she navigates her treatment.

  • Roman Reigns Has the Perfect Reaction to The Rock Seeking His Spot as Tribal Chief

    The Rock may be coming for Roman Reigns’ spot as Head of the Table, but the reigning Undisputed WWE Universal Champion isn’t sweating his cousin. 

    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 had some choice words for his fellow former WWE Champion. The Rock then laid out Mahal with a Spinebuster and his People’s Elbow. 

    Roman Reigns Reacts to The Rock

    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. On Twitter, Reigns had a concise response to the notion. 

    This challenge didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the Tribe. In a tweet of his own, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi shared his reaction to The Rock teasing going for the Tribal Chief. 

    The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns

    Considered a dream match by many, WWE has gotten close in the past to making a showdown between The Rock & Roman Reigns a reality. The pair were set to headline WrestleMania 39 last year but ultimately plans fell apart. Last August, Reigns admitted that he just can’t see his cousin being able to beat him for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title. 

  • The Rock Returns To WWE During Day 1 RAW To Tease Roman Reigns Showdown

    The Rock Returns To WWE During Day 1 RAW To Tease Roman Reigns Showdown

    WWE fans expected the return of a former WWE Champion during the Day 1 episode of RAW. To their surprise, Jinder Mahal made a comeback with a new anti-American gimmick. Then he was suddenly interrupted.

    The Rock Returns during Day 1 WWE RAW

    The Rock then entered the scene, generating a massive reaction from the crowd. While there had been speculation about his appearance at the show, it wasn’t definitively confirmed before the broadcast.

    The Rock was spotted with WWE CEO Nick Khan previously in the day. Dwayne Johnson was in Pasadena for College Gameday. That is just a couple of hours from WWE RAW’s location of San Diego this week. It was reported by Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select that “when we brought that up to a WWE higher up, they said we made a compelling argument, but wouldn’t confirm or deny.”

    During that surprise appearance, The Rock addressed Jinder Mahal, contrasting him with the Iron Sheik and even humorously impersonating the legendary WWE Hall of Famer that we lost last year.

    In response, Jinder Mahal attempted to talk smack about Americans. The Rock proudly declared himself the People’s Champion and an American, which makes us think about all those rumors about The Rock running for US President down the line.

    After The Rock continued to insult Jinder Mahal, and his own Baywatch film as collateral damage, The Great One then said that Jinder Mahal is no longer the Modern Day Mahajara, instead, he is now the “day one douchebag.” Yes, fans chanted “day one douchebag” in loud fashion as The Rock directed them to do so.

    In an attempt to ambush The Rock, Jinder Mahal started with an attack. However, Dwayne Johnson swiftly retaliated, responding with a series of punches, his spinebuster, and ultimately delivering his iconic People’s Elbow.

    The Rock wasn’t finished there, as he picked up the microphone and asked the San Diego crowd if he should sit at the “head of the table” when he goes out to dinner after the show.

    The dig at Roman Reigns was obvious, and now we have to wonder if The Rock vs Reigns is actually going to happen in 2024.

    The Rock vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania was Cancelled Before

    WWE had plans for The Rock vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, and it was going to happen, but then things changed for that match. It was never in the cards for WrestleMania 40, but there is always the possibility of a great creative shift if the situation calls for it. The Rock deciding that he can make the time for a return match is definitely a situation that would call for plans changing.

  • Imperium’s Giovanni Vinci Suffers Possible Injury, Abrupt Match Stoppage On WWE RAW

    Imperium’s Giovanni Vinci Suffers Possible Injury, Abrupt Match Stoppage On WWE RAW

    Injuries are a sad part of pro wrestling, and they can occur when you least expect them. Imperium’s Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser lost this week on RAW, but it was due to referee stoppage after Vinci went down.

    Possible Injury During WWE RAW

    Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso faced Giovanni Vinci and Ludwig Kaiser in a match that was progressing smoothly during the RAW 1 episode of WWE RAW. Suddenly, the match came to an unexpected halt. 

    Giovanni Vinci went down on the apron, prompting an abrupt stoppage of the match. Ringside doctors attended to Vinci, leading the referee to make the decision to end the match.

    In an unexpected turn, Kofi Kingston and Jey Uso were declared the winners via referee stoppage.

    Michael Cole kept saying on commentary that they take their talent’s safety very seriously. At this time, we are uncertain what happened with Giovanni Vinci, but it was enough to call off the match.

    Following the match, Giovanni Vinci was observed walking out on his own. The sudden conclusion of the match added an element of surprise to its outcome.

    Where Was GUNTHER?

    GUNTHER is currently taking some time with his wife, Jinny, as they celebrated the birth of their child. Hopefully, he has a full Imperium faction upon his return.

    Giovanni Vinci Gives Update After Injury Scare 

    Giovanni Vinci later updated his X with a message. When translated to English, he let fans know that he’s doing fine. He also thanked them for their support and concern.

    I am fine, a thousand thanks.

  • Update on Mercedes Mone’s Next Move In Pro Wrestling

    Update on Mercedes Mone’s Next Move In Pro Wrestling

    Sasha Banks’ WWE walkout in May 2022 still stands as her swansong with the company. Although there was some hope that Mercedes Mone would come back to WWE, it appears that homecoming hit a snag.

    Mercedes Mone’s WWE Return is Reportedly Nixed

    Mercedes Mone and WWE were talking about a return for The Boss. Then, they hit a financial roadblock, as the two sides couldn’t come together when it came to money.

    It was previously reported that Mercedes Mone is no longer expected to make a WWE return. The expectation is that she will go somewhere else, and that will be very soon.

    AEW Is Expected to Get Mercedes Mone

    Now, a new report from Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select points to the idea that Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut is now the most popular idea for her. 

    Those that we’ve spoken to expect her to land in All Elite Wrestling, though nobody could confirm she’s signed on the dotted line. Of late in both WWE and AEW, there have been instances – specifically with Will Ospreay and CM Punk – where the physical contracts were not signed until the day of their appearances with AEW and WWE respectively. One source claimed that they heard AEW and Mercedes were close to agreeing on terms, but said “it’s never official until it’s official.”

    Nothing is official until it actually happens, because pro wrestling contracts can come together in a hurry. AEW has lost a few notable names in recent memory, but bring in Mercedes Mone could be a massive boost for their roster.

  • Top WWE Exec Spotted With The Rock Ahead Of WWE Raw

    Top WWE Exec Spotted With The Rock Ahead Of WWE Raw

    WWE Raw may be starting 2024 in the most electrifying way possible.

    January 1, 2024 is a busy day for sports entertainment and The Rock is in the thick of the action. The People’s Champion is currently in attendance for The Rose Bowl today and a social media catches him conversing with college football broadcast legend Lee Corso. 

    However, who happens to be lurking in the background but WWE CEO Nick Khan? Granted, Khan’s initial bread and butter was as a sports agent so him being there isn’t a huge shocker, but the fact that Triple H has teased a former WWE Champion would be in the building for WWE Raw Day 1 tonight. 

    Another fact of the matter is the location for both events. Per usual, the Rose Bowl takes place in Pasadena, CA and Raw so happens to be in San Diego. Pasadena is just over a two-hour drive to San Diego.

    Could We See The Rock vs. Roman Reigns At WrestleMania 40?

    Just this past September, The Rock made his epic return to SmackDown and before that on the Pat McAfee Show, teased an interest in participating at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.

    The Rock versus Roman Reigns has been speculated to happen for years, but a potential appearance of The Rock being on Raw could lay the groundwork for The Bloodline battle between the two.

    However, The Rock being positioned for a match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania would throw a wrench in the works for Cody Rhodes being able to “finish the story” against “The Tribal Chief” at WrestleMania.

  • Triple H: 2023 Was The Biggest Year in WWE History. Ever.

    Triple H: 2023 Was The Biggest Year in WWE History. Ever.

    2023 proved to be the biggest, most significant year in the history of WWE, according to the promotion’s Head of Talent & Creative Triple H. 

    Taking to Twitter, the Game shared his hot take on the year that was, calling it “the biggest year in WWE history. EVER.” Triple H shared a graphic with some notable accomplishments by the company in 2023. The Game added that none of it would be possible without the WWE staff, crew, Superstars and fans, and was excited for what 2024 brings. 

    WWE in 2023

    2023 was indeed a monumental year for WWE with some groundbreaking changes occurring over the 12 months. Cody Rhodes made his impressive return from injury in January to win the Men’s Royal Rumble match. A year after his WWE return though, Rhodes failed to ‘finish the story’ and was beaten by Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39. 

    24 hours after this shocking ending, WWE announced that they would be acquired by Endeavor to the sum of $9.3 billion. That deal was finalized in September with the launch of TKO Group Holdings. The launch of TKO saw several prominent names cut from the company’s offices with the production of WWE and UFC being streamlined. In September, WWE experienced its first releases to the roster of the TKO era. 

    2023 ended with a huge bang as CM Punk made his return to WWE at Survivor Series. Punk’s return came less than three months after his AEW firing, and close to a decade after he walked out of WWE in 2014. 

    For a closer look at some of the epic on-screen moments WWE experienced in 2023, check out the video below. 

  • REPORT: Michael Cole Off WWE SmackDown Commentary Team With 2024 Shake-Up

    REPORT: Michael Cole Off WWE SmackDown Commentary Team With 2024 Shake-Up

    WWE is starting out a new year, and that will come with a change to commentary. Some WWE fans don’t remember a day when Michael Cole wasn’t a full-time announcer for the company, but he may be moving out of that role.

    WWE Changing Commentary Team

    Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Kevin Patrick have made up the SmackDown commentary team for some time. Now, that may change as WWE enters into 2024.

    According to a recent report from PW Insider, WWE is making a change to their commentary teams, with two-man teams starting this week. That means that Michael Cole is no longer on SmackDown.

    The word making the rounds in WWE is that starting in the new year, the announce teams will all consist of two men booths.

    That means that Michael Cole’s time on Smackdown ended last month.

    WWE’s Future In 2024 Could See More Changes

    With Kevin Dunn’s departure from WWE, some are wondering who will leave next. Vince McMahon’s old guard may be exiting, but this report did not indicate that Michael Cole will be totally leaving WWE with this move.

    Michael Cole holds other backstage responsibilities, and he has hinted in the past about leaving the commentary table eventually. This new development could open the door for Michael Cole to pursue other opportunities as SmackDown becomes a two-man team.

  • Walk With Elijah! Ex-Superstar Elias Rebrands for Post-WWE Career

    Former WWE Superstar Elias will be working as Elijah from here on now that his non-compete clause has officially expired. 

    Elias was released from WWE in September 2023, in the first wave of talent releases following the launch of TKO Group Holdings. Elias signed with WWE in 2014 and left the company as a four-time 24/7 Champion. He is also a one-time Slammy Award winner (Best Musical Performance of 2020) and a one-time WWE Year-End Award winner (Breakout Superstar of 2018).

    Walk With Elijah

    With the Elias name owned by WWE, the former Superstar has now relaunched himself for his career outside of the promotion. On Twitter this week, The ex-Superstar announced that he is now Elijah. The video leaned on biblical themes, which makes sense as both the Elias and Elijah names come from the Old Testament prophet of the same name. 

    Elias can be seen waking in a wooded area while snippets of his time in WWE flash on screen. A voice-over also speaks in biblical prose before Elias arrives at a grave site with a priest waiting for him. The former WWE Superstar falls backwards into the grave before re-emerging from the dirt as Elijah. 

    This rebrand has had fans talking and also caught the attention of another Elijah. On Twitter, a Welsh wrestler who also competes as Elijah shared his reaction to the ex-Superstar’s rebrand. 

    Why was Elias almost fired from WWE multiple times during his tenure with WWE NXT? Click here to find out. 

  • Read WWE President Nick Khan’s Company-Wide E-Mail on Kevin Dunn’s Exit

    Read WWE President Nick Khan’s Company-Wide E-Mail on Kevin Dunn’s Exit

    WWE President Nick Khan has praised the efforts of Kevin Dunn in an e-mail while confirming the longtime executive’s departure from the promotion. 

    Dunn informed WWE of his decision to leave over Christmas, ending his many decades of servitude to the promotion. Often considered the most influential name in WWE to not be part of the McMahon family, Dunn’s official role was as WWE’s Executive Producer & Chief, Global Television Distribution. While WWE pitched for Dunn to stay on until the Royal Rumble or possibly WrestleMania, Dunn chose to make a clean break from the company after announcing his plans to leave. 

    Nick Khan’s Company-Wide E-Mail

    In a message shared throughout WWE (obtained by PW Insider), Khan said the following: 

    After 40+ years of helping to build WWE and, hands down, the best production and media unit in the entire sports and entertainment business, Kevin Dunn, will be leaving our company as of today.

    Before WrestleMania 1, Kevin joined Vince at WWF. Many of us remember a pre-WrestleMania WWF – a regional wrestling company that looked like a regional wrestling company. Then we experienced WrestleMania 1, whether live, on closed circuit or years later elsewhere. It was magic. A regional wrestling company had become a global sports entertainment juggernaut. Vince led the way, side by side with Kevin Dunn. When many of us were kids standing in line waiting to play Pac-Man, Kevin was already on the road breaking his back to help build our company.

    When you see our product now, there is nothing that comes close to its look or feel – 52 weeks a year, three to four times a week. It is singular and truly special. No other company can or will do that, and that is because of Kevin and our media team’s hard work, smarts and determination.

    We are forever grateful to Kevin. He will always be a part of the WWE family.

    Some thought that Kevin Dunn would be fired after the retirement of Vince McMahon in July 2022. Click here to check out Triple H’s comments at the time. 

  • WWE Made Major Changes to Final 2023 Live Event to Thank the Superstars

    WWE Made Major Changes to Final 2023 Live Event to Thank the Superstars

    WWE changed things up with their handling of the final live event in 2023, but these changes were welcomed by the Superstars at the show. 

    The December 30, WWE live event took place at the KIA Forum in Inglewood, California. The show was the last event on WWE’s record-breaking Holiday Tour. The event marked the second match for CM Punk since returning to WWE at Survivor Series. The Best in the World defeated Dominik Mysterio, whom he also defeated at the December 26 event in MSG. 

    WWE Makes Changes to Live Event

    With this show being WWE’s last of 2023, the promotion wanted to make things easier for the Superstars traveling for New Year’s. PW Insider reports that the show was structured to get talent done and out so they could head to LAX for red-eye flights home. This is something that likely may not have been done regularly for anyone except the very top Superstars under the previous McMahon-led regime. 

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

    This effort to get talent out as early as they could led to a steel cage match and a World Heavyweight Championship match going on early, and the card was “haphazard” compared to the more traditional WWE events. This was all designed to thank talent for their week of hard work over the tour by getting them back home ASAP.  One WWE Superstar even joked that the scene backstage was like Home Alone 2, as everybody was racing for and through the airport to get to their respective flights. 

  • Andrade El Idolo Pulled from GCW Event As WWE Return Rumors Circulate

    Andrade El Idolo Pulled from GCW Event As WWE Return Rumors Circulate

    The rumors of Andrade El Idolo’s imminent return to WWE are only growing now that the former NXT Champion has been pulled from a GCW event. 

    At AEW Worlds End, Andrade lost to Miro after his manager CJ Perry betrayed him and aligned with her husband. Shortly before the show, it was noted that this would likely be Andrade’s final AEW match and that he was expected to return to WWE imminently. On the post-Worlds End media scrum, Tony Khan confirmed Andrade’s exit from the All-Elite promotion. 

    Andrade’s WWE Return

    With Andrade’s time with AEW over, many expect a return to WWE. Andrade’s departure from AEW was said to be not pleasant and he made it clear during last week’s Dynamite that he no longer wanted to be a part of AEW. 

    While WWE hasn’t announced Andrade’s return, clues are piling up that he will be back soon. As previously reported, a former champion is expected to return to WWE on tonight’s ‘Day 1’ edition of Monday Night Raw, which could be the former NXT and United States Champion. 

    Now, another major clue has indicated that Andrade’s return to WWE is happening, even if not at tonight’s Raw. PW Insider reports that Andrade was advertised for at least one GCW event for 2024, and that is no longer the case. WWE famously prefers to keep their talent away from other promotions, with only a select few exceptions. 

    WWE Day 1 Raw

    Whether Andrade appears tonight or not, the Day 1 episode of Raw will be quite the show. The following matches have been confirmed. 

    • Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax
    • Tegan Nox and Natalya vs. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark (Number One Contenders match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)
    • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Ivy Nile (WWE Women’s World Championship)
    • Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
  • WWE Holiday Tour Smashes Records With Eight Historic Gates Across North America

    WWE Holiday Tour Smashes Records With Eight Historic Gates Across North America

    WWE ended 2023 on a high by hosting a record-breaking Holiday Tour, as touted by Head of Talent & Creative Triple H. 

    The eight-night tour kicked off on December 26 with WWE’s annual event from Madison Square Garden in New York City. That same night, WWE would host an event in Baltimore, Maryland. WWE would also host events in Boston, Montreal, State College, Detroit, Houston, Toronto, and Las Vegas before ending the tour at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. 

    WWE’s Record-Breaking Holiday Tour

    As previously reported, WWE’s return to Madison Square Garden saw the largest gate for any non-televised event in the history of the promotion. That show saw CM Punk make his return to the ring in his first WWE match since the 2014 Royal Rumble. 

    Taking to Twitter, Triple H shared more impressive news about the recent Holiday Tour. The 14-time WWE World Champion revealed that the eight-show tour had four sell-out events. Eight of the total ten events on the tour proved to be record-breaking gates for wrestling shows in their respective arenas. 

    What’s Next? 

    With this highly successful tour in the history books, WWE’s attention turns to what will be a stacked week of programming. Tonight’s Raw will be a ‘Day 1’ special edition of the red brand, followed by NXT New Year’s Evil the following night. On Friday, WWE will host their ‘New Year’s Revolution’ edition of SmackDown. From there, WWE will host the Royal Rumble on January 27. The promotion will head to Perth, Australia for their Elimination Chamber event in February, before WrestleMania 40 in April. 

    What resolutions do the WWE Superstars have for the New Year? Click here to find out. 

  • Shelton Benjamin Has “A Few Years More” in the Ring After WWE Exit

    Shelton Benjamin’s time with WWE may have ended, but the Gold Standard is by no means done in the ring. 

    Benjamin, a former U.S. Intercontinental, Tag Team, and 24/7 Champion, was released from WWE in September of 2023 as part of the first wave of releases following the launch of TKO Group Holdings. Benjamin’s first run with WWE lasted from 2000 to 2010 with his second run going from 2017 to 2023. 

    Shelton Benjamin On His Wrestling Future

    During a Twitch stream, Benjamin was thanked by a fan for his years of entertainment. The ex-Superstar was grateful for the kind words and shared his timeframe for his future in the ring. 

    “Thank you for watching. I hope you enjoyed [it]. I hope to give you [a] few years more, ’cause I’m not done yet. Not quite.”

    During the stream, Benjamin was also asked about his move to Raw in 2004. Benjamin was drafted to the red brand in April and debuted by getting a series of upset wins over Triple H. 

    “My thoughts on that was it was totally a surprise to me I had no idea what was planned. I didn’t realize how big that moment would be for me. It put me on the map.

    “So much respect for Triple H for being willing to do the honors to get my name out there. It was amazing. That whole week, that whole run was one of the best times of my career.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66zY5iD1Svs

    Could Shelton Benjamin’s future reside in AEW? Some in Tony Khan’s promotion certainly hope so. Click here to find out more. 

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

  • Latest On Kevin Dunn’s WWE Exit: Pitch to Stay, When He’s Leaving & More

    Latest On Kevin Dunn’s WWE Exit: Pitch to Stay, When He’s Leaving & More

    Longtime WWE Executive Kevin Dunn is leaving of his own accord, despite what some may believe about the situation. 

    Last week, it was reported that Dunn would be stepping down from his role as WWE’s Executive Producer & Chief, Global Television Distribution. His departure marks the end of three decades of working with the promotion. Dunn was unwavering in his stance not to comply with dictated directives and preferred his previous hands-on approach to production oversight. 

    Latest on Kevin Dunn’s Departure

    Kevin Dunn wasn’t the most well-liked person in WWE, so much so that when Vince McMahon retired in July of 2022, many predicted that Dunn would be fired. This speculation was quashed by Triple H himself, who named Dunn as a major part in WWE’s plans post-McMahon. Despite what some may believe, Dunn was not fired by WWE, according to a report from PW Insider. Instead, he is choosing to retire, and made it clear to WWE higher-ups he was finishing during the Christmas week. 

    There was a push for Dunn to stay on through the Royal Rumble and possibly finish with WrestleMania 40 in April 2024. Instead, Dunn preferred a clean cut and he is done with WWE “effectively immediately.” The report emphasized how massive a deal for Dunn to be leaving, no matter if people liked him or not. 

    Why People Dislike Kevin Dunn

    Though he always seemed to have Vince McMahon on his side, Dunn was hardly popular within WWE or with the company’s fans. Many take issue with Dunn’s use of quick camera cuts that make the action hard to follow as well as some of his attitudes towards wrestlers. Dunn reportedly was against pushing Becky Lynch because of her Irish accent and believed that she’d never be able to cut a good promo. In his book MOX, Jon Moxley writes about Dunn’s influence. 

    “In a place like WWE, that one comment, one little seed planted by a guy in Kevin Dunn’s position can be extremely detrimental to someone’s future there. That’s a lot of power, and power breeds ego. Connecticut … old, rich boys’ club ego. I’ve heard all kinds of stories about that guy messing with people’s careers. Suffice to say that dude is a fu**bag.”

    Dunn was also said to be against pushing Billie Kay as he did not find her funny. It is also reported that he was against pushing any women he did not find personally attractive.  

  • Bianca Belair Tells All About Secret Afflictions She Battled Before WrestleMania 39

    Bianca Belair Tells All About Secret Afflictions She Battled Before WrestleMania 39

    Belair had a remarkable journey in WWE, and fans don’t even know everything she went through. While fans were excited to see the EST of WWE perform at WrestleMania 39, she was battling a lot.

    Bianca Belair’s WrestleMania 39 Story

    Bianca Belair was RAW Women’s Champion at WrestleMania 39 as she faced Asuka. Despite a stellar performance and a successful title defense, Belair was going through a lot behind the scenes.

    The EST of WWE not only defended her title but also navigated a rigorous schedule filled with media obligations as the champion. This demanding routine, coupled with consistent title defenses, created a ton of pressure for Belair.

    In a conversation with Brad Gilmore on The Collection, Bianca Belair was honest when discussing her condition leading up to WrestleMania 39. She admitted feeling physically sick and run down during the event, but she pressed on to perform at the Showcase of the Immortals.

    “It was the most rewarding, but exhausting time of my career. Everyone wants to be champion, but a lot of people don’t realize the schedule that comes with that, the pressure that comes with that, the reputation that comes with that.”

    “Every time you step out, you want to put on a champion performance. It’s multiple segments on the show, you’re on every single show, every single live event, you’re doing media between the weeks. Everyone else is going home after Raw and SmackDown, you’re going to New York or California to do media, to do press, to do opportunities.”

    “I got to do a lot of amazing things and took the title to so many places when I was champion. From NBA games, NFL games, Kentucky Derby, Kevin Hart, Wild N Out, College Gameday, I did so many amazing things, but I was never home. It also comes with the pressure.”

    “I’m someone who is a perfectionist. When it comes to WrestleMania, I put everything into it. I was so sick that WrestleMania. Physically, I was run down and so sick. It’s a lot of pressure that comes with it, but it’s the most rewarding, but exhausting time of the year. You’ll see how exhausting that journey is, but rewarding and trying to balance everything.”

    Bianca Belair’s Future in WWE

    Bianca Belair is currently back on the road with WWE after taking a short, and much-deserved, break. She has the Royal Rumble on her mind. So, the EST of WWE can battle for another opportunity to perform on the Grandest Stage of the All at WrestleMania 40.

    Bianca Belair and her husband, Montez Ford, also have a new reality television show coming up on Hulu. “Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez,” will debut in February 2024.

    Above her success in WWE, Bianca Belair also has a massive amount of support from her fans. All of that only adds to her reasons to keep going.

  • WWE Superstars Share Their New Year’s Resolutions for 2024

    WWE Superstars Share Their New Year’s Resolutions for 2024

    2024 is drawing near and with it, so does the possibility for a fresh start for the Superstars of WWE. 

    Last year proved to be a year of massive change for WWE, with the biggest being the acquisition of WWE by Endeavor and the launch of TKO Group Holdings. 2023 also saw returns, releases, heel turns and a certain Tribal Chief continuing his dominant reign as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. 

    So what’s next? Well here are some of the New Year’s Resolutions from the Superstars of WWE. 

    Bianca Belair

    Bianca Belair lost the WWE Women’s Championship to IYOY SKY at SummerSlam, mere moments after capturing the gold at the same event. On last week’s SmackDown, Belair admitted she doesn’t usually make resolutions, but vowed to recapture the title and remain undefeated at WrestleMania. 

    Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits

    On the show, Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits resolved that they will have “more” in 2024. Lashley added that the new year will not just be good for his faction, but it’ll be “All Mighty.”

    Grayson Waller & Austin Theory

    Grayson Waller & Austin Theory have impressed those backstage as a tag-team. On SmackDown, the pair said that winning singles and tag titles are their goals for 2024. Theory added that he wants to win the Royal Rumble while Waller plans on headlining WrestleMania. 

    Rey Mysterio

    Rey Mysterio has a simple resolution for 2024: to get Dominik Mysterio and Santos Escobar. 

    Trish Stratus

    WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus has shared her big plans for the New Year. After competing in 10 matches in 2023, the seven-time Women’s Champion plans to be back in the ring once again in 2024. 

  • Trick Williams Almost Ended Up In The XFL Before WWE Recruited Him

    Trick Williams Almost Ended Up In The XFL Before WWE Recruited Him

    Trick Williams is known for his explosive offense in the ring, and he has fans all over chanting “WHOOP THAT TRICK”at him. He emerged  in the WWE landscape from a football background, adding to a long list of Superstars who entered through the gridiron. 

    During a conversation with Brad Gilmore, Trick Williams clarified that the XFL was indeed an option for him. He had a tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he didn’t make it. Then his agent arranged an XFL tryout. 

    This was the XFL during Vince McMahon’s second re-birth of the league, prior to the pandemic. So, when WWE saw the kind of skills Trick Williams brought to the table, things changed for his life. 

    “I wasn’t into wrestling. I was into football. After college, I had a mini camp tryout with the Philadelphia Eagles, but I got cut. From there, I didn’t know what I was going to do, but I wanted to play football. I had an agent at the time who wanted me to tryout for the XFL. The XFL was owned by Vince McMahon. I filled out this questionnaire for the XFL, and the next day WWE reached out to me.”

    WWE Superstars’ Connection to Football

    Transitioning from football to pro wrestling is a common journey, with figures like The Rock, Roman Reigns, and Baron Corbin making their way to WWE from the football world. Trick Williams, too, had football as a potential path, and interestingly, it almost led him to the XFL.

    The Rock resurrected the XFL after Vince McMahon’s attempt to revive the defunct league faced setbacks. McMahon’s XFL reboot was thwarted by the pandemic, but The Rock took up the mantle shortly after. Williams, however, tried out for McMahon’s version of the XFL reboot, although it didn’t steer him toward a football career.

    Trick Williams’ Future in WWE 

    Trick Williams is gearing up for the challenge against Ilja Dragunov at NXT New Year’s Evil on January 2nd. That is a huge opportunity for Trick Williams, as he has worked hard for over a year to make it to this point in his WWE career, even if his original path was in the football world.

  • Tenille Dashwood (WWE’s Emma) Uncertain About Her Pro Wrestling Future

    WWE released several main roster Superstars in September, and although a few of them are getting out there and taking dates, one isn’t certain they will ever wrestle again.

    Emma After Her WWE Release

    Tenille Dashwood’s 90-day non-compete clause concluded with the rest of those releases. That was definitely not an event she mapped out for herself on any 2023 vision board. 

    2023 was a tough year for some, full of change and transition. As Tenille Dashwood looks back at what happened over the past twelve months, so has a lot to think about.

    Now adopting the name Tenille Dashwood once again, she contemplated her future in pro wrestling, as she reflected on this year.

    “2023 was filled with highs and lows. The man of my dreams proposed to me, and I lost my dream job at the company where we first met. While I’m not sure if I’ll ever wrestle again… I am sure that I’ll turn this into a positive. No restrictions, no putting things on the back burner. Time to follow my heart.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C1fczvePI2W

    Emma’s Career In WWE

    Emma has navigated an interesting wrestling career since coming over to the United States from Australia. Years ago, she was once fired from WWE after a shoplifting incident, which was a total misunderstanding in the end, but she was brought back in a hurry. Then she was released for a much longer period of time in 2017.

    Following her initial WWE tenure, she ventured into other companies like ROH and Impact Wrestling before making a WWE return in 2022. However, her second stint was brief, as she faced another release in September. 

    Tenille Dashwood and Madcap Moss met while they were in WWE. Then, they shared a WWE release date in September as they both received messages that their contracts were terminated. 

  • Giulia Still Has “Things to Do in Japan” Amid Interest from WWE

    Giulia Still Has “Things to Do in Japan” Amid Interest from WWE

    NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Giulia could be a WWE Superstar soon, but the Japanese star is keeping coy about her future.

    For months, there have been rumors that Giulia could one day end up in WWE. In November, it was reported that Giulia would be attending a personal tryout at the Performance Center in Orlando, though the trip was eventually canceled. Despite this, WWE was said to have a “massive” amount of interest in the Japanese wrestler. 

    Giulia on Possibly Joining WWE

    While speculation grows about Giulia joining WWE, the 29-year-old wrestler isn’t ready to publicly make the move just yet. In an interview with Tokyo Sports, the reigning NJPW Strong Women’s Champion was asked about the reports.

    “This is the first time I’ve been asked this directly in an interview (reports of WWE having interest in her). What can I say… Giulia has grown up (laughs). But, I still have things to do in Japan.”

    What’s Next? 

    Signing Giulia is a priority for WWE’s Head of Talent Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque. The Game is said to be bothered by the notion Japanese talent can’t succeed in WWE and hopes the arrival of Giulia can change that perception. While Giulia would be quite the addition to the AEW roster, the All-Elite promotion has never made a serious play for her, and she has had no conversations with representatives. At this time, it appears her only notable options are WWE or staying in Japan. 

    One WWE Superstar already has her eye on facing Giulia in the ring. Click here to find out more.