SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Road Dogg got emotional & hugged it out with CM Punk upon WWE return

    Road Dogg got emotional & hugged it out with CM Punk upon WWE return

    CM Punk and Road Dogg Brian James have patched things up and it caused the latter to nearly tear up.

    Speaking on a YouTube exclusive of the “Oh … You Didn’t Know?” podcast, Road Dogg talked about his interaction with Punk upon his WWE return. 

    Dogg and Punk had professional friction between one another and Dogg has been critical of Punk in the past. However, Dogg did note even before Punk signed with WWE again, that he’d be a definite needle mover for the company.

    Speaking with co-host Matt Mitchell, Dogg said that he first saw Punk at catering. Punk stood up and the two shook hands. Nothing was said but then Punk broke the ice by indicating James should pull a “Step Brothers” and come in for the hug.

    “He literally shrugged his shoulders and went like, ‘Ah, come on’ and pulled me in and hugged me and… I’ll tell you the truth. It made me feel immediately like an a-hole, like I’m a piece of crap. It humbled me in myself if that makes sense (he laughed). I don’t know how else you can humble yourself but, it humbled me in a way where I thought, ‘I have talked negatively about you. and I thought negatively about you and then you embrace me and wow,’ you know what I mean?”

    That wasn’t the only interaction the two had with one another. James has been back on the road with WWE and is the Senior VP of Live Events. The WWE Hall Of Famer believes that a higher power brought him and Punk together.

    “I believe God works in mysterious ways and he worked that weekend. Every bit of it was orchestrated to put me and Punk in certain situations and I hope he hears this because I think he’ll realize the depth of it because, I don’t know. We were just put together for like five days in a row, working and working together and speaking about the future and what he’ll be doing as far as what I do in my job and so, I don’t know man. It felt very much like, ‘Stop talking bad about people, Brian. Stop thinking negatively about people…’”

    CM Punk is set to make a return to the squared circle both in Los Angeles and in New York City ahead of The Royal Rumble.

    Please credit “Oh, You Didn’t Know?” and h/t Andrew Thompson of POST Wrestling for the transcription.

  • Bianca Belair Is Open To Idea Of Working Alongside Montez Ford In WWE

    Bianca Belair Is Open To Idea Of Working Alongside Montez Ford In WWE

    Montez Ford and Bianca Belair are both accomplished WWE Superstars on their own. WWE did have Belair align herself with the Street Profits for a brief period, but it didn’t take the EST of WWE long to break out on her own.

    Montez Ford is a member of the tag team Street Profits, and as partner with Angelo Dawkins, the team recently turned heel and formed a union with Bobby Lashley. On the other hand, Bianca Belair has maintained a babyface character.

    Both Montez Ford and Bianca Belair have established themselves within the industry, but you can never say never about a possible husband/wife storyline in WWE.

    During a recent appearance on the ROAR Around The Ring podcast, Bianca Belair responded to a question about the prospect of appearing alongside her husband in the wrestling ring. She acknowledged that, while their marriage has not been incorporated into WWE programming, it could be a compelling idea.

    “I think in the future, we will come together, but it’s kind of hard, because once you put us together, how do you separate us? … But I’m excited to see where that goes, that faction to me is so powerful, I just think that they’re unstoppable and I just can’t wait until they get some momentum.”

    What’s next for Bianca Belair and Montez Ford In WWE

    Bianca Belair is obviously paying close attention to the current Street Profits faction and Bobby Lashley. That angle could go on to do some big things in 2024.

    As Bianca Belair and Montez Ford prepare for the debut of their reality TV series, “Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez,” they are obviously excited about what is to come, as they are still ready for anything.

  • Bayley Signs New Multi-Year Contract With WWE

    Bayley Signs New Multi-Year Contract With WWE

    Bayley has stood apart from the rest of the women’s roster after tarting out in NXT. She gained popularity for her authentic and relatable character, hugging fans everywhere she went. She morphed her character in to a heel years later, after forging a spot for herself on the WWE main roster, and she hasn’t looked back. Now, she will be with WWE for years to come.

    Bayley Signs New WWE Contract

    Sean Ross Sapp reports that Bayley has signed a new deal with WWE. This report was also backed up by PW Insider.

    Sources within WWE claim that Bayley has signed a new multi-year deal with the company.

    Bayley’s Connection With Mercedes Mone

    After moving to the WWE main roster, Bayley continued to thrive, evolving her character and maintaining a strong connection with the audience. She achieved the historic accomplishment of becoming the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Sasha Banks.

    Mercedes Mone and Bayley are still great friends, after traveling the world with each other. Given Bayley’s recent tease on social media, and the fact that she begs Sasha Banks to return all the time, she may just work with her friend again soon.

    Given Bayley’s recent contract renewal, and Mercedes Mone’s current situation, those could be interesting ingredients to the formula which could result in The Boss’ return.

    What’s Next For Bayley In WWE

    Bayley’s current run in Damage CTRL elevated her to a new level. That faction is still going strong, as they captivate fans about the plan for their next steps. Now, it appears that Bayley will be around for the long-haul to see that angle through.

    WWE has several contracts running up in 2024 for top Superstars including Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Drew McIntyre, and Sheamus. Bayley’s contract situation is now locked in, and she’s not leaving WWE.

  • Brogan Finlay, Brother of NJPW’s David Finlay, Signs With WWE

    Brogan Finlay has officially signed with WWE NXT and is set to arrive at the Performance Center in Orlando in due time. 

    News of Finlay’s signing was broken by PW Insider. The 21-year-old wrestler attended the Performance Center for a tryout earlier this year. Other names who attended the same tryout include Madi Wrenkowski, Jazmin Allure, and Hollyhood Haley J. 

    Brogan Finlay’s Heritage

    Finlay is a fourth-generation wrestler, with his father being the well-respected Dave ‘Fit’ Finlay. The elder Finlay joined WWE in 2001 following the demise of WCW and is a former WWE United States Champion. Brogan’s grandfather David Sr. and great-grandfather also fought during their respective eras. 

    Brogan isn’t the only Finlay of his generation to be active in the ring. His brother David Finlay III is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling and is the seventh and current leader of the Bullet Club. He is also a former NEVER Openweight Champion. 

    Brogan Finlay in the Ring

    Brogan Finlay made his in-ring debut in June 2021 with a victory over Chris Dickinson at a Beyond Project Dolphin event. While he is a relative newcomer to the wrestling industry, Finlay has competed in multiple promotions. The fourth-generation wrestler has already competed for GCW, New Japan, Wrestling Revolver, Black Label Pro, and Blitzkrieg! Pro to name just a few companies. Finlay’s most recent match took place at Game Changer Wrestling’s Si or No? event last month. Brogan lost to Tony Deppen at the event. 

  • What’s next for the wave WWE releases who are now free agents?

    What’s next for the wave WWE releases who are now free agents?

    Four days before Christmas, several former WWE stars will get the gift of free agency. On Friday, their 90 day non-compete contracts will be up.

    In September, WWE cut over 20 wrestlers. That list included Mustafa Ali, Dolph Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin, and Emma.  

    The wrestling world rallied around all of the athletes who lost their jobs, including John Cena, who leant support to longtime friend Dolph Ziggler:

    Plans for free agents released by WWE

    So, what’s next for these former WWE Superstars? Here’s a list of what we know so far:

    Dolph Ziggler:

    Ziggler had been with the company for nearly two decades and competed in 1.554 matches. He (Nic Nemeth) has been doing comedy shows with his brother, Ryan Nemeth. 

    He is rumored to be joining his brother in AEW. On Jan. 6, 2024, he will wrestle in Puerto Rico against Ray Gonzalez. 

    Mustafa Ali

    Ali posted on social media last Friday night a clip that said 12/21/23 with music playing in the background. He captioned it “12/21 12:21 PM EST.” 

    The tease lead up to the announcement of the 2024 Mustafa Ali World Tour:

    ‘Top Dolla’ AJ Francis

    On Thursday, the former “Top Dolla” AJ Francis posted “Thank you WWE. Tomorrow begins the Dolla Era. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

    At midnight on December 21, his new single dropped. He performed the song at Busted Open’s holiday party. He is also scheduled to wrestle on January 6 for Coastal Championship Wrestling. On January 26, he’s set to make his GCW return at “Look At Me”. 

    Mansoor

    Mansoor and the former Mace, now known as Mason Madden, are hitting the indies as MxM. They’ve been announced for EFFY’s Big Gay Brunch and GCW in January. On December 10, they showed up at Deadlock Pro Wrestling’s 2nd Anniversary Show to say they were there “until the wheels fall off.” Their first match will be against West Coast Wrecking Crew on January 20. They are also lining up singles matches. 

    Tenille Dashwood & Riddick Moss

    Tenille Dashwood posted a video of herself and fiancé Riddick Moss with the caption “Day 89 mood. See y’all tomorrow!” Moss yells “freedom!” at the end of the video. 

    The couple also has a travel show launching on YouTube on Friday. 

    We at SEScoops wish everyone the best moving forward. 

  • WWE Abandoned Idea Of Giving Retribution An Antifa Gimmick

    WWE has many ideas floating around, but not every concept comes to fruition within the company. One such discarded idea involved a faction inspired by Antifa, which WWE swiftly abandoned.

    Mace joined WWE in 2016 and marked his main roster debut in 2020 as part of the Retribution faction. Unfortunately, the plans for this group, led by Mustafa Ali, were inadequately conceived. 

    During a conversation with Denise Salcedo on Instinct Culture, Mace shed light on the initial concept behind Retribution. He disclosed that WWE initially envisioned the group resembling Antifa but decided against it due to the potential controversy that would have ensued.

    “[Where did the pitch come about? When did you think of it? How did you feel being part of Retribution?] There was no pitch. If you remember correctly, the initial appearance of Retribution was a bunch of extras because there were a bunch of like really small guys at the time. That’s why, that’s actually how I ended up being in it. There were a bunch of little small guys that were extras. They had no idea who they wanted them to be from what I understand. And I think they were trying to do an Antifa thing. I think that was the idea.“

    “But at the same time, it’s a very big company. There’s not really much room for controversy anymore. So, at some point they were like, ‘Yeah, maybe we shouldn’t. But we already did this big angle and we need to kind of finish it in some capacity.”

    What Is Antifa?

    Antifa is short for “anti-fascist.” The group emerged with roots in various political ideologies, united by a shared opposition to fascist and far-right ideologies. Operating primarily in response to perceived threats of fascism and white supremacy, Antifa often employs direct action methods to counter such ideologies. 

    Members of Antifa groups emphasize decentralized, grassroots organization, with no formal leadership structure. The movement’s tactics include protest, direct action, and, at times, confrontations with those they perceive as promoting fascist ideologies.

    WWE may have considered making Retribution fall in line with this idea, but they went in a different direction.

    WWE’s Wild Booking Of Retribution Stable

    WWE didn’t make Retribution a politically-charged angle on television, but that doesn’t mean they had a plan in mind. 

    WWE started that Retribution angle during the pandemic, with no live crowds or pay-out planned. This stable was a Vince McMahon vision from the beginning, and it did create interest during their early stages.

    I was told at the time that Vince McMahon was mostly writing the angle on a week-to-week basis. This is why things changed so much about the faction, how many members there were, and who were even under the masks, until the big reveal.

    Notable members included current AEW talent Mercedes Martinez, NXT standout Dijak, former NJPW star Shane Haste, and SmackDown’s Michin. Despite their introduction in August 2020, the faction disbanded seven months later with very little fanfare, and without giving Mustafa Ali much of a chance to really lead the stable.

  • Matt Riddle returns to MLW on 1/6 in first match post-WWE

    Matt Riddle is one of the many former WWE Superstars who are about to break into the free agency market. Their 90-day non-compete clauses expire on December 21st, including Dolph Ziggler, Mustafa Ali, Dana Brooke, Mace, Mansoor, Elias, Rick Boogs, and more.

    Now, we know Riddle’s next move in pro wrestling will include a return Major League Wrestling. 

    Matt Riddle vs. Jacob Fatu is signed and scheduled for Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Kings of Colosseum. The event takes place from Philadelphia, PA at the 2300 Arena.

    Riddle also has a match booked against Rob Van Dam

    Matt Riddle is also booked for a dream match against RVD in Chillicothe, Ohio. Big Time Wrestling announced that Riddle vs. RVD will take place Saturday, March 9th, 2024 at “The Reunion 3: Cavalcade of Legends” Super Show at the OU-Shoemaker Center.

    Why did Matt Riddle leave WWE?

    Matt Riddle’s release from WWE was different from the rest of the cuts, and the company made that point by releasing him a day after everyone else. Riddle was released because there was cause for his termination.

    The incident that triggered Matt Riddle’s release occurred at JFK Airport, where he was involved in an incident while under the influence. Officers needed to be called, and it was a messy situation. TMZ later released footage to back up his inebriated escapade.

    This incident took place as Matt Riddle was returning home from WWE’s live event in India. The consequences were swift, culminating in Matt Riddle’s removal from the road, meaning his final match with the company was during a live event in India before his subsequent termination. The release was not based on an isolated event, but rather the result of a pattern of backstage infractions spanning several years.

    Matt Riddle had just finished a stint in rehab, but that incident at JFK Airport did not paint the picture of someone who changed their ways. WWE decided to release Riddle instead, because he already had so many chances before.

    People still like Matt Riddle in WWE, but his repeated behavior resulted in a situation where management could no longer back him up. I was told about dozens of incidents, both known and unreported, about times he ran afoul internally.

    Despite the challenges and controversies, Matt Riddle’s wrestling journey continues, and fans can soon find him in MLW. Anyone can return to WWE, just look at CM Punk, so we will have to see what the future holds for the King of Bros.

  • Dua Lipa Shares Her Working Experience With John Cena In ‘Barbie’

    Dua Lipa Shares Her Working Experience With John Cena In ‘Barbie’

    5-time Grammy Award nominee Dua Lipa recently shared her experience of working with WWE legend John Cena in ‘Barbie’

    The movie starred Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken. Gerwig directed Barbie and the screenplay was by Gerwig & Oscar nominee Noah Baumbach. The popular movie which is based on Barbie by Mattel, hit the theatres earlier this summer on Friday, July 21.

    Early in the filming of Barbie, director Greta Gerwig and composer and producer Mark Ronson decided on a track to score the film’s first big dance scene. Ronson reached out to disco queen, Dua Lipa, and asked her to come on board for “Dance the Night.”

    Her cameo as a mermaid came along later and with this movie, she made her acting debut. It was also a reunion with legendary wrestler John Cena, whom she met while working on the film Argylle, which will be released in February.

    Dua Lipa says it was ‘amazing’ to work with John Cena

    Speaking with Vanity Fair, Lipa stated that Cena is her ’emotional support actor.’ She further praised the 16-time World Champion and said:

    “It seems like I can’t seem to do anything without him! He’s really my emotional support actor. It was fab, and he’s amazing, and I absolutely love working with John. He’s such a great guy and so lovely.”

    In addition to this, Lipa said she was happy to see Barbiemania creating a buzz and had even joined in with a pink look at the film’s premiere in July.

     “Everyone can embrace it in their own way,” she said of Barbie’s spirit. 

    John Cena recently said that he feels fortunate to have bagged the cameo role in one of the most-talked movies of 2023. Check out his comments below:

  • Gunther Comments On Possibly Facing Brock Lesnar At WrestleMania 40

    Gunther Comments On Possibly Facing Brock Lesnar At WrestleMania 40

    WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther yet again expressed his desire to face Brock Lesnar, that too at WrestleMania 40. 

    ‘The Ring General’ has been on an unstoppable run as WWE Intercontinental Champion and has defeated every opponent who has challenged him. One of the credible challengers who could put his title reign at jeopardy is none other than Brock Lesnar.

    Both the superstars have expressed their desire to face each other but they are yet to lock horns inside the squared circle. Meanwhile, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ has been away from WWE programming. 

    Gunther mentions Brock Lesnar

    While on SiriusXM Busted Open, Gunther said that he feels he needs to prove his status as the ‘end boss’ and that could be possible if he manages to defeat Lesnar. He said:

    “I don’t know if WrestleMania 40 is the time for that but we’ll see but I feel like in the long run the one name I always bring up is Brock because I feel like I’m the end boss to a lot of people. But I feel like Brock is somebody perfected being an end boss and I got to prove myself with him in the ring too.” 

    Could we see Gunther vs Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 40?

    WWE is set to host Royal Rumble next month and that could be the perfect way to sow the seeds for the Lesnar-Gunther feud and it could lead to a clash at WrestleMania 40.

    WWE also dropped a subtle hint about Lesnar’s appearance at WrestleMania 40. The promotional materials for WrestleMania 40 feature the former WWE Universal Champion and there is certainly a possibility that the two titans could share the ring at the Tropicana Field event.

    There have been reports floating that the company is considering the high-profile match between the two on ‘The Grandest Stage of Them All.’

    We will now have to wait and see what WWE has in store for the fans.

  • Reported Length of Rey Mysterio’s Latest WWE Contract

    WWE has been securing its talent with new contracts as existing deals come to an end. They really don’t want to lose a lot of top Superstars in 2024, and they’re prepared to offer big money to secure them.

    Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio’s New WWE Contracts

    The latest developments in contract news revolve around the Mysterio Family, with both Rey and Dominik Mysterio recently signing new deals. While there is more information on Dominik’s reported five-year deal with WWE, Rey Mysterio’s contract duration was initially undisclosed.

    Haus of Wrestling has now reported that Dominik Mysterio’s new WWE contract is a bit longer than his father’s. While Dirty Dominik is believed to be locked into a five-year deal, Rey Mysterio is actually only with WWE on a three-year commitment. 

    Haus of Wrestling has confirmed that Rey has signed a new three-year deal with WWE.

    Haus of Wrestling has not been able to confirm the length of Dominik’s deal. However, Dominik’s is believed to be a little longer, five years. Haus of Wrestling has also confirmed that, despite the injuries he has accrued, Rey plans to continue wrestling throughout his new contract.

    What’s Next For Rey Mysterio

    Rey Mysterio is currently recovering from a knee injury, one that was created in-storyline by Santos Escobar when he turned on the LWO leader. Now, it appears we will have a group vs group dynamic whenever Rey Mysterio is able to make his return to the ring.

    This dual contract renewal for Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysrterio solidifies the company’s commitment and happiness with what they are doing on television. Dominik Mysterio became one of the hottest heels in the company, working all three brands as NXT North American Champion for 66 days.

    Rey Mysterio’s three-year commitment represents a significant investment by both the wrestler and the company. As a Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio’s continued presence contributes depth to the roster, and it’s his upcoming return will hopefully put him in line for a featured match on the WrestleMania 40 card.

  • Kyla Braxton Details Origin Of Paul Heyman Skit

    Kyla Braxton Details Origin Of Paul Heyman Skit

    WWE has changed in a lot of different ways over the past few years. While some of these changes are pretty evident, there are others that are more subtle. One such change that is not talked about as much is in the characters of broadcast personalities.

    At a time, the role of show hosts or backstage interviewers was limited to asking questions. In the past few years, however, we’ve seen the broadcasters showing more personality and even getting involved in storylines every now and then.

    Kyla Braxton is one such name who has made her mark among other broadcasting talents. Though it’s not something that came naturally to her when she joined the company in 2016. She has had to work hard to get the reorganization from fans. One of the things that has helped Kyla make this transition is her on-screen interactions with Paul Heyman on SmackDown and other shows.

    Braxton recently appeared on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast. She discussed her work with Heyman and gave the Special Counsel a lot of credit for her growth:

    “Paul Heyman. I give a lot of credit to Paul. I had so much fun doing all that back and forth with him with the Bloodline. Paul and I were doing Talking Smack together and we didn’t really know each other at the time.

    We didn’t really interact a lot and getting to know him on that panel and getting to go back and forth and realising we’re both kind of spitfires helped immensely. Then he got me on camera to do those bits with him on SmackDown with the Bloodline. Now I am the sassy backstage interviewer.”

    When asked how the segments with Paul came about, Kyla Braxton revealed that she has no idea how it happened. According to her, Heyman wanted to help her and so he made it happen:

    “I don’t even know. I think he just really wanted to help me. He does that with a lot…I see him with talent, other interviewers. He just really wants to see what our strengths are. Then I don’t know he just makes it happen. I honestly don’t know how he made it happen. But he did.”

    Kyla Braxton Is Not Intimidated By Paul Heyman

    One of the recurring segments featuring the two that fans love is Kyla jump-scaring Heyman backstage for an interview. Speaking about the origin of the running gag, the WWE personality claimed that it wasn’t pre-planned:

    “I don’t even remember how the first one happened. A lot of times like Paul and I would just go. There’s not really talking about beforehand. We just [said] whatever happens, happens. I think that his freakout happened on one and it just hit big. So we just kind of kept doing it. [It] got a good reaction, fans loved it.”

    Due to his decades of experience in the business and his impressive clientele, Paul Heyman can prove to be an intimidating personality for a rookie talent. Though Kyla Braxton said that it’s not the case with her:

    “He can be but not to me. We have great rapport. We have a great relationship. He’s always so helpful. Even if it’s a segment that he’s not a part of he wants to give feedback and give notes. I really appreciate it because everyone’s so busy on those days. There’s not a lot of time to stop and show that you care enough to give feedback. So it’s definitely helped me become a better broadcaster.”

    More originals from SEScoops:

    If you use any quotes from the article please credit Insight With Chris Van Vliet with an H/t to SEScoops for transcription

  • JD McDonagh Looking to Appeal ‘Loser Leaves Judgment Day’ Defeat with NXT Lawyer

    JD McDonagh Looking to Appeal ‘Loser Leaves Judgment Day’ Defeat with NXT Lawyer

    JD McDonagh is ready to fight for his place back in the Judgment Day and has enlisted the help of a WWE NXT Superstar. 

    On this week’s Raw, McDonagh faced R-Truth, who continues to believe that he is an official member of the faction. Ahead of their ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ Fight, it was decided that this match would see the loser be kicked out of the Judgment Day. While the faction hoped that this would be the last time they’d have to deal with Truth, the former 24/7 Champion won the match after putting McDonagh through a table. This was an especially tough loss for McDonagh who had spent months trying to earn an official spot in the faction. 

    JD McDonagh’s Appeal

    McDonagh may be out of the Judgment Day, but he’s not going to be kicked out without a fight. On Twitter, NXT Superstar Luca Crisfino Esq. shared an official appeal from his legal offices. Crusifino will be representing McDonagh and tagged WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce in the tweet. 

    The litigation refers to Truth’s hand being under McDonagh’s shoulder when the pinfall was made. This should, according to Crusifino, should result in the pinfall being declared null and void. Pearce has seven days to respond to this litigation. 

    Crusifino joined WWE earlier this year and has showcased his lawyer character as part of the WWE NXT brand. On this week’s episode of the gold brand, Crusifino competed in the NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament. He would lose to Taivon Heights who advanced to the next round where he will face Oba Femi. 

  • Hulk Hogan Outlines Why Randy Orton ‘Fits Perfectly’ In The Current WWE Roster

    WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan feels Randy Orton fits quite well in the current WWE roster. 

    WWE roster is stacked with a plethora of talented wrestlers. Several wrestlers have come and gone but ‘The Viper’ is going strong with the younger generation. This has certainly impressed ‘The Hulkster,’ who shares a deep history with the Orton family. 

    The wrestling icon battled Orton in his final WWE match, which took place at SummerSlam in 2006 and ‘The Apex Predator’ has gone on to mature and become one of the all time greats.

    Randy Orton recently returned to WWE following an 18-month absence as he dealt with nagging back injuries. Orton looks to be in great shape and at 43, his wrestling style and approach have changed.

    Hulk Hogan talks about Randy Orton’s comeback

    Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Hulk Hogan opened up on how ‘The Viper’ has changed his wrestling style over the years and has managed to coordinate well with the younger talents.

    “Watching Randy now, he fits perfectly. Not only does he adjust to the styles of the young guys, but watch his matches. He slows guys down and teaches them in the match. On the spot, he calls audibles and shows them how to do it. Open my hand, here’s the diamond. He’s transitioned from old school to this hybrid.”

    ‘The Hulkster’ isn’t in a good shape to make a comeback to the squared circle but he knows who he would wrestle if he ever return. He said:

    “If I wasn’t all beat to hell, I’d love to get in the ring with Randy. We could still tear it down in the main event. Randy could call it in the ring, and he could adjust to my style to make sure it worked perfectly. He’s just so good. He can work with veterans and the newer guys, too. He knows how to pivot both ways in the ring. He understands wrestling in a way very few do. That’s why he is making masterpieces in the ring.”

    Randy Orton recently competed in the Men’s WarGames match at Survivor Series at the Allstate Arena in Chicago. The multi-time World Champion helped his team comprising Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn to score the win over The Judgment Day and Drew McIntyre. Orton is currently aiming retribution on The Bloodline.

  • Judge Recommends Bizarre Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon for Dismissal

    Judge Recommends Bizarre Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon for Dismissal

    A strange lawsuit filed against Vince McMahon and WWE is expected to be dismissed after a recommendation by a United States District Court. 

    In August, Dana Wiley filed a lawsuit against WWE over an alleged meet-up with Alexa Bliss. The suit alleges that WWE failed to reimburse a $5,500 “down payment for a meet-up arranged via email correspondence, to personally meet World Wrestling Entertainment employee Alexa Bliss” on June 30.

    The handwritten lawsuit also alleges that Vince McMahon breached an agreement with Wiley in which he would become a WWE employee. Wiley, who is currently incarcerated due to an attempted homicide, claims that McMahon had agreed to pay him $70,000 a month. 

    Recommended for Dismissal

    In a filing this month, United States Magistrate Judge Patricia L. Dodge stated that Wiley’s lawsuit was “incredible and improbably.” Judge Dodge adds that the suggestion that Wiley would be paid a total of $840,000 a year is “far-fetched at best” especially given his incarceration. 

    The statement adds that much of the terms of Wiley’s alleged contract with WWE are “indecipherable.” Judge Dodge ends by stating that the plaintiff’s complaint should be dismissed. 

    Wiley’s Previous Lawsuit

    This is hardly the first time Wiley has filed litigation against WWE. He has previously sued Vince McMahon, members of D-Generation X, and the NWO, claiming that he had signed a fair use contract for those groups’ trademarks which McMahon and the others did not acknowledge.

    Wiley claimed he signed the contract on the steps of a New Castle, Pennsylvania, courthouse after being sentenced “in an unrelated criminal case.” He also claimed that he signed this contract in 1995, a year before the NWO debuted in WCW and two years before Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Rick Rude & Chyna would form DX. The lawsuit was later dismissed. 

  • MVP Has Eyes on Kang the Conqueror Role After Jonathan Majors’ Marvel Firing

    MVP Has Eyes on Kang the Conqueror Role After Jonathan Majors’ Marvel Firing

    Could WWE’s MVP be ready to take the Marvel Cinematic Universe by storm as the villainous Kang the Conqueror? The former champion is open to the idea. 

    This week, Marvel fired actor Jonathan Majors, who had portrayed Kang in Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania and was set to reprise the role in future projects. Kang, a time traveler with many ‘variants’ bent on conquering all universes, was set to be the next big villain of the MCU following the destruction of Thanos in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. 

    Majors was fired after being found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend and Marvel has cut ties with him. With the future of Kang uncertain, fans have been left wondering who will step into the significant role should Marvel continue with its plans. On Twitter, MVP made it clear he’s open to the role. 

    https://twitter.com/The305MVP/status/1737518773437972978

    WWE & Marvel

    While MVP is unlikely to be picked for the role, the worlds of WWE and Marvel have collided in the past. Batista’s role as Drax the Destroyer helped propel his profile in Hollywood though the Animal has said he hopes to portray DC Comics villain Bane one day. 

    Seth Rollins will portray a villainous role in Captain America: Brave New World, which is set for a 2025 release. Becky Lynch filmed a post-credits scene for 2020’s Eternals but the scene was reportedly cut for being too depressing. 

    MVP Outside of the Ring

    While MVP is best known for his time in the ring, the former WWE U.S. Champion does have an acting credit to his name. MVP played Vernon Freedom in 2010’s MacGruber, a comedy starring Will Forte and Kristen Wiig which also featured Chris Jericho, The Great Khali, Big Show, Mark Henry, and Kane. 

    MVP has also performed music in the past and released his first hip-hop song titled “Holla to da World” featuring Dwayne Swayze in June 2011. On March 18, 2013, he released his second song entitled “Tokyo” while “Return of the Ronin”, which became MVP’s TNA theme, was released in January 2014. 

  • What will it take to get Sasha Banks back in WWE?

    What will it take to get Sasha Banks back in WWE?

    The wrestling business seemingly has many talents, reaching new deals or preparing to explore free agency. Recently, it was reported by Fightful Select that Charlotte Flair signed an extension with WWE that would make her the highest-paid female talent in the company’s history. 

    While free agency is looking for lucrative deals, it seems that former WWE talent Mercedes Moné (FKA Sasha Banks) has her number for what it would take for someone to sign her. 

     Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp shared on Twitter that the talk within the wrestling industry is that Moné’s asking price is higher than the deal that Flair received from WWE. It’s worth noting that the asking price would be negotiated and isn’t definitive of what she could get to sign. However, if true, it does share what  Moné values herself in the wrestling business. 

    The former New Japan Pro Wrestling superstar is looking to make her in-ring return next year after recovering from an ankle injury. Moné suffered the injury in a match against Willow Nightingale at NJPW Resurgence on May 21. At one point, it was speculated that she could’ve made a return this year, but that isn’t the case. In November, she let her fans know that she is working towards making a comeback in 2024. 

    Regarding her contract status, it was reported that she isn’t in a deal with NJPW and could sign anywhere. All Elite Wrestling was believed to be her destination, but that may no longer be the case. 

    Could WWE Bring Mercedes Moné(Sasha Banks) Back To The Company 

    While AEW could strike a deal with Moné, it seems that WWE is also a candidate. Heading into 2024, WWE has been looking to re-sign talent and is also interested in signing stars who are free agents. 

    Moné could be on WWE’s radar as they look at their options to strengthen their already impressive roster. SEScoops’ own Aaron Varble shared exclusively on December 11 with sources within WWE that there have been no contract talks between the company and Moné in the last 30 days. However, that could change as the WWE has begun locking down talent with new deals and looking forward to 2024. 

    It’s unclear if Moné will ultimately return to WWE, but it seems she is looking for an incredible deal for whoever is interested. 

  • Becky Lynch Is Sick Of Rhea Ripley’s WWE Women’s World Title Run

    Becky Lynch Is Sick Of Rhea Ripley’s WWE Women’s World Title Run

    Becky Lynch has never been one to hold her opinion back, and that is one of the qualities that helped establish her as The Man. Lynch has big goals in WWE, and she just staked her claim with a big WrestleMania match for herself against Rhea Ripley.

    While speaking to Strutting From Gorilla, Becky Lynch was asked about her next targets in WWE. She made it very clear that Nia Jax is a match that she wants to happen. Then she is off to take down Rhea Ripley and strip her of that WWE Women’s World Title.

    The way Becky Lynch sees things, she doesn’t appreciate how Rhea Ripley has been representing that women’s title, or lack thereof. With WrestleMania season coming up, Becky Lynch sees a big match in her future. 

    “I think there’s so many talented up and comers. One match we haven’t gotten to is I’ve got to shut up Nia Jax first. It’s strange to think that Nia Jax haven’t gone one on one in a WWE ring yet, but it’s true.”

    “Then there’s the next stop, and that’s taking that title off Rhea Ripley. Because that title, when I hold that title is the main event of every show. Now, her title has been seen in many main events, but not because she’s been defending it, but because she’s been the accompaniment to the main event, and I can’t have that. I’m sick of that. I can’t have that and I am going to take that title off of her, preferably at WrestleMania.”

    What’s Next For Becky Lynch In WWE

    Becky Lynch will get a chance to cross that Nia Jax match off her list soon enough. WWE officially booked Becky Lynch vs Nia Jax in a first-time ever match during that January 1st episode of the Day One RAW. 

    Rhea Ripley is still holding the WWE Women’s World Title, no matter what Becky Lynch thinks of things. It would be interesting to see The Man come around to challenge The Nightmare, and WrestleMania 40 may be a great landing pad for that match to go down.

    Becky Lynch’s’ WWE contract is running up in 2024. The next few months are going to be crucial for her, and it could also include a huge WrestleMania moment. 

  • LA Knight Receiving Key To City Of His Hometown

    LA Knight Receiving Key To City Of His Hometown

    LA Knight was known as Shaun Ricker during his pre-WWE days, and there are a number of people who remember him from before he was known throughout the world. Now, Knight is slated to receive an honor close to his heart in Hagerstown, MD. 

    LA Knight is set to be bestowed with the key to the City of Hagerstown, MD, as officially announced by the city on a Wednesday.

    Where LA Knight Came From

    Before adopting the moniker LA Knight and establishing himself as a prominent figure in the contemporary professional wrestling landscape, Shaun Ricker had roots in Hagerstown, Maryland. 

    After graduating from North Hagerstown High School in 2000, where LA Knight actively participated in the school’s band and track activities, the future WWE Superstar couldn’t shake his real dream. His childhood aspirations always revolved around becoming a professional wrestler. This is a dream that he obviously stuck with for the long haul.

    After making his way around the pro wrestling world, where he competed as Eli Drake in TNA Wrestling and the NWA for years, LA Knight finally found himself in WWE. He was known as Max Dupri during a short stint on the WWE main roster as well, but Triple H soon fixed that Vince McMahon booking decision, and the rest is history.

    LA Knight recently competed for the WWE Universal Championship in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant milestone in his career. He did not win that match against Roman Reigns, but he certainly had quite a moment in the spotlight. 

    LA Knight’s Ceremony Date

    LA Knight is scheduled for recognition on December 23rd at noon at University Plaza, the City of Hagerstown aims to honor one of its own, where he will receive the key to the city, a real honor. This has to be a great moment for LA Knight, a real full-circle moment where he can really appreciate where he came from.

    The ceremony will be open to the public, providing an opportunity for LA Knight to address the audience, a moment eagerly anticipated by fans and wrestling fans alike.

  • What does a Warner Bros. Discovery – Paramount merger mean for AEW & WWE?

    There are some early-on talks being made about the possibility of Warner Bros. Discovery merging with Paramount Global.

    Axios learned from multiple sources that CEO David Zaslav met with Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakis on December 19 about the idea of merging the two television powerhouses.

    WBD plays host to TNT, TBS and HBO while Paramount controls CBS, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central so together the duo could really pack a punch for continuing and prospective customers. However, where does it all leave AEW and WWE?

    Whenever a wrestling fan hears the term “merger” it could cause cold sweats because of the infamous AOL-Time Warner fusion that ultimately ended WCW. That changed the landscape of the business solely WWE. However, in this case, the move may bode well for perhaps both promotions.

    It was believed that WWE would soon sign its Raw television rights over to WBD, but nothing has happened as of yet. It appears by past actions Zaslav has an appreciation for pro wrestling and if WBD were to mergr with Paramount, they’re the primary bread winner between the brands. WBD earnings are valued around $29 billion while Paramount is around $10 million. That’s likely an indicator that Zaslav would at least want to sign one promotion. 

    However, in the same turn,  the fact that there may still be interest in AEW could allow Paramount to host AEW programming while Raw airs every Monday could be on TNT. In that regard, AEW’s brand identity doesn’t get diminished or discarded.

  • South Park Set To Lampoon Logan Paul With New Special

    South Park Set To Lampoon Logan Paul With New Special

    WWE United States Champion Logan Paul finds himself the subject of satire in the latest Paramount+ special, “South Park (Not Suitable For Children).” He will not be providing the voice of his character, but in true South Park fashion, that doesn’t matter.

    South Park (Not Suitable For Children) Plot

    The new South Park special takes a jab at Paul and his PRIME energy drink, featuring a plot line where an influencer named Logan promotes a hydration drink to the children of the town, despite its explicit unsuitability for kids. The narrative unfolds as the kids, captivated by their “Cred,” eventually realize they are being manipulated. 

    Eric Cartman, Butters, and others confront the Logan Paul character, seeking to unveil the mastermind behind the scheme before facing a grim fate—Logan is shot through the head by those who paid him to influence the children. It’s worth noting that there are no explicit WWE references in this South Park special.

    In “South Park (Not Suitable For Children),” the storyline unfolds as Randy takes a closer look at the darker side of online influencers after discovering a teacher at South Park Elementary with an OnlyFans page.

    How To Watch South Park (Not Suitable For Children)

    Paramount+ officially announced the availability of the exclusive South Park event, “South Park (Not Suitable For Children),” for streaming in the U.S. and Canada on December 20th, 2023. International audiences can access the special on December 21st in the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Brazil, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy on December 23rd, with other markets to follow. 

    The special joins Paramount+’s roster of exclusive South Park events, including “South Park: Post COVID,” “South Park: Post COVID: The Return of COVID,” “South Park: The Streaming Wars,” “South Park: The Streaming Wars Part 2,” and the recently released “South Park: Joining the Panderverse,” which set records on social platforms as the most engaging, watched, and talked-about event to date.

    South Park’s Legendary History

    Although some Gen Zers are just discovering South Park on TikTok, Matt Stone and Trey Parker’s creation has been lampooning culture since the dial-up internet days. They have secured an amazing streaming deal at this point, and have the luxury to still produce content while keeping a lighter schedule. 

    Looking back, the South Park series marked its 25th anniversary on August 13th, 2022, since its debut on Comedy Central. Co-creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, along with executive producers Anne Garefino and Frank C. Agnone II, have been steering the show since its inception. 

    The series has been renewed on Comedy Central through 2027, securing its place as cable’s longest-running scripted series, and paving the way for an unprecedented 30th season.

  • Internal Reception Of Ilja Dragunov Injury Angle During 12/19 WWE NXT

    Internal Reception Of Ilja Dragunov Injury Angle During 12/19 WWE NXT

    Ilja Dragunov was stretchered out during the NXT episode on December 19th, but no worries, because it’s just part of the story. Although some fans initially jumped to conclusions that Ridge Holland injured another Superstar, it seems that WWE is turning that into an angle instead. 

    The scene was filmed the previous week, taking inspiration from Ridge Holland’s involvement in Big E’s injury two years ago. He also recently caused Elton Prince’s injury, costing Pretty Deadly valuable time away from the ring. While some in WWE found the idea a bit controversial, they decided to go ahead with it. 

    Corey Brennan of Fightful reported last week that the incident was planned, and now there’s more information.

    Fightful Select further noted that, according to NXT sources, everyone involved was happy with the performance and camera work, and producers were pleased with how the crowd reacted to the angle. 

    WWE producers knew most attendees understood it was scripted, as they quickly announced the start of the next show. Cameras even followed Dragunov to the ambulance as it drove off.

    The December 19th, 2023 episode of WWE NXT drew a viewership of 641,000. The P18-49 rating for the episode stood at 0.17. That wasn’t much of a drop for a pre-taped episode, so close to Christmas. 

    It will be interesting to see how WWE NXT plays the rest of this angle with Ilja Dragunov and Ridge Holland. It certainly garnered a bit of attention, and a positive reception backstage.

  • Hulk Hogan Declares Recent Baptism As The Greatest Day Of His Life

    Hulk Hogan Declares Recent Baptism As The Greatest Day Of His Life

    Hulk Hogan is a pop culture icon at this stage of his career, for a multitude of reasons. At 70-years-old, The Hulkster is still running wild, but he will do so while having a closer relationship to a higher power.

    Hulk Hogan’s Spiritual Awakening

    Hulk Hogan recently shared a profound moment in his life, undergoing baptism alongside his wife, Sky Daily Hogan. This spiritual experience marked a significant chapter for Hogan, as he expressed his complete surrender and dedication to Jesus.

    The two-time WWE Hall of Famer described the event as the greatest day of his life, emphasizing a message centered on love, free from worries, hate, or judgment.

    While reflecting on his spiritual journey, Hulk Hogan disclosed in April that he had accepted Christ as his savior at the age of 14. Throughout his life, he attributed his sustained well-being to a combination of training, prayers, and vitamins.

    I accepted Christ as my savior at 14yrs old, and the training, prayers and vitamins kept me in the game but now that I am one with God,the main event theme of surrender,service and love makes me the Real Main Event that can slam any giant of any size through the power of my Lord and Savior and so it is,even now brother,AMEN!

    Today, Hulk Hogan revealed footage of himself, along with his wife, getting baptized. He mentioned that this was the best day of his life, as his sins were resolved.

    Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life. No worries, no hate, no judgment… only love!

    Hulk Hogan’s Troublesome Past

    Hulk Hogan embarks on this new spiritual chapter, it’s crucial to acknowledge the controversies that have marked his past. One notable legal battle involved a sex tape trial with GAWKER, where Hogan sued the media company for invasion of privacy. The trial brought to light personal aspects of Hogan’s life, leading to discussions on the boundaries between public figures and media scrutiny.

    Aside from the GAWKER lawsuit, Hulk Hogan has faced a microscope he never wanted on him for his involvement in a racist scandal and allegations related to a steroids controversy. That doesn’t even include the countless lies he’s been caught in over the years. Despite these challenges, he carried on, and it doesn’t appear that there is any sign of stopping.

    In recent Hulk Hogan-adjacent news, his son, Nick Hogan, was recently arrested for DUI, a charge to which he pleaded not guilty. He was arrested in November 2023 when he was on his way home after judging and DJing a bikini contest at Hogan’s Hangout.

    Hulk Hogan seems focused on turning over a new leaf as he continues to run Hogan’s Beach Hangout in Clearwater, Florida. While acknowledging his past, Hogan appears committed to navigating this new chapter with a renewed sense of spirituality and dedication to a life centered on love and faith. We’re pulling for him as he enters this fresh chapter, brother.

    Hogan’s Hangout is always running events, and they have a nice website as well, if you wanted to visit his online home. 

  • WWE Fan Plans To Appeal WrestleMania Pyrotechnics Lawsuit

    WWE Fan Plans To Appeal WrestleMania Pyrotechnics Lawsuit

    WWE’s grand spectacles are known for high-dollar pyrotechnic displays. It appears that WrestleMania 38’s fireworks were a bit too much for one fan, and that resulted in a lawsuit that is still dragging out to this day, despite being initially thrown out by a judge.

    Marvin Jackson filed a lawsuit against WWE after attending WrestleMania 38 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In his lawsuit, Jackson claimed that he lost hearing in his left ear during WrestleMania 38 due to a pyrotechnics blast.

    The court initially dismissed the case with prejudice, preventing it from being revived in the same court. PW Insider has now reported that Marvin Jackson appealed the decision, and the court will hear the argument in early 2024.

    Marvin Jackson’s original lawsuit alleged that WWE did not place any warnings about how loud the pyro would be around the entrance area, or anywhere else in the building. It was claimed that WWE’s failure to issue this warning resulted in Jackson’s injuries.

    “On or about April 3, 2022, Plaintiff attended WrestleMania 38 which was hosted by Defendant and located at AT&T Stadium, 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, Texas 76011.

    Plaintiff was an invitee on the premises. Defendant was the occupier of the premises.Plaintiff was seated next to the stage at the venue. When performance began, pyrotechnics went off. The blast from the pyrotechnics was so loud that it caused Plaintiff to lose almost all hearing in his left ear.

    No facts suggest that anything Plaintiff did or failed to do in any way caused or contributed to the incident or resulting damages.

    Defendant failed to notify anyone or place any warnings to warn of the existence of the dangers associated with pyrotechnics.As a result of the incident, Plaintiff suffered serious injuries.”

    WWE argued that fans agreed to enter arbitration over legal issues when purchasing WrestleMania tickets online. The court ordered both sides to submit supplemental material on arbitration.

    WWE also cited a cruise line case as a legal precedent, where a woman sued, claiming she hadn’t entered an agreement, but the court sided with the cruise line. Marvin Jackson’s representation then argued he provided evidence disputing his notice of the arbitration agreement and being considered a third-party beneficiary.

    Despite Marvin Jackson’s attorneys requesting an oral hearing, it was not allowed. In the ruling, the court stated Jackson was under the legal agreement for the ticket purchase, requiring arbitration between Jackson and WWE.

    The lawsuit accuses WWE of negligence, gross negligence, and strict liability, claiming WWE knew the risks of using pyrotechnics. The court will decide if Jackson can resurrect his lawsuit.

    WWE just wrapped up a long antitrust lawsuit with MLW. The terms of that settlement were not publicly divulged, but the numbers may come out in TKO Group Holdings’ next financial report. As for this lawsuit about the WrestleMania 38 pyro, it will keep going at this point.

    In his initial lawsuit, Marvin Jackson sought a jury trial and was seeking financial compensation exceeding $1,000,000. This included damages of any nature, penalties, costs, expenses, prejudgment interest, and attorney’s fees.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVvra2p-VVg

  • RVD Is Coy When Speaking About Possibly Losing WWE WrestleMania Booking After AEW Appearance

    RVD Is Coy When Speaking About Possibly Losing WWE WrestleMania Booking After AEW Appearance

    Rob Van Dam has been associated with WWE for the past two decades, but his appearances might not be plentiful now. RVD made a surprising debut in AEW during the August 2nd episode of AEW Dynamite this year. That may have tainted his relationship with WWE.

    During Marty Jannetty’s “Party with Marty” podcast, RVD hinted that his AEW debut might impact his chances of appearing at WrestleMania 40 in 2024. That is a shame, because the show of shows is going down in Philadelphia next year.

    While RVD confirmed his presence at next year’s WrestleCon, he provided a somewhat elusive response regarding his WrestleMania 40 status, implying that there might not be a planned appearance. 

    “Allegedly I got booked for an appearance, and then allegedly that appearance was canceled when I showed up on an alleged competitor’s TV program, and then allegedly I might be pre-booked — either way, I’m going to be there at WrestleCon!” 

    WrestleMania 40 is set to take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the former stomping grounds of ECW, sparking fan speculation about The Whole F’N Show being a natural addition to the festivities. If anything, Philly fans would love to chant “R-V-D” once again.

    RVD never inked a contract with Tony Khan, and he was on a per appearance deal. He still made some waves in the pro wrestling world with that debut, as another WWE Hall of Famer graced an AEW ring.

    We can only hope that RVD is included in WrestleMania 40 in some way, because Philadelphia really would be a great place to see him re-appear under WWE’s bright lights. If that booking is going to happen, RVD isn’t saying anything about it at this point. At least fans know RVD will be at WrestleCon.

  • WWE Personality Jason Sensation Set To Undergo Double Bypass Heart Surgery

    WWE Personality Jason Sensation Set To Undergo Double Bypass Heart Surgery

    WWE fans who remember the Attitude Era well may recall Jason Sensation for his various impression-related segments. Each of those segments contributed to his popularity during that time, as he famously portrayed Owen Hart in DX’s Nation of Domination parody, and so many more spot-on impressions. Sadly, Jason Sensation has seen better days, because he is facing quite an obstacle right before Christmas.

    Jason Sensation is currently navigating a challenging period. On Tuesday morning, wrestling manager Kimberely Ford disclosed that Sensation would undergo double bypass heart surgery on the same day, urging fans to keep him in their thoughts. 

    For those who grew up watching @JasonSensationX on Raw doing the best wrestling impressions. Please send some prayers and we’ll wishes his way. He is undergoing double bi-pass open heart surgery today.

    Jason Sensation Speaks On His Health Situation

    Shortly after that post from Kimberely Ford, Jason Sensation himself posted from a hospital bed, revealing that his surgery would be rescheduled until after Christmas. He seemed to be in good spirits, all things considered.

    The former WWE personality dropped two videos to explain his current situation. The whole time, he told that story from his hospital bed.

    https://twitter.com/JasonSensationX/status/1737204081167307154

    Jason Sensation made significant appearances for WWE that are still remembered to this day. He might not have been involved in a ton of angles, but the fact that fans remember him from his few cameos speaks volumes about his talent. 

    Now, long after gaining recognition for his impressions, Jason Sensation is making headlines again for a more challenging situation.  We’re hoping for the best, and sending our thoughts to Jason Sensation at this time. 

    https://twitter.com/JasonSensationX/status/1737205584238125153