SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • WWE NXT Stars Blair Davenport & Riley Osborne Are Engaged To Be Married

    The pro wrestling world has a lot of couples in it, because it often takes someone in the business to understand the trials and tribulations of a pro wrestler. Naturally, we’ve seen a few pro wrestling couples make things official, and now this is a very happy time for WWE NXT’s Blair Davenport and Riley Osborne. 

    Another WWE Couple Makes It Official

    A couple from NXT is poised to formalize their commitment to each other, as Blair Davenport and Riley Osborne are set to tie the knot.

    NXT’s Blair Davenport and Riley Osborne recently announced their engagement, marking a huge step forward in their relationship. Naturally, this news was received with a ton of well-wishes from fans.

    Blair Davenport shared the announcement on Instagram, accompanied by images capturing her and Osborne with what appeared to be promotional material for Broadway’s Sweeney Todd in the background. She also included a simple caption that let everyone know the answer to his big question.

    I said yes!

    Blair Davenport & Riley Osborne In WWE NXT

    Blair Davenport is still making a name for herself in NXT, and she’s doing a very good job of it. Davenport is gearing up for a significant opportunity at NXT New Year’s Evil on January 2, where she will battle for the NXT Women’s Championship against Lyra Valkyria. As she continues her road to the top of WWE’s third brand, she now has a very exciting event ahead in her personal life.

    Riley Osborne, on the other hand, is also getting quite a spotlight in NXT. Interestingly enough, he is currently involved in a romantic storyline with Thea Hale. The two Chase U members might have sparks flying on television, but Osborne has a different lady on his arm in real life.

    As of this writing, Thea Hale has not commented on this engagement. We have to wonder if they will make any mention of it on WWE NXT’s week’s show. Either way, this is an exciting announcement and we are very happy for them both.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C1Dy6OvuqDt

  • Booker T Tears Into Ahmed Johnson For Calling Him A Low Life

    Booker T Tears Into Ahmed Johnson For Calling Him A Low Life

    Ahmed Johnson is no longer associated with WWE, as his career in the ring is in the rearview mirror. That won’t stop him from throwing bombs at his former coworkers. Now, Booker T is answering back.

    In case you need a refresher, Ahmed Johnson straight-up challenged Booker T to a fight. The former WWE Superstar said that he has a time and location for the confrontation to go down as well.

    “Brother, I got a dojo for us. If you wanna get to the streets with this, let’s do it. Because I didn’t appreciate what he said. And before you call somebody a scum, look at your past, and then really know who the scum is.”

    Booker T’s Reaction to Ahmed Johnson

    During a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T addressed comments made by Ahmed Johnson on another podcast concerning Booker’s time in prison.

    Booker also confronted Johnson’s claims that he possessed a story about an incident involving Booker during his prison days. The five-time WCW Champion issued a warning to Johnson in the event that he decides to make the story public.

    “I actually heard the interview…he said what a low life I was, going to prison for robbing people. And I must say, I did go to prison for robbing people…I was a kid, and I think I’ve atoned for every piece of dirt I put down back in the day. I was a kid that made a mistake. He talks about being in a gang as a youth himself. What do gangs do? What do they normally do? They’re normally not the pillars of society, I’m just saying.”

    “I hope he tells that story, I really do. He’ll see a different side of me if he does tell a false story that’s totally not true. Because I’ve got facts, I’ve got receipts as far as everything I’m saying. If he tells a lie about me, he’s probably going to end up in court, and he’s probably going to end up getting sued from defaming me.”

    Booker T didn’t sound down to face Ahmed Johnson in any dojo, but he certainly had a lot to say in the process. Odds are, this beef is far from settled, because Ahmed Johnson is not the kind of person to let go of a grudge easily.

    You may check out Booker T’s reaction to Ahmed Johnson below. It will be interesting if they are ever booked at the same event in the future, because fans might get more than their money’s worth if those two bump into each other in public. 

  • Bianca Belair Says Charlotte Flair’s Injury Opens Up Spot On WWE Women’s Roster

    Bianca Belair Says Charlotte Flair’s Injury Opens Up Spot On WWE Women’s Roster

    Charlotte Flair did not plan on wrapping up her 2023 with an injury, but that is the situation we find ourselves in. The Queen is injured, and she will be out of action for 9 months. However, the show must go on with WWE.

    Charlotte Flair has not had surgery yet, but it is coming. She suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus during that doomed botched SmackDown spot against Asuka. 

    While speaking with ROAD Around the Ring, Bianca Belair spoke about Charlotte Flair’s recent unfortunate injury. She might be out of action, which is a huge blow to the women’s division, but that just opened up another spot for others.

    “It is a huge blow. Charlotte Flair has been such a vital part of our women’s roster. She’s created so much history. She’s a legend. I’m not even gonna say a legend in the making. With the accolades that she has, she’s a legend. It’s really hard knowing that we’ve lost someone like Charlotte Flair right now for nine months. Me selfishly, we all know I’ve always looked up to Charlotte Flair, I’ve always wanted to have a dream match against her, with her, it doesn’t matter as long as I can be in the ring with her. But it does open up an opportunity for someone else, and that’s just the way this business is.”

    “I always say, you gotta stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. You never know when your opportunity’s gonna come, whether it’s your time, whether it’s another spot that opens up. So we’ll have to see who steps up. At the end of the day, we’re all fighting for a spot at WrestleMania. So I’m even looking for my path to WrestleMania, ‘Am I gonna be on WrestleMania this year?’ So it’s very unfortunate, but it’s a spot that’s opened up for someone to shine.”

    Bianca Belair was later questioned about potential candidates to fill the mentioned void. She responded that it could be anyone, but specifically mentioned Michin, Raquel Rodriguez, and Zoey Stark as potential contenders. Belair stressed that several competitors have the capability to step into that position.

    “Anyone and everyone. Our roster is so deep, especially right now. I love how talented and deep our roster is. Especially on the SmackDown side, I feel like we have Michin, I feel like she’s stepping her game up. She’s coming back with a vengeance after Damage CTRL just took her out. On the Raw side, you have Raquel. I feel like she’s been showing up and showing out lately. Zoey [Stark]. It’s just so many women that can fill that spot.”

    Bianca Belair fought hard for her spot in WWE, but that position had to open up in the first place for her to get it. Now that Charlotte Flair is out of action, odds are, the women’s division will see even more motivation for someone to step up and fill that huge hole she left in her absence.

    We will keep our eye on Charlotte Flair’s road to recovery, because it may be quite a while before she is back in the ring. For more updates, check back with us at SE Scoops. 

  • Earl Hebner Says Inducting Non-Wrestlers Into WWE Hall Of Fame Is ‘A Joke’

    WWE has inducted plenty of people into the celebrity wing of their Hall of Fame. Some inductions have caused concern with fans, but it seems Earl Hebner is very opinionated on this subject.

    While speaking with Steve Fall, Earl Hebner was quite open about where he believes he belongs in pro wrestling history. He is not in the WWE Hall of Fame, but that is a place he feels as though he believes.

    “I should [be in the WWE Hall of Fame], but I don’t know.” Earl Hebner stated. “[There were] a few problems when I left with me and Vince so I don’t know.”

    Earl Hebner also stated that WWE should have put former WWE referee Tim White in the Hall of Fame. While was inducted as a Warrior Award recipient, years after his passing. As Hebner sees it, White should have received that honor years before he passed away, not afterward.

    “They should have put Tim White in the Hall of Fame way way before he passed away. I think the Hall of Fame means nothing if you’re not alive. You don’t get any benefits out of it. It’s just you know, what good does it do you? What would it do me if I was dead and they put me in the Hall of Fame. What does it mean? Nothing. I don’t know it. Timmy didn’t know it. What the hell? He’s not the only one. Vader, Macho Man. What good does it do you know? Timmy deserved it way, way long before they gave it to him. Before he passed. He deserved it probably 10 years before that, the way he took care of Andre and kept Andre going and, and everything. But, you know, there were a lot of other referees that need to be in the Hall of Fame, but I don’t know if they’re gonna put any referees in. No big deal to me either way.”

    Tim White sadly passed away on June 19th, 2022. He was given the Warrior Award in the WWE Hall of Fame the following year.

    Earl Hebner was also very old-school with his mindset regarding any non-wrestlers in the WWE Hall of Fame. The way he sees it, they do not belong in the company’s hall of legends. To him, it’s “a joke” to give non-wrestlers that honor. 

    “All the people in the Hall of Fame that’s not wrestlers, they don’t belong in the Hall of Fame. Would any of those people go into the baseball Hall of Fame or the NFL Hall of Fame? Hell no they wouldn’t. So you get all these jabroni’s to come in? Its a joke.”

    WWE Hall of Fame Celebrity Wing

    The WWE Hall of Fame celebrity wing boasts a diverse array of inductees over the years. Among them are Pete Rose, who received the honor in 2004, and William Perry, who was inducted in 2006. The class of 2010 saw the addition of Bob Uecker, followed by Drew Carey in 2011. The year 2012 welcomed Mike Tyson into the prestigious group, while 2013 featured Donald Trump as an inductee. In 2014, Mr. T joined the ranks of the WWE Hall of Fame celebrity wing. 

    Other notable inductees include Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2015 and Ozzy Osbourne in 2021. Each of these individuals has left a unique mark on the wrestling world and contributed to the rich history of the WWE Hall of Fame.

    Earl Hebner released a book providing intricate insights into his experiences throughout his wrestling career. The book is titled “Earl Hebner: The Official Story.” His book can be purchased at this link.

  • Becky Lynch wants WWE to be her ‘forever home’ in wrestling

    Becky Lynch wants WWE to be her ‘forever home’ in wrestling

    Becky Lynch wants to retire with WWE and “The Man” makes that clear in a new interview.

    Speaking with “Strutting From Gorilla,” Lynch was asked if she’d ultimately like to leave her wrestling boots in a WWE ring when it’s all said and done.

    “I love that I get to continue to drive that and that my voice matters in WWE. I feel listened to, and I feel we’ve been able to change the landscape of women’s wrestling forever. That feels very special to me. It’s my home. It’s where I was born as a professional wrestler in many ways in terms of my influence, and it’s where I’ll retire.”

    Lynch is a well-traveled main eventer in WWE as she clearly established herself as a top star for the company, but she recently had a fun run down in NXT as the Women’s Champion, a belt that eluded her during her first run with the black and gold brand.

    Even though Lynch expressed a desire to retire with WWE, her current contract is set to expire in 2024. She currently have a full decade under her belt with WWE.

    Lynch remains as three of the four remaining “Four Horsewomen” with the company.  While Sasha Banks notoriously walked out on the company in May of 2022, Bayley, Lynch and Charlotte Flair still are with WWE.

    Funny enough, Charlotte Flair has reportedly signed a new deal with WWE giving her one of the highest-paid deals for a woman in company history.

  • WWE Queen Charlotte Flair reportedly signs historic new contract

    It sounds like Charlotte Flair sealed a new deal with WWE. 

    According to Fightful Select, the future WWE Hall Of Famer signed an extension with the company that will reportedly keep her around for several years. The exact length and details of the deal is currently unknown but from how it sounds, it’s one that may have some history attached to it.

    Fightful has heard that Flair’s new extension has a huge increase and it’s quite significant, so much that it’s one of the highest-paid deals for a woman in WWE history. 

    Not only that, but Charlotte has seemed to join the ranks of Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes as a top talent to receive a travel bus in the exchange.

    Charlotte Flair Has A Major Injury To Deal With

    While the extension is excellent news financially for Flair, the star unfortunately recently suffered some major injuries that will keep her on the shelf for months.

    Over a week ago on the December 8 episode on WWE SmackDown, Flair performed her signature moonsault to the outside to Asuka. The match was abruptly ended and Flair was defeated after an interference by Bayley.

    Flair was first reported to be out for at least nine months due to an injury to her knee and she will receive surgery over the holidays. However, there are several injuries to her knee after the spot which includes tears to her ACL, MCL and meniscus.

    That clearly rules the star out for WrestleMania 40. She’ll be a notable omission considering she and Rhea Ripley stole the show with their match at WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles.

  • WWE helping Bray Wyatt’s kids with posthumous legends deal

    WWE helping Bray Wyatt’s kids with posthumous legends deal

    Bray Wyatt passed away on August 24th, 2023 at the age of 36-years-old. His loss was a tremendous loss for the entire pro wrestling world. WWE also lost a legend that day, and now that Legend status is official.

    Bray Wyatt’s name will be remembered for generations to come, and WWE has taken care of his family so far. Now, there is even more assurance that WWE will continue paying tribute to Wyatt’s legacy while making sure JoJo Offerman and Bray Wyatt’s children are financially stable.

    Bray Wyatt Is A WWE Legend

    During a conversation on Wrasslin Talk, Mike Rotunda, the father of Bray Wyatt, discussed his son’s unfortunate passing and the enduring sense of loss felt by everyone. Rotunda also disclosed that WWE has placed Wyatt on a Legends contract, ensuring that his children will continue to receive the financial support they require.

    “It’s been really hard. We miss him every day. [Gets choked up]. Growing up in the business, you always book stuff during the week because you’re going to be wrestling on the weekends and TV.”

    “Windham and Jojo were supposed to get married yesterday. We miss Windham horribly, every day. Windham was the first one, and we would bring him on the road at six months old. They would come with me and stay on the road, wherever I was wrestling, and it’s so hard to wake up out of this nightmare, and he’s still not there. I have to give WWE credit. They’ve done awesome, helping our family out with a lot of different stuff. They put Windham on a Legends contract and all the proceeds go to…Windham has four children. Luckily, we have them.

    WWE Takes Care of Bray Wyatt’s Family

    WWE made a public announcement after Bray Wyatt’s passing that 100% of all proceeds for his merchandise is going to JoJo Offerman. That deal is apparently still in place, and with a Legends contract, it is very likely that honors for Bray Wyatt will continue.

    Many fans are calling for Bray Wyatt’s induction into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame. That would be a fitting tribute to his legacy. It is also incredibly likely, even though no names have been announced for the 2024 Class of the WWE Hall of Fame yet.

    Bray Wyatt is gone, but his memory will live on. WWE will also never let that memory fade, as they continue speaking his name. 

    Our thoughts still go out to JoJo Offerman, and Bray Wyatt’s entire family. You can find WWE Shop’s Bray Wyatt Legacy Collision by visiting this link.

  • WWE Star Acknowledges Billie Starkz Title Match, Starkz Responds

    WWE Star Acknowledges Billie Starkz Title Match, Starkz Responds

    Billie Starkz has extra motivation heading into ROH Final Battle tonight.

    Starkz is set for the biggest match in her career to date as she’ll be challenging the longstanding ROH Women’s Champion Athena for her title in the main event of the PLE. Now Starkz is getting support from all over, including WWE.

    Billie left an impression on one major WWE star and that’s Bayley, who is clearly keeping tabs of her work in ROH. In light of Starkz’s main event fight this evening, On X, Bayley shared a photo of Billie as a kid giving her a hug at a WWE event and sharing the emoji caption of a magic wand and a crystal ball.

    (WWE)

    Obviously, this was not lost Starkz who acknowledged the support from one of the wrestlers who clearly influenced her and her career.

    “Now I have to win!  Thank you.”

    Bayley wasn’t the only name Billie received support from. She actually got some love from another Starks.

    AEW World Tag Team Champion Ricky Starks also took to X to wish Billie well tonight in her fight.

    “Good luck to Billie Starkz tonight!

  • Rhea Ripley reveals the key to her ‘Mami’ character

    Rhea Ripley reveals the key to her ‘Mami’ character

    Rhea Ripley’s character evolution is a journey of self-discovery and authenticity.

    Female wrestlers were traditionally depicted as conventionally attractive, blonde, and resembling models. Their ring time was limited to barely one minute for wrestling. Ripley initially started with a similar image but later moved in a completely different direction, embracing a goth aesthetic with tattoos, embodying the “Mami” character. In an interview with the Australian newspaper The West Australian, Ripley discussed why she opted for this unique direction instead of following a previously successful path. Ripley recently had an interview with the Australian newspaper The West Australian.

    “I think it’s all about being yourself. For me, when I first came in for the first Mae Young Classic, I had the long blonde hair, I smiled way too much, way too bubbly. It wasn’t me. The person that you see today was the person I was back then, but I was trying so hard to be someone else because of obviously, the people that I watched growing up. I thought that’s what they wanted, so that’s what I gave them.”

    Ripley said that she didn’t feel comfortable being someone who she isn’t, and this clearly showed with the fact that she wasn’t getting shows and opportunities.

    “I didn’t feel comfortable, and after a while, I wasn’t getting put on shows. I wasn’t getting opportunities. I was getting beat down and picked on. They didn’t think that I worked hard enough, but I was just trying to give them what I thought they wanted. But at the end of the day, the best thing you could do is just be confident with the person that you are. So once I decided not to care what people thought about me, I was like I am gonna be myself.”

    Rhea Ripley’s evolution to ‘Mami’

    This is when Rhea decided to let her personality shine through, and the character that we see today is actually her just growing up and finding herself as a person.

    “[I] cut my hair short, and once I did that and I started wearing the long pants with the chains and the studs, changed my persona and came out and was just mean mugging everyone, beating everyone up. ‘This is my brutality,’ it’s not even a joke, it’s what I did. That’s when my career really started rockin’ and rollin’. And the Rhea Ripley evolution that you’ve seen into the Rhea Ripley that you see today it’s just me growing as a person outside of the WWE and I’m just letting it shine through within the WWE sort of thing. So it’s me, and I think that’s what the fans see, and that’s what gravitates them towards Rhea Ripley.”

  • NHL Partnering With WWE for Commemorative Championship Belts

    NHL Partnering With WWE for Commemorative Championship Belts

    The WWE and the National Hockey League are teaming up to release a new wave of commemorative championship titles, it has been claimed. 

    Wrestle Votes reports that the new championships will likely be available through Fanatics sometime in 2024. This new deal comes hot off the heels of WWE’s massively successful partnership with the NFL to release high-quality championships for teams. All teams in the league have had titles created, with the championship for the Jacksonville Jaguars (as owned by AEW President Tony Khan) proving to be especially popular.

    These sports-themed championships are a new concept, but WWE has awarded their own titles to athletes in the past. Champion athletes have been receiving a replica WWE Championship for years. In February of this year, the Kansas City Chiefs were gifted a championship following their Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. 

    WWE’s Legacy Championships

    It’s not just the NFL and the NHL that have custom championships created by WWE. Over the years, several Superstars and legends of the past have had Legacy Championships to celebrate their respective accolades. These titles typically feature the plates of a championship significant to the wrestler in question, with a custom strap featuring a distinct color scheme and design. Earlier this month, WWE released new Legacy Championships celebrating the longest reigning tag-team champions in WWE history The Usos. 

    Liv Morgan was recently on hand to gift a Green Bay Packers Championship to Packers Running Back Aaron Jones at a recent game. Click here to learn more. 

  • WWE Has Internal Doubt About MJF’s AEW Contract Claims

    WWE Has Internal Doubt About MJF’s AEW Contract Claims

    MJF is one of the most charismatic people in the pro wrestling business, and he’s been on WWE’s radar for a while. That doesn’t mean he’s jumping ship from AEW any time soon. Despite MJF’s recent claims, there is a belief within WWE that he is working the pro wrestling community regarding his contract status. 

    Earlier today, AEW World Champion MJF participated in The SI Media Podcast and responded to a report about his contract status. He claimed that no new deal has been signed at this time.

    Report Contradicting MJF’s Claim

    A new report has confirmed our previous reporting that MJF has not engaged in discussions with WWE. Additionally, WWE internally holds the belief that Maxwell Jacob Friedman quietly renewed his contract with AEW some time ago.

    Haus of Wrestling is now reporting that “One higher-up WWE source responded simply with ‘storyline.’” The report elaborated to say that word within the company is that MJF inked a new deal with AEW before he even returned to the company after his 2022 hiatus. 

    Another higher-up source at WWE reiterated that they heard Friedman had re-signed last year and believe it happened before his return at AEW All Out 2022 as The Devil. They went on to say that Friedman is “locked in” and got a huge deal when he re-negotiated his contract with Tony Khan last year.

    There are many reasons why MJF might not deluge his actual contract status with Tony Khan’s company. With his contract supposedly running up in 2024, along with AEW’s television rights, one has to assume that AEW wouldn’t want to hide the fact that they locked down their World Champion for years to come. 

    SE Scoops’ Previous Reporting

    This falls in line to what I have been told, and previously reported. There is no talk about the Great Bidding War of 2024 anymore for a reason. The internal belief within WWE is that a new deal between Tony Khan and MJF was signed a long time ago.

    It’s uncertain why MJF would work his contract situation, but that is his story right now. We will have to see if his contract status creeps its way back into AEW’s storyline sometime next year.

  • Slim Jim Car ‘Fast Meat’ That Appeared During WWE Survivor Series Missing — LAPD Involved

    Slim Jim Car ‘Fast Meat’ That Appeared During WWE Survivor Series Missing — LAPD Involved

    This is not the kind of story you expect to write as a pro wrestling journalist, but it happened. WWE’s partnership with Slim Jim has resulted in grand theft auto.

    Slim Jim recently reported the theft of its custom Nissan Z, known as “Fast Meat.” This is the same car with WWE’s branding that appeared at Survivor Series.

    The Stolen Slim Jim Car

    The huge asset in the ongoing partnership with WWE is now gone. The car, while making stops in Chicago for the Survivor Series event and en route to L.A. for a video shoot, is nowhere to be seen. It was last seen in California.

    Slim Jim has launched the #FindFastMeat campaign, calling on its fan base, the Long Boi Gang, to help spread awareness and encouraging anyone with information to submit tips to the Los Angeles Police Department at this link.

    While some may think this is a clever PR move, the press release that the company sent out seemed very serious.

    Whole expressing surprise at the unforeseen demand for their custom car, Ashley Spade, VP & General Manager, Snacks at Conagra Brands, emphasized the brand’s cooperation with authorities to address the situation. She urged the community to report any sightings of “Fast Meat” to the LAPD.

    The tricked-out ride, boasting features like a fiery exterior, custom yellow leather interior, LED lighting, and exclusive Slim Jim amenities, was crafted by one of Hollywood’s iconic custom auto shops. So, this is a car that would absolutely attract attention, leaving us to wonder who stole it.

    WWE’s History With Slim Jim

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

    Now, Bianca Belair and LA Knight have taken the helm of those Slim Jim commercials. They still open up those ads with Macho Man’s iconic voiceover. Sadly, the Slim Jim Nissan X “Fast Meat” car is now likely a part of some car collector’s very rare collection.

    We’re hoping for “Fast Meat’s” speedy return, and encourage anyone with any information to contact the LAPD with information. It is going to be very hard to hide a car like that in one piece. Let’s hope it doesn’t snap into a chop shop.

  • MJF on WWE Possibly Toning Him Down: “How the F*** Do You Put a Leash On Me?”

    MJF on WWE Possibly Toning Him Down: “How the F*** Do You Put a Leash On Me?”

    AEW World Champion MJF doesn’t believe that his persona could be watered-down in WWE, despite the PG nature of the Stamford promotion. 

    MJF has often teased leaving AEW for WWE, though these references on TV have dried up with Friedman’s face turn. Speaking on the SI Media podcast, MJF was asked about whether he feels his character would be toned down in the event of a WWE move. 

    “I just don’t know how the f*** you put a leash on me. And I swear to God that’s my honest opinion… I don’t know, I don’t think anybody can hold me back from being the monster that I am. I think my career trajectory in any company is going to be exactly the same.

    “Do I think in some aspects AEW fits me more like a glove than anywhere else? Yeah, I do. Could an argument be made the other way around? Yeah, sure. These are all things that I have to think about. But I do know whatever company I pick, it will be because it feels right and it means the most to me. 

    WWE has reportedly had its eye on MJF for some time, in addition to other AEW talent. Cody Rhodes recently said that he predicts MJF will join WWE one day, but stopped short of saying what day he believes that will be. In the interview, MJF wasn’t surprised that those in WWE are showing great interest in him. 

    “It’s normal. Of course, you want MJF in your company. Who the f*** wouldn’t want me in their company? I’m the best thing going today. I’m the AEW World Champion. Nobody dresses like me. Nobody talks like me. Nobody looks like me. Nobody walks like me and nobody wrestles like me. 

    “I take it as a compliment and I think the AEW fans should take it as a compliment too. Because that means that their World Champion, the face of their company, is a hot commodity.”

    Whatever the future holds, MJF’s next title defense will come at AEW Worlds End next week against Samoa Joe. The show will take place on December 30, from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. 

    MJF was recently inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. Click here to find out more. 

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

  • Xavier Woods ‘Banged Up’ And Taken Off The Road By WWE

    Xavier Woods ‘Banged Up’ And Taken Off The Road By WWE

    WWE RAW featured Kofi Kingston, as he was dressed up as Santa Claus, this week for their Holiday edition. Fans saw Kofi Claus during the December 18th episode of WWE RAW in Des Moines, but Xavier Woods was nowhere in sight. 

    Xavier Woods Is Off The Road

    According to PW Insider, Xavier Woods was present in Birmingham, Alabama, a few weeks ago. At this point, he is off the road, and it’s unclear what the issue is. 

    While we have not confirmed the nature of the issue, we are told Woods is banged up and has been taken off the road to heal up.

    The specific details of Xavier Woods’ issue have not been confirmed, but the outlet indicated that Xavier Woods is dealing with injuries, leading to his removal from the road for a period of recovery. 

    Initial advertisements for the Raw brand Holiday Tour dates post-Christmas featured the New Day, but recent updates indicate a modification to the lineup, with only Kofi Kingston now scheduled for these events.

    We have not heard anything specific regarding Xavier Woods’ medical issues or injury. At this time, it appears that he is getting some time off to rest.

    Why WWE Superstars Seek Medical Help In Birmingham, Alabama

    WWE superstars often seek medical attention at Dr. James Andrews’ clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. The clinic is renowned for its expertise in orthopedic and sports medicine, and it serves as a destination for wrestlers dealing with various injuries and musculoskeletal issues. 

    Wrestlers from WWE, known for the physical demands of their profession, turn to Dr. Andrews and his team for specialized care, diagnostics, and potential treatments to address injuries sustained during their rigorous performances. The clinic’s reputation for handling sports-related injuries makes it a go-to destination for WWE superstars looking to receive comprehensive and professional medical care to aid in their recovery and rehabilitation processes.

    It appears that Xavier Woods is just one of the latest WWE Superstars to seek help at that famous clinic, but he won’t be the last. Charlotte Flair, who just suffered a notable knee injury, may also make her way to Birmingham in due time when her surgery comes around.

  • Rey Mysterio’s New Deal Should Keep Him in WWE For a Long Time to Come

    The new contract of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio will keep the masked legend around for years to come, it has been claimed. 

    This week, news broke that the three-time former World Champion had signed a new deal with WWE, though it was not stated how long he’ll be sticking around. In an update from Wrestling Observer Radio, it is believed that Rey’s new deal is a five-year contract with the promotion. 

    If this report is accurate, Rey’s new contract will keep him locked into a deal with WWE until the end of 2028. At this point, Rey will be 54 years old and likely retired. Mysterio said last year that he does not intend to wrestle past 50, though it’s entirely possible plans have changed. 

    WWE’s Upcoming Contracts

    Rey Mysterio will be staying with WWE for years to come, but the promotion has several notable contracts due to expire relatively soon. Drew McIntyre’s contract is due to expire in 2024 and there has been no public confirmation that he has re-signed with the promotion. McIntyre will challenge for the WWE World Heavyweight Champion on the Day 1 episode of Monday Night Raw.

    Current champion Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch both have contracts that are due to expire next year. In October, it was reported that WWE had yet to negotiate new deals with certain Superstars. 

    Rey Mysterio isn’t the only member of his family who’ll be sticking with WWE. Click here to learn more about ‘Dirty’ Dominik’s new deal. 

  • WWE Preparing To Fork Over Huge Money For Expiring Talent Contracts

    WWE Preparing To Fork Over Huge Money For Expiring Talent Contracts

    WWE is closing out 2023 with some big headlines, and a ton of momentum as they race toward the Royal Rumble on January 27th. This next calendar year will also include some notable moments with WWE’s business, and they want to make sure a big roster shake-up isn’t a part of that.

    2024 Will Be A Big Year For WWE

    WWE faces significant changes as they navigate new television deals in 2024. There are indications that WWE RAW might depart from the USA Network, and it’s confirmed that NXT will transition from the USA to the CW Network, while SmackDown is set to leave FOX for a return to the USA. Superstar contracts are also a big matter of concern for the company in 2024.

    Expiring WWE Talent Contracts in 2024

    The upcoming year brings the expiration of contracts for notable stars like Becky Lynch, World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Sheamus, and Drew McIntyre.

    Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio have secured new deals with WWE, with Dominik’s contract reportedly spanning five years. While the length of Rey’s deal remains unconfirmed, there’s a belief that it’s a substantial, long-term commitment.

    While going over all of these subjects during Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer highlighted WWE’s strategy to prevent talent from entering the free-agent market by securing them with substantial, extended contracts, a practice they’ve adhered to for decades.

    “They’re [WWE] obviously very happy because they signed both of them. Both of them could have waited until free agency, and at that point, they could have gotten probably a giant offer from AEW and a giant offer from WWE. But obviously, WWE really made it worth their while, which was what I was told is that they are going to they were looking at longtime deals with, greatly increased compensation for the guys because they don’t want free agents right now,”

    It was also noted that WWE is planning to pick up those contract talks once again in 2024. They may wait until the Holidays are behind them, but there is no doubt that they don’t want to lose those top Superstars.

    AEW could be in the market to offer big money to any of those top Superstar with expiring deals. WWE realizes that, and they also do not want to lose people who they used to promote those new blockbuster television deals before they start in October, either.

  • Solo Sikoa Sets X Account To Protected Status After Embarrassing Video Goes Viral

    Solo Sikoa Sets X Account To Protected Status After Embarrassing Video Goes Viral

    Solo Sikoa is known as The Bloodline’s enforcer, a man who rarely cracks a smile, let alone dances. A video from Solo’s past has resurfaced recently, and it is one he probably wishes would have stayed buried in his timeline. 

    Solo Sikoa’s Embarrassing Dance Video

    In a video dated December 2015 that recently resurfaced, Solo Sikoa can be seen dancing and vibing to a song, a stark contrast to his current WWE persona. The song in question was “Dabb on Em” by Big Will.

    The caption of this dance video said, “When it’s almost Christmas and you KNOW you been gooddd!!” So this was literally a ghost of Solo’s Christmas past.

    Interestingly, Solo Sikoa opted to delete this video. One fan noticed this old post was missing, and they commented to say, “Ain’t no way Roman Reigns made Solo delete this LMAOOOO.”

    Fans confirmed that they backed up that 2015 dance video, which you can check out below. Obviously, this was not footage that Solo Sikoa wanted floating around the Internet Wrestling Community.

    Solo Sikoa Locks Down His X Account

    The Bloodline member took the additional step of securing his Twitter profile, limiting access to his tweets for everyone. Now, Solo’s profile is protected, so fans can’t view his timeline. 

    We can only guess that Solo Sikoa is going to do some social media research, nixing a few problematic posts along the way. Come back to SE Scoops for more updates.

  • Alexa Bliss Warns Fan He’s Victim Of Scammer Posing As Her

    Alexa Bliss Warns Fan He’s Victim Of Scammer Posing As Her

    WWE fans care deeply about the Superstars that they follow, but sadly, that also comes with people who are ready and able to scam them. Alexa Bliss’ fans know all about how scammers will try to jack her identity, but they’re not finished by a long shot.

    The Alexa Bliss Scam

    In a now deleted tweet, a fan claimed to have received a counterfeit check from Alexa Bliss’ manager, accusing her of theft in the process. He was quite upset about this, as he dropped two posts on the matter.

    Rubber check submitted to me by Alexa Bliss’ business manager the check was absolutely positively a fake according to the bank and to the two companies mentioning on the check, and yet I was called the liar I was called the thief who’s the thief?

    This confused fan dropped another post, this time with a screenshot of a badly-made marriage certificate. The caption to this second post said, “This has been posted on and off on Facebook Twitter X and I believe even Instagram but no one ever challenged it no one ever told me I had to take it down no one fact not BS.”

    Alexa Bliss saw this fan’s distraught messages, and she had to chime in. Bliss let this fans know that he’s been scammed, and she had nothing to do with it. This man’s posts have since been deleted.

    ‘‘Sir someone is scamming you. We don’t know each other. please stop communication with whoever’s pretending to be me. I’m sorry this is happening to you. Again you have not been speaking to me. Stay safe.”

    Beware Of Scammers

    Alexa Bliss recently celebrated the birth of her daughter, a momentous event that brought joy to her fans. However, amidst the happiness, a terrible issue came to light with this situation.

    Scammers are pretending to be Alexa Bliss, exploited unsuspecting individuals online. It is sad to see that this happened, but at least Alexa Bliss was able to let him know that he’s being scammed.

    The incident highlights the unfortunate reality that public figures like Alexa Bliss can become targets for identity theft and scams. Despite Bliss’s attempts to clarify the situation, this likely won’t stop other scammers from trying the same tactic in the future.

    Hopefully, WWE fans will smarten up and realize that scammers target them on a regular basis like this, and nobody is off-limits when it comes to who they will impersonate.

  • CM Punk Once Had Real Fights On a WWE Plane. It Didn’t Go Well…

    CM Punk Once Had Real Fights On a WWE Plane. It Didn’t Go Well…

    CM Punk may lay claim to being the ‘Best in the World’ but his fighting skills were outmatched by some WWE Superstars during a 2006 flight.

    That year was a formative one for Punk, who made his TV debut as part of the relaunched ECW brand. Punk was a personal project of ECW head Paul Heyman, and would quickly become one of the most featured stars on the show. 

    CM Punk’s On-Board Flights

    On a recent edition of his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker spoke about Punk and the relationship they have had in the ring. The Phenom recalled a time when Punk was traveling with the roster for the 2006 edition of Tribute to the Troops in Baghdad, Iraq. 

    “Somehow or another, the discussion comes up. I don’t know if Vince instigated this one or not… CM Punk, he fashioned himself as a jiu-jitsu practitioner. Someone broached the question, ‘You did jiu-jitsu. How long do you think you could last with one of these two wrestlers?’ It was Bobby Lashley, who wrestled for the Army, and Shelton Benjamin, who wrestled at Minnesota.”

    The Undertaker added that Punk was confident, telling the roster “I’ll tap them out.” Despite this bravado, Punk was quickly humbled by Lashley and Benjamin. 

    “I want to say the first match lasted about 47 seconds. The other one was sub-40, where they had taken them down and pinned him. He didn’t back down, but my goodness, it was like blood in the water and two great white sharks circling.”

    Years later, Punk would compete in the UFC and have similarly rotten luck. Punk lost two fights for the promotion, though one of his losses was overturned after his opponent tested positive for performance-enhancing substances. 

    CM Punk may have accidentally revealed the ring attire he’ll wear for his WWE run going forward. Click here to find out more. 

  • Watch: What Happened with Cody Rhodes After This Week’s WWE Raw?

    Watch: What Happened with Cody Rhodes After This Week’s WWE Raw?

    The American Nightmare was in an especially generous mood after this week’s episode of WWE Monday Night Raw went off the air. 

    This week’s episode of the Red brand was the final live show for the year, as next week’s Raw will be a compilation show celebrating the best of 2023. This week’s Raw saw the continuation of Seth Rollins’s feud with Drew McIntyre ahead of their pair’s World Heavyweight Championship match on the ‘Day 1’ episode of Raw. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships this week, ending the reign of Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. 

    Cody Rhodes at Monday Night Raw

    The December 18, 2023, episode of Raw was not a good one for Cody Rhodes, who continues to be the victim of mind games by Shinsuke Nakamura. The Japanese Superstar was in a festive mood and read his poem ‘The American Nightmare Before Christmas, which featured several insults at Cody, including:

    “You b*stard, you cancer,
    You prancer you nitwit.
    You’re vomit, you’re stupid.
    Your father was inbred.”

    Rhodes would attack Nakamura for these comments, leading to a brawl that would be broken up by security. 

    Cody Rhodes After Monday Night Raw

    Despite this interaction with Nakamura, Rhodes was in a much better mood after this week’s Raw went off the air. In an off-air segment, Rhodes gifted an entire Christmas tree to a fan at ringside. 

    This isn’t the first time Rhodes has given something away after a WWE show. In the past, the American Nightmare has given away parts of a table broken during a stipulation match. 

  • Jey Uso’s New WWE Merchandise Has Fun With YEET Controversy

    Jey Uso’s New WWE Merchandise Has Fun With YEET Controversy

    WWE had a problem with YEET, so it was no YEET. Now, it is YEET once again, but the company is still having trouble with that period of time when it was “no YEET.”

    YEET is Back in WWE

    Jey Uso made YEET pop with the WWE Universe. This is something that the Usos were saying for a while, as they brought the saying over from other places, but Jey Uso really gave it a life of its own.

    The YEET trademark was a matter of dispute for a moment, and a big question mark hovered over Jey Uso’s famous word. That cause the company to list his YEET merchandise as “sold out,” but that was only for a limited time.

    YEET is Blurred in New WWE Merchandise

    WWE was able to work out the legal situation involving YEET, so they can use it again. Now, they have dropped a new piece of merchandise to commemorate that period of time when fans couldn’t get their hands on any YEET merchandise.

    The company released a YEET shirt, but the word is blurred on the front. This is a nice touch, and it only proves that they are well aware that this story was a hot topic with fans.

    What Does YEET Mean?

    YEET did not originate from pro wrestling but gained popularity in Vine videos around 2014. People began using the word before executing significant moves or tossing objects. Over time, it transformed into a viral meme and found its way into various contexts, including video games and, more recently, pro wrestling.

    The Problem With YEET in WWE

    WWE’s trademark issue concerning Jey Uso’s YEET is clear-cut. The trademark was previously owned by Kasey Huffman, an independent professional wrestler from West Virginia, who has held the rights to the term “YEET” since 2021. This situation has led to evident complications.

    WWE and Kasey Huffman were apparently able to work out a deal, because it is YEET once again for Jey Uso in WWE. Now, it is off to the races with new merchandise to make up for the short period of time that it was no YEET at WWE’s official shop.

    Jey Uso recorded a short plug for his new merchandise backstage at RAW. He proudly proclaimed that it’s his YEET now.

    You can check out Jey Uso’s WWE Shop collection here. Odds are they will load it up with YEET now that they have the green light.

  • New Champions Crowned On WWE Monday Night Raw

    New Champions Crowned On WWE Monday Night Raw

    Kayden Carter & Katana Chance are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. 

    Chance and Carter defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw to win the titles — their first as a team since being called up to the main roster from NXT earlier this year.

    Carter & Chance fought as the underdogs for much of the match against Green and Niven despite the champions actively trying to convince Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce, to cancel the match in the spirit of the holiday season. Chance and Carter connected with their tandem neckbreaker and 450 splash finish to earn the victory.

    Carter & Chance were called up to the main roster and drafted to Raw from NXT in the 2023 WWE Draft. The duo won the Women’s NXT Tag Team Championship in August of 2022 and held those titles until being beat by Kiana James and Fallon Henley in February of 2023.

    Chelsea Green originally became tag team champions with Sonya Deville. Deville was forced to take time away from WWE to heal from an injury and Piper Niven supplanted herself in place as Green’s partner. Chelsea Green’s title reign with Deville/Niven lasted 152 days.

    Backstage after the win, Triple H congratulated the new champions and wrote on Instagram, “The party’s just getting started.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C1BNhsusaCo

  • Former WWE Star Credits Hall Of Famer For Saving His Life

    Former WWE Star Credits Hall Of Famer For Saving His Life

    After an ongoing struggle with substance abuse issues Shannon Moore was close to ending his life, but he credits WWE and one particular Hall of Famer for saving his.

    A new article by the Tampa Bay Times focuses on Moore’s inspiring life journey so far and how he’s been able to help so many others after being six years sober.

    Moore said that his primary drug abuse came from using painkillers initially, but branched out even further to other drugs, something that he was introduced early in his career. He said that his real problems came back in 2012 once he took a leave from wrestling after a TNA run. He had a lot of time and a lot of money on his hands.

    “That was the worst thing I ever did,” he said. “I was just sitting at home. I had time. I had money. And what do you do? You just party. I think that’s the point where physical addiction really set in.”

    Speaking on the Road Dogg Brian James’ podcast earlier this year, Moore spoke about how he was on the verge of ending his life and potentially ending his ex-wife’s until he gave James a call.

    “I said, ‘Hey, dude, you’re probably going to hear about me on the news. Something bad is going to happen,’” Moore said. “He reached back out, and the rest is history.”

    James is also over a decade sober and he was someone that Moore kept having on his mind during the darkest time of his life. Now Moore works as a client relations manager at Riverside Recovery in Tampa. He still wrestles, but doesn’t plan on going back to it full-time.

    “There have been plenty of offers,” Moore said. “But Riverside has an amazing team. I believe in what we are doing. I’ve got a taste of being in service. My whole thing now is just trying to do my part and hopefully use my platform and use my career to hopefully help somebody.”

  • WWE Locks Rey Mysterio Down With New Contract

    WWE Locks Rey Mysterio Down With New Contract

    WWE is wrapping up 2023, but now both members of the Mysterio Family on their payroll are going into the Holidays with fresh contracts. 

    Dave Meltzer reports that Rey Mysterio recently signed a new deal with WWE. It was also reported the same day that Dominik Mysterio renewed his contract with the company, a move that happened last month.

    Dirty Dom’s new deal is rumored to be a five-year contract. No note about the length of Rey Mysterio’s new deal was made.

    Rey Mysterio has been part of WWE on and off since 2002. He made his most recent comeback in 2018 and, two years later, formed a team with his son, Dominik Mysterio. AEW was actually a thought on the table for Rey Mysterio, but he stayed with WWE for his son, a move that has paid off in time.

    Their partnership continued until last summer, when Dominik betrayed Rey, leading to a match at this year’s WrestleMania, which Rey won.

    What’s Next For Rey Mysterio In WWE?

    Currently, sidelined due to a knee injury, Rey Mysterio’s absence from the storyline occurred after Santos Escobar turned on him following WWE Crown Jewel. The reason behind Escobar’s betrayal was Mysterio choosing Carlito over him.

    The expectation is that Santos Escobar will introduce new allies to team with against the LWO. At this time, that storyline may be waiting for Rey Mysterio’s in-ring return, but it was reportedly in the pipeline. 

    Since parting ways with his father, Dominik Mysterio joined the Judgment Day stable, aligning closely with Rhea Ripley. He is also a two-time NXT North American Champion, with his most recent title loss to Dragon Lee at NXT Deadline earlier this month.

    WWE has taken care of the Mysterio Family at this point. Now, both father and son are locked into the company with contracts for years to come.

    We will have more updates on WWE’s contract landscape at SE Scoops as they are made available. 

  • CM Punk On John Cena Feud: ‘We Were Married.. It Was Easy’

    CM Punk On John Cena Feud: ‘We Were Married.. It Was Easy’

    CM Punk has worked with a variety of legends in his wrestling career, but perhaps, the biggest confidence booster came when Punk was paired to work with “The GOAT” — John Cena. 

    Recently, Punk joined Elite Comics11 for a live stream on Instagram, in which he was asked to recount a match that helped fit the pieces together for him as a wrestler. In response, Punk referenced a three-way bout he had with WWE Hall of Famers Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero in 2002 at IWA Mid-South. 

    In addition to learning some valuable performance elements from his two opponents, Punk also believes this match put his name on the map, setting the stage for him to eventually sign with WWE a few years later.

    After joining WWE in 2005, Punk steadily raised his stock, later earning himself an opportunity to work with the arguable face of the company, John Cena. While their feud was rather intense on-screen, Punk’s work with Cena actually came with a refreshing sense of ease. It also further motivated him to step up his game.

    CM Punk on working with John Cena

    During the Instagram live stream, Punk spoke about working so closely with WWE’s top attraction and felt it was a sign the company trusted him to be in that coveted spot. Here’s what Punk said, transcribed by Post Wrestling:

    “Now I’m here [in WWE] and then being trusted enough to work with John Cena pretty much every day, every night for quite some time,” said Punk. “We were married to each other and it was always a night off and it was always easy.

    When you’re tasked with working with the guy who pretty much is the engine that makes the company go at that point, it’s kind of just like, ‘Okay, I figured it out then.’ I was like, “Alright, I know. They trust me enough and I’m not gonna do anything stupid, I’m not gonna hurt the guy.’

    It’s always good and it’s quality and it was fun and it was different and they trusted me to keep it different and it wasn’t the same thing all the time.”

    Watch: CM Punk vs. John Cena WWE Championship match:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lfdSA7SZnY