SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • “It Got Me Emotional” – Seth Rollins Reveals His Reaction To Vince McMahon Retiring From WWE

    “It Got Me Emotional” – Seth Rollins Reveals His Reaction To Vince McMahon Retiring From WWE

    WWE has undergone massive changes this year at the top of the company. Vince McMahon resigned via Twitter due to an investigation into hush money payments made to female employees. Former EVP of Talent Relations was also dismissed due to the scandal.

    Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan took over as co-CEOs for the company. Triple H replaced John Laurinaitis as the EVP of Talent Relations and also took over creative responsibilities for WWE as “Chief Content Officer.

    Seth Rollins On Vince McMahon Retiring From WWE

    Seth Rollins was interviewed by Ariel Helwani of BT Sport this week. During the conversation, Seth was asked about former WWE CEO Vince McMahon and his reaction to the 77-year-old’s resignation from the company in late July.

    Seth revealed that he and his wife, WWE Superstar Becky Lynch, found out in the airport at the same time and were shocked at the news.

    “I was just, I couldn’t believe it. It is one of those things that you will never forget. I was in the airport, we were heading out to a live event. We were flying out on a Friday. The thing went out at like three o’clock central and so I got the text. I was coming through the security line and I got the text ‘check your app for a note from the chairman’.

    I click it and sure enough, he just was retired. I was like (shocked face), and Becky (Lynch) was with Rue looking at a statue of a deer in the airport in Iowa. She was looking at the deer statue and I was like, she just saw my face from a distance and she’s like ‘what’s wrong?’.

    I’m like, ‘did you get the text?’ and she’s like ‘no, what?’. I had her look at it and she was like ‘oh my God.’ I think both of us were just like ‘what?’. I always thought, you know Vince is older, so I thought at some point in my tenure in WWE as I intend to be here for quite a long time, he would retire, be forced out, die on the job, who knows.”

    Rollins added that he was emotional after learning Vince was exiting the company because it felt like he was losing a friend and a mentor.

    But when it happened, it was so abrupt, I was not prepared. Emotionally, it got me emotional because I love Vince. He’s been like a father figure to me over the past ten years. He’s someone that his approval means a lot to me.

    So I kind of was just like wow, is that the last time I’m ever going to see Vince? Am I ever going to see him again?

    When you have such a close relationship with someone, ups and downs, it just felt like I was losing a friend, and losing a mentor. I didn’t know whether to be excited or not. It kind of felt inappropriate to be excited about something like that.

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    If you use any quotes from this article, please credit BT Sport with a H/T to SEScoops for the transcription.

  • Seth Rollins On Being Attacked By A WWE Fan During RAW – “He’s A Little Bowling Ball Of A Man”

    Seth Rollins On Being Attacked By A WWE Fan During RAW – “He’s A Little Bowling Ball Of A Man”

    Seth Rollins recently discussed his altercation with a member of the WWE Universe that tackled him on the entrance ramp during an episode of RAW last November.

    The Visionary is scheduled to battle Matt Riddle at WWE Extreme Rules in a Fight Pit match. Seth and Riddle were originally supposed to battle at WWE SummerSlam but the match was postponed. Rollins picked up a victory over Riddle at Clash at the Castle but their rivalry has gotten even more personal as of late.

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani of BT Sport, Seth was asked about the altercation he had with a WWE fan during an episode of RAW. Helwani complimented Rollins for making light of the situation shortly after.

    It was so fast, I didn’t really have time to process it. The only thought I remember having is when he was on top of me, and they were already pulling him away. But he had like a handful of my hair, and I was just trying to kind of punt him off me with whatever foot I had underneath.

    Helwani pointed out that it seemed like Seth Rollins had a Guillotine choke hold applied on the fan and Rollins disclosed that was his instinct.

    My instinct was to grab his head and immediately just to control his head. I have no Jiu Jitsu training at all so whether I did anything right or wrong is completely instinctive.

    My instinct was as soon as I knew that someone was upon me was just to control his head as best I could. Because if he couldn’t posture up then he probably wasn’t going to get anything done.

    I was hoping that he didn’t have any weaponry in his hands, which thankfully he did not. It happened so fast, he was on me quickly, he’s a little bowling ball of a man and I just remember thinking ‘what is happening?’ when he’s underneath me.

    And then getting him off me, and you know, who is this person? I got to look at him and it was like alright, be done with it. They’ve got it under control, so let’s just move along.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oHDdfp-S9s

    Seth added that he saw the guy standing there but WWE always has people running around so he thought it was somebody working. You can check out the full interview in the video below.

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    Please credit BT Sport with a H/T to SEScoops if you use quotes from this article.

  • Watch: Former WWE Champion Big E Wreaks Havoc On Fox College Football Show

    Watch: Former WWE Champion Big E Wreaks Havoc On Fox College Football Show

    Former WWE Champion Big E appeared during the Fox College Football Show today. He showed up in black and yellow overalls and his usual incredible energy.

    The 36-year-old got an awesome entrance ahead of the matchup between Michigan and Iowa. He is a former defensive tackle for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Big E was hyped during his entrance and celebrated with the Iowa fans as seen in the video below.

    Big E leaned up against the barricade with Iowa fans and continued to hype up the fans. He also connected with a cake to the face of an overconfident Michigan fan.

    USC alum and former NFL player Reggie Bush is one of the hosts on the show and Big E had a hilarious interaction with him. The big man lifted Reggie onto his shoulders with ease and carried him around the set of the show.

    Big E was also in the stands for the football game. The Michigan Wolverines moved to 5-0 by defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes 27-14. Iowa is now 3-2 on the season.

    https://twitter.com/PPV_Pod/status/1576266261843283968?s=20&t=5HHulcmdePLGQEFJhp6mYQ

    The New Day member appeared last year in the same exact outfit and predicted that his alma mater was going to defeat Penn State by a million.

    Big E Out Of Action With A Neck Injury

    Big E was injured on the March 11th edition of WWE SmackDown. The action spilled out of the ring and Ridge Holland went for an overhead throw but Big E landed on his neck, resulting in the big man fracturing his C1 and C6 vertebrae.

    The former WWE Champion revealed a couple of weeks after the injury that he was told by a doctor that the injury could have been much worse. Time will tell if we get to see him back inside the squared circle again but it remains a certainty that Big E’s vibrant energy will never fade.

  • NJPW and WWE Share Touching Memoriam For Antonio Inoki

    NJPW and WWE Share Touching Memoriam For Antonio Inoki

    Yesterday, the pro-wrestling world learned that Antonio Inoki, the founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling, a former 12-time world champion, and respected Japanese politician, had passed away at the age of 79. Inoki’s legacy will forever be remembered, including in WWE, where he was an unrecognized world champion and entered their Hall of Fame in 2010.

    Today both WWE and NJPW each shared their own touching memoriam to celebrate the life of Inoki, with each pointing out marquee moments in his prestigious career.

    Statement From WWE

    “WWE is saddened to learn of the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki.

    One of the key figures in the history of Japanese wrestling, Antonio Inoki was among the most respected men in sports-entertainment and a bona fide legend in his homeland.

    Born in Yokohama, Japan in 1943, Inoki grew into a natural in-ring competitor. The incredible squared circle figure found his greatest success in New Japan Pro Wrestling, a promotion he founded in 1972. Over the course of the next two decades, Inoki built NJPW into the most successful wrestling company in Asia. Utilizing talented Japanese competitors like Tatsumi Fujinami and Riki Choshu, innovative high-flyers like Tiger Mask and Dynamite Kid and American Superstars like Bob Backlund and Vader, the young promoter created a product that was unique, influential and far ahead of its time. In addition to running the company, Inoki himself was one of the top stars in NJPW, carrying the championship and battling the likes of Stan Hansen, Tiger Jeet Singh and Hulk Hogan.

    In his most-famous match, Inoki fought boxing legend Muhammad Ali in a rare wrestler vs. boxer match in June 26, 1976 – a contest that paved the way for the advent of Mixed Martial Arts, which would explode in popularity decades later. The bout also exemplified Inoki’s undying love and respect for professional wrestling. This passion for competition earned him the nickname “Moeru Toukon” amongst his peers, which translates to “The fighting spirit that burns.”

    Inoki was also a tremendous ambassador for professional wrestling, bringing major events to places like Russia and China. And in 2010, WWE did the same by welcoming Antonio Inoki into the WWE Hall of Fame Class.

    WWE offers it’s heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fans of the squared circle legend and the wrestling world as a whole.

    Statement From New Japan Pro Wrestling

    “Antonio Inoki, founder of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, wrestler, promoter, politician and social activist, has died after a battle with amyloidosis. He was 79.

    Inoki was born in Yokohama in 1943. Relocating with his family to Brazil at age 13, the promising athlete had been working on a coffee plantation when he was scouted by Rikidozan on excursion to the region and recruited into professional wrestling.

    After making his debut on September 30 1960 under his birth name Kanji, his teenage years in Brazil would lead to him being renamed Antonio, with a legend being born in 1962.

    In the wake of discord within the Japanese Wrestling Association following Rikidozan’s death, Inoki would depart the promotion, forming New Japan Pro-Wrestling in January 1972 before staging NJPW’s first event in Ota on March 6 that year.

    As NJPW’s status grew, Inoki’s early career rival and former tag team partner Giant Baba would also become a promoter. In the face of his competition in All Japan Pro-Wrestling, Inoki would brand NJPW around the ideas of ‘Strong Style’ and ‘Fighting Spirit’. The rivalry sparked a boom in pro-wrestling that Inoki would be at the forefront of.

    June 26, 1976 would see Inoki break new ground when he battled Muhammad Ali in the Nippon Budokan, a match credited with being the birth of what became mixed martial arts. From his martial arts fights, to bloody brawls with the likes of Tiger Jeet Singh, and an indomitable underdog spirit opposite the hulking Andre the Giant, Inoki blended an in ring versatility with an explosive charisma that made him the image of professional wrestling to generations both in Japan and worldwide.

    Though Inoki would be active in ring until his Tokyo Dome retirement on April 4 1998, 1989 would see Inoki transition to the political arena, establishing the Sports and Peace Party and winning election into the Japanese House of Councillors on his first attempt. He would serve two terms in the Japanese Diet and was the first ever wrestler to serve in such a capacity.

    Inoki would start NJPW’s 50th year celebrations on January 4 2022 with a special video message in the Tokyo Dome at the start of Wrestle Kingdom 16.

    The thoughts and deepest sympathies of all at New Japan Pro-Wrestling go out to Inoki’s family, friends and fans.”

    You can read our initial report on Inoki here.

  • Gunther Faces Wrestling Veteran In Dream Match After SmackDown Goes Off Air

    Gunther Faces Wrestling Veteran In Dream Match After SmackDown Goes Off Air

    Fans in the arena for this week’s episode of SmackDown got to witness a dream match between two wrestling veterans after the show went off air.

    The main event of this week’s episode of the Blue Branded Show saw Drew McIntyre teaming up with Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano for a six men tag team match.

    These three faced the team of Austin Theory and The Alpha Academy. McIntyre delivered a Claymore to Theory to pick up the victory for his team. The show ended with Drew hitting Theory with a leather strap.

    What Happened After SmackDown

    While the cameras stopped rolling after this, the action didn’t stop. WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther came out to defend his title in a dark match.

    He faced wrestling veteran Shinsuke Nakamura in a singles match. Gunther won the bout to retain his title but Nakamura delivered a Kinshasa at the end to send the crowd home happy.

    This is the second time in two weeks that Nakamura and Gunther have come face to face. They were on the opposite side of a dark tag match on last week’s episode of the show.

    The former NXT UK champion is currently engaged in a feud with Sheamus. This might be an indication of what’s next for him once he has dealt with the Celtic Warrior.

  • Seth Rollins On Controversial Ending To Hell In A Cell Match Against The Fiend: “Not Our Call”

    Seth Rollins On Controversial Ending To Hell In A Cell Match Against The Fiend: “Not Our Call”

    Seth Rollins and former WWE Superstar Bray Wyatt (The Fiend) had a Hell in a Cell match in 2019 that left a lot to be desired.

    The match was the main event of the Premium Live Event and featured The Fiend’s red lighting throughout the contest. In a questionable booking decision, Seth Rollins was disqualified at the end of the match after he stacked up a bunch of chairs on top of The Fiend and bashed him with a sledgehammer.

    The Fiend had wielded a giant mallet earlier in the match so the finish didn’t sit well with the majority of the WWE Universe. Sean Waltman (X Pac) was watching the show in a WWE watch-along and couldn’t wrap his mind around someone getting disqualified in a Hell in a Cell match.

    Seth Rollins On The Controversial Finish At WWE Hell in a Cell 2019

    Seth Rollins was interviewed by Ariel Helwani of BT Sport recently and the match against The Fiend at Hell in a Cell was brought up during the discussion. The Visionary revealed that he was not able to tell a “good wrestling story” with The Fiend because of his character. He added that the finish to the match wasn’t their call.

    “It was tough figuring out how to tell a good wrestling story with that character,” said Rollins. “I just wasn’t good at it. That was one thing, I was not good at the phenomenology stuff, like I wasn’t able to interweave that with reality enough to make what I felt was a captivating story. At the end of the day, it probably would have been better if he just mauled me in that cell, put the claw on me and called it a day.

    I could have moved on to something else and he could have had his run as champion. But that wasn’t the case and we played the hand we were dealt, and that was not our call. I know he would tell you the same thing, that did not go the way we wanted it to.

    We tried, and we tried, and we tried, and the boss at the time would not budge. Like I said before, it is not our sandbox, you know? We are actors on a stage sometimes and we read the lines.”

    Seth Rollins on the Hell in a Cell match against The Fiend in 2019

    Seth Rollins is slated to battle Matt Riddle at Extreme Rules in a Fight Pit match. Bray Wyatt is rumored to be the White Rabbit and possibly appear at the Premium Live Event as well. It will be interesting to see if the two cross paths once again.

    H/T: Sportskeeda Wrestling

  • WWE Drops More White Rabbit Clues During SmackDown

    WWE Drops More White Rabbit Clues During SmackDown

    WWE showed another QR code tonight on SmackDown that gave fans some more ‘White Rabbit’ clues.

    Karrion Kross cut a backstage promo about Drew McIntyre tonight. He will battle Drew in a Strap Match at WWE Extreme Rules on October 8th.

    Immediately after Karrion’s promo, another QR code flashed on the screen that took fans to another clue.

    When the QR code is scanned, it takes fans to a new video featuring a cartoon pig. Bray Wyatt wrestled as Husky Harris in NXT. There was also a pig puppet in The Firefly Funhouse that was named “Huskus The Pig Boy”. The morse code at the end of the video apparently says “Azazel reborn”.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZcN74CSDJo

    A sign appeared behind commentary in the crowd and fans have pointed out that it was a quote used by Bray Wyatt in the past.

    WWE’s ‘White Rabbit’ Teaser Campaign

    The promotion has been teasing the WWE Universe by playing the 1967 song “White Rabbit” during commercial breaks and randomly during live events.

    A QR code appeared on a recent edition of RAW behind Austin Theory backstage. That code sent fans to a secret WWE website where a game of “Hang Man” was being played. The question asked was, “who killed the world?” and the answer is “YOU DID”.

    Another QR code appeared on this past Monday’s edition of RAW with the same question and answer. The video featured stars of the past like The Rock, Road Dogg, and Kurt Angle. Edge and Cody Rhodes were also in the video. The number in the video is the zip code for Corbin, Kentucky.

    Fightful Select recently reported that WWE is planning to reveal the ‘White Rabbit’ at Extreme Rules early next month. Fightful stated that the White Rabbit is believed to be Bray Wyatt but it is not confirmed whether he will physically be at the Premium Live Event or not.

    It was also reported by Fightful that WWE’s creative team led by Triple H has been “hands off” with the campaign. They feel that fans are doing more than enough to promote the angle and it is seen as a “major success” backstage.

    You can check out our deep dive on WWE’s White Rabbit campaign here.

  • Seth Rollins Reveals How His Match Against Cody Rhodes At Hell In A Cell Helped Repair His Reputation In WWE

    Seth Rollins Reveals How His Match Against Cody Rhodes At Hell In A Cell Helped Repair His Reputation In WWE

    Cody Rhodes made his shocking return to WWE at WrestleMania 38 as Seth Rollins’ mystery opponent.

    The American Nightmare picked up the win at the biggest show of the year, and went on to defeat Seth at WrestleMania Backlash and one more time at WWE Hell in a Cell.

    Rhodes tore his pec while training for the Hell in a Cell match and revealed the gruesome injury at the Premium Live Event. Despite the injury, Cody defeated Seth for the third time in a row. Cody remains out with injury as Rollins gears up for his Fight Pit match against Matt Riddle at WWE Extreme Rules on October 8th.

    Seth Rollins On How He Got More Respect Following The Match At HIAC

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani of BT Sport, Seth noted that his match against Cody Rhodes at WWE Hell in a Cell actually helped restore his reputation with fans a little bit. The Visionary said that he had gotten a lot of grief online after wrestlers had previously gotten injured in matches with him, and Cody coming out of that match without any further injury earned Seth more respect.

    “It really went a long way in repairing my reputation,” said Rollins.”I had gotten so much flack online for some injuries that had happened in matches that I was in and whether they were caused by me, directly or indirectly, is a whole different can of worms.

    I think people were like ‘oh maybe he does know how to take care of people in the ring’. Yeah, duh. But yeah, I think it was more visually jarring than anything.

    Was there a danger for me in being in there with someone who only has one good arm? Absolutely. But again, we’re professionals and we can design these matches to take care of each other in ways that still create captivating stories and moments.

    I think that in some ways the match may not have been as special without that visual of his completely torn, bloody, and bruised arm, chest, and belly. Whatever was going on there.”

    H/T: Sportskeeda Wrestling

  • Seth Rollins On Going Winless Against Cody Rhodes In WWE: “He Needed To Re-Establish Himself”

    Seth Rollins On Going Winless Against Cody Rhodes In WWE: “He Needed To Re-Establish Himself”

    Seth Rollins had a tremendous rivalry with Cody Rhodes in 2022 after The American Nightmare made his return to WWE.

    Former CEO Vince McMahon in storyline handpicked Cody as Seth’s mystery opponent at WrestleMania 38. The former AEW EVP and TNT Champion made his shocking return to the company at the biggest Premium Live Event of the year and picked up a victory over Seth. The American Nightmare would defeat Seth Rollins again at WrestleMania Backlash.

    Cody beat Seth for a third time at Hell in a Cell but suffered a torn pec leading up to the match. Seth attacked Cody on the following RAW as a way to write him off of television.

    Seth Rollins On Going Winless Against Cody Rhodes

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani of BT Sport, The Visionary said that losing to Cody three times added to the chip on his shoulder because he felt like he was catapulting someone else to a position he deserved. The 36-year-old claimed that he got “more respect” backstage following their rivalry and added that their WrestleMania match was made at the last minute.

    “When we finally got the news, which was very last minute as far as WrestleMania is concerned. I knew that was going to be my match and I think it was pretty obvious to me which way things were going to lean. It didn’t stop me from being a little frustrated.

    Again, feeling like I was being used to catapult somebody else into a position I felt like I deserved. So that was kind of demoralizing, but that is just more of a chip on my shoulder.”

    I definitely think I came out of it a lot better than when I went into it. I don’t think in any way that I suffered from losing three times in a row. If anything, I in some ways got more respect for having the humility to put my own self-interest aside to work with someone who, incoming back into this world (WWE) from his past world (AEW), he needed it a lot more than I did.

    My equity is not going anywhere and he needed to re-establish himself.”

    H/T: Sportskeeda Wrestling

  • Seth Rollins Felt Inferior to Roman Reigns on the Biggest Night of His Career

    Seth Rollins Felt Inferior to Roman Reigns on the Biggest Night of His Career

    This November will mark the anniversary of The Shield’s debut on WWE television when they got involved in a triple threat match at Survivor Series involving CM Punk, John Cena, and Ryback. 

    The trio of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns are on top of the wrestling world but not together under the same promotion. Ambrose, now Jon Moxley, is the current AEW World Champion, while Reigns is the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion and Rollins is a top star. 

    While speaking with Ariel Helwani of BT Sport, Rollins talked about how he feels like he has never been ‘the guy’ in WWE with Reigns being around.

    Seth Rollins
    Seth Rollins

    “Even when I had won the title at WrestleMania, cashed in. Great moment. I still felt like I was second fiddle to Roman [Reigns]. I still felt like, ‘he was the guy, you’re the placeholder until he’s totally ready and we’re totally ready to put the ball in his hands. But for now you’re a step ahead, so we’re gonna give you this and then we’ll move on to what we really want to be, it’s just gonna take a few months’. So no, I’ve never ever felt like, in my time in WWE, that the company was like ‘yep, he’s our guy, put his face on everything’.”

    Rollins was asked if he feels he is close to getting to that point in WWE. He questions whether it will ever happen because he lives in the Roman era. 

    The only time I was even considered, I think, for the main event of WrestleMania, [was when] Roman, when he got Leukemia, and he was out from August to January, February whatever it was, and I was second behind in the babyface column, so I got slotted in. So, I feel like, it’s one of those things. The best I can hope for is to be the Edge to his [John] Cena, the [Randy] Savage to his [Hulk] Hogan. Sometimes I just feel like that’s just the way the cookie crumbles. Doesn’t mean that I don’t think I’m better than he is, or that I can perform or I can draw at that level. I certainly think all those things, but it’s not my sandbox. I don’t make those decisions.”

    Rollins is set to participate in a Fight Pit match against Matt Riddle at the Extreme Rules event.

    H/T to WrestleTalk for the transcription

  • WWE & AEW Competing to Sign Top Free Agent

    WWE & AEW Competing to Sign Top Free Agent

    Bandido is a man who is in demand right now, as both WWE and AEW are reportedly interested in signing him. 

    Despite losing the match, he had a great outing against Ring of Honor Champion Chris Jericho on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite. AEW immediately offered Bandido a full-time contract.

    Dave Meltzer reported the news in Friday’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter. There is no confirmation whether he has signed his deal. This marked his promotional debut. 

    Bandido Has Options

    While speaking on today’s Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez noted that he heard WWE is also interested in Bandido. 

    “I don’t know…it just says here he was offered a deal. Hopefully, he’s signed because WWE was asking for his number like before that match was even over. The man is in demand. It begs the question, why wasn’t he in demand before Wednesday? I don’t think we needed Wednesday to find out that Bandido was great.” 

    Bandido made his debuts for both Impact Wrestling and MLW this year while also regularly working on the indies and AAA events in Mexico.

    He had a multi-year run in ROH from 2019 through 2021 that saw him win the World title from Rush at Best in the World in July 2021. He couldn’t work Final Battle in December 2021 due to COVID-19 and then lost the title in a unification bout of sorts to Jonathan Gresham at this year’s Supercard of Honor. 

    If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit F4Wonline.com with an h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.

  • New ‘Powerhouse’ Tag Team Coming to WWE’s Main Roster Soon

    New ‘Powerhouse’ Tag Team Coming to WWE’s Main Roster Soon

    Indus Sher, the former tag team featuring Veer Mahaan and Sanga, have reunited.

    They teamed together again last weekend at an NXT house show in Citrus Springs to face Andre Chase and another talent. It marked the first time they’ve teamed together since January 2021, when they teamed with Drew McIntyre to defeat Jinder Mahal and The Bollywood Boyz at WWE Superstar Spectacle.

    WWE’s Big Plans 

    WWE logo

    Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE plans to use them as a powerhouse tag team on the main roster. 

    Meltzer wrote, “The idea is to have them as a main roster powerhouse team, a slot they haven’t had since they tried with Authors of Pain and that Luke Harper & Erick Rowan did for a brief period, but in both cases, injuries came at the wrong time, and Vince lost interest in them.”

    They first started teaming together in 2018 and, at one point, were managed by Malcolm Bivens, now known as Stokely Hathaway in AEW. However, they were split up as  Veer was called up to Raw. 

    After feuding with the Mysterios, he has only been seen a few times on television since Triple H took over WWE creative from Vince McMahon in July.

    Sanga was later reintroduced in NXT as a bodyguard for Grayson Waller, but they were split up shortly after that where he became a babyface.

  • Possible Changes Being Made to WWE Day 1 2023 – Brock Lesnar Status

    Possible Changes Being Made to WWE Day 1 2023 – Brock Lesnar Status

    WWE could be about to move the date of next year’s WWE Day 1 premium live event, despite the show’s name.

    WWE Day 1 is the latest event to be added to the WWE calendar, with the first event happening earlier this year.

    As the name suggests, the event took place on January 1, 2022, the first day of the calendar year.

    Moving Dates

    Despite the name Day 1, next year’s WWE Day 1 may not take place on January 1.

    In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it is reported that WWE is open to changing the date.

    At this time, WWE Day 1 2023 will take place on January 1, at the State Farm Arena, in Atlanta, Georgia.

    This would see the show fall on a Sunday, WWE’s traditional pick for Premium Live Events, though WWE has moved several events to Saturdays this year.

    The Observer reports that and an announcement will be made next week if WWE changes the date, but that the venue will remain the same no matter the date.

    The Beast’s Return

    Brock Lesnar appeared at this year’s WWE Day 1, and had been scheduled to face Reigns (then just the Universal Champion.)

    That match was canceled as Reigns had tested positive for Covid-19, and Lesnar was added to the WWE Championship match which he won.

    The Observer also reports that Lesnar’s next match in the United States will be at the WWE Day 1 2023 event.

    The report specified that this will be Lesnar’s next match in the United States, keeping the possibility of an appearance at WWE Crown Jewel on November 5.

    WWE Day 1 Results: Brock Lesnar Wins WWE Title, Beth Phoenix Returns
  • Melina on the Negative Stigma to WWE’s Divas Era: “It’s a Weird Thing”

    Melina on the Negative Stigma to WWE’s Divas Era: “It’s a Weird Thing”

    Melina Perez is proud to have been a WWE Diva, despite what others may think of the term or of the Divas era.

    In the 1990s, WWE introduced the term ‘Diva’ to address female talent, and would retire the phrase in 2016, with the women being called ‘Superstars’ like their male counterparts.

    Despite the term once being a staple of WWE programming, Diva is now on WWE’s banned terms list, never to be uttered on TV.

    Negative Stigma

    The Divas era has faced criticism from fans, as the focus was more on soap opera-style storylines than in-ring skill.

    The urban legend is that John Laurinaitis, then WWE’s Head of Talent Relations, would hire talent using a binder of modeling photos, instead of seeking established female wrestlers.

    Speaking with MCW Backstage Pass, Melina addressed her time as a WWE Diva and the stigma around it (via 411 Mania.)

    “It’s a weird thing, because ‘diva’ gets tied up with the model search and that’s not it. And that’s the hard part where the term ‘diva [era]’ is thought of as ‘model days’ right when it wasn’t even that — well kind of, but regardless, each woman who held that title did their best, gave it their all.

    “the term ‘diva [era]’ is thought of as ‘model days’ right when it wasn’t even that.”

    Melina

    “I mean, blame the — I’m kind of blaming Diva Search. But it was really, you can’t blame them for getting an opportunity. It’s like Tough Enough, I mean you can’t blame the people who did Tough Enough, and that’s what the Diva Search was.”

    A Change in Perspective

    Nowadays, WWE takes women’s wrestling more seriously, with female matches often headlining TV.

    Speaking about the change, Melina said that she’s pleased that there are more opportunities now, but doesn’t regret her Divas era days.

    “I’m never gonna change and look down on my time, because everyone’s like, ‘Okay, do you wish that you were in this era because of all the opportunity?’ No, I love what I went through.”

    Melina last competed for WWE at the 2022 Royal Rumble, competing in the Women’s Rumble match in her first match for the promotion in over a decade.

    Melina Wishes For One On One Match With Sasha Banks
  • WWE Creative has been “Hands Off” with the White Rabbit

    WWE Creative has been “Hands Off” with the White Rabbit

    The WWE Universe has been hooked on trying to decipher the mystery of the White Rabbit, all without the company putting much effort into the angle.

    The White Rabbit teases began earlier this month, when WWE used the song of the same name by Jefferson Airplane during a SmackDown commercial break.

    WWE has since used the song and eerie red lighting off-camera at several Live events, with the belief that this will mark the return of Bray Wyatt.

    Hands Off

    While the White Rabbit has been a talking point among fans, the story has yet to be referenced by anyone on Raw or SmackDown.

    According to Fightful Select, WWE’s creative team, now led by Triple H has been “hands off” with their approach.

    The attitude backstage is that the fans are doing plenty to promote the storyline, which is being seen as a “major success” backstage.

    Rather than reference the storyline on WWE TV, the company has used fan-assisted viral marketing, as well as unique tactics including leaving flyers of the car windshields of fans at arenas.

    While WWE’s higher-ups are aware of what the plan is, many within the company still have no confirmed clue, which has led to excitement behind the scenes.

    From the Rabbit Hole

    WWE has done little to address the White Rabbit mystery on TV, but the mystery could be solved at next week’s Extreme Rules Premium Live Event.

    It is reported that WWE has at least at one point had plans for the White Rabbit to be revealed at Extreme Rules.

    It is unclear if the person or group that WWE has been building towards will be there in person or just have a presence on the show.

    WWE Extreme Rules will take place on October 8, at the Wells Fargo Center, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    WWE Drops More White Rabbit Clues Featuring The Rock, Cody Rhodes, & More On RAW
  • Update On Robert Roode Amid WWE Absence

    Update On Robert Roode Amid WWE Absence

    Robert Roode has seemingly provided an update on his status amid the various rumors about his absence from the WWE ring.

    The former NXT champion recently posted a photo on Instagram on Thursday. He tagged in Southlake Orthopaedics and noted that he recently had a medical procedure done in Birmingham, AL:

    “Heading home after what is hoped to be a successful trip to Birmingham AL. Big thank you to @southlakeortho and @andrews_sports_medicine for taking great care of me this week. Especially to the first class medical staff of Dr Micheal Ellerbusch , Dr Andrew Cordover and Dr Charles Carnel.”

    Robert Roode joined WWE back in 2016. He had a successful run in NXT where he won the brand’s top title once during his tenure.

    The former TNA world champion made his main roster debut in August 2017. He has been a regular for WWE programming ever since and has won multiple titles in the company.

    Roode however, hasn’t been seen on WWE programming in the recent while. His last match came on June 25 where he competed against Omos on a live event.

    There is no word on if Robert Roode is expected to stay out of action following the medical procedure. We will keep you posted on his status.

  • Dr. Chris Amann Reportedly No Longer Working For WWE

    Dr. Chris Amann Reportedly No Longer Working For WWE

    Longtime ringside physician Dr. Chris Amann has reportedly retired from WWE.

    According to PW Insider, Amann reportedly gave his notice some time ago and has officially retired from his position with WWE this month.

    Chris joined the company in 2008 after working as a physician for the 2008 United States Olympic team. He was the senior ringside physician that worked with both WWE and NXT talent. Chris also oversaw the medical care of other ringside physicians and trainers on the staff.

    Dr. Chris Amann sues CM Punk

    Long before the meltdown following AEW All Out, CM Punk had issues with WWE and Dr. Chris Amann.

    In 2014, CM Punk was interviewed on The Art of Wrestling podcast, hosted by Colt Cabana (or Scott Colton as referred to be Punk during his media scrum rant).

    Punk claimed during the podcast that the doctor misdiagnosed a lump on his back as a “fatty deposit” and it was later revealed to be an MRSA infection. Chris Amann later sued both CM Punk and Colt Cabana for defamation. His argument was that the words said on the podcast called into question his ability to perform his duties as a physician.

    The trial lasted about a week and found that neither CM Punk or Colt Cabana were liable for defamation.

    After the European tour, the whole European tour I am dry heaving after every match. I’m on all fours after every match and I’m either puking for real or I am just dry heaving because I don’t have anything in my stomach. I have no appetite. I don’t know what is up and what is down.

    I can’t sleep, I can’t f***ing train. Doc’s like, ‘Oh you are sick, here is a Z-Pak.’ They Z-Pakked me to death, so much that in December I **** my pants on a SmackDown because that’s what antibiotics do to you.

    CM Punk on Dr. Chris Amann
  • Jim Cornette Criticizes The Booking Of WWE SmackDown Star: “What Are You Supposed To Think About Her?”

    Jim Cornette Criticizes The Booking Of WWE SmackDown Star: “What Are You Supposed To Think About Her?”

    Jim Cornette is not a fan of how WWE has been booking SmackDown star Lacey Evans as of late.

    She returned to the company with a series of vignettes in which she spoke about her difficulties as a child, and her time in the military but it ultimately led to her being a heel on WWE TV.

    On last Friday’s edition of the blue brand, SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan defeated Lacey Evans in a singles match. After her victory, Liv set Lacey up on a table and climbed to the top turnbuckle. Liv connected with a Senton through the table and sent a message to Ronda Rousey after the match.

    Liv Morgan will be defending the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ronda Rousey in an Extreme Rules match at the Premium Live Event on October 8th.

    Jim Cornette Criticizes WWE’s Booking of Lacey Evans

    Wrestling legend Jim Cornette shared his thoughts on WWE’s booking of Lacey Evans on a recent episode of his Drive-Thru podcast. Cornette wondered if Lacey had pissed someone off backstage and claimed that he has never seen a more talented female performer booked so poorly.

    Who did Lacey Evans piss off?,” asked Cornette. “That is my question. Because I don’t know that I’ve seen a more talented female performer booked in such ridiculous sh**y ways ever from any company. What are you supposed to think about her? They had her do those promos, again part of this I’m sure was Vince, and some weird Vince idea that he had.

    They had her do the promos as the abused child, the military hero, and a determined young woman, which all led up to her being a heel for some reason. She’s great as a heel. But now they are using her as f***ing cannon fodder for this Liv Morgan experiment of trying to make people believe that Liv Morgan is, now or ever has been, or should be a professional wrestler.

    H/T: Sportskeeda Wrestling

  • Backstage Update On When WWE Is Expected To Reveal The ‘White Rabbit’

    Backstage Update On When WWE Is Expected To Reveal The ‘White Rabbit’

    WWE is reportedly planning on unveiling the ‘White Rabbit’ at an upcoming Premium Live Event.

    For several weeks, WWE has been running a cryptic teaser campaign featuring a mysterious white rabbit. The company has been playing the 1967 song “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane during live events and occasionally during commercial breaks of RAW or SmackDown.

    A QR code appeared on a recent edition of RAW as Austin Theory made his way to the ring. The code brought fans to a secret WWE website where fans saw a “Hang Man” game. The question was “who killed the world?” and the answer was “YOU DID”. Another QR code appeared during this past Monday’s episode of the red brand and took fans to a TikTok video when scanned.

    The video features the same question and answer from the Hang Man game with past and present wrestlers saying the words. The number “40701” was also displayed and fans uncovered that is the zip code for Corbin, Kentucky. You can check out our deep dive on WWE’s White Rabbit here.

    WWE Reportedly Will Unveil The White Rabbit At Extreme Rules

    According to a new Fightful Select report, the company plans to reveal the White Rabbit at Extreme Rules on October 8th.

    Fightful stated that those they have spoken with backstage in WWE said that the teaser campaign has been more successful than they envisioned and has generated incredible buzz for the company. The report noted that they were not told if the “White Rabbit” will physically be at Extreme Rules or not and the reveal is expected to be Bray Wyatt.

  • WWE Has “Significant Plans” For Popular Raw Superstar

    WWE Has “Significant Plans” For Popular Raw Superstar

    Fans can expect to see Finn Balor be booked as a main event player soon under the creative vision of Triple H on WWE programming. 

    Balor was pushed as a top star in NXT under Triple H, where he held the NXT Title several times. However, on the main roster, he was only briefly used as a top star when he first arrived in 2016, becoming the first-ever Universal Champion at SummerSlam. However, he was sidelined due to an injury he suffered in that bout against Seth Rollins. 

    Finn Balor’s Bright Future

    WWE has significant plans for Balor in the months ahead, according to WrestleVotes:

    “I’m told that significant plans are lined up for Finn Balor in the future. I don’t know exactly for what those plans are, but he is a strong favorite of the new leadership group. Expect Finn to play a big role in the foreseeable future of WWE.”

    WWE has kept The Judgment Day strong under two different regimes in the way of Vince McMahon, and now Triple H. Edge first created the group alongside Reha Ripley and Damian Priest. 

    This past June at Hell in a Cell, Judgement Day beat Balor, AJ Styles, and Liv Morgan. The following night on Raw, Balor turned heel by attacking Edge and joining the group. 

    At next Saturday’s Extreme Rules event from Philadelphia, Balor is slated to wrestle Edge in an I Quit Match.

  • Randy Orton Appears in Court for WWE/2K Sports Tattoo Trial

    Randy Orton Appears in Court for WWE/2K Sports Tattoo Trial

    The trial for the Randy Orton WWE 2K tattoo lawsuit is underway after being pushed back several times over the past couple of years.

    In 2018, tattoo artist Catherine Alexander brought a lawsuit against WWE, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., 2K Games, Inc., 2K Sports, Inc., Visual Concepts Entertainment, Yuke’s Co., Ltd., and Yuke’s LA Inc.

    She claims in the lawsuit that those parties have infringed on her copyright by using the tattoo work she did on Orton in video games without her permission. She performed the tattoo work on Orton between 2003 and 2008. Although Orton is not a defendant in the case, he does have a part to play as a witness.

    The Trial

    Randy Orton posing

    The trial officially began this past Monday, September 26. Pwinsider reported today that Orton testified as a witness on Wednesday, September 28.

    It’s a notable case as the result will set s a legal precedent when it comes to the usage of people’s tattoos in video games.

    Orton hasn’t appeared on WWE TV since the May 20th episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, where he and Matt Riddle lost to The Usos. Orton had to get some work done on his back to get through the match. As previously reported, the feeling is that his back is so bad that he may have to get surgery, which would keep him out of action for the rest of 2022.

  • Drew McIntyre: Vince Told Me “Don’t Listen to Anybody but The Undertaker”

    Drew McIntyre: Vince Told Me “Don’t Listen to Anybody but The Undertaker”

    Drew McIntyre has become one of WWE’s biggest stars in years, and he has The Undertaker to thank in playing a role.

    McIntyre signed with WWE in 2007 and after a brief spell on SmackDown, returned to the blue brand in 2009 as ‘the Chosen One.’

    It wouldn’t be until 2020 that McIntyre would fulfill Vince McMahon’s promise that he’d become WWE Champion, winning the title at WrestleMania 36.

    Working with the Deadman

    Drew McIntyre and the Undertaker shared the ring only a handful of times, but the two were close behind the scenes.

    Speaking to Hollywood Raw, the Scottish Warrior explained how he became a personal project of the Deadman.

    “It was awesome. He was put in charge of me probably against his will, when I was about 23. That was about the time where I think the powers that be realized that the older generation were starting to retire. [They] weren’t going to be there forever and they had to start pushing some youth to the front.”

    McIntyre was right, as, in 2007, The Undertaker would begin taking lengthy periods off TV, and by 2010, was competing in just a handful of matches a year.

    The Youth Movement

    McIntyre learned plenty working with The Deadman, but he wasn’t the only young Superstar being groomed for greatness.

    Over on Raw, Sheamus was moved to the red brand in 2009, and ended the year as WWE Champion.

    In the interview, Drew explained how his real-life best friend also had a mentor of his own.

    “Sheamus and I were kind of the first two people they took as the kind of projects. With Sheamus on Raw and myself on SmackDown. Sheamus was put under the Triple H learning tree and I was going to The Undertaker learning tree. Vince said ‘You don’t listen to anybody but The Undertaker.’

    “Vince said ‘You don’t listen to anybody but The Undertaker.’”

    Drew McIntyre.

    “I wish I thought the way I think now back then, because [his] wrestling IQ is obviously off the charts. At the time, mine was a lot lower than it is now. So many of those lessons that I got, just flew right over my head. Thankfully I remembered a few.”

    McIntyre Today

    After capturing the WWE Championship, McIntyre was relied upon to carry the company through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.

    Speaking about the Undertaker, who he called the “coolest guy in the room,” McIntyre said the Phenom’s presence backstage would pay off years later for him.

    “You could feel him when he walked in the room. It’s such a presence. If there was a situation, it was always dealt with calmly by him. So it’s such an impact on me. How to be a leader. How to conduct yourself.”

    Drew McIntyre Thought WWE Would Cut Iconic WrestleMania 36 Moment
  • Drew McIntyre Reveals Who He Would Like To Induct Him Into Hall Of Fame

    Drew McIntyre Reveals Who He Would Like To Induct Him Into Hall Of Fame

    Drew McIntyre and Sheamus have had very similar career paths. They both started their wrestling careers around the same time and got signed by WWE less than a year apart. Both the stars were positioned as future main eventers from early on in Raw and SmackDown respectively.

    While their careers differed a bit after that, both have had a resurgence in the last few years. More importantly, they have been best friends through all these ups and downs and their friendship has only gotten stronger with time

    During a recent interview with the Hollywood Raw podcast, the Scottish Warrior was asked which star he would like to induct him into the Hall of Fame. It’s only fitting that Drew McIntyre took the name of Sheamus:

    ‘It’s Gotta Be Sheamus’: Drew McIntyre

    “Oh God, it’s gonna end up being Sheamus, ain’t it? He’s been there since before we both got signed. The good times, the bad times. I am best man at his wedding coming up. He was best man at my wedding.

    We give each other hell all the time. As everybody sees, we fight more than me and my actual brother. What people get to see on TV as well as backstage they don’t get to see. But yeah, it’s gotta be Sheamus.”

    Both Drew McIntyre and Sheamus wrestled in highly praised matches during the Clash At The Castle PPV. The Celtic Warrior has since continued his feud with Gunther while McIntyre has been pulled from the road due to food poisoning.

    More Originals From SEScoops:

    If you use any quotes from the article, please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

  • Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match Added to WWE Extreme Rules 2022

    Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook Match Added to WWE Extreme Rules 2022

    Imperium and the Brawling Brutes will look to settle the score next Saturday when the two factions meet in a Good Old Fashion Donnybrook match at WWE Extreme Rules 2022.

    The no-disqualification match was confirmed on WWE.com and on social media, after weeks of the two sides feuding.

    Imperium Vs. The Brawling Brutes

    The two teams have been at odds for some time, with Imperium reuniting at Clash at the Castle 2022.

    At the Cardiff, Wales event, GUNTHER retained the Intercontinental Championship against Sheamus in a critically-acclaimed match.

    Imperium once again stood tall over the Brawling Brutes in a Six-Man Tag Team Match on the September 9, edition of SmackDown.

    After Butch and Ridge Holland defeated three-other teams (including Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) to earn a shot at The Usos, Imperium attacked them, costing them the Undisputed WWE Tag Team title match.

    On the SmackDown before WWE Extreme Rules, Sheamus will once again challenge GUNTHER for the Intercontinental Championship.

    Extreme Rules

    The Donnybrook match is just the latest addition to a stacked WWE Extreme Rules 2022 card, which will see several stipulations.

    Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will defend her title against Bayley in a ladder match, the first singles ladder match in WWE Women’s history.

    Drew McIntyre will take on Karrion Kross in a strap match, while Matt Riddle and Seth Rollins will square off inside the Fight Pit.

    The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor will take on former leader Edge in an I-Quit match.

    http://stg.sescoops.com/news/wwe-extreme-rules-2022-betting-odd/
  • WWE Promised Mick Foley Just Five Matches a Year When he Joined

    WWE Promised Mick Foley Just Five Matches a Year When he Joined

    WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley is certainly a rich man now, but that wasn’t the case when he joined the promotion. 

    Foley debuted in the then-WWF in 1996, as Mankind, appearing not long after WrestleMania 12. 

    Mankind would immediately enter a feud with The Undertaker, with Foley getting the win in the first Boiler Room brawl at Summerslam. 

    Five Matches & $750

    Foley came to the WWF in 1996 after a lengthy and successful run in WCW working as Cactus Jack. 

    Speaking on Foley is Pod, the Hardcore Legend said his deal when joining the WWF was much lower. 

    “I signed on that opportunity, and the only thing you were guaranteed is five matches a year at $150 a match. So you’re guaranteed $750 a year and that’s it. If they decided not to push you or take you off the road, then you’re sitting by idly, not making anything.”

    When asked by co-host Conrad Thompson how he felt at the time, Foley said he was just grateful for the opportunity. 

    “I was happy. I didn’t start complaining about checks until 1998. I was just happy to be there, but they [the checks] weren’t enormous. Even the Pay Per View checks were not that big a deal.

    “I remember accepting it as ‘this is what I get.’ When I did get a much bigger payoff for King of the RIng [1998] Hell in a Cell, it really did surprise me. I even wrote a letter of thanks to Vince [McMahon.]”

    Marc Mero

    While Foley received a very low guarantee, a sign of the company’s financial struggles at the time, Marc Mero had the opposite treatment. 

    Despite signing with the WWF around the same time, and having also worked previously in WCW, Mero received a much more lucrative contract

    Speaking about Mero, Foley said there was some resentment from the locker room at the time.

    “It wasn’t his fault… It’s not like Marc was going to say ‘hey, looking at the guys, I’ve decided to give them a little bit of mine back.’ 

    “I took it personally at the time, and I saw him [recently] and asked him to forgive me. I kind of dogged him for a few years, even in my book.”

    Part of Mero receiving the WWE’s first guaranteed contract was that the company wanted to make sure his then-wife Sable joined with him.

    Saying No to WrestleMania

    After a year in the WWF, Mankind had established himself but continued to be in the mid-card. 

    During the podcast, Foley said he even said he turned down a very short feud with Mero which would have culminated at WrestleMania 13. 

    “I was opposed to working with Marc [Mero] was at Wrestlemania in 1997. I said ‘if it’s just on the card, if it’s just a matter to be on the card, I’d rather not be on it.’ Even though it’d be years before I referred to myself as Mr. In Your House, I realized there are opportunities for me to shine and be in main event matches and steal the show.”

    Instead of Mero, Mankind teamed with Vader to face Owen Hart and Davey Boy Smith at WrestleMania.

     

    Mick Foley Would’ve Loved Doing Post-Show Press Conferences