SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Ariane Andrew On Tough Enough, Funkadactyls & WWE Total Divas

    Ariane Andrew On Tough Enough, Funkadactyls & WWE Total Divas

    Former WWE Superstar Ariane Andrew (aka Cameron) sat down this week with the A2TheK Wrestling podcast to discuss a variety of topics. Though best known her time in WWE, Andrew is today working with Pound Town Wrestling. The promotion will host its Light It Up pay-per-view on July 28.

    On Appearing On WWE Tough Enough

    In 2011, Ariane appeared on the fifth season of WWE Tough Enough but failed to win the tournament. Her tenure on the show is best-remembered for her stating a match between Alicia Fox and Melina was her all-time favorite and admitting she hadn’t been watching wrestling for very long.

    Ariane: “Of course, that’s where people still talk about it. I’m just gonna bring it up myself the famous, famous ‘What’s your favorite match?’ People still talk about that and I’m like guys, how long ago was that? And also, I was very honest. I wasn’t an avid wrestling fan growing up.

    “I don’t know why I get so much s**t about that. There’s so many people who’ve gone on to be champions… it was interesting. It’s like everyone wasn’t a die hard fan but it’s the passion and stuff that I feel that comes after, once you do become a part of the company.”

    On Her First Reaction to the Funkadactyls Gimmick

    In 2012, Andrew, as Cameron, arrived on WWE’s main roster as one-half of the Funkadacytls alongside Naomi. In the interview, Andrew explained that this wasn’t the first idea WWE had in mind for her.

    Ariane: “I was like ‘what?’ Because initially I had been told that I was going to be replacing Brandi [Rhodes as an announcer] because she was moving up and I was like announcing, that’s cool then they were [wanting me] to be a Funkadactyl and dance. I was like ‘Oh all this sounds stressful.’

    “Whether it’s wrestling because I’ve only had three months of training [or] doing announcing because I’m like ‘When have I done that? Maybe once’ and being a dancer, I don’t dance so all three of these. I’ve only been in developmental three months I’m like okay but you know this is just my personality and I feel like anything in life it’s sink or swim. There’s a little bit of faking it till you make it.”

    On Her Favorite Total Divas Story

    In 2013, Cameron joined the cast of Total Divas alongside Naomi, the Bellas, Eva Marie, JoJo Offerman, and Natalya. The former Superstar had plenty of storylines on the show and recalled her favorite moment with seamstress Miss Sandra.

    Ariane: “I feel like Miss Sandra would probably slap me if I said this. I don’t know it’s it’s a favorite [moment] it’s just funny. Especially back then I was way smaller than what I am now and Tren I just have two different body shapes. Trin has like that voluptuous ‘Pat-out ‘Kapow’ and I was just really small. So I just remember Miss Sandra used to be like ‘Oh girl, what are these like baby clothes?’ She was, ‘Making gear for you was hard’ because she’d have to stuff the top area because there was nothing going on up there… I don’t know, it’s just like a funny moment of her just being ‘Girl I need you to get like a little extra meat or something cuz I feel like I’m making children’s clothing.’

    On Her AEW Appearance

    In July 2020, Andrew appeared for AEW and teamed with Nyla Rose in the Women’s Tag Team Cup Tournament. The pair were eliminated in the first round and there were not plans for Andrew to become a regular member of the roster.

    Ariane: “Based on what I knew it was just a one-off type of situation. It was a very interesting one-off because I was just like, how do you get me and Nyla together? that’s an interesting [situation] just because our personalities are different and stuff like that. It was just interesting how the dynamic of what they came up with… Nyla is super sweet so yeah, just trying to figure out how do we how do we make this story work and make it make sense even though it’s just like I’m coming in here as a random ass person.”

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

  • Charlie Dempsey’s Bloodsport Opponent Announced

    Charlie Dempsey’s Bloodsport Opponent Announced

    Charlie Dempsey is a busy man and he may get his newly announced opponent bloodly in Brooklyn for Bloodsport XI.

    The pugilist proprietor of Bloodsport Josh Barnett recently revealed that Dempsey would be partaking in the action, and now we know who the NXT star will be facing.

    Dempsey is set to face Royce Isaacs in singles action who already has a resume on the event. Barnett provided further details on the forthcoming fight.

    “Two mat grapplers set to lock up and go hold for hold, submission to submission, catch to catch. Dempsey proved he belonged in Bloodsport in his last outing, capturing victory in a hard fought match with Matt Makowski. Isaacs has been a staple of Bloodsport and was trading hold for hold with submission wizard Minoru Suzuki last time. Both are on the rise and both want a souvenir to hang on the wall – a limb taken from a defeated opponent. Charlie Dempsey vs Royce Isaacs at Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport XI.”

    Royce Isaacs has previous experience both in AEW and the NWA and should compliment the “catch style” of Charlie Dempsey. Isaacs already expressed his excitement on social media, stating, “This is Bloodsport, This is what I live for, Nos vamos!”

    RELATED: Shayna Baszler & WWE NXT’s Charlie Dempsey Triumphant At Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport X

    The son of William Regal, Dempsey has been a notable force for the No Catch Crew and is already well-traveled. In December of 2023, Dempsey competed under the All-Japan banner representing NXT. Saturday night, the No Catch Crew will challenge for the TNA Tag Team Championships.

    During the NXT Heatwave media call, Shawn Michaels praised the ability of Charlie Dempsey and commended him for personality and adaptability.

    Dempsey will be joining Shayna Baszler and The Creed Brothers for the GCW event on July 28 in Brooklyn, NY.

    RELATED: Shayna Baszler Returns To GCW For Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XI

  • WWE SmackDown Highlights: July 19th 2024

    WWE SmackDown Highlights: July 19th 2024

    This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown continued the road towards SummerSlam, with some pretty interesting moments taking place on the night. One of these included one of boxing’s biggest modern-day stars, Terence Crawford, coming to the aid of WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, and Logan Paul would get into it with LA Knight ahead of their match at the ‘Biggest Party of the Summer.’

    WWE has now uploaded all of the video highlights for the show to their official YouTube channel, which we have compiled in an easy to view format on one page below.

    Read More – WWE SmackDown Results (7/19)

    WWE SmackDown Full Highlights This Week

    If you didn’t get the chance to watch the show in full, you can see a Full Recap of WWE SmackDown this week via the video below:

    WWE SmackDown Segments This Week

    Here are all of the individual Video Highlights that WWE has released this week after SmackDown:

    Champion boxer Terence Crawford helps Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes exact payback on A-Town Down Under.

    2024 Queen of the Ring Nia Jax delivers an ominous warning to WWE Women’s Champion Bayley before they clash at SummerSlam.

    Andrade vs Carmelo Hayes

    Andrade and Carmelo Hayes square off to see who the better Superstar is. Andrade shows ‘HIM’ respect backstage after the bout.

    Bianca Belair vs Chelsea Green

    “The EST” Bianca Belair clashes with Chelsea Green.

    United States Champion Logan Paul and LA Knight must be separated after signing a contract for their title match at SummerSlam.

    WWE Women’s Champion Bayley costs Tiffany Stratton a win against Michin and destroys the Money in the Bank briefcase.

    2024 Money in the Bank winner Tiffany Stratton is ready to usher in “Tiffy Time.”

    WWE SmackDown Full Match: Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens vs Austin Theory and Grayson Waller

    The Bloodline brutalize their competition after Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes teams up with Kevin Owens to battle Austin Theory and Grayson Waller.

  • Mark Henry Reveals His Son Jacob Wants To Main Event WrestleMania

    Mark Henry Reveals His Son Jacob Wants To Main Event WrestleMania

    WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry recently revealed that his son, Jacob Henry is eager to not only enter pro wrestling but headline WrestleMania in the future.

    Mark Henry told TMZ Sports that his son’s true passion is pro wrestling and he has already set some daunting goals. The former World Champion revealed that Jacob, who has been an amateur wrestler is not looking for a career in Olympic wrestling. Jacob is aiming to main-event WrestleMania as well as become a champion in Japan. ‘The World Strongest Man’ admitted that these are “hefty goals” but he outlined the importance of setting scary goals. He said:

    “His true passion is pro wrestling. He’s not trying to be an Olympic champion in wrestling. He said, ‘I don’t want to go to the Pro Bowl or win a Super Bowl. I want to main event WrestleMania and go to Japan and be a champion.’ I’m like, ‘Bro, those are hefty goals.’ But I tell you what, if your goals don’t scare you, then you’re playing it safe. You’re not going to make it unless you have high, high dreams.”

    Jacob Henry’s career

    Jacob Henry has attended Lake Travis and participated in wrestling, football as well as track and field. In his junior year, he achieved notable shot put throws of 50-7 and 50-6 which helped him earn a top-four finish in the Texas 6A 285-pound weight class. Meanwhile, in his sophomore and freshman years, he displayed an impressive feat of strength with shot put throws that ranged from 48-10.5 to 49-8.

    Speaking about his football career, Jacob Henry dominated the 2022 football season at Lake Travis. He finished the junior season with outstanding stats of 46 tackles, 4 tackles for loss (TFL), 2 sacks, and 6 quarterback hurries. In his sophomore year, he scored 28 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 QB hurries. 

    Jacob Henry also recently announced that he was committed to wrestling for the University of Oklahoma. He revealed that he won his 100th match in amateur wrestling.

    With his athletic skills and impressive resume, he is a massive prospect for pro wrestling. He could end up joining NXT, WWE’s developmental brand where several second-generation talents have stepped foot.

  • Nia Jax On WWE Locker Room Culture: “We Have More Of A Support System”

    Nia Jax On WWE Locker Room Culture: “We Have More Of A Support System”

    2024 Queen of The Ring winner Nia Jax has shed light on how WWE locker room culture has changed over the years.

    The WWE locker room is stacked with a plethora of talented wrestlers. Speaking on Battleground Podcast, Jax spoke about the change in WWE’s locker room culture. She drew a comparison of the current locker room environment to the past during her first run with the company. ‘The Irresistible Force’ feels that the talents previously focused on themselves but that has changed. They are now working towards a common goal with a team effort, something Jax is more familiar with.

    Of late, the WWE Women’s locker room has been hailed for its supportive atmosphere. Jax, who is part of the SmackDown roster, has weighed in on the matter. She feels that there’s unity in the locker room. She said:

    “So, the locker room culture, it’s constantly changing but I do find as though we have more of a support system for each other. I come from a team background. I’ve played sports my whole life and it’s always been like you’re only strong as your weakest link and I find as though, like previously, everybody took it more of a me, me, me sort of thing where it’s like, ‘I need to do this’ and now we’re like, ‘Well, we all need to come together to support so and so’ and, ‘We all need to come together’ so I think it’s more of a team, a group effort in the locker room I feel.”

    She added:

    “I also feel a lot of the creative and our producers are more just like, ‘Hey, this is what we’re doing but make sure you realize, go have fun. Go enjoy what you’re doing.’ It’s not like to where it’s like, oh my gosh, I did this. I’m gonna have so many repercussions when I get backstage. It’s more of just, try something. If it doesn’t work out, figure it out. We’ll figure it out later. It’s a different kind of culture, a different kind of atmosphere… I feel as though there’s just more support and encouragement.”

    Ever since Nia Jax has returned to the company, she has had quite a run. She has faced some top stars of the women’s division including Liv Morgan, Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley. She is now scheduled to challenge Bayley for the WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam next month. 

    On the latest edition of SmackDown, Bayley and Nia Jax had a sit-down backstage promo segment. Their rivalry going strong and the champ even called out Jax for not having changed in the past 10 years. She even labeled her big, clumsy and reckless. The segment ended with Jax storming off abruptly in anger.

  • Logan Paul Is Now The Longest-Reigning U.S Champion Of The Past Decade

    Logan Paul Is Now The Longest-Reigning U.S Champion Of The Past Decade

    WWE United States Champion Logan Paul has etched his name in the history books by holding the title longer than anybody else over the past decade. Mere days after hitting 250 days with the gold, Paul overtook Austin Theory’s second reign as U.S. Champion (257 days) to achieve the milestone. Paul has held the gold since WWE Crown Jewel 2023 where he ended the 84-day reign of Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.

    In the annals of all U.S. Champions, including those from WCW and the NWA, Paul is the 22nd longest-reigning holder of the gold. This time next week, the Maverick will surpass Ricky Steamboat and Booker T in the rankings, both of whom held the title four times each.

    While Paul is the longest-reigning champion in WWE today and the only current title holder to have won their gold last year, he’s hardly been a fighting champion. Since capturing the title in Saudi Arabia, Paul has had just two title defenses. His first came at the Royal Rumble where he earned a DQ win over Kevin Owens. The second saw Paul defeat Owens and Randy Orton at WrestleMania 40.

    H/T to @WWEStats for uncovering this stat. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more interesting wrestling facts and statistics.

    What’s to Come?

    Paul’s third United States Championship defense will come at SummerSlam 2024 against LA Knight. On the July 19, edition of WWE SmackDown, Paul agreed to face Knight at the Biggest Party of the Summer in Paul’s hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. SummerSlam 2024 will take place on August 3, from the Cleveland Browns Stadium. Paul is undefeated at SummerSlam having defeated The Miz in 2022 and Ricochet in 2023.

  • Watch: What Happened With Cody Rhodes After SmackDown Double-Taping

    Watch: What Happened With Cody Rhodes After SmackDown Double-Taping

    Cody Rhodes had plenty to say to the crowd at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska after this week’s double taping of SmackDown. In addition to filming this week’s show, the July 26, episode was also taped. That’s because WWE’s roster will be traveling to Japan next week for a three-day tour of Osaka and Tokyo, the first tour of its kind since 2019.

    Cody Rhodes After SmackDown

    On this week’s episode of SmackDown, Rhodes teamed with Kevin Owens to face A-Town Down Under. Despite getting the victory, Rhodes and Owens fell victim to another assault by The Bloodline, who took out Randy Orton on last week’s show.

    After SmackDown, Rhodes delivered a superkick to the big PRIME bottle that had been at ringside and joked that he’d ruined any chance of being sponsored by Logan Paul’s energy drink. Rhodes thanked the fans in Omaha for coming out and supporting the show and that it was “exciting” to do the double taping. Cody ended the night by signing autographs and taking pictures much to the delight of the crowd.

    Cody was able to have some fun after SmackDown, but things will be all business at SummerSlam 2024. Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at the Biggest Party of the Summer against Solo Sikoa and the Bloodline has continued to have Rhodes’ number in recent weeks. WWE SummerSlam will take place on August 3, from the Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio.

    SummerSlam Card Predictions for CM Punk, Cody Rhodes & More

  • Hikuleo: Everything You Need To Know On Reported WWE Signing

    Hikuleo: Everything You Need To Know On Reported WWE Signing

    It has been reported that Hikuleo has signed with WWE after finishing his time with New Japan Pro Wrestling earlier this year, but what do you need to know about him?

    Fightful Select broke the news that Hikuelo has signed with WWE and multiple sources have confirmed. The adoptive son of Tonga Fifita (aka Meng/Haku) Hikuelo is the brother of Tama Tonga and the adoptive brother of Tonga Loa and his arrival in WWE has been expected for some time now.

    Early Career

    Hikuelo’s wrestling journey began in 2016, when, after training in the Team 3D Academy in Florida, he became a student at the NJPW Dojo. The Hikuleo name comes from Hikule’o, a Tongan God, and he made his in-ring debut on November 12 in Auckland, New Zealand.

    NJPW – The Bullet Club

    After completing his training, Hikuleo joined the NJPW roster fill time in 2017 and joined the Bullet Club alongside his brothers and his cousin Bad Luck Fale. Unfortunately, an injury in March 2018 derailed his plans and he wouldn’t appear for NJPW until FFebruary 2019 at Honor Rising: Japan.

    NJPW – Guerillas of Destiny

    After his brothers were kicked out of the Bullet Club by Jay White, Hikuleo began a feud with the faction’s leader and lost to the Switchblade at the Mutiny show in April 2022. He would later align fully with GoD and defeated White in a ‘Loser Leaves Japan’ match in February 2023. Two months later, Hikuleo captured the Strong Opeweight Championship, his first title in New Japan, but lost the gold back to Kenta weeks later. At Wrestle Kingdom 18, Hikuleo and Phantasmo won the IWGP World Tag Titles but lost the gold

    Outside New Japan

    Hikuleo was in the crowd of AEW Fyter Fest Night 2 in July 2021 where he watched the IWGP U.S. title match between Jon Moxley and Lance Archer. After slapping the victorious Archer after the match, Hikuleo challenged him at Fight for the Fallen but was defeated. He returned to AEW in June 2022 to team with the Young Bucks and reDRagon to win a ten-man tag-team match.

    In 2021, Hikuleo also appeared in Impact Wrestling and established himself as part of a U.S. branch of the Bullet Club alongside Chris Bey, and El Phantasmo. He and Bey would challenge for the Impact World Tag Team Titles at that year’s Bound for Glory and Turning Point events but failed to win the gold from the Good Brothers.

    Now, Hikuleo’s journey has taken him to WWE where his brothers are already headlining SmackDown as part of the Bloodline. With Hikuleo by his side, Solo Sikoa could grow even more dominant on SmackDown which could certainly spell disaster for Cody Rhodes.

  • WWE SmackDown Results (7/19)

    WWE SmackDown Results (7/19)

    Cody Rhodes Kicks Off SmackDown

    Cody Rhodes opens the show, expressing gratitude to Randy Orton, calling him a friend and mentor. Rhodes credits Orton for helping him on his journey to become Undisputed WWE Champion. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller interrupt, accusing Cody of causing their issues with The Bloodline. A brawl ensues, but professional boxer Terence Crawford assists Rhodes by handing him a steel chair to even the odds. Backstage, Nick Aldis informs Cody he must find a partner to face Theory and Waller by the end of the night.

    #1. Andrade El Idolo vs. Carmelo Hayes – Winner: Andrade El Idolo

    Nia Jax and Bayley Interview

    Nia Jax and Bayley engage in a split-screen interview, exchanging harsh words. Jax vows to defeat Bayley and take her title at SummerSlam. Bayley retaliates by calling Jax clumsy and reckless.

    #2. Bianca Belair (w/ Jade Cargill) vs. Chelsea Green (w/ Piper Niven) – Winner: Bianca Belair

    After the match, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn appear on the tron, indicating their interest in challenging Belair and Cargill for the titles.

    United States Championship Contract Signing

    Nick Aldis oversees the contract signing for the United States Championship. LA Knight and Logan Paul exchange heated words, with Knight mocking Paul’s accomplishments and Paul questioning Knight’s relevance. Tensions rise, culminating in Paul blindsiding Knight, but Knight manages to outsmart him, forcing Paul to backtrack.

    #3. Michin vs. Tiffany Stratton (w/ Nia Jax) – Winner: Michin

    Tiffany Stratton is distracted by Bayley, who destroys her Money In The Bank briefcase, allowing Michin to secure the victory.

    The Bloodline’s Warning

    Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline issue a stern warning to anyone who might team up with Cody Rhodes, promising severe consequences.

    #4. Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller – Winners: Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens

    Post-match, The Bloodline assaults Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes, delivering brutal attacks that leave both men incapacitated. Owens suffers multiple hip attacks and a headbutt, while Rhodes is put through the announce table before being rammed into the ring post with a steel chair.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for all your WWE SmackDown coverage and check out our WWE News section for more updates.

  • Terrence Crawford Assists Cody Rhodes At WWE SmackDown

    Terrence Crawford Assists Cody Rhodes At WWE SmackDown

    Undefeated boxing champion Terrence Crawford was ringside for Friday’s WWE SmackDown from Omaha, Nebraska and helped Cody Rhodes even the odds in a 2-on-1 fight against A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller).

    After Rhodes was thrown outside the ring, Crawford, an Omaha native, handed him a steel chair. Rhodes used the hardware to even the odds and ended the segment standing victorious while the heels ran off in retreat.

    WWE Shop has released a limited edition Terrence Crawford Undefeated t-shirt to coincide with the SmackDown appearance.

    Terence Crawford’s upcoming fight against Israil Madrimov goes down August 3, 2024 (the same day as WWE SummerSlam) at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California.

  • Joe Hendry: Everything You Need To Know About the TNA and NXT Star

    Joe Hendry: Everything You Need To Know About the TNA and NXT Star

    Joe Hendry has seen an absolutely massive jump in his career over the past few months, but what do you need to know about him?

    From his humble beginnings in Edinburgh, Scotland, to becoming a prominent figure in both TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling) and now WWE’s NXT, Hendry’s journey is proof that when you hustle and work enough you can get to where you want to go.

    Here, we’ll be going into the career of the Scottish star, looking at how he was able to use his musical talents to advance his career in a way

    Early Wrestling Career

    Joe Hendry, born on May 1, 1988, in Edinburgh, Scotland, embarked on his professional wrestling journey in 2013.

    Hendry trained by notable wrestlers like Killian Dain, Mikey Whiplash, and Robbie Brookside, and he quickly made a name for himself in the UK wrestling scene.

    He debuted with Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW) and soon became a prominent figure, capturing the ICW Tag Team Championship alongside Davey Boy.

    Hendry’s charisma led him to perform for various BritWres promotions, including New Generation Wrestling and WCPW/Defiant Wrestling.

    WWE NXT

    Hendry’s talent eventually caught the attention of WWE, and he has made several appearances on WWE’s NXT brand as part of the ongoing working relationship between WWE and TNA.

    But, his first stint with WWE came in 2014 when he appeared in non-wrestling roles, something that a lot of indie talent does as they’re working their way up.

    It wasn’t until 2024 that Hendry made a huge impact (pun absolutely intended) to NXT. Hendry made his in-ring debut in a 25-man battle royal to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship. Although he was eliminated quickly, his popularity has meant that the company keeps putting him on TV.

    Joey Hendry Theme

    One of Joe Hendry’s most significant achievements outside the ring is his musical career.

    His entrance theme, “I Believe in Joe Hendry,” became a viral sensation, captivating fans that watch wrestling but also ‘normies’ on TikTok.

    Originally crafted as a unique entrance song to make him stand out more, the track’s popularity soared on social media.

    Joe Hendry UK Charts

    Incredibly, fans embraced the song, leading to its rapid ascent on music charts in the United Kingdom.

    “I Believe in Joe Hendry” reached number four on the UK Singles Downloads Chart and number six on the UK Singles Sales Charts, surpassing renowned artists like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter back in May 2024.

    Joe Hendry TNA Contract

    In 2022, Joe Hendry made a triumphant return to TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling), then known still as IMPACT.

    Initially signed to a short-term deal, Hendry’s impressive performances quickly earned him a long-term contract.

    His return was marked by a match at the Bound For Glory event, and following his match at the PPV, Hendry was offered a long-term contract, solidifying his position within the company.

    Whilst the exact nature of his current deal with TNA is not known, there is a lot of interest from WWE to bring him to the company when his deal is up.

  • Ludwig Kaiser Struggled To Breathe After Wrestling Bron Breakker

    Ludwig Kaiser Struggled To Breathe After Wrestling Bron Breakker

    Facing Bron Breakker left Ludwig Kaiser struggling to breathe in a testament to the raw power of the former NXT Champion. In an interview with Metro, Kaiser revealed that he was already dealing with rib issues before facing Kaiser on the June 24, 2024, edition of RAW. Kaiser “couldn’t breathe” after mere minutes in the ring with Breakker and the German has been out of action ever since.

    “With everything in life, if you’ve been put in a bad situation, you make the best out of it. And that’s what we did. We managed it all well, it was all fine, but obviously I wanna be there, I want to wrestle and perform.”

    Despite this injury, Kaiser remains optimistic that he will be back in time for Bash in Berlin on August 31. The Imperium member said that the injury has been “annoying” but that he’s “recovering great” thanks to his impressive genetics. German news source BILD has reported that Kaiser will be in a dark match at the SmackDown before Bash in Berlin. Kaiser will team with GUNTHER on the night against Ilja Dragunov and Sami Zayn though as always, the card is subject to change.

    This injury has been an unfortunate setback for Kaiser, who had been in the midst of a singles push before stepping in the ring with Bron Breakker. It just goes to show that wrestling is a high-risk career and that injuries can happen anytime a Superstar steps in the ring.

    Related: Tiffany Stratton Says WWE Splitting Her & Boyfriend Ludwig Kaiser In The Draft “Sucks”

  • 7 Ex-WWE Superstars Are Now Free Agents

    7 Ex-WWE Superstars Are Now Free Agents

    Seven former Superstars are free agents 90 days after their WWE releases in April 2024. We’ll be following their next moves here at SEScoops, so you can follow their careers wherever they wind up next.

    Here are the WWE Superstars that are now free to work anywhere:

    Jinder Mahal

    Now going by Rah Dhesi, the former WWE Champion is the most high-profile name among this crop of wrestlers to enter the free agency market. Dhesi will make his debut for Black Label Pro Wrestling at their upcoming event on July 26.

    He recently spoke candidly about his time in WWE, including his WWE Release, working with Brock Lesnar & the infamous Punjabi Prison match.

    Veer Mahaan

    Fans waited long enough for Veer Mahaan to arrive on Monday Night Raw, but that didn’t stop the wrestler and former baseball player from being released. His final match saw was as part of the 2024 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in which he was eliminated by the Creed Brothers.

    Sanga

    The final member of Indus Sher, Sanga was part of Ring Ka King (An india-based brand of TNA Wrestling) before coming to WWE in 2018. His final match was also the 2024 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal where he was also thrown out by the Creeds.

    Cameron Grimes

    The former NXT North American Champion has plenty of pre-WWE homes, including Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, OMEGA Wrestling, and TNA Wrestling. It’s in the latter promotion where Grimes held the X-Division Championship three times and is a former TNA World Tag Team Champion.

    Xia Li

    Despite a high-profile feud with Becky Lynch in 2023, Li was among those released in April. On August 3, Li will make her MMA for the Combat Night  promotion. The ex-Superstar who is trained in wushu will face Xiomara Lee in Kissimmee, FL.

    Related: WWE Talent Sympathetic to Xia Li After Release of Underutilized Star

    Xyon Quinn

    A former Rugby player who signed with WWE in 2018, Quinn had to wait until 2020 before he made his debut. Despite an impressive build, the Australian’s final match for WWE saw him squashed by Bron Breakker in mere seconds on an episode of SmackDown.

    Related: Xyon Quinn Says The Comeback Will Surpass the Setback

    Von Wagner

    Despite being poised as one to watch when NXT 2.0 launched, Von Wagner’s tenure in WWE NXT ended this past April without any title gold to his name. Wagner is the son of WWE alum Beau Beverly and Von’s final match saw him lose to Lexis King.

  • WWE SmackDown Preview For Tonight: Cody Rhodes, The Bloodline & More

    WWE SmackDown Preview For Tonight: Cody Rhodes, The Bloodline & More

    Catch a new episode of WWE SmackDown tonight at 8pm ET on FOX, live from Omaha, Nebraska at the CHI Health Center.

    Summerslam weekend is just two weeks away. As the excitement builds for pro wrestling’s Biggest Party of the Summer, the rivalries are heating up and the card is taking shape.

    Tonight’s July 19, 2024 edition of WWE SmackDown will feature:

    • Singles Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade
    • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes responds to The Bloodline’s attack last week
    • Logan Paul responds to LA Knight’s U.S title challenge

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for our continued coverage of WWE SmackDown and check out our WWE News section for more.

    What Happened Last Week on SmackDown?

    Get caught up on last week’s happenings with this WWE video running down the Top 10 Moments from WWE SmackDown (July 12, 2024):

  • Braun Strowman Reveals Knee Issues Have Been “Bugging Me A Little”

    Braun Strowman Reveals Knee Issues Have Been “Bugging Me A Little”

    Braun Strowman has revealed that he has been dealing with knee issues and he will get checked out with a doctor.

    Speaking with WWE Deutschland, Braun Strowman said that his knee is “banged-up” and he has a doctor’s appointment this week. The 6’8 powerhouse said that the knee has been “bugging” him for some time.

    ‘The Monster of All Monsters’ further revealed that he has been off-step for the last few weeks and there has been a little tweak in his knee. Strowman believes that he sustained the injury when he collided with the barricade during his match against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest on Raw. He said:

    “Knee’s a little banged up. I got a doctor’s appointment this week to get it checked out. It’s been bugging me a little bit. If you’ve noticed, I’ve been a little off step these last couple of weeks. There’s been some little tweak going on in there. When I caught it up on the top of that barricade, I felt something move in my kneecap so I had a bruise on my knee at the end of the match and stuff like that so, not using it as an excuse or anything like that but, it sure as heck didn’t help me not get beat.”

    The injury certainly impacted Strowman’s performance against Priest as he endured a loss on this week’s Raw.

    https://twitter.com/BWAMatt/status/1813020446268531080

    Braun Strowman dealing with injuries

    Strowman has been battling injuries for quite some time now. Last year, he underwent neck fusion surgery and was on the shelf for several months. It was in April this year that the former WWE Universal Champion returned to WWE TV following the surgery. He returned during the opening night of the 2024 WWE Draft where he was drafted to the Raw. In recent months, he has been involved in a rivalry with The Judgment Day.

  • Kevin Owens Shares Positive Update On His Mother’s Health

    Kevin Owens Shares Positive Update On His Mother’s Health

    WWE wrestler Kevin Owens recently dropped an encouraging update on his mother’s health condition.

    Ahead of WWE Money in the Bank PLE, Owens revealed on WWE SmackDown that his mother faced some health emergency and was rushed to the hospital in Quebec. He revealed that he and his family had to stay at the hospital with her.

    Taking to his X account, Kevin Owens shared a positive update on his mother’s health. He dropped a photo of his mother sitting up in the hospital bed. She held his son’s ‘Just Keep Fighting’ shirt. Owens wrote an apt caption: “She kicked out.”

    https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/1814042815019569313

    The former WWE Universal Champion had previously explained that he didn’t stay back the hospital as his mother would have a problem with that. His mother has been supporting his dream of becoming a pro wrestler from the very beginning of his career.

    Fans had been worried about her mother’s health and it seems the prayers have been heard as she is doing better now.

    Owens’ last appearance took place during the Money in the Bank premium live event on July 6. At the show, he joined forces with Cody Rhodes, and Randy Orton but they faced a loss against The Bloodline’s Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, and Tama Tonga.

    Kevin Owens had been teaming up with Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes to take on the Bloodline members. However, with KO currently away from the scene, The Bloodline has been wreaking havoc. They recently took out Randy Orton by putting him through the announce table with Cody Rhodes helplessly witnessing the disaster. Meanwhile, ‘The American Nightmare’ will put his title on the line against Solo Sikoa at next month’s WWE SummerSlam PLE on August 3.

    Jelly Roll Teased For SummerSlam, Sami Zayn Comedy Show Announced

  • AJ Styles Reacts To Will Ospreay Using His Move: “Why do you think it bothers me?”

    AJ Styles Reacts To Will Ospreay Using His Move: “Why do you think it bothers me?”

    AJ Styles has seemingly responded to former AEW International Champion Will Ospreay using his finisher, Styles Clash.

    This week’s AEW Dynamite was the 250th edition of the show took place in Little Rock, Arkansas. The show featured the exciting AEW International title match between Will Ospreay and MJF. The match kicked off the show and it saw some spectacular spots which got the fans buzzing on social media. During the match that went on for 60 minutes, Ospreay performed a couple of Styles Clash on his opponent. However, many fans bashed Ospreay for hitting the move.

    https://twitter.com/BWAMatt/status/1813735563843002724

    Taking to his X account, ‘The Phenomenal One’ responded and shared his thoughts on the matter. He backed ‘The Aerial Assassin’ and he is not bothered by Ospreay hitting his move. He wrote:

    “Why do you think it bothers me that someone else is doing my move? We all do it. It’s wrestling! I think if nothing else, it shows appreciation.”

    The final moments of the match saw Ospreay lifting MJF for the Tiger Driver 91. However, he hesitated to perform the move as he previously said he retired it. This helped MJF to bounce back and shoved Ospreay into the referee. With two seconds left on the clock, MJF hit Ospreay with his Dynamite Diamond Ring and pinned him for the victory. This ended Ospreay’s title reign of 52 days.

    With AEW All In: London 2024 taking place next month, Ospreay will certainly attempt to reclaim the title in front of his home crowd at Wembley Stadium. The pay-per-view is scheduled to take place on August 25.

  • Braun Strowman: ‘I Can Feel The Pull of The Wyatt Sicks’

    Braun Strowman: ‘I Can Feel The Pull of The Wyatt Sicks’

    Braun Strowman is hoping to keep his distance from the Wyatt Sicks but won’t deny that there is something alluring about Bo Dallas’ macabre faction. Sitting down with WWE Deutschland, Strowman said that he hopes “they stay the hell away from me” and described the group as “pretty scary.” Strowman believes that Bo Dallas is “off his rockers” and doesn’t want to become one of the “bodies laying around everywhere.”

    Despite his fears, Strowman feels a connection to the faction, and that he “can feel it pulling me towards them.” The former Universal Champion isn’t sure if this is a bad thing or a good thing, adding that “I put that part of me away a long time ago.”

    “If The Wyatt Sicks is able to get that monster to come back out on me, I fear for myself and anything that’s walking around me.”

    Braun’s Connection To The Wyatt Sicks

    While not a member of the faction (yet!) Braun does have obvious ties to the Wyatt Sicks. The group is inspired by the late Bray Wyatt who was pivotal in bringing the Monster Among Men to the main roster in 2015. Braun and Bray later feuded and it was Wyatt (or rather, The Fiend) who ended Braun’s tenure as Universal Champion at SummerSlam 2020.

    Related: Braun Strowman Says He Feels Bray Wyatt In His Life Every Single Day

    During his days in the Wyatt Family, Braun worked alongside Erick Rowan who is now part of the Wyatt Sicks as Ramblin’ Rabbit. On the latest RAW, Rowan poured his heart about losing Bray Wyatt and Brodie Lee/Luke Harper. Could Braun Strowman don his black sheep mask one more time as part of the Wyatt Sicks? Fans know to count nothing out with this popular, and mysterious faction.

  • Liv Morgan Plans On Showing Dominik Mysterio What She Brings To The Table

    Liv Morgan Plans On Showing Dominik Mysterio What She Brings To The Table

    Dominik Mysterio may have been the grand prize of a WWE match in 2005, but Liv Morgan plans on winning over ‘Dirty Dom’ without stepping in the ring.

    Speaking to Rusic & Rose on The Big Show, Morgan was asked about whether Mysterio’s affections would be on the line in a match. The reigning WWE Women’s World Champion said she plans on winning over Dominik the “ol’ fashioned way” and plans on showing him what she can do.

    “I don’t want to win him in a match. I want him to see what I bring to the table because I see so clearly what he brings to the table.”

    Dominik, or rather the custody of him, was on the line at WWE SummerSlam 2005 in a ladder match between Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero. While Rey won the match, much to the delight of Dominik at the time, the Judgment Day has acknowledged Eddie as his father since turning heel in September 2022.

    What’s to Come?

    Morgan will defend her WWE Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley next month at WWE SummerSlam 2024. On this week’s RAW, Mysterio’s efforts to be forgiven by Ripley were rebuffed while Liv remained interested in the Judgment Day star. As SummerSlam draws closer, the WWE Universe will have to wait and see which side Mysterio takes when Mami and Morgan meet in Cleveland.

    Related: Jey Uso Shoots His Shot With Rhea Ripley: I’ll Take Her To Waffle House!

  • Hulk Hogan 2024 RNC Speech: “Let Trumpamania Rule Again”

    Hulk Hogan 2024 RNC Speech: “Let Trumpamania Rule Again”

    WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan gave an impassioned speech supporting Donald Trump for President at Thursday’s Republican National Convention.

    Hogan referenced Madison Square Garden, Macho Man Randy Savage, slamming Andre the Giant. At one point, he ripped off a his shirt to reveal a Trump-Vance shirt underneath, as the crowd chanted “USA, USA!”

    He endorsed Trump as a “Trump, calling him ”hero” and “gladiator” who is the right choice in this election to get the America back on track.

  • Hulk Hogan Inspired To Support His Hero Donald Trump After Assassination Attempt

    Hulk Hogan Inspired To Support His Hero Donald Trump After Assassination Attempt

    Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, former WWE President & CEO Linda McMahon, and UFC President Dana White are among the speakers at Thursday’s closing night of the 2024 Republican National Convention. Hulk Hogan spoke with Bret Baier of Fox News about his presence at the event. The 12-time World Champion of WWE/WCW and nWo founding member likened his convention speech to body-slamming Andre the Giant.

    Hulk Hogan Supporting Trump 2024

    Hulk Hogan does not like what he’s seen in America since Trump left office in January 2021. He says the United States’ borders have “collapsed” while food and gas prices have skyrocketed.

    ”When they took at a shot at my hero Donald Trump, I realized that I couldn’t be silent anymore.

    You know, I had to step up, I had to be a real American, just like all of these real Americans here and Donald Trump.”

    – Hulk Hogan

    Hogan joked about being Trump’s Vice Presidential running mate in 2015, but now he’s seriously committed to help send him back to Washington next year.

    “I have a voice too and I want people to know it’s time to talk. It’s time to not be silent anymore.”

    – Hulk Hogan

    We’ll post footage from Hulk Hogan’s 2024 RNC speech when it’s available online.

  • Big E Shares His Favorite Memories Working With John Cena

    Big E Shares His Favorite Memories Working With John Cena

    WWE Superstar Big E recently shared some of his favorite moments working with John Cena. Here are some highlights of what Big E said about the 16-time World Champion during his recent appearance on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez:

    Debut on the Main Roster

    Big E reminisces about his memorable debut on the main roster, which involved a significant moment with John Cena.

    “You know, he’s done so much. Selfishly, I would say my one moment is my debut. My debut in Philly at the Slammys in 2012, December, was me leaving him laying, standing over him to close the show. And that moment means so much because debuting on the main roster is incredible for everyone. But debuting like that, debuting, getting to stand over, arguably the greatest of all time. Yeah, yeah, it’s just me. He’s, you know, red hot. He is clearly the guy. So that meant a lot to me.”

    Backstage Segment and Match with CM Punk and John Cena

    Big E shares a fond memory of a backstage segment that led to a match involving himself, CM Punk, and John Cena against The Shield.

    “But yeah, man, there’s so many different things. You know, we had a, I remember, I think about a year later, there was a backstage segment that led to a match. I think we wrestled the Shield, but it was me, Punk, and Cena. And there’s a deal where we all, with Renee was the interviewer at the time. We all put our hands in, did a little Shield deal, a little, I think it was like a holiday feel-good show. But even that moment of like, man, I’m young in my career. I don’t, I can’t remember if I had the IC title at the time, I might have. But just being able to stand in the ring with a guy like CM Punk, with John Cena and me, like, man, there are so many incredible moments. And I think back to so many times, you know, when I first came on the road, it was always, oh, Cena’s match is about to be up.”

    Cena’s Epic Crowd Reactions

    Big E talks about the unique crowd reactions John Cena would receive and recalls witnessing Cena’s matches against Dolph Ziggler, highlighting the special atmosphere and Cena’s impact on fans and fellow wrestlers.

    “And so many of us would just be peeking out in front of the crowd because that Cena pop is different. And another thing, when I first came on the main roster, it was Cena and Dolph wrestling every single night. I remember one of my first main roster shows was we were doing MSG. They had a cage match. And to be there in New York during Cena’s prime, wrestling Dolph, who was red hot as well in the main event, to have the best seat in the house. I’m standing there, and I’m getting to see greatness. I’m getting to see how he manipulates the crowd, how they’re with them, from little kids to old women. He made so many special moments for our fans, for people, for talent, for us to see what it’s like to be the guy, to have that kind of reaction. So salute to everything that Cena has done for our industry, and even all the make-a-wishes as well. Man, it is really inspiring. So, he’s done a lot, I mean, a lot is an understatement, but he’s done so much for our industry and our business. So, salute to him.”

  • AEW Dynamite Saw More Wrestling In One Match Than All Of WWE RAW

    AEW Dynamite Saw More Wrestling In One Match Than All Of WWE RAW

    The 250th episode of AEW Dynamite saw plenty of in-ring action and one more would surpass all the wrestling fans saw on this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW.

    The match in question saw MJF win the International Championship from Will Ospreay in a one-hour epic between the two talented wrestlers. This match not only ends Ospreay’s title reign at 52 days but marks MJF’s first championship since returning at AEW Double or Nothing 2024.

    This one match from Dynamite had more wrestling than the entirety of Monday Night Raw, according to stats from Cagematch as pointed out by Drainmaker on Twitter. From bell to bell, the July 16, edition of RAW saw 48 minutes and 52 seconds of wrestling, over eleven minutes less than the MJF-Ospreay showdown.

    Image

    AEW is often considered to be a more wrestling-centric promotion when compared to WWE, and stats like these suggest that to be the case. In total, the 250th episode of AEW Dynamite had 80 minutes and 50 seconds of bell-to-bell action, over half an hour more than WWE’s flagship show.

    Related: Mariah May Explains Why Attack On Toni Storm On AEW Dynamite 250

  • Bruce Prichard Denies Chaotic WWE Production Under Vince McMahon

    Bruce Prichard Denies Chaotic WWE Production Under Vince McMahon

    Key Points

    • WWE’s Executive Director says reports of last-minute script rewrites and backstage chaos are incorrect
    • Unforeseen circumstances like injuries or timing issues are a normal part of live weekly television and says he’s done far more rewrites than Vince

    The production of WWE broadcasts is very different today than it was just a year ago. The departures of Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn have led to a complete overhaul of the product’s on-screen presentation that is universally praised. Aside from what we see on WWE Raw and WWE Smackdown each week, wrestling fans have an insatiable interest in what’s going on behind the scenes.

    During the final years of Vince McMahon’s role as the head of WWE creative, there were a never-ending string of reports about last-minute changes to television scripts. Even McMahon would be unable to attend in-person, he’d micromanage from afar and we’d also hear about a chaotic environment. One of the most influential figures in WWE, Bruce Prichard, recently shed light on this topic. On a recent episode of his Something to Wrestle podcast with Conrad Thompson at AdFreeShows, WWE Executive Director Bruce Prichard offered his unique insights into the day-to-day operations of WWE.

    When Vince Wasn’t There

    Prichard scoffed at the idea that things were chaotic when McMahon missed shows. The former Brother Love emphasizes that the backstage environment remained stable and well-organized, a credit to their very-capable team.

    “Everybody knows their jobs, and can function and do it… You take away one piece and everybody fills in, does their job, and covers whoever is gone as well.”

    – Bruce Prichard on the WWE backstage environment when Vince McMahon would be unable to attend shows

    Setting The Record Straight on Last-Minute Rewrites

    Prichard noted that there were fewer changes when McMahon was not physically present at the shows, though McMahon remained in contact via phone. Prichard remarked, “There was a need, maybe in his mind, to… make it better. Now, that’s all relative, and that’s all personal feeling.” This suggests that McMahon’s influence continued even from afar, but the operational integrity of the team allowed for smooth show executions.

    Prichard also debunked the myth of constant show rewrites, clarifying that he, not McMahon, often managed last-minute changes due to unforeseen circumstances like injuries or timing issues.

    “I probably have done it more in a year than Vince McMahon has in a lifetime.”

    – Bruce Prichard on the perception that Vince McMahon would tear-up scripts he wasn’t happy with

    The departure of Vince McMahon marked a monumental shift in WWE’s history. However, with seasoned executives like Bruce Prichard and Paul Levesque still in key positions following the TKO Group acquisition and UFC merger, the company continues to adapt and thrive under new leadership.

    AdFreeShows has more from Something to Wrestle and make sure to check out our Wrestling Podcasts channel to discover other great shows.

  • WWE x Call of Duty: Screenshots & Full Details for Season 5

    WWE x Call of Duty: Screenshots & Full Details for Season 5

    The worlds of WWE and Call of Duty will collide later this month when the world’s premiere pro wrestling company “brings its best” to Call of Duty: Season 5 kicking off July 24.

    WWE Superstars Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley and Rey Mysterio Jr. will be available to play in various game modes, including a Slam Deathmatch mode.

    WWE Call of Duty Season 5
    WWE Call of Duty Season 5
    WWE Call of Duty Season 5
    WWE Call of Duty Season 5
    WWE Call of Duty Season 5
    WWE Call of Duty Season 5

    The WWE Superstars will have all of their signature moves in the game. Check out the Undisputed WWE Champion busting out Cross Rhodes:

    Slam Deathmatch is a unique twist on traditional Team Deathmatch, focusing on finishing moves. While weapons can down enemies, points are only earned by executing Finishing Moves, which will be randomized WWE Finishing Moves in upcoming matches. This particular mode will be available exclusively during the in-game WWE SummerSlam event, starting on July 31.

    The Call of Duty website has blog post laying out all of the Season 5 content drop for Modern Warfare III, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile.

    WWE x Call of Duty: Season 5 Trailer

    WWE x Fortnite

    Several WWE Supertars Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, John Cena, and The Rock have all appeared in Fortnite. Lynch and The Undertaker also had customized skins for characters in Rainbow Six Siege.

    Want more video game news including the latest about WWE 2K24 and AEW Fight Forever? Head over to our Gaming channel.