SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Staggering Statistic For WWE’s Queen of the Ring Tournament

    Staggering Statistic For WWE’s Queen of the Ring Tournament

    It’s a new era for women’s wrestling in WWE and a ‘fun fact’ about this year’s Queen of the Ring tournament shows exactly how far we’ve come: one match from this year’s tournament lasted longer than the sum of all of the matches in the entire 2021 competition.

    Since taking over WWE from Vince McMahon, Triple H has made significant strides in advancing the company, particularly the women’s division. While McMahon’s era initiated the Women’s Revolution, Triple H has amplified its momentum. The 2024 Queen & King of the Ring tournament exemplifies this progress, capturing fans’ attention.

    This week on WWE RAW, fans witnessed an intense match where IYO Sky faced Lyra Valkyria. The bout was a highlight, as Lyra emerged victorious, setting her up to face the winner of Bianca Belair and Nia Jax on SmackDown for the Queen of the Ring crown.

    The match between IYO Sky and Lyra Valkyria captivated audiences and achieved a significant milestone. It was longer than all the matches from the 2021 Queen of the Ring tournament combined. The IYO Sky vs. Lyra Valkyria match lasted approximately 19 minutes, surpassing the 18 minutes total of the 2021 tournament matches.

    2021 Queen of the Ring

    In the 2021 Queen of the Ring tournament, Zelina Vega emerged victorious over Doudrop, celebrating her win after a 5:55 match with a crown and scepter. She also briefly adopted a British accent. Unfortunately, Vega couldn’t participate in the 2024 tournament due to injury. However, the current tournament reflects a renewed focus on the women’s division, providing more time and spotlight than ever before.

    This renewed emphasis on the women’s division under Triple H’s leadership is evident. The 2024 Queen & King of the Ring tournament showcases the talent and potential within the division, promising an exciting future for WWE’s female Superstars.

    2021 Queen of the Ring tournament bracket via Wikipedia
  • GUNTHER Is Suprised How Big He Was Before His Impressive Weight Loss

    GUNTHER Is Suprised How Big He Was Before His Impressive Weight Loss

    WWE Superstar GUNTHER is somewhat surprised by how big he was following his dramatic weight loss over the past year. 

    The Austrian powerhouse lost between 60 to 70 pounds after moving to WWE NXT and the main roster in 2022 and his transformation has not gone unnoticed by fans. Speaking to Aleister McGeorge of METRO, GUNTHER reflected on his weight-loss journey. 

    “I was aware of how big I was, but now looking at the pictures, I’m surprised how big I was… obviously health-wise, it’s way better [now] and I feel better in the ring. It’s been a good thing doing it.”

    GUNTHER was inspired to lose the weight by Ludwig Kaiser, Giovanni Vinci, and his wife Jinny. Now at a lean 250lbs, GUNTHER added that keeping the weight off has been less of a challenge than losing the weight, but it’s still no easy feat. 

    “That’s WAY easier, keeping if off. It really is, though. You want to get to a point physically, then you really have to stick to it for quite a long time and be very disciplined. Once you’re at a point where you’re comfortable, then it’s easier to manage to maintain that than getting there.”

    GUNTHER in his NXT UK days and as WWE Intercontinental Champion. 

    GUNTHER’s dedication to fitness will no doubt be looked upon favorably by WWE’s higher-ups including Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque. Many predict that GUNTHER will be entering the World Championship picture soon enough. The Ring General will compete against Randy Orton in the finals of the 2024 King of the Ring Tournament later today in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

  • Matt Hardy Says Experience In Saudi Arabia Made Him Appreciate Freedoms of Life In US

    Matt Hardy Says Experience In Saudi Arabia Made Him Appreciate Freedoms of Life In US

    Matt Hardy has opened up about his experience in Saudi Arabia.

    The former WWE star visited the country with the rest of the roster for two early PLEs in the Kingdom. He teamed with Bray Wyatt to win the vacated Raw Tag Team Championships at the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018 and competed in a battle royal at the 2019 Super ShowDown event.

    During the latest episode of his Extreme Life with Matt Hardy podcast, the Broken One reflected on his experience in the country. He compared the environment there to Los Angeles where the accommodations were luxuries but they had to deal with hot weather. The former Champion also claimed that everyone he met there was super nice to him:

    “All those people that came to the show or that we met, they were all super kind. They’re all super nice. I did like a VIP party at one point and everybody there was just as friendly and as kind as it could have been. That’s one of the things that I think sometimes people forget about. Most of the people that live in Saudi Arabia are just normal human beings like you and I that have red blood whenever their skin gets cut open, that have a heart and lungs and whatever else in there, just trying to make it through every day and trying to live the best life they possibly can.

    So my impressions of it were that it was nice, and you could see there was wealth in the country. Some of the spreads we had to eat were like outrageously great and good. We were taken very good care of while we were there. The hotel was very nice. The food was very nice. So no complaints on any of that front. And even the people that we met that we worked with that were like more government-type officials they were all very nice. There was nobody that was weird. There was no one that was off-putting.”

    It Made Me Appreciate United States Even More: Matt Hardy

    Matt Hardy teamed with Bray Wyatt at the Greatest Royal Rumble (Photo: WWE)

    Though despite all the luxuries, all the roster members were still on their toes not wanting to break any laws of Saudi Arabia. Matt Hardy also recalled an incident that made him appreciate the freedoms of US more:

    “Probably the strangest thing and this is me being an American, right and growing up in the South. I just grew up [with] my dad, I would get my ass beat if it wasn’t ‘Yes, sir. Yes, ma’am.’ and whatnot. Just the way the women had to wear their outfits in the job whatever you see in majority of the women’s eyes.

    Not everyone had to dress fully like that but the majority of the people did. There was one point where I was out on the beach hanging out with a couple guys. A couple guys came in front of us that were wearing shorts and short sleeve shirts, whatever. They say ‘Oh our kids are big fans. they would love to meet you.’ They said ‘If you can wait a second our wives are taking care of them’ Their wives were over there and they’re fully dressed in the outfits the wives have to wear during the day when they’re out on public.

    And it was just, that was strange, you know, and I guess everybody that was there was just very much on their toes. They just wanted to act proper because you didn’t want to do anything that would break laws in Saudi Arabia obviously, just because it’s a very different culture from us. It is what it is. We knew what we were going into. It was a very different culture. They live very differently than we do here in America. I feel like even the experience of going over there made me appreciate America and the United States even more just because of all the freedoms we have.”

    The latest WWE PPV from Saudi Arabia dubbed King and Queen of The Ring will be airing live from the Jeddah Super Dome on May 25.

  • Drew McIntyre Comments On Being A “Quieter” Locker Room Leader

    Drew McIntyre Comments On Being A “Quieter” Locker Room Leader

    Drew McIntyre feels that there are few more than one locker room leader in WWE. 

    ‘The Scottish Warrior’ is one of the most popular and accomplished stars in the company. He has certainly earned the right to be called a locker-room leader as he has gone through his rookie phase and has remained on top of the card for several years. 

    Over the years, WWE has seen several locker-room leaders who have led by example and McIntyre recently told Mike Johnson of PWInsider that there is more than one specific leader at present. He recalled when he shared the locker room with WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker and noted how Roman Reigns carried himself similar to ‘The Phenom.’ He said:  

    “I think there’s a few now more than one specific person. When the guys have been around for a long time, when people go alright, that’s the you know the leader there but I was there when Taker was there, it was very clear and didn’t have to say a word. Like that’s the man right there.

    Just the way he carried himself and Roman when he was full-time, he had that very similar, you know, just cool, very in control and had wrestled, you know, at the top level for so long, even though I’d been around longer, like that’s the guy right there. Now he had that same kind of Taker vibe and now there’s a bunch of us.”

    The former WWE Champion then talked about his leadership style. The Scotsman stated that he is a “quieter leader.”  However, he never backs off from sharing his valuable advice if any wrestler approaches him since he has experienced so much in his decorated career. He said:

    “I’d say I’m a quieter leader. Like I don’t force my opinion. There’s a few guys I’ll go directly and say ‘Hey, you need to do this, this, this’ unless it’s genuinely terrible and hurting our show I’ll 100% say something, but a lot of time they’ll come to me and I’m there for anybody that wants my opinion.

    Somebody that you know, came up through the system, had to get fired to find themselves, has been part of the independent scene, has been part of the growth of social media, being part of the old ways and being part of the new ways. You know, I have some advice to give and you can take it or leave it because in the end, it’s going to be what works for you. I take advice all day long from everybody. And the thing I’ve learned is take what works for me and discard what doesn’t.”

    McIntyre is sidelined with an elbow injury. However, he is featured regularly on Monday Night Raw. He is currently involved in a heated feud with CM Punk. Recently, it came to light that McIntyre’s first feature film is set to hit the theatres soon. Read more below:

  • Will Ospreay Wants Rematch With Ricochet in AEW: ‘People Here Appreciate His Work’

    AEW’s Will Ospreay hopes that Ricochet will soon be ‘All Elite’ as he’s itching for a rematch with the inaugural WWE Speed Champion. 

    In the 2010s the pair had an acclaimed series of matches that elevated both men in the wrestling world. The duo’s most recent match came for What Culture Pro Wrestling in August 2017 in a match won by the Aerial Assassin. From there the pair would part ways with Ricochet joining WWE in January 2018 while Ospreay would go on to become one of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s top stars. 

    Sitting down with ComicBook.com, Ospreay discussed his legendary series of matches with Ospreay. The Aerial Assassin admitted that he does worry that Ricochet isn’t being treated right in WWE. 

    “I keep up with him all the time and sometimes I get a little bit sad about it. I hope he’s not sad and I hope he’s real happy. I keep up with him as much as I can, but I feel like people are forgetting who Ricochet was once upon a time.”

    It’s not hard to see why Ospreay may be concerned for Ricochet regarding his booking in WWE. On a recent Raw, Ricochet spoke about how he is always losing in a very self-deprecating promo. 

    This comment made little sense given that Ricochet recently won the WWE Speed Championship and was victorious throughout an entire tournament to win the gold. In the interview, Ospreay added that WWE valuing Ricochet’s work for minutes at a time, referring to WWE Speed rules, was “appalling.”

    Will Ospreay wants another showdown with Ricochet. 

    Ricochet in All Elite Wrestling? 

    While Ricochet has been the victim of stop-start pushes since joining WWE’s main roster in 2019, Ospreay has been a staple of AEW TV since he officially signed in November 2023. Ospreay isn’t sure when Ricochet could be a free agent, but certainly hopes that AEW will make an offer if the One and Only becomes available. 

    “I don’t know how much longer he has got in his contract, but I think it might be up soon, man, I don’t know. I want him to know that there are people here that genuinely appreciate his work and I want to wrestle him again. I want him back here.”

    As for Ospreay’s more immediate future, the Essex-born wrestler will be a part of this weekend’s AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view. Ospreay is hoping to clinch his first taste of AEW gold when he challenges the International Champion Roderick Strong. 

  • Chad Gable: ‘Current WWE Character Is Very Close To The Real Me’

    Chad Gable: ‘Current WWE Character Is Very Close To The Real Me’

    Chad Gable may not be as evil as his WWE on-screen persona is, but the WWE Raw Superstar is aware that his on-screen work isn’t entirely different from the real him.

    Since turning heel in April 2024, Gable has debuted a profound mean streak on WWE TV with his allies in Alpha Academy often bearing the brunt of his outbursts. The former Olympian has berated Akira Tozawa, Maxxine Dupri, and Otis multiple times and has made them pledge their support for his pursuit of the WWE Intercontinental Championship. 

    Chad Gable On His Heel Turn

    This heel turn for Gable has shown a vicious side to the Olympian that fans didn’t see even in the past when Chad has worked as a villain. Sitting down with TNT Sports, Gable reflected on his change of demeanor and how fun it is to be a heel. 

    “It’s certainly easier, I’ll tell you that much. Most people identify with the fact that it’s easier to get people to hate you than it is to like you.” 

    Gable then explained how this character has a lot more in common with the real him than fans may first expect. 

    “This version of it, believe it or not, is probably the closest to my real personality than anything else I’ve done. Not to say that I’m a jerk but I am a very hard-nosed disciplined human being in real life.

    “Ask anyone close to me and they will tell you the same. Now I don’t necessarily talk to them the way I talk to Alpha Academy right now but they do know that when it comes down to the things that I take seriously, training fitness, anything I apply that discipline to, they don’t interfere in that part of my life.”

    Gable hopes that this dedication will score him the WWE Intercontinental Championship. The former Olympian will challenge Sami Zayn for the gold at WWE King And Queen Of The Ring in a triple threat match that will include ‘Big’ Bronson Reed. 

  • Actor/Comedian Ibrahim Al Hajjaj To Appear At WWE King And Queen Of The Ring

    Actor Ibrahim Al Hajjaj will make his return to the world of pro wrestling with an appearance at the upcoming WWE King And Queen Of The Ring event. 

    During the May 24, episode of WWE SmackDown, it was announced that Al Hajjaj will be a part of the Premium Live Event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The show will kick off later today from the Jeddah Superdome and will be the eleventh PLE to be held in the country. 

    An appearance by Al Hajjaj was promoted on WWE SmackDown. 

    WWE King And Queen of the Ring won’t be Ibrahim Al Hajjaj’s first time appearing for the Sports Entertainment juggernaut. At WWE Crown Jewel in November 2023, the popular actor was a guest on Miz TV. After he and WWE’s resident A-Lister were interrupted by Grayson Waller, Al Hajjaj would hit a People’s Elbow on the Aussie Icon. 

    Celebrities In Saudi Arabia

    Ibrahim Al Hajjaj’s involvement with WWE King And Queen Of The Ring is just the latest example of celebrity influence on the promotion’s endeavors in Saudi Arabia. At WWE Crown Jewel 2019, Boxing star Tyson Fury earned a count-out victory over Braun Strowman. That same night, UFC legend Cain Velasquez unsuccessfully challenged his old rival and then-WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. 

    In 2022, social media star Jake Paul appeared in support of his brother Logan when the Maverick challenged then-Undisputed WWE Champion Roman Reigns. It’s hardly a surprise that WWE brings huge celebrities in for these events given how much the Saudi Sports Authority pays as part of this deal. Saudi Arabia also benefits from celebrity appearances at WWE events as these shows are part of ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ a government program with the goal of diversification economically, socially, and culturally. The program was launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman. 

  • Matt Hardy Recalls Backstage Reaction To Titus O’Neil’s Viral Saudi Arabia Moment

    Matt Hardy Recalls Backstage Reaction To Titus O’Neil’s Viral Saudi Arabia Moment

    WWE’s visits to Saudi Arabia always make headlines and their shows in the country are filled with memorable moments. Not all of these moments however are planned in advance.

    Former WWE star Matt Hardy talked about his experiences of being part of some of the early WWE shows in the Kingdom on the latest episode of his podcast.

    During the episode, he was asked about one such moment that Hardy got to witness firsthand, which was Titus O’Neil’s hilarious fall during his entrance in the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018. Hardy branded it as the ‘craziest most insane thing ever’:

    “It was just the craziest most insane thing ever. I remember everyone saw him slide underneath the ring and everybody was like ‘he’s dead.’ I mean everybody felt like he slid into a portal and he’s now somewhere in the 15th dimension. It was just so crazy that he ran and slid.”

    It Was So Crazy: Matt Hardy

    Matt Hardy mentioned that Titus could have hit the steel posts beneath the ring and got seriously injured. The former Prime Time Player however, somehow managed to come out unscathed:

    “In the middle of the frame, of the ring there’s like an iron or steel post that’s big and thick that goes to the floor. Everyone’s like ‘Oh my god, if he slid in and hit his neck on that thing, he broke his neck.’ He made it in and he got out unscathed, which was crazy.

    It was so crazy. It was just like such a viral moment because if you would have planned that you couldn’t have done it in 1000 takes. It just happened on that one take and he was able to get in and get out unscathed and uninjured. It was crazy.”

    Hardy was part of two WWE events in Saudi Arabia. He teamed with Bray Wyatt to win the Raw Tag Team Titles at the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018 and competed in the 51 Men Battle Royal won by Mansoor at Super ShowDown in 2019.

    WWE will be running their 11th PPV event from the country called King and Queen of The Ring from the Jeddah Super Dome today on May 25. You can check out the streaming details and full match card for the show here

  • QR Code Mystery References Brothers, Masks & More On 5/24 WWE SmackDown

    WWE’s QR code mystery continued on the May 24, edition of SmackDown with fans being taken to a bizarre website full of unique clues. 

    During the entrance of WWE Tag Team Champions A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) a QR code flashed on the screen. This code takes fans to an archive website full of letters and poems. One poem reads: 

    I know it’s you.

    On your way back home.

    The hair shall light your path.

    I will be waiting on the other side. 

    This hare could be about the ‘White Rabbit’ mystery of 2022. Similar to the ongoing QR code mystery, the White Rabbit would leave clues on WWE TV with fans left to decipher what it means. The White Rabbit mystery culminated with the return of Bray Wyatt at WWE Extreme Rules 2022. Another poem reads: 

    Do NOT lie to me.

    Do NOT lie to yourself.

    We’ve worn our maks long enough, brother.

    Revel in what you are.

    The phrase ‘Revel in what you are’ again suggests a link to Bray Wyatt, who used this phrase upon his 2022 return. The reference to masks and ‘brother’ will lead many to continue believing that this is all building towards the return of Uncle Howdy, as played by Wyatt’s brother Bo Dallas. 

    Bo Dallas is expected to return as Uncle Howdy.

    The very retro-looking website has the title ‘Kintsugi.’ This is the traditional Japanese art form of repairing a broken bowl with gold. The idea behind Kintsugi is that something can become more beautiful because it has been broken rather than if nothing had changed. 

    Where Is This Going? 

    Howdy/Dallas is not expected to return alone to WWE TV. It is reported that a faction consisting of Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, the recently rehired Erick Rowan, and Nikki Cross will also be in the faction. There’s no confirmed date as for when this faction will appear though with these clues growing more frequent over the past week, some feel it won’t be much longer until answers are revealed on WWE TV. 

  • Backstage Response to The Idea Of The Rock Winning The WWE Title at WrestleMania 40

    Backstage Response to The Idea Of The Rock Winning The WWE Title at WrestleMania 40

    Some of the very top names in WWE were adamantly against the notion that The Rock would win the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania, it has been claimed. 

    On the post-Royal Rumble edition of SmackDown, Cody Rhodes teased that he would not be facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. This was in spite of the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble winner making clear just days earlier that he intended to challenge the Tribal Chief. Rhodes’ segment on SmackDown also saw The Rock return and strongly suggested that he’d be facing his cousin in Philadelphia. 

    Against The Rock’s Title Win

    For a handful of days after this segment, it appeared that The Rock would face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania while Cody Rhodes would challenge then-World Heavyweight Champion Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins. Even if Rock-Reigns had taken place, it’s unlikely that the Final Boss would’ve been the one to end Reigns’ historic title reign. 

    Some of the top names in WWE rejected the idea of The Rock being the one to end the four-year title reign of the Head of the Table, Dave Meltzer reports. WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque and Roman Reigns himself were said to be against the idea of The Rock winning. It’s not stated why they were against the idea but it’s possible that they believed having a part-timer ended Reigns’ run as champion would have been poorly received by fans. 

    Some of WWE’s top names didn’t want to see The Rock on top. 

    What’s Next? 

    With the might of the ‘We Want Cody’ movement, Rhodes was reinserted into the title picture and captured the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40. On the post-WrestleMania Raw, The Rock vowed to return to WWE and confront Rhodes once he is done shooting his latest movie The Smashing Machine. 

  • WWE Completes King & Queen of the Ring Card, Start Time, & How To Watch

    WWE Completes King & Queen of the Ring Card, Start Time, & How To Watch

    WWE SmackDown took place in Saudi Arabia this week, setting the stage for the 2024 King & Queen of the Ring event. The premium live event will take place on Saturday, starting at 1:00 PM EST, with an hour-long kickoff show prior to the event.

    The 2024 King & Queen of the Ring event is available for streaming on Peacock, but requires a premium or premium-plus subscription. International viewers can watch the event on WWE Network.

    SE Scoops also provided spoilers for WWE SmackDown this week. You may find those here to catch up on what happened in Saudi Arabia.

    Triple H announced that the winners of this year’s tournaments will earn title matches at SummerSlam, raising the stakes significantly and adding more intensity to the competition.

    SmackDown in Saudi Arabia opened with Nia Jax defeating Bianca Belair to secure her spot in the Queen of the Ring finals. Jax will now face Lyra Valkyria for the crown. 

    After her win, Nia cut a fierce promo, where she promised to roll through Lyra on Saturday.

    Despite her loss to Jax, Bianca Belair will still compete at King & Queen of the Ring, teaming with Jade Cargill to defend their titles against Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell. This match was set up quickly after LeRae and Hartwell taunted Belair, prompting Cargill to arrange the title match. Interestingly, Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark had just won a #1 contenders match for these titles on RAW.

    In the main event, Randy Orton faced Tama Tonga for the final spot in the King of the Ring finals. Orton emerged victorious, and following the match, he had a tense stare-down with GUNTHER, setting up their clash in Jeddah.

    You can find a breakdown of the King and Queen of the Ring tournament below.

    Queen of the Ring Quarterfinals:

    • Iyo Sky defeated Shayna Baszler
    • Lyra Valkyria defeated Zoey Stark
    • Jade Cargill lost to Nia Jax via DQ
    • Bianca Belair defeated Tiffany Stratton

    Queen of the Ring Semifinals:

    Nia Jax defeated Bianca Belair

    Lyra Valkyria beat IYO Sky

    Queen of the Ring Finals:

    Lyra Valkyria vs Nia Jax

    King of the Ring Quarterfinals:

    • Gunther defeated Kofi Kingston
    • Jey Uso defeated Ilja Dragunov
    • Tama Tonga defeated LA Knight
    • Randy Orton defeated Carmelo Hayes

    King of the Ring Semifinals:

    Randy Orton defeated Tama Tonga

    Gunther defeated Jey Uso

    King of the Ring Finals:

    Gunther vs Randy Orton

    WWE King & Queen of the Ring Card:

    • King of the Ring Tournament Final
      • GUNTHER vs. Randy Orton
    • Queen of the Ring Tournament Final
      • Lyra Valkyria vs. Nia Jax
    • Women’s World Championship Match
      • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan (Singles match)
    • WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
      • Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed (Triple threat match)
    • Undisputed WWE Championship Match
    • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
      • Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair (c) vs Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell
  • Mercedes Mone Doesn’t Feel There Should Be Competition Between Wrestling Companies

    Mercedes Mone Doesn’t Feel There Should Be Competition Between Wrestling Companies

    Mercedes Mone thinks the word “competition” should be applied somewhere else other than between AEW and WWE.

    Mone is set for her big return match at AEW Double or Nothing this Sunday in Las Vegas as she’ll be battling Willow Nightingale for her TBS Title. It’ll be the CEO’s first fight back in over a year after injury and her debut match in AEW. She was last seen in WWE losing to Bianca Belair before she walked out of the company in May 2022. However, the former Sasha Banks doesn’t want there to be such a division between her current promotion and her past one.

    Speaking with US Weekly, Mone made clear that competition should strictly be between wrestlers and not the wrestling promotions themselves.

    “I feel like there should be no competition when it’s between companies. It just needs to be competition between the wrestlers, seeing who wants to be the main event of the show, to make the most money. I’m competing with everybody here in AEW to let them know I’m the face of the company. I’m not competing with any other company.”

    Mone blames a good deal of that tribalism in pro wrestling due to a lot of the minor vocal contingency of wrestling fans online.

    “People are just so in their phones. Going on the Internet and bragging and complaining and they’re not actually living in the real world. When they come out into the real world and they actually go to wrestling shows and enjoy things with wrestling fans, they know that this is all just so much fun.”

    Despite not wanting competition between companies WWE and AEW will be competiting for eyes on their product this weekend as both are set for their respective PLE and PPV.

  • WWE SmackDown Results (5/24): Spoilers From Saudi Arabia

    WWE SmackDown is broadcasting from Saudi Arabia this week, leading up to the highly anticipated King & Queen of the Ring event in Jeddah. There is a lot to unpack as we head into this special edition of SmackDown.

    Due to the show being aired from Saudi Arabia, there will be a time delay. With that in mind, we have some spoilers for this week’s episode of the blue brand.

    This week’s SmackDown card features two semifinal matches in the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. Additionally, there are several other segments lined up to finalize the preparations for the big event.

    Below, you can find a spoiler-free SmackDown card for this week’s show.

    • King of the Ring – SmackDown Bracket Semifinals: Tama Tonga vs. Randy Orton
    • Queen of the Ring – SmackDown Bracket Semifinals: Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax
    • The Street Profits vs. Tonga Loa & Solo Sikoa
    • Bayley vs. Chelsea Green
    • AJ Styles Confronts SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis

    • WWE SmackDown (5/24) Spoilers:
      • Randy Orton, The House of Bloodline, Nia Jax, and Bianca Belair are shown arriving at the show.
      • Triple H announces King & Queen of the Ring winners will earn title opportunities at SummerSlam.
    • Queen of the Ring Semi-Finals: Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax
      • Winner: Nia Jax
      • Post-Match: Nia boasts about defeating top competitors and aims to become Queen and Champion.
    • Grayson Waller Effect:
      • Carmelo Hayes interrupts, mocks veterans like Bobby Lashley and LA Knight. Then Knight interrupts him, leading to a brawl. Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford intervene.
    • Match: LA Knight, Montez Ford, and Angelo Dawkins vs. Carmelo Hayes, Grayson Waller, and Austin Theory
      • Winners: LA Knight, Angelo Dawkins, and Montez Ford
    • Cody Rhodes and Logan Paul Confrontation:
      • Cody Rhodes enters the ring but is interrupted by Logan Paul. The Maverick taunts Cody, claiming superiority and intentions to win both titles. Then Cody suggests Logan’s bravado hides insecurities, he said he suffers from Imposter Syndrome, and then he said he believed that he had brass knuckles on him. So, he challenged him to a security check. The brass knuckles were found on Logan as WWE official Ryan Tran checked him out. Logan then said that he was wearing his brother’s pants, because they are Prada. Cody then vowed to beat Logan, as the crowd was 100% behind him.
    • Match: Bayley vs. Chelsea Green (Non-Title)
      • Winner: Bayley with the Rose Plant.
      • Post-match, Piper Niven attacks Bayley with multiple sentons.
    • Bloodline Segment:
      • Paul Heyman informs Solo that Tanga Loa couldn’t cross the border. Solo asserts his authority in Roman’s absence; Tama Tonga declares his return to the Bloodline.
    • Match: Randy Orton vs. Tama Tonga (with Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa) in a King of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Match
      • Winner: Randy Orton
      • After the match, GUNTHER came out to have an intense stare-down with The Viper.
  • WWE Smackdown Preview (5/24): King & Queen Of The Ring Semifinals, Bayley vs. Chelsea Green

    WWE Smackdown Preview (5/24): King & Queen Of The Ring Semifinals, Bayley vs. Chelsea Green

    Tonight’s episode of WWE Friday Night Smackdown will set the stage for the King and Queen Of The Ring premium live event. The episode will occur at the Jeddah Super Dome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Ahead of tomorrow’s PLE, Smackdown will host two matches to determine who will move on to the finals of the King and Queen Of The Ring. 

    One of the featured matches of tonight’s episode will have Randy Orton take on Tama Tonga in the semifinals of the King of The Ring tournament. While the match order can change, it’s expected that the match will be the show’s main event. 

    Orton earned his spot in the semifinals by defeating Carmelo Hayes on the May 17 episode of Smackdown. The former WWE NXT Champion pushed Orton to his limit and was close to stealing the upset victory. However, ‘The Viper’ showed his experience and landed an RKO to move to the next round. After the win, Orton called out Tonga and the rest of the Bloodline(Solo Sikoa and Tanga Loa) to declare that he’d destroy the faction. 

    Although the former WWE Champion feels confident, he will have his hands full taking on Tonga. The newly signed superstar has shown to be a threat to the roster and has his family at his side to aid in his victory. Despite the odds, Orton will aim to connect with his RKO to eliminate Tonga from the tournament. 

    The Rest Of the Card For Tonight’s Episode Of Friday Night Smackdown

    The other tournament match on the show will have Bianca Belair face off against Nia Jax. Both earned their spot in the semifinals in last week’s episode. However, Belair comes into the match battling a knee injury(in storyline) after defeating rival Tiffany Stratton in the quarterfinals. 

    Jax will try to take advantage of injury to move on to the finals. Belair has shown she can defy the odds, but Jax may be too much tonight. That said, Belair’s tag team partner, Jade Cargill, has unfinished business with Jax and could come out to support the ‘EST of WWE.’ 

    Tonight’s episode will also have WWE Women’s Champion Bayley taking on Chelsea Green in a non-title match. The champion hopes to silence Green and stay busy as she awaits her next challenger. 

    As the go-home show to tomorrow’s PLE event, tonight’s episode of Smackdown will be essential to see who will be eligible to be the next King and Queen Of The Ring. 

  • Kelly Kelly Still Has Iconic Wrestling Boots Given To Her By Ashley Massaro

    Kelly Kelly Still Has Iconic Wrestling Boots Given To Her By Ashley Massaro

    Kelly Kelly’s run with WWE is iconic in many ways. Not only did the high-flying star break the stereotypes of female competitors with the moves in the ring but she also set new fashion standards for stars to come with many iconic looks in her career.

    However while the former Divas champion put a lot of thought into many of her ring gears, there were some that came together accidentally but she kept them going for many reasons.

    The wrestling veteran recently sat down with McKenzie Mitchell to talk about some of her most memorable looks. During the interview, Kelly was asked if she ever had to borrow a part of her ring gear from someone else and she recalled the late Ashley Massaro lending her wrestling boots one time:

    “I know I talked about Ashley a lot and I just I love her and I miss her. I had a match and I didn’t have wrestling boots. She gave me her black Puma wrestling boots. She let me keep them and I wrestled in those every week, forever. I still have those to this day. But it was just so cool. She was like, ‘Hey, yeah girl here I got these.’”

    According to Kelly Kelly, the Puma boots were so comfortable that she continued wrestling in them for a long time and she has kept them even now:

    “They weren’t like regular wrestling boots. I love that because they were like they’re just lace up boots but so great to wrestle in because I didn’t want those big chunky wrestling boots. I never thought they were cute. I needed to be able to move, you know? So those boots and I still have them to this day.”

    Kelly Kelly joined WWE back in 2006 and continued competing till her departure in 2012. During her run, Kelly won the Diva’s title once and feuded with names such as Maryse, Nikki Bella and Beth Phoenix.

    The former champion has made occasional appearances for the company in recent years including her participation in the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble and the Evolution PPV in 2018.

    Ashley Massaro joined WWE in 2005 and was featured regularly until she asked for her release in 2008 to care for her sick daughter. She unfortunately passed away in May 2019.

  • Ivar Shares His Thoughts On Working Singles & If Viking Raiders Will Ever Break Up

    Ivar Shares His Thoughts On Working Singles & If Viking Raiders Will Ever Break Up

    WWE superstar Ivar has enjoyed a successful run as a singles competitor this past year. His Viking Raiders tag partner, Erik, is currently sidelined with a neck injury, and it’s unclear when he’ll return. Although WWE has presented Ivar as a tag team wrestler, he was allowed to compete by himself and flourished on the main roster. 

    In an interview with Chris Van Vliet during WrestleMania weekend, Ivar reflected on having to work singles. He noted that he had experience in Ring Of Honor when Erik was dealing with another injury. 

    “… When we were in Ring Of Honor, we got put as a team. We’re catching fire, and then he gets in a motorcycle accident and tries to ruin my wrestling career. So, here now, I got to do singles stuff in Ring of Honor. So then I get a big push in Ring Of Honor. I’m wrestling the main event of the pay-per-view for the title, and he returns and tries to ruin my wrestling career again,” said Ivar jokingly. 

    Ivar On If The Viking Raiders Will Split Up When Erik Returns

    Despite the success of his singles run in WWE, Ivar doesn’t plan on breaking up his tag team with Erik. 

    “…We’re a package deal and just like the New Day(Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) is a package deal. I feel like we’re a package deal,” said Ivar. 

    Vliet pointed out in response that the Usos had the same mentality for a long time and split up last year. However, Ivar downplayed the idea and explained why the Viking Raiders won’t ever break up. 

     “…I feel in my heart that we are a team, and we’re in this together. We wouldn’t be where we are today without each other, and I feel just like the new day, we’re not going to split up for anything,” said Ivar. He added, “Maybe each of us has singles stuff on the side, but we’re a team forever.”

    Ivar’s singles career has recently been put on hold as he is dealing with an undisclosed injury. It’s unclear when he’ll return, but he’ll aim to keep the Viking Raiders spirit alive until Erik reunites with him. 

  • Disturbing Video For New Uncle Howdy Stable Interrupts WWE’s Twitch Stream

    Something is stirring in the WWE Universe, and the cryptic clues keep coming. The company’s Twitch stream, already a target for mysterious messages, saw another ominous interruption today.

    A new hint has emerged about the rumored Bo Dallas-led faction in WWE. This only adds to the growing intrigue surrounding their anticipated arrival.

    During a live Twitch stream on WWE’s official channel, viewers saw a series of mysterious visuals and messages. This concluded the stream for the day, and the clip immediately went viral.

    The strange portion of the broadcast started with two notes shown on screen. One said, “I can’t wait to meet you,” as the other read, “I will see you all soon.” Then, hands wearing fingerless gloves appeared, holding a note with the message “REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE” along with displayed coordinates. They left this note on a doorstep before running away.

    The Upcoming Stable

    Four other names are expected to be part of this new faction. Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan are all slated to join the new Wyatt Family fold.

    Each of these Superstars has experience as faction members. Cross was part of Sanity, Gacy leads The Schism, Lumis was a member of The Way, and Rowan was an original member of The Wyatt Family.

    Uncle Howdy hasn’t been seen on WWE television since he was involved in Bray Wyatt’s story with Bobby Lashley during the build toward their WrestleMania 39 match that never happened. WWE is obviously planning something, and fans will seemingly have an answer to all their questions soon.

  • WWE Employees Cut After TKO Merges WWE & UFC Live Event Teams

    WWE Employees Cut After TKO Merges WWE & UFC Live Event Teams

    WWE has let go of more of its staff following the recent TKO Group Holding announcement. It was revealed this morning that TKO has decided to merge WWE and UFC live event teams to create more corporate synergy. WWE and UFC have begun collaborating more and are looking to host events in the same city. 

    While TKO is focused on combining the strengths of both companies, it has led to WWE firing longtime staff members. A few hours after TKO’s announcement, Fightful Select reported that WWE had fired several employees. At this time, talent is not involved in these cuts. 

    The report shared that one of the employees let go from WWE was Senior Vice President Of Entertainment Relations Kristen Prouty. She worked for the company for over two decades, and Fightful noted that she played an essential role in getting WWE United States Champion Logan Paul signed. 

    WWE or TKO has yet to release a statement on the recent firings. While it’s possible the cuts could be unrelated to the TKO announcement today, the timing is very interesting. 

    More On WWE Shakeups After Merging With UFC

    After WWE and UFC merged last year, wrestling fans have been curious about how it would affect WWE moving forward. Fans have seen both WWE and, notably, UFC star Michael Chandler appear on opposite programming during live shows. 

    TKO is slowly trying to utilize WWE and UFC to generate profitable live event results. 

    A recent example is WWE NXT’s next premium live event, Battleground, taking place at the UFC Apex Facility in Las Vegas, Nevada, on June 9. Tickets have gone on pre-sale on AXS, and the venue looks to add a different experience that could make it appealing to WWE fans.

    Another example of WWE and UFC showing their strength is the UFC advertising bundle packages for an upcoming UFC Fight Night event and a Friday Night Smackdown show at the KFC Yum! Center Arena in Louisville, Kentucky, next month. 

    TKO will likely try to find more ways to unify the assets of WWE and UFC. However, the hope is that more longtime WWE employees aren’t fired due to these changes. 

  • NFL Star Patrick Mahomes Expresses Interest In WWE, Triple H Opens The Door

    At the age of 28-years-old, 3x SuperBowl MVP Patrick Mahomes has already secured his name in the NFL Hall of Fame. Now, the Quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs has expressed interest in possibly getting physical inside the squared circle; and WWE is happy to oblige. Mahomes expressed his interest to RAW Commentator, and part-time in-ring competitor Pat McAfee while on the former NFL punter’s program, The Pat McAfee Show. Mahomes and McAfee discussed the QB’s special appearance on the April 29th edition of Monday Night RAW. That night Mahomes was partially involved in an angle between United States Champion Logan Paul and Superstar Jey Uso. 

    During a conversation with McAfee, Mahomes expressed his enjoyment of his brief appearance on WWE TV. He mentioned his interest in stepping into the ring to showcase his skills. Additionally, he explained the reason behind assisting Logan Paul by giving him one of his Super Bowl rings to use as a weapon against Jey Uso.

    ”The WWE thing was awesome, that thing was sweet, I should’ve got in the ring and show my skills a little bit!”

    I’ve seen enough to know that Jey Uso is good at getting out of those situations. When he does the yeet, that was intense man, I loved that. At the same time though, that’s my man Logan, I know he’s not the biggest fan favorite there in WWE, but I had to make sure to help him out a bit.

    I was definitely scared of the big dude (Braun Strowman), he was a lot bigger than I expected…”

    While Pat McAfee invited Mahomes to get inside the ring half-jokingly, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H was much more direct. Tweeting directly at Patrick Mahomes, and ensuring him that the door is always open for the Face of the NFL. 

    Could we see Patrick Mahomes headlining a WWE PLE event in the near future? Only time will tell. In 2020, Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million extension with the Chiefs, a deal that may make it challenging for Mahomes to compete inside a WWE ring. However, it would not be the first time a pro athlete became a focal point of a WWE program.

    If WWE and Mahomes ever did strike a deal, the future NFL Hall of Famer could easily turn to Pat McAfee for advice. McAfee is no stranger to in-ring competition, having wrestled names like Adam Cole, The Miz, Baron Corbin, and Austin Theory since joining WWE in 2018.

  • King & Queen Of The Ring Winners To Receive Title Opportunity At WWE SummerSlam

    The winners of the King of the Ring and Queen of the Ring tournaments will receive much more than a crown, Triple H has confirmed. 

    The ongoing tournaments will conclude at WWE King And Queen Of The Ring which will take place on Saturday, May 25, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Taking to Twitter, WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque shared that the victors of both tournaments will also receive a title opportunity at WWE SummerSlam on August 3. 

    Who’s In the Tournaments? 

    One name who could be going to SummerSlam is GUNTHER who will compete in the King of the Ring finals in Jeddah. The longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in history will face either Randy Orton or Tama Tonga at the PLE. The Viper and the Bloodline’s MFT will face off in a tournament semi-final match on the May 24, edition of WWE SmackDown. 

    For the Queen of the Ring tournament, Lyra Valkyria advanced to the finals on this week’s Monday Night Raw with a victory over IYO SKY. The former WWE NXT Women’s Champion will face either Bianca Belair or Nia Jax in Jeddah. Those two will face off in a tournament semi-final match on the May 24, edition of WWE SmackDown.

    WWE King And Queen Of The Ring

    Here is the card as it stands for WWE King And Queen Of The Ring: 

    • Gunther vs. SmackDown bracket winner (WWE King of the Ring Tournament Finals)
    • Lyra Valkyria vs. SmackDown bracket winner (WWE Queen of the Ring Tournament Finals)
    • Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan (WWE Women’s World Championship)
    • Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable (with Otis) vs. Bronson Reed (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
    • Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Logan Paul (Undisputed WWE Championship)
  • MVP Hopes Stem Cell Therapy Will Extend His Wrestling Career

    MVP Hopes Stem Cell Therapy Will Extend His Wrestling Career

    WWE star MVP has confirmed that he isn’t retired from in-ring competition, despite not competing in the squared circle for nearly two years.

    The 50-year-old wrestler also revealed that he is going to go through stem cell therapy, which will prepare him for an in-ring return.

    “I’m getting ready for my stem cell therapy trip to Mexico,” MVP wrote in a video post on Instagram. “Getting my body ready. I want to wrestle a bit more before I hang them up for good! What do you think?”

    In the video, MPV revealed he got his heavy work out done for the day and was leaving the gym. The former WWE U.S. Champion revealed that he will be leaving for Mexico in two weeks to get his stem cell therapy done. He added that he’s looking forward to the procedure because his shoulders and knees have been “beat up pretty bad.”

    “I haven’t officially retired yet,” MVP added. “I feel like I need a few more matches before I officially hang up my boots. I know I got a little bit in me. What do you guys think?”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C7P2SzSu6pw

    One More Run for MVP

    MVP had issued the clarification that he wasn’t retired last year as well, and it seems like he is clear on not hanging up his boots yet. 

    The wrestler, who is also known as Montel Vontavious Porter, was last seen competing in the ring in a tag team match at the 18 July 2022 episode of Raw. He teamed up with Omos against The Street Profits, who won via DQ.

    His last win in WWE was against Cedric Alexander on the 13 June edition of Raw on the same year. This was also MVP’s second-last match. 

  • Jim Ross Visits The Emergency Room: “Shortness of the breath.”

    Wrestling icon Jim Ross was hospitalized on Thursday morning in Norman, Oklahoma. The 72-year-old WWE Hall of Famer says he was taken to the emergency room after having trouble breathing. He provided the following information on social media, citing “shortness of the breath.”

    We’ll be sure to follow this developing story and will provide an update here when additional details become available.

    Jim Ross has been with All Elite Wrestling since it’s inception. Once the lead announcer doing commentary each week, his on-screen duties have been greatly scaled back in recent years. He’s kept fans apprised of his various health ailments, including several falls and a courageous battle with skin cancer.

    Jim Ross, Sting, Tony Schiavone, Ric Flair and Darby Allin backstage at AEW Revolution 2024 

    Jim also shared a photo of his daughters, who visited him in the hospital. He did not provide any health update, but his girls certainly love their father.

    Following his most surgery in February 2024, JR returned to the commentary booth on March 3, 2024 to call Sting’s retirement match at AEW Revolution.

    Jim Ross’ contributions to the wrestling are incalculable. He’s the embodiment of a “living legend” and his ongoing health issues have uncerstandably been met with concern.

    SEScoops extends our best wishes to Jim Ross for full and speedy recovery. 

    Boomer Sooner!

  • 2-Night WWE SummerSlam Coming to Minneapolis in August 2026

    2-Night WWE SummerSlam Coming to Minneapolis in August 2026

    The first-ever two-night edition of WWE SummerSlam will take over Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 1 and August 2 in 2026. 

    The event will take place at the U.S. Bank Stadium which, among other events, is the stadium of the Minnesota Vikings. Taking to Twitter, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque shared the news that the Biggest Party of the Summer has just gotten even bigger. 

    WWE SummerSlam 2026 will be the promotion’s second Premium Live Event to be hosted across two nights and follows in the footsteps of WrestleMania. The first two-night WrestleMania took place in 2020 and was a precaution in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. After fans responded favorably to the idea, WWE has kept WrestleMania as a two-night event despite all Covid-related restrictions being lifted. 

    WWE in Minneapolis

    SummerSlam 2026 will quite literally be the biggest wrestling event in the history of Minneapolis but it won’t be the first. Notable WWE shows to come to the City of Lakes include SummerSlam 1999, Judgment Day 2005, Bragging Rights 2010, and WWE TLC in 2017 and 2019. 

    Minneapolis will host SummerSlam 2026 but the city had until recently had its sights set on WrestleMania 41 in 2025. For a time, those in the city were confident that the show would be theirs and were working under the assumption it was a done deal. Instead, WrestleMania 41 will take place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 19 and April 20.

  • Velveteen Dream Named For New ‘Nation Of Domination’ Over Trick Williams

    Velveteen Dream Named For New ‘Nation Of Domination’ Over Trick Williams

    The Nation of Domination was a controversial stable when it first appeared on WWE television in the 90s, and it would likely be just as provocative today. WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, a former member of the original group, has now shared his picks for rebuilding the faction in modern-day WWE.

    The group responsible in launching The Rock’s career hasn’t seen a new version, although other groups like The Hurt Business and The Pride have come close. There hasn’t been a new Nation of Domination yet, but the World’s Strongest Man has his eye on a few possible members.

    Speaking to K & S WrestleFest, Henry discussed his picks for a new Nation of Domination stable and made a surprising choice by picking Velveteen Dream over Trick Williams. While he praised Trick Williams, he felt Williams was too well-liked for the group’s dynamic. Instead, Henry chose Velveteen Dream, also known as Patrick Clark, as his wildcard pick, believing it’s time for Clark to have a second chance in wrestling.

    A New Nation of Domination

    Nation of Domination alum Mark Henry would include Patrick Clark (Velveteen Dream) in a new Nation over Trick Williams

    Henry acknowledged the significance of cancel culture and its role in accountability but stressed the importance of grace and forgiveness.

    “Number one draft pick, (Powerhouse) Hobbs, and then number two, Omos, and then I would go Carmelo Hayes and as much as I love Trick Williams, I think that Trick is — he’s too liked. I want people that people don’t like. I want Bobby Lashley. I want people that you just don’t like ‘em. And there’s a lot of young guys that I think could hold up.”

    “But, my wildcard would probably be Velveteen Dream, would be Patrick (Clark). I think it’s time for his second chance. A lot of people in the world of wrestling love the talent. We’re in a cancel culture that is justified as so. We need a cancel culture. But, at some point, you gotta have grace and forgiveness and you gotta see if that person is gonna bury themselves again because habitual line steppers, that’s exactly who they are. Once they get that second chance and they’re out, I ain’t cosigning for you no more. But, everybody needs their second chance.”

    Mark Henry’s AEW contract is reportedly up very soon. It will be interesting to see what he does next in his pro wrestling career. Henry made his AEW debut on May 30, 2021, at Double or Nothing, where it was announced that he would join the commentary team for the new show AEW Rampage and also serve as a coach.

    Patrick Clark’s Controversies

    In April 2020, Patrick Clark faced allegations of sending indecent images to underage boys, which he denied. During the Speaking Out movement in June 2020, further accusations emerged that he had inappropriate communications with underage individuals. WWE investigated but found no evidence of wrongdoing. He couldn’t appear on NXT television without #FireVelveteenDream trending. Velveteen Dream was subsequently released from his WWE contract on May 20, 2021, after five months of inactivity.

    Clark’s legal issues persisted in August 2022, with two arrests in Florida: one for first-degree battery and trespassing, and another for possessing drug paraphernalia, though these charges were later dropped. After more than three years out of the wrestling spotlight, he made a return on February 18, 2024, at The Dynasty promotion, debuting under the new ring name Velveteen Man. He is working to rehabilitate his image, but he obviously has a long road to redemption ahead of him.

  • TKO Group Merges WWE & UFC Live Event Teams

    TKO Group Merges WWE & UFC Live Event Teams

    TKO, the parent company of WWE and UFC has taken another step towards synchronicity with the merging of the Live Event teams of both companies. 

    WWE and UFC will have their live events overseen by one unit, described in a statement as “one of the strongest live events portfolios in all of sports and entertainment.” Andrew Schleimer, Chief Financial Officer of TKO, shared what this merger hopes to achieve. 

    “The newly integrated TKO Live Events Strategy Team will focus on creating operational efficiencies and developing strategies to leverage the broader economic benefits we bring to host cities, including partnering with local governments and maximizing revenue opportunities from site fees.”

    The merger is just the latest sign of WWE and UFC being connected now that both are under the TKO umbrella. WWE Superstars can often be found at UFC events with CM Punk, Montez Ford, Bianca Belair, Rey Mysterio, and Randy Orton all being spotted since the merger in September 2023. Similarly, UFC fighter Michael Chandler appeared on the February 19 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw and used his time on the show to call out Conor McGregor. 

    Next month, WWE SmackDown and UFC Fight Night will be held in succession in Louisville, Kentucky with a ticket deal available for a weekend of TKO Group Holdings action. WWE NXT Battleground will be held at the UFC Apex on June 9, the first time any WWE event has been held at the venue.