SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • The Rock Starts MMA Workouts For New ‘The Smashing Machine’ Movie

    The Rock Starts MMA Workouts For New ‘The Smashing Machine’ Movie

    Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is stepping from the wrestling ring to the MMA cage as part of the intense training for his latest movie project ‘The Smashing Machine.’

    The Rock recently wrapped up his time with WWE but has threatened to return to confront Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Many fans are expecting a match between the two, possibly later this year or at WrestleMania 41. 

    Before that happens though, Johnson’s focus is on his new film. The Smashing Machine will focus on the life of fighter Mark Kerr and detail his rise in the world of MMA as well as his struggles with personal problems. Johnson will be portraying Kerr. 

    Taking to social media, Johnson reflected on his appearances at WrestleMania 40 and admitted he’s “banged up” but ready to go. The Final Boss added that his MMA workouts will be starting very soon and hopes that The Smashing Machine will serve as a love letter to those battling addiction, including the many friends he’s lost to addiction and mental health struggles. 

    The Smashing Machine is certainly a change from the norm for Johnson, who typically sticks to family-friendly films (Moana, The Jungle Cruise) or high-end blockbusters like The Fast and the Furious franchise.) Currently, there’s no confirmed date for when fans can expect The Smashing Machine in cinemas. 

    While the world of MMA is something new for the Final Boss, his athletic credentials can’t be denied. In addition to his exceptional wrestling career, Johnson played college football and has sculpted his physique with the passion of a bodybuilder. 

    Johnson has made himself a blockbuster megastar and it’s commendable that the 51-year-old is ready to try something new. As a prolific social media user who has one of the largest followings in the world, fans can expect plenty of updates about The Smashing Machine and WWE from the Final Boss. 

  • Logan Paul Thinks Ronda Rousey Is Projecting By Claiming He Gets Preferential Treatment in WWE

    Logan Paul Thinks Ronda Rousey Is Projecting By Claiming He Gets Preferential Treatment in WWE

    Ronda Rousey’s recent remarks against WWE have piqued a lot of interest among WWE fans. Logan Paul heard her remarks about how he received special treatment, and he had to respond. 

    Paul mentioned that he aims to handle his response maturely because he appreciates Ronda Rousey and respects her contributions to MMA. He grew up watching her “snap arms” with his brother, Jake Paul. According to Logan, their interactions in person have always been very amicable.

    The Maverick then went on to explain that he understands that Ronda Rousey may have experienced a different WWE than he did.

    “I feel she’s maybe using me as an example to express her dissatisfaction with how she was treated in WWE, but I can’t speak on that because I don’t know how she was treated. I don’t think she’s a hater. I think she might be unhappy with how her run in the WWE went, but I don’t know anything really about that.” 

    “All I know is how I work and the facilities and time that I’ve been given to make my matches as best as possible. I think WWE recognizes that when I put on a good match, which will happen every single time I perform, the outcome and the reaction of the fans is immense. It fills the audience. I think I’ve proven my value, both in and out of the ring, on the mic, wrestling. The impressions that I’m delivering the company are second to none.”

    What Ronda Rousey said About Logan Paul

    In case you missed it, during an interview on Steve-O’s Wild Ride, Ronda Rousey expressed her wish for more rehearsal time before her matches, similar to the preparation that Logan Paul receives. She acknowledged Paul’s skill on the microphone and his strong performances.

    Ronda commended Logan Paul’s microphone skills and expressed frustration over the unequal distribution of rehearsal time, noting Paul receives more as a rising star. She highlighted how proper resources can lead to great performances, as seen with her debut match, which benefited from extensive preparation. 

    I wish I was allowed the time to rehearse that he gets. It’s not evenly spread. He’s like their next big star. They are rolling out the red carpet. It goes to show that if you give people the time to rehearse and the resources, you can do amazing things. It’s frustrating that everybody doesn’t get that treatment. My first match with them was incredible because we had six weeks to rehearse, all the best minds in the business coming and putting in their two cents and it was an instant classic.

  • Wes Lee Injury Update: Making Great Progress But Still Uncertain of “firing on all cylinders”

    Wes Lee Injury Update: Making Great Progress But Still Uncertain of “firing on all cylinders”

    NXT superstar Wes Lee has provided an update on his recovery and revealed that he’s making great progress.

    Lee has been quite active on social media to share updates on his recovery. In the latest update on Twitter/X, the former NXT North American Champion flaunted his spray painting skills and noted that he is on the road to recovery. It is currently uncertain when he will be able to return back in the ring but he remains determined on recuperating. Here is what he wrote on:

    “Recovery update: I’m making great progress, still uncertain on when everything will be firing on all cylinders with my body, but the mind is strong.” 

    Wes Lee added that he is “having creative waves” and exploring other avenues “to create art” as he continues to recover. 

    Wes Lee underwent back surgery

    Lee had been dealing with back issue and it ultimately put him out of action. He has been NXT North American Champion in the past and had the opportunity to claim the title yet again in December last year. However, he revealed that he would undergo back surgery which would keep him on the shelf for eight to twelve months. 

    Lee was scheduled to challenge Dominik Mysterio for the title at NXT Deadline but he was pulled from the high-stakes match due to last-minute changes. Dragon Lee was announced as the replacement who went on to face Mysterio. 

    In January, Lee revealed that he was back on his feet, while last month, he stepped foot in the ring for the first time since surgery. It seems that Wes Lee is recuperating well and could be returning soon to do what he does best.

  • Matt Riddle Says WWE Creative Originally Laughed At The Idea Of RK Bro

    Matt Riddle Says WWE Creative Originally Laughed At The Idea Of RK Bro

    Matt Riddle has revealed that the WWE creative originally laughed at the idea of the RK Bro tag team and it only came to fruition after Randy Orton himself pushed for it.

    The Original Bro recently spoke to Johnny I Pro Show for an interview. He discussed things such as his favorite wrestlers growing up, why he hesitated in choosing pro wrestling as a career at first, and more.

    The Birth of RK-Bro

    Riddle’s team with WWE’s Apex Predator was easily the most entertaining part of his run. He was asked how this pairing originally came about.

    The former WWE star revealed that Randy Orton pushed for doing more work with Matt Riddle after they had a singles match during the March 19, 2021 episode of Monday Night Raw:

    “Randy was supposed to wrestle Braun Strowman one night and I was supposed to tag with Drew against Mace and T Bar you know when Retribution was still around.

    I don’t know what happened but Randy and Braun didn’t end up wrestling and they switched Braun with me. So I got to wrestle Randy instead. After we worked Randy spoke very highly of me. He’s like ‘I want to do something else with him’ and they already had plans that we tag.”

    Though the former WWE star also claimed that he got laughed at when he originally pitched the idea of teaming with The Legend Killer:

    “Weeks before this I suggested we tag as RK Bro and the writing team just kinda laughed at me. Which most of my ideas they laugh and then like 2 weeks later they’ll be like ‘Hey I think we gotta do this’ and I’m like ‘Sounds awesome.’ I don’t even bring it up to them.”

    Matt Riddle first pitched the idea of a tag team to Randy Orton on the same episode of Raw where they locked horns for a singles match. Orton had originally dismissed the idea but he accepted the proposal after losing to Riddle in the bout.

    RK Bro saw a lot of success and they had two reigns with the Raw Tag Team Championships in their 13-month-long run together. Their stint came to an abrupt end however as Riddle got released from his contract in September 2023, at a time when Orton was on the shelf rehabbing his back injury.

  • Xyon Quinn Says The Comeback Will Surpass the Setback After WWE Release, Superstars Respond

    Xyon Quinn Says The Comeback Will Surpass the Setback After WWE Release, Superstars Respond

    Xyon Quinn is ready for the next chapter of his wrestling career which he is confident will surpass the setback of being released by WWE. 

    Quinn was among those cut by WWE in the first wave of talent releases following the launch of the promotion’s new era. Jinder Mahal, Veer Mahaan, Sanga, and Xia Li were also let go by the company as part of what’s been reported as ‘budget cuts.’

    Taking to Instagram, Quinn shared a video of himself recalling his first fight. In the caption, the ex-NXT Superstar made clear that what’s to come will surpass his WWE release. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C6ARubiM3IU

    Quinn’s video caught the attention of WWE Superstars. In the comments, WWE staple Natalya said “LFG” (Let’s F***** Go!) while Shotzi encouraged Quinn to “Take the world!” WWE NXT’s Jakaro Jackson shared her support for Quinn’s post-WWE endeavors through a series of emojis while Damon Kemp gave a salute to the former Superstar. 

    On Twitter, Natalya had the following to say about Quinn. 

    Quinn is eager to show his worth outside of WWE which seems more possible than ever before thanks to the many promotions out there. As Cody Rhodes, Matt Cardona, and others have shown, parting ways with WWE can often be a blessing in disguise and give wrestlers the opportunity to reinvent themselves on their own terms. For Quinn, he will have to wait out a 90-day non-compete clause before he can appear and compete elsewhere. Quinn is the husband of Harley Cameron who makes appearances for AEW and Ring of Honor. 

  • Cody Rhodes Celebrates Fan’s Marriage Proposal At WWE Live Event in Belfast

    Cody Rhodes Celebrates Fan’s Marriage Proposal At WWE Live Event in Belfast

    One fan at a recent WWE live event didn’t expect to be proposed to at the show, nor did she expect Cody Rhodes to be there when the question was popped. 

    Rhodes has been headlining at WWE’s recent tour of the UK, his first since capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40. Belfast, Northern Ireland marked the final night of the tour which went off with a bang. 

    In footage shared online, a fan can be seen asking his girlfriend to marry him while Cody watches on and asks if she’ll say yes. The fan being proposed to does indeed say yes much to the delight of her fiance, the fans around them, and the American Nightmare. 

    Cody Rhodes’ Live Event Adventures

    This is hardly the first time Rhodes has gone the extra mile to make a show special for a fan. Last year, Rhodes got up close and personal with a visually impaired fan at a WWE event who held a sign saying they were trying to see him. This heartwarming interaction came about mere weeks after Rhodes agreed to be the Best Man at a fan’s wedding.

    When competing in Extreme Rules matches at WWE live events, Rhodes has been gifting tables to fans in attendance and has also been giving away his signature weight belt. Cody also recently had a special entrance with a young fan who was dressed like the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion. Rhodes’ antics off of TV continue to endear him with the fans which certainly bodes well for his future in WWE’s new era. 

  • Matt Hardy Remains A Free Agent Despite TNA Return

    Matt Hardy Remains A Free Agent Despite TNA Return

    Matt Hardy has confirmed that he is still a free agent despite his return to TNA.

    The company had been teasing the reveal of a ‘lights out mystery’ over the past few weeks. The secret was finally unveiled at Saturday’s Rebellion PPV event.

    Moose defeated Nic Nemeth to retain the TNA World Title in the main event of the show. The lights went out after the bout and Broken Matt Hardy made his surprise return to the promotion. He delivered a Twist of Fate to the World Champion and the PPV ended with Hardy holding the title.

    After the PPV event, the wrestling veteran shared an interesting ‘Matt Fact’ graphic reading that he is in no rush to sign a new contract. In response to a fan, Hardy further confirmed that he remains a free agent despite his return:

    Matt Hardy Is A Free Agent

    Matt Hardy had seemingly been unhappy with his position on the AEW card for a while and he even spoke up about things such as backstage issues hurting the goodwill of the company.

    The Attitude Era star made some headlines again when he attended a pre-WrestleMania Raw last month. When the news of his AEW contract expiring came to light, many believed that he was on his way back to the TKO-owned promotion.

    The wrestling veteran, however, has since confirmed that he is still in talks with Tony Khan’s promotion in addition to weighing his options elsewhere.

    If the latest development is any indication, Matt Hardy seems to be looking for creative satisfaction more than anything else at this juncture of his career.

    The TNA appearance seems to be the start of a program. It won’t be a surprise if Hardy stretches his free agency further and we don’t hear news about him finding a new long-term home anytime soon.

    You can relive Hardy’s TNA return below:

  • R-Truth Finally Stopped and Smelled the Roses with WWE WrestleMania 40 Victory

    R-Truth Finally Stopped and Smelled the Roses with WWE WrestleMania 40 Victory

    R-Truth was able to stop and smell the proverbial roses by taking in his Tag Team Championship win alongside The Miz at WrestleMania 40.

    Truth and Miz captured the Raw Tag Team Championships in Philadelphia which also marked Truth’s first victory at a WrestleMania. The titles underwent a serious rebranding during the April 15, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. 

    Outside of his many 24/7 Championship reigns, this title run marks Truth’s first taste of championship gold since 2019. Appearing on Busted Open Radio, Truth was asked about his win and said he was pleased that he was able to appreciate the moment which is a rarity given his busy profession. 

    “We live life so much, we be lifin’ so much we don’t take time to stop and smell the roses… That time I did. And I had my son there, that was a little baby when I first got into the business… and for him to say ‘Dad, man, I’m so proud of you. I haven’t seen you wrestle in so long.’

    “It was so many things that were going through my head at that moment. Me and Miz, I mean I’m getting emotional now… Miz has had my back in this business. It was just a moment that was, it was a surreal moment.”

    What’s to Come? 

    The Awesome Truth’s victory at WrestleMania evidently means a great deal to Truth but the pair are now the target of every tag team on Monday Night Raw. During the April 15, episode, DIY earned a title match by emerging victorious in a triple-threat tag-team match that included the Creed Brothers and the New Day. 

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

  • Cody Rhodes Pays Tribute to Seth Rollins As Ex-World Champion Recovers from Knee Surgery

    Cody Rhodes Pays Tribute to Seth Rollins As Ex-World Champion Recovers from Knee Surgery

    Fans won’t be seeing Seth Rollins in the ring for some time, but Cody Rhodes was able to pay tribute to his friend and former rival during a recent WWE live event. 

    At WWE’s recent event Belfast, Northern Ireland, Rhodes headlined the show with an Undisputed WWE Championship match against Shinsuke Nakamura. For his entrance, Rhodes wore a ring jacket that featured both his logo and Rollins’ logo. Given that Cody hadn’t worn this particular jacket at previous nights of the tour, it appears this was in response to the news that Seth is currently recovering from knee surgery. 

    You can check out Cody’s jacket in the video below which also sees the WWE Champion give some lucky young fans a special moment. 

    Latest on Seth Rollins

    Rollins’ knee surgery was disclosed by his wife Becky Lynch during an episode of RTE One’s The Late, Late Show. This revelation came after it was reported that Rollins would be taking time off following WrestleMania 40, an event that saw Seth in action on both nights. Earlier this year, Rollins suffered an MCL tear and partial meniscus tear during his match with Jinder Mahal but was able to avoid having surgery. 

    At this time, there’s no confirmation as to how much time Rollins will miss due to his surgery. Typically, surgeries for MCL tears can take anywhere between six to twelve months to fully heal. After a 316-day reign as Champion though, Rollins has earned himself some time off and we’re wishing him a full and speedy recovery. 

  • Sanga Addresses Lack of Indian Representation In WWE Despite Massive National Fanbase

    Sanga Addresses Lack of Indian Representation In WWE Despite Massive National Fanbase

    Former WWE Superstar Sanga has shared his disappointment over the promotion’s lack of Indian representation considering how popular WWE is in the country. 

    Sanga, alongside Veer Mahaan, Jinder Mahal, Xia Li, and Xyon Quinn, was released from WWE as part of the first wave of cuts under the promotion’s new era. Sanga had been with WWE since 2018 and left without winning any championship gold in the promotion. 

    In a video shared to Twitter, Sanga said that he, Veer, and Mahal are all keeping positive despite what has happened. Sanga then shares his disappointment that WWE wants viewers from India, especially on social media, but when it comes to pushing Indian talent, they won’t do it.

    https://twitter.com/Sanga_WWE/status/1781719820314030164

    Sanga understands that creative differences happen but pointed out that India has a population of 1.4 billion people who love WWE and want to see national talent on an international stage. That’s why Sanga is so disappointed that WWE rejects pushing Indian talent and said fans can look at the history of the company to see that. 

    The ex-Superstar made clear that he’s not specifically talking about himself, but that somebody from India should be up there. He adds that there is no Indian employed by WWE and the company will have to answer to the Indian fanbase one day.

    Sanga ends on a positive note, stating that God has given him opportunities before and he will again. He concludes by saying that his fans are positive people and he hopes that remains the case, and he will not let India’s pride be hurt in any way.

    Sanga is obviously very proud of his national background and feels strongly about a lack of representation within WWE. Whether his strong words for WWE change things remains to be seen, but if the company does push an Indian Superstar to the top, it likely won’t be Sanga himself. 

  • Drew McIntyre Injured His Elbow At WrestleMania

    Drew McIntyre Injured His Elbow At WrestleMania

    WWE superstar Drew McIntyre hopes to stay on the road despite a recent setback. McIntyre’s was having a very successful year up until WrestleMania. He won the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match on February 24 and later dethroned Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight title at the biggest show of the year.

    Then, things took a turn for the worse. The title reign ended after just a matter of minutes when Damian Preist successfully cashed in the Money in the Bank contract and walked out as champion.  We’ve now learned the Scottish Warrior was in serious pain for the short match against the Judgment Day member.

    Drew McIntyre “badly hyperextended” his elbow at WrestleMania during his match against Seth Rollins, according to a report by PWInsider. He worked this week’s United Kingdom live events tour, but may need some time off afterwards to heal. 

    It’s an ironic setback for McIntyre, who has been trolling CM Punk for his tricep injury and inability to stay healthy. He’s not currently advertised for WWE’s next premium live event, Backlash France. This might end up as a blessing in disguise., as the two people he’s currently feuding with (CM Punk and Seth Rollins) are also unable to wrestle any time soon.

    Drew McIntyre’s WWE contract winding down has been a hot topic of conversation for wrestling fans wondering if he could follow Adam Copeland and Mercedes Mone to AEW. 

    If WWE can’t re-sign McIntyre, he could be wrestling elsewhere this summer. That said, he’s having one hell of a run with WWE. He’s working a top program against CM Punk that is sure to draw both of them a lot of money when they’re healthy. Most importantly, he is having fun and enjoying himself.

  • WWE Talent Sympathetic to Jinder Mahal & Xia Li Following Release of Underutilized Stars

    WWE Talent Sympathetic to Jinder Mahal & Xia Li Following Release of Underutilized Stars

    The WWE roster will miss Jinder Mahal and Xia Li and many believe that the two were not given fair opportunities on the main roster. 

    Mahal and Li were released from WWE in the first wave of talent cuts in this ‘new era.’ Veer Mahaan, Sanga, and Xyon Quinn were also let go. The talent will have to wait out 90-day non-compete clauses before they can take bookings elsewhere. 

    Mahal’s release was something of a surprise given that 2024 started for him with a segment with The Rock and a high-profile feud with then-World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. A handful of talent believe that when it comes to his work with The Rock, Mahal nailed his side of things only for WWE to never follow up with anything substantial for him, PW Insider reports. Perhaps that is why Mahal gave a curt announcement regarding his release, stating that he’d quit WWE. 

    Mahal’s early 2024 also saw him ‘feud’ with AEW President Tony Khan, who had some choice words regarding Mahal’s World Heavyweight Championship push. The running joke amongst some WWE talent is that Mahal will be feuding with Khan on AEW Dynamite during this summer. 

    For Xia Li, there is a feeling that she suffered because of her stop-start pushes on the main roster. Li, the first Chinese female Superstar, was called up to the main roster in 2021 though arguably didn’t have her first actual storyline until two years later. 

    Given how infrequently she had been used, Li’s 2023 feud with Becky Lynch met a cool response from fans as audiences didn’t believe Li would get the better of one of wrestling’s biggest stars. Talent also believe that Li being introduced in the Vince McMahon era did not help her chances either. 

    Li and Mahal were said to be extremely well-liked within WWE, as demonstrated by the positive messages from the remaining talent. It’s never easy to lose a job, especially one from the biggest professional wrestling promotion in the world, and now Mahal, Li, and the rest will have to forge the next chapter of their careers outside of WWE.

  • Cryptic Music Continues To Play Off-Air On WWE SmackDown

    Cryptic Music Continues To Play Off-Air On WWE SmackDown

    The cryptic teases continue in build for what could potentially be a return for Bo Dallas and WWE had two different methods of such on SmackDown.

    The one that was on air involved a sudden QR code appearing during Triple H’s entrance, but another tease happened in between commercial breaks. There was a point in the middle of the show where the lights dim and a Billie Holiday-like song began to play.

    This prompted fans to light up their phones and it even prompted a Bo Dallas chant afterwards.

    What Is The Song That’s Playing?

    Although the singer sounds like Billie Holiday, it’s actually a late artist by the name of Marti Amado and the song is called “Nightbird.” The lyrics certainly hearken to Wyatt Family allusions as you can read them below.

    The nightbird calls and shadows creep

    Into my mind, into my sleep

    I do not know if I shall rise

    Or open up these weary eyes

    The withered trees, how they creak and moan

    Beneath the moon, how the demons groan

    They come to me and pull me down

    Down into the swamp without a sound

    I sink again, just like a stone

    My body’s cold and I’m all alone

    I do not think that I shall rise

    Or open up these weary eyes

    [Verse 2]

    I sink once more, just like a stone

    The darkness chills me to the bone

    Th? water’s deep, I shall not rise

    No more to lift th?se weary eyes

    No more to lift these weary eyes

    A big tease for a Bo Dallas (and potentially Uncle Howdy return) first sparked at the end of the Bray Wyatt documentary trailer and that’s when speculation began flying as to what could come for the future of the angle.

    Recent free agent Matt Hardy began making posts about his past with Bray Wyatt and former Wyatt Family member Erik Rowan actually removed himself from an independent booking due to scheduling conflicts. Additionally, Braun Strowman is still apart of WWE.

    Bo Dallas was reportedly playing Uncle Howdy back during Bray Wyatt’s return, but fans hadn’t seen the younger Rotunda brother for years since he and Curtis Axel were members of the B-Team.

    Someone who is an advocate for a Bo Dallas return under the “Wyatt Universe” is the brothers’ father, WWE Hall Of Famer Mike Rotunda. Speaking with Peter Rosenberg, Rotunda talked about the potential of his sons flourishing with those gimmicks.

    “Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt Family was one of my favorite gimmicks of all time. Both boys, I think they could have gotten a lot more mileage out of Bray Wyatt and the Wyatts, and also with Bo. Bo was the youngest NXT Champion they ever had. He was probably 18 or 19 years old. He caught the business quickly,”

    Keep tabs on SEScoops as this storyline develops.

    H/t to Fightful for the transcription.

  • A-Town Down Under Defend New WWE Tag Titles Against Rey Mysterio After SmackDown, NFL Star Involved

    A-Town Down Under Defend New WWE Tag Titles Against Rey Mysterio After SmackDown, NFL Star Involved

    Once SmackDown went off the air, there were not one, but two matches still on tap for the WWE fans in Pittsburgh, PA.

    Grayson Waller and Austin Theory were presented with the new WWE Tag Team Championships on Friday night, which gave them the opportunity to not shake Triple H’s hand during the reveal. The champs did happen to stick around for the fatal four way tag match between New Catch Republic, The Street Profits, AOP, and Legado Del Fantasma to see Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins become the number one contenders.

    Waller and Theory’s night was not done however as the new champs had to put their new hardware on the line against Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee. Popular Pittsburgh Steeler, Cam Heyward happened to be sitting behind commentary and Waller was quick to talk smack on the mic to the big defensive lineman. 

    Mysterio then grabbed the stick and made it clear that he and Dragon Lee had a different agenda.

    “Let me give you a little update, you don’t want to show [the titles to them] it’s all good. Once we take those titles, we’ll bring them over there to them.”

    Waller and Theory continued the smack talk during their first title defense as both jaw-jacked with kids at ringside. Lee and Mysterio almost got the victory when Rey just about hit the 619 but the heel duo got the definitive three count on the WWE Hall of Famer to retain.

    A “Steel City Street Fight” Also Takes Place

    Even though Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee didn’t come out victorious, fans were still anticipating a “Steel City Street Fight” Between Bobby Lashley and Karrion Kross. Kross and Lashley slugged it out but it was “The All Mighty” getting the W when he speared Kross through a table and got the 1-2-3.

  • Sporting Stars Wayne Rooney & Anthony Joshua Attend WWE Live Event in London’s O2

    Sporting Stars Wayne Rooney & Anthony Joshua Attend WWE Live Event in London’s O2

    The stars were out at a recent WWE live event in the UK as the promotion’s ‘new era’ continues to be a hit with audiences around the world. 

    On Friday evening, WWE hosted an event in the O2 Arena in London, England, which served as the host of WWE Money in the Bank 2023. As seen in the photos below, some huge names from the world of sport were in attendance. Soccer legend Wayne Rooney was spotted in the crowd while boxer Anthony Joshua was able to meet Natalya and the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. 

    This event in the O2 isn’t Rooney’s first foray into the world of WWE. In 2015, Rooney attended an event in London and was confronted during the show by King Barrett. Undeterred by the former Nexus leader, the Manchester United alum delivered a swift slap to Barrett. 

    As for Joshua, he hasn’t competed since his knockout victory over Francis Ngannou in March but has plans to fight again this September. While the Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time World Boxing Champion has yet to step into a WWE ring, Joshua said in 2021 that he wanted to try his hand at pro wrestling. 

    The two celebs watched on as Natalya beat Shayna Baszler while Cody Rhodes defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. If WWE’s recent wave of momentum is anything to go by, the pair had a great show at the O2, and it may not be the last time we see these names and other celebrities at a WWE event. 

  • Bars, Buses & Breweries Benefit From the Impact of WWE Royal Rumble 2024 PLE

    Bars, Buses & Breweries Benefit From the Impact of WWE Royal Rumble 2024 PLE

    Officials in St. Petersburg, FL will be hoping to see WWE return as more details have come out about the highly successful Royal Rumble 2024 event. 

    The January 27, show saw Cody Rhodes win his second Royal Rumble match and become the fourth man ever to achieve this feat back-to-back. On the women’s side of things, Bayley won the Women’s Royal Rumble match with a record-breaking performance in the bout. 

    The show generated $47,047,401 in overall economic impact with $28,337,038 of that coming from direct spending, a new economic impact study has revealed. There was also $2,923,664 million tax dollars generated by the popular Premium Live Event. 

    Ferg’s Sports Bar, which is located near Tropicana Field, did seven times its usual business during the day of the Royal Rumble PLE. Fans were indeed ready to enjoy the show with a drink as Green Bench Brewing Company saw a 10-15% increase in custom over a typical Saturday in the city. 

    Fans in Florida weren’t just there to drink and watch wrestling. For those able to survive the post-Royal Rumble hangover, the Imagine Museum had a 25 percent increase in attendance the day after the Royal Rumble. The Sun Runner bus had a 95 percent increase in ridership on the day of the Royal Rumble.

    The Royal Rumble is always a popular event and that was no exception this year. The event gave fans what they wanted to see to kick off the WrestleMania season and these immense figures make the ongoing success of WWE on all metrics hard to ignore.

  • QR Code Teases Continue On 4/19 SmackDown: Decoding The Symbols Behind Latest Video

    QR Code Teases Continue On 4/19 SmackDown: Decoding The Symbols Behind Latest Video

    A new QR code that aired on the April 19, episode of SmackDown has once again left fans sifting through the symbols and clues to find out what’s to come. 

    WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque was at this week’s SmackDown in his latest efforts to demonstrate the promotion’s new era. Mere days after new titles were introduced on Raw, The Game and Nick Aldis revealed new WWE Tag Team Championships to A-Town Down Under. 

    During Triple H’s entrance, however, a QR code appeared for a brief moment, the latest in a bizarre string of instances ever since the post-WrestleMania 40 Raw. Users who scanned the QR code were taken to a website featuring a mysterious hooded figure dressed in black. 

    Who is this mysterious figure?

    This website also contains a hidden link. Clicking it takes you to an image and coordinates (45.7455 N, 13.4674 E.) Following these coordinates takes you to a cave in Slovenia. This cryptic site also has the following video. 

    Decoding the Message

    Following on from the coordinates, the video in question features cave imagery, which was pseudo-prevalent for the video fans found by deciphering the clues on this week’s Raw. That video featured imagery to the philosophical works of Plato, specifically his allegory of the cave. 

    Plato argued in his work Republic that man spends his time looking at a cave and what we see are mere shadows of the real world cast by an outside light. The shadows that appear on the wall are man’s reality, they are not accurate representations of the real world and are merely a fraction of the actual reality. The text in the SmackDown video that alludes to ‘opening eyes’ adds more credence to the overall theme of perception of reality. 

    The video also includes an image of a crow or raven, both of which are birds associated with darkness. Both birds are scavengers and are generally associated with dead bodies. A group of crows is called a ‘murder’ while a group of ravens is an ‘unkindness.’

    A unique symbol also appears in the SmackDown video and also appeared in the Raw video. This symbol of a circle inside a bisected cup is the symbol of the dwarf planet Pluto, and has been since 1933. In astrology, Pluto is associated with secrets and monumental changes experienced over a lifetime. 

    What’s to Come?

    Many believe these teases are building to the return of Uncle Howdy, previously played by Bo Dallas who has been under contract since 2022. WWE teased the return of Uncle Howdy following their Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal documentary. WWE also used QR codes and unique marketing for the ‘White Rabbit’ angle that resulted in Wyatt’s return at Extreme Rules 2022. 

  • New WWE Tag Team Championships Introduced, SmackDown Tag Titles Retired

    New WWE Tag Team Championships Introduced, SmackDown Tag Titles Retired

    The WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship belts have officially been retired, with the new WWE Tag Team Titles being introduced on the 4/19 WWE SmackDown. 

    WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque was on the show to introduce the new titles to A-Town Down Under, who won the SmackDown Tag Titles at WrestleMania 40: Saturday. This reveal wasn’t a massive surprise, however, as the Game had revealed the new World Tag Team Titles on Raw mere days earlier. 

    The new championship designs are a throwback to the original WWE Tag Team Championship design that proved immensely popular with fans. No doubt this new championship design will only help solidify that this is a new era, one in which the fans feel they are being listened to. 

    While A-Town Down Under were pleased to receive the new gold, they pushed their luck with Triple H. The pair continued to taunt the Game which resulted in SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis stepping in and threatening to deal with the pair personally. 

    New Challengers

    With new WWE Tag Team Championship titles, there was also a need for new challengers. Immediately after this presentation, a four-way tag-team match saw The Street Profits overcome New Catch Republic, Legado del Fantasma and The Authors of Pain to become the No. 1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team Titles. The Profits are one of three teams to have held the Raw, SmackDown, and NXT Tag Team titles are are now eager to add another pair of belts to their collection. 

  • WWE Talent Releases April 2024: Jinder Mahal Among Names Leaving After Latest Shakeup

    WWE Talent Releases April 2024: Jinder Mahal Among Names Leaving After Latest Shakeup

    Jinder Mahal is among the names released by WWE today.

    The former WWE Champion posted an ominous message on Twitter today. The Maharaja claimed that he had ‘quit’ implying that he was leaving the company.

    Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful then provided an update and noted that alongside Mahal, Xyon Quinn and Xia Li have also been let go by the company. You can check out the updated list of talents released in April 2024 below:

    • Jinder Mahal
    • Xyon Quinn
    • Xia Li
    • Veer Mahaan 
    • Sanga

    This is the latest WWE shake-up to take place. In the past month, the company has parted ways with major behind-the-scenes names such as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, Dan Ventrelle and Senior Vice President of Athlete ID & Development Trent Wilfinger.

    The release of longtime WWE Director of Community Relations and Hall of Famer Sue Aitchison raised a lot of eyebrows and Artist Rob Schamberger also confirmed his departure from the promotion earlier this week.

    Wrestling World Reacts To April 2024 WWE Releases

    Veer Mahaan took on his Twitter to write a message in Hindi after the news of his release became public knowledge. His tweet translates to: “When it comes to the honor and respect of Indians, sacrifice comes first. Good Bye WWE”

    Xia Li posted a statement on Twitter thanking Triple H and everyone else who helped her through this run. She said that it’s not the end but a new beginning. Kairi Sane who is a close friend of Xia was among the people who reacted to her post:

    Latest WWE Releases

    This is the second time Jinder Mahal has been released by WWE after his initial release in 2014. He returned to the company in 2016 leading to his WWE Championship reign in 2017. He returned to NXT for a run most recently as well.

    Xia Li was signed by the company in 2017 after a tryout in China. She became the first Chinese woman to compete in a WWE ring when she entered the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament. After an NXT stint she made her main roster debut in 2021.

    Xyon Quinn had a somewhat similar WWE experience. He signed a development contract with NXT in 2018. Quinn made his on-screen debut for the company during a SmackDown episode in April 2020 losing to Sheamus in a singles match.

    He continued his stint with NXT despite multiple main roster appearances. He was declared a free agent during the 2023 Drafts and made occasional appearances on both of WWE’s premiere shows.

    Mahal noted on his Twitter bio that the standard 90 days non compete clause applies to his release and the same should be true for the other departures as well.

    Considering the backstage shakeups preceding the latest set of WWE releases, more names leaving the roster can emerge in the next few hours. You can stay tuned to SEScoops for any updates.

  • Seth Rollins Recovering After Recent Knee Surgery

    Seth Rollins Recovering After Recent Knee Surgery

    Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins will be out for the foreseeable future as he is recovering from knee surgery. 

    Rollins hasn’t appeared for WWE since his loss to Drew McIntyre at WWE WrestleMania 40: Sunday. During an appearance on RTE One’s The Late, Late Show, Becky Lynch was asked about how she and Rollins handle wrestling and being parents and disclosed her husband’s recent surgery. 

    “So he just got surgery on Tuesday, he had knee surgery. He tore his meniscus a little while before WrestleMania. His rehab, I suppose, is running after a little 3-year-old now. That’ll be great for his knee.”

    News of Rollins’ surgery shouldn’t come as a massive surprise to fans. In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania, much had been said about the physical condition of the then-World Heavyweight Champion. Post-WrestleMania, it was reported that Rollins would be taking a break from programming. 

    While an initial report said that Rollins wouldn’t miss much time at all, this surgery will have presumably extended the length of his hiatus from the ring. Rollins suffered a partial meniscus tear during a match on Raw in January and opted to rest so that he could still wok both nights of WrestleMania 40. 

    After a 316-day reign on top that saw Rollins lead the way in the absence of Roman Reigns, Seth has certainly earned some time off and can hopefully make a full recovery. At this time, it’s unclear when fans can expect him back but we’re wishing him all the best.

  • Cody Rhodes Vs. AJ Styles Set for WWE Backlash: France in First-Ever Showdown

    Cody Rhodes Vs. AJ Styles Set for WWE Backlash: France in First-Ever Showdown

    Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will put the title on the line against AJ Stlyes at Backlash: France, in what’ll be a first-time showdown between the two. 

    Styles became the number one contender for the title on the April 19, episode of WWE SmackDown with a victory over LA Knight. The previous week, Styles had qualified for the number one contenders match by winning a triple threat that included Kevin Owens and Rey Mysterio. 

    Rhodes didn’t appear in person during WWE SmackDown as he has been in the UK as part of his first overseas tour as Undisputed WWE Champion. In a video promo from London’s O2 Arena, Rhodes spoke about Styles and dubbed him the modern-day ‘Excellence of Execution.’ Rhodes added that his fellow ‘Georgia Boy’ rarely misses, but he doesn’t miss either and he’s looking forward to the showdown in Lyon, France.

    Despite the lengthy careers of both men, this’ll be the first time that Rhodes and Styles face off in singles action. It would only be a handful of months after Styles joined WWE in January 2016 that Rhodes left the company under the bbeleif that he could become something bigger outside WWE. 

    Though AJ and Cody have yet to go one-on-one, Styles knows what it’s like to step into the ring with a Rhodes. In October 2003, Styles faced the American Dream Dusty Rhodes in TNA Wrestling for Styles’ NWA World Heavyweight Championship. The Phenomenal One left with the gold that night and hopes to do the same at Backlash: France when the Undisputed WWE Championship is on the line. 

  • Tiffany Stratton Shares What Made Her First WWE PLE Unforgettable (Exclusive)

    Tiffany Stratton is one of WWE’s fastest  rising stars. Following an impressive showing in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble, the former NXT Women’s champion joined the SmackDown brand and has earned victories over Liv Morgan, Naomi, and Zelina Vega. 

    Stratton spoke with SEScoops earlier this month during the WWE Media Day in Philadelphia over WrestleMania 40 weekend about wanting to wrestle Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 41 and more. 

    A Thunderous Pop In Perth

    Ahead of the 2024 Elimination Chamber event, WWE held a special press event before the members of the WWE Universe, as well as the media, in Perth, Australia.

    In an effort to hype the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, the likes of Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, and Tiffany Stratton were brought out onto the stage. Naturally, Belair and Lynch were greeted by their usual round of cheers, but in a surprise turn of events, a heel Tiffany Stratton was as well. She tells SEScoops correspondent MuscleManMalcolm:

    “I remember being backstage at the press conference, and I remember Triple H said my name and they popped like crazy. It was like the loudest pop, and then they were chanting ‘Tiffy Time’ before I even came out there. It was just so amazing! It was such a good experience for my first PLE.”

    Chants for “Tiffy Time” later extended to the Elimination Chamber event itself, as the people of Perth proudly shouted Stratton’s catchphrase not only during the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, but also during the men’s.

    High School Musical Hot Take

    The former WWE NXT Women’s Champion has previously credited the character of Sharpay Evans of the “High School Musical” film series as one of the inspirations behind her wrestling persona. As such, Stratton was asked to identify which of the three “High School Musical” films was her favorite.

    While she thoroughly enjoys the second iteration, Stratton admits to having a particular affinity for the series’ finale, “High School Musical 3.”

    “I’m going to go with two and three, but kind of leaning more to three,” Stratton said. “I just feel like the characters were more grown up and I feel like the the cameras were better quality.”

  • The Rock Calls WrestleMania 40 ‘Chapter 1’ of His Story As WWE’s Final Boss

    The Rock is ready to do much more as the ‘Final Boss’ of WWE following the historic WrestleMania 40 Premium Live Event. 

    WrestleMania 40: Sunday went off the air with Cody Rhodes standing tall as Undisputed WWE Champion, despite the efforts of The Rock and The Bloodline. On the post-WrestleMania Raw, The Rock made clear that he’ll be back one day and that he’s coming for the American Nightmare. 

    The Rock is expected back on WWE programming, and his return could happen before 2024 is up, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports. It’s said that there is a chance of The Rock doing a match later this year, with fans speculating that a Saudi Arabia show could be in his future. 

    Whether The Rock wrestles again in 2024 or not, his focus remains on Cody Rhodes. The report adds that a match with Rhodes has been tentatively penciled in for WrestleMania, though whether Cody is the champion or not by then will play a factor in booking decisions. 

    Whatever comes next, The Rock’s metamorphosis into the Final Boss has been a hit with fans and is seemingly here to stay. Taking to Instagram, The Rock deemed WrestleMania 40 merely the first chapter of what’s to come with this character. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C582jMOxCOz

    With The Rock part of the TKO board of directors, his connection to WWE is arguably the strongest it’s been in decades. There are still some questions remaining, including where the long-rumored showdown with Roman Reigns will take place. The Tribal Chief is also off of WWE programming for the time being, but for The Rock, his return isn’t an if, but when. 

  • LWO Member Cruz Del Toro Undergoes Surgery

    LWO Member Cruz Del Toro Undergoes Surgery

    WWE star Cruz Del Toro will be out of action after undergoing surgery for an unspecified arm injury in Birmingham, Alabama on Thursday, April 18.

    Cruz’s last televised match took place during the go-home SmackDown before WrestleMania 40, where he participated in the WrestleMania Tag Team title qualifying tournament on SmackDown.

    On Thursday he dropped an Instagram post from the Birmingham Surgery Center in Homewood, Alabama, where he underwent a procedure to repair an unspecified injury. In the image, Del Toro is shown with a cast on his left arm.

    Cruz Del Toro shared the news of his injury on Instagram, where he thanked everyone for their motivation and kind words. Several WWE talents, including Natalya, Michin, Adam Pearce, and Byron Saxton, commented on Del Toro’s post with messages of support, but he must start a new journey back to the ring now.

    A special thank you to Dr. McKeon and the team at Birmingham Surgery Center for their care, the surgery was a success. Thank you for your messages of support and good wishes. I will be back soon and better than ever. Like someone said… #todayisdayone

    https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C56gn-LPXZg

    The LWO member last competed in the ring during the April 5 SmackDown show in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. His partner, Joaquin Wilde participated in a singles match on NXT this week in a losing effort against Ridge Holland.

    Prior to his injury, Del Toro and partner Joaquin Wilde have been active on both the SmackDown and NXT brands. They participated in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic on NXT and the WrestleMania Tag Team title qualifying tournament on SmackDown.

    The LWO in WWE

    The current members of the LWO are Rey Mysterio, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro, Zelina Vega, Carlito, and Dragon Lee. The stable was revived in 2023 as Mysterio was being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

    During Rey Mysterio’s US Title match against Logan Paul at WWE Crown Jewel, Escobar appeared at ringside to take brass knuckles from a member of Paul’s entourage, but he left them on the ring apron as he chased off Paul’s’ friends. This allowed Paul to use the brass knuckles on Rey to win the match.

    Santos Escobar sealed the deal for his direction by turning on Mysterio during the November 10 episode of SmackDown.

    After taking some time off due to injury, Rey Mysterio returned on the March 1 episode of SmackDown to help Carlito defeat Escobar in a street fight. Rey later challenged Escobar to a match on SmackDown, which he lost the following week due to interference from his son, Dominik.

    In a surprise that reunited Andrade and Zelina Vega, he stepped in for Dragon Lee to help Mr. 6-1-9 defeat Escobar and Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 40.

  • Working Agreement Between WWE & Marigold Will See Years of Promotional Crossover

    Working Agreement Between WWE & Marigold Will See Years of Promotional Crossover

    WWE’s new era will see the company form a working relationship with Rossy Ogawa’s new Marigold wrestling promotion, it has been reported.

    Ogawa, the recently-fired founder of STARDOM is hoping to bring stars including IYO SKY and Kairi Sane to a Marigold event expected to take place this summer. Whether that happens or not, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that a working agreement will be in place between the two companies. 

    The main star who’ll benefit from this working agreement is Giulia, who is expected to sign with WWE in the near future. The former NJPW Strong Women’s Champion is expected to compete for both WWE and Marigold before an eventual move to the U.S. Giulia, who appeared at NXT Stand & Deliver alongside Ogawa, is expected to appear on a few big Marigold events per year in addition to her full-time WWE commitments. 

    Giulia is set to appear at Marigold’s debut event in May 2024 alongside a talented roster of women including NXT alum Sareee. Her WWE in-ring debut is expected to be at July’s NXT Heatwave event, possibly with championship gold on the line. 

    WWE forging a working agreement with Marigold, one that’ll seemingly last for multiple years, is a massive change from how the previous administration did business. In stark contrast to Vince McMahon’s ‘don’t play well with others’ approach, WWE is said to be exploring forging working relationships with other companies and Tony Khan has said that he’d be interested in a WWE-AEW partnership, under the right circumstances.