Some WWE fans love him and some loathe him, but Logan Paul has proven himself to be a serial entrepreneur, with a series of business projects to the Maverick’s name. Now, Paul and his PRIME Hydration co-founder KSI are teaming up with YouTuber Mr. Beast to launch Lunchly, a new brand lunches for children.
‘Lunchly’ products will include PRIME Hydration as well as sweet treats from Feastables, Mr. Beast’s brand of candy. The first batch of Lunches items will include Pizza, Fiesta Nachos, and Turkey Stack ‘Ems.
The product is aimed as a direct competitor to Lunchables, with the Lunchly website featuring an entire “Us vs Them” section. The shade is palpable as Lunchly runs down how they stack up against the ‘leading brand’ –
Flavorful Combos: Lunchly offers more flavorful combos, while the leading brand sticks to standard picks.
Electrolytes: Each Lunchly pack contains 400 mg of electrolytes compared to only 55 mg in the comparable product from the leading brand.
Packaging: Lunchly uses bold packaging, whereas the leading brand has basic packaging.
Gestures: Lunchly provides “big gestures,” while the leading brand offers only “mid moments.”
The collaboration of Paul, KSI, and Mr. Beast brings together three of the most popular, and marketable content creators currently working online. The pair collectively have 362 million YouTube subscribers, and over 100 million followers on Instagram, with Mr. Beast making up the majority in both metrics.
Paul has already been able to secure PRIME Hydration as the official beverage sponsor of WWE events, and fans can expect the longest-reigning U.S. Champion of the past decade to do plenty to make Lunchly a viral success.
On the December 6, 2004, edition of WWE Raw, Trish Stratus and Lita competed for the Women’s Championship in a match unlike any women’s match before then. Not only did the pair headline the show, a fact many men on the roster took issue with, but the two women were given ample time to show off their skills in the ring.
The match, which saw Lita win the gold, came at a time when women’s wrestling in WWE was nowhere close to being treated as seriously as its male counterpart. Nevertheless, the match is regarded as one of WWE’s best women’s matches and secured the #55 spot on WWE’s Top 100 Moments In Raw History DVD. In hindsight, it should have been ranked a lot higher than that.
This December will mark 20 years since the iconic match, a fact not lost on Trish Stratus or Lita. Appearing together at Comic Con Northern Ireland over the weekend, Stratus teased something big to mark the anniversary.
“We are definitely coming up on the 20th anniversary of a certain match. Can anyone remember what it is? It’s our main event match, and it’s still talked about to this day.
So, we want to do something special and really reflect on its importance and how it helped us get to where we are today. That’s our goal—we’re masterminding something right now. Look for something special from Team Bestie to celebrate this very momentous occasion.”
Trish Stratus and Lita made history by headlining WWE Raw in December 2004 (Photo: WWE)
Paving the Road
Nearly two decades ago, the idea of women headlining WWE events was unimaginable. However, trailblazers like Trish Stratus and Lita shattered this glass ceiling and paved the way for future generations of female wrestlers:
October 2016: Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks made history as the first women’s match to headline a WWE pay-per-view, and it took place inside Hell in a Cell of all places.
October 2018: The all-women’s pay-per-view, Evolution, closed with Ronda Rousey defending the Raw Women’s Championship against Nikki Bella.
April 2019: Less than a later, history was made once again at WrestleMania 35 when Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch headlined the event in a triple threat match, with Lynch closing the show raising both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on whatever Trish Stratus and Lita have cooking for the 20th Anniversary of their iconic WWE Raw main event.
For more on Trish Stratus and Lita’s iconic WWE Raw main event from December 2004, check out this video of them rewatching it together 15 years later:
WWE Hall of Famer Lita believes women’s wrestling has progressed enough where we can retire gender-specific championships and have titles which represent everyone.
The Attitude Era star was joined by fellow women’s wrestling legend Trish Stratus for a panel at the Northern Ireland Comic-Con by Monopoly Events.
During the session, the duo was asked what changes they would make to the women’s division if they were booking it. Trish Stratus mentioned how the quality of wrestling among female competitors has improved significantly in the last few years but she explained that it has come at the cost of character work:
“I think I would like to have a little bit more focus on characters, right? I feel like, for sure, now there’s way more opportunities for women. Obviously, we see them main eventing all the time, and we see them in high-profile matches. But I think what we had back in the day was a lot more character stuff.
You got to know these characters, and the fans could really resonate with the character a little bit more. Now they’re just kind of having these great matches, but there’s no backstory as much as there was back in the day. So, I think character development would be one thing I’d like to focus on.”
Lita Wants To See More Intergender Interactions
Lita then chimed in talking about how women are getting more representation on shows now. The thing she would change, however, is increase the interaction between male and female competitors. The former champion even suggested the idea of gender-neutral titles to achieve this:
“What I would love to see is more interplay between the genders and have those lines be blurred further, where titles don’t have to be men’s or women’s titles, just titles, and whoever manages to get somebody’s shoulders down for three seconds is the champion, or whoever taps somebody out is the champion for that night.”
WWE has played with the idea of intergender wrestling on occasion but never fully committed to it. Chyna winning the Intercontinental Championship was the biggest example of it. She defended the championship against many male competitors during her run. The title went back to being exclusive to the men’s division afterward.
In more recent years we have seen Beth Pheonix wrestling Santino Marella and the brief interaction between Dean Ambrose and Nia Jax before the former left the company.
The storyline between Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley is the closest we have come to seeing intergender wrestling matches under Triple H. It’s possible that this story may lead to a revision of the past somewhere down the line.
Rob Van Dam had a busy Friday as the WWE Hall Of Famer made his return to SmackDown, and Mr. Monday Night noticed a very different vibe to Triple H’s new regime.
RVD and his wife Katie Forbes were invited as guests for the first SmackDown on USA Network. The power couple were seen sitting ringside for Kevin Owens & Randy Orton vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller and Van Dam was impressed with what he saw.
Speaking to me on a yet-to-be-released episode of his ‘1 Of A Kind With RVD’ podcast, the Hall of Famer shared his view of how different WWE is these days, both in the ring and backstage in the locker room.
“It was in a way that’s refreshing to make me realize how out of touch with the product I am because I didn’t realize that a lot of the things people have been telling me are in effect.”
Rob says in just watching the one match in some ways WWE seems to be aiming at bringing the wrestling product back to more storytelling and simplifying the exhibition of the in-ring action. Van Dam also loved the new SmackDown logo.
“I love creative s*** like that.”
Backstage Interactions With Triple H & The Modern Roster
Rob Van Dam had a brief interaction with Kevin Owens backstage after his match with a fist bump, hung with Booker T, Ron Simmons and Teddy Long in the legends dressing room. He also did some interviews on behalf of WWE for future projects. He also did get to chat with Triple H.
“He was really cool, in a good mood and I got good vibes off him as well.”
Van Dam did hear Triple H talk during a meeting about how the touring schedule would change and it reminded him of how daunting the old WWE schedule used to be.
A lot of the modern roster approached him to thank him for being there and saying how they enjoy his podcast too. RVD noted even a talent appreciated the knowledge they get from listening to Mr. Monday Night.
“Just getting feedback from social media or whatever, not only is it toxic, but it’s also deceiving because they were there to have fun. It was so obvious, again I’m gonna use the word refreshing, it was so refreshing.”
RVD said the fans were completely along for the ride and that was a big strong takeaway from the crowd.
“I get it, it’s a very fun vibe.”
Rob also made mention that he found entire WWE dressing room to be positive. No one was tired or exhausted as he remembered when he was full time and everyone looked very happy to be involved in the growth of the company.
New episodes of “1 Of A Kind With RVD” releases every Monday at 4:20 PM ET.Please h/t to SEScoops for the transcription.
Former WWE star Bobby Lashley recently opened up on his future endeavors after parting ways with WWE. His former Hurt Business stablemate MVP said that he won’t be going back to WWE during a Bloodsport event. Fans have been anticipating what he and Bobby Lashley have planned next. There have been reports that Lashley and MVP hope to reunite in AEW with free agent Shelton Benjamin also possibly joining them.
In his vlog, ‘The All Mighty’ talked about his status and his future. The former WWE Champion said that his pro wrestling journey is not over yet and he still wants to wrestle following his departure from WWE. He said that he doesn’t know what’s his next destination but he is ready for anything. Lashley said:
“I see so many articles about what I’m gonna do. Is it WWE? Is it TNA? Is it AEW? I can’t control any of that. But the one thing I can control is how I prepare. I’m ready for anything.”
– Bobby Lashley
The Hurt Syndicate
Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin could soon reunite in AEW. They could get back together as The Hurt Syndicate, judging by a trademark filing last month. A trademark filing was recently made for the term The Hurt Syndicate for use in pro wrestling and entertainment services.
Totally Harmless Concept LLC filed to trademark “The Hurt Syndicate” a few weeks ago following the filing for trademarks on other MVP-related phrases and names.
Lashley’s New Vlog
Lashley launched a new series called ‘Phenoms to Legends.’ The former WWE star revealed that during his WWE tenure, he used an RV to travel between shows. Now, he is planning to travel around the country in his RV and meet talented young athletes. The brand new series will also give them the chance to share their stories.
Multi-time WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair is not expected to return just yet. “The Queen” has been on the shelf as she is recuperating from a significant knee injury including tears to her ACL, MCL, and meniscus which she suffered last year. The 14-time Women’s Champion has been doing her best to make her comeback to the ring.
Fightful Select has reported that there were reports of creative plans involving Charlotte Flair moving forward, specifically involvement with WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax and Ms. Money In The Bank Tiffany Stratton. However, WWE sources indicste she is not cleared yet. There is a belief that there will still be some time before she returns to the ring as the injuries that she sustained last year were severe.
BREAKING: Due to a knee injury that will require surgery, @MsCharlotteWWE will be out of action for approximately 9 months. More details to come.
Charlotte underwent major knee surgery in January. She’s been documenting her training on social media, which has given people a sense of optimism. She posted this video approximately six weeks ago, accompanied by a quote from the movie Any Given Sunday (1999) that shares her mentality as she powers through this latest advertsity.
On the other hand, Charlotte Flair will be a part of an upcoming indie horror/thriller movie, You Lose You Die. Previously, Flair worked outside WWE. Her movie debut took place when she starred as Heather Rockrear in Psych: The Movie in 2017. It is a spin-off of the popular show about fake psychic investigator. Flair has also starred as herself in the remake of Punky Brewster with fellow WWE wrestler Alexa Bliss.
Despite her absence, Charlotte Flair has kept her eye on the shows and recently made it clear that she wants to share the ring with the NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez.
In 2024, WWE has collaborated with several promotions, in stark contrast to how the company did business under the watchful eye of Vince McMahon. Now, Grayson Waller is set to compete outside the promotion in what will prove to be a homecoming for the self-professed Aussie Icon.
Grayson will be a part of PWA Black Label’s Grand Final event, a two-day spectacle that’ll kick off on October 12, at the Metro Theatre in Sydney, Australia. Waller will take on Jimmy Townsend, somebody who Waller is very familiar with. In a video shared by PWA Black Label, Waller recalled taking Townsend under his wing before making clear that he’ll hold nothing back when they face off.
??? COLOSSEUM SATURDAY ??? JIMMY TOWNSEND VS GRAYSON WALLER IS ON
Can @prefectjimmy swim? Or will he sink? Find out OCTOBER 12
Waller joined PWA in 2017 under the name Matty Wahlberg and would remain with the promotion until signing with WWE in early 2021. In singles competition, Waller and Townsend have faced just once before in a PWA ring in a January 2021 showdown won by the future WWE Superstar.
WWE’s Collaboration
PWA Black Label is just the latest company to benefit from WWE’s newfound willingness to work with others. Currently, TNA Wrestling has worked with WWE NXT in a partnership that has seen talent appear on both sides. Several NXT Superstars are planned for upcoming TNA events while Zachary Wentz will be part of NXT’s debut on The CW.
Pro Wrestling NOAH and Marigold Wrestling have also seen WWE talent appear for their respective shows with AJ Styles and IYO SKY stepping through the ‘prohibited portal’ over the summer. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WWE and its continued efforts to work with other wrestling promotions.
Kurt Angle is a fan of Kenny Omega and he believes that even though high spots wrestling is popular right now the time for more technical matches will return.
Amid all the WWE talk, Angle was asked if there is anyone from AEW who he likes and the wrestling veteran unsurprisingly named Kenny Omega. Kurt noted that the Best Bout Machine can have a good match with just about anybody:
“I love Kenny Omega. I think he’s a great talent. He can have a 5-star match with just about anybody. Kid’s really well-versed. I didn’t know about the injuries but man I saw the one match with him and the kid from the UK [Will Ospreay]. That was a match to remember. They lit it up that night.”
When asked about the difference in style between him and Omega as well as the inclusion of more high-flying spots in today’s wrestling, Kurt Angle explained that it’s the evolution of the sport. Though he claimed that there is always room for more technical stuff and hoped that it will become the norm again someday:
“What you’re getting today is you’re getting a lot better athletes. That are doing more dangerous stunts, more stunt work than really wrestling and working in the ring. But I think that’s because the business evolved. People like to see high-action wrestling matches.
When I wrestled Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero it was all technique. It was technical matches. We didn’t do a lot of crazy stuff. I think there is always room for that. I think it will eventually come back again as it has in the past.”
Apart from this, Kurt Angle praised Chad Gable for the work he has been doing the last few months. The Olympic Gold Medalist also said that he would be open to managing American Made if WWE offered him the right deal.
Hall of Famer Kevin Nash has reacted to the second alleged assassination attempt on former United States President Donald Trump.
FBI on Sunday revealed that they were investigating ‘what appears to be an attempted assassination’ of Donald Trump at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.
This came after the US Secret Service fired at a man pointing a rifle at the club. The person dropped the rifle and fled in an SUV. He was later arrested by officials.
The former WWE star took to Twitter after the news of the incident spread. He implored the businessman-turned-politician to protect himself by avoiding open-air events:
Trump needs to stay off the golf course and open air events. Our society is so divided. Please @realDonaldTrump protect yourself.
The arrested suspect has been identified as 58-year-old Ryan Wesley Routh. New York Times revealed that Routh is a former roofing contractor from Greensboro, N.C.
This incident comes only weeks after Trump’s ear was grazed by a bullet in an assassination attempt while the former President was addressing a campaign rally in Butler Township, Pennsylvania on July 13, 2024.
Donald Trump served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He ran for office again in 2021 but lost to Democratic Party candidate Joe Biden.
Biden suspended his re-election campaign in July this year and endorsed Kamala Harris for president who will once again be running against the US businessman.
Trump has made many WWE appearances over the years most famously participating in the Battle of the Billionaires storyline against Vince McMahon which led to the WrestleMania 23 match between Bobby Lashley and Umaga.
CM Punk is the latest wrestling superstar to call out airport collectors after an apparent unpleasant experience of his own.
The Straight Edge Star put up an Instagram story calling out people who continue following talents despite being told off. He mentioned that airports are not meet & greets and asked people to stop using children as their excuse to continue harassing wrestlers:
“Hey guys, Love y’all, but friendly reminder to respect privacy and boundaries. Airports are not a meet and greet. If I have to ask you to please stop following me multiple times you have crossed a line. Please stop this. Thank you. (And stop using your children as a shield or an excuse.)”
CM Punk joins the long list of talents that have been forced to speak up due to the continuous harassment from the so-called fans. Talents such as Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio, and Kris Statlander have all called out airport scrappers to no avail.
The wrestling community also spoke up against the atrocious conduct of such people after a video of Asuka being swarmed by the pseudo-collectors at the airport went viral earlier this year.
Seth Rollins too had talked about people using children for such acts during an interview last year. Though he had taken a positive approach saying that such cases were exception and people shouldn’t lose their faith in humanity because of it.
CM Punk is currently involved in an intense rivalry with Drew McIntyre where both stars have picked up one victory over each other. The two wrestling veterans are set to meet for one final time in a Hell In A Cell match at the upcoming Bad Blood PPV event.
This week’s WWE Raw broadcasts live on the USA Network at 8/7c from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
CM Punk’s Return: CM Punk is set to make an appearance to address his upcoming Hell in a Cell match against Drew McIntyre at WWE Bad Blood 2024.
World Tag Team Championship Match: The Judgment Day, represented by Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh, will defend their titles against The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods). Bálor and JD are a formidable team, but the odds are stacked against them in this match. The New Day are the most decorated tag team in WWE history, with a record 12 reigns.
Grudge Match: Former World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest will face former Judgment Day teammate ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio in a grudge match.
Monsters Collide: “Big” Bronson Reed collides with Braun Strowman in a battle of the big men.
Singles Match: Natalya vs. Zoe Stark
We can also expect to see follow-up on Jey Uso’s win in the Intercontinental Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament, and the latest developments with The Judgment Day and the Terror Twins.
WWE Bad Blood will have a special start time. The upcoming premium live event takes place Saturday, October 5, 2024 and will begin at 6e/3p. The event is starting earlier than usual to avoid conflict with UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. later in the evening.
It’s already shaping up to be a unique event. The card will feature the return of Hell in a Cell, along with Roman Reigns’ first match since WrestleMania. He’s teaming with the man who dethroned him and shattered The Bloodline, Cody Rhodes.
Here’s the current match lineup:
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre (Hell in a Cell match).
Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship.
Damian Priest vs. Finn Bálor.
Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.
Nia Jax (c) defends the WWE Women’s Championship against the winner of a match between Naomi and Bayley.
Watch WWE Bad Blood live on Peacock in the United States on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
At UFC 307 on Oct. 5, the main event features a thrilling light heavyweight title fight as Alex Pereira defends his championship against Khalil Rountree Jr. Pereira, known for his striking prowess, aims to make his third successful title defense, while Rountree seeks to capitalize on his opportunity despite past setbacks.
In the co-main event, Raquel Pennington will defend her bantamweight title against Julianna Peña. Pennington, fresh off her championship win earlier this year, faces Peña, who is eager to reclaim the title she lost in 2022. This bout promises to deliver high stakes and intense action. Visit our partner site MMANews.com for more UFC news.
Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were left off some of the recent WWE Premium Live Events and the superhero-like pair has addressed the matter.
Belair and Cargill are the reigning WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and they want to elevate the titles. While speaking on The Masked Man Show, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were asked how they felt when they were excluded from premium live events. The former AEW star said that she is looking at it as motivation. She said that they are reviving the tag team titles and want to take the gold to new heights. That being said, she does want to get featured on more PLEs.
“It’s motivation. I would say it’s motivation for us to go out there and perform and have our fans go and beg for us to be on these PLEs like they’ve been doing. If we go out there and we continue to crush our matches, they’re going to do nothing but want more and more of it.
Right now, I believe that [Bianca] and I are reviving these belts and wanting to elevate these belts to new heights. So our job is to continue to elevate the women’s division. As far as the tag team division, [we want to] get on more PLEs, and we just performed, people loved that. We’re gonna continue to perform and be on more and more and more. The motivation is there.”
On the other hand, ‘The EST of WWE’ said she did not take offense to being left off of the PLEs. She spoke about the talented women’s roster and tag team division and felt that other talents needed the opportunity to perform on the shows. The former WWE Women’s Champion explained:
“I want to be on as many PLE’s as possible, but at the same time, it’s a dog-eat-dog world out here, and so many people, so many talents that want to be on these PLEs, and there’s not a lot of matches right now. So I don’t take offense to it when we aren’t on them, but I just know I’m rooting for the girls when it’s their turn on it. Because I know it’s gonna be our turn, we’re gonna want them to root for us, so we’re just gonna keep doing our thing and take these titles to as many places as possible.”
Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair recently defeated The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) to reclaim the women’s tag titles which they had dropped in June. On the season premiere edition of Raw on September 9th, the Unholy Union challenged yet again for the gold but they were unsuccessful.
The Women’s tag team division hasn’t been thriving despite efforts from the likes of Damage CTRL and the newly formed Pure Fusion Collective. Belair and Cargill have been a top act in the women’s division but they need more credible opponents to pose a challenge for the titles. The powerhouse duo is having quite a run as a tag team but Cargill previously said that it was initially not in the plans.
At WWE Armageddon 2006, MVP, one of the hottest rising stars on SmackDown, got too hot for his own good when he met Kane in an Inferno match. The fourth and final Inferno match (to date) saw Kane finally win in the fiery stipulation as he set MVP’s back aflame to open the SmackDown pay-per-view.
18 years on, MVP still has vivid memories of being burned by the Devil’s Favorite Demon. Speaking during a virtual signing for K & S WrestleFest, MVP revealed how WWE was able to pull off the dangerous stunt.
“I had a flannel suit that was dumped in this like freezing cold gel, and on top of that I had a dry one, and then the seamstress had to sew the top and bottom together.”
Ironically, the unique outfit left MVP so cold that his prostrate retracted, the former WWE U.S. Champion joked during the signing. MVP added that the match was “terrifying” to be a part of and not just because of the fire. After selling one move, MVP inhaled the gas that was being used for the flames and couldn’t breathe for a few seconds, which left the young Superstar even more scared.
What’s To Come?
MVP has wisely kept away from competing in fiery matches ever since and recently made clear that he’s not finished in the ring just yet. After parting ways with WWE earlier this year, MVP’s return to the ring will come this November when he takes on Josh Barnett at Bloodsport XII. The 50-year-old confronted MVP at Bloodsport XI earlier this year, setting up a fight between the two.
Kurt Angle believes WWE made the mistake of pushing Roman Reigns too early but the Tribal Chief has followed through and proven why he is one of the best in the world.
The Head of The Table has been operating on a whole new level since his heel turn in 2020. With his character work, Reigns has led the company into a boom period like it hasn’t seen since the Attitude Era.
During a recent K & S WrestleFest virtual signing, Angle was asked if there is any current WWE star he would have loved to get in the ring with. The Olympic Gold Medallist unsurprisingly named the former world champion:
“Roman Reigns. I’m not gonna lie to you the kid’s been on fire. I will say this – he earned every bit that he’s gotten. I do believe the company pushed him a little too early and the fans didn’t wanna accept that but he’s followed through. He’s proven that he’s one of the best in the world right now.”
Kurt Angle was also asked about the work of Jacob Fatu. The wrestling veteran praised Fatu as well before mentioning how the whole Anoa’i family is filled with great wrestling talents:
“Yeah he’s doing really well too. All those guys [are] extremely talented. They all come from the same family, the same Samoan background but yeah, they’re all extremely good. They’ve always been. You look at Rikishi and the ones in the past. They have a great reputation of being great workers.”
Apart from Roman, Kurt Angle also praised a number of other current stars including Chad Gable, Seth Rollins and the current World Heavyweight Champion Gunther.
The WWE Hall of Famer said that the Ring General is a throwback to the past and he is as good in the ring as Eddie Guerrero or Chris Benoit.
On the September 13, edition of WWE SmackDown, Kevin Owens was set to team with a mystery partner to face A-Town Down Under. When Owens’ original partner Randy Orton was late to the show, the Prizefighter brought out a last-minute replacement named Ricky. Just before the match began though, Owens learned that Orton had arrived in time, and quickly ended his make-shift partnership with Ricky.
Gibson is the latest name on the ever-growing list of men Kevin Owens has betrayed, and fans have rallied behind the would-be tag-team partner of the former Universal Champion. On Twitter, the hashtag #WeWantRicky trended after his appearance on SmackDown and several fans shared their support for Gibson.
The well of support for Ricky has continued to grow since SmackDown, so much so that Owens himself has chimed in, sharing his thanks to Ricky for filling in for Orton, and an apology for the stunner.
Gibson began his wrestling career in 2005 and has competed for DEFY, West Coast Pro, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. In January 2023, Gibson appeared for AEW Dark: Elevation and AEW Dark where he lost in tag-team matches. Gibson was also part of a six-man tag-team match before the May 15, 2024, edition of AEW Dynamite but lost to the Dark Order.
In September 2023, WWE and UFC officially came together as TKO Group Holdings in a blockbuster move for both companies. Since then, fans have seen WWE Superstars at UFC events, and that was the case last night at the UFC 306 show.
UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili took place inside the Sphere in Paradise, Nevada, with a total of ten fights taking place. WWE’s very own Rey and Dominik Mysterio were spotlighted at the event, though were seen separately. The two have been at odds since September 2022 when Dominik turned on his Hall of Fame father at WWE Clash At The Castle in Cardiff, Wales.
WWE NXT Battleground was at the UFC Apex on June 9, the first time any WWE event has been held at the venue. Ironically, that show saw WWE work with yet another company, as TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace was on the card. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE and their work with UFC.
WWE Superstars come to the promotion from all kinds of backgrounds, with some having no wrestling experience before inking a contract. Danielle Sekelsky has proved her athletic skills for years as a professional cheerleader but now she’s ready to step into the squared circle. On Instagram, Sekelsky shared that she was part of the tryouts over WrestleMania week and now, she is officially a part of WWE.
Sekelsky previously worked as a cheerleader for the Tennessee Titans and is a former World Cheerleading Champion. WWE confirmed Sekelsky’s arrival on Twitter with photos of her alongside other recruits.
Sekelsky isn’t the first cheerleader to make it to the squared circle. Before joining WWE in 2013, Carmella spent three seasons cheering for the New England Patriots (2008-10) and was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers dance team during the 2010-11 season.
Naomi may be best known for her time in WWE, but she was once part of both the Orlando Magic cheerleading squad and dance team. Maxxine Dupri is a former Phoenix Suns dancer and Los Angeles Rams cheerleader, a career that helped her get very familiar with performing in front of live fans.
WWE SmackDown has a new residence in USA Network and a new intro song courtesy of Megan Thee Stallion, but the rap artist may have more planned.
SmackDown on USA kicked off in a big way with a Steel Cage Match for the Undisputed Championship but the show first fired off with “Neva Play” by Megan Thee Stallion and RM.
Both Michael Cole and Corey Graves put over the new tune during the show on the same program where Cole also made a Steely Dan reference regarding Kevin Owens “surprise” tag team partner Ricky Gibson.
An hour into SmackDown, Megan went onto social media to say she should maybe step into the ring now, “I think it’s finally time I make my debut lol.”
Megan Thee Stallion already had some pro wrestling ties before this new SmackDown song dropped. Back when she was SmackDown Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair was shown pictured with the artist and just this year, she and Mercedes Mone were shown together at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards where the TBS Women’s Champion hoped to get Stallion in the ring “very soon.”
Stallion, however, isn’t the only mainstream pop artist paying tribute to pro wrestling. Weeks back at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Chappell Roan was all decked out in a lucha libre themed set during her performance which prompted an open invite from All Elite Wrestling. Additionally, NWA owner Billy Corgan has typically had a “pro wrestling skirmish” go down during his Smashing Pumpkins performance who is currently on tour with Green Day.
The September 16, 2024 edition of WWE Raw broadcasts live on the USA Network at 8/7c from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The venue has hosted several premium live events over the years, including WWE Unforgiven in 2004, WWE No Mercy in 2008 and NXT TakeOver: Portland in 2020.
Matches:
On Saturday, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce announced two matches for the show:
Former World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest will face former Judgment Day teammate ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio in a grudge match.
“Big” Bronson Reed collides with Braun Strowman in a battle of the big men.
In addition to these two matches, the show is being built around CM Punk’s return. Punk was viciously attacked by Drew McIntyre two weeks ago. Their heated rivalry will culminate inside Hell in a Cell at WWE Bad Blood.
We’ll post an updated preview for Monday’s WWE Raw when the card is finalized.
Two more pro wrestlers have gotten engaged as Lyra Valkryia got quite the proposal to kick off the weekend. While in New York City, the former NXT Women’s Champion happened to walk into a hotel room adorned with rose pedals and photos of her and her long-time boyfriend LJ Cleary. Rose pedals were laid out on the bedspread asking Lyria, “Will you marry me?”
Valkyria clearly said yes as Cleary took to Instagram to share the big news that also shows Valkyria wearing a beautiful engagement ring.
“Yes. 10 years together celebrated by getting engaged to the person I will be spending the rest of my life with, and she is the love of mine.”
Several names like Scotty Too Hotty, Flash Morgan Webster and Pretty Deadly’s Kit Wilson all took a moment to congratulate Cleary and Valkyria on the happy news.
Valkyria was just showcased on WWE Raw as she teamed with a returning Natalya in Calgary to defeat the Pure Fusion Collective in a six-woman tag match.
Congratulations to Lyra Valkyria and LJ Cleary on this exciting news!
While Valkyria has been busy on WWE Raw since after WrestleMania, LJ Cleary has been honing his wrestling craft overseas both in Ireland and NOAH. Cleary just actually celebrated his one year anniversary in being with NOAH, but back in June made his debut in New Japan. Just a week ago, Cleary competed in London under the NOAH & Progress banner taking on Amakusa.
WWE is teasing the return of a forgotten stipulation match for Chelsea Green that might get a mixed reaction from fans on its revival. The company brought in a number of veterans for last night’s SmackDown season premiere on USA Network including RVD, Ron Simmons, Teddy Long, and Vickie Guerrero.
The show also featured a singles match between Piper Niven and Michin with Green being at the ringside. When Chelsea confronted Michin during the bout, the female star took the diva out with a kendo stick. Michin went on to win the match but Green attacked her after the bell rang. After Niven landed a senton on her opponent, Green finished the segment off by bringing out a garbage can and delivering an Unprettier to Michin on the top of the can.
In a SmackDown lowdown segment after the show, Vickie Guerrero praised Green and suggested that she should face Michin in a Dumpster match.
Green didn’t take the suggestion kindly. She went off on Vickie claiming that the former GM didn’t even belong there. The current SmackDown GM Nick Aldis who was around heard the whole conversation, however, and he thought that it was a fantastic idea.
A Dumpster match is very similar to a Casket match. It’s a no-disqualification hardcore match where the sole purpose is to force your opponent into a dumpster and close the lid.
The first Dumpster match took place at WrestleMania XIV in 1998. Cactus Jack teamed up with Chainsaw Charlie for the bout and they defeated the New Age Outlaws to win the WWF Tag Team Championships.
A match of this type has not been seen on WWE programming since April 2017 when Braun Strowman defeated Kalisto during an episode of Raw.
Another Stipulation Match Returning
WWE’s regular calendar features several stipulations matches, including the Royal Rumble, WarGames and Money in the Bank. With Chelsea Green teasing the return of the dumpster match, another rare and unusual match type is making a comeback: the Bull Rope Match.
The Great Khali is not interested in engaging in debates of wrestling being fake or real and he believes that if you’re a fan you should ignore others and just enjoy the sport.
The Punjabi Playboy recently sat down with RJ Rohan for an interview. He discussed topics such as if he misses the life of WWE, his new restaurant in Punjab, and more.
When asked about the constant debate about wrestling being fake vs real, Khali said that it all depends on your own mindset. He explained that wrestlers have to train for years and they go through many hardships. If someone still calls it fake, you should ignore them and enjoy the sport:
“What do you think? I believe it is as you think it is. If you think it’s fake then it’s fake. It’s fake for you but for me it’s real. If you think it’s fake then I’m saying it’s fake. See you have to spend many years on this. You have to spend a lot of time; a lot of injuries happen. It’s the toughest game. I say it’s alright if people still think it’s fake, just enjoy it.”
— Anutosh Bajpai || SEScoops || Wrestling News (@AuthorAnutosh) September 14, 2024
I Can’t Change Your Perspective: The Great Khali
The former World Heavyweight Champion mentioned how it’s fruitless to try to convince someone that wrestling is real. He explained that wrestling is one of the most popular sports in the world watched by millions.
Even if you think it’s fake, you should leave the wrestlers who make their livelihood from it and fans who enjoy it alone. He also joked that anyone who is still not convinced can get into the ring with any of his CWE wrestlers and find out:
“If you think it’s fake then I can’t change your perspective. I have CWE. My wrestler will come and powerbomb you four times. He’ll give you a tombstone like Undertaker. If you still get up it’s fake, if you stay down then it’s real. It’s simple.”
Continental Wrestling Entertainment or CWE is a wrestling school and independent promotion in Punjab, India which was founded by the WWE alumnus in 2015 after he returned from America.
The former WWE star has also gotten into politics and acting since returning to his home country. He has starred in a number of Bollywood and regional movies since retiring from active competition.
WWE SmackDown, one of professional wrestling’s most iconic weekly shows, unveiled a new logo ahead of its premiere on the USA Network. This redesign marks a significant moment in the show’s visual identity, prompting fans and visual design-heads alike to examine how it stacks up against its predecessors.
The New SmackDown Logo: A Closer Look
The new WWE SmackDown logo features a bold, modern design that sets it apart from previous iterations. The most striking element is the stylized “S” and “D” that form the centerpiece of the logo.
Key Design Elements
Stylized S/D: The logo’s focal point is a cleverly designed “S” that seamlessly transitions into a “D”.
Color Scheme: While the full color palette hasn’t been revealed, the logo appears to maintain SmackDown’s signature blue hues.
Typography: The word “SMACKDOWN” is presented in a strong, angular font that complements the stylized initials.
Fan Reception
Initial reactions to the new logo have been mixed. Some fans appreciate the modern approach, while others find it less appealing than previous designs. One Reddit user commented that the logo could be read as “CMACKDOWN” or “SMACKSOWN,” highlighting potential legibility issues.
Evolution of the SmackDown Logo
To truly understand how the new logo ranks against the classics, it’s essential to look back at the evolution of SmackDown’s visual identity over the years.
The Original (1999-2001)
SmackDown’s first logo was a product of its time, featuring an edgy, graffiti-inspired design that perfectly captured the attitude era of professional wrestling.
The Fist Era (2001-2008)
The “Fist Era” of SmackDown from 2001 to 2008 had a sleeker design than the more Attitude Era focused one from before, but it wasn’t anywhere near as iconic.
The HD Era (2008-2016)
As WWE transitioned to high-definition broadcasts, SmackDown’s logo became sleeker and more modern, featuring a metallic 3D effect. There was also a SmackDown X design to celebrate ten years of the show.
SmackDown Live Era
The SmackDown Live era from 2016-2019 had a more minimalist look, with a lot of emphasis on the word LIVE being thrown in there.
The Current Era (2019-2024)
The most recent logo before the current redesign featured a bold, all-caps “SMACKDOWN” with a slight tilt, giving it a dynamic feel.
Comparing the New Logo to the Classics
When ranking the new SmackDown logo against its predecessors, several factors come into play:
Visual Impact
The new logo certainly makes a statement with its bold design. However, it may lack the immediate visual punch of the Original logo, which many fans consider the gold standard.
Brand Recognition
One of the strengths/weaknesses (depending on your view) of the new logo is its unique “S/D” design, which could become instantly recognizable over time. However, it may take some getting used to for long-time fans who are accustomed to more traditional designs.
How Does It Rank?
Ranking the new SmackDown logo against its classic predecessors is subjective and will likely vary among fans. While it may not have the nostalgic appeal of the original logo or the energy of the fist era logo, the new design brings SmackDown firmly into the modern era…kind of.
Its unique approach means that it will probably stand out in the crowded media landscape, and its simplicity should serve it well across various applications. However, its true test will be how it’s received by fans over time and how effectively it represents the SmackDown brand in the years to come.
Having said that, it isn’t the best logo, but it arguably isn’t the worst, but it screws more towards the bottom end of the overall ranking.
WWE has an electrifying lineup of Premium Live Events (PLEs) scheduled for the rest of 2024, including the return of a classic PPV name we haven’t seen in over 20 years.
On October 5, 2024, it’s the return of WWE Bad Blood from Atlanta, GA.
Historically, Bad Blood has been known for brutal matches, including the first ever Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels way back in 1997.
CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre has been confirmed for inside the HIAC structure, and it should be an absolute barnburner.
WWE Crown Jewel
Rounding out the currently announced PLEs, WWE Crown Jewel is scheduled for November 2, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Crown Jewel has now become a staple in WWE’s annual schedule, featuring marquee matches and star-studded lineups for the live crowd in Saudi.
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames returns on Saturday, November 30, 2024 from Vancouver, B.C. at the Rogers Arena.
This page will be updated as WWE announces the remaining shows of the year.
