SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • WWE Has Made Contact With Steve Austin About WrestleMania 40 Role

    WWE Has Made Contact With Steve Austin About WrestleMania 40 Role

    WWE’s biggest event of the year is coming up in 10 days, and there is no shortage of WrestleMania hype. It appears that fans may need to expect the Texas Rattlesnake as well.

    Although nothing has been confirmed, WWE has been in contact with Steve Austin about making an appearance at WrestleMania 40.

    WWE Wants Austin For WrestleMania

    PW Insider reports that WWE is in discussions to include Stone Cold Steve Austin in WrestleMania 40 weekend. The details of Austin’s role are undisclosed, but an overture has been made.

    Steve Austin’s appearance on a production truck during this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW was noticed by many fans. Several other legends have also been rumored for WrestleMania 40 weekend, because John Cena was on that truck as well.

    WWE’s WrestleMania Aspirations

    It was previously reported that WWE is looking to have John Cena, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Undertaker at WrestleMania 40. As of this writing, we have not heard of any possible role that they will play at the show of shows.

    Steve Austin’s last match took place at WrestleMania 38 in a No Holds Barred match against Kevin Owens. That marked Austin’s first match to date since WrestleMania XIX in 2003.

    John Cena and WrestleMania 40

    It was reported in February that John Cena wants to do “something” for WrestleMania 40. He has since confirmed that he has the day off.

    Cena is going to start shooting the second season of Peacemaker in the early summer. We will have to see if WWE can get Cena to appear at the show of shows before that obligation starts.

    SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more from the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back throughout the day for more updates.

  • Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair Are Still Working On Repairing Their Friendship

    Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair Are Still Working On Repairing Their Friendship

    WWE fans rejoiced last year when friends turned rivals Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair teamed up in a Wargames Match at WWE Survivor Series. For a few years, their relationship was strained and evident when they both were on TV. However, Lynch and Flair were able to reconcile and appear to be on better terms lately. 

    In her new book, Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl, Lynch discusses her relationship with Flair from her perspective. She also discussed their fallout and reconciliation in depth in a recent interview with Adam Silverstein of Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast.  

    Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair at WWE Survivor Series Press Conference 

    Lynch was asked about how they repaired their friendship and her thoughts on where she stands with her currently. Lynch replied that despite their issues, they still loved each other and would’ve been there for each other in bad times. She also noted the passing of her peers like Bray Wyatt and put into perspective that life is too short to hold on to past issues. 

    “…Having that hostility towards somebody kind of weighs on you, you know what I mean? I think life is too short for that and we witnessed that. We’ve seen the tragic passing of people that went far too young, like Bray Wyatt, like Luke Harper, and other friends who passed away that were very close to me in the last few months too, and so all of those things I think as you grow and mature you realize that these petty differences aren’t worth the toxicity it leaves in you and the weight that it carries,” said Lynch.

    She also confirmed that the interactions fans saw from them at the WWE Survivor Series were genuine and that they reconciled. 

    More On Becky Lynch’s New Book

    Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl is available on Amazon and other platforms in hardcover, digital, and audio. Her peers, including her husband, Seth Rollins, Stephenie McMahon, and John Cena, have praised the book. 

    One of the notable praises comes from Mick Foley, who helped inspire her to write a memoir.

    Amazon shared and transcribed Foley’s thoughts on her book on their website. 

    “Becky Lynch: The Man is one of the finest wrestling books—or memoirs of any kind—I have had the pleasure to read. Actually, it was equal parts, honor and pleasure; Becky allowed me in on the ground floor of her creative process, and I read with great joy as she found her voice as a writer. I am so glad she has chosen to share that voice and her remarkable life story with all of us.”

    Lynch’s rollout of her new book seems to be going very well as she explores a new career venture. The hope is that she will add becoming a New York Times Best-Selling Author to her many accomplishments over the years.  

  • WWE Releases Bizarre Roman Reigns ‘Diss’ With Unknown Artist on Spotify

    WWE Releases Bizarre Roman Reigns ‘Diss’ With Unknown Artist on Spotify

    Roman Reigns may demand the acknowledgement of fans, but WWE has shared a bizarre ‘diss track’ of the Tribal Chief. 

    On Spotify, WWE has shared two tracks as part of this ‘Roman Reigns Diss’ with Kmg Bezzal. The tracks in question are ‘Purgin’ and ‘Switch That Flow.’ 

    WWE On Spotify

    On Spotify, WWE boasts 2.4 million monthly listeners and a bevy of music content from across decades of the promotion’s history. Currently, WWE’s most popular track is ‘This Fire Burns’ from the ‘WWE Wreckless Intent’ album. The track is best known as the theme CM Punk used from 2006 until 2011 (and was used one time by Randy Orton.)

    As for Reigns, his theme is almost immensely popular among listeners. Reigns theme ‘Head of the Table’ currently sits as the third-most popular track from WWE, with 30.16 million listens. 

    What’s Next for the Tribal Chief? 

    Diss or no diss, Roman Reigns will be in action next week as part of WWE WrestleMania 40. On the Saturday show, Reigns will team with The Rock to face Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes. 

    The next night, Reigns will defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Rhodes. If The Bloodline wins the tag-team match on Night One, the title match will be under ‘Bloodline Rules.’ A victory for Rhodes and Rollins will mean The Bloodline will be barred from ringside. 

    Whatever stipulation is decided upon, the main event spot of WrestleMania is familiar territory for Reigns. This year’s two nights will be the 8th and 9th main events at the show for the Tribal Chief. 

    Can’t get enough of Spotify? We at SE Scoops have our own podcast on the streaming platform! Check it out below. 

  • Game-Changing Money: Becky Lynch Comments On Mercedes Mone’s AEW Payday

    Game-Changing Money: Becky Lynch Comments On Mercedes Mone’s AEW Payday

    Mercedes Mone is just starting to make her mark in AEW, but she’s been under contract for a few months already. Tony Khan has also been cutting her some very large checks in the process.

    Becky Lynch and Mercedes Mone didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but The Man is happy for The CEO’s new deal. She recently commented to say that the important part of the whole thing is that women are getting paid equally to their male counterparts.

    Lynch Reacts To Mone’s Big Money Deal

    Mercedes Mone’s new deal with AEW is a substantial one. In fact, she shattered the glass ceiling, and it’s now said that she is the highest-paid woman in the pro wrestling business. 

    While speaking with the Orlando Sentinel, Becky Lynch touched on Mercedes Mone’s new AEW contract. She said that the important part is that women are getting paid on a higher level. Mercedes’ new deal is certainly proving that to be the case.

    “I think that’s an important part, getting paid equally for the equal work and the equal position we are at right now,” Lynch said. “Women’s evolutions and revolutions are fine and well, but making sure that they equate to contracts and financial reward for these things when we are doing equal work, is hugely important.”

    Mercedes Mone and WWE

    It was reported that WWE and Mercedes Mone came to a financial roadblock when it came to bringing her in. It was noted that she didn’t want to be paid more than everyone on the women’s roster, but she did want to be paid what top stars are making. 

    Mercedes Mone also said that she envisions herself going back to WWE someday. She said that prior to her AEW debut, but she was still under contract. That comment ruffled some feathers within AEW. Tony Khan has since endorsed Mercedes as a possible face of AEW.

    Bayley said that she begs Mercedes every chance she gets to make a WWE return. The former Damage CTRL leader was actually at AEW Big Business in Boston along with Naomi and Tamina Snuka to see Mercedes Mone’s big debut first-hand. She later said that seeing Mercedes’ debut was a bittersweet moment.

  • Ridge Holland Is Not Actually Retired From WWE

    Ridge Holland announced that he’s stepping away from in-ring competition on Tuesday’s NXT television, but this is only a storyline and there are no plans for the 35-year-old grappler to legitimately retire from active competition.

    Holland has faced a great deal of online backlash from fans due to his habit of inadvertently injuring his opponents. Most notably, it was Holland who dropped Big E on his head, putting him out of action for several years with a less than likely chance he’ll ever return. The former Brawling Brute was also involved when Elton Prince of Pretty Deadly sustained an injury. 

    This is yet another instance of WWE turning a ‘real life’ situation and blurring the line between fact and fiction to fuel on-air angles. Fightful notes that Holland has been receptive to the angle, which is an encouraging sign, considering that Holland has let it be known that the public backlash he’s received has affected his mental health.

    Ridge Holland Steps Aside

    Holland delivered an emotional promo on Tuesday’s NXT and stunned the fans with his announcement. He said he’s been going through a lot lately and is concerned for the safety of not only his opponents, but himself. 

    The segment ended with Holland leaving the ring and NXT Universe chanting “Thank you, Ridge.” 

    In an effort to convince fans that Holland’s situation is legitimate, WWE swiftly moved his ‘Superstar Bio’ to the ‘Alumni’ section of the company website. Fans on social media noticed the change immediately. From WWE’s viewpoint, they took the bait.

    WWE is currently gearing up for NXT Stand & Deliver 2024, which takes place Saturday, April 6, just hours before WrestleMania XL Saturday from Philadelphia, PA. 

  • NXT Stand & Deliver Hosts Are Set

    NXT Stand & Deliver Hosts Are Set

    Meta-Four will host NXT Stand & Deliver 2024, the next premium live event scheduled for WWE’s developmental brand.

    This week’s NXT TV saw various talents participating in an ‘Open Call’ to earn this honor, which was held by Pretty Deadly last year. 

    By the end of the broadcast, the hosting duties were awarded to Meta-Four’s Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, Lash Legend and Jakarta Jackson.

    Jackson took to her Twitter/X and shared her thoughts on the news. 

    Meta-Four are also set to host Supernova Sessions with NXT Women’s Champion Lyra Valkyria and Roxanne Perez on the go-home edition on April 2. 

    During the March 26 episode of WWE NXT, Oba Femi also announced that he will be putting up his North American Title on the line against Dijak and Josh Briggs in a triple threat match. 

    Stand & Deliver Matches

    • Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo for the NXT Championship
    • Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (c) vs. Tournament Winners: Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
    • Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes
    • Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship
    • Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs – Triple Threat for the NXT North American Championship
  • Corey Graves & Michael Cole Provide Commentary For New Godzilla X Kong Trailer

    Corey Graves & Michael Cole Provide Commentary For New Godzilla X Kong Trailer

    A new trailer for Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire has a WWE feel to it, thanks to the promotion’s commentary duo of Corey Graves and Michael Cole. 

    Taking to Instagram, Graves shared the new trailer that features himself and Cole providing a voiceover for the action. In the caption, Graves said that it’s an “amazing thrill” to have his voice in the trailer considering that he grew up obsessed with monster movies. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C4-oZktudww

    Godzilla X Kong: The New Frontier

    The new film is a sequel to 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong and the fifth film in the MonsterVerse franchise that began with 2014’s stand-alone Godzilla film. While the two behemoths were adversaries in the previous film. Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire sees the pair forced to team up to defeat a powerful, climate-changing Titan from destroying the Earth’s surface. 

    Graves & Cole in the Movies

    While neither Corey Graves nor Michael Cole appear in Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire, the pair have featured in films in the past. Graves played Gunnar in 2011‘s Kingdom of Gladiators and played himself in 2020’s The Main Event, a WWE Studios production. 

    Cole has been in four films from WWE Studios which were all animated features. He made his acting debut in 2014’s Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery as himself. He would appear in the film’s sequel ‘Curse of the Speed Demon‘ as well as Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania and The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania!

  • “That Was Suck A**!” Stone Cold Calls Infamous Attitude Era Angle His Worst Storyline

    ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin was part of some of wrestling’s biggest angles, but there was one storyline in his career that the Rattlesnake is not a fan of. 

    Austin was one of, if not the big star of the Attitude Era. During the acclaimed era of wrestling, Austin held the WWF Championship on multiple occasions and won the gold at WrestleMania on three separate occasions. 

    Austin’s Worst Storyline

    In 1999, Austin’s lengthy career and litany of injuries were catching up to him and he needed time off from the promotion to recover. In one of the most infamous angles, Austin was run down by a mystery assailant at Survivor Series 1999. 

    On a recent edition of his Stone Cold Podcast, Austin recalled the angle. The WWE Hall of Famer made clear that he was not a fan of the storyline. 

    “Me being clipped by a god dang car! S**t, that was the worst storyline I was ever involved in. But we had to come up with a way so that we could get my a** out of the way.”

    Austin added that while he needed to have his neck fusion surgery, the storyline was still a “suck-a** angle.”

    What Came Next? 

    After a one-off appearance at Backlash 2000, Austin returned to programming in late 2000, determined to find his attacker. It was revealed that Rikishi ran down Austin and falsely claimed he “did it for The Rock.”

    This led to a brief, one-sided feud that saw Austin demolish Rikishi on pay-per-view. Feeling the angle wasn’t working, the storyline changed and it was revealed that Rikishi was the driver but was working on the orders of Triple H. 

    Austin At WrestleMania 40?

    With WrestleMania 40 mere weeks away, there has been speculation regarding a role for Stone Cold at the two-night spectacle. Austin’s status for the show would depend on what he’s willing to do. The Texas Rattlesnake was shown on a production truck on this week’s Raw, a move many feel was more than mere coincidence. 

    H/T – ITR Wrestling

  • CM Punk, Seth Rollins & Drew McIntyre Were Given Plenty of Freedom for 3/25 WWE Raw Segment

    Some WWE Superstars were given far more flexibility than usual with their promo during the March 25, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. 

    The penultimate Raw before WWE WrestleMania 40 took place at the All-State Arena in Chicago, Illinois. The show went off the air in shocking fashion with Cody Rhodes being left a bloodied heap by The Rock, fulfilling his promise to make the American Nightmare bleed. 

    Punk, McIntyre & Rollins on Raw

    Raw also saw Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, and CM Punk share a segment ahead of the World Heavyweight Championship match between Rollins and McIntyre at WrestleMania 40. The segment culminated with Punk, who’s had issues with both men, announcing he will be the guest commentator for their title match. 

    Given Leeway

    Rather than the usual scripted dialogue that is expected to be recited word-for-word, this week’s segment saw the talent given more leeway, Fightful Select reports. While there was a general outline of the direction of the promo, Punk, McIntyre, and Rollins were free to express themselves and gauge the audiences’ reaction to their improvisation. WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce was listed as the producer of the segment. 

    Caught Off Guard

    During the segment, the fans rallied for Punk to be the guest referee of the upcoming match, though the Chicago-Made star questioned if he could be objective with the two “dips**ts.” This profanity caught WWE’s production team off-guard, especially following a memo reminding talent of the importance of keeping their language PG. 

    Despite this, there were no reported issues backstage following the segment. Later in the show, The Rock also used some expletives during his beatdown on Cody Rhodes. 

  • WWE’s CM Punk, Jey Uso & Jackie Redmond Attend NHL Chicago Blackhawks Game

    WWE’s CM Punk, Jey Uso & Jackie Redmond Attend NHL Chicago Blackhawks Game

    CM Punk, Jey Uso, and Jackie Redmond all had a blast at a recent NHL game in Chicago, Illinois, following the March 25, episode of Raw in the Windy City. 

    On Raw, Punk shared a segment with Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre ahead of their World Heavyweight Championship showdown at WrestleMania 40. Punk, who has had issues with both men, would reveal that he will be on commentary for their much-anticipated title match on WrestleMania 40: Sunday. 

    In the main event of the show, Jey Uso lived up to his ‘Main Event’ moniker with a victory over Shinsuke Nakamura. 

    WWE Stars at the Chicago Blackhawks Game

    The day after this week’s Raw in Chicago, Punk, Uso, and Redmond watched the Chicago Blackhawks in action against the Calgary Flames. Their presence didn’t go unnoticed by the Blackhawks as the trio appeared on the video screens. 

    Jackie Redmond, who is an interviewer and correspondent for Monday Night Raw, added that this game was Uso’s first time at a hockey game. 

    The trio of WWE talents clearly had fun at the Blackhawks game and will have been thrilled with the result. The Blackhawks got an early 2-0 advantage in the first third of the game and defeated the Calgary Flames 3-1. 

    Jey Uso at WrestleMania 40 

    Punk isn’t the only name who attended the Blackhawks game set for a major role at WrestleMania 40. Jey Uso will take on his brother Jimmy Uso at the show. This match comes months after Jimmy betrayed Jey at SummerSlam 2023 when Jey challenged Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat. 

    This will be the third sibling showdown at WrestleMania. Owen Hart defeated Bret Hart at WrestleMania X in 1994 while Matt Hardy bested his younger brother Jeff at WrestleMania 25 in 2009. 

  • Drew McIntyre Speaks Of A Different Sacrifice While Pursuing WWE Dream

    Drew McIntyre Speaks Of A Different Sacrifice While Pursuing WWE Dream

    Drew McIntyre came to a sobering realization when he was home in Scotland for a friend’s wedding.

    Speaking with SHAK Wrestling of CBS Sports, the number one contender for Seth Rollins’ WWE World Heavyweight Championship opened up about how he recently got to see a great deal of his friends in Scotland, some of which he hasn’t seen in over a decade because his longtime friend Blair was getting married.

    “I had seen people who were friends who I had not seen in 20 years. I’ve been gone for legitimately 17 years from Scotland to growing up in America. I was part of WWE. It hit me. ‘Wow, I’ve missed a lot. I feel kind of guilty about it.’”

    McIntyre said that he was constantly of the mindset that he was the one making the sacrifice leaving home, traveling to shows and putting in the work to become a pro wrestler, but that recent visit made him think that it has been his family and friends, not himself, making the sacrifice.

    “They gave up their son, their nephew, their brother, and their uncle who has missed so many important events because he’s chasing his dream and they encourage me to chase my dream. I really started wising up to that and I felt very guilty.”

    Drew McIntyre Plans To Pay His Family’s Sacrifice Off At WrestleMania 40

    Two targets Drew McIntyre hasn’t shown any ounce of guilt for his his handling of Seth Rollins or CM Punk. In pursuit for a WrestleMania main event, McIntyre has found a new heel self on WWE television and on the 3/25 episode of WWE Raw, McIntyre greatly took aim at the injuried CM Punk. 

    However, he’ll have to face Rollins in Philly while Punk will be behind the commentary table, but McIntyre did make note how rewarding it will be if he gets to hand the gold over to someone special back in Scotland.

    “I want to give my family that title. I want to give my dad that title,” McIntyre said. “I want to put that title in his hands and say, ‘Here it is. This is what it was all about since I was five years old and you would constantly be telling my brother and I to stop wrestling around the bedroom. … I finally have it and I can finally give it to you and I can finally say, ‘Hey, I did it. I’m the champion of the world.’”

  • NXT Stand & Deliver: Oba Femi Will Defend North American Title In Triple Threat Match

    NXT Stand & Deliver: Oba Femi Will Defend North American Title In Triple Threat Match

    Oba Femi has a lot of eyes on him right now. NXT officials see him as the next big thing, and there are a lot of reasons to see their point.

    This week’s episode of WWE NXT was an eventful broadcast. We saw Ridge Holland step away from in-ring competition. Natalya event surprised fans during the show. Fans also saw a big title match booked for Stand & Deliver.

    During the March 26 episode of WWE NXT, Oba Femi announced that he will defend the North American Title against Dijak and Josh Briggs in a triple threat match.

    Booking The Match

    During WWE NXT this week, Josh Briggs defeated Duke Hudson in a brutal contest. Dijak was at ringside on commentary, and just as he was about to step in the ring to take Briggs on, Oba Femi showed up.

    The NXT North American Champion said that he has two worth opponents for his title. They get to climb the mountain at Stand & Deliver, but Oba Femi was there to remind them that he is the mountain.

    The triple threat match was booked at that point, where Oba Femi seems more than ready to defend his North American Tile against both Dijak and Josh Briggs.

    WWE NXT Stand & Deliver

    WWE is less than two weeks away from WrestleMania 40 and Stand & Deliver. This week’s episode of NXT continued building toward the April 6 Stand & Deliver event. A lot can also happen in the meantime. You may check out the updated card (so far) below.

    • Host: Meta-Four
    • Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo: Singles match for the NXT Championship
    • Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (c) vs. Tournament Winners: Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
    • Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes: Singles match
    • Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez: Singles match for the NXT Women’s Championship
    • Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs – Triple Threat match for the NXT North American Title

  • Becky Lynch Compares WWE Creative Under Triple & Vince McMahon

    WWE fans have been enjoying the direction the company has been going under the creative leadership of Paul Levesque(AKA Triple H). For years. the company has faced issues like plans being changed during a TV episode to the last minute with Vince McMahon at the helm. However, creativity has seemingly run more smoothly with Levesque in charge, and superstars like Becky Lynch appreciate the shift. 

    Paul Levesque(Triple H) and Vince McMahon Backstage

    In an interview with Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast, ‘The Man’ discussed the differences in WWE creative under Levesque and McMahon. She shared that consistency is the main factor and praised the former nine-time WWE Champion for his long-term storytelling. 

    “…Paul tends to have a long-term vision of something and an idea of something and then executes, whereas before, you know, it was notorious that the show was being rewritten as it was going, and we were live on TV, and people didn’t know what was happening in the third hour and there would be stories that would start and then Vince would change his mind and so with Paul, he sees things through and for better or worse that gives a different viewing experience,” said Lynch.

    ‘The Man’ also explained why it’s important to let storylines develop over time as intended rather than nixing them altogether. 

    “…You might not like the story on week two, but you don’t know where it’s going on week four, and so if we listen to people that saying ‘Yeah, but we don’t like the story on week two,’ well then you might never get the magic that you were going to get on week four, and so I think it’s important to listen to the audience to a certain degree,” said Lynch.

    More On Becky Lynch’s Thoughts On Storytelling

    Lynch went into detail about storytelling and why letting things play out as intended over time is good. The former WWE Smackdown Women’s Champion used herself as an example from when she was feuding with Bianca Belair and defeated her in 26 seconds at WWE SummerSlam on August 21, 2021. 

    She noted that the fans didn’t like some of the ‘heel’ things she did during her rivalry and that it was meant to elicit negative reactions. 

    “…You were meant to be outraged. You were meant to want to see her succeed, and then I think I started talking about her hair, and people were outraged that I might touch her hair,” said Lynch. She continued, “…If you don’t know where we are going… also, I am a heel. You are meant to be outraged by the things that I do, and please understand that is a heel. Heel isn’t like somebody that gives cool zingers. It is somebody that is unlikable that you want to see the babyface overthrow. Doesn’t always work out.”

    Lynch reaffirmed her stance that it is good to see things through, which is something that WWE is doing more under Levesque’s leadership. It seems WWE creatively is in a better place than it has been for their talent and fans. Hopefully, the company’s momentum will continue and allow for more creative storytelling that can make for great weekly TV programming. 

  • Indefinite Hiatus: Ridge Holland Announces He Is Stepping Away From In-Ring Competition During 3/26 WWE NXT

    Indefinite Hiatus: Ridge Holland Announces He Is Stepping Away From In-Ring Competition During 3/26 WWE NXT

    WWE Superstars all see an end to their careers, whether they like it or not. Sometimes, they pull the plug themselves, and it appears that Ridge Holland might not wrestle again for a long time.

    Holland took the ring during the March 26 episode of WWE NXT. He cut a personal and passionate promo, making fans wonder if this is part of the show or the real thing. In the end, Ridge Holland announced his indefinite hiatus from in-ring competition.

    Holland’s Big Announcement

    Ridge Holland took the microphone this week on NXT, and he spoke about a very difficult decision that he had to make. The former Brawling Brute said that he’s been going through a lot, and he cannot continue.

    Holland said that he had two very difficult conversations over the past week. He spoke with his family and those who love him, and he also had a long conversation in the mirror.

    He then said that out of the concern for the safety of himself and everyone he works with in the ring, he is stepping away from in-ring competition. He said this is indefinite, and nobody came out to stop him.

    Fans in the NXT Arena chanted “Thank you, Ridge” as he left. Then the camera followed him through the curtain and cut to the next segment.

    Ridge Holland’s Hand in Superstar Injuries

    Ridge Holland has been involved in a couple injuries over the past year or so. The most famous accident involved Big E, which left the New Day member with a broken neck.

    Holland also had a hand in injuring Elton Prince of Pretty Deadly. NXT ran an angle where Holland injured Ilja Dragunov as well.

    We will have to see if this is a work or a shoot from Ridge Holland. Right now, all we know is that fans shouldn’t expect to see him in the ring any time soon. SEScoops will have more on this story if there are any further updates.

  • CM Punk Sends A Warning To The Rock As WrestleMania Hype Reaches a Fever Pitch

    Chicago was simmering for CM Punk on WWE Raw and ‘The Second City Saint’ didn’t let his hometown down. Punk made his long-awaited return to The Windy City and dropped the WrestleMania 40 bombshell that he’d be on commentary for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match between Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre.

    After the show ended, Cathy Kelley caught up with Punk backstage for a WWE Digital Exclusive interview and asked him what it felt like to be in front of a packed house in Chicago.

    “I feel such a responsibility to want to give them a show that I can’t right now because I paid the price of being a professional wrestler since I was 15, but I felt I gave them a little bit of that guy.”

    Kelley mentioned that The Rock name-dropped Punk tonight after being relatively quiet when it comes to him. That didn’t go unnoticed by CM Punk.

    “I’m glad Rock’s back and it’s good to see that he knows his role and he’s kept his mouth shut. Anything goes here in this new era of WWE with me being back I’m gonna cross paths with everybody sooner or later.”

    Finally, when it came to Punk being on commentary for Rollins vs. McIntyre, Punk said he thought being behind the broadcast booth may be the best spot for him that evening.

    “Let’s face it, who’s the five-tool player in the WWE right now? It’s this guy. I’d like to maybe try my hand out as a referee, but honestly, I would not be able to be impartial with those two idiots so maybe commentary is the best thing to do.”

  • Main Roster Surprise: Natalya Answers Lola Vice’s Open Challenge During 3/26 WWE NXT

    Main Roster Surprise: Natalya Answers Lola Vice’s Open Challenge During 3/26 WWE NXT

    WWE will sometimes have main roster talent come by NXT to have a match on Tuesday night. This week’s show included a nice surprise, because Natalya was around for the show.

    Lola Vice issued an open challenge prior to the March 26 episode of NXT. Natalya was the woman who stepped up to take her on.

    Natalya On WWE NXT

    Lola Vice took the microphone during WWE NXT this week, and she cut a heel promo. Then Natalya interrupted her, and the Queen of Harts received a very warm welcome in the NXT Arena.

    Natalya made it clear how good Lola can be. That beings said, she was on NXT to accept her open challenge and take her down a peg or two.

    In the end, Natalya got the win with a roll-up pin. This was a big win for Natalya on NXT, and we will have to see if things are only getting started with her and Lola Vice.

    This is not the first time that Natalya has showed up in NXT. She has stopped by the brand in the past to mix it up with the NXT roster.

    WWE NXT Stand & Deliver

    WWE is less than two weeks away from WrestleMania 40 and Stand & Deliver. This week’s episode of NXT continued building toward the April 6 Stand & Deliver event. A lot can also happen in the meantime. You may check out the updated card (so far) below.

    • Ilja Dragunov (c) vs. Tony D’Angelo: Singles match for the NXT Championship
    • Baron Corbin and Bron Breakker (c) vs. Tournament Winners: Tag team match for the NXT Tag Team Championship
    • Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes: Singles match
    • Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Roxanne Perez: Singles match for the NXT Women’s Championship
    • Oba Femi (c) vs. Dijak vs. Josh Briggs – Triple Threat match for the NXT North American Title
  • Rhea Ripley On Taking it to The Men: ‘At School They Called Me The Nutcracker’

    Rhea Ripley On Taking it to The Men: ‘At School They Called Me The Nutcracker’

    Rhea Ripley isn’t afraid to take it to the male Superstars and her willingness to take it to all sexes has been a long-standing tradition for WWE’s resident ‘Mami.’

    Ripley hasn’t been shy when it comes to taking on male Superstars during her tenure with WWE. Before his inclusion in the Judgment Day, Dominik Mysterio often fell victim to attacks by Ripley in 2022. Superstars who have fallen victim to ‘Mami’ include AJ Styles, Matt Riddle, Akira Tozawa, Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens, and Luke Gallows, as seen in the video below. 

    Rhea Ripley: The Nutcracker

    Ripley’s toughness in the face of men is nothing new for the Judgment Day star. Speaking on an episode of Logan Paul’s ImPaulsive podcast, Ripley recalled holding her own during her younger years. 

    “I got the nickname in high school ‘Nutcracker’ for a reason. Because I used to hit people in the nuts.”

    Ripley added that it’s not just her adversaries who have to submit to ‘Mami’ but that she often gets ‘physical’ with her partner, AEW star Buddy Matthews. 

    “Being in the relationship that I am with my partner, we scrap a little bit. I normally start it and I finish it.” 

    Rhea Ripley Vs. Logan Paul?

    During the podcast, Paul joked that he and Ripley will one day have a match for the custody of Dominik Mysterio. Unfazed by the WWE United States Champion, Ripley said Paul can get ready to have his a** kicked. If it happened, the match would be the second ‘Custody of Dominik’ match in WWE history. Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero competed over a young Dominik at SummerSlam 2005 in a ladder match Rey won. 

    What’s to Come for Rhea Ripley? 

    Ripley’s next big match will see her face a ‘Man’ albeit one of a different kind. The Judgment Day member will put her WWE Women’s World Championship on the line at WrestleMania 40 against Becky Lynch. Lynch earned the title shot with a victory in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. 

  • Updated in 2023: WWE’s Consensual Relationship Policy Documents Unveiled

    Updated in 2023: WWE’s Consensual Relationship Policy Documents Unveiled

    WWE saw a huge change when Vince McMahon stepped down following a lawsuit that exposed allegations of heinous acts. The company didn’t waste time in preparing an updated internal policy.

    A copy of WWE’s workplace relationship policy was just released. The policy prohibits employees from holding any supervisory role over someone with whom they have had or currently have a consensual relationship, especially focusing on executives like the CEO, President, CFO, and others.

    WWE’s Updated Relationship Policy

    POST Wrestling and Wrestlenomics has now reported that WWE sent out a memo about workplace relationships. They obtained, and published a three-page copy of the policy.

    In June 2023, WWE introduced a policy regarding sexual or romantic relationships in the workplace, following reports of alleged sexual misconduct involving former Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.

    The policy states that an employee is prohibited from having any instructional, evaluative, or supervisory role over a person with whom they have had or currently have a consensual relationship. It includes specific guidelines concerning relationships with top executives such as WWE Board Members or members of the executive team, including the CEO, President, CFO, Chief Content Officer, Chief Legal Officer, or Chief Human Resources Officer.

    Vince McMahon’s WWE Exit

    Vince McMahon resigned from his position in WWE after the allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit went public. He was advised by TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro to resign after Slim Jim pulled their sponsorship just before the 2024 Royal Rumble event. They returned to sponsor the show after Mr. McMahon stepped down.

    The allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon highlighted a culture that they certainly do not want to continue. TKO Holdings Group is not going to allow such behavior, as they have exhibited with Brock Lesnar’s continued absence from WWE television.

    SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is available. Keep checking back throughout the day for the latest headlines.

  • Becky Lynch Gets Candid About ‘Difficult to Reconcile’ Vince McMahon Allegations

    Vince McMahon resigned from WWE, and he hasn’t been mentioned on television since the bombshell allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit went public. Everyone had their own reaction to the situation, as they processed all of these alleged acts coming to light. 

    Becky Lynch said that the Vince McMahon she knew was like a grandfather. The allegations in Janel Grant’s lawsuit makes it hard to connect those heinous things and the McMahon she knew.

    The Man Speaks on The Chairman

    Becky Lynch received her first big push, and became The Man, under Vince McMahon’s leadership. It was a huge shock for her to realize that the man responsible for the biggest boom in her career was allegedly leading such a terrible double life. 

    While speaking to Richard Deitsch on the Sports Media Podcast, Becky Lynch answered a question about the allegations against Vince McMahon. She experienced a much different Vince McMahon, and it’s hard to connect the two.

    “[They’re horrendous allegations, they’re horrendous, and it’s so hard to listen and reconcile with because you don’t know that person. The person that I’ve experienced was like a grandad. At times a very grumpy granddad, and one that you’re frustrated with. But one that was so supportive of me and my family and of my career, encouraging and understanding as well at times, and is also very responsible for one for the dream that I have, the fact that there is a WWE and then allowing me to live my dream, for meeting my husband, for my whole family, everything that I have. And then you hear these allegations and it’s hard to connect the two. In many ways they just feel like two different people. So trying to see them as one person, I don’t know, it’s very hard. It’s very difficult to reconcile.”

    WrestleMANia 40

    Becky Lynch is still on top of the WWE roster under Triple H’s creative vision. She won the 2024 Women’s Elimination Chamber match, and she is set to battle Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s World Title at WrestleMania 40. 

    Lynch also stated that she would like to open up the showcase of the immortals’ first night this year. We will have to see how they stack the show of shows this year. SEScoops will have more updates as they are made available. 

  • Batista Reveals His Pet Dog Has Completed Chemotherapy

    Batista Reveals His Pet Dog Has Completed Chemotherapy

    Pro wrestler-turned-actor Batista (real name Dave Bautista) recently indicated on social media that his beloved pet dog is having a serious health issue. 

    It is no secret that Batista is a passionate animal lover. From time to time, his love for dogs has been on display and he has extended his support for several animal welfare causes. In addition to this, the proud dog dad has also helped to raise awareness to rescue animals.

    Last year he came forward in helping YouTube star MrBeast to find homes for 100 abandoned dogs. His efforts to rescue animals and provide shelter for them have been widely praised. Unfortunately, Batista with his pet dog is going through trying times.

    Batista’s pet dog undergoes chemotherapy session

    Taking to his Instagram stories section, the former WWE star announced that his dog was undergoing chemotherapy sessions. He also dropped a photo of his pet and wrote the following in the caption:  

    “My baby boy all done with chemo.”

    Batista is thriving in Hollywood

    After having a successful pro wrestling career, Batista made a breakthrough in Hollywood and has tasted immense success. He is also a part of Dune: Part Two, which was released earlier this month and in the movie, he plays the character of Beast Rabban.

    Recently, Batista revealed that he is hopeful of making directorial debut next year. On the other hand, his WWE Hall of Fame induction is also due which was pushed back due to the pandemic. On a related note, the former World Champion had stated that he would pick his WWE Hall of Fame induction over a place in James Gunn’s DC Universe. Check out his comments below:

  • Thunderbolt Patterson Asked Veteran Journalist To Induct Him Into 2024 WWE Hall of Fame

    Thunderbolt Patterson Asked Veteran Journalist To Induct Him Into 2024 WWE Hall of Fame

    WWE is about to take over Philly for WrestleMania weekend. The WWE Hall of Fame will also be a high point for many fans, and we’re getting more information about the ceremony.

    The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is set for April 5, 2024, at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, the night before WrestleMania XL. It will be live-streamed at 10 pm Eastern Time on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network internationally, following WWE SmackDown. Inductees include Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, The U.S. Express, Muhammad Ali, and Thunderbolt Patterson.

    Who inductees a WWE Hall of Famer into the class is always an important decision. Now, it has been revealed that journalist Scott Spears will induct Thunderbolt Patterson.

    Thunderbolt Patterson’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction

    The Marion Star reports that Scott Spears was asked by Thunderbolt Patterson to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame.

    Following this news of Patterson’s induction, he shared his thoughts in an interview with Scott Spears on “Now With Scott Spears” on WGH Talk radio in Marion, Ohio.

    While expressing his gratitude, Patterson stated, “I feel good. It’s something that I dreamed about, and if it had not been for the Lord, it would not have happened.” He also credited wrestling personalities Geraldo Brisco and Bruce Prichard, journalist Mike Mooneyham, and Spears for their contributions in keeping his legacy alive, leading to his induction into the Hall of Fame.

    Spears spoke about how much of an honor it is for him when reacting to Thunderbolt Patterson asking him to do the honor of inducting him into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame. He also doesn’t take this honor lightly.

    “This is such an honor for me. I have been friends with Thunderbolt for many years, and there is no one more deserving of this honor than him. For him to ask me to induct him is one of the great honors I have ever received, and I don’t take that lightly.”

    Who Is Scott Spears

    Spears, an award-winning journalist with the Associated Press, has interviewed notable figures including Dr. Maya Angelou, Bill Cosby, Phil Donahue, Betty White, Larry King, and five Ohio governors.

    “Now With Scott Spears” can be heard weekdays 8:15-10 a.m. live at wwgh1071.com or by downloading the TuneIn Radio app and searching “WGH Talk.” The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame will air on April 5 after SmackDown, one night prior to WrestleMania 40’s first night.

  • Liv Morgan Saves The Day with Extreme Rules Skills After Fire At AEW Star’s Birthday Party

    Liv Morgan Saves The Day with Extreme Rules Skills After Fire At AEW Star’s Birthday Party

    WWE Superstar Liv Morgan was on hand to save the day after a small fire broke out at the birthday party for AEW star CJ Perry. 

    Perry celebrated turning 39 this past weekend. The AEW star celebrated at her home with close friends, including Morgan and Sonya Deville. 

    Liv Morgan to the Rescue

    On Twitter, Morgan shared that a small fire oven fire broke out at Perry’s recent birthday. Thankfully for the attendees, Morgan knew exactly how to operate a fire extinguisher and put out the blaze. 

    Morgan used a fire extinguisher during her match at Extreme Rules 2022 against Ronda Rousey. The then-SmackDown Women’s Champion caught Rousey by surprise during their Extreme Rules match. Unfortunately for Morgan, Rousey would get the win, kicking off her second reign as WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion. 

    Liv Morgan & CJ Perry

    Perry and Morgan are close friends and during a WWE storyline, were teased to be something more. During the final Raw in 2019, Perry (Lana at the time) was set to marry her on-screen partner Bobby Lashley. 

    The ceremony was interrupted when Morgan appeared and claimed she and Lana had been in a relationship, professing her love for Lana in the process. Despite online buzz over the segment and intrigue over the inclusion of LGBTQ+ storylines, the angle was quickly shelved. 

    What’s to Come for Liv Morgan? 

    With WrestleMania 40 less than two weeks away, Morgan is currently without a match on either night of the show. Some hope to see Morgan added to the Women’s World Championship match, given that she’s been feuding with Becky Lynch and was the last woman to pin Rhea Ripley. 

  • Becky Lynch Feared Being Fired By WWE After Learning She Was Pregnant in 2020

    Becky Lynch Feared Being Fired By WWE After Learning She Was Pregnant in 2020

    Becky Lynch was concerned that her WWE career would come to an end when she disclosed to Vince McMahon that she was pregnant in 2020. 

    Lynch announced her pregnancy during a May 2020 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw that also marked the end of her Raw Women’s Championship reign. In a heartfelt segment, Lynch revealed that Asuka would be the new Raw Women’s Champion as she had captured the Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase the night before. 

    Worried About Telling Vince McMahon

    Lynch’s pregnancy was great for the WWE Superstar but would cost the promotion one of its biggest names. In her new book The Man, Lynch recalls watching WrestleMania 36 at home but being more concerned about what she’d say to Vince McMahon. 

    “‘How am I going to tell Vince?’ I turned to Colby [Seth Rollins] realizing that beyond our immediate family, the most powerful man in wrestling needed to be the first recipient of our news.”

    While Rollins did his best to assure Lynch things would be fine, Lynch feared the worst would happen when she rang her then-boss. 

    Lynch: “You think he’s gonna yell at me? Fire me?

    Rollins: “I don’t think so. But he’ll probably be upset.”

    Other Options

    Hoping to potentially save her career, Lynch pitched possible ideas to Rollins that would allow her to remain with WWE in a non-competitive role. 

    “‘I’ll tell him [Vince] I can still keep working. You know, maybe I can… I could make a documentary about this. Or I could maybe be a consultant on the creative team or something?’… I scrambled for ways to save my job.”

    Telling Vince McMahon

    Lynch’s first effort to call McMahon would see her call go to his answering machine but he would immediately ring back, saying he had been in a meeting. In the memoir, Lynch vividly recalls the conversation she had with McMahon. 

    “I’m calling you because, well, we have a little bit of a problem… Sir, I’m five weeks pregnant and so I was thinking maybe we could…”

    While Lynch was terrified at the prospect of being let go, McMahon cut her off before she could say anything else. 

    “Congratulations! Oh my God Rebecca! That’s fantastic news. Wow! I’m so happy for you!”

    What Came Next? 

    Lynch would give birth to her and Rollins’ daughter Roux in December 2020. She returned to WWE programming at SummerSlam 2021. Her return would see her capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship in seconds from Bianca Belair, turning heel in the process. 

    Fired While Pregnant?!

    Lynch obviously was not fired due to her pregnancy, but not every woman in wrestling has been so fortunate. In 2005, Dawn Marie was fired while pregnant. Her final appearance for the company came at that year’s ECW One Night Stand event where she managed Lance Storm for his match with Chris Jericho. 

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

  • Update On Ivar After Being Pulled From 3/25 WWE Monday Night Raw

    The Viking Raiders’ Ivar wasn’t allowed to compete on the March 25, episode of WWE Raw, but fans shouldn’t expect to see him out of action for long. 

    In the run-up to the show, Ivar had been advertised to face Andrade in what’d be the second Raw match for the latter since his return to WWE. The former AEW star made his return to WWE as part of the Men’s 2024 Royal Rumble match that’d be won by fellow AEW alum Cody Rhodes. 

    Ivar Pulled from Raw

    Shortly before Monday Night Raw went on the air, General Manager Adam Pearce announced that Ivar had been pulled from the show. Noting that the card is always “subject to change,” Pearce said that Ivar was “medically unable to compete.” He was replaced by Imperium’s Giovanni Vinci. 

    The Latest on Ivar

    Ivar is said to be fine, according to sources who spoke to Fightful Select and he is expected to return to the ring soon. Sources did not reveal why the star had been taken out of competition in the first place. 

    Ivar as a Singles Superstar

    It’s a good thing that Ivar won’t be out for long, as he’s been on quite the role as a singles Superstar. With Erik out of action, Ivar has been kept on TV and used regularly. This is quite the change from WWE’s past attitude of pulling both members of a tag team from TV if one member is injured. 

    Ivar has been impressing the right people within WWE with an October 2023 ‘Viking Rules’ match with Kofi Kingston receiving particular praise. The match, and Ivar’s overall willingness to work without Erik, have left WWE open-minded to using Ivar in a singles capacity in the future.

  • Judge Withdraws From Ted DiBiase Jr. Welfare Fraud Case, Jury Trial Pushed Back

    Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. has seen his trial pushed back in relation to the largest case of welfare fund fraud in the history of the state of Mississippi. 

    DiBiase is charged with allegedly using two different companies to receive money from “at least five sham contracts.” DiBiase, according to litigation, received full or almost full payments regardless of whether sufficient, if any work, was carried out. 

    This is connected to a massive welfare scandal that involved several prominent names, including Ted’s father Ted Sr. Brett DiBiase, the brother of Ted Jr. has pled guilty to conspiracy to defraud the United States. 

    Judge Withdraws

    Judge Carlton W. Reeves has recused himself from the criminal trial against DiBiase, though the reasoning behind this decision is currently not publicly known. In their place, Magistrate Judge LaKeysha Greer Isaac will now oversee the trial. 

    Trial Pushed Back

    Because of this change, the trial against the former WWE World Tag Team Champion has been pushed back. He was originally set to face a pre-trial conference on June 21 and was scheduled to stand trial on July 16. Instead, DiBiase will face a jury trial on January 7, 2025. 

    What Has the DiBiase Family Said? 

    Ted DiBiase Jr. has pled not guilty to all charges against him and was released on an unsecured $10,000 bond. When asked for comment when leaving the court, he told WAPT-TV “Jesus loves you.”

    Ted Sr., who reportedly received a $250,000 check from the Family Resource Center in fraudulent funds, has hit out at the case. The WWE Hall of Famer said in June 2023 that the case is “garbage” and that his family is being made into a “scapegoat.”

    What’s Next? 

    If convicted, Ted Jr. faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the conspiracy count and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each wire fraud count. He also faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for each count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and for each count of money laundering.