SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • How WWE Made Up For The Rock SmackDown Segment Going Way Over Time

    How WWE Made Up For The Rock SmackDown Segment Going Way Over Time

    The Rock is back in WWE, and he’s getting a tremendous amount of heat. Never to be beaten, WWE fans also have figured out a new way to let him know how much they care, while bringing back an old favorite chant.

    Sean Ross Sapp noted on Fightful Select that, during The Rock and Roman Reigns segments, blackouts and muting occurred due to the presence of “Die Rocky Die” signs and chants. Additionally, a sign referencing “Rock shops at BALCO” was removed. BALCO, a business implicated in a sports steroid scandal in the 2000s, was the subject of this sign.

    The Rock’s segment with Roman Reigns exceeded its allotted time by over ten minutes. As a consequence, Naomi’s entrance and other elements were omitted from the broadcast.

    Die Rocky Die

    As we previously reported, Die Rocky Die also trended on social media. This was quite a shock, and the fact that WWE and FOX censored the sign and chant means that fans will probably just keep doing it.

    This fan chant is a throwback, but a lot of things have changed since the late 90s when it was somewhat acceptable to chant that at Dwayne Johnson in WWE.

    What’s Next For The Rock

    WrestleMania 40 night one will see The Rock and Roman Reigns team up against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in tag team action. If the heels win, then it will be Bloodline rules for the Undisputed Universal Title match at WrestleMania’s second night. If Cody and Seth win, then the Bloodline will be barred from ringside.

    The Rock is certainly getting a lot of heat, and we are here for it. Hopefully, fans know it’s all in good fun, but any chant that wishes death upon someone could be taken seriously.

    SEScoops will keep our eye on this story, and everything else on the road to WrestleMania. Only time will tell what fans come up with next, and how much of it will need to be censored. 

  • Latest on Braun Strowman’s Health Status Nine Months After Neck Fusion Surgery

    It’s still unclear as to when Braun Strowman will compete again, but there is some good news for the Monster Among Men. 

    It was in June of last year that Strowman underwent neck fusion surgery which has kept the former Universal Champion out of action ever since. That same month, Strowman admitted he had been struggling to be away from the ring saying that the situation was hard for him mentally as well as physically. While Strowman teased returning as part of the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, that did not transpire. 

    Latest on Braun Strowman

    During a recent Fightful Select Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp was asked about Strowman’s situation. Sapp was pleased to state that Strowman is doing better than one would anticipate for the SmackDown Superstar. 

    “Someone in January implied that he would be back soon and I was thinking ‘surely not’ but then I followed up and was told that “he’s doing way better than anticipated.”

    Braun Strowman Out of the Ring

    While Strowman hasn’t competed in close to a year, the Monster Among Men has been active outside of the ring, Strowman, among other Superstars, got tattoos in memory of Bray Wyatt in August of last year, in memory of the late wrestler who died aged 36. 

    More recently, Strowman surprised fans at the WWE Experience in Saudi Arabia. On social media, Strowman expressed gratitude to participate at the Riyadh event and said he was honored to make the trip.

  • Fan Reaction To Tiffany Stratton Has Caught Many In WWE By Surprise

    Fan Reaction To Tiffany Stratton Has Caught Many In WWE By Surprise

    Higher-ups within WWE are always on the hunt for the next top star, and have been surprised by the reaction to Tiffany Stratton. 

    The reaction to Stratton has come as a surprise to many within WWE, Fightful Select reports. It is added that WWE is anticipating the vocal response from the fans going forward with their events. 

    Tiffany Down Under

    Stratton’s popularity was hard to ignore during the WWE Elimination Chamber 2024 event from Perth, Australia. The former WWE NXT Women’s Champion competed in her first Chamber match at the event, and the fans were behind her from the get-go. 

    Fans chanted for Stratton while she was in her pod and her spots in the match, including a Senton off the top of a pod, were also impressive. Despite this, it was Becky Lynch who won the match, earning a Women’s World Championship match at WrestleMania 40. 

    Tiffany Stratton in WWE

    Stratton signed with WWE in August 2021 as the only woman in her class of recruits to the WWE Performance Center. After debuting on 205 Live in November, she would join WWE NXT the following month. 

    In May 2023, Stratton captured the NXT Women’s Championship in a tournament that saw her defeat Gigi Dolin, Roxanne Perez, and Lyra Valkyria. That same year, she entered a well-regarded feud with Becky Lynch that saw The Man capture the NXT Women’s title. 

    After an impressive outing in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match, Stratton was signed to SmackDown on the immediate episode of the blue brand. That same night, she defeated ‘Michin’ Mia Yim in her main roster debut. 

  • Jade Cargill Teases Involvement in WrestleMania 40 Feud After 3/1 SmackDown Appearance

    Jade Cargill Teases Involvement in WrestleMania 40 Feud After 3/1 SmackDown Appearance

    Jade Cargill made her presence felt on this week’s SmackDown and we may be seeing more of the impressive talent as we get closer to WrestleMania 40. 

    During this week’s SmackDown, Dakota Kai turned on Bayley and made clear that she was on the side of Damage CTRL. This came after Bayley and Kai challenged the Kabuki Warriors for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Kai, Asuka, Kairi Sane, and IYO SKY delivered a sickening four-on-one attack on the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble winner.

    Jade Cargill Responds

    Jade Cargill was also a part of this week’s SmackDown and came face to face with IYO SKY. The inaugural AEW TBS Champion once again exhumed confidence as she has throughout her wrestling career. 

    Taking to Twitter after SmackDown, Jade Cargill said what happened on the show was not right and said that someone like IYO SKY shouldn’t be holding a “belt” for acting this way. Moments later, the ex-AEW star corrected herself, stating that the WWE Women’s Champion held by SKY is “MY belt.”

    Jade Cargill Involved? 

    Cargill’s comments certainly imply that she’s supporting Bayley in this feud. It isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that Cargill could get physical and back the Role Model up. It’d certainly be fitting for Cargill to have a role on the road to WrestleMania, given that WWE clearly sees her as a potential top star. 

    Jade Cargill on SmackDown

    Cargill appeared on SmackDown shortly after signing with WWE in 2023. During her segment, she came face-to-face with Charlotte Flair. At the time, it was speculated that a feud was being planned, potentially with a match at WrestleMania. If that was the plan, it’ll have been scrapped as Flair will miss most of 2023 due to a leg injury. 

  • Paul “Butcher” Vachon Passes Away At 86-Years-Old

    Paul “Butcher” Vachon Passes Away At 86-Years-Old

    Paul “Butcher” Vachon passed away at the age of 86. He was a pivotal figure in the legedary Vachon wrestling dynasty,

    Throughout his illustrious career, Vachon left an indelible mark on the wrestling world, both as a competitor and a promoter. His cause of death has not been noted at this time.

    Losing The Butcher

    The wrestling community mourned Vachon’s loss after pro wrestling journalist Pat Laprade announced his passing on February 29. Laprade, a close friend of Vachon’s, fondly recalled his contributions to the sport and extended condolences to his wife Dee and family.

    Sad news. Paul ‘The Butcher’ Vachon died last night at the age of 86 years old. Former AWA tag team champ, Grand Prix Wrestling promoter and WWE wrestler, he had a great career and became a friend of mine over the years. My sympathies to his wife Dee and his family.

    Butcher Vachon’s Life

    Born in 1937, Vachon hailed from a wrestling lineage that included his sister Vivian Vachon and his adoptive daughter Luna Vachon. 

    Teaming up with his brother, Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon, he achieved remarkable success in the ring and behind the scenes, particularly in their native Canada where they promoted Grand Prix Wrestling in Montreal, Quebec.

    His life was marked by resilience, as he courageously battled cancer on multiple occasions, undergoing surgery to remove a tumor from his skull in March 2023.

    Despite the challenges he faced, Vachon found joy in his personal life, celebrating significant milestones such as his 30th wedding anniversary with his devoted wife Dee in September of the previous year.

    As the wrestling community pays tribute to Paul “Butcher” Vachon, his impact on the business as a whole and the lives he touched will continue to be remembered. RIP.

  • “Die Rocky Die” Trends On Social Media After The Rock’s Explosive WWE SmackDown Segment

    “Die Rocky Die” Trends On Social Media After The Rock’s Explosive WWE SmackDown Segment

    The Rock knows how to get under fans’ skin, and he went all out with his heel work on the road to WrestleMania 40. Now, it seems that the fan outrage has carried over into bringing an old phrase back for a new era.

    Following WWE SmackDown’s March 1st episode, a peculiar trend emerged: “Die Rocky Die.” Now that phrase is blowing up social media after WWE censored a fan sign during the show.

    Die Rocky Die

    Social media buzzed with reactions after the broadcast momentarily blacked out to avoid displaying a fan’s sign bearing the contentious phrase “Die Rocky Die.” Some users speculated it was merely a mistranslation of “The Rocky The” in German, prompting amusement rather than offense. Needless to say, fans were talking.

    However, the incident stirred discussions about censorship and support for The Rock. While many fans expressed disbelief at the sign’s presence, others highlighted the ongoing efforts to stifle such sentiments. As we reported last night, that “Die Rocky Die” sign was the reason why SmackDown was blacked out a few times during the segment.

    Overall, the trending topic sparked a mix of confusion, humor, and scrutiny, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of live television and fan interactions. We will have to see if fans will start bringing back that throwback phrase, because it was one of the first negative responses in the 90s that The Rock received from the crowd to really spark his heel turn.

    What’s Next For The Rock in WWE

    The Rock’s segment on SmackDown this week went way over time. I was told that he went over by “A LOT.” That being said, the company did not include any photos of him on the company’s website for their SmackDown gallery. That is very interesting considering the fact that he was on television for around 20 minutes.

    If anything, now that WWE fans know that the company doesn’t want them to say “Die Rocky Die,” it kind of gives them a brand-new reason to dust off that old chant and sign.

    SEScoops will have more coverage of The Rock’s road to WrestleMania 40, no matter what fans think of it.

  • Mercedes Mone x Megan Thee Stallion: Former Sasha Banks Stuns At CrunchyRoll Anime Awards

    Mercedes Mone x Megan Thee Stallion: Former Sasha Banks Stuns At CrunchyRoll Anime Awards

    Mercedes Mone is not staying inside as she prepares for her expected AEW debut. She recently made a big splash at the CrunchyRoll Anime Awards, and she was also in great company during the event.

    Mone dazzled on the carpet before the show, and she was also a presenter. In the process, the former WWE Superstar was also able to hang out with Megan Thee Stallion for a bit.

    Mone Invades CrunchyRoll Anime Awards

    Mercedes Mone’s upcoming AEW debut has stirred discussion, and her next destination could be a big deal for herself and the company. As well as being scheduled to make her AEW debut soon, Mone will also be making an appearance as a presenter at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards. Prior to the event, she revealed a fresh appearance.

    Crunchyroll was pleased to announce that Mercedes Mone will serve as a presenter at the 2024 Crunchyroll Anime Awards, generating significant anticipation for the ceremony.

    Taking to Twitter, Mercedes Mone shared a snapshot of herself on the red carpet ahead of the awards, showcasing her new appearance, which received praise from her fans.

    Mone has already been associated with AEW for some time before her debut at AEW Big Business. The thought is that she’s been drawing a paycheck from them for a while. It remains to be seen how she will fare as a presenter at the Awards show.

    Mercedes Mone and Megan Thee Stallion Link Up

    Mone shared a series of photos on her Twitter account featuring rapper Megan Thee Stallion as well. The encounter wasn’t unexpected, considering both Mone and Stallion are avid Anime enthusiasts.

    Mone captioned one of the photos with, “Only for the anime Hotties Krew #animeawards,” showcasing her time with Meg.

    What’s Next for Megan Thee Stallion and Mercedes Mone

    It remains to be seen if Megan Thee Stallion will venture into AEW following Mercedes Mone’s debut. Then again, you never know who Tony Khan will book at this point in an attempt to revive public interest in his company.

    The 2024 CrunchyRoll Anime Awards ceremony will be livestreamed on Crunchyroll’s YouTube and Twitch channels, starting at 6 PM JST, with Sally Amaki and Jon Kabira hosting. 

  • Cody Rhodes May Get Fresh WWE Entrance For WrestleMania 40

    Cody Rhodes May Get Fresh WWE Entrance For WrestleMania 40

    Cody Rhodes’ entrance is beloved by pro wrestling fans all over, especially those who are fans of crowd participation. It appears that he may get a fresh coat of paint on that entrance for the grandest stage of them all.

    Downstrait, the band behind Cody’s Kingdom entrance, recently teased something in the works. Although we’re not sure what is going on, something is brewing for his adrenaline pumping song.

    Teasing Cody Rhodes Song Revamp

    The band’s official Twitter/X account posted a little graphic of a skull with a crown. This short video file didn’t have any sound, but it flickered to reveal this iconic symbol.

    The caption that Downstrait picked simply said, “Adrenaline…” That is, of course, the first word of Cody Rhodes’ entrance music. We will have to see what they have planned.

    WWE will often bring in a live performance, so the actual artist behind a song can perform at the showcase of the immortals. Only time will tell if they have a similar presentation planned, but there are a couple of occasions to get this done.

    WWE’s Plan for Cody at WrestleMania 40

    Cody Rhodes will be double-booked for WrestleMania 40. He will compete alongside Seth Rollins against The Rock and Roman Reigns during the first night of the show of shows, with him capping off the second night against Reigns in a singles match for the Undisputed Universal Title.

    The Rock made the stipulation for that tag team match on night one very interesting during SmackDown this week. If the Bloodline wins, then it will be Bloodline rules at Mania for Cody’s match against Roman. However, if the babyfaces can beat The Rock and Roman Reigns in a tag team match, then the Bloodline will be barred from night two of WrestleMania.

    SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is available. Keep checking back for more updates.

  • Daily Drop (3/2): The Rock Cuts Loose on WWE SmackDown, Tony Khan Still Close With Owen Hart’s Widow

    Daily Drop (3/2): The Rock Cuts Loose on WWE SmackDown, Tony Khan Still Close With Owen Hart’s Widow

    Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for March 2nd. It’s the beginning of a new month, and we have a lot in store for you here. Let’s get right into things.

    Days until WrestleMania XL: 35

    WWE:

    – WWE had to black out the screen multiple times during The Rock’s SmackDown promo due to a fan sign that said, “Die, Rocky, Die.” Apparently, that is too hot for TV now.

    – The Rock dropped an epic 21-minute promo on Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins before SmackDown this week.

    – They also switched up The Rock and Roman Reigns’ usual producer this week.

    – Dakota Kai turned on Bayley during SmackDown, so the former Hugger has zero friends going into WrestleMania. 

    – The Peacemaker’s second shooting season may keep John Cena from appearing at WrestleMania 40.

    – WWE 2K24 announced their new MyRISE mode in the upcoming game. You can check out the trailer below.

    AEW:

    – It turns out that Tony Khan got permission from Martha Hart before doing the spot with Sting coming down from the rafters. 

    – Miro revealed that he’s been injured since September. He was replying to a tweet claiming that Tony Khan said he was supposed to be in the Meat Madness match, but it didn’t happen. That quite turned out to be fake as well, so Miro didn’t even need to reply at all. 

    – QT Marshall believes that CM Punk never got to finish his story in AEW. While speaking to Bill Apter, he said, “Yes and no. I don’t think he got to finish his story, even at AEW. That’s become the term now, the phrase, ‘Finish the story.’ I think being in AEW, it kind of gave him his confidence, to know that the people were still there for him and he could still do it. Why not? If you’re gonna do it, and you can’t do it at AEW anymore for whatever the reasons were, go back to WWE, if willing to give him a chance. I always liked him backstage. But I didn’t think it was gonna be out of the realm that he would go back.”

    -AEW has one more episode of Collision before Revolution. You can check out the card for tonight’s show below:

    • Christian Cage, Roderick Strong, Killswitch & Brian Cage vs Orange Cassidy, Daniel Garcia, Trent Beretta & Hook
    • Revolution All-Star Scramble match qualifier: Dante Martin vs Bryan Keith vs Penta El Zero Miedo in a three-way.
    • Thunder Rosa vs Cassandra Golden
    • Private Party’s Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen vs Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
    • Mariah May vs Angelica Risk
    • Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Colten Gunn of the Bang Bang Scissor Gang vs Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds & John Silver of Dark Order.

    Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

    • AEW Revolution is planned for the following weekend, on Sunday, March 3.
    • AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
    • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
    • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
    • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
    • WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
    • WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
    • WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.
  • “It Was Just So Violent”: The Undertaker Reflects On Legendary 90s Rivalry With Mick Foley

    “It Was Just So Violent”: The Undertaker Reflects On Legendary 90s Rivalry With Mick Foley

    The rivalry between The Undertaker and Mick Foley was one of the defining feuds of the Attitude Era. In many ways, the extreme matches between these two helped signify the start of a new era for WWE. With each new stipulation, they took the violence to a new level and gave the fans many memorable moments that are still etched in the minds of people more than two decades later.

    The Dead Man reflected on his various extreme encounters with The Hardcore Legend on the latest episode of his Six Feet Under podcast. He mentioned the various stipulations they choose for their matches and explained that the violence made sense because of their characters:

    “It was just so violent, for the time period and what they had seen up to that point. I mean, the violence that we projected on each other. There wasn’t anything really that matched that.

    I think with Mick and I everything that we did because of our characters it all made sense. You would expect us to be in a Boiler Room Brawl because of his character. You would expect a buried alive, you would expect a body bag. It all made sense to where we were at in our story and what we were doing.”

    ‘Next Level Commitment’: The Undertaker

    The Undertaker explained the motivation of Mick Foley’s character that led him to endure extreme pain in order to take down The Last Outlaw. The former World Champion also praised the wrestling veteran mentioning how it was Mick’s commitment to the craft that made it all possible:

    “With Mick and Mankind always, my image and my understanding of it is like, ‘I will do this to myself. Just so that I can do this to you.’ That was Mick’s mentality, right? That was the story that he was telling. I’m going to endure this much pain, which is going to be…it’s going to be monumental pain, just to inflict a little bit of pain on you.

    When you started thinking about that kind of mindset, how deranged an individual does he have to be to do those kind of things? I would wear him out. And then he would get on the apron and take a stick or a pencil and jabbing into his leg and he’d pull his hair out. That’s just next-level commitment.

    But it all made sense into his tormented mindset and that’s what made it so believable. Then you have this indestructible force called the Undertaker. Like this guy is going to kill himself. This guy will torture himself to torture this person.”

    You can check out the full episode of Undertaker’s podcast below:

    If you use any quotes from the article please credit SEScoops with an H/t for transcription

  • Watch: Cody Rhodes Responds To The Rock’s Promo After 3/1 SmackDown Went Off Air

    Watch: Cody Rhodes Responds To The Rock’s Promo After 3/1 SmackDown Went Off Air

    Cody Rhodes made an appearance on tonight’s episode of SmackDown from the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona but only after cameras stopped rolling.

    Tonight’s show saw some big developments in the ongoing storyline between The Bloodline and The American Nightmare with The Rock’s return to WWE TV.

    Roman Reigns opened the show with other members of The Bloodline but almost left the arena when the crowd didn’t acknowledge him. He was stopped by Paul Heyman who reminded The Tribal Chief that they had other business to conclude.

    The Rock then finally made his entrance. He first called out the fans in the arena and then replying to Cody Rhodes’ Elimination Chamber challenge, made a huge WrestleMania match official.

    Elsewhere in the show, we saw the return of Rey Mysterio. He took out the LWO to help Carlito pick up a victory over Santos Escobar in their street fight.

    What Happened After SmackDown

    The main event of the show featured Randy Orton who defeated Austin Theory in a singles bout. Both Grayson Waller and Kevin Owens who were at the ringside got involved after the match was over. The show ended with Orton and KO standing tall.

    The first dark match after SmackDown went off air saw Damian Priest taking on The Miz. ‘We want R Truth’ chants broke out during one point in the match before Priest picked up the victory.

    The second dark match of the night featured Cody Rhodes taking on Drew McIntyre. Mid-match Rhodes tried to introduce a table in the mix but he accidentally pulled out a broken table used in the Street Fight earlier in the night.

    After the match was over, Cody finally addressed the crowd. He didn’t respond to the challenge for a WrestleMania match but acknowledged Rock’s promo, before hyping up the crowd to send them home happy.

  • cody-rhodes-promo-after-smackdown-3-1

    cody-rhodes-promo-after-smackdown-3-1

  • What WWE Was Censoring From Live Crowd During SmackDown This Week

    What WWE Was Censoring From Live Crowd During SmackDown This Week

    The Rock and Roman Reigns tore up the first forty minutes of SmackDown this week. The crowd in Alabama were also on fire, and their chants were a bit too hot for television.

    It seems that they are censoring a lot more than just the F-Bomb. The classic “Die Rocky, Die” sign was blacked out this week on the show.

    Bleeping Revealed

    According to a report from PW Insider, FOX bleeped out “Die Rocky, Die” from the live fans. A lot of fans were really curious to know what was so bad that FOX kept hitting the censor key. Now, we know that it was a wish of death.

    The Rock is a great heel, and he riled up the “Meth Head Marys” and “Crack Head Karens” in Alabama. They ate it up, and it seems that their response, although it was exactly what The Rock was looking for, FOX didn’t like to hear such a morbid chant from the fans at home.

    For those of you wondering about why there have been random blackouts on tonight’s Smackdown broadcast on FOX, we are told that a fan has a “DIE ROCKY DIE” sign that the network is censoring.

    What’s Next For This

    Some may say that they are getting a bit touchy with this decision to edit out, “Die Rocky, Die,” and we have to wonder what they will censor next. In the meantime, it seems that fans have plenty to get riled up about on the road to WrestleMania.

    WWE SmackDown is in Dallas next week, where Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins will answer The Rock’s challenge for a tag team match at WrestleMania 40. Only time will tell what those fans will say to get FOX to hit the bleep button, but everything is bigger in Texas. 

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

  • WWE SmackDown Switch-Up: The Rock & Roman Reigns’ Segment Saw Backstage Change

    WWE SmackDown Switch-Up: The Rock & Roman Reigns’ Segment Saw Backstage Change

    The Rock and Roman Reigns opened up SmackDown this week, and they took up over 40 minutes of the program. This was quite a long segment, but odds are the ratings will prove that The Rock means viewership. Now we have a few new details about how things went down.

    Sean Ross Sapp reported a few notes about SmackDown’s opening segment this week on Fightful Select. It seems that they didn’t have the usual producer at the helm.

    WWE Made Change to the Usual Situation

    Michael Hayes typically oversees the production of Roman Reigns segments, Bloodline-connected segments, and even those involving individuals set to feud with Bloodline. However, it is reported that his name was notably absent from Friday’s run sheet. Instead, lead producer Jason Jordan was credited as the producer for both segments.

    Predictably, The Rock’s segment ran significantly over time, prompting immediate adjustments to be made. This may be worth it in the end, because a ton of eyes were on that segment.

    Michael Hayes typically produces all of Roman Reigns segments and matches. It will be interesting to see if he starts sharing that big responsibility. If anything, Jason Jordan certainly seemed to do a great job stepping into that slot.

    What’s Next For The Rock

    The Rock and Roman Reigns will be on SmackDown next week as they roll into Dallas. They will accept Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes’ decision after The Great One laid down a challenge for WrestleMania this week.

    SEScoops will have more coverage of this story, and many more, in the pro wrestling world as new information is known. 

  • WWE Return: Rey Mysterio Makes Heroic Comeback During March 1st SmackDown

    WWE Return: Rey Mysterio Makes Heroic Comeback During March 1st SmackDown

    Rey Mysrerio did not return at the Royal Rumble as many thought he would. The WWE Hall of Famer did make his comeback on the road to WrestleMania, and now he is back on the blue brand after the March 1st episode.

    During WWE SmackDown this week, Rey Mysterio returned to action. He did so with a huge pop, and in babyface fashion to help out the LWO, picking up things where he left them months ago prior to his absence.

    Rey Mysrterio’s Return

    After nearly four months of recovery following knee surgery, Rey Mysterio made his return to WWE on the latest episode of SmackDown. The veteran wrestler wasted no time in reigniting his feud with Santos Escobar, lending his support to Carlito in a heated street fight against Escobar.

    During the match, Legado del Fantasma’s Angel and Humberto intervened, prompting Mysterio to intervene. Despite the attempted interference from Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro, Mysterio emerged, albeit on crutches, to confront the heels.

    Initially feigning that he wasn’t cleared to compete, Mysterio then turned his crutches into weapons against Angel and Humberto. Following a tense standoff with Escobar, Carlito seized the opportunity to spit an apple in Escobar’s face, setting the stage for a dramatic turn of events.

    As Wilde and Del Toro neutralized Angel and Humberto, Mysterio executed his signature 619 on Escobar, creating an opening for Carlito to drive Escobar through a table for the victory. The LWO, including Carlito, Mysterio, Wilde, Del Toro, and Zelina Vega, celebrated their hard-earned triumph together.

    Rey Mysterio’s Injury

    Mysterio’s return marks the culmination of a grueling rehabilitation process from a torn meniscus suffered in November. Despite working through the pain for months before undergoing surgery, Mysterio’s determination has paid off with a faster-than-expected recovery.

    In a storyline twist, Mysterio’s injury was attributed to an attack by Escobar, fueling the animosity between the two wrestlers that came to a head in their intense SmackDown showdown.

    SEScoops will have more on this story, and many more in the pro wrestling world, so keep checking back for more updates.

  • Cody Rhodes Claps Back To The Rock’s Relentless Promo With A Meme

    Cody Rhodes Claps Back To The Rock’s Relentless Promo With A Meme

    The Rock has a new favorite enemy in Cody Crybabies, and he let loose in a 21-minute video today. A ton of people sat down and watched the whole thing, but Cody Rhodes couldn’t be bothered.

    Although he was a direct target of this new video drop from The Rock, the American Nightmare had to comment that he didn’t have time to watch the whole thing. He was able to let everyone know what he was thinking with the help of a meme.

    Cody Rhodes responded to The Rock’s long video without directly referencing it. This as the kind of post where if you knew what Cody was talking about, then there was no doubt.

    The meme that Cody Rhodes dropped simply said that he couldn’t have the time to watch the whole video. That being said, he feels for whatever the subject of the video might be.

    A ton of fans caught this passive-aggressive post, and they commented in a big way. It is now making the rounds, and it doesn’t seem that Cody was shaken at all by The Rock’s video. If anything, Cody’s response won a lot of fans over. 

    Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins received a WrestleMania challenge from The Rock. The Great One proposed that a tag team match should go down on night one of the show of shows, with the stipulation directly influencing the second night’s main event.

    We will have to see how this pans out, but the road to WrestleMania has certainly been interestingly so far. 

  • Bad News For Bayley: Dakota Kai Turns On Her During WWE SmackDown

    Bad News For Bayley: Dakota Kai Turns On Her During WWE SmackDown

    Bayley won the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble match, and then she staked her claim against IYO Sky at the show of shows. It seemed that Bayley would have, at least, one ally for the showcase of the immortals, but that is not the case.

    The Kabuki Warriors defended the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles against Bayley and Dakota Kai this week on SmackDown. Many fans wondered if a title change would be in the cards, but they got a lot more. This was not Bayley’s lucky moment, either.

    Just as Bayley was crawling to her corner for a hot tag for Kai, she jumped off the apron. This was a big heel turn, and it left Bayley all alone.

    It didn’t take much time for Asuka and Kairi Sane to take out Bayley in easy fashion. Then there was a four-on-one attack on Bayley. 

    It appears that Bayley is going into WrestleMania 40 as a huge underdog. She will have nobody in her corner from the look of it, but she also might thrive in that underdog role.

    After the match, Damage CTRL was very happy with themselves backstage. Then Jade Cargill stepped around the corner to confront them. Nothing happened at that time, but that definitely planted the seeds of something big in the future.

    SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is available. You never know what will happen on the road to WrestleMania.

  • The Rock Sets Up New WrestleMania 40 Match During WWE SmackDown

    The Rock shook up the road to WrestleMania in a huge way when he returned to WWE television to insert himself into the situation. What followed was a turbulent road where The Great One was forced to change his mind on the Mania match he wanted. Now we find ourselves in the situation today,

    Roman Reigns and The Rock kicked things off for SmackDown this week on FOX. The Bloodline was in rare fashion, and Dwayne Johnson was already on fire, ready to rip into some candy asses on the blue brand.

    Before The Rock even came out, Roman threatened to leave, because he didn’t like how the fans reacted to him. They booed him out of the building instead of acknowledging him. Then Paul Heyman hyped The Rock’s intro, after a commercial break.

    The Rock came out to end the commercial break, and he had a lot to say. He started out by asking if the fans were sure that they wanted to boo him. Then The Rock dragged the crowd, because Phoenix is the #1 location for cocaine and meth use. This was a brutal promo, where he said that the fans finally have something worth shooting into their veins.

    “Rocky” chants came after he said, “finally The Rock is back in Arizona.” Then he said that pro wrestling is cool again. He followed that by saying that Cody Rhodes is not cool.

    The Rock addressed Cody’s challenge to go one-on-one against The Great One. He then gave his answer to Cody’s match, “no.” Everyone, including every woman in the arena wants to go one-on-one against The Rock. This received a response, but he told the “Crack Head Karens” and “Meth Head Marys” that they can’t handle his 22 inches, of course, he was talking about his biceps.

    Dwayne Johnson dragged Cody a bit for challenging him with such a big match coming up. Then he laid down a counter-offer. Night One of WrestleMania 40 will be The Rock and Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. 

    If the babyfaces win, then The Bloodline will not be at ringside for the Universal Title match on night two. If the heels win, then it will be Bloodline rules for their Universal Title match.

    The Rock said that they will be in Dallas next week for SmackDown so they can get their response first-hand.

    Before the segment ended, Roman Reigns told The Rock that he needed one thing: “Acknowledge me.” The Rock took a beat, removed his glasses, and he did just that, “Roman Reigns, my family, I acknowledge you as my Tribal Chief.” That drew quite a response from the crowd as they locked hands and hugged. This was followed by massive “You Sold Out” chants from fans.

    SEScoops will have continued coverage of the road to WrestleMania, whatever might happen next. For more updates, please keep checking back.

  • The Rock: From the Bottom of My Heart, F*** Cody Rhodes’ Story

    The Rock: From the Bottom of My Heart, F*** Cody Rhodes’ Story

    Cody Rhodes may have a burning desire to finish his story at WrestleMania 40, but that doesn’t phase the Bloodline’s newest member The Rock. 

    Rhodes’ pursuit of a WWE World Championship has been the focal point of his return to WWE. Recently, the ‘We Want Cody’ movement led to WWE backing out of plans for The Rock to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. In response, The Rock has turned heel and has vowed to make sure Rhodes doesn’t finish his story this April. 

    F*** Your Story

    Taking to social media, the Brahma Bull had a message for Rhodes and his ‘crybaby fans. The Brahma Bull explained that Rhodes made a serious mistake by bringing up his family at the WrestleMania kick-off event. The Great One concluded with a clear message to Rhodes and his story. 

    “Fans wanted to see the biggest WrestleMania event of all time. You took it away. Now, you’re going to pay. Cody Rhodes, from the bottom of my heart, man to man, f*** your story.”

    What’s Next? 

    The Rock will be a part of tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Cody Rhodes will also be part of SmackDown as part of his stacked March schedule. It’s unclear if Rhodes will appear during the show as unlike The Rock, he isn’t being advertised for an on-screen appearance. 

    At WWE Elimination Chamber 2024, Rhodes challenged The Rock to go one-on-one before Seth Rollins stated it’s never so simple when it comes to The Bloodline. A tag match pitting Rock and Reigns against Rhodes and Rollins has been discussed for WrestleMania 40. 

  • SummerSlam 2024 Buzz: WWE Eyeing Another NFL Stadium for Blockbuster Event

    SummerSlam 2024 Buzz: WWE Eyeing Another NFL Stadium for Blockbuster Event

    SummerSlam has become WWE’s second-largest event of the year at this point. Now, we are getting a bit of information about where the show will be held this year, and that could make Cleveland fans very happy.

    WWE likes filling up stadiums for their big shows, and SummerSlam is no different. It appears that we now know where the biggest party of the summer is heading this year.

    Rumored SummerSlam 2024 Location

    WrestleVotes reported that they can now back up Sean Ross Sapp’s report from months ago. WWE looks like they are zeroing in on the Cleveland Browns Stadium for a Saturday event on October 3rd.

    SummerSlam 2024 has been rumored for Cleveland, as Sean Ross Sapp hinted months ago. I’m told that through sources, WWE is close to finalizing a deal with Cleveland Browns Stadium to host the event on Saturday, Aug 3. Formal announcement should come in April.

    WWE’s Plan For SummerSlam

    SummerSlam has included some massive matches in recent memory, often rivaling WrestleMania in some respects. It is the biggest one-day event that WWE can hold. With TKO as a part of the picture, only time will tell what else they plan out for this year’s event.

    SEScoops will have more updates on this story, and many more, as additional news is available. Keep checking back for frequent updates on every story you need to know about.

  • WWE SmackDown Preview (3/1): The Rock, Dakota Kai Returns, Street Fight

    WWE SmackDown Preview (3/1): The Rock, Dakota Kai Returns, Street Fight

    Tonight’s WWE SmackDown takes place from Glendale, Arizona at the Desert Diamond Arena.

    WrestleMania 40 is just 36 days days away and business is about to pick up. “Greatness is coming” tonight, as The Rock, Roman Reigns and the rest of The Bloodline will be on hand. Roman Reigns is Tribal Chief and the Undisputed WWE Champion, but it’s The Rock who is commanding most of the attention headed into the event.

    How will The Rock react to Cody Rhodes issuing a challenge to him last weekend at Elimination Chamber? The American Nightmare stated, “Any time, any place.” The Rock hasn’t been one to back down for a challenge, so it will be interesting to see how he responds, and when a hypothetical match between these two would take place. 

    Wrestling fans who can’t get enough of The Rock are in luck, as he recently revealed his upcoming WWE schedule and confirmed he’ll be on SmackDown for the next several weeks.

    Matches For SmackDown:

    In addition to The Bloodline gracing us with their presence, WWE has announced the following matches for the March 1, 2024 edition of Friday Night SmackDown:

    • Dakota Kai & Bayley against The Kabuki Warriors. Kai has been recovering from ACL surgery and hasn’t wrestled since May 2023.
    • Carlito will battle Santos Escobar in a Street Fight.

    SEScoops will have full coverage of all the WWE news coming out of tonight’s SmackDown broadcast.

  • The Rock Regrets Not Patching Things Up With Father Rocky Johnson Before His Passing

    The Rock Regrets Not Patching Things Up With Father Rocky Johnson Before His Passing

    The Rock comes from a rich family lineage in pro wrestling, and he will never forget what his father did for him and many others. The People’s Champion recently shared a candid message about his father, while revealing a big regret he still harbors.

    The Rock Speaks on his father, Rocky Johnson

    Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently shared on his Twitter/X account to deliver some flowers to his late father. Rocky Johnson, alongside Tony Atlas, achieved wrestling history as the first-ever Black Heavyweight Tag Team Champions in WWE.

    Rocky’s journey was marked by challenges, yet his son said he paved the way for men of color in sports and sports entertainment.

    The Rock concluded his heartfelt post with a poignant farewell to his dad, reaffirming their eventual reunion. He regrets not being able to patch things up and get other their complicated situation prior to Johnson’s passing.

    Just delivering flowers to heaven to my old man, Rocky “Soulman” Johnson. My dad, along with “Mr USA”, Tony Atlas made pro wrestling history by becoming the first ever Black Heavyweight Tag Team Champions for the WWE.

    He came up the hard way, and trail-blazed for all of us men of color – in any sport & level of entertainment. But it was also very important to him to pave the way for all men, any color – it didn’t matter. My regret in this life is that I never had a chance to say goodbye to him, because he died suddenly.

    I regret not reconciling our complicated father/son sh*t before I lost him. Raised me with tough fatherly love and an even tougher hand. The more I live life, the more grateful I am for it. See you down the road, Soulman

    What’s Next for The Rock

    The Rock is back in the fold with WWE right now, and he is on the road to WrestleMania. We will have to see what kind of match they book for the Great One at the show of shows, but odds are Rocky Johnson will be looking down with a smile as he watches the Bloodline do their thing.

    SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and many more in the pro wrestling business. You never know what will break next, and we will have all the updates you need.

  • John Cena’s Peacemaker Season 2 Commitments Could Impact WrestleMania 40 Role

    John Cena’s Peacemaker Season 2 Commitments Could Impact WrestleMania 40 Role

    We have less than 40 days until WrestleMania 40 is upon us. The show of shows may just see John Cena once again, but he will have to work out a very busy schedule.

    John Cena’s last match went down in Saudi Arabia against Solo Sikoa. After that match, he hinted at retirement in some fashion, and he had two surgeries. While he may not wrestle at the show of shows, he will try to be around.

    John Cena’s WWE WrestleMania 40 Status

    I exclusively reported here at SEScoops on February 23rd that John Cena is trying to make it back to do something at WrestleMania. Now, we have a bit more information on his schedule.

    The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that there is talk within WWE of Cena coming back to Mania for some kind of involvement. It wasn’t noted exactly what they are talking about for Cena, but he will have to work around the filming for Peacemaker’s second season.

    Cena will soon be filming a second season of “Peacemaker.” There has been some talk about Cena at Mania. It’s basically up to his acting schedule and if there is something going on. If there is, he may appear but couldn’t do anything that would be deemed a risk. We were told that if he does appear, the idea is to do something fun, short and memorable and with substance

    What’s Next for John Cena

    Peacemaker’s first season was a big hit on MAX. Now, season 2 is coming at fans, but that might not keep Cena away from the bright lights of WrestleMania 40. Obviously, Big Match John would love to be at the showcase of the immortals in some fashion this year, even if he can’t wrestle.

    John Cena’s next movie, Ricky Stanicky, drops on Amazon Prime on March 7th. That will be quite an adventure for fans, as it also gave him a chance to start his first OnlyFans venture.

    SEScoops will have continued coverage of the road to WrestleMania. Keep checking back for constant updates.

  • Daily Drop (3/1): Tama Tonga’s Status With WWE Creative, Tony Khan Wants More AEW Pay-Per-Views

    Daily Drop (3/1): Tama Tonga’s Status With WWE Creative, Tony Khan Wants More AEW Pay-Per-Views

    Welcome to SEScoops: the Daily Drop, your go-to for the latest news and rumors in wrestling for March 1st. It’s the beginning of a new month, and we have a lot in store for you here. Let’s get right into things.

    Days until WrestleMania XL: 36

    WWE:

    – WWE’s creative is aware Tama Tonga is coming, but they have not been given any direction for him yet. I was told this is “Not surprising because he’s probably not in before WrestleMania.” So, don’t expect Tonga for Mania.

    – John Cena is pretty hyped about the Peacemaker getting into the new Mortal Kombat Game.

    – On another Cena note, he was also recently locked out of his Twitter/X account due to his questionable OnlyFans activity.

    – Pat McAfee said there’s no way he could pass a drug test to compete at WrestleMania 40, because of all the “rich guy stuff” he’s taking.

    – R-Truth can’t tell the difference between Johnny Gargano and Shawn Michaels, and we are starting to see a trend forming here.

    – WWE, WWE 2K24 and Snickers are teaming up again for a WrestleMania sponsorship.

    – The Rock may be a heel on the road to WrestleMania, but he recently gave big to a family who lost their daughter to cancer.

    – A former WWE writer claims that they were punished for not wanting to produce racially insensitive content.

    WWE SmackDown Lineup For 3/1:

    • “Greatness is Coming” The Rock Returns to SmackDown
    • Bayley & Dakota Kai vs. The Kabuki Warriors (w/IYO SKY)
    • Street Fight: Carlito vs. Santos Escobar

    AEW:

    – AEW talent are straight-up telling Tony Khan that they are not going to follow through with his creative direction, and that seems to be a growing trend backstage in the company.

    – Sting said that he could have ended his career with a match against The Undertaker if that happened in WWE. It did not, so now he will wrap things up at AEW Revolution on Sunday.

    – Tony Khan also said that AEW is well-equipped to handle any allegations of misconduct.

    – It looks like Mercedes Mone won’t be exclusive to AEW, because she has responded to Giulia’s challenge. This situation could get very interesting with the former Sasha Banks in AEW.

    – Tony Khan is looking to bump AEW’s pay-per-view count to around 9 a year, which he believes is the “sweet spot.”

    Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

    • AEW Revolution is planned for the following weekend, on Sunday, March 3.
    • AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
    • WWE NXT Stand & Deliver is slated for the afternoon of April 6th, just before the start of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.
    • WrestleMania XL is set to take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a two-part event.
    • Backlash France is scheduled for May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.
    • WWE NXT Battleground is booked for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, exclusively available on the WWE Network and Peacock.
    • WWE Money in the Bank will be held on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.
    • WWE Bash In Berlin is marked for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.
  • John Cena Is Happy to Bring Peace to Mortal Kombat 1 With Peacemaker Inclusion

    John Cena Is Happy to Bring Peace to Mortal Kombat 1 With Peacemaker Inclusion

    John Cena is excited to bring ‘peace’ to the ultra-violent world of Mortal Kombat with the inclusion of Peacemaker to the series. 

    In July 2023, Peacemaker was announced for Mortal Kombat 1, which despite the name is the latest game in the popular fighting series. Recently, fans got a trailer of Peacemaker in the game, which is voiced by Cena. 

    https://twitter.com/MortalKombat/status/1760665781137031567

    In a tweet, Cena said that after three decades of brutal Mortal Kombat games, he was pleased to bring some peace to the game. 

    John Cena as Peacemaker

    The 16-time WWE World Champion first portrayed Peacemaker in 2021’s ‘The Suicide Squad,‘ a soft sequel to the 2016 ‘Suicide Squad‘ film. Diving deep into the character, Cena would often wear the full Peacemaker costume when making public appearances and when walking the red carpet.

    Peacemaker is also the subject of its own series from HBO Max (now known as just Max.) Peacemaker the series debuted in January 2022 and received solid reviews. A second season of Peacemaker was greenlit in early 2022. 

    Who is Peacemaker?

    Cena plays the jingoistic Christopher Smith, a character who believes in doing anything to achieve what he considers peace, even if it means killing men, women, and children. The first season of the Peacemaker TV series explored what drives the character to this dedication to ‘peace’, such as his fraught relationship with his father played by Robert Patrick. The Terminator 2 actor has a history with Cena as the pair shared the screen for 2006’s The Marine. 

    WWE and Mortal Kombat

    Cena isn’t the only name from pro wrestling to make their presence felt in Mortal Kombat. For Mortal Kombat 11, Ronda Rousey voiced series regular Sonya Blade. The Miz’s Hollywood A-Lister character has often been compared to Johnny Cage, another regular in the series.