Welcome to a new feature we’re running here at SEScoops, the Daily Drop – a rundown of the top news and rumors in wrestling. TNA Wrestling has their February 22 show tonight, but AEW and WWE fans have the night off from shows. That doesn’t mean there is any lack of news.
Elimination Chamber starts at 5:00 am for fans in the East Coast on Feb 24, as the event goes down in Perth, Australia. Here is a rundown of the start times.
- WrestleMania Countdown: 46 days away
WWE
– I was told that there was actually never a creative plan for Jey Uso to win the IC Title from GUNTHER. They way it went down with GUNTHER retaining on the road to WrestleMania is always what was supposed to happen. Also, WWE has settled on an opponent for GUNTHER at WrestleMania. I specially asked if Sami Zayn is taking on the Ring General, and was told, “no spoilers” in response.
– WWE announced a new event for WrestleMania week. “Evening with a Legend” will feature Booker T and tickets are available for sale now.
– It was confirmed that Ken Shamrock is coming back to a WWE 2K game. He will be a playable legend for the new release.
– Randy Orton was asked about Vince McMahon’s allegations while speaking to SI. He was quite candid about how heartbreaking the whole thing is.
– John Cena also had something to say about Vince’s allegations. He also made it clear that he will always love McMahon.
– Also, while appearing on the Howard Stern Show, John Cena addressed any accusations about steroid use throughout his career. He stands by the story that he is clean.
– Scott Hall’s daughter dropped a pretty epic unseen video. This included Triple H and Kevin Nash, and at the time company lines separated them. During that period, Hall & Nash were with WCW, while Triple H remained with WWE.
AEW
– Wardlow fired off a pretty good shot at CM Punk this week on Dynamite. He took credit for physically breaking Punk down, and we all know he’s currently out of action with an injury.
– Tony Khan clapped back at O’Shea Jackson Jr’s comments about AEW.
– AEW’s Ric Flair has a biopic coming out. The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions is going to produce it as well, so that could be a must-see project.
– AEW picked up recently departed WWE Senior Writer Jennifer Pepperman as their new VP of Content Development. It was a surprise when she left WWE. Her background in soap operas also saw her win Emmy Awards. I previously reported that the internal feeling within WWE was that Pepperman already had a job waiting for her when she departed from WWE.
I was told that Jennifer Pepperman's departure from WWE was "totally unexpected" to those backstage. She will be missed too.
There is a belief that she already has a job lined up elsewhere.
— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 15, 2024
– Ric Flair showed up on AEW Dynamite this week as the company continues to build hype for Sting’s last match at Revolution.
– AEW added to their Revolution pay-per-view, as Daniel Garcia stepped up to challenge Christian Cage for the TNT Title.
– Adam “Hangman” Page hurt his foot during AEW Dynamite this week. He commented on it after the show. It is apparently a bad situation.
TNA & NWA
– Billy Corgan announced an exclusive streaming deal with The CW, making NWA programs available for free on The CW app. This partnership aims to broaden NWA’s audience and showcase its authenticity. Additionally, a new unscripted series about Corgan’s life will debut on The CW.
You can check out the updated lineup for Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact below:
- The System (Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards & Moose) vs. Alex Shelley, KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight
- Chris Sabin vs. Jason Hotch
- Steve Maclin vs. Trent Seven
- Simon Gotch in action
- Ash By Elegance in action
Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events
- WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth is scheduled for next Saturday, February 24.
- AEW Dynamite: Big Business will be hosted at Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.
- AEW Revolution is planned for the following weekend, on Sunday, March 3.
- 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.
