Tessa Blanchard has a major match set for TNA Genesis against Jordynne Grace, but she’s excited for all possibilities involving TNA and NXT.

WWE announced a new long-term partnership with TNA on Thursday, revealing that both wrestling promotions will continue collaborating by allowing talent to compete against one another on their respective shows. It should create a lot of excitement for fans, but for the talent as well.

One name is who is taking note is Blanchard, who recently made a major return to TNA by setting her sights on Jordynne Grace. Grace has previously made her presence known on NXT, but also in last year’s Royal Rumble.

Speaking with Blanchard ahead of Genesis this Sunday, I asked Tessa her thoughts on the announcement and what it means for pro wrestling. Blanchard noted she has some history with one specific name in NXT.

“Stephanie Vacquer and I, we have a history in CMLL over in Mexico. We’ve had some banger matches out there. So her and I were actually chatting and we’re like, ‘Hmm, maybe we’ll get to see each other in the ring again one day,’ and I know that would be just a treat.”

However, other stars in the NXT women’s division has also caught Blanchard’s eye.

“There’s some girls that I’m not familiar with personally, but watching their work, I watch it and I’m like, ‘Gosh!’ There’s Kelani Jordan. She’s absolutely phenomenal in the ring.

Sol Ruca, she’s phenomenal in the ring and just seeing the way that these ladies move – there’s a lot of promise over there, and I hope that some of the ladies in the TNA locker room get to mix it up with a lot of them.”

As far as the partnership announcement goes, Blanchard sees a great relationship and opportunity for all involved, both in NXT and in TNA.

“It’s something special. I think it’s something that no one could have expected. It’s something that people have been talking about, but now it’s in ink.

“Now it’s out there for the whole world to see and it’s a huge blessing for both companies because just like NXT is filled with such amazing talent and leadership, TNA is as well.”

You can catch Blanchard in her return match against Grace at TNA Genesis, this Sunday on PPV. You’ll be able to watch the full interview upcoming on 1TS Network.

John Cena has partnered with Roku Originals for a new series titled What Drives You. The show features Cena hitting the road with celebrity guests and their favorite vehicles, engaging in conversations on a variety of topics.

The trailer reveals several notable guests, including Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, singer Jelly Roll, and WWE stars Logan Paul and The Miz. The premiere episode spotlights Logan Paul, with the synopsis describing: “In Puerto Rico, John meets Logan Paul. They go for a drive in Logan’s Ford Bronco, talk about career highs and lows, and end up at Logan’s gym, where his brother, Jake Paul, is training for a fight.”

The Miz appears in the fourth episode, as detailed in the synopsis: “In Los Angeles, John visits his former WWE rival, The Miz. They hit the road in The Miz’s Tesla Model X Plaid and talk about how The Miz went from cast member on The Real World to WWE superstar.”

What Drives You is produced by ITV America’s Leftfield Pictures. Executive producer credits go to David George, Shawn Witt, Sean Moran, Jay Bienstock, Cena, and Dan Baime, while Sean Boyle oversees the series for Roku Originals.

Cena is currently on a retirement tour with WWE, working through December with up to 36 appearances, including competing in the Royal Rumble in two weeks.

Outside the ring, Cena has had a successful acting career with starring roles in Blockers and The Suicide Squad. He has also appeared in the Fast & Furious franchise, the comedy thriller Argylle, the Barbie movie, and had a guest-starring role in FX’s The Bear.

WWE and TNA Wrestling have announced a groundbreaking multi-year partnership designed to create unparalleled crossover opportunities for talent of both promotions.

This collaboration will provide talent with exposure on major WWE and TNA platforms, including weekly shows such as NXT and TNA iMPACT!, as well as select WWE Premium Live Events and TNA pay-per-views.

In a statement, Ariel Shnerer, Senior Vice President of Content & Distribution for TNA Wrestling and Anthem Sports & Entertainment, shared their excitement.

“This historic relationship demonstrates that collaboration and competition do not have to be mutually exclusive… The response to our collaboration over the past year has been tremendous, and both companies have benefited—but the fans have reaped the greatest rewards.”

Shawn Michaels, WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, was similarly excited for what’s to come.

“We look forward to growing and evolving our partnership with TNA Wrestling and its outstanding group of athletes by creating new opportunities to further the development of our talent and to elevate the viewer experience at home.”

This deal comes after 2024 saw several examples of collaboration between WWE and TNA Wrestling. Jordynne Grace and Joe Hendry appeared regularly on NXT, with highlights including Hendry’s NXT Championship match at No Mercy and Grace’s NXT Women’s Championship bout at Battleground. NXT Superstars also made notable appearances in TNA, such as Wes Lee’s reunion with The Rascalz and contributions from Charlie Dempsey, Riley Osbourne, Gallus, and others.

This collaboration was felt this week, with TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich appearing on WWE NXT and teased doing more with the brand after the show. Stay tuned for the latest on WWE and TNA Wrestling and plenty more collaboration between the two parties.

Anybody else think we’ll see some stars from TNA Wrestling as participants in this year’s Royal Rumble?

The WWE Royal Rumble 2025 is set to make history as the first Premium Live Event to stream on Netflix for international audiences. Taking place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, this event marks the beginning of the Road to WrestleMania 41. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch this exciting wrestling spectacle.

2025 Royal Rumble Entrants: All Confirmed Superstars

When and Where to Watch WWE Royal Rumble 2025

The Royal Rumble 2025 will stream live on Saturday, February 1, starting at 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT for viewers in the United States. 

For UK fans, the event will begin at 11 PM GMT. The show is expected to last approximately 3 to 4 hours, concluding in the early hours of Sunday morning for those in European time zones.

Here’s more about Royal Rumble 2025 Start Times around the world.

How to stream WWE Royal Rumble 2025

For viewers in the United States, the Royal Rumble 2025 will be available exclusively on Peacock. This continues the existing arrangement for WWE Premium Live Events in the US market.International viewers, including those in the UK and other countries, will be able to watch the event on Netflix. This marks a significant change from previous years, as WWE content has moved to Netflix following a historic 10-year, $5 billion deal announced in 2024.

Pay-Per-View

For those who prefer traditional Pay-Per-View (PPV) options, the WWE Royal Rumble 2025 can be purchased through local cable and satellite providers. Fans should check with their specific TV provider for availability and pricing in their area. Visit WWE.com for more info.

The main attractions of the event are the 30-man and 30-woman Royal Rumble matches. The winners of these matches will earn championship opportunities at WrestleMania 41. Additionally, other championship matches are expected to be on the card, though the full lineup has yet to be announced.

The WWE Royal Rumble 2025 is set to kick off the Road to WrestleMania 41 with an action-packed event on February 1, 2025. This year’s Royal Rumble will make history as the first to take place in February and the first to be streamed on Netflix for international viewers. Here’s everything you need to know about the start times across different regions.

2025 Royal Rumble Entrants: All Confirmed Superstars

US and Canada Start Times

For fans in the United States and Canada, the WWE Royal Rumble 2025 will begin at 6 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Saturday, February 1, 2025. This translates to:

• Central Time (CT): 5 PM
• Mountain Time (MT): 4 PM
• Pacific Time (PT): 3 PM

European Start Times

Wrestling enthusiasts in Europe will need to stay up late or set their alarms early to catch the action:

• United Kingdom and Ireland: 11 PM GMT (February 1)
• Central European Time (CET): 12 AM (February 2)
• Eastern European Time (EET): 1 AM (February 2)

Australian and Asian Start Times

For fans Down Under and across Asia, the Royal Rumble will be a Sunday morning affair:

• Australia (AEDT): 10 AM (February 2)
• Japan and Korea (JST/KST): 8 AM (February 2)
• India (IST): 4:30 AM (February 2)

Middle East Start Times

Viewers in the Middle East can tune in during the early hours of Sunday:

• Saudi Arabia and UAE: 2 AM (February 2)

South American Start Times

• Brazil (BRT): 8 PM (February 1)
• Argentina (ART): 9 PM (February 1)

African Start Times

• South Africa (SAST): 1 AM (February 2)
• Nigeria (WAT): 12 AM (February 2)

Southeast Asian Start Times

• Philippines (PST): 7 AM (February 2)
• Singapore and Malaysia (SGT/MYT): 7 AM (February 2)
• Indonesia (WIB): 6 AM (February 2)

Pacific Region

• New Zealand (NZDT): 12 PM (February 2)
• Fiji (FJT): 11 AM (February 2)

AEW commentator Jim Ross recently weighed in on the ongoing controversy surrounding WWE commentator Corey Graves and his recent comments on social media. Speaking on his Grilling JR Podcast, Ross, considered by many to be the greatest commentator of all time, shared his perspective, offering both empathy and candor regarding the situation.

Ross began by reflecting on his own experiences in the industry, drawing parallels to Graves’ current predicament. “How many times has that happened to me? Several,” Ross said, acknowledging the nature of the broadcasting business. “And here I am—jolly, happy, and healthy as an old horse. I’ve got nothing to complain about; it’s just part of the life we choose.”

While Ross did not delve into the specifics of the controversy, he was understanding for anyone feeling left behind in such a competitive environment. “I feel bad that someone feels left behind—maybe he has been,” Ross said.

In his now deleted post, Graves took issue with being declared not famous enough for the role of a main roster commentator, seemingly a dig at Pat McAfee. Ross didn’t shy away from comparing Graves to McAfee, who is a major name in broadcasting both in and out of WWE.

“Would you trade Pat McAfee and his massive broadcast platform for Corey Graves? I wouldn’t, to be honest.”

Ross’ comments serve as a reminder of the tough realities of broadcasting, particularly in the highly-competitve world of WWE. Graves did not appear on this week’s WWE NXT or WWE Speed, further raising questions about his future with the promotion.

Backstage Upate on Corey Graves’ Status with WWE

Bob Uecker, the beloved baseball broadcaster and WWE Hall of Famer, passed away Thursday at age 90.

Known affectionately as “Mr. Baseball,” Uecker created two of WrestleMania’s most memorable celebrity moments during the late 1980s. At WrestleMania III in 1987, he served as the special guest ring announcer for the historic main event between WWE Champion Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant.

He returned the following year at WrestleMania IV as both a ringside commentator and backstage interviewer. His WrestleMania IV appearance produced an iconic moment when Andre the Giant choked Uecker backstage after the broadcaster’s witty remarks irritated the legendary wrestler. The image of Andre wringing Uecker’s neck became one of WWE’s most enduring clips of the 1980s.

In recognition of his contributions to WWE’s flagship events, Uecker was inducted into the Celebrity Wing of the WWE Hall of Fame in 20103. During his induction, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon noted how Uecker “cemented his place in WWE history” through his WrestleMania appearances.

Beyond wrestling, Uecker enjoyed a 53-year career as the radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers. He also also starred in the sitcom “Mr. Belvedere” and the “Major League” film series, showcasing the wit and charm that made him such a natural fit for WWE’s grandest stage.

WWE filed several trademark applications with the US Patent & Trademark Office earlier this week (January 14). They include:

The Game: A nickname synonymous with Triple H. The term has been used less frequently in recent years now that he is retired from in-ring competition. Instead, WWE programming often highlights Triple H’s role as WWE’s Chief Content Officer.

Lashing Out w/ Lash Legend: A talk show hosted by Meta-Four’s Lash Legend. The segment debuted in September 2021 but hasn’t been used on NXT programming since 2022.

Malik Blade: Blade comptes in WWE NXT and debuted for the brand in October 2021 with a loss to Tony D’Angelo. His biggest TV match to date came at NXT Gold Rush in June 2023, where he and Edris Enofe challenged for the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Brooks Jensen: Jensen gained major attention in 2024 when he teased that he’d left WWE and even showed up at independent events. Now a part of NXT programming once again, he has been under the tutelage of Shawn Spears.

Sam Stoker: This is the former ring-name of SmackDown’s Kit Wilson. The Pretty Deadly star also went by Smooth Sammy Smooth on the independents but has used the Wilson name since April 2022.

These terms all shared similar ‘Goods and Services’ descriptions (“wrestling exhibitions and performances”), typical for the WWE trademark filings we track here for our readers.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest news about professional wrestling trademarks.

Corey Graves has found himself in the spotlight following a post on X earlier this week, where he expressed frustration about being moved to the NXT commentary team. In a follow-up post, Graves stated he would have more to say during this week’s NXT, but he did not appear as promised. His brother, Sam Adonis, later clarified in his own post that the situation is not part of a storyline.

According to Wrestling Observer Radio, Graves learned weeks ago that Wade Barrett would be replacing him on SmackDown. Sources backstage have reported that Graves was unhappy when informed of this decision.

Some within WWE speculate that Graves’ recent post, which has since been deleted, may be an attempt to get himself fired. However, insiders suggest that if this is Graves’ goal, WWE is unlikely to comply with this tactic.

Jonathan Coachman On Corey Graves: ‘It Happens, Playing Nice Might Help’

What Did Corey Graves Say?

In his post, Graves recalled being told that he could no longer wrestle, and dedicating his life to his “dream adjacent” and becoming a “pretty f***ing awesome” commentator. Graves shared that he was told “you’re not famous enough for your job,” that some have seen as a nod to Joe Tessitore and Pat McAfee. Both Tessitore and McAfee had established high-profile careers outside WWE before joining, unlike Graves, who has been a dedicated part of WWE but now feels relegated to NXT.

With Graves being replaced as the commentator of this week’s WWE Speed, questions remain about the future of the man once considered the heir apparent to Michael Cole. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Corey Graves as his role with WWE remains unclear.

Oba Femi, the newly crowned NXT Champion, addressed accusations of faking his accent during his promo on the January 14th edition of NXT. Speaking on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, Femi clarified that his accent stems from his upbringing in Nigeria, where he lived for 19 years. While acknowledging that his accent may appear exaggerated on television, he emphasized that it is authentic.

Femi explained to hosts O’Shea Jackson and TJ Jefferson that his ability to code-switch, a skill he developed after living in the United States for seven years. He shared how he switches between accents depending on the context, such as speaking casually in public. “Both accents are real for me,” he said, adding that he intentionally used this ability during his promo to engage fans and give them “something to talk about.”

“It’s played up on TV for sure, but this is how I talk. I can also code-switch because I’ve been in the States, it’s played up on TV for sure, but this is how I talk. I can also code-switch because I’ve been in the States for like seven years. So if I go to the store and I’m like, ‘Hey man, you put that thing in the bag,’ I can do both.

People think, ‘Oh, one is real, one is fake.’ But no, both are me. I just have the ability to code-switch.  for like seven years. So if I go to the store and I’m like, ‘Hey man, you put that thing in the bag,’ I can do both. People think, ‘Oh, one is real, one is fake.’ But no, both are me. I just have the ability to code-switch.”

Femi also discussed his mindset as a champion, noting that while he didn’t grow up dreaming of his current position, he always believed he could achieve it. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to entertain fans and clarified that his promo decisions were deliberate.

Now holding the NXT Championship, Femi has become a prominent target in the division. Fans have praised his honesty and ability to connect with the audience. As WWE continues to develop storylines around him, Femi’s unique personality and skills will likely play a key role in his championship reign.

Fans can expect to see TNA’s Matt Hardy as part of WWE programming soon, including a genuine possibility of an in-ring return. On the latest edition of the Insight podcast, Hardy shared that he has filmed content for the Sports Entertainment juggernaut that will be dropping soon.

“We filmed some content for WWE that’ll probably be dropping pretty soon. I saw the Dudleys did it the day before us, and I know theirs just dropped recently.”

Matt parted ways with WWE in 2020 but the “perfect storm arose” that has allowed him to work with the company recently. Matt also believes that WWE’s ongoing partnership with TNA could make an in-ring return possible.

“I feel good about that… I think you could see us pop up even as TNA champs on some WWE show.”

Matt and Jeff are currently in their third reign as TNA World Tag Team Champions after capturing the gold from The System at Bound for Glory in October 2024. Though the champs have yet to resurface in WWE, TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich was spotted at the January 14, edition of WWE NXT.

Masha Slamovich Teases Future WWE NXT Role After Surprise Appearance

Decades after debuting in WWE in the mid 1990s, there’s still no shortage of love for Matt and Jeff Hardy among fans. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the Hardy Boyz, and whether a TNA World Tag Title defense in a WWE ring is in store for the iconic duo.

Thunder Rosa got emotional talking about Penta’s WWE debut.

The masked star defeated Chad Gable in his debut match on this week’s episode of Raw. The wrestling star’s whole family was at the ringside for this moment and their emotion showed what the night meant for the 39-year-old.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WWE (@wwe)

Thunder Rosa who has worked with the high-flying star in multiple different companies talked about the whole thing on Busted Open Radio recently. The former AEW Women’s Champion first highlighted the struggles of both Penta and his brother Rey Fenix from a very early age:

“Penta’s been a friend of mine for a while. I got really close once he came to AEW, I’ve worked with him since Lucha Underground. So I’ve seen his rise to every platform that he’s worked. Seeing him with his family, like his daughters, I met his daughters, I hang out with his daughters, his wife. It was very special, because he started working.

And his place of birth, which is Ecatepec de Morelos, which is one of the most dangerous places in Mexico City. Him and his brother worked so hard from, you know, carrying things in Mercado De Abastos [Farmer’s market], five, six days a week. Then they were training, and they were getting paid, literally, they call it Luchadores Moleros, which is they get paid by a soda and a plate of food.”

• Bully Ray Impressed By Penta’s WWE Debut: ‘This Is How You Do It’

It Means A Lot: Thunder Rosa

Thunder Rosa herself got emotional discussing the importance of representation for the Hispanic community. She proclaimed that Penta’s debut is a proud moment for her:

“So just imagine that. That was like probably 20 years ago, when they both, both of them started. Seeing them how they have been able to transcend barriers in everything, because they both had to learn English at a older age.

Seeing what he said like it really got in my heart, because I’ve seen his struggles, and I sat with him and he’s all about business. He has a great influence in me, personally. I get a little emotional because at a time in where things are changing so quickly, seeing someone like that being an example of hard work takes you to places, and you will utilize every platform that you can to become successful, it means a lot.

Representation means everything. This is a beautiful moment for Hispanics in professional wrestling, because finally, we are seeing some change, and we’re seeing that they’re respecting our traditions and that we’re given a space where we can be ourselves. So that’s why I was so proud.”

• Rey Mysterio Endorses Penta After Debut In “True Home” WWE

Corey Graves has been a crucial voice on WWE programming for years, but his future with the promotion continues to remain uncertain. This week, Graves took to X to share his frustrations with his current position in WWE, and has now missed multiple events.

Graves was missing from the latest episode of WWE Speed, which saw Chad Gable facing NXT star Charlie Dempsey. Though Graves has been the sole voice of the X-exclusive show since its launch last year, Blake Howard filled in as the play-by-play commentator for the match. His absence comes after he missed this week’s WWE NXT, a show that Graves had previously stated he’d be a part of.

Graves posted on X on Tuesday, January 14, that he’d spent years working hard only to be told “you’re not famous enough for your own job.” Though the Savior of Misbehavior didn’t name names, many saw this line as a dig at Joe Tessitore and Pat McAfee, both of whom are established names in broadcasting outside WWE. McAfee was brought back as a Raw commentator last week while Tessitore has replaced Graves on SmackDown. Graves has since deleted his post.

WWE has yet to give a public update on Graves’ standing with the company but fans are eager to learn what the future looks like for him and if a return to the main roster is viable. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Corey Graves and his journey in WWE.

NXT wrestler Jaida Parker is facing backlash after liking an Instagram post advocating for a ban on transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports at federally funded educational institutions.

The Instagram post from @Spiritualword highlighted the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act.” This legislation seeks to bar transgender athletes, specifically those assigned male at birth, from competing in sports teams designated for women and girls under Title IX.

The bill frames sex as determined by “reproductive biology and genetics at birth” when addressing athletic participation in schools and colleges receiving federal funding.

The reaction to Parker’s apparent support of the post has been largely negative, with fans and commentators divided over her perceived stance on the highly debated issue.

Jaida Parker addressed the situation in this reply:

Rhea Ripley received a major endorsement from none other than The Rock just before her big match at the WWE Raw Netflix premiere on January 6.

WWE’s YouTube channel released a video that gives fans a backstage look at the monumental event, featuring iconic personalities such as The Rock, Logan Paul, CM Punk, Paul Heyman, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon.

A standout moment captured in the video showcases The Rock approaching Ripley as she prepared for her title match against Liv Morgan. After offering a warm hug, he told her,

“Sorry, I don’t want to bother you. I just want to say good luck, do your thing.

Thank you for everything you do. Thank you for carrying the company.”

The Rock to Rhea Ripley (Backstage at WWE Raw Netflix Debut – 1/6/25)

The heartfelt compliment left Ripley visibly moved. As a legendary performer and executive of WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, The Rock’s endorsement carries a lot weight. After the encounter, Ripley went to the ring and delivered a stellar performance, reclaiming her WWE Women’s Championship from Liv Morgan.

The moment underscored the respect she commands from both WWE’s past and present, further cementing her status as one of the company’s premier talents. For fans, this behind-the-scenes footage provides a rare glimpse into the camaraderie and respect shared by WWE’s stars, both in and out of the ring.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by WWE (@wwe)

WWE Shares Behind-the-Scenes Footage from Netflix Premiere, Logan Paul Talks John Cena and The Rock

In a new video released on WWE’s YouTube channel, behind-the-scenes moments from the Netflix premiere of WWE RAW were showcased, featuring appearances by top stars. One highlight came when Logan Paul shared his admiration for John Cena and made bold comments about potential future matches.

Speaking about Cena’s presence at the event, Paul praised the 16-time world champion.

“Bro, John Cena is the best guy in the world, actually. He’s a guy who everyone meets and says, ‘That guy is the best guy in the world.’

If I go to heaven, God willing, I’m pretty sure John Cena will be there like, ‘Come on, buddy! Welcome to the club.’”

Logan Paul envisions John Cena welcoming him into the gates of heaven

Logan Paul vs. John Cena

When asked about the possibility of facing Cena in the ring, Paul expressed his respect but suggested he wanted a greater challenge.

“I think I’d hurt John, to be honest with you,” Paul said. “If I get in the ring with him, it’d be an honor. But I’m tired of beating up these legends, to be honest with you. I beat up on Roman.

I beat up on Cody. If I gotta beat up on John, I’ll do it, but I’d prefer a challenge, bro.”

The social media star-turned-WWE competitor also took a jab at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, calling him the ultimate opponent. “Talk about Dwayne Johnson here, Final Boss? I’m the new boss. There’s a new man in town, bro, and his name’s Logan Paul.”

Paul’s comments, mixing confidence and reverence, continue to stir speculation about potential blockbuster matches, including showdowns with WWE legends like Cena or even The Rock.

WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair was backstage during Tuesday’s WWE NXT television broadcast at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

Flair has been absent from WWE television since December 2023 due to a severe knee injury. She sustained the injury during a match against Asuka on the December 8, 2023, episode of SmackDown, where she tore her ACL, MCL, and meniscus.

Following surgery in January 2024, Flair has been focused on rehabilitation and has shared her recovery journey with fans through social media, often posting training videos and photos.

The 14-time World Champion shared a photo on social media alongside NXT Tag Team Champions Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend, captioned,

“Some girls want to be a princess when they grow up, I wanted to be in a bad b**ch girl gang.”

Charlotte Flair

This caption has sparked speculation among fans about the possibility of Flair leading a faction upon her return to WWE television. While Flair is widely recognized as a standout singles competitor, she was part of a faction during her early days in NXT over a decade ago.

Most wrestling fans know about the (unofficial) Four Horsewomen, but real ones remember the Beautiful, Fierce Females. In November 2013, Charlotte joined The BFFs alongside Sasha Banks and Summer Rae, turning heel after attacking her former tag team partner, Bayley. The BFFs became one of NXT’s most successful factions before disbanding when Summer Rae was called up to the main roster.

Though WWE has not officially announced when Charlotte Flair will return to television, her appearance at this week’s NXT broadcast suggests her return is imminent.

Ethan Page’s transition to NXT has marked a significant turning point in his career, with the wrestler not only capturing the NXT Championship but also sharing the spotlight with The Rock in a backstage segment. This new chapter comes after a period of limited opportunities in AEW, where Page saw minimal TV time before moving to ROH. There, he engaged in a prolonged feud with Tony Nese but eventually found himself off television once more.

In an appearance on Busted Open After Dark with Bully Ray, Page shed light on the difference in how he has been utilized in NXT versus AEW. When asked why AEW failed to capitalize on his potential while NXT has embraced him, Page attributed it to the leadership.

“This company is run by wrestlers.”

Ethan Page on NXT

Highlighting the wrestler-centric approach in NXT. Elaborating further, Page explained,

“[AEW] didn’t know what they had, and now they do. I’m gone. These guys have me. They have the ability to do whatever it is that they want, and they have chosen to open a door for Ethan Page to absolutely kick wide open.”

Ethan Page

Since joining NXT, Page has showcased his talent in high-profile matches, defeating notable opponents like Je’Von Evans, Cedric Alexander, and Dante Chen. His performances have not only elevated his status but also brought a new energy to the NXT roster, with Page visibly thriving in his new environment.

“Busted Open After Dark” is the late-night wrestling podcast, where Dave LaGreca and his rotating co-hosts dive deep into the hottest topics and biggest moments in pro wrestling.

Ethan Page’s NXT Championship Reign

Ethan Page’s reign as NXT Champion stands out as one of the most remarkable in the brand’s history due to its rapid ascent, record-breaking achievements, and notable title defenses.

Page captured the championship on July 7, 2024, at NXT Heatwave, emerging victorious in a fatal four-way match against Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Shawn Spears. The match ended dramatically when Page secured the pinfall on Evans after inadvertently landing on him following Williams’ Trick Shot finisher. This victory made history, as Page clinched the NXT Championship a mere 40 days after his debut, the fastest climb to the title in the brand’s history.

Throughout his 86-day reign, which lasted until October 1, 2024, Page successfully defended the championship against formidable competitors such as Dante Chen, Oro Mensah, and Joe Hendry. His reign concluded during NXT’s premiere on The CW Network, where he dropped the title back to Trick Williams in a highly anticipated rematch, with CM Punk serving as the special guest referee.

Chelsea Green is pleased to see the steps WWE has taken to promote equality among its male and female rosters, and believes Triple H has played a large role in facilitating that change. Speaking to the Sports Agents, Green acknowledged the efforts of WWE’s Chief Content Officer.

“I love my job. I feel safe, I feel supported. Triple H makes women specifically feel absolutely equal to men. Thats why I love to come to work. That’s why I feel so supported.”

Green highlighted just some of the changes, including women headling WrestleMania twice, a feat that would not have seemed possible in previous eras. While Green is pleased that things have progressed, she made sure to reflect on those who paved the way.

“We would not be here without that side of things. We in 2025 would not have the success we had if not for the Attitude Era.”

Green recently made history by becoming the first-ever Women’s U.S. Champion at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, another step in the ongoing journey toward gender equality in professional wrestling. More recently, WWE crowned its inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion, Lyra Valkyria. Additionally, the eighth annual Women’s Royal Rumble match is set to take place next month, further showcasing the company’s commitment to elevating its women’s division.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE and its changes as the company’s approach to women continues to adapt in this post-Vince McMahon era of the promotion.

For the use of quotes, please h/t SEScoops.

Chelsea Green isn’t ruling out a rematch with WWE’s newest arrival, Penta, following the AEW alum’s debut on this week’s Monday Night Raw. In an interview with Cultaholic, Green was asked about the possibility of stepping back into the ring with Penta.

“Well look, never say never as Justin Bieber once said. Never say never. However, that was one of the craziest matches I’ve ever had in my entire entire life.”

– Chelsea Green on wrestling Penta again in WWE (Cultaholic)

The match in question occurred during their time in Lucha Underground, where Green competed as Reklusa. During Penta’s match with Chad Gable on Raw, commentator Michael Cole referenced the masked star’s history in the lucha-based promotion.

Green “owes everything” to Penta for the match they had, as he “held my hand and wrestled me through that 15-minute match.” Even years later, the match is brought up by fans, demonstrating how significant the contest was for the reigning WWE Women’s United States Champion.

“It’s really interesting to see it kind of keep popping up and making a resurgence. Now that Penta’s with WWE I can’t wait to beat him up.”

While Green seems eager for a rematch, WWE’s stance on intergender wrestling could pose challenges. Historically, WWE’s intergender bouts often feature a weak or cowardly male wrestler being easily overpowered by their female counterpart. With Penta’s impressive debut on Raw, WWE is clearly positioning him as a dominant star, making a comedic match with Green unlikely.

Penta Arrives: Meet WWE’s New Dark Luchador

Corey Graves recently sparked discussion on X after voicing his frustration over being moved from WWE’s main roster commentary team to NXT. In his post, Graves took issue at “not being famous enough for your own job,” in what many have seen at a dig at Pat McAfee and Joe Tessitore.

Former WWE commentator Jonathan Coachman weighed in on X with a post of his own. Coachman, who held many roles in WWE, including as a commentator, suggested that Graves could have handled things better and ‘played nice’ with others.

“So Corey is upset for being bumped from the main announce roster. Happened to JR 5 times. Happened to Cole multiple times. Happened to me multiple times. He is right, he is really good at his job. But playing in the sandbox a little bit better might not hurt next time. Embrace whatever role you have and understand that you are lucky to have it. There are only 3-5 of these jobs at the highest level. Who knows, maybe they asked him to be a part of a 3-man booth. We know he doesn’t like that. Lol. Sorry had to. Last line a joke. The rest, it’s the wrestling business. It happens.”

Following his outburst, Graves teased that he’d have plenty more to say on this week’s WWE NXT though that didn’t transpire. Instead, Graves was seen heading to Orlando aiport and this week’s edition of the silver brand went ahead without the veteran broadcaster. Stay tuned to SEScoops as the situation with Graves continues to develop, even with his on-screen future currently unclear.

Corey Graves In-Ring Return: From Commentary to Comeback?

John Cena has explained the importance of his super Cena run.

At the height of his WWE run, The Cenation leader was defeating opponents left and right. Despite not having a strong showing through the match John would end up winning all the major contests. A lot of the hardcore fans detested the fact that the end goal for any talents the company pushed at the time was to put over the 16-time world champion. Most of them got lost in the shuffle afterward as the creative didn’t really have any solid direction for them.

The wrestling veteran talked about this period of his career in a new interview with Collider while promoting his upcoming project What Drives You.

Being a 16-time world champion means Cena also lost the world title 16 times and he expressed the importance of his losses in elevating other talents and surprising fans. When asked which losses meant the most to him as a storyteller, John picked three from different periods of his career:

“Some of the ones that come to mind are certainly The Rock in Miami (at WrestleMania 28) was a fantastic loss; Kevin Owens’ debut (at Elimination Chamber 2015) was another great one that I thought was a really fun one; Rob Van Dam at Hammerstein Ballroom (at ECW One Night Stand in 2006). Anytime you can surprise people.”

• Chrissy Teigen Celebrates Daughter’s Birthday with John Cena Cake

Sometimes You Got To Win A Lot: John Cena

Whenever Cena defied the odds and picked up another big victory, hardcore fans took to social media to vent their frustrations. The phrase ‘Cena Wins LOL’ became a synonym to everything the fans hated about his run.

During the interview, the Peacemaker star admitted that this was one of the ‘biggest hang-ups’ of his career. Though John Cena explained that his wins were important because he was in it for the ‘long haul’ and it made his losses that much more impactful:

“The way you make those losses impactful is sometimes you’ve got to win, and sometimes you’ve got to win a lot. Any time you can pass energy on to somebody, that’s kind of the life cycle of the business.

You come in an unknown and, hopefully, you get the flywheel spinning, you create all this energy on your way out, you pay it forward, you pass it off.”

John Cena kicked off his retirement tour by announcing his Royal Rumble entry at Raw’s Netflix premiere. You can check out the reported WrestleMania 41 plans for the wrestling veteran here.

• John Cena Promises A “Little Sprinkle” of Every Era in Farewell Year

Kevin Nash couldn’t help but feel bad for Hulk Hogan, and has questioned if the frosty reception he received was WWE’s plan all along. Taking to his Kliq This podcast, Nash admitted his surprise at the response the LA crowd gave the Hulkster.

“I did not think that they would s*** on him. Because the last time he came out was a couple years ago, and he blew the roof off.”

Nash questioned if Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque was aware of the response Hogan would receive, and went ahead with it anyway. Nash, who like Hogan is a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, pointed out that the response to Hogan received mainstream attention and that “Nothing got more coverage than Hulk being booed.”

“Who’s to say that they weren’t smart enough to know that that’s exactly what they were going to get?”

Hulk Hogan Teases Role in Donald Trump’s 2025 Inauguration

Kevin Nash felt bad for Hogan, though not just for the response he received. On the podcast, Nash shared his knowledge about the health issues of the Hulkster, who was noticeably limping in the Intuit Dome.

“Hulk is beat to f***… I know he’s in pain like a motherf******. I watched it. I felt bad for him. But at the same time for him, it’s like, man, I’d rather get a response than none.”

Hogan will reportedly be a part of this month’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event show, where he hopes to receive a warmer welcome by the crowd in San Antonio, Texas, a state that like Hogan, backed Donald Trump in last November’s election. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the Hulk Hogan, who continues to make an impression with fans, both positive and negative.

Bully Ray was very impressed by Penta’s WWE debut.

The company had originally teased the Luchador debuting in a tag team match with Rey Mysterio against New Day at Raw’s Netflix premiere. The officials, however, changed the plans at the last minute.

Putting him in a singles match against Chad Gable on the second week of Raw on Netflix instead allowed Penta’s debut to stand out. The change of plans paid out in the form of the whole segment becoming a huge viral topic on the internet.

The Hardcore Veteran discussed the effort WWE put in the former AEW star’s debut on the latest Busted Open. Bully Ray praised all aspects of Penta’s presentation, saying that the company captured lightning in a bottle with it:

“The way he was presented, the worst kept secret, the merchandise, having the masks ready to go. The entrance, the music, the pyro, the allowing him to take his time to get to the ring, the match time, the finish, the promo afterwards. The WWE told the entire world, ‘This is Penta. We’re giving him all the time he needs to get over on this night.’ WWE Universe, welcome Penta, Yada, Yada, Yada.

And oh, by the way, dear rest of the wrestling world, this is how it’s done. Do not underestimate the WWE telling the rest of the world, including one company in particular, this is how you do it. This is how you get somebody, right. This is how you help capture somebody’s lightning in a bottle in all aspects of their character, not just the moves.”

• Rey Mysterio Endorses Penta After Debut In “True Home” WWE

Bully Ray also said that Penta reminds him of both Rey Mysterio and LA Parka because he can not only do the high-flying moves but he is also a very entertaining star.

The ECW original wasn’t the only one who was impressed by Penta’s arrival. Both Rey Mysterio and Rey Fenix also praised his first showing in WWE. You can check out the latter’s reaction here.

WWE broadcaster Corey Graves will no longer appear on tonight’s episode of NXT to address recent frustrations, as he had announced.

Graves took to social media last night, expressing anger over being told he wasn’t “famous enough” to join the new Raw and SmackDown broadcast teams. Following the post, he claimed he would clear the air during tonight’s NXT.

However, PWInsider reports that Graves was seen boarding a flight at Orlando Airport on Tuesday afternoon and will not be present for the broadcast. Sources indicate that Graves felt genuinely insulted by being relegated to the NXT commentary team as the ‘third wheel’ alongside Vic Joseph and Booker T.

Adding legitimacy to the situation, Graves’ brother, Sam Adonis, confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the matter is “not a work,” suggesting it’s not part of a WWE storyline.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

Corey Graves In-Ring Return: From Commentary to Comeback?