Former WWE star Melina Perez has been reported safe after concerns were raised about her whereabouts amid the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
We’re relieved to share that Melina has made contact and is safe. We want to thank everyone for their concern, support, and outreach during this time. Your kindness and compassion means the world to us. ? #ThankYouhttps://t.co/GcsH0bDVQ8
— A Matter Of Pride Wrestling ???? (@LGBTQwrestling) January 12, 2025
A Matter of Pride Wrestling, which had initially expressed fears over the former pro wrestler’s safety, provided an update on social media, stating, “We’re relieved to share that Melina has made contact and is safe. We want to thank everyone for their concern, support, and outreach during this time. Your kindness and compassion means the world to us”.
The 45-year-old Los Angeles native had been unresponsive during the wildfire crisis, prompting worry from various wrestling organizations and fans.
The Miz and Maryse recently opened up about balancing their lives as WWE personalities and their lives as parents to their two daughters. Speaking to PEOPLE at the WWE Raw on Netflix premiere event, Maryse shared that though she misses WWE, nothing can beat being a mom.
“I want to go to bed at night and know that I’m in the same house as my kids, so as much as I love the business, I miss it, I choose my kids.”
While Maryse’s days as a full-time Superstar, The Miz remains active on WWE TV, where he’s been part of Karrion Kross’ feud with the Wyatt Sicks. The two-time Grand Slam Champion is kept busy on the road, though his career shows his children the importance of setting goals.
“I try to find that healthy balance of fulfilling our dreams, but also show our kids if you have a dream, go after it and do what you have to do.”
The couple’s first daughter, Monroe Sky, was born in March 2018. At WWE Elimination Chamber 2019, the duo shared they were expecting again, and Madison Jade was born that September.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The Miz and Maryse, as WWE’s resident ‘It Couple’ continue to make waves, both inside and outside of the ring.
WWE Women’s U.S. Champion Chelsea Green has made her views clear on Tessa Blanchard, branding the TNA Wrestling star a “racist bully.” Much has been said about Blanchard since her return to TNA last month, with many taking issue at her comeback. Responding to a fan who aruged that people are simply petty and jealous of Blanchard, Green shared her strong response.
This isn’t Green’s first time sharing her honest opinion on Blanchard. Following the initial controversy in 2020, Green shared her support for Blanchard’s accusers. Last August, the WWE Superstar shared that Blanchard had yet to show proper remorse for her alleged actions.
I don’t wish self-harm or thoughts of suicide on anyone and hope she has found peace. However, a simple 'I am sorry' goes a long way. We haven't heard that yet. Accountability matters, and a redemption tour of interviews won't erase the actions of an egotistical bully.
A second-generation wrestler, many had high hopes for the talented Blanchard. Here is a timeline of what happened an how Tessa Blanchard fell from grace:
In January 2020, Blanchard was accused of using a racial slur during an altercation with a fellow wrestler, La Rosa Negra, in a 2017 incident.
Other wrestlers later alleged that Blanchard had been a bully to various women. Blanchard denied several allegations.
That same month, Blanchard made history by winning the Impact World Championship, becoming the first woman to win a men’s world title in a major promotion.
In June 2020, Blanchard was stripped of the Impact World Championship and her contract was terminated days before it was set to expire.
In 2021, Blanchard was announced as a key name in the relaunch of WOW – Women of Wrestling but would leave the company after a falling out.
In 2023, Blanchard and La Rosa Negra shared a smiling photo together, suggesting that their issues were a thing of the past.
In August 2024, Blanchard shares that the collapse of her wrestling career had previously left her feeling unable to go on living.
At Final Resolution 2024, Blanchard returned to Impact Wrestling, now TNA, and entered a feud with Jordynne Grace.
Eric Bischoff believes Hulk Hogan’s Raw reception was due to his political leanings.
WWE presented the Raw on Netflix premiere this past Monday Night on January 6 from Inglewood, California. One of the unlikely talking points coming out of the show was Hulk Hogan getting booed out of the building by fans. The story was picked up by many mainstream outlets after the show.
The former WCW President gave his thoughts on the matter during the latest episode of 83 Weeks podcast. Bischoff first claimed that anyone who hasn’t spent a lot of time in the area would not think it to be a Democrat hub:
“You know, if you’re someone who hasn’t spent a lot of time in California — particularly LA or San Francisco — you’ve heard all the stories about how liberal it is and all that.
But until you’ve been there and realize just how intensely liberal and Democrat California is, you might not think that that could possibly be the reason why Hulk got booed.”
“But Hulk and Trump are kind of joined at the hip now, in the eyes of many. At least publicly, given Hulk’s involvement in — and of course, you’re gonna have some backlash in California. You can’t be shocked; you can’t be surprised. You could be disappointed, but you can’t be surprised.”
While Bischoff suggests otherwise, many people believe that Hogan’s past racially insensitive comments are the reason for the rejection of fans.
Hogan’s Raw return was to promote the company’s new partnership with his beer company and it was expected to lead to more appearances for the WWE Hall of Famer. With the unexpected reception for him however, the officials will now have to rethink their strategy with the former champion.
Bronson Reed has shared an update on his future in the ring, and hopes to be cleared for action by July of this year. On X, Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Naomichi Marufuji shared his desire to compete in NOAH’s 25th anniversary tournament. This caught the attention of Reed, who shared that he wants to face Marufuji again and hopes to be cleared by July.
July … Hopefully, I am cleared. It's been a long time, let's do it again!
Reed suffered a severe ankle injury at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, where he teamed with Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline to face the OG Bloodline and CM Punk. Reed recently clarified that he shattered his talus bone completely in half, and he reqired surgery to have fragments taken out and screws to repair the damage. This injury will force the former NXT North American Champion to miss major events such as Raw’s Netflix premiere, the Royal Rumble, and most unfortunate of all, WrestleMania 41.
Missing out on these huge events is a setback for Reed after he established himself as a major force on Monday Night Raw in 2024. Nevertheless, the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner is focued on healing up and getting back in the ring, both in WWE and Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Bronson Reed as the powerhouse continues to work hard on his recovery.
When Sheamus returned to WWE television in April 2024, he surprised fans by reintroducing his original WWE theme song, “Written in My Face.” However, the longtime WWE star transitioned to a different entrance theme in July, leaving many fans—along with Sheamus himself—wishing the old song had stayed.
During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Sheamus addressed the fan-favorite theme song, including the humorous online meme centered around its lyrics, particularly the phrase “too many limes.”
“Maybe 2010. People are very creative on the internet, very creative,” Sheamus said. “I do miss that song, though. A lot of people were upset. I brought it back, but I wasn’t allowed to keep it.”
When asked if the song might make a comeback someday, Sheamus expressed frustration over the decision-making process. “I don’t know. Do you want to ask? You go ask. I’m tired of asking. I’m all out of asking,” he said.
The return of “Written in My Face” was a nostalgic moment for fans, making its subsequent removal all the more disappointing. While Sheamus’ current entrance theme has its merits, many continue to hope for the iconic song’s revival.
Posted January 11th, 2025 in WWE. Tagged: Sheamus.
CM Punk is widely regarded as one of the biggest names in professional wrestling over the past 15 years, having shared the ring with countless stars. However, for Punk, there’s one opponent who eluded him: Steve Austin.
Punk and Austin appeared on-screen together during the June 13, 2011, episode of WWE Raw. While speaking with Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson on NightCap, Punk revealed that Austin tops his list of dream matches. He also expressed his admiration for Bret “Hitman” Hart, citing Hart as a key influence in his career.
“One name always comes to mind, and that’s Stone Cold Steve Austin,” Punk said. “Unfortunately, he had to retire because of injuries, and he had a stroke. Bret Hart is another one. Bret Hart would be a dream for me because that’s a guy I looked up to when I was a kid. That’s a guy that helped get me into this sport from an interest perspective, and that’s a guy who, to this day, I could text right now and be like, ‘What’s up? I have a question and need some advice.’ He’ll hit me back right away. Much love to him.”
Punk went on to highlight the current WWE roster, praising its depth of talent. “We have a pretty wealthy locker room when it comes to talent right now. There are a lot of people I would love to get in there with—Gunther, he’s the champ on Raw. Would love to mix it up with my boy Cody [Rhodes]. As far as legends go, the ones that probably aren’t going to happen but are dream matches, Austin is number one with a bullet.”
Punk’s comments come on the heels of his recent main event victory over Seth Rollins during WWE Raw’s premiere on Netflix.
Posted January 11th, 2025 in WWE. Tagged: CM Punk.
WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner has announced that his son, Brock Rechsteiner, has been offered a WWE NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) contract by Triple H. Speaking on Busted Open Radio on Saturday, Steiner revealed,
“Hunter called me the other day, maybe like three weeks ago, and offered my boy an NIL deal.”
Brock Rechsteiner currently plays football as a wide receiver for Jacksonville State University. Standing at 6’2” and weighing 225 pounds, he has demonstrated strong potential on the field, recording 13 receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns during the 2024 season.
The offer from WWE aligns with Brock’s athletic background and the Steiner family’s celebrated wrestling legacy. His cousin, Bron Breakker, has already established himself as a prominent WWE Superstar.
Breakker, the son of Rick Steiner, competes on the Raw brand and boasts an impressive résumé, including two reigns as NXT Champion with a combined 425 days. He’s currently in his second reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion, cementing his place as one of WWE’s rising stars.
Scott Steiner has previously hinted at his son’s interest in pursuing professional wrestling after his football career concludes. “Once football’s over, he’s going to become a great wrestler,” Steiner shared.
With the NIL contract offer from WWE, Brock Rechsteiner may soon follow in his family’s footsteps, taking the first steps toward a potential wrestling career.
Odyssey Jones has put himself back in the public eye months after being released by WWE. The once New Day prodigy took to his X account to share a video of himself addressing the situation he sees himself up against and to note that he is now taking bookings.
WWE unceremoniously released Jones in September following domestic abuse allegations just as he was getting ready to be a big factor in the New Day angle. Saturday morning, Jones put himself in the spotlight, giving his reasoning as to why it took so long to address the allegations and thanking God for the strength he was given during this difficult time. Jones made clear that the allegations made against him were false.
“I apologize for taking so long for addressing these false claims, but I had to patiently wait to get an injunction set in place to protect my family, my friends and myself. I am currently taking legal action against that party so I can’t speak too much more on it, but there will be more information to come.”
Jones thanked the WWE for the “amazing opportunity” offered to him, as well as the coaches, the agents and the fans. Jones noted that he is ready to continue his in-ring career in 2025.
“With all that being said, whew, the journey continues. I’m ready to get back to doing what I love to do. I’m accepting bookings in 2025 and I thank you all for your support and for your time. I wish you nothing but blessings and love baby – Big O out.”
Kurt Angle enjoyed an illustrious career, but it may be a very long time before fans see him in any capacity in pro wrestling again. During an appearance on Story Time with Dutch Mantell, Angle was asked about a potential non-active role with WWE, and shared that he’s in no rush to do more with WWE or any other promotion.
“I’m at a point in life where I’m okay. I don’t need to do that anymore. I don’t need to prove who I was or add anything to my legacy.“
Angle has not competed in a wrestling match in close to six years, with his final bout taking place against Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. Since then, he has made a handful of guest appearances for WWE, but hasn’t had an official on-screen role with the promotion. His most recent appearance for WWE came at the Raw is XXX in January 2023.
Though Kurt’s days in the ring are over, the Olympian remains active. Currently, two biopics are in the works about Angle’s life and career. The Olympian recently shared on Talk Is Jericho that the first film will document his journey to Olympic success while the second will focus on his career in professional wrestling. Though neither film has received a release date, fans are excited to see the WWE/TNA Hall of Famer’s life and career brought to the big screen.
X, formerly Twitter, has provided some key context to a recent statement by Vince McMahon, in which the former WWE CEO addressed his settlement of over $1.7 million. This week, the SEC determined that McMahon bypassed WWE’s internal accounting controls and caused material misstatements when failing to disclose payments tied to sexual assault allegations.
On X, McMahon issued a rare public statement, opening with the assertion, “The case is closed.” However, many users on the platform were quick to point out that while McMahon’s dealings with the SEC have concluded, his legal troubles are far from over. X’s Community Notes service has since added clarification to McMahon’s statement.
“Vince McMahon settled with the SEC without admiting/denying its findings, this was exclusively about the hush money charges. Janel Grant’s civil suit will go forward and use these findings as evidence according to her attorney.“
Grant alleges that she was sexually abused and trafficked during her time with the promotion. She further claims that she was “offered as a service” to Brock Lesnar to incentivize him to re-sign with WWE—a claim that has led to Lesnar being removed from all WWE plans. McMahon has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that their relationship was consensual. Despite these denials, he stepped down from WWE in January 2024.
In addition, McMahon is named in a separate lawsuit filed by five former WWF ‘ring boys,’ who allege that he and others were aware of sexual abuse by Mel Phillips but failed to take adequate steps to prevent it. These cases remain ongoing. While the SEC’s investigation into McMahon has concluded, his legal challenges are far from over, contrary to the impression some may have taken from his recent statement.
Dominik Mysterio has explained what it takes to be a good heel in wrestling in 2025.
The wrestling veteran recently had an interview with Busted Open where he talked about his heel run. Dirty Dom noted how he thought he was going to be in the best tag team with his father when he first entered the business.
However, the Judgment Day star noted that as a kid he always gravitated toward the heels of the industry. When he finally got a taste of being a villain himself it felt very natural to him.
The former North American Champion was then asked what makes a good heel in 2025. Dominik Mysterio explained that it’s all about the perception and said that you have to commit to the role fully to achieve success:
“Honestly, I think it’s all perception, right? I think it’s all perception of how the fans see you and how you kind of want to portray yourself. Because I don’t know, I feel like there’s bad guys that are heels that want to be cool heels. Want to do this stuff and still be cool. You gotta embrace being the heel. You got to embrace the boos.
You can’t just half-ass it. If you’re going to be a heel, you gotta be a heel. You can’t be mean to their parents. Then the kids come by and be like, ‘Oh, hi son, it’s your birthday?’ No kid, everybody’s got a birthday. You’re not special. That’s just what it is. I feel like some people just can’t, they can’t accept being rude to [kids]. No you gotta go 100% in.”
Dominik Mysterio accompanied Liv Morgan for her Women’s World Championship match at the most recent episode of Raw. Unfortunately for Morgan, Rhea Ripley managed to overcome the odds and take the title back from her at the show.
Ann Callis, the legal representative of Janel Grant, has weighed in on Vince McMahon’s recent $1.7 million fine, stemming from the ex-WWE CEO’s financial misstatements. In a statement to NBC, Callis said:
“During his time leading WWE, Vince McMahon acted as if rules did not apply to him, and now we have confirmation that he repeatedly broke the law to cover up his horrifying behavior, including human trafficking. The SEC’s charges prove that the NDA Vince McMahon coerced Ms. Grant into signing violates the law, and therefore her case must be heard in court. While prosecutors for the Southern District of New York continue their criminal investigation, we look forward to bringing forward new evidence in our civil case about the sexual exploitation Ms. Grant endured at WWE by Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis.”
McMahon has reached a settlement with the SEC that’ll see him pay a $400,000 civil penalty and a $1.33 million reimbursement to WWE. In their report, the SEC states that McMahon bypassed WWE’s internal accounting controls and caused material misstatements in the company’s financial reports for 2018 and 2021. McMahon has agreed to the settlement, though did not admit to or deny the SEC’s findings.
This payment comes amid Janel Grant’s lawsuit against McMahon, in which she alleges she was sexually abused and trafficked during her time with the promotion, McMahon stepped down from WWE in January 2024, though claims their relationship was entirely consensual. This is a developing story and we aim to provide updates as they become available.
New WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton will have her hands full in her first title defense against one of WWE’s most decorated female Superstars of all time. On the latest episode of WWE SmackDown, a fatal four-way was made between Bayley, Nia Jax, Bianca Belair, and Naomi. Despite the interference of Candice LeRae, it was Bayley who stood tall, earning the win and the title match after hitting a Rose Plant on Naomi.
In a backstage promo after the match, Bayley spoke about Stratton taking a chance on herself last week when she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract. The Role Model promised to take a chance on herself in their title match, which was confirmed for next week. The match will mark Stratton’s first title defense given that WWE are currently not hosting any untelevised live events.
Bayley is no stranger to gold, having held titles on Raw, SmackDown, and WWE NXT, including the WWE Women’s Champion Stratton now possesses. Like Stratton, Bayley is a former Miss Money in the Bank and cashed in succesfully to win the SmackDown Women’s Title in 2019. Now, the veteran aims to put a swift end to Stratton’s reign with the gold, while the new champ aims to prove that ‘Tiffy Time’ is here to stay.
Turki Alalshikh, the Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, has shared his love for Vince McMahon. On X, Alalshikh shared a photo of the former WWE Chairman/CEO with a series of heart emojis.
Alalshikh’s post spawned a variety of comments both supporting and opposing McMahon. Some even called for Alalshikh to bring McMahon in for a reported new boxing league in the country. The league will be overseen by TKO, the parent company of WWE and UFC.
Alalshikh’s support for McMahon demonstrates that there are still some on the 79-year-old’s side, despite the controversies that have been spotlighted in recent years. McMahon began working closely with the General Entertainment Authority in 2018 when WWE began hosting high-profile Premium Live Events in Saudi Arabia. The lucrative decade-long deal has seen WWE host 12 events in the Middle Eastern nation so far.
McMahon has plans to launch his own entertainment production company once his legal issues have been settled, though it’s not believed that a new wrestling promotion is in the billionaire’s future. With Alalshikh’s backing though, fans can’t count out McMahon working with the Saudi Arabian General Entertainment Authority once again, despite the controversies that continue to follow the former WWE leader.
AJ Styles returned to WWE television on SmackDown in late 2024, where he faced off against rising star Carmelo Hayes. While Hayes secured the victory, Styles was seen limping to the back after the match, sparking concerns about his condition. WWE later confirmed that Styles had suffered a mid-foot ligament sprain, initially believed by some to be part of the storyline. However, it was soon revealed that the injury was legitimate.
Styles later disclosed that he had sustained a Lisfranc injury, a serious condition affecting the bones and ligaments in the middle of the foot. Styles shared the details with fans on Twitter, describing the severity of the injury. “It’s called a Lisfranc injury. Look it up, it sucks! I thought when I took off my boot, I would have a bone sticking out of my foot,” he wrote. When a fan referenced NFL quarterback Cam Newton’s 2016 season-ending Lisfranc injury, Styles replied, “Bingo, as the kids say….I’m cooked!”
In the latest update, Styles mentioned on Twitter that the injury remains a significant challenge. Before being sidelined, he was reportedly set to begin a farewell storyline in WWE, which has now been delayed due to his recovery. Fans and colleagues alike continue to wish Styles a speedy and successful recovery.
John Cena officially kicked off his farewell tour on Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, announcing his entry into next month’s Royal Rumble Match. As one of WWE’s most iconic figures, Cena’s announcement has already drawn attention, with several stars calling out the future Hall of Famer for a match before he steps away.
Among them is Drew McIntyre, who is coming off a loss to Jey Uso on Raw. McIntyre blamed the loss on a “contact high,” citing Travis Scott’s surprise appearance at ringside with Uso while smoking a joint. Despite the setback, McIntyre is setting his sights on Cena, making his intentions clear during an appearance on the Babyfaces podcast.
“I want time on the microphone with him, and I want that one-on-one match, and I’m going to make it happen, one way or another,” McIntyre stated. He didn’t hold back, warning Cena of the dangers of crossing paths with him in the Royal Rumble. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t end up in the ring with me in the Rumble because the last person who got in my way at the Rumble last year and was aiming to main event WrestleMania was CM Punk, and I tore his tricep off the bone. I’ll maybe ask Cena to pick the muscle or pick the bone because I’m tearing it or breaking it.”
The Royal Rumble, set for February 1, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana, is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Cena’s farewell tour as it could lead him to the discussed match with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania.
Roman Reigns has officially declared his entry into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match, with his sights set on a potential showdown with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41.
During the January 10 episode of WWE SmackDown, Paul Heyman addressed the fallout from Roman Reigns’ victory over Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat Match on the premiere of WWE RAW on Netflix. In the match, Reigns reclaimed the Ula Fala, signaling the conclusion of his feud with Sikoa and his readiness to move forward.
Heyman opened the show by “acknowledging” Cody Rhodes, the reigning, defending, Undisputed WWE Champion. According to Heyman, Rhodes had earned Reigns’ respect, but Reigns was determined to regain his championship. Declaring for the Royal Rumble, Reigns made it clear that his ultimate goal was to challenge Rhodes for the title at WrestleMania 41 if victorious.
Reigns joins a growing list of high-profile entrants in the Royal Rumble match, including CM Punk and John Cena.
A former Royal Rumble winner in 2015, Reigns last competed in the event in 2020. In the years since, he dominated as Universal Champion, defending his title throughout an historic reign.
Now, he looks to reclaim his place at the top of WWE by winning the Royal Rumble and earning another chance at championship gold.
WWE has officially introduced a new commentary team for SmackDown, featuring Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett. The duo made their debut on Friday’s episode, marking a significant shift in the show’s presentation.
This change follows closely on the heels of Pat McAfee and Michael Cole assuming commentary duties for WWE Raw, which recently premiered on Netflix. These updates to the commentary teams reflect WWE’s broader strategy to refresh its programming across its flagship shows.
Tessitore, renowned for his extensive career in sports broadcasting, brings a seasoned perspective to the SmackDown announce table. Meanwhile, Barrett, a former WWE Superstar, has been steadily building his reputation as a commentator on various WWE programs in recent years.
WWE’s New Commentary Teams
Updated Overview of WWE Broadcasters:
Raw
Commentary team: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Ring announcer: Alicia Taylor
Backstage interviewers: Jackie Redmond and Cathy Kelley
SmackDown
Commentary team: Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett
Ring announcer: Lilian Garcia
Backstage interviewer: Byron Saxton
NXT
Commentateam: Vic Joseph and Booker T
Ring announcer: Mike Rome
Backstage interviewers: Kelly Kincaid, Sarah Schreiber, and Blake Howard
For the first time since 2020, Roman Reigns will enter the Royal Rumble. On this week’s episode of SmackDown, Paul Heyman, speaking on behalf of Reigns, announced that “The Tribal Chief” has declared for the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble.
Heyman opened the show by addressing Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, proclaiming that Reigns is determined to reclaim the title he lost to Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 – Night 2. Reigns aims to achieve this by winning the Royal Rumble and earning a shot at the championship.
This announcement marks a notable shift, as Reigns has entered the last four Royal Rumble events as the WWE Universal or Undisputed WWE Champion, rather than as a Royal Rumble match competitor. Reigns previously won the Royal Rumble in 2015, a victory that was overshadowed by fan backlash when the audience favored Bryan Danielson (then Daniel Bryan) over him. Despite an endorsement from The Rock, the win remains one of the most polarizing moments in Royal Rumble history.
The 2025 Royal Rumble is already shaping up to be a blockbuster event, with other top stars like John Cena and CM Punk also declaring their entries. The event will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Vince McMahon is aiming to at least put part of his WWE past behind him. The former WWE CEO was fined $1.7 million regarding charges in relation to hush money allegations.
According to the report issued on Friday, McMahon disregarded the WWE’s internal accounting operations due to undisclosed payment agreements tied to sexual assault allegations and it caused discrepancies in in the company’s 2018 and 2021 financial report.
Following the news breaking, Vince McMahon and his team at Edendale Strategies emailed me an official statement with McMahon expressing his excitement about the finality of the situation.
“The case is closed. Today ends nearly three years of investigation by different governmental agencies. There has been a great deal of speculation about what exactly the government was investigating and what the outcome would be. As today’s resolution shows, much of that speculation was misguided and misleading.
“In the end, there was never anything more to this than minor accounting errors with regard to some personal payments that I made several years ago while I was CEO of WWE. I’m thrilled that I can now put all this behind me.”
Per email correspondence, Vince McMahon issued the following statement regarding the SEC settlement today:
“The case is closed. Today ends nearly three years of investigation by different governmental agencies. There has been a great deal of speculation about what exactly the… pic.twitter.com/6L1VzwYupU
McMahon still finds himself embroiled in the Janel Grant lawsuit while WWE is aiming to start a new era of its own under Chief Content Officer Triple H. WWE took a big step earlier this week by premiering WWE Raw on Netflix which garnered nearly five million viewers across the globe. Monday’s debut was so successful that WWE Raw beat out season two of Squid Games as Netflix’s most-watched on Tuesday.
Ex-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon will pay over $1.7 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to settle charges related to undisclosed payment agreements tied to sexual assault allegations.
In their report, the SEC Notes that McMahon bypassed WWE’s internal accounting controls and caused material misstatements in the company’s financial reports for 2018 and 2021. Though McMahon did not admit to or deny the SEC’s findings, he has agreed to a $400,000 civil penalty and a $1.33 million reimbursement to WWE.
Thomas P. Smith Jr., Associate Regional Director in the SEC’s New York Regional Office had the following to say:
“Company executives cannot enter into material agreements on behalf of the company they serve and withhold that information from the company’s control functions and auditor.”
McMahon failed to disclose a $3 million payment to a fortmer WWE employee, the SEC alleges, as well as a $7.5 million payment to a female independent contractor in exchange for their agreement not to file claims against him. These payments came to light in 2022 when The Wall Street Journal reported that McMahon had paid a total of $12 million over 16 years to suppress allegations of sexual misconduct.
This payment comes amid Janel Grant’s lawsuit against McMahon, in which she alleges she was sexually abused and trafficked during her time with the promotion. Though McMahon has denied all wrongdoing and claimed their relationship was consensual, he stepped down from WWE in January 2024.
McMahon is also named in a lawsuit by five former WWF ‘ring boys’ who claim that he and others knew of alleged sexual abuse by Mel Phillips, but did not make a sufficient attempt to stop it. These cases are ongoing.
The second three-hour edition of WWE SmackDown takes place tonight from Portland, Oregon at Moda Center. The hype for this show will focus on the build towards the 2025 Royal Rumble, set to take place on February 1, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The show will see Cody Rhodes face Kevin Owens in a Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Tonight’s show will also see an exciting United States Championship match, with Shinsuke Nakamura set to defend the gold against the man he took the title from at Survivor Series: WarGames: LA Knight. Will the Megastar be able to become a two-time champion tonight, or will this demented side of Nakamura prove that his victory last November was no fluke?
What happened last week on SmackDown
Last week’s 1/3 edition of SmackDown saw the show move to three hours and WWE delivered a show to remember. Highlights of the show included
Tiffany Stratton cashed in her Money in the Bank contract on Nia Jax to become the new WWE Women’s Champion.
Michin sought to earn a shot at Women’s U.S. Champion Chelsea Green with a win over Piper Niven.
The New Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Jacob Fatu) beat the OG Bloodline (Sami Zayn and the Usos.)
Drew McIntyre confronted Cody Rhodes, leaving some to speculate that McIntyre and Kevin Owens are in cahoots.
The Royal Rumble 2025 is already set to be star-studded, and the latest betting odds reveal a shocking twist: AEW star Ricky Starks is ranked higher to win the WWE event than legendary names like AJ Styles, Sheamus, and Rey Mysterio.
Of course currently signed to AEW, Ricky Starks is listed with 40/1 odds on SkyBet to win the Royal Rumble. While Starks has never appeared in WWE, his undeniable charisma and in-ring talent have caught the attention of fans worldwide.
What oddsmakers sometimes tend to do is throw in a name that is in the news and *could* appear in the match. Starks’ contract is still ongoing as far as it has been reported publicly, but it is intriguing that they’re giving him such high odds.
WWE Legends Falling Behind in Betting Odds
Several iconic WWE superstars are trailing behind Ricky Starks in the betting markets.
AJ Styles (66/1): Despite being a former WWE Champion, Styles’ odds suggest bettors see him as an unlikely victor this year, which makes sense as he has been off television for quite some time and doesn’t have a clear programme right now.
Sheamus (66/1): The Celtic Warrior, who once won the Royal Rumble in 2012, also finds himself outside the top contenders, which again makes sense as he is being used in a mid-card role.
Rey Mysterio (80/1): Even with his Hall of Fame career, Mysterio sits far down the list, making a win improbable in 2025.
The WWE Royal Rumble 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting events in professional wrestling. With the Road to WrestleMania looming, fans and bettors are turning their attention to early odds and predictions for this year’s Royal Rumble.
Let’s dive into the current favorites to win based on the latest odds from SkyBet.
Leading the pack is none other than WWE legend John Cena. With odds of 8/15, Cena’s potential return to the WrestleMania main event is generating immense buzz. A Royal Rumble win would mark another milestone in his storied career and set him up for a match against the likes of Gunther or Cody Rhodes at Mania.
Seth Rollins (13/8)
Close behind is Seth Rollins, one of WWE’s most consistent performers. With odds of 13/8, Rollins remains a favorite among fans and bookmakers alike. A win for Rollins could give him the WrestleMania main event spot against Gunther or Cody.
CM Punk and The Rock (6/1)
Two massive names round out the top tier of early favorites. CM Punk, who is looking like a potential shoe-in for the Mania main event this year, and The Rock, whose WWE appearances are always headline-worthy, are tied with odds of 6/1. Either of these iconic stars winning the Rumble wouldn’t be a shock.
Other Contenders to Watch
Roman Reigns (15/2)
Despite dominating WWE for years, Roman Reigns comes in with 15/2 odds. A Rumble win for Reigns would cement his legacy and perhaps kickstart a new chapter for the Tribal Chief, but he isn’t likely to be headlining Mania this year.
Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton (16/1)
Both Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton sit at 16/1 odds. McIntyre is looking to regain momentum, while Orton’s potential return adds intrigue.
Brock Lesnar, Bron Breakker, and Jey Uso (20/1)
Each of these superstars has odds of 20/1, making them intriguing long-shot picks for the Rumble.
