Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline wreaked havoc during the closing moments of this week’s WWE Raw, targeting two of the red brand’s most popular stars. In the main event, Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn, extending his winning streak over the ‘Honorary Uce,’ a streak mentioned on commentary.

After the match, McIntyre continued his assault on Zayn, prompting Jey Uso to intervene in an attempt to save his ally. Jey was ambushed by Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Jacob Fatu. The Bloodline proceeded to dismantle Zayn, with Sikoa delivering a Samoan Spike to the former Intercontinental Champion, marking a chaotic conclusion to the episode.

This appearance follows McIntyre’s confrontation with the Bloodline on last week’s SmackDown. During the encounter, the Scottish Warrior hinted at an inevitable clash with Sikoa despite their shared animosity toward Roman Reigns and his allies. Sikoa’s impact on McIntyre’s career has been significant, as his interference at WWE Clash at the Castle in September 2022 cost McIntyre the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

Sikoa’s Bloodline faction recently suffered a setback at Survivor Series: WarGames, where they teamed with Bronson Reed but lost to the OG Bloodline (including Zayn and Jey Uso) and CM Punk. The grueling match left several members sidelined with injuries: Bronson Reed sustained a leg injury, Tama Tonga is recovering from a bicep tear, and Jimmy Uso, who recently returned, had been dealing with a broken toe.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline, as the Tribal Chief prepares to do battle with Roman Reigns during Raw’s debut on Netflix.

WWE star Maxxine Dupri has confirmed her engagement to NXT’s Anthony Luke.

The Alpha Academy member announced the news with a new post on Instagram. Luke went all out with his proposal. As seen in the photos below, the NXT star brought Maxxine to a beach and even had a flower art made for the occasion:

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Luke has a background in College football and the couple have been dating since before the company signed Anthony to a development contract last year.

The 28-year-old made his in-ring debut for the Gold & Silver brand in April this year. He’s been working live event matches since then. Luke was recently included in the WWE LFG taping where he went up against the debuting Elijah Holyfield.

Dupri on the other hand joined the company following a successful tryout in August 2021. She worked as a valet in NXT and her career was sped up when she was called up to the main roster in July 2022 as the manager for Maximum Male Models.

She continued working on her in-ring skills while being active on the main roster. After joining Alpha Academy in mid-2023 Maxxine would go on to make her wrestling debut as part of a mixed tag match during the July 3, 2023 episode of the show.

Who’s Dating Who? The Relationships Of WWE NXT

This week’s episode of WWE Raw continued the Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament with an intense triple-threat match. Natalya, Alba Fyre, and IYO SKY clashed in the final first-round bout, originally scheduled to include Kairi Sane. However, Sane was sidelined after an attack by Pure Fusion Collective, and SKY stepped in as her replacement.

IYO SKY secured a decisive victory, making Sane proud by defeating Natalya with her signature moonsault. With this win, SKY advances to the next round of the tournament, where she will face Lyra Valkyria. The date for their semi-final matchup has yet to be announced.

On the other side of the bracket, Dakota Kai is set to take on Zoey Stark in another semi-final bout, bringing fans closer to discovering who will be crowned the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion.

WWE has not yet confirmed when the first Women’s Intercontinental Champion will be crowned. In contrast, the finals for the Women’s U.S. Title Tournament took place at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 14, with Chelsea Green becoming the inaugural champion. 

A new cryptic teaser aired during the December 23 episode of WWE Raw, featuring a zero with a slash through it and a pentagram. This follows the debut of similar teasers on last Monday’s episode, leaving fans speculating about their meaning.

The prevailing belief is that these hints are tied to Penta El Zero Miedo, who recently departed AEW earlier this month. Known for his iconic “Cero Miedo” catchphrase—meaning “Zero Fear”—Penta filed a trademark for the phrase months ago, further fueling speculation about his potential WWE debut.

Penta’s brother and tag team partner, Rey Fenix, is also reportedly on WWE’s radar. However, due to AEW extending his contract to account for injury-related absences, Fenix’s availability is still months away. Once his contract with AEW expires, he is expected to reunite with Penta in WWE.

The teasers, combined with Penta’s recent trademark filing, suggest a possible debut or storyline for the former AEW star in WWE. Fans are eagerly awaiting further developments, and WWE’s cryptic marketing campaign has only added to the intrigue.

For the teaser clip, see WWE’s tweet:

WWE Raw is set to return to its three-hour format after temporarily reverting to two hours since October 7. The transition marks a return to the structure introduced in 2012, with the January 6 episode kicking off this change.

Raw’s upcoming run on Netflix will also follow the three-hour format. Dave Meltzer reports, “While everyone expects this, it was confirmed by someone who is a key player in WWE that Raw will be three hours come January to go along with SmackDown being three hours.”

This adjustment aligns with WWE’s ongoing partnership with the USA Network, which secured Raw’s broadcast rights through December 30. The two-hour format was adopted to bridge the gap between the conclusion of the USA deal in October and the Netflix premiere.

The January 6 episode is already generating excitement, featuring marquee matchups such as CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa, and Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan defending her title against Rhea Ripley. Additional matches and star appearances are expected to be announced soon.

SmackDown, which has also been a two-hour program, will transition to a three-hour format starting January 3.

Lilian Garcia has made her triumphant return to WWE programming, but only after overcoming a career-threatening health ordeal. On Instagram, Garcia opened up about her struggle with severe breathing problems caused by mold infestations in three different homes.

“It caused severe inflammation in my lungs. That inflammation was so severe that it wreaked havoc on my vocal cords and projection,” Garcia shared.

The situation worsened due to a gas leak, ultimately forcing Garcia to step away from her role as an announcer for the Professional Fighters League. Thankfully, after a challenging recovery process, Garcia expressed gratitude to her doctors, medical staff, and the power of prayer for helping her heal.

Lilian Garcia Comments On WWE Return, Samantha Irvin’s Exit

Earlier this year, Garcia returned to WWE, taking over for Samantha Irvin following Irvin’s abrupt departure. Reflecting on her journey, Garcia expressed deep appreciation for being able to perform again after enduring such a harrowing experience.

“To be back in the WWE, and now leading worship tomorrow, this is why this means so much to me—because it was almost stripped away.”

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Lilian Garcia, as the WWE Raw announcer is thrilled to be able to announce once more.

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Over the decades, WWE has played host to several championships, many of which undergo re-designs as the company wants a fresh look. This week, fans caught their first glimpse at a never-before-seen version of the ECW World Championship, over 14 years after the Extreme brand came to an end.

The reveal was featured on the WWE Vault YouTube channel, showcasing a silver-plated design with a nameplate for CM Punk. The Best in the World held the ECW Championship from September 2007 until January 2008, when he dropped the title to Chavo Guerrero.

Despite its striking look, the design never made it to television as the belt “was not received the same way it wanted to be received.” It’s also possible that the idea of the babyface CM Punk replacing the original ECW title design might have alienated fans nostalgic for the iconic Extreme brand.

Instead, WWE unveiled a revamped ECW Championship design during Mark Henry’s reign in July 2008. This silver-eagle design remained in use until the closure of WWE’s ECW in February 2010, paving the way for the rise of the original WWE NXT.

On January 6, WWE Raw will debut on Netflix, marking the beginning of a groundbreaking partnership between WWE and the streaming giant. This multi-billion-dollar deal signals a new era for WWE’s flagship show, but it also raises questions about the future of its extensive archive and the accessibility of past and live events. Netflix has provided some clarity on these topics, revealing plans for both archival content and live programming.

One key question centers on WWE’s vast library of past shows. According to Netflix, fans should anticipate a gradual release of archival content.

“In January 2025, Netflix will begin to roll out select WWE archival content. WWE Raw archival content will be available for viewing in the United States, with additional archival content available in the countries listed above.”

Additionally, WWE programming will become downloadable approximately 48 hours after streaming live, giving fans more flexibility to catch up on their favorite moments.

International Rollout and Accessibility

Initially, WWE Raw will be available in the United States and its territories, including American Samoa, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, the Mariana Islands, Palau, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. International fans will also gain access to WWE’s programming, including SmackDown, NXT, and Premium Live Events, as the rollout expands globally.

WWE Raw Debut – January 6, 2025

The inaugural episode of WWE Raw on Netflix promises to be a monumental event. Broadcasting live from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, the show will feature a stacked card, including:

• CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins
• Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa (Tribal Combat Match)
• Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley (WWE Women’s World Championship)
• Travis Scott will perform WWE Raw’s brand-new theme song live.

Find Out What Happened At WWE Raw’s Netflix Launch Event

Windham “Bray Wyatt” Rotunda may no longer be with us, but the late wrestler’s creative influence remains a significant presence on WWE programming. Earlier this year, WWE introduced the Wyatt Sicks, a macabre faction led by Uncle Howdy, whose character has clear ties to the three-time World Champion.

Behind Uncle Howdy’s mask is Bo Dallas, the real-life brother of Rotunda. Speaking to Dead Meat this week, Dallas revealed that the Wyatt Sicks faction draws heavily from his brother’s innovative ideas.

“Every one of our ideas up to this point has been connected to one of Windham’s original ideas,” Dallas shared. “All those characters came out of Windham’s mind.”

Dallas further highlighted Rotunda’s inspiration from the indie horror film A House That October Built. The film features a killer wearing a creepy doll-like mask, which Rotunda used as the basis for Sister Abigail, portrayed by Nikki Cross.

“He was obsessed with that mask for years and had all these ideas that he was eventually going to incorporate,” Dallas recalled.

Though Windham Rotunda has tragically passed away, his creative legacy and his love for wrestling and horror continue to resonate. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on the Wyatt Sicks, who remains a force to be reckoned with on Monday Night Raw.

The year 2024 has seen significant changes in the WWE roster, with numerous superstars being released for various reasons, including budget cuts and creative shifts.

Below is a comprehensive list of every WWE superstar that was either released, had their contract run out or opted to leave in 2024.

Notable Releases in 2024

January to April Releases/Departures

• Kevin Patrick (Commentator) – January 25
• Mr. McMahon (Chairman) – January 26
• Amari Miller (Wrestler) – February 8
• Jinder Mahal (Wrestler) – April 1
• Xia Li, Sanga, and Veer (Wrestlers) were also released on April 19, marking a significant day for roster changes.

Spring Releases:

April was particularly notable for releases, with several key talents let go:

• Cameron Grimes (Wrestler) – April 23
• Drew Gulak, Boa, and others on May 3, which included multiple NXT talents.

Read More – Cameron Grimes Released By WWE, Matt Hardy’s Supportive Message

Mid-Year Changes

Summer Releases:

As the year progressed, more familiar names left the company:

• Becky Lynch (Wrestler) – June 1, marking a major departure as she was a top star.
• Ricochet (Wrestler) – June 29
• Bobby Lashley (Wrestler) and MVP (Manager) were released on August 16, indicating a shift in the company’s direction.

Fall and Winter Departures

Later Releases

The fall saw further adjustments:

• Odyssey Jones (Wrestler)- September 2
• Baron Corbin, (Wrestler) a former US Champion, was released on November 1, ending a notable tenure in WWE.
• Other significant releases included Indi Hartwell (Wrestler) and Tegan Nox (Wrestler), both on November 1.

Summary of WWE’s Roster Changes

In total, over 40 superstars left WWE for whatever reason throughout the year. These changes reflect ongoing strategies to refine the roster and focus on emerging talent.

Charlotte Flair has been out of action for a whole year now but the 13-time Women’s champion is inching closer to her return per latest updates.

The Queen previously posted photos of in-ring training session at Shawn Spears and Tyler Breeze’s Flatbacks wrestling school. She posted another such photo recently, thanking NXT’s Lainey Reed for helping her prepare for an in-ring return.

In a further update, PWinsider is reporting that Flair is ‘on the cusp of officially returning’ following her injury. Apart from the in-ring work, Charlotte has made trips to WWE HQ for a photoshoot and other logistics work in preparation for her comeback.

• Charlotte Flair Reveals Her Initial Reaction To Career-Threatening Injury

Charlotte Flair tore her ACL, MCL, and meniscus in a match against Asuka at the tribute to the troops special of SmackDown on December 8, 2023.

This is the first time in her 12-year WWE run that the female star has had to stay out of action for more than a year. The hiatus also caused her to miss WrestleMania only the second time since being introduced to the main roster by Stephanie McMahon in 2015.

WWE has not set an official return date for the former champion but January 6 Netflix Raw premiere would be the perfect stage for Flair to make her comeback. 

• Rhea Ripley Welcomes Rematch Against “Princess” Charlotte Flair

Scott Steiner has revealed that another member of the Steiner family is planning to join the wrestling business at the right time.

ESPN recently caught up with the wrestling veteran during the StaffDNA Cure Bowl game between Jacksonville State and Ohio Bobcats. Steiner along with WWE IC Champion Bron Breakker, was there to support his son, the Jacksonville State wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner.

The former WWE star was asked about the potential of his son following his footsteps and joining the wrestling business. Answering the question, Scott confirmed that Brock is indeed interested in joining the sports entertainment world:

“Yeah, that’s the plan. That’s what he wants to do, so, whatever makes him happy.”

• Scott Steiner Claims He Never Failed A Drug Test

A Genetic Freak Like Myself: Scott Steiner

When asked about the secret of success in the pro wrestling world, Scott Steiner explained that you have to be a genetic freak like himself:

“Be a genetic freak like myself. Takes a lot of work you know. I did it for like 25 years, so it takes a while. It’ll be good. He’s a Steiner, so that helps out. But, he’s a good athlete, so the sky’s the limit for him.”

Brock’s cousin and the current Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker also played football before joining WWE. While attending Georgia’s Kennesaw State University, he played for the Kennesaw State Owls. He also entered the NFL drafts after graduation before beginning his pro wrestling career in 2020.

• Scott Steiner Opens Up About Math Promo

Cody Rhodes has made his first public appearance since being brutally attacked by his former friend Kevin Owens at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

The American Nightmare made an appearance at an event for Brandi Rhodes’ NakedMind Yoga & Pilates studio on Friday. Rhodes was seen wearing a neck brace and carrying the original WWE title in photos posted by fans:

Rhodes had brought back the Winged Eagle belt for his title defense against Kevin Owens at the December 14 show. He retained the belt after delivering a Cross Rhodes to his opponent on a chair that Owens himself had introduced earlier in the bout.

Unhappy with the result, Owens attacked the WWE Champion after the show went off-air. He took Rhodes out with the banned package piledriver, leading to him being stretchered out of the arena.

Triple H confronted Kevin at the entrance ramp after this brutal attack but in the end, the former NXT Champion was able to leave the arena with the Winged Eagle belt.

Kevin Owens then infiltrated the WWE Raw on Netflix kickoff event earlier this week. Carrying the stolen belt, Owens declared himself the ‘true WWE Champion’ and vowed to defend the title at future shows.

Cody Rhodes To Read CBeebies Bedtime Stories On New Year’s Day

Kevin Owens insists he hasn’t “snapped” yet, despite his shocking attack on Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event. After the event, Owens ambushed Rhodes, delivering a brutal package piledriver that left the American Nightmare incapacitated.

On this week’s episode of SmackDown, Owens delivered a backstage promo, prominently displaying the Winged Eagle Championship he seized from Rhodes. He declared that the title belongs to him, calling his controversial loss at Saturday Night’s Main Event a “tragedy.” Despite his actions, Owens claimed he hasn’t truly lost control, ominously warning that fans don’t want to see what happens if he does. He concluded his promo by placing blame on Rhodes, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis, and WWE officials for what comes next.

Cody Rhodes, meanwhile, has yet to return to competition following the attack. He was notably absent from this week’s Raw and was pulled from WWE’s Netflix launch event to sell his injuries. Rhodes also did not appear on this week’s SmackDown, which was pre-taped to give talent and crew time off for the holidays.

Self-Proclaimed ‘True WWE Champion’ Kevin Owens Vows Title Defenses

Owens’ comments suggest that his rivalry with Rhodes is far from over, with fans speculating about a potential title-vs.-title match between the two. For now, Owens appears committed to justifying his actions, and his veiled threats should leave WWE Superstars and officials on high alert.

WWE fans can look forward to an additional hour of weekly programming starting in the new year.

On Friday, the WWE website released an updated guide detailing how to watch Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and premium live events across various regions worldwide.

“SmackDown continues to air on USA Network every Friday night at 8/7 C in the U.S. At the start of 2025, SmackDown will expand to three hours starting with the Jan. 3 episode from Phoenix, Arizona.”

This marks the first time SmackDown will expand to three hours since its debut in 1999, making it a historic moment for the show.

WWE Raw reverted to a two-hour format in October 2024, over 14 years after it first expanded to three hours in July 2012.

SmackDown expanding to three hours highlights WWE’s strategy to differentiate its flagship shows. This move positions SmackDown as a broader platform for storytelling and talent development, including showcasing the new Women’s United States Championship held by Chelsea Green.

Mixed Reaction to the Change

Reactions on X to SmackDown expanding to three hours have been mixed:

• Some fans see this as a positive change, anticipating more screen time for storylines like the Bloodline, as well as greater opportunities for the women’s division and underutilized talent.
• Others are concerned that the current two-hour format already struggles with consistency, fearing the additional hour may lead to repetitive or diluted content.
• Some also view this as a strategic business move, benefiting WWE and USA Network by increasing advertising opportunities.

Overall, fans are divided between optimism for more in-depth storytelling and skepticism about whether the roster can sustain the added time with compelling content.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest wrestling news ahead of the big changes in store for WWE Raw and SmackDown.

WWE taped the December 31st episode of WWE NXT on Thursday night at the Performance Center in Orlando, FL. As with the December 24th episode, this taping gives talent and crew additional time with their families over the holiday season.

Here are the complete spoiler results for the episode:

• Kelani Jordan defeated Lola Vice. After the match, Cora Jade attempted to attack Lola Vice with a kendo stick, but Stephanie Vaquer intervened to make the save.
• Ethan Page defeated Cedric Alexander.
• Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson defeated the teams of Shotzi & Gigi Dolin and Kayden Carter & Katana Chance in a Triple Threat Tag Match.
• Izzi Dame defeated Sol Ruca.
• Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont, & Tyrick Igwe defeated Andre Chase, Hank Walker, & Tank Ledger in a six-man tag match.
• A segment was held to crown the NXT Male Superstar of the Year.

Looking ahead, WWE NXT will kick off 2024 with the New Year’s Evil special, featuring two major championship matches:

• Trick Williams will defend the NXT Championship against Oba Femi.
• Roxanne Perez will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Giulia.

2025 is set to be a landmark year for WWE, with major events such as WrestleMania 41 and Raw’s highly anticipated move to Netflix. Adding to the excitement, next year will mark the end of John Cena’s legendary in-ring career, with his farewell tour extending far beyond the United States.

During a recent appearance on the Sports Business Journal Sports Media podcast, WWE EVP Chris Legentil revealed that Cena’s farewell tour will have a global reach.

“He’s gonna do a full year-long tour with us. And that’s gonna be worldwide… the opportunity for the people to see John Cena one last time all around the world is going to be quite powerful.”

Cena is already confirmed for WWE Elimination Chamber, set to take place on Saturday, March 1, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. While no other international Premium Live Events (PLEs) for 2025 have been officially announced, a substantial global tour during WrestleMania season has been confirmed.

Find Out More About WWE’s International Tour On The Road to WrestleMania 41

No specific matches for Cena’s farewell tour have been announced yet, but the WWE locker room is buzzing with anticipation. Former rivals like Randy Orton and The Miz have expressed their eagerness to face Cena one last time. Meanwhile, reigning Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker has also thrown his hat in the ring, as a match with Cena could serve as an opportunity for the WWE legend to achieve the coveted Grand Slam.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on John Cena’s farewell tour, which promises to take the WWE icon and Hollywood star across the globe for his final in-ring appearances.

Big E’s recent appearance on WWE Raw may have reignited fans’ hopes of seeing him return to the ring, but the former WWE Champion has yet to be medically cleared for in-ring competition. Speaking on The Mike Broomhead Show, Big E provided an update on his health, more than two years after his career-altering neck injury.

“I still haven’t been cleared. Thankfully, I feel great and don’t have any issues… I’m grateful to have no issues, no pain, nothing like that.”

Big E’s presence on the December 2 episode of Raw saw him attempt to mediate the growing rift between his New Day teammates, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. However, the duo turned on him, accusing Big E of not caring about the faction and ultimately ousting him from the group. While fans are hopeful that Big E will eventually exact revenge in the ring, his return hinges on receiving medical clearance.

Outside the squared circle, Big E has remained an active presence in WWE, contributing to pre-show and post-show panels for Premium Live Events. The former champion has also expressed contentment with the possibility that his in-ring career may be over, hinting at aspirations to serve as a talent scout for the promotion.

Still, fans yearn for Big E to deliver retribution against Kingston and Woods for their betrayal. For now though, that dream remains on hold as Big E continues to wait for the all-clear to return to physical action.

‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio was robbed of his first big pay check by his own family.

The 20-year wrestling veteran recently detailed all the struggles of his childhood in an interview with No Contest Wrestling podcast. He mentioned how he had to grow up fending for himself on the hard streets of San Diego. Despite all the success of Rey Mysterio he only bought his son a BMW when Dom asked for a Mercedes.

His home life wasn’t any better and as per Dominik, his mother made him do hard labour like doing his own laundry without pay. Even when he went out and earned his keep, he never got to see any of that money:

“To make matters even worse when I did do stuff here in WWE for like SummerSlam and I ended up getting paid for that, I never knew where the money went. I need to talk to her about that.

I bought one bike and my mother said ‘Oh there goes your money’ and I said ‘I did three pay-per-views, how many weeks of TV and you’re telling me one bike is [it]…and I’m done?’ This wasn’t Toys R Us Prime. This was like a little off-the-rack bicycle. I’m pretty sure it still had the training wheels on.”

Dominik Mysterio made his official wrestling debut at the young age of 8 back in 2005. He was the center figure for the feud between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio leading to their famous SummerSlam ladder match.

Apart from this, Dirty Dom also talked about things such as his reaction to the passing of his real dad Eddie Guerrero, being CM Punk’s first match after his WWE return and more. You can check out the full SummerSlam match below:

Sami Zayn has revealed why the Johnny Knoxville match may be his favorite of all time.

The Honorary Uce recently spoke to The Five Star podcast to promote the upcoming Raw tapings from Charlotte NC on February 17. He discussed things such as reuniting with The Bloodline, what the Netflix move means for WWE and more.

When the topic of his favorite match came up, Sami Zayn noted how he has been lucky to have many great matches throughout his career. The one match that stands out to him, however, is the WrestleMania 38 encounter with the Jackass star because they were able to defy all expectations:

“I’ve had a lot of really great matches that I’m really proud of. The Knoxville one jumps out at me because for so many reasons, I think. For starters expectations were low. Anytime you can take people on that kind of ride when they’re not really expecting to be taken on that kind of ride. To me that’s all wrestling really is.

It’s like a ride. An emotional ride, a ride of different reactions. It’s going left and it turns right and it’s up and it’s down and the next thing you know you’re just caught up in it. It’s a great feeling to be caught up in it.”

• Sami Zayn: Hall of Famers Never Told a Story As Good As The Bloodline

Very Proud of That Match: Sami Zayn

Sami Zayn noted how they were able to put together a really entertaining match that got them a standing ovation from a lot of fans. He is particularly proud of this performance because he was the only pro wrestler involved in the bout:

“I think that’s the remarkable thing that we were able to do in that match is get people completely caught up in what we were doing. Particularly proud of it because Johnny Knoxville is not a wrestler.

He went out there and to his credit, as much as I don’t like to give him credit for anything, he went out there at age 50 and put 20 minutes in at WrestleMania and had people on their feet. There’s [not a lot of] people on Earth that can do that. He was part of that. So very proud of that match.”

Apart from this, Sami Zayn also mentioned his matches against AEW’s Pac and Claudio Castagnoli as some of his favorite outings.

• Sami Zayn Believes Bron Breakker Has A Bright Future: He’s Going Be A Complete Player

This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown was pre-taped at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, following last week’s show. The decision to tape the episode in advance gives the WWE roster additional time off for the Christmas season.

Matches and Segments

The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga) vs. LA Knight, Andrade, and Apollo Crews

This heated six-man tag team match stems from The Bloodline’s attack on Apollo Crews, which has only escalated tensions in recent weeks.

Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Bianca Belair and Naomi (c) vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae

Belair and Naomi will defend their titles against the dominant Nia Jax and crafty Candice LeRae. Will the champs retain, or will new challengers claim the gold?

Kevin Owens Addresses the WWE Universe

Kevin Owens is set to address the crowd after his controversial actions at Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME). Following his loss to Cody Rhodes, KO attacked Cody and made off with the Winged Eagle Championship. Owens, who has been parading around with the stolen title, has even declared that he’ll defend it next week during the WWE holiday tour.

Braun Strowman vs. Carmelo Hayes (Rematch)

Braun Strowman and Carmelo Hayes will face off in a highly anticipated rematch. Last week, during The Grayson Waller Effect, Strowman appeared dressed as Santa Claus, but things took a chaotic turn, leading to this showdown.

Johnny Gargano vs. Alex Shelley

Johnny Gargano, riding a wave of momentum, takes on Alex Shelley in a singles match. However, Shelley is looking to settle the score after Gargano’s shocking heel turn.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest WWE SmackDown updates as the road to the big WWE Raw Netflix debut on Monday, January 6, continues

For WWE fans, securing an autograph from their favorite Superstar is often a dream come true. However, some fans take things to unexpected levels, as revealed in a recent WWE interview where Superstars shared the strangest items they’ve ever been asked to sign. Here are some of the highlights:

Bayley: Paramore Merch and Foreheads

Bayley isn’t a member of Paramore, but that hasn’t stopped fans asking her to sign some merchandise of the popular band the Role Model is a fan of. Bayley added that she’s also been asked to sign foreheads, which is her favourite thing to autograph.

Damian Priest: Underwear

Keeping his response family-friendly, Damian Priest admitted to signing “undergarments.” The Archer of Infamy refrained from revealing more details but left fans to speculate whether it was men’s or women’s underwear that earned his signature.

Sami Zayn: A Prosthetic Leg/Body Parts for Tattoos

Sami Zayn was befuddled when a fan asked him to sign their prosthetic leg, while others have asked the Honorary Uce to autograph their bodies so they can be tattooed. Zayn shared that when first asked for a tattoo-related autograph, his reaction made clear that he didn’t like the idea, but he’s trying to get better at hiding how he feels.

Kevin Owens: Body Parts for Tattoos

The self-professed ‘Real’ WWE Champion, like Zayn, has signed body parts for fans who plan to immortalize his signature in ink. While he considers it an “incredible honor,” Owens shared his nervousness about the possibility of his autograph becoming a permanent flaw on someone’s body.

Rey Mysterio: $100 bills

Rey Mysterio shared a story about fans wealthy enough to have him sign $100 bills. The WWE Hall of Famer cleverly incorporates his signature 619 move into the design, transforming the bill into a “619-dollar bill.”

Dominik Mysterio has reflected on the passing of Eddie Guerrero and what it means for him to have worked with the legend after entering the business himself.

The WWE star recently had an interview with No Contest Wrestling podcast. He discussed things such as his love for chicken nuggets, working with CM Punk, and more.

Coming from the legendary Mysterio family, Dirty Dom has been around wrestling all his life. When asked which was the first storyline that really broke his heart as a kid, the former NXT North American Champion recalled watching the tribute package for Eddie Guerrero after his passing:

“[Back in] ’05 when I was still young at the time but when Eddie passed and just seeing the community. I don’t remember showing emotion as a kid unless I was like physically hurt…cause never nothing really [bothered me]. I always kept to myself.

I remember when we were watching at home when Eddie had passed and the video package that they played with the Three Doors Down song. I just remember I started crying as a kid watching this and remembering him. Just what he had done with me and just everything that we had gone through in that angle. So I remember that as a wrestling fan that got me. Because I knew I wasn’t gonna see him again.”

• Decoding Dominik Mysterio’s New Tattoos Honoring Lucha Libre Legends

It Sucks Even More: Dominik Mysterio

The storyline between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio over the custody of Dom was one of the last feuds for the wrestling legend before his untimely passing. It was also the first time Dominik had gotten involved in a WWE angle.

Now that he has entered the business himself, the 27-year-old cherishes the time he got to spend with Guerrero even more. According to him, seeing Eddie’s work makes him realize how special the time was:

“Then now as an adult being in the business, it kind of sucks even more. Cause not only did I know him as a person and I got to be in the ring with him but I get to appreciate his work so much more now. Because it’s just…I’m living through it, trying to honor it. Looking at his matches and seeing how good he was, it just really…it makes me appreciate so much more the time I did get to spend with him.”

Dominik Mysterio is one of the wrestlers who continues to honor the legacy of Eddie Guerrero in various ways. This includes paying tribute through his gear and look as well as incorporating Eddie’s signature moves like the Three Amigos into his matches.

• Dominik Mysterio Doubts Rey Is His Father: I Question My Mom All The Time

Drew McIntyre is gearing up for an intense clash with Cody Rhodes, in a program that promises emotional and physical turmoil for both Superstars. During a recent TikTok livestream, the Scottish Warrior hinted at major developments on the horizon.

“I don’t want to give too much away. It’s going to be significant when the time comes… The world is going to be along for the ride. Feelings will be hurt, bodies will be,” McIntyre teased.

Drawing parallels between their careers, McIntyre noted that both he and Rhodes left WWE at different points, only to return as larger-than-life Superstars. McIntyre highlighted that he “redefined what independent wrestling meant” during his time away, while Rhodes made waves by co-founding AEW.

“Cody and I, it’s going to be big when it happens.”

The two share a history as a tag team, having briefly held the WWE Tag Team Championships in 2010 for a 35-day reign, which was cut short by the unlikely duo of John Cena and David Otunga. More recently, McIntyre secured a victory over Rhodes on the February 19, 2024, episode of WWE Raw.

Currently, both Superstars are entrenched in high-profile storylines—McIntyre with the OG Bloodline and Rhodes with Kevin Owens. However, McIntyre’s words suggest that fans won’t have to wait long for these two top-tier talents to collide once again.

Drew McIntyre: ‘It’s Awesome’ to See Friends Succeed in AEW

Matt Cardona says he is beyond proud of Chelsea Green.

The female star made history becoming the first-ever Women’s United States Champion at Saturday Night’s Main Event. This opportunity didn’t come easy for Green who had to work hard to get the recognition she deserved for years. She kept at it even after getting released from WWE once in 2021 and finally started becoming a fan favorite after returning to the company in 2023.

The Deathmatch King who married Chelsea Green in 2021, expressed his feelings on her big win in a new video. Matt Cardona said that he can’t put his feelings into words:

“Chelsea Green, new first ever women’s United States champion. Beyond proud of her. I can’t even put into words how proud of her I am. I wish I was there, Long Island. But I’m here, I’m working. She understands that.”

Very very proud of @ImChelseaGreen! pic.twitter.com/kvxV5eLnSk

— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) December 19, 2024

• Chelsea Green Joins Elite Group After WWE Women’s U.S. Title Win

She’s Earned This: Matt Cardona

Cardona who has ample experience of the WWE system himself, highlighted the struggles of his wife through the years. He also thanked Green for paying tribute to his Zack Ryder character during the championship match with Michin:

“I saw this girl, like get rejected from WWE, had to beg for tryouts, then got a job, then got fired, and worked her ass off on the indies, then got back. So, she’s earned this. So, I’m beyond proud. And she wore like one-legged tights, Zack Ryder style. Did the Rough Ryder on Long Island. So, thanks babe, appreciate you.”

Chelsea Green has already declared herself the longest reigning Women’s US Champion and called out a big name to come challenge her. You can check out more about it here.

• Chelsea Green Explains Why She Loves Being A Heel