WWE has announced that three competitors from the recent Survivor Series WarGames match have sustained significant injuries.
Tonga Loa suffered a torn biceps during the event and has undergone successful surgery. He is expected to be sidelined indefinitely.
Bronson Reed incurred a broken foot, reportedly from executing a splash off the top of the cage. Surgery is planned, and he will also be out of action indefinitely.
Jimmy Uso sustained a broken toe during the match. His injury was confirmed during the post-event press conference, and he is currently sidelined with no specified return date.
These injuries were highlighted in a segment on WWE SmackDown, which included x-rays and images of the affected areas.
Solo Sikoa firmly remains the Tribal Chief and Head of the Table, despite his Bloodline’s defeat at Survivor Series: WarGames. In the main event of WWE’s latest Premium Live Event, Sikoa’s Bloodline lost to Roman Reigns’ OG Bloodline with Solo taking the pinfall for his team.
The match saw both Tonga Loa and Bronson Reed suffer injuries, but that didn’t deter Sikoa during this week’s SmackDown. The show opened with Sikoa and his remaining allies establishing their dominance backstage, taking out Apollo Crews and several other individuals.
Later in the night, the group took out LA Knight and Andrade when both were making their case to be the first challenger to new U.S. Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. Interestingly, the faction did not attack Nakamura when they had the chance, as the Japanese star appeared poised to use his dreaded mist. On the mic, Sikoa declared that losing some men didn’t matter, as he still has the Ula Fala, the symbol of the Tribal Chief.
Roman Reigns was not a part of this week’s SmackDown, so did not share a rebuttal to what Sikoa had to say during the show. Nevertheless, the leader of the New Bloodline is eager to assert that he is firmly in control, despite his defeat at Survivor Series: WarGames in Vancouver.
Kevin Owens has vowed to deal with his best friend Sami Zayn aligning with The Bloodline, the Prizefighter made clear during WWE SmackDown. On the December 6, show, Owens was interviewed by Michael Cole in Owens’ car, and spoke about Cody Rhodes teaming with Roman Reigns at Bad Blood, a ‘betrayal’ in Owens’ eyes that kicked off his heel turn.
Cole countered that it was unfair of Owens to target Cody Rhodes when Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn all aligned with Reigns at Survivor Series: WarGames. Owens said that he didn’t care what Jimmy or Jey had done, but promised that he’d deal with Zayn at the right time. Cole said that Owens is the problem, not everyone else, prompting the former Universal Champion to boot him from the vehicle.
Owens vowing to deal with Zayn fills a glaring plot hole fans online have been bringing up ever since Crown Jewel, where Sami re-aligned with the OG Bloodline. Many fans felt it was odd that Owens would try and destroy Rhodes for teaming with Reigns one time, and was doing nothing to his best friend for committing to the OTC once more.
Owens’ arrival in WWE saw him attack Zayn in late 2014 and the pair have feuded several times, including with a match at WrestleMania 37. The pair have also teamed multiple times, including winning the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 39 in only the second tag-team main event in the history of the show.
Zayn fell afoul of the returning Drew McIntyre during this week’s Raw, and will now have his best friend to deal with again. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kevin Owens, as the Prizefighter is ready for revenge on those who ‘wronged’ him, including his best friend.
WWE and PowerSlap Mobile will team up next week, with a new mobile game slamming the two together being available next Friday. During the latest episode of SmackDown, it was confirmed that the mobile game is coming and will be available on by Apple’s App Store as will as Google Play. Reigning Power Slap Champion Wolverine and WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio have been confirmed for the game already.
PowerSlap is an American slap-fighting promotion owned by Dana White, the CEO of UFC. Opponents take turns slapping one another in the face and have 60 seconds to recover from a slap and get back into position. Fights can end either via knockout or go to a judge’s decision after three rounds.
PowerSlap has faced criticism due to the severe health risks that competitors put themselves under, CTE researcher and former WWE Superstar Chris Nowinski (whose in-ring career ended due to concussions) observed during a contest one competitor showing signs of serious brain damage after repeated slaps. There have been calls from medical experts and politicians alike to have the show banned.
Merging the worlds of WWE and PoweSlap blends two entities linked to Endeavor, as White is part of TKO Group Holdings due to his role with UFC. Endeavor launched TKO, which merges WWE and UFC in September 2023, and recently brought three other acquisitions into the fold. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE & PowerSlap Mobile as fans eagerly await this new mobile game.
In a dramatic turn of events, DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) became the new WWE Tag Team Champions, dethroning The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) on Friday’s SmackDown.
Originally, Shelley and Sabin were set to defend their titles against The Street Profits, but the scheduled challengers were mysteriously ambushed before the match. This unexpected development led to DIY stepping in as replacements.
The match was not without controversy. Tensions flared between Ciampa and Gargano, as Ciampa’s recent heel tendencies created unease within the team. The pivotal moment came when Gargano struck Shelley with a low blow while the referee’s attention was diverted. Sabin attempted to confront Gargano but was met with a superkick. Seizing the opportunity, DIY executed their signature finisher on Shelley to secure the victory.
This marks DIY’s second run as WWE Tag Team Champions. They previously captured the titles on the July 5 episode of SmackDown, defeating A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller). However, their reign lasted only 28 days, ending at the hands of The Bloodline (Fatu and Tama Tonga), who capitalized on interference from Solo Sikoa and Tonga Loa.
The Motor City Machine Guns’ reign as champions concluded at 42 days, adding yet another chapter to their storied legacy.
WWE has officially announced the opening of its transfer window, signaling significant roster changes across its flagship brands: RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. The news was revealed during Friday night’s episode of SmackDown, where commentator Michael Cole stated that the General Managers from all three brands are collaborating to orchestrate strategic moves.
This move comes as WWE gears up for its next big milestone—the highly anticipated debut of RAW on Netflix. The collaboration between the GMs—Adam Pearce (RAW), Nick Aldis (SmackDown), and Shawn Michaels (NXT)—marks a unified effort to realign WWE’s talent pool to enhance storytelling and match quality across the board.
BREAKING NEWS
WWE has announced a transfer window between #SmackDown, #WWERaw, and #WWENXT which will see the GMs discuss moving #WWE Superstars across brands!
The transfer window concept, akin to drafts and trades in professional sports, offers WWE the flexibility to reshuffle its rosters and elevate new talent into prominent roles.
This initiative ensures fresh matchups, reinvigorated storylines, and a chance for underutilized talent to shine. It also allows the creative teams of each brand to adapt their shows to upcoming challenges, including major events and shifts in audience demographics.
Michael Cole emphasized that the moves being discussed are “major” and could significantly impact WWE’s landscape heading into WrestleMania season.
Fans are already speculating about potential trades on social media, including the movement of top-tier superstars and the promotion of standout performers from NXT to the main roster.
WWE has announced the return of Jesse “The Body” Ventura to the commentary table for Saturday Night’s Main Event, set to air live on December 14, 2024, at 8/7c on NBC. The retro-themed event will take place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, honoring the legacy of the original series, which debuted nearly 40 years ago.
Ventura, a WWE Hall of Famer known for his sharp wit and charismatic commentary, was a staple of the show during its 1980s run. His return marks his first appearance on WWE programming in over a decade.
Triple H addressed Ventura’s WWE homecoming, welcoming back and touting his credentials on the beloved series. He wrote on X, “Nobody reps Saturday Night’s Main Event like ‘The Governor.’ Welcome home, Jesse.”
Ventura hyped his upcoming WWE return on social media, writing, “That’s right the Governing Body returns to Saturday Night’s Main Event! So excited to get back into the broadcast booth. A very big thank you to TripleH, WWE and my son Tyrel for helping make my return a reality.”
Return of The Body
Ventura’s comeback follows his signing of a WWE Legends deal earlier this year, a move months in the making. He was previously seen backstage at Monday Night Raw, fueling speculation about his involvement in upcoming events.
For longtime fans, Ventura’s return is a highlight, promising a mix of his signature wit and historic storytelling. WWE is pulling out all the stops to make this an unforgettable tribute to one of wrestling’s most iconic shows.
The December 14 special is expected to celebrate the original Saturday Night’s Main Event era, with rumors of appearances by other WWE legends like Hulk Hogan and Wendy Richter adding to the nostalgia.
Match Card for Saturday Night’s Main Event (12/14)
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. IYO SKY
World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Finn Bálor
WWE and A&E have announced an expansion of their partnership with the development of a new competition series. According to The Hollywood Reporter, A&E will debut WWE LFG, a show where aspiring pro wrestlers compete for a WWE contract while receiving guidance from iconic in-ring legends such as Paul “Triple H” Levesque, The Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels.
The title LFG stands for “Legends & Future Greats” and will follow a format reminiscent of Tough Enough. Contestants will undergo rigorous training, participate in weekly matches, and learn the behind-the-scenes aspects of the wrestling business. Mentorship will be provided by celebrated stars, including Booker T, Mickie James, and Bubba Ray Dudley.
WWE LFG Mentors
Executive producers for WWE LFG include Triple H, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Shawn Michaels, and Jeremy Borash, representing WWE, with Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson producing for A&E.
In addition to LFG, A&E has green-lit two other projects with WWE:
WWE’s Greatest Moments, a series that will highlight the most iconic matches and events in WWE history. Michael Cole is set to host.
WWE Rivals returns for its fifth season, continuing its deep dive into legendary feuds.
“A&E has proved to be an excellent home for WWE content, and we’re excited to partner with their fantastic team on these new show concepts and the latest season of WWE Rivals,” said Triple H, WWE’s Chief Content Officer.
WWE’s Greatest Moments will also be executive produced by Triple H, Fitting, Houser, and Marc Pomarico, alongside A&E’s Bryant, Abramson, and Jonathan Partridge.
This collaboration continues WWE’s successful track record of creating compelling content that bridges sports entertainment and storytelling.
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown brings fallout from Survivor Series, including the two WarGames matches and Shinsuke Nakamura winning the United States championship. The aftermath of these events will set the stage for the highly anticipated Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 14, where Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed Championship against Kevin Owens.
The Women’s United States Title Tournament, which began last week, will continue on SmackDown. Michin advanced on November 29 by defeating Lash Legend and Piper Niven. This week, Naomi, Tiffany Stratton, and Elektra Lopez will compete in a Triple Threat match to determine the next semifinalist.
Confirmed Matches and Segments
WWE Women’s U.S. Title Tournament: Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Elektra Lopez.
Cody Rhodes will open the show. He defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens at SNME next weekend.
Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Street Profits.
Is DIY D-O-N-E? Tommaso Ciampa gives Johnny Gargano an ultimatum.
Survivor Series Fallout: Expect major developments and storyline updates following the dramatic events of WarGames.
SmackDown will deliver a mix of tournament action and storyline advancements as we round out the final weeks of the year. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more WWE news.
Bronson Reed is set to be sidelined due to an injury sustained during his most recent WWE match. Reed suffered a right ankle injury after leaping off the top of the cage during the WarGames match at WWE Survivor Series.
The event, which took place six days ago, featured a star-studded main event lineup: Roman Reigns, The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso), Sami Zayn, and CM Punk battling The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa). Reed was part of The Bloodline team, who ultimately lost to the babyface team.
The word going around WWE suggests that Reed will undergo surgery next week to address his injury, according to PWInsider. Prior to the setback, WWE had scheduled him to face Seth Rollins in a series of steel cage matches during the company’s post-holiday tour.
Jimmy Uso was also injured during the match, breaking a toe during his own high-risk leap from the cage.
The Rollins-Reed feud has been a highlight on WWE television in recent months, marking a pivotal moment in Reed’s career. The rivalry, intertwined with WWE’s most compelling storyline, helped elevate Reed’s status with fans.
We wish Bronson Reed a speedy recovery and look forward to his return to the ring.
The event will begin streaming exclusively on Peacock at 6 PM EST / 3 PM PT on February 1, 2025.
This aligns with changes made to other recent Premium Live Events, such as WWE Survivor Series 2024: WarGames and WWE Bad Blood 2024, which also shifted from the traditional 8 PM EST slot.
WWE’s 2025 Royal Rumble emanates from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. John Cena is the first WWE star to declare entry into the men’s 30-personal battle royal. Several other notable names have teased involvement, including WWE Raw broadcaster and Indiana native, Pat McAfee.
A simple message shared by John Cena had a profound effect on Logan Paul, the social media content creator has revealed. During the latest edition of his ImPaulsive podcast, Paul shared the words of wisdom given to him by WWE’s Greatest Of All Time.
“He told me this: ‘Comparison is the thief of joy.'”
Paul didn’t understand what the mantra meant at first, but has slowly figured the message out, and believes it applies to his own life.
“I do compare myself to people in the sense that I’m competitive, and I use it as fuel to motivate me to do better… But I’m also wondering if it is the thief of joy. ‘Cause while I am reaching these pinnacles, am I happy doing it?”
It’s not just The Maverick who has benefitted from Cena’s words of wisdom. On X, the 16-time World Champion often shares sayings, proverbs, and advice to his 14.4 Million followers. Cena’s words on X juxtapose his Instagram usage, where his caption-free images are left open for interpretation.
Cena will kick off his farewell tour next month, with Paul’s name being discussed as a potential opponent for the WWE icon. While the pair could soon be sharing the ring as adversaries. Logan Paul will always appreciate the words of wisdom from the former World Champion.
Starting in January 2025, WWE’s flagship program, Monday Night Raw, will transition to Netflix as part of a landmark $5 billion agreement. This move signifies Raw’s departure from traditional linear television for the first time in over three decades.
A significant change accompanying this transition is that Raw will broadcast live regardless of its taping location, including international venues. Traditionally, episodes filmed overseas were pre-recorded and aired later in their usual time slots. With the new arrangement, international broadcasts will be live, allowing fans worldwide to view episodes in real-time and access them on-demand immediately after airing. (H/T – PWInsider)
This change is set to take effect during WWE’s international tour in March 2025, which includes multiple Raw tapings in the United Kingdom. Fans can anticipate live broadcasts of these UK-based episodes, marking a significant shift in WWE’s programming approach.
International WWE Raw Tapings Currently Scheduled
March 17, 2025: Brussels, Belgium – Forest National
March 24, 2025: Glasgow, Scotland – OVO Hydro
March 31, 2025: London, England – O2 Arena
For reference, an 8pm showtime in Brussels, Belgium would be 2pm in Eastern time zone.
The inaugural live episode of WWE Raw op Netflix is scheduled for January 6, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. This premiere will feature top WWE stars, including John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Bianca Belair, along with special surprise guests.
This strategic partnership between WWE and Netflix aims to enhance the viewing experience by providing immediate access to live content, regardless of geographic location, thereby unifying the global WWE audience.
NXT Champion Trick Williams recently talked about his backstage relationship with CM Punk.
‘The Second City Saint’ has been a controversial figure when it comes to backstage presence. His infamous real-life backstage scuffles during his AEW tenure had led to his departure from the promotion. However, the two-time NXT Champion has shared his thoughts on Punk’s backstage behavior.
Williams admitted that he didn’t get an opportunity to meet CM Punk until after there were “rumors about his character.” During the No-Contest Wrestling podcast, Trick Williams revealed that Punk is very genuine. Williams said:
“I didn’t meet CM Punk until after the rumors about his character were brought about from other places. I didn’t know what to expect when I met him, but all I’m gonna say is that dude, Punk, man, good dude, like, solid. You can just tell when some people are just genuine, and he’s very genuine.
Trick Williams added that the former WWE Champion mentors the younger talents and shares valuable advice. Williams made it clear that CM Punk has been helpful for them. He said:
“He takes pride in helping us, the next generation, to become the superstars that we need to be. He gives us real advice, too. He talks about how to handle yourself, in the ring, outside the ring, with everything it takes to become a superstar. Even closer to today’s time when we are dealing with different stuff, like social media and how to handle everything that comes with being a superstar in 2024 that other other superstars didn’t really have to deal with all the way. He’s been very helpful for a lot of us.”
Solo Sikoa will hold WWE World Championship gold in 2025, according to WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, in a huge claim for the Bloodline’s leader. On his Off The Top podcast, Rikishi shared his bold vision for Sikoa’s future in the coming year.
“I’ve got full confidence in Solo… He’s been out for a minute, perfecting the craft, waiting his turn, waiting for his opportunity. 2025, I see Solo Sikoa will become Undisputed WWE Champion.”
Sikoa has already come close to the Undisputed WWE Championship but failed to win the gold at SummerSlam, thanks in part to the return of Roman Reigns. Sikoa’s most recent title opportunity came last month at a WWE live event in Sheffield, England, where he once again came up short against Cody Rhodes.
2025 is shaping up to be a huge year in WWE, with the impending Netflix move looming, John Cena’s farewell tour, and key events such as the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 41. It remains to be seen what role Sikoa will play over the coming 12 months, but it’s a matter of time before the Tribal Chief has gold around his waist as far as Rikishi is concerned.
The New Day’s split during the December 2, 2024, episode of WWE Raw shocked fans, and marked the end of one of wrestling’s most popular factions as it was known for years. The ten-year celebration of the group saw Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods betray Big E, claiming they wanted nothing to do with him and claimed he’d never be cleared to wrestle.
During an appearance on The Battleground Podcast, Kofi addressed the aftermath of the split while refusing to disclose the group’s future plans.
“None of those details are ones I’m willing to share with you, you know what I’m saying? Every Monday night—find out.”
Every interview since Raw that Kingston has been a part of, he’s been asked about the breakup, a fact Kingston called a “good thing.” While Kofi avoided specifics, the former WWE World Champion expressed excitement about what lies ahead for the group.
“[Our future is] littered with uncertainty—in the best way possible. I think the opportunities for us are going to start ringing in.”
While Kofi’s comments keep fans guessing, one thing is certain: The New Day is ready to make an impact, now as heels. Stay tuned to SEScoops to see if the teased opportunities do indeed ‘ring in’ for Kingston and Woods, now that they’ve left Big E behind.
Trish Stratus was honored to headline WWE Raw in 2004, an opportunity that the Hall of Famer had to fight for in every sense. This week marks 20 years since Stratus and Lita headlined the December 6, 2004, edition of the red brand which saw Lita capture the Women’s Title from her friend/rival.
Speaking to TV Insider, Stratus recalled only learning of the main event match when she arrived at the arena, and even then, believed it was a prank by male talent. It was only after speaking with Vince McMahon that the magnitude of their upcoming match truly sunk in.
“We knew it was a big opportunity, but at the time, we didn’t realize how big of an opportunity it was. Let alone the impact that night would have.”
20 years later, the match is still considered one of the best women’s matches in WWE TV history and came at a time when women were firmly behind the men. Just two years earlier, Stratus had faced Victoria in a hardcore match, one where many backstage didn’t want the pair to come close to delivering on the stipulation.
“We were thinking about doing a chair shot. ‘Women can not do that’… Only in the wrestling world where I have to fight to be whacked in the back with a steel chair.”
Stratus’ matches with Lita and Victoria would be a taste of things to come, as women’s wrestling in WWE has made huge steps over the past decade. While having two women headline Raw was a historic showcase in 2004, the concept is commonplace in today’s programming.
“It’s wild to me now that the main event is whoever deserves it. This isn’t just the women’s main event. It’s just two characters on the show.”
In a matter of days, WWE will take its next step in gender equality with the crowning of the first Women’s U.S. Champion at Saturday Night’s Main Event. WWE has also started a tournament on Raw to crown the first Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
“I think it’s amazing. This is exactly what we wanted back in the day. We wanted the same opportunities and exposure as the men. This is a big step.”
Stratus last competed for WWE at Payback 2023 against Becky Lynch in a steel cage, another concept practically off-limits for women during Stratus’ full-time career. With opportunities growing in WWE that Stratus wished existed decades ago, fans can’t count out some Stratusfaction being served again, possibly with gold on the line.
Other Highlights
Stratus discussed a variety of topics in her interview, including:
Appearing on MADtv was a “dream” for Stratus, who preferred the show growing up to Saturday Night Live.
Stratus is interested in appearing on Dancing With The Stars. The show has already featured Chris Jericho, Nikki Garcia, and The Miz.
She “imagines at some point” that fans will see her in the ring again, especially with next year being the 25th anniversary of her WWE debut.
WWE NXT Deadline 2024 is fast approaching, with the event scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2024, at the Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This exciting night of wrestling will feature the highly anticipated Iron Survivor Challenge matches, but fans should also be aware of the pre-show kickoff times to catch all the action from the start.
In the United States, the NXT Deadline 2024 pre-show will kick off at 6:00 PM Eastern Time (ET). This one-hour pre-show will provide fans with insights, interviews, and analysis before the main card begins at 7:00 PM ET. Viewers can watch the pre-show live on Peacock.
Australian Pre-Show Start Time
For Australian fans, the pre-show will start on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 11:00 AM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT). Here’s how it breaks down for different regions in Australia:
Australian Central Daylight Time (ACDT): 10:00 AM
Australian Western Standard Time (AWST): 8:00 AM
This timing allows fans to engage with the event right from the beginning.
European Pre-Show Start Time
European viewers can also enjoy the pre-show live on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The schedule is as follows:
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): 12:00 AM
Central European Time (CET): 1:00 AM
Eastern European Time (EET): 2:00 AM
This gives fans across Europe a chance to catch all the pre-event festivities.
As the excitement builds for WWE NXT Deadline 2024, fans are eagerly anticipating the Kickoff Pre-Show. This pre-show will set the stage for the main event, featuring exclusive insights, match previews, and special guest appearances. Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch the WWE NXT Deadline 2024 Kickoff Pre-Show.
The Kickoff Pre-Show for WWE NXT Deadline 2024 will begin at 7 PM ET on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Fans can catch all the action live from the Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The main card will follow at 8 PM ET, making it essential to tune in early for all the pre-show festivities.
How to Watch the Kickoff Pre-Show Live Stream
In the United States
Platform: Peacock
Subscription Cost: $5.99 per month for Peacock Premium
Steps to Watch:
Sign up for a Peacock account if you haven’t already
Choose the Premium plan to access WWE content.
On December 7, navigate to the WWE section to find the live stream of the Kickoff Pre-Show.
International Viewers
Platform: WWE Network
Subscription Cost: £9.99 per month
Steps to Access
Create an account on WWE Network.
Subscribe to gain access to all premium live events.
Log in on event day to watch the Kickoff Pre-Show live.
What to Expect During the Kickoff Pre-Show
The Kickoff Pre-Show will feature:
Match Previews: Insightful breakdowns of key matchups, including the highly anticipated Iron Survivor Challenge.
Special Guests: Appearances from WWE legends and analysts who will provide commentary and predictions.
Fan Interaction: Opportunities for fans to engage via social media and share their thoughts leading into the event.
Don’t miss out on this exciting prelude to WWE NXT Deadline 2024! Tune in early and get ready for a night of thrilling wrestling action.
AEW’s Bobby Lashley regrets that his feud with Brock Lesnar, a program he’d been aspiring to for years, hardly led up to his or fan expectations. On the Insight podcast, Lashley discussed working with the Beast and what could’ve gone differently.
“I wanted to do a lot more with it. I wish we could have really done the things that we could have.”
Lashley and Lesnar faced off one-on-one three times in WWE. Their first match at the Royal Rumble 2022 event saw interference by Roman Reigns. Their second match at that year’s Crown Jewel lasted just six minutes, while their final match at Elimination Chamber 2023 ended in what many considered a disappointing DQ finish
On the podcast, Lashley spoke of wanting training montages before his matches with Lesnar, believing the angle could’ve been like the movie Rocky. Lashley also revealed that he pitched a tag-title run with Lesnar, which would’ve later led to a feud.
“I don’t know if we could have put us two together as a tag team because it might have been too dominant, but I still see there were some people in there that we could have had great fights with.”
Lesnar hasn’t competed for WWE since SummerSlam 2023, with questions about his future due to Janel Grant’s lawsuit. Lashley has since joined AEW, where he has reunited with MVP and Shelton Benjamin as the Hurt Syndicate. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Lashley, as the All Mighty continues to make an impact, even after his feud with Lesnar didn’t reach his expectations.
President-Elect Donald Trump was more than willing to get in the mix of things during the infamous Battle of the Billionaires in WWE in 2007. The WrestleMania 23 contest saw Bobby Lashley represent Trump to face the late, great Umaga, who represented Vince McMahon. Lashley would win the match, which per the stipulation, would result in McMahon being shaved of his iconic hairdo.
On the Insight podcast, Lashley detailed the build-up to the match, which he found “funny all the way through.”
“You’re just watching these two powerhouses talk to each other, so they’re going back and forth, and they’re on top of everything.”
The match featured prominent promotion in WWE, including taking center stage on that year’s WrestleMania 23 poster. The image depicts Lashley and Umaga standing behind their representatives, though this was not the original plan.
“Somebody put it down on paper that me and Umaga were supposed to sit in the chairs and have those guys standing with their hands on our shoulders… Trump was like, ‘No, I don’t think we should do this… it makes me look old.”
During the match, Trump delivers a clothesline to McMahon in a clip the President-Elect has since used to encapsulate his issues with the media. The Apprentice star was never taught how to hit the move, Lashley added, before detailing McMahon’s attempt to prank his friend, who was eager to fight, on the biggest show of the year.
” Trump wanted to be a part of it. He wanted to do something. He was like, ‘I want to beat somebody up.’
“Vince’s whole thing was like, Haha, when he starts punching me, I’m gonna put my head down so he could punch my head. That’s the hardest part of my head, so it’s gonna hurt his hand.”
As for Lashley, he’s now a part of AEW and is quickly establishing himself as part of The Hurt Syndicate. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the former WWE World Champion as he, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin look to show their dominance in an All-Elite ring.
WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque couldn’t have been happier with the New Day’s split on Raw as it highlighted the emotional investment from fans. Speaking at WWE’s recent media event with Netflix. Levesque said he was “so happy for those guys” and addressed the raw emotion behind the segment.
“It’s those moments. It’s why we do what we do. Rock says it all the time, it’s that electricity, that connection with the people. There’s no greater feeling than that.”
The segment saw Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turn on Big E, declaring that they wanted nothing to do with their now-former ally. The emotional segment instantly went viral, with The New Day and Big E both trending shortly after the segment aired on Monday.
It wasn’t just online where fans shared their shock over what happened. During the segment, WWE’s camera crew cut to the crowd several times, including a viral shot of a distraught fan in the crowd.
“We couldn’t have comically asked for a better shot of somebody selling that storyline for us.”
Kingston and Woods have now been listed as heels on WWE’s internal roster, PW Insider has reported. With emotions among fans still running high, fans are eager to see what’s next from Kingston and Woods, and whether Big E, who has been out of action since March 2022, will be able to get payback on the two men he’s considered brothers for the past decade.
Braun Strowman will be taking his skills outside of WWE this month, amid an ongoing absence from the promotion’s programming. The Monday Night Raw Superstar will be a part of GLCW’s Blizzard Brawl event this Saturday, December 7, from the Waukesha County Expo Center in Waukesha, WI.
Braun has close ties to the city of Waukesha, as demonstrated in the 30-Minute Waukesha Strong documentary. The doc covers Strowman’s visit to the city to support the family of Jackson Sparks, an 8-year-old killed in the attack during the 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade. The doc also looks at Strowman’s own connection to Wisconsin, where most of his family are from.
Braun isn’t the only notable name set for GLCW’s Blizzard Brawl. The show will also feature Santino Marella, EC3, Frankie Kazarian, Santino Marella, the Beautiful People, Chavo Guerrero, Zilla Fatu, Armando Estrada, and many more names from the world of wrestling, a tag-team match pitting The Newest Rockers (Kal Herro & Al Snow) taking on the fan-favorite duo of Santino Marella and Damien Sandow has been announced.
Pat McAfee has responded enthusiastically to Triple H’s confirmation of his full-time return to WWE as a commentator on Monday Night RAW. While the news of McAfee’s comeback had been circulating since August, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” confirmed it this week during the Netflix & WWE “Lunch and Learn” event.
Taking to social media, McAfee expressed his gratitude and excitement for the opportunity to return to WWE. “An absolute honor to be asked back,” he wrote. “A childhood dream realized every single time I’m lucky enough to be in an arena with the @WWE Universe. Can’t wait to be talking into a microphone next to @MichaelCole again… He’s the ?. I’m excited to tell the worldwide audience on Netflix how great the WWE Superstars are… and how big of scumbags some of ‘em are too. Let’s go.”
McAfee previously stepped away from WWE commentary to focus on his role with ESPN’s College GameDay. During his absence, RAW’s commentary duties were filled by Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore, while Michael Cole moved to SmackDown alongside Corey Graves.
While Triple H did not specify the exact date of McAfee’s return, it is widely speculated that his comeback will coincide with RAW’s Netflix debut on January 6, 2024. The move to Netflix marks a new chapter for WWE, and McAfee has pledged to use the platform to elevate WWE’s popularity to a global audience.
Fans are eagerly awaiting McAfee’s dynamic energy back at the commentary desk, especially alongside his longtime broadcast partner, Michael Cole.
The lawsuit brought against WWE, TKO and others by former ‘ring boys’ has been put on pause due to an upcoming ruling by the Maryland Supreme Court. Federal Judge James K. Bredar ruled to stay proceedings until the Supreme Court rules on whether the state’s Child Victims Act is constitutional.
The CVA, which was first introduced in 2023, removes the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving child sexual abuse, even in cases of negligence. The law is crucial to the case brought forward, as they alleged abuse took place decades ago.
The lawsuit was filed in October and alleges that former WWE employee Mel Phillips sexually abused the five plaintiffs, anonymized as John Doe 1 through 5, while they worked as ring boys in the 1980s. It also claims that WWE, Vince, and Linda McMahon failed to act despite being aware of Phillips’ conduct. Phillips passed away in 2012.
Vince McMahon’s attorney Jessica T. Rosenberg, also representing McMahon in the Janel Grant lawsuit, has described the case as full of claims that are “untrue and unfounded.” Linda McMahon’s lawyer Laura Brevetti has described the lawsuit as “filled with scurrilous lies, exaggerations, and misrepresentations.”
The Maryland Supreme Court’s ruling on whether the CVA is constitutional or not is expected by August 2025. If passed, it will allow this case and others like this one to move forward, regardless of how much time has passed since the alleged abuse. This is an ongoing case and we seek to bring updates in due time.
