– WWE stock closed at $17.43 per share today, up 2.17% after the First Quarter financial results.
– Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, Kane and Big Show were reportedly not brought to WWE TV tapings this week but they did work weekend live events, according to PWInsider. Sheamus mentioned on Twitter yesterday that he was given the day off.
– Rosa Mendes has penned a blog about being a new mother for WWE.com.
– John Cena co-hosted NBC’s Today show again this morning. He’ll be back on Friday.
Thanks @TODAYshow ! Headed now to #InvictusGames but will be back Friday. Any requests for suit color choice? (Unleash interweb humor here)
– The Third-Edition of the WWE Encyclopedia will be released on 10/24, with several of the biggest Superstars in history are featured on the cover. Noticeable omissions include Hulk Hogan and Triple H.
– Alberto Del Rio is back on the road with and will be at Monday’s RAW from Brooklyn, NY. He was at last week’s RAW, but missed SmackDown and did not appear at this weekend’s live events.
– Nikki Bella is rumored to be appearing on Monday’s RAW from Brooklyn, NY. She revealed on Instagram yesterday that she no longer has to wear her neck brace full time. Based on recovery, she expects to be ‘the strongest she’s ever been’ this summer.
Brie, who is expected to finish up with the company after WrestleMania, will also be returning for the final build to WrestleMania. Brie was off WWE TV this past week, reportedly due to a health issue with husband Daniel Bryan.
– On Sunday Shinsuke Nakamura arrived in Orlando, Florida for his permanent move to the city. The former NJPW star will be training at the WWE Performance Center and debuts for NXT this coming Friday at NXT Takeover: Dallas.
For the second consecutive weekend, League of Nations member Alberto Del Rio has been pulled from WWE live events. The former World Heavyweight champion appeared on last week’s RAW, but missed Tuesday’s SmackDown taping.
Del Rio had been scheduled for last night’s WWE live event fromMadison Square Garden but was pulled from advertisements during the week and did not appear.
We know Del Rio has been dealing with lower back issues after taking a vertical suplex from Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble or a German suplex on the January 18th RAW event. This could be a case of WWE letting him have time off to rest up, but that’s speculation.
Del Rio is scheduled to team with King Barrett, Rusev and Sheamus to face WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day in a 4-on-3 Handicap Match at WrestleMania 32.
This is getting ridiculous, as yet another top WWE Superstar is injured. League of Nations member Alberto Del Rio is dealing with pain in his lower back, according to a report at PWInsider.com.
Del Rio dropped the United States Championship to Kalisto at the Royal Rumble but did not wrestle at at this week’s RAW or SmackDown tapings. He is still advertised for this weekend’s live events from Chattanooga, Tennessee and Tupelo, Mississippi, but those cards are subject to change.
It’s unknown this time if he’ll miss any ring time beyond taking a few days off this week, but we’ll know Saturday night if he wrestled at his next scheduled date.
Alberto Del Rio defeated Kalisto on Thursday’s SmackDown to reclaim the WWE United States Championship. He got the win with help from his League of Nations partner Bad News Barrett, who is still out of action due to injury. Kalisto had won the gold on Monday’s RAW in what many considered to be the highlight of the show.
Comment and tell us what you think of the rapid-fire title change. Was it worth shaking things up for a few days, or is this another example of WWE’s infamous 50/50 booking?
To make matters worse, the official WWE website has spoiled the fact that the U.S. title change will take place on this Thursday’s show on the USA Network by using it as a way to promote this week’s show.
WWE.com reported the following rare spoiler-based article after Tuesday night’s SmackDown television taping:
“Just one night after losing the United States Championship to Kalisto in a dramatic loss on Raw, Alberto Del Rio regained the coveted title from the masked luchador during Tuesday night’s SmackDown taping. The two Superstars, whose rivalry is rapidly evolving into one of WWE’s fiercest, battled to another climactic finish on Thursday’s hottest show — now on USA Network — but this time the underdog fell to The Essence of Excellence. The contest was not without it’s controversy, however, as The League of Nations factored into the outcome.
Tune in to SmackDown this Thursday night at 8/7 C on USA Network to see how the United States Championship changed hands.”
With SmackDown moving to the USA Network last week, WWE appears to be attempting to give fans more of a reason to tune in each Thursday evening.
On Monday’s RAW, WWE announced three matches as opposed to the usual one match or Superstar that they would air as a weekly commercial in the third hour of RAW for SmackDown, all of which either have a stipulation, a title on the line or a WWE title-holder involved.
The following matches were announced on Monday’s RAW for this week’s edition of SmackDown on the USA Network, which will be taped on Tuesday evening in Lafayette, Louisiana:
* The Dudley Boyz vs. The Wyatt Family (Tables Match)
* Dean Ambrose & Neville vs. Kevin Owens & Sheamus
* Kalisto (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio (WWE United States Title)
Make sure to visit SEScoops.com on Tuesday evening for a complete report from the WWE SmackDown television tapings in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Monday’s edition of WWE RAW was a newsworthy show for a number of reasons, including some new WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view announcements, however it was an unexpected title change that will likely be considered the biggest surprise of the evening.
After defeating WWE United States Champion Alberto Del Rio on last week’s SmackDown in a match set up by John Cena, one-half of The Lucha Dragons tag-team — Kalisto — earned himself a shot at Del Rio’s U.S. title in a rematch set for this week’s RAW.
On Monday’s show in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kalisto managed to score the 1-2-3 on the now former United States Champion Del Rio to win his first singles title in WWE.
For our complete WWE RAW report for this week, click here.
– WWE announced this weekend that Curtis Axel has declared his entry into the 30-man over-the-top-rope Royal Rumble match, joining Big Show as the only two WWE Superstars to officially enter the annual match, which takes place on pay-per-view on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
WWE.com wrote the following about Axel, who is still claiming he was never eliminated from the 2015 Royal Rumble match, in their RAW Five-Point Preview:
“With the 2016 Royal Rumble Match less than three weeks away, the entire WWE Universe is buzzing about which Superstars will declare their entry in WWE’s iconic over-the-top-rope tradition. Big Show emerged on Raw to become the first competitor in this year’s 30-man melee, and we’ve since learned that Curtis Axel — who claims he was never eliminated from last year’s Royal Rumble Match — will also enter the fray (even though he evidently never left it). Which other Superstars will announce their participation in the weeks ahead? Expect more Royal Rumble news on Raw.”
– Also featured in the official WWE.com RAW preview for the first 2016 episode of RAW this coming Monday night is what appears to be a tease for another John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio match for the WWE United States Championship. Cena made his WWE television return at last week’s RAW after taking several weeks off to film and promote some television and film work. He went one-on-one against Del Rio for the U.S. title he coincidentally lost to Del Rio in his last match with WWE before taking the hiatus, and if the following blurb from the RAW preview for Monday is any indication, we could be seeing it again.
The official WWE website wrote the following about a potential Cena-Del Rio U.S. Title rematch from last week’s RAW:
“John Cena made his anticipated return to WWE last Monday night, goading United States Champion Alberto Del Rio into a title bout and coming incredibly close to recapturing his star-spangled prize. Were it not for The League of Nations, we’d all be eagerly anticipating one of the Cenation leader’s exciting U.S. Open Challenges this coming Monday night.
“With his last encounter with The Essence of Excellence ending in a disqualification, might Cena make another attempt at Old Glory early in the New Year? Even better, will Cena head to SmackDown on USA Network next Thursday night with the U.S. Title slung around his shoulder?”
Headlined by a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match between Roman Reigns and Sheamus, with Vince McMahon serving as the special guest referee, the first WWE RAW show of 2016 takes place this coming Monday evening, January 4th, at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Join us here at SEScoops.com this coming Monday night for live WWE RAW results coverage!
– Music fans are mourning the loss of Grammy Award-winning singer Natalie Cole, who died Thursday evening at 65-years-old in Los Angeles, California due to complications from ongoing health issues. There is a WWE connection to Cole as she was the only non-wrestling celebrity to appear at WrestleMania IX at Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada on April 4, 1993. Cole had a ringside seat and was interviewed by Todd Pettengill during the live pay-per-view broadcast.
– NXT prospect Dylan Miley tweeted this video of himself showing off his impressive strength.
Miley, who according to Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer is 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, began training at the WWE Performance Center in the summer of 2014. He only has one wrestling match under his belt, which took place at WrestleMania Axxess last March. Meltzer said at the time that some people in WWE were really high on him due to his unique look and verbal skills, but considered a long-term project.
– Greg Oliver of SLAM! Wrestling has an article recapping Wednesday’s WWE live event at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. In the main event, John Cena beat Alberto Del Rio by disqualification.
– JBL recently spent some time on Twitter fielding questions from wrestling fans. During his Q&A wih fans, JBL noted that he believes the best announcers of all-time are Jerry Lawler, Bobby Heenan, Gorilla Monsoon, Michael Cole and Jim Ross. He said either Lawler or Heenan would have to be considered the best color commentator of all-time, and that Cole is the best he’s ever worked with. You can follow JBL on Twitter @JCLayfield.
– Following Monday’s RAW, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns has vowed he will emerge successful in his title defense next week, where Vince McMahon will serve as the special guest referee. Reigns tweeted the following about the first RAW main event of 2016:
– In addition to the new tights he wore in his match with John Cena at the WWE MSG live event on Sunday, Del Rio came out to new theme music. As seen on Monday’s RAW, Del Rio was back to wearing his usual trunks and coming out to his regular theme music. Whether or not he will eventually change to the new look and come out to the new music on television remains to be seen.
During his time away from the spotlight, Hulk Hogan is still keeping tabs on the WWE product and gave a strong endorsement to Alberto Del Rio after seeing him face John Cena last night on RAW. Early Tuesday morning, Hogan took to Twitter to praise Del Rio as a deserving main event player, stating that the wrestling industry needs more guys like the United States champion.
@VivaDelRio hard work really pays off,his incredible shape that he is in is very impressive,his work rate,timing,instinct,is main event
As noted, John Cena returned to the ring at the WWE live event at Madison Square Garden for the first time since taking a hiatus from WWE after his match with current United States Champion Alberto Del Rio at the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view in October.
Cena worked a match with Del Rio at the MSG event this past weekend, who he will also face on RAW tonight in his first televised match since taking some time off to focus on his acting career.
The MSG bout between Cena and Del Rio saw Cena score the victory by way of disqualification after Rusev failed to cost Cena the match by interfering twice, leading to a frustrated Del Rio hitting him with a blatant low-blow.
In addition to Cena making is in-ring return at last night’s WWE live event, Del Rio debuted new ring gear. You can check out photos of Cena’s first match back in WWE and Del Rio’s new ring gear below.
John Cena, who finally makes his WWE television debut on the final 2015 episode of RAW later this evening, served as a guest host once again for NBC’s “Today” show on Monday morning and didn’t exactly shine when taking part in a game named after himself.
Cena played a 2015 pop culture trivia game called “Have You Cena It?” and while he was already not having the best showing, the worst moment for Cena during the game segment was him failing to buzz in quickly enough to answer a question about a movie that he was in.
The longtime top WWE Superstar faces Alberto Del Rio on tonight’s RAW, the man he lost the WWE United States Championship to in his final match before taking a hiatus from WWE to focus on his acting career and new FOX reality show “American Grit.”
Cena actually made his WWE in-ring return on Saturday night, where he defeated Del Rio via disqualification at WWE’s live event at Madison Square Garden when Del Rio hit a blatant low-blow on him after two sneak attacks from Rusev failed to secure the reigning U.S. Champion a three count.
In addition to the quick-clip at the top of the page, below are some photos and quick-clips from the official “Today” show Twitter page that include Cena’s appearance on the show earlier this morning. To watch the full “Have You Cena It?” segment, click here.
– Following the announcement that Alberto Del Rio will be John Cena’s return opponent on next Monday’s edition of WWE RAW at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, the WWE United States Champion posted the following on Twitter, warning Cena to be afraid in Spanish.
– There was no announcement regarding WrestleMania 33 following last night’s WWE RAW at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. After months of speculation, PWInsider.com is reporting that WrestleMania 33 will not be held in Minnesota in 2017.
– Former World Kabbadi League Champion, Lovepreet Sangha and two-time Kushti National Heavyweight Champion, Satender Ved Pal, will be making their in-ring debuts at the upcoming WWE live events in New Delhi, India on 1/15 and 1/16. Both talents signed developmental deals with WWE back in June.
John Cena will look to avenge his WWE Hell In A Cell loss in seven days, as WWE announced his return match for next Monday night’s edition of WWE RAW at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Cena, who lost the WWE United States Championship to Alberto Del Rio in Del Rio’s surprise return at the WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view in October, will face the reigning U.S. Champion in his first match back from hiatus on next week’s RAW.
Brock Lesnar made his WWE in-ring return at the live event at The Forum in Inglewood, California on Saturday evening, defeating WWE United States Champion Alberto Del Rio via disqualification.
Lesnar returned with Paul Heyman by his side at the WWE live event last night, picking up the win via DQ over Del Rio when Rusev hit the ring and attacked “The Beast Incarnate” just as he was taking the U.S. champ to “Suplex City.”
Lesnar ended up fighting off Rusev, hitting him with a German suplex and an F-5. He teased leaving the ring at this point, however decided to turn around to hit Del Rio with a German suplex and an F-5 for good measure.
WWE United States Champion recently gave his first interview to the Mexican media since returning to WWE, speaking to Felix Zapata from Reforma about why he vacated the AAA Mega Championship instead of dropping the title in the ring.
According to Kris Zellner of The Lucha Report, Del Rio said WWE originally allowed him to work AAA’s Guerra de Titanes show on 12/4, where he would have dropped the title. That show was cancelled due to what Del Rio called disorganization and then WWE pulled their offer for him to work one last show for them. Del Rio called it shameful that he wasn’t allowed to leave AAA gracefully.
This contradicts AAA’s side of the story, but Del Rio pointed to the fact that WWE allowed him to work for WWC in Puerto Rico over the weekend.
As seen on Monday’s RAW, WWE officially began the storyline when Del Rio tripped over Colter’s scooter during a segment with Jack Swagger. This led to Del Rio scolding Colter backstage and declaring he “doesn’t need” him anymore. The segment ended with Colter driving off in his scooter while Del Rio threw steel chairs at him.
Del Rio and Swagger will go one-on-one in a Chairs Match for the WWE United States Championship at this Sunday’s WWE TLC pay-per-view. There is currently no word on Colter’s involvement in the match or what he will be doing going forward if he and Del Rio are officially done after tonight’s show.
While wrestling in Bayamón, Puerto Rico last night for World Wrestling Council, Alberto Del Rio was assaulted by a fan at ringside.
Del Rio was wrestling in Puerto Rico to fulfill a commitment he made prior to returning to WWE. During a match against Ray Gonzalez at WWC’s Lockout event at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum, a fan pummeled the WWE United States Champion in the back while he was outside of the ring.
The fan was thrown out and the contest immediately continued. It ended in disqualification when Gonzalez’ Figure-Four Leglock on Del Rio was broken up by El Hijo de Dos Caras (Del Rio’s younger brother and former WWE developmental wrestler Memo Montenegro).
– WWE might be giving the name of “The Family” to the stable with Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and The Usos. The group is currently feuding with The League Of Nations — Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Rusev and King Barrett.
– There was a Chet Mix ad campaign being filmed at the WWE Performance Center on December 2nd.
– WWE recently announced their debut in Amsterdam for April 15th, as well as an April 21st event in Brussels, for their next major European tour. WWE will be running the Ziggo Dome, which holds 17,000 fans, for their debut in Amsterdam. It’s worth noting that WWE has no television in Holland.
Right now the partnership between Alberto Del Rio and Zeb Colter is not being looked at within WWE as a long-term storyline.
According to the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is already talk in WWE regarding what they plan to do with Del Rio after he is broken apart from Colter.
It’s worth noting that nothing is definitive given the fact that WWE changes their minds on things like this on a daily basis, however as things stand right now, the company does have a 2016 direction in mind for Del Rio that does not include Colter.
Apparently there were some issues during the Alberto Del Rio vs. Kalisto WWE World Heavyweight Title Tournament match on RAW.
According to the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, on the Spanish feed that was mic’d differently, Del Rio was audibly very unhappy in Spanish, which luckily nobody in WWE is aware of.
While there aren’t many specifics regarding what Del Rio was upset with during the match, it is said that whatever was bothering him was something to do with Kalisto, who understood exactly what he was saying while upset.
We hope to have more details on this story in the coming days. Stay tuned to SEScoops.com for updates.
John Cena’s WWE return has been delayed, as he is no longer advertised to appear at the December 19th WWE live event from The Forum in Inglewood, California. Brock Lesnar will be making a rare house show appearance at that event.
Cena’s next scheduled WWE appearance is now the December 26th WWE live event from Madison Square Garden, where he is scheduled to face United States Champion Alberto Del Rio. He’s also booked for the following night’s WWE RAW from Brooklyn, New York at the Barclays Center.
Kris Zellner of The Lucha Report notes that new WWE talent Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza (La Sombra) spoke with Miedo Tiempo this past week about signing with WWE.
According to Zellner, La Sombra spoke with the likes of Alberto Del Rio, Kalisto, Oscar Vasquez (Magno) and the original Sin Cara about what they went through in going from Mexico to WWE, all of whom told him that NXT was the best route for him to succeed in the company, not joining the main roster immediately.
La Sombra also said he’s working hard in the ring, but also working hard at learning the English language better. It was noted that Sombra can speak the English language well, but is looking to improve and become an all-around better performer.
Sombra also said he misses his friends, Rush and La Mascara, and hopes that they can one day join him in WWE to reunite Los Ingobernables.
