Artist Rob Schamberger seems to have a project in the works with All Elite Wrestling. After over a decade of making art for WWE and hosting their YouTube show Canvas 2 Canvas, he announced his exit on April 15. Three days later, AEW has teased working with Schamberger. 

The AEW Shop Twitter account shared a graphic revealing that they have something planned with the famous artist. The graphic also shared the date of April 22, with the expectation that’s when AEW will share what they are working on with Schamberger.

Despite not having more information, fans have reacted positively to Schamberger’s working with AEW. He has done work outside of WWE but gained a following for his art on the Canvas 2 Canvas show. On February 12, his last episode was a portrait of former WWE Women’s Champion Iyo Sky. 

It’s unclear if Schamberger will make portraits of some of AEW’s biggest superstars or if the company has other plans for him. AEW has artist Mel Coleman creating items, including posters and shirts. However, the company may decide to have Schamberger create a unique supply of merchandise for them. 

As of now, it seems fans will have to wait and see what AEW has planned. However, it does create excitement for the possibilities of what Schamberger is doing with them. 

Recent AEW Hires

Several of AEW’s recent hires have been former WWE employees. One notable example is former WWE Senior Writer and Producer Jennifer Pepperman, who left her position on February 15. AEW hired Pepperman on February 21 to become the Vice President of Content Development. SEScoops correspondent Aaron Varble reported that her exit from WWE was unexpected and that the day she left, it was believed she had another job set. 

Another key hire this year from AEW was former WWE Regional Director of Live Events, Kosha Irby. He became ‘All Elite’ on March 26, in the role of Chief Operating Officer. 

Schamberger would be another strong pickup as AEW continues to make strategic moves behind the scenes.

AEW has pulled in a few former WWE names in the past, and they scored a big behind-the-scenes acquisition by securing a tenured Senior Writer and Producer. Matt Hardy remembers his days in WWE, and he can see why this signing will be very beneficial.

Matt Hardy Speaks on AEW’s New Creative Force

Former WWE Senior Writer and Producer Jennifer Pepperman opted to leave the company. Her departure was voluntary rather than a result of being let go. I was told at the time that the overall thought was that she already landed a job elsewhere.

Pepperman has since joined AEW for an extended period, a move that Matt Hardy sees as beneficial. She has also worked extensively with Sasha Banks in the past, and Mercedes Mone is expected to make her AEW debut during March 13th’s Big Business Collision in Boston.

While speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, the show’s co-host, Jon Alba, highlighted the recruitment of Jennifer Pepperman. Hardy then pointed out that he views her as a valuable addition to AEW, particularly given her background in WWE.

“I worked with her when I went back to WWE in 2017. I was there [from] 2017 through 2020, got along good with her, interacted with her some. I don’t know her extremely well, but I do know her. I think it’s very interesting.”

“I think it’s a positive thing that Tony is bringing someone that has been in the WWE format and the WWE writing room and the WWE structuring room, to bring them and give insight on AEW. I think it’s a positive.”

What’s Next for Jennifer Pepperman in AEW

Jennifer Pepperman has taken on the role of Vice President of Content at AEW. She is expected to work closely with Mercedes, similar to Brian Gewirtz’s collaboration with The Rock.

We will have to see how her creative influence changes AEW’s product. She had a lot of creative pull in WWE, and many were shocked by her departure.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is available. 

Jennifer Pepperman’s arrival in AEW may have come as a surprise to many, but not to her former employers at WWE. 

Pepperman’s status with AEW was confirmed earlier this week, in a quick turnaround for the former WWE Senior Writer. She parted ways with WWE less than a week ago. It was said that Pepperman, who joined WWE in 2017, left voluntarily and her departure was not a release. Pepperman was the longest-tenured female member of the creative team with WWE.

Not a Surprise

Those in WWE expected Pepperman to join AEW when she left, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Pepperman is known to be close with Mercedes Mone, who is expected to join AEW at the upcoming Big Business edition of Dynamite in Boston, MA. 

SE Scoops’ Aaron Varble previously reported that Pepperman’s exit from WWE was unexpected but that many in the company had the feeling she had work already lined up. 

I was told that Jennifer Pepperman's departure from WWE was "totally unexpected" to those backstage. She will be missed too.

There is a belief that she already has a job lined up elsewhere.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 15, 2024

Responsibilities in AEW

Pepperman has been announced as AEW’s new Vice President of Content Development. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter however, it is suggested that she could also serve as a “personal writer” for Mone when she debuts for the promotion. 

Meltzer compared this to Brian Gewirtz who is the personal writer for The Rock. Gewirtz spent years with WWE and worked on The Rock’s promos before joining the Brahma Bull’s Seven Bucks Productions movie studio. When The Rock has appeared for WWE in the years since making it big in Hollywood, Gewirtz has served as his personal writer. 

Jennifer Pepperman was not out of the pro wrestling realm for long.

Pepperman just made her exit from WWE not even a week ago and now Soap Opera Network has discovered that Tony Khan has signed her to a new deal with AEW.

Pepperman was the longest-tenured female member of the creative team with WWE, being with the company since 2017 as she earned the role of Senior Writer. However, Pepperman’s recent exit was voluntary and not an internal choice. Now she will be announced as AEW’s new Vice President of Content Development.

The latest AEW hire also has “outside wrestling” creative cred, as she’s a three-time Emmy winner.

Tony Khan issued a statement, expressing his excitement for adding Pepperman into the mix.

“Adding Jennifer Pepperman’s brilliant mind to the AEW team opens the door for exciting new ideas and will help us build upon the incredible stories currently developing on the road to AEW Revolution across our three weekly shows on TBS and TNT, and the effects of Jennifer’s arrival in AEW will be felt for many years in the future. We’re thrilled to welcome her today, and I look forward to her creativity and collaboration with our team across the board in what will be AEW’s biggest year yet, and beyond.”

In the past, Khan has mentioned that he’s had a lot of talents involved in the creative process of developing the shows, but the addition of Pepperman marks the first official hire for a creative role with AEW.

SEScoops‘ own Aaron Varble reported on Feb 15th that the general belief within WWE was that Jennifer Pepperman already had a job lined up for her. We will have more updates as they are made available. 

I was told that Jennifer Pepperman's departure from WWE was "totally unexpected" to those backstage. She will be missed too.

There is a belief that she already has a job lined up elsewhere.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 15, 2024

Welcome to SEScoops’ Daily Drop – a rundown of the top stories in pro wrestling all in one place.

Our mission is to provide our readers with the most important and interesting news from WWE, AEW and more that’s timely, informative and engaging. The Daily Drop is a destination where you can get a snapshot of the top stories in wrestling.

• WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 50 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 16, 2024:

WWE News and Notes

– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT is officially SOLD OUT with over 11,000 tickets distributed, per Wrestletix. 

SmackDown will feature appearances from The Rock and Roman Reigns, as well as Elimination Chamber qualifying matches with:

• Logan Paul vs. The Miz
• Kevin Owens vs. Dominik Mysterio
• Naomi vs. Zelina Vega
• Tiffany Stratton vs. Alba Fyre

– Drew McIntyre still has yet to sign a new WWE contract, but the Scottish Warrior’s will be on television through WrestleMania 40. Time was added to the back-end of his deal to make up for dates missed due to injuries.

– WWE saw a notable behind-the-scenes departure on February 15th. Jennifer Pepperman has left WWE. She a senior writer and producer who was heavily involved with the Women’s division on SmackDown. 

We’ve updated our WWE Releases tracker to reflect Pepperman’s departure.

– Speaking of WWE releases, former voice of Monday Night Raw Kevin Patrick has already landed his next gig. He’ll be part of the panel for the second season of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. 

– Former WWE executive Stephanie McMahon has been named as part of the alleged cover-up regarding Ashley Massaro being sexually assaulted while in Kuwait on WWE business. A friend of the late WWE superstar alleges that Stephanie McMahon worked with her to brush the incident under the rug.

Cara Pipia, friend of Ashley Massaro, a former WWE star who accused Vince McMahon of covering up an alleged rape, joined #Banfield to discuss the allegations made. MORE: https://t.co/UH9s3sC401 pic.twitter.com/Ep927Xrxgb

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) February 15, 2024

AEW News and Notes

– Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT (taped Wednesday from Cedar Park, TX) will see:

• No DQ match: Jeff Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara
• Anna Jay vs. Queen Aminata
• Bang Bang Scissor Gang in 12-man tag team action

– AEW may have to start watching their language a lot more. It was reported that WBD is nixing their profanities, so the bleeping will take over the regular S-Bombs on every show.

– We’re still waiting on new word regarding Jeff Hardy’s injury during the February 14th Rampage taping. As of this writing, the concern was for his head, and some thought he may have broken his nose. That show will air tonight.

Jeff and Matt Hardy flip off Sammy Guevara after the botch that knocked out Jeff pic.twitter.com/Wl2TnbFXuJ

— Wrestlelamia.com (@wrestlelamia) February 16, 2024

Coming Up

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of these stories, and everything else that breaks in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for more updates!

WWE has seen some notable departures already this year, but it’s the action outside their roster that has really gained attention. Now, Jennifer Pepperman, a Senior Writer and Producer for WWE, has decided to leave the company.

Jennifer Pepperman’s WWE Departure

PW Insider verified the news of Pepperman’s exit. It was further clarified that she departed by her own choice, rather than being released by WWE. Pepperman’s departure marks the conclusion of her tenure with the organization.

Upon hearing about the news of Pepperman’s exit, WWE producer Adam Pearce posted on Twitter/X to express how much she meant to the company. Her contributions were immense throughout the organization.

Shout out to @JenPepperman . I have always appreciated your creativity, passion, and the countless time you’ve given to help me and others backstage over the years. I’ll miss your energy, but I know you’ll be great wherever you may roam. My gratitude forever!!!

Shout out to @JenPepperman. I have always appreciated your creativity, passion, and the countless time you’ve given to help me and others backstage over the years. I’ll miss your energy, but I know you’ll be great wherever you may roam. My gratitude forever!!! ???

— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) February 15, 2024

Exclusive Note on Jennifer Pepperman’s WWE Departure

I was told that Pepperman’s departure from WWE was “totally unexpected” to those on the creative team and for everyone else backstage as well. That being said, there is a belief and rumor going around that she already has a job lined up elsewhere.

I was told that Jennifer Pepperman's departure from WWE was "totally unexpected" to those backstage. She will be missed too.

There is a belief that she already has a job lined up elsewhere.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 15, 2024

Jenn Pepperman Before WWE

Pepperman joined WWE in April 2017, bringing extensive experience from television production. Prior to her tenure with WWE, she worked as a Producer and Director for several acclaimed soap operas, including shows like One Life To Live and As the World Turns.

What’s Next

Jennifer Pepperman will no doubt find something else to do in the entertainment world. She was also the Director of Season 3 of After Forever on Amazon Prime, and that project is still ongoing.

Everyone at SE Scoops would like to wish Jennifer Pepperman the best success in her future endeavors.