– WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz used Finn Balor and Seth Rollins’ old indy names (Prince Devitt and Tyler Black) on Monday Night RAW last night during a promo. Miz mispronounced Balor’s indy name, however, calling him Prince “Nevitt” instead. Balor responded to Miz’s mispronunciation on Twitter:

Prince Nevitt??
….. and Miz is talking about ‘no respect’ HA!

— Finn Bálor (@FinnBalor) March 20, 2018

– RAW opened up yesterday with Roman Reigns being handcuffed by US Marshals before taking a savage beating from Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. When Reigns was put up on the stretcher and escorted out of the arena, WWE snapped a photo that caught “The Big Dog’s” wrists bruised and scarred after the segment. Check it out:

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bghls0YAEUo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_ufi_test

We’re all familiar with the WWE. It’s the most profitable and prevalent wrestling organization in the world, and the primary focus of our coverage here at SEScoops. However, what about the rest of the wrestling world?

I decided to compile a list of 25 non-WWE wrestling matches that every fan should see. In order to qualify, each match had to meet three conditions:

• An organization other than the WWE put on the match.
• The full-length match is available on YouTube.
• The match is something every wrestling fan should see.

The matches are listed at random and not ranked. The intention here isn’t to inspire debate regarding where a match should be placed on the list, but simply to provide fans with the opportunity to catch up on some classic matches they may have missed over the past few years. Already seen every match on the list? Relive your favorite moments again. Never seen a single one of the matches? You’ve got hours of material at your disposal, so sit back and enjoy.

25. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada (NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xy7KkH7NdY

24. Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) vs. Jushin Thunder Liger (Ring of Honor Weekend of Thunder 2004)

23. Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) vs. Davey Richards (NJPW Circuit 2010 New Japan Alive)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXyAM9-9gHc

22. Ricochet vs. Kyle O’Reilly (IPW 10^th Annual Super Junior Heavyweight Tournament)

21. The American Wolves vs. The Briscoe Brothers (Indypendence Day 2008)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FchH61FbWAo

If there was ever an awful time for a ten-person pay-per-view main event … this is it.

Why WWE is choosing to run with a ten-person elimination match for the upcoming Survivor Series show is completely beyond me. At this point in time, the depth among WWE’s roster is at one of the lowest that I can ever recall.

With top stars such as Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns on the shelf, and guys like CM Punk leaving at the peak of their popularity and Brock Lesnar working infrequently, WWE is left with very little at the top of the card. The only positive is that it forces them to move guys up the ladder at a faster rate than they normally might do.

With that being said, and I’m well aware that it’s a tradition to have multi-person elimination matches at Survivor Series, but I just can’t fathom why WWE is running with that concept this year, considering the state of their roster.

There’s been plenty of times in the past where they abandoned the elimination match concept at Survivor Series, so it’s not like something they have to make work because they do it every single year.

Regardless, that’s the direction we’re headed this year.

Having said that, one has to wonder how Survivor Series will come off later this month. WWE has put on some pretty solid pay-per-view shows in recent months, but I’ve got my reservations as to how well this show will come off in two weeks.

With pretty much all of the top guys either injured or involved in the main event, what is the rest of the show going to look like? Outside of Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose, thus far there’s virtually nothing on the Survivor Series undercard that I’m looking forward to.

Sure, Adam Rose vs. The Bunny will no doubt be an instant ring classic, but I digress.

All kidding aside, what’s left for the Survivor Series undercard? How many people that matter that aren’t tied up in the main event are left? The answer — not many.

It will be interesting to watch as the card continues to take shape in the final week of television next week leading up to the event.

By the way, if the stipulation in the Survivor Series main event has The Authority losing power if “Team Authority” loses the ten-man elimination main event, why isn’t Triple H trading his suit in for a pair of tights?

Beats me.

You would think with so much on the line, “The Game” would take matters into his own hands, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. Unless I’m missing something, however, I guess it’s still possible, as last I checked there is one spot yet to be filled on the heel team. One would assume Triple H will fill that spot, although I haven’t seen any hints aimed in that direction.

While the roster is badly in need of some more depth right now, it is refreshing to know that the talent pool in developmental is as deep — if not deeper — than the current main roster in terms of promising young talent.

I can’t wait for guys like KENTA (Hideo Itami), Kevin Steen (Kevin Owens), Prince Devitt (Finn Balor), Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, Tyler Breeze and The Ascension to get their chance to make a splash on the main roster.

Look at some of the recent call-ups from NXT and how they are performing on the main roster. Guys like Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt and others are among WWE’s absolute top-tier performers these days. If WWE brings in guys like the names I just mentioned the way those guys were, as opposed to say, the way Adam Rose and Bo Dallas were brought up, the WWE main roster could be quite the group this time next year.

If and when that day comes, WWE can put on as many ten-man elimination matches as they’d like. For now, however, it just boggles my mind that they are choosing to do so with the roster in the state that it’s in.

What do you guys think? Leave your feedback in the “Comments” section below. You can also hit me up on Facebook at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR and/or on Twitter @MBoone420.

The following are highlights of a new Shake Them Ropes interview with former NXT trainer Nick “Eugene” Dinsmore:

On seeing the WWE Performance Center: “No, this is something that when I first saw it, it blew my mind. I heard they went and looked at the New York Giants facility to see what the standard is for professional athletes, and I feel like the Performance Center far exceeds that.”

On new talent coming in: “There’s a wide variety of talent there, from former professional athletes to actors to independent wrestlers… They’re people that can perform. It’s something special I saw at the Performance Center.”

On KENTA (Hideo Itami) and Prince Devitt’s (Finn Balor) integration into WWE: “Kenta would have English class every day to help with his English. Fergal had apparently never driven a car before, so he would have driving classes. WWE was right there to help anyone who wanted to take a college course to help them with their WWE product, WWE was a very helpful company. Phenomenal.”

Check out the complete interview at VoicesofWrestling.com.

Prince Devitt is rumored to be making his NXT in-ring debut at Thursday night’s NXT tapings from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.

Photos Of Prince Devitt’s Craziest Super Hero Body Paint

Continuing the tradition of rechristening talent with bewilderingly bad ring names, Prince Devitt will now be known as Finn Balor. According to Wikipedia:

“In Irish mythology, Balor (modern spelling: Balar) was king of the Fomorians, a group of supernatural beings. He is often described as a giant with a large eye in his forehead that wreaks destruction when opened. He has been interpreted as a god or personification of drought and blight.”

As noted earlier today, recently-signed WWE broadcaster Arda Ocal will be known as Kyle Edwards.

Comment below and tell us what you think about “Finn Balor” –

The following are highlights of a new Between The Ropes interview with Sheamus:

On his match with Cesaro at WWE Night of Champions: “I had a lot of fun fella. It was definitely a blast. I needed that a lot because I felt like I’ve been just starting to hit my stride a lot more since I came back from my injury and needed that. So far, it’s been the highlight of my return to WWE.”

On whether or not his own experiences with bullying pushed him toward fitness and bodybuilding: “Yeah it did. The training and stuff, that was important to me because I wasn’t happy with my body and I wanted to do something about it. I don’t know about the bully thing, maybe. It made me more self-conscious but I think it was more of the training stuff for me, just wanting to be healthier and fitter. I was lucky enough to have people around me to help me overcome the impression I was getting with bullying to where I didn’t even want to go to school. I wouldn’t even take the school bus, I’d walk, because I didn’t want to deal with it, the hassle. But I had good friends around me and a lot of kids aren’t that fortunate.”

On Fergal Devitt and other new talent for WWE: “I think Fergal is going to thrive. I think he’s a phenomenal, phenomenal competitor in the ring and I think people are going to love him when he gets in there. When he’s in there, he’s not afraid to get hit or hit and I think he’s going to be a serious edition to the roster. It’s great and I think there’s a lot of other guys, Adrian Neville is another one, Sami Zayn, Kevin Steen. There’s a lot of guys who are chomping at the bit to get up here.”

Check out the complete interview at BetweenTheRopes.com.

WWE NXT Takeover 2 Preview and Predictions

Ahead of tonight’s NXT Takeover 2 show, WWE COO Triple H tweeted this “selfie” photo of himself, Kenta, Kevin Steen and Fergal Devitt.

Kenta is already confirmed to be making an appearance on the show. Could we also see the NXT debuts of Steen and Devitt tonight as well? One can dream.

When asked by a fan on Twitter if we’ll see other debuts tonight aside from Kenta, he responded:

Yes. Have to watch to see. “@JedsWorld: @TripleH Aside from Kenta, will we see the debut of any other new superstars tonight? #NXTTakeover”

— Triple H (@TripleH) September 11, 2014

You want a selfie? #NXTTakeOver #LetTheInternetExplode @FightSteenFight @fergaldevitt @KENTAK312 pic.twitter.com/JD8FcvhXxQ

— Triple H (@TripleH) September 11, 2014

– The latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features an interview with Paul Heyman, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:

SASu – EP146 – WWE’s Paul Heyman

“Paul Heyman is back, and this time he and Stone Cold are breaking down the current Brock Lesnar/John Cena feud… and making some interesting predictions! They’re also talking old-school ECW philosophy, booking, gimmicks, and most popular faces. Plus, Paul E. remembers Bam Bam Bigelow’s wrestling debut, his own early days as a ring photographer, and the very first promotion he ever produced…at New York’s infamous Studio 54.”

You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.

– In the latest edition of the NXT video blog, which you can check out below, Prince Devitt talks about his training at the WWE Performance Center.

New WWE star Prince Devitt spoke to Jim Varsallone of The Miami Herald at the NXT live event this weekend about signing with WWE, noting that it’s a “dream come true.”

“I know that’s a very cliche thing to say, but since the age of four or five, it’s been the only thing on my mind, was wrestling in WWE,” said Devitt. “It’s something I’ve grown up with my whole life. It’s still kind of hard to believe that I’m here as part of the company that I was a fan of growing up as a child.”

Check out the complete video interview above.

Since signing with WWE, many fans have questioned whether or not WWE would allow Prince Devitt to continue using his signature body paint in NXT and on the main WWE roster.

On Friday, fellow NXT rookie Kevin Steen posted the following photo via social media, which shows himself with Devitt, who has his signature face and body paint on as usual.

While many have speculated that Steen and Devitt may become a tag-team combination in WWE’s developmental system, one thing the photo does show is that Devitt, for now at least, is still allowed to wear his normal face and body paint in WWE.

Below is the aforementioned Steen and Devitt photo.

The following are highlights of a new Comic Book Resources interview with Daniel Bryan:

How much of your time does rehab take up?

I literally wake up, take the dog out, go to physical therapy number one, drive about half an hour to physical therapy number two, from there I go to my acupuncture and from there to my ART [Active Release Technique]. And that’s every day. It’s physically and mentally exhausting, but I’m doing my best to get better so I can come back as soon as possible.

When do you think that return might happen?

I mean, I’m hoping soon, but I don’t think the doctors are thinking it’s going to be that soon. The problem is nobody really knows. I’m doing my best to recover as fast as possible.

Would you want to come back in a non-wrestling capacity?

I don’t know. I feel like if I can come back to wrestle, then it’s best to just wait until I can come back to wrestle. Not being around is good for when you come back — if you’re constantly being seen and that sort of thing. I’d rather just be off getting better.

There’s been two high-profile WWE signings from NJPW recently. How excited are you about KENTA and Prince Devitt becoming Superstars?

I’m really excited, really excited. People’s eyes are going to be opened with KENTA. He just brings a different style that we’ve never seen in the WWE before. Tajiri threw a lot of kicks, but they weren’t as intense as KENTA’s. Being on the receiving end of KENTA’s kicks is one of those things that translates very well to the audience because you can see it, but somehow the audience is almost able to feel it. The noise, the impact. Everything. It’s gonna be exciting, and it’s gonna make everybody step up their game.

Do you have certain guys you do like to hang out with backstage?

Yeah. I like pretty much everybody. Some guys I like because I’ve known them for years, and some guys I like just because they’re funny, and some guys I like just because I like giving them crap. And so: Big E. If anybody is [reading] this or on Twitter, go ask Big E what he thinks about 9/11! [Laughs] Those kind of things. I really like Ryback, Cesaro and Seth Rollins, too. Heath Slater entertains me to no end as far as him as a human being. William Regal has been a mentor of mine for years. Whenever I get to see him, it’s great. Kane. Very interesting character. We’ve got a lot of fun, cool people backstage.

Do you ever follow any of the chatter about yourself online? Do you read things like message boards, Twitter and Reddit?

I guess I don’t know how, per se. I’m barely on Twitter. There’s just so much stuff on the Internet. I try to use the Internet only when I need to find out information, because anything else you just get lost in a pool of whatever. The only time I look at message boards is when I’m looking for books to read. And I have a specific site I use. I don’t even know what it is because it’s saved on my computer. It’s good books to read and people are constantly suggesting what they just read. Right now I’m reading a book called Thinking Fast and Slow. It’s really interesting, and I found that from this message board. So that’s the one thing that I do! [Laughs]

Check out the complete interview at ComicBookResources.com.

– In terms of SmackDown possibly moving to Thursday night, it will be interesting to see how that move is handled in Canada. Sportsnet in Canada has a contract with NHL, by far the most popular sports show on the channel, that calls for weekly games on Thursday nights.

– For those who aren’t overly familiar with Prince Devitt, the Irish-based star who recently signed with WWE, check out this link, which describes who he is and contains videos of some of his best matches.

The official WWE website has a new video interview up with Renee Young talking to Prince Devitt, who is referred to as “Fergal Devitt.”

Devitt talks to Young about leaving stardom in Japan for NXT, as well as what fans can expect from him in terms of his in-ring style.

You can watch the complete Devitt-Young interview above.

– Both Prince Devitt and KENTA were backstage at the NXT show on Friday night, although neither appeared in front of the live crowd. There was, however, some talk of putting KENTA on camera last night, but for whatever reason they decided against it.

– Hulk Hogan was featured on TMZ today for trashing Brooke Hogan’s former fiancee’. You can check out the coverage at TMZ.com.

Hello @WWE @WWENXT #Real #WWE #NXT http://t.co/kT8WZbTtUk pic.twitter.com/pexuFTAoEP

— Finn Bálor (@FinnBalor) July 28, 2014

Irish wrestling star Fergal “Prince” Devitt has officially signed with WWE, according to the company website.

He will report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida today and will be wrestling at NXT. He told WWE.com last week:

“This is something I’ve been looking forward to since I was maybe four or five years old. I grew up watching wrestling my whole life, so to get the chance to step in the ring that I’ve watched on TV so many times is a dream come true.”

Devitt, who has competed all around the world, acknowledges that he will benefit from training at the Performance Center and learning the WWE style of wrestling.

“I don’t consider myself anywhere close to the finished product, so I’m looking forward to this challenge and learning a new style.”

Devitt visited the WWE Performance Center earlier this year and says he was “blown away” by the facility.

“I’ve seen a lot of different training schools and dojos, and the sheer level of professionalism at the Performance Center and the state-of-the-art facility just knocked me for a six. It really blew me away.”

While he’s new to WWE, Devitt has worked with several of the top names at NXT, including current NXT Champion Adrian Neville and NXT Diva Becky Lynch, whom he helped train. Regarding Sami Zayn, Devitt called him a “stand out” performer and looks forward to working with him.

“We kinda missed each other, played crisscross, but never had a chance to lock up on the independent circuit, so that’d be something I’d really look forward to,” Devitt said of Zayn.

Once he gets to the main roster, there are several competitors he’s looking forward to working with, including Sheamus and WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena.

“The target would be John Cena, because if you’re wrestling John Cena, you’re in the main event.” 

WWE recently signed another International superstar to NXT, KENTA. Devitt is impressed with WWE’s scouting efforts and said it’s a great thing that WWE is bringing in some well-traveled performers.

Aside from his incredible in-ring abilities, Devitt is also well known for his elaborate body paint, wrestling as comic book heroes like Spiderman, The Joker, Spawn and Venom.

“I’ve always got a couple of tricks up my sleeve, so I’m going to come up with something new before then … Look out for the body paint. Look out for a new Devitt.”

Photos: Prince Devitt’s Most Incredible Body Paint

– Brock Lesnar is currently scheduled to appear on the August 11th episode of WWE RAW, the final show before his title match against John Cena at Summerslam.

– As seen on Monday’s RAW, WWE is now pushing the phrase “The Roman Empire” for Roman Reigns.

– Fergal “Prince” Devitt has reportedly signed with WWE, according to PWInsider.com. There’s no timeframe as to when he’ll be relocating to Orlando to train at the WWE Performance Center.

Devitt tweeted the following on Wednesday, playing off the reports that he “officially signed” with WWE:

OFFICIAL SIGNING: I am pleased to announce that today I have signed 5 poster prints of @lewylpaintings #princedevitt pic.twitter.com/hTMJ18gAPK

— Prince Devitt (@fergaldevitt) July 23, 2014

The 32-year-old Irish wrestler is best known for his time working in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

• Photos of PRINCE DEVITT’s Wildest Body Paint Looks (Spiderman, Spawn & More)

– The latest news regarding Kevin Steen and Prince Devitt is that Steen’s final Ring Of Honor date will be on July 19th, while Devitt is no longer accepting bookings in Europe after the end of July.

– WWE’s “Total Divas” program on E! was recently nominated for “Best Reality Series” in the Teen Choice Awards.

– Kurt Angle will be the next guest on Jim Ross’ “Ross Report” podcast next Tuesday night. The following week, TNA star Bully Ray will join JR on the weekly PodcastOne.com show.

Photos: Prince Devitt’s Most Incredible Body Paint

International wrestling star Prince Devitt was recently interviewed on the Low Blows podcast and spoke about his decision to leave New Japan Pro Wrestling.

“I felt that my time there was coming to an end. I was tired, it’s hard work traveling out there ten times a year, and I felt I wasn’t giving enough of myself to the company. They wanted me to stay but I felt it was time for a break, I’ve been out there since I was 24, I’m 32 now. Considering they brought me for three months in the beginning I felt I’d given my money’s worth. Obviously the door is still open for the future and I hope to go back and work with them in the future.”

Devitt, who is rumored to be headed to WWE developmental this summer, addressed the situation:

“There’s been a lot of talk and speculation about me doing TNA, WWE, and NASA projects, but at the moment I’m happy doing my thing at home. There is a possibility that I might go to the States in the future for a potential opportunity there but until then it’s all just rumors and speculation unfortunately.”

VIDEO: Prince Devitt Cuts Promo Addressing Rumors About Going To WWE

Current plans in WWE call for KENTA, Prince Devitt and Kevin Steen to all report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida in August.

In the case of all three guys, there would be hangups with Visas, medicals or other issues, but WWE is currently going with this as the running plan.

The following is highlights of a new Lows Blows interview with Prince Devitt:

On whether he’d get into training when he’s finished wrestling: “I would, I wouldn’t see it as a business opportunity but as a hobby. I really love helping people out, a lot of people have helped me out and though I can’t pay it back maybe I can pay it forward in the future.”

On never facing Sheamus in the ring: “That whole ‘this is our club and we don’t work with you guys’ (caused it). I think just as Sheamus and I left the scene the companies were starting to work together. But yeah, Sheamus put Irish wrestling on the map. I just had a chat with him last night, he’s in good form. I was never aware of being an ‘international hope’, for me I was just happy to do what I was doing and still am. Obviously I would’ve loved to work with Sheamus but the opportunities never arose because of the divide there. It’s sad but you can’t change the past but ultimately I hope people can learn from it and change the future.”

On ending up in New Japan: “I was only going out there for 3 months on an internship and it turned into 8 great years.”

On making his debut in Korakuen Hall: “I’d watched Japanese tapes growing up and actually felt like I was walking into one of these tapes.”

On whether other countries could learn from the Japanese model of training: “The whole system in Japan is tailored towards respect. I think the way people are trained in the west, some people may get it too easy, whereas in Japan everyone comes through the exact same way and everyone has come through the hard way. If I look across the ring from a lad in Japan, I know exactly what he’s been through to get there.”

On if he expected to be so successful in Japan: “The contracts are so short, I was never sure if I was going to be brought back again. I’ve never stepped back and thought, ‘Wow, I’ve done a lot of stuff.’ Maybe in the future it’ll hit me, but for the moment I’m trying to look forward and not dwell too much on the past.”

Check out the complete interview above.

As previously reported, Prince Devitt, while not officially signed to WWE yet, is rumored to be starting with the company in August. According to new reports, Devitt has now officially signed with WWE.

Devitt will report to WWE developmental in Orlando, Florida once his work visa is officially approved. Devitt could begin working in developmental as soon as one-or-two months, but is now reportedly officially under a contract.

The 5/17 Korakuen Hall show, with KENTA’s final appearance, sold out about ten days in advance, which is no surprise. It was reported in Tokyo Sports, using Takashi Sugiura as the source, that KENTA will debut with WWE in Orlando over the summer.

As far as Prince Devitt is concerned, he is expected in the late summer, with a tentative projection of August.

Irish wrestler Prince Devitt, long considered to be one of the top prospects being scouted by WWE, is officially departing New Japan Pro Wrestling. Devitt tweeted on Thursday:

Thank you @njpw1972 for the most wonderful 8 years. I will never ever forget you. ???…?????????? #njpw pic.twitter.com/JlIIukeRDZ

— Finn Bálor (@FinnBalor) May 8, 2014

Devitt has been in talks with WWE since late 2013, with first reports of the negotiations appearing in late November. While there was certainly interest on WWE’s part, no deal was made, with Devitt continuing to wrestle for New Japan. TNA also scouted him, with Devitt attending a TNA live event from Dublin during this year’s Maximum Impact UK tour.

VIDEO: Prince Devitt Cuts Promo Addressing Rumors About Going To WWE

It remains to be seen where he’ll wind up, whether it’s WWE, TNA,  Jeff Jarrett’s new Global Force promotion or somewhere else.

– International pro wrestling star Prince Devitt is officially done with New Japan Pro Wrestling at this point and reportedly still has a standing offer from WWE. It’s being said that Devitt joining WWE isn’t a “dead issue” just yet.

– As previously reported, WWE Tough Enough is scheduled to return as an original program on the WWE Network. The word going around is that the new season of Tough Enough will be filmed at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida and will likely feature talent currently in the WWE developmental system that aren’t regulars on television.