SEScoops

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • WWE Posts Job Listing to Fill Stephanie McMahon\’s Old Role

    Following Stephanie McMahon announcing that she was taking a leave of absence from WWE to focus on her family, WWE is now looking to fill her role. 

    The company posted a job listing for a Director of Brand and Marketing for the executive position on Tuesday.

    It’s been reported that Nick Khan would be taking over many of McMahon’s direct duties until the company finds a replacement. The listing is described as follows: 

    The Brand and Marketing Director will be an important contributor to the growth and success of the WWE Premium Live Events, WWE linear programming and the WWE brand. This professional will lead cross-functional promotional plans for events such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam, supporting creative execution across linear, social, digital and OTT platforms. In addition, the Marketing Director will contribute to the development of overall WWE brand assets and oversee the execution of WWE brand campaigns on WWE’s social media accounts. Creative ideation, attention to detail, marketing insight, strategic thinking, problem solving, and ability to pivot quickly are key. Candidate should thrive in a supportive team environment that prizes collaboration, innovation, and leadership.

    Key Responsibilities:

    * Lead promotional planning for WWE Premium Live Events and internal milestones

    * Coordinate inputs and activities across multiple internal stakeholders including Media/Production team, Creative Services, Communications, Entertainment Relations, Community, and more

    * Manage paid media agency relationships in support of Premium Live Events, tracking budgets and leading reporting and optimization

    * Access, analyze, and disseminate internal and third-party research to improve WWE messaging, creative and promotional tactics

    * Create clear and concise presentations that track promotional tactics across events and clearly indicate support plans, creative consistency and business objectives

    * Brief, review and approve promotional creative (video, static, etc.), ensuring impactful messaging for WWE fans and consistency with WWE brand and event guidelines

    * Support supplemental WWE activations around Premium Live shows, ensuring fan awareness and smooth execution on site

    * Lead internal and external meetings with clear agendas and collaborative conversation

    Qualifications:

    * Minimum of 6 to 8 years of related experience, preferably at a league/team, media/creative agency, media company, or the marketing organization of a brand/property

    * Experience with a combination of any of following: league or event sponsorship, digital/social media, linear or OTT networks, experiential, custom production, talent rights/endorsements

    * Proven experience in understanding the relationship between brand marketing objectives and cross-platform media offerings needed to help drive & achieve a brand’s business goals/results

    * Ability to create cohesive 360 marketing programs

    * Understanding of social media dynamics, paid media tactics, and reporting

    * Experience designing and writing PowerPoint decks

    * Comfort with ideating collaboratively or as an individual

    * Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate clearly in both writing and speech

    * Demonstrated ability to stay organized and prioritize in an extremely fast-paced environment

    * Passionate, driven, and personally accountable with a commanding presence and energy

    * Experience leading and mentoring a team a plus

    * Ability to travel domestically for WWE events and production; approx. one time per month

    * Bachelor’s Degree required

  • AEW Star To Work AAA Event On The Same Day As Forbidden Door PPV

    Rey Fenix working an upcoming Lucha Libre AAA show could lead to potential conflicts for him as the show takes place on the same day, June 26th, as AEW X NJPW Forbidden Door. 

    The AAA show goes down from the Showcenter Complex in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico while the joint PPV event held between AEW and NJPW takes place at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.

    At the AAA show, Fenix is slated to take on Johnny Caballero (aka Johnny Elite) and Abismo Negro Jr. As of this writing, no matches have been announced for Forbidden Door. Many expect to see Fenix be with his brother Penta Oscuro and Death Triangle teammate Pac at the Forbidden Door show. 

    Fenix could make both shows as the AAA has a start time of 5 p.m. local time, 6 p.m. EST, while Forbidden Door is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. local, 7 p.m. EST. However, adding in the flight time, it would take him three hours to do that. 

    This wouldn’t be the first time AAA has advertised Fenix for shows that he later didn’t wrestle on as it happened in February and March. 

    The trio is slated to work Sunday’s AEW Double or Nothing where they’re scheduled to take on Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Malakai Black of The House of Black.

  • WWE Returning To Saudi Arabia This November For Crown Jewel

    WWE has confirmed the return date for their next premium live event in Saudi Arabia as they will hold the Crown Jewel show on Saturday, November 5th from Riyadh. 

    WWE has a 10-year partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority where they’re paid big money to host two events in the country per year except for a fourth-quarter 2020 show as well as the first quarter of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Their previous show took place this past February for the Elimination Chamber event. In the main event, Brock Lesnar won the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match. The company also held a women’s chamber match and the card also included a match featuring Ronda Rousey as well as WWE Hall Of Famer Lita challenging Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Title. 

    Updated 2022 WWE Event Schedule

    • Sunday, June 5 – Hell In A Cell Pay-Per-View at Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL
    • Saturday, July 2 – Money In The Bank at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
    • Saturday, July 30 – SummerSlam at Nissan Stadium in Nashville
    • Saturday, September 3 – Clash at the Castle UK PPV at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales
    • Saturday, November 5 – WWE Crown Jewel from Saudi Arabia
    • Saturday, November 26 – Survivor Series at TD Garden in Boston

  • NJPW To Lift Restrictions On Crowd Noise By The End Of May?

    A notable change could be coming to NJPW. Since bringing back fans for their events, the crowd hasn’t been able to be vocal whether that’s cheering or booing. 

    This has both been criticized by fans. However, it appears the restrictions will be lifted in time for the Battle Of The Super Juniors finals as NJPW commentator Kevin Kelly took to Twitter to pass on the news:

    “I’m hearing that the restrictions on NJPW crowds vocally cheering could be lifted by the end of May. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to hear your voices for #njBOSJ final on June 3?”

    Tokyo Sports has a feature story about people not being able to verbally make noise at wrestling shows in Japan. Takaaki Kidani, Bushiroad founder and President was quoted on the matter. 

    “I don’t know whether we will open up the entire venue or just an area [for verbal crowd noise], but if it is possible, I think New Japan could do it at the upcoming Nippon Budokan show (June 3). If it is possible, I would consider introducing it as soon as possible.”

    Bryan Danielson has made past comments regarding being hesitant to come to Japan until people are allowed to verbally make noise again at shows. There are several AEW stars that have expressed interest in working in Japan for the promotion. 

  • AEW Double Or Nothing Betting Odds

    The final betting odds have been released for the AEW Double Or Nothing as the card for the show that takes place this Sunday is nearly finalized.

    So far, four normal AEW titles are on the line with only one expected to change hands as CM Punk is favored to win the World Heavyweight Title. Some of the more notable odds include The Young Bucks favored to beat The Hardys and Wardlow over MJF. 

    There are no odds for AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill vs Anna Jay or the Owen Hart Tournament matches. 

    AEW Double Or Nothing Odds

    As a reminder, we will be providing coverage of the show this Sunday. The favorites to win are listed as – while the underdogs are listed with +. Here are the final betting odds, courtesy of BetOnline:

    AEW World Champion Hangman Page +110 vs. CM Punk -150

    AEW Women\’s World Champion Thunder Rosa -600 vs. Serena Deeb +340

    AEW World Tag Team Champions Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus -150 vs. Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland +250 vs. Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs +250

    Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard & Jeff Parker +110 vs. Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz -150 – Anarchy in the Arena Match

    Young Bucks -200 vs. The Hardys +150

    MJF +340 vs. Wardlow -600

    House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) -140 vs. Death Triangle (Pac, Penta, and Rey Fenix) +100

    Pre-show: Hook & Danhausen-1200  vs. Tony Nese & Mark Sterling +500

  • WWE Planning To Use NXT Stars For Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament

    When WWE stripped Sasha Banks and Naomi of the Women’s Tag Team Titles last Friday night on SmackDown after they walked out, the company announced they would hold a tournament to crown Women’s Tag Team Champions. 

    It left some to wonder how WWE is going to fill out the tournament because there are not many women’s tag teams on the main roster.

    Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Live today that the company will turn to NXT and use some wrestlers from the developmental roster to fill in some spots in the tournament.

    “They have sent word down to NXT to think about some women that might be able to be a team,” Alvarez said. “That’s where we’re at right now so yea you might see Kacy and Kayden called up because ‘we need teams.\’”

    It was pointed out how WWE hasn’t put a lot of focus on the division and they only have a couple of actual teams including Doudrop & Nikki A.S.H. and Shayna Baszler & Natalya.

    It was speculated that the NXT teams would only be used for the tournament and would not be officially part of the main roster. It’s still unclear when this tournament will take place. 

    H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription

  • WWE Has Zero Plans For Naomi & Sasha Banks To Return (Report)

    It’s been one week since Naomi and Sasha Banks walked out of WWE Raw due to creative differences. WWE has stripped them of the Women’s Tag Team Titles, suspended them indefinitely, pulled their Facebook pages, and removed them from the intro video package.

    During today’s Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez recapped the situation and noted that creative is not working on anything for Banks and Naomi right now as WWE doesn’t have plans for them to return. Ringside News first reported the news. 

    “There are at this point zero plans for them to return, there is zero talk whatsoever about the two of them as it pertains to creative,” Alvarez said. 

    As previously reported, Naomi and Banks were upset with WWE planning to have them wrestle in the six-pack challenge match on Raw with Naomi going over to challenge Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair at Hell in a Cell while Banks was supposed to challenge SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at this same show.

    This would’ve put the Women’s Tag Titles on ice for the next month. As of this writing, Banks nor Naomi has publicly commented on the situation, leaving fans waiting to hear their side of the story. 

    H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription

  • The Usos Beat RK-Bro In Title Unification Match On WWE SmackDown

    WWE Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle) battled SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jey and Jimmy) in a winner take all title unification bout on Friday’s episode of SmackDown after weeks of delaying it. 

    The match was saved for the main event. It looked like Riddle had suffered an injury in the match, but was working after going to a commercial break. Orton managed to hit an RKO at one point. However, Reigns saved Jimmy while on the top rope and The Usos went over. The Bloodline beat down Riddle and Orton after the match. 

    WWE made a title unification bout for the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Titles official on the April 15th edition of SmackDown for WrestleMania Backlash only to change it on April 29th SmackDown where RK-Bro teamed with Drew McIntyre and lost to The Bloodline in a six-man tag team match. 

    The Usos became the SmackDown Tag Team Champions last July at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view event by beating Rey & Dominik Mysterio. They held the titles for nearly 300 days, the longest reign in the history of the titles. 

    Orton and Riddle beat Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) on the March 7th edition of Raw to become the RawTag Team Champions. 

  • New Matches Set For AEW Double Or Nothing

    The AEW Double Or Nothing card continues to come along as three bouts have been announced for the May 29th event in Las Vegas. 

    AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill vs Anna Jay, Young Bucks vs. The Hardys, and House of Black vs. Death Triangle have been booked. The bouts were confirmed on Friday’s episode of AEW Rampage. 

    Nick & Matt Jackson have been teasing facing The Hardys in a match for the last few weeks. They threw out the challenge again on Rampage and the promotion confirmed it in a match graphic. 

    House of Black defeated Fuego Del Sol and Dark Order\’s Evil Uno and 10 on Rampage. Post-match, Penta Oscuro appeared on the ramp with an object that he unveiled to be a tombstone with House of Black and Double or Nothing chip at the bottom of it. Excalibur was quick to announce that Pac, Penta, and Rey Fenix would face Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.

    Updated AEW Double Or Nothing Card

    • AEW World Championship: Hangman Page (c) vs. CM Punk
    • AEW Women\’s World Championship: Thunder Rosa (c) vs. Serena Deeb
    • AEW World Tag Team Championship: Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus (c) vs. Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland vs. Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs
    • Owen Hart Foundation Men\’s Tournament final: Adam Cole vs. Samoa Joe or Kyle O\’Reilly
    • Owen Hart Foundation Women\’s Tournament final: Toni Storm or Britt Baker vs. Ruby Soho or Red Velvet or Kris Statlander
    • Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard & Jeff Parker vs. Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz
    • AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill vs Anna Jay
    • Young Bucks vs. The Hardys
    • House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) vs. Death Triangle (Pac, Penta, and Rey Fenix) 
    • Pre-show: Hook & Danhausen vs. Tony Nese & Mark Sterling

  • WWE NXT Results (5/17): Bron Breakker Answers, Santos vs. Tony

    The May 17, 2022 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center. 

    WWE NXT Results 

    •  Cameron Grimes & Solo Sikoa def. Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams.
    • Lash Legend def. Tatum Paxley to advance to the Breakout Tournament Semi-Finals.
    • The Viking Raiders (Erik & Ivar) def. The Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed & Julius Creed) (w/Roderick Strong & Damon Kemp).
    • Grayson Waller def. Andre Chase (w/Bodhi Hayward).
    • Roxanne Perez def. Kiana James to advance to the Semi-Finals of the Breakout Tournament.
    • Wes Lee vs. Nathan Frazer declared a no contest due to interference from Von Wagner.
    • Santos Escobar def. Tony D\’Angelo

    Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:

    Bron Breakker Answers Joe Gacy

    \"\"

    WWE NXT Champion Bron Breakker answered Joe Gacy on this show after Gacy asked him to join his movement. 

    After Breakker beat Gacy to retain the title two weeks ago at Spring Breakin\’ Gacy and his followers kidnapping Breakker following the bout. Last week, Gacy invited Breakker to join him during an in-ring promo.

    This week, Bron came out and said that after everything they’ve gone through, Gacy can kiss his ass. He said that he’s not coming after him to beat him, but to put him unconscious. Gacy appeared in the crowd and said Bron has a long history of violence. Gacy said their journey is not over and Bron rejected an opportunity of a lifetime. Bron accepted his challenge for another match. Gacy said it’s time to up the stakes. Gacy said the stip of the match is if Bron gets DQ’d then he will lose the title. Bron accepted. 

    The Creed Brothers vs. The Viking Raiders

    \"\"

    The Creed Brothers vs. The Viking Raiders in a tag team match took place. 

    The Creeds defeated The Viking Raiders at Spring Breakin\’ after a distraction from Roderick Strong. Last week, Strong introduced Damon Kemp as the Diamond Mine group\’s newest member. Now the group includes The Creeds, Ivy Nile, and Strong.

    The match saw some outside interference by Strong and Julias told him that he didn’t need him after tossing out of the ring. This led to Viking Raiders hitting their finisher for the win. 

    Cameron Grimes & Solo Sikoa vs. Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams

    \"\"

    Cameron Grimes & Solo Sikoa vs. Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams was booked. 

    Grimes will defend the North American Title against Hayes at the In Your House special on June 4th. Grimes has agreed to then defend the title against Sikoa next if he gets by Hayes.

    The match opened the show and they got some time to work a good match with the heels dominating most of it. Solo won it with a splash off the top rope on Hayes. 

    Santos Escobar vs. Tony D\’Angelo

    \"\"

    Santos Escobar vs. Tony D\’Angelo in a singles match took place. 

    These two stars have been feuding for several weeks. The two have abducted each other\’s associates on NXT as of late despite having a sitdown meeting. 

    They looked to settle the score. The bout headlined the show and was back and forth. Tony went to get his crowbar, but he didn’t have it. Instead, Santos grabbed brass knuckles and hit Tony in the face with it for the win. 

  • WWE Announces NXT’s Return To Live Event Touring

    WWE NXT is officially going back on the road as the company announced on Tuesday night that live event touring will resume next month. 

    Tickets will go on sale this Friday, May 20, at 10 am ET on Etix for eight house shows that will take place in Florida starting on June 10, running through July 23. More dates will be announced soon. 

    Touring Schedule

    • June 10 at the University Arena Community Complex in Tampa, Florida
    • June 11 at the Largo Events Center in Largo, Florida
    • June 24 at the Jacksonville Armory in Jacksonville, Florida
    • June 25 at the Venice Community Center in Venice, Florida
    • July 8 at the Citrus Springs Community Center in Dunnellon, Florida
    • July 9 at the Englewood Neighborhood Center in Orlando, Florida
    • July 22 at the Melbourne Auditorium in Melbourne, Florida
    • July 23 at the Cocoa Armory in Cocoa Beach, Florida

    NXT has not run any live events since 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and wrestlers have only been working TV events since then. Prior to the pandemic, NXT ran house shows both in Florida and out of state.

    Since last summer, there had been reports of WWE discussing this return, but up until now, it kept getting delayed. 

  • The Rock’s XFL Announces TV Deal With ABC, ESPN & FX

    XFL has reached a broadcast rights agreement. The football league now owned by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Dany Garcia announced today at the 2022 Upfronts that they’ve agreed on a multi-year agreement with ESPN and The Walt Disney Company for their exclusive broadcast rights.

    The deal runs from 2023 through 2027. All 43 games each season will air and stream across ABC, ESPN and FX. The 2023 season will kick off on Saturday, February 18.

    “This is a definitive moment for the XFL and the beginning of an incredible, long-term partnership for the league, building on my longstanding, very successful legacy relationship I’ve had with Disney throughout my career,\” Johnson said.

    \”We’re excited to be working with global visionaries that are aligned with the XFL’s values, are true team players and share our ambitious goals to grow the XFL as a global sports and entertainment business. Through the combined power of Disney, ESPN and the XFL, together we will create a new powerhouse on the sports calendar and bring a dynamic game of football to fans everywhere. Time to ball out.”

    The Rock and Garcia were part of a group that purchased the XFL for $15 million in August 2020. This came after the XFL filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy while owned by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon in early 2020 after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    Since then, former XFL commissioner Oliver Luck filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against McMahon and McMahon has filed a countersuit. Although they took part in a settlement conference in March, an agreement was not reached.

  • There Is Reportedly Zero Sympathy For Sasha Banks Backstage In WWE

    Both Bryan Alvarez and Wade Keller have reported there is not much sympathy for Sasha Banks after she alongside Naomi walked out of last night\’s WWE Raw. 

    On today’s Wrestling Observer Live, Alvarez stated that you would think wrestlers in WWE would get upset with bad creative and side with Banks and Naomi if they were handed that and took a stand. However, that’s not the case. 

    There have been some wrestlers such as AEW’s Dax Harwood and CM Punk in addition to Shayna Baszler, who have publicly supported the two stars following them walking out of the show. However, those in WWE don’t feel the same way about Banks and haven\’t said anything about Naomi. 

    He stated that he hasn’t heard from anybody in WWE who has been sticking up for them. Instead, he’s heard people call Banksnames including a mark for her actions. 

    “I have heard zero support for Sasha Banks in this situation. So, quite frankly if you want you can get mad at me if you want…I’ve been a lot nicer on this show than anything I’ve heard from people in WWE over the last 24 hours. Hey, if you want to come after me then go for it…Zero support, I’m talking zero. It’s funny [because] I haven’t heard anyone say anything about Naomi and she walked out too. It’s all about Sasha. I’ve heard it all – Mark, Diva, the list goes on and on. There is zero support for Sasha Banks walking out of WWE over all of this. People are furious. They think it’s ridiculous. They think that she’s whatever. So, that’s the story. Where this goes, I don’t know but literally, every single bit of support that I’ve seen for Sasha Banks coming out of this has either been from people in another company that weren’t there last night and that’s it…or fans. Her actual co-workers have zero sympathy for what happened here. I think that should probably tell you something.”

    As previously reported, WWE originally had plans for Naomi to challenge Raw Women’s champion Bianca Belair and Banks to challenge SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at Hell in a Cell. 

    H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription

  • Tammy Sytch’s Fiance Reacts To Sytch Remanded To Jail In DUI Manslaughter Case

    Tammy Sytch was remanded back to jail after her bond was revoked in her DUI manslaughter case last Friday. The judge granted a motion by the state for pretrial detention as they stated  Sytch “posed a threat of harm to the community” based on her “past and present patterns of behavior and other relevant facts.” 

    Sytch had been out on a $227,500 bond after she was arrested on May 6th stemming from the death of 75-year-old Julian Lasseter this past March during a traffic incident in Ormond Beach, Florida.

    The charges include one count of DUI causing death, one count of causing death while operating a vehicle with a suspended or revoked driver’s license, four counts of DUI causing injury to a person, and three counts of DUI causing damage to property.

    James Pente, Sytch’s fiance, spoke with WKMG News 6 and WESH-TV about Sytch’s bail being revoked in the fatal car accident. 

    “I think that this whole process — everyone’s been hurt, not just the family. I feel terrible for that guy’s family.” He continued, “They should have decided she was a threat to society before they granted a $225,00 bond, had me pay $22,000.”

    The officer who responded to the incident said Sytch acknowledged that she had been drinking vodka before and had gone out to get a diet iced tea when the accident happened. He said that he saw an “unsealed bottle of Grey Goose” in the passenger-side floorboard of Sytch’s car.

    Her next hearing will be on May 31st.

    H/T to 411 Mania for the transcript

  • Ricky Steamboat Planning To Wrestle Ric Flair On July 31st

    Ric Flair isn\’t the only person coming out of retirement as Ricky \”The Dragon\” Steamboat has the same idea. 

    Fightful Select reports that there are plans for the 69-year-old to come out of retirement to wrestle another match as Flair and Steamboat will be facing each other. It won’t be a singles match, but rather Dave Meltzer has reported that he was told by Flair that it will be FTR & Flair vs. Rock N\’ Roll Express and \”someone else.\”

    Obviously, that someone else will be Steamboat if the plan goes accordingly on July 31 at the Starrcast event in Nashville, TN. 

    This would mark Steamboat\’s first match since a 2010 FCW tag team match with his son against Caylen Croft & Trent Baretta. The bout will also mark them competing across six different decades. 

    Steamboat and Flair have wrestled each other hundreds of times with their last being in 1994. The report noted this match has been in the plans for Starrcast for several weeks with Steamboat meeting with Conrad Thompson in person. 

    One of the angles for the show was to help provide Flair and Steamboat with memorable final matches as both likely didn’t expect what was their last match to be so. 

    Ric Flair’s Last Match Set for July 31st

  • Cody Rhodes: \”I’m The Best Wrestler In The World and It’s By A Large Margin\”

    Cody Rhodes has made it clear since returning to WWE in April that he came back because he felt like he had unfinished business and to become the WWE Champion. 

    It’s a goal that his legendary father, Dusty Rhodes, didn’t accomplish. In order for Cody to achieve his goal, he will have to go through Roman Reigns and beat him to become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. 

    While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Rhodes noted he thinks he’s the best wrestler in the world.

    “I think I’m the best wrestler in the world. And I think it’s by a large margin. That upsets a lot of people, but I don’t mean it to draw ire. This is all I do. I’m not in charge. I’m here to hone my craft, build my body, and win matches. Every week, I have to be better. That’s the ultimate clarity for me.

    I’m on the flagship show. Look at the pyro and grandeur. Hats off to Kevin Dunn and his team for taking the ‘American Nightmare’ and expanding upon it. I know I must be better every week. That’s the only way I can stay the best in the world. Week to week, I’m putting myself under a microscope. Go ahead and put all the microscopes in the world on me. I want Fox to come calling. I did it for Turner Media and I got a great education at my last spot. Bring it on; I want it all.”

    When asked whether he believes he is better than Reigns, Cody stated he can’t answer that question until they’re in the ring. 

    “The difference between the two best wrestlers in the world is that one has both titles to prove it.”

    He said the WWE Title is the biggest title in the game and that’s not a knock on any title anywhere else. 

  • Ric Flair Training For In-Ring Return

    The videos that Ric Flair has been posting with AEW’s Jay Lethal as of late of them working in the ring isn’t just for fun. 

    Dave Meltzer is reporting that Flair is training to wrestle again for the first time since 2011. He’s 73 years old. Meltzer wrote, “Ric Flair is training to wrestle again. The stories about his return are accurate.”

    Flair hasn’t wrestled since 2011 when Sting defeated him on an episode of Impact Wrestling. He did do matches during a Hulkamania tour in Australia and Impact Wrestling, his in-ring career was mostly over as he was an on-screen character. 

    He had his first retirement match in 2008 when Shawn Michaels defeated Flair at WrestleMania 24. 

    Flair left WWE last year and has made a few appearances since then including at AAA’s Triplemania XXIX event and NWA’s 73rd Anniversary last year. 

    His last high-profile appearance came in an episode of Dark Side of the Ring that aired in September regarding the Plane Ride From Hell incident. This is where a flight attendant accused Flair of sexual assault. Flair denied the allegations.

  • Ryan Nemeth\’s “HEEL” Film Is Now Available For Streaming

    Ryan Nemeth has released his short film called “HEEL.\” He started working on the passion project prior to him joining AEW. It looks at some of the more gritty nature of pro wrestling behind the scenes and more. 

    It’s directed by Maggie Levin and is rated mature for language and content. The plot of the film reads like the following: 

    “Beyond the flashy outfits and bodyslams, pro wrestling can be a dark and lawless world. HEEL is a narrative short that explores this world, and touches on the sensitive topics of addiction and sexual assault.”

    HEEL from ryan nemeth on Vimeo.

    Nemeth spoke about the real-life inspiration for this film in a post on Instagram from last August: 

    “In March of 2018 I discovered very unsettling news about some of the people in my little indie pro wrestling social circle. I immediately cut ties with those I no longer wanted to be associated with. I stopped doing certain shows, I moved, I no longer communicated with certain people. (Sadly, as it turns out, the little I did know was only the tip of a disgusting iceberg. I wouldn’t know that until years later.) I was so mortified I stopped doing shows altogether. I didn’t know what to do- it’s not an option really to speak up for those who wish to remain anonymous- that’s their story and their choice. Jump to March of 2019: @anna_lore challenged me to write about it. So I did. I sent filmmaker @maggielevin a script I wrote called HEEL. It dealt with sexual assault and harassment in indie wresting. If I couldn’t directly address the issue, maybe I could make a piece of art that could attack it from a different angle. Maybe that would inspire others. Maybe that would help to expose those rotten characters who needed to be exposed. Maybe it would lead to something, anything. Soon after, I ran a 30-day campaign on @seedandspark and with the help of 800 or so pledges from around the world, we raised the budget. Maggie was in. We shot HEEL in a week. As we went into post-production (editing, sound, color, etc), the world went into a covid shutdown. I was privately worried that my film would upset fans and supporters of some of the wrestlers they loved, and this whole venture would get me blacklisted from the business for speaking up. Fine by me- a business that allowed people like that to thrive isn’t one I wanted to be part of anymore. Then the #speakingout movement hit wresting. I realized people were ready to talk about this stuff and that this film might be received better than I imagined. It’s now August of 2021. I didn’t get blacklisted. HEEL has premiered on the film festival circuit- it has screened & won awards in the USA and multiple other countries. I’m so proud of how well it turned out. I am endlessly grateful to every single member of the team: cast, crew, backers- everyone involved. Art can give a voice to those who don’t have one. Go make your art.”

    Nemeth is the younger brother of Dolph Ziggler. He first signed with WWE in 2010 and worked in developmental until 2013 when he departed. He made his AEW debut in January 2021. 

  • WWE NXT Results (5/10): Natalya vs. Jade, Tag Team Match

    The May 10, 2022 episode of WWE NXT aired live on the USA Network from Orlando, Florida at the Capitol Wrestling Center. 

    WWE NXT Results 

    •  
    • Toxic Attraction def. Wendy Choo & Roxanne Perez to retain NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles. 
    • Fallon Henley def. Sloane Jacobs to advance to the Semi Finals of the Women\’s Breakout Tournament.
    • Alba Fyre def. Amari Miller.
    • Andre Chase & Sarray def. Tiffany Stratton & Grayson Waller.
    • Nikkita Lyons def. Arianna Grace to advance to the Semi Final of the Women\’s Breakout Tournament.
    • Natalya def. Cora Jade

    Here are the takeaways from this week’s show:

    Bron Breakker

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    Bron Breakker is fresh off his successful NXT Title defense over Joe Gacy last week on Spring Breakin’ so what did he do this week? Nothing. 

    Well, Joe Gacy came out about how the two men behind him took the next to helping his cause. He said that these are the faces of change and their expansion happens now. He invited Bron to join them and be part of their movement. He said the result is eternal joy. The faces of the two men were not revealed as they had hoods on. 

    Bobby Stevenson Appears

    \"\"

    Bobby Stevenson, the brother of top prospect Gable Stevenson, is now known as Damon Kemp and is the new member of Diamond Mine with Roderick Strong and The Creed Brothers. 

    Natalya vs. Cora Jade

    \"\"

    Natalya vs. Cora Jade was finally booked in a singles match. This was saved as the main event. 

    They put on a solid match with Jade making a comeback at the end. Natalya went over with the sharpshooter as Jade passed out. Post-match, they hugged it out. 

    They’ve been feuding since Natalya made a surprise appearance on NXT last month. At NXT Spring Breakin\’ last week, Jade & Nikkita Lyons defeated Natalya & Lash Legend in a tag team match.

    Tag Team Match

    \"\"

    NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) vs. Wendy Choo & Roxanne Perez took place. This match opened the show. Jayne pinned Wendy to retain thanks to a Mandy Rose. Post-match, they beat down Wendy. 

    This match was built up on last week\’s episode of NXT as Choo and Perez tampered with Toxic Attraction\’s Mandy Rose\’s tanning bed before stealing Dolin and Jayne\’s belongings as they embarked on a day at the beach.

    Alba Fyre In Action

    \"\"

    Alba Fyre (Kay Lee Ray) was in action as WWE built this up as her re-debut since they gave her a new name and deleted all of her past accomplishments. 

    Fyre worked with Amari Miller, who was back in the first time since March 1st when she suffered an injury in the ring and was stretchered out of the arena. 

    Fyre hit her finisher for the win in a one-sided win. 

  • WWE Reveals Bracket For First-Ever NXT Women\’s Breakout Tournament

    Ahead of the first-ever NXT Women\’s Breakout Tournament starting tonight on NXT 2.0, WWE has unveiled the bracket for it. 

    It will feature eight stars with the winner receiving a contract for an NXT Women\’s title match against current champion Mandy Rose. Those competitors are Nikkita Lyons, Lash Legend, Tatum Paxley, Fallon Henley, Roxanne Perez, Kiana James, Arianna Grace, and Sloane Jacobs.

    Here are the first-round matchups for the tournament:

    Left Side 

    • Nikkita Lyons vs. Arianna Grace
    • Fallon Henley vs. Sloane Jacobs

    Right Side

    • Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James
    • Lash Legend vs. Tatum Paxley

    WWE hasn\’t announced which tournament matches will be taking place on tonight\’s NXT episode, but WWE has confirmed that Perez is set to team with Wendy Choo against NXT Women\’s Tag Team Champions Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne) in a non-title match on the show.

    The tournament is designed to spotlight new talent on the roster. Although it’s the first women\’s edition of the tournament, the men\’s Breakout Tournaments were held in 2019 and 2021.

    Jordan Myles (ACH) was the winner of the inaugural Breakout Tournament in 2019, while Carmelo Hayes won the 2021 edition.

  • Alexa Bliss Returns On WWE Raw With Her Old Gimmick

    Alexa Bliss has returned once again after being on hiatus as she appeared on Monday’s episode of WWE Raw to take on Sonya Deville.

    Adam Pearce announced that Deville’s “WWE Official” contract has been terminated and now she is just a competitor. Bliss is back to her old gimmick and theme music.

    Bliss hadn’t been seen on WWE television since the Elimination Chamber event in Saudi Arabia earlier this year where she worked the Women’s Elimination Chamber match.

    This was her second hiatus from WWE TV as last year, she disappeared from WWE television after losing to Charlotte Flair at Extreme Rules to undergo sinus surgery, but was brought back in January where she did several vignettes. The Chamber bout was the only match she had worked since her return. 

    As previously reported, Bliss voiced her displeasure following the Elimination Chamber about the lack of creative plans for her.  Fightful added Bliss had communicated her frustration surrounding the lack of creative for her character to Vince McMahon himself.

    Bliss recently got married to singer Ryan Cabrera. 

  • Thunder Rosa Compares Rivalry With Britt Baker To The Rock vs. Steve Austin

    Thunder Rosa and Britt Baker are the top two stars in AEW’s women’s division and with such fanfare behind their feud, it’s one that Tony Khan can go back to when needed. 

    They had their first match against each other at AEW Beach Break 2021 before their memorable Lights Out match that ended the rivalry for the time being at St. Patrick\’s Day Slam 2021. 

    AEW ran back the feud a year later with Baker beating Rosa at AEW Revolution 2022 before Rosa dethroned Baker in a cage match at St. Patrick\’s Day Slam.

    Speaking on Under The Ring, Rosa discussed the evolution of her rivalry with Baker. She compared it to The Rock vs. Steve Austin and Trish Stratus vs. Lita. 

    \”The rivalry that we had, it\’s real. Now that I took the title from her, it\’s not something that is going to end. It\’s like The Rock and Stone Cold (Steve Austin), something similar, or Trish (Stratus) and Lita. Something of that sort. Something that is never going to end. Our matches were definitely more physical in terms of female wrestling. We pushed a lot of boundaries that I don\’t think people were used to seeing women in the mainstream media, doing something of that sort, especially on the last one.” 

    Rosa stated they had an opportunity to elevate women\’s wrestling to another level with it.

    Baker is slated to defend the title against Serena Deeb at AEW Double or Nothing while  Baker is competing in the Women\’s Owen Hart Tournament.

    H/T to Fightful for the transcription

  • The Bloodline Win Six-Man Tag At WWE WrestleMania Backlash

    Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle) teamed up with Drew McIntyre vs. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos (Jey and Jimmy) and Roman Reigns at the WWE WrestleMania Backlash event.

    The match started off slow. The Usos beat down Riddle after Reigns refused to fight McIntyre. Finally, Reigns and McIntyre mixed it up. McIntyre with the Claymore Kick to Reigns before getting the tag to Orton, who cleared house. Orton hit an RKO out of nowhere to Reigns then an RKO to Jimmy for a near fall. Riddle with a suplex then hit the floating bro for 2 on Jey. Reigns slammed McIntyre through the announce table. Riddle with an RKO off the top rope to Jey only for Reigns to pin Riddle with a spear. 

    WWE made a title unification bout for the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Titles official on the April 15th edition of SmackDown only to change it on the April 29th SmackDown. 

    WWE first unified the WWE and Universal Titles in a match between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania where “The Tribal Chief” beat “The Beast” in the headliner of night 2. WWE reportedly has no plans to end the brand split. 

    However, after Reigns and McIntyre mixed it up, WWE decided to make a change to its plans as the company wants to save Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Title against McIntyre for one of the several upcoming stadium events. 

  • Ronda Rousey Wins SmackDown Women’s Title At WWE WrestleMania Backlash

    Charlotte Flair is no longer the WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion as she failed to retain her title against Ronda Rousey in an I Quit Match at the WrestleMania Backlash event in Providence, R.I.

    Flair connected with a nasty german suplex early in the match. They had a kendo stick fight on the stage. After brawling into the crowd, Flair wrapped her around a handrail. Flair powerbombed her onto the barricade.  Rousey with the armbar while using Flair was hanging upside down from the top rope, but Flair ripped the grip away and Rousey landed hard on the ground. Flair with the Natural Selection on a chair. Rousey locked in the armbar with the chair for the win.

    At WrestleMania 38, Flair retained the title, but did so in controversial fashion. Charlotte tapped out to Rousey\’s armbar when the referee was down. When Rousey woke up the referee, Flair connected with a big boot to retain the SmackDown Women\’s Title.

    The following episode of SmackDown, Rousey challenged Charlotte to the \”I Quit\” match at WrestleMania Backlash and while Flair declined to give in at first, Adam Pearce said later in the show that a decision on the match would be made, which it was officially booked. 

    Rousey earned the right to become Charlotte’s WrestleMania challenger after winning this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble match, which also marked her return to WWE after having not appeared for the company since WrestleMania 35 in 2019.

  • Rhea Ripley Joins Edge & Damian Priest In Judgment Day Group

    Rhea Ripley has been revealed as the latest star to join the Judgment Day Group led by Edge and also includes Damian Priest. 

    At WrestleMania Backlash on Sunday night, Edge was battling AJ Styles in a WrestleMania 38 rematch which stipulated that Priest was banned from ringside to prevent outside interference based on Priest helping Edge win in their first encounter. 

    The finish saw a hooded person distract Styles and Edge connected with the crossface choke for the win. Ripley was revealed as that person with dark hair and she joined Edge in laughing after the match. 

    Shortly after WrestleMania, it was reported former WWE NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa and the former Raw Women’s Champion had been pitched to join Edge’s new stable.

    As of late, Ripley had been in a team with Liv Morgan where at WrestleMania 38, they took part in a fatal 4-way bout where Naomi & Banks walked away with the Women’s Tag Team Titles after outlasting Ripley & Morgan, Shayna Baszler & Natalya, and Carmella & Zelina Vega. 

    Three weeks ago on Raw after losing to the newly crowned champions, Ripley turned on Morgan as she felt like she was the weak link in the team.