SEScoops

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Mercedes Mone Reportedly Charging High Indie Appearance Fee

    There is discussion regarding the appearance fees for Mercedes Mone on the independent wrestling circuit as she continues to collect championships globally. While AEW President Tony Khan praised Mone\’s commitment to wrestling outside AEW, a report suggests her asking price is significant.

    Khan toldJosh Martinez of Z100 New York and the Superstar Crossover podcast, “With all the commitments Mercedes has taken on, I think it’s really impressive. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, that shows it’s not about pure greed and money for Mercedes because a lot of these places she’s wrestling… they’re not the highest paying places. She’s not really making money from these. She loves wrestling\”.

    However, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter shared information from an independent promoter regarding Mone\’s potential booking fee. \”I don’t know what she’s been paid in different places but one independent promoter who inquired about getting her noted it was a $25,000 per appearance figure,\” Meltzer wrote.

    The report acknowledged that this figure might not apply universally. \”There may be and probably are different deals cut elsewhere and it’s also possible it’s people who she isn’t interested in working for who get that quote,\” it added. Still, the promoter who received the quote found it difficult. \”It was noted to us that’s a very difficult price and the promoter in question turned it down,\” the report stated.

    Meltzer provided context, comparing the reported fee to typical independent rates and even pay in major promotions like CMLL. \”For example, I’ve never heard of anyone being paid $25,000 in CMLL or close to that and they’ve had some major stars there (Jericho, Moxley, MJF, Danielson)… Generally the highest paid indie guys right now are charging $5,000,” Meltzer detailed.

    Mercedes Mone is currently involved in multiple storylines in AEW. She is scheduled to challenge Kris Statlander for the AEW Women\’s World Championship at Full Gear on November 22. Additionally, she is teaming with ROH Women\’s World Champion Athena in the ongoing tournament to crown the inaugural AEW Women\’s World Tag Team Champions. Their first-round match is against Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron, though the date for that match has not yet been announced.

  • WWE WarGames Plans Still In Place Despite Seth Rollins Injury

    The creative plans for the men\’s WarGames match at the upcoming WWE Survivor Series Premium Live Event are reportedly still in place, despite the recent injury to World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the plan as of this week is still for a team led by CM Punk and Roman Reigns to face a team led by The Vision. Survivor Series is scheduled for Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Petco Park in San Diego.

    This report from Dave Meltzer clarifies the direction for the show, as there had been some speculation that the plans would be altered due to the major storyline shift on Monday Night Raw.

    “Since many have asked, as of press time, the men’s WarGames match was still a Punk & Reigns team against The Vision-led team. Some thought with all the injuries that it would be changed to the Wyatts vs. MFTs since they are clearly doing a multi-person program there as well.”

    The injury to Seth Rollins on October 11 at the WWE Crown Jewel event forced a major creative pivot, which saw The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed) brutally attack their leader and align with Paul Heyman on the October 13 episode of Raw. While this removed Rollins from the faction, it appears the plan for The Vision to be the lead heel team in the WarGames match remains unchanged, with Breakker and Reed now at the forefront of the group. The report also dismisses the idea that the match would be changed to feature the new feud between The Wyatt Sicks and The MFTs, which began on last week\’s episode of SmackDown.

  • Kurt Angle Explains Why Chad Gable Hasn\’t Become WWE Main Eventer

    WWE Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle has shared his thoughts on the frequent comparisons between himself and WWE Raw superstar Chad Gable. Both men share a decorated amateur wrestling background, with Angle winning Olympic gold in 1996 and Gable competing in the 2012 London Games.

    In a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show, Angle discussed Gable\’s talent and the \”niche\” he has carved out for himself, even if it is \”kind of identical\” to his own legendary character. During the interview, Angle was asked how he feels about the constant comparisons from fans.

    “I think he’s great. I’m just happy that he was able to find his niche. I know it’s kind of identical to mind. If it works for him, I’m happy for him. I think, regardless of whether he did my character or anyone else’s, I think the kid’s incredibly talented. So, I think he would have succeeded either way.”

    Angle also addressed a common critique that has followed Gable throughout his career: his size. The Hall of Famer dismissed the idea that Gable is \”undersized\” for the main event, pointing to other smaller superstars who have reached the top of the industry.

    “You know, I think the problem with him, and I think it’s only because the office looks at him like this, but he’s a little undersized. But that’s not an excuse. Chris Benoit was five-nine. Eddie Guerrero was five-eight. Rey Mysterio is five-five. So, someone like Chad could certainly be a main eventer.”

    Chad Gable is currently out of action with a legitimate injury. He was last seen on WWE programming in June, when he was written off television after a backstage attack by Penta.

  • Goldberg Believes WWE Had Asuka Surpass His Streak \”On Purpose\”

    WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg recently discussed his legendary undefeated streak in WCW and reacted to Asuka surpassing his record number of consecutive wins in WWE. Goldberg famously claimed 173 victories during WCW\’s peak in the Monday Night Wars.

    Appearing on Real Talk with Mike Burke, the host suggested that a dominant streak like Goldberg\’s would never happen again in modern wrestling. Goldberg quickly corrected him, pointing to Asuka\’s historic run in WWE. “They already did,” Goldberg stated. “Some girl at WWE. They did it on purpose\”. Goldberg clarified his comment wasn\’t directed at the performer herself. \”I have nothing against the girl, by any means, but yeah,\” he added. Asuka went undefeated for 914 days in WWE, surpassing Goldberg\’s official number of consecutive wins.

    Goldberg then elaborated on his perspective regarding WWE, stemming from his time in WCW during the Monday Night Wars. “The whole WWE experience…I was part of WCW when we were kicking their ass in the Monday Night Wars. I didn’t know what was going on at the time, I was just on one of the sides,\” Goldberg recalled. He discussed the dynamic after WCW folded.

    \”Now, one side dissolves and the other one consumes everything, so they can treat everyone and everything the way they want,\” he said. Goldberg believes his success during that era still irks WWE. \”I think there is always going to be the bird in their ass that I was part of a company where I was the champion in a very short period of time and we were beating them in the ratings,” he concluded.

    Goldberg officially retired from professional wrestling earlier this year, competing in his final match against Gunther in July, where he came up short.

  • Former AEW World Champion Aiming For \”Winter Return\” From Injury

    A new report from Fightful Select has provided an update on the recovery of former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland and his potential timeline for a return to the ring. Strickland has been sidelined since August after undergoing a planned surgery to repair a torn meniscus, an injury he had reportedly been working with since his time in WWE.

    The latest word from inside AEW is that Strickland\’s rehabilitation is on track, and he could be ready for a \”winter return\” if his recovery continues to go smoothly. This timeline would see him back on AEW programming in time for the company\’s major winter events, such as Full Gear in November or Worlds End in December.

    Strickland\’s last match was an unsuccessful challenge for the AEW Unified Championship against Kazuchika Okada at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view on August 24. Following that match, he was written off television to have the much-needed surgery. During his time off, Swerve has not been idle.

    He has been actively focusing on his music career, recently posting a photo from a recording studio with legendary Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon. The post was captioned, “Cooking up with the Chef Raekwon. Beats by Profit The Producer.”

    The news of his potential winter return comes at a crucial time for AEW, which is currently dealing with several injuries to other top stars like Kota Ibushi and Will Ospreay. AEW President Tony Khan recently commented on Strickland\’s status during the WrestleDream media call, stating that he expects Swerve to be back \”relatively soon\” and that his injury does not have a long-term outlook.

  • Report: WWE TV Event Ticket Prices Have Nearly Doubled Since TKO Merger

    A new report from Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics.com has revealed that the average ticket price for WWE\’s North American television events, Raw and SmackDown, has nearly doubled since the TKO merger in September 2023. The analysis, which used data from Pollstar, shows a sharp upward trend in pricing that began in 2024 and has continued to climb steeply throughout 2025, following years of more gradual increases.

    This pricing strategy has been a stated goal of TKO executives, who have been vocal about increasing WWE\’s \”ticket yield\” to be more in line with the UFC\’s model. The report notes that this significant price hike is unique to WWE and not reflective of the wider live entertainment industry, which has seen ticket prices remain mostly flat. The 60% jump in WWE\’s average ticket price from 2024 to 2025 far outpaces that of other major sports, such as the NBA, which saw a 21% increase over the same period.

    This is not due to a skew from international events, as all international shows were excluded from the data. The price increase is instead attributed to a new pricing philosophy and a growing scarcity of domestic events, as WWE runs fewer non-televised house shows and more international premium live events.

    Despite the record-high prices, demand for WWE events has not slowed down. In fact, attendance for Raw and SmackDown has continued its third consecutive year of growth. Data from WrestleTix shows an average of 11,500 tickets distributed per event in 2025, up from 11,000 in 2024.

    Pollstar\’s data on actual tickets sold reflects this, with an average of 12,200 tickets sold per event in 2025, a significant increase from 9,800 in 2023 and 7,800 in 2022. This trend held steady even in the most recent quarter (June–September 2025), where the average ticket price rose sharply from approximately $75 to $118 year-over-year, while the average attendance remained steady at around 10,800.

  • WWE Money In The Bank 2026 Set For New Orleans

    WWE, in conjunction with the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, has officially announced that the 2026 Money In The Bank Premium Live Event will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event is part of a new, multi-event agreement between WWE\’s parent company, TKO, and the city of New Orleans, which was first revealed in May 2025.

    This will be the first time Money In The Bank has been held in August, placing it as a major event in the post-SummerSlam calendar. The Money In The Bank Premium Live Event is one of WWE\’s \”Big Five\” events of the year and features ladder matches for both the men and women.

    The winners of these bouts earn a briefcase containing a contract for a championship match at a time and place of their choosing, anytime within the next year. Additional ticket details and event information will be announced in the coming months. Fans can register for an exclusive pre-sale opportunity to be the first to hear about ticket availability for Money In The Bank by visiting: https://www.wwe.com/mitb-2026.

    Official Money In The Bank Priority Passes will also be available through On Location. These premium packages offer fans unrivaled access, including premium seating, hospitality events with Superstar appearances, exclusive photo opportunities, and more.

  • Nic Nemeth Believes Bron Breakker Is Ready For A Main Event Shot

    TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth believes that WWE\’s Bron Breakker is more than ready for a full-time main event position, arguing that the company should \”throw his ass in the deep end\” and see if he can swim. The endorsement comes at a pivotal moment for Breakker, who just perpetrated one of the most shocking betrayals in recent WWE history by turning on his mentor, Seth Rollins, and aligning with Paul Heyman on Monday Night Raw.

    The move has immediately thrust the former NXT Champion into the World Heavyweight Championship picture Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Nemeth advocated for WWE to pull the trigger on Breakker\’s push now rather than waiting, dismissing the idea that a talent needs to wait until they are older to get a top spot.

    “There\’s one way to find out. Throw his ass in the deep end, and let\’s go. Because if you\’re getting behind somebody — a lot of people have been bringing up the last few years, and especially the last few weeks and months — if somebody\’s ready, and they\’re not 45, who the hell cares?\”

    Nemeth\’s philosophy harkens back to a \”sink or swim\” mentality that was more common in previous eras of the wrestling business. He believes that the only way to truly know if a talent can handle the pressure of the main event is to put them in that position and give them a chance to succeed.

    \”Put them in the main event and give them a shot. Give them a chance. It used to be sink or swim. Why not do it now?”

  • Seth Rollins Undergoes Shoulder Surgery

    WWE star Seth Rollins has undergone shoulder surgery following a recent injury, posting a brief but optimistic message on his Instagram account for his fans. Rollins was officially stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship on the October 20 episode of WWE Raw.

    In a new post via Instagram, Rollins shared a quick update with his audience, simply writing: “See ya on the other side”. This post comes as the former champion is facing a lengthy recovery period.

    Rollins was stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship on Monday after Raw General Manager Adam Pearce announced that the injury required surgery. Although the storyline attributed the need for surgery to an attack by his former stablemates, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, after last Monday’s Raw, the injury Rollins was seen favoring his arm after his Crown Jewel Championship match against Cody Rhodes.

    With Rollins officially stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship, WWE immediately set a plan in motion to crown a new champion. On Monday’s Raw, a Battle Royal was held to determine a challenger for CM Punk, who had already earned a shot at the title.

    Jey Uso won the Battle Royal. Uso will now face CM Punk for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship at the WWE Premium Live Event, Saturday Night\’s Main Event, on Saturday, November 1, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    View this post on Instagram

    A post shared by Seth Rollins (@wwerollins)

  • Tony Khan Confirms Real Reason For Adam Copeland\’s AEW Absence

    AEW President Tony Khan has officially confirmed the real-world reason for Adam Copeland\’s current absence from AEW programming, verifying that the star is away for filming commitments. Copeland was written off television following the AEW All Out pay-per-view on September 20, 2025.

    At that event, he and his long-time partner Christian Cage were victorious in a tag team match against FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler). The celebration was cut short by a post-match assault, where FTR attacked Copeland\’s wife, Beth Phoenix (Beth Copeland), leaving her laying in the ring with a spiked piledriver. In a backstage segment, an emotional Copeland stated that the rivalry had become too personal and had now affected his family, forcing him to \”step away\” from the company indefinitely, leaving his future in question.

    While the storyline provided a dramatic reason for his exit, reports quickly surfaced from PWInsider that the write-off was planned to accommodate Copeland\’s acting career. In a new interview with Z100 New York, Tony Khan confirmed this. He praised \”The Rated-R Superstar\” as a big part of the AEW roster and confirmed that he is currently on a planned hiatus to film the new season of the Disney+ series, \”Percy Jackson & the Olympians.\”

    Copeland has a recurring role in the series as Ares, the God of War. Khan made it clear that Copeland is still a valued member of the AEW roster and is expected to make his return once his Hollywood obligations are fulfilled.

    “Adam Copeland’s a huge part of AEW. Adam’s out filming right now. He’s a huge star in AEW. We love having Adam Copeland, The Rated-R Superstar in AEW and I’m excited for him to be back in AEW, hopefully soon after this project is done, and he’s taking care of business and then Adam will come back and we’ll get Adam Copeland taking care of the business in the ring in AEW.”

  • MVP Reveals The Biggest Mistake Young Wrestlers Make In The Ring

    MVP recently shared his philosophy on mentoring the younger generation of wrestlers. Speaking on his \”Marking Out\” podcast, MVP discussed the specific advice he gives to talent regarding match structure and psychology, noting that his critiques are always intended to help them improve.

    He thinks that a common issue he sees is the overuse of false finishes, which can diminish the crowd\’s reaction and hurt the overall quality of a match. During the podcast, MVP explained his reasoning for telling younger talent to \”slow it down\” and cut certain spots from their matches.

    “If I’m telling you to slow it down and cut some of that stuff out, it’s not because I don’t want you to have a good match — it’s because I want you to have a better match. And I think I’ve talked about this before, but there are a few of the younger guys in AEW where I’ve told them, ‘Hey, everything was great, but you had too many false finishes. You didn’t need all those false finishes.’ You can hear it — because the first false finish, oh! The second false finish, oh! The third false finish, oh! And that fourth false finish, oh. [not as intense] You had them. It takes a while to get that experience — to know when to say, ‘No, take it home now. They’re not going to get any higher than this. Let’s go.’ That other stuff we had figured in? Cut it. Take it home.”

    He specifically named one of AEW\’s brightest young stars, Kyle Fletcher, as someone who was receptive to this exact critique.

    “I may have talked about this before, but it’s definitely something that comes with experience. And if I’m telling you that, it’s not because I don’t want you to have the greatest match — it’s because I want you to. And you can hear it from the audience. There have been times when I’ve talked to, uh, like Kyle Fletcher, and we talked about it one time. He said, ‘Yeah, you’re right. I heard it. I got it.’ You know, don’t work against yourself.”

  • Tony Khan On Britt Baker: \”She\’s Still Very Much With Us\”

    AEW President Tony Khan has addressed the status of former AEW Women\’s World Champion Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., confirming that she is still with the company and that he hopes to see her return to television \”hopefully soon.\” Baker has been on a long-term, unexplained hiatus from AEW programming, with her last television appearance taking place in November 2024.

    Her prolonged absence, coupled with her removal of AEW mentions from her social media profiles in March 2025, has led to rampant speculation among fans about her future and a potential move to WWE. Speaking in a new interview with Z100 New York, Tony Khan was asked about the former champion and was quick to praise her contributions to the company, making it clear that she is still a part of the AEW family.

    “What a great star in AEW Dr Britt Baker has been. She is still a fantastic, fantastic wrestling star. She\’s been away from AEW for a while, but still very much with us, and at some point hopefully soon, I\’d love to see Dr Britt Baker come back.”

    Baker\’s last match on AEW television was on the November 13, 2024, episode of Dynamite. Reports have indicated that her current contract with AEW runs until at least the fall of 2026, with the company potentially having the option to add more time to the deal due to her inactivity.

  • Backstage News On Austin Theory\’s WWE Status After Seth Rollins Injury

    An update has emerged on the WWE status of Austin Theory, whose planned creative direction was thrown into chaos following the legitimate shoulder injury to World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. A new report from WrestleVotes indicates that despite the major storyline shuffle, there are still \”voices within the company pushing\” to keep Theory involved in significant creative plans.

    Theory has been off WWE television since July after suffering an injury that led to the dissolution of his tag team, A-Town Down Under. He was widely expected to return as a babyface to feud with his former partner, Grayson Waller.

    The situation became more complex when recent reports indicated that Theory was slated to be a part of The Vision faction alongside Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Brock Lesnar for a major WarGames match at Survivor Series. However, those plans were completely overhauled last week when Rollins\’s injury forced creative to turn Breakker and Reed heel, having them attack Rollins and align with Paul Heyman. This left Theory\’s potential role in the group in question.

    According to the new report, Theory \”still has internal support moving forward to reappear on TV in a significant manner,\” and the idea of him joining The Vision \”was at least discussed.\” While the original WarGames plans are now impossible, the continued support for Theory suggests that creative is still working on a new direction for his return to television.

  • AJ Styles And Dragon Lee Win WWE World Tag Team Titles

    On a night that saw the World Heavyweight Championship vacated due to injury, a championship change also took place on the October 20 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. The new team of AJ Styles and Dragon Lee defeated The Judgment Day\’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh to capture the World Tag Team Championships.

    The victory marks a significant milestone for both men. For Styles, it is his second tag team championship reign in WWE, while for Dragon Lee, it is his first taste of championship gold on the main roster. The title change brings an end to the reign of Balor and McDonagh, which began in June.

    The championship match was only the second title defense for The Judgment Day members in over three months. Their previous defense was a successful one against the LWO\’s Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro back in July. Tonight in Sacramento, their reign came to an end at the hands of the veteran Styles, who is in the midst of his retirement tour, and the rising star Dragon Lee.

    This championship win is a big moment for Styles as he winds down his legendary in-ring career, which he has stated will conclude in 2026. For Dragon Lee, this is his first title win on the main roster and his first-ever tag team championship in WWE.

  • Absent WWE Star Returns On Raw

    Otis has made his return to WWE Monday Night Raw. The Alpha Academy powerhouse appeared on the October 20 episode of the show, marking his first time on the red brand in five months. The show, which emanated from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, saw Otis accompany his stablemate Maxxine Dupri to the ring for her Women\’s Intercontinental Championship match against Becky Lynch.

    Otis was also joined by fellow Alpha Academy member Akira Tozawa, showing the group\’s full support for Dupri in her hometown championship opportunity. Otis has been absent from Raw since May, when he was brutally attacked by the returning Rusev in a singles match. That assault was used as the storyline reason to write him off of television, as he was dealing with a legitimate elbow injury that required arthroscopic surgery.

    He recently made his in-ring return to the company, competing in non-televised matches for WWE Main Event over the past few weeks, including a match against Grayson Waller during the international tour in Australia. He also made a surprise appearance for the WWE-acquired AAA promotion at their TripleMania event in August. However, tonight\’s appearance is his first official time back on the main Monday night show.

    While Otis\’s return was a positive note for the Alpha Academy, the night was a momentous one for the rest of the brand. The show began with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce officially stripping Seth Rollins of the World Heavyweight Championship due to the severe shoulder injury he sustained at Super Show-Down. A battle royal would be held later in the night to determine who would face the number one contender, CM Punk, for the vacant championship at the upcoming Saturday Night\’s Main Event.

  • Blake Monroe: My WWE Persona \”Is Continuing To Evolve From The Things I\’ve Already Done\”

    Blake Monroe, a former AEW Women\’s World Champion, has clearly outlined her perspective on the transition from her time as Mariah May in AEW to her current run as \”The Glamour\” in WWE NXT, dismissing the idea of a complete character overhaul. Speaking to TV Insider, Monroe noted that the foundation of her character remains intact, with her time in WWE being a natural progression of her wrestling journey.

    Monroe views her current work in WWE NXT not as discarding her past, but as building upon it. \”Blake Monroe is continuing to evolve from the things I\’ve already done,\” she said. \”It\’s not different. It\’s not wiping something clean and starting again. It\’s taking these parts of me and growing them and nurturing them\”. The English star made a name for herself in AEW before signing with WWE in June 2025.

    The initial presentation of her character focused heavily on the \”Glamour\” aspect, which played on a pop star-like vanity. Monroe described this first phase of her character, saying, \”As you saw my introduction was \’The Glamour\’ and was very big on that whole pop star vibe with my entrance and the vanity and all these incredible things. We\’ve been able to evolve the character\”. This initial presentation was well-received by fans, who saw her debut as a major addition to the brand.

    However, the character took a turn toward a more unhinged persona during her recent feud with Jordynne Grace. This culminated in a Weaponized Steel Cage match at the WWE Premium Live Event, Deadline. Monroe indicated that this shift was a deliberate choice to add depth to her character. She explained, \”Then you saw me at Deadline in the steel cage match. You saw a different side of me. Someone who was a bit merciless and a bit unhinged. I think it has been so exciting to evolve something\”. Monroe ended up losing the intense cage match to Grace, evening the score in their rivalry after Monroe won their initial singles match at WWE Heatwave.

    Monroe expressed pride in her career path and is embracing her new opportunity with WWE. \”I\’m really proud of my journey, and this is the next chapter. I\’m loving just getting so detailed with it,\” she noted. She also gave credit to the creative environment in WWE, stating, \”The creative team is so passionate about every part of what you do. I\’m having a ball because I love those details and that presentation\”. Ultimately, she sees the progression as organic, not a forced change. \”I wouldn\’t say there is too much difference. I would say it\’s more of an evolution,\” Monroe ended.

  • Released Star Claims CM Punk\’s WWE Return Canceled Main Roster Call-Up Plans

    The shocking return of CM Punk to WWE at Survivor Series 2023 was a monumental moment for the company, but it also reportedly caused significant creative plans to be scrapped. According to Wolfgang of the NXT faction Gallus, his group was scheduled to be called up to the main roster and was slated for a storyline with Drew McIntyre, but those plans were abruptly canceled when CM Punk returned.

    Speaking on the \”Mic Check with Mr. Anderson\” podcast, Wolfgang revealed that Gallus was on the verge of their main roster debut, only to have the plans repeatedly delayed.

    “We were ready for main roster, even when we got to NXT, it was good to get there and get involved but we were ready to go at the drop of a hat to main roster. And I know for a fact that we were scheduled to be there. We were like three weeks out, and then three weeks came and they said ‘it’s actually like three months’ and the phrase they used was the ‘can keeps getting kicked down the road’.”

    Wolfgang also provided evidence for his claim, noting that Gallus was the only NXT act featured in the official event programs for major main roster shows, and they were positioned next to Drew McIntyre.

    “If you go look at the 2023 Survivor Series program for the main roster, or the 2024 Royal Rumble, there’s no one else in NXT in that, except for Gallus. And we’re right next to a full page spread of Drew McIntyre.”

    He then stated that he believes CM Punk\’s return at that same Survivor Series event was the direct cause for the plans being changed, as the company\’s creative focus immediately shifted.

    “So I think there was a plan for us to join Drew McIntyre at some point, and then CM Punk showed up and the can kept getting kicked down the road and they didn’t need us anymore. And I think they got stuck. ‘This is what we’re doing, we’ll get to it at some point’. They never even considered how else we’re going to do it.”

  • Billy Gunn Reveals His \”Biggest Fear\” About Wrestling At 61

    AEW star and WWE Hall of Famer Billy Gunn continues to wrestle at the age of 61. Although he hasn\’t competed in an AEW ring since May 2024, he remains active on the independent circuit and as a backstage coach for AEW. In a recent interview, Gunn addressed his current in-ring philosophy, his main fear about competing, and his pickiness regarding his opponents.

    Speaking on the \”Fuel & Flex\” podcast, Gunn revealed that his primary concern when he steps in the ring isn\’t the match itself, but the risk of an injury preventing him from his true passion: training at the gym.

    “My biggest fear is that when I wrestle now, what I have to get past is, ‘God I hope I don’t get hurt, I won’t be able to train.’ That’s like the number one thing that gets in my head, is like, ‘Okay, I don’t wanna do a bunch of this because if I get hurt or something tweaks, then I won’t be able to go to the gym and lift, and if I can’t do that, I will lose my mind.’”

    Gunn acknowledged that after a 35-year career, he is feeling the effects of his famous \”Fame-Asser\” finishing move on his hips. He now views his role in the ring as serving a \”nostalgia purpose\” for fans who grew up watching him and now want to share that experience with their own children.

    “I still pretty much do everything that I do. I never really did a lot. Now, when I get in the ring, it’s more for nostalgia purposes, for people to see – it’s more for parents that have kids that go, ‘Hey, this is the guy I grew up on, and I can still see him live.’”

    Because of his age and his desire to stay healthy for the gym, Gunn admitted he has become very selective about his opponents, expressing a lack of trust in younger, inexperienced talent who want to try dangerous moves.

    “I don’t do a bunch of stuff. I don’t not work, but I’m very particular of who I work with, because nowadays people just go to wrestling school and think that they’re John Cena for some reason. They think they’re that good. And all of a sudden they say, ‘Hey I’m gonna do this,’ and I go, ‘You ain’t doing that to me. I’m not trusting you to turn me upside down and hope that you can hold me when you’re 100 pounds soaking wet. That’s insane. I don’t even know why you thought that’s a thing.’ I stay away from just doing crazy things that I don’t need to do.”

  • Reason Why AEW Introduced Tailgate Brawl Before PPVs

    AEW\’s new \”Tailgate Brawl\” pre-show, which was introduced before the All Out pay-per-view last month, is reportedly a strategic move by the company to fulfill its contractual broadcast hour requirements with its media partner, Warner Bros. Discovery. The one-hour show, which is also being utilized for tonight\’s WrestleDream event, provides fans with several bonus matches before the main card begins and helps AEW meet its annual programming obligations as part of its lucrative media rights deal.

    A new report from Fightful Select has confirmed the business reason behind the new show format, noting that the addition of the \”Tailgate Brawl\” was not a random decision. The report states that the show was specifically created to help AEW meet its annual broadcast hour commitments as part of its media rights agreement.

    “AEW Tailgate is added as a part of AEW’s deal with WBD to reach their committed hours as a part of their deal.”

    The \”Tailgate Brawl\” concept is in full effect for tonight\’s WrestleDream pay-per-view, which will air live on TNT and HBO Max starting at 7 p.m. EST. The bonus one-hour show features a lineup of FTR taking on the high-flying duo of JetSpeed (\”Speedball\” Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight), and Willow Nightingale teams with Harley Cameron to face Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford. Eddie Kingston and HOOK are also scheduled for a tag team match. There is a eight-man tag team encounter, as The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Tomohiro Ishii, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong) battles four members of The Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, Wheeler Yuta, and Daniel Garcia).

  • WWE Star Provides Positive Update On Injury Recovery

    WWE star Zoey Stark shared a positive update with fans regarding her recovery from a devastating knee injury. Stark has been out of action since the May 19, 2025, episode of RAW, where she tore her ACL, MCL, and meniscus. The severe injury required a grueling three-hour surgery and has kept her sidelined for the past five months.

    In a new video posted to her Instagram on October 18, Stark joyfully announced that she has passed a major hurdle in her rehabilitation. Stark explained that her recovery had stalled, and she was facing the frightening possibility of a second procedure, which would have pushed her return date back even further.

    “In the last video, one of the reasons why I was having a hard time was because I was told that either I would have to get a scope done, which is where they go in, clean out my knee and scar tissue, or to get a manipulation under anesthesia. One of the reasons being is because I didn’t have full range of motion and that would have pushed my recovery back and that’s why I was so upset and having a really hard time with it.”

    Stark powered through her physical therapy, and in the new video, she excitedly confirmed that she managed to avoid the second surgery and is now back on schedule.

    “But now we’re back on track. That did not have to happen. Thank God. Now I’m running, I’m jumping, I have full range of motions. Things are going great. Honestly, I’m happy. I’m blessed.”

    With this setback avoided, Stark is now focused on her eventual comeback and sent a final message to the fans. “I really, really can’t wait to get back into the ring and get back to you guys. So that’s all—Stark out.”

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    A post shared by Zoey Stark (@zoeystarkwwe)

  • Rhea Ripley Suffers Broken Nose At WWE Event

    Rhea Ripley has sustained a legitimate injury during WWE\’s recent international tour, suffering a broken nose at the live event in Tokyo, Japan. The incident occurred on Saturday, October 18, the second of two \”Supershow\” events held at the Ryogoku Sumo Hall. The injury took place in the middle of a high-profile women\’s tag team match, forcing the former Women\’s World Champion to be taken to the backstage area for medical attention.

    The injury happened during a tag team match that saw Ripley teaming with IYO SKY to take on The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane). According to reports from fans in attendance, the injury occurred during a specific spot where Ripley was attempting to catch IYO SKY, who was being thrown over the top rope to the arena floor. The impact of the catch resulted in Ripley suffering a bloody nose. Medical staff immediately attended to her at ringside before escorting her to the back.

    The injury was later confirmed by Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline, who reported to subscribers on X, \”Rhea broke her nose on the house show loop”. Despite the painful and legitimate injury, Ripley displayed her toughness by returning to the ring for the show\’s final segment. She joined the other WWE superstars in the ring to participate in AJ Styles\’ emotional farewell speech to the Japanese crowd, as it was likely his final match in the country as part of his retirement tour.

    Following the event, Ripley took to her social media accounts to address the injury, posting several images of her swollen and bruised nose. In one post directed at the fans in Japan, she maintained a positive and humorous attitude, writing: “Thank you Japan ? I still love you!”.

  • Corey Graves Returns To WWE SmackDown Commentary

    Corey Graves has officially made his return to the WWE Friday Night SmackDown commentary desk. After a multi-week absence due to a storyline attack by Brock Lesnar, Graves was back in his familiar seat alongside Michael Cole on the October 17 broadcast from the Kia Center in Orlando.

    His return was a quiet one, with no special segment or fanfare. Instead, he was simply seen back at his post during the opening segment of the show, which featured Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. During his time away, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T had filled in on commentary, but the familiar voice of Graves is now back on the blue brand.

    The storyline reason for Graves\’s absence was a brutal assault at the hands of \”The Beast Incarnate\” Brock Lesnar on the September 13 episode of SmackDown. The attack was positioned as a final, violent statement from Lesnar as he headed into his clash with John Cena at the WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event.

    The assault effectively wrote Graves off of television for several weeks, leaving fans to wonder when and how he would return. The quiet nature of his comeback suggests that the angle involving Lesnar is likely concluded, and the focus for Graves will be returning to his role as the lead color commentator for SmackDown.

  • Ilja Dragunov Returns, Wins WWE US Title

    After nearly a year on the sidelines, Ilja Dragunov has made his return to WWE. The \”Unbesiegbar\” superstar appeared on the October 17 episode of Friday Night SmackDown at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, making an immediate impact by answering an open challenge for the United States Championship. Dragunov had been out of action since September of last year with a significant knee injury, and his return provides a major boost of intensity and star power to the SmackDown roster.

    The show featured a segment where United States Champion Sami Zayn, frustrated with not having a scheduled match, came to the ring and issued an open challenge for his title. His challenge was first answered by The Miz, who complained about the prevalence of open challenges. However, before The Miz could officially accept, he was run off by Carmelo Hayes.

    Just as it seemed Hayes might be the challenger, Ilja Dragunov’s music hit, and he made his way to the ring to a loud reaction. The match was made official, marking Dragunov’s first televised appearance in almost a full year. Dragunov’s last run on the main roster before his injury saw him come up short in key opportunities. He competed in a fatal four-way match on Raw to determine the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship but was defeated. Later that month, he unsuccessfully challenged GUNTHER for the World Heavyweight Championship at a live event shortly before being sidelined with his injury.

    In his return match against Sami Zayn, Dragunov went over to win the United States Title.

  • The Young Bucks Name The Teams That Have \”Helped Spark\” AEW Tag Division

    AEW was founded on the strength of its tag team division, and two of the company\’s founders, The Young Bucks (Matthew and Nicholas Jackson), recently shared their thoughts on the current state of tag team wrestling in AEW. Over the past year, several new teams have emerged as major players in the division, bringing new styles and fresh matchups to the forefront. The multi-time former AEW World Tag Team Champions have taken notice of this influx of new talent and believe it has been a significant positive for the entire roster.

    During a recent appearance on The Takedown on SI, Matt and Nick Jackson were asked about the recent changes to the tag team division. Matt Jackson specifically singled out two teams that he believes have made a major impact in 2025.

    “You know who’s really just caught my eye and the rest of the world’s eye it seems like, is a team like JetSpeed, a team like Brodido, who are the current champions. They came out of nowhere and it has been so fresh. I think the addition of those two teams specifically have really helped spark the tag division in 2025. It’s really helped us out because it’s given us new teams to play with.”

    The teams mentioned have both had a major breakout year. JetSpeed, the duo of \”Speedball\” Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight, have impressed fans. The current AEW World Tag Team Champions, Brodido, the unique pairing of Brody King and Bandido, captured the championships at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view in August. Their reign has brought a new dynamic to the top of the division.

    The Young Bucks are set for a match of their own at the AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view tomorrow night, Saturday, October 18. The brothers will go up against the reunited Jurassic Express (Jack Perry and Luchasaurus).

  • Blake Monroe Explains Why She Prefers Starting In WWE NXT

    Blake Monroe has shared her perspective on why she is happy to be starting her WWE journey in the NXT brand rather than being immediately called up to the main roster. In a world where many new talents are eager to get to Raw or SmackDown as quickly as possible, she sees NXT not as a developmental stepping stone, but as a platform with a large viewership where she can build her brand, introduce herself to the fans, and utilize the resources available at the WWE Performance Center.

    Speaking in a recent interview with The Ringer Wrestling, Monroe detailed her reasoning for wanting to make NXT her home.

    “I mean to date, NXT has the highest viewership of any show I’ve been on. I think as well, you have to consider that WWE is so huge, the amount of tv equity that Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, they have millions of followers and all of this TV equity. I know I can go toe-to-toe with them, but I feel like, why wouldn’t I go to NXT to continue to build my brand, continue to introduce the WWE universe.\”

    She continued, noting wanting to learn from the legends who are now coaching the next generation of superstars.

    \”They may know me, they probably don’t, I don’t think any of these kids know me or anything. Tell them who I am and also make NXT my brand because I truly feel like I am doing that and can do that. Why wouldn’t I take that opportunity and get that TV equity, build up myself in WWE, use the resources and be able to talk to Shawn, Matt Bloom, and all of these amazing coaches.\”