SEScoops

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • The Usos Reunite, Announce Match For WWE Wrestlepalooza

    The Usos are officially back together. In the opening segment of the September 8 edition of Monday Night Raw, Jimmy and Jey Uso reunited in the ring, received a thunderous ovation from the fans, and announced that they will team up to face The Vision\’s powerhouse duo of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza premium live event.

    The segment began with Jey Uso in the ring, but he was quickly interrupted by the arrival of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Reed took the microphone and bragged about the post-match assault on Roman Reigns at the Clash in Paris premium live event, a beatdown that has left Reigns \”in the hospital\” with multiple fractured ribs in the storyline. The comments drew the attention of Jimmy Uso, who made his way to the ring to stand by his brother\’s side.

    \”He needs to keep Reigns’ name out of his mouth,\” Jimmy Uso declared, before officially announcing the match for the September 20 premium live event in Indianapolis. The challenge was a direct response to the attack on their cousin and a way for The Usos to seek revenge on behalf of The Bloodline.

    The tense confrontation then devolved into a brawl, with LA Knight also running out to join the fight against Breakker and Reed. The segment ended with The Usos hitting stereo dives onto their opponents at ringside, standing tall with LA Knight to close the segment. In a backstage interview later in the show, Knight stated that he also wants a piece of anyone named \”Bron or Bronson,\” suggesting that the war is far from over.

    The duo had been separated by the brand split and their own internal family conflicts for some time. Their last official reunion came on the September 1 episode of Raw, when Jimmy returned to save Jey from a similar post-match attack. Now, they are officially back together and have their sights set on The Vision.

    The tag team match at Wrestlepalooza will be the first time The Usos have teamed together in a premium live event match in over a year.

  • The Rock Explains Reason For His Physical Transformation

    Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently turned heads at the Venice Film Festival with a noticeably slimmed-down physique, and now he has revealed the reason for his dramatic transformation. Speaking at the Toronto Film Festival on Monday, Johnson confirmed that his new look is for his next film role, in which he will play a \”whimsical, eccentric 70-something year-old\” character named Chicken Man in a new movie called \”Lizard Music.\”

    The new film will see him re-team with Benny Safdie, the acclaimed director of his other upcoming film, \”The Smashing Machine,\” which has been earning rave reviews on the festival circuit. Johnson explained that after Safdie pitched him the role for 45 minutes, he immediately told the director, “I am your Chicken Man.” The quick re-teaming of the actor and director is a testament to the strong creative partnership they formed on their previous project.

    According to a report from Variety, \”Lizard Music\” is an adaptation of a Daniel Pinkwater novel and \”tells the story of a septuagenarian whose best friend is a 70-year-old chicken.” This whimsical and eccentric premise is a far cry from the blockbuster action films that Johnson is known for, further highlighting his desire to take on more diverse and challenging roles at this stage of his career.

    To prepare for the role, Johnson had to undergo a significant physical change. He revealed that he has lost \”much of the 30 pounds of muscle\” that he had gained to portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr in \”The Smashing Machine.\” This transformation from a bulked-up fighter to a slimmed-down septuagenarian in such a short period of time is a testament to his dedication as an actor.

    While it is not yet known when \”Lizard Music\” will begin filming, Johnson\’s schedule is a busy one. He is set to begin shooting \”Jumanji 3\” with his co-star Kevin Hart in November, and \”The Smashing Machine\” is scheduled for its theatrical release on Friday, October 3. His commitment to these major film projects explains his current absence from WWE programming.

  • The Rock And Benny Safdie To Reteam For \’Lizard Music\’

    Hot off the critical success of their film \”The Smashing Machine\” at the Venice Film Festival, star Dwayne \”The Rock\” Johnson and director Benny Safdie are planning to reteam for another project, an adaptation of the Daniel Pinkwater novel, \”Lizard Music.\” The new film, which is being shopped to studios, will see Johnson take on the eccentric role of the \”Chicken Man.\” 

    According to the report from Deadline, Safdie will adapt the novel and direct Johnson in the film. The plot is a whimsical adventure that follows a young boy who discovers a secret, late-night television broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music. His quest for answers leads him to the eccentric Chicken Man and his 70-year-old chicken, Claudia. The two kindred spirits then embark on a journey to find a hidden society, a voyage that becomes about the magic they find in each other.

    The announcement of this new project comes as their previous collaboration, \”The Smashing Machine,\” is generating awards season buzz. The film, which tells the story of MMA legend Mark Kerr, had a rousing world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where Safdie won the Silver Lion for Best Director. Johnson\’s transformative and dramatic performance in the lead role also drew widespread acclaim and a long-standing ovation from the festival audience.

    Johnson has been open about his desire to take on more challenging roles that allow him to break away from the \”brawny blockbuster\” persona that has defined his career. In a recent interview, he spoke about being \”pigeonholed\” and his hunger to prove he was capable of more. 

    The producers for \”Lizard Music\” will include Safdie, Johnson, and David Koplan, who also produced \”The Smashing Machine.\” Johnson will produce through his Seven Bucks Productions company. The project is another step in his evolution from a wrestling superstar to a global box office draw, and now, to a critically acclaimed dramatic actor.  \”The Smashing Machine\” is set to be released in October.

  • Maven Explains Why He Doesn\’t Watch Current WWE Or AEW

    Former WWE \”Tough Enough\” winner Maven has built one of the most popular wrestling-related channels on YouTube, but in a new interview, he has revealed that he does not watch the current product from either WWE or AEW. The reason, he explained, is a deeply personal one: it\’s simply \”too hard\” for him because it makes him \”jealous.\”

    Speaking on a Monday appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Maven, whose WWE run ended nearly two decades ago, was asked why his popular YouTube videos focus on \”evergreen\” historical topics rather than current events. He explained that it\’s a difficult and painful experience for him to watch the modern product. “It’s too hard,” he said. “It’s just too difficult. It’d be like watching the love of my life, my ex, going on her next date. And telling me, ‘Hey, this is my new boyfriend. He’s great.’ It’s still too difficult.\”

    He elaborated on his feelings, admitting that he gets jealous watching the current generation of superstars live out the dream that he can no longer be a part of. “I love wrestling. I love it. I love everything about it. I think it’s truly one of the best forms of entertainment going, and I root for its success,\” he said. \”I hope all those guys have careers I never dreamed of. I just can’t watch it. It’s just, I’m a human being, I get jealous. I watch them and a little bit of me is upset that I still can’t do it. That age, Father Time, has indeed done what Father Time does. And it’s just too tough. Yeah, it’s too hard.”

    Maven explained that this has been his mindset since he left WWE in 2005. He did note that he had a brief period where he got up to speed on the current product in 2020 when he had a commentator tryout with the company. He also made it clear that he holds no resentment towards the business and doesn\’t blame anyone for his career path. However, there was a period where he had to completely distance himself from wrestling and would not take any bookings related to the industry.

    While he has competed in a handful of independent matches since 2015, with his most recent being in 2024, he does not consider himself a professional wrestler anymore. He has also stated in the past that he is dealing with herniated discs and may require surgery at some point, which further complicates any potential for a more regular in-ring return.

    Maven\’s focus is now on his successful YouTube channel, which currently has over 740,000 subscribers, and his full-time job in the world of finance.

  • Toni Storm Says She Was \”Very Lost\” Creatively In WWE

    AEW Women\’s World Champion \”Timeless\” Toni Storm has opened up about her time in WWE, offering a complex and somewhat contradictory assessment of the creative freedom she was given during her run with the company from 2017 to 2021. While she stated that she had \”complete creative freedom,\” she also admitted that she felt she \”wasn\’t told what to do enough\” and was often \”very lost\” when it came to her character\’s direction.

    Speaking on the Marking Out podcast, Storm was asked about the level of creative freedom she had in WWE. She explained the nuance of the situation.

    “Well here’s the thing, this is where I get stuck on it. If the WWE- I don’t think I was told what to do enough. I wasn’t told to do anything actually,\” she said. \”But overall like, I don’t feel like I was told what to do enough. I was very lost.\”

    Storm elaborated on the differences between production direction and character direction.

    \”I mean like I knew there was direction in things like ‘this is how you do it, this is what you do on television, cameras.’ As in regards to a character? No, I was never like, I mean they write promos but like I was- I just did it,\” she explained.

    \”Wasn’t really told “do this, today you’re a cat and your names Tori bloody Smith. No one told me anything and I kept my name the whole time and it was like I had complete creative freedom to be honest, some where others didn’t and others were given things. It’s so much so a very difficult thing to grasp.”

    Storm\’s comments suggest that the lack of a defined character direction left her feeling creatively adrift at times. She even stated that she would have been open to a more outlandish gimmick if it had been presented to her, as it would have given her something concrete to work with. The creative freedom, in her case, was almost a double-edged sword, leaving her to navigate her own path without a clear map.

    “I wish they would, I would have done anything to be honest. That’s the weird thing about this if they had just given me some mad off the wall thing, I would have 100% gone with it. This is like therapy!” she said.

    \”Timeless\” Toni Storm is scheduled to defend the AEW Women\’s World Championship against Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander and Thekla next Saturday at AEW All Out.

  • Sting On His Retirement: \”It Was Exactly As I Envisioned It Being\”

    AEW legend and WWE Hall of Famer Sting has reflected on his emotional and chaotic final match, which took place at the AEW Revolution pay-per-view in 2024. In a new interview, \”The Icon\” stated that the moment he shared in the ring with his two sons, who were dressed as different versions of his iconic character, was the absolute \”highlight\” of his incredible 40-year career in professional wrestling.

    Speaking with Justin Dhillon of The Wrestling Classic, Sting looked back on the night. His final match was a Tornado Tag Team match for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, where he and Darby Allin, successfully defended their titles against The Young Bucks. The bout featured glass, ladders, and even interference from his longtime rival, Ric Flair. However, it was the deeply personal moment with his sons, Garrett and Steven Borden, that stood out the most to him.

    “It was exactly as I envisioned it being. It was like a dream, a surreal kind of situation to actually witness it, even though I pictured it happening exactly the way it did,\” Sting said. \”But an amazing night, and that’s why it just is going to be etched in my mind forever. It’s probably the highlight of 40 years for me.” His comments show just how much the moment meant to him, placing it above all the world championships and iconic moments from his legendary career.

    The involvement of his sons was a full-circle moment, as they represented two of the most famous eras of his career. Garrett Borden was dressed as \”Surfer\” Sting from the late 1980s and early 1990s in WCW, while Steven Borden donned the black and red of the nWo Wolfpac version of his character. It was a visual tribute that resonated with multiple generations of wrestling fans.

  • Ronda Rousey Says WWE Did Not Contact Her For Evolution II

    Former WWE Women\’s World Champion Ronda Rousey has revealed that she was not contacted by WWE to be a part of the recent all-women\’s Evolution II premium live event. In a new interview, the UFC Hall of Famer, who headlined the inaugural Evolution event in 2018, explained that while the company has an \”open door\” policy for her, she did not receive an invitation to appear at the historic show in July.

    The first-ever Evolution pay-per-view in 2018 was a landmark event for women\’s wrestling, and it was main evented by Ronda Rousey defending the Raw Women\’s Championship against Nikki Bella. When WWE brought back the all-women\’s PLE for a second installment on July 13, 2025, many fans were surprised that Rousey was not in attendance, especially given her role in the first show\’s main event. Her former opponent, Nikki Bella, was a part of the show, competing in a 20-woman battle royal.

    Speaking with Raj Prashad of Yahoo’s Uncrowned, Rousey was asked about her absence from the event. She confirmed that she was not invited to be a part of the show, but that she left the company on good terms. “I didn’t hear from anybody. It was more of the way we left it was, they were like, ‘There’s always an open door; if you ever want to come back, let us know,\’” Rousey said. Her statement clarifies that her absence was not a case of her turning down an offer, but rather that an offer was never made.

    Rousey\’s final match in WWE took place at the SummerSlam premium live event in August 2023, where she lost an \”MMA Rules\” match to her real-life friend, Shayna Baszler. While she made a few appearances on the independent circuit and for Ring of Honor after her WWE exit to team with her friend Marina Shafir, she has been away from the ring since then.

    In other recent interviews, Rousey has stated that she is \”pretty much\” retired from professional wrestling. She has cited frustration with the creative process during her WWE run and wanting to focus on her family and her writing career as the primary reasons for her decision to step away from the business.

    Ronda Rousey Explains Why She Refused To Tap To Becky Lynch

  • AJ Lee Returns On WWE Friday Night SmackDown

    AJ Lee has made her shocking return to WWE for the first time in over a decade. On the September 5 episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Chicago, Illinois, the former Divas Champion appeared in the main event segment to confront Becky Lynch, setting the stage for a match at the upcoming WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event.

    The return, which took place in her husband CM Punk\’s hometown, was met with a thunderous ovation from the live crowd and sent shockwaves through the wrestling world. The segment began with World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins introducing his wife, Becky Lynch. As Lynch began to run down CM Punk and the city of Chicago, the crowd broke into loud, sustained chants of \”AJ Lee.\”

    Punk then made his entrance to confront Lynch, calling Rollins a coward for hiding behind his wife. After a tense verbal exchange, Lynch slapped Punk across the face. Punk responded that he would never put his hands on a woman, but that he knew someone who would. At that moment, AJ Lee\’s music hit, and she ran to the ring. A stunned Becky Lynch was met with a spear from Lee, who then unleashed a flurry of offense, sending \”The Man\” retreating up the ramp.

    The show went off the air with CM Punk and AJ Lee embracing in the middle of the ring as Rollins and Lynch looked on in fury. The angle all but confirms the rumored mixed tag team match between the two couples for the WrestlePalooza event on September 20. This was Lee\’s first appearance in a WWE ring since the night after WrestleMania 31 in March 2015.

  • Brock Lesnar Attacks John Cena On SmackDown, WrestlePalooza Match Set

    Tmatch between John Cena and Brock Lesnar is now official for the WWE WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event. The announcement was made on the September 5 episode of Friday Night SmackDown after Lesnar made a shocking appearance to open the show. The confrontation sets the stage for a historic first-time-ever singles match between the two icons, scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 20, in Indianapolis, Indiana. This bout will be a cornerstone of the first WWE PLE to air on ESPN platforms.

    The match was made following a brutal assault by \”The Beast Incarnate.\” The show kicked off with a singles match between John Cena and Sami Zayn. As Cena was setting up for an avalanche Attitude Adjustment, Lesnar\’s music hit. Lesnar charged to the ring, pulled the referee out to stop the match, and proceeded to viciously attack both competitors.

    He laid out Zayn with an F5 before turning his attention to Cena, delivering two devastating F5s to the man he has been targeting. Later, in a backstage segment, Lesnar confronted Cena again and told him, \”I\’ll see you at WrestlePalooza,\” leading to the match being made official.

    This encounter has been building since SummerSlam last month, where Lesnar made his return to WWE after a two-year absence by attacking Cena following his main event match. The updated card for WWE WrestlePalooza is below:

    Women\’s World Championship Match: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer

    John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar

  • New Creative Structure For Lucha Libre AAA Under WWE Revealed

    A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided the first details on the creative structure for Lucha Libre AAA following its acquisition by WWE. The new hierarchy features a blend of top WWE executives and producers alongside key figures from the world of lucha libre..

    In the report, Dave Meltzer detailed the new creative team and the key producers who will be responsible for the on-screen product.

    “The new AAA creative structure is that the people in charge of creative is Paul Levesque at the top, with his main creative help being Jeremy Borash, Mark Calaway (Undertaker), Charles Ashenoff (Konnan) and Dorian Roldan. The key producers for the brand are now Matt Bloom, Pete Dunne, Chavo Guerrero Jr., Jack Melendez (Moody Jack), Juan Rivera (Savio Vega), Jose Cordero (Lince Dorado) and one other person whose name I don’t know.”

    Meltzer also noted that while Shawn Michaels has provided some input to Paul \”Triple H\” Levesque regarding AAA, his primary focus remains on his duties with the NXT brand. WWE first announced its acquisition of AAA in April, with the deal being finalized last month. The next major crossover event for the two brands, WWE-AAA Worlds Collide, is scheduled for next Friday, September 12, in Las Vegas, and will be headlined by Dominik Mysterio challenging El Hijo del Vikingo for the AAA Mega Championship.

  • AJ Styles\’ Cryptic Hourglass Post Sparks Retirement Speculation

    A new cryptic social media post from AJ Styles has sent the wrestling world into a frenzy, with many fans fearing that the \”Phenomenal One\” is teasing that his retirement is coming sooner than expected. The post, which features a simple but powerful image, has sparked conversation about the future of the multi-time world champion.

    On his social media accounts, Styles posted an image of an hourglass. Inside the glass, the falling sand forms his signature \”P1\” logo. The hourglass is a classic symbol used to signify that time is running out. Styles did not provide any caption or context with the post, which has only fueled the speculation from fans who are worried that it is a sign of his impending retirement.

    The post also drew a response from one of his fellow wrestlers, the recently departed Killer Kross. “Uncle Allen I will turn that hourglass upside down… don’t you dare leave us,” Kross wrote in a reply.

    AJ Styles has been open in the past about his plans to retire from the ring. In an interview with Chris Van Vliet earlier this year, he stated that he plans on retiring by the time he turns 50. “That’s correct. I keep saying that. I’ve said this and said this, but I will not wrestle at 50, I promise you that,” Styles said at the time. He is currently 48 years old and will turn 50 in June 2027.

    In July, it was reported by Fightful Select that Styles had signed a one-year contract extension with WWE. He has also spoken about his plans to open his own professional wrestling school in Georgia, a project he hopes to have up and running in the next year. At the recent SummerSlam premium live event, he also teased to fans that his match against Dominik Mysterio could be his last at the \”biggest party of the summer.\”

    His current feud with Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio is reportedly set to continue on WWE television, but this latest teaser has added a new layer of intrigue to the future of the \”Phenomenal One.\”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DOOrauBkVQY/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=707b400c-e0bf-4d5a-9a37-5ae3e606afa5

  • WWE WrestlePalooza Title Match May Not Happen

    A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided an update on the card for the inaugural WWE WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event on September 20, revealing that the planned WWE Championship match is now uncertain. The event, which will be the first to air on ESPN\’s new streaming platform, is taking shape, but a key main event now appears to be in flux.

    While several major matches have been made official, the status of the WWE Championship bout between champion Cody Rhodes and challenger Drew McIntyre is now in question. The report from Dave Meltzer states that due to the ongoing rivalry between Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton on SmackDown, and Cody Rhodes\’s current absence to film the \”Street Fighter\” movie, the originally planned championship match may be changed.

    “The originally scheduled match was set to be Cody Rhodes defending his title against Drew McIntyre. The report states that this match is \’at last word said to be still up in the air, and it could be McIntyre vs. Randy Orton.\’”

    While that match is uncertain, WWE has made other bouts official. A new Women\’s World Champion will be crowned at the event, as Iyo Sky will face Stephanie Vaquer for the championship recently vacated by Naomi. Additionally, the recently reunited Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) will team up to take on The Vision\’s Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.

    This comes after The Vision attacked The Usos\’ cousin, Roman Reigns, at the Clash in Paris event. The heavily rumored match between John Cena and the returning Brock Lesnar is also reportedly still set for the show.

  • Report: AEW Planning Another Residency At The Hammerstein Ballroom

    All Elite Wrestling is reportedly planning to return to a legendary New York City venue for another multi-week residency to close out the year. A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter indicates that the company is planning to hold another series of shows at the Hammerstein Ballroom in December.

    In the latest edition of the newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported on the potential plans. \”It is believed, like last year, that AEW will be doing another residency in December at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York,\” Meltzer wrote. The report notes that the company\’s first residency was considered a \”major financial success,\” which is a key motivator for repeating the model.

    \”The attendance was under 1,500 but with the ticket prices the gates ended up larger than shows that do 3,000 plus and they saved six figures per event in moving in and out costs,” Meltzer explained. This financial success makes the residency model an attractive one for the company as it continues to grow and streamline its operations.

    AEW has utilized the residency model several times in 2025, holding multi-week tapings of its television shows, Dynamite and Collision, in single locations. The company has held a seven-show run at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia and has also held a residency in Chicago.

    The Hammerstein Ballroom is a venue with a deep and storied history in professional wrestling, most famously as one of the homes of Extreme Championship Wrestling. The final pay-per-view of the year for AEW is Worlds End, which is scheduled for December 27 in the Chicago area.

  • Brock Lesnar Was Reportedly A Free Agent Before Return To WWE

    A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided anupdate on the contract status of Brock Lesnar, revealing that his previous WWE deal had expired and he was a free agent for several months before signing a new agreement to return at SummerSlam. This clarifies the common belief that he was simply being paid to sit at home during his long absence from the company.

    According to the report, Lesnar\’s prior contract was allowed to expire completely. Unlike situations where a contract can be extended due to injury time, WWE could not do so with Lesnar as he was not injured. The decision not to use him on television was the company\’s choice, stemming from his implication in the lawsuit filed against Vince McMahon in early 2024.

    Once the company\’s legal team cleared Lesnar for a return to programming, a new offer was made. Lesnar and WWE then came to terms on a completely new contract, which is reportedly for \”very limited dates.\”

    This new deal was signed just ahead of his shocking return at SummerSlam on August 3, where he attacked John Cena after the main event. The two are expected to wrestle at WrestlePalooza later this month.

  • Top Independent Star Signs With WWE

    Top German wrestling star Metehan, formerly known as Mike D. Vecchio, has all but confirmed his long-rumored signing with WWE. The former wXw Shotgun Champion has been the subject of speculation for months, with reports surfacing earlier this year that he was headed to the promotion. H

    is home promotion, Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw), seemingly confirmed his departure by holding a farewell for him at their \”Shortcut To The Top\” event in August, leaving fans eagerly awaiting his next move. Now, in a new interview, Metehan has spoken about the move and his family\’s reaction to him leaving his home country for this new chapter in his career.

    Speaking with Dan Mallmann, Metehan was asked how his parents feel about him signing with WWE and moving away from home permanently.

    “They realize but I don’t know if they really realize. You know what I mean? Sometimes when they are talking to me I’m like, ‘I’m sorry but I will never come back.’ Maybe in 10, 15 years. My father is proud as fuck, I told him it’s okay to be quiet and then he told the whole city that we were going to WWE. So yes, my father is very proud, but I think my mother is too [close] with me and she don’t really realize. But yes, how can they not be proud, they’re always here.”

    As of now, WWE has not yet made an official announcement confirming his signing.

  • MJF Calls Out Ronda Rousey For Not Understanding The Wrestling \”Business\”

    AEW star Maxwell Jacob Friedman has a simple and direct message for former WWE Women\’s World Champion and UFC Hall of Famer, Ronda Rousey: pro wrestling is a business. MJF took to social media to respond to recent comments from Rousey, where she expressed her frustration over being booked in a feud with Alexa Bliss in 2018 based on merchandise sales.

    The conversation began when Rousey, in a recent interview, shared her frustration with the creative process in WWE. She specifically pointed to her 2018 feud with Alexa Bliss as an example of what she felt was flawed decision-making. “The fact that they had me fighting Alexa Bliss at all was fcking ridiculous, and you wanna know why they had me against Alexa Bliss? Because she had the most merch sales at the time… Like, what the fck!? That’s your decision-making process?” Rousey said.

    MJF, who has never been shy about his own focus on the financial side of the business, saw these comments on the social media platform X and offered a sarcastic response. He feigned surprise that a professional sport would be treated like a business, a clear shot at what he perceives as Rousey\’s naivety about the industry.

    “It’s almost like pro wrestling much like any professional sport functions as a business. Fucking crazy,” MJF wrote in response. His comment quickly went viral, sparking a debate among fans about the balance between creative purity and business considerations in professional wrestling.

    MJF has always been open about his business-first approach to his career. He famously orchestrated \”The Bidding War of 2024,\” where he negotiated with both AEW and WWE before ultimately re-signing with AEW for what is believed to be a lucrative contract.

  • Big Name Set To Be In Chicago For WWE SmackDown

    It appears that this week\’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown could be a monumental show, as a new report from Fightful Select indicates that Brock Lesnar is expected to be in Chicago for the event. WWE sources have reportedly confirmed that \”The Beast Incarnate\” is scheduled to travel to the city, where SmackDown will be broadcasting live.

    While his involvement in the show has not been officially confirmed, his presence strongly suggests a potential appearance as the company builds towards its next Premium Live Event, WrestlePalooza, on September 20. This comes after Lesnar made a shocking return at SummerSlam to attack John Cena, setting up a major match between the two legends.

    Adding to the significance of the evening, John Cena is also expected to be at the show. According to a separate report from WrestleVotes, this Friday could mark Cena\’s final appearance ever on the SmackDown brand as his retirement tour continues. With both Lesnar and Cena in the building, the stage is set for a confrontation to build to their rumored match at WrestlePalooza.

    Sources have indicated that WWE is intentionally stacking this week\’s show to serve as a major part of the build for the upcoming event in Indianapolis. Lesnar is reportedly scheduled to arrive in Chicago on Thursday, making his on-screen involvement a strong possibility for the live broadcast.

  • Some People In WWE Expect This Friday To Be John Cena\’s Last SmackDown

    This week\’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown from the Allstate Arena in Chicago could be a historic one. A new report from WrestleVotes indicates that some within WWE are \”quietly expecting\” that tonight\’s show will be the final SmackDown appearance of John Cena\’s legendary career.

    The report, which was released on Thursday, details the thinking behind the expectation. “We’re told some within WWE are quietly expecting tomorrow night to be John Cena’s final SmackDown,\” WrestleVotes reported.

    The news comes as Cena\’s year-long retirement tour is beginning to wind down, with only a handful of dates remaining on his schedule before his final match in December.

    According to the source cited in the report, the logistics of his remaining schedule make a return to the Friday night show unlikely. \”According to a source, with only seven remaining dates left—and just two yet to be announced—it’s unlikely another will be a SmackDown event,\” the report continued.

    John Cena Winding Down

    If this week is indeed his final appearance, it would be a poetic, full-circle moment for Cena\’s career. His official WWE television debut took place on an episode of SmackDown on June 27, 2002, in the very same building where tonight\’s show is being held: the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. On that night, he famously answered an open challenge from Kurt Angle, kicking off one of the most decorated careers in WWE history.

    With his final SmackDown appearance now potentially in the books, Cena\’s farewell tour will continue with its final stretch of premium live event matches. He is reportedly scheduled to face Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, and his final match ever is set for the Saturday Night\’s Main Event special on December 13.

  • Nikki Bella Reveals Original Plans For Her Intercontinental Title Match

    WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella has revealed that her recent Women\’s Intercontinental Championship match against Becky Lynch was originally scheduled to take place on an episode of Monday Night Raw, not the Clash in Paris premium live event. The change was made at the last minute after another championship match was pulled from the PLE card.

    Speaking on the latest episode of \”The Nikki & Brie Show,\” Nikki discussed the build to her first singles championship match in over seven years. She explained that the initial plan was for the title bout to happen on the August 25 episode of Raw from Birmingham, England. The week prior, Nikki had even cut a promo during a commercial break, challenging Lynch for the following week\’s show. However, that plan was soon changed.

    The decision to move the match to the premium live event was made after it was announced that the reigning Women\’s World Champion, Naomi, was pregnant and had to relinquish her title. Her scheduled championship defense against Stephanie Vaquer at Clash in Paris was subsequently canceled, which opened up a spot on the card. Nikki said that she was informed about the change about a week before the event.

    The match at Clash in Paris was a hard-fought encounter that saw Becky Lynch retain her championship. In the main event of the show, Lynch would go on to interfere on behalf of her husband, Seth Rollins, helping him to retain the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk. This has led to speculation of a potential mixed tag team match pitting the two couples against each other at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza event.

    During her conversation on the podcast, Nikki also confirmed that cameras are currently filming for the second season of the \”WWE: Unreal\” docuseries on Netflix. The new season is reportedly set to be released in early 2026. This means that the backstage drama and last-minute changes surrounding the Clash in Paris event will likely be a featured part of the new season.

  • AEW Star Makes Surprise Return On Dynamite After More Than A Year Away

    The inaugural AEW Women\’s World Champion, Riho, has made her surprise return to All Elite Wrestling. On tonight\’s episode of AEW Dynamite from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Riho appeared for the first time in over a year, confronting the reigning AEW TBS Champion, Mercedes Mone, and making her intentions for the title clear.

    The return took place after the opening match of the broadcast, which saw Mercedes Mone successfully defend her AEW TBS Championship against Alex Windsor. After securing the victory, Mone was not satisfied and continued her assault on Windsor, locking her back in the Bank Statement submission hold. This post-match attack is what prompted the surprise arrival of the former champion.

    As Mone was applying the submission, Riho\’s music hit, and she stormed the ring to a loud ovation from the Philadelphia crowd. She immediately went after the champion, taking her out with a diving footstomp. After chasing Mone from the ring, Riho attended to the fallen Alex Windsor before picking up the TBS Championship and holding it high in the air, a clear challenge to the \”CEO.\” The segment ended with the two stars staring each other down, teasing a potential championship match at the upcoming All Out pay-per-view.

    This was Riho\’s first appearance on AEW television in over a year. Her last match for the company took place on the July 6, 2024, episode of AEW Collision, where she defeated Lady Frost. As the first-ever AEW Women\’s World Champion, Riho holds a special place in the history of the company.

  • The Godfather Shares Details From Vince McMahon\’s 80th Birthday Party

    WWE Hall of Famer The Godfather (Charles Wright) has shared details from his experience at Vince McMahon\’s recent 80th birthday party, revealing a star-studded guest list and an interesting story about the former WWE Chairman\’s attire. The party, which was intended to be a private affair, took place in New York City over the weekend of August 22-24 at the Baccarat Hotel and Gotham Hall.

    Speaking on his “Poddin’ Ain’t Easy” show, The Godfather confirmed he had a \”good time\” at the event and listed some of the other high-profile attendees. “I’m not going to mention everybody who was there but, of course, Taker was there and Kane was there and Bradshaw was there. We had a good time. Cena was there,\” he said. \”A lot of entertainers were there. Jelly Roll performed.”

    The Godfather also recalled his personal interaction with McMahon upon arriving at the cocktail party on Friday. “I’m like, ‘Vince, thank you for inviting me.’ He goes, ‘Charles, I just want you to know there’s nobody here that’s not my true friend.’\” He also noted that McMahon\’s physical condition appeared to have improved from recent photos. \”He looked better than when I’ve seen pictures of him lately, he looks a lot better than that. He’s walking a lot better than that,\” he said.

    He then shared a story about McMahon\’s suit, which he said reminded him of the character Dr. Evil from the \”Austin Powers\” movies, an observation he soon found out was shared by The Undertaker. \”I didn’t want to say it to him but… I thought, Dr. Evil, you’re Dr. Evil,\” he recalled. \”He gets to me and Taker are talking and Kane and (Vince) walks away and Taker goes, ‘Dude, Vince looking like Dr. Evil. I’m like, ‘Dude, that’s exactly what I was thinking!’”

    The Godfather also confirmed previous reports that the party was a private, secretive event, noting that phones and cameras were not allowed at the cocktail party. This aligns with a report from Fightful Select earlier this week which stated that the party was intended to be kept secret, but details and photos leaked out anyway.

  • AEW Announcer Justin Roberts Suffers A Broken Toe

    AEW ring announcer Justin Roberts has revealed that he has sustained an injury, sharing on his social media that he has a broken toe. Roberts, who has been with All Elite Wrestling since the company\’s inception, is a key part of the presentation of AEW\’s weekly programming via his announcing style. His injury, while painful, is not expected to cause him to miss any time from his on-screen duties, a testament to his toughness and dedication.

    In a post to his Instagram story, Roberts uploaded a photo of an X-ray of his foot, which clearly showed that one of his toes was broken. The graphic image detailed the extent of the damage to the bone.

    Despite the unfortunate injury, Roberts maintained a sense of humor about the situation. He included a broken bone emoji in the post and also had the song \”Them Bones\” by the rock band Alice in Chains playing over the image for good measure.

    Roberts\’s career as a ring announcer has spanned over two decades, with a lengthy and memorable run in WWE before he joined AEW in 2019.

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  • AEW All Out To Have Earlier Start Time, Will Stream On HBO Max

    The era of AEW pay-per-views on HBO Max is officially here. In a joint announcement from All Elite Wrestling and Warner Bros. Discovery, it was confirmed that AEW\’s biggest shows will now be available to stream on the HBO Max platform, beginning with the All Out pay-per-view on Saturday, September 20. The announcement also revealed a new, earlier start time for All Out and a discounted price for HBO Max subscribers.

    In a press release, AEW and WBD confirmed the details of the new arrangement. \”Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO Max and All Elite Wrestling today announced a groundbreaking expansion of their nearly six-year relationship, with the launch of AEW pay-per-view events on HBO Max, starting with AEW All Out on Saturday, September 20 at 3 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada,\” the statement read. The earlier start time is a strategic move to compete with WWE\’s Wrestlepalooza event, which will air in the evening on the same day.

    The press release also detailed the pricing and availability for the new pay-per-view offering. \”Preorders for AEW All Out on HBO Max will launch this Friday, September 5, allowing U.S. HBO Max subscribers with supported devices to purchase the event for the exclusive price of $39.99.\” This is a ten-dollar discount from the standard pay-per-view price. The events will be available to stream in HDR10 and Dolby Atmos. Replays will also be exclusively available for six months for those who purchase the events.

    The new deal also includes special programming in the week leading up to the pay-per-view. On Saturday, September 20, a one-hour live pre-show, \”AEW Saturday Tailgate Brawl: All Out,\” will air at 2 p.m. ET on both TNT and HBO Max. Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, September 17, TBS and HBO Max will present a special three-hour \”September to Remember\” show, which will be the go-home episodes of Dynamite and Collision.

    The addition of pay-per-view events to the HBO Max platform is the latest step in the growing partnership between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery. HBO Max subscribers in the U.S. already have access to the library of AEW content, including live simulcasts and on-demand replays of Dynamite and Collision, as well as past pay-per-view events.

  • AEW Star Returned From Major Injury Months Ahead Of Schedule

    AEW star Powerhouse Hobbs has opened up about his incredible and \”freakish\” recovery from a ruptured patella tendon, an injury that was expected to keep him out of action for up to a year. In a new interview, Hobbs revealed that he was able to return to the ring in just six months, a timeline that even shocked his doctors.

    The injury occurred in April 2024, during a match against Jon Moxley. The ruptured patella tendon is a serious injury that typically requires a lengthy and difficult rehabilitation process. The initial prognosis for Hobbs was that he would be on the shelf for eight to twelve months. However, the powerful star was determined to beat that timeline and get back to the ring as soon as possible.

    Speaking with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Hobbs detailed his mindset during his recovery. “That’s me. What you see in the ring every week, that’s me to a large extension. Being down for six months with rupture patella, which was supposed to take eight to twelve months to heal. I’m a freak and a different beast,\” he said. \”I’m from the Bay. I knew once I came back that I had to amp things up and be different.” His comments reflect the intense and focused persona that fans have seen from him since his return to AEW programming.

    Hobbs then shared a story about his doctor\’s reaction to his rapid progress.“True story, you can ask our doctor Michael Sampson. When I first went to my second follow up after surgery, the doctor was like, ’You’re not supposed to be standing or doing any of this,\” Hobbs recalled. \”I had a gaol set in mind and I knew I was going to have surgery. I’m a little different. I’ve overcame a lot in my life and this was nothing different.”

    Since his return to the ring in November 2024, Powerhouse Hobbs has been a dominant force in All Elite Wrestling. He is currently a member of the AEW World Trios Champions alongside his partners in \”The Opps,\” Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata.

  • Report: AJ Lee Set For WWE In-Ring Return At WrestlePalooza

    A new report suggests that a major return to the WWE ring is on the horizon. According to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, former three-time Divas Champion AJ Lee is reportedly preparing for an in-ring comeback at the WWE WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event on Saturday, September 20. The return would mark her first match in more than ten years and would place her directly into one of the company\’s top storylines.

    The plan, according to the report, is for AJ Lee to team with her husband, CM Punk, in a mixed tag team match against the duo of World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and WWE Women\’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. This potential matchup is a direct follow-up to the controversial conclusion of the main event at this past weekend\’s Clash in Paris event.

    In that match, Becky Lynch interfered and delivered a low blow to CM Punk, which allowed Seth Rollins to score the victory and retain his championship. The angle immediately sparked speculation that it was designed to facilitate a return for AJ Lee to even the odds against Lynch.

    If the match is finalized, it would be AJ Lee’s first since the March 30, 2015, episode of Monday Night RAW. After retiring from the ring, she has had limited involvement in the wrestling industry, most recently serving as an executive producer and commentator for WOW – Women of Wrestling from 2021 to 2023. It was also recently reported that her name has been discussed more frequently within WWE creative, with one higher-up reportedly unconcerned about her long layoff, citing CM Punk’s own successful return as a precedent.