SEScoops

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Lex Luger Teases \”Surprise Finish\” To His Recovery Story

    WWE Hall of Famer Lex Luger has provided another positive update on his ongoing recovery from the spinal injury that has had him in a wheelchair for over a decade. In a new interview, \”The Total Package\” stated that he is making \”great progress\” and has teased that there is a \”surprise finish\” still to come in his story.

    While speaking to Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture, Luger was asked about the work he has been putting in with his longtime friend, Diamond Dallas Page, and the DDPY Yoga program. He gave high praise to Page and the team that has been helping him regain his mobility. Luger\’s journey has been a long and difficult one. However, is determination has led to some incredible moments in recent months, including walking to the stage for his WWE Hall of Fame induction.

    “I’ve been working with DDP and DDPY Yoga and the people he’s put in my life and the work he’s put in with me. He’s a very special friend, and I encourage anybody that his programs are unbelievable,\” Luger said. \”So, yeah, we’re making great progress. We got a surprise finish. The story’s not done yet, so we got a surprise finish for everybody coming up. We’re making a lot of progress. It’s real exciting.”

    The \”surprise finish\” he teased has fans buzzing about what the next milestone in his recovery could be. In a video that was released earlier this month, Luger was seen walking around a kitchen island completely without support. Luger has been primarily confined to a wheelchair since suffering a spinal injury in 2007. His work with Diamond Dallas Page has been a long-term project, focused on improving his mobility and overall quality of life.

    His induction into the WWE Hall of Fame earlier this year as part of the Class of 2025 was a long-awaited honor for one of the top stars of the 1990s.

  • Rap Superstar Drake Calls Rhea Ripley His \”Muse\”

    Drake has revealed that his social media feeds are filled with content of one of WWE\’s top stars, Rhea Ripley. In a new interview, the rap superstar called the former Women\’s World Champion his \”muse.\”

    The revelation came during an appearance on Bobbi Althoff’s YouTube channel, a platform known for its candid and often humorous interviews with top celebrities. While discussing his Instagram account and what his \”For You\” page looks like, Drake made the surprising admission about the WWE superstar. The comment immediately caught the attention of the wrestling world.

    “My FYP page is just all Rhea Ripley. She’s a wrestler. She’s like my muse [source of inspiration] but… I’m the opposite of probably everything that she likes in life,” Drake said.

    This is not the first time the Grammy-winning artist has shown his appreciation for the WWE superstar. Earlier in 2025, eagle-eyed fans noticed that Drake had \”liked\” a mirror selfie that Ripley had posted on her Instagram account, a small social media interaction that sparked a great deal of buzz among the WWE Universe at the time.

    Drake\’s interest in the WWE product is not new. The Toronto native was in attendance for the 2025 Elimination Chamber premium live event, which was held in his home country of Canada.

  • Eric Bischoff Says Real American Freestyle Is ‘The Most Fun Thing I’ve Ever Done’

    Eric Bischoff is having the time of his life with his new freestyle wrestling venture, Real American Freestyle. In a new interview with Sports Illustrated\’s Undisputed, Bischoff, who serves as the promotion\’s Chief Media Officer, shared his excitement and gratitude following the company\’s successful debut show in Cleveland.

    “I’m having the television producer’s equivalent of an after-sex cigarette,” Bischoff said. “I’m so absolutely grateful for [co-founders] Chad Bronstein, Israel Martinez… This has been the most fun thing I’ve ever done.” The new promotion is an organization that aims to give amateur wrestlers a pathway to a professional career.

    The promotion\’s first event also served as a tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, who was slated to be the commissioner of the group before his passing in July. The show featured a WWE-produced tribute video and an appearance by Hogan\’s son, Nick. Bischoff made sure to credit Hogan for his involvement. \”I wouldn’t be here without a phone call from Hulk,\” he said.

    Looking ahead, the promotion\’s next show is expected to take place on November 8 on Fox Nation and will feature a match between MMA legends Tito Ortiz and Chael Sonnen. With Sonnen, a commentator for the promotion, stepping into the ring, the question was asked to Bischoff if fellow announcer and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle could do the same.

    “Kurt is an elite-of-the-elite level athlete,” Bischoff said. “There is still that competitive drive and desire. We’re seeing it from Tito and Chael, too. I don’t know if Kurt could do it [health wise], but it would be extremely exciting if he did.” The promotion is also planning to launch a weekly series in 2026.

  • AEW Breaks A Long-Held Tradition

    All Elite Wrestling is breaking one of its long-held traditions this November. For the first time, the Thanksgiving eve episode of AEW Dynamite will not be held in the Chicago area. The company has announced that the special holiday episode will instead take place in Nashville, Tennessee.

    This marks a notable change for the promotion. With the exception of the pandemic year of 2020, the Chicago area has been the traditional home for the pre-Thanksgiving edition of Dynamite every year since the company was founded in 2019. The show has become a staple for wrestling fans in the \”Windy City.\”

    The Wednesday, November 26 episode of Dynamite will now emanate from The Pinnacle in Nashville. In addition to the live Dynamite broadcast, AEW will also be taping a special Thanksgiving edition of AEW Collision on the same night. Broadcast plans for that episode of Collision have not yet been announced.

    The Pinnacle is a newly opened venue in Nashville that has primarily hosted concerts since its opening in February 2025. The state-of-the-art destination features a 4,500-capacity space. The promotional graphic for the event features Women’s World Champion Toni Storm, Men’s World Champion Hangman Page, Tag Team Champions Bandido & Brody King, and Kris Statlander.

    Tickets for the Nashville show are scheduled to go on sale to the general public on Monday, September 8, with a presale beginning on September 5. In a related announcement, AEW also confirmed that the go-home edition of Dynamite before the Full Gear pay-per-view will take place on Wednesday, November 19, from the Agganis Arena in Boston.

    The Dynamite and Collision broadcasts from Nashville will feature the fallout from the AEW Full Gear pay-per-view, which is being held in New Jersey on Saturday, November 22. Ticket information can be found on AEW\’s official website.

  • Report: WWE Has Interest In Signing The Righteous

    The Righteous (Vinny and Dutch), could be on their way to WWE. A new report from Fightful Select indicates that the duo has informed independent promoters that they will be finishing up their current bookings in the coming months, a strong sign that they are heading to a big promotion.

    According to the report, WWE has shown interest in the team, and a signing is considered \”likely.\” This news comes after the duo had a tryout with WWE in 2022. The Righteous were most recently a part of All Elite Wrestling, where they were associated with WWE Hall of Famer Jake \”The Snake\” Roberts.

    They primarily competed on the AEW Collision and Ring of Honor brands. Their profiles were removed from the official AEW roster page in May of this year, with reports at the time confirming their departure from the company. Their last notable match in AEW was at the Final Battle pay-per-view, where they lost to the team of Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara in a double bullrope match.

    Before their time in AEW, The Righteous were a staple of the Ring of Honor tag team division, where they held the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships with their former partner, Bateman.

  • Karrion Kross On His WWE Departure: \”I Would Never Work Somebody Like That\”

    The circumstances surrounding the recent departure of KarrionKross and Scarlett from WWE have been a major topic of conversation, with many fans speculating that the situation could be an elaborate storyline. In a new interview, Kross directly addressed the \”work\” speculation, stating that it is not something he would ever do to the fans. His wife, Scarlett, added that even their co-workers in WWE believed their exit was legitimate.

    Speaking to Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture, Kross was asked where he thinks things stand with the fans in terms of his departure being a work. He made it clear that he would not be a part of an angle that involved him losing his job. “There are hundreds of people who have been coming to the table, a lot of them angry because they were hoping it was a work and there would be a payoff. I would never work somebody like that,\” he said. \”To me, it’s not in good taste. Running an angle where you lose your job and upset people is not something I would do. I understand why people thought it was going to be a work, they were hoping it was going to be a work.”

    The fan speculation was fueled by the nature of Kross\’s on-screen character, his television time leading up to his departure, and WWE\’s own history of blurring the lines of reality, such as with the recent Seth Rollins \”injury\” angle before SummerSlam. The belief that it could be a work was not just limited to the fans, as Scarlett revealed that their colleagues in the WWE locker room were also in the dark about the situation.

    Scarlett noted that their co-workers believed the departure was real, and Kross even showed a text message from a colleague to back up this. The couple explained that they remained quiet about the situation initially in the hopes that WWE would \”recover the situation.\”

    Kross and Scarlett officially became free agents after their WWE contracts expired on August 10. They have since begun announcing a series of convention appearances and in-ring bookings on the independent circuit for their \”Killer Smokeshow: Carnage Tour.\”

  • The Usos Reunite On WWE Raw

    The Usos have officially reunited on Monday Night Raw. In an emotional moment to close tonight\’s show from Paris, France, Jimmy Uso made a surprise return to save his twin brother, Jey Uso, from a post-match beatdown at the hands of The Vision. The reunion comes just one day after Roman Reigns was stretchered out of the Clash in Paris premium live event.

    The main event of the September 1st episode of Raw saw Jey Uso team with LA Knight to take on two members of The Vision, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. The powerful duo from The Vision picked up the victory in the tag team contest. After the match, they continued their assault on Jey Uso, with Breakker delivering another spear and Reed following up with his Tsunami splash.

    As Jey was laid out in the center of the ring, his twin brother, Jimmy Uso, came running down the entrance ramp with a steel chair in hand, chasing off Breakker and Reed. Jimmy then entered the ring and attended to his injured brother. In a poignant moment, Jey looked up at Jimmy and said, “I need you.\”

    The reunion comes after an interesting period for the brothers, which saw them on opposite sides of the Bloodline civil war for a time. With Roman Reigns now on the shelf with a storyline injury, the return of Jimmy Uso to stand by his brother\’s side is a critical development in the ongoing war against Seth Rollins\’s faction. The emotional reunion suggests that The Usos will now be a united front against The Vision.

    The timing of the reunion is also critical as WWE heads towards its next premium live event, Wrestlepalooza, on September 20. With The Vision holding the World Heavyweight Championship, a reunited Usos could be the key to shifting the balance of power on Monday Night Raw.

  • Roman Reigns To Be Sidelined \”Indefinitely\”

    WWE has announced that former Undisputed WWE Champion Roman Reigns is out of action \”indefinitely\” after suffering what is being reported in storyline as multiple fractured ribs. The announcement was made by Michael Cole on tonight\’s episode of Monday Night Raw. The on-screen injury is designed to write Reigns off of television for a period of time, as he is slated to begin filming his role in the upcoming \”Street Fighter\” movie.

    The storyline injury is a result of a assault by Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker that took place after Reigns\’s match at the Clash in Paris premium live event this past Sunday. After defeating Reed in their one-on-one grudge match, Reigns was celebrating when Breakker appeared and speared him through the commentary table. The two members of \”The Vision\” then continued their attack in the ring.

    The brutal assault continued with Reed delivering a trio of his signature Tsunami splashes to \”The Tribal Chief,\” including one while Reigns was strapped to a stretcher. Jey Uso\’s attempt to make the save was stopped by another spear from Breakker. The segment concluded with Reigns being carried out of the arena on a stretcher.

    This storyline injury will facilitate Reigns\’s absence from WWE programming as he heads to Australia to begin filming his role as Akuma in the \”Street Fighter\” movie. He is expected to be away for at least a month but is currently advertised to return to WWE television in time for the Survivor Series premium live event in November.

    The attack at Clash in Paris is the latest chapter in the ongoing war between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins\’s faction, The Vision. With Reigns now on the sidelines, it remains to be seen how his allies, such as Jey Uso and CM Punk, will respond to the brutal actions of Reed and Breakker.

  • Swerve Strickland On Being A Meme: \”Whatever Gets My Face Out There More\”

    In the world of professional wrestling, becoming a viral meme is often a sign of a superstar\’s growing popularity and cultural relevance. For AEW\’s Swerve Strickland, who has been the subject of several popular memes this year, it\’s something he is happy to embrace, as long as the content remains fun and not offensive.

    While speaking to Complex Sports in a recent interview, Swerve was asked for his thoughts on his newfound status as a meme. He made it clear that he has a good sense of humor about the situation and sees the value in the extra exposure it brings him. He explained that as long as the memes are not derogatory or hurtful, he is all for the fans having their fun with his on-screen moments.

    “Whatever gets my face out there more, and if y’all can entertain this, as long as it’s not offensive, I’m cool,” Swerve said. His relaxed attitude about the memes shows his understanding of modern fan culture and his willingness to engage with the audience in a fun and lighthearted way. This approach has only endeared him more to the AEW fanbase, who appreciate his willingness to be in on the joke.

    During the interview, Swerve was shown one of the most popular memes of him, which was created from a moment at the All In: Texas pay-per-view. The image captured his intense look as \”Hangman\” Adam Page won the AEW World Championship. \”Yeah, the Michael Jackson person here, I’m like, ‘Umm?’ they make it seem like I’m a parody of myself. Like, I’m impersonating myself,\” he said with a laugh.

    He also referenced another popular meme that turned him into a blue genie coming out of a lamp. \”The one where where they turn me blue, and they put me out coming out of a lamp. I appreciate all of them,\” he stated. His acknowledgment and appreciation for the specific memes show that he is not only aware of his online presence but also enjoys the creativity of the fans who make them.

    \”Like I said, as long as it’s fun is not like derogatory, hurting anybody or being offensive, have your fun, have your way with it. It’s the internet. This is what we’re here for. Just don’t hurt nobody’s feelings, especially mine.”

  • WWE Star Wants To Be The Man To Retire John Cena And Randy Orton

    WWE NXT Champion, Oba Femi, has his sights set on some of WWE\’s biggest legends. In a new interview, the NXT Champion spoke about several dream matches he wants on the main roster, including bouts where he would retire both John Cena and Randy Orton.

    While speaking with Going Ringside, Femi made it clear he is ready to take on the top names in the business. His comments are a confident statement from the man who has been positioned as the future of the NXT brand.

    When asked about the possibility of facing John Cena during his 2025 farewell tour, Oba Femi did not hesitate. He stated that he would be the one to show the 17-time world champion the door.

    “If I could catch John Cena… I’ll put him out, I’ll show him the door, he’s on the way out, so watch your step, you know? I would,\” Femi said. He also named CM Punk as another \”good one\” he would like to face.

    When asked about Randy Orton, Femi was equally confident. “I would definitely fight Randy. Just feel sorry for Randy, his back. I’ll show him the door too,\” he stated. \”I think they’ve been on top for a very long time and I think enough is enough. I think it’s time for the new crop of superstars to rise up to the top.”

    Another dream match that has been heavily discussed by fans is a powerhouse showdown between Oba Femi and the former World Heavyweight Champion, GUNTHER. Femi addressed the possibility but said he wants the match to be built on a real story, not just fan service.

    “I am, it has to be for the right reasons. Not just because the fans said so,\” he explained. \”I have to want to fight Gunther. He has to want to fight me. There has to be a good reason.\”

  • The Rock Was \”Really Hungry To Do\” His Dramatic Turn In \”The Smashing Machine\”

    Dwayne \”The Rock\” Johnson has officially arrived at the Venice Film Festival for the world premiere of his new A24 drama, \”The Smashing Machine.\” In a press conference for the film, Johnson, alongside his co-star Emily Blunt and director Benny Safdie, discussed his dramatic transformation for the role and the emotional journey of bringing the story of MMA legend Mark Kerr to the screen.

    The film represents a significant departure for Johnson, who is known for his blockbuster action films. In \”The Smashing Machine,\” he takes on the role of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion who battled a harrowing addiction to painkillers. Johnson admitted that he was \”really hungry\” to take on such a challenging and emotionally driven role. “I had been very fortunate to have the career that I’ve had over the years and to make the films that I’ve made, but there was just a voice inside of me, a little voice that said, ‘Well, what if I could do more — I want to do more and what does that look like?\’” Johnson said.

    His co-star, Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr\’s wife, Dawn Staples, and is a close friend of Johnson\’s in real life, praised his complete immersion into the character. \”One of the most extraordinary things was seeing him completely disappear, like spooky,\” she told reporters. \”I remember when you walked in as Mark for the first time. It changed the air in the room.\” Blunt reportedly played a key role in connecting Johnson with director Benny Safdie after they worked together on the film \”Oppenheimer.\”

    Johnson became emotional during the press conference as he discussed Kerr\’s personal struggles, which were chronicled in a 2002 HBO documentary of the same name. With the real Mark Kerr in attendance, Johnson grew teary-eyed as he spoke about the story. “Mark was the greatest fighter in the world at one point, but this film is not even really about fighting — it’s a love story,” Johnson said. “It’s a love story about Mark and Dawn in this relationship… As you know, Mark OD’d twice, and he’s lucky to be alive — and that’s part of why this story is so special.”

    Johnson credited both Safdie and Blunt for giving him the confidence to take on such a demanding and vulnerable role, admitting that it can be hard to know what you\’re capable of when you\’ve been \”pigeon-holed.\”

    \”The Smashing Machine\” will be released on October 3. The full story from the Venice Film Festival can be read in The Hollywood Reporter.

  • Report: \”More Traction\” Than Ever On A Potential AJ Lee WWE Return

    The finish to the main event of the WWE Clash in Paris premium live event has added fuel to the fire of speculation surrounding a potential in-ring return for former Divas Champion, AJ Lee. A new report from Fightful Select has provided backstage details on the situation, noting that there is \”more traction on it of late than in previous years.\”

    The main event of the show saw Seth Rollins retain his World Heavyweight Championship in a fatal four-way match. The finish came when Becky Lynch, Rollins\’s wife, interfered and delivered a low blow to CM Punk, allowing Rollins to get the win. The angle immediately led to fan speculation about a potential mixed tag team match pitting Rollins and Lynch against Punk and his wife, AJ Lee.

    According to the Fightful Select report, the speculation is not just coming from the fans. \”WWE sources have indicated that AJ Lee\’s name has been brought up in numerous pitches internally of late,\” the report states. It was also noted that some of those pitches \”weren\’t quite shut down like they used to be.\”

    While the report makes it clear that a return is not confirmed, the interference from Lynch at Clash in Paris has WWE sources \”hopeful that the pitches they\’ve been hearing about were related to that.\”

    The report also notes that CM Punk recently did an ode to his wife at a European live event by skipping around the ring in her signature style. It was also mentioned that when she worked for WOW Women of Wrestling, she was not interested in an in-ring role. However, a WWE higher-up is reportedly not concerned about her long layoff, noting that she has stayed in great shape and that her husband also made a successful return after a long time away from the ring.

    AJ Lee has been effectively retired from the ring for over a decade, with her last match taking place in March 2015. The increased \”traction\” on the idea of her return, combined with the on-screen storyline, has made her potential comeback one of the most talked-about stories in wrestling.

  • Roman Reigns Written Off WWE TV With Stretcher Angle At Clash In Paris

    While Roman Reigns was victorious against Bronson Reed at the WWE Clash in Paris premium live event, a post-match assault by Reed and Bron Breakker left him being stretchered out of the arena. The attack is the storyline reason for Reigns to be written off of WWE television for the next month.

    The chaos began after Reigns had defeated Reed in their match. As Reigns was celebrating, Bron Breakker appeared and speared him through the commentary table. Breakker and Reed then continued their assault, with Reed hitting his Tsunami splash on Reigns in the ring. The attack was so severe that officials brought a stretcher to the ringside area.

    The assault did not end there. As Reigns was being strapped to the stretcher, Reed hit two more Tsunami splashes onto him. Jey Uso\’s attempt to make the save was thwarted by another spear from Breakker. The segment concluded with Reigns being carried out of the arena on the stretcher.

    The on-screen injury angle is designed to facilitate Reigns’s absence from WWE programming. \”The Tribal Chief\” is slated to begin filming his role as Akuma in the upcoming \”Street Fighter\” movie. He is expected to be away for at least a month but is currently advertised to return in time for the Survivor Series event in November.

  • WWE Announces 2026 \”Road To Royal Rumble\” European Tour

    WWE is heading back to Europe in January 2026 for a \”Road to Royal Rumble\” tour. The dates for the tour were announced during the broadcast of the Clash in Paris premium live event. The tour will feature both televised events and house shows across Germany, the UK, Denmark, and Poland.

    The 2026 Royal Rumble is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in January, and this tour will be the final build to that event. The announced dates are as follows:

    • January 8: House Show in Leipzig, Germany
    • January 9: Friday Night SmackDown in Berlin, Germany
    • January 10: House Show in Glasgow, Scotland
    • January 11: House Show in Copenhagen, Denmark
    • January 12: Monday Night Raw in Düsseldorf, Germany
    • January 13: House Show in Mannheim, Germany
    • January 15: House Show in Newcastle, England
    • January 16: Friday Night SmackDown in London, England
    • January 17: House Show in Gda?sk, Poland
    • January 18: House Show in Nottingham, England
    • January 19: Monday Night Raw in Belfast, Northern Ireland

    This tour will be the first opportunity for European fans to see their favorite WWE superstars in the new year. The episodes of Raw and SmackDown from Germany and the UK will be broadcast live on Netflix and will be key stops on the road to one of WWE\’s biggest events of the year. Ticket information for the \”Road to Royal Rumble\” tour is available on WWE.com.

  • AEW Announces Three-Hour \”September To Remember\” TV Block

    AEW has a special three-hour block of programming scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, which will serve as the go-home shows for the All Out pay-per-view. The night will be themed \”September to Remember,\” a nod to a classic ECW event name.

    The official TBS schedule lists AEW Dynamite in its regular 8 p.m. ET time slot on September 17, followed immediately by a special one-hour episode of AEW Collision at 10 p.m. ET. Both shows are being billed under the \”September to Remember\” banner. The name is a play on ECW\’s popular \”November to Remember\” pay-per-view series.

    Following the special back-to-back episodes of Dynamite and Collision, a one-hour \”Countdown to All Out 2025\” special is scheduled to air at 11 p.m. ET. The company is also planning a one-hour \”AEW Saturday Tailgate Brawl: All Out\” special for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 20, leading into the pay-per-view.

    The September 17th episode of Dynamite will emanate from the Canada Life Centre in London, Ontario, though it is not yet clear if the special Wednesday edition of Collision will also be live from that venue. The \”September to Remember\” television special will be the final build to the All Out pay-per-view, which takes place on Saturday, September 20, from Toronto, Canada, and will air head-to-head with WWE\’s Wrestlepalooza event. The official schedule can be viewed on TBS.com.

  • Nikki Bella Calls Becky Lynch \”One Of The Greatest Superstars Ever\”

    Ahead of their Women\’s Intercontinental Championship match at today\’s Clash in Paris premium live event, Nikki Bella has offered high praise for her opponent, Becky Lynch, calling her \”one of the greatest superstars ever.\”

    Speaking with Sports Illustrated\’s The Takedown, Nikki Bella reflected on Lynch\’s career. She admitted that while she saw potential in \”The Man\” early on, her talent was often \”overshadowed\” by other stars of that era.

    “You couldn’t help but see what Charlotte Flair was doing, and then Sasha Banks. They were such standouts,\” Nikki said. \”Sasha was coming off of that iconic match in NXT with Bayley, so your eyes were really on her. And then Charlotte Flair came in… and there was a lot of focus on her for the Divas Title.”

    Nikki believes that being held back initially gave Lynch the \”fire to prove\” herself, and she sees parallels between her own journey to becoming \”Fearless Nikki\” and Lynch\’s transformation into \”The Man.\”

    “I didn’t start as Fearless Nikki. She came over time and the minute I became her, that’s what took me to the next level,\” she explained. \”Same with The Man. When Becky Lynch finally became The Man, that just took off.”

    She also spoke about the \”Divas Era\” and credited Triple H for providing the opportunities for Lynch\’s generation that her own era lacked.

  • Main Event For WWE Clash In Paris Reportedly Revealed

    With just hours to go until WWE\’s first-ever premium live event in Paris, France, a new report has indicated which match is planned to headline the historic show. According to Cory Hays of Bodyslam.net, the fatal four-way match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship will close the event.

    The report, which cites the internal match order as of Sunday morning, has the championship match in the main event slot. The bout will see the new World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, make his second title defense against three of his top rivals: former champion CM Punk, Jey Uso, and LA Knight.

    Rollins captured the championship at SummerSlam by cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on a newly-crowned CM Punk. His first title defense, against LA Knight on the following episode of Raw, ended in a disqualification.

    It was also reported on Saturday that the main event may set up an angle for the upcoming WrestlePalooza show in Indianapolis in September. The Clash in Paris premium live event is scheduled to kick off today at 2 p.m. ET and will be the final main roster PLE to stream on Peacock in the U.S. before the move to ESPN.

  • New #1 Contender For WWE Women\’s Title Revealed

    A new challenger has been revealed for the WWE Women\’s Championship. On the August 29 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Jade Cargill confronted the reigning champion, Tiffany Stratton, in a backstage segment and revealed that she has been named the number one contender for the championship. The announcement immediately reignited the rivalry between the two top stars, who previously faced off at SummerSlam earlier this month.

    The verbal exchange between the two was tense. Cargill stated that she was on a different level than the champion, while Stratton took credit for Cargill\’s recent success and reminded her that she remains undefeated in 2025, which includes her victory over Cargill at SummerSlam.

    The storyline justification for Cargill\’s championship opportunity stems from last week\’s tag team match, where she and Stratton teamed up to defeat Becky Lynch and Nia Jax. Cargill secured the victory for her team by pinning Nia Jax, a feat that has now moved her into championship contention. It\’s unclear when the match will take place.

  • New Match Booked For WWE Clash In Paris

    A new championship match has been made official for this Sunday\’s WWE Clash in Paris Premium Live Event. On this week\’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown from Lyon, France, The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) earned an opportunity to challenge The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) for the WWE Tag Team Championships.

    The Street Profits secured their spot by defeating the team of Carmelo Hayes and The Miz in a number one contender\’s match. The finish of the bout came after the champions, The Wyatt Sicks, appeared at ringside. Their presence distracted The Miz, which allowed Ford and Dawkins to capitalize and hit their finishing move on Carmelo Hayes for the pinfall victory.

    This championship match at Clash in Paris will be a chance at redemption for The Street Profits. They are seeking to win the WWE Tag Team Championships for a third time, and their last reign was ended this past July by the very same team of Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis. The updated lineup for WWE Clash in Paris this Sunday, August 31, is below:

    • World Heavyweight Championship Match: Seth Rollins (champion) defends against Jey Uso, LA Knight and CM Punk
    • John Cena vs. Logan Paul
    • Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
    • Good ‘Ol Fashioned Donnybrook Match: Sheamus vs. Rusev
    • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match: Becky Lynch (champion) defends against Nikki
    • WWE Tag Team Championships Match: The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) (champions) defend against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)

  • Elayna Black Details How CM Punk Helped Her Decide To Take Wrestling Break

    Former WWE NXT star Elayna Black, known to fans as Cora Jade, has revealed that a conversation with her friend and mentor, CM Punk, helped assure her that she was making the right decision to step away from wrestling to focus on her mental health.

    Speaking on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast, Black, who grew up idolizing Punk, detailed the advice she received from the WWE legend. She explained that she was struggling with the decision to take a break because she was afraid of letting people down.

    “I like broke down one day and we had a conversation, me and [Punk] on the phone. Because I was like, hey, I need your advice — because he’s been through it all. He left WWE for 10 years and hated WWE, said crazy things, and nobody ever thought he was coming back. He’s found his love for wrestling again,\” Black said. \”And he sat there and listened to me. And he’ll always listen to me, which I’m very grateful for.\”

    “So I was just asking him if he found his love for it again after the break and stuff like that. And so many things that he said to me in that conversation really helped me. And he told me, like, I don’t owe anybody anything and I don’t have to stick in something that’s no longer serving me. And that really stuck with me,” she continued.

    Black announced last month that she was canceling her upcoming independent bookings and taking the rest of 2025 off to take care of her mental health. She explained in the interview that before her break, she felt depressed and was having panic attacks before every match.

    “I have no plans on retiring, I’m taking this break,” Black said. “If I wouldn’t have taken this break, maybe I would have retired… but that’s why I’m taking the break, because I do love wrestling and I do want to have fun again and enjoy it and not just be upset about it all the time or feel like constant negativity about it. I want to love it again the way I did as a kid.\”

    Black was released from her WWE contract in May of this year. She has a non-wrestling appearance scheduled for the WrestleCade convention in November and hopes to be back in the ring by the end of the year or early 2026.

  • Natalya Believes There Is \”Real Tension\” Between Becky Lynch And Nikki Bella

    Natalya has weighed in on the heated rivalry between Women\’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella, stating her belief that there is \”real tension\” between the two superstars.

    Speaking on Busted Open Radio, the former champion discussed the personal nature of the feud, which has seen Lynch make comments about Bella\’s past relationship with John Cena. Natalya believes this authenticity is why their segments have been so successful.

    “Their segment, from what I understand, was one of the most viewed segments on the show and that’s because I do believe there’s real tension between the two of them,\” Natalya said.

    She stated that she believes Nikki Bella is channeling her real-life hardships into the storyline. \”I think with Nikki, she’s in a place in her life where she’s been scrutinized, she’s been criticized, she’s been through the wringer up and down and back again,\” she explained.

    “She’s using all of it, every hardship that she’s been through, every breakup that she’s been through, everything that’s been challenging for her in her life, she’s channeling it in this feud and I love it,\” Natalya continued. \”She has never — since I’ve known Nikki from day one, she has never ever been a victim, she’s always been a survivor.\”

    \”That’s the thing that Becky doesn’t realize is that Nikki has been a survivor of so many things that she doesn’t even talk about… I’m excited to see their match at Clash, I think their story has been fascinating.”

    They are set for a championship match this Sunday, August 31, at the WWE Clash in Paris premium live event. Becky Lynch will defend her Women\’s Intercontinental Championship against Nikki Bella.

  • Early Estimates For AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door Pay-Per-View Buys

    The initial pay-per-view buyrate estimates for this past Sunday\’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event have been reported, and the early numbers are considered to be strong. The event, which took place at The O2 Arena in London, England, had an early afternoon start time for audiences in the United States, a factor that was expected to impact its buys.

    In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided the first estimates for the show\’s performance. He reported that the numbers are tracking similarly to AEW\’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view from May.

    “The early PPV numbers look to be identical to Double or Nothing, which was estimated at 122,000 to 130,000 buys. I’d call that very good because the early start time had to hurt in the U.S.”

    The event was headlined by a 10-man Lights Out Steel Cage match and also featured several championship bouts, including \”Hangman\” Adam Page successfully defending the AEW World Championship against MJF. The show had only championship change of the night – Brodido (Brody King & Bandido) won the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

  • Sheamus Reveals Original Plan For His Clash At The Castle Match With GUNTHER

    Sheamus has revealed that one of his most praised matches of his career, his Intercontinental Championship bout against GUNTHER at Clash at the Castle in 2022, was not the original plan for the show.

    Speaking with Robert Jackman of Uncrowned, \”The Celtic Warrior\” looked back on the match, which he considers one of the best of his career. He then revealed that he was not the originally scheduled opponent for GUNTHER at the premium live event in Cardiff, Wales.

    “The original plan was actually meant to be GUNTHER defending his title against Shinsuke Nakamura,” Sheamus said.

    The encounter between Sheamus and GUNTHER stole the show at the UK-based event. Despite coming up short in his attempt to win the Intercontinental Championship, Sheamus\’s performance led to him getting a lengthy standing ovation from the Cardiff crowd after the match, a truly memorable moment.

    Sheamus is currently in a rivalry with Rusev. The two are set to collide this Sunday, August 31, at the Clash in Paris premium live event in a Good Ol\’ Fashioned Donnybrook match.

  • Tony Khan On Chris Jericho\’s AEW Future: \”Would Love To Have Chris Back\”

    AEW President Tony Khan has addressed the status of AEW original and former World Champion, Chris Jericho. During a media call ahead of this week\’s Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view, Khan heaped praise on the absent star and stated that he would \”love to have Chris back\” in the company.

    When asked about Jericho, Khan called him a foundational figure for both of his promotions. \”I have to think Chris Jericho\’s one of the greatest and most important people ever in AEW and has been a great two-time ROH World Champion,\” Khan said.

    \”We wouldn\’t be as fortunate to be in this position – I would never be where I am in AEW without Chris Jericho, nor would we be in a position where I could have bought ROH, so I\’m very grateful to Chris,\” he continued. \”I have so much respect for Chris and I think the world of him.\”

    Khan also directly addressed the possibility of Jericho returning to the company following his extended absence from television. \”So if and when the time presents itself, hopefully, would love to have Chris back,\” he stated.

    \”Chris Jericho\’s always in the highest of standing with me and with AEW and ROH, where he has been a great champion, a great ambassador, a great leader and a great friend to all of us, and Chris Jericho\’s a huge part of our companies here. So thanks for asking,\” Khan concluded.

    The comments come as Jericho\’s future remains a topic of speculation. He has been off AEW television since April, and his contract with the company is set to expire at the end of 2025. Khan\’s positive comments come amidst recent reports from the Wrestling Observer and WrestleVotes that there is \”lots and lots of talk\” within WWE about Jericho making a return to that company.

  • Report: AEW Announcer Is \”Beloved\” Backstage, Inks New Deal

    A new report from Fightful Select has provided an update on the status of announcer Ian Riccaboni, revealing that the longtime voice of Ring of Honor has signed a new contract with All Elite Wrestling and is receiving high praise from his colleagues.

    According to the report, Riccaboni recently signed a new deal to remain with the company. He has had a more frequent presence on AEW programming this year, particularly during double tapings of Dynamite and Collision, where he is brought in to give Tony Schiavone a break during the long shows.

    The news of his new contract has been well-received backstage. The report notes that sources within AEW have called Riccaboni “beloved,” and that a number of wrestlers have expressed their hope that he will become a \”more permanent fixture\” on AEW broadcasts.

    The report also adds some context to his role, stating that AEW has been happy with their commentary team, and that Riccaboni, by his own choice, maintains a day job that he enjoys. The company has respected his desire to maintain a healthy schedule for his family.

    He reportedly received heavy praise internally for his work during the recent stretch of double tapings. The report notes that fans can expect to see him more regularly during AEW\’s current multi-week residency at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, which kicked off with last night\’s episode of Dynamite.