SEScoops

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Update On Drew McIntyre\’s Status For WWE SummerSlam

    Drew McIntyre has put an end to recent travel concerns, announcing that he is back in the United States and that his scheduled tag team match at WWE SummerSlam this weekend will proceed as planned.

    After recent speculation that he may not be able to travel to the U.S. in time for the premium live event, McIntyre confirmed his arrival via his social media accounts on Wednesday. His announcement ensures that one of the marquee matches for the two-night event will go on without any changes.

    \”The Scottish Warrior\” is set to team with Logan Paul to take on the duo of Randy Orton and Grammy-winning musical artist Jelly Roll. The match is one of the most anticipated on the stacked card for the two-night SummerSlam event at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

    With McIntyre\’s travel issues resolved, all four participants are expected to be present for the final go-home episode of Friday Night SmackDown this week. The show will be the last opportunity for the two teams to have a final confrontation before they collide at \”The Biggest Party of the Summer\” this Saturday and Sunday.

  • Released WWE Star Makes Ring Of Honor Debut

    Oro Mensah, the former WWE NXT star, has made his first appearance since his WWE departure earlier this year. Now going by the single name \”Oro,\” he competed at tonight\’s Ring of Honor television tapings in Chicago.

    During the tapings on July 30, Oro made his surprise debut for the promotion. He faced off against NJPW legend Tomohiro Ishii in a hard-hitting singles match. Although Oro came up short in the contest, his quick return to a major promotion has sparked speculation about his future. It is currently unclear if he has signed a contract with ROH or if this was a one-time appearance.

    Oro confirmed his exit from WWE back in May. His departure came shortly after his on-screen faction in NXT, Meta-Four, was officially split up on television. Originally signing with WWE in 2019 as Oliver Carter, he found success in NXT UK before being rebranded as Oro Mensah in the U.S. developmental system. Upon his release, he posted a heartfelt message, saying, \”Thank you for all the support! love y‘all.”

    Oro\’s appearance in Ring of Honor continues the trend of recently released WWE talent quickly finding new homes. Karl Fredericks, formerly Eddy Thorpe, who was released in the same round of cuts in May, also recently made his return to the independent circuit. It remains to be seen if Oro\’s appearance was a one-off or if he has officially signed a contract with Tony Khan\’s promotion.

  • Alexa Bliss Says Alliance With Wyatt Sicks Would Be \’Fun To Explore\’

    As she prepares for a championship match at SummerSlam, Alexa Bliss has addressed the possibility of one day joining The Wyatt Sicks faction, stating that it would be \”something fun to explore.\”

    Given her deep on-screen connection to the late Bray Wyatt, many fans have speculated that Bliss would be a logical fit for the group. In a new interview with Fox News Digital, Bliss acknowledged the possibility and recalled a conversation she had with Wyatt.

    “Windham always said, ‘Alexa and I will always be connected and when it happens and when we reconnect, it’s gonna be something big.’ So, whether that’s with the Wyatt Sicks or something else, I don’t know,\” Bliss said. \”I think it would be something fun to explore at some point.\”

    While an alliance with The Wyatt Sicks may be a future possibility, Bliss made it clear that her current priority is her tag team with Charlotte Flair. She noted that she still keeps elements of her past supernatural character as a nod to her history with Wyatt.

    “Right now, I’m having a lot of fun tagging with Charlotte and seeing where that dynamic goes,\” she stated. \”But obviously, I’m still always going to have a piece of Bray with me with the jacket and the skirt and the character and just kinda keeping it in that same vein in case that doesn’t happen.”

    Bliss will be in action on Night One of SummerSlam this Saturday, August 2nd, as she and Charlotte Flair challenge Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez for the WWE Women\’s Tag Team Championships. On Night Two, two members of The Wyatt Sicks, Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy, will defend their WWE Tag Team Championships in a massive six-pack TLC match.

  • Josh Barnett Reveals Scrapped Plan For Match Against Goldberg

    Josh Barnett has revealed that a dream match between himself and WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg was originally planned to headline last year\’s Bloodsport Bushido event in Japan. In a new interview, Barnett explained why the massive crossover bout ultimately did not happen.

    Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show on Wednesday to promote this weekend\’s Bloodsport XIV event, Barnett revealed the original main event for his June 2024 show from Sumo Hall.

    “The original main event was actually going to be me vs. Bill Goldberg. Me and Bill had come to an agreement about it and everything and we were trying to make it happen but at the end of the day it wasn’t something we could put together,” Barnett said. He noted that the match fell through because Goldberg is a \”very, very important man with a lot of obligations and contracts.\”

    While the match didn\’t happen, Barnett stated that the door is still open from his side. “Anytime Bill decides that’s something he wants to do then I’m there but he’s had an incredible career,” he said. The comments come just weeks after Barnett was a part of Goldberg\’s walk-out entourage for his WWE retirement match. The Bloodsport Bushido event was ultimately headlined by Barnett facing AEW\’s Jon Moxley.

    While the Goldberg match did not materialize, Barnett is still promoting major crossover bouts for his unique, shoot-style events. The next installment, Bloodsport XIV, takes place this Saturday, August 2nd, in New Jersey. The card features several high-profile inter-promotional matches, including WWE\’s Natalya taking on TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich, and WWE\’s Pete Dunne facing independent star Jonathan Gresham.

  • Triple H Responds To Criticism Of \’WWE: Unreal\’ Docuseries

    Following the release of the behind-the-scenes docuseries \”WWE: Unreal\” on Netflix, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul \”Triple H\” Levesque has responded to criticism that the show pulls back the curtain too much. He defended the decision as a way to build a \”deeper connection\” with the audience.

    Appearing on ESPN\’s First Take, Triple H addressed the potential backlash to a series that takes fans inside the WWE writer\’s room. He stated that the company was not afraid of criticism and compared it to the regular critique that sports teams face.

    “We looked at every aspect of it, and the positives and the negatives, and we weighed it out. You can’t be afraid to do something in life. You can’t be afraid that ‘Well, somebody might criticize us,’” Levesque said. “If we were afraid that people might criticize what we do, we wouldn’t put on a show every week.”

    Triple H explained that he believes the transparency of the docuseries will ultimately be a positive for the company and its performers, leading to a greater appreciation from the fanbase.

    “I think this just increases the respect level for what we do. I think it builds that deeper connection,” he stated.

    Triple H\’s defense of the series comes after one of its featured stars, CM Punk, expressed his own mixed feelings about the project. Punk, who comes from an \”old school\” mentality of protecting the business, stated in recent interviews that he found the idea of the docuseries \”really strange,\” though he understood its purpose was to serve the fans. The five-episode first season of \”WWE: Unreal\” is available now on Netflix.

  • GUNTHER On CM Punk: \”One Of The Most Unique Performers That The Business Has Ever Had\”

    As he prepares for his massive World Heavyweight Championship defense at SummerSlam this weekend, GUNTHER has shared high praise for his opponent, CM Punk. In a new interview, \”The Ring General\” called the challenger one of the most unique performers in the history of professional wrestling.

    While speaking with Radio Times, GUNTHER expressed his excitement about facing Punk on such a grand stage. He noted that the opportunity to compete against top-tier stars is the reason he came to WWE.

    “I’m looking forward to getting in the ring with [Punk] on a big stage like SummerSlam in a prominent spot like that,” said Gunther. “That’s why I joined the company, I wanted to be in the ring with the top, top guys and him coming back was a big deal, he’s one of the most unique performers that the business has ever had.”

    The World Heavyweight Champion went on to say that this particular matchup is the one he has been most excited for during his entire championship reign, even more so than his defense against Jey Uso at WrestleMania earlier this year.

    “I did ‘Mania with Jey [Uso] but I feel like SummerSlam with Punk from an overall perspective is the one that I’m most excited for so far,” he said.

    The highly-anticipated championship match is scheduled to be one of the main events of the two-night SummerSlam premium live event this Saturday and Sunday. According to the final betting odds from BetOnline, CM Punk is the slight favorite at -180 to defeat GUNTHER (+140) and capture the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time.

  • AEW Women\’s Tag Team Title Plans Delayed Due To Injuries

    AEW President Tony Khan has provided an update on the long-awaited AEW Women\’s Tag Team Championships, confirming that the titles exist but their introduction has been delayed. The reason, he explained in a new interview, is a recent string of significant injuries in the women\’s division.

    Speaking to Iridian Fierro of WGN Radio, Khan stated his desire to hold a tournament to crown the inaugural AEW Women\’s Tag Team Champions. However, he lamented the number of injuries coming out of the recent All In: Texas pay-per-view.

    “There has been so much injury in the women’s division, and as the person who put together the Women’s Casino Gauntlet, I wish that we had come out of it healthier,\” Khan said. \”A quarter of the people in the match got knocked out of the match and out of action indefinitely. So we had one match where I lost 25% of the roster in one match.\” He specifically named Syuri, Thunder Rosa, and Mina Shirakawa as being injured in the bout.

    Khan noted that he has the championship belts made and ready, but he needs a healthy and stable division to support them. The injury situation is also affecting the Ring of Honor brand, as he revealed the reigning ROH Women\’s World TV champion, Red Velvet, is also out, and the interim champion crowned in her place, Mina Shirakawa, was one of the wrestlers injured at All In.

    \”Having multiple situations with some of these injuries is part of why it has not made sense with the state of the roster to do that, but it is something I am interested in doing,\” Khan said of the tag titles. \”I have the belts. I’ve made the belts. They exist, but I will put them into play when we are able to put the very best full roster forward.\”

    While the division deals with numerous injuries, the AEW Women\’s World Championship picture continues to move forward. On tonight\’s episode of AEW Dynamite, the reigning champion, \”Timeless\” Toni Storm, is scheduled to face Billie Starkz in a title eliminator match. Starkz is an ally of the number one contender, Athena, who won the Casino Gauntlet match at All In where the injuries occurred.

  • WWE SummerSlam Betting Odds: Several Title Changes Expected

    The final betting odds have been released for this weekend\’s massive two-night SummerSlam premium live event. The odds from BetOnline.ag indicate a huge shake-up is expected, with six of the nine championships on the line favored to change hands.

    The odds are pointing towards new champions being crowned in both of the men\’s world title main events. Cody Rhodes (-300) is now a heavy favorite to defeat John Cena and win the Undisputed WWE Championship. In the World Heavyweight Championship match, the odds have tightened, but CM Punk (-180) remains the favorite to dethrone GUNTHER.

    Several other titles are expected to change hands. Jade Cargill (-600) is a massive favorite to win the WWE Women\’s Championship from Tiffany Stratton, and Lyra Valkyria (-200) is favored to capture the Women\’s Intercontinental title from Becky Lynch. In the tag team divisions, the new team of Andrade & Rey Fenix (+130) are the slight favorites to win the multi-team match for the WWE Tag Team Championship, while Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair (-700) are overwhelming favorites to win the WWE Women\’s Tag Team titles from The Judgement Day.

    Only three of the nine champions are favored to leave SummerSlam with their titles. Women\’s World Champion Naomi (-1500) is the biggest favorite on the entire card to retain in her triple threat match. After a major shift in the betting lines, Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio (-200) is now favored to retain against AJ Styles. United States Champion Solo Sikoa (-140) is also a slight favorite to defeat Jacob Fatu in their steel cage match. In the non-title grudge matches, the teams of Roman Reigns & Jey Uso (-1500) and Randy Orton & Jelly Roll (-700) are both massive favorites to win.

    The two-night WWE SummerSlam event takes place this Saturday, August 2nd, and Sunday, August 3rd, from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The extended pre-show for each night begins at 3 p.m. ET, with the main card starting at 6 p.m. ET. The event will stream live on Peacock in the U.S. and on Netflix in most international markets.

  • Tony Khan Makes AEW Backstage Change

    AEW President Tony Khan officially announced today that Worlds End will take place at the NOW Arena in Chicago on December 27, 2025, providing fans with another major pay-per-view destination for the holiday season.

    The announcement completes nearly the entire AEW pay-per-view schedule for 2025, with only Full Gear in November remaining without a confirmed venue. The complete lineup now includes:

    • August 24 – Forbidden Door – London, England
    • September 20 – All Out – Toronto, Canada
    • October 18 – WrestleDream – St. Louis, Missouri
    • December 27 – Worlds End – Chicago, Illinois

    Chicago represents a significant market for AEW, with the NOW Arena providing an intimate venue for the year-end spectacular. The December 27 date positions Worlds End as a major holiday week attraction for wrestling fans.

    With this announcement, AEW continues building momentum for its 2025 pay-per-view schedule, featuring a mix of international and domestic venues. Full Gear remains the only event without a confirmed location, leaving fans to speculate about November\’s destination.

  • Cody Rhodes Reveals The Job His Daughter Thinks He Has

    In the new \”WWE: Unreal\” docuseries on Netflix, Cody Rhodes shared a heartwarming and humorous story about his family life, revealing that his four-year-old daughter, Liberty, has a unique idea of what he does for a living.

    During the first episode of the series, Cody\’s wife, Brandi Rhodes, first revealed her daughter\’s perception of her father\’s career. “Libby thinks that Cody is a professional dancer,” Brandi said. Cody then explained why his daughter came to that conclusion, connecting it to the spectacle of his ring entrance.

    “Because she saw entrances, which is the big music and the lighting, I think she thinks there’s a component of dancing to it and has asked me before, ‘are you going to go dancing?’, ‘will you be dancing,’” Cody explained.

    \”The American Nightmare,\” who has had a long and storied career across multiple major wrestling promotions, said he is more than happy to embrace his daughter\’s view of his profession.

    “I think she’s even said when we showed her a couple of clips on YouTube, ‘oh, this is the dancing.’ It’s not the worst… parallel. I’m good with that,\” he said. \”If.. when asked what Papa does for a living, ‘I’m a dancer’. For my daughter, I’ll be the best dang dancer I possibly can be.”

    Rhodes will be \”dancing\” his way to the ring this coming weekend for the biggest match of his current WWE run. He is scheduled to challenge John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship in a Street Fight in the main event of Night Two of the SummerSlam premium live event on Sunday, August 3rd.

    Cody Rhodes Was Considered For ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Part

  • Names Revealed For WWE\’s SummerSlam Week Talent Tryouts

    With SummerSlam week officially underway, WWE is holding a major set of talent tryouts in New Jersey. A new report has revealed several of the names participating, including a nearly seven-foot-tall giant and a host of European independent stars.

    According to a report from Fightful Select, one of the participants confirmed for the tryout is the nearly seven-foot-tall Ben Bishop. A WWE source reportedly confirmed his participation to Fightful with a joke, saying, \”I thought we met our short quota by bringing in Big Trouble Ben Bishop for a tryout next week,\” a reference to the recent referee tryout held for the much smaller Leyla Hirsch.

    The report also revealed that several talents from the European independent scene have been brought in for the tryouts. Names from the UK and Irish scenes who are in attendance include Goldenboy Santos, Rayne Leverkusen, LJ Cleary, Omari, and CBL. In addition to the wrestlers, influencer Meghan Walker is also reportedly part of the event.

    The list of names revealed for this week\’s tryout aligns with a recent report about WWE\’s evolving recruitment strategy. It was reported that the SummerSlam week tryouts would feature a diverse mix of talent, including experienced independent wrestlers, not just the college athletes that had been the primary focus in recent years. The inclusion of established names from the European indie scene appears to confirm this shift in philosophy.

  • Becky Lynch Says Fans Who Disliked SummerSlam 2021 Finish \’Missed The Story\’

    As she prepares for her return to WWE\’s \”Biggest Party of the Summer,\” Becky Lynch has reflected on one of the most controversial moments of her career: her quick victory over Bianca Belair at SummerSlam 2021. In a new interview, Lynch defended the booking decision as a necessary part of a year-long story.

    Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Lynch discussed her surprise return at the 2021 event, where she defeated then-champion Bianca Belair in just 26 seconds. She explained that the moment was designed to elicit a strong negative reaction and set the stage for Belair\’s eventual triumphant comeback.

    “It was the exact outcome you wanted. You wanted to root for Bianca, you wanted to hate me, you wanted to feel like she was robbed and had something to come back from,\” Lynch said.

    The story culminated at WrestleMania 38 the following year, where Belair defeated Lynch to win back the championship in a critically acclaimed match. Lynch believes that the year-long journey made the final payoff special.

    \”She did. And we had a wonderful story for a full year,\” Lynch stated. \”I think if you’re still looking back at (SummerSlam 2021) as unfavorable, you kind of missed the story of it, you know?”

    Lynch\’s reflection on her past SummerSlam moments comes as she prepares for her return to the event after a three-year absence from wrestling on the show. At the two-night SummerSlam premium live event this weekend, \”The Man\” is scheduled to defend her WWE Women\’s Intercontinental Championship against her former protegé, Lyra Valkyria, in a No Disqualification, No Count Out match.

  • The Rock Calls His \’Final Boss\’ Character The \’Most Gratifying Decision\’ He\’s Ever Made

    In the new \”WWE: Unreal\” docuseries that premiered today on Netflix, Dwayne \”The Rock\” Johnson has reflected on his recent heel turn into \”The Final Boss,\” calling the transformation the \”most gratifying decision\” of his career.

    The docuseries features The Rock speaking about the creation of his new, rule-breaking persona that emerged in the lead-up to WrestleMania XL. He described the character as the ultimate villain in professional wrestling.

    “The Final Boss. The greatest heel professional wrestling has seen. Insurmountable antagonist. There is nothing the Final Boss can’t do. There’s nothing the Final Boss can’t say,\” The Rock said. \”Becoming this new version has been the most gratifying decision that I’ve ever made.”

    The \”Final Boss\” character often blurred the lines between fiction and reality, with The Rock using his real-life position on the TKO board of directors to justify his actions on-screen. He continued the persona into 2025, appearing at the Elimination Chamber premium live event, where his actions directly led to John Cena\’s shocking heel turn.

    While The Rock has not appeared on WWE television since the Elimination Chamber event in February, his presence is still felt. With his cousin Roman Reigns recently returning to wage war against another faction of their family led by Solo Sikoa, many WWE fans are speculating that \”The Final Boss\” could make his return to get involved in the \”Blood vs. Blood\” storyline that is heading into SummerSlam this weekend.

  • CM Punk Admits He\’s \’Riddled\’ With Anxiety Before Big Matches

    The new \”WWE: Unreal\” docuseries is providing a deep look into the minds of top stars, with CM Punk opening up in the first episode about his struggles with what he calls \”anticipatory anxiety\” before major matches.

    The docuseries followed Punk in the lead-up to his main event match against Seth Rollins on the January 6th debut episode of Raw on Netflix. In the footage, Punk described the intense anxiety he feels before a big performance.

    “I’m looking at that RAW debut like, ‘holy shit’. I constantly have what I call anticipatory anxiety now. Like, right now, I’m just riddled with it,” Punk said. “In a way, I’m almost waiting for it to all to be over and the only time I’m not gonna feel that way is when the red light’s on and the bell rings.”

    Punk explained that the anxiety disappears the moment he steps through the ropes, as that is the one place where he feels completely in command of the situation. “I have no boss. I’m 100% in control. I can do whatever the fuck I want,” he stated. Punk was ultimately victorious in that main event match against Rollins.

    Punk will likely be dealing with those same feelings of anticipatory anxiety this weekend as he prepares for another high-stakes encounter. At the two-night SummerSlam premium live event, he is scheduled to challenge GUNTHER for the World Heavyweight Championship in what is expected to be one of the main events.

  • Brian Gewirtz & The Rock Pitched For Shock Kevin Owens WWE Title Win

    The new \”WWE: Unreal\” docuseries on Netflix has revealed another major scrapped storyline, this one involving a plan for Kevin Owens to surprisingly win the Undisputed WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes at the Elimination Chamber premium live event earlier this year.

    In the docuseries, longtime creative mind Brian Gewirtz revealed that he and Dwayne \”The Rock\” Johnson pitched the shocking title change. The idea was that after Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes refused The Rock\’s offer to be \”his champion\” at the PLE, The Rock would have made an \”impromptu title match right then and there.\” The plan would have seen Kevin Owens, who was in a storyline with Rhodes at the time, defeat him to capture the championship.

    Gewirtz explained the motivation behind the pitch, stating that he and The Rock felt the expected babyface rivalry between Rhodes and John Cena \”felt a little dry.\” Their goal was to inject \”controlled chaos into this\” and create a truly \”seismic\” moment.

    \”Kevin Owens winning the title wasn’t the end goal,\” Gewirtz explained. \”The takeaway was whatever it is we do, needs to be seismic.\” Ultimately, WWE went in a different direction, with the segment at Elimination Chamber instead featuring John Cena\’s heel turn and alignment with The Rock.

    While the plan for Owens to win the title was scrapped, both he and Cody Rhodes remain at the top of the card in WWE. Cody Rhodes will challenge John Cena for the WWE Title in a Street Fight at SummerSlam this coming weekend.

  • Original Plans For WWE WrestleMania 41 Card

    With the premiere of the \”WWE: Unreal\” docuseries on Netflix today, a massive revelation has come out regarding the original plans for this past April\’s WrestleMania 41. An early version of the card detailed in the show is drastically different from the event that ultimately took place in Las Vegas.

    The docuseries revealed that the initial blueprint for the show featured several dream matches that were later changed. The original plans included one-on-one matches such as Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns and a World Heavyweight Championship match between GUNTHER and CM Punk. Other major planned bouts included Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair for the Women\’s World Title, a tag team match pitting Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair against Asuka & IYO SKY, and a special referee match with \”Stone Cold\” Steve Austin officiating a bout between Bron Breakker and Drew McIntyre.

    The final card for the two-night event was significantly different. The Night One main event was a triple threat match between Seth Rollins, CM Punk, and Roman Reigns. One of the biggest moments of the weekend saw Jey Uso score a surprising victory over GUNTHER to win the World Heavyweight Championship. In the main event of Night Two, Cody Rhodes lost his Undisputed WWE Championship to John Cena.

    The creative shifts revealed in the docuseries have had a massive impact on the current landscape heading into this weekend\’s SummerSlam. CM Punk, who was originally slated to face GUNTHER at WrestleMania, will now challenge him at SummerSlam. The rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena has now evolved into a Street Fight for their rematch at the event.

  • CM Punk To Doubters: \”I\’m Real Good And I\’m Going To Rub Your Nose In It\”

    On the same day that the \”WWE: Unreal\” docuseries premieres on Netflix, CM Punk has shared his perspective on his current run in WWE. In a new interview, he explained that he no longer gets disappointed by missed opportunities and is \”stoked\” just to be in the conversation for the company\’s top spots.

    While speaking with JoBlo Celebrity Access, Punk was asked about the behind-the-scenes discussions revealed in \”WWE: Unreal,\” where the possibility of him winning the Royal Rumble or main eventing WrestleMania were talked about. He said that hearing his name in the mix is a victory in itself.

    “I don’t get disappointed when I hear, like, my name’s in the mix. I’m pretty stoked right now, you know, because there’s a lot of people that think that I shouldn’t be operating at this high level that I am at this age,\” Punk said. \”And you know, to me, I’m just like, ‘Yeah, I’m real good. I’m real good. And I’m going to rub your nose in it.’”

    Punk explained that at this stage of his career, accolades like title wins or main event matches are no longer the primary benchmarks that define his success. Instead, his focus is on delivering consistent, high-quality performances. He was able to check a WrestleMania main event off his list this past April when he competed in a triple-threat match against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.

    Punk will have another opportunity to prove he is still \”real good\” this coming weekend at the two-night SummerSlam premium live event. He is scheduled to challenge the dominant World Heavyweight Champion, GUNTHER, in a match that is expected to be one of the main events of the weekend. The match marks Punk\’s second opportunity to capture a world championship since his return to WWE.

  • Triple H Details The Secretive Process Behind John Cena\’s Heel Turn

    Ahead of the premiere of the new docuseries \”WWE: Unreal\” on Netflix tomorrow, a new sneak peek has been released revealing the intricate behind-the-scenes process of John Cena\’s shocking heel turn at the Elimination Chamber event earlier this year.

    In the new clip, WWE\’s Chief Content Officer Paul \”Triple H\” Levesque breaks down how he pitched the idea to a very small and select group of people. He details his conversations with WWE President Nick Khan and The Rock, who both loved the idea, with The Rock calling it \”genius\” and immediately contributing his own thoughts. After getting Cody Rhodes and Travis Scott on board, he made the final, crucial call to John Cena.

    Triple H explained that he needed to have a very honest conversation with Cena about the real-world impact of such a massive character change. He made sure to speak to \”John Cena the human being\” about the potential ramifications for his movie career and public image.

    “I said, \’John, okay. Let\’s take the bulls*** hat off,\’\” Levesque recounted. \”\’This impacts John Cena the real-life human being, and it impacts his movies, and it impacts his PR schedule and impacts everything… Give me your gut. You like it or you don\’t.\’ And he was like, \’I like it a lot, actually.\’ And when I hung up the phone with him, within a minute, minute and a half, I\’ve gotten, like, three different texts from him of thoughts, ideas.\”

    The heel turn that was born in that small circle of trust ultimately led to John Cena capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. Although he has since lost the title to Cody Rhodes, their story will reach its climax this weekend at the two-night SummerSlam premium live event, where Rhodes is set to challenge Cena for it in a street fight.

  • Nick Hogan Appears On WWE Raw For Father\’s Tribute

    The WWE’s tribute to the late, great Hulk Hogan is set to continue on the July 28th episode of Monday Night Raw. Hogan’s son, Nick Hogan, has been spotted backstage at the event in Detroit, Michigan.

    Hulk Hogan, Terry Bollea, passed away on July 24th at the age of 71. The company began its tribute to the icon on this past Friday\’s episode of SmackDown.

    The official Instagram page for Real American Beer, a brand co-founded by Hulk Hogan, posted a photo on Monday afternoon. The picture showed Nick Hogan backstage at Raw, posing with WWE star Jey Uso and business partners Chad Bronstein and Chris Volo.

    This marks Nick\’s first public appearance since he released a heartfelt and emotional statement about his father\’s passing on Sunday. In that statement, he called his father his \”best friend and hero.\”

    It is incredibly fitting that WWE\’s Raw tribute to Hulk Hogan is taking place in Detroit. The city was the site of arguably the single most important and iconic moment of his entire career.

    On March 29, 1987, in the Detroit suburb of Pontiac, Hulk Hogan faced Andre the Giant in the main event of WrestleMania III. In front of a record-setting crowd at the Pontiac Silverdome, Hogan did the impossible by bodyslamming the undefeated giant. That moment, \”the bodyslam heard \’round the world,\” cemented Hulkamania as a global phenomenon and created the most enduring image in wrestling history.

    A Company-Wide Tribute

    Last Friday\’s episode of SmackDown served as the first part of WWE\’s tribute. The show featured a ten-bell salute, moving video packages highlighting his life and career, and in-person appearances from legends and close friends like Jimmy Hart and Ted DiBiase.

    Tonight\’s show in the city that hosted his most legendary moment is expected to be another emotional celebration of the life of \”The Hulkster.\” His son\’s presence adds another poignant layer to the evening, as the family, the company, and the fans continue to mourn the loss of a true immortal.

  • Cody Rhodes Was Considered For \’Happy Gilmore 2\’ Part

    The recently released Adam Sandler comedy, Happy Gilmore 2, features several wrestlers, but a new report has revealed another top WWE star was considered for a role. According to Fightful Select, Cody Rhodes was asked to read for a part in the movie.

    The report states that Rhodes had talks with the film\’s production team and was requested to read for an unspecified role. However, scheduling conflicts ultimately prevented it from becoming a real possibility. It is not known how serious the talks were beyond the initial request.

    While a role for Rhodes didn\’t work out, the film does feature several other stars from the wrestling world. AEW\’s MJF has a featured role in the movie, while WWE\’s Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella both make cameo appearances. The filming schedule was reportedly an extensive one, requiring talents like MJF to take months off from television to complete the project.

    While a role in Happy Gilmore 2 was not in the cards, Cody Rhodes is currently preparing for one of the biggest moments of his career. This coming weekend at the two-night SummerSlam premium live event, \”The American Nightmare\” is scheduled to challenge John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship in a Street Fight.

  • TNA Star\’s Contract Reportedly Extended Through 2025

    An update has been provided on the contract status of TNA Knockout Killer Kelly following her recent return to the company. A new report has confirmed that her current TNA Wrestling contract has been extended, keeping her with the promotion through the end of 2025.

    According to a report from Fightful Select, TNA sources have confirmed that Killer Kelly\’s current deal has been extended. Her original contract was set to expire in August 2025, but it will now run through December 2025, ensuring she will remain a part of the TNA program for at least the remainder of the year.

    The contract news comes shortly after Kelly made her comeback to the TNA Knockouts division following an extended absence for maternity leave. In the Spring of 2024, rumors of her departure circulated after an internal document stated she was \”gone.\” However, she clarified at the time that she was still under contract and was simply taking time off. This extension signals TNA\’s commitment to her upon her return.

    Killer Kelly returns to a TNA Knockouts division that is in a unique and historic state. At the recent Slammiversary pay-per-view, WWE NXT Women\’s Champion Jacy Jayne defeated Masha Slamovich to also win the TNA Knockouts World Championship. With a dual-branded champion at the top of the division, the return of a top star like Killer Kelly adds much-needed depth and a potential new challenger for the gold.

  • Becky Lynch: \’I\’m Blown Away That It’s Been Three Years Since I Wrestled At A SummerSlam\’

    As she prepares for her return to WWE\’s \”Biggest Party of the Summer,\” Becky Lynch has reflected on her storied history at the event, admitting she is \”blown away\” that it has been three years since she last competed at SummerSlam.

    In a new interview with Sports Illustrated, the current WWE Women\’s Intercontinental Champion looked back on some of the most significant moments of her career, many of which took place at SummerSlam.

    “It was my first PLE. It was where the infamous slap happened that really catapulted my career,\” Lynch said. \”It was also where I came back after I had my daughter and beat Bianca Belair in 26 seconds. And then a year later we were tearing the house down and then fighting side-by-side… I’m kind of blown away that it’s been three years since I wrestled at a SummerSlam.”

    After a three-year absence from wrestling at the event, Lynch is set to return this weekend in a high-stakes title defense. She will put her WWE Women\’s Intercontinental Championship on the line against her former protegé, Lyra Valkyria, in a No Disqualification match that will serve as the culmination of their personal rivalry.

    Before their No Disqualification match at SummerSlam this weekend, Lynch and Valkyria will be on opposite sides of a massive eight-woman tag team match on tonight\’s go-home episode of Monday Night Raw. Lynch will team with Women\’s World Champion Naomi and the Secret Her-vice, while Valkyria will team with Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, and Nikki Bella, giving fans one final preview of their intense rivalry.

  • Jeff Hardy Names His \’Number One Moment\’ In Professional Wrestling

    TNA World Tag Team Champion Jeff Hardy has reflected on his legendary career, naming his surprise return to WWE alongside his brother Matt at WrestleMania 33 as the single greatest moment he has ever experienced in professional wrestling.

    While speaking to Outside The Ring in a new interview, Jeff Hardy was asked about the return and stated that it now ranks above all other moments in his career. He explained that after a tumultuous prior exit, he never thought he would be able to go back to WWE.

    “That’s my number one moment now, man. It’s above all that,\” Hardy said. \”It was just so welcoming and it just felt so good because WWE does feel like it’s where it all started… I was in this mindset of, ‘man, I’ll probably never end up going back to WWE. I probably burnt my bridge with them and I’ll just, I’ll never go back.’ So it was just, it felt so good, kind of being back home and especially coming out to that reaction, man, in front of a sea of humanity was, was so special.”

    The iconic return took place at WrestleMania 33 when The New Day, who were hosting the event, announced The Hardy Boyz as surprise entrants in the Raw Tag Team Championship Ladder Match. The duo received a massive ovation from the crowd and went on to win the match, capturing the tag team titles in a triumphant comeback.

  • Released WWE Star Makes Independent Wrestling Return

    Karl Fredericks, known to WWE fans as Eddy Thorpe, has officially made his return to the independent wrestling scene. During a multi-promotional event this past Saturday, Fredericks addressed the crowd, confirming his return and taking a shot at his former employers.

    On July 26, at the DPW x Prestige x West Coast Pro \”Cruel Summer\” event in San Francisco, Fredericks appeared in the ring during an intermission. In a promo to the live crowd, he confirmed he was back on the independent scene and stated that he has \”regained his love of pro-wrestling.\”

    Fredericks also made comments that appeared to be directed at his former \”Eddy Thorpe\” character in WWE NXT. He referenced the \”cowboy\” sitting in Orlando and declared that he is \”not their Indian,\” a clear reference to his previously stated critiques that the character leaned too heavily on his Native American heritage and lacked depth.

    Fredericks was part of a round of WWE talent releases on May 2nd that included several other notable names. Since their departures, Braun Strowman has begun taking independent bookings, Shayna Baszler has reportedly returned to WWE in a backstage producer role, and Elayna Black (Cora Jade) has announced she is taking a break from wrestling. Fredericks is the latest from that group to make his next move in the wrestling world.

  • Thunder Rosa To Go On Hiatus From AEW

    Following reports last week that she was dealing with an injury, former AEW Women\’s World Champion Thunder Rosa has now confirmed that she is taking time off from the company. She made the announcement in a new video published to her YouTube channel.

    In a vlog recapping her experience during the AEW All In: Texas weekend, Thunder Rosa addressed her current status. After a long weekend of competition, she stated that she would be taking a break.

    Rosa\’s announcement confirms an earlier report from Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com that she was dealing with an undisclosed injury. Her time off comes after a grueling weekend where she competed in the Women\’s Casino Gauntlet match at All In and also challenged Athena for the Ring of Honor Women\’s World Title at the Supercard of Honor event.

    Thunder Rosa now joins a growing list of injured talent in the AEW women\’s division. As was also reported following the All In pay-per-view, Mina Shirakawa suffered a broken hand during the same Casino Gauntlet match that Rosa competed in. The loss of two veteran stars presents a new challenge for the depth of the division.