SEScoops

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • John Cena Advertised For Three More WWE Events

    Days removed from John Cena’s epic heel turn, WWE has announced the former WWE Champion for three new dates. 

    Cena is currently advertised to appear on SmackDown on May 30th in Knoxville, Tennessee, June 13th in Lexington, Kentucky, and June 20th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. WWE has yet to announce any dark matches for those shows. 

    After Cody Rhodes rejected The Rock\’s offer of an alliance at Elimination Chamber, The Rock unveiled a new strategy: Cena as his chosen champion. Cena attacked Rhodes. 

    This threw gas on the fire for the build to their match for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Known for his cryptic social media presence, Cena posted a telling image on both Instagram and Twitter: Harvey Dent from \”The Dark Knight,\” accompanied by the quote, \”You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain.\” 

    This imagery, referencing Dent\’s transformation from prosecutor to criminal, suggests a shift in The Rock\’s own persona. Complementing this, Cena also shared a more direct message on Twitter: \”Have the discipline to do what needs to be done, especially when you don’t feel like it.\”

    Cena is not scheduled to appear on the next two episodes of Raw. Following Elimination Chamber, The Rock disclosed that Cena had traveled from Budapest to Toronto for the event and then immediately departed for Africa. Despite his ongoing film commitments, which contribute to the winding down of his WWE career, Cena is advertised for Raw appearances on March 17th, 24th, and 31st.

  • Reason For Jamie Hayter\’s AEW Absence Revealed

    AEW fans have been wondering where Jamie Hayter has been as of late after missing time on AEW TV. 

    Hayter\’s return to AEW at All In, where she interrupted a segment involving Saraya and the Knight Family, marked a significant moment after a year-long absence due to injury. In an interview with Renee Paquette, Hayter revealed she had been dealing with two severely herniated discs in her back. 

    It was an injury she wasn\’t aware of until she experienced debilitating mobility issues. Just days after All In, Hayter resumed in-ring competition on the Dynamite following All Out, defeating Harley Cameron in a singles match. Hayter was quick to confirm the news on social media.

    She wrote, \”I’ll save you all the cash and the concern, just getting a new visa, no big deal, no issues. Cheers!\”

    Her most recent AEW match took place on January 22nd, where she defeated Julia Hart. Notably, Corey Brennan of Fightful Select reported that on February 11th, Hayter was backstage at the RIOT Cabaret Slamma Mia: Here We Go Again event in the UK, rather than at Dynamite. 

    This followed her in-ring appearance on February 7th, where she defeated Alex Windsor at EVE 131: Multiverse Rumble in London.

  • Update On WWE’s Saudi Arabia 2025 Plans

    WWE\’s lucrative 10-year partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority, which sees them host two annual events in Saudi Arabia for substantial financial compensation, is undergoing significant changes for 2025. 

    Based on SES reports, WWE reportedly earns $50 million per show in the country. In 2024, WWE began taping SmackDown and Raw events there, and with the new Netflix deal, Raw will now be broadcast live from Saudi Arabia.

    In a landmark announcement earlier this year, WWE confirmed that the 2026 Royal Rumble will be held in Riyadh, marking the first time the event will take place outside North America. This has fueled speculation that a Saudi Arabian WrestleMania is inevitable. For now, it’s not in the immediate cards.

    However, despite the increased activity planned for 2026, including the Royal Rumble, reports from Fightful Select and PWInsider.com indicate that WWE is currently scheduled for only one event in Saudi Arabia in 2025. 

    Per Fightful, this event is targeted for June in Jeddah, a location WWE hasn\’t visited in June since 2019\’s Super Showdown. If confirmed, this would be the first year with only one Saudi Arabian event since the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. 

    PWInsider added that the scheduling and planning for this sole 2025 event are currently in progress.

  • CM Punk Calls The Rock And John Cena ‘Bald Frauds’ In Heated WWE Raw Promo

    Monday’s episode of WWE Raw in Buffalo\’s KeyBank Center, a crucial stop on the road to WrestleMania 41, kicked off in a strong way with a promo segment involving CM Punk. The former WWE Champion was heated following the events of Elimination Chamber 2025.

    John Cena last eliminated Punk to win the Men’s Elimination Chamber match after Seth Rollins hit a curb stomp to Punk in the bout that allowed Cena to lock in the STF and secure the win. Cena turned heel by kicking Cody Rhodes low and aligning with The Rock after Rhodes turned down the offer from The Rock to be his Undisputed Champion and give him his soul. 

    In his promo, Punk called The Rock and Cena \”bald frauds\” before turning his ire toward Rollins. He then challenged Becky Lynch to \”come get her man.\”

    This prompted Rollins\’ immediate arrival, sparking a chaotic brawl. The two traded blows, rolling around the ring as WWE officials desperately tried to stop them. Their attempts were overthrown several times, as the two were determined to fight.

    Eventually, a flood of WWE personnel managed to separate the two wrestlers. Although not confirmed, it’s believed that WWE is building towards a triple threat match between Rollins, Punk, and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41.

  • TKO President Gives Update On WWE\’s Peacock Deal As Expiration Date Looms

    TKO Group President Mark Shapiro revealed that WWE and NBC Universal are interested in extending their current partnership, keeping WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs) on Peacock.

    WWE\’s domestic PLEs have been exclusively on Peacock since March 2021, along with their extensive library. 

    Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, Shapiro confirmed that renewal discussions will begin next quarter, noting both parties are \”keen\” to maintain the agreement.

    \”We will get into discussions soon — in the next quarter — when it comes to the PLE\’s. That deal comes up early to mid-part of 2026. Our conversations on our renewal start relatively soon. In speaking with all the powers at be at Comcast, they are keen to renew and we\’re excited to have those conversations. And by the way, Peacock has been a crazy good partner, we\’ve been a huge driver of that platform — both in terms of acquisition and retention — and they are making it a priority, so we\’re keen to renew with them.\”

    Internationally, WWE content, including PLEs and library, moved to Netflix at the start of this year. Peacock Premium subscribers gain access to all WWE PLEs as part of their subscription, along with a wide range of other entertainment options available on the platform.

  • WWE Pulls Naomi From ‘Queen Of The Ring’ Film Junket

    Trinity Fatu (Naomi) was removed from scheduled media appearances promoting \”Queen of the Ring,\” which is set to be released March 7th. 

    PWInsider reports this was a WWE decision intended to emphasize the storyline attack by Jade Cargill at Elimination Chamber. Cargill returned after a hiatus that started in mid-November when a mystery person attacked her. At the start of the Women’s Elimination Chamber match, Cargill came out and laid out Naomi, who had been slated to compete in the bout. 

    Fatu plays Ethel Johnson in the film, which focuses on the life of Mildred Burke. An official synopsis reads:

    “In a time when pro wrestling for women was illegal across the country, a small-town single mother embraces the danger to change culture as she dominates America’s most masculine sport, becoming the first million-dollar female athlete in history.”

    The upcoming film brings to life the story of Mildred Burke, a trailblazing figure in women\’s wrestling from the 1930s to the 1950s, portrayed by Emily Bett Rickards. Wrestling enthusiasts will be excited to see familiar faces, including AEW\’s Kamille as Burke\’s rival June Byers, Britt Baker as Debbie Nichols, Toni Storm as Clara Mortensen, and WWE\’s Trinity \”Naomi\” Fatu as Ethel Johnson.

    After its premiere at the Buffalo International Film Festival in October, \’Queen of the Ring\’ is scheduled for a theatrical release in March. The film aims to capture the same critical success as A24\’s \’The Iron Claw,\’ the Von Erich family biopic that garnered significant praise last year.

    ‘Queen of the Ring’ Mildred Burke Biopic Is Pure Lipstick & Dynamite (REVIEW)

  • Asuka Expected To Be Out for Several More Months

    Asuka\’s return to WWE is expected to be delayed, making fans wait even longer to see her back in the squared circle. 

    Cassidy Haynes of BodySlam.net reports that she\’ll remain out of action for at least a couple more months, likely returning after WrestleMania.WWE is taking a cautious approach to her recovery from a knee injury sustained nearly nine months ago. 

    While her recovery is progressing well, WWE appears to be prioritizing a post-WrestleMania return, given that creative plans for the event are already set.

    Asuka underwent knee surgery last year, having worked through the injury prior, including a WWE Women’s Tag Team title loss at Backlash France in April against Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Following her announcement of a break for surgery, Asuka has been documenting her rehabilitation journey through vlogs on her YouTube channel.

    In January, Fightful Select reported that creative plans, including a potential tag team match, were pitched for Asuka but ultimately rejected. There are no reports of her training at the Performance Center. 

    There have also not been any updates from Asuka regarding her recovery in recent memory. We wish her a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her compete again. 

  • WWE Has More Twists And Turns Planned For WrestleMania Build

    The road to WWE WrestleMania 41 has heated up coming out of the Elimination Chamber PLE and won’t be a straight line leading up to the show. Fans are seeing the top matches and trying to predict the rest of the card. 

    Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena, WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER vs. Jey Uso, WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair, and WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair are the top bouts on the card. These are also the only bouts confirmed thus far for the show. 

    The road to WrestleMania is rarely a straight line, and according to a recent report, this year is no exception. Following the WWE Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event, fans began piecing together the potential WrestleMania card, drawing conclusions from the outcomes and storylines presented. However, those predictions might be premature.

    Despite the apparent clarity following Elimination Chamber, Bryan Alvarez revealed on today’s Wrestling Observer Live that more \”twists and turns\” are planned for WrestleMania. He cautioned that the current perception of the WrestleMania card is likely to change.

    With seven weeks remaining, WWE has plenty of time to introduce new matches and storylines. WWE presents the WrestleMania 41 premium live event on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. 

  • Rey Fenix Departs AEW

    Rey Fenix is officially a free agent after seeking to work elsewhere for some time. His AEW contract had been extended due to injuries, during which AEW kept him off television rather than using him in programming. According to PWInsider, Fenix has been released, though neither he nor AEW have officially confirmed this. His final AEW match took place in July 2024.

    This release appears to follow a pattern at AEW, where removal from the AEW website roster page has indicated a wrestler\’s departure – as was recently seen with Miro, Ricky Starks, and Malakai Black. Fans recently noticed Fenix\’s removal from AEW\’s official roster page, sparking some excitement that Fenix has been \’freed\’ and will be back on television wrestling elsewhere soon.

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/03/\"Rey
    Rey Fenix Removed from the AEW Roster Page

    The news aligns with earlier reporting from Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline who suggested more AEW releases are imminent, while Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful had previously mentioned Fenix as a candidate for the previous round of cuts.

    Fenix\’s contract situation had been complicated by these injury-related absences, with AEW reportedly extending his deal by nearly a year to compensate for time missed. As this extension period approaches its end, speculation has intensified that Fenix may reunite with his brother Penta El Zero M to reform their popular tag team, the Lucha Bros.

    Industry sources indicate significant interest from WWE in signing the Lucha Bros as a team. This possibility seems increasingly likely given that Penta El Zero M has already made his WWE debut and is reportedly being positioned as a rising star in the promotion.

    \’Nobody Stays Where They\’re Not Wanted\’

    Rey Fenix shared his frustrations about his situation with AEW during an interview with Lalo Elizarrarás last month. The decorated luchador said, \”I am waiting to be used, to be called to work, or to have my situation clarified a little more.\”

    Rey Fenix On AEW Hiatus: ‘Nobody Stays In A Place Where They Are Not Wanted’

  • CM Punk No Longer Advertised For Two WWE Events

    Fresh off his performance in the Men\’s Elimination Chamber match on March 1, 2025, where John Cena last eliminated him to secure a WrestleMania title shot against Cody Rhodes, CM Punk is looking forward. 

    WWE is keeping Punk\’s schedule packed with appearances on both Raw and SmackDown. Punk was initially scheduled for a series of international events ranging from TV to live events. 

    Punk is advertised for the Raw in Brussels show on March 17, SmackDown shows in Bologna, Italy, on March 21, and London on March 28. He was also slated for Raw events in Glasgow on March 24 and London on March 31. However, according to WWE\’s official website, his Raw appearances have been adjusted. 

    He is no longer listed for the latter Raw shows. WWE has also deleted social media posts promoting his involvement in those Raw events. He remains scheduled for the SmackDown shows.

    Despite these changes, Punk is still set to face World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER in a steel cage match on March 29, 2025, in Vienna, Austria, as part of the Road to WrestleMania WWE Live tour. Here is Punk’s updated WWE schedule for the UK tour: 

    • Raw: Monday, March 17: WWE Raw at Forest National in Brussels, Belgium
    • SmackDown: Friday, March 21: WWE SmackDown at Unipol Arena in Bologna, Italy
    • SmackDown: Friday, March 28: WWE SmackDown at O2 Arena in London, England
    • House Show: Saturday, March 22: Belfast, Northern Ireland
    • House Show: Sunday, March 23: Nottingham, England
    • House Show: Saturday, March 29: Vienna, Austria
    • House Show: Sunday, March 30: Amsterdam, Netherlands

    Punk is expected to wrestle Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 41 next month.

  • Absent WWE Star Spotted Near Toronto For Elimination Chamber (Potential SPOILER)

    Tonight\’s WWE Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event emanating from Toronto\’s Rogers Centre is already generating considerable anticipation, and the potential for a surprise appearance has further heightened the excitement for fans.

    Jade Cargill looks to be returning on this show as she has reportedly been spotted close to the event\’s location. PWInsider.com has reported that Cargill was sighted in Buffalo, NY, on Friday, a location within a short driving distance of Toronto.

    The timing of Cargill\’s sighting has fueled speculation about a potential surprise appearance at Elimination Chamber. For weeks, fans have speculated that Naomi may have been the mystery attacker behind Cargill’s absence from TV. 

    A confrontation between Cargill and Naomi during tonight\’s show is a distinct possibility, adding another layer to an already newsworthy-looking show. Earlier this week, WrestleVotes revealed that Cargill has received medical clearance, signaling her imminent return to active competition.

    This news follows her being off television since mid-November, when an on-screen attack was used to write her off television. Initially, there was speculation that Cargill had sustained a legitimate injury, causing an extended absence.

    However, subsequent reports indicated that she had been training at the WWE Performance Center ahead of her return.

  • More AEW Talent Departures Expected in the Coming Weeks

    More AEW talent could be on its way out following the recent departures of Malaki Black, Miro, and Ricky Starks, in early February. 

    One of the criticisms from fans regarding AEW is the amount of talent they have under contract. They have talent spread across ROH and AEW, in addition to talent they bring in from other promotions. With such a large roster pool, not everyone can be used on television every week. This causes frustration among talent and fans alike. 

    Leyla Hirsch’s contract expired on Friday, making her a free agent. Today on Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez stated that more people are expected to exit the company in March.

    This could range from talent getting released to talent not having their deals renewed. He added that Leyla will not be the last person to depart in the next 30 days. It\’s unclear who exactly will be let go, but Keith Lee hasn’t been able to wrestle due to his medical clearance issue since December 2023. 

    Rey Fenix is another name that comes to mind, as they’ve put him on the sidelines after adding time to it. He’s expected to be WWE-bound once he’s free and clear.

    Taz on AEW vs. WWE: “You’re Comparing Dogs & Cats!”

  • AJ Lee Reveals Role in Comedy Film \’Sacramento\’ Out April 11

    AJ Mendez, best known to WWE fans as AJ Lee, has a new Hollywood project coming out, as the movie \”Sacramento\” will feature the former WWE star. 

    It stars Michael Cera, Michael Angarano, Maya Erskine, and Kristen Stewart. The movie was directed by Michael Angarano. Lee shared she will have a role in the movie with a post on her Instagram stories.

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/02/\"Sacramento

    Its plot involves Angarano’s character, Rickey, convincing his friend Glenn, played by Cera, to go on an impromptu road trip from Los Angeles to Sacramento. This happens after the death of Rickey’s father. Glenn’s pregnant wife Rosie, played by Stewart, encourages the adventure.

    Lee has expanded her career beyond professional wrestling into acting and writing. She has appeared in films such as \”Rabid\” (2019) and has also done voice acting work, such as in \”Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery\” (2014). More recently, she has had a recurring role in the television series \”Heels\” season 2.

    Lee retired from in-ring competition due to permanent damage to her cervical spine. She also expressed a desire to focus on her mental health and other personal projects. Her last match took place at WrestleMania 31, where she teamed with Paige to defeat The Bella Twins.

  • Randy Orton Expected to Return to WWE Before WrestleMania 41

    Randy Orton is reportedly set to make his WWE return as early as next month, according to PWInsider\’s sources within WWE\’s creative team. The current plan calls for Orton to be back in action in time for the company\’s European tour, which takes place in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 41.

    Orton, a 14-time world champion and one of WWE’s most decorated superstars, has been absent from in-ring competition for an extended period due to injury.

    While details regarding his storyline direction remain unclear, Orton\’s return will likely play a significant role in WWE’s Road to WrestleMania 41. Given his history with top stars and his established legacy, fans can expect him to be a key figure in the upcoming months.

    WWE’s European tour is set to take place ahead of the biggest event of the year, and Orton’s involvement could add further excitement to the international shows. With anticipation building for WrestleMania 41, his return could set up major rivalries heading into the marquee event.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for more updates on Randy Orton’s official return date and potential feuds as WWE finalizes its plans.

  • Eddie Kingston Details Struggles With His Physical and Mental State Amid Recovery from Injury 

    Eddie Kingston suffered a broken leg, torn meniscus, and torn ACL during his no-rope last-man-standing match against Gabe Kidd at NJPW Resurgence, where he lost the NJPW Strong Openweight Title. The injury occurred when his leg struck the barricade during a suplex. Following the match, Kingston was further attacked by The Young Bucks after a confrontation with Jack Perry.

    In a recent interview with Will Turner of Wrestling With The Narrative, Kingston provided an update on his physical and mental well-being.

    \”Physically, I feel like shit. Mentally, I feel like shit. So every day, I’m just working on getting better, you know what I’m saying?\”

    Kingston also opened up about the challenges of physical therapy and ongoing stomach issues.

    \”Physical therapy, it’s been tough just to get to physical therapy because of my insurance. I just got new insurance, and then right when I was ready to start my new PT place, I started getting stomach issues. I had to wait a long time—they had to do a thing where they put a camera down my throat. Good that it’s happening now while I’m off, but I was in a lot of pain.\”

    While still awaiting full test results, initial findings ruled out serious conditions such as cancer or ulcers. However, Kingston’s doctor noted that stress could be a factor.

    \”My primary doctor was like, ‘How’s stress for you?’ [laughs] I said, ‘How long do you have? Do we need a therapist to come in here?’ They’re trying to get me to not stress out, calm down.\”

    Kingston’s recovery process remains a difficult journey, but he continues to push forward despite the setbacks. We wish him a speedy recovery. 

  • Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet II With World Title Stipulation Set For AEW Revolution 

    AEW has officially announced Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet II for the upcoming AEW Revolution pay-per-view event.

    On the February 26 episode of AEW Dynamite, Strickland and Ricochet agreed to face off at Revolution, with a major stipulation: the winner will earn a future AEW World Championship match.

    After Ricochet left for the backstage area, Prince Nana expressed concerns to Strickland, warning that he might not be able to continue managing him unless Strickland retrieves his stolen robe from Ricochet.

    AEW Revolution will take place on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The Zero Hour pre-show begins at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the main card starting at 8 p.m. ET.

    Updated AEW Revolution Card:

    • AEW World Championship Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Cope
    • MJF vs. Hangman Page
    • AEW International Championship Match: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Kenny Omega*
    • AEW Women’s Championship Match: Toni Storm (c) vs. Mariah May
    • Steel Cage Match: Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
    • TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Momo Watanabe
    • #1 Contender’s Match for the AEW World Title: Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet
    • Big Boom AJ vs. TBA

    With high-stakes matchups and championship bouts, AEW Revolution is shaping up to be a must-see event.

  • WWE ID vs AEW Match Announced For GCW Event

    Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) has announced a unique matchup for its upcoming No Compadre event on March 29 at Thalia Hall in Chicago. The card will feature AEW’s Megan Bayne facing off against WWE NIL signee Zayda Steel—an uncommon crossover in today’s wrestling landscape.

    Bayne, who has been competing in AEW and abroad, brings her powerhouse style to GCW, while Steel, a rising star under WWE’s developmental umbrella, steps into one of her highest-profile matches yet. The bout is particularly notable given that both AEW and WWE are allowing their respective talent to share the ring, a rare occurrence in modern pro wrestling.

    While interpromotional matchups have happened in independent wrestling, a decisive finish between talent affiliated with two major wrestling promotions would be unexpected. Regardless of the outcome, this clash marks a significant moment for both competitors and fans alike.

    GCW No Compadre will stream live on TrillerTV+ at 8 PM CT.

  • MJF Gets AEW Tattoo Removed On Dynamite

    On the February 26 episode of AEW Dynamite, MJF opened the show with a pre-taped promo, criticizing fans and emphasizing his self-centered focus. The promo included footage of MJF undergoing laser removal of his AEW tattoo.

    Later in the night, after Adam Page defeated Aaron Solo, MJF confronted Page and revealed that he had attacked Christopher Daniels backstage.

    MJF originally got the AEW tattoo to commemorate his return to the company at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view in 2024. His contract situation had been a central part of AEW storylines, often referred to as the \”bidding war of 2024.\” This angle blended real-life contract negotiations with kayfabe, as MJF frequently teased the possibility of leaving AEW for a more lucrative offer, primarily from WWE.

    By playing up this uncertainty, MJF reinforced his heel persona—portraying himself as someone driven by money and self-interest. He routinely taunted fans and fellow wrestlers with the idea of departing AEW, further blurring the lines between fiction and reality. His contract was indeed set to expire in 2024, adding genuine intrigue to his storyline and keeping fans speculating about his next move.

    MJF vs. Hangman Page in a singles match has been booked for AEW Revolution.

  • Sheamus Signs with Paradigm for Representation as Entertainment Career Grows

    WWE Superstar Sheamus (Stephen Farrelly) has signed with Paradigm Sports for representation. The \”Celtic Warrior\” recently secured a multi-year contract extension with WWE, further solidifying his place as one of the company’s top stars as Monday Night Raw prepares to transition to Netflix.

    WWE and TKO Group have a direct pipeline to Paradigm, which also represents CM Punk, Liv Morgan, Drew McIntyre and Jade Cargill, among and others.

    Sheamus is the first Irish-born WWE Champion, with accolades including four WWE World Championships, five Tag Team Championships, and three United States Championships. He is also a Grand Slam Champion and one of the select few to win the Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and King of the Ring. Fella!

    Outside the ring, Sheamus has been branching out with appearances in sports media on ESPN College GameDay, The Pat McAfee Show, and Premier League on NBC/Peacock. He has also been involved in NFL and college football coverage, particularly with the Tennessee Titans and Notre Dame.

    His growing list of credits in the entertainment world include roles in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Buddy Games, and Fighting with My Family. He has also appeared in NCIS: LA and contributed voice work to Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon and The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania! (More: Stephen Farrelly on IMDB)

    He also runs the popular Celtic Warrior Workouts Youtube channel:

  • Nia Jax Wants Ava as WWE General Manager on RAW or SmackDown

    In an interview with Scott Fishman of TV Insider, Nia Jax expressed her pride in Ava\’s progress and shared her hopes of seeing her move up to the main roster.

    Ava, the daughter of Dwayne \”The Rock\” Johnson, began training at the WWE Performance Center in 2020. Formerly a member of Schism in NXT, she transitioned into an authority role, becoming the General Manager of WWE NXT in January 2024. Since then, she has been a prominent figure on NXT programming.

    \”I’m so proud of her. She has really come into her own. Who would have thought just being the NXT general manager she would just shine in?

    I even said to her the other day, \’This year has been so good for you.\’ I feel her confidence has gotten bigger. She is running that show and with ease. I can’t wait to see where it goes.

    I want to see her up here on the main roster, possibly doing a similar role as well,\” Jax said.

    Jax is set for an in-ring appearance at WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 this Saturday, teaming with Candice LeRae to face Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus.

  • Hook Signs With Top Agent Ahead Of Negotiations With AEW

    All Elite Wrestling star Hook has signed with sports agent Barry Bloom ahead of upcoming contract negotiations. According to PWInsider, Bloom actually signed Hook several months ago, but the news is only now coming to light. AEW is expected to make efforts to ensure the second-generation talent remains with the company.

    Bloom represents several notable wrestling personalities, including Kenny Omega, Josh Alexander, and announcer Jim Ross.

    Hook made his AEW debut in 2020 as part of Team Taz, aligning with his father, Taz, as well as Brian Cage, Ricky Starks, and Powerhouse Hobbs. He transitioned to singles competition in 2021 and, in July 2022, defeated Ricky Starks to win the FTW Championship—a title originally established by his father in ECW.

    He held the championship for an extended period and feuded with Jack Perry over the FTW Title in the summer of 2023. He later regained the title in August 2023 before retiring it and presenting it to his father, Taz, in September 2023.

    Currently, Hook is aligned with Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata. As of this writing, he\’s not scheduled to compete at AEW Revolution on March 9th. 

  • WWE 2K25: All Bloodline Family Members Revealed

    WWE 2K25’s Showcase Mode will highlight The Bloodline and the legendary Anoa’i family, one of wrestling’s most iconic dynasties. Now, the full list of Bloodline members featured in the game has been revealed.

    With a roster of over 300 playable characters, WWE 2K25 will be the largest WWE game ever.

    All Bloodline Members in WWE 2K25

    • Headshrinker Fatu (NEW)
    • Headshrinker Samu (NEW)
    • Haku
    • Islander Tama (NEW)
    • Jacob Fatu (NEW)
    • Jey Uso
    • Jimmy Uso
    • Naomi
    • Nia Jax
    • \”High Chief\” Peter Maivia (NEW)
    • Rikishi
    • Rosey (NEW)
    • Roman Reigns
    • Solo Sikoa
    • Sami Zayn
    • Tama Tonga (NEW)
    • Tamina
    • The Rock
    • Tonga Loa (NEW)
    • Umaga
    • Afa (NEW)
    • Sika (NEW)
    • Yokozuna
    \"\"
    \"\"

    WWE 2K25 Release Details

    WWE 2K24 will be available in three editions: the Standard Edition releasing on March 14, 2025 with a pre-order bonus of the Wyatt Sicks Pack and digital game, and the Deadman and Bloodline Editions, both offering early access on March 7, 2025 with pre-order, including the digital game, Wyatt Sicks Pack, and additional extras, with the Bloodline Edition containing even more exclusive content.

    Complete Soundtrack for WWE 2K25 Features Eminem, Jelly Roll and More

  • John Cena’s \’Peacemaker: Season 2\’ Still On Track For Summer Release

    John Cena’s portrayal of Peacemaker has been a fan favorite since his debut in The Suicide Squad (2021), leading to the spinoff series Peacemaker on the Max streaming service.

    HBO has confirmed that Season 2 of Peacemaker will premiere in 2025, with Cena reprising his role. According to Deadline, DC Studios co-chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran have stated that the second season remains on track for an August release.

    The series also stars Steve Agee, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Danielle Brooks, Robert Patrick, and Chukwudi Iwuji. Peacemaker is a superhero who values peace so much that he is willing to kill—even innocents—to achieve it.

    Before Peacemaker Season 2, DC plans to release Waller. Filming for the second season wrapped in November 2024. Gunn wrote all eight episodes of the first season and directed five, including the premiere. The Peacemaker finale, which aired on February 17, 2022, set a single-day viewership record for the then-newly rebranded Max streaming service.

    Although Cena is set to retire from WWE at the end of this year, he continues to be active in Hollywood, which has affected his WWE availability. He took time off between his appearance on Raw on Netflix and the Royal Rumble. Since Royal Rumble, he has not been seen on WWE television, but he is set to wrestle at Saturday’s Elimination Chamber premium live event. If he wins the men’s gimmick match, he will challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.

  • Tony Khan Believed Ricky Starks Was Going To Leave For WWE Because Of Cody Rhodes

    Former AEW star Ricky Starks made his debut in WWE NXT on last week\’s episode after being sidelined by AEW for months. Starks had requested his release from AEW, but CEO Tony Khan initially refused to grant it.

    It was widely believed that Starks would have to wait out the remainder of his contract before pursuing other opportunities, including the possibility of going to WWE. During this time, Starks made it clear that he wanted to wrestle, even booking independent dates while being kept off AEW TV. 

    According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Khan expected Starks to leave AEW for WWE once his contract expired due to his close friendship with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. 

    This week on NXT, Starks introduced his new ring name: Ricky Saints. Following the show, he appeared on Busted Open Radio, where he denied that his AEW status had been affected by his past appearances at WWE events, such as the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania to support Rhodes.

    Starks emphasized that Khan had approved his presence at those events and claimed that certain AEW veterans interfered with his creative direction.

  • Rising NJPW Star Is On The Radar Of AEW And WWE

    Rising NJPW star Kevin Knight has caught the attention of several top promotions, including AEW and WWE.

    According to Fightful, Knight recently spoke with AEW CEO Tony Khan and Rocky Romero following his appearance for ROH. He is also in discussions with NJPW regarding a potential new contract. Additionally, Knight has expressed interest in exploring opportunities with WWE before making a final decision about his future. However, it remains unclear whether any formal discussions have taken place between WWE and Knight.

    In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that there has been significant industry talk about Knight potentially joining WWE. However, Meltzer has not yet confirmed whether he has officially signed with the company.

    Following the expiration of his NJPW contract in early January, Knight’s next move has been a major topic of speculation. Since losing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles, he has remained active, competing in tapings for MLW, ROH/AEW, and returning to GCW/JCW for the first time since 2023.

    Knight began his NJPW career as a Young Lion, the promotion’s developmental system for training and building future stars. He graduated from the system in 2022 and has since become a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, frequently teaming with KUSHIDA as part of the Intergalactic Jet Setters.