SEScoops

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Jojo Offerman Expected To Do More With AEW

    JoJo Offerman’s recent appearance in AEW has sparked speculation about her future with the promotion, and it might not be the last time fans see her there.

    The former WWE ring announcer performed introductions for a dark match ahead of the January 4 episode of AEW Collision. According to Fightful Select, sources within AEW have indicated that Offerman is expected to do more with the company, though specific details or a timeline have not been disclosed.

    Offerman previously worked for WWE as a ring announcer and interviewer. Longtime fans may also recall her brief stint as an in-ring competitor, including her appearance at WWE Survivor Series in 2013. However, Fightful has not reported any indications of her interest in returning to wrestling.

    Beyond her work in WWE, Offerman gained notoriety as a main cast member on the first season of Total Divas and continued to make guest appearances on the reality show. She also pursued a career as a singer. In 2021, Offerman chose to leave WWE after five years of consistent work as a ring announcer.

    With her recent AEW appearance, fans are left wondering what the next chapter holds for JoJo Offerman in the wrestling world.

  • LA Knight On His Rise In WWE Popularity: I Can\’t Attribute It To Anything

    LA Knight has emerged as one of WWE’s most popular stars, experiencing a breakout year in 2023 that began with a storyline involving the late Bray Wyatt. His charisma and connection with the audience led to increasingly loud reactions from fans, prompting WWE to elevate his role on the roster.

    Knight’s momentum continued to build through a feud with The Miz and an endorsement by John Cena, culminating in a high-profile challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel 2023. While Knight fell short in his quest for the title, fan support remained unwavering, solidifying his position as a top star.

    In an interview with WittyWhittier, Knight reflected on what led to his sudden surge in popularity:

    “Short answer, I don’t know. I really don’t know. Because, I mean, if you look at everything that was going on at the time when that rise really started happening, the only thing I could really attribute it to was just taking advantage of some of the time that I had when I was doing the whole deal with Bray Wyatt. But at the time, still, it was kind of like, ‘We don’t know about this guy.’ But it seems like once I got out of that, I didn’t really have any direction. For months, there was nothing happening with me. But somehow in that time is when, ‘Oh, wait a minute. I think we kind of like this guy.’ I don’t know what it was, but clearly, I must have been making the most of my time. Because I wasn’t doing a damn thing. So something was hitting. I don’t know what it is, and I can’t attribute it to anything.”

    In 2024, Knight captured his first championship in WWE, defeating Logan Paul for the United States Title at SummerSlam. However, his reign ended at Survivor Series: WarGames, where Shinsuke Nakamura dethroned him. Knight will have an opportunity to reclaim the title in a rematch on this week’s SmackDown.

  • Ric Flair: No Return To The Ring Ever!

    Ric Flair has reassured fans that he has no intention of stepping back into the wrestling ring for another match. While recently appearing on the Five Star Podcast, Flair was asked whether he thought he could still compete in a match. His confident response—“Hell yeah, I do”—sparked speculation about a possible return.

    The comments caught the attention of WWE Superstar Bronson Reed, who jokingly questioned people wanting to see him hit his finishing move, the Tsunami, on Flair, implying it could be life-threatening for the wrestling legend. In response, Flair took to social media to put the rumors to rest and clarify his stance:

    “No Return To The Ring Ever! Thankful For The Great Health And The Conditioning That Would Allow Me To. Bronson Reed Couldn’t Tsunami Me On His Best Day!”

    Flair wrestled his final match on July 31, 2022, teaming with his son-in-law, Andrade El Idolo, to defeat Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett. The bout, promoted as Flair’s retirement match, drew concern from fans due to his age and his health condition, which includes having a pacemaker.

    Flair’s performance in the match appeared hindered at times, and he later attributed his struggles to dehydration caused by his strict diet and weight management during training. Despite his confidence in his current health and conditioning, Flair has made it clear that his days in the squared circle are over.

  • Giulia Wins WWE NXT Women’s Title

    Giulia is the new WWE NXT Women’s Champion. During the first episode of NXT TV titled New Year’s Evil, broadcast from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California, Giulia challenged Roxanne Perez for the championship.

    The match served as the opening contest of the show, which aired on the CW Network. As the referee approached a 10-count during a crucial moment in the match, Cora Jade intervened, placing Perez back into the ring. Giulia also managed to re-enter the ring just in time, eventually securing the victory.

    Roxanne Perez entered the bout as champion, having held the title for an impressive 273 days. The history between Perez and Giulia had been building for months. At No Mercy, Perez successfully defended her title against Jaida Parker, only to be confronted afterward by the debuting Giulia.

    Later, during the premiere of NXT on the CW Network, Perez once again retained her title against Giulia, with interference from the returning Cora Jade playing a pivotal role. This tension culminated in a tag team match at Halloween Havoc, where Perez and Jade teamed up against Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer but ultimately suffered a loss.

    Now, with her victory at New Year’s Evil, Giulia stands tall as the new NXT Women’s Champion.

  • CM Punk Tops Seth Rollins In WWE Raw On Netflix Premiere Main Event

    Seth Rollins and CM Punk finally clashed in a highly anticipated singles match on the premiere episode of WWE Raw on Netflix. The match headlined the historic event, delivering on the long-awaited showdown between the two superstars.

    As the match reached its climax, Rollins delivered a buckle bomb followed by a stomp, resulting in a dramatic near fall. Punk countered Rollins\’ falcon arrow attempt and hit the Go to Sleep (GTS). Not stopping there, Punk delivered a second GTS to secure the pinfall victory over Rollins.

    This rivalry has been simmering since Punk’s shocking return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames. WWE has skillfully blended real-life tension between the two stars into their storyline, with both men referencing their past comments about each other. Originally, this match was slated for WrestleMania 40, where Punk was set to challenge Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship. However, an injury sidelined Punk, forcing WWE to pivot and book Rollins against Drew McIntyre at the event instead.

    Despite Punk’s extended absence in 2024 due to injury and his feud with McIntyre, WWE kept his rivalry with Rollins alive. After Punk’s return at Survivor Series, the storyline gained momentum, culminating in this memorable showdown on Raw.

  • The Rock To Appear On WWE NXT New Year’s Evil

    After his appearance on the WWE Raw Netflix premiere, The Rock is set to make his next stop at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil. The former WWE Champion made the announcement during an Instagram Live session following his appearance on Raw.

    The event, scheduled to take place at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California, will feature The Rock alongside his daughter, Ava, who currently serves as NXT General Manager. Ava recently accompanied The Rock at the Golden Globes, adding further intrigue to their on-screen dynamic.

    https://twitter.com/Vertex346/status/1876452765767266399

    Updated Card for NXT New Year’s Evil:

    • Special Appearance: The Rock
    • NXT Championship Match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Oba Femi vs. Eddy Thorpe
    • NXT Women’s Championship Match: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Giulia
    • NXT Women’s North American Championship Number One Contenders Match:
      Cora Jade vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
    • NXT Heritage Cup Sudden Death Match: Lexis King (c) vs. Charlie Dempsey
    • Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx, & Jacy Jayne) vs. Shotzi, Tatum Paxley, & Gigi Dolin

  • Rhea Ripley Wins WWE Women’s World Title, The Undertaker Appears

    One of the marquee matches on the debut episode of WWE Raw on Netflix featured Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan defending her title against Rhea Ripley in a high-stakes Last Woman Standing Match.

    The match was a hard-fought contest with a back-and-forth pace, as both competitors showcased their resilience. Ripley gained the upper hand at one point, hitting her finisher for a dramatic near fall. Dominik Mysterio attempted to aid Ripley by sliding the title belt into the ring, but the distraction allowed Liv Morgan to capitalize.

    Morgan knocked Raquel Rodriguez off the apron and hit her finisher on Ripley, resulting in another near fall. However, Ripley ultimately secured the victory after delivering two consecutive Riptides, crowning herself the new Women’s World Champion.

    Post-match, Ripley laid out Mysterio with a low blow and hit her finisher. Undertaker came out on his motorcycle and did his signature arm pose with Ripley.

    The rivalry between Morgan and Ripley has been brewing since WrestleMania 40, where Morgan entered into a program with Ripley. The Women’s World Title was vacated shortly afterward due to Morgan suffering an injury. Morgan regained the title by defeating Becky Lynch at the King and Queen of the Ring Premium Live Event. She continued her feud with Ripley, retaining the championship at SummerSlam with assistance from Dominik Mysterio.

    The animosity escalated further at Bash in Berlin, where Ripley and Damian Priest defeated Morgan and Mysterio in a mixed tag team match. Their next encounter came at Bad Blood, where Ripley earned a title match victory via disqualification. The Last Woman Standing Match on Raw marked the culmination of their heated rivalry, with Ripley emerging victorious and reclaiming championship gold.

  • Penta El Zero Miedo Teaser Airs On WWE Raw On Netflix Premiere

    Penta El Zero Miedo’s WWE signing has been made official, with the announcement teased during the premiere episode of Raw on Netflix. While Penta did not appear live on the show, a cryptic teaser aired, confirming his imminent arrival. However, the exact date of his in-ring debut remains unclear.

    WWE has been airing mysterious vignettes in recent weeks, fueling speculation about the signing of the former AEW star. One notable vignette featured a zero symbol crossed by a line, which many fans connected to Penta. These cryptic hints culminated in a teaser aired during the December 30th episode of Raw, where Penta El Zero Miedo’s iconic mask was prominently displayed, effectively ending the speculation.

    Penta departed AEW with widespread belief that he was bound for WWE. Adding to the buzz was his trademark for “Cero Miedo” (Zero Fear), which provided further evidence of his intentions.

    Meanwhile, Penta’s tag team partner and brother, Rey Fenix, has also attracted WWE’s interest. However, AEW has reportedly extended Fenix’s contract to account for missed time due to injuries, leaving him with approximately a year remaining on his deal. Once Fenix fulfills his AEW obligations, he is expected to join Penta in WWE, reuniting the Lucha Brothers under a new banner.

  • John Cena Declares For The Royal Rumble Match

    John Cena officially kicked off his WWE retirement tour with an appearance on the premiere episode of Raw on Netflix in Los Angeles.

    Cena took center stage at the start of the second hour, delivering a heartfelt promo about WWE’s new era and his deep connection to the city. He addressed speculation about his WrestleMania opponent, his final match, and the possibility of breaking the record for most World Championship reigns. Acknowledging his current losing streak, Cena said it would take a \”miracle\” for him to become champion again, but he left the door open for the unexpected.

    Cena revealed his intention to enter the Royal Rumble match, calling it a fitting way to thank his fans. He emphasized his belief in the impossible, vowing to win the Rumble and reminding the audience that nothing is out of reach for him.

    Cena’s plans to retire from in-ring competition in 2025 have been public since the summer, giving fans time to celebrate his storied career. His farewell tour will include marquee events such as the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 41, where he will make his final WWE appearances.

    In addition to the big events, Cena plans to wrestle throughout the year, targeting 36 dates with WWE in 2025. A highly anticipated match against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is reportedly in the works for WrestleMania 41, adding even more excitement to his farewell run.

  • Roman Reigns Receives Ula Fala From The Rock After Tribal Combat Victory

    Roman Reigns competed in a rare televised match during the premiere episode of WWE Raw on Netflix, taking on Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat match.

    The match opened the night with Sikoa dominating much of the action. Both competitors utilized weapons, including steel steps and chairs, to gain an edge. At one point, Reigns drove Sikoa through a table, but Tama Tonga interfered, pulling the referee out of the ring during the pin attempt. Jacob Fatu then appeared, attacking Reigns and teaming up with Sikoa to hit their finishers, leading to a near fall.

    The chaos escalated when Sikoa took out the referee with a Samoan Spike. Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso ran in to even the odds, with Reigns hitting a spear on Sikoa for a two-count. Kevin Owens entered unexpectedly, delivering a Stunner to Reigns for another near fall. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who faces Owens in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble, rushed out to neutralize Owens. Reigns ultimately secured the win with a final spear to Sikoa.

    After the match, The Rock entered the ring and placed the Ula Fala, a symbolic necklace, around Reigns’ neck as a gesture of respect. The two embraced in a powerful moment.

    Reigns has been feuding with Sikoa since returning at SummerSlam, where he helped Rhodes retain the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sikoa. The rivalry included multi-man matches, such as The OG Bloodline defeating The New Bloodline at WarGames.

    Since signing a reduced-schedule deal with WWE in 2022, Reigns has made fewer appearances on television and primarily competes at Premium Live Events, emphasizing his status as WWE’s top draw. His last TV match was on December 30, 2022, in the episode of SmackDown, where he and Sami Zayn lost to John Cena and Kevin Owens in a tag team match. However, Reigns is expected to make more appearances on Raw moving forward, while still remaining a key figure on SmackDown.

  • The Rock Appears On WWE Raw, Hugs Cody Rhodes

    The Rock made a special appearance during the premiere episode of Raw on Netflix in Los Angeles, opening the show with a memorable segment.

    The Rock entered the ring and congratulated the audience for attending the highest-grossing arena show in WWE history. He hyped the event\’s debut on Netflix and praised Cody Rhodes for \”carrying WWE on his back for the last year.\” In a lighthearted moment, he told Rhodes to pass along his regards to Mama Rhodes.

    Turning his attention to Roman Reigns, The Rock referred to him as the \”Original Tribal Chief\” and hyped the upcoming Tribal Chief Combat match. Before leaving, he delivered his signature catchphrase, much to the crowd\’s delight.

    After the segment, The Rock embraced Rhodes at ringside. Many fans believed this appearance could kick off the build for a WrestleMania 41 match, as WWE executives reportedly expect The Rock to wrestle at the event. However, no official plans have been confirmed.

    Last year, The Rock and Rhodes teased a singles match after teaming up during the WrestleMania XL Night 1 tag team main event. Despite the speculation, WWE is reportedly leaning toward booking John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania 41 instead of Rock vs. Rhodes.

  • Nikki Garcia Attends WWE Raw On Netflix Premiere

    Nikki Garcia, also known as Nikki Bella, was officially welcomed back into the WWE family on Monday night during the Raw on Netflix premiere in Los Angeles. Garcia appeared on the red carpet ahead of the show.

    As of this writing, it\’s unclear whether Garcia has signed a Legends Deal with WWE or is just visiting.

    The last time Garcia was scheduled to attend a WWE event, plans fell through. The Bella Twins were originally slated to appear at the Raw 30th Anniversary show in January 2023. However, they were ultimately booked to promote the premiere of Nikki Bella\’s Says I Do.

    Nikki and her sister Brie commented on Instagram about the lack of women\’s representation in clips shown during the Raw 30 broadcast. In March 2023, on their podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, Nikki and Brie announced that they and WWE had mutually agreed to not renew their contracts

    In November, Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev finalized their divorce. The filing followed several tumultuous events, including Chigvintsev’s arrest in late August on domestic violence charges at their Napa County home. However, the charges were dropped in September due to insufficient evidence, according to the district attorney.

    Garcia was with WWE from 2007 to 2022. She is a two-time WWE Divas Champion, with her second reign of 301 days being the longest in the title’s history.

  • Hulk Hogan Scheduled For WWE Raw On Netflix Premiere

    The premiere episode of WWE Raw on Netflix continues to grow in star power with the confirmed appearances of The Rock and now Hulk Hogan. According to Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com, Hogan is scheduled to make an appearance tomorrow night in Los Angeles. This will mark Hogan\’s first live appearance on a WWE show in several years.

    Chris Featherstone initially broke the news of Hogan’s inclusion in the event. Meltzer further noted that while celebrities are rumored to be part of the premiere, WWE plans to space out its surprises. The goal is to avoid making the debut episode too overwhelming while maintaining long-term excitement.

    Hogan\’s most recent WWE TV appearance was in January when the company celebrated 40 years of Hulkamania, featuring footage of Hogan’s iconic victory over The Iron Sheik in 1984. During the event, Hogan delivered a promo about the current roster.

    Additionally, Hogan was recently featured in an advertisement for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, which airs later this month, as seen during this week’s episode of SmackDown.

    His return to Raw is expected to generate significant buzz as WWE leverages its legends to enhance the show’s debut on Netflix.

    Preview for tonight\’s WWE Raw on Netflix Premiere

  • Bronson Reed Clears Up His Injury Status

    Bronson Reed is currently sidelined after sustaining a serious injury during the WWE Survivor Series: WarGames Premium Live Event. The injury occurred in the main event when Reed attempted a dive off the top of the cage. Following the incident, Reed underwent surgery on Wednesday, which was reportedly more complex than anticipated. Despite the complications, the surgery was successful, and Reed is now recovering. His expected return is projected for May or June 2025.

    Bryan Alvarez reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the procedure required additional measures due to the severity of the injury. Reed later addressed his condition in a detailed post on Twitter/X, clarifying misconceptions about the nature of his injury.

    \”Let’s clear up some things. Dirt sheets report ankle fracture or injury. I unfortunately smashed my talus bone completely in half. I had it surgically repaired with screws and fragments taken out. Also had some bone marrow taken from my hip and put into my foot.
    Now this means I won’t be at the Raw Netflix Premiere, don’t expect a Rumble surprise, and the biggest loss is no Mania. Please keep up with me on social media at this time. Understand I’ve had a serious injury, undergone serious surgery, and have serious implications from that. It’s not merely a fracture!\”
    — @BRONSONISHERE

    Reed’s absence has led WWE to adjust its plans, particularly as he was involved in prominent storylines heading into WrestleMania season. Fans have expressed support for the powerhouse, who has vowed to keep them updated on his recovery journey.

  • Drew McIntyre Says He Never Thought He Would Say He Doesn\’t Care About The WWE World Title

    Drew McIntyre may claim he cares less about his legacy these days, but 2024 was a roller coaster year that saw him achieve—and lose—gold in dramatic fashion. At WrestleMania XL, McIntyre defeated Seth Rollins to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, only to lose it moments later when Damian Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank contract after an attack by CM Punk.

    The fallout led to a months-long feud with Punk, culminating in a Hell in a Cell match at WWE Bad Blood where McIntyre ultimately put Punk over. Reflecting on the past year during an interview with The Ringer, McIntyre shared his thoughts on his evolving perspective.

    “I never thought there’d be a point in my career where I’d say, ‘I don’t care about the world title or my legacy as much as I used to,’ because inevitably, people are going to forget,” McIntyre said. “But I got more of an emotional response this year than I’ve ever gotten in my entire career—on TV, online, and from live crowds. It’s been an emotional roller coaster for me, and in the end, that’s what our industry is all about: making you feel.”

    McIntyre’s next challenge is set for the premiere of WWE Raw on Netflix next Monday night, where he’ll face Jey Uso.

  • Tiffany Stratton Wins WWE Women’s Title On SmackDown

    Tiffany Stratton has solidified her position as the top star on WWE SmackDown’s women’s roster by capturing the WWE Women’s Championship. The title change occurred during this week’s SmackDown after Nia Jax successfully retained the championship against Naomi.

    Following the match, chaos erupted when Jax was confronted by Bianca Belair, leading to a brawl. Seizing the opportunity, Stratton rushed to the ring with her Money in the Bank briefcase. She delivered her signature moonsault finisher from the top rope on Jax, securing the pinfall and the championship.

    Stratton had won the Money in the Bank briefcase at last summer’s themed premium live event, defeating Chelsea Green, Iyo Sky, Lyra Valkyria, Naomi, and Zoey Stark in the ladder match. She held the briefcase for over 153 days, making strategic alliances during her reign, including a partnership with Jax. Although she frequently teased cashing in the briefcase, she delayed until the opportune moment.

    Earlier in the summer at SummerSlam, Jax captured the title from Bayley with assistance from Stratton. Stratton’s long-term strategy and alliance with Jax ultimately led to her triumphant cash-in and crowning as champion.

  • Saudi Arabia to Host 2026 WWE Royal Rumble (Report)

    The 2026 WWE Royal Rumble is reportedly set to take place in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant international milestone for the iconic event. According to PWInsider, the deal has been finalized, and an official announcement could come as early as this Monday during the premiere of Raw on Netflix.

    WWE is currently in the midst of a 10-year partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an agreement slated to run through 2028. This collaboration has resulted in 12 premium live events, two television tapings in the region, and the creation of the WWE Experience, a themed attraction.

    Financially, the partnership has been highly lucrative, with WWE reportedly earning $50 million per event in Saudi Arabia, per SES reports. Turki Al-Sheikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, recently revealed to ESPN that discussions are ongoing to enhance the deal. Al-Sheikh highlighted Saudi Arabia’s interest in hosting major events like WrestleMania or the Royal Rumble as part of these negotiations.

    Meanwhile, the 2025 Royal Rumble is scheduled for Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

  • The Rock Awarded Nearly $14 Million Worth Of TKO Stock

    Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson closed out 2024 on a high note, as a new SEC filing released Friday night revealed he was awarded 96,557 Class A shares of TKO stock on December 31. The award stems from an arrangement made upon his return to WWE in late January 2024, when he joined the TKO Board of Directors.

    As part of his January return, Johnson also gained full intellectual property (IP) ownership of “The Rock” name and other character-related trademarks. The December stock allotment holds a present-day value of $13,749,716.80. This represents half of a total grant of 193,115 restricted stock units he was awarded on January 23, 2024. The remaining shares will be distributed in monthly installments throughout 2025.

    According to the filing, Johnson currently owns 289,673 TKO shares, valued at over $41 million. Nearly 97,000 of those shares were earned following his appearance on the first night of WrestleMania 40 earlier in 2024.

    While The Rock has not appeared on WWE programming since October’s WWE Bad Blood, speculation is rife that he may feature in the debut episode of Raw on Netflix next week. However, this has yet to be confirmed.

  • Liv Morgan Gives A Tour Of Her Florida Farm

    WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan recently appeared on Entertainment Tonight, where she offered fans a glimpse into her life outside the ring, including a tour of her Florida farm. Morgan revealed that she owns seven-and-a-quarter acres of land, home to a variety of animals: five chickens, two cows, a pig, two cats, and two dogs.

    When asked about her love for animals, Morgan expressed her lifelong compassion for them, noting that maintaining her farm is both fulfilling and enjoyable. “I’ve always loved animals,” Morgan shared. “Having this farm allows me to connect with them in a meaningful way.”

    The tour also included a peek inside her home, where Morgan showcased her closet and her private wrestling ring. The ring is a unique feature that highlights her dedication to her craft, even in her personal space.

    Morgan’s farm life provides a stark contrast to her high-energy persona in WWE, giving fans a more grounded and personal look at the champion outside of the squared circle. Morgan also shared a picture of one of her cows on Twitter, as seen below:

    https://twitter.com/YaOnlyLivvOnce/status/1875224166586261625

    Morgan will defend the WWE Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley at the WWE Raw on Netflix premiere next Monday.

    https://twitter.com/etnow/status/1875014011319939077?s=46

  • Big Boom AJ Reveals Target Date For AEW In-Ring Return

    Costco Guy AJ Befumo, also known as Big Boom AJ, is gearing up for an in-ring return with AEW after making his promotional debut a few months ago. Befumo’s first AEW bout, a showdown with QT Marshall, took place at the AEW Full Gear pay-per-view at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. The match featured dramatic outside interference from Paul Wight and Aron Solo, with Solo distracting QT Marshall and subsequently getting laid out. As the referee’s attention was diverted, Big Justice (Eric Befumo) delivered a spear to QT, setting the stage for AJ to secure the victory with a powerbomb.

    Befumo and his son Big Justice, who wrestled alongside him, recently spoke to Cultaholic about plans for their next AEW appearance. According to the duo, AJ’s next match is tentatively scheduled for the AEW Revolution pay-per-view in March.

    “He’s going to wrestle in March,” Big Justice told Cultaholic. “We’re looking at—talking to the AEW team—it looks like I’ll be at Revolution in March,” Befumo confirmed. “That’s what we’re gunning for right now. Maybe an appearance before that, but that’s the plan.”

    AEW Revolution is set to take place at Crypto.com Arena (formerly the Staples Center) in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 9.

    Before achieving social media fame, AJ Befumo worked on the independent wrestling scene. He and his son gained widespread recognition as the “Costco Guys” on platforms like TikTok, where they documented their visits to the wholesale retailer and rated products from its food court. Their unique blend of humor and relatability helped the father-and-son duo transition from influencers to professional wrestlers in AEW.

  • Ric Flair Plans For Saturday’s AEW Collision Scrapped

    Ric Flair was originally scheduled to make a cameo appearance at this Saturday’s AEW Collision event at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC. However, according to a report by PWInsider.com, those plans have changed, and Flair is no longer expected to attend.

    Instead, AEW has tapped local wrestling legends Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, better known as The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, to appear at the event. The report also noted that the duo is slated to make additional appearances at future AEW events in the coming weeks.

    Flair joined AEW in 2023, debuting as Tony Khan’s surprise gift to Sting ahead of Sting’s retirement at the Revolution pay-per-view. His appearances in AEW have been tied to a sponsorship deal with Wooooo Energy, which funded his involvement. This arrangement mirrors a similar sponsorship model used by WCW with Randy Savage in the 1990s. Since Revolution, Flair has not been featured on AEW programming.

    Card for Saturday’s AEW Collision:

    • TNT Championship: Daniel Garcia (c) vs. Mark Briscoe
    • AEW Tag Team Championship: Private Party (Brother Zay & Marq Quen) (c) vs. Lio Rush & Action Andretti
    • Toni Storm vs. Deonna Purrazzo
    • Rated FTR (Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. The Learning Tree (Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith)
    • Jeff Jarrett in action
    • The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express to appear

    Although Flair’s cameo has been removed from the lineup, the inclusion of The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express continues the show’s nod to wrestling history, especially given Charlotte’s deep wrestling roots.

  • WWE Planning Ring Announcing Shake-Up

    Alicia Taylor is set to become the new ring announcer for WWE Raw as the company reshuffles its announcer lineup for Raw and SmackDown. The announcement comes ahead of Raw\’s debut on Netflix, which will premiere next Monday from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    According to a report by PWInsider.com, Taylor, who previously served as the ring announcer for SmackDown, will officially transition to Raw beginning with the Netflix premiere. Taylor joined WWE in 2018 and was promoted to SmackDown in May 2024, where she has been a prominent presence ever since.

    Meanwhile, Lilian Garcia will return as SmackDown\’s ring announcer starting this Friday night and is expected to remain in that role going forward. Garcia took over ring announcing duties on Raw in October following Samantha Irvin’s departure from WWE. A veteran of the company, Garcia originally worked for WWE from 1999 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2016, with occasional appearances in the years since.

    This Friday\’s episode of SmackDown, emanating from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, marks another significant change as the show extends to three hours.

  • Ric Flair Thinks He Has One More Match In Him

    Ric Flair wrestled his final match on July 31, 2022, teaming up with his son-in-law, Andrade El Idolo, to defeat Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett. The bout, billed as Flair’s retirement match, drew concern from fans due to Flair’s age and his health condition, including the presence of a pacemaker. These concerns intensified during the match, as Flair’s performance appeared to be hindered.

    Flair later attributed his struggles in the match to dehydration caused by a strict diet and weight management routine during his preparation. Despite this, Flair remains confident in his ability to step back into the ring. Appearing on the Five Star Podcast, Flair was asked whether he thought he could still compete in a match. His response: “Hell yeah, I do.”

    Flair joined AEW in 2023, debuting as Tony Khan’s surprise gift to Sting ahead of Sting’s retirement at the Revolution pay-per-view. Flair expressed that he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join AEW and be part of Sting’s farewell journey.

    Since the Revolution event, Flair has not appeared on AEW programming. According to Tony Khan, Flair’s appearances were tied to a sponsorship deal with Wooooo Energy, a brand that has paid AEW for each of Flair’s appearances. This arrangement echoes a similar deal Randy Savage had with WCW in the mid-1990s, leveraging sponsorship to fund his participation in the promotion.

    While Flair’s in-ring career appears to have concluded, his presence in AEW highlights his enduring connection to the wrestling world and his ability to draw attention and excitement, even in a non-wrestling capacity.

  • Adam Copeland Reveals Shorten Name, Works First Match In Several Months

    During Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite, FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) joined forces with Adam Copeland, now known “Cope,” to take on The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli) in a heated trios match. The bout took place in FTR’s hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, adding an extra layer of intensity to the showdown.

    Jay White got involved by attacking Yuta. The babyfaces hit their finishers to end the match.

    This rivalry stems from an attack on FTR by The Death Riders during the December 14th episode of Collision. While FTR confirmed they would be medically cleared to wrestle at Fight for the Fallen on January 1, they hinted that they wouldn’t be entering the match alone. That prediction came true when Copeland made his shocking return at the Worlds End pay-per-view.

    At Worlds End, Copeland returned from injury in dramatic fashion, attacking Jon Moxley after he retained the AEW World Heavyweight Championship in a fatal 4-way match. Joined by FTR, Copeland\’s post-match ambush on The Death Riders set the stage for this week’s trios match.

    Copeland had been sidelined due to injury but remained active during his recovery, even working on a film project. He was medically cleared for in-ring action several weeks ago, making his return to AEW programming at the perfect moment to assist FTR.

    With tensions escalating between these factions, the clash on Dynamite was another step in what promises to be an explosive rivalry heading into 2025.

  • Ricochet Turns Heel, Brutally Attacks Swerve Strickland With Scissors

    Ricochet cemented his heel turn in dramatic fashion on AEW Dynamite, intervening violently during a triple threat match between Swerve Strickland, Roderick Strong, and Jay White. Emerging through the crowd, Ricochet shockingly struck Strickland in the head with golden scissors, setting the stage for White to secure victory over Strong with his finisher. As a result of the win, White earned the coveted #1 spot in next week’s Casino Battle Royale.

    The aftermath was even more shocking. A bloodied Strickland crawled around ringside as Ricochet, clad in a suit and glasses, stared him down coldly. Ricochet dragged Strickland into the ring and continued his vicious assault until members of the Undisputed Kingdom stormed in to chase him off.

    This heated moment followed the events of the AEW Worlds End pay-per-view, where Ricochet faced Kazuchika Okada in the Continental Classic League Semifinal. After Okada defeated Ricochet, Strickland appeared on the stage to taunt him. Strickland mocked Ricochet’s confidence, claiming he would \”blow it\” and that he was all talk since joining AEW. Escalating the insult, Strickland handed out toilet paper to fans, calling it the “best way to clean up a mess.”

    The tension between Ricochet and Strickland has now exploded into outright hostility, leaving AEW fans eager to see what’s next for the bitter rivals.