SEScoops

Author: Bishal Roy

  • CM Punk Calls Current WWE Run a ‘Late-Career Peak\’

    WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk is grateful for his current WWE run, calling it \”extra credit\” in a recent interview. \’The Best In The World\’ expressed disbelief and gratitude about his current success, highlighting his journey from leaving WWE to becoming champion again.

    Speaking with The Sporting Tribune, CM Punk noted that everything happening now feels like a massive and unexpected bonus.

    CM Punk on His WWE Return

    CM Punk said his current WWE run feels like “extra credit,” explaining that when he left the company in 2014, he believed his wrestling career there was completely over. He noted that he never expected to return or reach the level of success he is experiencing now.

    \”Everything that I\’ve done since I\’ve come back, I like to say is kind of like extra credit. It\’s nothing that I thought would happen. When I left in 2014, I thought I was done. I didn\’t think about, ‘Oh, maybe I\’ll go back, and maybe in the future I’ll do this.’ No. So being in the thick of it now, being this busy, being the champ, having all this responsibility and being on the cover and all these great things happening — it’s just …Man, I’m just fortunate.”

    Unexpected Career Revival

    Punk also described this phase as a “late-career peak,” saying he feels like he’s firing on all cylinders and performing better than ever at this stage of his career. He added:

    “I mean, gratitude would be the word. I never thought this would happen to me again. If I were a baseball player, I never thought I’d be in the batter’s box again. And to still have a fastball, see a fastball coming and be able to hit it out of the park. I’m so grateful.

    \”I’m firing on all cylinders. I think I’m better than I’ve ever been. And I think saying that at this stage of my career is pretty incredible.\”

    CM Punk is scheduled to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42. The event takes place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

  • Randy Orton Pitched Matt Riddle as His WrestleMania 41 Opponent to WWE

    Former WWE star Matt Riddle recently revealed that Randy Orton personally pitched him to WWE as a potential WrestleMania 41 opponent, and that Riddle followed up by reaching out directly to Triple H, offering to pass a drug test on the spot.

    Riddle shared the exchange on the Rewind Recap Relive podcast, saying the last time he had any contact with WWE was in the lead-up to WrestleMania last year.

    \”The last time I talked to anybody from WWE was before WrestleMania last year because they were looking for an opponent for Randy. Randy hit me up being like, \’Hey, I pitched you to be my opponent.\’ And I was like, \’Holy crap, thank you.\’\”

    Riddle said he immediately took the initiative and reached out to Triple H directly, making clear he was ready to return on short notice.

    \”I contacted Triple H and said, \’Hey, I\’ll be there if you need me. I\’ll pass a drug test, whatever you need, man. I\’ll be there, bro.\’ And he\’s like, \’I appreciate it. We\’ll keep you in mind.\’\”

    WWE Went in a Different Direction

    Despite the outreach, WWE ultimately chose another opponent, Joe Hendry, for Orton at WrestleMania 41. Riddle said he holds no grudge and acknowledged the decision was out of his hands.

    He expressed genuine appreciation for Orton going to bat for him, saying the relationship between the two remains strong despite no longer being on the same roster.

    The RK-Bro tag team run produced one of the more beloved acts of the pandemic-era WWE, and Riddle has previously said he felt that chapter ended without a proper conclusion.

    When asked about the possibility of a WWE return more broadly, Riddle was optimistic: \”Never say never. There\’s always a chance.\” He is currently working for Major League Wrestling and has positioned himself for a run at the MLW Heavyweight Championship.

  • Raquel Rodriguez Predicts Judgment Day Championship Sweep at WrestleMania 42

    Raquel Rodriguez recently addressed the state of Judgment Day, sidestepping questions about the faction\’s internal drama while laying out an ambitious vision: a full championship sweep at WrestleMania 42.

    In an interview on WWE Now\’s Raw Recap, hosts Sam Roberts and Megan Morant immediately pressed Rodriguez on the Judgment Day clubhouse situation, specifically involving Dominik Mysterio losing the Intercontinental Championship on the most recent Raw. She delivered a deadpan non-answer that was itself a character statement.

    \”The Clubhouse wishes to not speak on the subject at this moment in time. Thank you very much for your consideration on that. I would like to just focus on maybe what\’s gonna happen next week and how La Familia is gonna bring it back next week — that\’s what we can talk about.\”

    IC Gold as the Faction Reunion Catalyst

    Rather than dwelling on the title loss or the tension between Dom and his stablemates, Rodriguez re-framed the narrative around her upcoming opportunity.

    She is set to compete next week in a six-woman number one contender\’s match — featuring Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, IYO SKY, Asuka, and Ivy Nile — for a shot at AJ Lee\’s Women\’s Intercontinental Championship.

    \”Next week when I win this multi-women match — and I get my chance to have that IC title — that is gonna bring the family back together,\” Rodriguez said. \”That is what is gonna put us back on the map. And Judgment Day is gonna continue to run all of WWE like we have been doing this entire time.\”

    The Championship Sweep Vision

    Rodriguez painted an expansive picture of where the faction is headed, one where every member of La Familia walks into WrestleMania with gold — and walks out with it still around their waists.

    \”La Guerita is gonna be champion, Big Sexy is gonna be champion, El Sucio\’s gonna be champion,\” she said. \”We\’re all gonna be champions. And then we\’re all gonna laugh because it\’s gonna be amazing.\”

    She closed the interview with a characteristically exclusive note about the post-WrestleMania celebration:

    \”We\’re gonna have a big party and no one will be invited but the Judgment Day.\”

    Rodriguez also aimed a jab at CM Punk — AJ Lee\’s husband — while discussing a potential match with Lee:

    \”I\’d be happy to ragdoll her and send her home with CM Punk as soon as Dominik Mysterio\’s done with him again.\”

    WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Rodriguez\’s number one contender\’s match airs on the next episode of WWE Raw on Netflix.

  • Gunther Opens Up on Weight Loss, Body Image Pressure: \’Factually Not Realistic\’

    Former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther has given his most candid account yet of the physical transformation that changed his career trajectory and issued a warning about the toll that staying in shape year-round places on professional wrestlers.

    Speaking on What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, the \’Ring General\’ was asked about his dramatic weight loss since arriving on WWE television. His answer was characteristically blunt.

    \”I thought, you know what, you go on television now — it\’s the right thing to do. It\’s about time. I always felt great, I moved well and stamina was not an issue, but it was like — you know what, it\’s gonna be overall the better decision. That was basically the driving factor.\”

    Gunther has previously acknowledged being surprised looking back at just how big he was — he estimates he was \”300 easily at the highest,\” with his current working weight around 240–245 pounds.

    But the more revealing part of the conversation was what Gunther said about the psychological trap that comes with getting into shape as a professional athlete.

    \”It\’s a bit of a slippery slope sometimes because it\’s a big factor for us to be in shape, but also we\’re not bodybuilders. It\’s so hard to judge yourself where your sweet spot is. Because when you look at yourself in the mirror, it\’s always like, \’Oh, I should do more\’ — while objectively everybody else tells you, \’No, no, you look great. What are you doing?\’ And once you\’re really in it, you have tunnel vision. You can adapt your whole day to just — get my five meals in, get my training in.\”

    Gunther then made a point about the unrealistic standard the wrestling industry quietly imposes on performers — one that he says is simply not achievable by normal human physiology.

    \”The best bodybuilder in the world gets in shape once a year. Our thing is we gotta be in shape all year round. That is factually not realistic.\”

    Gunther credited those around him, including Ludwig Kaiser, with helping him find perspective during the process. He also noted that his wife — former wrestler Jinny — provides a grounded support system that keeps those pressures from becoming all-consuming at home.

    The transformation has clearly paid dividends. Since arriving on WWE\’s main roster in 2022, Gunther became the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in company history and captured the World Heavyweight Championship twice — making him one of the most decorated European performers in WWE history. He even retired legends like John Cena and AJ Styles.

  • Gunther on Michael Cole\’s \’Pro Wrestling\’ Call: \’It Was Validation for My Whole Career\’

    Gunther recently revealed the deep personal significance of Michael Cole\’s now-famous commentary line from the John Cena retirement match at Saturday Night\’s Main Event — calling it a career-defining moment of validation.

    When Cole declared, \”sports entertainment is dead, pro wrestling beats sports entertainment\” as Gunther made Cena tap out, it landed differently for the Ring General than for almost anyone else in the building.

    Speaking on What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, Gunther explained why those words cut so deep.

    \”My whole time before WWE, the whole moniker of the group back then, was always like, against sports entertainment, professional wrestlers — that whole spiel. So to actually see that making it to this moment was very — what\’s the word for it? It was a big confirmation for myself.\”

    Cody offered the word: \”Validation.\” Gunther agreed immediately — \”That\’s the word, yes.\”

    Gunther came up through the European independent scene — specifically wXw in Germany and the broader wrestling community that operated under the belief that \”pro wrestling\” and \”sports entertainment\” were fundamentally different things. For much of his career, that distinction was almost an article of faith among his peers.

    To then arrive at WWE\’s biggest stage, in the ring for the most emotionally charged match of the year, and hear those exact words spoken by the company\’s lead commentator — it was a full-circle moment he hadn\’t anticipated.

    He also noted just how much the moment transcended the usual WWE audience bubble. ESPN broadcast the show live, meaning sports fans who had never seen a wrestling match caught Cena\’s final chapter in real time.

    \”Now we work in the best version of WWE that it\’s ever been. I think there are many ways you can make it to the top now. WWE always felt very one direction.\”

    The moment has since taken on a life of its own, widely cited as one of the most memorable commentary calls in recent WWE history.

    For Gunther, it was something more personal: proof that the path he chose — the road from Vienna\’s indie scene to the ring where John Cena took his final breath as an active competitor — was the right one all along.

    Gunther recently marked 20 years since his professional wrestling debut, a milestone that adds further weight to the journey Cole unknowingly narrated in that one sentence.

  • Raquel Rodriguez on the Evolution of Big Sexy: Illness, Doubt, and Self-Belief

    Raquel Rodriguez has fully embraced the \”Big Sexy\” persona, and in a candid conversation with WWE Now\’s Raw Recap hosts Sam Roberts and Megan Morant, she offered a rare look at the mindset behind the evolution, from a difficult stretch following illness to the confident, dominant force she is today.

    \”There\’s not one moment that springs to my memory that\’s like, \’oh, that was the time I knew I had to change,\’\” Rodriguez said. \”It\’s really been a progression over the past year — coming back from my illness, not feeling very confident — but every week I get an opportunity to show everyone why I belong on this roster, why I belong on Monday Night Raw, why I am Big Sexy Raquel Rodriguez.\”

    Letting the Action Do the Talking

    When online discourse questioned her presence and power, Rodriguez chose not to respond with words. Instead, she poured the doubt into her performances — a deliberate choice that became central to the Big Sexy persona.

    \”I\’ve always considered myself a woman of action,\” she said. \”Words are words, but they only mean so much. I just let it go. I said, I don\’t need to open this beautiful mouth — I\’m just gonna show you guys what this strong, beautiful, powerful, tall, amazing, just great at everything woman can do out there. And that\’s the kind of confidence I\’ve been carrying into every single match, every single week.\”

    Moment with John Cena

    One moment crystallized the shift more than any other: Tejana Bombing John Cena during his retirement tour. It functions now as something Rodriguez actively invokes — a psychological credential she carries everywhere.

    \”My confidence just — oh, okay, we can do this,\” she said. \”If I could Tejana Bomb John Cena, I can Tejana Bomb anyone.\”

    She elaborated that she still references the moment constantly, including at fan meet-and-greets when she encounters Cena merchandise:

    \”I just go ahead and say, \’Hey, you know, I picked him up and I threw him right down. I Tejana Bombed him. Don\’t forget about that. And it\’s not AI — I can promise you that.\’\”

    Thriving in Chaos

    The Elimination Chamber setting brought out the best in Rodriguez, who views multi-person, high-chaos environments as her natural habitat.

    \”Elimination Chamber — I was in my element,\” she said. \”There\’s nothing more I love than being inside of a cage and throwing women against it. I thrive in chaos. I thrive when it comes to having multiple women at my fingertips for me to just think of insane things to do to them.\”

    Rodriguez also offered a self-assessment that may be her sharpest line yet:

    \”I think that is the scariness of Big Sexy — I don\’t recall another person that can come across with more glee and more charm when discussing punching people in the face.\”

    The Big Sexy train is eyeing for WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas — and she is competing next week on WWE Raw in a six-woman match for the right to challenge AJ Lee for the Women\’s Intercontinental Championship.

  • Gunther Eyes Future Showdowns With Rising Stars

    Former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther recently laid out a clear vision for his WWE future — and it\’s built around three names: Ilja Dragunov, Bron Breakker, and Oba Femi.

    Speaking on What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, the \’Ring General\’ articulated exactly where he wants to be in the company and who he wants to face once he gets there.

    \”There\’s like a Roman that was here for long and Brock that held that spot for such a long time. I feel like where I want to get to is — be able to get into that spot. But then wrestle Ilja in that position. Have great matches with Bron down the line. Have great matches with Oba. There\’s many more of them. I want to be the guy that is gonna be able to wrestle all of them, have great matches with all of them.\”

    Gunther was candid that his ambition isn\’t to be the face of the company in the same all-encompassing way as those who came before him. He sees his ideal role as something different — and he told Cody directly that he admires him for the parts of the job he knows he couldn\’t do himself.

    \”I don\’t have that in me to be wanting to be the guy that is at the very mountaintop and everybody looks up to him. I admire you sometimes for what you do because I couldn\’t, man. I wanna be at the top, but in a different role and contribute that way.\”

    The list of dream opponents isn\’t random. Gunther and Dragunov share a deep history going back to their days together in wXw, and their rivalry was cut short last year when Ilja suffered a torn ACL. Dragunov has since returned and won the United States Championship on SmackDown.

    Breakker is one of the most physically dominant young talents in WWE, while Femi has made a strong impression since moving to the main roster full-time earlier this year.

    Gunther also addressed what he sees as the fundamental truth about working at the top of the card: it takes two to make a marquee moment, and he\’s comfortable acknowledging that.

    \”The marquee says two names. John Cena\’s retirement match wasn\’t against nobody. We are relying on one another. However you do it, different or not — good luck to you and I look forward to it.\”

    With WrestleMania 42 approaching, the Road to the Grandest Stage of Them All is still taking shape — and Gunther appears eager to make the most of wherever it leads.

  • Raquel Rodriguez on Her Last Chance for a WrestleMania Moment

    Raquel Rodriguez recently made one thing clear that next week\’s six-woman number one contender\’s match for the Women\’s Intercontinental Championship is her only path to WrestleMania.

    She sat down with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant on WWE Now\’s Raw Recap following Elimination Chamber 2026, and said:

    \”This is the absolute last opportunity I have to have a WrestleMania moment for myself. If I don\’t get ahold of that IC title, what am I gonna do at WrestleMania? What title can I defend? What title can I go after? We\’re six weeks away from WrestleMania. That\’s really not a lot of time, especially not in WWE world. So we gotta make things happen.\”

    With the Women\’s Championship picture locked up following the Elimination Chamber, Rodriguez finds herself in a crowded field alongside Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Asuka, IYO SKY, and Ivy Nile — all competing for the right to face AJ Lee at the Grandest Stage of Them All.

    Coming Off a Signature Chamber Performance

    While Rodriguez did not win the Elimination Chamber match, she left Chicago with significant momentum. A highlight of the night was her simultaneous double powerbomb, stacking two opponents for a double elimination. It\’s a feat the hosts noted had previously only been seen from Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 37. Rodriguez said:

    \”You see what a double pin can do for someone. I am on my rise right now. No one is getting in front of the Big Sexy train, that\’s for sure. Because if you do, you\’re gonna get run over.\”

    Rodriguez also addressed the loaded contender\’s field with characteristic confidence:

    \”Those women, whoever they are, that think they\’re strong enough to step up to Big Sexy — good luck. And if you didn\’t see what happened in Elimination Chamber, then I really feel sorry for you. But that\’s okay, because maybe when these fists hit your face, it\’ll just be a really fun surprise for you.\”

    The Target: AJ Lee and WrestleMania

    Should Rodriguez win the contendership, she will face AJ Lee, who captured the Women\’s Intercontinental Championship at Elimination Chamber by submitting Becky Lynch. Rodriguez views a potential title match with Lee as a career-defining opportunity against a legend — and one she believes will end with her raising gold at WrestleMania 42.

    \”It would just put a stamp on the fact that Big Sexy is taking over. If I have another opportunity to get a title in my hands — to be at WrestleMania with Liv Morgan — that would be great.\”

    WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The six-woman number one contender\’s match airs on the next episode of WWE Raw on Netflix.

  • Gunther Reflects on Retiring John Cena: \’It Was the Biggest Thing I\’ve Done\’

    Former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther recently spoke candidly about what it meant to retire John Cena at Saturday Night\’s Main Event — and why being emotionally detached from Cena\’s legacy actually made him the perfect man for the moment.

    Appearing on What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, the Ring General described the Cena match as the defining moment of his career to date.

    \”It was the biggest thing I\’ve done in my career — the first time I was ever part of something with that magnitude where I could really feel like it affects everybody.\”

    More Intense Than WrestleMania

    Gunther was notably candid about the fact that he didn\’t grow up emotionally invested in Cena the way many of his peers did. A self-described \”nerd for Japanese wrestling and Indian wrestling,\” Gunther was largely an outside observer to the Cena era — and he said that made all the difference backstage on the night.

    \”That day, strangely, it almost felt more intense than WrestleMania backstage. Everybody was very worked up. But I catch myself in those moments because I wasn\’t a big WWE guy growing up. I was reading results and stuff like that. So I catch myself in the middle of this — the emotional stone that I am — but for my own benefit, it was great to be the guy that can pull the rug on everybody.\”

    The contrast with host Cody Rhodes was stark. Rhodes, who has a deeply personal history with Cena stretching back to his childhood, was visibly emotional discussing the retirement. Gunther acknowledged that dynamic, noting the two men experienced the same night in entirely different ways.

    Cody noted during the conversation that he had barely interacted with Cena before the match itself — the two had only exchanged a hello or two beforehand. That distance, counterintuitively, may have freed Gunther to focus purely on the performance in the ring.

    Gunther also reflected on the weight of competing on a show that truly moved the needle, pointing out a distinction that\’s easy to overlook: not every match sells tickets. This one did.

    \”Something that\’s lost on a bit of the newer generation is not every match sells tickets. And that match — that event — actually sold tickets. The flights for Saturday Night\’s Main Event for all of us who were there were paid for by you and him. That was the money match.\”

    Gunther has since issued an open challenge to anyone in WWE unhappy with how he handled Cena\’s retirement, declaring he is \”very easy to find.\” Cena himself has spoken positively about the match\’s ending in the time since.

  • WWE Saturday Night\’s Main Event Scheduled for May

    WWE is reportedly set to hold the next Saturday Night\’s Main Event special on May 23rd, 2026, and WWE is considering bringing the show to Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville has previously hosted major WWE events, including SummerSlam 2022 at Nissan Stadium.

    The event follows the January 24th, 2026 edition of SNME at Bell Centre in Montreal, which featured Sami Zayn vs. Randy Orton vs. Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams to determine the #1 contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble. Last December\’s show was also headlined by John Cena\’s final match.

    WWE Saturday Night\’s Main Event Returns

    WrestleVotes, via Fightful Select, announced:

    \”The next edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event is on the books for May.\”

    Saturday Night Main Event specials have been held quarterly on Peacock. WrestleVotes Radio also reported that four Saturday Night\’s Main Event shows are scheduled for 2026, one less than last year.

  • Penta Confirms He’s Still Competing Despite Serious Injury

    Penta has revealed that he is still wrestling with a torn bicep, even after winning the WWE Intercontinental Championship. He defeated Dominik Mysterio on the March 2nd, 2026, episode of WWE Raw to capture the title. This marks Penta\’s first WWE championship.

    Penta won the title after avoiding a 619 and hitting a Mexican Destroyer. He had earned the title shot by defeating El Grande Americano last month on WWE Raw. Following his victory, Penta joined No-Contest Wrestling for an interview.

    Penta\’s Dedication

    During the interview, Penta revealed how he suffered the injury:

    “This injury was like, maybe, I don’t remember exactly. Four, five years ago? Something like that. I don’t remember who gave me a kick. One kick in my chest but, basically, he broke my tendon, from the shoulder to the bicep, and bro, it’s so hard… and this is the shoulder for the last injury. You remember that? A couple months ago.”

    Penta was asked how his shoulder is feeling, and he replied:

    “Now, no matter. I’m f*cking glad. Because the gold is on my shoulder brother. The gold is in Mexico right now. No matter what happen with my body, I don’t care. This is the most important.”

    Penta showed his dedication and prioritized the title despite his injuries. He said that winning the title is an emotional moment that represents 20 years of hard work and sacrifice. He thanked his family and friends for believing in him along the way.

    “Man, the first thing was crazy. But at the same time, I feel like the emotion fixes it because it’s so very special for me but, the most important thing, I want to say thank you. Thank you to my family, thank you to my friends, thank you to my company and thank you to everyone who believed in me because this is very important, and thank you to myself, because I believe in me every single day to achieve this title. It’s like 20 years, the hard work, 20 years of the sacrifice. But, now, this title represent all these people who never give up because Penta represent all those people. Penta represent the dreamers, Penta represent the fighters so they’re real life, you know? So, that’s why I feel so glad because finally, these all people who believe in me, it’s like, finally, Penta growing up and Penta finally achieve the title. I think this is the most important thing because this title is not just for Penta. It’s for all those people.”

    Despite the pain, Penta has made it clear that nothing is going to slow him down right now. Winning the WWE Intercontinental Championship represents a lifelong goal achieved through sacrifice, resilience, and sheer willpower.

    While he\’s still wrestling with a torn bicep, Penta’s focus remains on honoring the moment, carrying the gold with pride, and proving that no injury can take away what this championship means to him.

  • Jeff Jarrett on WWE\’s Ticket Crisis: The Rock, Discounts & Broken Prices

    Jeff Jarrett recently said that the story behind The Rock\’s return to last year\’s Elimination Chamber tells you everything you need to know about WWE\’s current ticket pricing problem.

    Speaking on My World with Jeff Jarrett with host Conrad Thompson, Jarrett recounted the behind-the-scenes reason for The Rock\’s surprise appearance at Elimination Chamber 2025 in Toronto.

    \”Why did The Rock come back last year at Elimination Chamber? Why did he say Ari called?\” Jarrett said. \”He said, \’Hey, ticket sales were soft. We got to get something in here. They\’re not moving as fast.\’\”

    Despite those soft sales concerns, the event went on to become the highest-grossing WWE event ever held in Canada — surpassing every WrestleMania that has taken place north of the border. Jarrett noted the irony: a record-setting show that still needed a last-minute star power injection to get tickets moving.

    \”That\’s not just the biggest Elimination Chamber. That\’s not just the biggest PLE,\” he said. \”That\’s bigger than the WrestleManias that have been held in Canada.\”

    The 25% Discount That Changed Nothing

    The Elimination Chamber situation set up what Jarrett sees as the most damning data point: a WrestleMania ticket discount weekend that failed to move inventory even after a 25% price cut.

    \”They did that 25% off weekend and they didn\’t even move tickets,\” Jarrett said. \”Even at 25% off, those are high tickets.\”

    His diagnosis: the base prices are simply too high to begin with, and a one-weekend discount doesn\’t fix a structural pricing problem. WWE leadership has pushed back on criticism of ticket prices, but the discount weekend result suggests the market is sending a clear signal.

    Jarrett places the blame squarely on TKO Group Holdings\’ decision to benchmark WWE against UFC when setting price expectations. The two properties share a parent company but serve fundamentally different audiences — and in his view, charging WWE fans UFC prices misreads the room entirely.

    \”TKO\’s going, \’Look what we can charge for UFC,\’\” Jarrett said. \”But it\’s just a different audience and a different mentality.\”

    His broader point is that WWE\’s major tentpole events — Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, WrestleMania — can still command premium prices. The problem is applying that same ceiling to every event on the calendar.

    \”I\’m not saying they can\’t for Rumble or SummerSlam or WrestleMania,\” Jarrett said. \”But I don\’t think they can treat every show like a UFC super show.\”

    Jarrett isn\’t alone in this criticism — multiple industry voices have raised alarms about WWE pricing fans out of live events as TKO continues to push revenue growth.

  • Jeff Jarrett: TKO Is Applying UFC Pricing to the Wrong Audience

    Wrestling legend Jeff Jarrett recently said that TKO Group Holdings is making a fundamental mistake by treating WWE\’s audience the same as UFC\’s and argued that corporate pricing strategy is the root cause of the ticket sales struggles WWE has been experiencing.

    Speaking on his My World with Jeff Jarrett podcast alongside host Conrad Thompson, the WWE Hall of Famer laid out a pointed critique of the parent company\’s approach to live event pricing.

    \”They\’ve gotten carried away with ticket prices because of what they can charge for UFC,\” Jarrett said. \”TKO\’s going, \’Look what we can charge for UFC.\’ But it\’s just a different audience and a different mentality.\”

    Jarrett pointed to a recent WrestleMania discount weekend as the clearest sign that prices have been set too high. WWE offered 25% off tickets and still couldn\’t move inventory, a data point he called hard to ignore.

    \”They did that 25% off weekend and they didn\’t even move tickets,\” he said. \”Even at 25% off, those are high tickets.\”

    Meltzer Is Nailing It

    In a notable moment, Jarrett offered explicit praise for Dave Meltzer — acknowledging that he doesn\’t always agree with the Wrestling Observer founder but believes he\’s correct on this issue.

    \”In my mind, Meltzer\’s nailing this,\” Jarrett said. \”The UFC can command these crazy ticket prices, but that\’s not WWE\’s audience.\”

    His argument centers on a demographic gap between the two properties. UFC, he said, skews heavily male with a higher-income fanbase — the kind of audience that supports premium pricing. WWE\’s audience is structurally different: broader, more family-oriented, and multi-generational.

    \”UFC is going to skew to an audience that is more male and would carry a higher CPM — it\’s probably better socioeconomically stronger demographics,\” Jarrett said. \”I don\’t think they can treat every show like UFC. Every UFC carries a premium and there are super shows. WWE ticket sales on average are never going to rival UFC.\”

    Jarrett was careful to note his support for TKO consolidating backend operations — legal, accounting, and infrastructure efficiencies make sense. His critique is specifically about applying a unified pricing philosophy to two fundamentally different products.

    \”I love the idea of running the backend the same,\” he said. \”You market differently, you produce differently. It is conceptually a different business.\”

    This isn\’t the first time WWE\’s ticket pricing strategy has drawn criticism from within the industry. Randy Orton has also called out WrestleMania ticket prices as out of step with the traditional WWE fanbase, and WWE surpassed UFC in annual revenue for the first time in 2025 — but Jarrett\’s point is that strong revenue numbers don\’t tell the full story of a broken pricing model at the event level.

  • Bianca Belair Shares Painful Update On Injury Recovery: \’Feels Like I’m Starting Over\’

    Former WWE Women\’s Champion Bianca Belair recently shared an update on her finger injury recovery on Instagram. \’The EST of WWE\’ has been on the sidelines since WrestleMania 41.

    At the event, she sustained a broken knuckle during her triple threat match against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. Belair underwent surgery in February 2026 and is currently in rehab. She last appeared on WWE programming as a special guest referee at WWE Evolution in July 2025.

    Bianca Belair Shares Update

    In a recent Instagram post, Belair described the difficulties she\’s facing.

    \”Most days after therapy this is what happens. My finger just stiffens back up. It feels like I’m constantly starting over and everything it’s painful. Every hour I’m trying to move it so eventually it won’t be this way. Also, trying to keep scar tissue from forming again,\” Belair said.

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2026/03/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2026/03/\"

    Bianca Belair Recovery Timeline

    Belair began physical therapy immediately after surgery, starting with a 7 AM session on the first day. She also expressed gratitude to Dr. Desai, who performed the surgery.

    The surgery is likely to rule Bianca Belair out of action for WrestleMania 42, which takes place on April 18-19 in Las Vegas. The recovery timeline seems to be two to four weeks for surgery, but three to six months for full grip strength. SummerSlam 2026 appears to be a more realistic event for her in-ring return.

    SEScoops wishes Bianca Belair a full and speedy recovery.

  • MJF Confirms Creative Freedom In AEW: \’There’s No Leash on Me\’

    AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) recently revealed why he plans to stay with AEW, citing creative freedom and his belief that he is a major draw for the promotion. MJF is scheduled to defend his World title against Hangman Adam Page at AEW Revolution 2026.

    Ahead of AEW Dynamite in El Paso, Texas, MJF appeared for an interview with ABC-7 sports director Adrian Ochoa on KVIA, where he shared his thoughts on his plans on staying with AEW.

    \’Salt of the Earth\’ highlighted his value to the company. The two-time AEW World Champion explained that he has creative freedom, which helps him keep going.

    He said:

    “What keeps me in AEW is my ability to be myself; there’s no leash on me. I don’t have to worry about anyone sitting me down and telling me what I am doing right or wrong.”

    MJF added:

    \”My boss knows I am the draw. I have the World title right now. Ratings are up, ticket sales are up. I wonder why? He lets me do my thing. So, I don’t think I’ll ever leave.\”

    MJF\’s Second World Title Run

    MJF made a surprise return on AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash and cashed in his Casino Gauntlet contract to insert himself into the AEW World Championship match at Worlds End. He recently won the AEW World Championship by pinning Samoa Joe in a Fatal Four-Way match at AEW Worlds End on December 27th, 2025.

    He is currently scheduled to put his World title on the line against Hangman Adam Page on AEW Revolution 2026.

  • Jake Hager on Chris Jericho\’s Possible WWE Return, Heel Value, and Working the Internet

    Former AEW star Jake Hager recently offered his take on former Inner Circle teammate Chris Jericho\’s WWE future, the timeless value of a great heel, and why wrestling companies should start using the internet as a tool rather than fighting it — all in a new interview on TMZ\’s Inside The Ring.

    On Jericho\’s WWE Return: \”Anything Is Possible\”

    With Chris Jericho\’s AEW contract having expired at the end of 2025, Hager was asked about the chances of seeing his former Inner Circle partner back in WWE. He didn\’t hesitate.

    \”With Chris, anything is possible. I fully expected to see him at the Rumble — or in the Rumble. That guy loves wrestling. He loves to perform. It\’s who he is. He\’s not going to stop.\”

    Hager also credited Jericho\’s work ethic and ring intelligence as the model for how a veteran should operate.

    \”He\’s not going to have a bad storyline. Every segment is going to be ironed out and great because he\’s done it for so long. He knows what to look for,\” Hager said.

    He also pointed to Jericho\’s willingness to put over younger talent during his AEW tenure.

    \”He started off with the championship — he was the first ever AEW champion — but then after that he was constantly putting over Orange Cassidy, putting over the young guys, helping them grow.\”

    The Case for a Great Villain

    Hager also made a pointed argument about the current state of wrestling storytelling, centering it on the importance of heels.

    \”A heel is more valuable than a baby face. In order to have the knight in shining armor, you\’ve got to have that big nasty fire-breathing dragon. Otherwise everyone\’s the same. The nastier, the more evil the heel is, the bigger it\’s going to make the baby face.\”

    Using the Internet Against Itself

    Hager also proposed a strategy for recapturing some of what pro wrestling has lost in the social media era. Rather than lamenting that \”smart\” fans spoil angles, he suggested companies lean into it.

    \”You don\’t have to tell all the wrestlers [a backstage argument] was a setup for a storyline — and then it can get leaked online that these two were fighting backstage. You can start working the fans again, having them believe stuff is real,\” he said.

    \”Everyone says the internet is where you can just find out everything. Well, you can use the internet right back at them. I think that\’s an avenue that\’s going to be next for wrestling companies.\”

    It\’s the kind of thinking that comes from being more than two decades in the business — and it\’s the lens through which Hager is watching whatever comes next for both himself and the industry.

  • Chris Jericho Credits David Bowie as Blueprint for Career Reinvention

    Former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho recently revealed that David Bowie has been one of his biggest inspirations when it comes to career reinvention, and that surrendering creative control on Fozzy\’s biggest hit \”Judas\” taught him the power of collaboration.

    During an appearance on UNTAPPED with Spencer Matthews, the 55-year-old broke down his philosophy on longevity across wrestling and music — and why refusing to be a nostalgia act has kept him relevant for over 35 years.

    \”I like doing the opposite of what people expect. It\’s based around David Bowie,\” Jericho said. \”He always reinvented himself. You could go to a Halloween party and see 10 people dressed as David Bowie in different versions, and you\’d know them all. I would also venture to say you could see Chris Jericho costumes — different ones — and know each one if you\’re a fan. I never wanted to be a nostalgia act.\”

    How \’Judas\’ Became Fozzy\’s Biggest Song

    Jericho also shared how letting go of ego on the songwriting front produced the biggest hit of his music career. \”Judas,\” Fozzy\’s signature anthem, has amassed over 75 million YouTube views and is approaching platinum status — but Jericho didn\’t write a single lyric.

    \”I used to write all the lyrics for Fozzy because I\’m the singer and I must write the lyrics,\” he said. \”Then we started collaborating with people who are just much better lyric writers than I am. I didn\’t write a lyric for Judas. That\’s got nothing to do with me except that I\’m the singer who sang it. I could have been stubborn — \’I must write the lyrics.\’ That probably would not have worked as much. Back off a bit, work with people, collaborate with other creative geniuses, and let\’s create some cool [stuff].\”

    The wrestling legend also highlighted that creativity and character work matter far more than athletic ability in professional wrestling.

    \”It\’s the only thing that matters — creativity, personality, charisma,\” Jericho said. \”Doesn\’t matter the moves that you do. It\’s how you connect with the crowd, how you build a story that people care about.\”

    Jericho is also in a period of transition in his wrestling career, with his future being widely speculated on across the industry.

  • Jake Hager Reveals Origin of \’We the People\’ and His Trump Pitch to Vince

    Former WWE star Jake Hager recently revealed the unscripted origin of \”We the People\” — one of WWE\’s most resonant catchphrases — and shared a pitch to Vince McMahon that tied the Real Americans gimmick to Donald Trump\’s 2016 presidential campaign. Both stories came during his appearance on TMZ\’s Inside The Ring.

    The Nashville Session That Started It All

    Hager explained that Dutch Mantel (Zeb Colter) was brought in to audition as the mouthpiece for the Real Americans in Nashville. The phrase that defined the act was never written down in any script.

    \”We were in Nashville — Dutch lived there — so we brought him in to cut a couple promos and see if he\’d be a good fit for the mouthpiece of the group,\” Hager recalled.

    \”He cut about two [promos], took some notes, and then at the end of the third one, he finished with \’We the people.\’ Everybody in the room was just like, \’Oh, that\’s so cool.\’ That was the beginning of it.\”

    The gimmick began as an anti-immigration heel act — but the crowd gradually turned it into something else entirely.

    \”People kind of took it over. \’We the people\’ became theirs. It was no longer the Real Americans\’ catchphrase. It was kind of unifying in a way.\”

    He added that he believes the phrase would still get enormous reactions today. The gimmick was cut short partly due to media scrutiny over its political content.

    The heel paradox wasn\’t lost on Hager. Dutch would insult the audience to their faces, yet they\’d still rise and chant along at the end.

    \”Dutch, you said THIS and THIS and THIS about them — and they still cheered us when we said \’We the people,\’\” Hager said. \”We were on to something for sure.\”

    The Trump Pitch Vince Buried

    In 2015, with Trump\’s presidential campaign underway, Hager pitched an idea to McMahon that would have tied the Real Americans storyline directly to the political moment.

    \”Dutch and I were going to do everything Donald Trump did and come out on stage and be very presidential,\” Hager explained.

    He said he framed it to McMahon as a unique opportunity:

    \”What if you could tell your friend that you\’re the reason why you put him in the White House?\” The response was immediate. \”And he was like, \’Oh, stay away.\’\” Hager laughed recounting it, calling it one of the more prescient moments from his WWE tenure in hindsight.

    Hager said he believes \”We the People\” would land just as hard with today\’s audiences. \”It doesn\’t mean it can\’t morph for change,\” he noted — leaving open the possibility that the catchphrase has more chapters left to write.

  • Tony Schiavone: AI Will Replace Wrestling Announcers

    AEW commentator Tony Schiavone believes Artificial Intelligence will eventually replace wrestling announcers. The AEW commentator made the comments on his ‘What Happened When?’ podcast.

    Schiavone envisions AI-generated commentary becoming a reality in wrestling. However, he stated he would rather his commentary end when he no longer dons the headset.

    In a recent edition of his podcast, Schiavone said:

    “When I die, which, knowing me, could be any day…I want my memory to be gone.”

    Schiavone suggested that Artificial Intelligence will replace announcers soon. He said on his podcast:

    “Well, pretty soon there’s going to be an AI wrestling announcer, believe you me. There’ll be somebody in a video truck, just pushing buttons. ‘He picked him up.’”

    AI Controversy in Wrestling

    AI has been used in pro wrestling to criticism. AAA used AI in a video package that portrayed Dominik Mysterio with the AEW World Championship instead of the AAA Mega Championship.

    The mistake sparked criticism from fans online, and AAA eventually deleted the video. WWE has also been accused of using AI in documenting the story of El Grande Americano.

  • Jake Hager Open To Wrestling Return, Rules Out One Company

    Former WWE and AEW star Jake Hager, who announced his retirement from professional wrestling in August 2025, is now leaving the door open for a return to the ring. However, he\’s already ruled out at least one company.

    Speaking on TMZ\’s Inside The Ring, Hager said his body has recovered significantly since he stepped away. He said:

    \”When I retired, my body was banged up pretty badly. My shoulders were hanging on by a thread. Everything\’s a lot better now and healthier — it\’s amazing what a little time off creates. I wouldn\’t rule out me wrestling again. I think I\’d like to get back in there, actually.\”

    One Company He Won\’t Call

    Despite the renewed optimism about his physical condition, Hager drew a clear line when it came to AEW. When asked which promotions he might consider, he stated flatly:

    \”There [is] one company that I wouldn\’t be asking [to work for].\”

    The context of the conversation made clear he was referring to All Elite Wrestling.

    It\’s not the first time Hager has aired grievances about the company. He previously slammed Tony Khan\’s leadership and said he regretted his AEW run, and told Sportskeeda he didn\’t think WWE liked him very much either. The combination left his future in wrestling uncertain — until now.

    Hager spent five years in AEW as a founding member of the Inner Circle alongside Chris Jericho before departing in 2024. He was candid that the AEW chapter holds mixed memories.

    \”It\’s hard to look at my time at AEW and be mad at it because I got to work with Chris,\” he acknowledged, but his exit was acrimonious.

    With his Power Slap career now kicking off and his body healthier than it\’s been in years, a wrestling return may be closer than previously thought — just not in Jacksonville.

  • Chris Jericho Admits He Wasn\’t Ready for Undisputed Title

    Chris Jericho recently reflected on his historic Undisputed Championship win during an appearance on UNTAPPED with Spencer Matthews, admitting he wasn\’t truly prepared for the moment that should have defined his career.

    In December 2001, Jericho defeated both The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on the same night to become the first-ever Undisputed WWE Champion. Despite the magnitude of the accomplishment, the 55-year-old says it took him years to become the performer that moment demanded.

    \”When I beat The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin the same night, I wasn\’t really ready to be the top top guy,\” Jericho said. \”It was years after when I finally locked in — 2008, 2009 — that\’s when I became the Chris Jericho that you\’re talking to now. A guy who knows what he\’s doing in all aspects. Total confidence, total pro. I wasn\’t that at that point in time in 2001 when I was the Undisputed Champion.\”

    The George Harrison of the Attitude Era

    Jericho explained the difficult position he faced when he first arrived in WWE during the Attitude Era. Despite being hugely popular, he was competing for attention alongside two of the biggest babyfaces in wrestling history.

    \”I was like the George Harrison of the Attitude Era,\” Jericho said. \”I\’m a great musician, a great songwriter, but I\’m in a band with Paul McCartney and John Lennon. What can I do? Nothing. There\’s no way I can get bigger than them. So I turned bad guy, turned heel, and that\’s when I really started getting to the next level.\”

    That heel turn ultimately positioned Jericho as the perfect antagonist for WWE\’s top stars. As he put it:

    \”Every dragon slayer needs a good dragon to slay. And that\’s what I was for The Rock and Stone Cold. That\’s when I really started making it to the next level as a main event guy.\”

    Jericho\’s AEW contract status has been the subject of intense speculation over the past year, with many expecting a WWE return in 2026. This candid interview comes at an interesting time as the wrestling world waits to see where the nine-time world champion lands next.

  • Danhausen Addresses Fans After WWE Elimination Chamber Debut

    WWE\’s newest signing Danhausen addressed fans on social media following his WWE debut at Elimination Chamber in Chicago on February 28th, 2026. He appeared during the mystery crate reveal, emerging from a coffin with dancers wearing his face paint. The former AEW star also handed commentator Michael Cole a jar of glass teeth.

    Danhausen\’s contract with AEW had expired on February 28th, 2026 and he became a free agent. Taking to X, he commented on his WWE debut. He had not appeared on AEW TV since Worlds End 2023.

    Danhausen\’s Social Media Reaction

    Danhausen\’s first public comment since signing with WWE and debuting at Elimination Chamber, confirming his return to television, was:

    \”Danhausen is ALIVE and back inside your television.\”

    WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 took place in CM Punk\’s hometown of Chicago, where Punk successfully defended the World Heavyweight Championship. Danhausen is a close friend of Punk, so it carried extra weight as they both had a memorable outing.

    WWE is likely to present Danhausen on RAW, suggesting his television presence will continue immediately rather than being treated as a one-off appearance.

  • Randy Orton: If I Can Go 10 More Years, I Will

    The 2026 Men\’s Elimination Chamber winner, Randy Orton is grateful for his current position in WWE, enjoying his role as a mentor to younger talent. \’The Viper\’ also discussed his upcoming WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42.

    Speaking on the WWE Elimination Chamber post-show, Orton said he never envisioned himself in this role, mentoring younger superstars. He specifically mentioned Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, and Myles Borne as talents he is excited to work with. He said:

    “I’ll be honest, it’s quite fulfilling. Like Je’Von Evans, bless his heart, he looked great out there tonight. He ended up getting eliminated of course but seeing him, seeing Trick, seeing the other young guys, a few guys down in NXT, Myles Bourne’s one of them, there’s a lot of guys that I’m excited to talk to and I can tell they’re excited to listen,” he said.

    “I feel like there’s a certain lane that I stayed in where I make little things mean something and just last night I was able to talk with a couple of young guys and I could tell that they were really excited to hear what I had to say and their eyes got kind wide open and were like ‘Oh wow, this Randy knows his s***.’”

    Orton emphasized his passion for wrestling and his desire to continue contributing to the business. He added:

    “And I do! I have a lot to give back. And like I said, it’s fulfilling to me and it fills my lungs up with fresh air man, it makes my heart beat faster. I love this business and if I can do it ten more years, I will, God willing.”

    WWE Title Match At WrestleMania 42

    Orton earned his shot at WrestleMania 42 by winning the Elimination Chamber match, last eliminating Cody Rhodes after a distraction from Drew McIntyre.

    However, who Orton will face at WrestleMania remains uncertain. WWE SmackDown GM Nick Aldis has announced that Drew McIntyre will defend the WWE title against Cody Rhodes on this coming Friday’s SmackDown.

  • CM Punk Mocks Rollins and Lynch With Racy Photo After Elimination Chamber

    CM Punk and AJ Lee celebrated their respective title wins at WWE Elimination Chamber in Chicago. On February 28th, AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch to win the WWE Women\’s Intercontinental title at the show. Shortly after, CM Punk defeated Finn Balor to retain his World Heavyweight Championship. 

    Following the show, \’The Second City Saint\’ dropped a racy photo on his Instagram account. The photo parodied a similar one taken by Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch years prior.

    The photo featured CM Punk using his World Heavyweight title to cover his groin, and using Lee\’s Women\’s Intercontinental title to cover his chest. The photo immediately spread on social media, drawing comments from other WWE superstars.

    His wife AJ Lee commented on the photo, stating, \”He is my emergency contact.\” Rhea Ripley also wrote: \”I’m f***in dead!\”

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2026/03/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2026/03/\"

    WrestleMania 42 Main Event

    CM Punk is scheduled to face 2026 Men\’s Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42 for the World Heavyweight Championship. Meanwhile, AJ Lee is the WWE Women\’s Intercontinental Champion. This marks her first WWE title in over 10 years, since the Divas Championship in 2014.

  • John Cena Explains Adam Copeland Match Missing During Retirement Tour

    17-time World Champion John Cena recently addressed why a highly anticipated match with Adam Copeland didn\’t occur during his 2025 retirement tour. Many fans hoped for a final showdown between Cena and Copeland (known to WWE fans as Edge). Despite fan interest, the match never materialized due to the promotional gap.

    Speaking to The Takedown, John Cena has now revealed that the two remained in close contact throughout the entire farewell run. \’The Leader of Cenation\’ stated he only had 36 dates and couldn\’t face everyone, despite talking to Copeland often and having great respect for him.

    “I talk to Adam all the time. I have great respect for him. We refer to each other as ‘old shoe’ because Adam’s got a very special place in my heart. Now here we both are, celebrating a long living space in a wonderful business. So I talk to him often. I think both of us understood about something like (the retirement tour) it is the sports entertainment business. But then again, I only had 36 dates. I can’t work with everybody.”

    Cena\’s Retirement Tour

    During his 2025 retirement tour, Cena faced rivals like Randy Orton and CM Punk. However, he said that he wanted to face Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Batista, which wasn\’t possible as they all have already hung up their wrestling boots.

    “Gosh, I had tons of fun with Khali, all of my opponents, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Batista. You name it, we could have just run the gambit of folks. I would run out of time trying to tell you the people I wanted to face,” Cena added.

    Cena and Copeland refer to each other as \’old shoe\’ due to their comfortable in-ring chemistry. While the former 17-time World Champion couldn\’t face his former rival, he paid tribute to the \’Rated-R Superstar\’ by using the Spear in his final SmackDown match. Copeland had also returned the favor by using Cena’s Five Knuckle Shuffle at AEW All Out in Toronto.