Lucha Brothers’ Rey Fenix recently withdrew from an indie appearance amid rumors about his potential signing with WWE.
It recently came to light that his contract with AEW is running out later this year which led to speculation that he might be jumping ship to WWE. New Era Wrestling recently released a statement about Fenix\’s withdrawal from their event on September 2nd. While it is not confirmed yet, this usually happens when a talent has signed with WWE.
AEW desires to retain the Lucha Brothers and contract negotiations have been ongoing. However, some indications have been that the luchadors might be WWE-bound.
Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Miedo file trademarks
On August 1, Penta filed trademark for the names of “Cero Miedo,” “Zero Miedo,” and “AN1MO” for the meaning of entertainment purposes. Meanwhile, his younger brother Rey put in for “King Fuego,” “Rey Fuego,” and “Fuego” all on the same date for the same reason.
All of the trademarks were for goods and services in the realms of \”Entertainment services, namely, exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; live appearances by a wrestler; live appearances by an entertainer\” and were filed under the company name The Mexa King Brand, which is based out of California.
Kota Ibushi recently made it clear that he is not leaving AEW and assured the fans about his return with Kenny Omega.
DDT Pro-Wrestling announced that Kota Ibushi will be returning to the promotion and compete in a trios match teaming up with Danshoku Dieno & Akito to face Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino & Yuya Koroku. It will mark his first time competing for the promotion in 7 years. This led to the fans questioning whether he was done with AEW.
One fan on social media raised doubt about Ibushi\’s status. The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion labeled AEW as his \’home\’ and dropped hints about making his comeback with Kenny Omega.
No, my home is AEW. We'll see a full comeback with Kenny.
Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega have been one of the most popular tag teams known as The Golden Lovers. They have been KO-D Tag Team Champions, the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions, and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
The former IWGP World Champion had been recuperating from an injury and missed almost a year of in-ring action. He made his return to the squared circle at GLEAT\’s event at Tokyo Dome City Hall where he faced Daisuke Sekimoto.
Kota Ibushi\’s last appearance for AEW took place November 15 edition of Dynamite last year. He had joined forces with Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and Paul Wight to defeat Brian Cage and The Don Callis Family in an eight-person Street Fight.
Former AEW Women\’s World Champion Britt Baker has landed a role in the popular Netflix series, \’Cobra Kai\’.
PWInsider Elitereported that Baker is set to appear on the show for its sixth and final season. The series is an extension of the popular Karate Kid film franchise. The report suggested that D.M.D will portray the character of a European fighter on one of the teams competing in an international Karate tournament known as \’Sekai Taikai,\’ which the final season has been revolving around.
Britt Baker will be featured in fight sequences and those were filmed before her AEW return, which was pushed back due to her commitments in the series.
The first set of Cobra Kai episodes for season six are currently available on Netflix and it saw the participants arriving for the tournament. Baker will be seen in the later episodes of this season. The second set of episodes for season six will drop on the platform on November 15.
Britt Baker recently returned to All Elite Wrestling at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view. She has been involved in a heated rivalry with TBS Champion and NJPW Strong Women\’s Champion Mercedes Mone.
AEW recently suspended Britt Baker after a backstage incident last month. In the incident, she was involved with the AEW American Champion MJF, and his real-life partner Alicia Atout. Reports stated that the situation dates back to unresolved issues between the two talents, as they had a “falling out” last year.
Despite the suspension, Britt Baker is scheduled to face Mercedes Mone for the AEW TBS Championship on Sunday, August 25 at AEW All In: London.
WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker has revealed that he was aiming for one more match before calling it a career for good.
\’The Phenom\’ recently told WWE star Logan Paul on his Impaulsivepodcast that he wanted one more match. During the interview, the WWE was asked whether he was looking for one last bout to end his in-ring career. The Undertaker said that\’s what he was looking for to put the exclamation point in his decorated career. While he has retired, Taker still believes he has one more battle left in the tank. He said:
\”That is what I was looking for. Yeah, just to put the exclamation point on the career. I wanted to have that one match that I could hang my hat on and say goodbye. I will come to the shows and I will say hello, and I\’ll talk to some of the guys. Maybe watch a couple of the matches, but then I\’ve got to leave. It is still in my body, my mindset is like, \’Dude, you should be getting ready right now.\’ That part in your head that has gotten you this far says you still got one in you somewhere.You got one match and people are gonna go \’wow\’\”
The Undertaker competed against AJ Styles in a cinematic Boneyard Match at WWE WrestleMania 36. He emerged victorious over \’The Phenomenal One\’ and it marked his final match in the company. After an illustrious 30-year career, he officially retired at Survivor Series PLE in November 2020. Since then he has been making sporadic appearances for the company.
Pop singer Clairo recently dropped her new video song, \’Juna\’ which was shot at White Eagle in Worcester, MA. This marked her first music video in several years and it features Beyond Wrestling\’s Wrestling Open and its stars as her backdrop.
In the video directed by Bradley J Calder, Billboard Top 100 Artist Clairo attends the indie circuit wrestling show, and watches a battle royal match before the crowd joins her for the song. Clairo could be seen posing with the Beyond Wrestling wrestlers backstage while everyone else from the audience to the ring announcer, lip sync the song’s closing melody.
Clairo’s latest release is currently #1 on the TikTok Billboard charts and she was number 14 on the Billboard Top 100 Artists chart last week behind Jelly Roll, who performed at last Saturday\’s WWE’s SummerSlam PLE.
Wrestling Open and Beyond Wrestling owner Denver Colorado said:
“It was an incredible experience to work with Clairo and her team. When Clairo shared the fan-made TikTok featuring Ryan Clancy and Brad Baylor to her Instagram story last week, we saw a massive influx of new fans that were curious about Wrestling Open. Timing is everything and I think this collaboration will bring independent wrestling into a mainstream spotlight like we haven\’t seen in more than a decade.\”
He added:
\”White Eagle in Worcester has hosted Wrestling Open every Thursday for the last 135 weeks. The opportunities we have been afforded this year is a testament to the extraordinary work of our entire crew. For our wrestlers to get recognition on this stage is virtually unheard of, yet totally deserved. Before Clairo left, I told her that the \”Juna\” music video would change lives. Wishing her nothing but continued success as she embarks on her North American tour!”
The newly-crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad recently responded to WWE star CM Punk, who congratulated the Octagon fighter.
On the latest edition of Raw, CM Punk congratulated his former UFC training teammate Belal Muhammad for clinching the UFC welterweight title with a dominant performance against Leon Edwards at UFC 304. Check out Belal\’s response below:
Belal Muhammad is part of the Roufusport MMA team which is led by coach Duke Roufus. Apart from Muhammad, several UFC champions including Anthony Pettis and Tryon Woodley have emerged from the gym. It is to be noted that Punk and Muhammad have a fair share of history. Apart from the fact that they both hail from Chicago, Illinois, they trained together in the past.
\’The Second City Savior\’ had a short-lived UFC run during which he trained primarily under Duke Roufus at his gym in Milwaukee. This is the same place where Muhammad frequently trained as he climbed up the rankings in the UFC’s welterweight division. Punk competed twice in the UFC and suffered defeats on both the occasions. Following his UFC run, he stepped away from MMA.
Now, CM Punk is back in WWE and his rivalry with Drew McIntyre looks far from over. \’The Scottish Warrior\’ prevailed over Punk in a match officiated by Seth Rollins at last week\’s SummerSlam. On the latest episode of Raw, Rollins and Punk almost started a brawl but McIntyre distracted the latter. Punk went after the Scotsman while Bronson Reed decimated \’The Visionary\’.
Zilla Fatu, who is the son of late WWE star Umaga, was recently spotted at last Saturday\’s WWE SummerSlam PLE in Cleveland. Zilla was promoted for a UPW Wrestling show in Michigan on Saturday and GCW’s New Jersey show on Sunday. However, he missed both the shows which led to speculation that he officially signed with WWE during the SummerSlam weekend. Well, that is not the case.
Fightful Select has reported that Zilla Fatu ended up having travel delays and cancelations that would put him at the show on time. The report suggested that WWE “naturally has their eyes on him”, but he is still expected to make appearances for GCW in the future.
The real-life Bloodline member trained at Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling school and made his pro-wrestling debut at ROW Summer Of Champions IX in July last year. He has also competed for GCW and HOG. Fatu also won the HOG Crown Jewel Title during the promotion’s event on July 26.
WWE SummerSlam proved to be an important event for the Bloodline storyline. Solo Sikoa failed to dethrone the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in a Bloodline Rules Match. Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa interfered in the match but things didn\’t work for them. Roman Reigns made his blockbuster return wearing the “Original Tribal Chief” (OTC) shirt. \’The Head of The Table\’ then laid out his cousin Solo Sikoa with a Superman Punch before hitting a Spear. This helped Cody Rhodes to capitalize and retain the title.
Free agent Becky Lynch has left the fans wondering about her future in pro wrestling. \’The Man\’ has had a decorated career, having multiple accolades. The latest episode of \”Biography: WWE Legends\” documentary by A&E captures her illustrious career.
Taking to her social media, Becky Lynch thanked people for watching her Biography episode that premiered Sunday on A&E. She reflected on her 10-year career and said that being \’The Man\’ was an honor and being the mother to Roux is a privilege. She wrote:
“It’s been a helluva career. Being the Man for all of you was an honor, being the mom for her is a privilege. Thanks for watching my bio on @AETV.”
Fans soon started speculating that she might be hanging up her boots. However, it seems that the post was only to promote her new biography episode. WWE veteran wrestler Natalya commented: “Truly enjoyed this!!!! And the best is yet to come.“ Nattie\’s comment assured fans that Lynch is not retiring anytime soon.
Becky Lynch\’s contract expired on June 1. This is the first time that the 37-year-old star is a free agent since signing with WWE. Reports stated that Lynch was not extending her contract and would be taking an extended leave of absence.
Back in May, the Irish superstar dropped the Women\’s World title to Liv Morgan at WWE’s King & Queen Of The Ring PLE. Lynch once again got a shot at the title on Raw but she suffered a defeat in a Steel Cage match against Morgan. This marked Lynch’s final match under her previous WWE contract.
Becky Lynch has come a long way since joining WWE and it is expected that she could receive lucrative offers. Fightful Select reported that Lynch is expected to receive one of the biggest offers in pro wrestling history for female wrestler. It is to be seen what the future holds for Becky Lynch.
Ahead of tonight\’s WWE SummerSlam PLE, SEScoops correspondent Ella Jay spoke with Gunther, who will challenge Damian Priest for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. During the interview, \’The Ring General\’ discussed his past jobs, rivalries, possible matches in the future, and more.
Gunther did very odd jobs in the past. One of them was a meatpacking job. It\’s quite ironic now because \’big meaty men slap\’ and meet on Monday Night Raw every single week. When asked who is the \’meatiest man\’\’ in the locker room, other than himself, Gunther replied:
\”I don\’t know, Sheamus, I guess.\”
\’The Ring General\’ also revealed what jobs he did before he decided to lace up his boots. He said:
\”Call Center, obviously. Unloading containers with Sunflower seeds… store them..jobs like that. They\’re a bunch of more. Yeah, it\’s hard work. It\’s good to do that and have appreciation for it because a lot of people do it every day and it\’s unseen.\”
Winning King of The Ring against Randy Orton
‘The Ring General’ earned a World Heavyweight Title shot after winning this year’s King Of The Ring Tournament by defeating Randy Orton. It was a dream match for a lot of people and WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H said they might once again share the ring in the future. When asked if he has an interest in facing Randy Orton in the future, Gunther said: \”Yeah, for sure.\”
He added:
\”That\’s how I enjoy professional wrestling most, if that makes sense. Randy is obviously one of the best to ever do it. And I think the setting was very nice too. Saudis are always very welcoming to us and the crowd over there really good. Yeah, felt like a great moment and that will forever remember.\”
Possibly rekindling feud with Ilja Dragunov
Fans have been expecting Gunther and Ilja Dragunov to reignite their iconic rivalry and he was asked how far his relationship knowing Ilja goes back. He said:
\”To 2011, 2012 something around that time, I think he started and he got booked by WXW a lot when I was always there. So since then, we know each other basically.\”
Sami Zayn also had a match with Gunther back in WXW. Gunther recalled those matches with Zayn when he worked under El Generico moniker:
\”Oh, yeah, I remember that. I have wrestled him more often before. But that\’s the wrestling business itself. Sometimes. I mean, sometimes you see someone very intensively for a while and then that is disappear for years and then it all comes back around so\”
Gunther praises Sami Zayn\’s Intercontinental run
Gunther’s record-breaking WWE Intercontinental title reign of 666 days came to an end when Sami Zayn dethroned him at WrestleMania XL. \’The Ring General\’ praised Sami Zayn\’s run as the Intercontinental Champion as he said:
\”Oh, quite objectively has stepped up obviously. Big time. I think he\’s done a very good job and I think yeah, he has a lot going on anyway with the whole Judgment Day thing as well. And yeah, I think he\’s done really good but yeah, till tomorrow.\”
Favorite rivalry
Gunther has faced a plethora of talents since joining WWE and has been involved in memorable rivalries. When asked what has been his favorite rivalry, he named The Miz.
\”I think the one that would with The Miz. That was a very, very important one for me. And yeah, I really enjoyed that. And it was so important program I had in my career.\”
WWE SummerSlam: Cleveland is stacked with some exciting matches. While Gunther is focussed on his own title match, he said that he is looking forward to the match between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre with Seth Rollins as the Special Guest Referee. He said:
\”I gotta be honest, I haven\’t thought about any other match yet. I know which ones are there but maybe Drew and Punk.\”
Don\’t expect to see Michael Cole leave WWE anytime soon as he has signed a new deal with the company.
Bryan Curtis of The Ringer reported that Cole penned a fresh contract in the spring which will keep him with the company for the foreseeable future. However, the tenure of the contract was not mentioned.
Michael Cole is arguably one of the greatest commentators of all time. Cole, a former news reporter, has lent his legendary voice to iconic moments in the company. In the company, he even had a short heel run and even scored a win at WrestleMania 27.
It was back in 1997 that Cole joined WWE and he is still going strong. He started doing backstage interviews at the time during the Attitude Era. In the next couple of years, he became a play-by-play commentator and served Smackdown in the 2000s. Over the years he has cemented his legendary status as the \’Voice of WWE.\’
In the past, Vince McMahon gave various talking points to Michael Cole in his headset during the shows which was uncomfortable for the veteran. This is something several other announcers have also criticized. Now that Vince is not in charge anymore, Michael Cole has freedom as he uses more stats and shares real-life backstories on the wrestlers. Cole shared his experience and also recalled how he confronted Vince McMahon. During the interview with The Ringer, he said:
“I’m not going to lie. There have been times where he has said things to me that were inappropriate. I would go back to Gorilla after the show and get in his face and tell him, ‘That was bullshit.’ He respected that I did that. Over the next few years, people still didn’t accept me because they looked at me as being a puppet for Vince. And I think some of that probably was true. Listen, I’m not a rebel. I’m here to make money and take care of my family and provide myself a good living. And when your boss asks you to do something, you do it. I still think, at that time, I was a hell of a good announcer.”
Currently, Michael Cole serves as the commentator for Raw alongside his broadcast partner Pat McAfee.
Imperium member Ludwig Kaiser is optimistic that he could be a part of WWE Bash In Berlin despite recuperating from an injury. Kaiser has been sidelined with a broken rib injury which he sustained in a match against Bron Breakker. He recently revealed that he struggled to breathe following the match and he has been kept off the SummerSlam card.
Ludwig Kaiser told SPOX that he is on the right track for his return. He believes that his appearance at the upcoming WWE Bash In Berlin PLE in Germany is \’not in danger\’ and reassured all the German fans about it. Kaiser also reflected on WWE\’s recent tour and showed excitement for the upcoming events in Europe. He said:
\”I\’m on the right track. Bash in Berlin is not in danger, I can reassure all German fans on that. You have to watch SummerSlam – there\’s too much going on at the moment. There\’s something new every week. The WWE is boiling and booming. Most recently we were in Japan, Mexico, for TV in America and then we\’re going back to Europe soon. If I stub and sprain my toe, I\’ll miss something next week too.\”
During the interview, Ludwig Kaiser was asked about a hypothetical scenario in which he would only get to serve as a manager of Gunther at Bash In Berlin instead of competing in the ring. The German wrestler said that it would be difficult for him to deal with it as he believes he could thrive inside the squared circle in front of the native crowd. He said:
\”I would find it hard to cope with that. I have earned the status that I can tear the place down on my own. As the only German, I want to show myself to my family and friends, who saw me fight in front of 35 people ten years ago. That is important to me.\”
It was recently reported that Kaiser will team up with Gunther against Ilja Dragunov and Sami Zayn in a dark match at the SmackDown before Bash In Berlin. However, it is to be noted that the card is subject to change. WWE Bash In Berlin is set to take place on August 31 at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.
Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther has revealed that his rivalry with The Miz was a significant chapter in his career. The reign that lasted an historic 666 days. During his remarkable run as the champion, \’The Ring General\’ defended the title against the likes of Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, Chad Gable, Jey Uso, and many more. This helped him to transform into the top star that he is today. However, one name that deserves a special mention is The Miz.
The Austrian powerhouse acknowledged that his feud with \’The A-Lister\’ benefitted his career. Speaking on The Ringer Wrestling Show, Gunther said that his matches with The Miz hold massive importance and fans loved it.
“I would say the matches I had with Miz were something that was very important for me. Miz is the total opposite of me. It’s 100 percent the other side of professional wrestling than I am. I was really proud of the matches we had to get to those really competitive, dramatic matches. … The people ate it up. They were there for it.”
(WWE)
Gunther holds his rivalry with The Miz in high regard for not only the matches but also for how the veteran wrestler helped him develop his promo skills. He said:
“Miz was a fantastic counterpart because he’s one of the best in doing that ever on the microphone. He’s maybe the most versatile talent the company has. That was a big challenge for me.”
The Miz is arguably one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. A 20-year veteran of the sport, \’The A-Lister\’ has had a decorated career. He is the first two-time Grand Slam Champion in the company. \’The Ring General\’ had successfully defended his title against The Miz and it certainly elevated him to a top draw.
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus has addressed the challenge issued by Ms. Money In The Bank 2024 Tiffany Stratton.
During the Money in the Bank PLE, Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus had a backstage encounter. The young star wasn\’t respectful towards the veteran. Later on during the post-show media scrum, Tiffany Stratton was asked about a potential match against Trish Stratus. The rising superstar stated that she was ready to face the veteran.
While speaking on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, Trish Stratus was asked about a possible bout against Tiffany Stratton. Stratus said that her return checked a few boxes and it was dependent on some factors. She said:
“Hey listen, I told you I checked some boxes when it’s time for a comeback. It’s not about nothing; it’s about something, right? It’s about a few things. Will the fans be interested? Is this a challenge for me as a performer? Going back as a heel was a challenge for me and something different for the fans.\”
She highlighted how working with Zoey Stark influenced a different generation. The 7-time Women\’s Champion didn\’t rule out a possible return and added that if Tiffany Stratton keeps running her mouth then she might come back to put her in place. Stratus stated:
\”Working with Zoe checked the box of influencing a different generation or impacting someone else along the way. So, yeah, as I’m saying these out loud, it’s checking those boxes. There are a few boxes being checked, you know? And again, like I said, if I can go back, 100%, I will and I’ll consider it. But I don’t know; if she [Tiffany Stratton] keeps running her mouth, maybe you’ve got to put some people in their place. What can I say?”
Stratton has been one of the fastest-rising wrestlers in the company. She had a successful run in NXT, where she became the NXT Women\’s Champion. The youngster was then called up to the main roster and she has been making waves on SmackDown.
Facing Trish Stratus would certainly elevate Tiffany Stratton\’s career. However, the WWE legend hasn\’t stepped foot inside the ring in a while. Trish Stratus, who recently hosted WWE Money In The Bank PLE, last competed in September. She faced Becky Lynch in a Steel Cage match in a losing effort.
Will Ospreay has vowed to reclaim the AEW International Championship and restore honor to the title after MJF disrespected it.
Last week, MJF threw the title in the trash and introduced the AEW American Championship. \’The Aerial Assassin\’ now wants to bring back the AEW International Championship. During the latest edition of AEW Dynamite, \’The Salt of The Earth\’ hyped up America and proclaimed to be the American hero. Ospreay received a negative reaction from the crowd when he said that he would bring the AEW International Championship back.
In an AEW Digital Exclusive, \’The Aerial Assassin\’ reflected on the crowd\’s response and said that he understood why the fans booed him. However, he is fighting for the legacy and history of the AEW International title. He said:
\”I know I’m doing the right thing. I know that I am fighting for the legacy and the history and the lineage of the International Champion. It’s bigger than just than the flag that is on the belt, it’s bigger than the country. It represents not only my country, but Japan, America, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, everywhere. It represents all of it, and yet I’m in this weird mind games battle right now where no one wants to boo the guy with a flag around his waist. But I understand, and I get it. I understand that there’s gonna be boos coming my way, but you need to understand that this bigger than just one country. It’s about all of us.\”
He further stated that he will continue fighting for the belt for the ones who made the title significant and vowed to earn everyone\’s respect. Will Ospreay made it clear that it\’s his duty to ensure that he captures the AEW International title and restores honor. He said:
\”I understand the American dream is something that is talked about, it’s unachievable, yet somehow I am doing. Somehow, they’re still cheering for me. Somehow, I am fighting a losing battle but day by day, I will gain everybody’s respect because they will understand that this is a battle worth fighting for. For everyone that has made that championship and for everyone that has made AEW the place to be, it is my duty, it is my due diligence to ensure that at Wembley Stadium, I restore honor to the International Championship. Trust me, America, I will not throw that championship in the trash like he did the International Championship. I will hand it back to Tony Khan, and I will say, ‘Keep it in a safe place.’ But the International Championship needs to be restored, and I’m the guy to do it.\”
EXCLUSIVE! Former Champion Will Ospreay is determined to restore HONOUR back into the INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP at Wembley Stadium when he faces ‘American Champion’ MJF!@WillOspreaypic.twitter.com/Xkb48oSAZy
During the 250th edition of AEW Dynamite, MJF dethroned Will Ospreay and captured the AEW International Championship. They fought in a gruesome match that lasted an hour. In the final moments of the match, MJF laid out Ospreay with his Dynamite Diamond Ring before pinning him for the win.
AEW International Champion MJF will now defend his title in a rematch against Will Ospreay at AEW All In: London 2024 on August 25 at the iconic Wembley Stadium.
Former AEW wrestler Joey Janela has informed fans that he has been diagnosed with Gallstone Pancreatitis.
Taking to his social media on Wednesday, Janela announced that he had been dealing with insane pain and vomiting. He went to the hospital and was diagnosed with Gallstone Pancreatitis. \’The Bad Boy\’ mentioned that his wrestling schedule in August is uncertain and he will release some merchandise for the fans to help him with the medical bills.
\”Well I’ve been in pain for quite a while, worst the past couple days along with insane vomiting. I braved through it to do a something at the limp bizkit concert and today had to check into a hospital. Turns out I have gallstone pancreatitis, my August schedule is uncertain for the time being, and bills gonna be through the roof. I’ll be trying to get some merch out there, should be in here for a minute.\”
Johns Hopkins Medicine defines Gallstone Pancreatitis as a disease that causes inflammation and pain in the pancreas. It also makes enzymes that help digest and break down the foods you eat. This is part of the digestive process. However, sometimes a gallstone gets stuck in the common bile duct which blocks the pancreatic duct. This is known as gallstone pancreatitis.
Janela has been one of the prominent stars on the indie circuit. He has been performing in GCW and his last match took place at GCWDon\’t Tell Me What To Do 2024. At the event, he teamed with Effy and faced Blake Christian and Shane Mercer in a losing effort. In the past, he has a had run with AEW and he departed the promotion after his contract expired in 2022.
Earlier this year, Janela talked about his desire and the possibility of signing with WWE. The 35-year-old wrestler said that joining WWE remains his goal and a dream. He also said that he aims to work with NJPW and perform at the Tokyo Dome.
We here at SEScoops wish Joey Janela a full and speedy recovery.
The Miz has been revealed as the host of the WWE SummerSlam Premium Live Event which will take place in his hometown, Cleveland, Ohio. During the latest edition of Raw, \’The A-Lister\’ himself made the massive announcement. The Miz revealed that he will be hosting this year’s \’Biggest Party of The Summer.\’
During the segment, his tag team partner R-Truth was also involved who cracked a few jokes. He mistook when The Miz said “his house” which he referred to Cleveland. The segment closed with the SummerSlam host promising both R-Truth and Cathy Kelley about bringing the hors d’oeuvres.
This isn\’t the first time that he is hosting a WWE PLE. In the past, he was the host of SummerSlam 2013. He also hosted last year\’s WrestleMania 39 when WWE went to Hollywood.
Last month, The Miz and R-Truth dropped the WWE World Tag Team Championships against The Judgment Day\’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh.
Meanwhile, WWE SummerSlam: Cleveland is stacked with some huge matches. The show will feature the in-ring returns of Rhea Ripley and CM Punk. While \’The Eradicator\’ will have a shot to reclaim the Women\’s World title against Liv Morgan. On the other hand, \’The Second City Savior\’ will finally face his arch-nemesis Drew McIntyre with Seth Rollins being Special Guest Referee.
Pentagon not the only one whose contract is expiring, according to a new report by Fightful Select It\’s come to light that his brother and tag partner Rey Fenix\’s contract with AEW is also set to expire soon. Similar to Penta, Fenix is also expected to have interest from WWE.
AEW understandably wants to retain the Lucha Bros. and negotiations have been ongoing. Unless AEW makes an offer they can\’t refuse, Fenix and Pentagon may want to enter free agency and see if they can start a bidding war and raise their final contract value.
Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Miedo have been among the AEW originals since 2019. The Lucha Bros have held the AEW World Tag Team Championships and the brother duo pair are also former AEW World Trios Champions with Pac.
Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix have performed across various prominent promotions including AAA, CMLL, TNA, NJPW, MLW, and more. While the list misses WWE, there is a huge possibility that the duo might make their presence felt in the Stamford-based company. Recently, a handful of former AEW stars such as Jade Cargill, Dragon Lee, Ethan Page, and Lexis King (Brian Pillman Jr.) have joined WWE and The Lucha Bros could follow suit.
Finn Balor is bruised and battered after sharing the ring with Gunther in the headlining match on last night\’s Raw. It is needless to mention that \’The Ring General\’ is one of the hardest hitters inside the squared circle. He once again had his thunderous chops on display against Balor.
Following the match, WWE dropped a couple of photos of Finn Balor on social media. The photos revealed Balor’s bruised chest as a result of a series of chops from Gunther.
The highly anticipated contest featured some spectacular spots. The final moments of the match saw Balor climbing up to the top rope and attempting the Coup De Grace. However, Gunther managed to dodge the move and countered with a Sleeper hold. Balor eventually passed out and the ref awarded the win to \’The Ring General.\’
Following the match, Gunther tried to send a message to the World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest. He didn\’t relinquish the hold on Balor even after the match ended. Priest rushed down to the ring to the aid of Balor. The show concluded with Priest and Gunther brawling outside the ring.
Gunther is posing to be a massive challenge to Damian Priest. \’The Ring General\’ earned a World Heavyweight Title shot after winning this year\’s King Of The Ring Tournament by defeating Randy Orton.
On the other hand, Damian Priest has been a fighting champion and he has successfully defended his title against the likes of Seth Rollins, Jey Uso and Drew McIntyre. \’The Archer of Infamy\’ will now put his title on the line against Gunther at this Saturday\’s SummerSlam PLE in Cleveland, Ohio.
Trevor Lee (formerly Cameron Grimes) has expressed his interest in every promotion after being released from WWE in April. However, he has specifically mentioned AEW as his possible future destination.
During K&S WrestleFest virtual signing, Lee discussed his exit from WWE. The former NXT North American Champion stated that it was all about the timing. While he believes it was unfortunate, he knows that pro wrestling never ceases. He highlighted the fact that wrestling shows take place all around the year. The former Cameron Grimes made it clear that he will be back on TV shortly.
A handful of WWE wrestlers have jumped ship to AEW in the past. There has been speculation that Lee might follow suit. He recognized how AEW has made an impact on the wrestling world since its inception in 2019 and wouldn\’t rule out signing with the promotion. He said:
“I have interest in absolutely every company. But, I do have interest in AEW. Why wouldn’t I? It’s doing what they’re supposed to do and it’s shocking the culture and it’s stirring up a firestorm that is the new era of wrestling so, of course.”
What\’s next for Trevor Lee?
Lee is scheduled to appear in Black Label Pro promotion for the first time. He will be making his debut for the Indiana-based promotion at BLP Old Habits Die Screaming at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago, Illinois on July 26. This will mark his first appearance for any promotion since his release from WWE.
Meanwhile, Elevation Pro Wrestling has also announced that Lee will appear at the promotion’s Homecoming event on July 27.
?SHOW ANNOUNCEMENT?
Elevation Pro Wrestling presents:
“HOMECOMING ”
Join us as we WELCOME HOME former WWE superstar TREVOR LEE!
??: Saturday JULY 27, 2024
?: Elevation Pro Wrestling Arena 599 S. Railroad St. Lexington, NC 27292
Now John Cena took to his X account and weighed-in on the matter. He has backed the idea of WrestleMania coming to London and believes the city deserves to host \’The Shows of Shows.\’ The 16-time World Champion is retiring in 2025 and he said won\’t be able to compete when WrestleMania goes London. However, he assured that he will attend the show as a fan. He wrote:
The city of London, and all of the UK has supported WWE thru thick and thin. I try to minimize using the word “deserve” so I will use more appropriate terms.
I’ve said it before and stand by it. In my mind London has EARNED a chance to host WrestleMania. I won’t get to compete when it happens but I will BE THERE as a fan for sure!
The city of London, and all of the UK has supported WWE thru thick and thin. I try to minimize using the word “deserve” so I will use more appropriate terms.
I’ve said it before and stand by it. In my mind London has EARNED a chance to host WrestleMania. I won’t get to compete… https://t.co/JpcWNhSByH
After waiting for several years, the UK crowd could be getting what they want. They have been vocal about hosting WrestleMania for years and the interest peaked especially after WWE Money in the Bank 2023. The London crowd were surprised when John Cena made an appearance and floated the idea of WrestleMania coming to London.
Meanwhile, John Cena announced his farewell tour before hanging up his boots. He didn’t mention when and where he would compete in his final match. However, he made it clear that next year will be his last time competing in the WWE PLEs.
Raj Dhesi (formerly Jinder Mahal in WWE) doesn\’t agree with the critics who believe that WWE missed an opportunity with the wrestler.
In a TikTok video clip, the former WWE Champion reacted to a fan who said WWE “dropped the ball” on him. He explained that during his 12-year career with WWE, he was able to make the most of the opportunities. He also got to travel the world, build valuable relationships, become financially independent, and have multiple in-ring achievements.
During his time in the company, he held the WWE Championship once and won the United States Championship at WrestleMania. \’The Modern Day Maharaja\’ said that he had a great time in WWE and thanked his fans for their support. Now, he is eyeing to make a mark on the indie circuit. He said:
“So I see this comment a lot and I wanna kinda share my opinion on it. ‘WWE dropped the ball on me’ – I would say that’s not true.
“Had a very long career, 12 years in WWE. WWE Champion, won the United States Championship at WrestleMania, made a great living, really set myself up for the future, for the rest of my life. Given me a sense of financial independence where now I can just do whatever I wanna do. Freedom, flexibility, got to travel the world, build amazing relationships, a lot of good memories. And it’s gonna continue now on the independents, just doing things my way.
So WWE did not drop the ball, I had a great career, a great time, and, yeah, thank you for all the fans tuning in for all these years.”
Jinder Mahal on people who say WWE dropped the ball on him:
"I would say that's not true. I Had a very long career. 12 years in WWE. WWE Champion, Why the United States championship at WrestleMania.
Dhesi will make his in-ring debut for GCW next month. The promotion announced that Dhesi will face Effy in a singles match on August 2 at GCW Now and Forever event in Cleveland, Ohio. “The Maharaja” has also revealed the tour dates for his ‘Unhindered Tour.’ He is scheduled to make a handful of appearances in several locations across North America. Check out the schedule below.
CM Punk has revealed that former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon\’s departure from the company paved the way for his return.
\’The Second City Savior\’ spoke to Denise Salcedo at San Diego Comic Con and said that Vince McMahon being out of the picture was one of the factors for his comeback to the company after a decade.
\”No, because it was never a thing that I was yearning to do. There were a lot of things that had to happen for the pathway to kind of clear. The stars had to align. There had to be a full moon. A lot of dominoes fell in order for us to get here. There was a never a, \’Man, I\’d really like to go back.\’
He added:
\”Vince (McMahon) being out of the picture probably illuminated the way. That might have been one of the biggest things. That\’s both ways, for everybody who is going to sensationalize a headline. It wasn\’t me, it wasn\’t him, there\’s just a lot of history there. All of a sudden, one of us is removed from the equation, and I think it changed a lot of things.\”
Vince McMahon had stepped down from his roles in June 2022 after it came to light that he was involved in a hush-money scandal with former WWE employees. He returned the following year as executive chairman of the TKO Group Holdings. However, he left WWE yet again earlier this year due to Janel Grant’s lawsuit which alleged abuse and trafficking.
Meanwhile, CM Punk returned to WWE last year at WWE Survivor Series and shocked the pro wrestling fraternity. During the interview, Punk also stated that he knew his surprise return would be a big deal. The former WWE Champion competed in his first WWE match in almost ten years at the 2024 Royal Rumble. Unfortunately, he suffered torn tricep during the match and has been on the shelf ever since.
The former WWE Champion is set to make his comeback at next month\’s SummerSlam where he will face his arch-rival Drew McIntyre. It was also recently announced that Seth Rollins will serve as the Special Guest Referee.
House of Black (Malakai Black, Buddy Matthews & Brody King) are not leaving AEW anytime soon despite speculation of their departure.
There have been rumors regarding Malakai Black\’s future. It was speculated that he would be jumping ship to WWE. However, that is not the case. PWInsiderhas reported an update about the House of Black members\’ contracts.
While the duration is not known, it has been noted that Matthews has inked a new deal with AEW this past February. On the other hand, Malakai Black\’s current deal will keep him with the promotion till 2025. The outlet further refuted the rumors about their departure from AEW.
Buddy Matthews has been away from the AEW programming for quite some time. The Patriarchy attacked Matthews in a backstage segment to pull him from the programming. During his hiatus, Matthews got married to WWE wrestler Rhea Ripley.
The Patriarchy are the newly crowned AEW Trios Champions. The House of Black are set to get a shot as they previously defeated the Bang Bang Gang, who were the champions at the time.
It seems that once Matthews is back, they will go after The Patriarchy. Amid Matthews\’ absence, Malakai Black and Brody King are teaming up as a tag team. Earlier this month, they defeated The Premier Athletes (Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese) on AEW Rampage.
Earlier this year, Rodriguez was removed from WWE\’s internal roster due to health concerns. Now, reports state that the former NXT Women\’s Champion, who has been absent for months could return soon. PWInsider has reported that there have been some talks of Raquel Rodriguez returning to the ring in the near future.
The Texas native has been away from in-ring action since the February 26 edition of Raw where she defeated Chelsea Green. Raquel Rodriguez is a former 3-time Women\’s Tag Team Champion. She has won the titles twice with Liv Morgan and once with former WWE wrestler Aliyah. Rodriguez had also won the NXT Women\’s title during her run on the developmental brand.
Raquel Rodriguez having health issues
Rodriguez had revealed that he was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. In January, the 33-year-old star opened up on the Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), having allergic reactions like hives, swelling, and respiratory difficulties. This led to her taking time off.
The journey is far from over. I finally got some answers as to what caused this but it’s going to be a while til I can get it fully under control.
I know one thing. I’m blessed to have an amazing support system. Family, friends, I love you all??
TNA Wrestling star Joe Hendry is set to have a live concert at next week\’s NXT: Great American Bash and WWE is firing on all cylinders to promote it.
Hendry has gained massive popularity over the years and he has brought the same energy to the gold brand. It has been announced that he will be back in NXT on the first night of the Great American Bash next week. Last night, a video package aired that highlighted Hendry’s popularity and his decorated career. Hendry then announced that he will be performing a live concert on the show.
NXT fans are quite excited with the announcement and they were surprised by what transpired after the show. It has come to light that several fans received flyers on their cars that promoted his upcoming performance. NXT Universe also found that the posters had Hendry\’s autograph on them.
Joe Hendry left an autographed flyer on everyone's car outside of NXT
Hendry made his surprise debut in NXT last month as part of the working relationship between TNA and NXT. Earlier this month, he was revealed as the tag team partner of Trick Williams and they defeated Ethan Page and Shawn Spears. Last week on commentary, Hendry revealed that he will be making regular appearances on the brand. Hendry’s music videos are also popular among the fans and his entrance music even topped the iTunes charts earlier this year.
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