SEScoops

Author: Mike Reichlin

  • Sol Ruca Names The Opponent She Wants For First IC Defense

    Sol Ruca Names The Opponent She Wants For First IC Defense

    Sol Ruca already has a name in mind for her first Women’s Intercontinental Championship defense, and it belongs to the woman who started the title’s lineage.

    Speaking with TMZ’s Inside The Ring, the new champion said she would welcome a defense against Lyra Valkyria, the inaugural Women’s Intercontinental Champion, calling it a test she wants to pass.

    “I am 100% down. I am a fighting champion,” Ruca said. “I would absolutely love to defend the title against Lyra. She’s the first person to ever hold this title. It would be a great matchup and it’ll definitely test myself against another former IC champion.”

    The pitch carries extra weight because the two are already on a collision course. Ruca opens her Queen of the Ring tournament run against Valkyria, with the bracket set for the June 1 episode of Raw, so the path to that title program may run straight through the tournament.

    Ruca won the championship by defeating Becky Lynch at Clash in Italy on Sunday, May 31, at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, ending Lynch’s third reign at 43 days. It was her first major title win since moving to the main roster.

    Now she’s framing the reign around volume. Ruca said she wants to defend the title as often as possible and floated using it as a platform to elevate the brand that developed her.

    “If it was up to me, I would absolutely love to bring some NXT girls to try and defend this title and put them up on the main roster and see what they got,” she said. “I want to do right by this title, and I want to make myself and all my followers proud.”

    Her stated benchmark is not a modest one. Ruca told the show she wants her run remembered as the best the title has seen.

    “I want them to think that I’ve had the best Intercontinental Championship run of all time,” she said. “That’s the goal.”

  • AEW Dynamite Tonight (6/3/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    AEW Dynamite Tonight (6/3/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    AEW Dynamite airs tonight (Wednesday, June 3, 2026) from the Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia, live on TBS starting at 8 PM ET.

    AEW stacks tonight’s episode with two championship matches and two Owen Hart Foundation Tournament bouts. MJF defends the AEW World Title against Rush, Kevin Knight puts the TNT Championship on the line against Mike Bailey, and the Owen Cup rolls on in both divisions. Here’s everything you need to know including start times, how to watch, and the full card.

    How to Watch AEW Dynamite Tonight

    DateWednesday, June 3, 2026
    VenueSiegel Center, Richmond, Virginia
    Channel/StreamTBS / HBO Max (simulcast)
    US Start Time8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 5 PM PT
    UK Start Time1 AM GMT (Thursday)
    India Start Time5:30 AM IST (Thursday)
    Duration2 hours

    AEW Dynamite Match Card for June 3, 2026

    Here are the matches and segments announced for tonight’s show:

    MJF (c) vs. Rush (AEW World Championship)

    MJF makes the first defense of his third AEW World Title reign tonight after reclaiming the belt from Darby Allin at Double or Nothing. Rush earned the shot by confronting the champion last week and brings momentum, having not lost in AEW or ROH since April.

    Kevin Knight (c) vs. Mike Bailey (TNT Championship)

    Former tag partners settle it with gold on the line. Knight turned on Bailey and ended their team with a brutal attack on Dynamite, and tonight Speedball gets his measure of payback in a title match.

    Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis (Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Semifinal)

    Another pair of former friends collide, with a spot in the tournament final at stake. Ospreay advanced past Samoa Joe at Double or Nothing, while Davis eliminated Jack Perry. The history here cuts deep: the last time these two met, Davis beat Ospreay via medical stoppage with a piledriver, so Ospreay is chasing revenge and a step closer to All In London.

    Alex Windsor vs. Wild Card (Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Quarterfinal)

    Windsor’s quarterfinal opponent remains unannounced as of Wednesday. The slot opened up after Willow Nightingale was forced out due to injury, and the identity of the wild card is one of the biggest talking points heading into tonight.

    Road to AEW Forbidden Door 2026

    The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament finals take place at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 28, with the men’s and women’s winners earning AEW World Championship matches at All In London from Wembley Stadium on August 30.

    Tonight’s semifinal and quarterfinal results move both brackets one step closer to those finals, making every Owen Cup match a direct path to Wembley.

    Follow SEScoops for any news and developments from tonight’s AEW Dynamite.

  • Take-Two CEO Says WWE 2K Could Triple In Size

    Take-Two CEO Says WWE 2K Could Triple In Size

    Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick believes the WWE 2K franchise has plenty of room left to grow, telling IGN the series could eventually be “double or triple the size that it is” if it keeps delivering for players.

    The comments follow Take-Two’s fourth-quarter and full fiscal year 2026 earnings report, which showed WWE 2K26 recurrent consumer spending up 20% year-over-year, with more than 85 million matches played. That figure is a 7% increase over WWE 2K25.

    WWE 2K26 launched March 13, 2026, with then World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk on the standard edition cover. The game is developed by Visual Concepts and published under Take-Two’s 2K label.

    Zelnick credited the partnership with WWE parent TKO Group and praised the company’s leadership.

    “We have great partners at TKO led by Nick Khan. And of course everything related to WWE continues to grow,” he said. “The team over there is just crushing it. So we’re thrilled to be in business with TKO and WWE.”

    He framed the growth ceiling as a challenge for the development team rather than a finished job.

    “I do think there’s ongoing opportunities to improve the quality of the game. I do think that we can give consumers more of what they want. And I know our team at Visual Concepts always wants to do better.”

    Zelnick added that the company avoids resting on past results.

    “We’re never in the business of patting ourselves on the back. We believe that arrogance is the enemy of continued success.”

    The CEO then laid out the upside he sees for the franchise.

    “I think that title could be double or triple the size that it is as long as we delight consumers, and as long as we give them something new and not expected that’s consistent with the brand that they love. That’s our job.”

  • AEW Grand Slam Mexico Returns To Arena Mexico On August 5

    AEW Grand Slam Mexico Returns To Arena Mexico On August 5

    AEW is heading back to Mexico City. The company announced that AEW Grand Slam: Mexico returns to Arena Mexico on Wednesday, August 5, marking the second straight year the promotion runs a televised special inside CMLL’s home venue.

    The event airs live on TBS and streams on HBO Max in the United States, with Fox Sports Mexico carrying it locally. Tickets go on sale Saturday, June 6 at 10 a.m. CST through AEWTix.com and Ticketmaster.com.mx.

    AEW’s promotional graphic features world champion MJF alongside lucha libre names Místico, Mascara Dorada, Andrade El Idolo, Thunder Rosa, and Bandido. No matches have been confirmed, and AEW says additional details are coming.

    The date itself tells the bigger story. Last year’s inaugural Grand Slam Mexico ran on June 18, but the 2026 edition slides to August, a move tied to the FIFA World Cup occupying Mexican venues through mid-July. That timing plants the show squarely in AEW’s late-summer run toward All In at Wembley Stadium on August 30.

    The 2025 special drew a packed Arena Mexico crowd and produced one of the year’s signature moments, with Hangman Page cutting a Spanish promo and a controversial MJF segment in a heated main-event-level encounter. The AEW and CMLL partnership has only deepened since, making the return to the “cathedral of lucha libre” one of the more anticipated entries on the company’s calendar.

  • Ram Becomes Official Truck Partner Of Lucha Libre AAA In Mexico

    Ram Becomes Official Truck Partner Of Lucha Libre AAA In Mexico

    Ram is now the Official Truck Partner of Lucha Libre AAA in Mexico, the auto brand and the WWE-owned lucha libre promotion announced on June 1.

    The deal puts Ram across AAA’s biggest live events, broadcasts and social platforms, with fan activations, custom content and on-site experiences aimed at the promotion’s audience. The Ram logo will appear on mat branding at upcoming AAA events and in jumbotron placements, including Triplemania 34, which runs as a two-night event this September, with the Mexico City finale at Arena CDMX on Sunday, September 13.

    The agreement also gives Ram access to AAA talent for marketing tie-ins built around the brand’s trucks.

    “This partnership with Ram marks an exciting step forward for AAA as we continue to grow and collaborate with world-class brands to elevate the experience for our passionate fans,” said WWE Hall of Famer “The Undertaker” Mark Calaway, an executive producer at AAA. “Together, we share a commitment to authenticity and passion, while celebrating the energy and spirit that makes lucha libre so special in Mexico.”

    Carlos Meymar, Director of Ram Mexico, framed the tie-up as a fit for the brand. “Ram is built for strength and performance, which is why this partnership with AAA in Mexico feels like such a natural fit,” he said. “Partnering with TKO allows us to be part of one of the most culturally relevant sports platforms in the country.”

    The AAA deal follows Ram’s wider partnership with TKO Group Holdings, which began in January 2026 and made Ram the first multi-year auto partner across WWE, UFC and PBR in the U.S.

  • WWE Raw Preview (6/1/26): Special Start Time from Turin, Italy

    WWE Raw Preview (6/1/26): Special Start Time from Turin, Italy

    WWE Raw airs tonight (Monday, June 1, 2026) from Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy, live on Netflix at a special start time of 2 PM ET.

    WWE stays in Turin for the Clash in Italy fallout, broadcasting from the same building where the PLE wrapped Sunday. Tonight kicks off both the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, and Roman Reigns is set to hold an acknowledgment ceremony for Jacob Fatu. Here’s everything you need to know including start times, how to watch, and the full card.

    How to Watch WWE Raw Tonight

    Date Monday, June 1, 2026
    Venue Inalpi Arena, Turin, Italy
    Channel/Stream Netflix (Worldwide)
    US Start Time 2 PM ET / 1 PM CT / 11 AM PT
    UK Start Time 7 PM BST
    India Start Time 11:30 PM IST

    Note the daytime slot. Because Raw is live from Italy, it streams at 2 PM ET instead of the usual 8 PM, and the show will carry special start times for the rest of the European Summer Tour until WWE returns stateside.

    WWE Raw Match Card for June 1, 2026

    Here are the matches and segments announced for tonight’s show:

    Oba Femi vs. Penta vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Carmelo Hayes (King of the Ring First-Round Match)

    The men’s bracket opens with a four-way. Penta carries the Intercontinental Championship into the field but wants the main-event rise a tournament win provides. Oba Femi enters fresh off a brutal beating from Brock Lesnar at Clash in Italy, his second loss to The Beast in as many months. The King and Queen of the Ring winners earn world title shots at SummerSlam.

    Roman Reigns Acknowledgment Ceremony

    Reigns beat Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat on Sunday to retain the World Heavyweight Championship and his standing as Tribal Chief. The stipulation forces Fatu to acknowledge Reigns, and commentary confirmed the ceremony would happen tonight. Fatu left ringside alongside Reigns and The Usos after the match, but whether he falls in line cleanly is the question.

    Queen of the Ring Tournament Begins

    Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan has entered herself into the field, looking to leave SummerSlam with two titles. She’s grouped with Becky Lynch, Alexa Bliss, and Chelsea Green in the first round, though WWE has not confirmed whether that match takes place tonight.

    Road to WWE Night of Champions 2026

    Night of Champions 2026 takes place Saturday, June 27 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    With Clash in Italy in the books, tonight starts the build to Riyadh. The King and Queen of the Ring brackets run over the coming weeks toward SummerSlam title shots, while the Reigns-Fatu situation and Sol Ruca’s shocking Women’s Intercontinental Championship win over Becky Lynch reshape the Raw picture heading into the next PLE.

    Follow SEScoops for any news and developments from tonight’s WWE Raw.

  • WWE Clash In Italy Betting Odds: Cody Rhodes A Slight Favorite

    WWE Clash In Italy Betting Odds: Cody Rhodes A Slight Favorite

    Betting odds for WWE Clash in Italy are out, and the sportsbooks have Cody Rhodes as a slight favorite to retain over Gunther while installing Rhea Ripley as a near-lock in the women’s title match.

    The odds, via BetOnline, cover four of the matches on today’s card from the Inalpi Arena in Turin. Here’s where the lines sit ahead of the show.

    In the Undisputed WWE Championship match, Cody Rhodes (c) is the favorite at -155, with Gunther coming back at +115. It’s the tightest line on the card, reflecting a genuine coin-flip feel to the title bout.

    The WWE Women’s Championship match is the most lopsided of the bunch. Rhea Ripley (c) is a heavy -2500 favorite over Jade Cargill at +800, signaling oddsmakers expect Ripley to walk out with the title intact.

    Roman Reigns is favored at -900 in his Tribal Combat match against Jacob Fatu, who sits at +500. In the non-title singles match, Brock Lesnar is the favorite at -350 over Oba Femi at +210.

    Betting odds aren’t booking spoilers, but they often reflect sharp expectations about which direction WWE is leaning. The full card streams today on ESPN Unlimited.

  • WWE Clash in Italy 2026 Preview: Matches, How to Watch

    WWE Clash in Italy 2026 Preview: Matches, How to Watch

    WWE runs its first-ever premium live event on Italian soil this afternoon, with Clash in Italy emanating from the Inalpi Arena in Turin on Sunday, May 31. Four championships are on the line and a WrestleMania 42 rematch headlines a stacked five-match card.

    Key Points

    • High Stakes Matches: Roman Reigns defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat, Cody Rhodes puts the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line against Gunther, and Brock Lesnar meets Oba Femi in a WrestleMania 42 rematch.
    • How to Watch: Sunday, May 31, 2:00 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited (first hour on ESPN).

    What’s at Stake in Turin

    This is the fourth edition of the Clash series, following Clash at the Castle in 2022 and 2024 and Clash in Paris in 2025, and the first WWE PLE ever held in Italy. With four of five matches carrying gold and a marquee non-title rematch on top, the results figure to shape the road to SummerSlam in Minneapolis.

    Full Match Card

    Match Stipulation
    Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu World Heavyweight Championship, Tribal Combat
    Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther Undisputed WWE Championship
    Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Jade Cargill WWE Women’s Championship
    Becky Lynch (c) vs. Sol Ruca Women’s Intercontinental Championship
    Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar Singles Match

    Match Previews

    World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu (Tribal Combat)

    The cousins run it back in Tribal Combat after Reigns barely survived their first encounter, and the family hierarchy is the real prize.

    • The reign: Reigns defeated Fatu at Backlash, but needed a shortcut to do it, leaving the result feeling unfinished.
    • The flashpoint: Fatu refused to acknowledge Reigns as the head of the family, triggering weeks of back-and-forth attacks.
    • The wrinkle: Fatu suffered an apparent injury scare at a Liverpool house show in the lead-up, and WWE was reportedly monitoring his status into the weekend.
    • The stipulation: Tribal Combat raises the stakes beyond a normal title defense, putting the family leadership on the line alongside the gold.
    • What’s at stake: The World Heavyweight Championship and which Anoa’i sits atop the bloodline.

    Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther

    Gunther cashed in a favor to land the title shot, and the buildup has turned personal fast.

    • The challenge: Gunther answered an open challenge to the SmackDown locker room, then locked Rhodes in a sleeper hold to announce himself as the next contender.
    • The history: The two have traded attacks for weeks, with Rhodes dismissing Gunther as unready for a prizefight.
    • The personal layer: Rhodes is also dealing with friend Sami Zayn, who stood by during a Gunther attack rather than intervene.
    • The receipts: Gunther is a two-time world heavyweight champion and the longest-reigning Intercontinental Champion in WWE history, making the WWE Championship his next target.
    • What’s at stake: The Undisputed WWE Championship and Rhodes’ standing as the face of the company.

    WWE Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Jade Cargill

    A WrestleMania 42 rematch with the women’s title on the line and a heated personal edge.

    • The history: Ripley and Cargill have built one of the division’s most physical rivalries heading into Turin.
    • The flashpoint: Cargill recently warned her own faction after a WrestleMania failure and publicly rejected Ripley’s “Mami” catchphrase.
    • The wrinkle: Ripley arrives carrying the toll of a brutal schedule, having recently opened up about her physical and mental struggles on the road.
    • What’s at stake: The WWE Women’s Championship and bragging rights in a rivalry that has spilled past WrestleMania.

    Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Sol Ruca

    A title defense clouded by questions over the challenger’s health.

    • The setup: Lynch defends the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against the rising Sol Ruca.
    • The wrinkle: Ruca is banged up from her Saturday Night’s Main Event match against Lynch, and Lynch publicly claimed Ruca was not medically cleared. Reports indicated Ruca traveled to Italy intending to compete.
    • What’s at stake: The Women’s Intercontinental Championship, with Ruca’s condition the wild card heading into the bell.

    Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar

    The lone non-title bout may be the most anticipated match on the card.

    • The setup: Lesnar made a shocking return that ended retirement speculation, attacking Femi to set up the rematch.
    • The history: The two first met at WrestleMania 42, and this is the follow-up to that encounter.
    • The stakes: A Femi win would cement him as a future world champion, while a Lesnar win keeps the veteran’s late-career run rolling.
    • The wrinkle: Reports indicate Lesnar is expected to keep appearing for WWE beyond Clash in Italy regardless of the result.

    How to Watch

    • Date/Time: Sunday, May 31, 2026, 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT (countdown from 12:00 p.m. ET)
    • Venue: Inalpi Arena, Turin, Italy
    • Streaming: ESPN Unlimited (first hour on ESPN)

    Don’t Miss SEScoops Coverage

    Stay tuned to SEScoops.com for live results, match recaps, and post-event fallout.

  • Gunther Vows To Beat Cody Rhodes At WWE Clash In Italy

    Gunther Vows To Beat Cody Rhodes At WWE Clash In Italy

    Gunther says he’s walking out of WWE Clash in Italy as the new Undisputed WWE Champion, telling ESPN’s Get Up he’s never been more prepared for a match than he is for Sunday’s title challenge against Cody Rhodes in Turin.

    “I’m not concerned about Cody. I’m not concerned about passing on a message. I know what I do. I’m in the best shape of my life. I’m prepared mentally and physically. I’m at the highest performance level I’ve ever performed at. And walking into Italy, it’s going to be a very difficult situation for Cody, and it’s going to be a very enjoyable situation for me because I’m going to walk out with the title.”

    The Ring General earned the shot by cashing in a favor owed to him by Paul Heyman, a sequence that Heyman finally revealed on SmackDown before the match was made official. Gunther framed the entire build as a single-minded pursuit of the championship, with no interest in the back-and-forth that has defined the feud.

    Asked whether ending Cody’s career was the goal, Gunther kept his focus on the belt rather than the body count. “He’s still got some years ahead of him, I would say. But my focus is not, I’m not concerned with his career. The only thing I’m concerned about is walking out of Italy as the new champion, and that’s the most important goal.”

    That certainty extends to his read on the matchup itself. Gunther made clear he believes the gap between the two is settled the moment the contest starts, regardless of what Rhodes says in the build.

    The match is the locked-in feature of the weekend and opens the ESPN broadcast hour alongside Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill. Clash in Italy streams Sunday, May 31 from the Inalpi Arena in Turin, with the first hour airing on ESPN and the remainder on ESPN Unlimited.

  • MLW Fusion Results (5/30/26): Austin Aries Returns, Riddle Signs With Kross

    MLW Fusion Results (5/30/26): Austin Aries Returns, Riddle Signs With Kross

    MLW Fusion came back Saturday with a two-hour season premiere streaming free on YouTube, kicking off a new era headlined by Austin Aries vs. Trevor Lee. Here’s everything that went down.

    Quick Results

    • Shotzi def. Priscilla Kelly
    • Scarlett def. Aleah James
    • Austin Aries def. Trevor Lee
    • The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) def. Joe Coffey & Mark Coffey
    • Diego Hill def. Adam Brooks
    • Zamaya def. Carolina Cruz
    • Alex Hammerstone def. Bishop Dyer

    News & Notes

    • Aries headlines the new era. Austin Aries beat Trevor Lee in the spotlight match of the night, then called out MLW National Champion Blue Panther after the win.
    • Kross opens the door. MLW World Champion Killer Kross held a press conference announcing an open contract for any challenger. By night’s end, Matt Riddle had signed it, setting up a title showdown. Alex Hammerstone was visibly unhappy that someone beat him to the signature.
    • Good Brothers vs. Skyscrapers heats up. Gallows and Anderson brawled with The Skyscrapers (Donovan Dijak & Bishop Dyer) backstage early, then beat the Coffey brothers. The Skyscrapers later taunted them with the MLW Tag Team Titles, sparking another fight.
    • Shotzi stays hot. Shotzi topped Priscilla Kelly and called out MLW Women’s World Champion Shoko Nakajima.
    • Contra resurfaces. A Contra video aired showing Mads Krugger being “killed.”
    • Celebrity cameo. Actor Danny McBride appeared at the Fusion press conference alongside Don Gato.

    What’s Next

    Matt Riddle vs. Killer Kross is now set for the MLW World Title, with Hammerstone lurking after being passed over. Aries’ callout points toward a National Title program with Blue Panther, while the Good Brothers and Skyscrapers are clearly on a collision course over the tag straps. Fusion returns next Saturday at 6:05 PM ET on YouTube.

  • Chad Gable Unmasked at AAA Noche de los Grandes After Mask Loss

    Chad Gable Unmasked at AAA Noche de los Grandes After Mask Loss

    Chad Gable is the “Original” El Grande Americano. The longtime WWE star removed his mask Saturday night at AAA Noche de los Grandes in Monterrey, revealing his identity to a frenzied Arena Monterrey crowd after losing the mask vs. mask main event to Ludwig Kaiser’s El Grande Americano.

    The result closes out one of 2026’s hottest wrestling angles, a rivalry that started as a maligned WWE gag in 2025 and grew into a genuine drawing feud spanning two promotions.

    The match ran over 30 minutes and leaned hard on callbacks from the year-long story. Blind comedian Alexis Arroyo attacked the Original with his cane, and Pimpinela Escarlata returned to get payback for an earlier assault.

    Kaiser’s storyline girlfriend, Andrea Bazarte, appeared in the crowd holding a ticket, since the Original had only agreed to the stipulation on the condition that she be fired from AAA. A bloodied Gable battered Kaiser’s knee with a steel chair and went for an ankle lock late before a running headbutt finished him.

    Then came the moment. Gable took the microphone and admitted he couldn’t overcome the Mexican spirit, conceding Kaiser was the only true El Grande Americano. He spoke about putting on the mask to master lucha libre, referenced his Olympic background and 13-year career, and brought his family into the ring.

    “Me llamo Chad Gable,” he told the crowd as he unmasked.

    Fans chanted “thank you, Gable” as he handed his bloody mask to Kaiser and left the arena. He promised to return to AAA someday. The segment effectively turned Gable babyface on his way out.

    For the full rundown of the night, including three title changes, see our complete AAA Noche de los Grandes results from Monterrey.

  • AAA Noche de los Grandes 2026 Results: Chad Gable Unmasked

    AAA Noche de los Grandes 2026 Results: Chad Gable Unmasked

    AAA invaded a sold-out Arena Monterrey Saturday night for Week 2 of Noche de los Grandes, and the WWE/AAA crossover delivered chaos. Three championships changed hands and the “Original” El Grande Americano was unmasked as Chad Gable.

    Quick Results

    • Rey Fenix def. Laredo Kid (c) — NEW AAA World Cruiserweight Champion
    • El Hijo del Vikingo def. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. (c) — NEW AAA Latin American Champion
    • The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar) def. Psycho Clown & Pagano (c) — NEW AAA World Tag Team Champions
    • El Grande Americano def. “Original” El Grande Americano — Mask vs. Mask (main event)

    The Big Story

    The Original lost the mask and revealed himself as Chad Gable. He brought his family into the ring, praised AAA, said he’d be back, and handed his mask to El Grande Americano, telling him he’s the only El Grande Americano.

    We’ve got the full breakdown of that moment in our standalone piece on Chad Gable’s emotional unmasking in Monterrey.

    What’s Next

    Rey Mysterio called the action as AAA’s new general manager, alongside Corey Graves and JBL. A Bayley trios match was held over for next week’s episode.

  • Trump Buys Stock In WWE’s Parent Company TKO Group

    Trump Buys Stock In WWE’s Parent Company TKO Group

    Trump TKO

    President Donald Trump purchased stock in TKO Group Holdings, the publicly traded company that owns WWE, on March 25, according to a financial disclosure filing reviewed by HuffPost. The purchase fell in a range of $15,001 to $50,000.

    TKO has owned WWE since September 2023, when the promotion merged with the UFC under the Endeavor umbrella to form the combined company. WWE President Nick Khan and UFC CEO Dana White both retained their leadership roles after the merger, reporting up to TKO leadership.

    The filing, submitted May 12, comes as Trump promotes a UFC event on the White House South Lawn scheduled for June 14, his 80th birthday. While that card sits on the UFC side of the business, both promotions now feed the same balance sheet that Trump bought into.

    TKO Group

    TKO reported first quarter 2026 revenue of $1.597 billion, a 26 percent year-over-year increase, with WWE and the UFC both posting gains. The company also returned roughly $1 billion to shareholders through buybacks, dividends, and other distributions in that period.

    Trump has bought and sold stock in a range of companies he has publicly promoted. White House officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have previously said Trump does not personally choose which stocks to trade and that his financial advisers handle those decisions. TKO did not respond to a request for comment from HuffPost.

  • WWE SmackDown Tonight (5/29/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    WWE SmackDown Tonight (5/29/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    WWE SmackDown airs tonight (Friday, May 29, 2026) from the Olimpic Arena in Badalona, Barcelona, Spain, live on Netflix internationally starting at 2:00 PM ET, with a USA Network tape-delay airing at 8:00 PM ET.

    WWE opens its European Summer Tour with the go-home edition of SmackDown before Clash in Italy on Sunday. Axiom faces The Miz in the only confirmed match, while Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Rhea Ripley, and Jade Cargill close out their final builds before Turin. Here’s everything you need to know including start times, how to watch, and the full card.

    WWE SmackDown Match Card for May 29, 2026

    Here are the matches and segments announced for tonight’s show:

    Axiom vs. The Miz (Singles Match)

    The lone confirmed bout, and it lands in front of a hometown crowd. Axiom is from Barcelona, so the Olimpic Arena should be firmly behind him. The match came together on the May 22 SmackDown when Fraxiom interrupted The Miz and Kit Wilson backstage and Axiom needled Miz about whether Danhausen’s curse was real. Miz responded with the challenge.

    The Danhausen angle gives the finish a wild card, and the Fraxiom-versus-Miz-and-Wilson thread keeps running underneath it.

    What Else to Watch For

    With Clash in Italy 48 hours out, the rest of the show is final-build territory. WWE has advertised a deep roster for Barcelona, and the go-home angles will carry most of the show.

    Cody Rhodes and Gunther Final Face-Off

    The Undisputed WWE Championship match in Turin is the headline of the weekend. On May 22, Gunther jumped Rhodes after the main event and locked in the Gojira Clutch while Sami Zayn walked away rather than help. Tonight is the last chance for the two to stand across from each other before Sunday, and a European crowd a short flight from Italy will bring the volume.

    Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill Build

    Cargill pinned Ripley clean at Saturday Night’s Main Event, exactly the momentum she wanted heading into their Women’s Championship match Sunday. Expect a promo or a physical confrontation rather than a full match, with Cargill pressing her advantage one more time before Turin.

    Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams

    The two have been circling since Backlash. Hayes beat Ricky Saints on May 15, then Williams retained over Hayes on May 22 after Saints interfered. A US Championship match for Clash in Italy could be made official tonight, or the feud could stretch deeper into the European tour.

    Drew McIntyre’s European Run

    The tour is home turf for the Scottish star, and he’s advertised for Barcelona. Tonight could set up a new direction that runs through the next month of overseas dates.

    Road to WWE Clash in Italy 2026

    Clash in Italy 2026 takes place Sunday, May 31 at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy, WWE’s first Premium Live Event in the country.

    Tonight closes the build on both blue-brand title pictures plus the company’s two world championship matches. Whatever happens in Barcelona sets the tone for Turin.

    How to Watch WWE SmackDown Tonight

    DateFriday, May 29, 2026
    VenueOlimpic Arena, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain
    Channel/StreamNetflix (live, international) / USA Network (US, tape delay)
    US Start Time2:00 PM ET live on Netflix / 8:00 PM ET tape delay on USA Network
    UK Start Time7:00 PM BST
    India Start Time11:30 PM IST
    Duration3 hours

    US viewers should note the unusual setup: the show airs live on Netflix at 2:00 PM ET to fit Spanish primetime, then re-airs on USA Network at 8:00 PM ET on a six-hour tape delay. If you want it live in the States, Netflix is the only option tonight.

    Follow SEScoops for any news and developments from tonight’s SmackDown.

  • Cody Rhodes Sends Cold Message To Gunther Before Clash In Italy

    Cody Rhodes Sends Cold Message To Gunther Before Clash In Italy

    Cody Rhodes has a warning for Gunther days before the two meet for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash in Italy. Speaking with The Rich Eisen Show, the champion questioned whether his challenger is built for the kind of match waiting for him in Turin.

    Rhodes pointed to Gunther’s recent run as proof, framing those wins as showcases rather than real tests.

    “Gunther has that skill, and when he walks in a room and you see how physically impressive he is, he has a whole style to him that’s different from anybody else in the game. But these are the type of matches he hasn’t been in in a while. He’s been in nostalgia matches. Goldberg, AJ Styles as he was leaving the company, John Cena retiring. I think this is a prize fight. It’s a different type of match, and it’s not one he’s ready for.”

    He also pushed back on the idea that an Italian crowd gives the Austrian a built-in edge, a point both men have traded on heading into the title match set after a tense SmackDown contract segment.

    “There’s an element of hooliganism to it that’s beautiful that we don’t always get domestically. I think for me it’ll be fun to see if they consider my opponent Gunther one of them, because everyone keeps saying we’re going to be in Europe, but Gunther is Austrian. He’s not Italian. So I’m curious to see if it carries over. I don’t think it will.”

    Rhodes carried the same confidence into a direct message for the challenger, calling the WWE Championship the richest prize in the game and ranking the event among the company’s biggest.

    “He’s wrestling for the richest prize in our game at Clash in Italy, which in my mind is starting to become one of the big four. I am easy to find and I am hard to beat. If he takes the title at Clash in Italy, then he can be the one to come back on your show and have it. But I think the way it will go is hopefully I’ll show up in a few weeks and I’ll have the title in tow.”

    Then came the sign-off, with Rhodes placing Gunther outside what he called the sport’s top tier, for now.

    “Have fun being a tourist in Italy, Gunther. There’s a few prizefighters left in the WWE space. You’ve got a CM Punk, you’ve got a Roman Reigns, you’ve got a Jey Uso, you’ve got myself the WWE Champion, you got Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre. Whenever you’re up against those guys, you’re gonna make the rounds. So Gunther hopefully gets into that golden circle at some point. Good luck.”

    Cody Rhodes defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther on Sunday, May 31, at the Inalpi Arena in Turin. The bout headlines a card that also features two title matches airing during the ESPN simulcast hour, with at least one Hall of Famer already pitching a Rhodes loss.

  • Cody Rhodes Calls Sami Zayn ‘Petty’, Challenges Italian Fans to Break Sound Records

    Cody Rhodes Calls Sami Zayn ‘Petty’, Challenges Italian Fans to Break Sound Records

    Cody Rhodes isn’t letting Sami Zayn off the hook for his recent lack of action on SmackDown, but the Undisputed WWE Champion is refusing to let the drama derail his focus. During an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter, Rhodes addressed the tense closing moments of SmackDown where Zayn stood by and watched Gunther attack Rhodes from behind with a sleeper hold.

    “Well, I think everyone knows the expression that in the wrestling business, everybody wants you to have success. Everybody wants you to be on top, but they don’t want you to have too much success,” Rhodes explained. “I would classify Sami Zayn with one word, and that would be petty. And that’s just a good old petty moment.”

    Looking Ahead to the European Tour

    Rather than escalating the conflict, Rhodes took some accountability for the strained relationship. “Listen, he didn’t have to save me. He didn’t have to. So I’m not going to give it so much drama behind it,” Rhodes noted. “And again, I didn’t help him when he knocked Gunther off the apron. So perhaps he felt justified.”

    With the Zayn drama in the rearview mirror, Rhodes shifted his attention to the WWE European Summer Tour and the upcoming Clash in Italy event. The champion spoke passionately about the evolving global fan culture, specifically referencing the recent event in Lyon, France, which prompted WWE executives Triple H and Nick Khan to add an on-screen sound meter to the broadcast.

    “They’re singing songs. They’re putting your name in places you wouldn’t think your name would go into,” Rhodes said of the European audiences. “I expect that sound meter to pop back up, and I’m hopeful that they rival the greatest wrestling crowd of all time, which is France. And I think Italy can do it. This is the opportunity to really put their flag in the sand. Looking forward to see how loud they get.”

  • Jade Cargill Warns WWE Faction, Rejects Rhea Ripley’s ‘Mommy’ Catchphrase

    Jade Cargill Warns WWE Faction, Rejects Rhea Ripley’s ‘Mommy’ Catchphrase

    Jade Cargill is laying down the law, both to her opponents and her allies. During a fiery appearance on ESPN’s First Take to promote her Women’s World Championship match at WWE Clash in Italy, Cargill revealed that her WrestleMania loss wasn’t entirely her own fault, pointing a direct finger at her faction’s failure to intervene.

    “I had a good talking to them afterwards. I was like, listen, if you are going to stand next to me—cuz to stand next to me is a blessing. My presence is a blessing,” Cargill stated. “So, don’t just come up here and think that you’re just taking a cakewalk standing next to me. You need to work for it.”

    The Boss Speaks

    Cargill detailed her strict expectations for the group, making it clear that hesitation will no longer be tolerated at ringside. “When I tell you to jump, you jump as high as I want you to go and they didn’t do that,” she told the ESPN panel. When asked by Stephen A. Smith if anyone had been fired from her ranks, she offered a cold response: “I didn’t fire anybody yet, but they gonna have to bring the heat this time.”

    With her locker room issues seemingly handled, Cargill turned her sharp words toward the reigning champion, Rhea Ripley. Known for her undeniable charisma and commanding presence, Cargill made it clear she is thoroughly unimpressed by Ripley’s popular branding.

    “Since everybody keep running with the same schtick, ‘mommy’s on top, mommy’s on top’—I mean, that’s so old. It’s so played out. It’s been going for about two years,” Cargill declared. “I think the headline should say Jade Cargill is back on top. They keep saying mommy’s on top. I guess I’m daddy.”

    Embracing the polarization she causes among WWE fans, Cargill welcomed the noise heading into Sunday. Borrowing a line from her First Take hosts, she confidently signed off: “The haters keep you paid. We love the critics. Please, we welcome you.”

  • Chris Jericho Reveals The Inspirations Behind His Best Characters

    Chris Jericho Reveals The Inspirations Behind His Best Characters

    Chris Jericho says his most memorable characters are not invented from scratch. They are built in a creative blender from old wrestling tape, prestige film villains, and David Lee Roth music videos.

    Speaking to David Shoemaker on The Masked Man Show ahead of AEW Double Or Nothing, the 55-year-old walked through the influences behind characters like the suit-and-tie Jericho who feuded with Shawn Michaels and the Festival of Friendship segment with Kevin Owens that became a viral 2017 moment.

    For the Shawn Michaels feud, the source material came from a couple of unexpected places.

    “The suit and tie Jericho, which was the famous feud with Shawn Michaels, that was highly influenced by Bockwinkel. The suit, using big words to make people feel stupid. And then it was a lot of No Country for Old Men, Anton Chigurh, played by Javier Bardem. Very quiet speaking and ‘this is what’s going to happen.’ So that was kind of the combination of that.”

    Festival of Friendship, the segment where Kevin Owens turned on Jericho ahead of WrestleMania 33, had a similarly cross-medium pitch.

    “The Festival of Friendship with Kevin Owens, that was meant to start out as an 80s David Lee Roth video and end as the Game of Thrones red wedding.”

    The Blender

    Jericho says the move he keeps making is not impression. It is reassembly.

    “Not so much mimicking, but taking certain elements of things and putting them all into a blender and shaking them up, and suddenly you’ve got this really cool persona that you’ve created with little pieces of all your favorite ingredients of your inspirations.”

    The result is a catalog of distinct gimmicks, from Y2J to the Painmaker to the Learning Tree, that each got the same level of commitment regardless of how the audience eventually received them.

    “Whether you like it or not, I’ve given 1,000% for every single iteration of Chris Jericho. There’s never been one where I thought, ‘Oh, this one’s not going to work.’ Everything that I’ve done, I’ve put a million percent into it. Sometimes it doesn’t work as well as the others, but the intent and the passion and the effort has always been there.”

    Jericho framed the whole catalog with a building metaphor for fans who picked him up at different points across three decades in WWE, WCW, New Japan, and AEW.

    “If the Chris Jericho career is a skyscraper building, and you got on the first floor and got off on the 5th, or if you got on the 6th and stayed on till the 20th, or if you got on the 21st and got off on the 22nd, whatever it is, if you appreciated my work at any time, I’m happy about that.”

    Jericho is back in action this Sunday at AEW Double Or Nothing in Queens, leading a Stadium Stampede team that includes Kenny Omega, the Young Bucks, Jack Perry, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin against the team of Ricochet, the Gates of Agony, Mark Davis, Andrade, Clark Connors, and David Finlay.

  • Danny McBride Brings Don Gato Mystery To MLW Fusion Premiere

    Danny McBride Brings Don Gato Mystery To MLW Fusion Premiere

    MLW Fusion will reveal the secret origins of Don Gato during its two-hour season premiere this Saturday, May 30, as Major League Wrestling builds a new mystery storyline around the masked luchador character.

    Actor and comedian Danny McBride, joined by his friend Steve, narrates the reveal, walking MLW’s audience through a backstory the promotion is billing as one of the strangest threads of its relaunch. Don Gato doubles as the mascot of Don Gato Tequila, the brand McBride backs and fronts as spokesman.

    A Storyline Built Around Danny McBride’s Tequila Brand

    MLW introduced the Don Gato character in 2025, framing him in storyline as a luchador turned tequila entrepreneur. The partnership has already produced a televised special, MLW x Don Gato: Lucha de los Muertos, which ran in Charleston, South Carolina on November 20, 2025.

    The crossover carried into the new year, with Don Gato and McBride appearing at MLW Battle Riot VIII in Orlando in January. Saturday’s premiere moves the act onto Fusion itself, with MLW treating the secret origins segment as an ongoing angle rather than a one-off cameo.

    How To Watch The MLW Fusion Premiere

    The premiere is the first new weekly episode of Fusion since December 2023, ending a stretch in which MLW ran taped specials in place of regular television. The company first announced the weekly revival earlier this year. The two-hour special airs free on the MLW YouTube channel at 6:05 PM ET, streams on VEEPS, and gets a 10 PM ET encore on beIN Sports.

    MLW is billing Trevor Lee vs. Austin Aries as the first major fight of the new era, with ZAMAYA’s promotional debut and a women’s match carrying title implications also booked. SEScoops has the full season premiere card and start times. The relaunch continues with a New York City event on June 11 and back-to-back shows in Philadelphia on June 12 and 13.

  • MLW Partners With VEEPS to Stream Weekly MLW Fusion and Quarterly PPV Supercards

    MLW Partners With VEEPS to Stream Weekly MLW Fusion and Quarterly PPV Supercards

    Major League Wrestling has announced a new partnership with VEEPS that will bring weekly wrestling programming to fans worldwide, starting this Saturday, May 30.

    Under the deal, MLW’s flagship weekly series MLW Fusion will stream every Saturday night on Veeps.com/MLW, alongside YouTube and beIN Sports. Programming will be free to viewers worldwide.

    What’s Included in the Partnership

    • Weekly Saturday Night Programming — New episodes of MLW Fusion every Saturday night featuring marquee matches, special events, and exclusive digital content.
    • Quarterly PPV Supercards — VEEPS and MLW will co-produce quarterly premium live events featuring title matches and major tentpole moments throughout the year.
    • Exclusive Merch Drops — Limited-edition merchandise collections available only during premiere streams, along with giveaways and special offers for VEEPS audiences.
    • Music Culture Integration — VEEPS will work with MLW to create crossover moments connecting wrestling audiences with artists across metal, country, punk, hardcore, and alternative communities.

    MLW Fusion is available across web, mobile, and connected TV platforms including Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung TV.

    What They’re Saying

    “Professional wrestling thrives on weekly storytelling and passionate fan communities,” said Kyle Heller, Co-founder of VEEPS. “MLW has built an incredibly loyal audience and a strong creative identity, and we’re excited to bring that energy to fans every Saturday night on VEEPS.”

    Court Bauer, CEO of Major League Wrestling, added: “VEEPS understands fandom, community, and culture in a way that naturally fits MLW. With the incredible momentum MLW has built over the past year, partnering with the VEEPS and Live Nation ecosystem gives us the ability to bring together MLW Fusion, major events, exclusive merchandise drops, and immersive fan experiences all in one place.”

    Background

    The partnership marks a significant expansion of VEEPS’ live sports and entertainment slate, following the platform’s recent streaming of Danny Wimmer Presents’ Blood4Blood in partnership with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

    MLW Fusion is executive produced by Court Bauer, Paul Walter Hauser, and Bryan Walsh. The first new episode streams Saturday, May 30.

  • AEW Dynamite/Collision Philadelphia Preview: Full Card, Match Breakdown & What to Watch

    AEW Dynamite/Collision Philadelphia Preview: Full Card, Match Breakdown & What to Watch

    All Elite Wrestling brings a special three-hour combined Dynamite/Collision broadcast to the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania tonight — Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Belltime is 7:30 PM ET on TBS, and the card is loaded with street fights, Owen Hart Tournament action, and a championship celebration that should set the tone for the coming weeks.

    Here’s everything announced for tonight’s show and what it means heading into AEW’s next chapter.

    Full Announced Card

    Lights Out Philly Street Fight: Kris Statlander vs. Hikaru Shida

    This one has been building for weeks and it’s going No DQ in Philadelphia — the perfect city for a brutal street fight. Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida are two of AEW’s most physically gifted women’s division talents, and with no rules and no disqualifications, expect chairs, kendo sticks, and a fight that leaves marks. Philly fans will be in their element for this one.

    Watch for: Any post-match implications for the AEW TBS Championship picture.

    Owen Hart Men’s Tournament Quarterfinal: Mark Davis vs. “Jungle” Jack Perry

    The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament rolls on with a high-stakes quarterfinal. Mark Davis of Aussie Open brings raw power and crowd-pleasing charisma, but “Jungle” Jack Perry — currently one of AEW’s hottest heels — is the kind of disruptive force that tournament brackets fear. A Perry win keeps his momentum rolling; a Davis win would be a massive upset pop.

    Watch for: Don Callis Family interference, given tonight’s Renee Paquette interview with Kyle Fletcher & Callis is already on the card.

    Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet — Everyone Banned From Ringside

    When AEW has to ban everyone from ringside, you know there’s been chaos leading into this one. Chris Jericho and Ricochet go one-on-one in what should be a technically sharp, story-driven contest. Stripping away the entourages puts the focus squarely on both men — and in Philadelphia, where the fans know their wrestling, expect a crowd that is invested in every nearfall.

    Watch for: Whether Jericho’s Learning Tree cronies find a way to get involved regardless of the stipulation.

    Key Segments

    MJF’s 3x AEW World Championship Jamboree

    MJF celebrating himself in Philadelphia is a pro wrestling gift. The Salt of the Earth is a three-time AEW World Champion, and you can bet he’s going to milk every second of that in front of a crowd that has a complicated — and electric — relationship with him. This segment almost certainly sets up MJF’s next feud or puts a target on his back. Don’t skip it.

    TNT Champion Kevin Knight Speaks

    We’ll hear from TNT Champion “The Jet” Kevin Knight tonight. With the title freshly in his hands, Philadelphia is as big a stage as any for Knight to establish his championship voice. His direction heading into AEW’s next major event is likely to crystalize here.

    Renee Paquette Interviews Kyle Fletcher & Don Callis

    The Don Callis Family’s internal dynamics and next targets are always worth monitoring. With the Owen Hart Tournament bracket in play, this interview could reveal their strategy — or implode it.

    What to Watch For

    • MJF’s Opponent: The post-celebration challenge or attack will likely signal his next program. Every major heel and babyface on the roster is a candidate.
    • Owen Hart Bracket: With a quarterfinal tonight, AEW should give us a clearer picture of the semifinal matchups. Keep track of who advances.
    • Street Fight Fallout: Statlander vs. Shida in a Lights Out match with no rules almost guarantees a brutal finish — and possibly a new rivalry sprout from the wreckage.
    • Kyle Fletcher/Callis Plans: With Fletcher likely positioned near the top of the card and the Owen Hart Tournament in progress, tonight’s interview sets the table.

    How to Watch

    • When: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 — 7:30 PM ET
    • Where: Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, PA
    • TV: TBS (USA) | Also streaming on Max
  • Bushiroad Sells Entire NJPW Stake to TV Asahi and CyberAgent in Major Ownership Shake-Up

    Bushiroad Sells Entire NJPW Stake to TV Asahi and CyberAgent in Major Ownership Shake-Up

    In a seismic development for the world of professional wrestling, Bushiroad has announced it will transfer its entire ownership stake in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) to TV Asahi Corporation and CyberAgent, Inc., ending a 14-year run as the promotion’s parent company.

    The decision was formalized following a Bushiroad Board of Directors meeting on May 27, 2026. The deal values Bushiroad’s approximate 70% stake at roughly ¥3.6 billion (approximately $24 million USD), with the full transfer expected to be completed in 2026.

    Who Is Taking Over NJPW?

    The two acquiring parties are far from strangers to New Japan Pro-Wrestling:

    • TV Asahi — One of Japan’s biggest terrestrial broadcast networks and a founding-era partner of NJPW, TV Asahi will become the majority, controlling shareholder following the transfer. The broadcaster has aired NJPW content for decades and has deep institutional ties to the promotion.
    • CyberAgent, Inc. — A leading Japanese digital media and technology company, CyberAgent will hold a minority stake. The company brings significant strength in streaming, online content, and next-generation digital distribution — areas NJPW has been prioritizing through its NJPW World platform.

    The precise post-closing ownership percentages between TV Asahi and CyberAgent have not been publicly disclosed beyond the confirmation that Bushiroad’s full 70% stake is being divided between them.

    Why Is Bushiroad Selling?

    In its official statement, Bushiroad framed the move as a forward-looking decision, not a distress sale. The company said it chose to “entrust the future to the best possible owner”, citing TV Asahi’s legacy broadcasting relationship with NJPW and CyberAgent’s expertise in cutting-edge digital media.

    Bushiroad highlighted several strategic goals it believes the new ownership structure will unlock:

    • Further global expansion of the NJPW brand
    • Deeper exploitation of NJPW’s video and content library
    • Evolution into a diversified monetization business built around a powerful distribution platform

    In a farewell note, Bushiroad expressed confidence that NJPW’s “future is brighter than ever”, thanking fans, wrestlers, and staff for 14 years of support since its 2012 acquisition.

    What Does This Mean for NJPW?

    For fans concerned about day-to-day operations, the initial messaging is reassuring. NJPW has stated it does not currently plan to make changes to business operations as a result of the ownership transfer.

    NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi issued a statement acknowledging Bushiroad’s years of support and addressing the transition in measured terms. No roster moves, touring schedule changes, or booking alterations were announced in connection with the share transfer.

    However, the long-term implications could be significant. With TV Asahi in the majority position, NJPW’s broadcast strategy in Japan could evolve, while CyberAgent’s digital infrastructure may accelerate improvements to NJPW World — the promotion’s global streaming service that has long been seen as an underperforming asset relative to its content library.

    Bushiroad’s Legacy with NJPW

    Bushiroad acquired a controlling interest in NJPW in 2012, stepping in at a time when the promotion was still rebuilding its global profile. Under Bushiroad’s tenure, NJPW experienced some of its most successful years — producing marquee talents like Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi, expanding into North America with the ROH partnership and NJPW Strong, and establishing itself as a genuine alternative to WWE on the international stage.

    The exit after roughly 14 years marks the end of an era — but based on the new ownership’s pedigree, it appears to be a considered handoff rather than a chaotic departure.

    We will continue to update this story as more details about the transfer timeline and any operational changes emerge.

  • WWE NXT Tonight (5/26/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    WWE NXT Tonight (5/26/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    WWE NXT

    WWE NXT airs tonight (Tuesday, May 26, 2026) from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, live on The CW starting at 8 PM ET.

    WWE continues its weekly developmental programming with tonight’s episode. Lola Vice defends the NXT Women’s Championship against Izzi Dame in the main event, the Men’s Speed Tournament rolls on, and five more bouts fill out the lineup.

    Here’s everything you need to know including start times, how to watch, and the full card.

    WWE NXT Match Card for May 26, 2026

    Here are the matches and segments announced for tonight’s show:

    Lola Vice (c) vs. Izzi Dame (NXT Women’s Championship Match)

    Dame earned this shot the hard way, putting Vice down with a Busaiku Knee strike during a recent mixed tag match and sending a message to the rest of the women’s locker room. Tonight she gets the champion one-on-one with the title on the line.

    The Culling vs. OTM

    Izzi Dame’s faction goes to work in the tag division hours before its leader challenges for gold. A win here builds momentum for The Culling heading into the main event.

    Layla Diggs vs. Jaida Parker

    Two contenders looking to climb the women’s division meet in singles action. A clean result tonight puts the winner back in the title conversation.

    Wren Sinclair vs. Kelani Jordan

    Sinclair and Jordan square off in a matchup of two of NXT’s most active competitors. Both need the win to keep their stock rising.

    Shiloh Hill vs. Charlie Dempsey

    Hill draws BirthRight’s Charlie Dempsey, a technically sharp test for anyone on the roster. Dempsey’s faction backing makes this a tougher night than the bout sheet suggests.

    Dorian Van Dux vs. Sean Legacy (Men’s Speed Tournament Match)

    The Men’s Speed Tournament continues with its short-form, tight time-limit format. The eventual bracket winner earns a championship opportunity, so Van Dux and Legacy are racing the clock as much as each other.

    Road to NXT’s Next Premium Live Event

    NXT’s next Premium Live Event takes place Sunday, May 31, streaming at 2 PM ET on the ESPN App.

    Tonight’s card sharpens the picture heading into that weekend. The Lola Vice and Izzi Dame title match decides who carries the NXT Women’s Championship into the event, while the Men’s Speed Tournament keeps sorting out a future challenger.

    How to Watch WWE NXT Tonight

    DateTuesday, May 26, 2026
    VenueWWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
    Channel/StreamThe CW Network / CW app and CW.com (same-night streaming)
    US Start Time8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 5 PM PT
    UK Start Time1 AM BST (Wednesday)
    India Start Time6:30 AM IST (Wednesday)
    Duration2 hours

    Follow SEScoops for news and developments from tonight’s NXT.

  • AEW Confirms Redemption PPV For Montreal’s Bell Centre

    AEW Confirms Redemption PPV For Montreal’s Bell Centre

    AEW will hold its newest pay-per-view, Redemption, on Sunday, July 26 at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Tony Khan confirmed the event in an interview with the Toronto Sun, putting an official date and venue on a show that had drawn weeks of speculation.

    It’s the first-ever AEW Redemption and the company’s first pay-per-view in Montreal. The show gives AEW its second Canadian PPV of 2026, following Dynasty in Vancouver this past April, and pushes the promotion to 10 annual pay-per-views for the first time in its history.

    Reports from Fightful Select had pointed to Montreal as the likely host, and AEW filed a trademark tied to the project in April. Khan made it official this week. “Montreal’s one of the greatest wrestling cities in the world,” he told the paper.

    Redemption carries a special 7 p.m. start time. Presales begin today, with general admission tickets going on sale June 1 at 10 a.m.

    Copeland, Christian Cage And Foley In The Mix

    Khan said fans can expect the AEW World Tag Team champions, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, on the card. The Canadian duo captured the titles in an “I Quit” New York Street Fight earlier this month.

    “Copeland and Christian are red hot right now,” Khan said, pointing to a first run as a tag team in AEW for one of wrestling’s most established pairings.

    Mick Foley could also factor in. Khan said there’s a strong chance the recently signed Hall of Famer will host the Montreal event, continuing the role he took on at the Double or Nothing Buy In alongside Renee Paquette.

    More information is available through AEW’s official website.

  • Big Damo, Nikki Cross Acquire PROGRESS And DEFY Wrestling

    Big Damo, Nikki Cross Acquire PROGRESS And DEFY Wrestling

    Big Damo and Nikki Cross have bought PROGRESS Wrestling, and the former WWE couple have also taken control of American promotion DEFY Wrestling in the same deal.

    The acquisition was first reported as an exclusive by the Daily Star’s Ashley Pemberton and confirmed by PROGRESS in an official company statement. Damian Mackle, who wrestled as Killian Dain in WWE, and his wife Nicola Glencross now own the UK’s leading independent promotion as well as DEFY, one of the biggest indie companies in the United States.

    Cross becomes the first female co-owner in the history of either company.

    “It is not lost on me that there are few female owners in professional wrestling, so I want to bring my experience and insights to the table and elevate PROGRESS and DEFY to new levels,” Cross said in the statement.

    The pair take over from Martyn Best and Lee McAteer, who revived PROGRESS in 2022 after the promotion went dark during the pandemic. Best and McAteer ran more than 70 shows across the UK, United States, Germany, Canada and Dubai, and Best will stay on to help through a short transition.

    “Big Damo and Nikki Cross bring that extra massive oomph of global credibility and legitimate experience that PROGRESS now needs,” Best said.

    A Homecoming For Damo And Cross

    Both wrestlers built their early reputations on the British and Irish independent scene before WWE signed them, and they were paired together in the SAnitY faction. Cross went on to win the Raw Women’s Championship by cashing in her Money in the Bank contract on Charlotte Flair, and she is a three-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with Alexa Bliss and Rhea Ripley.

    Cross left WWE in April as part of the post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts after a decade with the company. Days later, she filed trademarks for the Nikki Storm name through a company called Best in the Galaxy Wrestling, LLC.

    Belfast-born Damo wrestled in PROGRESS before and after his WWE run, holding the company’s World, Tag Team and Atlas Championships, and he is still an active member of the roster.

    PROGRESS runs Chapter 195: Wonderbrawl II on June 7 at the O2 Ritz in Manchester. Chapter 196: Scorchio follows at the Electric Ballroom in London on July 26, where Cross will make her first appearance since leaving WWE. The promotion then returns to London for Save the Date on August 31.