SEScoops

Author: Mike Reichlin

  • WWE’s Charlie Dempsey Set for Return to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XII Against AKIRA

    WWE NXT Heritage Cup Champion Charlie Dempsey is set to return to Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport for his third appearance.

    Dempsey first competed at Bloodsport X, securing a win against Matt Makowski, but lost to Royce Isaacs at Bloodsport XI. He will face AKIRA at Bloodsport XII, with both competitors aiming to recover from recent defeats in the tournament.

    Bloodsport, known for its unique and gritty MMA-influenced format, has previously featured several WWE-affiliated talents, and Dempsey’s participation highlights WWE\’s current openness to cross-promotional appearances.

    Charlie Dempsey vs. Akira takes place on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XII, presented by Game Changer Wrestling. The event streams live on Triller from Jersey City, NJ.

  • Toronto\’s Rogers Center to Host WWE Elimination Chamber – March 1, 2025

    WWE Elimination Chamber is headed to the Rogers Center in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

    The baseball stadium is home to Major League Baseball\’s Toronto Blue Jays. Formerly known as the SkyDome, the Rogers Center previously hosted WrestleMania 6 (1990) and WrestleMania 18 (2002).

    This marks the second consecutive year that Elimination Chamber will be held in an international stadium, following this year’s record-setting event at Optus Stadium in Perth, Australia.

    “Canada is an amazing place to host our biggest Premium Live Events, with its passionate fans and rich history that spans decades,” said WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. “On the heels of a record-breaking MoneyIn The Bank this past July, we are excited to return to Toronto for an even larger event in 2025.”

    Visit WWE.com to register for ticket pre-sale information.

  • WWE SmackDown Preview: Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn

    Tonight\’s WWE SmackDown broadcasts at 8/7c live on the USA Network from Buffalo, NY.

    Confirmed Matches and Segments

    • Roman Reigns is scheduled to appear
    • Sami Zayn will address the recent events with Reigns and The Usos
    • The latest on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
    • Motor City Machine Guns will appear on The Grayson Waller Effect

    We\’ll update this article throughout the day when more is announced.

  • AEW Collision Tapings Results For Airing November 9 (Spoilers)

    All Elite Wrestling taped this weekend\’s episode of AEW Collision on Thursday night from Providence, RI. The following are complete spoiler results for the show, just two weeks out from AEW Full Gear on Saturday, November 23.

    Full Match Listing

    • Iron Savages vs. The House of Black
    • #1 Contender\’s Match: The Outrunners vs. Top Flight
    • Roderick Strong vs. Beast Mortos
    • Ashley Box vs. Kris Statlander
    • Action Andretti vs. TNT Champion Jack Perry
    • Nick Wayne vs. AR Fox
    • Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii vs. World Trios Champions Claudio Castagnoli, PAC and Wheeler Yuta

    AEW Collision Results (Airing 9, 2024)

    • The House of Black def. The Iron Savages. After the match, FTR confronted the House of Black and challenged them to a match for next week\’s Dynamite.
    • The Outunners def. Top Flight to advance to Full Gear in the Tag Team Title bout. Private Party watched from the stage.
    • Roderick Strong def. Beast Mortos. He was attacked by Lance Archer after the match, while Brian Cage prevented anybody from helping.
    • Kris Statlander def. Ashley Vox. Mercedes Mone attacked Statlander after the match.
    • TNT Champion Jack Perry def. Action Andretti. Daniel Garcia then came out and confronted Perry.
    • Nick Wayne def. AR Fox
    • Claudio Castagnoli, PAC & Wheeler Yuta successfully retained the Trios Championships by def. Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii. Marina Shafir interfered to get the win for her team. Jon Moxley and Orange Cassidy brawled after the match.

  • Middle-Aged WWE Fans Blamed For Donald Trump’s Presidential Win

    MSNBC political host Joy Reid blames Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory on Generation X voters who grew up watching Hulk Hogan and WWE. This group is aged 44-59, born between 1965 and 1980. Reid argues that this generation’s familiarity with wrestling icons like Hulk Hogan shaped a cultural mindset that is sending Trump back to the White House. During MSNBC’s 2024 election special coverage, Reid stated:

    “My generation, Generation X, the people who grew up on WWE and Hulk Hogan and Donald Trump, did this. They did this. They are the ones who looked in the face of somebody who looked them in the face and said, ‘I want to be a dictator on day one.’ We did this.”

    Reid’s comments highlight the longstanding ties between Trump and wrestling culture. Several WWE legends have publicly supported him over the years, including Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker, Kane (Glenn Jacobs), and Ric Flair—all longtime fans of Trump who actively campaigned for him during his latest presidential run.

    Linda McMahon, former WWE president, she served in Trump’s cabinet as the head of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 during his first term before transitioning to lead a PAC supporting his reelection. She’s now co-chair of his transition team.

  • Goldberg Talks WWE Retirement, Why Wrestling is Tougher Than Football

    Wrestling Legend Bill Goldberg was recently inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame, and spoke with Scott Johnson of News 4 Jacksonville about the experience.

    Goldberg is among several legendary wrestlers who achieved dual success in football and professional wrestling, along with Dwayne \”The Rock\” Johnson and the late Steve \”Mongo\” McMichel. When asked which sport is more physically demanding, Goldberg said there\’s no comparison.

    “Wrestling 100%… because you’re a professional athlete mixed with a rock star. You’re on the road every two days. I was on the road 210 days my first year. It’s no comparison.”

    Goldberg says he\’s proud to be a role model for Jewish children, and encourages people to break free of any stereotypes that may be placed on them.

    Even though he was inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame, he remains a proud University of Georgia \’Bulldog,\’ and jokes that he gets nauseated by their rival Florida Gator\’s team colors, orange and blue.

    He didn\’t give any clues about who he\’ll wrestle in his retirement match next year, but shared a quote that exemplifies how difficult it is for wrestlers to retire from the ring.

    \”You’re not retired until you’re dead in the wrestling business… that’s how it works.”

    Check out Bill Goldberg\’s full interview with Going Ringside:

  • Vince McMahon WWE Update: \’He\’s Out of the Business Entirely\’

    Vince McMahon is very pleased with the direction of WWE since he\’s departure, but TKO Group COO Mark Shapiro says the disgraced former WWE Chairman and CEO is \”out of the business entirely.\” Shapiro spoke with CNBC to discuss this week\’s TKO Group Q3 financial results, and revealed details of a recent meeting they had together.

    Shapiro tells Alex Sherman that he had breakfast with McMahon a few weeks ago, and wanted to see how he\’s doing. It had been a long time since he\’d spoken with McMahon, and a lot has transpired since then.

    \”He couldn’t have been nicer,\” Shapiro said of McMahon. \”I mean, he was a total pro at breakfast, if you will. It’s a one-on-one get-together, but he’s out of the business entirely. He doesn’t make decisions. He’s not on the board. He doesn’t opine. We don’t consult him.

    He’s got some litigation that he’s working through, and frankly, he wants the privacy and the time to work through it which is great, because in the meantime, we’re going to keep building TKO and WWE, and expanding the horizon, expanding the opportunities.\”

    McMahon remains a minority shareholder of TKO Group, but his position has been significantly reduced. When asked how McMahon feels about WWE\’s direction, Shaprio replied, \”Couldn’t have been more positive, but I wasn’t asking for his opinion.\”

  • AEW Full Gear: Updated Match Card for 11/23

    Bobby Lashley will make his in-ring debut for All Elite Wrestling later this month,. On Wednesday\’s AEW Dynamite, Lashley and the Hurt Syndicate were confronted by former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, who issued the challenge to Lashley. MVP accepted the challenge on Lashley\’s behalf, and the match was confirmed later in the show.

    Here is the updated card for All Elite Wrestling\’s upcoming AEW Full Gear pay-per-view:

    Main PPV Card Matches:

    • Orange Cassidy challenges Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship
    • Kris Statlander challenges Mercedes Moné for the AEW TBS Championship
    • Jay White vs. Hangman Adam Page
    • Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Stricland
    • MJF will face either Adam Cole or Roderick Strong

    AEW Full Gear Zero Hour Kickoff Show:

    • AJ From Costco Guys vs. QT Marshall

    AEW Full Gear 2024 takes place Saturday, November 23 from Newark, NJ at the Prudential Center. Stay tuned to SEScoops for additional match announcements in the weeks ahead.

  • Malakai Black: I\’m Not Injured, Retiring, or Leaving AEW

    All Elite Wrestling star Malakai Black is setting the record straight about his health and status with the company. Following a hard-fought loss to Adam Cole on Wednesday\’s AEW Dynamite, Cole extended a his hand for handshake. Black took a moment, and instead embraced his longtime rival with a big hug.

    Cole took a microphone and declared that Black is one of the best wrestlers he\’s ever faced. The show of respect prompted a standing ovation from the live crowd. Fans immediately took to social media and speculated this signified Black is either taking another extended absense, or leaving the company entirely.

    Malakai Black\’s Statement

    On Thursday morning, Black posted a video on Instagram to provide his side of the story. He expresses frustration about the rumors concerning his health and career, and urges fans to be respectful of his situation.

    “I’m not injured nor am I retiring or am I leaving,” Black said. “I feel this happens every match I have, and I don’t understand how many times you’re going to say these things and then them not happening and people are still going to fall for that. I haven’t been injured in more than three years… I’m fine, I’ve been fine for the longest time. I would really appreciate it if that stuff stops, man.

    If I’m going to retire, you’re going to hear it from me and not after Adam just cuts a promo just as a thank you for the match. Because that’s all it was. So, thank you.”

    – Malakai Black

    Malakai Black has kept an active schedule this year, and has wrestled 23 matches for AEW, most of which have been tag matches with his partners in the House of Black.

  • WWE 2K25 Set to Release Before WrestleMania 41

    The next installment in WWE’s long-running video game franchise, WWE 2K25, is officially set for release ahead of WrestleMania 41.

    Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. shared the news in its fiscal second quarter (Q2 2025) earnings report on Thursday. The company reported robust financial performance, with improvements in net income, net bookings, and reduced operating losses compared to the previous year.

    One of the major contributors to Take-Two’s success this quarter was Grand Theft Auto V and its online component, Grand Theft Auto Online. GTA V has now sold over 205 million units, adding 5 million units just this quarter.

    WWE 2K25 Release Date

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    Take-Two’s earnings report also included an updated release schedule for upcoming projects, listing WWE 2K25 for Q4 of Fiscal 2025. Since Take-Two’s fiscal year ends on March 31, 2025, WWE fans can look forward to playing the new title before WrestleMania 41, scheduled for April 19-20, 2025.

    For context, WWE 2K24 was released on March 8, 2024. Be sure to check out our exclusive WWE 2K24 review, where we rated it an impressive 8.5/10.

  • RVD Says \”I\’ll Be Back\” Following NXT 2300


    Rob Van Dam is channeling \”The Terminator\” to describe future appearances with WWE NXT. Van Dam made a few appearances at NXT’s 2300 Special on Wednesday, held at the former ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA.

    He first had a segment with Kelani Jordan, who was practicing his signature \’Van Dam stretch\’ by doing a split on two folding chairs. Later in the show, the Whole F\’N Show was attacked backstage by Wes Lee. He\’d exact revenge later in the evening. 

    During Lee\’s match against Je\’Von Evans, RVD came out and distracted his attacker. This allowed Evans to get the victory, and they celebrated together in the ring .

    A fan on social media says he wishes Van Dam had wrestled a match on the show, which prompted an agreeable response: \”Me too. But I’ll be back.\”

  • Austin Theory on Working with Brock Lesnar, Steve Austin, John Cena and The Rock

    Just three and a half years after making his main-roster WWE television debut, Austin Theory has already worked with some of the biggest names in wrestling history.

    The 27-year-old grappler from Atlanta, GA is the latest guest on Chris Van Vliet\’s Insights podcast. Theory has been \”obsessed\” with WWE from a young age. He didn\’t give himself a fallback plan, despite skepticism from his friends. His first break into the industry came when he met former WWE trainer Bill DeMott at an MMA gym.

    Here are highlights of what he shared with CVV about working with legends including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, The Rock and John Cena.

    His WrestleMania Feud with John Cena

    Theory worked closely with Cena, who pushed him to be more authentic during their promo battles. He recalls it being a challenge to incorporate Cena\’s feedback while staying true to his character and his instincts.

    Taking a Stunner from Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania

    He was honored to take a Stunner from Stone Cold at WrestleMania, and jokes that he envisioned sharing a beer with Austin backstage afterwards (didn\’t happen).

    Ring Moment with The Rock:

    Theory says it was an unforgettable experience when he had a segment with The Rock on WWE SmackDown. He was notified about the segment at the last minute, but says he felt an almost \’telepathic\’ connection with the Final Boss, who \”signaled\” to him when to speak during their interaction.

    Brock Lesnar F-5\’ing him Off An Elimination Chamber Pod

    Theory took an absolutely crazy bump at Elimination Chamber 2024, when Brock Lesnar hoisted him onto his shoulders and flung him off the top of one of the pods. He says Vince McMahon hand-picked him for the spot, and Lesnar was \’intense and unpredictable.\’

  • AEW Rampage Spoilers Airing November 8, 2024

    All Elite Wrestling taped Friday\’s AEW Rampage prior to this week\’s Dynamite from Manchester, New Hampshire at the SNHU Arena.

    Dynamite and Rampage are in Bridgeport, CT next week as we continue on the road to AEW Full Gear, scheduled for Saturday, November 23, 2024.

    AEW Rampage Tapings Results (11/8)

    • Hikaru Shida def. Viva Van
    • The Undisputed Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) def. The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) and The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean). After the match, the winners were confronted by Brian Cage and Lance Archer, who attacked them. Roderick Strong came out to make the save.
    • Top Flight (Dante Martin & Darius Martin) def. Beef & JD Drake.
    • Lio Rush pinnned Komander in their rematch, evening the series to 1-1.

  • AEW Rampage Preview: Lio Rush vs. Komander Rematch

    All Elite Wrestling has announced the lineup for this week\’s AEW Rampage, airing Friday on TNT at 10/9c. The main event will see high-flying stars Lio Rush and Komander \”run it back\” after the masked luchador picked up the win last week.

    We\’ll also see former Women\’s World Champion Hikaru Shida in action, along with five tag teams hoping to make some noise in hopes of climbing the ranks to challenge the division\’s new champions, Private Party.

    AEW Rampage Preview: Nov. 8, 2024

    Confirmed matches include:

    • Lio Rush vs. Komander 2
    • Tag Team 3-Way: Undisputed Kingdom vs. Dark Order vs. The Infantry
    • Hikaru Shida vs. Viva Van
    • Top Flight vs. JD Drake & Beef
    \"\"

  • NXT 2300 Results from Philadelphia’s ECW Arena

    Here are the quick results from the NXT 2300 special on the CW network, November 6, 2024:

    1. Lola Vice vs. Jaida Parker (Hardcore Match): Vice defeated Parker with a DDT onto a chair.

    2. Je’Von Evans vs. Wes Lee: Evans secured the victory after delivering a springboard cutter.

    3. Tony D’Angelo vs. Nunzio (NXT North American Championship Match): D’Angelo retained his title against Nunzio.

    4. Ten-Woman Tag Team Match: Roxanne Perez, Cora Jade, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx, and Fallon Henley defeated Jordynne Grace, Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, Zaria, and Kelani Jordan when Perez pinned Zaria following Pop Rox.

    5. Trick Williams & Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Ethan Page & Ridge Holland: Williams and Dudley won after Williams hit the Trick Shot on Page.

    Additionally, NXT General Manager Ava announced the introduction of the NXT Women’s North American Championship, with a tournament set to begin next week to crown the inaugural champion.

  • AEW Dynamite Results (11/6/24)

    Here are the quick results from the November 6, 2024, episode of AEW Dynamite:

    • Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy vs. Claudio Castagnoli & PAC: Allin and Cassidy won via disqualification due to interference from Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir, and Jon Moxley.

    • Fight Without Honor Trios Match: The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly, and Tomohiro Ishii) defeated The Learning Tree when Ishii pinned Chris Jericho after a brainbuster.

    • Jamie Hayter vs. Penelope Ford: Hayter secured the victory with a lariat.

    • Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher vs. Ricochet & Mystery Partner: Ricochet and his partner, revealed to be Rey Fenix, won after Fenix pinned Fletcher following a Black Fire Driver.

    • Adam Cole vs. Malakai Black: Cole emerged victorious with the Last Shot.

    Additionally, The Hurt Syndicate (MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Bobby Lashley) appeared, with Lashley accepting Swerve Strickland’s challenge for a match at Full Gear.

    HOOK and Christian Cage had a face-to-face confrontation, escalating their ongoing rivalry.

  • WWE Revenue Jumps in Q3, TKO Raises Full-Year Outlook and Expands Internationally

    TKO Group reported its Q3 2024 results today, highlighting a 14% year-over-year increase in WWE revenue, UFC sponsorship growth, and raised full-year guidance, alongside a focus on international expansion and new media partnerships. TKO Group Third Quarter 2024 Earnings can be viewed in their entirety at investor.tkogrp.com.

    Performance Breakdown

    WWE Segment

    WWE reported strong growth with Q3 revenue reaching $326.3 million, up 14% year-over-year, largely due to increased media rights, live events, and sponsorships.

    Sponsorship revenue was a notable success, with TKO emphasizing its potential as an underappreciated revenue stream. The upcoming Netflix deal is expected to further boost WWE’s sponsorship and site fees.

    WWE expanded its international presence, holding 18 events outside the U.S., including the successful “Bash in Berlin” event in Germany.

    UFC Segment

    UFC’s Q3 revenue totaled $354.9 million, contributing significantly to TKO’s overall revenue. This marked an 11% decline year-over-year, driven by fewer marquee events, though sponsorship revenue increased by $10.2 million.

    Strategic Highlights and Future Outlook

    Synergies: TKO reported progress in achieving cost synergies post-merger, which was a focal point in the earnings call.

    Future Guidance: TKO raised its 2024 revenue guidance to $2.745 billion.

    Acquisitions: The company is preparing to integrate Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and other Endeavor sports assets.

    Q&A Highlights:

    UFC TV Rights: Mark Shapiro noted that TKO is looking to maximize UFC’s TV rights value, with ESPN+ subscriptions and ratings performing well.

    PPV Model: Shapiro emphasized the strength of UFC’s PPV model both domestically and internationally, stating that many networks are interested.

    Boxing Expansion: Shapiro downplayed Dana White’s comments about entering boxing, clarifying that any potential entry would be through partnerships rather than acquisitions, with a goal to modernize boxing’s business model.

    UFC Fight Pass: TKO is seeing international growth in UFC Fight Pass subscriptions and plans to keep it separate from other media deals.

    Netflix Sponsorships: TKO is exploring new WWE sponsorships globally, including a partnership involving Netflix and Minute Maid.

    Talent Retention: Shapiro expressed confidence in talent retention, stating that WWE and UFC are seen as prime destinations, with cost control remaining a priority.

    Endeavor Assets: TKO does not plan to pursue further acquisitions beyond recent additions like PBR, focusing instead on optimizing current assets.

  • Carmelo Hayes Struck With \’Survivor\’s Guilt\’ Over a Recent WWE Release

    Carmelo Hayes says he\’s felt \”survivor\’s guilt\” after Baron Corbin\’s recent release from WWE. The two worked together closely in NXT last year.

    Corbin marked his return to the developmental brand in May 2023 by ambushing Hayes, who was the NXT Champion at the time. They had an intense feud, with Hayes emerging victorious. They wrestled once again on SmackDown during this year\’s King of the Ring tournament. Hayes tells Metro that Corbin\’s firing hit him especially hard.

    \”It’s kinda like a survivor’s guilt, you know what I mean? After a day or two, you’re like, “Man!” You just hate to see that for them.\”

    – Carmelo Hayes on Baron Corbin\’s WWE release

    Hayes says Corbin took a liking to him, and helped him tremendously by offering all sorts of advice – about wrestling, personal finances and life in general. Those lessons will serve him for years to come, and he\’ll always hold a special place for his one-time onscreen rival.

    \”I’m forever indebted to Baron Corbin, he adds. \”Super talented, and I hate to see him go. That was one of those ones that really kinda hurt.\”

    – Carmelo Hayes on Baron Corbin\’s inflence

  • Linda McMahon Joins Trump’s 2024 Transition Team as Co-Chair

    Linda McMahon will have a key role in helping Donald Trump prepare for his second term as Untied States President. The former President & CEO of WWE was recently named as one of the co-chairs of Donald Trump\’s presidential transition team, along with Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald.

    As co-chair of the transition team, McMahon will help with identifying and vetting potential political appointees, drafting executive orders, formulating strategies to implement Trump\’s policy initiatives and overseeing the policy side of the transition.

    Linda McMahon held a significant role in President Trump\’s first administration as a member of his cabinet and head of the Small Business Administration (SBA) during Trump\’s first term.

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    President Donald Trump and former WWE President Linda McMahon

    After stepping down from her role as head of the SBA in April 2019, she became chair the conservative America First Action PAC. McMahon has been a significant financial supporter of Trump\’s campaigns, contributing more than $10 million to help elect him in 2024.

    Can President Trump Pardon Vince McMahon?

    She spoke at the Republican National Convention back in July 2024:

  • Jon Moxley Discusses Pain, Perseverance, and Recovery in Candid Interview

    AEW World Champion Jon Moxley opens up about lingering injuries and how he\’s been managing his pain, during a recent interview with Authority Magazine. Moxley tells Authority that his hip has been bothering him for several months. He\’s been treating undergoing physical therapy.

    Moxley advises everyone to pick a great physical therapist and commit to the program with 100% effort. Some wrestlers never fully recover from major injuries, and Mox thinks a lot of that has to do with the effort put in during recovery. Two decades into his pro wrestling career, father time and years of taking bumps are catching up with the champ.

    “For me, being that I’m 38 and have been getting the crap kicked out of me for 20 years, I don’t recover as quickly as I used to. That’s been difficult to accept.

    There’s a principle I learned at 11 years old when I started wrestling, basically the principle that hard work beats talent, or at least it can. You may not have been given the same natural gifts; you may not have the same advantages. It doesn’t matter. Hard work evens the playing field.\”

    Jon Moxley

    Jon Moxley defied the odds to become an all-time greta pro wrestler. He doesn\’t look like a jacked up action figure, and he doesn\’t possess the athletic gifts of Will Ospreay or Ricochet. He\’s gotten to the top thanks to his work ethic. Moxley draws inspiration from warriors like legendary wrestler Dan Gable, who wouldn\’t be satisfied with his training sessions unless he had to be literally carried off the mat after practice.

    “The ability to endure, to have discipline, a simple willingness to put in more time and effort- this was like learning some cheat code to the universe. Discovering that simple principle, changed the course of my life. That’s what gave me the confidence to pursue pro wrestling despite the astronomical odds of success.

    I was a nobody; I didn’t have any advantages, but who cares? I’d just outwork everyone.\”

    Jon Moxley

    Like most elite pro wrestlers, Moxley has dealt with his share of physical ailments throughout his career. In 2017, he underwent two surgeries to repair a severe triceps injury (one of them to clear up a MRSA staph infection). Early into his run with AEW, he developed another MRSA staph infection in his elbow, which put him out of action for several months. In September 2023, he was sidelined with a concussion.

  • NXT 2300 Preview: ECW Legends, 10-Woman Tag Match

    WWE presents NXT 2300 tonight from the historic \’ECW Arena\’ in Philadelphia, PA. This special \’extreme homecoming\’ broadcasts live on The CW at 8/7c.

    Confirmed matches and segments

    • Bubba Ray Dudley and Trick Williams team up against Ethan Page and Ridge Holland.
    • 10-Woman Tag Team Match: Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, ZARIA, Kelani Jordan, & Jordynne Grace team up against Roxanne Perez, Cora Jade, Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx, & Jacy Jayne.
    • Hardcore Match: Lola Vice vs. Jaida Parker with Special Referee: Dawn Marie
    • A special announcement by NXT General Manager Ava
    • Appearances from Rob Van Dam, Francine, and more ECW originals.
    NXT 2300: Watch the ECW-Themed Cold Open for Tonight’s Show

  • NXT 2300: Watch the ECW-Themed Cold Open for Tonight\’s Show

    WWE takes it to the extreme tonight with NXT 2300, a special Wednesday edition of WWE NXT broadcasting live on the CW 8/7c. The show takes place from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA.

    The venue, located at 2300 S Swanson St, is best known to wrestling fans as the \’ECW Arena\’ and is the former home of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).

    NXT 2300 be heavy on the ECW nostalgia, including appearances from legends including Rob Van Dam, Francine, Dawn Marie and more.

    WWE has released the \’cold open\’ video package that will air at the start of NXT 2300, featuring the classic ECW TV theme song, and footage of classic ECW moments spliced in with today\’s NXT stars.

  • Seth Rollins Dares WWE’s Rising Stars: ‘Try to Outwork Me’

    WWE Superstar Seth Rollins appeared on the Pivot podcast this week to discuss his WWE career, how starting a family with Becky Lynch has changed him, and dealing with the up-and-coming generation of wrestlers who are gunning for his spot as one of the top stars in the industry.

    Rollins began his wrestling journey in a small town in Iowa, fueled by his relentless passion and the unwavering support of his mother. He recalls exhibit grit and a strong work ethic from a young age, never considering a backup plan if the whole \’wrestling thing\’ didn\’t pan out. His refusal to be outworked helped him overcome numerous challenges, including injuries and financial difficulties.

    Rollins has portrayed a heel (villain) for the majority of his time in WWE. He finds this role more fun and easier to connect with audiences, especially in today\’s social media-driven world where fans exercise their right to be outspoken. He emphasizes the importance of crafting a memorable character in WWE and discusses the current characters in the modern league.

    Seth Rollins Stuns With ‘Hype Beast High Fashion’ Outfit at Crown Jewel

    How Fatherhood Has Changed Him

    Rollins and fellow WWE Superstar Becky Lynch were friends for years before they started dating. He candidly shares how he realized she was the one and how he got her to fall in love with him. They married and have a daughter, born during the COVID-19 lockdown.

    Becoming a father has been pivotal for Rollins, significantly changing his perspective on wrestling and life in general. It gave him a new sense of purpose and shifted his priorities, taking the pressure off wrestling and placing it on being the best dad he can be. There isn\’t just pone \’right way\’ to raise a child – but Rollins says he tries to give his daughter enough space to explore their own path, similar to the supportive (but not smothering) upbringing he received from his mother.

    His Outlook in the Second Half of His Career

    Despite being closer to the end of his career than the beginning, Rollins remains passionate and continues to dominate the sport. He takes pride in mentoring the younger generations and encourages them to outwork him, if they can. However, he\’s still hungry to be the best in the world and will hold on to his spot for as long as he can.

    \”When you got young guys and girls coming up underneath you, they want to take your spot, and they should.

    I want you to come in here and outwork me… I want you to fight for it. But I\’m gonna fight back.\”

    – Seth Rollins

    After He Retires from Wrestling

    These days, many of WWE’s top stars are eyeing Hollywood and signing with major talent agencies as they near the end of their active careers. While Seth Rollins has tried acting, he admits:

    \”When I start to faze out in the ring, I’ll probably do something behind the scenes. I see myself more like a Triple H… I see myself continuing to help the business grow as I start to age out of the in-ring process… that’s my blueprint.”

    Elsewhere in the interview, Rollins shares some interesting stories about sharing the ring with icons like The Rock, Roman Reigns, and John Cena, and expresses admiration for athletes like Brock Lesnar. He said he still gets excited to perform at major events lie WrestleMania, no matter how many times he\’s been on the big stage.

    For Rollins, wrestling is a marathon, not a sprint, and that’s what keeps him coming back year after year. Despite the challenges of aging and staying relevant in a competitive industry, he continues toc adapt and evolve, relying on his experience and intelligence to stay ahead.

    Catch Seth Rollins\’ appearance on the Pivot Podcast:

  • Roxanne Perez Names Today\’s \’Four Horsewomen\’ of NXT

    It\’s a new era for the NXT women\’s division, and champion Roxanne Perez sees similarities to a prior golden era. Perez, who is celebrating her 23rd birthday today, appeared on the In the Kliq podcast and discussed the state of WWE developmental.

    Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley reigned supreme and helped elevate women\’s wrestling in WWE. They were dubbed the Four Horsewomen, a nod to the iconic faction led by Charlotte\’s father, \’Nature Boy\’ Ric Flair. With the recent additions of Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer and Zaria, some are drawing comparisons to the original Horsewomen.

    Perez is proud of what they\’ve built in NXT, and named herself, Cora Jade, Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer as the modern-day Four Horsewomen of NXT.

    \”I feel like we\’re a little alike in different ways, in the same way, being that we have always wanted to be a part of the WWE since we were young.

    We put in those years, those 1,000 hours to become great, and now we\’re able to to be a part of the greatest women\’s division in the world – and I think that that has a lot to do with us four women.\”

    Roxanne Perez

    You can watch the full interview below:

  • Lilian Garcia Says WWE Return Opportunity Felt Like a Gift From Her Late Father

    Lilian Garcia was unprepared for the wave of emotions that swept over her when WWE recently reached out with an offer to return.

    Garcia has now rejoined WWE full-time as the ring announcer for WWE Raw. She originally departed in 2016 to care for her ailing father, who sadly passed away on Christmas Day of that year.

    In a live Q&A session with fans on Instagram held Monday, Garcia shared insights about her father’s influence on her return to WWE.

    “When I got the call, just a few weeks ago… I felt like this was my dad and his gift, bringing me to this again,” Garcia revealed.

    “I have missed you guys, and I will say that when my music hit and I came out in Philadelphia, I was not prepared for the love. I felt this massive wave come over me, this rush and energy.”

    Lilian Garcia

    Lilian Garcia pursued several professional endeavors during years outside the squared circle. She hosted several podcasts, did broadcasting work for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) mixed martial arts promotion, pursuing her music career and made several television appearances.

    She also made a one-off cameos for WWE during this time, including ring announcing various special events (including the all-women\’s WWE Evolution PPV), as well as several milestone episodes of WWE programming (Raw 25th Anniversary special in January 2018 and Raw Reunion in July 2019).

    Follow Lilian Garcia on Instagram @LilianGarcia.