SEScoops

Author: Mike Reichlin

  • Tony Khan On What It Would Take For A Women\’s Blood & Guts Match in AEW

    Blood & Guts is one of the most dangerous stipulation matches in professional wrestling. It\’s AEW\’s take on War Games, the double-cage, anything-goes team warfare match originated by the late \’American Dream\’ Dusty Rhodes in the 1980\’s.

    AEW introduced Blood & Guts in 2021, and has run the match each year ever since on a special-themed edition of AEW Dynamite. The match returns this year on Wednesday, July 24 from Nashville, TN. AEW Blood & Guts 2024 will feature Team Elite against Team AEW.

    The first four Blood & Guts matches have featured only men, but is there a specific reason for this? Tony Khan appeared on the Battleground Podcast this week and said there\’s no policy preventing a Women\’s Blood & Guts match. In fact, he thinks it\’s a great under as long as there\’s a good story to support it.

    \”At some point, it would be great to have a women’s Blood & Guts match,\” said Khan. \”I think you need a lot of people [involved with] the story, and a lot of healthy people,” Khan said. “We have a great roster that we’re building up, and I think our women’s roster is stronger than it’s ever been right now today and I’m really excited about that. So, if we ever get to the point where we’ve got enough people tied together and the story makes sense, I think it would be great.”

    5th Time\’s A Charm?

    There has never been a Women\’s Blood and Guts match. Blood & Guts 2024 will feature two teams of male competitors, just like the first three.

    • The inaugural Blood & Guts match (The Inner Circle vs. The Pinnacle) took place on May 5, 2021, after being delayed from its original March 2020 date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • The second Blood & Guts match (Jericho Appreciation Society vs. Blackpool Combat Club, Eddie Kingston, Santana, and Ortiz) occurred in June 2022.
    • The third and most recent Blood & Guts match (The Golden Elite vs. Blackpool Combat Club, Konosuke Takeshita, and Pac) was held on July 19, 2023, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

    Several women on the AEW roster have expressed interest in participating, including Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue. WWE regularly features women\’s Money in the Bank and WarGames matches. As we saw at the conclusion of this week\’s AEW Dynamite, they\’re not exactly preventing the women from getting as bloody and violent as the men. The question of a Women\’s Blood & Guts match is about when it will happen, not if it will happen.

  • AEW Dynamite Preview (7/10/24): Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Finals

    AEW Dynamite is set for an action-packed show live from the Calgary Stampede tonight at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TBS Network. The special Stampede-themed episode from the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta will feature the finals of the 2024 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.

    Matches

    Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Finals

    • Men\’s Final: Bryan Danielson vs Adam Page
    • Women\’s Final: Willow Nightingale vs Mariah May
    • Stampede Street Fight featuring Chris Jericho
    • Global Glory 4-Way Match featuring Claudio Castagnoli, Kyle Fletcher, PAC, and Tomohiro Ishii

    Segments

    \"Mercedes
    • AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland returns
    • We\’ll hear from AEW International Champion Will Ospreay
    • AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone will host a Double Championship Victory Toast

    Plus, Samoa Joe is advertised to appear.

    What Happened Last Week on AEW Dynamite?

    The show featured several Owen Hart Foundation Tournament matches, including Bryan Danielson defeating PAC in a semifinal bout. Willow Nightingale advanced to the women\’s finals by beating Kris Statlander. In a surprising twist, \”Hangman\” Adam Page returned as the Young Bucks\’ Wild Card pick, defeating Jeff Jarrett to end Double J\’s dream of honoring his former partner.

    The main event saw AEW International Champion Will Ospreay successfully defend his title against Daniel Garcia in a highly competitive match. The closing segment ended in dramatic fashion with a \’swerve\’ that we probably should have seen coming. After Garcia\’s loss, MJF revealed his true colors by attacking him brutally. MJF used his Dynamite Diamond Ring to assault Garcia, leaving him bloodied and injured. The show ended with Garcia being stretchered out while Will Ospreay looked on with concern.

    \"\"
    Photo by Ricky Havlik for AEW

    This shocking turn of events sets up potential storylines involving MJF, Garcia, and possibly Ospreay moving forward. Additionally, the episode featured appearances by other champions, including TBS and NJPW STRONG Women\’s Champion Mercedes Moné, who had a heated confrontation with the returning Britt Baker.

    7/3/24 AEW Video Recap

    The AEW YouTube channel posted this video of recap of the show:

  • Rhea Ripley Returns & Liv Morgan Flees, What Happened After WWE Raw

    In a dramatic conclusion to Monday\’s WWE RAW, Rhea Ripley made her long-awaited return, bringing the simmering tension between herself, Dominik Mysterio, and Liv Morgan to a boiling point. The climax of the evening saw Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio team up against Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega, which ended in their victory. As the duo celebrated their win with a passionate embrace in the ring, Rhea Ripley’s music hit and the arena erupted.

    Mami made her way to the ring and business picked up in a big way. Morgan, seemingly aware of the impending confrontation, quickly fled the scene, leaving Dominik alone in the ring. The tension was palpable as Ripley approached Mysterio.

    Her demeanor was far from welcoming, a stark contrast to the celebratory mood moments earlier. When Dominik attempted to greet her with a hug, Ripley\’s cold response spoke volumes. As RAW went off the air, fans were left with the image of a clearly displeased Ripley.

    What Happened After Raw

    The USA Network feed cut off early, but we can see here just how displeased Ripley was.

    What’s Next?

    Expect to see Rhea Ripley vs. Liv Morgan at SummerSlam, one of our five WWE SummerSlam 2024 card predictions. This dramatic return sets the stage for what promises to be an explosive summer ahead as the next chapters in this ongoing saga are written. We’re now wondering:

    • How will Ripley address Dominik\’s closeness with Morgan?
    • What are Morgan\’s true intentions?
    • Where do Dominik\’s loyalties truly lie?

    Storyline Explainer: Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan’s Love Triangle

  • NXT Star Damon Kemp (Bobby Steveson) Announces WWE Departure

    NXT star Damon Kemp (Bobby Steveson) is no longer with WWE.

    Bobby Steveson, the older brother of Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, signed with WWE in August 2021 as part of a new recruit class at the Performance Center. While his brother Gable exited in May 2024 after a disappointing run, Bobby has been featured prominently in NXT, where his tenure has seen several notable storyline developments.

    In May 2022, Bobby joined the Diamond Mine stable. However, he later betrayed his teammates, the Creed Brothers, at the Worlds Collide event, executing a heel turn. This led to a high-stakes Ambulance match against Julius Creed at NXT Halloween Havoc. Bobby\’s loss in this match ensured that Brutus Creed would retain his NXT career.

    Kemp subsequently aligned himself with the No Quarter Catch Crew (NQCC) stable, signaling a new direction for his character. This progression exemplified WWE\’s ongoing efforts to develop new talent and create engaging narratives within its NXT brand.

    His final match with the company was on the June 25 episode of NXT, where he suffered a loss to Tavion Heights. Interestingly, Heights has been in the process of being initiated into the NQCC, the same stable Kemp was part of. With this loss, Steveson\’s tenure with WWE came to an end, leaving him on the outside of the organization he once called home.

  • WWE Raw Preview (7/8): Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan Team Up

    Tonight\’s WWE Raw takes place from Ottawa, ON from the Canadian Tire Center.

    The show will feature fallout from Saturday\’s WWE Money in the Bank event, including Damian Priest retaining the World Heavyweight championship and the indefinite suspension of Money in the Bank winner Drew McIntyre. McIntyre snapped at MITB after CM Punk spoiled his cash-in, and put his hands on Raw General Manager Adam Pearce.

    Raw Preview

    These four matches set for tonight\’s WWE Raw card:

    • Dominik Mysterio & Liv Morgan vs.Rey Mysterio & Zelina Vega
    • Jey Uso vs. Chad Gable
    • Judgment Day (Finn Balor, JD McDonagh, and Carlito) vs. The Miz, R-Truth and Braun Strowman
    • Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane, & IYO SKY) Vs. Lyra Valkyria, Kayden Carter, & Katana Chance

    Plus, Adam Pearce will address his decision to indefinitely drew McIntyre for his actions at MITB. Keep it locked to SEScoops for our coverage of tonight\’s WWE Raw.

    Get hyped for Raw with this video recapping last week\’s episode:

  • John Cena Unveils Details of His 2025 WWE Retirement Tour

    John Cena wants to take fans on a ride they won’t forget next year. In a revealing press conference following Saturday’s WWE\’s Money in the Bank show from Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena, the wrestling icon shared a lot of details about his upcoming retirement tour, marking the end of his illustrious in-ring career.

    Cena announced that his final run will span the entire year. \”If everything goes to plan, I\’ll be wrestling from January to December,\” Cena stated.

    He also confirmed that this retirement is definitive. \”A lot of sports entertainment retirements are dishonest. I\’m done. This is it,\” Cena asserted, adding, \”If you ever wanted to be part of this, now is the time to get on board.\”

    Remaining Part of the WWE Family

    Cena joked that his iconic ring attire – the jorts and colorful t-shirts that have become synonymous with his character – will be retiring alongside him. He also made it clear that post-retirement, he won\’t be involved in physical aspects of the shows, ruling out appearances as a guest referee.

    However, fans can take solace in knowing that Cena\’s association with WWE isn\’t ending completely. He expressed his desire to remain part of the WWE family for years to come, albeit in a different capacity. \”I\’m passionate about wrestling and still yell at the screen while watching. I have wisdom I want to pass along,\” he explained.

    Ending on a Historic Note

    Cena\’s retirement tour isn\’t born out of necessity due to injury, as is often the case in professional wrestling. Instead, it\’s a conscious decision driven by gratitude. \”This is not a bad thing. This is a great thing,\” Cena emphasized, highlighting his appreciation for the opportunity to bid farewell on his own terms.

    As Cena\’s legendary career draws to a close, he\’s not content to simply ride off into the sunset. Cena expressed interest in pursing a 17th world championship, indicating his final year will be anything but predictable.

  • Seth Rollins Says Wife Becky Lynch Is Doing Great

    Seth Rollins spoke about his wife Becky Lynch during a sit-down interview with Michael Cole that aired during Saturday’s WWE Money in the Bank kickoff show.

    Lynch is taking time off from WWE after her contract recently expired. She’s a free agent for the first time in many years. Wrestling fans around the world want to know if she’ll ever return to wrestling, or if we’ve seen The Man ride off into the sunset for the last time.

    WWE’s senior broadcaster asked, \”Becky obviously leaving WWE after losing the championship, she\’s at home with your daughter, how\’s she doing, how is The Man?\” Rollins respectfully wouldn’t speak for his wife, but did provide a positive update on her and their daughter.

    \”The Man\’s great. She\’s great,” Rollins said of his wife. “I can\’t speak to her future or what she\’s got moving forward, but she\’s great, she\’s in good spirits. The little one\’s awesome as well. She\’s a menace, she runs the ship.\”

    Becky Lynch is currently a free agent for the first time in over a decade, when she initially signed with WWE in 2013. She has not publicly addressed her future in wrestling.

    Lynch had an eventful year in WWE, participating in major events like the Royal Rumble and winning the Elimination Chamber match, which led to a WrestleMania XL title match against Rhea Ripley. Although she lost that match, she later won the vacant Women\’s World Championship in April, only to lose it 33 days later at King and Queen of the Ring. Her WWE contract reportedly expired on June 1.

    You can watch Seth Rollins comments about Becky Lynch’s future here:

  • DIY Are The New WWE Tag Team Champions

    Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are the new WWE tag team champions. DIY defeated A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) on Friday’s WWE SmackDown from Toronto.

    The match featured fast paced action, high impact offense from both teams and several close calls. The finish came when DIY locked in cross-face submission holds on champions, who tapped out in unison. 

    \"\"

    After the match, fireworks erupted as the Toronto crowd celebrated the historic moment. This marks the first main roster gold for DIY, who previously held the NXT tag titles. The longtime friends went on to have a bitter rivalry before ultimately reconciling and getting back to business.

    For Theory and Waller, the championship reign that began by winning the Six-Pack Challenge Ladder Match at WrestleMania XL ends at 90 days.

  • Giulia\’s WWE Debut Expected SummerSlam Weekend

    Key Points:

    • Giulia is WWE-bound, but not expected at NXT Heatwave this Sunday
    • WWE is eager to add her to the mix and she\’ll likely debut by the next NXT PLE

    Giulia\’s WWE debut is imminent, but she won\’t be on hand for Sunday\’s NXT Heatwave 2024 premium live event from Toronto, OB. The Japanese wrestling sensation has been healing from a fractured wrist and has a big match scheduled in a matter of days.

    Ahead of this big WWE Money in the Bank weekend, there\’s new information about when Giulia is officially joining WWE and NXT. She will fulfill her Marigold commitments, including her return match against Saree next Saturday at Summer Destiny.

    She will then be free to begin her career with the world\’s top wrestling company. According to Fightful, WWE is eager to integrate her \”as soon as possible.\” She\’s expected to wrestle at the next NXT PLE over WWE SummerSlam 2024 weekend.

    Everybody recognizes the potential for Giulia to reshape the NXT women\’s division. Countless intriguing match-ups await her, including North American Champion Kelani Jordan and of course, NXT Champion Roxanne Perez.

  • Ethan Page\’s Mind Blown In WWE After AEW\’s Chaos & Disorganization

    Ethan Page says working for WWE has already been a mind blowing experience a stark contrast to AEW, which he called, \”chaotic and unorganized.\”

    Page recently arrived in NXT after an uneventful stint with All Elite Wrestling. He attacked NXT Champion Trick Williams in his debut appearance. By going straight after the brand\’s top champion, he\’s effectively invited himself into the main event scene. He lost their showdown at NXT Battleground 2024 on June 9, but All Ego is here to stay.

    Comparing AEW & WWE

    During an appearance on the Talk\’n Shop podcast recorded \’on location\’ at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Page tells hosts Gallows and Anderson that he still cannot believe how professional the WWE \’machine\’ is compared to the last national wrestling promotion he worked at.

    \”I went from somewhere that was so chaotic and unorganized to a place that, I mean I’m still learning because I’m still so new here, but this is a machine and it’s incredible.\”

    Page learned firsthand that disorganization negatively affects talent morale. He admits he felt a bit neglected by \’AEW creative\’ and didn\’t receive the support he was expecting.

    \”It feels good to not feel like I have to do everything myself. To have people that want to see me succeed is kind of mind blowing.\”

    Listen to Page\’s appearance on Talk\’n Shop here and make sure to check out our new Wrestling Podcasts section for more great shows to listen to.

    What Others Have Said

    Ethan Page is the latest wrestler to leave AEW and join WWE, but he\’s not the first. Cody Rhodes has been nothing but complimentary about the company he helped co-found.

    Jade Cargill has provided some unique insights as well, having started her wrestling career under the AEW banner. Cargill said working there prepared her for WWE, but moved on when she\’d achieved all of her goals in AEW.

  • Trish Stratus To Host Money in the Bank 2024 From Toronto

    WWE fans are in for a healthy dose of Stratusfaction this weekend. Trish Stratus will serve as the official host for Saturday\’s WWE Money in the Bank premium live event.

    She announced the news on her official website and released the following teaser video of her arriving at the Scotiabank Arena:

    Wrestling fans who are on hand for Money in the Bank can meet Trish before the show as part of a \’hospitality meet & greet\’ package available from OnLocation.

    \”She\’s Back! More than 17,000 fans are expected. Limited tickets are still available. Order today to get a double dose of Stratusfaction with a hospitality meet & greet before the show.

    Trish last captivated the WWE Universe nearly a year ago with an unforgettable Steel Cage Match against Becky Lynch, a bout that many consider a Match of the Year candidate. What will the WWE Hall of Famer have to say? Tune in Saturday at 8pm ET, streaming live on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else.\”

    Visit our WWE Money in the Bank section for information about this weekend\’s event, including the full match card, how to watch and more.

  • Umaga & Hollywood Hogan Funko Pop Exclusives Drop at WWE Shop

    WWE Shop has released two exclusive Funko Pop! figures. The latest drops feature the likenesses of WCW legend \”Hollywood\” Hogan and the late Samoan Bulldozer, former Intercontinental champion Umaga.

    Hollywood Hogan Funko Pop (WWE Shop)

    \"Hollywood
    • Price: $14.99 at WWE Shop
    • Availability: Ships no later than Wednesday, July 31, 2024
    • Description: At Hog Wild 1996, \’\’Hollywood\’\’ Hulk Hogan defeated The Giant with the help of his nWo cohorts Scott Hall and Kevin Nash and spray painted the group\’s infamous letters across the face of the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Commemorate the legacy of Hulk Hogan and the three letters that forever changed the sports entertainment landscape with this by grabbing this \”Hollywood\” Hulk Hogan Fanatics Exclusive Funko Pop! vinyl figure. This miniature version of the WWE Hall of Famer comes complete with fitting black and white gear, making it a must-have for any devout sports entertainment fan and avid collector.

    Umaga Funko Pop (WWE Shop Exclusive)

    \"Umaga
    • Price: $14.99 at WWE Shop
    • Availability: Ships within 2 business days
    • Description: The Samoan Bulldozer wasn\’t just a clever moniker for Umaga, it\’s what he was! He relentlessly attacked any unfortunate Superstar that stood opposite him, a habit that took him all the way to two Intercontinental Championships reigns and a Battle of the Billionaires match at WrestleMania 23. Fortify your WWE collection by grabbing this Umaga Fanatics Exclusive Funko Pop! vinyl figure. This miniature version of the deceptively quick super heavyweight features authentic details, making it a must-have for any devout sports entertainment fan and avid collector.

  • WWE President & TKO Execs Attend Star-Studded Hamptons White Party Hosted by Fanatics CEO

    Key Points:

    • WWE President Nick Khan and TKO executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro attended Michael Rubin\’s lavish July 4th White Party in the Hamptons
    • The event, hosted by Fanatics CEO Rubin, featured A-list celebrities and is significant due to Fanatics\’ lucrative merchandise deals with WWE and UFC

    WWE President Nick Khan and TKO executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro joined a host of A-list celebrities at Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin\’s annual July 4th White Party in the Hamptons.

    The star-studded event, held at Rubin\’s $50 million oceanfront mansion in Bridgehampton, saw attendees adhering to an all-white dress code. Notable guests included Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, Jake Paul, Emily Ratajkowski, and Megan Fox. The party featured performances by Mary J. Blige and a fireworks display.

    Rubin, whose company Fanatics has lucrative merchandise partnerships with both WWE and UFC, has turned this into a yearly tradition. The gathering highlights the close business relationships between Fanatics and major sports entertainment brands like WWE and UFC under the TKO umbrella.

    USA! Wrestling World Shares How They Celebrated on July 4

    Why Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin Loves WWE

    Michael Rubin has good reason to invite Nick Khan, Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro to his epic Hamptons gathering. Back in April, Rubin called WWE\’s growth and potential \”absolutely insane\” and said the \”insatiable demand\” for WWE merchandise leaves the world\’s top sports leagues in the dust.

    Fanatics works with the NFL, NCAA, MLB, NASCAR and countless other leagues, but Rubin couldn\’t contain his excitement about WWE.

    “The biggest growth sport in my mind Well, are we looking at percents, dollars? What’s wild, I’ll tell you honestly, what’s going on with WWE is insane. If I look at the growth in our WWE business, and it’s a big business already, it’s absolutely insane.”

    “NFL is a multi-billion dollar business. Baseball is a multi-billion dollar business. We look collectively within our overall business, if you talk about growth percent, what’s going on with WWE is spectacular.”

    Read more about Michael Rubin, the billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Fanatics.

  • WWE SmackDown Preview: Tag Title Match, Money in the Bank Hype

    WWE descends upon Toronto, ON tonight to kick off a big weekend of wrestling at the Scotiabank Arena. WWE SmackDown marks the start of three consecutive nights at the venue, with Money in the Bank following on Saturday and NXT Heatwave on Sunday.

    Tonight\’s advertised SmackDown card features these matches:

    • DIY will challenge A-Town Down Under for the WWE Tag Team Championships
    • The Street Profits take on Pretty Deadly
    • Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair face Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae

    As the final WWE television show before Saturday\’s PLE, we can also expect a hard-sell for the two high-stakes ladder matches that will headline Money in the Bank.

    SEScoops is your go-to source for WWE news all weekend, including our coverage of WWE SmackDown, Money in the Bank and NXT Heatwave.

    What Happened Last Week?

    Last week\’s WWE SmackDown (June 28, 2024) from Madison Square Garden ended in explosive fashion. The Bloodline Acknowledgement Ceremony descended into chaos when Paul Heyman refused to recognize Solo Sikoa as his new Tribal Chief. This led to Heyman\’s forceful removal from the group and subsequent hospitalization, leaving fans wondering what\’s next for The Bloodline.

    However, this is just scratching the surface of what went down. Check out this video from WWE looking at the Top 10 Moments from the show:

  • AEW News: Hangman Page\’s New Theme Music, Mustafa Ali At Dynamite, Hayabusa

    Here are some news and notes coming out of this week\’s AEW Dynamite Beach Break special from Chicago, IL:

    Backstage at Dynamite: Former WWE Superstar Mustafa Ali was backstage at visiting at Dynamite, according to PWInsider. Ali currently wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA, where he\’s the reigning Division Champion. As previously reported, his former Retribution factionmate Dijak was backstage at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.

    Man in the Black Hat: Hangman Adam Page\’s new theme music is \”Black Hat\” by Vincent Pedulla for AEW Music.

    Page made a surprise return on this week\’s AEW Dynamite: Beach Break special. The former AEW World Champion was revealed as Jeff Jarrett\’s mystery opponent in the Owen Hart Cup men\’s quarterfinals. He was victorious and Jay White in the semi-finals this Saturday on AEW Collision.

    Later in the evening, Page rejected an offer by the Young Bucks to rejoin The Elite for the big Team Elite vs. Team AEW Blood and Guts match later this month.

    \"\"
    Hangman Adam Page finishes off Jeff Jarrettat AEW Dynamite, July 3, 2024 (by Ricky Havlik/AEW)

    World on Fire: In addition to a new entrance tune, ShopAEW is selling a new Hangman t-shirt featuring the tagline, \”World on Fire.\”

    \"Hangman

    Hayabusa: AEW has released a letter they received from Takanori Ezaki, brother of Japanese wrestling legend Hayabusa, prior to Sunday\’s Forbidden Door PPV.

    Hello, This is Takanori Ezaki, a younger brother of Hayabusa.

    I heard that Will Osprey would like to use Hayabusa\’s costume and entrance theme for Forbidden Door. We, the family of Hayabusa, felt very proud.

    It\’s been more than 20 years since he was injured in 2001. Many people still sent him their respects over seas. We greatly appreciate it.

    I wish the AEW wrestlers safety. Please keep showing us good fights, and be careful not to get injured. I also wish that both Forbidden Door and AEW will be successful.

    Takanori Ezaki

  • Angel Garza Signs Multi-Year WWE Contract: ‘An Offer I Could Not Reject’

    Angel Garza says he recently signed a 3-year WWE contract extension.

    The third-generation Superstar is one-half of Los Lotharios with his cousin Berto and is a member of Legado Del Fantasma. He took part in a live stream on Facebook this week and fielded questions from fans. When asked about his status with the company, the Legado del Fantasma member dropped the big news.

    “Yes, as a matter of fact my contract was about to expire like many of you know, but I have renewed. I have renewed my contract, we came to a very good agreement that I could not reject….

    Yeah, we got to a very, very, very good agreement, so how could I say no to that?”

    Angel Garza signed with WWE in 2019 and is a former Cruiserweight and 24/7 Champion. You can follow him on Instgram @_garzajr and check out Legado Del Fantasma merch at WWE Shop.

  • Mercedes Mone Explains Shane McMahon Airport Meetup

    Mercedes Mone confirms that she bumped into Shane McMahon over the weekend at New York City\’s LaGuardia Airpot.

    Mone defeated Stephanie Vaquer at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door on Sunday to capture the Strong Women\’s Championship. She\’s now a double-champion and has held the TBS title since her win over Willow Nightingale at Doubule or Nothing back in May.

    Mone she couldn\’t believe her eyes when she came face-to-face with an old friend. The CEO sent the following message to subscribers of her weekly newsletter:

    “My first day being a double title holder and the first wrestler and former WWE Superstar I see is [Shane] McMahon….come on, if that isn’t the universe working in divine timing, I don’t know what else it could be,

    I’ve always loved Shane. When we locked eyes, we both kind of looked at each other like IS THAT YOU? Our faces lit up as we got to talking a bit and before he boarded his flight, he gave me his number… the rest as they say [is] history or maybe a mystery!”

    Shane McMahon & AEW

    The idea of Shane McMahon appearing for All Elite Wrestling is far-fetched, but this is pro wrestling and stranger things have happened.

    During a recent edition of the Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross and Conrad Thompson discussed the possibility of Shane McMahon in AEW. JR said the idea is so crazy it might just work, but it would all hinge on the creative storytelling. The hypothetical scenario became a hot topic of conversation online and is not out of the realm of possibility.

    \”There was a friend of ours, I shouldn\’t say their name, but he went out of his way to text me and say, \’Hey, that\’s not as crazy as you think. I know for sure that Shane McMahon has reached out to wrestlers on the AEW roster to at least hypothetically discuss the idea.\’ Are we saying that\’s going to happen? No. We are saying it\’s not that crazy of an idea,\” said Conrad.

    Tony Khan has spoken about Shane McMahon publicly a few times over the years, most recently during an interview with Justin Barrasso for SI. Khan said he\’s heard the rumors about Shane asking around about AEW and he\’d welcome the opportunity to meet.

    “I have a lot of respect for him as an executive and a professional wrestler. Shane is always welcome in AEW.”

    – Tony Khan on Shane McMahon (SI)

  • MJF Goes Full Scumbag, Turns Heel On Daniel Garcia

    This week’s AEW Dynamite from Chicago, IL went out with a bang, as MJF revealed his true colors, proving that his recent positive streak was a carefully crafted illusion. The night\’s main event saw Will Ospreay successfully retain his International Championship against Daniel Garcia in a hard-fought match.

    Post-match, MJF entered the ring, initially appearing supportive of Garcia. He raised Garcia\’s hand and embraced him, seemingly showing respect for his effort. However, this facade quickly crumbled as MJF suddenly delivered a vicious low blow to Garcia. What followed was a brutal assault that left Garcia bloodied and battered.

    MJF\’s attack escalated, targeting anyone who tried to intervene, including security personnel. The violence peaked when MJF executed a devastating piledriver on Garcia, necessitating medical attention and a stretcher job.

    Ospreay attempted to come to Garcia\’s aid, but MJF had already made his exit through the crowd, even engaging in heated exchanges with fans along the way.

    This unexpected betrayal cements MJF\’s position as one of AEW\’s top heels, shattering any notions of a genuine face turn. The dramatic attack sets the stage for intense storylines in the months ahead as AEW marches towards Blood and Guts on July 24 and All in: London on August 25.

    MJF will kick off AEW Collision this Saturday, July 6 on TNT from Southaven, MS. We can be sure he’ll have plenty to say about his ‘new’ attitude.

    Watch: Daniel Garcia finally gets a chance at AEW International Champ Will Ospreay:

  • 12 Interesting Facts About WWE Money in the Bank

    The annual WWE Money in the Bank PLE takes place this Saturday, July 6 at 7 ET / 4 PT. MITB is one of the most highly-anticipated wrestling events of the year and this will be no exception. The Money in the Bank 2024 match card is stacked, with two high-stakes championship matches and of course the Men\’s and Women\’s MITB matches.

    Count us amongst the fans excited for this weekend. Similar to the Royal Rumble, the unpredictability stemming from the \’stipulation\’ element sets MITB apart.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops all weekend for our comprehensive coverage of WWE Money in the Bank 2024 and head over to our Money in the Bank hub for much more, including the full match card, match rules, a detailed explanation of what the winners get and more.

    Interesting Facts about Money in the Bank:

    1. CM Punk is the only superstar to win Money in the Bank twice consecutively (2008 and 2009).
    2. WWE Hall of Famer Edge is the only superstar to win Money in the Bank twice without winning the ladder match (he won in 2005 and then took the briefcase from Mr. Kennedy in 2007).
    3. The briefcase has changed hands without being cashed in three times: Mr. Kennedy lost it to Edge (2007), Otis lost it to The Miz (2020), and James Ellsworth retrieved it for Carmella, leading to a controversy and rematch (2017).
    4. John Cena was the first superstar to unsuccessfully cash in his contract (2012).
    5. Seth Rollins made history by cashing in during a match at WrestleMania 31, turning a singles match into a triple threat (2015).
    6. Carmella held her contract for 287 days, the longest of any superstar (2017-2018).
    7. Three superstars have cashed in on the same night they won the contract: Kane (2010), Alexa Bliss (2018), and Bayley (2019).
    8. The 2020 Money in the Bank matches were uniquely held at WWE Headquarters due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    9. Asuka\’s 2020 win resulted in her being awarded the Raw Women\’s Championship without a cash-in match, as Becky Lynch relinquished the title due to pregnancy.
    10. Theory became the first superstar to attempt cashing in on a non-world championship when he challenged for the United States Championship in 2022.
    11. The 2023 event was the first to be held outside the United States, taking place in London, England.
    12. There have been 30 Money in the Bank ladder matches in total since the concept\’s inception in 2005 through 2023.

    Money in the Bank Craziest Moments

    WWE released a new video highlighting the Top 10 most devastating crash landings in Money in the Bank history. Check it out now while it lasts, because this list will almost certainly be outdated after what\’s in store this weekend.

  • AEW Dynamite \’Beach Break\’ Preview: Bryan Danielson vs. PAC, Britt Baker & More

    It\’s Wednesday and you know what that means – AEW Dynamite will be live tonight on TNT from Chicago, Illinois at the Wintrust Arena. This will be as special Beach Break edition of Dynamite, presented by Shark Week, which is hosted by none other than John Cena.

    AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door is in the history books. Swerve Strickland remains the AEW World Champion, while TNT Champion Mercedes Mone now also holds NJPW\’s Strong Women\’s Championship. Dr. Britt Baker is back and has sights on getting her title back.

    Dynamite Preview (July 3, 2024)

    \"\"/

    Tonight on AEW Dynamite: Beach Break 2024, the Owen Hart Foundation tournaments continue, we\’ll hear Britt Baker and more:

    Matches

    • Daniel Garcia challenges Will Ospreay for the AEW International Championship

    Owen Hart Foundation Men\’s Tournament Semifinals

    • Bryan Danielson vs. PAC
    • Jeff Jarrett vs. Wild Card (chosen by The Young Bucks)

    Owen Hart Foundation Women\’s Tournament Semifinals

    • Kris Statlander vs. Willow Nightingale

    Segments

    • We\’ll hear from Dr. Britt Baker
    • Mercedes Mone will host a Double Championship celebration. She now holds the AEW TBS Championship and the NJPW Strong Women\’s Championship.

  • Tamyra Mensah-Stock Debuts In WWE As Tyra Mae Steele

    Olympic gold medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock made her highly anticipated in-ring debut for WWE this evening from Orlando, FL. She competed against Wren Sinclair in a match taped for the NXT Level Up digital series.

    Vic Damone Jr. was in attendance for the match and shared that Tamara Mensah-Stock is using the name Tyra Mae Steele in WWE.

    Tamyra Mensah-Stock won a gold medal in wrestling for Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021). She dominated the 68kg women\’s freestyle wrestling category, defeating Nigeria\’s Blessing Oborududu in the final match. Her Olympic greatness caught the attention of many, including WWE.

    In 2023, she signed with WWE. This move marked the beginning of her transition from amateur wrestling to the world of professional wrestling entertainment.

    While fellow Olympian Gable Steveson’s WWE journey derailed (he signed with the Buffalo Bills in May), Mensah-Stock\’s journey from Olympic champion to WWE prospect has excited fans eager to see how her athletic skills and charismatic personality will translate to the unique world of pro wrestling.

  • WWE & Manchester City Launch Exclusive Merchandise Collab

    WWE and Manchester City have announced an exclusive merchandise collaboration, featuring six T-shirts that blend Manchester City and WWE designs, including shirts inspired by CM Punk, Becky Lynch, Roman Reigns, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. It also introduces a new name and number style for Manchester City players, incorporating the WWE logo, to be worn during their preseason tour in the U.S.

    WWE Superstars Bayley and Baron Corbin will be on hand at CityStore in New York City on this Friday, June 28 to celebrate the launch.

    The WWE x Manchester City collection is now available at WWE Shop:

    \"\"

    Here\’s the full press release sent in to SEScoops:

    MANCHESTER CITY AND WWE ® LAUNCH EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISE COLLABORATION

    Manchester City and WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), have today announced details of an exclusive merchandise collaboration, that will see the two globally recognised brands featured together across a range of new products.

    The new collection will include six T-shirts featuring Manchester City and WWE detailing, such as a CM Punk best team in the land and all the world T-shirt and other tee’s featuring Becky Lynch, Roman Reigns and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin design inspiration.

    As part of the collaboration, Manchester City and WWE have jointly designed a new name and number style that our players will wear in all of our games that we play during our preseason tour of America this summer. The design features the WWE logo within the number and a red outline.

    Fans will be able to access the new range of t-shirts by visiting shop.mancity.com, WWEShop.com and Fanatics.com. Additionally, it will be available in the recently opened pop-up CityStore at Rockefeller Center, New York.

    To celebrate the launch and ahead of WWE Friday Night SmackDown taking place at Madison Square Garden, WWE Women’s Champion Bayley and WWE Superstar Baron Corbin will be visiting the CityStore on 6th Avenue in New York on Friday 28th June between 10am and 11am for an exclusive meet and greet with fans. The Premier league trophy will also be in store on Friday and over the weekend.

    Serena Gosling, Director of Integrated Fan Experience and Retail & Licensing at Manchester City, said: “We are excited to announce the launch of our exclusive retail collaboration with WWE today. As a club, we’re always exploring new ways to enhance our retail offering for our fans across the globe and collaborations like this with WWE are part of that ongoing strategy.

    “In addition, today’s announcement offers a further touchpoint for our fans within the US and beyond to engage with the club, ahead of men’s first team visit this summer.”

  • Dijak Leaving WWE, Says Company \’Stonewalled\’ Attempts To Negotiate A New Deal

    WWE Superstar Dijak has announced he is leaving WWE. His last day with the company will be tomorrow, Friday June 28, 2024.

    The former NXT Champion released a note on social media detailing his painstaking final months with the company. To his dismay, Dijak says WWE had no interest in negotiating a new deal with him and \”stonewalled\” his attempts to discuss doing so.

    \"Dijak

    According to Dijak, his performance, dedication and positive attitude only got him so far. He\’d get commented for putting on show-stealing performances and constantly pitch creative ideas for his character. He was generally feeling pretty good about things, until it came time to talk business and the chance to continue working together for years to come.

    \”Here’s the truth, WWE never negotiated with me. We attempted to negotiate and they stonewalled us.\” he wrote. \”They never made me a single offer, then they informed me they would not renew my contract at the eleventh hour. 2 months ago I was in one of the best matches in NXT history, and a top match of Wrestlemania weekend. On that day, a top executive in WWE told me I was \’crushing it.\’

    I was slated to feud for the NXT title but I got called up to RAW instead. I consistently outperformed everyone’s expectations, especially throughout 2023 and early 2024. I never complained about anything or was difficult to work with. I tirelessly pitched ideas to anyone who would listen, as recently as the day before I was notified. I never once missed a booking, and I was injured 1 time in 7 years for 3 months. \”

    What\’s next for Donovan Dijak?

    The 6-foot-7 wrestler is understandably disappointed at how his WWE career turned out, but he\’s thankful for the experience and excited about what lies ahead. He tagged Tony Khan, AEW, TNA and NJPW in the social media post, letting it be known that we could see him turn up elsewhere very soon.

    \”I’m thankful, disappointed, but also excited. This has lit a fire under me to relentlessly prove myself to the world. All I ever wanted was a fair shot and now I have the opportunity to go out and take it. That’s enough talk, now it’s time to Do or Dijak.\”

    Dijak signed with WWE in 2017 and wrestled primarily in NXT during his run, although he did wrestle on the main roster for several years. He\’s currently taking bookings at [email protected].

    Wrestling World Shocked By Dijak\’s Departure

    The surprising announcement from the former NXT star has left the wrestling world perplexed. Many people have taken social media, expressing that it\’s a rare misstep from the Triple H management.

    This includes Dijak\’s former sparring partner Keith Lee. The two put on some of the most memorable fights in the history of the Black and Gold era of NXT. Lee warned the wrestling world to be ready for Dijak to showcase what he is truly capable of:

    The 37-year-old is the fourth member of the ill-fated Retribution stable to depart the company. Their former leader Mustafa Ali referenced their past together saying that they should reunite for a match:

    Fans also found an old video of Kenny Omega predicting how the former ROH star would be wasted in WWE because he doesn\’t fit the company\’s standards:

    With the outpouring support from the fans, Dijak will have no trouble getting booked. Following the footsteps of his Retribution teammate Mustafa Ali, the 6-foot-7 star will be hungry to prove his worth to any company that brings him in. 

    The combination of it all means fans should get ready for Dijak to hit the ground running and prove his worth as one of the best in-ring talents of the current generation.

  • Till Death: WWE\’s Rhea Ripley & AEW\’s Buddy Matthews Are Married

    WWE\’s Rhea Ripley and AEW\’s Buddy Matthews have officially tied the knot after marrying in an all-black ceremony this month. Ripley shared a photo of herself and her new husband on social media, announcing they tied the knot on Sunday, June 23. Forgoing tradition, Mami wore a black wedding dress for the ceremony while Matthews\’ garb matched this macabre theme. Ripley posted this photo on Instagram with a caption that reads,

    Til death. ? 23.06.24

    \"Rhea
    via @RheaRipley_WWE

    This huge news unsurprisingly had the wrestling world talking with several wrestlers offering their best wishes. Matt Cardona offered his congrats in the comments section, as did Samantha Irvin. The WWE Raw ring announcer called the situation, \”\’perfect\”.

    Staying on theme, WWE veteran Natalya shared several black heart emojis. The couple\’s Instagram post also spawned over 130,000 likes in the first 30 minutes of it being uploaded to the platform. Meanwhile, Ripley\’s close friend Dominik Mysterio dropped a few \’black heart\’ emojis to express his approval.

    Rhea Ripley & Buddy Matthews

    Ripley and Matthews began dating in 2022, which came after the latter\’s exit from WWE. In August 2023, the couple shared that they had gotten engaged. This real-life relationship, however, did not stop WWE\’s storyline from tying Ripley to her \’Dom Dom\’ Dominik Mysterio. 

    Ripley is currently out of action after suffering an injury that forced her to relinquish the WWE Women\’s World Champion. Interestingly, Buddy Matthews was recently written off TV with an attack by The Patriarchy, and there have been questions as to whether reports of an injury were real or for the storyline. Either way, the couple will have plenty of time to enjoy their honeymoon period after marrying this month. 

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