SEScoops

Author: Mike Reichlin

  • Matt Hardy\’s First Post-WWE Appearance, Coronavirus Hits WrestleMania Host City & More

    Matt Hardy has been announced for this weekend\’s The Big Event wrestling convention from Queens, New York. This marks Hardy\’s first appearance since his WWE contract expired over the weekend. Other top stars set to appear include The Undertaker, Bret Hart and Braun Strowman. For more information, visit BigEventNY.com.

    Two NXT stars have been spotted in New York City in advance of Monday\’s WWE RAW from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. According to PWInsider, both Matt Riddle and Bianca Belair are in town and could be used as part of the build to WrestleMania.

    Erik of The Viking Raiders missed two WWE live events over the weekend. After competing at the Saudi Arabia show last week, Erik was sent home to recover from an unknown illness. We wish him a speedy recovery.

    WWE Survivor Series 2020 is rumored to be taking place from Dallas, Texas on Sunday, November 22nd. The news comes courtesy of insider Twitter account @Wrestlevotes.

    Finally, Fox News Tampa Bay reports that two people in the area have tested \”presumptive positive\” for the deadly coronavirus. Tampa Bay, FL hosts WrestleMania 36 weekend in just a matter of weeks, so you can be sure WWE executives and local officials are monitoring the situation closely. According to the Department of Health, the overall threat to the public health from the virus is still \”low.\”

  • Lance Archer Signs Multi-Year Deal With AEW

    AEW sent in the following announcement about Lance Archer signing a multi-year deal with the promotion. Archer and AEW President Tony Khan are quoted.

    AEW Signs Renowned Wrestler Archer to Multi-Year Deal

    February 26, 2020 – All Elite Wrestling today announced a multi-year deal with Lance Archer, a global professional wrestling sensation renowned for his brutal, powerhouse moves including the Blackout and EBD Claw.

    Archer, a Texas native and former collegiate quarterback, is also known by his menacing monikers – “The Murderhawk Monster” and “The American Psychopath.” Standing at 6’8” and weighing in at 260 pounds, Archer’s dominating stature and natural athletic prowess have defined his 20-year career.

    “I’ve been in the business for almost half of my life, but with AEW, I’m setting my sights on the best chapter of my career so far,” said Lance Archer. “This company champions the creative, competitive and electrifying environment that I’ve been waiting for my whole career. No matter where I go—no matter who steps in front of me—I’m the one you should be afraid of at AEW.”

    “Lance Archer is explosive, dynamic and unpredictable, making him perfect for AEW,” said Tony Khan, President and CEO of AEW. “He’s made his mark in every corner of the world. He’s brutal, colorful and will be a factor the minute he steps into the ring.”

  • Young Bucks \”Killing the Business\” Memoir Announced

    On Monday, All Elite Wrestling announced that Nick and Matt Jackson (The Young Bucks) have written a book about their lives. The \”deeply personal\” memoir will follow their journeys from backyard wrestling to the worldwide stage of AEW.

    Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big League is now available for pre-order at Amazon.com and bookstores across the United States. The book will be released September 29th. For more information, visit YoungBucksBook.com.

    Here is the official press release about the project sent in by AEW:

    “Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big Leagues” Is Available for Pre-Order on Feb. 24 on Amazon & Bookstores Nationwide

    February 24, 2020 – Considered to be one of the greatest tag teams of all time, Matt and Nick Jackson’s journey has taken them from a homemade ring in their back yard to EVPs of All Elite Wrestling, the wildly successful professional wrestling league taking America by storm.

    The brothers, known as The Young Bucks, today added a new title to their impressive resumes – Co-Authors. Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big League, a deeply personal memoir co-written by Matt and Nick, will be available for pre-order starting today on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

    A warm, heartfelt story told with the brothers’ wit and charm, Killing the Business reveals how two undersized athletes from Southern California have risen to elite status in professional wrestling with millions of fans worldwide and a legion of followers on their acclaimed web series Being the Elite. Famous for their high-flying moves, superkicks and hilarious videos, Matt and Nick are an inspiration to fans worldwide due to their message of resilience and determination.

    The Young Bucks write endearingly about their sport, while sharing personal reflections and behind-the-scenes anecdotes. Alternating between each brother’s perspective from chapter to chapter, the entertaining memoir is a deep dive on what it means to grow into, and give back to, the sport and profession they embody and love.

    “Nearly 20 years ago, our father built us a wrestling ring in our back yard. Our journey to become professional wrestlers began here,” said Matt Jackson. “Then after years of hawking T-shirts out of duffel bags at independent shows across the U.S., documenting our lives on a web series filmed on our phones, and performing at the biggest events in Japan, we’d eventually land the dream job of a lifetime.

    “We’re excited to share the story of how we got there, after overcoming past failures, and finally deciding to play by our own rules, ignoring traditions, earning us the reputation by critics as two wrestlers who were ‘Killing The Business.’ This memoir is yet another milestone in our career, all thanks to the support of our amazing fans.”

    Published by Dey Street Books, Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big Leagues will be released this fall and retail for $27.99. The book follows Young Bucks Stand Tall, the duo’s first book which follows Nick and Matt through an inspiring story that encourages young readers to follow their dreams.

    \"\"/

  • AEW Double Or Nothing 2020: May 23rd From Las Vegas at MGM Grand

    AEW Double or Nothing returns to Las Vegas Saturday night, May 23rd from the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The news was first reported by Sports Illustrated Wednesday afternoon.

    AEW President Tony Khan told SI\’s Justin Barrasso that the success of last year\’s AEW Double or Nothing led to the launch of Dynamite, the promotion\’s weekly flagship television show on TNT.

    “It’s been an incredible run, and only fitting that we return to Las Vegas to celebrate our one year anniversary with AEW’s marquee event,” said Tony Khan. “On Saturday, May 23, Double or Nothing is back for round two at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Last year’s event changed the world of wrestling, and this year the stakes will be even higher.”

    Tickets for AEW Double or Nothing go on sale next Friday, February 14th at AEWTIX.com  and AXS.com.

    Double or Nothing 2019 was the first pay-per-view event presented by All Elite Wrestling. Since then, we\’ve seen the development of AEW\’s quarterly PPV calendar, which also includes the events All Out, Full Gear and Revolution. In addition to these pay-per-view events, AEW has held several other \’special\’ shows including Fyter Fest, Fight for the Fallen and Bash at the Beach.

    The first AEW Revolution takes place later this month on Saturday, February 29th from Chicago, IL.

  • MLW & Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Form Alliance

    Major League Wrestling and Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling have entered into a new alliance, according to a press release sent in by MLW on Monday morning.

    The following is the official announcement, including a video trailer regarding the partnership:

    THE GATE TO THE AMERICAS HAS BEEN OPENED.

    KOBE, JAPAN / NEW YORK — Major League Wrestling and Dragon Gate Pro-Wrestling of Japan today announced the formation of a strategic alliance.

    MLW and Dragon Gate Pro-Wrestling will fuse forces to launch a new collaboration focused on a talent exchange and opportunities to share content and participate in other projects.

    \”The collaboration between MLW and Dragon Gate is a very special opportunity to produce unique events, showcase spectacular talent and create a new canvas for Japanese and American cooperation,” said Court Bauer, CEO and founder of MLW. \”We are ecstatic about this partnership.”

    Dragon Gate is a world-renowned wrestling organization based out of Kobe, Japan that has revolutionized wrestling.

    Transcending traditional Japanese wrestling with its distinct mixture of strong style wrestling and Mexican lucha libre, Dragon Gate is a spectacular packaging unlike any other Japanese organization.

    With popular wrestlers such as Ben-K, YAMATO, Shun Skywalker and Narauki Doi among others, Dragon Gate delights fans around the world with their thrilling high-flying acrobatics and inventive moves.

    A vibrant trendsetting organization, Dragon Gate emerged in 2004 and reimagined Japanese wrestling in its own vision. Today, Dragon Gate is one of Japan\’s most prominent organizations with a global reach, including introducing their SVOD service, https://dragongate.live.

    More details on first chapter of the MLW x Dragon Gate collaboration will be revealed soon.

  • Cody vs. Wardlow Cage Match Set For AEW Dynamite (2/19)

    Cody Rhodes will finally get his hands on Maxwell J. Friedman at AEW\’s next pay-per-view-event, Revolution. That show takes place Saturday, February 29th from Chicago, IL.

    In order to secure that match, Cody first had to accept terms set forth by MJF. He accepted those terms on this week\’s episode of AEW Dynamite, as seen in the video embedded at the bottom of this article.

    One of those terms is that Cody must battle Wardlow inside a steel cage. Cody said he knew just the place for the match to take place. AEW has since confirmed that the Cody vs. Wardlow steel cage match will take place at the February 19th edition of AEW Dynamite from Atlanta, GA.

    This will be Wardlow\’s AEW in-ring debut and the first cage match in AEW history.

    If you\’re in the Atlanta area, visit AEWTix.com for ticket information or AEW Dynamite at the State Farm Arena.

  • Taz Signs Multi-Year Deal With AEW

    Wrestling legend Taz has signed a multi-year agreement with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).

    He joins the AEW broadcast team that also includes Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, Justin Roberts, Alex Marvez, Dasha Fuentes, Jenn Decker, \”Goldenboy\” Alex Mendez and Chris Van Vliet.

    Below, you can see Taz sign his AEW contract and Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes welcome him to the team. Cody also tweeted that he is thrilled to welcome Taz to the AEW booth.

    Taz Joins AEW

    The news of Taz signing with All Elite Wrestling comes just one day after it was announced WarnerMedia and AEW have entered into a new 4-year agreement that will see AEW Dynamite remain on TNT through the end of 2023 and the creation of a new weekly show.

    Prior to signing joining AEW, Taz received strong reviews for his work calling several AEW broadcasts. Taz debuted for AEW as a guest commentator on the third episode of AEW Dark back in October. He called the New Year\’s Day episode of AEW Dynamite (filling in for Tony Schiavone)and calledWednesday\’s AEW Dark from Miami along with Excalibur.

    As a result of him joining AEW, Taz stated on Twitter that his popular Taz Show podcast has been put on \’hold\’ for \’quite some time.\’

  • Killer Kross vs. Tom Lawlor Signed For MLW Fightland (2/1)

    Killer Kross will face \”Filthy\” Tom Lawlor at next month\’s MLW Fightland event from Philadelphia, PA. This will be Kross\’ first match for the league.

    If you\’re in the Philadelphia area, visit MLW2300.com for ticket information

    \”Fightland wouldn\’t be Fightland without a dream match like Lawlor-Kross,\” said Court Bauer, MLW CEO. \”The 2300 Arena has seen some scraps but given the rep of these two, this one is going to be on a different level.\”

    The following is the updated card for MLW Fightland, an MLW Fusion TV taping:

    • MLW World Champion Jacob Fatu vs. CIMA
    • \”Filthy\” Tom Lawlor vs. Killer Kross
    • Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. Erick Stevens
    • Brian Pillman Jr. vs. Jimmy Havoc (with Priscilla Kelly)

    Some of the athletes and talent signed to compete and appear include: LA Park, World Tag Team Champions Ross & Marshall Von Erich, CONTRA Unit, Mance Warner, The Dynasty and more.

    Visit MLW.com for more information.

  • Triple H Apologizes To Paige For Joke About Her Being Promiscuous

    Triple H has apologized to WWE Superstar Paige after making a joke to the media about her being sexually promiscuous.

    Last weekend, Triple H spoke to the media ahead of the NXT Takeover UK event. He was asked about the possibility of Paige returning to the ring one day. In his response, Triple H joked that Paige can\’t keep track of her sexual partners and that she probably has children that she doesn\’t know about.

    Paige was hurt by the \”joke\” and mentioned on social that it\’s no wonder fans still treat her with disrespect, when her boss had such ugly things to say about him in a public forum.

    Several of Paige\’s colleagues expressed their support, including Renee Young:

    Paige spoke with Gary Cassidy of BT Sport on Wednesday and revealed that she was \”a bit perplexed\” and taken aback by the situation. She added that Triple H reached out to her and \”we\’re going to be talking about some things, yeah.\”

    “Obviously I was a little bit perplexed, a little bit taken aback, because he’s someone that I truly look up to and he’s always been very respectful, so I feel like he got caught up, maybe, in a joke, that I just don’t think was appropriate to joke about,\” said Paige. \”I don’t know, I feel like it’s something that I don’t need to continually keep talking about because I feel like people have done a pretty good job of that.

    He’s definitely reached out. We’re going to be talking about some things, yeah.”

    You can see her comments here:

    Triple H noted on Twitter that he\’s reached out to Paige to apologize for his \”joke\” and is sorry if she or anybody else was offended.

  • Financial Details Regarding AEW Dynamite Renewed Through 2023

    The big news of the day is WarnerMedia expanding its partnership with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). AEW Dynamite has been renewed for 4 more years, through the end of 2023. Warner has ordered additional programing from AEW, which will see a new AEW show premiering later this year.

    Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has reported some new information regarding this developing story:

    • The four-year deal is worth $175 million ($43.75 million per year).
    • The new deal makes AEW a profitable this year. A big budget wrestling promotion achieving profitability in its first full calendar year is no small feat.
    • TNT has the option to renew Dynamite for an additional year (2024) at a \”significantly increased\” price.
    • The deal would also include adding another hour of television later this year, which would be taped on Wednesdays but air on another night, likely on TNT but could be on another Turner station. Full details of the new show have not been worked out past an agreement to add a third hour.
    • A new AEW show is launching later this year. The new show will be recorded Wednesday nights when AEW tapes Dynamite. No word yet on where the new AEW show will air.
    • AEW Dark will continue as a YouTube digital series.

    Check out our initial report on the subject for more on AEW Dynamite on TNT being renewed for through 2023.

  • AEW Dynamite Renewed Through 2023, Additional Programming

    All Elite Wrestling is here to stay. Three months into a successful run on TNT, WarnerMedia has announced that AEW Dynamite has been renewed through 2023.

    AEW President Tony Khan commented on the news in a press release sent in to SEScoops.com. “When we launched AEW one year ago, we wanted to start a revolution that would disrupt the wrestling business, but everyone said that it would take a strong weekly television partner to make AEW real in the eyes of everyone – above all, the fans,” said Khan.

    He continued, \”What virtually no one realized at the time was Kevin Reilly and TNT were committed to this very same movement from Day One, and their belief in us made it possible for AEW to think and act big from the start. Here we are, only three months into Wednesday Night Dynamite, and now we’ve been extended through 2023! We’re now making the ultimate statement that the team of AEW and TNT is here to stay and to bring fans more of the great wrestling that the fans demand and deserve.”

    The press release notes that both parties are continuously exploring ways to further expand this relationship. Most notably, \”The parties have agreed to launch another night of AEW action, offering more of the fans’ favorite wrestlers, with a second show straight-to- series.\” It is not clear at this time whether the second night of AEW action will air on TNT, or across Turner\’s other television/digital platforms.

    Kevin Reilly, Chief Content Officer of HBO Max and President of TNT, TBS, and truTV, gave his take on AEW\’s success. “When Tony Khan first shared with me his idea of starting a new wrestling league, I was impressed by his audacity to go up against a contender that has been the only game in town for twenty years, and ultimately believed that together we could bring his vision for a new, authentic, gritty product to bear. The fans have spoken and after only three months, we have seen AEW shake up the wrestling world and this will only continue as we build upon this momentum.”

    AEW Dynamite has averaged 1.2 million viewers each week in Live + 7 Day Viewing. In just three months, AEW: DYNAMITE has reached nearly 32 million people across all platforms. The show also delivers the youngest wrestling audience on television.

  • AEW Bash at the Beach Dynamite Preview (1/15/20)

    AEW Bash at the Beach kicks off tonight with a special edition of AEW Dynamite live from Miami, FL. If you\’re in the area, limited tickets are still available at AEWTix.com.

    Bash at the Beach is being billed as a 9-day “fan extravaganza” that continues next week aboard Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise. It\’s part of AEW’s broader strategy to keep things interesting in between the company’s quarterly pay-per-views.

    AEW Bash at the Beach Card

    AEW is promoting the following matches for tonight\’s broadcast:

    • A #1 Contenders Match has been announced to determine the next challengers to SCU\’s AEW World Tag Team championships. It will be The Young Bucks vs. Kenny Omega & Hangman Page vs. Santana & Ortiz vs. Best Friends.
    • After turning down Chris Jericho\’s invitation to join the Inner Circle last week, Jon Moxley will square off against the faction\’s resident blue chipper, Sammy Guevara. Guevara vows to show Moxley how foolish he was to snub Le Champion.
    • PAC vs. Darby Allin in singles action.
    • Diamond Dallas Page returns to action when he teams with Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall. They\’ll face Maxwell J. Friedman, The Butcher & The Blade
    • Top-ranked female competitor Hikaru Shida teams with Kris Statlander against Awesome Kong & Mel of the Nightmare Collective.

    Cody Rhodes will also respond to MJF\’s stipulations. Is Cody willing to jump through MJF\’s hoops in order to get his hands on his former protege?

    Join us here tonight night for our AEW Bash at the Beach Results & Takeaways.

  • AEW Bash At The Beach To Feature Unique Set Design

    All Elite Wrestling invades Miami, Florida this week for a special Bash at the Beach edition of AEW Dynamite. It will be the start of a 9-day \”fan extravaganza\” that continues next week aboard Chris Jericho\’s Rock \’n\’ Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise.

    AEW\’s top stars have been doing the media rounds this week to promote Bash at the Beach, a reincarnation of WCW\’s classic pay-per-view series. The Young Bucks appeared on ESPN\’s West Palm affiliate on Tuesday and explained how AEW\’s take on Bash at the Beach came together.

    AEW Bash at the Beach

    According to Nick Jackson, Bash the Beach is part of AEW\’s broader strategy to freshen up the AEW Dynamite formula in between the company\’s quarterly pay-per-views.

    \”Our plan is to do four pay-per-views a year, so we realized we have to dress up some of the shows on Wednesday to not fall into a formula,\” said Jackson. \”Try to make some of them feel more special than other ones. That was the thinking process on this. To bring something back from the past that has such a cool history.\”

    WCW\’s Bash at the Beach pay-per-views featured unique set designs that included sand, palm trees, a boardwalk aisle, tropical birds and more. The 1995 installment actually took place outdoors at Huntington Beach, California. Nick Jackson knows that fans are expecting a \’special\’ look this Wednesday and AEW plans to deliver.

    He continued, \”Cody happened to get the trademark and owns it now. He brought it to Tony\’s attention and we all thought it was a good idea. I think fans are gonna be excited because we\’re gonna try to make it a special show, even from the look of things.\”

    We say this most weeks, but AEW has lined up a loaded card for this week\’s Dynamite. The following is a preview for Wednesday\’s AEW Bash at the Beach episode from Miami:

    • The Young Bucks vs. Kenny Omega & Hangman Page vs. Santana & Ortiz vs. Best Friends (#1 Contenders Match)
    • Jon Moxley vs. Sammy Guevara
    • PAC vs. Darby Allin
    • MJF, The Butcher & The Blade vs. DDP, Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall
    • Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida vs. Awesome Kong & Mel of the Nightmare Collective

    Plus, Cody Rhodes will respond to MJF\’s challenge and stipulations.

    Join us here Wednesday night for our AEW Bash at the Beach Results & Takeaways.

    H/T to Fightful.com for the transcribed quotes

  • The Miz To Host \’Cannonball\’ Game Show On USA Network This Summer

    WWE Superstar Mike \”The Miz\” Mizanan has signed on to host a new competition series titled, Cannonball.

    The show will feature contestants facing off in \”the biggest, wettest, slippery-est water sports competition ever created.\” Cannonball premieres this summer on the USA Network and is slated for a 10-episode first season.

    TV and radio personality Rosci Diaz will co-host. Her credits include a BET\’s 106 & Park (2006-2012) and Entertainment tonight (2012-2014). Comedian Simon Gibson will serve as sideline reporter.

    Cannonball has been described as an obstacle course competition along the lines of Wipeout. The water-based challenges will include sliding off a 100-foot waterslide and rocketing off one of the world’s fastest drop towers. Contestants will battle to claim a $10,000 cash prize.

    Along with his wife Maryse, The Miz also stars in Miz and Mrs. Season two of the hit reality series premieres January 29th on USA Network.

    For more information on Cannonball, visit TheWrap.com.

  • WWE Files Trademarks For Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman & More

    WWE filed trademark applications for several performers last week.

    The company filed to protect the following names with the US Patent and Trademark Office on January 9, 2020:

    • Brock Lesnar
    • Paul Heyman
    • Bobby Lashley
    • The Usos
    • AOP
    • Mojo Rawley
    • Lio Rush
    • Kayden Carter

    There has been a lot of news regarding wrestling-related trademarks in recent months. Ric Flair and WWE have been at odds over who owns the rights to the name, \”The Man\” – a moniker used for decades by Ric Flair and more recently, Becky Lynch.

    WWE and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) have been registering trademarks for old pay-per-view event names from WCW and ECW. Wrestlers have also been filing trademark applications left and right to protect their likenesses.

    Below, we\’ve rounded up some recent articles related to wrestling trademarks:

  • Jay White Announced For ROH Supercard of Honor XIV During WrestleMania Weekend

    The working relationship between Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling is showing signs of life.

    ROH has announced that NJPW star \”Switchblade\” Jay White will appear at Supercard of Honor XIV. The event takes place during WrestleMania 36 weekend on Saturday, April 4th from Lakeland, FL at the RP Funding Center.

    This will be Jay White\’s first match in ROH since last year\’s (ROH/NJPW) G1 Supercard show from Madison Square Garden in New York City. White lost the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Kazuchika Okada in the main event. NJPW talent has worked for ROH less frequently in recent months.

    ROH Supercard of Honor XIV goes head-to-head with NXT Takeover, scheduled for the same night in Tampa, FL at the Amalie Arena. If you\’re in town for WrestleMania weekend and want to attend the ROH show, tickets go on sale to the general public Friday morning, January 17th.

    Jay White wrestled back-to-back at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 earlier this month. On Night 1, he dropped the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Tetsuya Naito, who went on to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Champion from Kazuchika Okada on Night 2. White defeated Kota Ibushi the second night.

    ROH Supercard of Honor

    The news of Jay White\’s involvement is an encouraging sign for Ring of Honor getting access to NJPW talent. We noted on Sunday that Marty Scurll has re-signed with ROH. Scurll joins ROH\’s creative team with a leading role. One of his duties is to expanding ROH\’s partnerships with other companies.

    In addition to Jay White, we\’re told other members of the Bullet Club are in talks to appear at Supercard of Honor.

    According to the ROH website, other stars signed to appear include the members of Villain Enterprises (ROH World Champion PCO, “The Villain” Marty Scurll, Brody King and “The Mercenary” Flip Gordon) and La Facción Ingobernable (RUSH, ROH World Television Champion Dragon Lee, Kenny King and Amy Rose).

  • MJF Departs Major League Wrestling

    Maxwell J. Friedman has officially wrapped up with Major League Wresting (MLW).

    MJF, known to many as the nicest guy in pro wrestling, announced the news on Twitter on Monday morning.

    MJF had been with MLW since the promotion\’s relaunch back in October 2017. He led the Dynasty faction, along with Alexander Hammerstone and Richard Holliday.

    The 23-year-old Long Island native was no stranger to MLW gold. He has held the promotion\’s MLW World Tag Team titles (with Holliday) as well as the Middleweight championship.

    MJF Focusing on AEW

    MJF\’s final appearance for MLW took place over the weekend at the MLW Zero Hour TV tapings from Dallas, Texas.

    Maxwell J. Friedman is one of the standout performers in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is currently embroiled in a feud with his former best friend, Cody Rhodes. The two are on a collision course that is expected to culminate in a match at AEW\’s next pay-per-view event, AEW Revolution.

    MJF is the #5 ranked Men\’s Singles competitor in AEW.

  • WWE Royal Rumble Drinking Game

    2020 Royal Rumble Drinking Game

    Pro wrestling fans gather up, Royal Rumble 2020 is just around the corner!

    If you want to see the action, sweat, and tears up close and in person, this January, we recommend you check out a ticket marketplace like Gametime to score cheap Royal Rumble tickets.

    That said, Royal Rumble and WrestleMania happen only twice a year, and not everyone can make the trip to see it all go down in real life. If you’re hosting a viewing part to watch from home, we’ve got your back there, too. This year, kick it up a notch with our Royal Rumble drinking game! Just be warned, the match is usually an hour-long, so pace yourself to stay in the game. And of course,

    Check out the rules below to get ready for the upcoming event.

    Your Pick Rules

    • Before the Rumble begins, pick a number between 1-30. This number will be your wrestler’s entrance number during the Rumble.
    • Take a sip whenever your wrestler eliminates someone.
    • If your wrestler wins the rumble, continue chugging during the time your wrestler points at the Wrestlemania sign.
    • Take a sip every time the commentators refer to your wrestler by asking “who can stop him/her?”
    • Take a sip every time your wrestler points to the Wrestlemania sign.
    • Take a sip if your wrestler “skins the cat.”
    • Take a sip whenever your wrestler hits his/her finisher.
    • Take a sip when your wrestler is eliminated from the Rumble.
    • Take a sip if your wrestler is eliminated by one of his friends/allies. Extra sip if one of the commentators say something along the lines of “every man for himself!”

    General Rules

    • Take a sip whenever Kofi Kingston evades elimination in a creative and spectacular way.
    • Take a sip every time the traditional Royal Rumble facts video package is shown.
    • Take a sip if a non-wrestler celebrity enters the Rumble.
    • Take 3 sips for self-elimination.
    • Take a sip if any wrestler makes a pin attempt during the Rumble.
    • Take a sip if entry #1 lasts over 30 minutes without being eliminated.
    • Take a sip if Titus O\’neal mocks his falling incident during his entrance.
    • Take 3 sips if Santino Marella’s record is beaten (the fastest elimination ever).
    • Take a sip if a competitor is attacked before or during his/her entrance.
    • Take a sip if multiple competitors team up to eliminate one of the “Big Guys.”
    • Take another sip if Elias has a concert during his entrance. Add another one if you wanna walk with Elias!
    • Take a sip whenever a commentator either reminds us of the rules (again!) or talks about entrant #27.
    • Take 3 sips and give a “this is awesome” chant if somehow Bray Wyatt and The Fiend stand against one another inside the ring.
    • Take 3 sips if somehow – against all odds – CM Punk enters the rumble.

    SEScoops wishes the best of luck to everyone who will be viewing the big event. And, as always, please be sure to drink responsibly!

    Disclaimer: This Royal Rumble drinking game can be played without the consumption of alcohol. According to the Surgeon General of the United States (1) women should not drink alcoholic beverages during pregnancy because of the risk of birth defects and (2) consumption of alcoholic beverages impairs your ability to operate machinery and may cause health problems.


  • Kenny Omega On AEW Video Game, Wanting To Work With Tessa Blanchard & More

    AEW star Kenny Omega took part in a Twitter Q&A session on Thursday morning. The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion addressed a number of topics, including the latest on an AEW video game, how long he intends to continue wrestling and more.

    Kenny Omega on…

    Here are some highlights of what Kenny Omega said about:

    Why he\’s taken a reduced role in AEW so far:

    \”I lived out mostly all of my dreams during the last run I had and now a big part of my current dream is seeing a new generation thrive.\”

    NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 event taking place over 2 days for the first time:

    \”Was fun to have two incredibly large scale shows to look forward to back to back.\”

    If he prefers working dome shows, big arenas or more intimate venues:

    \”I’ve grown to love the 10-15k size. Ryogoku or Osaka jo are incredible.\”

    Which wrestlers he wants to see in AEW:

    \”Anyone with enthusiasm that’s can step up and hang with the top guys.\”

    Fans on Twitter being critical of AEW\’s Women\’s Division:

    \”Lately, most \’criticisms\’ I read are incredibly ignorant. Depressing the amount of fans that have absolutely no class. That being said, I do try to sift through those to get to the actual constructive criticism.\”

    How long he plans to continue wrestling:

    \”I always say 5, but I’ve been saying that for close to 10 years already.\”

    If he would be interested wrestling Tessa Blanchard, who challenges for the Impact Wrestling world title this weekend at Hard to Kill:

    \”She’s great, I think the match would rock.\”

    Who he considers to be the face of AEW\’s women\’s division:

    \”Still developing the face of the division, but Riho’s proven to be an inspiration to many, Shida is the complete package, and Kris has shown that she has the tools to take the div to another level.\”

    The latest on an AEW video game:

    \”Coming (hopefully) soon!\”

    When fans can expect another Kenny Omega vs. Xavier Woods video game battle:

    \”He tends to need months of practice before attempting to challenge my natural ability, so I’m just hanging out on stand by.\”

    AEW Video Game

    AEW has not officially confirmed an AEW video game is in the works, but Kenny Omega has been outspoken about the topic. During a live panel at Starrcast III back in August, Omega said that an AEW game is one of his top priorities.

    “I can’t share anything right now,” Omega said at the time, “but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was something to announce by the end of the year. Be ready. Be ready for that, guys.\”

    We\’re still (eagerly) awaiting an announcement.

  • AEW Dynamite & NXT TV Viewership (1/1/20)

    Viewership data is in for the January 1st editions of AEW Dynamite and NXT TV. AEW had a strong showing up against NXT, which aired a \”2019 Year-End Awards\” highlights show for the New Year\’s Day holiday. The \’Wednesday Night War\’ resumes next week when both shows are live head-to-head once again.

    Here is the breakdown of the live and same-night DVR viewership, courtesy of ShowbuzzDaily:

    NXT TV Viewership:

    NXT on the USA Network averaged 548,000 viewers this week, down from 831,000 on Christmas Day. That show ran unopposed. NXT drew did a 0.15 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic, down from 0.22.

    AEW Dynamite Viewership:

    AEW Dynamite on TNT averaged 967,000 viewers with a 0.36 rating in the 18-49 demo, way up from 683,000 viewers and a 0.25 demo rating back on December 18th.

    This week\’s Dynamite was touted as a \”Homecoming\” for AEW and the 2020 Season Premiere. It was a stacked show that was widely very well-received. Highlights included Cody Rhodes vs. Darby Allin, a 4-way match for the AEW Women\’s Championship, Jon Moxley in action and a red-hot main event that saw The Elite vs. PAC and the Lucha Bros.

    Check out our detailed recap of the top happenings from AEW Dynamite: