SEScoops

Author: Mike Reichlin

  • Big ‘Trouble’ – Liv Morgan Music Video Tops 1 Million Views

    Big ‘Trouble’ – Liv Morgan Music Video Tops 1 Million Views

    Liv Morgan is celebrating a major milestone for her WrestleMania 42 entrance theme. The music video for “Trouble” has surpassed 1 million views on YouTube, prompting the WWE Women’s World Champion to share her excitement on social media.

    Morgan introduced the new theme song for WrestleMania 42, with the accompanying music video released on YouTube. The video features choreographed dance sequences and has resonated with fans since its debut.

    The RAW Superstar shared the achievement via her Instagram Stories, (jokingly?) telling Lauren Gerrie, one of her dancers in the video, that they should take the song on tour. The post included a screenshot showing the 1 million view count.

    Liv Morgan Trouble

    Morgan’s Championship Reign

    Morgan captured the Women’s World Title by defeating Stephanie Vaquer at WrestleMania 42. Vaquer had held the championship since WWE Wrestlepalooza in September 2025.

    The victory added to Morgan’s impressive resume, which includes previous reigns as SmackDown Women’s Champion and Women’s Tag Team Champion. She also won the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble match earlier this year, earning her title opportunity at WrestleMania.

  • Andrade’s Ringside Babe on AEW Collision Identified as Rebel Kel

    Andrade’s Ringside Babe on AEW Collision Identified as Rebel Kel

    Andrade Rebel Kel

    Andrade El Idolo continued his pattern of ringside distractions during the April 25, 2026 edition of AEW Collision, and the woman involved has now been identified. Independent wrestler Rebel Kel was the latest to interact with Andrade mid-match, pulling off his shirt and taking a selfie while openly flirting as the action continued around them.

    https://www.instagram.com/reels/DXkxK4tlN4f

    The moment occurred during a match featuring The Conglomeration against a team including Lance Archer, Hechicero, and Andrade. Andrade stepped out of the action to approach Kel at ringside, where she escalated the interaction before the cameras captured the entire exchange.

    Kel is a recognized name on the independent wrestling scene, having competed in promotions like POW! and DEFY Wrestling. She has made history as the first Peak Sports Champion, the first Female DOA Grand Champion, and the first SOS Champion.

    Pattern of Ringside Interactions

    This marks the second high-profile ringside moment for Andrade in recent weeks. At AEW Dynasty, a mystery woman kissed him mid-match, later revealed to be indie wrestler Kingsley. The Collision incident follows the same playbook, with Andrade stepping away from the match to engage with a woman while his opponents and partners continue wrestling.

    AEW has incorporated these interactions as part of Andrade’s presentation.

    Rebel Kel posted footage of the interaction on her Instagram, confirming her involvement in the segment.

  • Scott Steiner’s Son Brock Rechsteiner Signs With Tennessee Titans

    Scott Steiner’s Son Brock Rechsteiner Signs With Tennessee Titans

    Scott Steiner’s son Brock Rechsteiner has signed with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, with the wrestling legend proudly sharing the news on social media.

    Steiner posted “Titan Up!” on X alongside a graphic confirming Brock’s signing. The younger Rechsteiner played wide receiver at Jacksonville State in Conference USA and will now attempt to make the Titans roster.

    The Rechsteiner Athletic Legacy

    Brock carries on a family tradition of elite athleticism. His father Scott Steiner, real name Scott Rechsteiner, was an All-American wrestler at the University of Michigan before becoming one of professional wrestling’s biggest stars as one half of the Steiner Brothers with his brother Rick. Scott later reinvented himself as “Big Poppa Pump” and held world championships in both WCW and TNA.

    Rick Steiner’s son Bronson Rechsteiner also pursued a career in combat sports, signing with WWE’s developmental system before eventually departing. The Rechsteiner family’s combination of collegiate athletics and professional wrestling makes them one of the most athletically accomplished families in the history of the business.

    Brock now takes the family legacy in a new direction as he pursues a career in the NFL.

  • IYO SKY’s Heartfelt Tribute To Kairi Sane After WWE Exit

    IYO SKY’s Heartfelt Tribute To Kairi Sane After WWE Exit

    Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane

    IYO SKY has broken her silence on Kairi Sane’s WWE departure with one of the most personal tributes posted by any current WWE Superstar this weekend.

    Sane was among the many talents released by WWE on April 24 in the company’s annual post-WrestleMania roster trim. The cuts also included Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, the Motor City Machine Guns, and the entire Wyatt Sicks faction.

    Sky, who was working a heated on-screen rivalry with Sane and Asuka heading into WrestleMania 42, posted a lengthy message to X on Saturday that pulled the curtain back on their real-life friendship.

    “My Proud Best Friend”

    Writing in Japanese and translating the message herself, Sky reflected on the years she and Sane spent navigating life in America together as foreign performers.

    “I understand that everyone, as an athlete, eventually faces a turning point when thinking about their life and career, but I feel so heartbroken that it came at such an unexpected time,” Sky wrote. “Kairi was truly loved by all her colleagues, not just as a performer but as a person.”

    Sky described Sane as “a comrade-in-arms who faced countless hardships in America, shed so many tears, and grew together with me,” before landing on the detail that hit hardest with fans: “It’s so hard to accept that Kairi won’t be in the passenger seat of the rental car anymore.”

    She closed the post by expressing confidence in Sane’s next chapter, telling her best friend, “We’ll be best friends forever and always.”

    Kairi Sane Already Looking Ahead

    The tribute followed Sane’s own farewell statement earlier in the day. As SEScoops reported, Sane wrote that she would “set sail in my own time,” nodding to her Pirate Princess persona and signaling she has no plans to step away from wrestling entirely.

    Sane returned to WWE at Crown Jewel in November 2023 after a stint back in Stardom. During her two runs with the company, she won the 2017 Mae Young Classic, captured the NXT Women’s Championship, and held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship three times alongside Asuka as the Kabuki Warriors.

    Her final WWE match took place on the April 20 episode of Raw, when she and Asuka lost to Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY in a tag team bout.

  • Swerve, Raquel Rodriguez & Sheamus Announce 2026 NFL Draft Picks

    Swerve, Raquel Rodriguez & Sheamus Announce 2026 NFL Draft Picks

    Three top stars from WWE and AEW were on hand for Saturday’s 2026 NFL Draft, and had prominent roles in the day’s festivities. Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, Raquel Rodriguez of WWE’s Judgment Day, and WWE’s Sheamus each announced fourth, fourth and sixth round picks, respectively, for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans.

    https://x.com/Jaguars/status/2048096472202150380?s=20

    https://x.com/AEW/status/2048093925588521185

    Strickland announced the Jaguars’ selection of Duke EDGE Wesley Williams at No. 119 overall, a pick Jacksonville traded up five spots with the Carolina Panthers to make. Williams logged 11 career sacks and 29 tackles for loss across four seasons at Duke. The Jaguars-AEW connection runs deep, with both outfits operated by Tony Khan, who recently launched an AEW x NFL Team Lucha Masks merchandise line earlier this year. Strickland made his appearance fresh off his March 25 Dynamite match against Kenny Omega.

    Rodriguez announced the Houston Texans’ selection of Oklahoma offensive guard Febechi Nwaiwu with the No. 106 overall pick.

    https://x.com/HoustonTexans/status/2048076603763155168?s=20

    Sheamus Reps the Titans From Dublin

    Sheamus took part in the festivities from Dublin, Ireland, announcing the Tennessee Titans’ sixth round pick at No. 184 overall. The Titans selected Baylor defensive tackle Jackie Marshall.

    https://x.com/WWESheamus/status/1915713421947928591

    Wrestling Crossovers Run Through 2026 NFL Draft

    This year’s NFL Draft has featured several wrestling crossover moments. Earlier in the week, Seth Rollins walked off the Good Morning Football set after host Kyle Brandt joked about bringing in Becky Lynch. Former AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker, a Pittsburgh native, has been a regular attendee at the draft in her hometown. The 49ers also selected Ole Miss wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling in the second round at No. 33 overall, the nephew of WWE Hall of Famer Don “The Rock” Muraco.

  • Zelina Vega Posts Emotional Farewell After WWE Release

    Zelina Vega Posts Emotional Farewell After WWE Release

    Zelina Vega has posted an emotional farewell on Instagram following her release from WWE, sharing an open letter addressed to herself alongside a photo of her draped in the Puerto Rican flag.

    Vega, who was among the WWE talents released on April 24, used the letter to reflect on every side of her journey, pairing each low with the high that answered it.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DXkFJ50ETzK

    She wrote about being told she “wasn’t enough” alongside the family, friends, and fans who made her feel like she was. She recalled being told she was “too small,” countered by those who said her “heart and personality makes you 7ft tall.” She acknowledged the people who told her she wasn’t talented enough, right next to the ones who praised her.

    The letter also touched on darker moments, including being told to end her life and “actually thought about it,” before turning to the fans who told her she helped save their lives or inspire them.

    “All the struggles you overcame. All the tears. All the laughs. All the happiest days of your life,” Vega wrote. “One word: Thankful.”

    She made clear she’s not walking away alone: “I take my husband, family, friends and my fans with me.”

    The letter closed with a defiant message using her real name: “You proved so many people wrong and will continue to do so. It isn’t over until Thea Trinidad says so.”

    Vega’s WWE Career

    Vega first joined WWE in 2017 and became known for her work as a manager for Andrade before establishing herself as a singles competitor. She made history as WWE’s first Queen of the Ring in 2021 and captured the Women’s Tag Team Championship. Her release in 2020 over a dispute regarding third-party platforms like Twitch made national headlines, but she returned to the company in 2021.

    Her farewell adds to a wave of emotional messages from the post-WrestleMania roster cuts, with Rhea Ripley and Chelsea Green among those reacting to the departures, and Kairi Sane also breaking her silence earlier on Saturday.

  • Kairi Sane Hasn’t “Set Sail” After WWE Release

    Kairi Sane Hasn’t “Set Sail” After WWE Release

    Kairi Sane has broken her silence following her release from WWE, posting an emotional message to fans on social media.

    Sane, who was among the 18 talents released by WWE on April 24, took to X on Saturday to address her supporters directly.

    “I’m truly grateful to have people like you by my side. Thank you for always being with me,” Sane wrote. “I’ll set sail… in my own time. Until then… I love you.”

    What’s Next for the Pirate Princess

    The sailing reference is a nod to Sane’s longtime “Pirate Princess” character, suggesting she sees her wrestling journey continuing on her own terms rather than stepping away from the ring entirely.

    Sane’s release came as part of WWE’s annual post-WrestleMania roster cuts, which also included the Motor City Machine Guns, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, and the entire Wyatt Sicks faction. The cuts prompted an outpouring of support from the WWE roster, with Rhea Ripley calling it “a very sad day” and several other stars sharing emotional tributes to their departing colleagues.

    Sane first signed with WWE in 2017, winning the Mae Young Classic that year before capturing the NXT Women’s Championship. She later won the Women’s Tag Team Championship on the main roster alongside Asuka as the Kabuki Warriors. After a brief departure in 2020, Sane returned to WWE in 2023 alongside Bayley before eventually reuniting with Asuka on SmackDown.

  • Backstage Reaction to Sol Ruca’s Crazy Table Bump on NXT

    Backstage Reaction to Sol Ruca’s Crazy Table Bump on NXT

    Kendal Grey has shared what it was like backstage when Sol Ruca took a scary fall through a table on this week’s NXT Revenge, saying the entire locker room went silent.

    Speaking with the Mark Hoke Show, Grey described the collective concern among the NXT roster watching the moment unfold.

    “Back there, we were all watching, like, speechless. We were just mouth wide open speechless. We didn’t know how to react in that moment,” Grey said.

    Grey added that the mood shifted when Ruca returned backstage in good spirits despite the bump.

    “She comes back, she has a towel on her head, and she’s like, ‘Heck yeah!’ She’s smiling. She’s awesome, but definitely a scary moment for all of us. Just concern for her. Obviously, that could be really, really bad. It was bad, but it could always be worse,” Grey said.

    “So knowing that she came back with a positive mind and smiling and stuff was a good reassuring moment, because all of us definitely were scared.”

    Sol Ruca’s Momentum Before the Injury

    The incident came at a pivotal time for Ruca, who had just made a surprise debut on Monday Night Raw days earlier, competing against Liv Morgan in what appeared to be the beginning of her main roster call-up. Ruca later revealed the Raw appearance was a last-minute decision she only learned about days into her Las Vegas trip.

    Despite the scary moment, Ruca provided an update confirming she received eight staples in her head but remained in positive spirits. Trish Stratus also recently named Ruca as her dream opponent for a potential return, further underlining the momentum behind the NXT standout heading into what could be a full main roster transition.

  • Tatum Paxley Reacts to AJ Lee’s Adoption Tweet, Meeting Her

    Tatum Paxley Reacts to AJ Lee’s Adoption Tweet, Meeting Her

    Tatum Paxley opened up about the viral moment when AJ Lee tweeted about wanting to adopt her, calling it “an amazing way to wake up.”

    Speaking with Branson on TMZ’s Inside the Ring, Paxley recalled scrolling through her timeline and seeing the post for the first time.

    “I get on Twitter and I’m just scrolling the timeline and I see one of the posts saying AJ Lee wants to adopt Tatum Paxley. And I went, ‘What?’ And I ran to her page and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so glad I just saw this.’ It was an amazing way to wake up,” Paxley said.

    Meeting AJ Lee During WrestleMania Week

    Paxley revealed that she met AJ Lee in person for the first time during WrestleMania week, describing the encounter with CM Punk’s wife as a meaningful moment in her career.

    “I met her for the first time during Mania week. And I remember I saw her and Punk walking up and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is my first time meeting you!’ I’m hugging her and she was just so, so incredibly kind and so incredibly sweet,” Paxley said. “I just love that we get to have vets like that here. I’m so thankful that she’s back and she’s doing amazing. And to get recognized, noticed by her, it means the world. It just reminds me, okay, I’m doing my job, I’m doing good.”

    The NXT Women’s North American Champion also expressed interest in working with AJ Lee down the line.

    “I would love down the line that I could do more stuff with her because I think when you put two crazy chicks together, you’re gonna get some pretty cool stuff,” Paxley said.

  • Undertaker’s Boneyard Match Casket Sells for $19,050 at Auction

    Undertaker’s Boneyard Match Casket Sells for $19,050 at Auction

    The Undertaker’s iconic casket from his WrestleMania 36 Boneyard Match against AJ Styles has sold for $19,050, with the auction closing after a dramatic last-minute bidding surge on Friday night.

    Pro Wrestling Collectibles confirmed the final price on April 24, noting that what was scheduled to wrap at 10:00 PM EST turned into a back-and-forth bidding fight that kept extending the clock before the hammer finally fell.

    A Piece of Pandemic-Era WrestleMania History

    The match-used casket, signed by both The Undertaker and AJ Styles, was the centerpiece prop from the cinematic Boneyard Match at WrestleMania 36 in 2020. In the match, Styles arrived inside the casket before the two battled across a graveyard and warehouse setting, with Undertaker ultimately burying Styles and riding off on his motorcycle in what became his final WWE in-ring bout.

    WWE displayed the casket at WWE World in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend before bidding officially opened. The auction ran from April 15 through April 24 on WWE Shop.

    Fan Reaction Divided

    Response to the auction was mixed. Some fans celebrated the chance to own a rare piece of WrestleMania history, while others questioned whether WWE and TKO should preserve significant props rather than sell them. A few joked about the logistics of keeping a full-size casket at home.

    Either way, someone now owns one of the more unique pieces of modern WWE history, and paid serious money for it.

  • Seth Rollins Makes Surprise Return to AAW for Final Show

    Seth Rollins Makes Surprise Return to AAW for Final Show

    Seth Rollins made a surprise appearance at AAW Wrestling’s sold-out Crush & Destroy event on Friday night, returning to the promotion and venue where his career began for the first time in over 15 years.

    The show marked the final event at the Berwyn Eagles Club, which has hosted AAW for 22 years. Rollins, who wrestled 36 matches at the venue as Tyler Black, including winning the AAW Championship in 2008, took the microphone to address the crowd and thank AAW owner Danny Daniels, the fans, and the club that launched his career.

    An Emotional Farewell

    Rollins highlighted his students who were on the card, telling the crowd that their dreams started in rings like the one at the Berwyn Eagles Club. The moment drew an emotional response from the sold-out crowd, with fans calling it a “GOAT” gesture from the WWE star.

    AAW confirmed the appearance on social media, writing that Rollins “returned to AAW and where it all started, the Berwyn Eagles Club, as we say goodbye to the historic venue.”

    The surprise return comes amid a period of change for Rollins in WWE. His willingness to show up unannounced at an independent show to pay tribute to his roots added to what was already a significant night for the Chicago-area indie wrestling scene.

  • WWE Releases: Reactions from Rhea Ripley, Chelsea Green, More

    WWE Releases: Reactions from Rhea Ripley, Chelsea Green, More

    Rhea Ripley and several more superstars reacted to Friday’s wave of WWE roster cuts, sharing emotional messages of support for released talent on social media. The WWE Women’s Champion (c) called it a difficult day across the locker room.

    Chelsea Green was among the first to comment, posting a heartfelt tribute to Alba Fyre, who had been aligned with Green’s on-screen factions dating back to early 2025. The two had worked closely together in recent storylines.

    “You guys didn’t get to see how talented KLR is. I know you saw bits & pieces, but trust me, there’s so much more to her,” Green wrote. “She’s a fearless wrestler… I’m sad to not have her on my side but this is just the beginning for my girl. Thank you for having my back, Slaygent A. Love you!”

    Ripley Addresses Locker Room Impact

    Ripley shared a broader message about the cuts and their impact on WWE talent. Her post reflected the somber mood backstage following the announcements.

    “Today’s been a very sad day,” Ripley wrote. “Absolutely guttered for my friends and comrades. Worst time of the year. Go prove them all wrong!”

    Piper Niven and Nikki Bella Pay Tribute

    Piper Niven also honored Fyre, reflecting on their close partnership both on and off screen. The two had been aligned as part of the same faction alongside Green.

    “Thank you for your Hervice Slaygent,” Niven wrote. “A More than a wrestling soulmate, a hetero life partner if you will. A true pioneer and soon to be remembered as one of the greatest to ever do it. Run wild my demon. Pirates 4 life.”

    Nikki Bella shared a message for Nikki Cross following her departure from WWE. Bella praised Cross’s energy and presence in the locker room.

    “Heartbroken,” Bella wrote. “Love you so much Nikki! Going to miss your energy, laugh, and light every time you walked into a room. Can’t wait to watch this next chapter. I know it’s going to be the best one yet!!”

    The releases included Alba Fyre, Nikki Cross, and several other WWE superstars, according to WrestlingHeadlines. The cuts mark another round of roster changes for the promotion.

    H/T: WrestlingHeadlines

  • Santos Escobar Released by WWE Amid Injury Report

    Santos Escobar Released by WWE Amid Injury Report

    Santos Escobar

    Santos Escobar has been released by WWE, according to Fightful Select. The superstar is reportedly dealing with an injury at the time of his departure.

    Escobar previously left WWE briefly last year before being brought back to the company. Following his return, he was moved to AAA programming as part of the brand’s roster.

    The release makes Escobar the latest name to depart WWE as part of the company’s ongoing roster cuts. Multiple superstars have been released by the promotion in recent weeks.

    No additional details about the nature of Escobar’s injury or the circumstances surrounding his release have been disclosed at this time. WWE has not issued an official statement regarding the departure.

  • Tamyra Mensah-Stock Released From WWE After Three Years

    Tamyra Mensah-Stock Released From WWE After Three Years

    Tamyra Mensah-Stock has been released from WWE, according to Fightful Select. The Olympic gold medalist competed in WWE as Tayra Mae Steel after signing with the company in 2023.

    Mensah-Stock won a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo before joining WWE’s developmental system. She quickly made an impact by winning the women’s division in the first season of WWE Legends & Future Greats, earning an NXT contract while being mentored by The Undertaker.

    WWE Run and Appearances

    During her time with WWE, Mensah-Stock became a regular presence on WWE EVOLVE. She also appeared on WWE NXT and WWE NXT Level Up as part of the developmental roster.

    Her release adds another name to WWE’s ongoing list of departures, which has continued expanding across both the main roster and developmental system in recent months.

  • Tiffany Stratton Wins Women’s US Title from Giulia on SmackDown

    Tiffany Stratton Wins Women’s US Title from Giulia on SmackDown

    Tiffany Stratton defeated Giulia on tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas to capture the Women’s United States Championship, ending Giulia’s second reign and claiming her first singles title since vacating the WWE Women’s Championship last year.

    The win caps a redemption arc for Stratton, who was conspicuously left off the WrestleMania 42 card last weekend in Las Vegas. According to a report from Self-Made Pro, Stratton had been penciled into an earlier version of the WrestleMania 42 card in a three-way match with Giulia and Jordynne Grace, but those plans were scrapped before the event.

    Stratton earned tonight’s title shot by defeating Grace in a No. 1 contender’s match on the April 17 go-home episode of SmackDown, finishing her with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever as Giulia and Kiana James watched from ringside.

    A Long Road Back

    Stratton’s path to this moment started with a knee injury suffered in October 2025 that ended her 301-day reign as WWE Women’s Champion. She dropped the title to Jade Cargill at Saturday Night’s Main Event in November before disappearing from television for the remainder of the year.

    She returned at the 2026 Royal Rumble, lasting until the final stages before Liv Morgan eliminated her, then competed in the Elimination Chamber match that Rhea Ripley ultimately won. Watching WrestleMania 42 from the sidelines while Cargill defended the Women’s Championship she once held only sharpened the storyline payoff.

    End of Giulia’s Reign

    Giulia had held the Women’s United States Championship since the first SmackDown of 2026, when she defeated Chelsea Green for the vacant title. Her second reign with the belt featured a successful defense against Alexa Bliss and a non-title win over Stratton on the March 27 episode of SmackDown, which set up tonight’s eventual rematch with the gold on the line.

    Stratton now becomes a two-time singles champion in WWE. With Rhea Ripley capturing the Women’s Championship from Cargill at WrestleMania 42 Night 2, Stratton’s first reign with the United States Title sets up new collision courses across a SmackDown women’s division entering its post-Mania reset.

  • Zoey Stark Reacts To WWE Release After Year-Long Knee Injury

    Zoey Stark Reacts To WWE Release After Year-Long Knee Injury

    Zoey Stark has issued her first public statement following her WWE release on Friday, calling her time with the company a fulfilled childhood dream and signaling she is ready for the next chapter of her career.

    The release lands at a particularly cruel moment in Stark’s timeline. She had been out of action since the May 19, 2025 episode of Raw, when she suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus that required a three-hour surgery and nearly a year of rehab.

    Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported earlier this month that Stark had finally been medically cleared to return, with WWE internally targeting a mid-2026 comeback and discussing a possible babyface turn for the former Pure Fusion Collective member.

    Instead, she was cut.

    In a statement posted to social media Friday, Stark thanked the company and the people behind the scenes who supported her through her recovery.

    “Thank you WWE, you made a young girls dream come true. You could not have been better and more supportive during my healing and I will be forever grateful. Thank you to all the girls in the back, the producers, camera men you were all incredibly kind and gracious.”

    She singled out two figures specifically, writing, “And a special Thank you to Terry Taylor and Coach Bloom for teaching me so much and being a shoulder to lean on.”

    Stark closed with a forward-looking note rooted in faith. “Its just the end of this chapter and the beginning of a new one. Falling Foward, onward and upward with God’s plan.”

    She also listed a booking email, [email protected], signaling she is open for indie dates, signings, and outside opportunities once fully cleared.

    Part Of Wider Post-WrestleMania Cuts

    Stark is one of several names cut by WWE on Friday in the company’s annual post-WrestleMania roster reduction. The wave also includes Nikki Cross, Alba Fyre, Bo Dallas, Joe Gacy, Kairi Sane, the Motor City Machine Guns, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, and Andre Chase, with at least 18 talents confirmed gone across the main roster, NXT, and developmental.

    Before her injury, Stark had built a reputation on the main roster as one of the women’s division’s most physically aggressive performers, working high-profile programs alongside Trish Stratus and running with Shayna Baszler in the Pure Fusion Collective. Her recent recovery videos showed her running, jumping, and back to full range of motion, the very updates that suggested a return was finally within reach.

  • Lucha Underground Teases Return After Trademark Filing Surfaces

    Lucha Underground Teases Return After Trademark Filing Surfaces

    Lucha Underground Returning

    Lucha Underground has broken nearly seven years of silence, and a paper trail filed quietly last year suggests the cult promotion’s tease may be more than nostalgia bait.

    The official Lucha Underground X account posted a video on Friday showing a fog-shrouded luchador mask, the Spanish word “¿Más?” flashing in red, and a one-word caption: “soon.” It was the account’s first post since November 2019.

    The Trademark Filing That Changes the Context

    What separates this teaser from a typical defunct-brand revival rumor is documentation. Lucha Underground, LLC filed trademark applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on January 20, 2025, roughly 15 months before Friday’s social media reactivation.

    The website LuchaUnderground.com is also currently active, with a footer reading “© 2026 LUCHA UNDERGROUND, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.” That combination of legal groundwork and live infrastructure points to something more deliberate than a simple tease.

    PWInsider speculates the project could be headed to a streaming service, though no platform has been confirmed.

    What Lucha Underground Was

    Developed by Mark Burnett and Robert Rodriguez, Lucha Underground ran for four seasons on the El Rey Network from October 2014 through November 2018. The show was filmed in a Boyle Heights warehouse called The Temple and blended traditional lucha libre with cinematic, supernatural storytelling.

    The promotion served as a launchpad for a generation of stars. Penta, Rey Fenix, Ricochet (as Prince Puma), Swerve Strickland (as Killshot), Brian Cage, Jeff Cobb, and Chelsea Green all passed through The Temple before reaching WWE, AEW, and beyond.

    Why Now?

    The “¿Más?” tease lands at a moment when lucha libre’s mainstream profile is at a multi-year high. AAA is now under WWE’s umbrella following the 2025 acquisition, CMLL continues its expansion through AEW partnerships, and Penta currently holds the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

    Whether Lucha Underground returns as a streaming reboot, a one-off special, or a library re-release, the brand is moving for the first time since the El Rey shutdown. More details are expected to follow.

  • WWE Releases 18 Talents in Post-WrestleMania Cuts, Entire Wyatt Sicks Faction Among Departures

    WWE Releases 18 Talents in Post-WrestleMania Cuts, Entire Wyatt Sicks Faction Among Departures

    WWE released at least 18 talents on April 24, 2026, in a sweeping post-WrestleMania roster purge. The cuts span the main roster, NXT, and WWE developmental, with Fightful Select and PWInsider both reporting that more departures could still surface in the coming days. Additional names, including Santos Escobar and Tamyra Mensah-Stock, have since been confirmed.

    Some exits may be contract expirations rather than outright releases, and WWE has not issued an official statement.

    The Wyatt Sicks Are Gone

    All five members of the Wyatt Sicks have been confirmed as departing WWE. Bo Dallas formed the faction in June 2024 after returning as Uncle Howdy to honor his late brother Bray Wyatt. Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy held the WWE Tag Team Championship together during the group’s run. Erick Rowan’s release was confirmed by PWInsider. Lumis’ departure is his second exit from WWE, having previously been released in April 2022 before returning later that year.

    Nikki Cross, who portrayed Abby the Witch in the stable, was among the first to confirm her exit publicly on X.

    Cross had been with the company for 10 years, joining NXT in 2016 as part of SAnitY. She is a former Raw Women’s Champion and three-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. Cross has since posted a longer tribute to the Wyatt Sicks, Bray Wyatt, and Brodie Lee, and former tag partner Alexa Bliss shared an emotional message of her own.

    Joe Gacy, who played Huskus the Pig Boy in the faction, also broke his silence on Instagram, thanking Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and his Wyatt Sicks teammates.

    Kairi Sane

    Kairi Sane is among the departures. Sane returned to WWE at Crown Jewel 2023 after a stint in STARDOM and NJPW, where she won the inaugural IWGP Women’s Championship. Back in WWE, she reunited with Asuka as the Kabuki Warriors and won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship for a third time. The duo lost the titles to Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY on the January 5, 2026 episode of Raw.

    Sane has since posted her first public message since the release, hinting at her next chapter with a sailing metaphor. IYO SKY followed with a heartfelt tribute to her best friend, and WWE broadcaster Jackie Redmond briefly joined the #WeWantKairi movement before deleting her post.

    Motor City Machine Guns

    Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin are also among the departures. The Motor City Machine Guns signed with WWE in September 2024, debuted on SmackDown on October 18, and won the WWE Tag Team Championship in just their second week, upsetting The Bloodline. They lost the titles to #DIY in December 2024. Their departure ends a run that many considered long overdue, as Shelley and Sabin spent two decades winning championships in TNA, ROH, and NJPW before finally arriving in WWE.

    Aleister Black and Zelina Vega

    Aleister Black and Zelina Vega have both departed WWE. Black, also known as Tommy End, had multiple WWE runs and is a former NXT Champion. Vega spent years on the main roster as a manager and in-ring competitor, winning the Queen’s Crown tournament in 2021. She has since posted an emotional open letter on Instagram reflecting on her journey.

    Apollo Crews

    Apollo Crews is also believed to be among the departures. Crews had a lengthy WWE run that included a United States Championship reign and a memorable Nigerian Drum Fight against Big E at WrestleMania 37.

    Santos Escobar

    Santos Escobar has been released while reportedly dealing with an injury, as covered in our separate report on his exit. The former Legado del Fantasma leader briefly departed WWE in 2025 before returning to the roster, and now exits for a second time.

    Tamyra Mensah-Stock

    Olympic gold medalist Tamyra Mensah-Stock has also been released after three years. As we reported separately, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics champion signed with WWE in 2023 and competed as Tayra Mae Steel.

    Zoey Stark and Alba Fyre

    Zoey Stark’s departure comes despite reports that she had recently been cleared to return following a serious knee injury suffered in May 2025. She came up through NXT as tag team champion alongside IYO SKY. Stark has since publicly thanked WWE in a statement.

    Alba Fyre, also known as Kay Lee Ray, reigned as NXT UK Women’s Champion for 649 days and won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship with Isla Dawn. She had most recently been aligned with Chelsea Green on SmackDown before Piper Niven’s injury left her without a direction on television.

    Andre Chase and Dante Chen

    Andre Chase confirmed his release in an emotional social media video, crediting fan support for turning him into an on-screen star after initially being told he would never appear on television. He won the NXT Tag Team Championship twice and had just revived Chase U on the April 22 episode of NXT. He is available for bookings starting in June.

    Dante Chen, the first Singaporean-born WWE Superstar, confirmed his exit after five years and 147 matches. He signed in September 2021 and worked primarily in NXT, NXT LVL Up, and WWE EVOLVE.

    Developmental Departures

    Three developmental talents have also been confirmed as departing, per Bodyslam+: Sirena Linton, Trill London, and Tyriek Igwe.

    Locker Room Reactions and Behind the Scenes

    Active WWE talent reacted publicly within hours of the news. Rhea Ripley, Chelsea Green, and others shared emotional messages, with the Women’s Champion calling it a sad day for the locker room.

    Reports have also surfaced about Triple H’s role in the decision-making process behind the cuts.

    Reporting on the broader release list was sourced from Fightful Select and PWInsider, with Bodyslam+ confirming the developmental departures.

  • WWE SmackDown Tonight (4/24/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    WWE SmackDown Tonight (4/24/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    WWE SmackDown airs tonight (Friday, April 24, 2026) from Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, live on USA Network starting at 8 PM ET.

    This is the first SmackDown after WrestleMania 42, and the fallout is everywhere. Rhea Ripley is the new WWE Women’s Champion after dethroning Jade Cargill, Jacob Fatu left Las Vegas with a win over Drew McIntyre in their Unsanctioned Match, and Trick Williams walked out as Men’s United States Champion.

    Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, Jade Cargill, and Tiffany Stratton are all advertised for tonight’s show. Here’s everything you need to know, including start times, how to watch, and what to expect.

    How to Watch SmackDown Tonight

    DateFriday, April 24, 2026
    VenueDickies Arena, Fort Worth, Texas
    Channel/StreamUSA Network (US) / Netflix (select international markets)
    US Start Time8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 5 PM PT
    UK Start Time1 AM GMT (Saturday, April 25)
    India Start Time5:30 AM IST (Saturday, April 25)
    Duration3 hours

    SmackDown Match Card for April 24, 2026

    WWE has not announced specific matches for tonight’s show as of Friday morning. The card is expected to be built around WrestleMania 42 fallout. Here are the storylines and segments most likely to headline the first SmackDown of the new era.

    Rhea Ripley’s First Night as WWE Women’s Champion on SmackDown

    Ripley captured the WWE Women’s Championship from Jade Cargill on Night 2 of WrestleMania 42, ending Cargill’s 169-day reign. Cargill has already called for a rematch, and she’s advertised for tonight. Expect the two to cross paths again in Fort Worth, with Tiffany Stratton also in the building coming off her Women’s US Title No. 1 Contender’s win.

    Drew McIntyre After the Unsanctioned Match

    Jacob Fatu beat McIntyre at WrestleMania 42 in their Unsanctioned Match, and The Scottish Warrior is listed among the advertised talent for tonight. Whether he addresses the loss, targets Fatu again, or pivots to a new rival, McIntyre usually doesn’t stay quiet for long.

    Randy Orton’s Next Move

    Orton came up short against Cody Rhodes in the Undisputed WWE Championship match, but he left Rhodes with a nasty eye injury via a post-match assault. With Rhodes shelved until he’s medically cleared, Orton is still hunting his 15th world title and is advertised for Fort Worth. A statement promo or a callout feels inevitable.

    The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winner’s Push

    Royce Keys won the 2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the go-home SmackDown before Mania, and he’s now a SmackDown Superstar with momentum and a trophy. The traditional post-battle-royal push usually starts within a week or two. Watch for Keys to either issue a challenge or be positioned against an established name.

    Tiffany Stratton and the Women’s US Title Picture

    Stratton beat Jordynne Grace at the go-home SmackDown to earn the next shot at the Women’s United States Championship. With Giulia still holding the belt, tonight likely advances that storyline, whether through a confrontation or a contract signing.

    Road to WWE Backlash 2026

    WWE Backlash 2026 takes place Saturday, May 9 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.

    With WrestleMania 42 in the rearview mirror, tonight begins the build toward the first premium live event of the post-Mania season. New champions need challengers, and old rivalries don’t always die cleanly. Expect SmackDown to start setting the Backlash card in motion from Fort Worth.

    Follow SEScoops for live updates, recaps, and any news out of tonight’s SmackDown.

  • Paige Recalls Dusty Rhodes Screaming At Her Over ‘Invisible Letter’

    Paige Recalls Dusty Rhodes Screaming At Her Over ‘Invisible Letter’

    Paige pulled back the curtain on Dusty Rhodes’ FCW promo class during a recent episode of What’s Your Story? With Steph McMahon, recounting a first lesson that involved an invisible letter, a screaming mentor, and a teenage student who had no idea what was happening.

    The now one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, who returned at WrestleMania 42 alongside Brie Bella, called Rhodes the foundation of how she learned to work a microphone.

    The Invisible Letter

    Her very first promo in developmental was not a promo at all. It was Dusty handing her nothing and asking her to read it.

    “I remember my first promo ever at FCW. We had a promo class, and Dusty gave me this invisible letter. He was like, ‘Read this letter.’ I was just reading it, and he stops me. He goes, ‘Stop. Why are you reading it like that? You’re reading it like a little girl. You’re reading it like you’re in your bedroom. This is a big deal! You’re in front of thousands of people.’ He was screaming at me. I was like, ‘I’m sorry, Dusty.’ He kept doing it, and I was getting so frustrated. I was like, ‘It’s a piece of paper! It’s an invisible piece of paper! What do you want from me?’”

    The exercise was not about the letter. It was about forcing a young wrestler to find stakes and presence in a performance where nothing on the surface was real.

    Singing Her Way Out Of The Box

    Paige walked away from that first class determined to come back with something different. She went the opposite direction on purpose.

    “I promised I’d deliver the next time. So the next promo I did, I went completely out of my comfort zone and I sang. I was like, ‘F it. I’m going to do something completely opposite to what he’s asking me,’ just so I could get more comfortable. I did this promo with Chavo Guerrero and we just sang together, and it went really well. He was like, ‘This is great. This is what I want to see.’ So then I started just doing promos where I would take scenes out of movies and just reenact them or do something a little different.”

    The singing bit worked. The movie-scene re-enactments followed. Rhodes’ point landed: discomfort was the actual curriculum, and getting it wrong in class was how you stopped getting it wrong on television.

    Paige’s Learning Tree

    Rhodes passed away in June 2015, but the list of wrestlers who credit him as a formative voice keeps growing. Cody Rhodes has shared his own stories about his father’s booking style, and Paige is now another name in that line.

    She is back in WWE television programming for the first time since 2017 and has already reunited with AJ Lee backstage at WrestleMania 42. The lessons she picked up in that FCW classroom, from a man who would scream at her over an invisible piece of paper, are the ones she is taking into the next chapter.

  • Paige On Hitting Rock Bottom: ‘I Was Humiliated And Devastated’

    Paige On Hitting Rock Bottom: ‘I Was Humiliated And Devastated’

    Paige opened up about the lowest point of her career on a recent episode of What’s Your Story? With Steph McMahon, describing the stretch after her 2017 neck injury when substance use took over and private videos leaked online.

    The former Divas Champion, who returned at WrestleMania 42 to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles alongside Brie Bella, did not soften the description.

    “I started drinking and partying with the wrong people. I ended up having a relationship that wasn’t the healthiest, and I relied on drugs. On top of that, these tapes got released from when I was 19. I never wish that on anybody. I was so humiliated and devastated.”

    The Sober House That Held Her Together

    Paige credited a pair of close friends, Joey and Raquel, with pulling her out of the spiral. She moved in with them and the three got sober together.

    “I moved in with Joey and Raquel so they could make sure I was safe and that I wasn’t doing anything stupid, and they got sober with me. They’ve always been my life support, my people 100%.”

    She framed the living arrangement as the structural piece. Without it, there was no way the recovery held.

    Three Therapists A Week For Extreme PTSD

    WWE arranged the clinical support around her. Paige singled out one counselor as the central figure in her recovery.

    “WWE got me a drugs and alcohol counselor, Bob Keeler, who was, man, I love that guy. And I would call him about relationship problems. I would be like, ‘Bro, I know this isn’t your job, but I need to speak to you.’ He was the best, and I could call him at any point of the day. And then he arranged a psychiatrist and a different therapist where they do this thing where they don’t even touch you; they just do this energy thing around you. He got me through it. I was speaking to three therapists a week, including him, because I had extreme PTSD.”

    That volume of clinical work, three sessions a week across multiple specialists, is the part of her story that rarely gets public airtime. Paige was clear about what it took: the support system, the professional help, and the willingness to ask for it at any hour.

    She arrived at WrestleMania 42 clean. The neck had checked out, the head was in the right place, and the version of Paige that walked through the curtain at Allegiant Stadium was the one the home friends and therapists spent years helping rebuild.

    Stephanie McMahon shared a welcome-back message on social media ahead of the episode’s release.

  • Andre the Giant Honored With North Carolina Historical Marker

    Andre the Giant Honored With North Carolina Historical Marker

    Andre the Giant North Carolina Highway

    North Carolina officially honored WWE legend Andre the Giant on Thursday with a state highway historical marker in Ellerbe, the small Richmond County community he called home for the final years of his life.

    The marker was unveiled at the intersection of NC 73 and Old NC Highway 220 in Ellerbe, a town of roughly 1,000 residents situated about 60 miles east of Charlotte. It reads:

    “Andre The Giant. 1946-1993. Actor and professional wrestler. Was born Andre Roussimoff. Known for role in The Princess Bride in 1987. Lived nearby.”

    The dedication, administered by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, recognizes Andre René Roussimoff’s deep connection to the region.

    Andre’s History in North Carolina

    Roussimoff first came to North Carolina through his wrestling schedule and grew to love the region. On Aug. 22, 1978, he purchased nine acres of land near Ellerbe, eventually expanding the property into a 194-acre ranch along Big Mountain Creek where he raised cattle and longhorns.

    In Ellerbe, he was known not as a larger-than-life villain but as a quiet, generous neighbor. In 1990, he recorded TV and radio spots opposing a proposed low-level radioactive landfill in Richmond County.

    A permanent exhibit at the Rankin Museum preserves his memory, featuring books, magazines, an oversized recliner, clothing, and a skull from one of his prize longhorn cattle. His size-26 cowboy boots are also on display.

    Roussimoff died Jan. 28, 1993, at age 46, while in France for his father’s funeral. Honoring his wishes, his ashes were returned to his North Carolina ranch, where he remains today.

  • “Hell No, No Way” – Jim Ross Says Brock Lesnar Isn’t Retired

    Jim Ross doesn’t believe Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 moment was the end. The WWE Hall of Famer made it clear that the company likely hasn’t seen the last of The Beast.

    While speaking on Grilling JR, Ross was asked about Lesnar’s legacy and whether the boots-in-the-ring moment at WrestleMania 42 signaled a real retirement. The conversation quickly turned into a strong defense of Lesnar’s long-term value and the idea that major matches still remain on the table.

    Ross first reflected on how confident he was in Lesnar from the moment he signed him. He explained that he immediately saw something different compared to other rookies.

    “I knew he was that special, Conrad. My God, I mean, just look at him. And he carried himself like a champion. He’s a big brute. He’s intimidating looking. I paid him more money than I ever paid any rookie. So he was that special,” Ross said.

    Lesnar’s Future in WWE

    Despite the emotional boots-in-the-ring moment at WrestleMania 42, Ross made it clear he does not believe Lesnar is fully finished with WWE appearances. Ross addressed the idea that Lesnar’s time might only be changing rather than ending completely.

    “Have we seen the last of Brock Lesnar? Hell no, no way. Have we seen the last of Brock Lesnar as a semi-reoccurring character on TV? I think so. But I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him,” Ross said.

    Ross suggested Lesnar could return for WrestleMania or other major events. He even pitched a potential rematch with Oba Femi, noting that their previous encounter doesn’t rule out a future showdown.

    “For WrestleMania next year or major events, they’ve got somebody. I think if you project that Brock Lesnar returned to fight Oba Femi, let’s say. I know they fought already. That means nothing to me. If you’re good at what you do for a living, you should be able to do it more often than once and kick ass. And I’m sure those two guys could do that,” Ross said.

    Dream Match With Gunther

    The conversation then shifted toward one of the biggest dream matches WWE has yet to deliver: Brock Lesnar versus Gunther. The matchup has been rumored for years, and Ross made it clear he believes WWE should save it for the biggest possible stage.

    “That’s a match that has to be booked somewhere. I don’t see that before WrestleMania. That’s a WrestleMania match, not SummerSlam, not Royal Rumble. It’s a WrestleMania match,” Ross said.

    Ross emphasized that the foundation for the match is already in place. He compared it to building a castle where only the finishing touches remain.

    “It’s already half-assed built. It’s like building a castle. You’re now just putting the finishing touches on it because the foundation is laid. That would be a great match. One of your tent poles for next year’s WrestleMania. And it would sell like a sumbitch, especially in Minneapolis, where Lesnar calls home,” Ross said.

    Lesnar leaving his boots in the ring at WrestleMania 42 created plenty of speculation about whether his career had reached its end. Moments like that have historically signaled retirement in WWE, but Ross’ comments suggest the company could still be holding onto Lesnar for select major events rather than weekly appearances.

    If Ross is right, fans may not have to wait forever to see Lesnar back in action, especially if WWE decides to finally deliver the long-discussed showdown with Gunther on the grandest stage.

  • WWE Officially Announces Night of Champions 2026 For Riyadh

    WWE Officially Announces Night of Champions 2026 For Riyadh

    WWE Night of Champions 2026

    WWE has officially announced that Night of Champions 2026 will return to Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, June 27, 2026.

    The announcement comes from the General Entertainment Authority and Riyadh Season, under the leadership of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, in cooperation with WWE. Tickets go on sale Monday, April 27 at WeBook.com.

    “We are proud to welcome Night of Champions back to Riyadh and look forward to delivering another unforgettable night of WWE action for fans in the Kingdom and around the world,” Alalshikh said in the announcement.

    Official Confirmation Ends Weeks Of Uncertainty

    Today’s announcement puts to rest significant doubt that had surrounded the event. In March, POST Wrestling reported that Night of Champions had been internally penciled for June 27 in Riyadh but noted the event’s status was in question due to military conflict in the region. At the time, neither WWE nor Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority responded to inquiries about potential rescheduling or cancellation.

    Night of Champions will be WWE’s second premium live event in Saudi Arabia in 2026, following the Royal Rumble in Riyadh earlier this year, which saw Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan win their respective matches.

    ESPN Unlimited Takes Over US Broadcast

    The 2026 edition will broadcast live in the United States on the ESPN app with an ESPN Unlimited plan, marking another major PLE under WWE’s new domestic streaming deal. Internationally, the event will stream on Netflix.

    According to the announcement, the 2025 edition broke WWE’s U.S. viewership record for a Saudi Arabia event. That show, held at Kingdom Arena on June 28, 2025, featured John Cena defeating CM Punk to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship in what became the final singles match between the longtime rivals. The event also crowned Cody Rhodes as King of the Ring and Jade Cargill as Queen of the Ring.

    Road To WrestleMania 43 In Riyadh

    The return to Riyadh is another step in WWE’s deepening relationship with Saudi Arabia, which began with a ten-year partnership in 2018. WrestleMania 43 is scheduled for Riyadh in 2027, marking the first time the flagship event will be staged outside of the United States and Canada.

    The official match card for Night of Champions 2026 has not yet been announced. Stay with SEScoops for continuing coverage as the card takes shape.

  • New Age Outlaws Name Modern Tag Teams They’d Love to Face

    New Age Outlaws Name Modern Tag Teams They’d Love to Face

    The New Age Outlaws are a reunited act again, and they already have dream opponents in mind.

    Road Dogg and Billy Gunn recently appeared together on Busted Open Radio in the wake of Road Dogg’s departure from WWE’s creative team, with the pair also surfacing in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend.

    Asked which modern tag teams they would want to face in their prime, each legend went a different direction. Both answers point toward matches that could realistically happen.

    Billy Gunn picked his sons, Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn, who currently work in AEW as The Gunn Club. Road Dogg went with The Street Profits, praising Montez Ford as a bonafide superstar and calling Angelo Dawkins an athlete among athletes.

    “I love the Street Profits, I think they’re great athletes,” Road Dogg said. “I think Montez is a superstar and everybody knows it. Dawkins is the unsung hero. Dawkins is an athlete of athletes.”

    A Gunn Club vs. Outlaws Match Is Closer Than It Sounds

    The Gunn Club answer is the one with real legs. Billy Gunn is still an active performer in AEW, where his sons work full-time, meaning a Gunns vs. Outlaws match would require no cross-promotional negotiation at all. Road Dogg has not wrestled since 2015, but he has floated the idea of stepping back in the ring for a one-off dumpster match in 2027.

    The Street Profits angle carries its own weight given the timing. Ford and Dawkins made a surprise return on the Raw after WrestleMania 42, coming to the aid of Seth Rollins during an attack from The Vision. With Road Dogg no longer tied to WWE creative, the door is at least cracked for a conversation, even if the logistics are heavier.

    For a team that built its name on attitude and family lineage, both answers fit. One just happens to be a phone call away.