SEScoops

Author: Scott Fishman

  • Brock & CW Anderson Open Up About Their MLW Tag Team Roots

    It’s old school meets new school whenever CW Anderson and Brock Anderson team up in an MLW ring. The cross-generational duo have formed an unbreakable bond working through the ranks toward the top of the tag division. Brock, the son of Hall of Famer Arn Anderson, looks to soak up all of the more than 30 years of knowledge CW brings to every match.

    For CW, an ECW alum and MLW original, it’s a chance to show that after all this time he could still battle with the best of them. The veteran looks back at feuding with the likes of Terry Funk, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, Dusty Rhodes, and Jerry Lawler. Now he marvels at the talents of MLW Champion Mads Krügger, Alex Kane, Matthew Justice, and others. “These guys are way more athletic and possess more power and punishment as you can tell by what they’ve been putting on Brock and ,” he said. 

    Brock has been grateful to sit under the learning tree of those more experienced than him. MLW afforded him the opportunity to truly hone his skills. 

    “When I left AEW, the first thing I wanted to do was actually learn this business. I didn’t think I could do it over there because they didn’ t have the setup for it. It has been documented. It is what it is,” Brock said, candidly. “I thought if I stayed there I wouldn’t really learn in the short-term or long-term. Me and CW had a six-man, I think a couple months before I was done, with his partner PQ [Preston Quinn]. I just learned so much with that 10 minutes we were in the ring.” 

    CW could feel the chemistry as well. So much so he sent a text to the youngster asking, “what do you think about tagging together?” Brock loved the idea. 

    “It would make too much sense, just even from the Anderson standpoint,” he recalled. “People could gravitate toward that and understand that. For me personally, it’s an opportunity to learn from a guy who has been in this business for 30 years. I would be a fool to turn that down. It has been the best thing in my development so far, hands on done. I’ve learned something every time I’m around him, inside or outside the ring. Just even our conversations in the hotel room, at the hotel, driving to a show. He is a wealth of knowledge. I’m very blessed to have him as a tag partner.” 

    CW’s love and motivation for professional wrestling was renewed thanks to working with Brock. It gave him a new purpose. 

    “If you’ve been in this business long enough, you will learn to dislike it because there are so many pitfalls and downfalls. One instance was right before ECW folded, I was getting a contract and promised a television belt and told my career was getting ready to skyrocket,” CW said. “I’ve always been about leaving this business better than I found it. Tagging with Brock, from the first time I saw him and his mannerisms, the moves, he has got a lot from his dad. He looks like his dad with his mannerisms and moves. 

    “I always told him from the beginning, don\’t walk in your dad’s shoes, walk in your own because you’re going to get compared to that. I just love being able to teach him, and he is a quick learner. From promos to skills, everything has been 180 degrees from when we started tagging almost two years ago. The sky is the limit with Brock. I don\’t know how much longer I‘m going to be doing this, but when I do walk away, I want him one hundred percent ready to take the torch as an Anderson and carry it into the next generation after that. So far, he is able to do that and is getting better every day.” 

    For the former member of the Extreme Horsemen and now Rogue Horsemen, the tandem is a throwback to the days of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew. CW would be the Ole Anderson in this scenario. Although CW is quick to say he doesn’t have nearly the “pissed off attitude.” CW is also happy to take in feedback from Brock’s pops Arn. 

    “There was one time Brock and I were tagging and his dad twisted something in our match and made it a hundred times better,” he said. “In 30 years, I looked at Brock and said, ‘I don’t know anything about wrestling.’ All these years and experience and his dad fixed something in our matches. That’s where I’m trying to get to at 31 years.” 

    Brock is excited for the future as MLW secures more business deals. He looks forward to what’s to come with the company building more momentum. 

    “When we go to work, we’re focused on the match at hand. However, you hear whispers of a TV deal. We just signed a bunch of autograph labels for Panini. We got a card deal coming though, which is huge,” Brock explained. “Anyone who grew up a baseball fan who had baseball cards knows about Panini. So, that’s a huge deal. You have all the relationships, New-Japan, and CMLL. The business is on the rise. You’re seeing all these familiar faces coming into the locker room and you’re saying, ‘Wait a minute, competition is getting a little bit stiffer around here. We have to up our game.’ Competition is good for everyone from every walk of life. Not just pro wrestling.” 

    The two are coming off the brutal House of Horrors match at Slaughterhouse on October 14. Although things didn’t work out the way they’d like, it’s on to the next show Symphony of Horrors on October 25 at 10 p.m. ET on beIN Sports and YouTube. The special will feature Brock issuing a challenge. 

    “If you watch the match when we were in the cage [at Slaughterhouse], someone in this discussion got rattled a bit,” Brock teased. “They almost had their life taken from them. That didn’t sit right with me. A wrestling match is a wrestling match, but someone in particular took it to a whole other level. I’m going to make it worth my while to let him know you don’ t mess around with family.” 

    From there, MLW returns to Horsemen country and Charleston, South Carolina for MLW X Don Gato Equila: Lucha de Los Muertos. The Andersons look forward to a good homecoming. 

    “It’s good we’re running South Carolina because we’re running in the South again,” CW said. “ This is where we thrive. This is where NWA, where I think the best professional wrestling was, was the NWA era. You’ll get to see the Andersons thrive in Charleston, South Carolina because that’s our home, that\’s our backyard..” 

    As for the future, more than three decades in his career, CW shows no sign of stopping any time soon. Although he does have a vision for what he’d like that retirement match to be when that moment comes. 

    “If I could pull it off with Brock as my partner against Tommy Dreamer and Steve Corino,” CW revealed. “Tommy has been my most hated and loved villain of my wrestling career. I call him a villain. Steve Corino has been my best friend for 30 years. That would be the one I would be able to take my boots off and call it a career if I could have that match.”

  • McKenzie Mitchell Talks TNA\’s Resurgence & Top Stars Wearing Her Jewelry Designs

    Bound For Glory was a time of celebration for the entire TNA Wrestling roster. For McKenzie Mitchell, it was a time to reflect on the company’s rollercoaster journey. Her start into the business came through a three-year stint with the company. Earlier this year she returned home back in the role of ring announcer. Certainly, things like introducing the Hardy Boyz and Team 3D in their “One Final Table” will be a career highlight. 

    “Standing in the ring at Bound For Glory in Boston with nearly 8,000 people. Sometimes you don’t take the moment to stop and truly look around and look at what is happening before your eyes. For me, it was a moment to soak everything in,” Mitchell said. “You talk about the ‘One Final Table’ match with the Hardyz and Dudleys. That is the last time those two iconic tag teams will be in the ring together. 

    “I was lucky to be a smart part of that. I told Bubba this the other day that I wanted to really do them justice of their careers and everything they’ve done putting their bodies on the line year after year. For me, I was very lucky. I was very honored to be a part of that. Again, in wrestling because it moves so quickly…For Bound For Glory, before I did the announcement for the Dudleys and the Hardyz, I just stopped and looked around and saw everyone on their feet for this moment. It was really an opportunity to pay respect to them. It was so cool I was just a small part.” 

    It’s a great time to be a pro wrestling fan in this landscape of collaboration. Among those partnerships has been an unheard of one between TNA and WWE’s NXT brand. The two sides have been sharing talent, meshing, and overall working together. So much so that Mitchell was able to go back to her old stomping grounds at the WWE Performance Center where she helped ring announce for the NXT x TNA ‘Showdown’ special. An added bonus was getting to see her husband, voice of NXT Vic Joseph, at work.

    “Obviously, I started my career at TNA for three or four years of my life. I remember back then, in my resume reel I was submitting to WWE to get hired by WWE, it was almost this feeling that I’m this TNA girl,” Mitchell recalled. “I think back then…I applied on the website, WWECareers.com. I also made a new resume reel that was things that were outside of professional wrestling, that wasn’t just TNA wrestling. I didn’t know that for a fact, but it kind of felt like it was hurting my chances of being able to make the transition to WWE. I went out and filmed other things to show my versatility and what I could do as a broadcaster. 

    “Now you fast forward to this partnership, something we thought would never happen because they were separate brands. You were either TNA or WWE. Now to see this seamless blend of this partnership. I think it’s something the fans can appreciate. True TNA diehard fans are getting their feel. WWE fans are getting their feel. These are matches you would never have thought would happen. Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater, what in the world? The talent these two have in the ring is really cool. What’s really awesome, to put it in a one-word way, but it’s awesome to see the growth that has been had and is still to come. Talking about working with my husband, it’s almost like this full-circle moment. Starting in TNA, going to WWE, and going back to TNA and still doing this handshake moment is really awesome for me.” 

    Mitchell loves wearing many hats. Her skillset has taken her from ring announcing to broadcasting to interviewing. However, one part of the pro wrestling show we haven’t seen is an actual in-ring performer. Will that ever happen? 

    “I have never taken a bump,” Mitchell answered. “In all of my years in professional wrestling, I’ve been in wrestling for 10 years, I’ve never taken a bump. Now something you say in wrestling is never say never. I always have to say never say never. I would like to take one kind of bump, whether it’s in a match or just behind the scenes just so when I have kids one day I can say, \’your mom did that one time and it hurt really, really bad.’ I think I would want to because I would then be able to relate what these athletes do week in and week out, putting their body on the line. 

    “I have been approached several times about having the match. For me it\’s a matter of, I think I’m a better talker than I am wrestler or would-be wrestler. I did grow up an athlete. I was a cheerleader. I was a dancer. I played volleyball, so I was athletic growing up. If the right opportunity would present itself, maybe I would have my Michael Cole moment at WrestleMania. We all remember that moment. Never say never, but it would have to be the right opportunity for me.”

    Though she might be a little too busy these days to buckle down for training. After all Mitchell is a mogul in the making. Not only does she have her commitments to TNA, but she is a business owner and brand boss within the jewelry industry.  The entrepreneur owns a Headline by MM online store, as well as a formal store in Nashville. For Mitchell, the business venture follows in the footsteps of her family, which spans more than 75 years in the jewelry business. Her Drippin collection took off thanks to those who have worn custom pieces from Seth Rollins to Trick Williams. Jeff Hardy even sported a piece of Mitchell’s collection during Bound For Glory. She also has some of country music’s biggest names like Sarah Evans and Lainey Wilson wearing her jewelry. 

    “I wanted it to be the perfect blend within my professional life and personal life kind of creating this moment coming together,” she said. “…It has snowballed, and I’m so excited to see where we go with this and how we can build this dream.” 

    One person who has yet to be a customer is her own husband. Joseph does support the wife, including the promotion of her upcoming book “Threads of Triumph Professional Wrestling\’s Most Iconic Looks.” However, McKenzie admits he owns zero Headline by MM products. 

    “I say this to my husband all the time. I know a thing or two about fashion, why do you not want to just listen to me,’ she explained. “Put on a necklace, a lapel pin, there are so many things we can do. My husband is very set in his ways, and so we’re working on it. The other day we were at Disney with the Garganos, and Johnny was wearing a nice bracelet. I said, ‘See, Johnny is wearing a bracelet. Why can’t you wear a bracelet?’ Shawn Michaels was wearing a nice watch the other day. I said, ‘See, Shawn is wearing a nice watch.’ 

    “This is how it goes. Maybe, maybe he’ll start wearing something. But to keep it simple, he owns zero pieces. It is one of those things too when you\’re growing up and your mom says you should wear this. And you think, ‘mom that’s a dumb idea.’ It’s similar. The fact he still doesn\’t believe I know what I\’m talking about. Maybe one day he’ll realize, ‘hey, maybe my wife does know what she is talking about.’”  

  • Alex Hammerstone Addresses MLW Future & Why He Returned

    Alex Hammerstone spent more than 600 days as MLW World Champion and became the first-ever Openweight Champion. Despite all these accomplishments, the 34-year-old powerhouse returned back to the company with a chip on his shoulder. He was motivated to turn heads and test himself against the best on the roster. His latest match against Matt Riddle at Slaughterhouse, even though the result didn’t land the way the star hoped. 

    “I didn’t want my night ending getting hit in the ball bag, but at the same time I went out there with the guy who had the company’s number one prized championship for the last year, and I took him to the limit and proved  I am the greatest champion this company has ever had,” he said. 

    “I beat the crap out of Matt Riddle for 15 minutes, and I think I did so in quite a dominant fashion that hasn’t been done up to this point. So, I was very happy to display that. Obviously, to get the match of the night bonus was such a cool thing. It’s not only great to get some extra money in your pocket but to have that feeling that the work you’re putting in is appreciated. Sometimes you give a lot and a lot and wonder if anyone is even noticing. Is the hard work paying off? Is there any point to this? Little things go a long way.” 

    The athlete stepped away from MLW for more than a year to see what opportunities were out there. This included a stint with TNA and even an appearance on WWE NXT. The dedicated performer described the time before returning home with some good and not so good experiences. 

    “One thing I really learned was the value of having something that you can sink your teeth into where you can get creative and excited about,” Hammerstone said. “There were a couple of months during that time away I had nothing. I was kind of floating around. When that happens, it’s a very dangerous spot for a professional wrestler because this isn’t an industry where you can come into work, clock in and work 9 to 5. You have to be inspired and have to be excited to be creative and to be able to put forth something people are going to be captivated by where it resonates. 

    “When I lost all that passion, it’s sort of a vicious cycle because not only was I stuck in the spot where nothing was good happening for me, but my mind started losing interest and confidence and all these things in myself where I started putting forth my best effort. If I’m not putting in my best effort, there will probably be less opportunities for me. It snowballed in that direction So when I talked to MLW about coming back, we talked about avoiding that and going in the direction where I want to enjoy this and be doing something I ‘m passionate about and strongly about and get those gears turning again. It really has revived my passion. I feel like I’m firing on all cylinders right home, which is great because there was a time I wasn’t.” 

    Hammerstone looks to channel the renewed motivation in helping take MLW to the next level. He feels this time around is a little different than when the Arizonian was under a long-term contract. However the job remains the same.  

    “I’m very invested in the product. For every ounce they want to put into me, I’m going to pay that back ten-fold,” Hammerstone explained. “I want to be part of this company growing again. MLW had some ups and downs, boom periods and lulls, a lot of things really negatively affected it. I feel like in 2020 we were at our peak. We were on TV, doing pay-per-views and COVD nuked it. Coming out of that formation of AEW and stuff starting companies started locking up talent and all these factors. Now we’re here back in the company and feeling things out I’m seeing the product is better than ever. I think the potential for growth is huge. I just want to do whatever I can to contribute to that.” 

    During the short time back, Hammerstone has seen other alums arrive back on the scene. Among them was the shocking appearance of AEW’s MJF. The Dynasty members shared some brief time together. Will we see this again? Could this be the beginning for more collaboration between the two companies? 

    “That was a very unexpected situation and a very pleasant surprise,” Hammerstone responded. “ It’s always great to see Max. It just shows how different the wrestling landscape has change. You would never have ever had that happen years ago. It was really cool. 

    “As far as what that can mean for AEW and MLW, I don’t necessarily think it will flourish into some full-on partnership. It obviously goes to show though to some degree the companies are willing to work with each other when it means good business. If that means me crossing over there or more of their stars crossing here, the doors are always open. It’s just about stepping on through it.” 

    One familiar face we do know coming back to MLW is Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux. The power couple look to return after three years during the MLW x Don Gato live show on November 20 from the Charleston Music Hall Thunder Studios Arena in Charleston, South Carolina. The event will air on YouTube and beIN Sports. 

    “I have tons of history with Kross. I was around when he first started training. I’ve wrestled him a ton of times in different locations. I’m a huge fan of his. I think he is one of the most charismatic wrestlers I\’ve ever encountered in my entire life,” Hammerstone said. 

    “Any time he is a part of it’s exciting. His first go around in MLW we never got to touch or interact. Who knows? Maybe things could be different this time around. I think it’s a match fans will always be entertained with. With that being said, it goes to show the talent pool is deep and getting deeper. It’s more signal to me that I have to f*ck’in stay on my toes.” 

    Hammerstone is excited for the momentum MLW continues to build. He feels optimistic for what’s to come in terms of the promotion’s future. 

    “We can all say we want a weekly television deal and pay-per-view. Who knows? There is some talk behind the scenes about things being worked out. I’m not saying we have to do one thing. I just want to mostly see what I’m already seeing,” he said. “That’s a locker room full of people who are showing up to create something special. The vibe back there is a team of guys trying to keep the best wrestling product out there…the talent is undeniable. 

    “I’ve sat there and watched the show and every match had something that blew me away. I just want that to continue and this group of guys, a mix of young hungry guys with talented veterans, international stars, all providing their own flavor. I want us to keep doing it. That’s going to steer the ship exactly where it needs to go.” 

  • Mr. Thomas Talks Staying Loyal to MLW, Training & Warning for \’Chamber of Horrors\’ Mystery Participants

    Mr. Thomas has been one of the names to have broken out in Major League Wrestling. Often the veteran would find himself helping another like Alex Kane within the Bomaye Fight Club. Now the Philadelphia native is focused on building on the momentum he has created in the last year in MLW. It’s one of the big reasons Thomas decided to sign a new deal with the promotion. 

    “There is very little loyalty in this business unfortunately,” he said. “MLW has always been loyal to me. I worked a good amount of time without a deal and was okay with that and was always loyal to the brand. I put in my time and effort, so when it was time to sign again, there was nowhere else I would rather be when it comes to my ability to have input into what I do, the matches, things of that nature. 

    “The schedule is more to my liking. I like to live a normal, peaceful, successful life outside the wrestling world. Right now, MLW allows me the ability to do that. Not to say the schedule won’t become more intensive as we move forward with things changing in life. I’m prepared for that. I think it’s the perfect split between real life and professional wrestling that people don’t tend to have.” 

     For the star, who got the Mr. Thomas name based on what his cleaning lady would call him over the years, MLW is the top priority. This is why you won’t see him doing much outside that arena. He also takes a more fight camp approach in between matches. 

    “The last time I stepped in the ring to practice so to speak on a Tuesday or Wednesday and tried to work on my skills, I immediately tore my ACL. In this aspect of wrestling, I try to limit my injuries as much as possible,” Thomas explained. “I have a very close strength and conditioning coach I work with here in Tampa two and three times a week. We’re doing a lot of different things that aren’t necessarily shooting the ropes, doing dropdowns, leap frogs, drills of that nature. 

    “We try to incorporate more real-life aspect training into what goes into wrestling. There is more than just doing grapples and things like that. And between you and I, my timing is perfect brother so I don’t have to brush up on that. Likely, I know whatever I have coming up, I’ll always be paired off with a top-notch individual in this wrestling world we live in. I’m not in there solo. I’m in there with people I know and trust and are capable of bringing me up if needed and vice versa.” 

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    He is grateful to be stepping foot in the ring with the likes of Satoshi Kojima. Thomas has enjoyed getting the chance to spotlight his skills in a singles capacity. At the same time, the performer enjoyed the dynamic between himself and Alex Kane. 

    “We were kind of thrown together,” he said of their origin story. “I’ve known of him before. We really just meshed. Luckily enough to be on the same page as someone. I’m a little older than him, but I’m not saying that I was there to babysit or guide him. But [I could] set him in the right ways and try to figure out what works best for him, his character, my character, how we can play off each other. It worked out for the best. 

    “He went from being an unsigned, no-name person that gets drafted to MLW in the 2021 draft, we popped up our first time together and he is the MLW Openweight champion. We steamrolled through everyone he won the world title, black world champion, it was good to see the highs and lows. I learned a lot from him, and I  hope he learned from me. We really worked together as a team inside and outside the ring. We traveled together, hung out together, and we still talk every day. That relationship can’t be broken. We did have our one-on-one match in the Opera Cup last year. I think we’ll probably do that at some point when the time is ready. I don’t know if he’ll ever turn on me or I’ll turn on him, but we’ll see what happens when the time comes.” 

    Thomas has his sights set on dethroning new champion Mads Krügger in the Chamber of Horrors match at Slaughterhouse on October 4. Other participants revealed thus far include Matthew Justice and CW Anderson with two other mystery participants. The Long Beach event will air on YouTube and beIN Sports. 

    “As much as I love surprises, I hate surprises,” Thomas said. “CW Anerson is a great veteran and competitor from the ECW days. We’ve had our feud the last year, year-and-a-half where the Rogue Horsemen went up against the Bomaye Fight Club  with Matthew Justice on the same team in the War Chamber, which I came out victorious in,  for the record. When it comes to cage matches this year, Mr. Thomas is 1-0 amongst everyone else. With that being said, Mads is just fresh off a world title victory and hate to say it transition champion possibly. 

    “I want that belt more than anything in life right now. The way it is being described to me is we get in this cage and fight til someone becomes world champion. I know there will be weapons involved and we will be caged in and not sure there will be something at the top as much as I or Matthew Jusciee want to jump off and dive through everything. I will be a very safe wrestler this weekend. I’m going to utilize my technical ability instead of jumping off things or going through things, but I will take a shortcut and hit someone over the head with what is available to me at that moment because anything goes.”

    As for who the other two getting added to the mix, Thomas has his suspicions. No matter who it is, he’ll be ready to take them down a peg.  

    “I’m not spoiling anything because I don\’t ask questions, but the things I’ve seen and heard and tweets I read in between the lines is we got someone new coming in who might have been around a few times,” Thomas hypothesized. “Someone who might have just gotten let go from somewhere else, which is fine. I’ll tell him the same thing as I’ll tell anyone else. Don’t come to MLW thinking this is your meal ticket to the top because you have to go through a lot of other people to get through the top spot in the company, me being one of them. 

    “I will fight and do whatever it takes to make sure my spot is not taken by some guy who got released or couldn’t politic himself into getting re-signed somewhere else. That is a personal shoutout to anyone who wants to Tick Tock, times ticking, this sun dial bullshit of time and measurement is, I don’t want to hear about it. Come see me to my face in LA on October 4 and we’ll see who walks out world champion.” 

    Winning the top prize in MLW would mean a lot to Thomas. In his eyes, it would signify confidence from the company and confidence within himself that he could rise above the rest. 

    “For me, the world title being my first singles title in MLW would be crazy,” the challenger added. “I would love that more than anything. It’s exactly what I\’m going for. I’m on to bigger and better things. Everyone once and a while I get grouped with the Bomaye Fight Club thinking I was just a sidekick or bodyguard or the strategist,  whatever you want to call me. I’m on my own now. I have a name to prove to myself now. In the ring, outside the ring with everyone watching.” 

  • Bishop Dyer on MLW Run, Facing Satoshi Kojima, Family Life & Coffee Business

    Bishop Dyer remains motivated as ever to prove he can hang with the best pro wrestling has to offer. The former WWE superstar known to fans as Baron Corbin for 13 years works to reinvent himself in the next chapter of his career. He didn’t waste any time making his presence felt in Major League Wrestling starting at Battle Riot VII.

    “I’m doing it backwards,” Dyer said of his journey. “I think for the most WWE talent, at least a vast majority of it, they did the independent scene prior to coming to WWE. That’s how they built their name. That’s how they built equity in their character and social media to get the attention of WWE. Whereas I was lucky and fortunate to get a tryout and made it that way. 

    “So, I never got to experience the wild west, if you will, of the independent scene. For me, when my career ended, I know I missed a lot in that aspect. I wanted to wrestle in some of these bigger independent companies because there is a ton of talent on these rosters, especially when you look at an MLW roster. The list of talent they have is amazing. It’s up-and-comers, it’s guys that are independently established, and true legends like [Satoshi] Kojima.” 

    The veteran considers himself lucky to be able to control where he works. This includes dates on the independent scene. His criteria for taking bookings comes down to how a particular promotion treats their talent and takes care of them. Dyer decided to work for MLW due to the way the company tells stories across continuous programming rather than just one-off matches. Controlling his schedule has also helped the dedicated husband and dad be home more. 

    “My wife works full-time. She owns her own company, so she is very busy as well,” Dyer explained. “When I was on the road with WWE, she would work five days a week. Then she’d come home to be a mom because I would be gone. A lot of times too I’d be gone on the weekends, which really sucked for her. When we’re doing full tours, I’m leaving the house Thursday, and coming home Monday or Tuesday. She works all week and has to keep the kids entertained Saturday and Sunday. They are young, 3 and 6, so they are busy bodies. For me to be home, I’m taking two shows a month, relatively. I told myself I would really enjoy this year and pump the brakes on things and be a part of it all. I’m very good at home at being that family man and being with my kids because that’s all that matters to me at the end of the day.” 

    He continued, “So, now I’m getting to take my kids to school every day, picking them up every day. It’s elevating a lot of stress from her. It’s also giving me a lot of joy because I get to be here and a part of everything. I’m not missing birthdays, school functions, and school events. Those kinds of things. I really do it as a blessing. Having the ability to go and wrestle twice a month, it doesn\’t bother them like it used to when I was leaving every single weekend. They are excited for me. They are excited when I\’m telling them who I’m working and where I’m working. I’ll show them videos of the guys because they are so used to the WWE thing and just know the main names. My daughter asked about John Cena all the time like they’re friends, which is hilarious. I think they are excited. I think with that too, if I’m doing shows in fun places, I can bring them and stay a few days. Like my wife\’s favorite thing to say now is we can plan things.” 

    Outside the ring Dyer has also been able to explore his other interests. Whether it’s providing cook tips on TikTok or winning 14 gold medals through ju-jitsu, the performer is living his best life. Adding to his other business ventures along with working as an analyst and host for Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7 on Sirius XM is a budding coffee business. 

    “It’s called Open Air Coffee where we sell through ecommerce, but I\’m building a facility in Tampa,” Dyer said. “I have 8,000 sq. ft. and I’m building a coffee roastery, a community roastery for all the coffee shops in the area, even Orlando…We’re doing something cool here. With that, not having that WWE paycheck consistently, it can add some stress when you’re financially building a company and things like that. It can be stressful, but I have the time to do that now. Also, exploring new things.. 

    “We’re also getting to go to more concerts now, which I love so much because we can plan stuff again. Having that freedom to do my thing is really fun and allows me to be creative again. When you’re in that cog of WWE, the creativity of the talent gets lost a little bit. Someone else is writing the stories and helping you evolve your characters where as now, especially in the wrestling world I can do it all myself. I’m building the ‘Nomad’ Bishop Dyer. I can wear what I want to wear. I’m not wearing weird suit vests and stuff like that. I’m really getting to do me and be creative from social media to food to coffee to jiu jitsu to planning activities with the kids.” 

    Dyer has enjoyed his time in MLW, reconnecting with Dominik Dijak to form The Skyscrapers. Together the two imposing figures won the MLW Tag Team Championship alongside their savvy manager Saint Laurent. 

    “Working with Dijak is great because we were sharing the ring before in NXT,” said. “We were both grinding and always trying to better ourselves. When I got the email about the plan and that they were going to put me and Dijak together as a team as The Skyscrapers, instantly I smiled because what a really cool ode to the past. They do a great job of incorporating things from the past. 

    “Pairing me with him and giving us The Skyscrapers name, I was worried at first. But it has gotten a great reception. People love it because we have the same type of aura if you will. We’re big dudes who can move. We’re very athletic. We can be very violent and physical with our opponents. It’s a really cool thing. Having Saint Laurent as our manager, it’s extra heat poured on. I’ll take as much as I can get. We do a great job with that. It’s fun and exciting, but it’s nice too at MLW because you’re not pigeonholed to just that tag team. I’m also competing in the Opera Cup where I’m facing Kojima. I’m getting to do multiple things with one company with 95 percent of the roster I’ve never worked with.” 

    Dyer still remains a fan, watching pro wrestling across the board weekly. Not only to stay on top of things for his “Busted Open” work. He is proud to see his former tag team partner Bron Breakker continue his ascent to the top in WWE. 

    “I like him in The Vision, but I don’t like him in The Vision,” Dyer explained. “I think he is such a star. He carries so much personality, athletic ability, and with what he can do in the ring he is truly special. Obviously, I’m partial to him because we created The Wolf Dogs, and that woke a lot of people up to how good I am as well. We were doing some pretty incredible matches, and I think I did a good job bringing a little bit of personality out. Not just being the tough angry guy, but having fun with it. I think it helped him evolve. We bettered each other. So, when I see him in the background of a group because you have [Paul] Heyman, Seth [Rollins], Becky [Lynch], and then Bronson [Reed] and Bron are a step behind them. 

    “He is not a background player. I know it’s buying time and getting him reps, but you kind of just put him in another tag team. He is a singles star all the way through. The day he turns on Seth I’m going to be so happy whenever that happens because I think he is going to headline a WrestleMania at some point. I love supporting him and what he is doing and the stuff he is putting out there. He is out of his mind, and I love it. He does these crazy things, and I’m just like just be safe. It’s exciting. It’s fun to support guys.” 

    Despite WWE deciding to part ways with Dyer, he still has love for his former employer. The 41-year-old is grateful for the opportunities given. He stays in touch with colleagues there to catch up and share news like getting to wrestle the legendary former MLW World Heavyweight Champion Satoshi Kojima coming up at Slaughterhouse on October 4. The Long Beach event will air on YouTube and beIN Sports. 

    “When I found out I was wrestling Kojima, I’m texting [CM] Punk, I’m texting Finn Balor,” Dyer said. “Guys who appreciate it. It was really cool to get that response from them of how cool that is that I get to do this now.”  

    The talent is looking forward to stepping up against Kojima. Wrestling in Japan is also on Dyer’s to-do list because he finds his style likens to theirs. 

    “For me, it’s a test of am I as good as I think I am and I feel like I would have a lot of success over there,” Dyer said. “This will be a test to say yeah you will or keep working. It’s one of those things. I’m always under the mindset I can get better every day. I was training at Nattie’s gym Wednesday continuing to get better. I’m always bouncing ideas off of TJ [Wilson] because I want to make sure I give him the best opponent I can give him being the legendary he is. I think it’s definitely a place to plant my flag and say I’m for real. I respect him and look up to Kojima as a superstar and the things he has done and the physicality he brings. 

    “He has beaten countless people by a clothesline. That’s as old school and rough as it gets. For me, it\’s an honor to step in the ring with him, but when the bell rings, I’m going to set all of that aside and we’re going to fight. This is to continue to the next level of the Opera Cup. That’s the ultimate goal, to walk away with that. If I have to put Kojima down in the process, I will. And I will give him his respect afterward and prior to. But between those bells, this is what we do. We’re prize fighters in a sense and will go to war. For me too, I think it will open people’s eyes that Bishop Dyer is for real. That I’m just not some WWE guy. He is out here making a name for himself, accomplishing big things, and continuing to further his career between those ropes.”

  • Mads Krule Krügger on Becoming MLW World Champion, Death Matches & \’Chamber of Horrors\’

    Mads Krule Krügger shocked the pro wrestling world when he became the MLW World Heavyweight Champion. The terrifying masked man of Contra Unit cashed in on his Gravity Gamble contract on September 13 at Fightland. He dethroned  Matt Riddle, who had already been defending against Donovan Dijak. 

    “It’s still surreal a little bit,” Krügger said. “I’m always of the mind set of what’s next. I don’t really take a lot of time to revel in any big accomplishment. Obviously, this is a very big accomplishment, and I’m really proud of it. But it’s about what’s next. What do we do? How do we build this to make it successful?” 

    Since the title change, the 40-year-old journeyman has felt appreciation and respect from the fans. Many of whom were pleasantly surprised at the recent sequence of events. 

    “There is a responsibility, but I’ve always felt that responsibility from the day they brought me on the first time,” Krügger said. “In any company I work for, my job is to make it better. If I’m not making it better, then what’s the point of me being there. I’ve always had that mindset and it is true for any job you have in life. Now, yes, there is the pressure. I don’t feel that way because we now have to work harder, keep getting better and make sure we are telling stories the crowd and fans are going to engage with and want to see.” 

    The 20-year-vet has honed his skills and worked his way up the card for opportunities like the one MLW provided. Over the last five years, Krügger enjoyed evolving what is seen on television. He grew into “The Black Hand of Contra.” 

    “Contra was basically a pro wrestling terrorist organization bent on taking over MLW,”  Krügger said. “I’ve often said that Jacob Fatu when he was here and the leader of that group, it was going to be very hard to go from that to something new just because of how great he is and work he did. I knew I had to take it in a darker direction. Less on the terrorist and more into the horror. That’s my character in itself. I base my character off of horror movies. I think it’s something that is lost on pro wrestling, real monsters. I wanted to be Jason Voorhees. We’re still in the process of it. I think changing it is slow for a reason. I think fans will see that as we continue forward from here. It’s going to grow and evolve into something completely different than before, which is necessary.” 

     Krügger looks to show more sides of his persona in the weeks to come, leaning into more cinematic elements. His posts on social media have been a little taste of what he looks to produce. The Georgian lives on a 100-year-old farm, which provides the perfect backdrop for segments that could be right out of a Blumhouse movie. Along with the darker presentation,  Krügger has also been in his fair share of hardcore style matches that border on what would be considered death matches. These battlegrounds provided him the space to “create a monster within modern wrestling.” 

    “It’s not for the faint of the heart. It takes a lot of your body,” he explained. “My feelings on death match wrestling is it does have a place. Anything you do in the world of professional wrestling has a place as long as people are going to pay to see it and get invested in it. There is a place for it. Is it everyone’s cup of tea? Of course not. Do I think it’s overdone sometimes? Absolutely, especially being a professional wrestler in that mindset.

    “I go in, even in a deathmatch, with the mindset of a professional wrestler. How do we tell a story? If we’re not telling a story, it’s just as pointless as any match in my opinion. I’m a fan of it obviously because I’ve done it, but in saying that, I think there are stories told in it. I think I’ve done that successfully by creating this monster that was undeniable because I walked through glass and everything they threw at me and came out of it on the other side.” 

    His first big test as MLW Champion comes October 4 when he defends against CW Anderson, Mr. Thomas, Matthew Justice, and two other challengers in a brutal Chamber of Horrors match. The Long Beach event will air on YouTube and beIN Sports. 

    “This is definitely my yard,” Krügger said. “This is what I’m made for and what the character is made for. Matthew Justice, he is also made for this environment. We’ve had our feud in the past, and it’s just going to continue to light back up and become a thing again. Mr. Thomas, I think is one of the most underrated talents in MLW.  He doesn\’t really work in other places outside of that. MLW is his home and where he works. I respect that. He is building himself now the last few months and really stood out and became a prominent member of the roster. CW is an old school guy. I have so much respect for him. I don\’t know who the other two guys are, but I hope they’re coming ready to fight because it\’s going to be one of those. It’s going to be violent and intense.”

  • David McLane on Taking WOW- Women Of Wrestling Live, TV Future & Filming From Fremont Street Experience

    Another vision will be realized for promoter David McLane when WOW- Women Of Wrestling takes over the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. The WOW Superheroes will perform under the iconic canopy for shows October 14 and 15 and October 21 and 22.  McLane has always championed all-female presentations going all the way back almost 40 years with the trailblazing Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW). 

    In many ways, WOW picked up where the beloved brand left off and evolved to the syndicated series we see today. With the show recently starting its fourth season, McLane isn’t one to rest on past successes. He has a big goal in mind to take WOW to the next level. 

    “We’ve got to go live. We’ve got to get WOW live,” he said. “Any of you fans, we’ve got to rally for WOW Live. We have to go live versus taped programming and syndication only.” 

    For the go-getter businessman, eventually transitioning to a live format would maximize the audience and elicit engagement. He continued, \”everything from social media to merchandise to marketing the Superheroes has been hampered in the fact it’s not live. We’ve got to go live. I was at another wrestling event, and when I flew in, I even went to a WNBA game in Vegas. I’m watching the fans interact with their phones in realtime. It’s just a great experience. It’s an engagement and family environment through your phone with technology. And to take part in that, we’ve got to get live.” 

    Conversations have been ongoing with one network that has interest in testing a live format, but McLane doesn’t just want any network. He recalled meeting with executive Jeanie Buss when he was doing World Roller Hockey League.

    McLane added, “I remember when I was launching that with ESPN and their then president Steve Bornstein, and they said, ‘let’s test it by putting on one or two roller hockey events on.’ I came back and said we can’t do it unless we go all in because with one test you’re not going to learn anything. It can’t be one event. You have to see how it goes over time and be committed to it. So, we’re looking for that right partner right now.”

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/09/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/09/\"

    He is also a realist when it comes to taking WOW on the road. McLaine’s thought process is to go live first and then think about touring. “If we did it today, we’d be dead meat financially,” he explained. “The cost to put it up and take it city to city would be very difficult. We’d be dead meat, but that is an ultimate goal to take it out and be in different cities. The UFC has even struggled with that. They would love, I\’m sure, financially to be in one location and do their UFC fights, but their president and CEO Dana White once mentioned, and I agree with him, that to grow the brand and touch the fans he is obligated to take it out into the marketplace and take it to different cities. We will need to do the same.” 

    McLane credits working with Buss as a great partner. Someone who has been WOW’s biggest cheerleader. The controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers saw the importance of launching an all-female training facility to build homegrown talent. Under the leadership of veteran Selina Majors, the promotion continues to bring in new faces that bring the right balance of athleticism and pizazz.   

    “By the way, the tag line for the WOW Superheroes was created by Jeanie,” McLane revealed. “When she came to the matches prior to Jeanie’s engagement I was calling them the WOW girls. She said, ‘no, they are like real-life action superheroes when they fly off the ropes and do this and that. I fell in love with comic books as a kid. And these are real life comic book people who come to life, bigger than life. They should be called Superheroes. That’s how they became Superheroes through Jeanie Buss’ innate genius marketing skillset.” 

    When it comes to WOW’s early beginnings in this current run, McLane remains grateful to have had AJ Lee. Someone who came in as an executive producer and commentator during the first season. 

    “She took a chance with us and came to WOW,” he said. “I think she is proud of the product. She’ll be on that special with Jeanie Buss. I wanted to get her in the ring with WOW, but the timing wasn’t right. She wanted to make sure her body was at a 10 in conditioning and in shape. 

    She was writing movies and doing comic books when we were able to get her engaged. Just coming off the comic books and going into the movies. It was so fun. 

    “I never knew AJ until she started working with us. Now it’s so fun to watch her and see her prospering and do so well in the ring. I sent her a note when she was going in on the first night of her debut. I said, ‘just soak it in and enjoy it.’ I’m sure she did because I could see from the expression on her face. She knows she is getting a blessing of enjoying this with her husband and having fun with it one more time.”

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/09/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/09/\"

    As for what’s to come on WOW, McLane looks forward to digging a little deeper into the backstories of the Superheroes. He also teased some fiery competition to come for WOW Trio Tag Team Champions Coach Campanelli, Kandi Krush, and Gloria Glitter.

    “This is Santana Garrett’s run,” McLane continued. “I didn’t realize it until we interviewed her in Florida but she has been with every wrestling organization. All the wrestling organizations including WWE and won championships everywhere. She somewhat started her career on a major level with us, with WOW.

    “Her dad Kenny G participated before his passing. He was able to come to WOW events and see his daughter. This is like full circle with her back in WOW. I know she would like to make a run for that WOW title. Tormenta is back from Mexico with the championship. Paola Mayfield who was a reality show in 90 Day Fiancé and Amazon’s The Goat. So it\’s going to be a great season and a lot of great competition.”


    For more information on how to catch WOW, visit https://www.wowe.com/.

  • Frankie Kazarian Talks New TNA TV Deal Prospects, Working Under Carlos Silva, Traci Brooks & Future

    Age is just a number for Frankie Kazarian. The 48-year-old continues to compete at a high level for TNA Wrestling. A company the 28-year ring veteran began working for during its early days as part of the revolutionary X Division.

    “I really don’t feel my age,” Kazarian said. “That’s the thing. I feel better than I did in my 20s…In addition to working hard,  it’s about working smart. I think that’s why I\’ve had the longevity I’ve had. I have a very strict regime in the gym. I’m very disciplined in terms of my diet and self limitations and always have been.

    “Consistancy is key. It’s a lifetime’s worth of work. Staying healthy is very important to me because of what I do because of the physical nature and violent nature of it. Other than a couple of surgeries many years ago, I’ve avoided many injuries. I feel better than I have any right to.” 

    After his time away from TNA, he dipped his toes back into the promotion back in 2022 before fully committing to his former longtime home in 2023. It was during that period Kazarian was caught up in the positive atmosphere and motivated roster. He felt momentum building to the point the multi-time champion wanted to be on the team. 

    “I saw they were on a good path because they had gone through some pretty rough times in the past. I was part of those rough times early on. I saw they were trending in the right direction,” Kazarian said. 

    “…Since I’ve been back, call it coincidence,I don’t, but since I\’ve jumped back in TNA we\’ve trended upward in every metric. Right now the company is on fire. We’re selling out shows, breaking attendance records and coming to new towns. It’s really cool and exciting the same way it was exciting in the early Asylum days when we first got on Fox Sports [Net] and Spike TV, but it’s a different kind of excitement. We have this relationship with NXT that has garnered a lot of interest. The stuff we are doing on our own people are really into. It’s just a great time to be in this company.” 

    A contributing factor of TNA’s current success comes with its President Carlos Silva at the helm. The executive brings a wealth of sports experience to the table. His approach has been impactful in Kazarian’s eyes. 

    “Carlos is an outsider in terms of he didn’t come for the wrestling business, but he is certainly not a stranger to the sports industry and sports business,” he said. “I know Carlos is a very big advocate of live TV. He has been very aggressive about going out there and getting what he wants and saying things and making them happen. He stepped up as a true leader. He also will humble himself and will defer to things he may not know to others when it comes to pro wrestling. 

    “Carlos has been very good for our company. My first boss here was Jerry Jarrett and Jeff Jarrett. Two of the smartest guys you’re going to get in pro wrestling. Jeff Jarrett, at the end of the day, he is the founder of this place and this is his vision. What Dixie [Carter] did can never be overlooked. I hope Dixie is going to get the respect she deserves one day. What Scott D\’Amore did for this company. He held it down through some rough times and brought us from the dark place into the light. All those men and women have shared and should share in the success of TNA and what we’re doing right now.” 

    One goal TNA hopes to achieve is landing a bigger programming deal. Whether that be a streamer or traditional network, Kazarian remains hopeful and optimistic that this will come sooner rather than later. 

    “Everybody is, internally and management and roster alike, are focused on getting better distribution, more distribution, more eyes on our product. Especially, now that we are at our hottest,” he said. “Be it on streaming or a cable network, everybody is waiting with bated breath. It’s one of those things where it’s a matter of if, but when. I know Carlos and his team are working around the clock. 

    “All of our management team are putting in the hours and time. That’s their job and our job is to entertain and bring the best wrestling you’re going to see. I really think it will happen. I would hope by the time Bound for Glory comes around or end of year we’d know more about that. I’m just a lowly wrestler, but I do talk to management quite often and we’re all on the same page and have that goal certainly in mind. I think we’re closer than we ever have been.” 

    When it comes to the future, Kazarian doesn’t have any intention of retiring from the ring any time soon. Though post active career he would be open to a behind the scenes role or even on commentary. At the same time, the dedicated father and husband hasn’t ruled out just fully riding off into the sunset “disappearing into the desert never to be heard from again.” The focus now is to continue his journey to achieving the one accolade that has escaped him, winning the TNA World Heavyweight Title.That and maybe making a match with his former TNA original AJ Styles a reality. 

    “I hope if we see AJ Styles, the person he sees across from him is Frankie Kazarian because it’s only fitting. There is nobody else that would make more sense than me and AJ doing it one more time in a TNA ring,” Kazarian said. “It would be very special. It would be very special to me. It would be very special to him. I know he is down. I know I am down. I know the fans want it. It’s just a matter of a few people signing off on it and making it happen. It would be a great full-circle moment for that to happen. For it to happen in a TNA ring would be very special.\”

    Outside of wrestling, Kazarian stays busy with his business ventures including American Rebel Cigars, which includes partner Cody Rhodes. He has a few “brothers of the leaf.” He named Eric Young as his cigar smoking buddy with Matt Cardona and Brian Myers rounding out the crew.  Kazarian has managed to find a good work-life balance. Helping in that department is the fact his spouse is none other than OG TNA Knockout Traci Brooks, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. 

    “We’ve been married 15 years. I couldn’t have done it without her. She is my rock,” Kazarian gushed. “She knows better than anybody what I go through because she has gone through it herself…She knows this business and is smart about this business and smart about people. She and my son are my entire support system. Putting up with me she should have a world title and be in the Hall of fame for that alone. It’s cool. Asking a ‘regular’ person to put up with our schedule and our incredibly wacky life is a big ask. To be with someone who knows the challenges you face has been just incredible. Whatever happens in pro wrestling, I’ll always be grateful for this business because it got me her and my son.” 

    TNA Wrestling airs 8 p.m. ET on AXS TV and TNA+. 

  • Leon Slater Opens Up About Making TNA Wrestling X Division History, AJ Styles Dream Match & More

    Leon Slater is still on a high from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s Slammiversary. The milestone event where, in front of the company’s biggest crowd in North America, won the X Division Championship from Moose. At 20, he made history as the youngest to ever hold the championship. 

    “I do believe it was the best day of my life so far. I don’ t think it will get topped until I get married or something life-changing like that,” Slater said. “These couple of days have, I don’t want to say difficult to process, but fun to process. It was an iconic night not only for me but TNA as a whole.” 

    Adding to the Brit breakout’s big moment was sharing it with the homecoming of AJ Styles. The legendary performer crossed the line from WWE for his first TNA appearance in more than 11 years. For Slater, a lifelong fan, it was surreal and a total surprise. 

    “I definitely did not know he was coming out. I think if I did know, I’d try to play it off a lot cooler. I would try to hold my own. My reaction was fully genuine,” Slater said. “ lost my mind like everyone else did, especially me as a TNA kid. AJ Styles is the one and only. He is the man, so to share in his return in a TNA ring was incredible. Again, it’s something I’ll never forget. AJ is a super cool guy. 

    “He took the time to talk to me a little bit after we came back. He was sharing wisdom not only on wrestling but life. I almost appreciate that a little more as a guy who has been in this game for 20 years, he has so much knowledge not only in the ring stuff but how to deal with all the successes and pitfalls of wrestling. He gave me some cool knowledge nuggets I can take and keep with me for the rest of  my time in the wrestling business.” 

    The emerging talent was welcomed by many in the locker room the moment he walked through the curtain. Slater had his family ringside and his wrestling family backstage. It’s a night the star won’t forget. A reminder that hard work can pay off. The grind never stops for the young pro wrestler, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Coming to the United States brought unique challenges when it comes to travel. Not being old enough to rent a car for one. 

    “Everything is Uber or I have my family here and the guys in the locker room helping me out,” Slater said. “I think the hardest thing for someone coming from the UK to the US is getting a visa and making sure we’re doing it the legal way and right way. TNA has been a massive help in acquiring that. It really is the golden ticket because once you get that, you have the foot in the door and can spread your wings here. It really is a tribute  to the TNA team from the office to the boys and girls in the locker room making sure I’m all good with the travel.” 

    Venturing to places like the UBS Arena and New York has been an exciting part of the job. Slater has taken a liking to Waffle House, as well as trips to the big cities including Los Angeles. A place he only knew from things such as playing “Grand Theft Auto V,” which takes place in fictional Los Santos patterned after the City of Angels. 

    Slater credits the Hardy Boys for also helping ease his transition in TNA for much of the year. Matt and Jeff Hardy took him under their wing. 

    “I went from someone that was recognized a little bit and, yeah, he can have good matches to the X Division champion,” he said. “They helped me elevate up through the rankings. Probably more than that personally it has been a dream come true. Matt and Jeff are my 1a.and 1b.. Growing up I was a Hardy Boys kid. Whether it was WWE or TNA, I’d follow them wherever they went. It really feels like a dream come true. It feels like all these pieces that could slot into place are perfectly aligned themselves. Hardy Boys are a huge part of that.” 

    Amazing Red was also among those who gave their stamp of approval to the exciting performer. The TNA trailblazer had the X Division record at age 21 before Slater. Perhaps we see old school meet new school one day? 

    \”Before I went out [for the match], I said, ‘Man, I hope I can make you proud. I hope I do your record justice,’” he recalled.  “When I came back, Red was one of those people to congratulate me and say well done. For me, that’s huge. Someone like Red who is an innovator and pioneer  of this style. To break that record and him being in the building and honor him, that way was  huge for me. I feel like the only natural step after that is to  have the match. We’ll see where that road goes, but I think it\’s inevitable for sure.” 

    Slater can’t help raving about the TNA locker room. He gives a lot of credit these days to the company President Carlos Silva. Someone successful in business, but coming from the outside world. His fresh ideas have been a breath of fresh air. 

    “I think it’s super important to have a boss that feels like the boss, but a part of the locker room. He is super accessible. I think to think me and Carlos have a pretty good relationship. I think for morale he has been huge,” Slater said. “The all-stars we’ve been doing every loop have been giving something to look forward to, but also something to strive for. Everyone wants to be the all-star and get the little award. He has been huge for morale. It has been huge for me because as a talent you want to have a boss you not only like, but you want to go out there and show out for. 

    “I was more than happy to jump from 20 plus feet off the Ultimate X because I knew it would help TNA and knew he would do the same for us in a business sense. He is putting in the work behind the scenes, so I think it’s only fair for us to do the same for  him. This past year in TNA has been the proudest in my career. I can’t tell you how proud it is for me to wrestle for TNA. I don\’t want to be anywhere else. I\’ve been a TNA kid, and now I’m the TNA X Division Champion. It’s something I hold super close to my heart. I would do a lot for TNA. I wouldn’t say I would die for TNA, but I’d do a lot for TNA and Carlos Silva because he has been huge in this upswing we’re in at the moment.”

    Coming off of Slammiversary, Slater was a welcome highlight for TNA. That\’s because after the Pay-Per-View the promotion’s two top titles are currently held by WWE NXT names. An intriguing wrinkle in this collaboration. 

    “I think the partnership has almost all been positive. For us, we get to go to NXT and be on that platform with our brand and be on that kind of level of exposure, which is great for TNA,” Slater said. “The NXT people get to come to TNA and learn from the likes of Eric Young, Frankie Kazarian and Eddie Edwards and really get to hone their craft here. I say almost all positive because as we\’ve seen at Slammiversary, both of our major titles are both with NXT talent right now. It’s not ideal, but I think it\’ll put an extra hunger in this locker room than we already have. It’s hard to do but I think they’ve done it. I think they really sparked a fire within us in the locker room. I can see us doing everything to get those belts back where they belong.” 

    Despite the other disappointing results, Slater plans to celebrate this Thursday during the live Impact from Rhode Island. He looks to the future as the road to Bound for Glory begins. As for who he’d like to see stand opposite from him in the ring, one name stands out. 

    “I think after Sunday there is only one answer, and that answer is the ‘Phenomenal One’ AJ Styles. I think that the story of the first X Division Champion versus the youngest ever is huge,” Slater said. “Not  just for me but TNA. Saying that, we have so many talented people on our roster. There are KC Navarro, Jason Hutch, Myron Reed, Zachary Wentz, Trey Miguel and so many talented X Division wrestlers on our roster already that I’m not going to be disappointed whoever it is. But if I would to craft up a wild dream at Bound for Glory, it has got to be AJ.”

  • Journalist Marc Raimondi on Writing nWo Book & Legendary Faction\’s Lasting Legacy

    It has been almost 30 years since World Championship Wrestling struck gold when Hulk Hogan joined the dark side, becoming “Hollywood” Hogan and aligning with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. The formation of this group of villainous renegades helped put the company on the map. altering the future of the business forever. Its impact inside and outside the ring is explored through Marc Raimondi’s book “Say Hello To The Bad Guys: How Professional Wrestling’s New World Order Changed America.”

    The historical deep dive into the nWo sees the ESPN reporter take readers from the nWo’s black and white roots to evolving into a global pop culture phenomenon. One that created a ratings and box office bonanza, causing WWE to change course in order to survive. This trip down memory lane peels back the curtain to provide an inside look at what went on with the major players, ego power trips, creative clashes, courtroom battles between WWE and WCW, and everything in between.  

    “Wrestling fans I think will dig the book, but I really want non wrestling fans to read this book,” Raimondi said. “I’m excited about the possibility and potential of nonfans or lapsed fans reading this book and having a different view of wrestling. Viewing wrestling in a different perspective instead of just the stigma that it’s fake or just for kids or why are you watching that. It’s art. It’s an artform. 

    “I’ve always said it is the greatest art America has given to the world, and I do believe that. I feel very grateful to not only write about a group in a time period very near and dear to me. Also, try to indoctrinate into this weird space we’re in. I think wrestling is for everyone, and I would love for people to pick up this book who maybe are not fans and say, ‘Let me figure out this happened. How did wrestling become so important to American culture?’ That’s kind of the hope.” 

    One of the most fascinating aspects of the book is examining the legal wars between WWE and WCW. Titan Sports Inc. v. Turner Broadcasting, which was spurred by Scott Hall’s arrival from one company to the other.  It almost didn’t make the book as Raimondi explained there was talk it deviated from the flowing narrative of the chronology. However, the importance of the story outweighed all that. The questions of what constitutes intellectual property in wrestling? Where does the character begin and the real person end? What made Razor Ramon, Razor Ramon? The lines are blurred on many levels. 

    “I was able to get around 4,000 pages from the lawsuit that nobody ever has gotten before. I was proud in that sense from a journalistic standpoint that I was able to uncover stuff nobody had seen before,” Raimondi said. “These depositions for Scott Hall and Eric Bischoff. These are statements given in the ‘90s that nobody has ever seen before. I thought that was really cool. Getting to interview the lawyers from both sides Jerry McDevitt from WWE and David Dunn from WCW and to hear their perspective of it. 

    “Jerry McDevitt has worked with it for a very long time. David Dunn has not. They are not necessarily in the wrestling business per say, but they are in the legal business. The way they were able to explain to me that case was so interesting. The book is about how the nWo and pro wrestling changed America. This is another way I think the nWo affected America because this was a really important legal case as far as trademark law and intellectual property. Even the side case with Mark Madden as someone who is dispensing information. Wrestling in the ‘90s helped shape the precedent of what constitutes a journalist in the eyes of the legal system. That is mindblowing to me.” 

    At the core for much of the story is the dynamic between Hall, Hogan and Nash. The three Hall of Famers went through it all, for better or worse. Hall, who died at age 63 in 2022, was clearly an important thread. His contributions can’t be denied. 

    “I love the Hall and Nash friendship and that relationship because it really was a special friendship from everyone that I spoke to,”  Raimondi’ said. “Nash really looked out for Hall. Several people told me how Nash was a big brother to Scott Hall. I can definitely see that from all the stories and anecdotes. It was tough on him because Scott was really struggling a lot in the ‘90s. It was such a fast moving time. Scott’s demons were getting the better of him. He was in rehab a few times and struggling and flipping rental cars in 1998 and not getting injured somehow. He was drunk driving and flipping cars. Kevin Nash always stood by his side. When the times called for when Scott was in rehab they were trying to do an angle with Nahs in the storyline and were going to crap on Hall for not being there. He wouldn’t do it because that friendship is there. The same for Sean Waltman when he got fired from WCW. Those guys were really upset. You could almost trace the end of the really good creative of the nWo to that moment because they pretty much stopped contributing from a creative standpoint with their best stuff. Hall is a creative genius. 

    “They shut down because they were really pissed off. Bischoff fired Waltman. That friendship is very special; they never turned on each other. You never heard one say a bad thing about the other. That was really a tight knit friendship. Best friends. For life is the saying, btu they really were going back to the Kliq and the nWo. As far as Hogan, at one point in the beginning it was rocky, then they got close, and it got rocky again. I think now 30 years or so later, there is that great bond between a Nash and Hogan and a Hogan and Bischolff and Nash and Bischoff because there is an awareness they did something special together. I don\’t think they are best friends. I don\’t think Nash and Hogan are talking every week. Maybe not every month, but where is that feeling that if I need him as a friend, he’ll be there for me. And vice-versa. I ended the book that way. I find that to be very special. They really ended up something special for them as human beings and not just a wrestling gimmick or business. Those guys were all about business, but it did end up giving them lifelong friends as well.” 

    “Say Hello To The Bad Guys: How Professional Wrestling’s New World Order Changed America” is out wherever books are sold June 24. 

  • \’Dark Side of the Ring\’ Features Billy Jack Haynes’ First Prison Interview Since Second-Degree Murder Charge (VIDEO)

    VICE TV’s Dark Side of the Ring turns its focus next on Billy Jack Haynes. The episode, which premieres May 6, traces his life of violence, as well as the mystery that led to him being behind bars. 

    Haynes was charged on February 28, 2024 with second-degree murder of his wife Janette Becraft. The 85-year-old was found dead in the couple’s Portland, Oregon home. Medical examiners determined Becraft died of a homicide by a gunshot wound . At the time, she had reportedly been suffering from dementia.

    Along with examining the case, the hour also delivers the 1980’s wrestling star’s first interview from prison. Before the episode, SEScoops received the above exclusive clip, which shows Hayes inside Multnomah County Justice Center Jail. He explains the charges against him, vehemently denies that he killed his wife and revisits his troubled past with drugs in WWE. 

    Haynes reveals he had been incarcerated for six months. “What I’m talking to you guys about today is one small percentage of my life. And there’s a whole big part of my life I’m leaving out here,” he said. Haynes’ attorney is present during filming. Haynes added there were only two people he truly loved, which was his father who was blind and confined to a wheelchair and his late wife. “I loved her more than life,” he said. 

    During the 71-year-old’s heyday Haynes was among the true powerhouses of the ring. His most notable rivals during his tenure in WWE were against the likes of Randy Savage and Hercules Hernandez. The latter led to a match at WrestleMania III. Haynes also worked throughout a number of territories including Championship Wrestling from Florida, Pacific Northwest Wrestling and World Class Championship Wrestling. His last notable stop before fully retiring was in the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). He was also among those who filed a lawsuit in federal court against WWE, arguing they failed to protect them from repeated head injuries that led to long-term brain damage. 

    New episodes of Dark Side of the Ring air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET on VICE TV

  • David Penzer on WCW Glory Days, Lex Luger Going Into WWE Hall of Fame, TNA Sendoff & More

    When one thinks of the glory days of World Championship Wrestling during many fans’ peak fandom in the 1990s, you can’t not hear the voice of David Penzer. The longtime ring announcer helped build that big fight feel and excitement for matches, from Nitro to pay-per-view. With interest of yesteryear so prevalent these days, the argument could be made that WCW has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity. Maybe even renewed appreciation for what the once Turner-owned juggernaut of the industry was able to accomplish and its influence felt today. 

    “It really did not get a proper sendoff,” Penzer said of the uptick in interest for the promotion shuttered in 2001. “If you give [viewers] the last episode of Seinfeld or Friends and a close, and it’s like you saw this to the end and can walk away from it. They are not happy about it. They may have reruns. They may get together to make a movie or land a TV series reunion. Most people feel satisfied by that. 

    “One week we got two days\’ notice that it was the last Nitro show in Panama City. That was it. I think the people really never got competition or satisfaction and saw it through. There were a lot we lost in the end, but for the ones who stayed didn’t get competition or finish. The ones we lost still remember the glory days of the nWo and Sting coming down from the rafters, DDP, and all that crazy stuff. It’s a lot of notstalia, but also the fact it never got a proper sendoff.” 

    The good news for those who long for the glory days is there is an upcoming convention aptly titled Glory Days GrappleCon 2 on Saturday, March 29. This star-studded event in Lutz features top names including Abdullah The Butcher, Arn Anderson, Nikita Koloff, Dutch Mantell, Haku/Meng, NWO Sting, Col. Robert Parker, Bunkhouse Buck, Glacier, \”Nightmare\” Danny Davis, April Hunter, Ivelisse, Bill DeMott, Larry Hamilton, the Barrio Brothers, “Jungle\” Jim Steele, and more. Penzer himself will be moderating a special panel. 

    The 58-year-old wrote two books “Sitting Ringside” along with Nitro books authors Guy Evans. Penzer reflects back on backstage stories and insight, as well as old formats and never-before-scene memos. He called the experience of opening up cathartic. 

    “I wasn’t supposed to make it. I came in at a time you just didn\’t make it if you were a wrestler,” Penzer said. “ Jody Hamilton, “The Masked Assassin”, saw something in me that wasn’t there. Thank God he did and gave me the opportunity. I took it from there with a lot of help from a lot of other people.” 

    Penzer remains humble about his contributions to the business. He’ll get reminded by those who watched over the decades. Even in the most unexpected places, like Game Changer Wrestling. 

    “I was at an event. It was right after COVID with WrestleMania in Tampa,” Penzer recalled. Game Changer was running three days outside. My adult kids are big Game Changer fans, so I reached out to Brett Lauderdale, who I had never talked to before. I said, ‘Yeah man, any chance I can get my kids some passes.’ He said, ‘Only if you open one of the shows. I’ll introduce you and put you over.’ 

    “In the process of talking to him he said, I used to do the David Penzer voice. I said, ‘What’s the David Penzer voice?’ He told me he would imitate me during the intros. I was like, ‘No you didn\’t’?’ I was blown away. Since I”ve been on Twitter I\’ve heard that more times than I would ever imagine. It’s crazy, but it’s a huge honor. By the way, Brett Lauderdale might be a fan, but when I went out there and did my welcome, you could hear a pin drop. They shit all over it because they didn’t know who I was or didn’t care. That’s fine. Life will humble you at certain times.” 

    Beyond WCW, Penzer shared great memories working for Impact Wrestling/TNA Wrestling starting almost a decade ago. His last stretch with the company ended on a particularly special note in 2023. 

    “Scott D\’Amore gave me a hell of a run before COVID and after COVID,” Penzer said. “The sendoff he gave me, which I go into detail in the book, is fantastic. I’m not fooling myself. I’m not going into any Hall of Fames, but the sendoff Scott gave me with a wonderful plaque and speech with my friends and coworkers and fans chanting, ‘Thank You Penzer.’ It makes me tear up even to this day. I wasn’t expecting that in any way, shape or form, but I appreciated that and enjoyed it”. 

    “…If I never get in the ring and the ring announced again, I have no regrets. It was 30 years living my dream. I was 11-years-old, a little kid and turned on Championship Wrestling from Florida. Dusty Rhodes, “Superstar” Billy Graham with Gordon Solie on the mic. I fell in love with it. It was my passion. By darn I was going to find a way to try to get in, but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I would achieve what I achieved. I’m blessed and honored.”

    For Penzer, conventions like the Glory Days are an opportunity to stay connected with many longtime colleagues. He couldn’t be happier for one of those in Lex Luger, who will be enshrined into the WWE Hall of Fame this year. 

    “The Lex Luger I knew in WCW, and I’ll be honest with you, was an arrogant prick,” Penzer said. “I’ll never forget after he went through all the stuff he had gone through I didn’t realize TNA was bringing him down to do something with Sting. It was at Universal Studios. I go into vivid detail, but I’ll never forget I was walking out of the production office and Lex was in his wheelchair about to go in about five feet apart. He says, ‘Hey Dave, how are you doing?’ I said, ‘Hi Lex, how is it going?’  He said, ‘Good, I’m glad you’re doing good. How is your family?’ 

    “I’m thinking, ‘You never asked me how my family was’…We had this nice conversation. I called my wife as soon as I walked away and said, ‘You’ll never guess what I just went though. I was convinced he was working or had totally changed his life around. I’ve been with him so many times since then at Fan Fests and different stuff and had in-depth conversations with him that there is not a doubt in my mind that he is sincere. He is a changed person. It’s not how part of the ride goes, but how you finish the ride. He is finishing the ride with class and dignity. I’m really happy for Lex. Lex has had his issues that are well documented. There is a lot of pain in that. I wouldn\’t want anybody in pian, but he has come out of the other side as a wonderful human being. I don’t think anybody deserves this more than Lex Luger.”

    Today Penzer remains a fan and appreciates those who have come after him. Among them that stood out was Samantha Irvin. A fan in her own right. 

    “She had an emotion about her where she would introduce a match or even a winner, you could really feel that like I’ve never felt in the business,” he said. “Howard Finkel was the best of all-time. Nobody is even close. If there is a Mount Rushmore, it\’s the four faces of Howard. Let’s get that out of the way, but Samantha did it a different way I never seen do it before. It’s funny because WWE and other companies didn’t usually pitch to the ring announcer in this era. 

    “When Samantha started catching on, announcers were pitching to her, they were acknowledging her and putting her in the ring for the main events. She did a great thing. She had to step aside and do what she needed to do with her life and live her dream. Being a ring announcer was cool but wasn’t her dream. SHe wants to be a singer, and has a hell of a voice. Why not use the notoriety while you can and record an album. Live your dream. That’s all you can ask of anybody…she is young and could come back.” 

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/03/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/03/\"

    These days Penzer found a new purpose in real estate. He even sold one of Chris Jericho’s houses. Those who secure his services and purchase a home have the chance to pose with a 25-pound World Heavyweight Reality Championship belt. “I like helping people,” he said. “There is nothing more that I enjoy more in my career than helping a first-time buyer buy their first home.” 

    Looking back at his ring announcing career, there was one match that he really looked at as the pinnacle. One monumental episode of Nitro from the Georgia Dome in 1998. 

    “It was when [Bill] Goldberg beat [Hollywood] Hogan in front of 45,000 people or whatever the crowd was sold out in Atlanta. That was history,” Penzer said. ”They are still doing documentaries about it. I had so many cool moments in WCW, TNA and Impact. If I had to pick one, but that is the one that jumps up first in my head. My family was there because we lived in Atlanta at the time. 

    “Funny story, we were backstage at the Georgia Dome and there\’s this little up-and-coming rapper singer who was kind of backstage when someone got him in and was a local guy and had a bright future. He was taking pictures with some of the guys. I went up to introduce myself to him that night. I said, \”Hi, I’m David Penzer, the ring announcer.” He said, ‘Great to meet you. I’m Usher.’ That worked out pretty good.\”

  • Marc Mero Talks New Book, Ex-Wife Rena, Dusty Rhodes Memories, Triple H, WWE Experience & More

    If you’re a long-time pro wrestling fan, the name Marc Mero may elicit memories of the colorful Johnny B. Badd shooting off confetti from his Badd Blaster. Or perhaps you think of the “Wild Man” accompanied by the stunning bombshell Sable or Golden Glove boxer alongside the dangerous Jaqueline. Regardless, you’ll feel the nostalgia pouring out as the former WCW and WWE superstar is opening up about his time inside and outside the ring with his new autobiography “Badd To Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman.” 

    With forewords from Diamond Dallas Page and Lex Luger, contributions from Mick Foley, Eric Bischoff, Vince Russo, Justin Roberts and more, the inspiring read sees the veteran performer get candid with co-author Ben Veal about overcoming obstacles and dark periods to find his true purpose. One that has seen him spend the last 18 years going to schools around the world, motivating young people and spreading positivity. It’s what inspired him to do a book now. 

    “Just seeing the difference I’m making in people’s lives,” Mero said. “I talk about my hard times and bad choices during my presentations at schools. I thought, ‘Why don’t I put this into a book?’ A place to share some in-depth stories. Obviously, I share where my good choices took me. I’m very blatantly honest where those bad choices took me. I take people on this rollercoaster ride. I think it came out well. I was happy with the final version of the book.” 

    The 64-year-old recalls laughter and tears shared during the writing process. One of the overarching themes of the book is that happiness is a choice. 

    “I could think of all the miserable things that happened to me or things I can’t change like the weather or stock market and be bummed out or I can think about positive things,” he said. “I\’m alive today. I can take a shower, eat food and do whatever I want. That’s a blessing in life. I live with this attitude of gratitude. It has really helped me change my mindset to want to be positive, but also surround myself with positive people…”

    Among the hot topics Mero delves into was signing with WWE under a guaranteed contract. This was virtually unheard of, but the “Monday Night War” between the company and WCW was hot and heavy. 

    “At that time, I had no idea how I was viewed in the locker room because Steve Austin just signed before me. Mick Foley, too,” Mero recalled. “They just got the opportunity. Here I just got this big guaranteed contract, signing bonus where I can take my now ex-wife [Rena] on the road with me. Get her a contract. I look back now, and I can see how people can get upset at me. 

    He continued, “Now, when you think about it, this really broke the glass ceiling. In other words, now everyone gets a guaranteed contract. I look back, and I was the first one. I had a great negotiation with Vince McMahon, and it came down to I didn\’t need the WWE. I had another guaranteed contract at WCW where I can stay there as Johnny B. Badd, so I had great leverage to go after that guaranteed contract. Vince just said yes, gave me the signing bonus and gave me the contract for my ex-wife, got to travel all over the world with me. We had everything we could ever want at the time, but looking back and seeing how much of an outcast we were was really tough.” 

    Despite everything that happened, the has no regrets about leaving WCW. When asked what might have happened if he stayed, Mero responded, “You never know, maybe Johnny B. Badd would have been in the nWo. Who knows?” Among the times he’ll cherish in the once Turner-owned organization was working with the “American Dream,” who was really the first to truly believe in him. 

    “Dusty Rhodes loved that character because it was a take off of him in a sense,” Mero said. “Before the matches, Dusty would work with me. He said, ‘I want you to walk to the ring like this and talk like this. Like a bad man!’ Me and him would laugh so hard because he would do it so outrageous. I couldn’t get it like he wanted some of the time, so we’d be laughing…He hugged me and we’d be laughing. We got so close because of that. Those are memories I’d always carry with me.” 

    Mero looks back at his early meetings with Vince McMahon and those early drawings of the “Wildman” persona. Drawings he still has to this day.

    “Vince was like, ‘Can you do a Tarzan yell?’ I said, ‘I don’t have a very strong voice.’ Ric Flair has his Woo and Sting has his thing. Everyone has something for the fans to get behind, but I couldn\’t do a Tarzan yell. I asked, ‘What is ‘Wildman,’ like am I from the jungle? What am I?’ Because I never resonated with the character, the audience didn’t either. Then you bring out this beautiful woman swirling a whip and people are going crazy over her and the character got lost in the shuffle. I have no regrets…”

    For Mero, it’s fun to see the evolution of the business including seeing Paul “Triple H” Levesque ascend to the top of the WWE corporate ladder. He looks back on sharing the ring with him fondly. 

    “Triple H his first title he won was off me the Intercontinental title,” Mero said. “He went on to have a stellar career. There are three guys I’d wrestled a lot like hundreds of times. ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, and remember we were at both WWE and WCW together, Triple H same thing and Diamond Dallas Page. We opened more pay-per-views and plus wrestled on the road all over the country. Those three guys I wrestled the most. I had the opportunity to wrestle Triple H many times, and he was an amazing worker. He is kind of the ring general where he’d cal the match as the heel and always had good matches with him. I couldn’t be happier to see where wrestling is going now. It’s really interesting. They have so many ways for people can go now….”

    \"Marc

    One of the more interesting parts of the book for people will surely be Mero reflecting on his decade together with ex-wife Rena Mero, who became a household name as Sable. Their relationship went through ups and downs before imploding in the end. Rena entered into a relationship with her now husband Brock Lesnar while the two were still together, during her second run with WWE. 

    “The greatest thing in life is forgiveness. Sometimes the hardest one to forgive is ourselves. Knowing I’ve forgiven everyone and everything and myself, it wasn’t hard talking about it,” Mero said. “You obviously relive moments in your life that were sad. I wanted to just tell the truth and tell the record straight. Yes, it was difficult being in the WWF when she was going through things also. That’s my wife they were doing these things to. It was very hard. A lot of people don’t know this, and I think it’s in the book, but I had three years left on my guaranteed contract. In other words, I could have stayed there another three years and not done anything and got paid. But I chose to walk away with her when she wanted to sue the WWF. I made that decision to walk away with her.” 

    Mero revealed in the book the last time he spoke with Rena was while their daughter was going through a difficult pregnancy. Despite the silence, there is no ill will. 

    “I’m very close to my daughter. In fact, her birthday is coming up. I just talked to her yesterday. She comes here in the summer with my granddaughter. We spend some time together, and it’s just amazing. We have a great relationship. And she has a relationship with her mother too,” Mero said. “I wish them all the happiness in the world. I believe they think the same thing for me. They wish me happiness. No, there is no need to talk. If we ever did, like I say in the book, there are just two words I’d like to say to her: Thank you.” 

    These days the motivational speaker finds no greater joy than helping another person. Capacity crowds still provide the adrenaline rush, but from a different stage. 

    “I remember when I left wrestling and had my last pay-per-view match in England,” Mero said. “I remember flying home thinking, ‘I don’t have to travel any more when I was doing 250 cities a year.’ Then I started this, and my average up until the pandemic was 230 events a year. It has been a crazy whirlwind, but I love it. The good thing is I still get to entertain people, and nobody is hitting me over the head with a chair anymore.” 

    “Badd To Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman” is available now available on Amazon and through Inside the Ropes. 

  • \’Queen of the Ring\’ Mildred Burke Biopic Is Pure Lipstick & Dynamite (REVIEW)

    Women in pro wrestling have fought and clawed for every opportunity. Today female talent are regularly featured on shows, even the biggest ones including WrestleMania. The road for every bit of progress was paved by the blood, sweat, and tears of trailblazers like Mildred Burke. Her empowering story is told in the upcoming film Queen of the Ring. 

    Emily Bett Rickards, known as Arrow fan favorite Felicity Smoak, steps in the boots of tough as nails Burke, who became the first million-dollar female athlete. The biopic was built off the Pulitzer Prize winner Jeff Leen\’s book tracing the gender barrier-breaking performer\’s incredible journey to the top. Burke broke into the industry by wrestling men at carnivals because at the time women\’s wrestling was illegal in much of the United States. 

    The movie takes us back to the 1930s and decades that followed where the driven lady grappler turned heads through her incredible presence and ability. Among those admirers was dastardly promoter Billy Wolfe, played by Josh Lucas. Their often tumultuous relationship unravels in the movie to the point where for Burke, Wolfe becomes a means to an end. It\’s a marriage that becomes a matter of convenience rather than anything romantic. After all, Wolfe was twice the age of Burke. The two clash with their dynamic becoming increasingly volatile. Despite Wolfe\’s efforts to extinguish Burke\’s fire, she never forgoes her inner strength fighting for herself as a wrestler and businesswoman. Complicating things further was Wolfe, a noted womanizer, witnessing his son G. Bill (Tyler Posey) catching the eye of Burke.

    More female talent come into the fold including Mae Young, who is portrayed by scene stealer Francesca Eastwood. She is so good one could argue the flick becomes a Young biopic in moments. Pro wrestling fans will enjoy seeing familiar faces including Jim Cornette as an NWA commissioner, which given his own time in the business including that promotion wasn\’t a major stretch. 

    Other recognizable names bring some of Burke\’s colleagues at the time to life like Clara Mortensen (Toni Rossall/\”Timeless\” Toni Storm), the first African-American Women\’s Champion Ethel Johnson (Trinity Fatu/Naomi), Debbie Nichols (Britt Baker), and the imposing June Byers (Kailey Farmer/Kamille). The latter becomes the wife of G. Bill and stands as an imposing rival for Burke. When life is stranger than fiction.  Heels viewers will enjoy seeing Kelli Berglund lace up the boots once again as the new girl on the block Nell Stewart. The A-list cast also brings in Walton Goggins as promoter Jack Pfefer and the legendary Martin Kove playing veteran Al Haft. 

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/03/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/03/\"

    A lot of time and care was clearly put into making sure the story came off as authentic. WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, an executive producer, fought so hard to make sure the project got off the ground and secured the rights from the book. He can stand proud and take pride in the fact the finished product isn\’t just a good pro wrestling movie, but a movie in general. Channeling pure lipstick and dynamite, Rickards clearly invested a lot of time to immerse herself in this unique world and time period. Director and writer Ash Avildsen also captures the business at the time while also grounding this larger-than-life atmosphere and characters masterfully.

    It may be a story about a pro wrestler, but this project transcends anything that goes on in the ring. Resonating with anyone who has worked and never given up to realize a dream. Don\’t let this championship-caliber film miss you, which goes for the gold in every way while shining a light and giving deserved flowers to an often forgotten icon.

    Queen of the Ring opens in theaters nationwide March 7.

  • Tiffany Stratton & Sami Zayn Meet WWE Fans During 2025 Topps Rip Night (VIDEO)

    I had no idea how big or fun the world of WWE cards was until it hit home while attending Topps Rip Night at Layton Sports Cards in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The Fanatics Collectibles’ Topps Rip Night welcomed sports trading card and memorabilia hobbyists, where more than 70,000 fans and collectors visit more than 600 hobby shops across 16 countries around the world. WWE superstars joined other pro athletes as they met and interacted with fans, took part in Q&As and ripped open some packs to give away. It gave me the vibe of a Free Comic Book Day, but upped a notch. Not to mention free food and drink! 

    Another thing I love about Rip Night festivities is it gives an opportunity for owners like Layton Sports Cards’ Rich and Sara Layton to give their store business a shot in the arm. The couple just opened this particular space as it stands in December, so a nice way to create awareness. 

    First, it was “Tiffy Time” as WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton hopped off a plane from SmackDown the night before in New Orleans to Central Florida to meet some of her biggest admirers. Much like a WWE show, there were fans in Stratton shirts and holding signs. One South Carolina couple even came after finding out about the event while in town for a cruise. Stratton got to work opening up packs and revealing the contents. 

    The champ was learning about things like gold refractor and parallel meant, She got a kick out of pulling her own card and “Trishy Time” Trish Stratus. A fun moment came when Rich asked who may have a “Tiffy Time” card within their packs. Without much luck, he then asked for her favorite and Elimination Chamber tag partner Stratus card. A fan yelled out, “Hey Tiffany, what do you think about Charlotte Flair?” She said, “If you have that, you can throw it on the ground and stomp on it.” He did it! Stratton then responded with, “He’s the winner right there.” The attendee got rewarded with some additional packs. 

    Next up was Sami Zayn, who reminisce about collecting hockey cards. Zayne brings such a welcoming presence I can liken to that of Mick Foley. Just a regular guy in an extraordinary profession. Fans also came with Sami signs with one wearing a classic El Generico shirt. I wonder what happened to that guy? Perhaps, still retired running an orphanage in a Mexican village.

     After opening all the cards, Zayn offered to personally hand out the cards to those in the crowd. He also took time to take photos and autographs with literally anyone who asked. The staff was amazed how he dedicated so much extra time to doing something he wasn’t obligated to do.Just another reason why Zayn has such a deep-rooted connection to his fanbase. 

    Along Stratton and Zayn, later in the evening, Orlando Magic’s Anthony Black came for a visit. Elsewhere in Central Florida, Stratton’s and Zayn’s future opponents Charlotte Flair and Kevin Owens were across town for a similar event at Game Time Cardz in Winter Park.

  • Carlito on Judgment Day Pairing & What He Likes About WWE Today

    When Carlito saw his WWE run end 14 years ago, there was wonder if we’d ever seen “Caribbean Cool” again. Thankfully for fans the answer would be yes. The popular performer returned for a few appearances including the Royal Rumble in 2021, but the seeds for his current run were planted in 2203 during Backlash in Puerto Rico. 

    Carlito brought the electric crowd to his feet when he made a surprise appearance during the Bad Bunny and Damian Priest San Juan street fight. The live reaction coupled with the social media buzz and the fact Carlito was still in tremendous shape certainly caught the attention of WWE officials. Fast forward to today and Carlito has been signed full-time and a part of the Judgment Day. 

    “It was a weird pairing at first,” he said. “Everyone was asking what is Carlito doing with the Judgment Day. It’s kind of like a little family. We fight and have little in-fights but at the end of the day we love each other. At the end of the day, that’s the dynamic you see on TV.” 

    Despite having a short segment or two some weeks, he maximizes his minutes. Something the second-generation talent learned to do as the well-traveled veteran. The 45-year-old takes pride in lending a hand to emerging members of the WWE roster. 

    “The locker room is great,” he said. “I’m one of the elder statesmen now, which is weird. WheN I was first here, I was the younger guy. I’m one of the older guys, so it’s cool to help out and guide the new crop of talent.” 

    Carlito has also appreciated the diversity across the board on the shows. Not to mention the true global reach. 

    “I feel it’s an actual world company now,” he said. “We have talent from all over the place. We’re visiting more parts of the world now. Doing PLEs [all over]. I think it truly encompasses what [WWE] envisioned a long time ago. A world company.” 

    At this stage of his career he has appreciated the little things like being in WWE video games. He notices the advancement, especially compared to when he first started with the company. 

    “The graphics got a lot better,” he said. “My character looks a lot better these days. Definitely, a lot of advancement in that part.” 

    As far as what he sees for his WWE career, for him, it’s about having fun. “I want to enjoy the years I have left,” he said. “Have a good time and hopefully ride off into the sunset.” 

    Given his mindset and conditioning, Carlito is far from his last WWE apple. Speaking of which, if you’ve ever wondered what brand of the fruit the Raw superstar likes best, he isn’t picky. 

    “They all work. They all spit pretty good. It doesn’t matter what color or brand.” 

    Preorder “WWE 2K25” here. 

  • ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty on Showcasing His First Art Exhibit & AEW Evolution

    Two years ago Lee Moriarty set a goal to have his own art exhibition. The dream becomes a reality as the Ring of Honor Pure Champion prepares to have his first public showcase during Miami Art Week. Moriarty, 30, will be at the NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance) booth, part of the wrestling publication Orange Crush’s presentation 

    For the emerging talent, art was a way to express himself out of the ring. His parents encouraged him to continue pursuing a creative outlet. He’d draw off Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon cards, as well as Dragon Ball Z VHS tapes and issues of Game Informer Magazine. Although he took graphic design at the community college, Moriarty was largely self-taught. 

    “I’ve been an artist longer than I was a wrestler,” Moriarty said. “One of my goals was to have an art exhibition. I didn’t have in mind what this series was going to be at first. The more I painted, it became about professional wrestling life outside the ring. A lot of people associate professional wrestling with just violence and combat. People don’t realize the serene peaceful life a lot of us live, especially me. 

    “I’m a person who is closed in and keeps calm and relaxed. I like walking my dog, going out in the nature world, painting, and playing tennis, which is one of the paintings. This was a big opportunity that came to me by Adam Abdulla to have the exhibition at NADA. From December 3 through the 7th, my art will be on display for the first time. Nobody has ever seen my art outside of photos and things. To see this in person, I’m excited about it.” 

    Moriarty has combined two of his passions through the exhibition. A collection that presents an endearing and vibrant display of wrestlers in repose. The paintings are a tribute to the sport he loves, capturing the duality of wrestling. 

    “Originally when I was painting luchadors, one of my favorite aesthetics is luchadors with suits and tuxedos,” Moriarty said. “Back in the day El Santo, Blue Demon, all these guys would have really nice suits combined with the masks, which I think is so unique when it comes to professional wrestling that you won’t see anywhere else. 

    “I wanted to capture that with my artwork. I wanted to paint beyond just luchadors in suits. Then it became walking the dog, grilling and barbecuing, and things like that and I decided to keep the Lucha Libre wrestlers in the mask aesthetic. That is the universal imagery when it comes to professional wrestling, even if you don’t watch professional wrestling. You see a mask, and you know this guy is a pro wrestler.” 

    Moriarty works hard to fit art into his busy schedule as a traveling entertainer. When the traveler flies somewhere or in hotel rooms before a show, he’d get out his tablet and draw and brainstorm. The star would then put those ideas on canvas. 

    “I also use my tablet for graphic design,” Moriarty said. “I’ve designed all of my shirts. I’ve designed the logo you’ll see on my trunks sometimes. The tiger was a design I had before I debuted for AEW or Ring of Honor. I’m always drawing and painting. I have a camera. I’ve done photography. I like making my own scenes. I just like expressing myself creatively and building this world outside of my head.” 

    Moriarty appreciates the support he felt from the locker room and company. “[AEW] is very supportive of outside ventures that help the person grow as individuals and as brands. I’ve had nothing but support from the first day I posted a painting. Among those colleagues is stablemate Shane Taylor, who he’d watch on his first or second independent show. Taylor’s opponent just happened to be a future trainer in Brandon K. “I knew who [Shane] was and his story and work ethic and have a lot of respect for him,” he said. 

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    The exciting athlete is proud of the progress he made over the past three years. Moriarty feels he got more comfortable with promos and in the ring on television. He has also put on some muscle weight, going from 175 to approaching 200. The student of the game is always looking to grow and improve.

    “There was a period I was learning from Jon Moxley for a while,” he said. “There was a period I was learning from Claudio when we were donig the Texas shows. For three straight weeks, I was getting advice from him. Orange Cassidy is someone I would go to a lot. Serpentico, Jon Cruz, those guys I learned from a lot. So many people. 

    “I trained at Malakai Black’s school for a point. I’m very grateful and can’t express how much it meant. Even when Nigel McGuinness came back to the ring, I was in the ring training with him. I can’t express the appreciation I have that these guys are giving me the time to learn from them.”  

    Moriarty welcomes the latest signings in AEW with The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin arriving on the scene. Three who he sees as an example of how to build a career. 

    “I think they are three of the most valuable talents in the world,” he said. “They have the total package. The presentation, athleticism confidence. They inspire me to do what I’m doing in professional wrestling and my art. It’s to not settle and not just be comfortable in the spot I’m in but continue to grow as a business and brand.” 

    Much like pro wrestling, he has hopes for his artistic aspirations. Moriarty looks to step into more product designs from bottles to shoes. “I know AEW believes in me and hopes to help AEW expand with my art talents, I don’t have an end game when it comes to my art. It has been wherever it takes me ….I’m going to keep going and see how far I can get.” 
    For more information or two purchase tickets for NADA Miami 2024, visit https://nada.artsvp.com/73ace8?link=website.

  • Brock Anderson on Teaming With CW Anderson & if We’ll See Arn Anderson Manage Him in MLW

    Brock Anderson remains dedicated to professional wrestling and continuing the legacy his dad Arn made within the industry. He has gained valuable experience teaming with veteran CW Anderson as the duo already found success as the AML World Tag Team Champions. They look to add more gold working for MLW.

    The old school meets new school duo faces Bomaye Fight Club at Fightland on September 14. Anderson has only heard good things about MLW. 

    “A couple of guys came through and managed to turn it around for themselves,” he said of the platform the promotion provides. “Parlay that into something pretty good for themselves…I think I fell into a perfect scenario. I’m tagging with someone who has been in the business for 30 years. 

    “He can tell me things that my old man can’t because you can be a father or a coach. Sometimes he tips around some areas. I usually know when there is something he wants to say because of that father-son bond. CW is one who can tell me this sucked, that was good, do this, do that. That experience I’m experiencing through osmosis, I’m glad it panned out the way it did. I told him, ‘You know you’re the Ole in this. You’ve turned into Ole Anderson.’  I think he has embraced it, to be honest with you.”  

    Anderson gained valuable experience in AEW. However, he reached a crossroads. 

    “After I left AEW I didn’t know where my path was going to be,” he said.”…AEW was great. I have nothing but great things to say about the people who worked there. Tony [Khan] was great to a whole industry when nobody else was working. He kept people working. It was a trying time in the business and around the world. I appreciated the experience. 

    “I just didn’t think I could get better there because I didn’t know if they had plans for me. There weren’t enough reps. It came down to getting reps. So, they sent something, which was a similar deal I was on.  I just said, ‘I think I’ll take my chances.’ When I go out and travel, I know I’m going to wrestle and get better. That was kind of my approach to the thing. Every time I leave the house, I know I’m going to have a match.” 

    The 27-year-old decided to bet on himself. A difficult decision, but one that fuels his motivation. Anderson is excited to cross another legendary venue off the bucket list in Center Stage thanks to MLW. Anderson’s dad Arn retired when he was six months old. By 1997, those Center Stage days for WCW were largely in the rearview. Though the next generation talent has since caught up on Arn’s body of work and went to WWE shows while he was a producer. 

    “I popped in these grainy VHS tapes and there is your dad 20 years younger wrestling,” he said. “It was kind of a trip. I started to watch more of those and realized he was pretty good at this. Then I saw how the boys in the back treated him. Things started to click.” 

    Anderson can trace when he knew he wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps. A milestone showdown between two Hall of Famers in Houston. 

    “It was WrestleMania 25,” Anderson recalled. “WWE would always have their employees have their families. It was like a vacation treat for the year. We’re in the box. It was when the cards got to about six or seven hours. There was a lot of preshow and all that. It was a long night and I was already tired. 

    “Then all of a sudden you see the smoke come, all this white light and a guy descends from teh ceiling, white robe, white hat. You can’t see his face and all of a sudden HBK’s music hits. He was wrestling Undertaker. It was HBK and Undertaker 1. They went 40 minutes. Two legends going at it. They had the crowd in the palm of their hands with what they did. There was no wasted movement. Everything clicked. I thought, ‘This is what I want to do.’”

    When Anderson told Arn about his career aspirations, the response wasn’t a flat no. Just an, \”Ask your mom.\” Then it was a hard no at the time. The parents wanted him to go to college and have a backup plan. He graduated on December 19, 2019, and started on the pro wrestling journey in January 2020. Then came the AEW opportunity. 

    “I want to be where is best for me,” Anderson answered when asked if his ultimate goal was a WWE run. “Personally, professionally, all that. I don’t have to pigeonhole it to one company. Wherever I feel is best for me.” 

    And right now that place is venturing through the independent scene and seeing what happens with MLW. The question is will we see Arn walk that aisle with his son, possibly at Fightland? 

    “He could show up at any time. But always keep it in the back of your head he might wonder into the building somehow or sneak down,” he said. “There is always that possibility. We always have that card up our sleeve.” 

    Watch MLW Fightland at 9 p.m. ET on September 14 on YouTube. 

  • Mandy Rose Opens Up About WWE, Her Future, and Wrestling Combine

    • Mandy Rose hints at a pro wrestling comeback, reflects on her WWE release and its positive outcomes.
    • She\’s open to a WWE return and wants to make a bigger impact on the main roster, but emphasizes WWE is not the only path to success in wrestling.

    Whether it’s fitness competitions or WWE Tough Enough, Mandy Sacs (Mandy Rose) is no stranger to healthy competition. A background that made her perfect for the Wrestler’s Combine happening on September 4. The event is run in collaboration with Black Label Pro Wrestling and its card of matches as part of the Crowning Glory event in Chicago.

    \"Mandy

    Fellow former WWE superstar Mojo will co-host the festivities along with “Tough Enough” winner Maven and Emmy-winning interviewer Chris Van Vliet. The show is actually streaming on Vilet’s YouTube channel.  Others competing include Moose, Jordynne Grace, Parker Boudreaux, Ash by Elegance, Xia Li (Zhao Xia), Riddick Moss (Mike Rallis), and Jake Hager. 

    “I love competitions,” Sacs said. “I thought this one specifically was cool and unique. I think it’s cool that nobody has ever thought of a Wrestler’s Combine before. Immediately, I was like, ‘Why not? This sounds like fun.’”

    “…I think the competition is pretty stacked, I must say. When I found out Jordynne Grace was going to be in it, I was like oh sh*t. I’m not afraid of everyone though. I think my confidence is top-tier. We have a lot of great competition. A good variety of women, and men of course. Xia Li, I used to work with her in WWE, as well as Ashe by Elegance. We used to be a tag team in WWE. We definitely have some history with her. I think it’s going to be really interesting. I think we all bring something different to the table.” 

    There are four women and four men competing in the combine itself. The participants will be put through four events.

    This includes who can run the ropes the fastest, arm wrestling, a wrestler’s twist on tug-of-war, and a shoot collar and elbow tie-up. For Sacs, running the ropes is something she hasn’t done for the last year-and-a-half. 

    “That’s going to be interesting. I feel like once I get back in there it’s like I never left,” she said. “I have so much confidence in that, I’ll be just fine.”

    When it comes to physical condition, Sacs stays ready. In fact she just got off a 12-week bodybuilding prep and will be leaner than normal when fans see her in the Wrestler’s Combine. The bombshell being back in the pro wrestling space certainly begs the question if it’s the start of a comeback. 

    “For sure. I think this event specifically will kind of light up a spark,” Sacs said. “I’ve done a lot of appearances, autograph signings, and stuff like that, but I haven’t done in-ring appearances. I’m not going to say exactly how all this will go down because we’re going to keep some stuff a surprise. I’m definitely excited for this in-ring appearance. It has definitely created some buzz out there. I think a lot of people are wanting a Mandy Rose comeback. So we shall see what I feel like after this Wrestler’s Combine.”

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    Looking Back on WWE Release & What Has Happened Since

    Sacs was in the biggest run of her career on NXT before WWE blindsided her with a release at the end of 2022.  The record-breaking NXT Champion ended up banking big bucks to the tune of seven figures thanks to a FanTime account. Looking back, the popular performer has no hard feelings because of how things turned out since then. 

    “Time has flown by. I’ve been blessed with a lot of amazing opportunities during this time. A lot of things have happened in my life,” she said. “Triumph and tragedy, there have been a lot of lows and highs. I think that’s with everyone, but through it all, I think I’ve learned a lot and evolved a lot as a woman, and am proud and blessed. I practice gratitude every day. I think that’s really important. When one door closes, another opens. I think everything is meant to be. I think if there is a wrestling comeback for me in the future, we shall see.\”

    The 34-year-old appreciates helping to push the point that a WWE release doesn’t have to be the end. It can also be a beginning. 

    “You’re not going to be in WWE forever or wrestling forever,” Sacs said. “I think it’s such a great place for wrestling as a whole because there is so much opportunity out there. You see people like Ashe by Elegance and other women, even Mercedes Mone. Different people have expanded and gone to other federations and are successful. 

    “…I have nothing but positive things to say about WWE. I’m grateful for the platform they presented me with. I just think there are other opportunities out there as well where you can flourish. It doesn’t have to be there. I think what other women are doing is awesome. I think I am a good example to show you have a brand and you can do a lot of different things with that brand. You don’t have to be subject to just that one company per se.” 

    Mandy\’s Assessing Pro Wrestling Future

    Sacs has been admittedly torn about her pro wrestling future. She is very family-oriented, and happy spending quality time with them. You may even find her at the Arthur Avenue Deli in New York these days lending a hand. The consummate businesswoman has even putting the finishing touches on an energy drink with fiancé Tino Sabbatelli. 

    “It is kind of like a relationship. In the last year and a half, I have been able to do a lot of different things,” she said. “…The years and holidays I’ve missed. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t regret it. It is the grind. We’re here for a reason. I got to do great things. This lifestyle is great,  and I am able to make money and enjoy the beautiful things in life. It’s one of those things where do I want to leave the lifestyle I\’m in right now? Then there are certain days I miss the adrenaline rush and the camaraderie. It is a hard thing to balance.” 

    Looking Back on \’Tough Enough\’

    It’s hard to believe next year will mark a decade since she started her pro wrestling journey through Tough Enough. Despite not winning, Sacs took the opportunity and the rest is history. The alum would welcome the show’s return given the life-changer it was for her and others. 

    “It’s crazy to reflect that was 10 years ago. I had no idea what I was doing stepping on a Skype interview for the Tough Enough interview,” she said. “I gave it my all and said what I knew. I didn’t know much. I didn’t come from a wrestling background. I wasn’t a huge fan. I wasn’t a huge fan. Something just clicked. I fell in love with the business. I fell in love with the world of wrestling. The stars aligned.” 

    Thoughts on The Fatal Influence

    Sacs remains booked and busy these days. She doesn’t watch the pro wrestling shows religiously, but stays updated on her good friends. Seeing the impact her group Toxic Attraction made brings a smile to her face. Since then, other girl groups have come into the fold including a new one featuring Sacs’ former tag partner Jacy Jayne called The Fatal Influence. 

    “I love to see Jacy work in a new dynamic. It’s cool,” she said. “Those groups are always fun to watch. It’s cool to see the different talents get together and different personalities. With Jacy, Gigi [Dolin], and myself, it was like three very different women getting together. We didn’t know what we were getting out of this. It ended up just working. It’s cool to see that. I’m excited to see where it all goes.”

    Goals For In-Ring Return

    If she does return the ring, Sacs has some goals. Even if it were in WWE. She wants to leave an even bigger mark. 

    “Making that statement whether it was on Monday Night Raw or Friday night SmackDown because I did make such a big statement on NXT,” Sacs explained. “I felt it was my time to then get to Monday or Friday and do it on the big screen. NXT is great and it’s so amazing what they’ve built, but obviously, the end goal is to be in front of thousands of people and big crowds and be on TV every week. I was with NXT but in a smaller situation. I think that would be the ultimate goal if I wanted to get back. Whether it’s with a group or by myself, that new Mandy Rose mentality of not really giving a damn and going out there and kicking butt. That would be cool.” 

    For more on everything Crowning Glory, check out the Black Label Pro website.

  • Cody and Dusty Rhodes Bobbleheads Available for Pre-Order

    Two eras. One legacy. Toy manufacturer FOCO has announced the release of a Cody Rhodes and Dusty Rhodes WWE American Dream-American Nightmare Dual Bobblehead. The handcrafted and hand-painted collectible portrays two of the most popular pro wrestlings in history wearing their ring gear in action poses looking ready to take on the competition. 

    “The American Dream” and “The American Nightmare” text were emblazoned on the front of the base of the display. The thematic, split-color base brings a double dose of WWE greatness.  It’s the perfect addition to fans young and old. 

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    The American Dream and the Tmerican Nightmare

    This is the latest in a series of high-quality bobbleheads from FOCO, which prides itself on being the leading manufacturer of sports and entertainment merchandizing celebrating more than 20 years in the industry. So many have been immortalized in bobblehead form from nWo, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and Roddy Piper to LA Knight, Seth Rollins, and AJ Styles. 

    Along with WWE, they have also licensed all major sports leagues including NFL, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, and over 200 colleagues and universities as well as other entertainment properties such as Nickelodeon and Peanuts.

    Visit Foco.com to preorder the Cody Rhodes and Dusty Rhodes Bobblehead set and see their full line of wrestling merchandise.

  • Mojo Rawley Talks Wrestlers Combine, Representing Talent

    Dean Muhtadi, better known to fans as Mojo, knows a thing or two about pro sports given his NFL and WWE background. He is putting all that experience to use as the company he helped co-found, Paragon Talent Agency, in partnership with DraftKings, are hosting a Wrestler’s Combine on September 4. The event is run in collaboration with Black Label Pro Wrestling. 

    The athletic competition coincides with the card of matches, part of the Crowning Glory event in Chicago. Mojo will co-host the festivities along with “Tough Enough” winner Maven and Emmy-winning interviewer Chris Van Vliet. The show is actually streaming on Vilet’s YouTube channel.

    This unique happening has an impressive list of famous faces including Moose, Jordynne Grace, Parker Boudreaux, Ash by Elegance, Xia Li (Zhao Xia), Mandy Sacs, Riddick Moss (Mike Rallis), and Jake Hager. For Mojo, the Wrestler’s Combine has been in the works for a while. 

    “The concept itself is pretty cool. Pro wrestling is a completely different business than the NFL, but the NFL has some cool things they do that we don’t have in the wrestling world.

    One of them is the NFL Combine where they bring in all the talent and find out who is the fastest and who is the strongest as a recruiting tool to see who is going to be picked up in the NFL Draft. Pro wrestling, we don’t have anything liek that. The idea was to bring that to the wrestling world.” 

    – Mojo Rawley

    There are four women and four men competing in the combine itself. The participants will be put through four events. This includes who can run the ropes the fastest, arm wrestling, a wrestler’s twist on tug-of-war, and a shoot collar and elbow tie-up. Mojo stresses it’s all a legit competition. There are bragging rights and reputations on the line.

    Agents and the Lack of Unionions in Pro Wrestling

    The big names attached to the event have connections to Mojo’s agency. Something he wanted to do for a while with the idea that players in the NFL had all this fancy representation like any other major sports. So, why couldn’t pro wrestlers have access to these services as well? 

    “You go to wrestling, there is no union. There are barely representatives of any kind,” Mojo explained. “There are no full-circle 360 representatives out there for people. The idea was to start the first one for pro wrestling. COVID started the company sooner than I meant for it to because COVID ended my career with WWE abruptly. I had to find a way to pivot. 

    I’ve always been a guy who thought out Plan B should things go wrong. I started Paragon the first day I was a free man after I called one of my best friends Steve Kaye, who has a legitimate business background as well. I told him what I wanted to do and it took him 15 seconds to hear about this thing and jumped in. 

    – Mojo Rawley

    Mojo and Kaye put their MBAs, acumen for the biz and contacts into their new venture. It took off with Mojo saying they’ve done paid deals for 350 talent. “That tells you right there how much of a need there was for something like this,” he added. “…One is to help out the talent, but two, reintroduce the outside world to what pro wrestlers are capable of.” 

    WWE NIL

    The landscape is a lot different place than when Mojo started his pro wrestling journey from the gridiron more than a decade ago. He is impressed with WWE’s NIL and recruitment approach, which has given them a wealth of emerging talent in recent years. 

    “They put a lot of weight and money behind it. Way more than they were doing before. I felt like before they were subscribing to the approach that you throw as much against the wall as you can and see what sticks.

    It’s not a terrible strategy. I know that sounds like I’m downplaying the legitimacy of a strategy like that. But when you have a revolving door, you sink or swim, get in and get out. That way works for a lot of people. I think now they are doing their due diligence a lot more.

    They are going out and finding these college athletes and seeing what they are about, signing them and locking them in early before they potentially blow up in their careers and go another route. It is a smart thing to do. You see college programs offering children scholarships sometimes. I had a buddy who played for the Arizona Cardinals. He was born as the biggest baby in Louisiana. I think LSU offered him a scholarship the day he was born. Guess what? He went to the school later on, so these things actually can work out for you.” 

    – Mojo Rawley

    By the same token, Mojo thinks recruiting off the indies is also a lot more streamlined. He makes the point that we’re seeing some of the current signed WWE talent go and wrestle or do autograph signings and appearances at independent promotions. He states that was never a thing before and the “floodgates are open.” He credits this in part to the existence of AEW. 

    NFL Players Doing Wrestling

    Before his WWE release, Mojo looked to be cooking something big with his buddy Rob Gronkowski. The Super Bowl champ ended up going back for one last, ditching his pro wrestling aspirations. However, Mojo doesn’t rule out a return for “Gronk” one day. He also assesses if we’ll see Patrick Mahomes, or Travis and Jason Kelce in the ring as well. 

    “‘Gronk’ is the only one that is retired. From a logistics standpoint, you have to think it’s him [first]. He loves pro wrestling. We certainly planned on doing a lot more together, but life takes you to different places and everyone goes on to the next thing,” Mojo said. “The Kelces have been to WWE shows. They’ve done well. They have the personality for it. Mohomes  is probably last on the list of who you will see do stuff.” 

    – Mojo Rawley

    For Mojo, it comes to passion and a deep-rooted desire to do it. Mostly because they surely don’t need the money. 

    “Honestly, with a lot of those guys, you’ll probably only see a one-off or pay-per-view with the buildup for a couple of months,” Mojo added. “It’s very hard to take somebody who is making $10 to $50 million a year and pay them a fraction of that but ask them to get their ass kicked more and train for something brand new after they already made it to the tippy top of NFL or pro sports. 

    “…Honestly, the person who has come close to that has been Moose. Moose was a seven-year starter in the NFL and he left football to come to wrestling and came to wrestling. He didn’t come to WWE and get offered a fat contract. He just left football because he liked wrestling better…That doesn’t happen. I give him all the credit in the world for that. AJ Francis is another example of that. He was a starter as well in the NFL. He and I were college teammates. I remember back when we were playing ball together. Even when he was in the NFL, he would say he was just biding my time until I got a shot at WWE. I would leave the NFL in two seconds to go do that. I love that more. Then he actually did…He started over to make nothing at NXT.” 

    – Mojo Rawley

    Coming Out of Retirement

    As for if we’ll ever see Mojo in the ring again, that’s another story. It’s a return four years and counting in the making. 

    “I’m absolutely going to wrestle again at some point,” he stated. “I don’t know when it’s going to be or where it’s going to be. I thought it would have been by now, but I’ve been so busy with Paragon, which I guess is a good problem to have. I feel like my contributions to the pro wrestling business through Paragon had been way better, way bigger, and way more important than anything I could have possibly done in-ring. With all these booking wrestlers for gigs, it just gets you reminiscent in your field a little bit. I’m going to have to do something at some point.” 

    – Mojo Rawley

    For more on everything Crowning Glory, check out the Black Label Pro website.

  • Paul London On The State of Wrestling, Giving Back, MLW Return

    It’s a come full circle moment for Paul London as he returns to Major League Wrestling for the first time in 21 years at Summer of the Beasts ‘24. The live event streaming worldwide on the company’s YouTube will see the revolutionary veteran square off with emerging talent BRG. London remembers stepping foot in an MLW ring at a similar career stage as his upcoming opponent in 2003. 

    \”I remember that I was really excited about working with Jerry Lynn like I always am,” London reminisced. “I’m always happy to see him. He is probably the most lovable person in wrestling or one of them at least. I know [Christopher] Daniels was there as well. I think I was most excited about the caliber of talent that Court [Bauer] amassed. I was freshly 22 or 23. It was pretty cool.” 

    The now-44-year-old calls the experience of returning to the promotion after so much time surreal. “The fact it has been more than 20 years,” London added. “I really am old.”

    London had one hell of a run since his first appearance in MLW. He went on to Ring of Honor followed by multiple years in WWE before his release in 2008. From there, he continued entertaining crowds around the world and made a stop back on regular television in the form of Lucha Underground. London is excited about facing BRG.  

    “It’s an exciting opportunity, especially for him. I got to see what he is all about. He has a lot of talent but a big mouth,” London concluded. “He has long hair. I’m sure it’s his natural hair color. I’m curious which Ryan Gosling is actually his favorite. I’m a curious guy. I also think about other famous people Mark Paul Gosselaar. Maybe he and I will have something in common after I give him a wrestling lesson.” 

    After all this time London has enjoyed the journey. He remains grateful that people still responding to him after all this time.

    “I don’t want people to respond for some nostalgia nonsense though,” he said. “I want them to respond because they didn’t have a choice. That’s always the challenge for me is how can I either not become stale and give the audience something else. It’s intimidating. New York City is a place I’ve always had a lot of good matches there. The one-year anniversary of Ring of Honor we had there. I had a lot of good moments and friends there… have a lot on my plate and none of it is soft food.” 

    Returning to Wrestling Full-Time

    Working in various places throughout the year is something London has always enjoyed. However, he doesn’t rule out signing a contract with another major company.

    “I think about it every now and then,” he said. “Sure, if the money is right, but there are other things to consider. I think at this stage of where I’m at so much has to do with if I like this. Am I into this? Is this creative? Am I in a position where I feel I’m going to look stupid or this is bad? It’s very similar to acting where if you get handed a terrible script. What is the point? Then it doesn’t matter what the movie is. I have to like what I’m doing. 

    “There are projects that don’t pan out. That’s fine. I’m not saying I haven’t taken jobs because of a payday either. It can be a crippling decision-maker if that’s what you base your value on. To me, to sign a contract with a wrestling company would be a matter of who is on the roster, who is in the office, what kind of responsibilities they are looking for in me, and traveling. Will I go to a place where I’ll get devoured by mosquitos? Those kinds of things.”

    Giving Back

    London enjoys guiding the next generation along. It’s something he aims to do in this current aspect of his career. 

    “If I can help someone preserve their body or avoid mistakes I made,” he said. “If I can help someone avoid that stuff, I’m happy to do that. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the lightbulb go off. I like to help those who do want this for the right reasons.”

    \"Paul

    His Former Partner Brian Kendrick

    In this world of reunions, one we shouldn’t expect any time soon is London to get back into a tag team with Brian Kendrick. The dynamic duo of high flyers turned heads with a strong run in WWE, evening winning the tag team titles. 

    “No. We don’t talk,” London answered on the potential of a reunion. “He is doing his own thing and I’m doing mine. It has been mentioned in the past, but I’m just not interested at all. I’m not saying it will never happen. If some money mark wants to come in and say, I’ll give you $50,000 for this one match.” I’m interested now. That’s not going to happen. Who knows? As of now, there is no interest in my book. I wish him well though. I hope he is a happy man.” 

    The State of Pro Wrestling

    Given how ahead of their time the popular team was, Kendrick and London certainly would have made waves together in 2024. However, London doesn’t live in this line of thinking. 

    “Anyone can be a wrestler now. The standards and integrity have been lost in the wrestling business. That really bothers me,” London said. “I like seeing what creative people do with wrestling now. The athleticism is there and better than it has ever been. It’s outstanding and spectacular, but I don’t buy in the way I used to. I don’t feel the way I used to. We’re all marks at the end of the day. There are varying degrees of mark-ism. We all want to be led along a great story. I want to believe. Wrestling is overly planned, choreographed, and overly produced. It takes a lot of the soul out of the wrestlers.

    “I don’t know. Trust your talent and see what happens. There is something thrilling and exciting about not knowing what will happen. That’s as real as it gets. I do love wrestling. I really love it. Thank god for YouTube because I get to watch all these things.” 

    Despite his hot takes, London still genuinely enjoys what he does for a living. He even has some favorites that happen to be under the MLW umbrella. 

    “I’m a big Matt Riddle fan. I met him in Germany years ago before he went up to Stamford,” London recalled. “We got along. He is a real dude and I really like the guy. Then I watch his work and i reminds me a lot of Kevin Von Erich. It’s not because of being barefoot. He has a really organic way of how he moves. He was a fighter so he gets it. I’m excited to see his match with Matthew Justice, who I know is a wild one.

    There are so many guys I think highly of. TJP is another one. He is an encyclopedia of wrestling holds and moves and combinations. There are so many that impress me.” 

    There is another London that also admires and will be in action at the big show – and he happens to wear a mask. 

    “Buying generic toys meant to be The Rock or someone has been fun for me,” London explained. “I recently bought this crapy little ring with luchadors in it and I think it was like $3. One of the figures is Mistico. I was like, ‘Should I bring that? Should I have him take a picture with it?’ I know it’s weird, but I’m such a fan. I love wrestling.” 

    MLW Summer of the Beasts ‘24 airs live at 7:30 p.m. ET on YouTube. 

  • Matt Cardona Talks In-Ring Return, GCW-WWE, John Cena\’s Retirement & Chelsea Green\’s Success

    Matt Cardona made independent pro wrestling his kingdom. “The Indy God” was in the middle of the most successful run of his career until he was sidelined with a torn peck a few months ago. He had surgery, underwent stem cell therapy, and began the rigorous road back to the ring. 

    While many have sat on the sidelines until they were cleared to perform again, that is not Cardona. The veteran is still making towns, currently serving as the general manager for Game Changer Wrestling. He recently returned to the gym, leaving the question of what’s the latest on when we may see him compete again.

    What\’s Next for Matt Cardona?

    “I’m kind of keeping that close to the vest. I want it to be a surprise or at least the announcement to be a surprise. I know in my head when I\’m coming back. But I don’t want the rest of the world to know until it’s time.”

    How to Stay Relevant

    Cardona is fueled by the motivation to fulfill all the goals he sets for himself. He is constantly moving the goalpost. And if anyone knows the importance of staying in the mix, even without wrestling, it’s the former Zack Ryder.

    “In this business, it’s what have you done for me lately,” Cardona said. “You have to chase that buzz and stay relevant, especially on the independents. I knew when I got hurt I had to pivot and readjust. I contacted all the promoters I was working for and told them the deal and my situation and rescheduled the ones who didn’t just want me to trash talk. Luckily, for me, I’m able to come to a lot of these places and just trash talk and sell merchandise…

    I’m proud that I’m able to make these towns and provide value to these promoters and these fans with much more than just wrestling inside those ropes. At the same time, trust me, I” \’m rushing to come back. It’s very important. You can’t let the momentum die.”

    Z! True Long Island Story

    Cardona knows how to make the most of every situation and the tools available to him. A shining example of this is when he launched the Z! True Long Island Story in 2011. The used the YouTube show as a vehicle to build a connection with the audience. In a lot of ways, what the creator helped blaze a new trail for pro wrestlers. He continues to do that in all facets of the business whether it’s marketing himself, branding, podcast, and business ventures including the successful action figure lines.

    “I think what made Zack Ryder successful was the time,” Cardona explained. “If I were to do it now, I feel like I would be anyone else…Writing [the show] the show myself, funding it myself, editing myself. You go back and watch some of those episodes, the editing was atrocious. It’s just me in my iMovie.

    That was the charm of the show. That’s what the fans could relate to. Including fans on the journey, ‘Broski of the Week’ videos or ‘Sign of the Week,’ encouraging fans to bring signs and sending out trading cards for people that buy my shirt. This wasn’t done back then. If it happened now, it wouldn’t be as special or important. Anybody can do stuff like that now.”

    Chelsea Green

    Being on the shelf has also allowed Cardona time to really appreciate the success of his wife Chelsea Green in WWE. The couple shares similar traits when it comes to drive and determination. It’s what has gotten Green respect among peers and fans alike. With GCW doing a show nearby the night before, Cardona was able to witness one of Green’s biggest matches at Money in the Bank firsthand. The alum likes to keep to himself when he goes to WWE shows as to not make it seem like he is angling for a job and to keep the focus on supporting Green.

    “Even when she was my girlfriend, I couldn’t believe when she was doing the ‘Hot Mess’ stuff on Impact that WWE didn’t want to hire her. Then I couldn’t believe they fired her. Then I couldn’t believe that in-between at NXT they weren’t using her. I’m glad she now getting the recognition she deserves…

    Obviously, super proud of everything, not only what she did in that match, but even if it’s a pretape on SmackDown or falling off a ladder through tables. It’s nice to see the wrestling world giving her the flowers finally I think it’s a matter of time before she gets what she deserves. I hate saying deserves because she would have earned it.”

    GCW

    Cardona is proud to be part of GCW. He believes the company also deserves proverbial flowers with what the promotion created. Cardona named as one to watch with a bright future.

    “GCW is a company I feel I put on the map with that death match with Nick Gage,” he said. “At the same time, they put me on the map with that death match with Nick Gage. The relationship has been mutually beneficial. That match changed my life and career. I owe so much to GCW.

    I don’t think GCW gets the credit it deserves. This company is truly an independent company run all over the world and every weekend. I think it’s WWE and GCW. I don’t think any other company runs as much or as consistently here as GCW runs. With WWE, I wouldn’t be surprised if they do stuff with GCW. They already kind of are with the Bloodsport.”

    The lifelong pro wrestling fan can even picture a GCW invasion likened to what ECW did on Raw. Laying out the hypothetical booking, “Imagine if Matt Cardona comes down the ramp at Raw and, Joey Janela, Effy, Nick Gage, Steph De Lander, and Mance Warner. Brett Lauderdale could be the new Heyman on commentary. I’m getting goosebumps. Talk about a perfect way for Matt Cardona to make his debut in GCW. You want to talk about moments. That’s a moment.”

    John Cena Retiring

    Another thing he wants is a match against John Cena, who announced he\’ll be retiring in 2025. The two were close for many years with Cena a big advocate for the Long Island broski. This would involve Cardona returning to WWE, but how would all that work?

    “He is just a pro’s pro. What a way to go out. What a smart way to go out. A whole year plus because he is hyping it up in July. I’m thinking about the merch. John is such a great guy. Someone who helped me in my career. Those posts I make on social media are not BS. I would love to wrestle John Cena one last time.

    I think with the way things with WWE are now, I think it could happen where I could just walk in one day or make a return. I think John Cena versus Zack Ryder was fine. They were what they were. John Cena versus Matt Cardona. That’s where the story is. I could say, ‘John Cena, you’re the reason why my WWE career didn’t take off.’ So many things that we can play into. I know that if I walked through the doors of WWE, surprise or not, I could get a reaction…I’m happy he gets to go out on his own terms.”

    Hanging Up His \”Indy God\” Crown

    When Cardona does come back to wrestle, he plans to hang up “The Indy God” hat. He is looking for another change in presentation after feeling he has done it all. The true freelancer will weigh his options, believing he can fit into any wrestling landscape. Alwayz ready isn’t just a catchphrase, but a life mantra. He doesn\’t just want to work for peanuts. Cardona is looking for the whole jar. 

    ““There are so many guys in AEW I would love to wrestle,” Cardona said. “There are ones I would love to wrestle for the first time like Kenny Omega. I would love to wrestle MJF. Long Island versus Long Island. Then WWE. WWE is on fire right now. Cody Rhodes, WWE champion. All I’m saying is when he left WWE, he left because Zack Ryder beat Stardust. It sent him out of the company. There are so many potential matchups.

    … At the same time, I won’t sacrifice everything I built. If it doesn’t make sense for me to go to WWE or AEW, I will reinvent myself and reinvent the whole god damn independent scene. That’s what I will do. I’m grateful for my time WWE, highs and lows, but I’m not finished left. I have so much left in the tank, body-wise, and creatively. That’s why being injured sucks so bad. It’s also good for me to kind of rethink some things and plan some things out. I’m very excited for the next couple of months to see what happens for me… 2025 will be a fun year for Matt Cardona. We’ll see.\”

  • Deonna Purrazzo Talks \’Thriving\’ AEW\’s Women\’s Divison & Potential of Teaming With Britt Baker

    Deonna Purrazzo spent the better part of the last four years with a chip on her shoulder. The WWE release was the spark that lit a fire under “The Virtuosa,,” She knew her worth and what she was capable of. It was just about finding the right place that would give her the opportunity to show it. Enter TNA. The company provided the technical marvel to shine in the biggest of spotlights within their environment, even headlining shows.

    After achieving all the milestones in TNA, Purrazzo felt the time was right to spread her wings further. The free agent was a hot commodity given the body of work she amassed and the reputation she earned. All Elite Wrestling became the landing spot at the start of 2024.

    “Walking into any locker room new to you or in a new environment is scary because you’re not comfortable,” she said. “I was in TNA Impact Wrestling for three-and-a-half years, so that was my home. My husband was there. Some of my best friends were there. I got to know everyone on such a personal and intimate level working with them for that long.”

    Making the leap was not easy for Purrazzo given the bonds she formed in TNA. However, in the last six months, she has been happy to establish a new relationship with the ladies of the AEW roster, many of whom she has never met or wrestled before.

    “I think it has been super positive,” Purrazzo said. “I’ve put my best foot forward with this new company and working with brand new people and telling new stories. I was scared but equally excited.”

    The new digs mean adjusting to a new schedule, which isn’t easy when your husband Steve Maclin works for a different company. For Purrazz, the couple has been finding their footing slowly but surely.

    “It has been about adjusting when we get to see each other and making those moments special, allowing time for date night or his birthday is this weekend, so celebrating his birthday,” Purrazzo added. “Making those moments special because right now they are far and few between.”

    The young veteran finds similarities between the TNA and AEW locker room. One thing that has helped the transition is having the support of real-life best friends like Madison Rayne. Someone who has been in Purrazzo’s shoes. One backstage reunion she looks forward to is Britt Baker.

    “It has been interesting because I think in our mind we always envisioned us being there at the same time and doing it together,” she said. “That has not been the case for the last six months, so I\’m very excited for whenever Brit comes back and I get to work with her on this kind of level because we never have before. Also, I want to see how she can reinvent herself and what she can do because she is one of the OG girls and has been there since Day 1 as the first woman signed.

    “To hear her thoughts and take on the way the division has grown and the potential she sees for the future is interesting. It’s some of the same things I want for our division. It will be fun to work together and achieve that.”

    Purrazzo looks back to meeting Baker and another good friend Chelsea Green for the first time at age 19 or 20. To see their journeys and how far they’ve come brings a smile to her face.

    “I think at the end of the day we were so fortunate because we got what we wanted out of this. There is still so much we want and left to achieve,” Purrazzo said. “We were 20-year-old girls with these big dreams to take over this industry and change this industry and be world champions and we’ve done that. And somehow through the BS of this industry stayed best friends and positive. If there is anything I want for Chelsea Green and Britt Baker is to be equally or more successful for me. Or Karen Q or Tasha Steelz.

    “I’ve been able to cultivate this really tight-knit group of girls who have been there at the beginning of my career and that I consider my family. I don’t have a sister, but if I did it would be Chelsea Green. That is what our relationship is like. To watch her on Monday nights or Friday nights and thrive and do what Chelsea does best is more fulfilling than anything I can do for myself. I know the work she has put into this and what it means to her. I thrive when my friends thrive. To see them do that the last five or six years has been really fulfilling for me.”

    For Purrazzo, the AEW women’s division is thriving and finding newfound attention. This could be attributed to herself and the major signing of Mercedes Mone. At the time of the interview, Purrazzo was excited to be part of her first Double or Nothing weekend with Mone battling Willow Nightingale for the AEW TBS championship, as well as “Timeless” Toni Storm defending against Serena Deeb. The fact that there are two big matches on the card is not lost on her. Between those matches and other stories being told including what she is doing with Thunder Rosa, Purrazzo can see the momentum building. Rosa and Purrazzo were just announced to face off at the Double or Nothing Zero Hour. 

    “I think for myself when a woman comes in and says, ‘This is what I want. These are my terms.’ And then gets it, and then does great business for other women to come thereafter. To watch her thrive in the way she is,” Purrazzo said of Mone. “She is about to get in the ring and I know so many people have been looking forward to watching her wrestle again, I’m one of those people.”

    Purrazzo has high hopes for Forbidden Door to come thereafter. She is even dreaming of booking a rematch against Stardom’s Mayu Iwatani. At the same time, the star can see a wealth of possibilities for opponents and the future of the women’s division. With that in mind, Purrazzo would love to see a tag division if rolled out the proper way. When those stars align, there is even a partner in mind.

    “I think the most logical answer is Britt. I don’t know if we can have a different rendition of VXT in AEW or what that looks like,” she said. “Coming from a division that has or still has a world tag team championship, it is interesting because I think more opportunities for women is amazing. I don\’t think it is something you can introduce and say, “Here is the women’s tag team championship because you wanted it and gave it to you. I think there is a long process of developing real teams and having people have partnerships that are meaningful and long-lasting, especially for women. I think it’s easy to throw girls in there and say you’re a tag team. That hinders women’s tag team division a whole bunch.

    “It takes time to build chemistry. A relationship that then you can feel through the screen. I think if there was going to be AEW women’s tag team championship, I would like to see it far out and see our tag division really cultivated and the relationship truly formed. Then maybe there is a tournament to solidify who would wrestle for the titles or who would become champion. Something more with long-term storytelling and a large format instead of just, \’You asked for it, here it is.\’\”

    If you’re a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, you could argue Purrazzo as the example. Losing her job at WWE was eye-opening not just the pro wrestling side but life in general.

    “It was a scary realization of not having anything else and no backup plan. That\’s why I chose to go to school. One, if I’m not going to wrestle anymore I need a college degree to get a job. Two, if I do continue to wrestle I need an outlet that isn\’t related to wrestling at all. When I was doing my school work I got a bachelor’s in history. My capstone was 25 pages. I don\’t have time to pick up the phone to scroll through Twitter and look at what is happening in the wrestling world right now.

    “I had to dive into it one hundred percent if I wanted to accomplish it. It was just another roulette for me not to have my heart and soul into wrestling because I felt that destroyed m
    e at one point. And if I was going to learn from my mistakes and be better this time around like at Impact when I was able to let wrestling go a little bit and have it not control me 24/7. For me, that outlet was school.”

    Check out AEW Double or Nothing on May 26 at 8 p.m. on TrillerTV. 

  • Ricardo Rodriguez Reflects on WWE Exit A Decade Later & Finding A Home in MLW

    It\’s been almost a decade since Jesús Rodríguez (Ricardo Rodriguez) was released from WWE. Since then, he has gone on a soul-searching journey that has led him to Major League Wrestling. 

    A company Rodriguez was grateful to find at this stage of his career, taking all he has learned and experienced to put forth the best version of himself. I recently spoke with the talented performer about his experience wrestling for WWE and what he\’s enjoying in Major League Wrestling (MLW).

    His WWE Exit

    “It’s honestly amazing thinking back 10 years ago,’ Rodriguez said. \”The story is, I called the [WWE] office and told them, ‘Hey I’m done. I’m not happy. I’m still at home. I didn’t get on the plane.’ When they just said, ‘Well stay home and we’ll talk and figure it out.’ They called me back a few days later and said, ‘Yeah, we’ll grant you your release.’ I was like thank you.”

    At the time he was in his late 20s. He likened it to your first big breakup in high school. A time when you think your life is over and that you’ll never find love again. The ring announcer and pro wrestler learned that the only thing he could control was how he reacted to things.

    “Life is going to happen on life’s terms. I didn’t react the proper way,” Rodriguez recalled. “I was very angry and bitter. I just hated life and wrestling and anybody that was, in my mind, opposing me in what I wanted to accomplish. It took a while to control how I reacted. I had to learn that aspect. 

    It’s no secret because I am very open about it, my addiction issue. Getting sober and clean was a huge step forward and realizing all that. I am grateful in hindsight that I went through all that to appreciate what I have now. Opportunities I was given when I learned to appreciate things and being more mindful. Now I’m in a situation now with an amazing company that we are leading into.”

    Rather than leave the business, Rodriguez found a renewed motivation. He worked with The Great Khali to open the market up in India. This wasn’t the only stop on his international travel with stops in Europe, Australia, and of course, Mexico. Rodriguez, who had a great run with Alberto Del Rio, took his knowledge to helping run schools including a year in Cairo, even maneuvering through the uncertainty of COVID.

    MLW

    Looking back, Rodriguez is happy to go through the lows in order to truly appreciate the highs, many of which the veteran is getting in MLW as a member of Salina de La Renta’s Promociones Dorado. Rodriguez, who also helps as a producer and behind the scenes like de La Renta, can’t be happier to watch her success onscreen and offscreen working with the women’s division. 

    “It’s amazing because I’ve known her for her entire career,” Rodriguez said. \”The same for Janai Kai, who I’ve know since the very first day she walked into a wrestling school. It’s rewarding to see their growth and development now…and the presence they have. It’s so admirable if you look at it and the presence they carry with them. I feel like this is portrayed on camera which is very hard to teach.”

    MLW in Chicago at Cicero Stadium

    Rodriguez, who helps the next generation through Three Legacies Wrestling, takes pride in seeing so much representation across the board in regards to the Latin American community. So much MLW has built a brand and show Azteca Lucha on May 11 when the company returns to a sold-out Chicago’s Cicero Stadium. Rodriguez will team with Atlantis, and Guerrero Maya Jr. to face El Felino, Virus, and Villano III Jr. as the war with Cesar Duran continues.

    “It’s amazing to me as a lucha libre fan because I grew up on lucha libre. To be in a trios match with partners like this is amazing to me. The very first wrestling hero I had was Atlantis. To be partnered up with him is a dream come true…I did spend a lot of time with a top heel in the industry so I may have a trick or two to secure that victory.

    “We have Azteca Lucha and sold out. We’re building this relationship with CMLL which is very important. We’re able to provider great luchadors from Mexico, the United States, and internationally. Who is to say there isn’t going to be an MLW takeover in Mexico and Arena México? It would be huge. We have a lot of amazing events coming up.\”

    MLW Azteca Lucha airs airs at 10 p.m. ET, May 11 on Triller TV+