SEScoops

Author: Thomas Lowson

  • Jonathan Coachman: Nia Jax Hates Me, She Worked To Get Me Rid Of Me

    Nia Jax hates Jonathan Coachman so much, that she worked to force him out of WWE, the former Raw & SmackDown commentator claimed this week. While speaking on the Behind The Turnbuckle: The Last Word podcast, Coachman reflected on his return to WWE in 2018 and how Jax allegedly wanted no part of him.

    \”She hates me, by the way, Nia Jax hates me… Nobody liked the fact that they brought me back. I’m not going to use the jealous word, it is what it is.

    \”Nia Jax led the charge. \’Renee, Renee, Renee in Coach’s spot.\’ She didn’t like me, for whatever reason.”

    Coachman didn\’t just have problems with the reigning WWE Women\’s Champion, but there were also issues with Vince McMahon. On the podcast, Coachman shared that upon returning he informed Vince of four golf events he intended to attend and McMahon agreed to let him go to these instead of Raw. By the time the second event came around though, McMahon was furious and sought replacements for the broadcaster.

    Jonathan Coachman Vows To Never Work For WWE Again After Doomed Run

    Coachman parted ways with WWE in 2021, an act that also saw him leave the XFL that had been resurrected a year earlier but nixed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coachman has claimed that he expected to be reimbursed by McMahon for his travel expenses but never was due to the XFL filing for bankruptcy.

    Jax herself has yet to weigh in on her alleged hatred for Coachman, or that she worked to have him removed as a commentator on Raw. With The Coach vowing never to work with WWE, it\’s unlikely the pair will cross paths again in a professional setting, which if Coachman is to be believed, is for the best.

    Nia Jax: WWE Release Helped “Restore My Passion for Wrestling”

  • Eric Bischoff Promises Fun and Chaos Ahead Of Tuesday NXT Appearance

    Eric Bischoff is ready to have some fun this coming Tuesday when the WWE Hall of Famer comes to WWE NXT. On his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff gave fans a taste of what they can expect to see during this week\’s edition of the silver brand.

    “You know how I like to have fun… It’s been a little chaotic over at NXT, so I thought I’d drop in and say hello, and show up in person next week. So yeah, it’s gonna’ be fun.”

    Bischoff appeared on the Titantron during last week\’s episode of WWE NXT after Ridge Holland declared that \”controversy follows me.\” Bischoff, the author of 2006\’s Controversy Creates Cash, shared that he wants to see what makes Holland and Trick Williams \’tick\’ ahead of their NXT Championship match at NXT Deadline on December 7.

    WWE NXT – December 3, 2024

    Here\’s what fans can expect to see on this week\’s WWE NXT, the go-home show before NXT Deadline.

    • WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff to appear
    • Karmen Petrovic Vs. Nikkita Lyons
    • Eddy Thorpe vs. Lexis King vs. Axiom vs. Cedric Alexander (Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match)
    • Jaida Parker vs. Wren Sinclair vs. Cora Jade vs. Kelani Jordan (Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match)
    • Tag Team Battle Royal to become the #1 Contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championship

    NXT Deadline will take place from the Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, December 7. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Deadline including breaking news and live results.

  • \”I’m Over Hiding\” – Nikki Garcia Staying Strong For Her Son After Divorce

    Nikki Garcia attempted to make her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev appear much better than it was, the WWE Hall of Famer has revealed. The pair, who tied the knot in 2022 after a whirlwind romance sparked on Dancing with the Stars, ended their relationship this year following Chigvintsev\’s arrest at their home in Napa, California.

    Returning to her Nikki and Brie podcast, Garcia opened up about the relationship, which saw cracks long before their issues were brought to the public\’s attention.

    “Things haven’t been great for a long time. I really played it up that things were a lot better than what they were.\”

    Chigvintsev was arrested over an alleged domestic violence incident, though the Napa County District Attorney’s Office opted not to press charges. Chigvintsev has claimed that he was not aggressive and that Garcia shared false claims resulting in his arrest. On the podcast, Garcia shared her side of the story.

    \”When you know the truth, nothing else matters. Because I know the truth and I actually lived it… People don’t know what I’ve gone through, what I am going through.”

    Garcia\’s return to the podcast comes after she \”needed to disconnect\” and focus on the \”protection and privacy\” of the couple\’s four-year-old son Matteo. Looking back, Garcia believes that what happened in August could have been avoided as the pair \”weren\’t bringing out the best in each other\” for a long time.

    \”We probably should have walked away a long time ago so in the end what happened, would not have happened.\”

    Addressing the end of her marriage, Garcia \”never saw it coming\” and described it as a \”great love story turned terrible\” that has left her \”heartbroken and sad. Now, the former WWE Divas Champion\’s focus is on herself and Matteo.

    \”I want to remain strong for Matteo. I’m over hiding, and I just want to live my life.”

    The couple agreed to a divorce settlement in November, avoiding a trial that was set to begin in December. Following the arrest, Chigvintsev was not invited back to Dancing With The Stars, something he allegedly knew before the incident in late August. Chigvintsev made an appearance as a guest in the studio audience for the show’s 500th episode, at the invitation of an executive producer.

  • Kota Ibushi On Injuries: I\’m At My Limit, It Could End Any Time

    All Elite Wrestling\’s Kota Ibushi is at the proverbial limit of his career, but won\’t stop competing in the squared circle just yet. Speaking to Tokyo Sports this week, Ibushi discussed his career and the toll his body has taken over the years.

    \”My legs are at their limit and it could end at any time. I wanted to keep going before I can\’t do it anymore… I\’m really at the limit, but I want to contribute to the world of professional wrestling before I end my career, so I\’m currently appearing in various places.\”

    Ibushi\’s career has seen several injuries occur, including injuries to both of his ankles at a NOAH event in January of this year. While Ibushi finished the match, which saw him defeat Naomishi Marufuji, he was taken to a hospital shortly after. Ibushi returned to action in August for DDT Pro Wrestling, where he was on the losing end of an eight-man tag-team match.

    Kota Ibushi Teases Retirement After Double Ankle Setback

    One of the \”various places\” fans hope to see Ibushi compete is AEW as he signed a contract with the promotion in November of last year. Ibushi is currently 3-1 in the company, with his most recent match coming that same month. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kota Ibushi who isn\’t ready to say goodbye to the ring yet, despite the toll his body has taken.

    Kota Ibushi Calls AEW ‘Home’, Assures Comeback With Kenny Omega

  • CM Punk and Roman Reigns’ Alliance Draws Insane Social Media Numbers

    Roman Reigns and CM Punk have once again cemented their place as top draws in WWE with impressive social media numbers on various platforms. At Survivor Series: WarGames, the pair forged an uneasy alliance as the OG Bloodline with Punk defeated Solo Sikoa\’s Bloodline with Bronson Reed in the main event.

    Across WWE\’s social media platforms, clips involving Punk and Reigns amassed a reported 204 million views in the 24 hours after the show. One Instagram Reel, which sees Reigns block Punk\’s entry into the match has hit 91 million views, a reported record-breaking figure for any IG Reel from the promotion within the time window.

    Other highlights of this social media dominance include:

    • Reigns blocks Punk\’s entry – 13.6 Million views on TikTok
    • Roman Reigns scales the WarGames cage – 10.8 Million views on TikTok
    • Punk enters when Reigns intended – 7.4 Million views on TikTok
    • The OG Bloodline Win WarGames – 7.4 Million views on TikTok
    • Punk saves Reigns from Bronson Reed\’s Tsunami – 18 Million views on Instagram. 3.1 Million views on TikTok

    The pair are also dominating on Instagram and YouTube, with clips featuring Reigns and Punk being the most viewed from Survivor Series: WarGames. The event came one year after Punk\’s shocking return to WWE, which also broke records in terms of viewership.

    @wwe

    Bro wasnt having it ? #WWE #CMPunk #RomanReigns #SurvivorSeries #WarGames

    ? original sound – WWE

    These numbers highlight the immense star power both Roman Reigns and CM Punk bring to WWE\’s table and bodes well for the promotion\’s long-term plans. In the build to Survivor Series: WarGames, Punk was promised a favor from Paul Heyman, with fans speculating that this favor could see Punk share the ring with Reigns again, this time as adversaries. Heyman and Punk embraced after the WarGames main event, though the WWE Hall of Famer did not embrace Roman Reigns.

    Reigns has confirmed his role in WWE Raw\’s debut on Netflix, a show that Punk is also expected to be a part of. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on CM Punk and Roman Reigns as the pair continue to be bonafide draws on WWE programming.

  • How Horror Effects and AEW Inspiration Shaped Rhea Ripley’s Look

    Rhea Ripley\’s unique look at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames came about thanks to a blend of horror effects talent and All-Elite inspirations. For the latest WWE PLE, Ripley arrived wearing a protective face mask as she is still dealing with the effects of her orbital socket fracture. This mask, however, was given a macabre twist, complete with horns attached to give \’Mami\’ a demonic look.

    Ripley\’s mask was created by horror effects legend Jason Baker, who took to X to speak about his experience making the Australian\’s unique look. Baker was challenged to work around Ripley\’s protective face mask and was appreciative to his team for ensuring the mask that he designed and painted was finished in time for the show.

    Baker is WWE\’s go-to individual when it comes to crafting epic masks for use on programming. In addition to Ripley, he worked with Bray Wyatt for the design of The Fiend and has created masks for Triple H, Asuka, Cody Rhodes, The Wyatt Sicks, and others. Outside of wrestling, he has worked with major horror movie projects including the Terrifier franchise and has been working with the metal band Slipknot.

    During the match, Ripley removed her mask, revealing war paint underneath, complete with a red slash just above her eye. On Instagram, Ripley shared that this look was inspired by her husband, All Elite Wrestling\’s Buddy Matthews.

    https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2024/12/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2024/12/\"

    Ripley is far from finished with Liv Morgan, but is waiting for IYO SKY to have her earned title match with the Women\’s World Champion before she makes her next move. In the meantime, fans can expect plenty of Rhea Ripley on WWE TV after her impactful return to the ring at Survivor Series: WarGames.

    Designer Shows Exclusive Photo of Rhea Ripley’s WWE Survivor Series Ringwalk Jacket

  • Backstage Reaction to Matt Riddle’s Last-Minute TNA Turning Point Debut

    At Turning Point, Matt Riddle debuted in Wrestling as the mystery man in a six-man tag-team match. With Trey Miguel unable to make the show, Riddle filled in and teamed with Zachary Wentz and KUSHIDA. Unfortunately for the Original Bro, his TNA debut was not a successful one as his team lost to TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardys and ABC\’s Ace Austin.

    TNA only found out that Miguel would not be able to appear on Friday afternoon, Fightful Select reports, mere hours before the show began that same day. Riddle reportedly found out not long before the show that he was needed and ended up making the trip to the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

    Backstage Reaction

    Sources in TNA said that the situation was far from ideal, but they were not worried about finding a replacement for Miguel. That\’s because Turning Point was a part of the WrestleCade event, and there were \”a hundred or so possible replacements\” for Miguel.

    Those in TNA were said to be pleased with the reaction Matt received, but would not commit to using him again at this time. Riddle has yet to be advertised for any future TNA pay-per-views of TV events.

    Riddle was released from WWE in September 2023, and was one of the most high-profile names cut following the launch of TKO Group Holdings. The former U.S Champion\’s exit came after a series of controversies, including a stint in rehab, a cocaine-related suspension, issues backstage with multiple wrestlers, and allegations of sexual assault, though the case against him was later dropped. Shortly after his release, Riddle made a scene at JFK Airport, with sources at the scene suggesting that he was drunk.

    Whether fans see Riddle in TNA Wrestling again or not remains to be seen, but the Original Bro certainly made an impression when he arrived. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Matt Riddle and his next steps in the world of pro wrestling.

  • Nia Jax Responds To Criticism Of Survivor Series: WarGames Performance

    Nia Jax is pleased to have evoked an emotion from fans, even if that emotion was critical of her performance at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames. At WWE\’s most recent Premium Live Event, Jax teamed with Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, Raquel Rodriguez, and Candice LeRae inside WarGames. The quintet would lose to the face team of Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, IYO SKY, Naomi, and Bayley.

    Much was made of Jax\’s performance in the match, especially when she delivered slow chairshots that looked far from painful. When a fan suggested on X that Jax seemed afraid to hurt her opponents, the reigning WWE Women\’s Champion responded.

    Jax earned a reputation during her first run with WWE as someone who injured opponents, which greatly affected the Irresistible Force. Jax has said that after her release from WWE in 2021, she felt like she deserved it based on what fans said about her online. Jax would make a one-off return in the 2023 Women\’s Royal Rumble match and return to the promotion in full later that same year.

    With Survivor Series: WarGames out of the way, Jax\’s attention will turn back towards her Women\’s Championship and her potential challengers. With Tiffany Stratton teasing a cash-in during the Women\’s WarGames match, Jax will need to keep her eyes peeled for a potential betrayal by her \’friend\’ as well as a challenge from the stacked roster on SmackDown.

  • Costco Guys\’ Big Boom A.J. Explains 19-Year Hiatus From Pro Wrestling

    Big Boom A.J. Befumo of the Costco Guys stepped away from the ring years ago after reaching the heights he wanted to reach in pro wrestling. Befumo and his family have been viral stars on social media with their food reviews of products from Costco. The buzz around the channel would see Befumo sign a one-match deal with AEW and defeat QT Marshall at Full Gear.

    Befumo competed for years in wrestling before hanging up his boots in 2005, though showed very little ring rust at AEW\’s latest pay-per-view. On Hey(EW!), A.J. explained his decision to step away from wrestling 19 years ago.

    \”At the time, I went as far as wrestling as I really wanted to go, without being on the road so many days a year.\”

    Had Befumo reached his social media popularity during his first in-ring run, he likely would not have hung up his boots, the viral star shared during the interview. Now with over 1 million followers on TikTok, Big Boom A.J. certainly has a large enough fanbase to make a fully-fledged return to the ring viable, should he choose to go down that route.

    In the meantime, Befumo, Big Justice, and the family will continue to make viral content on TikTok and nurse the injury he fought during his match on the Full Gear pre-show. With Tony Khan offering an open invitation to Befumo to return, fans may not have to wait another 19 years to see A.J. bring the boom in the squared circle again.

    Tony Khan Talks Appealing To Casual Fans With Costco Guys Involvement

  • Sami Zayn: Hall of Famers Never Told a Story As Good As The Bloodline

    Sami Zayn is privileged to be a part of the Bloodline saga, a story that eclipses what many Hall of Famers accomplished according to the Honorary Uce. Zayn joined the Bloodline storyline two years into the narrative in 2022 and would feud with the faction the following year.

    At WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, Sami reunited with Roman Reigns and The Usos, and aligned with CM Punk to defeat Solo Sikoa\’s Bloodline in the show\’s main event. Speaking on the post-show press conference, Zayn shared his bold statement that this angle has gone beyond what many legends of the ring were able to accomplish.

    \”I\’m extremely proud of being a part of all this. There are Hall of Famers who have won multiple championships, who\’ve headlined WrestleMania, had Hall of Fame careers, who never got to tell a story this good.\”

    Being a part of the Bloodline saga is a \”privilege beyond what I can put into words,\” Zayn added, flanked by Jimmy, Jey, and CM Punk. The angle has received praise from wrestling fans for its use of longterm storytelling and emotional payoffs, two aspects of wrestling that many fans felt that WWE had been lacking in until this popular angle.

    Related: Sami Zayn On Where The Bloodline Goes From Here

    Questions remain as to where the group goes from here, especially with Zayn, Punk, and Jey Uso being contracted to Monday Night Raw. There\’s also the question of the favor that Paul Heyman now owes CM Punk which was alluded to both on the go-home SmackDown and at Survivor Series: WarGames. One thing that\’s clear is that the Bloodline saga is far from over, and Sami Zayn could not be happier about that.

    Roman Reigns & CM Punk Clash And Collaborate In Epic WarGames Main Event

  • Triple H: WWE ID Will Help Talent On \”Very Difficult\” Independent Scene

    The WWE ID program will help talent navigate the \”very difficult\” independent wrestling scene, according to WWE CCO Paul Levesque. The program has seen WWE partner with several wrestling schools and sign various independent talent as \’prospects.\’ Thsoe signed will receive access to WWE\’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, as well as training overseen by Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky.

    Speaking at the Survivor Series: WarGames post-show press conference Levesque shared how WWE ID will help talent in the difficult, often cutthroat world of independent wrestling.

    \”The independent scene is very difficult. That’s a long hard road. We’re trying to make that easier.\”

    WWE ID will pay attention to the indie talent with the most potential, Levesque added, who will also be financially supported by the program. With that said, WWE ID will not be a permanent role for prospects, whether they show the necessary progress or not.

    \”If somebody is working really hard and busting their ass every week and they are progressing and continuing to grow, they stay in our system until it’s time for them to outgrow that system. If they are not, we’ll make moves and change some people around.\”

    Several talents have already been announced as prospects, with more names expected to be confirmed. Click here to check out SEScoops\’ hub on the WWE ID program.

    Kylie Rae Is Feeling Blessed As The Latest WWE ID Prospect

  • Finn Balor & Damian Priest Brawl In Parking Lot After Survivor Series: WarGames

    Damian Priest wasted no time in seeking revenge on Finn Balor after being screwed out of the World Heavyweight Title at Survivor Series: WarGames. During the Vancouver PLE, Balor attacked Priest during his match with GUNTHER, which proved pivotal in the Ring General retaining his title against the man he dethroned at SummerSlam. Despite the assist, GUNTHER made clear that he didn\’t want the help and attacked Balor at ringside.

    After Survivor Series: WarGames went off the air, Priest attacked Balor in the parking lot at the Rogers Arena. Although Priest got the jump on his former friend, The Judgment Day would soon arrive to attack Priest while Raw General Manager tried to re-establish order.

    It\’s clear that the issues between Priest and Balor are far from over, despite Priest\’s victory over Finn at WWE Bad Blood in October of this year. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from this feud as the personal issues between the two are only going to get uglier from here.

  • Bron Breakker\’s Door Is Always Open To Alliance With Paul Heyman

    WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker could be the next \’Paul Heyman Guy\’ following his win at Survivor Series: WarGames. At the Vancouver PLE, Breakker retained the gold in a brutal triple-threat match that saw him defeat both Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser.

    On the post-show press conference, Breakker was asked if he would be interested in working with Paul Heyman, who recently returned to WWE programming.

    \”I definitely think that there\’s a possibility of that happening at some point, maybe down the line… The door is definitely open. We\’ll just have to say \’never say never\’ on that.\”

    Breakker is no stranger to working with Heyman, as the Wiseman was loaned by Roman Reigns to Bron for the October 10, 2023, episode of WWE NXT. The star-studded show, which bested AEW Dynamite in the war for ratings, saw Breakker, with Heyman, come up short against the John Cena-endorsed Carmelo Hayes.

    Breakker\’s comments come after Heyman named the second-generation Superstar as a potential \’guy\’ of his. The 2024 WWE Hall of Famer also has his eyes on GUNTHER, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Liv Morgan in what Heyman believes to be the deepest roster of talent WWE has ever seen. Breakker has long been considered a future top star, and aligning with Heyman could be what it takes to move the reigning Intercontinental Champion into a much bigger picture.

  • Roman Reigns & CM Punk Clash And Collaborate In Epic WarGames Main Event

    Roman Reigns and CM Punk may have been on the winning side at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, but the pair of WWE icons struggled to stay on the same page. In the main event of the Vancouver PLE, Reigns, and Punk, alongside Sami Zayn and The Usos, emerged victorious inside WarGames, besting Solo Sikoa\’s Bloodline and \’Big\’ Bronson Reed.

    Tensions In the Cage

    As seen on SmackDown, there was plenty of animosity between the two former World Champions going into the match which played out in Canada. When Punk tried to enter the match, Reigns was quick to establish dominance by blocking him and sending Sami Zayn into WarGames instead. Later on, Punk got payback, as when Reigns decided it was time to join the match, Punk barged in front of the OTC, visibly irritating his ally.

    When Reigns eventually entered the match (after CM Punk,) Sikoa\’s Bloodline did what it could to block the arrival of the Head of the Table. Sikoa locked the cage to keep Reigns out but Roman would scale the cage and arrive via a dive from the top, setting the tone for the dominance he would dish out in his second-ever WarGames match.

    Moments of Cooperation

    Tensions between Punk and Reigns continued to boil in the ring, with Paul Heyman pleading to his Tribal Chief and the Best in the World to co-exist for the night. Sure enough, the pair proved to be able to work together, as seen when Punk saved Reigns from Bronson Reed’s attempted Tsunami off the cage.

    While Reigns and Punk tried to get along and co-exist inside WarGames, the chaos of the match saw Reigns accidentally spear Punk when attempting to level a member of Sikoa\’s team. The move only served to show the lack of coordination in Reigns\’ group, in stark contrast to the well-oiled machine Sikoa has honed since taking over the Bloodline back in April.

    After the Match

    The finish of the match saw Solo Sikoa eat the finishes of the OG Bloodline and Punk and Reigns shared a handshake once their team emerged victorious. Not only did the pair shake hands, but the two posed with their allies after the match, both in the ring and at the entrance stage.

    CM Punk left a lasting impression in his first WarGames match, and reminded Paul Heyman of the favor he now owes the Chicago-Made star. The nature of this favor remains a mystery at this time, but with Heyman\’s involvement, Survivor Series: WarGames may not be the last we see of CM Punk and Roman Reigns sharing the same ring.

  • Rhea Ripley Shares Injury Update and Revenge After WarGames Victory

    Rhea Ripley is feeling \”pretty good\” regarding her fractured orbital bone following her victory inside WarGames at Survivor Series. Inside Vancouver\’s Rogers Arena, Ripley joined IYO SKY, Bayley, Naomi, and Bianca Belair to defeat Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae.

    The match was Ripley\’s first in close to two months as she has been out with a fractured orbital bone injury. At the post-Survivor Series press conference, Ripley, who donned a horned mask inside WarGames, was asked for an update on her condition.

    \”Honestly, I can\’t see it, so I don\’t know. But it feels pretty good.\”

    Ripley\’s orbital bone hasn\’t prevented her from seeking revenge on Morgan and Rodriguez, who on WWE TV, caused the injury with an attack at the October 29, show. While she may not be fully recovered, Ripley has her sights set on the pair, as well as former ally Dominik Mysterio should he try to get involved.

    \”Revenge seems to be the topic of conversation of me and Liv. Dom is in that conversation now. I\’m not done with Liv. If Dom wants to stick his nose where it don\’t belong, then I\’m not done with Dom either. If he\’s going to come out and interfere, of course, I\’m going to put my hands on him.\”

    Ripley will have to wait for another shot at Morgan\’s Women\’s World Championship as IYO SKY is the current number one contender for the gold. Nevertheless, the Australian is far from finished with Morgan, as made clear inside WarGames.

  • Shinsuke Nakamura Joins Elite Club With WWE United States Title Win

    Shinsuke Nakamura didn\’t just win the WWE U.S. Champion at Survivor Series: WarGames, but the new champion joined a very elite club as well. The Japanese star won the gold for the third time in his career at WWE\’s latest PLE with a win over LA Knight. The Megastar had held the title since WWE SummerSlam in August, ending the lengthy reign of Logan Paul.

    With his win, Nakamura has become the fourth wrestler to win the United States Title in both the United States and Canada. The King of Strong Style joins a legendary list of Superstars, including:

    • Ricky \’The Dragon\’ Steamboat: Charleston, South Carolina, and Toronto, Ontario
    • Bret \’Hitman\’ Hart: Salt Lake City, Utah, Fargo, North Dakota, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Phoenix, Arizona, and Toronto, Ontario
    • Rey Mysterio: Hartford, Connecticut, Rosemont, Illinois, and Calgary, Alberta

    H/T to @WWEStats for uncovering this stat. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more interesting wrestling facts and statistics.

    Nakamura\’s win comes mere weeks after his return to WWE TV following a lengthy hiatus in 2024. Now, the Japanese star is ready to bring his new, eerie persona to WWE SmackDown and PLEs as the brand-new United States Champion.

    WWE Survivor Series: WarGames

    WWE Survivor Series: WarGames is taking place from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The card for the show is as follows:

    • Team Belair (Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Bayley, IYO SKY, and Naomi) def. Team Jax (Nia Jax, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Candice LeRae, and Tiffany Stratton) (Women’s WarGames Match)
    • Shinsuke Nakamura def. LA Knight (c) (WWE United States Championship)
    • Bron Breakker (c) def. Sheamus and . Ludwig Kaiser (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
    • GUNTHER (c) def. Damian Priest (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
    • Roman Reigns, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), Sami Zayn, and CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) def. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa) and Bronson Reed (Men’s WarGames Match)

  • Tiffany Stratton Teases Money in the Bank Cash-In at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames

    Tiffany Stratton proved that her pursuit of championship gold isn\’t confined to one brand as she teased cashing in at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames. In the show\’s opening match, Stratton competed inside WarGames as part of Team Jax, consisting of Stratton, Nia Jax, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and Candice LeRae.

    During the match, both Jax and Morgan were down, and Stratton wasted no time in grabbing her Money in the Bank contract. Stratton teased cashing in on both women, before Morgan\’s personal bodyguard Raquel Rodriguez prevented the SmackDown star from going any further.

    Stratton has held the briefcase since July and has teased cashing in multiple times. While many fans have predicted that the Buff Barbie will cash in on Jax, ending their friendship in the process, this match shows that Stratton\’s pursuit of gold could take her to Monday Night Raw.

    WWE Survivor Series: WarGames

    WWE Survivor Series: WarGames is taking place from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The card for the show is as follows:

    • Team Belair (Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Bayley, IYO SKY, and Naomi) def. Team Jax (Nia Jax, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Candice LeRae, and Tiffany Stratton) (Women\’s WarGames Match)
    • LA Knight (c) Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE United States Championship)
    • Bron Breakker (c) vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
    • Gunther (c) vs. Damian Priest (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
    • Roman Reigns, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), Sami Zayn, and CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa) and Bronson Reed (Men\’s WarGames Match)

  • Britt Baker Reveals How Her \’Cobra Kai\’ Role Was Years in the Making

    Britt Baker has shared how her perseverance landed her in Cobra Kai after impressing one of the show\’s writers with her \’attitude.\’ The former AEW Women\’s World Champion appears in the ninth episode of Cobra Kai’s sixth season which landed on Netflix on November 15.

    While Baker has only now arrived in the show, getting a role in Cobra Kai has been in the works for the DMD since meeting writer Hayden Schlossberg at the season 4 premiere.

    \”He recognized me from social media. I kind of joked, but not joking, ‘If you ever need anything, I’m a huge fan and would love to be involved.’”

    Schlossberg later contacted Britt, who he feels embodies the \”Cobra Kai never-say-die attitude.\” While Baker, who plays Russian sensei Oksana, has been working on getting on the show for years, she\’s still yet to watch herself on the hit Karate Kid-spinoff.

    “I have to be honest, I haven’t even watched it yet. I want to wait for all of it to come out so I can watch it all!”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5cr1J4fI5g&pp=ygUVYnJpdHQgYmFrZXIgY29icmEga2Fp

    Baker\’s role in Cobra Kai is a huge opportunity for the AEW competitor to extend her star power outside of the squared circle. It remains to be seen if this role will lead to bigger things for the DMD, but years after pitching herself, Baker has at long last found herself in one of the most popular shows currently airing.

    Britt Baker Talks Rollercoaster Year After Injuries And Adam Cole Split

    h/t – Us Weekly

  • Britt Baker Talks Rollercoaster Year After Injuries And Adam Cole Split

    Britt Baker has been left reeling from a \”rollercoaster\” year for the AEW star that has seen major shifts in both her professional and personal lives. 2024 has seen Baker compete just five times for AEW, including at All In: London in Wembley. Baker\’s year has been mired with injuries, her suspension due to an incident with MJF, as well as her split with Adam Cole that was confirmed last month.

    Speaking to Us Weekly, Baker reflected on her rollercoaster year, and why the term both does and doesn\’t convey what she\’s been through.

    “Rollercoaster is a good word. But I also don’t think it’s appropriate, because with a rollercoaster there’s a start and an end point. I can’t really say where the roller coaster started and I definitely don’t know where it’s going to end.”

    While not as active in AEW as she once was, Baker remains a hot-button topic on social media, with plenty of fans and critics alike. The former Women\’s World Champion has had to \”mentally dig deep\” this year, a process hardly helped by comments online.

    \”Man, is it toxic. It’s brutal. There’s a whole population of people on social media who just want to make you feel bad about yourself. It’s crazy we live in a world where that’s their mission.\”

    Baker last wrestled for AEW on the November 13, Dynamite where she bested Penelope Ford, and fans await the next major feud for the DMD. Whatever\’s to come, Baker is focusing on looking positively to 2025, despite what those online may have to say.

    WWE Hall of Famer Hungry For A Match With AEW’s Britt Baker

  • Goldberg Still Fuming Over Streak\’s End 25 Years After Starrcade Loss

    It\’s been over two decades since Bill Goldberg\’s WCW streak ended, though how he was handed his first loss is still a sore spot for the legend. After racking up 173 wins (though many have disputed the accuracy of this number) Goldberg\’s first WCW loss came at Starrcade 1998 to Kevin Nash, thanks to the interference of a cattle-prod-wielding Scott Hall.

    The manner in which Goldberg\’s streak ended has often been derided by fans and is seen as one of the many issues that led to the company\’s demise. Speaking to Inside the Ropes, Goldberg explained that while he pitched the electrocution, he originally envisioned something bigger to shock him.

    \”If you beat me, you have to put 50,000 volts through me. But for some reason, they didn\’t to do that. Hence the goofy-looking cattle prod.\”

    Rather than be lit up \”like a freaking Christmas tree\” Goldberg sold the prod and slumped to the floor before Nash got the win. Over a quarter of a century later, the WWE Hall of Famer remains unhappy as to how he earned the 1 in 173-1.

    \”I wanted them to shoot the barbs in me and light me up… I\’m still pi*sed off.\”

    Goldberg will be hoping to have a better send-off to his career when he competes in his retirement match next year. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Bill Goldberg as the WCW legend prepares to say goodbye to the squared circle.

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  • Ricky Starks Set for HOG Wrestling Debut Amid AEW and GCW Withdrawal

    Ricky Starks will make his debut for House of Glory Wrestling next January, amid his ongoing hiatus from AEW programming. Starks will compete at the Watch The Throne show on January 17, where he\’ll challenge Mike Santana for the HOG World Championship. Santana has held the gold since December 1, 2023, when he ended the reign of the self-professed \’Indy God\’ Matt Cardona.

    Starks\’ impending arrival in AEW comes amid his hiatus from AEW as the former World Tag Team Champion hasn\’t been used on TV since March. Starks has speculations about why he\’s not being used but has yet to be told by AEW management why the company is not using him.

    Not only is Starks not competing in AEW, but he was recently pulled from a GCW event, and all future events for the promotion. It has been reported that a comment by Effy, Starks\’ planned opponent for the night, resulted in Tony Khan cutting Starks from all GCW plans. GCW owner Brett Lauderdale only learned that Starks had been pulled at the same time fans learned of the situation on social media. Instead of Starks, Effy will face Matt Cardona at the Highest In The Room 3 event on December 14.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Ricky Starks, as fans wait to see what\’s next for him, and when, if ever, he next competes in an AEW ring.

  • Roman Reigns Vows To \”Fix it All\” At WWE Survivor Series: WarGames

    Roman Reigns has plans to fix everything ahead of tonight\’s WWE Survivor Series: WarGames Premium Live Event. On this week\’s WWE SmackDown, Reigns and CM Punk shared a tense face-to-face that made clear neither man likes the other. Punk shared that he is helping the Bloodline as it means Paul Heyman owes him a favor.

    Reigns asked Heyman what this favor is, though the Wise Man said it\’s important first to get Survivor Series: WarGames out of the way. On Instagram, Reigns shared his own plans for the future, saying that he\’ll \”fix\” all the issues very soon.

    Reigns and Punk will be joined by The Usos and Sami Zayn inside WarGames to face The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa) and \’Big\’ Bronson Reed. Reigns has been at odds with Sikoa and his faction since SummerSlam, where the OTC returned and cost Solo his WWE Championship match with Cody Rhodes.

    The match will be Reigns\’ second time competing inside WarGames, though it remains to be seen how much trust he can put in CM Punk. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, including breaking news and live results from tonight\’s Premium Live Event.

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  • Paul Heyman Reveals Next Potential \’Guys\’ In WWE\’s Deepest Ever Roster

    Being a Paul Heyman Guy has long been synonymous with superstardom in professional wrestling, and the WWE Hall of Famer is keeping a watchful eye on WWE’s current roster. In a conversation with SHAK Wrestling, Heyman shared his thoughts on the next potential ‘Paul Heyman Guy’ from today’s crop of talent.

    \”GUNTHER, Damian Priest, Bron Breakker, Liv Morgan, Rhea Ripley, and others are remarkable talents. This roster is the deepest and most talented in the history of the industry.\”

    Few wrestlers have embraced the Paul Heyman Guy label as openly as CM Punk, who popularized the term during his iconic June 2011 Pipebomb promo. While Punk’s affiliation with Heyman became a defining trait, it was also a challenge during his early WWE career.

    \”CM Punk battled against the perception that all he was was a \’Paul Heyman Guy.\’ He proved himself through his connection with the audience, his hard work, and overcoming being misrepresented as a performer who needed \’smoke and mirrors.\’\”

    According to Heyman, Punk has grown into a more compelling character over the years. The legendary manager, who worked with Punk from 2012 to 2013, believes the Chicago-born star now shares a deeper, more meaningful connection with the WWE Universe than ever before.

    Outside of Punk and Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar is arguably the superstar most associated with Heyman. From Lesnar’s WWE debut in March 2002 to his explosive return a decade later, Heyman has been by the Beast Incarnate’s side for many of his most pivotal moments.

    \”Brock was unlike any human being you\’ve ever seen. He was a once-in-a-lifetime commodity that needed to be marketed as the undisputed number one.\”

    While questions linger about Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE TV, Heyman has made his own comeback, now working alongside Roman Reigns and CM Punk once again. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Paul Heyman, the current WWE roster, and the potential rise of new \’Paul Heyman Guys\’ in the future.

  • Michin Defends WWE Pre-Taping Shows During the Holidays

    SmackDown Superstar Michin has responded to fan criticism of WWE\’s decision to air taped events, which are often recorded the same day as live broadcasts. In recent weeks, WWE has taped multiple episodes of its weekly shows in advance, including tonight\’s edition of SmackDown. Taped shows allow WWE Superstars time to spend with their families during holidays or adjust to logistical challenges, such as traveling to Saudi Arabia for premium live events.

    One downside of taped events is the inevitable spoilers that circulate on social media. After a fan on X suggested an alternative approach for handling these shows, Michin explained why taped episodes are beneficial for WWE talent.

    In her tweet, Michin mentioned her \”baby girl,\” referring to her beloved dog Jolene, who sadly passed away this week. The time off provided by the taped schedule has given Michin the space to cope with this significant loss.

    Michin is featured in tonight’s pre-taped SmackDown, where she will face Piper Niven and Lash Legend in a first-round match of the Women’s U.S. Title Tournament. Lash Legend is stepping in for Jade Cargill, who is currently sidelined. The details of Cargill\’s injury remain unclear, fueling speculation about her return timeline.

    For Michin, the flexibility provided by taping this week’s episode was particularly meaningful. It not only allowed her to spend Thanksgiving with loved ones but also gave her the chance to grieve and say a heartfelt goodbye to Jolene. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Michin’s journey both in and out of the ring.

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  • Valhalla & War Raider Erik Welcome Second Child Ezekiel

    WWE power couple Valhalla and War Raider Erik have welcomed their second child, a son named Ezekiel Joseph Rowe. Sharing the news on Instagram, Erik described their newborn as \”perfect in every way,\” expressing the family\’s joy.

    The proud parents are already experienced in late-night feedings, as their first son, Raymond Cash Rowe, was born in February 2021. Earlier this year, the couple announced they were expecting their second child, which fans celebrated alongside them.

    Valhalla, known in the ring as Sarah Logan, has not competed since February 2023, when she participated in a battle royal on Raw. Meanwhile, Erik recently returned to action after over a year recovering from a neck injury. He and Ivar, competing as the War Raiders, have quickly climbed the ranks in Raw\’s tag-team division. Just this week, they unsuccessfully challenged The Judgment Day for the World Tag Team Championships.

    From everyone here at SEScoops, congratulations to Valhalla, Erik, and their family on the birth of Ezekiel Joseph Rowe!