SEScoops

Author: Thomas Lowson

  • The Rock Reflects on WWE\’s Evolution, WrestleMania 40, and Family Legacy

    Dwayne \’The Rock\’ Johnson is honored to remain a fixture of WWE today, and is proud that his family still has a place at the table of Sports Entertainment. Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote Red One and Moana 2, WWE\’s resident Final Boss addressed how WWE has changed since he got his start.

    \”My grandfather and my dad used to wrestle up here at [Madison Square Garden] in the ‘70s, and here I come along, not trying to screw anything up with their legacy. Then all of a sudden, the business has grown into what it’s grown into. TKO now owns WWE, and I have the honor of sitting on the board of TKO. What a full-circle moment.\”

    Johnson also reflected on his return to WWE in 2024 and his leading role in WrestleMania 40 and the shows preceding the two-night spectacle.

    \”I had such a great time. Cody and Seth and Roman, it was just wild. I grew up in that world of pro wrestling. There’s nothing like when that music hits and the crowd goes crazy.\”

    When Fallon suggested that Johnson feels at home when he\’s performing, the A-lister said it was a \”good way to put it.\”

    It\’s unclear when The Rock will return to WWE screens after his most recent appearance in the closing moments of Bad Blood 2024. That segment did make clear that The Rock is far from finished with Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns, who aligned on the night to defeat Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from The Rock and his career both inside and outside the world of wrestling.

  • Spoilers: Full WWE Raw Results For Nov. 18 – Injured Star Returns

    The results are in for the November 18, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, which was filmed after the November 11, show in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The show was filmed in advance to allow the WWE roster and crew to have longer off next week so they can spend time with their family, friends, and loved ones over Thanksgiving week.

    WWE Raw (11/18) Spoilers

    Bronson Reed defeated Seth Rollins, thanks to interference from Solo Sikoa, who raised Reed’s hand in triumph. It appears Reed has aligned with the New Bloodline as the faction\’s fifth member for WarGames.

    Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker Vs. Sheamus ended in a disqualification when Ludwig Kaiser attacked both men.

    The LWO (Rey Mysterio and Zelina Vega) defeated American Made (Chad Gable and Ivy Nile) in mixed-tag team action.

    The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) defeated The Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio and Carlito)

    Rhea Ripley made her return to WWE TV after being laid out by Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez during a recent episode of WWE NXT. Ripley sported a new mask and attacked Morgan, triggering a massive brawl in the women\’s roster.

    Ripley, joined by Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Naomi, and IYO SKY, dominated Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Tiffany Stratton, and Nia Jax.

  • The Miz Returns on Raw, The Final Testament Lay Out The Wyatt Sicks

    The Miz made an impactful return during the latest episode of Monday Night Raw, and was able to orchestrate a beatdown on The Wyatt Sicks. Recently, The Miz was kidnapped by the faction and was being questioned during last week\’s show by Bo Dallas. The segment made reference to Bo\’s time in the \’Miztourage\’ and Karrion Kross was confident that the A-Lister was \”dead for sure.\”

    During this week\’s Raw, Miz told Karrion Kross that he\’d apologized and promised to change his ways and that was enough for the Wyatt Sicks to let him go. Kross did not believe him, and was going to have AOP break his legs in the ring before The Wyatt Sicks arrived.

    Miz snuck up on Rowan, hitting him with a chair in the back, and revealing that this had been an ambush all along. Final Testament laid out Wyatt Sicks, but Uncle Howdy laughed through the pain.

    The Final Testament and The Wyatt Sicks have been at odds for some time now, though Bo Dallas told The Miz that he was his group\’s only target. Now, expect to see plenty more from these two factions on WWE TV, with The Miz firmly on the side of Karrion Kross, AOP, Paul Ellering, and Scarlett.

  • JBL Reveals Commentary\’s NSFW Reaction to The Undertaker’s Streak Ending

    WWE\’s commentary team was just as shocked as the fans when Brock Lesnar conquered The Undertaker\’s WrestleMania streak in April 2014. Speaking to Sportskeeda\’s Backstage Pass, John \’Bradshaw\’ Layfield shared just how in the dark everybody was on that fateful night in New Orleans.

    \”I just assumed the Undertaker was going to win, and so did Michael [Cole.] When Brock pins the Undertaker, Michael Cole says something to the effect of, \’And the streak…\’ He was going to say continues, is what he was going to say. Then we saw the three and Michael said, \’has ended.\’ He just looked at me, \’What the f***.\”

    Layfield, who battled The Undertaker over the WWE Championship in 2004, admitted that while he was surprised, that only made his performance on the night better.

    \”All of a sudden we realize the streak has ended, then we saw the reaction and the crowd. Sometimes your reaction is so much better when you don\’t know what\’s out there.\” 

    The match itself was an unfortunate send-off to The Undertaker\’s streak with the Phenom suffering a concussion early into the contest that hampered his performance. Vince McMahon infamously left WrestleMania early after the match as the Deadman was taken to a nearby hospital to be checked out. Many backstage were angry to see The Streak end the way it did, The Undertaker revealed a one-man-show last December.

    Fans have debated for years as to whether The Streak should have ended, with some believing it never should\’ve been broken. Others, however, believe that Lesnar\’s legitimate fighting skills made him the perfect choice to end The Undertaker\’s series of wins. Whichever way fans may feel, the end of The Streak was certainly a shock, both to the fans and those within WWE at the time.

  • Kurt Angle Says Prospect Of Wrestling Made Him Turn Down AEW Offers

    Kurt Angle may have had some all-time classics in the ring, but the Olympic Gold Medalist wanted no part of competing for AEW. Speaking to Kenny McIntosh for Inside The Ropes, Angle shared that he turned down multiple offers from AEW because their plans for him involved getting back in the ring.

    “AEW did offer me a couple of times. Tony Khan absolutely adores me, from what I heard—I don’t know if that’s true or not. But they did offer me two different deals, and, unfortunately, they both had to do with wrestling, and I knew I couldn’t do it.”

    Angle hasn\’t competed since WrestleMania 35 where he lost to Baron Corbin in what was promoted as the Olympian\’s final match. The match was the culmination of a two-year return to wrestling in WWE, though many fans felt that the Hall of Famer had lost a step or two in the ring. Kurt has since said he wishes John Cena had been his final opponent. Cena also appeared on the show in a non-wrestling segment with Elias.

    Angle is a fully-fledged WWE guy, despite his lengthy career in TNA where he also reached World Championship glory. AEW offered Angle a ten-match contract, but that did nothing to sway the Olympic Gold Medalist. While Kurt continues to make appearances in wrestling, his days in the ring are well and truly over, much to the chagrin of fans who would have loved to see what he could\’ve done in an AEW setting.

  • Reality of Wrestling\’s Ice Williams Joins WWE ID Program

    Ice Williams is the newest signing to the WWE ID program and was personally delivered his contract by two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. Williams was offered his deal at the latest event from Reality of Wrestling, one of the official partners of the WWE ID recruitment program.

    Williams, known for his charismatic style and standout performances, has built a career in promotions including ROW, Future Stars of Wrestling, and West Coast Pro. In February 2023, Williams was on the losing episode of a six-man tag-team match that aired on AEW Dark: Elevation. This past February saw Williams in action on ROH Honor Club where he suffered a tag team loss to the Outrunners.

    Like his fellow signings, Williams will have access to WWE’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky will be working closely with the WWE ID Prospects, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky’s decades in the business.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.

  • Sid Billboard Spotted in NYC Hyping Westside Gunn’s ‘Still Praying’

    A colossal rendering of the late \’Sycho\’ Sid Vicious has emerged in Manhattan, New York to promote Westside Gunn\’s newest album Still Praying. The new 14-track album was released on November 1, and features Sid in the ring on the cover.

    \"\"

    Westside Gunn\’s wrestling fandom can\’t be denied, as anyone who\’s listened to his music will attest. Here are some lyrics from the popular music artist.

    \”Slam you on your neck like Bruno Sammartino / Welcome home Tito, you proud and sippin’ pinot.\” – No Vacancy, Pray for Paris

    “I’m impactin’ the culture like Eric Bischoff” – George Bondo, Pray for Parris

    \”Hit the brick with a Claymore kick, rock a Liz Claiborne, it ain’t safe for ’em (Ah)” – Claiborne Kick, Pray for Paris

    \”Trappin’ out the fiend spot, the b*tch had section 8/One deal went real bad, we had to wet the place (Brr, brr)/Denims Mankind, I’m talking Foley with the leather face” – Undertaker Vs. Goldberg, Hitler Wears Hermes 7

    Gunn\’s love of wrestling isn\’t exclusive to WWE as he\’s also shown love to AEW. Gunn was on the September 7, 2022, edition of AEW Dynamite in his native Buffalo, New York.

    Sadly, Sid won\’t get the chance to listen to the new album as he passed away earlier this year at the age of 63. Despite his passing, Sycho Sid remembers an iconic name in the world of pro wrestling and Westside Gunn\’s album cover is a unique tribute to the former WWE and WCW World Champion.

  • WWE ID Prospect It\’s Gal Joins Talent Development Program

    It\’s Gal is the latest recruit to the WWE ID program which aims to give independent talent a clear path to a future in Sports Entertainment. On X, the WWE ID account shared footage of Gal receiving the coveted invitation and a graphic confirming he has joined the program.

    It\’s Gal has been competing since 2020 and puts opponents away with his signature Striations Bomb. With his impressive physique, the Israeli wrestler has dubbed himself \’The Real Life Action Figure\’ and has worked in Beyond Wrestling, Limitless Wrestling, and Blitzkrieg! Pro, among other promotions.

    Like his fellow signings, Gal will have access to WWE’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky will be working closely with the WWE ID Prospects, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky’s decades in the business.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.

  • Belair, Cargill & Stratton on the Hardest Parts of WWE Stardom

    Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, and Tiffany Stratton have shared what they consider to be the toughest issues when it comes to being a WWE Superstar. Speaking with Jazzy\’s World TV, Cargill shared how being away from her family is her biggest issue with life as a wrestler.

    \”The travel, being away from home. Just being tired and being okay with being tired. I would say that\’s one of the toughest things.\”

    Bianca Belair agreed that family is a key thing to balance when on the road, but there are other matters a WWE Superstar has to contend with.

    \”Just trying to be everything. We\’re trying to be a mom, and a step-mom and a wife and a Superstar all at the same time. And we\’re trying to go out there and put on a show.\”

    While Belair knows firsthand that life as a Superstar isn\’t easy, she is pleased that WWE has come a long way with the positions that women are able to aspire toward.

    \”WWE is in an amazing place right now where we are showing up and we\’re showing out and we\’re winning titles and main eventing and doing everything. We can do it all.\”

    While WWE has certainly made strides in its handling of female talent, Tiffany Stratton shared that her biggest gripe is that women continue to be overlooked.

    \”Being a female WWE superstar, a lot of times you get overlooked. A lot of times the men are kind of the main focal point and you know, a lot of times it can be hard for the women to get time for their matches.\”

    This trio of women are certainly kept busy in WWE, with Belair and Cargill currently in their second reign as Women\’s Tag Team Champions. As Miss. Money in the Bank, Stratton is poised to have a title match down the line, potentially with her ally WWE Women\’s Champion Nia Jax.

    While all three are doing big things in WWE, no role is perfect and there are clear pitfalls to being a Superstar, especially a woman, in the company. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on these three and their futures as WWE Superstars.

    Related: Rhea Ripley Talks Women Going From Bathroom Breaks to Main Eventers

  • QT Marshall is Ready For \’20 Years in the Making\’ Match with A.J. of Costco Guys

    QT Marshall\’s upcoming match with Andrew \’A.J.\’ Befumo of the Costco Guys has been two decades years in the making for the AEW wrestler. Speaking to RJ City on the latest Hey(EW!), Marshall discussed the much-anticipated match and what it\’ll do for his career in the ring.

    \”I\’ve known A.J. for 20 years and I knew that if I could convince him to step back in the ring, that it would be a major spotlight for me. I could exploit him to for my own personal game. When I came back to AEW Tony [Khan] and I spoke about me not wrestling and I, you know, I do a dark match every here and there but I knew this would really help me out.\”

    Befumo and Marshall will face off on the AEW Full Gear 2024 pre-show after Befumo signed a one-match deal with the promotion. A.J. and his son Big Justice were part of the AEW All Out Zero Hour show, while Marshall took their feud to the next level by powerbombing A.J. at CCW Bash 45 last month.

    A.J. is no stranger to the world of professional wrestling as he worked until 2005 as \’The American Powerhouse\’ Eric Justice, the namesake for Big Justice. Until his TikTok popularity exploded, A.J. had been working full-time as a regional manager for a nationwide mortgage-lending company. The upcoming match has transcended the world of wrestling media and was discussed when the Costco Guys recently appeared on Jimmy Fallon.

    The father-son duo have become viral sensations this year with their charismatic reviews of food products from Costco. With over 1.3 million followers on TikTok, there\’ll be no shortage of fans interested to see how A.J. performs in the ring when he takes on QT Marshall. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from AEW and its place in the world of wrestling.

  • Tony Khan: Darby Allin’s AEW Risks Outweigh Dangers of Climbing Everest

    Darby Allin\’s plans to climb Mount Everest may be fraught with risks, but that\’s nothing compared to what the AEW star does in the ring. Speaking to Levack and Goz, AEW President Tony Khan gushed about what has made Allin so appealing to fans ever since his arrival in AEW in 2019.

    \”He wants to try new things. It\’s that risk-taking, that energy, these things make him so unique and appealing to the wrestling fans. I like to tap into that.\”

    Khan later went on to say the risks Allin takes in the ring are bigger than what he\’ll face when he climbs the famed mountain in the Himalayas.

    \”He takes big risks, but it\’s the risks he takes in the ring as a wrestler that are even more dangerous than when he climbs Mount Everest or does some of the craziest motorcycle stunts you\’ll ever see. The guy is an absolute wizard in the ring.\”

    Allin planned to climb Everest in March of this year, in spite of an \”insane\” glass-pane spot at AEW Revolution that same month. Mere days later, Allin suffered a broken foot in a match with Jay White which has forced him to postpone his climb. Nevertheless, Allin remains determined to climb the mountain and plant an AEW flag at its summit and intends to document his perilous journey.

    Khan may find that Allin\’s AEW work supersedes Everest, but the 29,000-foot mountain is nothing to take lightly. According to Himalayan databases, over 320 people have died attempting to scale the mountain since records began in 1922. Climbers who perish on the mountain are often left there, due to the risks related to removing the body, a sign of their dedication to climbing, and as a somber reminder to others of the dangers of nature. 

    One landmark on Everest is ‘Green Boots,’ which is the body of an unidentified climber on the Northeast Ridge route who is noticeable for his brightly colored boots. While never officially identified, it is believed to be the body of Tsewang Paljor, an Indian member of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police expedition who died as part of a 1996 climbing disaster. 

  • Asuka’s Home Targeted by Package Thieves During WWE Injury

    WWE Superstar Asuka is the victim of robbery after parcels delivered by Amazon were snatched from her door. On X, the Damage CTRL member shared that three children had stolen products delivered to her home, but the would-be bandits were caught on security cameras.

    One can only hope that Asuka is reunited with her parcels in due time. In 2022, Bianca Belair shared that her attire worn at Survivor Series 2021 had been stolen. Belair, who often creates her own ring attires, wore a Raw-themed costume to represent the red brand in the night\’s interpromotional action.

    Championship titles are often the target of thieves. In 2019, the WWE United Kingdom title was stolen during GUNTHER\’s reign with the gold at a non-WWE appearance for EVOLVE. It wouldn\’t be until 2021 that a fan found the title being listed online, purchased the gold, and promptly returned it to WWE.

    Asuka\’s Hiatus From WWE

    Asuka hasn\’t competed since WWE Backlash: France in May, where she and Kairi Sane lost the Women\’s Tag Team Championships to Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. The Empress of Tomorrow underwent knee surgery and has rehabilitating the injury ever since.

    Asuka appeared during the WWE live event in her native Osaka back in July, where she welcomed fans to the show and introduced Damage CTRL. While there\’s no word on how much longer the Japanese star will be out for, fans are eager to see the first-ever Women\’s Royal Rumble winner back in the ring very soon.

  • Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifiers & More Set For 11/12 WWE NXT

    The road to WWE NXT Deadline will begin in earnest on the upcoming episode of WWE NXT, with two Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches announced. On X, WWE NXT GM Ava shared that Wes Lee will face Cedric Alexander in a Men\’s Qualifying match, while Cora Jade will take on Sol Ruca for a spot in the Women\’s match.

    The Iron Survivor Challenge

    The Iron Survivor Challenge is a 25-minute match featuring five Superstars, two of which start the match. A new entrant enters every five minutes, with the winner being the Superstar who scores the most points, earned by pinfall or submission. While those entering the match later have less time to score points, they\’re also considerably fresher than those who started the match.

    Roxanne Perez and Grayson Waller won the inaugural matches in 2022, earning a shot at the NXT Women\’s title and NXT title respectively. Perez\’s victory would lead to her first reign as NXT Women\’s Champion, ending the 413-day reign of Mandy Rose. Blair Davenport and Trick Williams on their matches in 2023.

    WWE NXT – November 12

    Here is the card as it stands for the November 12, edition of WWE NXT:

    • Sol Ruca Vs. Cora Jade (Women\’s Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying match)
    • Wes Lee Vs. Cedric Alexander (Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge match)
    • Adriana Rizzo vs. Nikkita Lyons
    • Ava meets with the tag team division to settle on a set of No. 1 contenders
    • Shawn Spears guns for Tony D’Angelo

  • Dream Vignette Hypes Julia Hart\’s Return On 11/10 AEW Collision

    Julia Hart\’s long-awaited return to AEW programming was highlighted during the latest Collision with a creepy vignette of the ex-TBS Champion.

    The vignette starts with Hart doing some cheerleading, a nod to her time with the Varsity Blonds, only to stop as she sees a dark figure sat in the stands watching intently. Hart tries to resume her cheerleading, with flashes of her time in the House of Black appearing on-screen, and is shot with an arrow by the dark figure and collapses in the middle of the field. The promo ends with Hart waking up from a dream.

    Many have commended the vignette which hyped Hart\’s impending comeback in a unique, thought-provoking way. On X, Dani, a creative photographer, shared that she was the one behind the segment.

    Hart has been off AEW television since losing the AEW TBS Championship to Willow Nightingale at AEW Dynasty in April. Shortly after, Hart confirmed that she\’d suffered an injury and wore a protective brace on her left arm. Last month, Hart said she was ready to return and was waiting for the call from AEW to come back.

    Hart\’s work with the House of Black proved to be a hit with fans before her injury and she holds wins over the likes of Anna Jay, Kris Statlander, Skye Blue, and Saraya. While there\’s no confirmation on when fans can expect Hart back in the ring, fans are excited to see the wrestler, who recently celebrated her 23rd birthday, make her return in the near future

  • Seth Rollins Denies \’Appearance\’ In New Captain America 4 Trailer

    Seth Rollins may be a regular on WWE programming, but fans did NOT see him in the latest trailer for Captain America: Brave New World. This week, a new trailer dropped for the much-anticipated film, the fourth in the Captain America series. While fans believed they saw a masked Rollins, the Raw Superstar clarified it was not him.

    Rollins is credited with a role in the new film, though it\’s been previously reported that he has been edited out of the final render of the film. Brave New World will see Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) continue to adapt to his role as Captain America and try and fill the shoes of Steve Rogers. Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad) and Harrison Ford (Star Wars, Indiana Jones) are also attached.

    WWE and Marvel

    Whether he appears or not, Rollins isn\’t the first WWE name to be attached to the world of Marvel. For years, Dave Bautista played Drax The Destroyer in the MCU, with the character being seen as a breakout role for the former WWE World Champion. In 2002\’s Spider-Man, \’Macho Man\’ Randy Savage played wrestler \’Bonesaw McGraw\’ against Peter Parker before he became a superhero.

    Damian Priest was reportedly cast for a role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and has said he was pulled from the project but not by Marvel. Becky Lynch filmed a post-credits scene for 2020\’s Eternals, but it was nixed for reportedly being too depressing.

  • WWE ID: William Regal Scouts Two More Prospects

    The WWE ID program has welcomed two new recruits who were given William Regal\’s seal of approval at the latest SmackDown. Regal informed Marcus Mathers and Sam Holloway at the show that WWE has kept an eye on the pair on the independents and welcomed the pair to the recruitment program.

    Marcus Mathers

    Marcus Mathers has been wrestling since 2019 and joins WWE ID after establishing himself in Game Changer Wrestling. Mathers challenged Blake Christian for the GCW Heavyweight Title at Look At Me in January of this year but came up short. In September of this year, Mathers appeared on AEW Rampage, where he and Joe Keys lost to Roderick Strong & The Beast Mortos.

    Sam Holloway

    Scouted from the International Wrestling Cartel, Sam \’Hardway\’ Holloway has been competing since 2022. Holloway is the reigning IWC Super Indy Champion, having won the title against Zach Nystrom in the finals of a tournament at IWC Super Indy 23. That tournament saw Holloway defeat WWE alum Elijah and he has also shared the ring with former Superstars including Jake Hager and Matt Cardona.

    WWE has partnered with several leading professional wrestling schools across the United States to help identify top-rising prospects. Contracted WWE ID prospects receive assistance with training and mentorship, access to world-class training facilities, athletic trainers, and more.

  • Superstars Set Sights On Women\’s U.S. Title After Historic Announcement

    The women of WWE have wasted no time in laying claim to the United States Women\’s Title after the title was announced during this week\’s SmackDown. Nick Aldis revealed the new gold during the show and said that the inaugural champion will earn the gold, rather than it be awarded.

    Chelsea Green has proven to be a thorn in the side of \’Sir Nicholas The Nasty\’ and despite Aldis\’ claim, is ready to be handed the new title.

    The Canadian also took her efforts to Triple H who wanted the Game to take her into \”consideration\” to be the first Women\’s U.S. Champion.

    Green\’s tag team partner Piper Niven would likely love for her friend to hold gold, but she also has her eyes on becoming the first Women\’s United States Champion.

    Natalya, who inked a new contract with WWE this year, is ready to hold her first singles title since 2017, when she held the SmackDown Women\’s Championship.

    Michin has yet to hold gold in WWE but is ready to win big, if nothing else than to continue her long-standing rivalry with AEW\’s Shelton Benjamin.

    It\’s not just the Superstars who are excited, as referee Jessika Carr can\’t wait to officiate matches for the Women\’s United States Championship.

    While WWE CCO Paul \’Triple H\’ Levesque is pleased that the title will showcase the continued effort of the women of the promotion.

    There have been calls for years for WWE to introduce a mid-card title to its roster, with the likes of Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Tiffany Stratton, and even The Undertaker, being on board. WWE introduced its first Women\’s mid-card title earlier this year with the NXT Women\’s North American Gold, but now the women of the main roster will have a new opportunity to showcase their talent.

  • Details On WWE ID Prospect Sean Legacy

    Sean Legacy has become the latest independent wrestler to sign on as a Prospect for WWE ID; the promotion’s newest recruitment program. Legacy has been wrestling since 2017 and has worked in promotions including West Coast Pro, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and Pro Wrestling Revolution.

    Fans with a good memory may remember Legacy from the September 5, 2020, edition of AEW Dark, where he lost to \’Powerhouse\’ Will Hobbs. In May of this year, Legacy wrestled fellow WWE ID signing Bryce Donovan at Beyond Wrestling Open: Episode 125 – Krule Intentions, but came up short.

    Legacy is the sixth WWE ID prospect with talent including Jack Cartwheel and Zayda Steel joining the program. This group now has a direct path to WWE’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky will be working closely with the WWE ID Prospects, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky’s decades in the business.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.

  • Dustin Rhodes Hits Out At \’CoKane\’ Wrestler: \”Should Be Ashamed\”

    Dustin Rhodes has made his disgust clear over a new independent wrestling character that makes light of the use of drugs while parodying Kane. In a since-deleted X post, Rhodes spoke about \’CoKane,\’ which has gone viral on social media recently.

    “This is disgustingly stupid. All involved should be ashamed. Work or not.”

    \"\"

    CoKane wears a white version of the iconic debut first worn by Glenn Jacobs at WWE In Your House: Bad Blood 1997. Like the name suggests, CoKane often makes reference to using cocaine with his \’Coke-Slam\’ finisher and has been nicknamed \’The Big White Powder Machine.\’

    Enter The Kane-Verse

    CoKane is not the only wrestler out there to parody the WWE Hall of Famer/Knox County, Tennessee Mayor. Earlier this year, Blue Kane went viral online and used snow-themed powers in a parody of Kane\’s fire-channeling abilities. After going viral, the character\’s name was changed to \’Blue Pain,\’ likely after WWE reached out about copyright.

    Gayne made his debut last month as part of TNT Wrestling\’s \’Rainbow Rumble\’ wearing a colorful take on the iconic WWE character. The Big Gay Machine. The match was part of Effy\’s \’Big Gay Brunch\’ though Gayne was unable to get the win.

    Now, fans have a new Kane to watch, though the character has run afoul of Rhodes, who has been open about his past struggles with recreational drug use. While many fans love the character, there are some who think it crosses a line and goes from harmless parody to making light of a serious problem.

  • Dwayne Johnson Grateful for His Role in WWE\’s Global Expansion Efforts

    Dwayne \’The Rock\’ Johnson has shared his appreciation for being part of WWE once again, amid his commitments to TKO\’s Board of Directors. Sitting down with LAD Bible to promote his new movie Red One, Johnson delighted in being able to bring his star power to WWE events.

    “Any opportunity I can to go back and not only make appearances, but help to expand the company, whether domestically or globally, I always go back. It’s also part of my obligation that I happily do.”

    Johnson is closing in on 30 years as part of WWE after making his in-ring TV debut as Rocky Maivia at Survivor Series 1996. While the company hs changed considerably since then, Johnson remains grateful for all that wrestling has given him.

    “I came along in the 90s and wrestled for Vince into the 2000s, so there’s some real connective tissue that goes back generations, and for that I will forever be grateful. It provided me a platform and a way to express myself in ways that nothing else would allow, other than acting.”

    Johnson joined TKO\’s Board of Directors in January of this year, which the \’Final Boss\’ called \”just another way that I could help the company grow.” Whether it\’s representing WWE on TKO\’s Board or stunning fans with a surprise appearance at WWE Bad Blood, Johnson remains steadfast in his duties to the company.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Johnson who continues to electrify, whether it be on the big screen, in the ring, or in the boardroom.

  • Details on WWE ID Prospect Zara Zakher

    Zara Zakher is the latest WWE ID Prospect after inking a deal with the promotion\’s newest recruitment program. Zakher made her debut in the wrestling scene last year and has been holding her own against both the women and the men.

    Zakher joins WWE ID after establishing herself in the California-based Millenium Pro Wrestling. Outside of the promotion, The \’Petite Powerhouse\’ has competed for West Coast Pro, Tokyo Joshi Pro Live, and Game Changer Wrestling. Just one week before becoming a WWE ID Prospect, Zakher competed at GCW Monster Bash where she unsuccessfully challenged Masha Slamovich for the Jersey Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title.

    Zakher is the fifth WWE ID Prospect, with her announcement coming moments after Jack Cartwheel was confirmed as a prospect. These five now have a direct path to WWE\’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky will be working closely with the WWE ID Prospects, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky\’s decades in the business.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.

  • WWE ID: GCW\’s Jack Cartwheel is Latest Prospect

    More WWE ID Prospects have been announced, including independent wrestling star Jack Cartwheel (Jack Summit). Cartwheel has already made a name for himself outside of WWE with his high-energy performances, innovative move-set, and signature cartwheels that give him his unique name.

    The Sacramento native made his wrestling debut in 2019 and has already made his presence felt in Game Changer Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Lucha Libre AAA, PWG, and All Elite Wrestling. Cartwheel\’s peak in GCW came at this past February\’s Feel No Ways event, where he unsuccessfully challenged Blake Christian for the GCW World Championship.

    Cartwheel and his compatriots now have the opportunity to develop their skills in the ring and on the mic from the biggest wrestling promotion in the history of the industry. With the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, WWE ID signings will have the chance to train with and learn from the very best, including Gabe Sapolsky, founder of Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate USA.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion\’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.

  • Olympic Judoka Among New Talent Scouted by WWE

    WWE is always on the hunt for new talent, whether it be collegiate athletes from the Next-In-Line program or the recently launched WWE ID tactic that seeks talent from the independents. Now, WWE has offered contracts to three impressive athletes who attended a recent tryout consisting of 17 Olympians.

    Aaron Fara

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    Fara represented Austria in Judo (100kg or less) at this year\’s Summer Olympic Games in Paris, and won gold at last year\’s Judo Grand Slam in Antalya, Turkey. The 27-year-old is described in the Wrestling Observer as having \” a good physique\” and is said to be charismatic and good at interviews.

    Shady Elnahas

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    Shady Elnahas also competes in Judo (100kg or less) and hails from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Elnahas is the reigning Commonwealth Champion and Pan American Champion and took home the silver medal in the Judo World Championships this past May in Abu Dhabi.

    Francois Prinsloo

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    22-year-old Francois Prinsloo hails from South Africa and represented his country in discus throwing at this year\’s Olympics. In 2018, Prinsloo won gold at the African Youth Games in Algiers. Fara is specifically said to have signed, while the others at this point were \”offered deals\” but without confirmation they’ve signed yet.

    Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE\’s roster and the new stars fans can expect to see in the future.

  • WWE Won\’t Take Bets On Matches, Says TKO CCO: \”It Just Doesn\’t Jive\”

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    WWE is no longer pursuing the possibility of betting on pre-determined matches, as confirmed by TKO COO Mark Shapiro. Joining CNBC’s Alex Sherman this week to discuss a variety of topics, Shapiro clarified that fans won\’t be betting on matches from the Sports Entertainment juggernaut.

    “It’s not happening. We’re not doing that. We’re scripted. Years ago, I ran Dick Clark Productions. We had enough of a challenge keeping the American Music Awards and the Golden Globe Award winners under wraps with an auditor that was there.

    \”We’re not going to be asking Triple H/Paul Levesque, who runs our creative, to keep his scripts so under wraps that we can start sports betting. It just doesn’t jive.”

    It was reported back in May that WWE was interested in taking bets on matches, which already happens from third parties like BetOnline. Immediately, there was criticism of the idea, with questions raised about whether it was legal to bet on a result that has been already decided.

    Many also questioned how WWE would keep creative plans under wrap to avoid leaks, with concerns that talent wouldn\’t know results until too late to make adequate preparations. The Montreal Screwjob was brought up as proof the idea wouldn\’t work, given the risk of results changing on the fly in the ring.

    WWE allows some wagers on aspects of matches via FanDuel, but for now, betting on results is off the table within the promotion. Instead, fans will have to remain hooked on match results due to the storytelling involved, rather than any financial incentive.

  • Tiffany Stratton Pitches Netflix Title For Women\’s Mid-Card In 2025

    Tiffany Stratton already has a guaranteed title opportunity at her fingertips, but Miss. Money in the Bank has pitched new gold for WWE\’s move to Netflix. While speaking to Gorilla Position, Stratton pitched a mid-card championship for the women on the main roster, potentially as part of the new era on the streaming juggernaut.

    “I think it would be a great idea to introduce a mid-card title, like a Netflix Championship. I think that’d be amazing. What a great idea—it’d be cool.”

    WWE Raw will move to Netflix on January 6, 2025, as part of a lucrative deal reached between the two parties. Fans outside the U.S will also receive SmackDown, WWE NXT, and Premium Live Events on the platform. Despite being a SmackDown Superstar, Stratton has her own plans for Raw\’s arrival on Netflix.

    “I don’t know, maybe I’ll cash in there. Maybe I won’t even have a match. Maybe… maybe I’ll just cash in and become champion on the premiere. Okay, yeah!”

    The Call For A Women’s Mid-Card Title

    Stratton is just the latest notable name to advocate for a women’s mid-card championship on WWE’s main roster. Here are some examples of others who back the idea.