SEScoops

Author: Thomas Lowson

  • Fanatics Fest NYC: Watch CM Punk & Gronk Kick Off Inaugural Day

    Fanatics Fest NYC kicked off Friday from the Javitz Center and brings together some of the biggest names from the world’s top sports leagues. Several WWE Superstars are planned to make appearances which you can learn about with our handy Guide to WWE at Fanatics Fest NYC.

    WWE Celebrities At Fanatics Fest NYC

    WWE\’s resident own Best in the World CM Punk was at today\’s event, but he wasn\’t alone. The former WWE & AEW World Champion presented Rob Gronkowski with a New England Patriots WWE Legacy Championship Title. Gronkowski thanked WWE for the gift and referenced his time with the company.

    Gronkowski wasn\’t the only notable name to receive a WWE Legacy Championship. New York Yankees\’ own Derek Jeter also received a belt.

    NFL legend Tom Bready was also feeling the WWE spirit at Fanatics Fest NYC as he made a Hulk Hogan-inspired entrance at the venue.

    IShowSpeed may have had a painful run-in with Randy Orton earlier this year at WrestleMania, but that didn\’t stop the streamer from making an entrance that would make the Viper proud.

    There\’s plenty to excite wrestling fans at Fanatics Fest NYC with appearances, panels, and much more announced. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest from the convention.

  • GUNTHER: \’Randy Orton Is Great, Despite Wasting A Lot of Potential\’

    WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER has delivered some choice words for Randy Orton ahead of their collision in Berlin, Germany. Speaking to Jim Varsalone, GUNTHER spoke about the 14-time WWE World Champion and his wasted potential.

    \”Randy\’s career is undeniable. But on the other hand, we\’ve got to be honest here, he was destined to be the greatest of all time, and with all the bad decisions he made in his career and all the issues he had he still is one of the greatest. But he wasted a lot of potential and I\’m not in the business of wasting potential.\”

    GUNTHER didn\’t stop there, adding that he has exceeded expectations, while he believes the opposite is true of WWE\’s Apex Predator. The two will collide at WWE Bash in Berlin on August 31. The match will be GUNTHER\’s first PLE title defense as World Heavyweight Champion while Orton hopes to break an unfortunate 40-month streak at PLEs.

    Randy Orton\’s Bad Decisions

    While he has mellowed out considerably in recent years, Orton did make plenty of bad decisions early into his wrestling career. Orton reportedly pushed Amy Weber over during a flight, after she took some ibuprofen from the men\’s locker-room when dealing with an injury. This incident, among others, would result in Weber leaving WWE in 2005.

    Weber is not the only woman to have spoken up about Orton\’s conduct. Maria Kanellis-Bennett claimed during her shoot interview with Kayfabe Commentaries that Orton shot fireworks from his car at the vehicle containing Maria and others. It has been claimed online for years that Orton defecated in the bag of former WWE Diva Rochelle Loewen, though she has since clarified that he defaced her bag with tanning lotion and baby oil, seemingly payback for Loewen not knowing who he was when she joined WWE.

    The Viper\’s off-screen outbursts would result in him being sent to an anger management course in Atlanta in 2006. Despite the four-week course, Orton was sent home from a European tour a year later after causing $50,000 worth of damage to a hotel room.

    Orton has faced multiple Wellness Policy suspensions, though was brought back early from a suspension in 2006 so he could feud with Kurt Angle. In August 2007, Orton was named among eleven Superstars caught up in the Signature Pharmacy scandal who had purchased performance-enhancing drugs. The Legend Killer was not suspended and would capture the WWE Championship on two occasions mere months later.

    On a December 2023 edition of the ImPaulsive podcast, Orton said he was an \”a**hole\” during the formative years of his career, saying that his poor behavior was \”armor\” as he wanted others to respect him. Orton added on the podcast that he was given second, third, and fourth chances by Vince McMahon.

    For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.

  • Tony Khan: \’AEW Will Return to The UK For All In: London 2026\’

    AEW will return to London, England for its All In 2026 pay-per-view, after next year\’s event will take place in Arlington, Texas. Speaking to the media at the AEW All In: Texas 2025 launch event, AEW President Tony Khan confirmed that the show would return to the UK in two years.

    “We will be going back just ten days from now to Wembley Stadium, and celebrating All In ’24. We can’t wait to bring All In ’25 here (to Arlington). It’s going to be very special. We’re going to London next week, then coming to Texas, we’ll be going back to London in 2026.”

    AEW\’s first UK-based event, All In 2023, took place in August of last year and saw over 75,000 fans fill London\’s Wembley Stadium. All In: London 2024 will also take place at Wembley Stadium on August 25. At this time, nine matches have been confirmed for the evening. AEW will also host a taping of Dynamite in Cardiff, Wales, marking the first AEW TV taping to take place outside North America.

    Between trips to the UK, AEW will host its All In 2025 event in Arlington, Texas, marking the promotion\’s first stadium event in North America. The show is just the latest in a lucrative partnership between AEW and the city which has hosted back-to-back episodes of Collision as well as the recent ROH Death Before Dishonor event.

    Another Stadium Event?

    The Sporting News reported earlier this week that AEW is planning on hosting a stadium event in Australia in 2025 and that plans are already in motion. Venues reportedly being considered for the show include Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

  • Shawn Michaels Teases \”Other Surprises\” for WWE NXT’s Move to The CW

    WWE NXT head Shawn Michaels has dropped some hints about what fans can expect once the gold brand moves to The CW later this year. In a recent interview with WGN Radio, Michaels spoke about the move which will see CM Punk appear on the premiere episode.

    “I can’t let the cat out of the bag right now. CM Punk will be there, and he’s going to be playing a major role, obviously. But beyond that, we have other surprises in store that I think are going to make this a very special night for everyone.”

    WWE NXT will move to The CW on October 1, and CM Punk will be at the premiere episode in Chicago, Illinois. The October 8, episode will take place in St. Louis, Missouri and will feature an appearance by the city\’s own Randy Orton.

    WWE NXT on The CW

    Last year, WWE and The CW Network announced a 5-year partnership that will bring NXT to broadcast television 52 weeks per year through late 2029. The deal will be the most lucrative contract WWE\’s developmental brand has ever faced, and mark the end of five years on the USA Network.

    This move will be just one of three that are set to shake-up the WWE broadcasting landscape. WWE SmackDown will soon be moving from FOX to the USA Network, guaranteeing that there will still be wrestling on the channel even when NXT departs. The biggest change will come in January 2025 when RAW moves to Netflix. The 10-year agreement is worth an estimated $5 billion and will see John Cena appear on the premiere episode.

  • JBL Praises AEW American Champion MJF As A True Hero of the U.S.

    WWE Hall of Famer John \”Bradshaw\” Layfield has thrown his support behind AEW American Champion MJF, who he believes is the ideal figure to represent the United States. Recently, MJF took to Twitter to share his respect for JBL. In a response, JBL said the world is lucky to have MJF representing the good ol\’ U.S. of A.

    Since capturing the AEW American Championship, MJF has fully embraced his role as a jingoistic heel, declaring the U.S. as the only country that matters. MJF took aim at Mexico ahead of his CMLL debut and called the United Kingdom a third-world country before competing for Rev Pro.

    After winning the WWE United States Championship in 2006, JBL also became a pro-America heel and flaunted his patriotism in the face of his opponents. This angle would see JBL feud with then-World Heavyweight Champion Rey Mysterio, who despite being from California, was seen as a representative of Mexican traditions. Mysterio defeated JBL on an episode of SmackDown to retire the Texan.

    What\’s next?

    MJF is set to defend his AEW American Championship later this month against Will Ospreay at AEW All In: London 2024, in a rematch from their hour-long encounter from Dynamite 250. The winner will face PAC at AEW All Out 2024 two weeks after the Wembley show, as confirmed on this week\’s Dynamite. AEW All In: London 2024 will take place on August 25, from Wembley Stadium. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest from MJF on the road to AEW\’s biggest event of the year.

  • AEW All In: Texas 2025 Set for Globe Life Field in Arlington

    AEW All In 2025 will take place from the Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on July 12, 2025, it has been confirmed this week. The event will mark AEW\’s first All In event in the United States. All In 2023 took place in London, England\’s Wembley Stadium and the show will return to the UK capital later this month.

    In addition to AEW All In: Texas, a series of events in Arlington are being planned leading up to the event. Fans eager to secure tickets for the event can sign up to the Globe Life Field newsletter to be the first to know about the event. News of this show comes mere days after it was reported that Arlington was a favorite to host a stadium event.

    This event will be AEW\’s first stadium-sized show in North America for Tony Khan\’s promotion. Recently, AEW has been hosting episodes of Collision at Arlington\’s E-Sports Arena as part of a lucrative deal between the promotion and the city. This deal also included the hosting of ROH Death Before Dishonor 2024 in Arlington.

    Globe Life Field is the home of the Texas Rangers and at maximum capacity, can seat 40,300 fans. Construction on the venue began in 2017 and its first events would take place in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Another Stadium Event?

    The Sporting News reported earlier this week that AEW is planning on hosting a stadium event in Australia in 2025 and that plans are already in motion. Venues reportedly being considered for the show include Sydney’s Allianz Stadium, Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

  • Guide to WWE at Fanatics Fest NYC (FFNYC)

    The inaugural Fanatics Fest NYC convention takes place August 16-18 from the Javitz Center in New York City. The first-ever \’immersive sports festival\’ brings together the biggest stars from WWE, the world\’s top pro sports leagues, including the NFL, MLB, UFC, NHL and more.

    WWE is one of Fanatics strongest brand partners and will have a strong presence at this unprecedented event. WWE Superstars and Legends will participate in Photo Opportunity sessions, Autograph Sessions, stage shows and live podcasts.

    Paul Heyman will grace Center Stage on a special edition of the NotSam Wrestling podcast and Peter Rosenberg hosts the \’WWE: Ring Revolutionaries\’ panel with Jey Uso, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill.

    WWE Talent Appearing

    WWE Superstars and Legends appearing at Fanatics Fest NYC include:

    • Bayley
    • Bianca Belair
    • CM Punk
    • Cody Rhodes
    • Drew McIntyre
    • Hulk Hogan
    • Jade Cargill
    • Jey Uso
    • LA Knight
    • Liv Morgan
    • Paul Heyman
    • Rey Mysterio
    • Rhea Ripley
    • The Miz
    • Tiffany Stratton

    Charlotte Flair was initially advertised, but is listed as cancellation.

    Appearance Schedule

    Saturday, August 17

    Hulk Hogan

    • Photo Op Session: 12-1:40 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone
    • Autograph Session: 1:40-3:30 p.m. in Autographing Zone

    Jey Uso

    • Photo Op Session: 1-2 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone
    • Autograph Session: 2-3 p.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Ring Revolutionaries: 3-3:45 p.m. in The Theatre

    CM Punk

    • The Masked Man Show 1-1:30 p.m. in Center Stage
    • Autograph Session: 1:30-2:30 p.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Fanatics Live: 2:35-2:45 p.m. in Center Stage
    • Photo Op Session: 2:45-3:45 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone

    Bianca Belair

    • Autograph Session: 1-2 p.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Photo Op Session: 2-3 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone
    • Ring Revolutionaries: 3-3:45 p.m. in The Theatre

    Jade Cargill

    • Autograph Session: 1-2 p.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Photo Op Session: 2-3 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone
    • Ring Revolutionaries: 3-3:45 p.m. in The Theatre

    Liv Morgan

    • Fanatics Live: 2-2:30 p.m. in Center Stage
    • Photo Op Session: 2:30-3:45 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone
    • Autograph Session: 3:45-4:45 p.m. in Autographing Zone

    LA Knight

    • Fanatics Live: 2:45-3:15 in Center Stage
    • Autograph Session: 3:15-4:30 p.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Photo Op Session: 4:30-5:20 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone

    Tiffany Stratton

    • Fanatics Live: 3:15-3:45 p.m. in Center Stage
    • Photo Op Session: 4-5 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone
    • Autograph Session: 5-6 p.m. in Autographing Zone

    Paul Heyman

    • Not Sam Wrestling: 5-5:45 p.m. in Center Stage

    Sunday, August 18

    Cody Rhodes

    • Autograph Session: 10-11:10 a.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Fanatics Live: 11:15-11:25 a.m. in Center Stage
    • Photo Op Session: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone

    Drew McIntyre

    • The Masked Man Show: 10-10:30 a.m. in Center Stage
    • Fanatics Live: 10:45-11 a.m. in Center Stage
    • Autograph Session: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Photo Op Session: 12-1 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone

    Bayley

    • Autograph Session: 10:15-11:15 a.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Fanatics Live: 11:25-11:50 a.m. in Center Stage
    • Photo Op Session: 12-1 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone

    Rhea Ripley

    • Fanatics Live: 11:50 a.m.-12:15 p.m. in Center Stage
    • Autograph Session: 12:30-12:50 p.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Photo Op Session: 12:50-2 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone
    • Autograph Session: 2-2:30 p.m. in Autographing Zone

    The Miz

    • Fanatics Live: 11-11:15 a.m. in Center Stage
    • Autograph Session: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Photo Op Session: 1-2 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone

    Rey Mysterio

    • Autograph Session: 1:15-2:15 p.m. in Autographing Zone
    • Photo Op Session: 2:15-3:15 p.m. in Photo Ops Zone
    • Not Sam Wrestling: 3:15-4 p.m. in Center Stage

    Visit Fanatics Events to purchase tickets and for more information.

  • Beth Phoenix On One More Match, Glamarella & Rhea Ripley

    WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix recently sat down with the Insight podcast to discuss a variety of topics from her wrestling career. The Glamazon is a former WWE Women\’s and Divas Champion and became WWE\’s youngest Hall of Famer in 2017.

    On One More Match

    The Glamazon hasn\’t competed for WWE since February 2023 where she teamed with her husband Edge to defeat Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley. On the podcast, Beth admitted that she doesn\’t know whether another match will happen. The Glamazon added that it was difficult in 2012 to say she was \’retired\’ but knew at the time that being a WWE Diva and starting a family would\’ve been a struggle.

    \”I give the age-old cliche answer that everybody hates, never say never. But it really just depends on the opportunities and what suits our family, that’s really it.\”

    On Becoming A Wrestler

    Like many, Phoenix was a wrestling fan before stepping in the ring herself. Fans who have admired the Glamazon in the ring have two legendary Canadians to thank for inspiring the Hall of Faner.

    \”It was WrestleMania 10 seeing Bret versus Owen where I was like, I was just so stunned by the performance and the emotional aspect. It felt so real… whatever magic they created in the ring together was a lightbulb moment for me.\”

    On Breaking Her Jaw

    Beth Phoenix made her WWE main roster debut in 2006 though her arrival did not go well. During her debut match on RAW against Victoria, Beth suffered a broken jaw that derailed all plans for her. This was a \”worst-case scenario\” for the Glamazon who felt her world \”crumble\” around her. Phoenix\’s treatment included two days in hospital in which she reflected on how things had gone horribly wrong.

    \”I’ve ruined everything, I’ve sacrificed everything at that time, I really hadn’t had a chance to start making any money. I put my family second, everything my whole life, I had put all my eggs in the basket of wrestling and it blew up right in front of me.\”

    Victoria, Phoenix adds, felt horrible, though Beth blames herself for having her mouth slightly open when she took a move. After suffering the injury in June 2006, Beth would only return to the main roster in July of the following year.

    On Glamarella

    After returning as a heel and capturing the WWE Women\’s Champion, Beth, an unrelenting powerhouse, formed an odd-couple duo with the comedic Santino Marella. The pair won the Women\’s and Intercontinental Championships at SummerSlam 2008 and were known as \’Glamarella\’ a nod to Hollywood couples like Brangelina. On the podcast, Beth shared that she was the one to pitch the angle after watching Norbit.

    \”I wrote up a one-page pitch, and I walked into Vince’s office and I said, Vince, I have this idea. I didn’t even tell Santino…  It was super special. I think I was very good at being the straight man and he was very good at just doing everything he could in his power to make me crack.\”

    Phoenix named Glamarella, teaming with Natalya, and her appearances in the Royal Rumble matches as her favorite memories in WWE.

    On Being in the 2010 Men\’s Royal Rumble

    In 2010, eight years before the women of WWE had a Royal Rumble of their own, Phoenix entered the Men\’s Rumble. The act made Beth the second woman to enter a Rumble (following in the footsteps of Chyna.) On the podcast, Beth reflected on how it felt to follow the Ninth Wonder of the World.

    \”Glamazon was pretty much Chyna 2.0… to be the successor to her in that particular moment was just mind-blowing because it was very sentimental to me and special to me because of her.\”

    Beth kept her Royal Rumble role a secret for six weeks after being approached by Dean Malenko over the idea. The Glamazon said that if she had told anyone, she\’s sure the idea would\’ve been scrapped.

    On Rhea Ripley

    Before leaving for AEW in 2023, one of Edge\’s final WWE programs saw himself and Phoenix take on The Judgment Day. The Glamazon was more than happy to be involved in the angle, not just because she got to work with her husband, but because she was able to watch the development of Rhea Ripley.

    \”I was super excited because I’d watched Rhea come up. I was just super excited, even if that was all we did. I just wanted the opportunity to kind of get in there with her and get to be face-to-face.”

  • First Title Match Set For AEW All Out 2024

    The road to AEW All Out has officially begun with the first title match being announced for the upcoming pay-per-view from Chicago, Illinois. On the August 14, edition of AEW Dynamite, PAC shared his frustrations that Will Ospreay will challenge AEW American Champion MJF at AEW All In: London 2024. PAC pointed out that he is the \”real\” number one contender and is ready for his title match.

    PAC will challenge the winner of the Ospreay Vs. MJF at AEW All Out for the AEW American Championship. PAC was the first holder of the gold, which was originally known as the AEW All-Atlantic Championship and held the gold for 108 days from June to October 2022. The title was rebranded the AEW International Championship in March 2023.

    How To Watch AEW All Out

    AEW All Out 2024 takes place on September 7, 2024 from the Now Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. It\’s the the sixth installment of the annual event, the fourth from the Now Arena and the first to take place outside the Labor Day holiday weekend.

    In the United States, All Out will be available to stream on Bleacher Report at 8pm ET. The event can be purchased and streamed directly through the Bleacher Report Live platform. All Out can also be ordered through local cable or satellite providers. Check with your provider on how to purchase the pay-per-view. For international viewers, the event will be accessible on FITE TV. A 1-hour Buy-In kickoff show begins at 7pm ET.

  • AEW Sponsoring Fulham FC Women As Front-Of-Shirt Partner in 2024/25 Season

    All Elite Wrestling will feature on the front of the shirts for the Fulham FC women\’s team, in a crossover deal between two of Tony Khan\’s projects. The AEW logo will adorn Fulham Women\’s shirts during the 2024/25 season. In a statement, Khan said:

    \”Both Fulham Football Club and All Elite Wrestling hold a special place in my heart, and the partnership established here represents not only an elevation of both organisations on the global stage, but also a reminder of our investment and commitment to furthering women’s creative and athletic endeavours at all levels. Come on Fulham!”

    Steve Jaye, Fulham Women\’s Head Coach, added that significant progress had been made for FFC Women in recent seasons and he is grateful for AEW\’s support. Jaye described having AEW as the front-of-shirt sponsor for the upcoming season as \”a massive forward step\” for the club. Fulham Women will get their 2024/25 campaign underway this Sunday at Craven Cottage when they welcome Barking.

    AEW In The UK

    News of this partnership comes mere days ahead of AEW\’s return to the United Kingdom for All In: London 2024. The show will see the All-Elite roster compete inside Wembley Stadium with nine matches confirmed across the pre-show and main card. Before All In: London 2024, AEW will host its first Dynamite outside North America from Cardiff, Wales. On this week\’s Dynamite it was announced that a Coffin match will take place at All In: London 2024 that will see TNT Champion Jack Perry face Darby Allin.

  • Deadpool & Wolverine Actor Responds to Kevin Nash\’s Criticism Over Being Recast

    Billy Clements, an actor in MARVEL\’s latest blockbuster Deadpool & Wolverine, has responded to criticism by WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash. Clements plays The Russian, an adversary of The Punisher in the new film, a role that Nash played in 2004\’s The Punisher film. On a recent edition of his Kliq This podcast, Nash critiqued Clements\’ portrayal of the character.

    “That doesn’t even … that looks nothing like the character I played. That looks nothing like the Russian. It looks like they gave somebody a favor.”

    On Instagram, Clements responded to Nash\’s critique. The English actor suggested that thanks to multiverses being all the rage in MARVEL films (and a key plot point in Deadpool Vs. Wolverine) his The Russian could be a different individual than the one Nash played.

    \”There are lots of different Wolverines in there [the film.] My character is obviously a different variant [of The Russian.] Y\’know, different Deadpools, Bulseye\’s different. So to say obviously \’you don\’t look like your character, I thought maybe it\’s not right for the MARVEL Universe, but there are different universes. That\’s the reason why.\”

    Despite their differences, Clements had plenty of praise for Nash\’s role in The Punisher which saw Big Daddy Cool share the screen with The Punisher, as played by Thomas Jane.

    \”I thought your character was amazing in your scene, when you played it, I thought it was brilliant. I\’ve seen it a hundred times. I thought it was a great scene.\”

    Nash\’s criticism aside, Deadpool & Wolverine has been a runaway success and has crossed the coveted $1 billion box office threshold. The hit film has also made its way into WWE 2K24, meaning Nash (or his video game equivalent) could play the Russian again. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on Kevin Nash in and out of the world of wrestling.

  • Dennis Brent, Former WCW Photographer & WWE Director, Has Passed Away

    The wrestling world is mourning the passing of Dennis Brent, an influential figure who held significant roles with both WWE and World Championship Wrestling. PW Insider reports that Brent passed away aged 73 after a lengthy battle with multiple sclerosis and that his services were held this week in Dallas, Texas.

    In 1989, Brent was hired by Turner Broadcasting and worked closely with World Championship Wrestling. Among his responsibilities, Brent handled press requests, oversaw the WCW 900 hotline, and worked as a ringside photographer. His name was regularly mentioned on WCW programming. Brent left WCW in 1994.

    In 1998, Brent would join the WWF where, much like in WCW, he would oversee a variety of roles. Brent oversaw magazine publications, including RAW magazine, and served as Director of Talent Relations from 2002 to 2004. This role saw Brent travel to developmental territories to scout and hire talent and if necessary, fire prospective wrestlers.

    Brent\’s tenure in the role saw him closely work with Jim Ross, who paid tribute to Brent after his passing. In the comments, Hurricane Helms spoke of Brent always being good to him and Vince Russo offered his condolences.

    Brent also co-wrote the Steve Austin memoir \’The Stone Cold Truth\’ as well as Jim Ross\’ cookbooks. Even after being diagnosed with MS, he remained a consultant with WWE for some time. Outside of the industry, Brent was an avid Nolan Ryan memorabilia collector and attended several golf tournaments in Alvin, Texas.

    We here at SE Scoops would like to extend our condolences to Brent\’s family, friends, and those who knew him at this sad time.

  • AEW Shares Bryan Danielson Tribute Ahead Of His Potential Final Match

    All Elite Wrestling shared a touching tribute to Bryan Danielson on this week\’s Dynamite, mere days away from what could be his final match. To Green Day\’s Good Riddance, the video looked back on Danielson\’s AEW arrival, some of his most important matches, and his time in Ring of Honor during the promotion\’s formative years.

    Danielson will challenge AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland at AEW All In: London 2024 in a title vs. career match. The match will mark Danielson\’s fifth shot at the gold since arriving in AEW at All Out 2021. Previous matches have seen the American Dragon come up short against Kenny Omega, MJF, and Blackpool Combat Club ally Jon Moxley.

    Swerve Strickland Attacks

    This tribute video wouldn\’t be Danielson\’s only role during the August 14, edition of AEW Dynamite. In the main event, Swerve Strickland defeated Wheeler Yuta (another BCC ally of Danielson) as the referee stopped the match when Yuta couldn\’t fight back. Strickland continued his attack and Danielson, who\’d been at ringside, tried to stop him. Strickland blindsided his Wembley opponent and Dynamite went off the air with Swerve mocking Danielson\’s \’YES\’ chants.

    Strickland has held the AEW World Championship since Dynasty in April of this year, where he captured the gold from Samoa Joe. He has retained against Claudio Castagnoli, Christian Cage, Roderick Strong, and Will Ospreay. Danielson may prove to be Strickland\’s toughest opponent to date however, especially with Bryan fighting with his career on the line. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest in this rivalry and all the news coming from AEW All In: London 2024.

  • Latest On Michael Oku After Facing AEW American Champion MJF

    Michael Oku may not have captured the AEW American Championship from MJF last weekend, but the two may share the ring again in due time. At Rev Pro Summer Sizzler on August 11, Oku challenged MJF for the gold. The jingoistic champion didn\’t hold back in the run-up to the match, as he described the UK as a third-world country among other taunts.

    Oku is close to signing with AEW, sources within Rev Pro told Fightful Select\’s Corey Brennan this week. Sources within AEW didn\’t confirm these claims, but said they would not be surprised to see Oku end up on the UK AEW shows. It has previously been reported that Oku is expected to work the AEW Dynamite taping in Cardiff, as well as AEW All In: London later this month.

    Talent within RevPro shared their hope to Fightful that Oku will be signed, with several touting how deserving he is of the opportunity. Oku is the current Undisputed British Heavyweight Champion, after defeating Great-O-Khan last month.

    Another Signing?

    Amira Miller is another talent on the RevPro roster who could soon be appearing for AEW. Fightful\’s report adds that like Oku, Amira is expected to work the two AEW UK events and that she is also close to being signed. After Summer Sizzler, Oku told Stephanie Chase that there had been discussions between both he and Amira and AEW.

    AEW has a roster full of some of the most talented wrestlers in the world today, and now Michael Oku and Amira Miller could be joining that roster. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on these two wrestlers and their quest to be \’All-Elite.\’

  • Raquel Rodriguez Gives MCAS Update Six Months After Latest WWE Match

    WWE Superstar Raquel Rodriguez has given an update on her health, months after her most recent appearance in the ring. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Raquel shared that she was getting some work done to make sure she was okay.

    “Hey guys we are in Therma, Florida today at the Alliance Regenerative Center. We are getting some bloodwork done, just to make sure everything is still functioning good, hormones, thyroid, a full panel.”

    Rodriguez shared some positive news about her condition, adding that she\’s not felt as good as she currently does in quite some time.

    “So, Alliance Regenerative is actually partnering up with RejuvStem down in Mexico for cellular therapy, something that I have did to help my skin, and guys, I am being honest with you, my skin has not looked and felt this great in months.”

    Rodriguez has been dealing with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) a condition in which the patient experiences repeated episodes of the symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as allergies. These episodes may include hives, swelling, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and severe diarrhea. High levels of mast cell mediators are released during those episodes.

    Due to her battle with MCAS, the former WWE NXT Women\’s Champion has been out of action since February, with her most recent match seeing her defeat Chelsea Green. Last month, it was reported that Rodriguez could be back on the active roster soon, but that has yet to happen. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on Raquel Rodriguez and her work towards a return to the ring.

  • CM Punk Makes Surprise Appearance At Rancid Concert in Chicago

    WWE Superstar CM Punk has taken a break from beefing with Drew McIntyre to appear at a Rancid concert in his native Chicago. As seen in footage shared online, Punk embraces the band, consisting of Tim Armstrong, Matt Freeman, Lars Frederiksen, and Branden Steineckert, and poses with Armstrong.

    The show was just the latest stop of the band\’s ongoing tour of North America which will see Rancid perform in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Atlanta in the coming days. As for Punk, his future could be in Germany, as it has been reported that a rematch with Drew McIntyre could happen at WWE Bash in Berlin on August 31.

    Wrestlers Outside of the Ring

    Punk\’s involvement at the Rancid concert is hardly the only wrestler to make waves at a gig recently. Over in AEW, Darby Allin (Punk\’s first All-Elite) opponent, was launched into the crowd during a concert from Brody King\’s band God\’s Hate.

    In June, WWE Women\’s World Champion Liv Morgan showed her skills outside the ring when she threw the opening pitch at a Boston Red Sox game. Last week, Randy Orton also threw out a first pitch, this time at a game for his local St. Louis Cardinals. Clearly, WWE Superstars have appeal outside of the squared circle, and appearances in other forms of entertainment have proven especially popular. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on CM Punk, both in and out of the ring.

  • John Cena: \’I\’ve Been Preparing For My Retirement For A Long Time\’

    John Cena\’s announcement of his in-ring retirement may have only come recently, but it\’s something that the WWE icon has been working on for some time. Speaking to Denise Salcedo at the premiere of his new movie Jackpot, Cena addressed his impending exit from the squared circle.

    \”It\’s something I\’ve been preparing for, for a long time. If you backtrack interviews, I started talking about that in maybe 2019 so I\’m ready for it and I think now is the perfect time to do it.\”

    Cena went on to share his appreciation to WWE who have been \”awesome\” working around his schedule. While some will be sad to see the 16-time WWE World Champion step away from the ring, John himself is feeling immensely positive about what\’s to come.

    \”I feel great. It\’s a happy thing. I\’m not going to tell anyone how to feel because I don\’t believe in that but I am going to approach it with an upbeat attitude.\”

    John Cena’s Retirement Tour

    As one of the biggest names in wrestling history, it’s hardly a surprise that several wrestlers have put themselves forward for Cena’s farewell tour. CM Punk hopes to team with John before the latter calls it a career while The Miz is hoping to get one last match with Cena after previously headlining WrestleMania 27 in 2011.

    New WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker is ready to defend his title against Cena next year. The title in question is one of the few accolades John has not obtained in WWE and the only title Cena needs to complete the Grand Slam. Talent outside of WWE are also interested with Matt Cardona wanting a match while WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam is hoping for a One Night Stand 2006 rematch with Big Match John.

    Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on John Cena and his final year in the ring.

  • Report: AEW Working On Australian Stadium Show For 2025

    All Elite Wrestling could be heading down under next year with a stadium show in Australia, it has been claimed this week. The Sporting News reports that AEW is planning on hosting a stadium event in Australia in 2025 and that plans are already in motion.

    Venues reportedly being considered for the show include Sydney’s Allianz Stadium (max capacity of 42,500), Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium (56,347), and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (52,500). Entertainment company TEG is believed to be supporting the event. AEW talent from Australia include Buddy Matthews, Mark Davis, and Kyle Fletcher.

    AEW and Stadiums

    AEW will host its second stadium show, All In: London 2024, later this month from England\’s Wembley Stadium. Last year\’s event will also soon receive a showcase, thanks to the upcoming AEW Stories episode that will give a behind-the-scenes look at All In 2023.

    AEW has yet to host a stadium-sized event in the U.S. though fans are hoping that changes. When asked about such an event during the ROH Death Before Dishonor media scrum, Tony Khan said not to underestimate the promotion and that it could happen in the future.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcCMnPXaNoA&pp=ygUKYWV3IGFsbCBpbg%3D%3D

    Pro-Wrestling & Australia

    Australia has been home to several large-scale events, including 2018\’s WWE Super ShowDown. The event saw a (disputed) 70,309 fans fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground to see The Undertaker and Triple H compete in their final one-on-one match. In February of this year, WWE hosted its Elimination Chamber PLE in Perth, Australia. The show was headlined by Australia\’s own Rhea Ripley retaining the Women\’s World Championship against Nia Jax.

    Australia is also home to its own promotions, including Riot City Wrestling. Popular wrestler DELTA recently wrapped up her time with the promotion amid reports that she has signed with WWE. DELTA recently shared a photo of her suitcase from Adelaide airport and a message of goodbye, as she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her career in the United States of America.

  • WWE\’s Latest Trademarks Give Hint At Promotion\’s Future Plans

    A series of trademarks filed by WWE has given wrestling fans a hint at what the promotion may have planned in the coming weeks and months. Over the past week, WWE has filed trademarks for \’The Wyatt Sicks,\’ \’The Pure Fusion Collective,\’ \’Pure Fusion\’ and \’Fatal Influence.\’ The terms have been filed for the use in entertainment services and broadcast media.

    The Wyatt Sicks

    WWE has already been using the term The Wyatt Sicks for some time now as the Uncle Howdy-led faction has proven to be a force to be reckoned with so far. The group recently made its in-ring debut with a win over the Creed Brothers and Chad Gable. The Olympian was \’killed\’ by the faction during its arrival in June and has been at odds with the group ever since. Outside of WWE, The Wyatt Sicks has also been targeting The Pat McAfee Show.

    The Pure Fusion Collective

    The Pure Fusion Collective is the name of the new faction consisting of Shayna Baszler, Sonya Deville, and Zoey Stark. So far, the group has feuded with Damage CTRL and an attack on Dakota Kai has written her off TV. The Kiwi Superstar is dealing with a torn meniscus and could miss up to ten weeks of action.

    Fatal Influence

    So far, WWE has not used the term Fatal Influence on TV, leaving fans to speculate if it is a new faction, an event name, or something else entirely. The name does highlight WWE\’s new era contrasting with its previous administration under Vince McMahon. The former WWE CEO reportedly had strict rules against certain words, including anything that made reference to killing or a loss of life.

  • Francine: \’There\’s Always Talk About Unionizing But Talent Might Be Scared\’

    There is always discussions about unionizing in professional wrestling, according to ECW alum Francine, who believes that for all this talk, talent may be scared to do so. On her Eyes Up Here podcast, Francine discussed the possibility of whether a union in wrestling will ever happen.

    \”There’s always been somebody saying, \’you know we really should start a union.\’ and it never ever happens. It never happens.\”

    Francine recalled being approached recently by \”somebody who has a bit of clout\” about possibly forming a union. The ECW alum was approached as this \’somebody\’ wanted names to support the idea. Since then, Francine hasn\’t heard anything about this latest attempt to unionize and isn\’t entirely surprised.

    \”I don’t know if the boys are scared to do it because they might not get work, but I don’t know it’s a touchy subject.” 

    Wrestling & Unions

    Jesse Ventura tried to forge a union in professional wrestling in an act that ultimately cost him his job in the WWF. For years, including on a recent media appearance, Ventura has claimed that Hulk Hogan \’tattled\’ on him to Vince McMahon and that the Hulkster was opposed to unionization benefitting others.

    In 2020, talk of unionization sprang up again as WWE clamped down on talent engaging in third-party deals without their involvement. Mere minutes after Zelina Vega shared her support for unionization, she was released from WWE in a move that spawned backlash among fans. Vega was rehired by WWE the following year and remains employed to this day.

    When Freddie Prinze Jr. shared intentions to launch his own wrestling promotion, he claimed that talent would be welcomed into the SAG-AFTRA union for actors. In the years since then though, Prinze\’s promotion has yet to launch, though the former WWE writer continues to give updates on a planned broadcast deal.

  • Netflix\’s \’The Queen of Villains\’ Trailer Gives First Look At Japan\’s Scariest Heel

    A new trailer from Netflix has given wrestling fans their first look at The Queen of Villains, a new project about the life and career of Dump Matsumoto. The Queen of Villains will premiere on September 19, on the streaming juggernaut. You can check out the trailer below.

    This project was announced back in July with a teaser poster showing Matsumoto\’s iconic facepaint and chain with some blood splatter for good measure.

    Who is Dump Matsumoto?

    Matsumoto terrified Japanese women’s wrestling as a heel during the 1980s and was world-renowned for her brutal style in the ring. With her larger-than-life persona as a villain, Matsumoto became a leading figure in All Japan Women\’s Pro Wrestling and she would become something of a cultural phenomenon.

    Matsumoto led the notorious Atrocious Alliance stable, which introduced fans to wrestlers such as WWE Hall of Famer Bull Nakano. Her rivalry with the popular Crush Gals, particularly Chigusa Nagayo, remains the stuff of legend and Matsumoto is still regarded as one of the most influential in the history of Japanese women\’s wrestling.

    Pro-Wrestling and Netflix

    The Queen of Villains is just one of Netflix\’s forays into the world of professional wrestling. For years, the popular GLOW series gave fans a look into the iconic women\’s promotion and the glamorous and not-so-glamorous side of 80s wrestling.

    Next year, WWE RAW will move to Netflix as part of a ten-year deal estimated at approximately $5 billion. At this time, the only name confirmed for the debut RAW on Netflix is John Cena, as the show will mark the first stop of his retirement tour.


  • AEW Stories To Give Behind-The-Scenes Look At All In: London 2023

    A new show from All Elite Wrestling will give fans a deep-dive look into last year\’s All In mega-show, ahead of the promotion\’s return to London. AEW Stories will premiere on AEW\’s YouTube channel this coming Monday and promises to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the promotion\’s largest event to date.

    All In: London 2023 took place on August 27, from Wembley Stadium in London, England and saw over 75,000 fans fill the venue for AEW\’s first show outside North America. The event saw Saraya win her first championship in close to a decade, while MJF retained the AEW World Championship in the main event against Adam Cole.

    AEW All In: CM Punk & Jack Perry

    The show was unfortunately overshadowed to some degree by a backstage altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry. After Perry made a comment about using real glass for his match with HOOK, Punk confronted him and the pair got physical. Punk would later compete against Samoa Joe but both he and Perry would be suspended after the event. Punk would be fired mere days later while Perry\’s suspension would only come to an end in 2024. It remains to be seen to what extent, if any, AEW Stories will address this situation which was aired on an episode of Dynamite earlier this year.

    Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on AEW Stories as the All-Elite promotion prepares to return to the UK for its second All In pay-per-view.

  • Multiple Title Changes Shake Up WWE NXT On 8/13 Episode

    The latest episode of WWE NXT saw the gold brand receive a dramatic shake-up with not one but two titles changing hands on the broadcast. The show marked NXT\’s return to the USA Network after two weeks of hosting its Great American Bash special on SyFy.

    WWE NXT Title Changes

    In our opening contest of the night, Tony D\’Angelo put his Heritage Cup on the line against Charlie Dempsey. This match was secured by Wren Sinclair, who earned the opportunity for the No Quarter Catch Crew last week with a victory over Kendal Grey (a victory that also earned her a spot in the faction.)

    D\’Angelo got the first pinfall of the contest in round two, but Dempsey fought back. Once again, Sinclair paid dividends for the NQCC as it was her interference, knocking D\’Angelo off the top role that allowed Dempsey to get the decisive third pinfall of the match.

    In our main event, the NXT Tag Team Championships were on the line as Nathan Frazer and Axiom defended against Andre Chase and Ridge Holland of Chase U. In the end, it was Holland who got the win for his team after planting Axiom with Northern Grit.

    Chase U rushed the ring to celebrate with Chase and Holland as confetti filled the arena. This ends the title reign of Frazer and Axiom at 126 days. This is the second reign for Chase, who previously held the gold with Duke Hudson in a reign that lasted 21 days. This is Holland\’s first NXT Tag Title reign and first taste of any WWE gold since joining the promotion in 2018.

  • MuscleManMalcolm Makes In-Ring Debut at MCW Dynamo Runs The Show

    SE Scoops\’ very own MuscleManMalcolm has taken his next step in the wrestling industry after making his debut as an in-ring competitor. Malcolm competed at the MCW Dynamo Runs The Show event this week which took place at the RJ Meyer Arena at Joppa Grand Market in Joppa, MD. In footage shared on Facebook, Malcolm can be seen holding his own against two opponents, and using some unique offense after declaring \”I\’m gonna hit them with my butt!\” Malcolm also hits an impressive-looking Samoan drop in the footage recorded at ringside.

    Speaking in a YouTube video ahead of the show, Malcolm shared how he went from ring-side attendee to in-ring talent. After being confronted by some heels at a previous MCW event, Malcolm played a role in the pair losing a match, setting up a tag-team encounter at MCW Dynamo Runs The Show.

    Malcolm may have triumphed during his in-ring debut, but he is best known in the world of wrestling for his insightful interviews with top wrestling names. Carmelo Hayes, Tiffany Stratton, Chad Gable, and Otis are just some of the names to have been interviewed by Malcolm over his years in the industry.

    What\’s to Come?

    After making a successful in-ring debut, fans can expect to see Malcolm back in the ring within a matter of days. Malcolm will face TNA Digital Media Champion in a Special Attraction Match at the Battle Club Pro Jobber Slam IV event. The show will take place in Brooklyn, New York on August 24.

  • John Cena Shares Number of Dates For WWE Retirement Tour

    WWE icon John Cena has revealed how many appearances for the promotion he will make next year as he embarks on his retirement tour. Speaking to Collider, Cena said that work on his Peacemaker series will keep him busy for the rest of 2024, but he has fully committed 2025 to WWE.

    \”It\’s gonna be right around 36 dates around the world to pay thanks and gratitude to the WWE audiences around the world. So, that\’s what I\’m doing in 2025.\”

    Cena confirmed at the WWE Money in the Bank 2024 PLE that he will be retiring from in-ring competition next year and no amount of money will change his mind. This isn\’t the first time John has spoken about his farewell tour being an international matter as he hopes to compete in the United Kingdom at least one more time before calling it a career.

    John Cena\’s Retirement Tour

    As one of the biggest names in wrestling history, it\’s hardly a surprise that several wrestlers have put themselves forward for Cena\’s farewell tour. CM Punk hopes to team with John before the latter calls it a career while The Miz is hoping to get one last match with Cena after previously headlining WrestleMania 27 in 2011.

    New WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker is ready to defend his title against Cena next year. The title in question is one of the few accolades John has not obtained in WWE and the only title Cena needs to complete the Grand Slam. Talent outside of WWE are also interested with Matt Cardona wanting a match while WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam is hoping for a One Night Stand 2006 rematch with Big Match John.

    Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on John Cena and his final year in the ring.