SEScoops

Author: Thomas Lowson

  • AEW Dynamite Preview: Time To Go Double Or Nothing

    Tonight\’s edition of AEW Dynamite will be one to watch as the All Elite roster sprints to the finish line at Sunday\’s Double or Nothing 2024 PPV from Las Vegas. This go-home show will feature in-ring action from top stars including AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, \’birthday boy\’ Bryan Danielson and Will Ospreay. Plus, we\’ll hear from Mercedes Moné, IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moley and World Trios champions Bullet Club Gold. 

    AEW Dynamite Preview (May 22, 2024)

    Nick Wayne vs. Swerve Strickland

    AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will get a taste of what awaits him at Double or Nothing when he faces off against Nick Wayne on Dynamite. Strickland will put the title on the line this weekend against Christian Cage. 

    Bryan Danielson vs. Satnam Singh

    In a battle of two very different opponents, Bryan Danielson will take on Satnam Singh. Danielson will compete at AEW Double or Nothing in the Anarchy in the Arena match but Singh could get the biggest win of his career tonight. 

    HOOK vs. Bryan Keith vs. Katsuyori Shibata

    With Chris Jericho on commentary, these three wrestlers will face off for a shot at the FTW Championship on the line. The victor will go on to face Jericho at AEW Double or Nothing. 

    Kyle O\’Reilly vs. Malakai Black

    Black hopes to gain momentum heading into Double or Nothing when he faces Kyle O\’Reilly. This weekend, Black will challenge O\’Reilly\’s ally AEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland in a barbed wire steel cage match.

    Toni Storm & Mariah May vs. Saraya & Harley Cameron

    Ahead of her Women\’s World Title match with Serena Deeb, \’Timeless\’ Toni Storm will team with Mariah May to face Saraya and Harley Cameron. Storm and Saraya are no strangers as they were part of the Outcasts with Ruby Soho. 

    Will Ospreay & Orange Cassidy vs. Trent Beretta & Roderick Strong

    Ospreay will face Roderick Strong for the AEW International Title at Double or Nothing while Cassidy and Beretta will face off in a \”wrestling match.\” Tonight, the two sides will be at odds in a tag-team match. 

    Final Hype for Mercedes Moné vs. Willow Nightingale

    In a rematch a year in the making, Mercedes Moné will face AEW TBS Champion Willow Nightingale at Double or Nothing. With tensions at their highest between the two, fans will get a preview of their upcoming match on Dynamite. 

    Here\’s the latest Control Center for a more in-depth look at what we can expert when AEW comes through Bakersfield, California:

    SEScoops is your destination for everything pro wrestling. Stay tuned over the next few days for our comprehensive coverage of AEW Double or Nothing 2024.

  • Brandi Rhodes Recovering From Endometriosis Surgery

    Brandi Rhodes is recovering from Endometriosis surgery and hopes her story can inspire others to listen to their bodies when they know something is wrong.

    The former wrestling executive shared details of her personal health journey on social media this week. Rhodes explained that she\’s been experiencing painful symptoms for years, but had no idea what exactly was wrong. She was ultimately diagnosed with stage four Endometriosis, a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. She shared a photo of herself after undergoing surgery for the condition and now seeks to help others.

    Rhodes was inspired by fellow WWE alum Maryse, who recently shared her own story with a rare pre-cancerous condition that affects the ovaries. The two-time WWE Divas Champion underwent laparoscopy surgery earlier this year during which doctors found and removed eleven implants located around her uterus, ovaries, and connective tissues in her abdominal cavity. 

    Endometriosis: What Is It? 

    Endometriosis is a disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Symptoms include pain in the lower stomach or back, period pain that prevents normal activities, pain when urinating or defecating and pain during or after sex. 

    Brandi had stage four endometriosis, the most serious level of the condition. Causes of endometriosis can include genetics or a problem with the immune system though it is often a condition caused by a combination of different factors. 

    Lower versions of endometriosis can be treated with painkillers or hormone medicines but more severe forms can lead to surgery (such as in Rhodes\’ case.) While Rhodes just needed the implants removed, the worst cases can result in surgery to remove part or all of the organs affected by endometriosis. 

  • Dominik Mysterio On Liv Morgan Romance Rumors: \’I\’m Innocent Until Proven Guilty\’

    Dominik Mysterio is maintaining his innocence amid speculation that he and Liv Morgan may be getting \’close\’ now that Rhea Ripley isn\’t around. 

    In recent weeks, there have been clues on WWE TV that Morgan and Mysterio may be a lot chummier than it first seems. The pair were seen leaving the same room backstage during an episode of Raw. More recently, Liv was seen leaving a vehicle, and later on, Dominik\’s Judgment Day ally Finn Balor exited the same car. Speculation of the pair has run rife on social media, especially after Morgan shared a photo of herself with Dominik\’s signature bandana. 

    Innocent Until Proven Guilty!

    Given Mysterio\’s (kayfabe) relationship with Rhea Ripley, many have been highly suspicious of how close he and Liv have seemingly been getting. When confronted about the rumors on the Ringer Wrestling Show, Mysterio took a legal approach to the accusations. 

    \”I think at the end of the day, everyone is innocent till proven guilty. And I’m just… I’m here protecting Mami. And I’m trying to make sure she’s good when she comes back and that everything is all set in order.\”

    Ripley and Mysterio have been spotted together in recent weeks. 

    Rhea Ripley has been out of action since April after she suffered an injury at the hands of Morgan during a backstage attack. This injury led to Ripley vacating the WWE Women\’s World Championship, a fact that Morgan (the last woman to pin Ripley) has relished in.

    Could Morgan\’s \’revenge\’ tour see her try and replace Rhea Ripley, not just as Mysterio\’s partner but also as a member of The Judgment Day? Time will tell… 

  • Reason WWE Teased Cody Rhodes Vs. Logan Paul Being Title For Title

    WWE had no intention of having one man leave Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with two championships, but that didn\’t stop them from teasing the idea. 

    On the May 10, edition of WWE SmackDown, Paul, the reigning United States Champion, was revealed as the next challenger for Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Immediately, fans speculated that their match at WWE King And Queen of the Ring would see both titles on the line. On Twitter, Cody would tease going for the United States Championship.

    During the May 17, edition of SmackDown, Rhodes spoke of his desire to capture the coveted \’Grand Slam\’ and is only missing the U.S. title from his collection. Despite these teases, it was confirmed during the contract signing later in the night that the upcoming match would ONLY be for Rhodes\’ Undisputed WWE Championship. 

    Why WWE Teased Title For Title

    WWE never had any intention of having both titles on the line, despite what was being teased on TV and social media, Dave Meltzer reports. The reason behind the teases is that it was WWE\’s way of getting extra \’heat\’ on Paul. The idea is that after fans were led to believe both titles would be on the line, Paul \’backtracking\’ by ensuring he wouldn\’t be at risk of losing his gold would rile up the fans against him. On SmackDown, it was made clear that Paul\’s lawyers had drafted the contract that means only Rhodes\’ title will be on the line. 

    What\’s Next? 

    Paul and Rhodes will face off this weekend at the WWE King And Queen of the Ring PLE. The show will be Rhodes\’ second title defend his title at a Premium Live Event after defeating AJ Styles at Backlash France. The match will also be Paul\’s second World Championship opportunity after facing then-Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel 2022. 

  • Austin Theory: \’WWE Today Has Surpassed The Attitude Era\’

    The current era of WWE is proving to be better than the much-acclaimed Attitude Era, at least according to WWE Tag Team Champion Austin Theory. 

    WWE officially launched its \’new era\’ at WrestleMania 40, though this came months after Vince McMahon\’s second resignation from the promotion in January 2024. With the 78-year-old billionaire no longer around, production changes have been well-received by fans as have the storylines we see on TV. 

    Speaking to the Battleground Podcast, Austin Theory had plenty of praise for the current era which he believes has surpassed the Attitude Era. 

    “We do all these things, and every show is packed. Even when I’m just doing meet-and-greets, like in Australia, I did one where 300 people came to see me in the middle of a mall. WWE is at an all-time high now, and you can’t deny it. I think we’ve surpassed the Attitude Era. This era has solidified a new world of professional wrestling.”

    Theory went on to describe Triple H as \”The Man\” and appreciates the \”innovative\” ideas of WWE\’s Chief Content Officer. The former U.S. Champion also praised the passion of everyone in WWE today and believes that with Triple H \’\”in the pilot seat\” that there\’s no stopping WWE. 

    It\’s hard to ignore the success of the current era of WWE. In November 2023, it was reported that the average attendance of WWE events have now matched the Attitude Era attendance. WWE is certainly making far more money now than it did during the era of the late 1990s and early 2000s, thanks in part to its lucrative TV deals and relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

  • First Look At Dwayne Johnson In A24\’s The Smashing Machine

    Wrestling fans and moviegoers alike have been granted their first look at Dwayne Johnson in the upcoming The Smashing Machine biopic. 

    The new film is based on Mark Kerr, a former wrestler and MMA fighter who in addition to his fights in the ring, fought personal demons as well. Johnson will play Kerr in the film while his Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt will portray Keers\’ wife Dawn Staples. The film is being produced by Johnson\’s Seven Bucks Productions and will be distributed by A24. Benny Safdie (Oppenheimer, Uncut Gems) is directing, writing and co-producing. 

    Kerr (Johnson) in the ring while Dawn (Blunt) watches him from ring-side.

    The film marks quite the shift for Johnson who is more commonly associated with family-friendly projects such as Moana or action-packed blockbusters like the Fast and the Furious franchise. In January 2024, Johnson told Variety of his desire to stretch his acting chops further. 

    \”I\’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I\’ve not pushed myself in the past. I\’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity, and explore struggle [and] pain.\”

    Johnson will have the chance to do just that in the role of Kerr. The MMA fighter, now 55 years old, has faced addiction to painkillers, brought on in part due to the \’no holds barred\’ style of early mixed martial arts competition. The Smashing Machine was released as a documentary in 2002 and expectations are high for the new film that is currently without a release date.

  • Cody Rhodes: \’The Undertaker Moved Like A Lion To Make WrestleMania Role Happen\’

    The Undertaker moved at a cat-like pace to ensure his spot at WrestleMania 40 went off without a hitch, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has revealed. 

    In the emotional main event of WrestleMania 40: Sunday, Rhodes ended the 1,316-day run of Roman Reigns, who has not been seen since the event. Both men had help with The Undertaker appearing to chokeslam The Rock after the Final Boss tried to assist his cousin. 

    The Undertaker dealt with The Rock at WrestleMania 40 before Cody\’s story was finished. 

    Though not decked in his usual Undertaker regalia, the WWE Hall of Famer did appear in the ring in an instant when the lights went dark. On the Babyfaces podcast, Rhodes shared some new information about the Phenom\’s infamous appearance. 

    \”When the blackout happens in the arena, your eyes are adjusted to where you actually can see kind of what\’s going on in the ring… I saw out of the corner of my eye, The Undertaker roll in the ring at a speed that was like a Ricochet would roll in the ring. A Chad Gable would roll in the ring. 

    \”A speed that if anyone\’s wondering, \’Oh, I wonder if it\’s still there.\’ Oh my gosh. It was like a lion, legit like watching a lion who\’d been sleeping on the rock all day and then he just went out and did it.\”

    Rhodes then recalled a \’moment\’ that he likes to believe he shared with his fellow WWE World Champion

    \”When he chokeslams The Rock, I got to make eye contact with him ever so briefly. And I think he maybe wanted to have a moment, maybe not. I could be overestimating my importance to The Undertaker here, but he winked at me. He winked at me and then the lights went out.\”

    With the Phenom clearing the field, Rhodes was able to defeat Reigns and finally \’finish the story.\’ He has since retained against AJ Styles at WWE Backlash France. His next title defense will come against Logan Paul at WWE King And Queen Of The Ring. 

  • Giulia Injured And Out Indefinitely With Fractured Wrist

    Giulia was injured week while wrestling on the inaugural card for Rossy Ogawa\’s new Marigold promotion. On Monday, May 20, Giulia teamed with Utami Hayashashita at the Marigold Fields Forever event against NXT alum Sareee and Bozilla. Giulia\’s team took the loss but the real story is that Giulia fractured her right wrist.

    The injury will force her to cancer her upcoming matches, including the upcoming Hana Kimura tribute show. She\’s still scheduled to face Sareee at Marigold\’s Summer Destiny event on July 13, but we\’ll see how her recovery goes. A statement by Marigold reads:

    \”Giulia’s right wrist was injured in yesterday\’s inaugural match. Today, her doctor examined her and diagnosed her with a fracture. Unfortunately she will miss the Hana Kimura show on the 23rd, and upcoming shows for the time being. We apologize and thank you for understanding.\”

    Giulia Update

    Giulia appeared at Japanese fighting sports memorabilia store Toudoukan and delivered the following message (translated):

    \”Today was Giulia\’s first event at Todoukan! I\’m really happy that there were so many people, and it seems like it sold out in the fastest time in Weekly Pro history. I also came to Todoukan for the first time… it\’s amazing! I hope that Giulia\’s prize that was won in the lottery today will be lined up here someday! Yes, I would like to visit again! Thank you! Arrivederci! See you!\”

    This injury is a significant setback for Giulia, who was poised to help get Marigold off the ground before testing her skills in WWE. The Japanese sensation appeared at NXT Stand & Deliver 2024 alongside Ogawa, her first appearance for the company.

    Giulia out with a fractured arm

    Giulia is (or potentially was) expected to make her in-ring debut for WWE at the upcoming NXT Heatwave event held on July 7. Not only that, but she is expected to compete in a championship match at the show, either the NXT Women\’s Championship or the NXT Women\’s North American Championship. All of these plans, however, now hinge on her condition and it remains to be seen whether her arrival in WWE will have to be delayed.

  • Booker T Wishes NXT Was Around When He Broke Into Wrestling

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T wishes that there was a system akin to WWE NXT when he was taking his first steps into the world of professional wrestling. 

    Since October 2022, the five-time WCW World Champion has served as a commentator for the gold brand, bringing decades of experience to the developmental show. Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker reflected on being able to watch talent grow as part of WWE NXT. 

    \”It\’s something special to watch these young guys grow up that way. I can only wish that I would\’ve/could\’ve had that kind of experience growing up in the business. It\’s a great system for these young guys to actually be able to springboard.\”

    Booker went even further with his assessment of WWE NXT as he stated that he\’s \”living my best life\” as part of the NXT \”crew.\”

    It\’s not hard to see why Booker wished WWE NXT was around during his early days. While many names established in wrestling join NXT upon signing with WWE, there are plenty who start their wrestling journey in the gold brand. Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, and Braun Strowman all had little to no wrestling training before coming to WWE.

    The Future of WWE NXT

    Later in the show, Booker shared his excitement for the future, namely the upcoming move to The CW. In October 2024, WWE NXT will make the move as part of what\’s reported to be the biggest deal in the history of the gold brand. The move will also mark the end of WWE NXT\’s five-year tenure as part of the USA Network. 

    WWE NXT will join a growing roster of live sports on The CW Network including ACC football, LIV Golf, and basketball. Wrestling fans can also catch NWA Powerrr episodes on The CW app. 

  • Indie Wrestler Dani Mo to Set Wrestling World Record For Highest-Elevated Match

    Independent wrestler Dani Mo is hoping to go down in history as a wrestler who competed in the highest-elevated match in history. 

    If all goes according to plan, the match will take place on May 23, from the base camp at Kala Patthar in the Nepali Himalayas. The camp is situated at 18,519 feet (5644.6 meters) above sea level and is close proximity to Mount Everest. 

    Mo has been in Nepal for the week leading up to the match and the BBC is documenting her bout against Bhagawati Khadka (Unika). The Nepalese pro wrestler is described by Tribune Live in Pittsburgh as \”a beloved national celebrity in her country” who has appeared on that country’s version of Dancing with the Stars. 

    Dani Mo intends to become a world record holder this week. 

    Who is Dani Mo? 

    Mo made her professional debut in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic that led to several wrestling promotions closing their doors. She has competed for various independent promotions including Game Changer Wrestling, WrestleRex, and Ohio Valley Wrestling. 

    Mo has also had some experience in big-time promotions. From October 2021 to November 2022, she made a handful of appearances for AEW where she lost to Tay Melo, Thunder Rosa, Serena Deeb, and Athena. Mo would compete for Ring of Honor in 2023 where she lost to Madison Rayne and Billie Starkz. 

    WWE fans with a good memory may remember Dani Mo\’s sole appearance for the promotion in August 2022. During an episode of Raw, Mo teamed with Katie Arquette and future AEW star Kayla Sparks in a loss to Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Bianca Belair. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOQe_u5WIUM

  • Watch AEW Star Tay Melo Training For Her Wrestling Return

    Tay Melo is working hard towards making a return to in-ring competition after giving birth to a baby girl in November 2023. 

    Melo and fellow All Elite Wrestling star Sammy Guevara welcomed their daughter Luna in the world last year and shared the joyous news on social media. The couple went viral at AEW Double or Nothing 2023 in May of that year by announcing during the show that they were expecting. 

    Fans have not seen Melo return to AEW since she became a mom. Taking to Twitter, the Brazilian wrestler shared that she is happy to be back in the ring and with a lot of patience, she will be ready to return in the future. Melo added that she has a new body post-pregnancy but she is working every day to get stronger. 

    Melo hasn\’t wrestled since March of 2023 with her most recent match being a tag team match for NEW Wrestling that saw herself and Guevara defeat Encore and Tiara James. Her most recent match for AEW was back in January 2023. This AEW Rampage bout saw herself and Annaj J-A-S lose to Ruby Soho and Willow Nightingale. 

    Tay Melo is working towards her in-ring return.

    Wrestling Moms

    Tay Melo isn\’t the only wrestler who is on maternity leave. Last November, Alexa Bliss and Ryan Cabrera welcomed their daughter Hendrix into the world. Bliss has not competed since the WWE Royal Rumble 2023 Premium Live Event. 

    Jessie McKay, formerly Billie Kay, gave birth to her son Cooper in December 2023. Her tag-team partner Cassie Lee gave birth to her and Shawn Spears\’ son Austin the following month. 

    After previously suffering a miscarriage, Carmella gave birth to her and Corey Graves\’ son Dimitri in November 2023. The former WWE SmackDown Women\’s Champion has been dealing with some nerve damage since the birth. 

     

  • Keith Lee Grateful For Support He\’s Received During AEW Hiatus

    It remains unclear when AEW fans will next see Keith Lee in the ring, but the former World Tag Team Champion is appreciative of the report he has received. 

    The Limitless One hasn\’t competed since the Holiday Bash edition of AEW Collision in December 2023, where he defeated Brian Cage. Taking to Twitter, Lee shared his thanks to those who have wished him well either publicly or in private. 

    Keith Lee In All Elite Wrestling

    Lee joined AEW in 2022, mere months after he was released from WWE following an impressive NXT run and mixed tenure on the main roster. That same year, Lee and Swerve Strickland captured the AEW World Tag Team Championships. Their 70-day title reign ended at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam in September 2022 at the hands of The Acclaimed. Lee would briefly feud with Strickland who has since gone on to become AEW World Champion. 

    Much like his final days in WWE, Lee\’s AEW tenure has seen him miss plenty of in-ring time due to health issues. Lee was set to face Strickland at AEW Worlds End but these issues forced the Limitless One to be pulled from the show. 

    In January 2024, Lee disclosed that he had undergone a double surgery that has kept him out of the ring ever since. There\’s currently no timeframe on when Lee will be expected to return. We here at SE Scoops are wishing him all the best in his recovery. 

  • New Clue Linking Liv Morgan & The Judgment Day

    Liv Morgan is seemingly getting closer and closer to \’Dirty\’ Dominik Mysterio and The Judgment Day, according to the latest clue in this ongoing mystery. 

    In recent weeks, wrestling fans have noticed that Morgan and Mysterio have been linked together, despite their apparent on-screen differences. These teases come after Rhea Ripley suffered an injury at the hands of Morgan during a backstage attack. This injury led to Ripley vacating the WWE Women\’s World Championship, a fact that Morgan (the last woman to pin Ripley) has relished in. 

    On the April 29, episode of Raw, Dominik was seen leaving a room backstage and Liv was seen leaving the same area moments later. This has led to speculation that the pair may be romantically involved now that Ripley, the on-screen \’squeeze\’ of Dirty Dom, is out of the picture. 

    During the May 6, episode of WWE Raw, Mysterio was seen wearing a purple bandana that was suspiciously missing from his neck later in the show. In a photo shared to social media by Morgan herself, the bandana can be seen in her pocket, seemingly a gift from the self-professed hardened criminal. 

    The Latest Clue

    The latest tease of something going on took place before the May 20, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. In footage shared on Raw from earlier in the day, Morgan can be seen exiting a black vehicle. Later in the show, it was revealed that Finn Balor, an ally of Dominik Mysterio, was exiting the same vehicle. 

    Morgan seems to be growing ever closer to The Judgment Day at a time when the faction is without its sole female member. Could Morgan\’s \’revenge\’ tour see her try and replace Rhea Ripley, not just as Mysterio\’s partner but also as a member of The Judgment Day? Time will tell… 

  • Update On Mark Henry\’s Contract Status With All Elite Wrestling

    Mark Henry\’s time with All Elite Wrestling could be over within a matter of days unless a new contract between the two parties is reached. 

    Henry\’s contract with AEW is set to expire this month, Fightful Select reports. The WWE Hall of Famer and former World Heavyweight Champion signed with AEW in 2021 and made his debut as part of that year\’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view. Since joining, Henry has worked as an analyst, coach, scout, and mentor for AEW. On-screen, the bulk of Henry\’s work has been as an interview/personality as part of AEW Rampage. 

    Neither Henry nor AEW President Tony Khan have openly discussed what the future holds for Henry at this time. When not appearing for AEW, Henry can be found hosting the Busted Open Radio podcast alongside fellow WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray and a cast of other names from the industry.

    Mark Henry makes his AEW debut, 2021. 

    One More Match?

    Henry hasn\’t competed since WWE\’s Greatest Royal Rumble 2018 Premium Live Event where he was part of the titular match won by Braun Strowman. His most recent singles match came on the February 13, 2017, edition of Monday Night Raw, where he was also defeated by Strowman. While the World\’s Strongest Man has teased a return to the ring for one last match, he has said he doesn\’t know what it\’d take to make such a match a reality. 

    As a veteran of the industry, Henry brings plenty to AEW even if he never has this proposed final match. It remains to be seen if the World\’s Strongest Man will remain All-Elite or if his three-year tenure with AEW will end later this month. 

  • TKO COO Mark Shapiro Reveals Results Of Covert WWE-Netflix Test

    The future looks very bright for WWE on Netflix after a highly successful experiment took place for fans in New Zealand in April 2024. 

    It was revealed in March that WWE Monday Night Raw will move to Netflix in January 2025 as part of a $5 billion deal between the two sides. 

    The blockbuster move will see Raw leave traditional broadcast television in favor of streaming in perhaps the biggest change to WWE content since the launch of the WWE Network in 2014. Speaking at the JPMorgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference Monday, TKO COO Mark Shapiro revealed that WWE has already tested a major PLE on the streaming giant. 

    \”We did a test in April in New Zealand, for WrestleMania. We aired WrestleMania on Netflix in New Zealand. No promotion, no marketing whatsoever. No press release. Nobody knew it was happening because we were all nervous that it wouldn\’t necessarily work so well. [It was] kind of the guinea pig trial.

    \”Well it went off without a hitch, that\’s the good news. But secondly, the gravy on top of that was we were the highest-rated program that night on all of streaming and linear. So a great story for us.\”

    Fans outside the United States will have an even sweeter deal when the Netflix deal comes into effect this coming January. In addition to receiving Raw, they will also receive SmackDown, WWE NXT, and Premium Live Events as part of the ten-year deal. 

    WWE\’s Netflix deal marks a serious step for the company that has previously dominated the airwaves in more traditional formats of broadcasting. It\’s not just the Netflix deal that reflects a change from the norm. WWE recently began hosting its new WWE Speed show exclusively on Twitter. A filing for WWE Vault, perhaps another new show, has recently been filed.

  • Cody Rhodes: \’WWE Told Me Of The Rock Vs. Roman Reigns The Day I Won the Royal Rumble\’

    Cody Rhodes made history by winning the Royal Rumble for a second consecutive year back in January. However, what should have been a monumental day had a dark cloud looming over it that we\’re just now learning about.

    During a Monday appearance on Busted Open Radio, Rhodes reveals that he learned about The Rock interjecting himself into the road to WrestleMania just hours before punching his ticket to Philadelphia.

    \”I found out the possibility of the Rock versus Roman Reigns the day of the Royal Rumble, and I had to leave that room, head up and make sure no one knew what could possibly happen and probably on one of the more difficult days I\’ve ever had in the wrestling business. But also, how can you complain when you\’re winning the Royal Rumble, when you\’re pointing at the sign, when over 20,000 people in Tampa? It was such a high, such a low.”

    Jan 27, 2024; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Cody Rhodes eliminates CM Punk during the Men s Royal Rumble match at Tropicana Field.

    Rhodes\’ victory in the 30-man match made him the fourth Superstar in history to win back-to-back Rumbles. After the match, he wasted no time in making clear that he planned on challenging Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. However, WWE and The Rock and other plans. 

    Despite literally pointing at Reigns as his desired WrestleMania opponent, things were much different on the post-Royal Rumble edition of WWE SmackDown. Rhodes handed over his WrestleMania main event to The Rock in a now-infamous segment that ignited the \’We Want Cody\’ movement. Had it not been for that movement, Cody may not have finished his story at WrestleMania. As it turns out, that movement was totally organic and WWE really did want to go with Rock vs. Reigns at WrestleMania.

    In the end, the Great One aligned with the Tribal Chief, joined The Bloodline, evolved into the Final Boss and took the fans on a ride that will be talked about for a long time. Rhodes dethroned Reigns at WrestleMania, is the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion and an eventual match with The Rock is expected.

    Here\’s Cody Rhodes\’ full appearance on Busted Open Radio:

  • Cody Rhodes Shares What The Rock Gave Him On Post-WrestleMania 40 Raw

    Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has shared what The Rock gifted him in the most recent face-to-face confrontation between the two megastars. 

    The two met during the post-WrestleMania 40 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, 24 hours removed from Rhodes capturing his title and ending the 1,316-day run of Roman Reigns. As part of the tense segment, The Rock placed an item in Cody\’s hand that was evidently significant to the American Nightmare. 

    Fans never got the chance to see exactly what The Rock gave Rhodes during that fateful episode of WWE Monday Night Raw. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Rhodes shared what the Final Boss gave him.

    \”I tried to make a positive overture, an olive branch to The Rock and the Seven Bucks team because I have an immense respect for what they’ve done. They set the table so that I can eat at it. He did not feel that that was a positive overture and handed it back to me. That’s the best I can give you.\”

    Cody was pretty \”heart-stricken\” by The Rock rejecting what he had previously gifted him. The Undisputed WWE Champion then shared some words of wisdom from Triple H who reminded Rhodes that it\’s not all \’fun and games\’ as WWE\’s top star.

    The Rock & Cody Rhodes came face-to-face on the post-WrestleMania Raw.

    What\’s Next? 

    During the very same segment, The Rock vowed that he would return to WWE programming down the line and that he is coming back for Cody Rhodes. A match is expected between the two with the reported current plan for Rock Vs. Rhodes at WWE WrestleMania 41. 

    Rhodes\’ more immediate future will see him put the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line at the upcoming WWE King And Queen of the Ring PLE. Rhodes will defend against Logan Paul whose United States title won\’t be on the line. 

  • WWE Raw Preview (5/20): King & Queen Of The Ring Semifinals, Zayn vs. Gable

    WWE will get closer to crowning a new King and Queen of the Ring on the May 20 edition of WWE RAW. Tonight\’s edition of Raw from North Carolina\’s historic Greensboro Coliseum will see a continuation of the men\’s and women\’s tournaments. If you\’re in the area, tickets for the show are still available at Ticketmaster.

    The King and Queen of the Ring Tournaments tournaments began on May 6 and will conclude this Saturday at at the Jeddah Dome in Saudi Arabia. This will be the first Premium Live Event to be named after the tournaments since WWE King of the Ring 2002. 

    On the men\’s side of things, GUNTHER will take on Jey Uso for a place in the finals in Jeddah. GUNTHER reached this spot with victories over his old rival Sheamus as well as Kofi Kingston. Jey reached the semi-finals with wins over Finn Balor and Ilja Dragunov. 

    Jey Uso vs. Gunther in the King of the Ring Semifinals

    For the Queen of the Ring Tournament semi-finals, Lyra Valkyria will take on IYO SKY. The recently called-up Valkyria reached this spot in the tournament with wins over Dakota Kai and Zoey Stark. SKY has rebounded from her loss at WrestleMania 40 by advancing with wins over Natalya and Shayna Baszler. 

    In non-tournament action, we\’ll see Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn battle Chad Gable in a non-title match. These two and Bronson Reed will compete for Zayn\’s title this weekend.

    Other top feuds headed into the PLE include Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. United States Champion Logan Paul and Liv Morgan challenging Becky Lynch for the Women\’s World Championship.

    Keep checking back to SEScoops for more coverage of tonight\’s WWE Raw, including all the news coming out of the show afterwards. 

    Catch up on the Top 10 moments from last week\’s show:

  • Chris Jericho Expected \’Please Retire\’ Reaction From Crowd At AEW Dynasty

    Chris Jericho may be one of wrestling\’s most popular stars, but he wasn\’t surprised by the hostile response he received at the AEW Dynasty pay-per-view. 

    While Jericho, a heel, was supposed to receive a negative response, the chants from the crowd in St. Louis went much further than a typical reaction. Throughout the match, the crowd hurled “Please retire!” and “Go home, Jericho, go home!” chants at the veteran who has been with AEW since the very start. The St. Louis crowd also loudly booed when he defeated HOOK to capture the FTW Championship.

    Jericho Sees Things Coming

    Many fans watching at home were taken aback by the negative response to Jericho\’s presence at the show, but Chris himself wasn\’t shocked, Fightful Select reports. According to those close to the current FTW Champion, the crowd reaction during the match was almost identical to the way he described it to them ahead of time.

    Chris Jericho predicted the highly hostile reaction.

    AEW Dynasty is not the first time that the crowd have severely turned on Jericho. In the days prior to AEW Worlds End, it was alleged that Jericho had been inappropriate years earlier with Kylie Rae, with some believing an incident between the two would explain Rae\’s abrupt exit from AEW in 2019. In response, fans chanted \”Kylie Rae\” and \”NDA\” at Jericho during his tag-team match on the show. After the event, Tony Khan said he would not speak on unverified rumors. 

    What\’s to Come? 

    Since capturing the FTW Championship, Jericho has formed an alliance with Big Bill that has ended Bill\’s previous tag team with Ricky Starks. On the most recent AEW Collision, HOOK defeated Johnny TV in an FTW Title Contenders Series match.  

  • Liv Morgan: \’Valhalla Farted In The Ring All The Time During Our Riott Squad Days\’

    WWE Superstars were wary of keeping their distance from Valhalla as the Riott Squad alum has been known to pass wind in the ring. 

    Before she was Valhalla, the Viking competed as Sarah Logan and was part of the Riott Squad alongside Liv Morgan and Ruby Riott (now Soho.) The group made its main roster debut in November 2017 and all three members would have the date of their call-up tattooed on their bodies. 

    In a recent interview with Open Thoughts, Morgan was asked if she\’s ever passed wind in the ring. While Liv has been flatulence-free during matches, she revealed that the same can\’t be said for Sarah \’Valhalla\’ Logan.

    “No, but oh my gosh! Sarah, sorry I love you. I had this tag team partner Sarah, right? I was in a tag team called The Riott Squad and she would fart in the ring all the time and, you know, it like stinks but you have to kind of just like not react to it. But it’s like disgusting, you know, but you just keep it moving. I’ve not farted in the ring but I’ve been, like, farted on.”

    What\’s Next? 

    Valhalla won\’t be competing (or farting) in the ring for some time, as she and Erik are currently expecting their second child. The couple welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Raymond Cash Rowe into the world. Erik has been out of action for some time after undergoing neck fusion surgery. 

    As for Morgan, she is in the midst of a heel turn and is a regularly featured name on the Raw roster. Liv hopes to be free of any passing wind when she competes for the WWE Women\’s World Championship at King And Queen Of The Ring on May 25. 

  • Bryan Danielson: \’I\’m Fighting The Elite Because I Love AEW\’

    Bryan Danielson\’s love for AEW has led the American Dragon into a war with the company\’s EVPs The Elite that will culminate with Anarchy in the Arena. 

    Danielson will join FTR and the recently returned Darby Allin to face the Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks, Jack Perry and Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada. Speaking after this week\’s AEW Collision, Danielson shared his reasoning for aligning with \’Team AEW.\’ 

    \”I\’m watching Dynamite, and I see the Young Bucks and the Elite piledrive Tony Khan. A guy who started this company. The guy who if he wasn\’t here, this company wouldn\’t even exist. And I watched that and I was angry, mad as hell.

    \”And then I watch the next week, as they took out Kenny Omega and hospitalized him. When he\’s already sick, when he\’s already hurt! You were supposed to change the world together. And that\’s how I know, you guys say you\’re good Christian boys but you guys are evil. Because who turns their back on their best friend like that?

    \”And that\’s when I realized, I can\’t stay at home anymore. I can\’t rehab anymore. I have to come back and I have to fight! I have to fight for AEW because I love this place! You guys say you want to change the world! You won\’t even show up on a Saturday!\”

    Danielson has been a part of AEW since 2021 after a highly successful run in WWE as Daniel Bryan. The upcoming Anarchy in the Arena match will be Danielson\’s second time competing in such a match after the BCC beat The Elite last year. 

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

  • Buff Bagwell Returns To The Ring To Win Memphis Wrestling Championship

    WCW alum Buff Bagwell proved he still has the \’stuff\’ by winning championship gold in his first match in close to two years. 

    Bagwell was a part of the Memphis Wrestling event this week and teamed with \’Big\’ John Dalton to take on Memphis Tag Team Champions Sir Matthew & Lord Gaston. Bagwell and Dalton won the gold after a big splash from the 300 lb Dalton. 

    Bagwell hit a series of elbows and clotheslines in the match as well as a \’noggin-knocker\’ to his opponents. The victory with Dalton was Bagwell\’s first match in any promotion since 2022 (according to Profight.) It was his first tag team championship victory since Buff and Rikki Nelson won the NWA Mid-Atlantic Tag Team Champion in May 2009. 

    Buff Bagwell

    With his exuberant personality and various high-profile angles, Buff Bagwell is one of the most recognizable names to come from WCW. During his ten-year run with the promotion, Bagwell became a five-time WCW World Tag Team Champion across four different partners. He would be brought into the WWF in 2001 but was let go after an infamous match with Booker T. It\’s also reported that Bagwell\’s mother Judy (another former WCW Tag Champion) called up WWF offices to demand better work for her son.

    In more recent years, Bagwell has struggled with a series of health issues, some of which have stemmed from his days abusing substances. Like many legends of the ring, Bagwell has been receiving help from WWE Hall of Famer \’Diamond\’ Dallas Page and celebrated eleven months of sobriety in July 2023. Bagwell\’s life and struggle was documented during a recent episode of VICE\’s Dark Side of the Ring.

  • Latest On Releases From WWE NXT, Date Of The Cuts Was \”No Accident\”

    More has come to light about the recent wave of releases from the NXT roster and why exactly these cuts happened when they did. 

    WWE cut several names from its NXT roster on May 3. This marked the first wave of cuts to WWE NXT as part of the promotion\’s \’new era.\’ The Performance Center was closed on that Friday, Fightful Select reports, with talent being made before the Friday that cuts were coming. It was also noted that it was \”no accident\” that the releases took place during WWE SmackDown. 

    Injuries

    Valentina Feroz and Boa were two surprising names cut as they had both been receiving TV time. With that said, both had been struggling with injuries in recent months which had obviously impacted their careers. NXT talent told Fightful that they believe the two didn\’t get consistent shots to show what they are capable of. 

    Trey Bearhill

    The release of Trey Bearhill was another that caught WWE NXT talent off guard as he had been regularly appearing at WWE NXT live events and had made a handful of TV appearances. Despite speculation by some online that Bearhill was released due to his similarities with fellow Native American Eddy Thorpe, NXT talent refuted the notion. 

    Valentina Feroz and Boa were among those released from WWE NXT. 

    WWE Next Gen

    Some names cut had been appearing on the WWE Next Gen series on Roku which shines a spotlight onto the stars of tomorrow. Some fans were confused to see these young athletes cut as none had even revealed that they were under contract. It is reported that the recruits\’ deals with WWE began following the taping of the show, but were not allowed to announce their signings till the show aired. 

  • Bushiroad\’s Takaaki Kidani \”Had No Choice\” But to Let Kazuchika Okada\’s NJPW Deal Expire

    New Japan had no other alternative but to let go of Kazuchika Okada, according to parent company Busihiroad\’s President Takaaki Kidani. 

    Despite being one of New Japan\’s top stars for years, it was in January 2024 that the company announced it would not be renewing the contract of the \’Rainmaker.\’ This ended the 18-year tenure of Okada under contract and was met with a backlash at the time. 

    In an interview with Proresu-TODAY, Kidani was asked for his thoughts on Okada\’s departure. 

    \”I can only say that I had no choice. As I have said many times, if I were in the same position, I would have done the same thing. So I can only say that it can\’t be helped and that I wish them all the best, and I may sound like a customer, but all I can say is, please spread the word of Japan\’s greatness to the world.\”

    Okada benefitted greatly from Bushiroad\’s influence during his NJPW run as the company scored him media appearances and commercials that elevated his star power. With that said, Kidani made clear that Okada\’s in-ring success was all his own doing. 

    \”He became what he is because he worked hard, but I think it was also due to the cooperation of those around him and good rivalry between them.\”

    NJPW felt they had no choice but to let Okada\’s contract expire. 

    Since leaving New Japan, Okada has signed with AEW and wasted no time in March by siding himself with The Elite. The Rainmaker is currently in his first reign as AEW Continental Champion. He will team with his Elite allies at AEW Double or Nothing 2024 to face FTR, Darby Allin, and Bryan Danielson in the Anarchy in the Arena match. 

  • Latest On Backstage Reaction To Gable Steveson\’s Release From WWE

    Gable Steveson\’s release from WWE may have been a shock to some, but reportedly not to those working with him in WWE NXT.

    Steveson\’s exit came less than three years after his high-profile signing to WWE in 2021. That same year, Steveson won Olympic Gold in freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo Summer Games, making him the second-ever gold medalist to sign with WWE (after Kurt Angle over two decades earlier.) Shortly after his signing, Steveson was selected by Raw in that year\’s Draft, becoming the first draft pick chosen without a single match to his name.

    Reaction to Steveson\’s Release

    Despite his high-profile standing outside of WWE, Steveson\’s departure wasn\’t a surprise to those in the company. One NXT talent who spoke to Fightful Select noted the difference in development between Steveson and his brother Damon Kemp. The two brothers joined WWE around the same time and in stark contrast to his Olympian sibling, Kemp has quickly found a place for himself on TV. 

    Steveson\’s progression in WWE was slow with reports coming out in 2022 that he was nowhere close to showing the skill set WWE had hoped to see by that point in time. NXT talent believe it was his lack of progression and not his previous trouble with the law that factored into his WWE release. 

    Steveson and a university teammate were arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual misconduct in 2019 but they did not face criminal charges due to a lack of adequate evidence. At the time though, the county attorney pointed to a lack of a law in Minnesota (where the alleged incident happened) that would\’ve given them a broader discretion in charging sexual assaults against intoxicated victims. 

    Steveson competed just one time on WWE TV. 

    What\’s Next for Gable Steveson? 

    Steveson\’s days in WWE are over but his days competing are far from finished. The ex-Superstar recently had a tryout for the Buffalo Bills and is expected to meet several NFL teams. There had been speculation that Steveson would go to the NFL after his victory in Tokyo before he signed with WWE.