SEScoops

Author: Thomas Lowson

  • Becky Lynch On Singles Ronda Rousey Match That Never Happened: \”Fans Wanted It\”

    WWE fans were eager to see Ronda Rousey and Becky Lynch go one-on-one, according to Lynch, but the match never happened. 

    Lynch and Rousey were scheduled to face off at Survivor Series 2019 before The Man was infamously concussed by an errant punch by Nia Jax. Instead, Rousey faced Lynch\’s friend and rival Charlotte Flair at the Premium Live Event. 

    Becky Lynch On Ronda Rousey

    After Lynch won the 2019 Women\’s Royal Rumble match, it seemed destined that she and Rousey would have their one-on-one encounter. After several booking changes however, Lynch\’s WrestleMania 35 match would end up as a triple threat match including Flair. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Lynch reflected on the one-on-one match with Rousey never happening. 

    \”Do I think that was the match that everyone was clamouring for? Yes it was. Everyone wanted that singles match. And I think, people thought that moment in time would be evergreen and it wasn\’t. That\’s OK.\”

    While Rousey left WWE last year following her SummerSlam 2023 loss to Shayna Baszler, Lynch remained open to the possibility that the match could still take place.

    \”If she ever comes back again, maybe that season will be right there. Maybe it will be spring time on that story again, but it never got back to that.\”

    What\’s Next?

    Lynch will compete at tomorrow\’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth Premium Live Event. The Man will step into the Women\’s Chamber match for the first time in her career and is a heavy favourite to win. The victor will challenge for the WWE Women\’s World Championship at WrestleMania 40.

  • AEW Collision To Face Off With WWE WrestleMania 40, TNA Meeting Called

    AEW Collision will be in for the fight of its life for ratings this April when the show goes head to head with WWE WrestleMania: Night One.

    AEW will hold a live Dynamite on Wednesday, April 3, in Worcester, MA at the DCU Center. That same night they will tape the AEW Collision that will air that week. The show will air at the same time as WrestleMania 40: Night One, on TNT. 

    So far, no matches have been announced for either Dynamite or Collision. WrestleMania 40 has two matches currently confirmed. They are.

    • IYO SKY (c) Vs. Bayley (WWE Women\’s Championship)
    • Roman Reigns (c) Vs. Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Universal Championship)

    This weekend, WWE will host its Elimination Chamber: Perth Premium Live Event from Perth Australia. Next weekend, AEW will host its Revolution pay-per-view from Greensboro, North Carolina.

    TNA Wrestling Meeting

    TNA will host a meeting this Saturday with it\’s roster, ahead of the day\’s tapings in New Orleans, PW Insider reports. There are some in the company who believe Anthem head Len Asper will be at the meeting. Anthem Entertainment recently fired Scott D\’Amore and as TNA President and have replaced him with their own President Anthony Cicione. TNA\’s roster has issued a letter to Anthem expressing their support for D\’Amore. It has since been reported that 

    New Name for AXS TV

    TNA Wrestling currently airs on AXS TV, which could soon be getting a rebrand. The report adds that the current front runner for a new name is ANTHEM.

  • Mr. T\’s WrestleMania 2 Trunks Commanding Big Money At Auction

    The famed trunks worn by Mr. T during his match at WrestleMania 2 have gone on auction and already received significant interest.

    The actor, best known for his role as The A-Team\’s BA Baracus and as Clubber Lang in Rocky III, competed at the the 1986 event which was hosted at three separate locations.

    Mr. T fought \’Rowdy\’ Roddy Piper at the event. The match headlined the New York portion of the show and saw T win over Piper after the WWF wrestler got himself disqualified. 

    Mr. T wore red and black trunks for the fight, featuring a yellow WWF logo. Now, these trunks have gone up for auction in association with Heritage Auctions. 

    This one-of-a-kind piece of memorabilia has already received some huge bids with the current highest bid standing at $4,100. The trunks come with a certificate of authenticity from Heritage Auctions. 

    Mr. T in Wrestling

    A year before his boxing showdown with Piper, Mr. T teamed with Hulk Hogan to defeat Piper and Paul Orndorff at the first WrestleMania in 1985. He returned to the WWF in 1987 when he\’d serve as a special enforcer and confront The Honky Tonk Man.

    In 2001, Mr. T appeared in the front row of Raw and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2014. His infamous acceptance speech saw several references to his mother and ran long before being interrupted by Kane. 

    Mr. T would also dabble in World Championahip Wrestling. After appearing for WCCW in 1989, the actor was in Hulk Hogan\’s corner for his World Championship match against Ric Flair at Bash at the Beach 1994. At that year\’s Starrcade, he defeated Kevin Sullivan. 

  • \’Hangman\’ Page May Still Miss AEW Revolution Despite Dynamite \’Injury\’ Being a Work

    AEW\’s \’Hangman\’ Adam Page may still miss next week\’s AEW Revolution pay-per-view despite his \’injury\’ on this week\’s edition of Dynamite not being legitimate. 

    Page could be seen clutching his foot after escaping Samoa Joe\’s Muscle Buster finisher during the six-man tag-team match that headlined this week\’s show. At ringside, Page was seen telling the medical crew \”it\’s bad\” and was seen limping after the match. 

    Still Missing AEW Revolution

    Despite fears of a broken ankle, it\’s since been reported that Page\’s situation on Dynamite was not a real injury. Instead, the former AEW World Champion was simply showing excellent selling skills.

    In an update on the situation, Bryan Alvarez said the following on Wrestling Observer Live. 

    \”The reason that he worked the ankle injury is because he has something going on in his personal life and he may not be able to work the pay-per-view. If he can’t work the pay-per-view then this is the cover story as to why he can’t work the pay-per-view.\”

    At this time, there is no confirmation as to what this personal issue is that could keep Page from the show. Alvarez added that people very close to Hangman didn\’t know what was going on as of the morning after the \’injury.\’

    What\’s Next? 

    Hangman Page is scheduled to challenge AEW World Champion Samoa Joe at AEW Revolution 2024, in a match that will also include Swerve Strickland. The show will take place on March 3, and mark Sting\’s final wrestling match. The Icon and Darby Allin will defend their titles against Matthew and Nicholas Jackson. 

    H/T – No DQ

  • Watch: Grayson Waller & Rhea Ripley End WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth Press Conference with Shoey

    Australia\’s own Grayson Waller & Rhea Ripley capped off the WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth press conference with some homegrown fun known as \’Shoey.\’

    The February 24, Premium Live Event will be WWE\’s first PLE in Australia since 2018. Understandably, the excitement in Perth is at a fever pitch ahead of tomorrow\’s show. The show will feature two Elimination Chamber matches, both with WrestleMania-sized repercussions.  

    Shoey Fun

    In the closing moments of the WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth press conference, Rhea Ripley and Grayson Waller helped pump up the fans for tomorrow\’s event. The pair decided to end the event with an Australian tradition, that being Shoey. The pair drank a couple of beers from shoes, much to the delight of the fans. 

    https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1760894170577744134

    What is Shoey? 

    Shoey is a tradition of drinking from a shoe, which has historically been seen as a celebration of good fortune. This concept dates as far back as the Middle Ages. This isn\’t the first Shoey in WWE history. After his victory in the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline 2022, Waller celebrated his win with a Shoey. 

    What\’s Next? 

    Grayson Waller and Rhea Ripley will both have significant roles at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth. Ripley will defend her Women\’s World Championship against Nia Jax and will no doubt receive a huge ovation from her fellow Aussies. 

    As for Waller, he will host his Grayson Waller Effect with Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes as his guests. The World Heavyweight Champion and the 2024 Men\’s Royal Rumble winner recently formed an uneasy pact against the might of The Bloodline, which recently officially welcomed The Rock into its ranks. 

    WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

    Here is the card for WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth as it currently stands:

    • Kick-off Show: The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) (c) vs. Indi Hartwell and Candice LeRae (WWE Women\’s Tag Team Championships)
    • The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships)
    • Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Raquel Rodriguez (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE Women\’s World Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)
    • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax (WWE Women\’s World Championship)
    • Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)

  • Watch: AAW Alum Seth Rollins Congratulates Promotion on 20th Anniversary

    Seth Rollins has become one of WWE\’s very top stars, but the World Heavyweight Champion will never forget where he came from.

    Long before making it to WWE, Rollins made his name in several promotions, often under the name Tyler Black. One such company is All American Wrestling who is celebrating its 20th anniversary. On Twitter, Rollins congratulated AAW on the milestone and spoke about his own experiences with the company. 

    ”Well well well, 20 years huh? That’s a long damn time. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years, I’m not that old. I’m better than I’ve ever been, but I wanted to stop by and say thank you, thank you and congratulations to AAW.

    \”First of all, thank you because I wouldn’t be where I am, who I am without AAW and the chance they took on me as a young performer, as a young man, really nurtured me. I’ve always been proud to wave the AAW banner, to be able to say that I was one of the first guys there, I laid the bedrock, all that good stuff. 20 years is a long time, especially in the independent world.

    \”I wouldn’t be where I’m at without the company and the loyal independent mid-west wrestling fans, you guys are my bedrock. Thank you so much for allowing me to be yours, I love you. Have a hell of a night, congratulations.”

    Seth Rollins in AAW

    Rollins was part of AAW from 2006 to 2010, making the company one of his last promotions before signing with WWE. As part of AAW, he captured the AAW Heavyweight Championship on two occasions. He also held the AAW Tag Team Championships twice with reigns alongside Marek Brave and Jimmy Jacobs. 

    What\’s Next for Seth Rollins?

    Rollins will appear at this weekend\’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth event as a guest on the Grayson Waller Effect. Cody Rhodes, who Rollins has formed an alliance with against The Bloodline, will also be on the show. 

    Rollins, who is currently out with an injury, will defend the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40. His opponent will be decided in the Men\’s Elimination Chamber match. 

  • WWE Expected Jen Pepperman to Join AEW Given Friendship with Mercedes Mone

    Jennifer Pepperman\’s arrival in AEW may have come as a surprise to many, but not to her former employers at WWE. 

    Pepperman\’s status with AEW was confirmed earlier this week, in a quick turnaround for the former WWE Senior Writer. She parted ways with WWE less than a week ago. It was said that Pepperman, who joined WWE in 2017, left voluntarily and her departure was not a release. Pepperman was the longest-tenured female member of the creative team with WWE.

    Not a Surprise

    Those in WWE expected Pepperman to join AEW when she left, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Pepperman is known to be close with Mercedes Mone, who is expected to join AEW at the upcoming Big Business edition of Dynamite in Boston, MA. 

    SE Scoops\’ Aaron Varble previously reported that Pepperman\’s exit from WWE was unexpected but that many in the company had the feeling she had work already lined up. 

    Responsibilities in AEW

    Pepperman has been announced as AEW\’s new Vice President of Content Development. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter however, it is suggested that she could also serve as a \”personal writer\” for Mone when she debuts for the promotion. 

    Meltzer compared this to Brian Gewirtz who is the personal writer for The Rock. Gewirtz spent years with WWE and worked on The Rock\’s promos before joining the Brahma Bull\’s Seven Bucks Productions movie studio. When The Rock has appeared for WWE in the years since making it big in Hollywood, Gewirtz has served as his personal writer. 

  • \’Hangman\’ Page Suffered Suspected Broken Ankle During AEW Dynamite Main Event

    Former AEW World Champion \’Hangman\’ Adam Page suffered a suspected broken ankle during this week\’s episode of Dynamite. 

    In the main event of the show, Page teamed with Rob Van Dam and FTW Champion Hook to face AEW World Champion Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and AEW TNT Champion Christian Cage. The match saw the heels emerge on top with Joe choking out Van Dam for the win. 

    \’Hangman\’ Page Injured

    During the match, Joe attempted a Muscle Buster on Page who was able to escape the finishing move. Unfortunately, the Cowboy landed awkwardly when getting free of the AEW World Champion. Page promptly rolled out of the ring and grasped his ankle and didn\’t play a role in the rest of the match. Page could be seen telling people \”it\’s bad\” and was visibly frustrated after the match. 

    Latest on Adam Page

    During Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed Page\’s situation. Alvarez said that the injury will have to be looked at and suggested it could be a broken ankle. Meltzer stated that a broken ankle injury is what he\’s \”heard.\”

    Broken Ankle

    A broken ankle can take months to recover from as we\’ve seen from several wrestlers in recent years. Mercedes Mone suffered a suspected broken ankle last May and the Bo$$ has been out of action since then. Earlier this year, Kota Ibushi was hospitalized with a double ankle injury and he too has not wrestled since. 

    This Was All A Work

    Fightful Select later reported that Hangman Page was fine when he got backstage. He worked the injury, and he received credit from one locker room source for just being \”good at his job.\” 

  • Robert Roode Says There\’s No Way He\’ll Wrestle Full Time Again, Happy As A WWE Producer

    Robert Roode could wrestle again if he wanted to in theory, but is more than happy remaining a backstage producer for WWE. 

    In December 2022, Roode would undergo neck fusion surgery, months after his previous match with WWE. The following year, the former NXT Champion\’s career faced another setback in the form of a second neck fusion surgery. 

    Robert Roode is Green Lit to Wrestle

    With his wrestling career uncertain, Roode has been working as a producer at WWE events and has been well-received in the role. On a recent edition of the Insight podcast, Roode was asked about the possibility of wrestling again and revealed he has been green-lit to compete. 

    \”Ironically enough, I just got green-lighted. The fusion has completely fused. So as far as looking at it from a medical point of view, it\’s safe to get back in the ring I guess.

    \”But at almost 48 years old, given the opportunity I\’ve been given now, to work as a producer, which was my goal coming to WWE almost eight years ago, I\’m quite happy doing this. And I feel like I\’ve had a good run as they say and I\’m happy to be doing what I\’m doing now. 

    When asked about even a one-off appearance, possibly in a Royal Rumble match, Roode admitted it was possible but made clear his days of being a full-time WWE Superstar are over. 

    \”You never know, yeah, sure. Could I do this full-time? There\’s no way I could. Look, to be honest, the injury, I have three levels that are bad. The level six and seven are not good either.\”

    A Mental Struggle 

    During the interview, Roode admitted that he would like to have one last match, but explained why it\’s unlikely. He also addressed the mental struggle his injury has made him face. 

    \”I don\’t, mentally, think I could take the risk of going back in the ring and working a full-time schedule. Just knowing that. I feel like I look differently too. You know what I mean? I always kind of prided myself on how I looked on Television. I love being in the gym and working out and when you physically don\’t look the same, it\’s a mental thing as well for me.

    \”I think everybody would like to have one last match right? But sometimes, when the wheels fall off, the wheels fall off. That\’s the nature of the beast and this sport and this industry. 

    Robert Roode On His Injury

    On the podcast, Roode discussed his first neck fusion surgery, which came about after an injury from years earlier started causing him issues. Roode was rather fortunate to learn that he needed the surgery considering he wasn\’t feeling any pain as a warning sign. 

    \”The thing was I wasn\’t living in any pain. I didn\’t have any pain. I could go through the day without feeling any sort of pain. But the issue with me was my strength. When I started losing strength, I started losing muscle in my right arm.

    \”And that scared me because the first thing I thought of was Paul Orndorff and his injury. And that\’s what was happening to me. I was starting to atrophy in my shoulder and in my bicep.\”

    Arm atrophy from a nagging injury led to Orndorff being forced to retire in 2000. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

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

  • Triple H Meets With Impressive Tryout Athletes Ahead Of WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

    WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth will feature some of the company\’s top stars, and a tryout could very well find the company\’s next big name. 

    The February 24, Premium Live Event will be WWE\’s first PLE in Australia since 2018. While WWE has several Australian Superstars on its roster, only a couple will be featured on the show. WWE Women\’s World Champion Rhea Ripley will defend her title against Nia Jax while Grayson Waller will host his talk show with Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins as guests.

    Triple H Meets Tryout Athletes

    Like other Premium Live Events, WWE is hosting tryouts in Perth where athletes hope to show they are worthy of a contract with the promotion. Taking to Twitter, WWE CCO Paul \’Triple H\’ Levesque spoke about the impressive athletes that he and Matt Bloom have been watching. The Game also included some photos from the tryouts. 

    WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

    Here is the card for WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth as it currently stands:

    • The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships)
    • Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Raquel Rodriguez (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE Women\’s World Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)
    • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax (WWE Women\’s World Championship)
    • Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)

  • Randy Orton Was in Awe Being Babysat By \’Uncles\’ Like Hulk Hogan & Andre The Giant

    Randy Orton had a blast being looked after by \’uncles\’ like Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant before becoming a WWE Superstar himself. 

    A third-generation Superstar, Orton\’s success in wrestling has far surpassed his father, uncle, or his grandfather. Orton returned from a lengthy injury at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2023, and is pleased with how he handled being upstaged by CM Punk\’s return to WWE. 

    Randy Orton On His Uncles

    Before making it into the business himself, Randy Orton was a young kid who would follow his father\’s career intently. Being at WWF events meant Orton was often surrounded by wrestlers who showed an interest in the future Legend Killer. Speaking to A&E Biography: Legends, Orton recalled being cared for by some of the biggest stars of the time. 

    \”I was fortunate enough to travel with my Pop [WWE Hall of Famer \’Cowboy\’ Bob Orton] now and again… The few times that I did get to go with my father, I\’ll never forget. Being in the locker room seeing the bigger-than-life guys walking around.

    \”These were like my uncles. My dad\’s close friends, I was in awe as a child when I did get to go with my dad. They treated me just wonderfully. I was there little buddy. 

    Orton also recalled that while he was surrounded by wrestlers from inside and outside of his own family, he never saw himself getting in the ring. 

    \”Early on, people would always ask me, kids at school, teachers would ask me \’Are you going to be a wrestler like your dad?\’ But never, ever, was it something that I contemplated because I just didn\’t see it in myself to do something like that.\”

    Cowboy Bob Orton On Young Randy

    Randy\’s father also weighed in during the sneak preview of A&E Biography: Legends. The 2005 WWE Hall of Fame inductee joked that he was fine leaving Orton in the care of the wrestlers as his matches rarely lasted too long. 

    \”I didn\’t take him [Randy] very often unless we were already pretty close to home. But yeah, those guys used to watch him when I was in the ring. So he got to know everybody when he was still pretty young.

    \”I had no problem, you know, with them watching over him.  I knew I wouldn\’t be gone too long from Randy. It didn\’t take me long to win or lose [laughs.]\”

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

  • ROH TV Champ Kyle Fletcher Unable To Compete in the U.S. Due to Visa Issues

    One of Ring of Honor\’s top stars is currently unable to compete in the ring in the United States due to ongoing issues with their visa. 

    Kyle Fletcher has not been able to compete for weeks in either Ring of Honor or All Elite Wrestling due to these issues, according to Fightful Select. The reigning Ring of Honor World Television Champion, Fletcher\’s most recent match was against Chris Jericho on the January 31, edition of AEW Dynamite. Jericho would get the pinfall victory in this non-title match. 

    A Change of Plans

    Fletcher\’s visa issues have led to all plans for the ROH World Television Champion being left up in the air. The report adds that Fletcher was poised for a program with Ethan Page over the ROH World TV title. It\’s unclear if Ring of Honor will continue with this plan when Fletcher can compete again. 

    Backstage Perception

    AEW management has been very happy with Fletcher\’s performance since he began competing for the company. As part of Aussie Open, Fletcher has been thrust into several high-profile spots, including matches with ally Will Ospreay. More recently though, Fletcher has been embarking on a singles run as his longtime partner Mark Davis has been sidelined with an injury. 

    Kyle Fletcher in Ring of Honor

    In addition to his current TV title reign, Fletcher is a former Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champion. In 2023, he won ROH\’s Survival of the Fittest tournament to win the vacant ROH World Television Champion. Previous Survival of the Fittest winners include Bryan Danielson, Seth Rollins, Adam Cole, and Roderick Strong. 

  • Bronson Reed On Missing WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth: \”Sometimes The Stars Don\’t Align\”

    WWE Raw Superstar Bronson Reed is disappointed that he will not be competing at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth, but this is not due to his wife. 

    The February 24, Premium Live Event will be WWE\’s first PLE in Australia since 2018. While WWE has several Australian Superstars on its roster, only a couple will be featured on the show. WWE Women\’s World Champion Rhea Ripley will defend her title against Nia Jax while Grayson Waller will host his talk show with Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins as guests. 

    Bronson Reed on WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

    Bronson Reed, a native of Adelaide who is billed from the Black Forest, is among those Aussie Superstars who won\’t be competing at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth. Online, there has been speculation that this could be because Reed\’s wife is currently pregnant. 

    In a tweet, the former WWE NXT North American Champion made clear that his wife\’s pregnancy did not play a role, simply stating that sometimes the stars do not align. Reed also used a gif of Will Smith, encouraging fans to keep his wife\’s name out of their mouths. 

    WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

    Here is the card for WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth as it currently stands:

    • The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships)
    • Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi vs. Raquel Rodriguez (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE Women\’s World Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)
    • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax (WWE Women\’s World Championship)
    • Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton vs. Bobby Lashley vs. LA Knight vs. Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul (Elimination Chamber Match for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WWE WrestleMania 40)

  • Watch: Wrestling Match Breaks Out At Screening of The Iron Claw in Brazil

    Moviegoers who attended a screening of The Iron Claw in Brazil got more than they bargained for when a real wrestling match happened live.

    The biopic delves into the lives, careers, and many tragedies of the Von Erich family. Zac Efron plays Kevin Von Erich alongside Jeremy Allen White (Kerry) and Harris Dickinson (David). Several wrestlers appear in the film including MJF (as Lance Von Erich), Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Ed \’The Sheik\’ Farhat), and Ryan Nemeth (Gino Hernandez).

    Match at The Iron Claw

    During a screening of the biopic in Brazil, a wrestling match broke out in a video clip that has gone viral on social media. The moviegoers in Brazil were certainly surprised by the match but cheered for both wrestlers. It\’s currently unclear which wrestler won the match.

    Cut Role

    In the run-up to the release of The Iron Claw, much was said about MJF, who was confirmed to have a role as Lance Von Erich. MJF would even reference the role during his post-World Championship win appearance after Full Gear 2022. When the film hit screens though, fans learned that MJF\’s role had been greatly reduced. While initially planned for three scenes, MJF has no dialogue in a blink-and-you-miss-it role.

    The Iron Claw

    The Iron Claw was snubbed in the Academy Award nominations but has been a hit with audiences. Music sensation Adele had high praise for The Iron Claw, calling it her favorite film of 2023. One aspect of the film fans didn\’t like was the portrayal of Ric Flair which wrestling fans felt was nothing like the actual Nature Boy. 

  • John Cena Still Loves Vince McMahon Despite \’Super Unfortunate\’ Accusations – \”I\’m Also A Big Advocate Of Accountability\”

    John Cena, like many, has been shocked by the allegations against Vince McMahon but will continue to love the ex-WWE head.

    Last month, McMahon resigned from WWE due to the allegations made by Janel Grant in her damning lawsuit. Miss Grant alleges that she was sexually abused by McMahon during her tenure with the promise of a high role in the company. 

    Grant alleges that she was trafficked by McMahon other men in WWE. John Lauriniatis and a former UFC Heavyweight Champion (believed to be Brock Lesnar) are also mentioned in the suit.

    The accusations against McMahon have put a spotlight on many in WWE and how the business ensures safety for women on and off camera. 

    John Cena Weighs In

    The 16-time WWE Champion appeared on the Howard Stern Show on Wednesday. Unsurprisingly, Stern brought up the disturbing scandal involving McMahon, other executives the company itself.

    \”I\’ve openly said, I love the guy, I have a great relationship with the guy, and that’s that. It\’s largely my construct of operating with honesty and communication. The whole thing is super unfortunate and it sucks. It deals with an individual I love and an entity I love.\”

    Cena also made clear that while he loves his former boss, there must be accountability McMahon is found to have acted inappropriately. 

    \”I can say this, I’m a big advocate of love and friendship and honesty, and communication, in the same breath, I’m also a big advocate of accountability,\” Cena said.

    \”If someone\’s behavior lies so far outside of your value system that the balance shifts of, \’I can\’t operate in a world where this works.\’ That\’s the end result of being accountable.\”

    This isn\’t the first time Cena has addressed allegations of misconduct by his former boss. Following McMahon\’s retirement in 2022, Cena said that when you love somebody, you take their imperfections. Cena was also seen with McMahon for a 2022 birthday dinner, mere weeks after his initial resignation from WWE. 

    McMahon, Laurinaitis & Lesnar

    Vince McMahon has denied all claims of misconduct and has stated that Janel Grant\’s lawsuit is rife with fabrications. 

    John Lauriniatis has stated that he is a victim in this difficult situation, not a predator. 

    Brock Lesnar has been pulled from all WWE plans and has not commented publicly on the matter.

  • IYO SKY Reaches Impressive Milestone As WWE Women\’s Champion

    WWE Women\’s Champion IYO SKY hopes to remain with the title for a long time to come after reaching a milestone this week. 

    Sky captured the title at WWE SummerSlam 2023 by defeating Bianca Belair. The EST had captured the title from Asuka before SKY cashed in her Women\’s Money in the Bank contract that she won last July in London. The title win marked SKY\’s first taste of singles gold on the main roster. 

    IYO SKY\’s Milestone

    As of today, SKY has reached 200 days as WWE Women\’s Champion. The Damage CTRL member has now held the title for longer than some of WWE\’s top stars who held the title when it was the Raw Women\’s Champion. Superstars SKY has surpassed include Sasha Banks, Nia Jax, Nikki Cross/A.S.H, Bayley, and current WWE Women\’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. 

    IYO SKY\’s Title Reign By the Numbers

    Since capturing the gold at SummerSlam, SKY has defended the title 28 times. Six of these matches have taken place on TV or Premium Live Events with the rest being at untelevised live events. SKY\’s most recent televised title match saw her retain against \’Michin\’ Mia Yim on the New Year\’s Revolution edition of SmackDown last month. 

    What\’s Next? 

    IYO SKY will defend the WWE Women\’s Championship against former ally Bayley at WrestleMania 40. The Role Model chose to face SKY during a segment earlier this month which also marked Bayley\’s exit from Damage CTRL. Bayley won the 2024 Women\’s Royal Rumble to earn the right to choose her WrestleMania opponent. 

  • Raquel Rodriguez Shares Fight with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) in Emotional Video

    WWE Raw Superstar Raquel Rodriguez has shared her battle with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome in an emotional video online.

    During this week\’s episode of Monday Night Raw, Rodriguez returned to action to win a Women\’s Battle Royal. This win secured the former NXT Women\’s Champion the final spot in this weekend\’s Women\’s Elimination Chamber Match at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth.

    Raquel Rodriguez\’s Emotional Video 

    Rodriguez returned this week after spending a month out with MCAS. Taking to Twitter, Rodriguez shared her battle with the disease. The WWE Superstar\’s skin was red and swollen in most of the clips, but they were gradually getting better. Raquel made it clear that her fight isn\’t over and had some words of support for others facing hardship.

    What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

    MCAS is 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.

    What\’s Next?

    Rodriguez will face some steep competition this weekend at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth. She will be joined inside the Chamber by Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, and Naomi. The winner will challenge for the WWE Women\’s World Championship at WrestleMania 40.

    That title will also be on the line at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth. Current champion Rhea Ripley will no-doubt receive a thunderous response from her fellow Australians when she defends against Nia Jax. 

  • Dwayne \’The Rock\’ Johnson Plans On Delivering \”Amazing Spring Football\” With Inaugural UFL Season

    Dwayne \’The Rock\’ Johnson is excited about the excellent action and the opportunities that the new United Football League will provide. 

    In December 2023, the Brahma Bull announced that his XFL would be uniting with the USFL to form the UFL, which aspires to cement the future of spring football. It is hoped that the joining of the leagues will improve the quality of football and give a better product to fans and players. 

    Johnson and business partner Dany Garcia acquired the XFL in 2020 after Vince McMahon\’s second attempt at the world of professional football was snuffed out by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, it was confirmed where the new teams will be based. 

    Amazing Spring Football

    The UFL\’s inaugural season will kick off on March 30, less than two months after an explosive NFL Super Bowl LVIII that saw WWE and AEW stars in attendance. Taking to Instagram this week, Johnson shared his excitement for the UFL which he hopes will deliver exciting football as well as opportunities for the players. 

    https://www.instagram.com/p/p:C3l4umHrByA

    What\’s Next for The Rock?

    The Rock is expected to be on several WWE shows on the road to WrestleMania 40. With that said, neither Rock nor Roman Reigns are being advertised for this weekend\’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth event. Outside of the ring, The Rock recently launched the \’Big Dwayne Energy\’ brand of his ZOA Energy drinks.

    One thing fans shouldn\’t expect from The Rock is a match with Triple H. Following the chaotic scenes at the WrestleMania 40 kick-off event, The Rock had a tense staredown with the WWE CCO. While some have suggested that this would lead to a match, Triple H remains retired after suffering a cardiac event in 2021 and will not be wrestling The Rock. 

  • Francine On Segment Where She Was Nearly Blinded: \”Nothing Compares To The Original ECW!\”

    ECW alum Francine has reflected on a moment from the company in which she nearly lost her sight, stating nothing compares to the original promotion. 

    Francine was a staple of the original ECW and was one of the most featured women in the promotion\’s history. This week marked 25 years since one of ECW\’s most dominant tag teams, the Impact Players was formed. The duo of Lance Storm and Justin Credible. 

    During their formation, Credible and Storm brawled with Shane Douglas, who was being managed by Francine at the time. During a shocking moment (even by ECW standards!) Credible swung for Douglas with a cane but clocked Francine in the face. Taking to Twitter, Francine recalled nearly being blinded by the shot and named Paul Heyman as someone who told her not to block. 

    What Came Next for Francine? 

    By the time ECW closed its doors in 2001, Francine was managing Justin Credible, though was not signed to the WWF as part of the Invasion angle. Instead, Francine debuted for NWA: TNA in June 2002 and would feud with fellow ECW alum Elektra. 

    In 2005, Francine appeared for WWE as part of the ECW One Night Stand event, where she was attacked by Beulah McGillicutty. The next year, she signed with WWE as part of the revamped ECW brand. After competing in house show bikini contests, Francine would face Ariel to a no-contest on the September 26, 2006, edition of ECW on Sci-Fi before being released the next month. 

    In July 2021, Francine appeared in a backstage segment in Impact Wrestling via a video call with Brian Myers. 

  • Watch: Heartbreaking Moment Shotzi Suffers Torn ACL Injury On 2/20 WWE NXT

    WWE opted to air the heartbreaking moment Shotzi suffered an injury on this week\’s NXT which resulted in her match being called off. 

    This week\’s episode of WWE NXT was actually filmed last week to allow NXT higher-ups time to travel to Australia for this weekend\’s WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth premium live event. During the taping, Shotzi\’s match with NXT Women\’s Champion Lyra Valkyria was called off and it was reported that she\’d suffered a severe injury. 

    Shotzi\’s Injury

    With this week\’s NXT being taped in advance, there were questions as to whether WWE would air the spot in question or even the match. During last night\’s show, those questions were answered as the match did air. The unfortunate spot saw Shotzi bounce from the ring to the outside and immediately clutched her foot, proving that it doesn\’t take some high-risk move in wrestling for an injury to happen. 

    A Replacement Match

    Shotzi\’s match had to be called off due to the injury. WWE NXT General Manager Ava announced that the fans deserved to see a title match and made an open challenge. This was answered by Lash Legend who had competed earlier in the show. Despite having no prep time, Legend and Lyra Valkyria put on a fine match that saw the Valkyrie retain her title. 

    What\’s Next? 

    Taking to Instagram after WWE NXT, Shotzi confirmed her injury and said she suffered a torn ACL. This injury will keep the popular Superstar out for an estimated nine months. This is a huge blow for Shotzi, who will be forced to miss WrestleMania 40. Shotzi has said that she is devastated that this injury caused her to miss her WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth qualifying match. 

  • Rhea Ripley\’s Trainer Weighs In On Her Rise Ahead of WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth

    Mat Basso, the head trainer of Riot City Wrestling could not be happier for the success of his former student Rhea Ripley as a WWE Superstar. 

    After signing with WWE in 2017, Ripley has become one of the company\’s top stars. Not only is she the reigning WWE Women\’s World Champion, but her star power has also extended to social media with 2.6M followers on TikTok and another 3.4M on Instagram.

    Rhea Ripley\’s Rise to the Top

    This weekend, Ripley will return to her native Australia as part of the WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth event. The Women\’s World Champion will get a thunderous ovation from her native Aussies when she defends against Nia Jax in Optus Stadium. Speaking to ABC Australia, Basso addressed Ripley\’s success. 

    \”We always knew that there was a possibility for her because she had that special spark and that magic to her… Her rise through the ranks has been crazy and I just couldn\’t be happier for her. She\’s absolutely going to be a future Hall of Famer.\”

    Basso also recalled Ripley\’s time with RCW, which she continues to visit when she\’s back home and helps new talent. 

    \”That\’s one of my favorite things about her, she\’s still a girl from Adelaide… She was essentially a toned-down version of what she is now. While she was with us, she was still finding her feet a little bit.\”

    What\’s Next for Rhea Ripley? 

    Ripley is the heavy favorite to retain her title when she faces Nia Jax at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth. If she wins, Ripley will go on to WrestleMania 40 and defend against the winner of the upcoming Women\’s Elimination Chamber match. Ripley is also set to be one of the cover stars of WWE 2K24 when the game releases next month. 

    WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place this Saturday. 

  • How Much Would The Rock\’s $500 Shirt From The Attitude Era Cost In 2024?

    The Rock made a point of donning $500 shirts during the Attitude Era, but how much does such a garment cost in today\’s prices? 

    On last week\’s episode of WWE SmackDown, the Brahma Bull brought back his iconic heel look and berated the fans in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Rock mocked the fans for wanting Cody Rhodes to \’finish the story\’ at WrestleMania and vowed that he would do all he could to ensure that this does not happen. The Rock was also officially recognized as a member of the Bloodline. 

    The Rock\’s $500 Shirts

    During the Attitude Era, The Rock made sure to let fans know that he was wearing $500 Versace shirts as a sign of his affluence and arrogance. Given inflation though, those shirts cost much more in 2024. When adjusted for inflation, a shirt that cost $500 in 1998, a year that saw The Rock\’s first WWF title win, would cost $946 in 2024.

    The Rock’s heavyweight paychecks more than keep up with inflation

    The dollar had an average inflation rate of 2.48% per year between 1998 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 89.21%. While Versace\’s shirts should cost close to $950, items listed on Versace\’s website are going for $1,500. 

    Dressed to Impress

    The Rock\’s Versace look would become a staple of the Brahma Bull\’s presentation when he exploded in popularity during the Attitude Era. While the look was initially introduced when he was a heel, The Rock continued to dress well as a face, a sign of how much the Versace clothes had become associated with the Great One. 

    Some of The Rock\’s looks from his time on top of the Attitude Era. 

    What\’s Next for The Rock? 

    The Rock is expected to be on several WWE shows on the road to WrestleMania 40. With that said, neither Rock nor Roman Reigns are being advertised for this weekend\’s Elimination Chamber: Perth event. Outside of the ring, The Rock recently launched the \’Big Dwayne Energy\’ brand of his ZOA Energy drinks. 

    One thing fans shouldn\’t expect from The Rock is a match with Triple H. Following the chaotic scenes at the WrestleMania 40 kick-off event, The Rock had a tense staredown with the WWE CCO. While some have suggested that this would lead to a match, Triple H remains retired after suffering a cardiac event in 2021 and will not be wrestling The Rock. 

  • Initial WWE Raw Plans Had Jey Uso Winning The Intercontinental Championship from GUNTHER

    GUNTHER is still the Intercontinental Champion, but many in WWE were confident that the title would be changing hands this week.

    On the January 19, 2024, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, GUNTHER put his title on the line against \’Main Event\’ Jey Uso. The Austrian retained thanks to a distraction by Jimmy Uso, who would lay out his brother after the match. The match marked Jey\’s first shot at the workhorse title.

    A Possible Title Change? 

    Jey Uso didn\’t win the WWE Intercontinental Championship, which will have come as a surprise to some in WWE. Wrestle Votes reports that \”multiple people\” within WWE were under the impression that Jey would be ending GUNTHER\’s historic reign.

    As far as 6 pm, several internal rundowns for Raw stated that Jey Uso was going to be winning the title. With that said, it cannot be counted out that WWE were using false rundowns to avoid the actual match result getting out. With this win, GUNTHER now holds the record for the most collective days as Intercontinental Champion.

    What\’s Next? 

    The dominant Austrian is not set to compete at WWE\’s upcoming Elimination Chamber event from Perth, Australia. Due to strict immigration regulations, GUNTHER is currently unable to leave the United States, which could mean he misses the recently- announced WWE live event in Vienna, Austria.

    As for Jey Uso, this week\’s Raw has led to speculation that a match against Jimmy is an inevitability. After Jimmy betrayed his brother at SummerSlam 2023, it was reported that WWE was considering a match between the pair for WrestleMania 40.

  • Nyla Rose is \”Serious\” About Voicing An Iconic TMNT Villain in the Mutant Mayhem Sequel

    AEW wrestler Nyla Rose has proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the ring, and she now wants to take her shot at the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

    Taking to Twitter, Rose shared her experience watching last year\’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, and was moved by a scene in which the humans helped the Turtles leader Shredder. In a follow-up tweet, Rose shared her hope to play TMNT staple baddie Krang in the sequel. 

    It has been confirmed that Mutant Mayhem will receive a sequel though details remain scarce on the plot. A TV series about Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michaelangelo is also in the works. 

    Who is Krang? 

    An alien being from Dimension X, Krang first appeared in the 1987 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated show as part of the second episode. His first comic book appearance was in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures vol. 1, #1, published by Archie Comics in August 1988. Krang is often seen working alongside Shredder, another staple villain of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe. 

    While not physically imposing, Krang possesses an impressive intellect and some psychic powers. He can often be found piloting an android body which provides him with great strength. 

    Wrestling and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

    Should Rose be selected as the voice of Krang, she\’ll join former WWE Champion John Cena who voiced Rocksteady in Mutant Mayhem. Sheamus played the same character in the 2016 live-action film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows. 

     

  • What Does the Hourglass Mean? TNA Wrestling Roster Come Together with Cryptic Message

    The TNA Wrestling roster has left fans scratching their heads with the use of a single emoji, an hourglass, in a series of tweets. 

    On Twitter, several wrestlers in the company shared the context-free tweet, leaving fans to speculate in the comments as to what this means. Some fans speculated that the talent were counting down until their contract expired, perhaps in response to the controversial decision by Anthem Entertainment to remove Scott D\’Amore. D\’Amore had been part of TNA for years and was a pivotal part of the company\’s relaunch earlier this year which was a hit with fans. TNA\’s roster recently issued a letter to Anthem expressing their support for D\’Amore. 

    You can check out some of the tweets from the TNA Wrestling roster below. 

    What\’s Next for TNA Wrestling? 

    TNA will now be overseen by Anthony Cicione, who is the company\’s new President in addition to being Anthem Entertainment\’s President. The promotion\’s next big event will be this week\’s No Surrender pay-per-view. The card for the upcoming show is as follows: 

    • The System (Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers) (with Alisha Edwards) vs. Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kushida and Kevin Knight)
    • Chris Sabin (c) vs. Mustafa Ali (TNA X-Division Championship)
    • Jordynne Grace (c) vs. Gisele Shaw (TNA Knockouts Championship)
    • Decay (Havok and Rosemary) (c) vs. MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly) (TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championships)
    • PCO vs. Kon
    • Josh Alexander vs. Simon Gotch
    • ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) (c) vs. Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake and Zack Gibson) (TNA World Tag Team Championships)
    • Moose (c) (with Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers) vs. Alex Shelley (with Kevin Knight and Kushida) (No Surrender Rules Match, TNA World Championship)