SEScoops

Author: Thomas Lowson

  • Sami Zayn: Becoming WWE Champion is \”Not Totally Unrealistic\”

    Sami Zayn may be the Bloodline\’s Honorary Uce, but recent comments may have jeopardized that position.

    Zayn has been associated with the group for close to a year now and has routinely helped out other faction members in matches.

    The Canadian wrestler has had some tensions with the group, most notably with Jey Uso last year who didn\’t believe he belonged.

    Becoming WWE Champion

    As a member of the Bloodline, Zayn\’s role is to protect Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns from all potential challengers.

    With that in mind, Zayn has dreams of becoming WWE\’s top champion himself, as he explained to the Detroit News.

    \”When you get this close and you\’re in the in the periphery of the WWE title, it makes you think, well, I\’m already here, maybe winning it\’s not totally unrealistic. That would for sure be like a cherry on top of everything else. If it happens, awesome. If it doesn\’t happen, it still would have all been awesome.\”

    Sami Zayn.

    Zayn\’s former best friend Kevin Owens will face Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship next weekend at the Royal Rumble.

    While Zayn hasn\’t been declared yet for the Men\’s Rumble match, some are considering him a dark-horse favorite in the 30-man bout.

    Reflecting on his Career

    Prior to coming to WWE in 2013, Zayn worked as El Generico in various promotions and has had plenty of success both in and out of the mask.

    Reflecting on what he\’s accomplished, Sami is proud of what he\’s done, even though he is yet to have a WWE World title reign to his name.

    \”Whatever happens, I\’m good. It could end tomorrow, and knock on wood, I really hope it doesn\’t, but I would feel very complete and very satisfied with everything I\’ve ever done.\”

    Sami Zayn.
    Is Sami Zayn the “Top Performer in the Entire Industry?”

    h/t – Fightful

  • Shawn Spears Announces Birth of his & Cassie Lee\’s First Child

    AEW\’s Shawn Spears and fellow wrestler Cassie Lee are celebrating the birth of their first child, a baby boy they have named Austin Jay.

    Taking to Twitter, Spears shared a photo of their son along with his name, a blue heart emoji and that he was born this past Tuesday.

    The couple announced that they were expecting a bundle of joy last August with a post on Instagram.

    We here at SEScoops would like to congratulate Spears and Lee on this joyous occasion.

    Cassie Lee & Shawn Spears

    The new parents met when they were working for WWE, where Lee was Peyton Royce and Spears was the \’Perfect 10\’ Tye Dillinger.

    The couple married in August 2019 in a ceremony attended by multiple wrestlers.

    In February of that same years, Dillinger announced that he had requested his release from WWE, which was granted days later.

    Debuting at the inaugural AEW event \’Double or Nothing\’ Spears would establish himself as a heel and later become part of the Pinnacle.

    During AEW\’s debut in Toronto last October, Spears turned face and reverted to his \’Perfect 10\’ character from WWE.

    As for Lee, she became a WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champion in 2019, but would be released from WWE in April 2021.

    Released at the same time as her IIconics tag-team partner Jess McKay (Billie Kay) the pair would join Impact Wrestling later that year.

    In their debut, the team, now going by The IInspiration, would capture the Knockouts Tag Team Titles, the only team to hold both WWE\’s and Impacts women\’s tag gold.

    In April 2022, both women requested their immediate releases from Impact and are taking a break from wrestling.

    Peyton Royce (Cassie Lee) Talks The Breakup of the Iiconics & WWE Release

  • Ric Flair Claims He has No Desire to Ever Wrestle Again

    Ric Flair does not plan on donning his wrestling boots and robe one last time, despite previous comments to the contrary.

    The two-time WWE Hall of Famer competed in his final match last July, teaming with Andrade El Idolo to defeat Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett.

    The show, appropriately named \’Ric Flair\’s Last Match\’ came over a decade after Flair\’s previous match in TNA/Impact Wrestling.

    Retired

    After Flair competed in his last match, the Nature Boy alluded to possibly wrestling again, saying he regretted his performance at the show.

    Speaking on the latest To Be the Man podcast, Flair made it clear he will not wrestle again.

    \”I don\’t know why they keep saying I\’m begging for another match. What I have said to you repeatedly is I wish I could redo that match. I\’m not begging for another match. I don\’t want to wrestle again. I have no desire. I wish I had that match to do over again is what I\’ve said repeatedly.\”

    \”I don\’t know why they keep saying I\’m begging for another match.\”

    Ric Flair.

    Begging for Another Match

    Flair\’s most recent comments come in stark contrast to what the Dirtiest Player in the Game has previously said.

    Speaking on the very same podcast last week, Flair said he\’d love to get another chance at his final-ever match.

    Flair has also said that he feels inspired to wrestle again given that his long-time rival Ricky Steamboat also wrestled last year.

    Ric Flair will be on next week\’s Raw which will mark the 30th anniversary of WWE\’s flagship show.

    “I’m Begging” – Ric Flair Wants Another Shot at Final Ever Match

    For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.

  • WWE CEO Nick Khan: \”There\’s Only One Boss at WWE and It Ain\’t Me\”

    WWE CEO Nick Khan has come a long way in his few years with the promotion, but he doesn\’t consider himself the top dog.

    Khan joined WWE in the summer of 2020 as the company\’s president, replacing Michelle Wilson and George Barrios who had departed earlier that year.

    Following Vince McMahon\’s resignation in 2022, Khan was appointed co-CEO with Stephanie McMahon and now serves as the promotion\’s sole CEO.

    The Boss

    Khan\’s rise to the top of WWE has been unparallel in the company\’s history, but even he acknowledges Vince McMahon as the head of the company.

    On the Bill Simmons podcast, Khan spoke about the hierarchy in WWE and knows that he is not on top.

    \”My thought has always been that there\’s only one boss at WWE and it ain\’t me. Vince is obviously the founder, the creator of the company. He\’s also the controlling shareholder, which is not a \’work\’ term. It\’s a legal term. So it was always my point of view and Stephanie\’s point of view that he would come back.

    \”There\’s only one boss at WWE and it ain\’t me.\”

    Nick Khan.

    \”I think the way he played it, to me, was smart. He went away for five, six months. The audience seems to like when somebody does that. He came back and took control back of his company as the controlling shareholder. It is a public company, it is a publicly-traded company. But with that controlling share, gave him a lot of authority and he used it and I applaud him for doing so.\”

    Retirement

    For decades, it was assumed that Vince McMahon would never retire from WWE given his workaholic attitude.

    Once he did retire, WWE\’s entire corporate system needed changing, and at the time, many felt that the board of directors, now against McMahon due to the allegations of misconduct, forced him out of the door.

    On the podcast, Khan refuted the idea that McMahon was forced out by anyone other than what he personally believed.

    I didn\’t see it as a force. I think Vince saw, the tonnage of things that were coming at him and us. One thing he\’s always said, you\’ll know as a long-time fan and I\’m a long-time fan also, is he\’ll do whatever is best for business. Whether it\’s bringing the Ultimate Warrior back twenty years ago (referencing Warrior\’s 1996 WWF return) or whatever it may be.

    \”I think at that moment in time, what was best for business was for him to step away for a while. So he did, and he really did step away. There was no \’hey why are you doing this,\’ or \’I wouldn\’t do it this way.\’ It was, in my opinion, total freedom, for Stephanie, myself, and Triple H on the creative side.\”

    The Future

    Once McMahon retired, fans thought that they would never see him again, only to be proven wrong by the 77-year-old billionaire for the second time.

    Speaking about what the future may bring, Khan was optimistic that McMahon\’s return will make a potential sale of WWE all the easier.

    \”It\’s only been a week, but he really, I believe, what he said publicly about \’hey, I\’m here to engage in strategic alternatives and the media rights,\’ so far the engagement has been that, and other board issues.\”

    \”WWE is Vince. Vince is WWE.\”

    Nick Khan.

    \”It\’s his company. To me, WWE is Vince. Vince is WWE and we\’re going to do the best we can to keep a living company.\”

    When asked about McMahon reportedly speaking to multiple departments, Khan said there has been \”zero\” interactions between McMahon and the company\’s creative team.

    Latest on Vince McMahon’s WWE Return: Creative Input, If He’ll Be at TV

    For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.

  • Jeff Jarrett Makes the Case for Vince McMahon Taking WWE Private

    WWE Hall of Famer \’Double J\’ Jeff Jarrett has encouraged Vince McMahon to take the promotion private amid ongoing talks of a potential sale.

    McMahon returned to WWE earlier this month to oversee a sale of the promotion, less than six months after retiring in July of last year.

    The 77-year-old billionaire has been unanimously elected Executive Chairman following the resignation of his daughter Stephanie in the role.

    Private

    There\’s no shortage of potential buyers for WWE, with names like Comcast, FOX, Disney, Netflix and even Tony & Shahid Khan being reported.

    After it was reported that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund had bought the company (which was later debunked) it was noted that the PIF intends to take WWE private.

    On his \’My World\’ podcast, Jarrett, the founder of TNA/Impact Wrestling, suggested that WWE going private would be the right call.

    “The professional wrestling industry is run much better in a private setting because there’s a vision, there’s a final decision maker, the buck stops with one person, it’s just how I think the success of our industry can thrive. “I think the wrestling industry can be much more successful if WWE is private.\”

    Jeff Jarett.

    WWE became a publicly traded company in the Summer of 1999 and stock in the company rose dramatically this month following McMahon\’s return.

    Saudi Arabia PIF

    With over $600 billion to its name, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund has more than enough to purchase WWE.

    Not only is the PIF expected to take WWE private if a sale goes through, but are expected by many to keep McMahon as the company\’s key decision-maker.

    The possibility of WWE being purchased by the Saudi PIF has been received poorly, with talent reportedly threatening to walk if a deal is reached.

    Eric Bischoff’s Predictions for a WWE Sale, AEW TV Deal, CM Punk

    h/t – Wrestling Inc

  • WWE is Hoping on Logan Paul Appearance At the Royal Rumble

    Logan Paul\’s return to WWE programming could be a matter of days away if WWE gets its way.

    The Youtuber-turned-boxer made an impression last year, having victories at both WrestleMania 38 and Summerslam, but lost at WWE Crown Jewel.

    During the latter match with Roman Reigns, Paul suffered a torn meniscus injury which has kept him on the shelf since.

    The Rumble

    Fightful is hoping that Paul is fully healed and ready to appear at next week\’s Royal Rumble, Fightful Select reports.

    The report says that WWE hopes for an appearance by the Maverick, but does not confirm if WWE wants him in the Men\’s Rumble match.

    Fightful did specify that WWE is hoping he will train for an \”upcoming match\” and that they have \”at least inquired\” about it.

    Recent reports suggested that Paul will face John Cena at WrestleMania 39, but an updated report has stated it will be Cena against U.S. Champion Austin Theory in April.

    CryptoZoo

    Paul hasn\’t competed for WWE in months, but his name has been in the media for all the wrong reasons.

    CryptoZoo, a game that Paul has heavily promoted on his ImPaulsive podcast, has been called little more than a scam by several users.

    The game (which is currently offline) allows users to make money in the form of NFTs designed as various cartoon animals.

    Paul has apologized to those who have lost money in the game, and Fightful\’s report says that this controversy hasn\’t been an issue for WWE\’s booking of the YouTuber.

    Top 5 Breakout Wrestlers of 2022

  • Another WWE Vice President Parts Ways with WWE

    Another long-time WWE higher-up has parted ways with the company in the latest shakeup to the company\’s corporate landscape.

    Earlier this month, Stephanie McMahon resigned as WWE\’s Chairwoman and Co-CEO, with Vince McMahon replacing her as Executive Chairman.

    Vince McMahon\’s return was initially described as solely to oversee the sale of WWE though many have cast doubt on this claim given the billionaire\’s new backstage role.

    Stefanie Fiondella

    Stephanie McMahon\’s resignation has not been a one-off event, as it was reported this week that WWE\’s Vice President of Communications Adam Hopkins has left the company.

    In an update, PW Insider reports that Stefanie Fiondella, who also served in the capacity of Vice President of Communications, has resigned as well.

    Fiondella joined WWE in 2004 as Vice President of Marketing & Communications Operations and after leaving in 2019, returned in 2021 for her final role.

    Fiondella was also the co-chair for the WWE Women\’s Affinity Group as well.

    This latest resignation comes after WWE held a meeting earlier this month, in which employees were assured that little to nothing would change in corporate following Vince McMahon\’s return.

    Resignations

    Fiondella and Hopkins are just the latest prominent names to exit WWE as more and more people have parted ways since McMahon\’s return.

    McMahon\’s return to the board alongside former WWE co-Presidents Michelle Wilson and Geroge Barrios resulted in the removal of JoEllen Lyons Dillon, Jeffrey R. Speed, and Alan M. Wexler.

    In response, Man Jit Singh and Ignace Lahoud chose to leave the board, citing that they felt McMahon\’s return was wrong.

    Singh\’s departure is especially notable given that it was he who oversaw the investigation into McMahon last year.

    Vince McMahon Faces New Lawsuit from WWE Stockholders

  • Top Superstar\’s Injury Forced WWE to Unify Tag Team Titles (Report)

    WWE\’s Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Championships would have likely never been unified had it not been for Randy Orton\’s injury.

    The two titles were unified less than a year ago when The Usos (SmackDown) defeated RK-Bro (Raw) on the May 20, 2022, edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX.

    Since then, the Usos have retained against the likes of the Banger Bros., the Brawling Brutes, the New Day and the Street Profits

    Unifying

    The titles being unified came as a surprise to fans, as WWE hurried into making the two tag titles into one championship.

    On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained WWE\’s original plans had Randy Orton not gone down with an injury.

    “The tag titles were not going to be unified, and then… that’s when Randy Orton’s career almost ended.

    \”Riddle and Orton were just gonna stay at as the Raw champions… So without Riddle and Orton, RK-BRO, who are a hot team…they just went with The Usos to hold both belts.\”

    Dave Meltzer.

    The Viper has not competed since the unification match due to a severe back injury with concerns growing that he could be finished in the ring.

    De-unification

    WWE may not have intended to unify the titles, and the gold will be split soon.

    On Raw, the Judgment Day earned a shot at the Usos last week and it was specified that this is for the Raw Tag Team Championships.

    A tournament will start on this Friday\’s SmackDown to determine the number-one contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.

    3 Tag Teams Who Could Dethrone The Usos in WWE

    For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.

  • Will Ospreay Felt \”Nothing\” Headlining NJPW Wrestle Kingdom During the Pandemic

    Will Ospreay is regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers working today, but the Covid-19 pandemic proved to be especially tough on the Brit.

    Due to the pandemic, several wrestling promotions brought in strict measures to stop the spread of the virus, with WWE, AEW, and Impact going without live fans.

    New Japan has kept some of its pandemic-era rules in place, including a restriction on cheering to lower the risk of oral transmission.

    Nothing

    Despite the Pandemic, Ospreay and the New Japan roster attempted to make the best of things by putting on high-quality matches when they had the chance.

    Speaking to Renee Paquette on The Sessions, Ospreay recalled an emptiness inside him during arguably the heights of his career.

    \”For the last three years I do feel I\’ve been on auto-pilot a little bit. I remember last year\’s Wrestle Kingdom, and Great-O-Khan is massaging my shoulders just as I\’m about to go out and he goes \’how are you feeling?\’ And I went \’I feel nothing\’ because honestly, it was one of those where even though it was the main event of the Tokyo Dome, it wasn\’t the real thing. It wasn\’t the real experience.\”

    \”Great-O-Khan is massaging my shoulders just as I\’m about to go out and he goes \’how are you feeling?\’ And I went \’I feel nothing.\’\”

    Will Ospreay on his feelings at Wrestle Kingdom 16 in 2022.

    Ospreay went on to say that he tried to make the best of it by trying to goad the crowd into an audible reaction.

    \”It\’s heartbreaking, but I tried to see it almost like a game where I was like \’okay I\’m going to be so good, that I make you make noise.\’ I saw it like that but you can only play that game now and again before it becomes tedious and tiresome.

    \”It was heartbreaking at points because I really did feel like I was doing the best work I\’ve ever done, and it was kind of going under the radar because I\’m not on national TV. I\’m not on weekly TV. New Japan at one point was the hottest thing going. When 2019 came in, all of our arenas were sold out. It was the best G1 we\’d ever done, we performed at Madison Square Garden. All systems were go and then that f***ing pandemic came.\”

    Wrestle Kingdom 17

    For this year\’s Wrestle Kingdom, New Japan relaxed its policy on cheering and allowed fans in the Tokyo Dome to be as loud as they wished.

    Speaking of the difference from last year\’s show, Ospreay was grateful and much more relaxed thanks to the change.

    \”I don\’t know anyone who likes watching clap-crowds at all. I want to hear the people, I want to engage with them, and for three years, it\’s felt like I was in a prison. So it was really nice to let the doors open and let them all make noise again.

    \”Getting to walk out there [this year] to my music, to be in my own skin again, it felt like the old me. To do it on that platform, it felt like, for the first time that the eyes of the wrestling world were really on me.\”

    Ospreay would lose the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship to Kenny Omega, a result that \”gutted\” the British wrestler.

    Will Ospreay Discusses Potential Crossover Match With Seth Rollins

    For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.

  • AEW Has \”Moved On\” From Jade Cargill-Centric Storyline

    AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill is a regular on the company\’s programming, but don\’t expect to see her feud with rapper Bow Wow continue.

    Cargill remains undefeated since arriving in AEW in 2021 and is the first (and naturally, only) TBS Champion in the promotion\’s history.

    This month has seen Cargill become the longest-reigning champion of any titleholder in AEW history, and is on her 377th day as champion.

    Bow Wow

    In late 2022, Cargill and popular rapper Bow Wow engaged in an online feud, after the latter said they\’d love to get a spot in AEW.

    Responding to a tweet, Cargill took aim at Bow Wow\’s comments, and the two fired back and forth on social media.

    Following last year\’s Full Gear event, Cargill confronted Bow Wow at a meet and greet, but things did not get physical.

    Since then, the feud between the two has dried up, which Cargill confirmed is finished when speaking to Bootleg Kev.

    “I don’t know what happened with it. Something was supposed to happen, it didn’t happen, and we moved on from the situation.” 

    Jade Cargill.

    The reigning AEW TBS Champion gave no inclination as to what AEW had planned for Bow Wow that did not transpire.

    Facing the Men

    With the feud with Bow Wow officially a thing of the past, it remains to be seen what\’s next for Jade Cargill.

    Last November, Cargill tweeted that she hopes to face male wrestlers, but such a match has yet to happen.

    With her impressive physique, some have compared Cargill to the late Chyna, who spent much of her wrestling career facing male WWF Superstars.

    Fellow AEW star Saraya recently spoke about the possibility of intergender wrestling in the promotion, saying she too would love to square off with her male counterparts.

    Jade Cargill Praised For Her Work at AEW Battle of the Belts

    h/t – Fightful

  • Raw Women\’s Championship Match Announced for Royal Rumble 2023

    Bianca Belair\’s tenure as Raw Women\’s Champion has arguably never been at greater risk than it is right now.

    For weeks, Belair has been feuding with Alexa Bliss, who snapped during their title match on the first Raw of 2023.

    Bliss\’ assault led to her being disqualified, which came weeks after Bliss leveled Belair with a vase during a backstage sit-down interview.

    During this week\’s Raw, a title match was set for the two at the Royal Rumble

    Uncle Howdy

    Whether Alexa Bliss likes it or not, she may have some serious backup on her side heading into the Royal Rumble.

    On this week\’s Raw, the pair brawled and at one moment, Belair was set to deliver a KOD onto some steel chairs.

    The EST of WWE was frozen when she saw the eerie Uncle Howdy, allowing Bliss time to escape the champion\’s clutches.

    Bliss laid out Belair with a DDT on the hard floor, and looked puzzled by Howdy\’s involvement before walking away.

    Bliss as Champion

    The first woman to win the SmackDown and Raw Women\’s Championships (albeit at separate times) Alexa Bliss is no stranger to gold.

    Bliss is a two-time SmackDown Women\’s Champion and three-time Raw Women\’s Champion, in addition to two reigns as WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champions (with Nikki Cross.)

    In recent years though, the Goddess has been on something of a singles title drought, with her most recent Raw women\’s title reign ending at Summerslam 2018 at the hands of Ronda Rousey.

    Bliss\’ only singles title reign since then was the seconds she spent as WWE 24/7 Champion during the July 18, 2022, episode of Raw.

    Bianca Belair Reacts to Bizarre Alexa Bliss Moment on WWE RAW: “I’m Still Trying to Figure Out What That Was”

  • Legends & Matches Announced for Raw 30th Anniversary Show

    WWE is pulling out all the stops to make next week\’s 30th-anniversary celebration of the red brand a night to remember.

    The promotion\’s flagship show premiered back in January 1993 and celebrated its 1,000th episode in July 2012.

    For the past decade, Raw has been a three-hour show, adding an extra hour following Raw 1,000.

    Legends

    With thirty years of programming, there\’s no shortage of names who would be suitable for next week\’s show.

    On this week\’s Raw, it was confirmed that The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, who both appeared on the very first episode of the red brand, will be at Raw is XXX.

    Michaels will be joined by his DX comrades Sean \’X-Pac\’ Waltman and \’Road Dogg\’ Jesse James, the latter being WWE\’s Senior Vice President of Live Events.

    Ric Flair has been confirmed for the show, after stating last month on his podcast that he had been invited to attend.

    WWE Raw commentary veteran Jerry \’The King\’ Lawler has also been announced, as has Teddy Long and former RAW GM Kurt Angle.

    WWE\’s resident Hall of Fame twins Nikki and Brie Bella have also been announced to appear.

    Raw is XXX

    The legends scheduled to appear are just part of what will be a stacked celebration of WWE\’s weekly flagship show.

    It has been announced that Roman Reigns and the Bloodline will be part of an \’Acknowledgement Ceremony\’ with representatives of all generations of the Anoa\’I family scheduled to appear.

    United States Champion Austin Theory will defend against Bobby Lashley, who earned a shot at the young champion on this week\’s Raw.

    Becky Lynch Vs. Bayley will take place next week inside a Steel Cage

    Former WWE Champion Set for Raw 30th Anniversary Show

  • Finn Balor Calls Losing the NXT Championship a Career Highlight

    Finn Balor was once the name and face of WWE\’s NXT brand, but losing the NXT Championship was hardly a sad moment for the Judgment Day member.

    Balor, who debuted for WWE in 2014, captured the title from Kevin Owens in Japan at WWE\’s Beast in the East event in July 2015.

    The Irish Superstar would hold the title for 292 days, a record that was only broken in 2020 by Adam Cole.

    Winning the Gold

    Balor\’s victory inside Sumo Hall in Tokyo would at the time be Finn\’s biggest victory as part of WWE.

    While speaking to Rob Armstrong for BT Sport, Balor recalled his ascension to the throne of WWE\’s gold brand.

    \”That was one of the most full-circle moments that I’ve had in my career because not only it wasn’t in Japan, but it was in Ryogoku, which was Sumo Arena, where we wrestled for New Japan quite a lot. I actually had my final match for New Japan, in that arena, in the paint.\”

    Finn Balor.

    Balor\’s victory would end the 142-day reign of Owens, who won the title from Sami Zayn at February 2015\’s NXT TakeOver: Rival.

    Career Highlight

    Balor\’s reign on top would end off-screen at an NXT Live event in Lowell, MA at the hands of Samoa Joe.

    In the interview, Balor spoke about how special the title loss off-screen meant to him.

    \”We’d done that on a house show. That was something that was so rare, and I remember this sheer surprise and shock of the people in the front row that just couldn’t believe what they had witnessed on a house show.

    \”After [292 days], I had been champion, and Joe pins the champion at a house show in Lowel. That was a special night. That, for me, is probably the coolest moment of my career.\”

     \”That was one of my favorite nights of my career.”

    Finn Balor.

    Joe would lose the title to Shinsuke Nakamura before later winning it back, and along with his brief 2021 victory is the only three-time NXT Champion.

    Finn Balor Believes This Judgement Day Member Will Be A ‘Huge Star’

    h/t – eWrestlingNews

  • Latest on Vince McMahon\’s WWE Return: Creative Input, If He\’ll Be at TV

    Vince McMahon is back in charge of WWE, and it may be just a matter of time before he is on our television screens.

    McMahon made his shocking return to WWE earlier this month, less than half a year after his resignation in July of last year.

    The 77-year-old billionaire has returned to oversee the sale of WWE, with interested companies including Comcast, FOX, the Saudi PIF, and Shahid & Tony Khan, among others.

    For years, Vince McMahon was a regular on WWE programming, with his feud with \’Stone Cold\’ Steve Austin being a key part of the Attitude Era.

    Speaking on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said there is a feeling in WWE that McMahon wants to be in front of the cameras one more time.

    \”It\’s only been a little over a week, and everything has changed more rapidly than I expected. Between Stephanie leaving and Vince [being appointed Executive Chairman.] He is at the office, but he hasn\’t been at TV yet. I say yet.

    \”I mean, is he going to go on TV? I don\’t know, I know there are rumors running around that he will. I\’ve asked people [in WWE] and they wouldn\’t be surprised. But it\’s not like there is a date. It\’s not like we know he\’s going to be on a week on Monday [Raw\’s 30th Anniversary event] or he\’s going to be at the Rumble.\”

    \”There\’s that feeling that Vince is going to want to go out on TV and he\’ll get the big reaction.\”

    Dave Meltzer.

    Vince & WWE Creative

    One of the biggest concerns among talent and fans is that McMahon will do more than merely oversee the sale of WWE.

    Many fear that McMahon will soon be back in charge as Head of Creative, a role that Triple H has been praised for his work in since July 2022.

    On his show, Meltzer said that McMahon isn\’t just focused on selling WWE.

    \”He is in the office. He is talking about things other than the sale. There will probably be more and more Vince \’fingerprints\’ as time goes on. As far as creative goes, it just depends on… who knows. If Vince wants it, he\’ll work to get it. He may do it slowly.\”

    Dave Meltzer.

    Meltzer added that ultimately, McMahon has the influence to overrule anyone in the company.

    \”Nick [Khan, CEO of WWE] is running the show, but that\’s the same as Triple H and creative. I mean, that\’s today but let\’s see what tomorrow brings.\”

    The idea that McMahon\’s \’fingerprints\’ being over WWE\’s product was also discussed by Matt Hardy on his Extreme Life podcast last week.

    Ariel Helwani Calls Stephanie McMahon’s Exit a “Bad Sign” For WWE

    For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.

  • Ariel Helwani Calls Stephanie McMahon\’s Exit a \”Bad Sign\” For WWE

    Stephanie McMahon\’s shocking departure from WWE this month is a sign of bad things for the promotion, according to Ariel Helwani.

    McMahon was appointed Interim CEO in June 2022 after her father stepped down due to an investigation into misconduct which saw millions paid out in NDAs.

    After Vince McMahon\’s retirement the following month, Stephanie was appointed co-CEO (with Nick Khan) and Chairwoman of the board.

    Last week, Stephanie announced her resignation from WWE, with her father being appointed Executive Chairman and Khan now the sole CEO.

    Bad Sign

    An award-winning journalist, Ariel Helwani is following WWE\’s ongoing changes closely and has worked with WWE for interviews in the past.

    During a recent appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Helwani discussed Stephanie McMahon\’s resignation and called it a \”bad sign.\”

    \”She’s so likable and respected. She is the quintessential businesswoman. … If she decides to do something… imagine a media company run by [Stephanie]. I feel like she’d be successful in whatever she does.”

    Ariel Helwani.

    McMahon is expected to take it easy (at least for a couple of weeks) after undergoing foot surgery last week following her resignation.

    Vince\’s Retirement

    For years, it had been assumed that Vince McMahon would never retire, but that happened (albeit temporarily) last year.

    On the podcast, Helwani recalled the difference in WWE before and after the 77-year-old stepped down.

    It was like these clouds had opened up. Everyone’s spirits are high.\”

    Ariel Helwani.

    Helwani added that it was a \”remarkable thing\” that nobody working under Stephanie during her tenure in charge had anything bad to say about her.

    Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon Had Issues Working Together (Report)

    h/t – Wrestling Inc

  • NWA\’s Kamille: You\’re Lying If You Say You\’re Not Interested in Working for WWE

    NWA Women\’s World Champion Kamille has made quite a name for herself in the promotion, but has her sights set on WWE.

    Kamille is in her first reign as NWA Women\’s World Champion, having dethroned Serena Deeb at When Our Shadows Fall in June 2021.

    Kamille\’s reign, now in its 588th day, is the fifth longest reign of any NWA Women\’s World Champion.

    Lying

    Kamille is yet to appear for WWE, but believes that working for the Stamford-based promotion is the goal of any wrestler worth their salt.

    Appearing as a guest on the Insiders Edge podcast, Kamille was asked if she would consider working for WWE.

    \”Yeah, I think anybody that says no to that would be lying (idea of heading to WWE). Truthfully, WWE is, like you said, the Yankees, they’re the top of the top and so I think that anybody who takes their wrestling career seriously, they wanna end up.\”

    Kamille

    Kamille added that competing for WWE, even on a short-time basis, serves as proof that a wrestler has \”made it.\”

    The Champion added that her desire to join WWE is hardly a secret she has kept to herself.

    \”I would love to have that opportunity at some point. I mean, even Billy [Corgan], my boss, he understands as well.\”

    Kamille

    Kamille Outside the NWA

    Kamille hopes to be WWE-bound one day, but she has competed elsewhere outside the NWA.

    In October 2022, Kamille competed at AAA\’s TripleMania XXX, replacing the injured Thunder Rosa to challenge for the Reine de Reinas Championship.

    In July 2021, Kamille appeared on AEW Dynamite to watch The Bunny Vs. Leyla Hirsch to determine her challenger for NWA Empowerrr.

    Hirsch won that match but lost in the title match to Kamille.

    Kamille: I’m Not The Biggest Fan Of The ‘Forbidden Door’

    h/t – eWrestlingNews

  • \”Ageism\” – Eric Bischoff Fires Back at Claims Vince McMahon is Out of Touch

    Is Vince McMahon a crotchety old miser who is out of touch with what wrestling fans want?

    Eric Bischoff isn\’t so sure.

    McMahon retired from WWE in July of last year but returned to the promotion this month to oversee a potential sale.

    The 77-year-old billionaire has since been appointed Executive Chairman following the resignation of Stephanie McMahon.

    Ageism

    For years prior to his retirement, McMahon faced criticism from fans for being out of touch with what fans wanted.

    Examples given include McMahon\’s insistence on pushing certain talents over ones more beloved by fans, as seen with Roman Reigns in 2015.

    Speaking on his 83 Weeks Podcast, Bischoff rejected the idea that McMahon is out of touch.

    \”The whole Vince is old and out of touch thing, you can argue that maybe creatively because you don’t like Vince’s vision of what wrestling should be, but it doesn’t mean that he is not in control of his faculties or that he’s missed a beat.\”

    \”I think that’s internet wrestling chatter because people aren’t happy with what they’re seeing on television. ‘Oh, it’s because he’s too old.’ But no ageism, right?\”

    Eric Bischoff.

    WWE Sale

    It was just a few months ago that fans expected McMahon to spend his days out of the public eye after the scandals that forced him to retire.

    Now McMahon has resumed his role in Titan Towers and will decide who purchases WWE if a sale goes ahead.

    On his show, Bischoff argued that despite what some believe, McMahon has never seemed more on top of the wrestling world than right now.

    \”I would say the events of the last week would suggest that he is far from out of touch.\”

    Eric Bischoff.

    Names listed as potential buyers of WWE include Comcast, FOX, Disney, Amazon, the Saudi Arabia PIF, and Shahid & Tony Khan.

    Eric Bischoff Questions If Tony Khan Has the Skills to Buy & Lead WWE

    h/t – Wrestling Inc

  • Latest on Popular Indie Talent Who Tried Out for WWE

    KC Navarro may have taken a step closer to WWE, but at this time, he is still a free agent.

    Navarro tried out for WWE in December of last year and attended a small tryout session with veterans including Kylie Ray, Vincent, and Dutch.

    Fightful Select has confirmed that Navarro has yet to sign a deal with WWE.

    The 23-year-old wrestler began his wrestling career in 2015 and would work with CZW the following year.

    Navarro has also competed for Impact Wrestling and MLW and debuted for AEW Dark in January 2021.

    Colby Corino

    Navarro may not be with WWE at this time, but Colby Corino is set to join Vince McMahon\’s promotion.

    In the same report, it is noted that Corino is headed to WWE, and that WWE has been interested in him for some time.

    WWE couldn\’t legally reach out to him until his deal with NWA expired, which it did earlier this month.

    Corino is the son of former ROH and ECW World Champion Steve Corino, who now works for WWE NXT as a trainer and producer.

    Other Names

    In their report, Fightful added that Cheeseburger, who also goes by the name CB, is still a free agent at this time.

    Cheeseburger has competed for AEW and ROH as of late and has received acclaim from fans online.

    Rhett Titus, who has previously appeared for Ring of Honor, is also a free agent according to sources within AEW/ROH.

    Former ROH Stars Attend Tuesday’s WWE NXT (Photo)

  • Eric Bischoff Questions If Tony Khan Has the Skills to Buy & Lead WWE

    Tony Khan may have proven himself to countless fans with the success of AEW, but would he make a good owner of WWE?

    The past two weeks of news have been dominated with reports of Vince McMahon\’s return to WWE, less than six months after his retirement.

    McMahon returned to oversee a sale of the promotion and has replaced his daughter Stephanie as Executive Chairman.

    Lacking

    The list of names reportedly interested in buying WWE is lengthy and includes Comcast, FOX, Disney, Amazon, and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.

    Tony Khan and his father Shahid are also on that list with sources close to the situation saying that the Khans are interested in a merger with WWE.

    Speaking on his 83 Weeks Podcast, Eric Bischoff said that Khan may not have the necessary skills to take over from McMahon.

    \”Could it happen? Sure, anything is possible. But if you really think about it, does the Khan enterprise have the experience, knowledge, infrastructure, ability to run a company as complex as WWE?\”

    Eric Bischoff.

    Bischoff added that while AEW and WWE may be in the same industry, they \”don\’t live and play in the same universe.\”

    Buying WWE

    The Khans certainly have plenty of money to their name, but a solo purchase of WWE is seemingly off the table.

    With WWE seeking a reported $8.5 billion for the promotion, any deal by the father-son duo is expected to be shared with another financial partner.

    Wall Street analysts have said they expect WWE to sell this year for anywhere between $7.4 and $8.2 billion.

    Kofi Kingston Shares How WWE Roster is Feeling Amid Sales Talks

    h/t – Wrestling Inc

  • Details on Frankie Kazarian Leaving AEW to Join Impact Wrestling

    Frankie Kazarian is no longer \’All-Elite\’ and is now part of the Impact Wrestling roster.

    Kazarian signed with AEW in January 2019, making him one of the earliest wrestlers to join, and is one-half of the inaugural AEW World Tag Team Champions (with Scorpio Sky.)

    After SoCal Uncensored was forced to disband following a loss to the Young Bucks, Kazarian would become the \’Elite Hunter\’ though struggled to pick up wins over the group.

    Impact Wrestling

    In July 2021, Kazarian appeared for Impact Wrestling as part of his feud with The Elite.

    Returning in May 2022, Kazarian would make regular appearances for the promotion and won the X-Division Championship at Bound for Glory that October.

    Invoking \’Option C\’ (vacating the X-Division title for a shot at the Impact World Championship) Kazarian would come up short in his efforts to dethrone Josh Alexander.

    At Hard to Kill 2023 this week, Kazarian appeared on the Pay-Per-View and announced he has signed with Impact.

    Kazarian spoke about being complacent in AEW, and working with \”people he thought were his friends.\”

    Leaving AEW

    After appearing at Hard to Kill, PW Insider confirmed that Kazarian is finished with All Elite Wrestling.

    It is reported that it was after facing Alexander in November 2022 that Kazarian asked for his release which Tony Khan granted.

    Kazarian\’s reasons is that he wants to push himself in these final stages of his career, and believes he will have better luck in Impact than on AEW\’s roster.

    Kazarian reportedly “did business the right way” and would be welcomed back into the AEW locker room at any time.

    Former WWE Star Named New Impact Director of Authority at Hard To Kill

  • Kofi Kingston Shares How WWE Roster is Feeling Amid Sales Talks

    A lot is going on in WWE right now, but according to Kofi Kingston, the roster isn\’t trying to think about rumors of a potential sale.

    A veteran of WWE\’s main roster since 2008, Kingston has seen plenty go down during his WWE tenure, including the recent retirement and return of Vince McMahon.

    Kofi is in his first reign as NXT Tag Team Champions with Xavier Woods, and the New Day is the third WWE tag-team triple crown winner (behind FTR and the Street Profits.)

    Focus

    The past two weeks of wrestling news have been dominated by Vince McMahon\’s return and his attempts to sell the promotion.

    Speaking with SHAK Wrestling, Kingston said that no matter what happens, the roster\’s focus remains the same.

    \”I think we all kind of have the same mentality Whatever happens outside of the company is going to happen. We really have no idea what\’s transpiring. But our role, again, remains the same. It\’s to go out there and put on great matches.\”

    Kofi Kingston.

    Kingston added that the most important thing for him is to put on great matches for fans to enjoy.

    \”That\’s the one thing, regardless of whoever\’s in charge, or whoever owns this, that\’s what we\’re going to do. That\’s what we\’re always going to do. That is the most important thing. I think the mentality for us is just to kind of have laser vision and keep putting on great matches. That\’s what we\’re going to do.\”

    Kofi Kingston.

    WWE Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER has also responded to reports of a possible sale of the promotion.

    Names rumored to be interested in purchasing WWE include Comcast, FOX, Disney, Netflix, the Saudi Arabia PIF, Shahid & Tony Khan, and Endeavor, among others.

    How Much Money is Vince McMahon Planning to Sell WWE For? (Report)

  • Dominik Mysterio Says He\’s Got in Trouble in WWE for Missing Flights

    Dominik Mysterio may be a hardened ex-convict (at least in his own mind) but the young Superstar has been getting into some actual trouble with WWE.

    At WWE Clash at the Castle last September, Mysterio turned heel by attacking his father Rey Mysterio and Edge and has since joined the Judgment Day.

    After being \’arrested\’ for showing up to his father\’s home over the holidays, the younger Mysterio has adopted an \’ex-con\’ character despite being bailed out after a few hours.

    Missing Flights

    Mysterio\’s arrest was of course just for show, but there has been a slight issue with the young Superstar\’s organization and punctuality.

    Appearing on the latest K100 podcast, Dominik was asked by Konnan if he has been scolded backstage by WWE management yet.

    \”I don’t think so but they have gotten on me because I’ve gotten a reputation of missing some flights.”

    Dominik Mysterio.

    Interestingly, many have compared Mysterio\’s attire on this week\’s Raw to Konnan during the latter\’s WCW days.

    What\’s next?

    During this week\’s Raw, Mysterio competed on behalf of the Judgment Day in a tag-team gauntlet main event.

    Replacing Finn Balor, who was deemed unable to compete mid-match, Mysterio and Damian Priest won the match and earned a shot at the Raw Tag Team Championships.

    The fact that the match was specifically to determine who will challenge for the Raw Tag Team titles has led to speculation that the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles will be split soon.

    On SmackDown, a tournament will begin next week to determine the number one contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team titles.

    Dominik Mysterio Announces Engagement

    h/t – BodySlam

  • Kurt Angle Shares his Pick for the Greatest Heel in Pro-Wrestling

    Kurt Angle is no stranger to dastardly actions in wrestling, but he believes that wrestling\’s greatest heel, isn\’t even a wrestler.

    In late 2002, Angle captured his third WWE Championship, dethroning the Big Show at that December\’s Armageddon Pay-Per-View.

    Big Show had only won the title a month earlier, defeating Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series in the Beast\’s first loss in WWE.

    Greatest Heel

    Lesnar\’s loss inside Madison Square Garden came about after Paul Heyman turned on Brock, ending their alliance that had existed since Lesnar\’s debut earlier that year.

    After his title win at Armageddon, Kurt revealed Lesnar as the head of his management team (Team Angle) turning heel in the process.

    Speaking on The Kurt Angle Show, the Olympian spoke about working with Heyman.

    \”It was a great idea. It\’s not that I needed Paul to speak for me, not at all, but he draws a lot of heat. At this particular time I was kind of a babyface so that I was having Paul on my side would draw a little bit more heat for me.

    \”He is the best heel in the business, he really is.\”

    Kurt Angle on Paul Heyman.

    \”He was, he is, the best heel in the business, he really is. And it is because he draws a lot of heat. He\’s the best promo guy I\’ve ever been around. When you\’re around him you learn a lot, so I was really happy to have Paul as my manager.\”

    Working with Brock

    While Angle\’s victory over Big Show came thanks to a big assist from Lesnar, Kurt and Heyman declared that they would refuse to face the Beast.

    On his podcast, Angle spoke about the WrestleMania 19 match he\’d have with Lesnar, and despite his declaration, knew the plan all along.

    \”I knew after I won that title [at Armageddon 2002] that Brock and I were gonna wrestle four or five months later at WrestleMania.\”

    Kurt Angle.

    Angle added that their match was extra special for both men given their similar backgrounds.

    \”We\’d got in a ring a little bit here and there you know, with tag matches and stuff but this is our first singles match. Both of us were looking forward to it.

    \”I saw how talented Brock was and how quickly he picked it up and he knew I was really talented so we were really looking forward to it. Especially with our amateur wrestling backgrounds we really wanted to showcase that at WrestleMania.\”

    Lesnar would dethrone Angle at WrestleMania 19, in the only example of a WrestleMania main event where all competitors used their birth names.

    Kurt Angle Reveals How Much Money He’d Wrestle In Saudi Arabia For Now

    For use of these quotes please give a h/t to SEScoops.

  • Heat on Mercedes Moné for Promoting Non-NJPW Stars & Companies

    New Japan\’s Mercedes Moné may be the promotion\’s next Women\’s Champion, but she\’s also ruffling some feathers backstage.

    Moné debuted for New Japan last week at Wrestle Kingdom 17 by attacking IWGP Women\’s Champion KAIRI after a successful title defense.

    The two will face off at New Japan\’s Battle in the Valley event on February 18 for the title.

    Heat

    Moné is one of the biggest names signed to a NJPW contract but her actions have garnered heat for the former WWE Superstar.

    In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that some in the company believe she has been promoting Sendai Girls and Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling more than STARDOM, New Japan, and the IWGP women’s title.

    On social media, Moné has shared photos of herself at the Sendai Girls dojo and said that she would love to wrestle women for that promotion and TJPW.

    The feeling within NJPW is that as a contracted worker for Bushiroad (the parent company of NJPW and STARDOM,) Moné should be only promoting Bushiroad companies in Japan.

    It is also reported that Moné did not attend any STARDOM events during her tenure in Japan.

    Mercedes Moné in New Japan

    Moné\’s deal with NJPW will reportedly see her work a handful of matches a year, allowing the ex-Superstar free time to pursue other projects.

    It has been reported that Moné is the highest-paid individual to ever be under contract with a Bushiroad promotion.

    Moné will seemingly be allowed to seek other non-wrestling work, including being announced for \’The Collective\’ film.

    Konnan: Mercedes Moné Will be Big in AEW “For a Couple of Weeks”

  • Vince McMahon Could Lose WWE Job if Two Potential Buyers Make Purchase

    Vince McMahon is back in WWE and is back in charge once more, but for how long?

    McMahon\’s shocking return to WWE came last week when he was appointed to the Board of Directors and he has since been appointed Executive Chairman of the company.

    It has been reported that McMahon did not work well with WWE\’s previous Chairwoman (and his daughter) Stephanie McMahon, with WWE CEO Nick Khan serving as a buffer between them.

    Out of a Job

    The 77-year-old billionaire is back to oversee a sale of WWE, with numerous big names being listed as potential buyers.

    While McMahon fought to get his roles back with WWE, he could be out of a job again if two of the listed buyers end up in control.

    Sources within Disney and Comcast told Fightful that they are well aware of the rumors of both companies being interested in a purchase.

    Those sources added that it would be hard to believe any major company would want to retain Vince\’s services in any capacity in the event of a sale.

    Disney and Comcast

    To many, Comcast makes the most logical sense as a potential buyer of WWE, given the close connection already existing between the two.

    Comcast is the parent company on NBC-Universal, which owns the USA Network, the current home of Monday Night Raw and WWE NXT.

    NBC-Universal also owns Peacock, the home of the WWE Network in the United States.

    As for Disney, the House of Mouse is no stranger to collecting IPs, including internationally known brands like Marvel and Star Wars.

    A sale to Disney would not just mean WWE content on Disney+, but also the use of WWE\’s property at theme parks around the world.

    WWE Talent Meeting Before SmackDown Amid Executive Shakeup