SEScoops

Author: Thomas Lowson

  • Have WWE Spoken to Booker T About a Return to the Ring?

    Booker T is returning to the ring, but WWE is yet to give the two-time Hall of Famer a call.

    This week, it was announced that Booker will return to wrestling for his Reality of Wrestling promotion on December 18.

    The former World Champion will team with Mysterious Q to challenge Fly Def (Zack Mason & Warren Johnson) for the ROW Tag Team Championships

    The match will be Booker\’s first in five months after wrestling for Reality of Wrestling at the Summer of Champions VIII in July 2022.

    Booker T and WWE

    In addition to his work with Reality of Wrestling, Booker can regularly be found providing commentary for WWE NXT.

    When Fightful Select asked, they were told that there have been no inquiries for Booker to wrestle by WWE, despite his return to the ring.

    That doesn\’t mean there haven\’t been any, but the several times Fightful asked they have been told that they didn\’t hear anything.

    Speaking on his podcast earlier this year, Booker said he wouldn\’t say no to a return match for WWE but it is not something he is actively pursuing.

    NXT Commentator

    Booker T joined the NXT commentary team in October of this year, as part of major shakeups to all three brands.

    Booker is replacing Wade Barett, who has joined SmackDown while Pat McAfee is on hiatus with College Game Day.

    It is unclear what will happen with the five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion once Barrett returns to NXT when McAfee comes back to SmackDown.

    In addition to providing commentary for NXT, Booker T has called the action on both Raw and SmackDown.

    Booker T Announces his in-Ring Return

  • WWE Superstars Present Hero Police Officer with Custom Championship

    Three WWE Superstars made the trip to Hartford, Connecticut to present a police officer with a WWE Championship title for his bravery during a shootout.

    In October, Officer Alec Iurato was injured in a shooting that killed two Bristol police officers, Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamzy.

    Officials close to the case said that Officer Iurato killed the suspect with a single shot.

    WWE

    In a Facebook status from the Bristol Connecticut Police Department, Iurato can be seen with a WWE Championship, complete with customer Bristol PD side plates.

    The championship was presented by Liv Morgan, Sonya Deville, and Braun Strowman at the XL Center in Hartford, the host of the November 18, 2022, episode of WWE SmackDown.

    Bristol PD said that WWE has been a support for the families of Lt. Demonte & Sgt. Hamzy, in addition to supporting Officer Iurato.

    \"\"

    Bristol Police Chief Brian Gould called Iurato a true hero and said he maintained courage and composure and stopped the act of killing that October night.

    Hero Champions

    \"\"
    Police Officer Charlie Guenigault was presented with a WWE Championship by Triple H for his bravery during a terror attack in London in June 2017.

    This isn\’t the first time WWE has gone the extra mile to show their appreciation to someone for their acts of bravery.

    In June 2017, off-duty police officer Charlie Guenigault was injured during a terror attack in London, England when he was trying to protect a British Transport Police officer.

    The amateur rugby player and lifelong WWE fan was shocked later that month to be presented with a WWE Championship by none other than Triple H.

    The Game said at the time \”People say a lot of times that they watch WWE because these guys are like real-life superheroes. Well, Charlie is a real hero.\”

  • Who Did WWE Originally have Planned for Damage CTRL Stable?

    Dakota Kai made her shocking return to WWE at Summerslam 2022 as part of Damage CTRl, but plans for the group were originally much different.

    Damage CTRL, consisting of Kai, IYO SKY, and Bayley, debuted at the July 30 event, in Bayley\’s first appearance on WWE TV in over a year.

    Since debuting, the group has captured the WWE Women\’s Tag Team Championships twice and Bayley has challenged for the Raw Women\’s Championship.

    Original Plans

    Bayley had planned on a stable for years, but the Role Model\’s plans were only realized earlier this year.

    Appearing on the Getting Over podcast, Kai explained how the original line-up for the group had many different members.

    “When she [Bayley first mentioned it to me a couple of years…it was myself, Candice LeRae and Tegan [Nox.] Those were the ones that were from the start. And obviously things that happened from then until now, everything changes.”

    Dakota Kai.

    Kai later explained how a more recent roster for Damage CTRL included herself, SKY, Alba Fyre, and Raquel Rodriguez.

    The WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champion said that this group would have been \”epic\” but she is equally pleased to team with Bayley and SKY.

    What\’s Next for Damage CTRL?

    After the group\’s debut, Bayley set her sights on Bianca Belair, but failed to dethrone the Raw Women\’s Champion.

    At Survivor Series: WarGames, Team Damage lost to Team Bianca, seemingly marking the end of the feud.

    On this week\’s Raw, IYO SKY and Dakota Kai brawled with Becky Lynch, starting the group\’s newest feud.

    Lynch returned to WWE after four months away as the fifth member of Team Bianca and scored the pinfall for her team inside WarGames.

    WWE Star Seen Wearing a Neckbrace Backstage at Raw

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

  • Ric Flair Calls on Tony Khan to Create AEW Hall of Fame

    All Elite Wrestling could soon introduce its own Hall of Fame, if AEW President Tony Khan takes the advice of Ric Flair.

    Khan founded the promotion in 2019 as an alternative to WWE following the success of the independent supershow ALL IN in 2018.

    The promotion is home to several veterans of wrestling, including Chris Jericho, Paul Wight, Mark Henry, and Billy Gunn.

    AEW Hall of Fame

    Ric Flair is no stranger to being inducted into a wrestling Hall of Fame, having been given the nod twice by WWE (2008 and 2012.)

    Flair is also a member of the NWA Hall of Fame (2008,) the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame (1996,) and the International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame (2021,) among others.

    Speaking on the latest episode of his To Be the Man podcast, Ric called on Khan to give AEW an equivalent accolade.

    \”I wish Tony would start a Hall of Fame. That would create a lot of interest.\”

    Ric Flair.

    The Nature Boy explained that the accomplishment wouldn\’t solely be for the wrestlers of AEW, but for names associated with the company who are established legends of the sport.

    \”Do it based on people who he thinks were good in the history of the business not just guys from AEW the last three years.\”

    Ric Flair.

    Ric Flair and AEW

    If Tony Khan takes Flair\’s advice on board, it may be a long time before the 16-time World Champion adds another Hall of Fame ring to his collection.

    After leaving WWE in 2021, it was expected that Flair would manage his son-in-law Andrade El Idolo, but those plans were scrapped after the Dark Side of the Ring episode, documenting the Plane Ride from Hell.

    Speaking about the infamous 2002 flight, Flair has denied all allegations of forcing a female flight attendant to touch his genitals.

    Ric Flair Clarifies Recent Comments About Royal Rumble & RAW XXX Appearances

  • Survivor Series WarGames Broke Several Records for WWE

    The WarGames format for WWE\’s annual Survivor Series Premium Live Event may be here to stay after the success of this year\’s show.

    Last weekend, WWE held its 36th Survivor Series event, which for the third time ever featured no traditional elimination tag team matches (after 1998 and 2002.)

    Instead, fans saw two WarGames matches, with Team Bianca winning the opener and The Bloodline standing tall in the main event.

    Record Breaker

    In an internal memo obtained by Fightful Select, WWE highlighted many records that Survivor Series WarGames has shattered.

    The memo says that this was the most-viewed Survivor Series on record, jumping 46% vs. 2021’s edition of the show.

    Merchandise sales were also the best in the event\’s history, up 20% from last year’s Survivor Series. 

    The live gate was the highest, both for a Survivor Series and for any WWE event in Boston, an accolade Triple H referenced at the post-show press conference.

    Fan enjoyment rating popped 48% vs. last year though it is unclear how exactly this metric is measured.

    Social media video views were up year over year, with the TikTok of Roman Reigns sending Sami Zayn into the match garnering 13 million views alone.

    The Future

    There has been speculation that this year\’s Survivor Series marked the end of the traditional elimination match, in favor of WarGames.

    Speaking at the post-show press conference, Triple H said that \”sometimes stuff needs a break for a while,\” adding that it wasn\’t solely his decision.

    The WWE Head of Creative and Talent downplayed the idea that the iconic tag match is finished, adding \”I don\’t think we\’re done with anything.\”

    Roman Reigns Angry at WWE Superstar After Survivor Series (Report)

  • WWE NXT Teases Arrival of NXT UK Star with New Name

    The women\’s division of WWE NXT will soon see the arrival of Lyra Valkyria, judging by a teaser video during this week\’s episode.

    During the show, footage of a woman running in a forest was played, with narration by Valkyria in both Gaelic and English.

    The 26-year-old Superstar said that she is \”ready for a new battleground,\” namely WWE NXT.

    Lyra Valkyria

    Joining WWE in 2020, Valkyria originally worked under the name Aoife Valkyria and defeated Amale in her in-ring debut for NXT UK in January of that same year.

    The following month, Aoife Valkyria briefly toured with WWE NXT, working with names including Aliyah, Mia Yim, and Taynara Conti (now AEW\’s Tay Melo.)

    Returning to NXT UK in September 2020, in a winning effort against Isla Dawn.

    Valkyria remained undefeated before suffering a loss to Meiko Satomura in April 2021.

    Valkyria lost to Jinny in July 2021, thanks to interference by Joseph Conners, but would defeat Jinny the next month in a No-DQ match, in which Conners was in a shark cage.

    The losses to Satomura and Jinny mark Valkyria\’s only two defeats since joining WWE.

    Before WWE

    Like many Irish Superstars in WWE, Valkyria cut her teeth in Over the Top Wrestling, where she is a former OTT Women\’s Champion.

    Valkyria\’s origins in wrestling began in 2015 in Fight Factory Pro Wrestling, where she became the first woman to win the promotion\’s Junior Heavyweight Championship.

    The Valkyria name comes from Valkyria Cain, the protagonist of the Skulduggery Pleasant book series by Derek Landy.

    WWE NXT Results (11/29): Hall of Famers Appear, Dijak in Action

  • WWE NIL Prospect to Stand Trial Next Week Over Sexual Battery Charges

    One of WWE\’s Next-in-Line prospects will find themselves in court next month over charges of sexual battery.

    In July of this year, a media alert from the police department for Stillwater, Oklahoma identified AJ Ferrari as the suspect in a case of alleged sexual battery.

    A Stillwater woman alleges that Ferrari attempted forcible sexual acts on her and a warrant for his arrest was issued on August 3.

    The Trial

    After posting a $25,000 bail, Ferrari pleaded not guilty to the charge on August 11.

    As first reported by KOKH Fox 25, Payne County Judge Katherine E. Thomas found \”probable cause to believe that a crime was committed and that the defendant committed the crime.\”

    Ferrari, who was part of the December 2021 WWE tryouts, will appear in court on December 6.

    Under Oklahoma law, sexual battery faces a penalty if convicted of between one to 15 years in prison.

    Ferrari’s attorney, Derek Chance, has claimed that his client is innocent and that he is confident that AJ Ferrari will be exonerated in due time.

    AJ Ferrari

    After trying out with WWE last year, Ferrari signed with the NIL program on December 8.

    In January of this year, Ferrari was involved in a serious car accident when he attempted to pass 3 vehicles while cresting a hill.

    Ferrari\’s car hit an oncoming vehicle before flipping the car several times until it came to a halt in a ditch.

    In addition to Ferrari, track athlete Isai Rodriguez was also in the vehicle and thankfully nobody involved suffered life-threatening injuries.

    On July 13, Oklahoma State University announced that Ferrari is no longer on their wrestling team due to the sexual battery charge against him.

  • Ric Flair Clarifies Recent Comments About Royal Rumble & RAW XXX Appearances

    Ric Flair may still appear at the Royal Rumble 2023 Premium Live Event in January of next year, but nothing has been confirmed.

    Last week, Flair announced that he will be at the Royal Rumble and that he will also attend Raw\’s 30th-anniversary event earlier that same week.

    \”I’m gonna be there. They didn’t say don’t tell anybody. I’ve been invited and it’s a f**king big deal.\”

    Ric Flair

    Clarification

    Flair could still be at WWE\’s next Premium Live Event, but no deal has been reached between the two parties. On the latest episode of his To Be the Man podcast, Flair clarified that he will be in San Antonio for the Rumble – but he\’ll be there for an autograph signing unrelated to WWE.

    \”I am going to San Antonio to sign autographs separately, on the day of the Rumble. I was not invited to the Rumble.\”

    Ric Flair.

    Flair isn\’t confirmed to appear on-camera at the Royal Rumble, but may pack his ring gear for the trip to San Antonio just in case. He eagerly added, \”If they want me to put my gear on, like at Last Match, that’s fine.\”

    The Nature Boy won the 1992 Royal Rumble match as the #3 entrant, setting a record for the time as the longest-run in a single Rumble, and captured the vacant WWF Championship.

    Flair Back in WWE

    Ric Flair\’s Royal Rumble status may still be TBD, but he did confirm that he has been invited for the 30th anniversary of Raw.

    The 16-time World Champion parted ways with WWE in August 2021, reportedly frustrated about booking for himself and his daughter Charlotte.

    Flair had been expected to join AEW, but the backlash from the Dark Side of the Ring episode documenting the Plane Ride from Hell ended those plans.

    Ric Flair Criticizes Sami Zayn for Being Funny in The Bloodline

  • Chris Jericho\’s Son Comments on Possibly Becoming a Pro-Wrestler

    Chris Jericho has accomplished plenty in the world of professional wrestling, but he won\’t be the start of a wrestling dynasty.

    Among his accomplishments, Jericho was the first WWE Undisputed Champion and is a nine-time Intercontinental Champion, a record that has stood since 2008.

    Joining AEW in 2019, the Canadian veteran became the first AEW World Champion that same year, and is currently in his first reign as Ring of Honor World Champion.

    One-Man Dynasty

    Pro-Wrestling is filled with second-generation talent, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair, Cody Rhodes, Hook, and the Gunn Club.

    Ash Irvine, Jericho\’s 19-year-old son, won\’t be adding his name to that list, as he doesn\’t believe wrestling is in his future.

    Speaking to Jim Varsallone, Ash said that he has flirted with the idea of wrestling, but knows he isn\’t the right fit.

    \”It\’s always been something that I like to think about. But I think deep down, I know it\’s not for me. My grandpa played hockey, my dad does wrestling, and I\’m not going to do either. I\’m going to do my own thing.\”

    Ash Irvine.

    Irvine\’s grandfather, Ted Irvine, is a retired professional hockey player, best known for his time with the New York Rangers.

    Fishing

    With wrestling and hockey seemingly off the table, Ash Irvine\’s future may be in the world of fishing.

    The 19-year-old is an avid fisherman, and has appeared on his father\’s Talk is Jericho podcast, where he is introduced as \’Ash the Fishing Expert.\’

    His fishing expertise was hinted at strongly at the end of his interview with Varsallone, where Irvine was shown at a creek, fishing pole in hand.

    New Trademark Filings Reveal Future Plans for Chris Jericho

    h/t – WrestlingInc

  • \”Very Big Push\” for Raw Superstar Could Lead to WrestleMania 39 Title Match (Report)

    Rhea Ripley could be on course to challenge for the Raw Women\’s Championship at WrestleMania for the second time in her career.

    In 2021, Ripley challenged then-Raw Women\’s Champion Asuka and dethroned the Empress at WrestleMania 37.

    This year has seen Ripley align herself with the Judgment Day and is a regular on TV alongside Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio.

    WrestleMania

    Rhea Ripley may be a regular on TV, but championship matches have proven to be a rarity for the Eradicator.

    Ripley\’s most recent title opportunity came on the April 18, 2022, edition of Raw, when she and Liv Morgan unsuccessfully challenged then-WWE Women\’s Tag Champions Naomi and Sasha Banks.

    On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that there has been a push backstage for Ripley to challenge for the Raw Women\’s Championship at WrestleMania 39.

    \”There’s a very big push for Rhea Ripley. I think we may be looking at Rhea Ripley vs Bianca Belair at WrestleMania [next] year.\”

    Dave Meltzer.

    Ripley had been scheduled to challenge Bianca Belair at this year\’s Money in the Bank event but was pulled from the show due to medical issues.

    In her place, Belair defeated Carmella to retain the title in the third match of the night.

    Bianca Belair

    Belair has proven to be a dominant force since her WWE main roster call up in 2020, holding both the Raw and SmackDown Women\’s Championships.

    Speaking on the Survivor Series WarGames post-show press conference, the EST named Ripley as someone she hopes to face.

    \”We crossed paths a couple of weeks ago at Raw and we’ve had a long history starting back at NXT all the way to the Royal Rumble. We both won our first titles at WrestleMania 37. We’re both doing equally amazing things, our careers parallel right now. It would be really great to meet at the mountaintop.\”

    Belair also named Charlotte Flair as someone she\’d like to face, though the Queen has been absent from WWE TV since WrestleMania Backlash in May.

    Watch: Rhea Ripley Has Funny Interaction With Fan at WWE Live Event

    h/t – Cageside Seats

  • William Regal\’s Return to WWE Said to be \”Still in Play\” (Report)

    Could William Regal return to WWE after being released from the promotion earlier this year?

    On January 5, Regal was cut from his role with WWE NXT, as part of several management releases, all of whom had worked closely with Triple H.

    Regal debuted for AEW at the Revolution 2022 Pay-Per-View in March, forming the Blackpool Combat Club.

    Regal\’s Future

    After Triple H shared a video of the British legend ahead of Survivor Series WarGames, there was speculation on Regal\’s status with AEW.

    It was initially reported that Regal had months left on his AEW deal, but in an update, it was said he has years and will remain under contract until 2025.

    At AEW Full Gear 2022, Regal turned on Jon Moxley and aided MJF in winning the AEW World Championship.

    Regal\’s Return

    Regal may still have plenty of time left on his AEW deal, but that hasn\’t stopped WWE hoping for a return.

    While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer went into detail regarding the former King of the Ring\’s contract.

    \”William Regal when he signed, which was only in April or May, said that he signed for three years. Now, something is going on… I’ve been told a lot of stuff but most of it was off the record.

    \”I do know that it is something that has been talked about [by WWE.]\”

    Dave Meltzer.

    Meltzer added that Tony Khan has yet to let anyone out of a contract early, but that doesn\’t mean Regal won\’t be the exception.

    \”It’s something that’s in play. But he said his contract is three years, so in theory, that would tell you that he couldn’t do anything until April 2025.\”

    Run

    On last week\’s AEW Dynamite, Jon Moxley confronted Regal, and would have attacked him if not for Bryan Danielson.

    Instead of attacking Regal, the former World Champion told Regal to run from AEW and never return.

    Speaking about the segment, which some have seen as AEW\’s way of writing Regal off TV, Meltzer said this isn\’t the case.

    \”The thing on Wednesday’s show was just an angle, but there had been talk of that from very early on.\”

    Dave Meltzer.

    After missing last week\’s Dynamite, AEW World Champion MJF will be on tonight\’s show, but it is unclear if Regal will join him.

    William Regal Explains Why WWE Didn’t Hire MJF

  • CM Punk is \”No Longer in the Company\” Claims AEW Star

    CM Punk has parted ways with All Elite Wrestling according to recent comments made by Stokely Hathaway.

    Punk, who debuted for AEW in August 2021, has been suspended since All Out for his role in the backstage fight.

    With the third-party investigation into the fight now finished, it has been reported that Punk is seeking a buyout of his contract.

    Out of the Company

    Following All Out, Tony Khan kept silent on any CM Punk matters, due to the investigation.

    The now-infamous September Pay-Per-View went off the air with MJF, who had won the Casino Ladder match earlier in the night, staring down Punk.

    Speaking on the latest episode of The Sessions, Stokely Hathaway spoke about his run in AEW so far, and his work with The Firm.

    Hathaway noted that plans for the group to feud with CM Punk have fallen through.

    \”Everything that was supposed to happen with The Firm did not happen. Back at All out, what happened immediately after the Pay-Per-View, that was a huge part of it.

    \”[The person] We were supposed to directly feud with is no longer in the company. \”

    Stokely Hathaway.

    Tony Khan has not confirmed CM Punk\’s AEW status or whether he has been released by All Elite Wrestling at this time.

    Wanting to work with CM Punk

    \"CM

    Like Punk, Hathaway is able to more than hold his own on the mic, and a war of words between them would have been epic to see.

    On the podcast, Hathaway said that he regrets not getting to chance to work with the former AEW World Champion.

    \”That was one thing I was looking forward to because I was hand-chosen for that role. I\’m just going to say it. I don\’t know the specifics about people choosing sides. I just know that CM Punk said \’hey. I want to work with this guy.\’ That means a lot, regardless of what has happened.\”

    At AEW Full Gear, MJF captured the AEW World Championship from Jon Moxley thanks to a heel turn by William Regal.

    Chris Jericho Told CM Punk he is a Cancer After AEW All Out Fight

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

  • Fans Offering to Donate Kidneys to Konnan Amid Health Struggle

    Professional wrestling legend Konnan has received some good news amid his ongoing health struggles.

    Last year, Konnan suffered a difficult bout with Covid-19 and would require heart surgery in January of this year.

    In February, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Konnan was in need of a new kidney.

    Donation

    Earlier this month, Konnan told listeners of his Keepin It 100 podcast that he is still in search of a donor.

    Speaking on the latest episode of the show, the AAA star gave a positive update, saying that fans have gotten in touch about a donation.

    “I don’t really like to talk about myself or make myself the victim or poor guy or, you know, that’s not me. But something really nice happened, man. I had a lot of candidates say, ‘Hey, I will donate a kidney to you.’ I’m very touched. I haven’t gotten back to anybody yet. But I will. And somebody’s gonna save my life, bro. You know, and that’s a beautiful thing. So it restores my faith in humanity, which I have very little left in it.”

    Konnan added that the stress over his health issues has deprived him of sleep for the past five to six months.

    Konnan in AEW

    In June of last year, Konnan made his debut for All Elite Wrestling, where he was attacked by FTR.

    The segment ended with the popular tag team hitting him with a Piledriver, while Tully Blanchard mocked him.

    Speaking about his appearance later on, Konnan said that one AEW star was shocked to see him, saying that Konnan \”sh*ts on us so much\” on his podcast.

    Konnan Claims AEW Talents Complained To Him About Their Booking

  • Ex-WWE Referee Spent an Hour Teaching Mike Tyson How to Count for WrestleMania 14

    Mike Tyson may be considered one of the greatest boxers to ever grace the ring, but his time as a WWE-sanctioned official leaves a lot to be desired.

    After being suspended from boxing for biting the ear of Evander Holyfield, Tyson joined the World Wrestling Federation in January 1998.

    Tyson aligned himself with D-Generation X, but turned on the group at WrestleMania 14, knocking out Shawn Michaels in the ring.

    The Count

    Despite WWF implying for weeks that Tyson would be competing at WrestleMania, the boxing legend was the ‘special enforcer’ for the main event between Michaels and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.

    Speaking on the latest Mailbag Monday, former WWE referee Mike Chioda revealed that he was tasked with teaching Tyson how to count the pinfall, which was a difficult process.

    “Believe me, I tried to teach him how to count. … He counted so fast, I was like ‘Oh sh*t.’ I must have spent like an hour with him, ‘Here, just 1-2-3.\’”

    Mike Chioda.

    After this lengthy lesson, Tyson would count the pinfall for Austin, but despite all of Chioda’s training, the count is noticeably faster than it should be.

    Tyson’s count would see Austin win his first WWF Championship and cement the ‘Attitude Era’ in professional wrestling.

    Tyson in Pro Wrestling

    In January 2010, Tyson would serve as the guest host of Monday Night Raw, before being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April 2012.

    Tyson was also a playable character as part of downloadable content for WWE ’13.

    In April 2021, Tyson once again served as a special enforcer, this time for AEW, and returned to the promotion for an episode of AEW Rampage earlier this month.

    WWE Champion Approached About Possible Mike Tyson Fight

    h/t – eWrestlingNews

  • The Rock Repays 7-Eleven Store He Stole From in His Youth

    Dwayne \’The Rock\’ Johnson is making amends for some of his past misdeeds, one Snickers bar at a time.

    The Brahma Bull is one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood but did not always have much cash to his name.

    In a video shared on Instagram, The Rock confessed that when he was 14, he would steal a king-sized Snickers bar every day from the same 7-11 store.

    The video shows Johnson buying every Snickers bar in the store while also paying for another customer, totaling over $300.

    The Rock added that he\’s pleased to have made amends after decades.

    \”I finally [exorcized] this damn chocolate demon that\’s been gnawing at me for decades.\”

    The Rock.

    Growing Up Rough

    Despite being the son of famed wrestler Rocky Johnson, life was far from easy for young Dwayne.

    Rock\’s production studio \’Seven Bucks Productions\’ derives its name from the seven dollars Rock had to his name in 1995, following his release from the Canadian Football League.

    Speaking to Muscle and Fitness in 2014, the Great One said he was arrested \”eight or nine times\” in his teens for theft and fighting.

    Johnson\’s unfortunate past and stealing are covered in season 1 of NBC\’s Young Rock.

    Charitable Acts

    With millions (and millions!) of dollars to his name, The Rock doesn\’t shy away from spreading his wealth.

    Last Christmas, the Great One gifted his mother a new car, and also gifted a long-time WWE veteran a vehicle earlier in the year.

    Last month, the People\’s Champion donated $100,000 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

    The Rock Claims He Is The ‘Head Of The Table’

  • AEW Rampage Catching Up to WWE Raw in the Wrong Demographic

    The average age of your standard AEW Rampage viewer has increased dramatically over the last year according to the latest data.

    Rampage, AEW\’s second televised show, launched in August 2021 and provides matches and the continuation of storylines from AEW Dynamite.

    Getting On in Years

    AEW has always prided itself on being an alternative to WWE, but recent data suggests the two companies aren\’t too far apart.

    In data from Wrestlenomics, it has revealed that the average age of an AEW Rampage viewer is in their early 50s, a sharp increase from the average age from October 2021 (mid-late 40s.)

    The average age of a Monday Night Raw viewer is also in their early to mid-50s, and it seems just a year or two separates WWE\’s three-hour show and AEW Rampage.

    AEW Dynamite has also seen an increase in the age of the average viewer, but nowhere close to how dramatic the rise has been for Rampage.

    Both WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown have been able to win over younger fans this year and lower their average audience tuning in each week.

    After an increase in late 2021 following the launch of NXT 2.0, WWE\’s gold brand has seen the average age of their viewer also drop.

    Other Promotions

    AEW\’s average live viewer\’s age is on the increase, while WWE\’s is seemingly falling, but there are plenty more companies around.

    Impact Wrestling saw the average age of its viewers fall in early 2022, but has risen dramatically in recent months.

    New Japan Pro Wrestling currently boasts the oldest age of the average fan tuning in, who are in their mid-60s.

    Watch: AEW Star Unmasks on Rampage

  • Ricky \’The Dragon\’ Steamboat Teams with FTR – Wins First Match in Over a Decade

    WWE Hall of Famer Ricky \’The Dragon\’ Steamboat proved he\’s still got \’it\’ with a win last weekend in his first match in 12 years.

    In September, it was confirmed that Steamboat would be wrestling for the first time as part of the Big Time Wrestling promotion.

    Prior to last weekend, Steamboat\’s most recent bout had been at a June 18, 2010 event for WWE’s then-developmental territory: Florida Championship Wrestling.

    One Last Match

    Competing at the appropriately named Big Time Wrestling Return of the Dragon event, Steamboat teamed with FTR in a six-man tag.

    It had been confirmed before the event that the trio would face Brock Anderson and Jay Lethal as well as a mystery partner.

    That partner was revealed to be Nick Aldis, but the two-time NWA World Champion and his team came up short against Steamboat and FTR.

    When Steamboat hit his signature arm drag, the crowd popped loudly and at one point, Steamboat ran wild with knife-edge chops.

    The finish saw FTR and The Dragon lock in three Figure-Four Leg Locks to get the submission victory.

    More Legends

    The show was built around the return of Ricky Steamboat, but he was far from the only legend to compete.

    On the pre-show, Scott Steiner won a battle royal which also included Tommy Dreamer and Shane Douglas.

    Bret \’Hitman\’ Hart appeared on the show via video to praise Steamboat\’s career, and Teddy Long acted as \”special commissioner\” for the Big Time Wrestling World Championship match between “Dreamcrusher” Danny Miles and “Neon Ninja” Facade.

    When Mr. TA laid claim to inventing the Cobra Clutch, he was on the receiving end of the hold by Sgt. Slaughter, and the Rock \’n Roll Express defeated the Briscoes.

    Ric Flair on Ricky Steamboat’s in-Ring Return: ‘At Any Level, he’s Better Than 50% of Today’s Wrestlers’

  • WWE Planning on Hosting More PLE Post-Show Press Conferences

    Press conferences in wrestling may conjure up images of bitter veteran wrestlers badmouthing other members of their roster, but WWE is confident that won\’t be the case for them.

    This year has seen WWE host several press conferences in an effort to add a sense of realism to their shows.

    The Press Conference

    After last weekend\’s Survivor Series WarGames Premium Live Event, WWE held a post-show press conference to discuss the show.

    The press conference saw a blend of kayfabe and real-life, with Superstars speaking in character about their matches.

    WWE\’s Head of Creative and Head of Talent Relations Triple H fielded questions from the wrestling media and spoke openly about future plans in WWE.

    Fightful Select reports that this press conference, like previous ones, has gone down well backstage, and that WWE is hopeful to hold more in the future.

    WWE hosted a post-show press conference after WWE Clash at the Castle in September of this year, and hosted a press conference for WWE Crown Jewel last month before the show began.

    Triple H and the Media

    With Triple H now running a lot of WWE, it should come as little surprise that the promotion is open to hosting more press conferences.

    The Cerebral Assassin has enjoyed a much more friendly relationship with the media, and hosted pre-show media calls prior to NXT TakeOver events.

    Speaking at last weekend\’s press conference, Triple H discussed the future of the traditional Survivor Series elimination match, given that none of these matches took place at Survivor Series WarGames.

    Controversial Ex-Superstar Worked Backstage at WWE Survivor Series WarGames

  • Controversial Ex-Superstar Worked Backstage at WWE Survivor Series WarGames

    Former WWE Superstar Brian Kendrick is seemingly back with WWE as a producer for the promotion.

    Kendrick first joined WWE in 2002 and has made several returns, the most recent being in 2016 as part of the Cruiserweight Classic.

    In January of the year, Kendrick asked for his release from the promotion, which was granted on February 1.

    Survivor Series WarGames

    Kendrick didn\’t appear on-screen at last weekend\’s WWE Survivor Series WarGames event, but he did have a role backstage.

    Fightful Select reports that Kendrick worked alongside Jason Jordan to produce the SmackDown Women\’s Championship match between Ronda Rousey and Shotzi.

    Prior to his departure from WWE earlier this year, Kendrick had spent close to a year as a backstage producer for the WWE NXT brand.

    After being attacked by Harland, Kendrick \’resigned\’ from his backstage role in order to face the now-AEW star, but the match didn\’t take place due to Kendrick\’s departure.

    Controversy

    The same day as his departure from WWE, it was announced that Kendrick would be making his AEW debut on the February 2, episode, in a match against Jon Moxley.

    Hours after the announcement, the match was canceled due to controversial comments made by the former Cruiserweight Champion in the past.

    Kendrick\’s controversial claims include stating that the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting was staged, and said in 2011 that the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center was faked with the use of holograms.

    Kendrick had also claimed that the number of people killed during the Holocaust had been exaggerated and that gas chambers were used to delouse Jewish victims, rather than kill them.

    Kendrick later apologized for the comments and has worked with Holocaust memorial groups to learn more and try and make amends.

    WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2022 Results, Takeaways: The Bloodline vs. The Brawling Brutes, New Champion

  • \”Terrified\” – Becky Lynch Shares Reaction to Insane WarGames Spot

    Becky Lynch emerged victorious in her first outing inside WarGames, but the match took its toll on The Man.

    Last night\’s Survivor Series WarGames event marked Lynch\’s first match since Summerslam 2022, when she faced Raw Women\’s Champion Bianca Belair.

    Lynch was attacked by Damage CTRL on the Raw after Summerslam and made her TV return on this week\’s SmackDown

    Terrified

    Becky Lynch was the final woman to enter WarGames, as Team Damage CTRL had won the advantage that their entries would be first.

    It was The Man who proved to be the difference maker, as she won the match for her team after a dropkick off the top of the cage onto Dakota Kai and IYO SKY, both of whom were perched on a table.

    Speaking on the Survivor Series WarGames post-show press conference, Lynch shared her reaction to trying the move earlier in the day.

    \”Lads, I was terrified [laughs.] No, I wasn\’t terrified in the moment. I was terrified getting up there in practice today, I climbed up [the cage] as I wanted to see the height of it. And my palms were sweaty, knees weak, arms spaghetti [laughs].

    \”I was terrified getting up there in practice today.\”

    Becky Lynch.

    The former Raw Women\’s Champion explained how things felt much different when she hit the move in front of a passionate Boston crowd at the TD Garden.

    \”When you have the feeling and energy of the crowd, I feel like anything is possible. It\’s the people that let you feel like you\’re a superhero and make you feel like a superhero, so then you become a superhero. And God bless Dakota Kai and IYO SKY, I\’m sure they\’re feeling a lot worse than I am!\”

    Bianca Belair

    The last time fans had seen Becky Lynch before this week, she had been trying to wrestle the Raw Women\’s Championship away from Bianca Belair.

    Speaking on the press conference, Lynch said that she had been in Ireland for her brother\’s 40th birthday, before getting a call from her rival turned friend.

    \”She\’s become a good friend. We started off as bitter enemies. Obviously I came in and used nefarious means to beat her [at Summerslam 2021.] But I\’ve gained so much respect for this woman.\”

    h/t – Wrestling Inc

  • Triple H Gives Update on Future of Survivor Series Elimination Matches

    What is the fate of the traditional Survivor Series elimination match, following the recent Survivor Series WarGames event?

    The traditional elimination match has been a staple of the November Premium Live Event since the first Survivor Series in 1987, and the show was only tag-matches until 1991.

    This week\’s Survivor Series WarGames saw the iconic NWA/WCW match replace the traditional elimination match.

    Not Over

    This year\’s Survivor Series marked the third time in history that the November show has featured zero traditional Survivor Series elimination matches (after 1998 and 2002.)

    On the Survivor Series WarGames post-show, Triple H was asked by Pro Wrestling Illustrated if this year\’s show is a sign that WWE is done with the elimination tag match.

    \”I don\’t think we\’re done with anything. I think that when we look at it together as a whole, it\’s about what\’s best for our fans in the moment, Sometimes stuff needs a break for a while. Sometimes you bring it back later and it\’s iconic. \’Oh my God, they\’re going back to that!\’ To say it\’ll never happen again, I think is wrong.\”

    \”Sometimes stuff needs a break for a while.\”

    Triple H on WWE\’s lack of elimination tag matches at WWE Survivor Series WarGames.

    Group Decision

    Given how iconic the Survivor Series elimination match is, the decision to host no matches with the stipulation could not have been easy.

    On the post-show, Triple H said that this wasn\’t a call he made on his own, but rather a group effort.

    \”I think it was the right year [for a break from Elimination matches.] We all looked at it and decided internally that it was the right year to maybe freshen up the concept a little bit. Either the five-on-five tags and maybe even the straight-out Raw Vs. SmackDown [stipulations] were a bit tired and needed a refresh. So that\’s what we did.\”

    Triple H didn\’t name who else was a factor in the decision-making process regarding scrapping the Survivor Series elimination match type.

    The King of Kings took over as WWE\’s Head of Creative in July, replacing Vince McMahon in the role.

    For the Fans

    Triple H did not confirm that the traditional Survivor Series match-type is done, but did not confirm the future of WarGames either.

    As he explained in the press conference, WWE is taking a wait-and-see approach, which works around the response by fans to the show.

    \”We try it out. We see where it goes. And we see if the fans enjoy it. Because at the end of the day, we\’re just trying to give everyone the best entertainment that we can. So we try things on. If they [the fans] happen to like it, we stick with it. If it needs to tweak [we will.] You\’re constantly evaluating everything you do. You have to. Otherwise, you stagnate and die.\”

    Triple H\’s \’evaluations\’ of WWE since being appointed Head of Creative and Head of Talent have seen several released Superstars be brought back to the promotion.

    WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2022 Results, Takeaways: The Bloodline vs. The Brawling Brutes, New Champion

  • Triple H Has a Strategy to Differentiate Himself from Vince McMahon

    WWE\’s Head of Creative Triple H wants to make it clear that he isn\’t like his father-in-law Vince McMahon.

    The Game was appointed Head of Creative in July of this year, following McMahon\’s shocking resignation and retirement from the promotion.

    Triple H has also been appointed WWE\’s Head of Talent Relations, replacing McMahon confidante John Laurinaitis.

    Different

    So far, Triple H\’s tenure as Head of Creative and Talent has seen several released Superstars return, including Bray Wyatt, Karrion Kross, and Dakota Kai, among others. All of these stars were released under McMahon\’s regime, and Triple H is doing more to set himself apart from his father-in-law. A new report from PWInsider sheds some light on this subject.

    Triple H seeks to differentiate himself from the McMahon regime by giving talent a little more leeway and creative freedom.This new regime is also providing talent with a bit more \”grit\” and allowing for more \”unexpected action.\”

    The Game reportedly has big plans for WWE\’s women\’s division, and has seen the Judgment Day\’s Finn Balor as a \’reclamation project.\’

    Triple H\’s changes to WWE so far, which have included changing rules over certain banned terms, have gone down well with fans for the most part.

    Future Changes

    Triple H is giving Superstars more leeway, and the Head of Creative and Talent has big plans for the future.

    It has been reported that WWE will be scrapping stipulation Premium Live Events, in favor of more traditionally-themed shows.

    WWE has already removed WWE TLC, which is traditionally scheduled to air each December.

    It has been said that the annual Hell in a Cell Premium Live Event is \”completely dead.\”

    Despite recent rumors, there have been no plans yet for WWE to scrap the popular Money in the Bank event.

    100 Days On: Triple H’s WWE is What is Best for Business

  • Best Tweets from WWE Superstars Going into Survivor Series: WarGames

    WWE Survivor Series 2023 is just hours away, and this year\’s show will feature a huge twist.

    For the first time in history, the iconic WarGames stipulation will be used on WWE\’s main roster, after being used in recent years in NXT.

    Tonight\’s show will see a stacked card for the fans in Boston, and the WWE Superstars have been busy on social media making their views clear.

    After last night\’s SmackDown, Drew McIntyre poked fun at the Bloodline, using the group\’s catchphrase ahead of WarGames.

    Paul Heyman won\’t be entering WarGames with the rest of the Bloodline, but the Special Counsel has been strategizing with his team.

    Bianca Belair was delighted with Becky Lynch being revealed as the final woman for her team in the Women\’s WarGames match.

    Not to be outdone, Asuka shared her plans for WarGames in a way fans of the Empress on social media should be used to.

    https://twitter.com/WWEAsuka/status/1593813069561331712

    Dakota Kai, who\’ll be on Team Damage CTRL was quick to remind fans of her experience with WarGames.

    Bobby Lashley is ready to add a fourth United States Championship reign to his resume ahead of his Triple threat match with Seth Rollins and Austin Theory.

    Perhaps Austin Theory\’s new, more serious attitude after losing Money in the Bank will see the youngest U.S. Champion in history regain the gold.

    The Judgment Day\’s Finn Balor is ready to finish his war with AJ Styles and the O.C. for good tonight when the two meet in singles action.

    WWE Survivor Series will take place tonight, at the TD Garden in Boston, MA, and will be streamed on the WWE Network and Peacock.

    WWE Survivor Series WarGames 2022 Results, Takeaways: The Bloodline vs. The Brawling Brutes, New Champion

  • \”I Couldn\’t Breathe\” – Colt Cabana Says He Nearly Died After AEW Dynamite Match

    Colt Cabana\’s return to AEW Dynamite was a heartwarming moment but nearly turned tragic after the bout.

    Cabana returned to Dynamite on the November 2, episode to challenge Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho in a losing effort.

    The match marked Colt\’s first televised AEW match in close to a year, as fans (and many in AEW) suspects that CM Punk pressured Tony Khan to remove Cabana from TV.

    Compression Socks

    With this being such an important match in his career, Cabana wanted to be at his best for the match, but problems arose before the match got started.

    On his Art of Wrestling podcast, Colt explained how his usual wrestling socks went missing, and in a rush, he brought compression socks to wear for the match.

    \”I put on my compression socks, my kneepads, and my boots. And what I don’t realize is that I have essentially made a tourniquet in the bottom half of my body. Essentially what I did was restrict everything. I remember vividly thinking, ‘I can’t feel my legs. I guess it’s just the nerves.\’\”

    Cabana added that with the compression socks, wrestling boots, and kneepads cutting off flow to his legs, he was dealing with high blood pressure and low oxygen for most of the match.

    Backstage

    Cabana would be unsuccessful in dethroning Jericho but was grateful that the match did not go any longer than it needed.

    Speaking on the podcast, Cabana said that after the match, he felt his body go rigid and that at first, nobody knew what was going on.

    \”I could not move. And as I made my way back to the trainer’s room asking for electrolytes and the trainer being like, ‘We’re not sure what’s going on.’ And me just saying, ‘I gotta get this stuff off of me, I feel so compacted.’ And I ripped my singlet off and it still didn’t feel like enough. And I couldn’t breathe, I felt lightheaded, and I had a headache and my head was pounding.\”

    \”I couldn’t breathe, I felt lightheaded, and I had a headache and my head was pounding.\”

    Colt Cabana.

    Fixing Things

    Nobody knew what exactly was going on with Cabana, and unable to move, Colt had to ask the trainers to remove his ring attire.

    The ROH star admitted he felt like a \”schmuck\” for asking for help being undressed, and it was only thanks to a passing reference to the socks that AEW\’s medical team learned what was wrong.

    \”I say, ‘You know, I bought these compression socks last night.’ And then the eyes of the trainers are just like, ‘What?’ As I was asked to lay back for the next two hours while ice was put all over my body, I was educated as to why you should not professionally wrestle in front of 10,000 people and almost a million people at home in compression socks.”

    Cabana\’s return on AEW Dynamite was meant to be a \’morale booster\’ to the locker room but has reportedly made things worse between Khan and CM Punk.

    Colt Cabana Allegedly Feared He’d Lose AEW Job After CM Punk Joined

    h/t – 411 Mania

  • Here\’s How You Can Buy WWE\’s First Logan Paul Action Figure

    Logan Paul has wowed WWE fans with his in-ring ability, and now the YouTuber-turned-Superstar has his very first action figure.

    Paul made his in-ring debut in April, teaming with The Miz at WrestleMania 38, but was betrayed by the A-Lister after defeating the Mysterios.

    At Summerslam, Paul got payback on The Miz, and at Crown Jewel, unsuccessfully challenged Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.

    First Figure

    The Maverick took to his Instagram and uploaded a few photos of his own action figure from Mattel.

    The Ultimate Edition figure comes with Paul\’s black and yellow attire, entrance jacket, and three heads with different expressions.

    The figure makes use of TrueFX facial detailing and boasts over 30 points of articulation, including an ab-crunch torso, butterfly joints, double-jointed arms, knees, and articulated toes.

    Paul first teased his figure back in September of this year, tweeting a photo from Mattel\’s offices.

    The figure isn\’t on the shelves just yet but can be pre-ordered from Mattel for the price of $45.00.

    Logan Paul\’s Recovery

    For the time being, this figure will be the only way fans will get to see Logan Paul in a ring, as he is recovering from a torn MCL suffered at Crown Jewel.

    It was first believed that Paul would have to miss six months of action, which would have forced the Maverick to skip WrestleMania 39.

    In an update on his most recent vlog, Paul said that he was informed that he\’ll need at least six weeks to be fully healed, meaning he could be wrestling again as soon as January.

    Logan Paul on a Tag Team With Jake Paul in WWE: “That Would be Amazing”