SEScoops

Author: Thomas Lowson

  • Top WWE NXT Star Could be a Free Agent Soon

    Last month, it was reported that Io Shirai is dealing with an injury, after being out of action for quite some time.

    Shirai\’s last match was back at NXT Stand and Deliver in April 2022, where she came up short against NXT Women\’s Champion Mandy Rose.

    That match also included Cora Jade and Kay Lee Ray, but this may also be the last time fans see Shirai in a WWE ring.

    Is Shirai leaving WWE?

    In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it\’s reported that Shirai is yet to sign a new contract with WWE.

    If she does not re-sign, the former NXT Women\’s Champion will finish with WWE next month and will leave without a non-compete clause.

    Shirai has reportedly told those close to her in Japan that she will return to her homeland if she does not re-sign with WWE.

    The 32-year-old wrestler wishes to spend more time with her family according to the report by the Observer.

    Shirai in WWE

    In October 2016, Shirai (alongside KAIRI) were contacted by WWE and offered contracts, which the former accepted in May 2017.

    Unfortunately, WWE rescinded the deal the same day Io accepted, as WWE doctors suggested the company pass on signing her due to a neck injury.

    In May 2018, Shirai was once again in discussions with WWE, who signed her to a deal, with June 2018 marking her debut.

    Since coming to the company, Shirai has captured the NXT Women\’s Championship and NXT Women\’s Tag Team Champion alongside Zoey Stark.

    She is also a Women\’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Classic winner (with Kay Lee Ray) and three-time NXT Year-End Award winner.

    Io Shirai Out Of Action With An Injury

  • WWE Superstars are Making Sure not to Mention Sasha Banks

    It\’s been over a month since Sasha Banks and Naomi walked out of WWE and the company has distanced itself from the pair ever since.

    Days after the walkout during the May 16, Raw, WWE suspended the two, stripped them of the WWE Women\’s Tag Team Championships, and pulled them from promotional materials.

    It has been reported that Banks has been released by WWE, though there is no confirmation yet, but fans won\’t be hearing her name \”The Boss\’\” name no matter what.

    Bianca\’s Awkward Interview

    Speaking on Sports Illustrated’s Laces Up, Bianca Belair discussed her career so far in WWE and made a deliberate attempt to avoid bringing up Banks (via Bodyslam.)

     \”I had the main event of WrestleMania with with, uhh…. at WrestleMania 37. I was the first black woman to main event WrestleMania that night.\”

    Bianca Belair avoids using Sasha Banks\’ name.

    While Belair did indeed main event Night One of WrestleMania 37, she did so alongside Banks.

    Banks walked into the show as SmackDown Women\’s Champion and lost the title to Belair, marking \”The EST\’s\” first championship in WWE.

    The Walkout

    Banks and Naomi were branded \”unprofessional\” by WWE for walking out due to a creative difference between the two sides.

    WWE had planned on Naomi winning a number one contenders match for the Raw Women\’s Championship, and had planned on Banks entering a program with SmackDown Women\’s Champion Ronda Rousey.

    Given that it was likely that both Banks and Naomi would lose their feuds, and feeling that this would diminish the importance of their WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champions, the pair walked out of the show, and haven\’t been seen since.

    WWE Censors Sasha Banks Fan Sign on SmackDown

  • Jeff Hardy Pleads Not Guilty To DUI Arrest Charge

    Last month, Jeff Hardy was arrested and leveled with several charges, including driving under the influence and driving with an invalid license.

    This marks Hardy\’s third arrest within a decade due to driving under the influence, and many have questioned what can be done with the popular but problematic wrestler.

    The evening before his arrest, Hardy had spent it at the SlamDown VII convention in Orlando, FL and there has now been a major update in the case.

    Not Guilty Plea

    According to PWInsider, Hardy filed a written plea on June 28, insisting that he is not guilty.

    If convicted of the DUI charge, a felony in the state of Florida, he could face up to five years in prison for his actions.

    Hardy\’s blood-alcohol level was over three times the legal limit and at one point, officers had to pull their firearms on the AEW star to get him to comply.

    The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion\’s next big day will be on July 5 when he is scheduled to be arraigned.

    Hardy\’s last chance

    This is Hardy\’s first run-in with the law as an AEW wrestler, and if Tony Khan has his way, it will also be the last.

    Khan has made it clear that this is Jeff\’s last chance and is likely to release him should he have another arrest while under contract.

    It was reported last month that Jeff has entered a rehab facility which he began on June 21.

    Matt Hardy Breaks Silence On Jeff Hardy’s DUI Arrest

  • Top Free Agent Will be in Chicago this Sunday

    AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door is happening this Sunday, but the show will have to go on ahead without some major names.

    AEW World Champion CM Punk, Kenny Omega and Bryan Danielson are all off the show due to a series of injuries that have derailed some of Tony Khan\’s plans.

    In the case of Danielson, there will be a replacement for his match against Zack Sabre Jr., though AEW has yet to reveal who that will be.

    Gargano in Chicago

    One name that fans would love to see replace Danielson is Johnny Gargano, who will be in the area this weekend.

    On Twitter, the former NXT Champion announced earlier today that he will be attending The Chicago Card Show in the Windy City this Sunday, the same city where Forbidden Door will take place.

    Unsurprisingly, this got fans speculating that he will be the one to face Sabre Jr. though Gargano tried to dispel these ideas.

    In a follow-up tweet, he said that the timings were \”ridiculously coincidental\” and that he\’ll only be in Chicago for eight hours.

    Gargano did admit that he estimates five percent of people will believe that he isn\’t showing up at Forbidden Door, and joked that this is what he wants people to believe.

    Other Options

    Gargano may (or may not) be appearing this Sunday, but there is one other option fans are considering.

    Claudio Castignoli, aka Cesaro, hasn\’t wrestled since his departure from WWE earlier this year and doesn\’t have a non-compete clause to his name.

    Some have speculated that given William Regal\’s connection to the Blackpool Combat Club, that Cesaro (Regal\’s final opponent) will be the one who answers the call.

    Johnny Gargano Reveals Original Creative Plans for The Way in WWE NXT

  • MLW Battle Riot IV: FUSION TV Taping Preview

    Tonight will see Major League Wrestling\’s fourth Battle Riot event, which will take place at the Melrose Ballroom, in New York City, New York.

    The event will also see a taping of the promotion\’s FUSION show with several huge matches announced.

    The Battle Riot

    The literal biggest match of the night will be the titular MLW Battle Riot match.

    Like the WWE Royal Rumble, the match will see new competitors enter every 60 seconds, until all 40 participants have entered the match.

    Names announced for the match include

    • Jacob Fatu
    • Killer Kross
    • Davey Richards
    • Real 1
    • Mads Krugger
    • Lince Dorado
    • EJ Nduka
    • Calvin Tankman
    • Alex Kane
    • Marshall Von Erich
    • Ross Von Erich
    • Matt Cross
    • Myron Reed
    • La Estrella of Dragon Gate
    • Lance Anoa\’i
    • Little Guido
    • Juicy Finau
    • Ace Romero
    • KC Navarro
    • Mini Abismo Negro

    The winner will earn a guaranteed shot at the MLW World Heavyweight Championship at any time of their choosing for up to one year.

    The Smokeshow\’s Debut

    \"MLW
    Scarlett Bordeaux will make her debut for MLW following her release from WWE last year.

    After her release from WWE last year, Scarlett Bordeaux will be making her debut for MLW\’s Featherweight Division.

    Bordeaux will face off against Clara Carreras in the former\’s debut for the promotion.

    Championships on the Line

    \"MLW
    Myron Reed\’s World Middleweight Championship is just one of multiple titles being defended tonight.

    There\’ll be plenty of titles on the line tonight, as MLW Featherweight World Champion Taya Valkyrie will make her first defense on the show, against Brittany Blake.

    MLW National Openweight Champion Alex Kane (with Mr. Thomas) will defend against Davey Richards.

    World Middleweight Champion Myron Reed will put his title on the line against La Estrella, Arez, and Lince Dorado.

    MLW World Heavyweight Champion Alex Hammerstone was scheduled to defend against Bandido, but with the latter injured, it\’s unclear what plans there are for the champ.

    Other Matches

    \"MLW

    In addition to being in the Battle Riot, Killer Kross will face Matt Cross, while Real-1 (Enzo Amore) will take on Jacob Fatu.

    The Von Erichs will face the Samoan Swat Team in tag-team action.

    Tickets for the show can still be bought here.

    Ex-Ring of Honor World Champion Out With an Injury

  • AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door 2022 Final Match Card

    This Sunday, All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling will team to put on Forbidden Door 2022 at the United Center, in Chicago, Illinois.

    The event will be the first crossover show of this magnitude for both promotions, and Tony Khan has said he has plans for future Forbidden Door shows.

    Final Match Card

    With this week\’s AEW Dynamite and Rampage being taped, here is the final match card for the highly-anticipated show.

    • Interim AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
    • IWGP Heavyweight Championship: Jay White (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada vs. Adam Cole vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
    • AEW Women’s World Championship: Thunder Rosa (c) vs. Toni Storm
    • AEW All-Atlantic Championship: PAC vs. Miro vs. Tomohiro Ishii vs. Malakai Black
    • IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Orange Cassidy
    • ROH & IWGP Tag Team Championship: FTR vs. United Empire vs. Roppongi Vice
    • Zack Sabre Jr. vs Replacement for Bryan Danielson
    • Bullet Club (Young Bucks, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo) vs. Dudes with Attitudes (Sting, Darby Allin, Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi)
    • Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Minoru Suzuki v. Eddie Kingston, Wheeler Yuta, Shota Umino
    • Gunn Club & Max Caster vs. NJPW Dojo (Buy-In Show)

    Notable Absences

    While Forbidden Door will be a stacked show, featuring major stars from both promotions it will go ahead without some top names.

    AEW World Champion CM Punk is out of action, with no timeline for when he will be back, and Bryan Danielson confirmed on this week\’s Dynamite that he is not medically cleared to compete.

    Kenny Omega is still recovering from multiple injuries, that have kept him out since November 2021.

  • John Cena Reaches New Milestone with Make-A-Wish

    John Cena will return to WWE on next week\’s Monday Night Raw, marking 20 years since his debut on the main roster.

    On the June 27, 2002, edition of SmackDown, Cena answered Kurt Angle\’s open challenge, ushering in an era of \’Ruthless Aggression.\’

    Cena has become one of WWE\’s most decorated champions of all time, but his actions outside of the ring should also be commended.

    Cena\’s Record-Breaking Wish

    One of Cena\’s biggest contributions outside of the ring is his work with the Make-A-Wish foundation, making dreams come true for children facing life-threatening battles or terminal diseases.

    Now, Cena has reached a milestone 650th wish and holds the record for the most wishes by far.

    While fellow wrestler Hulk Hogan has granted an impressive 200 wishes, no one has passed 300 other than \”Big Match John.\”

    WWE themselves shared news of Cena\’s latest wish with a tweet.

    Cena\’s first Wish

    While Cena has become a powerhouse of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, his first wish did not go exactly as the 16-time WWE World Champion had hoped.

    Speaking to People, Cena said how he granted his very first wish in 2002, mere months after his debut on SmackDown.

    Cena explained how he had not been requested, as the young fan wanted to meet another Superstar who was unavailable.

    \”We’re shuttled in and [I] said my hellos and took my pictures and then left. And they’re like, ‘Thank you, Make-A-Wish thanks you.’ I was like, ‘What is Make-A-Wish.\”

    After learning about Make-A-Wish, Cena vowed to always be around if a wish needed to be granted.

    Update on WWE’s Plans for John Cena at SummerSlam

  • Dewey Foley Parts Ways with WWE

    WWE is full of writers and members of the creative team, who are tasked each week with coming up with new stories for the shows.

    The Company\’s creative team are often criticized by fans for the storylines we see on TV, but will now have to operate without one notable name.

    Dewey Leaves

    PW Insider were the first to report that Foley has parted ways with WWE.

    It\’s reported that while many have been released by WWE due to budget cuts, Foley chose to leave the promotion.

    One source claimed that Foley left in April though that has not been confirmed at this time.

    Dewey in WWE

    Dewey Foley\’s first WWE appearance came all the way back in 1999, when he and the Foley family watched at ringside for Mick\’s I-Quit match with The Rock at that year\’s Royal Rumble.

    Before joining the WWE, Foley proved his credentials by posting writing samples on CreativeWWE.wordpress.com containing a lot of storyline ideas for the company.

    In 2015, Dewey signed with WWE and served initially as a writing assistant, before becoming a fully-fledged part of WWE creative.

    In August 2020, it was reported that Foley, alongside Adam Pearce was now running 205 Live, with the Wrestling Observer Newsletter describing the pair as \”the key creative forces\” behind the Cruiserweight division.

    Foley occasionally played the role of Mr. Bootyworth in segments featuring the New Day.

    Mick Foley’s Son Involved In WWE SmackDown Angle, The Rock Hypes His Latest Book

  • Ex-Ring of Honor World Champion Out With an Injury

    Fans of former Ring of Honor World Champion Bandido won\’t be seeing much of him, as he\’s currently dealing with some kind of injury.

    Bandido was advertised for a WrestleRex event set to go down in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 30, but has now been pulled from the event.

    The promotion confirmed that Bandido is dealing with some kind of injury, but did not specify what has happened to the wrestler.

    It isn\’t known who Bandido was scheduled to face at the event, but he has been replaced by former WWE Superstar Lince Dorado.

    The Injury

    Bandido hasn\’t confirmed when exactly the injury took place, but the current belief is that it happened at the recent AAA TripleMania event.

    On the show, Bandido faced Rey Fenix, Black Taurus, Laredo Kid and El Hijo Del Vikingo in a match for both the AAA World Cruiserweight and Latin American Championships.

    During the match, Bandido landed badly on his head and was stretchered out.

    He later stated on Instagram that his neck was not fractured though added that he did need to rest.

    Fenix would win the match and both titles.

    Future Plans

    At tomorrow\’s Battle Riot IV event in New York, Bandido had been scheduled to face MLW World Champion Alex Hammerstone.

    However, given this injury, it is unlikely that Bandido will make it to the match.

    At this moment, no timeline has been given as to when Bandido will be fully healed and back in the ring.

    Bandido Breaks Silence On No-Showing GCW Event

  • Ric Flair Loses it After AEW Star No-Shows his Podcast

    Next month, Ric Flair will have his last ever match, bringing his incredible in-ring career to its final end.

    Flair has been training with AEW\’s very own Jay Lethal ahead of his last match, and fans may remember their infamous interactions in TNA Wrestling many years ago.

    Given that the pair are training together, you\’d naturally assume the duo is close, but things got tense this week.

    Lethal No Shows

    Lethal was scheduled to appear on Ric Flair’s podcast this week but didn\’t appear in any capacity.

    In his response, Flair went on the show to claim that Lethal has an \”attitude,\” which has caused friction between them (via WrestlingNews.co.)

    “Is he gonna hear this, if I say it? I don’t care. He’s got an attitude. He wants to be part of the show. And I said it ain’t gonna happen. You know how that happens all of a sudden and everybody’s feelings are hurt. You know, this is what we discussed, some people’s feelings are gonna be hurt.

    \”I’m not saying anything bad. I don’t have the authority, even though [I am a] co-owner of this venture. I don’t have the authority to put him on the card. So I think he’s upset about that, but he’ll get over it.

    \”They can block this out but you can’t make chicken salad out of chicken sh*t.\”

    Ric Flair, on Jay Lethal no-showing his podcast.

    Lethal hasn\’t responded publicly to Flair\’s comments at this time.

    Ric Flair’s Last Match Moved to a Much Larger Venue

  • AEW is Trying to Find the Best Home for Canadian Debut

    In the three years since being founded, AEW has proven to be a hit with wrestling fans around the world.

    AEW content is aired in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, but has so far only hosted shows in the United States.

    Fans around the world have been clamoring for AEW to bring their unique brand of programming to their countries, and now audiences in Canada are one step closer to watching AEW live and in person.

    AEW in Canada

    While speaking to The Star in Canada, Tony Khan addressed plans for one of his promotions to travel to the Great White North (via nodq.com.)

    “We’re all back on the road this past year and we’ve been all over America, but I do look forward to bringing an AEW live events to Canada soon. I think we have a chance to really build a strong presence, not only what we’ve established on television with TSN, but also with live events for the fans.”

    Khan also praised Canada for being the home of some of AEW\’s wrestlers, including Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, Christian Cage and Kyle O\’Reilly.

    \”We have a lot of great Canadian wrestlers and I’m excited about the possibility of our live events here because we’ve had great success on TV here.\”

    Tony Khan.

    While Khan said that Toronto is his current favorite to host AEW\’s debut event in Canada, he also mentioned Winnipeg, Calgary, and Vancouver for future events.

    Cody Talks The Success Of TNT Title, Teases Canadian Version

  • Is Seth Rollins Actually Better than Roman Reigns?

    Everyone wants to be the best at what they do, and professional wrestling is no exception.

    In WWE today, it\’s safe to consider Roman Reigns the biggest Superstar of the current era, as the \”Head of the Table\” is now in his 661st day as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.

    Reigns has dominated WWE since his heel turn and title win in August 2020, but Seth Rollins believes he has a leg-up on the Champ.

    Rollins\’ Comment

    This week, the New York Post published an article, saying that Rollins is on an all-time run in WWE.

    The article said that Rollins\’ current run may be better than the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.

    Responding, Rollins told the NYP to drop the maybe, assuring that he is definitively better than the \”Tribal Chief.

    Reigns Vs. Rollins. Who is Better?

    Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns have had their careers compared for years, thanks in part to their simultaneous debuts at Survivor Series 2012.

    In terms of metrics, Reigns has a clear advantage, being taller, bigger, and with more World Championships to his name.

    However, Rollins is often considered the better wrestler between the two given the multiple styles he can bring to the ring.

    Rollins is considered by many to be the more popular of the two, given that Reigns was hated by fans for much of his tenure as a babyface.

    \”The Architect\” also has some accolades Reigns does not have, including two tenures as Intercontinental Champion, as well as being a former Mr. Money in the Bank.

    Rollins is also the only person to hold a PLE victory over Reigns since the latter\’s heel turn, albeit via disqualification at the 2022 Royal Rumble.

    With that said, it\’s clear which name WWE considers to be a bigger star, as while Rollins competes each week, Reigns\’ appearances are becoming rarer and treated as a much bigger deal.

  • Naomi to Make Return to TV, but Not for WWE

    Naomi hasn\’t been seen on WWE TV since her now-infamous walkout during the May 16, 2022 episode of Raw.

    \”The Glow\” alongside Sasha Banks walked out due to a creative difference with the planned main event, which would have seen Naomi earn a shot at the Raw Women\’s Title.

    The duo, then the WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champions, believed the match would lessen the importance of their titles, and while Naomi hasn\’t been seen since, she will soon be back on TV.

    Naomi\’s Appearance

    On Twitter, the fan-run account @NaomiWWENews announced that the former SmackDown Women\’s Champion will feature on an episode of the upcoming season of Celebrity Game Face, hosted by Kevin Hart.

    Naomi herself would go on to confirm the news by retweeting this tweet though there is no word on when the episode will air.

    More Guests

    After over a month off TV, Naomi\’s appearance will be a huge deal for WWE fans, but she won\’t be the only WWE names around.

    Eonline.com reports that WWE Hall of Famers The Bella Twins will also be appearing on the third season of Celebrity Game Face.

    The Miz has previously appeared on the show.

    Naomi is Spreading Positive Vibes During WWE Suspension

  • Good News for Vince McMahon as lengthy Lawsuit Ends

    Vince McMahon has had a difficult time as of late, as the ex-WWE CEO is under investigation.

    In addition to the investigation into an alleged affair with a paralegal, McMahon\’s company is also being investigated by multiple law firms for alleged violations to their shareholders.

    In just one week, McMahon has gone from the unquestionable head of WWE to stepping down as CEO and under investigation, but there is some good news for the billionaire promoter.

    McMahon and Luck Settle

    PW Insider reports that McMahon and former XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck have settled their lawsuit out of court.

    This settlement comes weeks before the two sides were set to go to trial on July 7, in Connecticut.

    In a statement to Brandon Thurston, an attorney for Luck said the decision had been amicable, and both sides wished the other the best in future endeavors.

    The Lawsuit

    Luck initiated his lawsuit against McMahon and Alpha Entertainment in 2020, shortly after the premature end of the XFL\’s second incarnation.

    The suit claimed that Luck\’s contract guaranteed him full pay, an estimated worth of $25 million over five years if his contract was terminated without cause.

    Luck claimed he was owed $23.8 million remaining on his deal, other damages, plus his attorney fees.

    McMahon\’s legal team later responded that Luck had been negligent in his duties as XFL commissioner, giving the league cause to terminate him.

    McMahon’s counter-claim focused on Luck’s signing of wide receiver Antonio Callaway, whose 2018 legal issues violated the league’s mandate to not sign players with any off-the-field issues.

    The Rock & Investor Group Purchase The XFL for $15 Million

  • Booker T has \”Nothing but Love\” for Adam Cole After \’Body Shaming\’ Comments

    Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently made some comments about Adam Cole that didn\’t go down well.

    Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast recently, Booker said how \”we gotta get more weight on Adam Cole\” and said the former NXT Champion\’s frame was a factor behind injuries in his career.

    Many fans on social media called out Booker as “body shaming” the leader of The Undisputed Elite and Renee Paquette seemingly reacted to Booker\’s statement with a tweet.

    Clarifying his comments

    While speaking with Brad Gilmore, Booker clarified his comments about Cole, saying that he doesn\’t want to come across as obtusely critical of the AEW star or AEW as a whole (via Wrestling Inc.)

    “People want to make it seem like I’m hating on an AEW guy – I’m not. If I didn’t like Adam Cole, I wouldn’t be saying that we need to get some muscle on him. I’d be saying a whole lot worse than that.”

    Booker T.

    In a tweet of his own, Booker said that his initial comments had been taken out of context.

    Is Cole injury-prone?

    In late, it was reported that Adam Cole was dealing with a shoulder injury, which would force him out of a match for AEW.

    Cole had been scheduled to compete in a tag match on the June 1, Dynamite, but was pulled, and Jeff Hardy was pulled from the opposing team to balance things out.

    It was later reported that AEW was hopeful that Cole will be healed up to compete by this weekend\’s Forbidden Door event.

  • WWE in Trouble With ANOTHER Investigation

    WWE has certainly had a difficult time over the past week with multiple investigations taking place throughout the company.

    Last week, it was announced that Vince McMahon is under investigation over an alleged affair and $3 million \’hush money\’ payout, an investigation that has seen McMahon step down as WWE CEO.

    Not long after, it was reported that the law firm Scott+Scott would be investigating members of the company’s management to determine if they’ve breached their duties to the company and its shareholders.

    Another Investigation

    As if having the Chairman and several high-profile names being investigated wasn\’t bad enough, WWE is now facing another investigation.

    The Schall Law Firm have announced that they are investigating claims on behalf of the company\’s investors, alleging that there have been violations of the securities law.

    The investigation will focus on whether WWE made false or misleading statements important to investors, or did not inform investors on matters that they should have been told about.

    A statement by the law firm suggests that by not informing investors about the investigation into McMahon (and John Laurinaitis,) WWE kept vital information that would have been important to investors.

    Any shareholders who have suffered a loss due to WWE have been asked to get in contact with the firm.

    McMahon\’s next move

    On SmackDown, Vince McMahon made his first public appearance since stepping down as WWE CEO but did not address the ongoing investigation.

    Instead, McMahon stressed the \’Together\’ part of WWE\’s tagline \’Then. Now. Forever. Together,\’ and welcomed fans to the show.

    McMahon has vowed to respect the result of the investigation, no matter the outcome, though many believe that he will survive the investigation into the alleged affair.

    Vince McMahon’s SmackDown Promo Described As ‘Tone Deaf And Embarrassing’

  • Internal Plans for WWE Raw Tonight

    Tonight\’s edition of WWE Monday Night Raw will air from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska, and will see the company continue on the road to Money in the Bank.

    The first Raw of the Stephanie McMahon era will certainly be an interesting night for fans, and there\’s plenty happening behind the scenes this week.

    What\’s in store?

    One of the major selling points of tonight\’s show is the return of Elias, who is set to appear alongside his \’brother\’ Ezekiel.

    Fightful Select reports that WWE is all-in on the return of the 24/7 Champion, who will have a guitar-smashing segment as part of his concert alongside his brother tonight, according to an internal listing.

    The report adds that an edition of Miz TV is also planned for tonight\’s show, but there\’s no word on who the two-time WWE Grand Slam Champion will have as his guest.

    One name who could be speaking to The Miz is Riddle, who after losing his WWE Undisputed Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns on SmackDown, is booked to appear tonight.

    WWE United States Champion Theory will continue his posing gimmick that began last week after he faced Bobby Lashley in a pose down.

    It has been confirmed by WWE that Asuka will face Becky Lynch with the winner earning a spot in the Women\’s Money in the Bank Ladder match on July 2.

    Alexa Bliss, Carmella, MVP, The Street Profits, and Bobby Lashley have also all been booked for tonight\’s show. 

    Wrestletix reported last night that 5,584 tickets out of a possible 5,990 had been sold for tonight’s show, meaning there were little over 400 seats left at the time of their report.

  • Ronda Rousey & Natalya Talk OnlyFans & Conspiracy Theories in Twitter Feud

    WWE SmackDown Women\’s Champion Ronda Rousey will defend her title against Natalya at Money in the Bank on July 2.

    Natalya earned a shot at the \”Baddest Woman on the Planet\” a few weeks ago on SmackDown, and the pair aren\’t backing down in their build towards WWE\’s next Premium Live Event.

    Rousey and Natalya\’s War of Words

    On Twitter, Rousey kicked things off with a tweet referencing Natalya\’s sister Jenni, who has an account on OnlyFans.

    Speaking about the Neidhart sister\’s Youtube channel \’The Neidharts\’ Rousey described the channel as a \”discount onlyfans sister fetish youtube channel\” calling it \”weird and embarrassing.\”

    The channel, which began in January 2020 currently boasts over 78,000 subscribers and over 5 million views.

    Many of the videos show the incredibly close relationship between the Neidharts, who often share a bed, kiss, or try and expose one another as part of their content.

    Natalya fired back with a tweet of her own, saying she would rather make videos with her attractive sister than discussing “conspiracy theories” that are “weird.\”

    You can check out both tweets below.

    Rousey\’s Conspiracy Theory

    Natalya didn\’t address any conspiracy theories specifically, but Rousey\’s name is linked to one in particular.

    In December 2012, a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School led to the deaths of 20 children and six staff members in one of the worst mass shootings in the United States of the past decade.

    Some have claimed that the shooting was staged, and in 2013, Rousey (then with UFC) shared a video claiming the shooting was not real and called the video \”extremely interesting, and must-watch.\”

    Deleting her first tweet, Rousey followed up saying \”Asking questions and doing research is more patriotic than blindly accepting what you’re told,\” before later apologizing for promoting the baseless conspiracy theory.

    Ronda Rousey’s Opinion of WWE Locker Room is Wild

  • WWE Raw Superstars Annoyed by Waiting Times Between Matches

    Each week, WWE Superstars appear on hours of programming which is aired around the world across various continents.

    To keep producing WWE TV content, the company needs to work smoothly with its production team, who decides what airs and at what time in the shows.

    Lately though, a new trend has begun emerging on TV, one that has left the roster furious.

    An Unhappy Roster

    According to Fightful Select, a lot of the Raw Superstars are unhappy with having to wait around for long periods of time before their matches begin.

    Between commercials, video packages, recaps of earlier segments, and interviews, the waiting time after an entrance now regularly exceeds ten minutes.

    Superstars who have complained to WWE\’s higher-ups about the waiting time have been told that the TV show’s format “was what it was” and that these segments “improve the show flow\” for fans watching at home.

    One anonymous Superstar who was asked what they do during this wait said they \”talk to the crowd, dance and get annoyed that I\’m waiting that long.\”

    Liv\’s 19-Minute Wait

    One example of WWE Superstars having to wait far too long took place ahead of the main event of the May 30, edition of Raw.

    On the show, Liv Morgan had her entrance ahead of a match with her former Tag-Team partner Rhea Ripley, but the two didn\’t lock up for nearly 20 minutes.

    Superstars have reportedly seen this as a particularly egregious waiting time for Morgan, who would go on to defeat Ripley.

  • Alexa Bliss has \”Fun\” Future Goal Outside of the Ring

    Since debuting in WWE, Alexa Bliss has proven herself to be a formidable contender in the ring.

    One of a small handful of women to have held the Raw Women\’s Title, SmackDown Women\’s Title, and WWE Women\’s Tag Team Titles, Bliss is also a former Ms. Money in the Bank.

    Bliss has accomplished much more than others in WWE, but the Raw Superstar has plans outside of the ring.

    Bliss\’ new career goal

    On Twitter, Bliss expressed her desire to voice an animated character saying that it would be \”so much fun.\”

    Bliss earned a ton of responses, with many calling on her to try and get a role in a Disney or Pixar movie.

    Another suggested Bliss voice DC Comics character Harley Quinn, who Bliss used as inspiration for her Backlash 2016 ring-attire.

    At least one person suggested that the Raw Superstar obtain her release from WWE in order to be able to control what kind of roles she can go for.

    Bliss outside of the Ring

    Alexa Bliss may be best known for her role as a WWE Superstar, but a career away from wrestling isn\’t too far-fetched.

    In 2017, Bliss joined E!\’s Total Divas and has made regular appearances on Xavier Woods\’ UpUpDownDown YouTube channel, under the name Miss Bliss.

    In early 2020, Bliss appeared in a music video for Bowling for Soup, her favorite band, which made a song dedicated to and named after her.

    A year later, Bliss would appear alongside Charlotte Flair on an episode of Punky Brewster.

    Alexa Bliss Responds to Rumors of Possible Tag Team with Liv Morgan

  • Matt Hardy Names AEW Star with the Potential of The Rock & Hulk Hogan

    When you think of wrestling\’s biggest ever stars, two names likely to come to mind are The Rock and Hogan.

    The Rock has transcended wrestling to become a leading man in Hollywood, while Hogan, for good or bad, is still known around the world.

    Almost every wrestler wants to reach the same kind of heights as the \”Brahma Bull or \”The Hulkster,\” but there\’s one name who could have the potential to be the next breakout star.

    The next Rock and Hogan

    Hardy has seen plenty of big names come and go throughout his decades in the wrestling industry and right now, he\’s particularly high on AEW\’s Wardlow.

    Speaking to Drinks With Johnny, Hardy praised the young powerhouse in a discussion about whether any wrestlers today could have the mainstream appeal as Rock or Hogan.

    “I feel like Wardlow’s is a guy that might have that possibility here in AEW. I think he’s very special, he’s a good-looking dude, chicks love him, he’s super athletic and talented. You have a guy like that and hopefully, that does elevate the view of a company and kind of their status where they can grow and become more mainstream or whatever.”

    Wardlow has been on the rise in AEW with his biggest win so far coming at last month\’s Double or Nothing, where he handily defeated MJF.

    What\’s next for Wardlow?

    On this week\’s AEW Dynamite, Wardlow made it clear that he has his eyes on the TNT Championship.

    Despite being in AEW for over two years now, Wardlow has yet to hold any gold as he has spent most of his career as MJF\’s bodyguard.

    Today marks Scorpio Sky\’s 53rd day during this second reign (91 days overall) and with the MJF story finished, Wardlow could indeed be next in line for a shot at the gold.

    Matt Hardy Says Childhood Trauma Caused Some of Jeff’s Issues

  • Cody Rhodes to be Treated like WWE Hall of Famer Upon Return

    Cody Rhodes isn\’t expected back on WWE TV for months following his torn pectoral muscle suffered while training.

    Despite the injury, Rhodes muscled through to defeat Seth Rollins at WWE Hell in a Cell 2022 in one of the gutsiest performances of his career.

    On the Raw after Hell in a Cell, Rhodes was written off TV by a sledgehammer attack by Rollins.

    Losing Rhodes is a huge blow to WWE who have made him the de facto face of the company since returning at WrestleMania 38, but the \”American Nightmare\” can expect a huge push upon his return.

    Cody Rhodes – The New Triple H

    A new report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that there\’s been talk about giving Cody a huge return, akin to Triple H in early 2002.

    After \”The Game\” tore his quadriceps in mid-2001, he was out for months and had a lot of build to his January 2002 return.

    WWE\’s production team filmed Triple H\’s surgery and recovery, with weeks of promotional videos hyping his return.

    Triple H eventually returned to a thunderous response inside Madison Square Garden and captured the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 18.

    Similarly, WWE reportedly recorded the entirety of Cody\’s surgery and plans on using the footage in promotional packages.

    Despite WWE reporting that he will be out for nine months, Cody is expected to return much sooner, and could be a selling point for the 2023 Royal Rumble.

    The 2002 Rumble match marked Triple H\’s first televised match back from his injury and he would win the 30-man bout.

  • Vince McMahon Could be Fired from WWE Under Certain Conditions

    Vince McMahon has stepped down from his role as WWE CEO and Chairman, in the biggest shift in power the promotion has seen in decades.

    While McMahon is under investigation for an alleged affair and $3 million hush-money arrangement, many have said that he is safe, given that he\’s the voting majority on WWE\’s board of directors.

    McMahon has survived scandals in the past, but this is a new battle for the Sports-Entertainment promoter and he could lose his job after all.

    The Conditions

    According to Brandon Thurston of WrestleNomics, McMahon\’s contract does give the board power to remove him if certain conditions are violated.

    While most have nothing to do with the ongoing investigation, there are two that stand out (via eWrestlingNews.)

    (a) the Executive’s theft or embezzlement, or attempted theft or embezzlement, of money or property of the Company or its affiliates.\”

    McMahon\’s contract

    While the investigation has yet to be concluded some have argued that McMahon could face allegations of embezzlement given their relationship.

    It has been claimed that the paralegal was promoted rapidly, from a $100,000 contract to a $200,000 deal after beginning the alleged physical relationship with McMahon.

    Given that the payment would have come out of WWE\’s pocket, an embezzlement claim could be made.

    \”(c) the Executive’s willful and intentional material misconduct in performance of his duties or gross negligence of his duties (other than due to the Executive’s Disability), including an intentional failure to follow any applicable Company policies or directives.\”

    McMahon\’s contract

    Having an affair with an employee could certainly be considered misconduct in the performance of his duties.

    What\’s next for McMahon?

    Vince McMahon appeared on last night\’s SmackDown but did not address the allegations against him.

    In his absence, Stephanie McMahon will serve as interim CEO and Chairwoman of WWE until the investigation is concluded.

    McMahon has promised to respect the result of the investigation no matter the result.

    Vince McMahon Was In ‘Great Mood’ Before SmackDown

  • Matt Hardy Says Childhood Trauma Caused Some of Jeff\’s Issues

    Jeff Hardy has been arrested for driving under the influence yet again, marking his third DUI arrest in under a decade.

    Hardy\’s problems with substances have seen him face suspensions in WWE, Impact Wrestling and now AEW, in a sad repeated pattern of behavior from the former World Champion.

    Matt\’s Comments

    On this week’s “Extreme Life” podcast, Matt said he is doing all he can to support his younger brother after his latest run-in with the law.

    Speaking about what he believes started Jeff\’s problems, Matt said a traumatic childhood event had a profound effect on \”The Charismatic Enigma.\” (via WrestlingNews)

    \”I feel like some of Jeff’s issues probably come from our mother dying when he was so, so young. That was always an issue that he carried with him deeply. I know 100%, the biggest thing that drives me to stay healthy and not have an addiction issue at all, because I’m sure I have an addictive personality, but the thing that keeps me running and stronger than anything else is my family, my children, specifically.\”

    Ruby Moore Hardy died in 1986 of brain cancer when Matt was just 12 years old and his brother Jeff was nine.

    What\’s next for Jeff Hardy?

    This week, AEW President Tony Khan suspended Jeff without pay, stating that he will only be able to return if he can prove his sobriety.

    That is a huge setback for Jeff, but things could get much worse for the popular albeit problematic star.

    If convicted of a DUI, his third in ten years, Jeff could face up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.

    Update on Jeff Hardy’s Arrest Changing AEW’s Plans

  • Update on why WWE Executives were Burying Stephanie McMahon

    Stephanie McMahon is the interim CEO and Chairwoman of WWE in arguably the biggest shift in power the company has ever seen.

    Ms. McMahon\’s rise to power comes mere weeks after she announced she would be taking a leave of absence from her WWE duties to spend more time with her family.

    Shortly after McMahon announced her departure reports came out that WWE executives had been burying her, claiming her some within the company had doubts about her abilities.

    WWE\’s Reasoning

    In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, a person with \”extensive knowledge\” told Dave Meltzer that the comments about Stephanie were because of her decision to take a hiatus.

    WWE was seemingly worried about how its public image and stock price would be affected following McMahon\’s decision to take leave (via WrestleTalk.)

    \”To the outside world, the idea of Vince McMahon’s daughter and the heir apparent to the top position in the company leaving the company she’s worked for her entire adult life would sound like something is wrong with the company. So they leak out that she underperformed at her job and her father pushed her out so that would explain that there wasn’t anything wrong, she was just not good at her job.”

    \”they leak out that she underperformed at her job and her father pushed her out so that would explain that there wasn’t anything wrong.\”

    Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    Stephanie McMahon hasn\’t responded to any of the claims that her work was lacking prior to her decision to take her leave of absence.

    The allegations against Vince McMahon

    Vince McMahon is facing claims that he had an extra-marital affair with an employee who was hired as a paralegal in 2019.

    The unnamed paralegal was promoted in April 2021 and departed WWE earlier this year.

    McMahon has said he is cooperating fully with the investigation and will respect the result no matter what it is.

    Vince McMahon Steps Down, Stephanie McMahon Named Interim WWE CEO & Chairwoman