WWE Blasted For Its “Unsafe Working Environment”; May 1st Live Wrestling News Round-Up

AEW World Champion MJF may be one of the coldest and cruellest wrestler in AEW history but as a resurfaced clip from The Rosie O’Donnell Show shows, he wasn’t always this way.

The clip from the 10th of September 2001 edition of The Rosie O’Donnell Show features a young Maxwell Jacob Friedman talking about his aim to become a wrestler and a opera singer, as well as revealing his favourite wrestlers at the time.

Check it out down below ⬇️

AEW Worlds Heavyweight Champion, Maxwell Jacob Friendman, in his Mini MJF form, telling us what he his going to be when he grows up and who are his favs. pic.twitter.com/pv98bopQqO

— Allan (@allan_cheapshot) May 1, 2023

Although Dwayne Johnson remains one of the biggest stars that wrestling has ever seen, it has now been ten years since he wrestled a proper match.

Not only that, it has been more than 20 since he wrestled anything resembling a full-time schedule.

However, WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has revealed he believes Johnson has more than enough in the tank to put on one last WrestleMania masterpiece.

Speaking on his podcast, The Kurt Angle Show, Kurt Angle praised the star formerly known as The Rock for keeping fit, commenting that he would be able to wrestle a 30-minute match if he wanted to.

You can read his full comments, here.

Would you like to see Dwayne Johnson have one last WrestleMania match? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!

Paul Wight spoke to Kenny McIntosh in 2021 about his huge amount of heel and face turns in his WWE run.

Check out this previously unseen interview below ⬇️

WWE has taken to social media to reveal that they will be celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month all through May.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed in the United States during the month of May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States

You can check out WWE’s official post below ⬇️

WWE is proud to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month throughout May pic.twitter.com/1UMZSYtvLf

— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2023

Who is your favourite Asian American or Pacific Islander WWE Superstar? Let us know by using the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page!

15-years-ago today in the build up to TNA Sacrifice 2008 Scott Steiner broke the internet with his now iconic ‘Steiner Maths Promo’

During the promo the WWE Hall of Famer would reveal that Samoa Joe stood no chance against him at Sacrificed because…

“You know they say that all men are created equal, but you look at me and you look at Samoa Joe and you can see that statement is not true.

See, normally if you go one on one with another wrestler, you got a 50/50 chance of winning. But I’m a genetic freak and I’m not normal! So you got a 25%, AT BEST, at beat me. Then you add Kurt Angle to the mix, your chances of winning drastic go down.

See the 3 way at Sacrifice, you got a 33 1/3 chance of winning, but I, I got a 66 and 2/3 chance of winning, because Kurt Angle KNOWS he can’t beat me and he’s not even gonna try!

So Samoa Joe, you take your 33 1/3 chance, minus my 25% chance and you got an 8 1/3 chance of winning at Sacrifice. But then you take my 75% chance of winning, if we was to go one on one, and then add 66 2/3 per cents, I got 141 2/3 chance of winning at Sacrifice.

See Joe, the numbers don’t lie, and they spell disaster for you at Sacrifice.”

You can watch the full iconic promo down below ⬇️

Is Steiner Maths the most iconic wrestling promo of all-time? If not what is? Let us know by hitting the ‘get involved’ feature at the top of the page!

Earlier today we shared incredible footage of the Paris crowd at a recent WWE Live Event as they took over the show and the streets of Paris with their incredible enthusiasm.

Well it turns out their efforts did not go unnoticed.

Taking to Twitter, former WWE Women’s Champion Bayley has called for WWE to return to Paris for either a PLE or TV tapings, this comes after Shane Helms stated that after this past week Paris is in contention for one of the best all time crowds.

“I’ve been blessed to be around this biz for 35 yrs now and this past week’s UK Tour with WWE was one of the best tours I’ve ever been a part of. I’m so proud of this roster & crew. They were all fantastic! And Paris, France is now in the convo for best wrestling crowds ever. – Shane Helms

“PLE or TV in Paris please”

Mike Tyson has knocked out some of the toughest men in boxing history and now has set his sights on…Logan Paul?

Speaking in a new interview with Alfred Konuwa for Forbes, Tyson discussed a whole host of subjects including his love of wrestling. The former Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year broke down how that love of wrestling impacted his own boxing persona, as well as that of modern legend Floyd Mayweather.

Tyson went on to state that it’s this ability to make fans feel something, that makes stars such as Mayweather and social media sensation-turned- WWE Superstar Logan Paul stand out.

When asked about potentially tangling with Paul in WWE, Tyson joked about his wrestling skills before admitting that he’d be open to such a match.

“I would do it! I would kick his [expletive] ass, yes I would do it.”

You can read the full interview, here.

Would you like to see Mike Tyson and Logan Paul face off in the WWE? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!

Nikki Cross may be a disciple of SaNitY but that hasn’t stopped her becoming a master in her field.

The former WWE Raw Women’s Champion took to Twitter this morning to reveal she had officially completed and handed in her master’s degree dissertation before thanking fans for their support during the gruelling time.

The former “Superhero in Disguise” had previously studied women’s history and American history and also art history during an online degree with the University of Edinburgh that has now opened her up to future opportunities including a possible PhD, should she desire.

Writing on Twitter, Cross would state:

“Guys. I did it. Dissertation for masters has been handed in.

To all the fans who tweeted me, to all the wonderful people who let me interview them (you know who you are ), thank you I’m so proud.

What y’all think? PHD next? Mama imma write a book.”

Which WWE Superstar do you think would win a general knowledge quiz and who would finish dead last? Let us know by hitting the ‘get involved’ button at the top of the page!

During an ITR Live show right before COVID, Conrad Thompson and JR talked CM Punk, Conrad on getting Punk for Starrcast and JR on an intense Punk and Stone Cold showdown!

Check out the previously unseen footage below ⬇️

Tommy Dreamer has heaped praise on Shayna Baszler, claiming that she has more to offer than she’s recently been allowed to show.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Tommy Dreamer and Mickie James held a mock WWE Draft and gave a rundown of who could benefit from a change of scenery. During the show, Dreamer said that Baszler deserves better creative as she has the potential to be a bigger star than she is.

You can read the full quotes, here.

Do you agree with Dreamer? Does Baszler have the makings of a main event talent? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!

AEW is no stranger to pushing the limits of TV in order to enhance their stories to the best possible levels.

In the passed this has included the likes of Jon Moxley curb stomping Adam Page through a concrete block, MJF whipping Cody Rhodes for ten lashings and most recently, Chris Jericho and Saraya brutalising Britt Baker with Kendo Sticks as Adam Cole was forced to watch on.

It is the latter that is the cause of recent online backlash, but not for the reason you may think.

AEW has recently released a t-shirt featuring Britt Baker’s injured face (complete with black eye) on the front, the shirt was initially worn by The Outcasts (Saraya, Toni Storm and Ruby Soho) on Dynamite and has since been released as official merch.

Fans on Twitter have called out the decision, stating that with no context to it the top simply appears to promote domestic violence and could be problematic for abuse survivors and those who chose to wear the shirt in public.

Baker has come to defence of the shirt, stating:

“Supports domestic violence how?I got a black eye in a RING? My enemies put a pic on a shirt to troll me and I outsmarted them.

Does that mean all the (top selling) bloody T-shirts are supporting murder? If a male wrestler had a shirt with a black eye would you be this pissed?”

Do you agree with the backlash, does the t-shirt take things too far? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!

On May 1st 2005, WWE presented Backlash live from the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, in front of 14,000 fans.

According to one online review, “it was a slightly above-average show with three matches hitting the three-star level, but there wasn’t anything that memorable.”

The full card included:

• Shelton Benjamin (c) vs. Chris Jericho
• Tajiri & William Regal (c) vs. Maven & Simon Dean vs. Rosey & The Hurricane vs. The Heart Throbs (Antonio & Romeo) vs. La Resistance (Robert Conway & Sylvain Grenier)
• Chris Benoit vs. Edge
• Kane (w/Lita) vs. Viscera (w/Trish Stratus)
• Hulk Hogan & Shawn Michaels vs. Khosrow Daivari & Muhammad Hassan
• Batista (c) vs. Triple H (w/Ric Flair)

You can watch the Tag Team Turmoil match from Backlash 2005 in full, below ⬇️

What did you think of this card? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!

Following the amazing news earlier today that Carmella was expected her first born child, ‘The Princess of Staten Island’ has taken to social media to share some incredible pregnancy photos.

Taking to Twitter, the 35-year-old would share some incredible pregnancy photos with her fans with the heart-warming caption “Mella is Mommy.”

Check out the adorable photos down below ⬇️

Mella is Mommy 🥹🤍 pic.twitter.com/sDsHNn6iQS

— Mella Is Money 🤑 (@CarmellaWWE) May 1, 2023

Happy Birthday to IMPACT Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry!

Inside The Ropes would like to wish IMPACT Wrestling Superstar Joe Hendry a very happy 35th birthday.

The Edinburgh native recently suffered a broken nose during IMPACT Wrestling tapings, so here is hoping that hasn’t put a downer on today.

What are some of your favourite moments from Joe Hendry’s prestigious career? Let us know by hitting the get involved button at the top of the page!

NFL Super Bowl Champion Travis Kelce has revealed that he has spoken with, former WWE Champion, The Miz about a potential WWE appearance in the future.

Kelce, who won Super Bowl LVII as part of the Kansas City Chiefs, would reveal in an interview with TMZ that he is hoping to get something going with the WWE.

“We have to eventually figure it. My guy, George Kittle is at WrestleMania throwing clotheslines left and right. It was awesome to see him go nuts. I have to get involved somehow, someway. Me and The Miz have been talking a little bit about it. Hopefully, we can brew something into fruition.” [h/t Fightful]

You can watch the full interview below ⬇️

Would you like to see Kelce in the WWE sometime soon? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!

Following on from the signings of Jay White & Roderick Strong, it appears AEW’s latest signing has been revealed.

Recently, QT Marshall introduced his new faction to the AEW audience including Aaron Solo & Harley Cameron.

During a virtual signing for K&S WrestleFest, Cameron appears to have confirmed that she has officially signed with AEW calling the moment a dream come true.

“For now. Just for now but we have a plan B coming up so, we’re very well-equipped for what’s happening next (when it comes to Wardlow being TNT Champion) but, I’m loving AEW.”

Someone has made one of me (trading card) a year ago. Gosh, forgive me. I don’t remember. I think it was two years ago actually they brought it to me but, you’re my first one since being signed so… [h/t to POST Wrestling]

Cameron may be known to fans for her musical work alongside WWE Superstars Shotzi and Scarlett.

Check it out down below ⬇️

‘The Ring General’ GUNTHER may be one of WWE’s most dominant forces in recent years, however a recent video has revealed that he still knows how to have a goodtime when he isn’t too busy defending his Intercontinental Championship.

Taking to Instagram, GUNTHER would share an incredible video showing himself and wife Jinny showing off their incredible dance moves by breaking out the Bhangra, a typical Punjab dance, to the amazement of those around them.

Check out the awesome video below

Its good to see #Gunther like that😭
My man is doing bhangra pic.twitter.com/wJaMSQhAWs

— Vtechnical (@Vtechnical4) May 1, 2023

AEW Star Anthony Bowens has called for fans to embrace “the ultimate sign of friendship” and scissor everyone… including their mums.

Speaking to Simon Miller, Anthony Bowens admitted that he’s still struggling to process just how popular The Acclaimed has become in AEW.

Whilst discussing the rise of his iconic “scissor me” catchphrase, Bowen’s would state that although the Urban Dictionary lists “scissoring” as something you definitely shouldn’t do with your grandmother, Bowens joked that it’s perfectly fine.

“Don’t ever look at Urban Dictionary. Scissoring is solely a sign of friendship. You can do it with your mom, your dad, your grandma, your brother, and your friend. Scissor everybody that you can and let them know that you are a true friend and that you love The Acclaimed.”[h/t to Fightful]

You can read Bowens full interview, here.

Are you going to scissor your mum? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below!

It may be May but April’s trend of daily CM Punk news doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.

Following Punk’s shock appearances backstage at WWE & IMPACT, he has found himself once again under fired from WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff.

Speaking on his podcast, 83 Weeks, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff believes the visit was nothing more than a publicity stunt before reiterating that he has “zero respect” for Punk, commenting that he’s a “desperate little b*tch.”

You can read Bischoff’s full scathing rant, here.

Do you agree with Bischoff’s comments? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below.

The former WWE Diva’s Champion, Kaitlyn has named the Women’s Grand Slam Champion Becky Lynch high on her list of dream matches.

Kaitlyn, AKA Celeste Bonin, was a guest on a recent episode of Cafe de Rene with Rene Dupree where she revealed she would have loved to face the Man and Mercedes Mone.

“I would love to work with Becky [Lynch]. I would love to work with Sasha [Mercedes Mone]. I’d love to work with Summer [Rae]

I’ve actually gotten to connect a little bit with Becky, like backstage and a few things and then just in general, and she’s like a really she has a very dope perspective on wrestling and just like life in general. So I think I would have really loved to work with her for sure.”

Would you like to see Kaitlyn make one final WWE return? Let us know by hitting the thumbs down below! 

WWE’s latest giant Omos has responded to online criticism of his recent booking, stating that it has simply motivated him to “make them shut up.”

Omos has found himself subject to sizeable online criticism in recent months due to matches with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 39 and Seth Rollins at the upcoming Backlash PPV, being accredited to the return of former WWE CEO Vince McMahon.

Speaking with Shakiel Mahjouri of SHAK Wrestling, Omos would respond to the backlash revealing how it is motivating him to get bigger and better every day.

“I just gotta perform for me. As long as (the crowd) enjoys it, I see everything (about me) online… but at the end of the day all you gotta do is go out, perform, and make them shut up.” [h/t to Wrestling Inc]

You can watch the full interview below ⬇️

Congratulations to Carmella & Corey Graves who are expecting their first child together in November after finding out they were pregnant earlier this year!

Carmella, real name Leah Van Dale, would announce the news exclusively to “Good Morning America” earlier today.

The former WWE Women’s Champion would open up on the “whirlwind” of emotions and the impact previous miscarriages had on her ability to get excited “off the bat” about this pregnancy.

Carmella has had plenty practice at parenthood acting has step-mother to Graves three children; daughters Lola and Lenny and son Cash.

Inside The Ropes would like to wish the happy couple a huge congratulations!

Former WWE Women’s Champion Naomi recently made her IMPACT Wrestling debut and has now revealed that it was a fellow ex-WWE employee who helped put together her new entrance music.

Taking to Twitter, Trinity would thank former WWE talent Josiah Williams for being the mastermind behind her new theme.

“I want to give a very special thank you to Josiah Williams!

He’s the brains behind my new entrance music. I simply told him what I felt and wanted and he created exactly that!

You really have a gift with this music and it was such a pleasure to collaborate on this project with you. I hope it’s not the last thank you for everything.”

Williams signed with the WWE in 2019 as a on-air digital talent, primarily tasked with representing the WWE PC and NXT on digital content across YouTube, Instagram and Facebook before he quietly departed the company in 2020.

Seth Rollins’ WWE theme has produced some truly iconic moments including the sound of 60,000 British fans singing in harmony during WWE’s Clash at the Castle PPV.

Following a recent WWE Live Event in Paris, France, fans waiting for the Subway home decided to join in harmony performing an incredible rendition of Seth Rollins’ iconic theme song.

Check out the video below ⬇️

Même quand on rentre on chante ❤️❤️❤️ #WWEParis pic.twitter.com/VFwuJ9z9G6

— Langéta (@LangetaGL) April 29, 2023

Alberto Del Rio has publicly apologised to Triple H for a number of critical comments he previously made about WWE’s Chief Content Officer.

Despite being a former WWE World Champion and a Royal Rumble winner both of Del Rio’s WWE runs ended under a cloud, with legal problems and out-of-the-ring controversy negatively affecting his career.

However, speaking during an appearance on Sportskeeda’s WrestleBinge show, Del Rio explained that he’s apologised to Triple H, admitting that he crossed the line previously.

” I just did it (apologized) because I was wrong and I should have never crossed the line With Triple H.”

You can read that full apology, here.

Jon Moxley has not been seen in NJPW since October 2022, however that is about to change as ‘The Death Ride’ makes his highly anticipated return.

NJPW has announced that Jon Moxley is set to compete on NJPW’s Resurgence in Long Beach event on May 21st.

Despite no confirmation on Moxely’s opponent Resurgence features several huge matches including Japanese legend Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Will Ospreay in the second match of the mini-tournament to determine Kenny Omega’s next challenger for the IWGP United States Champion.

You can read more about NJPW’s upcoming Resurgence in Long Beach event, here.

Recently WWE has found itself at the centre of yet another lawsuit as a former WWE writer has alleged that multiple racially insensitive storylines were pitched during her tenure with the company including one which would have seen Mansoor revealed as the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks.

Now, former WWE Creative Team member Dave Schilling has spoken about the companies ‘unsafe working environment’ noting that it is not a great place to work for people of colour, women or members of the LGTBQ community.

Speaking during a recent appearance on Fightful’s In The Weeds podcast, Schilling would state:

“My thoughts were probably similar to a lot of people who are people of color who work for WWE, which is not terribly surprising that someone would be upset about things they experienced at the company,” Schilling said. “It’s not the best place to work if you’re a person of color, you’re a woman, you’re LGBTQ.” [h/t to Fightful]

You can read more about these scathing comments, here.

Good Afternoon!

Hope everyone is having a cracking day so far and those of you in the UK are enjoying the May Day bank holiday so far!

We will be kicking off this afternoon’s coverage with the latest of reports of discrimination in the WWE workplace before taking a look at some scathing comments directed at CM Punk and what the future holds for Jon Moxley in NJPW.

As always you can write in and let us know if there is anything in particular you would like to see us cover by hitting the ‘get involved’ button at the top of the page or by clicking here.