Tag: scarlett

Scarlett details Vince McMahon’s WWE return after 2022 retirement

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In an interview with Denise Salcedo, former WWE talent Scarlett Bordeaux opened up about what things were like in the company when Vince McMahon returned after his 2022 retirement.

Recently unearthed text messages showed that McMahon was more involved in WWE creative than previously known during the period between his 2022 exit and ultimate resignation from the company in 2024. Bordeaux noted that, even though McMahon wasn’t around at shows, there was a noticeable change when he started getting involved again. Things felt like they did before with an uptick in last-minute changes.

“He wasn’t publicly out in the company,” Bordeaux said. “But we started talking to different producers and were like, ‘This show’s starting to feel really weird. The booking’s starting to feel weird. Things are changing last minute. This is starting to feel like it did before Vince left. Like, it feels exactly, exactly the same.’ And then a few producers privately told us, ‘He’s back.’ But it was one of those things like, people knew but didn’t talk about. Because there was no certainty about it. We didn’t see him around or anything.”

Bordeaux said the first few months after she and her husband Killer Kross returned to WWE in 2022 were amazing. But that changed quickly — and McMahon’s return led to Bordeaux and Kross’ plans being altered. Their involvement in a storyline with Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre was nixed. Kross noted that McMahon also “killed” a match between Kross and Bray Wyatt that was planned for a WrestleMania.

When asked if all talent were informed that McMahon was back, Bordeaux said people only found out if they had friends who knew what was going on. It was difficult to talk about the situation at the time with no actual proof McMahon had returned.

McMahon retired from WWE in July 2022 amid a sexual misconduct scandal but later placed himself back into power. His resignation in January 2024 came after former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against McMahon and the company, accusing McMahon of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. That lawsuit is still ongoing.

This week, McMahon was indirectly mentioned on Raw when CM Punk brought up the “weird old man” who once made Reigns eat dog food in a WWE angle.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque also recently discussed the period between 2022-2024, saying that — because McMahon was still chiming in and directing traffic from the side — there is “no real clear moment” in his mind where he took over creative. Levesque considers WrestleMania 40 in 2024 to be the first WrestleMania where he was fully in charge.

Former WWE main roster talent trademarks ring name

Posted on by Ian Carey

Elizabeth Chihaia, better known to wrestling fans as Scarlett, has filed to trademark her ring name.

The US Patent and Trademark Office website shows that attorney Timothy J. Bechen submitted documents on December 8 on behalf of Chihaia to trademark the name “Scarlett” for wrestling purposes.

Although Scarlett has previously wrestled under the name Scarlett Bordeaux, she appears to have only filed to trademark Scarlett.

Purposes of the filing are listed as “Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer.”

WWE previously held a trademark for Scarlett from April 18, 2020 to April 18, 2022. The company appears to have abandoned the mark after Kross and Scarlett were released in November 2021 and never re-filed. WWE has an active trademark for the name Karrion Kross, while a company named Oscorp & Kross, Inc. has held a Killer Kross trademark for wrestling purposes since 2023.

Scarlett returned to the ring in October for the first time since WWE’s 2024 Holiday Tour. She defeated Isla Dawn at MLW’s show in Charleston on November 20.

Tony Khan addresses potential AEW interest in Killer Kross & Scarlett

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

While AEW head Tony Khan has been open to signing free agents in the past, he has not spoken to one prominent figure: Killer Kross.

Khan was asked on Tuesday by Ariel Helwani if he has spoken to the free agent who parted ways with WWE in August along with wife, Scarlett Bordeaux.

“I have not spoken to him in many, many years,” Khan said, later adding that it would be “interesting at some point to talk to him again.”

Khan said there was “a great chance to reconnect” on the night Kross teamed with Darby Allin at a New York City indie show in early-October as he was in town with Allin for Comic Con. However, the schedule that night didn’t allow for it. Khan said Allin told him he had a great experience in the ring with Kross.

In October, Kross and Bordeaux told Chris Van Vliet that them joining AEW at that point wouldn’t be fair to Khan given the timing of their exit.

In a May 2022 report from Fightful, Kross discussed a one-off match with Khan as part of an AEW angle between MJF and Wardlow. However, they couldn’t come to terms on a deal as Bordeaux wasn’t going to be involved and Kross “was concerned that his introduction to the AEW audience would mimic that of his WWE debut against Jeff Hardy as opposed to the successful NXT formula that helped lead him to two NXT Championships.”

Kross and Bordeaux acknowledged the meeting in the Van Vliet interview with the latter saying “…but the story wasn’t — it didn’t really make sense for (Kross) at the time.”

Scarlett: High ticket prices were ‘topic of discussion’ among WWE locker room

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Rising ticket prices were a topic of discussion in the WWE locker room, according to former WWE talent Scarlett Bordeaux.

Bordeaux and her husband Killer Kross appeared on The Coach and Bro Show this week, discussing their departures from WWE. During the interview, Jonathan Coachman asked if ticket prices were something that WWE wrestlers talked about backstage as prices continued to climb over the last 6-8 months.

“Constantly,” Bordeaux responded. “We noticed it also with the comp tickets. We used to have no issues in different cities if we wanted to get comp tickets for friends and family. There were tickets that we were told were going to be approved and then last minute — we were told that the comp tickets were available, and day of there’s no tickets for people. But they’re deciding to sell them instead. So, like, little things like that we would notice.

“We noticed the ticket prices going higher, the fans would tell us. But it was definitely a topic of discussion amongst the locker room.”

Kross backed up Bordeaux, saying the prices were something that everyone noticed.

It doesn’t appear that ticket prices will be going down any time soon, with Nick Khan saying this week that WWE remains “bullish” on the increases and believes they are appropriate for the marketplace.

Kross and Bordeaux departed WWE this August when their contracts expired and new deals were not reached. There was initially speculation that the situation was a work being done by WWE to continue building fan support for Kross, but it’s now been three months since his departure with no signs of a return.

Bordeaux said she and Kross were paid very well in WWE, but they’re making more outside of the company so far. They’ve been active on the indie/convention scene and are also set to appear for MLW.

“This sounds crazy and probably not very believable, but it’s something I feel like the people in WWE right now who might be stressed out, ‘Am I going to get released?’ They might want to hear this — we are making more than we were making there,” Bordeaux said. “And we were getting paid very well, but we are making more now weekly on the shows we’re doing than we were at WWE.

“And WWE pays great, but it can be done if you hustle.”

Kross said there are a lot of opportunities out there for unsigned wrestlers. Along with indie shows and convention appearances, money can be made through avenues like social media and merchandise.

Killer Kross & Scarlett: It ‘wouldn’t be fair to Tony’ for us to join AEW right now

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Killer Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux feel like it wouldn’t be fair to Tony Khan for them to join AEW while still holding out hope that a WWE return could happen someday.

Appearing on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Kross and Scarlett would not confirm if they have had talks with AEW since their WWE departures. But the couple did reveal that there were conversations with AEW in 2022 between their first and second WWE stints.

  • Kross: I don’t think we should say who we do or don’t talk to.
  • Scarlett: We have friends everywhere. That’s the thing, we have friends everywhere.
  • Kross: When did we kind of sort of meet? That was in 2021?
  • Scarlett: It was around April 2022. Right before we came back, there was a conversation about you coming in, but the story wasn’t — it didn’t really make sense for you at the time.
  • Kross: I wanted to do something bigger for Tony at the time. So we just said, ‘Let’s stay in touch’ and had planned to do something together.

Kross and Scarlett departed WWE this August when their contracts with the company expired. While there were questions as to whether the situation was actually legitimate or just a work, there have been no signs of a WWE return to this point.

The duo told Van Vliet that everything they’ve been doing on the indies and convention circuit has been awesome. But they have amazing memories at WWE and still remember how great it is when you’re there and things are going well. Kross and Scarlett still have hope that they can experience that feeling in WWE again, though they do not know if the door is actually open for a return.

  • Scarlett: The thing about going somewhere else, it’s almost like jumping from one long-term relationship into another. When you’re still hoping that that connection is still there with the previous company, that they’re going to do the right thing, that they’re going to call. If we ever go to AEW, that’s going to be where we end up. That is — we are going to be flying the AEW flag. That is going to be our home forever. Whatever our next company is, that’s it.
  • Kross: Whatever the company is. Yeah.
  • Scarlett: We will fight for that company ’till the end.
  • Kross: Yeah, that is a major commitment. We’re both very, very big on commitment.
  • Scarlett: And it wouldn’t be fair to Tony for us, right now, we’re still talking about WWE the way we are, to go over there and be like, ‘Oh, you know, we’re just here, just to go back to WWE.’ We wouldn’t want to do that to him. So if we go there, we’re like, ‘No, we’re going to make this company the absolute best it’s ever going to be.’ And we’ll do that wherever we go.
  • Kross: Of course.

Money is not the primary focus for Kross and Scarlett. If the opportunity for a WWE return does present itself, Kross said there will need to be creative principles behind the offer, along with room for growth and the ability to work at the highest level.

It was announced over the weekend that, along with the work he’s doing on the indies, Kross will be returning to MLW in November.

Killer Kross: ‘I plan to be back on TV somewhere, at some time, some place’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Killer Kross plans to be back on television at some point, whether it’s for WWE or another promotion.

The former Karrion Kross announced his WWE departure last month amid ongoing speculation over whether the situation is actually legitimate. Since then, he’s appeared for GCW and been announced for a slate of indie dates. WrestlePro, Defy Wrestling, and House of Glory are among the promotions he’ll be competing for.

But Kross believes he’ll be back on TV in the future. He recently spoke to the Wrestling Classic about how much the support of the “#WeWantKross” fan movement means to him. Kross mentioned that he wants to come back to TV in a “really crazy way” when he returns, wherever and whenever that may be.

“Man, it almost prompts me to cry when they come to me crying,” Kross said about the fan support. “I’m like, ‘You’re killing my gimmick, brother!’ [laughs]. It’s very, very touching. Between the documentary, between my life story and the book. And then them seeing my career play out on TV and where we’re at right now, this is just a very special, unique time in my life.

“I plan to do more. I plan to be back on TV somewhere, at some time, some place. But in a really crazy way. It won’t go down like this, but if this was literally the end and I never did anything ever again — Oh my god, man. What a ride. It has been so awesome to be accepted like this from people all over the world. For me, it’s not just wrestling. I feel like people know what’s going on in my life. They’re not just talking to Karrion Kross or Killer Kross, they’re talking to Kevin. And I never thought I’d be in a place where I was comfortable enough to allow that in, but I am. And, like, it feels special. It feels really special.”

Kross and his wife Scarlett Bordeaux last appeared for WWE at SummerSlam on August 2 prior to the expiration of their contracts. In his interview with the Wrestling Classic, Kross was asked if he views himself and Scarlett as a package deal in wrestling at all times going forward.

“Not necessarily,” he responded. “Her and I, as long as the deal is fair and with respect and can be discussed with logic and rational communication, we’re open to working in and out of whatever is being offered.”

Nick Gage, Karrion Kross, Scarlett return at GCW Homecoming

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two big returns took place at GCW Homecoming.

In a match between Shotzi Blackheart and Matt Cardona, Nick Gage made his return to GCW after being gone for over a year. Originally, Tommy Invincible had come out dressed as Gage and came out to his music wearing Gage’s attire. But he was then laid out by the real deal, handing Shotzi a pizza slicer as she carved up Cardona’s forehead.

Back at GCW’s Homecoming event last year, owner Brett Lauderdale announced that Gage would not be able to attend the show and was unsure when he would be back in the ring. In the time since, Gage has wrestled for other independent shows but not in GCW.

The match also saw Karrion Kross and Scarlett make their GCW returns, futher helping Shotzi. Multiple druids had attempted to assist Cardona, but the final two ended up being the former WWE stars, with Scarlett low blowing Cardona. Kross put Cardona through a door, allowing Shotzi to hit a senton for the win.

Kross and Scarlett left WWE on August 10 after their contracts expired, but continue to make headlines due to the way they made their exit, with some speculating it could be a WWE storyline.

Karrion Kross responds to WWE SmackDown chants

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Karrion Kross speaks out on SmackDown chants.

During the opening segment of Friday’s show, chants could be heard of ‘We want Kross’ as Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa were doing a promo. Kross, whose contract with WWE expired on August 10, responded on social media.

“I hear you,” he wrote.

Speculation on Kross’ future became stronger this past Sunday when it was revealed that his and Scarlett’s contracts had expired, with both becoming free agents. On the Ariel Helwani show later in the week, Kross insisted that his situation is real and is not a WWE storyline.

“I’m not trying to turn this into a game. It’s not a game for me, it’s my life. I’m very big on loyalty, but loyalty is a two-way street,” he said. “I’m very interested in trying to recover what I think is easily recoverable, but it takes two people to come together and talk about it. I’m still here.”

Despite being let go, Kross in the interview said that both he and Scarlett still want to be in WWE.

Killer Kross & Scarlett book more post-WWE appearances

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Killer Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux continue to fill up their appearance schedule as the two insist that they are no longer with WWE.

Earlier this week, it was announced that the married couple will be appearing at The Big Event EXS — where they’ll be signing autographs and meeting fans. They have now added a few more convention appearances to their schedule, but Kross & Scarlett have not been announced for any post-WWE matches yet.

Kross & Scarlett will be appearing at the following, with them billing the appearances as the “Killer Smokeshow: Carnage Tour.”

  • Mad Monster Expo: August 22 in Concord, North Carolina
  • Creep I.E. Aftermath: September 5-7 in Ontario, California
  • Silver Scream Con: September 12-14 in Worcester, Massachusetts
  • Scaradise: October 3-4 in Tampa, Florida
  • New York Comic Con: October 10-12 in New York City
  • The Big Event EXS: November 15 in Brentwood, New York

Kross & Scarlett announced on August 10 that their WWE contracts had expired and they were now taking bookings. While appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, Kross insisted that the situation is real and not a work that’s being done by WWE to continue building on his momentum as a cult favorite. Kross said he did not receive a WWE contract offer until last week. And when he inquired about how WWE came to the valuation of the deal, WWE gave him 24 hours to accept the contract or it would be rescinded.

Despite the apparent departure, Kross has said his goal has always been to be in WWE — and he would like the contract situation to be resolved with him and Scarlett returning to the company.

“One person involved in independent wrestling brought up they are charging a very high price tag and after the conversation said that they weren’t buying any of this,” Dave Meltzer wrote about Kross & Scarlett in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Karrion Kross and Scarlett’s first post-WWE appearance announced

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Karrion Kross and Scarlett have been announced for their first appearance since apparently leaving WWE last week following their contracts expiring.

The Big Event NY announced Wednesday night that Kross and Scarlett will appear at their EXS Entertainment x Sports Expo on Saturday, November 15 at the Suffolk Credit Union Arena in Brentwood, New York. The event is billed as the biggest autograph show in the Northeast.

Speculation remains rampant that Kross and Scarlett have some sort of agreement in place to remain with WWE, although in an interview with Ariel Helwani on Wednesday, Kross insisted that his leaving the company is not some kind of elaborate work.

In the interview, Kross noted that he was offered a contract extension last week but that Scarlett was not, and that when he attempted to obtain specifics as to how WWE came to their monetary offer, the deal was rescinded.

“When I inquired about that, they were unwilling to provide that information and told me I had 24 hours to agree to the offer or they were rescinding it.“

Killer Kross & Scarlett release new non-WWE merchandise

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In a move that could either show their WWE departures are legitimate or just be another step in an ongoing worked-shoot, Killer Kross and Scarlett have released new merchandise on Pro Wrestling Tees.

Kross and Scarlett both have new T-shirts on sale after announcing yesterday that their WWE contracts have expired and they are now taking bookings. The Kross shirt is named “Good Soldier” and has the following written on the back: “A Good Soldier Defends His People.”

Leading into his contract expiration date, a “#WeWantKross” campaign had been building on social media for months with a portion of fans feeling that Kross was being underutilized and disrespected. Kross claimed that he didn’t have a single conversation with WWE about his contract renewal until recently — with that conversation leaving him “profoundly disappointed” because of its lack of substance.

Kross did compete at night one of SummerSlam on August 2, losing to Sami Zayn.

This was the second WWE stint for married couple Kross and Scarlett, who were released by WWE in 2021 but returned the next year.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer gave his thoughts on the situation with Kross and Scarlett and whether it’s legitimate or not.

Karrion Kross & Scarlett say they are accepting bookings following WWE contract expiration

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Scarlett has released a statement following the end of her WWE contract.

Shortly after Karrion Kross released his latest documentary on YouTube where he said his WWE contract was set to expire on August 10, Scarlett released a statement on social media writing that the next chapter of her career starts now.

“My time in WWE has been an incredible ride, and I can truly say it’s been the best locker room I’ve ever been part of. These people aren’t just coworkers, they’re family. I love you all, and I’ll deeply miss seeing you every week,” she wrote. “To the fans, you’ve never just been a crowd. You’ve been our partners in every fight and the reason we give everything for this. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. The next chapter starts now and I’m ready to bring something unforgettable to any stage, anywhere in the world. If you want The Smokeshow on your show… let’s make it happen.”

She ended the post with an email to contact her for bookings and appearances.

Karrion Kross later posted on social media that he was accepting bookings as well:

Shortly after midnight EST on Sunday, WWE moved both Kross’ and Scarlett’s profiles to the company’s alumni section. However, speculation continues to swirl regarding their status with the company, with Dave Meltzer noting in today’s Daily Update that “everyone was going with the idea he was staying.”

WWE stars moved to alumni section amid contract uncertainty

Posted on by Ian Carey

According to WWE.com, Karrion Kross and Scarlett are no longer part of the company’s active roster.

Their profiles on WWE’s website have been moved to the alumni section, as it continues to be portrayed that both could be leaving the company or have already left.

The pair’s contracts are reportedly up sometime this month. Leading up to SummerSlam, it had been reported that WWE had not made them an offer to stay. However, on Friday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that they have at least received an offer from the company.

“I was told that the story about him not being signed to a contract, I heard that that is legit but that he did get an offer,” Meltzer said about Kross. “The story that he didn’t get an offer — and maybe when the story that he didn’t get an offer was written it was accurate, but I was told he’s gotten an offer. I don’t expect him going anywhere.”

Paul Heyman suggested during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show that Kross is something like a modern Steve Austin, with a groundswell of support from the audience.

“The audience is calling for him to be a bigger star. And if we don’t deliver it on a timetable that an impatient audience, and impassioned audience is going to like, they are going to get behind him even more, which is great. They are making him a star. We are not shoving him and Scarlett down anybody’s throats.”

Kross’ book, Life is Fighting, was released on August 5.


WWE reveals name of Karrion Kross-Authors of Pain faction

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The new group consisting of Karrion Kross, Akam & Rezar of Authors of Pain, Scarlett, and Paul Ellering was given a name on WWE SmackDown.

Ellering interrupted an in-ring promo segment with Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits to introduce a video package christening the Kross-AOP group as “The Final Testament” on Friday’s SmackDown episode. 

Kross & Scarlett spoke during the video package and explained that their testament for the last several years has been to show the world how corrupt they are “by hurting them on the inside,” but that this new group is going to hurt people on the outside. 

The video then recapped the angle from last week’s SmackDown where AOP and Kross attacked Lashley & The Street Profits. Kross said that Lashley & The Profits are at the top of their list as they reshape WWE. 

Kross also referred to Ellering as “The most sadistic and inhumane person this world has ever had the displeasure of knowing,” before revealing The Final Testament name. 

AOP returned to WWE on last week’s SmackDown and aligned with Kross as they attacked The Street Profits & Lashley two weeks after a vignette aired teasing the arrival of the new group.

The SmackDown segment with The Final Testament reveal is embedded below.

The Authors of Pain & Paul Ellering return on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Authors of Pain and Paul Ellering are officially back in WWE.

One week after their return was teased, Akam & Rezar arrived back in WWE on SmackDown tonight. A new faction has formed with Karrion Kross, Scarlett, The Authors of Pain, and Ellering.

AOP ambushed Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits on SmackDown. Kross then joined them in the attack. AOP hit their Super Collider finisher on The Street Profits, then Kross laid out Lashley.

Two weeks ago, a vignette aired on SmackDown with Kross teasing that AOP and Ellering would be returning.

AOP had been signed with WWE for some time before finally returning tonight. Their initial run with the company lasted from 2016-2020.

AOP held the Raw Tag Team titles and NXT Tag Team titles one time each during their first WWE stint. Ellering, a WWE Hall of Famer from his time managing The Road Warriors, managed AOP when they were in NXT.

After their release, AOP tried to start a new promotion named Wrestling Entertainment Series. The promotion canceled its debut show and never got started.

AOP’s attack on Lashley and The Street Profits happened right after Lashley declared that he’ll be entering the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match.

Scarlett debuted a new look on SmackDown with brown hair.