標籤: WWE

During a new interview, WWE star Matt Cardona revealed a brilliant and hilarious idea for the company’s next 2K game.

One of the best products that wrestling companies create from their television content is video games. It allows dedicated supporters of the industry to become punters and live out the matches of their dreams. Another fun element of wrestling games is the career mode.

If you can’t be a wrestler in real life, WWE fans can make it and make the journey to becoming a main event WWE Superstar. Over the past few decades, the company’s game creators have made a lot of fun additions to the career mode. Well, Cardona has a great idea for WWE 2K7 that mirrors the stories of several popular current stars.

“Man, I think there should be a way where you get fired, then you go and toil on the indies for five years and come back. I’m serious,” he told Sproff. “You go, and you wrestle in all these dirty places. Then you go to Japan. Then you wrestle out at some fair, and then you come back to WWE.”

Cardona is the latest WWE one-time star to be fired and then become a star on the independent scene only to return to the world’s No. 1 company. Current WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes did something similar from 2016 to 2022 after leaving the company. Before him, Drew McIntyre had prepared a blueprint to return to WWE by becoming a top indie star from 2014 to 2017.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new rumor about WWE’s plans in the coming weeks and months makes the recent release of the Wyatt Six and the Motor City Machine Guns even more silly.

In April, WWE surprised wrestling fans when they decided to part ways with approximately 30 performers across Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and their developmental system. There were several surprise departures, but one that shocked many was the entire faction known as the Wyatt Six and TNA/Impact legends, the Motor City Machine Guns.

His exit seemed to reflect the company’s disinterest in tag wrestling as WWE fans have become more aware over the years. However, apparently, the promotion is planning to invest in tag wrestling again soon.

WWE plans to rebuild the tag team division

According to False Finish, “WWE is currently trying to help rebuild the tag team division from within, while also looking at the possibility of signing tag teams from other promotions in the near future.”

Obviously, the report should be taken with a grain of salt. However, if there is any truth to the news that WWE decided to cut ties with former tag champions like Wyatt Six, MCMG, and The New Day – who decided to leave after they asked to take a pay cut – it now seems pretty silly.

For tag wrestling fans, the report is good news, and WWE has some very talented teams on its stacked roster. But if they really invested in rebuilding the division, they seriously damaged it with their release last month.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Nick Nemeth turned WWE down on multiple occasions before agreeing to return for John Cena’s farewell tournament, he revealed on the Sweet Pop Podcast.

Nemeth said that when WWE first called him he was not interested. When he came to know that the comeback would be related to Cena, he changed his mind.

“He’s asked me to come back a few different times for some other things, and I said, ‘Uh, I don’t know,'” Nemeth said before explaining what led to the situation. When he was told the opportunity was linked to Cena, he said the decision was made easier given their shared history and what Cena has done for talent in and out of the ring.

Nemeth competed in the Last Time Is Now tournament and returned to Madison Square Garden to face Solo Sequoia in a match to determine Cena’s final opponent.

Nick Nemeth regrets selfless approach in WWE

In the same interview, Nemeth reflected on his nearly two-decade WWE run under the name Dolph Ziggler, admitting that his tendency to overpower others led to his rise to the top of the card. He described himself as someone who prioritized making matches and his opponents look good rather than preparing himself for bigger opportunities, calling this both a strength and a liability.

“To a fault, I was a little selfless,” Nemeth said. “I want this match to be great. I want everyone to be talking about it – rather than ‘I want to be talked about as world champion.’

He credited this approach with keeping him on the job for 20 years, while acknowledging that it was probably this approach that kept him from consistently competing in the main event. Nonetheless, fans will remember him for being one of the best in-ring workers of his era and a missed opportunity by WWE management in charge. Currently, he is making a splash as a top star in TNA Wrestling.

Stephanie Wacker is reportedly coming back to WWE television, as PWInsider reports that the former Women’s World Champion is expected to return to screens soon.

This update is a change from what was reported in the weeks after Wacker’s injury was confirmed. WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select previously reported that Wacker was on the shelf for the foreseeable future, with no widely known return timetable within the company, and internal rumblings pointing to at least a six-week absence, with optimism but no guarantees that she would return for SummerSlam.

Wecker’s injury was legitimized by Bryan Alvarez after the Raw angle, in which Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Pérez, working with Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, attacked Wecker backstage. After Pérez drove a tool box into Wacker’s shoulder during the segment, Michael Cole announced on commentary that she suffered a second-degree AC sprain and would be out for some time.

The exact cause of the injury was never confirmed, leaving open the possibility that it predated the Raw angle and the attack was used to get her off television so that it could be addressed as per the storyline upon her return.

The timing of the injury made it difficult from a creative point of view. Wacker recently lost the Women’s World Championship to Morgan at WrestleMania 42 Night 1 in a match that BodySlam reported was kept shorter than planned due to both performers already dealing with physical problems heading into the show.

Second-degree AC sprains – which involve a partial tear of the acromioclavicular ligament – ​​typically require several weeks to a few months for recovery depending on the severity, making PWInsider’s report of an imminent return a positive update for both Wacker and the women’s division.

Mick Foley is set to have his WWE Legends deal expire next month, and AEW has taken notice.

Multiple sources told The Takedown on SI that AEW has expressed “genuine” interest in working with Foley this year. The scope of any potential involvement is unknown, and it is unclear whether AEW will sign or make a one-time appearance.

A source told the outlet that while they had no direct knowledge of Foley coming to Double or Nothing, they wouldn’t be surprised if there was pressure to use him on the show if a deal could be made. Double or Nothing is set for Flushing, NY, about an hour from where Foley grew up on Long Island. MJF is ready to put the onus on Darby Allin for the AEW World Championship in the main event.

Foley announced earlier this year that he would let his WWE Legends deal expire in June, citing his opposition to TKO’s relationship with WWE and the current administration. WWE Legends contracts do not prevent talents from working for other companies, but they do place restrictions on royalties, merchandising, and the use of their likeness.

The 60-year-old has not wrestled since 2012, but has remained active on the independent scene through appearances. He appeared for The Sandman’s retirement match in GCW during WrestleMania week in Las Vegas. His last WWE on-camera appearance came in 2023, when he announced the qualifier candidates for the Iron Survivor Challenge on NXT Deadline. Previously, he served as the general manager of Monday Night Raw from 2016 to early 2017.

Foley was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013 and is a three-time WWF Champion, having worked for WWE, WCW, ECW, TNA, and promotions throughout his career throughout his career. AEW already has several veterans under contract and Foley could be next.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, ESPN personality Stephen A. There has been serious internal discussion about Smith coming to WWE.

The report adds to the ongoing conversation about TKO’s impact on WWE programming, with Meltzer stating that those who were critical of Pat McAfee’s involvement in the build-up to WrestleMania 42 are among those favorable to Smith internally.

Meltzer addressed the topic by discussing Kevin Nash’s recent comments urging TKO to stay away from WWE creative. He said that TKO’s intervention happens occasionally but its timing is bad.

Meltzer said, “They don’t really do it a lot, but from what I was told, they don’t do it a lot, but they always seem to do it at the most inopportune times.” “It happened at WrestleMania this year, it definitely happened, yes. We haven’t seen anyone put pressure on them.

“I mean, we haven’t seen anything with Stephen A. Smith — yet, boy, that name has been talked about. And I know it’s serious discussion. To put it this way, a lot of people who weren’t really happy with Pat McAfee are on Stephen A.’s side, as far as internally.”

Smith himself addressed the possibility last month, confirming that WWE President Nick Khan had spoken to him about the on-screen role. The 58-year-old said he was not interested in any physical involvement, but did not completely rule out an appearance. Given his respect for old school heel managers like Bobby Heenan, if Smith were to move forward a managerial character would be the most natural fit for him.

WWE’s relationship with ESPN has grown significantly since the two parties reached a PLE deal in September 2025, with WWE receiving prominent daytime coverage during WrestleMania week and stars such as Dannhausen and Seth Rollins making appearances on ESPN in the Backlash build. This relationship makes Smith a more natural crossover candidate than most celebrity names coming forward for WWE roles.

Zilla Fatu has made it clear that if he gets a chance in WWE, he does not wish to go to AEW.

Speaking on the Bootleg Cave podcast, the rising independent wrestler said his heart lies with WWE rather than AEW, citing family loyalty and a personal mission to honor the legacy of his late father, Umaga.

The conversation started with host Kev asking about Fatu’s match against MJF for the AEW World Championship at the House of Glory show in February. Fatu was measured by how he prepared the experience, taking the match like no other while acknowledging MJF’s position in wrestling.

“That’s the beauty of independent companies like House of Glory and Fourth Row, we’re able to do this kind of work 100% of the time,” Fatu said. “I treat it just like every other match, right? Obviously, MJF is a superstar in his own little world, but I treat it just like every other match.” Asked whether the match was prepared in advance, Fatu said that work was done “everything on the fly”.

Ronda Rousey has given her most honest account yet about what it was like to work in WWE under Vince McMahon, describing an environment defined by last-minute decisions, poor communication and constant anxiety during an interview with Complex News.

Rousey worked with WWE twice, the first time starting in 2017 and the second time until 2023. She was candid about how the experience of working under McMahon affected her ability to connect with her character.

“I felt like I was creating someone else’s image of myself,” Rousey said. “You could tell when I was allowed to write my own promos and when I wasn’t. I learned a lot from it, and I really enjoyed my time in the ring. I didn’t really enjoy being in the death throes during Vince McMahon’s reign, but there were a lot of great experiences there.”

His second stint with the company was particularly difficult. Rousey described McMahon as being out of touch with the day-to-day reality of running a product and said that the work environment had become increasingly unhealthy by that time.

Ronda Rousey on WWE’s ‘Inner Turmoil’

“I mean, in the second round, Vince had gone too far and was even more difficult to work with, and there was a lot of internal turmoil going on in the company,” Rousey said. “It was kind of a s*** show, and no one ever knew what was going on.

“And you’d get on the field, and you’d be asked to do something that someone threw in your lap that wasn’t thought about until 15 minutes before. Everything was super last minute and not well thought out, and there was no communication, no back-and-forth.”

The psychological impact of that environment was something that Rousey addressed directly.

He said, “Any attempt to collaborate feels like we were trying to negotiate something instead of partnering together to create something great.” “And unfortunately, I love being in the ring and doing this, but the process was like a cluster f–k, sh–t show that was a lot more anxiety-inducing than it was worth.

“I just look back on it, and I just remember the anxiety of not knowing what was going on, and then at the last minute, maybe we’ll be able to get it out of our A- and have a good night, and maybe not. I was definitely Team Triple H rising up to handle it. So, I’ve heard it’s gotten a lot better since he took over things, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to experience it.”

Rousey recently appeared at AEW Revolution with real-life friend Marina Shafir after her match against Toni Storm. She is currently preparing for her fight against Gina Carano this Saturday at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, which is being broadcast live on Netflix.

Kevin Nash weighed in on the ongoing conversation surrounding TKO’s involvement in WWE creative, offering one of the most scathing hot takes you’ll ever hear on the latest episode of the Click This Podcast. Nash’s reasoning is simple: Triple H knows what he’s doing, and the executives above him don’t need to get involved.

“(Paul) Levesque has taken over, and everyone loves the direction that this Levesque guy is taking the new flagship WWE program in the Netflix era,” Nash said. ‘And then lo and behold, just like every other business on earth, the bullshit people on top of that who have no clue except how to get paid more, people higher up the food chain decide to start their business where they don’t need it.’

“We’re going to put this guy in. Let’s put this guy in. How about him in the main event? What if we put this guy in? Why would we put that guy in?’ We’ve got a $500 million deal that involves this guy. While we’re at it, let’s make the field look like NASCAR.”

Nash clarified that his criticism was directed at those above Triple H in the TKO structure. Not Levesque himself.

“It doesn’t take anything away from Paul Levesque, because Paul Levesque still knows what he’s doing. If anyone out there feels like this, maybe thinks this might apply to them, how about leaving the f–king company alone? Get your f–king nose out of creative.”

Triple H took over creative control of WWE in 2022 and received widespread praise for the initial direction of the product under his leadership. However, last month, TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro publicly claimed that TKO has full control over WWE creative. WWE’s recent storylines have had mixed reactions, with fans pointing to TKO’s outside interference in the booking process as a contributing factor.

Danhausen’s mystery partner at WWE Backlash in Tampa this Saturday could be about to generate the wrong kind of reaction from fans.

Brian Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer wrote on If the rumor turns out to be true, it’s a reveal that won’t go down well with audiences who are tired of celebrity presence in the company.

That framing tells its own story. The betting odds at Backlash place Punk as the favorite to become Danhausen’s partner at -200, with Joe Hendry at +200, Mr. Iguana at +300, and Jelly Roll at +400. A crowd expecting a punk hit, but getting jelly rolls instead, could have a bad reaction at Amalie Arena on Saturday night.

Before Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, there were plans for Jelly Roll to team with Rhodes at Backlash in a tag match against Orton and Pat McAfee.

That program fell apart when McAfee opted out of the program following negative fan reaction to his inclusion at WrestleMania, and Orton has not appeared on WWE programming since this event, amid reports that he was struggling with physical problems on the show.

With the original tags matching the table, it appears that Jelly Roll’s involvement has been redirected to the Danhausen program. Whether that creative pivot satisfies viewers who have been waiting to learn who Danhausen’s partner is, but the contrast between CM Punk’s revelations and Jelly Roll’s revelations may backfire.

On Saturday night, WWE will return to the ESPN app with the 2026 edition of Backlash. The event, taking place in Tampa, FL, will be headlined by a World Heavyweight Championship match between cousins ​​Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu. And the card will also include the reveal of Dannhausen’s mystery partner for the tag match against Kit Wilson and The Miz.

However, there is another big reveal planned for the event. And that’s an announcement from WWE icon John Cena that will reportedly “shake the foundation of WWE,” according to the future Hall of Famer. Rumors suggest that this club will be related to the launch of WWE. However, it may ultimately get a lot of praise from Tampa fans.

With that in mind, we’re offering five fun speculations about John Cena’s Backlash announcement.

John Cena announces location for WrestleMania 44

WrestleMania 43 is going to take place in Saudi Arabia next year. However, there has been a lot of new speculation on where 44 will be. Recent reports have revealed that Nashville and Ireland are in the running for the event. Considering all the recent news, Cena is likely to announce the location for WrestleMania 44 at Backlash.

John Cena reveals date of 2026 WWE Draft

For years, the annual WWE Draft became a major week on the company calendar. However, last year the event was skipped entirely, and instead, WWE went with the Transfer Portal. With complaints that the product has become a bit stale recently, both Raw and SmackDown really need the roster overhaul that the draft can bring. Fans will welcome the announcement of the 2026 WWE Draft at Backlash.

John Cena announces WWE has purchased the rights to Lucha Underground

There has been a lot of speculation among fans for the past few years regarding the return of Lucha Underground. The brand, which ran for four years from 2014 to 2018, still has a huge number of supporters. Especially since it played a major role in the careers of many current and former WWE stars.

It would be a lot of fun if Cena announced that WWE has purchased the rights to the brand to get a video library and plans to bring the company back with bi-weekly programs.

John Cena reveals plans for a performance center in Mexico

The WWE Performance Center has been one of the biggest successes in the company’s history. Instead of relying solely on talent from the indies or other companies, he created a wrestling factory that developed future stars.

After purchasing AAA last year, there were rumors that the company might open a new performance center in Mexico. It’s possible that this could be Cena’s announcement at Backlash.

John Cena reveals WWE has purchased TNA Wrestling

If Cena’s announcement is to truly shake up WWE, it needs to be monumental. New details on Club WWE won’t do that. However, it would be revealed that he purchased TNA. There has been speculation for some time that the company would purchase its longtime competitor. The working relationship over the past two years may have set the stage for an eventual purchase.

Although this would not be good for the wrestlers and staff, TNA’s video library and brand would be a very valuable asset to WWE.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

On Saturday night, WWE returned with its latest premium live event, Backlash. The card in Tampa, FL features just five matches and will also include a special announcement from WWE icon John Cena. There’s always a chance for surprises when it comes to WWE PLE, and the last two editions of Backlash included the emergence of new members to the Solo Sequoia version of Bloodline.

With that in mind, we present five potential surprises to look out for on Saturday at Backlash.

Kairi Sane will make a surprise return at WWE Backlash

To the dismay of many WWE fans, women’s division stalwart Kairi Sane was one of nearly 30 roster releases over the past few weeks. This left many disappointed as she was unable to complete her ongoing storyline with longtime friend Asuka.

However, in recent times there have been rumors that Sane may make a special appearance at Backlash to finish what he started. Given how much TV time was devoted to the storyline over the past year, look for Sane to make a one-off return to help Iyo Sky defeat Asuka.

Braun Breaker defeated Seth Rollins at Backlash

Had it not been for an unfortunate injury, Seth Rollins would have faced Braun Breaker at WrestleMania 42. However, instead, we got this huge grudge match at Backlash. The couch booker in all of us would suggest that Rollins gets the W on Saturday as The Breaker played a role in his loss to Gunther at ‘Mania and has consistently gained the upper hand on his former mentor since then.

However, Rollins is a made man, and WWE is working hard to develop future WrestleMania main eventers. While fans would love a Rollins victory, don’t be surprised if Breaker’s run of success against the former leader of The Vision continues this weekend.

Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu ends in disqualification

The main event of Backlash will see Roman Reigns defend the World Heavyweight Title for the first time against his cousin, “The Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu. If there’s any guarantee on Saturday, it’s that Reigns isn’t losing his title. However, getting a decisive and clean win over Fatu may not benefit the company long term as he is someone they are trying to build into a main event talent.

That’s why we predict Backlash will end with a disqualification to ensure that Reigns hold on to the title and that they keep Fatu strong to set up another match in their next PLE.

John Cena will announce the return of WWE Draft

WWE legend John Cena has been bullish about his appearance at Backlash and on Thursday claimed his announcement would “shake the foundation of WWE.” There is speculation that this club will be related to the launch of WWE. However, it may ultimately lead to boos from the crowd in Tampa.

To avoid an unpleasant moment with the beloved legend, we predict the company will go in the other direction and announce the return of WWE Draft. They didn’t do that in 2024, and both Raw and SmackDown are in desperate need of a change in the status quo.

‘Cola Man Punk’ will be Danhausen’s mystery partner

One of the most anticipated elements of Backlash this year was the reveal of who Danhausen’s mystery opponent would be in the tag match against The Miz and Kit Wilson. There has been much speculation as to who he might be, including the sinister return of Jelly Roll. However, we expect WWE to deliver a fan-pleasing moment that will partner “Cola Man Punk”, aka CM Punk.

Danhausen and Punk are real-life friends, and the latter played a big role in bringing the former to WWE. Punk is not in a storyline at the moment, and this would be a fun way to put him in action in a great moment and create an unlikely team-up on television.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Hiromu Takahashi’s name has begun to circulate in WWE circles following the NXT debut of his former Los Ingobernables de Japan partner EVIL, who is now performing under the name Naraku.

According to BodySlam, news has been circulating around the WWE Performance Center that Takahashi is expected to end up in WWE, with a separate source saying that some within the company believe he could use the name Knox Raijin – the trademark that originally stood for EVIL before a last-minute name change.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp previously reported that EVIL is still listed as Nox Raijin in WWE’s internal materials, as recently as Sunday, confirming that the switch to Naraku was a late decision ahead of the NXT name reveal on Tuesday night.

WWE filed a trademark for the name Nox Ryjin with the USPTO on April 28 – the same day as EVIL’s NXT debut – which now raises the possibility that the name was always meant for a different artist entirely rather than EVIL.

Takahashi spent 16 years with NJPW after debuting in August 2010, becoming one of the promotion’s best performers during that time. He is a five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and a record four-time Best of the Super Juniors tournament winner, having won it in 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022. During the CMLL tour, he competed under the name Kamaitachi and won the CMLL World Lightweight Championship. He also worked in ROH, AEW, and Pro Wrestling NOAH during his career before leaving NJPW earlier this year.

Both Takahashi and Naraku were longtime members of Los Ingobernables de Japon in New Japan before EVIL’s betrayal of the faction to join up with Bullet Club in 2020. A potential WWE reunion of the two former LIJ teammates on NXT would add a layer to Naraku’s ongoing program with NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo.

Whether Takahashi comes under the Knox Raijin name or another identity entirely, his expected arrival gives NXT another important NJPW-affiliated signing to build on.

A week after his NXT debut, the ring name former NJPW star EVIL will use in WWE has been revealed. According to Fightful Select, he is expected to move to NXT under the name Nox Raijin. WWE filed a trademark for the name on April 28, the same day he debuted on the brand.

The “Raijin” part of the name holds a specific meaning, referring to the Japanese god of thunder and lightning. It appears that WWE is creating a character based on both his Japanese origins and the heel persona he developed during his NJPW run. EVIL is currently listed internally under his real name, Takaaki Watanabe, while branding is finalized.

His debut on the April 28 episode of NXT saw him take on NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo in a no-name match. Commentator Vic Joseph identified him as the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and deliberately used the phrase “pure evil” during the segment.

The beginning followed weeks of production in which D’Angelo received a mysterious gift containing the Japanese symbol for war, a piece of foreshadowing that directly pointed to the arrival of EVIL.

EVIL left NJPW in January after more than a decade with the promotion, during which he served as the leader of House of Torture and was previously a member of Los Ingobernables de Japon. His signing was confirmed by PWInsider in late April.

Fightful Select also reports that another former LIJ member, Hiromu Takahashi, who finished with NJPW in February, remains a name to watch in terms of potential WWE signings.

WWE was tasked with cutting millions from its payroll last month, and the way those cuts were handled has caused a lot of disappointment in the wrestling industry.

Fightful Select has published a comprehensive report detailing the scope of the financial cuts, the pressure on talent to make quick decisions, and the broader implications for how wrestlers will approach contract negotiations with TKO going forward.

The cuts were met with immediate criticism from within the industry, primarily because of the timing. The TKO executive pay package was made public around the same time as the release and pay cut requests were made public, with the stock reaching record highs. As noted by Fightful Select, most of the talent and agent world accept that releases under TKO are a reality under WWE’s direction, but talents being asked to take seven-figure pay cuts per year, while executives received substantial compensation packages, was widely criticized and ridiculed.

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods – better known as The New Day – were among the talents who were contacted about taking pay cuts on the day of the massive release. Both were given two days to decide and they immediately decided that they would rather leave the company than accept the lower offer. Despite the decline, both walked away with millions of dollars remaining on their deals over the next four years.

Fightful Select also noted that several talents were approached with new contract offers during overseas dates in recent years, sometimes well before negotiations were expected. Some within the industry saw this as an attempt to get talent signed before their representatives could properly review the terms, although this was portrayed as an opinion rather than a confirmed strategy.

The report references Killer Kross as an isolated example of compressed decision timelines, with Kross claiming he was given just one day to decide on his contract offer last year.

Concerns about industry reaction and future negotiations

The broader fallout from this round of cuts is already dictating how talent and their representatives view future deals with TKO. Fightful Select reports that there is now little confidence within the talent and agent communities that wrestlers signing big, life-changing contracts will actually play their full course. The concern is that WWE may continue to approach talent mid-contract with lower offers, weakening the protections those deals provide.

Related frustrations cited in the report center on timing and competitive strategy. Santos Escobar and others signed new deals with WWE last year without involving AEW or other companies, and now they find themselves facing pay cuts with little or no leverage. Several representatives pointed out that cutting those talents also reduces WWE’s competitive advantage, as forcing AEW to spend more money on the same performers would have been a stronger strategic play.

In regards to The New Day, Fightful Select reported that several names within AEW have been pushing internally for the tag team to sign. The report also shot down rumors that Woods could return to WWE on a digital-only deal, noting that such an arrangement would prevent him from working for AEW and effectively cost him millions in the coming years.

A WWE source was also quoted by another outlet, expressing disappointment that the company did not publicly acknowledge The New Day’s contributions upon their departure. A separate WWE source told Fightful Select that the company privately expressed its appreciation and that a joint statement announcing the departures was expected, but no explanation was given as to why it never materialized.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson revealed on Monday that the “majorly driven talent” in WWE was asked and accepted to take a significant pay cut. The news came a day before Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were moved to WWE’s alumni section following their reported mutual departure from the company following a contract restructuring request.

“[We were] Reportedly a highly pushed talent was asked to take a 50% pay cut, and allegedly did so,” Johnson wrote. ”I’m not naming the genius because I have no way of yet confirming that this was the case, but the timing of that claim and what happened the next day was very interesting to say the least.”

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp said on X that several talents were asked to take pay cuts by WWE, although he did not specify which names were included.

Keeping all this in mind, let’s guess which famous star has accepted the pay cut rumor recently.

la night

LA Knight is the most obvious, seeing his decline over the last few years and not being used as often as he used to. Knight can stick with WWE for a few more years, be used as they see fit, and that will pay off his bank account. WWE might also know that Knight does not want to leave from there and go anywhere else.

logan paul

While this may be a reach, Logan Paul fits the bill as he has gone from being a guy in the mix in top tier storylines to now being involved in a tag team with Austin Theory. Money is not an issue for him, and he would probably do WWE for free at this point because of his love for the sport.

belle

Bayley likes wrestling and WWE. If the company comes to her asking for a pay cut, we can see her being happy to do so because she absolutely loves her job and coworkers. He is seen in regular roles on TV, although he is no longer the main announcer. Maybe Bailey is also thinking of big plans and is aiming to establish a job in the company after leaving the job.

The Miz

The Miz has been in WWE for two decades and has earned his keep, as well as being secure in whatever role WWE has asked him to play. He has fame and legacy. Now he wants to help young talents learn. He’s a good fit for the company, but he probably has a bigger contract than he’s used to. After the wrestling is over, he’s probably also thinking about the bigger picture and the work backstage.

Kairi Sane has not severed her ties with WWE yet.

Brian Alvarez reports that within WWE, there is belief that Sane could appear this Saturday at Backlash in Tampa, Florida to provide some resolution to her ongoing storyline with IYO SKY and Asuka, despite being exempt from the company’s WrestleMania 42 roster cuts. Whether such an appearance would be a one-off or signal something else has not been made clear.

“Within WWE, it is felt that there is a greater than 50% chance that Kairi will appear at Backlash to at least finish that storyline,” Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on X.

A singles match between Sky and Asuka is scheduled for Saturday’s Backlash PLE at Amalie Arena in Tampa. Before her release, Sane was at the center of the storyline of that match, torn between the two as Asuka attempted to intimidate her into proving her loyalty to SKY.

Her absence from that program’s resolution was one of the more puzzling aspects of her release, and the internal belief that she might still appear in Backlash shows just how incomplete the creative thread is.

Sane was among the 25 talents released by WWE on April 24 during the roster cuts following WrestleMania 42, and given both her level of talent and her active role in the ongoing program, her release was considered one of the more surprising decisions in that wave.

Fan reaction was swift and vocal, with the hashtag VivantCarry flooding social media in the days following the announcement. AJ Styles was among those who publicly stated that he was shocked by the news.

This was Cena’s second stint with WWE. Following her departure in 2021, she spent time in Japan working primarily for Stardom and NJPW before returning to WWE in 2023, winning the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with Asuka as the Kabuki Warriors during that second run.

Stephanie Wacker is dealing with a real injury after Monday’s WWE Raw.

Brian Alvarez confirmed that Wecker’s shoulder problem during the backstage attack is legitimate, possibly consistent with the second-degree AC sprain that Michael Cole referenced on commentary after Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez attacked him.

Pérez rammed a tool box into Wecker’s shoulder during the segment, with Cole saying on air that Wecker would be “out for a while” as a result. It is unclear when and how the injury first occurred prior to angle airing. The attack was planned as a storyline development on Raw, but the real-world consequences of a legitimate second-degree AC sprain added a layer of uncertainty to WWE’s plans for Walker in the coming weeks.

Second degree AC sprains involve a partial tear of the acromioclavicular ligaments and recovery timelines are usually measured in weeks rather than days. This means that Wacker’s absence from ring competition could be extended in the near future, depending on how his body responds to treatment.

Wacker most recently competed at WrestleMania 42, where she lost the Women’s World Championship to Liv Morgan, a top match on the card. Prior to that loss, Wacker was one of WWE’s top female stars, holding the title and regularly appearing in top-of-the-card storylines.

Her post-WrestleMania plans were expected to put her in that position throughout the spring and summer schedule through a feud with Morgan for the top women’s title on Raw, making the injury’s timing difficult from a creative standpoint.

The segment that resulted in the injury involved Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Pérez targeting Wecker in a backstage attack, with Pérez using a tool box as a weapon to cause damage to the shoulder. Aside from Cole’s on-air comment that she would be out for some time, neither the full scope of the injury nor a specific timeline for her return has been publicly confirmed.

Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL may debut in WWE soon.

Sources have indicated to BodySlam that EVIL is expected to debut soon following his recent signing with the company, with tonight’s NXT emerging as a possibility given the mysterious storyline currently ongoing on the brand.

PWInsider first confirmed the signing last week, noting that WWE has yet to publicly acknowledge the deal. A follow-up report from PWInsider also revealed that EVIL is currently listed internally on WWE’s diverse roster – the same category used for legends and injured talent – ​​suggesting that the company has not yet decided which brand he will be assigned to. That picture is probably about to change.

So where does evil fit in? The NXT connection stems from last week’s episode of the brand, during which Tony D’Angelo was presented with a box containing the Japanese kanji for “war”. The delivery immediately led to speculation that EVIL may have been behind it, with many fans and observers pointing out the obvious similarities between the secret package and his arrival in WWE.

Others have suggested that the sender could be Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Meteor Sasaki, who is currently on tour in NXT. No confirmation of either theory has been provided, but the timing of the bodyslam’s imminent first report on The Tonight Show fuels EVIL speculation.

EVIL had a breakout moment in his career after betraying Los Ingobernables de Japon to join up with Bullet Club in 2020. He defeated Tetsuya Naito, retaining both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships, a moment that marked a significant change in NJPW’s storytelling at the time.

His overall resume includes one IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign, one IWGP Intercontinental Championship reign, four NEVER Openweight Championship reigns, two IWGP Tag Team Championship reigns, and six NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship reigns. He left NJPW in January before his WWE contract was confirmed in late April. Japanese sources are expected to drop the EVIL ring name going forward, although WWE has not publicly confirmed any new name.

One of the greatest tag teams of this century, the Motor City Machine Guns, is now a free agent. The former TNA, ROH, NJPW and WWE Tag Champions were surprisingly included in over 20 of World Wrestling Entertainment’s releases last weekend. However, they will not remain on the open market for long.

Both are at the end of their “wrestler prime”, Fightful reported that TNA Wrestling will welcome both of them home with open arms. However, many in the company expect him to move his talent to AEW when his 90-day non-compete clause expires.

Before the rumored move to All Elite Wrestling, let’s take a look at five matches we need to see this summer with the legendary tag team.

The Young Bucks

This is an absolute must if the Motor City Machine Guns vs. The Young Bucks joins AEW this summer. Sure, the two teams faced off a decade ago, but they were all very different back then. Although they were top teams at the time, they are now viewed as perhaps the two best tag teams of the last decade and a half.

The pairing is still going to be the high-level performer that all AEW fans need.

ftr

FTR remains the No. 1 team in AEW and has never faced MCMG. Although they have different styles, FTR has proven time and again that what makes them so great is their ability to blend in with all types of pairings. As the current AEW Champions continue to build their legacy, it makes sense to aim for a victory over “your favorite tag team’s favorite tag team.”

The Hurt Syndicate

If MCMG is to move to AEW, he will need to face another interesting duo, the Hurt Syndicate. Guns is known for his fast-paced style and innovative tag moves. Well, Syndicate is all about brutality – punching you in the mouth – with force. These four wrestling legends, combining their different approaches to tag wrestling, could deliver many show-stealing moments in 2026.

face and cage

While they’re still around, it would be awesome to see the duo of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage – FKA Edge and Christian – take on the Motor City Machine Guns. This will be a longtime dream match that will turn into reality. The pair would go down as two of the 10 best teams in the history of the industry.

With Copeland nearing retirement soon, AEW needs to make this a historic match.

Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland

Yes, we know, Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland rarely tag, and the latter has returned as a heel this year. However, when in the ring together as enemies or partners, Ospreay and Strickland make magic. If somehow they can get into the same side again next year, they will be pitted against MCMG.

This is a matchup that some people never imagined could become an absolute wrestling classic sometime in 2026 or 2027.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Kairi Sane is no longer a member of the WWE roster. Sane was among 25 wrestlers released by WWE as part of the company’s WrestleMania 42 roster cuts on April 24, and PWInsider has confirmed that his release stands and no reversal is imminent. The claims circulating on social media that his release has been canceled are false. Sane has already returned to Japan, making an appearance in WWE impossible regardless of her contractual status.

The timing of the release was immediately criticized given Sane’s active involvement in the ongoing storyline with Asuka and IYO Sky. According to Fightful Select, there was considerable shock within the company over this decision, with his departure before any meaningful outcome to the feud caused massive disappointment within WWE. The program was moving towards a resolution that would never happen again, at least not with Sen involved.

The fan reaction was equally swift. The hashtag VivantCarry circulated on social media for a long time following the news, and WWE backstage interviewer Jackie Redmond posted a public reaction to the release before quickly deleting the tweet – a moment that shows how much this decision has upset people both inside and outside the company.

Sane was in her second WWE run, after returning to the company in 2023. During that period, she won two additional reigns with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship as the Kabuki Warriors with Asuka, adding to a legacy that also includes her first run with the company between 2017 and 2020. Her exit leaves the Kabuki Warriors story unresolved and removes one of the more established names the women’s division is now navigating. The roster changed in the post-WrestleMania season.

As for what’s next for Sen, he won’t have much trouble finding work with several promotions interested in bringing him on.

While WWE has signed former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL, the company has yet to determine where he fits into its programming. According to PWInsider, EVIL is currently listed internally on the company’s diverse roster rather than being associated with Raw, SmackDown or NXT, placing him in the same internal category as veterans and injured talent while WWE figures out its plans for him.

PWInsider reported: “Former IWGP Champion EVIL is not officially assigned to any WWE brand and is listed internally on the company’s ‘Miscellaneous’ roster, where legends and injured talent reside internally.

The Miscellaneous listing reveals that, despite the signing being confirmed, creative plans to introduce EVIL to WWE audiences have not yet been finalized. Adding to the uncertainty, WWE has not publicly acknowledged the signing at all, keeping his arrival a secret, while reports from sources in Japan have confirmed that the deal has been completed.

The signing was first confirmed after months of speculation following EVIL’s departure from NJPW in January. PWInsider confirmed at the time: “World Wrestling Entertainment has signed former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL, PWInsider.com has confirmed with multiple sources in Japan. While rumors have been circulating about his appointment for months, PWInsider.com can confirm that he has signed and sealed a contract with WWE.”

The mystery surrounding his debut is further heightened as the expectation in Japan is that he will not use the EVIL ring name once he appears on WWE programming. A name change of that nature usually signals a character repackage, which may be part of why WWE is taking its time before assigning him to a specific show. Whether that debut comes as a way to relaunch his character in NXT, or directly under a new identity on Raw or SmackDown, remains to be seen.

EVIL, whose real name is Takaaki Watanabe, became a top star in NJPW in 2020 when he betrayed Los Ingobernables de Japon to team up with Bullet Club and defeated Tetsuya Naito to simultaneously hold both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships. He is the partner of WWE’s IYO SKY.

On Friday, 23 veterans and prospects were released from their existing contracts in the latest round of WWE’s annual roster cuts. Some of the most notable names to be released this week were each member of the Wyatt Six, Kairi Sane, and wrestling power couple Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.

While this was bad news for those wrestlers, it does leave a group of interesting talents in pro wrestling free agency at a time when the industry is strong. All Elite Wrestling should seriously consider signing veteran performers soon. With that in mind, here are seven former WWE stars that AEW should target on the open market.

carry sen

AEW’s women’s division has come a long way over the years. However, that still pales in comparison to the absurd amount of talent on WWE’s roster. But WWE has just offered several talented female wrestlers that Tony Khan may want to quickly embrace. The most notable is Japanese veteran Kairi Sane.

Khan has mentioned being a fan of Sane in the past and has a clear love for the talent from the Land of the Rising Sun. While Sane may no longer be in her prime, she is still a good performer who one will have a lot of sympathy for as she was not given the chance to finish her long-running storyline with Asuka in WWE.

motor city machine gun

AEW probably has the best bell-to-bell wrestling in the world. Another thing they do well is highlight tag wrestling. This has been a weakness for WWE during the Paul “Triple H” Levesque era, and it’s why TNA legends the Motor City Machine Guns have had a disappointing run in the company.

When he hit free agency a few years ago, there were rumors that he might sign with AEW. A move back to TNA seems very unlikely, and there are far more interesting matchups for Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley in AEW as a team or singles.

alba fire

AEW has made huge inroads among European wrestling fans. That’s why they can go to Wembley Stadium every year and perform very well. Therefore, former Women’s Tag Champion Alba Fires should be a top target in free agency.

She is a strong wrestler and gives them another talent that attracts and keeps fans in the UK. Additionally, her former WWE tag partner, Isla Dawn, is already under the AEW umbrella.

Santos Escobar

AEW has strongly embraced its working relationship with Mexico’s CMLL as well as the Spanish-speaking audience. That’s why it would be wise to capture Santos Escobar. However, unlike most of the CMLL talent performing in AEW, Escobar is fluent in English and can connect with fans in both languages.

Furthermore, he is at his best right now and despite being a strong wrestler in the ring, he is underrated on the mic.

zoey stark

Zoey Stark was snake bitten by injuries during her tenure in WWE, including rupturing her knee ligaments twice. However, when healthy, she was one of the most athletic and skilled female wrestlers on the roster.

His latest knee injury has likely taken away his athletic gifts. However, at just 32 years old, she feels like a perfect fit for AEW and a great addition to the women’s division.

nikki cross

Nikki Cross is a talented performer who was treated poorly as a member of the Wyatt Six. Since WWE had trouble booking the unique group, he did not have a single match while a part of the faction. His wild character work is always entertaining, and he’s a rock-solid worker in the ring.

Additionally, like Alba Fires, she will be an addition that will not only strengthen the AEW women’s division but also strengthen the company’s relationship with UK Wrestling.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

On Friday, 23 veterans and prospects were released from their existing contracts in the latest round of WWE’s annual roster cuts. Some of the most notable names to be released this week were each member of the Wyatt Six, Kairi Sane, and wrestling power couple Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.

While this was bad news for those wrestlers, it does leave a group of interesting talents in pro wrestling free agency at a time when the industry is strong. TNA Wrestling should consider signing contracts soon, including veteran performers. With that in mind, here are six former WWE stars that TNA should target on the open market.

apollo crew

At one time, Apollo Cruz was one of the must-see artists on the independent scene due to his impressive athleticism. More than a decade later, at the age of 38, Cruz is still an entertaining wrestler. But that was never his problem. It was always about finding a character that fans connect with and stick with for a while.

This is why he would be a better fit in TNA wrestling rather than battling the AEW roster for Best Match of the Night. TNA focuses a little more on character work, so if they find something that connects them with the audience, Crews could be a huge opportunity for promotion.

aleister black and zelina vega

The obvious assumption would be that, following his release, Aleister Black would return to AEW, where he found real success prior to his second stint in WWE. However, it would be wise for Carlos Silva to prioritize bringing Black and his wife Zelina Vega to TNA.

Their release this week surprised many as they were frequently used on SmackDown and seemed to be getting into a rhythm as characters. In TNA, this duo could be instantly catapulted to the top and become mainstays of the roster for the next few years, while also making some good money.

eric rowan

Erick Rowan has a useful talent for attacking enemies as a large monster. However, a performer like him doesn’t feel like a fit in this version of AEW. However, TNA could make better use of men like Rowan. They will be able to play to his strengths and get the most out of an artist whose prime years are still ahead of him.

Tyra Mae Steele

One of the other surprise releases by WWE this week was Olympic gold medalist Tyra Mae Steele. When the company signed her three years earlier, she was introduced as a future world champion and the female version of Kurt Angle. However, they may have felt that she was not developing at the pace they needed and dropped her.

He still needs further development, but has immense potential. TNA can help her become a better professional wrestler, and having a gold medalist would be a great addition to their women’s roster.

dexter loomis

Dexter Loomis has shown in the past that he can develop some strange but fun characters. Plus, he has great looks and is a very good athlete. TNA Wrestling seems like a perfect fit for a performer like Lumis, who needs time to let his character breathe. Also, rekindling their beloved history with Indi Hartwell in NXT but not in TNA would be a smart play.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

On Friday, 23 veterans and prospects from the WWE roster learned that the company no longer needed their services. While the release after the WrestleMania season caught many fans by surprise, as the company refreshes storylines, they also refresh the roster. And pay cuts in the spring have become an annual event.

However, in recent years, there has been a second round of releases towards the end of the year. Although it looks like this set of cuts has been finalized, unfortunately these 10 WWE stars may be a part of more releases later this year.

Austin theory

Austin Theory really needs to hope that this effort goes further with The Vision. He has received several opportunities in the company, including a big push a few years ago that led to a victory over John Cena at WrestleMania.

Although he is currently one half of the World Tag Team Champions, this new version of his character has not gained much traction, and serves as the main damage taker for the faction. If The Vision doesn’t make serious momentum over the next six months, Theory could top the next roster cut list.

wendy chu

Wendy Chu has been in the WWE system for seven years. She is the longest performing player who has not reached the main roster. Currently, she holds the top women’s title at Evolve, but it is the lowest level in the WWE system. After going through some character changes, Chu should be making some big waves in Evolvable, as a release in 2026 is a real possibility.

Fraxiom

The tag duo of Axiom and Nathan Fraser is very talented. They were the anchors of NXT throughout 2024 and will go down as one of the brand’s greatest tag teams. Still, the main roster remains a place where tag teams disappear.

So far, this duo has been doomed on SmackDown as WWE creative can’t figure out how to showcase their tag division. Because Fraxiom creates so much buzz in the ring, both of them are in danger of taking a pay cut at the end of the year.

shinsuke nakamura

Shinsuke Nakamura will go down as the greatest Japanese-born performer in WWE history. However, he has squandered the opportunity to push them into the main event for a longer period of time on several occasions. At 46, his best days are behind him. To make matters worse, his role on SmackDown last year has been very limited.

It feels like it’s only a matter of time before the WWE legend decides that he’s getting paid too much money despite how little he gets used to it.

creed brothers

There was a lot of hype about the Creed Brothers during their time in NXT. There was speculation that both could be future main eventers on the main roster. However, when he was promoted fans quickly discovered that his personality did not match his impressive skills in the ring.

When Chad Gable gets unmasked as the OG El Grande Americano, if the reborn version of American Made doesn’t gain popularity over the summer, Creed’s days in WWE may be over.

bronson reed

Bronson Reed showed in 2025 that he can become a major player in WWE. However, in the past year, he has also proven that he is having trouble staying healthy. Let’s not forget, this is his second innings in the company after being released in 2021. Nevertheless, he has suffered two major injuries since rejoining WWE in 2022.

Zoey Starks had similar talent and brilliance, but she also suffered several major injuries during her tenure. She was one of 23 cuts this week as she nears the end of her recovery from torn knee ligaments.

ivy blue

Ivy Nile is a rock-solid performer with a unique look. However, like his faction mates, the Creed Brothers, he lacks personality. There was an opportunity for WWE creative to create a long-term tag team with him and Maxxin Dupree. However, they took the latter in a different direction.

With NXT bringing out new female talent all the time, Niles needs to gain some momentum if she hopes to keep her spot for the rest of the year.

The Miz

Miz continues to prove why he is valuable and is willing to do whatever the company needs. However, change is inevitable, and after 20 years in WWE, it puts him in the target of roster cuts.

Making his situation even more difficult, Ethan Page was called to Raw this week. The NXT star is, in many ways, a younger and perhaps more cost-effective version of The Miz. Although it’s unlikely this year, The Miz should still have some concerns regarding his future in WWE.

jesse mateo

Jessie Mateo is a talented wrestler and has proven this during her stints in Lucha Underground and NJPW. However, he has been considered a henchman of MFT since he joined the company last year. It would be in his best interest to break away from the team and showcase his talents as a solo act. Because right now, they are easily placed in a position to change lines.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Ahead of this week’s edition of SmackDown, multiple reports have revealed a new round of WWE roster cuts, including several members of the Wyatt Six.

Spring is a prime time during the WWE calendar as it includes the all-important road to WrestleMania. The annual mega event often serves as the conclusion of several major ongoing storylines, and the beginning of a new direction for the company in the days to come. It also comes with an audit of the current roster.

While this time of year is a high point for fans, it’s also usually a time for artists to be concerned about their spot on the roster. On Friday, several WWE stars learned that their services will no longer be needed.

The most notable releases that have been confirmed are the three members of the Wyatt Six. They are their leaders, Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy, Joe Gacy and Nikki Cross. It is unclear whether the remaining members of the team, Erick Rowan and Dexter Lumis, will also be included in the cuts or will remain in the company with New Directions.

The sole member of Chelsea Green’s Secret Her-Vice, Alba Phair, confirmed that her time at the company is coming to an end. Injured former Women’s Title contender Zoey Stark has also parted ways with WWE, and NXT veteran and Chase U leader Andre Chase revealed in an X-post that he too has been added to the roster.

A total of six performers were added to Friday’s WWE roster cuts. More releases may emerge in the next 24 to 48 hours.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE internally discussed a scenario in which CM Punk would retain the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42 before ultimately selecting Roman Reigns as champion.

The report clarifies that Reigns’ victory was always the long-term plan, but an alternate ending involving Punk was considered so seriously that it was discussed internally before being rejected.

Meltzer wrote, “Rengs was always going to emerge as champion because long-term plans were made for him at that position, including a title fight with Gunther.” “It was possible and clearly talked about that Punk could defeat Reigns and then lose the title at Backlash, so they would be ‘even’ when it was over, but Reigns would finish as champion as a way to protect Punk’s position. But in the end the decision was for Reigns to win here.”

Punk’s victory at WrestleMania, followed by a title loss at Backlash in Tampa on May 9, would leave both men tied in whatever happened next, reducing Punk’s blowout and ultimately leaving Las Vegas unchampioned. The fact that it was considered at all shows how well matched both options were at some point in the creative process, even if Reigns’ victory was always the likely decision.

In the night two main event of WrestleMania 42, Reigns defeated Punk with two spears in a match that lasted 30 minutes. At the press conference after the show, Reigns announced that he would be appearing throughout the summer. WWE wasted no time in setting up its next direction, setting up a showdown between Reigns and Jacob Fatu on that Monday show.

There is already an important program attached to the long-term picture beyond Fatu. Gunther has been identified as a key direction for Reigns’ title reign, which would be one of the best championship programs WWE could do, given the star power of both sides. With Reigns now confirmed as the centerpiece of the summer’s World Heavyweight Championship picture, the creative roadmap appears to be in place.

WWE has signed with former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL, PWInsider.com has confirmed with multiple sources in Japan. While rumors regarding his destination have been circulating for months, the signing has now been confirmed. According to the same sources, the expectation in Japan is that he will not wear the EVIL ring name upon his WWE debut.

EVIL, whose real name is Takaaki Watanabe, made a name for himself in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2020 after one of the most talked-about heel turns of that era. Originally a member of the Los Ingobernables de Japon faction, he shocked fans by betraying the group and allying himself with Bullet Club, adopting a darker, intervention-heavy character in the process.

The result was soon rewarded. He defeated Tetsuya Naito to become a double champion, as well as hold the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships, a moment that marked a significant shift in NJPW’s storytelling during that period.

Several new reports have emerged regarding several NXT stars moving to the main roster and a WWE veteran switching brands.

With WrestleMania 42 officially behind the scenes, it’s time for WWE to move on to new storylines and roster adjustments on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown. Often, this is the period when the company returns with the annual draft. However, it is unclear when or if this will happen even after it is abandoned in 2025.

Still, there has been a notable influx of talent on both rosters over the past few months. Artists like Oba Femi, Trick Williams, Page and Royce Keys. Well, it looks like the new additions to the main roster won’t be slowing down any time soon.

After former NXT Champion Ethan Page debuted on Raw this week, Wrestle Votes reports that one-time TNA Champion Joe Hendry is expected to move to the red brand soon, after some initial speculation that he could move to SmackDown. The former NXT Champion was defeated decisively by Keanu Culver on this week’s episode of NXT.

There are also rumors that one-time NXT and North American Champion Ricky Saints could be moved to the main roster. BodySlam+ claims there have been discussions about a move, but The CW Network has told WWE they would like at least one notable veteran as a top star for the brand on their airwaves. Therefore, The Saints may stick around in NXT for some time.

Could Rey Mysterio be moved to SmackDown?

Hendry, Saints and Page aren’t the only NXT stars in discussion or joining the main roster. According to Wrestle Votes, longtime NXT Women’s Champion Jessie Jayne has also been talked about as a name to add to the SmackDown roster during creative meetings.

Jayne is the longest-tenured member of the NXT roster after debuting with the black-and-gold brand in the summer of 2021. Along with being a two-time Women’s Champion, she is also a former tag team titlist.

The Wrestle Votes report also reveals that WWE creative is considering bringing in Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio. The wrestling legend is currently a member of the Raw roster, and is reportedly considering the possibility of a move to SmackDown soon.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

After hosting both nights of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, John Cena went to X to hint at some of the actions for Backlash weekend in Tampa on May 9.

“My business could be at WWE Backlash,” Cena wrote. “Sadly, the years have flown by. I’m still trying to do something epic in Tampa for 5/9. I promised Club WWE something special… stay tuned.”

Whatever he’s planning for Tampa won’t involve in-ring competition, which is in line with his retirement from active wrestling in December. Specific details about what he promised Club WWE members are unknown, but the language he used – “something epic” – indicates it’s more than a casual appearance.

Cena retired from in-ring competition after losing to Gunther in the main event of Saturday Night Live in December, before returning to WWE television as host of WrestleMania 42. There have been notable changes to the Backlash card since WrestleMania 42.

A previously planned tag team match pitting Pat McAfee and Randy Orton against Cody Rhodes and Jelly Roll has been pulled from the show. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, McAfee opted out of the arena following negative fan reaction to Rhodes and Orton’s involvement at the WrestleMania 42 event, a direction driven by TKO CEO Ari Emanuel rather than WWE creative itself.

McAfee honored the stipulation he made before WrestleMania – that if Orton failed to win the title he would leave wrestling forever – by announcing on his ESPN show that his time in wrestling was over.

Backlash 2026 will take place on Sunday, May 9 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, streaming live on the ESPN app in the United States.

Paige has opened up about the unexpected series of events that led to her WWE return, revealing that Jelly Roll played a direct role in starting the negotiations and that Nick Khan laid out two non-negotiable conditions before any deal could go forward. Paige shared details during a new episode of What’s Your Story with Stephanie McMahon.

The road to returning to WWE began with a live recording of Jelly Roll’s Wife Bunny’s podcast, where Page was a guest along with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s agent Brad Slater. Jelly Roll used that moment to directly ask why WWE didn’t bring Paige back. That question set off a chain of events that led to a meeting with Nick Khan being arranged within 30 minutes of Jelly Roll calling.

She said, “I went and met him for about 10 minutes, great guy. I love him. Big fan of his. Very smart.” “He has a business mind. I thought I would be intimidated by him. But getting there, he’s comfortable. He says, ‘Two things – your neck has to be fine and we have to do a drug test.’ I said, ‘Fair enough.’ I said, ‘Hey, I can handle the drug testing.’

“I’m clean as a whistle. And so I was like, ‘I don’t know what my neck is like. It’s been a few years since I’ve had it checked. Last time I got it checked, it was perfect. So I’m not really worried about it.’ And so, next week I fly to Birmingham.

Given Paige’s history with the company, the personal significance of the drug testing situation was immense. During her first stint in WWE, she failed two drug tests and, by her own admission, was “a little messed up”. Stephanie McMahon said in the episode that there was genuine concern for Paige within WWE at the time, and when Paige first returned in 2017, Stephanie hugged her and said she was glad she was still alive. Paige is now eight years old.

Paige is getting medical clearance

The medical clearance side of the equation required a 10-hour appointment in Birmingham. Paige was medically disqualified from WWE in December 2017 after a match, which revealed the severity of her neck problems, leading to her forced retirement from the company. She later returned to in-ring competition in AEW in 2022, but receiving formal WWE medical clearance was a completely different process. When the results came out she was devastated.

“It was a few things. The fact that my neck was good,” Page said. “And the last time I was in WWE, my neck wasn’t right, and I had to retire. And I had to miss all the big things like the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, all these things I didn’t get a chance to be a part of, even though I was part of the group that helped ignite it, right? And it’s just the fact that I’m going to be OK.”

With both conditions met, Paige entered contract negotiations and was brought back in time for WrestleMania 42, where she teamed with Brie Bella to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Paige stepped in as a replacement for Nikki Bella, who suffered an ankle injury during WrestleMania.

A new report suggests that WWE fans’ outcry about the company’s excessive use of celebrities has scared Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll out of taking part in a planned match next month.

While the Night 2 main event of WrestleMania 42 will be celebrated as a classic, the Night 1 headliner was controversial for many WWE fans. A few weeks before the event, occasional announcer and wrestler Pat McAfee was involved in a storyline between Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. TKO CEO Ari Emanuel reportedly made the random move in an effort to boost sluggish ticket sales for the two-night event.

McAfee’s surprise addition was loudly condemned by WWE fans. However, one reason for the backlash was audiences becoming tired of the company’s excessive use of celebrities at WrestleMania 42. Country music star Jelly Roll made a splash over the past month, and rapper Lil Yachty has been heavily used over the past few weeks.

Pat McAfee faces defeat in the face of WWE fan protests

Well, that loud disappointment has been heard loud and clear, and it looks like WWE fans won’t be seeing McAfee or Jelly Roll again for a very long time. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, McAfee has refused to be the focus of the Night 1 main event and is planning a Rhodes-Jelly Roll vs. Orton-McAfee tag match at Backlash in May.

Meltzer claimed, “The thing is, they were both very aware of what was said about celebrities in wrestling.” “They both love wrestling, and I think they realized there was a lot of negative sentiment about it.”

So if you were one of those passionate fans loudly protesting WWE’s overuse of celebrities, the campaign was successful, and celebrities will be away from the company’s content for a while.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

While talking about his past issues with WWE wrestler Ludwig Kaiser, Ric Flair jokingly said that he had no idea where Kaiser came from or whether he was still on the roster.

First, the back story. The 16-time world champion’s problems with the man who works under the alias of El Grande Americano stem from an incident that took place last year between Tiffany Stratton and her daughter Charlotte Flair. In the lead up to their WrestleMania 41 title match, they had an infamous verbal clash on an episode of SmackDown.

During the segment, Stratton referenced Flair’s three failed marriages. Flair responded by saying that his opponent’s then-boyfriend Kaiser was sending him direct messages on social media. A claim that Kaiser shot down with a hilarious Shawn Michaels meme immediately afterward.

During Wednesday’s appearance ariel helwani showRic Flair called in and noted that he was not invited to WrestleMania 41 and 42 this year because he threatened to “beat up” Caesar over a comment he made on social media about his daughter, which the 76-year-old was not clear about.

“I threatened to beat up Tiffany Stratton’s husband last year, and I wasn’t allowed to go. A 24-year-old kid is being threatened by a 76-year-old man, and I can’t go to WrestleMania. Are you kidding me?” Flair said.

Beyond the idea that Flair had any chance in a fight against Kaiser at the age of nearly 80, there were several things he got wrong in his speech. First of all, he claimed that Kaiser is 24 years old. He is actually 35 years old. The WCW icon then said, “That English kid, he’ll be like a gnat in wrestling. He’ll be a fly on the wall in a year.” Flair apparently doesn’t know that Kaiser is German.

Flair then asked, “Where is he now? Is he even on the roster?” The wrestling great must not have looked too far into the WWE product as he had no idea that Cesar had been playing the character for El Grande Americano for almost a year and had become extremely popular for his work in AAA.

This was one of many senior Ric Flair moments when he complained about WWE not “rolling out the red carpet” for him during WrestleMania weekend for his contributions to the industry. He also claimed that Stratton “wasn’t smart enough” to write the line about his daughter’s divorce and that someone at the company had passed the message on to him.

Still, despite the lengthy criticism and numerous targets, the WWE Hall of Famer suggested, “I’m not mad at anybody. I understand it’s politics now. It’s too much politics and not enough wrestling.”

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

本周末的《摔角狂热 42》两晚赛事中最大的新闻之一就是 WWE 偶像布洛克·莱斯纳 (Brock Lesnar) 的惊人退休。在短短四分钟内被奥巴·费米击败后，“野兽”脱下手套和鞋子，将它们放在擂台中央，向球迷告别。

看起来他给了球迷一个惊喜的退役，也可能不是。据《摔跤观察家》的戴夫·梅尔策 (Dave Meltzer) 报道，消息人士告诉他，WWE 的决策者认为莱斯纳实际上并未退休，但预计“很可能”会在 2026 年正式结束他的职业生涯。

如果布洛克·莱斯纳没有正式退役，让我们来看看如果他像约翰·塞纳和戈德堡那样得到隆重的送行的话，有五个潜在的对手。

冈瑟

莱斯纳最有希望成为最后一场比赛的对手就是让戈德堡、塞纳和 AJ 斯泰尔斯在上一场比赛中退出的同一个人，冈瑟。他现在被称为“职业杀手”，对他来说，通过让莱斯纳入睡来增加他令人印象深刻的热门名单是有道理的。然而，这是非常可预测的，并且会让可能的比赛失去很多兴奋感。另外，在这一点上，Gunther 并不真正需要它。

源头破坏者

莱斯纳的最后对手的另一个有趣的选择是布隆·破坏者。随着保罗·海曼 (Paul Heyman) 职业生涯的落日，这位传奇经理让 Breakker 成为他的新第一客户。让 Breakker 暴力地让“野兽”退役似乎很合适，这对于第二代明星来说将是一个巨大的胜利。

布朗森·里德

如果不是破坏者，他的幻视派伙伴布朗森·里德将是另一个明智的选择。他已经战胜了罗曼·雷恩斯。因此，获得 W 战胜莱斯纳将是他的另一大荣耀。此外，里德是一位才华横溢的摔跤手，他将为未来的名人堂成员提供一个独特的敌人。另外，看着莱斯纳带着里德去萨普勒斯城也是一件很有趣的事情。

CM朋克

WWE 也可以在莱斯纳的最后一场比赛中走向完全不同的方向，让他与另一位传奇人物（例如 CM Punk）同台竞技。公司里没有比朋克更大的明星了。因此，SummerSlam 重演他们十多年前的“The Best vs. The Beast”比赛将是今年夏天为期两晚的大型赛事的一场轻松的主要赛事。

洛杉矶骑士

莱斯纳通过最后一场失利来培养新人才的想法常常伴随着这样的假设：他必须是一名年轻的表演者。然而，像洛杉矶骑士这样深受球迷喜爱的球员，如果能战胜莱斯纳，尤其是在他的最后一场比赛中，将会受益匪浅。

这将是一场独特的风格和个性冲突，据传奈特是莱斯纳今年摔跤狂热大赛上的对手。所以该公司可能已经考虑过这个想法。

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One of the biggest stories to come out of this weekend’s WrestleMania 42 two-night card was the surprise retirement of WWE icon Brock Lesnar. After losing to Oba Femi in just four minutes, “The Beast” took off his gloves and shoes, placed them in the middle of the ring and waved goodbye to the fans.

It seemed like he gave fans a surprise retirement, or maybe not. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, sources told him that decision-makers in WWE are under the impression that Lesnar is not actually retired, but is expected to officially end his career in 2026, “likely.”

If Brock Lesnar isn’t officially retired, let’s take a look at five potential opponents if he gets a great sendoff like John Cena and Goldberg.

gunther

Lesnar’s final opponent is likely to be the same man who eliminated Goldberg, Cena and AJ Styles in their last match, Gunther. He is now known as the “Career Killer” and it would be fitting for him to add to his impressive hit list by putting Lesnar to sleep. However, this is very predictable and will remove a lot of excitement from a potential match. Plus, at this point, Gunther doesn’t really need it.

source breaker

Another interesting choice for Lesnar’s final opponent is Braun Breaker. With the career of a man named Paul Heyman in sunset, the legendary manager has made Breaker his new No. 1 client. It seems fitting for Breaker to violently send “The Beast” into retirement and would be a huge win for the second generation star.

bronson reed

If not Breaker, his The Vision faction partner, Bronson Reed, would be a more sensible choice. He has already won over Roman Reigns. Therefore, getting a win over Lesnar would be another great achievement for him. Additionally, Reed is a talented wrestler who would offer a unique opponent for the future Hall of Famer. Additionally, it would be interesting to see Lesnar take Reed to Suplex City.

cm Punk

WWE could go a completely different direction for Lesnar’s final match and put him in the ring with another legend like CM Punk. There is no bigger star than Punk in the company. So a SummerSlam rematch of their “The Best vs. The Beast” showdown from over a decade ago would be an easy main event for this summer’s two-night mega event.

la night

The idea of ​​Lesnar taking one final loss in order to promote a new talent often comes with the assumption that it must be a young performer. However, a fan-favorite like LA Knight would benefit greatly from getting a win over Lesnar, especially in their last match.

It would be a unique clash of styles and personalities, and Knight was an early rumor to face Lesnar at WrestleMania this year. So the company may have already considered this idea.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

On this week’s edition of Monday Night Raw, rumors of a move to the main roster became reality when it was officially revealed that former NXT Champion Ethan Page is now a member of the roster. The red brand now has a performer with tons of experience, someone with a great wardrobe, and a wrestler who can work well in any style.

Now that the NXT and AEW veteran is on the WWE main roster, it’s the perfect time to take a look at some of the feuds we can’t wait to see Paige create in the coming months and years.

jacob fatu

Ethan Page can be animated when pushed, but for the most part, he is a cool, calm, and cocky character. That’s why a showdown with “The Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu would be so much fun. Fatu is such an intense and unpredictable artist that it can force some hilarious reactions off the page.

Additionally, it will be interesting to see Page work with a larger but athletic opponent. Something that he has rarely done in the last five years.

cm Punk

CM Punk won’t be around much longer, so it would be nice to see him mixing it up more often against some of the rising talent instead of the elite guys on the roster. The clash of personalities would make for some great television, and Page somehow gaining the upper hand at the end of the feud could help create a new main event player in WWE.

Jai Uso

Ethan Page is so good at being an annoyingly despicable heel that a fan favorite like Jey Uso is a natural enemy at some point. Plus, being a pain in the neck for such a beloved character would help elevate Page as one of Raw’s top bad guys. Also, the matches will be entertaining.

Don’t be surprised if you see this rivalry playing out on your TV screens by the autumn.

uncle howdy

Page rarely encountered supernatural characters during his career. In WWE, he will eventually face many people. Some are silly, like Danhausen, and others are downright scary, like Uncle Howdy. The rivalry with Howdy could be very interesting, and Page could get far better matches against the Wyatt Six leader than other foes. This could be a win-win for both characters.

The Miz

Very rarely do heels fight each other. However, with Page looking like the next generation version of The Miz, the pair hating on each other would be no surprise, nor would future clashes in the ring. It might be even better if WWE drew obvious parallels, with Miz suggesting that Page is here to take his place or is a younger version of the future Hall of Famer.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

在本周的周一晚上Raw上，当正式透露前NXT冠军伊森·佩奇现在是名单中的一员时，晋升主名单的传言成为了现实。这个红色品牌现在拥有了一位经验丰富的表演者、一位拥有出色服装游戏的男人以及一位能够与任何风格完美搭配的摔跤手。

现在，这位 NXT 和 AEW 的老将已经出现在 WWE 的主力阵容中，现在是观看一些争斗的最佳时机，我们迫不及待地想看到佩奇在未来几个月和几年内的表现。

雅各布·法图

伊森·佩奇在被推动时会变得活跃，但在大多数情况下，他是一个冷静、冷静、自大的角色。这就是为什么与“萨摩亚狼人”雅各布·法图的不和会很有趣。法图是一位如此热情且不可预测的表演者，以至于它可能会迫使佩奇做出一些搞笑的反应。

此外，看到页面与一个身材高大但运动能力强的对手一起工作也会很有趣。这是他过去五年来很少做的事情。

CM朋克

CM Punk 的存在时间不会太长，所以很高兴看到他更频繁地与一些冉冉升起的天才选手（而不仅仅是名单上的精英）进行混搭。个性的冲突将会带来一些精彩的电视节目，而佩奇在这场争斗结束时以某种方式占据上风可能有助于在 WWE 中创造出一位新的主要赛事选手。

杰·乌索

伊森·佩奇 (Ethan Page) 非常擅长扮演令人讨厌的讨厌鬼，以至于像杰伊·乌索 (Jey Uso) 这样的粉丝最爱在某些时候成为了天敌。此外，成为这样一个受人喜爱的角色的麻烦将有助于将佩奇提升为 Raw 上的头号坏人之一。另外，比赛将会很有趣。

如果您到秋天在电视屏幕上看到这种竞争，请不要感到惊讶。

好迪叔叔

在他的职业生涯中，佩奇很少面对超自然人物。在 WWE，他最终会与几个人相遇。有些很愚蠢，比如丹豪森，而另一些则非常令人毛骨悚然，比如霍迪叔叔。与 Howdy 的竞争可能会非常有趣，佩奇可能会比其他对手更好地与 Wyatt Sicks 领袖进行比赛。这对两个角色来说可能是双赢。

米兹

高跟鞋之间很少发生争执。然而，由于佩奇看起来就像下一代版本的米兹，两人互相仇恨也就不足为奇了，未来在擂台上发生冲突也不会令人惊讶。如果WWE能够强调明显的相似之处，那就更好了，米兹暗示佩奇来这里是为了取代他的位置，或者是未来名人堂成员的一个较小版本。

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A current WWE Champion would like to make Paul Heyman her lawyer in the future.

Heyman will go down as one of the greatest managers in professional wrestling. Which is saying something considering the legends who have stepped into the ring with stars throughout the history of the industry. However, before coming to WWE, he had already made his mark in WCW as Paul E. Dangerously, when he formed the Dangerous Alliance.

As the leader of ECW, he created a list of misfit toys and inspired many of them to become characters that wrestling fans still remember today. However, his time as an on-air personality in WWE elevated his status as a manager to iconic levels.

Either as the lawyer for “The Beast” Brock Lesnar. Then the wise man for Roman Reigns and the great run of bloodlines. And now as the oracle of The Vision. Additionally, it can’t be forgotten that he also managed CM Punk during his longest tenure as WWE Champion.

Jade Cargill wants to make Paul Heyman her manager

So it’s no surprise that current stars would love to be the next “Paul Heyman guy.” Or in this case, the next “Paul Heyman Gal.”

Current WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill told 8 News Now in Las Vegas about following her idol Chyna and eventually winning the Women’s Intercontinental title, “If I’m going that route I would love to have Paul Heyman as my manager.”

Cargill has already shown that she’s skilled on the mic and doesn’t really need help with that aspect of her game. However, having Heyman serve as his manager would add a certain gravitas and elevate his status to one where only he can bring talent due to his incomparable resume.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

现任 WWE 冠军希望保罗·海曼 (Paul Heyman) 成为她未来的代言人。

海曼将作为职业摔跤界最伟大的经理而名垂青史。考虑到在这个行业的历史上伴随着明星们登上擂台的传奇人物，这确实说明了一些事情。然而，甚至在他加入 WWE 之前，他就在 WCW 中以 Paul E. Dangerously 的身份组建了危险联盟，从而为自己赢得了声誉。

作为 ECW 的领导者，他收集了一系列不合时宜的玩具，并激励其中许多人成为摔跤迷至今仍记得的角色。然而，他在 WWE 作为直播人物的经历将他作为经理的地位提升到了标志性的水平。

要么作为“野兽”布洛克·莱斯纳的代言人。然后是罗曼·雷恩斯和血统传奇之路的智者。现在作为愿景的神谕。此外，我们不能忘记，在他最长的 WWE 冠军生涯中，他还管理过 CM Punk。

杰德·卡吉尔希望保罗·海曼担任她的经理

因此，当下的明星愿意成为下一个“保罗·海曼”也就不足为奇了。或者在这种情况下，下一个“保罗·海曼女孩”。

“如果我走这条路，我希望保罗·海曼（Paul Heyman）成为我的经纪人，”现任 WWE 女子冠军杰德·卡吉尔 (Jade Cargill) 在拉斯维加斯接受 8 News Now 采访时谈到追随她的偶像 Chyna 并最终赢得女子洲际冠军头衔。

嘉吉已经证明了她在麦克风方面的技术，并且在游戏的这方面并不真正需要帮助。然而，让海曼担任她的经纪人会给她增添一定的庄重感，并将她的地位提升到只有他才能带来才华的地方，因为他无与伦比的履历。

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On Friday night in Las Vegas, former WWE and AEW star Jake Hager made his successful debut in the strange world of professional slap fighting.

The man once known as Jack Swagger in World Wrestling Entertainment has proven over the past decade that he is much more than just a pro wrestler. Before joining WWE, he was an accomplished two-sport athlete in Oklahoma. Playing football and wrestling for powerhouse universities.

He had an 11-year run in the top promotion in pro wrestling, winning numerous titles, including a two-month reign as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Following his release in 2017, he did not take his talents to any other wrestling company. Instead, he began cage fighting and amassed a 3-0 record in MMA’s No. 2 promotion, Bellator.

Jake Hager Power Slap Record: 1-0

Two years later, he returned to the industry under his real name, Jake Hager, which made him a celebrity by signing with All Elite Wrestling. Served as a key member of The Inner Circle and Jericho Appreciation Society during his five-year tenure. However, as of 2017, he eventually left wrestling to try a new sport: slap fighting.

On Friday at Power Slap 19, Hager made his sporting and promotional debut when he faced fellow heavyweight Devin Jenkins. Recognizing that Hager could attract the brand’s attention due to his wrestling history, Power Slap gave him a winnable fight after Jenkins had lost his previous two bouts in the promotion.

Although it took three rounds, Hager showed that he is a slap fish out of water and was able to score a TKO victory in his power slap debut (highlights from the victory can be found above). Now, Hager is a successful athlete in not one, not two, not three, but four combat sports.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

周五晚上在拉斯维加斯，前 WWE 和 AEW 明星杰克·哈格 (Jake Hager) 在独特的职业巴掌打斗世界中成功亮相。

这位曾在世界摔跤娱乐界被称为杰克·斯瓦格的男子在过去十年中已经证明，他不仅仅是一名职业摔跤手。在加入 WWE 之前，他是俄克拉荷马州一名出色的两项运动运动员。为实力雄厚的大学踢足球和摔跤。

他随后在职业摔跤的顶级晋升中连续 11 年，赢得了许多冠军，包括连续两个月成为 WWE 世界重量级冠军。 2017年被公司解雇后，他并没有将自己的才华带到另一家摔跤公司。相反，他改用笼斗，并在 Bellator 中取得了 3-0 的战绩。

杰克·海格强力掌掴记录：1-0

两年后，他以真名杰克·哈格 (Jake Hager) 重返摔跤行业，并与 All Elite Wrestling 签约，使他成为名人。在他的五年任期内，担任核心圈子和杰里科欣赏协会的主要成员。然而，就像2017年一样，他放弃了摔跤，尝试了一项新运动：掌掴格斗。

周五，在 Power Slap 19 上，海格与重量级选手德文·詹金斯 (Devin Jenkins) 交锋，完成了他的体育和宣传首秀。了解到海格可以因其摔跤历史而引起对该品牌的关注，在詹金斯在促销活动的前两场比赛中被击倒后，Power Slap 给了他一场可以获胜的战斗。

尽管耗时三轮，海格还是展现了他如鱼得水的能力，并在他的 Power Slap 首秀中取得了技术淘汰赛的胜利（胜利的亮点可以在上面找到）。现在，海格是一名成功的运动员，参与的不是一项、两项、三项而是四项格斗运动。

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It looks like Nikki Bella will not be cleared to compete at WrestleMania 42: Night 1. However, a new rumor reveals a replacement that longtime WWE fans will love.

Three weeks earlier, on an episode of SmackDown, Bella injured her ankle in a tag match with her sister Brie against two WrestleMania 42 opponents, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. After the show, it was reported that the injury was not minor, and his availability for this weekend’s show was up in the air.

Well, on Friday, PW Insider is not cleared to participate in the Women’s Tag Team Title match also featuring Bayley and Lyra Valkyria and defending champions Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend). However, while Nikki is out of the match, her sister is reportedly staying in. But will she be competing alone?

No, Bella will have a mysterious partner. The outlet also revealed that none other than Paige, aka Saraya in AEW, will be making her grand return to WWE on Saturday night for the first time since retiring from the company due to a neck injury in 2018.

Paige will return at the long-awaited WWE WrestleMania 42

PW Insider’s Mike Johnson wrote, “Sarayah Jade-Beavis, better known as Paige during her original tenure with the company, has signed to return as a wrestler for World Wrestling Entertainment and is expected to return to the ring as part of WrestleMania 42 this weekend.”

After ending his wrestling career at just 26 years old, Page worked as an interviewer and host for WWE until his contract expires in the summer of 2022. A few months later, she would end her retirement and return to the ring for AEW. She would go on to win the top women’s title.

Paige/Saraiya officially parted ways with AEW last year after their contracts with WWE’s top rival expired.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

With Danhausen becoming one of WWE’s more popular talents, a new rumor suggests the company has some big plans for him at WrestleMania 42 this weekend.

The former AEW wrestler’s debut at Elimination Chamber in February did not go as well as expected, as he received a lukewarm reception from WWE fans in Chicago. However, this may have been a good thing as it lowered expectations. Since that moment, the unique comic character has quickly endeared himself to disaffected fans.

Now, the man known for cursing his enemies is quite excited for his first WrestleMania. Although he does not have an official match on the card, there has been much speculation on how he may be used during the two-night event.

Will Danhausen meet John Cena at WrestleMania?

On Friday, we got some new information about WWE’s Danhausen plans for this weekend via BodySlam+. According to the outlet, the wrestling version of Dracula won’t just make a one-time appearance during WrestleMania. In fact, the company is planning for them to have multiple segments over the course of two nights.

Yet that was not the most interesting part of the intelligence. BodySlam+ also reports that one of those segments will see Danhausen face off against WWE GOAT John Cena, who will host both nights of WrestleMania 42.

While no one had Danhausen and Cena in the ring on their bingo card following their retirement in December, they could have finally delivered one of the most memorable moments of WrestleMania 42.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

随着丹豪森迅速成为 WWE 最受欢迎的人才之一，有新的传言表明该公司在本周末的摔角狂热 42 上为他制定了一些重大计划。

这位前 AEW 摔跤手二月份在密室铁笼铁笼淘汰赛中的首次亮相并没有达到预期的效果，因为他在芝加哥受到了 WWE 粉丝的冷遇。然而，这可能是一件好事，因为它降低了期望。从那时起，这个独特的喜剧角色很快就赢得了不为人知的粉丝的喜爱。

现在，这位以咒骂敌人而闻名的男人有很大的动力进入他的第一次摔跤狂热。虽然他没有参加正式比赛，但人们对他在为期两晚的比赛中如何发挥作用有很多猜测。

丹豪森将在摔跤狂热大赛上见到约翰·塞纳？

周五，我们通过 BodySlam+ 获得了 WWE 丹豪森本周末计划的一些新细节。据该媒体报道，摔跤版的德古拉在摔跤狂热大赛期间不会只出现一次。事实上，公司计划让他在这两个晚上参与多个片段。

但这还不是最有趣的情报。 BodySlam+ 还报道称，其中一个环节是丹豪森将与 WWE 山羊约翰·塞纳 (John Cena) 面对面，后者将主持 WrestleMania 42 的两晚。

虽然丹豪森和塞纳在 12 月退役后没有人在他们的宾果卡上一起出现在擂台上，但他们最终可能会带来摔角狂热 42 最令人难忘的时刻之一。

Jason Burgos 于 2017 年获得新闻学学位后，担任多个网站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 关于 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

John Cena did not become the 17-time world champion without reason. And believe it or not, his brothers ultimately played a role in helping shape the WWE icon.

Before the bright lights and main events, Cena was hard at work in the Backyard Wars with his first rivals Stephen, Dan, Matthew and Sean. We’re talking cardboard title belts, a DIY ring, and five Cena guys cutting promos and throwing hands like it’s WrestleMania every day.

That chaos created the ultimate competitor. Those early sibling conflicts shaped Cena into a relentless, never-back-down superstar who dominated the headlines in WWE for years. And even now, despite the fame and Hollywood glamour, Cena is still tight with his brothers. However, an interesting fact has emerged about one of them.

Who is John Cena’s brother?

John Cena has four brothers. Stephen, Dan, Matthew and Shawn.

Who is John Cena’s gay brother?

Stephen is the one whose sexuality became a public story in 2024. He is a voice and theater actor who has appeared in Avenue Q, Bloody Island, And Return to Clark County. He has won two New York State Theater Association awards for his work.

John Cena’s support for his gay brother

For more than a decade, he guarded his brother Steve’s truth like a championship secret – no leaks, no omissions, just pure loyalty. The 17-time world champion never violated kayfabe on something that was so important, he stood by his brother until Steve was ready to step into the spotlight and tell his story on his own terms.

“Life was hard for my brother in high school,” Cena said on Dax Shepard’s podcast. ‘Not only was he introverted and interested in computers, but he was also gay. And being gay in a small town in Massachusetts in the ’80s, man, it’s a tough climb.

Cena said that his brother is still not out, but he is still being criticized for being different. He explained, “He had a lot of character traits that the group of cool kids didn’t have, and he also had this secret that he couldn’t tell anyone or talk about.” He said that now looking back, he realizes deeply what his brother went through.

约翰·塞纳 (John Cena) 17 届世界冠军并非偶然。不管你信不信，他的兄弟在帮助塑造最终的 WWE 偶像方面发挥了作用。

在明亮的灯光和主要活动之前，塞纳正在与史蒂芬、丹、马修和肖恩——他的第一个对手——进行后院战争。我们谈论的是纸板标题腰带、DIY 戒指，以及五个 Cena 男孩每天剪宣传片并像摔跤狂热一样挥手。

正是这种混乱造就了最终的竞争对手。那些早期的兄弟姐妹对决将塞纳塑造成一位无情、永不退缩的超级巨星，他将在未来多年成为 WWE 的头条新闻。即使现在，尽管塞纳名声大噪，并在好莱坞崭露头角，但塞纳仍然与他的兄弟们关系密切。然而，关于其中一个的有趣事实却引人注目。

约翰·塞纳的兄弟是谁？

约翰·塞纳有四个兄弟。斯蒂芬、丹、马修和肖恩。

约翰·塞纳的同性恋兄弟是谁？

斯蒂芬是一位在 2024 年性取向成为公众故事的人。他是一名配音和戏剧演员，曾出演过 Q大道，血腥岛， 和 返回克拉克县。 他的作品曾两次获得纽约州戏剧协会奖。

约翰·塞纳对他的同性恋兄弟的支持

十多年来，他像保护冠军秘密一样保护弟弟史蒂夫的真相——没有泄密，没有失误，只有纯粹的忠诚。这位 17 届世界冠军从未在如此重要的事情上打破过 kafabe，他一直站在他的兄弟身边，直到史蒂夫准备好站在聚光灯下，用自己的方式讲述他的故事。

“我哥哥的高中生活很艰难，”塞纳在达克斯·谢泼德的播客上说道。 “他不仅性格内向，对电脑感兴趣，而且还是同性恋。在 80 年代，在马萨诸塞州的一个小镇上成为同性恋，伙计，这是一个艰难的攀登。”

塞纳说他的兄弟还没有出柜，但仍然因为与众不同而受到批评。 “他有很多酷孩子所没有的性格特征，而且他还保守着这个不能告诉或与任何人谈论的秘密，”他解释道。他补充说，现在回想起来，他对弟弟所经历的一切感同身受。

It looks like another WWE legend is eyeing the end of his career in the near future.

The last 12 months have seen some big departures from three WWE legends. In July, WCW icon Goldberg competed in a WWE ring for the last time. In December, John Cena ended his incredible career. Then, in January, AJ Styles officially hung up his famous shoes. Strangely, all three were defeated by Gunther.

Still, there may be more coming in 2026. There has been speculation for quite some time that legendary luchador Rey Mysterio is preparing for his retirement this year. Additionally, there are rumors that this year’s SummerSlam in Minnesota could be Brock Lesnar’s last WWE match.

Becky Lynch confirms she is in her ‘final stages’

Well, while it may not be in 2026, we just got confirmation of another WWE great who will soon call it a career. During a new interview with Chris VanVleet, Becky Lynch confirmed that her current contract with the company will be her last, and that it is the “final run” of her career.

Lynch signed a new contract in January 2025, and it’s likely a three- or four-year deal. This means that she will be away from the business around WrestleMania in 2028 and 2029.

There were rumors going around for a long time that the deal he signed early last year could be his last deal. This isn’t entirely shocking since someone with a child like Seth Rollins would need to be home more often. While their daughter Roux often travels with them, eventually she will need to start school, and this requires the parents to be at home.

Lynch is considered the greatest female performer in WWE history and was part of the first all-female WrestleMania main event in 2019. Defeating both Charlotte Flair and Ronda Rousey to become unified champion.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

看起来另一位 WWE 传奇人物正着眼于在不久的将来结束他们的职业生涯。

过去 12 个月里，三位 WWE 巨星进行了一些重大的送别活动。 7 月，WCW 偶像戈德伯格最后一次参加 WWE 擂台比赛。 12 月，约翰·塞纳结束了他无与伦比的职业生涯。然后，在一月份，AJ Styles 正式挂起了他的传奇战靴。奇怪的是，三人都被冈瑟击败了。

然而，2026 年可能还会有更多的事情发生。很长一段时间以来，人们一直猜测传奇摔跤手雷伊·米斯特里奥 (Rey Mysterio) 将于今年退休。此外，有传言称，今年在明尼苏达州举行的夏日狂潮可能会以布洛克·莱斯纳 (Brock Lesnar) 的最后一场 WWE 比赛为主角。

贝基·林奇确认她已进入“最后一轮”

好吧，虽然这可能不会在 2026 年发生，但我们刚刚得到了另一位 WWE 伟大人物的确认，他很快就会开始职业生涯。在接受克里斯·范弗利特 (Chris VanVliet) 采访时，贝基·林奇 (Becky Lynch) 确认，她目前与该公司的合同将是她的最后一份合同，也是她职业生涯的“最后一次”。

林奇于 2025 年 1 月签署了一份新合同，很可能是一份为期三年或四年的合同。这意味着在 2028 年和 2029 年摔角狂热期间，她将退出该行业。

一段时间以来，一直有传言称她去年初签署的协议可能是她的最后一份协议。这并不完全令人震惊，因为有人需要更频繁地呆在家里照顾她和塞斯·罗林斯生的孩子。虽然他们的女儿鲁经常和他们一起旅行，但她最终需要开始上学，而家长必须在家。

林奇被认为是 WWE 历史上最伟大的女性表演者，并参加了 2019 年首届全女性摔角狂热主赛事。击败夏洛特·弗莱尔 (Charlotte Flair) 和隆达·鲁西 (Ronda Rousey) 成为统一冠军。

Jason Burgos 于 2017 年获得新闻学学位后，担任多个网站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 关于 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

一份新报告揭示了 NXT 的前景，该公司将被定位为未来黑金品牌的顶级玩家。

NXT 之于 WWE，就像大学运动之于 NFL、MLB 和 NBA 等联盟一样。当然，也有一些资深明星参与该品牌的竞争，而知名的 WWE 明星偶尔会出现在节目中。然而，NXT 一直是一个培养能够在十年内成为主力阵容面孔的表演者的品牌。

此外，就像大学体育运动一样，人员流动也很大。表演中心的工作人员培养新的明星，让他们晋升到一个新的水平，然后他们用新的人才重复这个过程。去年年底，NXT 核心明星 Trick Williams、Oba Femi 和 Je’Von Evans 离开后，情况就是如此。

基努·卡弗将被定位为 WWE NXT 的顶级明星

此后几周，乔·亨德利（Joe Hendry）和新晋 NXT 冠军托尼·德安吉洛（Tony D’Angelo）等表演者都得到了提升，以帮助填补这些角色。嗯，看来另一位黑金明星即将大举进军。据 BodySlam+ 报道，基努·卡弗预计将在未来几周和几个月内获得重大推动，并可能很快成为德安吉洛的第一位冠军挑战者。

在 WWE Evolve 取得统治地位后，卡弗于一月份重返 NXT 品牌并继续他的恐怖统治。成为目前名单上最可怕的高跟鞋之一。随着他继续成为 NXT 顶级明星，获得冠军机会将符合该品牌最近为他讲述的故事。

Jason Burgos 于 2017 年获得新闻学学位后，担任多个网站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 关于 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

一份新報告揭示了 NXT 的前景，該公司將被定位為未來黑金品牌的頂級玩家。

NXT 之於 WWE，就像大學運動之於 NFL、MLB 和 NBA 等聯盟一樣。當然，也有一些資深明星參與品牌的競爭，而知名的 WWE 明星偶爾會出現在節目中。然而，NXT 一直是一個培養能夠在十年內成為主力陣容面孔的表演者的品牌。

此外，就像大學體育運動一樣，人員流動也很大。表演中心的工作人員培養新的明星，讓他們晉升到一個新的水平，然後他們用新的人才重複這個過程。去年年底，NXT 核心明星 Trick Williams、Oba Femi 和 Je’Von Evans 離開後，情況就是如此。

基努卡弗將被定位為 WWE NXT 的頂級明星

此後幾週，喬·亨德利（Joe Hendry）和新晉 NXT 冠軍托尼·德安吉洛（Tony D’Angelo）等表演者都得到了提升，以幫助填補這些角色。嗯，看來另一位黑金明星即將大舉進軍。根據 BodySlam+ 報道，基努卡弗預計將在未來幾週和幾個月內獲得重大推動，並可能很快成為德安吉洛的第一位冠軍挑戰者。

在 WWE Evolve 取得統治地位後，卡弗於一月份重返 NXT 品牌並繼續他的恐怖統治。成為目前名單上最可怕的高跟鞋之一。隨著他繼續成為 NXT 頂級明星，獲得冠軍機會將符合該品牌最近為他講述的故事。

Jason Burgos 於 2017 年獲得新聞學學位後，擔任多個網站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 關於 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

Gunther has had three famous career ends within the last year. Goldberg in July, John Cena in December and AJ Styles in January. Speaking at a WWE retrospective, Gunther revealed that of the three, retiring Styles carried the most personal weight for him.

“AJ is somewhat different, like, you have the WCW legend Goldberg, then you have the guy who stands for WWE, then you have AJ who is somewhat similar to me because he did very well here, but a lot of the things that people love him for happened before WWE.”

Gunther was honest about how much Styles meant to him as a viewer before they shared the locker room.

“He’s one of those guys, the generation of wrestling I came up with, we looked up to guys like AJ Styles. I remember when he was in New Japan, and we’d always watch his big matches there, they were awesome. There was a time when I was really grinding and developing, and there were things I looked up to. I always had a lot of respect for AJ’s work.

“It almost felt like, from the pure heart of the wrestler, it felt almost more important to me than the Cena match. But on screen, to be able to rub it in and try to ruin the last race was a lot of fun.”

Gunther details what made AJ Styles’ retirement different from other recent matches

Gunther also noted that the Styles match worked dramatically in a way that the Goldberg and Cena matches could not be completely replicated. With both Goldberg and Cena, the retirement timeline was publicly revealed, removing a layer of uncertainty from the outcome. The styles were different.

“That’s the beauty of it, because with Goldberg and Cena, everyone knew it was their last match, and I think with AJ, people weren’t so sure it was going to be their last match. A good group of them expected AJ to win and move his career forward, but he left on his own terms.”

This is something that not many wrestlers can manage; It’s always best to get to the point where people still remember you, not to the point where people say, ‘Ah, it was that time.’ So, hats off to AJ, great career, great wrestler, but I got it taken away, what can I do?”

The road to a Styles match began following Gunther’s victory over Cena in December, when he publicly bragged about tapping out Cena despite Cena’s long-standing motto of “never give up”. An upset Styles confronted him, putting Styles’ career in jeopardy and setting up his Royal Rumble match. Styles will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this weekend as part of the WrestleMania 42 weekend festivities at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas on Friday, April 17.

冈瑟在过去一年内结束了三项传奇职业生涯。戈德堡在 7 月，约翰·塞纳在 12 月，AJ·斯泰尔斯在 1 月。冈瑟在《WWE 回顾》上发表讲话时透露，在这三人中，退役的斯泰尔斯对他来说最具个人影响力。

“AJ 有点不同，就像是，你有 WCW 传奇人物戈德堡，然后你有代表 WWE 的人，然后你有 AJ，他与我更相似，因为他在这里表现出色，但人们喜欢他的很多事情都发生在 WWE 之前。”

冈瑟很诚实地表达了在他们共用更衣室之前，作为一名观众，斯泰尔斯对他来说有多么重要。

“他是我想到的摔跤一代中的一员，我们尊敬像 AJ Styles 这样的人。我记得当他在新日本的时候，我们总是在那里观看他的大型比赛，它们非常棒。有一段时间我真的在磨练和发展，有一些东西我会看。我一直非常尊重 AJ 的工作。

“从摔跤手纯粹主义者的内心来看，这对我来说几乎比塞纳的比赛更重要。但在屏幕上，能够将其融入并尝试毁掉他的最后一场比赛真是太有趣了。”

冈瑟详细阐述了 AJ 斯泰尔斯的退役与最近的其他比赛有何不同

冈瑟还谈到了是什么让斯泰尔斯的比赛以戈德堡和塞纳的比赛无法完全复制的方式戏剧性地进行。对于戈德堡和塞纳来说，退休时间表已经众所周知，这消除了结果的一层不确定性。风格不同。

“这就是它的美妙之处，因为对于戈德堡和塞纳来说，每个人都知道这是他们的最后一场比赛，而我认为对于 AJ，人们不太确定这将是他的最后一场比赛。他们中的很大一部分人希望 AJ 获胜并继续他的职业生涯，但他以自己的方式退出了。“

这是很多摔跤手都无法做到的。最好是在人们仍然会想念你的时候去，而不是在人们会说“啊，是时候了”。所以，向 AJ 致敬，伟大的职业生涯，出色的摔跤手，但我把它拿走了，我能做什么？”

与斯泰尔斯的比赛之路始于去年 12 月冈瑟战胜塞纳之后，当时他公开吹嘘自己让塞纳出局，尽管塞纳长期以来的座右铭是“永不放弃”。心烦意乱的斯泰尔斯与他对峙，这场皇家大战的比赛以斯泰尔斯的职业生涯为赌注。斯泰尔斯将于本周末入选 WWE 名人堂，作为 4 月 17 日星期五在拉斯维加斯米高梅公园杜比现场 (Dolby Live) 举行的摔角狂热 42 周末庆祝活动的一部分。

虽然人们认为将 WWE 和 UFC 合并到一个保护伞下将为两家公司带来更大的增长，但越来越多的证据表明他们的母公司对其产品产生了负面影响。

WWE 和 UFC 之间的交叉程度令人惊讶。这两个品牌的许多粉丝都观看这两种产品。几位摔跤手尝试过综合格斗，不少前 UFC 明星已经跳入职业摔跤。

这就是为什么当这两家全球巨头于 2023 年在 TKO 集团控股旗下合并并上市时，这似乎是一次完美的商业匹配。然而，尽管两家公司在 2026 年再次发布强劲数据，但也有明显迹象表明，TKO 的干预以及母公司试图制定的一些策略正在损害 WWE 和 UFC 的潜力。

在过去的几年里，WWE 粉丝对首席执行官阿里·伊曼纽尔 (Ari Emanuel) 等 TKO 决策者插手公司的创意流程感到越来越沮丧。

伊曼纽尔一直支持董事会成员道恩·“巨石”·约翰逊在 2024 年和 2025 年在 WWE 内容中不一致且令人困惑的出场。据报道，他支持特拉维斯·斯科特在摔角狂热 41 的准备工作中被使用，然后这位说唱歌手突然退出并再也没有出现过。今年，据称他是帕特·迈克菲被推入科迪·罗兹和兰迪·奥顿之间的第一晚摔角狂热主赛事故事情节的推动力。

WrestleMania 42 门票销量仍远远落后于去年的赛事

然而，自 WWE 合并以来最大的挫折是该公司对门票和商品的价格衡量。这在很大程度上是 TKO 的一项举措，它将对今年最大的赛事产生巨大影响。

数周以来一直有报道称本月的《摔角狂热 42》卡牌销售缓慢。好吧，由于该活动将于本周末结束，看起来它的表现将大大低于去年在同一座大楼举行的展会。据 X 账户 Wrestle Tix 称，在拉斯维加斯 Allegiant 体育场举行的赛事第一晚已售出 40,610 张门票，第二晚售出 42,769 张门票。今年，该场馆设有 45,767 个座位。

然而，去年在同一栋大楼中，第一晚售出 58,538 张，第二晚售出 60,103 张。尽管今年的活动有更好的卡，但这是一个巨大的差异。连续第二年在拉斯维加斯举办这一活动似乎是一个糟糕的主意，而且成本也使得这一次对该地区的人们的吸引力大大降低。

UFC 327 的收入是迈阿密之前赛事的一半？

然而，WWE并不是唯一一个受到TKO负面影响的公司。 UFC的粉丝们对赛事的淡化感到恼火，因为促销活动几乎每个周末都有卡牌。此外，公司的人才储备也有所减少。

UFC 缺乏明星影响力的一个主要原因是该公司从按次付费转向与派拉蒙达成 77 亿美元的流媒体协议。 20 年来，他们的商业模式都是建立在 PPV 之上，并为顶级拳手提供购买折扣。由于这不再是一种选择，该公司不愿意为精英明星支付固定费用。

这就是乔恩·琼斯不打算回到公司的原因。康纳·麦格雷戈 (Conor McGregor) 仍未安排 2026 年的比赛，隆达·鲁西 (Ronda Rousey) 的 MMA 比赛将在 Netflix 上回归，而不是在八角笼内进行最有价值的促销活动。

嗯，看起来 UFC 由于 TKO 合并的变化而削弱了产品，这使得佛罗里达州的粉丝失去了花大钱亲自去看一场比赛的兴趣。据 X 帐户 MMA Joey 透露，上周末在迈阿密卡塞亚中心举行的 UFC 327 比赛的门票价格为 650 万美元。

据报道，此次促销活动在同一场地为 UFC 314 赚取了超过 1100 万美元，为 UFC 287 赚取了 1200 万美元，为 UFC 299 赚取了 1400 万美元。因此今年 UFC 327 的回报下降幅度很大。

本周又带来了两个重大证据，证明 TKO 仍然对 WWE 和 UFC 不利。

Jason Burgos 于 2017 年获得新闻学学位后，担任多个网站的撰稿人，其中包括 MMA Sucka … 关于 Jason Burgos 的更多信息

While the perception was that merging WWE and UFC under one umbrella would lead to even greater growth for both companies, more evidence continued to emerge regarding their negative impact on their parent company’s products.

There is a surprising amount of crossover between WWE and UFC. Many fans of both brands watch both products. Many wrestlers have tried their hand at mixed martial arts, and several former UFC stars have made the move to pro wrestling.

That’s why when the two global giants merged and went public under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings in 2023, it seemed like a perfect business match. However, while the companies are again posting strong numbers in 2026, there are also clear signs that TKO’s interference and some of the strategies instituted by the parent company are hurting WWE and UFC’s potential.

Over the past few years, WWE fans have become frustrated with TKO decision makers like CEO Ari Emmanuel meddling in the company’s creative process.

Emanuel has been supportive of board member Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s inconsistent and confusing appearances on WWE content in 2024 and 2025. He was reportedly the one behind using Travis Scott in the lead up to WrestleMania 41, then the rapper dropped out and was never seen again. And this year, he is reportedly the driving force as to why Pat McAfee was included in the main event storyline of Night 1 WrestleMania between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.

WrestleMania 42 ticket sales still lag behind last year’s event

However, the biggest disappointment for WWE since the merger has been the company’s pricing of tickets and merchandise. This is actually an initiative from TKO, and it’s going to have a huge impact on the biggest event of the year.

There have been reports for weeks about slow sales for this month’s WrestleMania 42 card. Well, with the event taking place this weekend, it looks like it will be a significantly weaker performance than last year’s show in the same building. According to the This year there are 45,767 seats in the fray.

However, last year in the same building, there were a sellout of 58,538 for Night 1 and 60,103 for Night 2. This is a big difference despite there being a better card at this year’s event. It seems like holding the event in Las Vegas for the second year in a row was a terrible idea, and the cost makes it much less attractive to people in the area this time.

UFC 327 grosses half of previous events in Miami?

Still, WWE isn’t the only country to be affected by the negative impact of TKO. UFC fans have become angry at how poor the events have become as the promotion features cards almost every weekend. Moreover, the talent pool in the company has also reduced.

A big reason for the lack of star power in the UFC is the company’s move away from pay-per-view to its $7.7 billion streaming deal with Paramount. Their business model for 20 years was built on PPVs and giving points upon purchases to top fighters. Since there is no longer any option, the company is not willing to pay the same rates for specific stars.

This is why Jon Jones is not going to return to the company. Conor McGregor still doesn’t have a fight scheduled for 2026, and Ronda Rousey is making her MMA comeback on Netflix for the most valuable promotion instead of inside the Octagon.

Well, it seems like the changes made by the TKO merger have caused the UFC’s weaker product to cause fans in Florida to lose interest in spending big bucks to go to an event in person. According to X Account MMA Joy, the gate for last weekend’s UFC 327 at Miami’s Kasia Center was $6.5 million.

The promotion reportedly made more than $11 million for UFC 314, $12 million for UFC 287 and $14 million for UFC 299 at the same venue. So the fallout from UFC 327 this year was massive.

This week brought two more big pieces of evidence that TKO remains bad for WWE and the UFC.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos