Author: Anutosh Bajpai

Cody Rhodes\’ WWE return is all but officially confirmed at this point. The real question is which avatar of the former TNT champion we will be seeing when he returns to WWE programming.

WrestleVotes Twitter account recently provided some update on the matter. They noted that some high-ranking officials have made a push for the former champion to return in his American Nightmare persona:

\”Two very high-profile people were adamant to the boss that if (when) Cody Rhodes arrives, he should be exactly what he was in AEW. Presentation, ring gear, theme music, pyro, etc. The visual impact of the “American Nightmare” crossing the line is significant here.\”

After leaving WWE in 2016, the former Legacy member went on to become an indie sensation. He later played an instrumental role in the formation of All Elite Wrestling.

However, after Tony Khan decided to centralize the creative control in the company, Cody Rhodes made the decision to leave the promotion earlier this year.

• Chris Jericho Confirms Cody Rhodes Is “Back With WWE”

WWE has been teasing the return of the former champion in recent weeks. All signs are pointing towards him having a match with Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 38.

How do you feel about Cody Rhodes making his WWE return? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.

Pete Dunne is the latest Superstar to receive a new ring name on WWE\’s main roster. Fans have widely mocked his new name, Butch, but he\’s trying to keep a positive outlook on things.

The former NXT UK champion appeared on Mark Andrews: My Love Letter to Wrestling. Among other things, he revealed his reaction to his new name.

The superstar now known as Butch suggested that it may be a good time to change things up since he has been in NXT for 5 years. Dunne then explained that his persona will remain the same despite the renaming:

“The thing is with me, whether it’s a name or whatever changes, that’s not what really endeared me to the audience in the first place, right?

I’d like to think anyway it’s the quality of the in-ring work,\” said Pete Dunne, \”and that’s what I’m going to keep the same, of course. And it’s going to get better, it’s going to improve as time goes.”

• Pete Dunne Discusses His WWE NXT Return

The English star signed with WWE way back in 2016. He first had a successful run in NXT UK before he moved to the main NXT brand in 2020.

After competing in dark matches for months, Dunne finally made his main roster debut during the March 11 episode of SmackDown. He aligned himself with Sheamus and Ridge Holland, and revealed his new name Butch.

Quotes via CageSideSeats

AEW has not only given a platform to many former WWE talents to reinvent themselves but they have also helped put the spotlight on talents that were relatively unknown before.

Latest reports suggest that WWE officials have also taken notice of one such rising star who has recently re-signed with the promotion.

Mat Man podcast\’s Andrew Zarian noted that Ethan Page is a superstars WWE is very high on. They apparently like Page\’s whole deal and think that he is super talented.

Zarian claimed that he knows for a fact that there are eyes on the AEW star because he\’s a good-looking guy who can also cut promos.

Though it\’s worth mentioning that Ethan Page has recently signed a new contract with AEW. So the possibility of him joining WWE anytime soon is not very high.

• WWE Reportedly Interested In AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill

Regardless, the wrestling journalist mentioned how Page has the TV look. Now that he has re-signed with AEW, they have to do something with him to keep him happy.

At 32 years old, Ethan Page is a relatively young prospect who has at least a decade left in his career. He has previously wrestled for promotions such as ROH and Impact Wrestling as well.

After being in the world title picture for the last two WrestleMania events, people expected Drew McIntyre to be in a big match for the Shows of Shows this year. That\’s why many were disappointed when it was announced that the former WWE champion will be facing Happy Corbin in a singles match at the Grandest Stage of Them All.

McIntyre addressed the criticism of his Mania match while speaking to Metro. He said that he is excited for the match and claimed that he appreciates the fans who want to see him competing in a bigger match:

“I’m very excited about it, personally. I’ve seen some of the comments when the match was made, the internet can be very harsh place.\” said Drew McIntyre, \”I appreciate all my fans around the world, their reaction is, ‘Drew’s not wrestling for the title? He won the title from Brock [Lesnar] two years along, he fought for the title last year, this year he’s fighting Corbin?!’\”

Drew McIntyre On The Talent Of Happy Corbin

Drew McIntyre said that he understands the sentiment of the fans. Though according to him, anyone who believes Corbin is not talented in the ring, is lying to themselves:

\”I understand that and I appreciate that, but the way I see it is, aside from his obvious talent in the ring – anyone who says he’s not talented in-ring is lying to themselves.”

Drew mentioned how Happy Corbin is a genuinely hated bad guy that everyone dislikes. He explained that a true bad guy is somebody you literally despise and want to see getting their butt kicked.

• Drew McIntyre On Cody Rhodes Possibly Returning To WWE

The Undertaker considers himself retired and he is finally getting to do things he enjoys outside of wrestling. However, the dead man says he would probably still be wrestling if his body allowed it.

The Last Outlaw spoke to Ryan Satin on Out Of Character. The topics he touched on included being afraid of Vince McMahon pulling a prank during Hall of Fame and more.

Taker also gave us a peek at his life after wrestling. He mentioned how he is now able to do things which he couldn\’t before such as going fishing with his daughter:

\”I’ve been on TV for 30-plus years, so it’s kind of hard to blend in and hide, but I make a much, much bigger effort now to do those kinds of things while I still can, I guess I’m in the middle of a deep exhale.

Because I do — I miss being in the ring.\” said The Undertaker, \”If my body would allow it, I would probably still be out there, but it’s nice being at home and not having to worry.\”

• The Undertaker Says “Grit” Is Missing From Current Wrestling

The former world champion mentioned how this is the first time in his life where his family is his true priority. According to him, it\’s the sacrifice you have to make to go out and be something different.

Apart from this, Taker also revealed that he previously turned down a HOF induction and mentioned how he might get emotional during his induction.

Despite the controversies surrounding her release from the promotion, B-Fab is open to a WWE return down the line because she believes business is business.

The former NXT star recently had an interview with The Angle Podcast. She discussed things such as learning about the release of Hit Row and more.

When asked about a potential return, B-Fab explained that she doesn\’t have any ill-feeling. She would be open to going back because it would be a business decision:

“I would be open to going back. For me, business is business, it is what it is. There’s nothing you can do about big companies and the decisions that they make.

So there’s no reason to have any ill-feeling.\” said B-Fab, \”You always just have to operate and do your thing as a business as well. So, I would go back.”

• B-Fab Wants Hit Row To Reunite For Feud With AEW Stars

The female star also mentioned how one of the reasons for her release was that the officials felt that her in-ring work wasn\’t at the level of others.

She explained that she would have been willing to put more time and do extra training at the Performance Center. Though the former Hit Row member claimed that everything happens for a reason.

Thanks to WrestlingInc for the quotes

Windham Rotunda aka Bray Wyatt has confirmed a nixed storyline for the new WWE 2K22 video game that would have seen Dana Brooke becoming \’The Shiend.\’

There had been a rumor going around recently that the current 24/7 champion was supposed to join forces with the Eater Of Worlds before his release from the promotion.

According to the leaks, Brooke was to be possessed by Rotunda\’s character. This would have led to her becoming the female version of The Fiend, dubbed The Shiend.

However, the now-former WWE star responded to these claims on Twitter. He revealed that the whole thing was an angle that was originally planned for the 2K22 video game:

Bray Wyatt was released from his WWE contract in July last year. This ended his 12 year-long stint with the promotion which included multiple world title reigns.

He has mostly been away from wrestling since his departure from the Vince McMahon-owned promotion. Rotunda had talks with Impact Wrestling but the two sides couldn\’t come to an agreement

There has been complete silence about his future in the industry since then. The former WWE star is currently busy filming a horror movie. He doesn\’t seem to have any immediate plans to make a wrestling return.

Neck injuries have resulted in paralysis or even death for many people over the years and Big E recognizes how lucky he was to have nearly escaped a similar tragedy.

The former WWE champion took on Twitter yesterday to share the experience of his first doctor\’s appointment. He mentioned how knowing that he escaped death is a sobering experience:

\”Had my first doctor’s appointment and learning (because of the C1 fracture) I narrowly escaped a stroke, paralysis or death is very sobering. Life feels even more precious and valuable now.\”

Big E suffered a neck injury while competing in a tag team match against Ridge Holland and Sheamus during the March 11 episode of SmackDown.

Holland botched an overhead belly-to-belly suplex outside the ring. This caused E to land on his neck and he was taken out on a stretcher.

• Original WrestleMania Plans For Big E Before Neck Injury

The New Day star has provided a couple of updates on his health since then. He seems to be in good spirits and recovering fast. Though there is no word yet on how long he will stay out of action.

Big E also recently discussed his battles with depression and suicidal thoughts in his early 20s. You can check out his comments here.

Vince McMahon revealed recently that he would be the one to induct Undertaker into Hall Of Fame. Though The Dead Man himself is nervous about this because he has no idea what Vince will say.

The wrestling legend recently had an interview with Dallas Morning News. He mentioned how the boss loves to play practical jokes:

“I have absolutely no clue what he’s going to say, I’m a little bit nervous,\” said The Undertaker, \”there’s no one that Vince loves to play practical jokes on more than me.

The fact that the Hall Of Fame is on April Fool’s Day, who knows what’s going to happen. I do know it’s going to be emotional; I am not sure to what lengths he will go to not to completely fall apart and be emotional.”

• The Undertaker’s WrestleMania 38 Prediction: Lesnar or Reigns?

Undertaker also noted that it was him who asked Mr. McMahon to induct him. Though according to him there has been radio silence between the two since then:

“We’ve almost had radio silence here for the last few weeks after I asked him to induct me. So, I have no idea what to even begin to expect from him,”

Apart from this, Taker discussed how he turned down the Hall Of Fame induction the first time he was offered. You can read his comments on the matter here.

Thanks to WrestlingInc for the quotes

WWE Raw star Gable Steveson has successfully defended his NCAA championship, becoming a two times champion in the process.

The amateur wrestling star faced Arizona State’s Cohlton Schultz in the finals on Saturday. The match took place in Detroit.

The Apple Valley native snapped his opponent down the mat in the opening seconds of the match. This gained him the lead which he would not lose till the end.

Gable Steveson established a 4-1 advantage with another takedown late in the first period. One more takedown in the second period then ensured his 6-2 victory in the championship match.

The heavyweight star hugged his coach and gave the crowd his signature backflip as his victory celebration. After that, Steveson took off his shoes and left them in the center of the mat, indicating the end of his collegiate career.

WWE sent out an official statement on Gable Steveson\’s win. People from the company, including Triple H also congratulated him on Twitter:

Steveson signed a multi-year deal with WWE in September 2021. The Olympic Gold Medalist was drafted to the Raw brand and he has made a few on-screen appearances for the company since then. Though his contract officially begins in May when he graduates from college.