Author: Anutosh Bajpai

Ethan Page believes the North American Championship is more prestigious than the NXT title and he can prove the same.

The former AEW star made his NXT debut back in May 2024. He quickly inserted himself into the NXT title picture. Page ended up winning the title at the Heatwave event in July, setting a new record for winning the top prize of the brand in the quickest time since debut.

During a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Page was asked about becoming the North American Champion after previously having held the NXT title. Ethan first discussed how he had previously claimed that the NA title was beneath him. After winning the championship however, he has given the matter more thought:

\”After some time and thinking and using my logical brain in professional wrestling, which usually doesn’t work out, I came to the conclusion that the North American Championship is actually the most prestigious championship in NXT.

I mean, Oba Femi, current NXT Champion. In description, he’s the champion of NXT, which its home base is in Orlando at the Performance Center. So Oba Femi is the champion of the Performance Center.\”

• I’m Old: Goldberg Responds To Criticism of His Raw Appearance

The Champion of Three Entire Countries: Ethan Page

Ethan Page went on to explain that geographically, the North American Championship not only trumps the NXT title but even the United States Championship currently held by Jacob Fatu:

\”Ethan Page is the champion of three entire countries. Meaning that this championship is also higher than the United States Championship. So I wanted to actually thank Jacob Fatu for doing such a great job representing the US, as his superior.”

Apart from this, Ethan Page also discussed things such as how his WWE signing came about, his segment with The Rock, learning from Shawn Michaels in NXT and more. You can check out his full interview below:

• Pat McAfee Explains Recent Raw Absence

Pat McAfee has revealed why he has been off WWE TV.

The Raw commentator has missed the last three weeks with other names such as Wade Barrett and Corey Graves filling in for the former Football star.

The 38-year-old explained the reason behind his sudden absence on the latest episode of his Show. Pat McAfee revealed that he\’s taken time off because of his overwhelming work schedule:

\”I will not be commentating. Continuing to catch up on life as a whole. Post-Money in the Bank, Pre-Night of Champions. Feels like a good time. I was getting pretty exhausted there. Shoutout to everybody in WWE looking out for me, too. Very thankful,\”

• Challenger For NXT Women’s Title Match Confirmed For Evolution 2

While not confirmed, McAfee mentioning the upcoming Night of Champions PPV from Saudi Arabia indicates that he\’ll be back on Raw after the show on June 28.

Pat\’s absence from TV led to Corey Graves being brought in to work a main roster show for the first time since his controversial demotion to accommodate McAfee earlier this year.

Prior to his Raw return, Graves had received praise for his work on the recent Worlds Collide event and he was said to be well received on his recent Monday night appearance as well. It\’d be interesting to see if Corey remains part of the Raw broadcasting team once McAfee returns.

• I’m Old: Goldberg Responds To Criticism of His Raw Appearance

The first championship match has officially been confirmed for Evolution 2.

NXT General Manager Ava had announced a mini-tournament to determine the challenger for the Women\’s Champion Jacy Jayne at the upcoming Women\’s only PPV.

The finals of the tournament took place on this Tuesday\’s episode of the development brand, with Jaida Parker, Izzi Dame, Lash Legend, and Jordynne Grace squaring off in a fatal four-way for the title opportunity.

The main event match was full of chaos, with all four of the contestants trying to make their way to the PPV. In the end, it was Jordynne Grace who was able to overcome the odds. She became the new #1 contender for the title, pinning Jaida Parker with an Argentine powerbomb:

• Zelina Vega Recalls Crazy Ideas She Had Pitched For Bakersfield Brawl

This wasn\’t the only notable development during tonight\’s show. After Noam Dar relinquished the Heritage Cup due to his injury, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo was crowned the new champion during the June 24 episode. He defeated Tony D’Angelo for the win.

The episode also featured Trick Williams defending the TNA title against Josh Briggs. Joe Hendry showed up after the bout and took out Williams to indicate that he wasn\’t out of the title picture yet.

WWE Evolution 2 will take place next month on July 13 from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, only a day after Saturday Night\’s Main Event.

• Cora Jade Opens Up About Backlash Over Her OnlyFans Debut

Zelina Vega had some crazy ideas for her first hardcore match.

The Women\’s US Champion defended her title against Piper Niven in a Bakersfield Brawl at the June 6 episode of SmackDown. The bout took place only a day before the Money In The Bank PPV and featured the usual assortment of weapons such as kendo sticks and steel chairs.

During a recent interview with the Lightweights podcast, Vega noted that this was her first hardcore match despite being active in the business for almost 17 years. The US Champ explained that she wanted to go above and beyond for this bout:

\”I was like, ‘Oh, can I jump off the tron?’ They’re just like, ‘No, no you can’t. We still need to save some oohs and aahs for Money In The Bank tomorrow and you need to just live, you know?’\”

• Watch: John Cena Names Claudio Castagnoli And More Ex-WWE Stars In Unhinged SmackDown Promo

Just Take It Easy: Zelina Vega

Zelina Vega mentioned that she was a huge fan of Jeff Hardy growing up and revealed that there was also a ladder spot that was not approved. Though the female star vowed to do the spot one day and later revealed another crazy idea she had which was quickly shot down:

“I was like, ‘Can we put barbwire on a chancla?’ They’re like, ‘No.’ They’re like, ‘No blood, no guts, just take it easy.’”

Apart from this, Zelina talked about things such as winning the US title on the same night her husband, Aleister Black, returned to WWE and more. You can check out her full interview below:

• Top WWE Star Working Banged Up

A SmackDown star is out with an injury.

Tonight\’s episode of the Blue Branded show, which came live from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan featured Pretty Deadly star Kit Wilson in singles action against Aleister Black.

Before this bout was officially underway, the commentators Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett revealed that Kit\’s partner Elton Prince has been sidelined with an injury and wished him well.

Prince has not wrestled since the May 2 episode of SmackDown, where Pretty Deadly squared off against former NXT tag champions Fraxiom. The duo of Axiom & Nathan Frazer picked up the victory in this bout and Elton seemed to have suffered a concussion during the match.

• Watch: John Cena Names Claudio Castagnoli And More Ex-WWE Stars In Unhinged SmackDown Promo

Kit Wilson has continued wrestling as a singles star since then. He wrestled in a WWE Speed match on May 30. Last week\’s Main Event taping before SmackDown saw him taking on Hikuleo. This was the former NJPW star\’s first match after more than a year of unexplained absence.

Not a lot of details were provided about Elton Prince\’s health so it\’s hard to say how long he will stay out of action. Though since the company has not taken Wilson off TV, we can assume his partner will be back sooner than later.

Apart from this, tonight\’s SmackDown also featured a segment between John Cena and CM Punk where the former cut an unhinged promo. You can check out more about it here.

• Vince McMahon’s Name Edited Out of Infamous Promo On SmackDown

TKO\’s WWE doesn\’t want you to remember Vince McMahon.

WWE is set to present its latest Saudi Arabia PPV, Night of Champions, next week on June 28. One of the matches announced for the show is John Cena vs. CM Punk for the WWE Championship.

The company promoted this match on tonight\’s episode of SmackDown. They aired a video package looking back at the history of these two arch rivals before what is presumably their final encounter.

One of the clips used in the video was from Punk\’s infamous pipebomb promo. The company, however, edited the clip to remove the name of Vince McMahon from the footage:

• Top WWE Star Working Banged Up

The former WWE owner recently sold a large quantity of TKO shares. So it appears that he does not see himself returning to the company anytime in the near future.

Tonight\’s SmackDown also featured a noteworthy interaction between Cena and Punk before their upcoming match. This came after the Straight Edge Star tried to save R-Truth from a post-match beatdown at the hands of the 17-time world champion during the main event.

John Cena managed to get the upper hand over his arch rival, however, and he recreated the scene of Punk\’s famous pipebomb. The Cenation Leader went on to cut an unhinged promo, name-dropping a number of ex-WWE stars. You can check out more about it here.

• Cora Jade Opens Up About Backlash Over Her OnlyFans Debut

A top WWE star has been giving impressive performances despite being banged up.

Drew McIntyre has been vocal about his commitment to WWE despite his injuries in recent times, but one of his arch rivals is also apparently working hurt.

According to reports from Fightful Select, The Scottish Warrior\’s recent absence from WWE is due to his scheduled time off instead of his injuries, and it\’s actually Damian Priest that officials have been worried about.

Per the site, the former Judgment Day member worked most of the feud with McIntyre banged up. The rivalry included a Sin City Street Fight at WrestleMania 41 and a Steel Cage match at last month\’s Saturday Night\’s Main Event.

• Cora Jade Opens Up About Backlash Over Her OnlyFans Debut

Though Priest is not looking to take time off. Sources say that working through the upcoming SummerSlam PPV seems to be important for him as he hails from the same area and considers the event to be a \’home game\’ for him.

People within the company have praised Damian for his efforts and he\’s expected to be featured at the upcoming show in a significant manner.

Damian Priest most recently competed in a King of The Ring first round match at this past Friday\’s SmackDown. Cody Rhodes ended up winning that bout and it\’d be interesting to see where the former US Champion goes from here.

• I’m Old: Goldberg Responds To Criticism of His Raw Appearance

Cora Jade is unsure why people hate her for starting an OnlyFans account.

The former WWE star recently had an interview with Chris Van Vliet. She talked about things such as being close to signing with AEW before joining WWE, people on social media attacking talents personally and more.

One of the things the wrestling star has received backlash on since her release has been the launch of her OnlyFans account. When asked about it, Jade claimed that she knew she was going to get the amount of hate that she has received:

“I feel like I’ve gotten as much hate for it as I thought I was going to. I didn’t think I was gonna do it, and people were gonna be like, Oh, f*ck yeah. I knew I was gonna get hate for it. But again, it’s just, I don’t care.”

• HOOK Confirms Reason For Recent AEW Absence

When asked why she thinks people have a problem with it, Cora Jade said that she doesn\’t understand it either. She mentioned that she has never cared about what other people are doing with their lives, and questioned why people are so concerned about what she does with her body:

“That’s what I don’t understand. I’ve said this before. I’ve never once in my life looked at someone else’s life and what they’re doing with their life. If it’s not affecting me, my money, or who I love or anybody in my life, I don’t care. I’ve never thought about that.

So the fact that people are so concerned with what I’m doing with my body, my career and my life, and being that angry about it. Most of them are going to subscribe anyway, it’s ridiculous.”

The 24-year-old now going by the name Elayna Black revealed that fellow WWE alumni Mandy Rose, who has been highly successful in the venture since her own WWE release, has been advising her on the type of content she can put out.

Apart from this, the former NXT star also talked about her first meeting with CM Punk only a month before his infamous WWE exit. You can check out what she said here.

• Erick Rowan Reveals Lessons From Bray Wyatt That’s Helping Him In New Career

Goldberg has responded to the criticism of his WWE return.

The WCW veteran made his comeback at this past Monday\’s Raw, confronting the World Champion Gunther. A title match has since been announced between the two heavyweights for the upcoming Saturday Night\’s Main Event.

Fellow veteran Bully Ray had been critical of the whole story questioning why Goldberg is getting the title shot by just showing up. The former WCW champion defended his case while appearing on The National Football Show with Dan Sileo. He reminded everyone of his legacy in pro wrestling, suggesting that it\’s enough to get him into the title picture:

\”I was 176-0. I don’t have to stand in freakin’ line… So Bully Ray can bite me. But everybody’s got an opinion, and Bully Ray has a podcast that’s about wrestling,

And so you’re obviously gonna chime in and give your two cents and I love him to death and I respect his opinion. But his opinion is like an asshole and everybody’s got one. So I mean, that’s fine.\”

• ‘I’m A Human Being’: Cora Jade Calls Out Harassment From Toxic Fans

I\’m Old: Goldberg

The 58-year-old is way past his prime. The wrestling star himself has revealed numerous health issues and injuries he has been dealing with while preparing for his final match. Many believed that his age was visible during his latest Raw appearance and fans have expressed concerns about the upcoming match.

The former champion also addressed these remarks about his latest TV appearance, asking people to show him any other athlete who is willing to take the same risk at his age:

\”Everybody, ‘Oh, Goldberg’s limping to the ring, Goldberg’s small, Goldberg’s old.’ I am freakin’ old. What do you want me to do? … Turn the clock back? But, show me another 58-year-old dude that’s willing to go out and do this?

I mean, there’s a couple. But I’m gonna hopefully surpass their performance and at the end of the day, I gotta surpass my performance in the past.”

Apart from this, Goldberg also discussed his 2022 match with Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia and why it was not the right way for him to go out. You can check out what he said here.

• Erick Rowan Reveals Lessons From Bray Wyatt That’s Helping Him In New Career

Erick Rowan has revealed what he learned from Bray Wyatt.

The Wyatt Sicks star recently spoke to CardPlayer for a new interview. He discussed things such how he hopes to go on a similar career path as Kane, how the Japanese wrestling style has helped his career longevity, and more.

During the interview, Rowan was also asked about lessons he has learned from his former partners Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper, both of whom have passed away. Replying to it, the 43-year-old mentioned how Bray, real name Windham Rotunda, was a master storyteller:

\”You had in Windham someone who was such a master storyteller with the way he would tell stories and the way he would get into his promos; you\’d really feel what he was saying.\”

• MJF Attacked By Fan After Controversial Arena Mexico Segment (Report)

Things That You Pick Up: Erick Rowan

Erick Rowan explained that the things he\’s learned from watching the work of the late Wyatt Family Leader have become useful to him in his pursuit of an acting career:

\”So I like to think that especially now moving forward and kind of getting more into acting and that realm of things, it\’s really opened up my emotional connectability to anything I say and makes me feel the words that I\’m saying to whoever.

I\’m eternally grateful for that stuff, and you don\’t think about it at the time, but these are things that you pick up.\”

The WWE star later mentioned how Luke Harper moved seamlessly in the ring, transitioning from one move to the other. Erick Rowan said that he\’s been able to incorporate the same seamlessness into his own working style thanks to his former Bludgeon Brothers partner.

• Will Ospreay Reveals Tragic Personal News He Received Before Grand Slam Mexico

Cora Jade has called out the people who get too personal with wrestlers in their criticism.

The former WWE star recently spoke to Chris Van Vliet. Now going by the name Elayna Black, she talked about things such as knowing her release was coming before she got the call, how Mandy Rose has helped her since, & more.

During the interview, the 24-year-old also discussed dealing with criticism in today’s social media-dominated world. She mentioned that it’s one thing to criticise her performance in the ring and she is fine with it:

“I feel like my work is one thing, because everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. I grew up a wrestling fan. There were people I didn’t like and I didn’t know them as a person. I feel like you’re entitled to your opinion about my work. If you don’t like me as a wrestler, as a character, that’s fine.”

• MJF Attacked By Fan After Controversial Arena Mexico Segment (Report)

I’m A Human Being: Cora Jade

Cora Jade, however, then mentioned how there are many people who do not hesitate to barge into the talents’ private lives and spread false rumors. The former tag team champion said that she cannot stay quiet when people start treating her as an object:

“When you come for me as a person and you start saying things that aren’t true, like the injury prone thing when you had no idea that I literally almost died, that’s where it’s like f*ck you, because you want to say all these things and expect me to be quiet because you don’t view me as a person.

You view me as an object, online or on TV. But then when I snap back, it’s like, whoa, relax. No! You just thought you can poke and poke and poke and poke, but I am a human being.”

The indie wrestling star explained that she won’t respond to every comment made towards her but she has to make people understand they’re wrong when things reach their breaking point.

Apart from this, Cora Jade also remembered her very first meeting with CM Punk both as a fan and as a wrestler. You can check out what she said here.

• Watch: Bryan Danielson Gets Physical In Surprise Off Air Appearance At Grand Slam Mexico

Cora Jade has recalled her emotional first meeting with CM Punk.

The former WWE star, now going by the name Elayna Black recently spoke to Chris Van Vliet for a new interview. She talked about things such as Mandy Rose helping her out after her release, opening an OnlyFans account, dealing with online criticism, and more.

Jade has been a lifelong fan of the Straight Edge star, and she was closely associated with him during her NXT days. During the interview, she recalled her very first meeting with the former World Champion at the traditional post-Christmas WWE Live event. Cora who is a fellow Chicago native, mentioned that the event took place back in 2013, only a month before Punk\’s infamous WWE exit:

\”I believe Chicago was always the day after Christmas. It was always December 26, so that was my Christmas present. They got me floor seats. Punk was my favorite, obviously. I remember he came out at the end, and he just went around and signed stuff for everybody, and I was like, now’s my chance.

I was so happy. I think I cried after, but that picture is just ridiculous. And then I think he quit WWE like, a month after that picture, and I took it so personally. I was the saddest person in the entire f*cking world.\”

• MJF Attacked By Fan After Controversial Arena Mexico Segment (Report)

He Remembered Me: Cora Jade

Cora Jade was then asked if CM Punk remembered her when she met him after being signed by WWE. The 24-year-old explained that she always attended Punk\’s Meet & Greet events in their local area. So the former AEW star did not have any problem recognizing her when they met in 2023, after Elayna had become a wrestler herself:

\”He remembered me because anytime he would do anything in Chicago, because I lived in Chicago, and so did he, I would be the first in line for every single thing, borderline crazy, now that I’m thinking about it.

Probably like 10 times I was there, every time it got to the point where he would remember me in the line, and he would laugh at me because I would be first in line every single time. We laugh about it. Now I’m like, Jesus Christ.”

Apart from this, Cora Jade revealed the best piece of advice she has received from Punk. She mentioned that the former champion told her to drown out all outside opinion and just do what she feels is the right thing.

• Watch: Bryan Danielson Gets Physical In Surprise Off Air Appearance At Grand Slam Mexico

Kairi Sane has broken her silence on the events of Raw.

The Japanese star faced off against Liv Morgan in a match at Monday\’s show. Morgan ended up suffering a shoulder injury in the opening minutes of the bout, however and Sane was then declared the winner.

The injured star herself seemed to be in good spirits despite how things turned out, and she posted a photo with Dirty Dom recreating a popular album cover of Sabrina Carpenter.

Now Kairi Sane has also broken her silence on the whole thing. She released a statement on X, noting how she always steps into the ring with a deep respect for her opponents. The former champion wrote that knowing that someone got hurt in a match with her breaks her heart:

\”Even if it was never intentional, knowing that someone was hurt in a match with me is something I carry deeply. It breaks my heart. I hope with all my heart for a full and speedy recovery.\”

• MJF Attacked By Fan After Controversial Arena Mexico Segment (Report)

WWE had initially announced that Liv Morgan has suffered a dislocated shoulder, an injury that could keep her out of action for up to 16 weeks.

A new report however, indicates that she might need surgery which could keep her out of action longer and force the company to make significant changes to their creative plans. You can check out more about it here.

• Will Ospreay Reveals Tragic Personal News He Received Before Grand Slam Mexico

Liv Morgan has made her first post after her Raw injury, though it\’s not what you\’d expect.

Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has been in the news once again recently after launching the new controversial cover for her upcoming album, dubbed Man’s Best Friend. The cover sees Carpenter, 26, on all fours with someone just out of frame pulling her hair.

The current Women\’s tag team champion recreated this cover in her first post since Monday\’s Raw, with Judgment Day teammate Dominik Mysterio:

• Watch: ‘Fire Def Rebel’ Chants Heard In NXT After Superstar Debuts New Theme

Though Liv Morgan isn\’t the only WWE name who referenced Carpenter this week. Mariah May, now known as Blake Monroe in WWE had a contract signing segment on the June 17 episode of NXT.

She was confronted by the NXT Women\’s Champion Jacy Jayne. Monroe quoted a line from Sabrina\’s 2024 song Juno, asking her if she had \’ever tried this one\’ before attacking the current champion:

Morgan suffered an injury on this week\’s episode of Raw in the opening minutes of her match with Kairi Sane. The Japanese star was declared the winner when Liv could not finish the bout.

While not a lot is known about Liv Morgan\’s health at this point, an early estimate suggests she could miss the upcoming Evolution 2 PPV. You can check out more about it here.

• Big E Reveals Dream Match He’d Never Get

Shotzi Blackheart has revealed which WWE superstar called her first after her release.

The recently released star had an interview with Denise Salcedo. She talked about things such as her WWE journey, returning to the indies after her release, hoping for a world tour, and more.

Denise asked about the people who touted her when the news of her release broke, mentioning Charlotte Flair. Shotzi then revealed that the Queen had reached out to her personally as well, offering to help in any way she can:

\”She was honestly the first person that called me. Like when that news hit, she was the first person to call me. She was like, \’what do you need me to do? What connections can I pull? What do you want? Like, I will help you.\’ Like she has just been such a rock for me.\”

• Mercedes Mone Confirms Relationship With Unlikely AEW Star

Blackheart discussed how the two did rehab together when the former WWE star was recovering from her ACL injury. Shotzi explained that Flair is someone who consoled her when she didn\’t feel good and broke down crying during that period.

When asked how the two became close friends, the 33-year-old said that they hit it off after their very first match back in 2021. She also praised the WWE veteran for putting her best performance and taking the craziest bumps even for random house shows, saying that she learned a lot from Flair.

• Watch: ‘Fire Def Rebel’ Chants Heard In NXT After Superstar Debuts New Theme

A new show could lead to WWE SmackDown returning to its older format.

The Blue Branded show expanded to three hours with the January 3 episode this year. This came after more than two decades of a two-hour format for the brand since its 1999 TV debut on UPN.

While initially hopeful about unused talents getting more screen time, fans have found the new format to be exhausting, and many have demanded that the company revert back to the 2-hour show.

A new announcement from the show\’s current broadcast partner, USA Network, brings good news for such people as it suggests that the 3-hour format will not continue indefinitely.

The network recently released the trailer for a new show dubbed The Rainmaker, which will be premiering on Friday, August 15, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET/PT:

• More On Liv Morgan Raw Injury

The new show follows the story of Rudy Baylor, a young law school graduate who is forced to work for an ill-reputed lawyer after being fired from his new job for a more reputable firm on the first day.

WWE has seen success running PPVs earlier than usual to accommodate UFC shows since the merger of the two companies. So there is a distinct possibility that SmackDown gets moved up instead of cutting the extra hour.

Though the most likely scenario is that the show returns to its usual format. Stay tuned for more updates on the story.

• Mercedes Mone Confirms Relationship With Unlikely AEW Star