The former NFL star has continued to promote his involvement in the WrestleMania story on social media since being revealed as Randy Orton’s mystery caller on this past Friday’s SmackDown.
In another such post on X, Pat McAfee reiterated his comments about how The Viper is going to save wrestling for future generations. This time, however, the former Raw commentator also promised another massive surprise to be revealed on this Friday’s episode of the Blue Branded Show from San Jose, California:
“See also… I have a MASSIVE SURPRISE to announce tomorrow night. You’ll start thanking me and Randy soon enough for all of this.”
Randy Orton is gonna save the business for future generations of wrestling fans. That’s so incredible to think about.. Very rarely do these types of obviously monumental moments happen in our lifetime.
My daughter and baby boy on the way are gonna have a WWE that is thriving.. a… pic.twitter.com/B3XpvhMZFx
The 38-year-old had previously announced that he would be leaving WWE for good if Randy Orton failed to defeat Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE title in what has since been confirmed as the WrestleMania 42 Night 1 main event. Though Pat McAfee leaving the company seems unlikely since TKO officials are high on him and see the retired footballer as the next mega star.
The latest tease comes amid reports that suggest that WWE has gone back to the drawing board and they’re trying to rework the story after the largely negative reaction to McAfee’s reveal. You can check out more about it here.
Jade Cargill has responded to unfounded accusations.
A video showing the workout routine of the WWE Women’s Champion recently went viral on X. While reacting to it, one user accused the wrestling star of taking performance-enhancing drugs.
The former AEW star was not in the mood to let the accusation pass. Jadd Cargill released a statement mentioning how her physique was a result of good genetics and hard work:
“I was going to read you for filth. But it’s no point. Long story short. No, I’m not on anything. I have GREAT genetics and I work hard. You can look at my brother and see my genetics. This clip is when I found out about my neck issues which affected my lifting. I swear yall will try to discredit me for anything. I’ve ALWAYS been muscular. But I see you can use a meal plan.”
I was going to read you for filth. But it’s no point. Long story short. No, I’m not on anything. I have GREAT genetics and I work hard. You can look at my brother and see my genetics. This clip is when I found out about my neck issues which affected my lifting. I swear yall will… https://t.co/0wXr6wEwPo
WWE is known to have a policy of regular drug testing for talent. Last November, Andrade confirmed that he was found guilty of a wellness policy violation before his exit from the company, for using substances that were allowed in Mexico but not in US.
Jade Cargill is set to defend her Women’s title against Rhea Ripley on Night 2 of WrestleMania 42. You can check out an update on the other Women’s title match set for the Show of Shows after Liv Morgan’s injury here.
The latest episode of TNA Impact continued the Undead Realm story with multiple segments featuring names such as Tessa Blanchard, Father James Mitchell, Mara Sadè, and Rosemary roaming the plain in different pairs.
In one segment, Rosemary entrusted Sadè to Allie so she could guide Mara around. Another segment saw Mila Moore getting abducted by Havok while she was roaming the Undead Realm alone
The most unexpected segment of the night, however, was when Rosemary met up with Father Mitchell and said that she needed a favor. Mitchell mentioned that nothing was free in the Undead Realm.
Rosemary assured him that she was not suggesting that, and she brought the official into a room. The camera then panned to the other side of the room to reveal Abyss standing in a corner. The TNA legend said ‘Forgive me, father, for I have sinned’ before a To Be Continued graphic appeared on screen.
Abyss, real name Chris Parks, has been working with WWE as a producer since 2019. He has a long history with James Mitchell, as the latter served as Abyss’s manager between 2005 and 2008.
There is no word on where the story is leading, but based on tonight’s segment, it seems likely that we’ll see more of the wrestling veteran on TNA programming in coming times.
The reveal of Pat McAfee as Randy Orton’s mystery caller on this past Friday’s episode of SmackDown turned out to be a disaster for the company, as the whole thing was universally panned around the wrestling circles.
With reports suggesting that the story idea originated on the corporate front of TKO instead of the creative front, the officials seem to have been left scrambling to make any sense of it with only days left to WrestleMania.
Fightful Select provided some updates on the matter, giving an insight into the backstage reaction to the whole thing. They reveal that the WWE officials are aware of the negative reactions, as they have gone back to the drawing board to discuss possibilities and ‘reworked’ some of the plans for the story after Friday’s segment.
CM Punk’s fiery promo, where he called out the MAGA association of TKO brass and asked the company to lower ticket prices, is said to be one of these changes, as it was not part of the plans as of Friday evening.
Pat McAfee has promised a ‘good time’ to fans while confirming his appearance on this Friday’s SmackDown. Though with only two episodes of the Friday Night show to go before WrestleMania, we’ll have to see if the promotion is able to salvage the story.
The former Women’s Champion revealed a nasty-looking injury after Stephanie Vaquer attacked her and fellow Judgment Day star Roxanne Perez on this past Monday’s episode of Raw.
Fans became worried about Liv Morgan’s WrestleMania status after reports came out revealing that the Judgment Day duo had been put into concussion protocol following the segment.
Fightful Select recently provided an update on the matter. They noted that there is a ‘strong sense of optimism’ that Morgan and Roxanne Perez will not have to miss WrestleMania and they’ll be cleared for the Show of Shows.
As for La Primera, the site confirmed that there is no heat on Stephanie Vauqer over the turn of events despite the injury of her fellow performers.
WWE has confirmed that the Women’s Championship bout between Liv Morgan and Vaquer will be taking place on Night 1 of WrestleMania 42 alongside matches such as AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s IC title and Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton for the Undisputed WWE title.
Darby Allin believes Andrade El Idolo has learned the value of AEW.
The Mexican star’s stock has seen a big jump since his return to the company in January. While considered only a mid-carder by many before that, the 36-year-old has picked up victories over former World Champions such as Swerve Strickland and Kenny Omega in the past few months, and he is now seen as a legit main eventer in Tony Khan’s promotion.
During a recent interview with iHeartMedia, Darby Allin was asked about this recent change for Andrade. While not naming WWE directly, the former TNT Champion suggested that his run with the rival promotion has made El Idolo realize the importance of AEW:
“I feel like with Andrade leaving and coming back, he truly understood the importance of AEW. He truly understood that. With AEW, it’s all up to you, how high you want to go, how low you want to go, it’s all up to you.”
Darby Allin explained that the top brass at AEW respects loyalty to the company and returns the favor to anyone who gives everything to the promotion. He claimed that the current version of Andrade is the best we’ve ever seen:
“If you just go out there and you kick ass in that ring and you’re willing to give everything for this, the favor will be returned. If you could just check your ego at the door, this can give you everything. I feel like Andrade is the best version he’s ever been right now, minus being with Don Callis. It’s incredible, man.”
After ending his first AEW run in December 2023, Andrade returned to WWE in January 2024. He didn’t achieve much during his second run with the TKO-owned promotion, however. Winning the Speed Championship was his only accomplishment during this time before being released from WWE amid allegations of wellness policy violation in September 2025.
Liv Morgan believes she and Dirty Dom are the greatest wrestling couple ever.
The Judgment Day star is set to challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s title on Night 1 of WrestleMania 41. She spoke to Chris Van Vliet for an interview promoting her big match before the Show of Shows.
During the talk, the former Women’s Champion was asked about her pairing with Dominik Mysterio and why she thinks they work so well as an on-screen couple. Liv Morgan explained that they’re an intriguing duo that the fans just can’t help loving:
“I think, ultimately, we just understand the assignment. I feel like the fans love to hate us, or they hate to love us. It’s such an intriguing, complex, messy, wholesome, love story that we haven’t seen for a while, and I feel like the audience really loves that.”
WWE has seen many successful on-screen pairings in the past, which includes iconic couples such as Queen Sharmell & King Booker, Eddie Guerrero & Chyna, and Edge & Lita. Probably none is more famous than the classic pairing between Randy Savage & Miss Elizabeth, but Liv Morgan claimed that her work with Dominik Mysterio clears even that:
“I think we are the greatest couple in the history of WWE. I’m not just saying that. I mean that wholeheartedly. We’re better than Becky and Seth, we’re better than AJ and CM Punk. We’re better than Macho Man and Miss Elizabeth. I stand on that.
I feel like we’ve resurged couples in WWE. What couples were couples before Dominik and I? Now you have tons of people coupling up, trying to do what we do, but they just can’t.”
Apart from this, Liv Morgan also mentioned that she initially hated her WWE ring name and revealed the only other option she was given. You can check out her remarks here.
The Judgment Day star recently spoke to Chris Van Vliet for a new interview. She talked about things such as her shoulder injury, her NXT debut as a Tyler Breeze fan, and more.
During the talk, the former Women’s Champion was also asked about the origin of her ring name. Liv Morgan revealed that, unlike many other talents who get multiple options for names, she was given only two choices:
“I walked into work one day and they were like, ‘Okay, you’re either Liv Morgan or Liv Gallow, pick.’ I was like, oh. I had known we had Luke Gallows at some point in time there, he wasn’t employed in that moment in time when I was there. But I had known of him and his history.”
Knowing that a Luke Gallows had already existed in the WWE land, Liv Morgan picked the only other option presented to her. Even then, however, she was not a huge fan of the moniker from the start, and it resulted in the birth of her iconic signature:
“So I was like, I’ll be Liv Morgan, and that was really it. I never really liked Morgan, now I like it. But I remember, first time signing an autograph, I was like, I’m just gonna sign Liv, and that’s all I’ve done. That just stayed with me my whole career. Only because I didn’t like Morgan.”
Liv Morgan is set to challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s Title at WrestleMania 42. Though she recently suffered a setback in her campaign, receiving a nasty-looking injury from Vaquer’s latest attack. You can check out more about it here.
The 35-year-old has become one of the most popular stars on the WWE roster in only a few weeks since his debut for the promotion at the Elimination Chamber PPV in February. His popularity seems to be reaching new heights every day, with even people outside the wrestling world taking notice.
One such instance of Danhausen’s crossover appeal was on display when NBA veteran Mychal Thompson joked on X that the recent misfortunes of the Los Angeles Lakers might be a result of the wrestling star’s curse:
“Ya no…the way things hav gone for the Lakers the last week…I’m begining to think Dan Hausen put a CURSE on the Lakers…Dan Hausen…Google him…But be careful…Dont let him put a curse on YOU…”
Ya no…the way things hav gone for the Lakers the last week…I’m begining to think Dan Hausen put a CURSE on the Lakers…Dan Hausen…Google him…But be careful…Dont let him put a curse on YOU…
The Lakers were 15-2 at one point in the latest NBA season, but they recently suffered a devastating loss in the match against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Not only that, but the team’s two best scorers, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, have since been put on the shelf for the rest of the regular season due to injuries.
So it’s no surprise that Thompson, who won two NBA titles with the Lakers during his active years is wondering if a curse is at work. Maybe he should talk to Pepsi Phil, and get a recommendation for the right comic offering for Danhausen to get the curse lifted.
News came out this Wednesday that the bout between AEW’s MJF and TNA’s Nic Nemeth, announced for an indie show in May, had been cancelled. This wasn’t the only change, as another similar match between Ricochet and Leon Slater was also called off.
The Salt of the Earth was the first talent to react to this news. MJF claimed on X that TNA President Carlos Silva did not care about his talents or the fans, suggesting that the decision to cancel the bout. did not come from AEW’s side.
Welp.
Nic Nemeth and TNA are afraid of the AEW World Champion.
Shame old, Carlos doesn’t care about the fans or his roster getting paid.
When reached out about the turn of events, the Anthem-owned promotion released a short statement to PWInsider, stating, “TNA wrestlers were pulled due to partner conflicts.”
Fightful Select provided some backstage updates on the matter later on, revealing that these two weren’t the only matches the promotion had blocked. According to the report, TNA had also stopped a bout between Bear Bronson and MJF planned for GCW in March.
Sources claimed that Silva was unhappy with AEW airing last week’s episode of Collision on Thursday, the designated night for Impact. Though the decision did not come from AEW management, and it was said to be a WBD call.
A number of TNA wrestlers expressed frustration over this decision from the management. TNA also did not stop the match between Mercedes Mone and Jody Threat last week, where Threat defeated Mone for the WPW Women’s Title.
After months of back and forth between the AEW World Champion MJF and TNA star Nic Nemeth, a first time ever match between the two had been announced for Create A Pro wrestling event in May.
The promotion’s head, Brian Myers, however, announced on Wednesday that the dream match has been called off due to ‘unforeseen circumstances.’ He confirmed that both MJF and Nemeth will still be at the show, with the AEW Champion issuing an open challenge and Nic facing Bear Bronson in a match instead:
This wasn’t the only match between TNA and AEW talents that was cancelled. Wrestlecon also took to X to announce that the planned bout between AEW’s Ricochet and TNA’s Leon Slater set for the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow on April 16 has also been called off:
“Despite being previously cleared by all parties and respective management, Leon Slater has been pulled from this match one week prior to our Memorial event. We will have more to say at a later time, but we wanted to be immediately transparent to all fans.”
MJF commented on the cancellation of the bout on Twitter, calling out TNA President Carlos Silva. The other parties are yet to share any thoughts.
Despite being previously cleared by all parties and respective management, Leon Slater has been pulled from this match one week prior to our Memorial event. We will have more to say at a later time, but we wanted to be immediately transparent to all fans. https://t.co/O1v7yrmyvd
Chris Jericho has officially confirmed his return to in-ring competition at AEW Dynasty on April 12 in Vancouver. The announcement came during a promo segment for Y2J on the April 8 episode of AEW Dynamite, where Jericho revealed a new contract with the promotion and immediately chose his opponent for the upcoming pay-per-view.
The segment centered around Jericho revealing that he has signed a new multi-year AEW deal. The former AEW Champion reflected on the risks he has taken throughout his career and his role in building the company. The veteran made it clear he’s not finished taking chances, despite approaching his first match in nearly a year.
Ricochet Interruption Leads to Dynasty Match
Before the contract signing could conclude, Ricochet interrupted and questioned Jericho’s readiness to return. He suggested the veteran stay away from active competition.
Jericho responded by revealing a key clause in his new deal that allowed him to choose his opponent for AEW Dynasty. After some back-and-forth, Jericho told Ricochet, ‘You just made the list,’ confirming the match for April 12.
The Dynasty bout marks Jericho’s first AEW match since April 6, 2025, when he lost the ROH World Championship to Bandido in a ‘Title vs. Mask’ bout. The veteran had been absent from the wrestling world since then.
Jericho made his surprise return on the April 1 episode of Dynamite in Winnipeg, re-emerging after his lengthy absence. The contract signing segment on April 8 provided the full picture of his comeback plans.
The AEW star was scheduled for a trios match at this Wednesday’s episode of the show, originally announced to be teaming with Darby Allin & Jack Perry to face Andrade El Idolo, Mark Davis, & Konosuke Takeshita of the Don Callis Family.
President Tony Khan announced on X on Tuesday, however, that King has been pulled from the show for personal reasons, and his tag team partner Bandido will be replacing the heavyweight star in the bout:
“With Brody out for personal reasons, his partner has his back: Bandido will join Darby/Jungle Jack vs Don Callis Family All-Stars TOMORROW!”
With Brody out for personal reasons, his partner has his back: Bandido will join Darby/Jungle Jack vs Don Callis Family All-Stars TOMORROW! pic.twitter.com/tasNixBUsu
Brody King formed the team with Bandido back in July last year. The two would go on to win the AEW World Tag Team Championship at the Forbidden Door PPV in August. They held the title for 90 days before dropping the belts to FTR at Full Gear in November.
The April 8 episode of the Wednesday night show will also feature a TBS Title match between Willow Nightingale and Queen Aminata, as well as a promo from the returning Chris Jericho.
There is no word on if Brody King will be back on TV next week or if he will be taking more time off. Stay tuned for updates.
Fans had been wondering how and when the company will use the latest trademark filed earlier this week, but they didn’t have to wait very long. General Manager Robert Stone announced on the latest episode of the development show that NXT Revenge will be a two-week special beginning on April 14.
Several matches were then announced for the special, including a Last Woman Standing match between Sol Ruca and Zaria after the latter viciously attacked her former tag team partner on the April 7 show.
Jacy Jayne was also announced to be getting a rematch for the Women’s Title after dropping the belt to Lola Vice at the Stand & Deliver special this past weekend. Below is the confirmed lineup for the upcoming show:
This week’s episode of Raw featured a backstage segment between Liv and Roxanne Perez, where Stephanie Vaquer attacked them from behind. Because of the angle of the attack, Morgan was thrown into Perez with some force, and many fans were worried that it might have resulted in an injury.
Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer provided an update matching the fan theories after the show. He confirmed that both the female stars have been put into concussion protocol after the night’s events:
“Both Liv and Roxanne in concussion protocol after they clonked skulls hard when Stephanie jumped Liv from behind. Hopefully we didn’t just witness a disaster affecting WrestleMania.”
Roxanne Perez only returned from an injury last week, after spending a couple of months on the shelf. Finn Balor, who brought Perez into the Judgment Day during Morgan’s own absence due to an injury, was thrown out of the faction during this time. Liv Morgan had stopped Perez so they could talk about Balor’s departure but Vaquer attacked the two before a lot could be said.
Being put into concussion protocol doesn’t necessarily mean that either of them have suffered an injury, and it’s a precautionary measure to assess their conditions properly. Stay tuned for more updates on their status.
Big Show has revealed why he stopped showing his athleticism.
The former WWE star recently spoke to Chris Van Vliet for a new interview. He talked about things such as his experience working with people like The Rock and Floyd Mayweather, what he is most proud of in his career, and more.
The 54-year-old, who first became a star working for WCW in the 90s, also discussed his early career. He was asked if he thinks his athleticism gets slept on. Big Show mentioned how he used to do a lot of athletic moves at the start of his career but explained that he stopped doing them because of criticism from his peers. He gave an example, recalling the time Vince McMahon fined him for jumping over the top rope:
“You know I used to jump over the top rope. You know why I stopped doing that? Because Vince fined me 500 bucks for doing it. Because that’s not how giants move. He was in a different mindset. That was the thing that I was battling. Vince had Andre. Vince wanted Andre. ‘Andre ruled the locker with an iron fist. Andre did this, and Andre did that…’ I’m not Andre. I’m not a raging alcoholic and I’m not a mean person.”
Big Show later detailed another such instance when Hulk Hogan got upset with him while he was working in Japan. He mentioned that a message from the late wrestling legend was waiting for him when he got back to his room after a match where he did a drop kick. When they connected, Hogan blasted him for the drop kick, warning him to never do it again:
“I had Hogan call me. Rest in peace. I had Hogan call me in Japan. I threw a drop kick in Japan off the top rope and hit Yasuda with it. I got to my room, there was a blinking light in my hotel, and the message says, ‘Please call Mr. Bollea when you get to your room.’
Oh, hell, they didn’t even say Hulk. It’s Mr. Bollea. I’m in trouble. So I called Terry collect from Japan back then, ‘Brother, did you just do a drop kick off the top rope in Japan?’ I went, ‘Yeah, I did.’ He just goes, ‘Brother, you ever do that again, I’ll never work with you.’”
Apart from this, Big Show also discussed working with Rey Mysterio and recalled a spot with the masked star that still gives him nightmares. You can check out his comments here.
Big Show has recalled one of his most famous WWE spots.
The AEW star recently spoke to Chris Van Vliet for a new interview. He talked about things such as getting fined by Vince McMahon for a spot, working with Goldberg, how he is feeling nowadays, and more.
The former World Champion also opened up about his famous stretcher spot with Rey Mysterio. Big Show revealed that the spot did not go as planned and that he still gets nightmares about it:
“I hate that spot! That gives me nightmares. That went so bad. Oh, that went terrible because it was my idea, because Rey was tied in it, and then I thought I’d rib him in the afternoon, whereas I’ll just pick him up scare him. Oh, I can [pick him up]. This isn’t that tough. So what about swinging the pole?”
Big Show faced the Master of 619 in a singles match at the 2003 Backlash PPV. The Giant picked up an easy victory over Rey with a chokeslam and Mysterio was secured in a stretcher after the bout. Before the medics could take the high-flying star away, however, Show returned and picked Mysterio up along with the stretcher. The former WWE star proceeded to throw Rey into a turnbuckle, with Mysterio falling face-first on the floor.
The wrestling veteran revealed that he was originally supposed to put Rey back in the ring after the spot, but the stretcher slipped from his hand because of the slime in the ring:
“Somebody before us, because it sure as hell wasn’t me, the guys used to put this conditioner crap on their hair. And sometimes it would get on the ropes, and it makes your hands so slimy, like even if you grab the top rope, getting out of the ring, your hand just comes right off. So when I swung Rey into that pole, that thing popped right out of my hands, like it squeezed, like a hard-boiled egg or something. It just popped right out, then I saw Rey go, and I went, Oh, I just killed Rey.”
The Masked Star was immediately taken to the hospital for a evaluation. Big Show noted that he kept his cool on the screen, but he was freaking out from the inside. He followed Rey to the hospital as soon as he got to the back, though thankfully the WWE Hall of Famer was not injured:
“So I ran back to the locker room, grabbed my clothes, threw them in the car, and drove to the hospital in my rental car, because I’m thinking, man, if Rey’s seriously f*cked up, I’m done. I’m quitting. I’m done. Because I really cared about taking care of the other guys. I get there and Rey sits in the hospital bed with his hands behind his head, just chilling. ‘Hey, man, that was good, huh?’”
Big Show later also discussed another spot Mysterio loved to do with him on live events, where Show would put him on the top turnbuckle and chop him. Show recalled Arn Anderson telling him that he wanted to call the police on him for that spot, while the whole thing was Rey’s idea.
During the talk, HBK was also asked about other talents using the Superkick after his retirement. Shawn Michaels recalled the first time someone asked him to use his finisher and revealed his response to it:
“I can remember with Sweet Chin Music—the superkick—it was a couple years after I retired, getting a phone call. One guy wanted to use it, and you know, asked if it was okay. I said, ‘Yeah, it didn’t matter to me.’ I want to say it was Dolph Ziggler. And I just thought, like I said, ‘sure.’ I’m not there anymore.”
A lot of people have incorporated the move into their routine after Dolph Ziggler, and there is a section of fans and industry veterans who are very critical of its overuse in today’s wrestling.
Addressing this complaint, Shawn Michaels explained that he never wanted to be the old guy who stopped the progression of the business. The former World Champion claimed that he runs into those complains a lot but doesn’t want to be a part of that community:
“So once I said yes to that one, it was like opening a floodgate. I guess I’ll say this: I’m always happy, because that question comes up in nearly every interview I do. I still feel like the move is always going to be synonymous with me, which I appreciate.
And I think to myself, if I’m lying there on my deathbed and my biggest problem is that too many people were using the damn move, then I did good. I mean, come on—there’s hardly anything to complain about.”
A new documentary titled The Heartbreak Kid: Becoming Shawn Michaels is set to premiere before WrestleMania on Peacock on April 13.
The WrestleMania contract signing segment between Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar main evented tonight’s show. Both Triple H and Adam Pearce were in the ring for this, but they couldn’t stop the two meaty men from getting physical.
The Beast Incarnate attacked the former NXT Champion during his entrance, and Oba responded by sending Brock into the ring post. Femi then put Lesnar through the table set for the contract signing, as security failed to keep them apart. The show went off air with Lesnar throwing an office chair at his WrestleMania opponent and Oba Femi throwing it back.
Fans chanted ‘Let Them Fight’ as the security finally got the situation under control after Raw went off air. Brock Lesnar then exited the ring, but he didn’t leave immediately. The former UFC star picked up the steel steps and threw it into the ring, catching a couple of security guards in the process.
Oba Femi aimed the steps back at Lesnar, but Brock managed to avoid the blow. The former WWE Champion finally left the arena while Femi remained in the ring with Triple H and Adam Pearce. Oba picked up a security guard in frustration and power bombed him to finally end the segment.
Brock Lesnar is scheduled to make an appearance at next week’s WrestleMania go-home episode of Raw as well. It’s likely that the two will finally sign the contract to make the Mania match official at the show.
The former Universal Champion was scheduled to face JD McDonagh on this week’s Raw. Before the match could begin, Dominik Mysterio attacked Balor. Finn put up a fight, but the numbers game proved too much for him as McDonagh joined the beatdown and the Judgment Day stood tall to end the segment.
This wasn’t end of the story for the night, however, as a vignette featuring Finn Balor later aired on the show where he addressed the earlier segment. Balor teased bringing out a side of him at WrestleMania that Dirty Dom has never seen before, and the promo ended on the music notes of the Demon Balor theme:
“I hoped we could play nice. But what should I expect from you when I’m the one who showed you how to play dirty? Well, playtime’s over. Think you know me, Dominik? Really, you only know one side of me. There’s a side of me that I’ve never shown you before. A side that I buried long time ago. A side that I thought was gone forever. You’ve awoken it. It’s back. At WrestleMania, it’s coming for you.”
We’ve not seen Finn Balor’s demon persona since WrestleMania 39, when Edge defeated the former NJPW star in a Hell In A Cell match. Talking about the Demon on Cody Rhodes’ podcast earlier this year, Balor mentioned that he did not like WWE’s approach to the character. Finn had explained that he liked to surprise fans with it, instead of the Demon’s appearance being advertised in advance.
Finn Balor will face Dominik Mysterio in a singles match at WrestleMania 42.
Rapper Offset, who appeared on Raw earlier this year, was reportedly involved in a shooting incident leading to his hospitalization on Monday.
According to reports from TMZ, the 34-year-old, real name Kiari Kendrell Cephus, was shot near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL, and taken to Memorial Regional Hospital.
A spokesperson for the rapper confirmed the hospitalization and noted that Cephus was ‘fine’ and ‘He is stable and being closely monitored.’ A representative of the Seminole County Police confirmed that they have secured the site and detained two individuals after the shooting, though they did not reveal any further details.
Offset was part of the hip-hop group Migos with Quavo and Takeoff. The latter, real name Kirsnick Khari Ball, lost his life in a shooting incident in Houston, Texas back in 2022.
Offset made an appearance on the February 23 Raw this year, accompanying Je’Von Evans for his match against Kofi Kingston. He got involved in the action with Grayson Waller at the ringside, allowing the OG to pick up the victory.
This led to a storyline between the rapper and the New Day. His song called Bodies was also used as the official theme for the 2026 Elimination Chamber event.
Fans were worried about the WWE star’s status when she was seen limping after the Bella Twins’ match against Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair on SmackDown last week. Nikki was then spotted wearing a walking boot during the taping of the latest Bella podcast, fuelling more rumors.
The commentators confirmed the injury during the April 3 episode of the Blue Branded show. Joe Tessitore first noted that they had an injury update, and Wade Barrett then revealed that Nikki Bella was undergoing rehab as a replay showed the moment the former champion hurt her ankle:
“Yeah, this is Nikki Bella suffering a nasty ankle roll in the Bella’s tag match with Bliss and Flair last week as you mentioned. Nikki is currently undergoing some rehab in order to be ready for their fatal four way tag title showdown.”
Wade announced the ankle injury that Nikki Bella suffered last week, and says that she's doing rehab to make it to the WrestleMania tag team Fatal 4-Way. #smackdown@NikkiAndBriepic.twitter.com/Q2A4LCkAnN
The Bella Twins are scheduled to challenge The Irresistible Forces for the women’s tag titles at WrestleMania 42. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair, and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria are the other two teams who will be part of this fatal four-way bout.
The company not announcing any change to the Mania match suggests that they expect Nikki Bella to be cleared for the Show of Shows. Stay tuned for more updates.
The former SmackDown Head Writer, who resigned from his position earlier this year, recently took part in a virtual signing session for Signed by Superstars. During the session, the Attitude Era star was asked about his time in creative and if there were any ideas he had that did not make it to TV.
Replying to the question, Road Dogg, real name Brian James revealed that he had plans for a storyline between Zoey Stark and Chelsea Green. The wrestling veteran first praised Stark, saying that she is the best female wrestler he has seen in a long time, and that her ring work is second to none. Brian then explained that he wanted Zoey and Alba Fyre to kick Piper Niven out of the Secret Hervice. The story would have eventually led to a singles match between Stark and Green:
“I wanted Zoey Stark, I wanted her and then, Alba Fyre, to take over for Chelsea. They were gonna turn on Piper and put her out and put her through a table. Like really send her away for six months or something, and now you have these great two workers standing behind Chelsea… And then, you have ‘em realize, this dingbat. Hey, you turn on her. Piper comes back. They have a tag, then we go into a singles with Chelsea and Zoey.”
Road Dogg suggested that the pitch was rejected because not everyone was fan of Chelsea Green like he was, and people in the company ‘were getting hot’ at him for suggesting ideas for her. When asked who these people were, the 56-year-old did not name them, but claimed that he understands their point of view:
“I totally understand people not seeing her worth if you’re only looking through a top guy lens. Like if you’re only looking for a main event of WrestleMania, I can see you not having her in that vision. But I also see the potential that she could be in that vision. I firmly believe that and I’ll go to my grave believing it, and she’s the right kind of human being. She’s a workhorse. She says no to nothing and yes to everything. She kicked a 40-yard field goal with a broken ankle. For the love of God, the girl’s a national treasure.”
This is not the first we’ve heard about people backstage not seeing Green as a star. Longtime WWE producer Michael Hayes was recently criticized for suggesting that Chelsea’s job in the company was to just elevate other talents. Though according to the former US Champion, Hayes has since apologized for his remarks.
The 38-year-old made a surprise return to WWE TV on SmackDown this week, attacking Cody Rhodes as he confronted Randy Orton. McAfee then cut a promo talking about how he was tired of watching 5’5” wrestlers competing in long matches on TV while someone like the Viper was still around.
The former Raw commentator continued his tirade on social media after this segment. He first confirmed that he was the one talking to Randy on the phone over the last few weeks. McAfee then announced that he will leave not only WWE but wrestling if The Legend Killer fails to win his Undisputed title match at WrestleMania 42:
“How about that, marks? Never back on any wrestling television, if Randy Orton loses at WrestleMania. I don’t know how long the business will last if that happens. But I will never come back.”
Cody Rhodes made a second appearance on the show later on. He cut a passionate promo, burying the underwhelming reveal and suggesting that someone else was behind the whole thing.
The fans have also been vocal about McAfee being revealed as the mystery person behind Randy Orton’s recent actions. You can check out some fan reactions to the segment here.
Pat McAfee was revealed as Randy Orton’s mystery caller on tonight’s episode of SmackDown. He attacked Cody Rhodes when the WWE Champion confronted his WrestleMania opponent in the opening segment of the night.
The former NFL Punter then explained his actions, saying that he was tired of watching 5’5” guys putting on hour-long Iron Man matches when guys like Orton were around.
Cody Rhodes later made another appearance on the show, cutting a fiery promo. He compared McAfee’s reveal to Disco Inferno and suggested that someone else was pulling the strings from behind.
Pat McAfee has since addressed his appearance on the Friday Night Show on social media as well. He has stated that he will never appear in WWE again if Randy loses his WrestleMania match.
News that has since come out suggests that Pat’s involvement in the whole angle was not a decision made by WWE creative and that the directive came from people in the TKO management.
Nonetheless, the reveal has not gone over with the fans. People who were expecting someone like The Rock to be behind Randy’s actions have questioned the decision to hype the inclusion of McAfee into the WrestleMania angle so much. You can check out some of the reactions below:
Man nobody is spending thousands of dollars to see someone like Pat McAfee at WrestleMania https://t.co/AnrrcjLWpv
Pat McAfee: "why when i turn on WWE TV i have to watch two 5’5 guys do a 45 minute Iron Man Match 10 weeks straight for no reason when Randy Orton is around."
I haven't seen two 5'5 guys do 45 minute iron Man matches for 10 weeks straight???!!!!!#WWE#Smackdown
— Just Jack Van-Byran (@tweets_by_jvb) April 4, 2026
A huge disappointment. Few people would fit this spot, and Pat McAfee isn’t one of them. Orton’s dad, The Rock, even Kevin Owens would've made more sense. I hope this is just a swerve, and @WWE gives us the real reveal at WrestleMania, but I doubt it. @TKOGrphttps://t.co/39w6i9GHxC
you have one of the biggest rivalries with one of the biggest histories happening. you could literally pick from a long list of wrestlers that actually fit the story and you choose a fucking joke in pat mcafee who has no history in this?!! burn wwe down pic.twitter.com/0PkPXZfNzp
