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Author: Andrew Ravens

  • Cody Rhodes Walks Back WWE WrestleMania 42 Comments

    Cody Rhodes Walks Back WWE WrestleMania 42 Comments

    Cody Rhodes is making it clear he believes WrestleMania 42 is shaping up to deliver, even after admitting he wasn’t totally sold on the lineup earlier in the build. The Undisputed WWE Champion walked back his earlier “sleeper Mania” comment during an appearance on Busted Open Radio.

    Rhodes reflected on comments he made weeks ago when the WrestleMania card was still coming together. At the time, he used the phrase “sleeper Mania,” something he now says didn’t come out the way he intended.

    The comment happened before many of the matches were officially announced. Once the lineup started filling in, his view of the event changed in a big way.

    “You have Roman Reigns versus CM Punk. Brock—Oba. Stephanie—Liv, Jade—Rhea, it’s coming together. Sami—Trick. I used the word and I made the mistake, you know, when you do like the interviews, every wrestler, everybody who interviews wrestlers knows this. You say something and you hate how it sounded, but I remember saying a few weeks ago that we got a sleeper Mania here,” Rhodes said.

    Rhodes Clarifies His WrestleMania 42 Expectations

    Rhodes went on to clarify exactly what he meant, saying the earlier remark wasn’t meant as criticism of the show. It was simply made before the full picture was clear. Now that the major matches are locked in, he believes the event is built to deliver strong action from start to finish.

    “And I think I said that because nobody really knew the rest of the card. But what I meant was we have a very, very, very good bell-to-bell WrestleMania that aims to top the WrestleMania prior and I am very excited about my match and WrestleMania in general,” Rhodes stated.

    Rhodes is set to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42. He won the title on March 6, 2026 by defeating Drew McIntyre on SmackDown in Portland, Oregon.

    The card also features CM Punk versus Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship, Brock Lesnar versus Oba Femi, and multiple other championship matches across both nights.

    Full WrestleMania 42 Card

    The confirmed lineup includes Jade Cargill versus Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s Championship, Stephanie Vaquer versus Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship, and AJ Lee versus Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.

    Sami Zayn will defend the United States Championship against Trick Williams. An Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match features Penta, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Je’Von Evans, and Rusev.

    Additional matches include a Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way, an unsanctioned match between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, and Dominik Mysterio versus Finn Balor. John Cena is confirmed as the host for WrestleMania 42.

    As WrestleMania 42 gets closer, the pressure continues to build for Rhodes as he prepares to defend his championship on the biggest stage of the year.

  • Chris Jericho Returns to AEW After Year-Long Absence

    Chris Jericho Returns to AEW After Year-Long Absence

    Chris Jericho made a surprise return to AEW on Wednesday night’s Dynamite in Winnipeg, ending a year-long absence and months of speculation about a potential WWE return. The 55-year-old opened the show in his hometown, telling the crowd “Winnipeg… I’m home.”

    Jericho appeared in a sparkly purple jacket and black jeans, taking in several minutes of crowd cheers before delivering his brief statement. The inaugural AEW World Champion has been away from the company since April 2025, when he departed on-screen as The Learning Tree faction fell apart alongside Bryan Keith and Big Bill.

    Jericho’s contract situation had been unclear for months. He previously stated in interviews that his deal was set to expire in December 2025, fueling widespread belief he would return to WWE for a final run. AEW President Tony Khan repeatedly expressed his desire for Jericho to return when asked about the situation over the past year.

    Contract Frozen During Absence

    A report surfaced during Jericho’s time away, indicating his AEW contract had been frozen due to his absence. Last week, Jericho filed a trademark for “The Cornerstone,” signaling a potential return was imminent.

    Earlier on Wednesday, both Dave Meltzer and Fightful reported that Jericho was not expected to return to WWE after all. The veteran wrestler has consistently denied retirement plans when asked about his future in the business.

  • Josh Alexander Undergoes Knee Surgery

    Josh Alexander Undergoes Knee Surgery

    Josh Alexander successfully underwent knee surgery on April 1, 2026, to repair an injury that forced him to miss recent wrestling events. The procedure went as planned, marking the beginning of his recovery process.

    Alexander was forced to pull out of the ROH x MLP Global Wars event after revealing he required the surgery. The injury put a temporary halt on his in-ring momentum.

    His wife, Jade Chung, shared the positive news on social media with a lighthearted photo of the couple. The post included a humorous filter applied to Alexander’s face.

    Alexander Confirms Successful Procedure

    Alexander responded to his wife’s post with characteristic humor. “I lived,” he joked. “And I’m beautiful.”

    The wrestler, known as “The Walking Weapon,” now begins his road to recovery. No timeline has been announced for his return to the ring.

  • Cody Rhodes’ Street Fighter Performance Will Be Highlight, Says Co-Star

    Cody Rhodes’ Street Fighter Performance Will Be Highlight, Says Co-Star

    Cody Rhodes is set to deliver a standout performance in the upcoming Street Fighter movie, according to his co-star. Actor David Dastmalchian, who portrays M. Bison in the film, praised both Rhodes and Roman Reigns for their work in the video game adaptation.

    In an interview with Soundsphere, Dastmalchian didn’t hold back his enthusiasm for the WWE stars’ performances. “You can definitely tell everybody that I said that Cody Rhodes’ performance as Guile is going to be one of the highlights of Street Fighter,” he stated.

    The actor also teased Roman Reigns’ portrayal of Akuma. “And when everyone sees what Roman Reigns did as well, they’re going to freak out,” Dastmalchian added.

    WWE Stars Take On Iconic Street Fighter Roles

    Rhodes, the current three-time Undisputed WWE Champion, takes on the role of Guile in the film. The American Hero won his latest championship reign by defeating Drew McIntyre on SmackDown on March 6, 2026.

    Reigns steps into the role of Akuma, one of the franchise’s most popular characters. Dastmalchian praised the overall project, calling it “a great film” that’s “really exciting.”

    The Street Fighter movie is scheduled to hit theaters on October 16, 2026.

  • Nikki Bella Reacts to WrestleMania 42 Tag Title Match

    Nikki Bella Reacts to WrestleMania 42 Tag Title Match

    The Bella Twins are headed to WWE WrestleMania 42. This week’s WWE Raw announced that Nikki and Brie Bella’s previously confirmed Women’s Tag Team Championship match has been expanded into a Fatal 4-Way, with Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, and Lyra Valkyria added to the match alongside current champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend. The match takes place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18 and 19.

    Nikki Bella reacted to the announcement on Instagram, addressing each team in the match and framing the opportunity as something larger than a title shot.

    “The Bella Twins aren’t just returning — they’re reclaiming their throne,” Nikki wrote. “Trailblazers of this division, built for the spotlight, and ready to prove that legends don’t fade — they rise.”

    Bella Twins’ Return To WWE

    She described champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend as an unstoppable presence ready to dominate anything standing in their way, called Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss fearless and relentless competitors who thrive in chaos, and referred to Bayley and Lyra Valkyria as the X-factor in the match, citing their heart and hunger to shock the world.

    The Bella Twins played a significant role in establishing the women’s tag team division during their earlier run with the company. However, they’ve yet to hold tag team gold.

    Nikki and Brie signed two-year contracts with WWE beginning at the 2026 Royal Rumble and have stated publicly that this will be their final run before retirement.

    Winning the Women’s Tag Team Championship has been one of their stated goals for this run, and a WrestleMania setting gives that pursuit its highest-profile stage yet.

    Fatal 4-Way Championship Match

    The Fatal 4-Way format adds unpredictability to what was already a noteworthy match. With four teams in the mix — including two Hall of Famers, two former champions in Flair and Bliss, and an established team in Bayley and Valkyria — the Bellas will need to navigate a field as competitive as any they have faced during this return run.

  • Matt Hardy Calls WWE and TNA Both ‘Homes’ After Fan Backlash

    Matt Hardy Calls WWE and TNA Both ‘Homes’ After Fan Backlash

    Matt Hardy has addressed the social media post that sparked significant discussion this week, clarifying that when he referred to WWE as “home” following Logan Paul and Austin Theory’s World Tag Team Championship victory on Raw, he was not suggesting The Hardy Boyz are leaving TNA Wrestling.

    On Wednesday, Hardy posted a thoughtful, detailed explanation that beautifully reframes his original comments.

    “Jeff and I have two homes — TNA and WWE. WWE is our childhood home. It’s where we grew up, where we learned to become superstar pro wrestlers, where we both succeeded and failed in life and work.

    Without WWE, Jeff and I aren’t looked at as the GOATs. TNA is our adult home. TNA has allowed us to be men that bet on themselves and either sink or swim on their own. Without TNA, there’s no Broken Matt, Brother Nero, Anti-Christ, Willow or Big Money Matt. We’re thrilled our homes are partners together, making anything a possibility for House Hardy,” he wrote.

    The clarification follows Hardy’s initial post earlier in the week, reacting to The Usos losing the World Tag Team Championships to The Vision on Monday Night Raw.

    “It’s a travesty to watch the Usos get beaten by Logan Paul and Theory for the WWE Tag Team Titles on Raw. I bet the WrestleMania 42 crowd would go crazy if The Hardy Boyz beat their ass and brought the titles back home to our home, the WWE,” Hardy had written — a comment that immediately generated speculation about a potential Hardy Boyz WWE appearance.

    The Hardys are next scheduled to defend the TNA World Tag Team Championships against Cedric Alexander and Bear Bronson of The System at TNA Rebellion on April 11 in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Paul Wight Returns To AEW During Full Gear Tailgate Brawl

    Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Paul Wight made a surprising return to All Elite Wrestling programming on Saturday night. Wight appeared during the “Tailgate Brawl” pre-show ahead of the Full Gear Pay-Per-View event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. This marked his first appearance in some time for the Jacksonville-based promotion.

    Wight initially joined the commentary team during the tag team match between Boom & Doom and RPG Vice. However, his involvement escalated beyond the broadcast table toward the conclusion of the bout. After Trent Beretta grabbed “Big Justice,” Wight intervened while the referee was distracted, delivering a knockout punch to Beretta. This interference allowed Boom & Doom to capitalize and secure the victory.

    Wight, known worldwide for his two-decade tenure in WWE as “The Big Show,” departed the company in 2021 to sign with AEW. Since making the jump, he has served as an in-ring competitor, commentator, and mentor to the roster. He last appeared on AEW\’s All In Zero Hour panel alongside Jeff Jarrett and RJ City. His last official match took place earlier this year against Lance Archer and The Don Callis Family during the Jericho Cruise 2024.

    In an interview with The YES Network last year, Wight spoke highly of his experience since joining Tony Khan’s promotion. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to utilize his extensive experience to help the next generation of talent while still remaining active in the industry.

    Wight made his in-ring debut for AEW at All Out 2021, where he defeated QT Marshall. He currently holds an undefeated 6-0 record within the promotion. It remains to be seen if his physical involvement at the Tailgate Brawl signals a return to more regular competition.

    .@PaulWight will be joining the announcers desk for the next match!

    Watch Full Gear #AEWTailgateBrawl LIVE on TNT & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/rOi8ylBfZ5

    — All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) November 23, 2025

  • Swerve Strickland Expected To Return To AEW Soon

    A new update has emerged regarding the return of former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland. According to a report from Fightful Select, Strickland is expected to return to AEW programming “next month” (December 2025), barring any unforeseen setbacks.

    Strickland was last seen at the AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view in London, where he unsuccessfully challenged Kazuchika Okada for the Unified Championship. Following the match, he was attacked by a returning Wardlow, an angle designed to write him off television to address a legitimate injury. It was noted that Strickland was dealing with a torn meniscus, for which he recently underwent surgery.

    Fightful also reported that Strickland’s time off was originally scheduled for after All In 2025, but the break was pushed back. The former champion had been aiming for a winter return from his injury. Recently, just ahead of the Full Gear pay-per-view, Strickland posted a cryptic message on social media, further hyping his anticipated return.

    In a separate interview with Complex Sports, Strickland reflected on his legacy of high-quality matches.

    \”I didn\’t really have a five-star match until I got to All Elite Wrestling… I\’ve heard, like, I\’m the one Black wrestler with the most in history. So it\’s something that I pride myself in — just putting on something that\’s like a classic… I do appreciate putting on something that people are just going to remember for a very, very long time.”

  • The Rock Shares Disappointing Update On Disney\’s \’Jungle Cruise\’ Sequel

    It does not look like Dwayne \”The Rock\” Johnson will be going on another Jungle Cruise. Johnson and his The Smashing Machine co-star Emily Blunt recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly and shared a disappointing update on a potential sequel to their 2021 movie.

    The film earned $220 million at the box office despite opening right after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it was considered a box office disappointment given its reported $200 million budget. Because of that financial performance and internal changes, Johnson and Blunt are doubtful that a sequel will materialize.

    When asked by EW’s The Awardist podcast host Gerrad Hall about a follow-up, both stars were candid. Johnson said: \”I don’t think so.\” He went on to explain the reasoning behind the studio\’s decision.

    Johnson stated: \”I think when Disney came under new leadership, they just shifted coming out of COVID. COVID shifted our business in a lot of ways. I think they looked at that property and thought, ‘We did it once, not sure if we should revisit it again.’ Despite whether or not our chemistry was great.\” Blunt added: \”They did not want to set sail again, and that’s fine.\”

    While the riverboat adventure may be over, the pair are continuing their creative partnership. Johnson and Blunt will team up again in an untitled drama directed by Martin Scorsese, which Blunt has described as \”the last great American mob story.\” Additionally, Johnson has a busy slate; he recently started filming Jumanji 3 and has another film with Benny Safdie titled Lizard Music in the works.

  • IYO SKY Named Best Women\’s Wrestler In WWE By Legend

    WWE legend Leilani Kai has high praise for former Women’s World Champion IYO SKY, calling her the best wrestler in the women\’s division today. Kai, a former WWE Women’s Champion who competed at the inaugural WrestleMania, has reconnected with the WWE family over the past year, attending events such as Saturday Night’s Main Event and NXT live shows.

    During a recent appearance on Busted Open, Kai shared her thoughts on the current landscape of women\’s wrestling. She singled out NXT star Blake Monroe for her character work, noting that she believes Monroe has what it takes to succeed in the industry.

    “I like Blake Monroe. She has a good personality, she’s doing real well with what she does and her little gimmick she’s doing. I think she’s the real thing though.”

    When asked to identify the top talent in the division, Kai pointed to IYO SKY. The legend shared her belief that while the entire roster is talented, SKY stands above the rest as the premier in-ring competitor.

    “There’s IYO SKY – I think she’s the greatest lady wrestler at the moment. They’re all good, but she’s ahead. I just watch and I think she’s probably the best wrestler at the moment.”

    IYO SKY is currently scheduled to compete in the Women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series: WarGames on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Petco Park in San Diego, California. SKY is set to team with Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair to take on Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and The Kabuki Warriors, though both teams are expected to add final members before the event.

  • Young Bucks Name Most Underrated AEW Wrestler

    Matt and Nick Jackson have high praise for their current trios partner, Josh Alexander. Following their victory on AEW Dynamite this past Wednesday, the Young Bucks spoke to Adam’s Apple about their experience teaming with the former TNA World Champion. When asked to name the most underrated wrestler in All Elite Wrestling, Nick Jackson immediately pointed to Alexander.

    “Man, we teamed up him with him [Wednesday] night on TBS, Josh Alexander. He’s unbelievable.”

    The trio defeated the team of Scorpio Sky and Top Flight (Dante and Darius Martin) on the November 19 edition of Dynamite. Matt Jackson echoed his brother\’s take regarding Alexander\’s talent but also took a moment to highlight their opponents from that evening. He encouraged fans to pay closer attention to the work being done by Sky and the Martin brothers.

    “Josh Alexander, he’s awesome. Even the guys we wrestled [Wednesday] night, Top Flight and Scorpio Sky, I think people need to check out these guys more. They’re awesome.”

    Alexander arrived in AEW in April 2025, immediately aligning himself with the Don Callis Family. Prior to his AEW debut, he was a cornerstone of TNA Wrestling, where he enjoyed two reigns as World Champion and became the longest-reigning champion in that company\’s history.

    The Young Bucks and Alexander will team up again this Saturday, November 22, at AEW Full Gear in Newark, New Jersey. They are scheduled to face Kenny Omega and Jurassic Express (Jack Perry and Luchasaurus) in a \”Million Dollar Trios Match.\”

  • Nikki Bella Says Current WWE Run Will Be Her Final One

    Nikki Bella has confirmed that her current tenure with WWE will be her final run as an active in-ring competitor. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the WWE Hall of Famer discussed her recent comeback and her long-term plans. She stated that regardless of how long this current stint lasts, she intends for it to be the conclusion of her wrestling career.

    \”I know that however long this run is — a year, two years — it will be my last and final, and in our industry you never wanna say never but, I’m just being realistic.\”

    During the interview, Nikki opened up about the experience of performing without her twin sister, Brie Bella. She admitted that while she has had solo runs in the past, the absence of her sister is noticeable. Nikki wants to have Brie join her before she hangs up her boots for good, noting that it would be fitting for them to finish their careers together.

    \”It’s hard. It’s always amazing and I’ve had my solo runs so, especially when you’re an identical twin, you’re used to doing so many things together. It’s empowering when you have to do things on your own… I started with her and I wanna end with her. I know everyone wants it and it would be really cool for the fans and as well for this new era, and especially when you turn me heel. I’m only super bad when I got sidekicks. It’s hard, and I hope I at least get to end it with her. Two bad b*tches are way better than one.\”

    Nikki Bella is scheduled to challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women\’s World Championship at Survivor Series: WarGames on Saturday, November 29, 2025.

  • Big Names Advertised For Final WWE Raw Before Survivor Series: WarGames

    The go-home episode of Monday Night Raw before WWE Survivor Series: WarGames is set to feature a pair of rare appearances, with both Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar being promoted for the event. The show will be hosted at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in a matter of days.

    Both Reigns and Lesnar recently returned to television, joining a hectic brawl between The Vision and a babyface group featuring Cody Rhodes, The Usos, and World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. Their appearances officially added them to the Men’s WarGames Match at Survivor Series: WarGames, which will take place at Petco Park in San Diego, California, near the end of this month.

    Monday\’s event is also being promoted to feature World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, Jey Uso, Penta, Rhea Ripley, and LA Knight. The Last Time Is Now Tournament The prestigious Last Time Is Now tournament, which will determine John Cena’s final opponent at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, will continue on the show with a pair of quarter-finals matches:

    • Gunther will face the winner of a match between Carmelo Hayes and Bronson Reed.
    • Solo Sikoa will take on the prevailing wrestler in a bout between Penta and Finn Balor.

  • WWE Announces New European Tour Date Before Royal Rumble In Saudi Arabia

    WWE announced on Thursday, November 20, that a live event in Brussels, Belgium, has been added to the Road To Royal Rumble tour scheduled for January 2026. The Road To Royal Rumble tour is a series of international events that will take place before the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event, which will be held in Saudi Arabia.

    The Brussels event will take place at the Forest National venue on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Tickets for the show will be available for purchase on Tuesday, November 25.

    Updated Dates For The WWE Road To Royal Rumble Tour

    January 8, 2026— Road To Royal Rumble Tour (Leipzig, Germany)

    January 9, 2026 — Friday Night SmackDown (Berlin, Germany)

    January 10, 2026 — Road To Royal Rumble Tour (Glasgow, Scotland)

    January 11, 2026 — Road To Royal Rumble Tour (Copenhagen, Denmark)

    January 12, 2026 — Monday Night Raw (Düsseldorf, Germany)

    January 13, 2026 — Road To Royal Rumble Tour (Mannheim, Germany)

    January 15, 2026 — Road To Royal Rumble Tour (Newcastle, England)

    January 16, 2026 — Friday Night SmackDown (London, England)

    January 17, 2026 — Road To Royal Rumble Tour (Gda?sk, Poland)

    January 18, 2026 — Road To Royal Rumble Tour (Nottingham, England)

    January 19, 2026 — Monday Night Raw (Belfast, Northern Ireland)

    January 20, 2026 — Road To Royal Rumble Tour (Brussels, Belgium)

  • Carmelo Hayes And Kelani Jordan Announce Wedding Timeline

    WWE stars Carmelo Hayes and Kelani Jordan have shared an update on their wedding plans, which were first announced when the couple got engaged over the summer.

    Speaking with TV Insider, Kelani Jordan, who wrestles for WWE\’s NXT brand, confirmed the goal date for their marriage. “We’re planning on getting married toward the end of next year. That is the goal,” Jordan told the outlet.

    The goal date of late 2026 allows both athletes time to focus on their demanding in-ring careers. The couple\’s engagement was announced earlier this summer.

    Current Status Hayes is currently a part of the SmackDown brand and is competing in the prestigious \”Last Time is Now\” tournament to determine John Cena’s final opponent. Hayes\’ first-round match is scheduled for this week’s SmackDown on Friday, November 21, where he is set to face the heel Bronson Reed.

    Jordan, meanwhile, is a reigning champion for the TNA brand. However, she recently lost her TNA Knockouts World Championship in a Triple Threat match to Léi Y?ng Lee at NXT Gold Rush: Week 2. Prior to the match, Jordan had successfully held the title for several weeks and was the first talent to win the NXT Women’s North American Championship.

  • CM Punk Takes Brutal Shot At Logan Paul Ahead Of Survivor Series WarGames

    WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk took a brutal shot at his Survivor Series WarGames opponent, Logan Paul, suggesting the social media star is the clear outlier on the highly talented heel team.

    During his appearance on Mostly Sports With Mark Titus and Brandon Walker, CM Punk analyzed the Men\’s WarGames match, where he will team with Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and The Usos (Jey and Jimmy) against Paul and his allies.

    Punk praised the caliber of the heel team, calling the heel team stacked, but was quick to qualify his compliment. \”I mean you talk about Survivor Series and teams. That team’s stacked. It’s got to be all-time. It’s got to be all-time plus Logan Paul,\” Punk stated.

    Punk then doubled down on the slight, using a backhanded comment to emphasize his point. \”There’s a lot there’s a lot of strong, beefy, you know, good-looking men on that team. And Logan Paul,\” he added.

    WarGames Match Context The Men’s WarGames match, scheduled for Saturday, November 29, in San Diego, California, pits Team Punk/Rhodes/Reigns against Team Paul/The Vision/Lesnar/McIntyre.

    The rivalry between Punk and Paul intensified when Paul aligned with The Vision, using brass knuckles to knock out Punk on Raw. It has been widely claimed that Paul was an excellent pick for The Vision, whose tactics and heel character align perfectly with their own vision.

  • Former WWE Star Criticizes John Cena\’s Farewell Tour Booking As \’Not Exciting\’

    WWE star John Cena\’s farewell tour is nearing its conclusion, but one of his former rivals and tag team partners, David Otunga, has expressed disappointment in how the company has handled the historic run.

    Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the former WWE Tag Team Champion stated that Cena\’s farewell has lacked the excitement and singular focus he believes the 17-time World Champion deserves. \”Honestly I wish it would have been a little bit more exciting,\” Otunga stated. \”I don’t think it was what people expected.\”

    Otunga compared Cena\’s send-off unfavorably to a legendary basketball star\’s final run. \”I wanted him to have a farewell tour like Kobe (Bryant) did. Kobe’s farewell tour was awesome, I feel like Cena deserves that because, let’s be honest he comes out and says he’s the greatest of all time, he’s not necessarily wrong. The guy does deserve it,” Otunga said.

    He also took issue with Cena\’s final Raw appearance, which was a victorious six-man tag team match where Cena, Rey Mysterio, and Sheamus defeated Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor, and JD McDonagh.

    \”I just would like to see more, I don’t even necessarily know what it would be. I just want them to put more into it,\” Otunga stated. \”His last Raw at MSG, the six-man tag, it was cool but I would have preferred to see him have a one-on-one match that was great. Show us what John Cena did, leave us with what we know him for on Raw.”

    David Otunga and John Cena have a lengthy history, having feuded as members of the Nexus faction, and they briefly won the WWE Tag Team Championships together at Bragging Rights 2010. Cena’s final year has seen him achieve major milestones, including turning heel, wrestling in the main event of WrestleMania, winning a record 17th World Championship, and competing in his final SummerSlam.

  • WWE Expands Developmental Roster With New NXT Signings

    WWE has reportedly added three new names to its developmental system, with all three athletes reporting to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. According to Mike Johnson of PWInsiderElite.com the new signings include a collegiate track star transitioning from the NIL program and two athletes discovered through recent tryouts.

    The most prominent signing is Meghan Walker, a 21-year-old Nebraska Track and Field star. Walker was previously signed to a WWE \”Next In Line\” (NIL) deal, which allows college athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness while still competing in school. However, she has now fully transitioned into a pro-wrestling role with a WWE Performance Center/NXT developmental contract. Walker was part of the fifth NIL class announced in June 2025, which also featured several notable names:

    • Brock Rechsteiner (son of Scott Steiner and cousin of Bron Breakker)
    • Jacob Henry (son of Mark Henry)
    • TJ Bullard (son of Titus O’Neil)

    Other Developmental Signings Walker is joined by two other developmental signings who recently entered the company\’s system:

    • Jessica Bognadov: Described as a Russian pole dancer and gymnast.
    • Cyrus Habibi-Likio: An American football player who took part in the SummerSlam tryouts.

    These signings reflect WWE\’s ongoing strategy to recruit elite athletes from diverse sporting backgrounds and build its developmental roster through the NXT and NIL pipelines. The new recruits are expected to begin training immediately at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, working toward their potential in-ring debuts for the NXT brand. NXT is currently building toward its final Premium Live Event of the year, NXT Deadline, which is set for Saturday, December 6.

  • Colt Cabana Discusses Bittersweet Producer Role In AEW

    An a new episode of AEW Close Up, Colt Cabana opened up to Renee Paquette about the dual emotions he feels working as a backstage producer for All Elite Wrestling. While he still holds a deep love for performing, Cabana admitted that his new role allows him to leverage his decades of experience and remain fully immersed in the action.

    \”I like it. I do like it. The performer in me will always want to perform, so there is a little bit of heartbreakness going on,\” Cabana admitted.

    Despite the internal conflict, the former ROH star clarified that his producer role puts him right where he wants to be: actively building the match narrative.

    \”But as a producer, I’m in the trenches. And I like being in the trenches,\” Cabana stated. He continued, expressing confidence in his extensive knowledge of the wrestling business. \”I feel I know wrestling. I was and am so immersed in it for so many years now. I like that that knowledge can be used. I like to use that knowledge.\”

    Cabana, who is now over five years into his tenure with the company, finds a unique satisfaction in working directly with the production team during matches.

    \”Some people like different things about producing, I really like when I’m talking to the [production] truck and it’s like I’m almost in the middle of the match. You hear it takes three people, the wrestlers and the referee, but I feel like the fourth person. I really enjoy it. I enjoy it,” he revealed.

    The 45-year-old wrestling veteran acknowledges that while he still competes on the independent circuit, his active in-ring career is likely in its final stages. However, his passion for performance remains. Cabana noted that performing in any capacity—be it comedy, podcasts, or his backstage production job—brings him a unique kind of joy.

  • Tony Khan: \’I Would Love To Have Britt Baker Back In AEW\’

    AEW CEO Tony Khan addressed the long absence of former AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker, confirming that the star will return to the company once the timing and circumstances are right.

    \”Britt Baker is somebody that I love and respect who\’s also been in AEW from the very beginning,\” Khan stated. He explained that Baker\’s career outside of wrestling, combined with personal matters, led to her hiatus. \”She had been away at times for health reasons and for she had some injuries,\” Khan noted.

    Khan expressed admiration for Baker\’s work ethic and career achievements both inside and outside of the wrestling ring. \”She\’s so impressive to have somebody that went to medical school, earned their degree, is practiced, and also has wrestled at a high level and juggled all these things, I think it\’s really impressive,\” Khan praised. \”And as somebody who juggles a lot of jobs and a lot of work, I respect Britt\’s work ethic a lot. She\’s also a great wrestler\”.

    Khan confirmed her eventual return while noting her well-being is the top priority. \”I\’m just looking for the right time with Brit,\” he said. \”I think Britt\’s a great person in and out of the ring. So I would love to have Britt back in AEW, and Britt is going to be back. I really believe in AEW, and I hope soon, but it\’s going to be the right situation for her and everybody involved. And I want to make sure she\’s 100% and that\’s important to me, and I really care about that, the health and well being of all the wrestlers, and in Britt\’s case, I think she can come in and still be a huge part of AEW, and I expect she will\”.

    Baker was sidelined due to various issues, including two herniated disks and a torn hip labrum, as well as a transient ischemic attack she suffered in late 2024 that kept her out of the ring for the first half of 2025. Her last match was in November 2024.

  • Peacock’s ‘Twisted Metal’ Featuring Samoa Joe Renewed For Third Season 

    The fan-favorite video game adaptation Twisted Metal is officially set to return, with Peacock confirming the series has been renewed for a third season. The renewal comes with a major creative change, as David Reed (The Boys, Supernatural) will take over as showrunner and executive producer, succeeding Michael Jonathan Smith, who has now \”concluded his involvement as showrunner and executive producer,\” according to the streaming service.

    The renewal follows a strong performance by the second season, which became Peacock\’s \”second highest-reaching original returning scripted season,\” registering an impressive \”993 million minutes viewed\” on the streaming service. Reed, who is known as a WGA Award-nominated writer, director, and producer, currently serves as a writer and executive producer on Prime Video’s popular series The Boys. Reed is under an overall television deal with Sony Pictures Television.

    The half-hour dark comedy, which is based on the classic PlayStation game series, follows motor-mouthed outsider John Doe (Anthony Mackie) as he navigates a post-apocalyptic world. He is aided by Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz), an ax-wielding car thief, as they face dangers that include a deranged clown known as Sweet Tooth (voiced by Will Arnett, played by AEW\’s Joe Seanoa aka Samoa Joe). The cast is also highlighted by Anthony Carrigan as Calypso and Tiana Okoye as the vigilante Dollface.

    Season 2 brought the characters into the deadly Twisted Metal tournament, hosted by Calypso. The season ended with John and Quiet preparing for a major conflict in Season 3 after Calypso framed them for murdering the spectators, setting up a war between the Insiders and the Outsiders. Reed will executive produce the new season alongside Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Anthony Mackie.

    Star Anthony Mackie, who plays John Doe and serves as an executive producer on the series, is also preparing for a massive film role. Mackie is confirmed to be starring in and executive producing the upcoming Marvel film Captain America: Brave New World, which is currently in post-production with a theatrical release expected in 2026.

  • Dominik Mysterio Responds To Cody Rhodes Calling Him WWE\’s Future

    Dominik Mysterio recently gave his perspective on the high praise received from Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Rhodes had previously discussed Mysterio on the ALL THE SMOKE podcast, sharing that Dominik is viewed internally as the future of the company. Mysterio responded by comparing Rhodes to an influential family figure.

    \”Cody\’s that big brother that goes off to college and you don\’t really see him every now and then but you get excited when he comes back into town,\” Mysterio stated on ESPN. \”You want that stamp of approval from him.\”

    Rhodes publicly agreed with the internal sentiment that Dominik is the future, noting the young star\’s professional growth and passion for the industry.

    \”Dom Mysterio is probably my favorite example,\” Rhodes said. \”Dom Mysterio does not have the amount of live events that we used to have, although he’s working multiple companies for WWE at the moment. Special talent. He’s somebody that’s often cited internally — I don’t think I’m giving anything away here — as somebody who’s gonna be the future of the WWE. He’s one of the ones that when it’s said, I believe it. I think I’m gonna come to a WWE show in 15 years and pay money to see and it will probably be Dom Mysterio on the top of the card, because he’s figuring out how to do it.\”

    Rhodes praised Dominik\’s passion for wrestling, acknowledging that his father, Rey Mysterio, is regarded as the greatest luchador of all time with respect to El Santo. Rhodes further emphasized the confidence he has in the young star.

    \”Dom is special. There’s a few that I see on that list and that one for sure — I don’t wanna be overly confident… I certainly believe it. He’s somebody I’m gonna go pay to see at an event in 15 years,\” Rhodes concluded.

    Mysterio is now scheduled to challenge John Cena for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series: WarGames on Saturday, November 29, at Petco Park in San Diego, California.

  • Backstage Update On WWE Survivor Series Plans For AJ Lee

    AJ Lee is reportedly set to make her in-ring return at Survivor Series: WarGames. According to a new report from Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio, the former Divas Champion is currently \”penciled in\” to join Rhea Ripley\’s team for the Women’s WarGames match on November 29. While the report notes that her spot is \”not yet official,\” the plan is for her to align with Ripley, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair.

    Lee made a shocking appearance on Monday Night Raw this week, playing a pivotal role in the Women’s Intercontinental Championship match. Toward the end of the bout, Lee caused a distraction that allowed Maxxine Dupri to hit a top-rope crossbody and pin Becky Lynch. This interference secured Dupri her first-ever title in WWE and reignited the feud between Lee and Lynch.

    Lee originally returned to WWE last September after a decade-long absence, teaming with her husband CM Punk to defeat Lynch and Seth Rollins at Wrestlepalooza. She has not competed in a televised match since that tag team victory, but her actions on Raw suggest she is ready to step back into the fray for Survivor Series.

    The card is headlined by the massive double-cage WarGames matches. On the men\’s side, the team of World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk, Jey Uso, and Cody Rhodes will battle the faction of Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed. The Women’s WarGames match currently features Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair taking on Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Asuka, and Kairi Sane.

  • John Cena Is \”Very High\” On WWE NXT Standout

    John Cena may be wrapping up his legendary in-ring career, but he is reportedly keeping a close eye on the future of the business. According to a new report from Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio, Cena has taken a significant interest in NXT star Je\’Von Evans.

    Alvarez reported that Cena recently visited the WWE Performance Center and developmental, where he became \”very, very high\” on the 21-year-old high-flyer. In addition to Cena\’s endorsement, Alvarez noted that WWE veteran Sheamus also \”raved\” about Evans after working a match with him recently.

    This backstage support appears to be changing the internal perception of the young star. Alvarez stated, \”I think they finally figured out, as usual, they’re like the last people on earth to figure this s**t out. But I think they finally figured out that they have something special in Je’Von Evans, and so hopefully he is called up sooner rather than later, and they do something with him\”.

    Evans, who previously wrestled on the independent circuit as Jay Malachi, signed with WWE in November 2023. He has been a featured performer on NXT throughout 2025 and recently received a major spotlight on Monday Night Raw, where he faced former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther in a tournament match to determine John Cena\’s final opponent.

    Although he lost the match via submission, the opportunity to work with a top star on the flagship show signals growing confidence in his ability.

  • Maxxine Dupri Becomes New Women\’s Intercontinental Champion After AJ Lee Distraction

    WWE usually brings big shows to Madison Square Garden, and the November 17 episode of RAW was no exception. The sold-out crowd was in the building for John Cena\’s final farewell to the red brand, but they also witnessed a shocking title change.

    Becky Lynch, who was noted to be in a \”rare form\” before the show, put her Women\’s Intercontinental Championship on the line against Maxxine Dupri. The bout received a \”big fight feel\” with formal ring introductions from Alicia Taylor. When the match began, \”The Man\” was all business, maintaining control and pressing her challenger in a significant way.

    Despite the champion\’s aggressive offense, Maxxine Dupri proved to be a tough challenger in the historic arena, even getting a near fall on Lynch at one point. The kick-out frustrated the champion. After getting a near fall of her own, Lynch got in referee Jessika Carr’s face. She then threw Dupri out of the ring and demanded the referee begin a count, seemingly content to take a count-out win.

    This decision proved to be a costly mistake. As Lynch was focused on the referee\’s count, AJ Lee’s music hit, and the former champion made her shocking return, walking down to ringside. The distraction completely took Lynch\’s focus off the match. This allowed Maxxine Dupri to capitalize, jumping off the top rope and hitting a crossbody on the stunned Lynch. Dupri secured the pinfall to win the match and become the new Women\’s Intercontinental Champion.

    AJ Lee is clearly not finished with Becky Lynch. This return follows their mixed tag team match at WrestlePalooza, which saw Becky tap out to AJ. Lynch has reportedly not been happy about that outcome, and now Lee has cost her a championship.