SEScoops

Author: Andrew Ravens

  • TKO’s Mark Shapiro on Rousey vs. Carano: ‘More Of A Stunt Than A Meaningful MMA Event’

    TKO’s Mark Shapiro on Rousey vs. Carano: ‘More Of A Stunt Than A Meaningful MMA Event’

    TKO President Mark Shapiro says the UFC passed on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight because the promotion viewed it as “a stunt rather than a meaningful MMA event,” and believed the matchup would be bad for the sport given the size of the Netflix audience.

    Shapiro made the comments Monday at the JP Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference, explaining how the decision was made internally.

    “Netflix wants big spectacle events and they saw this as a big spectacle event. We’re in the true MMA business on a meaningful, consistent basis. When we looked at this potential matchup, keep in mind there’s a real art and skill to matchmaking. The answers we got back from Dana White and Hunter Campbell were that fight will be over in 20 seconds.”

    Shapiro said his concern extended beyond the result itself to what it signals to new viewers.

    “I don’t believe a fight like that, just the way it played out, is really good for MMA, especially because it’s Netflix and such an incredible global audience that is going to sample, depending on what comes up on the front page, to go to that fight and think that’s what MMA is. I don’t believe that is good for the sport long term. We saw it that way and decided to pass on it.”

    He added that he did not want to diminish Rousey’s win or the viewership the broadcast drew.

    Rousey submitted Carano in 17 seconds in the main event of MVP MMA 1 on Saturday night.

  • Road Warrior Animal’s Widow Blasts A&E Documentary

    Road Warrior Animal’s Widow Blasts A&E Documentary

    Road Warrior Animal’s widow, Kim Turman Laurinaitis, says she was not contacted to participate in A&E’s “Biography: WWE Legends” documentary on The Road Warriors, and took to Facebook during the premiere to call the episode “disgusting” and dispute how her husband’s death was portrayed.

    Laurinaitis, who was with Joe Laurinaitis when he died in September 2020, posted a series of increasingly heated reactions as the documentary aired.

    “For all of you reaching out to me right now, asking if I’m part of the A&E biography — NO. His actual wife (the one that was with him the night he died and years before) was not contacted to film. Believe it or not, the one that pays for the trademarks and works to continue his wishes and legacy with the LOD Experience and many other things. But this is supposed to be about respect for Joe and the LOD/Road Warrior, right? Yeah, ok. Believe what you want.”

    She made clear she intends to fight back.

    “I can guarantee you my husband is NOT happy in heaven but his story, the real story and truth of all of it will come out. This is disgusting, literally disgusting at his expense and I will not be quiet anymore. Shame on all involved. The truth will always come out. They only did it this way because he was not here, but I still am and will fight for his wishes.”

    Kim also took aim at unnamed people who appeared in the documentary.

    “Do they give out Oscars for acting performances in this? Some of the people on here never kept in touch, wouldn’t even walk over to speak to him, and talked so much sh*t. Phony asses getting their irrelevant moment.”

    Her sharpest reaction came during the segment covering Laurinaitis’ death, which was narrated by his daughter Jessica. Kim disputed the account of where and how he died.

    “What in the fk am I watching? This is not how my husband died. He died 9/22 at our hotel, not a hospital. They never took him to a hospital. Had to try to save him in our hotel room. I was the only one there with paramedics. I held him for over an hour trying to wait for Jessica and Lindsey, both daughters, to get there before they transported him to a funeral home. What the fk is happening?”

    She followed with a broader condemnation of the documentary.

    “Can anyone tell the truth anymore? What fake ass phony people. People pretending to be friends, people pretending to tell the truth at my husband’s expense. Why didn’t we talk about how disrespected my husband was during his memorial planning? Let’s talk about the struggles and how much he went through and cried over the past 10 years about how he had been treated by the people he loved so much. Shady ass produced show, not endorsed by his wife, the one who pays for the trademarks, bills, taxes, etc.”

    Joe Laurinaitis’ first two wives, Nancy and Julia, were among those interviewed for the documentary. Kim did not specify any wrestling-related issues with the content.

    Laurinaitis died of a heart attack in Osage Beach, Missouri in September 2020 while he and Kim were celebrating their wedding anniversary. He had suffered from congestive heart failure. The Road Warriors episode was part of season five of “Biography: WWE Legends,” which also included a two-part documentary on The Von Erichs and an episode on The Four Horsemen. A&E produces the series in partnership with WWE.

  • Released WWE Star Rebrands With New Ring Name Ahead Of Free Agency

    Released WWE Star Rebrands With New Ring Name Ahead Of Free Agency

    Zoey Stark has teased a new ring name and nickname following her WWE release, rebranding herself as Zoey Serrano and hinting at the nickname “The Purist” in a promotional video documenting her injury comeback and return to training.

    Stark changed her social media handle to Zoey Serrano and shared the video alongside hashtags for WWE, AEW, and TNA. She was also spotted training with AEW’s Brian Cage in the clip.

    In the video, Stark spoke about her love for wrestling and what the sport means to her.

    “It’s hard, man. So, I don’t think people understand how much I love wrestling. It’s what I live for, this is what I believe I was put on this Earth for, is to be in this ring to perform. This is it for me. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do.”

    “Wrestling was my escape. The number one thing in my life. And the good thing is now I get to show that, I get to express that in my own way. So, I’m so happy that you guys get to be on this journey.”

    She closed the video with a message directed at her future.

    “This is where I live, this is what I love to do. When I was a kid it was my escape through any type of hardship. Put on wrestling and I could escape from the world and just be in that ring with whoever I want. I made it come true. So, if I’m good now, imagine what it’ll be like when my 90 days are over.”

    Stark was released by WWE in April. She has been out of in-ring action since May 19, 2025, when she suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Her 90-day non-compete clause runs through late July.

  • Backstage Update On Blake Monroe’s WWE SmackDown Debut

    Backstage Update On Blake Monroe’s WWE SmackDown Debut

    Blake Monroe may be appearing on WWE SmackDown as soon as this week, with the former AEW Women’s World Champion currently listed on the brand’s travel schedule, according to Fightful Select.

    WWE has officially announced Monroe’s main roster move to SmackDown, though she has yet to appear on the blue brand since the announcement.

    WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray spoke about Monroe on a recent edition of the Busted Open Radio podcast, offering his take about what she brings to the roster.

    “What’s even better about Blake Monroe, and I know this sounds so crazy, but she’s one of the boys. Everybody’s gonna love her. She is an old school, throwback wrestler. She’s funny and crass. She said something in AEW in the training room one time, I turned I was like, ‘What did you say?’ She’s just got it.”

    Bully Ray pointed to her in-ring versatility as a particular strength.

    “When you like people, you work harder for them and she works hard. You watch her matches and she’ll do anything and everything to succeed. And her wrestling skillset is that she can adapt to everybody’s s**t. She doesn’t have a weakness, and there’s very few wrestlers that can flip and fly, that can grapple, chain wrestle, that can swing them and punch and kick, that can do everything. She can do everything.”

    Monroe is a former AEW Women’s World Champion who was among the notable signings WWE made from the rival promotion.

  • Return Plans For Injured WWE Star Have Shifted

    Return Plans For Injured WWE Star Have Shifted

    Stephanie Vaquer is now expected to return to WWE around Clash in Italy weekend, according to PWInsider, with her appearance at Monday’s Raw not currently expected.

    There had been talk internally of Vaquer potentially appearing at tonight’s Raw, but as of the latest update, she is not reported to be in town for the taping.

    The Clash in Italy targets a shift from last week’s PWInsider report, which had pointed to a near-term return, with Monday’s Raw specifically mentioned as a possibility. Creative discussions around her comeback have been picking up, but no date has been formally announced.

    Vaquer has been out since the April 27 episode of Raw, when Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez attacked her in a backstage segment alongside Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan. Roxanne Perez rammed an equipment box into Vaquer’s shoulder, with Michael Cole announcing on commentary that she had suffered a second-degree AC sprain. Bryan Alvarez of F4W and Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter both confirmed the injury was legitimate. The incident forced the cancellation of a planned Vaquer vs. Morgan match at Backlash on May 9 in Tampa.

    Vaquer held the Women’s World Championship for 210 days before dropping it to Morgan at WrestleMania 42 Night One in a match that ran under seven minutes, with both wrestlers reportedly dealing with physical issues heading in.

  • Reason Why Randy Orton Has Been Absence From WWE TV

    Reason Why Randy Orton Has Been Absence From WWE TV

    Randy Orton’s absence from WWE television since WrestleMania 42 is the result of a back injury, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

    “Back injury. That’s why he’s been gone since WrestleMania. That’s probably why he didn’t win the title.

    “It’s significant. He’s had it for years, it almost ended his career. (He) came back, and it’s still there.”

    This comes after it was decided that Cody Rhodes would retain the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42. Orton was strongly considered to leaver WrestleMania with the title, with the booking change coming in the final weeks before the event. Rhodes retaining now appears to have been at least partly informed by Orton’s physical condition heading into the show.

    Orton earned his WrestleMania title shot by winning the 2026 Men’s Elimination Chamber match. The build to the match was dominated by the Pat McAfee storyline, which replaced an earlier creative pitch that had centered on Aleister Black tormenting Orton.

    Despite losing the match, Orton attacked Rhodes with the title and delivered a punt kick in a post-match angle designed to continue the rivalry.

    Rhodes retained despite being split open during the match and having his left eye swell shut by the final bell. He was subsequently placed in concussion protocol.

    Orton’s back issues have been well documented throughout his career, previously threatening to end it entirely before he returned. No timetable for his return to television has been announced.

  • Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther Set For WWE Clash In Italy

    Cody Rhodes and Gunther will meet for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash in Italy after a tense SmackDown segment that nearly saw Royce Keys inserted into the match.

    On Friday’s episode of SmackDown, Rhodes appeared with a contract for the Clash in Italy title match — an opportunity Paul Heyman had previously arranged — and asked Gunther to sign it. Gunther refused unless Rhodes said please. Rhodes obliged, but Gunther demanded he try again with more respect.

    Royce Keys seized on the delay and attempted to sign the contract himself. Gunther entered the ring and snatched the pen out of his hand before he could. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis then appeared and declared that Gunther had forfeited his chance, announcing that Cody’s Clash in Italy opponent would instead be determined by a match between Gunther and Keys later that night.

    Gunther had first arrived on SmackDown the previous week. No date has been announced for Clash in Italy.

  • Tony Khan On Kofi Kingston And Xavier Woods: ‘I Think They Are Great Wrestlers’

    Tony Khan On Kofi Kingston And Xavier Woods: ‘I Think They Are Great Wrestlers’

    Tony Khan says he cannot comment on Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods due to their contractual obligations, but made clear he regards them highly.

    Speaking at the ROH Supercard of Honor post-show, Khan was asked about the possibility of New Day joining AEW following their WWE departure.

    “I cannot comment, or I don’t think I should comment on wrestlers that still have a contractual obligation. As I understand it, I believe they are still obligated, and I don’t believe I’m allowed to talk to them. As such, I don’t feel it would be right to comment on them under the circumstances except to say that I think they are great wrestlers.”

    Kingston and Woods confirmed their WWE departure on May 4, two days after the news first broke. They will be going by Kofi and Austin Creed going forward. Multiple AEW names including MJF and FTR publicly referenced the duo when their departure was announced.

    Fightful Select has reported that every AEW source spoken to about Kingston and Creed is pushing for the company to sign them, including some notable names within the promotion.

  • New Match Set For WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

    New Match Set For WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

    Rhea Ripley has been added to WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, teaming with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair against Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin on May 23.

    The match was set up on this week’s SmackDown when Cargill’s group attacked Flair and Bliss following a tag team match. WWE confirmed Ripley as the third member of their team shortly after.

    Saturday Night’s Main Event takes place May 23 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The updated lineup is as follows:

    • WWE Intercontinental Title: Penta (c) vs. Ethan Page
    • WWE World Tag Team Championship: The Vision (Logan Paul & Austin Theory) (c) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)
    • Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin
  • Ronda Rousey: ‘I’m Very Aware That Women Are Headlining WWE Because Of Me’

    Ronda Rousey: ‘I’m Very Aware That Women Are Headlining WWE Because Of Me’

    Ronda Rousey says she is fully aware of the impact she has had on women in combat sports and takes pride in what has followed, even as the broader culture has begun to forget how different things used to be.

    Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown ahead of her MMA return Saturday against Gina Carano at MVP MMA 1, Rousey reflected on her legacy.

    “I’m very aware that women are headlining WWE because of me. That women are headlining and making big paydays in boxing because of me. In bare-knuckle boxing, in full-contact karate, in everything that’s a contact sport. I’m very, very proud of seeing all the success the women are having, because I was able to prove their commercial viability, and everyone’s trying to recapture that lightning in a bottle.”

    Rousey acknowledged the full scope of those ripple effects may never be measurable, but said that was never the point.

    “I’m so happy to see it. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully understand the scope of those ripple effects — nor anybody else — but that’s not why you do it. I’m very, very proud, and it’s very cool to see. I’m glad it’s got to the point that things are so different that people forget how it used to be. I’m not mad at that. I’m proud.”

    Rousey was instrumental in opening the UFC to women’s competition and went on to become a six-time defending UFC bantamweight champion and one of the biggest pay-per-view draws in the company’s history. Her move to WWE helped elevate the profile of women’s wrestling, contributing to the first women’s main event at WrestleMania and the all-women’s WWE Evolution pay-per-view.

  • Several Key Questions About The John Cena Classic Remain Unanswered Inside WWE

    Several Key Questions About The John Cena Classic Remain Unanswered Inside WWE

    WWE is still working out the details of The John Cena Classic more than a week after John Cena announced the concept at Backlash, with several questions about the format remaining unanswered internally, according to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    Cena unveiled the concept at Backlash: Tampa, describing it as a fan-voted championship competition involving both main roster and NXT talent. The announcement was made before WWE had finalized what the event would actually look like, with internal discussions still ongoing about whether it will take shape as a traditional tournament, a standalone special event, or something else entirely.

    Both men’s and women’s championships tied to Cena’s branding are expected to be introduced as part of the concept. It remains unclear whether those titles would function similarly to the Crown Jewel Championships — defended once per year with little ongoing presence — or become regularly defended titles across WWE programming. 

    The fan voting element has created its own set of internal concerns. Because match outcomes would not be fully mapped out in advance, producers and talent could face challenges structuring matches in real time. Questions have also been raised internally about how veteran talent might react in situations where fan voting alters planned directions mid-event.

    Both main roster and NXT talent are expected to participate in whatever form the Cena Classic ultimately takes. Speculation has also emerged that the concept could become an annual December event, timed to the one-year anniversary of Cena’s retirement. Cena has since acknowledged the concept could be a complete failure, describing it as a reflection of his personal values.

  • Backstage Update On Jeff Cobb After WWE Exit

    Backstage Update On Jeff Cobb After WWE Exit

    Jeff Cobb was backstage at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku earlier this month, suggesting he maintains a strong relationship with the promotion following his WWE release, according to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    Cobb was released in WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts after a year-long run in which he debuted as “JC Mateo” and was inserted into the Bloodline storyline as one of Solo Sikoa’s MFTs. The stint was widely considered underwhelming relative to his previous NJPW run.

    Meltzer laid out the options and obstacles facing Cobb going forward.

    “Jeff Cobb was backstage at Dontaku. I believe he still has a place in Japan. Unless WWE gives his special dispensation, he would not be able to return in time for G-1 if he does end up here, as the non-compete ends on 7/24. We don’t know if that is what he’ll do. New Japan has its own financial issues. It wouldn’t surprise me if AEW picked up Cobb, but the reality is his chances of going to AEW as a star were much higher one year ago. WWE often enhances someone’s value, but Cobb would not be one of those people.”

    Cobb’s 90-day non-compete clause expires July 24, which would rule him out of this year’s G-1 Climax unless WWE grants an early release. During his NJPW career, Cobb was one of the promotion’s top foreign performers, holding the NEVER Openweight Championship, IWGP Tag Team titles, and NJPW World Television title. He also worked matches for AEW during that period.

    Cobb, 43, represented Guam as an amateur wrestler at the 2004 Olympics and has previous experience in ROH, PWG, and Lucha Underground.

  • Backstage Update On Why WWE Is Expanding House Show Schedule

    Backstage Update On Why WWE Is Expanding House Show Schedule

    WWE’s decision to expand its house show schedule this summer is driven by a desire to give its growing crop of younger talent more in-ring experience away from the cameras, according to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    WWE announced 10 main roster house shows across the United States for July and August, running on Thursdays and weekends with stops in New Mexico, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, Virginia, New Hampshire, Georgia, and South Carolina. Domestic house shows had largely been phased out in the post-pandemic era. Meltzer explained the reasoning behind the return.

    “What we were told is that with more younger wrestlers on the roster than before, they felt it was good for them to get more experience away from television so this was the time to expand the schedule. Plus, unlike a few years ago when the company wasn’t as popular, there will almost surely be a nice profit margin doing the house shows. The idea in the past was less shows created more of a demand for shows and that was one of the reasons for cutting back, and the belief that the older roster could use less dates and wear and tear and they had enough experience. The attempt is to get a younger roster now and they could use more reps before a crowd.”

    Cody Rhodes, Oba Femi, Rhea Ripley, Seth Rollins, Jade Cargill, Trick Williams, and Drew McIntyre are among the names advertised for the tour. Rhodes, the current Undisputed WWE Champion, has been a vocal advocate for WWE running more house shows and previously pitched the idea to company leadership. Ticket prices are expected to be more affordable than standard WWE events.

    WWE also has live events scheduled in Europe, South America, and Canada this summer.

  • Reason Why CM Punk Was Pulled From WWE Events

    Reason Why CM Punk Was Pulled From WWE Events

    CM Punk has been removed from WWE’s advertising for the European Summer Tour and several additional Raw dates in June, according to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer noted the company’s explanation was straightforward.

    “CM Punk has been removed from the advertising from the European tour and several other Raw dates in June. We were told there is nothing more to this than a schedule change.”

    Punk had previously been listed as an advertised name for the overseas run, which begins May 28 in Liverpool, England and runs through the June 22 episode of Raw at The O2 in London. He has been removed from the house show portion of the tour but not all Raw episodes during the UK swing.

    He remains advertised for the July 6 Raw from Allstate Arena in Chicago, his hometown, as well as the July 13 Raw in Dallas, July 20 in Detroit, July 27 in Los Angeles, and August 3 in Des Moines.

    Punk has not appeared on WWE television since the April 20 edition of Raw, the night after he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42. That episode ended with a face-to-face segment between Punk and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes that appeared to tease a future program. Nothing has been built on it since.

    Punk was not backstage at WWE Backlash in Tampa and was not expected at the May 11 Raw in Knoxville. He had been heavily speculated as a possible surprise partner for Danhausen at Backlash after commentary teased that his eventual partner would be someone who “loves money.” That did not come to pass.

    Punk said on the Raw after WrestleMania that he was not taking a vacation.

  • AEW Star Returns From Injury

    AEW Star Returns From Injury

    Buddy Matthews has made his first appearance in a wrestling ring since suffering a serious ankle injury in February 2025.

    Matthews returned at World Series Wrestling in Australia, interrupting Donovan Dijak following a four-way WSW Championship match that also featured Moose, Matt Hayter, and Matt Riddle. He entered wearing a black hoodie and carrying a steel chair, landing multiple chair shots on Dijak before grabbing a microphone.

    “In case you’ve forgotten my name is Buddy Matthews! And I’m the guy that kicked down the door for every Australian to make it overseas. Now let’s get one thing straight, I might not be cleared now but in October I will be. And I might just take all the gold because hell’s frozen over and you just can’t stop the unstoppable.”

    Matthews has been out since AEW Grand Slam Australia in February 2025, where he suffered an ankle injury during his entrance. He competed regardless, facing Kazuchika Okada for the AEW Continental Championship despite the injury. Subsequent diagnosis revealed ligament and nerve damage to the foot, leading to a 15-month absence.

  • Ronda Rousey Shares Scrapped Plans For Big WWE Match

    Ronda Rousey Shares Scrapped Plans For Big WWE Match

    Ronda Rousey says professional wrestling was a key step in her return to MMA, crediting the experience with teaching her how to promote herself.

    Speaking with Whistle ahead of her MMA return on Netflix, Rousey traced a through line from judo to MMA to acting to pro wrestling.

    “I feel like MMA was a good segue because being purely an athlete was doing judo at the Olympics. You know, being an athlete that also has to entertain was in MMA and having to learn how to be on camera and stuff like that. I used to be petrified of public speaking. Then that was kind of like a good segue, and then I started acting more in action films and stuff like that where I could do fight choreography and things like that.”

    She described pro wrestling as the purest form of that evolution.

    “And that kind of segued me into pro wrestling, which I feel like is the purest form of fight choreography. It was a first step and it was an experiment and there was a lot of pressure. So now I’m returning back to MMA with everything that I learned from pro wrestling and how to promote and be a promoter. Because that’s basically what pro wrestling is. It’s just like playing into the fictional promotional part.”

    Rousey’s MMA return takes place this weekend on Netflix.

  • The Miz:‘A Lot Of Old Timers Hate WWE Unreal’

    The Miz:‘A Lot Of Old Timers Hate WWE Unreal’

    The Miz says he has taken on a genuine leadership role in the WWE locker room, and credits his own difficult early experience in the company as the reason why.

    Speaking on the Almost Athletes with Dude Perfect podcast, Miz addressed WWE: Unreal and his philosophy toward newer talent.

    “A lot of old timers hate WWE Unreal. I love it because it shows exactly how hard it is to be in WWE. Every single person counts, whether you’re the microphone person, lighting, cameras, every person that works for WWE matters, so we’re all trying to put forward the best product we can on television.”

    Miz said his own ostracization when he first arrived in WWE drives how he treats talent today.

    “My job right now as a WWE superstar is to make sure that when new people come into WWE. It’s a gimmick that I’m a locker room leader, but I take it very seriously. I was ostracised, I was thrown out of the locker room, I was not wanted because everyone was like ‘he’s from the Real World and wants another 15 minutes of fame’, they didn’t understand how much I loved this business as a child. I don’t want anyone to ever feel that coming into WWE.”

    He also singled out Trick Williams, Je’von Evans, and Oba Femi as the next big things in WWE.

    “Trick and Je’von and Oba, they are I would say the next big things. They are doing such superb things out there.”

  • Giulia Looks Unrecognizable With Recently Released Talent

    Giulia Looks Unrecognizable With Recently Released Talent

    Giulia turned heads on social media after posting a photo from a training session alongside recently released WWE Superstar Nikki Cross, with fans commenting that she looked unrecognizable without her signature makeup.

    The 32-year-old has become known for her striking ring appearance since joining WWE, a look she carried over from her time in World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she was nicknamed “Beautiful Madness.” Seeing her without it caught fans off guard.

    Giulia joined WWE in 2024 after establishing herself as one of the top stars in Japanese women’s wrestling. During her time in Stardom, she won the World of Stardom Championship, Wonder of Stardom Championship, Goddesses of Stardom Championship, Artist of Stardom Championship twice, and the 2020 Cinderella Tournament and 2022 5 Star Grand Prix. She also held the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship.

    Since arriving in WWE, she became NXT Women’s Champion and went on to become a record-tying two-time Women’s United States Champion on SmackDown. Her second US title reign lasted 112 days before she dropped the title to Tiffany Stratton on the April 24 episode of SmackDown.

    Cross, who worked alongside Giulia during the training session, was part of WWE’s April 2026 roster cuts.

  • Strong Start From New WWE Main Roster Star Causing Creative Changes

    Strong Start From New WWE Main Roster Star Causing Creative Changes

    Creative plans surrounding Fatal Influence have already begun to shift due to the crowd reactions the group has generated since arriving on SmackDown, according to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select.

    Several people involved in the creative process have said that plans in the women’s division have been rearranged to feature Jacy Jayne more prominently following the group’s strong early performances. In her first few weeks on the main roster, Jayne has wrestled Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss.

    Fatal Influence officially moved to SmackDown on April 24, interrupting a title match and immediately inserting themselves into the women’s division picture. The group consists of Jayne alongside Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid.

    Jayne, 30, is a former two-time NXT Women’s Champion whose second reign lasted 137 days before ending at NXT Stand & Deliver. She also held the TNA Knockouts World Championship during a 2025 stint with that company. She formed Fatal Influence in July 2024 alongside Henley and Jazmyn Nyx. Reid later replaced Nyx in the group.

  • AEW Interested in Working With Wrestling Legend As WWE Deal Set To Expire

    AEW Interested in Working With Wrestling Legend As WWE Deal Set To Expire

    Mick Foley is set to let his WWE Legends deal expire next month, and AEW has expressed interest in working with him, according to sources speaking with The Takedown on Sports Illustrated.

    Multiple sources told The Takedown that AEW’s interest in Foley is described as “real,” though the capacity is unclear. It is not known whether AEW would pursue a full signing or a one-time appearance deal with the 60-year-old Hall of Famer.

    AEW is currently building toward Double Or Nothing in Flushing, New York, roughly an hour from where Foley grew up on Long Island. One source said they would not be surprised if there was a push to use Foley on that show, specifically if a deal could be reached, though no direct knowledge of that happening was confirmed. The extent of any conversations between the two parties beyond initial inquiry is also unknown.

    Foley has been openly critical of WWE and TKO’s relationship with the current administration, and previously stated his intention to let his Legends deal expire in June. WWE Legends contracts do not prevent talent from working for other companies but carry restrictions on royalties, merchandising, and likeness use.

    Foley has not wrestled since 2012. He served as Raw General Manager in 2016 and 2017, and his last on-camera WWE appearance came in 2023 when he announced qualifier candidates for the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline. He recently appeared in The Sandman’s retirement match for GCW during WrestleMania week in Las Vegas.

  • Backstage Update On John Cena Classic

    Backstage Update On John Cena Classic

    The John Cena Classic does not have a date or venue locked in following its announcement at Backlash, according to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select.

    One source told WrestleVotes that an early December timeframe would make logistical sense given WWE’s calendar, and would coincide with the one-year anniversary of John Cena’s final match. A separate source indicated that Netflix almost immediately expressed interest in hosting the event on its platform, though that has not been finalized.

    Very little about the concept has been locked in at this stage.

    John Cena announced the John Cena Classic during Backlash, describing it as a fan-voted championship concept built around main roster versus NXT matches.

    “You, the audience, the fan, will vote to crown the champion of the John Cena Classic. Every participant qualifies, which also means for the first time in history, a superstar might not win their match, but their hustle could earn your respect, win your heart, win your vote, and you can still crown them the John Cena Classic Champion.”

    Questions have been raised about whether the fan vote will be open to the general public or gated behind the Club WWE membership program that Cena announced alongside the Classic concept. Bayley has publicly reacted to a reported pitch for her to face NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley at the event. Cena himself has acknowledged there is a chance the concept could be a complete failure.

  • Injured WWE Star To Make Return Earlier Than Expected

    Injured WWE Star To Make Return Earlier Than Expected

    Stephanie Vaquer is expected back on WWE television in the very near term, with internal creative discussions around her return picking up over the last week, according to PWInsider Elite.

    Internal conversations have pointed to the possibility of Vaquer appearing on this Monday’s episode of Raw, which takes place at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. Nothing has been formally announced, and the expectation is that her return is a near-term creative target rather than a fixed date.

    WrestleVotes Radio reported on Fightful Select last month that no return date was widely known inside the company, with internal rumblings pointing to a minimum six-week absence. There had been optimism she could return for SummerSlam, though no guarantee was attached to that timeline.

    Vaquer was written off WWE TV on the April 27 episode of Raw when Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, working alongside Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, attacked her in a backstage segment.

    Perez rammed an equipment box into Vaquer’s shoulder, and Michael Cole announced on commentary that she had suffered a second-degree AC sprain. Bryan Alvarez of F4W confirmed the injury was legitimate. Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the planned Vaquer vs. Morgan match for Backlash on May 9 in Tampa was pulled as a result.

  • AEW Reveals Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Bracket Featuring Samoa Joe vs. Will Ospreay

    AEW Reveals Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Bracket Featuring Samoa Joe vs. Will Ospreay

    AEW has announced the bracket for the 2026 Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.

    Samoa Joe and Will Ospreay will meet in a first-round match at AEW Double Or Nothing. The winner faces the winner of Mark Davis vs. Jack Perry, with the survivor advancing to the tournament final.

    On the other side of the bracket, Swerve Strickland meets Bandido in the first round at Double Or Nothing. Claudio Castagnoli and Brody King will also clash in a separate first-round bout. Those two winners then meet to determine the second finalist.

    The tournament final is scheduled for AEW Forbidden Door on June 28 at SAP Center in San Jose, California. The winner earns a world championship match at All In.

    The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament has been an annual AEW event since 2022, when Adam Cole won the inaugural men’s bracket. Past men’s winners include Ricky Starks (2023), Bryan Danielson (2024), and “Hangman” Adam Page (2025). Page used the victory to defeat Jon Moxley in a Texas Deathmatch at All In: Texas.

  • Key TNA Figure Is Notably Absent From ‘Dark Side Of The Ring’s’ Three-Part Documentary

    Key TNA Figure Is Notably Absent From ‘Dark Side Of The Ring’s’ Three-Part Documentary

    Dixie Carter declined multiple invitations to appear in “Dark Side of the Ring’s” three-part TNA Wrestling documentary, according to PWInsider.

    Carter served as TNA President from 2002 to 2017, after Panda Energy, the company run by her family, purchased TNA. She was also an on-screen character for much of her tenure. She made a surprise appearance on the TNA iMPACT! on AMC debut on January 15.

    Jeff Jarrett, Vince Russo, Jim Cornette, Matt Hardy, and Jeff Hardy have all been confirmed to appear in the documentary.

    Season seven of “Dark Side of the Ring” premieres July 7 at 9 PM ET on Vice TV with two back-to-back episodes, both focusing on TNA and Jeff Jarrett. A third TNA-focused episode follows the week after.

    The remaining episodes of the season cover Paul Orndorff, Ray “Big Boss Man” Traylor, Missy Hyatt, the Necro Butcher vs. Samoa Joe match, Zach Gowen, and Rick Wilson. Wilson was an exotic dancer who portrayed an Ultimate Warrior knockoff character billed as The Renegade.

  • Bianca Belair Shares Finger Injury Update With Photo

    Bianca Belair Shares Finger Injury Update With Photo

    Bianca Belair has shared a new update on the finger injury she suffered at WrestleMania 41, revealing her ring finger swelled from a size 7.5 to a size 10 at its worst.

    Belair posted to her Instagram Stories showing she can finally wear her wedding ring again after months of significant swelling.

    “Finally got my ring back and can finally wear it again. My ring size went from a 7.5 to a…..10! My ring finger is bigger than my thumb now.”

    The injury occurred during Belair’s match at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, where she worked a triple threat match for the Women’s World Title. Her left hand became trapped during a spot in the match, causing multiple fractures and permanent joint damage to her ring finger.

    Doctors initially projected an eight- to twelve-week recovery. Complications arose when the finger healed straight, leaving Belair unable to bend it properly. After nearly ten months of rehabilitation, she underwent reconstructive hand surgery in February 2026. Recurring scar tissue has continued to limit mobility throughout her rehab.

    Belair remains out of in-ring competition. She and her husband, Montez Ford, are also expecting their first child.