SEScoops

Author: Bishal Roy

  • Roman Reigns Rips CM Punk Ahead of WrestleMania 42: ‘You Think We’re F**king Equals’

    Roman Reigns Rips CM Punk Ahead of WrestleMania 42: ‘You Think We’re F**king Equals’

    Roman Reigns delivered a scathing response to CM Punk ahead of their WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 42.

    ‘OTC’ took to social media to fire back at Punk’s recent claim that he’s a fighting champion. Reigns didn’t hold back in his criticism of Punk’s title reign and fighting credentials.

    “You’ve defended the title three times. You’ve had it, what, the whole year? You’re not a fighting champion. You’re not even a fighter, we’ve seen how that went,” Reigns said, referencing Punk’s unsuccessful UFC run.

    Roman Reigns Questions CM Punk’s Legacy

    The former Universal Champion continued his verbal assault by addressing Punk’s complaints about being coddled by management.

    “Coddled? By management? Because I’m money and they’ve known that since the beginning, I told them. I’m an unsigned billion dollar check, go back and find it,” Reigns stated.

    Reigns escalated his attack by dismissing any notion of equality between the two.

    “You don’t have that type of confidence because you’re not the type of man I am. You’re not cut from the same fabric as me. It blows my mind that you think we’re f**king equals. In which way?”

    “It’s only gonna take the first couple of minutes for the whole world to see there’s no way we could ever be on the same level.

    He went on to mock Punk’s tough guy persona, stating:

    “You talk about the old timers, those were tough guys. We’ve seen what happens when you try to be a tough guy.”

    WrestleMania 42 Showdown

    Reigns closed his message with a personal attack on Punk’s independent wrestling career and standing in the industry.

    “We put our whole reputation, the whole art form on the line for you because, what? 100,000 internet marks loved you from the beginning? Let’s go back to your journey days when you were on the indies. It was the sh*ts. An embarrassment.”

    “There’s not a legend in my family that respects you. You’re the reason we don’t let marks in the business. Keep my fu**ing name out your mouth. On Sunday, it ends for you.”

    The two superstars will settle their differences when Reigns challenges Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42 on Sunday.

  • Trick Williams Names Roman Reigns As Dream WrestleMania Match

    Trick Williams Names Roman Reigns As Dream WrestleMania Match

    Trick Williams already has WrestleMania on his mind for this Sunday, but he’s also looking past it to the match he wants most.

    The SmackDown star appeared on The Pivot Podcast with Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor ahead of his United States Championship match against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42. Asked who he ultimately wants to share the grandest stage with, he didn’t hesitate.

    “If I want to be in the business and I say I want to be the best of all time, I got to see the best of all time. And right now that’s Roman Reigns.”

    Measuring Himself Against the Top

    It’s a telling answer from a competitor who treats the WWE roster the same way he once treated SEC defenses. Williams isn’t interested in a feel-good showcase. He wants the benchmark.

    Roman Reigns spent more than three years as Tribal Chief atop SmackDown and remains the standard most main-event hopefuls measure themselves against. For Williams, who hasn’t even had his first WrestleMania match yet, naming Reigns as the dream opponent is the same mindset that pushed him from a Hampton scholarship to a walk-on slot under Steve Spurrier.

    He framed the competitive pull this way:

    “The competitive drive hasn’t changed since my days in the SEC. It just evolved. I no longer play for stats. I play for the roar of the crowd.”

    Trick Williams To Face Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42

    Before any Reigns conversation becomes real, Williams has work to do. Sunday will mark his first WrestleMania match and his first singles PPV match on the main roster, with the United States Championship on the line against an eight-time WrestleMania veteran.

    If he gets through Zayn, the path toward the kind of opponent he’s already calling out gets a lot clearer.

  • Cody Rhodes Doubts Pat McAfee as ‘Next Sylvester Stallone’

    Cody Rhodes Doubts Pat McAfee as ‘Next Sylvester Stallone’

    The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes expressed skepticism about Pat McAfee’s involvement in his feud with Randy Orton.

    Appearing on the Your Mom’s House podcast, Rhodes was asked about McAfee. His response referenced Mariah Carey’s infamous dismissal of Jennifer Lopez.

    “Remember when someone asked Mariah Carey about JLo? That’s where I stand on the Pat McAfee thing. I don’t know him. People think WWE reaches out to some of the outside folks and asks them to come to the party and they don’t realize that it’s usually them pitching to come to the party.”

    Rhodes Questions McAfee’s Hollywood Ambitions

    ‘The American Nightmare’ continued his critique, suggesting the former NFL punter needs people around him willing to say no. Rhodes specifically questioned recent comparisons of McAfee to Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone.

    “I think it’s flattering that you want to be in my match. Cool. I don’t know him. I respect the hustle from building the show up and the incredible success with College GameDay. I just wish someone in his orbit and circle would say no every now and again. You need those people around you to go, ‘I don’t know.’ The next Sylvester Stallone, Pat? I don’t know.”

    Pat McAfee is eyeing to broaden his Hollywood presence with a guest role on ‘Tulsa King,’ as Ari Emanuel reportedly aims to transform him into the “next Sylvester Stallone.”

    On Wednesday, Rhodes destroyed McAfee’s studio and retrieved the WWE Championship that was stolen from him on SmackDown.

    Cody Rhodes is set to defend his championship against Randy Orton in the main event of WrestleMania 42 Saturday.

  • Cody Rhodes Destroys Pat McAfee’s Set and Reclaims WWE Championship

    Cody Rhodes Destroys Pat McAfee’s Set and Reclaims WWE Championship

    The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has destroyed Pat McAfee’s set.

    During Wednesday’s episode of the Pat McAfee Show, the NFL legend revealed footage of ‘The American Nightmare’ entering his Thunderdome studio and reclaiming the WWE title.

    The security video showed Rhodes walking up to McAfee’s set, and destroying pieces of the set with a baseball bat.

    During the latest edition of SmackDown, Cody Rhodes was brutally attacked by his WrestleMania 42 opponent Randy Orton and McAfee. Orton and McAfee left the building with the belt.

    Cody Rhodes has been taking shots at McAfee. ‘The American Nightmare’ has expressed frustration with McAfee’s sudden insertion into the storyline with Randy Orton. He also called the former NFL punter a ‘rat.’

    McAfee is set to be in Orton’s corner when Rhodes defends his Undisputed WWE Championship against ‘The Viper’ at WrestleMania 42 Night 1 on April 18 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

  • Cody Rhodes Addresses Outside Interference Impacting His WrestleMania Matches

    Cody Rhodes Addresses Outside Interference Impacting His WrestleMania Matches

    Cody Rhodes recently addressed the recurring theme of outside interference in his WrestleMania feuds.

    During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, ‘The American Nightmare’ discussed how Pat McAfee’s involvement this year continues a pattern that includes The Rock and Travis Scott in previous seasons.

    Rhodes acknowledged the challenge for his fans during the grandest stage of them all.

    “If you’re a Cody Rhodes fan during WrestleMania season, it’s a choice. We deal with outside forces, we deal with ‘hey, they want to be part’, we’re about it.”

    “If you’re gonna be in the big moments you have to be ready for the big jobs.”

    Rhodes noted that McAfee’s involvement makes sense given ESPN’s partnership with the company for the event, though it doesn’t naturally fit the 20-year wrestler-student-teacher dynamic with Randy Orton.

    WrestleMania 42 Showdown

    McAfee was revealed as Orton’s mystery caller on the April 3 edition of the blue brand show. He joined Orton in attacking Rhodes and walked away with the championship after a confrontation on the following week’s show.

    Jelly Roll sided with Rhodes in the feud but was also attacked by Orton.

    Rhodes will defend the title against Orton in the Night One main event of WrestleMania 42 this weekend.

  • Gunther On Tapping Out John Cena: ‘Worth More Than Titles’

    Gunther On Tapping Out John Cena: ‘Worth More Than Titles’

    Former World Champion Gunther recently stated that making 17-time World Champion John Cena tap out in his retirement match means more to him than any championship he has won.

    ‘The Ring General’ reflected on the controversial finish during a WWE Retrospective interview.

    Cena lost his retirement match in December 2025 to Gunther via submission, a booking decision that sparked debate among wrestling fans. The finish saw the 17-time world champion tap out, ending his legendary career in defeat.

    Making John Cena Tap Out

    Gunther addressed the reaction to the match finish, acknowledging the frustration from some fans while defending the significance of the moment.

    “People were frustrated that this is how it ended… when you hear the reaction after the tapout, it’s just crazy,” GUNTHER said.

    “That’s the biggest achievement too where it’s like the guy that always said ‘Never give up,’ I can make him give up. That’s maybe worth more than any title you can win.”

    The former World Heavyweight Champion highlighted the symbolic importance of forcing Cena to submit, breaking the mantra that defined much of Cena’s career.

    Retiring Wrestling Legends

    Gunther has developed a pattern of defeating wrestling legends in their final matches. In addition to Cena, he defeated Goldberg and AJ Styles in their retirement bouts.

    The Austrian’s attention now turns to WWE WrestleMania 42 this weekend, where he faces Seth Rollins.

  • Cody Rhodes Filmed Seth Rollins to Test Faked Knee Injury

    Cody Rhodes Filmed Seth Rollins to Test Faked Knee Injury

    Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes recently said that he was suspicious of Seth Rollins’ famous faked knee injury long before the truth came out.

    Appearing on The Rich Eisen Show this week, ‘The American Nightmare’ was asked about Rollins’ elaborate deception, which was documented extensively in WWE: Unreal Season 2 on Netflix. Rollins faked a knee injury after Saturday Night’s Main Event in July last year, selling it publicly for weeks before revealing the ruse at SummerSlam.

    What caught Rhodes’ attention was how thoroughly Rollins fooled the media, including host Rich Eisen himself.

    “The ruse of the century,” Rhodes said. “He came in limping. I wasn’t there, you were there. We were asking about his mental health. He did that to all you old hats in the entertainment game.”

    CM Punk is set defend his World title against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42.

  • Triple H Opens Up on WWE Creative Process: ‘Always A Challenge’

    Triple H Opens Up on WWE Creative Process: ‘Always A Challenge’

    WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H recently opened up about the difficulties of running WWE creative and dealing with online criticism.

    ‘The Game’ discussed how unexpected variables can derail even the best-laid plans on the road to major events like WrestleMania 42.

    Speaking in an official WWE interview, Triple H cited crowd reactions as one of the biggest challenges facing the creative team. He recalled advice from the late Dusty Rhodes about the gap between vision and execution.

    “Oh, there’s a lot. Sometimes it’s surprise by the way that you think a crowd is going to react to something, and they react differently. When you’re putting stuff together in your mind, Dusty Rhodes used to say this all the time to me, in your mind, you see things 100%, if you can get 70% of that onto the screen, that’s a grand slam.”

    He explained how fan reactions can shift the creative direction entirely. What seemed locked in months ago may no longer be the right path based on how audiences respond to certain superstars or storylines.

    Injuries Force Creative Pivots

    Triple H also addressed how injuries create unique challenges in WWE compared to traditional sports. Unlike team sports with backup players, there is no replacement for top stars when they get hurt. He said:

    “There is no backup-Cody Rhodes. There is no backup-Randy Orton, there’s no backup-Roman Reigns, there’s no backup CM Punk. It’s different because it’s the individual attraction.”

    He noted that, unlike scripted television shows that can wait for actors to recover, WWE programming is live and must continue regardless of who is available. The creative team has to be ready to pivot at any moment when injuries occur.

    “You can write the greatest script in the world to get you to the ultimate battle scene, and then right before the ultimate battle scene, the star of the show gets injured. There’s no waiting until he’s uninjured to shoot the final scene, it’s live and it’s going to happen one way or another.”

    Balancing Fan Expectations With Long-Term Storytelling

    Triple H acknowledged that he is often as critical of WWE’s product as the fans are. However, he emphasized the need to balance epic moments with strategic pacing throughout the year.

    “It’s a funny thing, if you’re online or you hear fans talking, and they’re like ‘I didn’t like that.’ Yeah, I know, believe me, I’m the first guy going ‘That didn’t work. That wasn’t good. We screwed up there.’”

    He explained that not every show can be at maximum intensity. The creative team must manage when to deliver big moments and when to build toward future payoffs.

    “The trick is keeping everybody else in the same mindset. You have to balance out the ‘What do I do today that’s epic’ and ‘What do I get to tomorrow,’ it’s always a mix and a challenge to balance that out.”

    Triple H concluded by noting that while nobody is perfect, the goal is to keep everyone working toward the same vision rather than trying to deliver every major moment at once.

  • Cody Rhodes Knows How To Beat Randy Orton At WrestleMania 42: ‘I Learned Everything From Him’

    Cody Rhodes Knows How To Beat Randy Orton At WrestleMania 42: ‘I Learned Everything From Him’

    The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes recently said that he learned everything it would take to beat Randy Orton.

    However, ‘The American Nightmare’ revealed that he learned it from ‘The Viper’ himself during their time together in Legacy. The revelation came as Rhodes prepares for their WrestleMania 42 main event showdown.

    Rhodes and Orton share a long history dating back to Cody’s first WWE run. Rhodes joined the 14-time World Champion’s faction Legacy early in his career, and Orton later became the catalyst for Rhodes leaving the company years ago.

    Rhodes Reflects on Legacy Days

    Speaking to ESPN’s Get Up, Rhodes was asked about his history with Orton. He emphasized how their connection runs deep through both their careers and their fathers’ friendship.

    “His dad and my dad came up on the roads together, Cowboy Bob, Dusty Rhodes. Randy brought me into WWE. My first match at WWE was against Randy Orton. His faction, the only faction he ever led, Legacy. I was one of the guys in Legacy. I learned everything it will take to beat Randy Orton from Randy Orton.”

    No Love Lost Heading Into WrestleMania

    When asked if he had any message for Orton ahead of their match, Rhodes made his intentions clear. The friendship between the two has been set aside due to Pat McAfee’s involvement in the storyline.

    “Get ready to look up at the lights, pal. Yeah, no, at this point, there’s no hugs, there’s no handshakes. All that love that exists between us got thrown away for this Pat McAfee element, and great. Get ready to look up at the lights,” Rhodes stated.

    Rhodes also addressed McAfee’s role in the feud during the same interview, calling the former NFL punter a “full blooded rat.” The WrestleMania main event will settle years of history between Rhodes and Orton.

  • WWE Hall of Fame 2026 Hosts Revealed

    WWE Hall of Fame 2026 Hosts Revealed

    The Miz and Michael Cole have been announced as the hosts of 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

    It takes place on April 17 at Dolby Live in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 week. WWE announced the hosting duo on social media on Monday.

    Cole currently serves as the lead commentator on Monday Night Raw. The Miz is a two-time WWE Champion and one of the company’s most recognizable personalities.

    Ceremony Details and Streaming Information

    The Hall of Fame ceremony streams live Friday at 12 a.m. ET/9 p.m. PT on the ESPN App in the United States and YouTube internationally. The event takes place during WrestleMania 42 week in Las Vegas.

    The Miz will also officiate five weddings the same day as part of the WWE/ESPN collaboration project.

    2026 Hall of Fame Class

    The inductee class includes Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, and tag team Demolition (Ax/Bill Eadie and Smash/Barry Darsow). Dennis Rodman will also be inducted.

    The Legacy wing will honor Sid Eudy and Bad News Brown. The Immortal Moment honor goes to Hulk Hogan vs. André the Giant for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania III.

  • Cody Rhodes Rips Pat McAfee Ahead of WrestleMania 42: ‘He’s A Full Blooded Rat’

    Cody Rhodes Rips Pat McAfee Ahead of WrestleMania 42: ‘He’s A Full Blooded Rat’

    The Undisputed Cody Rhodes did not hold back when asked about Pat McAfee.

    ‘The American Nightmare’ Champion participated in a word association segment on ESPN’s Get Up and delivered a scathing attack on the former SmackDown commentator.

    When McAfee’s name came up, Rhodes immediately responded with harsh words.

    “A rat. A full-blown, full-blooded rat who is surrounded by people that don’t tell him no enough, and now he’s fully involved in what we’re doing, and Pat McAfee is on the marquee next to Randy Orton. No one expected that. So at least we can expect the unexpected with ESPN’s own Pat McAfee. Also, I don’t have the title because he took it to the Thunderdome. So I’m titleless here. I apologize.”

    This is not the first time Cody Rhodes has blasted Pat McAfee. ‘The American Nightmare’ previously expressed frustration with McAfee’s sudden insertion into the storyline with Randy Orton, which is built on nearly two decades of history.

    McAfee is set to be in Orton’s corner when the latter challenges Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42 Night 1 on April 18 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

  • Stephanie Vaquer ‘Not At 100%’ Heading Into Title Defense At WrestleMania 42

    Stephanie Vaquer ‘Not At 100%’ Heading Into Title Defense At WrestleMania 42

    WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer will put her title on the line against Liv Morgan at WrestleMania 42. However, ‘La Primera’ has revealed that she won’t be at full strength for the match.

    Speaking with Chris Van Vliet, Vaquer clarified she doesn’t have any major injuries but admitted the physical toll of her career is affecting her condition heading into WrestleMania 42.

    “Am I hurting? If you talk about injuries, no—I’m good. But after 12 years of my career, my body hurts, so I do need to recover, but I don’t have injuries.”

    Recovery Challenges Before WrestleMania

    Vaquer made it clear she’s not at peak condition for the biggest match of her WWE career. She specifically mentioned needing more recovery time for her ankle and knee, areas that have required attention throughout the year.

    “I’m not really at 100% for WrestleMania 42. I still need to recover from many little things in my body, but I don’t have an injury.”

    The ankle issue is particularly notable, as the former NXT Women’s Champion dealt with an ankle injury back in January. While that specific injury isn’t currently limiting her, she acknowledged that both her ankle and knee need more recovery time than WWE’s schedule allows.

    WWE Schedule Taking Its Toll

    La Primera pointed to WWE’s demanding schedule as a major factor in her current condition. Despite built-in rest days, the constant travel and performance expectations continue to take a physical toll.

    “I’m always training, but not like before because I don’t have time. Sometimes I’m so tired, sometimes I need to recover—like my ankle and knee—I need more time.”

    Vaquer’s admission creates an additional layer to her championship defense against Liv Morgan. While no injury will prevent her from competing, the accumulation of fatigue and lingering soreness could become a factor in the match.

  • Charlotte Flair Reflects on Brother’s Tragic Passing That Shaped Her WWE Journey

    Charlotte Flair Reflects on Brother’s Tragic Passing That Shaped Her WWE Journey

    Multi-time Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair recently opened up about how the passing of her brother Reid Flair reshaped her entire wrestling career and became the driving force behind her success in WWE.

    ‘The Queen’ revealed deeply personal details about her motivations and how loss transformed her path in professional wrestling.

    During an interview with Sports Illustrated, Charlotte explained that her original goal wasn’t personal glory. She wanted to wrestle alongside Reid and help him find stability through the business. That dream ended when Reid passed away in March 2013 at just 25 years old.

    Reid’s death shocked the wrestling world and devastated the Flair family.

    For Charlotte, it became a turning point that changed how she viewed wrestling and her purpose in the industry.

    Charlotte Credits Reid for Saving Her Life

    Charlotte made it clear that Reid’s memory continues to fuel everything she does inside the ring. She described how her brother’s passing shifted her entire perspective on wrestling and life.

    “My brother paid the biggest price. I spent so many years trying to save my brother and then ultimately he saved me when he passed away and I started wrestling because I wanted to wrestle with him and help him get him on the right path. So really like my brother paid the biggest price.”

    The emotional revelation shows a side of Charlotte that fans rarely see beyond her championship accomplishments. Her journey has been tied closely to personal loss and the emotional growth that fueled her rise in WWE.

  • AJ Lee Credits Fans for WWE Return: Coming Back Was The Right Decision

    AJ Lee Credits Fans for WWE Return: Coming Back Was The Right Decision

    WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee recently said that her fans ultimately convinced her to return to WWE. The former Divas Champion opened up about her decision ahead of WrestleMania 42.

    Speaking with The Takedown on SI, Lee described the moment she realized fan appetite for her comeback remained strong. She pointed to the reception she received at meet-and-greet events as the turning point.

    “I knew that coming back was the right decision because of my fans. I was getting these lines that were legitimately seven hours long and that’s when I realized, ‘oh, they’re still here.’ There’s still this hunger here. This support that only comes with wrestling.”

    She added:

    “It only comes with this really loyal fanbase who watched me from day one, were a part of the mission statement of underdogs for the win and stuck with me, and were waiting for me to come back. And to be able to give them a title run and a Mania match, has been incredibly meaningful.”

    Lee had last competed in WWE in 2015 before stepping away from wrestling. Her return marks an 11-year absence from the company.

    AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch to capture WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship and it marked her first singles WWE title in over a decade. On the March 23 edition of Raw, Lee issued a challenge for a rematch which Lynch accepted. They will now battle for the title at WrestleMania 42.

  • Cody Rhodes Takes Aim At Pat McAfee For WrestleMania 42 Involvement

    Cody Rhodes Takes Aim At Pat McAfee For WrestleMania 42 Involvement

    Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes recently criticized Pat McAfee’s involvement in his WrestleMania 42 storyline with Randy Orton. ‘The American Nightmare’ expressed frustration with the broadcaster’s sudden insertion into a storyline built on nearly two decades of history.

    Speaking on Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast, Rhodes invoked the famous Mariah Carey meme when asked about McAfee.

    “I’m just going to do the Mariah Carey answer moving forward on Pat McAfee. I don’t know him.”

    Cody Rhodes Questions McAfee’s Placement in Main Event Story

    Cody Rhodes emphasized the rich history between himself and Orton that made the NFL legend’s addition feel out of place.

    “Randy Orton, who I’m wrestling at WrestleMania, we have like almost two decades of history between each other. He was my mentor.”

    He continued:

    “We were on screen together as part of his group, Legacy. He had my dad’s last match, my first match in the company is Randy. There was a lot of rich story material, and then we inserted Pat McAfee.”

    The WWE champion suggested McAfee’s team needs someone willing to push back on his ideas.

    “What I would say is right now, what I’ve seen is everyone around Pat McAfee, his orbit, probably someone needs to say no every now and then. You need that one guy in the room to be like, ‘I don’t know, man. Jumping into the WrestleMania main event?’”

    Rhodes also questioned McAfee’s references to the Attitude Era during the segment.

    “I heard him talk about the Attitude Era and I’m thinking oh man, I don’t think he knows. [It was] almost 30 years ago,” Rhodes noted. “If you’re part of the last four years, you kind of feel like why are we talking about this? We’re playing in this game. Why are we talking about this?”

    McAfee’s involvement has drawn criticism from fans who cite his lack of connection to either Rhodes or Orton. His SmackDown appearance was viewed by many as more focused on promoting WrestleMania ticket sales than advancing the world title storyline.

    Rhodes faces Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.

  • Rhea Ripley Breaks Silence On Drake’s ‘Muse’ Remark

    Rhea Ripley Breaks Silence On Drake’s ‘Muse’ Remark

    Former Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley recently responded to Drake calling her his muse.

    During a recent appearance on Complex Sneaker Shopping, ‘The Eradicator’ discussed the surreal experience of mainstream celebrities recognizing WWE talent.

    Ripley first addressed rapper Lil Yachty’s praise after he appeared at ringside on Raw several months ago. The former Women’s World Champion expressed amazement at WWE’s mainstream crossover appeal.

    “It’s wild. It’s so wild to see how so many names here in the WWE have crossed that wrestling line and made it mainstream. And now, people know us. Like, rappers know us, basketball players know us, football players, they know us,” Ripley said.

    Drake’s Praise and Backstage Meeting

    The conversation turned to Drake, who recently revealed during an interview that his Instagram For You Page is filled with Ripley content. The Canadian rapper called the WWE superstar his muse.

    Ripley recalled her first encounter with Drake backstage at Elimination Chamber 2025. She described the moment as surreal when the rapper appeared in the gorilla position.

    “I remember meeting Drake for the first time, and we were in gorilla, and he just snuck in. Just seeing him in person, I was like, ‘Damn, that’s Drake!’ That’s wild, and then to hear him pretty much put me over as his muse, it’s just…” Ripley said.

    Ripley will challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 42 Night 2.

  • MJF Chasing Steve Austin & The Rock-Level Fame: ‘That’s My Goal’

    MJF Chasing Steve Austin & The Rock-Level Fame: ‘That’s My Goal’

    AEW World Champion MJF criticized talents who prioritize crowd reactions over building lasting star power. ‘The Salt of the Earth’ made his views clear during a recent interview.

    On The Adam Friedland Show, MJF was asked if other wrestlers prioritize character work and promos as seriously as he does. He gave a stern response, slamming modern wrestling.

    “No, these guys are stupid, idiotic, scrawny little [expletive] dorks and the only thing they’re concerned with is hitting cool moves so they get, you know, a round of applause,” MJF said. “It’s not something I can relate to at all.”

    Building a Brand Beyond the Ring

    MJF then explained that his goals extend far beyond putting on entertaining matches. He highlighted that his focus is on becoming a major star whose name transcends wrestling itself.

    “I’m here to be a star. I’m here to make the most money. I’m here to be world champion. I’m here to be a draw. I’m here to start doing big movies, which I’m already starting to do. I’m here to make a name for myself and build my brand up to such a point that I become synonymous with not just All Elite Wrestling but with professional wrestling as a whole.”

    The 30-year-old wrestler referenced wrestling legends as his benchmark and noted how past icons became household names even outside the industry.

    “So in 20 years from now, you know, someone sitting down and going, ‘Holy [expletive], so you’re a wrestler like MJF.’ Because right now when people say, ‘Oh, you’re a wrestler like The Rock or you’re a wrestler like Stone Cold.’ That’s my goal.”

    Whether fans agree with him or not, MJF’s focus on character work, promos, and building a brand outside the ring sets him apart from many of his peers.

    He is set to defend his AEW World title against Kenny Omega at AEW Dynasty on April 12.

  • Gable Steveson Signs with UFC, Debut Confirmed for UFC 329

    Gable Steveson Signs with UFC, Debut Confirmed for UFC 329

    Former WWE star Gable Steveson has signed with UFC, and he is set to make his debut at UFC 329 on July 11, 2026. The announcement came during the main card of UFC 327 on April 11.

    The 25-year-old Olympic gold medalist made his MMA debut in September last year following a successful wrestling career and brief WWE run. Steveson has compiled a 3-0 record with three knockout victories since transitioning to mixed martial arts.

    Joe Rogan Praises Heavyweight Signing

    UFC commentator Joe Rogan expressed excitement about the signing during the UFC 327 broadcast. He praised Steveson’s athleticism and potential impact on the heavyweight division.

    “Heavyweight got interesting tonight. With Gable coming to the UFC, that is absolutely huge, that guy is my number one prospect in the heavyweight division, he is a tremendous athlete, moves like a cat, that guy is the man, I’m very excited to see him in the UFC,” Rogan said.

    Wrestling Credentials and Training

    Steveson won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and compiled an impressive amateur wrestling resume. His achievements include two national championships, two Dan Hodge Trophy wins, and five All-American honors.

    The heavyweight, who is 3-0 in his MMA career,  currently trains with UFC veteran Jon Jones and sat with him during UFC 327. Steveson is also signed to the Heavyweight division of RAF (Real American Freestyle).

    UFC 329 is scheduled for International Fight Week, with Conor McGregor also in talks to make his comeback at the event.

  • Darby Allin Discusses Working With WWE Hall of Famer on Brain Recovery

    Darby Allin Discusses Working With WWE Hall of Famer on Brain Recovery

    Former AEW TNT Champion Darby Allin recently addressed concerns about long-term brain health and CTE during a recent interview.

    He revealed the steps he takes to protect his mind despite his high-risk wrestling style. The 33-year-old wrestler made it clear that he prioritizes mental health and brain protection whenever he steps inside the ring.

    On TMZ Inside The Ring, Allin was asked about head trauma and CTE risks given his reputation for dangerous stunts and heavy punishment inside the ring. His response emphasized the importance of brain recovery and preparation.

    “Yeah, absolutely. To me, the mind is everything. But there is also a lot more things you can do for your mind to recover your brain as much as possible.

    Working with Diamond Dallas Page

    Allin revealed he regularly works with Diamond Dallas Page to test different recovery methods aimed at keeping his brain healthy. He described himself as a “lab rat” willing to try various contraptions and techniques to aid in brain recovery.

    So, I’m always on top of that with DDP. He’s got all the latest and greatest crazy contraptions and I’ll be the lab rat that goes over there and tries everything. So, yeah, no, absolutely. You have to protect your mind every night doing this.”

    That level of preparation stands out considering how often Allin performs risky stunts and takes punishment during his matches. His willingness to explore cutting-edge recovery options shows awareness of the physical toll his wrestling style takes on his body and mind.

  • Will Ospreay Calls Out TNA Wrestling: ‘That’s Cowardly Sh*t’

    Will Ospreay Calls Out TNA Wrestling: ‘That’s Cowardly Sh*t’

    Will Ospreay recently criticized TNA Wrestling for pulling talents from scheduled independent matches against AEW wrestlers. ‘The Aerial Assassin’ did not hold back in his assessment of the promotion’s decision.

    On Wednesday, TNA announced that Leon Slater and Nic Nemeth were pulled from their respective independent matches. Slater was scheduled to face Ricochet while Nemeth was set to wrestle MJF. TNA President Carlos Silva cited “partner conflicts” as the reason for pulling the talent.

    Ospreay Questions TNA’s Decision

    Speaking to Josh Martinez, Ospreay referenced his own experience wrestling Pete Dunne in January 2018. At the time, Ospreay held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship while Dunne was WWE UK Champion, and both promotions allowed the match to happen.

    “The fact that WWE and New Japan let that match happen, and TNA, of all people, who the fu** do you think you guys are? I’m sorry. All the fu**ing talk they were giving about being number two and you want to get permission for these guys to do that match and then pull them? I think that’s cowardly sh*t.”

    He continued his criticism, stating:

    “I think that says everything about what you view your talent as. You view them as less than AEW talent, and that they don’t want to grow and they don’t want to develop and they don’t want to give back to fans.”

    Ospreay is scheduled to challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW Continental Championship at AEW Dynasty on April 12.

  • Trick Williams Turned Down NFL Comeback to Stay in WWE: ‘I Love What I Do Now’

    Trick Williams Turned Down NFL Comeback to Stay in WWE: ‘I Love What I Do Now’

    Trick Williams had the opportunity to make an NFL comeback after joining WWE. However, he turned it down without hesitation.

    The former NXT Champion revealed that he received a call from the New York Jets in the middle of filming a vignette and immediately chose wrestling over football.

    Williams shared the story during an appearance on The Mack Down Report. He explained the moment happened early in his NXT run, around 2021 or 2022, while filming a barbershop segment with Carmelo Hayes.

    “While at NXT, we were filming a barbershop vignette—with myself and Carmelo Hayes. This is like 2021, maybe 2022—early on. At this point, I’m probably like three years out of football. And right before we shoot this vignette, the New York Jets call me.”

    Trick Williams Chose WWE on the Spot

    The call came from a Jets scout who had evaluated Williams during his football career. Instead of entertaining the opportunity, Williams brushed it off immediately to continue filming.

    “Like, ‘Hey man—you know Trick Williams? I’m not sure if you remember me, I scouted you back then—we were this, we were that—I was just seeing how you’re doing, seeing how everything is working.’ I’m like, ‘Uh, excuse me, I’m in the middle of something—got to go.’ And that’s when I knew my football career was done.”

    Williams explained his mindset had already shifted completely to wrestling by that point. He had fully committed to becoming a WWE superstar and saw no reason to look back at his football past.

    From NFL Dreams to WrestleMania

    “But I was so far gone, man. I’m a superstar now. And I respect football—I played football for 20 years. I respect the game. I played with some greats, under some great coaches. But I love what I do now. I’m an athlete. I’m an entertainer.”

    Williams is set to challenge Sami Zayn for the WWE United States title at WrestleMania 42 inside Allegiant Stadium on April 19.

  • WWE Could Pull Off Wild Double Turn at WrestleMania 42

    WWE Could Pull Off Wild Double Turn at WrestleMania 42

    WWE has discussed the possibility of a double turn between Sami Zayn and Trick Williams during their United States Championship match at WrestleMania 42. The idea comes after weeks of changing crowd reactions, with Zayn receiving boos while Williams has gained stronger fan support.

    As per Bodyslam.net, WWE has discussed internally about turning both wrestlers during the match. Zayn will turn into a heel while pushing Williams into a babyface.

    The report states that the company is considering the move due to Zayn getting negative heat and Williams receiving louder crowd reactions as the weeks progress.

    “WWE has discussed the idea of doing double turn with Zayn and Williams at WrestleMania due to Zayn having go home heat and Williams getting louder crowd reactions as the weeks go by.”

    Sami Zayn Negative Crowd Reaction on SmackDown

    Zayn cut a promo on last night’s SmackDown and questioned why he was being booed. He also told fans that he didn’t care about their reaction, which added fuel to speculation that his character direction could be changing.

    Williams has continued to get cheers from the crowd in recent weeks. The timing could be right for WWE to potentially pull off a double turn during their championship match.

    If this double turn happens, it could become one of the biggest moments of the match and shift both characters moving forward after WrestleMania. WWE has made similar changes before when fan reactions started moving in unexpected directions.

  • Ex-WWE Commentator Calls Out WrestleMania Celebrities and Ticket Sales

    Ex-WWE Commentator Calls Out WrestleMania Celebrities and Ticket Sales

    Former WWE commentator Jonathan Coachman recently slammed WWE’s decision to involve celebrities in the WrestleMania 42 main event scene following last night’s SmackDown.

    The Coach raised questions with both Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll being featured prominently in the feud between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.

    On SmackDown, Jelly Roll also confronted McAfee over his recent turn on Rhodes and alignment with Orton.

    Coachman Questions Celebrity Involvement

    Taking to X after SmackDown, Coachman shared what he called an “Emergency SmackDown Take” and made his views clear.

    “I never make a video on Friday night, but this is embarrassing, the business that I’ve been in for 25 years.”

    “Individually, I love Cody, Randy, Legends, Hall of Famers, Jelly Roll, one of my favorite performers, Pat McAfee, a unicorn. Respect. It’s not their fault. But are you serious?”

    “Celebrities, no matter how much they train, should not be used in main event storyline as a prop… are really going to sell any more tickets. With eight days to go from people outside of Las Vegas, what are we doing?”

    Ticket Discount Announcement Draws Criticism

    McAfee announced a 25% discount on WrestleMania 42 tickets, seemingly in response to tickets still being available. Coachman questioned WWE’s decision to promote this discount so close to the event.

    “Eight days before WrestleMania, we’re gonna do the equivalent of walking out there and having Pat McAfee say, I’m doing you a solid… here’s a coupon, everybody,” Coachman said.

    “In what universe does a family of four say, oh, I get 25% off tickets tonight, so let me go book 1,000 worth of plane tickets to go to Vegas and spend another three to 4,000 after I get there on eight days notice because you offered me a discount.”

    McAfee will be in Orton’s corner when he challenges Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42 next weekend. Pat has vowed that he will leave pro wrestling programming for good should Orton fail to win the title from Rhodes in Las Vegas.