Liv Morgan revealed a significant hematoma on social media following a backstage incident during this week’s WWE Monday Night RAW. The injury occurred when Morgan and Roxanne Perez collided heads after Stephanie Vaquer attacked Morgan from behind.
The collision happened during a segment building toward Morgan’s WWE Women’s World Championship match against Vaquer at WrestleMania 42. According to sources, both Morgan and Perez have been placed in concussion protocol following the incident.
Morgan Posts Injury Photos on Instagram
On the morning of April 7th, Morgan shared photos on Instagram showing the visible damage from the collision. The images featured her Judgment Day stablemates, who appeared amused by the situation despite the severity of the injury.
Morgan captioned the post with a message directed at her WrestleMania opponent: “You’re mine now bitch.”
Despite the injury and concussion protocol, Morgan and Vaquer remain scheduled to compete for the WWE Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania 42. The match represents a continuation of the ongoing feud between the two superstars that has intensified in recent weeks on RAW.
The backstage attack by Vaquer that led to the collision marks the latest escalation in their rivalry heading into WWE’s biggest event of the year.
WWE has officially announced the complete lineups for both nights of WrestleMania 42, taking place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. SmackDown announcer Joe Tessitore revealed the full cards during an appearance on ESPN Get Up on Tuesday morning.
Night one will be headlined by Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defending his title against Randy Orton, with Pat McAfee in Orton’s corner. The second night closes with World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk putting his championship on the line against Roman Reigns.
WrestleMania 42 Saturday Card
The April 18 show features seven matches. Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer defends against Liv Morgan, while Seth Rollins faces Gunther in a marquee singles bout. Women’s Intercontinental Champion AJ Lee puts her title up against Becky Lynch.
The Women’s Tag Team Championship will be contested in a four-way match, with champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend defending against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, The Bella Twins, and Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. An unsanctioned match between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu will air on ESPN2, along with Logan Paul, Austin Theory and IShowSpeed taking on The Usos and LA Knight.
WrestleMania 42 Sunday Card
Night two on April 19 features six matches. WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill defends her title against Rhea Ripley, while Finn Balor battles Dominik Mysterio in a singles match. United States Champion Sami Zayn puts his championship on the line against Trick Williams.
Brock Lesnar faces Oba Femi in a match airing on ESPN. The Intercontinental Championship will be decided in a ladder match, with champion Penta defending against Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, Rusev, JD McDonagh, and Rey Mysterio.
WrestleMania 42 marks the second consecutive year the Premium Live Event will take place over two nights. Both shows will stream live on Peacock.
Liv Morgan confirmed her involvement in a mysterious group teased during WWE RAW on April 7. The cryptic video package aired during the show, featuring dancers with their backs turned while Morgan’s theme music and laughter played in the background.
Morgan was attacked backstage by Stephanie Vaquer during RAW. The assault happened inside The Judgment Day clubhouse while Morgan was discussing Finn Bálor’s recent exit from the group with Roxanne Perez.
Vaquer attacked Morgan from behind, slamming her into Perez’s head during the chaos. She then threw Morgan into storage cases and smashed her into a TV screen.
Morgan Responds to Mystery Teaser on Social Media
Morgan addressed the mysterious video package on X, formerly known as Twitter. She reposted the teaser and added her own message.
“My daddy issues and bleach must have gone to my head ?” Morgan wrote, confirming her connection to the mystery group.
Fans immediately began speculating about the teaser’s meaning. Some believe it could be connected to Morgan’s WrestleMania 42 entrance, while others think it signals a new group or character direction.
Morgan is scheduled to face Stephanie Vaquer at WrestleMania 42.
Royce Keys appeared before WWE RAW in Houston on April 6, defeating Brutus Creed in a dark match. The victory comes as his television absence extends beyond two months since his Royal Rumble debut.
Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, has worked exclusively in untelevised dark matches before RAW and SmackDown shows. His opponents during this period have included Nathan Frazer, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and Rey Fenix.
According to reports, WWE is taking a deliberate approach with Keys. The company wants him to adjust to their system first, including learning pacing, timing, and production style.
While WWE fans are eager to see him as a regular character on television, he’s likely being held until after WrestleMania, when new talent is often “called up” to freshen up the roster and be part of the new season of storytelling.
Renee Paquette has named Eddie Kingston as her favorite person backstage in All Elite Wrestling. The AEW broadcaster made the comments during a recent interview, praising Kingston’s authenticity and personality.
Speaking with Who Is…?, Paquette was asked to identify her favorite person backstage in the promotion. Without hesitation, she chose the former AEW World Champion.
“My favorite person backstage. There’s a lot, obviously. I gotta go Eddie Kingston,” Paquette said. “I love Eddie. I don’t care which version of Eddie I get that day, whether it’s good mood Eddie, it’s bad mood Eddie. I find him entertaining and he’s just a real person. He gives you all sides of him at all times. So I gotta go Eddie.”
Kingston’s Relationship With Paquette and Moxley
Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley (Photo: AEW)
Kingston has been close friends with Jon Moxley for years, a relationship that extends to Moxley’s wife, Paquette. The wrestler has never been shy about speaking his mind, both on camera and behind the scenes in AEW.
Paquette’s comments highlight Kingston’s reputation for being genuine and unfiltered, traits that have made him a fan favorite since his AEW debut. His willingness to show all aspects of his personality appears to resonate with colleagues as much as it does with audiences.
WWE has filed a trademark application for “NXT Revenge,” indicating plans for a new event on the developmental brand’s calendar. The filing was submitted on April 6, according to the US Patent & Trademark Office database.
The trademark application uses WWE’s standard language for event names, with the goods and services section listing “the production and exhibition of professional wrestling events.” The filing also covers entertainment services related to professional wrestling through broadcast media and various transmission platforms.
NXT Revenge is likely the name of a future television special or Premium Live Event. NXT just presented its annual Stand & Deliver PLE this past weekend in St. Louis, breaking tradition by moving the event away from WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas.
NXT will air its Stand & Deliver fallout episode tonight, which could provide an opportunity to announce the brand’s next PLE. Battleground has typically followed Stand & Deliver on the NXT calendar in previous years.
Paul Wight spent years switching between heel and babyface in WWE, and while he once called it frustrating, he now explains why those constant turns were actually necessary for his role in the company.
In a new interview with Chris Van Vliet, Wight revealed how a conversation with Arn Anderson completely changed his perspective on his WWE career. Anderson told him something that reshaped how he viewed his purpose in the ring.
“Arn Anderson told me, ‘Dumbest thing you ever did, kid, was learn how to work,’” Wight said. That comment helped him understand his role wasn’t to be the central figure, but to elevate others.
Wight’s Role as an Obstacle
Wight explained that he never saw himself as championship material, despite winning titles during his career. Instead, he viewed himself as something for rising stars to overcome on their way to the top.
“I don’t think I ever should’ve been champion. You don’t need a giant to be champion—you need the giant to be an obstacle for the upcoming champion,” Wight said. “You need something like a wall or a mountain—something that has to be overcome, and then the next talent can be on their way.”
He admitted his title wins weren’t part of long-term plans but rather rewards for his consistency. “The last time I got the title was just because I’d been, like, five or six years in title matches all the time and hadn’t won the damn thing,” he said.
Why the Character Changes Made Sense
Wight made it clear he never viewed himself as a leading man like The Rock, Stone Cold, or John Cena. He embraced being the funny sidekick or the villain, and that flexibility required frequent character changes.
“I’m not the leading guy. I’m the funny sidekick, or I’m Thanos, the villain—and that’s okay,” Wight said. “They needed me to turn heel and face many times.”
He outlined his three priorities in every match: get the match over, get his opponent over, and get himself over. Those frequent turns allowed him to fulfill that role for different storylines and talent.
“What I took to the business and brought to it—and what were my responsibilities? Get the match over, get my opponent over, and the third thing’s going to happen—I will get myself over,” he said.
Wight said he’s satisfied with his career, particularly the talent he helped elevate. He mentioned working with Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Cesaro as highlights.
Back in 2021, Wight admitted the constant character changes made it difficult to build a consistent identity. But his new perspective shows he’s come to terms with his role as someone who existed to be overcome rather than to lead the story.
It’s official. WWE General Manager Adam Pearce booked the six-man tag team match for WrestleMania 42 during tonight’s Raw from the Toyota Center in Houston.
IShowSpeed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory will face The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) and LA Knight at the two-night event on April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
The announcement came after Speed appeared on tonight’s show and once again inserted himself into the feud between The Vision and Knight. Speed assisted Theory during his singles match against Knight, making his alignment with The Vision unmistakable after weeks of claiming the brass knuckles incident was an accident.
From Rumor to Reality
The match had been rumored since last week after Dave Meltzer reported it was listed on internal WWE documents. The build began on the March 30 RAW at Madison Square Garden, when Speed accidentally struck Knight with brass knuckles during a World Tag Team Championship Street Fight.
Speed’s only prior in-ring experience came during the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble, where he replaced an injured Akira Tozawa and was memorably speared by Bron Breakker. He also completed a training session at the WWE Performance Center with Randy Orton for his YouTube series, where he developed a moonsault finisher called “The Speed Drop.”
The World Tag Team Championships are expected to be on the line in the six-man tag, though WWE has not confirmed that stipulation. WrestleMania 42 airs live from Allegiant Stadium on April 18-19.
Yoshihisa Kishimoto, the video game developer who directed the classic arcade games WWF Superstars and WWF Wrestlefest, has died at age 64. He passed away on April 2, 2026.
Kishimoto was best known as the creator of Kunio-kun (Renegade) and Double Dragon. For wrestling fans, his legacy lives on through the beloved WWF arcade titles that defined an era of wrestling gaming.
WWF Arcade Legacy
WWF Superstars was released in 1989, bringing wrestling action to arcades worldwide. WWF Wrestlefest followed two years later in 1991, becoming a fan favorite that remains celebrated decades later.
Both games featured rosters of top WWF superstars from that era and introduced countless fans to wrestling through their arcade cabinets.
Family Announces Passing
His son, Ry?b? Kishimoto, shared the news on Facebook with a heartfelt message.
“I am sorry to inform you that my father has passed to rest on 04/02/2026. Thank you very much for everything you have done for me during my life,” Ry?b? wrote. “Please forgive us that we will perform at the family funeral. I hope you will continue to enjoy my father’s works, including Kunio-kun.” The family will hold a private funeral service.
SEScoops extends condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Kishimoto. His contributions to wrestling gaming continue to be enjoyed by fans around the world.
Trevor Lee has officially signed a contract with Major League Wrestling, the former WWE star confirmed in an interview with Fox News Digital, and will continue competing as the promotion’s Southern Crown Champion.
Lee, who worked in WWE under the name Cameron Grimes, had been making sporadic appearances for MLW following his release. He competed at MLW Eric Bischoff’s One Shot, appeared at Battle Riot VIII in January, and worked a number of Fusion tapings before inking the deal.
He captured the MLW Southern Crown Championship in a Bunkhouse Stampede match against Andrew Everett, Beastman, Diego Hill, Festus, Ikuro Kwon, Jesus Rodriguez, Josh Bishop, Matthew Justice, and Paul Walter Hauser.
Lee on Why He Chose MLW
Speaking to Fox News Digital, Lee pointed to MLW’s partnerships with CMLL and New Japan Pro-Wrestling as major factors in his decision.
“I really liked the ability to be able to work with CMLL, to be able to work with New Japan,” Lee said. “So, it’s really cool to see what’s going to come out of this.”
Lee, 32, also praised MLW’s positioning in the industry, describing it as a step up from the independent circuit while acknowledging it operates in a different space than WWE.
“MLW isn’t WWE, but they’re not an indie either. They’re right there,” Lee said. “It’s nice to be able to be at a place that can represent you well, show you well, and also give you a good batch of talent to work with.”
Goals With the Promotion
Lee said his primary goal is to shed the “comedy promo act” label he carried in WWE and prove himself as an in-ring performer capable of elite-level matches.
“I just want to be able to show that I’m more than just like a comedy promo act. I can have these elite tier matches and that’s really what my goal is with MLW,” he said.
Lee named Austin Aries, Matt Riddle, and Donovan Dijak among the MLW roster members he hopes to face, along with talent coming through MLW’s CMLL and New Japan partnerships.
Lee joins a growing list of former WWE performers in MLW that includes Riddle, Killer Kross, Scarlett Bordeaux, Shotzi Blackheart, Dijak, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, and others.
Lee previously expressed interest in working for AEW following his WWE release in 2024, before ultimately landing with MLW.
CM Punk appears to be teasing an alliance with Cody Rhodes ahead of WWE WrestleMania 42. The World Heavyweight Champion posted cryptic messages on social media that suggest he may have the Undisputed Champion’s back against Randy Orton and Pat McAfee.
Rhodes found himself outnumbered on WWE SmackDown last Friday when Pat McAfee made his surprise return. McAfee hit Rhodes with a low blow as the champion had the upper hand against Orton, shifting momentum in The Viper’s favor.
McAfee then delivered a verbal assault on Rhodes while Orton took control. The segment also appeared to confirm that The Rock was not the mystery mentor Orton had been referencing in recent weeks.
Social Media Hints at Potential Partnership
Punk shared a photo on his Instagram Stories of Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday from the film Tombstone, tagging Rhodes in the post. The reference to one of the movie’s most iconic lines, “I’m your huckleberry,” suggests Punk may be offering his assistance.
Rhodes responded by sharing a photo of Kurt Russell, who played Wyatt Earp in the same film. The exchange between the two champions indicates they may be on the same page heading into WrestleMania season.
Punk also posted additional content mocking McAfee, including placing a clown emoji over the former NFL punter’s face. He shared a photo of Paul Newman’s mugshot as well, hinting that he might be planning something against Orton and McAfee.
WrestleMania 42 Program Takes Shape
Rhodes appeared on WWE RAW last week but is not currently advertised for tonight’s show in Houston. The Undisputed Champion could still make a surprise appearance to continue building his WrestleMania 42 program with Orton and McAfee.
The developing storyline positions Rhodes and potentially Punk against the duo of Orton and McAfee for WWE’s biggest event of the year. Both champions now seem aligned in their opposition to The Viper and his returning ally. Roman Reigns has also weighed in on Punk recently, adding another layer to the World Heavyweight Champion’s busy WrestleMania season.
IShowSpeed is scheduled to appear on tonight’s WWE Raw, according to PWInsider, where LA Knight has arranged a face-to-face confrontation between the two. The show airs live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The confrontation stems from a sequence of events that began on the March 30 episode of Raw at Madison Square Garden. During a Street Fight for the World Tag Team Championship, Speed accidentally struck Knight with brass knuckles, taking him out of the equation. The interference helped Logan Paul and Austin Theory defeat The Usos to capture the titles.
Knight Crashed Speed’s Livestream
Knight got his payback last week, showing up at Speed’s home and crashing his livestream. During what Speed had billed as a “Challenge Stream,” Knight confronted him about the brass knuckles incident. Speed attempted to apologize, but Knight wasn’t having it, ultimately launching the YouTuber through his streaming setup.
LA KNIGHT JUST THREW ISSHOWSPEED THROUGH HIS SET UP
Tonight’s confrontation is expected to further build toward making that match official. Speed’s only previous in-ring appearance came during the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble, where he replaced an injured Akira Tozawa and was memorably speared by Bron Breakker.
Tonight’s Raw also features Seth Rollins opening the show, a CM Punk promo, Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi appearing in the same building, LA Knight vs. Austin Theory, and Finn Balor vs. JD McDonagh.
Netflix is expected to emerge as a primary front-runner to secure Pat McAfee’s next media deal, according to sports business reporter Blake “Axe” Avignon.
Sources: .@Netflix is expected to be a primary front-runner to secure @PatMcAfeeShow as his next deal window begins to take shape over the next 12–24 months as his @ESPN deal progresses, with @AriEmanuel now involved in positioning his next deal. Between Netflix’s move into video… pic.twitter.com/P9lfK1Oaro
— Blake “Axe” Avignon (@bobby_s_axelrod) April 6, 2026
Per Avignon, McAfee’s next deal window is expected to take shape over the next 12 to 24 months as his current ESPN agreement progresses. TKO Executive Chairman Ari Emanuel is now reportedly involved in positioning McAfee for whatever comes next.
McAfee signed a five-year licensing deal with ESPN in 2023, reported to be worth approximately $85 million. That agreement runs through 2028. ESPN president of content Burke Magnus said last September that the network wants to keep McAfee beyond the current deal, telling the Sports Media Podcast he was “one hundred percent” committed to extending the relationship.
The Netflix Connection
The case for Netflix centers on several overlapping factors. The streamer already airs WWE Raw as part of its landmark deal with TKO, and McAfee has been a regular presence on the Netflix-distributed broadcast as a commentator. Netflix has also been expanding into live video podcasting, a format McAfee has built his career around.
McAfee is also set to appear in the Netflix film The Mosquito Bowl, a World War II sports drama directed by Peter Berg. That project adds another layer to the existing Netflix relationship.
The report aligns with broader industry analysis. Media reporters Matt Belloni and Lucas Shaw discussed on The Town podcast last year why Netflix would be wise to pursue a McAfee-style deal, with Belloni predicting Netflix would have its own version of a McAfee show “pretty soon.”
Emanuel’s Role in McAfee’s Future
Emanuel’s involvement adds significant weight to any future negotiations. The TKO executive chairman hired McAfee as a client for Hollywood representation earlier this year, securing him roles in Tulsa King on Paramount+ and The Mosquito Bowl. Emanuel and McAfee also co-host a live video podcast on X called Rushmore.
Emanuel has been the driving force behind McAfee’s expanding profile across TKO properties. Multiple outlets reported this weekend that McAfee’s surprise return on SmackDown last Friday, where he aligned with Randy Orton against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, was directed by Emanuel and TKO executives rather than WWE’s creative team.
Triple H reinforced McAfee’s value to the company on WWE Unreal Season 2 earlier this year, calling him “the face of WWE to a lot of people.”
What This Means for McAfee’s Next Move
WWE
McAfee is no longer just a sports talk show host. Between his ESPN show, College GameDay duties, WWE appearances, acting roles, and the Rushmore podcast, he has built what Avignon described as “an organically grown audience engine.” That multi-platform presence is exactly what Netflix has been targeting as it expands beyond traditional scripted content.
With approximately two years remaining on his ESPN deal, McAfee is entering the window where his next move will begin to take shape. Whether Netflix, ESPN, or another suitor ultimately wins out, the involvement of Emanuel suggests McAfee’s next contract will extend well beyond a standard media deal.
AJ Styles has opened up about the physical toll his career has taken, revealing he can no longer perform the Spiral Tap, one of his most visually spectacular moves. The WWE Hall of Fame inductee made the admission on Episode 5 of his Phenomenally Retro Podcast, hosted by Tony Giles.
When asked about the high-flying maneuver, Styles explained the move has become physically impossible due to the wear and tear accumulated over his career.
“I just lost it,” Styles said. “It’s when you’re in the air, there’s some muscle memory that has to take place… I lost it. Just it’s just difficult.” He further attributed the limitation specifically to his neck.
The Great Muta’s Influence on Styles’ Career
The conversation also turned to the origins of Styles’ in-ring style, with the Phenomenal One crediting Japanese legend The Great Muta as a key influence on how he developed and adapted his moveset.
“I just move my legs around, bam, and drop it,” Styles said of one technique. “It was because I watched Muta and the way he done his elbow… I try to do similar things like that. Not exactly what they do, but just take things and see if I can make it my own.”
NXT Is Its Own Show, Not a Demotion
Styles also weighed in on the ongoing perception of NXT as a lesser brand within WWE, pushing back on that narrative. He said NXT functions as its own distinct television product, not a step backward for talent.
“NXT is its own TV show,” Styles said. “It tries to be as different as it can without ruining everything they’re doing.”
Anticipating WrestleMania Weekend
With his new backstage scouting role for WWE already underway, Styles said he is looking forward to WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas, though not as a competitor. The focus for him is reconnecting with colleagues he considers family.
“I’m still looking forward to seeing all the guys and girls,” Styles said. “Because, you know, that was my family for a long time and I miss them.”
Rhea Ripley has called out WWE for the lengthy gap between its all-women’s pay-per-view events. The company waited nearly seven years between the first Evolution in 2018 and Evolution 2 in 2025.
During an appearance on the Ebro, Laura, and Rosenberg Show, Ripley expressed frustration over the extended wait. She believes the women’s roster proved their value at the recent event.
“We had to wait, what was it, eight years for the Evolution 2, which was a wild thing,” Ripley said. “I feel like after Evolution 2, which is an all-women’s pay-per-view, I feel like we went out there and we showed everyone exactly what we can do.”
The WWE star hopes the company won’t make fans wait as long for Evolution 3. She wants the event to become a yearly tradition.
“I’m hoping that it takes less time now for Evolution 3. I really hope that everyone watched that and went, ‘Wow, like this needs to be a yearly thing,’” Ripley stated.
Ripley’s Evolution History
Ripley worked the dark match at the 2018 Evolution event, where she retained the NXT UK Women’s Championship against Dakota Kai. At the 2025 event, she headlined alongside Women’s World Champion IYO SKY.
Neither Ripley nor SKY left the 2025 event with the title. Naomi cashed in her Money in the Bank contract during the main event to capture the Women’s World Championship.
Liv Morgan has opened up about her complex relationship with Rhea Ripley, describing their dynamic as a Batman and Joker situation. Speaking with Esteban Ramirez in a recent interview, Morgan reflected on the multi-year rivalry that has defined both women’s careers.
The history between Morgan and Ripley dates back to their time in the Performance Center. Morgan recalled seeing Ripley and immediately recognizing her star potential, even leaving her locker to Ripley when she was called up to the main roster.
“You know, Rhea and I have like quite a bit of lore. Like I remember back in the Performance Center, like when I saw her, I knew that she was going to be a star,” Morgan said. “It was just very evident to me, and so when I had gotten called up to the main roster, I had left Rhea in my locker. I told her, ‘you can have my locker. You can move your stuff into my locker.’ She didn’t even have a locker yet.”
From Tag Team Partners to Bitter Rivals
The pair eventually formed a tag team on the main roster, showcasing strong chemistry. However, their partnership ended when Ripley turned on Morgan around WrestleMania 38, joining the original Judgment Day faction and injuring her former partner.
Morgan launched her Liv Morgan Revenge Tour upon returning, systematically targeting everything Ripley held dear. She successfully captured Dominik Mysterio’s affections, took control of the Judgment Day, and won the Women’s World Championship.
“So I feel like we are both like the heroes and villains in each other’s stories. You know, like she is the Batman to my Joker and I am the villain in her hero story and she’s the villain in my hero story,” Morgan explained.
The Batman-Joker comparison is a storytelling analogy that wrestling fans will appreciate: both superstars view themselves as protagonists in their own narratives while serving as antagonists in each other’s stories.
At WrestleMania 42 (April 18–19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas), Liv Morgan will challenge Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s World Championship after winning the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble, while Rhea Ripley will face Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship after earning her spot by winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber.
Will Ospreay and Alex Windsor will get married in June 2026, one year after announcing their engagement. The AEW stars revealed the wedding date in a recent interview with Tokyo Sports.
Ospreay confirmed the ceremony will take place on June 15, the day after New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Osaka-jo Hall event. The timing means he will miss that show to prepare for the wedding.
“I can’t appear at Osaka-jo Hall (June 14th) because my wedding is the day after the event, but I want to participate in as many big New Japan matches as possible this year,” Ospreay told Tokyo Sports. “AEW is the best environment, but I have special feeling for Japan, and I also want to spend more time with the members of United Empire.”
Ospreay’s Recent NJPW Return
The couple both work for AEW, though Ospreay recently returned to New Japan Pro Wrestling at Sakura Genesis. He has expressed interest in pursuing the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Titles alongside his United Empire stablemates Great-O-Khan and Henare.
WWE Raw heads to Houston, Texas on Monday, April 6, 2026, with three newly announced matches for the penultimate show before WrestleMania 42. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce revealed the additions via social media on Sunday.
The April 6 Raw at the Toyota Center will feature Finn Balor taking on JD McDonagh in singles action. The match pits the two Judgment Day members against each other as tensions continue within the faction.
A tag team match is also set, with Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY teaming up to face B-Fab and Michin. The bout adds to the women’s division storylines heading into WrestleMania season.
Your OFFICIAL #WWERaw preview for mañana in Houston, Texas!
The third confirmed match sees Austin Theory squaring off against LA Knight. Both superstars have been building momentum on Raw in recent weeks.
Previously announced segments for Monday’s show include an opening appearance by Seth Rollins. Brock Lesnar, Oba Femi, and WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk are also scheduled to appear live.
Former WWE superstar Alex Riley has teased a potential return to the ring for one final match. Riley posted an image of himself in a wrestling ring on his Instagram account on April 4th, hinting at a comeback after years away from active competition.
Riley had an extended run in WWE, competing on the main roster before transitioning to NXT in the later stages of his career with the promotion. He competed in his final WWE match in April of 2016.
The former superstar hasn’t competed in a wrestling ring since 2023, when he wrestled under his real name of Kevin Kiley. Riley’s social media post suggests he may be considering one final match.
Riley is perhaps best known for his time as The Miz’s apprentice on the main roster
NXT Stand & Deliver 2026 aired April 4 from The Factory at the District in St. Louis, Missouri, streaming on YouTube in the U.S. and Netflix internationally. Two titles changed hands as Tony D’Angelo captured the NXT Championship and Lola Vice won the NXT Women’s Championship, while three other champions retained on NXT’s biggest show of the year.
Quick Results
Hank & Tank, Shiloh Hill, EK Prosper and Wren Sinclair def. Birth Right (Lexis King, Charlie Dempsey, Stacks, Uriah Connors and Arianna Grace) (Pre-Show)
Lola Vice def. Jacy Jayne (c) and Kendal Grey — NEW NXT Women’s Champion
The Vanity Project (Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes) (c) def. Los Americanos (Bravo Americano and Rayo Americano) — NXT Tag Team Championship
Sol Ruca def. Zaria
Myles Borne (c) def. Johnny Gargano — NXT North American Championship
Tatum Paxley (c) def. Blake Monroe — NXT Women’s North American Championship
Tony D’Angelo def. Joe Hendry (c), Ricky Saints and Ethan Page — NEW NXT Champion
Shawn Michaels opened Stand & Deliver alongside host Sexyy Red before the first match got underway. Jayne shoved both of her challengers to start, but Grey and Vice teamed up to knock the champion out of the ring. Once Jayne was on the outside, Grey and Vice went at each other.
All three women traded momentum throughout the bout, with Fatal Influence’s Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid lurking at ringside. Jayne worked Vice with a CodeBreaker and submission holds, while Grey impressed with creative counters and a diving DDT from the top rope. A highlight sequence saw Grey lock Jayne in an Ankle Lock, only for Vice to cinch in a Sleeper on Grey at the same time.
Wren Sinclair eventually chased Henley and Reid through the crowd, eliminating Jayne’s backup. In the closing stretch, Grey flew off the apron to take out both opponents on the floor, then hit a diving DDT on Jayne. Vice broke up the pin, locked in a sleeper on Grey, then connected with the 305 on Jayne to capture the NXT Women’s Championship.
Robert Stone congratulated Vice backstage after the match and announced she would have a celebration on the next episode of NXT.
NXT Tag Team Championship: The Vanity Project (c) def. Los Americanos
Los Americanos brought their high-flying style early, with Rayo Americano connecting with a meteora in the corner on Smokes and delivering a Sunset Flip. The Vanity Project regained control with a shoulderbreaker from Baylor and a double stomp from Smokes targeting Rayo’s spine.
Bravo Americano ignited a comeback with a crossbody off the middle rope and a swinging neckbreaker on Smokes. The finish saw controversy when El Grande Americano slid a piece of metal to Bravo, but Jackson Drake intercepted it. After Drake took out Grande on the outside, Smokes and Baylor hit their double stomp-reverse DDT combination off the middle rope on Bravo to retain.
Sol Ruca def. Zaria
Ruca set the tone immediately, catching Zaria with a springboard clothesline off the top rope before the bell. The action spilled outside multiple times, with Zaria using her power advantage to send Ruca into the ring steps and the apron.
Zaria dominated the middle portion of the match with a Fallaway Slam, repeated knee strikes, and a sleeper hold. Ruca fought back with a German suplex and a missile dropkick, building toward a massive Sol Snatcher on the entrance ramp.
The former tag team partners traded finishers in the closing minutes, with Zaria hitting a spear and an F5, but Ruca kicked out of both. Ruca ultimately caught Zaria with a facebuster off the middle rope followed by the Sol Snatcher for the win.
Backstage, Ruca said facing Zaria was the hardest match of her career and shifted her focus toward championship gold. Izzi Dame interrupted and made it clear she’s pursuing the same goal.
NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) def. Johnny Gargano
Gargano returned to an NXT PLE for the first time since Stand & Deliver 2023, looking to recapture the title he helped put on the map. Early in the match, Gargano faked falling into his recent funk, only to sucker Borne in for a takedown. The crowd was firmly behind Gargano.
Candice LeRae got involved from the outside, taking a cheap shot at Borne to help her husband lock in the Gargano Escape. Borne fought to the bottom rope to break the hold. Gargano connected with a superkick on the entrance ramp, but Borne answered with a DDT over the top rope. Borne then hit back-to-back Borne Again finishers to retain the championship.
After the match, Dion Lennox ambushed Borne with a steel chair and hit him with an Emerald Flowsion onto the chair. Lennox appears to be the next challenger for the North American Championship.
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Tatum Paxley (c) def. Blake Monroe
Paxley attacked Monroe before the bell, but Monroe quickly took control after a hurricanrana that sent the champion crashing onto the steel ramp. Monroe targeted Paxley’s left shoulder throughout the match and applied an arm-trap crossface. Paxley fought out and fired back with a German suplex and a somersault leg drop.
The physicality escalated when Monroe hit a sunset flip powerbomb off the apron to the floor. Back inside, Monroe exposed two turnbuckles and even cracked Paxley with her own title belt. Monroe connected with her Glamour Shot finisher, but Paxley kicked out. In the end, Paxley hit Cemetery Drive to retain her championship and reclaim the physical title belt Monroe had stolen weeks earlier.
NXT Championship Fatal Four-Way: Tony D’Angelo def. Joe Hendry (c), Ricky Saints and Ethan Page
Hendry and D’Angelo started strong, bodyslamming Saints and Page before turning on each other. Saints and Page’s alliance crumbled throughout the match, with the two former champions arguing over pin attempts and repeatedly failing to stay on the same page. Hendry went on a tear midway through, delivering Fallaway Slams to multiple opponents and nearly putting D’Angelo away with a powerslam.
The match reached its peak when D’Angelo speared both Saints and Page off the ring steps and through the announce desk. Back inside, D’Angelo connected with a spear and a Standing Ovation before finishing Hendry with a chokeslam to become the new NXT Champion. D’Angelo held the title high as Stand & Deliver went off the air.
What’s Next
Stand & Deliver delivered two title changes that reshape the NXT landscape heading into WrestleMania 42 week. Tony D’Angelo as NXT Champion completes his collection, having previously held the North American Championship, Heritage Cup, and Tag Team Championships. Joe Hendry could be main roster-bound after dropping the title.
Lola Vice’s coronation as NXT Women’s Champion ends Jacy Jayne’s dominant second reign and sets up a celebration segment on Tuesday’s NXT. With Jayne, Grey, and Vice all positioned strongly, the women’s title picture remains wide open.
Dion Lennox’s post-match attack on Myles Borne signals a clear challenger for the North American Championship. Sol Ruca’s win over Zaria, combined with her backstage promo about chasing gold, points toward either an NXT Women’s Championship program or a main roster call-up. Izzi Dame staked her claim as well.
Multiple broadcast blackouts interrupted WWE NXT: Stand & Deliver during the NXT Women’s Championship match after a wardrobe malfunction involving champion Jacy Jayne. The incident occurred during Jayne’s Triple Threat title defense against Lola Vice and Kendal Grey.
The live broadcast cut to black several times throughout the match, leaving viewers confused about the interruptions. The blackouts reportedly stemmed from a wardrobe malfunction during a sequence in which Grey had Jayne locked in an ankle submission, briefly exposing more than intended on camera.
Additional blackouts occurred in the closing moments due to further gear issues. Production cut away multiple times to protect the broadcast from showing the malfunction.
Despite the technical difficulties, the match continued with Jayne controlling key stretches and playing to the camera. At one point during the bout, “The Rockstar” told critics to “read it and weep” while showcasing why she entered as champion.
The title match followed a controversial No. 1 contender’s bout the previous week that left head of creative Shawn Michaels questioning the outcome. Jayne’s reign as champion ended at Stand & Deliver with Vice becoming the new titleholder.
Tony D’Angelo won the NXT Championship in a fatal four-way match against Joe Hendry, Ethan Page, and Ricky Saints at Saturday’s Stand & Deliver premium live event. The victory marks D’Angelo’s first NXT Championship reign.
The match began with Page and Saints forming a temporary alliance to target Hendry and D’Angelo. The duo executed tandem offense including a double suplex and corner splashes on Hendry, but their partnership quickly dissolved when they argued over who should score the pinfall.
All four competitors delivered high-impact offense throughout the contest. D’Angelo speared Saints, while Hendry hit an Attitude Adjustment on D’Angelo. The action frequently moved outside the ring, with Page and Saints throwing D’Angelo into the steel steps.
Saints executed a Revolution DDT on D’Angelo on the floor, followed by Page’s Twisted Grin. Hendry responded with a cannonball over the top rope that took out both Page and Saints. Back inside, Hendry delivered a hurricanrana to Page and fallaway slams to both D’Angelo and Saints.
D’Angelo Captures Gold with Dead to Rights
The match intensified when Saints brought a steel chair into the ring and hit a Revolution DDT on Hendry onto the chair. Page broke up the pin attempt, leading to a brawl at ringside where Page powerslammed Saints through the announce table cover.
D’Angelo speared both Page and Saints off the steel steps, sending them crashing through the announce desk. He returned to the ring and avoided Hendry’s Standing Ovation attempt. D’Angelo then speared Hendry and followed with his Dead to Rights finishing maneuver to secure the pinfall and capture the NXT Championship.
Jade Cargill describes her time in AEW as her version of NXT, saying she learned professional wrestling on live television without any traditional developmental training.
“I’m raw. My first match ever was on TV. I didn’t go through the indies. I didn’t go through all the training. I didn’t do all that. My NXT was AEW,” Cargill said in an interview on Scores & Assists with Joe Budden.
The WWE Women’s Champion contrasted her path with WrestleMania 42 opponent Rhea Ripley, who came up through the traditional indie-to-NXT pipeline before becoming a main roster star.
A First Match Like No One Else
Cargill’s professional wrestling debut came on national television in AEW alongside Shaquille O’Neal in 2021, with only a single practice match under her belt beforehand.
“They told me, ‘You’re going to be a bad guy and you’re going to go out there with Shaquille O’Neal’ on national TV. I just did it,” she said. “Probably one, two, three people in the entire world get something like that to start off with. I’m just blessed.”
Cargill went on to hold the AEW TBS Championship for over 500 days before signing with WWE. She told Budden that the rapid trajectory has come with real weight.
“Me being skyrocketed to the top, that’s a lot on my shoulders,” she said. “People think it’s so easy to be at the top. I’m a freaking human. I put on my pants just like everybody else.”
Cargill defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Ripley at WrestleMania 42 on April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Lola Vice captured the NXT Women’s Championship at WWE NXT: Stand & Deliver 2026 on Friday night. Vice defeated champion Jacy Jayne and Kendal Grey in a Triple Threat match to claim her first title in WWE.
The match opened the main card at Stand & Deliver. After a series of near falls and reversals, Vice landed her Spinning Back Fist on Jayne to score the pinfall victory.
Historic Title Win
The victory ended Jayne’s 137-day reign as NXT Women’s Champion. Vice becomes the first Cuban-American wrestler to hold the NXT Women’s Championship.
Vice had been building momentum in recent months as part of the NXT women’s division. Her MMA-influenced striking style proved to be the difference in the Triple Threat match.
Jayne won the NXT Women’s Championship in November 2025. Grey entered the match as the challenger who had earned her spot through recent victories on NXT television.
Mercedes Mone has vacated the APAC Women’s Championship, marking the end of her run as a multi-promotion titleholder. The announcement came via her Mone Mag publication on Saturday, with the former AEW TBS Champion explaining the decision was based on budget constraints and creative differences with the Malaysian promotion.
“While I was in London, I had to make a tough call. I sent the Malaysia Championship back,” Mone wrote in her statement. “My team and I really tried to make things work—we put in the effort, had the conversations, and explored every option. But at the end of the day, they told us they didn’t have the budget to fly me out and weren’t open to working with other promotions.”
The superstar, who previously held championships across multiple promotions simultaneously, explained that the partnership no longer aligned with her vision. She emphasized that the decision, while difficult, was necessary for her continued growth.
Mone Explains Decision to Vacate Title
“For me? That just didn’t align with the vision. So I made the decision to vacate the title,” Mone continued. “And look—this business isn’t always easy. Not every partnership works out the way you hope. But I’ve learned to stand firm in my worth, my time, and what I bring to the table.”
She concluded her statement by noting that every title she holds must have meaning and purpose. She wrote:
Mone recently appeared on Italian TV station IL61’s Wrestling Time program, where she teased her return to All Elite Wrestling. “I’m returning (to AEW) really really soon,” she said. “But right now I am on my Moné Madness Tour all over Europe.”
The CEO last appeared on AEW programming during the January 10 episode of AEW Collision. She has been touring internationally while away from AEW television.
