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Author: Mike Reichlin
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Paul Wight Reveals Weight Loss Journey: \”Shooting for 360\”
Paul Wight is proudly showing off his abs and sharing his progress in the gym. The 53-year-old giant was billed at over 500 pounds when he was wrestling, but he\’s now down to a svelte 393 and is hoping to slim down even further to 360.
For someone who competed at a much higher body weight throughout his legendary career, it’s great to see him taking such good care of his health at this stage of his career.
He recently returned to the commentary desk on the January 24, 2026 episode of AEW Collision, calling the show alongside Excalibur and Tony Schiavone.
His last match took place in AEW on November 15, 2023, when he teamed with Kota Ibushi and The Golden Jets in a street fight on Dynamite.
Don\’t be surprised to see him lace up the boots one more time before hanging them up once and for all.
Nia Jax\’s 100-Pound Weight Loss Journey: Pickle Ball and Faith
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Jason Momoa Picks Hilarious WWE Ring Name
Jason Momoa has revealed what his WWE ring name would be — and it\’s not quite as intimidating as you might expect from the Aquaman star.
During a promotional interview with ETalk Canada for their new Prime Video film The Wrecking Crew, Momoa and former WWE Champion Dave Bautista sat down for a lighthearted Q&A where they pulled questions out of a bowl.
When asked what his WWE ring name would be — noting that Bautista was famously known as \”The Animal\” during his wrestling career — Momoa didn\’t hesitate with his first answer. \”I was the caveman. The caveman,\” Momoa laughed. But he wasn\’t done. After more consideration, the Game of Thrones alum landed on an even more unconventional choice:
\”Jason the Dirt Bag Mimoa.\”
The interview showcased the genuine chemistry between the two action stars, who also discussed picking on co-star Jacob Batalon and the \”brotherly torment\” Momoa inflicted on Bautista during filming.
Bautista, who spent over a decade in WWE winning multiple world championships before transitioning to Hollywood, has remained connected to the wrestling world despite his successful acting career.
The Wrecking Crew isn\’t Momoa\’s only recent pro wrestling connection. He\’s also part of the all-star Street Fighter cast alongside WWE stars Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.
The Wrecking Crew is now streaming on Prime Video.
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The \”Orange Juice Philosophy\” Behind The New Day\’s Heel Turn
Xavier Woods has opened up about the psychology behind The New Day\’s heel turn, revealing what he calls the \”orange juice philosophy\” that explains why the team needed to embrace their darker side.
Speaking with Peter Rosenberg for Cheap Heat during Royal Rumble weekend in Riyadh, Woods broke down the metaphor that drives their current character work.
\”I heard this thing and it was if you squeeze an orange, what comes out? Orange juice. Because that\’s what\’s inside it,\” Woods explained. \”Somebody says something cross to you, something mean, there it\’s essentially squeezing you. And what comes out? That anger, that rage. But when you\’re bouncing around in bright colors and unicorns and all this stuff, even if they say something across to you, here comes something that\’s not actually in you coming out.\”
Woods emphasized that the heel turn allows him to express genuine emotions that were suppressed during their babyface run.
\”Now I get to let out years, decades of all that that\’s been inside,\” he said. \”And it feels amazing.\”
Woods believes their current persona resonates because it reflects something real rather than manufactured positivity.
\”The more authentic I am, the higher level I\’m vibrating at and that\’s going to bring things to me and that\’s going to repel things from me,\” Woods stated. \”What is it going to repel? People that are not authentic. So you don\’t like this because you know that this is real.\”
Kofi Kingston echoed his partner\’s sentiment, describing this run as one of his favorite periods in The New Day\’s history.
\”I\’ve been on both sides, you know, winning a title at Mania when everyone wanted you to win and winning a title at Mania when no one wanted you to win,\” Kingston said. \”When no one wants you to do it and you just.. and you do it, and you look at everyone\’s face, and they\’re just pissed off… It\’s lovely.\”
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Xavier Woods: I\’m TNA\’s First WWE Success Story, Not AJ Styles
Xavier Woods has made a bold claim about his place in wrestling history, declaring himself the first success story to transition from TNA to WWE.
Speaking with Peter Rosenberg during Royal Rumble weekend, Woods reflected on his pioneering journey from TNA to becoming a multi-time champion in WWE.
\”I\’m so not to be pompous, but I\’m the first success story from TNA to WWE,\” Woods stated confidently. \”I\’m the first one to find like long-term success from TNA. You\’re pre Samoa Joe. Yeah. You\’re pre AJ, pre Bobby.\”
Woods elaborated on what his early success meant for TNA\’s reputation within WWE circles.
\”I\’m the one who came over and washed the stink off. I\’m the one who came over and said TNA is a viable place. We have great talent,\” he explained.
The New Day member spoke highly of TNA\’s roster during his tenure, making a bold statement about its talent level.
\”I would put that roster against any roster in the history of wrestling,\” Woods declared. \”Some of the best matches, some of the best wrestlers on the planet. So many legends were there. So many. It was crazy.\”
Woods shared a fascinating detail about wrestling international talent during his TNA days, including a series of matches with future NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi.
\”At one point like Tanahashi came through and he was just part of the exhibition. So I was just wrestling Tanahashi for months and like what having these awesome matches building this great friendship,\” he recalled.
His TNA debut was equally unusual. Woods debuted at Bound for Glory as part of the Consequences Creed team, winning the TNA Tag Team Championships in his first televised match—then returned to his college classes the next day.
\”That was my first televised match. I\’m in college… Then the next day I was at my 8 a.m. biopsychology class senior college at that point,\” Woods laughed.
The path from TNA to WWE success paved the way for future stars like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Bobby Lashley to make similar transitions.
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NXT Roadblock 2026 Returns to MSG Theater on March 31
WWE has officially announced NXT Roadblock 2026 for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event will begin at 7:30 PM ET, with doors opening approximately one hour earlier.
The announcement continues NXT’s annual March Roadblock tradition on the road to Stand & Deliver. The 2026 edition returns to the same prestigious MSG venue that hosted last year’s successful event.
NXT Roadblock 2025, held March 11, 2025, featured a memorable NXT-TNA crossover showcase. The night’s standout moment saw Stephanie Vaquer defeat Giulia in a Winner Takes All main event, becoming the first woman to simultaneously hold two NXT women’s championships—both the NXT Women’s Championship and NXT Women’s North American Championship.
Other notable matches from 2025 included Oba Femi retaining the NXT Championship against TNA’s Moose, and The Hardy Boyz successfully defending the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Nathan Frazer and Axiom. Je’Von Evans also defeated Ethan Page in a brutal New York City Street Fight.
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Becky Lynch Threatens WrestleMania Saudi Arabia Cancellation
Becky Lynch has made a bold statement following her controversial elimination from the 2026 Royal Rumble, threatening to cancel the upcoming WrestleMania event in Saudi Arabia.
The superstar claims her elimination by Nattie was fundamentally corrupt, insisting that her feet never touched the ground during the match.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/xLkM5_AhbwI?feature=oembed
In a statement that is concerningly out of touch with what actually happened in Riyadh, the acclaimed Superstar declared:
\”My feet never touched the ground. They forced me out of there. This is a travesty, and if this corruption continues, I am going to have no choice but to make sure that WrestleMania is canceled in Saudi Arabia.\”
The threat comes after what she perceives as an unjust elimination from the Royal Rumble match, raising questions about the integrity of the event\’s proceedings.
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Nick Hogan Spotted at WWE Performance Center
Nick Bollea, son of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, was reportedly spotted at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida this week, according to a PWInsider Elite report.
Mike Johnson from PWInsider noted that \”Bollea was present at the Orlando-based training facility, though no specific reason for his visit has been confirmed.\” The unexpected sighting has generated significant buzz among wrestling fans wondering about his potential connection to WWE.
Nick, who has maintained a public profile following his father\’s passing in July 2025, recently attended WWE events commemorating Hulk Hogan. His appearance at the Performance Center raises questions about potential future involvement with the wrestling industry.
if he were to pursue a career in professional wrestling Nick Hogan would have very big boots to fill however some of the industries top names are second and third generation Superstars.
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Kofi Kingston Reflects on KofiMania, That Loss to Brock Lesnar
Kofi Kingston has opened up about two defining moments of his WWE career: the magical road to KofiMania and the controversial 8-second loss to Brock Lesnar that ended his championship reign.
Speaking with Peter Rosenberg for Cheap Heat during Royal Rumble weekend in Saudi Arabia, Kingston reflected on what made the build to WrestleMania 35 so special.
\”Leading up to KofiMania was perfect. It was the one time we came into work and said, \’Hey, we want to do this. We think it would be great if we did it this way.\’ And everyone was on the same page,\” Kingston recalled.
\”For four months, the booking was so good that I kept thinking, \’Something\’s got to give. Something is up.\’\”
Kingston praised Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan) as the perfect opponent for that WrestleMania moment, crediting him as essential to the storyline\’s success.
\”No one could have been more perfect for the moment,\” Kingston said. \”He was the perfect opponent. Without him, the whole thing doesn\’t happen. Everything was perfect.\”
When It Comes Crashing Down
The conversation shifted to the SmackDown Fox premiere when Brock Lesnar squashed Kingston in mere seconds to capture the WWE Championship. Kingston was candid about his feelings.
\”Leading up to it, when I was told what was going to happen, there were many different alternatives discussed,\” Kingston admitted. \”That wasn\’t my choice. But obviously, that\’s our job.\”
Despite the disappointment, Kingston found a silver lining in the fans\’ reaction.
\”I\’m glad people cared. If they didn\’t, there would have been a problem—maybe I didn\’t do my job the right way,\” he explained.
With nearly 20 years in WWE, Kingston reflected on defying the odds as someone who was told he was too small to make it.
\”When I was a kid and would tell people I was going to be a WWE superstar, I only weighed 98 pounds. In high school, I had to gain weight just to wrestle at 103,\” Kingston shared. \”If I had listened to all those people who told me I couldn\’t do it, I\’d still be in a cubicle being miserable.\”
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Xavier Woods: Making Children Cry is \’Best Feeling,\’ Wants Old School Chaos
Xavier Woods has revealed The New Day\’s ultimate goal as heels: making children cry and bringing back \”old school\” wrestling chaos reminiscent of ECW and WCW.
In an interview with Peter Rosenberg for Cheap Heat during Royal Rumble weekend in Saudi Arabia, Woods delivered some of the most controversial comments of his career while explaining what success looks like as a villain.
\”When we\’re overseas and there\’s a little four-year-old girl who\’s being held by her mother because she can\’t see over the barricade. And she\’s weeping, face blushed, red, crying, tears of anguish and sadness because of us,\” Woods said with a grin.
\”There\’s no better feeling on the planet than a child that upset that they are weeping because of your work. That means you did your job better than anyone could ever do it.\”
Restoring Wrestling to What It Should Be
Woods outlined The New Day\’s mission to restore what he believes wrestling should be.
\”We are going to do everything that we can to bring back what wrestling is supposed to be,\” he declared. \”There are supposed to be guard rails broken. There are supposed to be riots happening. There are supposed to be trash being thrown in the ring old school WCW style. That\’s what we\’re going for.\”
Inspired by the Greats
The heel inspiration, according to Woods, comes from The Dudley Boys during their ECW days. Hall of Famers Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley would come close to inciting riots with their antagonizing of ECW audiences.
\”Probably the Dudley Boys. Old school ECW civic center type arena,\” Woods explained. \”Back then it wasn\’t about sponsorships. It wasn\’t about shareholders. It wasn\’t about anything except for wrestling and that true passion. Bubba and D-Von would come out there and they would grab you by the neck with their words and make you want them dead in the streets. That is the energy that I need from these crowds.\”
Woods also shared a recent moment that exemplified their heel work—ripping up a supportive fan\’s sign in Toronto.
\”Someone had a big \’Thank God for the New Day\’ sign. Kofi got to the sign before I did. He\’s already there. He\’s grabbed the sign out of the guy\’s hand. Now he\’s in the hard cam and ripping it up,\” Woods recalled. \”The guy\’s like, \’Why would you do that? I\’m supporting you guys.\’\”
For the better part of a decade, The New Day stood as one of WWE\’s most beloved acts, spreading positivity, pancakes, and unicorn magic to audiences around the world. Now, Woods and Kofi Kingston have proven they can be just as effective on the dark side—perhaps even more so.
Hoping New Day Sees the Light
By channeling the raw, unapologetic energy of wrestling\’s past, from the Dudley Boys\’ ECW reign of terror to the chaotic WCW crowds hurling debris into the ring, The New Day has tapped into something primal. They\’re not just playing villains; they\’re crafting moments that fans will remember for years, even if those memories come with tears.
The decorated tag team appears to be genuinely relishing this chapter, finding new creative fuel in the boos and broken signs. But for fans who grew up clapping along to \”New Day Rocks,\” there remains a flicker of hope that Woods and Kingston will eventually see the light before their storied careers reach the finish line—and that we\’ll get one more run of joy, laughter, and yes, maybe even some pancakes.
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WWE NXT Tonight (2/3/26): Ladder Match for Vacant Title, Start Time & Card
WWE NXT airs tonight (Tuesday, February 3, 2026) from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, live on The CW starting at 8:00 PM ET.
Tonight\’s NXT features a massive main event as seven competitors battle in a Ladder Match for the vacant NXT Championship. Plus, TNA gold is on the line when ZaRuca challenges The Elegance Brand for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship, and Izzi Dame defends the NXT Women\’s North American Championship in a Triple Threat. Here\’s everything you need to know including start times, how to watch, and the full card.
How to Watch WWE NXT Tonight
Date Tuesday, February 3, 2026 Venue WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida Channel/Stream The CW (US) / Netflix (International) US Start Time 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM PT UK Start Time 1:00 AM GMT (next day) India Start Time 6:30 AM IST (next day) Duration 2 hours WWE NXT Match Card for February 3, 2026
Here are the matches and segments announced for tonight\’s show:
NXT Championship Ladder Match (Vacant Title)
Ricky Saints vs. Shiloh Hill vs. Sean Legacy vs. Jackson Drake vs. Dion Lennox vs. Keanu Carver vs. Joe Hendry
Oba Femi vacated the NXT Championship after New Year\’s Evil, opening the door for Ava to announce a multi-man Ladder Match on February 3 to crown a new champion. Tonight\’s match features Ricky Saints, Shiloh Hill, Sean Legacy, Jackson Drake, Dion Lennox, Keanu Carver, and Joe Hendry, all of whom fought through qualifiers (or, in Saints\’ case, received a bye as the former champion due a rematch) to earn their spots.
Saints is loudly claiming he ran Trick Williams, Je\’Von Evans, and Oba Femi out of NXT, Hill brings LFG winner momentum, Legacy and Hendry represent the WWE ID/EVOLVE pipeline, and Carver, Lennox, and Drake give the match a blend of power, brawling, and chaos. With Tony D\’Angelo repeatedly ambushing qualifiers and getting himself \”arrested\” during the build, there\’s a cloud over whether he\’ll respect Ava\’s authority or try to influence who walks out as the new face of NXT.
TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship
ZaRuca (Sol Ruca & Zaria) vs. The Elegance Brand (c)
NXT\’s partnership with TNA continues as Sol Ruca and Zaria—collectively ZaRuca—cash in their status as newly crowned number one contenders to challenge The Elegance Brand for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship. ZaRuca secured the title shot by winning a contenders match, showcasing fast-paced double-team offense and instant chemistry that have quickly made them a fan-favorite duo.
Heather and M by Elegance, meanwhile, have leaned on arrogance, veteran savvy, and outside help throughout their reign, vowing that no upstart team from NXT will be the ones to dethrone them. A ZaRuca win would not only send TNA gold to NXT but also instantly cement Ruca and Zaria as cross-brand players heading into WrestleMania season.
NXT Women\’s North American Championship — Triple Threat
Izzi Dame (c) vs. Lola Vice vs. Thea Hail
Izzi Dame defends the NXT Women\’s North American Championship in a Triple Threat against former champion Thea Hail and dangerous striker Lola Vice after both women marched into Ava\’s office demanding a title opportunity. Hail is chasing redemption after losing the belt and wants to prove her first reign wasn\’t a fluke, while Vice comes in with the psychological edge of a recent non-title win over Izzi.
Ava\’s decision to put both challengers into the match means the champion doesn\’t have to be pinned to lose the title, stacking the odds and giving this defense real \”survive and escape\” energy for Izzi. Add the ongoing tension with Tatum Paxley lurking around the division, and this could easily spiral into the kind of chaotic finish that reshuffles the hierarchy of NXT\’s newest women\’s title.
Tony D\’Angelo Explains His Actions
After repeatedly attacking NXT Championship Ladder Match qualifiers—including Shiloh Hill, Sean Legacy, and others—Tony D\’Angelo turned himself over to Ava\’s security and was \”arrested,\” leaving his motives deliberately murky. Tonight, \”The Don\” has promised to explain why he targeted potential future champions and what his endgame is now that the NXT title is vacant and up for grabs. Given his history of manipulating the main event picture from the shadows, any explanation could double as a veiled threat toward whoever climbs the ladder and leaves with the gold.
Key Storylines Heading Into Tonight
- The NXT Championship is up for grabs: With Oba Femi departing, the vacant title creates a wide-open opportunity for any of seven hungry competitors to stake their claim as the new face of NXT.
- TNA-NXT partnership continues: ZaRuca has a chance to bring TNA gold to NXT, continuing the cross-promotional storylines between the two brands.
- Tony D\’Angelo\’s master plan: The Don\’s \”arrest\” and attacks on ladder match qualifiers suggests something bigger is brewing. His explanation tonight could reshape the entire NXT main event scene.
- Women\’s North American Championship chaos: With two challengers and Tatum Paxley lurking, Izzi Dame faces her toughest defense yet.
Road to NXT Stand & Deliver 2026
NXT Stand & Deliver 2026 takes place Saturday, April 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada during WrestleMania 42 weekend—NXT\’s biggest event of the year.
With no NXT Premium Live Event scheduled for February, tonight\’s episode carries even greater weight. Major title changes are happening on television rather than PLE, making tonight\’s Ladder Match a true main event moment. Whoever climbs the ladder and claims the NXT Championship will carry the brand through WrestleMania season and into Stand & Deliver, where NXT traditionally showcases its top talent on the grandest stage.
Follow SEScoops for live coverage and results from tonight\’s WWE NXT. We\’ll have match-by-match updates as they happen.
Last updated: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
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Nia Jax\’s 100-Pound Weight Loss Journey: Pickle Ball and Faith
Nia Jax has opened up about her remarkable 100-pound weight loss transformation, crediting pickle ball, Pilates, and a renewed focus on her faith.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, the WWE star revealed the extent of her physical transformation since returning to the company.
\”Right now it\’s probably like my fitness journey started 3 years ago. At this point I\’ve lost 100 lbs like since I started. And not a lot of people saw me when I was that big because I wasn\’t really working here and I tried to stay off the internet. But yeah, this is actually the way I started NXT at when I got hired.\”
Jax explained how she discovered an unconventional cardio workout through her church community.
\”When I was trying to lose weight, I got bored with certain cardio and I would just play pickle ball like all day with my church group. We\’d go at like 7:00 a.m. till like noon and it was so much fun.\”
Pilates With Maxine Dupri
The former WWE Women\’s Champion has also been training with her colleague Maxine Dupri, known for her dedication to Pilates.
\”She\’s the workout queen. Pilates princess, she said she is a Pilates princess and I have tried a class with her and it\’s good because it challenges me. It\’s so freaking hard. But no, she\’s incredible fitness queen.\”
When asked about the significance of losing 100 pounds, Jax put it in perspective with a family comparison.
\”That\’s like losing a whole person. I know. My nephew was like I\’m 100 pounds. I\’m like, I know. I just lost you.\”
The transformation coincided with a spiritual awakening during her time away from WWE, which she credits for her current mindset and success in the ring.
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Nia Jax on Punching Becky Lynch: \’I Thought I Was Getting Fired\’
Nia Jax has revealed the panic she felt after accidentally punching Becky Lynch in the face during the infamous 2018 Team SmackDown invasion of Monday Night Raw, the brawl that ensued, and the moment that inadvertently launched Lynch\’s legendary \”The Man\” persona.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Jax explained how the accidental strike happened during the chaotic melee.
\”We came in and they were like, \’Hey, we got to sell this match. Like, go in there, give it your all, say sorry later.\’ I felt it on my knuckle a little and I was like, \’F*ck.\’ I didn\’t realize how bad it was until I looked down and I just saw her bleeding all over the mat.\”
Vince McMahon\’s Unexpected Response
Jax described the terrifying moments backstage as producers reviewed footage from every angle while she waited for punishment.
\”I\’m sitting there going like, \’Oh my gosh, I\’m in so much trouble. Like this is it. I think they\’re done with me.\’ I was getting my papers. And then Vince was like, \’It\’s not ballet.\’ He\’s like, \’Sh*t\’s going to happen.\’ I thought I was going to get cussed out for this. And he was like, \’It\’s not ballet. Sh*t happens.\’ He was like, \’Is she okay?\’ I was like, \’I don\’t know. I\’m checking on her.\’ He\’s like, \’Go check on her.\’\”
The incident went viral, and by Survivor Series the following week, WWE had changed the finish to capitalize on Jax\’s \”nuclear heat.\”
\”Right before the doors open, he was like, \’Finish change—Nia over.\’ And he said, \’Yeah, when you go out there, you show your fist and you smile.\’ This could have gone a completely different direction. He thought it was a great opportunity.\”
Jax acknowledged the remarkable impact of the accidental moment, noting that Lynch \”was already going down that path\” with her badass persona, but \”that picture of her up in the stands bleeding just set it off.\”
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Nia Jax Confirms Charlotte Flair Altercation: \’I Two-Pieced Her\’
Nia Jax has confirmed that her in-ring altercation with Charlotte Flair was real, revealing she threw legitimate punches after her warnings were ignored.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Jax addressed the incident that left the live crowd in stunned silence.
\”You know, it was a miscommunication. I will say I\’m going to call it a miscommunication. Things got heated, like legit got heated in that match. And I did warn her a few times to stop, like to chill out, and she didn\’t. And so then I two-pieced her.\”
Crowd Goes Silent
Jax described the surreal atmosphere in the arena when the situation escalated beyond the planned match.
\”When I did it, when it happened in the moment, I couldn\’t hear anything because I was angry—I was legit pissed. So I didn\’t hear anything but then when I felt the dead silence of the crowd… I think the crowd was kind of like, they\’re trying to figure it out, like is this really happening? And I could hear Corey Graves. Corey Graves\’ commentary is the only thing I could hear because the crowd was dead silent because I think they were kind of in shock.\”
Despite the heated exchange, Jax confirmed that she and Flair have since resolved their issues.
\”We came back and once we were calm and level-headed we all kind of were just like, all right, it got kind of out of hand. Sometimes it happens. We started swinging.\”
When asked directly if they\’re good now, Jax confirmed: \”Oh yeah. Yeah we\’re good.\”
The two were able to \”redeem themselves\” with subsequent matches after the incident.
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Roman Reigns Selects CM Punk for WrestleMania 42 Showdown
Roman Reigns has made his WrestleMania 42 decision.
The 2026 Royal Rumble winner appeared on Monday Night Raw and officially challenged World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk to a title match at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
Reigns came out at the end of Raw to address his championship choice, but was quickly interrupted by Punk. With the crowd firmly behind the matchup, Reigns dismissed Drew McIntyre as the \”easy choice\” before engaging in a heated verbal exchange with the champion.
The two referenced their storied history, with Punk reminding Reigns that he helped bring The Shield into WWE back in 2012. Reigns fired back by claiming he gave WWE his blessing to allow Punk\’s return to the company in 2023.
The segment concluded with Reigns declaring that Punk will \”acknowledge him\” in the WrestleMania main event.
\”I\’m picking you because I HATE YOU, I\’ve ALWAYS HATED YOU!\”
Roman Reigns to CM PunkThis marks the first singles match between Punk and Reigns at a premium live event. Their only previous one-on-one encounter came on Raw in January 2014, just weeks before Punk left the company. The two faced each other in a triple threat match at WrestleMania 41 alongside Seth Rollins but have never had a proper singles feud.
WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18-19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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Rey Mysterio Injured at Royal Rumble, Details From Raw
Rey Mysterio is reportedly dealing with injuries sustained during the WWE Royal Rumble, according to an announcement by Michael Cole during Monday Night Raw.
Cole addressed Mysterio\’s absence from Raw, stating that the veteran wrestler suffered injuries during his Royal Rumble match, where he entered at number four and was eliminated by Oba Femi.
Injury Context and Background
This latest injury comes after Mysterio\’s previous seven-month absence in 2025 due to a torn groin, raising concerns about his ongoing health at age 51. Sources suggest the current injury involves his ribs and is not considered serious.
Mysterio was part of an ongoing storyline involving Penta, Dragon Lee, and The Vision, which may factor into his current status.
WWE has not provided definitive details about the extent of Mysterio\’s injuries or his expected return timeline.
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Oba Femi Destroys War Raiders, Remains WWE Free Agent
Oba Femi made another dominant statement on Monday\’s post-Royal Rumble edition of WWE Raw. The War Raiders were shown standing in the ring, waiting for an expected tag team out. Out came The Ruler, and things got ugly from there.
WWE\’s hottest free agent wasted no time manhandling the multi-time tag team champions. Femi showcased his raw power and wasn\’t in need of a partner at any point in the match.
According to Corey Graves and Michael Cole, WWE General Managers Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce are actively pursuing Femi, highlighting that neither brand has yet locked down the former NXT Champion. This also means nobody is safe from the treatment that Erik and Ivar received in Philadelphia.
Watch Oba Femi\’s WWE Raw debut:
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Je\’Von Evans Says Randy Orton Match Changed Everything for His WWE Career
Je\’Von Evans credits his breakthrough match with Randy Orton as the moment that transformed his confidence on WWE\’s main roster.
Speaking with Peter Rosenberg on the Cheap Heat podcast from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ahead of the Royal Rumble, the 21-year-old \”Young OG\” reflected on how facing \”The Viper\” became a career-defining moment.
\”I know when I had the match with Randy, I was nervous all day. But then since then probably I haven\’t been so nervous because of that moment,\” Evans explained. \”So I think this is like another achievement for me. And I feel confident right now, but then you know before I go out and the countdown starts, then I\’m like, \’Oh, all right. It just got real.\’\”
Evans shared a humorous story about his first encounter with Orton, describing how he initially didn\’t recognize the WWE legend due to his imposing size.
\”He just came back recently prior to that. So he was, you know, 290, you know what I mean? Big muscles already,\” Evans recalled. \”So we\’re like me and Terry Taylor, we\’re walking and Terry\’s like, \’Yeah, I think Randy should be here by now.\’ We\’re like on the ramp and it\’s a dude in front of us that has like a hoodie on but he\’s just big, bro. We\’re like trying to walk past him and come to find out that was Randy.\”
The young star described Orton as \”alarmingly big\” and noted that the veteran was supportive throughout their encounter, watching his work and giving off \”cool, chill vibes.\”
Je\’Von Evans defeated El Grande Americano this week on WWE Raw.
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Paul Heyman Wants WWE 2K26 to Steal Players from Fortnite, Call of Duty
Paul Heyman says WWE 2K26\’s goal isn\’t just to appeal to wrestling fans – it\’s to steal players from gaming giants like Fortnite and Call of Duty.
In an interview with Fightful\’s Sean Ross Sapp, Heyman explained WWE\’s ambitious vision for the upcoming video game and why he avoids letting his own nostalgia influence the product.
\”I would like to steal people from other video game franchises. I\’d like to entice people to not play Fortnite, but to play WWE 2K26. I would like to entice people not to play Call of Duty, but to play WWE 2K26. So, it\’s not just a matter of, ooh, what would happen if I put Lou Thesz and Bruno Sammartino and Brock Lesnar in a triple threat match together? It\’s more of what can appeal to today\’s gamer audience.\”
Heyman Avoids Personal Fantasy Booking
The WWE creative leader acknowledged the generational gap between himself and the typical gamer, which is why he focuses on what appeals to the gaming audience rather than his own preferences.
\”If I were to do that, then I\’m living out my own fantasies within the video game and I am maybe a couple of weeks, months, maybe even a year or two older than the typical gamer that\’s out there today. So, because of that, I try not to play to my own fantasy booking. I tried to play to the audience\’s fantasy booking and not just the WWE audience, but the video game audience itself.\”
\’The Last Thing a Video Game Wants to Be Is Back in the Day\’
Heyman emphasized that modern gaming demands a forward-thinking approach rather than dwelling on nostalgia.
\”The last thing a video game wants to be is back in the day. Video games want to be this is the future. This is what gets people to stay at home and never leave. And if they do leave, they\’re playing it on their phone 24/7. That\’s the thing – 24/7, 365 engagement and interaction and immersive experience into a video game like no other.\”
He compared the gaming industry to fashion, where being a \”throwback\” is a death sentence.
\”It\’s like the fashion business. You don\’t want to be a throwback. You want to be fashion forward.\”
WWE 2K26 launches March 13 with CM Punk as the cover star.
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Hiromu Takahashi Departs NJPW After New Beginning in Osaka
Hiromu Takahashi will wrap up his remarkable New Japan Pro-Wrestling career at the New Beginning in Osaka event on February 11, 2026, according to an official NJPW announcement.
Takahashi, a five-time junior heavyweight champion and four-time Best of the Super Juniors winner, has been a pivotal figure in NJPW\’s junior heavyweight division for nearly a decade. His impressive career includes multiple championship reigns across different divisions, including IWGP tag titles and NEVER Openweight six-man tag belts.
Throughout his tenure, Takahashi established himself as one of the most dynamic and exciting performers in junior heavyweight wrestling. His recent work with Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he held the GHC junior heavyweight championship, further demonstrated his versatility and international appeal.
NJPW\’s official statement noted: \”After careful consideration and discussions with NJPW management, Hiromu Takahashi, who has been a long standing member of the NJPW roster will leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling.\”
Fans and wrestling enthusiasts will have one final opportunity to see Takahashi in action at the New Beginning in Osaka event, marking the end of an era for this beloved performer.
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Bella Twins Name Potential \’Total Divas\’ Reboot Cast
The Bella Twins have revealed their dream cast for a potential Total Divas reboot, suggesting a mix of original cast members and current WWE Superstars. Nikki and Brie Bella have both expressed interest in revisiting the reality show that highlighted their careers and the lives of other female WWE wrestlers.
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In an interview with SiriusXM, Nikki Bella discussed her vision for a reboot, emphasizing the importance of blending familiar faces with fresh talent. The Bella Twins starred in the original series, which aired for nine seasons and showcased the personal and professional lives of WWE\’s female wrestlers.
Dream Cast Wishlist
Nikki Bella stated, \”A Total Divas reboot if I was able to cast it. It would be — I mean, of course Brie and I. I honestly would want some of the OGs back. So like, of course Naomi and Nattie would be right in there. Nia. And then I think, two that come off the top of my head that would be perfectly inserted would be Maxxine and Chelsea Green…. Oh, Tiffany. So I think those would be three great newbies.\”
The potential cast members mentioned include veterans like Naomi and Natalya, alongside current WWE Superstars such as Maxxine Dupri, Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, and Rhea Ripley.
A reboot could offer a fresh perspective on the lives of WWE\’s current female roster, blending the established appeal of the original series with the evolving landscape of WWE.
The discussion around a Total Divas reboot is ongoing, and no official plans have been announced by WWE. However, with the Bella Twins\’ continued interest and the potential for a compelling mix of cast members, this could actually happen.
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Young Bucks Reveal Scrapped \’Evil EVP\’ AEW Storyline
The Young Bucks have revealed original plans for the \’Evil EVP\’ angle in AEW, including jokes and segments that were ultimately scrapped. The storyline would have featured the AEW production team ribbing the brothers after they lost their EVP titles.
The \’Evil EVP\’ era concluded at AEW All In: Texas. After they lost their EVP titles, the Young Bucks became frequent targets of AEW’s production team.
The production crew ribbed The Young Bucks with parody t-shirts, altered entrances, and theme music. The Young Bucks shared some of their favorite jokes from that time on Being the Elite.
\”There was a few that we actually didn’t end up doing that would have been so much more funny. Like, we wanted to do an episode where we lost our travel bag and maybe production was the reason being. And we would have to go up to the gear makers, the seamstresses, and have them make us something the day of a Dynamite. And let’s just say the outfit would probably be the most ridiculous outfit possible. That would have been unbelievable, but we just didn’t have time to get to it.\” Nick Jackson
One planned joke involved The Young Bucks losing their travel bag and having to get ridiculous outfits made the day of Dynamite. Due to time constraints, the segment was ultimately scrapped.
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America\’s Most Wanted Reunite, Capture ALW World Tag Team Championships
The legendary tag team of James Storm and Chris Harris reunited on Saturday night to capture the Atomic Legacy Wrestling World Tag Team Championships, marking a triumphant return for America\’s Most Wanted.
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The duo, who made their names as one of TNA\’s most dominant tag teams in the mid-2000s, proved they still have what it takes to compete at a high level.
Following their victory on February 1st, AMW delivered an emotional post-match promo celebrating their championship win.
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Storm and Harris originally teamed together from 2002-2007 in TNA, capturing multiple NWA World Tag Team Championships and becoming one of the most popular acts in the company\’s history. Their reunion in Atomic Legacy Wrestling brings the team back together nearly two decades after their initial run.
The victory marks a new chapter for both veterans, who have remained active on the independent wrestling scene. Details on their opponents and the specific event location were not immediately available.
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Dean Malenko\’s Daughter Marie Makes Pro Wrestling NOAH Debut in Japan
Marie Malenko, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Dean Malenko, made her Pro Wrestling NOAH debut on February 2, 2026, at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo, marking her first match on Japanese soil.
The second-generation wrestler competed in a three-way tag team match alongside Sofia Sivan, facing off against the teams of Great Sakuya & Alivia Rose and ZONES & Dream Girl Ellie. The bout showcased Malenko\’s developing in-ring skills in front of a new audience in one of Japan\’s premier promotions.
Veteran wrestler Erick Stevens, who has trained with Malenko, took to Twitter to praise her performance and technical abilities. Stevens, known for his work in Ring of Honor and the independent circuit, provided an endorsement of the young wrestler\’s potential.
Following the match, Malenko reacted her debut, asking her tag team partner Sofia Sivan, \”So how do you think my first match in Japan went?\”
Marie carries the legacy of her father Dean Malenko, widely regarded as one of the most technically proficient wrestlers in professional wrestling history. The \”Man of 1,000 Holds\” competed for ECW, WCW, and WWE during his career.
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CM Punk Wants Matches with Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, and Oba Femi
CM Punk has named Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, and Oba Femi as NXT stars he wants to face before his career ends, calling WWE\’s developmental brand an \”embarrassment of riches.\”
In an interview with Complex, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion discussed the depth of talent in WWE\’s pipeline and expressed concern he might not have enough time to work with everyone he wants.
\”It\’s an embarrassment of riches. I\’m gonna run out of road before I wind up having chances to work with all these guys. I want to work with Carmelo. I want to work with Trick. I want to work with Oba.\”
Punk praised the current state of WWE\’s roster, noting how much deeper the talent pool has become compared to earlier eras.
\”In the past, when you looked at a Royal Rumble roster, you could maybe pick less than five guys who could realistically win. Nowadays, it\’s legit at least a dozen. You can look at the whole roster and think, \’This guy could win a Royal Rumble.\’\”
Lexus King Reminds Punk of Himself
Among the NXT prospects catching Punk\’s attention is Lexus King, who he compared to his own early career trajectory. Punk noted that King faces similar skepticism from critics that he once experienced.
\”A guy like Lexus King is viewed more like me back in the day, where people look at him and think, \’I don\’t know if I get it.\’ So he has to work that much harder. And he\’s really open to ideas. His mind is not closed.\”
Bron Breakker as Current Threat
While discussing NXT graduates who have already made the main roster jump, Punk acknowledged Bron Breakker as someone with unlimited potential who will eventually challenge for his title.
Punk noted that any championship challenger will have to contend with facing \”the best in the world\” – a label he has no intention of giving up anytime soon. With the World Heavyweight Championship serving as his armor heading into WrestleMania season, Punk is positioning himself as the measuring stick for WWE\’s next generation.