SEScoops

Author: Mike Reichlin

  • WWE Expands Roman Reigns Schedule, Adds June Raw Dates

    WWE Expands Roman Reigns Schedule, Adds June Raw Dates

    Roman Reigns Schedule

    WWE has released an updated appearance schedule for World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns that now extends well into June, reversing course after his name was removed from all June promotional material just last week.

    The new graphic, posted on WWE’s social media accounts following Reigns’ successful title defense at Backlash 2026, confirms the champion for seven upcoming dates.

    Reigns will appear on tonight’s Raw in Knoxville, Tennessee, where an Acknowledgment Ceremony has been announced by General Manager Adam Pearce. He is also confirmed for Raw on May 18 in Greensboro, North Carolina, and May 25 in Columbus, Ohio.

    The schedule then extends to Clash in Italy on May 31 at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, which marks WWE’s first-ever premium live event in Italy. Reigns is also listed for the June 1 episode of Raw emanating from the same venue the following night. Two additional June Raw appearances follow on June 15 in Baltimore, Maryland, and June 29 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

    June Dates Mark a Shift From Earlier Reports

    The updated schedule is notable because Reigns was pulled from all four previously advertised June Raw episodes just days ago. Those dates included Turin, Paris, Baltimore, and London. Per Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com, the removal was tied to WWE’s decision not to use Reigns at Night of Champions 2026 in Saudi Arabia on June 27.

    The removal sparked widespread speculation about Reigns’ future, including unfounded rumors about pay disputes. Those rumors were addressed and debunked by multiple outlets, with Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select stating that Reigns “isn’t going anywhere” and that the June dates were “promoted in error.”

    Now, with Backlash behind him and the World Heavyweight Championship still around his waist, WWE appears to have recalibrated. Reigns is back on three of the four June Raw dates he was originally removed from, with only the June 8 Paris and June 22 London episodes remaining off his schedule. Per the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Reigns is expected to return in July to begin the build toward SummerSlam after completing his May and June commitments.

    Backlash Fallout Fuels the Road to Clash in Italy

    Reigns retained the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash on Saturday, defeating Jacob Fatu in an 18-minute main event in Tampa. The finish came after Reigns exposed a turnbuckle behind the referee’s back and drove Fatu face-first into the steel before connecting with a spear. Fatu snapped after the loss, attacking Reigns and WWE officials repeatedly before standing over the champion with the title belt as Backlash went off the air.

    In a post-match interview, Reigns declared that Backlash would be Fatu’s “last night” in WWE. Whether that threat plays into storyline consequences on tonight’s Raw or sets the stage for a rematch at Clash in Italy remains to be seen, but Reigns is now confirmed to be on television every week through the end of May and on key dates in June as the road to Italy takes shape.

    Reigns is notably absent from the May 23 Saturday Night’s Main Event special in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and will skip Night of Champions entirely. His next confirmed PLE appearance after Clash in Italy has not been announced.

  • Cody Rhodes Reveals Nintendo Cease and Desist Over Zelda Gear

    Cody Rhodes Reveals Nintendo Cease and Desist Over Zelda Gear

    Cody Rhodes revealed that Nintendo sent him a cease and desist letter over Zelda-inspired gear he wore during his original WWE run. The Undisputed WWE Champion opened up about the gaming tribute during an appearance on the What Do You Wanna Talk About podcast with Kit Wilson.

    Rhodes wore Triforce symbols from The Legend of Zelda franchise on his wrestling boots in 2013 during his first WWE tenure. The symbol represented more than just a gaming reference for The American Nightmare, who has a Triforce tattoo on his ring finger.

    Rhodes posted a photo of the Triforce boots himself on X in October 2013, before Nintendo’s lawyers came calling.

    While showing Wilson the tattoo, Rhodes explained how he connected the Triforce’s themes of power, courage, and wisdom to professional wrestling. He broke down the meaning behind each element of the symbol.

    “I live that s***, dog. I thought [about] the principles of the Triforce, which are power, courage, and wisdom. For those who don’t know, Zelda’s the wise one, obviously Link is the one who’s got the courage, and power is Ganon. They make up the three parts of the Triforce. That’s the whole deal,” Rhodes said.

    Rhodes Connects Triforce to Wrestling Mentality

    The current Undisputed WWE Champion explained how those principles applied directly to the competitive nature of sports entertainment. Rhodes connected the symbol’s meaning to the physical and mental demands of professional wrestling.

    “And I just liked the idea of thinking and leaning towards your own wisdom, or what you’ve learned and applying it, of being ambitious and wanting to be powerful, if you can, in a world that’s competitive, of sports and sports entertainment, and then having the courage to do it. Here you are, you’re taking a dive, you bust your elbow. You’re gonna decide to take the dive the next night, and you bust your elbow even further. I thought it was just applicable,” he explained.

    Despite the personal connection Rhodes had to the symbol, Nintendo eventually noticed the tribute. The gaming company sent him a cease and desist letter regarding the Triforce imagery on his boots.

    “I also got a cease and desist from Nintendo. It was very kind, they weren’t… it was polite, they weren’t coming after anybody, I’m not the first guy to have the Triforce,” Rhodes revealed.

    Rhodes is currently in his third reign as Undisputed WWE Champion after defeating Drew McIntyre on the March 6 episode of SmackDown in Portland, Oregon. He successfully defended the title against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 Night 2.

  • Young Bucks Reveal 2018 Talks With Triple H Over New Day Match

    Young Bucks Reveal 2018 Talks With Triple H Over New Day Match

    The Elite vs The New Day

    Matt Jackson called Triple H in 2018 to pitch a New Day vs. The Elite dream match. The revelation, dropped on the latest episode of Being The Elite, re-contextualizes years of social media teasing into something that was nearly real, and lands at the exact moment Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are weeks away from being able to sign with All Elite Wrestling.

    “We truly were trying to get a New Day, Young Bucks, Kenny match to happen. An Elite vs. New Day match actively,” Matt Jackson said on the show. “They said they were trying on their side. We were definitely talking to our bosses.”

    Jackson then disclosed the call itself.

    “Even to the point in 2018 when we got on the phone with Triple H and we talked to him and said, ‘Hey, we would really like to do this match.’ I don’t know if he was necessarily interested in just doing that match. I think he was more interested in pursuing us to work for him, but we talked to him about it. We were serious about doing the match and we thought we’d probably be able to do it, and unfortunately we never did.”

    The Episode Doubles As A Tease

    The episode itself is a watchalong of Being The Elite episode 107, the 2018 “It’s a New Day” installment that documented The Elite facing off against The New Day in Street Fighter V at E3. Kenny Omega complemented the timing by posting throwback video footage of himself gaming with The New Day from that same event, making the back-to-back teases impossible to read as coincidence.

    The footage and the 2018 phone call paint the same picture. The Elite have wanted this match for nearly a decade, and they are surfacing the evidence at the precise moment it might finally happen.

    Why Now

    Kingston and Woods mutually parted ways with WWE on May 2. Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that TKO offered the duo reduced deals just one year into a five-year contract set to run through 2030, and both men declined and walked, per the backstage update from Meltzer’s reporting.

    Standard WWE deals include a 90-day non-compete clause. If Kingston and Woods are operating under that timeline, they would be eligible to sign with another promotion at the end of July, opening a runway to a potential AEW debut during the summer build to All In London.

    The Young Bucks and FTR were among the first to tweet teases in the immediate aftermath of the news, per Meltzer. MJF and Cash Wheeler invoked The New Day’s signature catchphrase in their own posts. Swerve Strickland told TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast that he texted Kingston after the release and considers him “one of the top five greatest ever to do it.” The New Day name remains WWE property, so any AEW arrival would likely see Kingston and Woods working under their individual names.

  • WWE Files New Video Game Trademark For ‘Superstar Scramble’

    WWE Files New Video Game Trademark For ‘Superstar Scramble’

    WWE has filed a new trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for “WWE Superstar Scramble,” with the goods and services description indicating the term is intended for a video game.

    The application covers a broad set of gaming categories, ranging from video and computer game software and downloadable titles to online games and “coin-fed amusement gaming machines.” That last line is notable, since it points to a potential arcade application alongside conventional home and mobile use.

    The full description filed with the USPTO reads:

    “Video and computer game tapes, video and computer game discs, video and computer game cassettes, video and computer game cartridges, video and computer game CD-roms, video output game machines for use with televisions; video and computer game software; video games for use with wireless devices; online video games; video games for use via a global computer network and wireless devices; coin-fed amusement gaming machines; interactive video game programs and computer game cartridges; interactive multimedia computer games on all platforms comprised of computer hardware and computer game software; electronic games that involves interaction with a user interface to generate visual feedback on a video device.”

    The “Superstar Scramble” name echoes the Championship Scramble concept, a multi-competitor match format WWE used in the late 2000s in which the title could change hands several times within a single bout.

    Another Gaming Trademark For WWE In 2026

    The filing is the latest in a string of gaming-focused trademark applications from WWE this year. In February, the company filed for “WWE Domination,” “WWE Generations,” and “WWE Eras Collide,” each carrying similar video game language. WWE 2K26 launched globally on March 13 with CM Punk on the cover.

    Trademark applications do not confirm a product is in active development. WWE routinely files trademarks to secure intellectual property and protect potential brand uses across its programming, merchandise, and digital platforms.

  • Every WWE Contract Has a Loophole, Says Otunga

    Every WWE Contract Has a Loophole, Says Otunga

    Former WWE Superstar and Harvard-trained attorney David Otunga has weighed in on the ongoing conversation surrounding WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 releases — and his legal perspective cuts right to the heart of the matter.

    Otunga addressed the widely-held belief that some WWE talents hold “no-cut” contracts, explaining that such deals may not offer the protection wrestlers assume they do.

    ‘They Don’t Actually Exist’ — Otunga Breaks It Down

    According to Otunga, the concept of a true no-cut guarantee in WWE is largely a myth. While contracts may be structured to provide some financial protection, the actual language rarely locks WWE into keeping a talent on the active roster — or even on payroll — for the full duration of a deal.

    Otunga’s comments serve as a sobering reality check for talents and fans who assumed certain superstars were untouchable based on contract status alone. The kill fee or 90-day pay provisions that typically accompany releases are not the same as a guaranteed, unbreakable contract.

    Context: WWE’s Recent Wave of Releases

    Otunga’s remarks come amid one of the more turbulent roster-management periods in recent WWE history. Reports indicate TKO Group Holdings pursued more than 24 releases following WrestleMania 42, alongside asking at least six talents to accept significant pay reductions — some as steep as 50%.

    High-profile casualties included Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, who reportedly declined pay cut requests and were subsequently let go. The situation has reignited long-standing discussions about wrestler protections, independent contractor status, and the fine print inside WWE deal structures.

    Why This Matters

    Otunga is uniquely positioned to speak on this topic. A Harvard Law School graduate, he practiced law before his WWE career and has consistently used his legal background to offer credible analysis of the industry’s business side.

    His warning is simple: wrestlers — and fans — shouldn’t assume a “no-cut” designation means what it sounds like. Without ironclad language explicitly prohibiting releases, WWE retains significant leverage, even in contracts often described publicly as no-cut deals.

    As WWE continues to reshape its roster under TKO’s ownership, Otunga’s insight is a timely reminder that what wrestlers sign matters enormously — and that the gap between perception and contractual reality can be significant.

  • Kevin Nash Calls Out TKO Over WWE Releases: ‘It Was Wrong’

    Kevin Nash Calls Out TKO Over WWE Releases: ‘It Was Wrong’

    Kevin Nash TKO Contract

    WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash is speaking out about the wave of roster cuts that followed WrestleMania 42, and he isn’t mincing words about the company’s direction under TKO Group Holdings.

    Nash recently addressed the post-WrestleMania 42 releases, calling out specific firings as flat-out wrong. The WWE legend also set his sights on the financial optics of the situation — pointing to the significant executive compensation packages at TKO while rank-and-file performers were being let go.

    Nash Criticizes TKO’s Financial Priorities

    According to Nash, the juxtaposition of TKO leadership raking in big paydays while wrestlers are shown the door doesn’t sit right with him. The former WWE Champion singled out Nick Khan and TKO’s reported financial growth as a backdrop to cuts that Nash believes were unjustified.

    “It was wrong,” Nash said of the releases, per recent reports.

    Nash’s comments come in the context of a broader wave of budget-tightening at WWE. TKO moved to cut costs through more than 24 releases and asked at least six talents to take pay reductions. Among those who reportedly declined a 50% pay cut were Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of The New Day — both of whom were subsequently released.

    The Bigger Picture: TKO’s Budget Squeeze

    The Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported in early May that WWE asked some talent to renegotiate to lower pay, with NXT talent particularly affected. Notably, Roman Reigns was reportedly not among those asked to take a reduction.

    Nash’s frustration reflects a sentiment shared by many in the wrestling community: that the business case for the cuts is difficult to accept when TKO’s executive class continues to grow its earnings while the locker room shrinks.

    This isn’t the first time Nash has used his platform to hold WWE leadership accountable. The WWE Hall of Famer has long been one of the industry’s most outspoken voices on talent rights and business ethics inside the squared circle.

    A Growing Chorus of Criticism

    Nash is far from alone. The post-WrestleMania 42 cuts have drawn widespread criticism from current and former WWE talent, media personalities, and fans alike. The combination of high-profile releases, reported pay cut requests, and TKO’s focus on profit margin has made this one of the more contentious off-screen periods in recent WWE history.

    As more former stars speak up, the pressure on TKO to address the optics — if not the decisions themselves — is only likely to grow.

  • Bayley Teases Match With Tatum Paxley at the John Cena Classic

    Bayley Teases Match With Tatum Paxley at the John Cena Classic

    Bayley may have just found her opponent for WWE’s newest event concept, the John Cena Classic.

    The day after Cena announced the event at Backlash, Bayley took to social media with a direct message aimed at NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley: “think you’re ready?”

    Paxley wasted no time firing back, quote-tweeting with an enthusiastic: “OH YES I AM”

    What Is the John Cena Classic?

    The John Cena Classic was announced by John Cena himself at the Backlash PLE on May 9, 2026. The event concept pits main roster Superstars against NXT talent, with fans voting to crown a champion — with wins and losses described as secondary to the fan-driven experience.

    The exact format, however, remains up in the air. Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer has noted that the structure is still a “work in progress,” with no confirmed date or location as of yet. Cena himself acknowledged the concept could fail but said it aligns with his values for the sport.

    Bayley vs. Paxley: A Match That Makes Sense

    The teased matchup would be a compelling one. Bayley is one of the most decorated women’s wrestlers in WWE history, while Tatum Paxley has rapidly emerged as one of NXT’s most unhinged and entertaining characters — a wildcard who thrives in high-stakes situations.

    A main roster vs. NXT clash between the two fits exactly the kind of match the John Cena Classic appears designed to deliver: fresh, fan-friendly, and easy to get behind.

    No match has been officially announced, but given both women have now publicly acknowledged the idea, it would be surprising if WWE didn’t capitalize on the organic buzz.

    We’ll keep you updated as the John Cena Classic takes shape.

  • Jim Ross: The Truth Behind WWE’s “No Guarantees” Contracts

    Jim Ross: The Truth Behind WWE’s “No Guarantees” Contracts

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross addressed the wave of recent WWE releases head-on during the May 7 episode of his Grilling JR podcast — and his take on the contract structure at the heart of the controversy is eye-opening.

    JR explained, bluntly, that no WWE contract is truly guaranteed for its full term unless it’s been explicitly negotiated that way. And in his experience, that rarely happens.

    JR’s Straight-Shooting Take on WWE Contracts

    “When you sign a five-year deal, all of them have outs of some sort. If you don’t, you’re stupid, and WWE is not stupid.”

    That quote, delivered in Ross’s characteristically unvarnished style, gets to the core of what many wrestlers and fans have misunderstood about the nature of WWE deals. Multi-year contracts — regardless of how they’re described publicly — almost always carry provisions that allow the company to terminate early.

    Ross also addressed talent conduct, advising wrestlers to stay sharp and professional to protect their position: “Talent like wrestlers should avoid loafing to protect their careers.”

    The 90-Day Clause and Low-Money Releases

    JR noted that the majority of recent releases involve what he called “low-money guys” — talent whose base pay makes the 90-day pay-upon-release provision relatively inexpensive for WWE to execute. It’s a calculating, if cold, business reality: the less a talent earns, the cheaper it is to cut them loose.

    That 90-day period — commonly referred to as the “90-day non-compete” — means released talent continues to receive pay for roughly three months post-release but cannot appear for a competing promotion during that window.

    The Broader Context

    Ross’s comments arrive amid significant turbulence in WWE’s talent relations department. TKO Group Holdings has overseen more than 24 post-WrestleMania 42 releases, with reports also surfacing that at least six talents were asked to accept pay cuts of up to 50%.

    Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of The New Day were among the most notable departures, reportedly declining those reductions before being released. Roman Reigns, by contrast, was said to not have been approached about a pay cut.

    For Ross — who spent decades as one of WWE’s most prominent executives before transitioning to AEW — the current situation reflects a business being run with hard-nosed financial pragmatism. Whether that’s the right approach for a company built on long-term talent relationships is a question he leaves for others to answer.

    But on the legal and contractual mechanics? JR’s message is clear: assume nothing is guaranteed unless it’s written that way — explicitly.

  • WWE Raw Tonight (5/11/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    WWE Raw Tonight (5/11/26): Start Time, Card & How to Watch

    WWE Raw airs tonight (Monday, May 11, 2026) from the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee, live on Netflix starting at 8 PM ET.

    Raw heads into Knoxville two nights after Backlash with one storyline towering over the rest: Jacob Fatu attacked Roman Reigns after losing the World Heavyweight Championship match on Saturday, and tonight Fatu is being made to acknowledge Reigns to his face.

    Adam Pearce has also lined up an Oba Femi open challenge, a six-man tag pitting The Vision against Joe Hendry and The Street Profits, and a Women’s Tag Team Championship appearance from Paige and Brie Bella.

    How to Watch WWE Raw Tonight

    DateMonday, May 11, 2026
    VenueFood City Center, Knoxville, Tennessee
    Channel/StreamNetflix (Worldwide)
    US Start Time8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 5 PM PT
    UK Start Time1 AM GMT (Tuesday, May 12)
    India Start Time6:30 AM IST (Tuesday, May 12)
    Duration2 hours

    WWE Raw Match Card for May 11, 2026

    Here are the matches and segments announced for tonight’s show:

    Roman Reigns Acknowledgment Ceremony (Jacob Fatu participates)

    Reigns retained the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash, then took a prolonged post-match beatdown from Fatu that also caught Pearce and producer Shane Helms. Pearce has confirmed Fatu will take part in the ceremony tonight, and the framing is plain: the Samoan Werewolf has to acknowledge the man who just beat him.

    Whether Fatu actually does or turns the segment into another assault is the only real question. Reigns, off the back of the win and Saturday’s attack, already told the cameras Fatu doesn’t belong here.

    The Street Profits and Joe Hendry vs. The Vision (Six-Man Tag Team Match)

    Bron Breakker, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory get the rematch the past few weeks have been building toward. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins have been chasing the World Tag Team Titles since returning, and Hendry’s musical stylings have already gotten under Logan Paul’s skin.

    Seth Rollins, who lost to Breakker at Backlash after Vision interference, is the wild card. Whether he stays out of this one or shows up to even the count is worth watching.

    Oba Femi Open Challenge

    The Ruler put Otis away in under two minutes last week. Femi remains undefeated since arriving on the main roster, and nobody on the roster has made it past the five-minute mark with him. Whoever answers tonight walks in as a heavy underdog, which is exactly the booking the segment needs to keep working.

    Paige and Brie Bella Respond to The Judgment Day

    The Women’s Tag Team Champions accepted Judgment Day’s invitation last week. Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, and the rest of the group asked them to come to Raw, and Paige and Brie Bella will be in the building tonight to hear what Morgan wants face-to-face.

    CM Punk and Becky Lynch Also Advertised

    WWE has CM Punk and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch listed for the show on WWE.com, with no segments yet attached to either name as of Monday morning.

    Road to Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash in Italy

    Saturday Night’s Main Event takes place Saturday, May 23 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with Clash in Italy following on Sunday, May 31 from the Inalpi Arena in Turin.

    Tonight begins the build for both. The obvious watch is whether WWE drops a Reigns vs. Fatu rematch onto either card. Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther for the Undisputed WWE Championship is already locked in for Italy.

    Follow SEScoops for any news and developments from tonight’s WWE Raw.

  • John Cena Accepts His New WWE Project Might Be a “Total Failure”

    John Cena Accepts His New WWE Project Might Be a “Total Failure”

    John Cena took to social media Sunday to defend the John Cena Classic, the new WWE event concept he announced at Backlash. The multi-time WWE Champion acknowledged the event may not be perfect but said it authentically represents his values.

    “The John Cena Classic may not be perfect by any means yet it’s authentically me (I am not perfect either) and reflects my values and beliefs,” Cena wrote on X. “I’m aware that there is the risk it might be a total failure and I’m not afraid of that and believe it’s still worth stepping ‘in the arena.’”

    Cena revealed the event concept at Backlash on Saturday in Tampa, Florida. The John Cena Classic will feature NXT wrestlers competing against WWE main roster stars, similar to the undercard of his final match in December.

    Fan Vote Determines Champion

    The event’s unique format allows fans to vote for the champion. Even wrestlers who lose their matches remain eligible to win the championship through the fan vote.

    Cena explained his motivation for creating the event centers on providing opportunities for NXT talent. “My ‘why’ in WWE is to consistently be as useful as possible for as long as possible, with my in ring career at an end, my ‘why’ is to use whatever energy or relevance I have left in hopes to create a launchpad of opportunity for all talent to show their skills while simultaneously creating a unique experience for our dedicated fan base,” he wrote.

    The WWE icon had promoted his Backlash appearance throughout the previous week, calling it a defining moment in his career. He thanked WWE for the opportunity and said more details about the John Cena Classic will be announced as the concept develops.

  • AJ Styles Calls Asuka Future Hall of Famer Amid WWE Status Speculation

    AJ Styles Calls Asuka Future Hall of Famer Amid WWE Status Speculation

    AJ Styles has weighed in on speculation surrounding Asuka’s WWE status, declaring the former champion a future Hall of Famer. The Phenomenal One took to social media to praise The Empress of Tomorrow amid uncertainty about her future with the company.

    Following recent events that sparked fan speculation about Asuka’s WWE status, multiple wrestlers have shown support for the multi-time champion online. Styles joined the conversation with a direct statement about her legacy.

    “I don’t know the facts, but I know @wwe_asuka will be a Hall of Famer,” Styles wrote on Instagram.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DYKvX3ACiIp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Asuka’s WWE Legacy

    Asuka’s credentials support Styles’ assessment. She is a multi-time World Champion in WWE and won the 2018 Women’s Royal Rumble match, earning a championship opportunity at WrestleMania 34.

    The Empress of Tomorrow also captured the 2020 Money in the Bank ladder match and maintained an undefeated streak during her early main roster run. Her accomplishments have established her as one of the most decorated women in WWE history.

    WWE has not confirmed any changes to Asuka’s status with the company. The speculation stems from recent social media activity and tributes from fellow wrestlers, though no official announcement has been made regarding her future.

  • AJ Styles Reacts To The New Day Leaving WWE

    AJ Styles Reacts To The New Day Leaving WWE

    AJ Styles addressed The New Day’s departure from WWE during a recent edition of his “Phenomenally Retro” podcast, expressing mixed emotions about the trio’s exit from the company.

    “Man, it kind of bums me out a little bit, right? Because everybody loves them,” Styles said when discussing Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E leaving WWE.

    “I’d have no doubt that they have a plan. That’s for sure. They’re very smart. They’ll figure something out—what the next step is.”

    Styles praised The New Day as “freaking brilliant guys” and “awesome guys,” adding that “these are the guys you wanna hang out with.” He acknowledged uncertainty about the specifics of their departure, including whether a 90-day non-compete clause applies.

    “I wonder if they have the 90-day clause? I would assume. I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s a release. I’m sure they do. If they asked for their release, does it still — I don’t know,” Styles said.

    During the same podcast episode, Styles also discussed helping out at a WWE EVOLVE taping, where he assisted a producer by calling a match to the television truck. He described the experience as making him feel “like a million bucks” and noted he became “a huge cheerleader” while watching the performers work.

    When asked about potentially becoming an agent or producer in the future, Styles said that’s not currently his goal, though he acknowledged the possibility could change over time.

    Check out AJ Styles’ Phenomenally Retro Podcast, dedicated to retro video games, professional wrestling, and more.

  • Roman Reigns Acknowledgment Ceremony Set for May 12 RAW

    Roman Reigns Acknowledgment Ceremony Set for May 12 RAW

    Roman Reigns is set to receive an Acknowledgment Ceremony on the May 12 episode of Monday Night RAW, following his successful World Heavyweight Championship defense against Jacob Fatu at WWE Backlash on May 9 in Tampa, Florida. RAW General Manager Adam Pearce announced the segment on social media.

    Pearce also confirmed that Jacob Fatu will appear on the show. The announcement comes after Reigns told Fatu “This is your last night here” following their Backlash main event, setting up potential confrontation when the two share the same building again.

    Additional Matches and Segments Announced

    WWE has confirmed another Oba Femi Open Challenge for the May 12 episode as the dominant champion continues his run through challengers. The Street Profits and Joe Hendry will team up to face Bron Breakker, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory in six-man tag action.

    Brie Bella and Paige are also scheduled to appear on RAW to address recent issues involving Judgment Day. The segment marks a continuation of storylines involving the veteran wrestlers and the faction.

    Reigns has held the World Heavyweight Championship for 21 days after defeating CM Punk at WrestleMania 42 Night 2 on April 19 in Paradise, Nevada. His defense against Fatu at Backlash marked his first title defense since winning the championship.

  • Danhausen Fires Back At Critics Predicting He’d Crash in WWE

    Danhausen Fires Back At Critics Predicting He’d Crash in WWE

    Danhausen has heard the burnout predictions, and he is not buying them. The undefeated WWE star addressed the wave of skepticism around his act in a Backlash recap, taking direct aim at the chorus of voices forecasting an early expiration date.

    “‘This guy is going to be burnt up in four months, easily.’ Oh yeah? I’ve been doing this for like eight years. Eighty years, if you really count,” Danhausen said. “It hasn’t burned up yet, it just keeps rising.”

    He then walked through the trajectory of his career with hand gestures, miming a steady climb with the occasional dip. “I started here, then here, then here, then here again, and now I’m here.”

    The remarks land less than 24 hours after Danhausen and surprise partner Minihausen defeated The Miz and Kit Wilson at Backlash 2026 inside the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa. The finish, a Danhausen pump kick on Miz, kept his WWE record perfect since his Elimination Chamber debut on February 28 in Chicago.

    The pushback comes amid steady veteran skepticism. Former WWE personality Jonathan Coachman called the Backlash segment “an absolute waste of time” on X, arguing the gimmick “is gonna get old real quick” while conceding Danhausen’s appeal “with the kids and the T-shirts and stuff.” On the broadcast itself, Wade Barrett openly questioned whether the bit was a mockery of The Miz’s career. Weeks earlier, Dave Meltzer compared the Chamber debut to the Gobbledygooker on Wrestling Observer Radio, and Fightful’s reporting noted the WWE signing was not a unanimous decision internally.

    The receipts tell a different story. Danhausen ranked No. 3 on the WrestleMania 42 weekend merchandise leaderboard, behind only CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, per WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select. He has crossed over to ESPN talking heads, including a viral curse on First Take’s Stephen A. Smith, who refused to apologize for the Knicks’ resulting losing skid. WWE has since filed trademarks on Girlhausen, Kid-hausen, and Ghoulhausen.

    Danhausen first stepped into a wrestling ring in 2013 in Detroit. The Backlash victory was his second WWE premium live event match counting his WrestleMania 42 segment with John Cena, where he largely silenced the Chamber doubters. The hand keeps rising.

  • Asuka Semi-Retired Following Backlash, Backstage Reaction

    Asuka Semi-Retired Following Backlash, Backstage Reaction

    Asuka is said to be semi-retired following her loss to IYO SKY at WWE Backlash on Saturday. The 44-year-old superstar embraced her former mentee after the match, ending months of feuding between the two.

    According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, people were wishing Asuka goodbye backstage at the event. While the exact meaning of semi-retired remains unclear, the report suggests a significant change in her WWE status.

    “So, the story I heard is that she is semi-retired. I haven’t really gotten an exact meaning of what semi-retired means, but I guess people were wishing her goodbye and things like that backstage,” Meltzer said. “So I don’t know if that means she’s going to Japan and still wrestle. I don’t know if that means she’s going to still do stuff here and there, but I was told semi-retired.”

    Bryan Alvarez responded, “That sucks, I’m going to miss Asuka.”

    Possible Connection To Recent Roster Cuts

    Later in the show, Meltzer and Alvarez discussed whether Asuka may have been part of WWE’s recent roster cuts. “I wonder if she was with other people that was cut. I mean, I don’t know,” Meltzer said.

    Alvarez noted, “I can’t fathom that but I guess it’s possible. But I mean, Kairi was cut and she didn’t even get used to the end of this thing, so.”

    Asuka has been with WWE since the summer of 2015. During her time with the company, she’s been a four-time women’s champion on the main roster, a one-time NXT Champion, and has held the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles five times: three with Kairi Sane, and one each with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss. She won the Women’s Money in the Bank in 2020 and the Women’s Royal Rumble in 2018.

    Following the match, IYO SKY posted an emotional tribute on social media thanking Asuka for their time together.

  • Asuka’s Tearful Embrace With IYO Sky At Backlash Sparks WWE Retirement Speculation

    Asuka’s Tearful Embrace With IYO Sky At Backlash Sparks WWE Retirement Speculation

    Asuka WWE Backlash

    Asuka’s future with WWE is in question following an emotional scene at Backlash 2026 in Tampa. Big E openly speculated on the post-show panel whether Saturday night marked the end of the Empress of Tomorrow’s WWE career.

    Following her match at the Premium Live Event, Asuka was visibly emotional and shared a tearful embrace with IYO Sky in front of the Tampa crowd. The moment immediately sparked speculation among fans and WWE personnel about whether the veteran was saying goodbye.

    Corey Graves & Big E React to Asuka’s Emotional Moment

    Speaking on the WWE Backlash post-show panel, both Corey Graves and Big E addressed the emotional scene — stopping short of drawing firm conclusions but leaving little doubt about the gravity of the moment.

    Graves opened the discussion with measured caution:

    “I have questions; you have questions. There was a lot of body language afterwards that might have suggested one thing or another. I don’t want to speculate, but either way, what a match.” — Corey Graves

    Big E went further, directly raising the possibility that fans may have witnessed Asuka’s farewell:

    “I don’t either. I wondered… is this a goodbye? We’ve never really seen Asuka this emotional. If this is goodbye, I know she will be dearly missed. She has been a pioneer; she had done truly incredible things in the ring even before she came to WWE, but she has further staked her claim as an all-time great here. I don’t know what this means, but shout-out to IYO SKY for another incredible performance. She’s someone I expect to be in that World Title picture again very, very soon.” — Big E

    Asuka has been a cornerstone of WWE’s women’s division since her main roster debut. The former NXT Women’s Champion and multiple-time champion on the main roster has been one of the most decorated female performers in company history.

    Neither Asuka nor WWE has confirmed whether Saturday’s appearance was her final match with the promotion. The emotional farewell with IYO Sky, her longtime friend and former tag team partner, added weight to the speculation about her departure.

  • Roman Reigns Retains WWE Title at Backlash After Brutal War

    Roman Reigns Retains WWE Title at Backlash After Brutal War

    Roman Reigns retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash on Friday night in Tampa, Florida, but Jacob Fatu left the strongest impression after their physical main event war.

    Fatu entered the biggest match of his career wearing a custom Oola Fala created by Haku’s daughter. Commentary emphasized the danger of the Tongan Death Grip throughout his entrance, noting the move is rarely used against family unless there are no other options left.

    The challenger dominated early and repeatedly overwhelmed the champion with explosive offense. Fatu powerbombed Reigns through the announcers’ table and later connected with his signature triple-jump moonsault for a near fall that nearly ended the match.

    Reigns Survives Late Chaos

    Reigns fought back with Superman Punches and Spears, but Fatu answered with devastating offense of his own, including multiple applications of the Tongan Death Grip. A referee bump late in the match added to the chaos as both men pushed each other to the limit.

    In the closing moments, Reigns created an opening by sending Fatu face-first into an exposed turnbuckle before hitting one final Spear to secure the pinfall and retain the title.

    Fatu Snaps After the Bell

    The fight continued after the match ended. Fatu snapped and laid Reigns out again before locking in another vicious Tongan Death Grip as officials rushed to the ring. One agent was thrown aside as Fatu continued the assault, while Reigns was shown foaming at the mouth from the hold.

    The show went off the air with Fatu standing tall and posing with the championship despite Reigns officially retaining the title.

    https://twitter.com/WWE/status/2053276047018201106/video/1?s=46

    What happened after Backlash

    After Backlash, Reigns was interviewed by Jackie Redmond and threatened that this would be Fatu’s last night in WWE:

    “This is why we never should have let Jacob in this company. You don’t belong here Jacob. There is no order with you. This is your last night here.”

  • Former WWE Star Returns As Danhausen’s Backlash Partner

    Former WWE Star Returns As Danhausen’s Backlash Partner

    Danhausen’s mystery tag team partner at WWE Backlash turned out to be a tiny clone of himself called Minihausen, and the luchador under the mask was Mascarita Dorada from Lucha Libre AAA, the former El Torito.

    The reveal came after weeks of speculation that floated CM Punk, Jelly Roll, Joe Hendry, and Mr. Iguana as possibilities. Instead, Danhausen walked to a “cloning machine” at his entrance, pulled out a miniature version of himself, and the two climbed into the Danhausenmobile for the trip to the ring.

    Minihausen started the match against Kit Wilson and quickly won the Tampa crowd over with athletic offense and the trademark Danhausen mannerisms. When Wilson stuffed Minihausen back into the cloning machine, multiple Minihausens spilled out and chased him to the ring. The Miz then blasted himself in the face with a fire extinguisher he had aimed at Danhausen, Minihausen wiped Wilson out with a splash on the floor, and Danhausen pinned Miz to win it.

    Mascarita Dorada is the same performer who worked WWE as El Torito alongside Los Matadores from 2014 to 2016, best remembered for the WeeLC match against Hornswoggle at Extreme Rules 2014. He returned to the Mexican independent and AAA scene after his WWE run, and has been a regular on AAA programming since WWE acquired the promotion.

    Backlash 2026 took place at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, airing on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service in the United States and on Netflix internationally.

  • John Cena Classic Announced, Fan Vote To Crown Champion

    John Cena Classic Announced, Fan Vote To Crown Champion

    John Cena Classic

    John Cena used his “history-making” moment at WWE Backlash to unveil the John Cena Classic, a new yearly event built around a championship that fans, not match results, will decide.

    The Classic will pit main roster talent against NXT talent, with the winner taking home a brand-new Cena Classic Championship. The twist: the title doesn’t go to whoever wins their match. It goes to whoever the fans vote for. Every participant qualifies, including the losers. A wrestler can drop their bout and still walk away as champion if the audience picks them.

    WWE has not yet announced when the Classic will take place or where it will be held.

    Cena teased the announcement for days leading into Backlash, promising news that would “shock the very foundation of WWE.” The premium live event aired Saturday night from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, with WWE officially unveiling the format on its X account during the broadcast.

    The fan-vote mechanic is unusual for a WWE championship and turns the audience itself into the deciding factor of who wears the title. With every entrant eligible regardless of how they perform between the ropes, the format could become a popularity contest in the most literal sense, and a clear vehicle for getting NXT names in front of the main roster audience.

    Further details on the Classic, including dates, qualifying matches, and the championship design, are expected in the coming weeks.

  • AAA Triplemania 34 Set As Two-Night Event In September

    AAA Triplemania 34 Set As Two-Night Event In September

    AAA Triplemania 34

    AAA Triplemania 34 will run as a two-night event this September, expanding the format of Lucha Libre AAA’s flagship show in its second year under WWE’s umbrella.

    WWE confirmed during Saturday’s Backlash broadcast in Tampa that Triplemania 34 will take place on Friday, September 11 and Sunday, September 13. Night two is set for Ciudad de Mexico, while a venue for night one has not been revealed. No matches have been announced.

    The split marks the first Triplemania to run across multiple nights since WWE’s joint venture with Fillip closed its acquisition of AAA in August 2025. Last year’s Triplemania XXXIII, the first under the new ownership, ran as a single-night show at Arena CDMX on August 16, after AAA had previously held three-night Triplemania events from 2022 through 2024.

    That 2025 show was headlined by El Hijo del Vikingo retaining the AAA Mega Championship over Dominik Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and El Grande Americano in a four-way match, with AJ Styles playing a role in the finish.

    Where AAA Sits Heading Into Triplemania 34

    The promotion enters its 2026 cycle with a strengthened broadcast footprint. FOX Corporation announced a multi-platform deal with AAA last November that brought the promotion’s programming to Mexico, Central America, and South America (excluding Brazil) starting this year. AAA on Fox now airs every Saturday at 10 p.m. ET on Fox Latin America and the WWE YouTube channel.

    Storyline-wise, December’s Guerra de Titanes set up several threads carrying into 2026, including the launch of Vikingo’s “El Ojo” faction with Omos as a surprise ally.

    Additional details, including the night one venue and any cross-brand involvement from the WWE roster, are expected in the coming weeks.

  • Jacob Fatu Explains How Roman Reigns Is Really His Uncle

    Jacob Fatu Explains How Roman Reigns Is Really His Uncle

    Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns are billed as cousins on WWE television, but the genealogy is closer than that. The Samoan Werewolf, who faces Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash on Saturday, walked Peter Rosenberg through the actual family tree on the Cheap Heat podcast, and explained why the Backlash main event is more than a kayfabe rivalry.

    “Roman Reigns’ father is Sika. Afa and Sika have a sister, my grandmother. So Afa and Sika are her siblings. That makes Roman my uncle,” Fatu said. “But we’re also close in age, so we just call him cousin. He’s really my uncle. It just feels like cousin.”

    Furniture Installation With Roman And The Usos

    The connection runs deeper than Christmas dinners. Before any of them were on WWE television, Fatu, Reigns, and the Usos were all working the same blue-collar job in Florida.

    “We were all working for Proactive Installations. We were all doing furniture installation. Usos, their brother, Roman, me. Like installing cubicles, furniture in offices,” Fatu said. “I seen these guys work. I seen what they went through.”

    The Pensacola roots go back another generation. Fatu’s father was sent from San Francisco to live with Sika as a kid. “Grandmother sent them on a Greyhound bus. San Francisco all the way to Pensacola. 10 tuna sandwiches, $30, and a couple food stamps.”

    The Tongan Death Grip Is A Tribute

    The move Fatu has been wearing out on Reigns over the past several weeks isn’t a generic finisher. He cleared it with the Tonga family before bringing it back, and he says it’s the only move that fits the moment with his cousin.

    “This move is a sacred move. I talked to Tala Tonga,” Fatu said. “There’s no other move that could have did this with Rome. This guy has been F5’d. This guy has been through it all.”

    The homage is to Haku, who looked out for Fatu’s father in their early days in the business. “Shout out to Haku. Everything that he has done for us, for the business, also for my father. Haku is the most loving, nicest, such a great grandfather.”

    Fatu also gave Reigns credit for one of the central truths of their Backlash build. On a recent Raw, Reigns insisted that he, not Solo Sikoa, was the reason Fatu got to WWE. Fatu doesn’t disagree.

    “Everything that he has done for the family with the promos, with everything, everything is true. He was right on Monday. When he said, ‘You saying Solo brought you in.’ No. Solo gave me a call. Roman brought Solo in. So therefore he did bring him in. So there is truth to all of this.”

  • Roman Reigns Sends Final Backlash Message to Jacob Fatu

    Roman Reigns Sends Final Backlash Message to Jacob Fatu

    Roman Reigns broke his social media silence hours before WWE Backlash with a personal message aimed at Jacob Fatu, the cousin who has spent weeks trying to rip the World Heavyweight Championship away from him.

    The reigning champion posted to X on Saturday afternoon, framing tonight’s title defense at Amalie Arena in Tampa as a lesson Fatu is about to learn the hard way.

    “Jacob, We’ll Always Be Family, But After Tonight You’ll Understand Why They Chose Me,” Reigns wrote. “You’ll Understand Why I’m One of One. You’ll Understand Why I Am The Head of The Table. At Backlash You WILL Acknowledge Your Tribal Chief.”

    The note doubles down on the same “acknowledgment” framing Reigns has used to anchor his entire main event run, recasting his cousin’s title shot as a coronation moment for the Tribal Chief rather than a threat to it. It also marks Reigns’ first public statement since the May 4 episode of Raw, when Fatu locked in the Tongan Death Grip and drove the champion through a table to close the contract signing.

    Fatu has gotten the better of Reigns in nearly every face-to-face exchange dating back to the Raw after WrestleMania 42. On ESPN’s Get Up earlier this week, Paul Heyman framed the match as a battle for control of the entire Anoa’i-Fatu dynasty, with tens of millions of dollars riding on the outcome.

    The bookmakers see it very differently. Per the final Backlash betting markets, Reigns enters Tampa as a -5000 favorite to retain, with Fatu sitting at +1200 in one of the most lopsided lines on the card.

    WWE Backlash streams tonight from Tampa, Florida. The pre-show begins at 4 PM ET, with the main card starting at 6 PM ET on ESPN in the United States and Netflix internationally.

  • Jacob Fatu’s WWE Name Was Almost “Cesar Sikoa”

    Jacob Fatu’s WWE Name Was Almost “Cesar Sikoa”

    Jacob Fatu was almost not Jacob Fatu when he debuted in WWE. The Samoan Werewolf, ahead of his World Heavyweight Championship match with Roman Reigns at Backlash on Saturday, told Peter Rosenberg on Cheap Heat that creative had a different name lined up before Triple H stepped in at the company’s Madison Square Garden debut.

    “My original name was supposed to be Caesar Sikoa. Planet of the Apes, where my ass was about to be like this,” Fatu said. “They didn’t go with it. They kept Jacob Fatu.”

    The “I Need That Title” Promo Was The Turning Point

    WWE protected Fatu as a silent monster for over a year. He didn’t speak on television, and he admitted on the show that he was actually nervous to start cutting promos. The moment he finally opened up, on the Raw After WrestleMania, became one of the most replayed segments of the build.

    “I don’t want that title. I need that title,” Fatu said on Raw, a line Rosenberg compared on the podcast to a “Hard Times” moment in WWE’s main event scene.

    The character work to get there came from someone Fatu credits with making the entire Backlash story possible. Drew McIntyre’s promos heading into WrestleMania 42 were so personal that Fatu’s own children started asking him questions.

    “Drew was so good at what he was saying, my kids start to question me. ‘Damn, dad, is he telling the truth about you?’” Fatu said. “That’s how good and how over it was going.”

    The Rock Pulled Out $100 For A Kid Named Jacob

    The interview’s lightest stretch came when Fatu walked through meeting The Rock as a kid in the Nation of Domination era. He asked The Rock for three autographs in a row, and got something more memorable than the third 8×10.

    “They had 8x10s back in the day. I asked him for one, asked him for two, asked him for a third one. When he grabbed the third one, ‘Hey man, can I get a third one for my fridge?’ I think that’s when I first seen the people’s eyebrow,” Fatu said.

    The kid then asked for lunch money. The Rock did not flinch.

    “He was the first person that got me $100. Pulled out a hundred, gave me my brother and I $100. We thought we was balling. Next thing you know, my dad take the money and take us out to eat at Denny’s. Put the rest of the $100 in the gas.”

    Fatu challenges Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash 2026 Saturday night from Amalie Arena in Tampa.

  • Paige Busted Open, Needed Stitches After Nia Jax Attack on SmackDown

    Paige Busted Open, Needed Stitches After Nia Jax Attack on SmackDown

    Paige busted open by Nia Jax on SmackDown

    Paige was busted open and required stitches after an attack from Nia Jax during the May 8 episode of WWE SmackDown in Jacksonville, Florida.

    The Women’s Tag Team Champion took to social media after the broadcast to share photos of blood running down her face and backstage footage of WWE medical staff closing the wound.

    Despite the graphic nature of the injury, she kept things light, captioning the post, “So @LinaFanene said ‘welcome back b*tch.’”

    https://twitter.com/Saraya/status/2052936087966814368

    How Did Paige Get Injured on SmackDown?

    The injury occurred during a chaotic multi-team segment on the Backlash go-home show. Paige and Brie Bella opened the segment by addressing critics of their return before Fatal Influence interrupted. Things escalated further when the Irresistible Forces, Jax and Lash Legend, entered the mix.

    Jax told Fatal Influence to “get in line” before turning her attention to the champions, striking Paige with a microphone and following up with a leg drop. Legend laid out Brie Bella with the Lash Extension.

    The mic shot to Paige’s scalp caused a legitimate laceration that bled visibly during the remainder of the segment. Despite the wound, Paige stayed in the ring and finished the angle before receiving medical attention backstage. Reports indicate the cut, while bloody, was not deep enough to cause any long-term concern.

    The attack served as a clear statement from Jax and Legend, who lost the Women’s Tag Team Championships to Paige and Brie Bella at WrestleMania 42 in a Fatal Four-Way. Paige made her surprise return that night after eight years away from WWE, stepping in for an injured Nikki Bella and pinning Alexa Bliss with the RamPaige to capture the titles.

    What’s Next for Paige and the Women’s Tag Titles?

    Jax and Legend have been aggressively pursuing a rematch since losing the titles at WrestleMania, and the Irresistible Forces fell short again in a title defense on the May 1 SmackDown. Friday’s segment made it clear they’re not done, and the legitimate injury could add real intensity to the rivalry going forward.

    WWE Backlash takes place tonight at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. While the Women’s Tag Team Championship is not on the confirmed card, the physical fallout from Friday’s segment makes it clear the feud between these two teams is far from over.

  • Jacob Fatu Reveals WWE Once Told Him He’d Never Work There

    Jacob Fatu Reveals WWE Once Told Him He’d Never Work There

    Jacob Fatu nearly walked away from his WWE dream a decade before he ever signed with the company. The Samoan Werewolf, who challenges Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash on Saturday night in Tampa, told Peter Rosenberg on Cheap Heat that a 2015 tryout ended with WWE telling him he had no future there because of a teenage robbery case.

    “I had a tryout 2015, 16, and they told me I would never work here because of the mistakes that I made when I was 18,” Fatu said. “I went in for robbery. Fresh 18. I literally turned 18. My birthday is March 7th. I got the case in May.”

    Fatu was already in the parking lot, ready to leave, when a referee came back for him. The closing meeting with Norman Smiley and William Regal still ended in rejection, but with one sentence that kept him in the business.

    “I broke down. I was crying, man. I didn’t have anything else to do,” Fatu said. “Right before I was about to hop in the car, the referee come get me. I remember Norman Smiley and William Regal. ‘I’m not saying you will ever work for this company.’ And then he goes, ‘My suggestion is just keep staying at it.’”

    The Drug Problem That Burned The Bridge

    Fatu was open about why the years between that tryout and his eventual WWE signing were so rough. Pandemic instability, the streets, and addiction kept him from showing up.

    “I would have one foot in the streets or another foot in wrestling and it didn’t work like that,” he said. “I had a little drug problem back in the day. Pandemic too. I had a lot going. I had a lot riding.”

    The lowest point came when he no-showed Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling.

    “I missed Booker’s show cuz I was hanging in the alley 5:30 in the morning, supposed to leave. I was still one game in, one game out.” Booker eventually let him back in: “My door never closed. Yeah, you messed up. Yeah, I was hot. But my doors never closed.”

    The Phone Call That Got Him To WWE

    The call that got him to WWE came from Solo Sikoa, not Roman Reigns or the Usos. Fatu has been clear from the start that he refused to lean on his cousins to get signed, even when his name was already in the conversation around the Bloodline storyline.

    “Solo gave me a call. That’s when nobody called me,” Fatu said. “He was like, ‘I seen my dad’s post. Man, write Paul [Heyman].’ I didn’t go through Usos and Roman. I got it on my own.”

    Fatu doesn’t romanticize what he survived. He thinks the timing was the point.

    “I’m happy those rough times happen. If I would have been in WWE even a day earlier, I probably would have been let go.”

    Saturday’s Backlash main event is the answer to all of it. “This match tomorrow could really make me or break me,” he said.