Netflix has officially announced that WWE: Unreal Season 2 will premiere on January 20, 2026, offering fans another behind-the-scenes look at World Wrestling Entertainment’s creative process and superstar personalities.
The documentary series returns with five 50-minute episodes that will follow WWE’s journey on the road to SummerSlam 2025. Season 2 promises to deliver the same insider access that made the first season a hit when it debuted in September 2024, taking viewers inside the writer’s room while showcasing the drama and larger-than-life personas of WWE’s biggest stars.
According to the official logline: “Wild plot twists. Larger-than-life personas. And a whole lot of drama. Go behind the scenes with the biggest Superstars and back into the writer’s room on the road to SummerSlam for Season 2 of WWE: Unreal.”
WWE Unreal Season 2 Cast
The season will feature an impressive roster of WWE Superstars including current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Pat McAfee, Jelly Roll, R-Truth, Iyo Sky, Naomi, Chelsea Green, Penta, and Lyra Valkyria.
Chris Weaver returns as director with Erik Powers serving as showrunner. The production brings together powerhouse companies including Omaha Productions, NFL Films, Skydance Sports, and WWE, with former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning among the executive producers alongside Jamie Horowitz, Ross Ketover, Keith Cossrow, Ken Rodgers, Jessica Boddy, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, and Marc Pomarico.
WWE has officially released their Top 25 Moments of 2025, with John Cena’s shocking heel turn at Elimination Chamber earning the #1 spot.
The list, posted to WWE’s YouTube channel on December 21, highlights the biggest storylines and surprises that defined an unforgettable year for WWE.
Top 25 Moments
Here’s the complete countdown:
John Cena Turns Heel – Cena’s February turn at Elimination Chamber in Toronto saw him align with The Rock and brutally attack Cody Rhodes after winning the chamber match. The attack included a groin kick and Cena using Rhodes’ Rolex watch as brass knuckles, leaving the champion bloodied. Cena later admitted the turn was done purely for “shock value” with no long-term plan.
Seth Rollins Cashes in MITB – Rollins won the Money in the Bank briefcase on June 7 and successfully cashed in to dethrone CM Punk as World Heavyweight Champion, solidifying “The Vision” faction alongside Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker.
John Cena Wins 17th Championship – At WrestleMania 41, Cena defeated Cody Rhodes to capture his record-breaking 17th world title.
Jey Uso Defeats GUNTHER – In an emotional WrestleMania 41 moment on April 19, Jey Uso won his first world title by making GUNTHER tap out to a sleeper hold. Twin brother Jimmy presented him the belt following the victory.
AJ Lee Returns – After a decade away from WWE, AJ Lee returned on SmackDown September 5. She competed at Wrestlepalooza alongside husband CM Punk and in WarGames at Survivor Series, working a limited part-time schedule.
Seth Rollins Aligns with Paul Heyman – At WrestleMania 41, Paul Heyman shocked the world by betraying both CM Punk and Roman Reigns, helping Rollins win a triple threat match and forming “The Vision” stable.
Rhea Ripley Reclaims Women’s Championship – On RAW’s historic Netflix debut in January, Ripley recaptured the Women’s World Championship in one of several major moments from the streaming premiere.
John Cena’s Farewell – On December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington D.C., Cena’s in-ring career ended with a submission loss to GUNTHER via sleeper hold.
Damian Priest Launches Finn Bálor Through Table – A brutal moment in the ongoing Judgment Day storyline that saw Priest send his former ally through the furniture.
The Rock and Roman Reigns on RAW Netflix Debut – A star-studded segment featuring two of WWE’s biggest names highlighted the first RAW on Netflix.
Liv Morgan Returns at Survivor Series – The former champion made her comeback at the November premium live event.
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber – A brutal non-sanctioned match that nearly closed the show before Cena’s heel turn, featuring Randy Orton’s return to attack Owens.
Naomi Cashes in MITB – After winning the briefcase on June 7, Naomi cashed in at Evolution on July 14, defeating IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat for her first singles title since 2017.
Bron Breakker Pins CM Punk in WarGames – A significant victory for the rising star in the chaotic cage match.
Tiffany Stratton Cashes in MITB – On January 3 during the first three-hour SmackDown, Stratton shocked the world by turning on Nia Jax and cashing in her briefcase, ending a nearly seven-year drought of SmackDown cash-ins.
The Vision Turns on Seth Rollins – A betrayal within Rollins’ own faction added another twist to the storyline.
Brock Lesnar Returns – The Beast returned at SummerSlam in a controversial moment, interrupting John Cena’s farewell speech following his loss to Cody Rhodes.
Maxxine Dupri Defeats Becky Lynch for IC Championship – Dupri captured the Intercontinental Championship in an upset victory.
IYO SKY Dives Off WarGames Cage – A death-defying leap with a trash can over her head at Survivor Series created one of the year’s most spectacular visual moments.
Bron Breakker Spears iShowSpeed – At Royal Rumble on February 1, Breakker’s devastating spear on the popular streamer generated over 300 million social media views and 49.6 million views in just 12 hours, becoming the most-watched Royal Rumble clip ever.
The Hardy Boyz Win NXT Tag Championship – The legendary team added another chapter to their storied careers with an NXT title victory.
Becky Lynch Returns – The Man made her return to WWE programming in 2025.
GUNTHER Retires Goldberg – On July 12 at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta, GUNTHER defeated Goldberg in the WWE Hall of Famer’s official retirement match, earning the “Legend Killer” nickname.
Jacob Fatu Dives Off the Cage – The Samoan powerhouse showcased his athleticism with a high-risk dive from the cage structure.
Omos Manhandles Microman – A David vs. Goliath moment featuring the towering Omos and the diminutive Microman.
The comprehensive list showcases a year defined by shocking heel turns, historic championship reigns, major returns, and WWE’s successful transition to Netflix. John Cena appeared in three of the top eight moments, cementing his retirement tour as a focal point of 2025 despite its controversial execution.
Chelsea Green is standing firmly behind Nia Jax despite public backlash for defending the former WWE Women\’s Champion.
The two-time Women\’s United States Champion appeared on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet and passionately defended her colleague while discussing the realities of WWE\’s locker room dynamics.
\”I got really roasted on Twitter not that long ago for sticking up for her, but that girl, she is our locker room leader,\” Green declared. \”I don\’t care how many people dislike Nia Jax. She is such a good human being. I love her.\”
Green acknowledged the disconnect between fan perception and backstage reality.
\”No matter what, you guys are always going to watch on your TVs and you\’re going to see what you see. I\’m going to see what I see as a professional wrestler,\” she explained. \”But I know what went on behind the scenes before that moment happened that led to that moment.\”
Beyond defending Jax, Green expressed deep gratitude for the sisterhood she\’s found in an industry known for competition. \”I am so thankful for the friends that I have collected along the way because show business is very hard to make friends,\” she reflected. \”Everyone is kind of like competing and stepping over each other to get to the top. And I feel like I\’ve met this amazing group of core girlfriends and we support each other and we ride for each other.\”
Green specifically mentioned staying up until 3 AM in the Cotswolds to watch her friend Maxine become Intercontinental Champion. \”I don\’t watch wrestling for any old girl, but I\’ll watch it for Maxine,\” she said.
The champion also revealed her unexpected chemistry with tag partner Ethan Page, whom she describes as her \”twin.\” \”Every single time we are together, it\’s like the Spider-Man meme,\” Green said. \”I don\’t know who in NXT thought to put us together, but I owe them a lot of money. His facial expressions and the stuff that was coming out of his mouth was just like, \’Oh my god, I couldn\’t have said it any better.\’ And we actually get along, too. Which that\’s rare.\”
Here\’s your WWE Rumor Roundup for Saturday, December 21, 2025, featuring the latest backstage news and speculation from around the wrestling world.
WWE Implements Hiring Freeze, Turns Away TNA & AEW Talent
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE has recently informed wrestlers from both TNA and AEW that the company is not actively looking to bring in new talent at this time. \”We were told that of late talent from both TNA and AEW who have called WWE have been told that they aren\’t looking at hiring new people,\” Dave reported. The belief internally is that WWE\’s developmental pipeline is already stacked with performers who are either main roster-ready or very close to it, making outside signings largely unnecessary for the moment. The reported hiring freeze is not absolute—Meltzer clarified that exceptions could still be made for truly elite performers like Chris Jericho or Leon Slater.
Trick Williams Officially Called Up to SmackDown
According to Bodyslam.net, former TNA World Champion Trick Williams has officially been called up to the WWE main roster and is now listed internally on the SmackDown brand. Williams appeared in a backstage segment during the December 26 SmackDown taping, where he confronted WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. The two-time NXT Champion has not competed in NXT since the November 18 episode, when he lost an Iron Survivor Qualifying Match to Myles Borne. Williams is engaged to Lash Legend, who is also on the SmackDown roster.
WWE Offers Contracts to NJPW IWGP Tag Team Champions
WWE has made contract offers to Yuto-Ice and Oskar, better known as the Knockout Brothers in NJPW, according to Self Made. The duo currently holds the IWGP Tag Team Championships after defeating Taichi and Tomohiro Ishii at Destruction in Kobe in September. Multiple sources have confirmed to Self Made Pro that WWE is still very much looking \”everywhere\” for talent recruitment, including international markets, particularly to bolster their tag team division. The Knockout Brothers advanced to the semi-finals of the 2025 World Tag League before falling to Gabe Kidd and Yota Tsuji, cementing their status as top-tier talent.
Jacob Fatu Expected to Return Soon After Dental Procedure
According to Fightful, Jacob Fatu is expected to make his WWE return soon after being sidelined with a dental issue. The Samoan Werewolf was written off television on the October 17 episode of SmackDown after being found backstage in a pool of blood with teeth scattered on the concrete floor. Per the report, Fatu\’s absence was due to a legitimate dental procedure that required him to take time off for recovery. Backstage sources at Survivor Series indicated that Fatu could be back on the road within the next few weeks, though no exact date has been confirmed. The former United States Champion\’s return will be a major boost for SmackDown heading into Royal Rumble season.
Nikki Bella/Cooper DeJean Dating Rumors
Social media erupted this week after WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella posted an Instagram video from her trip to Philadelphia that included footage of her posing in Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean\’s locker and celebrating with the 22-year-old after the team\’s 31-0 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. The 42-year-old Bella and DeJean have been spotted together at multiple WWE events since August, including Raw tapings in Philadelphia. However, on The Nikki & Brie Show podcast, Bella seemingly dismissed the dating speculation, revealing she hasn\’t been romantically involved with anyone recently and joked that she hasn\’t even kissed anyone \”in a long time.\” Neither Bella nor DeJean have officially commented on the nature of their relationship.
Spoilers have emerged from AEW’s Dynamite on 34th Street taping, revealing a historic moment as Bandido defeated Ricochet to become only the second person ever to hold the Dynamite Diamond Ring. The show was taped December 20 at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom and airs Christmas Eve.
Bandido’s victory ends MJF’s unprecedented six-year reign with the ring, which began in 2019. MJF had successfully defended the Diamond Ring every year since its creation, making this the first time the prize changes hands.
? CHRISTMAS EVE! ?#AEWDynamite on 34th Street is coming to town at a special time!
Ethan Page is not happy after losing his AAA Latin American Championship in controversial fashion at Guerra de Titanes.
Page appeared to have won the title at the event, briefly becoming a triple champion. However, the decision was reversed after Mr. Iguana pointed out that Page had used a wrench to secure the victory. The referee restarted the match, and Page ultimately lost the championship.
In a post-match statement, Page placed the blame squarely on Mr. Iguana’s shoulders.
“I was a triple champion, a wrestler unlike anyone on Earth today, and a man named Mr Iguana, who hangs out with a puppet, ruined everything,” Page said. “Not just for me, not just for my two beautiful children, my hot, sexy wife, no. He ruined it for the company which pays his bills, AAA. It’s all your fault, Iguana, 2026 is going to start awful.”
The statement sets up what appears to be a brewing feud between Page and Mr. Iguana heading into 2026.
Omos made a shocking return to Lucha Libre AAA at Guerra de Titanes on December 20, delivering a statement powerbomb to Dragon Lee and officially joining forces with El Hijo del Vikingo and AAA director Dorian Roldán in a revamped “El Ojo” heel faction.
The surprise came late in Vikingo’s singles match against Lee at Arena Guadalajara. After the referee went down and Lee appeared to have the match won, Vikingo cut him off with a low blow before Omos’ music hit. The 7’3” giant stormed the ring, no-sold Lee’s strikes, and flattened the WWE Raw star with an elevated Last Ride-style powerbomb. Vikingo followed with a 450 splash for the tainted victory.
The Future of AAA
Post-match, Roldán entered the ring and embraced both Omos and Vikingo, cementing the trio as AAA’s new top heel unit. On commentary, the group was framed as “the brains, the brawn and the future,” with Roldán cutting a promo promising El Ojo would dominate AAA under WWE’s ownership.
The appearance marks Omos’ first AAA outing since winning the Copa Bardahl at TripleMania XXXIII in August. With Vikingo now backed by Omos and Roldán, AAA has positioned WWE talent as the centerpiece of its biggest heel storyline heading into 2026.
Dominik Mysterio has reportedly suffered a legitimate shoulder injury while competing at AAA’s Guerra de Titanes event in Guadalajara, Mexico on Saturday night. The Judgment Day member was participating in the main event, teaming with El Grande Americano against his father, Rey Mysterio, and Rey Fenix.
According to Bryan Alvarez at F4WOnline, the injury occurred in the closing moments of the match when Dominik took a DDT from his father. The landing appeared to cause damage to his shoulder, leaving him unable to use the arm as he exited the ring.
“Dom injured his shoulder taking the DDT from his dad near the end of tonight’s main event,” Alvarez reported. “Based on how he landed, my presumption is it’s likely a shoulder separation, which depending on the severity could be a short-term injury, or worst case scenario surgery. But we won’t know anything until he gets evaluated. He could barely use the arm at all.”
The match concluded with interference from Penta, who had been removed from the contest earlier due to an injury angle. Penta prevented El Grande Americano from using a foreign object, instead using a weapon concealed in his own mask to deliver a headbutt to Dominik. This setup allowed Rey Mysterio to hit the 619 and pin his son for the victory.
Following the bell, a visibly frustrated and injured Dominik shoved his partner and walked to the back alone, favoring his arm. The injury comes at a critical time as WWE builds toward the Royal Rumble on February 1, 2025, potentially sidelining him during the company’s busiest season if surgery is required.
Live from Arena Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
AAA closed out 2025 with Guerra de Titanes, their 26th annual year-end spectacular and the first under WWE ownership. The show featured WWE stars from Raw, SmackDown, NXT and Evolve competing alongside AAA\’s roster in a free YouTube broadcast that delivered championship defenses, a stunning faction formation, and the emotional return of Rey Mysterio to AAA for the first time since 2018.
The event saw Penta make a surprise appearance despite his shoulder injury to assist in the main event, while boxer Canelo Alvarez sat ringside and celebrated with the opening match winners. AAA also announced their new Fox television deal in Mexico and confirmed Rey de Reyes will return in March 2026.
Opening Four-Way Tag Team Match
Winners: La Parka and Octagon Jr.
La Parka and Octagon Jr. defeated Latino World Order members Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro, Los Americanos (Bravo and Rayo), and Niño Hamburguesa and Mr. Iguana in the opening contest. The match featured the signature high-flying action and comedy spots that set the tone for the evening.
After the victory, La Parka celebrated with who appeared to be a young fan at ringside, only to reveal it was boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez sitting in the front row. The AAA roster members involved in the match celebrated with Alvarez following the bout.
AAA Latin American Championship Match
Winner: El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. (retained)
El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. retained the AAA Latin American Championship against NXT North American Champion Ethan Page in controversial fashion. Page initially won the match after using a wrench as a foreign object, twisting Wagner\’s mask and securing a pinfall while grabbing the tights.
Mr. Iguana protested the decision and informed the referee about the wrench, which was discovered in Page\’s tights. The referee restarted the match, and Wagner quickly won via Wagner Driver to retain his championship. The feud between Wagner and Page dated back to their fatal four-way encounter earlier in the year and continued through NXT Halloween Havoc.
Carnival of Carnage Match
Winners: Pagano and Los Psycho Circus
Pagano, Psycho Clown, Murder Clown and Dave the Clown defeated The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy and Erick Rowan) in a cinematic Carnival of Carnage Match. The bout began with Psycho Clown appearing on the big screen to invite The Wyatt Sicks backstage to a carnival-themed area.
The action took place in a children\’s carnival setting complete with balloons and funhouses. Mascarita Sagrada and Pimpinela Escarlata made cameo appearances, attacking the Wyatt Sicks before the match eventually spilled back to the ring for the conclusion.
AAA World Cruiserweight Championship Triple Threat Match
Winner: Laredo Kid (retained)
Laredo Kid successfully defended the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship against NXT\’s Je\’Von Evans and Evolve\’s Jack Cartwheel in a spectacular showcase. The entire match was described as a highlight reel, with all three competitors delivering high-risk maneuvers throughout.
Key moments included Cartwheel\’s slingshot flipping splash, Evans catching Cartwheel with a cutter during a twisting corkscrew dive, and Laredo hitting an Orihara moonsault to both opponents on the outside. The champion secured the victory with a unique inverted Spanish Fly variation on Cartwheel that even commentary struggled to name. Evans competed in front of more than 30,000 fans for the second consecutive weekend.
Six-Woman Tag Team Match
Winners: Natalya, Faby Apache and Lola Vice
Natalya, Faby Apache and Lola Vice defeated Las Toxicas members Flammer, La Hiedra and Lady Maravilla in a brief trios match. The heels isolated Vice early before the hot tag to Natalya, who executed classic offense including a triple-team Hart Attack on Flammer. Apache secured the pinfall with a bridging dragon suplex on the women\’s champion Flammer.
Singles Match: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Dragon Lee
Winner: El Hijo del Vikingo
El Hijo del Vikingo defeated Dragon Lee in a hard-hitting contest that concluded with a shocking return and faction formation. The match lived up to expectations as a showcase between two of lucha libre\’s top talents, with Lee\’s father Bestia del Ring watching from ringside.
Late in the match, Lee converted an attempted 450 splash into a Styles Clash, but Vikingo kicked out. Lee then attempted a suicide dive, but Vikingo pulled the referee into harm\’s way. With the official down, Lee hit the Operation Dragon finisher, but no one was available to count. Vikingo responded with a low blow.
Omos then made his surprise return to AAA for the first time since TripleMania. Dragon Lee attacked the giant immediately, but Omos destroyed him with a Last Ride powerbomb from over seven feet high. Vikingo capitalized with a 450 splash while Omos revived the referee to count the three.
Following the match, AAA CEO Dorian Roldan entered the ring and embraced both Vikingo and Omos, officially announcing the reformation of El Ojo faction with himself as the brains, Omos as the brawn, and Vikingo as the future. The connection to Dragon Lee\’s WWE tag team partner AJ Styles adds another layer to the storyline moving forward.
Main Event Tag Team Match
Winners: Rey Mysterio and Rey Fenix
Rey Mysterio and Rey Fenix defeated Los Gringos Locos 2.0 members Dominik Mysterio and El Grande Americano in the emotional main event. Rey Mysterio was filling in for the injured Penta, who suffered a shoulder injury on the November 24 edition of Raw, preventing the originally scheduled Lucha Brothers reunion.
Dominik paid tribute to his late uncle Rey Misterio Sr., who passed away one year prior, by wearing his gear. The AAA Mega Champion and WWE Intercontinental Champion also carried a banner honoring the original Los Gringos Locos team of Eddie Guerrero and Art Barr. The crowd finally booed Dominik when he faced his legendary father.
The match featured multiple teases of Rey Mysterio\’s signature 619, with Dominik escaping the first attempt and later countering it into a Michinoku Driver. In the closing sequence, Dominik called for El Grande Americano to pass him a steel plate hidden in his tights. Penta made his surprise appearance, rushing down to intercept the foreign object. He loaded his own mask to headbutt Dominik.
Rey Fenix hit a rope-walking kick to Grande, and Rey Mysterio connected with the 619 on Dominik, followed by a top rope splash for the pinfall victory at 17:28.
In the post-match, a frustrated Dominik shoved El Grande Americano. However, Grande received a massive ovation from the Mexican crowd and shook hands with Rey Mysterio, Rey Fenix and Penta, officially turning face in AAA. The moment was described as a hero\’s welcome for the former Chad Gable, who has gotten over as a babyface during his time in the promotion.
Looking Ahead
AAA announced several significant developments during the broadcast:
AAA programming will begin airing on Fox in Mexico starting January 2026
Rey de Reyes tournament will return in March 2026
The new El Ojo faction of Omos, El Hijo del Vikingo and Dorian Roldan positions itself as a major force heading into the new year
El Grande Americano\’s babyface turn opens new storyline possibilities
AAA Guerra de Titanes streamed live at 9:00 PM ET on the WWE, WWE Español and Lucha Libre AAA YouTube channels with commentary from Corey Graves, JBL and Konnan.
TNA wrestler Tessa Blanchard has once again addressed allegations of racism that have followed her since 2020, telling critics to “move on” in a series of social media posts this week.
The controversy reignited after Blanchard posted a holiday message on X on December 18, writing “Here’s to the many blessings this year.” When a user in the comments brought up past allegations that she used a racial slur toward wrestler La Rosa Negra during a 2017 incident in Japan, Blanchard responded directly.
I’m not perfect, made plenty of mistakes in my life.. racism is not one of them nor has that ever been in my heart. An incident from 10 years ago has continuously gotten twisted into something that race had absolutely nothing to do with because of the social climate. I’m tired of…
“I’m not perfect, made plenty of mistakes in my life.. racism is not one of them nor has that ever been in my heart,” Blanchard wrote. “An incident from 10 years ago has continuously gotten twisted into something that race had absolutely nothing to do with because of the social climate. I’m tired of being used as click bait. Move on.”
When asked point-blank if she’s racist, Blanchard replied: “Nope. Never have been. Let’s move the hell on.”
The allegations first surfaced publicly in January 2020 when multiple wrestlers, including Allysin Kay and Chelsea Green, accused Blanchard of bullying behavior. La Rosa Negra confirmed the 2017 incident occurred, though Blanchard has consistently denied using racial language. The two reportedly made amends in 2023, posting a photo together.
Blanchard returned to TNA in December 2024 and is currently featured regularly on television, teaming with Victoria Crawford as a top heel in the Knockouts division.
Alex Windsor defeated Mercedes Moné to capture the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship at AEW Collision: Holiday Bash on December 20, 2025, in Manchester, England. Windsor escaped the Moné Maker and trapped Moné in a crucifix pin for the three-count, marking her second reign with the championship.
The victory sparked an immediate social media firestorm when Moné vented her frustrations on Twitter/X, taking issue with Windsor’s hometown credentials. After Grok AI congratulated Windsor on her victory, Moné fired back: “Can you take back her congratulations because as I said, last week I wanted to face a local from Manchester @grok where is Alex Windsor from?”
Alex Windsor is from Happisburgh, Norfolk, England—not Manchester. Fair point, CEO—consider those congrats retracted. Epic clash either way! What's your next move?
When informed of the result, Moné unleashed in all caps: “I SAID A MF LOCAL! sHEs nOT fRoM MANCHESTER.” The former champion’s complaint is technically accurate—Windsor hails from Norwich, Norfolk, approximately 200 miles southeast of Manchester. Moné had specifically challenged any Manchester local, though Windsor is British and answered the open challenge for British wrestlers.
Moné also demanded AEW remove their championship announcement, responding to the company’s celebratory post with a terse four-word message: “DELETE this Misinformation.”
Windsor’s 346-day reign ended just shy of one year, having won the title from Mina Shirakawa at NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, 2025. This marks her second title loss in December, following Red Velvet’s recapture of the ROH Women’s TV Championship on December 5. The CEO is now down to 11 championships in her collection.
For Windsor, the victory was particularly emotional as her son was ringside to embrace her after the title win. This begins her second reign with the RevPro championship—her first lasted 769 days from November 2021 to December 2023.
The Miz dropped his WWE persona to speak honestly about John Cena’s final match, revealing the emotional weight of witnessing wrestling history at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
“I kind of was just speaking from the heart. I even said it on there—’Yo, I’m not coming as the miz. I’m coming as Mike. I’m going to let you know exactly how I feel, exactly what I think,\’” The Miz told “Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez.”
His candid commentary, which included insider wrestling terms and honest analysis, drew boos from the crowd—something he didn’t mind.
The Whirlwind of Wrestling History
“That day was like a whirlwind, right? I mean, it’s Cena’s last match. You don’t get too many shows quite like that,” The Miz reflected. “You never do. We’ve never had the first time ever to see the way he went out and then the reaction to the crowd and what people were talking about.”
The Miz praised the platform Saturday Night’s Main Event provided for NXT talent.
“I loved the whole fact that a lot of NXT people looked really good in that show. I thought there were a lot of eyeballs on that show for those NXT up-and-coming talents to really showcase exactly who they are, exactly what they can do. Oba did a great job. Sol was incredible.”
A Personal Touch: WrestleMania 27 Gear
The Miz added a symbolic element to the historic night by wearing his WrestleMania 27 gear—the same outfit from his WWE Championship defense against Cena.
“I just moved, and when we were moving into our new house, I started putting stuff in storage and lo and behold, what did I find? My old WrestleMania 27 gear,” he explained. “When I found out I was going to be a part of Saturday Night’s Main Event, I was like, ‘I’m going to wear that. I think that’ll be a nice touch.\’”
The Twitter Poll That Stung
The Miz admitted feeling hurt when WWE fans chose AJ Styles over him for Cena’s opponent via Twitter poll.
“I was kind of crushed because it was like a Twitter thing. So the audience can have a say in who they want and they got that and they didn’t ask for me,” he said.
Still, he appreciated Cena paying tribute by using The Miz’s Skull Crushing Finale during his final match.
AEW presents a special afternoon edition of Collision Holiday Bash today with critical Continental Classic Gold League matches that could reshape the tournament standings. The one-hour special airs at 2:30 PM ET on TNT and HBO Max, taped following this week\’s Holiday Bash Dynamite from England.
With the 2025 Continental Classic entering its final week, four wrestlers remain tied atop the Gold League standings at six points each. Today\’s matches between Kazuchika Okada and Kevin Knight, plus Jack Perry versus Speedball Mike Bailey, will determine which two competitors advance to the semifinals at Worlds End on December 27.
Match Card
Continental Classic Gold League: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kevin Knight
Continental Classic Gold League: Jack Perry vs. Speedball Mike Bailey
RevPro Undisputed British Women\’s Championship: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Alex Windsor
Eddie Kingston vs. Nathan Cruz
Holiday Bash card for today at 2:30pm:
• Kazuchika Okada vs Kevin Knight • Speedball Mike Bailey vs Jack Perry • Mercedes Moné vs a British wrestler • Eddie Kingston vs Nathan Cruz
Continental Classic Gold League: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kevin Knight
The reigning Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada faces his biggest test of the tournament against rising star Kevin Knight. Both wrestlers enter with six points in the four-way tie atop the Gold League, making this a must-win situation for both competitors.
Okada has been trying to retain his Continental Championship throughout the tournament as part of his historic Unified Championship reign spanning over 600 days. After dropping his opening match to Kyle Fletcher, the Rainmaker has rebounded with victories over PAC to stay alive in the tournament. Knight shocked the wrestling world in Week One by defeating Darby Allin, then followed up with a win over Mike Bailey at Winter Is Coming to reach six points.
The Don Callis Family member knows a victory here would put him in prime position to advance, while a loss could eliminate Okada from his own championship tournament. Continental Classic rules prohibit any outside interference, meaning Okada cannot rely on his Callis Family stablemates.
Continental Classic Gold League: Jack Perry vs. Speedball Mike Bailey
Jack Perry makes his Continental Classic debut after replacing the injured Darby Allin midway through the tournament. Perry inherits Allin\’s 0-3 record and zero points, making his path to the semifinals virtually impossible. However, Perry can still play spoiler against Mike Bailey, who sits tied for the league lead with six points.
Bailey has been one of the tournament\’s breakout performers, earning victories over Kevin Knight and PAC despite losses to Kyle Fletcher. The high-flying Speedball needs a win today to keep his semifinal hopes alive, but Perry\’s unpredictable style and technical prowess make him a dangerous opponent even with nothing to gain in the standings.
RevPro Undisputed British Women\’s Championship: Mercedes Moné vs. Alex Windsor
Mercedes Moné puts her RevPro Undisputed British Women\’s Championship on the line against local challenger Alex Windsor in an open challenge match. The CEO captured the RevPro title at Wrestle Dynasty in Tokyo\’s Dome on January 5, making this her fifth defense of the championship she won from Mina Shirakawa.
Moné currently holds 12 championships across three continents, though she recently lost the Interim ROH Women\’s World Television Championship to Red Velvet at ROH Final Battle on December 5. The multi-time champion issued the open challenge during Wednesday\’s Dynamite, looking to add another successful defense to her historic collection of gold.
Windsor represents the British wrestling scene and will have the Manchester crowd firmly behind her. The RevPro star gets the opportunity of a lifetime against one of wrestling\’s most decorated champions on Moné\’s tour of the United Kingdom.
Eddie Kingston vs. Nathan Cruz
Eddie Kingston returned to action in September after a devastating 497-day absence following a career-threatening leg injury. The Mad King suffered a fractured tibia, torn ACL, and torn meniscus during his NJPW Resurgence match against Gabe Kidd in May 2024.
Today Kingston faces British wrestler Nathan Cruz, who will be accompanied by the Grizzled Young Veterans. This represents another step in Kingston\’s comeback trail as he continues rebuilding his momentum after forming an alliance with HOOK following his return at All Out. Kingston recently challenged Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship at Winter Is Coming, falling short in that title pursuit but proving he\’s back to full strength.
Cruz gets a high-profile opportunity against the inaugural AEW Continental Champion, though Kingston\’s hard-hitting style and experience advantage make him the overwhelming favorite. The presence of the Grizzled Young Veterans could factor into the outcome if they attempt to interfere on Cruz\’s behalf.
Looking Ahead
Continental Classic semifinals and finals at AEW Worlds End on December 27 in Chicago
AEW Women\’s World Tag Team Championship match featuring Mercedes Moné and Athena at Worlds End
Final Continental Classic matches air December 23-24 during Dynamite on 34th Street and Christmas Collision from Manhattan Center
The winner of today\’s Gold League matches will significantly impact which two wrestlers advance to face the Blue League\’s top two finishers
AEW Collision Holiday Bash airs today at 2:30 PM ET on TNT and HBO Max from Co-Op Live in Manchester, England.
AAA Guerra de Titanes streams live toight from Arena Guadalajara, marking the first edition of the annual event under WWE’s ownership of the Mexican promotion.
The 26th annual Guerra de Titanes features cross-promotional matches between WWE and AAA talent, headlined by Rey Mysterio and Rey Fenix taking on Dominik Mysterio and El Grande Americano. Rey Mysterio stepped in after Penta suffered a dislocated shoulder during his November 24 Raw match against Solo Sikoa, ending hopes for a Lucha Brothers reunion. Penta confirmed he will be in attendance despite the injury.
Ethan Page challenges El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. for the AAA Latin American Championship, looking to become a triple champion alongside his NXT North American and AAA Mixed Tag Team titles.
Match Card:
Rey Mysterio & Rey Fenix vs. Dominik Mysterio & El Grande Americano
Carnival of Carnage: The Wyatt Sicks vs. Pagano & Los Psycho Circus
AAA Latin American Championship: El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. (c) vs. Ethan Page
AAA World Cruiserweight Championship: Laredo Kid (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Jack Cartwheel
Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo del Vikingo
Natalya, Lola Vice & Faby Apache vs. Las Tóxicas
Fatal Four-Way Tag: Los Americanos vs. Mr. Iguana & Niño Hamburguesa vs. La Parka & Octagón Jr. vs. LWO
How to Watch:
AAA Guerra de Titanes streams free Saturday, December 20 at 9 PM ET / 6 PM PT on the WWE YouTube channel, WWE Español YouTube channel, and Lucha Libre AAA YouTube channel.
Becky Lynch\’s boycott of Monday Night Raw has officially ended — and it didn\’t go well for The Man.
Lynch had been absent from Raw since December 1 after launching a public campaign against the company following her Women\’s Intercontinental Championship loss to Maxxine Dupri. She demanded her title be returned, referee Jessika Carr be suspended, and an apology be issued, even claiming to have retained legal counsel.
On the December 22 episode, Lynch returned to cut a promo addressing the WWE Universe. Dupri interrupted and, according to those in attendance, delivered the best promo of her career. The verbal confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, ending with Dupri locking in her ankle lock submission and forcing Lynch to tap out once again.
The Man Humiliated Again
This marks the second time Dupri has submitted Lynch since winning the title at Madison Square Garden on November 17. Lynch also tapped out to AJ Lee\’s Black Widow during the Women\’s WarGames match at Survivor Series.
Following the segment, WWE announced that Dupri will defend the Women\’s Intercontinental Championship against Lynch on the January 5 episode of Raw — the first-anniversary show of Raw\’s move to Netflix.
Austin Theory appears poised to officially join The Vision as WWE heads into 2026.
During the December 22 episode, Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed were featured in a backstage segment discussing whether Theory should be allowed to join their faction. Later in the show, Theory teamed with Reed to defeat CM Punk and Rey Mysterio, with Theory pinning Mysterio for the victory. Breakker appeared after the match as all members of The Vision stood tall to close the segment.
Theory has been off WWE television since July, when his tag team with Grayson Waller was quietly disbanded. Reports indicated he had been removed from WWE\’s internal active roster in August, fueling speculation about his status with the company.
The Vision was formed earlier this year by Seth Rollins, who was later ousted from the group in October after Breakker and Reed turned on him. The faction added Logan Paul ahead of Survivor Series, where they won the Men\’s WarGames match alongside Brock Lesnar and Drew McIntyre.
With Theory now aligned with the group on television, an official announcement of his membership could come on the January 5 episode of Raw.
All Elite Wrestling and White Castle are teaming up once again, this time bringing their partnership directly to restaurant locations nationwide.
White Castle and All Elite Wrestling Team Up for the New “AEW Bacon Brawl Combo!”
The limited-time combo is available nationwide at @WhiteCastle locations starting Dec. 27. And don't miss a custom limited edition AEW x White Castle luchador mask coming Jan. 7! pic.twitter.com/bKMc5XDKhh
The new \”AEW Bacon Brawl Combo\” includes two bacon cheese sliders, a small fry, and a soft drink. The limited-time offering will be available at participating White Castle locations starting December 27.
The collaboration also includes a custom limited edition AEW x White Castle luchador mask arriving January 7, adding a collectible element to the promotion.
AEW x White Castle
This marks the second major partnership between AEW and the fast food chain. In August, the companies launched the \”All Elite Feast Kit,\” a $65 mail-order package featuring 20 sliders, desserts, and exclusive AEW merchandise. The Bacon Brawl Combo expands the partnership to in-store availability for the first time.
AEW filed trademarks for \”Bacon Brawl\” and \”AEW Bacon Brawl\” back in September, with speculation at the time pointing toward another White Castle collaboration.
The promotional image features top AEW talent including Kenny Omega, Mercedes Moné, and Bryan Danielson.
WWE\’s annual Holiday Tour returns this year with nine live events spanning December 26, 2025 through January 5, 2026, giving fans across the East Coast and Southeast a chance to catch their favorite Superstars during the holiday season.
The tour kicks off at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore on December 26, marking a notable break from WWE\’s longstanding tradition of running a post-Christmas house show at Madison Square Garden.
The December 29 RAW in Orlando will serve as the final episode of 2025, with CM Punk, Gunther, Jey Uso, Becky Lynch, and Stephanie Vaquer among the advertised talent.
The Miz isn’t just creating wrestling history—he’s meticulously preserving it. The WWE veteran revealed he’s kept virtually every piece of gear from his 20-year career, organizing an impressive personal archive that documents his journey through sports entertainment.
“All of them. I have everything. I literally just found it all and was putting it in storage,” The Miz told “Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez.” “I’m kind of documenting it now, putting it all through. Like I have a Miz versus Cena kind of bin that has the WrestleMania gear. It has the gear I won the tag team titles with him with. It has my first match ever with him where I went up against him at The Bash. I have the fedora that I wore out. Like I have all that stuff.”
The Battle With Trading Card Companies
The Miz’s collection has attracted interest from Topps and Fanatics, who constantly request pieces for trading cards. “Topps wants all that stuff. Fanatics, they want all that stuff. Like Topps is always like, ‘We want to put it in the card,\’” The Miz explained. “And I’m like, ‘Look, I get that that’s a cool thing for the fans, but this is kind of a cool thing for me.\’”
He does strategically donate special items, like a headband from his second WWE Championship reign. “I gave them that headband that they’re going to cut up and put into a card. So I think that’s pretty special,” he said.
The Calgary Kid Gear That Got Away
One regret in The Miz’s otherwise complete collection is his Calgary Kid persona gear. “You know what I don’t have that I was a little upset about? Calgary Kid. I don’t have that mask or the gear and I was like ‘darn, I wonder what happened to that.’ Like I’ve never seen it again,” he admitted. WWE requested it back, and it disappeared from his collection.
John Morrison: The Favorite Partnership
When asked about his favorite tag team partner, The Miz immediately named John Morrison. “John Morrison was kind of my first intro to WWE tag team. It’s my first tag team title. We literally made The Dirt Sheet, which now WWE’s YouTube channel is number one,” The Miz said. “We started the YouTube channel for WWE. We had a show on there when it wasn’t popular, when it wasn’t the thing to do.”
RJ City has opened up about his decision to end the popular AEW YouTube series Hey! (EW) after nearly four years and 165 episodes.
Speaking on AEW Unrestricted, City explained that creative exhaustion and difficulty booking guests led to the show’s conclusion. “I think I just ran it into the ground and said, ‘Well, I think we’ve reached our destination.’ We did four years, we did 165 episodes,” City said. “We were down to the nose and the assh*les. I don’t know if you’re familiar with this, but it’s very hard to get guests.”
The comedic interview series aired its final episode on December 7, featuring segments with Eddie Kingston, Renee Paquette, Tony Khan, and Mercedes Mone. City also revealed he didn’t want to repeat guests, citing concerns about diminishing returns: “I don’t know if I want to do a second Eddie Kingston one, and the people are like, ‘It’s not as good as the first.\’”
Despite ending the show, City reflected positively on the decision. “As I’ve gotten older, I realize it’s good to be sad about things. It’s good to end something and be sad about it [and] go, ‘That was good’ and end it while it was good.”
City remains with AEW as a member of the creative team and continues hosting Zero Hour pre-shows alongside Renee Paquette. He is publicly credited with creating Toni Storm’s “Timeless” character. City also ended his “RJ City Makes Coffee In His Underwear” series at the same time for a “clean sweep” of his content projects.
Here’s your WWE Rumor Roundup for Thursday, December 19, 2025, featuring the latest backstage news and speculation from around the wrestling world.
WWE Producing John Cena Retirement Documentary
Per WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE is producing a documentary centered on John Cena’s retirement tour. The project is expected to chronicle Cena’s final year in WWE, which concluded with his emotional farewell at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13. The documentary would mark another collaboration between WWE and their content partners, similar to previous behind-the-scenes projects documenting major WWE moments.
WWE and Netflix Planning Stranger Things Crossover
WrestleVotes also says a promotional crossover between WWE and Netflix’s hit series Stranger Things is expected to happen soon. While specific details about the collaboration format remain unclear, the crossover would further strengthen WWE’s growing partnership with Netflix. The streaming service began airing Monday Night Raw earlier this year as part of their landmark $5 billion deal with WWE.
Maxxine Dupri Push
Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer claims WWE is marketing Maxxine Dupri as a wrestler who works hard to improve, but he suggests the actual reason for her push is her marketability based on appearance.
According to Meltzer, the hard-work narrative serves to deflect from the perception that she’s being pushed primarily for her looks. Dupri recently captured the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and has been featured prominently in training vignettes with Natalya.
WWE Hiring Freeze
Meltzer also notes that WWE is not actively recruiting talent, unless you\’re a legend like Chris Jericho. “We were told that of late, talent from both TNA and AEW who have called WWE have been told that they aren’t looking at hiring new people. The idea is that they have so many in developmental, many of whom are ready that they don’t need new people.\”
WWE and Fanatics Eye Netflix Podcast Expansion
A source told Front Office Sports that WWE and Fanatics plan to expand their podcast network, which currently includes shows hosted by Stephanie McMahon, Cody Rhodes, The Undertaker, and Logan Paul. The companies have recently vetted talent for new programming and are in discussions with Netflix about bringing WWE video podcasts to the streaming platform. This comes as Netflix aggressively expands its video podcast offerings with deals for Barstool Sports and iHeartMedia content.
Royal Rumble 2026 Start Time and Card Details
WrestleVotes reported that WWE’s Royal Rumble 2026 will start at 2 p.m. Eastern Time after internal debate. The early start accommodates the 10 p.m. local time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the event takes place on January 31. Per Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the show is tentatively planned as a four-match card featuring two Royal Rumble matches and two championship bouts, though the specific title matches have not been finalized.
Live from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan
WWE SmackDown heads to Grand Rapids for the final episode before the holidays, serving as the fallout show from Saturday Night\’s Main Event, where John Cena wrestled his final match ever. The show also addresses the fallout from Drew McIntyre\’s attack on Cody Rhodes during his match with NXT Champion Oba Femi. With multiple storylines heating up heading into the new year, tonight\’s episode promises significant developments across multiple feuds.
Match Card
Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa)
Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)
JC Mateo & Tonga Loa vs. The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) – No Contest Expected
Damian Priest Under Siege
Following the Terror Twins\’ victory over Aleister Black and Zelina Vega at last week\’s SmackDown, Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley reunited to defeat the married couple in mixed tag team action. However, the feud appears far from over. Sources have identified that Black and Zelina will launch another assault on Priest during tonight\’s broadcast.
The Archer of Infamy recently enlisted Ripley\’s help after months of dealing with Black\’s mind games and Zelina\’s interference. While the Terror Twins secured the win last week with their signature Razor\’s Edge combination and Ripley\’s Riptide, Black has shown no signs of backing down. With Ripley currently focused on her own rivalries on Raw, Priest may find himself outnumbered once again when Black and Zelina strike.
This feud dates back several months, with Black defeating Priest in a Last Man Standing Match thanks to Zelina\’s involvement. Black then escalated matters by blasting Priest in the face with a fireball. Tonight\’s attack could set up a stipulation match or further enlarge this personal rivalry heading into the Royal Rumble season.
Ilja Dragunov & Carmelo Hayes vs. DIY
In an unlikely pairing, United States Champion Ilja Dragunov teams with Carmelo Hayes to battle the veteran duo of DIY. This match brings together four competitors with vastly different recent trajectories on SmackDown.
Dragunov successfully retained his United States Championship against Tommaso Ciampa last week after weeks of Ciampa\’s psychological warfare. The Mad Dragon has made it clear he wants to carry the title with honor, refusing backup from Nathan Frazer and Axiom despite Ciampa\’s mind games. His partnership with Hayes tonight represents an intriguing dynamic, as both men possess intense, high-impact styles.
Hayes, meanwhile, was part of John Cena\’s Last Time is Now Tournament last month, advancing past Bronson Reed before falling to Gunther in the quarterfinals. The former NXT Champion continues seeking his footing on the main roster, and a victory over the established DIY could provide significant momentum.
Johnny Gargano and Ciampa reformed DIY earlier this year, and despite their recent setbacks, they remain one of the most accomplished tag teams in WWE history. Ciampa\’s frustration after failing to capture the United States Championship could make him especially dangerous tonight. The chemistry between Gargano and Ciampa contrasts sharply with the ad hoc pairing of Dragunov and Hayes, potentially giving DIY the advantage.
Women\’s Tag Team Action
Nia Jax and Lash Legend face The Kabuki Warriors in what promises to be a physical encounter. Jax and Legend have been aligned for several weeks, targeting former WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. The duo secured a victory last week, and tonight they look to continue building momentum.
The Kabuki Warriors, Asuka and Kairi Sane, represent one of the most decorated teams in women\’s wrestling history. Their speed and technical prowess clash with the power-based offense of Jax and the athleticism of Legend. Following their match, expect Bliss and Flair to make an appearance, as their rivalry with Jax and Legend remains unresolved heading into the new year.
The Wyatt Sicks Continue Their Chaos
The mysterious Wyatt Sicks faction faces MFT members JC Mateo and Tonga Loa in what\’s expected to end in chaos rather than a clean finish. Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis have been wreaking havoc on SmackDown since their arrival, and their unpredictable nature makes any match involving them a potential spectacle.
The MFTs, representing the Sol Ruca-aligned group, have struggled to contain the psychological warfare employed by The Wyatt Sicks. Tonight\’s no-contest will likely see the faction\’s full presence felt, potentially setting up a larger confrontation down the line.
Segments to Watch
Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre Fallout: After McIntyre\’s interference ruined Rhodes\’ match with Oba Femi at Saturday Night\’s Main Event, the Undisputed WWE Champion will likely address the ongoing harassment from The Scottish Psychopath. Rhodes earned a WWE Championship match against McIntyre on Raw after their recent brawl at Rhodes\’ home, and tonight could feature further developments in this intensely personal rivalry.
Randy Orton, Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, and Jacob Fatu Appearances: Multiple top stars are advertised for tonight\’s show, suggesting potential segment work or surprise confrontations that could set up future matches and storylines.
Looking Ahead
SmackDown expands to three hours starting January 3, 2025, from Phoenix, Arizona
The Royal Rumble season approaches, with storylines beginning to take shape for the January 31 event
Cody Rhodes\’ next challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship remains unclear beyond his upcoming match with Drew McIntyre
The United States Championship picture continues to develop with multiple contenders circling Ilja Dragunov
Women\’s division rivalries intensify heading into the new year with multiple unresolved feuds
WWE SmackDown airs tonight at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT on the USA Network from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Dwayne \”The Rock\” Johnson brought holiday cheer to families in need through a surprise Walmart shopping spree partnership with his men\’s care brand PapaTui and the YMCA.
The WWE legend shared footage on Twitter showing him greeting families with a unique \”Golden Ticket\” style giveaway. \”As long as you can fit it in the cart, on the cart and it STAYS IN the cart, then you TAKE IT ALL HOME!!\” Johnson explained in his post.
So I pulled up to @Walmart and surprised some beautiful families from the YMCA.
Gave out a few buck$, gave out some toys and 5 Golden Tickets ?? ?
As long as you can fit it in the cart, on the cart and it STAYS IN the cart, then you TAKE IT ALL HOME!! ? ? ? ?
Beyond the shopping spree opportunity, The Rock distributed cash and toys to the YMCA families. \”As parents we all know, there\’s no greater joy than seeing our little ones be HAPPY & SMILE!\” he wrote, signing the message as his holiday alter-ego \”Dwanta.\”
The heartwarming event showcased Johnson\’s commitment to community giving during the holiday season. \”Meetings these families made my day ~ thank you everyone for being so kind and cool,\” he shared. \”From my @PapaTui_ and Walmart family to yours ~ Happy Holidays, & Merry Christmas -Dwanta.\”
PapaTui, The Rock\’s affordable men\’s care brand launched in March 2024, is available at Walmart and Target with products ranging from $7.99 to $9.99. The brand name honors his late grandfather, Samoan High Chief Peter Maivia, combining \”Tui\” (his grandfather\’s nickname for him) with \”Papa\” (meaning \”Rock\” in Samoan).
The backstage fight between Big Show and Great Khali has been told many times over the years, but The Undertaker delivered a fresh perspective on why it remains wrestling folklore—not for the fight itself, but for what came after.
The two giants clashed in the men\’s dressing room after Khali stole Big Show\’s signature corner chop during their six-man tag match. When Show threw what Undertaker described as a devastating shot that \”sounded like taking a big ol\’ rib eye steak and throwing it on the counter,\” Khali somehow stayed upright.
What followed was pure chaos. As the two seven-footers grappled, they tripped over a bag—with Show landing on bottom. Before the situation escalated, William Regal burst into the room like a \”spider monkey in a towel,\” subduing Khali with a \”fish hook.\”
Regal\’s intervention stole the show, leaving Taker and the entire locker room (Undertaker, Kane, CM Punk, Carlito included) as witnesses to the spectacle.
After the fight was over, the laughs began, courtesy of Undertaker\’s relentless ribbing. \”I give Show grief,\” Taker revealed. \”I probably shouldn\’t even tell the story cuz I\’ve never let him off the hook.\” Taker recounted mocking Big Show on the bus weeks later: \”Dang man, he had you down.\” Show nearly lost it.
Michelle McCool chimed in that Undertaker later joked about Show getting \”one good shot in,\” to which Khali replied his jaw only hurt from Regal\’s fish hook.
Khali\’s Side of the Story
The Great Khali has previously shared his own version of the altercation, claiming a very different ending to the confrontation. In an interview with Indian publication The Lallantop, Khali claimed he made Big Show cry during the fight.
According to Khali, after Show came at him with punches, he dodged twice before landing his own strike: \”When I punched him, he got knocked down and I got on top of him. After 2-3 punches, all the people in the locker room pulled us apart. Afterward, he started crying.\”
Khali also stated that Show \”thought he could impress the young talent by taking me out, but it backfired on him.\” This account differs significantly from other versions, including Chris Jericho\’s retelling in his autobiography, where Y2J wrote that Big Show tripped over a chair during the scuffle.
The varying accounts from different witnesses highlight how backstage incidents often have multiple perspectives, with each participant and observer remembering events through their own lens.
Big Show & The Great Khali
The Big Show and The Great Khali, two of the largest athletes in WWE history, wrestled multiple times in WWE. Their most notable clash came at WWE Backlash 2008. Big Show won with a Chokeslam, despite Khali dominating much of the contest. They also had tag team action and feuds, including being on opposing sides.
GUNTHER has issued an open challenge to anyone in WWE unhappy with how he retired John Cena, declaring he\’s \”very easy to find.\”
In his first interview since making the Cenation Leader tap out at Saturday Night\’s Main Event, the WWE Champion addressed the backstage fallout from his controversial victory. Speaking with TMZ\’s Inside The Ring, GUNTHER revealed that several people in the company aren\’t pleased with how he handled Cena\’s final moment.
\”I know a lot of people were not happy with what happened on Saturday and how it happened,\” GUNTHER stated. \”I know a lot of people in the company were not happy with that. But that\’s fine. If anyone\’s got an issue with that, I think I\’m very easy to find.\”
The champion also revealed his calculated approach to his Monday Night Raw appearance following the match. Rather than explain himself or offer any semblance of respect to Cena, GUNTHER chose to say as little as possible to maximize the impact.
\”As soon as I walked out, I realized there\’s not much I should tell them today because I\’m going to enjoy the damage that has been done and how upset they are.\”
GUNTHER explained his philosophy of strategic disappearance after major moments, admitting he kept to himself in the immediate aftermath of the match.
\”Sometimes when the damage is done, you leave and you don\’t take a bath in it anymore,\” he said. \”I took that bath in it on Monday and I haven\’t really been around after the match.\”
Looking ahead, the Ring General teased \”undead potential\” in terms of future opponents while keeping his specific plans close to the chest. He refused to announce anything concrete, preferring to let his actions speak on WWE programming.
The champion also maintains his lone wolf mentality backstage, revealing he doesn\’t concern himself with others\’ opinions of his work.
\”I don\’t talk to many people backstage to be honest. I try to do my own thing and do my work and go home. It doesn\’t really matter to me what other people think or how they judge it. I know what I did right and I know what I do wrong.\”
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