After capturing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2024 by defeating Damian Priest, Gunther has remained a dominant force, successfully defending his title against Priest, Sami Zayn, and Jey Uso.
As WrestleMania 41 approaches, the champion is set to face Uso once again. Speaking with Sam Roberts on The RAW Recap, the Austrian grappler discussed the pressure associated with high-profile matches.
“I never had an issue with fitting in those situations. I always knew what I\’m capable of. I always knew where I belonged,” he said.
“Even though this year it\’s not the scenario I wanted to be in, I have an opponent that\’s overreaching by a mile, that is not on my level. I’m a professional. I’m the World Heavyweight Champion. There’s a duty to fulfill, and I’m going to do that.”
When asked about his excitement for WrestleMania, Gunther maintained that his personal emotions take a backseat to the responsibility of holding the title.
“My personal feelings, it\’s too intimate of a question to answer,” he said. “I\’m here to fulfill my duties as World Heavyweight Champion. That\’s what I\’m doing right now.”
Gunther’s comments underscore his serious approach to title defenses, reinforcing his image as a focused and disciplined champion heading into WWE’s biggest stage.
Gunther previously said he\’s planning a \”mercy killing\” of Jey Uso at WrestleMania, while the \”Main Event\” Uce says he\’s ready to unleash the beast within him at WWE\’s biggest show of the year:
Former WWE Champion Big E suffered a broken neck on a live episode of WWE SmackDown in 2022, barely avoided paralysis and will probably never wrestle again. Funny stuff, right?
The beloved founding member of The New Day was thrown back into the spotlight during the April 7 episode of Monday Night Raw. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe joined the commentary team for the World Tag Team Title match between The New Day and The War Raiders. Known for his edgy humor, Hinchcliffe aimed for laughs but struck a nerve instead when he quipped,
“The only thing stiffer than Michael Cole is Big E’s neck.”
Big E: I Didn\’t Sign Up For This, But That Joke Was Approved
The joke didn’t land well with many fans. Now, Big E has responded—and while he kept things respectful, he didn’t shy away from expressing his feelings. Speaking on RAW Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant, Big E addressed the situation with calm clarity.
“At my big age of 39 years old, people will say what they want about you… Has nothing to do with me. That’s not my business. Say what you want. He was given a mic, he was given an opportunity. People will feel how they want to.”
Big E said he\’s not hurt, but he didn\’t \”sign up for this\” and had no idea the joke was coming. He\’s taking the high road, and says \”people signed off\” on it and that\’s got nothing to do with him.
“It was said on the show. I’m supposed to talk—especially when things are mentioned about me—I should have an opinion. But it’s tiring to always have to weigh in on what people say.
Look, I’m not hurt, I’m good. I want the discourse to be happy without me, honestly… I didn’t sign up for this (he laughed). I wasn’t aware of it. He did what he did. People signed off on it. It really has nothing to do with me.”
Big E’s level-headed response hasn’t stopped debate online. Reactions have been mixed—some defending Hinchcliffe’s dark comedy style, others criticizing WWE for allowing a joke about a real and serious injury to make it to air.
With The Roast of WrestleMania—an upcoming off-air comedy event hosted by Hinchcliffe—on the horizon, fans are left wondering how far WWE will let the humor go.
Tonight\’s WWE NXT broadcasts live on the USA Network from Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center.
This show will continue building to next weekend\’s NXT Stand & Deliver 2025 PLE, where several championships are on the line.
Scheduled matches include:
Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans & Trick Williams vs The Dark State – This explosive six-man tag team match will see three members of the Dark State stable make their in-ring debut against Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans, and Trick Williams, all of whom are set to clash in a Triple Threat Match for the NXT Championship at Stand & Deliver 2025. The match promises intense action as these wrestlers look to gain momentum before their title bout.
Jordynne Grace vs Jaida Parker – This match pits Jordynne Grace against Jaida Parker in a hotly anticipated bout. With Stephanie Vaquer closely monitoring the action, this match could play a significant role in determining her title defense at Stand & Deliver.
Wes Lee vs Yoshiki Inamura – Wes Lee will face off against Yoshiki Inamura in what promises to be an exciting singles match. Both competitors are looking to prove themselves and climb the ranks in NXT.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest WWE news and our coverage of tonight\’s NXT.
What Happened Last Week
Ahead of tonight\’s show, catch up on the big happenings from the April 1, 2025 episode:
Stephanie Vaquer Vacates NXT Women\’s North American Championship – In a shocking move, Stephanie Vaquer relinquished the NXT Women\’s North American Championship, setting up a six-woman ladder match at Stand & Deliver to crown a new champion. Zaria and Kelani Jordan were the first two competitors to qualify for the match.
No Quarter Catch Crew Defeats Hank and Tank – The No Quarter Catch Crew emerged victorious over Hank and Tank with a decisive F-5/DDT combination. This match showcased the growing talent in NXT\’s tag team division.
Stand & Deliver Announcements – NXT General Manager Ava made key announcements regarding Stand & Deliver, including the Triple Threat Match for the NXT Championship between Oba Femi, Trick Williams, and Je\’Von Evans.
Buildup to Stand & Deliver – The show continued to build momentum towards Stand & Deliver, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting event with multiple championships on the line.
Roman Reigns will make a rare appearance on the April 14 episode of WWE Raw in Sacramento, California, marking his first scheduled appearance since being taken out with a GTS by CM Punk on SmackDown.
This appearance comes at a critical time as it will be the “go-home” episode before WrestleMania 41.
The April 14 show will also feature AJ Styles facing Karrion Kross in singles competition. This match came about after Kross had been attempting to bring out Styles’ darker side, telling him that if he lost at WrestleMania, they all would lose.
An aggravated Styles responded by challenging Kross to this match. Interestingly, this will be Kross’s first match on Raw in 2025, as he has only competed in one match on WWE television this year.
Rey Mysterio is officially scheduled to compete at WrestleMania 41. The match was confirmed during Monday night’s episode of WWE RAW following a controversial ringside incident.
Mysterio was present during a match involving El Grande Americano and members of the LWO. The bout ended in controversy when Americano used a piece of metal hidden in his mask to secure a win. After being struck with the object himself, Mysterio confronted WWE official Adam Pearce backstage.
Frustrated by the lack of consequences, Mysterio rejected the idea of facing Chad Gable—believed by some to be under the mask. Instead, he demanded a WrestleMania match against El Grande Americano, citing the disrespect shown to his culture and identity.
Pearce agreed to the request, stating he would grant the match out of respect for Mysterio. While the match is now official, the specific date—April 19 or April 20—has yet to be determined within the two-day WrestleMania 41 lineup.
WWE has confirmed new details surrounding the WWE ID Championships, revealing that the inaugural champions will be crowned through a double-elimination tournament during WrestleMania week in Las Vegas.
The opening rounds will be split across two events: GCW will host The ID Tournament on April 16 as part of The Collective 2025, followed by FSW on April 18 after SmackDown.
The tournament will include all current WWE ID prospects, but will also be open to independent talent. The double-elimination format means competitors must lose twice to be eliminated.
In a key development, WWE announced that if a non-WWE ID prospect wins a championship, they will be awarded a WWE ID contract. Once crowned, the WWE ID Titles will be defended across various independent wrestling promotions, adding a new level of visibility and opportunity for unsigned talent.
The collision of two wrestling icons—Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair—was set to be the match of the century at WrestleMania VIII (1992). But it never happened. According to veteran WWF broadcaster Sean Mooney, it wasn’t just one issue that killed the bout—it was a “perfect storm” of problems.
“I still go, how did that not really happen? Maybe the timing…the perfect storm…an earthquake, a tornado, and an avalanche happening all at once,” Mooney said during a conversation with Ten Count Media.
From poor ticket sales and steroid scandal backlash to Ric Flair’s unfamiliarity with WWF fans, the company never got the groundswell it expected.
The problem, Mooney explains, wasn’t Flair’s talent. Upon his arrival in the World Wrestling Federation (Summer 1991), he was still the same \’Naich that led the Four Horsemen and had classic rivalries with Dusty Rhodes and Ricky Steamboat. The main issue was the new audience he\’d be wrestling for.
“He was as great as ever—hadn’t lost a step,” he said. The real issue was visibility. “There were a lot of people that didn’t know who the F he was,” Mooney recalled Flair saying about his early house show reception.
Flair was a household name in the South, but the WWF’s Northeast-heavy audience didn’t grow up watching the “Nature Boy.”
“They thought all we got to do is get him here. People will just go crazy…they took it for granted,” Mooney explained. “They needed to tell people who he was, what he’d done, why he mattered—and they didn’t.”
Unlike stars like Mr. Perfect or The Undertaker, Flair didn’t receive the signature vignettes WWF used to launch characters.
“If they could’ve maybe done it in a historic way, showing his path…maybe it would’ve connected,” said Mooney.
By the time the Hogan vs. Flair dream match made it to WCW years later, the reaction proved there was a demand.
“Everybody knew who Hulk Hogan was…and WCW already had a base that loved Ric Flair,” Mooney said. “In WWF, it was different. It just wasn’t the right setting.”
Mooney, like many fans, still wonders what could’ve been.
“I wanted it to work. I really did. It should’ve been magic.”
Here\’s what Hogan said about the matter last year:
Bandido walked out of AEW Dynasty 2025 with both his mask and the ROH World Championship intact after a chaotic and controversial showdown with Chris Jericho.
The match came with high stakes, as Bandido had to put his mask on the line in order to earn a title shot. Initially, Jericho appeared to secure the win after using a hidden baseball bat behind the steel steps to strike Bandido, followed by a pinfall.
Interference played a major role in the outcome, with Bryan Keith attempting to assist Jericho mid-match. However, Bandido and Gravity managed to fend him off. Despite the interference, Jericho capitalized and pinned Bandido following the illegal bat shot.
Before Jericho could remove Bandido’s mask, the luchador\’s mother and sister, seated at ringside, informed referee Aubrey Edwards about the weapon usage. This led to Bryce Remsburg restarting the match.
In the restart, Jericho attempted to target Bandido’s sister, only to be slapped in return. Moments later, Bandido landed a decisive pinfall to capture the ROH World Championship for the second time in his career.
Bandido has done it and is now the NEW ROH World Champion!
The match concluded with Bandido celebrating in the ring alongside his family and Gravity, closing out one of the night’s most dramatic moments. One highlight saw Bandido hold Jericho in a vertical suplex for a full minute, showcasing his strength in a bout filled with emotion and controversy.
Toni Storm successfully defended the AEW Women’s World Championship at AEW Dynasty, overcoming a strong challenge from Megan Bayne. The “Timeless” champion endured Bayne’s power-based offense, including a diving clothesline and powerbomb combination.
AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm has done some Philadelphia style preparation as she faces the seemingly unstoppable Megan Bayne with the title on the line!
Bayne appeared close to victory after setting up for her Bow Down finisher, but Storm countered, landing on her feet and rolling Bayne up with a small package to secure the pinfall.
Throughout the match, Luther and Penelope Ford played a role, with Luther eventually carrying Ford away from ringside to reduce outside interference.
Storm entered the bout in a unique boxer-inspired outfit, paying homage to Rocky, complete with a pre-match training montage. Luther also embraced the theme, dressing as her cornerman instead of his usual butler attire.
Megan Bayne is tossing "Timeless" Toni Storm like it's nothing!
Rated FTR is officially finished following a brutal post-match betrayal at AEW Dynasty.
After challenging the Death Riders—Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and PAC—for the AEW World Trios Championships, the team of Adam Copeland, Dax Harwood, and Cash Wheeler fell short. The finish came when Yuta shoved Cope into Harwood before landing a Busaiku Knee on Harwood to secure the win.
— Rock And Wrestling Connection (@RockAndWrasslin) April 7, 2025
In the moments that followed, Cope and Wheeler helped Harwood back to his feet, and the trio shared an emotional embrace. However, the reunion was short-lived. As Wheeler exited the ring, Harwood suddenly attacked Cope with a piledriver.
Wheeler initially appeared stunned, even shoving Harwood to the mat after he introduced two chairs for a Con-Chair-To. But the hesitation didn’t last. The duo reunited to hit Cope with a Shatter Machine and a Big Rig.
Wheeler then delivered two brutal Con-Chair-Tos to Cope before mocking the injured star by placing his neck brace on himself and jumping onto the stretcher meant for Cope.
The shocking ambush leaves Rated FTR dismantled—and Cope sidelined after the vicious assault.
The AEW World Tag Team Championship match at AEW Dynasty saw The Hurt Syndicate — Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin — successfully defend their titles against Big Bill and Bryan Keith, aided by a surprise assist from MJF.
The match, held at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, began with the challengers coming out strong. Keith and Bill controlled early momentum until Shelton Benjamin landed a head kick on Bill, followed by a series of double-team attacks from the champions. Big Bill later regained control with a hot tag, delivering a splash and side slam before dropping Benjamin with a big boot.
As Lashley and Bill brawled outside the ring, MJF appeared at ringside and struck Big Bill with his Dynamite Diamond Ring. The interference allowed Lashley to Spear Bill, leaving Bryan Keith isolated in the ring. Benjamin followed up with a German Suplex and Spear before pinning Keith for the win.
MJF’s involvement added another layer to the ongoing discussions surrounding his potential alliance with The Hurt Syndicate. Despite multiple objections from Lashley and Benjamin, MVP has continued to engage in talks with MJF, drawing on a relationship that dates back to their days in Major League Wrestling in 2018.
While Lashley and Benjamin have resisted bringing MJF into the group, his actions at Dynasty may signal a shift in that dynamic moving forward.
Anthony Bowens made a dramatic return to AEW at the Dynasty 2025 pre-show on April 6 in Philadelphia, debuting a new persona as “The Pride of Pro Wrestling.”
When Max Caster issued an open challenge during the Zero Hour pre-show, fans were stunned to see Bowens appear with a completely new look, accompanied by Billy Gunn. Confronting his former tag team partner, Bowens immediately established dominance by discarding Caster’s trademark plaque before swiftly defeating him with a spinning elbow.
"THE PRIDE OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING" ANTHONY BOWENS HAS ANSWERED MAX CASTER’S OPEN CHALLENGE!
This decisive victory marks Bowens’ first appearance since January’s Collision Maximum Carnage, where tension between The Acclaimed members reached a breaking point. While Bowens has been absent from television, Caster has continued his unsuccessful “Best Wrestler Alive” open challenge series, suffering quick defeats across AEW programming.
Bowens’ reinvention as a “five-tool player” signals an exciting new chapter in his career following the dissolution of The Acclaimed.????????????????
The 5 Tool Player, Anthony Bowens is BACK and faces his former Tag Team Partner Max Caster RIGHT NOW!
Will Ospreay is confident his steel cage match against Kyle Fletcher at AEW Revolution 2025 set a benchmark that others couldn’t reach, but that hasn’t stopped people like CM Punk and Seth Rollins from trying.
Reflecting on the acclaimed performance, Ospreay said the match delivered a rare blend of stunts, storytelling, and emotional impact. He said on the Battleground Podcast:
“I can’t think of another Cage Match off the top of my head that had done the stunts, the storytelling, the drama as well as that,” he said.
He pointed to the immediate response from fans and peers, noting how the match resonated beyond expectations.
“I mean, people tried to top it the next day, and they couldn’t. I just could not believe the output and the support that we got afterward, and just how people just thought it was one of the greatest Steel Cage Matches ever.”
Ospreay will be in action at tonight’s AEW Dynasty pay-per-view, where he’ll battle newcomer Kevin Knight in a quarterfinal match of the Owen Hart Men’s Tournament .
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo appeared at a CMLL wrestling event while in Mexico City for her Guts World Tour. The singer performed at Estadio GNP Seguros on April 2 and 3, drawing the largest audience of her career so far at a venue capable of holding 65,000 attendees.
During her Mexico City concerts, Rodrigo mentioned to the crowd that she had experienced a lucha libre wrestling match while in the city, along with trying traditional tacos and visiting the Museo Casa Azul dedicated to Frida Kahlo.
The 22-year-old star took her appreciation for Mexican wrestling culture a step further by attending a CMLL show at Arena Mexico, as confirmed by her recent Instagram post where she shared a photo wearing a traditional Lucha Libre mask. Fans on Reddit’s r/SquaredCircle community have already begun discussing her appearance at the event.
Rodrigo joins a growing list of young female celebrities who are avid wrestling fans. Vanessa Hudgens has been spotted at WWE events in the past, and Danielle Fishel (known for her role as Topanga on “Boy Meets World”) is known to be a passionate wrestling enthusiast. The Guts World Tour marks Rodrigo’s first stadium performances in Latin America, with shows in Brazil and Mexico being significant milestones in her career.
After her Mexico City performances, Rodrigo is scheduled to continue her tour through July 1, 2025, when it concludes in Manchester, England.
Here\’s the preview for Monday\’s WWE Raw, broadcasting live on Netflix at 8/7c from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Monday, April 7, 2025. With less than two weeks until WrestleMania 41, tensions are rising and championship opportunities are on the line. This week\’s show marks WWE\’s return to the USA after their European tour, with several exciting matches and appearances scheduled.
The main event features Lyra Valkyria defending her Women\’s Intercontinental Championship against Bayley, who previously defeated Valkyria in a non-title match. The champion specifically requested this rematch to avenge that loss.
El Grande Americano returns to action after his debut win against Dragon Lee. He\’s replacing Chad Gable, who is unable to compete in his hometown due to illness.
Women\’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Bayley
WWE World Tag Team Championship: War Raiders (Erik & Ivar) (c) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)
Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio
El Grande Americano in action against a mystery opponent
CM Punk and Paul Heyman to make an appearance following Friday\’s SmackDown announcement that Heyman will be in Punk\’s corner for his WrestleMania 41 triple threat match against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins
Seth \”The Visionary\” Rollins to make an appearance
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther to appear
Jey Uso confirmed to be on the show
Adam Pearce to address the Women\’s World Championship situation between Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, and Bianca Belair following Belair\’s controversial guest referee decision last week
What Happened Last Week
Ahead of this week\’s WWE Raw, here\’s a quick recap of last week\’s show (March 31, 2025):
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther defeated Jimmy Uso in singles action
After the match, Gunther tied Jey Uso to the ropes and brutally attacked Jimmy, leaving him bloodied
Lyra Valkyria was attacked by WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez before Bayley made the save
Bianca Belair, serving as guest referee, threw out the WWE Women\’s World Title match between Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY
Cody Rhodes and John Cena had another heated confrontation during the European tour
Seth Rollins made his presence felt as WrestleMania approaches
Will Ospreay is embracing the opportunity to honor Owen Hart’s legacy as he prepares to compete in the Owen Hart Cup tonight at AEW Dynasty. Set to face Kevin Knight in the tournament’s opening round, Ospreay reflected on the personal significance of participating in a tribute that celebrates one of wrestling’s most respected figures.
This marks the second major point in Ospreay’s career where he’s felt a connection to Hart. The first came in 2017 when he won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in NJPW—a title Hart previously held in 1988.
“The best thing about that belt is everyone that held it has their name on it, and I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have a piece of history that Owen Hart was part of as well,” Ospreay tells Sports Illustrated.
A three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Ospreay said he was deeply appreciative of being listed among champions tied to Hart’s legacy. He views the Owen Hart Cup as a chance to continue that history by delivering standout performances.
“I feel like the history behind ‘The Owen’ has been pretty well-received. And I’m looking forward to continuing the legacy and putting on great showcase matches.”
Ospreay also spoke about Hart’s impact beyond the ring, citing his commitment to family despite the demands of constant travel—something Ospreay relates to in his own career.
“I watched a lot of his junior heavyweight stuff from Japan. He had a snap to him like no one else,” Ospreay said. “What I respect most is how much he loved his time with his family and was always in a rush to get back to them. That’s the situation I’m in now, constantly flying back and forth to the U.K.”
Ospreay’s tribute underscores the enduring influence of Hart’s career, both in the ring and in life.
I’ll update your WordPress HTML preview to include the new match information and corrections. Here’s the updated version:
All Elite Wrestling returns to pay-per-view this Sunday, April 6, 2025, with Dynasty emanating from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This marks AEW\’s first PPV event in Pennsylvania and the second annual Dynasty event.
With seven championship matches on the card, including Jon Moxley defending the AEW World Championship against Swerve Strickland, fans are in for an action-packed night of professional wrestling.
How to Watch
Start Times:
United States: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT (Main Card)
United Kingdom: 1:00 AM BST (early Monday morning)
Zero Hour Pre-show: 6:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM PT
Broadcast Details:
Amazon Prime (new for this event – requires active Prime subscription)
Triller TV (formerly Fite)
PPV.com
Traditional cable/satellite providers (US and Canada)
YouTube (Zero Hour pre-show only)
Match Card
AEW World Championship Jon Moxley (c) w/ Marina Shafir vs. Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana
One year after capturing his first AEW World Championship at Dynasty, Swerve Strickland looks to reclaim gold against Jon Moxley. Mox has maintained a stranglehold on the World Title since defeating Bryan Danielson at WrestleDream last October, finding ways to choke out every challenger that has come before him. This main event promises to be an intense battle between two of AEW\’s top stars.
AEW Women\’s World Championship \”Timeless\” Toni Storm (c) w/ Luther vs. Megan Bayne
Toni Storm faces perhaps her most daunting challenge yet as she defends her championship against the powerful Megan Bayne. The champion\’s theatrical persona will be put to the test against the raw power of \”The Megasus\” in what could be a show-stealing contest.
AEW International Championship – Triple Threat Match Kenny Omega (c) vs. Ricochet vs. \”Speedball\” Mike Bailey
Three of the most athletic performers in professional wrestling collide in what promises to be a high-flying spectacle. Newly crowned champion Kenny Omega puts his title on the line against two challengers known for their innovative offense and aerial abilities.
AEW World Tag Team Championship The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) (c) vs. The Learning Tree (Big Bill & Bryan Keith)
The Hurt Syndicate puts their tag team gold on the line against the imposing duo from The Learning Tree. This match adds another championship contest to an already stacked card, bringing the total to seven title matches for the evening.
AEW World Trios Championship The Death Riders (PAC, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) (c) vs. Rated FTR (Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
Team tensions are running high as Adam Copeland teams with FTR to challenge The Death Riders. With dissension already showing in the challengers\’ camp after Cope\’s failed attempt to capture the AEW World Title from Moxley, this match could see a potential heel turn from Dax and Cash if they fail to capture the titles.
ROH World Championship vs. Mask Match Chris Jericho (c) vs. Bandido
In a high-stakes encounter, Chris Jericho has agreed to defend his ROH World Championship against Bandido only if the challenger puts his mask on the line. This title-versus-mask stipulation adds an extra layer of drama to an already compelling matchup.
AEW TNT Championship – No Time Limit, No Outside Interference Daniel Garcia (c) vs. Adam Cole
Daniel Garcia defends his TNT Championship against Adam Cole under special stipulations that ensure a definitive winner. With no time limit and outside interference banned, these two technical wrestlers will have to rely solely on their in-ring abilities to emerge victorious.
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarter-Final – Men\’s Bracket Will Ospreay vs. Kevin Knight
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarter-Final – Men\’s Bracket Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarter-Final – Women\’s Bracket Mercedes Moné vs. Julia Hart
These quarterfinal matches in the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament will have significant implications for Double or Nothing on May 25, where the tournament finals will take place.
With WrestleMania season in full swing, AEW\’s Dynasty looks to make its own mark on the wrestling calendar with a stacked card of ten matches, including seven championship bouts and three tournament matches that could reshape the company\’s landscape moving forward.
Vince McMahon is actively pursuing new ventures in the combat sports space, according to recent comments from WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff. Speaking with CanadaCasino.ca, Bischoff revealed that McMahon had been involved in discussions with individuals from the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship—talks that mirrored Bischoff\’s own negotiations with the promotion.
Though neither party ultimately moved forward, the conversations suggest McMahon remains interested in reentering the sports entertainment industry.
\”I know for a fact that Vince is exploring opportunities in combat sports, at least as recently as about three months ago,\” Bischoff says. \”He was dealing with someone that I was dealing with at the same time… it was substantiated and confirmed by another third party.\”
Bischoff added that McMahon\’s passion for high-stakes ventures remains intact, even at age 78.
\”Vince will work until the day he draws his last breath. He\’s passionate. He loves a challenge, and Vince loves to fight.”
While McMahon has kept a low profile since exiting the TKO Group Board of Directors in early 2024, speculation about a return to entertainment has persisted.
In January 2025, reports emerged that McMahon was working on a new entertainment company to fund, develop, and produce TV and film projects. Bischoff has also revealed that he’s heard McMahon \”purchased some pretty significant production facilities in Santa Monica\” and assembled a \”skeleton staff.\”
McMahon\’s efforts come as he continues to face legal challenges stemming from a January 2024 lawsuit filed by a former WWE employee accusing him of sexual misconduct. Fox Sports has denied involvement in any rumored McMahon project, with a spokesperson explicitly refuting such claims.
The fiery in-ring confrontation on WWE SmackDown between Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton took an unexpected turn when Charlotte Flair accused Stratton’s boyfriend, WWE star Ludwig Kaiser, of sliding into her DMs. The remark came during a tense exchange that saw Stratton reference Flair’s divorces before exiting the ring.
Kaiser wasn’t going to let that remark just hang there unanswered, and responded with a vintage WWE clip of Shawn Michaels telling Diana Hart, “Please, don’t flatter yourself,” clearly rejecting the implication.
WWE later removed the more personal moments from its digital versions of the segment. According to reports, the back-and-forth went off script, with both women allegedly unaware of some of the remarks beforehand.
The situation caused such a storm that Flair’s latest ex-husband, WWE star Andrade, came to her defense on social media.
WWE’s involvement in Bloodsport XIII on April 17 has reached an unprecedented level, with Shayna Baszler now confirmed for a high-profile bout against Stardom’s Konami. This marks her return to the shoot-style event, where she remains undefeated.
With seven WWE-affiliated names featured, the card reflects a dramatic shift in WWE’s traditional stance on talent appearing at independent events.
The full lineup now includes Natalya, Charlie Dempsey, Pete Dunne, Karmen Petrovic, Karrion Kross, Tavion Heights, and Baszler—making Bloodsport XIII feel more like an unofficial WWE showcase than a standalone indie event.
Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII
Date: Thursday, April 17, 2025
Time: 8 PM (Local Time)
Venue: Pearl Concert Theater, Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas
Streaming: TrillerTV+
Confirmed Match Card:
Shayna Baszler vs. Konami
Natalya Neidhart vs. Miyu Yamashita
Charlie Dempsey vs. Shinya Aoki
Pete Dunne vs. Timothy Thatcher
Karmen Petrovic vs. Maika
Karrion Kross vs. JR Kratos
Tavion Heights vs. Royce Isaacs
Baszler’s return is especially notable, as she brings a 2-0 Bloodsport record into her match. Her appearance reinforces WWE’s growing openness to external collaborations and aligns with a broader strategy of cross-platform exposure for its talent.
The event, streaming live on TrillerTV+ from Las Vegas, blends top-tier WWE talent with respected names from the global independent scene, highlighting a new era of cooperation that benefits both WWE and promotions like Bloodsport.
AEW has turned the tide ahead of Dynasty 2025, with ticket sales surging in the final stretch before tonight’s event at Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia.
According to a final update this morning from WrestleTix, 7,020 tickets have already distributed. The current seating setup accommodates 7,575, indicating a near sellout. This marks a significant jump from the 4,320 tickets reported just over two weeks ago.
AEW also expanded capacity by opening Section 208, reflecting the rising demand as showtime approached.
This year’s turnout has already eclipsed that of 2024’s Dynasty in St. Louis, which drew 6,619 attendees.
AEW enters tonight’s show with clear crowd energy and a packed house, setting the stage for one of its most well-attended Dynasty events to date.
Lucien Price has made his return to in-ring action after being sidelined for nearly three months with a hand injury. The WWE NXT star, a key member of the OTM faction, stepped back into competition during the April 5, 2025 live event in Gainesville, Florida.
Price teamed with his partner Bronco Nima in a tag match against Trick Williams and Wes Lee. Despite the duo’s efforts, they came up short in the bout. The match marked Price’s first since January 18, when he was pulled from action due to injury.
The injury not only kept Price off television but also impacted Nima, who remained inactive on NXT programming despite being healthy. In late February, Price hinted at his recovery progress with a gym photo on social media, showing minimal bracing on his wrist.
With Price now cleared and back in the ring, OTM is expected to reenter the NXT tag team scene. The division is currently led by reigning champions FraxiOM—Nathan Frazer and Axiom—who continue their dominant reign.
Price’s return also comes as Trick Williams prepares for a high-stakes NXT Championship match at Stand & Deliver on April 19, where he’ll face Oba Femi and Je’Von Evans in a triple threat bout.
WWE’s new faction Darkstate — Cutler James, Saquon Shugars, Osiris Griffin, and Dion Lennox — made their in-ring debut during the NXT live event on April 6, 2025. The group secured a decisive win in an eight-man tag team match against Javier Bernal, Drako Knox, Uriah Connors, and Drake Morreaux.
Their first televised match is scheduled for the April 8 episode of NXT, where three members of Darkstate will face NXT Champion Oba Femi, Trick Williams, and Je’Von Evans in a six-man tag match. NXT General Manager Ava announced the match following Darkstate’s attack on all three competitors during the April 1 broadcast.
Darkstate initially emerged at NXT Vengeance Day in February, debuting with an ambush on Oba Femi. Since then, the group has repeatedly targeted high-profile names, including Fraxiom, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, and Tony D’Angelo. WWE officially revealed the group’s name in mid-March through social media.
Of the four, Dion Lennox is the only member with previous NXT television experience, having competed in the 2024 NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament. Cutler James, who joined WWE in 2023, has appeared on WWE: Next Gen and WWE: LFG, while Shugars and Griffin are new to the WWE audience. Lennox is believed to be the group’s leader, based on backstage commentary from Tony D’Angelo’s Family.
Darkstate has made clear they’re done waiting for chances and intend to disrupt NXT while taking what they want. Their televised in-ring debut on April 8 marks the next step in their rise within the brand.
All Elite Wrestling returns to pay-per-view tonight, April 6, 2025, with AEW Dynasty 2025 emanating from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This marks AEW\’s first PPV event in Pennsylvania and the second annual Dynasty event.
With seven championship matches on the card, including Jon Moxley defending the AEW World Championship against Swerve Strickland, fans are in for an action-packed night of professional wrestling.
How to Watch
Start Times:
United States: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT (Main Card)
United Kingdom: 1:00 AM BST (early Monday morning)
Zero Hour Pre-show: 6:30 PM ET / 3:30 PM PT
Broadcast Details:
Amazon Prime (new for this event – requires active Prime subscription)
Triller TV (formerly Fite)
PPV.com
Traditional cable/satellite providers (US and Canada)
YouTube (Zero Hour pre-show only)
Match Card
AEW World Championship Jon Moxley (c) w/ Marina Shafir vs. Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana
One year after capturing his first AEW World Championship at Dynasty, Swerve Strickland looks to reclaim gold against Jon Moxley. Mox has maintained a stranglehold on the World Title since defeating Bryan Danielson at WrestleDream last October, finding ways to choke out every challenger that has come before him. This main event promises to be an intense battle between two of AEW\’s top stars.
AEW Women\’s World Championship \”Timeless\” Toni Storm (c) w/ Luther vs. Megan Bayne
Toni Storm faces perhaps her most daunting challenge yet as she defends her championship against the powerful Megan Bayne. The champion\’s theatrical persona will be put to the test against the raw power of \”The Megasus\” in what could be a show-stealing contest.
AEW International Championship – Triple Threat Match Kenny Omega (c) vs. Ricochet vs. \”Speedball\” Mike Bailey
Three of the most athletic performers in professional wrestling collide in what promises to be a high-flying spectacle. Newly crowned champion Kenny Omega puts his title on the line against two challengers known for their innovative offense and aerial abilities.
AEW World Tag Team Championship The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) (c) vs. The Learning Tree (Big Bill & Bryan Keith)
The Hurt Syndicate puts their tag team gold on the line against the imposing duo from The Learning Tree. This match adds another championship contest to an already stacked card, bringing the total to seven title matches for the evening.
AEW World Trios Championship The Death Riders (PAC, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) (c) vs. Rated FTR (Cope, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
Team tensions are running high as Adam Copeland teams with FTR to challenge The Death Riders. With dissension already showing in the challengers\’ camp after Cope\’s failed attempt to capture the AEW World Title from Moxley, this match could see a potential heel turn from Dax and Cash if they fail to capture the titles.
ROH World Championship vs. Mask Match Chris Jericho (c) vs. Bandido
In a high-stakes encounter, Chris Jericho has agreed to defend his ROH World Championship against Bandido only if the challenger puts his mask on the line. This title-versus-mask stipulation adds an extra layer of drama to an already compelling matchup.
AEW TNT Championship – No Time Limit, No Outside Interference Daniel Garcia (c) vs. Adam Cole
Daniel Garcia defends his TNT Championship against Adam Cole under special stipulations that ensure a definitive winner. With no time limit and outside interference banned, these two technical wrestlers will have to rely solely on their in-ring abilities to emerge victorious.
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarter-Final – Men\’s Bracket Will Ospreay vs. Kevin Knight
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarter-Final – Men\’s Bracket Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarter-Final – Women\’s Bracket Mercedes Moné vs. Julia Hart
These quarterfinal matches in the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament will have significant implications for Double or Nothing on May 25, where the tournament finals will take place.
With WrestleMania season in full swing, AEW\’s Dynasty looks to make its own mark on the wrestling calendar with a stacked card of ten matches, including seven championship bouts and three tournament matches that could reshape the company\’s landscape moving forward.
MLW Battle Riot VII took place last night at Thunder Studios Arena in Long Beach, California, featuring several major surprises and title changes:
Main Event
• Matt Riddle successfully retained his MLW World Heavyweight Championship in the 40-person Battle Riot match, entering at #25 and outlasting the entire field • The match concluded with Riddle shoving Rob Van Dam off the top rope as RVD attempted a Five-Star Frog Splash
• Alex Hammerstone made his return to MLW after leaving over a year ago for TNA, entering at #1 • Raj Dhesi (formerly Jinder Mahal) entered at #2 • Chris Adonis (formerly Chris Masters) appeared at #22 • Independent star Titus Alexander was a surprise entrant at #38 • Rob Van Dam made his first-ever MLW appearance as the final entrant at #40
Title Changes
• Shoko Nakajima defeated Delmi Exo to become the new MLW Women’s World Featherweight Champion • Mistico vacated the MLW World Middleweight Championship, announcing his move to the heavyweight division
• Austin Aries returned to MLW as part of the commentary team alongside Joe Dombrowski • Bishop Dyer (formerly Baron Corbin in WWE) made his MLW debut in the Battle Riot match, though his appearance had been announced beforehand • A mysterious teaser aired featuring imagery of a bullet, beer, and tape recorder with the message “They’re Coming” and the number 626, which looks like The Good Brothers are headed to MLW
![https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/\"How](https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/GnZaqBZa0AAgAwa.jpghttps://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/\")
![https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/\"](https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/\"https://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/IMG_9563-1-880x1000.jpeghttps://media.sescoops.com/uploads/2025/04/\")