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Tag: Trick Williams

  • Booker T Compares Trick Williams’ WWE Ceiling To Roman Reigns

    Booker T Compares Trick Williams’ WWE Ceiling To Roman Reigns

    Booker T says this is the most pivotal moment of Trick Williams’ WWE career and warned the rising star that he cannot afford to get complacent with the momentum he has built.

    Speaking on the No Contest Wrestling Podcast, Booker T praised Williams’ positioning in WWE before delivering a direct message.

    “Trick’s in that position now where he’s got to fly. He’s got to really, really fly. I hope he listens to this because I shoot straight. This is the most pivotal time for a young wrestler like Trick Williams. He cannot get complacent. He cannot start believing the hype. This is the time where he’s got to do more than he ever imagined to put himself into position to be that guy.”

    Booker T used Roman Reigns as the benchmark Williams should be chasing.

    “That guy, such as a Roman Reigns, a guy who over these last 10 years, nobody has had a bad match with Roman Reigns because Roman is a hell of a general. He’s going to go out there and he’s going to take you through that match and he’s going to take you to something so compelling at the end of the night. No matter how many people did not like Roman Reigns, they’re going to be saying, ‘Damn, he’s good.’ That’s where I need someone like Trick to really be honestly thinking about, focusing on being that guy. That guy that every guy in the locker room looks at him a certain way and they know it when he walks in the room.”

    Williams debuted on SmackDown in January and, within months, was feuding with Sami Zayn and competing in his first WrestleMania. He won the United States Championship at WrestleMania 42.

  • New Title Match Confirmed For WWE Backlash

    New Title Match Confirmed For WWE Backlash

    Trick Williams will defend the United States Championship against Sami Zayn at WWE Backlash 2026. The match was announced following a chaotic segment on the May 1 episode of SmackDown.

    During the broadcast, Zayn attacked The Gingerbread Man with a low blow before punching him repeatedly and ripping off one of his arms. Williams rushed to the scene and attacked Zayn, who escaped the ring before further confrontation.

    Williams checked on The Gingerbread Man and threw up the X sign, signaling a serious injury to the character.

    WWE Backlash Updated Match Card

    In a backstage interview with Cathy Kelley, Williams was informed by a physician that The Gingerbread Man did not survive Zayn’s attack. Following the news, Williams announced he would defend his United States Championship against Zayn at Backlash 2026. Below is the updated card for the show:

    • Singles Match: Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker (with Paul Heyman)
    • Singles Match: Iyo Sky vs. Asuka
    • WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
    • WWE US Championship Match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Sami Zayn

    Backlash this year will be taking place from the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida on May 9.

  • Backstage News On When Discussion About Babyface Turn For Trick Williams Began

    Backstage News On When Discussion About Babyface Turn For Trick Williams Began

    Trick Williams is the new WWE United States Champion, and according to a new report, the groundwork for his babyface turn was laid more than a month before he claimed the title at WrestleMania 42.

    Williams defeated Sami Zayn on Night Two at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas to win his first main roster championship, with Lil Yachty in his corner for the occasion. The match positioned Williams as the crowd favorite, and the reaction he received reflected a shift that had been building organically for several weeks.

    According to Fightful Select, internal discussions about a babyface turn for Williams began over a month ago, with his growing popularity and the response to his entrance music becoming increasingly difficult to ignore in the lead-up to WrestleMania.

    Williams had spent the final stretch of his NXT run as a heel, a direction he had been working since TNA Rebellion 2025. When he debuted on the main roster in January, he was positioned as a heel, making his first appearance by interrupting Randy Orton, who was a babyface at the time. The crowd’s reaction to Williams, however, began telling a different story in the weeks that followed.

    The United States Championship is Williams’ first main roster title and represents a significant step forward for one of WWE’s more naturally charismatic performers. His WrestleMania 42 win now sets up what figures to be a prominent babyface run heading into the post-WrestleMania season.

  • Trick Williams Reveals Emotional Story of His Mom’s WrestleMania Appearance

    Trick Williams Reveals Emotional Story of His Mom’s WrestleMania Appearance

    Trick Williams is a champion.

    Mr. Lemon Pepper Stepper made his WrestleMania debut in a big way tonight, only a few months after his official call up. He defeated US Champion Sami Zayn to win his first singles title on the main roster.

    The new champion spoke about his victory on the PPV post-show. He firs thanked God for his success. Williams then mentioned that it wasn’t the result of the work of four months and instead, he has been getting ready for this moment all his life.

    Trick Williams On His Mom

    Trick Williams then talked about his mom being in attendance for his win, noting that he almost shed a tear. The former NXT star revealed that his mom underwent knee replacement surgery just a month ago and she worked very hard on her rehab to make sure she didn’t miss her son’s first WrestleMania:

    “Man, a thug almost shed a tear today, man. Because my mama was out there. And my mama had a knee replacement about a month ago. And I watched her train; I called her every single day. I watched her train, she said, ‘Baby, there’s no way I’m missing your first WrestleMania.’ So she was right out there, so I gotta say, thank you Mama, I love you.”

    The US Champion later also discussed proving the haters wrong with his victory. He claimed that you don’t just get handed opportunities in this business and he has worked very hard to get in the position he is.

  • Trick Williams Names Roman Reigns As Dream WrestleMania Match

    Trick Williams Names Roman Reigns As Dream WrestleMania Match

    Trick Williams already has WrestleMania on his mind for this Sunday, but he’s also looking past it to the match he wants most.

    The SmackDown star appeared on The Pivot Podcast with Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor ahead of his United States Championship match against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42. Asked who he ultimately wants to share the grandest stage with, he didn’t hesitate.

    “If I want to be in the business and I say I want to be the best of all time, I got to see the best of all time. And right now that’s Roman Reigns.”

    Measuring Himself Against the Top

    It’s a telling answer from a competitor who treats the WWE roster the same way he once treated SEC defenses. Williams isn’t interested in a feel-good showcase. He wants the benchmark.

    Roman Reigns spent more than three years as Tribal Chief atop SmackDown and remains the standard most main-event hopefuls measure themselves against. For Williams, who hasn’t even had his first WrestleMania match yet, naming Reigns as the dream opponent is the same mindset that pushed him from a Hampton scholarship to a walk-on slot under Steve Spurrier.

    He framed the competitive pull this way:

    “The competitive drive hasn’t changed since my days in the SEC. It just evolved. I no longer play for stats. I play for the roar of the crowd.”

    Trick Williams To Face Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42

    Before any Reigns conversation becomes real, Williams has work to do. Sunday will mark his first WrestleMania match and his first singles PPV match on the main roster, with the United States Championship on the line against an eight-time WrestleMania veteran.

    If he gets through Zayn, the path toward the kind of opponent he’s already calling out gets a lot clearer.

  • Trick Williams Says Divine Intervention Saved His Wrestling Career

    Trick Williams Says Divine Intervention Saved His Wrestling Career

    Trick Williams has revealed how he got into wrestling.

    The former NXT Champion recently appeared on the Pivot podcast ahead of his first WrestleMania match. He talked about things such as his football career, his time in NXT, and more.

    During the interview, the SmackDown star was asked about the popularity of ‘Whoop That Trick’ chants, including the time when fans were chanting it at The Rock. While discussing the subject, Trick Williams told the story of how The Rock and a divine sign led to his wrestling career. He first recalled not getting signed after his first WWE tryout because of lack of experience in the ring:

    “I’m deciding like, ‘Bro, do I even want to wrestle?’ I went to a tryout, they said, ‘You’ve never wrestled before. Go learn what to do, and we’ll bring you back for another tryout.’ Just like that. Nobody is checking on me, seeing if I’m actually gonna do it. Like, take it or leave it, that’s what they told me.”

    Follow The Rock: Trick Williams

    After the failed tryout, Trick Williams had to decide whether he was going to pursue wrestling seriously or continue working as a teacher. After noting that teachers deserve to be paid more, Hollywood Trick revealed how a visit to church convinced him to continue wrestling:

    “So I’m in church. And I’m like ‘Am I supposed to wrestle?’ It kind of seemed like self-seeking, you know. I’m coaching kids, substitute teaching and stuff, and I feel like I’m kind of making a difference where I’m at. Long story short, I went to church and the Pastor’s word that day, I lie you not was, talking about water coming from the rock. So ‘Follow the Rock.’

    I went to Church [thinking] ‘Do I need to wrestle or not?’ and the Pastor told me, ‘Follow the Rock.’ I never told nobody that story, but I moved to Philadelphia two weeks later. I said, ‘I’m supposed to wrestle.’”

    Trick Williams will be challenging Sami Zayn for the US Championship not only in his first WrestleMania match but also in his first singles PPV match on the main roster, this Sunday night.

  • Trick Williams Turned Down NFL Comeback to Stay in WWE: ‘I Love What I Do Now’

    Trick Williams Turned Down NFL Comeback to Stay in WWE: ‘I Love What I Do Now’

    Trick Williams had the opportunity to make an NFL comeback after joining WWE. However, he turned it down without hesitation.

    The former NXT Champion revealed that he received a call from the New York Jets in the middle of filming a vignette and immediately chose wrestling over football.

    Williams shared the story during an appearance on The Mack Down Report. He explained the moment happened early in his NXT run, around 2021 or 2022, while filming a barbershop segment with Carmelo Hayes.

    “While at NXT, we were filming a barbershop vignette—with myself and Carmelo Hayes. This is like 2021, maybe 2022—early on. At this point, I’m probably like three years out of football. And right before we shoot this vignette, the New York Jets call me.”

    Trick Williams Chose WWE on the Spot

    The call came from a Jets scout who had evaluated Williams during his football career. Instead of entertaining the opportunity, Williams brushed it off immediately to continue filming.

    “Like, ‘Hey man—you know Trick Williams? I’m not sure if you remember me, I scouted you back then—we were this, we were that—I was just seeing how you’re doing, seeing how everything is working.’ I’m like, ‘Uh, excuse me, I’m in the middle of something—got to go.’ And that’s when I knew my football career was done.”

    Williams explained his mindset had already shifted completely to wrestling by that point. He had fully committed to becoming a WWE superstar and saw no reason to look back at his football past.

    From NFL Dreams to WrestleMania

    “But I was so far gone, man. I’m a superstar now. And I respect football—I played football for 20 years. I respect the game. I played with some greats, under some great coaches. But I love what I do now. I’m an athlete. I’m an entertainer.”

    Williams is set to challenge Sami Zayn for the WWE United States title at WrestleMania 42 inside Allegiant Stadium on April 19.

  • WWE Could Pull Off Wild Double Turn at WrestleMania 42

    WWE Could Pull Off Wild Double Turn at WrestleMania 42

    WWE has discussed the possibility of a double turn between Sami Zayn and Trick Williams during their United States Championship match at WrestleMania 42. The idea comes after weeks of changing crowd reactions, with Zayn receiving boos while Williams has gained stronger fan support.

    As per Bodyslam.net, WWE has discussed internally about turning both wrestlers during the match. Zayn will turn into a heel while pushing Williams into a babyface.

    The report states that the company is considering the move due to Zayn getting negative heat and Williams receiving louder crowd reactions as the weeks progress.

    “WWE has discussed the idea of doing double turn with Zayn and Williams at WrestleMania due to Zayn having go home heat and Williams getting louder crowd reactions as the weeks go by.”

    Sami Zayn Negative Crowd Reaction on SmackDown

    Zayn cut a promo on last night’s SmackDown and questioned why he was being booed. He also told fans that he didn’t care about their reaction, which added fuel to speculation that his character direction could be changing.

    Williams has continued to get cheers from the crowd in recent weeks. The timing could be right for WWE to potentially pull off a double turn during their championship match.

    If this double turn happens, it could become one of the biggest moments of the match and shift both characters moving forward after WrestleMania. WWE has made similar changes before when fan reactions started moving in unexpected directions.

  • Trick Williams Explains Why Carmelo Hayes Should Not Be Part of His WrestleMania Match

    Trick Williams Explains Why Carmelo Hayes Should Not Be Part of His WrestleMania Match

    Trick Williams doesn’t want to embarrass Carmelo Hayes.

    Fans were unhappy with Carmelo Hayes losing the US title to Sami Zayn only a few weeks before WrestleMania. Many believe that both Melo and Ilja Dragunov deserve to be a part of the title match at the biggest wrestling event of the year, after they elevated the championship with their feud over the last several months.

    During a recent interview with The Sun, Trick Williams, who is scheduled to challenge Zayn for the title at the PPV was asked about the possibility of Hayes being added to the bout. The former NXT Champion noted that he does have a story with the fellow NXT alumni, but claimed that he doesn’t want to embarrass Carmelo at his very first WrestleMania:

    “We definitely have a story and, you know, as far as what it would mean to the people, I think that’d be a beautiful moment. But, the truth is, whoever is in front of me got to get it. And as much as I care about Carmelo Hayes and as much of a friend that he once was to me, I don’t want to beat him down on the biggest stage of them all like that and embarrass him for his first WrestleMania.”

    Trick Williams claimed that it will be ‘a little cruel’ to do that to one of your friends. Though he later claimed that whoever is in front of him at the show has ‘got to get it.’

    The match between Williams and Zayn is set for Night 2 of the Show of Shows this year. Though it seems unlikely that Carmelo Hayes will be added to the bout after he lost the title rematch to Sami on this past Friday’s SmackDown.

  • Trick Williams Defends Carmelo Hayes: ‘He Deserves His Moment’ at WrestleMania 42

    Trick Williams Defends Carmelo Hayes: ‘He Deserves His Moment’ at WrestleMania 42

    Former NXT Champion Trick Williams recently secured his spot at WrestleMania 42, but he believes his former ally Carmelo Hayes deserves one too.

    Following Friday’s SmackDown in Pittsburgh, Williams was announced as the challenger for Sami Zayn’s newly won WWE United States Championship at “The Grandest Stage of Them All.” However, Hayes remains without an announced role for WWE’s biggest show of the year.

    During an appearance on Mornings With Mero on HOT 97, Williams spoke passionately about Hayes’ situation and their history together.

    “Me and Melo, we go way back, of course,” Williams said. “And I would love to see him get his moment, and he deserves that. And you never know, he probably still will. You know what I mean, he carried that US title great. So he deserves his moment and I’m sure he’s going to get his moment.”

    Hayes had been riding high as United States Champion with a 98-day reign before losing the title to Zayn on SmackDown. The defeat came with help from Williams himself, who blindsided his former friend and NXT ally with a punch during the match.

    Williams also highlighted the current wave of young Black talent in WWE, which includes rising stars like Oba Femi and Je’Von Evans.

    “First of all, what a time, man,” Williams said. “Some of these things you can’t control. It is the right time. I got to say, shout out to the guys who came before us.”

    The comments show the respect between the former allies despite their recent in-ring conflict. While Williams has his WrestleMania 42 opportunity locked in against Zayn for the US Championship, Hayes’ fans will hope WWE finds a meaningful spot for the talented performer on the card.

    With WrestleMania 42 still building its lineup, there remains time for Hayes to secure his moment on wrestling’s biggest stage.

  • Big Unsanctioned Match And More Added To WrestleMania 42

    Big Unsanctioned Match And More Added To WrestleMania 42

    New matches have been added to WrestleMania.

    Tonight’s episode of SmackDown saw Sami Zayn answering the US title open challenge after being told that there was no place for him on the PPV card. The Ultimate Underdog ended up defeating Carmelo Hayes for the belt with some unexpected help from Trick Williams. Nick Aldis informed Zayn afterwards that he will now be defending the title against Hollywood Trick at the Show of Shows.

    The show also featured a confrontation between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, after the two brawled through the arena on last week’s episode of the Blue Brand. The SmackDown GM intervened before the two meaty men could get physical again. Aldis informed them that they will get the chance to beat each other up to their satisfaction in an Unsanctioned match at WrestleMania 42.

    WWE WrestleMania 42 Updated Match Card

    The Show of Shows will be returning to Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, this year on April 18–19, 2026. Below is the updated match card for the show:

    • Women’s World Championship Match: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
    • WWE Women’s Championship Match: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
    • Singles Match: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
    • Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
    • United States Championship Match: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
    • Unsanctioned Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu
    • World Heavyweight Championship Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
    • Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton

  • Hall of Famer Says Trick Williams Makes Him Want to Wrestle Again

    Mark Henry is a fan of Trick Williams.

    The former NXT Champion has officially been on the main roster for less than a month, but he has already started making his mark. With his work against the likes of Rey Fénix, Matt Cardona and Randy Orton, the 31-year-old has impressed many people.

    This list includes none other than WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry. The World\’s Strongest Man offered some big praise to the WWE rookie on Busted Open Radio, saying that Trick Williams makes him want to wrestle again:

    “It’s been a long time since I felt like coming back to wrestling. This dude walking to the ring gets me fired up. He makes me want to wrestle again. That’s the effect that Trick had on me. Man, it’s the energy and the smugness, like the dude’s got it. He talks the talk, he walks the walk, he’s got the look.”

    Mark Henry never had an official retirement match, though the 54-year-old has not entered the ring since April 2018 and hasn\’t had a singles match since March 2017.

    Williams once again showcased his abilities while going up against the likes of Randy Orton, Sami Zayn and Damian Priest at Saturday Night\’s Main Event this week. You can check out the highlights of the match below:

  • Trick Williams Recalls Almost Injuring Fan In Recent SmackDown Appearance

    Trick Williams narrowly avoided injuring fans at SmackDown.

    The former NXT Champion was involved in a promo with Randy Orton on the January 9 show. After a heated exchange, the segment saw Williams jerking the mic out of The Viper\’s hand. Both talents looked at the trajectory of the object for an extended period, leading to speculations that it might have hit someone sitting in the stands.

    The WWE rookie addressed the whole thing while appearing on the No-Contest Wrestling podcast. Trick Williams confirmed that he meant to slap the microphone out of Orton\’s hand, but immediately afterward he could feel the trajectory of it being towards the people sitting at ringside:

    \”In NXT, we don’t have fans on that side, so I never had to think about that. You see what I’m saying? So I’m like, ‘Oh man, I should have thought about that. Maybe I should have smacked it down,’ ’cause, you know, I smacked it and it went up a little bit.\”

    Like The Red Sea: Trick Williams

    Trick Williams noted that, thankfully no one was hurt during the segment as the fans parted to let the object pass. He also claimed that he tried to apologise to the people in the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany, later on but they probably did not understand what he was saying:

    \”I just see people parting like the Red Sea, you know what I mean? Just everybody cleared out of the way. But from what I heard, nobody got hit. But, that’s what I’m hoping is the case—nobody got hit, man. And, shout out, ’cause I tried to apologize in German, but they didn’t understand what I was saying.”

    The newest SmackDown star is set to compete in a big match at Saturday Night Main Event on January 24. He will be going up against Orton, Damian Priest, and Sami Zayn for a shot at the WWE title at Royal Rumble.

  • Randy Orton and More Included In WWE Title Plans For Royal Rumble

    WWE has announced a new mini tournament.

    SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis revealed his plan to find a fresh contender for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2026 during the Friday night show this week.

    He announced 4 separate qualifying matches set to take place at the January 16 episode of the Blue Branded show from London, including names such as Randy Orton and Matt Cardona:

    • Randy Orton vs. The Miz
    • Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
    • Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
    • Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov

    The winners of these bouts will then meet in a fatal four-way #1 contender\’s match at the January 24 edition of Saturday Night\’s Main Event from Montreal, Canada.

    The announced plan is for the winner to go on to challenge for the title at the January 31 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Things have been made a little more complicated, however, with a surprise return and a title change in the main event of tonight\’s show. You can check out more about it here.

  • Trick Williams Reveals WWE Status On SmackDown

    WWE is taking a new approach with NXT call-ups.

    This week\’s episode of SmackDown featured a backstage segment which saw Trick Williams having a chat with General Manager Nick Aldis. The former NXT Champion claimed that he already had an offer from Monday Night Raw and asked Aldis if he was going to match it.

    Cody Rhodes walked into the frame before Nick could answer, however. The WWE Champion asked Trick to give them a second, and the NXT star was congenial about it at first.

    Though Trick Williams quickly decided that things would not work this way. He walked back into the frame to remind the American Nightmare of all his accolades in the development brand.

    Declaring himself \’the hottest free agent\’ in the game, the 31-year-old then warned Cody to hold on to his title, in case Nick Aldis made the decision to bring him on board.

    WWE had announced this past Monday on Raw that Je\’Von Evans was also set to become a \’free agent\’ very soon. So this appears to be a new approach for all NXT call-ups from the WWE creative.

    Reports suggest that these two are not the only NXT names expected to be called up, and we\’ll have to see which other free agents follow their footsteps.

  • Trick Williams and Lash Legend Announce Engagement

    WWE stars Trick Williams and Lash Legend are engaged following a Thanksgiving proposal. Williams popped the question during a family gathering on Thanksgiving, getting down on one knee in front of their relatives. The couple shared video footage and photos of the proposal on social media, where Legend confirmed she accepted.

    “A Million times YESSSS!!!” Legend wrote in her announcement post. “As I’m making this post I’m getting emotional again but of pure joy, happiness, and peace. If you know me, you know I don’t play about my man! I love him more than words could ever put together. So honored blessed and thankful to spend the rest of my life with my handsome bestie.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DRnVR_ukyEr/?hl=en

    The couple has been publicly linked since their time together at WWE’s Performance Center, where their professional collaboration in NXT developed into a real-life relationship. In recent interviews, Legend has described their bond as strong and supportive, noting how their similar athletic backgrounds and shared experiences in WWE helped them connect as a couple.

    Williams, a former NXT Champion, and Legend, who competed in both singles and tag team competition in NXT, have become one of WWE’s most visible couples both on-screen and off.