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Tag: WrestleMania 42

  • Cody Rhodes Opens Up On Escaping Serious Injury At WrestleMania 42

    Cody Rhodes Opens Up On Escaping Serious Injury At WrestleMania 42

    Cody Rhodes has revealed why he refused to let a brutal WrestleMania 42 injury keep him off WWE television for long.

    During an interview with WWE commentator Joe Tessitore, Cody Rhodes opened up on the gruesome injury he suffered at the hands of Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42. ‘The American Nightmare’ said the real statement came following the brutal match. He said:

    “What I would say is everything you needed to know about me—everything you needed to know—happened after. I got up and I walked. I didn’t put on some silly Manila neck brace, I didn’t have myself boarded away.”

    Rhodes reflected on his match with ‘The Viper’, saying he wanted fans to see that he was still champion and still standing despite the physical punishment he endured.

    Rhodes called it one of Orton’s best performances and admitted he was fortunate to leave with both the championship and without suffering serious injuries such as a concussion or orbital fracture, while showing fans that the damage would heal.

    “I got up, I walked out, and I tried to make eye contact with as many people as I could and let them know two things—still the champ, still here. And if that’s Randy Orton’s best shot—and Randy Orton was at his best ever—what does that say? That’s a night where I was lucky to leave with the championship that means the most to our game, but also leave without a concussion, leave without an orbital fracture. And I was able to show people, like you said—it’s going to heal.”

    Cody Rhodes said being considered WWE’s “QB1” is about consistency rather than temporary popularity. He explained that while new stars often become the “flavor of the month,” the true top performers are the ones who deliver at a high level week after week, which is a quality he admires in the stars who came before him.

    “It felt very important, because you say QB1—what is QB1? If anything, and maybe the biggest thing I’ve learned, it’s consistency. There’s always a flavor of the month, right? There’s always some hot new thing—and good for it. That’s exciting when the crowd gets behind something new. But all my favorites, all the QB1s before me, were consistent. Week in and week out.”

    Cody is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther at Clash in Italy PLE on May 31.

  • Top TKO Executive Has ‘No Regrets’ About WrestleMania 42

    Top TKO Executive Has ‘No Regrets’ About WrestleMania 42

    Mark Shapiro has spoken about the challenges of WrestleMania 42.

    The TKO President recently had an interview with Yahoo Finance. He talked about things such as his career, the upcoming UFC event at White House, President Donald Trump’s relationship with the company, and more.

    The sports executive also discussed the challenges of bringing WrestleMania back to a host city for the second year in a row with Mania 42. At first, Shapiro seemingly admitted that they made a mistake by bringing the show back to Las Vegas based on their success in 2025:

    “Some of the challenges we had there is usually we move WrestleMania year after year to a new spot, and that allows us to obviously grow and see the kind of economic impact we would expect.

    Maybe it’s a mistake I made because Vegas was so huge last year and such a winner for our fans and the product that I said to Nick Khan, who runs WWE, ‘We got to go back to Vegas next year. Like, we have to move New Orleans down the road, and we got to come back to Vegas.’”

    Absolutely No Regrets: Mark Shapiro

    The decision to bring WrestleMania 42 back to Vegas led to many problems for WWE as the event saw a massive decrease in ticket demands compared to last year. The creative were forced to change plans for the event months before the PPV to draw interest, but it only led to underwhelming feuds for the top matches on the card.

    Though despite these struggles, Mark Shapiro later claimed that he does not have any regrets about going back to Vegas. He mentioned the city is a mecca for great events with more and more big shows moving there every year:

    “So, absolutely no regrets on going back there. But the only reason you’re hearing some of the ‘Hey, it’s not what it was last year,’ is because we’re not benefiting from the first-mover experience.”

    The TKO executive had also recently revealed his thoughts on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight. You can check out his comments on the matter here.

  • Liv Morgan Calls WrestleMania 42 Win ‘Iconic’ Despite Hematoma

    Liv Morgan Calls WrestleMania 42 Win ‘Iconic’ Despite Hematoma

    WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan recently revealed the extent of injuries she sustained from a backstage attack on Raw leading into WrestleMania 42.

    The Judgment Day member disclosed she competed at the premium live event with a hematoma on her head and two black eyes after a confrontation with Stephanie Vaquer went wrong.

    In a backstage segment on Raw ahead of WrestleMania 42, Vaquer attacked Morgan from behind during a meeting with Roxanne Perez in the Judgment Day clubhouse. Vaquer shoved Morgan, and the latter knocked her head into Perez.

    The collision resulted in a significant hematoma on Morgan’s head, with blood draining down to her face and causing two black eyes. Despite the injuries, Morgan went on to defeat Vaquer at WrestleMania 42 in April 2026 to retain the Women’s World Championship.

    Liv Morgan Reflects On Injuries

    During an interview with WatchGinoTV, Morgan detailed the incident and its aftermath. The champion explained the circumstances that led to the injury.

    “I pretty much was having a meeting with my little prodigy, Roxanne Perez, in the Judgment Day clubhouse. No one gets access to the clubhouse unless you’re in the Judgment Day,” Morgan said.

    “Stephanie Vaquer, my WrestleMania opponent whom I defeated at WrestleMania because I’m so much better than her, snuck into the clubhouse. She shoved me from behind, which was what she was doing my whole entire feud with her, she was just attacking me from behind.”

    “I bashed heads with my poor little Roxy, had a hematoma which was huge on my head. All the blood drained down to my face and I had two black eyes. So, I won at WrestleMania with a giant hematoma on my head, and two black eyes. It’s kind of iconic.”

    Morgan currently holds the WWE Women’s World Championship following her victory over Vaquer at WrestleMania 42.

  • Corey Graves on WrestleMania 42 Celebrity Backlash: ‘It Was The Timing’

    Corey Graves on WrestleMania 42 Celebrity Backlash: ‘It Was The Timing’

    WWE commentator Corey Graves believes the backlash surrounding Pat McAfee and Jelly Roll at WrestleMania 42 stemmed from their “inorganic” use on the show.

    Both men played key roles in the Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes feud, despite the wrestlers having extensive history WWE could have utilized instead.

    Speaking with Bill Apter, Graves explained that timing was crucial to how fans received their involvement. He noted that WrestleMania and celebrities have been connected since the beginning, but McAfee and Jelly Roll “caught a few strays” in this instance.

    “I truly believe it was the timing of it. I think if there had been a little bit more time to work with… I think if there had been a little bit more time and maybe if it had been in a different match,” Graves said.

    “I mean, obviously, WrestleMania and celebrities have been synonymous since the beginning. I think Pat and Jelly Roll caught a few strays. I think it was just a matter of people have been waiting for Cody and Randy for so long and they wanted to see that story told and unfold organically.”

    Square Pegs in Round Holes

    Graves further described the situation as an example of “square pegs in round holes,” noting that the use of McAfee and Jelly Roll simply didn’t fit what fans wanted to see.

    Rhodes defeated Orton in the main event of WrestleMania 42 Night One, though Orton attacked him after the match. As per the stipulation, Pat McAfee will reportedly never appear on WWE programming again, though the permanence of such stipulations in wrestling remains to be seen.

  • WWE Legend Jokes About Nick Khan’s Earnings From WrestleMania 42

    WWE Legend Jokes About Nick Khan’s Earnings From WrestleMania 42

    WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash has voiced his disagreement with WWE’s recent decision to release the Motor City Machine Guns. He also said that WWE President Nick Khan took half of WrestleMania 42’s net revenue.

    The WWE Hall of Famer made his stance clear during a Q&A session on his Kliq This podcast. He discussed the April 24 wave of roster cuts. The releases of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin caught Nash’s attention among the departures announced that day. He said:

    “I would not have gotten rid of the Motor City Machine Guns, that’s for damn sure.”

    Nash’s comments reflect the surprise some fans felt about the tag team’s exit. The Motor City Machine Guns had been part of WWE’s roster before the company decided to part ways with them.

    Kevin Nash Jokes About Executive Compensation

    When asked if the latest round of cuts surprised him, Nash said not really, especially after seeing recent reports about TKO executive compensation. He joked about WWE President Nick Khan’s earnings in relation to the roster decisions.

    “Not after like two weeks prior when I see what the CEOs [are making]. What Nick’s getting paid. I mean, Nick took f***ing half of the WrestleMania net [laughs],” Nash said. “But I’m busting his balls because we sat here and went over the numbers and the year before was 1.4 billion. The next year, you’re 1.7 billion. So that’s 300 million.”

    Nash also acknowledged that Khan has delivered significant financial growth for WWE. Khan reportedly earned $24.3 million in total compensation for 2025, including a $2 million base salary, $11 million in stock awards, and over $10 million in bonuses.

  • Dave Meltzer Questions Quick Cena Return At WWE Backlash 2026

    Dave Meltzer Questions Quick Cena Return At WWE Backlash 2026

    John Cena’s surprise booking for WWE Backlash 2026 is not a one-off ask from the company, but a contractual obligation, according to Dave Meltzer.

    Speaking on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer addressed the buzz around Cena being advertised for the May 9 premium live event in Tampa, just three weeks after he served as host of WrestleMania 42.

    “The situation there is that he’s on Backlash. I’m not sure what the role will be because he said he’s never gonna wrestle again,” Meltzer said. “They signed him to a contract which called for a number of appearances, so this is one of those appearances. His deal called for these things.”

    Meltzer Skeptical Of The Quick Turnaround

    While the booking itself does not surprise Meltzer, the timing did. The Wrestling Observer founder argued that WWE may be diluting the value of Cena’s post-retirement appearances by trotting him out so quickly after the Las Vegas hosting gig.

    “I mean, to me it’s kinda weird because he just did WrestleMania and it was supposed to be something special. And here we are a couple of weeks after WrestleMania and he’s doing it again,” Meltzer continued. “So it feels like for a big guest like that coming back so quick and having him again, kinda seems like why would you do it?”

    Meltzer added that WWE’s mentality appears straightforward. The company views Cena’s TV presence as a needle-mover, and his deal grants them the right to deploy it. “He’s signed for a number of dates, so that’s one of them. That’s it,” he said.

    Cena Already Teased “Something Epic” In Tampa

    Cena hinted at the Backlash appearance back on his 49th birthday, replying to a Complex post that mistakenly aged him at 45. The 17-time world champion pointed to a planned moment for Club WWE members in his adopted hometown.

    The Tampa resident retired from in-ring competition on December 13, 2025, tapping out clean to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII in Washington, DC, his first submission loss in more than two decades. Days before that match, WWE confirmed Cena had signed a five-year extension to remain with the company as a brand ambassador, which is the deal Meltzer is referencing.

    What’s Already Set For Backlash 2026

    Backlash 2026 takes place Saturday, May 9 from Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida. The show will be the first WWE premium live event to stream on ESPN’s direct-to-consumer service in the United States, with a first-hour simulcast on ESPN2. International viewers can watch on Netflix.

    The announced card so far:

    What Cena’s role looks like remains the open question. He has not signaled any retreat from his retirement vow, so fans should expect a non-wrestling appearance, likely tied to the Club WWE membership rollout that he has been fronting on WWE television.

  • TKO Reportedly Behind WWE’s Purge of Dark Characters

    TKO Reportedly Behind WWE’s Purge of Dark Characters

    Spooky WWE

    A backstage rumor making the rounds among WWE talents points to a power player within TKO Group Holdings as the driving force behind the post-WrestleMania 42 releases of several dark-character acts, according to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson.

    “I don’t know if there’s a pattern but I can tell you there’s been a story bouncing around among talents that someone in the TKO realm isn’t a fan of the darker characters and that’s been the blame placed on why The Wyatts, Aleister Black, Zelina, etc. were all cut,” Johnson said on the latest PWInsider Q&A. “One person even suggested to me that Undertaker being The American Badass and not The Deadman in appearances is proof of that outlook.”

    Johnson stressed that PWInsider could not independently verify the claim, but noted the account had been relayed to him multiple times over the past week.

    Who Was Cut

    WWE released more than 20 talents on April 24 in a sweeping post-WrestleMania 42 roster reduction. The departures included every member of the Wyatt Sicks: Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy), Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Nikki Cross. Aleister Black and his wife Zelina Vega were also among those let go.

    Each of those acts shared a common thread: horror-inflected, darker character work. The Wyatt Sicks were built around the creative legacy of the late Bray Wyatt, with Bo Dallas leading the group as Uncle Howdy following his brother’s passing in August 2023. Black and Vega had aligned as a villainous couple with overt dark-arts presentation on SmackDown.

    Zelina Vega noted during a Twitch livestream that her release call came directly from TKO, not WWE’s internal talent relations team, a distinction she highlighted publicly.

    The Undertaker Detail

    The most provocative element of Johnson’s report involves The Undertaker. Per the sources relaying the rumor, TKO’s apparent resistance to supernatural characters is evidenced by the Hall of Famer’s recent appearances in his biker “American Badass” persona rather than the iconic Deadman character he retired in 2020.

    The Deadman gimmick is among the most decorated in WWE history, winning the Wrestling Observer’s Best Gimmick award five consecutive times. The American Badass version, which Undertaker originally adopted in 2000, strips away the supernatural elements in favor of a more grounded, human presentation.

    Context and Caveats

    It is worth noting that a separate report indicated TKO did not mandate the April 24 cuts, with Triple H and Nick Khan identified as the primary decision-makers. Per that account, the reductions were driven by budget considerations rather than a directive from TKO’s ownership level.

    Those two reports are not necessarily contradictory. A preference expressed at the TKO level could influence creative direction without constituting a formal mandate for specific releases. Johnson himself did not name the individual within TKO said to hold the anti-dark-character view.

    Aleister Black’s second WWE run had been building toward a program with Randy Orton before the releases were announced. The Wyatt Sicks, who debuted to significant fan enthusiasm in June 2024, had most recently been feuding with Solo Sikoa’s faction on SmackDown before their contracts were cut.

  • Triple H’s WWE Future Was Internally Questioned Before New Deal

    Triple H’s WWE Future Was Internally Questioned Before New Deal

    Triple H’s new WWE contract sealed his immediate future, but the conversation about whether he would even be in the role much longer was happening inside the company well before WrestleMania 42, not just on Wrestling Twitter.

    That’s the picture painted by Bryan Alvarez on the April 28 episode of Wrestling Observer Live. Alvarez reported that the question of Paul Levesque’s standing was an active discussion topic inside WWE leading into Las Vegas, driven less by what he was doing and more by how often he was getting overruled.

    Why The Internal Doubt Existed

    Alvarez was clear that the backstage conversation was not a referendum on Levesque’s creative work. It was a referendum on his actual authority.

    “Sometimes there will be some things that are booked and fans won’t like it, and then they’ll try to get this traction going that maybe we need to replace Triple H,” Alvarez said. “I will say that this year, leading to WrestleMania, unlike previous years when fans were discussing it, it was a topic of conversation in WWE leading up to WrestleMania 42.”

    The reason, per Alvarez, was the volume of late changes coming from above him on the org chart.

    “I want to make it very clear, the people discussing this within WWE were not discussing this in the sense that, ‘We think he’s doing a horrible job, we need him to be replaced.’ It was being discussed specifically because so much stuff was being done at the last second by people outside. The decision to bring in Pat McAfee, the decision to insert him into the storyline, the thing with Jelly Roll. I had heard about it prior to that as well with other things that had come from above.”

    The McAfee Decision Came From The Top

    The McAfee insertion is the cleanest example of the friction Alvarez is describing. Dave Meltzer previously reported that the call to bring Pat McAfee into the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton program came from TKO CEO Ari Emanuel, who also represents McAfee. McAfee initially turned the offer down before WWE eventually got him in the door for the April 4 SmackDown reveal as Orton’s mystery caller.

    Jelly Roll was layered onto the angle separately. The cumulative effect, per Alvarez, was a sense inside the building that the people writing the checks did not fully trust the person running the show.

    “It was just kind of there was a feeling that perhaps these people keep getting involved and why would they be getting involved if they had so much faith in this guy. And there were people that thought, ‘I don’t know if this guy is going to be around this time next year.’”

    The New Deal Settles It For Now

    Levesque’s new agreement, announced by WWE President Nick Khan during a TKO town hall on April 27, is reportedly a multi-year deal that PWInsider says could run as long as three years. The deal was reportedly completed before WrestleMania weekend, meaning the internal hand-wringing Alvarez described was happening even as the paperwork was being finalized.

    Khan publicly backed Levesque during that town hall, telling staff he would remain Chief Content Officer for the foreseeable future. Sources told Bodyslam that TKO is satisfied with the work Levesque has done despite the corporate overrides during WrestleMania season.

    “Turns out he ends up getting his deal extended, so he will be around,” Alvarez said. “But it was definitely a discussion point that this may not be his thing for a long period of time. It could be over soon.”

    The contract removes the immediate question. The structural one, who actually gets the final say when WWE’s biggest weekend rolls around, is a separate problem entirely. Court filings from 2023 already showed Levesque navigating outside creative interference once before. The names have changed. The dynamic, by Alvarez’s account, has not.

  • WWE Legend Criticizes Cody Rhodes WrestleMania 42 Main Event Against Randy Orton

    WWE Legend Criticizes Cody Rhodes WrestleMania 42 Main Event Against Randy Orton

    WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett recently criticized WWE’s handling of Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, arguing that the celebrity involvement did nothing to help the Undisputed WWE Champion. The match featured Pat McAfee in Orton’s corner and Jelly Roll supporting Rhodes.

    Jeff Jarrett Questions Celebrity Involvement

    Speaking on his “My World” podcast, Jarrett questioned the value of having McAfee and Jelly Roll at ringside. He noted that both celebrities stayed out of the action for most of the match, serving primarily as cheerleaders.

    “Jelly’s in Cody’s corner and McAfee’s in Randy’s corner, and for lack of a better word, they’re both incredibly big time cheerleaders throughout the match.”

    “They stay out of the way, don’t get involved, let the guys fight, let the guys fight, let the guys fight, have some false finishes where it looks like Pat is almost going to get involved, but he doesn’t do that.”

    Jarrett suggested the match would have worked better if the celebrities had been involved earlier and then cleared out.

    “And then at the right time, all hell breaks lose, then you can do the table spot, clear the air, get everybody out of the way, and then let those two guys finish it.”

    Match Structure Hurt Cody Rhodes

    Despite ‘The American Nightmare’ retaining his championship at the Premium Live Event, Jarrett believes the match structure undermined the champion.

    “I thought the way they started, it pulled the rug out from under Cody, no matter what. I just thought when you said ‘Let’s just get it out of the way,’ I think the audience will go ‘Okay, what?’”

    The feud drew criticism from fans who felt WWE focused too heavily on McAfee and Jelly Roll rather than the history between Rhodes and Orton. What could have been a story built around their lengthy WWE careers together became centered on celebrity involvement.

  • Tragic Update On Fan Marc Izard Who Went Missing During WWE WrestleMania 42 Weekend

    Tragic Update On Fan Marc Izard Who Went Missing During WWE WrestleMania 42 Weekend

    Marc Izard, a 43-year-old wrestling fan from the United Kingdom, was found dead in Las Vegas on April 18 during WrestleMania 42 weekend. Izard had been reported missing in the days leading up to the tragic discovery.

    As per the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Izard passed away in the 1730 block of Las Vegas Boulevard South, between East St. Louis Avenue and Oakley Boulevard. The Clark County coroner’s office confirmed his death on Monday afternoon, with the cause and manner of death still pending.

    Natalya Helped Raise Awareness

    WWE superstar Natalya had helped raise awareness about Izard’s disappearance through social media. On April 25, she shared details about his last known whereabouts.

    “His last known sighting was leaving the arena after SmackDown on April 17. His last photo was taken with me at my signing. Marc traveled from the UK and has not made it home or been in contact since,” Natalya wrote.

    WrestleMania 42 Weekend in Las Vegas

    Izard had traveled from the UK to attend WWE’s biggest weekend of the year. WWE SmackDown took place on April 17, followed by WrestleMania 42 and WWE Raw between April 18 and April 20, all held in Las Vegas.

    We at SEScoops express our deepest condolences to Marc Izard’s family and friends.

  • Fan Goes Missing After WWE WrestleMania 42 Weekend in Las Vegas

    Fan Goes Missing After WWE WrestleMania 42 Weekend in Las Vegas

    Marc Izard, a wrestling fan from the UK, has been reported missing following WWE WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. Izard traveled to the United States for the event and was last seen leaving the T-Mobile Arena after SmackDown on April 17, 2026.

    A missing person alert has been circulated across social media.

    WWE veteran Natalya shared details about Izard’s disappearance. The former Women’s champion posted information about his last known sighting and included a photo Izard took with her at a signing on April 16.

    “A member of our wrestling family, Marc Izard, is currently missing after WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas. His last known sighting was leaving the arena after SmackDown on April 17, his last photo taken was with me at my signing.”

    The wrestling community has rallied to share the missing person alert across social media platforms in hopes of locating Izard and ensuring his safe return home.

    Fans are requested to share any updates or information on the email provided in the missing person alert: [email protected]

  • Paige Recalls Dusty Rhodes Screaming At Her Over ‘Invisible Letter’

    Paige Recalls Dusty Rhodes Screaming At Her Over ‘Invisible Letter’

    Paige pulled back the curtain on Dusty Rhodes’ FCW promo class during a recent episode of What’s Your Story? With Steph McMahon, recounting a first lesson that involved an invisible letter, a screaming mentor, and a teenage student who had no idea what was happening.

    The now one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, who returned at WrestleMania 42 alongside Brie Bella, called Rhodes the foundation of how she learned to work a microphone.

    The Invisible Letter

    Her very first promo in developmental was not a promo at all. It was Dusty handing her nothing and asking her to read it.

    “I remember my first promo ever at FCW. We had a promo class, and Dusty gave me this invisible letter. He was like, ‘Read this letter.’ I was just reading it, and he stops me. He goes, ‘Stop. Why are you reading it like that? You’re reading it like a little girl. You’re reading it like you’re in your bedroom. This is a big deal! You’re in front of thousands of people.’ He was screaming at me. I was like, ‘I’m sorry, Dusty.’ He kept doing it, and I was getting so frustrated. I was like, ‘It’s a piece of paper! It’s an invisible piece of paper! What do you want from me?’”

    The exercise was not about the letter. It was about forcing a young wrestler to find stakes and presence in a performance where nothing on the surface was real.

    Singing Her Way Out Of The Box

    Paige walked away from that first class determined to come back with something different. She went the opposite direction on purpose.

    “I promised I’d deliver the next time. So the next promo I did, I went completely out of my comfort zone and I sang. I was like, ‘F it. I’m going to do something completely opposite to what he’s asking me,’ just so I could get more comfortable. I did this promo with Chavo Guerrero and we just sang together, and it went really well. He was like, ‘This is great. This is what I want to see.’ So then I started just doing promos where I would take scenes out of movies and just reenact them or do something a little different.”

    The singing bit worked. The movie-scene re-enactments followed. Rhodes’ point landed: discomfort was the actual curriculum, and getting it wrong in class was how you stopped getting it wrong on television.

    Paige’s Learning Tree

    Rhodes passed away in June 2015, but the list of wrestlers who credit him as a formative voice keeps growing. Cody Rhodes has shared his own stories about his father’s booking style, and Paige is now another name in that line.

    She is back in WWE television programming for the first time since 2017 and has already reunited with AJ Lee backstage at WrestleMania 42. The lessons she picked up in that FCW classroom, from a man who would scream at her over an invisible piece of paper, are the ones she is taking into the next chapter.

  • Paige On Hitting Rock Bottom: ‘I Was Humiliated And Devastated’

    Paige On Hitting Rock Bottom: ‘I Was Humiliated And Devastated’

    Paige opened up about the lowest point of her career on a recent episode of What’s Your Story? With Steph McMahon, describing the stretch after her 2017 neck injury when substance use took over and private videos leaked online.

    The former Divas Champion, who returned at WrestleMania 42 to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles alongside Brie Bella, did not soften the description.

    “I started drinking and partying with the wrong people. I ended up having a relationship that wasn’t the healthiest, and I relied on drugs. On top of that, these tapes got released from when I was 19. I never wish that on anybody. I was so humiliated and devastated.”

    The Sober House That Held Her Together

    Paige credited a pair of close friends, Joey and Raquel, with pulling her out of the spiral. She moved in with them and the three got sober together.

    “I moved in with Joey and Raquel so they could make sure I was safe and that I wasn’t doing anything stupid, and they got sober with me. They’ve always been my life support, my people 100%.”

    She framed the living arrangement as the structural piece. Without it, there was no way the recovery held.

    Three Therapists A Week For Extreme PTSD

    WWE arranged the clinical support around her. Paige singled out one counselor as the central figure in her recovery.

    “WWE got me a drugs and alcohol counselor, Bob Keeler, who was, man, I love that guy. And I would call him about relationship problems. I would be like, ‘Bro, I know this isn’t your job, but I need to speak to you.’ He was the best, and I could call him at any point of the day. And then he arranged a psychiatrist and a different therapist where they do this thing where they don’t even touch you; they just do this energy thing around you. He got me through it. I was speaking to three therapists a week, including him, because I had extreme PTSD.”

    That volume of clinical work, three sessions a week across multiple specialists, is the part of her story that rarely gets public airtime. Paige was clear about what it took: the support system, the professional help, and the willingness to ask for it at any hour.

    She arrived at WrestleMania 42 clean. The neck had checked out, the head was in the right place, and the version of Paige that walked through the curtain at Allegiant Stadium was the one the home friends and therapists spent years helping rebuild.

    Stephanie McMahon shared a welcome-back message on social media ahead of the episode’s release.

  • New Age Outlaws Name Modern Tag Teams They’d Love to Face

    New Age Outlaws Name Modern Tag Teams They’d Love to Face

    The New Age Outlaws are a reunited act again, and they already have dream opponents in mind.

    Road Dogg and Billy Gunn recently appeared together on Busted Open Radio in the wake of Road Dogg’s departure from WWE’s creative team, with the pair also surfacing in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend.

    Asked which modern tag teams they would want to face in their prime, each legend went a different direction. Both answers point toward matches that could realistically happen.

    Billy Gunn picked his sons, Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn, who currently work in AEW as The Gunn Club. Road Dogg went with The Street Profits, praising Montez Ford as a bonafide superstar and calling Angelo Dawkins an athlete among athletes.

    “I love the Street Profits, I think they’re great athletes,” Road Dogg said. “I think Montez is a superstar and everybody knows it. Dawkins is the unsung hero. Dawkins is an athlete of athletes.”

    A Gunn Club vs. Outlaws Match Is Closer Than It Sounds

    The Gunn Club answer is the one with real legs. Billy Gunn is still an active performer in AEW, where his sons work full-time, meaning a Gunns vs. Outlaws match would require no cross-promotional negotiation at all. Road Dogg has not wrestled since 2015, but he has floated the idea of stepping back in the ring for a one-off dumpster match in 2027.

    The Street Profits angle carries its own weight given the timing. Ford and Dawkins made a surprise return on the Raw after WrestleMania 42, coming to the aid of Seth Rollins during an attack from The Vision. With Road Dogg no longer tied to WWE creative, the door is at least cracked for a conversation, even if the logistics are heavier.

    For a team that built its name on attitude and family lineage, both answers fit. One just happens to be a phone call away.

  • Jelly Roll: Pat McAfee & I Had No Business at WrestleMania

    Jelly Roll: Pat McAfee & I Had No Business at WrestleMania

    Jelly Roll had a simple mission heading into WrestleMania 42, and he delivered on it in spectacular fashion.

    The country music star appeared in a post-show vlog from his suite at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, reflecting on a night that saw him drop an elbow through an announce table onto Pat McAfee during the main event. Jelly Roll was in Cody Rhodes’ corner for the WWE Championship match against Randy Orton, while McAfee sided with Orton after turning heel.

    “I had one goal tonight and I kind of succeeded,” Jelly Roll said in the vlog. “Pat, I love you, man. Neither one of us had any business here.”

    The sequence unfolded when Rhodes threw McAfee onto the announce table, setting the stage for Jelly Roll to run from a neighboring table and deliver a leaping elbow drop that shattered the table entirely. McAfee was carted out on a stretcher, though he was spotted later that evening at a concert, neck brace and all.

    In the vlog, Jelly Roll joked about a photo of himself levitating over McAfee during the impact. “There’s going to be a picture of me somewhere levitating over Pat McAfee and I’m going to have to frame it,” he said.

    The night also drew praise from Jelly Roll for the broader show, calling the Oba Femi segment involving Brock Lesnar “one of the more emotional surprises of the night” and describing the six-man ladder match as a standout.

  • Cam’ron Calls Out Roman Reigns, Challenges Usos for SummerSlam

    Cam’ron Calls Out Roman Reigns, Challenges Usos for SummerSlam

    Cam’ron is calling out Roman Reigns and challenging The Usos to a match at WWE SummerSlam – escalating a beef that began during WrestleMania 42 week.

    Firing back on Instagram after Reigns took shots at him on Raw, Cam’ron called Reigns a “little dog” and declared himself the Paramount Chief. “I was never washed, I’ll take you to the fucking cleaners,” he wrote. He then addressed Triple H directly, demanding the full Uso family show up in August. “I can’t wait,” he added.

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXb-95SDpQN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

    Cam’ron also mocked Reigns for staying at Raw the night after WrestleMania: “All I can do is laugh at you @romanreigns staying for Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania is like eating thanksgiving leftovers on Monday after thxgvn. The Rock would Never.”

    He took aim at Reigns’ position within WWE as well: “But you’re @tripleh lil lil employee. You better do what he says.” The challenge to Jey Uso was direct: “@uceyjucey bring ya whole family and let’s settle this in August at #SummerSlam.”

    What Started It

    The feud began during WrestleMania week when Jey Uso appeared on Cam’ron and Ma$e’s It Is What It Is podcast. Cam’ron mocked Jey for being featured on Night 1 of WrestleMania 42 rather than Night 2, dismissing the spot as lesser. Jey grabbed Cam’ron and pulled him over the desk before security intervened. Cam’ron did not appear at WrestleMania 42.

    On the Raw after WrestleMania, a newly crowned Reigns addressed the situation during a Bloodline reunion promo, referencing “some washed rapper from the 90s running his mouth” to Jey without naming Cam’ron directly.

    Reigns won the WWE World Heavyweight Title by defeating CM Punk on Night 2 of WrestleMania 42. The Usos teamed with LA Knight on Night 1 to defeat Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed.

    No response from WWE or Triple H has been issued regarding Cam’ron’s SummerSlam challenge.

  • WrestleMania 42 Draws 1.82M Viewers on ESPN Sunday Night

    WrestleMania 42 Draws 1.82M Viewers on ESPN Sunday Night

    WrestleMania 42 delivered strong linear numbers in its first year on ESPN, with TV ratings now in for both nights of the Las Vegas spectacular.

    Per Front Office Sports, Night 1 on Saturday, April 18 drew 1.62 million viewers on ESPN2. Night 2 on Sunday, April 19 topped that with 1.82 million viewers on ESPN, a 200,000 jump from the night before.

    Night 1 on ESPN2 ranked as the most-viewed telecast of the year on that network, while Night 2 became the most-viewed telecast of the entire weekend on ESPN.

    The numbers mark a significant milestone for WWE. WrestleMania 42 was the first edition of the event to air live on ESPN’s linear channels. The first hour of each night simulcast on ESPN2 and ESPN, respectively, as part of ESPN’s deal to broadcast WWE’s main roster events in the United States.

    Both nights aired from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas before a combined two-night attendance of 106,072.

  • Security Concerns Could Become a Contract Issue, Rep Says

    Security Concerns Could Become a Contract Issue, Rep Says

    Due to numerous security issues between wrestlers and fans at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas on Saturday and Sunday, security staffing could become something wrestlers start negotiating in contracts, one representative said.

    Video of World Wrestling Entertainment Wrestler CM Punk confronting a fan after Sunday’s second day went viral. Punk was upset at a fan who was recording A.J. Lee, Punk’s wife, and Bayley, both wrestlers in WWE’s women’s division.

    Punk’s confrontation with the fan was one of numerous incidents that took place over the weekend. Multiple wrestlers had issues with fans.

    One person told SEScoops the location of the hotel in relation to Allegiant Stadium, where the event was held, was a problem, as well as a lack of staff.

    “It could be something where possibly getting private security added is covered in future contracts,” one representative told SEScoops.

    Fightful Select anonymously quoted numerous WWE wrestlers on the lack of security. Fans ignored boundaries at meet and greets and at other areas during the event. One talent said the skyrocketing ticket prices may play a role in fans becoming more aggressive.

    Drew McIntyre, Sean Waltman, Booker T, Royce Keys were among those who had issues with fans. Damien Priest reportedly confronted a fan who wasn’t respecting women’s wrestlers.

  • WrestleMania 42 Drew 106K Fans, Set Digital and Revenue Records

    WrestleMania 42 Drew 106K Fans, Set Digital and Revenue Records

    WrestleMania 42 drew 106,072 fans across two nights at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The event became one of the highest-grossing events in WWE history, the company announced on Wednesday.

    WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, reported record or near-record performances across gate revenue, sponsorship, merchandise, WWE World, On Location VIP experiences, and digital platforms. The event also generated more than 1.3 billion views across all social media platforms, setting a new digital record and surpassing the previous mark from WrestleMania 41 by 18 percent.

    Tickets were purchased from all 50 states and more than 69 countries.

    Main Event Results

    The two-night event at Allegiant Stadium was highlighted by Roman Reigns defeating CM Punk in the Sunday night main event to claim the World Heavyweight Championship. On Saturday night, Cody Rhodes retained his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton despite early interference by Pat McAfee.

    Record Sponsorship and ESPN Viewership

    WrestleMania 42 featured a record 32 marketing partners, including Snickers, 2K, Riyadh Season, Ram, DoorDash, Wingstop, Wheatley American Vodka, Minute Maid, The General Insurance, PepsiCo’s MUG Root Beer, and Chumba Casino.

    On the broadcast side, WrestleMania Saturday was the most-viewed telecast of the year on ESPN2, while WrestleMania Sunday was the most-viewed telecast of the entire weekend on ESPN.

    WWE World Hits All-Time Highs

    WWE World, a five-day interactive fan experience held in partnership with Fanatics, reached all-time highs in paid experience sales. The event also featured a dedicated lounge for attendees who signed up for Club WWE, the company’s recently announced Gold membership experience for fans.

    WrestleMania 42 fallout continues on Raw and SmackDown this week. Roman Reigns’ post-WrestleMania championship path is already taking shape as WWE builds toward its summer schedule.

  • Joe Jonas Was ‘More Nervous’ Meeting John Cena Than Singing at WrestleMania 42

    Joe Jonas Was ‘More Nervous’ Meeting John Cena Than Singing at WrestleMania 42

    Joe Jonas recently revealed that he was comfortable singing the national anthem in front of the WrestleMania 42 crowd. However, he got nervous when meeting the 17-time World Champion John Cena backstage.

    After kicking off WrestleMania 42 Night Two with the national anthem, Jonas revealed in his vlog that despite the pressure of performing in front of thousands of fans, that part didn’t compare to something much more personal that happened behind the scenes.

    “I was more nervous—I was more nervous to say hi to John Cena than I was to sing the national anthem,” Jonas admitted in the vlog.

    The singer then broke down the interaction itself, explaining that when he finally approached Cena, he didn’t have a smooth introduction ready. Jonas awkwardly shook Cena’s hand and mentioned that Priyanka Chopra speaks highly of the WWE superstar.

    “I literally walked up to John Cena and I said, ‘Uh, Pri speaks very highly of you…’” Jonas recalled.

    Jonas handled the spotlight just fine on stage at WrestleMania 42, delivering a strong rendition of the national anthem. But backstage, even the experienced performer had a genuine fan moment when it came to meeting one of WWE’s biggest stars.

  • How Paige’s WWE Return At WrestleMania 42 Came Together

    How Paige’s WWE Return At WrestleMania 42 Came Together

    WWE Hall of Famer Brie Bella recently revealed how Paige’s surprise return at WrestleMania 42 came together.

    The former Divas champion stepped in to replace an injured Nikki Bella and captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. It marked Paige’s first WWE match since 2017.

    The Conversation That Started It All

    Speaking on the Nikki & Brie Show podcast, Brie explained the unexpected series of events that led to the reunion. The story began weeks earlier at a live podcast event in New York.

    “If you were at the live podcast in New York, Becky asked me, ‘Who would you pick as a partner who would you pick?’ I said Saraya. Then I was like, ‘Wait, we’re going to start rumors and headlines.’ It hadn’t even been talked about. We talk to Paige all the time, but it was a joke.”

    Brie said they had to cut that segment from the show to avoid speculation. At the time, there had been no discussions about Paige returning to WWE.

    Birmingham Coincidence Changed Everything

    The situation shifted when Nikki traveled to Birmingham for ankle surgery. Brie texted Paige about potentially missing WrestleMania, only to discover both women were in Birmingham simultaneously.

    “Literally, Nikki is in Birmingham getting her surgery, and I text Saraya, ‘I think I might be out of Mania.’ I told her I was in Birmingham with Nikki and she goes, ‘Shut up, I’m in Birmingham.’ ‘What. Nikki is getting surgery?’ They were in Birmingham at the same time,” Brie said.

    Nikki confirmed the timing, noting,

    “I think when she was flying out, I was just getting to the doctor’s office. We just missed each other.”

    Paige Stepped Up Despite Uncertainty

    Brie told WWE creative she was willing to sit out WrestleMania if Nikki couldn’t compete. When Paige learned about the situation, she committed to helping despite no official talks with WWE.

    “It was interesting because she’s like, ‘I don’t know if they’ll have me. There haven’t been talks.’ It was a lot on her because she’s like, ‘Girl, I’m not even with them yet, but whatever, I’m there.’ Paige always rallies with us,” Brie explained. “I didn’t even know it was going to work. To me, it was the stars starting to align that you guys were there at the same time.”

    Nikki previously revealed she fractured, sprained, and broke her ankle, requiring surgery that kept her out of the match. Paige’s return allowed the tag team title match to proceed as planned at WrestleMania 42.

  • Booker T On Security Breach At WrestleMania 42 Hotel: ‘He Was Filming Me In The Bathroom’

    Booker T On Security Breach At WrestleMania 42 Hotel: ‘He Was Filming Me In The Bathroom’

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently said that WWE needed significantly better security at the MGM Grand hotel during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas.

    The two-time WWE Hall of Famer described the situation as the toughest he’s ever dealt with in terms of fan behavior.

    Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T detailed how fans were mobbing WWE wrestlers and legends throughout the hotel. He urged fans to give performers more privacy and space in the future.

    “Walking through MGM Grand, we needed some better security at MGM Grand this year. Just because, it was really, really hard. I can only imagine what the superstars, the guys that’s actually going out there and doing it in the ring, how it felt for them. Because I got mobbed, and I’m not even doing this anymore. So hopefully we can get that fixed.”

    Fans Followed Wrestlers Everywhere

    Booker T said fans were camped out throughout the hotel and following wrestlers everywhere they went. The NXT commentator recounted one particularly egregious incident where a fan filmed him while he was in the bathroom.

    “They were camped out, everywhere, they were camped out. You couldn’t walk anywhere. And they were following you. In the bathroom, I remember the guy literally was filming me in the bathroom. And when I walked out he goes, ‘Hey, Booker.’ And I just kept walking because I was so mad because he was filming me in the bathroom.”

    Security Issues All Weekend

    The security problems extended throughout WrestleMania 42 weekend. After night two of the event, CM Punk knocked a fan’s phone away as the fan was trying to film an interaction between AJ Lee and Bayley.

    Security was reportedly an issue all weekend, with not enough being done to give talent privacy when they had to go through common areas where fans would be.

    People were being disrespectful throughout the MGM Grand, creating an uncomfortable environment for WWE talent and legends alike.

  • Rusev Suffers Head Injury in WrestleMania 42 Ladder Match

    Rusev Suffers Head Injury in WrestleMania 42 Ladder Match

    Rusev suffered a head injury during the Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match at WrestleMania 42 on April 19. CJ Perry confirmed the injury following the event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

    Perry revealed the extent of the damage during an appearance on TMZ’s Inside The Ring. She described seeing a large bump on Rusev’s head when she met him after the show.

    Rusev’s Post-Match Condition

    “He has a huge bump on his head… I saw it… his bump was like this big,” Perry said on the show.

    Despite the visible injury, Rusev downplayed the situation to his wife.

    “I’m like, ‘Are you okay?’ He’s like, ‘I’m fine, I just grazed the ladder,’” Perry added.

    She emphasized the physical reality of ladder matches and their toll on performers.

    “He’s okay… as okay as you can be after a ladder match… their bodies have been through war,” Perry explained.

    WrestleMania 42 Ladder Match Results

    Rusev competed against Penta, Rey Mysterio, Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, and JD McDonagh in the six-man ladder match. Penta retained the Intercontinental Championship, which he had held since defeating Dominik Mysterio on the March 2 episode of Raw.

    The match marked one of Rusev’s first major ladder matches on the WrestleMania stage. He had positioned himself as a dominant force heading into the event but left without the title.

    Perry was not ringside for the match but has continued to support Rusev’s WWE run through media appearances. The Bulgarian Brute is now in recovery mode following the physically demanding bout.

  • Jade Cargill Wants Rematch After WrestleMania Title Loss

    Jade Cargill Wants Rematch After WrestleMania Title Loss

    Jade Cargill has her eyes on a rematch.

    The former WWE Women’s Champion spoke with JC Fernandez of 8 News Now at Netflix’s Bodyslams, Beats & Brunch event, held Monday at LIV Beachclub at Fontainebleau Las Vegas ahead of Raw. Cargill did not try to spin the loss, telling Fernandez she plans to push for another shot at Rhea Ripley immediately.

    “It’s okay, because I’m going to get my revenge and get that rematch,” Cargill said. “I think you need to call up Triple H and make that happen.”

    Ripley defeated Cargill on Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium, ending Cargill’s reign with the WWE Women’s Championship that dated back to November 2025. Ripley hit the Riptide for the pinfall after IYO SKY neutralized interference from Cargill’s allies Michin and B-Fab.

    Jade Cargill Reflects on First WrestleMania Night 2 Appearance

    The loss marked Cargill’s first WrestleMania appearance on Night 2. She said the Allegiant Stadium atmosphere was unlike anything she’d experienced, even with the crowd firmly against her.

    “I’ve never been featured on Night Two. I’ve always been on Night One, so this is my first rodeo on Night Two. I think we did a stellar job. The energy at Allegiant Stadium was electric,” Cargill said. “The crowd was coming for me. They hated me. I love that for me. Keep hating me.”

    She closed with a direct acknowledgment of the result.

    “Okay, I didn’t deliver, but I’m going to get that rematch.”

    The full interview, which also features Trick Williams, is available below courtesy of 8 News Now.

  • Brie Bella Searching For “Stooge” Who Leaked Paige’s WWE Return

    Brie Bella Searching For “Stooge” Who Leaked Paige’s WWE Return

    Brie Bella isn’t happy about how Paige’s comeback got leaked before WrestleMania 42, and she’s making it clear someone backstage is to blame.

    Before Paige returned at WrestleMania 42, replacing Nikki Bella and winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles alongside Brie, reports surfaced about her comeback and multi-year deal. But according to Brie, the bigger issue isn’t the return itself: it’s how the surprise got spoiled ahead of time.

    Speaking on the Nikki & Brie Show on April 21, 2026, Brie addressed the leak directly and made it clear she believes someone inside the circle tipped the information before it was meant to go public.

    Brie Bella Vows to Find the Source

    Brie set the tone by saying moments like Paige’s return are supposed to stay under wraps, especially when WWE is trying to create a surprise for fans.

    “The Paige stuff got leaked from a stooge, and I will find out who saw it earlier in the week. I will say this.. you guys.. just let things be special and a secret. Who runs and tells people?” Brie said.

    She didn’t stop there. Brie then took aim at the culture of breaking news around wrestling, suggesting that some people are more focused on clicks than protecting big moments.

    Criticism of Wrestling News Culture

    “I’m talking about people who have run to TMZ and saw something they wanna break about someone’s personal life. It’s about clicks and impressions, so they wanna be breaking news. You didn’t break anything,” Brie stated.

    Brie made it personal, saying the leak didn’t just ruin a surprise — it crossed a line in how private moments get handled. She closed with a warning, making it clear she plans to figure out exactly who let the information slip.

    “I will say this: it’s actually sad. So, look at yourself in the mirror and think about what you will do next time. I’m gonna find that stooge, though.”

    Paige’s return ended with a title win at WrestleMania, but backstage, the fallout from the leak has become its own story.

    Between the surprise being spoiled and Brie calling it out publicly, the situation has drawn attention to how wrestling news gets reported and who has access to sensitive information before major events.