Mark Nash joined WWE earlier this year as the newest ring announcer for SmackDown, following in the footsteps of legends like Howard Finkel, Tony Chimel, Samantha Irvin, and others. In an interview with You Know I’m Right, Nash shared the surprising way his WWE journey began—with a text from Triple H that he initially thought was a scam.
“I almost didn’t pay attention to it because I thought it could’ve been like a political solicitation—like, ‘Give me $50 for this politician.’ But I read the whole text, and I was like, ‘What? All right, cool.’”
The message arrived at a pivotal moment, just as Nash’s role with Top Rank Boxing was ending. Within days, he transitioned from boxing to a new chapter as a WWE announcer.
“They told me, ‘You’re going to take the final SmackDown in London.’ To host anything, let alone a SmackDown at the O2 with such an iconic fan base—was something special.“
Like many, Mark Nash uses a stage name in WWE, but wanted to use his real name of Mark Shunock. After being told that wasn’t an option, Nash’s name didn’t come from a certain Diesel-powered WWE Hall of Famer, but from closer to home.
“My mother’s maiden name is Nasser, and my father’s last name is Shunock. So I took the first two letters from my mother’s maiden name and the last two letters from my dad’s surname and put them together.“
The name received the approval of Nash’s family who have been supporting his WWE journey every step of the fan. Now fans can look ahead to many more calls from WWE’s newest announcer.
Former WWE star reveals struggle with imposter syndrome despite lengthy tenure with company
Former WWE wrestler Kacy Catanzaro has opened up about a surprising internal struggle during her eight-year run with the company – despite her lengthy tenure and championship success, she never truly felt like she belonged in the wrestling world.
In a candid interview on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, Catanzaro (who performed as Katana Chance in WWE) revealed that her unconventional path to professional wrestling left her feeling perpetually like an outsider, even after nearly a decade with the company.
“No matter how long I was in wrestling, I always felt like no matter what, I was the newer person there. Like I because I had never wrestled before. Like when I walked into the performance center, I’d never wrestled. And no matter how long I was at the PC or, you know, in the company, I always felt like wherever I was like, oh, I’m I’m the new like I’m still the newer person here, even though it had been almost a decade that I worked there.”
The revelation sheds light on the unique challenges faced by athletes who transition into wrestling from other disciplines. Unlike most of her peers who had wrestling backgrounds spanning years or even decades, Catanzaro came to WWE directly from her success on American Ninja Warrior, with zero wrestling experience.
When she arrived at WWE’s Performance Center in January 2018, the contrast was stark. “Just to give you an example of who I started with who was in my class, like I walked in with like Candace LaRae, which at that time I think she had been wrestling for like over 10 years. War Raiders was in my group, you know, people who their entire life for a decade like had already been wrestling and then it was me,” she recalled.
This feeling of not belonging persisted despite significant accomplishments during her WWE tenure, including winning both NXT and main roster tag team championships alongside partner Kayden Carter, and creating one of the most memorable Royal Rumble saves in recent memory with her handstand walk along the apron.
When asked whether this was about having a beginner’s mentality or struggling to pick up the craft, Catanzaro clarified: “I think an in between, not so much trouble picking it up as much as it was trouble feeling like I belonged there. I think so. Like no matter how much work I put in or I felt like I’m I’m doing what I’m supposed to, I’ve been here. I’m putting the work in in a room, I still always felt like I don’t like I don’t know if I’m like supposed to be here. I just always felt a little bit out of place.”
The struggle became particularly acute because of wrestling’s deeply rooted culture and traditions. “It’s also such a sacred thing which I understand where like when you know you want to be a wrestler your whole life and then you work really hard specifically at wrestling to get there. I understand why it’s so sacred,” she said. “And my journey being different I felt like really really stuck out in that time of how it was compared to now.”
This experience highlights how WWE’s recruitment strategy has evolved significantly. What was rare when Catanzaro joined – bringing in athletes from other disciplines without wrestling backgrounds – has now become much more common at the Performance Center.
The psychological impact of feeling like an outsider may have contributed to a career crisis Catanzaro faced in 2019, just one year into her WWE run. After suffering a back injury at the Royal Rumble and struggling mentally at the Performance Center, she seriously questioned whether to continue wrestling.
“There was a period where I was dealing with this injury and really like can I come back from this? The injury wasn’t that serious that I wouldn’t be able to come back but in my head being like do I really want to do this and kind of having this crisis about it like is this something I’m going to continue to do?”
Despite these internal struggles, Catanzaro persevered and found success, particularly in her tag team partnership with Kayden Carter. However, her recent release from WWE on May 2, 2025 has reignited questions about her wrestling future.
“I don’t know if I’m done performing. I do have more to give. I’m just not sure where that is,” she said, adding that her unconventional path makes the decision more complex than for traditional wrestlers who can return to the independent scene.
“I think part of it is because I didn’t wrestle beforehand. I never like got those experiences that people who did are like, ‘Okay, I’m going to go back to that. I know that I I want to do that.’ And for me, I feel like I my whole adult life, I’ve always really gone right from one challenge to the next.”
Catanzaro’s story offers a unique perspective on the challenges of breaking into wrestling’s tight-knit community and the lasting psychological impact of feeling like an perpetual outsider, even when achieving success at the highest levels of the industry.
Mariah May arrived in WWE during the June 3, edition of WWE NXT, and Natalya could not be happier. Appearing on Busted Open Radio, Natalya shared her excitement for the former AEW Women’s World Champion.
“I’m excited for her and I think this is going to be a fun chapter for her... I’m excited to see the stories that she’s going to tell with the women at NXT. I’m excited to see her.”
May is the latest high-profile woman to join WWE, following the likes of Giulia, Zaria, Jordynne Grace and Stephanie Vauqer. Focusing on the latter, Natalya acknowledged the similarities between Vaquer and May.
“Mariah has a similar journey where, like, you know, she went out and explored the world before coming to WWE. She was a fan. She loved it. She… wanted to pursue this. Then she moved to Japan and she, like, basically became a student of the game.”
Mariah may be known as ‘The Glamour’ but she’s not afraid to get down and dirty (and bloody) when needed. While blood in women’s matches remains a massive rarity in WWE, Natalya is aware that May isn’t afraid to get messy.
“If you get busted open in the ring… she’s shown she can work through it. I remember Trish Stratus… she broke her nose in a match and then she just kept wrestling… I think Mariah May has that grit about her.”
Natalya went as far as to call May the “total package” who succeeds in wrestling ability, talking, presentation, and other vital components. The Queen of Harts signed off, not with admiration for May, but a challenge.
“I would not be against facing her, I just wanted to put that out there.”
On WWE NXT, May declared herself the next NXT Women’s Champion. It remains to be seen if May can mirror her AEW success now as a WWE Superstar.
Despite working for WWE for nearly eight years, Kacy Catanzaro says her release from the company came as a genuine shock – until she began retracing the warning signs that, in hindsight, pointed to her departure.
In a revealing interview on INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, the former Katana Chance detailed the series of subtle changes and cancelled plans that preceded her release on May 2, 2025, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at how WWE departures actually unfold.
“I actually was very surprised. I just it wasn’t on my radar. And then as I was telling like the story of kind of how it led up to it, at first I was like, ‘Yeah, I really like didn’t have any notice, you know?’ And then as I told the story, I was like, ‘Oh, wait. Maybe I could have taken some of those as signs that like something could have been coming.'”
The warning signs began with what seemed like a positive development – being moved from Raw to SmackDown during February 2025’s transfer window. While initially trying to view it optimistically, Catanzaro noted the timing was suspicious.
“We got moved from Raw to Smackdown and originally you’re like, ‘Oh man, like Raw just got moved to Netflix. That’s really big.’ And now they’re like taking us off of it. Is that bad? But then, you know, people are like, ‘Well, there’s more time on Smackdown. Like, we want more storylines for you guys.’ Cool. I’m like, ‘Okay, cool. That’s believable. I love that.'”
However, once on SmackDown, promised opportunities failed to materialize. A planned six-woman tag team match involving Catanzaro, Kayden Carter, and Zelina Vega against Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, and Alba Fyre kept getting postponed.
“Things keep changing where it just keeps getting pushed. So like they had a singles the next week was supposed to be the six woman then it didn’t happen and we were like oh well will there be a backstage but then it didn’t happen,” she recalled. The cancellations continued through WrestleMania season, with the match ultimately being scrapped entirely.
The most telling sign came through an unexpected source – a charity event. Catanzaro regularly participated in a non-WWE charity event that the company typically allowed. When an NXT wrestler scheduled for the same event was suddenly told she couldn’t attend, speculation began.
“One of the NXT girls that was invited had messaged me and said something to the effect of they said that I can’t do it and they’ll like let me know why soon. And I was like, sounds weird, but like people are weird. Who knows?”
The speculation intensified when multiple people began connecting the dots. “My boyfriend says I wonder if it’s because they’re going to do releases. And I was like, but that wouldn’t really make sense because it’s not a WWE event, so they wouldn’t care. It wasn’t like being posted anywhere. It was just, you know, for a good cause. And I’m like, that’s weird. Then the person doing the charity event messaged me and said, another wrestler was like, oh, I wonder if releases are happening.”
Despite the mounting speculation, Catanzaro tried to maintain her characteristic optimism. “I actually made a joke to my boyfriend when he said it. I was like, if I get released, will you still love me? You know how girls are crazy. And he was like, yes, of course. But I I only made that joke because I didn’t actually think that it was happening.”
The final warning sign was the absence of travel that week. “We didn’t travel that week. Another sign, but I was like, okay, it’s we don’t have a story yet. No big deal.”
When the call finally came while she was working out in her garage, Catanzaro said the surreal nature of the moment left her unprepared. “I’m working out in my garage and I get a phone call and it’s not a 203 number [Connecticut area code]. So I ignore it cuz I’m working out. Then it calls again… It called a second time and I was like, ‘Okay.’ And I look and it said, ‘Might be so and so.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, no.’ I knew right away.”
The actual conversation was brief and disorienting. “I picked up the phone and I was like, ‘Hello.’ And then I was like, ‘Oh, this is it.’ And like I’ve thought about that moment so many times that when it happened, it was just like I felt like I like I felt like I wasn’t in my body. Like I was on the phone and answering and then when I hung up, I was like, I feel like I should have said more or like asked more questions. And I think I was just like, ‘Okay, okay, bye.'”
Reflecting on her WWE tenure, Catanzaro acknowledged the precarious nature of employment in the wrestling industry. “I feel like when you work there there is a joke of like you you could literally be fired at any time. Like we’re like nervous about it often. Not like oh I’m sitting there upset every day but like enough that someone will make a random joke every now and then like oh like something happened. Oh, well, what if we get fired? You know, it it is in the back of your mind because it does happen and you know how the business works.”
Ironically, Catanzaro had survived multiple previous rounds of releases, including the major cuts during the pandemic era, making this departure even more unexpected.
Her first call back to WWE after the release? Asking about fixing her twice-broken nose. Her second priority? “Hey, I need my Instagram name back.”
Now, as she contemplates her future, Catanzaro remains uncertain about whether she wants to continue wrestling. “I’m bummed because I know that I have a lot more potential that I could have shown that I didn’t get to,” she said, while also expressing gratitude for her nearly eight-year run with the company.
Seth Rollins has launched a verbal attack on CM Punk, noting that Punk is “not good for what we do” and stating, “I want him gone.” Rollins made these remarks during a recent appearance on the Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams.
Rollins said, “Punk is not good for what we do. He’s a bad dude. He’s not a good dude. I’ve dealt with CM Punk for far too long.” He continued with a blunt demand: “This guy shouldn’t even be in my windspace. I want him gone. I want him out of here.”
This comes as Rollins has a negative history with Punk stemming from the way Punk handled his 2014 WWE exit. The two are also in a storyline together.
Rollins leads a new heel faction on Raw, which includes Paul Heyman – who recently betrayed CM Punk – along with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Punk, meanwhile, recently returned hiatus, but failed to secure a spot in the Men’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Rollins has landed a spot in the match.
CM Punk has transformed his body into a living memoir, and in the latest episode of WWE’s “Tattooed” series, “The Second City Saint” finally opened up about the deeply personal stories behind his extensive ink collection. The nearly 15-minute video reveals how each piece serves as both a tribute and a reminder of the relationships, mentors, and values that have shaped his legendary career.
Family First: The Most Personal Ink
Behind his left ear sits one of Punk’s most meaningful tattoos: the number “31” surrounded by four stars. The number represents his younger sister’s soccer jersey, while the stars symbolize each of his siblings. Notably absent is a fifth star – a painful reminder of his estranged relationship with a brother who embezzled money from their backyard wrestling promotion early in Punk’s career.
“It’s one of those things where family comes first,” Punk explained, touching on how the tattoo keeps his loved ones close even when they’re apart.
Wrestling Legends Immortalized in Ink
Harley Race: The Peacock Tribute
On his left leg, Punk sports a peacock adorned with a crown—a tribute to the late, great Harley Race. The wrestling legend had a profound impact on Punk’s career and philosophy, with Punk often asking himself “What would Harley do?” in moments of doubt.
“Harley was more than just a wrestler to me,” Punk shared. “He was a mentor, and I have stories about drinking shots of milk with him on his birthday. That peacock represents everything he stood for—royalty, strength, and authenticity.”
Ace Steel: Four Aces for a Wrestling Father Figure
The four aces tattooed on Punk’s left arm tell the story of his entry into professional wrestling. They honor Ace Steel, the man who trained him at Steel Dominion Wrestling School in Chicago and helped launch his career.
“I don’t even believe in luck,” Punk noted with characteristic honesty. “Those aces aren’t about gambling—they’re about the man who gave me my shot in this business.”
Chris Candido: “No Gimmicks Needed”
Perhaps the most poignant tribute is the “No Gimmicks Needed” text on his left hand, honoring his late friend Chris Candido, who passed away in 2005. The phrase perfectly encapsulated Candido’s natural wrestling ability and authentic personality.
“Chris didn’t need anything extra to be great,” Punk reflected. “He was just naturally gifted, and that phrase represents everything he was as a performer and as a person.”
Straight Edge Identity Worn Proudly
Punk’s commitment to his straight edge lifestyle is permanently displayed across his body. “DRUG FREE” spans his knuckles, while “Straight Edge” is emblazoned across his abdomen—tattoos that have become synonymous with his wrestling persona.
“These aren’t just words,” Punk emphasized. “They’re my identity. They represent who I am and what I stand for, both in and out of the ring.”
Personal Touches and Beloved Companions
Even his pets earn their place in Punk’s tattoo gallery. A paw print accompanied by a banner spelling “Callee” honors his beloved dog on his left forearm—another example of how Punk uses his body art to keep cherished memories alive.
Punk Rock Roots Run Deep
True to his name, Punk’s musical influences are permanently etched on his skin. The Operation Ivy logo on his left calf pays homage to the influential punk rock band that later evolved into Rancid, with whom Punk eventually became friends.
His love for comic books also shines through with various Marvel references, including Spider-Man imagery integrated into other designs, showcasing his self-described “comic nerd” side.
The Pepsi Story Gets Deeper Context
While explaining his famous Pepsi logo tattoo, Punk provided additional context about its connection to his straight edge beliefs and the punk rock culture that shaped him. The tattoo represents far more than brand loyalty—it’s a symbol of authenticity and staying true to one’s values, inspired by Minor Threat guitarist Brian Baker’s simple honesty about his own Coca-Cola tattoo.
A Canvas of Contradictions
Interestingly, Punk’s “good luck arm” tells a contradictory story. Despite claiming he doesn’t believe in luck, his left arm features a rabbit’s foot, four-leaf clover, horseshoe, and Japanese koi fish—all traditional symbols of good fortune.
“I know it’s contradictory,” Punk acknowledged with a laugh. “But each piece has its own story and meaning beyond just luck.”
The Living Museum Continues
With 52 tattoos covering most of his upper body, Punk’s collection represents nearly three decades of experiences, relationships, and personal growth. From his first piece at age 17 to his most recent additions, each tattoo serves as a chapter in his ongoing story.
“Tattoos are like wearing your heart on your sleeve,” Punk explained. “It’s about showing who you are on the inside by showing it on the outside. Each tattoo should have some deep, deep meaning.”
As Punk continues his WWE return journey, his body art remains a constant reminder of where he’s been and the people who helped shape “The Best in the World.” In a business often criticized for its artificiality, CM Punk’s tattoos stand as permanent proof of what’s real—his relationships, his values, and his unwavering commitment to authenticity.
Professional wrestler Jordan Williams, 34, known in the ring as Jayden Steele, has been charged with felony kidnapping and multiple assault charges. His alleged victim reportedly left a desperate note begging for help in a Jersey Mike’s restroom in Navarre, Florida, on May 27, 2025, according to NBC 15 News.
Authorities state Williams has a history of domestic violence. An employee, Eleanor Coffee, found the note, which pleaded: “Please help me… I need you to call the police… He controls my phone… Please help get me home! HELP!”
The note provided an address and warned that Williams’ parents might alert him if police approached directly. Investigators used this information and surveillance footage to locate the victim at a residence on file for Williams.
She was found with visible injuries and hospitalized for suspected broken bones. The alleged victim reported months of isolation, repeated assaults, and threats involving weapons.
Williams reportedly faces charges including felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felony kidnap, and felony battery strangulation. He pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance on May 29th and is being held without bond in Santa Rosa County Jail.
Shotzi (Blackheart), who was released from WWE in May 2025, has confirmed reports that she was pulled from the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match at the last minute to accommodate Alexa Bliss’s return. Speaking on Unwrapped with Daria and Toni, Shotzi detailed the confusing and disappointing experience.
She recounted being flown in by WWE with very little notice. “They didn’t relay anything until like the day before. It was like 3 pm the day before [the Royal Rumble] and they were like, ‘Hey, can you get on a flight in a couple hours?’” Shotzi explained.
“And I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I’m not ready for this!’ and packed my bags… And then it led to nothing.” Despite attending rehearsals, Shotzi revealed she “got told while I was in the makeup chair that I wasn’t in it.”
She confirmed Bliss, whose return was a late decision due to contract negotiations, took her spot. Shotzi shared that Bliss was apologetic: “She felt so bad and she came up to me afterwards and she was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry! I didn’t even realize [they were giving me someone else’s spot].”
Shotzi called it a “tough pill to swallow” but noted that at least Bliss received a big pop.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has publicly appealed to WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque to bring the company’s flagship premium live event, WrestleMania, to the UK. capital. This renewed push came during a recent interview with CNBC’s Tania Bryer.
“I’d love for WrestleMania to come to London,” Khan stated directly. “Triple H if you’re watching, we want WrestleMania to come to London.”
Khan, who held talks with Levesque in July 2024, elaborated on his vision: “If WrestleMania came to London, my message to the team there is that we wouldn’t just have a great weekend, we’d have a festival, of legends in WrestleMania coming to London, current stars, but also future stars as well.”
He believes it “will open a completely new market for them as well.” Khan described London as the “sporting capital… of the world,” adding, “if WrestleMania wants to expand, the obvious place to come is London.”
Speculation about London as a potential host has been significant since 2023, when John Cena voiced support for the idea during a WWE event in the city. If it were to happen, it would be the first time WrestleMania is held outside of North America.
This comes as WWE continues its international expansion, highlighted by RAW moving to Netflix globally in 2025.
TNA Wrestling returns to Arizona for the first time since 2012 this Fridy with a loaded card featuring multiple championship matches and a bout that will determine the company’s future leadership. The event showcases the ongoing WWE-TNA partnership with NXT’s Trick Williams defending the TNA World Championship in the main event.
Event Information
Date: Friday, June 6, 2025 Time: 10:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT Location: Mullett Arena, Tempe, Arizona (Arizona State University campus) Streaming: TNA+ (Live) Doors Open: 5:30 PM local time Event Start: 6:30 PM local time
Championship Matches
TNA World Championship
Trick Williams (c) vs. Elijah
Williams defends his title against Elijah after successfully retaining against Mike Santana on NXT with help from First Class. As the first active WWE wrestler to hold any TNA title, Williams looks to continue his reign against the patient challenger.
TNA World Tag Team Championships
The Nemeths (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) (c) vs. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
The Nemeth Brothers defend against The Rascalz, who earned their shot by winning a #1 contender’s match. This high-flying challenge will test the champions who captured the titles from The Hardys at Rebellion.
TNA Knockouts World Championship
Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Léi Y?ng Lee
Slamovich defends against Lee after the former WWE star earned her opportunity by defeating Ash by Elegance. The dominant champion faces a tough test from the skilled striker looking for her first TNA gold.
TNA International Championship
Steve Maclin (c) vs. Mance Warner
“Bulletproof” Maclin defends his International Championship against hardcore brawler Mance Warner. Expect a hard-hitting affair between two of TNA’s toughest competitors.
Key Non-Title Matches
Winner Controls TNA
Santino Marella vs. Robert Stone
The winner becomes TNA’s official Director of Authority in this company-changing match. Stone has been claiming Marella is “under review” and calling himself “Sheriff Stone” while making controversial decisions.
Joe Hendry vs. Frankie Kazarian
Former TNA World Champion Hendry looks to bounce back against veteran “King of TNA” Kazarian. Two TNA stalwarts clash in what should be a technically sound encounter.
TNA Impact airs tonight, Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 8/7c on AXS TV in the US, Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and TNA+ worldwide, with the episode taped at the CAA Centre in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.TNA Impact Preview
Airs Tonight: Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 8/7c
US: AXS TV
Canada: Sportsnet 360
Worldwide: TNA+
Taped at: CAA Centre, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Key Matches & Storylines
TNA X-Division Championship
Moose (c) vs. Eric Young Moose puts his X-Division Title on the line against the veteran Eric Young in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
Monster’s Ball Match
Rosemary vs. Xia Brookside Expect chaos and carnage as Rosemary and Xia Brookside collide in the infamous Monster’s Ball match.
Six-Man Tag Team Action
The Nemeths & Frankie Kazarian vs. Matt Hardy, Leon Slater & Mike Santana Tag team turmoil erupts as the Nemeth brothers join forces with Kazarian to face the trio of Hardy, Slater, and Santana.
Additional Matches
Heather by Elegance & M by Elegance vs. Harley Hudson & Myra Grace The women’s division heats up with this tag team contest.
Major Storyline Context
This episode serves as the fallout from both TNA Under Siege and WWE NXT Battleground, with storylines intensifying as TNA heads into a packed weekend of events.
Championship Picture
Trick Williams is the new TNA World Champion after defeating Joe Hendry at NXT Battleground.
On the June 3 episode of WWE NXT, Williams successfully defended his title against Mike Santana with the help of AJ Francis and KC Navarro.
Looking ahead, Trick Williams is set to defend the TNA World Championship against Elijah at Against All Odds on June 6.
Notable Segments
Joe Hendry will make his first TNA Impact appearance since losing the TNA World Title, with fans eager to hear what’s next for the former champion.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, June 7: TNA Wrestling presents iMPACT! Live from the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona
Friday, June 6: TNA Wrestling presents Against All Odds Streaming LIVE on TNA+ from the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona at 10pm ET
Pat McAfee believes there is always a road back to WWE for the recent releases.
The WWE commentator welcomed Sheamus on the newest episode of his show. They talked about things such as The Celtic Warrior’s start in WWE, how he stays in shape and more.
During the interview, they also discussed the recent WWE cuts. Pat McAfee mentioned how such cuts happen in NFL as well but they affect people in wrestling more because fans are emotionally invested in the work of the talents. He then explained that there are many opportunities out there for the people who have been let go and there is always a way back to WWE:
“A lot of guys come back, though. That’s the wrestling business. Even more so now with how many opportunities there are elsewhere, and it feels like it’s only growing. AAA, getting bought out by WWE and TKO. That partnership, what they’re going to do, the amount of money [that will] probably gonna be invested in there.
TNA, seemingly all the way back, obviously AEW, still rolling, they broke a record of some sort. There are so many opportunities, but there is always a road back to WWE.”
Sheamus also gave his thoughts on the matter, specifically mentioning R Truth. He noted how he had his first dark match in WWE against Truth and claimed that there is no way Truth does not return to the company somewhere down the line.
Despite the reassuring comments, fans have not been happy with the recent releases. They made their voices heard on this week’s Raw and CM Punk acknowledged this off air. You can check out what he said here.
The June 4 episode of WWE EVOLVE featured a four-way elimination match to crown the first ever EVOLVE Men’s Champion. The competitors for the bout included Jackson Drake, Edris Enofe, Sean Legacy and Keanu Carver.
Enofe was the first to be eliminated from the title match. Carver picked up the NXT veteran and hit a running slam to get the three count. Carver was the next to go as Legacy hit a 450 Splash. Drake had to help Legacy with the cover to get rid of the heavyweight star.
The ending the bout saw both the remaining contestants countering each other’s moves multiple times. Legacy went for a German Suplex but Drake managed to hold onto the rope. He then pulled Sean into the rope and went for InJacktion.
— Sonya Bayley – WWE Fan ?? (@SDevilleLive) June 5, 2025
Sean Legacy managed a counter of his own however, catching the young star mid-air. Legacy then went for Shambles but Jackson Drake countered once again, landing on his feet instead. Drake finally got the upper hand with a leaping knee and he followed it up with Unaliving to get the pin.
NXT star Je’Von Evans was at hand to present the title to the Inaugural champion. Drake celebrated with members of The Vanity Project faction to end the show.
He isn’t the first champion to be crowned in this new iteration of EVOLVE however. Kali Armstrong became the first champion of this new era, winning the EVOLVE Women’s title in a similar fatal four way during last week’s episode of the show.
Pw Insider is reporting that multiple police vehicles were seen near the venue as fans were taken back to their cars via a bus. The alleged stalker was apprehended outside the WWE Performance Center. The arrest was reportedly made by a larger law enforcement agency, not local police and at this time, the suspect remains in custody.
A second arrest, unrelated to Liv Morgan, was made, and was reportedly related to a fight outside the venue. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement to confirm that 41-year-old Shawn Chan was taken into custody near the WWE facility. It was not confirmed if this individual was related to the Morgan situation or if he was arrested due to the fight.
WWE has dealt with serious stalking incidents involving talent in the past, including individuals stalking Saraya and Sonya Deville. A man who smeared feces on the Performance Center wall was shot by police in 2015.
Tonight’s Fyter Fest special of AEW Dynamite featured a segment with Tony Schiavone interviewing the Arial Assassin. We got a video package recapping Will’s attempt to get Swerve Strickland to support Hangman Page in his upcoming match before tonight’s segment.
This came after Ospreay lost The Owen final to Page at Double or Nothing last month. The win earned Adam Page a shot at Jon Moxley’s AEW world title.
Ospreay started off by saying that he’s embarrassed, and trying to get Page and Strickland on the same page was not one of his smartest ideas. He reiterated, however, that Jon Moxley is the bigger threat in his eyes, and if two bitter rivals could just put their differences aside for one night, they could take the belt off Mox.
He then targeted the AEW World Champion saying that Mox is the reason AEW sucks right now and the company is actually full of talent. Will said that he’s starting to think maybe Swerve Strickland is also a threat.
Ospreay told the former AEW Champion that he could take a bullet for him, but he would take a bullet for AEW before that. He challenged the former NXT star for a match at next week’s 4-hour Summer Blockbuster special.
This match, alongside a few other bouts were later confirmed for the upcoming show by Tony Khan. Here is the updated card for the June 11 show:
Singles Match: Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay
Six Men Tag Team Match: “Speedball” Mike Bailey, Kevin Knight, & Komander vs. Hurt Syndicate
Singles Match: Anthony Bowens vs. Kyle Fletcher
Singles Match: “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Julia Hart
Apart from this, the company has confirmed that Mistico will be in action for the show but his opponent has not been revealed. TBS Champion Mercedes Mone is expected to be on commentary for the Toni Storm match.
WWE’s days of being a wrestling promotion catered towards wrestling fans are over, at least according to two talents released from the company this year. On a recent episode of their Talk’n Shop podcast, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson weighed in on recent developments in WWE, including the release of R-Truth. Anderson shared his take that WWE isn’t a wrestling company in the traditional sense anymore, but merely an extension of TKO Group Holdings.
“It’s not the WWE anymore, guys. It’s a company called TKO.”
Gallows echoed the sentiment that WWE can’t be considered WWE anymore, adding:
“I don’t look at WWE as WWE anymore. They’re TKO now — and that’s great. That’s good for them. It’s not the same thing.”
TKO officially launched in September 2023 and saw WWE and UFC come together under one media powerhouse. Since then, several changes have been made, including the introduction of in-ring sponsors at PLEs and at TV events. While WWE will continue to move forward, the future of WWE looks vastly different from its past, according to Gallows and Anderson.
This began on X when a fan asked if Purrazzo will be “pulling up to Dynamite.” The Virtuosa responded that she’d only be appearing “During picture in picture, probably”, a dig at how little she has been used in the ring.
During the June 4, edition of AEW Dynamite, Purrazzo did make an appearance, albeit not in the ring. True to her prediction, Purrazzo appeared during a picture-in-picture segment as part of a commercial for Southern New Hampshire University.
Purrazzo’s appearance on the show sparked a discussion online, prompting the wrestler to weigh in. In a post on X, Purrazzo spoke about being honored to play a part in the commercial, and had no idea it was going to air during Dynamite.
Though Purrazzo did not intend her initial post as anything more than a joke, many are frustrated with how little the former TNA Knockouts World Champion has been used. With no sign of her next AEW appearance, fans may be waiting a long time to see her in action.
Former WWE Superstar Bishop Dyer has yet to work for Tony Khan, but the wrestler has praised the AEW President for taking care of his talent. Appearing on Busted Open Radio, Dyer, better known to fans as Baron Corbin, spoke highly of Khan, revealing that the AEW head has done things WWE would not have done for its wrestlers.
“I can tell you Tony Khan cares about his employees. I know things that are not public that he’s done for talent that I think in WWE’s world would not be done that way.”
Dyer didn’t give examples of Khan’s actions, though it’s no secret that the AEW President often goes the extra mile. Khan can often be found making massive donations to GoFundMe’s to aid wrestlers, including donating $10,000 to Kevin Sullivan’s medical expenses in 2024.
Whether Dyer, a former NXT Tag Team Champion, one day appears for the promotion that once directly competed with WWE NXT, that remains to be seen. With that said, it’s clear that the Lone Wolf has a high estimation of the AEW President.
Tonight’s AEW Fyter Fest special of Dynamite featured Kenny Omega defending his AEW International Title in a fatal four-way against Brody King, Mascara Dorado, and Claudio Castagnoli. The development after the bout, however, made more headlines than the match.
After Omega successfully defended his title, he was confronted by his longtime rival and current AEW Continental Champion, Kazuchika Okada.
The two stars shoved their title belts in each other’s faces, and the segment quickly turned into a brawl. Omega managed to get the upper hand in this confrontation, forcing Okada to retreat.
After this confrontation, the company teased a big announcement from Tony Khan before the end of the 4-hour special. The announcement that came right before the main event of the show was of a ‘Winner Takes All’ showdown between the two champions for the upcoming All In: Texas PPV on July 12.
AEW has already confirmed “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Mercedes Moné for the AEW Women’s Title and Jon Moxley vs. Adam Page for the AEW title for the upcoming show. The Okada vs. Omega rematch however, is big enough to potentially main event the PPV over the other bouts.
This will be the fifth match between the two wrestling stars and the first one-on-one encounter between the two since NJPW Dominion 6.9 back in 2018.
The female star had not been seen on AEW TV since the first quarter of 2023, when she took maternity leave. Melo gave birth to her daughter Luna Guevara in November that year.
Like many recent comebacks, her return match earlier this year came outside of AEW. Melo competed in her first match in 22 months during Stardom’s New Year Dream event. She teamed with Mina Shirakawa to face off against Athena and Thekla.
Tonight’s Fyter Fest special of Collision then saw a segment where the duo of Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford had seemingly attacked Anna Jay backstage. They were holding the Dark Order star by her hair when the cameras cut to backstage, and the duo proceeded to bring Jay out onto the stage.
As Bayne looked to drop Anna Jay off the stage with a slam, however, Tay Melo made her surprise return to make the save for her former tag team partner.
Melo brought a steel pipe with her, which she used to take out Ford. She then got into a brawl with Megan, and the segment ended with the security having to pull the two female stars away.
Tony Khan has previously expressed interest in adding a Women’s Tag Team title to the company and the duo of Anna Jay and Tay Melo could be serious contenders if he does make the announcement.
Vince McMahon has further reduced his stake in TKO Group Holdings, selling approximately $250 million worth of stock directly to Endeavor, TKO’s majority owner. A new SEC filing revealed McMahon offloaded 1,579,080 shares of TKO stock at a per-share price of $158.32.
This latest transaction means McMahon has now sold more than $2 billion worth of TKO shares since the company was formed from the merger of WWE and UFC in September 2023. This includes a previous significant sale valued at $311.2 million in April 2024 to both TKO and Endeavor.
Following this most recent sale, McMahon reportedly still holds 6,442,325 TKO shares, which constitutes roughly 3% of TKO.McMahon resigned from his positions at TKO and WWE in January 2024.
His resignation came after former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against him, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis, accusing McMahon of sexual assault and sex trafficking, allegations which McMahon has denied. This sale of stock is another step in McMahon distancing himself financially from WWE.
R-Truth has been released from WWE, but Sheamus isn’t concerned for the future of the former WWE 24/7 Champion. Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, Sheamus shared his belief that Truth’s return to WWE isn’t a question of if, but when..
“So many guys and girls—have left and come back. It’s not the end. Sometimes it’s a bit of a break… There’s no way Truth’s not going to come back at some stage. I’m sure you’ll see him again. Like, a Hall of Famer. He’s definitely a pillar.“
Sheamus’ connection to Truth extends beyond merely being a colleague of the released talent. In the interview, the four-time WWE World Champion shared how his first WWE match was against none other than R-Truth.
“We had a dark match together on the road, and from then we bonded. That fella walks in the dressing room and it’s just… laugh. He’s got a contagious laugh that would just light up the room.“
Sheamus also believes that Carlito will return to WWE TV one day, despite his contract not being renewed. The Irish Superstar, who marks 16 years since his own WWE arrival this month, declared “If you truly want to find your way back, you’ll find your way back.”
Sheamus’ positive outlook on these releases comes in stark contrast to the waves of backlash WWE has received in recent days. For Sheamus, fans can expect to see Truth and Carlito in some capacity on WWE TV down the line.
WWE Superstar Karrion Kross is reportedly in his contract year, with his current deal set to expire this summer (2025). There has been little movement regarding a new agreement.
According to an update from Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp at the start of June, WWE “has not yet approached Kross about a contract extension or renewal.”
Furthermore, Fightful “haven’t heard if they’ve indicated interest in doing so” at this point. This comes after an earlier report from Sapp noted Kross was in a contract year. WWE typically notifies talent about non-renewals approximately a month before their deals expire.
However, the company has recently kept talent on television closer to their contract end dates before making decisions on extensions or communicating non-renewals.
Currently, Kross reportedly has “a few months remaining on Kross’ deal.” He has been a consistent presence on SmackDown, often alongside Scarlett, and recently had a notable interaction with Logan Paul.
A neck injury robbed Kevin Owens of competing at WrestleMania 41, an injury that could keep the Canadian out of the ring for the rest of this year and beyond. Speaking to e10Sport, Owens gave the latest on his situation.
“I still haven’t had the operation. There are a lot of things to consider before the surgery. We’re waiting a bit to see how things evolve naturally. There’s no doubt that I need surgery, but before going through with it, we just need to see how much it can… not recover, because it won’t recover, but improve slightly without surgery.“
Owens shared news of his injury on an episode of SmackDown, though reports of the setback came to light hours before the show. In the interview, Owens explained that the issues with his neck have been going back for some time.
“I had doubts for several months that there was something really abnormal. But it took several months before we diagnosed the actual injury. We found out two days before I made the announcement on SmackDown that I wouldn’t be able to be at WrestleMania and that I had to stop wrestling immediately.”
Owens reiterated that despite any reports to the contrary, he has not had surgery yet, adding that “we’ll figure it out.” As fans eagerly await updates on the former Universal Champion, it’s clear that a return to the ring remains a long way away.
Roxanne Perez has made a splash in WWE in her years with the company, and now she’d love to see Taylor Swift step into the ring. In a conversation on Sports Illustrated’s YouTube channel, Perez was asked which celebrity or pro athlete she’d want to see compete in WWE and was quick to name the music icon.
“I don’t know if we would actually ever see it, but I’m a big fan of Taylor Swift. So, I mean, could you imagine just seeing her in a WWE ring? I think that would be pretty groundbreaking and kind of crazy.”
Though she is yet to lace up her boots for in-ring action, Swift does have some connections to the world of pro wrestling. The 14-time Grammy Award-winning artist spent her younger years babysitting for Jeff Jarrett, and helped the Jarrett family immensely during the final years of the life of Jeff’s first wife. In late 2023, Swift was spotted with WWE’s Baron Corbin at a Kansas City Chiefs game with both cheering on Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce.
The mere idea of Taylor Swift making a WWE appearance—even briefly—would be a media sensation, drawing attention from both the entertainment world and sports outlets. While it seems unlikely, fans know to never say never in the world of WWE.
