The Roast of WrestleMania wasn’t officially aired by WWE, but that hasn’t stopped portions of the event from making it to the public. According to various sources who attended the roast, Nia Jax didn’t hold back on Charlotte Flair, who was not in attendance. Jax mocked Flair’s three divorces, raising questions among many fans as to whether Nia crossed a line.
Regardless of what Charlotte may think about Jax’s comments, the Queen is rising above the controversy. Taking to X, Flair made it clear that her focus is not on the scathing remarks from Jax and others, but instead on what she does best.
While a roast is known for harsh comments, many feel that Jax went too far, especially since Flair was not present to defend herself. Jax has faced her own series of hurtful comments from fans, often targeting her weight and alleged incidents of injuring other talent. With Jax having spoken openly about how these comments affected her mental health, many believe she should have shown more restraint regarding Charlotte’s personal life, particularly since Flair has been candid about the emotional impact of her divorces.
The Roast of WrestleMania was intended only for fans in Las Vegas, but the event has sparked a significant debate online. It remains to be seen whether WWE will organize a second event following the controversy stemming from this inaugural show.
Dorian Joaquín Roldán Peña, CEO of Mexican pro wrestling promotion AAA, recently opened up about what led to the acquisition of AAA.
The historic acquisition has significantly changed the landscape of Mexican professional wrestling. The announcement was made during the WrestleMania 41 Saturday Countdown show. WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque was joined by Fillip Chairman Alberto Fasja, AAA’s Marisela Peña and Dorian Roldán Peña, as well as WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio and AAA standout El Hijo Del Vikingo.
During the Sports Summit, Dorian Joaquín Roldán Peña emphasized that competing against other forms of entertainment and sports industries in Mexico is particularly challenging. He further explained that securing sponsorships has become increasingly difficult.
Peña noted that soccer generates substantial revenue in the country, making it difficult for AAA to compete against Liga MX, the Mexican National Team, and the soccer industry in general. He said:
“I went three weeks ago, it was a brand’s turn, and I told that brand, ‘Hey, I need money…’ And no, the money is in football, the money is in the Super Bowl, the money is in whatever property is hot. You have to chip away at a lot of money.”
It has been speculated that the acquisition of AAA by WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, was worth approximately $50 million, though exact figures remain undisclosed. The acquisition enables WWE to collaborate with a talented roster of luchadors, create exciting crossover matches, and further expand their international market presence.
¿Por qué Triple A fue vendida a WWE? ?
? Esto fue lo que dijo Dorian Joaquín Roldán Peña, General Manager de Lucha Libre AAA. pic.twitter.com/0EN0Z1tdpl
Aleister Black’s WWE return is set for tonight’s episode of WWESmackDown (April 25, 2025), marking his first appearance since his 2021 release. Known as Malakai Black during his AEW tenure, his comeback has been quietly building through weeks of cryptic teases.
Build-Up and Teasers
Over the past several weeks, WWE has aired unsettling vignettes featuring dark, symbolic imagery tied to Black’s former WWE persona. Visuals like a lone chair encircled by candles directly reference the “Dark Father” character from his previous run.
The vignettes escalated in detail, incorporating the numbers “4” and “25” — subtly signaling the April 25 return date. Zelina Vega, Black’s real-life wife, has also appeared in these segments and was recently moved to SmackDown, reinforcing speculation about his comeback.
Details on the Return
Multiple outlets have confirmed that Black’s return is locked for the April 25 edition of SmackDown, the first show following WrestleMania 41. The episode will be held in Fort Worth, Texas.
His re-debut was reportedly delayed until after WrestleMania to ensure maximum exposure and creative momentum. He was also spotted at WWE Headquarters in recent weeks, adding to internal buzz.
Creative Direction and Potential Storylines
Early reports suggest Black’s return could intersect with ongoing supernatural-themed storylines. He may align with or challenge the Wyatt Sicks faction, or possibly engage with Uncle Howdy, hinting at a deeper horror-inspired angle.
Despite a strong run in NXT, Black struggled to find consistent direction on the main roster before his departure. Now, with Triple H guiding WWE’s creative, there’s renewed hope that Black will finally receive a sustained push and a defined role.
Still, some analysts caution that the success of his return could hinge on how audiences receive the darker character elements — particularly if paired with less conventional storytelling.
Bianca Belair confirmed she suffered a possible broken finger during her triple threat match at WrestleMania 41.
Despite the injury and the end of her WrestleMania streak, Belair praised IYO SKY and vowed to continue her rivalry with Rhea Ripley.
Bianca Belair has revealed that she suffered an injury during her triple threat match at WrestleMania 41 against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley.
The high-profile bout opened night two of the event, where IYO successfully defended the WWE Women’s Championship in a match that received widespread acclaim from fans and peers alike.
The Injury
A behind-the-scenes video released by WWE showcased Steve Austin congratulating IYO on her performance, while also capturing a candid moment with Belair, who disclosed she had hurt one of her fingers during the match.
“I think I broke a finger. My fingers hurt, my feelings hurt, but nah, I’m so happy right now. That was amazing. Win or lose, it’s WrestleMania,” Belair told WWE Digital.
Despite the physical setback and the end of her WrestleMania winning streak, she praised IYO’s performance, calling her one of the best in the world.
Her Message for Rhea Ripley
Belair also sent a message to Rhea Ripley, stating,
“Rhea, I’m still comin’ for that ass! This ain’t over, because it’s your fault.”
The match marked a significant turning point for Belair, both in terms of storyline and personal resilience, as she looked ahead to future rivalries.
The Young Bucks appreciate the fans and have taken the time to show how much it means to them.
The Young Bucks had been on hiatus until Dynasty, when they returned and helped Jon Moxley retain the AEW World Heavyweight Title over Swerve Strickland. They took to Instagram to share a message of thanks to the fans.
“Nothing but love to the real ones who’ve never stopped supporting us,” he wrote via Instagram. “To the ones who didn’t fall for the phony character assassination clickbait articles.”
Jackson continued, “The rumors, the lies. You had our backs the whole time [and] it didn’t go unnoticed. We still do this for you. I would have probably called it a night a long time ago without your support. Let’s keep going. Let’s come back bigger, better [and] sharper. What is ‘the feeling’ everyone talks about? It’s you. You’re the recipe. Onward [and] upward.”
The former AEW Tag Team Champions beat Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey in a tag team match this past week on Dynamite.
Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 41 as Randy Orton’s opponent, bringing his TNA World Championship to WWE’s biggest stage
Despite the quick match ending with Orton’s RKO, Hendry views the experience as a positive career milestone that will boost TNA’s visibility
TNA World Heavyweight Champion Joe Hendry appeared as a guest on Busted Open Radio during WrestleMania 41 weekend in Las Vegas to discuss his surprise appearance and match against Randy Orton at WWE’s biggest event of the year.
The interview revealed Hendry’s mindset about the moment, his journey, and what it means for his future.
The Surprise Appearance and Match Experience
Hendry described the feeling of being revealed as Randy Orton’s mystery opponent at WrestleMania as “unfathomable.” Unlike his Royal Rumble appearance, where he simply walked out, this moment featured a special entrance with his signature spin as the doors opened.
“I was chill the entire time until we got close to the venue… I’m watching the video package and I’m going ‘Holy smokes,'” Hendry shared about his pre-match emotions. “The doors open, the music hits, spin around, I’m thinking ‘What is going on?’ That’s what I love about this business now, it’s just anything can happen.”
When discussing the match itself, which ended quickly with Orton delivering his signature RKO, Hendry pushed back on characterizations of it as a “squash match.”
“The offense was back and forth… My job as TNA champion and what defines this reign is getting as many eyeballs on TNA wrestling as possible,” Hendry explained. “You know who else lost quickly in WrestleMania in similar fashion? John Cena. Am I going to all of a sudden say I’m too good to do that? That was, to me, exactly how it should have gone.”
Confidence Boost and Future Outlook
Busted Open host Dave LaGreca noticed a change in Hendry’s demeanor during the interview, noting a new level of confidence. Hendry confirmed this transformation, attributing it to conversations with WWE legend John Cena.
“John Cena said it this morning. He was on Pat McAfee’s show and he said ‘I think Joe Hendry is going to be a major player,'” Hendry revealed. “John Cena and I had another conversation last night that reinforced that for me. When John Cena won the championship, I was walking through back to the little room that I had, and John Cena—the camera crew is filming him, he’s just won the championship—and he comes over to me.”
Reflecting on his remarkable rise over the past year, Hendry expressed amazement at how quickly his career has accelerated.
“I never thought it’d be possible at this speed. Last year, that’s when the song started to gain traction… I released the song on April 29th. We’re not even a calendar year forward, and all these things have happened—WrestleMania match with Randy Orton, main event No Mercy, TNA World Champion.”
Focus on TNA’s Future
Despite experiencing WWE’s grandest stage, Hendry emphasized his commitment to TNA Wrestling and leveraging his increased exposure to benefit the company.
“The challenge for me is not when can I get another moment, it’s about how can I take this and make money for TNA,” Hendry stated firmly. He also hinted at potential crossover appearances, mentioning that a “WWE mega star who has a tour bus” had expressed interest in appearing at TNA’s upcoming Rebellion pay-per-view.
Hendry’s WrestleMania moment represents not just a personal milestone, but potentially a new chapter in the relationship between WWE and TNA Wrestling, with the confident champion right at the center of it all.
Despite fan campaigns calling for the Women’s United States Championship to be featured at WWE’s biggest event of the year, champion Chelsea Green found herself without a match on the WrestleMania 41 card. Speaking with Adrian Hernandez for Unlikely during WrestleMania weekend in Las Vegas, Green addressed the situation with remarkable professionalism while reflecting on her journey to WWE success.
“I felt the want and the need for these titles to be on the show. I wanted them to be on the show, but at the end of the day, you know, we only have so many hours and so many spots on the card,” Green explained, acknowledging the reality of WWE’s premier event’s time constraints.
While clearly disappointed about missing wrestling’s biggest stage, Green showed solidarity with her colleagues who did make the card.
“I think that the women that were on the show did an amazing job of representing all of us. So, although I’m upset and I wish I could have been on it, I’m really proud of the girls.”
From NWA to WWE: A Decade-Long Journey
The interview also provided Green an opportunity to reflect on her remarkable career journey, which included a stint in NWA in 2017 alongside several wrestlers who have since become major stars, including LA Knight, Eddie Kingston, and Thunder Rosa.
“I honestly reflect on this whole journey like once a week because I’m so grateful to be here, have this championship, be a part of WWE,” Green shared. “It’s everything I ever wanted when I got into wrestling.”
What makes Green’s perspective particularly compelling is her appreciation for the indirect path that ultimately led to her current championship status.
“I wanted so badly 10 years ago to be here, but now it makes it special that I’m here because I went through all those companies and opponents and you know, the journey was just hard and I love that for me.”
Championship Status and Fan Connection
As the first-ever Women’s United States Champion, Green’s absence from WrestleMania 41 has raised questions about the championship’s positioning within WWE’s hierarchy. However, her positive outlook and team-first attitude demonstrate why she’s become a fan favorite beyond her in-ring capabilities.
Green concluded the interview with a message to her fanbase, whom she affectionately refers to as her “harvest”:
“If you want to be a part of my secret harvest, we do not discriminate. Honey, you are in. You are hired. As long as you are secretary of slaying, you’re in. We love you all.”
While her championship wasn’t defended on wrestling’s grandest stage this year, Green’s journey and perspective offer an inspiring reminder about perseverance in professional wrestling’s increasingly competitive landscape.
Former WWE and AEW star Saraya (Saraya-Jade Bevis) recently spoke about the lasting impact of her “Paige” character and the potential for bringing that persona back if she returns to the ring.
“I would take Paige again. Yeah. I love that character. I love Paige. I love the music. I love that she was a badass,” Saraya said in an interview with Andro Mammo.
Best known for her time in WWE, Paige became a standout figure with her anti-diva image, unique presentation, and aggressive style. She held the NXT Women’s Championship and captured the WWE Divas Championship twice, becoming a fan favorite during her run.
Comparing that version of herself to her time in AEW, Saraya noted the contrast in character styles.
“Saraya was a different character in AEW. It’s more like a chicken sh*t heel, which was fun, but I preferred Paige, for sure,” she admitted.
Looking to the future, Saraya hinted that a return could feature a mix of both personas.
“And if I was to be Saraya, it would be a Paige version of Saraya,” she added.
The influence of Saraya’s Paige character extended beyond the ring, inspiring the 2019 biographical film Fighting with My Family, produced by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The movie chronicled her journey to WWE and introduced her story to a global audience.
Saraya has spoken openly about her respect for both WWE and AEW, crediting WWE for helping shape her career while acknowledging the support and creative freedom she experienced in AEW. She also praised WWE’s current women’s division for its depth and talent, naming Rhea Ripley as a dream opponent should she step back into the ring.
In addition to her wrestling legacy, Saraya is focusing on new creative ventures. She recently released her memoir, Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives, and has expressed interest in acting. She’s also set to host a new show titled Rule Breakers.
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight from Fort Worth, Texas, at the Dickies Arena, delivering a high-stakes episode centered around a rare Tables, Ladders & Chairs (TLC) Match for the WWE Tag Team Championships.
In the main event, The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) will defend their titles against Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) and #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa).
All three teams have recently held the gold, and after weeks of rising tension and last week’s chaotic title match interference, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis made the decision to settle the score in a TLC match—WWE’s first on television since 2020.
The match is expected to deliver a fast-paced, high-impact spectacle as the teams compete to retrieve the titles suspended above the ring.
Also Advertised
Also advertised for tonight’s show are several top WWE Superstars, including WWE Champion John Cena, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Cody Rhodes, and Bianca Belair, adding further star power to an already stacked lineup.
We’ll also see fallout from WrestleMania 41, as we begin the road to WWE Backlash 2025 on Saturday, May 10.
SmackDown broadcasts live at 8/7c on USA Network, with the spotlight firmly on the explosive TLC main event in Fort Worth.
Willow, the twisted alter ego of Jeff Hardy, made a return during the April 24, edition of TNA iMPACT, and showed off his dance moves. During the show, Nic and Ryan Nemeth traversed the Hardy compound, where the brothers split up. Nic would then encounter Willow, who showed off his dance moves to Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us.
.@NicTNemeth has a strange run-in with Willow The Wisp…
Willow’s surprising return caught many off guard and sparked several reactions on social media. Jordynne Grace, who left TNA to join WWE earlier this year, joked that she’d only return to TNA Wrestling if she was afforded the creative freedom to have such a unique segment of her own.
Not ever coming back unless my creative includes some shit like this
The segment ended with the Nemeth brothers fleeing with the TNA World Tag Team Championships, currently held by the Hardys. Matt and Jeff will put their titles on the line at TNA Rebellion against Nic and Ryan on Sunday, April 27. Fans will have to stay tuned to see if Willow is a part of the event, and if so, whether he has more dance moves in store.
The Rock wasn’t a part of WWE WrestleMania 41 despite many expecting the Final Boss to be in Las Vegas for the two-night event. Now, more has come to light about the backstage response, not only to his absence, but to his silence about WWE’s Showcase of the Immortals.
The Rock wasn’t just missing from WrestleMania, but said very little about the event ahead of the show’s first night. One source within WWE who spoke to Fightful Select was confused by the whole thing.
“It was just weird. We all found it kind of odd that he didn’t say a word about the show.”
The general sentiment wasn’t anger, but rather confusion over The Rock’s approach this year. One wrestler suggested it might be an “overcorrection” in response to how things were handled the previous year. WrestleMania 40 saw criticism for The Rock trying to take the World title opportunity from Cody Rhodes, though the wrestler emphasized that the context this time was entirely different.
Despite online speculation about potential backstage tension between The Rock and Triple H, multiple talents indicated that if any issues exist, they haven’t heard about it. While there have been rumors about a strained relationship between the two, the former on-screen rivals have shown no outward display of animosity outside of kayfabe.
“Is he saying it’s all a work? Like, every time he talks to us backstage, he’s in character too? Was the McAfee interview a work even though he said it wasn’t?”
The Rock’s most recent appearance for WWE came at Elimination Chamber: Toronto. A source within WWE claiemd that The Rock was contacted for the show to help boost ticket sales, while a WWE talent comments that “the card is at the mercy of Dwayne.”
Questions remain about The Rock’s on-screen future with WWE, as well as the nature of his relationship with new Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena. While The Rock was never officially confirmed for WrestleMania 41, many feel the show would have been more electrifying if the Final Boss had appeared.
The former Olympian has been with WWE for over a decade. While he has wrestled in a couple of tag team matches at WrestleMania, the WWE star is yet to make his singles debut at the Show of Shows.
2025 could have been the year of Gable but he was snubbed again. Despite American Made’s ongoing feud with Rey Mysterio and LWO, it was the newcomer El Grande Americano who got a singles match against the Master of 619 at the PPV, instead of the former NXT star.
Chad Gable reacted to meeting disappointment once again in a new Instagram video of Ropebreaks. The non-masked star, said that he was robbed of the opportunity:
“I got robbed again, man. This year, by this new guy, comes out of nowhere. Two matches and he’s on WrestleMania. Can you imagine how I feel? Twelve years in, thirteen years in. I wish him the best of luck, I like that guy,”
Rey Mysterio had to pull out of the WrestleMania match against El Grande Americano after getting injured on SmackDown this past Friday. The WWE Hall of Famer was replaced by the company’s newest signing Rey Fenix in the match.
Unfortunately for Fenix, it was El Grande who picked up the victory at the show. What the future holds for Chad Gable is unknown but maybe he should consider feuding with Americano to get on the Mania card next year.
At WrestleMania 41, IYO SKY proved she will not be overlooked by retaining the Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair. In a recent behind-the-scenes look at WrestleMania 41, Stone Cold Steve Austin praised SKY following her victory.
“That f***ing match was killer! That was a f***ing great match, very physical and f*** you did great. Congrats!”
These comments hit SKY deeply given that they came from a true icon of WWE. Taking to X, SKY shared that “life is beautiful” and encouraged others to “follow your dreams” following the comments by Austin.
I would never have imagined five years ago that I would be getting incredibly cool accolades from Stone Cold Steve Austin in the future.
IYO SKY was in non-title action during the Raw after WrestleMania as the Women’s World Champion battled WWE NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer. Their match was interrupted by Roxanne Perez and Giulia before Ripley made the save, showing she isn’t through with the Genius of the Sky.
SKY’s victory demonstrates WWE’s immense faith in her as she defeated two women who have stood atop of the women’s roster in WWE for years. And while the story heading into Las Vegas was that both Ripley and Belair were more focused on each other than the champion, Mami and the EST will never make that mistake again.
Bayley was not a part of WrestleMania 41, despite at one time being advertised for the show. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Bishop Dyer, known to many as Baron Corbin, shared his anger over WWE’s handling of the Role Model.
“F*** you, that’s my sentiment. I mean, to do it to Bayley of all people. Someone who’s been there through COVID. Has made lemonade out of dogs*** repeatedly… is a model f**ing employee.“
Dyer’s words echo the sentiments of many who believe Bayley was unfairly snubbed by WWE. While she was advertised for the Women’s Tag Title match, it has been reported that WWE never intended for her to compete. Instead, Bayley was replaced by Becky Lynch, who has gone on to win the gold, lose the gold, and turn on Lyra Valkyria.
Lynch’s return may have been a ‘WrestleMania moment’, but many fans are ready to see much more for Bayley, who recently expressed her own frustrations with WWE’s treatment of her. It remains to be seen if WWE alters its handling of the Role Model following the backlash seen from Dyer and countless others following this year’s WrestleMania.
Wyatt Sicks may be returning to WWE TV very soon, with a new leader.
The Mysterious group has not made any appearances on WWE TV since being moved to the SmackDown brand earlier this year. Their absence has been attributed to the group’s leader Bo Dallas, dealing with an undisclosed injury.
Meanwhile, Alexa Bliss has also been pulled from TV in the last few weeks, after having returned to action following a 2 year hiatus during the Royal Rumble.
Now a new report from PWinsider has provided an update on these stars. They noted that despite not wrestling since the Elimination Chamber PPV, Bliss is not injured. She is actually healthy and was in attendance at WrestleMania 41 even if she wasn’t booked for the show.
The former Women’s Champion is awaiting new creative direction for her return to TV, and it might happen as soon as this Friday’s episode of SmackDown.
According to the site, the Wyatt Sicks group will be returning to TV on the Blue Branded Show as well, and Alexa Bliss is set to be revealed as their new leader.
Bliss has a long history with the late Bray Wyatt. The two were involved in a long-standing storyline during his Fiend days. So her leading the group is not a completely out-of-the-box idea.
Where this leaves Bo Dallas’ Uncle Howdy however, is something we’ll have to see and his absence or presence at tomorrow’s show would be a thing to watch for.
Rey Fenix is only weeks into his WWE run, but he already has a WrestleMania match to his name. Speaking to Covalent TV about stepping in last-minute for Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 41, Fenix was ecstatic that he already has made his WrestleMania debut.
“It’s a dream. I’m living my dream. Only my third week in WWE. My third SmackDown. The next day, boom, WrestleMania.”
Fenix replaced Rey Mysterio, who suffered a groin injury during the SmackDown before WrestleMania. While Fenix is pleased to have wrestled on WWE’s grandest stage, he acknowledged that it wasn’t the ideal way he made it to the show.
“It’s not the way I want, Rey Mysterio getting injured, but I’m happy to be the guy who wrestled [in his place]. I’m living the dream.”
Fenix would lose to El Grande Americano, who used a loaded mask to get the victory in Las Vegas. While it was the American Made-luchador who got the victory, Rey Fenix’s WrestleMania debut marked a major milestone in what’s already becoming one of the fastest climbs in WWE this year.
A WWE Hall of Famer is set to appear at TNA Rebellion.
The company announced a six-man tag team match for the upcoming PPV after tonight’s episode of Impact. The bout will see The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) & Ace Austin facing The System (Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, & JDC).
Since Alisha Edwards is expected to be on the corner of the System for this bout, TNA announced that the other side will also get some backup, in form of WWE & WCW legend Sean ‘X-Pac’ Waltman:
Waltman has a history with the promotion. He competed for them during the early NWA days. The veteran returned to the company for a short run in 2010 and even had a reign with the X Division title.
TNA Rebellion is set to take place from the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California, on April 27, 2025. Here is the full card for the show:
Ultimate X Match For X-Division Championship: Moose (c) vs. KC Navarro vs. Leon Slater vs. Matt Cardona vs. El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Sidney Akeem
Six Women Tag Team Match: Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Rosemary, Xia Brookside and Léi Ying Lee
Six Men Tag Team Match: The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) & Ace Austin vs The System (Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, & JDC)
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Mike Santana vs. Mustafa Ali
Four Way Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match: Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance (c) (with The Personal Concierge) vs. The Meta-Four (Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend) vs. Spitfire (Dani Luna and Jody Threat) vs. Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley
International Championship Match: Steve Maclin (c) vs. Eric Young
World Tag Team Championship Match: The Hardys (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) (c) vs. The Nemeth Brothers (Nic Nemeth and Ryan Nemeth)
Knockouts Championship Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Tessa Blanchard
TNA World Championship Match: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Ethan Page
Brie Bella hasn’t competed in a WWE ring for over three years, and the WWE Hall of Famer doesn’t anticipate a return in the near future. During an episode of the Nikki and Brie Show, Nikki revealed that her sister is “still waiting for a call.” Brie clarified that WWE hasn’t contacted her and expressed skepticism about future opportunities.
“WWE, call me, I’ll join creative. They haven’t called… Not going to hold my breath, let me tell you.”
Unlike her sister, Nikki Bella has made several WWE appearances this year, including entering as #30 in the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble match. Since then, Nikki has also teased Evolution 2, though Brie’s current stance raises questions about her potential involvement in the all-women’s event. While Brie had hinted at a WWE return earlier this year, her recent comments reflect a markedly different perspective from the former Divas Champion.
Brie is married to AEW star Bryan Danielson and was seen supporting him from the audience at All In: London 2024, where he captured the AEW World Championship. Whether Brie’s connection to AEW impacts her WWE status remains unclear, but for now, the WWE Hall of Famer doesn’t envision herself returning to a WWE ring anytime soon.
Bianca Belair has confirmed reports of an injury she suffered in her latest WWE match. However, the good news is that the injury appears to not be one that will keep her sidelined for long.
Earlier this week, Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp first reported, “there was concern that Bianca Belair suffered an injury to a couple of her fingers at WrestleMania.” In the opener of WrestleMania Sunday, she competed against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match for the WWE Women’s World Championship.
WWE’s YouTube channel posted a behind-the-scenes vlog from WrestleMania 41, where the fan-favorite star confirmed the broken finger injury.
“I think I broke a finger. My finger is hurt, my feelings hurt. Nah, I’m so happy right now. That was amazing. Win or lose, it’s WrestleMania,” Belair stated. “The Mania streak is broken. I would prefer it to be IYO out of anybody. One of the greatest wrestlers on the planet. I can’t be mad at that. Congratulations to IYO. Rhea, I’m still coming for that ass, okay? This ain’t over because it’s your fault.”
It’s unclear whether WWE will give her time off to heal up from the injury or if she will work through it.
Randy Orton possesses one of wrestling’s most impressive physiques, yet the Legend Killer believes he can’t measure up to Bron Breakker. During a behind-the-scenes glimpse at WrestleMania 41, Breakker expressed nothing but admiration for Orton’s sculpted form.
“Look at him [points at Orton.] 300-305lbs. Just, monster.”
While Breakker views Orton as a “monster” physically, the Viper maintains a different perspective. When comparing their physiques, Orton explained that Breakker is built to be “functional,” whereas his own impressive physique merely creates an “illusion” of toughness.
Fans frequently draw comparisons between Breakker and Orton given that both are sons of WWE Hall of Famers. At WrestleMania 41, Breakker’s tenure as Intercontinental Champion (a title Orton previously held) ended when Dominik Mysterio claimed the belt. Orton experienced better fortune inside Allegiant Stadium, securing a decisive victory over TNA World Champion Joe Hendry in a non-title contest.
With Orton and Breakker competing on separate brands, it remains uncertain when—or if—their impressive physiques will clash in the ring. Should such a confrontation materialize, Randy Orton would undoubtedly need to employ every strategic advantage against a competitor whose physique is as functional as Bron Breakker’s.
For over a decade, Ashley Fliehr has established herself as Charlotte Flair, undeniably one of WWE’s most iconic female superstars of all time. In a recent interview with The Ringer Wrestling Show, Flair revealed her surprising initial reaction to the ring name she was given.
“I think they named me Charlotte as like a joke.”
Charlotte’s name clearly references her legendary father Ric, who was billed throughout his career as being from Charlotte, North Carolina. Before accepting this moniker, Flair had actually proposed her own idea: ‘Elizabeth Reid,’ a name that Ashley Fliehr had carefully considered.
“I love Miss Elizabeth, I pitched Elizabeth. Elizabeth Reid was one because of my brother. He was still alive then, but pretty much kind of…”
Reid Fliehr passed away in 2013, and Charlotte has since dedicated her remarkable career to her late brother. The ‘Elizabeth’ component carries additional significance beyond honoring the first lady of Wrestling, as it is also Ashley’s middle name.
In the end, WWE selected ‘Charlotte,’ an “easy” decision according to Flair herself. Despite not being her preferred choice initially, Ashley Fliehr has transformed Charlotte Flair into a globally recognized name in professional wrestling.
Dominik Mysterio may be a heel in WWE, but the new Intercontinental Champion received surprisingly positive reactions at WrestleMania 41. In an interview with Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, Mysterio discussed the unexpected crowd response he experienced inside Allegiant Stadium.
“I’m a team player and they [WWE higher-ups] know that. At the end of the day, whatever is best for business is going to happen.”
Evidently, what fans determined was best for business was to embrace Mysterio and celebrate his championship victory in Las Vegas. On the post-WrestleMania Raw, Mysterio again received a thunderous ovation during his first title defense. Not even his victory over the beloved Penta and the return of villainous JD McDonagh could prevent fans from cheering the ‘Dirty’ new champion.
Heels transforming into fan favorites is a well-established pattern in wrestling history. Ironically, it was Eddie Guerrero’s heel work alongside Chyna, and later his lying, cheating, and stealing persona, that made fans grow to love Latino Heat. Now, decades later, Dominik is following the path of the man who played an instrumental role in his WWE introduction.
Whether this fan support continues throughout the post-WrestleMania period remains to be seen, but it’s undeniable that audiences are thoroughly enjoying what Dirty Dom delivers on screen.
Logan Paul may not be in the WWE Hall of Fame yet, but according to Stephanie McMahon, his induction is merely a matter of time. During his latest vlog, Paul shared footage of a conversation with McMahon following this year’s ceremony.
“I think it will definitely happen. You’re so talented. You just have to not give up, right? Just stick with it, no matter what happens, just stick with it.”
McMahon acknowledged that wrestlers typically spend years building their legacy before becoming WWE Hall of Famers but expressed confidence that Paul is already on his path to induction. Despite Paul’s role as a fully-fledged heel in WWE, McMahon believes his villainous persona won’t hinder his Hall of Fame prospects.
“You can have fun with them, that’s what they want. They wanna have fun with you and you’re like the most boo-able guy.”
Should Paul be inducted one day, he’ll likely hope attendees remain engaged during his acceptance speech. In his video, Paul referenced this year’s lengthy ceremony, and according to Booker T, the former U.S. Champion was spotted asleep in the crowd.
Paul already has his Hall of Fame speech prepared, thanks to assistance from Artificial Intelligence. With victories over wrestling legends like Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and most recently AJ Styles, Paul’s eventual induction appears increasingly plausible.
Logan Paul may have solidified his status as WWE’s next marquee heel — and John Cena seems to agree. On a post-WrestleMania episode of Impaulsive, Paul revealed a pair of striking compliments from the 16-time world champion that hint at a shift in WWE’s internal hierarchy. The most direct came after Logan’s match at WrestleMania 41, where he defeated AJ Styles.
“Now that’s how a bad guy works,” Cena reportedly told him backstage. “He looked me in the eyes, pointed at me, and said that,” Logan recalled. “I was like, damn.”
Earlier in the day, Cena offered an even more cryptic statement:
“There’s going to come a time where we all wake up to Logan Paul.” Paul wasn’t entirely sure what Cena meant. “I thought the opposite — like I was going to be waking people up,” he laughed. “Time to wake up.”
But Cena’s words come amid a larger context: Logan’s increasingly dominant presence in WWE, both in the ring and in cultural buzz. Fresh off his third WrestleMania win, Paul quipped that the toll on his body wasn’t from the match — it was from doing too much.
“My lower back — it hurts from carrying this whole entire f***ing company on my back,” he said, half-joking. “WWE and this show too.”
With Cena preparing to retire at the end of the year, Paul’s trajectory feels less like a cameo and more like succession.
In a behind-the-scenes bombshell delivered with a smirk, Logan Paul revealed on his Impaulsive podcast that WWE legend “Stone Cold” Steve Austin turned down a $1 million offer to appear at WrestleMania 41 — dressed as a Prime hydration drink bottle.
“We offered Steve a million dollars to be in the Prime bottle,” Paul said during the post-WrestleMania episode. “He didn’t do it.”
Paul, who co-owns the Prime brand with KSI, went on to imagine what could’ve been: “Imagine you gave him a million and a half, he got up with the Prime bottles, smashed them together, drank the two Prime bottles…”
While the idea may sound absurd, it’s the kind of viral stunt Paul has built his brand on. But even Paul admitted it was a long shot:
“He’s not the guy. I don’t care what number it is, he’s not getting in that bottle — ever.”
The moment, equal parts satire and savvy marketing, underscores how Paul leverages his WWE role for brand integration, even if the execution doesn’t always pan out.
“Stone Cold strikes me as a guy who takes himself pretty seriously,” Paul concluded.
