Apollo Crews hasn’t competed for a long time, but now the former Intercontinental and United States Champion has reached a massive accomplishment out of the ring. On social media, Crews revealed that he has graduated college from Auburn University with honors.
“It took 37 years, but we got it done! It’s never too late to do anything! Today, it is official! College graduate with honors!—-?–I originally attended Auburn University, but left before finishing to chase my dream of becoming a Wrestler. I’m glad I decided to go back and finish what I started all those years ago.”
Crews’ news shared a flurry of positive messages from fans and wrestlers alike. Natalya, Andrade, Mark Henry, and JD McDonagh were among those who shared their excitement at seeing Crews graduate.
Apollo Crews is currently out of action with a torn pectoral and is clearly making the most of his time out of the ring. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Crews’ life in and out of the squared circle.
AEW’s Mercedes Moné has added another title to her growing list of accolades—this time from Austria. Moné made a surprise appearance at the European Wrestling Association’s Prater Catchen event in Vienna, the promotion’s biggest annual show. In a triple-threat match, Moné defeated Mila Smidt and reigning champion Lexa Valo to capture the EWA Women’s Championship.
The EWA Women’s title is the latest addition to Moné’s already impressive championship collection. The AEW star has held the TBS Championship for over a year and currently reigns as Rev Pro’s Undisputed Women’s Champion. At Double or Nothing, she added the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Championship to her résumé by defeating Jamie Hayter in the finals. Previously, Moné also held the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, which she recently lost to AZM.
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) June 6, 2025
Next on her radar is the AEW Women’s World Championship. Moné is scheduled to face current champion Toni Storm at AEW All In: Texas, where she hopes to continue her gold-laden run. Whether she adds another major title to her name remains to be seen.
Tonight’s Money In The Bank go home episode of SmackDown featured a number of notable moments, including a big heel turn in the women’s division.
Former NXT Women’s Champion Giulia, who has been feuding with Women’s US Champion Zelina Vega, met her rival in a backstage segment at tonight’s show. Vega told the Japanese star that she’d have to pry the title from her lifeless body, to which Giulia said that she likes the idea. The current champion apparently also told her opponent to ‘bring it on’ in Japanese during this confrontation.
Zelina Vega then came out later in the show for a Bakersfield Brawl with Piper Niven. The ending of the bout saw the US Champion delivering an avalanche Code Red on her opponent and going for the pin. Alba Fyre however, appeared out of nowhere and pulled Vega out of the ring.
Zelina Vega to Giulia backstage (in Japanese): "Bring it on!"
She and Chelsea Green then started beating Zelina down. The trio set Vega on a table inside the ring, and Niven went on top. Though Giulia appeared out of nowhere and took out both Green and Fyre with a dive.
Zelina Vega then grabbed Piper for a powerbomb as Giulia helped her with a kendo stick. The defending champion finally sent her opponent crashing through the table to get the pin and retain her title.
The former NXT Champion picked up a confused Zelina Vega after the bell and raised her hand. Giulia then turned on the US champion and dropped her with a headbutt. The Beautiful Madness delivered a northern lights bomb. She repeated Vega’s words from earlier in the night while raising the US title to end the segment.
John Cena acknowledged the R Truth chants at tonight’s SmackDown.
The wrestling veteran surprisingly announced his departure from the company earlier this month on June 1. Neither the fans nor the people within the company were happy with this decision.
Fans have been showing their displeasure with the release of the beloved Attitude Era star by chanting his name at every WWE show since the news came out. CM Punk had even acknowledged the chants off air at this past Monday’s Raw.
The Cenation Leader did the same on the Blue Branded Show tonight, this time reacting to the ‘We Want Truth’ chants while the show was still on air. John Cena grabbed the mic and told the audience that ‘You can’t handle the truth’:
Prior to this, Cena beat up the duo of Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso with help from his tag team partner, Logan Paul.
Rhodes and Uso were already in the ring when Cena came out. Before interacting with either, however, the 17-time world champion demanded a proper introduction from the ring announcer. During the introduction, Logan Paul came out of nowhere and attacked Jey Uso from behind.
Cody Rhodes grabbed Paul but Cena took out the American Nightmare. The YouTube star and the Hollywood actor then took their time beating their Money In The Bank opponents. The show ended with Logan Paul raising the World title while Cena held up the WWE title up in the air.
WWE has announced the return of the King and Queen of The Ring tournaments, with the winners receiving a future title shot.
The announcement was made by the Raw General Manager, Adam Pearce, and the SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis, on this week’s episode of the Blue Branded Show.
The WWE officials confirmed that the upcoming tournament will be a cross-brand competition. The winners of the respective tournaments will receive a title shot at the champion of their brand at the upcoming SummerSlam PPV.
Both of WWE’s premier brands will be holding two four-way bouts to determine the talents advancing to the semi-finals of the tournament. The finals will be held at the upcoming Night of Champions PPV on June 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
WWE utilised the same formula for the competition last year, with the Saudi PPV where the finals took place being named after the tournament itself.
Nia Jax won the Queen of The Ring tournament at the PPV last year, defeating Lyra Valkyria in the finals. Jax went on to defeat Bayley at SummerSlam to win the Women’s World Championship.
Gunther similarly became the King of the Ring by defeating Randy Orton and earning a shot at Damian Priest’s World Heavyweight Championship. The Ring General would go on to defeat Priest at the PPV as well.
Liberty Rhodes, daughter of Cody and Brandi Rhodes, may come from wrestling royalty, but there’s no expectation for her to follow in the family’s footsteps. Speaking with BET, Brandi Rhodes shared that despite being surrounded by the wrestling world, Liberty has yet to actually watch a match.
“She runs around the ring and plays, but she has no idea what’s going on. She’s turning four this month and has never seen a wrestling match. That’s a personal decision. One day she’ll get it—but there’s no pressure.”
With her father Cody, mother Brandi, uncle Dustin Rhodes, and late grandfather Dusty Rhodes all deeply rooted in wrestling, Liberty certainly has the pedigree. Still, her future isn’t being mapped out for her.
“Every time I post her, someone’s like, ‘Next generation!’ And I’m like—maybe not. If she wants to wrestle, sure. But just because her parents did it doesn’t mean she has to.”
While Liberty’s path remains open, her father’s wrestling plans are more defined. Cody Rhodes is set to team with Jey Uso to face John Cena and Logan Paul at WWE Money in the Bank 2025. Brandi will be cheering him on—but both parents are united in letting Liberty choose her own path, wrestling or otherwise.
Drew McIntyre has commented on reports from the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble, where he was reportedly screaming and cursing backstage and stormed out of the building over frustrations with the men’s Rumble match.
Speaking on the Gorilla Position podcast, McIntyre confirmed he did indeed leave the arena. He explained it’s his way of handling his temper professionally.
“I will tell you that I was not happy. I invented a few swear words, and then I left the building,” McIntyre stated. “I left the building because I’m a professional… I blow up big time every couple of years, but every time I get upset, it somehow makes the internet because it’s such a scene. Generally, I don’t, but my thing is, I’m going to leave the building.”
He detailed his reasoning for walking away from a volatile situation. “I would walk down and punch somebody in the face, because that’s who I am. But I’m also professional, so I’d rather take myself out of this situation because I know how bad my temper is,” he explained.
“And sometimes, when you calm down, things are not as they seem. So I’ve learned to just walk away. That’s the adult thing to do.” He then added his final thought on the process: “Calm down, look at the things, and then, if you still feel the same, knock somebody out.”
Vince McMahon officially resigned from WWE and TKO Holdings in 2024 following Janel Grant filing her lawsuit claiming sexual abuse and trafficking. Speaking on The Rise Guys, Bret Hart was asked for his take on McMahon in 2025.
“But, you know, I’ve had my ups and downs with Vince McMahon. In a lot of ways, I have a lot of respect for him. But at the same time, I find what happened there inexcusable. There’s no place for that.”
Hart went further, stating he believes McMahon became a predator who used the wrestling industry as a facade for his misconduct. For Hart, McMahon’s actions demonstrate how massive wealth corrupts people.
“I think Vince McMahon became a predator and used wrestling as his backdrop for all of his evil. And it just tells me that too much money can turn you into a bad person. And it’s true.”
Grant’s lawsuit was initially filed against McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis, the latter of whom has been dropped as a defendant. In exchange, the former Raw and SmackDown General Manager is now reportedly cooperating in the case against McMahon. As the legal process unfolds, it’s clear that Hart’s perspective on McMahon is firmly set—and unlikely to change.
WWE has added a rare domestic, non-televised live event to its summer schedule. The company has announced a “WWE Supershow” for Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
This marks a notable addition to the calender. WWE has significantly reduced the amount of house shows it runs aside from international dates and the annual Christmas season tour in the US.
This Texas live event takes place just one week after AEW’s All In: Texas pay-per-view and WWE’s own major weekend in Atlanta, which includes NXT Great American Bash, Saturday Night’s Main Event, and Evolution 2.
The Supershow, which will feature wrestlers from both Raw and SmackDown, is conveniently scheduled between a SmackDown taping in San Antonio on July 18th and a Raw taping in Houston on July 21st. Advertised stars for the event include “Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Gunther, Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, Tiffany Stratton, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Rhea Ripley, Seth Rollins, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods.”
Tickets for the Corpus Christi Supershow are set to go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 13th.
Julia Reilly—best known to wrestling fans as Claire Lynch from one of TNA’s most infamous storylines has sadly passed away. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Reilly died two months ago in Orlando. Her body was discovered in her home after she failed to appear for a scheduled event. It is believed she died of natural causes.
Reilly debuted in TNA in 2012 as Claire Lynch, a character who, according to storyline, had an affair with AJ Styles and was supposedly pregnant with his child. The angle, driven by Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian, became a central plot point until fans took things too far once Reilly’s true identity was revealed.
Reilly faced intense online harassment across her personal platforms—including her website, YouTube channel, and LinkedIn profile. The backlash quickly escalated, prompting her to exit the storyline abruptly. Her exit was explained on TV with a statement from Lynch’s ‘lawyer,’ who revealed that AJ Styles was not the father and that she had never been pregnant.
Reilly later explained that she left the role out of concern for her long-term career. The response was so severe that she reportedly never included the TNA appearance on her acting resume again. In recent years, Reilly worked as a presenter and MC for events in Central Florida, like trade shows.
We at SEScoops would like to share our condolences to Reilly’s friends, family, and those who knew her at this sad time.
Following WWE’s acquisition of Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide in April, the creative structure for the Mexican promotion has been solidified with a three-person team leading the company’s creative direction under WWE’s oversight.
According to PWInsider, AAA Creative going forward will be led by Jeremy Borash, Konnan, and newly-signed Hector “Moody Jack” Melendez. The announcement comes as both promotions prepare for their first joint event, WWE x AAA: Worlds Collide, streaming live on YouTube this Saturday from Los Angeles’ Kia Forum.
Konnan has long been a booker for AAA, while Borash was brought in as a WWE representative on the creative team. Borash, who serves as WWE’s Vice President of Content and Development, brings extensive wrestling production experience from his tenure at TNA Wrestling and his current role overseeing WWE content initiatives.
The addition of Melendez represents a strategic hiring to bridge both companies’ creative visions. Speaking to Contralona, Melendez confirmed his new role, stating: “Being part of the creative with WWE & AAA is the crowning moment of my life after everything I’ve gone through”. The Puerto Rican announcer and producer has extensive experience with both AAA and TNA Wrestling, having previously worked alongside Borash during their TNA tenure.
WWE announced its acquisition of AAA in partnership with Mexico-based entertainment company Fillip during WrestleMania 41 weekend, with the transaction expected to close in Q3 2025. The creative team appointments signal WWE’s commitment to maintaining AAA’s cultural identity while integrating the promotion into WWE’s global operations.
Both Konnan and Melendez are expected to be present at this weekend’s Worlds Collide event, with Melendez having visited the WWE Performance Center earlier this week alongside fellow Puerto Rican wrestling veteran Savio Vega.
The Saturday event will feature matches blending WWE’s NXT brand with AAA talent, including Chad Gable challenging El Hijo del Vikingo for the AAA Mega Championship and a Fatal Four-Way match for the NXT North American Championship.
Industry observers view the creative team structure as WWE’s approach to preserving AAA’s lucha libre traditions while leveraging WWE’s production capabilities and global reach to expand the Mexican promotion’s audience.
AEW’s MVP recently discussed his issues with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, stating in a recent interview with BetIdeas that he has “zero respect” for him.
According to a report from Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, one past instance of issues between them involved a storyline where Triple H pitched an angle for MVP to be mesmerized by Eve Torres.
MVP reportedly pushed back, arguing his “million-dollar athlete” character wouldn’t act that way, a response Levesque “wasn’t happy with at all.” MVP has also stated that Triple H turned down a reformation of The Hurt Business in WWE. The group has since reformed in AEW as The Hurt Syndicate.
Despite his critiques of WWE’s booking, MVP clarified in the interview that the problems are personal, not racial. MVP used his former Hurt Business stablemate Bobby Lashley as an example of his booking concerns under Triple H.
“Let’s just say this, Bobby Lashley was a two-time WWE Champion, and after he took over, Bobby Lashley was reduced to the mid-card.”
When addressing fans who think he’s just “griping,” MVP said, “Okay, well just watch the program. Who were the people in the top spots under his leadership? Who were given the opportunities?… I’m talking about the main show.”
However, MVP made it clear his core issues are personal. “I’ll be honest with you, my issues with him have nothing to do with race. My issues have to do with him as a person and our personal interactions and things that he said and did that caused me to have zero respect for him,” MVP stated, promising to detail these issues on his own show.
The 29-year-old is one of the most famous and successful pro wrestlers not only in AEW but all of wrestling. With the fame however, comes jealousy of peers, especially because of his young age. So it’s not a surprise that the Salt of the Earth has been involved in a number of backstage incidents since joining the company in 2019. Though latest reports suggest that things have changed recently.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select recently provided an update on the former AEW Champion’s stature behind the scene. He revealed that the wrestling star has worked hard on his image among his co-workers in the last few months:
“It’s improved a lot over the last nine or ten months, and he’s worked hard at that. There were times when it wasn’t great and the perception of him backstage wasn’t great. I think a lot of that comes with being the top singles act, top tag act, and the main guy getting promo time all at once.”
MJF had been off TV recently filming Happy Gilmore 2 featuring Adam Sandler in the title role. The movie interestingly also features a cameo from WWE star Becky Lynch and both the wrestling stars have shown respect for each other after working on the same project.
Since returning to AEW TV in March, Maxwell has been involved in a storyline with The Hurt Syndicate. He had been trying to join the group and Friedman was officially accepted into the faction during the May 14 episode of Dynamite.
Tomorrow presents an unprecedented challenge for select WWE superstars. The marathon Saturday features Worlds Collide at 3 PM followed by Money in the Bank at 7 PM. For Chad Gable and Stephanie Vaquer, this means wrestling twice in four hours.
The Physical and Mental Gauntlet
Wrestling twice in one day demands extraordinary conditioning. The physical toll extends beyond typical match fatigue. Recovery time becomes compressed, injury risk multiplies, and performance quality faces inevitable scrutiny. Mental focus presents equal challenges as performers must switch between different character presentations and storylines while maintaining peak concentration.
The logistics alone create complexity. Travel between the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome, costume changes, and character transitions all occur under time pressure. Medical staff faces increased responsibility ensuring wrestler safety between appearances.
Chad Gable’s Career-Defining Day
Gable confronts the ultimate double challenge. At 3 PM, he faces El Hijo del Vikingo for the AAA Mega Championship as Chad Gable. Four hours later, he climbs a ladder as El Grande Americano in the Men’s Money in the Bank match.
Can Gable maintain peak performance in a dangerous ladder match after a championship bout? The narrative genius lies in how WWE uses this exhaustion as a plot device—does fatigue expose his masked identity or fuel desperate determination?
Success in both matches would create an unprecedented achievement.
Stephanie Vaquer’s Breakout Opportunity
Vaquer’s double duty carries different stakes. Her 3 PM tag team match with Lola Vice against Dalys and Chik Tormenta serves as a showcase for WWE’s women’s division integration with AAA. The 7 PM Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match could launch her main roster career into overdrive.
Recent call-up status adds pressure. Vaquer must prove she belongs on WWE’s biggest stages while managing the physical demands of two matches. Her Worlds Collide performance could generate momentum or drain energy needed for the ladder match’s chaos.
The women’s Money in the Bank maintains a perfect success rate—every winner has successfully cashed in their contract. Vaquer entering this match after earlier competition creates an intriguing variable in this historic pattern.
Historical Precedent
Double duty performances carry rich wrestling history. WrestleMania events featured multiple-match performers like Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins, who demonstrated that exhaustion can enhance storytelling. Their successes proved that modern athletes can handle expanded workloads when properly motivated.
Iron man performances from earlier eras provide context. Wrestlers like Ric Flair and Harley Race routinely worked multiple matches during territory days. Today’s controlled environment and medical support theoretically make double duty safer, though the athletic demands have intensified.
WWE’s acquisition of Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide sent shockwaves through professional wrestling in April 2025. The WrestleMania weekend announcement caught industry observers off guard, marking WWE’s most significant international expansion in decades. Tomorrow’s Worlds Collide event at the Kia Forum serves as the proving ground for this unprecedented partnership.
A Different Worlds Collide
This iteration of Worlds Collide breaks new ground. Unlike previous editions featuring NXT UK or internal brand warfare, tomorrow represents genuine inter-company collaboration—the first since 2022’s brief experiments. WWE’s integration with a Mexican promotion hasn’t been attempted at this scale since limited AAA partnerships in the 1990s.
The stakes extend beyond WWE’s typical premium live event concerns. AAA’s reputation, cultural identity, and operational independence face their first major test under WWE’s umbrella. Success could validate the merger’s potential. Failure might expose fundamental incompatibilities between sports entertainment and lucha libre tradition.
Chad Gable’s Moment of Truth
Chad Gable’s double life reaches its climax at Worlds Collide. As El Grande Americano, he earned a Money in the Bank qualification through AAA competition. Tomorrow, wrestling as himself, he challenges El Hijo del Vikingo for the AAA Mega Championship.
The unmasking speculation adds intrigue. Will Gable maintain his dual identity, or does WWE plan a dramatic revelation on this international stage? An American capturing AAA’s most prestigious championship would mark a historic moment, potentially reshaping the promotion’s identity within WWE’s structure.
Cross-Cultural Card Analysis
The event’s match lineup reflects careful cultural consideration. Ethan Page defends the NXT North American Championship in a Fatal Four-Way featuring Rey Fenix, Laredo Kid, and Je’Von Evans—a blend of established AAA talent and WWE’s rising stars.
Legado del Fantasma faces AAA legends in a compelling generational clash. Santos Escobar’s faction confronts El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr., Pagano, and Psycho Clown, merging WWE storytelling with lucha libre legacy.
Women’s wrestling receives prominent placement through Stephanie Vaquer and Lola Vice facing Dalys and Chik Tormenta. This match tests whether WWE can successfully showcase AAA’s female talent within its presentation framework.
The Latino World Order’s participation brings full-circle storytelling. Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro, and Joaquin Wilde return to their lucha roots, representing successful WWE integration while honoring their origins.
Worlds Collide Poster (Credit: WWE)
Integration Challenges
Roster balance presents immediate concerns. WWE must incorporate AAA talent without overwhelming its existing structure or marginalizing either company’s wrestlers. The long-term integration strategy remains unclear, creating uncertainty about career trajectories.
Style differences pose another challenge. Traditional lucha libre emphasizes different pacing, move sets, and storytelling than WWE’s sports entertainment approach. Finding common ground without compromising either style’s integrity requires delicate handling.
Language barriers affect more than commentary. Storyline development, character work, and fan engagement all require bilingual consideration. WWE’s Spanish-language commentary team gains unprecedented importance in bridging cultural gaps.
The Kia Forum’s intimate setting contrasts with WWE’s typical stadium productions. This venue choice suggests recognition that Worlds Collide requires different presentation than standard premium live events.
Measuring Success
Fan reception becomes the primary success metric. WWE Universe’s acceptance of AAA wrestlers will determine future integration depth. Early reactions on social media and crowd responses will guide booking decisions for months ahead.
Match quality must prove lucha libre can thrive within WWE’s production framework. Technical excellence alone isn’t sufficient—the matches must engage WWE’s broader audience while respecting lucha tradition.
Storyline continuation extends beyond single matches. Tomorrow’s event must establish narratives that carry forward, creating reasons for continued AAA talent appearances on WWE programming. Isolated success means little without sustainable integration.
Cultural respect remains paramount. WWE must demonstrate that AAA’s acquisition enhances rather than erases Mexican wrestling tradition. Any perception of cultural insensitivity could damage both brands’ credibility.
Long-Term Ramifications
Roster expansion possibilities depend on tomorrow’s reception. Successful integration could see regular AAA talent rotation through WWE programming. Key performers might transition to full-time WWE contracts, while others maintain AAA-primary status with crossover appearances.
International growth strategies gain new dimensions through this merger. Success opens doors for similar acquisitions or partnerships globally. Failure might prompt WWE to reconsider its approach to international expansion.
Competition will respond to this merger’s outcome. AEW’s relationship with AAA becomes more complex. Other promotions must evaluate whether WWE’s expansion threatens their international partnerships or creates new collaborative opportunities.
The Verdict
Worlds Collide represents more than a single event—it’s a glimpse into professional wrestling’s potential future. Best-case scenarios see seamless integration that enriches both companies while respecting their distinct identities. Cultural exchange elevates the entire industry.
Potential pitfalls remain numerous. Cultural misunderstandings, style clashes, and integration failures could transform the merger from opportunity to cautionary tale. WWE’s track record with international expansion provides both encouraging precedents and warning signs.
The wrestling world watches closely as two distinct cultures attempt unprecedented fusion. Success could revolutionize professional wrestling’s global landscape. Failure might entrench existing boundaries. Tomorrow, at the Kia Forum, the experiment begins in earnest.
John Cena’s 17th WWE Championship reign was supposed to be his victory lap. Instead, it’s become his most controversial storyline ever. Tomorrow’s tag team match at Money in the Bank isn’t just about wins and losses—it’s about legacy, retirement, and whether Cena can truly “ruin wrestling” as promised.
The “Ruin Wrestling” Campaign
Cena’s heel turn before WrestleMania 41 shocked the wrestling world. Defeating Cody Rhodes for his record-breaking 17th title at the event marked more than a championship victory—it launched his vow to “ruin wrestling” and retire as champion at the end of 2025.
The storyline escalated dramatically at Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXIX. Cena’s interference to help Logan Paul backfired when a returning Rhodes emerged from his sabbatical to even the odds. This confrontation set the stage for Saturday night’s high-stakes tag team encounter at Intuit Dome.
Stakes Beyond Championships
This tag match carries weight that surpasses any title defense in Cena’s storied career. With heightened attention on his every move in the final chapters of his career, Cena’s legacy hangs in the balance. Will his retirement year be remembered as a masterful heel run or a failed experiment?
Cody Rhodes’s return from sabbatical specifically to challenge Cena demonstrates the personal nature of this conflict. The American Nightmare represents wrestling’s conscience, standing against Cena’s cynical farewell tour.
World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso joins Rhodes as Cena’s primary obstacle to “ruining” wrestling. The Yeet Movement leader embodies everything Cena claims to despise about modern wrestling—authentic fan connection and organic momentum.
Logan Paul remains the wildcard. His partnership with Cena could either validate the veteran’s master plan or expose its fundamental flaws. The social media mogul’s unpredictability adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
Match Dynamics
Photo credit: WWE
The contest pits wrestling’s integrity against corporate invasion. Rhodes and Uso represent tradition and authenticity, while Cena and Paul embody the celebrity-driven future Cena claims wrestling deserves.
The four competitors bring vastly different styles to the ring. Cena’s power game, Rhodes’s technical excellence, Uso’s high-flying arsenal, and Paul’s athletic unpredictability create intriguing matchup possibilities. Their chemistry—or lack thereof—will determine the match’s flow.
Multiple outcomes could reshape WWE’s landscape. A Cena/Paul victory establishes their dominance heading into SummerSlam season. A Rhodes/Uso triumph might force Cena to reassess his retirement timeline. The possibility of double turns adds another dimension, with any combination of these stars capable of switching alignments based on the match’s dramatic peaks.
The Retirement Year Factor
Every match matters more when time runs short. Cena’s final year creates urgency that elevates routine encounters into must-see events. This tag match represents a crucial checkpoint in his farewell tour.
The result directly impacts SummerSlam planning. Victory strengthens Cena’s position as the villain determined to leave wrestling worse than he found it. Defeat could trigger desperation, making him more dangerous as his retirement deadline approaches.
Historical context adds weight to Cena’s journey. Unlike Ric Flair’s emotional farewell or Shawn Michaels’s graceful exit, Cena chose confrontation over celebration. This decision transforms his final year into uncharted territory for a retiring legend.
Implications and Predictions
A Cena/Paul victory cements their alliance and validates the “ruin wrestling” narrative. It positions them as SummerSlam’s primary antagonists while potentially setting up title defenses against fresh challengers drawn by their controversial tactics.
Rhodes and Uso triumphing creates different possibilities. It could spark dissension between Cena and Paul, force Cena to escalate his tactics, or even prompt a strategic retreat before a more calculated assault on wrestling’s foundations.
Each participant’s trajectory through 2025 hinges on this result. Rhodes could reclaim his position atop WWE. Uso might transition from champion to legend-killer. Paul’s role could expand from part-time attraction to full-time menace. Cena’s path—hero’s redemption or villain’s vindication—remains unwritten.
This weekend’s tag match represents a referendum on Cena’s controversial farewell, a test of wrestling’s values, and a preview of the battles that will define 2025. The wrestling world watches, wondering if John Cena’s promise to ruin everything will become prophecy or punchline.
WWE Superstar The Miz is reportedly taking time off from Friday Night SmackDown to take on a significant television hosting role. The Miz will be hosting the new incarnation of the classic competition show, American Gladiators.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Miz will be leaving for London soon to film the show. This new version is set to feature a team of elite athletes competing in classic games like “Gauntlet” and “Hang Tough,” as well as new events.
This hosting opportunity explains recent on-screen tension between The Miz and his new tag team partner, Carmelo Hayes, on SmackDown, likely serving as a storyline reason for his temporary departure from WWE programming.
The Miz has previously hosted shows like “Cannonball” and starred in the reality series “Miz & Mrs.” alongside his wife, Maryse. His return date to WWE is currently unknown.
There has been speculation that The Miz may be exiting WWE soon after the recent talent cuts and him removing all mentions of WWE from his social media accounts. Fightful Select confirmed earlier this week that Miz is still under contract with WWE.
The full broadcast team for tomorrow’s WWE x AAA Worlds Collide special event on Saturday, June 7, 2025, has been kept quiet, but details have come out about who will—and who won’t—be involved.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE had internal discussions about bringing in a classic voice for the inter-promotional event. There had been discussion of Mike Tenay regarding announcing the show.
That is because he started his announcing career doing When Worlds Collide in 1994. However, he clarified Tenay’s current status: “But I can’t confirm if he was contacted. But as best as I can tell, he’s not at this point scheduled to do the show.”
Longtime WWE announcer Lillian Garcia will be doing the ring introductions for the show in Los Angeles. Meltzer noted that the former English-language announcers for AAA, Joe Dombrowski and Larry Dallas, are also not doing the show.
AAA Mega Championship: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Chad Gable is expected to headline the show that airs on YouTube.
AEW personality Rebel, the long-time on-screen ally of Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., has broken her silence regarding her extended absence from television. Rebel revealed she recently underwent surgery to remove a tumor.
Rebel has not been part of AEW programming since an episode of AEW Dark in August 2022, an absence of over two years. She took to Instagram to share the health update.
She posted a photo from a hospital bed and using a classic movie reference to bring some levity to the serious situation. Quoting “Kindergarten Cop,” Rebel wrote, “It’s not a Tumah ~ Kindergarten Cop. Ok, it is, but it’s out now ??.” She added, “Still healing from when I was hospitalized last May 2024.”
This news comes after Rebel had previously shared that she was hospitalized in May 2024 with what was initially an unidentified lung mass, later diagnosed as pneumonia. Though she remains under contract with AEW, there is currently no timetable for her return to television as she continues to recover. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown is the highly anticipated go-home show before Money in the Bank 2025, broadcasting live from the Dignity Health Arena in Bakersfield, California. The show promises high-stakes confrontations, major star power, and final momentum shifts ahead of Saturday’s premium live event.
Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, John Cena & Logan Paul Face-Off
Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso will be under the same roof as Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena and Logan Paul, just 24 hours before their blockbuster tag team clash at Money in the Bank.
Tensions are expected to run high, with last week’s confrontations suggesting that tonight could erupt into chaos as all four men share the ring.
All Money in the Bank Ladder Match Participants Present
All 12 participants in both the men’s and women’s Money in the Bank ladder matches will be present, setting the stage for possible confrontations and last-minute mind games.
Men’s MITB contenders: Seth Rollins, Solo Sikoa, El Grande Americano, Penta, LA Knight, Andrade.
Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss, and Stephanie Vaquer will team up to face Naomi, Roxanne Perez, and Giulia.
This match serves as a preview of the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, with all six competitors looking to gain momentum and send a message to their rivals.
Tag Team Division Turmoil
The Wyatt Sicks have been targeting the SmackDown Tag Team Division, leaving teams like The Street Profits, Fraxiom, #DIY, and the Motor City Machine Guns on high alert. Uncle Howdy has promised their onslaught will continue until their demands are met, with the Tag Team Championships clearly in their sights.
Additional Appearances
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair are both advertised for the show, adding even more star power to an already stacked lineup.
How to Watch
USA Network: 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT (United States)
Netflix: 8 PM ET (Canada), 1 AM BST (UK/Ireland), 5:30 AM IST (India), 3 AM AST (Saudi Arabia), 10 AM AEDT (Australia)
Giulia was also surprised by the speed of her main roster call up.
The female star officially made her debut for the company at the NXT No Mercy PPV in September last year and she immediately found herself in the title picture.
After initially failing to win the NXT Women’s title at the brand’s CW premiere in October, the young star captured the belt only a few weeks later at the January 7 New Year’s Evil special. Even more surprising was her main roster call up in April this year, only 7 months after Giulia first arrived in the promotion.
The now SmackDown star talked about being fast tracked to main roster during an interview with MeraWrestling. The former Champion noted how at first, she wanted to achieve everything quickly, but she now regrets not getting the chance to learn English properly before being called up:
“I already thought WWE’s pace was incredibly fast to begin with but I’m truly surprised by this speed of moving up to the Main Roster in just eight or nine months. I’m like ‘Oh no, I still haven’t properly learned English.’ [laughs]
So I’m like ‘I’m sorry I haven’t learned English’ At first of course I had the feeling of ‘I want to go quickly, I want to go quickly.’ But as I wrestled in WWE, every single day, every single match, every single show. Everything was new to me. So time just flew by in an instant until today. There’s definitely a feeling of ‘Already?’ It all feels like it happened incredibly fast.”
[English subtitles] Giulia talks being surprised at the speed with which she moved up to the WWE main roster and wishing she had learnt more English before then.#SmackDown#????pic.twitter.com/TpLWx2jJyM
Giulia is set for the biggest match of her career when she competes in the Women’s Money in The Bank at the namesake PPV this Saturday. She also discussed the potential of winning the briefcase and noted that she will go after Tiffany Stratton if she wins the contract.
Goldberg has revealed the difficulties of preparing for a wrestling return at his age.
The 58-year-old has confirmed that he will be having a retirement match in 2025. Gunther is expected to be his final opponent following their confrontation at the 2024 Bad Blood PPV, but a date has not yet been revealed for this bout.
The former Universal Champion provided some updates on the preparations for his final match during a recent appearance on the CarCast pod. Goldberg mentioned how getting in ring shape at his age is very difficult:
“It’s been really tough. I gotta tell you. I’m a bitch to deal with anyway, but you know I know the date (of the retirement match) No one else knows the date, public wise.
At my age you obviously have to do a lot of different things to get yourself prepared for what I’m about to embark upon. It’s uncharted water because not many people my age have done that.
Not just showing up to show up, I need to show up and be me. I’ve tapped into me a little bit more as of late. My training, with all my injuries and with my age, you know, it makes it extremely difficult to get prepared without going overboard.”
The WCW veteran went into detail of things like the strict diet plan he has to follow and what kind of training he is doing. Even with all the hard work, however, it’s very hard for Goldberg to get into the shape he desires, because of all the ‘mileage’ he has put on his body over the years:
“I’m terrified to put those trunks on again. I may even go with different kind of trunks. I’m extremely limited because of my left knee. I can’t run. Hell, I’m working around my shoulder that I haven’t been able to use for five years.”
WWE is set to return to Saudi Arabia for the Night of Champions PPV on June 28. Though many fans believe that the next edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event set for July 12 from Atlanta, Georgia will be a better choice to hold the wrestling veteran’s final match.
TNA Against All Odds could be the final night that Santino Marella serves as Director of Authority should he be on the losing end of a crossover match. During the June 5, episode of TNA iMPACT, Marella announced that he’ll face WWE NXT’s Robert Stone at Against All Odds.
The winner will assume full control as TNA’s Director of Authority, a role Marella has served in for the past year. As for the loser, not only will they not be in the Director of Authority role, but they must leave TNA Wrestling.
Stone, who has been appointed to oversee Marella’s handling of WWE talent in TNA, interrupted Marella with Victoria Crawford by his side. The pair had a tense exchange with both promising victory in this high-stakes encounter.
TNA Against All Odds airs live on Friday, June 6, 2025, from the Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona. The show will stream on TNA+ at 10 PM ET.
“I lost the TNA World Championship to Trick Williams and it’s hard for me because this last year has just been a whirlwind… I just felt we were taking TNA to new heights… and now the World Championship is in the hands of someone that does not work here.”
Hendry admitted that he “dropped the ball,” despite being the ‘team captain’ of TNA while as champion. Saying that he’s left his fans and peers down, Hendry believes there’s only one thing that can make this right.
“I want nothing more but to get another shot at Trick Williams… but I understand that’s not my spot right now. Elijah is next and he deserves it and I support him against all odds.”
For Hendry, holding the TNA World Championship wasn’t just a goal in his wrestling career. Holding the title meant a full-circle moment for the man who grew up watching TNA.
“I started watching TNA in 2002, back when I was in high school. I did not feel that I was going to amount to much… Pro wrestling inspired me to be better and that’s carried on through my adult life.”
Now, Hendry is hungry for his second title reign, but recognizes that Elijah will have the next shot at Williams. Will either man bring the TNA World Championship back to TNA, or will it be Williams who holds the gold hostage for a long time to come?
Monty Brown is stepping back into the spotlight during AEW All In week, making one of his first official wrestling appearances in nearly two decades. Brown, a former TNA and WWE star, has been confirmed for Starrcast.
According to Fightful Select, the deal to bring Brown to Starrcast was finalized in late May. Brown was part of TNA’s formative years in 2004 and 2005 before leaving for WWE. In the revived ECW, Brown competed as Marcus Cor Von. His final match came on the June 19, 2007, episode, where he was defeated by CM Punk.
18 years removed from his final match, appearing at Starrcast is a huge deal. Despite receiving multiple offers over the past 18 years, Brown’s upcoming appearance at Starrcast marks his first confirmed deal in a very long time.
Starrcast will be just one part of a stacked week that will culminate with All In: Texas this July. With AEW’s first stadium event drawing near, expected a packed week in the Lone Star state.
