Britt Baker was the first woman signed to an AEW talent contract in 2019 and for a while, was the top star of the women’s division. Baker’s days on top are now a distant memory, and her recent social media activity may have teased a bold move.
Baker has removed all references to AEW in her Instagram bio, distancing herself from the All-Elite promotion. On X, Baker’s bio is similarly AEW-free and makes reference to her role as a wrestler and a dentist.
Baker’s alterations come amid an interesting time in the DMD’s career. Baker hasn’t competed since November 2024, and has competed just five times over the past year. Baker remains active on social media though rarely makes reference to AEW.
Interestingly, her latest reference to AEW on social media saw her throw support behind Saraya following the British wrestler’s exit from AEW.
— Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (@RealBrittBaker) March 26, 2025
Baker’s absence has left fans wondering as to whether her time with AEW may also be coming to an end. In January, Chris Jericho cast doubt on the idea that Baker will leave AEW, following reports of alleged heat on the former Women’s World Champion.
If Baker does end her time with AEW, fans can expect WWE to make an effort to sign Baker who could also see interest from promotions overseas such as STARDOM. Whatever’s next, Britt Baker remains a talking point among wrestling fans, even with her hiatus from AEW growing day-by-day.
There’s nothing like a good hometown dish and the WWE Superstars are no exception to having favorites. In a video shared by Pubity, the Superstars of WWE revealed what dishes they seek out when heading home:
Dominik Mysterio: The master of the chicken tenders, Mysterio unsurprisingly picked that dish as among his favorite. Mysterio, a self-professed “West-coast boy” also chose In-N-Out burgers (with animal fries) as well as his ‘deadbeat mother’s’ signature Ahi Tuna Ceviche.
Liv Morgan: A native of Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Liv Morgan described Taste of Italia’s Chicken Cutlet Sandwich as “fire.” The deli shop, down the street from where Morgan went to high school, still holds a place in her heart (and stomach.)
Raquel Rodriguez: For the Judgment Day’s newest member, nothing beats a breakfast taco from Stripe’s gas station. Not just satisfied with one, Rodriguez said she’d sometimes get a second, though declared that “tortillas should be home-made.”
Stephanie Vaquer: The first Chilean wrestler to hold gold in WWE, the reigning NXT Women’s Champion loves her grandmother’s Humitas. Vaquer shared the secret ingredient that makes her grandma’s Humitas stand out: Love.
Ludwig Kaiser: Nothing starts Ludwig Kaiser’s day off better than a German breakfast, a collection of breads, meats, and cheeses. Kaiser also gave a shout-out to Mettbrötchen, a sandwich consisting of bread, raw pork meat and onions. While he said it may sound “disturbing” to non-German, the dish ‘hits’ every time Kaiser has it.
Maxxine Dupri: The Alpha Academy babe doesn’t know what the official dish of Loomis, California is, but loves a fillet cooked by her dad when home. The fillet can often be found with a sweet potato and according to Dupri “no-one makes it better. No-one.”
Dustin Rhodes has reiterated that he will finish his career in AEW, ruling out a return to WWE. After signing a multi-year extension with AEW in December 2024, Dustin has repeatedly stated he plans to finish his as an ‘All-Elite’ talent. When a fan called on Rhodes to return to WWE to end his career, Dustin made himself clear once again. Not only that, but Rhodes claimed that AEW is the only place he’s felt respected.
Dustin is currently one-half of the ROH Tag Team Champions alongside Sammy Guevara and also holds the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles with the Von Erichs. Going back further, Dustin has worked with some of the very best in AEW including MJF and his brother Cody, both as an ally and as an opponent.
Dustin didn’t mention WWE in his post, but many took his comment as a swing at the treatment he received in the Sports Entertainment juggernaut. Now, fans can look forward to seeing more of Rhodes as an All-Elite talent, but never as a WWE Superstar.
WWE and UFC came together in September 2023, merging two massive sports companies under the TKO banner. At UFC Fight Night, that partnership was on display as American Made was in attendance. The faction was represented by the Creed Brothers and Ivy Nile. Chad Gable was nowhere to be seen while El Grande Americano, who wears an American Made-inspired mask and outfit, was also absent.
American Made’s presence at the event is just the latest example of a crossover between UFC and WWE. On the February 19, 2024 Raw, Michael Chandler appeared in the crowd with plenty to say. The UFC fighter grabbed the mic and called out Conor McGregor and said he’d “See you at the top.”
Perhaps American Made took some lessons from watching UFC Fight Night up close. It remains to be seen what the athletically gifted trio do next inside a WWE ring.
A love for pro wrestling can bring people together—or, in at least one case, tear them apart. On Reddit, user Daco_Financial took to the r/relationship_advice group to share how pro wrestling, specifically WWE, could be bringing an end to her marriage.
Daco explained that her husband had recently gotten back into wrestling, a hobby that “started harmless enough.” But after watching events like WrestleMania, his interest ballooned into a full-blown obsession, spilling over into their finances.
“He’s started spending money (I mean, A LOT of money) on merchandise. T-shirts, hats, action figures, the fake belts, etc. I was okay with this at first, as it was nice to see his passion reignited for something (he’s been in a rough spot with work lately), but now pro wrestling is the only thing he cares about.”
The husband, who was not named, cheers and boos loudly while watching TV and uses catchphrases like “Yeet,” “Acknowledge Me,” and “You Can’t See Me” in daily life. Daco shared that he gets “irritated if I don’t play along,” and tensions boiled over during WrestleMania 41.
“He asked me to refer to him as ‘the final boss’ all weekend. I laughed it off and thought he was joking, but he wasn’t. We actually got into an argument about it Saturday evening because he said I wasn’t supporting him in the way he needs, and that whenever we’re watching wrestling, I look bored, disinterested, etc.”
The reason Daco looks bored and disinterested? “Because I am,” she admitted. Her husband now consumes at least 15 hours of wrestling a week, including WWE’s most recent Premium Live Event.
“When Jey Uso won at WrestleMania, he literally jumped on top of our couch waving his arms. It was embarrassing and I left the room.”
Daco didn’t delve deeply into the couple’s love life but did reveal that her husband has “asked for a lot of role-playing lately,” leaving her “very concerned.” As expected, these fantasies are all wrestling-related and have made Daco “super uncomfortable.”
She also described being bombarded with Roman Reigns memes and inside jokes about wrestlers she doesn’t know. The husband’s obsession has left Daco cherishing the rare moments of peace—even if they stem from his disappointments.
“Sunday night the wrestler he wanted to win didn’t win, and it’s still affecting him today. His mood’s sour and he seems depressed. I hate to admit it, but it’s been kind of nice. He hasn’t been as loud and noisy as usual.”
Daco admitted she’s unsure whether to leave her husband, but several Redditors suggested that he try making wrestling friends instead. Hopefully, this relationship can survive the bear hug that WWE has on one of its most passionate fans.
Aleister Black is back in WWE, but how much longer can fans expect to see him in the ring? Speaking during his Tom Budgen: Stillness in the Void documentary, Black candidly discussed his in-ring future.
“I’m 39. I have another five to eight years in me. Physically, I feel great. I think this is probably the best I’ve looked physically as well.”
Black emphasized that advancements in technology, science, and nutrition have allowed athletes to perform at high levels later into their careers—an age where performance once typically declined. Nevertheless, Black is realistic about his future inside the squared circle.
“I have no illusions about this — the majority of my career is well past me, absolutely.”
As for Aleister Black’s current career, he made his return to WWE during the April 25 edition of SmackDown. After years as part of AEW, the Dutch Superstar is ready to continue his legacy in WWE, even as the end of his career draws nearer each day.
The crossover between WWE and the NFL Draft continued, this time with Jimmy Uso representing the Sports Entertainment juggernaut. Fresh off his appearance at WrestleMania 41, Jimmy appeared at the Draft to announce the 227th overall pick for the San Francisco 49ers.
Jimmy received a warm welcome from the fans, with several members of the crowd chanting “Yeet!” as he took the stage. The former Tag Team Champion showed his appreciation, saying he “appreciates the love from the fans.” Big Jim added that he was excited to come straight from WrestleMania weekend to the draft stage.
Uso then announced that the 49ers selected Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke with their seventh-round pick.
Jimmy Uso became the third WWE superstar to appear at the draft this year, following on from an appearance by Seth Rollins and a video appearance from Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena. It remains to be seen if any other WWE Superstars appear in the NFL Draft this year.
The Montreal Canadians were in action on Friday, April 25, taking on the Washington Cardinals inside the Bell Center. Before the game got underway, Kevin Owens narrated a hype video, putting a spotlight on the significance hockey has in Montreal.
Narrée par le Québécois Kevin Owens, voici la première partie de la présentation d'avant-match de ce soir au Centre Bell
Owens’ voiceover comes at a troubling time in the Canadian’s career. Due to a neck injury, Owens’ match at WrestleMania against Randy Orton was nixed and TNA World Champion Joe Hendry faced the Viper instead. It has been reported that Owens’ injury will keep him out of action for the remainder of 2025, and questions have been raised as to whether he’ll be back in time for WrestleMania 42 in 2026.
Owens won’t be competing anytime soon, but his voiceover helped motivate the Montreal Canadiens to victory over the Cardinals. It remains to be seen what non-WWE roles may await the Prizefighter throughout his long road to recovery.
Has Bryan Danielson competed in his last-ever match? It appears so, judging by recent comments. Speaking with JNMEDIA’s Jamal Niaz, Bryan explained how he believes the end of his time in the ring has come.
“One of the things our society has a problem with is realizing when enough is enough, and I’m very satisfied with my career, and I think enough is enough.”
Danielson last wrestled for AEW at WrestleDream, entering the event with a number of lingering injuries. In a recent interview, he explained that while he isn’t officially announcing his retirement, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify stepping back into the ring.
“My neck is wrecked. There’s not no chance, but it’s risk vs. reward at this point. I want to be able to live comfortably with my wife and kids.”
Tony Khan remains optimistic that Bryan will wrestle again, but ultimately, the decision rests solely with the former AEW World Champion. Regardless of what he chooses, Danielson’s in-ring career has been one that few wrestlers could hope to match.
Charlotte Flair has been a staple of WWE’s main roster for nearly a decade, but change may be on the horizon for the Queen. Speaking to PEOPLE, Flair revealed that she feels it’s time for fans to see more of her true self through her on-screen character.
“On the opposite side of WrestleMania, I think I will tap more into that and kind of try to bring me, Ashley, the real person, to Charlotte, because I do feel like Charlotte really isn’t—the character I made is not relatable.”
She explained that while she would love to embody her confident on-screen persona at all times, that’s simply not realistic. Now, the former WWE Women’s Champion is ready to show there’s a genuine person beneath the robes and glamour.
“I’d like to pull the curtain back a little bit and show them like, hey, I’ve been this hardcore, dominant b—- for however many years. But I’d like to also be able to high-five the kids as I walk down the aisle.”
Recently, elements of Flair’s real life were woven into WWE storylines. Tiffany Stratton referenced Flair’s three divorces during a SmackDown segment, though the line was later removed from replays. Nia Jax also alluded to Flair’s marital history during the Roast of WrestleMania, an event Flair did not attend, which sparked backlash among fans.
Flair has not appeared since WrestleMania 41, but fans continue to await the Queen’s return—perhaps this time with a more personal and authentic touch.
Chelsea Green was screwed out of the Women’s United States Championship, at least according to Green’s husband Matt Cardona. On the April 25 edition of WWE SmackDown, Green’s 132-day reign was ended by Zelina Vega, making Vega the second-ever champion.
On X, Cardona argued that a travesty akin to the Montreal Screwjob had occurred, though he didn’t know the location of SmackDown.
Green had held the title since WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2024, beating Michin in the finals of a tournament. Vega was not part of the tournament, making her victory even more special.
As for Cardona, rumors have circulated for years about his potential return to WWE. Green has said that she is confident Matt will return, though has agreed with Cardona’s declaration that “Zack Ryder is dead.” Both the new and former Women’s U.S. Champions know what it is like to be released from WWE, proving that fans shouldn’t count out Cardona being a Superstar again.
In a WWE Digital Exclusive, Ford reflected on the victory. The high-flying star confidently declared that this is just the beginning of a long and dominant reign for himself and Dawkins.
“This is just the beginning. We know we’ve got a target on our backs. We know everybody wants the smoke. We know everybody wants these. But truth be told, Byron, they look too damn good on us, and quite frankly, they ain’t going nowhere.”
The year 2025 marks the silver anniversary of the first TLC match, which saw The Hardyz, the Dudleyz, and Edge & Christian dazzle fans at SummerSlam 2000. Dawkins explained that he, Ford, the Guns, and DIY understood the expectations that come with competing in such an iconic match.
“We knew we had big shoes to fill and all three teams went out there and laid it all on the line… Just like those three teams did.”
This was a WrestleMania-worthy match, and the decision to leave it off WWE’s biggest event left many fans frustrated. Dawkins expressed hope that WWE management realizes their oversight after witnessing the performance these teams delivered.
“We gave them [WWE management] a reason to say, ‘Damn, we shouldn’t have left those three off ‘Mania. We should have put those boys on the big show.'”
While Ford and Dawkins were not part of the Showcase of the Immortals, the team made themselves immortal in this TLC match, Dawkins added. It remains to be seen which team will be next to challenge the Street Profits.
On the April 25 edition of WWE SmackDown, Zelina Vega achieved a career milestone by capturing the Women’s United States Championship. Vega won the gold from Chelsea Green, ending the inaugural reign that had began at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2024.
In a heartfelt WWE Digital Exclusive interview following her victory, Vega held back tears as she reflected on her long road from hopeful dreamer to champion.
“I’m looking at it, and it doesn’t feel real because this was something that lived only in my dreams—and now it’s real life, and I’m holding it. It’s crazy, y’know? I can’t believe it’s real. I can’t believe I’m holding this right now.”
This triumph marks Vega’s first taste of singles gold, more than seven years after signing with WWE in 2017. When asked about her mindset heading into the match, she admitted she tried to stay hopeful, but realistic.
“It’s one of those things you always pray for, but you never really know if it’s going to happen. I think hearing the words ‘You deserve it’ as I was walking up the ramp really shocked me. Because honestly, I felt like maybe the fans had given up on me.”
Vega’s win over Chelsea Green is the culmination of years of perseverance and personal sacrifice. She dedicated the victory not just to herself, but also to her family, friends, and LWO allies. Now that she holds the gold, the question becomes: how will Zelina Vega handle life with a target on her back?
The tag team Fraxiom is now officially part of the SmackDown roster, and they made a strong first impression with a victory over Los Garza on the April 25 episode. In a backstage interview following the match, Nathan Frazer was clearly overwhelmed with emotion as he tried to describe the moment.
“I’m so proud to be part of the SmackDown roster, and I’m even more proud to be doing it with my best amigo here.”
Axiom echoed Frazer’s excitement, reflecting on what the debut meant for them both—especially coming just days after they lost the NXT Tag Team Championships at NXT Stand & Deliver.
“Tonight was the night for me. Tonight was the night for us. Our dreams came true tonight.”
Though losing their titles was a tough pill to swallow, the call-up to SmackDown capped off a monumental week for Fraxiom. Despite the bittersweet timing, they knew the opportunity was too good to pass up as Frazer explained:
“When the opportunity came, we were like, ‘We’ll take it! Right now, we’ll take it!’”
Now, Fraxiom can set their sights on the WWE Tag Team Championships, currently held by the Street Profits. But after Ford and Dawkins retained in a brutal TLC match, it’s clear that taking the gold will prove to be no easy feat for SmackDown’s newest tag team.
Carmelo Hayes is the latest Superstar to claim victory in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal—and the former NXT Champion now has a new nickname to match. On the April 25 edition of WWE SmackDown, Hayes was presented with a special Andre the Giant pendant by his ally, The Miz. The pendant features the face of the iconic WWE Hall of Famer, who tragically passed away in 1993.
Embracing his growing connection to the legendary giant, Hayes declared himself the “Tenth Wonder of the World.” The nickname pays homage to Andre, long recognized as the Eighth Wonder of the World, and Chyna, who held the title of the Ninth. On social media platform X, Hayes even teased a tweaked version of his new moniker, further solidifying his brand.
While it was a big night for Carmelo Hayes, things didn’t go as well for his “Melo Don’t Miz” tag team partner, The Miz. The two-time Grand Slam Champion suffered a loss to the returning Aleister Black on the same episode of SmackDown.
Seth Rollins stunned wrestling fans at WrestleMania and trolled football fans at this year’s NFL draft. The newest Paul Heyman guy was a special guest pick announcer for the Chicago Bears, who selected at number 56 in the second round.
Before he revealed the pick, though, Rollins had some fun with the fans in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Rollins reminded the fans that Caleb Williams, the quarterback of the Chicago Bears, is undefeated in Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers.
After having his fun, Rollins revealed that the Bears had selected Ozzy Trapilo in the 2025 NFL Draft. An Offensive Tackle from Boston College, Ozzy is a legacy prospect. His father, Steve Trapilo, also played in the NFL. Standing at 6-foot-8 and weighing 315 lbs, Ozzy is “every bit the prototype of an NFL offensive tackle,” according to the Chicago Football Connection.
Rollins’ love for the Bears runs deep, with the WWE star regularly tweeting that he loves or hates football, depending on if the Chicago team won their game or not. Now, Seth can sit back and enjoy seeing his beloved Bears in action.
Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena’s first title defense will come against Randy Orton, reigniting one of WWE’s most storied rivalries. On the Raw after WrestleMania 41, Cena celebrated his record-breaking 17th WWE World Championship win—only to be blindsided by an RKO from his longtime adversary. Orton then posed with the title, making his intentions crystal clear.
Cena and Orton have clashed 21 times on WWE programming in various match types, including Hell in a Cell, TLC, and an “I Quit” match. Cena currently leads the rivalry with a 13-7-1 record and has won the last four encounters, including their most recent bout on WWE SmackDown in 2017.
This upcoming match could mark the final chapter in their legendary feud, as Cena has announced plans to retire from WWE at the end of the year. The 16-time world champion has vowed to walk away as champion, a goal that has reportedly prompted WWE to introduce a new title for other talent to compete over. Cena has referred to this secondary title as a “toy,” claiming it lacks the history and prestige of the one he holds—what he calls “the last real championship.”
WWE Backlash will stream live on Peacock in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally, broadcasting from St. Louis at 7 ET / 4 PT.
The Street Profits are still the WWE Tag Team Champions after surviving a brutal Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) match on the April 25 edition of WWE SmackDown. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins successfully defended their titles against both DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns in an intense triple threat showdown.
As expected in a TLC match, tables, ladders, and chairs were all legal and heavily featured. However, the chaos didn’t stop there — at one point, a fan’s prosthetic leg was even used as a weapon, adding to the unpredictable nature of the bout.
The match reached its climax when Angelo Dawkins delivered a devastating spear to Tommaso Ciampa, who was suspended from the title belts high above the ring. Moments later, Montez Ford ascended the ladder and retrieved the titles, ensuring the Street Profits’ reign as champions continues.
A notable return happened on Friday’s WWE SmackDown, as Aleister Black, aka Malaki Black, is back.
On the show, Black came out to interrupt a segment with The Miz, who had been talking. Miz went to get into Black’s face, but Black laid him out with a Black Mass and then sat down in the ring to end the segment. Black came back to his old entrance theme song.
Black first gained prominence in WWE’s NXT from 2017 to 2021. During his time in NXT, he achieved significant success, capturing the NXT Championship and winning the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic alongside Ricochet.
Following his stint in NXT, Black transitioned to WWE’s main roster. However, his time there was cut short, and he was released in 2021. From 2021 to early 2025, he wrestled for AEW under the moniker Malakai Black. Several weeks ago, his tenure with AEW came to an end when he was granted his release from the company.
— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) April 26, 2025
Vega defeated Green in two consecutive non-title matches on SmackDown in the weeks leading up to their championship bout. These victories established Vega as a credible challenger for Green’s newly won title.
One of Vega’s non-title victories over Green occurred under controversial circumstances, with Green getting counted out Green did not have a match at WrestleMania 41, despite being the Women’s United States Champion, although Fightful reports that several pitches were made for her, whether that be to wrestle or to have a segment.
Green won the inaugural WWE Women’s United States Championship on December 14, 2024. She defeated Michin in the tournament final at Saturday Night’s Main Event XXXVII.
Nia Jax has returned to WWE TV, immediately setting her sights back on Tiffany Stratton and the WWE Women’s Championship. On the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Jax blindsided the reigning champion, Tiffany Stratton, and delivered an AnNiahilator.
Before the attack, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton squared off against Jade Cargill, the former AEW TBS Champion riding high after securing her first singles victory over Naomi at WrestleMania 41.
Naomi stormed the ring and launched an assault on Cargill, declaring the match a no-contest. Naomi’s attack culminated in her driving Cargill into the steel ring post before engaging in a tense staredown with the reigning WWE Women’s Champion.. This distraction created the perfect opportunity for the returning Jax to strike, blindsiding Stratton from behind.
This marked Jax’s first appearance in a WWE televised match since Elimination Chamber, where she teamed with Candice LeRae in a losing effort against Stratton and Trish Stratus.
In 2005, Shelton Benjamin battled Shawn Michaels on Raw in a match that the Showstopper would win with spectacular flair. Michaels delivered Sweet Chin Music to a mid-air Benjamin in a stunning spot that fans continue to celebrate two decades later.
Appearing on Maven’s YouTube channel, Benjamin discussed several defining moments of his career. Reflecting on the iconic spot, Shelton revealed that even Vince McMahon couldn’t contain his enthusiasm backstage.
“[Vince gave us a] standing ovation. Clapping. Everyone was really high.”
The spot, according to Benjamin, was conceived by WWE veteran Michael P.S. Hayes, who was “over the moon” with the audience response. In the video, Benjamin also explained how he achieved perfect timing while sharing the ring with the Heartbreak Kid.
“The whole time, I’m looking at Shawn’s foot. One thing I do to protect myself is this [waves arms in circles]. The signal for me was when my hands hit Shawn’s foot, that’s when I started bumping.”
Benjamin shared the ring with Michaels several times throughout his career, but this 2005 showdown remains the most memorable. The match stands as a testament not just to the wrestling prowess of both men, but also to the exceptional athleticism and timing that earned Benjamin the nickname “The Gold Standard.”
Natalya is a veteran of the WWE ring, but now the Canadian star is hungry to win NWA gold. On Friday, March 25, the NWA announced that Natalya will challenge NWA Women’s Champion Kenzie Page at the 2025 Crockett Cup event on May 17.
NWA President Billy Corgan commented on the upcoming match:
“It’s always our distinct honor to host this modern version of the Crockett Cup, but holding the event in this great and historic building in Philadelphia, with the addition of a WWE Superstar such as Natalya, in an NWA title match no less, shows how far we have come.”
While this will be Natalya’s first match against Page, it won’t be the first time the pair have come to blows. Following Natalya’s victory at Bloodsport XII, she brawled with Page, who was seated at ringside.
Natalya is a former WWE Divas Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion, and Tag Team Champion, but it has been over seven years since the veteran last held singles gold. Now, the Queen of Harts has an opportunity to demonstrate why she remains a respected figure in women’s wrestling and to establish her dominance over the talent of the NWA.
Bryan Danielson hasn’t wrestled for AEW since WrestleDream, but the American Dragon still has an ‘All Elite’ role to play. In recent days, Danielson has been engaging with several UK-based media outlets, promoting the upcoming AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door event. The fourth crossover event of its kind will take place at the O2 Arena in London, England on August 24, replacing All In: Wembley as the company’s annual UK event.
Danielson’s media appearances demonstrate that the former World Champion remains valuable to AEW, even as his in-ring future remains uncertain. In December 2024, Danielson stated it was 50/50 whether he’d wrestle again due to his lingering injuries and desire to spend more time with his family.
Tony Khan remains optimistic that Danielson’s wrestling career isn’t over, but even if he doesn’t return to the ring, Bryan continues to be a valued member of the AEW team. Fans can therefore look forward to hearing more from Danielson in the media and, perhaps one day, seeing him lace up his boots once more.
“For some reason I thought when I got it, there’d be a sense of closure here. I feel like I’m just getting started, uce.”
Jey expressed surprise that his brother Jimmy was on hand to celebrate his victory in the ring. While Jey’s solo career has far surpassed what his brother has achieved so far, Jey was quick to make clear that his World Heavyweight Title win wasn’t just for him.
“I felt like it was for me and him. I know it’s just me, but I feel like it’s a token of both our hard work. This is just as much his title as it is mine.”
Jey concluded by reiterating that after months of talking about WrestleMania 41: Saturday, he is ready to embark on a new chapter in his career. It remains to be seen what’s to come for ‘Main Event’ Jey as the popular star embarks on this new chapter as champion.
The WWE Hall of Fame is a special part of WWE lore for the ways in which it celebrates legends, embraces pro wrestling nostalgia, and affords an opportunity to hear what are often inspired speeches and stories from stars of yesteryear. The Hall has also become a moneymaker for WWE as its an additional piece of live content to broadcast, a live event to sell tickets for, and excuse to sell new merchandise for retired talent.
Ever since WWE transitioned to the two-night WrestleMania format, however, the Hall of Fame has also presented challenges. From 2004 to 2019, the induction ceremony was a part of WrestleMania weekend, taking place the night before ‘Mania. The 2020 ceremony was postponed due to COVID, and recent years have seen it occur after SmackDown—directly in the same arena as the live Friday night show or, this year, from a separate location, hours later. The resulting ceremonies have not done WWE legends, talents, or fans justice.
The WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony Has Started Too Late At Night
Image credit: WWE
The 2025 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony started at 10 p.m. Pacific Time. It’s always a bit arbitrary to say what time of night is too late to expect people to watch or enjoy a show, but when a program isn’t getting started until 1 a.m. Eastern Time, that’s a pretty hard sell for any kind of mainstream audience to watch live.
What’s more, WWE staged NXT Stand & Deliver starting at 10 a.m. Pacific Time the next morning. In terms of fans who attended WrestleMania weekend live and who wanted to attend both events, that meant a mere eight and a half hours between shows. Even for fans watching from home on the East Coast, it meant staying up until 4:30 a.m., then tuning back in at 1 p.m. Even for the most hardcore fans, that’s not an appealing combination.
Even independent of the NXT event, though, a show ending at 1:30 on the west coast, 4:30 on the east coast simply isn’t a great fit for fans, nor for WWE talents themselves. Perhaps most importantly, a generally older population of legends getting Hall of Fame recognition both have to stay up way past their bedtimes and deliver speeches in front of an audience that’s fighting just to stay awake.
Another Time Of Year Might Give The WWE Hall Of Fame More Spotlight
One solution to Hall of Fame scheduling would be to do it on a separate weekend. Indeed, back in the 1990s when WWE started experimenting with live induction ceremonies, they held them in conjunction with the King of the Ring PLE and then the Royal Rumble. A major PLE without a two-night format would make all the sense in the world to inherit the ceremony and, in so doing, elevate that PLE’s weekend on the whole.
As an alternative, WWE could innovate around the Hall of Fame itself. They could take a page out of WCW’s playbook with the old Slamboree shows, built around celebrating their own Hall of Fame and featuring a handful of matches in which former talents got back in the ring for one more match. The idea of more properly resurrecting the Starrcade brand—not just with a glorified house show WWE streams, but as its own major event that invokes nostalgia could be a perfect fit to pair with the Hall of Fame’s own emphasis on celebrating yesteryear.
Airing The Induction Ceremony In Place Of A SmackDown Go-Home Show May Make The Most Sense
Some people would undoubtedly look at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony getting moved off WrestleMania weekend as a step down for its prestige. It is fair that WrestleMania is the biggest event on the WWE calendar and draws the largest volume of fans. As such, the Hall of Fame does get some extra shine just by being associated with The Showcase of the Immortals.
Perhaps the simplest solution, then, would be for the ceremony to simply replace the go-home SmackDown before WrestleMania. Even with attractions like the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and a spirited promo between Cody Rhodes and John Cena this year, the blue brand’s last show before ‘Mania felt pretty skippable, knowing the card was set and WWE probably wouldn’t want to risk major talents getting hurt in matches right before the big one.
Plugging the Hall of Fame into that spot would make better use of the time, still honoring WWE’s programming obligations and giving the ceremony a larger, organic viewership. WWE might have to shrink down its induction classes marginally to ensure they fit in the SmackDown time slot, but most fans would be fine with a ceremony they knew wouldn’t exceed three hours. Perhaps that time could even include a couple matches, as pairing the Andre battle royal, for example, with the ceremony actually has a nice ring to it.
In the end, there are pros and cons all around to how WWE might reimagine its Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. At minimum, though, for the sake of truly honoring legends and entertaining fans, this important piece of WWE content really shouldn’t happen so late at night at the front end of the biggest weekend of the year.
