Former NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov has been seen at the WWE Performance Center this week, sparking speculation about the status of his recovery from a torn ACL suffered in September 2024. According to Fightful Select, Dragunov has been present in full workout gear, though it remains unclear whether he is actively training for a return or undergoing routine evaluations.
Dragunov’s initial recovery timeline was estimated at six to nine months, but his presence at the facility has fueled rumors that he may be ahead of schedule. Recent reports suggested he had been training without the use of support gear, signaling significant progress in his rehabilitation.
The injury derailed Dragunov’s momentum on the main roster at a critical point, leaving fans eager for updates on his return. While there is no official word yet on WWE’s creative plans for him, the timing of his appearance at the Performance Center during WrestleMania season has raised eyebrows.
If Dragunov is nearing a return, his comeback could inject fresh energy into WWE programming. Known as “The Mad Dragon,” Dragunov is a fierce competitor, and fans are anticipating his return to action. Whether he’s gearing up for a surprise return or simply progressing in his recovery, his journey back to the ring is being closely watched.
Former TNA World Champion Tessa Blanchard speaks highly of WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, and discussed a potential clash between the two stars.
Blanchard, who recently returned to TNA at Final Resolution and defeated Jordynne Grace at Genesis, addressed the idea of a dream match during a recent appearance on the DeLoco Podcast.
When asked about a showdown with Ripley, Blanchard expressed admiration for the WWE star’s evolution.
“She’s phenomenal. I’ve watched some of her matches, and we actually did the first-ever Mae Young Classic for WWE together. But she was a different Rhea Ripley then. She was blonde hair, still tall, still built, still phenomenal in the ring.
But she has just transformed into this absolute powerhouse over there. So yeah, I would be down for that,” Blanchard remarked.
With WWE’s partnership with TNA making cross-promotional matches possible, the prospect of Ripley facing top TNA talent like Blanchard has generated significant excitement among wrestling fans.
The final WWE Raw before the 2025 Royal Rumble features multiple championship matches and high-profile returns. The action-packed lineup from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA will see the War Raiders put their World Tag Team Championship on the line against The Judgment Day’s JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio, who steps in for an absent Finn Bálor.
Plus, Sami Zayn battles Drew McIntyre in what promises to be an intense singles match. In a major development, Logan Paul makes his official Raw debut on Netflix. The Maverick has been absent since losing the United States Championship at SummerSlam, and his return promises to make a significant impact.
Atlanta’s own Cody Rhodes returns home ahead of his Royal Rumble ladder match against Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Additionally, Roman Reigns is set to appear for a special celebration related to the WWE 2K25 video game.
WWE Raw Preview: January 27, 2025
Confirmed matches and segments:
WWE World Tag Team Championship: The War Raiders (c) vs. JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Bianca Belair & Naomi (c) vs. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre
Logan Paul makes his Raw debut
Cody Rhodes appears ahead of Royal Rumble
Roman Reigns returns for special celebration
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest WWE news on the road to this weekend’s 2025 Royal Rumble.
What Happened Last Week?
Ahead of tonight’s WWE Raw, here’s a quick recap of last week’s show:
Rhea Ripley was ambushed by Nia Jax in the parking lot
Jey Uso confronted Gunther and laid him out with a superkick
Former WWE Superstar Odyssey Jones, who had a promising start on RAW last year, has announced his return to professional wrestling by accepting independent bookings. WWE terminated Jones’ contract following allegations of domestic violence, but the wrestler is determined to rebuild his career.
Taking to Instagram, Jones shared his excitement about stepping back into the ring, writing,
“Holla at your boy it’ss that time for me to get back in ring and get going. #BookOdyssey #TheJourneyContinueS”
However, his career comeback coincides with a complex legal situation involving his ex-partner, which could influence his professional opportunities.
Jones’ legal troubles are multifaceted, involving allegations and counter-allegations between him and his ex-partner. The timeline of events is as follows:
Order of Protection: In September 2024, Jones was granted an order of protection against his ex-partner, which remains in effect until 2028.
Abuse Allegations: His ex-partner filed a police report on May 23, 2024, alleging that Jones committed battery during an incident on May 17, 2024. The report included photos of bruises and recommended battery charges.
Case Review: The Orange County State Attorney’s Office is still reviewing the case.
Counterclaims: Jones denies the allegations and asserts that he is pursuing legal action against his accuser.
The allegations also include multiple claims of physical abuse, with Jones’ ex-partner citing specific incidents, including one during a cruise.
Current Status
Jones continues to assert his innocence. On January 11, 2025, he released a video statement labeling the accusations false. Legal proceedings remain ongoing, with both parties taking action against one another.
Wrestling Comeback
Despite these legal challenges, Jones appears focused on resuming his wrestling career. It remains uncertain how these developments will impact his opportunities in the independent wrestling scene. However, Jones’ determination suggests he is ready to reclaim his place in the industry.
The Women’s Royal Rumble has become a cornerstone of WWE programming since its debut in 2018, showcasing groundbreaking moments and historic achievements. Over the years, 76 women have participated in this annual spectacle, cementing their legacies in the world of professional wrestling.
From the triumphs of seven winners to the monumental WrestleMania successes of five champions, the event has continued to elevate the status of women’s wrestling.
This article explores the defining moments of the Women’s Royal Rumble, highlighting record-breaking performances, notable entry positions, and the event’s influence on WWE’s biggest stage.
The inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble participants
Debut and Participation: The Women’s Royal Rumble made its inaugural appearance in 2018. Since then, a total of 76 women have competed in this annual event.
Winners and Success Rate: Out of these participants, only 7 have emerged victorious, accounting for approximately 5.32% of all entrants.
WrestleMania Triumphs: Following their Royal Rumble victories, 5 women have successfully clinched World Championships at WrestleMania.
Notable Entry Positions:
Number 1: Rhea Ripley stands out as the sole competitor to win the Royal Rumble starting from the number 1 position, achieving this feat in 2023.
Number 3: This entry spot has produced winners like Bianca Belair in 2021 and Bayley in 2024.
Number 28: Both Becky Lynch (2019) and Ronda Rousey (2022) secured their victories entering at number 28.
Rhea Ripley has been a dominant force in the Royal Rumble
Elimination Records:
Cumulative Eliminations: Rhea Ripley holds the record with a total of 20 eliminations across her Royal Rumble appearances.
Single Match Eliminations: The record for most eliminations in a single match is shared by Bianca Belair and Shayna Baszler, each with 8 eliminations in 2020, and Nia Jax, who matched this number in 2024.
Match Duration Records
Longest Single Match Time: In 2024, Bayley set a new record by lasting 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 3 seconds in the match.
Longest Cumulative Time: Bianca Belair has accumulated a total time of 3 hours, 5 minutes, and 28 seconds across her Royal Rumble participations.
Shortest Time in Match: Chelsea Green and Valhalla both hold the record for the shortest time spent in a match, each being eliminated in just 5 seconds in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Bayley
Host City: Tampa, Florida, has hosted the Women’s Royal Rumble twice, in 2021 and 2024, making it the city with the most events.
Consistent Participants: Liv Morgan and Natalya are notable for having competed in all 7 Women’s Royal Rumble matches to date.
Cross-Promotional Appearances: The TNA Knockouts World Championship has been represented twice in the Royal Rumble: by Mickie James in 2022 and Jordynne Grace in 2024.
Women’s Royal Runble winners who went on to win gold at WrestleMania
Debut Highlight: Jade Cargill made history in 2024 as the first woman to make her WWE debut during a Royal Rumble match.
Championship Victory Post-Rumble: Bianca Belair secured her first World Championship following her Royal Rumble win in 2021.
Charlotte Flair’s Return: The 2025 Royal Rumble marks Charlotte Flair’s return to the event after a 421-day hiatus since her victory in 2020.
These details underscore the significant milestones and evolving history of the Women’s Royal Rumble since its inception.
WWE fans may see former Divas Champion Michelle McCool return to action in the upcoming Women’s Royal Rumble match. McCool, who retired in 2011, recently teased a potential one-off comeback through a Twitter post.
The speculation arose after McCool shared a fan-made graphic of potential entrants in this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble, which listed her at the #10 spot. While McCool has never pursued a full-time return to wrestling, the concept of a single appearance piqued her interest. In her tweet, McCool wrote:
“REAL TALK – since retiring, I’ve never been in any ‘serious talks’ with anyone about another run….not saying it wouldn’t be nice?!?! Confident I can go, so here’s my question: All ya gotta do is ‘declare yourself’ these days for the Rumble?!? #FLAWLESS Sorry y’all, saw this & truly made me wonder! #wwe #royalrumble #isitreallythatsimple #whodoicall”
McCool, who made a brief appearance on this week’s SmackDown, was shown in the crowd during the broadcast. Notably, her husband, WWE legend The Undertaker, was also present at the event, though he remained backstage.
The Women’s Royal Rumble, now in its eighth year, has a history of welcoming returning legends. McCool’s potential involvement would be a major draw for fans eager to see the former champion back in action, even for just one night.
WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley is back in her element, reclaiming her title and setting her sights on the next chapter of her dominant reign. At WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Ripley successfully defended the WWE Women’s World Championship against Nia Jax, solidifying her status as a cornerstone of the women’s division.
In an exclusive post-match interview with Peter Rosenberg and Jackie Redmond, Ripley opened up about the significance of her win and the feeling of having the championship back in her possession. When asked if everything felt “as it should” now that she was champion again, Ripley responded with nostalgia:
“Yes, it does. It’s actually giving me flashbacks of Australia, of Elimination Chamber. Giving me good old flashbacks of 2024, 2023, before everything else happened.”
Ripley expressed how much she missed holding the championship, emphasizing its importance to her identity as a competitor:
“It’s always good to be on top, right? [Laughs] It feels fantastic. I’ve missed this championship, I’ve missed this Women’s World Championship. I was the first-ever Women’s World Champion, and I just feel like it belongs on my shoulder. It belongs in my bag, it belongs with me 24/7, so it’s real nice to be reunited.”
Eyes on WrestleMania 41
As Ripley looks ahead, the road to WrestleMania and the upcoming Royal Rumble loom large. She acknowledged the growing pool of challengers vying for a shot at her title, but Ripley remains unfazed. Confident and ready for any opponent, she shared her mindset:
“I’ve had a lot of friends backstab me before, I’ve had a lot of family members backstab me before. At the end of the day, everyone wants that WrestleMania golden ticket, and I don’t blame them. It’s a massive opportunity, it’s what everyone works for. I have a target on my back, and I’m not gonna hide from that fact.”
Ripley firmly stated her intention to enter WrestleMania 41 as champion and issued a warning to her future opponent:
“Whoever stands across the ring from me, they’re gonna have to be ready for ‘Mami’ because at the end of the day, ‘Mami’ is always on top.”
A Hint at a Men’s Royal Rumble Entry?
Ripley also hinted at the possibility of entering the Men’s Royal Rumble, showcasing her unrelenting ambition and knack for breaking barriers.
As the champion reaffirms her position atop WWE’s women’s division, the anticipation builds for who will step up to challenge Ripley on her path to WrestleMania glory.
Chris Masters says CM Punk worked him with his infamous pipebomb promo.
The Straight Edge Star has previously talked about The Masterpiece being one of the first people that he ran into after his iconic promo.
On an AEW Unrestricted episode, Punk had detailed how he had decided to take the side entrance to the backstage area instead of going through the curtain like usual, to add another layer to the mystique of the whole thing. Punk then ran into Masters who didn’t recognize him at first and seemed shocked by his words.
The former WWE star gave his side of the story during a recent appearance on Rewind Recap Relive podcast. He noted that he couldn’t recognize Punk because of the lack of lighting in the backstage area. Chris explained that his reaction was like an extra validation for the former AEW star:
“It was funny, because whatever I said to Punk completely validated his promo to him, because, you know, essentially he had worked me with the promo. Cause I was like, ‘Oh my God, what did he say? You know, you’re gonna get yourself fired.’
And I think as soon as he heard that, he knew that the promo went over just like, you know, like it was the validation. He knew. Like he already knew. But, you know, sometimes you just need that little extra thing. And I think I was that extra thing to like, you know, because he got me.”
Chris Masters was also asked about a potential Royal Rumble return. The heavyweight star revealed that he’s actually tried to get back into WWE the last few years. Masters expressed his disappointment over not getting another opportunity and said that he finds himself at a crossroads in his wrestling career.
Getting success early in wrestling can be both a blessing and a curse for wrestlers. While some wrestlers like Randy Orton are able to convert the early opportunity into a legendary career, there are many others who are not able to take full advantage of it. A lot of such talents end up getting released and spend the rest of their careers chasing another shot at proving themselves. Former WWE star Chris Masters seems to be on the second list who has been chasing that opportunity so long that he is not sure if it’s worth it anymore.
The Masterpiece was asked about a potential return to WWE during a recent interview with Rewind Relive Recap podcast. Masters, who first signed with WWE in 2003 at the age of 20 talked about how he’s been trying to get back to a bigger platform for a while. However the 42-year-old is now at a point where he is not sure if he’ll ever get that opportunity again:
“I’d like to, man, I’ve tried to work for that. I was with NWA for a minute, and that gave me kind of a good, at least, platform to show what I can do. But it’s tough, man, because I look around the landscape now and I just, I don’t know where that opportunity is going to come from. It might not be in the cards.
It doesn’t mean I’m gonna walk away from wrestling. It’s just one of those things where wrestling can be…the career of a wrestler goes through a lot where, in terms of, it’s a love-hate relationship. You love it sometimes, but sometimes you don’t feel like it’s loving you back. I’ve definitely fallen back in love with wrestling,
But I’ve gotten to the point to now where I just don’t feel like it’s loving me back. I definitely feel like my ability is better than it’s ever been. If given the opportunity, I could do something. But the question is [if] that opportunity’s going to come and if it is, who’s it going to come from? I just, I don’t know,”
Chris Masters last wrestled under a WWE banner in 2011. Since then, he’s had runs with TNA and NWA while also maintaining his presence in the independent scene. Though despite his love for the business, the heavyweight star finds himself at a crossroads, thinking about alternate career paths which may be more financially rewarding:
“No, yeah. I’m at a crossroads myself, personally. I’ve been on the indie scene for so long that, it’s gone to the point where I need something more. Because this can’t just be it. If this was just going to be it, then I have to pivot, or I have to, at least, do something else in addition to, if nothing else. It’s one of those things where you just never know what kind of surprises or what’s going to happen.
But at the same time, I don’t want to be 5-6-7, years from now, that guy who was like, kind of hoping for that next shot, but just never got it. Since then has just been dithering on the independent scene. And don’t get me wrong, the independent scene has been a lot of fun. But shoot, you’re gonna want something more,
Because you can’t, even with the independent scene you can only work about once or twice a week most times. So there’s just a lack of fulfilment and there’s not enough physical reimbursement, I mean, money just straight up. You’re not…You’re definitely not planning your retirement just on the independent wrestling scene.”
The wrestling veteran was also asked about a potential Royal Rumble spot. He revealed that he’s actually sent feelers in hopes of getting back after seeing a lot of his friends getting the opportunity in the last 3-4 years. He theorized, however, that the powers may be might not be sure about bringing him in, thinking that nobody would remember his earlier run.
Rhea Ripley has already reached the pinnacle of the WWE Women’s roster, but could the Men’s Royal Rumble be next in Mami’s sights? At WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Ripley retained the Women’s World Championship against Nia Jax.
In a post-match interview, it was brought up that Ripley doesn’t have a match at WWE Royal Rumble 2025, but in theory could enter the women’s match. Ripley, however, had other ideas, saying “I think it would be a bad decision. Maybe I’ll be in the men’s one.”
If Ripley were to compete in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, she’d become the 5th woman to do so. Chyna made history by competing in both the 1999 and 2000 Rumble matches, and Beth Phoenix would do the same in 2010. Kharma was a part of the match in 2012 while Nia Jax would take R-Truth’s spot in the Men’s match in 2019.
Ripley has never shied away from (literally) man-handling her male counterparts in WWE. Check out this video to see just how well Ripley would fare in the Men’s Royal Rumble match.
The Royal Rumble premium live event on February 1, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis promises to be an exciting event with Rumbles and title matches. It remains to be seen if Ripley, who won the Women’s Royal Rumble in 2023, steps in the ring against the men of WWE next weekend.
Another AEW original might be returning from injury soon.
Former Hybrid2 member Angelico has been out of action since November last year. He last wrestled against Gabe Kidd at the November 7 ROH tapings before going on a hiatus due to a knee injury.
The tag team star provided an update on his status in a social media post earlier on Saturday, saying that his rehab from the knee injury was almost complete:
Angelico is one of the talents who has been with Tony Khan’s promotion since 2019. He competed at the company’s first PPV event Double or Nothing.
His team with Jack Evans known as the Hybrid 2 were featured regularly on AEW TV during the early days of the company. Evans left the promotion in 2022 after his contract expired but Angelico has continued his stint with AEW.
He has formed a new team with Serpentico known as the Spanish Announce Project. Their team has been featured regularly on ROH shows.
In the last couple of months, AEW has seen a few big returns. Stars such as Kenny Omega and Adam Copeland have made their comebacks after long hiatus.
The exact date for Angelico’s return is not known and we’ll have to see if he is reunited with his partner Serpentico upon his comeback.
Nia Jax suggests that there are a couple of people in the WWE locker room that are not popular.
The former Women’s Champion recently had an interview with US Weekly. She was promoting her Saturday Night’s Main Event match against Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley.
During the talk, Nia was asked if all the wrestlers get along backstage. The 2024 Queen of The Ring winner gave an interesting answer, suggesting that there are people who are not popular behind the scenes:
“Is this the politically right answer? Should I tell you the real tea? There might be a couple that we’re like, ‘Yo, sit outside. We don’t really want you in here,’ I’m not gonna say any names. We’ll keep it quiet.”
Though later on Nia Jax assured that there is genuine camaraderie among members of the women’s locker room and everyone is willing to help each other out:
“For the most part in our women’s locker room, we all get along, we’re willing to help each other out … If one of us is like, ‘Hey, I’m about to do a promo, a match and a brawl, I need food,’ the girls are like, ‘Hey, whatever you need.’ We do really support each other.”
Jax was unsuccessful in her quest to dethrone Ripley at the January 2025 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. We’ll have to see if Nia Jax, who is officially a SmackDown star continues making appearances on Raw after this or redirects her focus on Tiffany Stratton on the blue brand instead.
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event once again had a nostalgic flair, with several legends of the ring appearing at the event. During the show, Ted DiBiase, Dory Funk Jr. and ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan were spotlighted in the crowd.
Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura was part of the show after making his return to WWE with last month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event special. The WWE Hall of Famer and former Minnesota governor was excited to see Bron Breakker and Sheamus go to war for the Intercontinental Championship.
Alundra Blayze was also in the crowd, with the WWF Women’s Championship. Blayze infamously dropped the title in the trash after she moved to WCW in 1995.
The Brainbusters Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were shown following Jacob Fatu’s assault of Braun Strowman. The pair had previously been a part of AEW.
Mark Henry, another AEW alum, was also in the crowd at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Henry’s son Jacob recently signed with WWE, leaving fans excited to see what’s to come for the young powerhouse.
The appearance of these legends, alongside the in-ring action of the modern-day roster, provided an exciting night for the WWE Universe. With four Saturday Night’s Main Events planned per years, fans can expect many more nostalgic moments featuring legends of the past on WWE programming in the future.
Could more wrestlers be set to join the Don Callis family in AEW? Don’t count it out according to the faction’s leader. Callis held a family meeting in a vignette at AEW Collision Homecoming to discuss what happened on Dynamite. The meeting, consisting of Callis, Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita, Lance Archer, and Brian Cage, focused on Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay teaming up against them. When an unconcerned Brian Cage argued that there’s five of them to the two of Omega and Ospreay, Callis teased more members, asking “Who said there is only five of us?”
"…and who said there's only 5 of us…." – Don Callis.
Callis gave no word on who could be set to join his family in their war against Ospreay and Omega. Trent Beretta was aligned with the Callis family before undergoing neck surgery last year. There is no word yet on when he will return to programming.
Whatever Callis has in store, Omega & Ospreay will face Fletcher & Takeshita at AEW Grand Slam: Australia. The first of its kind show will be a homecoming for Fletcher, leaving fans curious to see what kind of response he receives in the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the Don Callis family, as the veteran manager could soon have more wrestlers at his disposal soon enough.
Ronda Rousey and her husband, Travis Browne, welcomed their first daughter, La’akea Makalapuaokalanip?, in September 2021. Taking to Instagram, Rousey opened up about her battle with body confidence ever since she became a mom. The images shared by the former WWE Superstar have never been shared before, as Rousey only now feels confident to share her body before and after giving birth.
“I was afraid of people comparing my post-baby bod to my fight-camp form in a cruel way. Now it’s obvious the one unfairly comparing was me – holy s*** what an idiot I was, I’d be so proud to get back to that point now.”
Rousey and Browne recently welcomed their second daughter, P?’?, into the world, and the UFC legend intends to be “more brave” by sharing her recovery online. The former Superstar’s hope is that her sharing will show others worrying about their own bodies post-birth that they’re not alone.
Rousey hasn’t competed for WWE since SummerSlam 2023, but the fighter/Superstar is ready to get back to training. Rousey closed her post by teasing a “mutha f***** montage,” leaving fans excited what’s to come.
Rousey has been vocal about her issues with WWE’s management during her tenure, but has competed a handful of times in other promotions, including ROH. It remains to be seen whether Rousey’s training ‘montage’ results in an in-ring return for the Baddest Woman on the Planet.
Braun Strowman was left a bloodied mess after his encounter with Jacob Fatu on the January 2025 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The two monsters held nothing back when going up against each other in a singles match during the show. Neither of them got the decisive lead in the first half of the match and they kept countering each other’s attacks. The action went outside the ring towards the ending of the bout when Fatu rolled out to recover from an attack by Strowman.
The Monster Among Men followed the Warewolf and delivered a Strowman Express, knocking his opponent into the barricade. He sent Jacob crashing through the announce table with a second Strowman Express. The former Universal Champion then signalled the third repetition of the move but this time, Fatu caught him with a Samoan Drop on the announce table.
After sending Strowman through the steel steps, Fatu got him back into the ring and delivered a running hip attack. Fatu continued with the move delivering not one but six hip attacks. As he set up for the seventh hip attack, the referee tried to stop him but the Samoan star threw the ref out of the ring. He then delivered two more hip attacks as the bell rang.
The Samoan Warewolf did not stop even after disqualification and he introduced a chair as the security ran down to try and stop him. Fatu took out one guard by throwing a chair at him and delivered a clothesline to another. Nick Aldis came out with more officials to hold Fatu back as Strowman was shown bleeding from mouth.
Braun slowly rolled out of the corner but this allowed Jacob Fatu to catch him with a moonsault. Fatu delivered another moonsault before leaving the ring. The Bloodline members however was not done yet. He returned to deliver yet another moonsault on his opponent before finally walking off, leaving Strowman a bloody and broken mess.
Kevin Owens will join an elite group at the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble, regardless of if he leaves Indianapolis as the Undisputed WWE Champion. On February 1, Owens will challenge Cody Rhodes in a ladder match for the gold. Not only will Rhodes’ WWE Championship be on the line, but Owens’ ‘Real’ WWE Championship will also be suspended above the ring.
Whether he wins or loses, Owens will tie the record for the most Championship matches at the Royal Rumble. The showdown with Cody will be Owens’ eighth time competing for gold. His Rumble title match record breaks down as follows:
Year
Oppponent
Stipulation
Result
2016
Dean Ambrose
Last Man Standing match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
Ambrose Retained
2017
Roman Reigns
No Disqualification match for the WWE Universal Championship
Owens Retained
2018
AJ Styles
Handicap match (with Sami Zayn) for the WWE Championship
Styles Retained
2021
Roman Reigns
Last Man Standing match for the WWE Universal Championship
Reigns Retained
2023
Roman Reigns
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
Reigns Retained
2024
Logan Paul
WWE United States Championship
Paul Retained
2025
Cody Rhodes
Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE Championship
To Be Determined…
With this match, Owens will join Roman Reigns, Triple H, and The Miz for the most Royal Rumble championship matches at seven each. Owens will surpass Brock Lesnar and his former rival AJ Styles, who have competed in six championship matches at the iconic event.
H/T to @WWEStats for uncovering this stat. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more interesting wrestling facts and statistics.
The WWE Royal Rumble 2025 will take place on February 1, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapiolis, Indiana. With two Rumble matches and exciting championship matches, fans can expect an explosive start to the Road to WrestleMania 41.
WWE NXT star Arianna Grace has revealed on social media that she has officially become a United States citizen, sharing a celebratory photo online. Grace, the real-life daughter of former WWE star and current TNA Wrestling authority figure Santino Marella, proudly posed in front of the United States and Department of Homeland Security flags. The Canadian-born wrestler smiled while holding a miniature American flag to mark the occasion.
Grace’s announcement caught the attention of Chelsea Green, the reigning and inaugural Women’s United States Champion. In a response, Green, who earned her Green Card last year, saw a role in her adminstration for her fellow Canadian.
Grace has been absent from WWE television for some time, with her last televised NXT match occurring in July 2024. While fans haven’t seen her in NXT for some time, Grace has played a pivotal role in TNA Wrestling, where she’s served as the official NXT-TNA liasion. With WWE’s recently announced multi-year partnership, fans can expect to see much more of Miss NXT in both promotions.
Cody Rhodes came out to show his appreciation for his friend Jey Uso after the January 2025 Saturday Night’s Main Event from San Antonio went off air.
The Yeet Man challenged Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of tonight’s show. Despite a valiant effort, the Bloodline star unfortunately came up short and the Ring General retained the title with two back-to-back Powerbombs.
The American Nightmare came out after Gunther had left the arena and the broadcast had come to an end. He cut a short promo for Uso who remained in the ring and proclaimed that Jey’s time will come one day:
“Michael Cole just said it, you guys all know it, you just watched that match. He said Jey Uso’s time will come. I know it doesn’t feel good Jey, I’ve been there. But you’re a champion to me, you’re a champion to everybody here, let’s hear it for my friend Jey Uso.”
Cody Rhodes then hugged Jey before turning his attention to Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias who was sitting with the audience. Rhodes invited the celebrity to the ring and the three stars then played the crowd to end the show on a happy note.
The Undisputed WWE Champion had his own segment at tonight’s show before this where he signed the contract for his upcoming Royal Rumble match with Kevin Owens. The segment ended with the moderator Shawn Michaels getting physical and delivering a Sweet Chin Music. You can watch that here.
Toni Storm just delivered the performance of a lifetime, as the former Women’s World Champion has been ‘Timeless’ all along. During a face-to-face showdown with Mariah May on AEW Collision: Homecoming, Storm fully embraced her “rookie” persona, appearing wide-eyed and naive. That facade shattered the moment May attacked her with the AEW Women’s World Championship belt. In an instant, the truth was revealed, Storm had been acting all along.
After enduring the brutal beatdown, Storm dropped the innocent act and coldly declared, “I’ve never forgotten anything… I am Timeless Toni Storm again” much to the shock of her former protege turned enemy.
"They say the hardest role you'll ever play is YOURSELF!"
Storm had been absent from AEW television since losing her championship to May at AEW All In. When she returned at Dynamite: Winter is Coming, she portrayed a clueless rookie who was ignorance of her past. Storm had appeared excited to meet people like Tony Schiavone and Thunder Rosa, individuals she has worked with for years as part of AEW.
With the mind games over, Storm and May are set to collide at AEW Grand Slam: Australia, which will serve as a homecoming for the Timeless star. After May won the AEW Women’s World Championship in her native England, Storm hopes to repay the favor next month at AEW’s first-ever event down under.
Kevin Owens got taken out by Shawn Michaels at the January 2025 Saturday Night’s Main Event from San Antonio, Texas.
The Heartbreak Kid moderated the contract signing segment between KO and Cody Rhodes for their upcoming Undisputed WWE Championship ladder match at Royal Rumble. Michaels claimed that his one job was to get both the contenders to sign the contract before introducing both the champion and the challenger.
Owens came out wearing a ‘Cody sucks eggs’ shirt, a play at old Dusty Rhodes insult from Dory Funk Jr. who used to call the American Dream an ‘egg-sucking dog.’ Shawn told both the stars to sit down but they refused. The WWE Hall of Famer then talked about their rivalry before prompting them to sign the contract which Cody did.
Kevin however, opted to cut a promo taking objection to Rhodes saying that he takes ‘the easy way out.’ The former Universal Champion reminded Rhodes of their Bash In Berlin match and told Cody that he ‘quit’ WWE when things got tough. KO said that he’s taking everything from his former friend, to which Michaels responded saying that Owens sounds jealous.
The former NXT Champion then went off on HBK too, telling him that he won’t be a champion that ‘loses his smile.’ Kevin Owens finally signed the contract. A referee came out to take both the original WWE title and the Winged Eagle belt and hung them to a hook above the ring.
Shawn Michaels then tried to shake both their hands but Owens got a cheap shot in on Cody as the WWE Legend was interacting with him. HBK then shoved Owens and Kevin in response kicked Michaels. He set up the veteran for a package piledriver but Rhodes kicked him in the face. Shawn then removed his jacket and delivered a Sweet Chin Music to Kevin to end the segment.
A newly released teaser for WWE 2K25 has sparked excitement among wrestling game enthusiasts, hinting at the return of the much-loved “Chain Wrestling” mechanic.
Originally introduced in earlier installments of the WWE 2K series, this gameplay feature adds a layer of strategic depth by allowing players to engage in seamless grappling transitions, reminiscent of real-life wrestling sequences.
The teaser video, shared on WWE Games’ official social media, is captioned with a chain and wrestling emojis, features Cody Rhodes talking about “the return of Ch…” before getting cut off by Drew McIntyre, who tells him not to give the big secrets away.
This mechanic was praised in past titles for its ability to replicate the technical nuances of professional wrestling. Its absence in more recent releases left fans nostalgic for the feature’s strategic gameplay and immersive feel.
Although the teaser did not confirm further gameplay specifics, the return of Chain Wrestling suggests that WWE 2K25 may prioritize realism and technical authenticity.
Fans have already begun speculating about additional enhancements, including expanded move sets and improvements to animations.
The WWE 2K franchise has worked to rebuild its reputation following a turbulent launch of WWE 2K20. With recent entries receiving praise for their polished mechanics and innovative modes, the development team appears to be doubling down on features that elevate the series’ authenticity.
If Chain Wrestling is officially reintroduced, it could mark a major step forward in delivering a more nuanced and realistic wrestling experience.
WWE fans may soon witness a marquee singles match between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair. According to Fightful Select, the potential clash has been discussed for WWE WrestleMania 41. Stratton, who has often been compared to Flair, has cited the multi-time champion as her inspiration for becoming a wrestler. Over the years, Stratton has expressed her interest in facing Flair in several interviews.
Stratton’s meteoric rise in WWE has been one of the company’s standout stories. Since joining the main roster in 2024, she has achieved significant success, including winning the Women’s Money in the Bank match. She capped off the year by cashing in on Nia Jax to capture the WWE Women’s Championship at the start of 2025.
Charlotte Flair has been out of action for over a year due to a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus suffered in a December 2023 match against Asuka. Flair has been preparing for her return, with WWE airing vignettes on SmackDown to build anticipation.
WWE WrestleMania 41 will take place as a two-night event on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium. A match between Stratton and Flair would pit one of WWE’s brightest rising stars against a proven legend, making it a must-see event for fans.
The 2025 WWE Royal Rumble premium live event is scheduled for Saturday, February 1 from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
30 men and 30 women will vie for the chance to etch their name in the history books and earn the right to challenge the champions of their choosing at WrestleMania 41. Last year’s Royal Rumble winners, Cody Rhodes and Bayley, went on to capture gold at WrestleMania 40, so this year’s participants have a fresh reminder of exactly what’s at stake.
Note: This article will be maintained and updated as the remaining participants are announced.
2025 Men’s Royal Rumble Entrants
15 Confirmed participants for the Men’s Rumble:
WWE Superstar
Notes
Shinsuke Nakamura
2018 Royal Rumble Winner
John Cena
2008, 2013 Royal Rumble Winner
CM Punk
2024 Runner-Up
Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins
2019 Royal Rumble Winner
Drew McIntyre
2020 Royal Rumble Winner
Roman Reigns
2015 Royal Rumble Winner
Jey Uso
LA Knight
Rey Mysterio
2006 Royal Rumble Winner
Sami Zayn
Logan Paul
Chad Gable
Bron Breakker
Carmelo Hayes
2025 Women’s Royal Rumble Entrants
2024 Women’s Royal Rumble Winner declares for the 2025 event
The WWE ID program, WWE’s newest talent development initiative, aims to scout and refine the next generation of wrestling superstars by integrating independent wrestlers into the WWE system.
One such prospect, Zayda Steel, recently shared her experiences as part of the program, highlighting the invaluable opportunities it provides to up-and-coming talent. Steel, who has made waves on the independent scene with appearances in GCW, Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), and Major League Wrestling (MLW), opened up about her journey on the podcast Conversations with The Wrestling Classic.
Steel revealed that WWE is actively bridging the gap between independent wrestling and its larger platform by giving ID participants direct access to feedback from wrestling icons. During a chat with the Wrestling Classic, She praised the program for its emphasis on mentorship, stating that her matches are being reviewed by WWE legends like Sean “X-Pac” Waltman and Kenny Dykstra.
“I can say that our matches are being watched,” Steel said. “We found out recently, they’re like, ‘Oh, X-Pac can now watch your match and give you guys critiques.’ I’m like, ‘What the f—.’ So him, Kenny Dykstra, who works closely with Triple H, literally in the offices. We are getting feedback from top, top people. So that’s another plus as well.”
Steel also shared that she has trained at the WWE Performance Center as part of the program and received recognition from several established WWE talents. While she chose not to name anyone specifically, she expressed her surprise and appreciation at being acknowledged by well-known wrestlers.
“A couple of us were at the PC. We got to train there,” she explained. “Funny enough, as I’m there, I’m saying hi to people… There’s a good amount of the girls that were like, ‘Oh my God, I know who you are. I follow you on Instagram,’ or, ‘I’ve seen you on social media.’ So, yes. You’d be surprised who knows who you are.”
Zayda Steel and WWE ID
Before joining the WWE ID program, Steel was a prominent figure on the independent circuit, wrestling over 50 matches in 2024 across various promotions. Her extensive experience and current exposure to WWE legends’ feedback exemplify the potential impact of this initiative in grooming future superstars.
The WWE ID program not only spotlights independent talent but also provides unique opportunities for mentorship and growth under the guidance of industry veterans.
With access to feedback from legends like X-Pac and direct exposure to WWE’s developmental facilities, prospects like Zayda Steel are gaining invaluable experience that could shape their future in professional wrestling.
