AEW may have secured a major seven-show residency at the iconic 2300 Arena this August, but they’ll be arriving after WWE. According to a report from WrestleVotes, WWE is planning a special edition of NXT on Tuesday, August 19 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. If it happens, the show will take place just one week before AEW kicks off its extended residency at the same venue.
The move adds a new layer to the rivalry between AEW and WWE, with both companies now staking a claim on the historic ECW Arena. AEW previously confirmed its seven-show run at the venue, beginning with Dynamite on August 27 and continuing through Collision on September 11. This stretch will include three episodes of Dynamite, two Collision tapings, ROH Death Before Dishonor on September 5, and a special ROH-themed Collision finale.
WWE’s decision to slide in with NXT just before AEW’s takeover could easily be seen as the latest counter-booking between the two companies. In December, it was reported that AEW had blocked WWE from booking the Hammerstein Ballroom for that month.
The battle for the 2300 Arena is the latest front in a deeper war for pro wrestling’s most sacred spaces. With both promotions leveraging historic venues to enhance brand identity, fan engagement, and cultural clout, it remains to be seen which show will emerge the victor.
John Laurinaitis’s agreement to cooperate with Janel Grant in her federal civil suit against Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment could have rippling effects across several lawsuits.
Laurinaitis agreed on Wednesday to a confidential settlement with Grant, according to a joint statement. Grant also filled a stipulation of dismissal in Connecticut federal court dropping Laurinaitis as a defendant. He also agreed to a confidential settlement.
Plaintiffs in the shareholder suit filed against Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, WWE and TKO in Delaware’s Court of the Chancery were seeking information related to his sexual assault allegations as part of discovery. According to Wrestlenomics, McMahon said the discovery demands were attempts to “harass him and pressure him,” several days ago.
The shareholders in the suit said McMahon failed to follow his fiduciary duties by selling WWE to TKO. They accused him of not taking better offers for the company in place of a deal that would allow him to stay onboard WWE and the parent company. The complaint in the shareholder suit accused McMahon of seeking a buyer for WWE that would tolerate the sexual assault and sex trafficking accusations against him.
After WWE was sold to TKO, McMahon was made Executive Chairman. He later resigned the position after Grant filed suit in federal court.
Testimony from Laurinaitis, as well as other discovery in the Grant case, could be used in subsequent cases in state and federal court. Depending on what the judge in each case rules as the scope of discovery, as well as the Federal Rules of Evidence and state laws of evidence, discovery in other ongoing cases could be used in other ongoing cases.
McMahon is also being sued for negligence by several survivors of the Ring Boy scandal, along with WWE, TKO and Linda McMahon.
WWE and McMahon are expected to file a motion to compel arbitration in the Grant case. They believe Grant should have to argue her sexual assault and sex traficking allegations in arbitration per rules of a non-disclosure agreement she signed with McMahon. Federal law in the last several years has made it illegal to use NDAs or arbitration hearings in cases of covering up sex assault.
Attorneys for McMahon and WWE have argued the federal legislation doesn’t apply because those laws were passed in cases of pre-signed NDAs and arbitration clauses, not cases in which alleged sexual assault or sex harassment had already occurred.
The defendants in the Grant case have until June 13 to file their arbitration motions.
Former WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns will appear in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video heist comedy The Pickup. It is scheduled for release on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
Amazon MGM officially dropped the first poster for the film on May 29th. It showcases a star-studded cast that includes Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer, and Pete Davidson, with Reigns listed among the ensemble.
While Reigns is not headlining, he is expected to to be part of the movie. This role marks another significant Hollywood appearance for the WWE megastar, who previously appeared in “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.”
— Amazon MGM Studios (@AmazonMGMStudio) May 28, 2025
Director Tim Story confirmed Reigns’ involvement in “The Pickup” earlier this year. This dismissed previous rumors that the wrestler was linked to a different comedy project, “Good Fortune.”
This acting venture aligns with Reigns’ current reduced WWE schedule and his previously stated ambitions to explore entertainment avenues beyond the wrestling ring as his in-ring career approaches its later stages.
WWE Superstar Chelsea Green sustained a legitimate broken nose during her United States Title match against Zelina Vega at Saturday Night’s Main Event. However, she reportedly gained respect backstage for her handling of the situation.
According to Fightful Select, the injury occurred near the end of the bout following a “619 gone awry.” Despite losing the match and suffering the broken nose, Green “promptly went backstage to film content for WWE.”
Sources told Fightful that “numerous staff backstage said that Green handled the situation well, and had a positive attitude despite the injury.” Furthermore, she “was also good with milking the injury for WWE’s social media to capitalize on it, which impressed several in the company.”
It is “suspected that Green suffered a clean break of the nose, which isn’t her first.” Due to the nature of the break, she is “expected to be required to use a face mask and to remain on TV,” indicating she is not slated to miss significant in-ring time.
Her professionalism through the unfortunate injury was met with positive feedback within WWE. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Taeler Hendrix’s days in the ring may be over, but now the former ROH competitor is showing her skills in the world of writing. Behind These Whispering Walls is her debut novel, a psychological supernatural thriller that is bound to chill readers.
The book follows Emmeline, a young girl dealing with the tragic death of her brother. When Emmeline’s family moves to an eerie estate, she must confront memories that aren’t her own, secrets that refuse to stay secret, and a dread that the walls around her may be alive.
Speaking to AP, Hendrix shared how her wrestling past helped influence her writing present.
“Wrestling taught me how to tell a story without words. Now, I’m telling a story with every word I write. Through my pen, I intend to make every word count with purpose.”
In wrestling, Hendrix is best known for her time in Ring of Honor, but also competed for TNA wrestling after winning a 2012 Gut Check Challenge.Hendrix appeared for the first time in WWE on the June 6, 2014 episode of SmackDown where she was one of Adam Rose’s rosebuds. She would also compete in Ohio Valley Wrestling, and would hold the promotion’s Women’s Championship on three occasions.
Behind These Whispering Walls is available now in paperback hardcopy and eBook formats on Amazon and other major book retailers.
Trick Williams’ star continues to rise—both inside and outside the ring as the popular WWE Superstar is capping off a huge week. Fresh off his TNA World Championship win, Williams revealed that he’s also hit a major milestone in his personal life: he recently purchased a house.
On Instagram, Williams shared some highlights of the past week. Among his victories include winning the TNA World Championship, celebrating his birthday, headlining to Premium Live Events and purchasing his new home.
It’s been a landmark week for Trick Williams who is the first wrestler since the WWE-TNA partnership began to capture gold from the other side. With a title defense against Mike Santana coming to the upcoming episode of WWE NXT, fans will be watching closely to see how Trick handles the role of being TNA’s figurehead.
Karrion Kross has always embraced his role as a dark and intense character, and now the Monday Night Raw Superstar is ready to take on an icon of wrestling. Speaking to a fan ahead of a recent WWE event, Kross was asked about his dream opponent.
“I think my dream opponent is Hulk Hogan. I want to kill Hulkamania.”
— James aka The World Wrestling Kid (@TheWWKid) May 28, 2025
While Kross may be a heel on WWE TV, he has grown increasingly popular with fans, so much so that his merch is now available at WWE events. Given Hogan’s fall from grace, as seen during Raw’s debut on Netflix, a showdown between the two would likely have the majority of fans rooting for the former NXT Champion.
Known for playing mind games and drawing intense reactions from audiences, Kross thrives on creating buzz. While a match with Hogan seems unlikely, Kross is ready to take on the ‘Immortal’ icon should the opportunity arise.
Former WWE star and original Hurt Business member Cedric Alexander has voiced his skepticism about Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) recently joining The Hurt Syndicate in AEW.
After weeks of speculation, former AEW World Champion MJF was officially voted into the group by Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP, and quickly made an impact by helping Lashley and Benjamin retain their AEW World Tag Team Titles at Double or Nothing.
Speaking on Knockouts and 3 Counts, Alexander, a free agent since his WWE release in February 2025, shared his initial reaction to the formation of the group. “My immediate thought when I… realized MVP showed up (at) AEW and then Shelton (Benjamin), I was like, ‘Ah, man. I shouldn’t have re-signed that last contract, huh?’… and then, oh! I get released. I’m like, ‘Oh! So maybe it is meant to be.”
However, his optimism soured with MJF being added to the group. “This is something that I can really look forward to,’ and then I realized that MJF is trying to make his way in there. I was like, ‘Alright, well…’ let it play out,” Alexander stated.
He predicted trouble: “I’m sure they’ll get tired of his shenanigans because he’s MJF. Of course, he’s gonna screw everything up. You know how he works. He’s gonna get the big head, like he always does… MVP trusts him for a little bit so I’m like, alright, cool, whatever… I don’t trust him.”
WWE legend Natalya has revealed how Triple H’s approachable leadership style is revolutionizing the company’s creative process, offering unprecedented access for talent to pitch ideas directly to WWE’s Chief Content Officer.
In an interview with Bill Apter for Wrestlebinge, Natalya praised Triple H’s willingness to listen to performer input, explaining how the new regime operates differently from previous eras.
“That’s the thing I love about Triple H is that you can just go up to him and bring up an idea and he’ll listen to you and he’ll he’ll he’ll hear you out and he’ll tell you why he likes it. He’ll tell you why he doesn’t,” she shared.
The veteran performer emphasized how Triple H’s story-first philosophy has transformed WWE programming.
“He’s very very much about the story,” Natalya explained. “He was saying that the matches don’t mean anything unless there’s a story.”
This narrative-driven approach has already yielded results, with Natalya pointing to the Naomi vs. Jade Cargill feud as an example of how proper storytelling elevates matches beyond simple athletic competition.
The open-door policy represents a significant shift from WWE’s historically rigid creative structure, where talent input was often limited.
Under Triple H’s leadership, performers feel empowered to contribute creatively, potentially leading to more authentic and engaging storylines that resonate.
WWE veteran Natalya offered candid assessments of the women’s division’s top stars in an interview with Bill Apter for Wrestlebinge, providing insider perspective on what makes current performers successful and where they can improve.
Rhea Ripley’s Vibe
Discussing Rhea Ripley, Natalya praised the former champion’s understanding of star presence.
“She knows she understands that less is more which is what a lot of the top stars understand. It’s about like your face. It’s about your energy. It’s about your vibe,” Natalya explained, before jokingly adding, “She needs to stop being so sexy.”
Lyra Valkyria: Great Wrestler
For rising star Lyra Valkyria, Natalya expressed enthusiasm about her in-ring abilities while identifying areas for growth.
“I love her style. I love that she loves wrestling. She’s a great wrestler,” she said. However, Natalya noted that Valkyrie’s main weakness “is just we just need to see more of her. I want to see her get into a deep story.”
Jade Cargill’s Star Power
Regarding Jade Cargill, Natalya acknowledged the former AEW star’s natural charisma despite limited in-ring interactions.
“She has this it factor. She has this star power about her,” Natalya observed. “Whether you like me or whether you hate me, you’re talking about me, you’re watching me.”
Natalya was particularly complimentary of Naomi’s recent career renaissance, stating she had no weaknesses to point out. “She can speak, she can work, she looks the part, she’s a professional, and she’s finally getting that chance to shine.”
These evaluations highlight the depth and variety within WWE’s current women’s roster, showcasing different strengths that contribute to compelling television programming.
WWE and Zenni Optical have announced a multi-year partnership that makes the online eyewear retailer the Official Eyewear Partner of WWE, effective immediately.
The collaboration will see Zenni integrated into major Premium Live Events, including this year’s SummerSlam and Survivor Series. The partnership also includes plans for custom social and digital content featuring WWE Superstars and the launch of a specially curated line of WWE-themed eyewear for both adults and children.
Fans will be able to customize selected frames with prescription and non-prescription options, including Blokz blue light-blocking technology, light-adaptive EyeQLenz, and polarized sunglasses.
“We are excited to welcome Zenni Optical as the first-ever Official Eyewear partner of WWE,” said Grant Norris-Jones, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships at TKO. The partnership aims to activate around WWE’s biggest events while launching licensed eyewear that reflects both companies’ commitment to bold style.
Robb Chiarini, Head of Partnerships, Licensing & Events at Zenni Optical, emphasized the shared values between the brands, stating the partnership represents “more than eyewear” but rather “an extension of the WWE Universe.”
The companies will also launch custom sweepstakes ahead of select Premium Live Events, offering prizes including floor tickets, exclusive experiences, WWE merchandise, and Zenni eyewear. The first sweepstakes is currently live for the two-night SummerSlam event taking place August 2-3 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
This marks WWE’s first official eyewear partnership as the company continues expanding its corporate sponsorship portfolio under TKO Group Holdings.
Saturday’s AEW Collision, which was pre-taped Wednesday night following Dynamite at the El Paso County Coliseum, featured several key developments heading into next week’s Fyter Fest event:
Claudio Castagnoli secured his spot in the AEW International Championship four-way match by defeating Komander, while Mascara Dorada also earned his place in the same contest with a victory over Hechicero.
In championship action, AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada successfully defended his title against Anthony Bowens in what was billed as a title eliminator match.
The show featured a notable interview segment where Tony Schiavone spoke with FTR and Stokely Hathaway, only to be interrupted by CMLL wrestlers Atlantis Jr. and Templario. The confrontation ended with the Mexican luchadores standing tall after a brief altercation.
Tensions between Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland escalated into a backstage brawl that required officials to separate the two competitors.
In women’s division action, Mina Shirakawa defeated Skye Blue, but the victory was overshadowed when Julia Hart launched a post-match attack on Shirakawa. Toni Storm ultimately made the save to help her ally.
Other results included the Don Callis Family trio of Trent Beretta, Rocky Romero, and Konosuke Takeshita defeating the team of Tomohiro Ishii, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly.
Gates of Agony dominated two local competitors, while the Latino World Order’s Rush, Dralistico, and The Beast Mortos overcame AR Fox and Top Flight in trios action.
Former WWE and AEW star Saraya is giving fans renewed hope for her in-ring return, revealing she’s focused on getting back in shape while dropping hints about her wrestling future.
The former Paige has expressed interest in returning to training this year, specifically wanting to work with WWE legend Natalya at her wrestling school. “I would like to get back in the ring this year and really train and find myself again,” Saraya told TV Insider. “I feel like I didn’t do that the past couple of years.”
Saraya officially parted ways with AEW in March 2025 after a successful two-year run with the promotion. Since her departure, she’s been vocal about exploring her options, including a potential return to WWE where she originally made her mark as Paige.
Paige’s WWE Return
When asked about returning to WWE, Saraya has made it clear she would prefer to revive her beloved “Paige” persona rather than continue as Saraya. “I would take Paige again. Yeah. I love that character. I love Paige. I love the music. I love that she was a badass,” she recently stated.
The timing couldn’t be more intriguing. WWE recently announced the return of Evolution, their groundbreaking all-women’s premium live event, scheduled for July 13, 2025, at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena. This marks the first Evolution event since the inaugural show in 2018, creating a potential perfect stage for major returns.
Saraya has also mentioned her interest in participating in match types she never experienced during her WWE career, specifically the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber. Her neck injury in 2017 forced her retirement before she could compete in these signature matches that were introduced to the women’s division in 2018.
While Saraya has clarified that she hasn’t been in direct contact with WWE recently, she’s praised the company’s current openness to allowing talent creative freedom outside wrestling. “I feel like WWE now is being more open and receptive to people doing outside stuff,” she noted, citing this as an important factor in any potential return.
For now, Saraya remains focused on her various projects outside wrestling, including her new memoir “Hell in Boots” and podcast “Rulebreakers.” However, her recent comments about training and getting back in ring shape suggest wrestling fans may not have seen the last of the former two-time Divas Champion.
With Evolution providing the perfect platform for a legendary homecoming and Saraya actively working on her conditioning, summer 2025 could mark a pivotal moment in one of wrestling’s most compelling comeback stories.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson proved why he’s earned the “Final Boss” moniker both in and out of the wrestling ring, arranging elaborate VIP treatment for Cody and Brandi Rhodes to attend the Moana 2 premiere in Hawaii in November 2024.
The WWE champion until April 2025 and his wife shared the behind-the-scenes story on the first episode of Cody’s new “What Do You Want To Talk About?” podcast, revealing how The Rock went far beyond standard celebrity hospitality when he invited them to the highly anticipated sequel’s premiere.
“Put us on an amazing golf stream, fully catered, with Moana themed desserts… Really, really kinda put his wang on the table. Let us know. Let us know. Let us know. That’s The Final Boss.”
The gesture held special significance for the Rhodes family, particularly given the logistics involved. Cody had SmackDown obligations in Salt Lake City the same day, making attendance seem impossible until The Rock personally intervened.
Brandi Rhodes emphasized her immediate gratitude upon seeing Johnson at the event, highlighting the genuine appreciation the family felt for his extraordinary effort.
“The moment that I saw him, the first word out of my mouth was, thank you.”
The premiere itself reflected Johnson’s attention to creating memorable family experiences rather than typical Hollywood red carpet events. The celebration featured craft tables, Disney character appearances, and interactive elements designed specifically for children and families.
“This was for families. So many sponsored things, craft tables, Mickey and Minnie are there… It wasn’t the traditional, here’s the carpet press element, then you move on.”
The Rock’s generosity extended to ensuring the Rhodes family, including four-year-old Liberty, who was treated like a princess throughout the entire Hawaiian experience.
The Rhodes family’s experience reinforces why Johnson has earned respect across multiple industries – not just for his professional achievements, but for how he treats people when cameras aren’t rolling.
There’s more than one way to make it in WWE, as former WWE LFG contestant Leigh Laurel found out during the May 28, episode of WWE EVOLVE. During a backstage segment on show, Stevie Turner delivered the new that Laurel has signed with the brand. Along with the contract came a new ring name—Jin Tala.
leigh laurel is now jin tala!!! she will be debuting against carlee bright next week!!! pic.twitter.com/5QLN1zWQ3C
The moment marked a powerful turnaround for Laurel, who was sent home by Booker T on the May 4 episode of LFG. Despite her elimination, Laurel remained optimistic and took to social media after her exit to say that she had received a “hell of an opportunity to start my pro wrestling career as a Future Great.”
Mere weeks later, that future is officially underway. It remains to be seen how Jin Tala fares in WWE EVOLVE, as she remains focused on her future as a WWE Superstar.
The May 28 episode of AEW Dynamite featured a highly anticipated face-to-face segment between Mercedes Moné and Toni Storm as the pair kicked-off their feud in earnest. With their AEW Women’s World title match now confirmed for AEW All In: Texas, the pair held nothing back and delivered some choice lines about one another and themselves.
Moné took the microphone and laid out her credentials: the greatest RevPro and TBS Champion ever, and now, the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament winner. Making reference to her idol Eddie Guerrero, the reigning TBS Champion declared that nobody compares to her.
Storm responded by reflecting on Moné’s AEW debut in Boston, noting how the show was named after her and how Moné has remained undefeated. Despite all that, Moné had never looked at or spoken to her until now. Storm asked, “What took you so long?”
AEW Women's World Champion "Timeless" Toni Storm has drawn the line in the sand for @MercedesVarnado!
In a pertient line referencing her WWE run as Sasha Banks, Moné declared that she is no longer ‘The Boss,’ but now the CEO. She pointed out that she has beaten opponents all over the world and promised to bring it all home at All In: Texas.
Storm then highlighted their shared paths: both started on the indies, made names for themselves, and became who they were meant to be in AEW. Storm added that she young female fans will be inspired by their match at All In.
The pair ended with a a tense handshake—Storm sniffed Moné and kissed her hand—before they countered each other’s finishers. Moné left the ring as Storm stood tall, posing for the crowd.
The TNA World Championship currently rests on the shoulders of a WWE NXT Superstar—a fact that hasn’t sat well with TNA Wrestling’s Nic Nemeth. In a recent interview with Andrew Pollard of WhatCulture Wrestling, Nemeth didn’t mince words about his frustration.
“I’m absolutely furious and pissed off about it, and that’s not a joke… He lost our world title. I am not okay with that.”
“Trick Williams is a badass. He’s awesome. He’s got a great future, but he is an NXT talent who now is the TNA World Champion, and I am pissed off about it.”
Nemeth went so far as to suggest reviving Wrestler’s Court—a backstage tribunal once used to address locker room issues—as a fitting consequence for Hendry’s failure to retain the title. While Wrestler’s Court is a thing of the past, Nemeth believes Hendry’s loss warrants internal accountability.
Hendry had held the TNA World Championship since January 2025, after defeating Nemeth in a victory many fans saw as a long-overdue moment. With Trick Williams scheduled to appear on this week’s TNA iMPACT, it remains to be seen how both Hendry and Nemeth will respond to this crossover fallout.
The first-ever WWE EVOLVE Women’s Champion has been crowned, as one young Superstar has etched her name in the company’s history books. Kali Armstrong made her mark in unforgettable fashion on the May 28 episode of WWE EVOLVE, and her attitude spoke volumes after the win.
Armstrong triumphed over Wendy Choo, Kylie Rae, and Kendal Grey in a Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match to claim the historic title. Rae took out Choo first, then eliminated Grey shortly after, setting up a final showdown between herself and Armstrong. Armstrong hit her signature finishing move—the Kali Connection—on Rae to secure the pinfall and the championship.
Following the victory, WWE veteran Natalya entered the ring to present the new championship. But in a striking moment that had the crowd buzzing, Armstrong snatched the title from Natalya’s hands and paraded around the ring, showing no respect to the veteran performer.
Following the victory, WWE veteran Natalya entered the ring to present the new championship. But in a striking moment that had the crowd buzzing, Armstrong snatched the title from Natalya’s hands and paraded around the ring
The Special Olympic Games in 2026 will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the home of WWE Raw Superstar Chad Gable. Taking to X, Gable shared his involvement with next year’s games, as he informed some athletes that they’ll be representing Team Minnesota at the Special Olympics’ USA Games next year. Not only did Gable break the exciting news, but he allowed the athletes to visit his home gym.
I had the incredible honor of breaking the news to these amazing human beings that they’ll be representing Team Minnesota at the @SpecialOlympics 2026 USA Games in our home state!
In March 2024, Gable spoke to Fightful about the Special Olympics and shared his excitement for the 2026 games. At the time, Gavle confirmed that he had specifically requested to be part of the promotion for the games, and had been told “I will be a huge part of that.”
The partnership between WWE and Special Olympics is a longstanding and impactful collaboration that began in 1995 and has grown. For the 2014 USA Games, WWE participated in the opening ceremony, and The Big Show engaged with the athletes. The former WWE Champion also served as a goodwill ambassador at the World Games in 2015, and there have been several examples of partnership in the years since.
AEW had been teasing the arrival of a popular star the last few weeks with graphic of a spider crawling around the screen during various matches and segments.
This week’s episode of Dynamite then featured a segment where Renee Paquette tried to interview Jamie Hayter after her loss to Mercedes Mone at the Double or Nothing PPV this past Sunday.
Before Hayter could say anything, however, the lights went out. The camera showed the same red spider on the big screen as the lights came back on, before moving over to the ring where Thekla was standing over the former Women’s Champion.
The debuting star picked Jamie Hayter up only to beat her down again and then did her signature pose to put the whole roster on notice.
Having the nickname ‘The Toxic Spider,’ Thekla made her wrestling debut in 2017. The Austrian professional wrestler spent her early years wrestling in Vienna’s underground wrestling scene.
Her following started growing when she went over to Japan and made her Stardom debut in 2021. She had been a regular for the company since then, winning multiple titles during her time with the promotion.
She was fired after attacking Stardom President Taro Okada in a storyline last month, ending her 4-year run with the Japanese organization.
WWE is stepping into the ready-to-drink alcohol space for the first time with a new multi-year partnership. According to the Sports Business Journal, WWE has signed a deal with Seagram’s to launch a line of canned alcoholic beverages infused with WWE-style branding.
The collaboration, known as the Seagram’s Escapes Spiked WWE Series, will feature three unique flavors, each styled after WWE championship belts. The cans will be wrapped in jewel-encrusted designs crafted by design studio Sister Mary in partnership with brewing company FIFCO USA. Each drink sports its own “title belt” aesthetic, turning the packaging into collectible pieces of WWE merchandise.
This partnership will be on full display on June 7 with Seagram’s branding at WWE’s Money in the Bank event, including visibility on the LED ring skirt, ring posts, and a special sponsored match. Additional integrations are planned for other major events like SummerSlam and Survivor Series.
With this move, WWE joins a growing list of sports and entertainment brands tapping into the canned alcohol market. WWE’s TKO partners UFC already have a partnership with Atomic Brands and the Los Angeles Dodgers’ enjoy a deal with Surfside.
Soon, WWE fans will be able to enjoy the promotion’s programming with a refreshing can of Escapes Spiked. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE’s business ventures.
Cody Rhodes may be ‘undeniable’ in WWE today, but there was a time when the heights of being a World Champion seemed lost amongst the stars. From 2014 to 2016, Rhodes competed as Stardust in WWE, before leaving to prove he could become a bigger star outside the promotion.
On the What Do You Want to Talk About? podcast, Brandi Rhodes addressed the dark period when Cody was locked into the much-maligned Stardust character, a time he admits nearly caused him to abandon wrestling entirely due to stress and creative frustration. While the character is seen as a low-point for Cody, Brandi remains a fan of the character.
“I thought Stardust was one of the best wrestlers. Rene Paquette and I stand on that mountain that Stardust was great. And I never, never once had any shame in Stardust.”
Brandi’s unwavering support came at significant personal cost. As a WWE announcer responsible for introducing marquee superstars like The Undertaker and John Cena, she had to maintain professional composure while watching her husband struggle with a character he felt trapped within. The emotional toll of the situation wasn’t lost on Cody, who now credits his wife’s loyalty during his lowest point as the foundation of their relationship’s strength.
“The reason that is is because you stayed with me and you cared for me. When you were announcing superstars as big as the Undertaker and John Cena and you had to look in the ring and see Stardust and say, that’s my husband.”
Rather than focusing on public perception or career implications, Brandi’s concern centered entirely on her husband’s wellbeing and mental health during the challenging period. Though she had no issue with the bizarre being from the Fifth Dimension, she knew it bothered the man behind the paint.
“The only thing that bothered me about Stardust is that it bothered you.”
Her perspective differed markedly from Cody’s internal struggles with the character. While he battled creative frustration and identity issues, Brandi genuinely believed in the quality of his in-ring work regardless of the character constraints.
“You bit into that sucker and you just kept sinking in and kept sinking in.”
Brandi’s steadfast support during this crisis has shaped the foundation of their current success. Cody now attributes his willingness to share everything – from their tour bus to their possessions – to his wife’s loyalty when others might have wavered.
“And if you chose to leave, it’s all yours… because you stayed with me and you cared for me.”
The couple’s experience during the Stardust era demonstrates that behind every wrestling comeback story often lies an untold narrative of family sacrifice and unwavering belief, even when public opinion suggests otherwise. Today, as Cody seeks to regain the Undisputed WWE Championship and Brandi runs a successful business, their journey from the Stardust period to current success serves as a testament to the power of partnership during professional adversity.
Jakara Jackson, recently released from WWE and now wrestling under the new in-ring name Mara Sadè, is set for the first match in her post-WWE career.
Jersey Championship Wrestling (JCW) announced on Wednesday that Sadè will challenge Masha Slamovich for the JCW World Championship at their Born (Almost) on the Fourth of July event in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on July 6th.
She quickly published a YouTube video addressing her future, stating her intent to continue wrestling. “Do I wish that I could have shown the world what I can do on my own? Hell yes,” Sadè declared. “And the way I see it, I’m still going to get that opportunity, just in a different way… keep your eyes peeled and stay tuned because the transformation is going to be something serious.”
*JCW BIRTHDAY UPDATE*
*JCW World Title Match*
MASHA SLAMOVICH (if still champ) vs MARA SADE (fka Jakara Jackson)
— Jersey Championship Wrestling (@JerseyCW) May 28, 2025
Initially indicating she might use “Miss Jackson,” she has since switched to Mara Sadè on social media. She also mentioned in her video that winning a title is a “bucket list” goal.
This JCW World Championship opportunity comes just over a month after her WWE departure. Sadè, a former Meta-Four talent on NXT TV, was released by WWE on May 2nd. She first signed with them in 2021.
Aleister Black is back in WWE, and is ready to deal with ‘unfinished business’ between himself and Cody Rhodes. Speaking candidly on the Battleground Podcast, Black expressed his enthusiasm for rekindling the feud that captivated audiences during their previous encounters in AEW.
“I think having run my storylines with him has made me so much more hungry for more of it because I feel that there was a lot more that we could have tapped into.
There was so much left in the table both verbally and stuff that was written down that we never got to that hopefully now we can kind of like pivot because the contrast between the two characters is so vast.”
Rhodes and Black are indee contrasting characters, as there’s a clear difference between Rhodes’ heroic American Dream narrative and Black’s darker, more cerebral persona. It was this contrast that made their matches so compelling when they feuded shortly after Black’s AEW debut.
“The fact that for those brief months that him and me have our history it immediately sparks up that conversation. The second the opportunity arises, people immediately go, ‘Well hey, what about Aleister and Cody Rhodes?’
That says a lot and that makes me think that the work that we did previously was appreciated to the point where people would like to see more of it.”
Black is eager to feud with Rhodes, but believes he can be patient enough for when the time is right. When asked directly about a potential WrestleMania match between the two, Black didn’t hesitate.
“I’m game. If you guys are game, I’ll do it. Either way, let’s do it.”
Rhodes is currently occupied with John Cena, the man who took the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. But while Rhodes continues to close in on the ‘Unseen Seventeen,’ Aleister Black is waiting for the American Nightmare.
WWE Hall of Famer JBL has weighed in on the ongoing debate about John Cena’s eventual retirement, directly contradicting Jim Cornette’s prediction that the current Undisputed WWE Champion and record-breaking 17-time World Champion will end his career as a heel. During a recent episode of “Something to Wrestle,” JBL made a compelling case for why fan appreciation will ultimately triumph over any villainous persona.
When asked about Cornette’s belief that Cena will retire as a heel because “he doesn’t see a way back for him as a face after eviscerating the fans,” JBL was emphatic in his disagreement.
“I don’t see it. No. No. And I love Corny, but I disagree with that.”
The former WWE Champion believes that regardless of the reigning WWE Champion’s character alignment leading up to his retirement, the emotional weight of his final appearance will automatically turn him into a beloved figure. For JBL, the question of Cena turning face before his retirement isn’t a question of if it’ll happen, but when.
“I think he’s I think, you know, it’s one of these things where they want him to come back to be seen so so badly that when it’s all said and done, if he just comes out the next night as a baby face, the place will go nuts. They’re going to thank him. They’re going to thank him for everything.”
JBL painted a vivid scenario to illustrate his point. He believes that even if Cena were to have his last match as a heel, the emotional resonance from his next appearance after his final match couldn’t be anything but a face response.
“If he stays a heel, let’s say, and his last match is on a Sunday, he comes out on Monday Night Raw the next night, and you know, you know that that’s the last time you’re going to see him, and he comes out, that place is going to go crazy cheering for him because they’re going to be so thankful for what he’s done.”
JBL was part of WWE during Cena’s rise to the top, giving him a front row seat to fans turning on John for being ‘overpushed.’ Now, Cena is a respected figure cheered by fans, despite his on-screen heel persona.
“It’s amazing how the fans have changed. You know, at first they kind of resented him. First they kind of, you know, half liked him, half didn’t like him. Then after a while, I just got where were everybody loved the guy, you know, and it’s and it’s an appreciation, I believe, of years of service is what it is.”
JBL’s analysis reflects how wrestling retirement moments have evolved into celebrations of legacy rather than adherence to character work, particularly relevant given Cena’s recent heel turn after winning his record 17th championship at WrestleMania 41. His prediction suggests that John Cena’s retirement will be defined by gratitude rather than heel heat, with years of service ultimately mattering more than any final storyline.
