Leon Slater is in good spirits after a frightening dive during TNA Rebellion left fans worried about his safety.
Slater competed alongside Moose, KC Navarro, Matt Cardona, El Hijo del Vikingo, and Sidney Akeem in the Ultimate X match for the X Division Championship. During the contest, Slater climbed the X structure and attempted a senton 450º splash onto the group below. Typically, competitors position themselves to catch the diving wrestler, but this time, a miscommunication or poor placement resulted in Slater crashing directly onto the floor.
Following the hard landing, AJ Francis and Moose were seen immediately checking on Slater. The young star later addressed the incident on Twitter/X, thanking everyone for their support:
“Thank you everyone that has showed concern or sent a message I appreciate it more than you know,” Slater wrote. “I LIVE TO TELL THA TALE ? MOMENT MAKA.”
Thank you everyone that has showed concern or sent a message I appreciate it more than you know I LIVE TO TELL THA TALE ? MOMENT MAKA pic.twitter.com/OQzT9VDSp9
Here are the results from last night’s TNA Rebellion PPV from the Galen Center, Los Angeles, California:
Ultimate X Match – TNA X-Division Championship: Moose (c) def. Matt Cardona, KC Navarro, Leon Slater, Sidney Akeem & El Hijo del Vikingo to retain.
Four-Way Tag Team Match – TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: Ash By Elegance & Heather By Elegance (c) def. The Meta-Four (Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend), Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley, and Spitfire (Dani Luna & Jody Threat) to retain.
Six-Man Tag Team Match: Ace Austin & The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) (with Sean Waltman) def. The System (Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards & Moose).
Singles Match – TNA International Championship: Steve Maclin (c) def. Eric Young to retain.
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Mike Santana def. Mustafa Ali.
Singles Match – TNA Knockouts World Championship: Masha Slamovich (c) def. Tessa Blanchard by submission to retain.
TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Nemeths (Nic & Ryan Nemeth) def. The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) (c) – NEW Champions.
TNA World Championship – Triple Threat: Joe Hendry (c) def. Ethan Page & Frankie Kazarian to retain.
Post-match: Trick Williams attacked Joe Hendry to close the show.
Jey Uso created a WrestleMania moment when he kicked off the 41st edition of the Showcase of the Immortals by making Gunther tap out. Even though the story was largely set up for him to succeed—it would have been horribly deflating for Gunther to win at that point—Uso was still a fresh enough face in the world title picture that the victory felt like an upset and a legitimate feel-good moment.
It was all the more shocking to see Uso make Gunther tap out cleanly—a decisive victory that left no room for doubt about who’d won the encounter. Moreover, Gunther lashing out at the Raw broadcast team and his subsequent kayfabe suspension seemed designed to put him in the rearview mirror for at least the next couple of months.
So what’s next for Jey Uso? The Raw after WrestleMania notably didn’t see a new challenger rise to face him, but rather featured a celebratory scene between him, his long-time friend Sami Zayn, and his brother Jimmy. Some fans speculated WWE was teasing Zayn turning on Uso, and that betrayal is certainly a possibility, but there’s a better choice ready to challenge Uso first: Logan Paul.
Logan Paul Can Protect Jey Uso From Fans Turning On Him
Photo: WWE
In the space between his Royal Rumble victory and his WrestleMania match, Jey Uso experienced some backlash from fans. Indeed, after the shock of him winning the Rumble wore off, critics raised the question: Were people shocked by Uso winning because he didn’t deserve it?
More than just a surprising push, Uso has critics who suggest he isn’t good enough in the ring or on the mic to justify a world title run. Such voices even go so far as to suggest his infectious, yeeting entrance obscures the fact that there isn’t much more to his act.
Whether these criticisms are fair or not, WWE does have a real challenge in preventing Internet-based haters from fully infiltrating the live crowds and undermining Uso as a babyface. One of the best ways to ensure the crowd doesn’t turn on Uso is to position him against someone they hate more. While Gunther’s character has been loathsome, hardcore fans can’t deny his talent or work ethic, so he wasn’t really the answer.
Logan Paul can get the job done. He’s a heel who leans into the part, and he has drawn nuclear heat in no small part because of the fuzzy line between his jerk antics being part of an act or who he really is. Indeed, in an era when many fans think it’s cool to cheer the bad guys, hardly anyone wants to cheer Paul.
Logan Paul Is Credibly Positioned To Challenge For The Title
Over two nights of WrestleMania, fans witnessed fourteen matches. Out of those fourteen, only nine were singles bouts, and Logan Paul won one of them. He pinned AJ Styles, a man whose prior WrestleMania resume included defending the WWE Championship, winning the Tag Team Championship, and challenging The Undertaker in a main event that turned out to be his last ever match.
While Paul is not as credible a world title contender as someone like Seth Rollins (who makes a lot of sense as a challenger to Uso this summer), The Maverick is a legitimately hated heel who just won at ‘Mania. As such, it’s very easy to imagine him sucker-punching his way right into title contention with fans readily accepting him as a number one contender at Backlash (particularly when bigger names like John Cena and Randy Orton hold it down for the WWE Championship in the main event).
Logan Paul Vs. Jey Uso Would Produce A Good Match
Image credit: WWE
For as much as fans hate Logan Paul, he has consistently delivered in the ring. Indeed, his in-ring debut back at WrestleMania 38 was well-received enough to justify a babyface run, during which he delivered strong performances against The Miz and Roman Reigns before embarking on the heel run he has been on ever since.
Critics are quick to point out that Paul has benefited from direct mentorship from people like Shawn Michaels. That’s not to mention that Paul has had the advantage of sporadic matches, carefully planned around his skill set, and paired with top talents. Just the same, there’s no reason WWE couldn’t apply the same tools to a Paul vs. Uso feud. Uso is more than skilled enough to hold up his end in a solid-to-excellent bout.
The next few weeks may be pivotal in determining whether Jey Uso goes down as a legitimate world champion and main eventer or a flash in the pan. The credibility gap he still faces as champion could play to his advantage in a feud with Logan Paul. After all, no one really thought Paul would take the title off Roman Reigns or Cody Rhodes. But Jey Uso? There’s room to suspend disbelief there, especially with the right build. This could be precisely the feud Uso needs to cement his place as a top guy and world champion.
Tiffany Stratton has clarified the state of her relationship with Charlotte Flair following their intense feud that culminated with her retaining the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 41.
Speaking with Alfred Konuwa, Stratton reveals that after the match, both competitors exchanged a moment of sportsmanship, with Flair expressing pride in her performance.
“Yeah, me and Charlotte, after the match, it was kind of like a sportsmanship thing, you know. We said ‘good game,’ and she said she’s proud of me. But yeah, everything’s good,” Stratton stated.
When asked whether their heated rivalry ever made her feel like she should “never meet her heroes,” Stratton admitted there were times when things felt personal. However, she acknowledged the unpredictable nature of live television and emphasized that everything unfolded as it was meant to.
“Yeah, of course. I felt like things got personal, and it’s live TV — things happen. But I feel like everything happened for a reason, and this is how things were supposed to pan out,” she explained.
Despite the friction that marked their road to WrestleMania 41, Stratton and Flair have moved forward with professionalism and mutual respect. Here’s more from the champ immediately following the hard-fought battle:
A major shift will take place tonight on WWE Raw from Kansas City, as SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis steps in to run the show. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce posted a video on Sunday running down plans for the episode:
Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman, and Bron Breakker. Fans are anticipating answers after Breakker’s surprising alliance with Heyman, marked by a brutal attack on Roman Reigns.
Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley, who recently assisted IYO SKY and Stephanie Vaquer against Roxanne Perez and Giulia, is scheduled for a singles match against Perez.
Becky Lynch is also set to address her betrayal of Lyra Valkyria following their loss of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship just one night after capturing the titles at WrestleMania 41.
However, the biggest change comes with Nick Aldis taking over Raw for the night. Adam Pearce revealed he will miss the show under “doctor’s orders” due to Gunther’s attack on him and Pat McAfee last week. He did not provide further details on his condition or clarify if his absence would extend beyond this episode.
Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are back, but what are they up to this time?
On Monday, Hogan and Bischoff dropped a trailer on social media alongside Hulk Hogan. The black-and-white video is reminiscent of their iconic nWo days. The longtime collaborators have declared their return, promising to “slice and dice” the world of professional wrestling once again.
Throughout the teaser, Hogan and Bischoff echoed the rebellious tone that made them famous in the late 90s. Hogan remarked, “Why so serious? Because you know who I am,” while Bischoff added, “You people know who we are. You have no idea what we’re about. We’re back.”
The pair emphasized that they once changed the wrestling industry and hinted they intend to do it again—this time with a “third man.” However, they stopped short of revealing the mystery figure’s identity, or the exact nature of this project.
Bischoff teased the newcomer’s accomplishments, noting, “Should we talk about all of his championships? Should we talk about the world-class athletes that he has brought to the very top? No. Not yet.”
Hogan called the mystery partner a “real badass,” adding to the intrigue surrounding the announcement.
This marks their first major reunion since working together in TNA Wrestling over a decade ago.
Tonight’s WWE Raw airs live from Kansas City on Netflix at 8/7c.
Matches and Segments
Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman Address the WWE Universe
After forming a new alliance and attacking Roman Reigns and CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman will address the WWE Universe on Raw. With Backlash approaching, all eyes are on what they’ll reveal next.
Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez
Rhea Ripley, rebounding from her WrestleMania loss to IYO SKY, faces rising star Roxanne Perez in a key singles match as both aim to climb the championship ranks.
Becky Lynch Explains Her Attack on Lyra Valkyria
After losing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles just a day after winning them, Becky Lynch stunned fans by attacking partner Lyra Valkyria. Lynch will appear live to explain her shocking betrayal.
Logan Paul Returns
Following his WrestleMania 41 win over AJ Styles, Logan Paul returns to Raw. His next move remains unknown, but his appearances are always unpredictable.
Pat McAfee Responds to Gunther’s Attack
After being choked out by Gunther, a now-suspended former World Heavyweight Champion, Pat McAfee will address the WWE Universe live on Raw.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for coverage of tonight’s WWE Raw on the road to WWE Backlash 2025.
TNA Wrestling boasts an impressive Knockouts division which now has a former WWE NXT Women’s Champion. During Rebellion, it was revealed that Indi Hartwell had signed with TNA as the newest member of the Knockouts division, an announcement that earned a loud reaction from the crowd. It was also confirmed that Hartwell will be on the May 1st episode of TNA Impact, where she will address the crowd about her future as part of TNA Wrestling.
Hartwell’s signing comes after months of growing on the independent scene, and after she was released from WWE in November of last year. Her release did have some issues to it, as due to an episode of SmackDown being taped, Hartwell appeared on the blue brand after it was confirmed that she’d been let go.
A former NXT Women’s & Women’s Tag Team Champion, Hartwell was a hit with fans, especially during her ‘InDex’ days, which made her release in 2024 all the more surprising to fans. Now, Hartwell is part of the stacked Knockouts division, where fans can expect her to work with names like Masha Slamovich, Tessa Blanchard, and Ash & Heather By Elegance.
TNA Rebellion saw the partnership of TNA and WWE in full-swing, with Fatal Influence on the kick-off show and the Meta Four girls in action during the main card. The main event also saw NXT influence, both during and after the match.
In the main event, TNA World Champion Joe Hendry defended his title against Frankie Kazarian and NXT’s Ethan Page and it was Hendry who got the win on Page to retain. As Hendry celebrated in the ring, Trick Williams appeared from out of nowhere and hit the popular Scottish wrestler with a spinning kick that knocked him off his feet. Hendry was rocked by the attack and Williams then nailed Hendry with the Trick Shot, leaving the champion laid out cold to the shock of the fans.
Williams picked up the TNA World Title and stared at it for a moment before tossing on Hendry’s chest, but made clear that he is interested in the TNA World Championship. This attack comes after Hendry and Williams had a face to face on the latest episode of WWE NXT.
Hendry and Williams teamed in 2024 in WWE NXT but now things are very different. With Williams no longer the NXT Champion and Hendry holding TNA’s richest prize, it appears a title match between them isn’t a question of if, but when.
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.
