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Update On Chris Jericho’s AEW Contract After Not Ruling Out WWE Return

Anutosh Bajpai
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Update On Chris Jericho’s AEW Contract After Not Ruling Out WWE Return

Chris Jericho could return to WWE before WrestleMania 42 if he wants.

The former AEW Champion teased taking a break from AEW during the April 9 Dynamite. This came after Jericho dropped the ROH title to Bandido during the Dynasty PPV on Sunday.

Sean Ross Sapp provided an update on Y2J during his Dynamite review show. He noted that Chris Jericho has a Foggy tour coming up. Interestingly, he also revealed that the wrestling veteran’s current deal is up at the start of next year:

“He’s got a tour coming up. But I hate to be the bearer of bad news for those that don’t want to see him; he’s only got one Wednesday date there. Now, he is not planned for ROH stuff. They wanted to kinda send him away for that. But, man’s got like eight, nine months left on his deal.”

Chris Jericho talked about a potential WWE return only a few days ago, saying that it would be crazy for him to rule out the possibility. The former WWE champion even went on to claim that he would have considered an offer from the company even if Vince McMahon was still leading the creative.

Many believe that Jericho has done everything he could in AEW, and working with the new crop of WWE talent might be a more interesting prospect for him at this point in his career. Having Triple H in charge of the company only helps the possibility.

As for his immediate future, it seems like Jericho will be taking some time off before returning to AEW TV. Though having most Wednesday’s free even during the tour means he can be brought back sooner if needed.

Charlotte Flair References 0-3 In Brutal Response to Fan

Thomas Lowson
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Charlotte Flair References 0-3 In Brutal Response to Fan

Charlotte Flair has been competing in for over a decade now, but the Queen of All Eras isn’t ready to hang up her boots and robe just yet. On X, a fan suggested that retirement was coming for Flair in the near future. Never at a loss for words, Flair bit back, claiming the knocking she was hearing wasn’t retirement calling, but the fan’s mom, who she suspects wants to be #4.

The #4 line is a nod to Flair’s three divorces, a statistic brought up during a recent episode of WWE SmackDown. The line, delivered by Tifffany Stratton, was not part of the script and has sparked plenty of discussion about whether she and Charlotte (who also went off script) crossed the line. WWE has cut the line from its replays of the segment, though the entire segment remains in full on the USA Network’s YouTube channel.

Upon her divorce from Andrade in late 2024, Flair had hoped to keep it secret. That worked for months before news came out shortly after the Royal Rumble PLE. The news coming out quickly overshadowed Flair’s victory at the event and Flair has since said she didn’t want fans to know that she’d ‘failed again’ in another marriage.

Flair returned to WWE in February 2025 to become the first-ever two-time winner of the Women’s Royal Rumble. Prior to this, Flair had missed over a year due to an injury, one that Charlotte had feared would mark the end of her in-ring career. Now, Flair is back and is ready to go to war with Stratton at WrestleMania in this highly-personal feud between the two.

Charlotte Flair Reportedly Isolating Herself Backstage in WWE Return

Update On Joe Hendry’s TNA Rebellion Status Following Recent Injury

Anutosh Bajpai
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Update On Joe Hendry’s TNA Rebellion Status Following Recent Injury

Joe Hendry is not letting his injury get in the way of being a defending champion.

The TNA world title holder was revealed to be dealing with a rotator cuff injury last week, putting his status for the upcoming Rebellion PPV in question.

The viral star made an appearance on the April 10 episode of Impact to provide an update on his health. Hendry revealed that the medical professionals have advised him against wrestling, though he has decided to still defend his title.

The TNA Champion was then interrupted by Frankie Kazarian, and it was announced that Joe Hendry will be defending his title against both Kazarian and NXT’s Ethan Page at the upcoming show.

Not only that but Hendry will also be teaming up with Masha Slamovich to fight Kazarian and Tessa Blanchard at TNA Unbreakable on April 17.

Updated TNA Rebellion 2025 Match Card

TNA Rebellion 2025 will be taking place from the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Below is the updated card for the show:

  • Ultimate X Match For X-Division Championship: Moose (c) vs. KC Navarro vs. Leon Slater vs. Matt Cardona vs. El Hijo del Vikingo vs. TBA
  • Six Women Tag Match: Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Rosemary, Xia Brookside and Léi Ying Lee
  • Singles Match: Mike Santana vs. Mustafa Ali
  • TNA Tag Team Championship Match: The Hardys (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) (c) vs. The Nemeth Brothers (Nic Nemeth and Ryan Nemeth)
  • TNA Knockouts Championship Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Tessa Blanchard
  • TNA World Championship Match: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Ethan Page

Internal AEW Reaction To The Death Riders Storyline (Report)

‘I Was F***ing Angry’: CM Punk Reveals Match He Considered His WrestleMania Main Event

Anutosh Bajpai
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0
‘I Was F***ing Angry’: CM Punk Reveals Match He Considered His WrestleMania Main Event

CM Punk has revealed a match that was like a WrestleMania main event to him.

Being the main event of the Show of Shows was one of Punk’s biggest aspirations during his first run with the company. He probably came the closest to it during his historic 434-day-long WWE Championship reign before The Rock decided to return to wrestling and took the spot.

The Straight Edge star recently talked about this time during his interview with Metro. He recalled being put into a match with John Cena on Raw before WrestleMania 29, noting how he considered it to be his main event of Mania:

“I had the flu, I had a fever, and I was just f***ing angry. I said ‘Well, this is the main event of WrestleMania. I know you guys are doing that, but that’s what this is.’”

Fuelled By Anger: CM Punk

CM Punk discussed how he gave his all in the bout because he was fuelled by anger at that point in his career. To him, it’s the best match of his life:

“So nobody could tell me anything, I did what I wanted. That’s probably the best match in my career. There was just an energy, and there was a buzz in the building. I think part of that is because I was just fuelled by anger at that point in my career. It got me out of bed.”

The former World Champion’s career will be coming full circle at WrestleMania 41 as he battles against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in a triple threat match. The bout has been announced to main event one night of the Show of Shows, finally fulfilling CM Punk’s biggest wrestling dream.

Charlotte Flair Reportedly Isolating Herself Backstage in WWE Return

Thomas Lowson
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Charlotte Flair Reportedly Isolating Herself Backstage in WWE Return

Charlotte Flair might be back on WWE screens, but according to one former WWE personality, she’s keeping her distance. During an episode of Behind The Turnbuckle: The Last Word, Jonathan Coachman claimed he’d heard that Flair has been dressing away from other talent and has been doing so since her return.

“She’s not even dressing with the rest of the locker room. And if that’s the case, that’s number one strike against you.”

Coachman reflected on what this kind of behavior signifies, especially when it comes to someone of Charlotte’s status. Charlotte has often been accused by fans of not being a team player and only being interested in what benefits her highly-decorated career.

“She has to be the one that everybody looks to, and she pulls them up to her level—not stomps them down below her to make herself feel better.”

Flair returned in January after more than a year away from WWE to win the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble, making her the first-ever two-time winner. This again drummed up backlash against Flair with many taking issue at her yet again being thrust into the championship scene. Some also argued that Flair did not need another Rumble victory to have a match at WrestleMania and such a spot would’ve benefitted somebody else much more.

Nevertheless, Charlotte will battle Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania 41 in a highly-personal feud. It remains to be seen who stands tall in Las Vegas, but fans shouldn’t expect Charlotte to stand with her colleagues behind the scenes in Sin City.

Backstage Reaction To Charlotte Flair-Tiffany Stratton Heated Promo

WWE WrestleMania 41 Run-Time Revealed

Thomas Lowson
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WWE WrestleMania 41 Run-Time Revealed

WrestleMania 41 is mere days away and fans wanting to watch the entire festivities should cancel their weekend plans. According to the current listing on Peacock, WrestleMania 41 is set to go nine hours long across Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20 in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

Peacock’s listing says that the kick-off show will begin at 4pm EST on Saturday, with the main card kicking off at 7pm EST. The show is listed in total as lasting for nine hours, which will likely also includes the post-show.

WWE has stacked its two nights in Las Vegas with a card featuring some of the top names in the company. The current confirmed match line-up is as follows:

Night One

  • Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair (WWE Women’s Championship)
  • Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
  • Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) vs. Seth Rollins

Night Two

  • Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley (WWE Women’s World Championship)
  • Cody Rhodes (c) vs. John Cena (Undisputed WWE Championship)

Night TBA

  • AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul
  • LA Knight (c) vs. Jacob Fatu (WWE U.S. Championship)
  • Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Gauntlet match winners (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship)
  • Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
  • Bron Breakker (c) vs. Penta vs. Finn Bálor vs. Dominik Mysterio (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
  • Rey Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano
  • Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre
DJ Valentino Khan To Perform At WWE WrestleMania 41

Charlotte Flair Apologizes for Her Conduct on Last Week’s SmackDown

Michael Reichlin
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Charlotte Flair Apologizes for Her Conduct on Last Week’s SmackDown

WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair has issued a personal apology for her conduct on last week’s SmackDown. Flair’s in-ring segment with Tiffany Stratton quickly went off-script and became a heated affair.

WWE’s storyline highlighting the tension between the young champion and the pioneering legend veered into personal territory, with Stratton referencing Flair’s tumultuous romantic life and the “Queen” suggesting that Stratton’s significant other, Ludwig Kaiser, has been sending her private messages.

After several days of reflection, Charlotte Flair has taken it upon herself to be the bigger woman and lay her feelings bare. She acknowledges that she took things too far and said things she shouldn’t have.

The reigning WWE Women’s Champion has also addressed her controversial promo segment with Charlotte Flair last week. Even though things got very personal, she considers their mission accomplished. “I think we did a very good job or getting people wanting to see our match and invested in our Stratton said on the Babyfaces Podcast. “Now, I’m ready to put on the best women’s match ever and ready to go to war.” More on that story here:

Tiffany Stratton Speaks Out After Tense Promo With Charlotte Flair: ‘It’s live TV, stakes are high’

Drew McIntyre Talks About Modern Character Development, Social Media and WWE Storytelling

Michael Reichlin
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Drew McIntyre Talks About Modern Character Development, Social Media and WWE Storytelling

Drew McIntyre appeared on the Getting Over podcast ahead of WrestleMania 41, offering a candid look into his heated rivalry with Damian Priest, the evolution of WWE storytelling, and his mindset going into the biggest event of the year.

McIntyre broke down the year-long feud with Priest, which began at WrestleMania 40 and will culminate next weekend in Las Vegas. He highlighted how Priest has repeatedly taken advantage of setbacks in McIntyre’s career, turning those moments into opportunities.

“He’s benefited every time something’s gone wrong for me,” McIntyre noted, setting the stage for a long-awaited confrontation.

Fan Support, Hell in a Cell

Despite ongoing tensions with Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins, McIntyre explained why he’s not part of the triple threat match at WrestleMania. He addressed the fan reactions to his current role and emphasized that his current story is just as meaningful.

The former WWE Champion also reflected on his brutal Hell in a Cell match, describing it as a defining moment.

“It wasn’t just about the violence—it was about restoring meaning to the stipulation,” he said, pointing to the emotional weight behind the bout.

Modern Character Development and Storytelling

On the subject of character evolution, McIntyre emphasized the importance of continuity and authenticity, especially through social media.

“Anyone that says they’re not online is a liar,” he said. “I’ve just happened to weaponize it because I’m smart and sensible, and it’s a massive powerful tool.”

He expanded on the depth now possible in WWE storytelling.

“The past matters these days, and thank goodness because it should… The Bloodline and that story, that went three straight years and is continuing to this day, showed that we can develop characters with deeper layers, deeper human emotions, and deeper layered storytelling and use the past and not insult our audience’s intelligence.”

McIntyre also questioned the disconnect some wrestlers maintain between their TV persona and online presence.

“I still can’t get my head around people acting different on television than they do in social media,” he said. “We’re 52 weeks a year, we play the same character, we’re trying to suspend disbelief.”

Outside the ring, McIntyre shared lighter stories about his life on the road with Sheamus, moving from Tampa to Nashville, and his preference for dogs over cats.

Some of the Best Advice He’s Received

Reflecting on personal growth and advice he once received, McIntyre recalled words from The Undertaker:

“Stop playing the wrestler and be the wrestler.”

He admitted the advice didn’t make sense at first but now serves as a guiding principle.

“Nothing good happens when you’re highly emotional,” he added. “Calm down, get the facts, and then deal with it.”

With WrestleMania 41 ahead, McIntyre remains committed to delivering a story rooted in emotion, history, and realism—both in and out of the ring.

Saraya Opens Up About AEW Debut and Potential WWE Return: ‘I Still Have Stuff Left in the Tank’

Michael Reichlin
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Saraya Opens Up About AEW Debut and Potential WWE Return: ‘I Still Have Stuff Left in the Tank’

Saraya reflects on her emotional AEW debut, candidly admits she wasn’t fully prepared for her first match back after five years, and shares plans to train for a stronger return.

Saraya is far from finished with professional wrestling—and she wants the world to know it. In a recent interview with MuscleManMalcolm for Muscle Memory, the multi-time women’s world champion opened up about her AEW debut and the overwhelming reaction she received that night (AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, September 21, 2022).

“I was really nervous before walking out,” Saraya recalled. “I thought people might not care, but when I got out there, it was one of the loudest pops I’ve ever heard—not just for me, but in general. It was magical. That moment reminded me why I love wrestling so much.”

Despite the emotional high, Saraya admitted her return match wasn’t everything she hoped it would be. After five years away from the ring, the preparation didn’t fully match the pressure.

“I’ll be honest—I wasn’t fully prepared for my first match back,” she said. “Even though I trained a little, it wasn’t enough to feel 100% confident. But I gave it everything I had because I wanted to prove to myself and everyone else that I could still do it.”

Now, with more experience under her belt and a better understanding of her physical limits, she’s eyeing the next chapter—one that could include a more serious return to the ring.

“If I wrestle again, I’ll take this year to train properly and come back stronger,” Saraya said. “I know what my body can handle now, and I want to make sure I’m in the best shape possible.”

As speculation grows about potential dream matches against current stars like Liv Morgan or Rhea Ripley, Saraya isn’t closing any doors—especially when it comes to WWE.

“I haven’t spoken to WWE about coming back, but I love that place—it’s where I grew up,” she shared. “They supported me through everything when they could have fired me. Now that I’m a free agent, I feel comfortable showing my love for everyone—AEW, WWE—I’ve had the best wrestling career I could ask for.”

Whether her next match happens in AEW, WWE, or elsewhere, Saraya makes one thing clear: her journey isn’t over.

“I still have stuff left in the tank,” she said. And fans everywhere are watching to see where that energy takes her next.

DJ Valentino Khan To Perform At WWE WrestleMania 41

Thomas Lowson
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DJ Valentino Khan To Perform At WWE WrestleMania 41

WrestleMania 41 just got even bigger as a huge musical performance has been confirmed for the Showcase of the Immortals in Las Vegas. Valentino Khan will perform at the Premium Live Event, set to take place on April 19, and April 20, inside Allegiant Stadium. Khan shared the news on X in a video with United States Champion LA Knight.

Khan will be appearing at both nights of WrestleMania, though this isn’t all in store for the music artist. In a follow-up, Khan shared where fans can expect him throughout WrestleMania week.

WrestleMania 41 won’t be Khan’s first foray into the world of professional wrestling. At WWE SummerSlam 2021, Khan became the first DJ to perform and would deliver a set at WrestleMania 38 the following year. The DJ/musician/producer is a clear wrestling fan and is ready to make his mark in WWE once again as part of WrestleMania 41.

As for LA Knight, he too will have a major role at WrestleMania 41, where he will defend his WWE United States Championship against Jacob Fatu. The show will mark Knight’s first title defense at the show of shows, and Fatu’s first match at a WrestleMania.

Drew McIntyre Vs. Damian Priest Confirmed For WrestleMania 41

Thomas Lowson
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0
Drew McIntyre Vs. Damian Priest Confirmed For WrestleMania 41

Drew McIntyre’s participation in WrestleMania 41 has been confirmed following a period of uncertainty due to an eye injury. On April 10, WWE officially announced that McIntyre will face Damian Priest at WrestleMania 41, with the news coming from Nick Aldis.

This news come after concerns that McIntyre would not be able to compete at WrestleMania due to an eye injury suffered during an episodeof SmackDown. Since the attack by Priest on the March 28, show, McIntyre has been sporting an eyepatch. McIntyre told It’s Called Soccer that his injury was a “fight against time” to be cleared for the event.

This match will be the second year in a row the pair do battle at WrestleMania. At the 2024 event, Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on McIntyre, bringing an end to the Scottish Superstar’s brief reign as World Heavyweight Champion. Now, McIntyre has the chance to get revenge while a win for Priest would cement him as a top star in WWE.

WWE WrestleMania 41 will take placeon April 19, and April 20 from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. With this match adding a stacked card including John Cena, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and others, fans can expect two nights of epic action in Sin City.

Drew McIntyre Got ‘Real Glass’ in His Eye in SmackDown Attack

Chris Pratt Congrats Paul Walter Hauser’s ’Progress’ in Pro Wrestling

Michael Reichlin
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Chris Pratt Congrats Paul Walter Hauser’s ’Progress’ in Pro Wrestling

Paul Walter Hauser is set to make his PROGRESS Wrestling debut, and he’s got a big name going to bat for him. 

PROGRESS Wrestling shared the following video of actor Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy, Parks and Recreation) sending a message to Hauser, who has been slowly building up his resume as a pro wrestler. 

Hauser has competed for MLW, Defy and Wrestling Revolver, among other promotions. Now, he is set to make his PROGRESS Wrestling debut this month, and Pratt had some fun with the delivery of his message:

“Paul, it’s Pratt. Hey dude! I just wanted to say I was watching your most recent wrestling match and dude, you’ve made such incredible progress! And I just want to commend you on that.

Gamesmanship, your technique, you’re in amazing shape right now. And you know, when one friend notices the PROGRESS of another friend, they need to reach out.

so here I am, buddy, reaching out and saying that as our friendship PROGRESSes, I hope that you would do the same for me if you saw something that I did that you liked,” Chris Pratt said. “I just wanted to tell you that I commend your PROGRESS.”

Paul Walter Hauser will compete for the PROGRESS Proteus Championship in Las Vegas on April 17. Hauser will be in action against Charles Crowley, Effy, Adam Priest and reigning Proteus champion Simon Miller. The event is being held under GCW’s The Collective banner.

Chris Pratt is just the latest Hollywood star to cheer on Paul Walter Hauser’s wrestling career.

Drew McIntyre Discusses the Eye Injury That May Keep Him Off WrestleMania 41

Michael Reichlin
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Drew McIntyre Discusses the Eye Injury That May Keep Him Off WrestleMania 41

WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre appeared on It’s Called Soccer this week to discuss his current eye injury, his fight to make it to WrestleMania, why CM Punk’s name still gets him riled up.

McIntyre has been sporting an eye patch over the past few weeks since being thrown through a car windshield by Damian Priest on WWE SmackDown. While wrestling has its share of scripted injuries, this particular incident was very real and nearly cost him his sight.

“Part of the glass, where I landed on the windshield, bounced up and landed directly in my eyeball,” McIntyre shared. “I’m currently sporting the patch, hoping I can figure this thing out and get myself on WrestleMania.

It’s a fight against time right now. It didn’t feel that bad. I’ve never landed on a windshield in my life. He probably should’ve thrown me on top of the car or the concrete to hurt more”.

No Love Lost

McIntyre has been involved in a long-standing feud with CM Punk, one of the most heated rivalries of recent years. They’ve mixed it up a few times already, but the Scottish star still holds animosity. When asked about Punk returning to WWE, he couldn’t help but get a few digs in.

“Yeah, if I take myself out of my own shoes, step back. Even in my own shoes, if you told me that prior to November, I would say there’s no way he’s ever gonna be back in WWE, never mind him and I in a match together… He was a piece of crap and is a piece of crap especially back then. So yeah, I could never have imagined it happening, and I also probably knew I’m gonna rough him up the first chance I get”.

McIntyre also shared his passion for football, particularly his love for Glasgow Rangers. He noted the decline in passion and physicality in modern football compared to the past. However, specific extended quotes on this topic are not available from the search results. McIntyre observed that WWE fans in the U.S. share a similar passion to football fans in Europe.

Trick Williams Returning for ‘All American’ Season 7 Finale

Michael Reichlin
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Trick Williams Returning for ‘All American’ Season 7 Finale

Trick Williams is set to guest star in the season 7 finale of All American, airing on The CW. According to Variety, Williams will portray Eddie Blair, the Athletic Director of South Crenshaw High School.

Before launching his pro wrestling career, Williams appeared as an extra on the series during its third season in 2018. Reflecting on the experience, he shared that returning to the show in a featured role was “a true full-circle moment.”

“I am super excited to be a part of this new season of All American,” Williams told Variety. “They treated me like royalty, put me in my own trailer, and made sure I looked top tier. I really appreciated that because four years ago, I was working as an extra–as a kicker–for South Crenshaw. To come back as the A.D. for Crenshaw is super surreal and a true full-circle moment for me. They have a great cast and crew, incredible directors, and a strong team. It was an honor be a part of the show.”

Williams, a former college football player at Hampton University, currently performs on WWE NXT, which also airs on The CW.

The 2-time NXT Champion will compete in a Triple Threat match against Je’Von Evans and current titleholder Oba Femi at NXT Stand & Deliver.

CM Punk: Without Wrestling, ‘I’d be Dead or in Jail Right Now, 100%’

Michael Reichlin
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0
CM Punk: Without Wrestling, ‘I’d be Dead or in Jail Right Now, 100%’

After decades in the wrestling business, CM Punk is finally set to headline WrestleMania for the first time in his career, sharing the spotlight with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins in Las Vegas on April 19. Now 46, Punk is taking time to reflect on the personal and professional journey that brought him to this milestone.

For Punk, wrestling was more than a career—it was a lifeline.

“I’d be dead or in jail right now, 100%,” he admitted to Metro UK. “I’ve narrowly avoided jail multiple times. I really don’t know… it’s hard for me to say, ‘I was interested in this’ or ‘maybe I would’ve done that.’”

While his early dream was to play ice hockey, that path wasn’t financially viable. Wrestling, however, gave the Chicago native purpose.

“I wanted to be a wrestler,” Punk emphasized. “I never said I wanted to be a millionaire. I never said I wanted to be a WWE superstar. I got a pair of boots and I started wrestling.”

After leaving WWE in 2014 and stepping away from wrestling, Punk explored other avenues including UFC and film. He returned to the ring in 2021 with AEW before making his surprise WWE comeback in November 2023.

Now, with WWE’s new partnership with Netflix, Punk is embracing the opportunity to expand into acting. He’s already involved in upcoming projects including Revival and Night Patrol, and he’s open to more.

“The Netflix thing is interesting, because I think they want to specifically find projects not only for me, but other superstars that they feel can cross over,” he said. “I would love to do stuff with Cena. I would love to do stuff with anybody, really. I’m in it to learn. And in that respect, I’m an artist. I want to do stuff that’s fulfilling.”

With his WrestleMania main event approaching, Punk is focused on staying healthy, especially after an injury kept him out of last year’s show. Punk joked that he’s tempted to “wrap himself in bubble wrap” until his big match against Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. However, he really tries to not think about the risks, live in the moment and focus on what he does best.

PAC Injury Update Following AEW Dynamite

Michael Reichlin
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PAC Injury Update Following AEW Dynamite

PAC may be facing another injury setback following his match against Swerve Strickland on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite. The bout ended after PAC appeared to suffer a legitimate injury to his right ankle or foot.

The incident occurred after Strickland delivered a buckle bomb in the corner, prompting PAC to immediately clutch his lower leg. As PAC exited the ring in visible discomfort, AEW medical staff, including Doc Sampson, checked on him while Strickland remained in character in the ring.

PAC eventually returned to the ring but was noticeably unable to put weight on his injured foot. Strickland followed up with a superkick and his top-rope Swerve Stomp to close the match.

Update

After the show, PAC was reportedly seen leaving the arena on crutches, according to PWInsider. This could signal another hiatus for PAC, who only recently returned in March after an extended absence dating back to July 2023.

Internal AEW Reaction To The Death Riders Storyline (Report)

Anutosh Bajpai
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0
Internal AEW Reaction To The Death Riders Storyline (Report)

AEW sees the Death Riders storyline differently than fans do.

The general reaction to AEW programming in recent times has been more positive than before. The company had seen a decline in interest in the past couple of years as the promotion strayed away from their original formula. With Tony Khan taking more control in recent times, fans have seen a general improvement in the product, and the promotion seems to be gaining momentum once again.

The one complaint that has persisted, however, is the continuation of the Death Riders storyline. Many fans believe that the group has lost its charm and that AEW should do away with the whole story, putting the world title on a different star.

Though the officials do not seem to agree with the sentiment. In a new report about the finish to the Dynasty PPV, Fightful Select provided an update on the Death Riders storyline. They noted that the AEW Top Brass see the whole thing as a success:

“AEW internally has touted the success of the Death Riders and Moxley winning the title, citing a disconnect with online fans. AEW claims that the company’s live+dvr quarters have climbed throughout the year with Moxley as champion, peaking with the Moxley vs. Cope street fight.”

The ending of the Dynasty PPV this past Sunday saw Jon Moxley retaining the AEW title over Swerve Strickland. This came after The Young Bucks made their surprise return and took out Swerve. The site noted that there was never a plan for Strickland to win this match and that Mox has been planned for a lengthy title run since before he won the championship.

It’s unclear if the Young Bucks had always been factored into the finish for the PPV, as many in the company were not sure how long they would be out of action. A theory is that Jay White was originally planned to be part of the main event in some capacity before his injury forced the company to change things up.

Kevin Owens Recalls Bloodying Vince McMahon and Stephanie’s Backstage Recation

Michael Reichlin
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Kevin Owens Recalls Bloodying Vince McMahon and Stephanie’s Backstage Recation

Kevin Owens has revisited one of the most controversial moments of his WWE career — the infamous headbutt to Vince McMahon on the September 12, 2017, episode of SmackDown Live. The shocking segment, which also included a superkick and frog splash, left the then-72-year-old WWE Chairman bloodied and helped solidify Owens’ position as a top heel ahead of his Hell in a Cell match against Shane McMahon.

Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Owens confirmed the headbutt was delivered legitimately at Vince’s insistence.

“He just talked all kinds of sh*t,” Owens recalled. “He’s shaking my hand and trying to provoke me because he wanted to make sure I was going to lay it in. Little did he know, I already planned on doing that. I had worked for him for two years at that point — I wasn’t going to miss that chance.”

Owens described the surreal nature of seeing Vince rise up bloodied after the headbutt, calling the entire moment “pretty insane.” However, his most memorable moment came after the cameras stopped rolling.

“As I’m walking to the back, I hear a rumble in the crowd,” he said. “I turn around and Stephanie [McMahon] is right in my face. She looks furious and just goes, ‘Get the f*ck to the back!’ And I go, okay, and turn around.”

Despite the intensity of the moment, Owens praised Stephanie for her long-standing support of the NXT generation, including himself, Sami Zayn, Finn Bálor, Bayley, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair. He reflected fondly on the developmental years, crediting the culture fostered by Triple H, Dusty Rhodes, and Stephanie for shaping their careers.

“They really felt like we were kind of their kids, and they were trying to get us out into the world,” Owens said. “That was really special to be around that kind of energy.”

The 2017 segment remains one of WWE’s most talked-about moments of the modern era — a rare instance where fiction met reality in a way that captivated audiences and highlighted the extremes of WWE storytelling.

Kevin Owens Speaks Out on Body Shaming: ‘I’m Comfortable With How I Look’

Bishal Roy
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Kevin Owens Speaks Out on Body Shaming: ‘I’m Comfortable With How I Look’

Kevin Owens recently opened up on critics saying he doesn’t look like a wrestler. More often than not KO has faced body shaming due to his physique. But, ‘The Prizefighter’ has proved critics wrong every time he stepped foot inside the ring. He is one of the best and talented members of the current WWE roster. Despite the criticism over his shape, he has showcased quality performances over the years and continues to do so.

Though he has maintained a similar shape over the years, Kevin Owens lost a considerable amount of weight and returned with a much leaner physique in 2019 which was commendable.

Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Kevin Owens said he still faces comments about body shaming. However, he said that he feels comfortable with how he looks and it doesn’t hamper his work:

“Yeah, I mean, I still get it all the time. But really, the people that feel like that’s a knock or an insult, they’re just very stupid. I’m so comfortable with how I look. I always have been, which is probably what’s driven so many people crazy, because my weight has fluctuated over the years for sure. There were times where I was much heavier than I am now and there are reasons for that. They’ll say, ‘Well, you weren’t working out enough. You were eating like sh*t.’ Yeah, that’s true, but it never hindered my work.

The former WWE Universal Champion added that weight has never been an issue as he continues to put up great quality of work inside the ring as well as on the mic. Though Kevin Owens has lost weight, he said that he hasn’t worked for it:

“So you might have not liked looking at me the way I looked at that point, but I was having killer matches either way, I was able to talk better than most people on the roster, and that never changed. So now I’ve lost weight because honestly, I haven’t done anything. This is the funny part. I haven’t done anything to lose weight. I didn’t set out and go, I’m gonna lose weight. I really didn’t, just my weight fluctuates a lot. I might be a little more active in my everyday life than I was for a while, whatever it may be. I don’t know my metabolism. I really have no idea, but yeah right now I’ve shed some pounds. I might put more on. I really don’t know. But I’ve never made a conscious choice to be heavier or be lighter or look better and man, that really drives a lot of people crazy.”

Kevin Owens is currently out with neck injury and it has forced him to miss WrestleMania 41. The seriousness of the injury has also put his pro wrestling future up in the air. We will have to wait and see what the future holds for him.

Bryan Danielson Defends Nikki Bella and WWE’s Divas Era: ‘You Worked So Hard’

Michael Reichlin
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Bryan Danielson Defends Nikki Bella and WWE’s Divas Era: ‘You Worked So Hard’

In a recent appearance on The Nikki & Brie Show, Bryan Danielson offered candid praise for sister-in-law Nikki Bella, directly addressing the criticisms often aimed at her WWE career. The former WWE and AEW World Champion rejected the notion that her success was undeserved, emphasizing the work ethic he personally witnessed.

“You worked so hard,” Danielson told Nikki. “There are people who say, ‘Oh, you were only here because you were pretty,’ or whatever… but I was there. I watched how hard you worked, I watched how hard Brie worked.”

Danielson’s remarks come amid ongoing debate about the legacy of WWE’s Divas era, a time when women wrestlers were rarely given opportunities to showcase in-ring skill on the same level as their male counterparts.

Recognition Beyond Stereotypes

Danielson challenged long-standing narratives that undermined the Divas era as lacking wrestling credibility. He acknowledged the pressure women faced at the time and the dedication it took to thrive within those constraints.

“That was such a tough time to be a woman in wrestling, and you guys just crushed it,” he said.

His words positioned Nikki and Brie not just as performers who succeeded despite the system—but as contributors who helped lay the groundwork for change.

A Firsthand View of the Struggle

Reflecting on his proximity to the Bella Twins’ careers, Danielson spoke with clear admiration for their resilience. As Brie Bella’s husband, he had firsthand knowledge of their behind-the-scenes efforts to improve the role of women in the industry.

“People don’t see that,” he noted. “The dedication, the hours, the effort — and how much you all cared.”

Danielson emphasized that much of their impact happened away from the spotlight, in a period where women’s wrestling had limited creative support and fewer opportunities for serious in-ring storytelling.

Reframing the Divas Era Legacy

Rather than dismiss the Divas era, Danielson urges a reevaluation of its significance. He portrays it as a difficult but formative chapter—one where success demanded persistence, and where the Bella Twins played a central role in shifting perceptions of what women could do in WWE.

Bret Hart on WWE Fumbling His Legacy, What Impresses Him About Roman Reigns

Michael Reichlin
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Bret Hart on WWE Fumbling His Legacy, What Impresses Him About Roman Reigns

WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart joined Cheap Heat with Peter Rosenberg to reflect on his career, the state of modern wrestling, and CM Punk’s latest return. In a wide-ranging discussion, Hart expressed frustration over how WWE remembers his legacy and highlighted concerns with the industry’s current storytelling approach.

“I think they kind of try to erase a lot of what I contributed,” Hart said. “They talk about WrestleMania 13, but they never really give me credit for what that match with Steve Austin did. It changed wrestling.”

Bret Hart vs Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13

Bret Hart and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s iconic submission match from WrestleMania 13 in 1997 will make history as the first match ever inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. It will receive the inaugural “WWE Immortal Moment” award at the 2025 ceremony on April 18 at Fontainebleau Las Vegas.

Hart points to that 1997 match as a turning point in wrestling history, emphasizing how it helped redefine characters and storytelling in the industry.

“That match flipped the whole script. It was about storytelling, character shift — and people still talk about it because it was real… When I watch that match back, I can tell you that I think there’s not one move that’s out of place. You know, everything fits where it is… you can’t take anything out of it. Everything is perfect the way it is.”

Hart and Austin are two of the greatest to ever step foot in the ring, and brought out the best in one another.

“Wrestling is all about kind of give and take, and Steve and I just had this beautiful balance of him giving to me and me giving back to him. It’s just kind of like a tennis game, like we’re just keep batting the ball back and forth, and at the same time just this flow that started to build throughout the match..

Steve Austin credits his Bret Hart feud with ‘making’ his Stone Cold persona, and firmly establishing him as a WWE main event star. The “Hitman” has fond memories of helping Austin refine his act.

“I think I did a lot in the matches that I had with Steve, like in the first six months before WrestleMania 13 and even the Survivor Series, I think I steadied him and calmed him down and kind of got him to focus more.

I really do think I helped him a lot, and by the time I fought him even at Survivor Series, he was becoming a different worker and a better worker.”

Today’s Wrestling

Shifting to today’s WWE product, Hart critiqued the lack of emotional investment in modern matches.

“The matches now are too choreographed. They don’t grab you anymore. You don’t care who wins or loses, and that’s the problem,” he said.

“You can do a moonsault off the top rope, but if the story’s not there, it means nothing.”

He added, “I don’t watch it much — just highlights now and then.”

Praise for CM Punk and Roman Reigns

When asked about CM Punk, Hart spoke highly of the star’s in-ring skill and ability to connect with fans.

“I like Punk. I think he’s a good wrestler, and I think he brings a lot to the table,” he said.

He also strongly endorsed Roman Reigns. Without explicitly saying it, it sounds like he sees a bit of himself in the Tribal Chief.

“When I see Roman Reigns wrestle, he’s always in control, he’s always very calm, he’s always kind of already got it figured out what the next sequence of moves are going to be and how he’s going to do them and how he’s going to execute them. He just never seems to panic.”

Peak Wrestling

Hart closed by reiterating his belief that wrestling works best when it’s grounded in realism and emotional stakes.

“That’s what made guys like me, Steve Austin, and Shawn Michaels great. We made people believe. That’s what wrestling’s supposed to be.”

Gunther Confirms Unique Perk of New WWE Contract

Anutosh Bajpai
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Gunther Confirms Unique Perk of New WWE Contract

Gunther has revealed a unique perk he asked for in his new WWE deal.

The WWE World Heavyweight Champion had an interview with Ariel Helwani to promote WrestleMania 41. He talked about things such as how Triple H saved wrestling, his upcoming match with Jey Uso and more.

During the interview, The Ring General also confirmed that he has signed a new deal with the company. Unsurprisingly, the new deal comes with some interesting perks for the Raw star including his own tour bus:

“I signed a new contract and [A tour bus] was part it. I asked for that. What you don’t ask for, you don’t get,”

When asked when he signed the deal, the current champion revealed that he did so towards the end of last year. Though he did not reveal the length of the contract during the show.

Apart from this, Gunther also talked about his match not being the main event of WrestleMania despite him being the world champion. He said that main eventing the show is a big achievement but he is not stressed about it. Per the heavyweight star, he would still be happy with his career if he never closes the Show of Shows.

WWE has confirmed that the triple threat match with CM Punk, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins is going to main event one night of WrestleMania 41. While the other main event has not been confirmed, it’s almost certain to be the WWE title match between Cody Rhodes and John Cena.

TNA Impact Preview (April 10, 2025)

Michael Reichlin
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TNA Impact Preview (April 10, 2025)

Tonight’s TNA Impact continues the road to TNA Unbreakable on April 17 and Rebellion on April 27.

Matches and Segments:

  • Steve Maclin vs. Eddie Edwards – This match pits two formidable opponents against each other, with Eddie Edwards being accompanied by Alisha. Maclin’s path away from Eric Young and The Northern Armory collides with Edwards’ push against The System, making this a must-win for both wrestlers.
  • Mustafa Ali vs. Ace Austin – In the X-Division, Mustafa Ali continues his revolutionary momentum, backed by The Great Hands and Tasha Steelz. He faces Ace Austin, a former X-Division Champion looking to regain his form.
  • Cody Deaner vs. Moose – Cody Deaner seeks to upset Moose, who is gearing up for the Ultimate X match at Rebellion. This bout could significantly impact both wrestlers’ standings and momentum.
  • TNA International Title Qualifier: Mance Warner vs. AJ Francis vs. Sami Callihan – This triple threat match is part of the tournament for the new TNA International Championship, with the winner advancing to Unbreakable.
  • The Rascalz vs. JDC & Brian Myers – The Rascalz aim to reestablish themselves in the tag team division by taking down The System’s JDC and Brian Myers, who are dealing with internal strife.

TNA Impact airs Thursdays at 8/7c on AXS TV, Sportsnet 360, and is available worldwide on TNA+.

Upcoming TNA Events

?TNA Unbreakable 2025 is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2025, at the Cox Pavilion in Paradise, Nevada. The event will stream live on TNA+ starting at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. ?

TNA Rebellion 2025 will take place on Sunday, April 27, 2025, at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California. The pay-per-view event is set to begin at 8 p.m. Eastern Time and will be available on TNA+.

GUNTHER Addresses Not Being Chosen To Main Event WWE WrestleMania 41

Andrew Ravens
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GUNTHER Addresses Not Being Chosen To Main Event WWE WrestleMania 41

GUNTHER is slated to defend the World Title against Jey Uso at WWE WrestleMania 41 after Uso earned the title shot by winning the Royal Rumble match. While speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, GUNTHER spoke about not being chosen for the main event of Mania this year.

For the first night, WWE has opted to go with the triple threat match featuring CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins. The second night will see John Cena challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Title.

“No, I’m not (disappointed). There’s two main event spots. Some people argue there’s only one, which is night two. At the end of the day, they’re big achievements, but that’s nothing I want to stress about.

Because in the long term, later on when I finish my career and I’m able to be financially set up to take care of my family, I did all of this doing the thing that I always wanted to do. I don’t think if I never main event WrestleMania it’s gonna make a difference to how proud or happy I’ll be about my career.”

At last year’s WrestleMania, GUNTHER lost the Intercontinental Title to Sami Zayn. At this same show, Uso defeated Jimmy Uso in a singles match.

‘I Was Not Sure’: Kevin Owens Reveals Triple H Idea He Didn’t Buy At First

Anutosh Bajpai
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0
‘I Was Not Sure’: Kevin Owens Reveals Triple H Idea He Didn’t Buy At First

Kevin Owens has opened up about the creative approach of Triple H compared to Vince McMahon.

All the superstars who have given opinion on the matter agree that the creative process is much better under Triple H compared to Vince McMahon. Not only the characters and storylines are much more consistent but the creative team under The Game is also willing to try out new things that help make the presentation of the shows better.

A unique example of it was when Kevin Owens’ heel turn was done off-screen. Owens attacked his former best friend Cody Rhodes after the Bad Blood PPV, and the company relied completely on fans to capture and make the moment viral. Speaking about this unique approach during his recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Kevin revealed that he wasn’t sold on the idea at first:

“It wasn’t me. That was Triple H. That was his idea. He felt confident in doing it that way. I was not sure. I’m like I don’t know, is there even going to be enough people there? It turns out he was completely right, there was and yeah, it’s just a different way of telling the stories and he’s got a different mentality than Vince had. It’s really interesting, and people really responded to it.”

Makes The Show Way More Interesting: Kevin Owens

Kevin Owens noted how they did something similar when he turned on Randy Orton, and the attack was recorded with security cameras. Per the wrestling veteran this new approach is helping keep things fresh and interesting for the fans:

“He wants to tell stories differently, and he’s willing to try stuff out and see what sticks and I think that makes the show way more interesting. It doesn’t mean it’s always gonna work, there might be sometimes it doesn’t land, but we’re trying different things and new things, and I think that’s so important in wrestling.”

The former World Champion later explained that even with good matches and promos, things can get monotonous if you keep doing the same things. He cited the era of 2008-09 as an example noting how he started paying a lot less attention to WWE at the time because they told the same stories over and over again.

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