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WrestleMania to Bring 180,000 Visitors to Las Vegas

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WrestleMania takes over Las Vegas this weekend, with 180,000 visitors expected to flood the city for WWE’s biggest annual event, according to Las Vegas Review Journal.

Main events will be held Saturday and Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, headlined by Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena. WWE will also host SmackDown, NXT Stand & Deliver, and Raw at T-Mobile Arena, along with a five-day fan fest at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority projects over 144,000 hotel room nights tied to the week’s events. The city has rolled out themed displays at major landmarks, backed by a $5 million sponsorship deal.

Officials say WrestleMania ranks among Las Vegas’s top tourism weekends of 2025, alongside events like Formula One and the Super Bowl. Tickets remain available, with limited-view seats starting at $140.

Travis Scott Confirmed for WrestleMania 41, Backstage Reaction to Him Injuring Cody Rhodes

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Travis Scott’s involvement in WWE will continue at WrestleMania 41, with the rapper officially confirmed to appear at the event following his dramatic debut earlier this year.

Scott made headlines after teaming with The Rock and John Cena during Elimination Chamber, where the trio shocked fans with a major heel turn, assaulting Cody Rhodes in what has been described as one of WWE’s most memorable segments in recent history.

Despite the strong showing, neither Scott nor The Rock have appeared on WWE programming alongside Cena since the March 1 episode of SmackDown. However, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Triple H has now clarified Scott’s status moving forward.

Travis Scott Just Getting Started in WWE

Appearing on The Ankler Podcast alongside WWE President Nick Khan, Triple H confirmed that Scott will be part of WrestleMania 41, teasing a major moment during the Las Vegas event.

“Travis is a kid in a candy store in that thing,” Triple H said. “He’ll be at WrestleMania… whatever happens in Vegas over WrestleMania weekend will be heard worldwide.”

Cody Rhodes’ Reaction to Travis Scott Injuring Him

Cody Rhodes Black Eye
Photo: WWE

The podcast also shed light on the real-life aftermath of the Cody Rhodes segment, specifically a hard slap delivered by Scott. According to Khan, Scott said he was following The Rock’s advice to fully commit to the moment.

“Travis said, ‘Dwayne Johnson told me you better slap the s**t out of him, or people are gonna think that you don’t have it.’”

Triple H added that Rhodes had no complaints about the intensity.

“Ironically, the only person that didn’t complain about the slap was Cody Rhodes,” he said. “He just wanted it to look good.”

With Scott’s involvement now official, fans can expect more crossover moments as WWE continues building mainstream momentum ahead of its biggest show of the year.

Nick Khan Addresses WWE’s Talent Strategy, AEW Signings, and Vince McMahon Docuseries

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  • WWE President Nick Khan addressed multiple hot topics during his appearance on The Bill Simmons Podcast, including WWE’s approach to signing former AEW talent and the company’s response to the Netflix docuseries Mr. McMahon.
  • Khan clarified that WWE does not intend to sign wrestlers just to sideline them, praised AEW’s talent while signaling interest in future acquisitions, and offered insight into the internal reaction to the controversial final episode of the Vince McMahon documentary.

Here are the highlights from the interview:

WWE’s Approach to Signing AEW Talent

In recent months, WWE has signed several notable names from AEW, including Ricky Saints (formerly Ricky Starks), Penta, Rey Fenix, and Ethan Page. While the list continues to grow, Khan was clear that WWE isn’t signing talent just to keep them off TV.

“That’s something we won’t do. We won’t sign and bench people. We sign people who we want to use,” Khan stated. When host Bill Simmons noted that stockpiling talent is common in wrestling, Khan responded, “That’s what I’ve been told from time to time. Not us.”

Khan emphasized that WWE’s focus is on bringing in performers who can contribute on-screen. Referencing AEW indirectly, he said:

“In terms of the other wrestling promotional company, they have a lot of talented wrestlers and we’re happy about that. When, contractually, they are available to talk to and have conversations with, assume a number of them will come over.”

He added a respectful nod to AEW’s ownership structure:

“Nothing but respect to the father who finances it and owns the Jaguars and all those other things.” This was a reference to Shad Khan, with AEW operated daily by his son, Tony Khan.

Reaction to the Mr. McMahon Netflix Docuseries

The six-episode docuseries Mr. McMahon premiered on Netflix on September 25, chronicling Vince McMahon’s rise and fall. Episode six in particular spotlighted serious allegations against the former WWE Chairman, including sexual misconduct, hush money payments, and a federal investigation. Khan addressed the company’s internal reaction to the documentary.

“Episodes one through five, it was all fine. Episode six obviously had a lot of tawdry allegations in there,” he said. “The most important thing in the company was, ‘Hey, this is not for us to spike it.’ That’s not what the deal was and the deal that was struck with Netflix was prior to me joining WWE on a full-time basis.”

He described the range of reactions from within WWE:

“It went everywhere from ‘Hey, it was phenomenally done’ to ‘Oh my God, this thing is not true, it’s not factual.’ There were people who loved it as an objectively told profile of a person, and people who were close to the subject who didn’t like it, which I would understand, and I think you understand.”

Simmons, who produced the documentary, acknowledged the challenges but expressed pride in the final product. All six episodes are currently available to stream on Netflix.

Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels Tops WWE’s ‘50 Greatest WrestleMania Matches Ever’

WWE has officially ranked its 50 greatest WrestleMania matches, with The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels from WrestleMania 25 earning the No. 1 spot. The countdown, released daily over the past 50 days, celebrates the legacy of WWE’s flagship event while also sparking conversation among fans.

Coming in at second place is the legendary submission match between Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13, followed by The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan from WrestleMania 18 in third.

Other standout entries include WrestleMania 40’s main event between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes at No. 6, and the iconic TLC tag team match from WrestleMania 17 featuring The Dudley Boyz, The Hardy Boyz, and Edge & Christian at No. 7.

Playlist All 50 Full Matches

WWE’s 50 Greatest WrestleMania Matches Ever

Below is the full Top 50 list as ranked by WWE:

  1. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania 25
  2. Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin — WrestleMania 13
  3. The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan — WrestleMania 18
  4. Randy Savage vs. Ricky Steamboat — WrestleMania 3
  5. The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin — WrestleMania 17
  6. Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes — WrestleMania 40
  7. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge & Christian — WrestleMania 17
  8. Andre The Giant vs. Hulk Hogan — WrestleMania 3
  9. The Ultimate Warrior vs. Randy Savage — WrestleMania 7
  10. Ronda Rousey vs. Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair — WrestleMania 35
  11. Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart — WrestleMania 10
  12. Razor Ramon vs. Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania 10
  13. The Rock vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin — WrestleMania 19
  14. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania 12
  15. The Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan — WrestleMania 6
  16. Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair — WrestleMania 39
  17. Kurt Angle vs. Brock Lesnar — WrestleMania 19
  18. The Undertaker vs. Triple H — WrestleMania 28
  19. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair — WrestleMania 37
  20. The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes — WrestleMania 40
  21. Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon — WrestleMania 34
  22. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania 21
  23. The Undertaker vs. CM Punk — WrestleMania 29
  24. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Kevin Owens — WrestleMania 38
  25. Roddy Piper vs. Bret Hart — WrestleMania 8
  26. The Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania 26
  27. Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan — WrestleMania 5
  28. Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H — WrestleMania 30
  29. The Undertaker vs. Edge — WrestleMania 24
  30. The Usos vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn — WrestleMania 39
  31. Charlotte Flair vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch — WrestleMania 32
  32. Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Batista — WrestleMania 30
  33. Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair — WrestleMania 8
  34. Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair — WrestleMania 24
  35. Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston — WrestleMania 35
  36. Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair — WrestleMania 38
  37. The Undertaker vs. Triple H — WrestleMania 27
  38. Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle — WrestleMania 20
  39. GUNTHER vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre — WrestleMania 39
  40. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns — WrestleMania 31
  41. The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles — WrestleMania 36
  42. Mick Foley vs. Edge — WrestleMania 22
  43. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels — WrestleMania 23
  44. Seth Rollins vs. Triple H — WrestleMania 33
  45. The Undertaker vs. Batista — WrestleMania 23
  46. Mr. T and Hulk Hogan vs. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff — WrestleMania 1
  47. Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar — WrestleMania 33
  48. The Rock vs. John Cena — WrestleMania 28
  49. Sting vs. Triple H — WrestleMania 31
  50. Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes — WrestleMania 38

AEW Grand Slam: México Set for Arena México Debut on June 18

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AEW has officially announced its first-ever live event in Mexico, partnering with CMLL to bring AEW Grand Slam: México to Arena México in Mexico City on Wednesday, June 18. The event marks a significant milestone for the promotion, bringing AEW’s Dynamite series to the historic venue often referred to as the “cathedral of lucha libre.”

Tickets will be available starting Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. via AEWTix.com and Ticketmaster.

AEW Grand Slam: México will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Mexico, TBS in the U.S., and streamed on Max, highlighting AEW’s continued international expansion.

Thunder Rosa Comments

Thunder Rosa, one of AEW’s most prominent Latina wrestlers, shared her excitement in an exclusive interview with Fox Sports, saying, “This is something fans have been asking about for years. There’s no better time than now for AEW’s first Grand Slam in Mexico.”

She emphasized the cultural and professional significance of the event, calling it a major opportunity for AEW’s Mexican talent to perform on home soil. “There’s so much Mexican representation in AEW, it was our time—and what better place than Arena México.”

While the match card will be revealed in the coming weeks, Thunder Rosa mentioned several names she’d like to see participate, including Kenny Omega, Swerve Strickland, Willow Nightingale, and Taya Valkyrie. She also suggested that the success of this event could open the door for future AEW shows in other Mexican cities like Monterrey.

AEW Dynamite Preview (April 16, 2025)

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Tonight, AEW Dynamite: Spring BreakThru emanates from the MGM Music Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, and will be broadcast live on TBS and Max at 8/7c, marking a significant milestone as it becomes the longest-running weekly prime-time wrestling show in Turner Sports history.

This special episode of AEW Dynamite comes as part of a busy week in wrestling, leading up to AEW Collision: Spring BreakThru on Saturday, April 19, and sets the stage for upcoming events like Double or Nothing 2025, which promises to be one of the biggest pay-per-view events of the year.

Matches and Segments

  • AEW World Trios Championship: Death Riders vs. The Opps – This match could have major implications for the AEW Trios division, especially if Jon Moxley, replacing the injured PAC, plays a significant role alongside his team.
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Gates of Agony – The Hurt Syndicate defends their titles against The Gates of Agony, a challenge issued by the latter, adding tension to the Tag Team division.
  • Owen Hart Cup Semi-Final: Mercedes Mone vs. Athena – A highly anticipated matchup between Mercedes Mone and Athena promises to deliver a standout performance, with both competitors at the pinnacle of their careers.
  • Owen Hart Cup Semi-Final: Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita – This rematch between Will Ospreay and Konosuke Takeshita is expected to be an adrenaline-fueled bout that could set the stage for future World Title contenders.
  • Owen Hart Cup Quarter-Final: Hangman Page vs. Wild Card – Hangman Page faces off against Wild Card in a crucial quarter-final match, with significant implications for the Owen Hart Cup tournament.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for coverage of tonight’s AEW Dynamite, where we’ll break down all the action and drama unfolding live from Boston.

BUSHI to Exit NJPW Following May 4 Appearance

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BUSHI will officially leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling following his final scheduled appearance on May 4 in Fukuoka. NJPW confirmed that the decision comes at BUSHI’s own request after careful consultation between both parties.

The company expressed its gratitude and extended best wishes to BUSHI in his future endeavors. NJPW also apologized to fans for any concern or disappointment caused by the announcement

Tetsuya Naito to Leave NJPW After Contract Ends in May

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Tetsuya Naito will officially depart from New Japan Pro-Wrestling after the expiration of his current contract. NJPW confirmed that the decision not to renew was made mutually following extensive discussions regarding Naito’s future in wrestling.

The company emphasized that the parting comes on good terms, expressing gratitude for Naito’s contributions and wishing him continued success. Naito is set to honor all scheduled appearances through the Dontaku series, which concludes on May 4 in Fukuoka.

NJPW also extended an apology to fans for any concern caused by the announcement and thanked supporters for standing by both the promotion and Naito during this transition.

Rhea Ripley Reveals Surprising WWE Inspiration

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Rhea Ripley has revealed a surprising name as a wrestling inspiration for her.

The Mami recently appeared on Kevin Hart’s show Cold As Balls. She talked about things such as her partnership with Dominik Mysterio, her history teaming and feuding with Liv Morgan, and more.

During the talk, Rhea was asked about her inspirations in the wrestling business. The Eradicator unsurprisingly named Triple H as someone she loved growing up:

“I had three, three main ones growing up..It was Triple H, which is now my boss, so absolutely wild. He’s done so much in WWE, and now he’s literally running it.”

He’s So Comfortable Being A Di**head: Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley then also revealed The Miz as an inspiration. Despite having very different character compared to the A-Lister, the female star said that she loves the former WWE champion for his dedication to being a heel:

“Then there’s The Miz. I love The Miz. I don’t know if it was like his cocky demeanor. He’s so funny. He’s so comfortable being a dickhead, and I love that. Then obviously, CM Punk, as well. He’s finally back with WWE, which is amazing. It’s so wild to like have him there.”

Apart from this, Ripley revealed that the first thing that drew her towards wrestling was Triple H’s feud with Ric Flair. Specifically the moment where H shoved a screwdriver into the Nature Boy’s head got her hooked to the sport.

The former Judgment Day member will be competing in a triple threat match against Bianca Belair and IYO SKY for the Women’s title at WrestleMania 41. You can check out the match order for the show here.

Ricky Saints Warns Ethan Page Ahead of NXT Stand & Deliver Title Clash

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At WWE NXT Stand & Deliver, Ricky Saints will defend the NXT North American Championship against fellow AEW alum Ethan Page. The ‘All Ego’ Superstar earned a shot at the gold on the April 15, edition of WWE NXT, defeating Wes Lee, Eddy Thorpe, and Lexis King (another All-Elite alum) in four-way action.

In a WWE NXT Digital Exclusive, Saints was asked about his upcoming match with Page. While acknowledging that the pay “go way back,” Saints made sure that Page will never underestimate him after this weekend’s event.

“You have seemingly forgotten since you’ve been here that I am not a man that should be underestimated. In fact, I am every bit of the man I say I am.”

Page in comparison, according to Saints, is someone who “falls short in every single category of your life” before adding that this mediocrity is “the story of All Ego Ethan Page.” Concluding, Saints acknowledged the magnitude of Stand & Deliver and gave his clear prediction.

“I am leaving Las Vegas still the NXT North American Champion and you Ethan Page will be left with you, and your massive ego.”

Neither Page nor Saints were with WWE this time last year but now have a chance to steal the show over WrestleMania week. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Stand & Deliver and the battle for the NXT North American Championship.

WWE Makes Change to El Grande Americano After Fan Backlash

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The introduction of El Grande Americano in early 2025 sparked an immediate backlash from fans, many of whom claimed the character mocked lucha libre customs. While the character is showing no signs of going away, WWE has seemingly made a notable edit in response to irate fans.

During a recent WWE Main Event taping, El Grande Americano was in action but a major change was made to his entrance. Rather than being billed as from the ‘Gulf of America,’ WWE’s ‘new’ masked Superstar was billed as from the Gulf of Mexico. The use of ‘Gulf of America’ had sparked backlash as many found using the label invented by President Trump to rechristen the pre-existing gulf was a disrespectful move to the traditions of the area.

Changing to the Gulf of Mexico is an interesting move especially given the recent comments of Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque. WWE’s Chief Content Officer recently argued that online backlash doesn’t reflect real-life views, suggesting that his strategy will be to ignore what social media has to say. Nevertheless, Levesque has seemingly changed tact and ditched Trump’s branding, despite recently having praise for the current leader of the United States.

El Grande Americano will compete at WrestleMania 41 where he’ll battle a truly beloved name in lucha libre, Rey Mysterio. The WWE Hall of Famer has vowed to expose Americano as a sham on WWE’s biggest stage of them all.

Thea Hail Punches Her Stand & Deliver Ticket With NXT Return

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Thea Hail is back on WWE NXT programming and has a golden opportunity awaiting her at WWE NXT Stand & Deliver. During the April 15, edition of WWE NXT, Hail returned to action to defeat Karmen Petrovic, earning a spot in the Ladder Match at Stand & Deliver. That match will determine the next NXT Women’s North American Championship, a title that has been without a holder since Stephanie Vaquer surrendered the gold.

Hail did more than just punch her ticket to NXT Stand & Deliver at this week’s NXT, however. During the show, she gave Andre Chase her approval to start a new chapter of Chase U. This endorsement came as welcome new to Uriah Conners and Kale Dixon, who have been trying to convince Chase to team up.

Hail’s return has been a long-time coming for fans of the popular Chase U alum. Hail’s most recent match on TV had come at NXT Great American Bash: Night One in July 2024. On that night, Hail was unable to capture the NXT Women’s Championship, held at the time by Roxanne Perez. During her absence from TV, Hail wrestled just five times at NXT live events.

Now, Thea Hail is back and plans on winning her first taste of gold in WWE. But with a stacked match including Lola Vice, Sol Ruca, Zaria, Izzi Dame, and Kelani Jordan, Hail will have her work cut out for her at NXT Stand & Deliver.

JBL: ‘Rey Mysterio Is The Greatest Luchador Of All Time’

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John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) has offered his perspective on the upcoming WrestleMania 41 match between Rey Mysterio and the enigmatic El Grande Americano, widely speculated to be Chad Gable under a mask.

Speaking on the Something to Wrestle podcast, JBL suggested that Mysterio, a veteran competing in his 13th WrestleMania, might need to lose to the newcomer to further the storyline.

“I think El Grande Americano beats Rey Mysterio. I think Rey Mysterio is the greatest luchador of all time and without a doubt, I think he is and one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. But I think because he is, he can afford to be beat. I think probably that’s why they’re going to have to slip on a banana peel, as they say, and El Grande Americano, I tell you what, man, there’s some legs to this if they want to really go with it. I think this could be a lot of fun, and I think Rey could be a big part of it. I think he probably will, but if you beat El Grande Americano here, it might kill it. So to me, I think you have to put El Grande Americano over.”

JBL has a personal experience losing to Mysterio at WrestleMania. In his final match, Mysterio defeated Bradshaw for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 25.

Roman Reigns: ‘I’m No Part-Timer, I’m A Full-Time Cash Cow’

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Much has been said about Roman Reigns’ WWE status in the lead-up to his WrestleMania 41 showdown when he meets Seth Rollins and CM Punk on Saturday night.

The two stars have taken aim at Reigns, working part-time while they’re working on house shows and television. The Tribal Chief had enough of it on Tuesday night and posted a video where he fired back on social media.

“It’s funny because a lot of people call me a part-timer, a lot of people got a lot of things to say about my schedule. I’m no part-timer. I’m a full-time cash cow — This business lives off me.”

After beating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38 to unify the WWE Title and Universal Title, Reigns signed a new deal that greatly reduced the number of matches and dates he works each other.

LA Knight Says He Didn’t Know About Heat With Drew McIntyre, But Conversations Were Had Later

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After being eliminated by Damian Priest in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble, Drew McIntyre was reportedly upset and cursing about someone “having to get their moves in,” with frustration directed towards LA Knight. 

Knight stated on the February 7th episode of WWE SmackDown that he “had to get his stuff in.” This was a reference to the reported issue. 

While speaking on Gorilla Position, Knight addressed the reported heat between the because of the situation. 

“He had to leave because the show was over. At some point, everybody has to go home. He stormed out? I didn’t even know. No idea. I got to the back, I got the monitor, I saw the rest of the deal. He was already back there before I was. His ass got tossed already. I didn’t know anything about it. I didn’t know anything about it until I was sitting at home Sunday night and somebody sent me an article. I was like, ‘Ah, that’s interesting”

When asked how such situations are handled, Knight replied, “I can’t tell you the inner workings here, but there were some conversations had, I will tell you that.”

Knight is slated to defend the United States Title against Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 41.

Drew McIntyre Outlines Fan Etiquette for WrestleMania Week

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Drew McIntyre has offered fans a quick guide on how to make the most of WrestleMania Week while showing respect to performers and fellow attendees.

On his list of do’s, McIntyre emphasized basic courtesy—encouraging fans to be respectful to the wrestlers, wear deodorant, and support independent wrestling shows. These simple actions, he noted, go a long way in creating a positive atmosphere for everyone involved.

As for the don’ts, McIntyre was just as clear. He advised fans not to hang around the airport or approach the wrestlers’ hotel, calling out behaviors that often cross personal boundaries. He also asked fans not to interrupt wrestlers who are in conversations and to avoid calling them by their real names unless invited to do so.

The message serves as a timely reminder ahead of WrestleMania Week, where tens thousands of fans gather to celebrate wrestling on a global stage.

Mariah May AEW Contract Update

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Mariah May still has “significant time” left on her AEW contract, according to PWInsider, contrary to reports that she’s due to become a free agent this summer.

May has been one of the breakout stars of the AEW roster since her arrival in November 2023. She arrived on the scene as a super-fan of Timeless Toni Storm. She quickly ingratiated herself with the silver screen starlet, before eventually turning on her and taking her most prized possession. The longterm storyline culminated just a few months ago, when Storm got revenge in a bloody war at AEW Revolution 2025.

May hasn’t been seen on AEW television since, nor has she been ‘on the road’ attending TV tapings. Over the past several days, wrestling fans have been buzzing about Dave Meltzer’s report that May is expected to leave AEW and is eager to join WWE.

Sources in AEW believe Mariah May’s AEW contract runs through November 2025, if not longer.

Whether her AEW contract expires in July, November or next February, a few things are certain: the British grappler is in high demand, and is poised to secure the biggest contract of her wrestling career.

CM Punk Says Nothing Compares to the Rush of Performing Live

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CM Punk, who has long been open about his straight edge lifestyle, recently reflected on WWE’s overseas tour, describing the electric energy of live performance as irreplaceable. As WWE traveled through Germany, the UK, Belgium, and other European countries ahead of WrestleMania 41, Punk was a featured part of the lineup, including competing for the World Heavyweight Championship.

In a Build Up To WrestleMania video, Punk explained why he made it a point to be included on every stop of the tour.

“These tours are so few and far between now that I made sure that I requested to be on all of them,” he said.

“Because there’s nothing like this. The connection I have with the audience—and over here in Europe, they haven’t seen me in 10-plus years. There’s not a drug in the world that can replicate just the feeling of doing what I do.”

Despite abstaining from drugs and alcohol, Punk echoed a sentiment many performers have expressed: nothing compares to the high of stepping in front of a live crowd. His return to Europe after more than a decade added an emotional layer to an already charged atmosphere.

With WrestleMania 41 on the horizon, Punk’s remarks highlight the enduring appeal of live wrestling and the performer-audience connection that drives the industry forward.

Mark Briscoe Announces His 9th Child is on the Way

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Mark Briscoe has revealed that he and his wife are expecting their ninth child, just a year after welcoming their youngest son, Matthew Jamin Pugh—named in honor of his late brother, Jay Briscoe. He shared the news during an appearance on Speedball Mike Bailey’s YouTube channel, saying:

“Well, I got eight on the ground currently and one in the womb.”

The personal update comes as Briscoe continues to build on his wrestling legacy. In January 2023, he suffered the heartbreaking loss of his brother and tag team partner, Jay Briscoe (real name Jamin Pugh), who died in a tragic car accident.

At the time, Mark seriously considered retiring from the ring, but ultimately chose to stay. That decision culminated in a major career milestone when he captured the ROH World Championship.

Briscoe has also spoken about the future of the Briscoe name in wrestling, noting that at least two of his children have expressed interest in following in his footsteps.

With a growing family and clear passion for the industry, the possibility of a second-generation Briscoe legacy remains strong.

Rhea Ripley Rejects Kevin Hart’s Tag-Team Offer in Brutal Fashion

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Rhea Ripley has had her fair share of tag-team partners over the years, but don’t expect her to challenge for gold with Kevin Hart. While speaking on Cold As Balls, the comedian offered his services, telling Ripley “Listen, if you ever need a partner, I’m there.”

Unimpressed, Ripley laughed off the offer, telling Hart “I’ll call Dwayne,” a nod to Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who Hart has worked with several tiems. When Ripley went as far as to ask Hart if he could smell what The Rock is cooking, the comedian saidthat “if I can smell what The Rock is cooking, I’m going somewhere else to eat.”

The Rock and Hart have spent years trolling each other and there’s no doubt that WWE’s ‘Final Boss’ loved to see Ripley’s reaction to the offer. The Australian Superstar once again demonstrated her signature cocky, confident attitude, something that has made ‘Mami’ into one of WWE’s most popular Superstars in recent history.

Ripley will compete at WrestleMania 41 this weekend where she’ll battle Women’s World Champion IYO SKY and Bianca Belair in a stacked triple threat match. And while having The Rock in her corner would certainly prove useful, Ripley is ready to prove that Mami can win gold on WWE’s grandest stage all by herself.

Roman Reigns Slams Seth Rollins And CM Punk: ‘They’re Both Pieces Of S**t’

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At WWE WrestleMania 41, the main event of night one will feature a triple threat match between Seth Rollins, CM Punk, and Roman Reigns. In a recent build-up video posted by WWE on YouTube, Reigns asserted his negative feelings towards his opponents. 

The Tribal Chief didn’t hold back on his feelings regarding both stars. He stated, “They’re both pieces of shit. There ain’t no f***ing question this place is better when I’m in charge.”

Interestingly, Rollins and CM Punk had a singles match on the January 6, 2014, edition of Raw, which Rollins won. This remains their only official one-on-one encounter in WWE. 

They were originally scheduled to compete for the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania XL before Punk sustained an injury at the 2024 Royal Rumble event.

Adding another layer to the narrative, Reigns also took to social media on Monday to reflect on his position within WWE, stating how he should have maintained a tighter grip on the company’s control around the same time last year.

Seth Rollins to The Rock: ‘My Soul’s Always For Sale’

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Seth Rollins has succeeded in WWE as both a babyface and a heel but has been a good guy for over two years. Now though, the Architect could be ready to embrace his darker side, and align with The Rock in the process.

While speaking on Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, Rollins was asked about potentially aligning with The Rock and John Cena. Declaring that “My soul’s always for sale,” Rollins shared that he will align with whoever can help WWE the most, even if it’s somebody the fans cann’t stand.

“If I look at the situation and it seems to me that the best course of action for the company as a whole is to join with people that maybe the audience doesn’t want me to join with, I will make the decision based on how I feel is the best direction for the company.”

Rollins’ comments are very interesting given that a year ago, he and The Rock were on opposing sides at WrestleMania 40. While it was The Rock and Roman Reigns who bested Rollins and Cody Rhodes, Rollins would play a crucial role in the OTC’s reign as Undisputed WWE Champion coming to an end.

Seth Rollins will headline WrestleMania for the third time in his career this weekend where he’ll battle CM Punk and Roman Reigns. And while Rollins is ready to tear the head off The Rock’s cousin, fans shouldn’t count out the Visionary selling his soul to the Final Boss.

First Look at WrestleMania 41 Set Construction Inside Allegiant Stadium

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The grand stage for WrestleMania 41 is coming to life inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. A new behind-the-scenes photo sent in to SEScoops reveals the early stages of production, with massive LED screens, elaborate lighting rigs, and ring placement already taking shape.

Crews can be seen working across the stadium floor as WWE prepares for its biggest show of the year. The towering vertical LED columns hint at an immersive entrance experience, while heavy machinery and staging materials are scattered throughout the venue.

WrestleMania 41 takes place this weekend over two nights, promising a spectacle worthy of the “Show of Shows.” Stay tuned as the setup continues to evolve ahead of the highly anticipated event.

First Look at WrestleMania 41 Set Construction Inside Allegiant Stadium

The grand stage for WrestleMania 41 is coming to life inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. A new behind-the-scenes photo reveals the early stages of production, with massive LED screens, elaborate lighting rigs, and ring placement already taking shape.

Crews can be seen working across the stadium floor as WWE prepares for its biggest show of the year. The towering vertical LED columns hint at an immersive entrance experience, while heavy machinery and staging materials are scattered throughout the venue.

WrestleMania 41 takes place this weekend over two nights, promising a spectacle worthy of the “Show of Shows.” Stay tuned as the setup continues to evolve ahead of the highly anticipated event.

First Look at WrestleMania 41 Set Construction Inside Allegiant Stadium

The grand stage for WrestleMania 41 is coming to life inside Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. A new behind-the-scenes photo reveals the early stages of production, with massive LED screens, elaborate lighting rigs, and ring placement already taking shape.

Crews can be seen working across the stadium floor as WWE prepares for its biggest show of the year. The towering vertical LED columns hint at an immersive entrance experience, while heavy machinery and staging materials are scattered throughout the venue.

WrestleMania 41 takes place this weekend over two nights, promising a spectacle worthy of the “Show of Shows.” Stay tuned as the setup continues to evolve ahead of the highly anticipated event.

We’ll post a the official WrestleMania 41 Set Reveal video when it’s released on Friday.

Natalya Reveals First WWE Salary

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Natalya has revealed how much money she made in her first WWE contract.

The former SmackDown women’s champion recently had an interview with Chris Van Vliet. She talked about things such as helping Nikki Bella train for her Royal Rumble return, working with her dad Jim Neidhart on Total Divas, and more.

During the interview, Natalya also talked about her struggles before signing with WWE. The Hart Family member made her in-ring debut in 2000 and worked in countries such as England and Japan for many years before finally being signed to a development contract by WWE in 2007.

The female star revealed that she worked as a waitress for a long time before getting her big break. Citing her own experience in the public service industry, the WWE veteran said that everyone who works such jobs deserves a round of applause:

“I was so excited because I had worked that waitressing job, I cleaned bathrooms, I busted tables, and I did my wrestling when I wasn’t working at that job, and I just fought so hard to get here.

I always remembered how much I actually enjoyed waitressing. I think everybody that does public service or works in the service industry, like I give them a round of applause, because you guys, whoever works in restaurants or retail or has to serve people, it is not easy.”

It Was About Getting My Foot In The Door: Natalya

Natalya was assigned to Deep South Wrestling after signing a development deal with the company. She has been a regular on the main roster since being called up to SmackDown in 2008. Apart from winning multiple titles in WWE, she has also contributed to many people’s career as trainer in the Hart Dungeon since then.

During the interview, the wrestling veteran revealed that she has saved the stub for every check she has received from the Endeavor-owned company. She also disclosed how much money she was making very early in her WWE career:

“I was only making in my first year in WWE $500 a week. So of course that’s not terrible by any means, when you’re just getting started, but when you have to pay for ring gear and your hair and your makeup, and you have to pay taxes on that. In some ways it was less money than I was making as a waitress. But for me, it was about getting my foot in the door.”

Natalya will be stepping out of her comfort zone when she competes in the NWA Crockett Cup during WrestleMania 41 week, having her first non-WWE match in years. You can check out what she said about the bout here.

Ultimate Guide to WrestleMania 41 Week in Las Vegas

WrestleMania 41 is taking over Las Vegas from April 17-22, 2025, with a full schedule of WWE events and fan experiences throughout the city. From the two-night spectacle inside Allegiant Stadium to concerts, parties, wrestling-themed activations, and independent shows, Sin City is set to become the epicenter of sports entertainment.

This comprehensive guide covers all official WWE events, citywide fan experiences, and independent attractions happening during WrestleMania week, giving you everything you need to plan your ultimate wrestling vacation.

Official WWE Events

WWE World at WrestleMania 41

When: Thursday, April 17 – Monday, April 21
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall
What: WWE’s five-day interactive fan experience featuring Superstar meet-and-greets, live stage shows, exclusive merchandise, and the largest WWE Superstore in WrestleMania history. The event includes roundtable discussions, live podcast recordings, and memorabilia exhibits honoring WrestleMania’s 41-year history.
Notable Appearances: Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre, Tiffany Stratton (Thursday); Jey Uso, Rhea Ripley (Friday); The Undertaker (Saturday); Mike Tyson (Sunday); Alexa Bliss, LA Knight (Monday).
Tickets: Available at FanaticsEvents.com/WWE
Read more about WWE World here

Friday Night SmackDown

When: Friday, April 18 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
Where: T-Mobile Arena
What: The go-home show before WrestleMania is always one of the most exciting nights of the year. Fans can expect the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal as well as Superstars looking to get a late advantage ahead of WrestleMania 41.
Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster

WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony

When: Friday, April 18 at 8 PM PT (following SmackDown)
Where: BleauLive Theater, Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Inductees: Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Michelle McCool, Lex Luger, the Natural Disasters. WWE’s first Immortal Moment will go to Bret Hart Vs. ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13.
Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster
Read more about the Hall of Fame Ceremony here

NXT Stand & Deliver

When: Saturday, April 19 at 12:30 AM ET/9:30 AM PT
Where: T-Mobile Arena
What: The biggest night of the WWE NXT calendar, Stand & Deliver will feature the very top talent from the silver brand in action. The show has a special early start time to ensure plenty of time for fans to prepare for WrestleMania 41 – Night One.
Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster

WrestleMania 41 – Night One

When: Saturday, April 19 at 4 PM PT
Where: Allegiant Stadium
Confirmed Matches:

  • Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. John Cena
  • World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. Jey Uso
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
  • Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins (Triple Threat Match)
  • Additional matches to be announced

Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster

WrestleMania 41 – Night Two

When: Sunday, April 20 at 4 PM PT
Where: Allegiant Stadium
Confirmed Matches:

  • Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY (c) vs. Bianca Belair
  • Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
  • Additional matches to be announced

Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster

Monday Night Raw

When: Monday, April 21 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
Where: T-Mobile Arena
What: History has shown the post-WrestleMania Raw to be one of the most exciting shows, packed with shocking returns, debuts, and moments. Fans can expect big things when WWE heads to the T-Mobile Arena.
Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster

NXT Live Broadcast

When: Tuesday, April 22 (time TBA)
Where: Venue TBA (possibly UFC Apex)
Read more about the NXT live broadcast here

Entertainment Events & After-Parties

WrestleMania After Dark Series

When: Thursday, April 17 – Sunday, April 20
Where: LIV and LIV Beach at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
What: A four-night concert and entertainment series featuring WWE Superstars and musical performances.
Schedule:

  • Thursday, April 17: Welcome Dinner and Launch Party with Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair, Rey Mysterio, and music from Valentino Khan and DJ IRIE
  • Thursday, April 17: WaleMania X at the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas, as hosted by WWE’s broadcast partners at Netflix.
  • Friday, April 18: Official Hall of Fame Afterparty with Metro Boomin, Bron Breakker, and Liv Morgan
  • Saturday, April 19: Machine Gun Kelly performance with Jey and Jimmy Uso
  • Sunday, April 20: Gronk Beach (see below)

Tickets: On sale March 28 at 10 AM PT through WrestleManiaAfterDark.com
Read more about WrestleMania After Dark here

Roast of WrestleMania with Tony Hinchcliffe

When: Sunday, April 20 at 10 PM PT
Where: BleauLive Theater, Fontainebleau Las Vegas
What: A comedy roast featuring Tony Hinchcliffe and special guests including Sami Zayn, The Miz, Braun Strowman, and Paul Heyman.
Tickets: Available through Ticketmaster
Read more about the Roast of WrestleMania here

Gronk Beach

When: Sunday, April 20 at 10:30 PM PT
Where: LIV Beach at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
What: Rob Gronkowski’s signature beach party featuring performances by Flo Rida and Valentino Khan, with appearances by WWE Superstars Damian Priest and Tiffany Stratton.
Tickets: On sale March 28 at 10 AM PT, starting at $79.99 for general admission and $299.99 for VIP
Read more about Gronk Beach here

Living Colour Performance

When: Friday, April 18 at 9 PM PT
Where: Fremont Street Experience, First Street Stage
What: The iconic rock band behind CM Punk’s entrance theme “Cult of Personality” will perform a free live concert during WrestleMania weekend.
Read more about the Living Colour performance here

Citywide Fan Experiences & Promotions

Photo Ops & Decorations

  • Airport Arrivals (Harry Reid International): Fans arriving at Terminal 1 can grab a photo with the WrestleMania 41 logo, spot an animated “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign featuring John Cena’s “U C M E” catchphrase (with the C crossed out), and see replica WWE Championship belts displayed above baggage claim. Terminal 3 baggage claim also features WWE Universe-themed “Welcome” signs.
  • MGM Grand: The iconic indoor lion statue is decorated with a custom WWE Championship title belt.
  • Caesars Palace: Spot the Caesar statues adorned with WWE championship belts, both off Las Vegas Boulevard and at the main entrance.
  • Fremont Street Experience: Capture a photo with a massive 14-foot-long, 5-foot-high WWE Championship belt replica.
  • Pool Parties: Inflatable WWE championship belts will be available at select pools including LIV Beach at Fontainebleau, Ayu Dayclub at Resorts World, and Palms Pool at Palms Casino Resort (while supplies last).
  • Themed Signage: Look for WWE Universe-themed “Welcome to Las Vegas” signs at key locations like T-Mobile Arena, Allegiant Stadium, and the Las Vegas Convention Center throughout the weekend.

Food & Drink Experiences

  • WrestleMania Cocktails at ARIA: Proper Bar inside Proper Eats Food Hall (ARIA Resort Casino) is serving themed cocktails – The Stone Cold Stunner, The Rock Bottom, and Hogan’s Powerbomb – on April 19 and 20.
  • Superstar Brunch at BrewDog: BrewDog Las Vegas hosts a premium brunch experience on April 19 (with Mickie James, Grayson Waller, Austin Theory) and April 20 (with Rikishi, Chelsea Green), featuring craft cocktails, WWE memorabilia, and meet-and-greets.
  • Mixology Masterclass at Horseshoe: Learn to craft wrestling-themed cocktails (Tribal Chief, Headlock, plus a custom WWE drink) at The Cabinet of Curiosities (Horseshoe Las Vegas). Classes run daily from April 17-20 at 1 p.m., led by mixologist Daniel Ponsky.
  • Chardonnay & Chisme Meetup: A first-ever fan meetup to sip, chat, and celebrate the historic wrestling weekend. Entry is free. (Circa is a 21+ resort, ID required). Friday, April 18, 1 PM – 3 PM at Vegas Vickie’s Cocktail Lounge at Circa Resort & Casino.

Independent Events & Attractions

KnokxPro Takeover

When: April 16-18
Where: Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC)
What: WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi Fatu, Reno “Black Pearl” Anoa’i, and the Samoan Dynasty present live wrestling, specialty matches, and surprise guests. The lineup includes Scott Steiner, Miro, Candice Michelle, Gangrel, Gene Snitsky, Afa Jr. Anoa’I, and Journey Fatu.

Bicep Bash 2025

When: Tuesday, April 15 from 6 PM to 9 PM
Where: The Space LV
What: A unique crossover event merging professional wrestling with elite-level arm wrestling, headlined by Scott Steiner facing off against arm wrestling champion John “Uncle John” Thompson. Also featuring Rick Steiner, Ron Simmons, and Sarah Bäckman.
Read more about Bicep Bash 2025 here

WWE-Themed Weddings

When: Throughout WrestleMania week
Where: Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel
What: Get hitched in wrestling style with the $900 “Love Smackdown” package. It includes an announcer, smoke/fog effects, a WWE luchador officiant, themed décor, a wrestling ring setup, bouquet, boutonniere, ceremony video, livestream, digital photos, music, and round-trip limo transportation.
Read more about WWE-themed weddings here

Wrestling Observer Convention 2025

When: April 19-20
Where: The Cosmopolitan
What: A gathering for wrestling fans featuring watch parties for both nights of WrestleMania.

Game Changer Wrestling Events

When: Various dates during WrestleMania week
Where: Various venues including Moon & View at Palms Resort and Pearl Theater.

MicroMania Midget Wrestling

When: April 18 and 19 at 10 PM
Where: The Nerd Las Vegas
What: Special wrestling shows featuring stars including 25 Cent, Tiffany Payne, and Mascarita Dorada.

Transportation Options

Several transportation services are offering special shuttle services to WrestleMania:

  • Senate Transportation: $66 round-trip shuttles to Allegiant Stadium (both nights) from multiple hotel pickup points including MGM Grand, Bellagio, Palms, Fontainebleau, Rio, and Resorts World.
  • M Ride: WrestleMania shuttles from Circa Resort & Casino and The Palms Casino Resort

Hotel Deals

  • Fontainebleau Las Vegas: WWE fans can receive up to 30% off room rates for WrestleMania 41 by becoming a Fontainebleau Rewards Member

As WrestleMania 41 approaches, more events and attractions will be announced. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on the biggest wrestling week of the year in Las Vegas!

For tickets to official WWE events, visit Ticketmaster. For premium experiences including meet-and-greets with WWE Superstars, check out On Location.