AEW has officially confirmed that AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025 will take place on Sunday, August 24 at The O2 in London, marking the event’s UK debut.
In addition, AEW will host its first-ever shows in Scotland with AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision scheduled for Wednesday, August 20 at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow.
Tickets for both events will be available starting Friday, May 2.
Entrance music is an iconic staple of pro wrestling, from the glass shattering to signify the arrival of Steve Austin to Cody Rhodes’ beloved theme from Downstait. Now, fans who relish hearing entrance themes know they have Hulk Hogan to thank, at least according to the Hulkster himself.
Speaking on the Try That In A Small Town podcast, Hogan took credit for innovating entrance music in pro wrestling. Hogan’s original theme, none other than the iconic track from Rocky, ‘Eye of the Tiger.’
“I went to the sound guy, I said ‘to hell with this. Eye of the Tiger, crank it up!’ I gave him five hundred bucks.”
Seeing the thunderous response the fans gave to hearing Hogan enter to the track, the Hulkster took the suggestion of entrance music to Vince McMahon. Not long, everybody in WWE and the wider wrestling world wanted to get in on the music action.
“Vince picked up on it real quick and it just took off. And then everybody wanted entrance music so Jimmy Hart sat up all night writing entrance music.”
Hogan may take credit for inventing the idea of wrestling entrance music, but like many of his claims, this one doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. In the 1940s and 1950s, Georgeous George would arrive to Pomp & Circumstance, a track later used for ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage. The Fabulous Freebirds would also use music in the southern territories, while in the WWWF, Sgt. Slaughter would use the Marine Corp Hymn before Hogan became the megastar he is.
While an argument can be made that Hogan popularized entrance music in the mainstream, he was by no means the first. And given the frosty reception Hogan received during Raw’s debut on Netflix, it may be a long time before fans here ‘Real American’ in a WWE setting.
The WWE Hall of Fame 2025 ceremony will be the latest celebration of wrestling legends and mark the second induction of Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque. In an unprecedented moment, Levesque will become the first inductee to be honored for his role as a singles star second, with his first induction coming as part of DX in 2019.
Shawn Michaels will be on-hand to induct WWE’s Chief Content Officer. Taking to X with his trademark HBK sarcasm, Michaels shared how he was ‘coerced’ into inducting the Game.
While Michaels and Triple H make sense ad an inductor-inductee duo, some of this year’s picks have raised some eyebrows. Many believe that The Undertaker is the wrong choice to induct Michelle McCool, with fans arguing that Layla would be a more apt choice. Lex Luger had hoped that Sting would be the one to indcut him, but as Sting remains under contract with AEW, ‘Diamond’ Dallas Page will do the honors instead.
Despite these criticisms, the WWE Hall of Fame will be an epic event, set to take place this Friday, April 18, at the BleauLive Theater in Las Vegas.
Former AEW star Bear Boulder was arrested in January 2025 following claims of domestic battery by strangulation and the promotion terminated his contract. This brought an end to his tag-team with Bear Bronson who recently addressed how this situation has affected his career.
On X, Bronson shared that it feels like he’s being forced to pay for the actions of another man and admitted to feeling “forgotten and ignored.” Despite this, Bronson is determined to do the best he can and appreciates the support from his family, fans, and others.
Bronson’s openness about his situation sparked a lot of comments with many saying they’re rooting for Bronson and believe his ‘time’ will come. When one fan suggested that Bronson find a new tag team partner though, Bronson rejected the idea with a simple but poignant “No.”
Bronson has competed just six times since Boulder’s arrest, according to date provided by Profight. As for Boulder, who saw the case against him dismissed in March, he has not wrestled since the January 2025 arrest, raising questions about his future in the wrestling industry.
As for Bronson, he’s clearly feeling that a situation that has nothing to do with him has greatly affected his career in the ring. It remains to be seen where his journey in wrestling will go next as the situation with his former tag team partner continues to loom over him.
TheHotline.org: The National Domestic Violence Hotline
On the April 14, edition of WWE Raw, Karrion Kross lost to AJ Styles in a brutal match between the two. Speaking after the match, the former NXT Champion lamented his defeat in his first match on Monday Night Raw since July of 2024.
“I got a shot tonight, first time on Netflix, and I lost. I’m also not on WrestleMania in my home of Las Vegas.”
Despite his disappointment, Kross tried to look on the positive side of things. Along his many things he can look forward to, Kross celebrated being able to spend ‘quality time’ with his wife.
“I got some other things to be happy about. Like tomorrow morning I’m gonna wake up next to a naked Scarlett Bordeaux. I mean, that’s great.”
Focusing back on the match, Kross shared that he’s also pleased to see a “sliver” of the AJ Styles that the Phenomenal One needs to show if he wants to beat Logan Paul at WrestleMania 41. Concluding, Kross encouraged Styles to embrace a darker side to himself, not just for his match with Paul, but beyond.
“AJ, do what needs to be done tomorrow. Do what needs to be done the next day and the day after that, after that, until you get to Mania and then moving forward.”
Kross has been trying to brink a darker side out of Styles and his match on Raw was a masterclass in mindgames. As noted on commentary, Kross donned tights designed by the same person who creates AJ’s gear. Late into the match, Kross smiled as he realized Styles was setting up for a Phenomenal Forearm. Rather than dodge the move, Kross put his arms behind his back to take the hit.
It remains to be seen if Styles stands tall at WrestleMania, and if he does, whether it’ll be down to Kross’ mental games. Nevertheless, Karrion Kross was pleased with what he saw from Styles, despite taking the loss on Raw to the former WWE Champion.
The April 14, edition of WWE Raw served as the go-home episode of the red brand before WrestleMania 41, giving talent one last chance to build momentum. In the closing moments of Raw, it was Seth Rollins who stood tall in a explosive segment including Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Paul Heyman.
Punk approached Heyman backstage, noting that his best friend looked stressed moments before Roman Reigns pulled up. Instead of addressing his Wise Man, Reigns walked to the ring, leaving Heyman to try and catch up. In front of the Sacramento crowd, Reigns said that the fans in California would never betray the OTC, unlike some, a pointed line aimed at Heyman. When Reigns asked Heyman why he betrayed him, this earned a “you f***ed up” chant from the fans.
Heyman was booed as he tried to defend his actions, saying he hasn’t betrayed Reigns but is paying back a favor that he owed to CM Punk. Roman then said that he’s the only one getting screwed over in this favor and that he doesn’t need favors but takes what he wants.
Seth Rollins was out next and said that the winner of this triple threat match will define the future of WWE. Though Rollins claimed that WWE will die if CM Punk is able to win, this only made fans chant for CM Punk even more. Rollins argued that favors are a choice, claiming that Heyman can choose not to give Seth his favor back after sparing his life last week.
Tired of talking, Reigns clotheslined Rollins and sent him out of the ring before shoving Heyman to the mat, a shocking moment that brought out CM Punk. Reigns and Punk brawled before Punk clotheslined the OTC over the top rope, but when Punk checked on Heyman, this gave Reigns the chance to recover and spear him.
Reigns delivered a beatdown to Punk before being struck in the back with a chair by Rollins in an homage to the chair shot that started off this whole thing back in 2014. Rollins nailed a stomp to Punk and Reigns to send a final definitive message, and it’ll be the Architect who walks into WrestleMania 41 with the momentum.
Ryan Nemeth’s legal battle with AEW, Tony Khan, and CM Punk is officially heading to arbitration. According to a new statement from Nemeth’s attorney, the ongoing lawsuit will take place behind closed dooes. Nemeth’s lawyer, Mike Caspino, confirmed to POST Wrestling:
“There has been no settlement. The parties have agreed to submit the matter to arbitration.”
Nemeth originally filed the lawsuit in February, claiming that Khan and Punk (real name Phil Brooks,) conspired to freeze him out of the wrestling business. Khan reportedly blamed Nemeth for his decision to terminate Brooks in September 2023, an act that would lead to CM Punk’s return to WWE that November.
The lawsuit also staterd that AEW officials removed Nemeth from a booking, seemingly at the request of Punk following an encounter between the two. AEW responded by seeking to seal Nemeth’s contract and compel arbitration. Their argument centered on the claim that publicizing contract terms could cause “irreparable harm” to the company’s competitive interests.
Nemeth last appeared for AEW in 2023 and more recently has been making waves in TNA Wrestling. Nemeth can be seen alongside his brother Nic and the latter recently turned heel after losing the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett made their presence felt on the April 14th episode of WWE Raw by bringing back his ominous “Fall and Pray” entrance theme. While Kross’s entrance wasn’t aired during the live broadcast, WWE’s social media platforms shared the visual spectacle online. He battled AJ Styles in a singles match on the show.
This theme holds significance as it was the one Kross used during his initial impactful debut in NXT in 2020 before he transitioned to “The End Is Near” as part of the Final Testament faction.
Commentary from Michael Cole shed light on the change, stating that Kross specifically requested the return of his “Dead Silent” theme. This decision was driven by Kross’s desire to recapture the essence of his earlier and more dominant persona, aiming to “reestablish himself as the killer he once was.”
This singles match on Raw was Kross’s first since July 2024, signaling a potential shift in his character and direction within WWE, perhaps marking the start of a relaunch. Kross does not have a match lined up for WrestleMania 41, while Styles is scheduled to meet Logan Paul in a singles match.
This year’s WWE NXT Stand & Deliver event will take place on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The headliner is expected to be a triple threat match for the WWE NXT Championship featuring Oba Femi vs. Trick Williams vs. Je’Von Evans.
Other top bouts include a Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE NXT Women’s Championship between Stephanie Vaquer vs. GIULIA vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker, and a Ladder Match for the vacant WWE NXT Women’s North American Championship.
While appearing on the Bobby Bones Show, head of WWE NXT creative Shawn Michaels was asked if a standout performance at NXT Stand & Deliver could expedite a talent’s move to the main roster.
“Absolutely, Stand & Deliver, much like WrestleMania, you can turn your career around in one match and one moment. Even when it comes to bonuses, those are things that, especially from an NXT standpoint, we have a lot of multi-person matches at Stand & Deliver. A lot of people don’t like that, but these young men and women work throughout the entire year. Not all of them get an opportunity to be on PLEs and those televisions that are on the road, which we’ve been doing more of lately. We want to give as many people as we can an opportunity to perform on the biggest weekend. That’s the reason people get into this line of work. To have that experience to have those moments. We’re hoping we have a lot of standouts come Stand & Deliver. It’s something we definitely keep an eye on and anytime there is a performance or somebody goes above and beyond, whether it’s in a match or throughout the entire year, we try to take care of them as much as possible,” said Michaels.
NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer and Axiom, and NXT North American Champion Ricky Starks, will also defend their titles at the show against competitors soon to be announced.
WWE will present the WrestleMania 41 premium live event on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV. Despite a stacked card, one title is not currently scheduled to be on the line at the show.
Fightful Select reports that United States Champion Chelsea Green is not currently planned for WrestleMania. Fans observed on Friday that Green was not among the champions advertised when the cards were announced.
According to the report, sources indicated that she was not scheduled for the show late last week. It was reiterated that as of this past weekend, there were no plans for her involvement. While a last-minute segment or skit remains possible, sources consistently stated otherwise in the preceding two inquiries.
The first night of WrestleMania is set to feature Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk in the main event. Other prominent matches include WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER vs. Jey Uso, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair, and WWE United States Champion LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu.
Night two’s main event will showcase Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena. The other top matches slated for the second night include WWE Women’s World Champion IYO SKY vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley, WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker vs. Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Balor in a Fatal Four Way Match, and Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest in a Sin City Street Fight.
Randy Orton has no plans to slow down after making his in-ring return at WrestleMania 40. In a recent interview with Complex, the 14-time world champion revealed that he hopes to sign another five-year deal with WWE, showing his long-term commitment to the company following a career-threatening back injury.
“I just had back fusion about a year and a half ago. A lot of people were thinking I was done,” Orton said. “Now that I’m back, I feel better than I have in a decade.”
Orton returned to action in November 2023 at Survivor Series: WarGames and has since re-established himself on WWE programming. Discussing his current mindset, he emphasized his determination to stay active as long as his body allows.
“I want to do another five years,” Orton added. “I just turned 44, and I’d love to sign that next contract and keep it going until I can’t anymore.”
In addition to his own return, Orton commented on the recent injury to Kevin Owens, stating that the situation is still unfolding and there’s hope Owens won’t be out for long.
WWE WrestleMania 41 is mere days away but not everyone will be part of the two-night supershow. Braun Strowman is among those not expected to appear in Allegiant Stadium but the former Universal Champion isn’t too worried about this ‘snub.’
On X, a fan criticized WWE for omitting Strowman from the WrestleMania card, highlighting that Braun has always been willing to do what was asked of him. This caught the attention of Strowman who appreciated the fan’s support. With that said, Braun made clear he’s just doing his job, seemingly rejecting idea that WWE ‘owes’ him a WrestleMania spot.
Strowman’s attitude reflects a maturity as he recognizes that not everyone can make it to the WrestleMania card and there are limited opportunities when WWE boasts such a massive roster. Strowman recently feuded with Jacob Fatu though it was the Samoan Werewolf who won their Last Man Standing match on the April 4, edition of WWE SmackDown. Fatu will make his WrestleMania debut by challenging WWE United States Champion LA Knight for the gold.
As for Strowman, it remains to be seen what’s next in his career as he continues to search out his next storyline on WWE programming. And while Braun may not make it onto this year’s WrestleMania card, Strowman plans on being a part of many more massive events in the future.
Roman Reigns is days away from competing in a triple threat match with Seth Rollins and CM Punk at WrestleMania 41. He enters this match knowing that Paul Heyman will not be in his corner for the main event on Saturday night; instead, Heyman will be supporting Punk.
In a message shared on Monday afternoon ahead of tonight’s Raw, Reigns reflected on his past year in WWE.
“It’s funny how much a year can change. This time last year I was untouchable. I should have tightened my grip around this company’s neck. There was a wise man that taught me diplomacy. ‘You gotta think politically’, I tried to help everyone. Most of them don’t understand what a helping hand really looks like. What that really feels like. What do I get for it? Netflix. TKO. The mainstream. Billion dollar deals and somehow I’m out on my ass. I lift everybody up and somehow no one’s got enough respect to just be true to their Tribal Chief. My father didn’t agree with me. He used to say, son why do you care if they respect you? Why do you care if they acknowledge your talent and your contribution? Lessons learned. We don’t lose. We learn. Don’t trust anyone.”
At last year’s WrestleMania, Reigns won a tag team match on night 1, teaming with The Rock to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. The following night, Reigns lost the Undisputed WWE Title to Rhodes.
In September 2023, TKO Group Holdings officially launched, consisting of two entertainment juggernauts: WWE & UFC. Ever since, fans have speculated about potential crossover between the two and WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque won’t rule the idea out.
Speaking to Flagrant, Levesque wouldn’t confirm a crossover event or talent competing for the other, though didn’t reject the concept.
“Look, it’s one of those things—it just depends on who’s an entertainer and who’s not… We’re always wide open to it.”
While WWE are yet to send one of its Superstars to UFC, nor has a crossover event happened, the bond that exists within TKO has played out on screen. Since TKO’s launch, several names from both sides have made appearances for the other, including Rhea Ripley attending UFC 314. In 2024, WWE hosted NXT Battleground from the UFC Apex in Paradise, Nevada, further demonstrating the ties between the two sides.
If Levesque is looking for Superstars to compete in UFC, he won’t have a problem finding volunteers. After attending UFC 298 in 2024, Montez Ford shared that he’d 100% love the opportunity to try his skills inside the Octagon.
With WWE more open to working with others than ever before (just ask TNA Wrestling) a crossover event with UFC can’t be counted out. And with several Superstars already having experience in the Octagon, such an event may not be a matter of if, but when.
Donald Trump is loved by some and loathed by others, but there’s no denying that the U.S. President is able to get everyone talking. Speaking to Flagrant, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque argued that Trump has a pull that few people in his circles could dream of replicating.
“He’s charismatic in so many ways, and I think he likes getting under peoples skin, generating [heat]. It’s amazing and it’s genius, and it worked.”
Levesque, set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for the second time this weekend, highlighted Trump as “the epitome of that billionaire status” and once again credited ‘The Don’s’ charisma for that. While there are other billionaires in the word, Levesque noted that it was Trump that individuals could find on People Magazine on a regular basis.
While Trump has obvious ties to WWE, including appearances at several WrestleManias, the company has avoided mentioning the current President of the United States on-screen. This restraint demonstrates WWE wisely stepping away from the highly-volatile world of politics despite the potential for headlines if they were to lean into their Trump connection. WWE’s TKO partners in UFC haven’t shied away from Trump, who appeared at the recent UFC 314 event.
Each day, Trump continues to make headlines, with his recent tarriffs and changes to said tarriffs sparking a ton of debate, and while Levesque may avoid mentioning the President by name on WWE TV, the CCO’s admiration for Trump’s charisma is no secret.
Since arriving in WWE in 2021, Logan Paul has been riling up fans, though even his fiercest critics can’t deny his skills in the squared circle. Speaking recently to Ariel Helwani, WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER shared his praise for the Maverick.
“I have no bad experience with Logan. I think he’s a great addition for us. Crazy athlete and he picked it up very quick.”
GUNTHER acknowledged that Paul may not have “aspirations to be the best wrestler in the world,” but said that his “obvious passion” for pro wrestling can’t be denied. And though some may have issues with an ‘outsider’ getting top treatment by WWE, GUNTHER argued it’s hypocritcal for others to bemoan Paul for accepting such lavish treatment.
“When you get offered a private jet and locker room, none of you would turn it down. Let’s be honest.”
GUNTHER’s comments are interesting given that his journey to WWE and Paul’s couldn’t be more different. While GUNTHER spent years honing his craft in his native Europe before landing in NXT UK, Paul made his name as a social media influencer who crossed over into Sports Entertainment.
Both GUNTHER and Logan Paul will be in action at WWE WrestleMania 41 in matches against Jey Uso and AJ Styles respectively. And while GUNTHER’s declaration that the mat is sacred may seem the antithesis of Paul’s brash, in-your-face attitude, the Ring General has no issue with the Maverick.
At WWE SummerSlam 2024, Rhea Ripley’s time as part of the Judgment Day came to an end, as did the tenure of the group’s longest-tenured member Damian Priest. When asked by the Toronto Sun if she still keeps tabs on her former group, Ripley argued that the Judgment Day is hardly the faction it once was.
“Judgment Day died when Damian and I got turned on. They died. When we got kicked out, they died. They’re not the Judgment Day anymore.”
Ripley’s time with the group ended when Dominik Mysterio cost her a Women’s World Title match with Liv Morgan, and sealed his betrayal with a kiss to the latter. As for Priest, his ousting came when Finn Balor would cost him his World Heavyweight Championship match to GUNTHER.
Despite Ripley’s bold claim, the Judgment Day remains a force on WWE TV, with four members of the group set to do action at WrestleMania. While Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez will put their tag titles on the line, Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio will be at odds in the Intercontinental Championship fatal four-way match.
As for Ripley, her Road to WrestleMania will lead her to potentially regaining the Women’s World Championship, though IYO SKY and Bianca Belair won’t make this easy. And just one year after retaining the very same title as a fully-fledged member of the Judgment Day, WWE’s ‘Mami’ wants no part of the ‘dead’ faction.
Brock Lesnar hasn’t appeared for WWE in over a year but fans can expect the Beast to return to TV, at least according to one WWE Hall of Famer.
On the Something to Wrestle podcast, John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield predicted that Lesnar’s return isn’t a question of if, but when.
“There’s gonna be a figure that comes that has two commas in it that they’re gonna offer him to come back, and I think he’ll take it and I hope he does.”
Layfield said that his fellow former WWE Champion will be tempted by “the limelight,” a somewhat ironic belief given Brock is a self-professed misanthrope. Nevertheless, a high-enough figure could convince Lesnar, who for years was WWE’s highest-paid Superstar to step back in the ring.
Lesnar’s WWE future has been in limbo since Janel Grant filed her lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis. In the suit, Grant alleges that she was trafficked to Lesnar in order to convince him to re-sign with WWE.
The nixing of plans led to Lesnar being removed from the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match, won by Brock’s most recent opponent, Cody Rhodes. Lesnar was reportedly set to face Dominik Mysterio at Elimination Chamber: Perth, and GUNTHER at WrestleMania 40, though neither match occurred.
While JBL believes WWE will make an offer alluring enough to bring Lesnar back, the company has outwardly shown no sign of doing just that. And with the inevitable bad PR WWE would face bringing Lesnar back amid Grant’s legal dispute, it may be a long time before fans ever see him in the ring again.
The 2025 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here’s what to know about tuning in to the ceremony.
Streaming Options
In the United States
International Viewers
Timing Details
The ceremony begins at 10:00 PM Pacific Time on Friday, April 18, 2025. Start times by region include:
Venue Information
The ceremony will be held at the BleauLive Theater inside the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The Fontainebleau has also been named the official host hotel for WrestleMania 41 and is offering up to 30% off on room rates for Fontainebleau Rewards Members.
Mattel and WWE have announced a multi-year extension of their global licensing partnership, continuing their collaboration on a wide range of WWE-branded products including action figures, playsets, roleplay items, vehicles, and accessories.
The partnership, which began in 2010, has seen WWE action figures become a mainstay in the U.S. toy market and beyond, with products now available in over 50 countries. Mattel’s WWE Main Event Action Figure Series remains the longest-running continuous action figure line in history.
The renewed agreement comes as WWE accelerates its global footprint, highlighted by its recent partnership with Netflix. As of January 2025, Monday Night Raw began streaming in the U.S., with other WWE programming and Premium Live Events reaching international audiences through the platform.
“Our longstanding partnership with WWE has resulted in some of the most celebrated action figures in the industry,” said Josh Silverman, Chief Franchise Officer at Mattel. “As we extend this agreement, we are committed to delivering authentic, high-quality products that capture the energy and larger-than-life personalities of WWE for fans across the globe.”
Alex Varga, Co-Head of Revenue at WWE, added, “WWE’s relationship with Mattel has been a cornerstone of our consumer products strategy for 15 years. Extending this collaboration will allow us to continue offering products that bring our WWE Superstars and their stories to life for our global fanbase.”
Mattel’s WWE products are available online and in select retailers worldwide.
The Miz has shared his thoughts on John Cena’s recent heel turn, predicting that the WWE Universe will ultimately drive a return to his babyface persona.
After Cena embraced a heel character for the first time at WWE Elimination Chamber in March 2025—blaming fans for his attitude shift—The Miz addressed the change in a recent interview with TMZ. He said he’s long believed Cena had heel tendencies and recalled calling it out as far back as their WrestleMania 27 feud.
“Haven’t I been telling everyone that John Cena is already a heel? Since the beginning,” The Miz said. “Do you not remember all the promos, the feuds, all the things I’ve said about John Cena? I’ve known this forever.”
He went on to reflect on Cena’s star power, noting that any opponent must elevate themselves just to compete with him—regardless of whether Cena is portrayed as a hero or villain.
“John Cena is such a big star that when you’re in the ring with him, you need to step up,” he explained. “He’s literally saying, ‘this is where I’m at—if you’re not here, you’re not on my level.’”
Looking ahead, The Miz predicted that the fans who once turned against Cena may now be the ones to bring him back to the light.
“In my mind, I feel like I know what’s going to happen,” he said. “The audience is going to like John Cena as a heel so much that they’re going to turn him back to babyface. That’s what the audience does.”
Cena is set to face Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41 on April 20.
Gail Kim’s departure from TNA has stirred emotions across the wrestling world, but her legacy as the cornerstone of the Knockouts Division remains firmly intact. TNA co-founder Jeff Jarrett recently shed new light on just how instrumental Kim was in creating a platform for women in the company — even when leadership wasn’t ready to commit.
Kim Pushed for a Women’s Division When No One Else Would
Speaking on a recent episode of his My World podcast, Jarrett revealed that Kim wasn’t just a top-tier performer, but the driving force behind the birth of TNA’s women’s division.
“She really, really pushed for a women’s division at that time,” Jarrett said. “And I gave the pushback multiple times, because I said, ‘Hey, if we’re going to do it, we got to make sure we give the proper amount of time to it.’”
Jarrett emphasized the logistical challenges of launching a women’s division in the early TNA days, noting that the roster wasn’t deep enough. But Kim insisted.
“We had a little bit — but with me and America’s Most Wanted, she was the first one,” he explained. “She pushed and pushed, and she was right. We needed it.
A Star Performer Who Redefined the Role
Kim didn’t just advocate for change — she embodied it. Jarrett praised her athleticism and storytelling ability.
“She’d jump off the top and do a hurricanrana… her athleticism in the early days jumped off the page.”
More importantly, she mastered the art of being a believable babyface, something Jarrett says is rare for women in wrestling.
“Sometimes it is harder for a female to be that — you know, as we call the business, white meat babyface. Because you still got to have an edge… She was very, very, very skilled, and I’ll say this: a professional wrestler.”
A Legacy That Won’t Be Forgotten
Kim’s efforts helped establish one of the most respected women’s divisions in wrestling history. As her chapter with TNA closes, Jarrett’s reflections offer a powerful reminder of her enduring impact — not just as a performer, but as a pioneer who wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Triple H, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, shared rare behind-the-scenes insight into his creative leadership, personal growth, and the transformative power of professional wrestling during a feature-length interview on the High Performance podcast.
John Cena’s Heel Turn: “What if We Pulled the Lever?”
One of the most headline-grabbing revelations centered around John Cena’s long-awaited heel turn. Levesque revealed that after years of resistance, the decision was finally made during Cena’s farewell run.
“I went to John and said, ‘What if we pulled the lever no one ever wanted to pull? What if you turned heel?’” Triple H recalled. Cena responded, “I f***ing love it.”
The storyline played out during Elimination Chamber, where Cena shockingly attacked The Rock. According to Levesque, it was a creatively risky but emotionally grounded decision designed to showcase a new layer of Cena’s character—one bitter over years of mixed fan reactions.
Leading WWE with a Creative Vision
Levesque emphasized that his approach to creative leadership differs from that of Vince McMahon, particularly in giving performers more autonomy. “I like to work with the talent and give them freedom to try things,” he said.
Citing examples like Jey Uso’s organic crowd connection and his own iconic water-spitting entrance, Levesque highlighted how many successful moments arise from improvisation and crowd feedback rather than rigid scripting.
The Feel vs. The Formula
He credited mentors like Pat Patterson for teaching him the intangible quality of “feel” in wrestling. “You can’t teach feel. You either know what emotion something will evoke or you don’t,” he explained, noting it as a creative gift that only a few truly possess.
Life After a Health Scare
Triple H also opened up about his 2021 heart failure, which nearly claimed his life. Doctors discovered 100% blockage in one of his arteries, and he later received a defibrillator implant.
Reflecting on that time, he said, “I’m Triple H, the larger-than-life wrestler. But the most important job I have is being a husband and a dad.” The experience reshaped his outlook: “A bad show? Who cares—I have three amazing kids and a great wife.”
Rebuilding Bridges with CM Punk
Levesque discussed his renewed collaboration with CM Punk, describing past tensions as the result of “bad communication.” After Punk’s return, both agreed to move forward with transparency and openness, which has since led to a positive working relationship.
“Sitting down with Punk now is one of my favorite things to do at TV,” Levesque said.
WrestleMania, Storytelling, and Lasting Impact
From WrestleMania planning to the emotional highs of fan engagement, Triple H stressed the importance of making people feel something. “It’s like music,” he said. “Wrestling moments stick with you, just like the songs from your youth.”
From Performer to Executive
Now in a top executive role, Levesque has embraced a new leadership style rooted in collaboration and perspective. He described his younger self as singularly focused, even obsessed, with success. Today, balance and presence are central to his philosophy.
“There’s no such thing as perfect work-life balance,” he said. “It’s about emotionally managing where you are, when you’re there.”
Final Lessons: Humility, Respect, Passion
Triple H closed the conversation by identifying three core values: respect, humility, and drive. These non-negotiables guide how he leads and how he wants others to grow—whether they’re WWE superstars or professionals in any field.
“There’s always another level to reach,” he concluded. “And the joy isn’t just in reaching it—it’s in the process of getting there.”
WWE has officially announced the summer 2025 schedule for its RAW and SmackDown live shows, confirming dates across 10 major cities in the United States and Canada.
The tour begins on Monday, July 7, with RAW in Providence, Rhode Island at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. SmackDown follows on July 11 in Nashville, Tennessee at Bridgestone Arena. Additional stops include Birmingham, San Antonio, Houston, Cleveland, Detroit, Montreal, Quebec City, and Boston.
Here is the full schedule of announced dates:
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, AXS, and SeatGeek, depending on the venue.
John Cena’s schedule with WWE continues to expand beyond his in-ring appearances, with another date recently added. Cena is set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41 this Sunday.
Following this Mania match, Cena is also advertised for the Raw episode immediately following WrestleMania next Monday.
In addition to his Raw appearance, WWE had previously announced Cena’s participation at Backlash, the post-WrestleMania premium live event in St. Louis, and WWE Clash at the Paris La Défense Arena, scheduled for Sunday, August 31.
These bookings, along with his advertised appearance on the Raw after WrestleMania, signal a more active schedule for the veteran star as he continues his current run with the company.
Cena’s upcoming appearances advertised on WWE’s website include:
