WWE Superstar Nia Jax has firmly denied rumors regarding her medical status following her absence from WWE programming since the Elimination Chamber premium live event on March 1, 2025. The former WWE Women’s Champion took to social media to address claims that she has not been medically cleared to compete.
Responding directly to the reports circulating online, Jax posted: “lol where is this info coming from? I love that medical info is being shared with randoms. And No” before simply adding “False” in a follow-up tweet, clearly refuting the rumors about her status.
The speculation began after WWE insider WrestleVotes had claimed that Jax was not medically cleared, leading to concerns about her availability for WrestleMania 41, which is now less than three weeks away.
Jax has had an eventful 2025 so far, beginning with losing her WWE Women’s Championship to Tiffany Stratton on January 3 after a 153-day reign when Stratton cashed in her Money in the Bank contract.
She went on to set a record with nine eliminations in the Women’s Royal Rumble before finishing third. Her ongoing feud with Stratton led to a tag team match at Elimination Chamber where Jax and Candice LeRae faced Stratton and Trish Stratus, though they were unsuccessful in securing a victory.
While Jax has not confirmed her WrestleMania status, her denial of these medical rumors suggests she may still be in contention for WWE’s biggest event of the year. Despite recent setbacks, including a failed attempt against Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Jax remains one of WWE’s most dominant competitors.
As more information becomes available regarding Nia Jax’s status heading into WrestleMania 41, SEScoops will provide updates.
WWE is making a significant move into the designer toy market with their first limited-edition collectible featuring “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes. This premium figure, created in collaboration with renowned artist Tracy Tubera, celebrates Rhodes’ iconic WrestleMania 38 entrance and signature pose.
Fans can secure this limited-edition collectible exclusively through WWE Shop pre-order.
Premium Designer Collectible Debuts
The collectible showcases incredible artistic detail, featuring Rhodes in his iconic WrestleMania 38 “American Nightmare” robe and attire. Standing at approximately 8.5″ tall, this figure captures Rhodes in his signature “WHOA OHH! pose.
This release marks WWE’s first venture into the high-end designer toy market, partnering with Stance to create a premium collectible that blends artistic design with wrestling fandom. The collaboration with Tracy Tubera, an artist known for his stylized approach to collectibles, brings a fresh perspective to WWE merchandise.
Product Details and Availability
The official product description highlights the collectible’s premium features: “Take your WWE accessory collection from unremarkable to undeniable by adding this Cody Rhodes American Nightmare Limited Edition Model from Stance to it.”
The figure comes complete with a display stand, allowing collectors to showcase this piece prominently.
Pre-orders are now live on WWE Shop, with shipping expected in June 2025. This limited-edition release is likely to sell quickly given Rhodes’ current status as one of WWE’s top stars and the unique nature of this designer collectible.
Rhodes is preparing to defend his championship against John Cena at the upcoming WrestleMania 41, with just 18 days remaining until the event.
Kevin Owens has been dealing with an injury that will likely prevent him from competing at WrestleMania 41 in his scheduled match against Randy Orton.
‘The Prizefighter’ had emerged victorious over Sami Zayn in an unsanctioned match at WWE Elimination Chamber. Post-match, he tried to inflict more damage to his former best friend until Randy Orton made his surprise return and saved Zayn.’ Orton attacked Owens and tried to hit him with the punt but the security intervened. ‘The Viper’ was previously taken out by KO, who tried to end his career. Orton has been seeking revenge and after weeks of build up, they are scheduled to face in a grudge match at ‘The Grandest Stage of Them All’.
The match is still official but a report has raised concerns regarding the match. PWN reported that Kevin Owens is dealing with an undisclosed injury and it is unclear when he will be cleared to compete:
“PWN has been told Kevin Owens is dealing with an undisclosed injury with no timetable set for a return to action. This puts Owens’ WrestleMania match vs Randy Orton in jeopardy with 15 days remaining until the show of shows. To the extent that alternative plans for Orton have been discussed, but no pivot has been made for Orton yet. Owens’ last match came on March 1st at Elimination Chamber vs Sami Zayn in an Unsanctioned match.”
Dave Meltzer has since confirmed that Owens is battling a “serious injury.”
There has been no official word from WWE or Owens himself regarding the reported injury. All eyes will on tonight’s WWE SmackDown to see whether Kevin Owens addresses this reported injury.
Kairi Sane is reportedly on the verge of making her WWE comeback following a months-long absence due to an arm injury. According to PWInsider, multiple WWE sources have confirmed that “The Pirate Princess” is “very close to being cleared to compete,” with her return expected in the coming weeks.
The Japanese star has been sidelined since December 2024 when she suffered a right arm injury while performing with the Damage CTRL faction. The injury was serious enough that Sane shared hospital photos on social media, hinting at surgical intervention and vowing to return with an “arm of iron.”
Signs of progress have been evident since early 2025. Sane was spotted without a sling or medical bracelet during the Royal Rumble Fanatics Meet and Greet, where she interacted positively with fans. By February, she had already resumed in-ring training activities, including running ropes, taking bumps, and performing athletic drills.
While WWE hasn’t officially confirmed Sane’s next storyline direction, internal discussions reportedly involve either reuniting her with Asuka in the tag team division or positioning her for individual championship opportunities like the Women’s Intercontinental or United States titles.
As WrestleMania season continues, the imminent return of the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion adds another dynamic element to WWE’s women’s division.
John Cena hopes to make history at WrestleMania 41 by becoming a 17-time WWE World Champion at the expense of Cody Rhodes. Whether Cena wins the gold or not, however, the WWE icon will indeed make history.
In his upcoming title match, John Cena will become the first man to challenge for a championship at ten WrestleManias. Cena’s record as a challenger is as follows:
WrestleMania 20: Challenged United States Champion The Big Show. Won the title.
WrestleMania 21: Challenged WWE Champion John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield. Won the title.
WrestleMania 24: Challenged WWE Champion Randy Orton. Did not win the title.
WrestleMania 25: Challenged World Heavyweight Champion Edge. Won the title.
WrestleMania 26: Challenged WWE Champion Batista. Won the title.
WrestleMania 27: Challenged WWE Champion The Miz. Did not win the title.
WrestleMania 29: Challenged WWE Champion The Rock. Won the title.
WrestleMania 31: Challenged United States Champion Rusev. Won the title.
WrestleMania 39: Challenged United States Champion Austin Theory. Did not win the title.
WrestleMania 40: Will Challenge Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
H/T to @WWEStats for uncovering this stat. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more interesting wrestling facts and statistics.
Cena boasts a 6-4 win/loss record when it comes to challenging for titles at WrestleMania and the 16-time World Champion would like to make it 7-4. With the Undisputed WWE Title and the very soul of WWE at stake, expect both the champion and the challenger to hold nothing back when they collide inside Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
“I had a little cameo. I feel a little weird because they keep promoting me. You know what? I’m happy that they’re promoting me.”
The film, inspired to the comedy classics that featured Leslie Nielsen, will feature Liam Neeson. Though best known for action and gritty roles, Neeson will play Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Nielsen’s character. Rhodes, a self-professed diehard “Star Wars fan,” was honored to work alongisde Qui-Gon Jinn himself.
“Qui-Gon Jinn, man!… But he was the coolest guy. He was. And the way he was doing every scene, he’d take it a little differently. It was just cool to chop it up with him.”
While Rhodes may not be in a leading role, this is the American Nightmare’s latest major step into the world of acting. Rhodes previously played the villainous meta-human Derek Sampson as part of CW’s Arrow. Back in 2010, he also guest-starred on Warehouse 13 as Kurt Smoller, a romantic interest for the show’s lead character Myka. The episode takes a twist when Myka and her partner Pete switch bodies due to a magical idol, leading to Pete-in-Myka awkwardly finishing the date.
Directed by Akiva Schaffer, Naked Gun is set to release on August 1, 2025 with an all-star cast including Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, and Kevin Durand. As fans wait to see what Rhodes does on-screen with Neeson and co, the Undisputed WWE Champion is proving his talents extend past the squared circle.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has acknowledged a significant personal transformation since his return to WWE, admitting he was once “arrogant” and “angry” before his career resurgence.
Speaking on Barstool Sports’ Mostly Sports podcast, Rhodes offered a candid self-assessment of his evolution as both a performer and person.
“I’m a product of everyone who’s around me. I think the first time I was on your show, I was not a product of everyone who was around me. I was arrogant, I was angry, and that’s all in there still, but I feel like when I came to WWE they literally gave me every weapon in the book,” Rhodes confessed during the interview.
This transformation marks a striking contrast to Rhodes’ demeanor during previous public appearances, notably from his time outside WWE. The current champion’s journey has been remarkable – from his surprising return at WrestleMania in Dallas against Seth Rollins, to consecutive main events against Roman Reigns, culminating in his championship victory.
The Pivotal Moment
Rhodes reflected on the pivotal moment when he left his previous wrestling promotion, describing the internal conflict he experienced.
“I said you people are not going to believe the Move I Make next… I was torn. One thing was my baby and something that I very much loved and was part of its inception and the origin, but then the others kind of your destiny calling you fate and what you do next.”
He credits his wife Brandy for a prescient warning before his WWE return: “Brandy told me that, and I almost get choked up thinking about it, but she just said be careful what you wish for. And then what I wish for plus a million came true.”
The champion’s reflective nature extends to his appreciation for his current position. When discussing his upcoming WrestleMania 41 match against John Cena, Rhodes expressed profound gratitude for his career trajectory: “If it ended tomorrow, if the story was truly finished, I’ve had an incredibly lucky, lucky, lucky career.”
Rhodes’ personal growth coincides with his professional success, with his championship reign representing not just an athletic achievement but the culmination of a personal journey. His willingness to acknowledge past flaws while embracing his current role demonstrates the maturity that has endeared him to fans.
As Rhodes prepares for his championship defense against John Cena at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, his growth mindset and gratitude highlight the evolution of a performer who has found both professional and personal success in his WWE return. The champion now approaches his matches with a blend of confidence and humility that was perhaps missing in earlier stages of his career.
WWE officials have reportedly been impressed not only with Rhodes’ in-ring performances but with his professionalism and leadership backstage – further evidence of the personal transformation he’s described here.
Whether facing a wrestling legend like Cena or mentoring younger talent, Rhodes brings the perspective of someone who understands both sides of the business.
“I’m happy about my family being there, I’m happy it’s Vegas and wrestling fans who experience Vegas,” Rhodes said about the upcoming WrestleMania, demonstrating his focus on the collective experience rather than just his individual achievement.
For a performer who once declared that fans “would not believe” his next move, Cody Rhodes has transformed into a champion who fully understands and embraces his role in WWE’s broader narrative – a redemption story both in and out of the ring.
Check out Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes’ full interview with Mostly Sports:
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has revealed the emotional complexity behind his upcoming WrestleMania 41 match against John Cena, describing the encounter as “bittersweet” due to their personal history.
During an appearance on Barstool Sports’ Mostly Sports podcast, Rhodes opened up about the unique dynamic of facing someone who once served as his mentor.
“It’s bittersweet because John Cena was legitimately at one point the dude I drove around for two years and learned everything I possibly could from, and I did it my way. I did it very differently than John might have thought that I would do it,” Rhodes explained, providing rare insight into his early career development alongside the 16-time world champion.
Student vs. Teacher
This student-versus-teacher narrative adds significant emotional stakes to what Rhodes confirmed will be Cena’s final WrestleMania appearance. The championship match now carries historical significance beyond the title itself, as Cena has one last opportunity to break Ric Flair’s record of 16 world championships.
“It’s bittersweet because I have to do what Jon did during that super Cena run, which is just win,” Rhodes continued, acknowledging his conflicted position as the potential roadblock to Cena’s record-breaking achievement. “As much as John Cena has made a lot of enemies as of recent… there’s still an excitement over the fact that he could break Ric Flair’s record, that he could get 17, and you’re looking at the guy who stops him from doing that.”
Wrestling historians note that this type of mentor-mentee championship match carries significant storytelling weight in the industry. The added dimension of potentially ending Cena’s quest for a record-breaking championship creates a compelling narrative that transcends typical title defenses.
When discussing the broader implications of the match, Rhodes adopted a somewhat ominous tone:
“For those of you who don’t know how history goes, sometimes there’s not always a happy ending… if anything I’d say you’re going to watch your hero unfortunately not [break the record].”
Industry insiders suggest that this match could represent a symbolic “passing of the torch” moment in WWE, regardless of the outcome. Rhodes, now firmly established as a top-tier champion, finds himself in the position of his former mentor – carrying the company as its standard-bearer.
The juxtaposition of Rhodes’ gratitude toward Cena alongside his determination to retain his championship creates a compelling psychological dimension to their upcoming clash.
“John Cena is the type that when he says something he means it, so you are watching history,” Rhodes emphasized.
WWE’s creative direction has increasingly incorporated real-life elements and relationships into its storytelling, and the Rhodes-Cena dynamic represents a perfect example of this approach. Their shared history provides natural emotional stakes that resonate with longtime viewers.
For the WrestleMania 41 audience in Las Vegas, the match offers more than athletic competition – it represents a poignant career moment that bridges wrestling generations. As Rhodes prepares to defend his championship, he balances respect for Cena’s legacy with his responsibility as champion to “just win,” setting the stage for a match filled with emotional depth beyond the in-ring competition.
WWE Superstar Rusev (Miro in AEW) is headed to Las Vegas for WrestleMania 41 weekend.
The Bulgarian Brute is slated to make a special guest appearance at the KnokX Pro event
KnokX Pro, founded by Rikishi and Reno Anoa’i, expressed their enthusiasm:
“KPE is proud to welcome home our highly esteemed special guest Miro! KnokX Pro’s very own alumni from the graduating first class of 2009! We are very honored to be in the presence of God’s Favorite Champion, The Redeemer, The Best Man, The Bulgarian Brute as he celebrates with us during Mania Week in Downtown Las Vegas on Rusev Day no less! Join us as at @dlvec as we give him a warm welcome! Buy your tickets now.”?
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes recently said that he feels The Rock still has more than one match left in the tank. ‘The American Nightmare’ even stated that he would love to go one on one with ‘The Final Boss’.
Speaking with Pardon My Take, Cody Rhodes was asked whether he would want to face The Rock inside the ring in a singles match. The reigning WWE Champion suggested that he would love to be involved in a match against the veteran superstar. Despite the hectic schedule, Cody isn’t ruling out a one on one encounter with him. He said:
“I think he’s due for more than one match and I would love to be penciled in on one of those. Obviously that schedule is as intense as it gets but he’s still so involved with WWE. He could have easily been the final boss and just kind of taken that as a customary title. But he has really gotten his hands involved in and what we’re doing.”
Cody Rhodes also added that The Rock vs Roman Reigns needs to happen. He explained:
“…what the reaction you can get from doing wrestling moves in the ring and the promo in the interview I really have enjoyed that connection with him. I’d like be one of those, I think he has two matches he has to do. I’m not putting any pressure on anyone. I’d love to see if him and his cousin Roman Reigns ever have this encounter, maybe it’s the greatest match we never get, just because timing whatever it may be. And I think we need to finish our own story with him and with myself but we’ll see.”
For over a year, The Rock and Cody Rhodes have been heavily involved in storylines, starting with Cody choosing to face Roman Reigns after winning the Royal Rumble match last year. This hampered The Rock’s plan to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. This led to the birth of The Rock’s “Final Boss” persona.
At WrestleMania 40, The Rock returned to the ring and teamed with his cousin Roman Reigns to face Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1. They won the battle, setting up Bloodline Rules for the main event on Night 2. Their story is ongoing and it has continued even after WrestleMania. At this year’s Elimination Chamber, Cody refused The Rock’s offer to sell his soul and it led to John Cena joining forces with The Rock.
WrestleMania 21 was, in many ways, a watershed event for WWE. Batista paid off months of storytelling with the Evolution faction when he beat Triple H to win his first world title in the main event. John Cena also won his first world title by pinning JBL. On top of that, Randy Orton leveled up, finding his footing after a failed babyface run when he went Streak hunting against The Undertaker.
Another important dimension of this show—twenty years past—is the introduction of Money in the Bank to the WWE landscape. A star-studded field of six men without clear programs going into WrestleMania season made up the first Money in the Bank Ladder Match, and the WWE landscape has never been quite the same since.
The Original Money In The Bank Ladder Match Arguably Remains The Best
A big part of Money in the Bank taking off as a concept comes down to just how good the original edition of the match was. Edge and Christian were ladder match veterans, willing and able to take big hits and deliver on creative spots. Chris Jericho and Chris Benoit were two of the best workers in the world. Shelton Benjamin was an athletic phenom. Kane was a perfect anchor as a big man to provide the powerhouse foundation for the match, and a steady, experienced hand to help keep the match on track.
The results were predictably great—a bout that, to this day, remains one of the very few one could legitimately argue was the best Money in the Bank match of all time. The action delivered and Edge winning was not entirely expected, but quite satisfying as a newly minted main eventer arrived.
Edge Was A Test Case For The Money In The Bank Formula
Now, Money in the Bank is a part of the WWE canon and fans have generally agreed upon qualities for what makes a good Mr. or Ms. Money in the Bank. That generally favors opportunistic heels and particularly ones who are on the cusp of main event status but, for whatever combination of reasons, haven’t yet been able to cross over that threshold.
Edge’s example largely set that paradigm in motion. After a successful tag team and mid-card career, Edge had repeatedly hit the glass ceiling trying to break through as a main eventer. Though he’d occasionally challenged for world titles, he had a credibility gap to overcome as a first-time champ, not seen on the same level as talents like John Cena, Batista, Triple H, or Randy Orton.
Edge won the match and had a picture-perfect cash-in—one that, by his own account, he pitched because WWE management hadn’t had a plan. He called his shot after Cena was beaten down from successfully defending his WWE Championship at New Year’s Revolution 2006 and launched a new approach to eclipsing main event status, in a template stars like The Miz, Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler, Carmella, and Tiffany Stratton would follow across decades to follow.
Money In The Bank Has Been Important To WWE Storytelling
(Credit: WWE)
Money in the Bank has become an important device for WWE. In sticky situations, like when WWE needed to sort out its World Heavyweight Championship picture in 2007, it offered a vehicle to get the belt on Edge. It served as a platform to elevate or switch gears for babyface characters like CM Punk and Daniel Bryan too. The briefcase also set up electric moments of cash-ins at WrestleManias 31 and 40.
While some of the novelty of Money in the Bank has worn thin across two decades, it also remains true that every single cash-in has generated a huge pop from WWE fans. Sometimes that’s a celebration of a previously underappreciated talent like Liv Morgan having her breakthrough moment at Money in the Bank 2022 or Big E capturing the WWE Championship in late 2021. It’s noteworthy, though, that even Money in the Bank winners fans weren’t that invested in like Jack Swagger or failed briefcase holders like Austin Theory generated big responses for the sheer intrigue of what might happen and the major opportunity at hand.
Most Of The Original Money In The Bank Competitors Are Now Wrestling For AEW
An interesting historical footnote in looking back at the original Money in the Bank Ladder Match from the distance of twenty years is that four of the men involved are actually still wrestling to this day. That’s not to mention that all four of them are in AEW.
Chris Benoit, of course, died in horrific fashion and Kane has transitioned away from the ring, into politics. Of the remainder, though, Chris Jericho was the first ever AEW World Champion and has been a staple part of their product ever since. Adam Copeland has recently challenged for the world title there, while Christian has been an upper card fixture and generated a lot of heat via his promos in particular. Finally, Shelton Benjamin has been delivering as part of The Hurt Syndicate, demonstrating just how much he still has to give in the ring and the degree to which WWE squandered his talents in his final years with that company.
WWE President Nick Khan recently shared that a Premium Live Event in India is a goal as Netflix see the sub-continent as a massive priority. Speaking to Khel Now alongside Dominik Mysterio, Women’s Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan shared her support for an Indian Premium Live Event.
“We hope so. I think that would be iconic and a lot of fun to do. We’d love to do a show over here but unfortunately we don’t make those decisions.”
WWE has hosted several live events in India, the first of being in February 1996 in Mumbai, Maharashtra. In 2023, WWE hosted its biggest India-based event, the Superstar Spectacle, though the event was not televised. Living up to its name, fans received a spectacle, a rare match from John Cena who teamed with Seth Rollins to defeat Imperium’s Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci.
The idea of a WWE PLE in India further demonstrates the promotion embracing the first W in its name. In recent years, fans have seen PLEs in England, Scotland, Wales, Australia, Germany, and France. WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque also shared that WWE will return to the UK relatively soon for a PLE.
As for Morgan and Dominik, they aim to continue proving to be two of the best in WWE both on weekly TV and at PLEs. Whether it’s in the U.S., India, or somewhere else, Morgan is always ready to prove herself in the ring.
CM Punk never main evented WWE WrestleMania during his first run in the company. He publicly talked about being a sore spot for him years ago on his infamous appearance on Colt Cabana’s podcast. While he was driven to get the main event spot, Punk never achieved the goal.
He came close last year as he was slated to work Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 40 before he got injured. Now, he can do so this year at WrestleMania 41.
Punk will share the spotlight of headlining the first night of WrestleMania 41 when he shares the squared circle with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. While WWE was on their Road to WrestleMania tour in Europe, Sebastian Hackl of WWE Deutschland got a chance to speak with Punk, where he opened up on the moment.
“I’m excited (to main event WrestleMania 41). WrestleMania is two nights now so I think it’s more opportunity for people to experience the rare air of a main event of WrestleMania and Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins are two guys that I helped kind of get here to the main roster many, many moons ago. So, it’s exciting for me to see how long they’ve held it down and how far they’ve come from where they started and it’s gonna be special to show them that, you know, kind of daddy’s back thing. CM Punk’s back so you’re still (right) here, I’m still (up) here.”
The second night of WrestleMania from Las Vegas will see Cody Rhodes defend the Undisputed WWE Title against John Cena.
Penta has weighed in on his brother Rey Fenix’s arrival to WWE as he is expected to make his WWE debut on the April 4th episode of WWE SmackDown. An opponent has not been announced for Fenix.
“Finally! The best wrestler in the world comes to the best company in the world,” said Penta.
Penta and Fenix were known as the Lucha Bros in other promotions, including AEW, AAA, and TNA, where they found success. The brothers won tag team gold in all of those promotions.
Fenix had time added to his AEW contract due to time missed that resulted in his delay to WWE alongside his brother Penta. Penta suffered his first pinfall loss on Monday’s WWE Raw when he teamed with WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker in defeat to Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Dominik Mysterio). Penta was pinned by Balor.
During a recent episode of WWE Raw, Wade Barrett praised Liv Morgan, calling the Women’s Tag Team Champion one of the best competing today. While flattered by the praise, Morgan made clear to Khel Now that she is in a league of her own.
“I am the best, not one of the best. I’m glad that I’m finally getting the kudos, the respect, the adoration, the admiration, and the flowers that I deserve.”
Over the past year, Morgan has gone from popular underdog to commanding presence atop WWE’s women’s division. 2024 saw Morgan hold the Women’s World Championship for the majority of the year and become the first-ever Women’s Crown Jewel Champion. Now one half of the Women’s Tag Team Champion, Morgan is pleased with how far she’s come and how far she plans on going.
“This is the best year of my wrestling career so far. The best version of Liv Morgan that you’ve seen so far. But the best is still yet to come.”
Fans can expect Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez to walk into WrestleMania 41 as champions though who they’ll defend against next remains a mystery. Whether it be the teased team of Maxxine Dupri and Natalya or NXT’s Meta-Four girls, Morgan and Rodriguez are ready to take on all-comers.
In a women’s division that has never been more competitive, Morgan’s rise isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a shift in the hierarchy.
Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio have proven to be quite the duo in WWE and now are eager to take on another wrestling power couple. Speaking to Khel Now, the Judgment Day members were asked about dream matches and Liv had an immediate answer.
“It is Dominik and I versus CM Punk and AJ Lee… that would be fire… so good.”
Punk and Mysterio already have history as ‘Dirty Dom’ was CM Punk’s first opponent back in WWE following his 2023 return. While AJ and Liv have yet to share the ring, the reigning Women’s Tag Team Champion hopes to change that very soon. While the wrestling world recently reached ten years since AJ’s most recent match on the post-WrestleMania 31 Raw, Liv is among those hoping a return is coming.
Liv and Dominik plan on dominating both in and out of the ring. With WWE now on Netflix, Morgan argued that it’s time she and Dominik receive the spotlight on the streaming juggernaut.
“If Netflix was smart they’d put us in all their romcoms… because Dominic and I are the most dominant, the hottest, the most iconic, the most powerful, the most sought-after, the most watched, the most hated and the most envied couple in WWE history.”
While the pair are regularly on Netflix as part of WWE Raw, the duo have yet to get their own show. Nevertheless, Morgan has big plans for a Netflix spotlight, and her dream mixed-tag-match, in the future.
During the interview, he also talked about his ‘nope’ spot which has become a staple of his matches. Samoa Joe revealed that the whole thing started as a joke between him and Christopher Daniels:
“Well, it started out as a gag, and it was a house show gag where I’d work Christopher Daniels and at some point, I would call a cross body or something and I’d walk away from it.
And Chris, to his credit, every time I did it, as he’s diving here, he’s like, you son of a bitch, you dirty bastard, he would always like cursed little phrase at me as he fell to his doom.”
According to the wrestling veteran, it was AJ Styles who encouraged him to continue the spot with other wrestlers as well, and it slowly became a regular bit:
“So it kind of started out as that, and then I remember I did it to him, and then him and AJ began requesting it on people, like, Oh, you got to get him with the walk away today. Come on, dude, it’ll be hilarious. You got to get him with it. So then it became kind of a bit when I started showing up on TV.”
The former WWE star also told a similar story about the origin of his name. He noted that he was given the stereotypical character of a Samoan wrestler despite not being part of the Samoan wrestling family.
So he chose the name Samoa Joe as a joke. As he started delivering good matches, however, bookers started requesting him by name. Joe noted that at that time, the internet wasn’t as big, and getting your name out there was a process. So he didn’t dare change it afterward in fear of losing the bookings.
Kiana James has confirmed she is recovering from a leg injury that has kept her off WWE television in recent months. In a recent video shared on social media, James offered a glimpse into her rehabilitation process, emphasizing personal strength with the caption, “No one’s got you like you got you.”
— Kayla Klingensmith ? (@kianajames_wwe) April 3, 2025
Her most recent match took place on the June 17 episode of WWE RAW, where she competed in a triple threat bout. James has not returned to in-ring action since, and WWE has not announced a timeline for her comeback.
The nature and extent of the injury remain undisclosed, but her update signals active progress in recovery.
At WWE WrestleMania 25 in 2009, The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels put on an instant classic in Houston, Texas, one that’d see the Phenom extend his streak to 17-0. Many fans believe the match should’ve headlined the night instead of coming third-to-last, but the iconic bout almost had an even worse spot on the card.
In a YouTube video shared by WWE, Michaels and the Deadman sat down to recall their iconic bout. Michaels revealed that the pair were actually supposed to be the third match of the night, a spot neither man was happy to be in.
“We looked at each other. I think you sat back like ‘Now it’s f***ing real, or something. It was a very stern remark.”
The Undertaker confirmed that the pair were originally going to go on third and that both men were unhappy. After decades of work between the two given loyally to WWE, having such an early spot on the card felt like a slap in the face to The Undertaker.
“There was eye contact between us and we’re like ‘Are you kidding me?’… That’s how you think of us, really? Now we’re pissed.”
After word got back to higher-ups about this reaction, the match was moved to be closer to the main event spot. The third match of the televised card would instead go to Chris Jericho’s handicap match victory over Ricky Steamboat, Roddy Piper, and Jimmy Snuka. Jericho’s victory would be short-lived as he’d be knocked out by actor Mickey Rourke.
Over 15 years later, countless fans believe that The Undertaker Vs. Shawn Michaels should’ve headlined WrestleMania 25. WWE saw sense and gave the pair the main event the following year, knowing that such a massive match could only happen late into the show.
Dean Muhtadi, fka Mojo Rawley in WWE, recently spoke with SHAK Wrestling about a variety of topics including his Paragon Talent Group agency. Muhtadi explained that the talent agency, that includes names such as Nic Nemeth, Mandy Rose, Miro, Nia Jax, and more, has been on his mind for a very long time.
“Somewhere about halfway through my pro wrestling career, I mean this one has been in my back pocket for a really long time… the day after I was done with WWE, I started this company.”
Muhtadi’s time with WWE came to an end in 2021 and the former 24/7 Champion has hit the ground running ever since. Not only is Paragon proving to be a winner, but it’s making the former Superstar a wealthy man.
“On a personal level I think it took me three maybe four months before I made more money than in my best year with WWE.”
Paragon Talent Group handles a variety of matters for talent including long-term contracts with promotions as well as indpendent bookings. Autograph signings and third-party brand deals are also arranged by the agency while for wrestlers taking their skills overseas, Paragon also handles visas.
“I was hearing all these horror stories from other talent that had signed their deals and you know at the time they didn’t even know they were bad deals they didn’t know how much money and opportunity was left on the table.”
For Muhtadi, the most valuable thing Paragon offers is freedom. While talent signed to a restrictive contract with a major promotion may have limited say over their brand, Rawley is able to help talent “monetize your own brand” with his skills and expertise. And for himself, Paragon isn’t just making him rich, but showing a new side to the Hype Bros. alum.
“I feel like I’ve kind of started to get back to the real me… in WWE you know people get lost in their gimmicks all the time.”
Though Muhtadi is pleased to share a side of himself outside WWE, he hasn’t left his Mojo days behind him entirely. Muhtadi ended with a take on his WWE catchphrase, telling fans “Not to just get hyped they must in fact stay hyped.”
Yet another name has been added to the AEW injury list.
Jay White was pulled from the upcoming Owen Hart Cup Tournament following an attack from Death Riders on the April 2 episode of Dynamite. It was later revealed that White was dealing with a hand injury that would require him to have surgery.
Former AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy was then confirmed to be sidelined with an injury as well, with no timetable for his return.
Now Fightful Select is reporting that the newest Don Callis Family member, Mark Davis, has also joined the list. He suffered the injury during his March 26 Dynamite match with Powerhouse Hobbs.
Davis had been out of action for over a year after suffering a wrist injury in October 2023, and people within AEW feel horrible for him at getting sidelined again.
The good news for the Australian star is that the latest injury is not expected to keep him out of the ring for long, and the company officials are hopeful that he’ll return to action within 4 to 8 weeks.
Mark Davis had been a part of the Aussie Open team with Kyle Fletcher since his AEW signing in 2022. Fletcher joined the Callis Family in October 2023, and Davis followed in his footsteps, joining the faction in February this year.
SEScoops wishes a speedy recovery to the AEW star.
Kenny Omega is a bonafide star in the ring but now the AEW International Champion has turned his talents to voice acting. For fans who stayed around for the credits of Netflix’s new Devil May Cry animated series, they will have spotted the Cleaner’s name.
The new show, based on the hit Manga series, has another connection to pro-wrestling outside of Omega’s involvement. The show’s theme song is Limp Bizkit’s ‘Rollin,’ a track instantly recognizable to wrestling fans as the theme of The Undertaker during his tenure as the motorcyle-riding ‘American Badass.’
Omega’s role in the show is just the next step in his Devil May Cry fandom. The AEW star has often taken inspiration from the manga series and the show’s protagonist brothers Dante and Vergil. Following his AEW International Championship win, Omega celebrated with Adi Shankar, the creator, showrunner, and story writer of the new Netflix series.
In AEW, Omega is in his first reign as International Champion and will defend against Ricochet and ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey at Dynasty. Though the odds aren’t in the favor of Omega, a giant sword straight from Devil May Cry could prove vastly beneficial to the reigning champion.
Shawn Michaels currently serves as head of WWE NXT, tutoring young talent who hope to become the next top star in pro wrestling. In a recent video shared on WWE’s YouTube channel, Michaels shared that the one match above all others recruits want to watch is his WrestleMania 25 instant classic against The Undertaker.
“When I first came here to coach, the class wanted to watch it. I think I’ve mentioned to you [The Undertaker] before. At the end of this, I was just quiet and they all looked at me. [I was] trying to explain to them all of the real-life emotion.”
Michaels said that it was after watching the match that the young wrestlers grasped that he and the Phenom think about wrestling psychology “to a different level.” Michaels suggested that appreciating the match as a talent in WWE was a much different experience to when the recruits watched the match as fans.
“I don’t think when they were fans as watching it, they felt like you and I could be that deep.”
The Undertaker would win the match, extending his WrestleMania record to 17-0. That December, Michaels would throw out the challenge for a rematch for WrestleMania 26. Once again, the Phenom got the win, not only going 18-0 at the Showcase of the Immortals, but bringing an end to Michaels’ legendary career.
Now, both men are retired and have respective roles in nurturing the talent of tomorrow. And with decades of matches between the two, the young recruits of WWE are wise to learn from this match and many others.
Lex Luger will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 18, and Lex and those close to him hope Sting will be the one to induct him. Speaking on a media call ahead of AEW Dynasty, Tony Khan played coy when asked about Sting possibly inducting Luger in Las Vegas.
“I’m not sure. I’m very focused on AEW Dynasty... The last time I talked to Sting, that didn’t come up. Would have to talk to him about that.”
Khan also spoke about his relationship with Sting, saying the pair have maintained a positive friendship for which Khan is grateful. The AEW President added that he last spoke to Sting around March’s Revolution pay-per-view, and that he’s pleased that Sting is “doing very well” in this post-in-ring chapter of his wrestling journey.
WWE is reportedly working to make an appearance from Sting happen, though with the Icon under contract with AEW, that will prove to be easier said than done. While Billy Gunn was allowed to appear in 2019, issues between WWE and AEW since then may make Khan reluctant to give one of his top stars to WWE for the night, or at least expect someone or something in return.
The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony will be a celebration of Luger’s life and career with fans eager to see the former WCW World Champion get his flowers. It remains to be seen whether Sting is the one to induct his friend, as for now, the proverbial ball is in the court of Tony Khan.
Cal Bloom’s time in WWE NXT came to an end last year but the second-generation wrestler has landed on his feet. During the April 3, 2025, edition of ROH on HonorClub, Bloom made his Ring of Honor debut in tag-team action. Bloom teamed with Deonn Rusman in a losing effort against the Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona).
Bloom was signed to WWE from 2019 to 2024, and in 2021, debuted in WWE NXT as Von Wagner. Wagner’s arrival in NXT would see an immediate push as he replaced Kyle O’Reilly in a fatal four-way for the NXT Championship but was unsuccessful. His final match would come on April 2, 2024, where he took a loss to Lexis King on WWE NXT.
It remains to be seen if Bloom’s appearance on ROH on HonorClub was a one-off or a sign of things to come for the NXT alum. As the son of WWE alum Wayne Bloom, aka Beau Beverly, wrestling is in Cal’s blood, leaving fans intrigued to see if ROH will now become his home.
