CM Punk’s potential involvement in WWE Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on June 28 is drawing attention given his previous criticisms of WWE’s partnership with the kingdom. Punk has since shared that he doesn’t hate Saudi Arabia, renewing the hopes of fans in the country wishing to see him live.
According to an update from Mike Johnson of PWInsider, while the card remains subject to change, he would “certainly believe” that Punk will appear at the upcoming Premium Live Event. Currently, no matches have been confirmed for Night of Champions, though title matches are expected at the upcoming event.
Punk’s current stance on Saudi Arabia is a notable shift from his infamous 2020 jab at The Miz, where he said, “Go suck a blood money covered d** in Saudi Arabia you f*****g dork.” WWE has faced criticism for years for its partnership with Saudi Arabia which has proven to be one of the promotion’s biggest money makers.
As for who Punk will face in his Saudi debut, time will tell, but all signs point to the Best in the World heading to Riyadh next month.
Say his name and he appears. Well, TNA World Champion Joe Hendry recently showed up at the Edinburgh’s Tynecastle stadium on Wednesday, May 14th.
Joe Hendry returned to his hometown and cheered on for Heart of Midlothian FC in their match against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership. He appeared during half-time and came out to his iconic entrance music.
Joe Hendry also joined in for an on-pitch interview and revealed that his family is a lifelong Hearts fans. The Scotsman then said that the Edinburgh-based club would win the big one, similar to his TNA title victory in January. Hendry had a great time watching the clash as Heart of Midlothian FC indeed won the game with 2-1 score.
Hendry surprised fans last month when he turned up to answer Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41. Though he faced ‘The Viper’ in a losing effort, he had his WrestleMania moment. The appearance in Edinburgh marks his first apperance in his hometown after WrestleMania 41.
In March, he also competed in the city for Discovery Wrestling’s Year 10 event. At the show, he defeated Man Like DeReiss. He is currently in a feud with NXT’s Trick Williams and has been making regular appearances on NXT alongside TNA Wrestling.
In the modern professional wrestling landscape, power couples typically follow similar career trajectories – both signed to the same promotion, often appearing on-screen together, leveraging their real-life relationship for storyline purposes. Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green have charted a different path, creating a unique dynamic that spans the industry’s largest promotion and its thriving independent scene.
During a candid conversation on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Cardona opens up about this unconventional wrestling partnership. While Green enjoys her most successful WWE run to date, Cardona has built an empire outside the corporate wrestling structure, creating a relationship that bridges wrestling’s often disconnected worlds.
Chelsea Green’s WWE Renaissance
Cardona’s pride in his wife’s WWE success radiates throughout his discussion of Green’s career.
“So proud of her,” he beams. “Like I’m her biggest fan. Rooting her on, you know? I get all her trading cards, all her action figures, all her shirts.”
Green’s current WWE run represents a vindication after her previous tenure ended with what Cardona describes as a missed opportunity:
“I knew when she got released the first time they missed the boat, you know, and she was killing it on the indies.”
When WWE called Green back, Cardona supported her return despite it separating their working lives.
“When she got the call to go back, she had to go back,” he explains, acknowledging the opportunity’s significance.
What differentiates this WWE run from Green’s previous one, according to Cardona, is opportunity:
“She’s always had the talent, but she didn’t get the opportunity. And that’s fine. Not everyone always gets an opportunity. But she did this time around and she is making the most of it.”
The Opportunity Maximizer
Cardona particularly admires Green’s ability to maximize limited screen time – a skill he cultivated during his own WWE tenure.
“She’s the epitome of that phrase you always hear in wrestling, maximize your minutes,” Cardona explains. “If she has 20 seconds in a backstage promo with six other people, you’ll remember that Chelsea Green was there.”
This talent for memorability in brief appearances has been central to Green’s character development. Rather than requiring extended segments, she creates viral moments within the constraints she’s given – a challenging skill in WWE’s ensemble cast environment.
The Independent Entrepreneur and WWE Star
The couple’s unique professional arrangement creates an interesting dynamic – Cardona thriving in the independent wrestling world while Green excels within WWE’s corporate structure.
This arrangement provides both with unique advantages. Green benefits from the stability, exposure, and resources of WWE, while Cardona enjoys the creative freedom, entrepreneurial opportunities, and schedule flexibility of independence.
Van Vliet asked Cardona if he expected to get a call from WWE when Chelsea returned.
“When all those people got rehired, I’m not sure what the prerequisite to getting rehired was,” Cardona responded. “It is what it is. It’s just everyone has a different path, everyone has a different journey.”
The Financial Reality
Interestingly, their unconventional arrangement has proven financially beneficial. While many might assume WWE represents the pinnacle of wrestling earnings, Cardona reveals he now makes more than during his WWE tenure.
When asked if he makes more money now than his best year in WWE – “100%,” Cardona responds without hesitation.
This financial reality challenges conventional wisdom about wrestling careers. Through his diversified income streams – wrestling bookings, merchandise, podcast, toy company, conventions – Cardona has built a more lucrative career outside the industry leader than within it.
Meanwhile, Green benefits from WWE’s increasingly substantial contracts, creating a household with income from both wrestling’s corporate and entrepreneurial worlds.
Balancing Life and Wrestling
The couple’s career dichotomy extends to their personal planning as well. When asked about starting a family, Cardona explains:
“Chelsea and I want to start a family, but that, you know, our careers are thriving right now, especially hers. So, there’s there’s no time to press the pause button.”
This career-focused approach prioritizes their current momentum while acknowledging future family aspirations. The recognition of Green’s particularly significant career moment shows Cardona’s support for her professional trajectory.
The Injured Superstar Support System
When Cardona tore his pectoral muscle, his independent status meant no automatic medical support.
“I had to have Chelsea ask WWE to get me in with a surgeon,” he reveals, explaining how his civilian status left him struggling to get timely care.
“WWE got me with their doctor in Orlando. I had surgery in a couple days,” Cardona explains, contrasting his experience with what might have happened without those connections:
“If you just have a normal job, you’re you’re an accountant or you work in retail. I think you’re screwed.”
A Model for Modern Wrestling Couples
Cardona and Green represent a new model for wrestling relationships – one that spans the industry’s often divided worlds and leverages the advantages of both. Their partnership demonstrates how wrestlers can support each other’s distinct paths while creating a household with diversified income streams and career security.
“We should be doing something on television, whether it be in wrestling or like some sort of reality driven thing,” Cardona muses about their dynamic. “It just writes itself.”
Whether that joint project materializes or not, Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green have already created something unprecedented in wrestling – a power couple whose influence spans from WWE arenas to independent gymnasiums, from corporate wrestling to entrepreneurial ventures.
In doing so, they’ve charted a new blueprint for wrestling couples – one where individual career fulfillment doesn’t require identical journeys, and where supporting each other’s distinct paths creates something greater than either could achieve alone.
When WWE announces a round of talent releases, dreams shatter, careers hang in limbo, and performers face a crossroads. Recently released talents find themselves suddenly without the platform, paycheck, and infrastructure they’ve grown accustomed to – often with little preparation for life outside the WWE system.
Five years after his own release, Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder) has emerged as both counselor and blueprint for wrestlers navigating this transition. In a revealing conversation on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Cardona details his post-WWE journey and the lessons learned along the way.
A recent tweet addressing newly released WWE talent has resonated throughout the industry with its unflinching clarity: you have three options, and only one leads to sustainable success.
The Three Paths Forward
With characteristic bluntness, Cardona outlines the three options available to released WWE talent:
“You have three options,” Cardona explains. “You can fade into obscurity, feel bad for yourself, have a pity party, never be seen again, or be delusional with your prices, never get booked again. Or you can coast off your WWE name – and I don’t just mean your literal name, I mean the fact that you’re in WWE. Just coast off that. Do a couple indies here and there, some autograph signings. You can probably do that forever.”
The third option, however, requires significantly more effort:
“Work your ass off, reinvent yourself, have a lot of [expletive] fun and make a lot of [expletive] money.”
Cardona concludes:
“You have three options. You choose. It’s not… The third one’s not easy, but it’s possible.”
Option 1: Fading Into Obscurity
The first path—disappearing from the wrestling landscape—happens more often than fans realize. Wrestlers who built their entire identities around being WWE Superstars sometimes struggle to find purpose outside that structure.
Some talents retreat from wrestling entirely, embarrassed by the perceived failure of release or unwilling to work smaller venues after performing in arenas. Others price themselves out of bookings, overestimating their market value without WWE’s platform.
“You’re going from tens of thousands of people in the audience to sometimes tens, hopefully not, but literally sometimes tens of people,” Cardona acknowledges of the adjustment.
This dramatic shift breaks some performers psychologically, their egos unable to handle the perceived downgrade. Rather than adapting, they withdraw, their careers effectively ending with their WWE departure.
Option 2: Coasting on Past Reputation
The second path—coasting on WWE fame—represents the most common trajectory according to Cardona:
“I think history shows that they fall into number two.”
This approach involves minimal reinvention, relying instead on WWE name recognition to secure occasional bookings and convention appearances. These wrestlers may work sporadically, mainly trading on nostalgia rather than creating new memorable moments.
While financially viable in the short term, this approach rarely leads to creative fulfillment or sustained relevance. Bookings eventually diminish as WWE fame fades without new accomplishments to replenish interest.
Option 3: Reinvention Through Hard Work
The third path—Cardona’s chosen route—demands relentless effort, creative reinvention, and entrepreneurial thinking. More than just accepting bookings, it requires completely reimagining one’s wrestling identity and business approach.
“It’s not easy out there on the independence, especially because a lot of these guys and girls don’t know what it’s like to do the independence,” Cardona acknowledges. “I didn’t know, and I had to just dive in head first and I had to teach myself.”
For Cardona, this meant:
Character Reinvention: Developing “The Death Match King” and later “The Complete” Matt Cardona personas, distinct from Zack Ryder
Embracing the Grind: Working shows of all sizes, from major independents to small fairs
Business Development: Treating wrestling as a business with multiple revenue streams
Social Media Dominance: Posting 10-20 times daily across platforms
Merchandising Innovation: Creating unique merchandise items beyond standard t-shirts
The Ego Challenge
According to Cardona, the primary obstacle isn’t talent but ego. Many wrestlers struggle to accept the reality shift that independence requires.
“I think you just got to embrace it,” Cardona advises. “When I’m doing push-ups out there on the street, or pissing in between the two dumpsters, I’m like, ‘This is it, baby. Here we go.’ I’m not doing it with a boo-boo face. I’m doing it with a smile.”
This attitude adjustment doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Cardona admits, “I’m not naturally positive. I don’t wake up like today’s a great day. No, I wake up and like, ‘Oh, that glass is half empty’ naturally. And I have to force and condition myself to be positive.”
Learning from Predecessors
Cardona didn’t forge this path alone. He studied those who had successfully transitioned before him.
“I stole things from Cody, from Drew McIntyre, the guys who had left and had made their names even bigger,” Cardona admits. “And then I created my own blueprint.”
This willingness to learn from others’ success models, rather than trying to reinvent the wheel entirely, accelerated Cardona’s post-WWE growth. By analyzing what worked for others while adapting strategies to his unique strengths, he created a customized approach to independence.
Financial Reality: Making More Money
Perhaps most surprisingly, Cardona reveals that his financial success has exceeded his WWE earnings.
When asked directly if he makes more money now than during his best WWE year, Cardona responds without hesitation: “100%.”
He clarifies: “The WWE guys now and girls, they have those big deals. I didn’t have those giant deals. So if I got released now making some of the money some of those people are making, maybe I wouldn’t be making the same amount of money. But for what I was making then, yes, I’m making more now.”
This financial success comes through diversification: “It’s the wrestling, it’s the podcast, it’s the conventions, the autograph signings, the pro wrestling tees, the figure business. It’s everything all combined.”
The Mentorship Role
Now five years into his post-WWE career, Cardona has become a resource for newly released talent seeking guidance.
“I got calls yesterday,” Cardona mentions, referring to recently released wrestlers. “Some people knew me, some people don’t know me. Some people reached out saying, ‘Thank you for that post. It really lit a fire under my ass.'”
Cardona embraces this mentorship role: “I’m not a gatekeeper. Anybody, whether they’re released or still or never got to WWE, I will answer any question they have. I’m not saying it’s the right answer. It’s just what has worked for me.”
The Path Forward
For wrestlers facing release in today’s wrestling landscape, Cardona’s third path offers not just survival but potential thriving. With more independent promotions running, streaming services providing visibility, and social media offering direct fan connection, the opportunity for post-WWE success has never been greater.
“Don’t quit,” Cardona advises simply. “It’s not over until you quit. When you quit, then it’s over.”
Five years after his own release, Matt Cardona stands as living proof that WWE departure can be the beginning rather than the end – if you’re willing to work harder than ever before.
“I’m going to keep working my ass off,” Cardona affirms, embodying the mindset that has transformed him from released talent to independent wrestling success story.
For today’s released wrestlers, the choice is clear: fade away, coast along, or reinvent yourself through relentless effort. According to Cardona, only one path leads to both financial success and creative fulfillment – and it begins with embracing the grind.
In April 2020, as the world grappled with the early stages of a global pandemic, Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder) was among several WWE talents released in what would become the first of many roster cuts. For many released wrestlers, this scenario represents career catastrophe. For Cardona, it became the foundation of unprecedented success.
“I don’t care how you define success,” Cardona states with resolute confidence during his appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet. “This is the most successful I’ve ever been in my career as Matt Cardona.”
It’s a bold claim from someone who once enjoyed WrestleMania moments and championship victories in the world’s largest wrestling promotion. Even more surprising: it’s demonstrably true.
Multiple Revenue Streams: The Crumb Cake Business Model
When asked directly if he makes more money now than during his best financial year in WWE, Cardona’s answer comes without hesitation: “100%.” He describes his approach as a “crumbs make crumb cake situation,” combining multiple revenue sources into a thriving enterprise.
“It’s the wrestling, it’s the podcast, it’s the conventions, the autograph signings, the Pro Wrestling Tees, the figure business. It’s everything all combined,” Cardona explains.
This diversified business approach has proven more lucrative than his WWE salary, though Cardona acknowledges the landscape has changed.
“The WWE guys now and girls, they have those big deals. I didn’t have those giant deals.”
Unlike many former WWE talents who either fade away or coast on their previous reputation, Cardona transformed his release into an opportunity to build a wrestling business empire with multiple revenue streams:
Wrestling Bookings: Cardona maintains a rigorous independent wrestling schedule, accepting bookings at various price points that meet his rate.
Major Wrestling Figure Podcast: Co-hosted with Brian Myers (formerly Curt Hawkins), the podcast has grown from hobby to business.
Major Wrestling Figure Company: What began as a podcast expanded into a legitimate toy company producing licensed wrestling figures.
Merchandise and Digital Content: Cardona’s merchandise operation extends beyond traditional t-shirts to innovative items.
Whatnot Live Auctions: Every Monday at 6:30 PM, Cardona conducts live auctions selling memorabilia, signed items, and wrestling collectibles.
Convention Appearances: Leveraging both his Zack Ryder history and Matt Cardona present, he commands significant fees at wrestling conventions.
The Business Mindset: Wrestling as Enterprise
Central to Cardona’s success is his approach to wrestling as a business rather than merely a creative pursuit.
“If you treat it like a hobby, it’s going to pay like a hobby. Treat it like a business, it’s going to pay like a business,” Cardona explains. This mindset extends beyond just showing up for bookings.
Cardona operates through “Always Ready, Inc.” – his formal business entity – and approaches every aspect of his career with entrepreneurial thinking. From maximizing social media presence to strategic character development, each decision filters through a business lens.
“In the indies, I [expletive] control everything,” Cardona says, contrasting his current autonomy with WWE’s structured environment. “I literally control every little thing.”
This control extends to his merchandise strategy. “Not everything’s going to work,” he admits, discussing merchandise missteps like Death Match King crowns that underperformed. Yet these failures inform future business decisions rather than discouraging his entrepreneurial spirit.
The Social Media Machine: Constant Content Creation
Cardona’s approach to social media would exhaust most content creators. He advises posting “10-20 times” daily across platforms, an approach he follows religiously.
“If I’m not doing it, I can’t rely on anyone else to do it,” Cardona explains. “I’m literally forcing it down their throats. It’s going to come up in their feed. They’re going to see it.”
This relentless content strategy maintains visibility in a crowded wrestling landscape. When someone asked about his social media schedule, Cardona checked their phone and found they’d only posted “three or four times” in several days – unacceptable by his standards.
Creating Through-Lines in a Fragmented Industry
Independent wrestling presents unique challenges for character consistency. Unlike WWE’s controlled narrative across all shows, independent promotions operate independently.
“Independent wrestling 10 years ago, if it happened in New Jersey, it happened that night in New Jersey,” Cardona explains. “Now it’s streaming. People can watch all over the world.”
Cardona leverages social media to create consistency across his bookings, posting content before and after events to establish continuity. This approach allows his heel character to maintain coherence across diverse independent promotions.
The Blueprint for Others
Cardona’s success has made him a resource for recently released WWE talent. When wrestlers are cut, his phone rings with questions about navigating the independent scene.
His transparent documentation of his journey provides a template for others. From his merchandise strategies to his business structuring, Cardona openly shares his successes and failures as a roadmap for colleagues.
Beyond Wrestling: The Figure Empire
Perhaps most impressively, Cardona has translated his childhood passion for wrestling figures into a legitimate business venture. Major Wrestling Figure Podcast began as two wrestling friends discussing collectibles but evolved into a manufacturing operation creating licensed figures.
“We’re not just doing wrestling now,” Cardona notes, referencing expanding into figures for Sylvester Stallone’s Rambo and Jean-Claude Van Damme’s Kickboxer.
The operation benefits both Cardona and the wrestlers whose likenesses he licenses. He describes convincing Bubba Ray Dudley to sign a WWE Legends deal by explaining the complete financial picture:
“You’ll get paid for Mattel and then you’ll go to these conventions and the fans will bring it to you and you make even more money.”
Living the Dream
Five years after his WWE release, Matt Cardona embodies a new model of wrestling success – one that relies not on a single employer but on entrepreneurial spirit, diversified revenue streams, and complete creative control.
“I’ve been doing this for 21 years,” Cardona reflects. “I’ve never had a real job in my life. I worked at a deli slicing meats… I was a personal trainer at Gold’s Gym with no clients and a pro wrestler… This is my life.”
For wrestlers contemplating life after WWE or fans interested in the business of professional wrestling, Matt Cardona’s post-WWE career offers both inspiration and practical blueprint for success on your own terms.
“I don’t want to prove people wrong,” Cardona emphasizes. “I want to prove myself right.”
Willow Nightingale has secured her future with All Elite Wrestling, signing a new multi-year contract according to a Fightful report (May 14, 2025). The deal comes as the fan-favorite competitor was reportedly in her contract year, with AEW viewing her retention as a priority.
The 31-year-old “Babe With The Power” has been a cornerstone of AEW’s women’s division since officially joining in October 2022, following initial appearances in 2021. Nightingale’s accomplishments include a notable 35-day reign as AEW TBS Champion in 2024, capturing the title from Julia Hart at Dynasty before dropping it to Mercedes Moné at Double or Nothing.
"I've already been a problem for you guys. And now, I'm going to be the BIGGEST problem."
While representing AEW internationally, Nightingale has also collected championship gold in multiple promotions, holding the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship for 45 days in 2023 and the CMLL Women’s Championship for 62 days in 2024.
WWE’s recent promotional trailer for Night of Champions (June 28, 2025, in Riyadh) has sparked debate due to CM Punk’s inclusion, given his previous criticisms of WWE’s Saudi Arabia partnership.
Prior to his 2023 WWE return, Punk had been vocal in his opposition, once using the term “blood money” when commenting on The Miz’s participation in a Saudi event in 2020. Punk had also previously stated he would “never go” to these events, though he later apologized to The Miz for his comments.
CM Punk says he does not hate coming to Saudi Arabia ?? (IG Live)
When recently questioned during an Instagram Live about his feelings toward Saudi Arabia, Punk simply stated: “I’ve never been to Saudi, I don’t hate coming to Saudi.”
WWE has not yet officially confirmed whether Punk will appear or compete at the Night of Champions event.
The following are spoilers for this Saturday’s AEW Collision Beach Break, taped Wednesday in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, following Dynamite.
Kyle Fletcher defeated AR Fox
Competitive 12-minute match including commercial break. Solid action that could have benefited from more time. This was taped prior to Dynamite.
Steve “Mongo” McMichael tribute with Ric Flair
Tony Schiavone hosted a tribute honoring McMichael with Mongo’s widow Misty and former Four Horseman Dean Malenko. Flair appeared and spoke solemnly, stating “Chicago is one of the greatest wrestling towns” and “Steve McMichael is more man than any man I’ve ever known.”
Megan Bayne (w/ Penelope Ford) defeated Anna Jay (w/ Harley Cameron)
Bayne won with Fate’s Descent after Ford exposed a turnbuckle. Ford and Cameron brawled to the back, Jay hit the exposed turnbuckle, and Bayne executed a power bomb before the finishing move.
Nigel McGuinness accepted FTR’s challenge
McGuinness officially accepted the challenge for himself and Daniel Garcia vs. FTR at Double or Nothing.
Action-packed match ending with Brody pinning Rocky after a cannonball. Post-match heel attack was stopped by The Outrunners.
“Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated Blake Christian (w/ Lee Johnson)
Strong showing from both competitors. After the match, Bailey challenged Okada, who appeared in a suit saying “Bailey. I prove it. BITCH!” before Dralistico and Rush attacked Bailey from behind.
Big Bill & Bryan Keith defeated Gates of Agony in a street fight
Wild brawl featuring barbwire bat, chain bat, boards, tables, pool cue, metal sign, conduit, and garbage can. Bill pinned Kaun after using bricks from a backpack. Crowd chanted “MEAT!!”
Sons of Texas earned AEW World Tag Team title match
Sammy Guevara & Dustin Rhodes defeated CRU (Lio Rush & Action Andretti) with Guevara pinning Andretti after a Go To Sleep. Victory earns them a title match against The Hurt Syndicate at Double or Nothing.
Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Wheeler Yuta
Hobbs won with a powerslam and spinebuster. Post-match, Marina Shafir attacked Hobbs until Willow Nightingale made the save. When Yuta threatened Willow, Kris Statlander watched without intervening, leading to confrontation from Willow.
Induction into the WWE Hall of Fame is one of the greatest honors a wrestler can achieve. It’s all the more noteworthy when both halves of a married couple find their way to an induction. Indeed, it has happened, with three couples to date each entering the Hall. Moreover, as time marches on, there is every possibility of other duos joining them in immortality. So, who is already there, and which couples may well be on deck for this unique honor?
In The Hall Of Fame: The Undertaker And Michelle McCool
When The Undertaker went into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022, he had to have been one of the least controversial picks to ever get inducted. The way in which he combined longevity with longevity in a top spot is genuinely unparalleled, with his WrestleMania undefeated streak (not to mention that he main evented WrestleMania in four separate decades), seven world title reigns, and universal respect from his peers all the stuff of legend.
This spring, the announcement arose that The Dead Man’s wife, Michelle McCool was getting a Hall of Fame nod herself. While she didn’t have the Hall of Fame headliner pedigree of her husband, this was still a very natural inductee selection that hardly anyone could take issue with. McCool was the original WWE Divas Champion and had a strong babyface that would borderline qualify her for induction before her far more memorable heel run as half of LayCool that really cemented her place as a top star of her era in the women’s division.
Will Be In The Hall Of Fame: Triple H And Stephanie McMahon
Photo: WWE
Triple H garnered his first WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2019 as part of D-Generation X, a rare faction to get the headliner spot among an induction class. Many thought that would be it for Helmsley in the Hall, unless the company opted to induct Evolution one day. It’s not that The Game didn’t deserve the Hall of Fame induction, but rather as the Chief Content Officer, it seemed he would probably follow in Vince McMahon’s tradition of not aggrandizing himself in this capacity. Things took a turn, however, when his long-time friends The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels surprised him with the induction announcement. The Cerebral Assassin went on to deliver a very long, but also beautiful speech to accept his induction over WrestleMania 41 weekend.
Stephanie McMahon herself occupies an anomalous spot when it comes to Hall of Fame consideration. She’s the daughter of Vince McMahon, exiled in disgrace from the WWE landscape, and the spouse of the CCO, leaving her in awkward spot of her last name being a bit of a sore spot and her marriage threatening to look like nepotism if she does get this honor. Just the same, for her on-screen character work across a period of decades, paired with her important backstage role, it would be hard for anyone to earnestly argue against her eventually standing at the Hall of Fame podium.
In The Hall Of Fame: Edge And Beth Phoenix
Photo: WWE
Edge’s career as a tag team wrestler with Christian, not to mention his later pairing with Randy Orton as half of Rated RKO would be enough to have warranted a Hall of Fame induction. Add in eleven world title wins, being the first Mr. Money in the Bank (not to mention the first two-time briefcase holder), winning King of the Ring, winning a Royal Rumble, and main eventing WrestleMania opposite The Undertaker, and it made all the sense in the world for him to get his induction in 2012. That’s all before he wound up returning to the ring and adding another Royal Rumble win and WrestleMania main event to his resume (besides all he’s gone on to do in AEW).
Remarkably enough, Edge didn’t get together with his eventual-wife Beth Phoenix until 2011, the same year of his first retirement from wrestling due to injury. When word came along that Phoenix would go into the Hall herself in 2017, it was no surprise to fans. Indeed, she was an ahead-of-her-time powerhouse of the women’s division who won top titles in WWE four times. An awesome presence on-screen and well-liked behind the scenes, she was every bit as readily accepted into Hall of Fame commemoration as her husband.
Will Be In The Hall Of Fame: Brie Bella And Daniel Bryan
Photo: WWE
The Bella Twins were part of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020. Always polarizing and provocative, Brie and Nikki did ultimately deserve recognition as on-screen performers who came a long way across two extended stints with WWE. Notably, they were core parts of WWE branching out into reality television as stars of Total Divas and the spinoff Total Bellas series that, for better or worse, expanded the company’s horizons and invited in a different kind of fan base.
There’s absolutely no question that Brie’s husband, Bryan Danielson—known to WWE fans as Daniel Bryan—deserves a Hall of Fame induction. He was an irresistible force who worked his way up through the indies to become an undeniable WWE star, main eventing WrestleMania 30 when he beat Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista in the same night. That’s not to mention that he won a SummerSlam main event over John Cena, that his Team Hell No run with Kane was iconic, or that he’s generally respected as one of, if not the single greatest wrestler of his generation. Danielson’s work with AEW is probably the only stumbling block to his induction. For as long as he remains under contract with the competition, even in a non-wrestling role, he probably won’t be up for Hall of Fame consideration. Just the same, if or when the time comes when he’s available and willing, no one would balk at him going in or him likely as not headlining an induction class.
In The Hall Of Fame: Booker T And Sharmell
Photos: WWE
There are, to date, only eleven wrestlers with more than one Hall of Fame induction to their names. Booker T entered the Hall as a singles wrestler in 2013 and again as half of the Harlem Heat tag team in 2019. The first was no surprise at all as a top star from WCW who went on to earn his way to comparable success in WWE. The second was a little more surprising, if only because Harlem Heat was a WCW fixture that never crossed over to WWE. Nonetheless, it was a justifiable induction given their long, successful run together, which included feuding with iconic pairings like The Steiner Brothers and The Outsiders.
Sharmell was a bit more spurious pick for her relative lack of tangible accomplishments in the world of wrestling. Nonetheless, she was a WCW Nitro Girl and occasional valet, in addition to her memorable time as Queen Sharmell alongside King Booker in WWE (that’s not to mention her work alongside Booker in TNA). While this induction was less readily celebrated than others among WWE fans, it was nonetheless nice to see this well-liked couple who thrived as a heel duo on-screen get their flowers.
Will Be In The Hall Of Fame: Eddie And Vickie Guerrero
Photo: WWE
Eddie Guerrero told one of wrestling’s greatest underdog stories as an undersized, undervalued, supremely talented wrestler who beat the odds to become a world champion in WWE. There’s no telling how the longer arc of his career might have played out were it not for his untimely passing in late 2005, but it made all the sense in the world for WWE to celebrate his remarkable, inspiring legacy with a Hall of Fame induction in 2006.
In another surprising term, Guerrero’s widow, Vickie Guerrero was offered a job with WWE and not only accepted but grew into an unexpected heel sensation. As a staple heel authority figure and manager from 2007 to 2014. One would think, given Eddie’s mythic status, fans would have a hard time booing his widow. By contrast, she found her footing as an annoying, power-hungry figure fans were all too eager to go against.
Vickie’s decision to work with AEW paired with a strong allegations around real-life family drama my make WWE hesitate to invite her back for Hall of Fame recognition. Time can heal a lot of wounds in wrestling, though, and if her reputation stays on the up-and-up, without working for the competition for the next few years, Vickie may well be in consideration before long.
Despite CM Punk recently signaling his intent to challenge for John Cena’s Undisputed WWE Championship, their highly anticipated title match is reportedly not in the immediate plans for the upcoming Money in the Bank Premium Live Event on June 7th. According to PWInsider.com, WWE creative sources indicate a different direction for Cena at the Los Angeles show.
While fans speculated a Cena vs. Punk blockbuster following Punk’s “for now…” social media post after Cena’s WrestleMania 41 win, PWInsider states this specific championship bout is not currently slated for Money in the Bank. However, the desire within WWE for the rivals to clash for the title remains strong.
One source reportedly indicated the company aims to schedule the bout “later this year ‘when the timing is right’,” suggesting it’s being preserved for a larger stage or more developed storyline. With Cena vs. Punk seemingly on hold for June, PWInsider also reported on alternative creative discussions for the 17-time champion at Money in the Bank.
There is reportedly a belief that Travis Scott, who assisted Cena in his WrestleMania 41 victory over Cody Rhodes, will be available and could be involved in Cena’s segment at the PLE.
TNA President Carlos Silva is setting the record straight regarding rumors of a ban on intentional blood in the promotion. Speaking to Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown, Silva made clear that an outright ban on blading is not on the agenda.
“If creative or the talent feel intentional blood or heavy violence is earned for their story or the stakes of the match, it is ‘absolutely’ something TNA is open to exploring using.”
Silva’s comments come after reports of an outright ban on blading, following some gruesome matches in recent weeks. Over the past month, TNA fans have witnessed a barbed wire brawl between Sami Callihan and Mance Warner and a violent dog collar match featuring Steve Maclin and Eric Young.
Silva acknowledged that the promotion is being more mindful of advertiser preferences, he emphasized that no outright ban exists. Instead, talent has been encouraged to use blood more judiciously rather than eliminate it entirely. He added that Tommy Dreamer and other members of the creative team support the approach, aiming to make blood and violence more impactful by using them selectively.
Silva also addressed concerns related to batch tapings, noting that excessive blood can create logistical issues, such as stained canvases and potential safety risks for performers. For now though, an outright ban on blood isn’t a thing in TNA, though it may become less common on screen.
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite: Beach Break from Chicago culminated in a major power shift as MJF was finally accepted into The Hurt Syndicate. After weeks of attempting to gain their approval, “The Salt of the Earth” is now aligned with MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin.
Earlier in the night, after The Hurt Syndicate (Lashley & Benjamin) decisively won an AEW World Tag Team Title eliminator against Top Flight, MVP instructed MJF, who was interviewed backstage, to join them in the ring later. Following a chaotic multi-team promo segment, MVP summoned MJF. Initially hesitant, MJF was eventually escorted from the go-position, looking nervous.
In the ring, MVP told MJF it was his “day of reckoning” and “you asked for this.” In a dramatic moment, all members of The Hurt Syndicate, including an initially reluctant Lashley, gave MJF the thumbs up, signaling his acceptance into the group.
MJF celebrated with his new faction, leading the Chicago crowd in a resounding “we hurt people!” chant. MVP then announced that MJF will be officially inducted into The Hurt Syndicate on next week’s AEW Dynamite, solidifying this formidable new alliance.
Former AEW TBS Champion Willow Nightingale is officially “sticking around” with All Elite Wrestling, having re-signed with the company on a new multi-year contract. Fightful Select confirmed the new agreement this week.
This development follows Fightful’s recent report that Nightingale was in her contract year. At that time, it was also noted that AEW considered her a “priority” and was keen on keeping the popular star. According to Fightful, a new deal was finalized “almost immediately after our story” (their initial report on her contract status), with early indications suggesting she would remain with the promotion.
Fightful Select shared insights from AEW sources regarding Nightingale’s own stance. These sources indicated that Nightingale “communicated she was very happy with the company and wanted to remain there.”
Nightingale has become one of All Elite Wrestling’s most popular and beloved stars. Nightingale first appeared in AEW in May 2021, primarily competing on “AEW Dark: Elevation” and “AEW Dark.” She signed with the company the following year where she would win the TBS Title in 2024. She lost the title to Mercedes Mone at Double or Nothing.
Today, WWE 2K25 launched its first DLC pack of the season, the New Wave Pack, across all major platforms including PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Steam PC. The pack introduces four new playable Superstars, each making their franchise debut:
Alex Shelley
Chris Sabin (together known as the Motor City Machine Guns)
Giulia
Stephanie Vaquer
Each Superstar comes with MyFACTION cards and a collection of over 40 new moves and taunts. The pack is available for $9.99 / €9,99 / £7.99, or as part of the WWE 2K25 Season Pass.
Celebrity Guest Character Postponed
A celebrity guest was originally scheduled to be part of today’s DLC drop but has been postponed due to undisclosed reasons. WWE 2K announced that this mystery character will be revealed and added in an upcoming update, with an official announcement expected in the coming weeks. As compensation, players received a locker code for 12,500 VC (virtual currency) to use in-game.
Game Update 1.11 – Patch Notes
Coinciding with the DLC release, WWE 2K25 rolled out Update 1.11, which includes:
General stability and performance improvements
Numerous camera system enhancements (fixes for drifting, improved logic for multifall matches, better camera collision, and new depth of field settings for third-person camera)
Improved logic for action cams and spectator mode
Fixes for custom arenas and stability across all creation modes
This update aims to address several community-reported issues and further polish the gameplay experience.
Upcoming Content
The New Wave Pack is the first of five planned DLC releases for WWE 2K25. The next DLC, the Dunk & Destruction Pack, is scheduled for June 25, 2025, and will feature Abyss, Great Khali, and three NBA stars (to be announced).
WWE legend Jazz (Carlene Begnaud) was at the WWE Performance Center this week. The former two-time WWE Women’s Champion shared her excitement on social media, posting a photo of a WWE Performance Center t-shirt with the caption, “What an amazing week this has been thus far!”
Fellow WWE legend Natalya responded to the post on Instagram with “?? love this! ??”
Jazz is renowned for her powerful in-ring style and trailblazing career in professional wrestling. Her accomplishments include championship reigns in WWE and the National Wrestling Alliance, as well as influential runs in ECW and Impact Wrestling.
Her presence at the WWE Performance Center marks a noteworthy return to the WWE environment for one of the most respected and accomplished women in professional wrestling history.
Elayna Black’s days as a WWE Superstar may be over but the former Cora Jade is already taking the wrestling world by storm. Absolute Intense Wrestling has announced that Black will be a part of their Globe Iron event on July 18. The show will take place in Cleveland, Ohio with tickets going on sale on Friday, May 16.
— Absolute Intense Wrestling (@aiwrestling) May 14, 2025
For Black, AIW isn’t just a booking, but the latest in her journey post-WWE. Fans will also be able to see the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion at the following events:
Black Label Pro: Have You Heard? – June 14
Game Changer Wrestling – June 20
Game Changer Wrestling – July 5
Game Changer Wrestling – July 11
Game Changer Wrestling – July 19
Absolute Intense Wrestling: Globe Iron – July 28
Atomic Legacy Wrestling: Summer Slamfest – July 27
Game Changer Wrestling – August 1
Though once considered a potential future top woman in WWE, Black’s career with the promotion came to a surprising end in May 2025. Undeterred, the former Cora Jade is ready to prove her skills in the squared circle.
WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley took to social media on Wednesday to address what she considers the most problematic fans of women’s wrestling.
The multi-time world champion is fed up with the hypocrisy of fans who claim to support women’s wrestling while simultaneously undermining female performers with sexist assumptions and harmful rhetoric.
“Women’s wrestling fan – “women deserve better” (Same breath) – “she’s sleeping with her boss that’s why she’s where she is” – “She should retire” – “She doesn’t deserve it” – “She’s handed everything and never worked for anything” – “I hope she gets injured” YOU guys are the real reason it’s so difficult to be taken seriously as a women’s wrestler. If YOU put as much effort into your own miserable lives as you put into degrading successful women, then maybe you would accomplish something yourself.”
Ripley points out that this toxic behavior contributes to the ongoing challenges women face in gaining respect in professional wrestling.
Women’s wrestling fan – “women deserve better”
(Same breath)
– “she’s sleeping with her boss that’s why she’s where she is” – “She should retire” – “She doesn’t deserve it” – “She’s handed everything and never worked for anything” – “I hope she gets injured”
Jordynne Grace recently shared her candid thoughts on performing for different audiences, expressing a preference for the energy of traveling shows over the familiar crowd at the WWE Performance Center (PC). Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Grace discussed the contrasting experiences.
Grace highlighted a key difference between her current NXT role and her time in TNA: “Another thing with NXT is we’re at the Performance Center a lot, whereas in TNA, we were always traveling. That was a big difference.”
When asked about her preference, she was clear: “I don’t prefer it [performing solely at the PC]. I would much rather be traveling, not just because of the audience, just because I love to travel. I love going to new gyms and trying new things.”
She elaborated on how crowd familiarity impacts reactions: “The PC audience is very familiar. It’s not like seeing someone for the first time. You go to Sheboygan, Bangor, Duluth, Birmingham — it’s, ‘Wow, Jordynne’s here.’ When you go to other places, you get a different reaction because those fans don’t see you.”
Grace noted that while her entrance at the PC still gets a pop, “the pop fades… When I first came here, it was an explosion. Now I come out… it’s more like, ‘Oh, she’s here again.’“
Zelina Vega is the second-ever Women’s United States Champion and is ready to take the gold outside of WWE. In a recent interview with Good Karma Wrestling, Vega shared her desire to defend the title away from the main roster and away from WWE entirely.
“I mean, I want to defend this title as much as I can. You know, we just had the merge with AAA. So, I mean, I’d love to take it out there. I’d love to wrestle Stephanie Vaquer there. You know, that’d be super dope. I’d love to take it to NXT, wrestle Giulia there… or I’d love to take it to, you know, Stardom and go and wrestle out there.”
For Vega, her first taste of singles gold isn’t just a win, but a testament to her develpment as a wrestler. After previous roles and characters in WWE, Vega is ready to be defined as a fighting champion.
“You’ve seen Zelina as a manager, you’ve seen her as, you know, the singles competitor in the LWO version. There’ve been very different versions of me, but now seeing me as the United States Champion.”
Vega is 2-0 since winning the gold but has yet to defend the championship. Time will tell who is the first Superstar to step up to the Women’s U.S. Champion.
Dominik Mysterio debuted in WWE when he was a child and was an integral part of Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero’s acclaimed feud in 2005. Speaking on the Intoxicados Podcast, Dominik shared the incredible pay he made for one appearance at the time.
“I got paid, I’ll tell you exactly how much I got paid. I got paid five grand. Five grand. That was just for one of the events.”
Dominik’s parents were often coy about his pay, the Judgment Day star added, often telling him that they were putting his earnings to the side. After badgering his ‘deadbeat’ elders, Dominik was told about his five-grand pay-day, resulting in a unique trip to Toys ‘R’ Us.
“It totaled out to maybe $400, maybe $300, if that. As soon as we got home, I’m like, ‘Can we go to Target?’ My mom goes, ‘That’s it. That’s all your money.’ It probably all went to my sister’s college fund.”
Today, Dominik is making big bucks as the WWE Intercontinental Champion and has become a popular Superstar despite his heel antics. With Toys ‘R’ Us re-opening stores in 2024, Dominik may get his $5,000 toy trip after all.
Former WWE Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) recently opened up on their fans who were disappointed after their match was snubbed from WrestleMania 41 lineup.
Motor City Machine Guns, one of the legendary tag teams in the business had their tandem wrestling prowess on display during SmackDown after WrestleMania 41. They headlined the show as they challenged WWE tag team champions the Street Profits and #DIY in a memorable TLC match.
The match featured some epic moments and it was arguable a WrestleMania-worthy match. Las Vegas crowd were thrilled when it was announced the night before WrestleMania.
However, they were left disappointed as the match was scheduled for the following week. WWE’s decision to not book the match for ‘The Grandest Stage of Them All’ left fans frustrated. Speaking with CBS Sports, Motor City Machine Guns recalled the fan reaction that night. Sabin said:
“To see the response from the fans and everyone after the match, I think it worked out how it was meant to work out. I’m very happy with everything, and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Shelley added:
“It’s one ear and out the other. It’s nice we got these accolades, but at the same time, those are done with and don’t benefit us going forward. We need to stay grounded, stay humble and work even harder because if there’s another one, you better believe we’ll want to top it.”
Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford successfully defended their WWE Tag Team Championships on WWE SmackDown in a brutal TLC match on April 25th. The Streets Profits pushed to their limits going up against two of the most reputed tag teams, #DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns. The champs also labeled WWE’s decision a ‘mistake’ after they decided to keep the match off WrestleMania 41 card.
Former AEW star Saraya recently revealed that her departure from AEW was amicable and that the door remains open for her potential return in the future.
The former AEW Women’s Champion recently departed AEW. Since then talks of a potential return to WWE has been on the cards. While she hasn’t joined any pro wrestling promotion yet, she doesn’t rule out a return to AEW in the future as well.
During an appearance on Women’s Wrestling Talk, Saraya discussed her departure from AEW and stated that Tony Khan was supportive of her decision. She then revealed that Khan has left the door open for a possible comeback. Saraya revealed:
“I was like, alright, time for me to bow out. Tony was amazing with it. It ended up being mutual, which is great. He was like, let’s do it. Like- that’s perfectly fine. He was extremely supportive about my my future endeavors and he encouraged me and the door was left open, you know, which is great, and yeah, it was just a lot of brainstorming on my time off where I was like, okay, now it’s time for me to bow out gracefully, I guess.”
AEW star Skye Blue is set for her official in-ring return on tonight’s “Dynamite: Beach Break,” nearly a year after suffering a serious leg injury. She recently opened up about the difficult recovery and the moments she feared her career might be over.
Blue sustained a fractured fibula during an AEW Collision match in July 2024 while trying to catch a diving Hikaru Shida, an injury requiring surgery with a steel plate and screws. Speaking to Q101 host Case Lowe, Blue admitted retirement crossed her mind.
“That definitely crossed through my head a bunch of times, especially at night when I couldn’t sleep and it’d be like four in the morning.”
She credited fellow wrestler Kyle Fletcher as a crucial support during her rehabilitation.
“There were times that I would have to lay with my legs straight because if I moved it, it was just in pain,” Skye Blue shared. “But this one [Kyle Fletcher] was the best because he would say ‘No, tell the voices to shut up because you’re going to wrestle…’ Yeah, he was by far the biggest support I could have ever asked for.”
Blue makes her comeback in a four-way eliminator match against AZM, Mina Shirakawa, and AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm.
Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland is set to release his own Reebok Answer 3 sneaker collaboration.
The exclusive colorway of Allen Iverson’s signature shoe draws inspiration from the Killmonger-themed gear Strickland wore during his title win at AEW Dynasty 2024. The design pays tribute to both his championship moment and cultural influences.
The limited-edition sneaker will release on May 28 and is priced at $160.
AEW star Ricochet opened up about his undefeated partnership with EVPs The Young Bucks and paid tribute to recently departed wrestling legend Sabu during a candid interview on the Battleground Podcast.
The high-flying superstar, who has been turning heads with his reinvented persona in AEW, spoke glowingly about teaming with The Young Bucks, emphasizing the natural chemistry that comes from their shared history.
“The chemistry is great. It goes back years,” Ricochet explained. “We’ve been respectively in our own battles against each other. So we know each other very well. They’re the bosses. They’re the EVPs. So that’s never a bad thing to have on your side.”
Beyond the political advantages of aligning with AEW’s executive talent, Ricochet highlighted their in-ring prowess as a key benefit of the partnership.
“They have—they’re known for winning. Their track record is known for winning. And anytime you can be a part of that, it’s great,” he added, noting their current undefeated streak as a team.
Honoring Sabu’s Legacy
The interview took a more somber turn when discussing the passing of wrestling innovator Sabu, who had died just before the interview was conducted. Ricochet was reflective about Sabu’s significant influence on his own high-flying style and modern wrestling as a whole.
“He’s one of the original guys that I’ve seen doing the craziest stuff,” Ricochet said. “Sometimes it didn’t work out, but when it did work out, man, it was awesome. And so he goes up there for sure as one of those guys that really helped innovate the high-flying style that you see today.”
The AEW star didn’t hesitate to acknowledge how Sabu’s pioneering work paved the way for his own career and many others in the industry.
“If not for Sabu, I don’t think a lot of us would even be doing what we do,” he stated, before adding with his characteristic confidence, “Actually, I remember giving him a 630 pinning him. So that’s another legend that I beat. But mad respect to Sabu.”
Ricochet battles Zack Gowen tonight at AEW Dynamite: Beach Break.
