La Parka, a character synonymous with AAA Lucha Libre, is back for a new generation of professional wrestling fans. At the Rey de Reyes event, La Parka 3, the third iteration of the character, was introduced to fans. The character was resurrected in a literal sense as it was emerged from a coffin and given the seal of approval from Vampiro.
La Parka 3 strutted his way to the ring for his debut match that went in and out of the ring. In one of the most impressive moments of the night, La Parka hit a dive from the stands onto his opponents.
— Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (@luchalibreaaa) March 23, 2025
The La Parka name was first used by Adolfo Tapia who made the character a name in AAA, ECW, WCW, CMLL and beyond. In 2003, Jesús Alfonso Huerta Escoboza was introduced as La Parka Jr. before becoming the official La Parka years later. Escoboza died in 2020 from complications arising from injuries that he sustained from a botched move during an October 2019 match. He was posthumously inducted into the AAA Hall of Fame.
Now, a new La Parka is on the scene and has already been impressing. With his skills, personality, and nod to wrestling history, La Parka 3 is bound to be a success in the world of Lucha Libre AAA just like his predecessors.
At WWE NXT Roadblock, Giulia lost the WWE NXT Women’s Championship to North American Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer. Now, the Beautiful Madness has returned to WWE NXT and is already getting violent with the Superstars of the women’s division.
At a WWE NXT live event in Bartow, Florida, Giulia made her first appearance for the silver brand since her title loss. Not only did Giulia return but she sent a painful message to Cora Jade. Giulia also gestured that she’s ready to re-enter the NXT Women’s Championship picture.
Giulia’s return to NXT comes at an interesting time in the career of the Japanese Superstar. Shortly before her title loss, reports came out stating that Giulia was dealing with injuries. The fact that WWE rushed into a title-for-title match with Vaquer, as well as Vaquer’s victory, led many to believe that booking had been changed to give Giulia time off to recover.
With Giulia’s appearance in Bartow, it remains to be seen when she’ll be back on WWE NXT programming. With Vaquer set for two title defenses on the upcoming March 25, episode, the show will be one Giulia will be watching closely, if she isn’t set to be a part of it.
Amateur wrestling fans were shocked to see Gable Steveson lose in the NCAA National Championship finals, a loss many are calling the biggest upset of all time. In the 285 NCAA finalm Wyatt Hendrickson got the win over Steveson, a former Olympic Gold Medalist. Hendrickson scored the takedown in the third round to pull off the victory.
WYATT HENDRICKSON BEATS GABLE STEVESON TO WIN THE NATIONAL TITLE
Given his established success on the mat, Steveson’s defeat is being heralded as a massive upset. FloWrestling described the result as “unthinkable” and questioned if this was “the biggest upset in college wrestling history.” DraftKings acknowledged Steveson’s track record and said that Hendrickson’s win “might be considered the largest upset in NCAA history.” GopherHole added that Hendrickson’s victory was shocking and that fans had “witnessed the biggest upset in the history of collegiate sports.” Steveson hadn’t lost an NCAA match since 2019, only adding to the shocking nature of his defeat.
After capturing gold in the 2021 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Steveson signed with WWE shortly after to much buzz. That same year, he was drafted to Monday Night Raw, the first-ever draftee to be selected without a match to his name. Ultimately, Steveson’s career in pro wrestling would not live up to the expectations of fans and he was quietly released from the promotion in 2024.
After his time with WWE, Gable Steveson joined the Buffalo Bills but was cut before playing in the league. With this setback on the mat, it remains to be seen what’s next for the Olympic Gold Medalist.
The wrestling world is in mourning after the passing of Artist Artest, real name Graham Michael, following a match for Xtreme Valley Wrestling. Michael collapsed at the event and was rushed to hospital but sadly did not survive. In a statement shared to Facebook, XVW gave a sad statement.
“It is with great sadness that I have the duty to inform the fans of XVW That After Collapsing Tonight At XVW, And being rushed to the hospital… Artist Artest has passed away. We Wish To Send Our condolences to his family, friends and fans. Our Staff Worked Tirelessly To Keep Him alive until the medics arrived. We Will Pause Activities In Remembrance of The Life of Artest. Rest in peace champ.”
Graham was one of the rising prospects in XVW and had held the promotion’s Next-Gen Championship. He had been nurtured by established names in the wrestling industry including Ace Austin, Sami Callihan, and Jake Crist.
Graham’s passing comes mere days after Vince Steele died at the age of 39 following a medical emergency at an event. Steele had experienced his medical emergency during a match for BriiCombination Wrestling in New Jersey. Reports stated that it took 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive, raising concerns about the response time and what could’ve been done had an ambulance been on-site for the show or at least closer to the venue.
Our condolences go out to the families, friends, and loved ones of both Graham Michael and Vince Steele at this difficult time.
Pete Dunne made a surprise return to the Irish indie scene on March 22 as part of OTT Wrestling’s latest event in Ireland. Not only did Dunne shock fans with his arrival, but he, Trent Seven, and Sammy D made their entrance with a nod to WWE’s very own King of Kings, Triple H.
This match marked Dunne’s first time competing for the Irish promotion since 2019 but his return wasn’t all fun and games. After the match, he took a moment to honor two late figures from the wrestling community—Ryan Smile and Niamh Dunphy. Dunne’s return demonstrated that for all his success in WWE, both in NXT and the main roster, he remains deeply connected to the roots that shaped his career.
When not appearing for OTT Wrestling, Dunne can be found on Monday Night Raw where he has been feuding with Penta. Despite the best efforts of the former NXT UK Champion though, he has yet to get a victory over the masked Superstar. Dunne’s most recent match for WWE came at the March 3, WWE Main Event taping, where he defeated the LWO’s own Cruz Del Toro.
Charlotte Flair is back doing what she does best, performing in front of a WWE live crowd. Flair returned to in-ring action at WWE’s Road to WrestleMania live event in Belfast, Northern Ireland on March 22. Flair’s victory over Piper Niven inside the SSE Arena marked her first time competing at a live event since December 2023. On X, fka Twitter, Flair reacted to her live-event return.
Tonight, was my first live event match since December 2023. Felt sooo good to be back. Thank you #WWEBelfast for WOOOOing & BOOing ? pic.twitter.com/U67pBAPQPl
Though Flair has competed on televised WWE programming this year, including her historic Royal Rumble match victory, this was her first live event win since returning from her injury. Prior to this week, Flair’s previous live event match had come on December 3, 2023, where she lost to then-Women’s Champion IYO SKY in Newark, Delaware.
With WrestleMania 41 fast approaching, this return to the house show grind comes at the perfect time as she prepares to challenge Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship. Whether it’s Flair or Stratton who stand tall in Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium in April 2025, fans can expect a war between two of the very best women in WWE today.
Mark Henry has officially returned to the WWE fold, announcing that he has signed a legends/nostalgia deal with the company. This agreement signals a renewed partnership between the wrestling veteran and his former employer, bringing him back into the WWE universe after a three-year stint with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). A notable aspect of this new deal is the collaboration with Mattel to produce a new Mark Henry action figure, catering to fans eager to add to their WWE memorabilia collections. Ringside Collectibles captured the moment of Henry’s announcement, sharing the news with fans.
Henry’s history with WWE spans a significant period, from 1996 to 2021, during which he established himself as a dominant force in the company. His accolades include reigns as WWE World Heavyweight Champion and WWE ECW Champion, cementing his status as a formidable competitor. His contributions to WWE were recognized with his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, solidifying his legacy within the organization.
Mark Henry has signed a WWE Legends deal which includes new @Mattel@WWE Figures! ???
Following his departure from WWE in 2021, Henry joined AEW, where he took on a multifaceted role as an analyst, coach, and occasional commentator. During his time with AEW, Henry played a crucial part in mentoring younger talent, sharing his extensive knowledge of match psychology and character development. His behind-the-scenes contributions were highly valued, and he maintained a positive relationship with the company.
However, in mid-2024, Henry and AEW mutually agreed to part ways. This decision stemmed from Henry’s desire to focus on personal ventures, while still maintaining a respectful and amicable relationship with the company. His return to WWE signifies a new chapter in his career, allowing him to reconnect with his WWE fanbase and contribute to the company’s legacy in a legends/nostalgia capacity.
Rhea Ripley has revealed her latest tattoo, a touching tribute to her beloved dog, dressed as Art the Clown from the horror film “Terrifier.” This new ink not only showcases Ripley’s edgy style but also commemorates her deep bond with her furry friend.
Ripley shared the tattoo on Instagram, explaining the emotional significance behind it. Her dog entered her life during a pivotal time, providing support and companionship. By choosing to dress her dog in the guise of Art the Clown, Ripley beautifully blends her passion for horror with her affection for her pet.
The timing of the tattoo is particularly notable as Ripley is currently embroiled in the high-stakes storyline leading up to WrestleMania 41, where she aims to join the Women’s World Title match against IYO SKY and Bianca Belair. Despite her busy schedule, Ripley took the time to get this meaningful tattoo, highlighting her ability to balance her personal life with her wrestling career.
Ripley’s tattoo is a testament to her unique personality, combining her love for horror and her cherished dog. Fans are wondering if WWE will explore more of Ripley’s personal side on TV, as her latest tattoo certainly reveals an intriguing glimpse into her life outside the ring.
When one thinks of the glory days of World Championship Wrestling during many fans’ peak fandom in the 1990s, you can’t not hear the voice of David Penzer. The longtime ring announcer helped build that big fight feel and excitement for matches, from Nitro to pay-per-view. With interest of yesteryear so prevalent these days, the argument could be made that WCW has enjoyed a resurgence of popularity. Maybe even renewed appreciation for what the once Turner-owned juggernaut of the industry was able to accomplish and its influence felt today.
“It really did not get a proper sendoff,” Penzer said of the uptick in interest for the promotion shuttered in 2001. “If you give [viewers] the last episode of Seinfeld or Friends and a close, and it’s like you saw this to the end and can walk away from it. They are not happy about it. They may have reruns. They may get together to make a movie or land a TV series reunion. Most people feel satisfied by that.
“One week we got two days’ notice that it was the last Nitro show in Panama City. That was it. I think the people really never got competition or satisfaction and saw it through. There were a lot we lost in the end, but for the ones who stayed didn’t get competition or finish. The ones we lost still remember the glory days of the nWo and Sting coming down from the rafters, DDP, and all that crazy stuff. It’s a lot of notstalia, but also the fact it never got a proper sendoff.”
The good news for those who long for the glory days is there is an upcoming convention aptly titled Glory Days GrappleCon 2 on Saturday, March 29. This star-studded event in Lutz features top names including Abdullah The Butcher, Arn Anderson, Nikita Koloff, Dutch Mantell, Haku/Meng, NWO Sting, Col. Robert Parker, Bunkhouse Buck, Glacier, “Nightmare” Danny Davis, April Hunter, Ivelisse, Bill DeMott, Larry Hamilton, the Barrio Brothers, “Jungle” Jim Steele, and more. Penzer himself will be moderating a special panel.
The 58-year-old wrote two books “Sitting Ringside” along with Nitro books authors Guy Evans. Penzer reflects back on backstage stories and insight, as well as old formats and never-before-scene memos. He called the experience of opening up cathartic.
“I wasn’t supposed to make it. I came in at a time you just didn’t make it if you were a wrestler,” Penzer said. “ Jody Hamilton, “The Masked Assassin”, saw something in me that wasn’t there. Thank God he did and gave me the opportunity. I took it from there with a lot of help from a lot of other people.”
Penzer remains humble about his contributions to the business. He’ll get reminded by those who watched over the decades. Even in the most unexpected places, like Game Changer Wrestling.
“I was at an event. It was right after COVID with WrestleMania in Tampa,” Penzer recalled. Game Changer was running three days outside. My adult kids are big Game Changer fans, so I reached out to Brett Lauderdale, who I had never talked to before. I said, ‘Yeah man, any chance I can get my kids some passes.’ He said, ‘Only if you open one of the shows. I’ll introduce you and put you over.’
“In the process of talking to him he said, I used to do the David Penzer voice. I said, ‘What’s the David Penzer voice?’ He told me he would imitate me during the intros. I was like, ‘No you didn’t’?’ I was blown away. Since I”ve been on Twitter I’ve heard that more times than I would ever imagine. It’s crazy, but it’s a huge honor. By the way, Brett Lauderdale might be a fan, but when I went out there and did my welcome, you could hear a pin drop. They shit all over it because they didn’t know who I was or didn’t care. That’s fine. Life will humble you at certain times.”
Beyond WCW, Penzer shared great memories working for Impact Wrestling/TNA Wrestling starting almost a decade ago. His last stretch with the company ended on a particularly special note in 2023.
“Scott D’Amore gave me a hell of a run before COVID and after COVID,” Penzer said. “The sendoff he gave me, which I go into detail in the book, is fantastic. I’m not fooling myself. I’m not going into any Hall of Fames, but the sendoff Scott gave me with a wonderful plaque and speech with my friends and coworkers and fans chanting, ‘Thank You Penzer.’ It makes me tear up even to this day. I wasn’t expecting that in any way, shape or form, but I appreciated that and enjoyed it”.
“…If I never get in the ring and the ring announced again, I have no regrets. It was 30 years living my dream. I was 11-years-old, a little kid and turned on Championship Wrestling from Florida. Dusty Rhodes, “Superstar” Billy Graham with Gordon Solie on the mic. I fell in love with it. It was my passion. By darn I was going to find a way to try to get in, but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined I would achieve what I achieved. I’m blessed and honored.”
For Penzer, conventions like the Glory Days are an opportunity to stay connected with many longtime colleagues. He couldn’t be happier for one of those in Lex Luger, who will be enshrined into the WWE Hall of Fame this year.
“The Lex Luger I knew in WCW, and I’ll be honest with you, was an arrogant prick,” Penzer said. “I’ll never forget after he went through all the stuff he had gone through I didn’t realize TNA was bringing him down to do something with Sting. It was at Universal Studios. I go into vivid detail, but I’ll never forget I was walking out of the production office and Lex was in his wheelchair about to go in about five feet apart. He says, ‘Hey Dave, how are you doing?’ I said, ‘Hi Lex, how is it going?’ He said, ‘Good, I’m glad you’re doing good. How is your family?’
“I’m thinking, ‘You never asked me how my family was’…We had this nice conversation. I called my wife as soon as I walked away and said, ‘You’ll never guess what I just went though. I was convinced he was working or had totally changed his life around. I’ve been with him so many times since then at Fan Fests and different stuff and had in-depth conversations with him that there is not a doubt in my mind that he is sincere. He is a changed person. It’s not how part of the ride goes, but how you finish the ride. He is finishing the ride with class and dignity. I’m really happy for Lex. Lex has had his issues that are well documented. There is a lot of pain in that. I wouldn’t want anybody in pian, but he has come out of the other side as a wonderful human being. I don’t think anybody deserves this more than Lex Luger.”
Today Penzer remains a fan and appreciates those who have come after him. Among them that stood out was Samantha Irvin. A fan in her own right.
“She had an emotion about her where she would introduce a match or even a winner, you could really feel that like I’ve never felt in the business,” he said. “Howard Finkel was the best of all-time. Nobody is even close. If there is a Mount Rushmore, it’s the four faces of Howard. Let’s get that out of the way, but Samantha did it a different way I never seen do it before. It’s funny because WWE and other companies didn’t usually pitch to the ring announcer in this era.
“When Samantha started catching on, announcers were pitching to her, they were acknowledging her and putting her in the ring for the main events. She did a great thing. She had to step aside and do what she needed to do with her life and live her dream. Being a ring announcer was cool but wasn’t her dream. SHe wants to be a singer, and has a hell of a voice. Why not use the notoriety while you can and record an album. Live your dream. That’s all you can ask of anybody…she is young and could come back.”
These days Penzer found a new purpose in real estate. He even sold one of Chris Jericho’s houses. Those who secure his services and purchase a home have the chance to pose with a 25-pound World Heavyweight Reality Championship belt. “I like helping people,” he said. “There is nothing more that I enjoy more in my career than helping a first-time buyer buy their first home.”
Looking back at his ring announcing career, there was one match that he really looked at as the pinnacle. One monumental episode of Nitro from the Georgia Dome in 1998.
“It was when [Bill] Goldberg beat [Hollywood] Hogan in front of 45,000 people or whatever the crowd was sold out in Atlanta. That was history,” Penzer said. ”They are still doing documentaries about it. I had so many cool moments in WCW, TNA and Impact. If I had to pick one, but that is the one that jumps up first in my head. My family was there because we lived in Atlanta at the time.
“Funny story, we were backstage at the Georgia Dome and there’s this little up-and-coming rapper singer who was kind of backstage when someone got him in and was a local guy and had a bright future. He was taking pictures with some of the guys. I went up to introduce myself to him that night. I said, “Hi, I’m David Penzer, the ring announcer.” He said, ‘Great to meet you. I’m Usher.’ That worked out pretty good.”
This wasn’t just a loss for Jade Cargill but was her first singles pinfall defeat since joining WWE in September 2023. Taking to X, Cargill refused to let the loss keep her down. The former Women’s Tag Team Champion also promised that Naomi will get what’s coming to her in the end.
Bet. I’ll take last night on the chin. But this is far from over.
Looking up at the lights is a rare thing for Cargill throughout her wrestling career. The pinfall loss is Jade’s third time throughout her entire career being pinned. Her first pinfall loss came at AEW Double or Nothing 2023, when she lost the TBS Title to Kris Statlander. Cargill would lose their subsequent rematch, her final match as part of the AEW roster.
Cargill returned to programming at WWE Elimination Chamber: Toronto, where she attacked Naomi. The Glow later confirmed that she was the one to attack Cargill in November 2024. While Naomi claimed she did it for herself and for Bianca Belair, the EST wants no part of her former friend/tag-team partner.
While losing is never the intended outcome, Jade Cargill is ready to get back on the proverbial horse and back to her winning ways. While a showdown at WrestleMania 41 is yet to be confirmed, fans can expect to see Cargill and Naomi in the ring as adversaries soon enough.
Rob Van Dam is a true legend in the ring but now the WWE Hall of Famer is open to serving a role outside the squared circle. Speaking to B4 The Bell, Rob Van Dam recalled sharing the screen with NXT’s Kelani Jordan during the NXT show at the ECW Arena.
“Kelani Jordan. I’m on board. We did a really cool little backstage vignette in November or December when I was at NXT for a second.”
Van Dam wasn’t just impressed by Jordan but is open to serving as her manager on WWE TV should the opportunity arise.
“We both did the splits across the chairs, facing each other. So that’s my answer—I’ll be her manager.“
Having the endorsement of Rob Van Dam is another feather in the cap of Kelani Jordan. Last year, Jordan became the first-ever WWE NXT Women’s North American Champion, winning the gold in a six-woman ladder match. Jordan’s 140-day reign saw her retain against Michin, Izzi Dame, Sol Ruca, Wendy Choo and others before losing the gold to Fallon Henley.
Even after losing the gold, Kelani Jordan continues to impress in WWE NXT. Whether RVD manages her or not remains to be seen, but this endorsement is certainly big for the young NXT Superstar.
On the March 21, edition of WWE SmackDown, Braun Strowman defeated Jacob Fatu to become the number one contender for the WWE United States Championship. In a WWE Digital Exclusive, Strowman was pleased about the win which came via disqualification after Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga attacked him.
“When you’re fighting three guys every week you take a win however you can get it. Disqualification, so be it. Whatever.”
Looking to the future, Strowman was adamant that he will be the next United States Championship, a win that’d also earn Braun the Grand Slam.
“That [the U.S. Championship] is the one title that has alluded me in my entire WWE career. I win the United States Championship, I’m a Grand Slam title[holder] and a guaranteed shoo-in at WrestleMania.”
To become a Grand Slam Champion, a Superstar must win a World Championship, a tag-team title, and both the United States and Intercontinental Championships. Strowman became a Tag Team Champion in 2018 before capturing the Intercontinental Championship the following year. In 2020, Strowman added the WWE Universal Championship to his trophy cabinet, taking another step closer to the Grand Slam.
LA Knight only recently regained the U.S. Title but his reign could come to a swift end at the hands of Braun Strowman. With their title match set for the March 28, edition of WWE SmackDown, fans can expect a hard-hitting war in London’s O2 Arena with the U.S. Gold on the line.
Kevin Owens and Randy Orton hope to settle the score for good when the pair do battle at WWE WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. During the March 21, edition of WWE SmackDown, Owens asked Orton to team with him this April and pursue the tag-team championships. Instead, Orton vowed to kick Owens’ head off his shoulders at WrestleMania, teasing a showdown between the pair.
On X, WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque hyped up the match, saying it could only come at WrestleMania.
This will mark the second time Orton and Owens have battled at WWE’s Showcase of the Immortals. The pair were in a triple-threat match at WrestleMania40 in April 2024 in a match won by then-United States Champion Logan Paul.
Orton and Owens were allies in 2024 but things took a turn once Cody Rhodes agreed to team with Roman Reigns. When Orton refused to call-out Rhodes over what Owens saw as a betrayal, Owens assaulted Orton, severing their friendship, seemingly for good.
Now, the pair will do battle at WrestleMania 41 in one of the show’s more emotionally-driven matches. It remains to be seen which former World Champion is left standing tall inside Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.
Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins will do battle at WrestleMania 41, it has been confirmed. After the March 21, edition of WWE SmackDown, WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque confirmed the explosive triple-threat encounter.
All three of these men have dominated our industry…
They have had historic reigns as WWE Champion…
…and they all cannot wait to beat the other on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Levesque’s announcement comes after Punk, Rollins, and Reigns were all part of WWE SmackDown in Bologna, Italy. After a war of words, the trio brawled to end the show. Officials rushed to separate the three though that proved to be easier said than done with three former WWE World Champions involved.
WrestleMania 41 will serve as 12th Showcase of the Immortals for Reigns and Rollins, both of whom knows what it means to win big at the event. The show will mark Punk’s eighth time competing at a WrestleMania and his first in 12 years. An injury forced Punk to miss competing at WrestleMania 40 in April 2024 so this match has been a long-time coming for the Best in the World.
With a trio of former World Champions, this match could be a WrestleMania: Saturday headliner. Punk has yet to headline a WrestleMania, and could be mere weeks away from crossing this goal off his bucket list. Punk has been confirmed for the March 24, Raw in Glasgow, Scotland, where fans can expect him to address this match.
WrestleMania 41 has a huge card and this match is just the latest spectacle conirmed for Las Vegas. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WrestleMania 41.
Wrestling icon Abdullah the Butcher has shared a positive update on his health, highlighting his recovery journey after years of physical challenges. Known for his brutal in-ring style and international wrestling career, Abdullah had been confined to a wheelchair in recent years and required daily assistance.
Now living with his friend Malika, who helps care for him, Abdullah posted a video message on Facebook thanking those who have supported him. He specifically mentioned Chris Jericho and Diamond Dallas Page, noting that Jericho helped connect him with Page, whose DDP Yoga program is contributing to his recovery.
In the video, Abdullah shared that he can now stand, raise his arms above his head—something he hadn’t been able to do before—and even begin dressing himself again. The update marks a significant improvement in his physical condition.
Diamond Dallas Page has a history of helping fellow wrestlers through his wellness program, including Lex Luger, who was recently named to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Jade Cargill experienced her first-ever pinfall loss in a WWE singles match on the March 21, 2025 episode of SmackDown.
Liv Morgan secured the victory after Naomi interfered, attacking Cargill while the referee was distracted by Raquel Rodriguez. Morgan then delivered her finishing move, Oblivion, for the decisive pin.
Before this match, Cargill had never been pinned in WWE singles competition. Her only previous defeat in the company came during the Royal Rumble, where she was eliminated by Morgan.
During her tenure in AEW from 2020 to 2023, Cargill maintained an undefeated streak across 60 matches. That run ended when she lost the TBS Championship to Kris Statlander at Double or Nothing in May 2023, concluding a record-breaking 508-day title reign—the longest in AEW history.
She later suffered a second and final AEW loss to Statlander in a rematch on the September 15, 2023 episode of Rampage.
Karrion Kross has offered valuable insight for wrestlers aiming to break into WWE, drawing on his own experience transitioning from the independent circuit. After debuting with WWE in 2020, Kross noted that one of the most overlooked yet critical skills is learning to perform for television.
Appearing on The DeFalco Files podcast, Kross explained that many talents on the independent scene are unfamiliar with working in front of cameras—a fundamental aspect of WWE’s production.
“They have no idea how to work TV or cameras. That’s a whole other world that never even occurs to people,” he said, emphasizing the importance of knowing camera positioning and anticipating production cuts. “When I’m out there in the ring in WWE, my mind is also in the truck.”
Kross credited his early development to regular check-ins with trainer Joe DeFalco, who advised him to treat his training like a job and be open to feedback. One piece of advice stuck with him: be ready for anything.
“Before you go to WWE, you need to feel like if they ask you to do literally anything, you should be able to confidently do it,” Kross recalled. Whether it’s delivering a spontaneous promo or wrestling a last-minute Iron Man match, adaptability is key.
Kross Wants Sami Zayn at Wrestlemania 41
Alongside his insights, Kross revealed a personal goal—facing Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 41. He’s been targeting Zayn in recent months, hoping to meet him on WWE’s biggest stage. However, Zayn remains out of action after a storyline attack by Kevin Owens, hinting that his own path may lead elsewhere for now.
Matt Riddle might currently hold the MLW World Championship, but his thoughts remain closely tied to mixed martial arts and its connection to professional wrestling.
In a recent conversation with Sportskeeda, Riddle was asked which pro wrestler he believes could make a successful jump to MMA. He quickly ruled out CM Punk, referencing the former WWE star’s unsuccessful stint in the UFC.
“Well, not CM Punk, no disrespect, but not him,” Riddle said. “He already did it. It wasn’t good.”
Turning to current WWE talent, Riddle named Chad Gable as a standout with real MMA potential.
“I think somebody that would be really good if he worked on Jiu-Jitsu would be somebody like Chad Gable. He’s a high-level wrestler.
If he gets a couple of jits guys, a couple strikers, he will smash them and wipe the mat with them.”
Beyond Gable, Riddle also pointed to Otis and Angelo Dawkins as other WWE performers who could find success in the world of mixed martial arts.
Major League Wrestling (MLW) has announced that Battle Riot VII, originally scheduled at The Commerce Casino & Hotel in Commerce, California, will now take place at Thunder Studios Arena in Long Beach, California, on April 5, 2025. This change comes in response to the event’s swift sell-out and the high demand for tickets.
Thunder Studios Arena, located at 20434 S Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810, has hosted world-class combat sports events, including major cards seen on DAZN and featuring Showtime Boxing Promotions. With enhanced amenities, expanded food options, and a more immersive setting, it offers an ideal stage for MLW’s Los Angeles debut.
Fans who purchased tickets for the original venue will have their tickets honored at Thunder Studios Arena. Additional tickets will be released on Wednesday, March 26, at 10 PM PT, available exclusively at MLWLA.com.
The event will feature a 40-man Battle Riot match for the MLW World Heavyweight Championship, with participants including current champion Matt Riddle, Donovan Dijak, Satoshi Kojima, and others. Additional matches include:
• MLW Women’s World Featherweight Championship: Delmi Exo (c) vs. Shoko Nakajima
• MLW World Middleweight Championship: Mistico (c) vs. Templario
• HIMAWARI vs. Janai Kai
• Atlantis, Atlantis Jr., and Star Jr. vs. Ultimo Guerrero, Magnus, and Barbaro Cavernario
Prior to the main event, MLW will host its first-ever Fan Expo at Thunder Studios Arena, starting at 5 PM on April 5. Admission is free with a Battle Riot ticket, and attendees can expect meet-and-greets, interactive experiences, and exclusive merchandise.
2K has rolled out patch 1.06 for WWE 2K25, introducing a range of fixes and stability improvements across multiple modes. The update aims to resolve several issues reported by players since the game’s release earlier this month.
The patch enhances general stability and performance while addressing specific gameplay concerns. One notable fix corrects Bray Wyatt ‘23’s entrance animation during certain match types.
In MyRISE, missing Face Photo options have been restored. Universe Mode now allows proper arena changes during show edits, and MyGM resolves an issue where brand displays appeared incorrectly.
Creation Suite updates include fixes for The Rock ‘01’s motion unlock and custom video lockout errors. The patch also adjusts likeness issues for select characters.
Additionally, The Island mode received a fix for banners not displaying correctly.
The first downloadable content (DLC) pack for WWE 2K25 is expected to launch in May.
The Viper is poised to strike again. The 14-time World Champion has his sights set on WrestleMania 41, and he’s not coming alone.
At Friday’s WWE SmackDown taping from Bologna, Italy, Orton issued a challenge to his longtime rival Kevin Owens for a match at the upcoming event just 4 weeks away.
Owens came out in an RKO t-shirt and suggested that he and Orton team up at WrestleMania and make a run at the tag titles. Orton wasn’t having any of it, and the official challenge was laid down.
A Rivalry Renewed
The bad blood between the two superstars has been simmering for months, dating back to their brief alliance heading into last year’s WrestleMania 40.
The tensions between Orton and Owens reached a boiling point last summer at Bash in Berlin, where Owens brutally betrayed Cody Rhodes, sparking a vicious feud that eventually dragged in The Viper.
The two battled back and forth for months, culminating in a barbaric encounter at Survivor Series that left Orton with a serious neck injury.
Orton suffered cervical cord neurapraxia due to a package piledriver delivered by Owens during the match. The injury has kept The Apex Predator out of action for months, but now he’s ready to settle the score on the grandest stage of them all.
The Orton vs. Owens clash adds even more star power to an already stacked WrestleMania 41 lineup. The current card features world championship bouts like Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk and Jey Uso vs. Gunther, as well as a dream match between Cody Rhodes and John Cena.
Former Puerto Rican professional wrestler Julio Domingo Estrada, best known in the ring as “Rico Suave,” has died at the age of 54. Originally from Humacao, Estrada had been battling diabetes, which led to the amputation of one of his legs in recent months. He also underwent heart treatment involving a mesh implant and had been under observation and rest.
“Rico Suave” was a prominent figure in the World Wrestling Council (WWC), where he made a lasting impact on Puerto Rico’s wrestling scene. WWC plans to honor his memory during its 52nd anniversary event this August.
Estrada came from a family with deep roots in wrestling. He was the son of José Estrada, also known as “El Súper Médico,” and brother of Cheo Estrada, a member of the WWE group “Los Boricuas.”
His contributions to wrestling and his legacy in the Puerto Rican sports community will be remembered by fans and peers alike.
In one of his most charged interviews yet, Zilla Fatu pulled no punches when speaking on the internal dynamics of wrestling’s most powerful family.
Talking with MuscleManMalcolm for Muscle Memory, Fatu made a bold claim about WWE’s Solo Sikoa—accusing him of double-dealing his own blood.
“I think Solo is a snake,” Fatu said bluntly. “He’s playing both sides. And you know what happens when you play both sides, right? You go down and get exposed.”
The comments come amid speculation surrounding the on-and-off alliance between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, two prominent members of the Anoa’i dynasty. Zilla, himself a Bloodline descendant and the son of Umaga, believes Solo’s loyalty is a façade—and that Jacob will eventually see through it.
“When Jacob realizes that Solo is not really there for him… he might kill him,” Zilla warned.
Asked if he acknowledges Solo—mirroring Roman Reigns’ famous demand—Zilla didn’t hesitate: “Hell no.”
The explosive comments not only hint at personal rifts within the family but also open the door for future storyline developments, should Zilla eventually join WWE programming.
With House of Glory and Reality of Wrestling as his current battlegrounds, Fatu is carving his own path—but his sights seem firmly set on a bigger stage, where this drama could play out under even brighter lights.
Zilla Fatu isn’t backing down from what he sees as a blatant show of disrespect by WWE’s New Day. In a recent interview with MuscleManMalcolm on Muscle Memory, the House of Glory Crown Jewel Champion called out Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods for actions he says crossed a line with his fanbase.
“This all started with Xavier Woods,” Fatu explained. “He came to my city, after the show was over, and threw down one of my fans’ t-shirts on the ground. That was very unnecessary and very disrespectful, especially when you in my home city. I take that very personal.”
The tension escalated further when a clip surfaced of Kofi Kingston tossing a fan’s “Zilla Fatu thumbs down” foam finger. For Zilla, that felt targeted.
“You took one of my very special fans’ Zilla Fatu thumbs down foam finger and threw it on the ground. Yuck. Right? Yuck. And there were other fans he could’ve done that to—but he chose that one. It felt personal.”
Fatu made it clear he’s not letting it slide.
“The fans and his family take it very personal… that won’t happen again,” he warned.
Though he acknowledged that his cousins are fans of Kofi, Zilla didn’t mince words: “Me? I don’t.”
With tensions rising and Zilla hinting at a broader feud, the spotlight is now on WWE to see if this real-life grudge crosses into televised territory.
Sean Waltman is now contributing to WWE in a behind-the-scenes capacity, focusing on talent development.
A celebrated figure from WWE’s Attitude Era, Waltman gained prominence as the 1-2-3 Kid and was part of the influential Kliq alongside Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall. He also played key roles in D-Generation X and the nWo.
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Waltman is currently reviewing footage of up-and-coming WWE talent, providing feedback on areas for improvement and elements to maintain.
The duration of his involvement in this position has not been confirmed, but it’s always great to see veterans remaining involved in the business after their days in the ring. Waltman has a wealth of knowledge and his own unique experiences to pass along to the next generation of rising stars.
