The full story behind Rey Mysterio’s absence from WWE programming has been revealed. Wrestling veteran Konnan, speaking on his Keepin’ It 100 podcast, confirmed that the WWE Hall of Famer is recovering from multiple injuries that required surgery and forced him to miss WrestleMania 41.
According to Konnan, Mysterio suffered a torn abductor muscle which required a surgical procedure. On top of that, he was also dealing with a damaged eardrum. Mysterio’s last match was on the March 29 episode of SmackDown.
During the podcast, Konnan also provided the first concrete timeline for when fans can expect to see the legendary luchador back in the ring.
“He’s not back till August,” Konnan stated, confirming a summer return for Mysterio.
Konnan also noted that Mysterio is expected to be involved in future WWE and AAA crossover events once he is healthy.
“Yeah, he will be in future shows. Great working with him and Dom, and I can’t wait to see who else I’m going to get to work with.”
Despite the injuries, Mysterio did make a non-physical appearance at the recent WWE x AAA Worlds Collide event to engage with fans.
Big E has revealed his dream match that is not possible anymore.
This week’s episode of Raw saw the WWE return of Goldberg. The WCW veteran interrupted Gunther’s World Title celebration, setting up the last match of his career for the July 12 Saturday Night’s Main Event special from Atlanta, Georgia.
The former New Day star talked about Goldberg’s return on the Raw recap. He first discussed being a fan of the wrestling veteran, saying that seeing the former champion took him back to his youth:
“Look, it was like I was 13 years old once again. It was like, I hearken back to him winning the title at the Georgia Dome. I met this man at a Walmart signing like 25 years ago.
Like we got to do a Hot Ones together. This man, my wrestling fandom is so deeply connected to this man. My most famous promo of all time has to do with that man.”
Gunther defeated Jey Uso to win back the World Heavyweight Championship on last week’s Raw. The title change was inspired partly by the upcoming Goldberg match, as the officials wanted it to feel as big as possible.
Big E discussed how he would have loved to face Goldberg in his retirement match, while also commenting on the fate of Jey Uso:
“I wanted his retirement match. That’s obviously off the table. I will say, if this is indeed it, Gunther is so intriguing. I love the clash of eras. I think, and this is, I want to see, obviously, seeing Jey not have the title is disappointing. But I want to see Gunther be in the ring with the biggest fish.
A former WWE champion in his own right, Big E has been out of action since March 2023 after a neck injury. While not officially retired, the former NXT champion currently does not have a return timetable either.
What appeared to be a perfectly timed “accident” on the July 23, 2021 SmackDown was actually the result of hours of painstaking work and one performer’s absolute commitment to comedic perfection, even when it meant repeatedly taking shots to his most sensitive area.
In a revealing interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, former WWE star Shotzi pulled back the curtain on one of the company’s most viral segments—the backstage moment where she “accidentally” shot Baron Corbin with her tank during his emotional promo.
The reality behind the seemingly spontaneous comedy gold was far more meticulous than fans could have imagined.
“It actually took like 30 takes,” Shotzi revealed, much to Van Vliet’s surprise. “Like Corbin wanted it to be good. He was on a mission.”
The extensive retakes weren’t due to technical difficulties or missed cues—they were the result of Baron Corbin’s perfectionist approach to entertainment.
“So I was just like aiming… so ridiculous. It took so long,” Shotzi explained, describing the tedious process.
What made the production particularly challenging was the complexity of the segment itself. This wasn’t a simple gag that could be quickly repeated—it was a multi-layered scene requiring precise timing and emotional commitment.
“So he had to like do that whole promo and then boom and then if it missed then do that whole promo again and hit him,” Shotzi detailed.
The segment featured Kevin Owens entering mid-scene, delivering his own lengthy promo about lending Corbin money, before the tank projectile found its target.
“There’s so much going on in that because it starts on you and then Kevin Owens comes in. Then Kevin Owens has this long promo with Corbin about lending him money and then then he gets hit,” Van Vliet noted. “So it’s not like you could just do these takes one after another. Like you got to do the whole setup.”
“Exactly. Yeah. It was a whole thing,” Shotzi confirmed.
Perhaps most remarkably, even after enduring the punishment for dozens of takes, Corbin remained unsatisfied with the final result. “But like he even the last take he was not satisfied with,” Shotzi revealed. “Oh then he just sold it really well. He just sold it really well.”
Despite the physical toll of the repeated impacts, Shotzi expressed genuine appreciation for Corbin’s dedication to the craft. “But I really appreciate that he cared so much that we got him in the balls that well.”
The behind-the-scenes story illustrates the level of professionalism and dedication that goes into WWE’s entertainment moments. Corbin’s insistence on perfecting the segment, even while repeatedly absorbing painful hits, demonstrates how seriously wrestlers take their responsibility to entertain fans.
This glimpse into WWE’s production process reveals that the company’s best “spontaneous” moments are often the result of extensive preparation and performer commitment. The invisible work that goes into making wrestling entertainment appear effortless requires dedication that extends far beyond what fans see on television.
The 30-take tank segment stands as a testament to the lengths wrestlers will go to perfect their craft. In an era where viral moments can define careers, Corbin’s willingness to endure repeated punishment for the sake of entertainment perfection proved prescient—the segment became one of the most memorable and widely shared moments of 2021.
“Well after 30 tries I better,” Shotzi joked when Van Vliet complimented her accuracy.
Before Shotzi was driving production-quality tanks on WWE programming, she was browsing the toy aisle at Walmart with a vision that would eventually become one of the company’s most distinctive entrance concepts.
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, the former WWE star revealed the humble beginnings of her iconic tank entrance that captivated audiences during her time with the company.
“So I found this mini tank at Walmart and I bought it for the indies,” Shotzi explained. “I used it only on a couple shows cuz obviously I can’t like travel with that tank. Like I don’t have the buses that WWE does.”
The logistics of independent wrestling meant Shotzi could only use her Walmart find for local shows, but the unique presentation caught attention wherever she went. “There was actually some indie promotions that were like ‘We bought one for our show,'” she recalled. “And they would bring me in and I’d have a little tank there.”
When Shotzi eventually caught WWE’s attention, she knew her tank concept could be the differentiating factor that set her apart from other prospects. Her approach to getting it noticed was decidedly DIY.
“I sent Hunter a video of my little mini Walmart tank and he was like ‘Can you get it to full sale like tomorrow?'” Shotzi revealed, referring to Triple H. “And I was like ‘Oh yes.’ And I ordered an Uber XL to get this mini tank over to Full Sale.”
The image of a future WWE star loading a toy tank into an Uber XL to pitch her entrance concept perfectly encapsulates the entrepreneurial spirit required to succeed in professional wrestling. WWE’s immediate interest demonstrated how the company has evolved to recognize and develop indie innovations rather than completely reimagining talent.
What makes Shotzi’s story even more remarkable is how WWE incorporated her original concept into their larger production.
“The my little tank they actually cut in half to make the bigger tank that you see on TV,” she explained. “So half of that is mine.”
Now departed from WWE, Shotzi is hoping to reclaim her original creation. “I was like can I have like half of the tank or maybe all of it. I mean I’m willing to drive to Connecticut and get it out of the warehouse if I have to.”
Shotzi’s tank journey from Walmart to WWE represents the modern relationship between independent wrestling and major promotions, where unique ideas developed on the grassroots level can be scaled up for mainstream audiences. It shows aspiring wrestlers that creativity and personal investment in character development can be the differentiating factors that catch major company attention.
From a $20 Walmart purchase to a production-quality WWE entrance vehicle, Shotzi’s evolution proves that sometimes the best ideas come from simple inspiration combined with the courage to invest in your vision, no matter how unconventional it might seem.
AEW veteran Dustin Rhodes has confirmed that his iconic “Goldust” persona is officially retired and will not be making a return. Rhodes famously shed the character when he joined AEW in 2019 for his classic match against his brother, Cody Rhodes.
A fan on social media recently proposed an idea for a unique faction, asking for the Goldust character to return to team up with Cody’s former “Stardust” persona and Lucha Libre AAA sensation, Mr. Iguana.
In his response, Dustin politely but firmly shut down any possibility of bringing back the Goldust gimmick. He apologized to the fan but stated that the character is retired for good.
Since leaving the Goldust character behind, Rhodes has had a career resurgence in AEW as “The Natural.” He has served as both a respected in-ring competitor and a veteran presence backstage, helping to coach and guide the younger talent on the roster.
The Goldust character was one of WWE’s most unique and memorable personas throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Rhodes portrayed the androgynous, mind-games playing character for over two decades, creating countless memorable moments and feuds in WWE.
Rhodes’ transition to “The Natural” in AEW has allowed him to showcase his wrestling fundamentals and veteran leadership while stepping away from the theatrical aspects that defined his WWE career. At 55 years old, Rhodes continues to compete at a high level while mentoring the next generation of wrestlers.
AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and her fellow AEW star, The Beast Mortos, have sparked relationship rumors with a recent social media post. Mortos shared a photo of the two together that has the wrestling world buzzing.
In an Instagram story, Mortos, also known as “The Minotaur of Wrestling,” posted a picture of himself looking close with Mone. The photo was accompanied by a heartfelt caption written in Spanish.
“En tus brazos encuentro paz,” he wrote, which translates to “In your arms, I find peace.”
While the post has led to widespread fan speculation, it should be noted that there has been no official confirmation that the two are dating. Little is known about Mortos’ personal life, though he recently shared that he is close to earning his law degree.
This comes nearly a year after Mone publicly opened up about her own personal life. In August 2024, she announced she had filed for divorce from her ex-husband, Sarath Thon, after being married since 2010. She shared at the time that they had been separated since December 2020. For now, the nature of Mone and Mortos’ relationship remains personal.
WWE SmackDown star Apollo Crews recently reflected on his “Nigerian Prince” character, calling the portrayal the “most fun” he has had in his wrestling career. Crews is currently sidelined with an injury but has been sharing updates on his recovery.
The character change occurred in 2021 when Crews turned heel and embraced his Nigerian heritage, adopting the persona of Nigerian royalty. The gimmick led to the most significant singles success of his career, culminating in an Intercontinental Championship victory over Big E at WrestleMania 37.
In a recent Instagram post, Crews admitted he was not immediately sold on the idea but grew to love it.
“I was initially hesitant, but embracing this character became some of the most fun I’ve had throughout my wrestling career,” Crews wrote. “I committed not only to performing to the best of my ability, but taking my physique to a different level as well.”
Crews has been out of action since February 2025 after undergoing surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. He has stated that he is “crushing the rehab” as he prepares for his eventual in-ring return to the SmackDown brand.
An update has emerged regarding Liv Morgan’s condition following the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion suffering a legitimate shoulder injury during Monday Night Raw.
Morgan’s match against Kairi Sane on the June 17 Raw episode ended prematurely when the champion was taken backstage during a commercial break. Sane was subsequently declared the winner after Morgan appeared to suffer a shoulder injury during the contest.
Michael Cole confirmed on-air that Morgan had suffered a dislocated shoulder, providing immediate clarity on the nature of the injury.
Legitimate Injury
PWInsider has provided a comprehensive update on Morgan’s status, confirming that this was a completely legitimate injury. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion was immediately examined by WWE’s medical team after being brought backstage.
“The injury is being viewed within WWE as a ‘freak occurrence’, with there being no heat on anyone.” – PWInsider
This clarification is significant, as it confirms no blame is being placed on any performer for the unfortunate incident.
Recovery Timeline Uncertain
As of June 17, WWE is awaiting the final diagnosis to determine the severity of Morgan’s shoulder dislocation. This assessment will be crucial in establishing how long the champion will be absent from in-ring competition.
The report indicates that if the dislocation is classified as severe, Morgan could potentially be sidelined for up to 16 weeks. However, this timeline is entirely dependent on the medical evaluation results that Morgan is currently awaiting.
Storyline Impact
The timing of this injury is particularly unfortunate for Morgan’s current storyline trajectory. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion had recently begun establishing a feud with Nikki Bella, notably attacking her during the June 9 Raw episode.
This developing storyline will likely need to be adjusted or put on hold depending on the severity of Morgan’s injury and her subsequent recovery timeline.
SEScoops will continue to monitor Liv Morgan’s condition and provide updates as they become available. We extend our best wishes to Morgan for a swift and complete recovery.
Shotzi Blackheart has told the story of her segment with Baron Corbin.
The former WWE star recently had an interview with Chris Van Vliet. She talked about things such as shaving her head on TV to support her sister, her time in NXT, getting released from the company and more.
During the interview, Shotzi also recalled her one segment with Baron Corbin from 2021. The Lone Wolf was playing the sad Corbin character at the time, and the female star ended up low-blowing him with her tank.
Blackheart noted that Corbin wanted the whole thing to be as perfect as possible. This resulted in them doing more than two dozen takes with the former US Champion getting hit repeatedly:
“It actually took 30 takes. Corbin wanted it to be good. He was on a mission. So I was just like aiming, so ridiculous. It took so long. So he had to do that whole promo, and then boom.
Then if it missed, then do that whole promo again and hit him. But even the last take he was not satisfied with. He just sold it really well. But I really appreciate that he cared so much that we got him in the balls that well.”
MJF will be making a rare indie appearance to support a fellow wrestler.
Former AEW star Joey Janela has announced a benefit show to help independent star Jeff Cannonball, who has been diagnosed with ALS. The event is set for September 14 in the city of New Providence, New Jersey.
On Monday, the Bad Boy made a big announcement about the upcoming show revealing that the former AEW Champion will be making an appearance at the event dubbed Cannonballfest
“9/14/2025 will be one of the biggest shows in independent history for Jeff Cannonball and I will go to any means necessary to keep that word! I had to reach out to someone I despise with a burning passion to make that a reality! Maxwell Jacob Friedman comes to CANNONBALLFEST!”
Cannonball has been a fixture of the Northeast independent scene for the last 15 years. He has made appearances for many notable indie promotions, including CZW, MLW, IHB No Holds Barred, H20 Wrestling, and many more.
ALS or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which is typically fatal and most individuals diagnosed with it only live 3 to 5 years. ALS affects nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement, and there is currently no cure for it.
A GoFundMe has also been launched for Cannonball which you can donate to here.
According to a new report from former WWE commentator Jonathan Coachman, Dr. Britt Baker is on her way out of AEW and is on the verge of signing with WWE. The claim comes after the former AEW Women’s World Champion has been absent from television since November 2024.
Speaking on his Behind The Turnbuckle podcast, Coachman reported that Baker’s departure from AEW is imminent.
“Alright, so I just got this in real time. You guys know, I’ve just been breaking news left and right, and when it’s in context, I have yet to be wrong. So, I just found out there’s a name, a female name out there that is this close to signing with WWE. Any guesses?… Ding ding ding ding. Gone from AEW, close. My sources keep coming to your boy.”
This report follows earlier news from PWTorch.com, which stated there was “a lot of frustration with her” within AEW management. Baker was also reportedly suspended in 2024 following a backstage altercation.
Once positioned as the face of the AEW women’s division, Baker has seen her status surpassed in recent years by stars like Toni Storm and Mercedes Moné. If Coachman’s report is accurate, it would mark the departure of one of AEW’s most recognizable original stars.
Shotzi Blackheart has opened up about one of her most memorable segments in WWE.
The former WWE star recently had an interview with Chris Van Vliet. She discussed things such as knowing that her release was coming even before getting the call, working with Baron Corbin, what’s next for her and more.
When asked which WWE segment meant the most to her, the former Tough Enough competitor recalled shaving her head during a feud in 2023:
“The first thing that comes to mind is shaving my head on TV for my sister. That was something that just meant a lot to me. I didn’t get a ton of storylines in my time there, but that was the one that was just personal and for my family.”
The female star has been feuding with Damage CTRL at the time of the segment and the whole thing was presented as an act of defiance for her. In reality, the wrestling star wanted to support her sister who had been battling with cancer at the time.
Discussing how the segment came together, Shotzi Blackheart revealed that she spoke directly to WWE CCO Triple H about it, who greenlighted the whole thing:
“So I went to Hunter. I went straight to him, and I was just like, ‘Hey, my sister’s going through this, and I really want to support her in a big way. I just want her to see this and know that I’m connected.’”
Shotzi was released from WWE last month when her contract with the company expired. She has already returned to the independent circuit since then, making appearances for promotions such as GCW.
An AEW star envisions his retirement to be similar to John Cena.
The Cenation Leader announced his decision to retire from wrestling more than a year in advance. In 2025, he’s going to different cities to show his gratitude to the audiences there one last time before calling it a career.
MVP expressed interest in a similar tour during the latest episode of his YouTube show. The Hurt Syndicate star once again noted how he does not have a lot of time left in his in-ring career, and explained that at this point he’s continuing it only for the love of the game:
“I just still enjoy doing it. When I get to the point that I can’t do it effectively or if I’m taking baseball slide bumps, then it’s time to go. I plan on ending this run here pretty soon anyway. I want to have my last match. I want to have the retirement tour, let me go around, ‘Hey, this is the last time MVP will be wrestling in your city.’”
When the co-host joked that MVP had another 20 years left as an active performer, the wrestling veteran said that he has a maximum of 2-year window left to end his in-ring run. Though the 51-year-old said that he’ll continue working as a manager beyond that and be active in the business for maybe next 10 or 15 years.
The former WWE star made his AEW in-ring debut during the January 15 episode of Dynamite this year. He has wrestled several matches in the indies since then.
The current Intercontinental Champion has been engaged in a storyline with AJ Styles recently. This week’s Raw saw the Phenomenal One taking on Dom’s Judgment Day teammate JD McDonagh in a singles bout.
Dirty Dom tried to help JD by interfering in the match, but Styles managed to overcome the odds. The former World Champion defeated McDonagh with a Styles Clash. Mysterio tried to hit AJ with the IC title belt after the bell, but he missed.
Finn Balor came out as AJ Styles was setting up for a phenomenal forearm on Dom. Balor pulled the IC Champ out of harm’s way, but his belt was left in the ring in the process. The former TNA champion then posed with the belt and it was announced that he’ll be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the title at the upcoming show.
WWE Night of Champions this year takes place on June 28, 2025, from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here is the updated match card for the show:
Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk
Intercontinental Championship Match: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
Queen of The Ring Tournament Final
King of The Ring Tournament Final
Both the Tournaments are cross-branded and it has been announced that the winner of the competitions will receive a title shot at SummerSlam against the top champion of their brand.
Giulia has arrived on WWE’s main roster after less than a year as part of WWE NXT. During her time with the silver brand, the Beautiful Madness quickly rose through the ranks, and fans can expect the same now she’s on SmackDown.
According to a report from PW Insider, the former NXT Women’s Champion will be on the receiving end of a substantial push and will be featured prominently. Giulia recently set her sights on Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega, blindsiding her during an episode of SmackDown.
Giulia arrived in WWE to much fanfare after an impressive run as part of STARDOM. Already, Giulia has established herself with major victories over Roxanne Perez, Jordynne Grace, and others. Now, the Beautiful Madness is ready to take WWE’s main roster by storm and it may be just a matter of time before she holds championship gold again.
WWE 2K25 players will have the chance to open up cans of Shaq-Fu now that basketball icon Shaquille O’Neal has been confirmed for upcoming DLC. Shaq will be part of the ‘Dunk & Destruction’ pack of downloadable content which WWE shared is coming “soon.”
Shaquille O’Neal’s not just dunking, he’s dropping elbows from the top rope!
Shaq is no stranger to stepping foot in the ring. At WrestleMania 32, the NBA icon competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal won by Baron Corbin. Give years later, he’d compete in AEW, and would emerge victorious in tag-team action.
WWE 2K25 already boasts the largest roster of any wrestling game and now it’s about to get even bigger. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE 2K25.
WWE Evolution 2 is drawing near and Lyra Valkyria plans to be part of the action. Speaking to the Battleground podcast, Lyra was asked about what kind of match she plans on having come July 13.
“A big match-up with someone that I haven’t faced yet would be very cool. We’ve got Giulia on SmackDown now. I’ve never gotten in the ring with her.”
The Beautiful Madness isn’t the only woman on Valkyria’s radar. In the interview, Lyra named Stephanie Vaquer as another dream opponent.
“We don’t know if it’s going to happen, I don’t know who will be involved. But someone that I haven’t faced yet would be very cool, very fresh for me.”
The Evolution 2 Premium Live Event will be taking place on July 13, 2025, live from Atlanta, Georgia and is expected to feature 7-8 matches, more than WWE’s standard 4-5 match card. With room for Valkyria to be in action, time will tell if the first-ever Women’s Intercontinental Champion gets one of her dream matches.
Kali Armstrong may have just captured her first title, but WWE insiders are already envisioning a future for the first-ever WWE EVOLVE Women’s Champion. According to a new report from Fightful Select, Armstrong has made a strong impression on WWE officials following her performances at recent EVOLVE tapings. Some within the company are reportedly calling her a potential “future WrestleMania main eventer.”
Armstrong was crowned the inaugural WWE EVOLVE Women’s Champion on the May 28 episode and has continued to make strides ever since. She recently brought the title to an NXT live event in Citrus Springs—and sources say that wasn’t a one-time appearance. WWE insiders confirm she’s been working NXT house shows regularly and is being seriously considered for a full-time move to the NXT roster.
Kali Armstrong defeating Kylie Rae, Wendy Choo, and Kendal Grey in a Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match. After the match, WWE veteran Natalya entered the ring to present the championship before Armstrong snatched the belt from her hands.
With gold already around her waist, the future looks bright for Kali Armstrong. While she’s part of WWE EVOLVE for now, it appears to be just a matter of time before she arrives in WWE NXT and later the main roster.
One-half of the current Women’s Tag Team Champions suffered an injury in her match against Kairi Sane at this week’s Raw. The bout was stopped not long after the opening bell. As Morgan was unable to compete, the Japanese star was declared the winner.
PWinsider has provided some backstage updates on the situation, confirming that the injury was 100% legit. Liv had taken time off from TV recently to film a movie, but this segment was not a way to write her off for any outside project.
Liv Morgan was checked by WWE medical staff as soon as she got to the back, though the severity of her injury is not known. On screen, it was announced that the WWE star suffered a dislocated shoulder. Based on the severity of the injury, this can put her out of action for up to 16 weeks.
There is no heat on Kairi Sane for Morgan’s injury and behind the scenes, the whole thing is being seen as a freak occurrence that could happen in any match.
The Raw star was poised for a rivalry against Nikki Bella heading into the Evolution 2 PPV set for July 13. A return timetable of more than a few weeks, however, would result in Morgan missing the show.
WWE Raw Superstar Zoey Stark is not retiring from competition despite what a video shared on social media would have fans believe. In a video of her own, Stark watches an AI-generated video of herself, sharing that due to her recent injury, she has been forced to retire from wrestling. Stark (the real one,) makes clear that this is not true at all.
“That’s pretty funny, actually.This AI video. Whoever made it, great job. You did a fantastic job, because a lot of people fell for it, including my own family. It’s not true. I’m not retiring anytime soon. In fact, I’m here at the UFC Performance Institute to do rehab on my knee and working my ass off three to four times a day of physical therapy. But I’m gonna share my journey with you guys. The good, the bad, the ugly, the road to recovery, and what it is. So, stay with me, I love all you Stark Marks.”
Stark suffered a serious knee injury during the May 19, 2025, episode of Monday Night RAW. This injury, her second serious injury to her knee, forced her out of a Women’s Money in the Bank qualifying match against Rhea Ripley and Kairi Sane.
It’s unclear when Zoey Stark will be back, but she will be back despite what her AI counterpart says. We at SEScoops are continuing to wish her a full and speedy recovery.
This tweet comes in light of Ripley’s arch rival, Liv Morgan, suffering an injury at tonight’s episode of The Red Branded Show. The women’s tag champion was facing Kairi Sane in a singles match at the event.
Sane did not waste any time and sent Morgan to the floor almost immediately after the bell rang. Liv, however, seemed to have landed awkwardly, and she was checked out by referee Jessika Carr after the spot.
The program went to commercial break as the doctors assessed Morgan’s health. When the show came back on, Sane was announced the winner of the bout as Liv was unable to continue the match.
Liv Morgan has a long history with Rhea Ripley. Once a tag team, the WWE duo have become bitter rivals in recent times. Ripley breaking character to support Morgan shows the respect between the two peers.
It was announced on screen that the Raw star has suffered a dislocated shoulder though there is no word on what it means for her future.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan suffered an apparent shoulder injury during her match on the June 16 episode of Monday Night Raw. Her match against Kairi Sane had to be stopped just moments after it began.
The injury occurred in the opening seconds of the bout. After a move from Sane, Morgan landed awkwardly on her shoulder. She was visibly in pain and immediately rolled out of the ring, clutching her arm as the show went to a commercial break.
When Raw returned, it was announced that Morgan was being tended to by the WWE medical staff. The commentary team later provided an update, with Michael Cole stating he was told that Morgan had suffered a dislocated shoulder.
The injury comes at a critical time for Morgan and the women’s division. She is currently embroiled in a high-profile storyline with the recently returned Nikki Bella, whom she attacked on last week’s show. This apparent injury now puts her status as a champion and the future of her feud with Bella in serious doubt. WWE has not yet provided an official statement on the severity of the injury or a timetable for her return.
WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg has returned to set up his final match. On the June 16 episode of Monday Night Raw, Goldberg made a surprise appearance, confronting World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER and challenging him to a match at the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event special.
The segment began with GUNTHER in the ring discussing his future as champion. He was then interrupted by the iconic entrance music of Goldberg, who marched to the ring to a massive ovation from the Green Bay crowd.
Goldberg stated that GUNTHER had “started something with his family” at the recent Bad Blood event in Atlanta. He declared that he intended to “finish it” in the same city when WWE returns there for Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12.
The challenge lays the groundwork for what is widely expected to be the final match of Goldberg’s legendary, Hall of Fame career. The bout will see the WCW icon attempt to capture a world title one last time in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia.
The showdown between the two powerhouse competitors is now set, adding a marquee match to the July 12 event and creating a definitive final chapter for Goldberg’s career.
GOLDBERG vs. GUNTHER World Heavyweight Championship Saturday Night's Main Event
Asuka made her surprise return to WWE on the June 16 episode of Monday Night Raw after being out of action for more than a year. “The Empress of Tomorrow” immediately made an impact, winning her first-round match in the Queen of the Ring tournament.
This was Asuka’s first appearance since undergoing knee surgery in May 2024. Her last match was at the Backlash France event, where she and Kairi Sane lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. During her long absence, her former faction, Damage CTRL, quietly disbanded.
Making her entrance to her popular original theme music, “The Future” by CFO$, Asuka competed in a fatal four-way qualifying match against Raquel Rodriguez, Ivy Nile, and Stephanie Vaquer. The finish saw Rhea Ripley interfere, costing Rodriguez the match and allowing Asuka to get the pinfall victory.
With the win, Asuka now advances to the semi-finals of the Queen of the Ring tournament, where she is set to face Alexa Bliss. The other semi-final on the Raw side of the bracket will see Roxanne Perez take on Jade Cargill. The tournament final will take place at WWE Night of Champions on June 28, with the winner receiving a world title match at SummerSlam.
Major League Wrestling has released several contracted talents in a strategic move to refresh its roster. According to a report from PWInsider, the promotion is making room to bring in new, higher-profile free agents.
The report states that MLW opted to release wrestlers who were not being featured in immediate creative plans, allowing them to seek opportunities elsewhere rather than remaining under deals with no direction.
“Rather than hold talents who may not be used regularly to deals, MLW has released a number of talents in order to allow them to pursue other opportunities, even if they had time left on their deals,” a source told PWInsider.
Among those confirming their departures are former MLW Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo and Psycho Samurai.
“I am extremely grateful to have spent the last few years developing under Major League Wrestling,” Exo wrote in a statement. “The God Queen was a concept many doubted but she has proven to be the living embodiment of what it means to bet on yourself and chase your dreams.”
Psycho Samurai also confirmed his free agency on social media, writing, “Thanks for the memories, MLW… I’m a pro wrestler. Japanese King of the Deathmatch like Cactus Jack. Only one of me.”
This roster shake-up comes as the 30- and 90-day no-compete clauses for many recently released WWE talents are expiring, flooding the market with new talent that MLW may be looking to sign.
I am extremely grateful to have spent the last few years developing under Major League Wrestling. The God Queen was a concept many doubted but she has proven to be the living embodiment of what it means to bet on yourself and chase your dreams.#FreeAgent#GodQueenVersion3pic.twitter.com/LJ8uPvSP8n
