WrestleMania 41 is in the history books, and will go down as one of the more controversial WrestleManias in recent years. Fans have taken issue with some of the show’s booking and the ever-increasing prices of tickets also proved to be a problem for many.
Randy Orton didn’t have to pay to attend WrestleMania but was stunned when he learned what some fans had paid to attend the show. When learning of the costs, Orton shared his view.
“It’s embarrassing to be honest, so much money for a seat.”
Randy Orton himself is even shocked how much ticket prices are for WrestleMania ? pic.twitter.com/LhW76vxU4U
WrestleMania 41 tickets started at $450 though that number doesn’t take into account Ticketmaster’s hybrid pricing. For context, floor seats at WrestleMania 19 in 2003 cost $400, with the cheapest tickets for the Seattle, Washington event costing just $15.
WrestleMania 41 was a serious money-earner for WWE, though many believe that WWE is making their biggest show unaffordable for the average fan. It remains to be seen if WWE and TKO change course after the response this year as even one of the company’s top stars believes things have gone too far.
Lexis King was set to defend his Heritage Cup Championship against a mystery opponent on the April 22 episode of the show, following the Stand & Deliver PPV over the WrestleMania weekend.
The mystery opponent was revealed to be a returning Noam Dar, who had been out of action since May last year. Dar started the match strong and kept control for most of the bout.
The ending of the match saw King getting a two-count with a superkick. Noam Dar then faked a Dar Roller but connected with a back elbow instead and pinned the former AEW star to win the title in his comeback match.
Noam Dar was written off TV in May last year, after being attacked by an unknown assailant. The attacker was later revealed to be Ethan Page, who jumped ship from AEW.
Page has seen success in NXT since then, having a reign with the NXT title. We’ll have to see if Dar goes after the former AEW star now that he has returned to the brand.
This wasn’t the only return of the night as we also saw a current TNA title holder making a surprise appearance and teasing a champion vs champion match on the show. You can check out more about it here.
The April 23, edition of AEW Dynamite will come to New Orleans with a special guest planned for the show. On X, Master P shared that he will be inside the Lakefront Arena to catch the action live. This post caught the attention of AEW’s account as they made clear that they will be keeping an eye on Master P at the show.
This won’t be Master P’s first foray into the world of pro wrestling. In June 1999, Master P appeared on WCW Monday Nitro and revealed his faction, the No Limit Soldiers. Named after his Master P’s No Limit Records, the group was packaged as faces but struggled to connect with WCW’s mostly southern audience. The group fueded with the West Texas Rednecks before disbanding in September.
Now, Master P is back in pro wrestling and fans will have to wait and see what he has in store for tonight’s show. Whether he gets involved in the action or merely enjoys the show from the crowd, Master P’s electrifying presence is coming to AEW.
The latest episode of the Black & Silver show featured a short video package of former Chase U leader, Andre Chase, who walked around with a briefcase in his hand.
The NXT star, who has been a dishevelled mess since the group was forced to disband last year, pulled out a Chase U sweater from the briefcase and exclaimed: ‘We’re F**king back, baby!’:
The faction was born in late 2021 when Andre Chase debuted his teacher persona and started hosting the Andre Chase University segments on the show. Bodhi Hayward and Thea Hail joined Chase U in the coming months. Though Hayward was replaced with Duke Hudson when the former was released from his contract in November that year.
The group saw some success during their 3 years run, winning the NXT Tag Team Championship on two different occasions. Ridge Holland joined the group in early 2024, but turned on them after their second tag team title loss at No Mercy on September 1. Holland then vowed to take down Chase U.
This feud continued until the November 19 episode of NXT where Holland defeated Andre Chase. The group was then forced to disband as a result of the stipulation of this bout. Duke Hudson has since been released by WWE so it appears we’ll be seeing a new iteration of Chase U. We’ll have to see which members join the faction this time around.
Trick Williams was not happy with how things turned out on tonight’s NXT.
The former NXT Champion confronted Oba Femi on this week’s episode of the Tuesday night show. This came after Williams failed to recapture the NXT title in a triple threat also involving Je’Von Evans at Stand & Deliver on Saturday.
When Trick mentioned Joe Hendry, the TNA champion appeared. He told the NXT star he has changed since they teamed with each other months ago, and the two stars then exchanged words.
The ending of the segment saw both Hendry and Oba Femi taking turns to punch Trick Williams, and then they threw the former champion out of the ring.
Williams was understandably not happy with this turn of events, and he confronted NXT GM Ava backstage, demanding a match against the TNA World Champion. The NXT Anonymous account posted the video of this confrontation, which led to Trick being asked to leave the building:
Both Oba Femi and Joe Hendry teased a potential champion vs champion match during the segment and it’d be interesting to see if this match actually takes place.
Trick Williams will not let go of his issues with either of the men so easily however, and it appears we’ll see him facing Hendry before the viral star could get a match with the current NXT Champion.
During a recent live stream on his Twitch channel, AEW star Kenny Omega ignited fan speculation by discussing the potential for a mixed tag team tournament in AEW. Omega revealed that the idea has been circulating backstage.
“I keep hearing every now and then, it’s tossed around, every now and then, in AEW, the ramblings of having a mixed tag matches tournament. I keep hearing the possibility of maybe doing this tournament.”
Omega expressed more interest in the dynamics of mixed tag teams than in traditional singles matches when considering the possibilities of them.
“I’d put more thought into what a tag team would look like rather than what a singles would look like,” he stated.
Omega then named several prominent wrestlers from the Japanese women’s wrestling promotion Stardom as potential dream partners or opponents in the tournament. He highlighted two of his current favorites:
“Someone had said Mayu Iwatani, that would be cool to have her and someone team up. Starlight Kid and someone team up. Those are two of my favorites from Stardom, for sure, right now.”
Omega is a big fan of Joshi (Japanese women’s wrestling). He also mentioned another highly respected name in the Japanese wrestling scene, Chihiro Hashimoto, as someone that could be used.
WWE’s injury woes continue as reports indicate Tama Tonga will be sidelined for a while. Bodyslam.net and PWN’s Cody Whoades have confirmed that Tonga is dealing with an injury that may need surgery.
The specific nature and timeline for his return remain undisclosed. The storyline attack by LA Knight on last Friday’s SmackDown is believed to be the explanation for Tonga’s absence as he addresses this undisclosed injury.
This news follows a previous injury to Tonga’s stablemate and brother, Tonga Loa, who suffered a torn bicep during the Men’s WarGames match at Survivor Series in November 2024. That injury occurred when CM Punk hit Loa’s arm with a toolbox.
Loa underwent surgery and was initially expected to be out for several months. While his status as of December 2024 was uncertain, reports suggested he was recovering well and could potentially return to the ring in the summer of 2025.
AEW TNT Champion Adam Cole has shared his optimism over All Elite Wrestling’s current trajectory and outlined his ambitions for his championship reign. Cole, who joined AEW in 2021, told the Battleground podcast that it’s “an unbelievable time” for Tony Khan’s first promotion right now.
“I feel like the energy is better. I feel like the excitement around the shows is better.”
That energy and excitement would be impossible without the AEW fans, who in Cole’s view are “the best wrestling fans in the world.” Similarly, the AEW roster continues to bring ‘it’ each week with Cole excited about a litany of dream matches in his future.
“There are so many guys that I would love to face that I haven’t had the chance to within AEW. Will Ospreay is a guy I’d love to step into the ring with. Kevin Knight is absolutely incredible. He’s done an unreal job.”
Cole is ready to put his AEW TNT Championship on the line against Ospreay, Knight, and others, and aims to be “the best TNT Champion of all time.” And while that’ll be no easy feat with acclaimed champions such as Darby Allin, Adam Copeland, and Christian Cage, Cole may soon have his name among these stars to hold the TNT gold.
Adam Cole is finally back in an AEW ring after a series of medical issues forced him to spend too much time in recent years on the shelf. Speaking to the Battleground podcast, Cole shared how these injuries damaged more than just his body.
“I’ve had some incredibly challenging roadblocks thrown in my way between the head injuries and then six months later the freak accident with my ankle. So, it was really like mentally and physically discouraging obviously, but even more so mentally.”
After these obstacles, Cole is feeling “the best I’ve ever felt going into that ring,” especially after capturing the TNT Championship at Dynasty. Now, Cole is ready to do whatever it takes to keep the gold against a loaded roster of talented AEW wrestlers.
Adam Cole On Being the Villain
For much of Cole’s wrestling career he has been a dastardly heel, including for much of 2024 after revealing himself to be the Devil. Though the beliefs of the heel Cole character may vary wildly from the man himself, Cole relishes in being a bad guy.
“It feels nice to play that character and get all that nasty stuff out of you.”
Cole turned to the world of movies when discussing what makes a great villain. According to the TNT Champion, an iconic bad guy is one who makes viewers reflect on their own moral standings.
“When you listen to a villain in a movie or a TV show or a wrestler in a promo explaining something and you being able to go, man, he is such a jerk, but I kind of see his point. That’s the best villains.”
As one of AEW’s most notable stars, Cole will have plenty of time to get his message across to fans. And while his road back from injuries is nothing short of an underdog-esque comeback, Cole won’t count out returning to his dastardly roots in due time.
Lex Luger was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year but didn’t appear among his fellow inductees during WrestleMania 41: Saturday. On the Ariel Helwani Show, Luger explained why he was missing inside Allegiant Stadium.
“On Saturday, I could hardly get out of bed. I called the guys and they were cool about it.”
WWE was very understanding and said that if Luger felt better later in the day, they’d love to bring him in for the show. Unfortunately, by the afternoon before WrestleMania 41: Saturday, it became clear Lex would not be able to appear.
Luger’s absence from the WrestleMania proceedings sparked plenty of debate online as fans shared their theories as to why Lex wasn’t on the stage with his fellow inductees. Luger said that it was “wild how that stuff catches fire,” seeing the funny side to the rampant speculation over what ended up being a relatively mundane health issue.
Despite being missing from WrestleMania 41, Lex Luger stood tall the previous night to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, celebrating an incredible career and life for the former World Champion.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on April 22, 2025, for a candid conversation that explored his behind-the-scenes role in WWE, creative decisions around WrestleMania 41, and his involvement as a TKO Group Director.
The interview offered fresh insight into major storylines, including those involving Cody Rhodes, John Cena, Roman Reigns, and the Bloodline. He balanced praise with measured critique, positioning himself as a supporter of WWE’s evolving roster, rather than a central figure.
Key Takeaways
Creative Influence: Johnson’s heel turn pitches for Rhodes and commentary on Cena reveal his deep involvement in storyline discussions.
Strategic Business Involvement: His coordination with Endeavor leadership reflects his dual role as performer and executive.
Intentional Absence: His post-Elimination Chamber exit was a calculated decision to spotlight emerging talent during WrestleMania season.
WrestleMania 41 Reflections
Viewing From a Distance
The Rock watched WrestleMania 41 from home, despite being closely tied to WWE leadership. He knew the outcomes in advance but chose to stay unaware of the path to each finish, emphasizing his enjoyment as both a fan and executive. He called the Night 1 main event’s conclusion one he “absolutely loved” but admitted he “would have gotten there differently,” suggesting minor creative critiques.
Travis Scott Appearance and Fan Expectations
He addressed the unexpected fan buzz created by Travis Scott’s appearance at the event, noting that many assumed he would also be part of the segment. In hindsight, he said he would have “adjusted or finessed things a little more” to avoid confusion and better manage expectations.
Creative Input and Storyline Direction
Cody Rhodes Heel Turn Pitch
One of the most notable revelations was The Rock’s original pitch to turn Cody Rhodes heel. While not implemented, this proposal highlighted Johnson’s willingness to push character evolution and challenge WWE’s top babyface dynamics.
John Cena’s Character Shift
The Rock also shared details about John Cena’s heel turn, an idea reportedly initiated by Triple H. It followed a storyline involving Rhodes grappling with moral choices, with Cena’s shift serving as a dramatic counterbalance. Johnson’s awareness and support of the pitch emphasized his ongoing influence in shaping WWE narratives.
Exiting the “Final Boss” Role
Following his “Final Boss” heel run through 2024 and early 2025, The Rock revealed that after Elimination Chamber, he stepped back intentionally to avoid disrupting the stories of Rhodes and Cena. He described the decision as a conscious effort to not “impede on the story,” signaling a focus on elevating others.
Business Role as TKO Director
Elimination Chamber Ticket Sales
In his role as a TKO Group Director, The Rock was contacted by Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel regarding slow ticket sales ahead of Elimination Chamber 2025. While he didn’t elaborate on the outcome, this instance showcased his active engagement in business strategy beyond on-screen appearances.
Spotlight on WWE Talent
Seth Rollins
Johnson praised Seth Rollins as “our Superman,” underlining Rollins’ consistency and key role during the WrestleMania 41 season.
Roman Reigns
Responding to critiques labeling Reigns a “part-timer,” The Rock affirmed Reigns’ importance, stating that such comments only motivate him to prove he’s still carrying the company.
Jacob Fatu and Bron Breakker
He offered strong praise for Jacob Fatu, reinforcing the Bloodline’s continued importance. The Rock also recognized Bron Breakker as a breakout star deserving attention on WWE’s main stage.
The Rock’s comments signal a new phase of leadership and mentorship, as he remains closely tied to WWE’s present and future—both in front of and behind the camera.
WWE has announced new details for Survivor Series 2025, scheduled for Saturday, November 29 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. This marks the first time the annual event will be held in a stadium, and WWE’s first Premium Live Event in San Diego since 2008.
Fans can now register for early presale access via WWE’s official registration page. WWE also introduced Survivor Series Pass packages available through On Location, offering early ticket access along with premium benefits such as floor seating, Superstar meet-and-greets, and ringside photo opportunities.
The event is being organized in partnership with the San Diego Padres and the San Diego Tourism Marketing District. Padres CEO Erik Greupner emphasized Petco Park’s reputation as a world-class venue and welcomed WWE’s fanbase to downtown San Diego.
Mayor Todd Gloria called the event “a huge win” for the city, citing its expected economic impact and appeal to the local wrestling community.
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque highlighted the significance of hosting Survivor Series in a stadium for the first time in nearly four decades, stating that Petco Park offers the perfect setting for a milestone event.
Located in the East Village district, Petco Park has hosted a wide range of sports and entertainment events, from concerts by major artists to international sporting competitions, adding to its reputation as a versatile and high-profile venue.
Pat McAfee has broken his silence following GUNTHER’s violent attack during WWE Raw, offering a personal update and a warning in the aftermath of the incident.
The day after the show, McAfee confirmed he was taken to a medical facility in Las Vegas after being choked out live on air.
Concerned about potential neck damage, he said doctors evaluated him for possible C2 or C3 vertebrae injuries but ultimately cleared him.
“I certainly lost consciousness after what happened,” McAfee admitted.
Despite the scare, McAfee maintained his trademark edge. He thanked the medical team who treated him, then turned his attention to critics.
“Everybody that said they’re happy it happened to me, I hope we meet in person so I can punch you in the f****** face,” he said bluntly.
McAfee also stood up for his broadcast partner.
“He grabbed up Michael Cole? Yeah. Can’t be having that.” He made it clear that while he doesn’t know what comes next, he’s ready for it: “Just know that I’m ’bout it, ’bout it for whatever.”
Addressing GUNTHER directly, McAfee ended with a pointed message:
“If you think choking me out is gonna end me, you’re right. You think you’ll bury me publicly and have me quit showing up? You’re wrong. But I know you’re not gonna mess with Michael Cole. You’re not gonna get away with it.”
McAfee’s response not only clarified his condition but set the tone for a potential storyline continuation as the fallout from WrestleMania 41 continues to unfold.
Cathy Kelley might be getting ready for a new role in WWE.
The beloved ring announcer first joined WWE in 2016. She left the company in 2020 but was brought back in 2023, and Kelley has been a part of the main roster broadcasting team ever since.
While Cathy does her job perfectly, she also seems to have reached the ceiling of where she could go as a ring announcer and perhaps this is why the female star is looking for a change.
According to PWInsider, Cathy Kelley has been training at the WWE Performance Center recently. She has been taking part in the promo classes and even learning a little in ring work. The purpose for this is not clear at the moment, but it’s possible that the company will use her as a manager in the future.
Though being a manager would likely mean turning heel for the announcer, which does not match with her current personality. Another possibility will be for her to get involved in storylines while continuing her current role.
Kelley is often seen joking around about her relationship with Rhea Ripley on social media. Using her as inspiration for The Mami in a feud would make a lot of sense.
WWE allowing Cathy to explore the possibility is an interesting development as former WWE ring announcer Samantha Irvin had said that not getting the chance to explore the same option was one of the reasons behind her departure from the company last year.
Seth Rollins, a veteran of the WWE locker room who came up during an era of a significantly more demanding live event schedule, is worried about how the reduction in WWE house shows will affect the development of future generations of Superstars.
Rollins, a member of the last generation to regularly work multiple weekly live events, believes this shift could hinder the ability of up-and-coming talent to hone their craft.
During his appearance on Outta Pocket with RGIII, Rollins addressed the growing trend of WWE recruiting college athletes through NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals and how they don’t have enough experience in the ring.
“My biggest concern, and I’ll try not to expound on this too much, but my biggest concern is the generation that is being groomed now, we are dipping our toe heavily into the NIL world,” Rollins said. “Taking a lot of college athletes who, maybe after college, there is no future for them as far as money in sports, so we offer them deals to get paid while they are in college to come and maybe be part of WWE when they are older.
There is nothing wrong with training these people from scratch, I have no problem with that, but couple that with our live event schedule. We used to do them every weekend, sometimes two shows every day on Saturdays and Sundays, there would be two running simultaneously in different towns. That’s where I learned my craft and the art of wrestling and storytelling.
“If you don’t get the repetitions to learn that, I don’t care what kind of athlete you are or how impressive your vertical leap is or how many times you can bench press 400 pounds, it’s not going to translate because you don’t know how to tell stories,” Rollins added. “You might be a hell of a performer, but ‘I need a promo. Go out there, five minutes, get it done.’”
Rollins noted the irreplaceable value of live event experience in learning the process of wrestling. He highlighted that there is no replacement for going out and working in front of fans due to the feedback that they get.
“That’s my biggest concern for our next generation,” Rollins said. “You’re plucking from a world where these guys don’t really follow wrestling or may not be fans, and then they’re not getting the experience on top of it to learn how to be part of what we do and how to tell those stories. I do have a concern that over a few generations, that might be harmful to the future of the industry.”
Ring of Honor has officially adjusted its pay-per-view calendar, confirming new dates for its next two major events.:
ROH Supercard of Honor 2025 will now be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Esports Stadium Arlington. The event aligns with AEW’s All In: Texas weekend, bringing ROH into one of the year’s biggest wrestling gatherings.
ROH Death Before Dishonor 2025 has also been rescheduled, now set for Friday, September 5, 2025, at the historic 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
These changes come alongside the cancellation of the AEW Collision event originally planned for May 17 in Wichita, Kansas. Refunds for the canceled Collision and the previously scheduled May 2 Supercard of Honor in Atlantic City are available at original points of purchase.
The updated lineup continues ROH’s integration with AEW programming, positioning both events for broader exposure during major wrestling weekends.
? Special Announcement! ?
?? AEW Beach Break will feature a live broadcast of #AEWDynamite as well as a special taping of #AEWCollision on Wednesday, May 14, at the @NOW_Arena in Chicago!
WrestleMania 41 delivered a historic weekend for WWE, with major title changes and milestone moments across both nights and the April 21 episode of Raw.
John Cena etched his name into history as the first 17-time world champion, while Jey Uso, Dominik Mysterio, and Jacob Fatu claimed their first major singles championships on the main roster.
In the women’s division, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez reclaimed the Women’s Tag Titles, and the reigning champions across Raw and SmackDown continue to solidify their legacies.
Here’s the complete rundown of the updated WWE championship landscape as of April 22, 2025.
Men’s Division
Undisputed WWE Champion (SmackDown): John Cena (17th reign) Defeated Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 Night 2, becoming the first 17-time world champion in WWE history.
World Heavyweight Champion (Raw): Jey Uso (1st reign) Captured the title from Gunther via submission during Night 1 of WrestleMania 41.
Intercontinental Champion (Raw): Dominik Mysterio (1st reign) Won a Fatal 4-Way match at WrestleMania 41 Night 2 by pinning Finn Bálor following a coup de grâce.
United States Champion (SmackDown): Jacob Fatu (1st reign) Defeated LA Knight on Night 1 of WrestleMania 41.
World Tag Team Champions (Raw): The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) Defeated The War Raiders at WrestleMania 41 Night 1.
WWE Tag Team Champions (SmackDown): The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) Captured the titles from #DIY on March 14, 2025.
Women’s World Champion (Raw): Iyo Sky Defeated Rhea Ripley on March 3, 2025.
WWE Women’s Champion (SmackDown): Tiffany Stratton Cashed in her Money in the Bank contract to defeat Nia Jax on January 3, 2025.
Women’s Intercontinental Champion (Raw): Lyra Valkyria Became the inaugural champion by defeating Dakota Kai on January 13, 2025.
Women’s United States Champion (SmackDown): Chelsea Green Won the inaugural title by defeating Michin on December 14, 2024.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions (Cross-brand): Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez Regained the titles from Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria on the April 21 episode of Raw.
Specialty Titles
WWE Speed Champion: Dragon Lee Defeated Andrade on November 15, 2024.
WWE Women’s Speed Champion: Sol Ruca Captured the title from Candice LeRae on April 11, 2025.
After months away due to injury, McDonagh reappeared last night, helping Dominik Mysterio retain the Intercontinental Championship against Penta. While his in-ring actions marked a clear show of loyalty, McDonagh’s follow-up message hinted at concern over the group’s fractured state. McDonagh posted on social media, signaling his intent to reunify the faction:
“Got here as quick as I could, guys, can we stop fighting now?!”
His comments come amid visible discord within Judgment Day. At WrestleMania 41, Mysterio pinned Finn Balor to win the Intercontinental title. Since then, Balor has highlighted the moment by changing his pinned tweet to an image of him stomping Mysterio during the match.
As tensions linger, McDonagh’s return and public call for peace suggest an attempt to stabilize the faction before further divisions escalate.
The Bella Twins have talked about a potential Total Divas reboot.
The reality TV show ran from 2013 to 2019 on E! network, featuring a rotating cast of female WWE stars. In a period when women were given limited time on the main WWE shows, the dedicated series gave them a chance to connect with the fans by showing more personality and is generally believed to have helped the Women’s Revolution become a thing.
The sisters talked about the possibility of bringing it back on the latest episode of The Nikki and Brie Show. Nikki Bella first mentioned that people want it back and Brie thought that she was talking about their own followers. Nikki however, noted that random people she met at WWE World have shown interest in the same:
“I meant fanatic’s that it’s WWE World. It’s all random fans and people and they all were like chanting like they wanted it, but you know, Trin said something good. She goes, ‘We’re all going through something different.’ I was like, ‘You know, we really are,’ and ‘Sex and the City’ did it. They have ‘And Just Like That,’ so ‘Total Divas,’ like we bring those vibes, but then you bring some of the newbies.”
We Are All Bringing Something Different: Nikki Bella
Brie Bella was asked which three ‘newbies’ she would want on the new iteration of Total Divas and she named Bianca Belair, Maxine Dupri and Chelsea Green as the names that would be good for the show. Nikki then talked about which ‘OGs’ she would want back if they revive the series:
“You can’t bring them all. Okay, so we first go to the original, original that are here now. You, me, Naomi and Nattie, Trin, and then I would add in Nia Jax, and then I would maybe do a secret surprise and bring in Paige. I think Paige, Nia Jax, you, me, Nattie and Trin, we all are bringing something different to the table right now.”
Apart from this, the Bella Twins also talked about Nikki Bella sliding into Stone Cold Steve Austin’s DMs and Channing Tatum being the total package.
Dave Bautista, best known to WWE fans as Batista, was officially named an honorary deputy by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida on April 19, 2025.
“Honorary Deputy Sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida… I didn’t see that one coming either.”
The ceremony, attended by Sheriff Chad Chronister and WWE Global Ambassador Titus O’Neil, recognized Bautista’s positive impact on the Tampa area, a city he has called home for over 20 years.
Bautista expressed gratitude for the unexpected honor, sharing that Tampa has always held a special place in his heart. He thanked both Chronister and O’Neil for their continued support and community work.
The former WWE Champion, who has also gained acclaim in Hollywood, continues to show strong ties to the region and remains actively involved in local initiatives.
WWE has officially confirmed WrestleMania 41 as the most successful and highest-grossing event in its history. Held over two nights at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the spectacle drew 124,693 fans and shattered multiple company records across key business metrics.
The live gate for WrestleMania 41 was the largest ever for a WWE event, with ticket sales surpassing previous records. Viewership numbers more than doubled compared to last year’s WrestleMania XL, marking a 114 percent increase.
In partnership with Fanatics, merchandise sales at the venue rose by over 45 percent year-over-year, while online merchandise revenue increased by 86 percent. The event also saw unprecedented levels of sponsorship, featuring 28 brand partners and delivering a new all-time high for sponsorship revenue.
On Location, WWE’s official hospitality partner, reported a 75 percent increase in sales of premium experiences and packages. Meanwhile, WWE World, the five-day fan convention leading up to the event, welcomed over 50,000 attendees—up 21 percent from 2024—making it the most-attended WWE fan experience to date.
On social platforms, WrestleMania 41 generated 1.1 billion views across the weekend, becoming WWE’s most socially viewed event ever. WWE’s YouTube channel also achieved its highest single-day viewership on WrestleMania Sunday.
The two-night event was headlined by major moments including John Cena defeating Cody Rhodes to become Undisputed WWE Champion, Seth Rollins emerging victorious in a Triple Threat Match against Roman Reigns and CM Punk, and IYO SKY retaining the Women’s World Championship. The show also featured the return of Becky Lynch and several other marquee matchups.
WWE NXT airs live tonight from the Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ BleauLive Theater at 8/7c on The CW, marking the brand’s first show following Stand & Deliver 2025 during WrestleMania Week festivities.
Matches and Segments
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin
NXT Women’s Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Roxanne Perez
Following his highly emotional and hard-fought main event appearance at WrestleMania 41, CM Punk took to Instagram with a heartfelt message reflecting on his journey to the top.
In his post, Punk expressed deep gratitude for those who supported him through ups and downs, acknowledging that his path has been anything but straight.
“I didn’t get here alone,” Punk wrote. “I’ve been lifted up and comforted in bad times by people, family, who have always believed in me.” He went on to describe his career as filled with both mistakes and growth, lessons learned, and moments of humility.
Punk emphasized the value of perseverance and the belief that you ultimately receive what you give:
“Maybe not instantly. Maybe not tomorrow. But never say never.” His message, filled with sincerity and appreciation, concluded with what many fans interpreted as a possible farewell: “If it was the last one, it may very well have been the best one.”
The statement arrives just days after Punk headlined WrestleMania for the first time—an accomplishment long considered unfinished business in his storied career.
Bayley has admitted to feeling underappreciated by both fans and the WWE management despite working hard for years.
The debate about the former Champion’s WWE spot has picked up after she was pulled from her WrestleMania 41 match last minute to make room for a returning Becky Lynch. While Triple H has assured people that she would be fine, there are many who have questioned the company’s treatment of the wrestling veteran as compared to the other Horsewomen remaining on the roster.
The WWE star opened up about her current spot in wrestling during a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet. She was asked about some fans still not giving her the respect she deserves and Bayley noted that she has stopped reading online chatter about her long ago. She admitted, however, that it still gets to her sometimes. While the wrestling veteran tries to take the criticism in a positive light and try to prove people wrong, the doubts definitely creep up to her at times:
“But there’s also a part of me that feels and agrees with them. I was just telling Lyra this the other day. We’ve been doing a lot of bonding. I don’t feel that I’m at a level of Charlotte or a Becky. We came up together and I wrestled Charlotte in her first match ever, I was signed to WWE before Becky. So to me, they’re up here, and I’m just not there yet. Maybe that’s kind of where people base it off, or where they judge it, or whatever.”
Bayley noted that she tries to get her feedback from the right people. She named Tyler Breeze and Tyson Kidd as talents she gets feedback and opinions from to try and get better. Despite her efforts, however, the former Women’s Champion has failed to unlock that next level like the peers of her generation.
Some of the blame for this lies with the WWE officials as well, since the female star does not get the same spotlight as other names. One example of it is being left out of the WrestleMania XL kickoff press event despite winning the Royal Rumble and having one of the best stories going into the show with IYO SKY.
When asked about it, Bayley noted that she has a good relationship with the top WWE officials, such as Bruce Prichard and Triple H. Though, while she hears good things about her, she is never told what she needs to do to be treated better:
“I don’t get on the press conference. I don’t get on the posters. I don’t get to do the talk shows. I don’t know what else to do, and it’s not like [there’s an issue], there’s no heat backstage or anything like that. Hunter and I have a really good relationship. Bruce and I have a really good relationship, all the TR, I have such a good relationship with them, and I’ve always been professional.
Even when I’ve gone to other shows to support my friends, we’ve had those conversations of like, the do’s and the don’ts, and that was a little too much. We’ve had those conversations, so I think we’re at a real respect level.
Hunter has gone on a press conference being like, Bayley’s this, Bayley’s this, she’s everything that you could possibly want out of a superstar, which I appreciate. But it’s like alright, well what do I need to do to get me there?”
Apart from this, Bayley also revealed the amount of time she has left on her current deal and discussed potentially retiring from the business afterward. You can check out her remarks on the matter here.
Bayley has revealed how much time she has left in her WWE contract.
Fans have been unhappy with the company for pulling the former Women’s champion out of her WrestleMania 41 tag team championship match at the last minute. The change was made to allow the returning Becky Lynch to take her spot. People have been criticizing this move, saying that Bayley is not respected by the officials as much as she deserves.
The wrestling veteran recently had an interview with Chris Van Vliet where she got candid about her current spot in the company. During the interview, Bayley also revealed how much time she has left on her current deal:
“I have so many other things I want to make it into. I have a year and a half left on this current contract, so we’ll see what happens then.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Bayley discussed how women’s careers used to be much shorter when she was younger and originally, she thought that she’d be retired by 35. Now that she has reached the age, she sees women of her generation still doing great things which has changed her mindset.
Though Bayley also admitted that she has done most of what she could do in WWE. With the new wave of talent coming in, the WWE legend believes that she would leave the company in good hands if she decides to quit the business in a couple years.
