WWE today announced that WrestleMania 42 will take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, 2026. The announcement was made during Friday Night SmackDown by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The two-night premium live event will mark WrestleMania’s return to New Orleans, where the Caesars Superdome has previously hosted several historic WWE events. The venue, a cornerstone of major sporting and entertainment events in the Southeast, offers state-of-the-art facilities and can accommodate over 70,000 attendees.
Additional details about WrestleMania Week events, including WWE Hall of Fame, SmackDown, and Monday Night Raw, will be announced in the coming months.
Drew McIntyre revealed on Instagram that he had fluid drained from his knee ahead of the February 21st episode of WWE SmackDown. Despite the setback, he competed in an 11-minute match against Jimmy USO.
The bout featured key moments, including Jimmy landing a suicide dive and a spear for a near fall. The match ended when Jimmy countered McIntyre’s attempted reverse Alabama Slam into a victory roll for the pin.
Following the loss, McIntyre attacked Jimmy in frustration, declaring that he meant nothing to him. He attempted to slam Jimmy’s head into the ring post before being stopped by officials, but later returned to deliver a Claymore Kick while laughing at his fallen opponent. While the match was solid, its post-match chaos overshadowed the in-ring action.
McIntyre is now set to compete in the Men’s Elimination Chamber match on March 1 at WWE Elimination Chamber, where his physical condition will be closely watched.
La historia que había subido Drew McIntyre a Instagram antes de su combate ante Jimmy Uso. A saber qué es ese líquido amarillo. #SmackDownpic.twitter.com/8W74Dlv6xm
WWE Hall of Famer and boxing legend Mike Tyson will be a special guest at WWE World in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 20, as part of WrestleMania weekend festivities.
WWE World, a five-day fan experience, offers attendees the chance to meet WWE Superstars, participate in autograph sessions, and enjoy exclusive photo opportunities. Tyson’s appearance adds to an already exciting lineup, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks.
Former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Carmella is no longer under contract with WWE following the expiration of her deal, marking the end of her 12-year tenure with the company. The 37-year-old wrestler had been inactive since March 2023 due to severe medical complications after childbirth, which ultimately prevented her from making a return to the ring.
Medical Challenges Hindered Comeback
Carmella, whose real name is Leah Van Dale, faced significant health issues following the birth of her first child with WWE commentator Corey Graves in November 2023. She suffered from nerve damage and foot-related complications that made an in-ring return impossible.
In a recent update, she shared that she had been consulting with neurologists and spine specialists in hopes of recovering. However, despite more than 14 months of rehabilitation, she was unable to compete again before her contract expired.
During her time with WWE, Carmella achieved several major milestones. She became the first-ever Ms. Money in the Bank, held the SmackDown Women’s Championship for 131 days, and captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Queen Zelina. Her last active period in WWE was in 2022 before taking maternity leave.
Carmelo Hayes is making it clear—he’s coming for John Cena. During an interview with MuscleManMalcolm for Muscle Memory, the former NXT Champion reflected on his brief but memorable interaction with Cena in NXT. While it was a huge moment, Hayes sees it as just the beginning.
“Cena, you know, as all of us… you’re about the same age as me… we looked up to him. He was our superhero,” Hayes said. “Getting to do that thing with John Cena was really cool.”
But Hayes isn’t just satisfied with a backstage moment—he’s looking to step into the ring with the 16-time world champion. He knows John Cena is busy man with a long line of people eager to be one of his final opponents. However, Melo isn’t going to be left out.
“Even at that time, I said, ‘I’m going to be seeing you.’ Most people can’t [see him], but I will. I’ll be seeing you across the ring, and tomorrow might be the day. And if it ain’t tomorrow, it’ll be the day after that. So we’re going to make it work.”
Hayes’ confidence is undeniable, and with Cena’s in-ring career winding down in 10 months, a potential match could be a passing-of-the-torch moment for the young star.
If the 16-time champ is looking for a fresh challenge in his final year as an active Superstar, Hayes is more than ready to step up.
Former AEW star Ricky Starks made his debut in WWE NXT on last week’s episode after being sidelined by AEW for months. Starks had requested his release from AEW, but CEO Tony Khan initially refused to grant it.
It was widely believed that Starks would have to wait out the remainder of his contract before pursuing other opportunities, including the possibility of going to WWE. During this time, Starks made it clear that he wanted to wrestle, even booking independent dates while being kept off AEW TV.
According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Khan expected Starks to leave AEW for WWE once his contract expired due to his close friendship with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
This week on NXT, Starks introduced his new ring name: Ricky Saints. Following the show, he appeared on Busted Open Radio, where he denied that his AEW status had been affected by his past appearances at WWE events, such as the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania to support Rhodes.
Starks emphasized that Khan had approved his presence at those events and claimed that certain AEW veterans interfered with his creative direction.
Mark Henry’s journey to the top of WWE wasn’t a straight path—it was filled with setbacks, pain, and resilience.
Henry joined WWE on a ten-year contract after the 1996 Olympics, but broke his leg in his first year. Through the 2000s, he became a dominant force, capturing the ECW Championship in 2008 at Night of Champions by defeating Kane and Big Show, making him the fourth African-American world champion in WWE history.
However, plans for him to win the more-prestigious WWE World Heavyweight championship were sadly derailed due to another injury.
Speaking with Monopoly Events’ Jamal Niaz at the For The Love of Wrestling 2025 convention, the former World Heavyweight Champion revealed that he was originally slated to win the World Heavyweight title three years before his 2011 reign, but an untimely injury derailed those plans.
“I was supposed to be Champion three years earlier, but I got injured… It was good that I was still relevant and talented enough to get another opportunity.”
Despite the delay, Henry’s Hall of Pain persona became one of the most dominant and memorable runs in WWE history, proving that persistence pays off.
Henry also discussed one of the most physically punishing moments of his career—the infamous 2011 ring collapse during his match against The Big Show at Vengeance.
“The weight of both of us made it faster for whatever reason, and when it hit, it was just really explosive… My teeth clattered together, it felt like lightning struck me.”
Moments like these remind fans just how brutal professional wrestling can be, even for powerhouses like Henry. His story is a testament to perseverance and the physical toll that comes with the pursuit of greatness.
Today, Mark Henry’s legacy continues to grow through his son Jacob, who recently signed with WWE’s NIL program. Jacob will compete as a heavyweight for the University of Oklahoma’s prestigious wrestling team while pursuing his WWE dreams.
The father-son duo recently appeared together on RAW in Austin, Texas, marking Mark’s return to WWE programming after a three-year absence.
With Jacob’s impressive high school wrestling record and his aspirations to main event WrestleMania, the Henry family’s impact on professional wrestling is poised to continue for another generation.
Rising NJPW star Kevin Knight has caught the attention of several top promotions, including AEW and WWE.
According to Fightful, Knight recently spoke with AEW CEO Tony Khan and Rocky Romero following his appearance for ROH. He is also in discussions with NJPW regarding a potential new contract. Additionally, Knight has expressed interest in exploring opportunities with WWE before making a final decision about his future. However, it remains unclear whether any formal discussions have taken place between WWE and Knight.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that there has been significant industry talk about Knight potentially joining WWE. However, Meltzer has not yet confirmed whether he has officially signed with the company.
Following the expiration of his NJPW contract in early January, Knight’s next move has been a major topic of speculation. Since losing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles, he has remained active, competing in tapings for MLW, ROH/AEW, and returning to GCW/JCW for the first time since 2023.
Knight began his NJPW career as a Young Lion, the promotion’s developmental system for training and building future stars. He graduated from the system in 2022 and has since become a two-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, frequently teaming with KUSHIDA as part of the Intergalactic Jet Setters.
WWE has another Steiner to its name as Brock Rechsteiner, the son of Scott Steiner, has reportedly signed a WWE Next-In-Line contract. During an interview with Jim Varsollone, Brandon Rechsteiner shared that his brother Brock has inked a deal with the promotion. Brock was offered a NIL deal in January 2025 and now fans can expect to see much more of the second-generation athlete.
Brock Rechsteiner is the latest member of his family to ink a contract with WWE. For years, his father Scott and uncle Rick competed for WWE and the duo would become multi-time Tag Team Champions. In more recent times, Brock’s cousin Bron Breakker has been asserting himself as a two-time NXT Champion and two-time (and current) Intercontinental Champion.
WWE launched its NIL program in 2021 with Olympian Gable Steveson being the first recruit. While Steveson’s WWE career would amount to very little, fans are seeing one NIL signing succeed on a weekly basis. Oba Femi was an NIL signing and has since risen the ranks to become WWE NXT Champion.
It remains to be seen if Brock Rechsteiner reaches the success of Femi or of his family members in WWE. Whatever comes, the young Steiner is ready to make an impact on WWE’s NIL contract.
Matt Riddle hopes to one day be called a WWE Superstar again, but knows that the decision will not be his to make. Speaking on Stories With Brisco and Bradshaw, Riddle made it clear he’d return to WWE in a heartbeat if given the chance.
“I would love to go back to WWE one day eventually, maybe soon. But the thing is, whatever they want. It’s not up to me, that’s their decision.”
Riddle “never would have left” WWE had he been given the chance to stay, and wishes that his exit in September 2023 had never occurred. As he waits for WWE to give him a call, the reigning MLW World Heavyweight Champion has big plans in mind.
“I’m going to win every championship possible, I’m going to wrestle everywhere under the sun, in every country.”
Riddle had asserted himself as a top act in WWE, even challenging for World Championships on occassion. By 2023 though, a series of controversies, including an altercation at JFK airport, resulted in the ‘Original Bro’ being cut. These releases, which also saw Nic Nemeth and Mustafa Ali cut, were the first following the official launch of TKO Group Holdings.
Whether Riddle returns to WWE or not, he is focused on establishing himself as a top draw in wrestling, no matter the promotion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Matt Riddle and his dreams to return to WWE superstardom.
All signs initially pointed to WWE moving forward with plans for a Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa match at WrestleMania 41. This direction was first reported by WrestleVotes, which stated that the match was finalized after WWE decided that Roman Reigns would face Solo Sikoa at the WWE Raw on Netflix premiere on January 6.
However, the plans for this bout are not yet locked in. In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported:
“Regarding rumors of Fatu vs. Sikoa, it is right now not booked, and one of them has a different booking, but of course this can change.”
Solo Sikoa made his main roster debut at Clash at the Castle in 2022, aligning with his cousins, The Usos and Roman Reigns, in The Bloodline. As the group’s enforcer, he was known for his silent but menacing presence. After WrestleMania 40, with The Usos splitting up and Reigns taking time off, Solo took on the role of Head of the Table and Tribal Chief.
To solidify his dominance, Solo brought in Jacob Fatu and The Tongas. Fatu has been presented as a powerful and unpredictable force, adding another layer of intensity to the group. Solo and Jacob Fatu are cousins, sharing a strong bond as members of the Anoa’i family.
WrestleMania 41 will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, 2025.
The Rock’s return on tonight’s WWE SmackDown will be exciting for fans, but will come at the expense of many on the roster. WrestleVotes reports that WWE has adjusted the line-up to the February 21, SmackDown following the announcement of the Final Boss. There have been “rumblings” that a six-man tag-team match, pitting Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga has been cut.
A match pitting Liv Morgan against Naomi has also reportedly been cut, angering many fans of both women. On X, several fans shared their issue with the two women losing their time to a part-time performer in an already male-dominated program.
cancelling a womens match just for a man who shows up once a year to talk rubbish is part of the reason the hashtag #WWEWomenDeserveBetter is trending so massively. its so disrespectful to the women of this company to be pushed aside once again for men. do fucking better. pic.twitter.com/XZEC812TC6
THE ROCK NEEDS TO STOP INSERTING HIMSELF INTO THE ROSTER WHENEVER HE FEELS LIKE IT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE WOMEN!!!!!!! I SAID WHAT I SAID. https://t.co/MlEXxOkGAC
THE ROCK NEEDS TO STOP INSERTING HIMSELF INTO THE ROSTER WHENEVER HE FEELS LIKE IT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE WOMEN!!!!!!! I SAID WHAT I SAID. https://t.co/MlEXxOkGAC
THE ROCK NEEDS TO STOP INSERTING HIMSELF INTO THE ROSTER WHENEVER HE FEELS LIKE IT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE WOMEN!!!!!!! I SAID WHAT I SAID. https://t.co/MlEXxOkGAC
This backlash comes amid a wider conversation about the treatment of women in WWE. Several women in WWE are said to be frustrated with their current positions in the promotion. Some have also pointed out that the introduction of mid-card championships for the women have done little to help. The hashtag #WWEWomenDeserveBetter trended on X, as fans shared their agreement with those in the company who are feeling frustrated.
The Rock is one of the biggest stars in entertainment, and having him on SmackDown during WrestleMania season has left many excited. With that said, there are plenty of fans who are far from happy with the Final Boss taking the spotlight from full-time talent.
WWE has strengthened its position in Nevada by engaging Carson City-based lobbyists Bill Gregory and Lesley Pittman, as the company prepares for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas this April.
The strategic move sees WWE tapping into Gregory and Pittman’s extensive experience in Nevada’s entertainment and combat sports sectors, notably through their existing relationship with UFC. Both organizations now operate under the TKO Group Holdings banner following their September 2023 merger.
Gregory and Pittman’s dual representation of WWE and UFC could prove particularly valuable as WWE navigates Nevada’s regulatory landscape. Their expertise spans various areas crucial to large-scale entertainment events, including venue operations, broadcast rights, and compliance with state athletic commission requirements.
The timing of these hires is significant, coming just months before WrestleMania 41, WWE’s flagship event, makes its second appearance in Las Vegas. The two-night spectacle, set for April 19-20 at Allegiant Stadium, is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors and generate substantial economic impact for the region.
Industry analysts suggest the lobbyists could help WWE optimize its regulatory compliance and business operations in Nevada, particularly as the company explores opportunities for expanded presence in the entertainment capital. Their work might include facilitating permits for future events, addressing regulatory requirements, and ensuring smooth operations for broadcasts and live performances.
The move also indicates TKO Group Holdings’ broader strategy to consolidate its influence in Nevada, a key market for both WWE and UFC operations. With both organizations now sharing the same lobbying representation in Carson City, TKO can present a unified approach to state legislators and regulatory bodies.
WWE’s investment in local government relations underscores Las Vegas’s growing importance in the company’s live event strategy, as well as Nevada’s significance to TKO Group Holdings’ overall business objectives.
Source: Based on reporting from The Nevada Independent
Chelsea Green has never been one to follow a conventional path in her career, but even she couldn’t have predicted where her journey would take her. As the inaugural WWE Women’s United States Champion, Green is making history every time she steps into the ring—something she admits she never saw coming. During a recent conversation with YouTube personality Conman167, Green said:
“I could have never even put that on a vision board. I could have never imagined that not only would we have this Championship, but that I would be the inaugural Champion.”
Green’s wrestling career has been full of twists and turns. From her time on the independent scene to making a name for herself in TNA and eventually WWE, her goals have constantly shifted. She admitted that when she first started wrestling, she didn’t have a clear vision of where she wanted to end up.
“As I’ve gone through the years of my career, I’ve changed the goalpost, I’ve changed the goals,” she explained. “Now, ten years in, and there’s this beautiful United States Championship sitting in front of me.”
Being the first-ever holder of the title is a milestone she doesn’t take lightly. Green understands the legacy she’s creating and the impact it will have on future generations of wrestlers.
“When kids go through the history books of WWE, they’re going to see me next to this title for the rest of time,” she said proudly.
With her reign still ongoing, Green is focused on proving why she deserves to be the face of the division. While she may not have envisioned this moment at the start of her journey, there’s no doubt she’s ready to embrace it—and make sure the world remembers her name.
Mercedes Mone has commented on the future of the Mone Muppet after her Grand Slam victory.
The Mone Muppet was introduced by Harley Cameron as a way to mock the current TBS Champion during their recent feud. Thanks to the genius of Cameron, the whole thing became a huge hit with multiple Mone Muppet segments going viral.
The former WWE star discussed the unexpected success of the Muppet in her Newsletter. She mentioned how it took a life of its own when they looked nothing alike:
“This little Puppet has really taken on a life of its own. I mean, let’s be real—this thing doesn’t look anything like me, but it sure knows how to bring the entertainment!”
Mercedes Mone also discussed how Cameron brought the Mone Muppet out for a spot during their Grand Slam match. She mentioned that it was a tribute to DDT’s inflatable dall Yoshihiko but claimed that it was time for the Muppet to take a seat:
“And at Grand Slam! That puppet had its moments, but I kicked it so hard that it practically flew backward! I’ve been a fan of DDT Yoshihiko for ages, so consider this my tribute.
If that Muppet Moné ever wants to hop on the money train, it’s going to need to step up its game. Seriously, it should probably just take a seat and leave the spotlight to the real star—because we all know who runs this show!”
Despite many hoping otherwise, Mercedes Mone picked up the victory over Harley Cameron at AEW’s Australia debut. The rivalry between the two seems to be over for now as AEW teased Momo Watanabe as the next challenger for the TBS title at Dynamite this week.
For all the battles Mark Henry endured in his legendary career, none shook him quite like his WrestleMania 22 casket match against The Undertaker. Henry, who suffers from claustrophobia, describes the experience as overwhelming and terrifying.
Speaking with Monopoly Events’ Jamal Niaz at the For The Love of Wrestling 2025 convention, the “World’s Strongest Man” gave a terrifying glimpse into what it’s like to get sealed into a casket by WWE’s legendary Phenom:
“It was like people putting tape over your mouth and nose. You can’t breathe.”
Henry even compared the sensation to the infamous buried-alive scene from Kill Bill, starring Uma Thurman.
“That’s the same way I felt when I was in that coffin… It made me feel the same identical way. I had to walk out of the movie when I saw it.”
Despite the fear, Henry delivered a hard-hitting performance against The Undertaker on the grandest stage of them all. But the mental battle he fought inside that casket remains one of the most intense challenges of his career.
This revelation sheds new light on the psychological toll that wrestlers endure beyond the physical pain—showing that even the toughest competitors have their breaking points.
More on the Undertaker vs Mark Henry Casket Match at WrestleMania 22
The Undertaker and Mark Henry spoke extensively about their Casket Match at WrestleMania 22 during a recent episode of Taker’s Six Feet Under podcast. Henry called it a defining moment in his career, revealing that their clash was the culmination of a two-year learning experience, during which he wrestled The Undertaker at house shows and international tours.
“I had wrestled already eight years and I still was learning,” Henry admitted. “I can wrestle anybody now after being there with him.”
One of the key lessons The Undertaker imparted was the importance of pacing and creating space. “Let me sell what you’ve done to me already,” The Undertaker explained. “You are watching me helpless, and now it’s just a matter of time before you go in for that final bite.”
The Undertaker also revealed that he personally chose Henry as his WrestleMania opponent, explaining that finding credible challengers for his near-mythical character was difficult.
“Trying to find legitimate opponents… well, why not the World’s Strongest Man?” he said.
Their match made history as the only casket match ever held at WrestleMania, further cementing The Undertaker’s legacy. “To be a part of that… that’s kind of a cool thing,” Henry said, before jokingly adding, “And to get a WrestleMania Main Event paycheck? Nice.”
One of the most infamous matches in WWE history is still etched in JBL’s memory—his brutal Judgment Day 2004 clash with Eddie Guerrero. Speaking with Monopoly Events’ Jamal Niaz at the For The Love of Wrestling 2025 convention, the former WWE Champion revisited the unforgettable bout and its shocking level of violence.
“I knew there was a lot of blood, but watching it back—it was just puddles of blood. It was unbelievable how much Eddie lost that night,” JBL recalled.
Photo: WWE
The match, which saw Guerrero bleed profusely after an errant chair shot, remains one of the most graphic displays of bloodshed in WWE history. Despite fan speculation over the years, JBL clarified that Guerrero never went into shock but did require medical attention.
“People have said all kinds of things—that he went into shock and all that. He did not. He lost a lot of blood, he did go to the hospital, but it was unbelievable to witness,” JBL explained.
JBL also credited Guerrero as the key reason his main-event run took off, saying the late WWE Hall of Famer made him a legitimate star.
“If it hadn’t been Eddie Guerrero, it would’ve been a one-off. You wouldn’t be interviewing me now,” JBL admitted.
JBL and Eddie Guerrero’s Classic Rivalry
The rivalry between JBL and Eddie Guerrero in 2004 stands as one of WWE’s most intense and personal feuds of the Ruthless Aggression era. Following JBL’s transformation from his role in the APA tag team, he targeted WWE Champion Eddie Guerrero in a storyline that pushed boundaries.
The feud became notably controversial, particularly during segments involving Guerrero’s family and a staged storyline where his mother suffered a kayfabe heart attack.
The rivalry reached its peak at Judgment Day 2004, where their match became infamous for its brutality, particularly after Guerrero sustained a severe cut that led to significant blood loss during the bout.
Despite their heated on-screen rivalry, JBL and Guerrero maintained a close friendship behind the scenes, with Guerrero even serving as a groomsman at JBL’s wedding.
Tragically, Guerrero passed away on November 13, 2005, at the age of 38. His legacy endures as one of professional wrestling’s greatest performers, with contemporaries like Kurt Angle considering him the second-greatest wrestler of all time, behind only Shawn Michaels.
WWE has structured its creative team with multiple lead writers overseeing Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.
SmackDown
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, SmackDown is now led by Brian “Road Dogg” James and John Swikata, as the workload required more than one head writer.
James spoke about his role with WWE during his recent interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet. Road Dogg he described himself as a “creative consultant” working across WWE. He also noted the increased creative freedom under WWE’s current leadership. More on that at the end of this article.
WWE Raw
Meanwhile, Raw is managed by Ryan Ward and Jon Baeckstrom, with Ed Koskey overseeing and editing scripts.
Leadership Structure
Bruce Prichard, WWE’s Executive Director of Creative Writing and Talent, serves as the liaison between the writing team and WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
Subscribe to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter at F4Wonline.com.
Xavier Woods has revealed his real problem with Cody Rhodes.
The New Day were interviewed recently by Shakiel Mahjouri to promote the upcoming release of WWE 2K25. They talked about things such as wanting nothing to do with Big E, a potential 2K showcase mode featuring their greatest matches and more.
Xavier Woods, who went to high school with the current Undisputed Champion was asked about his experience. The King of The Ring winner who has a background in amateur wrestling himself, did not take anything away from Cody’s wrestling ability but claimed that Rhodes is a horrible person in real life:
“Cody Rhodes. He is a second-generation wrestler, so you got all this family tree stuff. He’s got doors opening for him left and right regardless of where he goes..
He’s like a bad guy in an 80s movie. He is very good at wrestling. I can never take that away from him.
Very talented, multi-time state champion, tons of pins across the board. But his personality? Horrible. Made my life a living hell for years to the point where I wouldn’t have spit on him if he was on fire.”
Xavier Woods also discussed how Cody Rhodes has become a fan favorite in recent times. He questioned the fans forgetting his past misdeeds:
“So that’s my issue with Cody Rhodes. Now the fact that I see him as WWE champion, he’s got the fanfare, he’s got the fireworks, he’s in all the interviews, he’s in all the YouTube shorts, he’s in everything. He’s all over the place. And I just don’t understand.
I thought that you’re supposed to be rewarded for good behavior, not bad. Then you just see like ‘Oh because you got a family lineage, we just forget everything.’ I get it. It’s cool.”
During the heated Monday Night War, WWE and WCW went to extreme lengths to outmaneuver each other, including secret meetings and aggressive talent poaching behind the scenes. Over 20 years later, new information is still coming out about the tactics employed by each side.
Former WCW star Buff Bagwell has revealed a secret meeting he had with WWE’s McMahon family while still under contract with WCW. In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bagwell shared how Vince McMahon personally invited him to discuss a potential jump to WWE in 1998 or 1999. At the time, Bagwell had just signed a new WCW contract while recovering from a broken neck.
“Vince McMahon calls me up and asks if I want to fly up and talk about future business,” Bagwell recalled. “I thought, ‘This would be heat, but I’ve got a three-year deal, so it wouldn’t be that bad.’”
However, when he arrived for the meeting, Vince McMahon was nowhere to be found. Instead, he was greeted by Shane McMahon at a Holiday Inn conference room.
“Looking back, I really believe this was during the time Vince was getting the rumbles of buying WCW,” Bagwell speculated.
Despite the conversation with Shane, nothing materialized because Bagwell’s contract was too restrictive. Vince later called him personally to break the bad news.
“Vince told me, ‘Your contract is ironclad. There’s no way you’re getting out,’” Bagwell revealed.
Ultimately, WCW folded in 2001, and Bagwell became one of the wrestlers brought into WWE under the new regime—but his tenure was infamously short-lived. Looking back, he wonders if a different contract could have changed his entire career trajectory.
Would Buff Bagwell have thrived in WWE’s Attitude Era if things played out differently? Fans can only speculate on what might have been.
Shane McMahon was ghosted by Tony Khan after their viral meeting in the Summer of 2024 because the son of the former WWE chairman wanted control of AEW.
Photos of McMahon meeting with the AEW President at an airport became viral last year amid rumors of him joining the company. Many at the time believed Shane might appear on AEW TV soon but nothing came out of it.
Former WWE broadcaster Jonathan Coachman made the topic hot again recently after claiming some interesting things about the meeting on his podcast. Per Coach, Shane had demanded equity in the company and he wanted to run the entire show. Khan, not willing to give in to his demands, then ghosted McMahon.
Fightful Select has since provided an update on these claims confirming that Tony Khan did not follow up on his airport meeting with Shane McMahon. They also confirmed that McMahon did want to ‘run things’, believing that his insight and ability to run the show was ‘valuable’
Though despite the tall demands, Shane did not have familiarity with the AEW product or their business model and Khan almost thought that McMahon was joking when he mentioned the possibility of running things. Sources close to the high-flying star noted that Shane did not take the lack of further communication from the AEW owner personally.
As is always the case in wrestling, the possibility of Shane McMahon making a cameo appearance down the line has not been ruled out, but there never seems to have been an extensive plan for him to work in AEW.
The Undertaker is one of the longest-tenured locker room leaders in the history of WWE. During this time as an active performer in the company, he had to deal with many rumbustious talents behind the scenes. Though no one was a bigger thorn on his side than Shawn Michaels.
Even though the WWE Hall of Famer turned things around after his first retirement, stories of HBK’s mischiefs during his first WWE run are available in abundance.
The Dead Man talked about his chemistry with Michaels during his recent interview with Bully Ray for Busted Open. After having finished a whole bottle of Jack Daniels with the fellow legend, Taker did not hold back on his opinion on Michaels during those early years. Though he also praised Shawn’s in-ring abilities, saying that there was no one else he would have rather had a match against:
“It’s the craziest thing and that’s another example of this business. I tell this story quite a bit. In those early years, up until the time when Shawn took off because he had hurt his back. So WrestleMania was it 13 when he put Steve over? Then he left. He leaves for five years.
From that point all the way back to 1990 when I came in. I tell people this all the time. If I was to go backstage and see Shawn Michaels on fire, I wouldn’t piss on him to put him out. I didn’t care for him as a human being. But there’s nobody, that I had rather be in the ring with. Now that right there is a huge statement.
I’ve been in the ring with greats. I’ve been in there with the Mount Rushmore greats. Shawn had the ability; he could have a five-star match with a broomstick. We just had this magic chemistry that I knew anytime that I was in a match with Shawn, all I had to do was be Undertaker and he was going to be Shawn Michaels and it was just going to go.”
Shawn Michaels had to retire from active competition in early 1998 after suffering a major back injury in a casket match with Undertaker. It was during this time that Mr. WrestleMania turned things around and became a born-again Christian in 2002 before his return to in-ring action.
While talking about his matches with Michaels, Bully Ray discussed how there were many matches where Taker had to worry about getting his opponent through the bout. With Shawn however, he could be completely himself:
“That was the magic of WrestleMania 25, 26, 27 and 28 is that we had such trust in each other. We knew each other so well; our mindsets and our instincts were all on the same page.
I knew all I had to do was go out and be Undertaker because Shawn Michaels was going to be Shawn Michaels. The two knew exactly what to do together. I didn’t have to think for him, he didn’t have to think for me. That’s why it became so magical because it was just two guys doing what they do.”
The Rock has declared that he is coming to SmackDown from New Orleans tonight to ‘fuck up a certain someone’s life’ with his gospel.
WWE announced the return of the Hollywood star in a press release earlier on Thursday, claiming that ‘everything could change in an instant’ when The Final Boss shows up on TV this time of the year.
The Fast & Furious star himself provided an update on his mission on Instagram early on Friday morning, claiming that he is coming to handle business:
“The Final Boss is coming to handle business, deliver a big beautiful gift to the city of New Orleans and fuck up a certain someone’s life with the Final Boss gospel. ? #smackdown”
The city of New Orleans is believed to be the host city for WrestleMania 42. This new remark from The Rock only seems to confirm the rumors that the announcement will be made by the People’s Champion on the Blue Branded Show tonight.
The other part of his message however is still open to interpretation with multiple potential top stars who could be the one that the Great One is coming to confront.
Roman Reigns would be the most obvious guess but The Rock still has unfinished business with Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes. Even someone like John Cena who is on his retirement tour could be on his radar, so fans will have to tune in tonight to see who he is talking about.
Do WWE fans want to see Logan Paul get his comeuppance in the ring, or do they just not want to see him at all. Paul himself thinks it is the latter. On a recent edition of his ImPaulsive podcast, Paul shared that he believes fans truly would rather see him gone from wrestling above anything else.
“I think I have go away heat. So, the only reason why it works is because I’m a great wrestler. There’s a handful of the audience that is genuinely like, ‘Get this guy out of here.'”
Go away heat occurs when fans legitimately dislike a wrestler to an extent that they would rather not see them in any role, even if they are getting beaten up. In the early 200s, Sean ‘X-Pac’ Waltman received so much go away heat that many dubbed it ‘X-Pac heat.’
A more recent example of go away heat is playing out in TNA Wrestling with fans wanting to see Tessa Blanchard gone rather than seeing the heel get beaten up. During the latest iMPACT, fans chanted “please don’t wrestle” at Blanchard when Santino Marella ordered Tessa to wrestle next week or be fired.
As for Paul, he will be a part of the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, set for the March 1, PLE in Toronto, Canada. With a WrestleMania 41 oportunity awaiting the victor, fans may soon be seeing much more of Logan Paul, despite his alleged go away heat.
The NXT-TNA collaboration will see one of the silver brand’s best and brightest challenge for the Knockouts World Championship at the upcoming Sacrifice event. During the February 20, edition of TNA iMPACT, Tessa Blanchard refused to wrestle her planned opponent for the show, much to the ire of the Orlando crowd. Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich appeared to chastise Blanchard and made quick work out of Tessa’s would-be opponent.
Before Slamovich could celebrate for too long, NXT’s Cora Jade ambushed the reigning Knockouts Champion. Santino Marella, TNA’s Director of Authority, would then announce that Jade will challenge Slamovich for the gold at Sacrifice on March 14.
Jade has previously shown interest in winning the TNA Knockouts Title, and will make history if she wins the gold. A victory at Sacrifice will make Jade the first-ever active WWE talent to win a title from TNA Wrestling. In the past, Izzi Dame, Wendy Choo, and Karmen Petrovic have challenged for the gold, but were unsuccessful.
Jade’s involvement with Genesis represents the strength of the TNA-WWE partnership, a multi-year deal that has already seen plenty of crossover. Whether Jade makes history at Sacrifice or not remains to be seen, but neither she nor Slamovich will hold back with the title on the line next month.
