Veteran WWE announcer Michael Cole revealed on Impaulsive that having PRIME’s logo on the WWE ring mat would have been unimaginable under Vince McMahon’s leadership.
“Vince thought the mat was sacred,” Cole explained. “But it’s 2025 now, and the world has changed.”
Logan Paul, whose PRIME brand is now a WWE sponsor, responded enthusiastically. “For me, it’s fantastic. It’s the future,” he said.
Cole noted that WWE’s business strategy, particularly under Triple H and Nick Khan, has shifted significantly from McMahon’s traditional approach.
“We always used to say, ‘Oh, the mat has to be clean,’ but now? You’ve got multiple logos on there.”
The discussion highlighted WWE’s evolving approach to revenue generation and brand partnerships. Paul, who has leveraged his influencer status to merge social media and professional wrestling, pointed out how this shift benefits both sides.
“It’s gotta be the right brands,” Paul added. “But let’s be real, you’re gonna get your head smashed in over a Wingstop logo? That’s amazing.”
Cole agreed that WWE’s mindset has evolved dramatically, creating new opportunities for crossover branding.
“This would’ve been unheard of five, ten years ago,” he said. “But it makes sense—this is a multi-billion-dollar entertainment business now.”
With PRIME’s growing presence in WWE, it’s clear the company’s leadership is embracing modern marketing strategies in ways McMahon never did.
Watch Michael Cole’s full interview on Impaulsive with Logan Paul:
GUNTHER has held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for six months, making him the fourth person to hold this version of the title. Since winning it, he has defended the championship on television and at premium live events (PLEs) against opponents such as Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, and Damian Priest.
However, GUNTHER has also suffered some losses. He was defeated by Cody Rhodes for the Crown Jewel Title in November and previously put over Rhodes and Orton in a tag team match on SmackDown leading up to the title bout.
In a recent interview with the Daily Mailto promote WWE’s upcoming European tour, GUNTHER admitted that the past few months of his reign haven’t been ideal. However, he believes he is now back on track.
“I don’t think the last few months were ideal for me. I lost to Cody (Rhodes), and then everything that—that feud with (Damian) Priest, it didn’t allow me to show the best side of me, if that makes sense. But I think now I’m back to my old self. I feel my mojo again.”
GUNTHER’s next challenge is a title defense against Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41, taking place on April 19 or 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to an official announcement from WWE ID on social media, these championships will be unique in WWE’s ecosystem, as they will be defended exclusively on the independent wrestling circuit rather than on WWE programming.
The tournament structure and participating independent promotions will be announced in the coming weeks, establishing a new competitive division that operates primarily outside of WWE’s traditional venues.
When Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper clashed at Madison Square Garden on MTV 40 years ago today, they didn’t just settle a score – they revolutionized professional wrestling. The February 18, 1985 event, “The War to Settle the Score,” marked a pivotal moment where sports entertainment crashed headfirst into mainstream pop culture, forever changing both industries.
The Night Wrestling Invaded MTV
In the heart of New York City, Madison Square Garden was electric as WWF Champion Hulk Hogan defended his title against his bitter rival, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. But this wasn’t just another wrestling match – it was the culmination of the groundbreaking “Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection,” a revolutionary partnership between the World Wrestling Federation and MTV that would help transform wrestling from a regional attraction into a national phenomenon.
Pop icon Cyndi Lauper, who had already made waves in the wrestling world through her association with Captain Lou Albano, sat ringside as two of wrestling’s biggest stars collided. The atmosphere was more rock concert than wrestling show, exactly as WWF promoter Vince McMahon had envisioned.
Chaos Erupts in the Garden
The match itself devolved into beautiful chaos when Piper’s allies, Paul Orndorff and Bob Orton Jr., stormed the ring. Hollywood tough guy Mr. T, who had been watching from ringside, leaped into action to defend Hogan. In the ensuing mayhem, Piper kicked Lauper in the head – a shocking moment that would make mainstream headlines and set the stage for an even bigger event.
In an unscripted moment that perfectly captured the collision of worlds that night, pop art legend Andy Warhol accidentally wandered into a live interview area. Rather than creating an awkward moment, Warhol improvised a passionate endorsement of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection, adding another layer of mainstream credibility to the spectacle.
The Birth of WrestleMania
The War to Settle the Score did more than deliver ratings for MTV – it laid the foundation for WrestleMania. The wild brawl between Hogan, Mr. T, Piper, and Orndorff would continue six weeks later at Madison Square Garden in the main event of the first WrestleMania, establishing a template for celebrity involvement that WWE follows to this day.
Four decades later, the impact of this revolutionary broadcast continues to resonate. The successful fusion of wrestling, music, and mainstream entertainment that night created a blueprint that transformed a regional wrestling promotion into a global entertainment empire. As WWE now streams on Netflix and collaborates with today’s biggest stars, it’s worth remembering the night on MTV that started it all.
The War to Settle the Score wasn’t just a wrestling show – it was the moment sports entertainment truly became entertainment for everyone. Forty years later, its influence can still be felt every time wrestling crosses over into mainstream culture, proving that sometimes the biggest victories in wrestling happen outside the ring.
The War to Settle the Score Results
Here are the complete match results from WWF War to Settle the Score on February 18, 1985 from Madison Square Garden in New York City:
Johnny Rodz defeated Jose Luis Rivera by pinfall
Hillbilly Jim pinned Rene Goulet
Don Muraco defeated Salvatore Bellomo via pinfall
Moondog Spot and Rick McGraw fought to a draw
David Sammartino secured a victory over Moondog Rex by pinfall
Nikolai Volkoff pinned Swede Hanson
Leilani Kai defeated Wendi Richter to win the WWF Women’s Championship
The U.S. Express (Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo) retained their WWF Tag Team Titles by defeating The Assassin & The Spoiler
Paul Orndorff defeated Tony Atlas via pinfall
Jimmy Snuka pinned Bob Orton Jr.
Hulk Hogan retained the WWF World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Roddy Piper by disqualification
WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque has provided a first look at new championship belts that will be used as part of the WWE ID program.
In a social media post Tuesday afternoon, Triple H wrote:
“The top independent wrestling prospects have been ID’d… and now, we’re ready to spotlight the best of the best. Here’s your first look at the Men’s and Women’s @WWEID Championships.”
Tournaments will be held to crown the inaugural WWE ID Men’s and Women’s champions. The titles will be defended at independent wrestling shows. More on that here:
The WWE Independent Development (ID) program is WWE’s talent development initiative that partners with wrestling schools to identify and nurture promising independent wrestlers. Selected prospects receive financial benefits, training facility access, and mentorship while maintaining their ability to compete in independent promotions. The program includes a right of first refusal clause – if another major promotion offers a contract to a WWE ID prospect, WWE can either match the offer or allow the talent to sign elsewhere.
McKenzie Mitchell is officially returning to TNA Wrestling, signing a contract to become the company’s new full-time ring announcer. The move marks a homecoming for Mitchell, who began her broadcasting career with TNA in 2016 before making a name for herself in WWE as an NXT host and backstage correspondent.
TNA Wrestling announces the signing of McKenzie Mitchell as its new ring announcer
Mitchell’s return to TNA comes just over a year after she was unexpectedly released by WWE in December 2023 during corporate layoffs. Reflecting on the transition, she described the sudden career shift as a learning experience.
“My release came at a very unexpected time… but it helps you grow,” she told Sports Illustrated.
Mitchell recently made her TNA ring-announcing debut at Genesis in January, calling Joe Hendry’s TNA World Championship victory. Now, she steps into the role permanently, replacing Jade Chung.
While she has years of on-screen experience, she acknowledges ring announcing requires a different skill set.
“It’s a different tone, a different conversation,” she said. “I’m excited to make it my own.”
Her return aligns with TNA’s new partnership with WWE, a connection made even more personal by her husband, NXT commentator Vic Joseph.
“In a kind of weird way, we’re working together again,” Mitchell noted. “It’s really special.”
For Mitchell, this next chapter is more than just a job—it’s a full-circle moment. “It’s for sure a homecoming.”
McKenzie Mitchell’s Work in WWE and TNA
Mitchell’s career spans nearly a decade in professional wrestling broadcasting. Her initial TNA run from 2016-2019 saw her serve as both backstage interviewer and social media manager. She then joined WWE in August 2019, working as an NXT correspondent, digital content host, and premium live event kickoff panelist until December 2023.
After departing WWE, Mitchell returned to TNA at the Genesis event on January 19, 2025, taking over ring announcing duties from the departing Jade Chung. Her full-time signing solidifies TNA’s broadcast team heading into 2025.
WWE 2K25 will boast the largest roster in a WWE video game in history with over 300 playable characters as well as managers and other personalities. While the game will indeed be bigger than ever, not everyone competing for the promotion has made it into WWE 2K25.
Just three Superstars from WWE’s main roster will not be included in WWE 2K25 when the game hits shelves next month. The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) will not be playable at launch. The former WWE Tag Team Champions joined the promotion in late 2024 and have been an intrinsic part of the SmackDown tag team roster ever since.
Penta is the third Superstar who won’t be a part of WWE 2K25 at launch. After a messy exit from AEW, the former Trios and Tag Team Champion arrived in WWE during the January 13, 2025, edition of WWE Raw. Since then, the masked star has quickly grown popular with the WWE Universe and was the Iron-Man in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match after lasting over 42 minutes.
H/T to @SmackTalks for uncovering this stat. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more interesting wrestling facts and statistics.
The exclusion of these three Superstar isn’t about their talent, but rather that the three only arrived recently in WWE, well during the creation of WWE 2K25. Many have predicted that Penta and the Guns will be a part of upcoming DLC for the game.
WWE 2K25 is set to release on March 14, with the Deadman and Bloodline Editions of the game set to release one week early for eager gamers. While Penta and the Guns won’t be available at the start, fans shouldn’t be surprised to see the trio added as fully-fledged playable creations down the line.
WWE World’s roster continues to expand with six major additions to its inaugural fan experience. The latest announcement confirms appearances by former champions Kevin Owens, Charlotte Flair, and Drew McIntyre at the Las Vegas Convention Center event running April 17-21.
The new lineup additions also include “The EST” Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, and current Judgment Day member Damian Priest. These superstars join the previously announced talent roster for the five-day convention, expanding the opportunities for fans to meet their favorite WWE performers.
Attendees will have access to these superstars through various experiences including Superstar Row, which is open to all General Admission ticket holders. The event will also feature exclusive photo opportunities and autograph sessions, with specific scheduling details to be announced.
Beyond meet-and-greet opportunities, WWE World promises an interactive experience complete with live interviews and podcast recordings featuring the expanding roster of talent.
For additional information on WWE World Las Vegas (April 17-21, 2025), visit Fanatics Events.
Shane McMahon’s run of appearances in WWE video games has ended with WWE 2K25, breaking his streak since WWE 2K16. While WWE 2K25 will boast the largest wrestling video game roster in history, Shane, a former European and Hardcore Champion, is not part of the roster.
Though Shane’s exit marks the end of his streak in WWE video games, the McMahon family are not entirely gone. Stephanie McMahon remains as the sole McMahon family representative, appearing as both a playable character and manager.
The McMahon family’s reduced presence reflects recent changes, particularly regarding Vince McMahon. His appearances in the hit game series ended with WWE 2K24 following serious allegations in early 2024, which complicated that game’s development, especially its 40 Years of WrestleMania mode. Not only was Vince McMahon not a playable character, but WWE and 2K made great efforts to avoid using McMahon in archival footage.
WWE 2K25 is set to release on March 14, with the Deadman and Bloodline Editions of the game set to release one week early for eager gamers. While fans will have the chance to create Shane McMahon as part of the ‘Creation Suite,’ Shane O’Mac won’t be an official part of this year’s instalment in the franchise.
Ludwig Kaiser’s dramatic rise as a singles star has caught the attention of WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker, the German Superstar has shared. On the Insight podcast, Kaiser recalled receiving high praise from the Phenom of WWE.
“Goosebumps, man. That’s crazy. The Undertaker tells you exactly what you need to hear. No sugarcoating.”
The WWE legend didn’t just offer compliments to Kaiser, who transitioned into a singles role in 2024. The Undertaker also gave Kaiser direct advice on how to elevate his game.
“He told me what I needed to do, and it was something I had already felt myself. He reassured me that I was on the right path.”
Though Kaiser stopped short of every detail of the meeting, he shared that the pair spoke for 20 minutes. Recognizing that the Undertaker didn’t have to speak to him, Kaiser called their talk a pivotal changing point in his career.
“He didn’t have to do that. He’s The Undertaker. But he cared. And that meant a lot to me… “If that meeting hadn’t happened, who knows? It was one of those moments in life where you go, ‘Man, this changes everything.’”
Ludwig Kaiser has spent most of his WWE career alongside Gunther—but could that ever change? In an interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Kaiser spoke about his long-time partnership with the reigning World Heavyweight Champion.
“We go way back. People see us as a unit, but I had my fourth-ever match against him. We’ve battled across Europe before we ever teamed together in WWE.”
In 2024, Kaiser turned on Giovanni Vinci, another long-time ally, leaving fans to speculate that GUNTHER could be targeted by the German next. Despite GUNTHER holding Raw’s richest prize, Kaiser would be wary to get on the bad side of the ring general.
“It’s better to be on GUNTHER’s side than against him. Trust me on that.”
When pressed further on possibly turning on GUNTHER, Kaiser explained why he can’t see himself betraying his friend.
“I don’t think so. As a European, loyalty means a lot to me. And GUNTHER has helped me so much in my career.”
On the podcast, Van Vliet pointed out that WWE alliances rarely last forever, with even The New Day splitting last December after ten years of union. Kaiser joked that fans can “never say never” but for the time being “I stand by my words.”
With WrestleMania 41 approaching, GUNTHER’s focus is on Jey Uso and defending the World Heavyweight Championship against the popular star. With such a huge match on the horizon, GUNTHER won’t have to worry about being betrayed by Ludwig Kaiser, for now…
Ludwig Kaiser is ready to succeed as a singles competitor after spending years of his career as Imperium’s supporting cast. On the Insight podcast, Kaiser reflected on the past 12 months which have seen him focus on pursuing singles success.
“Everything I’ve accomplished, I had to work hard for. Nothing was given to me. I’ve been in the company for so long, but this past year, everything started clicking.”
The turning point came in early 2024 when an injury to Imperium partner Giovanni Vinci thrust Kaiser into the singles spotlight. A singles showdown with Kofi Kingston, who has seen success as part of a group and as a solo act, proved pivotal.
“I was told directly what they wanted to see from me that night. It was a test. And I showed them a side of me that had always been there but never had the chance to shine.”
Kaiser has since been able to battle top-tier talent, including Sheamus, Bron Breakker, and CM Punk at Madison Square Garden. Kaiser shared that ten years, he would’ve laughed if he was told he’d one day face CM Punk in MSG “but here we are.”
As for 2025, Kaiser is clear about his ambitions; he wants to do all he can over the year.
“My eyes are on the prize. I have everything it takes to be a major player. People forget—this singles run has really only been one year. Imagine what’s next.”
WWE has been growing its presence in Europe in recent years, with the continent set to play a huge role on the Road to WrestleMania 41. If Kaiser can keep injury free, 2025 could mark his ascension to the main event spotlight.
WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff has confirmed that he is not under contract with WWE, despite being featured in the upcoming WWE 2K25 video game. On X, Bischoff clarified his status with WWE after being announced as part of the playable roster during IGN FanFest.
I receive royalties whenever WWE uses my likeness. It was a part of my original talent agreement and is/was standard language for talent agreements. I have no contract w WWE. Legends or otherwise. https://t.co/syp8dI4l9g
While Bischoff does not have a formal agreement with WWE, the former Raw General Manager has maintained a positive relationship with the promotion. Bischoff was part of the December 3, 2024, episode of WWE NXT but reiterated at the time that he was not signed to any contract.
Bischoff isn’t the only notable name included as a playable character in WWE 2K25. Several stars who were recently released will also be playable including Baron Corbin, Blair Davenport, Cedric Alexander, Sonya Deville, and others. Paul Ellering will not be a playable character but will be a manager option despite his release from WWE.
WWE 2K25 will release on March 14, with the Deadman and Bloodline Editions of the game launching a week earlier on March 7. With WWE 2K Mobile also announced, this year is shaping up to be a massive one for wrestling fans and gamers alike.
Mick Foley’s days competing in the ring may be in the past but the Hardcore Legend would have loved the chance to face some of the stars of modern-day wrestling. Speaking to Monopoly Events’ Jamal Niaz at For the Love of Wrestling, Foley gave his dream opponents from the industry today.
“I could have torn it down with Darby Allin. When it comes to that wild stuff, Jon Moxley and I could have torn it down.”
Foley also threw Kevin Owens’ name on the list of talent he would’ve loved to face before sharing his interest in working with WWE’s resident, ‘Mami’ Rhea Ripley.
“I still think a 59-year-old Mick Foley and Rhea Ripley would draw at WrestleMania. [Or] Maybe I come on Mami’s behalf and seek vengeance on Dirty Dom! That could work, that would that would sell out stadiums.”
Foley has no shortage of dream opponents but it seems that these showdowns will remain a dream. In 2024, Foley shared his desire to have one final death match. Despite losing over 90lbs to make the match happen, signs of a concussion ultimately led to Mick backing down from the idea.
While Foley won’t be stepping back in the ring, the former WWE World Champion continues to be a figure of immense respect among fans and his peers. And with WWE 2K25 including intergender matches, Foley will soon get his chance to headline WrestleMania against Rhea Ripley, albeit in the virtual world.
“I wouldn’t want to just to do that… But definitely when it comes to work I think we could do some great stuff. We could bring the Mixed Match Challenge back.”
Stratton and Kaiser met as part of WWE with their first official meeting being inside the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Though the pair couldn’t help but notice one another, it took time before they began conversing.
“We can be pretty stubborn I think. And I think nobody wanted to make the first step.”
It was sheer coincidence that the pair eventually took the brave step towards one another. Kaiser explained that he was out with some friends and spotted Stratton who was celebrating her birthday weekend with some pals. The pair eventually began talking and “I don’t know how it went, but somehow we got to that, hey, why don’t we go on a date?”
Though the pair are on different brands, Kaiser could not be happier to see Stratton thrive on WWE SmackDownas the reigning WWE Women’s Champion. Reflecting on Tiffy Time coming during the first SmackDown of 2025, Kaiser was glad he could be with Stratton every step of the way.
“I’ve been there for the lows, I’ve been there for the highs. I’ve seen it all very up close, and she created something there. She’s doing amazing.”
Kaiser has seen his own star grow on Monday Night Raw, where he has been in pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship and has been feuding with Penta. Whether it remains to be seen if Stratton wins gold of his own, the German is pleased that his WWE career is happening during ‘Tiffy Time.’
Joe Hendry merch has proven immensely popular among wrestling fans, which has prompted the TNA World Champion to warn those fans about bootlegs and scams. On X, Hendry called out TeePublic, a popular shirt design store, for selling bootleg shirts with the intellectual property of the Scottish star. Hendry gave TeePublic 24 hours to take the shirt down or face legal ramififcations.
When a fan pointed out that the shirt will have been uploaded by an individual who chose to use Hendry’s IP, the TNA World Champion pointed out that TeePublic knows wht they’re doing.
Later on, Hendry reflected on the production of counterfeit merchandise, including an ‘official’ website that is anything but. Hendry warned fans that if they buy from a platform outside of TNA, PW Tees, Hot Topic or Major Bendies, then they are buying a bootleg and aiding those trying to unfairly profit on Hendry’s IP.
Counterfeit merch has become a serious issue.
Unless you get it from me, TNA,Pro Wrestling Tees, Hot Topic or Major Bendies, it is FAKE
Joe Hendry merch is a fake site.
The attached images are examples of counterfeit items
For countless wrestlers, merchandise plays a pivotal role funding their lives and careers, so seeing someone else make money that could and should’ve gone to the wrestler is very frustrating. Now, Hendry is taking a stand against this practice and hopes that TeePublic will be the first of many to reconsider hosting bootleg merchandise.
Wrestling legend The Great Muta was left far from impressed with the food provided by massive UK pub chain ‘Wetherspoons’ during a recent trip to the United Kingdom. Muta, real name Keiji Mutoh, was part of Monopoly Events’ For The Love of Wrestling convention, the largest wrestling convention in Europe.
On X (fka Twitter), Muta shared that he was at Bishop Blaze, a Wetherspoons-brand pub located next to the stadium of Manchester United. Sampling a taste from home, Muta shared that he ordered a katsu chicken curry and a ramen bowl.
In a follow-up, Muta shard that the curry was “okay” but was not a fan of the ramen, declaring “what the heck is this?!” Muta wasn’t the only famous face in Wetherspoons as several wrestling stars from the convention, including Mark Henry, Tajiri, Debra, and Sonny Onoo, dined at the Bishop Blaze.
Muta’s experience at Bishop Blaze is not Wetherspoons’ first time stepping foot in the squared circle. Ahead of All In: London 2024, AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone shared an image of her Wetherspoons breakfast that fans felt left a lot to be desired.
For the Love of Wrestling has already confirmed dates for its 2026 event which will see the massive convention return to Manchester’s Bowlers Exhibition Centre. As for Muta, he is enjoying his retirement from the ring, though will probably opt for the fish ‘n chips over the ramen the next time he steps foot in a Wetherspoons.
Roxanne Perez is feeling immensely confident about her future after qualifying for the Women’s Elimination Chamber match on the latest Raw. After defeating Raquel Rodriguez, Perez gloated to WWE’s camera crew backstage:
“The Prodigy is going to the Elimination Chamber! Because nobody is on my level! Not anybody from NXT, not anybody from Raw or SmackDown, and especially not Raquel Rodriguez!”
Perez’s harsh words didn’t stop there, as she claimed it was “embarrassing” for Perez to lose to Perez, who’s still a part of NXT. Signing off, Perez declared herself “your future Women’s World Champion,” sharing her confidence that she’ll have a title match at WrestleMania 41.
Perez may be confidence that she’ll challenge for the Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania but her journey to Las Vegas will not be easy. Perez will be joined by Liv Morgan, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Alexa Bliss. For Perez, this won’t just be a match pitting her against some of WWE’s top women, but it’ll mark her Elimination Chamber debut, the only woman entering the match for the first time.
The Prodigy’s win on Raw will only further fuel talks that a full-time move to WWE’s main roster is coming for the two-time former NXT Women’s Champion. Win or lose at Elimination Chamber, fans can expect plenty more of Roxanne Perez in the WWE spotlight.
The fans in Charlotte, North Carolina were treated to a special appearance from Cody Rhodes after the February 17, edition of WWE Monday Night Raw went off the air. In a special dark match, Rhodes received a hero’s welcome as he arrived in Charlotte to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Carmelo Hayes.
These two have a history, with Hayes ambushing Rhodes after an episode of Monday Night Raw in January 2025. This week, however, it was Rhodes who had the last laugh as he retained his title against ‘Him.’
Dark match after WWE Raw . Cody Rhodes vs Carmelo Hayes for the WWE championship pic.twitter.com/kXVvGFFp7J
Rhodes’ victory marks another succesful title defense for the Undisputed WWE Champion who has held the gold since WrestleMania 40 in April 2024. This match marked Rhodes’ 57th succesful title defense as the American Nightmare is proving himself as a workhorse champion.
With another win under his belt, Rhodes’ attention now turns to the Elimination Chamber 2025 Premium Live Event. While Rhodes isn’t set to compete in Toronto, the Men’s Chamber match will determine who will face the American Nightmare at WrestleMania 41. On Raw, Seth Rollins earned the final spot in the Chamber match, joining Drew McIntyre, John Cena, CM Punk, Logan Paul, and Damian Priest.
The final spots in this year’s Elimination Chamber matches were claimned during the February 17, edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, giving a clear picture of what fans can expect next month.
Perez Punches Her Ticket
In out first of two qualifying matches, NXT’s Roxanne Perez earned a spot in the Women’s Chamber with a big win over Raquel Rodriguez. Perez scored the pinfall after hitting Pop Rox on Perez who’d been distracted with the ringside situation between Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair, and Naomi.
Perez joins a star-studded field of competitors that’ll include Bianca Belair, Naomi, Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss, and Naomi. This win on Raw was also a longtime coming for Perez who hadn’t won a singles match since her October 1, 2024 win over Giulia during WWE NXT’s debut on The CW.
Seth Rollins Enters the Chamber.
The final spot in the Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier saw Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins defeat Finn Balor during this week’s Raw in Charlotte, North Carolina. With his win, Rollins will join John Cena, Logan Paul, Damian Priest, CM Punk, and Drew McIntyre. Rollins has faced all five men individually at WWE Premium Live Events and will now have to take all of them on once again.
The winner will earn a shot at The Undisputed WWE Championship held by Cody Rhodes, who returned to WWE in 2022 with a win over Seth Rollins. Now, McIntyre has the opportunity to get payback for that loss, and take the WWE Championship in the process, if he survives the Elimination Chamber.
Raj Dhesi isn’t opposed to signing with another major promotion in wrestling, but only under the right circumstances. Speaking with with Monopoly Events’ Jamal Niaz at For The Love of Wrestling in Manchester, England, the former WWE Champion reflected on his future in the ring.
“As far as signing with another major promotion, everything would have to be right. Storyline, business would have to make sense. Everything would have to make sense.”
Dhesi competed as Jinder Mahal for years, during which he became WWE Champion, U.S. Champion, and 24/7 Champion. Comparing WWE today to his tenure with the promotion, Dhesi wished that WWE had scaled back on live events during his run.
“I wish we would have had this schedule now with less emphasis on live events because we were worked pretty heavily. Our schedules were quite intense with live events.”
Some fans have predicted that Dhesi will land in AEW which has become home to other former WWE Superstars and Champions. Though Fhesi has a history with Tony Khan, he explained that “AEW, not at an official level [has reached out.] Nobody has on a really official level.”
For now, Dhesi is keeping himself active on the indpendents where he has quickly become a top draw. As far as a future in a major promotion is concerned, Dhesi isn’t opposed to a contract, but only under the right circumstances.
WWE is building a new rivalry on Monday Night Raw between Dakota Kai and Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria.
On this week’s episode of Raw, Dakota Kai earned a title opportunity by winning a match to determine the number one contender for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The February 17 edition of Raw featured a major women’s division bout, as Kai faced Ivy Nile. In the end, Kai secured the victory, pinning Nile after delivering her signature G2K finisher.
With this win, Kai will challenge Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, though the exact date of their title match was not announced.
Valkyria became the inaugural champion by defeating Kai on the January 13 edition of Raw. Since then, she has yet to defend the title but did compete in the Royal Rumble, which was won by Charlotte Flair, and later lost to Bayley in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
For Kai, she has won two straight tag team matches with IYO SKY. They beat Pure Fusion Collective (Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark) on the January 20th episode of Raw and then The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez) on the February 10th edition.
The WWE Royal Rumble featured a shocking collision between Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker and internet sensation IShowSpeed, culminating in a thunderous spear that quickly went viral on social media.
Speed, the popular streamer and influencer, had made a brief yet memorable appearance in the Rumble match. Emerging with a neck brace and crutches, he was in no condition to withstand the force of Breakker’s devastating spear. The impact sent Speed flying across the ring, and the moment rapidly gained traction online, amassing millions of views across various social media platforms.
The unexpected attack left fans and commentators stunned. Adding to the intrigue, Breakker’s post-match comments suggested an open invitation for Speed’s return. Breakker stated that he would welcome Speed back to WWE should he seek revenge, hinting at a possible future storyline between the two.
Following the event, Speed admitted the experience was physically overwhelming. Speaking on his YouTube stream, he described the aftermath:
“I ain’t gonna cap. After this, the day after Bron Breakker speared me, I had probably one of the worst headaches. I couldn’t move. I could not move, bro. I thought I was nearly about to die. Real talk. That was maybe one of the craziest, worst experiences ever. Real talk. I’m being so serious.”
Whether this was a one-off encounter or the beginning of a longer-term storyline remains to be seen.
THE ISHOWSPEED SPEAR IN GIF FORM MAKES IT LOOKS MORE BRUTAL ?
A heated rivalry has led to an unsanctioned match being added to WWE Elimination Chamber. On Raw, Sami Zayn challenged Kevin Owens to a match in Toronto, the city where their storied history began.
Despite Zayn’s insistence, General Manager Adam Pearce informed him that he wasn’t medically cleared to compete. However, Zayn refused to leave the ring until the match was granted. In response, Pearce agreed but stipulated that it would be an unsanctioned match—meaning no rules and anything goes.
This decision follows Owens’ attack on Zayn two weeks prior on Raw, after Zayn’s loss to CM Punk in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Owens later explained in a social media video that his actions were retaliation for Zayn’s perceived betrayal at the Royal Rumble, where Zayn failed to assist him in winning the WWE Championship.
WWE Elimination Chamber takes place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. The pre-show starts at 5 p.m. ET, with the main card beginning at 6 p.m. ET. Here is the updated match card:
Men’s Elimination Chamber Match John Cena vs. CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Logan Paul vs. Damian Priest vs. TBD
Women’s Elimination Chamber Match Liv Morgan vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bianca Belair vs. Bayley vs. Naomi vs. TBD
Tag Team Match Trish Stratus & Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
During WWE’s darkest days in the Monday Night Wars, when WCW was dominating for 83 straight weeks, many top stars jumped ship for bigger paydays and lighter schedules. By late 1997, the “Hart” of the World Wrestling Federation had been ripped out and discarded, but the “Soul” never left.
Speaking on Busted Open, The Deadman revealed that despite tempting offers, he refused to abandon WWE—even when things looked bleak.
“I knew that man [Vince McMahon] gave me an opportunity… there was no way in hell I was going there [WCW], no matter the money,” he said.
Taker recalled a particularly sobering moment when he walked out to a WWE event and saw a near-empty arena.
“I couldn’t see a soul. We had to pack everyone on the hard camera side to make it look full. I remember thinking, ‘What the hell is going on?’”
Despite WCW stars like Kevin Nash personally calling him with massive financial offers, Undertaker remained loyal to WWE. His frustration with WCW stemmed from the fact that the company once told him he’d never draw money. Even in WWE’s worst years, his pride wouldn’t let him return.
In a surprising twist, Taker admitted that if he had an amateur wrestling background, he might have considered trying his luck in MMA instead.
“UFC was coming up big at the time. If I had a wrestling base, I probably would have tested those waters.”
But in the end, The Undertaker chose to stick with WWE—and as history shows, things worked out just fine for the Dead Man his his legacy.
