This weekend, WWE will host its 2025 Royal Rumble PLE from Indianapolis, Indiana, kicking off the Road to WrestleMania 41. Speaking to SI Media with Jimmy Traina, Seth Rollins reflecting on why competing in the titular match can be easier than a traditional one-on-one contest.
“You’re sharing the workload with 29 other guys. There’s a little less stress, you know, it’s like a team sport.”
Rollins compared this to a singles match, where the “microscope is entirely on you the whole time.” In contrast, talent are able to be a “cog in the machine” during a Royal Rumble match.
While a Rumble may be an easier match, being part of the event does have its difficulties. On the show, Rollins explained how being part of one of WWE’s most popular Premium Live Events of the year does add the pressure on.
“The pressure is higher, because there are so many eyes on it [the Royal Rumble event.] You want it to be memorable. It’s the kickoff to our biggest party of the year, WrestleMania season.. so it’s kind of easier and harder in some ways.”
Check out these interesting stats about Seth Rollins in the Royal Rumble Match:
Year
Entry Number
Time in Match
Eliminations
Finish
Additional Notes
2014
2
48:31
2
6th Place
Longest time in the match for Rollins.
2018
18
19:00
4
9th Place
–
2019
10
43:00
5
Winner
Became the Iron Man in this match.
2020
30
4:00
0
28th Place
Shortest time in the match for Rollins.
2021
29
6:00
0
28th Place
–
2023
1
56:30
6
2nd Place
Longest time since his debut in Rumble.
Rollins hopes to become the latest two-time winner of the Royal Rumble match, an act that’d see him join the likes of Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton, John Cena, and more. With 30 competitors involved, Rollins will have to be more than a mere ‘cog’ if he hopes to punch his ticket to WrestleMania 41 at the 2025 Royal Rumble on February 1.
CM Punk knows that he is on his way to retirement but he is not putting a date out for it just yet.
At 46 years old, Punk’s age is definitely a part of the conversation when people talk about his future in wrestling. With his run since his 2021 wrestling return being bogged down by one injury or another, people wonder how many more matches the former world champion has left in him before he calls it a career.
The Straight Edge star was asked if he feels like a clock is ticking over him in his interview with Jackie Redmond ahead of Royal Rumble. CM Punk claimed that he feels great at the moment. Though he also reflected on his 2024 Royal Rumble injury and noted that he realizes that his time in the ring is limited:
“I feel great right now. I definitely don’t feel like there is a looming doomsday clock over my head or anything like that. Bur saying that, I also do realize, based on what happened in the last Royal Rumble, that this could all end in a heartbeat.
I never know when my last match is going to be, and you see guys like John Cena doing a full-blown retirement tour. I look at myself like I’m on the same road as John, maybe just not egotistical enough to announce to everybody, ‘Hey, this is it.'”
CM Punk explained that he has not set a date on his retirement and he’s taking things one day at a time. Though he knows that he wants to end his career before anyone can say that he’s lost a step:
“I’m not setting a limit on anything, I’m just doing my best to bulletproof myself on a daily basis, work as hard on recovery as I do in the gym and in the ring, and not make this twilight of my career extended beyond what people expect of me. I don’t want to twist in the wind and just like be some old guy.”
The wrestling veteran also claimed that he gets criticized unfairly because he’s embracing his age. He mentioned how he doesn’t dye his beard or his hair because he’s earned his greys. According to Punk, he was unapologetically himself when he first started wrestling at 15 years of age and he remains the same at 46.
AJ Lee hasn’t competed for WWE for close to a decade, but fans and Superstars alike hope to see her back in the ring, potentially at the 2025 Royal Rumble event. Speaking at a WWE Fanatics event, Big E was asked about Lee returning as part of this weekend’s Women’s Royal Rumble match.
“I would love to see AJ Lee in the Rumble. I think the pop would be absurd. It would be very exciting.”
At the event, Bayley reminded Big E of an unfortunate incident from the April 8, 2013 Raw, where Big E struck AJ in the chest during their entrance. Even a dozen years later, the former WWE Champion feels bad for what happened.
“We’re trying to move on, okay?! That was like 13 years ago! It was very embarrisng for me, she just smiled like it was nothing.”
Big E isn’t the only notable name hoping to see AJ Lee make her return to action this weekend in Indianapolis. While appearing on the Lightweights Podcast, , WWE interviewer Jackie Redmond said that she would be “so pumped” to see Lee return this weekend. Redmond even shared her take that nothing would be bigger than a return by the former Divas Champion.
“That’s all anyone would be talking about. What could top it? … If AJ f**king Lee came back, is there anything that could steal that headline from her?”
CM Punk also hopes to see his wife return to WWE this Saturday, though has said in the past he wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t wish to do. Punk hopes to earn his first victory in the Men’s Royal Rumble this weekend, and fans remain excited at the prospect of a return by AJ Lee at the 2025 Royal Rumble event.
CM Punk’s WWE return at the 2024 Royal Rumble was meant to be a triumphant moment, but resulted in the Best in the World suffering a torn triceps. Speaking with Jackie Redmond, Punk recalled feeling broken before informing his wife AJ Lee of the bad news.
“I gave myself a good eight-minute cry before I called my wife and told her, ‘Hey, I got hurt.’ I could cry for 45 minutes, and the instant I actually try to vocalize something like that to her, I’ll still blubber.”
Realizing how upset he was, AJ Lee made sure to comfort her husband, assuring him that this injury was just a temporary setback.
“She said, ‘Just come home, I’ll take care of you, we’ll get over it, we’ll get through it.’ That’s what we did. That’s what she does for me. Always has my back.”
Punk will be a part of this weekend’s 2025 Royal Rumble event, and hopes to win the Men’s Royal Rumble match for the first time. A victory would be a massive step for Punk towards headlining WrestleMania, another accolade the Best in the World has yet to reach. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on CM Punk’s future in WWE, as well as a potential return by AJ Lee.
Stephanie’s Places, a brand new show featuring Stephanie McMahon, has officially been announced and will launch on ESPN+ this March. A trailer for the show was shared this week featuring McMahon alongside top WWE names including The Bloodline, Charlotte Flair, and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.
Speaking to Pat McAfee on his show, McMahon shared her plans for the show.
“It’s really to tell the stories that haven’t been told. To find out more about the people behind the characters. What I want to do is bring some type of advice to the audience.”
McMahon hopes that the Superstars and Legends who appear on the show will share how they overcame adversity, lessons that viewers can bring to their own lives. While no specific date has been given, fans can expect Stephanie’s Places to land on ESPN+ in March 2025.
The series follows in the footsteps of the football-themed documentary series Peyton’s Places, hosted and executive produced by Peyton Manning. This show also marks Stephanie’s first project for WWE since her departure in 2023. While McMahon has appeared a handful of times since then, including at SummerSlam 2024, she did not have an official role with WWE as of August last year.
March 2025 is shaping up to be a huge month for WWE, with the Elimination Chamber PLE in Toronto and the launch of WWE 2K25. Now, Stephanie McMahon will add another layer to WWE’s big month on the road to WrestleMania 41.
In January 2024, Vince McMahon stepped down from WWE following Janel Grant’s lawsuit against himself, the company, and John Laurinaitis. This controversy is just the latest for McMahon who’s legacy has come under immense scrutiny in recent years.
On The Pat McAfee Show, Stephanie McMahon was asked for how she handles attacks on her father and family as a whole. McMahon recalled the federal government’s case against her father in the early 1990s, in which Vince was alleged to have pushed steroids on talent.
“The media came after my family in a really big and really hard way to deal with when we were in high school… At the time, I was filled with a lot of anger and resentment, and I had a hard time navigating all of that.“
Today, Stephanie isn’t as concerned about what is said about her family in the public. Instead, the 48 year old recognises that many who talk about her family and father choose to do so without all the facts.
“It’s just noise. We all have opinions no matter what, and that’s great. You can think you know exactly what’s going on.”
Stephanie did not mention the Janel Grant lawsuit directly, but knows her place in this situation, stating that “I know where I stand, and that’s how I have to just be grounded.”
Vince McMahon has denied the allegations that he was sexually abusive to Grant, and WWE has avoided referencing him on TV. While Vince McMahon’s days with WWE are seemingly over for good, Stephanie won’t let the ‘noise’ from others drown out her support for her family.
Corey Graves may have put speculation about his WWE future to rest, but Booker T has made clear he isn’t pleased with how Graves handled things. During a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker adressed Graves’ recent outburst following his move to the NXT brand.
“Certain things shouldn’t be in the Twittersphere, just because I don’t think it’s their business, especially when it comes to your jobs.”
Booker added that while he hasn’t confronted Graves directly, a conversation with his NXT broadcast partner could come in the future.
“We’re not cool, not cool at all—I didn’t like the tweet. I didn’t tell him I didn’t like it, but I’m sure there perhaps will come a time when I might say it.”
Graves’ took to X in January 2025 to express his frustration with changes to the commentary teams that resulted in him being moved to NXT. While Graves missed the following edition of WWE NXT after his post on X, he was back the following week and declared that he was “right where I want to be.”
The situation with Corey Graves has yet to be referenced on TV, and with it being weeks later, it’s unlikely fans will see it brought up on WWE NXT programming. Nevertheless, Booker T isn’t a fan of how Graves handled business, and it remains to be seen if the NXT commentator confronts Graves about his attitude towards the silver brand.
WWE Royal Rumble weekend will see several notable names in town, with some attending the big event that kicks off WrestleMania season while others are in Indianapolis for wrestling conventions, signings, and other appearances.
While fans may spot legends and former stars around the city, not all will be involved in the show itself. Some may simply be visiting friends backstage or attending as guests. According to PWInsider.com, several well-known figures are expected to be in Indianapolis this weekend.
WWE Legends Expected for Royal Rumble
PWInsider.com reports that several legends are slated to attend Royal Rumble, including:
The Undertaker
Kurt Angle
Sean Waltman (X-Pac) – While his status has not been officially confirmed, internal discussions within WWE suggest that he may be present.
NXT Trainees and Wrestling Prospects in Attendance
WWE is not only bringing in past stars but also several NXT trainees, including:
Jacob Henry – The son of WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry. Jacob, who graduated from Vandegrift High School in May 2023, announced he signed with WWE ahead of SummerSlam 2024 in Cleveland. His father, Mark Henry, spent 25 years in WWE, originally signing with the company in 1996.
Brock Rechsteiner – The son of wrestling legend Scott Steiner. Sources close to the family have stated that Rechsteiner will be in Indianapolis. He currently plays as a wide receiver at Jacksonville State University. His father previously revealed that WWE had extended an NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal to him.
With Royal Rumble weekend known for its surprises, fans will have to wait and see who makes an appearance at the show.
Pro wrestling is full of iconic gimmick matches from annual ones like the Royal Rumble to ones that materialize when the circumstances demand it like Ladder Matches, Strap Matches, Street Fights, and so on. For many old school gimmick matches, it’s nearly impossible to credibly trace their origins, but for newer ones or ones that had a particularly legendary first iteration, it’s easier to know how things got started. Moreover, there are those times when it was the quality of the first go-round that facilitated the match becoming a fixture in pro wrestling lore. Only a handful of original gimmick matches remain, to this day the greatest version of all time.
Elimination Chamber, Survivor Series 2002
In 2002, WWE introduced the Elimination Chamber. The impressive structure merged elements of Hell in a Cell for its impressive structure, War Games for its staggered entries, and an old school Survivor Series sensibility for eliminations en route to a true finish.
The first go-round happened in no less mythic setting than Madison Square Garden with a star-studded field of Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Booker T, Kane, and Rob Van Dam. It’s telling that all of them but RVD had already been a world champion, whereas Van Dam himself was arguably at the peak of his abilities, if still a few years from winning his first world title.
The action was predictably excellent, culminating in an ultra-satisfying conclusion as Shawn Michaels beat the odds, winning his first and only world title of the final act of his career, after returning from his back injury. While most Chamber matches have been at least good, none has eclipsed this original classic.
War Games 1987
WWE rejuvenated the War Games concept, with Triple H first bringing it to NXT, and since making it a Survivor Series staple three years running on the main roster. Each WWE edition has been at least good, if not great, in ways that erase how many lackluster variations on the match WCW staged in its later years.
The original War Games occurred in 1987, an organic development that came out of The Four Horsemen terrorizing babyfaces, before the top babyfaces of the day banded together to go to war against them. During the Great American Bash 1987 tour, the face squad of Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff, The Road Warriors and Paul Ellering went on to defeat Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard, Lex Luger, and JJ Dillon inside the double cage. The inclusion of managers feels a bit lackluster in hindsight, but offered a clear way of protecting the regular wrestlers from taking the submission loss.
WWE has staged some excellent editions of this match, and there’s a case in favor of WCW’s 1992 edition featuring The Dangerous Alliance as the best ever. The original 1987 one quite arguably ekes out the GOAT title though for novelty, brutality, and the satisfaction of seeing the good guys finally get one over on the villainous Horsemen and seeing Dillon get some comeuppance was, in and of itself, a pleasure for fans.
Hell In A Cell: Shawn Michaels Vs. The Undertaker
Hell in a Cell has, in many ways, become the definitive blow-off gimmick match for WWE. The enormous steel cage structure is undeniably impressive and moments like Mick Foley taking not one, but two bumps from the top of the Cell in a single match cemented the gimmick’s place in WWE iconography.
While The Undertaker vs. Mankind is the most famous Hell in a Cell Match, and there have been quite a few excellent bouts inside the Cell over its twenty-five-plus year history to follow, the original match still takes the cake as its very best version. The storyline around the Cell’s construction was that it would be a structure to keep DX from helping Shawn Michaels as he tried to survive The Undertaker’s bid for revenge against him and earn a world title shot.
The match was every bit the classic one would expect from these two all-time great wrestlers who had all-time great chemistry between them. Even the finish was unique and satisfying as it saw the much-anticipated debut of Kane who arrived on the scene and cost his brother the match in truly epic fashion.
Blind Fold Match: Jake Roberts Vs. Rick Martel
The Blind Fold Match is one of pro wrestling’s more inherently silly gimmick matches, as the idea of two performers wearing hoods over their heads to wrestle is borderline comical and doesn’t exactly invite exciting bell-to-bell action.
When Jake Roberts faced off with Rick Martel at WrestleMania 7, however, a truly unique spectacle was at hand. The blind fold gimmick fit their feud perfectly, as The Model had previously blinded Roberts with his Arrogance cologne. From there, The Snake demonstrated his absolute mastery of pro wrestling psychology as he had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand, pointing around the ring to let their cheers help him find his rival. For his part, Martel more than played his part, trying the pointing gimmick too, while also playing the cowardly heel.
The match itself had a low ceiling, but the men involved made it incredibly entertaining at its time. Blind Fold Matches to follow thoroughly exposed the gimmick, though, including Triple H vs. D-Lo Brown, Drew McIntyre vs. Santino Marella, and James Storm facing Chris Harris in TNA. Each of these matches was poor, highlighting that the gimmick really demanded the right story and right performers, not to mention that it was probably best left in the WWE Golden Era that was a little hokier on the whole.
Empty Arena Match: Terry Funk Vs. Jerry Lawler
Pro wrestling feeds off live audiences with fan participation often adding a palpable sense of excitement and way for wrestlers to read what is and isn’t working in the ring. So it is that Empty Arena Matches are a bit counterintuitive, but can work in the right circumstances.
When Jerry Lawler blew off his Memphis feud with Terry Funk, the storyline at hand was Funk blaming all the biased fans and personnel in the arena for his previous failures against The King. What followed was a wildly entertaining novelty match with these two legends engaging in a brutal battle that was impossible for fans to look away from (through their TVs, of course—not in the arena).
WWE did a reasonable follow up with a Mankind vs. The Rock Empty Arena Match nearly two decades later. From there, WWE and other promotions that persevered through the pandemic were forced into other Empty Arena Matches—even an empty arena WrestleMania—during the pandemic. The unfortunate circumstances were no one’s fault, but highlighted that it took the right wrestlers and angle to get them into the vacated arena for this gimmick to really succeed.
It appears that WWE’s black and gold brand will be present at this year’s Royal Rumble, as several NXT stars have reportedly been brought to Indianapolis for the event.
WWE has a history of having former stars, legends, and NXT talents as surprise entrants in the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches. This year seems to be no exception. According to PWInsider.com, the following names have been brought in for the weekend:
Lash Legend
Jaida Parker
Roxanne Perez
Stephanie Vaquer
At this time, it remains unclear which—if any—of these stars will officially compete in the Women’s Royal Rumble match.
Who Are the NXT Stars Brought in for Royal Rumble?
Lash Legend
Lash Legend is a former basketball player who turned into a WWE superstar. She joined WWE in 2021, initially hosting the Lashing Out with Lash Legend talk show on NXT. She later transitioned to in-ring competition and joined The Meta-Four alongside Noam Dar, Oro Mensah, and Jakara Jackson.
Jaida Parker
Jaida Parker signed with WWE in 2023 and quickly gained attention for her charisma and in-ring potential. She is still early in her career but has shown promise as a rising star in NXT.
Roxanne Perez
Roxanne Perez is a two-time NXT Women’s Champion and a former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Cora Jade. Before signing with WWE, she wrestled as Rok-C in Ring of Honor and became the inaugural ROH Women’s World Champion.
Stephanie Vaquer
Stephanie Vaquer has competed in CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre) and NJPW (New Japan Pro Wrestling). She signed with WWE last year and has since been involved in NXT’s main event scene.
With the Royal Rumble known for its surprises, fans will have to wait and see if any of these NXT stars appear in the highly anticipated match.
Vice Media’s Dark Side of the Ring will continue to captivate audiences by uncovering the hidden and often tragic stories within wrestling for a sixth season. The upcoming season of the hit series will premiere on March 25, 2025, with several notable topics to be covered. Topics confirmed in the trailer for Dark Side of the Ring include:
Mankind Vs. The Undertaker in Hell in a Cell at King of the Ring 1998
Big Van Vader
Tony Atlas
Ludvig Borga
Billy Jack Haynes
Eddie Gilbert
Superstar Billy Graham
Daffney
The Original Sheik (Ed Farhat)
Muhammad Hassan
We’re back! Season 6 premieres March 25 on @VICETV.
Dark Side of the Ring has been a hit with fans, though has (ironically) spawned its own controversy. Some have accused the producers of using tactical editing of those involved in the show. In 2022, Jim Ross, once a regular pundit on Dark Side of the Ring, vowed to never work on the show again, claiming he was misrepresented multiple times in the show’s third season.
With a mix of legendary names, shocking revelations, and heartbreaking stories, Dark Side of the Ring Season 6 is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about yet. As the show continues to pull back the curtain on wrestling’s most compelling and controversial moments, fans and critics alike will be eager to see how this new season unfolds.
WWE 2K25 will launch on consoles and PC this March, but that won’t be the only WWE game released this year. As part of the #NextOnNetflix announcements, Netflix Games has shared that WWE 2K is coming to mobile devices. In a video, CM Punk shared news of the creation of WWE 2K Mobile which will hit devices in the Fall of 2025.
WWE 2K Mobile is the latest landmark on WWE’s lucrative multi-year partnership with Netflix. In January 2025, Monday Night Raw premiered on the streaming juggernaut with a blockbuster event featuring Roman Reigns, The Rock, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes and more. Fans outside of the United States have also been able to watch SmackDown, WWE NXT, and Premium Live Events on Netflix.
WWE 2K Mobile will launch just months after the release of WWE 2K25 which will hit shelves on March 14, 2025. For eager fans, the Deadman Edition and Bloodline Edition of the video game will be playable one week earlier on March 7. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE 2K Mobile ahead of its launch later this year.
In 2021, Nia Jax was released from WWE, despite being one of the most high-profile women on the roster before her exit. On a recent edition of the No Contest Wrestling podcast, Nia shared how she struggled following losing her job.
“I’m not gonna lie, I crumbled a little bit. I was sad, I ate a lot of food to comfort my sadness.“
After a period of time wallowing, Jax realized that she needed to work on herself. The Irresistable Force admitted that focusing on her own personal growth was something she’d put off off to focus on work.
“I lost who I was. You know, I got caught up in the business, I got caught up in dumb stuff that sometimes you do get caught up in this business, like winning and losing and booking and whatever.”
Jax’s journey of self-discovery wasn’t one she took alone, as she had the help of a life coach called Carrie. This life coach was introduced to Jax by Nikki Bella and proved pivotal in helping Jax learn to be herself outside of wrestling.
“I remember just having these really great sessions with Carrie and really diving into myself again, figuring out what makes me, me, and what made me happy again, because I was losing my happiness.”
Jax has since found her way back to WWE and credited the efforts of Nikki and Carrie for helping her find her way back to the company. Jax’s second run with WWE has seen the powerhouse win the Queen of the Ring and the WWE Women’s Championship. With Jax now setting her sights on winning this weekend’s Women’s Royal Rumble, the former champion is ready to make the most of her second chance in WWE.
Charlotte Flair is gearing up for her much-anticipated WWE comeback, and it looks like she’ll be returning with a fresh moniker. Following an initial teaser, WWE aired another vignette on the January 24 episode of SmackDown, confirming that Flair will participate in the Royal Rumble on February 1. The video provided more insight into her mindset and road to recovery, fueling excitement among fans.
Adding to the speculation surrounding her return, WWE Shop has unveiled new merchandise for Flair. The t-shirt design prominently features an image of the Queen with the words “Top Girl” across her eyes. This suggests that “Top Girl” may be the latest nickname for the dominant WWE Superstar as she prepares to reclaim her place at the top of the division.
Charlotte Flair returns to WWE in 2025 as the “Top Girl”
Flair has been out of action since December 8, 2023, when she suffered a devastating knee injury during a SmackDown match against Asuka. The 14-time world champion tore her ACL, MCL, and meniscus, requiring extensive surgery and rehabilitation. Since then, she has largely remained behind the scenes, occasionally sharing training updates on social media.
In recent weeks, however, Flair has dropped multiple hints about her return, including appearances alongside former and current WWE stars. Though she was recently seen backstage at NXT, her official return will be on WWE’s main roster.
With her sights set on making a statement at the Royal Rumble, Flair’s return promises to shake up the women’s division.
AEW taped the February 1 episode of Collision from Huntsville, Alabama alongside this week’s Dynamite episode. The show that will go head-to-head with WWE Royal Rumble featured multiple returns. You can check out the full spoilers below:
Singles Match: Rush def. Max Caster – Caster issued an open challenge only to be crushed by returning Rush. The winning star took the mic afterward and yelled at Beast Mortos.
Tag Team Match: Samoa Joe & Hook def Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian – Joe won the match for his team pinning Sabian using a muscle buster. Christian attacked Joe and Hook after the match.
Tag Team Match: Chris Jericho & Bryan Keith defeated The Outrunners – Big Bill who was at ringside tripped Magnum, allowing Keith to get the pin on Floyd. The winners continued with a post-match attack until Bandido’s music hit. The masked star took Jericho and others out to end the segment.
Mid-South Street Fight: FTR def. Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta – The fight started before everyone could even get to the ring. Mox unsuccessfully tried to use pliers on Dax Harwood’s nose at one point. Marina Shafir & Claudio Castagnoli kept interfering in the bout until Jay White and Adam Copeland came out to even the odds. In the end, FTR won after taking Yuta out with a spike piledriver on the announce desk.
Toni Storm Promo: Back in her Timeless avatar, Storm admitted to playing the role of The Rockstar for the last six weeks. Toni then talked about Mariah May’s betrayal and proclaimed that her time is over.
Singles Match: Megan Bayne def. Hyena Hera – Bayne won the match with an F5.
Singles Match: Harley Cameron def. Taya Valkyrie
TNT Championship Match: Daniel Garcia (c) def. Kyle O’Reilly & Lee Moriarty – Garcia won via a roll up on Moriarty. Shane Taylor Promotions and The Infantry surrounded the ring after the match but Undisputed Kingdom’s music hit and Adam Cole and Roderick Strong came out to chase them away. Adam Cole cut a promo thanking the fans and did his catchphrase with Garcia to end the show.
This year marks a decade since AJ Lee last competed in a WWE ring and fans have been hoping to see her back ever since. With the 2025 Royal Rumble set to take place this weekend, plenty are hoping that Lee’s return is a matter of days away.
In an video with Jackie Redmond, Punk was asked who he’d like to see in the Women’s Royal Rumble match.
“Oooh! There’s a big one that I’m not going to say, because I’m going to get in trouble.”
This isn’t the first time Punk has brought up his wife and a potential return to WWE. Last July, Punk said that AJ knows that she has the option to return, but he will not push her into a comeback. In the interview, Punk added that AJ has seen how happy he is in this ‘new’ WWE and how things have changed since she was last around.
AJ has yet to appear on WWE TV since her 2015 exit, but her name has been coming up more ever since Punk’s stunning return to WWE in 2023. During a promo on Raw last year, Punk shared that AJ is doing well and sent her regards.
The WWE Royal Rumble is one of the promotion’s most exciting nights of the year and the return of AJ would be a huge moment for fans. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on AJ Lee and the former Divas Champion’s potential comeback.
The Indiana Pacers Vs. Detroit Pistons game had plenty of pro-wrestling spirit this week as part of a special WWE Night. Ahead of the January 29, game, Tyrese Haliburton, who’s no stranger to WWE, gifted custom jerseys to Bianca Belair and Montez Ford.
Tyrese Haliburton gifted WWE women’s tag team champion Bianca Belair and Superstar Montez Ford custom City Edition jerseys ahead of @WWE Night ? pic.twitter.com/yq8FwpNEEq
Belair and Ford weren’t the only WWE names featured at this week’s game. To hype-up the Pacers’ walk-out, a video was played slicing footage of the players alongside The Rock and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin. The video also used Limp Bizkit’s My Way, the iconic track behind the WrestleMania X-Seven promo package for the WWE Title match between the two legends.
The Indiana Pacers’ players were introduced with a WWE style crossover during tonight’s game.
From the iconic Stone Cold v The Rock WrestleMania 17 “My Way” video package to Austin’s theme song being played.
With the WWE behind them, the Pacers charged to victory, besting the Detroit Pistons 113-119.
The company’s presence at the show, which was billed as ‘WWE Night’ months in advance, only goes to demonstrate the power that the WWE IP holds in sports outside of pro wrestling. WWE Superstars can often be found at other major sporting events, including the Super Bowl and Major League Baseball games. WWE will remain in Indianoplis for this weekend’s 2025 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event, the official launching point for the Road to WrestleMania 41.
On January 29, WWE announced that Triple H will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as the first member of the class of 2025. The news was first reported by PW Insider. On X, Stephanie McMahon shared that like her husband, the announcement by Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker came to a surprise as well. McMahon added that Triple H never would’ve put himself forward for the honor before congratulating her “king.”
You got me too @ShawnMichaels and @undertaker! It is my honor to witness your brotherhood. Thank you for making the Executive Decision because you know Paul never would! Congratulations to my King, @TripleH! You have more than earned your place in Immortality #WWEHOF class of… https://t.co/yifO2OnBCp
Triple H will become the latest WWE legend to become a two-time inductee after previously being inducted in 2019 for his role in D-Generation X. Triple H’s friend and mentor Ric Flair became WWE’s first two-time inductee in 2012 and has since been joined by Shawn Michaels, Booker T, Bret Hart, and more. The Game will be the first two-time inductee to be inducted for his role as a singles Superstar second.
It remains to be seen who joins Triple H as part of this year’s Hall of Fame class but this year’s festivities are already off to a strong star. Triple H’s Evolution ally Batista was announced in 2020, but withdrew due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Fans have been waiting for Bray Wyatt’s induction following his passing in 2023, though that has yet to happen.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Triple H and the WWE Hall of Fame as the show will be part of a huge WrestleMania week.
On the January 10, edition of WWE SmackDown, Tiffany Stratton relished in her WWE Women’s Title reign that had kicked off the previous week. Stratton told the fans and the roster to “put some respect” on her name, a line that caught the attention of former Superstar Mandy Rose.
On her Power Alphas podcast, Rose addressed the line after many fans pointed out that she had used similar verbiage during her time as NXT Women’s Champion.
“I got so many tweets about it, and I was like, ‘What is going on?’ Then I saw the clip, and this b***h even used the same kinda tone.”
Rose and Stratton were both once part of NXT, though Mandy was the brand’s top woman at a time when Stratton was still finding her footing. While Rose believes that there is a mutral admiration between the two, she wasn’t a fan of ‘her line’ being used by the new champion.
“I thought we were cool. I put her over here. Listen, we can admire each other, we can respect, we can look up to, but we can’t take our words from each other.”
Stratton hasn’t responded, but this line has led to discussion among fans about whether she was intentionally referencing Rose or if it was just a coincidence. Whatever the case may be, Rose, who may still return to the ring, hopes Stratton puts some respect on her name by finding some other inspiration for promos.
Bad Bunny may be considered as the greatest celebrity wrestler of all time, but Logan Paul believes he’s in a whole different category to the Grammy Award-winner. In his latest vlog, Paul responded to a recent comment by Bunny, who called himself the greatest celebrity wrestler ever.
“People commenting ‘Logan Paul this, Logan Paul that’… I actually think he’s right. Bad Bunny is a fantastic celebrity wrestler. Keyword: Celebrity. I am a wrestler. Born, raised, and bred.”
Bunny and Paul have yet to share the ring. On his YouTube channel, the former U.S. Champion was ready to throw down the challenge to Bad Bunny.
“If he ever wants to run it, okay, Mr. Bunny. Mavericks like me, eat bunnies like you for breakfast.”
Bunny impressed fans in his three matches for WWE, the most recent of which being at the Backlash 2023 Premium Live Event against former ally Damian Priest. Paul has competed 15 times for WWE and boasts a 7-8 win/loss record.
Logan Paul will be part of this weekend’s Men’s Royal Rumble match and hopes to punch his ticket to WrestleMania 41. On Raw, Paul confronted Seth Rollins and GUNTHER, teasing a future in the World Heavyweight Championship picture. It remains to be seen if Logan Paul and Bad Bunny ever square off in the ring, as The Maverick believes he’s on a completely different level to the Puerto Rican star.
Nikki Garcia, known to WWE fans as Nikki Bella, is opening up about her split from Artem Chigvintsev. In an interview with Us Weekly, Garcia admitted to be shocked with how her marriage to Chigvintsev ended. The pair married in 2022 but an incident in August 2024 led to the pair divoricing.
“You couldn’t have ever told me that this would’ve been the ending of my 2024 or my marriage—I wouldn’t have believed you.”
Despite the split, which has seen both parties accuse the other of being the agressor, Garcia and Chigvintsev are co-parenting their four-year-old son Matteo. The two adults recently shared some Christmas moments with their son, including baking cookies for Santa as they want to provide the best upbringing for Matteo.
“We baked Santa’s cookies. Matteo went to bed, and we both were there when he woke up. Because he’s our focus, we want to keep those moments.”
Looking to the future, Garcia isn’t giving up on love despite all that has happened. With that said, the longest-reigning WWE Divas Champion is done getting married.
“I don’t ever want to be legally bound to someone or sign paperwork again.”
Nikki’s love life has had its fair share of rocky moments. In May 2014, Nikki shared on Total Divas that she had married her high school sweetheart at the age of 20. Their marriage was annulled three years later. In 2012, she began dating John Cena and the couple got engaged at WrestleMania 32. In April 2018, the pair slip and canceled the wedding, which had been set to take place the following month.
Now, Garcia is focusing on herself and her child, as well as a potential WWE return. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Nikki, as her days of walking down the aisle are over.
Powerhouse Hobbs appeared in a pre-taped segment on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, announcing that he wasn’t cleared to travel for the show. This came just days after his brawl with Big Bill on Collision.
During the segment, Hobbs boasted about taking the big man to hell and made it clear that their feud was far from over, stating that “hell was just the beginning.” However, despite his absence from the live broadcast, Hobbs was actually in attendance for the show.
According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, Hobbs was not medically cleared for in-ring action on Wednesday night, which led to the decision to air a pre-taped segment instead. While Hobbs was present at the venue and willing to perform, the report states that he had stitches that had not yet fully healed. He was reportedly advised to take an additional week before being cleared for competition.
The report also noted that Hobbs was originally planned to play a major role on both Dynamite and Collision. As a result, his absence caused a ripple effect, leading to multiple changes in AEW’s programming this week. AEW is taping Saturday’s Collision immediately after Dynamite.
WWE Superstar Asuka took to social media on Wednesday to issue a strong message regarding her personal boundaries. In a series of tweets, she made it clear that she rejects any romantic or personal advances from fans and emphasized that there is “absolutely no possibility” for others to interfere in her private life.
I absolutely reject any romantic or personal approaches toward me. There is absolutely no possibility for others to interfere in my private life.
Asuka also expressed concerns for her safety, revealing that she has felt in danger recently and has even consulted the police. She stated that even casual interactions in public places, such as airports or city streets, could cause her distress, as she fears something unexpected might happen.
The wrestling star concluded her messages with a direct plea to her followers, saying that having romantic feelings for her is “meaningless—100% pointless.” Her statements suggest growing discomfort with certain interactions, reinforcing her desire to maintain clear personal and professional boundaries.
I've been feeling in danger recently. I've already consulted the police. At this rate, even if fans approach me at the airport or in the city, I will feel the possibility that something might happen, and it will scare me, making me unable to respond.
Asuka’s candid remarks have sparked discussion among WWE fans, with many expressing support for her right to privacy and safety. While public figures often deal with parasocial relationships from fans, Asuka’s firm stance serves as a reminder that personal boundaries should always be respected.
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, former TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace confirmed that her contract with the company has expired—marking the first time in her career that she has allowed a deal to run out.
“I’ve been at TNA for a very long time, and I’ve never let my contract expire before,” Grace said. “I’ve done pretty much all there is to do—if there was ever a time to move forward, it would be right now.”
Grace first signed with TNA in 2018 and quickly became one of the company’s top stars, winning multiple Knockouts Championships and headlining major events. After a standout 2024—including surprise WWE appearances at the Royal Rumble and NXT—she now finds herself at a crossroads.
“People think they know what I’m going to do more than I actually know what I’m going to do,” she admitted. “I could stay in TNA. I could go anywhere else. Who knows?”
With reports that she’s signed with WWE, it’s going to be a very interesting year for Jordynne Grace and the women’s divisions of Raw, SmackDown and NXT.
WWE 2K25 is set to spotlight The Bloodline like never before, including a special 2K Showcase and a Bloodline Edition of the upcoming game. The Showcase will honor the lengthy journey of the Bloodline from its inception in 2020 to the modern day.
The Bloodline is now led by Solo Sikoa, who in an interview with Bleacher Report, said it was “pretty cool,” to be on his first WWE 2K cover. Looking to the future, Sikoa confidently predicted that this is the start of things to come.
“I will be featured on the next cover and the next cover after that.”
The Bloodline story has proven to be one of WWE’s most compelling narratives in years, and has elevated the likes of Sikoa, The Usos, Sami Zayn, and others. After previously serving as Roman Reigns’ right-hand man, Solo intends to elevate Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu under his iteration of the faction.
At Survivor Series: WarGames, Sikoa’s take on the Bloodline (joined by Bronson Reed) came up short against Roman Reigns’ Bloodline and unlikely ally CM Punk. In WWE 2K25, Sikoa will have the chance to replay the game, and is eager to rewrite history.
“Yeah, I think the new Bloodline wins. We lay everybody out. Of course, I wanna run it back. Hell, I wanna run it back Friday and Monday and we’ll run it back Friday again.”
WWE 2K25 will also include an ‘Island Mode,’ an interactive open-world experience where players attempt to earn a place in Reigns’ Bloodline. In the interview, Sikoa named his relative, former Women’s Champion Nia Jax as someone he could see fitting in his version of The Bloodline.
Despite losing the title of Tribal Chief to Reigns on the debut episode of Raw on Netflix, Sikoa remains optimistic about his future. In the interview, Solo declared himself for the Royal Rumble match and like many, vowed to win this weekend’s 30-Man contest.
“Solo winning the Royal Rumble. Solo going on to main event WrestleMania, baby.”
WWE 2K25 Release Details
WWE 2K25 will be released on March 14, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Fans who pre-order the Bloodline Edition or Deadman Edition can access the game early starting March 7.
The game will include some brand-new match types including the Underground Match and Bloodline Rules Match. Intergender Matches will also be part of the game, allowing male and female Superstar to compete together or against one another.
With Royal Rumble and WrestleMania on the horizon, along with the highly anticipated WWE 2K25 launch, it’s shaping up to be an exciting season for WWE fans. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WWE 2K25 ahead of the game’s exciting release.
