WWE star Danhausen has a new tee out on WWE Shop, and while the Very Nice, Very Evil character is getting over pretty big on television, it looks as though he’s feeling the wrath of some fans online.
The design for the new tee is getting allegations of being created using AI. Whilst we are unable to confirm whether it actually has been created using artificial intelligence, there are some potential tell-tale signs that fans have been noticing.
Again, we cannot confirm at this point if this is indeed “AI slop,” but the suggestions from reactions on X like “the p*ss filter” (added to a lot of generative art due to the old Studio Ghibli AI trend that was doing the rounds a year or so ago) and “just look the left hand of Danhausen, no thumb extends like that.”
Why Danhausen is getting dragged on X
While Danhausen isn’t likely the person who designed the image (AI or not), he is being dragged for it because of his previous views on AI usage in art. Back in March 2025 he posted: “Hello, AI still f*cking sucks and you shouldn’t use it for art! Thank you goodbye.”
Again, we cannot confirm either way whether this new merchandise has/is AI art, this is purely speculative on the part of fans who have been putting the image through AI detectors themselves. Take a look at the image below and judge for yourselves:
AJ Styles praised Danhausen’s WWE contributions within a few months of his debut.
Speaking on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles commended Danhausen’s comedic role in WWE citing the need for entertainment in wrestling, an aspect he truly understands.
“He’s doing a great job, and this is what we need. A lot of people don’t understand it. We need a little bit of everything. We want to make sure you get the entertainment from wrestling, but also we want to make you laugh, too, and we got the storylines. We want to give you a little bit of everything. Danhausen is definitely filling the need.”
Styles also talked about his backstage roles in WWE following retirement, and revealed assisting with production for Evolve.
“I was able to see that and work with them. I wasn’t an agent or a producer, as we call it now. But there was, one of our producers needed a little help because he was doing a lot. So I was like, ‘Dude, if you want me to, I’ll do it. I have no problem doing it, and that includes putting the headset on, and calling the match to the TV which I had no idea how to do. But they came to me and was like, ‘Actually dude, you did a really good job because you didn’t say too much. You said enough, you told us where to be, what’s about to happen, where you need cameras.’”
Former WWE commentator and sometimes man for AEW in the booth Jim Ross recently discussed the cuts to the WWE roster following WrestleMania 42 this year. The former WWE Head of Talent Relations noted that while a lot of talents are signed to ‘5 year deals,’ these are not literally ‘you’re signed for five years’ deals, there is (by default) always a cut clause in them.
Speaking on the latest episode of his Grilling Jr podcast, JR would note: “I think probably most of them [the recently released talent] probably got a 90 day out, meaning they get paid for 90 days and they’re free to go where the hell they want. So essentially when you sign those five-year deals, a lot of them have outs, all of them have outs of some sort, and if they don’t? You’re stupid…and WWE is not stupid.”
Jim Ross on 5 year WWE deals
JR also clarified that these ‘5 year deals’ that a lot of talent reportedly signed back in 2024 don’t automatically mean you’re around for the full 5 years: “Just because you got a five-year deal, it doesn’t mean you got five guaranteed years to pay at this particular rate. If I’m a talent, I like the five-year deal, cause it gives me a little bit of security, but it’s not guaranteed unless you negotiate that in your deal, that “I got five years guaranteed and my contract ends in 2032 or something.”
Usually WWE releases have a 90-day no-compete clause if they were main roster contracted talent. NXT talent will usually have a 30-day clause where they cannot appear on another televised competing product.
The relationship between AEW and Jazwares appears to have ended. According to a new report from wrestling figure collector Kyle Peterson: “Late Friday, I got word that, unfortunately, the entire AEW Jazwares team over there at Jazwares were laid off on Friday.”
Jazwares and AEW have been working together since 2020, with the initial release of the Unrivaled collection. This was first announced in February of that year and then got released officially later in 2020. There were a few different collections released, including Vault, Supreme and Unmatched.
AEW and Jazwares deal over?
We have not heard anything officially from either company regarding the toy line or whether or not AEW will be going with a different supplier going forward.
According to WrestlingFigureDatabase, there are a number of unreleased figures that never made it to full production, including:
Unrivaled Collection Series 13 Matt Hardy
Unrivaled Collection Series 14 Chuck Taylor
Unrivaled Collection Series 15 Jade Cargill
Unrivaled Collection Series 15 PAC
Unrivaled Collection Series 4 CM Punk
Check out the video below from Kyle Peterson where he discusses the apparent split between AEW and Jazwares:
The AEW Dynamite and Collision go-home tapings for the AEW All In 2026 event have officially been confirmed, with the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland hosting them on August 26, 2026.
Last year’s All In PPV event took place from Texas, so this year will see the return of All Elite to London, England at Wembley Arena, which has traditionally been the venue for All In historically going back to 2023.
Pre-sale tickets for the double taping will be going on sale today at 10am BST and General Tickets will be available to purchase on Friday, 15th of May at 10am BST.
AEW in Scotland
The last time that AEW held tapings from the OVO Hydro in Glasgow was on August 20th, 2025, which featured The Young Bucks vs Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong, Hiroshi Tanahashi, & Jetspeed vs Death Riders and Athena & Mercedes Moné vs Toni Storm & Alex Windsor.
WWE star Rhea Ripley has uploaded a new workout image to Instagram for the first time since publicly revealing her ongoing battle with an eating disorder.
Ripley originally replied to a post commenting on her build a few weeks ago, saying “just a little eating disorder that I’m actively trying to handle.” Since then her social media feed has been largely been reposts of official WWE content, whereas she used to update fans a lot with selfies and updates from her workouts.
Pro wrestling is a uniquely difficult industry to perform in. Someone of Ripley’s stature (so a weekly character with a huge following) is expected to be “in shape” all of the time, not just for weekly TV, but also for media appearances. Having to contend with that takes an effect on you physically but it is just as difficult mentally.
Rhea Ripley Instagram
The last time that Ripley appears to have posted a workout image to her main Instagram feed is around 8 weeks ago, with her revealing her eating disorder battle around 3 weeks ago (as of writing).
Posting about someone dropping an Instagram image is not something I would normally do, but considering the bravery of Ripley to go public with her struggles, it’s some good news to highlight.
Hopefully this means that she is back on the road to recovery and our best wishes go out to her. You can check out the post from Instagram below:
WWE RAW tonight takes place from the Food City Center in Knoxville, TN, and according to a new report from WrestleTix, 9,196 tickets have been distributed for the show.
For context, the last time the company ran this venue was the 5/30/2025 episode of Smackdown, where 14,598 tickets were distributed. As of writing, the cheapest ticket price available is (Standard Admission): $45.55. For further context on the current number, 11,735 is the reported year to date show average for events in 2026.
This number will likely go up in the hours leading up to the show, with walkups expected alongside potential price cuts to get more punters in the door.
WWE RAW card and segments tonight
Here are all of the matches and segments confirmed for tonight’s show as of writing:
Acknowledgment Ceremony: After losing at Backlash, Jacob Fatu has to “acknowledge” WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns
Oba Femi Open Challenge
The Street Profits & Joe Hendry vs. Bron Breaker, Logan Paul and Austin Theory
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella & Paige appear Live on WWE Raw
F4WOnline’s own Dave Meltzer recently reported that Asuka is “semi-retired” on the post-WWE Backlash edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, saying “the story I heard is that she is semi-retired. I haven’t really gotten an exact meaning of what semi-retired means, but I guess people were wishing her goodbye and things like that backstage. So I don’t know if that means she’s going to Japan and still wrestle. I don’t know if that means she’s going to still do stuff here and there, but I was told semi-retired.”
According to an updated report from Fightful, Asuka signed a long-term WWE deal in the Summer of 2024. Although the exact time frame of that deal is not known, Fightful did note that most were for “five years” at that point.
Asuka WWE contract
TKO has recently been trying to restructure deals with WWE talent, due to the fact that there are now less house shows to work, there is supposedly less travel and performers only need to now wrestle a few times a month.
We do not currently know if Asuka is one of the names who was asked to take a change to her contract, but it would align with her potential change of circumstance going from a full-time performer to “semi-retired.”
We will update more on this story as soon as we have more information.
WWE RAW takes place tonight from Food City Center in Knoxville, TN. This episode will see the fallout of Backlash from Saturday night, and a number of segments and matches have already been confirmed for the broadcast.
Oba Femi will be continuing his Open Challenge, The Street Profits & Joe Hendry will be facing Bron Breaker, Logan Paul and Austin Theory, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella & Paige will be appearing live and there will also be an Acknowledgment Ceremony for Roman Reigns.
WWE RAW card and segments tonight
Here are all of the matches and segments confirmed for tonight’s show:
Acknowledgment Ceremony: After losing at Backlash, Jacob Fatu has to “acknowledge” WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns
Oba Femi Open Challenge
The Street Profits & Joe Hendry vs. Bron Breaker, Logan Paul and Austin Theory
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella & Paige appear Live on WWE Raw
CM Punk will be on the show
Seth Rollins will be on the show
WWE has announced 16 new dates for #WWERaw and #SmackDown this summer!
Tickets for each Live Event will go on sale Friday, May 15, at 10am local time. Fans can purchase individual event tickets during an exclusive presale starting Thursday, May 14, at 10am local.
During a press conference on Monday morning, the four-time IWGP Champion announced that he would be retiring in a matter of months, with his final match taking place on August 15 during the G1 Climax semifinals at Sumo Hall.
Tenzan has only wrestled sporadically in recent years, mainly relegated to the opening match bout where he teams with his longtime tag team partner Satoshi Kojima or remaining Great Bash Heel stablemate Togi Makabe. He hasn’t wrestled since April of last year.
The career of Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Breaking into pro wrestling through their dojo in 1991, Tenzan enjoyed success in NJPW in the mid-1990s teaming with Masahiro Chono before becoming a founding member of nWo Japan in 1997. He would become a prolific IWGP Tag Team Champion, winning the titles 12 times with the likes of Masahiro Chono, Satoshi Kojima, and Osamu Nishimura.
In 2003, he won the IWGP Championship for the first time, defeating Yoshihiro Takayama. He became part of history when he lost the title to Kojima, who became the first person to ever hold the All Japan Triple Crown and IWGP titles simultaneously. Later in his career, he also held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
BREAKING
Hiroyoshi Tenzan announces retirement August 15 in Ryogoku
WWC in Puerto Rico announced on Sunday that the former World Heavyweight Champion would be making an appearance on their 53rd Anniversario show on June 26 in San Juan. This marks his first pro wrestling match since the end of 2024.
Hager is best known for his run in WWE under the name Jack Swagger, where he held the World Heavyweight title at one point before departing the company in 2017. He made appearances during the fourth season of Lucha Underground before jumping to AEW in 2019, where he was mostly associated with Chris Jericho and his various stables early in AEW’s run. Once that group disbanded, Hager was used sparingly before leaving in 2024.
Tony Khan drama & Power Slap debut
In interviews since his departure, Hager has been critical of Tony Khan, saying AEW’s president “can’t make himself a sandwich, let alone write a storyline that will [last]” and said AEW changed when Cody Rhodes left for WWE in 2022.
Last month Hager made his Power Slap debut and won his debut match that took place during WrestleMania 42 weekend.
The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
The local TV business in the early 70s
The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
The growth of TBS
The launching of CNN
How Vince McMahon got on TBS
Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
The role Jim Barnett played
The death of Mid South Wrestling
The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
The death of WCW
How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
Reaction to the death of WCW
Numerous people react to the death
The tribute on AEW television
His exploits in other sports
Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
His charitable work
Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
WWE cuts continue and are looked at
A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
New Day bid farewell
WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
Backlash preview, business notes and odds
Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
New Japan Dontaku coverage
Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
NOAH big show notes
The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
Fantastica Mania Mexico
CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
Lots of injury updates
Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
Champion Carnival down to final four
Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
Raja Jackson case coming to a close
Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
Worldwide YouTuber numbers
Dana White talks McGregor’s return
Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
Mistico wears a BTS-influenced jacket (Image credit: CMLL)
— We have two weekend shows up right now. Last night Bryan and I talked about Backlash, Collision, Ted Turner, Mistico, WWE business and other subjects. Today’s show with Garret, with questions from the current issue of the Observer, the UFC 328 show and more on Ted Turner, wrestling, baseball and cable.
— Happy Mother’s Day for all the mothers out there.
— Last night’s UFC show did the largest numbers the company has done since the first major show on Paramount. So I expect big numbers for CBS when they come out on Tuesday. It was the No. 1 rated show worldwide on Paramount+ for the day, even beating South Park. In fact it was so big that old UFC shows placed No. 10 for the day. Outside of Europe and Australia (where it aired after midnight so it wouldn’t be listed until tomorrow), it was the No. 1 show in every market it aired in on Paramount + other than the U.S., where it was No. 2 to South Park.
— Not a lot coming out of Backlash, although the post-match made it appear that Roman Reigns would be doing something to try and get Jacob Fatu out of WWE starting on tomorrow’s Raw.
— Regarding the details of the John Cena Invitational, we were just told today that this is a work in progress. They wanted to make the announcement but as far as what it is, that is not decided so any speculation of tournament vs. individual matches or how the champions will be set up is just speculation.
— We’re looking for your thoughts on Backlash, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestliing observer.com
— For Google searches, last night’s UFC show led by Sean Strickland’s middleweight title win over Khamzat Chimaev did 1,360,000 searches. WWE Backlash did 254,000. Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano did 10,000.
— There were two very close decisions on last night’s UFC show. Sean Strickland beat Khamzat Chimaev on 47-48, 48-47 and 48-47 scores. I had Chimaev clearly winning rounds and and four, Strickland winning round two and I did have Strickland three and five but both were so close they could have gone the other way. Media scores were 54 percent for Chimaev. This could have gone either way. I still had it open in the last ten seconds that if Chimaev landed strongly I had him winning. Chimaev is not going to ask for a rematch because he’s moving to light heavyweight. He had way too much weight to cut and it made a difference with his stamina.
— Judge Eric Clon went for Strickland winning rounds two, three and five. Sal D’Amato gave Strickland the same three rounds. Sue Sanidad had Strickland winning two and three and Chimaev winning one, four and five. In Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, had Cortez-Acosta winning one and three but most had it the other way. Media scores were 80 percent in favor of Volkov, who won. Judge Jon Bilyk had all three rounds for Vokov. Henry Krawiec had one and two for Volkov. Dave Tirelli had two and three for Volkov.
— Not much in the way of reports on great matches this weekend. Aside from Backlash and the Darby Allin vs. Pac match, we didn’t get anything in the way of recommendations.
— At Arena Mexico on Friday, members of the band BTS were in the front row. Mistico came out with a BTS jacket. Then last night at the BTS concert before 65,000 fans at Estadio GNP Seguros, Jin had a Mistico jacket on and they led the crowd in chants for Mistico. BTS ran three shows in Mexico City. It was reported that when tickets were put on sale that there were 2.1 million people in the queue to buy tickets. Reports were that they turned away 40,000 fans at the stadium last night.
— Group member Yoongi talked last night about being a lifelong fan and his favorites being Rey Mystreio and Eddy Guerrero. Backstage group members were trying to do Mistico moves on each other last night.
— Tonight at Arena Mexico has Mistico & Mascara Drada & Atlantis Jr. vs Averno & Soberano Jr. & Hechicero as the main event.
— The A&E Biography today is on The Four Horsemen at 8 p.m. LFG airs at 10 p.m. and WWE’s Greatest Moments air at 11 and 11:30 p.m. The 11 p.m. show will be on Nitro and the 11:30 p.m. show will be a history of Backlash.
— Tito Santana, born Merced Solis, turned 73 today. Frankie Hill Murdoch, the father of Dick Murdoch, was born on this day in 1909. Billy Sandow, one of the most important figures in pro wrestling history, was born on this day in 1912. Jerry Brown of the Hollywood Blonds tag team was born on this day 1937. Hall of Fame promoter Frank Tunney of Toronto died 43 years ago today at the age of 70. He was the uncle of Jack Tunney, who took over Maple Leaf Wrestling after Frank’s death. Ilio DiPaolo, the biggest pro wrestling regional star ever in Buffalo and also well known for the Italian Restaurant DiPaolo’s (which still exists today after 61 years), died 21 years ago today at 68. Mack York was 90 when he died ten years ago today. Bob Bruggers was 80 when he died two years ago today. So this week’s Observer in 2024 had the story on the 1972 Class of Verne Gagne and Billy Robinson trainees, which included Bruggers, Ric Flair, Ken Patera, Iron Sheik, Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell. The two expected to be the biggest stars were Patera and Bruggers, who was a high school basketball legend and former NFL player. (thanks to Tony Richards)
— CNN aired a documentary last night on the life of Ted Turner. There was no mention of pro wrestling in the documentary.
John Cena realizes his new concept isn’t perfect, but then again, neither is he.
The multi-time WWE Champion took to social media on Sunday to explain his thoughts on the new John Cena Classic event he announced at Backlash, saying it represents himself authentically.
“When asked to give advice, especially with WWE, I often reply ‘be authentic’, ‘do not fear failure’, ‘know your why,’ Cena wrote. “The John Cena Classic may not be perfect by any means yet it’s authentically me (I am not perfect either) and reflects my values and beliefs. I’m aware that there is the risk it might be a total failure and I’m not afraid of that and believe it’s still worth stepping ‘in the arena.’”
Cena wrote further that his goal was to be as useful as possible by creating new opportunities for NXT wrestlers.
“My ‘why’ in WWE is to consistently be as useful as possible for as long as possible, with my in ring career at an end, my ‘why’ is to use whatever energy or relevance I have left in hopes to create a launchpad of opportunity for all talent to show their skills while simultaneously creating a unique experience for our dedicated fan base. At the very least..we all learn something. At the very best..we all create something. I’m ready for wherever the road takes us. Thank you WWE for this opportunity. More details to come as we figure all this out!”
John Cena had been hyping a Backlash announcement all last week
At Backlash, the WWE icon revealed the John Cena Classic as an event that would see NXT wrestlers and WWE main roster stars compete against one another, similar to the undercard of his final match in December. He said that the new champion from the event would be determined via fan vote, noting that even those who lose their match on the show would still be eligible to become champion.
Prior to his reveal, Cena had been promoting his Backlash appearance hard in the last week, saying it would be a ‘defining moment’ in his career.
WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce has announced the lineup for WWE Raw.
Pearce revealed a segment involving Jacob Fatu for Monday’s show, saying that he will take part in a Roman Reigns acknowledgment ceremony.
“Jacob Fatu, fresh off of everything that happened last night at Backlash, will take part in a Roman Reigns acknowledgment ceremony,” Pearce said in the video.
Pearce also announced that WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella and Paige will be live on Raw.
“Brie Bella and Paige, the Women’s Tag Team Champions, will be live in Knoxville to answer the call to be there by Judgment Day. What will take place between these ladies? We will find out in Knoxville.”
Also announced for Monday is a six-man tag team match with The Street Profits and Joe Hendry wrestling The Vision, and the Oba Femi Open Challenge will continue.
This week’s episode of WWE Raw is set for the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The updated lineup is below.
WWE Raw lineup for Monday, May 11, 2026:
Jacob Fatu to take part in a Roman Reigns Acknowledgement Ceremony
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella & Paige to appear
Oba Femi Open Challenge continues
The Street Profits & Joe Hendry vs. The Vision w/Paul Heyman
Your OFFICIAL #WWERaw Mini-Preview for tomorrow night in Knoxville, Tennessee!
Nick Wayne vs. AR Fox for the ROH World TV Championship is set to air this week.
The match was taped on Saturday at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida following the conclusion of AEW Fairway to Hell. ROH announced on Sunday that it will air on Thursday’s episode of ROH on HonorClub.
Spoilers from the taping, courtesy of JJ Williams, are available here.
Nick Wayne is set to be part of the upcoming Best of the Super Juniors 33. The tournament kicks off on May 14 and runs through June 7. It’s his second time in the BOSJ. Last year, he finished with a 4-5 record and eight points. Kosei Fujita would go on to be the winner.
As for AR Fox, he is coming off a loss to Mike Bailey on the May 6 Collision, but has won his last two ROH matches. Fox defeated Daisuke Sasaki at the April 6 ROH tapings in Jacksonville and Action Andretti at the March 22 tapings. He also unsuccessfully challenged Kazuchika Okada for the International Championship at the March 1 tapings.
A huge championship opportunity awaits @ARealFoxx this Thursday on ROH Supercard Showdown as he takes on ROH World TV Champion @thenickwayne for #ROH gold!
