Dave Meltzer has a new article up looking at Netflix’s numbers for the last two weeks of Raw as well as additional information on WrestleMania 42 and the Hulk Hogan: Real American docuseries.
Category: WWE News
Kairi Sane: ‘I’ve never walked away, and I’ve given my all in everything I do’
Kairi Sane has responded to a recent report.
In a new post on social media on Tuesday, Sane seemed to respond to a report from this website indicating that she had signaled to WWE officials that she wanted to move back home to Japan.
“What I can say is I know there’s been a lot of speculation, but I truly love this work, my teammates, and my fans. I’ve never walked away, and I’ve given my all in everything I do. I hope you’re all doing well,” she wrote.
On Tuesday morning’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said that Sane “had kinda indicated she wanted to move back” to Japan, and that could have been a factor in WWE choosing to release her.
Sane’s release this past Friday along with a slew of other main roster and NXT talent was shocking to fans, as Sane was in the middle of a storyline involving herself, Asuka, and IYO SKY. Asuka briefly mentioned dropping Kairi on this week’s Raw without explicitly naming her, challenging SKY to a match at Backlash for next month.
“I’m truly grateful to have people like you by my side. Thank you for always being with me. I’ll set sail… in my own time. Until then…I love you,” she wrote after the news broke.
WWE Raw after WrestleMania does fourth-best viewership ever in Netflix era
The Raw after a much-discussed WWE WrestleMania 42 did the show’s fourth-best ever numbers in the Netflix era.
Revealed by the streamer’s weekly Tudum charts, the April 20 episode brought in 3.3 million global viewers — 300,000 viewers shy of the previous year’s Raw after WrestleMania (3.6 million) and just ahead of this past January’s Netflix anniversary episode (3.2 million).
The global hours viewed were 6.6 million, tied for third-best all time with the back-to-back January 20 and January 27, 2025, episodes. It also had a 1:59 listed runtime which was up from previous episodes.
The episode was fourth overall globally, tying a slew of other episodes for its highest-ever ranking on that list. It was a top ten show in 22 countries and was fourth overall in the U.S.
The first season of Unchosen led the week with 10.4 million global views and 46.9 million global hours viewed.
Last reported 10 weeks of WWE Raw on Netflix viewership:
| Episode date | Global Views | Global Hours |
| April 20, 2026 | 3.3 million | 6.6 million |
| April 13, 2026 | 2.9 million | 5.6 million |
| April 6, 2026 | 2.9 million | 5.5 million |
| March 30, 2026 | 3.0 million | 5.5 million |
| March 23, 2026 | 2.9 million | 5.5 million |
| March 16, 2026 | 3.0 million | 5.9 million |
| March 9, 2026 | 2.8 million | 5.0 million |
| March 2, 2026 | 3.0 million | 5.4 million |
| February 23, 2026 | 2.8 million | 5.6 million |
| February 16, 2026 | 2.7 million | 4.9 million |
| Average for last 10 weeks | 2.93 million | 5.55 million |
Injury updates on Stephanie Vaquer & Talla Tonga
Editor’s note: This originally appeared in our members only section.
There are updates on both Stephanie Vaquer and Talla Tonga, courtesy of our Bryan Alvarez.
Vaquer was taken out backstage on Monday’s WWE Raw by Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez. Perez rammed a equipment box into Vaquer’s shoulder. and it was later stated by Michael Cole that Vaquer sustained a second degree AC sprain due to the attack and “would be out for a bit.”
Alvarez said the injury is legitimate and is likely the sprain they reference last night. It’s unclear where the injury was first sustained.
Vaquer last wrestled at WrestleMania 42 in a losing effort to Liv Morgan.
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Tonga has been out of action since the April 17 SmackDown when he was in the Andre the Giant memorial battle royal. His absence on last Friday’s SmackDown brought into question whether he had been released given the day’s cuts since he wasn’t mentioned on the show.
Alvarez said Tonga is out with an undisclosed injury, but is expected back fairly soon.
Injury updates on Stephanie Vaquer & Talla Tonga | Exclusive
Our Bryan Alvarez has injury updates on two WWE stars: Stephanie Vaquer and Talla Tonga.
JD McDonagh discusses roles he would like to pursue after wrestling retirement
JD McDonagh seems to already have his post-retirement plans figured out.
In an interview with German Suplex Talk, McDonagh addressed potential roles he wishes to pursue once done with wrestling for good. He stated that wrestling was a big part of his growing up and hopes to take on a backstage role as a producer, mentoring new talents or even the possibility of opening a wrestling academy in Ireland.
“I can’t really picture my life without wrestling. I’ve been doing wrestling since I was 12 years old. So I feel like when the day comes that I can’t get into the ring anymore, and I’m at the level that I’m happy with, and I have to pack it in, I still want to be involved and around wrestling. Whether that’s as a producer, helping new stars put their matches together, I don’t know, maybe I’ll go back to Ireland and open my own gym. You know, the Irish Academy or something like that. I don’t know, I haven’t really thought that far ahead, to be honest with you, I’m solely focused on right now.”
McDonagh was moved to Raw as a part of the 2023 WWE Draft. Shortly after Finn Balor, who mentored him in the early years of his career, persuaded him to join The Judgment Day. When the group imploded in March, McDonagh also attacked Balor signifying his sentiments towards his former mentor. Balor and McDonagh collided in a singles match on Raw last week. While Balor celebrated his win, Dominik Mysterio ambushed and attacked him.
At WrestleMania 42, McDonagh participated in the six-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Title.
Bryan Alvarez’s WWE Raw report for subscribers
Our Bryan Alvarez has posted his weekly look at WWE Raw which saw the Backlash main event set and much more.
Click here to read (sub needed)
Natalya offers condolences following Marc Izard’s passing
Natalya offered condolences to Marc Izard’s family after news of his passing.
Izard attended Natalya’s book signing in Las Vegas on April 16 and was spotted leaving SmackDown the following night. Natalya had shared a post earlier about his missing status and urged fans to come forward if they had any details. On hearing about his passing, Natalya tweeted that the news was heartbreaking and offered condolences to Izard’s family during this tough time.
“Hearing about the passing of someone from our wrestling family, Marc Izard, is heartbreaking. Wrestling brings people together in such a special way, and moments like this remind us how precious life truly is. My thoughts are with Marc’s family, friends, and everyone who loved him,” tweeted Natalya.
Izard was from the United Kingdom who was in Las Vegas for WWE WrestleMania 42 weekend. On Monday, Las Vegas Review Journal reported that the Clark County coroner’s office had announced Izard had passed away on April 18. It happened at the 1730 block of Las Vegas Boulevard South between East St. Louis Avenue and Oakley Boulevard. Further details regarding the cause and manner of his death are pending.
Motor City Machine Guns expected to sign with AEW following WWE exit
The Motor City Machine Guns were released by WWE last Friday. Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin confirmed their exit via social media while promoting their band’s new EP.
According to Fightful Select, sources at Shelley and Sabin’s former promotion, TNA, are open to the tag team’s possible comeback. However, they expect Motor City Machine Guns to eventually sign with AEW. There is no confirmation on whether any deal has been made yet.
Shelley and Sabin were largely associated with TNA from 2007 until 2012 and then brief stints from 2022 onwards. The duo signed with WWE in September 2024 and a month later won the Tag Team Titles on SmackDown.
Between their TNA return and wrestling on independent promotions nearly four years ago, Motor City Machine Guns also debuted in AEW. They participated in the six-man tag team match, partnering with Jay Lethal against FTR and Wardlow at All Out 2022.
Nick Hogan would ‘absolutely welcome’ opportunity to pursue wrestling career
Nick Hogan expressed his first reaction to watching the final version of Hulk Hogan: Real American docuseries. He also commented on his potential in-ring career.
Speaking on the Bonus Edition of 83 Weeks Podcast, Nick Hogan addressed the possibility of pursuing a wrestling career like his father. He stated often knocking off ring rust, being in good shape and open to the idea if ever given the opportunity.
“Oh my goodness, you never know. I bounced around here and there and knock the ring rust off every now and again. I’ve been attracted to it my whole life. So, I will say I’m in a pretty darn good shape right now and it’s not unfamiliar territory. So, if the time ever comes or if the opportunity ever presents itself, I would absolutely welcome that.”
Nick also talked about how Hulk Hogan’s real dynamic was presented in the documentary.
“That was the point of this project was for people to understand how dynamic of a person he is. And I say that a lot is that, you know, the character was dynamic. He was a good guy, he was a bad guy. And there’s all these different nuances to the character. But as a person, you know, he was equally as dynamic, if not more. He was, you know, he was everything that you see as Hulk Hogan, but he was also a terrific human being. And he was so good with people, and he took time with everybody that wanted to talk to him. And he spent so much time putting goodwill into the community. And he did so many things for children with illnesses and the Boys and Girls Club. And I think that he really pulled back the curtain on a lot of that part of him for this documentary.”
Around 2019 a Hulk Hogan biopic was discussed featuring Chris Hemsworth as the lead. However, multiple cancellations and concerns led to the delay. In the interview, Nick stated that despite the delay it remains a possibility.
The Hulk Hogan: Real American docuseries premiered on April 22 on Netflix.
Dakota Kai reveals Bayley’s original pitch for an all-women’s faction in WWE
Dakota Kai revisited her WWE return at SummerSlam 2022 citing how Bayley pushed for her return as a part of an all-women’s faction. She also revealed two other names originally considered but ultimately were not a part of the group.
Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on the latest Insight Podcast episode, Kai discussed her WWE return, forming Damage CTRL with Bayley and IYO SKY. Bayley called and informed her about the pitch she made to Triple H about the women’s only faction. Kai was uncertain given how it was during her first release from the company.
“That whole thing came out of the blue. It was probably two days before SummerSlam, and Pam, Bayley, just texts me out of the blue. She’s like, ‘Hey, I just pitched this to Hunter.’ I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ So she was talking about an all-women’s faction for years, like, since I was starting at NXT, she’d always been pitching this idea of, ‘I want an all-women’s faction. Think this would be so cool. I hope we get the chance.’”
Kai revealed that a year before that SummerSlam, Bayley was pushing for the same pitch including Raquel Rodriguez and Alba Fyre in the fold.
“And then the year before SummerSlam, we actually were at the Performance Center. It was me, IYO Bayley, and also Raquel and Alba Fyre, and we were taking photos together as a female unit to try and have Pam basically pitch to Hunter and be like, ‘Hey, this is what I want.’”
“Nothing really came from that. But then she texts me a few days before SummerSlam, ‘I pitched it again, I really want you to be a part of this.’ And even at that point, I’m not with the company. I’m like, ‘Yeah, right, dude. You really think this is gonna happen?’ And then next thing (it happened).”
In May last year, Kai was released from WWE ending her three-year run stint. She stepped away from wrestling for a while before making her in-ring return in December, using the ring name Charlie. Kai competed at Wrestle Queendom VIII taking on Kris Statlander for the Pro-Wrestling: EVE International Championship.
Fan who went missing during WWE WrestleMania 42 weekend found dead
A wrestling fan who went missing during WrestleMania 42 weekend has been found dead.
According to the Las Vegas Review Journal, the Clark County corner’s office announced on Monday that Mark Izard, 43, died on April 18 at the 1730 block of Las Vegas Boulevard South between East St. Louis Avenue and Oakley Boulevard. The cause and manner of his death are still pending.
Izard, who was from the United Kingdom, was last photographed taking a picture of WWE star Natalya during her book signing on April 16. He was last seen the following day leaving SmackDown, which was held at the T-Mobile Arena. He did not make his plane ride back home and hadn’t been in touch since.
PerchedTopRope on social media shared a missing poster featuring Izard that gained traction, with Natalya sharing their post.
“We’re very sad by this outcome. RIP,” they wrote. “I did not know Marc, but my friends remember seeing him at WWE World. My heart breaks for his family. He came to the USA to have a good time at WrestleMania and sadly passed away. May he Rest In Peace.”
Stephanie Vaquer injury angle takes place during WWE Raw
An injury angle took place on Raw involving Stephanie Vaquer.
The now former Women’s World Champion was seen arriving at the arena on Monday when she was jumped by Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, the latter of whom pushed an equipment box right into Vaquer, crashing it into her shoulder area. Liv Morgan grabbed Vaquer by the hair and told her that this was now her championship.
Later in the show, Michael Cole noted that Vaquer had suffered a second degree AC sprain in her shoulder during the attack and as a result, would be out “for a bit.”
Vaquer last wrestled at WrestleMania, losing the Women’s World Championship to Morgan, who celebrated her victory on last week’s Raw. She was interrupted by Sol Ruca and the two ended up having a match. Although Ruca looked strong, interference by former friend Zaria helped Morgan score the victory.
On Monday, it was announced that Ruca would be signing her Raw contract on next week’s show, firmly establishing her as part of the red brand.
Nick Hogan says Hulk Hogan biopic remains a possibility
Shortly before the pandemic, word started to spread that a Hulk Hogan biopic was in the works for Netflix. That project was eventually scrapped, but following the success of the streaming service’s Hogan documentary, might a Hulkster movie still be in the cards?
Hogan’s son Nick discussed the idea with Eric Bischoff in an appearance on 83 Weeks.
“I definitely think there is potential for that,” the younger Hogan said. “I think there is absolutely potential.”
Names formerly attached to the project include Todd Phillips, director of Joker, and Chris Hemsworth, best known for playing Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“When all that talk was happening with Chris Hemsworth, I thought that was cool because I’m a huge Chris Hemsworth fan,” he said. “I love the Thor movies and all his projects. He’s an excellent actor. His phsyique and the way he looks, he would play a great Hulk Hogan. That would be really cool.”
And if Hemsworth wasn’t available all these years later? “Even if it wasn’t him, or if it was a different project, I think there is a lot of meat on the bone for his story to be told in that way and I would really love to see that,” Nick said. “I think it’s definitely possible.”
Bischoff then said he had been in contact with Scott Silver, whose screenwriting credits include Joker and 8 Mile. Bischoff agreed that a Hogan movie could be possible.
WWE Raw notes: Kairi Sane chants, Oba Femi, Joe Hendry
Notes from Monday’s Raw.
The IYO SKY and Asuka storyline continued on Raw, with Asuka costing SKY the Women’s Intercontinental title after a distraction. After Becky Lynch retained the title, Asuka entered the ring and latched on the Asuka lock to further hammer her point home. Loud chants of ‘We Want Kairi’ could be heard as Asuka ended the segment stood tall.
Kairi Sane ended up being one of the more shocking releases on Friday, which saw cuts across both WWE and NXT. Over the weekend, ‘We Want Kairi’ trended on social media with fans hoping WWE would reverse their decision, similar to when R-Truth was released and later brought back last year.
After Grayson Waller complained about everyone else getting opportunities, he started to complain about Oba Femi, saying he was overrated and only beat Brock Lesnar at the end of his career. Femi was right behind him and told Adam Pearce to make the match. After the quick victory, Femi said that with all the top champions tied up, he would officially start his own open challenge, offering anyone back in the locker room a chance to stand up.
On the same show, Joe Hendry appeared and held a concert with a new song making it clear that he had signed with Raw. Austin Theory and Logan Paul came out and heckled Hendry, who ended up calling them losers. They got into a brawl until the Street Profits came out for the save.
Later, the Profits welcomed Hendry to Raw and suggested he change his blue shirt to a red one.