Rusev will be challenging Penta for the WWE Intercontinental Championship tonight on WWE RAW, and he cut a promo on social media ahead of the match hyping the bout.
“It’s a happy day at the Rusev household. Just got the word that tomorrow night, Monday Night Raw, Penta vs Rusev is happening. Finally, finally, finally I’m gonna get my hands one-on-one on Penta. No other five fools trying to jump around from ladders, trying to get between me and my title.
“And I know, I know, I’m not taking Penta lightly. I know about all his fancy tricks, but Rusev is big, Rusev is strong and Rusev is mean, and he’s pissed off. I’m not fighting for another house, for another car, I’m fighting for the thing that matters the most to me, and that is the WWE Intercontinental Title, because I want to go home as a champion. I want to represent my people, my fans, as a champion. They expect it from me and I am going to deliver it for them. So tomorrow night… Rusev crush.”
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega were two of the WWE Superstars released from the company on what is now being dubbed as the latest “Black Friday.” While a lot of people are fantasy booking them as a top-tier TNA act and some are hoping Black returns to AEW, I’d much rather see Black/Tommy End and Zelina Vega head to Japan.
I was a big fan of Tommy End when he was a regular on the UK and European scenes, especially his work in PROGRESS and wXw. There, Black was able to focus more on the in-ring rather than cutting promos for television, so there was less pressure on character beyond his look and abilities when he was actually wrestling.
I think Japan, specifically New Japan, would work perfectly for Black/Tommy End at this point in his career. Having someone with his presence in a world where his in-ring work will do the majority of the talking will do wonders for him. I’m not saying that Black is a bad talker by any stretch, not at all, but I think that bringing his ‘character’ back to the Muay Thai specialist that can finish a match in a heartbeat is where he needs to go right now.
Tommy End can craft a more solid persona outside of America
For me, a lot of the issue with Black’s character in WWE and then AEW is that there wasn’t a huge amount of cohesion. The last time I truly felt like I got his motivations and direction is when he was in NXT doing the aforementioned Muay Thai killer, he didn’t say a whole lot, he got in the ring and produced some incredible work on the black and gold brand.
The Velveteen Dream feud and his matches with Tommaso Ciampa still hold up as the clearest version of this character anyone’s put on screen, for me anyway. The House of Black was a cool stable, and yes Black likely had a lot of input there, but something always felt slightly off.
I think that End needs to have the chance to truly establish what his character is again, away from a creative team, away from outside forces and just let him become who he needs to be. We’ve seen so many times now that acts leaving WWE and then forging their own path have come back even more successful, you just need to look at how Cody Rhodes fully fleshed out his act after dropping WWE/Stardust and how Drew McIntyre became a genuine main event level star at ICW, IMPACT et al before finally making his return.
The problem for Black has been constant repackages, repositions, returns that fizzle out quickly and creative teams pulling him three directions at once. Black needs to rebuild from scratch, away from WWE creative and away from the outside noise.
Zelina Vega can work in STARDOM
Not to make this all about Black though, because Zelina Vega is a solid performer herself and is in no way an afterthought. Thea Trinidad can either work as Black’s mouthpiece in New Japan, work in STARDOM or ideally…do both.
Granted, it has been a long time since Vega appeared in STARDOM (November 2016 was her last match there), but she actually has almost the polar opposite of what Black/End brings to the table. Vega/Trinidad is great on the microphone, and she just needs to be given the opportunity to speak more and be a character performer for a promotion like STARDOM/NJPW, help elevate some of the incredible Joshi talent and bring a different element to the overall presentation.
The package deal is what makes this work: Black needs a stage that lets him be quiet and brutal and Vega needs a stage that lets her talk. NJPW and STARDOM, run as a joint move and it solves both problems in one stroke: he handles the in-ring, she handles the mic in NJPW and gets her matches in with STARDOM, and both of them can rebuild value that WWE has spent years failing to develop.
Jordynne Grace has revealed that she is “actively pushing” to become the first ever Paul Heyman Girl. It’s something that is covered in the MyRise story on WWE 2K26, but it appears as though she is desperate to actually make it happen on television.
Speaking toAussie Heat PW, the former TNA Knockouts Champion revealed just how hard she is trying to push for Paul Heyman to become her mouthpiece:
“I’m actively pushing for it. My dream is to be a Paul Heyman girl, the first ever. So, [I’m] actively pushing for it. I’m messaging all the writers about it. All I need is someone like him and I’ll shoot straight to the top.”
Jordynne Grace as a Paul Heyman Girl
Grace is now on the SmackDown brand after officially joining the company in January 2025. It was clear prior to that how much WWE wanted her in the company, with Grace making multiple appearances on WWE programming whilst still the TNA Knockouts Champ at the time (both on NXT and at the Royal Rumble).
There’s currently no indication that WWE are going with a Heyman/Grace alignment in the near future, but it is clearly something that Grace wants and it would absolutely help her on the main roster.
Is the Paul Heyman Girl storyline happening on WWE TV?
No, not yet anyway. The pairing features in the MyRise mode of WWE 2K26, but there’s no indication WWE is moving in that direction on television. Grace’s comments make clear she’s lobbying writers directly, but a pitch from talent isn’t the same as a creative plan.
What brand is Jordynne Grace on?
She’s currently on the SmackDown roster.
When did Jordynne Grace sign with WWE?
Grace officially joined WWE in January 2025 after her TNA contract expired. She’d already been appearing on WWE programming before then, including a run on NXT and a spot in the 2024 Women’s Royal Rumble while still the reigning TNA Knockouts Champion.
WWE RAW will be heading to the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas tonight as the WrestleMania fallout continues and we start heading towards Backlash. A number of segments have already been confirmed for the show, including Roman Reigns giving Jacob Fatu his answer to the title challenge he made last week.
Roman Reigns will confront Jacob Fatu after Fatu challenged him for the World Heavyweight Championship.
The new Women’s Intercontinental Champion, Becky Lynch, will return.
CM Punk, Becky Lynch, Liv Morgan, Stephanie Vaquer, Rhea Ripley, and Logan Paul are scheduled to appear.
Seth Rollins will be starting the show
Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez
What time does WWE RAW start tonight?
RAW airs Monday nights at 8/7c on Netflix in the US. UK viewers can catch it live at 1am Tuesday morning, also on Netflix.
Where is WWE RAW being held tonight?
Tonight’s show comes from the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas.
How can I watch WWE RAW?
RAW streams exclusively on Netflix worldwide, having moved off cable in January 2025. You’ll need an active Netflix subscription to watch live or on demand.
Is Becky Lynch defending her title tonight?
No defence has been confirmed. Lynch is scheduled to appear in her first RAW since winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, but the segment is being billed as a return rather than a title match.
Former WWE Superstar Carmella has teased a return to the ring. The former WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion reacted to B3CCA using what appeared to be a version of her Code Of Silence submission on AEW Collision this week against Kris Statlander.
‘Mella claimed that there is a “a difference between homage and theft,” and that she “didn’t retire.” Carmella would then tease that she might have to “come back” to show current stars how it is really done.
Carmella has been out of action since 2023, with her last match taking place at Madison Square Garden in a Road to WrestleMania house show where she teamed with Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai & IYO SKY) and Piper Niven.
Could Carmella go to AEW?
Despite ‘Mella reacting to an AEW clip, there’s currently no indication that she will be making her in-ring return, if it does happen, with All Elite Wrestling. There’s no word on whether she’s expected for a WWE return anytime soon either.
hmmm.. there’s a difference between homage and theft…
I didn’t retire, I had two babies… might have to come back and show these bitches how it’s really done🤑 https://t.co/zxRgh3RWDB
Carmella’s last match was a Road to WrestleMania house show at Madison Square Garden in March 2023, where she teamed with Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY) and Piper Niven.
Is Carmella still signed to WWE?
Her contract status hasn’t been publicly confirmed either way. She remains officially listed on WWE’s roster page, but she hasn’t appeared on television in over two years.
Who is B3CCA?
B3CCA is an independent wrestler that has been appearing on Collision recently. The submission she used on Kris Statlander this week is what prompted Carmella’s “homage and theft” response on social media.
Fightful reported on Sunday that talent started to find out about the releases around 5 pm ET on Friday, with the word “departures” being used to describe the situation. Internal emails were sent out to some of WWE’s departments notifying them of the cuts. According to Fightful’s sources Triple H, Nick Khan, and WWE talent relations were the “primary decision makers” behind making the move.
Additionally, sources said that the majority of the releases were made in order to make way for new talent. Fightful also noted a recent Bodyslam+ report about SmackDown moving back to two hours in the near future.
Regarding Kairi Sane’s release, Fightful said that there was “a ton of shock” towards her departure. Sane had been regularly featured on television in the weeks leading to WrestleMania 42 where she was an active participant in a storyline revolving around herself, IYO SKY, and Asuka. It was asaid that there was “heavy frustration” to her being released before the payoff to that story was completed.
On the NXT releases, it was noted that new Performance Center signings are expected to be announced soon.
Among the names cut on Friday include Sane, all of the Wyatt Sicks, Aleister Black & Zelina, and the Motor City Machine Guns on the main roster while Tyra Mae Steele, Luca Crusifino, and Dante Chen were among the NXT names. Carlee Bright, who was not listed on Friday, confirmed her departure on Sunday.
Shane McMahon and Dana White were among those in attendance at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday night.
The event was halted after gunshots were fired near the main security screening at the Washington Hilton in D.C., where the dinner was taking place. President Donald Trump and members of his cabinet were quickly evacuated by Secret Service agents.
Andrew Solender of Axios captured Linda McMahon, the current Secretary of Education, being evacuated along with Shane. White attended the dinner and recalled what he experienced to USA Today.
“Inside, the whole event just started getting noisy, tables getting flipped over, guys running in with guns and they were screaming `Get down. I didn’t get down. It was f****** awesome. I literally took every minute of it in, it was a pretty crazy, unique experience. We were sitting right in front of the table, right in front of where the president was. Nobody got tackled but a guy came in looking for shooters and then came toward the table. I thought the shooter was by us or something.”
A suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, was taken into custody immediately after the incident unfolded.
Nathan Frazer has nothing but praise for the Motor City Machine Guns.
Following the announcement of their release on Friday, Frazer wrote a long post on social media thanking Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley not only for their contributions, but also for the time spent together in the last year.
“Your first year on the main roster can seem pretty daunting. But when we got called up, they made us feel at home within an instant. All the laughs, the jokes, training in the ring before the show every single week… we’ve shared so many incredible moments in and out the ring. Getting to work with them multiple times has been a dream come true,” he wrote. “But honestly the best times has been getting to know each other on a deeper, personal level. We all just instantly clicked. When I say they adopted on us on the road, it’s not an exaggeration. Selfishly, it’s gonna really suck not seeing them every single week. But we’re so excited to see what they do next.”
“When it’s all said and done, we’ll look back on this past year as some of the best times of our entire life. For all you’ve done for the business, and for the impact you’ve left on left on us personally…Thank you, MCMG,” he concluded.
The longtime TNA stars signed with the company in 2024 and won the WWE Tag Team titles from DIY shortly after their debut. After they lost the titles they spent the next year wrestling the likes of the Street Profits, DIY, and other teams on SmackDown. In recent weeks, the two had been teasing a split over Shelley’s concern for Johnny Gargano, who remains in a despondent state over his career.
There genuinely aren’t even words that could articulate just how much MCMG mean to us. But I will try and do my best.
As a tag team, they are one of our biggest inspirations. That goes without even saying. But as people, as friends, as brothers, the gap they leave behind will… pic.twitter.com/mYbw01BDmA
Tiffany Stratton says she is determined to make sure she isn’t left off the WrestleMania card again.
Stratton did not wrestle at WrestleMania 42 this year, though the 26-year-old rebounded by defeating Giulia for the WWE Women’s United States Championship on the April 24 episode of SmackDown.
During a recent interview with Joey Karni, Stratton said she focuses on what she can control and plans to do everything in her power to avoid missing WrestleMania again.
Stratton said:
“I feel like my mindset has always been just kind of controlling what I can control, which is making the most out of all my segments, making the most out of my matches, making sure I’m delivering on everything and having really good matches with everybody.
Unfortunately, being on WrestleMania wasn’t in the cards for me this year. However, that just kind of leaves me with a chip on my shoulder for next year, and I’m going to do everything in my power to never let that happen ever again.”
Later in the interview, Stratton said she believes missing this year’s WrestleMania could lead to bigger opportunities in the future, including this year’s SummerSlam, which will be held in her home state of Minnesota.
Stratton said:
“I fully believe everything happens for a reason. Me not being on this year’s Mania is setting me up for something bigger. Whether that’s SummerSlam in Minnesota this year and fighting for the WWE Women’s Championship or main eventing next year’s WrestleMania, I fully believe everything happens for a reason.”
Stratton’s United States title win on Friday marked the third singles championship reign of her WWE career. She is also a former NXT Women’s Champion and former WWE Women’s Champion. Stratton also won the Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase in 2024.
Stratton’s full discussion with Joey Karni is available below.
People in NXT are questioning the purpose of WWE LFG following Friday’s roster cuts.
Season 1 winner of the show and Olympic gold medalist Tyra Mae Steele was part of WWE roster cuts revealed on Friday. Our own Bryan Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on X Sunday that there are people in NXT questioning what the purpose of WWE LFG is if the winner is just going to be cut.
“A lot of people in NXT questioning what the point of LFG is if they’re just going to cut the winner.”
Steele had been wrestling on episodes of EVOLVE prior to being part of Friday’s roster cuts. She challenged Kendal Grey for the WWE EVOLVE Women’s Championship in a match taped on February 20 that aired March 11.
Her last WWE match came at the March 20 EVOLVE taping at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, where she competed in a gauntlet match for an EVOLVE Women’s title shot won by Wendy Choo.
Nikki Cross has posted a statement on what it meant to her to be included as a member of the Wyatt Sicks.
Cross portrayed the live-action Abby the Witch character, based on Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Funhouse persona, within the group. She posted the following on social media Sunday:
“Wyatts. Abby. It was the honour of a lifetime. Forever I will hold onto you. Our raggedy torn dirty white bloodstained dress and the cracked mask that showed off the scars but never broken.
Fireflies. I love you beyond measure. Thank you for lighting the way ✨ Being with you all in Las Vegas last week was fate.
Il never forget entrances at the Clash of the Castle in Paris , Australia, Poland, Germany, or any arena which would light up in the most beautiful way. 💫
Every night we performed for you all, it felt like Bray and Brodie were there, their hands on our shoulders.
Thank you to the Windham family ❤️
Thank you to the Huber Family.
❤️
When backstage people would refer to us as the ‘Wyatts’,
I would feel so much pride and I always will.
Jason and Mandy – we couldn’t have done it without you guys ❤️ Lexi , your tribute at mania was beautiful and forever connected ⭕️
To my family, the boys: the Wyatt Sicks. To Bo. To Dexter. To Rowan. To Gacy. ❤️
To Bray. To Brodie Lee. 🕊️
I’m struggling to find the right words to talk about our journey. In time I will, so please allow me to share photos which capture the words I don’t have currently. Please know that I love you all.
Abby the Witch. Wyatt Sicks. Fireflies.
⭕️
I will treasure you always.
I felt it all with you ❤️”
Cross, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Bo Dallas, and Erik Rowan were part of WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts revealed Friday.
Cross signed with WWE in April 2016 and debuted in NXT that same month. She later became part of Sanity alongside Alexander Wolfe, Killian Dain, and Eric Young. She made her main roster debut in late 2018 and later formed a tag team with Alexa Bliss known as Bliss Cross. In 2021, she introduced a superhero character. In 2024, she returned as part of the Wyatt Sicks.
During her WWE run, Cross was a one-time Raw Women’s Champion, a three-time Women’s Tag Team Champion, twice with Bliss and once with Rhea Ripley, and won the Women’s Money in the Bank briefcase in 2021.
Wyatts. Abby. It was the honour of a lifetime. Forever I will hold onto you. Our raggedy torn dirty white bloodstained dress and the cracked mask that showed off the scars but never broken.
Fireflies. I love you beyond measure. Thank you for lighting the way ✨ Being with you… pic.twitter.com/7Fo5BXSFoU
Kairi Sane being part of WWE roster cuts on Friday is a riddle I can’t seem to solve.
At the time of her departure, there was no evidence she was on the chopping block at all. WWE had invested screen time in her story, and she’d even beaten IYO SKY in her last singles match on the 4/13 Raw.
Everyone was waiting for her to finally stand up for herself against Asuka, leading to what I, and I’m sure many others, assumed would be a long-running program between the two.
Was Kairi Sane’s WWE departure unexpected?
By all public accounts, nobody saw Sane’s departure coming.
IYO SKY mentioned that in her post to Sane on Saturday, writing:
“I understand that everyone, as an athlete, eventually faces a turning point when thinking about their life and career, but I feel so heartbroken that it came at such an unexpected time.”
Bayley wrote that she was having trouble “wrapping her head around this one” in regards to Sane’s departure as well.
“I’m having a hard time finding words for this one. I love you and it was an honor to tell stories with you.”
When exactly the decision was made that Kairi would be part of the cuts is not clear.
Kairi Sane and Aleister Black releases share similarities
Sane and Aleister Black being cut from WWE was either a late decision, or the old idea of beating someone before they leave the territory is not known to TKO.
Black was released after having won his final three singles matches against Randy Orton on 2/20, Sami Zayn on 3/20, and Matt Cardona on 4/3. Even when he left AEW, he’d lost his final two matches (to Adam Cole and to Adam Copeland), after having only dropped one throughout the rest of his time with the company.
Sane was coming off a singles win over IYO SKY on the 4/13 Raw. Her absence will be a giant elephant in the room during anything to do with Asuka now for fans who had been invested in the story the two had been telling.
All of this suggests WWE either didn’t prepare for Sane or Black leaving, didn’t know it was going to happen, or it was decided at the last minute.
Who made the decision to cut Kairi Sane?
This may not feel like a Triple H decision, but nobody forced his hand here.
Roster cuts are a Triple H decision with Nick Khan input. Our own Dave Meltzer has been explaining this to people online the last few days.
“Nobody above Levesque is saying who to cut. Maybe Nick Khan, maybe not. Ari Emanuel isn’t sitting there saying we have to fire Zelina and Kairi. By and large the decision maker, for good or for bad, here is Paul. It’s like in other years where people blamed this person or that person when the decision was 100 percent Vince.
There’s not a chance TKO is ordering who to cut. It is possible they’ve got an unofficial salary cap and Levesque as the manager has to keep the number below that. Most likely the salary total would be a Khan decision, and as far as the key in the personnel decision, that’s Levesque although Khan having input and others having input is likely. It’s like Vince would consult with a few people but at the end, it was Vince’s call, not evil Jim Ross or evil Johnny Ace or evil JJ Dillon.”
“You think a guy at the level of Ari Emanuel is deciding on whether or not to keep Kairi Sane? You’re kidding yourself,” Meltzer continued.
What’s next for Kairi Sane?
I imagine, whatever she wants. Everyone will want her.
Tony Khan will want her. Stardom will want her back. TNA probably thinks she’d make an excellent addition to the Undead Realm, and Juggalo Championship Wrestling would love to put her in an angle that has something to do with who controls the company.
Kairi Sane’s departure from WWE isn’t bad for wrestling, it’s just bad for WWE.
Raw General Manager Adam Pearce has announced the lineup for Monday’s show.
He revealed on Sunday that Penta vs. Rusev and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez were added to the lineup. Pearce also noted that Roman Reigns will make his decision regarding Jacob Fatu’s challenge for WWE Backlash, while Seth Rollins will kick off the broadcast.
“I can confirm the OTC Roman Reigns will make his decision about Jacob Fatu’s challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash,” Pearce said.
Previously announced for the show are a Joe Hendry concert, a Becky Lynch appearance, and appearances by Reigns and Fatu.
Monday’s show is set for the Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas.
WWE Raw lineup for Monday, April 27, 2026:
Seth Rollins to kick off show
Joe Hendry concert
Becky Lynch appearance
Roman Reigns to give his answer to Jacob Fatu
Penta vs. Rusev
Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez w/Liv Morgan
Your OFFICIAL #WWERaw Mini-Preview for tomorrow night in the Gateway City…Laredo, Texas!
“Thank you, @wwe, for eleven incredible years. Wow. Eleven years. What an incredible journey. I feel blessed to have had a career in WWE that lasted that long. Thanks to everyone who sent me messages or texts. Even if I didn’t reply, just know I’m grateful.
Throughout my career, I was fortunate to suffer only one serious injury that sidelined me for a significant amount of time. I’ve been lucky to experience many amazing moments during my time with WWE. It’s been a fun ride, and I appreciate everyone who supported me along the way. To everyone I shared the ring with… thank you.
All things come to an end. This is my time.“
Several wrestlers responded to Crews’ post as well, including Natalya and Nikki Cross.
Natalya wrote to Crews, “I’m very excited to see what’s next for you, knowing the person you are and that you have the most amazing attitude of anyone I know. I’m very proud to call you a true friend.”
Cross responded to Crews, “dude, you are the best! I will miss our chats about school and life. You always brought such positive vibes ✨ Can’t wait to see what’s next on your journey. Love to you and your family. 👊🏻”
Prior to signing with WWE in late 2014, Crews wrestled as Uhaa Nation for promotions such as Dragon Gate and EVOLVE.
His final WWE match was the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Friday’s SmackDown. Crews is a former one-time Intercontinental Champion and one-time United States Champion with the promotion.
