Tag: WWE

Former WWE wrestler Curtis Axel arrested for DWI in McDonald’s drive-thru incident

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former WWE wrestler Curtis Axel (Joseph Hennig) is facing several charges related to an incident that took place at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Minnesota.

Records show that Axel was arrested in Anoka County on May 17 on charges of DWI (refusing to submit to chemical test) and failing to stop for an accident. The Watch MN reports that charges also include obstructing the legal process, having an open bottle of alcohol in his car, and disorderly conduct. Axel was released from jail on May 19.

According to an arrest report obtained by The Watch MN, police were dispatched to a McDonald’s in St. Francis shortly before 9 p.m. due to a property damage crash where a vehicle backed into another in the drive-thru. Police found Axel slowly navigating the parking lot and claim that he smelled strongly of alcohol, had bloodshot and watery eyes, and was slurring his speech. An open bottle of vodka was found in the vehicle.

Police say the 46-year-old Axel had to physically be removed from his vehicle, was swearing at them, and uttered a slur.

“When instructed to step out of the vehicle, Hennig reportedly refused,” The Watch MN wrote. “Officers subsequently opened the door, reached inside to turn off the engine, and placed the keys on the passenger seat. After continued defiance, officers physically removed Hennig from the truck, escorted him to the ground, and handcuffed him. While seated in the squad car, an officer read him the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory. Hennig allegedly refused chemical testing and responded with profanities, including, ‘I don’t give a s***,’ and ‘f*** you, you f*****.'”

Axel is also said to have sworn at the McDonald’s staff and the female driver that he backed into.

“During the investigation, a McDonald’s employee reported that Hennig had been mumbling in the drive-thru before pulling forward, swearing at staff, and backing into another vehicle,” The Watch MN’s report says. “He then allegedly opened his door and yelled at the female driver, calling her a ‘b****’ and a ‘p****.’ An inventory search of his vehicle prior to towing yielded a 750 mL open bottle of Phillips vodka on the front passenger-side floorboard.”

The most serious of the charges Axel is facing, the two related to DWI/DUI, are classified as gross misdemeanors, which are serious misdemeanors that do not rise to the level of a felony.

Curtis Axel in WWE —

Axel, the son of late wrestling legend Curt Hennig, is a former WWE Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion. He was released by the company amid the COVID pandemic in 2020 but later returned in 2022 for a brief stint as a part-time producer. His biggest push as a wrestler came when WWE paired him with manager Paul Heyman. Axel was later part of WWE’s comedic B-Team faction.

In May of last year, Axel competed in an indie match for Midwest All-Star Wrestling in Minnesota.

Curtis Axel WWE mugshot
Mugshot of Joseph Hennig from May 17 arrest. (Image credit: Anoka County arrest records)

AJ Styles visits Florida wrestling school, Nattie’s Dungeon

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AJ Styles spent some time this week passing on his knowledge to the next generation.

The 48-year-old Styles visited Fight the World Wrestling Academy, which is located in Florida and run by NWA wrestlers Bryan Idol, Natalia Markova, and Mike Mondo. He later stopped by Natalya & TJ Wilson’s Dungeon on Wednesday to help out during a training session.

“Most people never even get CLOSE to a ring…our students are learning directly from people who’ve main-evented WrestleMania, traveled the world, and actually lived this business,” FTW Academy posted. “Thank you to The Phenomenal One AJ Styles for a great class! See you again soon.”

Wednesday was Natalya’s 44th birthday, and she said Styles’ visit was the best gift she could have gotten. She and her husband Wilson (Tyson Kidd) hold weekly, invite-only training sessions in their ring at no cost to those who attend.

“I had the most PHENOMENAL birthday today sweating with my Dungeon family alongside [AJ Styles],” Natalya posted. “AJ gave us all the answers to the test… and then some. He got in there, wrestled, pushed us, and shared his knowledge with everyone in the room.

“He’s truly one of the greatest wrestlers of our generation, and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday gift. Learning. Growing. Being challenged. Feeling inspired all over again to keep chasing my wildest dreams and to never stop striving for greatness.”

Sessions at The Dungeon are attended by up-and-coming wrestlers as well as TV names who are looking to work on things. WWE’s Ilja Dragunov, who is there regularly, was among those in attendance this week.

AJ Styles’ post-retirement WWE role —

Styles had his final match this January, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in April, and now works for the company in a behind-the-scenes capacity. His exact role isn’t fully set in stone, but Styles has enjoyed working in recruitment and helping out with the WWE ID development program. Because he has so much experience on the indies, that has been a natural fit for Styles.

Wednesday also saw John Cena, a WWE ambassador in his post-retirement life, spend some time with wrestlers at the WWE Performance Center.

Two Loves & A Loathing about wrestling | Opinion

Posted on by Jeff Moss

I was playing the game “Two Truths and a Lie” with my kids the other day and was having fun coming up with the most egregious lies I could think of (“Did you know Daddy invented Spider-Man? True story.”) and something started the gears turning in relation to this column. 

There’s a lot about wrestling that I deeply love. The athletics, the ability to tell a story, the pomp and (dare I say) the circumstance, which are all unique in the entertainment landscape. Like any good fan though, there is a bunch of stuff I absolutely can’t stand as well — playing music during run-ins, inconsistent rule enforcements and the obsession with wrestling as a “business,” to name a few. 

I am also pretty tired of reading and writing about complaints within and around the industry. So, on an occasion like this where there’s no one topic bouncing around in my brain for my fingers to convey to you, I thought why not do some quick hits in the form of Two Loves And A Loathing, so that I’m bringing a little bit of positivity while also pointing out something I feel needs improving. So with all that said: 

LOVE: AEW Double or F*cking Nothing

A lot has been said about AEW’s Double or Nothing show this past weekend with WOR’s Dave Metlzer and Bryan Alvarez agreeing that it was one of the best AEW PPVs of all time. I heartily agree and think AEW is entering a really good period at the moment. They are telling great stories and featuring some incredible talents. 

One thing that stuck out to me during the show was the use of profanity, particularly during the opening tag match that saw Christian Cage telling FTR to “go f*ck themselves” and that he “banged [Dax]’s mom.” 

Now, I’m not going to argue that wrestling needs more salty language and mom jokes (well, it does need more mom jokes) but my head snapped up both times I heard Cage tempt the censors. I don’t know if this is a regular thing or it was because it was on PPV that they felt like they could get away with more, or if it was just how it went in the moment, but it weirdly added to the authenticity of the match. 

If I’m getting my hand smashed with a chair while inside a cinderblock on top of some steel stairs, I’m probably not going to say, “No, sir. I decline your invitation to quit” when they stick a mic in my face. I’m going to use swear words and insults that would make Shakespeare blush. It was a little thing amongst a lot that was good about Double or Nothing, but I really liked it.

Loathe: The Promo Parade

Something that bugged me to no end in WWE from five or six years ago was The Promo Parade. This would occur, usually to open the show, when someone would come down to the ring and cut a promo. A few minutes in, someone would interrupt and cut a promo on them. Then someone ELSE would interrupt and cut a promo on THEM. This would get sometimes four or five wrestlers deep and suddenly the first half hour of WWE would be over with nothing accomplished. 

I had hoped I was done with this phenomenon but sadly, when I took over recapping TNA recently (Thursday nights and it’s actually a lot of fun) I discovered that the Promo Parade was alive and well in the place where the Action is Total and Nonstop. 

One of the things that takes me out of suspending my wrestling disbelief is when the show as a show stops making sense. This includes making main event matches on the fly (what were they going to do if Rey Mysterio wasn’t in that night or didn’t want an Intercontinental Title shot?), contract signings and ending shows on talking segments repeatedly. 

The Promo Parade ticks all these boxes at the same time. It makes it look like the show (which is supposed to be a sporting event, I remind you) is unplanned, It takes up TV time setting up matches that could have just been announced and executed. The method may get a PLE plug in there, but at the cost of seeing something that would have made me way more excited to see said event. 

Promos obviously have a place within the show and they are a key part of selling the idea and story of pro wrestling. All I’m saying is we don’t have to do them all at once and at the same time. 

LOVE:  Rey Mysterio as GM of AAA

On this past weekend’s episode of AAA, leading into part one of the two-night Noche de Los Grandes this weekend, WWE Hall of Famer, former World Champion and deadbeat dad Rey Mysterio Jr. was named the promotion’s general manager. 

Does Rey have the chops and history to handle running the AAA ship? Absolutely. Does this mean that he and his no-good son Dominik (the current AAA Mega Champion) will be at odds? Almost certainly. Will this lead to more twists and turns in the Psycho Circus clown drama? I dunno, but I hope so! 

Bringing in someone like Mysterio is a great idea because he has the love and pedigree of lucha libre that make him a natural choice. Lucha Libre can be a little daunting and inaccessible to a casual fan, but Mysterio has the name recognition that will perk up the casual fan’s ears. 

While I’ve noticed a few WWEKO-isms creeping into AAA (Obsession with authority figures, “street fight” type matches and contract signings) I think that making Rey the GM will go a long way to getting people checking out what is arguably the best, most entertaining wing of the WWE empire. 

Next Week: I play checkers with my kids and tell you how the NWO Hollywood vs NWO Wolfpac story should have played out.

Seth Rollins has revealed the brain behind the SummerSlam 2025’s crutch drop moment

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Seth Rollins has given Bobby Roode the due credit for his iconic WWE SummerSlam 2025 crutch drop.

Last year, during his match against LA Knight at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Seth Rollins seemingly suffered a knee injury. However, it turned out to be a ruse when Rollins fooled WWE superstars and fans and returned at SummerSlam 2025.

Recently, speaking to ESPN’s Highlights with Omar, Rollins opened up about that occasion and the viral crutch drop moment.

“None of this was rehearsed. Talked about it briefly. I can’t take all the credit for the crutch tossing. It was…I’ll take all the credit when it’s my idea. The idea for the crutch drop was actually a Bobby Roode idea, who’s one of the incredible performers in our industry, or was and now is a great producer backstage,” Rollins said. “Honestly, this came off smoother than I expected. The crutch drop, even the jacket, the handoff for the briefcase was smooth.“

Following CM Punk’s World title victory over Gunther at SummerSlam, Rollins entered the arena using his crutches before dropping them and marching down the ring. The 39-year-old then cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and won the title from Punk.

WWE Evolve notes: Succession III date announced, upcoming debut scheduled

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

WWE just hosted an eventful episode of Evolve on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

The latest episode of WWE Evolve featured a total of three matches and a few other segments. Evolve Champion Aaron Rouke successfully defended his title against Tristan Angels. While Nikkita Lyons & Sloane Jacobs defeated Laynie Luck & Wendy Choo. It was on the same episode that Evolve General Manager Timothy Thatcher announced the upcoming debut of Elijah Holyfield, Tate Wilder’s move to NXT, and the return of Succession.

Thatcher announced that WWE EVOLVE Succession III is scheduled to air on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Once again at the event, both the Men’s and Women’s Evolve Championships will be on the line. The news was previously reported by Bodyslam+.

For fans unaware, Succession is the name for Evolve’s special event episodes. The first Succession special aired on October 15, 2025. The second special aired on March 4, 2026.

Also, the son of former boxer Evander Holyfield, Elijah Holyfield, is set to make his Evolve in-ring debut on next week’s June 3, 2026, episode of Evolve. Before joining WWE, he played running back for the Georgia Bulldogs and spent four seasons in the NFL. He was also a part of WWE: LFG Season One. He later returned for seasons two and three. Yet to make his Evolve in-ring debut, Holyfield has previously wrestled on LFG and a few NXT live events.

Gunther has named WWE main roster’s best technical wrestler

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Often regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the industry by fans and critics, Gunther recently named his ‘best technical wrestler’ on the WWE main roster.

Speaking to Netflix Italia ahead of Clash in Italy, Gunther heaped praise on Axiom as the best technical wrestler on the WWE main roster.

“I don’t think he has the chance to show it a lot at the moment, but I think Axiom actually is the best technical wrestler on the main roster right now,” Gunther shared. “He’s in a tag team, he’s doing different kind of matches right now, but when he gets the chance to show his skills, I think he’s by far the best technical wrestler we have.”

Gunther and Axiom faced each other once in 2021. Back in January 2021, Gunther successfully defended his WWE NXT UK Championship against Axiom, then known as A-Kid. The two also recently faced each other in a singles match last year on SmackDown in Barcelona.

Gunther is now set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the WWE Undisputed Championship at Clash in Italy on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Inalpi Arena in Turin.

Seth Rollins feels he & fans get bored of him as a babyface

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Seth Rollins recently opened up about his character work in WWE, saying he gets bored working as a babyface.

Recently speaking in an ESPN interview on Highlights with Omar, Rollins shared in detail why he prefers playing a heel character in WWE.

“The truth is, I’m not very good at being the hero. I can do it in short spurts, but I’m not like John Cena, I’m not like Rey Mysterio. I get bored of myself, and I think people get bored of me. I much prefer being a bad guy. I think it suits me better. Most of my favorite moments are being a piece of trash.”

Since returning from injury earlier this year, Rollins has continued to play a babyface character on WWE television. The former World Champion turned heel last year at WWE WrestleMania 42, when he joined forces with Paul Heyman and later formed the stable, The Vision, with Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.

Seth Rollins’ character evolution in WWE

Over the years, Rollins has undergone many character/gimmick changes as well as multiple babyface-heel turns. In the same interview, he also addressed his evolution in WWE.

“My relationship with the audience and equity that I have has really allowed me to soak in moments a lot more,” Rollins said. “I think when you’re younger and you’re building that equity, your timing is a little bit different, you’re in a rush, you’re a bit in a hurry, you don’t really get to take these moments in as much, you don’t really get to fully experience them.

“I only remember that moment (the heist of the century) in third person. I don’t remember the feeling of running down the ramp. I don’t remember the cash-in itself, I don’t have any first person experience of that. I’ve seen the replays so many times that that’s how I remember things. Whereas later in my career, the WrestleMania (41) moment from the triple threat, or the CM Punk cash-in (at WWE SummerSlam 2025), I remember all of that.”

Rollins is currently in a feud against Bron Breakker of The Vision, against whom he suffered a loss at Backlash 2026.

John Cena makes visit to WWE Performance Center

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Just hours after attending Seth Rollins’ Wrestling Academy, John Cena was recently spotted at the WWE Performance Center.

In various social media uploads posted by WWE Performance Center wrestlers and athletes, it was revealed that Cena recently made a stop there.

Delia Schweizer, a CrossFit athlete and part of the WWE NXT Performance Center, recently shared a picture of herself and Cena on social media. “Today we had the opportunity to talk with John Cena and learn from his experiences,” she wrote.

WWE NXT’s Alyssa Danielle also uploaded a picture with Cena on social media. Former LFG winner and current part of the NXT roster, Shiloh Hill, also uploaded a video on social media, where Cena was spotted at the last minute endorsing Hill’s online campaign. “Shiloh Hill is Mr.NXT,” Cena appeared on video and claimed.

While the specific purpose of Cena’s visit to the Performance Center is not yet known, it’s speculated that he might have been there to discuss his experiences with the budding group of wrestlers.

In the past few months, Cena has been a huge vocal advocate for the WWE NXT superstars. The 17-time World Champion presented NXT wrestlers with a stage to wrestle during his retirement match show. He also recently announced the John Cena Classic, where NXT wrestlers will get the opportunity to wrestle main-roster stars.

Pre-trial conference set in Ludwig Kaiser battery case

Posted on by Joseph Currier

We now have a better idea of the potential timeline for Ludwig Kaiser’s legal case.

Court records show that a pre-trial conference is scheduled to take place in Orlando, Florida on the morning of Thursday, July 16. This is where the prosecution and defense meet and attempt to determine whether the case is going to trial or if it will be resolved before then with a plea agreement. Though this could get pushed back or a trial could end up not happening at all, a trial period of August 10-28 is mentioned on the document.

Kaiser (Marcel Barthel), his lawyer, and the prosecution have been informed of the pre-trial conference date. Fellow WWE star Gunther (Walter Hahn), as the depositor of Kaiser’s $1,000 bond, was also informed.

In the case, Kaiser has entered a “not guilty” plea in response to the misdemeanor battery charge he’s facing. It concerns an April 24 incident where Kaiser is accused of assaulting a male resident of his apartment complex. The alleged victim says Kaiser and a female were aggressively kissing in an elevator — and Kaiser attacked him after the victim told Kaiser to “please have some manners.” Police observed a scratch and redness on the victim’s head after the attack.

Ludwig Kaiser is free to travel during the case —

After the state of Florida did not object to the motion, Kaiser is free to travel domestically and internationally while the case plays out. One of the biggest moments of his professional career is happening in Mexico this Saturday, where Kaiser (as El Grande Americano) will face off against Chad Gable (Original El Grande Americano) in a mask vs. mask match at AAA Noche de Los Grandes.

There is said to be no heat on Kaiser within WWE despite the situation.

Daily Update: Cody Rhodes-Danhausen, Shingo Takagi, The Rock

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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Wednesday Update

Lola Vice Izzi Dame WWE
Lola Vice faces off with Izzi Dame on WWE NXT. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame NXT Women’s Championship match from last night.
  • To promote Clash in Italy, Cody Rhodes appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter, First Take, Get Up, and The Rich Eisen Show today.
  • Rhodes told ESPN Unsportsmanlike that Danhausen is the “king” of WWE’s merch sellers right now:
    • I think it’s safe to say Danhausen is one of the most popular people in all of WWE at the moment, and I don’t see it really stopping. He overtook the merch game. There’s all kinds of market confusion because the WWE Shop website has a thing that people actually believe, but I’ll tell you who’s the king right now of the merch game – it’s Danhausen. He’s beating us all.
  • For an ESPN video, Seth Rollins looked back at some of his WWE highlights.
  • Though it’s not confirmed that he’ll be attending, Dana White told Time that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been invited to the UFC’s show at the White House next month:
    • At least 1,200 of the approximately 4,300 seats will go to active military members. The White House, TKO, and the UFC will divvy up the rest: White has invited Adam Sandler, Guy Ritchie, Tom Brady, Jared Leto, Jason Statham, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and Mario Lopez.
  • AJ Styles’ son Avery shared training footage of himself doing his father’s patented Spiral Tap into a crash pad.
  • Today marks 30 years since Scott Hall arrived in WCW by invading Nitro. To celebrate the anniversary, WCW’s YouTube channel posted that full Nitro episode.

Other Wrestling

  • Shingo Takagi commented on the news that NJPW’s ownership is transferring from Bushiroad to TV Asahi & CyberAgent:
    • I know the [Bushiroad] owner personally, and I want to say once again, thank you for the past 14 years. It was the same when LIJ (Los Ingobernables de Japon) disbanded, but I’m in a situation where I’m wondering ‘what’s going to happen,’ and I can’t help but be excited. I just have to work hard and stay positive, showing a bright future.
  • AEW wrestler Max Caster filed a trademark for the term “Volume 2” on May 26.  Along with that, Caster posted a tweet calling indie promotion Beyond Wrestling/Wrestling Open his new home and the only place where people will be able to see him every week:
    • My new home. Proud to be a part. 
    • The only place you’ll see the Best Wrestler Alive every week.
  • The Young Bucks uploaded a new Being the Elite video focused on Stadium Stampede.
  • 94WIP in Philadelphia interviewed Wheeler Yuta.
  • Indie wrestler Erick Stevens announced that he’s stepping away from the ring for what might be the final time:
    • Thank you to all of the promotions who brought me in, all of my opponents, and all of the fans who supported this run.  
    • Pro wrestling owes me nothing.  I just hope that I’m leaving it better than I found it.  
    • I’ve learned to never say ‘goodbye’ in this business.  Did that a couple times and looked like a dummy when I came back.  Even though this feels like my last run, you really just never know.  With that being said, I’ll leave you with this:
    • See you later.

Ex-WWE writer says Vince McMahon considered New Day a ‘national treasure’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Chris Dunn, a former writer for WWE, believes New Day would have been with WWE forever if Vince McMahon was still in charge of the company.

Appearing on the Public Enemies Podcast, Dunn reacted to WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts, which included Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods being released. Dunn believes TKO is sometimes used as a scapegoat for WWE’s issues, pointing out that McMahon made these types of releases too. But Dunn doesn’t think McMahon would have asked talent to take pay cuts like Kingston & Woods were offered. According to Dunn, McMahon considered New Day a “national treasure.”

“Vince was making these cuts too. There was always spring cleaning,” Dunn said. “I think the difference is, like, Vince never would have asked anyone to take a pay cut. He would have either fired the person or they would have been somebody like the New Day, who he considered a national treasure — wouldn’t job out when he was trying to embarrass Road Dogg — and keep them forever because they should stay.”

Kingston & Woods chose to depart WWE instead of taking the significant pay cuts they (and some others) were approached with. Big E is still with the company in a broadcasting role after having to retire from in-ring competition due to the broken neck he suffered in 2022.

New Day at WWE Survivor Series 2018 —

Dunn was referring to Survivor Series 2018 as the time where McMahon embarrassed Road Dogg, who was running SmackDown then. McMahon had SmackDown lose every match at the pay-per-view except for a pre-show brand vs. brand tag bout.

“There was a Survivor Series where [Road Dogg] was running SmackDown. I think he was at home for a creative meeting and calling into it. And to f*** with Road Dogg, Vince, in a meeting, decided SmackDown was going to lose every match on Survivor Series,” Dunn said. “And then we got to, I think the New Day match came up when New Day was on SmackDown. So it was like, we can’t have New Day lose, let’s put them on kickoff. So it would be defined as New Day would win, but it wouldn’t count as a win for SmackDown because it was on the kickoff show. All to rib Road Dogg.”

Though they were ultimately on the winning side, Woods did take a pinfall in that match to eliminate New Day. It was The Usos who won the multi-team match for SmackDown.

Dunn was with WWE as a writer and producer from 2016-2021. He described Road Dogg as the “best mind in wrestling” who combines McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s best qualities into one. According to Dunn, Road Dogg was someone who advocated for talent and advocated for ideas that appeal to true fans.

Road Dogg’s most recent stint with WWE creative ended this March when he chose to resign from his position as co-lead writer of SmackDown.

Logan Paul undergoes triceps surgery, gives timeline for WWE return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Doctors have given Logan Paul a six-month recovery time, but he’s hoping to make it back to a WWE ring much sooner than that.

Paul sent out a social media post today revealing that he has undergone surgery after suffering a torn triceps last weekend at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. The injury happened during a match where Paul & Austin Theory successfully defended their World Tag Team titles against The Street Profits. Despite this injury, The Vision will remain champions with Bron Breakker filling in for Paul.

Optimistically, Paul wrote that he wants to return in only a couple of weeks.

“Tore my tricep, got surgery while wide awake, told doc I wanna feel it all. Still the Tag Team champ just FYI,” he posted on Instagram. “They’re telling me 6 month recovery but I don’t believe them, I’ll be back in a couple weeks with some @drinkprime shake (32g protein). Good news I can still rip packs bc @ripit about to launch. Keep that title warm for me @wwe @austin_theory @paulheyman @bronbreakkerwwe. @bronsonishere let’s hang out.”

Breakker is only a few weeks removed from his own injury layoff. He was forced to undergo hernia surgery on the road to WrestleMania 42 but returned at the event itself.

Logan Paul’s injury —

On Raw, it was said that Paul’s injury happened near the end of the SNME match while taking a dive from Dawkins. Michael Cole said on commentary that Paul would be out of action for months.

Theory avenged his tag team partner by attacking Dawkins on Raw and also assaulting Joe Hendry, who was performing a concert mocking Paul.

Jacy Jayne reflects on anniversary of NXT Women’s title win: ‘I love wrestling’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jacy Jayne has commented on the anniversary of her first NXT Women’s Championship victory.

Jayne defeated Stephanie Vaquer for the title on the May 27, 2025 edition of NXT in a match that went 13 minutes and 12 seconds. It was the 23rd title change in the belt’s lineage.

On Wednesday, Jayne posted to social media:

“Happy 1 year to the day that changed it all for me.. Forever grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, and the journey I’ve been on. Exactly 1 year later and I’m headed on my first European tour. This life is crazy & I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love wrestling”

Jayne held the title for a total of 151 days with four successful title defenses on WWE programming before dropping the belt to Tatum Paxley at Halloween Havoc last year.

Jayne then regained the belt at NXT Gold Rush on November 18, 2025, and held it for another 137 days with four successful title defenses on WWE programming before dropping it to Lola Vice in a triple threat match at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 4, 2026, in a match that also involved Kendal Grey.

Cody Rhodes thinks WWE Clash has already become ‘Big Four’ PLE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Cody Rhodes thinks WWE’s international Clash events have already made their mark as one of the biggest shows the company puts on each year.

While speaking with ESPN Unsportsmanlike ahead of Sunday’s Clash in Italy, Rhodes said he would personally rank Clash as one of WWE’s “Big Four” PLEs alongside WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam. He also mentioned Money in the Bank as being in contention but thinks Survivor Series — a traditional “Big Four” event — no longer occupies one of those spots.

“I think Clash is sneaking up as one of WWE’s ‘Big Four’ PLEs,” Rhodes said. “The fact that it’s somewhere new international each year. And Italy, I think they’re up to the task.”

Previous Clash events have been held in Paris (2025), Glasgow (2024), and Cardiff (2022), with this becoming a signature event for the European market.

“I think Clash is becoming that [a ‘Big Four’ event] because of the international appeal of it and the fact that, you know, it’s moving all around,” Rhodes said. “I like that it gives every city an opportunity to be the best Clash.”

Rhodes gave WWE president Nick Khan credit for identifying international markets to visit. Those European countries are now competing with each other to be the loudest WWE crowd.

“I think right now one of the things you’re seeing with the international crowds and Nick Khan’s been so good about identifying this in the different markets, is they’re almost competing with each other in a fun way,” Rhodes said. “In a sense of, ‘Well, Lyon, France is the loudest crowd ever in WWE history. We’re going to be even louder.’ Even some more subdued, you know, the German crowd always fills the arenas but they’re a little bit more subdued in the noise and the acoustics, even they have decided, ‘No, we’re getting in on being the loudest crowd.’ And that’s really the challenge that we present to them.”

Cody Rhodes at WWE Clash in Italy —

Rhodes enters Sunday’s event in Turin as the Undisputed WWE Champion. He’ll be putting the title on the line against Gunther, and fans won’t have to wait very long for their matchup. Rhodes vs. Gunther has been announced as one of the matches scheduled for the first hour of the show. It begins at 2 p.m. Eastern time with the first hour being simulcast on ESPN.

Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship is the other match set for hour one. In the Unsportsmanlike interview, Rhodes praised Ripley by saying he doesn’t think there is a bigger star in the wrestling space than her right now.

Cody Rhodes reflects on WWE WrestleMania injury and rivalry with Gunther 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Cody Rhodes addressed recovery from his WWE WrestleMania injuries and his upcoming match against Gunther this weekend. 

Promoting his match against Gunther during an interview with ESPN, Rhodes talked about his eye injury at WrestleMania. He revealed that his eye was completely swollen shut and had to receive multiple staples and stitches to his head. 

“Well, I’m here. Yeah, I’m here and I’m holding the WWE Championship. So, most important thing and all that concussion protocol and the fact that this thing was completely swollen shut, staples to the back of the head, stitches to the front of the head, I still found a way to wrestle the following week. So, built a little different. Yeah. I’m feeling real braggadocious about it. You know, built different, gave me his best shot and I came and wrestled the next week.” 

Promoting his WWE Championship match against Gunther, he dismissed the challenger’s claims of Clash in Italy being on his home turf. 

“I don’t think it’s his home turf. This isn’t Austria. We’re talking about this is Clash in Italy. They are not the same places. Europe is not a monolith. And I actually think that he’s of the impression this will be an away game for me. I don’t think that. I think Italy will be a crowd like France was. Loudest WWE crowd imaginable.” 

The PLE will take place on May 31 in Turin, Italy. The match card also features Roman Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat. Becky Lynch and Sol Ruca get their SNME rematch but the Intercontinental Title is on the line. WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley squares off against Jade Cargill again. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar looks to complete his unfinished business with Oba Femi.