Tag: dakota kai

Former Dakota Kai addresses WWE Intercontinental Championship rumors

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Dakota Kai spent close to ten years wrestling for WWE, winning championships in NXT and on the main roster. But her biggest championship win never came to pass.

In January of 2025, in perhaps the biggest match of her career, Kai faced Lyra Valkyria in the finals of a tournament to crown the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion. It was the second episode of Monday Night Raw to air on Netflix, and reportedly, Kai was at one point planned to win that match. 

Instead, Valkyria won and held the championship for 144 days. Kai lost the match, never again won gold with WWE and was released from her contract last March. 

Kai (who is now wrestling as Charlie on the independents) talked about that match in a conversation with D.S. Shin of Ring The Belle.

“She’s awesome too,” Charlie said about Valkyria. “We had such good chemistry and we never wrestled each other before—I don’t think any singles capacity at least. But, she’s amazing. … She’s insane. Everything she did was awesome.” 

Shin then asked Charlie about any plans to crown her as champion. “Things change all the time, you know what I mean?” Charlie replied. “Like last minute and I get that too but, I don’t know. I’m so happy for her.”

Since her release from WWE, Charlie has challenged Kris Statlander for the EVE International Championship and Shotzi Blackheart for the HOG Women’s Championship. 

She also hosts a show with the former Zelina Vega (now known as ZELVX) on YouTube. 

Dakota Kai reveals Bayley’s original pitch for an all-women’s faction in WWE 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

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. 

Former Dakota Kai announced for indie show during WrestleMania week

Posted on by Josh Nason

Charlie, the former Dakota Kai in WWE, will be in Las Vegas during WWE WrestleMania week as she will be in action for House of Glory.

Announced Thursday, she will be on HOG Culture Clash, set for Thursday, April 16 at the Pearl Theater inside The Palms. Her opponent was not announced.

After being released by WWE in 2025, Charlie returned to the ring this past weekend for the first time since March 2025 as part of EVE’s Wrestle Kingdom VIII, unsuccessfully challenging champion Kris Statlander. Will Ospreay gave her praise afterward and said he hopes she ends up in AEW.

The 37-year-old said afterward that she was nervous in her return to the ring:

“I had so much fun. And you know, being away from wrestling for as long as I was, obviously, I was very nervous. You know, just for me, going into stuff, but Kris (Statlander) made it so easy. Obviously, the crowd, you know what I mean. You know, it felt really good,” she said.

Former Dakota Kai was ‘nervous’ in her wrestling return

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

The former Dakota Kai has finally opened up and addressed her recent in-ring return against Kris Statlander.

Now, going by Charlie, the 37-year-old recently wrestled Eve International champion Kris Statlander at EVE 146: Wrestle Queendom VIII on March 8, 2026, in London. While she lost the match against Statlander, Kai recently opened up about it on her stream and revealed being “nervous” about the return.

“I had so much fun. And you know, being away from wrestling for as long as I was, obviously, I was very nervous. You know, just for me, going into stuff, but Kris [Statlander] made it so easy. Obviously, the crowd, you know what I mean, ” Kai said. “You know it felt really good.”

A former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, Kai made her in-ring return after almost a year with her last match dating back to a win over Ivy Nile on March 24, 2025.

Will Ospreay hopes former Dakota Kai joins AEW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The former Dakota Kai is back in the ring — and Will Ospreay would like to see her added to the AEW roster.

Now going by the name “Charlie,” Kai returned to pro wrestling on Sunday with a loss to Kris Statlander for Pro Wrestling Eve in London. Ospreay is heavily involved with Eve as a producer behind the scenes. And he sent out a tweet this morning saying he would like to see Charlie join AEW.

Charlie had been away from the ring for nearly a year before this return match. She was released from her WWE contract in May 2025 and took an extended break after that, working to rebuild her confidence and find her place in the wrestling world again. What’s next for her in wrestling remains to be seen. She streams regularly on Twitch and hosts a podcast with her former WWE co-worker Zelina Vega.

Sunday’s Eve event — titled Wrestle Queendom VIII — was held on International Women’s Day and featured women’s wrestlers from across the globe.

“Wrestle Queendom 8 was one of the greatest nights of my wrestling career,” Ospreay tweeted. “To have influence from so many promotions; British, Irish, European, Australian, Stardom, NJPW, Sendai Girls, Tokyo Joshi Pro & AEW. Thank you to all the front of house staff at the 02, EVE Staff & production team.”

Ospreay himself has been out of action since August 2025 due to a neck injury that required surgery. The hope is that he’ll be back for AEW All In 2026 at Wembley Stadium this summer.

Dakota Kai wrestles first match since WWE release

Posted on by Ian Carey

Dakota Kai, now wrestling as Charlie, took part in her first match since her WWE release on Sunday in London.

Charlie wrestled Kris Statlander for the EVE International Championship at Pro Wrestling EVE’s Wrestle Queendom 8 from indigo at The O2 in London, England. Statlander successfully defended her title, pinning Charlie after a series of Tombstone piledrivers.

The commentary team noted that Statlander’s repeated Tombstones may have been unnecessary.

It was Charlie’s first match on record since the March 24, 2025 WWE Main Event tapings held at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. She was part of WWE roster cuts revealed on May 2, 2025.

Last month, Charlie spoke about taking a break from wrestling following her WWE departure.

“I think I just really needed to take a step back and sort of rebuild myself in terms of confidence and what I thought about myself as a wrestler in this world. I didn’t really know if I still had a place in this world,” she said during an interview with Busted Open Radio.

https://twitter.com/ushigoroshi89/status/2030727309263524305

Dakota Kai felt she was ‘constantly fighting a glass ceiling’ in WWE

Posted on by Ian Carey

The former Dakota Kai, now wrestling as Charlie, appeared on Busted Open Radio ahead of her first match back.

Kai will face Kris Statlander at Pro Wrestling Eve’s Wrestle Queendom on March 8. It will be her first match since she was part of WWE roster cuts revealed on May 2, 2025.

“I think I just really needed to take a step back and sort of rebuild myself in terms of confidence and what I thought about myself as a wrestler in this world. I didn’t really know if I still had a place in this world,” she said about taking time away from wrestling.

When asked about her plans, Kai mentioned the two ACL tears she suffered while in WWE and that she’s looking to prioritize her health moving forward.

“Going forward, it’s just making sure that I’m good health-wise more than anything and that’s mental and physical as well.”

She also spoke about wanting to rediscover her love for wrestling.

“Finding that love again and wrestling against people that have been on my bucket list and I’ve been watching for years that I haven’t been able to tangle in the ring with. I just want to focus on that and just bring that love back.”

Asked about the possibility of signing with TNA or AEW, Kai said she’s open to the possibility of either.

“I think once I get back into it, both those companies and so many more have people that I would love to face in the ring.”

“I just think once I do this match and get back, get the wheels turning again, wherever my path may lead, I’m open to it completely.”

Regarding her WWE release, Kai believes her ACL tears factored into the decision.

“I think that definitely had a part to play. Obviously, with the change in management that probably had a big part to play too. It was surprising only because we were just coming off of the Intercontinental tournament. Obviously, plans changed.”

“It’s one of those things where I was constantly fighting a glass ceiling and even when I was, I thought I was going to break through it.”

Kai’s full appearance on Busted Open Radio is available here.

Will Ospreay reveals role in booking Kris Statlander vs. the former Dakota Kai

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

The former Dakota Kai will make her in-ring return later next month against AEW’s Kris Statlander, and Will Ospreay had a role to play in it.

On Sunday, March 8th, 2026, Kai, now known as Charlie, will make her in-ring return at Pro Wrestling Eve’s Wrestle Queendom 8 against the AEW Women’s Champion, Kris Statlander. Recently speaking to Grapple Theory, Ospreay revealed how he helped book the match and bring Kai into the mix.

“I wanted to try and find a wrestler that wasn’t attached to any other major company. I just had this moment, ‘Dakota Kai doesn’t work there now. I wonder if she’s free.’ I didn’t see anything because she doesn’t really post that much,” Ospreay said.

“I think she has a Twitch stream. I just dropped her a message and said, ‘What are the chances of making this happen?’ She got back to me right away. Super eager to do it. The back and forth between us was so good. She really wants to come to EVE and celebrate this huge show and really wanting to wrestle Kris Statlander.”

Since her release from WWE in May, 2025, Kai has been on a break from wrestling but regularly streams on Twitch as well as hosts a podcast with WWE’s Zelina Vega.

Pro Wrestling Eve’s Wrestle Queendom 8 is set to take place at The O2 in London, England.

Cryptic Stardom video teases new arrival

Posted on by Joseph Currier

At Stardom’s December 24 event, a cryptic video aired teasing the arrival of a new or returning wrestler.

The video showed an unidentified person sitting at a desk with several computer monitors. Because they were wearing a hood, the person in the video was never fully shown. Their identity remains unconfirmed, but most fan speculation is that Stardom is hyping the return of the former Dakota Kai.

Kai, who was released from her WWE contract in May, regularly streams herself playing video games on Twitch. Before joining WWE, she competed for Stardom from 2015-2016 and was a trios champion for the Japanese women’s promotion. Kai went by the name “Evie” back then.

After her WWE release, Kai took a break from wrestling to recharge her batteries. She’s now ready to get back into the ring and has already been announced for one 2026 indie date. She’ll be challenging Kris Statlander for Pro Wrestling Eve’s International Championship at Wrestle Queendom in London on March 8.

Former WWE NXT wrestler Stevie Turner (Bobbi Tyler) is among the other names that fans have speculated this Stardom video could be for. She played a streamer character for part of her WWE run and has also wrestled for Stardom in the past. Turner was the on-screen general manager of WWE Evolve prior to her release this October.

The full Stardom event from today is available to watch on YouTube for free:

Former WWE star Dakota Kai announced for indie return

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The former Dakota Kai is getting back into the ring.

Since her release from WWE back in May, Kai has been on a break from wrestling. That will be ending soon, though, with Pro Wrestling Eve announcing that Kai will be competing at its Wrestle Queendom VIII show on March 8, 2026. She is being billed as “Charlie” and is set to challenge AEW star Kris Statlander for the Eve International Championship.

Wrestle Kingdom VIII is happening on International Women’s Day in 2026. The show will be held in London, England at Indigo at The O2.

It remains to be seen if this will be Kai’s first match back or if she will be taking more bookings before then. During a stream on her “charliegirl” Twitch channel this September, Kai said she missed wrestling and would be returning after taking some time away.

“I miss wrestling, you guys. We’re going to get back into it,” she said. “It’s just one of those things where it’s been nice to have a little bit of a break. I’ve been doing it for a long time, longer than the last seven years I was with WWE, you know what I mean? So it is nice to take a step back… but I really do miss it.”

Along with streaming on Twitch, Kai co-hosts a podcast with WWE’s Zelina Vega.

Pro Wrestling Eve is a UK-based women’s wrestling promotion that has existed since 2010. Will Ospreay is involved with helping the promotion behind the scenes.

Wrestle Queendom is Eve’s biggest event. The name of the show is a takeoff of NJPW’s annual Wrestle Kingdom spectacular.

Former Dakota Kai addresses her post-WWE wrestling status

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former WWE talent Dakota Kai misses wrestling but has enjoyed taking a step back from the ring over the past few months.

Kai was released from her WWE contract this May and, despite her 90 days being up, has yet to be announced for her first post-WWE dates yet. While returning to her Twitch channel for a stream on Sunday night, she gave an update on her status.

“I miss wrestling, you guys. We’re going to get back into it,” Kai said. “It’s just one of those things where it’s been nice to have a little bit of a break. I’ve been doing it for a long time, longer than the last seven years I was with WWE, you know what I mean? So it is nice to take a step back… but I really do miss it.”

Kai also apologized to fans for mostly being off social media lately. She said she is aiming to have a more regular streaming schedule on Twitch going forward.

“I’m so sorry in terms of being away from social media. Pretty bad at social media, but also it’s just one of those things where I — not enjoy, that’s not the right way to put it — but, like, it is healthy to step away from it. To be fair, a few months is like a long time,” she said. “There’s a lot of positive things happening on social media, but there’s just a lot of negative stuff. But I am doing very, very well.”

On Twitch, Kai uses “charliegirl” as her username. She wrestled as Evie in her pre-WWE indie career and had filed a now-abandoned trademark for the name “King Kota” in 2022 following her initial release from WWE.

Kai noted on the Twitch stream that her boyfriend Karl Fredericks just had his first match back on the indies and is doing great. Fredericks — who wrestled under the name Eddy Thorpe in NXT — was released by WWE in the same round of roster cuts as Kai.

Cora Jade, Dakota Kai, Shotzi release statements on WWE departures

Posted on by Ian Carey

Cora Jade, Dakota Kai, and Shotzi all released statements on Saturday regarding their WWE departures.

Jade and Kai were part of WWE roster cuts announced on Friday. Shotzi’s profile was moved to WWE’s alumni page on Saturday, and Fightful later reported that she was informed her contract will not be renewed.

Kai posted to social media:

“Trying to get through all the messages and man, whether it’s from friends, family, colleagues, coaches, you guys… I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. That’s the stuff that matters. I got to make memories, create the best friendships and travel the world. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunities.
Gonna take a little time but just know… we are far from done. I’ve BEEN ready. Let’s go.
– king kota”

Jade’s message reads:

“Dropping out of high school at 15 to chase my dreams was scary but I’m so thankful it worked out for the time that it did! I got to live out so many childhood dreams, go so many places, do so many things and most importantly I met some of the most important people in my life that I know I’ll have in my corner forever. Unfortunately it didn’t go how I envisioned and I’m disappointed by a lot of things but I can look back with no regrets and know I did everything with love and passion and always stood up for myself, even in the times I was scared. I’m proud of myself for that. With all that being said, TRUST that this is not the end and only my new beginning. I have a lot to say when the time is right. I have so many ideas and am excited for the future and to be able to show what I truly am capable of. Elayna Black is back from the dead bitches! See you in 30”

Shotzi wrote:

“I am more than grateful for the wild ride! Can’t wait to see where this crazy journey takes me next! I hope to make all my believers proud.”

IYO Sky also commented on Kai’s release, writing, “She is so much sweet, strong, kind, smart,wonderful, and beautiful woman. My dearest and best friend. I love you. Everyone loves you.”

Charlotte Flair sent a supportive message to Shotzi as well, writing, “thank you for those months on Smackdown & long talks…”

Updated WWE departures list from May 2025:

  • Braun Strowman
  • Shayna Baszler
  • Dakota Kai
  • Kayden Carter
  • Katana Chance
  • Cora Jade
  • Gigi Dolin
  • Joe Coffey
  • Mark Coffey
  • Riley Osborne
  • Oro Mensah
  • Jakara Jackson
  • Javier Bernal
  • Eddy Thorpe
  • Dani Palmer
  • Shotzi

Shayna Baszler, Cora Jade, Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai among WWE & NXT releases

Posted on by Bryan Rose

UPDATE:

Sean Ross Sapp has since reported that Gallus (Mark Coffey, Joe Coffey, and Wolfgang) have also been released, as well as Javier Bernal and Oro Mensah.

Mensah reacted to his release on social media:

Original story:

WWE releases are taking place.

Multiple sources are reporting cuts are currently taking place both on the WWE main roster and NXT. Sean Ross Sapp is reporting that Dakota Kai, Shayna Baszler, Braun Strowman, Katana Chance, and Kayden Carter have all been released from their contracts. Bryan Alvarez has also confirmed these names.

For NXT, PWInsider has confirmed that Cora Jade, Jakara Jackson, and Eddy Thorpe have been released, while Sean Ross Sapp has confirmed Gigi Dolin and Riley Osborne. Alvarez believes there are at least 10 NXT releases.

Soon after word got out about the latest round of releases, Baszler, Kai, and Jade confirmed they were no longer with the company.

“No one can offer what I have to offer. Reality. Let the Galaxy burn,” Baszler wrote.

“Thankful for all the childhood dreams I got to live out! I have a lot to say in due time. Stay tuned,” Jade wrote.

News of cuts across WWE started on Thursday night when it was reported that several in corporate were let go including Christine Lubrano, the Senior Vice President of Creative Writing Operations. It was reported on Friday morning that Ryan Pappola, who was a former co-host of WWE’s talk show The Bump, was also let go.

NXT releases have a 30-day no compete clause while WWE main roster releases have a 90-day no compete.

Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile Intercontinental title number one contender’s match set for WWE Raw

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new match has been added to the lineup for Monday’s episode of WWE Raw.

Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile in a number one contender’s match for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship is now scheduled for the show. This follows a backstage segment from last week’s episode, when Nile confronted champion Lyra Valkyria about her loss to Bayley earlier in the night.

“Monday Night Raw live tomorrow night from Charlotte, proud to announce a number one contender’s match for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Dakota Kai one-on-one with Ivy Nile,” Raw General Manager Adam Pearce said in a video WWE posted on Sunday.

As for Kai, she returned to action on last week’s show after being in concussion protocol since the January 20 episode when she took a stiff-looking springboard dropkick from Zoey Stark. Kai lost to Valkyria in the finals of the tournament to crown the first Women’s Intercontinental Champion.

Pearce also announced that Bianca Belair and Naomi will appear on Raw in Charlotte. The Women’s Tag Team Champions recently saw security footage of Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez walking away from the scene after Jade Cargill was attacked.

“And by now, everybody’s seen the footage of the Jade Cargill aftermath. Yes, Bianca Belair and Naomi will be in the house tomorrow night, and I’m sure that’s going to be fun,” Pearce added.

He also announced that Sami Zayn will have something to say on the show.

“Speaking of fun, we heard what Sami Zayn said on Friday night. What’s he going to say on Raw? Tune in to find out.”

Pearce finished his video by sending a shoutout to TNA’s Chris Bey, who recently updated fans on his condition following a serious injury suffered at TNA Wrestling tapings in October.

“And TNA superstar Chris Bey, we are thinking of you. You are going to beat this. One foot in front of the other. That my brother, is official.”

WWE Raw announced lineup for Monday, February 17, 2025:

  • Men’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor
  • Women’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Roxanne Perez vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • AJ Styles vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Penta vs. Pete Dunne
  • Dakota Kai vs. Ivy Nile in a Women’s Intercontinental title number one contender’s match
  • Naomi and Bianca Belair to appear
  • Sami Zayn has something to say on WWE Raw

Daily Update: MJF, Maria Kanellis, Dakota Kai

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site today:

  • All-time records for WWE business that will be broken at the Royal Rumble
  • What 38 years old company attendance mark goes down this week
  • Rumble favorites and news on the show
  • Things AEW should look to do regarding the creative on Dynamite to avoid things like redundancy, not getting key people over, and examining what the actual purposes of angles are and making them work
  • Full coverage of Saturday Night’s Main Event from this past week, business numbers and what they  mean, Dory Funk Jr., Jesse Ventura and match-by-match coverage.
  • Paul Levesque goes into the Paul Levesque picked WWE Hall of Fame
  • One of the most notable pro wrestling arenas in the world closes this year after nearly 50 years of running major shows. A look at some of the biggest matches held there including Inoki, Jack Brisco, Hogan, Andre, Monsoon, Hansen, Dusty Rhodes, Backlund, Volk Han, Nobuhiko Takada and even the Crush Gals.
  • The life and times of Ed Wiskoski aka Col DeBeers. A look at a 25 year career that went all over the world with a variety of gimmicks, including rises and falls of major territories, the making of his most famous gimmick and its controversial nature.
  • The GFL draft is basically admitted to be a fraud as to how it was presented and all the major names from the past part of the new team-based promotion.
  • Bryce Mitchell says some of the dumbest things possible and Dana White counters. But should the company cut ties with him.
  • The life and times of 50s and 60s star Bill Melby, including the angle that put the Cow Palace on the map as a regular wrestling building, and the most accomplished wrestler/bodybuilders.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the television shows, as well as WWE shows on Netflix.  Quarters, year-to-year comparisons and more. Plus competition and demo numbers
  • CMLL’s second biggest show of the year coming
  • Hot Arena Mexico main event
  • Announcer leaves promotion after 30 years
  • TripleMania news for 2025
  • Stardom awards
  • Dark Side of the Ring 2025 notes
  • How the major TV cable stations are doing
  • Former WCW star in jail
  • AEW international TV notes
  • Lots of notes on AEW Grand Slam Australia
  • International TV numbers
  • Christopher Daniels talks the end of his career
  • AEW star wants to box and do MMA
  • Giant fight talked about is for sure not happening
  • Death of legendary sportswriter Michael Katz
  • WWE star in one of the top box office movies of all-time
  • Jordynne Grace talks leaving TNA
  • WWE injury notes and thoughts about the policy of not stopping matches
  • Top YouTube numbers for the week

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

  • No-Contest Wrestling asked Roman Reigns what motivates him to keep going after all that he’s accomplished:
    • I got that thing, that drive. I want more. Always want more. Goal posts go back. ‘Oh, we’re in the endzone.’ Move them back again. ‘Man, we got pretty high.’ There’s another level. So I’m always trying to get better. And I just believe this is what I’m supposed to do. [Paul Heyman] picks me up in the morning, ‘How you doing?’ I woke up. Everybody else is f*cked because I woke up. That’s how I look at it. You all had a chance until I woke up. Today is mine. That’s just what it is.
  • In a post to her Instagram stories, Dakota Kai – who suffered a concussion on the January 20 episode of Raw – thanked her fans for the support they always give her. Kai said she is feeling good:
    • I just want to also say, I really appreciate all the love and support you guys constantly show me. And it really helps get through these dips and harder times, you know what I’m saying? But I feel good.
  • Seth Rollins was a guest on Super Bowl Radio Row today, making appearances on Good Morning Football, The Rich Eisen Show, and The Pat McAfee Show.
  • Logan Paul posted a vlog with backstage footage from the Royal Rumble.
  • WWE uploaded a Playlist video of Jacob Fatu being a badass for 30 minutes.

Other Wrestling

  • Tony Khan and The Hurt Syndicate made media appearances on Super Bowl Radio Row today.
  • AEW uploaded post-Dynamite promos from Ricochet and the Don Callis Family.
  • After former WWE referee Jimmy Korderas criticized him for referencing Cody Rhodes on Dynamite last night (in a promo segment with Dustin Rhodes), MJF responded:
    • His brother. My mentor. A guy who helped shape me early on in my career. Your old boss brainwashed you into believing we need to treat the fans like morons and pretend other Wrestling companies don’t exist  You dumb ignorant bald grifting f*ck…respectfully.
  • The angle with MJF and Dustin Rhodes included MJF insulting Dustin by saying that — after it took 37 years for him to get out from under his father’s shadow — Dustin now lives in the shadow of his little baby brother.
  • Daniel Garcia is featured on a new episode of AEW Stories.
  • Referees Bryce Remsburg and Mike Posey appeared on the latest edition of AEW Unrestricted.
  • In response to a fan who asked if we could see her return to WWE or TNA, Maria Kanellis tweeted:
    • I am focused on my family. I’m happy doing a few signings, photo shoots, building @thewildstems [florist], writing my book, and going back to school. That’s enough unless the right opportunity comes up. I’m not forcing anything nor do I want it. I could have died last year. This year is about reflection and spiritual growth. Not proving to people I don’t know that ‘I’ve still got it.’
  • TNA wrestler Jody Threat helped Trish Stratus train for Stratus’ surprise appearance in the WWE women’s Royal Rumble match last weekend.
  • Indi Hartwell reunited with Dexter Lumis while training at his Hatchet Pro Wrestling school.
  • Saraya and The Hardys have been announced as guests for WrestleCon’s convention in Las Vegas during WrestleMania week.
  • Okumura vs. Ariel Dominguez will take place on the TV taping portion of MLW’s SuperFight event in Atlanta this Saturday.
  • Jade Chung will be part of the broadcast team for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Mayhem events in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15.