Tag: WWE news

New match, two segments added to WWE SmackDown lineup

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints has now been added to the card for today’s SmackDown. It’s a rematch from two weeks ago where Hayes won by putting his feet on the ropes for leverage. They had an angle last Friday where Hayes attacked Saints during a backstage interview.

**********

Segments involving Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill are officially on the books for today’s SmackDown in Barcelona.

WWE makes a stop in Spain today to finish out the build to Clash in Italy. Ahead of his title defense against Gunther, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will be on the show to address Gunther’s attack from last week. Jade Cargill is also scheduled for an appearance where she will deliver one final message to WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley ahead of their Clash in Italy title bout.

The Cargill segment is expected to open the show, according to Rope Break (formerly known as PWN and previously associated with Bodyslam.net).

Rhodes vs. Gunther and Ripley vs. Cargill are both slated for the first hour of Sunday’s Clash in Italy PLE, which will be simulcast on ESPN.

Today’s SmackDown is airing live on Netflix overseas before being shown in its regular time slot on USA Network tonight for U.S. viewers. The start time for the international broadcast is 2 p.m. Eastern.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, May 29) —

  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes addresses Gunther’s attack from last week
  • The Miz vs. Axiom
  • Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints
  • Jade Cargill has one final message for WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley

WWE Head of Digital: ‘It shocks me every week’ how well Vault YouTube channel does

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE is very happy with the success of its Vault channel on YouTube.

The WWE Vault has become a big hit with hardcore fans, uploading rare and sometimes never-before-seen footage from the company’s video library. The channel launched in 2024 and now has four million subscribers. This week, its uploads included a 1992 mask vs. mask match from Lucha Libre AAA that pitted a young Rey Mysterio against Mr. Condor. Mysterio recorded a brief introduction to help explain the match to new viewers.

Front Office Sports published a story on Friday looking at WWE’s YouTube strategy. In the article, WWE’s Head of Digital Media Steve Braband said it shocks him every week how well some content on the Vault performs.

“The success of that came with no new resources [needed],” Braband said. “We tapped into a few people that were passionate about our archive, saw the engagement on our main channel, and just moved our whole vault to this page. We’re about to hit the four-million sub mark—and it shocks me every week how some content does.”

On the Vault channel, WWE regularly uploads full matches, events, and compilation videos on specific storylines. The company has also started up a similar WCW-focused channel.

“As of mid-May, the Vault page had 133.6 million hours viewed over the previous year, representing 131 percent year-over-year growth,” Front Office Sports wrote.

WWE’s overall YouTube strategy —

The Front Office Sports story is largely focused on the fact that AAA Noche de Los Grandes is airing on YouTube this Saturday. That broadcast will be headlined by the mask vs. mask match between El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) and Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable). Braband said WWE views YouTube as an important marketing tool that can help get talent over.

“We’re looking at it as a way to share content, create good content, drive business goals, but also remember how YouTube is connected to the whole Google sphere of it all,” he told Front Office Sports. “It’s a marketing tool. You’re able to show off this brand and grow it and grow new superstars.”

Daily Update: WWE notes, Twisted Metal, MJF

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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Thursday Update

Triple H WWE Raw
Triple H hypes up the WWE crowd. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • WWE posted a video with Paul “Triple H” Levesque sending a message to fans ahead of Clash in Italy:
    • We’re a few days out from Turin, and if I can give one message to the fans: Believe me, this will mean as much to us and the WWE Superstars as it does to each and every one of you. We cannot wait to get there.
    • One of the great things about being a WWE Superstar is that global nature of what we do. The ability to go to countries where maybe they don’t speak the same language, maybe the culture is completely different to ours. It really points out the similarities, as opposed to the differences, between us all.
    • I’ve heard people say before that music is the universal language, but I think maybe WWE is the universal action genre. It connects with everybody. It’s simple to understand. It’s not country vs. country. It’s an escape. It’s larger-than-life superheroes solving their conflict in our ring. There’s a universal language to that.
  • Jade Cargill promoted Clash in Italy during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.
  • ESPN has a 30-minute video of Cody Rhodes reflecting on some of his career highlights.
  • WrestleVotes reports that, while WWE is being flexible with AAA’s scheduling ahead of this year’s two-night Triplemania, AAA Verano de Escandalo 2026 is planned for late July.
  • In an interview with Huge Pop, Gunther discussed the quick success Oba Femi has found on the WWE main roster:
    • He came in guns blazing, really good for him. Hasn’t been in the ring with me 20 minutes yet, so let’s see. I feel like down the line, that’s going to be something that’s very interesting. I think he’s a super exciting talent, and very much looking forward to seeing what he’s going to do in the next years. I think he’s got the potential to be a big superstar in this company, be one of the pillars down the line.
  • Gunther was the guest on No-Contest Wrestling this week.
  • The Hollywood Reporter published an article on Danhausen “uncursing” the New York Knicks on their run to the NBA Finals.
  • R-Truth appeared on Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast.
  • CM Punk was mic’d up in the crowd while attending Tuesday’s Las Vegas Golden Knights NHL playoff game.
  • WWE Vault uploaded Rey Mysterio’s 1992 mask vs. mask match against Mr. Condor from AAA. The video includes a brief introduction from Mysterio.

Other Wrestling

  • Explaining Samoa Joe’s AEW absence over the next few months, season three of Peacock’s “Twisted Metal” – where Joe plays Sweet Tooth – is scheduled to film in Toronto from June 15 through August 26.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Brian Myers (Curt Hawkins) recalled meeting MJF for the first time when MJF started training at his wrestling school
    • Yeah, I’ll never forget it. It was very early on, probably the first four months of Create A Pro. It’s kind of funny, because it’s a very similar mentality, he committed to something in college football, but he really had his heart set on wrestling. I think it kind of hit a wall with what he was doing and what his parents wanted him to do and what he wanted to do. I was in a very similar situation, because when you tell people you want to be a wrestler, it’s not really that believable. His dad came in with him, and it almost felt like, ‘Here, he’s your problem now, this is what he wants to do.’ I was like, let’s go. So pretty early on, we did a promo class where he just murdered this kid, and I was like, okay, and there’s something about this guy.
  • Myers called MJF’s in-ring ability “wildly underrated” and said MJF’s work ethic is something younger wrestlers should emulate:
    • He should be studied for young guys too, like just doing everything that you’re supposed to do to make it. Getting in the car, making the drives, making the connections, you know what I mean? Max is a people person. So he gets your number, ‘What’s your number?’ He stays on top of you for opportunities, things that a go-getter does, he did all those things. He checked all those boxes.
  • Mistico is hoping to return from his knee injury at CMLL’s Arena Mexico show on June 5.
  • The Wrestling Classic has an interview with Cedric Alexander.
  • Candice Michelle, who works behind the scenes as a producer in TNA, appeared on TMZ Inside the Ring.
  • WrestleZone spoke with Shotzi Blackheart.

Rhea Ripley ‘collapsed’ in WWE catering last year: ‘My body was shutting down’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

During a dark period in her life, Rhea Ripley suffered a panic attack backstage at a WWE show and “collapsed” in catering.

Ripley, appearing on the latest episode of Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast, opened up about how she’s learned to become less of a people pleaser and end friendships that are no longer working. There was a moment in time last year where Ripley had to cut a friend out of her life. On top of that, she was feeling a lot of self-imposed pressure at work surrounding Crown Jewel 2025 in her home country of Australia. It all boiled over with Ripley collapsing at the end of the Australia tour.

“The toughest time for me hit when we were in Australia,” Ripley said. “So I had that on my mind, I had the people pleaser in me trying to see everyone at home. I had me trying to please everyone in Australia because I felt like the face of Australia in WWE. So I was like, I take full responsibility for everything that’s happening here. I take responsibility for how I perform. I take responsibility for how these fans treat my peers. I took responsibility for too much, and I just wanted to make sure everyone was happy. And I was just at such a really low point. Even after — because we had the three shows, I had SmackDown, then we had Crown, and then we had Raw — by the time Raw was done, I like collapsed in catering.”

“It was bad. I had like a full panic attack and I just couldn’t — I hadn’t eaten, I hadn’t drank water, my body was shutting down, and I was probably the skinniest I’ve ever been. And I was just like dying.”

The “What’s Your Story?” episode was recorded prior to WrestleMania 42, where Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to win the WWE Women’s Championship. Around that time, Ripley disclosed that she’s suffered from an eating disorder, which is triggered by stress and not feeling in control. She credited her husband Buddy Matthews for being a “strong point” who helps her through these struggles.

Rhea Ripley at WWE Clash in Italy —

This Sunday, a WrestleMania rematch will take place at Clash in Italy when Ripley defends the WWE Women’s Championship against Cargill. The bout is scheduled for the first hour of the PLE broadcast, which begins at 2 p.m. Eastern time and will be simulcast on ESPN.

Ripley has dedicated this match to her late grandmother who grew up in Italy.

“I’ve always wanted to go to Italy but never had the opportunity. This weekend I finally get to live that dream at #ClashInItaly!,” Ripley wrote. “My Nonna was one of the most important and strongest people in my life. Going to the country where her and my Nonno grew up feels like I’m about to visit a home I’ve never had the pleasure to experience. I miss you every day! This one’s for you! I hope I make you proud when you look down on me.”

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.

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.

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.

Vince McMahon, Nick Khan sanctioned in WWE shareholder lawsuit

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Vince McMahon and his fellow defendants have been dealt a blow in the ongoing shareholder lawsuit related to Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE.

A group of shareholders is suing McMahon and then-WWE board members Nick Khan, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Michelle Wilson, and George Barrios, alleging that McMahon steered the company’s 2023 sale/merger process to Endeavor so that he would end up in a favorable position under the new regime. The claim is that McMahon, with promises from Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, was influenced to go in this direction instead of considering other bids that would have been more financially beneficial to the company and its shareholders.

The trial is scheduled to begin on June 8. Ahead of that, the judge has ruled that McMahon and Khan “acted recklessly” by using the messaging app Signal and changing their settings so that messages would automatically delete after a short period of time. Because of that spoliation (destruction) of evidence, the judge has sanctioned the defendants. The sanctions mean the burden of proof has shifted and the defense is tasked with showing the following is not true:

  • Emanuel’s promise to provide Vince with a continued role at any post-merger company after a transaction influenced Vince’s decision-making with respect to the merger.
  • Emanuel’s offer of indemnification and other legal support related to pending federal investigations of Vince’s alleged misconduct influenced Vince’s decision-making with respect to the merger.
  • Vince decided to pursue a transaction with Endeavor in 2022, before the Company initiated the strategic review process.
  • Khan communicated with Emanuel between August and December 2022 to facilitate a transaction between WWE and Endeavor.
  • Vince and Khan worked with Raine [banking company] to steer the process toward a deal with Endeavor and away from other potential bidders.

McMahon, Khan, Levesque, Stephanie McMahon, and former WWE executive Brad Blum are listed as the group of people who used Signal and its auto-delete function. Though Wilson and Barrios were not Signal users, the judge says this ruling is not unfair to them because it is only related to McMahon and Khan’s conduct and does not assume others knew about it or were involved.

Neither WWE nor TKO are defendants in the suit. Though McMahon did hold a high-ranking executive position in TKO after the sale, he is no longer employed by the company after resigning in January 2024 in the wake of the sexual abuse allegations made in Janel Grant’s lawsuit.

This shareholder suit will include testimony from McMahon, Khan, Levesque, Emanuel, TKO’s Mark Shapiro, and others.

Ludwig Kaiser granted permission to travel during legal case

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Ludwig Kaiser is officially able to continue working while his legal case plays out.

A new court filing appeared on Tuesday showing that Orange County judge Andrew Cameron has granted Kaiser’s motion to travel throughout the United States and internationally. This was expected given that the state did not object to the motion, which allowed Kaiser (Marcel Barthel) to travel to Mexico last week and proceed with his WWE/AAA duties.

The judge’s ruling states that, though allowed to travel, Kaiser must appear in person for all future court dates. He must also abide by all previous conditions of his bond, like not being allowed to have any contact with the alleged victim, not consuming alcohol to the point of intoxication, and not using any drugs unless prescribed by a doctor:

Here is the judge’s full ruling:

  • This cause having come before me upon Defendant’s Motion for Travel, and the Court being fully advised in the premises, it is hereby ordered and adjudged:
  • 1. Mr. Barthel is permitted to travel throughout the United States and internationally during the pendency of this case.
  • 2. Mr. Barthel shall appear in person for all required future court dates.
  • 3. All other previous conditions of release remain in effect.

Ludwig Kaiser battery arrest —

Kaiser is facing a misdemeanor battery charge relating to an April incident involving a male resident of his Orlando, Florida apartment complex. Per the victim’s story of what happened, Kaiser and a female were aggressively kissing while the three were in an elevator. The victim claims he told them to “please have some manners,” which led to Kaiser attacking him outside of the elevator. Police observed a large scratch and redness on the victim’s head.

When Kaiser learned of a warrant for his arrest, he turned himself in on May 20. The state not objecting to his travel request meant that Kaiser was able to be back in Mexico by May 22. He has a big match coming up at AAA Noche de Los Grandes this Saturday, where El Grande Americano (Kaiser) will battle Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) with their masks on the line.

Former WWE writer reveals strange plans for nWo 2020 revival

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A strange reboot of the nWo was apparently almost introduced by WWE in 2020.

During an appearance on the Public Enemies Podcast, former WWE writer Chris Dunn — who worked for the company from 2016-2021 — shared that the idea of a new version of the nWo was discussed during the pandemic era. It would have consisted of Sheamus, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Lars Sullivan. The idea got so far along that WWE was going to bring in a past legend to introduce the faction. However, that legend ended up failing their COVID test.

“Do you guys remember that ThunderDome? Really tough to do TV in there, so a lot of ideas were thrown against the wall [laughs]. So, it was discussed at one point, bringing back the nWo 2020,” Dunn said.

“The pitch was Sheamus, Cesaro, Nakamura, and Lars Sullivan. It was really close to happening… I forget which legendary nWo member was supposed to fly to Orlando to introduce this new nWo. But essentially they landed and they didn’t pass the COVID test.”

Dunn said there were plans for a debut but no concrete ideas after that. WWE was going to figure it out as they went. Sullivan did not last much longer with WWE. Sheamus and Nakamura are still with the promotion, while Cesaro (Claudio Castagnoli) departed for AEW in 2022.

Kevin Nash responded to Dunn’s story by tweeting that he never heard anything about this revival, nor did Scott Hall or Sean “X-Pac” Waltman.

WWE in the pandemic era —

Dunn said this idea came from early in the pandemic era while WWE was still presenting shows from the Performance Center. Later in 2020, WWE moved its TV production to the ThunderDome, which had multiple locations in Florida before WWE went back on the road in 2021.

This era saw off-the-wall ideas like Retribution and Raw Underground make it to television. During this time, Vince McMahon also considered adding Reginald to the main event match between Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 37.

The classic version of the nWo, represented by Hulk Hogan, Nash, Hall, and Waltman, was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020.

John Cena doesn’t think he ever said ‘no’ to WWE creative decision

Posted on by Joseph Currier

During his entire career, John Cena doesn’t think he ever outright said “no” to a creative decision that was made by WWE.

Cena retired from in-ring competition in December 2025 and now works for the company as a brand ambassador. He discussed that new role during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show but also took a moment to look back on his time in the ring. Cena addressed the heel turn that took place during his retirement tour. Though fans ultimately rejected the idea, Cena does not regret it. He enjoyed taking risks creatively and was up for whatever WWE wanted.

“I always like new creative challenges. And that’s why, I mean, very rarely — I honestly don’t think I’ve said ‘no’ to any sort of creative decision in WWE,” Cena said. “I’ve always tried to embrace it and do the best I can. And right up until my final moment of tapping out with fulfillment on my face, which was very mixed reviews on that as well, I always enjoy a creative challenge. I’m not afraid to take those risks.”

Cena’s final match was a loss to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event. With a smile on his face, Cena tapped out in a sleeper, with the moment intended to mimic a person passing away peacefully at the end of their life.

In his ambassadorial role, Cena hosted WrestleMania 42 and then made an appearance at Backlash, where he announced the “John Cena Classic.” It’s an event that will see main roster stars face off against wrestlers from NXT. At the end of the show, fans will vote to determine a John Cena Classic Champion — with both winners and losers eligible to be voted the winner.

Cena told The Rich Eisen Show that he came up with the idea for the John Cena Classic after featuring NXT talent on the undercard for his retirement show. The wrestlers felt like they were part of something new, and Cena wanted to expand things more with a fan-voting component.

“I kind of wanted to extend it a little bit more. I’m like, how can we involve the fan base?,” Cena said. “So that’s where the fan vote came from. And then I tried to take it a little bit further in saying that like, man, if you’re a talent and you go out and you tear the house down, but you’re this close to winning and maybe you came up short, you still have the opportunity to be in the running to see if you won the fan vote enough to be crowned champion.

No date set for John Cena Classic yet —

There is no date or location set for the John Cena Classic as of this moment. It might be a while before the show actually takes place, as it’s being targeted for the latter part of 2026. Netflix has reportedly expressed interest in broadcasting the event.