Nikki Bella Pushes Through Injury, Vows to Compete at WrestleMania 42

Despite growing speculation about her WrestleMania 42 status, Nikki Bella is making it clear she has no intention of missing the biggest show of the year.

The WWE Hall of Famer appeared on the red carpet at the 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony wearing a walking boot, immediately raising concerns about her availability for WrestleMania 42. Nikki is currently dealing with a foot injury that had reportedly put her spot in jeopardy, with rumors even suggesting that recently re-signed Paige (Saraya) could step in as her replacement.

But if you ask Nikki, those reports are off the mark.

While speaking with Big E during the event, Nikki insisted she’s still on track to compete. She emphasized that the injury is being managed carefully and that she’s taking the necessary time to rest ahead of the big match.

According to Nikki, she fully expects to be in the ring, standing alongside her sister Brie Bella as they chase the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.

The Bella Twins are set to compete in a high-stakes four-way ladder match at WrestleMania 42. The current champions, Nia Jax and Lash Legend, will defend against three teams: Nikki and Brie, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and the duo of Bayley and Lyra Valkyria.

Even with the physical setback, Nikki remained confident and unwavering, making it clear that nothing would keep her from teaming with Brie on such a major stage. Brie echoed that same mindset, reinforcing the duo’s long-standing reputation for overcoming obstacles.

With WrestleMania just around the corner, all eyes will be on whether Nikki can back up her bold claims and make the walk down the ramp. If she does, the already chaotic ladder match just became even more unpredictable.

Paige Set for Stunning WWE In-Ring Return at WrestleMania 42

In what once felt like an impossibility, Saraya Jade-Bevis is reportedly heading back to WWE—and not just for an appearance, but for an in-ring return.

According to PWInsider, the former Divas Champion—best known to WWE fans as Paige—has signed with the company and is expected to compete as part of WrestleMania 42 weekend. If the report holds true, this marks a remarkable comeback story for a performer who was medically ruled out of action back in 2018.

The current expectation is that Paige will be inserted into Saturday’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-Way match, stepping in for Nikki Bella, who is dealing with an ankle injury suffered on SmackDown in recent weeks. There’s already speculation building, especially after reports that Paige was spotted participating in a match run-through earlier this week.

WWE has yet to officially comment on the situation.

For longtime fans, this potential return carries major significance. Paige was a trailblazer during a pivotal shift in WWE’s women’s division. A second-generation wrestler from Norwich, England, she made waves early—debuting in the business at just 13 years old before eventually becoming one of the defining stars of NXT’s early era.

At a time when the main roster women’s division leaned heavily on presentation over performance, NXT—led in part by Paige—focused on in-ring ability and storytelling. That approach would eventually reshape WWE’s entire women’s division, and Paige was right at the forefront of that evolution.

Her main roster debut remains one of the most memorable in company history. The night after WrestleMania 30, a 21-year-old Paige shocked the world by defeating AJ Lee to win the Divas Championship in her very first match. In doing so, she became the youngest Divas Champion ever and the only woman to hold both the NXT Women’s and Divas titles simultaneously.

But her momentum came to a sudden halt in late 2017. During a match involving Sasha Banks, Paige suffered a serious neck injury that led to her being pulled from in-ring competition. Given her history of neck issues, WWE ultimately made the call to medically disqualify her from wrestling in early 2018.

From there, Paige transitioned into a non-wrestling role as SmackDown General Manager and remained a visible figure within the company. Outside the ring, her story reached mainstream audiences through the film Fighting with My Family, which chronicled her journey from a wrestling family in the UK to WWE stardom.

After her WWE contract expired in 2022, Saraya made the jump to AEW, where she successfully returned to in-ring action. She went on to capture the AEW Women’s Championship and remained an active competitor through early 2025, proving that her wrestling career was far from over.

Now at 33, Saraya appears poised to revisit her roots and add another chapter to her already unique legacy—this time back under the WWE banner.

If she does indeed step into the ring at WrestleMania 42, it won’t just be a return—it’ll be one of the most unlikely full-circle moments WWE has seen in years.

WWE Hall Of Fame 2026 Preview

WWE is set to celebrate one of its biggest nights of the year as the 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes over Las Vegas tonight. With a mix of modern-era stars, legendary teams, and historic moments, this year’s class brings together multiple generations of wrestling history under one roof.

The ceremony will stream at midnight ET (9 p.m. PT) on ESPN Unlimited in the United States, while international fans can tune in via YouTube. Michael Cole and The Miz are slated to guide viewers through the evening as hosts, a pairing that should balance polish with personality.

Headlining the class is Stephanie McMahon, whose influence on WWE stretches far beyond her on-screen appearances. From her days as a villainous authority figure to her real-life roles as Chief Brand Officer, Chairwoman, and Co-CEO, McMahon has been a constant presence in WWE’s evolution over the past two decades. Interestingly, McMahon has admitted she initially questioned whether she was worthy of the honor, a sentiment that adds a personal layer to her induction.

Joining her is AJ Styles, who officially wrapped up an iconic 28-year career earlier this year at the Royal Rumble. Styles’ WWE run alone cements his legacy, with multiple WWE Championship reigns and the distinction of being both a Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion. His induction was revealed in a memorable moment on Raw when The Undertaker personally delivered the news, adding extra weight to an already emotional milestone.

Tag team fans will see Demolition finally get their due. Ax and Smash dominated WWE’s tag division in the late ’80s, racking up three title reigns and holding the championships for a combined 698 days. Their 478-day reign remains one of the most impressive stretches in tag team history, and their inclusion in this year’s class feels long overdue.

The celebrity wing welcomes Dennis Rodman, whose involvement in pro wrestling during the late ’90s helped blur the lines between sports and sports entertainment. Rodman’s appearances alongside Hulk Hogan and the nWo in WCW made him a key figure during the height of the Monday Night War, bringing mainstream attention to the industry.

This year’s Legacy wing honors two names with very different, but equally impactful, careers. Sid Eudy—known as Sycho Sid and Sid Vicious—will be inducted posthumously. A powerhouse performer, Sid captured world championships in both WWE and WCW and remained one of the most imposing figures of his era. He passed away in 2024. Joining him is Bad News Brown (Allen Coage), an Olympic bronze medalist in judo whose legitimate combat background gave him a unique edge during his WWE run. Brown is perhaps best remembered for his WrestleMania IV battle royal victory and his no-nonsense persona. He passed away in 2007.

Rounding out the night is this year’s Immortal Moment Award, which goes to Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III. The iconic bodyslam in front of over 93,000 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome remains one of the most replayed and celebrated moments in wrestling history. With this recognition, Hogan becomes a three-time Hall of Famer, while Andre earns his second induction.

With a lineup that blends corporate influence, in-ring excellence, and unforgettable moments, the 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony looks poised to deliver both nostalgia and emotion—hallmarks of WWE at its best.

WWE HOF

WWE is set to celebrate one of its biggest nights of the year as the 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes over Las Vegas tonight. With a mix of modern-era stars, legendary teams, and historic moments, this year’s class brings together multiple generations of wrestling history under one roof.

The ceremony will stream at midnight ET (9 p.m. PT) on ESPN Unlimited in the United States, while international fans can tune in via YouTube. Michael Cole and The Miz are slated to guide viewers through the evening as hosts, a pairing that should balance polish with personality.

Headlining the class is Stephanie McMahon, whose influence on WWE stretches far beyond her on-screen appearances. From her days as a villainous authority figure to her real-life roles as Chief Brand Officer, Chairwoman, and Co-CEO, McMahon has been a constant presence in WWE’s evolution over the past two decades. A former WWF Women’s Champion, she’ll be inducted by The Undertaker—fitting, given their shared history during some of WWE’s most memorable storylines. Interestingly, McMahon has admitted she initially questioned whether she was worthy of the honor, a sentiment that adds a personal layer to her induction.

Joining her is AJ Styles, who officially wrapped up an iconic 28-year career earlier this year at the Royal Rumble. Styles’ WWE run alone cements his legacy, with multiple WWE Championship reigns and the distinction of being both a Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion. His induction was revealed in a memorable moment on Raw when The Undertaker personally delivered the news, adding extra weight to an already emotional milestone.

Tag team fans will see Demolition finally get their due. Ax and Smash dominated WWE’s tag division in the late ’80s, racking up three title reigns and holding the championships for a combined 698 days. Their 478-day reign remains one of the most impressive stretches in tag team history, and their inclusion in this year’s class feels long overdue.

The celebrity wing welcomes Dennis Rodman, whose involvement in pro wrestling during the late ’90s helped blur the lines between sports and sports entertainment. Rodman’s appearances alongside Hulk Hogan and the nWo in WCW made him a key figure during the height of the Monday Night War, bringing mainstream attention to the industry.

This year’s Legacy wing honors two names with very different, but equally impactful, careers. Sid Eudy—known as Sycho Sid and Sid Vicious—will be inducted posthumously. A powerhouse performer, Sid captured world championships in both WWE and WCW and remained one of the most imposing figures of his era. He passed away in 2024. Joining him is Bad News Brown (Allen Coage), an Olympic bronze medalist in judo whose legitimate combat background gave him a unique edge during his WWE run. Brown is perhaps best remembered for his WrestleMania IV battle royal victory and his no-nonsense persona. He passed away in 2007.

Rounding out the night is this year’s Immortal Moment Award, which goes to Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania III. The iconic bodyslam in front of over 93,000 fans at the Pontiac Silverdome remains one of the most replayed and celebrated moments in wrestling history. With this recognition, Hogan becomes a three-time Hall of Famer, while Andre earns his second induction.

With a lineup that blends corporate influence, in-ring excellence, and unforgettable moments, the 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony looks poised to deliver both nostalgia and emotion—hallmarks of WWE at its best.

WWE SmackDown Preview 4/17/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
  • WWE Women’s United States Championship Match: Giulia (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton
  • Street Fight: The Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has a message for Randy Orton one night before WrestleMania
  • How will Jacob Fatu respond to Drew McIntyre’s brutal attack last week on SmackDown as The Samoan Werewolf prepares to battle The Scottish Psychopath in an Unsanctioned Match at WrestleMania.

WWE WrestleMania 42 Card (4/18 & 4/19)

WWE WrestleMania 42 – Saturday, April 18, 2026 and Sunday April 19, 2026 – Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. – Available on ESPN Unlimited, Netflix (Internationally) and PPV.

Night 1 kicks off on Saturday, April 18, with the first hour airing at 6:00 pm ET on ESPN2. Night 2 kicks on Sunday, April 19, with the first hour airing at 6:00 pm ET on ESPN.

John Cena is the host of WrestleMania 42

CARD

WrestleMania 42 – Night 1 (April 18)

  • WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
  • WWE Women’s World Championship Match: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
  • Seth Rollins vs. GUNTHER.
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship 4-Way Match: The Irresistible Forces (Lash Legend & Nia Jax) (c) vs. The Bellas vs. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
  • (ESPN2) Logan Paul, Austin Theory & I ShowSpeed vs. The Usos & LA Knight
  • (ESPN2) Unsanctioned Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu

WrestleMania 42 – Night 2 (April 19)

  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
  • WWE Women’s Championship Match: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
  • WWE United States Championship Match: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
  • Dominik Mysterio vs. The Demon Finn Balor
  • (ESPN) Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi
  • (ESPN) WWE Intercontinental Title Ladder Match: Penta (c) vs. Rusev vs. Je’Von Evans vs. JD McDonagh vs. Dragon Lee vs. Rey Mysterio

TNA Announces The Return Of Lockdown

TNA Wrestling announced that Lockdown, a showcase event in which every single match is contested inside a steel cage, will return on Sunday, August 23, broadcasting live around the world on pay-per-view from Credit Union 1 Arena in downtown Chicago. Lockdown will also see the return of Lethal Lockdown!

Pre-sale begins April 22, tickets go on-sale April 24! FULL DETAILS: https://tnawrestling.com/…/TNA-Wrestling-Revives…

AEW Collision Spring BreakThru Preview 4/16/2026

AEW Collision Spring BreakThru tonight on a special day on TNT and HBO Max at 8pm ET taped last night from the Angels of the Wind Arena in Everett, Washington.

  • AEW Women’s World Championship: Thekla (c) vs. Alex Windsor
  • AEW Continental Championship Eliminator Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Nick Wayne
  • AEW Trios Championship Eliminator Match: The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly) (c) vs. The Lethal Twist
  • Young Bucks vs. The Rascal
  • Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander vs. TBA
  • PAC vs. Lio Rush
  • Brody King, Mistico, & Mascara Dorada vs. TBA
  • We’ll hear from Adam Copeland

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 4/16/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight on AMC at 9/8c.

  • Fallout from Rebellion
  • EC3 vs. Eric Young
  • KC Naravarro vs. AJ Francis
  • Jada Stone vs. Tasha Steelz
  • Mike Santana appears
  • Chapter Three of the Undead Realm
  • We’ll hear from The System

Report: AEW Catches WWE and TNA Off Guard with Forbidden Door Scheduling Move

AEW has stirred up plenty of buzz this week—and not just with fans. A new report suggests that both WWE and TNA Wrestling were left in the dark when Tony Khan’s company made a major announcement regarding Forbidden Door 2026.

It was revealed on Wednesday that this year’s Forbidden Door event will take place on June 28 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The twist? That date just so happens to clash directly with TNA’s Slammiversary, which is set for the same night in Boston, Massachusetts.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, neither WWE nor TNA had any prior warning about AEW’s plans. Both promotions reportedly learned about the scheduling decision at the same time as the public, making the move feel like a surprise shot across the bow.

For TNA, the timing is especially significant. Slammiversary is widely considered one of the promotion’s biggest shows of the year, second only to its flagship events. Naturally, running head-to-head with AEW—particularly on a card as loaded as Forbidden Door—is far from ideal.

Some may have expected WWE to step in and bolster TNA’s lineup in response, especially given their growing working relationship. However, the report indicates WWE was just as blindsided and had no involvement in the decision or any immediate counter-strategy.

Meanwhile, AEW is aiming to make this year’s Forbidden Door the biggest yet. The 2026 edition won’t just feature talent from AEW and NJPW—it’s also set to include stars from CMLL and STARDOM, turning the event into a massive multi-promotional showcase.

Whether intentional or not, AEW has thrown a major wrinkle into the summer wrestling calendar—and all eyes will be on how the competition responds.