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WWE may be adding another internationally recognized name to its roster.
According to PWInsider, multiple sources have confirmed that former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL has officially signed with the company. The move comes after the 39-year-old star announced back in January that he would not be renewing his contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, signaling the end of a long run with the promotion.
EVIL, whose real name is Takaaki Watanabe, spent over a decade in NJPW after debuting in 2011. During that time, he built a decorated résumé and became a key figure in factions like Los Ingobernables de Japón and later Bullet Club. His resume includes a reign as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, along with runs as IWGP Intercontinental Champion, NEVER Openweight Champion, and multiple tag team title victories. He also found success in six-man competition, capturing the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Titles on several occasions.
For fans in the United States, EVIL isn’t entirely unfamiliar. He’s previously competed in Ring of Honor and made appearances in Jeff Jarrett’s now-defunct Global Force Wrestling, giving him some exposure outside of Japan prior to this reported WWE deal.
One notable change expected with this move is his in-ring identity. According to the report, WWE is not planning to use the “EVIL” name, meaning a rebrand is likely once he debuts on television.
There’s also a personal connection that has caught fans’ attention over the years. EVIL was previously reported to be engaged to current WWE star IYO SKY, though there’s no clear update on their relationship status as of now.
As with many international signings, the big question will be how WWE chooses to introduce him and position him within the roster. With his experience, championship pedigree, and faction background, he could bring a unique edge to whichever brand he lands on — especially if paired with the right presentation out of the gate.
For now, all eyes will be on when and where this reported signing officially comes to light on WWE programming.
WWE could be gearing up to make some subtle adjustments to Friday Night SmackDown, though fans shouldn’t expect a complete makeover.
According to recent reports, there have been internal discussions about freshening up the overall presentation of the blue brand. That said, the core look and feel of SmackDown is expected to stay the same. There are currently no plans to swap out the show’s theme music, redesign the stage, or introduce a new logo — suggesting this would be more of a light refresh than a full-scale reboot.
Alongside those production tweaks, there’s also talk of potential roster movement.
One name reportedly being discussed is Jacy Jayne. The former NXT standout recently competed at NXT: Revenge, where she came up short before delivering an emotional address to the crowd — the kind of sendoff that often signals a transition to the main roster. While nothing has been confirmed, the timing has certainly raised eyebrows.
Another interesting name linked to SmackDown is Rey Mysterio. The WWE Hall of Famer has primarily been featured on Raw in recent months, but he’s remained active across multiple promotions, including appearances in AAA. A move to SmackDown could help freshen up matchups and storylines, especially given his veteran presence and continued popularity.
As of now, there’s no official word on when — or even if — these changes will take place. Still, the idea of minor adjustments combined with a few roster shakeups could be WWE’s way of keeping SmackDown feeling fresh without straying too far from what’s already working.
Brock Lesnar may have quietly closed the book on one of the most dominant careers in WWE history.
At WrestleMania 42, Lesnar came up short against Oba Femi in a hard-hitting clash that felt significant even before its closing moments. But it was what happened after the bell that truly got people talking. “The Beast” removed his gloves and boots in the ring — a long-standing symbol in wrestling that a performer is stepping away — and shared an emotional embrace with Paul Heyman, his on-screen advocate for over two decades.
While speculation had already been swirling about Lesnar’s future heading into WrestleMania, many believed his final match would take place later this year at SummerSlam, especially with the event scheduled for his hometown of Minneapolis. That idea fueled hope among fans that the WrestleMania moment might have been more of a storyline tease than a definitive farewell.
However, the latest backstage chatter suggests otherwise.
According to a new report from WrestleVotes Radio via Fightful Select, there is a growing belief within WWE that Lesnar’s WrestleMania appearance was, in fact, his last. Sources reportedly feel that the post-match scene wasn’t just for dramatic effect, but a genuine goodbye from the 48-year-old former champion.
That said, not everyone is ready to completely shut the door. There remains some internal hope that Lesnar could resurface for one more match, potentially at SummerSlam. Still, as of now, there’s no concrete indication that “The Conqueror” is planning a return — even with the hometown connection in play.
If Lesnar is truly finished, it leaves a few intriguing “what ifs” on the table. One of the most talked-about possibilities was a showdown with GUNTHER. The reigning powerhouse has built a reputation as WWE’s “Career Killer,” having already claimed victories over legends like Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles.
WWE even teased the potential clash in recent weeks. On Raw, GUNTHER came to Heyman’s aid during an altercation with Seth Rollins, later stating that Heyman owed him a favor — a moment that many fans interpreted as a setup for a future match with Lesnar. Add in GUNTHER’s dominant win over Rollins at WrestleMania and his ongoing singles undefeated streak since last SummerSlam, and the timing seemed perfect for a generational showdown.
For now, though, that dream match appears to be just that — a dream.
Lesnar’s legacy is already cemented as one of the most intimidating and successful figures in WWE history. Whether he returns for one more bout or not, his WrestleMania exit has all the signs of a definitive ending — even if the wrestling world isn’t quite ready to accept it.
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It looks like Sol Ruca may be closing the chapter on her NXT run after making waves on WWE’s main roster this week.
Ruca stepped onto Monday Night Raw for her first official match, squaring off against Liv Morgan in a competitive showing that quickly turned chaotic thanks to outside involvement from Zaria. While the match itself raised eyebrows, it was what followed that really got people talking about Ruca’s future.
Just days earlier, Ruca endured a brutal Last Woman Standing match at NXT Revenge, where she took a heavy fall off a raised platform and crashed through a table. The spot felt significant, and in hindsight, it may have served as a dramatic sendoff moment for her NXT tenure.
Fueling that speculation even more, Ruca took to Instagram shortly after her Raw appearance with a simple but telling message: “Thank you NXT, it’s been real.” The post included photos of her standing in front of her locker, a visual that many fans are interpreting as a farewell to the brand where she built her name.
Despite the strong hints, WWE has yet to make anything official. Ruca is still listed under the NXT roster on WWE.com, leaving just enough room for uncertainty. Still, between her Raw debut and her social media message, all signs are pointing toward a full-time move to the main roster.
If this really is the end of her NXT run, Ruca leaves behind a memorable stretch filled with standout athleticism and highlight-reel moments—and it looks like she’s ready to bring that same energy to a bigger stage.
Paige’s return to WWE has already delivered a major WrestleMania moment—but now her story is about to reach an entirely new audience outside the ring.
After spending years away from WWE working with AEW and pursuing projects beyond wrestling, Paige made a high-profile comeback at WrestleMania 42. Stepping in as a replacement for Nikki Bella, she teamed with Brie Bella and captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, instantly reestablishing herself as a key player in the division. But as it turns out, that in-ring success is just one part of a much larger resurgence.
According to a new report from Deadline, Paige’s life story—previously told in the 2019 film Fighting With My Family—is now being reimagined as a stage musical. The project already has some familiar names attached. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who helped produce and appeared in the original film, is returning as a producer alongside writer and director Stephen Merchant.
The creative team for the musical is also taking shape. British playwright Jon Brittain will handle the book and lyrics, while the music itself will come from songwriting duo Miranda Cooper and Nick Coler. The production is being developed under Cooper’s Tilted Musicals banner, with early plans aiming toward a public debut sometime in 2027.
Johnson spoke about the transition from screen to stage, emphasizing how naturally Paige’s story fits into a live performance setting. He noted that the blend of real-life emotion and the theatrical nature of professional wrestling makes it an ideal candidate for a musical adaptation, suggesting audiences could be in for something unique when it finally premieres.
The original Fighting With My Family film performed well relative to its budget, bringing in over $40 million worldwide and earning solid reviews. It also helped introduce wider audiences to Paige’s journey from a wrestling family in the UK to WWE stardom. Along the way, it gave a boost to rising actors Florence Pugh and Jack Lowden, who portrayed Paige and her brother Zak Knight, respectively, alongside a cast that included Nick Frost, Lena Headey, and Vince Vaughn.
With Paige back in WWE gold and her story heading to the stage, it’s clear her legacy continues to evolve in unexpected ways. From the squared circle to Hollywood—and now to theater—her journey is far from over.
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WWE made a point to highlight attendance figures across both nights of WrestleMania 42, and this time around, the numbers appear to closely mirror what independent trackers had already projected—just with a slight bump.
For Night 1, WWE announced an attendance of 50,816, which isn’t far off from WrestleTix’s estimate of 50,081. Night 2 saw a bit more separation, with WWE claiming 55,255 fans in attendance compared to WrestleTix’s reported 52,011. The discrepancy could come down to how WWE calculates attendance, as WrestleNomics noted that the company may be factoring in suite sales—something WrestleTix typically leaves out.
Even with those solid figures, WrestleMania 42 didn’t quite reach the heights of last year’s event, which took place in the same venue. WrestleMania 41 drew over 60,000 fans on both nights, setting a high bar and contributing to record-breaking gate numbers for the company.
So what changed this year? One likely factor is pricing. Ticket costs for WrestleMania 42 were a hot topic leading up to the event, even making their way into WWE storylines. As the show approached, both WWE and Allegiant Stadium reportedly rolled out discounts—some as steep as 30%—to help boost attendance.
While the numbers are still strong by most standards, the year-over-year decline suggests that pricing strategy may have played a role in keeping WrestleMania 42 from matching its predecessor’s turnout. Still, the relatively close alignment between WWE’s announced figures and third-party estimates could signal a shift toward more transparency when it comes to reporting attendance for major events.
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