Category: WWE

Report: WWE Monitoring Middle East Tensions, Has Backup Plans for WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia

WWE’s long-term plans for WrestleMania 43 don’t appear to be changing—for now—but there’s clearly some behind-the-scenes caution as global tensions continue to rise.

According to a new report from PWInsider Elite, WrestleMania 43 is still scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027. Despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including recent U.S. military action involving Iran, WWE has not made any official adjustments to the event’s location.

That said, the company isn’t ignoring the situation. Sources indicate WWE has contingency plans in place for events scheduled in the region, should conditions change. While no specific alternatives have been outlined, officials are reportedly monitoring developments closely and are prepared to pivot if necessary.

The uncertainty comes as several major international events have already been impacted. Formula 1 recently canceled its Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix, both originally slated for April, due to the escalating conflict. WWE, however, is still moving forward with its Saudi partnership, with another event expected in the Kingdom this summer—though an official date has yet to be announced.

This isn’t the first time geopolitical tensions have threatened WWE’s plans in the region. Back in 2025, Night of Champions was briefly in jeopardy when Saudi Arabia closed its airspace amid missile exchanges between Israel and Iran. Travel disruptions even left some WWE production staff stranded in Qatar, though the event ultimately went on as scheduled.

As for WrestleMania 43, WWE has options if a change becomes necessary. The company has previously promised WrestleMania hosting duties to multiple U.S. cities, including Indianapolis and New Orleans, either of which could potentially step in if plans in Saudi Arabia fall through.

For now, though, WWE is staying the course—while quietly preparing for anything that might come next.

WWE’s Santos Escobar Facing Surgery After Worsening Tricep Injury During AAA Match

Santos Escobar’s in-ring future just took an unfortunate turn, as a lingering injury has reportedly gotten worse and will now require surgery.

According to reports from Fightful Select, Escobar originally hurt his tricep during an NXT live event in January while facing El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Despite the setback, he continued working through the injury at the time, believing it wasn’t anything too serious. However, that assumption turned out to be off the mark.

The situation escalated during AAA’s Rey de Reyes event on March 14, where Escobar competed in a four-way match against the two El Grande Americanos and La Parka. It was in that match that the injury was aggravated, and it has since been confirmed to be a torn tricep rather than a minor issue. As a result, Escobar is now scheduled to undergo surgery, which is expected to sideline him for an extended period.

The timing is particularly rough given Escobar’s recent career trajectory. After hitting free agency, he re-signed with WWE in October despite earlier frustrations with creative direction. Since returning, his presence on WWE programming has been minimal—he hasn’t wrestled on television and has only worked a handful of NXT house shows, along with appearances in AAA.

There have also been rumblings about dissatisfaction on multiple fronts. Reports suggest Escobar hasn’t been thrilled with how he’s been utilized in WWE, while some within AAA reportedly haven’t been overly impressed with his recent performances either.

Now, with surgery looming and recovery ahead, Escobar faces yet another hurdle at a time when momentum has already been hard to come by. How WWE handles his return once he’s cleared will be something to watch closely.

WWE NXT Preview 3/17/2026

WWE NXT live tonight on The CW and Netflix ((internationally) from the 713 Music Hall in Houston, Texas.

  • Booker T Appreciation Night
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Sol Ruca vs. Zaria
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship Steel Cage Match: Tatum Paxley(c) vs. Izzi Dame
  • WWE Speed Women’s Championship: Fallon Henley (c) vs. Wren Sinclair
  • NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Hank & Tank vs. Birthright
  • El Grando Americano, Rayo and Bravo vs. Vanity Project

Backstage Update on Royce Keys’ WWE Status and Main Roster Demand

Royce Keys’ WWE run hasn’t exactly gotten off to the explosive start some fans expected—but behind the scenes, there’s a bit more to the story.

After making his debut during the Royal Rumble, the former AEW standout (known to many as Powerhouse Hobbs) has yet to appear on WWE television in any meaningful way. That absence has raised eyebrows, especially considering the buzz around his signing. However, a new report is shedding light on both his current status and a key decision he made before joining the company.

According to Fightful Select, Keys was firm on one major point during negotiations: he wanted to go straight to WWE’s main roster. Unlike many incoming talents who are routed through NXT to adjust to WWE’s system, Keys reportedly pushed to skip developmental entirely—and ultimately got his way.

Even though he hasn’t been featured on TV yet, Keys hasn’t been sitting idle. The report notes that he’s been involved in several behind-the-scenes projects, including filming content and being scanned for inclusion in an upcoming WWE 2K video game. He’s also been traveling with the SmackDown brand and working dark matches against notable names like Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, and Rey Fenix—suggesting WWE is quietly getting him acclimated before a full-fledged debut.

There’s also been some indication that WWE is deliberately holding off on using Keys on television while he adjusts to the company’s style and structure. While that might test the patience of fans eager to see him in action, it could point to a more calculated rollout.

And that rollout might come sooner rather than later.

Word is that WWE could be lining up something for WrestleMania 42, potentially involving an unexpected crossover. Reports suggest Keys may be paired with music star Jelly Roll, who has recently reappeared in WWE and is seemingly heading into a storyline with The Miz and Kit Wilson. The idea would center around the two bonding over shared struggles, creating a unique angle that blends celebrity appeal with in-ring power.

Jelly Roll has only wrestled once in WWE so far—teaming with Randy Orton at SummerSlam against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre—but the company appears open to bringing him back into the fold.

For now, Royce Keys remains off TV, but clearly not out of the picture. If WWE is indeed saving his true introduction for a bigger stage, fans may not have to wait much longer to see how this next chapter unfolds.

WWE Raw Preview 3/16/2026

WWE Raw airs live today on Netflix at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.

  • Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Bayley
  • Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • El Grande Americano vs. Original El Grande Americano
  • Dominik Mysterio and Judgment Day to appear
  • Maxxine Dupri vs. Nattie
  • Roman Reigns to appear
  • Brock Lesnar to appear

WWE Reportedly Considering Jelly Roll Tag Match for WrestleMania 42

WWE may be lining up another big crossover moment for WrestleMania 42, and it could involve Grammy Award–winning artist Jelly Roll stepping back into the ring.

The singer made headlines once again after appearing on the March 13 episode of WWE SmackDown as a guest on Miz TV. What started as a friendly segment quickly turned chaotic when The Miz offered to mentor Jelly Roll in the ring. The situation escalated after tensions rose involving Pretty Deadly’s Kit Wilson, eventually leading to Jelly Roll throwing a punch that accidentally connected with The Miz when Wilson ducked out of the way.

Now, new reports suggest that WWE may already be looking ahead to WrestleMania 42 with plans for the musician.

According to BodySlam+, WWE officials have discussed the idea of Jelly Roll competing in a tag team match at the event. The current concept would see him teaming up with Royce Keys—better known to many fans as Powerhouse Hobbs—forming an unlikely alliance built around their shared experiences and personal hardships.

While potential opponents haven’t been confirmed, recent developments on SmackDown could offer some clues. Given the confrontation that unfolded during the Miz TV segment, both The Miz and Kit Wilson appear to be logical candidates to oppose the duo if the match comes together.

The storyline may continue to build next week when Wilson is scheduled to call out Jelly Roll on SmackDown in Raleigh, North Carolina.

During their recent interaction, Jelly Roll mentioned he was actually a fan of Wilson and even performed the Pretty Deadly member’s signature dance. Wilson, however, took the gesture as mockery and fired back by accusing the singer of promoting an “unhealthy beauty standard.” The argument quickly turned physical when Wilson shoved Jelly Roll, prompting the punch that ultimately knocked out The Miz instead.

This wouldn’t be Jelly Roll’s first time stepping into a WWE ring. He previously competed at last year’s SummerSlam, teaming with Randy Orton in a tag match. Although their team didn’t walk away with the win, Jelly Roll’s performance reportedly left a strong impression on WWE leadership, including Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

If current discussions turn into official plans, WrestleMania 42 could feature another celebrity crossover moment—with Jelly Roll potentially returning to the ring on WWE’s biggest stage.

WWE Reportedly Lifts Local Blackout, Allowing Las Vegas Venues To Host WrestleMania 42 Watch Parties

WWE has reportedly made a last-minute change that could impact how fans in Las Vegas experience WrestleMania 42.

According to a new report from Fightful Select, the company has lifted its local blackout restriction that previously prevented venues near Allegiant Stadium from airing WWE premium live events. The rule had barred bars, casinos, and other venues within roughly a 50-mile radius of the host stadium from showing the event live, a policy WWE used as recently as last month’s Elimination Chamber in Chicago.

The change first came to light when Circa Las Vegas announced that its Stadium Swim venue would be hosting a WrestleMania watch party. With the blackout lifted, venues that secure the proper commercial licensing through Joe Hand Promotions can now legally broadcast the show for fans throughout the Las Vegas area.

Interestingly, several venue operators reportedly told Fightful that they were surprised by the reversal. Many had assumed WWE would stick to the blackout rule after earlier reports indicated the restriction would remain in place for the massive two-night event.

The original purpose of the blackout was straightforward: encourage fans to purchase tickets to WrestleMania at Allegiant Stadium rather than watch elsewhere locally. That approach mirrors strategies sometimes used in traditional sports when organizations attempt to maximize attendance for major events.

However, the decision initially drew frustration from local businesses and tourism officials. Casinos, hotels, and entertainment venues in Las Vegas reportedly pushed back against the policy, arguing that the city’s involvement in hosting WrestleMania was meant to create a broader economic boost throughout the area.

One source told Fightful that when the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Board approved the site fee to bring WrestleMania to the city, the expectation was that the event would benefit the entire local economy — not just the stadium and WWE-run activities.

The policy shift also comes amid ongoing reports that ticket sales for WrestleMania 42 haven’t been as strong as WWE may have hoped. A combination of rising travel costs, economic pressures, and what some fans feel has been a slower-than-usual build to the show has made some potential attendees hesitant about making the trip.

With the blackout now lifted, Las Vegas visitors and locals will have more options to enjoy the “Showcase of the Immortals” even if they don’t have a seat inside Allegiant Stadium. And with watch parties expected across the city, WrestleMania weekend could still bring the kind of widespread buzz and tourism impact Las Vegas was hoping for.

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/13/2026 – Jelly Roll To Appear

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT on the USA Network and Netflix for international fans, emanating from the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

  • WrestleMania contract signing between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship
  • WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill vs. Michin
  • Jelly Roll will be the guest on Miz TV
  • Danhausen to appear

Brie Bella Says The Bella Twins Are Waiting on WWE Storyline for TV Return

The Bella Twins haven’t disappeared from WWE television because they’re done wrestling — they’re simply waiting for the call.

During a recent appearance on Lala Kent’s podcast, Brie Bella addressed the duo’s current status with WWE and why fans haven’t seen them regularly since their Royal Rumble appearance earlier this year.

According to Brie, she originally expected that she and Nikki Bella would transition back into weekly programming after competing in the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble. However, WWE reportedly told the sisters that they would be brought back when there was a storyline ready for them.

Brie admitted that the situation caught her off guard, noting that five weeks have already passed since then without a follow-up from WWE creative.

Despite the wait, Brie made it clear that both she and Nikki are eager to return to the ring. With WrestleMania 42 approaching, the sisters have their eyes on a potential opportunity — particularly with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships scheduled to be defended at the event.

Brie said they’re motivated to show that they can still compete with the current generation of WWE talent if given the right storyline and platform.

The Bella Twins’ most recent joint appearance on WWE television came during the February 2 episode of Monday Night RAW. Since then, speculation about their return has continued to circulate among fans.

Fueling those rumors even more, Nikki Bella was recently spotted in Phoenix ahead of SmackDown, sparking discussion about a possible appearance. The sisters have also confirmed that they will be involved during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas, though exactly what that involvement looks like remains to be seen.

For now, it appears the Bellas are simply waiting for WWE creative to find the right moment to bring them back into the spotlight.

Shotzi Shares Update After Brother Reported Missing, Says He Has Been Found Safe

Former WWE star Shotzi Blackheart recently experienced a frightening situation involving her family, but thankfully the story now has a positive update.

On Tuesday, March 10, Shotzi took to social media to alert fans that her brother, Dean Urbanski, had gone missing. In the now-deleted post, she explained that Urbanski had been involved in a car crash near Fort Mason in California. According to CCTV footage referenced in the post, he was seen leaving the crash site on foot shortly afterward and was believed to be disoriented.

The situation quickly spread across social media as fans and members of the wrestling community helped share the message in hopes of locating him.

Not long after the initial post, Shotzi returned with good news. She revealed that her brother had been located and taken to a hospital for care. In her update, she thanked everyone who helped circulate the information during the search.

Writing

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who shared the post, reached out, and helped spread the word. The support and kindness from so many people truly means the world to our family. Thank you all so much.

Shotzi has previously spoken about the important role her brother played in her path to professional wrestling. While she wasn’t initially a big wrestling fan herself, Urbanski was deeply into it. She has recalled spending time watching wrestling with him and playing wrestling video games together growing up.

Years later, Shotzi began watching WWE again with her sister. What started as a joke about potentially getting involved in wrestling eventually turned into something much more serious for Shotzi, who ultimately pursued a career inside the ring and made a name for herself on the independent scene before signing with WWE.

Family has always been a significant part of Shotzi’s story. In 2021, she shared a heartfelt tribute following the passing of her father. In that emotional message, she spoke about how fortunate she felt to have strong relationships with both her biological father and her stepfather. She described her dad as someone who brought energy and joy to every gathering and was often the one organizing family holidays and trips.

Shotzi also reflected on the many lessons he taught her throughout her life and the memories she will always cherish.

While the past few days have undoubtedly been stressful for Shotzi and her family, the positive outcome regarding her brother has brought relief — and plenty of gratitude toward those who helped spread the word. 🙏