Category: WWE

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. 🙏

WWE NXT Stand & Deliver To Stream Live on YouTube

WWE is making a notable change to how fans can watch one of NXT’s biggest annual events. According to WWE Hall of Famer and NXT Executive Producer Shawn Michaels, the 2026 edition of NXT Stand & Deliver will stream live globally on YouTube.

Michaels shared the announcement on his X account, revealing that the entire event will be available through WWE’s official YouTube channel.

“Guess I better figure out how to get onto @YouTube… because #StandAndDeliver streams LIVE across the globe on @WWE’s YouTube Saturday, April 4 at 7e/4p! #WWENXT,” Michaels wrote.

This year’s Stand & Deliver will take place at The Factory in St. Louis, Missouri on Saturday, April 4. The event marks a significant shift from tradition, as it will be the first time the NXT showcase is not held during WrestleMania Week. In previous years, Stand & Deliver typically served as part of WWE’s packed WrestleMania weekend lineup.

Reports have indicated that the change in scheduling was made primarily for timing reasons. Despite the adjustment, the event is still expected to feature major NXT storylines and championship matches, continuing its reputation as one of the brand’s marquee shows.

With the move to YouTube, the show could potentially reach an even wider global audience, giving fans around the world easy access to one of NXT’s biggest nights of the year.

Rising Independent Star Nikki Blackheart Reportedly Signs With WWE

WWE appears to have added another promising name to its growing pipeline of talent, as rising independent wrestler Nikki Blackheart is reportedly set to join the company.

According to a new report from Bodyslam+, sources within WWE indicate that Blackheart has agreed to a contract with the promotion. She is expected to report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando in the near future, though an exact timeline for her arrival has not yet been confirmed.

Blackheart recently took part in a WWE tryout last month, and the company was said to be very impressed with her performance during the evaluation process. Those positive impressions reportedly led to WWE moving quickly to lock her in with a contract offer.

Recent developments on the independent scene also appeared to hint that a signing was imminent. Over the weekend, Blackheart dropped the MPX Women’s Championship to Priscilla Kelly, ending a brief but notable title reign. Around the same time, Winnipeg Pro Wrestling announced that she would no longer be appearing at their Voyageur Cup shows scheduled for March 13 and 14.

Despite having less than two years of in-ring experience, Blackheart has already made a name for herself across several promotions. She debuted in June 2024 at CCW Breakout 37 and has spent much of her early career competing for Coastal Championship Wrestling in Florida. Along the way, she has also picked up experience working for promotions such as AAA, Athena’s Metroplex Wrestling, and 4th Rope Wrestling.

Her most recent championship success came earlier this year when she captured the MPX Women’s Championship from Abadon at the 2026 MPX Texas Rumble on February 7. However, her reign lasted just 29 days before she dropped the title this past weekend, a move that now seems to have been part of her transition away from the independent circuit.

While WWE has not yet officially announced the signing, the expectation is that Blackheart will soon begin training and development at the Performance Center as the next chapter of her career gets underway. For a wrestler who only debuted in 2024, the reported deal marks a remarkably quick rise onto WWE’s radar.

WWE NXT Preview 3/10/2026

WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW and Netflix (internationally).

  • Fallout from Vengeance Day
  • WWE Speed Women’s Championship #1 Contenders Tournament Finals: Thea Hail vs. Wren Sinclair
  • WWE Speed Men’s Championship #1 Contenders Match: Jasper Troy vs. Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight
  • Joe Hendry & Myles Borne vs. Ethan Page & Ricky Saints
  • Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights vs. Lexis King & Uriah Connors
  • Lainey Reid vs. Sol Ruca

AJ Styles Explains His New WWE Role After In-Ring Retirement

AJ Styles may have stepped away from the ring, but “The Phenomenal One” isn’t done contributing to WWE just yet. After officially retiring from in-ring competition at this year’s Royal Rumble, Styles is now transitioning into a behind-the-scenes role with the company as he prepares for his upcoming induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. 🤼‍♂️🏆

During a recent appearance on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles shed light on what his new responsibilities with WWE look like now that his legendary wrestling career has come to an end.

According to Styles, part of his job involves scouting and evaluating talent across different levels of the wrestling world. That includes independent wrestlers, as well as performers already working within WWE’s system.

Styles explained that he spends a good amount of time online reviewing matches and keeping an eye on potential prospects who could eventually find their way into WWE. If he sees promise in someone, he hopes to help guide them toward opportunities within the company.

In some cases, that could mean helping wrestlers secure a WWE ID or getting them noticed by the right people within the organization. While the process can be slow at times, Styles noted that making the right connections and phone calls is part of the job.

His work won’t be limited to scouting outside talent either. Styles revealed that he may also be working with wrestlers already signed to WWE, including those in NXT and even performers on the main roster. In fact, he mentioned plans to attend an upcoming episode of Monday Night Raw in Seattle, where he hopes to meet with talent and offer guidance.

Beyond evaluating prospects, Styles sees himself as someone wrestlers can talk to if they need advice or direction. Whether it’s discussing their mindset or suggesting time at the WWE Performance Center to sharpen certain skills, Styles wants to help talent stay motivated and continue improving.

Interestingly, the former WWE Champion admitted that he initially expected retirement to give him a lot more free time. Instead, his schedule has remained busy thanks to his new responsibilities with WWE, along with spending more time with his family.

While fans won’t see Styles competing in the ring anymore, it’s clear he’ll still play an important role in shaping WWE’s future by helping the next generation of talent grow and succeed.

WWE Raw Preview 3/9/2026

WWE Raw airs live today at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Netflix from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. Original El Grande Americano
  • Oba Femi vs. Rusev
  • Women’s Intercontinental Championship No. 1 Contenders Gauntlet Match: IYO SKY vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Ivy Nile vs. Asuka vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • Danhausen to appear

Brie Bella Fires Back at Online Trolls as Thea Hail Speaks Out About Toxic Wrestling Fans

Online criticism has always been part of professional wrestling, but several WWE stars are making it clear that the level of hate—particularly aimed at women—has gone too far. Recently, both Brie Bella and NXT standout Thea Hail spoke openly about the harsh treatment they receive on social media and why they’re pushing back.

During a recent episode of the “Nikki & Brie” podcast, Brie Bella didn’t hold back when addressing the constant criticism directed at female wrestlers. According to Brie, she’s only interested in feedback from people who actually understand the business and the challenges women face in it.

Brie explained that she values opinions from people who have experienced the wrestling industry firsthand—especially those who understand what it’s like to work in a male-dominated environment. For critics who have never been in that position, she made it clear their opinions carry little weight.

She also called out the boldness many people show behind a keyboard, joking that social media gives “brave fingers” to people who wouldn’t say those things in person. Brie added that she’s not afraid to clap back at trolls who try to tear her down online, making it clear she’s more than willing to defend herself when needed.

Brie’s comments come shortly after NXT star Thea Hail shared her own emotional message about dealing with negativity from fans.

Taking to social media, the 22-year-old wrestler reminded followers just how young she is and how much she sacrificed to pursue her wrestling dream. Hail revealed that she moved away from home during high school to chase a career in professional wrestling—something many people wouldn’t have been willing to do.

Despite dedicating the last five years of her life to the business, Hail said it’s been difficult to constantly see negative comments about her as a person whenever she checks her social media feeds. She described the experience as exhausting, especially after working so hard to reach major moments in her career.

Hail emphasized that while she loves professional wrestling more than anything, the constant online criticism can be discouraging. She urged fans to remember that the performers they watch every week are still human beings behind the characters.

Before posting harsh comments, she asked people to take a moment and consider how they would feel if those same words were directed at them.

The recent comments from Brie Bella and Thea Hail highlight an ongoing conversation within the wrestling community about fan behavior and the impact of social media. While passionate fan reactions are nothing new in the industry, many performers are hoping for a shift toward more respectful interactions online.

As more wrestlers speak out, the message is becoming clear: support and criticism are both part of fandom—but personal attacks don’t have to be.