Category: WWE

Roxanne Perez Reveals She Had Surgery To Have Benign Mass Removed

Roxanne Perez has finally shed light on her recent absence from WWE television — and it turns out it was more serious than fans initially believed.

Over the past few months, reports indicated that Perez had been working through various nagging injuries, especially during WWE’s busy Holiday Tour stretch in late December and early January. When she later missed an episode of WWE Raw, many assumed she was dealing with a short-term illness. However, Perez took to TikTok this week to clarify the real reason she stepped away.

According to the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, she recently underwent surgery to remove a benign mass from her back that had been causing significant pain for months.

Perez admitted she had been pushing through the discomfort because she didn’t want to miss any ring time. Wrestling, she explained, has been her dream since she was 10 years old, and stepping away — even temporarily — wasn’t something she wanted to do. Still, she emphasized that health has to come first, even for someone as passionate as she is about her craft.

The good news is that Perez is already on the mend. She shared that her recovery has been progressing well and that the majority of the pain has subsided, though it occasionally flares up. While she didn’t offer a specific timetable for her in-ring return, she made it clear that she expects to be back sooner rather than later.

And in true Roxanne fashion, she ended things on a confident note — promising she’ll be back to “Pop Rocksing” the roster in no time.

Perez has built a reputation as one of WWE’s toughest and most driven young stars, and this latest revelation only reinforces that image. Working through pain for months speaks to her dedication, but taking the necessary time to address the issue may ultimately ensure a stronger, healthier return.

For now, fans can take comfort in knowing the surgery was successful and that Perez is in good spirits. We’ll continue to provide updates as more details on her return timeline become available.

Chris Jericho WWE Return Rumors Shut Down Following RAW Mystery Crate Speculation

WWE sent fans into theory mode on the February 16 episode of RAW thanks to a backstage tease that immediately got people talking.

A large crate marked “Deliver to WWE” with instructions not to open it until 2/28/26 was shown during the broadcast. With Elimination Chamber set for that exact date, speculation ran wild about what — or who — could be inside. Among the more popular guesses circulating online? A surprise return from Chris Jericho.

As intriguing as that idea might be, new reporting suggests fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.

According to Fightful Select, Jericho is still under contract with All Elite Wrestling. Sean Ross Sapp reports that the general belief within AEW — as well as among those close to Jericho — is that his deal was effectively frozen when he stepped away in 2025.

Jericho’s original AEW agreement was believed to expire in 2025, but there are several potential reasons it may now extend beyond that point. Contract freezes due to time off, injury-related extensions, or even a quiet renewal could all be factors. Without access to the specifics of the deal, the exact situation remains unclear — but the key takeaway is that Jericho is not currently a free agent.

Adding to that, Jericho is still listed on AEW’s official roster page, which is typically a strong indicator that talent remains under contract. Fightful also noted that no internal communication has been distributed regarding his departure, something that usually occurs when a wrestler exits the company.

Interestingly, the report does mention that Jericho hasn’t completely closed the door on WWE. He has reportedly told people he would consider a return to the company at some point. However, there are outside projects and ventures he would have to weigh carefully if a WWE deal were on the table.

For now, the crate remains an unanswered question — but it likely doesn’t contain “The Learning Tree.”

While WWE clearly wants fans speculating ahead of Elimination Chamber, a Chris Jericho comeback on February 28 doesn’t appear to be in the cards.

WWE NXT Preview 2/17/2026

Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT airs at 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST on The CW Network in the United States and on Netflix internationally, from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

  • NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: Hank & Tank vs. OTM vs. Vanity Project vs. The Culling
  • NXT North American Championship Match: Ethan Page (c) vs. Shiloh Hill
  • WWE Men’s Speed Championship #1 Contenders Match: Elio LeFleur vs. Eli Knight
  • Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Tony D’Angelo vs. Cutler James

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Official for May as Netflix Enters Live MMA Business

Two of the most influential names in women’s MMA are stepping back into the cage — and this time, the world will be watching on Netflix.

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix have announced that former UFC Bantamweight Champion and former WWE Superstar Ronda Rousey will come out of retirement to face Gina Carano in a long-awaited dream fight. The bout is set for Saturday, May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.

The contest will take place at featherweight (145 pounds), contested over five five-minute rounds under the Unified Rules of MMA. The fight will be held inside a hexagon cage with 4oz gloves and streamed live globally on Netflix at no additional cost to subscribers. The event marks Netflix’s first-ever live MMA broadcast and MVP’s debut MMA promotion.

For longtime fight fans, this matchup feels surreal. Years ago, when Rousey was dominating the UFC and Carano had shifted her focus toward Hollywood, the UFC reportedly attempted to make the fight happen. Negotiations ultimately fell apart, with Carano previously pointing fingers at UFC President Dana White. Now, nearly two decades after Carano last fought and nearly ten years since Rousey’s final MMA appearance, the clash is finally becoming reality.

Rousey, 39, last competed in MMA at UFC 207 in December 2016, where she was defeated by Amanda Nunes. Following that loss, she pivoted to professional wrestling, signing with WWE and quickly becoming one of the company’s biggest attractions. She was part of the first-ever women’s main event at WrestleMania 35 in 2019 and remained a headline name before parting ways with WWE in 2023. Her most recent wrestling appearance came in November 2023, when she teamed with Marina Shafir in Ring of Honor.

Carano, now 43, hasn’t fought since 2009, when she was stopped by Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce. Despite the loss, Carano’s impact on women’s MMA is undeniable — widely regarded as the sport’s first true female crossover star, she helped lay the groundwork that allowed fighters like Rousey to break into the UFC spotlight.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Rousey didn’t hold back.

“Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history!” she said, adding that the partnership with MVP and Netflix will deliver something special for MMA fans past and present.

Carano echoed the sentiment, revealing that Rousey personally reached out to make the fight happen and thanked her for opening doors earlier in her career. Carano said she expects to win but anticipates a difficult battle, calling the moment an honor for both fighters and the MMA community.

MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian framed the bout as a historic step in expanding their combat sports footprint beyond boxing, while Netflix’s VP of Sports, Gabe Spitzer, described the fight as a defining moment for the streaming platform following its success in live boxing events.

Additional fights for the card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 5 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster, with pre-sale registration currently available.

For wrestling fans, this marks another fascinating chapter in Rousey’s unpredictable career. After conquering UFC, breaking barriers in WWE, and stepping away from the spotlight, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey is heading back to the cage for one more massive spotlight moment — this time against the woman who helped start it all.

WWE Announces Tribute to AJ Styles for Next Week’s Raw in Atlanta

AJ Styles may have officially called it a career at the Royal Rumble, but WWE isn’t done celebrating “The Phenomenal One” just yet.

During this week’s episode of WWE Raw, the company announced that next Monday’s show in Atlanta, Georgia will feature a special “Tribute to AJ Styles.” While the on-screen graphic made it clear the night will honor the former WWE Champion, WWE did not confirm whether Styles himself will be in attendance.

Styles’ in-ring career came to a dramatic end at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he passed out in Gunther’s Rear Naked Choke. The finish left little room for ambiguity, and WWE quickly framed it as the final chapter in one of the most decorated careers of the modern era.

Still, the speed of his exit surprised many fans. Unlike John Cena, who is currently receiving a year-long farewell tour, Styles’ retirement felt abrupt. After debuting in WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble to one of the loudest reactions of the decade, Styles went on to become a multi-time WWE Champion, United States Champion, and Tag Team Champion over a ten-year run with the company. Before that, he had already established himself as the face of TNA and a top star in NJPW, even holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

With so many of his longtime friends and rivals now working in AEW, speculation about Styles potentially following a similar path began almost immediately after his “retirement.” So far, however, there has been no concrete confirmation regarding his next move.

The announcement of a tribute on Raw adds another interesting wrinkle to the situation. Whether Styles appears live in Atlanta or not, WWE dedicating a full segment to honor him suggests the company still views him as an important part of its legacy. That alone may cool some of the immediate talk about a jump elsewhere — or at least delay it.

For now, fans will be watching closely to see how WWE handles the tribute and whether “The Phenomenal One” makes a surprise appearance in his home state. In wrestling, retirements are rarely permanent — and when it comes to AJ Styles, nothing feels entirely off the table.

Injured WWE Star Bianca Belair Reveals Finger Surgery, WrestleMania 42 Status in Doubt

Bianca Belair’s road back to the ring just hit another hurdle.

After weeks of speculation about her recovery and potential involvement in WrestleMania 42 season, “The EST of WWE” confirmed that she is undergoing surgery for the finger injury she suffered earlier this year. Belair shared the update via her Instagram Story on Sunday, writing, “Finger surgery tomorrow,” along with a praying hands emoji — indicating the procedure was scheduled for Monday.

Belair has been sidelined since WrestleMania 41, where she competed in a high-profile triple threat match against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley. During the bout, Belair’s hand became trapped underneath Ripley in a spot that left her in immediate pain. At the time, Belair admitted she felt like she had “broken all of her fingers.” It was later confirmed that she fractured the joint in her left ring finger — a painful and tricky injury for any in-ring performer.

While Belair has remained visible on WWE programming in limited roles, she has not returned to active competition. She briefly appeared on stage during WWE’s announcement that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027. Prior to that, she served as special guest referee for the match between her former tag team partners Jade Cargill and Naomi at Evolution in July, though she avoided any physical involvement.

As for her in-ring return, reports have painted an uncertain picture. A November update from BodySlam+ suggested WWE officials were hopeful Belair could be back by early 2026. However, a separate report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that there was no firm timetable in place for her comeback.

With surgery now underway, it’s clear Belair is taking the necessary steps toward a full recovery — even if it means missing more time. Given her track record of resilience and elite athleticism, few would bet against “The EST” making a strong return when she’s fully healed.

For now, the WWE women’s division moves forward without one of its cornerstone stars, while fans wait for updates on when Belair will once again bring the glow back to the ring.

Bianca has shared updates on her Instagram Stories.

WWE Raw Preview 2/16/2026

WWE Raw airs live today on Netflix, beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

  • Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Je’Von Evans vs. Gunther vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Asuka vs. Bayley vs. Nattie
  • An appearance by AJ Lee

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/13/2024

WWE SmackDown airs live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. tonight on Syfy in the United States, due to the USA Network’s coverage of the Winter Olympics. International fans can watch the show on Netflix.

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: RHIYO (Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY) (c) vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
  • Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatus vs. Sami Zayn
  • Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Giulia vs. Zelina
  • Rey Fenix vs. Trick Williams

WWE Holds Internal Meeting As WrestleMania 42 Ticket Sales Trail Behind Last Year’s Pace

WrestleMania season is officially underway, but it appears WWE has some ground to make up when it comes to filling Allegiant Stadium for WrestleMania 42.

After early reports suggested ticket sales for this year’s two-night spectacle in Las Vegas were lagging behind expectations, WWE has reportedly taken action behind the scenes. According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, the company recently held a multi-department meeting focused specifically on boosting ticket sales for the April event.

The internal discussion reportedly involved multiple areas of the company being tasked with ramping up promotional efforts. With just over two months remaining until WrestleMania 42, departments were encouraged to implement new strategies to drive interest and increase momentum heading into WWE’s biggest weekend of the year.

Sales Numbers Behind Last Year’s Pace

Per WrestleTix, WrestleMania 42 has currently distributed around 36,000 tickets for both Saturday and Sunday. While that’s a strong number by most standards, it falls well short of where WrestleMania 41 stood at this same point last year. By February 2025, WWE had already moved approximately 10,000 more tickets per night for the previous Las Vegas installment, which ultimately drew between 56,000 and 60,000 fans on both evenings.

One notable detail: WWE reportedly has no plans to reduce ticket prices to stimulate sales. As of now, the least expensive seat available for either night sits at $266.80 before fees. That pricing strategy suggests the company is confident it can build demand through marketing and storyline developments rather than adjusting its premium-event model.

Watch Party Restrictions Stir Frustration

Adding another layer to the situation, Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp recently reported that WWE is prohibiting WrestleMania watch parties at venues within a 50-mile radius of Allegiant Stadium. The move has reportedly caused frustration among local establishments, especially considering Las Vegas paid a significant site fee to host the event, with the expectation that WrestleMania week would drive tourism and related business activity throughout the city.

Blocking nearby watch parties could be viewed as an effort to funnel more fans directly into the stadium. However, it may also create tension with local businesses that were hoping to capitalize on the influx of wrestling fans.

Star Power Still to Be Announced

At the moment, only one match has been officially confirmed for WrestleMania 42: 2026 Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns challenging CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. While that’s a marquee main event by any standard, WrestleMania cards typically rely on a full slate of high-profile bouts to drive last-minute ticket movement.

With major storylines expected to intensify in the coming weeks, WWE will likely lean heavily on its television programming to build urgency and excitement. Historically, once the full card takes shape and celebrity involvement rumors begin circulating, ticket sales often receive a late push.

For now, all eyes are on how WWE’s internal strategy shift impacts sales momentum. WrestleMania remains the crown jewel of the company’s calendar, and with Las Vegas hosting once again, expectations are sky-high — even if the current numbers haven’t quite caught up yet.

Chelsea Green Reveals Broken Ankle Following SmackDown Injury

Chelsea Green’s week just went from bad to worse.

After initially being believed to have suffered a sprained ankle on WWE SmackDown, the former WWE Women’s United States Champion has now confirmed the injury is far more serious. Taking to X for another installment of her tongue-in-cheek “Chelsea Chronicles,” Green revealed that she actually broke her ankle.

The injury occurred during last Friday’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match, where Green faced Tiffany Stratton and Lash Legend. While early reports suggested a sprain — with additional testing pending — Green first hinted that things were more severe earlier this week. She posted a photo showing significant bruising on her ankle, along with a humorous list of “demands” directed at WWE management.

Before that, she teased the situation in true Chelsea fashion, telling her loyal “Patri-Hots” that she had survived a “near-fatal fall” and suffered a “career-threatening injury.” Now, the diagnosis has been made official: it’s a broken ankle.

As of this writing, Green has not disclosed how long she expects to be sidelined.

The injury also forced her to miss AAA’s event over the weekend, where she had been scheduled to defend the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship alongside NXT’s Ethan Page. La Hiedra stepped in as her replacement, but the duo ultimately dropped the titles to Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana.

Green had already experienced a rocky start to the year after losing the Women’s United States Championship to Giulia on the January 2 edition of SmackDown. More recently, her name trended among fans following comments made by longtime backstage producer Michael Hayes on WWE Unreal, where he suggested Green was not “world championship material.” The remark sparked backlash online, with fans — and her ever-supportive “Patri-Hots” — rallying behind her across social media.

Now, Green faces a physical setback on top of the recent professional hurdles. If her past resilience and ability to turn adversity into entertainment are any indication, however, don’t expect her to stay out of the spotlight for long — even if she’ll be doing so on one good ankle for the foreseeable future.