Category: WWE

Pat McAfee Revealed as Randy Orton’s Secret Ally, Stakes His Future on WrestleMania 42 Outcome

WWE finally pulled back the curtain on one of the more intriguing mysteries heading into WrestleMania 42, and the answer added a major twist to Randy Orton’s path to the Undisputed WWE Championship.

On this week’s episode of SmackDown from St. Louis, Orton’s hometown, it was revealed that Pat McAfee was the voice guiding “The Viper” during his recent backstage phone segments. But this wasn’t the same McAfee fans were used to—he returned with a noticeably more aggressive edge, aligning himself firmly with Orton and turning heel in the process.

The show kicked off with Orton addressing the crowd, making it clear he was fighting not just for himself, but for his family seated ringside. His attention quickly turned to Cody Rhodes, referencing Rhodes’ recent appearance on Raw. That confrontation didn’t take long to escalate, as Rhodes made his way to the ring and the two immediately came to blows.

That’s when things took a turn.

McAfee—sporting Orton merchandise—jumped into the fray and dropped Rhodes with a low blow, officially revealing himself as Orton’s backup. From there, McAfee unleashed a fiery promo, criticizing both Rhodes and the current state of WWE, while hyping Orton as the man destined to restore order. He even claimed responsibility for pushing Orton to “destroy everything” in his path.

The segment didn’t stop at just aligning with Orton. McAfee doubled down backstage, referring to Orton as the “GOAT” and reinforcing his belief that “The Legend Killer” is the one who can fix what he sees as a broken system under Rhodes’ leadership.

As if that wasn’t enough, McAfee took things a step further after the show by issuing a bold ultimatum on social media: if Orton fails to defeat Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, he’ll walk away from wrestling television entirely. The former commentator didn’t mince words, calling out fans while framing the match as one of the most important in wrestling history.

Interestingly, McAfee’s return comes after months of uncertainty regarding his WWE future. He previously cited burnout and suggested the industry might be better off without him. Now, he’s back in a major storyline with a completely different attitude—and a lot on the line.

Behind the scenes, reports indicate this pairing wasn’t a standard creative decision. Instead, the move reportedly came directly from TKO executive Ari Emanuel, who sees McAfee as a crossover star capable of boosting visibility for WWE’s biggest event of the year. There’s also hope that McAfee’s mainstream presence—especially through his ESPN platform—can help bring additional attention to WrestleMania weekend.

Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes isn’t backing down. After the attack, he returned later in the night with a chilling message of his own, hinting that he has “voices” guiding him as well—and suggesting Orton may not like what they’re telling him to do.

With Orton chasing his 15th world title, McAfee putting his career on the line, and Rhodes promising a darker side of himself, this WrestleMania clash is quickly becoming one of the most emotionally charged matchups on the card.

Horrific Disturbing Allegations Against Vince McMahon Surface in Latest Janel Grant Filing

New and deeply disturbing allegations have emerged involving Vince McMahon, as part of the ongoing legal battle with former WWE employee Janel Grant. The latest filing paints a troubling picture of alleged misconduct, implicating not only McMahon but also referencing knowledge among high-level WWE executives.

According to Grant, the situation intensified around August 2020 when Nick Khan joined WWE as President. In her account, she claims McMahon informed her that Khan—and others in leadership—were aware of his relationship with her. Grant alleges that rather than questioning the nature of the situation, Khan was present in circumstances that raised serious concerns about awareness and inaction at the executive level.

Grant further claims she felt increasingly fearful after being told that discussions about her and McMahon’s relationship had taken place among top WWE officials. These revelations, she says, reinforced her belief that reporting the alleged abuse would not lead to protection or accountability.

The filing also contains graphic accusations of physical and sexual abuse by McMahon. Grant describes incidents in which she alleges she was subjected to violent and degrading treatment, leaving her with lasting physical and emotional trauma. She also claims McMahon shared disturbing fantasies involving another WWE-affiliated figure and pressured her into interactions she says were non-consensual.

Additionally, Grant alleges that she was coerced into explicit communication exchanges with a major WWE name, claiming McMahon directed and monitored those interactions. She states that she felt compelled to comply due to pressure and fear, and that McMahon provided feedback on her responses during those exchanges.

Grant maintains that she has retained text messages and other evidence, which she says will be presented as part of the court proceedings.

These allegations are part of an ongoing legal case, and as of now, they remain claims made in a civil filing. WWE and those named have not publicly responded to the latest round of accusations at the time of writing.

This continues to be a developing story, and its implications could have significant ramifications across the wrestling industry depending on how the case unfolds.

WWE SmackDown Preview 4/3/2026

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix Internationally from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.

  • Randy Orton will reveal who is has been talking to on the phone
  • Cody Rhodes looks to spoil Randy Orton’s homecoming on The Road to WrestleMania
  • How will Rhea Ripley response to back-to-back attacks by Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab?
  • What carnage awaits en route to Jacob Fatu’s Unsanctioned Match against Drew McIntyre?

WWE NXT Stand & Deliver 4/4/2026 (Card)

NXT Stand & Deliver – Saturday April 4 -The Factory at the District in St. Louis, MO – streaming live on YouTube at 7 ET/4 PT.

Main Card

NXT Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ethan Page vs. Ricky Saints vs. Tony D’Angelo
NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice
NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne (c) vs. Johnny Gargano
NXT Tag Team Championship: The Vanity Project (c) vs. Los Americanos
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Tatum Paxley (c) vs. Blake Monroe.
Sol Ruca vs. Zaria

Pre-Show

Shiloh Hill, Wren Sinclair, Eli Knight and Hank & Tank vs. Birthright

Bron Breakker Is Medically Cleared – WWE Planned Rollins Vs. GUNTHER Weeks Ago

Seth Rollins vs. GUNTHER Set for WrestleMania 42 as WWE Delays Major Rollins/Breakker Feud

With WrestleMania 42 quickly approaching, WWE has started locking in key pieces for the two-night event—and one newly announced matchup has definitely raised some eyebrows.

During this week’s episode of Raw, Seth Rollins finally learned his WrestleMania opponent, and it’s not who many fans were expecting. Instead of squaring off with the rising Bron Breakker, Rollins is now set to collide with GUNTHER on the grand stage.

The setup came in chaotic fashion. Rollins, still entangled in his ongoing issues with Paul Heyman, took things to another level by attacking Heyman with a steel chair and finishing him off with a Curb Stomp. However, before Rollins could stand tall for long, GUNTHER stormed in, dragging him out of the ring and launching a brutal assault of his own—officially igniting their WrestleMania program.

The choice of GUNTHER as Rollins’ opponent comes as a surprise, especially given the limited time remaining to build the feud, with only a couple of Raw episodes left before WrestleMania. Many had assumed WWE was heading toward a high-profile clash between Rollins and Breakker, particularly given their recent tension.

Interestingly, Breakker’s absence from the WrestleMania match card isn’t due to injury concerns. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Live, Breakker has already been medically cleared after spending time rehabbing at the WWE Performance Center. Instead, WWE reportedly made a strategic call to hold off on the Rollins vs. Breakker showdown, viewing it as a marquee program worth saving for a bigger stage down the line—potentially SummerSlam.

Meltzer also noted that the decision to insert GUNTHER into this spot wasn’t a last-minute pivot. Plans for him to face Rollins were reportedly put in motion weeks ago, particularly after Bronson Reed suffered an injury that forced WWE to reshuffle creative plans. At that point, someone affiliated with The Vision faction was slated to face Rollins, and GUNTHER ultimately landed in that role.

For context, Rollins’ issues with The Vision date back to last October, when the group turned on him and cast him out. Around that same time, Rollins was sidelined with a legitimate shoulder injury. He made his return at the Elimination Chamber premium live event, revealing himself as the mysterious masked figure who had been disrupting matches in the weeks leading up to the show.

While some fans may have expected a different opponent, Rollins vs. GUNTHER promises to be a hard-hitting encounter between two of WWE’s most intense competitors. Meanwhile, the delayed Rollins vs. Breakker feud could end up being an even bigger payoff if WWE gives it the time and spotlight it clearly believes it deserves.

WWE NXT Preview 3/31/2026

WWE NXT tonight on The CW and Netflix internationally from the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

  • NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contenders Match: Lola Vice vs. Kendal Grey
  • NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: Los Americanos vs. Birthright.
  • Mike Santana & OTM vs. DarkState
  • Jasper Troy vs. Keanu Carver – Special Guest Referee Josh Briggs
  • Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Tatum Paxley and Blake Monroe to meet face-to-face
  • Contract signing for NXT Championship match at Stand & Deliver

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant at WrestleMania 3 Set for WWE Immortal Moment Honor at 2026 Hall of Fame

WWE is continuing its push to celebrate iconic matches, and this year’s Immortal Moment Award is going to one of the most legendary bouts in wrestling history. The company has officially announced that Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant from WrestleMania 3 will be honored at the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.

Often referred to as “the slam heard around the world,” the 1987 clash remains one of the defining moments not just of WrestleMania, but of WWE as a whole. Hogan’s body slam of Andre in front of a massive crowd at the Pontiac Silverdome became an enduring image that helped shape the company’s global boom period.

WWE introduced the Immortal Moment Award last year as a way to recognize classic matches that left a lasting impact on the business. The inaugural honor went to Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13, and now Hogan vs. Andre joins that elite company.

Both competitors are already deeply etched into WWE history. Andre the Giant, who passed away in 1993 at the age of 46, was part of the very first Hall of Fame class that same year. This recognition marks another posthumous honor tied to his legacy. Hulk Hogan, who passed away last July following a heart attack, is now being associated with his third Hall of Fame recognition—having previously been inducted individually in 2005 and again in 2020 as a member of the nWo.

The match now becomes part of an already stacked WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Other names announced include Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, Dennis Rodman, Demolition, Sycho Sid, and Bad News Brown, making this one of the more diverse and headline-worthy classes in recent memory.

This year’s Hall of Fame ceremony is set for Friday, April 16, immediately following SmackDown. The event will take place at the Dolby Live venue inside Park MGM in Las Vegas, adding even more spectacle to WrestleMania weekend.

With Hogan vs. Andre officially getting its flowers, WWE continues leaning into nostalgia while cementing the moments that helped define generations of fans. And when it comes to truly “immortal” matches, it’s hard to argue with this choice.

Update on Nikki Bella Following Possible Ankle Injury on SmackDown

With WrestleMania season heating up, any potential injury can raise alarms—and that’s exactly what happened to Nikki Bella following last week’s episode of SmackDown. Fortunately, the latest update suggests fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

During a chaotic tag team match featuring The Bella Twins against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, things broke down quickly. The Irresistible Forces, Nia Jax and her partner, stormed in after the match and laid out both teams, sparking a larger brawl that brought Bayley and Lyra Valkyria into the mix. While most of the women stood tall by the end of the segment, Nikki Bella was notably absent from the in-ring celebration.

The reason? A scary moment late in the match where Nikki appeared to tweak her ankle during an exchange with Nia Jax on the outside. She was seen limping and didn’t return to the action, instead being checked on by WWE medical staff as the segment wrapped up.

According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, the situation doesn’t appear to be serious. Nikki is reportedly “fine” despite the awkward landing, which is a welcome update given how close WWE is to its biggest show of the year.

Despite the scare, Nikki didn’t stay out of the spotlight for long. The Bella Twins made their presence felt on Monday Night Raw during the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match between The Irresistible Forces and the team of Bayley and Lyra Valkyria.

That match was already high-energy, with Bayley and Valkyria using speed and teamwork to counter the champions’ power. At one point, Bayley launched herself onto Nia Jax with a suicide dive, while Valkyria mixed in high-risk offense to keep the champs off balance. Still, the strength of the cha

WWE Raw Preview 3/30/2026

WWE Raw live tonight at 8pm ET on Netflix from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

  • WWE World Tag Team Championship – Street Fight: The Usos (c) vs. The Vision (Logan Paul & Austin Theory)
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Irresistible Forces (c) vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. Kofi Kington
  • IYO SKY vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk to appear
  • Roman Reigns to appear
  • Brock Lesnar to appear

John Cena To Be The Host Of WrestleMania 42

John Cena may be done competing inside a WWE ring, but he’s not going anywhere when it comes to WrestleMania.

After officially retiring from in-ring action this past December, the 16-time world champion has continued to hint that his relationship with WWE would evolve rather than end. Now, we have the first concrete example of what that next chapter looks like—Cena is set to host WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.

Taking to X earlier today, Cena revealed the news in his usual charismatic style. While promoting his latest Hollywood project, a Netflix film titled One Attempt Remaining, Cena connected the dots between his current filming schedule and WWE’s biggest event of the year.

With WrestleMania season in full swing, Cena noted that he’s already “on the road,” before confirming that he’ll be front and center in Vegas. The announcement immediately adds another layer of star power to an already stacked two-night event at Allegiant Stadium on April 18 and 19.

Cena’s last match still lingers in fans’ minds. At Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025, he tapped out to GUNTHER in a finish that left plenty of viewers scratching their heads—particularly given the smile on Cena’s face as he submitted. It was an unconventional sendoff, and one that sparked debate about whether it truly marked the end of his in-ring career.

While rumors had circulated about a potential WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2026, that doesn’t appear to be happening—at least for now. This year’s class is already filling out with names like AJ Styles, Stephanie McMahon, and Demolition, alongside celebrity inductee Dennis Rodman and legacy picks Sid Eudy and Bad News Brown.

Even without a match, Cena’s presence at WrestleMania 42 is a major addition. Hosting duties in recent years have often blurred the line between cameo appearances and storyline involvement, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cena get physically involved in some capacity over the weekend.

As for the card itself, WWE is already loading up the show with marquee matchups. Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes is set to headline one of the nights, while Rhea Ripley will defend the WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill in another high-profile clash.

With Cena now officially part of the mix, WrestleMania 42 just gained another must-watch element—and possibly a few surprises waiting to happen.