Category: WWE

Report – WWE Heading Back to Vegas for WrestleMania 42 After Canceling New Orleans Deal

In a twist worthy of a WrestleMania main event, WWE has officially swapped the host city for WrestleMania 42. Originally slated to return to the iconic Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, the company is now shifting its biggest annual spectacle to Las Vegas, Nevada—just one year after Sin City delivered a blockbuster WrestleMania 41.

The news broke via a statement from the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, which confirmed that New Orleans will instead host the 2026 Money in the Bank premium live event, along with a future WrestleMania down the line. WWE has yet to release an official announcement, but multiple outlets, including NOLA.com and Fightful Select, have backed the report. According to an industry source cited in the original report, the change came after WWE’s record-setting performance at WrestleMania 41, held at Allegiant Stadium this past April.

WrestleMania 41: Too Big to Ignore

It’s easy to see why WWE made the call. WrestleMania 41, which featured a marquee triple threat between Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk on Night One, and John Cena’s historic 17th world title win over Cody Rhodes on Night Two, crushed expectations. From massive merchandise and sponsorship revenue to unprecedented social media traction, WWE hit new highs across the board.

Most notably, the two-night spectacle pulled in the biggest gate in company history, drawing a staggering 124,693 fans in total—cementing Las Vegas as a can’t-miss market for WWE’s flagship show.

The Rock’s Announcement Reversed

Back in February, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made the high-profile announcement that New Orleans would host WrestleMania 42, making it the third time in 12 years the city would welcome the Show of Shows. That plan is now shelved—for now. While New Orleans may feel the sting of being bumped, officials were quick to note the city’s new assignment: hosting Money in the Bank in 2026 and a future WrestleMania yet to be named.

Talent Reaction: Surprised, But Unbothered

Behind the scenes, Fightful Select reported a mix of surprise and indifference among WWE staff and talent. Many weren’t even thinking that far ahead yet, and given WWE typically handles all travel logistics for WrestleMania week, the location shift isn’t expected to disrupt too many plans internally.

That said, not everyone is brushing it off. Independent wrestling promotions and fan-centric events like WrestleCon—which had already secured a New Orleans venue for April 2026—are now scrambling. With WrestleMania week often serving as the nucleus for a bustling calendar of indie shows and fan conventions, the move to Las Vegas could cause a ripple effect for those already deep into planning.

What’s Next?

With WWE reportedly eyeing April 11 and 12, 2026 for WrestleMania 42, it’s unclear whether those dates will hold or shift with the location change. The current regime has shown flexibility when the potential for revenue spikes is on the table, so nothing is set in stone just yet.

Las Vegas may have just become the new home for WrestleMania 42, but for the wrestling world, the road to 2026 now comes with a whole new set of directions. One thing’s for sure—what happens in Vegas next WrestleMania weekend will definitely not stay there.

WWE SmackDown’s Three-Hour Era Will Linger Into June

What was supposed to be a temporary experiment is now stretching beyond its expected expiration date. WWE SmackDown will remain a three-hour broadcast into early June, according to a new report from PWInsider Elite — a move that flies in the face of previous reports indicating a return to the two-hour format by the end of May.

The blue brand extended its runtime at the start of 2025 after jumping back to the USA Network in September of last year. Since then, SmackDown has aired from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. EST on Friday nights, but the response from fans has been a mixed bag.

While some viewers welcomed the extra hour of action, others have grown increasingly frustrated, pointing to a noticeable dip in the show’s pacing and quality. Critics argue the third hour has often felt like filler, lacking the energy and star power that once made SmackDown must-see TV.

The numbers appear to back that up. Since the conclusion of WrestleMania 41, SmackDown has struggled to hold viewers. Last Friday’s episode hit a new low for 2025, drawing just 1.29 million viewers and scoring a 0.36 rating in the coveted 18–49 demo — the second-worst rating since the move back to USA. That kind of drop-off is raising eyebrows, especially considering the initial plan to scale the show back to its original runtime this month.

WWE has yet to officially comment on the extension, but if this trend continues, the company may need to make a tough call: trim the fat, or risk further alienating the fanbase.

For now, SmackDown fans should brace for more three-hour marathons, at least through the first part of June. Whether WWE can recapture the momentum it once had with the blue brand remains to be seen.

WWE Cancels Post-Battleground Taping Of NXT In Tampa

WWE is gearing up for a stacked weekend at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, but a late change of plans has altered the post-Battleground schedule for NXT fans.

The company is set to take over Tampa with three major events across Memorial Day weekend: Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24th, the NXT Battleground premium live event on May 25th, and Monday Night RAW on May 26th. However, what was originally expected to be a four-day WWE stretch has now been trimmed down.

The May 27th episode of NXT TV, initially slated to be taped at the Yuengling Center following Battleground, has been officially pulled from the venue. Ticketmaster has now listed the show as canceled, and the Yuengling Center has scrubbed the event from its website. Instead, the episode will be filmed at WWE’s home base in Orlando—the Performance Center.

While no specific reason has been publicly given for the change, reports from WrestleTix indicate that approximately 1,700 tickets had already been sold for the NXT TV taping. By comparison, NXT Battleground has reportedly moved over 6,000 tickets, showing a clear difference in demand.

This shift suggests WWE may be pivoting to a more intimate setting for the follow-up to Battleground, possibly to recalibrate production or avoid underwhelming visuals in a larger arena. Whatever the case, fans can expect the post-Battleground fallout to return to the familiar walls of the Performance Center, where NXT has long found its footing.

WWE NXT Preview 5/20/2025

WWE will present the Battleground go-home episode of NXT tonight from the Performance Center in Orlando, FL. live at 8:00 PM EST on The CW Network in the US and on Netflix internationally.

  • Kelani Jordan vs. Zaria
  • Chase U New Class (Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon) vs. OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price)
  • Shawn Spears vs. Josh Briggs
  • Joe Hendry in concert.
  • Trick Williams rap performance.

Teaser for Sabu Documentary Drops Just Days After His Passing, Featuring Final Match with Joey Janela

Just over a week after the heartbreaking news of Sabu’s passing, fans are now getting a first look at a documentary chronicling the life and final days of one of wrestling’s most iconic and enigmatic figures. A teaser trailer for SABU, an upcoming documentary focusing on the hardcore legend’s last match and storied career, has officially dropped on YouTube.

The film, directed by Joe Clarke and presented by Sabu’s longtime friend and ECW alum Rob Van Dam, promises an emotional and unfiltered look at the man behind the scars. It centers on Sabu’s final match — a bout against Joey Janela on April 18 — and aims to capture not only the closing chapter of his in-ring career but the decades of chaos, pain, and legacy that led to it.

According to the film’s description, SABU is “an intimate documentary that follows the enigmatic career of professional wrestler Sabu as he seeks closure in his storied life—a final match. From his tumultuous upbringing under the influence of The Sheik to the electrifying days of ECW, Sabu reflects on his evolution as a performer and the extreme style that defined his legacy.”

The teaser showcases glimpses of Sabu’s final days in the business — a raw and poignant perspective fans rarely get to see. Director Joe Clarke revealed on social media that he had been filming with Sabu for nearly a year and that they had planned to shoot the final scene of the film just one week before his untimely death.

Sabu’s last match, against Janela, served as the symbolic closing act to a four-decade-long career that broke barriers and bones in equal measure. While Sabu did pick up the win in his swan song, Janela later admitted that the ECW legend was not in good shape physically, a concern that was echoed by later reports. The match, though celebrated, now carries a heavier emotional weight in hindsight.

As fans come to terms with the loss of one of wrestling’s true revolutionaries, this documentary stands to be both a tribute and a farewell — one shaped not just by broken tables and blood-soaked memories, but by the heart and humanity of a man who gave everything to the ring.

Zoey Stark Suffers Scary Knee Injury During Money in the Bank Qualifier on WWE Raw

Zoey Stark’s hopes of climbing the ladder at Money in the Bank may have come crashing down before they ever truly got started.

During her triple threat qualifier on the May 19 episode of WWE Raw, Stark suffered a brutal-looking knee injury in a match against Rhea Ripley and the returning Kairi Sane. The injury occurred when Stark launched herself off the top rope in an attempted missile dropkick on Sane — but something went horribly wrong on the landing. Her knee buckled at an unnatural angle, instantly halting the match’s momentum.

Stark immediately collapsed to the mat, clutching her leg in visible pain. Commentary quickly shifted focus as the broadcast tried not to spotlight the injury too heavily. The camera moved to Ripley in the corner and eventually to the MITB briefcases above the ring before cutting to a commercial break.

While WWE didn’t focus on the injury on-air, fan-captured footage from social media painted a more alarming picture. Stark, unable to put any weight on her leg, had to be carried to the back by a ringside medical official. In a somber moment, the broadcast briefly showed the official scooping her into his arms before cutting away.

As of now, there’s been no official update on the extent of Stark’s injury. However, the severity of the visual and the fact she had to be physically carried out has sparked concern across the WWE Universe. Given her history — Stark previously tore her ACL and meniscus in late 2021, which sidelined her for nine months — the fear is that this could be a similar setback.

This match was particularly significant for Stark as it marked her return to televised action following the release of her longtime tag team partner, Shayna Baszler. While Stark had been absent from in-ring competition for several weeks, this qualifier was meant to mark the beginning of a solo chapter in her WWE career.

Instead, it now raises serious questions about her immediate future.

Ripley would go on to win the match and earn a spot in the 2025 Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, but the victory was overshadowed by Stark’s misfortune. Kairi Sane, who was competing in her first match back since December, also showed strong form despite the chaotic nature of the contest.

With Money in the Bank quickly approaching and Stark’s status uncertain, WWE fans and colleagues alike are left hoping for the best — but bracing for what could be another long road to recovery for one of Raw’s most resilient competitors.

WrestlingNewsBlog.com will continue to follow updates on Zoey Stark’s condition as more information becomes available.

Roxanne Perez Officially Joins WWE Raw Roster, Punches Ticket to Money in the Bank

Roxanne Perez has officially arrived on Monday Night Raw — and she’s not wasting any time making an impact.

After several high-profile main roster appearances in the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, WWE confirmed Perez’s full-time move to Raw in a backstage segment that aired both online and during the May 20 episode. In the video, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce handed Perez a contract, which she eagerly signed, officially making her a member of the red brand.

“This is going to be the first day of many successful ones, I hope,” Pearce said, to which the confident former NXT Women’s Champion responded that Pearce would soon find out why she’s called “The Prodigy.”

And Perez didn’t waste time proving it. Just hours after inking her deal, she competed in a high-stakes triple threat match against Becky Lynch and Natalya, with a spot in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match on the line.

The match had its share of twists. Lynch initially feigned an alliance with Perez before quickly turning on her, tossing the younger star aside to zero in on Natalya. But Perez showed resilience, re-entering the fray and staying competitive throughout. Both she and Lynch fought hard to avoid Natalya’s trademark Sharpshooter, but Perez eventually got caught in the submission.

As the pressure mounted, chaos erupted. Lynch escaped the Sharpshooter and hit the Manhandle Slam on Natalya, seemingly securing her path to victory — until Lyra Valkyria stormed the ring. Valkyria reignited her rivalry with Lynch, dragging her into a ringside brawl that ultimately cost “The Man” the match.

With Lynch and Natalya distracted, Perez seized the moment. She hit her signature Pop Rox finisher on Natalya and scored the pinfall, earning her first spot in a main roster Money in the Bank match.

The win is another milestone for Perez, who continues to climb the ladder — literally and figuratively — in WWE. Just last week, she teamed with fellow NXT alum Giulia in the Raw main event, although the duo came up short against Women’s World Champion IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley. Any hopes of a long-term alliance were dashed when Giulia, now a member of SmackDown, told Perez backstage, “There is no ‘we.’”

Now, Perez is flying solo — and thriving. With a Money in the Bank briefcase in sight and momentum on her side, “The Prodigy” is quickly proving she belongs on WWE’s biggest stage.

Kairi Sane Returns to WWE Raw, Welcomed Back by CM Punk — But Faces Tough Loss in MITB Qualifier

After a five-month absence from in-ring action, Kairi Sane made her highly anticipated return to WWE on last night’s episode of Monday Night Raw — and was greeted with a warm welcome from none other than CM Punk.

Before the show aired, Punk shared a photo from the ring alongside Sane with a simple but meaningful caption: “Welcome back.” WWE had previously confirmed earlier in the day that Sane was in Greenville, South Carolina, and was set to compete again for the first time since December.

Sane was added to a high-stakes triple threat match against Rhea Ripley and Zoey Stark — the winner earning a coveted spot in the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, set for June 7th. It marked her first match since the December 2, 2024, edition of Raw, where she teamed with fellow Damage CTRL member IYO SKY in tag action against Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Her planned involvement in the Intercontinental Championship tournament late last year was scrapped due to injury, making her return last night all the more significant.

Unfortunately for Sane, her comeback didn’t go exactly as planned. Midway through the match, Stark appeared to suffer a knee injury following a misfired missile dropkick, which led to her being helped to the back. That left Sane and Ripley to finish the bout, and it was The Eradicator who came out on top. Ripley delivered a decisive Riptide to secure the win and punch her ticket to Money in the Bank.

Sane may have come up short, but her return is still a major boost for WWE’s women’s division, and her connection with CM Punk could signal interesting storylines ahead. Speaking of Punk, he made his presence felt again later in the night, running in to help Sami Zayn and Jey Uso fend off a post-match beatdown by Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker in the show’s closing moments.

With Punk back in the mix and Kairi Sane stepping back between the ropes, Raw continues to reload with star power as the road to Money in the Bank heats up.

Stay tuned to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for more updates on Kairi Sane’s return, Zoey Stark’s injury status, and all things heading into WWE Money in the Bank 2025.

WWE Raw Preview 5/19/2025

WWE Raw airs live tonight globally on Netflix from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.

  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker (non-title)
  • AJ Styles and Penta vs. Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh
  • Money In The Bank qualifying matches
  • Sheamus vs. Grayson Waller
  • Logan Paul to appear

Saraya Speaks Out After Fan Reportedly Tried to Kiss Her at Autograph Signing

Former AEW and WWE star Saraya is calling out inappropriate fan behavior after a disturbing incident at a recent autograph signing, where a fan reportedly tried to kiss her without consent.

The incident occurred on Saturday during a public meet-and-greet. Saraya took to Twitter shortly after to express her anger and frustration, writing:

“Crazy I have to say this but. If you come to my signings… please don’t try to kiss me anywhere. Especially ON MY MOUTH. He wasn’t able to because I moved. But Jesus f**king Christ.”

The post quickly went viral, resonating with fans and fellow wrestlers alike, many of whom voiced support for Saraya and condemned the fan’s behavior. The moment has reignited ongoing conversations in the wrestling world about respecting personal boundaries, especially during fan interactions like signings and conventions.

While most fans who attend these events are respectful and appreciative, this situation highlights a persistent issue — particularly for women in the industry — where personal space is too often disregarded. Wrestling may blur lines between characters and real life, but there’s no excuse for violating someone’s autonomy and safety.

Saraya, who has been a high-profile presence in both AEW and WWE, is no stranger to public scrutiny and has long been vocal about setting boundaries with fans. This latest incident only reinforces the importance of wrestlers — and promotions — taking stronger stances on safe fan engagement protocols.

Let this serve as a reminder: admiration does not grant permission. Respect wrestlers as performers and as people — and when you’re at a signing, keep your hands, and lips, to yourself.