WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network and Netflix International, beginning at 8:00 pm ET. from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington
WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes
Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest will go face-to-face
Rey Fenix vs. Berto
Women’s Tag Team Gauntlet for WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match at WrestleMania 41: Kayden Carter and Katana Chance vs. Lyra Valkyria and Bayley vs. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark vs. B-Fab and Michin vs. Piper Niven and Alba Fyre vs. Maxxine Dupri and Natalya
With WrestleMania 41 just around the corner, WWE continues to build anticipation—not just for the in-ring action, but for one of the most emotional nights of the year: the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. While names like Triple H, Michelle McCool, Lex Luger, and the legendary tag team of The Natural Disasters (Typhoon & Earthquake) were already confirmed for the Class of 2025, WWE has now revealed three more legends who will join this year’s prestigious lineup.
In an announcement made Wednesday, WWE confirmed that Kamala, Dory Funk Sr., and Ivan Koloff will be honored as Legacy inductees for the 2025 class. Their addition brings this year’s total inductees to eight. And for the first time ever, a match will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as well—Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13, a bout often hailed as one of the greatest in WWE history.
Remembering Kamala, The Ugandan Giant
Few characters in wrestling history were as instantly recognizable—or as feared—as Kamala. With his tribal war paint, imposing presence, and unpredictable demeanor, Kamala was a standout villain during WWE’s golden era in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Iconic battles against the likes of The Undertaker and Hulk Hogan helped cement his legacy. But behind the menacing persona was a performer who fans came to love over time—a gentle giant who left a lasting impression on the business.
Dory Funk Sr.: A Pioneer and Promoter
Dory Funk Sr. may not have the mainstream name recognition of some of his contemporaries, but his fingerprints are all over wrestling history. A highly respected amateur wrestler in the NWA during the 1950s and ’60s, Funk Sr. went on to become one of wrestling’s most influential promoters. Based in Amarillo, Texas, he built the Western States Sports territory into a key developmental hub, nurturing future legends like Harley Race, Bruiser Brody, and, of course, his own sons—Dory Funk Jr. and the hardcore icon Terry Funk.
Ivan Koloff: The Man Who Shocked the Garden
Ivan Koloff’s legacy is etched in one historic moment: January 18, 1971, when he ended Bruno Sammartino’s nearly eight-year WWE Championship reign at Madison Square Garden. That jaw-dropping upset forever changed the landscape of professional wrestling. Known for his rugged, powerhouse style and fierce intensity, Koloff played the role of foreign heel to perfection during a politically charged era in wrestling. His place in the Hall of Fame has been long overdue, and this induction finally gives “The Russian Bear” his due.
The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most well-rounded groups in recent memory, blending iconic performers, pioneering figures, and unforgettable moments. With WrestleMania 41 looming large, fans now have even more to celebrate as the legends of the past take their rightful place in wrestling immortality.
The road to Stand & Deliver just got a lot more chaotic — and a lot more exciting — as the NXT Women’s Championship picture saw a major shakeup on Tuesday night’s episode of WWE NXT.
The show kicked off with Jaida Parker squaring off against TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace in a match with championship implications. NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer was on commentary, poised to reveal her challenger for Stand & Deliver after the bout. But things spiraled out of control before she could even finish her thought.
After a fast-paced start, the match broke down outside the ring. Parker, never one to back down from confrontation, slapped Vaquer at ringside. The champ fired back, but in the chaos accidentally nailed Grace, prompting the referee to call for the disqualification. That didn’t stop the fight, though — all three women kept brawling, and just when things couldn’t get any more volatile, Giulia’s music hit.
The former NXT Women’s Champion made a thunderous return, sprinting to the ring and aligning with Vaquer — or so it seemed. After fending off Parker and Grace, Giulia turned on her ally-turned-rival, hitting Vaquer with a devastating Death Valley Driver and holding the title high above her head, a clear message that she’s back and wants her gold.
Later in the night, a furious and defiant Vaquer told NXT General Manager Ava that she will defend her title against all three challengers — Giulia, Jaida Parker, and Jordynne Grace — in a fatal four-way match at Stand & Deliver.
This marks Giulia’s first appearance on NXT TV since dropping the title to Vaquer at Roadblock in Madison Square Garden last month. Though there were rumors of an injury following her title loss, she had quietly been working non-televised live events, and now she’s made her presence felt in a major way.
With four top-tier competitors and no shortage of personal animosity, the NXT Women’s Championship match at Stand & Deliver is shaping up to be one of the most must-see bouts of WrestleMania weekend. Will Vaquer survive the onslaught, or is Giulia poised to reclaim her throne?
Stay tuned — NXT’s women’s division just became the hottest ticket in town.
WWE’s newest initiative to bridge the gap between the independent scene and its own developmental system just got even more intriguing.
After unveiling the WWE ID program last year — a developmental track specifically designed to scout and develop independent talent — WWE has now pulled the curtain back on the WWE ID Championships, one each for the men’s and women’s divisions. The inaugural champions will be determined through a double-elimination tournament kicking off during WrestleMania week in Las Vegas, but there’s a major twist: once crowned, those champions must defend the titles against any indie wrestler willing to step up — not just their fellow ID signees.
Yes, you read that right. Once the first official WWE ID Champions are crowned, the titles will be defended across various independent promotions. And if a non-ID, unsigned wrestler manages to capture the gold, they won’t just walk away with the title — they’ll also be awarded a WWE ID contract.
According to WWE’s announcement:
“The WWE ID Championships will be open to all independent wrestlers once the champions are crowned. The titles will be defended at various independent wrestling events. If a non-WWE ID prospect wins the title, they will be awarded a WWE ID contract.”
The concept is already generating buzz across the wrestling world, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity for unsigned talent to fight their way into WWE — not via tryouts or dark matches, but through proving themselves against WWE ID’s best inside the squared circle.
The Tournament Begins at WrestleMania Week
The road to crowning the first WWE ID Champions kicks off in Las Vegas during WrestleMania week with two major events:
April 16 at GCW’s “The Collective 2025” The opening salvo of the ID Tournament goes down under the GCW banner, where we already have confirmed first-round matches:
Kylie Rae vs. Zayda Steel in a women’s bout
It’s GAL vs. Cappuccino Jones on the men’s side
April 18 at Future Stars of Wrestling (FSW) More men’s tournament action will take place following SmackDown, including:
Sean Legacy vs. Ricky Smokes
Brad Baylor vs. Ice Williams
The tournament features a double-elimination format, meaning each competitor must lose twice to be eliminated. All current WWE ID prospects are participating, setting the stage for fierce in-ring competition and plenty of eyes on potential breakout stars.
What This Means for the Indies
This move represents a bold step forward in WWE’s approach to talent development, effectively creating a hybrid title system that lives both within and outside the WWE ecosystem. By making the ID Championships defendable on the indie circuit, WWE is injecting its scouting efforts with real stakes — and giving unsigned talents something massive to fight for.
It’s a unique opportunity for indie wrestlers to earn a WWE contract by doing what they do best — performing in front of passionate, grassroots crowds. For fans, it means high-stakes matches popping up on independent cards, with WWE implications on the line.
The wrestling world will be watching closely to see who walks out of Las Vegas with gold in hand — and how soon an outsider steps up to shake up the system.
From cheering in the front row to fighting for a chance at championship gold — Izzy Moreno’s story just keeps getting better.
The indie standout, best remembered by longtime fans as Bayley’s young superfan during NXT’s black-and-gold era, is now looking to carve her own path in the squared circle. And she’s eyeing a major opportunity: a spot in WWE ID’s Championship Tournament during WrestleMania Week.
Izzy made her intentions clear in a fired-up video posted to her social media, where she threw her name into the mix for the upcoming WWE ID Championship Tournament set to take place at GCW’s event on April 16 in Las Vegas.
“What if…..I mean what if @WWEID called me to be in the opening round of the WWE ID Championship tournament at @GCWrestling_ on April 16th in Las Vegas?” she teased.
“No more what ifs…. Izzy Moreno is ready for the WWE ID championship tournament! 😤 💪”
The WWE ID account wasted no time responding — and they didn’t hand her a spot. Instead, they handed her a challenge.
Izzy will have to earn her way into the tournament by defeating rising WWE ID prospect Zara Zakher in a non-tournament qualifier match at the April 16 GCW show. It’s a high-stakes moment for both women, with the winner securing a spot in the actual WWE ID Championship Tournament bracket.
“You have a world of potential, Izzy,” WWE ID wrote in response. “However, you have to earn your way into the WWE ID Championship tournament.”
This sets the stage for what could be a breakout moment for Moreno, who’s been grinding on the independent scene while sharpening her in-ring game. Though she’s still early in her career, the buzz around her name — thanks to both her childhood connection to WWE and her growing credibility as a performer — makes this upcoming clash with Zakher one to watch.
For Izzy, this isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about proving she belongs in the ring with today’s top prospects and tomorrow’s superstars.
April 16 in Vegas could be the night she flips the script from “superfan” to “serious contender.”
What if…..I mean what if @WWEID called me to be in the opening round of the WWE ID Championship tournament at @GCWrestling_ on April 16th in Las Vegas?
Kevin Owens is keeping his chin up — even if it’s his neck that needs fixing.
After delivering a surprising and emotional announcement on WWE SmackDown last week, Kevin Owens confirmed he’ll be stepping away from the ring to undergo neck surgery. The news sparked concern among fans, with some even speculating this could be a career-threatening situation. But if you ask KO himself? He’s not ready to hang up the boots just yet.
Speaking on the My Mom’s Basement podcast, Owens offered a candid and hopeful update on his condition and future in WWE. While acknowledging the seriousness of the injury, “The Prizefighter” made it clear that a return is very much on his mind.
“I know I’ll come back — or at the very least, I really hope I come back. You know, I guess there’s … I never take anything for granted in what we do, so who knows? But it’s pretty likely I’ll come back,” Owens said.
More than just a return, Owens already has his sights set on a dream singles match against none other than Randy Orton. The two briefly clashed at WrestleMania 40 in a triple threat match that also involved Logan Paul, but Owens wants another shot — one-on-one with “The Viper.”
“Maybe we could do it [a match with Orton at WrestleMania] eventually,” he added, suggesting that he’s not done chasing WrestleMania moments.
As for his recovery timeline, the former Universal Champion admitted it’s still early days. He hasn’t spoken to his surgeon yet — that appointment is set for this week — but based on what others have experienced with similar injuries, Owens estimates his absence could last anywhere from six to twelve months.
“Most of the people who have gone through similar things have probably, you know, six months to eight months to a year. So I would assume within that range, but I don’t really know. Like I said, it’s all really new right now.”
Owens’ last match came at Elimination Chamber in February, where he picked up a win over longtime friend (and sometimes rival) Sami Zayn — a fitting high note before taking time off.
While there’s still a long road ahead, Owens’ passion for the business and his desire for that elusive singles match with Orton could be the fuel he needs to power through recovery. For now, fans will have to wait — but if history has taught us anything, it’s that Kevin Owens always finds a way to fight back.
Stay locked in to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for updates on KO’s status and all things WWE.
Just days after confirming he’s out of WrestleMania 41, Kevin Owens has shed more light on the injury that’s taken him off the road — and it turns out, the damage may not have come from one of his high-risk, headline-grabbing matches.
During an appearance on the My Mom’s Basement podcast ahead of this week’s WWE SmackDown, Owens candidly spoke about his neck issues, revealing that the injury likely happened during a routine match in January, not during his more extreme outings like his ladder match with Cody Rhodes or his Unsanctioned Match with Sami Zayn.
“25 years in, with the stuff I’ve done, I feel like it was bound to happen,” Owens said. “It sucks. The timing sucks, for sure… but I felt great even recently. This wasn’t something constant. It was just something that didn’t feel right the last few months.”
Owens explained that he had undergone a full-body MRI back in December — mostly out of curiosity — and while it revealed wear and tear (including his well-documented knee issues), doctors at the time gave him the green light. But a match in January changed everything.
“There were two things that really jarred my neck,” he recalled. “That’s when the issues started. I knew something was wrong. This week we did another MRI and found out it’s serious.”
So serious, in fact, that WWE’s medical team told Owens he wouldn’t be cleared for WrestleMania. That revelation hit hard.
“I was so shocked I almost stopped listening,” Owens admitted. “I knew something was up, but I didn’t think it was that bad. I thought we’d take care of it after WrestleMania.”
Unfortunately, that’s not how things played out. Owens now faces neck surgery and is staring down an uncertain recovery timeline. He hasn’t yet consulted with a surgeon but believes he could be out anywhere from six months to a year.
Missing Randy Orton at WrestleMania: “That Bugs Me the Most”
Perhaps the most painful part of the timing is that Owens was set to face Randy Orton in a one-on-one match at WrestleMania 41 — a dream bout for KO.
“That’s the part that bugs me the most,” he said. “I know I’ll be back. At least I hope I will. But this year was supposed to be me vs. Randy Orton at WrestleMania. That’s huge for me.”
Owens took some solace in the fact that he shared the ring with Orton last year — albeit in a multi-man match he jokingly noted included “that other annoying guy” (take your guess on that one).
Injury Came from a “Regular Match”
In a fascinating twist, Owens pushed back against fans assuming his injury must have come from a violent spot in one of his more chaotic matches.
“It happened in a regular match,” Owens clarified. “No hardcore things. Nothing. Just two very simple things I’ve done a million times. That’s what’s funny about it. Sometimes it’s just bad luck — and I think in that match, those two things were just this much off.”
He also addressed fan criticism and misconceptions surrounding his in-ring style and recent use of barbed wire, pointing out that just because he didn’t bleed doesn’t mean it wasn’t legit.
“Our entire craft is making people believe something that’s not actually happening — and I’m very good at that,” he said. “Some people will never believe me anyway, and that’s fine.”
What’s Next?
As of now, Owens will undergo surgery soon and meet with specialists to finalize his recovery plan. There’s no concrete timeline for his return, but he remains hopeful and focused on coming back strong.
For now, the KO Show is on pause — but if we’ve learned anything about Kevin Owens over the last 25 years, it’s that this isn’t the end. Just the next chapter.
Stay with Wrestling News Blog for updates on KO’s surgery, recovery timeline, and the fallout from his WrestleMania absence.
WrestleMania season just took a major hit. On Friday night’s WWE SmackDown, Kevin Owens delivered a heartbreaking update: he’s undergoing neck surgery and will be sidelined indefinitely — including missing out on a highly anticipated showdown with Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis opened the segment, setting a somber tone and reminding fans why WWE always warns against trying this at home. Aldis then brought Owens to the ring so the former Universal Champion could break the news himself.
Owens revealed that he’s been quietly battling a neck injury for the past four months but only recently discovered the full extent of the damage. The diagnosis? Surgery is required — and the timing couldn’t be worse. Owens admitted that missing WrestleMania stings, especially since he was set to face a legend like Randy Orton on the grandest stage of them all.
In an emotional moment, Owens thanked WWE for letting him speak directly to the fans, unsure of when he’ll be able to perform in front of them again. He expressed his gratitude and apologized, visibly emotional as he walked away.
But the moment didn’t end there.
As Owens made his exit, Orton’s music hit. The Viper walked to the ring and locked eyes with Owens on the apron. No words were exchanged — just a silent, mutual moment of respect. With Owens gone, Aldis told Orton the reality of the situation: with Owens out, Orton has no WrestleMania opponent.
Orton’s answer? A thunderous RKO to the General Manager.
While Owens begins his road to recovery, the question now looms large: what’s next for Randy Orton heading into WrestleMania 41? And more importantly, when — or if — we’ll see KO back in the ring.
Stay with Wrestling News Blog for updates on Owens’ recovery.
Pwinsider is reporting that according to multiple WWE sources, the situation is serious, with Owens likely needing surgery — potentially spinal fusion.
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