Backstage Frustrations Grow Over WWE’s Women’s Division: #WWEWomenDeserveBetter Trends

Concerns over WWE’s women’s division are reaching a boiling point, with multiple wrestlers reportedly frustrated over a lack of opportunities, underdeveloped storylines, and limited screen time. According to Fightful Select, several talents have voiced their concerns about WWE’s handling of the division, especially when compared to the stronger booking and character development seen in NXT.

Key Issues Frustrating WWE’s Women’s Locker Room

Several recurring complaints have emerged from WWE’s female talent:

  • A Lack of Fresh Contenders: Many feel that the same wrestlers rotate through top and mid-card feuds, leaving others without meaningful storylines.
  • Underwhelming Tag Team Division: WWE’s women’s tag team division has long struggled with consistency, and there appears to be little focus on establishing new teams or long-term feuds.
  • Limited Screen Time: Outside of the top-tier feuds, many wrestlers feel they aren’t getting the opportunity to showcase their skills on TV.

Comparisons to NXT have also been made, as the brand has consistently given its female talent better storylines, character arcs, and significant match time.

Sonya Deville’s Departure Adds to Uncertainty

Another major factor fueling uncertainty is Sonya Deville’s departure. Reports indicate that WWE had initially expressed interest in retaining her, but contract negotiations ultimately fell apart. This situation has left some wondering about the company’s long-term vision for its women’s roster.

#WWEWomenDeserveBetter Trends Online

As frustration grows, fans have taken to social media to voice their support, leading to #WWEWomenDeserveBetter trending throughout the day. The movement highlights the demand for more balanced storytelling and better opportunities for WWE’s female stars.

While some wrestlers have reportedly been encouraged to “be patient,” it remains to be seen whether WWE will make the necessary changes to address these growing concerns.

Report: Carmella’s WWE Contract Expires, No Longer with the Company

It looks like Carmella’s time in WWE has officially come to an end. According to Fightful Select, the former WWE Women’s Champion is no longer under contract with the company following the expiration of her deal.

Carmella’s WWE Journey Comes to a Close

Carmella, a former SmackDown Women’s Champion, Money in the Bank winner, and one of WWE’s most decorated female stars in recent years, last competed in March 2023. She had returned for a brief six-week run after an extended absence from the ring but had not been seen in action since.

Before that return, she had been off television for much of 2022. Since stepping away, Carmella has welcomed her first child and has been open about dealing with drop foot, a condition that affects mobility.

What’s Next for Carmella?

With her WWE tenure now seemingly over, fans will be curious about what’s next for Carmella. Will she step away from wrestling completely to focus on her personal life, or could a return to the ring elsewhere be in the cards? While nothing is confirmed, her experience and charisma would make her a valuable addition to any promotion if she decides to continue her career.

For now, one thing is certain—Carmella leaves behind a legacy as one of WWE’s most entertaining and versatile female performers of the past decade.

The Rock Makes a Chilling Offer to Cody Rhodes on WWE SmackDown

The Rock may have arrived on SmackDown to announce WrestleMania 42 for New Orleans, but by the time he left, he had dropped a far more personal bombshell on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. In a dramatic in-ring segment, The Rock first extended his hand in friendship—before revealing a much darker intention.

“I Want Your Soul”

Earlier in the night, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis hinted that The Final Boss wanted a word with Rhodes, setting the stage for a tense confrontation. When The Rock finally addressed the WWE Champion, he reflected on their complicated history—how their paths clashed heading into WrestleMania 40, how their families had since grown close, and how much respect he had for Rhodes. At first, his words seemed almost benevolent.

“I want you to be my champion,” The Rock told Rhodes, promising to help him achieve all his dreams and even calling him his “brother.”

But the vibe quickly shifted. The Rock reminded Rhodes that last year, he had planned to main-event WrestleMania 40 against Roman Reigns—until Rhodes got in the way and even slapped him. That, Rock admitted, was why Cody was special. And now, he had an offer: Rhodes had until Elimination Chamber on March 1 to make a decision.

Rhodes, sensing where this was heading, asked if The Rock wanted a shot at his WWE Championship. But The Great One made his true intentions clear.

“No… I don’t want your title. I want your soul.”

The chilling declaration left the crowd stunned, as the WWE Universe tried to piece together exactly what The Rock meant by his ominous words.

The Rock’s Power Play

Beyond his challenge to Rhodes, The Rock also reminded everyone of his growing influence behind the scenes. He brought up his position on TKO Group Holdings’ board of directors—the parent company of WWE—and even joked that Ari Emanuel himself said The Rock practically owned the company.

That statement alone could have major implications. With The Rock’s power in both the corporate and creative side of WWE, is this a sign that he’s setting the stage for something bigger than just a match?

What’s Next for Cody Rhodes?

Now, the ball is in Cody Rhodes’ court. With Elimination Chamber just around the corner, what exactly does The Rock’s challenge mean? Is this leading to a match, an alliance, or something even more sinister?

One thing’s for sure—when The Final Boss makes a move, the entire landscape of WWE changes.

Stay locked on WrestlingNewsBlog.com for all the latest updates as this massive story unfolds!

The Rock Makes Major WrestleMania 42 Announcement

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made an appearance on “WWE SmackDown” on Friday and made a huge announcement for New Orleans, live from the city’s Smoothie King Center. The Rock appeared in the middle of the show with the announcement that WrestleMania 42 will take place in The Big Easy at the Caesars Superdome on April 11 and April 12 2026

The Rock’s Grand Reveal

Midway through the show, The Rock’s music hit, but with a unique New Orleans twist. As he stepped into the ring, the energy in the arena was off the charts. Before he could even finish his signature line, the crowd erupted, completing the iconic phrase for him:

“Finally… The Rock has come back to New Orleans!”

But The Rock had his own twist. He took the mic and declared, “Finally, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!”—sending the WWE Universe into a frenzy. Fans even broke out in “holy s**”* chants as the People’s Champ basked in the moment. Always one to lean into the atmosphere, he led the crowd in a rendition of “When The Saints Go Marching In,” while balancing his persona between heel and babyface.

New Orleans Gets Its Third WrestleMania

With this announcement, New Orleans joins the select list of cities to host WrestleMania multiple times. The Caesars Superdome—now set to hold its third Mania—previously hosted:

  • WrestleMania 30 (2014): Where Daniel Bryan completed his legendary underdog story by winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
  • WrestleMania 34 (2018): Headlined by Brock Lesnar retaining the Universal Championship against Roman Reigns in a match that left fans less than thrilled.

Now, the Superdome is gearing up for another historic WrestleMania in 2026, and with The Rock playing a major role in WWE’s future, speculation is already running wild on what this could mean for the event’s main event scene.

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/21/2025 – The Rock

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown will air live on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix Internationally, from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana,

  • The Rock coming to SmackDown tonight. – The Rock took to social media hyping up his return to SmackDown, noting that The Final Boss is coming to handle business
  • WWE Tag Team Championship: DIY (c) vs. Pretty Deadly
  • WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes, Braun Strowman and Damian Priest vs. Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga
  • Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Naomi
  • Drew McIntryre vs. Jimmy Uso

Scott Steiner’s Son, Brock Rechsteiner, Signs WWE NIL Deal

WWE has officially added another member of the Steiner wrestling dynasty to its pipeline, as Brock Rechsteiner, son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner, has signed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contract with the company.

A Future in Wrestling After Football

Currently playing football for the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, Brock has long been on WWE’s radar. His father, Scott Steiner, previously revealed in a December interview with ESPN that his son fully intends to pursue a professional wrestling career once his time on the gridiron comes to an end.

The news of Brock’s NIL deal was confirmed by his brother, Brandon Rechsteiner, during a recent interview with Jim Varsallone. Brandon spoke highly of his brother’s potential, saying:

“My brother, he’ll be a superstar in WWE, for sure… He really wants to be in WWE. He has signed an NIL deal with WWE, so my dream for him would be to do really good in football, try to take it to the NFL, whatever that means, and then… he will be a WWE superstar because he’s so talented, and he has the charisma that my dad has.”

Following in the Family Footsteps

Brock’s cousin, Bron Breakker—the current WWE Intercontinental Champion—has already proven that the Steiner family name carries weight in the wrestling world. After transitioning from a football career to pro wrestling, Breakker quickly rose through the NXT ranks and is now a rising star on WWE’s main roster.

With Brock now in WWE’s NIL program, it seems like only a matter of time before another Steiner steps into the squared circle.

What’s Next for Brock Rechsteiner?

While he remains focused on his football career, this NIL deal ensures that Brock has a clear path to WWE once he’s ready to make the jump. If his athletic background and family pedigree are any indication, fans may be looking at a future powerhouse in the company.

WWE and TNA’s Groundbreaking Partnership Confirmed to Run Through 2028

The details surrounding WWE and TNA Wrestling’s unprecedented working relationship are becoming clearer, and it looks like this alliance is built for the long haul.

During an appearance at Monopoly Events’ For The Love of Wrestling convention, JDC (formerly known as Fandango in WWE) revealed a key detail about the agreement. According to JDC, WWE and TNA have signed a three-year partnership deal, meaning their collaboration will extend through 2028.

A New Era of WWE-TNA Collaboration

This revelation solidifies what many fans had speculated since the January 16 announcement of the partnership. Prior to that, crossovers between the two companies had already begun taking shape in early 2024, with TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace making a surprise appearance in the WWE Royal Rumble match. The agreement has since paved the way for further interactions between WWE’s NXT brand and TNA talent, creating exciting possibilities for both promotions. Given how historic this partnership already feels, the possibilities are endless.

Former WWE Stars The Colons and Elijah (Elias) Make Surprise TNA Debuts on iMPACT!

TNA iMPACT! delivered yet another shocker on Thursday night, as three former WWE stars made their presence felt in a big way. The show opened with TNA World Champion Joe Hendry doing what he does best—entertaining the crowd with one of his signature musical performances. But his concert was soon interrupted by two unexpected guests: The Colons – Eddie and Orlando (Primo and Epico Colon).

The Colons Arrive in TNA for “Business”

The former WWE Tag Team Champions introduced themselves to the TNA audience but made it clear they weren’t here for applause—they were here for business. Just as it seemed like they were about to get physical with Hendry, the lights in Full Sail University flickered, setting the stage for another major debut.

Elijah (FKA Elias) Joins TNA

When the lights came back up, fans were greeted by another musical act—Elijah, the artist formerly known as WWE’s Elias. Strumming his guitar, Elijah used his signature lyrical storytelling to confirm that he had officially signed with TNA Wrestling. Fightful Select later backed up the claim, reporting that Elijah had put pen to paper with the promotion, though details on the length of his contract remain undisclosed.

Main Event Set: Hendry & Marella vs. The Colons

Following Elijah’s unexpected debut, TNA Director of Authority Santino Marella wasted no time in booking a match. He announced that he would team up with Hendry to take on Eddie (Primo) and Orlando (Epico) in the night’s main event.

Elijah’s arrival continues the trend of ex-WWE talent finding a new home in TNA. After parting ways with WWE in September 2023 amid a wave of releases that also included Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler), Ash By Elegance (Dana Brooke), and Mustafa Ali, Elijah re-emerged on the independent wrestling scene, making appearances for Wrestling Revolver, International Wrestling Cartel, and World Series Wrestling. He was also recently spotted in a social media teaser alongside The Righteous, an AEW and Ring of Honor-affiliated faction.

TNA’s Growing Roster of Ex-WWE Talent

With Elijah, Ali, and Nemeth now officially part of the TNA roster, the promotion continues to build momentum with a mix of familiar faces and homegrown talent. As TNA looks to re-establish itself as a top wrestling destination, the addition of these former WWE names could bring even more eyes to the product.

TNA Impact Preview 2/20/2025

TNA Wrestling will present a live episode of Impact tonight on AXS TV from Full Sail University in Orlando. The lineup includes:

  • NO DQ: JDC vs. Leon Slater
  • Tyriek Igwe & Tyson Dupont vs. The Rascalz
  • Rosemary vs. Lei Ying Lee
  • Tessa Blanchard in action
  • Joe Hendry in concert
  • We’ll hear from the Northern Armory

ROH TV Preview 2/20/2025

Ring of Honor will present a new episode of ROH TV tonight on HonorClub, with several matches announced. The lineup includes:

  • ROH World Television Championship: Komander (c) vs. Lee Johnson
  • Rachael Ellering vs. Abadon
  • Wheeler Yuta vs. Fuego Del Sol
  • Fuego, Dark Panther, & Sammy Guevara vs. Hechicero, Soberano Jr, & Barbaro Cavernario
  • The Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) in action
  • Billie Starkz in Action