WWE Raw live today at 8/7c on Netflix from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Tama Tonga’s social media activity has landed him in hot water with WWE officials.
Tonga was reportedly hit with a hefty fine after posting a video from a recent rehearsal session. While Tonga has built a reputation for sharing behind-the-scenes content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, this specific clip is said to have crossed an internal line.
According to reports, WWE maintains an unwritten policy that discourages talent from filming or distributing rehearsal footage. The reasoning is tied to preserving the illusion of the final product, as well as keeping certain production elements under wraps. Tonga’s video, which surfaced last week, apparently violated that understanding.
Tonga has become a fan favorite online for his candid and often entertaining posts, offering a rare peek behind the curtain of WWE life. However, this situation highlights the fine line talent must walk when it comes to balancing personal branding with company expectations.
There’s no word yet on whether Tonga’s posting habits will change moving forward, but the incident serves as a reminder that even informal policies can carry real consequences in WWE.
Check out the video that resulted in his fine below:
The Bella Twins are making the most of their latest WWE chapter—and they already know when the curtain will close.
Nikki and Brie Bella recently revealed that their current WWE deals are set to run through 2028, signaling what appears to be the final stretch of their in-ring careers. The Hall of Famers, who returned to action during Royal Rumble season, made it clear that once these contracts expire, they plan to step away for good.
Speaking candidly, Nikki Bella shared that this run comes with a defined endpoint. She noted that the two-year agreement they signed earlier this year will likely mark the end of the road for both her and Brie. While the twins would welcome a grand farewell similar to what legends like John Cena or AJ Styles have received, they’re not counting on WWE to roll out that kind of red carpet.
Instead, the focus is on making the most of the time they have left.
Nikki emphasized her desire to deliver some of the best performances of her career before calling it quits. For the Bellas, it’s not just about adding accolades—it’s about creating lasting memories and leaving without regrets. The goal is simple: make these final years count and walk away knowing they gave it everything.
Part of that mission includes finally capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, one of the few accomplishments that has eluded them. Their recent attempt on SmackDown nearly checked that box, as they challenged Nia Jax and Lash Legend for the titles in a high-stakes match.
However, things didn’t go as planned.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss inserted themselves into the situation, costing the Bellas a golden opportunity to claim the gold. The interference has now set the stage for a heated showdown, as Nikki and Brie look to settle the score against Flair and Bliss on next week’s episode of SmackDown.
With a clear end date looming and unfinished business still on the table, the Bella Twins are entering what could be the most meaningful run of their careers—one last chance to cement their legacy on their own terms.
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
WWE may have quietly added another second-generation talent to its pipeline, as Marie Malenko—daughter of wrestling legend Dean Malenko—is reportedly headed to the company.
According to a report from BodySlam+, Marie has officially signed with WWE following a recent tryout at the Performance Center in Orlando. The opportunity came shortly after she made her professional wrestling debut, marking a quick rise for the newcomer.
Marie’s first match took place under the Pro Wrestling NOAH banner, giving her an early international spotlight before stepping into WWE’s system. Not long after that debut, she participated in a tryout session at the Performance Center, where it appears she impressed officials enough to earn a deal.
As the daughter of Dean Malenko—one of the most technically respected wrestlers of his era—Marie enters WWE with a strong wrestling lineage behind her. Malenko himself remains a highly influential figure in the industry, known for his work in WCW, WWE, and ECW, as well as his role behind the scenes in recent years.
While there’s no word yet on when Marie could make her official on-screen debut, she will likely begin training full-time in NXT as she develops her in-ring style and character.
With WWE continuing to invest in both legacy talent and fresh prospects, Marie Malenko’s signing is another example of the company blending wrestling heritage with its next generation of stars.
Matt and Jeff Hardy’s renewed connection with WWE just took another interesting turn, as the legendary tag team has officially locked in a new merchandise deal with the company.
Speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Matt confirmed that The Hardy Boyz have signed an agreement with WWE that not only brings them into WWE 2K26, but could also lead to more collaborations down the line.
According to Matt, the deal is expected to extend beyond a one-off appearance, with plans for the duo to remain part of WWE’s video game landscape for the foreseeable future. He also hinted that this partnership could grow into additional opportunities, suggesting WWE may have more in mind than just nostalgia-driven content.
The Hardys’ inclusion in WWE 2K26—particularly in editions centered around the Attitude Era—feels like a natural fit. After all, Matt and Jeff were key figures during that time, redefining tag team wrestling with their high-risk style and unforgettable ladder matches. Matt noted that fan demand played a big role in making this happen, with many pushing for the brothers to be included in a game celebrating that era.
The response so far has reportedly been overwhelmingly positive, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by WWE. That kind of feedback likely helped solidify the deal and could be a factor in expanding the partnership moving forward.
What makes this situation even more notable is that the Hardys haven’t been full-time WWE performers in years. Following their departure, both men spent time in AEW and later resurfaced in TNA Wrestling. However, the growing working relationship between WWE and TNA opened the door for crossover appearances, including matches on WWE NXT—appearances that may have ultimately paved the way for this new agreement.
While there’s no official word yet on whether this leads to a more permanent in-ring return, the door is clearly open wider than it has been in quite some time. At the very least, fans can expect to see plenty more of The Hardy Boyz in WWE projects moving forward.
NBA legend Dennis Rodman has officially been announced for the Class of 2026.
The news was first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, confirming that the five-time NBA Champion will be recognized for his contributions to the wrestling world—specifically his unforgettable run during the height of WCW’s popularity in the late ‘90s.
Rodman, known as much for his larger-than-life personality as his dominance on the court, became a major part of WCW programming in 1997 when he aligned himself with the New World Order. Dubbed “Rodzilla,” he quickly became a headline attraction, stepping into the ring alongside Hulk Hogan in a high-profile tag team match against Lex Luger and The Giant at Bash at the Beach.
His commitment to wrestling didn’t stop at cameo appearances. During the 1998 NBA Finals, Rodman made headlines by skipping a Chicago Bulls practice after Game 3 to appear live on WCW Monday Nitro, where he and Hogan launched an attack on Diamond Dallas Page. That crossover momentum carried into another marquee match, as Rodman teamed with Hogan to face Karl Malone and DDP at Bash at the Beach 1998—a rare moment where NBA and wrestling worlds collided on a major stage.
Rodman continued his in-ring run with a notable singles bout against “Macho Man” Randy Savage at Road Wild 1999, further cementing his place in wrestling pop culture history.
Now, decades later, WWE is recognizing that impact. Rodman joins an already stacked 2026 Hall of Fame class that includes Stephanie McMahon, AJ Styles, and the legendary tag team Demolition.
The ceremony is set to take place on Friday, April 17, in Las Vegas as part of the WrestleMania 42 festivities, and Rodman’s induction is sure to bring a dose of attitude-era chaos and nostalgia to the celebration.
photo credit to WWE
WWE’s long-term plans for WrestleMania 43 don’t appear to be changing—for now—but there’s clearly some behind-the-scenes caution as global tensions continue to rise.
According to a new report from PWInsider Elite, WrestleMania 43 is still scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027. Despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including recent U.S. military action involving Iran, WWE has not made any official adjustments to the event’s location.
That said, the company isn’t ignoring the situation. Sources indicate WWE has contingency plans in place for events scheduled in the region, should conditions change. While no specific alternatives have been outlined, officials are reportedly monitoring developments closely and are prepared to pivot if necessary.
The uncertainty comes as several major international events have already been impacted. Formula 1 recently canceled its Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix, both originally slated for April, due to the escalating conflict. WWE, however, is still moving forward with its Saudi partnership, with another event expected in the Kingdom this summer—though an official date has yet to be announced.
This isn’t the first time geopolitical tensions have threatened WWE’s plans in the region. Back in 2025, Night of Champions was briefly in jeopardy when Saudi Arabia closed its airspace amid missile exchanges between Israel and Iran. Travel disruptions even left some WWE production staff stranded in Qatar, though the event ultimately went on as scheduled.
As for WrestleMania 43, WWE has options if a change becomes necessary. The company has previously promised WrestleMania hosting duties to multiple U.S. cities, including Indianapolis and New Orleans, either of which could potentially step in if plans in Saudi Arabia fall through.
For now, though, WWE is staying the course—while quietly preparing for anything that might come next.
Santos Escobar’s in-ring future just took an unfortunate turn, as a lingering injury has reportedly gotten worse and will now require surgery.
According to reports from Fightful Select, Escobar originally hurt his tricep during an NXT live event in January while facing El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Despite the setback, he continued working through the injury at the time, believing it wasn’t anything too serious. However, that assumption turned out to be off the mark.
The situation escalated during AAA’s Rey de Reyes event on March 14, where Escobar competed in a four-way match against the two El Grande Americanos and La Parka. It was in that match that the injury was aggravated, and it has since been confirmed to be a torn tricep rather than a minor issue. As a result, Escobar is now scheduled to undergo surgery, which is expected to sideline him for an extended period.
The timing is particularly rough given Escobar’s recent career trajectory. After hitting free agency, he re-signed with WWE in October despite earlier frustrations with creative direction. Since returning, his presence on WWE programming has been minimal—he hasn’t wrestled on television and has only worked a handful of NXT house shows, along with appearances in AAA.
There have also been rumblings about dissatisfaction on multiple fronts. Reports suggest Escobar hasn’t been thrilled with how he’s been utilized in WWE, while some within AAA reportedly haven’t been overly impressed with his recent performances either.
Now, with surgery looming and recovery ahead, Escobar faces yet another hurdle at a time when momentum has already been hard to come by. How WWE handles his return once he’s cleared will be something to watch closely.
WWE NXT live tonight on The CW and Netflix ((internationally) from the 713 Music Hall in Houston, Texas.
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