Tag: WWE

WrestleMania 42 Ticket Sales Slowing Down Despite Price Adjustments

With WrestleMania 42 headed to Las Vegas this April, new data suggests ticket demand may not be matching WWE’s aggressive pricing strategy — even after recent adjustments.

According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that ticket movement this past week was actually slower than the week prior, despite WWE implementing price cuts across all seating tiers over Valentine’s Day weekend. Even with those reductions, there has reportedly been limited traction at the lowest price points.

Current numbers show Night One sitting at 35,690 tickets distributed, while Night Two is slightly ahead at 36,372. Meltzer notes that overall sales and comps are down 17,252 tickets compared to the same point last year, putting WrestleMania 42 roughly 19.3% behind 2025’s pace.

However, before anyone jumps to conclusions, there’s an important caveat: revenue tells a very different story.

Even with softer demand, WrestleMania 42 is still projected to generate one of the largest gates in combat sports history. The reason? Historically high ticket prices. The current “get-in” price for Night One is $264, with Night Two starting at $276 — figures that are dramatically higher than what fans paid just a few years ago.

A WWE source cited by Meltzer reportedly downplayed concerns about the product itself being a factor, instead pointing to sticker shock as the real issue. As the source put it, the audience is still there — the question is whether they’re willing to pay what was described as “ten gazillion dollars for tickets.”

For context, Pollstar previously reported that WrestleMania 41 sold 113,412 tickets across two nights, generating a staggering $66,074,558 — shattering prior pro wrestling and MMA gate records. Meltzer added that at this same stage last year, WWE was still able to move around 15,000 tickets per night in the weeks leading up to the event.

What’s changed most dramatically is the average ticket price. In 2023, the average ‘Mania ticket cost $169. That figure jumped to $341 in 2024 and ballooned to $582.61 in 2025. The average price for WrestleMania 42 is reportedly even higher than that, suggesting WWE is betting heavily on premium pricing over volume.

Whether the company ultimately fills Allegiant Stadium remains to be seen. But even if the event falls short of a sellout on April 18 and 19, the financial outcome could still rival — or surpass — previous records.

In other words, WrestleMania may not be moving tickets at last year’s pace, but from a revenue standpoint, WWE is still playing in an entirely different league.

WWE’s Tiffany Stratton Eyes Bodybuilding Return While Marching Toward WrestleMania 42

Tiffany Stratton isn’t just setting her sights on WrestleMania 42 — she’s also stepping back onto a bodybuilding stage.

The former WWE Women’s Champion recently revealed on TikTok that she is nine weeks away from competing in her second-ever bodybuilding competition. For Stratton, it’s more than just a side project — it’s a return to a passion she once had to put on hold when her WWE journey began.

In the video, Stratton shared that she originally fell in love with bodybuilding before signing with WWE in 2021. At the time, balancing the two physically demanding careers simply wasn’t realistic. Now, however, she believes she’s in a place where she can manage both the grind of sports entertainment and the discipline required for competitive bodybuilding.

Stratton invited fans to follow along as she documented part of her prep, detailing a shoulder-and-triceps “push day” workout along with some post-lift cardio. If nothing else, it’s a reminder that even by WWE standards, Stratton’s commitment to conditioning remains on another level.

Before entering the squared circle, Stratton built an impressive athletic résumé. She spent years as a gymnast, developing the explosiveness and agility that have become staples of her in-ring style. According to her former trainer Greg Gagne, she also excelled in bodybuilding and even set a record in her weightlifting class. Ultimately, she paused both gymnastics and bodybuilding to focus entirely on professional wrestling — a decision that quickly paid off with championship gold in WWE.

Now, as she prepares for a return to the bodybuilding stage, Stratton is also gearing up for one of the most dangerous matches on the WWE calendar.

She is currently confirmed for the upcoming Women’s Elimination Chamber match, where Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Rhea Ripley have already been announced as opponents. The winner will punch their ticket to WrestleMania 42 and challenge for a world title on April 18 and 19.

With a high-stakes Chamber match looming and a bodybuilding competition just over two months away, Stratton is proving she’s more than capable of handling pressure — both under the bright lights of WWE and on the judging stage.

If she manages to peak at the right time in both arenas, 2026 could be another defining year for one of WWE’s most athletically gifted stars.

Pat McAfee Expanding Into Hollywood With Major TV And Film Roles

Pat McAfee’s post-NFL career continues to evolve in a big way — and now the outspoken WWE commentator is officially stepping into Hollywood.

According to a new report from Bloomberg, Ari Emanuel — co-founder of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC — is actively working to secure acting opportunities for McAfee. While Emanuel no longer serves as CEO of Endeavor following its rebrand to WME Group, he remains executive chairman and represents a wide range of high-profile talent. McAfee is reportedly among the latest names on Emanuel’s client list, and the wheels are already turning.

The first wave of projects is significant.

McAfee is set to appear in a four-episode arc in the upcoming fourth season of Tulsa King on Paramount+, the hit series led by Sylvester Stallone. That’s not his only acting credit on the horizon, either. He’s also attached to Peter Berg’s upcoming sports drama The Mosquito Bowl, a film inspired by Buzz Bissinger — the author behind Friday Night Lights. The project centers around a legendary World War II-era football game and fits squarely into McAfee’s sports-driven persona.

For someone who only retired from the NFL in 2017, McAfee’s media takeover has been impressive. He’s built The Pat McAfee Show into a powerhouse platform, secured a major deal with ESPN, and become a fixture in the college football world. On the WWE side, he’s spent the past four years as one of the company’s most energetic and polarizing commentators, in addition to competing in select in-ring matches.

However, McAfee hasn’t appeared on WWE programming since June. At the time, he stepped away to focus on his growing media commitments and college football coverage, openly acknowledging burnout from juggling too many responsibilities.

That said, McAfee has made it a tradition to pop up at WrestleMania in recent years, whether behind the desk or inside the ring. With WrestleMania season approaching once again, speculation is already building about whether he’ll make another cameo at WWE’s biggest event of the year.

Now, with major television and film roles lined up, McAfee’s schedule may only get busier. Still, if history tells us anything, it’s that he tends to find a way to show up when the spotlight is brightest.

Between sports media, WWE, and now Hollywood, McAfee’s second act is proving to be just as headline-worthy as his NFL career.

Roxanne Perez Reveals She Had Surgery To Have Benign Mass Removed

Roxanne Perez has finally shed light on her recent absence from WWE television — and it turns out it was more serious than fans initially believed.

Over the past few months, reports indicated that Perez had been working through various nagging injuries, especially during WWE’s busy Holiday Tour stretch in late December and early January. When she later missed an episode of WWE Raw, many assumed she was dealing with a short-term illness. However, Perez took to TikTok this week to clarify the real reason she stepped away.

According to the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, she recently underwent surgery to remove a benign mass from her back that had been causing significant pain for months.

Perez admitted she had been pushing through the discomfort because she didn’t want to miss any ring time. Wrestling, she explained, has been her dream since she was 10 years old, and stepping away — even temporarily — wasn’t something she wanted to do. Still, she emphasized that health has to come first, even for someone as passionate as she is about her craft.

The good news is that Perez is already on the mend. She shared that her recovery has been progressing well and that the majority of the pain has subsided, though it occasionally flares up. While she didn’t offer a specific timetable for her in-ring return, she made it clear that she expects to be back sooner rather than later.

And in true Roxanne fashion, she ended things on a confident note — promising she’ll be back to “Pop Rocksing” the roster in no time.

Perez has built a reputation as one of WWE’s toughest and most driven young stars, and this latest revelation only reinforces that image. Working through pain for months speaks to her dedication, but taking the necessary time to address the issue may ultimately ensure a stronger, healthier return.

For now, fans can take comfort in knowing the surgery was successful and that Perez is in good spirits. We’ll continue to provide updates as more details on her return timeline become available.

Chris Jericho WWE Return Rumors Shut Down Following RAW Mystery Crate Speculation

WWE sent fans into theory mode on the February 16 episode of RAW thanks to a backstage tease that immediately got people talking.

A large crate marked “Deliver to WWE” with instructions not to open it until 2/28/26 was shown during the broadcast. With Elimination Chamber set for that exact date, speculation ran wild about what — or who — could be inside. Among the more popular guesses circulating online? A surprise return from Chris Jericho.

As intriguing as that idea might be, new reporting suggests fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.

According to Fightful Select, Jericho is still under contract with All Elite Wrestling. Sean Ross Sapp reports that the general belief within AEW — as well as among those close to Jericho — is that his deal was effectively frozen when he stepped away in 2025.

Jericho’s original AEW agreement was believed to expire in 2025, but there are several potential reasons it may now extend beyond that point. Contract freezes due to time off, injury-related extensions, or even a quiet renewal could all be factors. Without access to the specifics of the deal, the exact situation remains unclear — but the key takeaway is that Jericho is not currently a free agent.

Adding to that, Jericho is still listed on AEW’s official roster page, which is typically a strong indicator that talent remains under contract. Fightful also noted that no internal communication has been distributed regarding his departure, something that usually occurs when a wrestler exits the company.

Interestingly, the report does mention that Jericho hasn’t completely closed the door on WWE. He has reportedly told people he would consider a return to the company at some point. However, there are outside projects and ventures he would have to weigh carefully if a WWE deal were on the table.

For now, the crate remains an unanswered question — but it likely doesn’t contain “The Learning Tree.”

While WWE clearly wants fans speculating ahead of Elimination Chamber, a Chris Jericho comeback on February 28 doesn’t appear to be in the cards.

WWE NXT Preview 2/17/2026

Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT airs at 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST on The CW Network in the United States and on Netflix internationally, from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

  • NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match: Hank & Tank vs. OTM vs. Vanity Project vs. The Culling
  • NXT North American Championship Match: Ethan Page (c) vs. Shiloh Hill
  • WWE Men’s Speed Championship #1 Contenders Match: Elio LeFleur vs. Eli Knight
  • Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Tony D’Angelo vs. Cutler James

WWE Announces Tribute to AJ Styles for Next Week’s Raw in Atlanta

AJ Styles may have officially called it a career at the Royal Rumble, but WWE isn’t done celebrating “The Phenomenal One” just yet.

During this week’s episode of WWE Raw, the company announced that next Monday’s show in Atlanta, Georgia will feature a special “Tribute to AJ Styles.” While the on-screen graphic made it clear the night will honor the former WWE Champion, WWE did not confirm whether Styles himself will be in attendance.

Styles’ in-ring career came to a dramatic end at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he passed out in Gunther’s Rear Naked Choke. The finish left little room for ambiguity, and WWE quickly framed it as the final chapter in one of the most decorated careers of the modern era.

Still, the speed of his exit surprised many fans. Unlike John Cena, who is currently receiving a year-long farewell tour, Styles’ retirement felt abrupt. After debuting in WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble to one of the loudest reactions of the decade, Styles went on to become a multi-time WWE Champion, United States Champion, and Tag Team Champion over a ten-year run with the company. Before that, he had already established himself as the face of TNA and a top star in NJPW, even holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

With so many of his longtime friends and rivals now working in AEW, speculation about Styles potentially following a similar path began almost immediately after his “retirement.” So far, however, there has been no concrete confirmation regarding his next move.

The announcement of a tribute on Raw adds another interesting wrinkle to the situation. Whether Styles appears live in Atlanta or not, WWE dedicating a full segment to honor him suggests the company still views him as an important part of its legacy. That alone may cool some of the immediate talk about a jump elsewhere — or at least delay it.

For now, fans will be watching closely to see how WWE handles the tribute and whether “The Phenomenal One” makes a surprise appearance in his home state. In wrestling, retirements are rarely permanent — and when it comes to AJ Styles, nothing feels entirely off the table.

Injured WWE Star Bianca Belair Reveals Finger Surgery, WrestleMania 42 Status in Doubt

Bianca Belair’s road back to the ring just hit another hurdle.

After weeks of speculation about her recovery and potential involvement in WrestleMania 42 season, “The EST of WWE” confirmed that she is undergoing surgery for the finger injury she suffered earlier this year. Belair shared the update via her Instagram Story on Sunday, writing, “Finger surgery tomorrow,” along with a praying hands emoji — indicating the procedure was scheduled for Monday.

Belair has been sidelined since WrestleMania 41, where she competed in a high-profile triple threat match against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley. During the bout, Belair’s hand became trapped underneath Ripley in a spot that left her in immediate pain. At the time, Belair admitted she felt like she had “broken all of her fingers.” It was later confirmed that she fractured the joint in her left ring finger — a painful and tricky injury for any in-ring performer.

While Belair has remained visible on WWE programming in limited roles, she has not returned to active competition. She briefly appeared on stage during WWE’s announcement that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027. Prior to that, she served as special guest referee for the match between her former tag team partners Jade Cargill and Naomi at Evolution in July, though she avoided any physical involvement.

As for her in-ring return, reports have painted an uncertain picture. A November update from BodySlam+ suggested WWE officials were hopeful Belair could be back by early 2026. However, a separate report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that there was no firm timetable in place for her comeback.

With surgery now underway, it’s clear Belair is taking the necessary steps toward a full recovery — even if it means missing more time. Given her track record of resilience and elite athleticism, few would bet against “The EST” making a strong return when she’s fully healed.

For now, the WWE women’s division moves forward without one of its cornerstone stars, while fans wait for updates on when Belair will once again bring the glow back to the ring.

Bianca has shared updates on her Instagram Stories.

WWE Raw Preview 2/16/2026

WWE Raw airs live today on Netflix, beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

  • Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Je’Von Evans vs. Gunther vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Asuka vs. Bayley vs. Nattie
  • An appearance by AJ Lee

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/13/2024

WWE SmackDown airs live from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. tonight on Syfy in the United States, due to the USA Network’s coverage of the Winter Olympics. International fans can watch the show on Netflix.

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: RHIYO (Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY) (c) vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Jordynne Grace
  • Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatus vs. Sami Zayn
  • Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Giulia vs. Zelina
  • Rey Fenix vs. Trick Williams