Tag: WWE

WrestleMania 42 Creative Plans Taking Shape Amid Injuries, Uncertainty

WWE’s road to WrestleMania 42 hasn’t exactly been a straight shot to Las Vegas.

With injuries piling up, ticket movement reportedly slower than expected, and several key creative decisions still up in the air, the company is looking at this weekend’s Elimination Chamber as a potential turning point. While nothing earth-shattering has been finalized, new details are beginning to emerge regarding the direction of both the Undisputed WWE Championship and WWE Women’s Championship matches.

Undisputed Title Picture: McIntyre vs. Rhodes… or a Wild Card?

As things stand, Drew McIntyre is expected to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42, but the format of that match remains fluid.

The current working plan strongly points to Cody Rhodes being involved. Internally, Rhodes is said to be close to a lock for the title match, which wouldn’t come as a surprise given his consistent positioning near the top of the card. However, there’s hesitation behind the scenes about running back McIntyre vs. Rhodes in a straight singles bout, especially given their history. Some within WWE reportedly feel that matchup could come across as too predictable.

That’s where Jacob Fatu enters the conversation.

There have been discussions about potentially inserting Fatu into the match, turning it into a triple threat scenario. The creative logic is already there: Fatu has been at odds with Rhodes since costing him the Three Stages of Hell title defense back on January 9. Adding “The Samoan Werewolf” would not only freshen up the dynamic but also raise the stakes heading into WrestleMania weekend.

Other top names, including Randy Orton and Sami Zayn, are also lingering around the title scene. However, at this stage, WWE officials reportedly aren’t considering expanding the match beyond three competitors.

Women’s Championship: Is Rhea Ripley the Frontrunner?

On the women’s side, Jade Cargill’s dominant run as SmackDown Women’s Champion appears set for a major test in Las Vegas.

Several names have been floated as potential challengers, including Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, Asuka, Kiana James, and Raquel Rodriguez. But among them, Rhea Ripley is currently viewed as the favorite for the WrestleMania spot.

Nothing is locked in, and as always, creative plans can shift quickly. Still, Ripley vs. Cargill would be a marquee-level showdown that feels tailor-made for the WrestleMania stage.

Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi? Not So Fast.

Brock Lesnar’s return on Monday Night Raw immediately sparked speculation about a blockbuster clash with Oba Femi. The potential “Beast Incarnate” vs. “The Ruler” showdown is something fans are already buzzing about.

That said, there are reportedly no confirmed creative plans in place for that match just yet. WWE is aware of the interest, but whether it materializes at WrestleMania 42 remains to be seen.

The Two Matches Officially Set

Despite the uncertainty surrounding several major storylines, two WrestleMania 42 matches are already confirmed:

  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk or Finn Bálor will defend against Roman Reigns.
  • WWE Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer will defend her title against 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan.

With Elimination Chamber looming and creative decisions still in flux, the WrestleMania 42 card feels like it’s in a holding pattern — but not for long. Las Vegas is fast approaching, and WWE will need to solidify its marquee matches soon if it wants the “Showcase of the Immortals” to live up to its name.

Expect movement in the coming days. The Road to WrestleMania rarely stays predictable for long.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2/28/2026 (Card)

WWE Elimination Chamber – Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 7pm ET – United Center in Chicago, IL

CARD

World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Bálor

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. AJ Lee

Men’s Elimination Chamber Match: Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Trick Williams vs. Logan Paul

Women’s Elimination Chamber Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka vs. Kiana James vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Raw GM Adam Pearce and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis will open the big mystery crate together.

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/27/2026

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix internationally, emanating from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: RHIYO (Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY) (c) vs. Nia Jax & Lash Legend
  • Men’s Elimination Chamber Competitors To Appear: Cody Rhodes, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, Jey Uso, LA Knight and Randy Orton
  • Candice LeRae vs. Jordynne Grace
  • Solo Sikoa vs. Uncle Howdy
  • Oba Femi vs. The Miz

Rey Mysterio Says Daughter Aalyah Has Begun Training at WWE Performance Center

The Mysterio legacy in professional wrestling may be expanding once again.

While Dominik Mysterio has already carved out his own controversial path on WWE television, it appears he may not be the only second-generation Superstar in the family for long. Rey Mysterio recently revealed that his daughter, Aalyah, has taken her first steps inside the ring at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.

Speaking with Cody Rhodes on the What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer opened up about Aalyah’s growing interest in the business — and how it all started with a simple request.

According to Rey, Aalyah had been asking for some time to get in the ring and experience wrestling firsthand. He initially told her they would revisit the idea after she completed her education. True to her word, Aalyah graduated from UCSD with a degree in human biology this past June — and quickly reminded her father of his promise.

With Rey scheduled to visit the WWE Performance Center after being cleared from injury, he decided the timing was right. Rey, his wife Angie, and Aalyah traveled to Orlando together, where Aalyah got her first real taste of life inside a WWE ring.

What happened next surprised even “The Master of the 619.”

Rey admitted he was shocked by how naturally his daughter adapted to the ring environment. From basic positioning to running the ropes — something many beginners struggle with — Aalyah appeared comfortable almost immediately. Rey described it as both impressive and a little intimidating, noting that she seemed to instinctively understand aspects of the craft that typically take time to develop.

While this was simply an introductory session to feel the mat and experience the ropes, it may not be a one-off. Rey also shared that Aalyah has done some training at the wrestling school run by TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd) and Natalya, further signaling that her curiosity about the industry is serious.

The next step, according to Rey, would be for Aalyah to commit to a full week of structured training to see how she handles the grind.

WWE fans may remember Aalyah from her appearances during the Mysterio family storyline involving Seth Rollins several years ago. At the time, she was part of a heavily featured angle on television. Now, she could potentially be preparing for something far more hands-on.

With Rey already a Hall of Famer and Dominik firmly established as one of WWE’s most talked-about stars, the possibility of another Mysterio stepping into the spotlight adds an intriguing layer to the family’s wrestling dynasty.

If Rey’s early assessment is any indication, the squared circle may come naturally to Aalyah — and the Mysterio name might not be done making waves in WWE just yet.

AJ Styles Reveals He Nearly Retired in TNA Before WWE Run Changed Everything

AJ Styles’ in-ring career officially came to an end at the 2026 Royal Rumble, where “The Phenomenal One” fell to GUNTHER in a career-on-the-line showdown. The following night on WWE Raw, Styles received an emotional sendoff, capped off with confirmation that a WWE Hall of Fame induction is on the horizon.

But as it turns out, Styles once envisioned a very different ending to his story.

Speaking on Raw Recap: WWE Now, Styles admitted that there was a time when he fully expected to retire under the TNA banner — the company where he became a cornerstone star and helped build its identity during its formative years.

According to Styles, had TNA presented him with a comparable contract offer back in 2014, he likely never would have left.

He explained that he took pride in helping establish TNA as a legitimate wrestling promotion and had every intention of finishing his career there. However, circumstances changed. With TNA dealing with financial struggles at the time, Styles was reportedly asked to accept a significant pay cut — said to be around 60 percent. That proved to be the turning point.

Rather than re-sign under those terms, Styles bet on himself.

After departing TNA in early 2014, Styles revitalized his career on the global stage. He made high-profile stops in Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he further cemented his legacy and expanded his international reputation. That momentum ultimately led to his surprise debut in WWE as an entrant in the 2016 Men’s Royal Rumble — a moment that instantly reshaped the industry landscape.

Over the next decade, Styles built a résumé that erased any doubt about his place in WWE history. He captured the United States Championship, Intercontinental Championship, Raw Tag Team Championship, and most notably, the WWE Championship — a reign that solidified him as one of the defining stars of his era.

His final chapter came full circle at the 2026 Royal Rumble. Putting his career on the line against GUNTHER, Styles was ultimately defeated after “The Ring General” forced him to pass out to a sleeper hold. It was a fittingly hard-fought end for a competitor known for his resilience and elite in-ring ability.

While Styles once pictured his retirement happening in TNA, fate had other plans. Instead, he closes his career as a future WWE Hall of Famer — a testament to a journey that took risks, crossed borders, and ultimately redefined what was possible for a wrestler who built his name outside the WWE system.

In hindsight, turning down that TNA offer may have been the most important decision of his career.

AJ Styles Confirms He’ll Remain With WWE in Mentorship Role Following Retirement

AJ Styles may have officially closed the chapter on his in-ring career, but “The Phenomenal One” isn’t going anywhere.

After delivering an emotional farewell on this past Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, Styles left his gloves and jacket in the middle of the ring — a symbolic gesture that confirmed his retirement from active competition. Shortly thereafter, WWE announced that Styles will be inducted into the Class of 2026 Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the most accomplished performers of his generation.

With retirement rumors swirling, including speculation about a possible jump to AEW for one last run, Styles quickly put those ideas to rest.

Speaking on the Talk N Shop Podcast, the former WWE Champion made it clear that while his days of competing inside the squared circle are over, his relationship with WWE is far from finished. Styles confirmed he will continue working with the company in a backstage capacity, focusing on mentoring and developing the next generation of talent.

According to Styles, helping younger wrestlers grow into confident, complete performers is something he’s long wanted to do. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that talent feels ready when they step into a WWE ring — not just physically, but mentally as well.

Styles explained that if someone reaches television and isn’t fully prepared, he sees it as part of his responsibility to help get them there. For him, making sure emerging stars feel like they truly belong — that they’re ready to stand alongside the best in the locker room — is both a duty and a privilege.

The idea of shaping future main eventers clearly excites him. After decades of experience across multiple promotions and countless high-profile matches, Styles now shifts from building his own legacy to helping build others’.

While fans won’t see him lace up the boots again, it sounds like AJ Styles’ impact on WWE is only entering a new phase — one that could influence the company for years to come.

Xavier Woods Provides Injury Update After Stepping Away From WWE Action

Xavier Woods is staying positive despite dealing with a significant shoulder issue that has temporarily sidelined him from in-ring competition.

On the February 16 episode of WWE RAW, Kofi Kingston informed fans that his New Day partner would be stepping away from wrestling after battling a shoulder injury for roughly three months. Woods’ last match took place in a dark match ahead of the 2026 Royal Rumble, and he hasn’t competed since.

Now, Woods himself has shed more light on the situation.

Speaking on the No Contest Wrestling podcast, Woods revealed that the damage to his shoulder is more serious than initially believed. According to the former King of the Ring, doctors found multiple tears, describing his shoulder as having “gone through the meat grinder.”

At this point, the hope is that physical therapy will be enough to get him back to full strength. However, Woods acknowledged that surgery remains a possibility if rehab doesn’t resolve the issue.

Despite the uncertainty, Woods made it clear he’s approaching the situation with optimism. He said he’s staying positive about the recovery process and is prepared to undergo surgery if that’s what’s required to properly heal. In his view, everything happens for a reason, and he’s choosing to focus on the bigger picture rather than the setback itself.

For New Day fans, the news is obviously concerning. Woods has been a consistent presence on WWE television for years, whether competing in tag team action alongside Kingston or carving out his own singles opportunities. His absence will certainly be felt if recovery takes longer than expected.

As of now, there’s no official timeline for his return. The next few weeks will likely determine whether rehab is enough or if Woods will need to go under the knife.

We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Liv Morgan Opens Up About Spiritual Awakening: “I Think I Might Have Found God”

Liv Morgan is known for wearing her heart on her sleeve inside the ring, and now she’s doing the same outside of it.

During a recent appearance on the RAW Talk podcast, the Judgment Day member shared a deeply personal update about her life away from WWE cameras, revealing that she’s been on what she describes as a spiritual journey over the past five months — one that may have led her to rediscover faith.

When asked whether she considers herself religious, Morgan didn’t hesitate to explain that something has shifted in her life recently.

According to Morgan, a series of moments that felt bigger than coincidence sparked what she calls a “calling” to explore a relationship with God. While she acknowledged that it might sound cliché, she said the experiences felt meaningful enough to push her toward self-reflection and spiritual growth.

Morgan explained that religion wasn’t a major part of her upbringing. Though she attended church occasionally as a child, it never fully connected with her. As an adult, she says she lived somewhere in the middle — not fully believing, but not dismissing faith either.

Interestingly, despite her uncertainty over the years, Morgan revealed she has always made the sign of the cross before every match — even during times when she questioned whether God was real. In her words, that contradiction perfectly summed up her complicated relationship with faith.

Over the past few months, however, that uncertainty has evolved into something more concrete. Morgan described subtle but meaningful experiences that encouraged her to “lean in” spiritually. Since then, she says she’s felt an emotional shift that’s difficult to fully put into words.

The former Women’s Champion shared that she now feels a sense of unconditional love and reassurance that often brings her to tears. While she’s not currently reading the Bible cover-to-cover, she did start a daily devotional at the beginning of the year and has stuck with it consistently. She credits that practice with helping her stay grounded mentally and emotionally amid the pressures of WWE life.

Morgan also reflected on how her early perception of organized religion — which she felt was often framed around fear and obligation — may have shaped her hesitation toward faith. As an adult, she says she feels more empowered to define spirituality on her own terms, without pressure or rigid expectations.

Today, Morgan describes her faith as something that brings her trust and relief rather than fear. While she still deals with anxiety and the high-pressure environment that comes with being a WWE Superstar, she says she’s found comfort in believing that God “has her back,” allowing her to center herself and push through challenging moments.

As one of WWE’s most open and emotionally transparent performers, Morgan’s willingness to speak candidly about her personal evolution adds another layer to her ever-evolving story — both inside and outside the squared circle.

WWE Releases Emotional Post-Raw Celebration Footage Following AJ Styles Tribute Show & HOF Announcement

WWE has released exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from AJ Styles’ emotional farewell on Monday Night Raw, giving fans an extended look at the heartfelt celebration that followed the cameras going dark.

The closing segment of Raw was already heavy with emotion, as “The Phenomenal One” addressed the crowd and reflected on a career that spanned the globe. But once the broadcast ended, the real floodgates opened.

In the nearly five-minute video shared by WWE, Styles shared deeply personal moments with friends and rivals from every chapter of his journey — from TNA to New Japan Pro-Wrestling to WWE.

Several familiar faces from Styles’ TNA days joined him in the ring, including Frankie Kazarian, Drake Maverick (formerly Rockstar Spud), Bobby Roode, and Abyss. Maverick and Kazarian now work behind the scenes as WWE producers, but on this night, it was about celebrating their longtime friend. During an embrace with Roode, Styles jokingly told him, “You got me good, dude,” referencing the surprise announcement of Roode’s upcoming WWE Hall of Fame induction. Roode insisted he had no advance knowledge of the honor.

The tribute also featured a rare WWE appearance from Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, who had been released from the company in February 2025. The duo, who teamed with Styles in both WWE and NJPW, stood alongside him once again. Other former Bullet Club members in attendance included Finn Bálor, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Cody Rhodes — highlighting the massive influence Styles had across promotions. At one point, Bálor and Styles shared a classic “Too Sweet” gesture, bringing things full circle.

Among Styles’ WWE peers, the emotion was palpable. Cathy Kelley, Stephanie Vaquer, Michin, and Asuka were visibly moved during the sendoff. Earlier in the night, Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn even lifted Styles onto their shoulders in a symbolic tribute to his impact on the business.

Styles’ final match came at the 2026 Royal Rumble, where GUNTHER — dubbed “The Career Killer” — forced him to pass out to a sleeper hold in a physically grueling contest. Prior to that, Styles revisited one of his most storied rivalries when he faced Shinsuke Nakamura at Saturday Night’s Main Event. In a poetic touch, Nakamura was seen capturing photos of Styles’ farewell on Raw, documenting the final chapter of a shared legacy that dates back to their NJPW days.

From TNA standout to global superstar, AJ Styles’ career has touched nearly every major corner of the wrestling world. WWE’s post-Raw footage makes one thing clear: his influence goes far beyond championship reigns and five-star matches.

For one night, the wrestling world — across generations and promotions — stood together to celebrate The Phenomenal One.

WWE NXT Preview 2/24/2026

WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW and Netflix (internationally).

  • NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Sol Ruca
  • NXT Tag Team Championship: DarkState (c) vs. Swipe Right
  • NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Myles Borne
  • WWE Speed Championship: Jasper Troy (c) vs. Elio LeFleur vs. Eli Knight
  • WWE Women’s Speed Championship #1 Contenders Tournament Match: Blake Monroe vs. Thea Hail