Goldberg's WWE Return To Be His "Last Ride"

The WWE "Monday Night Raw" fans roared and chanted "Goldberg" like it was still 30 years ago when the familiar beats of his entrance music hit. Many in the pro wrestling world are speculating whether he was there for the retirement match he alluded to not long ago.

Bill Goldberg was back in the WWE for the first time in more than three years Monday and announced his return to the ring in a confrontation with world heavyweight champion Gunther. During a segment in which Gunther initially challenged new Money in the Bank winner Seth Rollins, Goldberg instead appeared through the smoke and pyrotechnics once more.

The 58-year-old former NFL player congratulated Gunther on regaining his title last week and then told him they had a match at Saturday Night's Main Event on July 12 in Atlanta. Goldberg's feud with Gunther stems from a segment during the Bad Blood premium live event in Atlanta in October 2024, when Gunther insulted Goldberg in front of his son.

"A few months ago, you started something with me and my family in Atlanta, Georgia, and I am going to make sure I end it in Atlanta, Georgia," Goldberg told Gunther in front of the crowd in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Monday night. "You're mine because you're next."

Goldberg previously said during an appearance on ESPN's SEC Nation on Nov. 2, 2024, soon after his initial confrontation with Gunther, that WWE had granted his request for a retirement match in 2025. Goldberg did not mention retirement during Monday's appearance.

But WWE is already promoting the match as "Goldberg's Last Ride" on merchandise, and Goldberg wore a "Goldberg's Last Ride" shirt out to the ring to confront Gunther.

Goldberg became a pro wrestling sensation in WCW in the late 1990s, with a memorable undefeated streak using his spear and jackhammer finishing moves. He has appeared periodically in the WWE since WCW's demise, but not since a match against Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship at Elimination Chamber in February 2022. Saturday Night's Main Event is scheduled for July 12 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Goldberg's hometown.

Video: Ron Killings has arrived

NWA Lands Weekly Streaming Slot on Roku

The National Wrestling Alliance is set to make a major leap in visibility this summer, as the promotion officially lands a streaming deal with one of the biggest digital platforms in North America. The move is expected to bring the NWA's weekly programming to a broader audience than ever before.

The NWA issued the following:

The National Wrestling Alliance Strikes Streaming DEAL with ROKU

DEADLINE has broken the EXCLUSIVE news that on Tuesday, July 29th, the NWA will begin airing on The Roku Channel for free every Tuesday at 8 pm EST in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

It is the latest sports deal for Roku, which also airs MLB Sunday Leadoff, NBA G-League, Formula E, Pro Volleyball Federation, and Bassmaster.

“When I purchased the National Wrestling Alliance in 2017, it was understood we were inheriting the history and legacy of the most storied brand in all combat sports, so to announce today we have now partnered with the number one TV streaming platform in North America is indeed a moment to be proud of,” said NWA President WIlliam Patrick Corgan. “I look forward to sharing new episodes of ‘NWA Powerrr’ with the incredible audience that Roku brings.”

“We’re thrilled to call The Roku Channel the streaming home of the National Wrestling Alliance, and as Billy and his team continue to excite audiences, we look forward to tapping into the scale of our platform to bring this historic and storied promotion to millions of viewers,” added Joe Franzetta, Head of Sports, Roku Media.

WWE-AAA Crossover Worlds Collide Becomes Company’s Most-Watched Live YouTube Broadcast Ever

WWE today announced that Worlds Collide, its first joint Premium Live Event (PLE) with the recently-acquired Mexican promotion AAA, set a record for the largest live audience in company history for a YouTube broadcast. The event peaked at 764,389 live concurrent viewers across the WWE and WWE Espańol YouTube channels during the main event between AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo and WWE superstar Chad Gable.

Still available to watch for free on YouTube, the show, which received rave reviews from fans of both companies as well as journalists from around the world, Saturday’s broadcast has been watched by more than 4.1 million viewers on YouTube in the first 24 hours. On X, #WorldsCollide was the No. 1 trending topic globally on Saturday, and WWE generated more than 32 million social views across all platforms in the first 24 hours.

Wrestlers from both companies mixed it up in several major matches, and some of the longtime veteran Mexican luchadors immediately got over with U.S. viewers who were seeing them for the first time. Chiefly among them, Mr. Iguana (seen above), who has become an overnight sensation with WWE fans and already has a shirt available on the WWE online shop. The evening’s main event between El Hijo del Vikingo and Chad Gable was another standout and for many ranks among the best matches WWE has produced this year.

In April, WWE announced its acquisition of AAA in partnership with Mexico-based sports and entertainment holding company, Fillip. The companies will continue to work together in the months and years to come, including at the upcoming Triplemanía Regia on June 15, where TNA, WWE and AAA wrestlers will appear in the same show for the first time ever.

R-Truth Returns At WWE MITB

The John Cena retirement tour has stopped at Money in the Bank, as the "Never Seen Seventeen" teamed up with Logan Paul to take on WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes in Saturday's main event. With world champions on both teams, it could have been anyone's match — that is, until a surprise return from the formerly-released R-Truth turned the tide.

From the beginning, Cena and Paul had their tag team dynamic to a science. Countless tag-ins made sure both men stayed relatively fresh throughout the fight amidst turnbuckle bumps and right hooks. Despite their immediate synergy, however, small flashes of ego between Paul and Cena eventually led to a tag team meltdown.

As Cena and Paul exploded into an argument, Uso, who had just survived an arduous tag match stint, crawled to make a hot tag to a bellowing Rhodes. Rhodes bulldozed through the competition, and after a near-fall from Cena's Attitude Adjustment, tricked Paul into hitting Cena with a Springboard Crossbody. Despite Rhodes' temporary revival, Paul and Cena continued to push forward against the team of Uso and Rhodes, with Paul putting Uso through an announce table with a top-rope Moonsault to the outside.

R-Truth Announces Departure From WWE

Just days removed from his match against his "childhood hero" John Cena at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event, Ron "R-Truth" Killings announced his departure from WWE on X, writing "I'm sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE. I want to thank WWE for the ride, but MOSTLY I want to thank each and EVERYONE OF YOU who was along for the ride, Thank you for all the love, support, and appreciation you have given me over the years. Thank you."

Moments after, Fightful Select provided some clarification on Truth's situation, noting that the long-time roster member will exit the company when his existing deal expires. Like Shotzi and Sonya Deville previously, WWE reportedly opted not to renew Truth's deal, hence his imminent departure. There is no word on when Truth's current contract with WWE expires.

Truth's affiliation with WWE extends back to 1999 when he inked a deal with the company under the ring name K-Kwik. In this run, Truth notably teamed with WWE Hall of Famer Brian "Road Dogg" James before moving to the Hardcore Championship scene. Truth left WWE in the summer of 2001, then signed with TNA Wrestling (known as NWA: TNA at the time), where he later became a two-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion.

In 2008, Truth returned to WWE, now under the R-Truth name, for what would be a more extensive stint. Along the way, he enjoyed runs as United States and Tag Team Champion. Perhaps most famously, Truth solidified himself as the winningest 24/7 Champion in WWE history with 53 reigns on his resume.

Details On Vince McMahon's New Company

Earlier, on August 23, 2024, the trademarks “14TH&I” and “14TH & I” were filed to cover services related to private equity fund investment and entertainment production.

The filings were first uncovered by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics.

Brad Blum, a former WWE executive, is listed as President of 14TH & I. According to his LinkedIn profile, the company is described as:

“a private investment firm focused on the sports, media, and entertainment sectors. We are a disciplined, flexible, long-term capital and strategic partner, primarily targeting buyouts/majority deals, as well as selective growth-oriented minority investments. We seek to partner with and empower exceptional management teams, providing deep expertise, capability, and relationships to help drive significant long-term value.”

The name “14TH & I” appears to reference the location of the Capitol Wrestling Corporation headquarters — once led by McMahon’s father, Vincent J. McMahon — at the corner of 14th and I Streets in Washington, D.C.

In October 2024, it was reported that McMahon was working to establish a new “entertainment hub company,” with plans to develop and produce film and television content.

In January 2025, Conrad Thompson stated that McMahon had purchased a studio and was in the process of building a talent roster for the venture.

This new endeavor follows McMahon’s resignation from WWE/TKO in January 2024 after a lawsuit was filed by former employee Janel Grant, accusing him of sexual assault and sex trafficking. The case remains ongoing.

Between November 2023 and April 2024, McMahon sold TKO shares amounting to nearly $1.5 billion in equity, though he still retains ownership of over 8 million shares.

Vince McMahon sex trafficking case co-defendant John Laurinaitis agrees to help accuser

The co-defendant in the bombshell lawsuit accusing former WWE boss Vince McMahon of sexual abuse and sex trafficking has agreed to cooperate with and give evidence to the woman suing the pro wrestling mogul and the company.

The co-defendant, John Laurinaitis, also reached a confidential settlement with McMahon’s accuser, Janel Grant, according to a statement issued by their representatives on Wednesday.

A filing Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Connecticut shows that lawyers for Grant and Laurinaitis agreed to dismiss her lawsuit against as it applies to the former wrestler and WWE executive with prejudice, which means that it cannot be refiled.

“John Laurinaitis has agreed to cooperate and provide evidence in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE,” the reps said in the statement obtained by NBC News.

“His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking,” the reps said.

“Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life. We cannot provide any additional details at this time.”

source: cnbc.com

Kane: Vince McMahon Was A Visionary, But Triple H Connects With Talent

Glenn Jacobs, better known as Kane in WWE, compares the leadership styles of Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and Triple H and how they've all shaped WWE's past, present, and future.

Glenn Jacobs was recently on the Freedom Pact podcast and discussed what it was like to work for Vince McMahon. Glenn started with WWE in 1995 and would become one of the company's longest tenured and most successful wrestlers before leaving the squared circle behind to pursue a political career decades later.

When discussing working for Vince McMahon, Jacobs said that he learned a lot about what to do as a leader and much about what not to do as a leader.

"As far as Vince, he was a great mind. I learned some good things from him. I also learned some things that I'm like, 'That's not how I would do things,' So you learn both. 'Okay, this is something to emulate, and this is something that I shouldn't do,' just leadership styles, when Vince and I are obviously very different in that. It certainly wouldn't work for me. I don't think that's how you do things," Jacobs explained. "One of the things that I've become really passionate about is learning about leadership, and I really do believe that organizations rise and fall on the quality of their leadership, and team building, and doing all those things that I think, if you often think, are cliche, right? But they're not. I mean, it's vitally important.

"I look at WWE now, under the leadership of Triple H, and it's just, wow. I'm so proud of everything that he's been able to do with his own style of leadership," he continued. "Just almost taking the company to another level altogether. Vince is one of the great entrepreneurs in history. I don't think he gets enough credit for that, and it's not just in the wrestling business, just in entertainment, you know? He was very visionary, and he could just see things that none of the rest of us could see at the same time."

When asked if he would describe Vince McMahon's leadership style as autocratic and Triple H's as transformational, Jacobs agreed and explained that Triple H can approach issues with a more wrestler-centric mindset because he is a wrestler.

"I would say that. I think the difference is Triple H was one of the guys and understands the locker room, understands the mentality of the locker room, you know? Vince, again, he was a great visionary, a very good business person, but he was always a promoter. He was always outside of the locker room. So, yes, you do have those two very different styles now, both successful in their own ways. I think now, especially with the trajectory that the company's on, because of Triple H is leadership, and it's going to go places it's never even been before. The company's."

WWE legend Triple H sees his heart failure health scare as 'a gift'

Triple H sees his heart failure as "a gift".

The WWE boss - whose real name is Paul Levesque - has a defibrillator in his chest almost four years after a near death experience when he was suffering from viral pneumonia and a cardiac event, which was caused by a genetic issue and almost cost him his life.

In an interview with his wife Stephanie McMahon for her ESPN series 'Stephanie's Places', he said: "In this really weird, f***** up way, my heart issue was a gift. "It made me see things differently, look at life differently." Stephanie was visibly emotional as she admitted she'd "never heard" him say that before.

He explained: "You can go through life - no matter how great it is or all the things you're doing, and you're just doing it. "All of a sudden, you're partway through it, have a reset and go, 'Holy s***, this doesn't last forever.' " Levesque appeared emotional as Stephanie also fought back tears when he brought out a coin from his pocket. She was choked up as she told him: "I was just about to ask you about that." He said: "You gave it to me. Memento Mori. You can die at any second. This can all stop at any second. "Basically saying, don't get caught up in all these bulls***. Life is f****** fleeting, so it can all go away at any moment."

A few months after his hospitalisation, Levesque - who serves as WWE's chief content officer and leads their creative process across 'Monday Night Raw' and 'SmackDown' - confirmed he would never be getting back in the ring as he officially retired from in-ring competition.

Tyra Mae Steele and Jasper Troy Win WWE LFG Season One

The journey to find WWE’s next breakout stars reached its climax during the season finale of LFG, which aired Sunday on A&E. In a dramatic and emotional conclusion, Tyra Mae Steele and Jasper Troy emerged as the winners of the show’s inaugural season. While the series culminated with them signing NXT contracts, it was noted that all participants are already training at WWE’s Performance Center.

Steele, mentored by The Undertaker, triumphed over Bubba Ray Dudley’s standout, Zena Sterling. Meanwhile, Troy, who was on Booker T’s team, secured victory against Team Undertaker’s Shiloh Hill. With two of his rookies reaching the finals, The Undertaker was crowned the first-ever WWE LFG Champion.

Speaking to Sports Illustrated after their win, Steele shared her excitement: “I’m so excited. It’s been a long time coming. I swear I’ve just been waiting for my moment to shine,” she said. “I just feel elated. I just feel so, so freaking blessed.”

Troy echoed the emotion, reflecting on what the win meant to him: “This is the first thing I ever won,” he said. “I’ve never won a championship or a playoff, you know. So to me, this is like a Super Bowl moment. But I see how someone like DeVonta Smith or A.J. Brown will be like, ‘winning the Super Bowl was cool, but now it’s like what’s next?’”

Steele, whose real name is Tamyra Mensah-Stock, made history as the first Black woman to win Olympic gold in women’s freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo 2020 Games. She signed with WWE in 2023 and has already competed on NXT Level Up. Troy, real name Antione Frazier, brings a football background and debuted in WWE programming last year.

WWE has already confirmed LFG will return for a second season. Michelle McCool is set to join as a new coach, replacing Mickie James.

TKO COO Mark Shapiro: Triple H Is Amazing On Creative Storylines

Triple H has been running WWE creative for the better part of three years as the company sets a new gate record seemingly every month.

In January, WWE Raw premiered on Netflix, marking a new era for the company as the flagship program was off cable TV for the first time ever.

Speaking at the JP Morgan Annual Global Technology, Media, and Communications Conference, TKO COO Mark Shapiro highlighted Triple H and Netflix are growth factors for WWE.

"There are two x-factors when you look at WWE. Netflix, this is the greatest marketing platform you could ever ask for. Their pre-roll is one of the strongest tools. If you're clicking on that icon, you're getting a trailer. The (other) x-factor is the creative power we have behind the brand. Paul Levesque [Triple H] lives and breathes; his whole life has been spent in WWE. He's amazing on the creative storylines. Just when you think you know where he's going, he turns left, like the heel John Cena became and then the champion," said Shapiro. Cena turned heel at WWE Elimination Chamber and won the Undisputed WWE Title from Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41.

Elsewhere during the conference, Shapiro commented on WWE: Unreal. You can find his full comments by clicking here.

credit JP Morgan Annual Global Technology, Media, and Communications Conference Fightful for the transcription.