AJ Lee Returns To WWE

Rumor Mill - Stephanie McMahon Reportedly Upsets ESPN With Podcast VPN Advice

Stephanie McMahon seems to be having a lot of fun with her spot in the pro wrestling world today.

Vince McMahon's return to WWE as chairman in January 2023 prompted Stephanie's immediate departure from the company, but since her reemergence in early 2024, McMahon has maintained a steady presence in and around WWE.

She spent months producing her "Stephanie's Places" interview show on ESPN+ which debuted in March. In the show, McMahon traveled the country and interviewed WWE superstars at locations that mean a lot to each guest.

McMahon also launched her podcast "What's Your Story? With Steph McMahon," where she interviews "the most interesting people in sports, entertainment, business and of course WWE to find out their personal stories of hardship and success"

And it's there that the controversy started.

McMahon's most recent guest on the show was the longest-reigning world champion of the modern era, Roman Reigns. One of the sponsors of the episode was a VPN company was a company called Surfshark, which gives people access to the internet through different locations allowing them to unlock content that's not available in their own country.

While completing an ad read for Surfshark, McMahon gave a useful yet unethical tip to her viewers as to how they should go about maximizing the Surfshark VPN's capabilities.

"A lot of you are still watching WWE the old school way: on cable. Dealing with boring commercials while I'm enjoying uninterrupted action. Let's fix that with today's sponsor: Surfshark VPN!"

WWE fans all over the world reacted hilariously to the quotes considering the conflict of interest. McMahon is employed by WWE, but is encouraging fans to pirate their way into watching WWE programming for less or no money through a VPN.

WWE PLEs are only available on Netflix to international viewers and a VPN could give American users access to those same PLEs through Netflix as well instead of ESPN once the events move over to that platform.

ESPN will be hosting all WWE PLEs starting September 20 beginning with Wrestlepalooza inside the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The new direct-to-consumer app is likely bracing for potential VPN users looking to finesse their way into watching premium WWE programming, especially after McMahon's move.

A report by Fightful Select revealed that a source at ESPN did not appreciate the remarks by McMahon on her podcast. The source also did not expect the issue to become significant, but that they weren't thrilled to hear her promote the product that way.

ESPN has about three weeks until Wrestlepalooza when the surge of WWE fans looking to watch future PLEs will join the platform. How much damage McMahon's promotion of Surfshark has done to potential subscriber growth is unknown.

source: si.com

John Cena retirement: Date of final WWE match set for Saturday Night's Main event in December

John Cena has a date for his final match. Cena's farewell tour comes to an end on Dec. 13 as WWE Saturday Night's Main Event hosts his professional wrestling retirement.

NBC confirmed the news following an announcement that Saturday Night's Main Event will stream exclusively on Peacock. Last year, WWE struck a deal to air quarterly primetime specials on NBC and Peacock. The exclusive move to Peacock follows news that ESPN will become WWE's exclusive home for pay-per-views starting with the newly announced Wrestlepalooza event on Sept. 20.

"Peacock has had a wonderful relationship with the WWE and we're excited to see it continue far into the future," said NBC Sports president Rick Cordella. "Saturday Night's Main Event is some of the most premium content the WWE produces, including John Cena's upcoming retirement match, and it will be all live and exclusive on Peacock."

There are no further details about Cena's retirement match. There is speculation that the event will take place in or around Boston, but WWE has not confirmed it. Boston would be a fitting choice for Cena's swan song, an hour drive from his birthplace, New Westbury, Massachusetts.

Cena entered 2025 knowing it would be his last year as an in-ring performer. The farewell tour has featured numerous memorable moments: his shocking heel turn at Elimination Chamber, winning a record 17th world title at WrestleMania 41, and being victim to Brock Lesnar's surprise return at SummerSlam.

Cena's next major singles match is a high-profile collision with Logan Paul, set for Clash in Paris on Aug. 31.

source: cbssports.com

WWE To Offer Live Events On ESPN’s Streaming Service Earlier Than Expected, Starting With Inaugural ‘Wrestlepalooza’ In September

WWE is no longer waiting until next year to bring premium live events to ESPN‘s new direct-to-consumer streaming service and will instead kick off the recently announced partnership next month. The wrestling promotion announced Wednesday that the first live event offered on ESPN platforms will be the inaugural Wrestlepalooza on September 20.

The event, which will take place in 2025 Royal Rumble host city Indianapolis, will begin streaming live on the new ESPN service at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

This means that, as of September 20, ESPN will become the exclusive domestic home for all of the WWE’s premium live events. The rest of this year’s PLEs, including Crown Jewel and Survivor Series, will also stream on the new platform.

Starting next year, marquee titles like WrestleMania and SummerSlam will also move to ESPN after concluding a five-year run on NBCUniversal’s Peacock this year.

“On September 20, WWE and ESPN are coming together for a can’t-miss event to kick off our new partnership,” WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque said in a statement Wednesday. “The biggest Superstars in WWE. The biggest brand in sports media. Are you ready?”

Wrestlepalooza is expected to be a big one for WWE. John Cena is headlining the event, which will also feature Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, CM Punk and Drew McIntyre in major matches. This will officially mark Cena’s last time wrestling in Indy.

ESPN is launching its DTC streaming service on August 21.

source: deadline.com

The Undertaker’s next chapter in WWE revealed by Triple H

Triple H dropped jaws by confirming something fans barely saw coming. In a backstage clip from AAA TripleManía XXXIII in Mexico City on August 16, he called The Undertaker, yes, that Undertaker, “one of the big driving forces behind AAA in Mexico.” That’s not a cameo or a favor it’s full-on creative muscle behind the scenes as WWE’s push into lucha libre heats up.

The remarks came while Triple H was prepping for the event. He quipped how surreal it is looking back: “If you’d have told me 20 years ago that one of the big driving forces behind AAA in Mexico would be the Undertaker, it would’ve been hard for me to sort of wrap my head around that.” Funny how time messes with your expectations.The Deadman’s new bout: building the future, not breaking it.

He isn’t dusting off the boots for another match. Instead, he’s quietly shaping the creative underpinnings of a major global partnership between WWE and AAA. With WWE now integrating lucha libre into their strategy, having a backstage presence like The Undertaker offers legitimacy. His decades-long storytelling instincts might be just what AAA needs as WWE applies its global lens.

It’s not just one-off appearances. Reports from Ringside News suggest Undertaker has been traveling to Mexico regularly, staying hands-on with the product. Triple H even framed TripleManía not as an endpoint but “day one” of a longer, more meaningful collaboration. That wording hits: WWE isn’t just visiting it’s investing.

For fans, this is exciting but subtle. There’s no podium or spotlight just a legend using his creative weight behind the curtain. And in an era where WWE’s storytelling gets heat, maybe the right legends behind the screen can helpx steer the ship.

source: wrestling-world.com

Jim Ross Observes Vince McMahon's Discomfort During Hulk Hogan Special

On a recent episode of his podcast, “Grilling JR,” Jim Ross shared his thoughts on Vince McMahon’s appearance in the FOX/TMZ special about Hulk Hogan. Here are the highlights:

On his surprise at seeing McMahon interviewed: “I’m telling you, I’m not easily shocked. But when I saw him on camera and they stayed in that one-shot forever , you know, you start looking at things. And he looked tired, he looked withdrawn. He looked like he had been abused in that respect. And maybe he felt that way, because he and Hogan were tight. They were buddies, they hung out together, and at one point, often, regular.”

On McMahon’s demeanor: “So I thought he was uncomfortable. But he seemed to be very honest. I didn’t hear Vince say anything on the TMZ piece that I felt like was questionable. He had opinions that you can agree or not agree with, but he was just , I don’t know, maybe he just like one of those deals where you agree to do something, and then you start doing it and then you start regretting doing it. That’s how I felt. And that may not be accurate. That’s how I felt.”

On the content of the show: “If you want to watch it, it’s an hour show. So it’s something to think about if you’re a wrestling fan, Hogan fan, whatever. Interesting piece. And TMZ put a lot of money into the production. They interviewed a lot of people. Mark Henry was on it a lot. He was good, because of the racial things. So that’s why he was on. But it was an interesting little show. But basically a fluff piece on steroids. It told the story and mentioned a couple of things, but not a lot of video that would support their story. I didn’t think it was all bulls**t, but I thought it was going to be a lot more , a lot stiffer, shall we say, than it was.”

On McMahon's visual cues: “Yeah, for those watching our show this morning, look at his eyes. He looked tired and a little frustrated. He looked good. I mean, his suit was custom-made stuff, and he looked good in his attire. But the hair thing was one, one issue that caught my eye. Having his eyebrows colored, another thing that caught my eye. But eyes tell a big story in entertainment and news and things of that nature. I find myself watching the eyes of the news anchors, because that you can all usually tell when they’re bulls**ting. But he was , it was informative, I’ll say that. And I just was surprised that he allowed himself to be on camera that long and that much of that one single shot.”

ESPN inks five-year deal for WWE’s live premium events including WrestleMania

ESPN, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), and WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), today announced a landmark rights agreement as ESPN platforms, including the new ESPN direct-to-consumer streaming service, will become the exclusive U.S. domestic home of all WWE Premium Live Events (PLEs), including the two-night cultural phenomenon WrestleMania, starting in 2026. This deal makes ESPN home to the highest-profile WWE events of the year.

The ESPN DTC service will stream all WWE PLEs annually, in their entirety, with select simulcasting on ESPN linear platforms. Marquee PLEs include WrestleMania and SummerSlam – both two-night events – and Royal Rumble, Survivor Series, Money in the Bank, among others. WWE will continue to produce all PLEs.

Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN: “WWE has an immense, devoted and passionate fanbase that we’re excited to super-serve on our new ESPN DTC platform. This agreement, which features the most-significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future.”

Mark Shapiro, President and Chief Operating Officer, TKO: “We are proud to reinforce the ‘E’ in ESPN at such an exciting juncture in its direct-to-consumer journey. WWE Premium Live Events are renowned for exactly the type of rich storytelling, incredible feats of athleticism and can’t-miss, cultural tentpole experiences that have become synonymous with ESPN. Through our UFC relationship, we have experienced firsthand how transformational an ESPN presence can be, and we know this will be an exceptional partnership at a time of great innovation for both companies.”

Nick Khan, President, WWE: “WWE’s agreement with ESPN is a pivotal moment for our millions of fans across the United States: the leader in sports entertainment partnering with the biggest brand in sports media. Bringing WWE’s flagship events to ESPN’s platform is tremendously exciting. We know the sky is the limit.”

ESPN platforms, including its DTC service, will have the opportunity to stream WWE’s pre-and post-event shows tied to all Premium Live Events.

All of ESPN. All in One Place. Coming Soon.

For the first time ever, ESPN will offer its full suite of networks and services directly to fans, along with an enhanced ESPN App that integrates game stats, betting information, fantasy sports, commerce, multiview options and a personalized SportsCenter For You. Designed to give fans more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, these new features and functionality will be available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a traditional pay TV package.

Stephanie McMahon Reveals How Triple H’s Heart Procedure Changed Her Perspective

Stephanie McMahon has explained why she stepped away from WWE in 2022.

The WWE Executive sat down with John Cena for a chat on the latest episode of her podcast. They talked about things such as Cena’s issues with his father, his retirement tour and more.

During the session, McMahon also opened up about her husband Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque’s 2021 cardiac event. The Game underwent a heart procedure following it that led to his retirement from the ring. Stephanie mentioned how Levesque almost lost his life:

“I almost lost Paul, my husband, and what’s weird and I haven’t talked about it, is I always had a feeling that I was going to lose him early. I just had that feeling. After we got through everything, that feeling went away. It’s like a pattern that was supposed to happen changed.”

Stephanie McMahon then explained how the whole event led to a change in her perspective and prompted her to step away from the company in May 2022:

“It was such a gift, truly. Then I started going through all this stuff in the company and I realized – there is nothing more important to me than my family, than my husband and my kids. That’s what matters most. I want to give as much time as I possibly can [to them].

I’ve given everything I possibly have to the business my whole life. And I wanted to give back to them. And that’s when I took that first leave of absence, which didn’t last very long.”

source: sescoops.com

Triple H Joins President Trump at White House for Sports Council Expansion

It has been a polarizing year for WWE overall, and among the most notable occurrences that has left WWE fans scratching their heads has been the promotion's political stances. Starting with Triple H and Roman Reigns praising US President, and WWE Hall of Famer, Donald Trump during WrestleMania week, WWE has seemingly continued cozying up to the President, with WWE stars Cody Rhodes, the Street Profits, and Tiffany Stratton all attending a military rally hosted by Trump earlier in the Summer. And prior to SummerSlam this weekend, it appears Triple H will continue the trend.

CNN reports that Triple H will be among the many figures in sports to hosted by White House on Thursday, as Trump signs an executive order "that will expand on his council on sports, fitness and nutrition, including by reviving the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools." In addition to Triple H, notable athletes such as golfer Bryce DeChambeau, NFL kicker Harrison Butker, former college football player Cody Campbell, and NFL Hall of Famer, and WrestleMania XI headliner, Lawrence Taylor.

Triple H's involvement in the ceremony won't shock many, both due to his earlier praise for Trump, and a meeting the WWE Chief Content Officer and his wife, Stephanie McMahon, had with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in June. Though he received criticism for his previous associations with the Trump administration, it appears they have done little to scare Triple H off supporting the President, even as Trump's own approval rating with the American people continues to be spotty.

Triple H to Headline Inaugural TEDSports Event in September

TEDSports announces WWE Chief Content Officer and 14-time World Champion, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, as a featured speaker at its groundbreaking inaugural event Sep 9 – Sep 11, 2025 in Indianapolis. The WWE Hall of Famer will pull back the curtain on one of entertainment's most powerful storytelling machines during this first-ever TED event focused exclusively on sports.

Levesque, who has transformed WWE's creative direction and overseen its successful Netflix launch, now leads content strategy reaching over one billion fans across 150+ countries in more than 20 languages. On the TED stage, he will explore the psychology of performance, building compelling rivalry structures, and the universal power of narrative in building global fandom.

"We're not about exchanging business cards; we're about igniting ideas that can change the world," stated Neelay Bhatt, TEDSports co-chair and curator. "Triple H represents precisely what TEDSports aims to showcase: the power of storytelling and innovative leadership to drive global impact," added Patrick Talty, TEDSports co-chair.

TEDSports is the first-ever TED event dedicated exclusively to the intersection of sport, innovation, and transformative ideas. This highly curated experience will welcome 700–800 global game-changers—from athletes and executives to investors and creatives across academia, business, events, healthcare, sports tech, venues and women's sports - for three days of immersive talks, fireside chats, curated dinners, collaborative workshops, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences at iconic venues including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Lucas Oil Stadium. The full speaker lineup is available online.

"In an industry reshaped by technology and evolving fan expectations, true leadership demands shunning best practices and embracing next practices. TEDSports is for those who aren't just looking to keep up - but to lead what's next" Bhatt added. "Leaders seeking to be inspired, challenged, and truly connected will find their tribe at TEDSports," said Talty.

About TEDSports: TEDSports is the world's first TED event devoted to the intersection of sports, innovation, and ideas. For further information, visit the website and check out some teasers from the organizers here!

Happy Birthday Triple H

Paul Michael Levesque
July 27, 1969

AAA TripleMania 33 to air on YouTube

Speaking highly of AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide’s Alianzas event on social media, Paul “Triple H” Levesque announced that TripleMania 33 will air on YouTube.

Already announced for the event is Hijo del Vikingo defending his Mega Championship against Dragon Lee, El Grande Americano, and Domiminik Mysterio, made official after appearances from the three WWE talent at Alianzas.

The news comes after the WWE x AAA event Worlds Collide was previously aired live on WWE’s YouTube channel.

AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide presents TripleMania 33 on August 16, emanating from Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City.