John Cena Announces Retirement Tour, Wrestlemania 2025 Will Be His Last Match

John Cena has done the unthinkable.

The former 16-time world champion made a surprise appearance at this evening’s Money In The Bank premium live event in Canada, where he received a hero’s welcome. Cena got on the mic and told the WWE Universe that was officially retiring from WWE after two decades. He added that the great Canadian fan base always shows up when wrestling is at its hottest, and WWE is hotter than ever.

Cena then revealed his plan for retirement, stating that he will be at the Raw premiere on Netflix, he’ll compete at the 2025 Royal Rumble, the 2025 Elimination Chamber, and at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. However, those events will be his last, with the indication being that Mania 41 will be his final match. To end his speech, Cena challenged any future WWE superstar to step up to the plate, because “The Last Time Is Now.”

Triple H Explains WWE's Unique Approach: "We’re a Movie About a Sport"

In an interview with The Pat McAfee Show, Paul 'Triple H' Levesque shared his perspective on WWE, emphasizing that WWE is not a sport but a "movie about a sport."

He stated: “Our fanbase is so ravenous for (content). There is nothing else that episodically airs. I say this a lot; we’re not a sport. We’re a movie about a sport or a TV show about a sport. The interest of all the other things happening are just as great as what happens in the ring. People are so interested, in not only those storylines, but who are the real people behind those storylines? The drama behind it. If you’re younger or want to buy into it that much, the drama of the storylines. If you’re in a different mindset, the drama of what is happening behind the scenes. ‘Is that guy leaving? Has he signed a contract? Is he going to stay? I heard he has problems with management, they’re trying to restrict his style.’ Whatever your mindset is, you can go there and follow up with it on a regular basis. The content is easy to watch and easy to understand. You can sit on a bus or train and watch clips.”

Sika Anoaʻi, One Half of The Wild Samoans and Father of Roman Reigns Passes Away Aged 79

Legendary wrestler Leati Sika Amituana'i Anoaʻi, known to fans as Sika, has passed away.

Sika, along with his brother Afa, was a dominant force in tag team wrestling. The Wild Samoans, as they were known, captured the WWF Tag Team Championship three times. Their ferocity and innovative moves left a lasting impact on the sport. Sika's legacy extends beyond the ring. He was the father of WWE superstars Roman Reigns and the late Rosey.

Sika's contributions to wrestling were recognized in 2007 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of The Wild Samoans.

One of Sika Anoa’i’s nephews, Jahrus Anoa’i, took to his Instagram to share the sad news. He noted that Sika had passed away on June 25th. He wrote a touching message about the legacy of the WWE Hall of Famer, one that will surely bring a tear to anyone’s eye.

"It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of former Hall of Famer, Polaivao Leati Sika Anoa’i. He passed away peacefully on June 25th. Sika was a celebrated figure whose contributions and legacy have left an indelible mark. His memory will live on through his achievements and the many lives he touched.

He was many things: a hard-working father, a caring brother, a supportive uncle, and a proud grandfather. He was a cherished friend to many, a loving family member whose warmth and kindness knew no bounds, and an inspiration to countless individuals. His legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, reminding us of the impact one person’s life can have on so many. Rest in love, Uncle Sika 🤍🕊️ #wildsamoans #halloffamer #sikaanoai"

TV ratings an outdated way of measuring success in wrestling

On Friday, it was revealed that AEW Dynamite drew a record-low viewing. According to Programming Insider, the flagship show drew 502,000 viewers, the lowest-ever rating for a "non-preempted" show in Dynamite history.

Fightful Select reported that AEW isn't panicking. 

"Fightful Select spoke with AEW sources about their feelings on the number and how they rationalized it. We were told that the typical lead-in for AEW, Big Bang Theory, usually does a demo number of 200-250k for their final quarter-hour. This week's lead-in was Black Panther, which they said landed at under 85k in the demo for the final quarter-hour, a significant drop-off. They believe that the missing people were the lead in watchers that didn't exist this week."

Regardless of the reasoning, judging a wrestling show's success based on live television viewers is an antiquated mindset. AEW also airs via Triller TV. Millions of people worldwide consume the show via the streaming platform, either live or on demand. Those numbers aren't part of the rating data and thus show a skewed metric.

Of course, live television viewers within the United States are important when negotiating a new deal due to the money on offer. Tony Khan must show his programming can draw and retain viewers if he wants to increase revenue. 

Nevertheless, WWE's imminent move to Netflix shows how little single-country metrics matter. WWE's chief content officer, Paul Levesque, better known as "Triple H," understands that the move will open programming to a worldwide audience without additional cable packages.

Khan likely has similar views. He has previously discussed how well AEW does in Europe and other parts of the world. While that argument will have no value to his contract discussions with Warner Brothers Discovery, it is a sign of the changing media landscape. AEW could eventually join a streaming giant like Amazon Prime to escape the consistent battle for live-viewer ratings.

As viewers' consumption habits continue to change, wrestling fans, analysts and critics must follow suit. Live television isn't as ubiquitous as it once was. Streaming is now king. Half a million viewers, with a changed lead-in, is still a strong number. Factor in worldwide viewers, and AEW likely broke the 1 million mark.

It won't happen soon, but AEW must follow WWE's lead and sign with a streaming giant. They will only escape the constant criticism for a metric that tells less than half the full story. 

source: yardbarker.com

Triple H Discusses His Relationship With CM Punk

The relationship between CM Punk (real name Phil Brooks) and Paul "Triple H" Levesque has been similar to that of a rollercoaster, with a notable low occurring in the years leading up to Punk's sudden exit from WWE in January 2014. Fast forward to 2024, Punk and Levesque are now riding a high. Following Punk's surprise appearance at WWE Clash at the Castle, Levesque spoke about the evolution of their relationship during the premium live event's post-show press conference.

"We saw eye-to-eye [back then], but it was angry eye-to-eye," Levesque said. "It was opposition eye-to-eye. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have him back. I cannot tell you how exciting it is, for me, to see the Phil Brooks that I wanted to see then. And while maybe my efforts to get that were taken wrong, and it's what led to friction, I always knew the Phil Brooks that I see today was inside there. He just couldn't express it in the right way. As much as [WWE] has changed, he has changed, and I have gotta tell you, it's amazing. I am excited for the future, and I'm excited to not just work with him, but to be around him. He's a pleasure to be around in the locker room. He's a pleasure to be around as a performer."

As Punk continues to contribute to WWE on-screen, Levesque pointed out that he also makes a backstage effort to help the talents surrounding him as well. Punk has specifically been an asset to the "WWE NXT" locker room, with NXT Champion Trick Williams previously describing him as a "mentor" that's open to sharing his knowledge to anyone who approaches him.

While currently recovering from a torn triceps, Punk has made sporadic appearances on WWE television, most of which have been tied to his ongoing rivalry with Drew McIntyre. His latest outing at WWE Clash at the Castle saw him yet again cost McIntyre the World Heavyweight Championship.

Away from Vince McMahon, Triple H Books Outstanding Clash at the Castle

Women-led ‘WWE NXT’ episode posts highest viewership figure since January

World Wrestling Entertainment’s NXT once again scored a strong viewership number.

Tuesday, June 4th’s episode of WWE’s proving ground brand drew its highest P2+ viewership since early January of this year.

A week after rapper Sexxy Red appeared on the brand, NXT’s audience tuned in in droves. According to Wrestlenomics, the episode had an average of 768,000 viewers and a P18-49 rating of 0.22.

On Tuesday night, the show had a women-heavy lineup, a common occurrence dating back to 2014 but one that clearly led the way throughout. TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace, who will wrestle Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT Battleground in Las Vegas, led off the show with a match that Perez made sure to be seated for. Four of the five scheduled Tuesday night show matches featured women’s superstars. NXT has helped bring along a cavalcade of stars over the past decade, including WWE Women’s Champion Bayley, Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, current WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, and a host of others. That trend is sure to continue with the bounty of talented women that the NXT brand currently holds onto.

The show has gone through some transition in 2024, so ratings have fluctuated a bit over the past few months. They’ve hit a floor as low as 564,000 in the last few months and have mostly stayed within the 600,000-660,000 range. This increase follows another increase week-to-week last week, when the show scored 703,000 viewers, up from 654,000 during May 21st’s episode.

As NXT prepares for its move to the CW Network, they could be in store for another hot summer on the brand. And if the last two weeks are any indication, they’re starting to get people’s attention.

[Data cited from Wrestlenomics Patreon]

Suit Against Vince McMahon Paused At Justice Department's Request

The woman accusing Vince McMahon of sexual misconduct agreed to pause her lawsuit against the former WWE CEO after a request from the Justice Department, her attorney told ABC News on Thursday.

Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, alleged in a 67-page suit filed in January that McMahon forced her into a sexual relationship in order for her to keep her job and passed around pornographic content of her to other men at the company.

"Ms. Grant has consented to a request by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stay her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. [John] Laurinaitis, pursuant to a pending non-public investigation," Ann Callis, Grant's attorney, said in a statement to ABC News. "We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps."

Grant also accused McMahon of inflicting "psychological torture and physical violence" while making "depraved sexual demands." McMahon is accused of trafficking Grant to other WWE employees. The lawsuit, which also named former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, included graphic descriptions of alleged sexual encounters along with explicit text messages.

source: si.com

WWE Takes Jerry “The King” Lawler Off The Air After 30-Plus Years

The WWE has declined to renew its contract with Hall of Fame wrestler and broadcaster Jerry “The King” Lawler.

Lawler joined the WWF (which later became the WWE) as a commentator in 1992, working on Superstars. In the early ’90s, he defeated Bret Hart and was named “Undisputed King of the World Wrestling Federation.” While he continued to wrestle, Lawler was a broadcaster for Raw, SmackDown! and WWE pay-per-views until 2016.

Lawler has not been been featured on a WWE TV broadcast for over a year, but he still has a legends deal that allows him to work with the organization on merch and other licensing. Despite his departure from the broadcast team, Lawler is said to still have a great relationship with the company. Indeed, he was backstage at SmackDown in Memphis in March.

He is known for his feud with comedian Andy Kaufman, and together they created one of the most memorable early moments of Late Night with David Letterman. The NBC late-nighter was about eight months old when comic, performance artist and then-Taxi star Kaufman was a guest, along with Lawler. Kaufman had made waves by wrestling women until April 1982, when he took on veteran his first male opponent, then-pro grappler Lawler, who clobbered him in the ring.

Arriving on the Late Night set with a neck brace, Kaufman sat next to Lawler, and things went fine — for a while. Lawler drew boos as he began to bad-mouth the comic. Kaufman demanded an apology from Lawler, who was having none of that. Eventually, Kaufman said, “I could have sued you for everything you’re worth, and I didn’t because I’m not that kind of a guy.” Lawler seized on that, saying, “What kind of a guy are you?” As Letterman prepared to go to commercial, Lawler stood up and slapped Kaufman across the face, knocking him over in his chair.

Seventeen years later, Lawler portrayed himself in the 1999’s Man on the Moon, in which Jim Carrey played Kaufman.

In September 2012, Lawler had a heart attack at the announcer’s table and was administered CPR, with updates being given throughout the broadcast. He was rushed to the hospital where he underwent an angioplasty. Remarkably, despite a slow recovery, the 60-something Lawler eventually returned to both broadcasting and the ring for the WWE.
source: deadline.com

Female referee Jessika Carr makes history at WWE Backlash 2024

WWE Backlash 2024 undoubtedly left an indelible mark in the annals of WWE history, not only as one of the most successful premium live events but also as a ground breaking moment for women in the industry. This edition of Backlash not only ventured beyond North America for the first time but also made its debut in France, captivating audiences worldwide.

The magnitude of the event was evident with its record-breaking attendance, marking the largest gateway for any Backlash arena event in WWE history. With a line up of five highly anticipated matches, each bout delivered edge-of-your-seat excitement, captivating fans throughout the night.

Among the notable highlights of Backlash 2024 was the historic moment involving WWE referee Jessika Carr. Carr etched her name in the annals of wrestling history by becoming the first female referee to officiate in the main event of a World title match. Her presence as the official for the Undisputed WWE Championship clash between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles added a significant milestone to her already impressive career.

In the electrifying main event, Carr's professionalism and expertise were on full display as she ensured a fair and impartial contest between Rhodes and Styles. As Rhodes emerged victorious, capturing the championship in a memorable showdown, Carr's pivotal role in overseeing the match underscored the progress and inclusivity within WWE.

Cody Rhodes acknowledged her accomplishment on X, after the match by writing, “Wanted to mention this after the contract signing, (and forgive me if I’m wrong but I don’t think I am…) It’ll be the VERY FIRST PLE Main Event for The Undisputed WWE Title officiated by a women @WWELadyRefJess” To which Jessica Car thanked him saying, “Honored and incredibly grateful”

Carr's historic moment at Backlash 2024 serves as a testament to the ongoing strides towards gender equality and representation within the world of professional wrestling. Her groundbreaking achievement not only inspires future generations of female referees but also reinforces WWE's commitment to diversity and inclusion on the grandest stage of sports entertainment.

John Laurinaitis Joins Vince McMahon Arbitration Effort, Denies Janel Grant Accusations

Recently, attorneys representing Vince McMahon motioned to have former assistant Janel Grant's lawsuit against him, John Laurinaitis, WWE, and numerous unnamed corporate officers for sex trafficking, abuse, and harassment, brought to private arbitration, as per the stipulations of the disputed Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) between McMahon and Grant.

According to Wrestlenomics's Brandon Thurston, former WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis, who was also named in Grant's suit, has joined McMahon's motion to move the case into private arbitration, which would keep any further developments and discoveries out of the public record.

"John Laurinaitis has filed a Motion today fully joining in and adopting Vince McMahon's motion to compel arbitration," Edward Brennan, attorney for Laurinaitis, wrote in a statement. "Mr. Laurinaitis corroborates Mr. McMahon in publicly declaring that Ms. Grant's allegations of sexual abuse and coercion in her Complaint are completely unfounded. My client will fight these false allegations together with Mr. McMahon in the proper forum, arbitration."

The motion is a pivot from Laurinaitis's initial position, as his attorneys' original stance was "Like the plaintiff, Mr. Laurinaitis is a victim in this case, not a predator," which seemingly corroborated some of Grant's accusations, albeit while still denying Grant's accusations against Laurinaitis himself. 

Attorneys for McMahon responded to Laurinaitis's motion, writing "In January 2024, Ms. Grant, a 43-year-old with a law degree, who was in love with Mr. McMahon and devastated by their break-up, filed an outrageous and false lawsuit to ruin Mr. McMahon's career and reputation. Now, her false allegations are slowly unraveling. Today, Mr. Laurinaitis' attorney confirmed his client will corroborate Mr. McMahon's account and expose the lies within the Complaint. Despite their intense efforts, Ms. Grant's attorneys won't be able to suppress the truth from coming out."

McMahon resigned from his responsibilities at WWE and TKO Group Holdings in January of this year, as a result of the lawsuit. Federal investigators are also looking into the sex trafficking accusations against McMahon. McMahon recently sold off nearly $300 million worth of his stock in TKO and its parent company Endeavor. He now currently owns less than 5% of TKO Group Holdings, which he helped found in 2023.

Vince McMahon Sells Final TKO Shares for $776M+ to End WWE Ties After 50+ Years

The Vince McMahon era has come to an end as he sold his remaining shares of stock in his former company, 42 years after buying it from his father. 

Rumors are circulating that Vince could use his billions to startup another company; he is said to be angry that he was “forced out” by the hierarchy of TKO after news of his sex scandal broke. Nick Khan has also filed to sell all of his shares in the company as well. 

Many call McMahon a genius, he was able to build a billion dollar empire before we all watched his stubborn ideology begin to affect the overall legacy of the company. The news of the NDA agreements and “hush money” to Janel Grant led to his initial retirement last year, and after forcing his way back in at TKO, the final attempt was the end of his tenure and apparent censure from the company he is synonymous with. 

It’s a new day. The Paul Levesque era is finally here, WrestleMania 40 was the most profitable and critically acclaimed event in recent history, and it’s a great time to be a professional wrestling fan. The “sports entertainment” era is finally over, and the once respected Vinnie Mac is now persona non grata in the business. Insiders say that McMahon’s office is as he left it, and he has not been and will not be back in the building, calling the infamous room “creepy” and saying the atmosphere overall at the company is much better in his absence.

Janel Grant Challenges Vince McMahon's Arbitration

UFC Apex to host first WWE event on June 9

WWE, in partnership with the UFC, has announced that NXT Battleground will take place at the UFC Apex on Sunday, June 9 in Las Vegas.

This will mark the first-ever WWE event that will be hosted at the 130,000-square foot production facility, home of UFC Fight Night events, Dana White's Contender Series and more.

"We are always exploring new frontiers to showcase NXT and we are excited to bring Battleground to this world-class production facility in partnership with UFC," said WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels in a statement to ESPN.

Last September, UFC's parent company Endeavor and the WWE announced the closing of a merger between the mixed martial arts and professional wrestling promotions to create TKO. To date, there has been some crossover between the two brands, but this will be the most significant where a UFC venue will host a WWE event.

NXT Battleground was originally penciled in for May 26 at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia but will now relocate to Las Vegas, the home of the UFC. The reasons behind the move were not made readily available. Still, the original date was during Memorial Day weekend and running up against rival promotion AEW's Double or Nothing pay-per-view event.

NXT Battleground is set to feature some of the biggest NXT superstars including NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov, NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez NXT North American Champion Oba Femi, NXT Tag Team Champions Axiom and Nathan Frazer, Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes, Lyra Valkyria and more.

However, the talent featured at Battleground could change as the WWE Draft will take place starting on WWE SmackDown on April 26 and NXT talent could be moved to either Raw or SmackDown.

The UFC Apex typically hosts smaller crowds of under 500 people for Dana White's Contender Series and UFC Fight Night events. It is unknown how many tickets will be made available for Battleground but a 2022 article by the Las Vegas Review Journal cited that the UFC applied with the Clark County Zoning Commission to add the ability to host up to 1,000 people for events along with food and alcohol service, ticket sales and a souvenir shop.

source: espn.com

Vince McMahon's life after WWE: Kittens, vacations and staying in touch with Trump

As he faces a mountain of legal woes, former WWE leader Vince McMahon is traveling, eating out and keeping in touch with friends and associates — including former President Donald Trump.

McMahon resigned as executive chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment’s parent company almost three months ago after a former employee, Janel Grant, accused him in a bombshell lawsuit of sexual abuse and trafficking. He denied the allegations. McMahon, 78, is also facing a federal criminal investigation, although he hasn’t been charged.

NBC News and CNBC talked to 11 people familiar with McMahon and WWE about how he’s been spending his time — and how the global brand he built over more than four decades is moving on without him. These people, including close personal associates and company insiders, declined to be named, citing ongoing legal cases and the confidential nature of internal corporate communications.

Multiple WWE insiders said he hasn’t had any contact with company leaders and figureheads since he resigned. Mark Shapiro, the operating chief of WWE parent company TKO Group Holdings, said in March that McMahon “doesn’t work for the company, doesn’t come into the office, and he’s not coming back to the company.”

That also means McMahon hasn’t talked to his son-in-law, WWE creative chief and former superstar Paul “Triple H” Levesque, or daughter, Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, regarding company matters, sources said. While she introduced WWE’s WrestleMania event earlier this month, McMahon-Levesque, who worked beside her father for more than 20 years and played roles in storylines, currently has no involvement with the company, according to people familiar with the matter. Levesque and McMahon-Levesque declined to comment through a spokesperson, as did a WWE representative.

McMahon is nonetheless indelibly linked with the wrestling outfit, which he bought from his father 42 years ago. Still, he seems to have moved on, according to multiple sources. McMahon has kept up his other routines, and it’s as if he’s unfazed by his legal fights, two sources said...More?

source: nbcnews.com

Vince McMahon Puts Remaining TKO Stock Up For Sale in Major Financial Move

Vince McMahon is actively offloading his holdings in TKO stock, placing all his remaining shares on the market. According to a recent SEC filing, McMahon, alongside stockholders Nick Khan and Steven Koonin, listed their shares for sale but have not yet completed any transactions. McMahon has made available 8,021,405 shares, his entire remaining stake, following a sale earlier in the week of nearly 3.5 million shares, which brought him over $300 million.

Listing shares for sale does not guarantee their immediate purchase, but it does open the possibility for McMahon to potentially earn more. If sold at current market prices, his 8 million-plus shares could yield over $786 million. Amidst ongoing legal issues, McMahon has been converting his stock into cash rapidly, amassing approximately $1.5 billion from these sales. This aggressive divestment suggests that McMahon is distancing himself significantly from TKO and WWE, likely marking a permanent departure.

WWE Makes Behind-The-Scenes Changes In Talent Relations

Days after Paul "Triple H" Levesque was promoted to Chief Content Officer in September 2022, WWE announced the hiring of Dan Ventrelle, who was positioned to serve as the new Executive Vice President of Talent. In this role, Ventrelle oversaw WWE's talent department while reporting directly to Levesque. After nearly two years, Ventrelle has now reportedly left WWE, causing the company to make a few changes in the talent relations department.

Days after Paul "Triple H" Levesque was promoted to Chief Content Officer in September 2022, WWE announced the hiring of Dan Ventrelle, who was positioned to serve as the new Executive Vice President of Talent. In this role, Ventrelle oversaw WWE's talent department while reporting directly to Levesque. After nearly two years, Ventrelle has now reportedly left WWE, causing the company to make a few changes in the talent relations department.

News of Ventrelle's exit first emerged via SEScoops' writer Aaron Varble, who stated that Ventrelle departed from WWE earlier today. Fightful Select has since corroborated this report, adding that WWE President Nick Khan sent out an internal memo to inform staff of the subsequent backstage shakeups.

"WWE has begun the process of reorganizing its Talent Relations group," Khan wrote. "Moving forward, Chris Legentil, in addition to his role in Comms, will help us in leading this new group. Matt Altman, in addition to his role in marketing, will be working closely with Chris to help this endeavor. Talent Development and Recruiting will now report to Shawn Michaels. All of Talent, which includes Talent Relations, Development and Recruiting will continue to ultimately report into Paul Levesque. As of today, Dan Ventrelle will be moving on from WWE. We thank Dan for his tremendous contributions."

Triple H: I Told Ari Emanuel When TKO Formed, ‘I Just Want To Have Fun. If It’s Fun, I’ll Stay’

Triple H just wanted to have fun.

WWE and UFC officially merged in September 2023 to form TKO under the Endeavor banner. Triple H was already appointed as the Chief Content Officer, but Vince McMahon would often make remote changes throughout 2023.

With the merger, Vince started to become less involved until he eventually resigned as TKO Executive Chairman in January following a lawsuit against him where he was accused of sex trafficking and sexual assault.

With Vince fully out of the picture, Triple H has ushered in a new era.

"I’m loving what I do, that’s the biggest thing for me. When TKO went down and Ari Emanuel talked to me about this, I said, ‘I just want to have fun. If it’s fun, I stay. If It’s not, we’ll figure out something else.’ We’re having fun. I want everyone to have fun. When the signature was playing, I picked up the headset and said, ‘Biggest thing we want to remember tonight, everybody, have fun. Enjoy this.’ If this is fun, everybody loves it. If we have fun making it, you’re going to enjoy watching it. That’s what I believe," Triple H said at the WrestleMania XL press conference.

WrestleMania 40 Shatters Multiple WWE Records to Become Highest-Grossing Event in Company History

WrestleMania 40 broke multiple WWE records and has become the most successful live event in the company’s history.

WrestleMania 40 took place over two nights at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. Per WWE, the gate for the event was up 78% compared to the previous record set during WrestleMania 39, with 145,298 in attendance across both nights this year. The company also says viewership was up 41% versus last year, while merchandise sales — in partnership with Fanatics — was up more than 20% over last year.

But the live events on Saturday and Sunday nights are just one part of the story. WWE set up a massive presence in Philadelphia from Thursday-Monday. The company, along with Fanatics Events, hosted the WWE World experience at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, where fans could pay to get up close with authentic WWE memorabilia from their archives as well as take part in immersive experiences. This was coupled with the WWE Superstore, which featured a wide range of branded merchandise from apparel to toys and beyond.

The April 5 episode of “SmackDown” originated from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, drawing the largest gate in “SmackDown” history. Likewise, the April 8 episode of “Monday Night Raw” drew the largest gate in “Raw” history. WWE also put on the NXT live event “Stand and Deliver” on Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center, which drew a record breaking crowd of 16,545, the most ever for an NXT event.

On social media, over 660 million views were generated across WWE’s social channels, while the WWE YouTube channel had its biggest day ever on Sunday with 67 million views in 24 hours.

WrestleMania 40 featured a number of smash hit matches, most notably the WWE Universal Championship match between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes on Night 2. On Night 1, the two squared off with the aid of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Seth Rollins, respectively, in a tag team match that marked Johnson’s first match for WWE since 2016.

source: variety.com

Triple H Says He’s Happy To Have Stephanie McMahon Back Home, She Belongs Here

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H says he’s happy that Stephanie McMahon was “back” at WrestleMania 40 Night Two.

Former WWE Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon appeared at WWE WrestleMania 40 Night Two and hyped up the crowd. This marked her first official appearance since she left the company in January 2023.

During the WrestleMania 40 Post-Show Press Conference, Triple H commented on Stephanie McMahon’s appearance on Sunday

“My wife looked good right? She hasn’t lost a step,” Triple H said. “So great to have her back home, right. I get her home all the time. But to have her back here, to see the doubt leave her by being here for the last few days, to see her confidence come back and to know that this is her home…all of you, all of us, all this business, it’s her home.

“As much as anybody on the planet, she belongs here. Hopefully she knows that now. So happy to have her back.”

Forever

Stephanie McMahon rings in the Paul “Triple H” Levesque era

The Rock comments on the job Triple H has done and how this WrestleMania felt knowing Vince McMahon is no longer involved

“I think that Triple H has done a tremendous job as our chief creative officer, I think that’s his title, he has a few, earned every single one of them. I like ushering in new things and new times and new eras and it feels like in our world here, professional wrestling, it is a new era that we’re ushering in. I talked to Triple H earlier as we were kicking off and kicking off the show tonight and without giving detail on what we talked about, it was a special night for him. This was the beginning of something and marking the beginning of something new for him, under his creative, and I think from a company standpoint, this is an exciting time for the company, for WWE, an exciting time for TKO. You felt the convergence towards the end of the year when the acquisition happened, you felt the convergence in the first quarter of the year as I was fortunate enough to come back and kind of traversed our way to what these storylines could look like, so it’s an exciting time and I think we capped off day one of WrestleMania that we had stated was gonna be the biggest of all time, which is really saying a lot given how many great WrestleManias there has been in the past, so I thought collectively as a company and a team, [it was] a really great show tonight.”

credit 411mania.com for the transcription

Paul Heyman: For The Rest Of My Life, I Will Forever Be A Paul Levesque Guy

Paul Heyman delivered an emotional speech as he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Paul Heyman was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 5. Undisputed WWE Universal Roman Reigns inducted Heyman at the ceremony, which was held in Philadelphia, and the crowd showered Heyman with “ECW” chants.

Heyman delivered a passionate speech as he discussed his career. Among other highlights, he praised WWE Chief Content Officier Triple H and said that he would be a “Paul Levesque Guy” for the rest of his life.

Lia Maivia to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024

As first announced by her grandson Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Lia Maivia will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

A matriarch of the legendary Anoa'i family, Maivia shattered glass ceilings as one of the first women to become a powerful sports-entertainment promoter and laid the foundation for one of the most decorated bloodlines in wrestling history.

Maivia joins her late husband, WWE Hall of Famer “High Chief” Peter Maivia, in the WWE Hall of Fame, as the two key figures in the rich wrestling history of Hawaii.

After The High Chief’s passing in 1982, Maivia took over control of the National Wrestling Alliance territory in Hawaii known as Polynesian Pro Wrestling where she became one of wrestling’s first-ever woman promoters.

In 1985, Maivia was in charge of promoting A Hot Summer Night, which was an event that featured several WWE Hall of Famers including Andre the Giant, Ric Flair, Rocky Johnson (Maivia’s son-in-law), Dusty Rhodes, Antonio Inoki, and many other notable Superstars that drew a crowd of more than 20,000.

With Lia Maivia’s strength and influence, the Anoa'i family grew into one of the industry’s defining families as WWE Superstars such as The Rock, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Yokozuna, Rikishi, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and many more developed into some of the most globally renowned sports-entertainers of their respective eras.

Maivia passed away in 2008 at the age of 77, but her strong-willed business sense coupled with her love of sports-entertainment left a lasting and profound impact on the industry and the many people she influenced and impacted in her amazing life.

CM Punk On WWE Return, Reconciling With Triple H, Nick Khan As The 'Difference Maker'

It took a walkout, a decade, and a controversial two-year run in AEW, but CM Punk finds himself back in WWE once again, having returned in his hometown of Chicago at Survivor Series 2023. While plenty has been made about Punk's return or what came before it, the story of just how he and WWE came to terms on a reunion had remained a mystery, until today. Appearing on "The MMA Hour," Punk spoke about his talks with WWE on a return, confirming that the process began only a few days before his Survivor Series return. He also revealed that it was WWE who reached out to him.

"The action of it started the week of, I think, Thanksgiving...," Punk said. "I'd have to look at a calendar to figure out dates exactly. I remember times and places of where I was when I would get phone calls and such. And I had a CFFC show coming up, I think. So I got a call from Nick Khan, and he was just like 'Hey, we want to talk to you.' And I was like 'Cool. [I'm] on my way to the gym, and I have this coming up. CFFC, I'll be back.' 'Cool, you want to talk Monday?' 'Great.'

"So it was the week of Thanksgiving. I spoke to him Monday...The call, I'm always so nervous about pulling the curtain back on stuff, but I think the call was more about 'Hey, we want to talk about you coming back. We'd love you for Royal Rumble.' Cause they assumed that I probably had some sort of noncompete or something like that, and were kind of floored when I was like 'No man, I'm ready to go. Let's do it."

While Khan and Punk continued to talk frequently during the next several days, things took a turn when Punk asked Khan if he could put him in contact with Paul "Triple H" Levesque, whom Punk had a tumultuous relationship with during his first WWE run.

"It's funny because everyone calls him Paul [now]...I always call him Triple H or Hunter," Punk said. "When I spoke to him, that's when the ball really got rolling, you know? Cause it was a very...I asked him if he wanted to talk on the phone, and he said 'No. I would actually rather kind of like to face-time you, so I can see you.' And I was like 'Oh, that's interesting.'  

"We just talked about a whole lot of stuff, and about stuff that was at one point serious to probably both of us...that is silly now. And we just kind of laughed and buried the hatchet. And then we started talking business."

Among the more shocking revelations was that Punk confirmed there had been talks of him returning to WWE before, even before his stint on "WWE Backstage" in 2019, but that things only seriously moved forward during the recent talks. As good as his conversation with Triple H went, Punk ultimately believes that it was Khan who helped steer things towards a WWE return, something that host Ariel Helwani, Khan's former client, seemed to agree with.

"He was the difference maker," Helwani said.

"I think so," Punk said.

source: "The MMA Hour" with Ariel Helwani

WrestlingInc

WWE: Next Gen debuts April 1 on Roku

AJ Styles reveals why WWE 'isn't the same' under Triple H

AJ Styles has revealed that WWE is incredibly different under Triple H compared to Vince McMahon.

McMahon reigned in the company since its formation a number of decades ago, until his retirement in 2022 following allegations of sexual misconduct, though returned and began to lure control back.

That was until September last year, when WWE and UFC formed a merger under umbrella company TKO, which had McMahon as executive chairman until he resigned in January following allegations of sex trafficking, which he has denied.

Now, the show is run by former WWE star and McMahon's son-in-law, Triple H - real name Paul Levesque - and reports have generally suggested that the company is a much better place to work.

Those opinions were echoed by Styles The Battleground Podcast.

Ronda Rousey Details NXT Being Stolen From Triple H

Writing in her new book Our Fight – available for pre-order now – Ronda Rousey detailed that turbulent time in WWE history and thinks it was McMahon’s “cronies” that made the move to take NXT out of Triple H’s hands:brbr NXT, which had been Triple H’s domain, had been caught in the ongoing family dispute between him and Vince McMahon. Vince’s unwillingness to give up any control made progress on the main roster all but impossible. But operating out from under Vince’s thumb, Triple H had built NXT into a brand that was not only developing WWE’s next generation but producing some of the organization’s best and most innovative wrestling.

People were excited about NXT in a way that they weren’t about Raw and SmackDown’s constant reliance on rehashing the same formulaic story lines over and over. As NXT grew and it became apparent that there was the potential to expand and profit from it, suddenly it became attractive to Vince. In fall of 2019, WWE launched a weekly NXT show—slated to go head-to-head on-air with AEW.

Now, NXT was on the up-and-up, but so too was AEW. Then Triple H almost died, suffering from heart failure and requiring surgery. He stepped away to deal with his health, and in his absence, Vince’s cronies saw an opportunity. NXT was losing the ratings battle to AEW, they whispered to Vince.

Ronda Rousey then took aim at former Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis who she claimed was running NXT in Triple H’s stead. It’s safe to say Rousey is no fan of Laurinaitis but says his failure running the brand was systematic of wider problems in the company:

Changes needed to be made. Which is how John Laurinaitis, a former wrestler turned WWE executive and all-around dirtbag, ended up running NXT. Laurinaitis had made a name for himself as an average but by no means outstanding wrestler before he moved into playing an in-ring authority figure type and then a producer. He looked and acted like an entitled sixty-year-old former frat boy. Tall, blondish, and with a cleft chin, he always appeared to be scowling, even when he smiled. His raspy voice earned him the nickname Johnny Laryngitis, which was one of the nicer things people called him.

Whereas Triple H looked for talent and potential in NXT prospects, it appeared John Laurinaitis looked for f*ckability. He further purged the NXT roster, firing it seemed like everyone over twenty-five and turning recruiting attention away from the indie circuits in favor of blonde sorority-types from places like the Universities of Florida and Tennessee.

Putting the blame for the decline on Laurinaitis—which Vince would basically try to do a few months later—would be easy but Laurinaitis was only a symptom of what was wrong within WWE. Honestly, the actual drama was so much better than anything WWE could ever script.

source: tjrwrestling.net

Thunderbolt Patterson to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024

 

As first reported by Andscape, Thunderbolt Patterson will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

A hugely influential, although often overlooked, figure in sports-entertainment history, Patterson’s captivating abilities on the microphone inspired a generation of talkers that followed in his footsteps.

Growing up in Iowa, Patterson moved to Texas and worked with legendary promoter Dory Funk Sr. (father of WWE Hall of Famers Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk) where he began performing incredible interviews using a delivery inspired by Black Southern pastors.

Patterson backed up his talents on the microphone in the ring as he captured titles across North America while defeating iconic opponents like Bruiser Brody and WWE Hall of Famer The Sheik. Thunderbolt was also a decorated tag team competitor, most famously teaming with Ole Anderson before their partnership erupted into a brutal rivalry, which helped launch the legendary Four Horsemen.

Patterson was also a contemporary of WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, and was often credited with inspiring The American Dream’s charismatic persona.

Patterson’s work as a captivating performer was self-evident, but he was also a fierce advocate for the health and welfare of competitors outside of the ring.

His legacy as a showman with his signature quick punches, his incredible blend of power and speed, and his compassion for his fellow man live on as his influence can still be seen in the ring today.

More WWE Executives Revealed As Key Figures In McMahon Sex Trafficking Suit; WWE Responds

More names have been revealed as part of the ongoing sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis WWE, and unnamed corporate officers.

A new report from Tim Marchman, John Pollock, and Brandon Thurston for Front Office Sports has named President Nick Khan and COO Brad Blum as those identified as Corporate Officers No.1 and No. 2 in the suit filed by Janel Grant in January.
Before their naming in the report, Khan and Blum were alleged to have been instrumental to a scheme in which Grant had been employed in a completely undefined role, except for the understanding that she would remain a sexual slave to be used and trafficked by McMahon within WWE. Khan and Blum are not personally accused of sexual wrongdoing but they are rather part of a group that is claimed to have facilitated and covered up exploitation in a way that would make WWE liable under federal anti-trafficking law.

Front Office Sports' report notes that Blum and Khan were identified independently alongside the two other anonymous corporate officers described in the suit by cross-referencing details within the filing with other records like online resumes and corporate filings. A WWE source also reportedly confirmed details within the suit, such as the location of Khan's office. All names were confirmed with Janel Grant's attorney, Ann Callis.

According to the suit, McMahon presented Blum and Khan to Grant as his key fixers. Nick Khan is the current WWE President under TKO's hierarchy following the merger with UFC last year and has been instrumental in the business growth behind the company in recent years.

The report continues to name Stephanie McMahon as Corporate Officer No.3 within the filing, who is mentioned once in an ambiguous context. It's told how Grant had attended meetings with WWE's executive committee, which was noted to be above her pay grade and something she had even inquired to Khan and Blum about regarding appropriateness. The suit alleged Stephanie McMahon had motioned for Grant to sit near her in these meetings. Ms. McMahon is also described as knowing of "other instances of [Vince] McMahon engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct".

Stephanie McMahon notably took a leave of absence in 2022 – three months after Vince McMahon and Janel Grant signed their $3 million NDA – from her role as Chief Brand Officer. A month later, reports emerged on a probe by the WWE board of directors into unauthorized payments involving NDAs with several former female employees and performers made by Vince McMahon, after which he resigned from his roles as CEO and Chairman and Stephanie McMahon became interim CEO and Chair. When Vince McMahon forced his way back onto the board in early 2023, Stephanie McMahon resigned from her role as Co-CEO – held alongside Nick Khan – and has not returned.

Front Office Sports further identified Brian Nurse – former general counsel and head of WWE's legal department – as Corporate Officer No.4. Nurse is described in the suit as offering the legal role to Janel Grant at the behest of Vince McMahon, a revelation allegedly made by McMahon to Ms. Grant before he sexually assaulted her for the first time. Nurse is claimed to have been terminated or asked to resign as one of a number of employees forced to resign or let go if they knew of McMahon's exploits and failed to assist, support, or facilitate them.

In response to the report, a WWE spokesperson told FOS:
“WWE takes Ms. Grant’s allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact. Neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum, prior to the lawsuit being filed on January 25, 2024, were aware of any allegation by Ms. Grant that she was the victim of abuse or unwanted physical contact; nor does the complaint allege that either had knowledge of such.”

Nick Khan, Brian Blum and Stephanie Mcmahon are not explicitly accused of wrongdoing.

Muhammad Ali to Be Inducted Into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Muhammad Ali will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024, Variety has learned exclusively.

Ali will be inducted during the Hall of Fame ceremony taking place on April 5 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He will be inducted by his widow, Lonnie Ali. The ceremony will be livestreamed on Peacock beginning at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT.

Ali dabbled in professional wrestling at different times in his career. He famously fought an exhibition match against Japanese pro wrestling legend Antonio Inoki in Tokyo in 1976. In the leadup to that matchup, he appeared at a WWWF (now WWE) show, where he entered the ring and challenged Gorilla Monsoon. Ali would go on to appear as a special guest referee for the main event of WrestleMania I in 1985, which saw Hulk Hogan and Mr. T face off against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff. Ali also appeared as the guest of honor at the infamous “Collision in Korea” pay-per-view event held in North Korea in 1995.

Widely considered to be one of the best, if not the best, boxers of all time, Ali won an Olympic gold medal for the United States in boxing in 1960 and went on to become the undisputed world heavyweight champion. He holds notable wins over opponents such as Sonny Liston, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman among many others. His final professional boxing match came in 1981. He finished his career with 56 wins, 5 losses, with 37 knockouts.

He was also noted for his social activism, including refusing to be drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His refusal led to him being stripped of his heavyweight championships and being largely forced out of boxing for years.

He passed away in 2016 at the age of 74.

source:  varity.com