AEW drop youngster:

Jack Evans says AEW have told him his deal will not be renewed when it ends this month.

Bella baby delays but not ends career:

Nikki Bella says, doctor's allowing, her and her sister Brie would love to come back to go after the WWE Tag titles at some point, once their babies are a little older.

WWE watching:

WWE are keen to re-sign FTR. The AAA and ROH Tag champs are said to be out of contract with AEW this summer, but are expected to stay longer by the Khan led group. It is unclear how the team feel about a WWE return, or if the promotion allowing news of their interest to seep out will affect their decisions.

New promotion:

Freddie Prinze Jr, is setting up his own wrestling promotion, and may have landed a big name. He was talking Matt Cardona into joining when they spoke on a podcast this week.

The Kanellis' are also set to debut their new female promotion.

ROH:

Tony Khan has met with Warner over the ROH TV deal and the future of the promotion.

Drug fine dropped:

The standard $2,500 fine for talent being caught with Marijuana in their system has not been enforced for a couple of years, it has been said. This comes as WWE release a 4:20 t-shirt for RK-Bro.

 

Wedding:

Killer Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux were married in Alaska this week.

Alum on TV:

Ezekiel Jackson was a contestant on 'Price is Right' this week.

Dudleyz talk being next after Public Enemy / APA incident:

“They tell us we’re going to attack the APA with 2x4s. Now we know what happened to The Public Enemy. Public Enemy and the APA were doing business. Creative wanted the APA to put The Public Enemy through their own tables. Public Enemy and Sabu did tables long before The Dudleys did. We didn’t invent the tables, we brought them to the forefront and made them cool. We learned how to make a buck off of them. Public Enemy didn’t want to do business about ten minutes before they go out, if I’ve got the story straight. They said, ‘we’re not gonna go through the table. We’re not gonna do the job.’ Something like that, and Ron and John beat the sh*t out of them. We knew that we were being fed to Ron and John, so we can be tested. That was it. And you know what, that’s the way it was back in the day. You got tested. You earned your stripes, you paid your dues. Whatever word you want to put on it, that locker room was going to make sure that we were OK, and that we weren’t another team like The Public Enemy who might disrupt things. And now they tell us about the 2x4s. I’ve swung just about every weapon there is, but I’d never swung a 2×4. It’s not easy to grip a 2×4, and then you have to try and work the 2×4. I said, ‘D’Von, they’re gonna kill us whether we go light on them or whether we lay our sh*t in. So why don’t we just lay our sh*t in, so at least we can look good on night one, and then we’ll take our ass-kicking, and we’ll just move forward from there.’''

Announcer to Amazon?:

Pat McAfee is talking to Amazon about joining their NFL broadcast team.

HOF'er assaults passenger:

Mike Tyson got into fight on an aereoplane this week. Given his iconic status as a legendary fighter, you would not win ant prizes for guessing who dominated the altercation.

SuperShow:

AEW and NJPW have announced a joint supershow for this June.

DDP says he had to call WWE star about using his finish:

“The Diamond Cutter was really getting over. The Diamond Cutter was taking me to a different spot. You could hit it on anyone out of anywhere. And even though I was only hitting guys who were enhancement guys, it was still popping the crowd. So you know you have something there. So one night I’ve got RAW on because I watched RAW. I taped it all, and I’d come home and I’d watch it and see how everybody was doing. And then one night, Triple H hit that cutter out of nowhere and pinned the guy. I was like ‘no! Bastard! No, not him!’ There’s three guys who when I say have the craziest work ethics ever, me, him, and The Rock. The three of us, insane work ethic. I’m thinking ‘man if he takes that? I’ve got to call him.’ And I just pick up the phone. He never answered the phone, he never answered before that day or after that day. But that day he answered. He’s like ‘hey D, how you doing?’ ‘I’m doing great, but listen bro.’ We talked for a bit, got the sidetalk out of the way. We had a real relationship. I said ‘listen bro, I’ve got a favor to ask you.’ He said ‘sure D, anything.’ I was like ‘don’t say that.’ And look, Sting had the Scorpion Death Lock, Bret Hart had the Sharpshooter, it’s the same move. It was customary for one guy to have it here, one guy to have it there. Bottom line is I said ‘ you know bro, I’m just really starting to get this Diamond Cutter over. It’s giving me some serious momentum. I saw you do it the other night to beat a guy. And I get it and I don’t have the right to ask you, but you’re so so much younger than me. The Pedigree is amazing. If you wouldn’t use it anymore, I’d really appreciate it.’ He said ‘done deal.’ That was the last time he ever did it.”

 

New Champions:

Dana Brooke won the 24/7 title during her TV wedding on Raw last night. Theory beat Finn Balor to win the US title on the show too.

Kushida leaves WWE:

WWE expect Kushida to return home to Japan, specifically New Japan after he let his WWE deal run down and left them this week.

Sunny faces legal action:

Sunny is to be sued over her involvement in a fatal car accident. The family of the deceased want $30,000 for her alleged negligence.

WWE celebrate Orton:

WWE are marking 20 years of Randy Orton across their platforms this week.

Jake concerned he has caused Dragon health issues:

Jake The Snake is concerned his DDT on concrete is behind Ricky Steamboat's health difficulties...

“To be quite honest with you, I know Steamboat’s having issues right now. I hope to hell it wasn’t what I did. I really do man, because that haunts me. That’s beginning to haunt me a lot. Ricky, if you’re listening, you know I never meant to do that. I didn’t want to do that. I begged you not to do that. I just pray for you man. He’s a good dude man.”

100% ready:

Stone Cold Steve Austin says he is 100% ready to be involved in WrestleMania 39, in some capacity, but probably not as a wrestler.

 

ROH sign off:

ROH have aired their last show on Sinclair.

IRS talks his boys ring futures:

IRS refused to confirm his sons, Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas are retired, but says their focus is currently pointing them away from wrestling...

“They’re definitely not maybe done. I don’t know, they’re kind of got their foot in and going with a couple different things, trying to see what’s available. So, you know, maybe you’ll see them back. Maybe you won’t, I don’t know yet, but I don’t want to speak for them either because I know they’re trying to reach out and get some different things going.”

Bischoff recalls first encounter with Steiners:

“Shortly after I joined WCW in 1991, it might have been my very first pay-per-view actually, and I showed up, everything was new to me. I didn’t know any of the talent. Everything was new and exciting and I was intimidated by most of it, and at that pay-per-view, we had to use that wrestling mat room as our dressing area. I show up, I find a cornerback away from everybody because I was intimidated, just wanted to keep my head down, keep my job, not upset anybody. I’m in there in the corner dressing getting ready and I look over, and the Steiner Brothers are torturing this referee, I mean, torturing him. Stretching him, bending him, squeezing him, breaking him until they got tired of it, and they wrapped him up like a mummy in gaff tape and left him in the corner. I’m thinking to myself, ‘this is going to be fun. I can’t wait to work with these two guys.’ That was my first impression of the Steiner Brothers.”

Lynch wants movie role:

Becky Lynch has revealed her excitement at a movie script that was sent to her recently. She says she relates to the subject matter, and wants to play the main role of an Irish female boxer, trying to make her name in the United States.

Network show back:

WWE are filming new Table For 3 episodes this week.

HHH maintaining relationships with ex-NXT talent:

HHH has wished the originals of NXT well, and revealed he maintains contact and hope WWE will work with them again, even those that are now with AEW...

“I like all those guys. They helped us get where we needed to get, and I’m thankful for it. The truth is there was a period of time where we were trying to build NXT. We built NXT. Then we were trying to build a brand that could get a television show and sustain it. All those names helped us get there. Whether anybody believed or not they fit on Raw or SmackDown, those aren’t necessarily my decisions solely, and they’re Vince’s decisions and fans’ decisions; and then, can we continue to do business with them? If they have great gigs, I’m happy for them. I stay in touch with almost all of them,” he said. “I like to think they came into us here, we taught them a lot, got them to a higher level where they learned how to do television, how to be professionals and all that to be successful there. At some point, they might come back with us, or they might never because they don’t fit our brand as well, but that’s OK. They got us to certain places, and I’m thankful for that, and they’re thankful for that, and they’re off to different things. But that doesn’t stop the train. People leave football teams, move to different teams all the time, and it’s great.”

DDP wants ECW legend to sign up:

DDP has called on Sabu to sign up to his support group. He has not yet responded.

Mick Foley reveals first WWF deal:

Mick Foley has discussed the risk he took to try himself out at the perceived highest level in wrestling, WWF/E...

“The contract I signed for WWE, I was guaranteed five matches a year, at $150 (thousand) a year, for five years. So, if they’d chosen not to push me, I could have been in a position where I can’t go anywhere else, I’m locked in for five years. But this is the place to go, WWE.”

New school:

Jerry Lynn is opening a wrestling school.

Twisted Bliss

Alexa Bliss has told friends and WWE colleagues she is frustrated at her lack of use and creative direction in WWE. She has not been on TV since Elimination Chamber, every angle proposed since has been shot down, including her offering to work Mania. There is no word on her status at this time, but plans on her returning are yet to emerge.

 

More name changes:

Kacy Catanzaro is now Katana Chance and Kay Lee Ray is Alba Fyre.

WWE veteran too selfish for backstage role:

Natalya says she is too selfish to work as a producer for WWE...

“For me, I don’t see myself being a producer per se. I’m also one of those types of people that never say never. I love helping people, but I also love being in front of the camera. I love speaking, I love hosting things, I loved being on Total Divas which, you know, was so fun. I’d still love to do something like that, do reality TV. My sister and I do a fun YouTube show. I’m not the greatest at holding the candle for someone else and then not being in front of the camera. I’m just not there yet in my career, I’m not really sure if I have the patience to be a producer. Our producers in WWE, they’re so unsung. They don’t always get the credit they deserve. You see someone like Adam Pearce, he’s a GM on the show but he also handles a lot of things backstage that nobody even sees. He trains people during the week. He works RAW, he works SmackDown. A lot of our producers are on the road six days a week. It’s really, really challenging and really hard because they don’t always get an action figure or get to be in a video game. They don’t always get that spotlight. They’re the first ones in the building and the last ones to leave. It’s a lot. I’m too selfish to be a producer.”

New signing injured:

ROH Champ Jonathan Gresham has suffered a suspected concussion, and is benched. He signed with AEW this week.

AEW wedding:

Luther says he was married over the weekend.

 

ROH champ switching up?:

Jonathan Gresham has signed for AEW, the parent company of ROH, where he is their champion.

Unification confirmed:

WWE will unify their Tag titles at Backlash.

Alum ill:

Virgil has been diagnosed with dementia after suffering two massive strokes recently. He has also lost use of one of his arms.

New Job for 205 star:

Drew Gulak is trying out for a SmackDown broadcast team role.

Del Rio returning:

AAA are said to be willing to take a risk on signing the controversial former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio.

Regal pod:

William Regal is launching a podcast.

Zack you:

The former Zack Ryder cheekily marked the second anniversary of his WWE release with a text to his old boss Vince yesterday. He pictured himself with his 7 indie titles, and sent it to Vince to show what he has achieved since leaving his employ.

Vince doc still in works:

The most expensive documentary Netflix have ever tried to make is still on. A deal was reached to chronicle the life and career of Vince McMahon before the world went wonky in 2020, but WWE confirmed the show is still active during their recent financial report.

Korakuen Hall:

Japan's Korakuen Hall celebrated it's 60 anniversary last night with a massive supershow featuring both of the major promotions in Japan, All and New Japan.

 

Buck You!:

Pat Buck has joined AEW, just days after quitting WWE.

Juice leaving:

Juice Robinson is leaving NJPW at the end of the month.

WWE Alum refuses match:

Lince Dorado has asked to be removed from a match involving Marty Scurll from Crash in Mexico, as many others cancel their bookings altogether. Lince did not confirm his reasons, but others have openly stated that Marty's involvement in the sexual assault on a drunk 16 year old is the reason they chose to boycott the show.

Caleb leaves:

Caleb Konley has left Impact.

Jake talks heat with HOF:

Jake The Snake has listed a number of reasons he is not a fan of the WWE HOF, including Kamala not being there, non workers going in, and having to wait too long for his call... he also said he has a plan to fix it...

“I still had a little sore spot in the back of my mouth that it should have happened years before. Because I’ve seen so many people that went in who I feel shouldn’t have gotten there. That’s my only beef with the Hall of Fame, is that there are people in there that shouldn’t be. I think it needs to be taken to the people, maybe given a vote. Maybe the guys in the Hall of Fame should vote for who comes in next. The system they’re using now stinks. Whether it be Hunter or whoever, I just don’t like the system they use and they put people in there who have nothing to do with wrestling. You know wrestling, there should be something out there just for wrestlers.”

Name changes:

The recent spate of name changes in WWE was ordered by Vince himself. He let it be known that he does not want anyone to use their real or pre WWE ring names.

WWE rich list:

The 5 highest paid WWE staff have been named, and not one of them is a wrestler...

1. Vince McMahon – $2 million in 2022
2. Nick Khan – $1.2 million in 2022
3. Paul “Triple H” Levesque – $730,000 in 2022 + Talent contract
4. Stephanie McMahon – $730,000 in 2022 + Talent contract
5. Frank A. Riddick III – $850,000 in 2022

Those amounts are base salaries, all also benefit from numerous other income streams from the company, leading to substantial trips to the back in the past 12 months.

Why I Quit:

Toni Storm says a moment of impulsiveness led to her WWE departure...

“I just kinda – you know, have you ever lost it? Have you ever just lost your mind?  That’s kinda what happened, I guess. The stress of not seeing family in years and then just so many overwhelming things all at once and uh, yeah. I’ve been happier ever since.”

Rock credits SmackDown owner:

The Rock says Harvey Whipplemann was the man that first used the word that became WWE's 2nd longest running TV show.

Skin game:

Batista has opened up a tattoo studio in Tampa.

 

Veteran drops to NXT:

Natalya has joined NXT, transferring from SmackDown.

Sasha rewards herself:

Sasha Banks has bought herself a new diamond studded mouth grill to celebrate her WrestleMania win.

Lesnar out of Backlash:

Brock Lesnar is out of Backlash. He was advertised for the show, but WWE have pulled him/

Brawl For All?:

Buff Bagwell and Butterbean almost got into a fist fight at DDP's house this week.

Good Bro's contracts:

The Good Brothers Impact deals are soon to end, with no plans confirmed for a new deal, or a move away from the former TNA.

New Age Outlaws:

Road Dogg says he and Billy Gunn were a great team, but were never friends...

“The first night we roomed together, he woke up and I was peeing in the air conditioner. Right, wrong, or indifferent, that’s exactly what I was doing. I had a little too much, partied too much and that was the story of my life for a bit, to tell the truth. That was our first night in a hotel room together and it was the last night in a hotel room together for a really long time. We’re two different human beings. I just figured we butted heads a lot, he has this thing where he works out, it’s his whole life, it’s a lifestyle for him to go to the gym.”

Couple lied to get to WWE:

Killian Dain and Nikki Cross denied their real world relationship to get their WWE jobs, Big Damo has confirmed today.

New belts:

New NXT Men's and Women's belts have been presented and debuted on TV.

Pretty Deadly have won the vacated NXT Tag gold.

AEW game:

AEW have brought forward the tentative release date of their new video game to this September.