Miro was granted his release from AEW last week, making him a free agent and fueling speculation that he may return to WWE. Now, he has booked his first post-AEW appearance.

Qatar Pro Wrestling has announced that Miro will appear at their events on February 21 and 22 at Aspire Ladies Sport Hall in Doha, Qatar. The event will also feature Mustafa Ali, Nic Nemeth, Bobby Lashley, and 35 other wrestlers, with matches scheduled throughout the show.

There is strong belief that WWE is interested in bringing Miro back, as he previously worked there before joining AEW. WWE has reportedly discussed creative plans for him as well as Malaki Black, though it remains unclear whether he has signed a contract or when he might return. This is despite WWE legend Teddy Long’s controversial view that WWE will have no interest in taking back Miro or Malakai Black.

Miro had been absent from AEW since Worlds End 2023. He initially signed a lucrative seven-figure deal with the company in September 2020, which was set to expire in spring 2022. However, he later signed a four-year extension, keeping him under contract until spring 2026.

Despite being healthy and ready to compete, discussions about his creative direction reportedly stalled in 2024. According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, talks eventually went “radio silent” months before his release. It was to the point that AEW sources indicated that Miro had not been discussed creatively for six months, with most believing he would not return to the company.

Former AEW star Ricky Starks made his WWE NXT debut during the second hour of this past Tuesday’s show. Now, he has confirmed that he will be appearing again this week.

In a video shared on Twitter, Starks announced that he would be signing his official NXT contract on the February 18th edition of NXT.

“The hottest free agent shocked the world last week when I appeared on NXT. And tonight, it’s Vengeance Day, and I’m going to be watching on Peacock. And I know you probably are wondering what’s next? Well, I got the answers for you. This Tuesday, live on NXT, in the middle of that ring, I’m going to be signing my official NXT contract, and then you’re going to have the absolute truth from the man himself.”

Starks made his debut by appearing in the crowd, where he was instantly recognized by fans. Acknowledging their reaction, he stated that it was clear they knew exactly who he was. He then declared that if NXT represents the future of wrestling, it needs a superstar of the future. He added that if NXT is the highest brand, it requires the highest free agent, vowing to turn the place upside down.

Previously, Starks had requested his release from AEW, but CEO Tony Khan reportedly refused to grant it. It was widely believed that he would have to wait out the remainder of his contract before pursuing other opportunities. However, that situation recently changed when Starks was officially granted his release.

WWE officially announced on this week’s episode of SmackDown that Charlotte Flair will challenge Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 41.

The match was set up after Stratton retained her title by disqualification against Nia Jax on SmackDown when Candice LeRae interfered. A brawl broke out involving Stratton, Jax, LeRae, and Hall of Famer Trish Stratus, who was ringside. Jax and LeRae ultimately left both Stratton and Stratus laid out.

As the Women’s Champion was down in the ring, Flair entered and declared that she had chosen Stratton as her opponent for WrestleMania 41.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, Flair’s Royal Rumble victory and her selection of Stratton as her opponent had been planned for some time. In fact, the plan for Charlotte vs. Tiffany Stratton has reportedly been in place since December.

Flair earned her title shot by winning the 2025 Royal Rumble. This is a major match for both competitors—Charlotte is a 14-time Women’s Champion and a seasoned WrestleMania veteran, while Tiffany Stratton is a rising star who won the title earlier this year.

WrestleMania 41 will be a two-night event, taking place on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Josh Alexander’s contract with TNA Wrestling officially expired today, making him a free agent. According to Fightful Select‘s Sean Ross Sapp, sources within AEW, those close to Alexander, and others in the industry expect him to sign with AEW—if he hasn’t already.

Meanwhile, WWE sources confirmed that he has not signed with the company, though there was previous interest in bringing him in last year.

Alexander had a highly successful tenure in TNA Wrestling (now Impact Wrestling) from 2019 to 2025. He initially gained prominence as part of the tag team The North alongside Ethan Page, with the duo winning the Impact World Tag Team Championship twice. Alexander found further success by capturing the TNA X Division Championship before ascending to the top of the promotion by winning the TNA World Championship twice. His second reign was particularly historic, lasting 335 days—the longest in company history.

Ahead of his free agency, PWInsider reported that Alexander is being represented by wrestling super-agent Barry Bloom in negotiating his next contract. Bloom has worked with several major wrestling figures, including Kenny Omega and Jim Ross.

While it remains unclear if Alexander has officially signed a new deal, AEW is widely expected to be his next destination.

WWE was reportedly planning Ricky Starks’ debut before his departure from AEW earlier this week. On Monday, PWInsider reported that Starks had left AEW and was free to perform elsewhere.

The following night on NXT, Starks surprised fans by making an unexpected appearance. He cut a promo but was not recognized by name, leading to speculation that WWE and Starks had either not agreed on terms to use his name or were in the process of deciding on a new one.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter‘s Dave Meltzer, WWE had originally planned for Starks to debut at a major NXT event later this year. However, those plans were accelerated as soon as he became available.

Meltzer wrote, “Even before his release, WWE had plans for Starks to debut in NXT at a major event later this year, but sped up the process as soon as he was available.”

It has been confirmed that Starks has been added to WWE’s internal roster under his current ring name. However, there is still a possibility that his identity could change.

Despite his talent and strong fan support, Starks struggled to reach the main event scene in AEW before being sidelined for nearly a year.

Big E has landed another movie role, this time teaming up with former UFC champion Randy Couture (The Expendables), Tommy Davidson (In Living Color), and Jennifer Esposito (Crash) in the family comedy F+.

Deadline.com reported the news today. Premiere Entertainment Group has licensed North American rights to the project, while Swen Studios produced the film. The story follows a group of young teenagers who plan the perfect heist by breaking into their middle school to alter their failing test grades.

Big E is joined in the cast by Wells Rappaport, Lily Jane, James Williams Jr., Lilly Tricano, and Cade Clark. Kenny Beaumont directed the film based on an original screenplay by Jonathan Davenport. Eli Lipnik produces for Swen Studios, with Jason M. Murphy producing for In The Dark Entertainment. Executive producers include Murray Lipnik, Amber Wilkins, Tim Wilkins, Dimiter Nikolov, Elias Axume, and Carlos Rincon for Premiere Entertainment.

While Big E is primarily known for his successful WWE career, he has also ventured into acting. He appeared in Escape the Undertaker (2021), a Netflix interactive movie featuring Big E alongside his New Day teammates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as they attempt to survive a night in the Undertaker’s haunted mansion.

Big E reacted to the news by tweeting, “Blessed to be a part of this wonderful family film written by the absurdly talented @TheRealDavenpoe.” The former WWE Champion has been out of action since breaking his neck on SmackDown in March 2022.

Another WWE star has switched brands as part of the company’s extended transfer window. Veteran talent R-Truth has been moved to the SmackDown brand, according to PWInsider. We haven’t seen any public acknowledgement from WWE as of this writing, but he’ll be on SmackDown going forward.

This move reunites him with his former tag team partner, The Miz. Nearly a year ago, the duo won the Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania XL.

WWE introduced the transfer window program in late 2024, allowing for the general managers of Raw, SmackDown and NXT to negotiate the exchange of talent. Notable moves include Bayley, Grayson Waller, and Austin Theory transitioning from SmackDown to Raw, while Raw‘s Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre, and The Miz have moved to SmackDown. While stars like Roman Reigns, Kevin Owens, and Cody Rhodes have appeared on different brands, their transfers have yet to be officially confirmed.

R-Truth returned to WWE in 2008 and has been a mainstay ever since. He has won the WWE United States Championship twice, the WWE Tag Team Championship twice (once with Kofi Kingston and once with The Miz), and the WWE 24/7 Championship a record 54 times.

The Twisted Metal TV series, featuring AEW’s Samoa Joe as Sweet Tooth, is returning for a second season. Joe provides the physical performance for the character, while Will Arnett voices him.

Based on the classic PlayStation game, the series stars Anthony Mackie, Tahj Vaughans, Stephanie Beatriz, Chelle Ramos, and Michael Carollo. A major addition to the cast is Anthony Carrigan (Barry, Gotham), who will portray Calypso, the enigmatic host of the Twisted Metal tournament.

Peacock announced the renewal in December 2023, and production wrapped up in November, after which Joe returned to AEW programming. Now, the first look at Season 2 has been released, with a teaser trailer offering glimpses of the tournament and new characters, including Calypso.

The new season is set to premiere this summer. The plot follows John Doe (Anthony Mackie) and Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) as they navigate the chaos of the tournament, facing both new and familiar adversaries.

Peacock has touted Twisted Metal as its most-binged original series in its first week and one of the platform’s top three original shows of all time after Season 1.

Big E recently opened up about his return to WWE and the fan reactions surrounding his storyline with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Speaking on X-Pod 97, the former WWE Champion shared his excitement over the moment, emphasizing its uniqueness in wrestling history.

“I had never seen anything done like what we did in that ring before,” Big E said. “I can’t think of another turn that happened the way this one did. Ultimately, I’m really happy.”

The storyline has reignited interest in The New Day, sparking intense discussions among fans. While some have embraced the direction, others have taken to social media with divided opinions. Big E acknowledged the passionate reactions, even joking about how his personal posts now draw unexpected commentary.

“Now I got pro-Kofi and Woods trolls every time I post about Spider-Man,” he quipped.

The New Day’s Legacy and Future Evolution

Beyond the immediate fan reactions, Big E reflected on the evolution of The New Day and its place in WWE history. He emphasized the importance of change in the industry, noting that even successful acts must continue to grow.

“In this industry, you have to evolve. Even when you find gold, you can’t just stay on the same path,” he explained. “Once people love you and you get the chants down, you can keep coasting—but then that’s all you are, you know what I mean?”

Despite their initial struggles, Big E remains proud of what he, Kingston, and Woods built together. He believes the latest developments have reignited excitement around his longtime partners, ensuring The New Day remains a central focus in WWE.

“We were three guys trying to save our careers. But now, for better or worse, the wrestling world is talking about those two again. I feel like a fire has been reignited.”

While Big E didn’t reveal specific plans for his own future, his comments suggest that his return could have lasting implications—not just for himself, but for the legacy of The New Day.

Catch Big E’s inteview on X-Pod 97 with Mega Ran:

Additional matches have been confirmed for the upcoming WWE NXT Vengeance Day event.

Eddy Thorpe has challenged Trick Williams to a Strap Match at Vengeance Day, citing Williams’ numerous opportunities compared to his own lack of recognition from Ava, Shawn Michaels, and the fans. This challenge follows weeks of Thorpe using a strap to attack Williams on NXT.

Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) will defend their NXT Tag Team Championships against Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura. Briggs & Inamura secured this title shot by defeating Hank Walker & Tank Ledger and the No Quarter Catch Crew (Myles Borne & Tavion Heights) on the February 11 episode of NXT.

Additionally, Cora Jade has been added to the NXT Women’s Championship match, making it a Fatal 4-Way. Jade earned her spot by defeating Bayley on the February 11 episode of NXT, thanks to a distraction from Roxanne Perez, who disguised herself as “Hugger” Bayley. Taking advantage, Jade secured the victory with two Double-Arm DDTs, including one on the ringside floor. Following the match, NXT General Manager Ava made the Fatal 4-Way official.

WWE NXT Vengeance Day 2025 takes place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C. The event will air live on Peacock, with the pre-show starting at 5 PM ET and the main card beginning at 6 PM ET.

Updated WWE NXT Vengeance Day 2025 Card:

• WWE NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Grayson Waller vs. Austin Theory
• NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4-Way: Giulia (c) vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade
• NXT Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley (c) vs. Stephanie Vaquer
• Ethan Page vs. Je’Von Evans
• Strap Match: Eddy Thorpe vs. Trick Williams
• NXT Tag Team Championship: Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) (c) vs. Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura

WWE made it official on this week’s Monday Night Raw – Jey Uso will challenge GUNTHER at WrestleMania 41 for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. However, this matchup was not decided overnight.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, Uso’s Royal Rumble victory and GUNTHER’s selection as his opponent had been planned for quite some time—even before Saturday Night’s Main Event. The two last clashed at Saturday Night’s Main Event in January, where GUNTHER successfully retained his title in the main event.

Uso secured his WrestleMania title opportunity by winning the 2025 Royal Rumble. During Raw, Uso was making his entrance and “yeeting” on the announce table when GUNTHER launched a surprise attack from behind. This led to a brawl before Uso officially announced their WrestleMania showdown.

Despite having the option to challenge Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Uso has opted to pursue GUNTHER’s title. Although not confirmed, reports suggest that John Cena is expected to win Elimination Chamber and go on to challenge Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. If successful, Cena would break the all-time record for most World Heavyweight Championship reigns.

WrestleMania 41 will be a two-night event, taking place on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dave Bautista is set to star in a movie that will see him reunite with his Bushwick directors, Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott, after finding success with the 2017 project. 

Deadline reported today that the future WWE Hall of Famer will star in the dystopian thriller Dreadnought. Joseph Greenberg wrote it. The plot summary for ‘Dreadnought’ can be found below:

“Max (Bautista), whose world was devastated when an alien species crash-landed on Earth, unleashing a deadly plague that claimed his wife and much of humanity. In the fragile society that remains, humans have learned to coexist with their extraterrestrial invaders. But for Max, survival isn’t enough.

“His older daughter, Greta, is dying from the disease. As her body weakens, an alien Sentinel lurks outside their home, drawing nearer and nearer as Greta takes her final breaths. This silent, unyielding predator is on a mission to collect her body to fulfill an unstoppable metamorphosis ritual. The government sanctions it. Society accepts it. But Max refuses to have anything else taken from him.”

Bautista’s breakout moment came when he was cast as Drax the Destroyer in Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). His portrayal of the literal-minded but lovable alien warrior won audiences over and showcased his comedic timing. Drax became a fan favorite, and Bautista reprised the role in subsequent Marvel films.

Bautista’s In The Lost Lands movie will hit theaters on March 7, 2025.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle got up close to the action before this week’s WWE Monday Night Raw at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN.

During the WWE Main Event taping ahead of the February 10, 2025, episode of Raw on Netflix, Penta defeated Grayson Waller of A-Town Down Under in singles competition. The other match taped for the show saw Zoey Stark defeat Maxxine Dupri via pinfall.

Following Penta’s victory, Kittle—sporting a Penta mask—joined him in the ring. He performed the signature “Cero Miedo” three-fingers-down pose alongside Penta before removing the mask and embracing the rising WWE star.

Kittle is a longtime wrestling fan and has made several WWE appearances, including WrestleMania 39, where he clotheslined The Miz to assist Pat McAfee in securing a victory. He has frequently been spotted in the audience at WWE events and has even expressed interest in pursuing a wrestling career once his NFL days come to an end.

Jey Uso is officially set to challenge GUNTHER for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41.

On Monday’s episode of Raw, Uso was making his entrance and “yeeting” on the announce table when GUNTHER launched a surprise attack from behind.

The assault continued until officials separated them. Later, Uso confirmed that he had chosen to challenge GUNTHER at WrestleMania instead of going after Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.

Uso and GUNTHER have developed an intense rivalry in WWE, particularly centered around the Intercontinental Championship and GUNTHER’s dominant reign in early 2024. In their past encounters, GUNTHER has consistently come out on top, cementing his status as a dominant champion. Their rivalry escalated throughout late 2024 and into 2025.

The two last clashed at Saturday Night’s Main Event in January, where GUNTHER successfully retained his title in the main event. Uso secured his WrestleMania title opportunity by winning the 2025 Royal Rumble.

WrestleMania 41 will be a two-night event, taking place on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ricky Starks is no longer listed as part of AEW, as multiple media outlets—including Fightful Select and PWInsider.com—confirmed after fans noticed his profile had been removed from AEW’s official website.

Despite not being used for nearly a year, Starks remains under contract with AEW. He had previously requested his release, but AEW CEO Tony Khan has reportedly refused to grant it. As a result, Starks will have to wait out the remainder of his deal before exploring other opportunities.

Starks has been absent from AEW programming since March 2024 and has stated that he doesn’t know why he isn’t being utilized. In the meantime, he has kept active by working independent dates, appearing for Glory Pro WrestlePocalypse and House of Glory. However, he was pulled from GCW appearances following the Effy controversy.

Reports indicate that WWE has shown interest in signing Starks once he becomes available, with many believing he is WWE-bound once his AEW contract expires. Starks has yet to publicly comment on his departure from AEW. 

Starks captured the FTW Championship from Brian Cage in 2021. He held the championship for an impressive 378 days, making him the longest-reigning FTW Champion at the time. Later, he formed a successful tag team with Big Bill, and they won the AEW World Tag Team Championship. During his AEW tenure, he feuded with top acts including Darby Allin, Chris Jericho, and more.

Drew McIntyre is officially part of the WWE SmackDown roster.

On this week’s SmackDown, McIntyre appeared at the top of the second hour to cut a promo, calling Raw a toxic work environment and announcing his move to SmackDown to pursue the Undisputed WWE Championship, currently held by Cody Rhodes.

McIntyre also referenced his frustration over his elimination from the Men’s Royal Rumble. Jimmy Uso then interrupted, prompting McIntyre to take a jab at him, saying that Jimmy might have been in Jey Uso’s position had he just said “YEET” first.

LA Knight then entered, delivering a brief message about men’s mental health before turning his focus to McIntyre. Knight referenced their Royal Rumble issues, joking that he heard McIntyre had been called “Drew McIncyer.” This exchange led to a triple-threat Elimination Chamber qualifying match featuring all three men.

Reports have surfaced that McIntyre was frustrated with a fellow wrestler at the Royal Rumble, believing they prioritized their moves over the match’s storytelling. Missed time cues allegedly led to McIntyre’s irritation, particularly with Knight, whom he reportedly felt was more focused on fitting in his own spots rather than following the match’s narrative.

Cedric Alexander is no longer with WWE.

After nearly a decade with the company, Alexander has been released—a move he confirmed in a tweet on Friday night.

“Thank you for the last 8 1/2 years! Being a professional wrestler has been a dream of mine since I could form memories, and I will continue to do so till the good Lord says otherwise. #SeeYouIn90,” Alexander wrote.

Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that Alexander was indeed released, though the reason behind his departure remains unclear.

Alexander first gained recognition in WWE through the Cruiserweight Classic before moving to the 205 Live brand and later transitioning to Raw. In late 2019, it was reported that Paul Heyman, then Raw’s Executive Director, was high on Alexander, leading to a brief push and a feud with AJ Styles over the United States Championship.

In 2020, Alexander joined Bobby Lashley, MVP, and Shelton Benjamin in The Hurt Business, a fan-favorite faction that was eventually disbanded. During that time, he held the WWE Tag Team Championship. However, since then, WWE has done little with Alexander outside of house shows and Main Event matches. In 2024, he was sent to NXT.

Drew McIntyre has been making headlines following the WWE Royal Rumble, and WWE reportedly has significant plans for him, including a match with Cody Rhodes.

According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that there is currently a plan to set up a Rhodes vs. McIntyre feud. However, it remains unclear when the rivalry will take place or whether it will be for the Undisputed WWE Championship. This feud was originally scheduled for 2023, but plans changed after Rhodes did not win the WWE Title at WrestleMania 39.

For now, McIntyre is set to move to SmackDown and will enter a feud with Damian Priest. Additionally, reports indicated that McIntyre expressed frustration backstage at the Royal Rumble over a wrestler prioritizing their moves over the match’s overall storytelling. His elimination was initially planned to happen earlier, but due to timing issues, adjustments had to be made.

The original plan was for McIntyre to be eliminated before Logan Paul entered the match, following a face-off with Priest. He was also supposed to tease eliminating Jey Uso before Priest ultimately eliminated him, setting up their WrestleMania feud. However, these plans were disrupted by the timing issues. Reports suggest that the wrestler McIntyre was frustrated with was LA Knight.

Alexa Bliss has broadened her career by signing with Paradigm Talent Agency, signaling an expansion beyond professional wrestling.

Deadline first reported the news, noting that Bliss joins a growing roster of wrestling stars represented by Paradigm, including CM Punk, Liv Morgan, Drew McIntyre, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Damian Priest, and Jade Cargill, among others.

One of the most decorated women in WWE history, Bliss is a three-time Raw Women’s Champion and a two-time SmackDown Women’s Champion, making her the first woman to achieve this dual accomplishment. She has also held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship twice.

Beyond wrestling, Bliss has ventured into acting and voice acting. Her credits include appearances in Peacock’s Punky Brewster revival, Apple TV+’s Carpool Karaoke, and FOX’s The Masked Singer. She currently voices ‘Obiguro’ in the Netflix anime series Sakamoto Days, which debuted in Netflix’s global Top 10 (January 13-19, 2025). She also voices ‘Maki Ueda’ in the Netflix series The Queen of Villains.

Bliss’s WWE Royal Rumble return was a well-kept secret as she arrived at the arena around 3 PM local time, having flown from Florida to Indianapolis earlier that day, and was kept hidden until close to the match. She signed her new WWE deal that day after being in contract talks with the company. She received one of the biggest pops of the night. 

Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, made a surprise appearance at this year’s WWE Royal Rumble match on Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Entering at #30, she mixed it up with several top stars in her first match since the 2022 Royal Rumble.

This return came after Nikki had previously teased a WWE comeback. She and her sister, Brie Bella, left WWE in 2023 to focus on their business ventures and have not been involved in wrestling since.

Speaking on The Nikki & Brie Show, Nikki addressed her future in the ring.

“Is this a one-off, or is she here to stay? Keep tuning in. You will see another ‘Fearless’ Nikki appearance sooner rather than later, that is for sure. I’m definitely doing more than what I just did on Saturday,” she said.

She also hinted at a possible return for sister Brie, who last appeared for WWE when the twins competed in the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match.

“Hopefully, Brie Mode will be by my side soon. More on that to come.”

The Bella Twins gained mainstream popularity through their appearances on the reality TV shows “Total Divas” and “Total Bellas,” which offered a glimpse into their lives inside and outside the ring. Nikki emerged as a dominant force in the women’s division, capturing the WWE Divas Championship twice.

The Bella Twins were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.

Seth Rollins filmed scenes for Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World, set for release this month. However, his role was ultimately cut from the final version of the film.

The movie stars Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Carl Lumbly, Tim Blake Nelson, Shira Haas, Harrison Ford, and Liv Tyler. Written by Malcolm Spellman and Dalan Musson and directed by Julius Onah, the film initially included Rollins, who was spotted on set in 2023.

Speaking with ComicBook’s Chris Killian, Onah explained why Rollins’ scenes were removed.

“When you’re taking characters like Serpent Society from publishing—who, as you know, are individuals dressed up as snakes and have snake-adjacent powers—you’re always iterating and trying to figure out the version that works best in a movie like this,” Onah said. “I love Seth—Seth’s incredible. But as we were evolving and preparing for an additional photography period, we were considering who could bring a very specific kind of gravitas that suited the film’s tone.”

“When Giancarlo [Esposito] became available, it was such a no-brainer. I have a very particular history with him. He’s iconic for working with Spike Lee, and I interned with Spike Lee when I was 19 years old. Of course, fans have been fan-casting him in the MCU for a long time. So it was really about ensuring that all the elements aligned with the grounded tone and vision I have for this film. As we evolved and iterated, Giancarlo just made sense. What a blessing to have him in this film.”

Last month, Rollins appeared on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, where he noted that his wife, Becky Lynch, has more of a passion for acting than he does.

WWE is expected to welcome back one of its sidelined stars, Dakota Kai, after being away due to injury. 

According to PWInsider.com, Kai is “on the cusp of returning,” with the company hoping to have her back on the road with the Raw brand within the next few weeks. One source indicated that she could return by the end of the month, if not sooner.

Kai was last seen in action on the January 20 episode of Raw, where she teamed with IYO SKY against Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler. During the match, she sustained a concussion, which led to her being pulled from in-ring competition. At the time, speculation suggested the injury may have resulted from a rough bump on a missile dropkick, although it was never confirmed. Kai has yet to publicly address her injury.

The past year has been eventful for Kai, filled with both achievements and setbacks. In August 2024, she underwent surgery for a torn meniscus but made her return in November.

Most recently, Kai competed in the tournament to crown the inaugural WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion. She advanced to the finals but ultimately fell short against Lyra Valkyria.

More characters have been confirmed for WWE 2K25, the latest installment in the WWE 2K video game franchise. The Wild Samoans, Captain Lou Albano, and Alundra Blayze (1994 version) will be included in the game.

The Wild Samoans—Afa and Sika Anoa’i—were a legendary tag team known for their savage in-ring style, unorthodox tactics, and primal energy. As members of the Anoa’i wrestling family, their influence extends beyond their own careers, having trained and mentored future generations of WWE stars, including Roman Reigns, The Usos, Rikishi, and Yokozuna. They were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2007.

Alundra Blayze was a trailblazer in women’s wrestling, competing in AWA and All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling before joining WWE. She revitalized the women’s division in the 1990s, becoming the first Women’s Champion in several years and engaging in a memorable feud with Bull Nakano. In 1995, she made headlines when she left WWE to go to WCW while still WWE Women’s Champion, famously dropping the title into a trash can on live television. This was a moment that became an iconic one of the Monday Night War. She was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015.

WWE 2K25 is set to launch on March 14, 2025, with the Standard Edition. Fans who purchase The Deadman Edition or The Bloodline Edition will receive early access starting on March 7, 2025. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. Roman Reigns is the cover star of the Standard Edition, while The Undertaker graces the cover of the Deadman Edition.

WWE fans were treated to an unexpected return on Tuesday night as Fandango made a surprise appearance on NXT. He interrupted a promo by NXT Heritage Cup Champion Lexis King.

While his familiar Fandango theme played, he introduced himself as JDC, representing TNA Wrestling’s The System. He then declared his intention to capture more championships, officially challenging Lexis King for the NXT Heritage Cup on the February 11 episode of NXT.

Fandango originally signed with WWE in 2006, spending several years in developmental territories such as Deep South Wrestling and Florida Championship Wrestling. Competing under the name Johnny Curtis, he won the fourth season of NXT in 2011.

In 2013, he debuted on the main roster as Fandango, a flamboyant ballroom dancer. He later formed a tag team with Tyler Breeze, known as Breezango. The duo captured the NXT Tag Team Championships in 2020 before his release from WWE.

This marks Fandango’s first NXT appearance since 2021 when he last teamed with Breeze.

Jordynne Grace made a surprise appearance in the Women’s Royal Rumble, entering at #19. During the broadcast, Michael Cole confirmed that Grace is now officially signed with WWE.

Despite previously stating she would be unavailable due to her mother’s 50th birthday, Grace made her presence felt in the match and had a strong showing.

According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, Grace has signed a five-year contract with WWE, keeping her with the company through 2029. She is set to join NXT initially, though expectations are that her time there will be brief before moving to the main roster. Reports indicate that she is already under a main roster-level deal. 

As part of her agreement, Grace retains the rights to her name and entrance theme, as she owns them. This multi-year deal follows her departure from TNA Wrestling after completing her commitments at Genesis.

She is not expected to appear on tonight’s episode of NXT. Grace previously made her first WWE appearance as a surprise entrant in the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble. Her performance impressed WWE officials, ultimately leading to her signing with the company.