Tyler Bate is reportedly nearing a return to action. According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, Bate is “extremely close” to being medically cleared after recovering from a torn pectoral injury. Once cleared, he is expected to rejoin the WWE Raw roster.

Bate has been sidelined since July 2024, following his last match on the July 2nd episode of WWE NXT. In that bout, he and Pete Dunne—competing as the team New Catch Republic—went over Hank Walker and Tank Ledger (Hank & Tank). Shortly after, WWE announced Bate’s injury on the July 8th episode of WWE Raw. Bate later revealed in a post on social media that he had suffered a complete tear of his left pectoral major and tendon, which required surgery.

During Bate’s absence, his tag team partner Pete Dunne has continued to compete in singles competition. However, no official timeline has been provided for Bate’s return as of this writing.

Fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the talented former NXT UK Champion, whose recovery appears to be nearing its conclusion.

Baron Corbin, now competing under his real name Tom Pestock, is set to make his debut for GCW this Sunday during The People vs. GCW event at the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom. The promotion confirmed the news today, announcing that Pestock will face Josh Barnett in a Bloodsport rules match.

“Pestock is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist and Golden Gloves Champion entering Bloodsport for the first time,” GCW noted in their official announcement. This match marks Pestock’s return to the independent wrestling scene following his release from WWE in November 2024. Reacting to the announcement on social media, Pestock stated, “Grit your teeth and protect your neck!!”

The People vs. GCW event will take place on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City and will air live on Triller as a pay-per-view. Below is the event’s announced lineup:

• GCW World Championship: Mance Warner (c) defends against Effy or Allie Katch
• Effy vs. Allie Katch (winner faces Mance Warner later in the night)
• GCW Tag Team Championship: Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku (c) vs. Cole Radrick & Alec Price
• Doors, Ladders & Chairs match for the vacant GCW Ultraviolent Championship:
  Matt Tremont vs. Brandon Kirk vs. Drew Parker vs. John Wayne Murdoch vs. Matthew Justice vs. Dr. Redacted
• Super Crazy, Tajiri & Little Guido vs. Arez, Gringo Loco & Jack Cartwheel
• Masato Tanaka vs. Joey Janela
• El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Sidney Akeem
• Bloodsport rules match: Josh Barnett vs. Tom Pestock
• Steel cage match: Charles Mason vs. Richard Holliday
• Megan Bayne vs. Atticus Cogar
• Matt Cardona vs. TBA
• NYC OGs (Homicide, Grim Reefer & Amazing Red) vs. Tony Deppen, Kerry Morton & Griffin McCoy
• Additional appearances by PCO, Maki Itoh, and more
• Sabu returns to GCW

With a stacked card featuring veterans, up-and-comers, and legendary names, The People vs. GCW promises to deliver a memorable evening of action.

When Sheamus returned to WWE television in April 2024, he surprised fans by reintroducing his original WWE theme song, “Written in My Face.” However, the longtime WWE star transitioned to a different entrance theme in July, leaving many fans—along with Sheamus himself—wishing the old song had stayed.

During an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Sheamus addressed the fan-favorite theme song, including the humorous online meme centered around its lyrics, particularly the phrase “too many limes.”

“Maybe 2010. People are very creative on the internet, very creative,” Sheamus said. “I do miss that song, though. A lot of people were upset. I brought it back, but I wasn’t allowed to keep it.”

When asked if the song might make a comeback someday, Sheamus expressed frustration over the decision-making process. “I don’t know. Do you want to ask? You go ask. I’m tired of asking. I’m all out of asking,” he said.

The return of “Written in My Face” was a nostalgic moment for fans, making its subsequent removal all the more disappointing. While Sheamus’ current entrance theme has its merits, many continue to hope for the iconic song’s revival.

CM Punk is widely regarded as one of the biggest names in professional wrestling over the past 15 years, having shared the ring with countless stars. However, for Punk, there’s one opponent who eluded him: Steve Austin.

Punk and Austin appeared on-screen together during the June 13, 2011, episode of WWE Raw. While speaking with Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson on NightCap, Punk revealed that Austin tops his list of dream matches. He also expressed his admiration for Bret “Hitman” Hart, citing Hart as a key influence in his career.

“One name always comes to mind, and that’s Stone Cold Steve Austin,” Punk said. “Unfortunately, he had to retire because of injuries, and he had a stroke. Bret Hart is another one. Bret Hart would be a dream for me because that’s a guy I looked up to when I was a kid. That’s a guy that helped get me into this sport from an interest perspective, and that’s a guy who, to this day, I could text right now and be like, ‘What’s up? I have a question and need some advice.’ He’ll hit me back right away. Much love to him.”

Punk went on to highlight the current WWE roster, praising its depth of talent. “We have a pretty wealthy locker room when it comes to talent right now. There are a lot of people I would love to get in there with—Gunther, he’s the champ on Raw. Would love to mix it up with my boy Cody [Rhodes]. As far as legends go, the ones that probably aren’t going to happen but are dream matches, Austin is number one with a bullet.”

Punk’s comments come on the heels of his recent main event victory over Seth Rollins during WWE Raw’s premiere on Netflix.

Darby Allin is taking time off from AEW as the promotion kicks off 2025. Allin last competed on the December 22 episode of AEW Dynamite in a time-limit draw against Ricochet. According to Fightful, Allin has been off the road recently and has not appeared on AEW TV.

Reports indicate he has begun training for his planned ascent of Mount Everest and is not expected to return for several months.Allin is anticipated to receive a significant push upon his return, which is expected in the spring.

Darby Allin: Sting Tried To Talk Me Out Of Mount Everest Climb

Darby Allin Climbing Mount Everest in 2025

Originally scheduled to climb Everest in 2024, Allin’s plans were delayed when he broke his foot while wrestling two weeks before his intended departure. He underwent surgery to have metal plates inserted and has since been recovering.

In preparation for the climb, Allin has been training both physically and mentally, scaling smaller mountains and focusing on improving his breathing techniques. He plans to walk up to 15 hours per day during the ascent.

Allin has expressed excitement for the challenge, stating that the climb is a way to remind himself of what he is capable of. He also plans to plant an AEW flag at the summit as a symbolic gesture.

Darby Allin Reveals Profound Motivation For Climbing Mount Everest

AJ Styles returned to WWE television on SmackDown in late 2024, where he faced off against rising star Carmelo Hayes. While Hayes secured the victory, Styles was seen limping to the back after the match, sparking concerns about his condition. WWE later confirmed that Styles had suffered a mid-foot ligament sprain, initially believed by some to be part of the storyline. However, it was soon revealed that the injury was legitimate.

Styles later disclosed that he had sustained a Lisfranc injury, a serious condition affecting the bones and ligaments in the middle of the foot. Styles shared the details with fans on Twitter, describing the severity of the injury. “It’s called a Lisfranc injury. Look it up, it sucks! I thought when I took off my boot, I would have a bone sticking out of my foot,” he wrote. When a fan referenced NFL quarterback Cam Newton’s 2016 season-ending Lisfranc injury, Styles replied, “Bingo, as the kids say….I’m cooked!”

In the latest update, Styles mentioned on Twitter that the injury remains a significant challenge. Before being sidelined, he was reportedly set to begin a farewell storyline in WWE, which has now been delayed due to his recovery. Fans and colleagues alike continue to wish Styles a speedy and successful recovery.

John Cena officially kicked off his farewell tour on Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, announcing his entry into next month’s Royal Rumble Match. As one of WWE’s most iconic figures, Cena’s announcement has already drawn attention, with several stars calling out the future Hall of Famer for a match before he steps away.

Among them is Drew McIntyre, who is coming off a loss to Jey Uso on Raw. McIntyre blamed the loss on a “contact high,” citing Travis Scott’s surprise appearance at ringside with Uso while smoking a joint. Despite the setback, McIntyre is setting his sights on Cena, making his intentions clear during an appearance on the Babyfaces podcast.

“I want time on the microphone with him, and I want that one-on-one match, and I’m going to make it happen, one way or another,” McIntyre stated. He didn’t hold back, warning Cena of the dangers of crossing paths with him in the Royal Rumble. “Let’s just hope he doesn’t end up in the ring with me in the Rumble because the last person who got in my way at the Rumble last year and was aiming to main event WrestleMania was CM Punk, and I tore his tricep off the bone. I’ll maybe ask Cena to pick the muscle or pick the bone because I’m tearing it or breaking it.”

The Royal Rumble, set for February 1, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana, is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Cena’s farewell tour as it could lead him to the discussed match with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania.

For the first time since 2020, Roman Reigns will enter the Royal Rumble. On this week’s episode of SmackDown, Paul Heyman, speaking on behalf of Reigns, announced that “The Tribal Chief” has declared for the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble.

Heyman opened the show by addressing Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, proclaiming that Reigns is determined to reclaim the title he lost to Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 – Night 2. Reigns aims to achieve this by winning the Royal Rumble and earning a shot at the championship.

This announcement marks a notable shift, as Reigns has entered the last four Royal Rumble events as the WWE Universal or Undisputed WWE Champion, rather than as a Royal Rumble match competitor. Reigns previously won the Royal Rumble in 2015, a victory that was overshadowed by fan backlash when the audience favored Bryan Danielson (then Daniel Bryan) over him. Despite an endorsement from The Rock, the win remains one of the most polarizing moments in Royal Rumble history.

The 2025 Royal Rumble is already shaping up to be a blockbuster event, with other top stars like John Cena and CM Punk also declaring their entries. The event will take place on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ross Von Erich and Marshall Von Erich are officially All Elite, signing contracts with AEW. The duo began appearing for AEW in November 2023, making their presence known on Dynamite, Rampage, and ROH programming.

The Von Erichs shared the news on their Claw podcast, with Marshall stating:

“Today, on this day, we can officially say that Ross and Marshall Von Erich are officially signed with AEW. The 12-year journey, it’s not an expensive hobby anymore.”

Ross added:

“This is kind of the thing we’ve been working towards our whole careers. We knew it would be on a big major scale, and this meets every parameter with that. It means a lot for the Von Erich family and, not to kiss Tony [Khan’s] butt, but he kind of single-handedly is keeping the Von Erich name and dream alive for us. He’s going to have our loyalty forever because of that. More than anything, we’re super excited for this day.”

Ross and Marshall are currently two-thirds of the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions, alongside Dustin Rhodes. However, they have been off television since September due to an injury to Marshall. With their official signing, the Von Erichs are poised to make an even greater impact within AEW.

Braun Strowman has been sidelined at the start of 2025 due to a serious illness.

It was revealed via an Instagram post that Strowman has been battling a severe illness, which left him recovering in a hotel room and caused significant weight loss—over 30 pounds in just a week. Strowman shared the following update on social media:

“We’ll see if people read what I post or not. Or just look at the cool pix. 2025 has been off to a ruff start for me. I picked up some kind of a bug last week and it had absolutely whipped my ass. I laid in a hotel room for four days, three with a fever of 102 or higher. A week later, I am finally over what I think is the hump. My sever[e] body aches are finally easing up. Today is the first day I have been able to move around and really do anything. I have lost 36 lbs this week. Had tests taken, and all they could determine is that it was a very bad flu, thankfully. I hate I have had to miss last week’s SmackDown, the premiere of Raw on Netflix, and I will miss TV again this week. This is yet another speed bump in the road. I will be back bigger, stronger, and badder than ever!!! There hasn’t been anything this life has thrown at me that I haven’t been able to OVERCOME, and this sure as hell isn’t gonna stop me from having one of my best years to date!!!!! 2025 your ass is mine!!!!”

Strowman hasn’t wrestled since late December at a SmackDown event. Strowman’s determination and resilience remain evident as he works toward recovery and plans his eventual return to WWE programming.

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Powerhouse Hobbs has achieved one of the most significant milestones of his AEW career, earning the #1 contender spot for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship, currently held by Jon Moxley.

Hobbs previously challenged Moxley for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title on the April 24, 2024, episode of AEW Dynamite. However, a leg injury sustained during the match sidelined him until November.

On this week’s Dynamite from the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee, Hobbs secured his spot as the top contender by winning the Casino Gauntlet Match. The match featured a stacked lineup of competitors, including:

• Jay White
• Hangman Page
• Wheeler Yuta
• Ricochet
• Adam Cole
• Daniel Garcia
• Powerhouse Hobbs
• Roderick Strong
• Lance Archer
• Kyle O’Reilly
• Jeff Jarrett

With the victory, Hobbs will face Moxley for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship on next week’s Dynamite, which carries the special title Maximum Carnage. The event will take place in Cincinnati, Ohio, Moxley’s hometown.

Also announced for Maximum Carnage is a match between Christian Cage and Hook, as well as a Women’s Casino Gauntlet Match. The winner of the gauntlet will earn a shot at Mariah May’s AEW Women’s Title at Grand Slam Australia.

Speculation is growing that Malakai Black may be finishing his run with AEW.

During Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Will Ospreay defeated Buddy Matthews in a high-energy match. Following the bout, Ospreay urged Matthews to “step out of the shadow of Malakai Black,” fueling rumors about Black’s status with the promotion.

Fightful Select reports that “those that we spoke to in the company were of the belief that he was finishing up with AEW if he hadn’t already. They did not clarify if he’d be appearing on TV again.”

This speculation arises despite prior reports suggesting option years in Black’s contract extending through 2025, and Tony Khan publicly stating that Black was under contract until 2027. It remains unclear whether his contract has ended, an option was declined or exercised, or if there has been any formal transaction.

As of now, Black is still listed on AEW’s official website. However, he has not wrestled for the company since Full Gear.

Fans won’t have to wait long to see Black back in action, as he is scheduled to wrestle Irion at Coastal Championship Wrestling’s Havoc & Haze 9 in Tampa on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

JoJo Offerman’s recent appearance in AEW has sparked speculation about her future with the promotion, and it might not be the last time fans see her there.

The former WWE ring announcer performed introductions for a dark match ahead of the January 4 episode of AEW Collision. According to Fightful Select, sources within AEW have indicated that Offerman is expected to do more with the company, though specific details or a timeline have not been disclosed.

Offerman previously worked for WWE as a ring announcer and interviewer. Longtime fans may also recall her brief stint as an in-ring competitor, including her appearance at WWE Survivor Series in 2013. However, Fightful has not reported any indications of her interest in returning to wrestling.

Beyond her work in WWE, Offerman gained notoriety as a main cast member on the first season of Total Divas and continued to make guest appearances on the reality show. She also pursued a career as a singer. In 2021, Offerman chose to leave WWE after five years of consistent work as a ring announcer.

With her recent AEW appearance, fans are left wondering what the next chapter holds for JoJo Offerman in the wrestling world.

LA Knight has emerged as one of WWE’s most popular stars, experiencing a breakout year in 2023 that began with a storyline involving the late Bray Wyatt. His charisma and connection with the audience led to increasingly loud reactions from fans, prompting WWE to elevate his role on the roster.

Knight’s momentum continued to build through a feud with The Miz and an endorsement by John Cena, culminating in a high-profile challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship against Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel 2023. While Knight fell short in his quest for the title, fan support remained unwavering, solidifying his position as a top star.

In an interview with WittyWhittier, Knight reflected on what led to his sudden surge in popularity:

“Short answer, I don’t know. I really don’t know. Because, I mean, if you look at everything that was going on at the time when that rise really started happening, the only thing I could really attribute it to was just taking advantage of some of the time that I had when I was doing the whole deal with Bray Wyatt. But at the time, still, it was kind of like, ‘We don’t know about this guy.’ But it seems like once I got out of that, I didn’t really have any direction. For months, there was nothing happening with me. But somehow in that time is when, ‘Oh, wait a minute. I think we kind of like this guy.’ I don’t know what it was, but clearly, I must have been making the most of my time. Because I wasn’t doing a damn thing. So something was hitting. I don’t know what it is, and I can’t attribute it to anything.”

In 2024, Knight captured his first championship in WWE, defeating Logan Paul for the United States Title at SummerSlam. However, his reign ended at Survivor Series: WarGames, where Shinsuke Nakamura dethroned him. Knight will have an opportunity to reclaim the title in a rematch on this week’s SmackDown.

Ric Flair has reassured fans that he has no intention of stepping back into the wrestling ring for another match. While recently appearing on the Five Star Podcast, Flair was asked whether he thought he could still compete in a match. His confident response—“Hell yeah, I do”—sparked speculation about a possible return.

The comments caught the attention of WWE Superstar Bronson Reed, who jokingly questioned people wanting to see him hit his finishing move, the Tsunami, on Flair, implying it could be life-threatening for the wrestling legend. In response, Flair took to social media to put the rumors to rest and clarify his stance:

“No Return To The Ring Ever! Thankful For The Great Health And The Conditioning That Would Allow Me To. Bronson Reed Couldn’t Tsunami Me On His Best Day!”

Flair wrestled his final match on July 31, 2022, teaming with his son-in-law, Andrade El Idolo, to defeat Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett. The bout, promoted as Flair’s retirement match, drew concern from fans due to his age and his health condition, which includes having a pacemaker.

Flair’s performance in the match appeared hindered at times, and he later attributed his struggles to dehydration caused by his strict diet and weight management during training. Despite his confidence in his current health and conditioning, Flair has made it clear that his days in the squared circle are over.

Giulia is the new WWE NXT Women’s Champion. During the first episode of NXT TV titled New Year’s Evil, broadcast from the Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California, Giulia challenged Roxanne Perez for the championship.

The match served as the opening contest of the show, which aired on the CW Network. As the referee approached a 10-count during a crucial moment in the match, Cora Jade intervened, placing Perez back into the ring. Giulia also managed to re-enter the ring just in time, eventually securing the victory.

Roxanne Perez entered the bout as champion, having held the title for an impressive 273 days. The history between Perez and Giulia had been building for months. At No Mercy, Perez successfully defended her title against Jaida Parker, only to be confronted afterward by the debuting Giulia.

Later, during the premiere of NXT on the CW Network, Perez once again retained her title against Giulia, with interference from the returning Cora Jade playing a pivotal role. This tension culminated in a tag team match at Halloween Havoc, where Perez and Jade teamed up against Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer but ultimately suffered a loss.

Now, with her victory at New Year’s Evil, Giulia stands tall as the new NXT Women’s Champion.

Seth Rollins and CM Punk finally clashed in a highly anticipated singles match on the premiere episode of WWE Raw on Netflix. The match headlined the historic event, delivering on the long-awaited showdown between the two superstars.

As the match reached its climax, Rollins delivered a buckle bomb followed by a stomp, resulting in a dramatic near fall. Punk countered Rollins’ falcon arrow attempt and hit the Go to Sleep (GTS). Not stopping there, Punk delivered a second GTS to secure the pinfall victory over Rollins.

This rivalry has been simmering since Punk’s shocking return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames. WWE has skillfully blended real-life tension between the two stars into their storyline, with both men referencing their past comments about each other. Originally, this match was slated for WrestleMania 40, where Punk was set to challenge Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship. However, an injury sidelined Punk, forcing WWE to pivot and book Rollins against Drew McIntyre at the event instead.

Despite Punk’s extended absence in 2024 due to injury and his feud with McIntyre, WWE kept his rivalry with Rollins alive. After Punk’s return at Survivor Series, the storyline gained momentum, culminating in this memorable showdown on Raw.

After his appearance on the WWE Raw Netflix premiere, The Rock is set to make his next stop at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil. The former WWE Champion made the announcement during an Instagram Live session following his appearance on Raw.

The event, scheduled to take place at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, California, will feature The Rock alongside his daughter, Ava, who currently serves as NXT General Manager. Ava recently accompanied The Rock at the Golden Globes, adding further intrigue to their on-screen dynamic.

Updated Card for NXT New Year’s Evil:

• Special Appearance: The Rock
• NXT Championship Match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Oba Femi vs. Eddy Thorpe
• NXT Women’s Championship Match: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Giulia
• NXT Women’s North American Championship Number One Contenders Match:
  Cora Jade vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
• NXT Heritage Cup Sudden Death Match: Lexis King (c) vs. Charlie Dempsey
• Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jazmyn Nyx, & Jacy Jayne) vs. Shotzi, Tatum Paxley, & Gigi Dolin

One of the marquee matches on the debut episode of WWE Raw on Netflix featured Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan defending her title against Rhea Ripley in a high-stakes Last Woman Standing Match.

The match was a hard-fought contest with a back-and-forth pace, as both competitors showcased their resilience. Ripley gained the upper hand at one point, hitting her finisher for a dramatic near fall. Dominik Mysterio attempted to aid Ripley by sliding the title belt into the ring, but the distraction allowed Liv Morgan to capitalize.

Morgan knocked Raquel Rodriguez off the apron and hit her finisher on Ripley, resulting in another near fall. However, Ripley ultimately secured the victory after delivering two consecutive Riptides, crowning herself the new Women’s World Champion.

Post-match, Ripley laid out Mysterio with a low blow and hit her finisher. Undertaker came out on his motorcycle and did his signature arm pose with Ripley.

The rivalry between Morgan and Ripley has been brewing since WrestleMania 40, where Morgan entered into a program with Ripley. The Women’s World Title was vacated shortly afterward due to Morgan suffering an injury. Morgan regained the title by defeating Becky Lynch at the King and Queen of the Ring Premium Live Event. She continued her feud with Ripley, retaining the championship at SummerSlam with assistance from Dominik Mysterio.

The animosity escalated further at Bash in Berlin, where Ripley and Damian Priest defeated Morgan and Mysterio in a mixed tag team match. Their next encounter came at Bad Blood, where Ripley earned a title match victory via disqualification. The Last Woman Standing Match on Raw marked the culmination of their heated rivalry, with Ripley emerging victorious and reclaiming championship gold.

Penta El Zero Miedo’s WWE signing has been made official, with the announcement teased during the premiere episode of Raw on Netflix. While Penta did not appear live on the show, a cryptic teaser aired, confirming his imminent arrival. However, the exact date of his in-ring debut remains unclear.

WWE has been airing mysterious vignettes in recent weeks, fueling speculation about the signing of the former AEW star. One notable vignette featured a zero symbol crossed by a line, which many fans connected to Penta. These cryptic hints culminated in a teaser aired during the December 30th episode of Raw, where Penta El Zero Miedo’s iconic mask was prominently displayed, effectively ending the speculation.

Penta departed AEW with widespread belief that he was bound for WWE. Adding to the buzz was his trademark for “Cero Miedo” (Zero Fear), which provided further evidence of his intentions.

Meanwhile, Penta’s tag team partner and brother, Rey Fenix, has also attracted WWE’s interest. However, AEW has reportedly extended Fenix’s contract to account for missed time due to injuries, leaving him with approximately a year remaining on his deal. Once Fenix fulfills his AEW obligations, he is expected to join Penta in WWE, reuniting the Lucha Brothers under a new banner.

John Cena officially kicked off his WWE retirement tour with an appearance on the premiere episode of Raw on Netflix in Los Angeles.

Cena took center stage at the start of the second hour, delivering a heartfelt promo about WWE’s new era and his deep connection to the city. He addressed speculation about his WrestleMania opponent, his final match, and the possibility of breaking the record for most World Championship reigns. Acknowledging his current losing streak, Cena said it would take a “miracle” for him to become champion again, but he left the door open for the unexpected.

Cena revealed his intention to enter the Royal Rumble match, calling it a fitting way to thank his fans. He emphasized his belief in the impossible, vowing to win the Rumble and reminding the audience that nothing is out of reach for him.

Cena’s plans to retire from in-ring competition in 2025 have been public since the summer, giving fans time to celebrate his storied career. His farewell tour will include marquee events such as the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 41, where he will make his final WWE appearances.

In addition to the big events, Cena plans to wrestle throughout the year, targeting 36 dates with WWE in 2025. A highly anticipated match against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is reportedly in the works for WrestleMania 41, adding even more excitement to his farewell run.

Roman Reigns competed in a rare televised match during the premiere episode of WWE Raw on Netflix, taking on Solo Sikoa in a Tribal Combat match.

The match opened the night with Sikoa dominating much of the action. Both competitors utilized weapons, including steel steps and chairs, to gain an edge. At one point, Reigns drove Sikoa through a table, but Tama Tonga interfered, pulling the referee out of the ring during the pin attempt. Jacob Fatu then appeared, attacking Reigns and teaming up with Sikoa to hit their finishers, leading to a near fall.

The chaos escalated when Sikoa took out the referee with a Samoan Spike. Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso ran in to even the odds, with Reigns hitting a spear on Sikoa for a two-count. Kevin Owens entered unexpectedly, delivering a Stunner to Reigns for another near fall. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, who faces Owens in a ladder match at the Royal Rumble, rushed out to neutralize Owens. Reigns ultimately secured the win with a final spear to Sikoa.

After the match, The Rock entered the ring and placed the Ula Fala, a symbolic necklace, around Reigns’ neck as a gesture of respect. The two embraced in a powerful moment.

Reigns has been feuding with Sikoa since returning at SummerSlam, where he helped Rhodes retain the Undisputed WWE Championship against Sikoa. The rivalry included multi-man matches, such as The OG Bloodline defeating The New Bloodline at WarGames.

Since signing a reduced-schedule deal with WWE in 2022, Reigns has made fewer appearances on television and primarily competes at Premium Live Events, emphasizing his status as WWE’s top draw. His last TV match was on December 30, 2022, in the episode of SmackDown, where he and Sami Zayn lost to John Cena and Kevin Owens in a tag team match. However, Reigns is expected to make more appearances on Raw moving forward, while still remaining a key figure on SmackDown.

The Rock made a special appearance during the premiere episode of Raw on Netflix in Los Angeles, opening the show with a memorable segment.

The Rock entered the ring and congratulated the audience for attending the highest-grossing arena show in WWE history. He hyped the event’s debut on Netflix and praised Cody Rhodes for “carrying WWE on his back for the last year.” In a lighthearted moment, he told Rhodes to pass along his regards to Mama Rhodes.

Turning his attention to Roman Reigns, The Rock referred to him as the “Original Tribal Chief” and hyped the upcoming Tribal Chief Combat match. Before leaving, he delivered his signature catchphrase, much to the crowd’s delight.

After the segment, The Rock embraced Rhodes at ringside. Many fans believed this appearance could kick off the build for a WrestleMania 41 match, as WWE executives reportedly expect The Rock to wrestle at the event. However, no official plans have been confirmed.

Last year, The Rock and Rhodes teased a singles match after teaming up during the WrestleMania XL Night 1 tag team main event. Despite the speculation, WWE is reportedly leaning toward booking John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania 41 instead of Rock vs. Rhodes.

Nikki Garcia, also known as Nikki Bella, was officially welcomed back into the WWE family on Monday night during the Raw on Netflix premiere in Los Angeles. Garcia appeared on the red carpet ahead of the show.

As of this writing, it’s unclear whether Garcia has signed a Legends Deal with WWE or is just visiting.

The last time Garcia was scheduled to attend a WWE event, plans fell through. The Bella Twins were originally slated to appear at the Raw 30th Anniversary show in January 2023. However, they were ultimately booked to promote the premiere of Nikki Bella’s Says I Do.

Nikki and her sister Brie commented on Instagram about the lack of women’s representation in clips shown during the Raw 30 broadcast. In March 2023, on their podcast, The Nikki & Brie Show, Nikki and Brie announced that they and WWE had mutually agreed to not renew their contracts

In November, Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev finalized their divorce. The filing followed several tumultuous events, including Chigvintsev’s arrest in late August on domestic violence charges at their Napa County home. However, the charges were dropped in September due to insufficient evidence, according to the district attorney.

Garcia was with WWE from 2007 to 2022. She is a two-time WWE Divas Champion, with her second reign of 301 days being the longest in the title’s history.

The premiere episode of WWE Raw on Netflix continues to grow in star power with the confirmed appearances of The Rock and now Hulk Hogan. According to Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com, Hogan is scheduled to make an appearance tomorrow night in Los Angeles. This will mark Hogan’s first live appearance on a WWE show in several years.

Chris Featherstone initially broke the news of Hogan’s inclusion in the event. Meltzer further noted that while celebrities are rumored to be part of the premiere, WWE plans to space out its surprises. The goal is to avoid making the debut episode too overwhelming while maintaining long-term excitement.

Hogan’s most recent WWE TV appearance was in January when the company celebrated 40 years of Hulkamania, featuring footage of Hogan’s iconic victory over The Iron Sheik in 1984. During the event, Hogan delivered a promo about the current roster.

Additionally, Hogan was recently featured in an advertisement for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, which airs later this month, as seen during this week’s episode of SmackDown.

His return to Raw is expected to generate significant buzz as WWE leverages its legends to enhance the show’s debut on Netflix.

Preview for tonight’s WWE Raw on Netflix Premiere