ECW original Lance Storm has voiced concerns during Wrestling Observer Live about WWE’s upcoming John Cena Classic, a fan-voted event that pits main roster stars against NXT talent. In this unconventional format, actual match results matter less than audience popularity, meaning even wrestlers who lose their bouts can still claim the title through fan votes. Storm warns that the setup may discourage highly paid performers from fully elevating lower-card opponents, as it risks exposing salary gaps and potentially undermining their own standing within the company.
“If I’m a $500,000 main roster talent and I’m in there with a $75,000 a year NXT guy, why would I use my skill and my experience to make him look good? If he wins the popularity contest and wins and gets the push to the championship, I could lose my job. Because there is going to be a TKO executive saying, ‘Well, why are we paying this guy that lost the fan vote and is less over than this NXT guy that works for way less money?’ If I know ahead of time, ‘Hey, you’re getting a push, we wanna protect this guy,’ I’ll make him look good. But if I don’t know who’s winning or losing the actual fan vote, it’s no longer in my interest to make the guy look good.” – Lance Storm
The John Cena Classic introduces a fan-driven format where victories do not determine the champion. Instead, fans will vote to crown the winner from all participants, main roster and NXT stars alike, regardless of wins or losses. John Cena has stressed that effort, hustle, and genuine audience connection can elevate any competitor, even in defeat. While details remain fluid, the concept turns the event into a popularity contest focused on “heart,” aiming to boost fan engagement and NXT talents’ exposure.
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During an appearance on The Bootleg Kev Podcast, rising independent star Zilla Fatu has emphatically ruled out any interest in signing with AEW, declaring his heart belongs to WWE. The son of the late Umaga stressed his desire to join his relatives already on the roster, while also speaking of unfinished business tied to his father’s unfulfilled legacy.
“No, I think I think my heart is with the ‘E’ right now, … I’m not going to break that cycle. I respect it. And then not only that, I got unfinished business as far as my dad’s legacy to fulfill.” – Zilla Fatu
Zilla Fatu, born Isayah Fatu in Houston, Texas, is a third-generation Anoaʻi family member trained by Booker T. He debuted in July 2023 and swiftly became a top independent name, winning titles in promotions such as Reality of Wrestling, House of Glory, and more. And while his atty has been questioned following public feuds. in March 2026, Paul Heyman publicly praised him, urging WWE not to miss the chance to sign the top prospect.
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Court documents reveal AEW has filed a major lawsuit against TrillerTV and its parent company, Triller Group Inc., seeking nearly $5 million for allegedly unpaid revenue. The complaint, submitted on April 29 in Florida, accuses the streaming platform of failing to pay for pay-per-view events and the discontinued AEW Plus subscription service. According to AEW, Triller diverted funds generated from its content to cover other corporate expenses rather than honoring contractual obligations.
“Triller Group Inc.’s strategy of robbing revenues generated by TrillerTV’s distribution of AEW content to cover other of Defendants’ operating expenses (much of which was spent on the social media platform endeavor) negatively impacted its relationship with and payments owed to AEW.” – Court Documents via postwrestling.com
Triller Group Inc., owner of TrillerTV (formerly FITE TV), has been battling severe financial difficulties since acquiring the combat sports platform in 2021. Delisted from NASDAQ in late December 2025 after missing multiple SEC filings, the company saw its stock plummet by over 97%. Compounding the crisis are multiple lawsuits from creditors, music labels, and now AEW, raising serious doubts about the company’s future.
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WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash has unleashed a scathing rant against TKO Group Holdings, blasting the company for forcing pay cuts and making talent releases while executives pocket massive bonuses. Speaking on the latest Kliq This podcast, Nash highlighted Ari Emanuel’s staggering 272% pay increase and claimed that WWE income was being used to help with UFC’s financial struggles. Additionally, he urged TKO to stop meddling in creative decisions and said not to make Triple H the bad guy regarding talent departures.
“Ari’s pay swelled 272% when all was said and done, from a million last year to a million this year. Mark Shapiro’s up 30. How about we just tell the truth? Because the UFC’s bleeding through every tourniquet that they have, we’re going to cut people off of WWE to stop the bleeding from the other company you bought, because the UFC is hemorrhaging money, and WWE isn’t … You guys want to cut the talent. You guys don’t throw it in Paul’s lap. Don’t make him be the bad guy. How about leaving the company alone? Get your noses out of creative. Let Paul run the company.” – Kevin Nash
Beyond Nash’s criticism, many fans and insiders have voiced growing concerns over TKO’s ownership of WWE. Executives are frequently accused of interfering in storylines, favoring celebrity involvement and external deals over authentic wrestling logic, resulting in soulless booking. Talent also faces job insecurity through releases and reduced royalties, while skyrocketing ticket and merchandise prices alienate loyal supporters. Critics argue that TKO’s cold, profit-driven, UFC-style approach prioritizes short-term shareholder gains over long-term storytelling and respect for wrestling tradition, turning the once-great WWE into just another corporate entertainment asset.
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AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla has spoken to The Express about the terrifying backlash she faced after her explosive departure from STARDOM. Following a scripted attack on President Taro Okada to facilitate her exit, the Austrian star faced death threats from furious fans who demanded she leave the country. Some even spat at her during live events. However, instead of backing down, Thekla saw the extreme reactions as validation that the angle had worked perfectly, having masterfully blurred the lines between fiction and reality in professional wrestling.
“When the death threats came in, and everybody was like, ‘Hey, somebody call the police, she needs to leave the country,’ and people started spitting at me at the shows. I was like, ‘Oh my God, I think this is actually really working.’” – Thekla
This intense fan response echoes the most controversial kayfabe-shattering angles in wrestling history, such as Sgt. Slaughter’s 1990-91 Iraqi sympathizer heel turn amid the Gulf War, which triggered legitimate death and bomb threats. Similarly, Muhammad Hassan’s post-9/11 terrorist gimmick was scrapped after a segment coincided with the 2005 London bombings, igniting widespread outrage. These immersive storylines reveal how deeply fans can internalize scripted betrayals, transforming what should be considered entertainment into real-life anger.
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NXT’s Adriana Rizzo is proving her star power extends far beyond the WWE ring, having launched her stylish new swimwear line, Salt and Daughters, alongside former wrestler Jazmyn Nyx. The pair turned heads in matching red-and-white candy stripe bikinis, sharing eye-catching Instagram photos that quickly earned enthusiastic fan reactions. The collaboration perfectly showcases fun, confident beachwear and highlights Rizzo’s entrepreneurial spirit during her injury hiatus.
Salt & Daughters is a family-built brand founded by Rizzo together with her mother and sisters, drawing inspiration from vintage summers and timeless ocean adventures. The current collection features limited drops with premium details, such as double-lined stretch fabrics for comfort and opacity. Standout pieces include the playful Candy Stripe Bikini Set, along with the Darling Bikini and the Sprinter One Piece. Priced affordably between $30 and $50, the line blends nostalgic charm with modern functionality and is available via saltanddaughters.com.
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During an appearance on the High Performance Podcast, Paul Wight, the wrestling icon better known as Big Show, has opened up about his fight against acromegaly, a rare disorder that could have ended his life. Diagnosed at 19, doctors warned the massive superstar he might not live past 45 without urgent surgery to remove a pituitary tumor. Thankfully, the procedure saved him and allowed him to become one of WWE’s most globally recognizable talents.
“I was 19, right? I went my whole life, I went to Wichita State, and the doctor there had worked at the Mayo Clinic and was familiar with it. He looked at my hands, and there’s different things, like the roof of my mouth is very high, and my jawline, sinuses, and stuff like that. He says, ‘I think you have acromegaly.’ I’m like, ‘What?’ And then within a week, I was at the Mayo Clinic, you know, and they’re telling me they’ve got to do this pituitary surgery. Like, I had a tumor. This is why I’m this way. I almost didn’t get the surgery, and they were telling me, ‘Well, if you don’t get this surgery, you’ll probably be dead by the time you’re 45 because this will shut down, this will happen, this will happen.’ And I remember thinking like, ‘45 is a long time away. I don’t know.’” – Paul Wight
Acromegaly develops when a benign pituitary tumor causes excessive growth hormone production, leading to gradual enlargement of bones and soft tissues. Early signs are often subtle, such as the need fr larger shoes, increased sweating, fatigue, and joint pain. Over time, patients experience prominent facial changes like a jutting jaw and brow, enlarged hands and feet, a deeper voice, and complications including heart issues, sleep apnea, and arthritis. While treatment can halt progression, some changes remain permanent, highlighting the importance of early awareness.
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During WWE Backlash 2026, Danhausen teamed with the surprise reveal of Minihausen to defeat The Miz and Kit Wilson, a booking decision that has subsequently drawn sharp criticism from former WWE personality Jonathan Coachman. On social media, he labeled the match an absolute “waste of time,” and argued “this ridiculous Dan Hausen experiment” is gonna get old real quick.
“Okay you all have to stop coming at me about this ridiculous Dan Hausen experiment. One of the biggest storylines you could actually bet on who was gonna be as partner tonight and they decide to go with a little person. What are we doing? I’m all for entertainment and wrestling, but this is absolutely a complete waste of time and just dumb. And Wade Barrett said he’s making a mockery. That’s exactly what this is. I understand he’s popular with the kids and the T-shirts and stuff. But this is gonna get old real quick and for me I’m already over it. This is an absolute waste of time.” – Jonathan Coachman
Coachman joined WWE on December 23, 1999, debuting as an enthusiastic backstage interviewer on SmackDown. He quickly became a fan-favorite target for stars like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin before turning heel at SummerSlam 2003 to align with Eric Bischoff. Over two runs spanning 1999-2008 and 2018-2021, Coachman served as a Raw commentator, hosted Diva Searches, competed in the ring, and even acted as Interim General Manager, establishing himself as a memorable character.
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Dawn Marie has firmly closed the door on any in-ring comeback after almost two decades away from wrestling. The former WWE and ECW star, who made a nostalgic appearance as special guest referee at NXT’s 2024 ECW Arena tribute show, confirmed to Going Ringside that her active wrestling career is officially finished, with her focus being a nurse for dementia patients, while also running her own crystal store and offering alternative healing and educational services.
“No. My days are over …What I’m doing now is I’m a nurse by trade. So I specialize in locked dementia units. I’ve been loving that. I’ve been doing that for years. I also have a crystal store, and I do alternative healing, and I do education and teachings. I do that also.” – Dawn Marie
55-year-old Dawn Marie Psaltis burst onto the wrestling scene in 1995, quickly gaining fame in ECW as the glamorous manager for Lance Storm and the Impact Players, helping secure multiple ECW Tag Team Championship reigns. After the company went out of business, she joined WWE in 2002, becoming a standout SmackDown Diva known for a high-profile feud with Torrie Wilson, which blended drama with controversy. A capable in-ring competitor who delivered occasional matches, she retired from full-time competition in 2005 to focus on motherhood, although she did make a brief indie return in 2008.
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WWE Hall of Famer JBL has fiercely defended talents who accepted pay reductions amid TKO’s controversial contract restructuring. On the Something To Wrestle podcast, he pushed back against heated fan backlash, stressing that critics overlook the tough financial realities many wrestlers face. JBL contrasted today’s lighter schedules and guaranteed money with his own brutal early days, when he earned just $40,000 while working nearly 300 days a year, saying even with pay cuts, “This is still a great deal.”
“I know that there’s a contingent online who are like, ‘Hey, you got to stand up and do what’s right.’ Like, do you realize what you’re saying? Like, if you got them a new five-year deal at $X million a year, who walks away from $X million a year in the twilight of their career for, let’s be honest, a much easier schedule than he originally signed up for? Like, the amount of travel versus the amount of time you’re home back then versus now, the quality of life is through the roof. This is still a great deal … In my first year in WWE, I believe I made, I think, $40,000 or something like that. You don’t make any money when you’re on the road 300 days a year.” – JBL
TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company, is restructuring several talent contracts to align pay with reduced workloads better and cut overall costs. The moves mainly target upper mid-card performers who signed big deals in prior years, with requests for cuts of up to 50%. However, it should be noted that top stars such as Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes are believed to remain unaffected. Key factors include far fewer house shows and minimal travel. While some reportedly accepted the new terms, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods refused and were granted releases on May 2, 2026.
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Lizzy Rain recently made her debut in NXT. Rain is the niece of late Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, and she wrestles under the nickname “The Maiden of Metal,” which is an obvious reference to her uncle’s former band.
On a podcast appearance for “Ropes N Riffs,” Rain talked about being the flag bearer for heavy metal in pro wrestling. “I just want to do all the metal heads proud you know,” she said. “I never was a kid of pop culture. I never really listened to pop music or anything. I was always quite an outsider, but me and my brother had this special, special bond over this metal music. So if it wasn’t for my brother, even with this family connection, if it wasn’t for my brother, I don’t know if I would be the person I am today with a crazy haircut, wrestling for the WWE as Lizzy Rain.”
Rain also revealed her dream music duo to escort her to the ring and back her up. “One of them would be Alice Cooper,” she said. “And then I guess, who would be the other one? I think Paul Stanley to be honest. Although he’s quite old, there’s just, I went to go see Kiss maybe four years ago and the spectacle of it is still just incredible. It feels like they play like they’re in their, you know, young 30s again it was such a spectacle and I think Paul Stanley is such a showman so why not?. I just love them—the fire, Gene Simmons flying in the air and he’s got his mouth full of blood and he’s playing the bass. It’s just unreal and you know it’s something you have to see live.”
Check out Rain’s full interview below.
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Last week, a judge dismissed most of an assault case against Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler which dates all the way back to the ‘70s. Tyler has been accused of grooming and impregnating Julia Misley when she was 16-years-old and he was in his mid-20s, Metal Injection reported.
Misley’s lawyers point to Tyler’s own memoir for evidence. In his book, “Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?”, Tyler wrote: “She was 16, she knew how to nasty … with my bad self being twenty-six and she barely old enough to drive and sexy as hell, I just fell madly in love with her. … She was my heart’s desire, my partner in crimes of passion. … I was so in love I almost took a teen bride. I went and slept at her parent’s house for a couple of nights and her parent’s fell in love with me, signed paper over for me to have custody, so I wouldn’t get arrested if I took her out of state. I took her on tour with me.”
While much of the case was dismissed due to statute of limitations laws, the assault claims were still able to be filed in California thanks to its Child Victims Act, which is a 2020 statute allowing for alleged victims to file lawsuits regardless of any statute of limitation.
Misley’s lawyer said: “This reflects years of resilience and courage by Ms. Misley, driven by an unwavering pursuit of truth and justice. It is time for justice and for Tyler to be held accountable by a jury.”
Tyler is scheduled to stand trial in August.
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