Veteran alternative rockers System Of A Down co-headlined the Las Vegas date of the Sick New World festival last week. The band delivered a 25-song set filled with hits including “Chop Suey!”, “B.Y.O.B.”, “Aerials”, and “Toxicity.” Other bands on the bill included Korn and Down, the latter of which were referenced by System Of A Down guitarist Daron Malakian during a brief break between songs. 

Consequence.net reported Malakian saying: “Let me tell you something. System of a Down is not a cult. System of a Down is a band, with four members. Four members who are good people, who have different beliefs about different things, different solutions about complex problems. Stop letting the media divide you. Stop letting the government divide you.”

The guitarist continued: “If we can be on stage together and have different thoughts and different beliefs, you can be together too. For those of you who disagree with me, pull the tapeworm out of your ass.”

Lizzy Rain made her in-ring debut for NXT earlier this week scoring a singles victory against Nikkita Lyons. 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. 

Rain recently appeared with Bully Ray on Busted Open After Dark and explained the origin of her finishing move, “Thunderstruck,” which is an obvious nod to rock icons AC/DC.

“It’s like a pop-up ‘Shining Wizard,’” Rain said. “It’s my knee that hits her. I got it inspired from Meiko Satomura’s ‘Scorpion Rising.’ I wanted to do a ‘Shining Wizard,’ but a lot of people do ‘Shining Wizards.’ Me and my coach were thinking, ‘What else can we do that’s a bit different?’ And we thought, ‘Oh, what about a pop-up one?’ Kind of like Meiko Satomura’s finish. She heavily inspired me.”

Rain continued: “So we did it, and everyone was like, ‘This is the sickest finish ever! We need to do this.’ The name comes from the leg looking a little like a thunderbolt, and you know, AC/DC ‘Thunderstruck,’ it kind of fits perfectly.” 

Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL made a dramatic impact with his surprise debut on the April 28 episode of NXT, confronting Tony D’Angelo in a tense segment. Many had expected a main roster start for the Japanese star, so an NXT appearance caught most off guard, but according to Bodyslam.net, EVIL actually requested to start in developmental. This calculated decision now gives him the time he needs to master WWE’s style and presentation, allowing for a stronger foundation before aiming for bigger stages.

“EVIL is starting in NXT at his own request.” – Bodyslam.net

Born Takaaki Watanabe, EVIL trained under legends Animal Hamaguchi and Hiroyoshi Tenzan before debuting for NJPW in 2011 as a Young Lion. Subsequently, he honed his skills on a 2013-2015 excursion in the United States, returning as the villainous “King of Darkness.” From there, he joined Los Ingobernables de Japón, formed a dominant tag team with SANADA, and achieved massive success by capturing both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental titles, cementing his status as one of the biggest wrestling stars in Japan.

Following her shock WWE departure last week, Dave Meltzer reported that his WWE sources had told him she wanted to return to Japan, suggesting she may have actually asked for her release. However, Sane has now seemingly denied this while posting on X.com by tweeting, “I truly love this work, my teammates, and my fans. I’ve never walked away.” What’s next for Sane isn’t yet known, but it’s understood she has already returned to Japan, while his 90-day non-compete prevents her from wrestling elsewhere.

Kairi Sane, real name Kaori Housako, built a memorable wrestling career defined by high-flying excellence and in-ring dominance. She rose in Stardom as Kairi Hojo, capturing the World of Stardom Championship, Wonder of Stardom title, multiple Goddesses and Artist of Stardom reigns. In WWE, she triumphed in the inaugural Mae Young Classic, became NXT Women’s Champion, and, as part of The Kabuki Warriors with Asuka, enjoyed historic WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship success, cementing her status as one of joshi wrestling’s brightest stars. Therefore, many now expect her to join AEW, where she’d almost certainly be positioned as an equal to Thekla and Kris Statlander.

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl previously said following the passing of Nirvana icon Kurt Cobain: “After Kurt died, I really couldn’t even turn on the radio, and I put the instruments away, even hearing music hurt.”

In a recent interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Grohl elaborated on how he was able to move forward following Cobain’s tragic death, ultimately taking refuse in the recording studio. “I think that we all wound up in places that felt… I don’t want to say comfortable, but safe. And so when I went into the studio and recorded that stuff by myself, I felt safe there.” 

Grohl continued: “I can’t speak for Krist (Novocelic, Nirvana bassist), but I think at that time it was like we were just trying to get our feet back on the ground. For me, that’s something that I thought, ‘Okay, well, music is the thing that’s going to rescue me.’”

Grohl wound up recruiting Nirvana touring guitarist and former Germs legend Pat Smear for Foo Fighters. “The funniest thing is like, I didn’t think Pat would be our guitar player,” Grohl said. “I just sent him a tape. I sent him one of the early cassettes. He was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s so poppy.’ And I’m like, ‘Is it? Okay, is that a good thing?’ And to Pat, that is a great thing. I had already started jamming with Nate (Mendel, bassist) and William (Goldsmith, drummer) and I was like, ‘Hey if you want to play guitar… I didn’t expect that he would, you know. And then he decided that he would jam with us. And it was great.”

Grohl also revealed that he’s hesitant to revisit Nirvana’s legacy except of very special occasions. “It’s such a weird thing to feel afraid to play songs. And for a long time it’s like I was even afraid just to sit down at a drum set and play the opening riff to ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit.’ It just seemed sort of forbidden. And so the few times that Krist and Pat and I have gotten together to do it, it’s a trip… the noise that the three of us make together, you don’t really get that noise anywhere else.”

He continued: “The way that Krist strums his bass lines, the bass that he uses, the equipment he uses, his sense of feel and time, it’s like all of those things combined with Pat like with that crazy Germs/Pat Smear guitar thing. And then some loud-ass drums, when it happens, you’re just like, oh f*ck, I remember this. Sh*t, I haven’t heard this in 35 years. It’s a really beautiful sound and a beautiful feeling.”

Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan recently spoke with 101 WRIF about performing live and whether or not he still experiences stage fright this far into his career. Keenan talked about the nerves he combats on a nightly basis. 

“That’s terrifying,” he said of stage fright. “Every night is terrifying. You don’t know how it’s going to go, and so it’s a challenge. But that’s what live music is, right? That’s why you’re going to see it. We’re literally alive right now, we might not be alive tomorrow, so that’s why I would encourage you to come to the show, because you don’t know what you’re getting tomorrow. We’re alive today, come see us today while we’re alive.”

Keenan added that “you’re literally having to pay attention to every second, so that you don’t f*ck it up,” and that performing is “equal parts fear and excitement.”

He continued: “I don’t want to call it my job, because that sounds cold, like I don’t want to be here. But I do want to be here. ‘Job’ is not the word…’responsibility.’ If I’m going to take on this task and I’m going to write these things, then it’s kind of part of the package that you’re going to, in some way, share them with someone, and I would think that the goal is to do them accurately.”

Check out Keenan’s full interview below. 

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Kairi Sane’s sudden WWE release stemmed primarily from her own desire to return to Japan. Despite her active role in a prominent Raw storyline alongside Asuka and IYO SKY, Sane had indicated interest in heading home. The company acted on that preference and is hoping the passionate #WeWantKairi fan campaign dies down quickly, just as the earlier #WeWantKross movement faded without a positive result.

“So, the Kairi thing. The reason she was cut was that I think she had kinda indicated that she wanted to move back to Japan. …The #WeWantKross, that died. This, #WeWantKairi, they’re hoping it dies, and that’s that.” – Dave Meltzer

Unlike the roughly two dozen post-WrestleMania cuts that followed a standard spring-cleaning approach, targeting underutilized veterans, developmental talent, and high-salary performers with limited TV time, Sane’s exit stood out sharply. The entire Wyatt Sicks stable, along with names like Apollo Crews, Zelina Vega, and the Motor City Machine Guns, aligned with expected roster trimming. However, Kairi’s release, while reportedly mutual and relocation-driven, left an ongoing feud unresolved and therefore generated significant fan backlash.

AEW President Tony Khan has defended wrestling dirt sheets, expressing that their overall benefits far outweigh the negatives. In a recent appearance on MVP’s Marking Out podcast, Khan admitted that misinformation and biased reporting sometimes occur. Yet, he believes the wrestling media landscape still delivers value to the industry. He specifically credited these outlets with introducing him, as a fan, to international styles like Japanese wrestling and lucha libre.

“I think overall there is more help than hurt. I think there can be, at times, misinformation or even disinformation where people put incorrect things out into the world in wrestling for their own benefit. I find that sometimes there’s a lot of truth in these stories, and sometimes there’s not. When you know things firsthand, it can definitely be interesting.

I do think there is a net benefit and a lot of good that comes from it. There’s so much wrestling in the world, and for me, this is where I learned a lot about international wrestling. We’re talking about Japanese wrestling. I first read about and learned about a lot of what was happening in Japan and in Mexico. I’m a big fan of lucha libre, and I learned a lot about it from wrestling newsletters. So yeah, I absolutely think there are benefits …There are always going to be some writers who set a higher standard for their work and for their ethics.” – Tony Khan

The history of wrestling dirt sheets dates back to the 1980s, when eager fans began seeking backstage secrets through underground newsletters. Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter emerged as the trailblazer, moving coverage away from scripted kayfabe toward genuine news, results, and insider rumors. These “rag sheets” exploded in popularity during the 1990s, particularly during the Monday Night Wars, for revealing contracts, injuries, and creative plans. Though once criticized by wrestlers for breaking kayfabe, dirt sheets eventually became must-read material even inside locker rooms, forever changing how the wrestling world consumes information.

Kevin Nash has openly expressed his disappointment with Netflix’s “Hulk Hogan: Real American” docuseries. The wrestling veteran has revealed on X.com that he sat for a lengthy three-hour interview covering substantial topics, including a significant race-related incident, yet appeared for just thirty seconds in the final cut. The two-time Hall of Famer believes producers intentionally kept the project surface-level, ultimately disrespecting the time and deeper insights offered by those closest to Hogan.

Beyond Nash’s critique, the four-hour series has drawn widespread criticism for its hagiographic tone, perceived as pro-Hogan propaganda that sanitizes controversy, particularly the 2015 racist remarks, which receive minimal attention. Viewers and reviewers have slammed its lack of depth, its omission of key career moments, its unchallenging interviews, and its noticeable political undertones, arguing it prioritizes nostalgic admiration over honest analysis and critical perspectives.

Legendary commentator Jim Ross has unleashed strong criticism of WWE’s decision to place Sid Vicious in the Hall of Fame’s Legacy Wing instead of the main class. Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Ross argued that the multi-time world champion and two-time WrestleMania headliner deserved far more than a simple video package. While noting Sid’s occasionally challenging personality, Ross stressed that his impressive in-ring accomplishments made him overqualified for the lesser honor.

“Sid was overqualified to go into the Hall of Fame. [The Legacy Wing] is a joke. It’s just one way to give somebody a payday or some recognition, I understand that, but a guy who headlined WrestleMania a couple of times, a multi-time champion, he deserved and earned … Was Sid a pain in the ass? Yeah, sometimes. No doubt about it. He was moody. He had a lot of pride, and some who worked with him closely may say that he had too much pride because he became a pain in the ass to work with, but does that mean he doesn’t deserve to be in the regular Hall of Fame? No. He should’ve been in the regular Hall of Fame.” – Jim Ross

Sid stands among the most accomplished names ever inducted into the Legacy Wing. Unlike many honorees who were territorial stars, or posthumous figures with limited national exposure, Sid captured two WWF Championships and two WCW World Heavyweight titles, and headlined WrestleMania against Hulk Hogan and The Undertaker. His résumé of beating top stars like Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart far exceeds that of typical Legacy inductees, prompting several critics, including Ross, to argue that WWE undervalued a proven 1990s main-event draw. 

KISS had one of the most financially successful reunions in rock history when original guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss re-joined the band in 1996. That financial success unfortunately didn’t translate to a long-term reconciliation, as the original band again fell apart with Criss’ departure in 2000 and Frehley’s second exit in 2002. 

In a new interview with 101 WRIF, KISS bassist Gene Simmons was asked why the original lineup couldn’t hold it together longer. “Some of it was…initially, like you’re on your best behavior when you get back together with your ex,” Simmons said. “And then familiarity breeds contempt. I’d like to say that it was all wonderful and anything, but history tends to repeat itself.”

Simmons continued: “I couldn’t wait to restart their relationship with the two guys that helped us make everything possible. But you got to be on top of your game. You can’t go out there and be in the Olympics and do the bad stuff. Because the 50,000 folks who came to see you at the concert had to work hard for their tickets. So this idea that you can get up there and not do the best you can, and I’m trying to use nice language, is unacceptable.”

Check out Simmons’ full interview with WRIF below. 

The Las Vegas Review-Journal has reported that 43-year-old wrestling fan from the United Kingdom, Marc Izard, tragically passed away after attending WWE events during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas. Last seen leaving SmackDown at T-Mobile Arena on April 17, he was later reported missing by multiple people, including WWE’s Natalya, who took to social media to ask for help. As of the writing, the Clark County coroner’s office confirmed his death on Monday afternoon, but the cause and manner of death remain pending.

“A man who was reportedly last seen in Las Vegas after a professional wrestling event earlier this month has died, according to authorities. Marc Izard, 43, died April 18 in the 1730 block of Las Vegas Boulevard South, between East St. Louis Avenue and Oakley Boulevard, the Clark County coroner’s office said Monday afternoon. Izard’s cause and manner of death were still pending.” – Las Vegas Review-Journal

While the glittering Las Vegas Strip feels like a haven for wrestling pilgrims drawn to its electric energy, Sin City hides risks that can shatter dreams in an instant. Violent crime is always a risk, and pedestrian fatalities remain alarmingly high amid chaotic traffic and impaired drivers, while extreme desert heat claims hundreds of lives each summer. Fans are advised to stay vigilant, travel in groups, and prioritize safety to protect the memories they came to create.