Rock legends KISS last released a new album in 2012 with “Monster.” Since then, the band toured consistently culminating in their ‘End Of The Road” world tour, but were fairly adamant about not releasing more new material, or at least not doing a full new album.
Paul Stanley told USA Today in 2021: “I don’t really see a reason for it, to be quite honest. For the most part, when classic bands put out new albums, they’re looked at and listened to and thrown away because they don’t have the gravitas, they don’t have the age that comes with something being a time capsule or being attached to a certain period of your life.”
Stanley continued: “I’m not alone in that. When you see any classic bands on TV or if there’s a concert video, turn off the sound and I’ll tell you every time they’re playing a new song because the audience sits down. So it’s odd to me that people always want you to do a new album, but then they go, ‘That’s great. Now play your hits.’ So honestly, at this point, there isn’t a real reward in it. There’s much more of a reward in changing lanes — I’m still going forward.”
At the end of their farewell tour, KISS announced that the band would continue in avatar form in the future. The Las Vegas-based show will now launch in 2028. “It’s going to be the iconic face personas, The Demon, the Starchild, and so on,” Stanley recently told Pollstar. “Who you want to place into that lineup is up to you. As for which songs will be included in the show, we will have all the classics through the years and some surprises.”
Gene Simmons also added: “You’re gonna get all that stuff, and also new songs.” When asked to clarify, Simmons said: “Exactly what that means, written by us. We have songs done.”
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In a fiery public response, which has likely been years in the making, Diana Hart has taken to her Instagram account to vehemently reject her brother Bret Hart’s repeated claims that her late husband, The British Bulldog, was in no condition to perform during their legendary SummerSlam 1992 main event. Diana accused Bret of diminishing her late husband’s legacy by rewriting history after Davey’s death, despite never having raised concerns during his lifetime.
“Bret does not present his statements as opinions; he states them as facts. That distinction matters, because many of his claims—specifically about Davey’s physical or mental state at SummerSlam’92 are simply not true. It is my opinion that Bret’s current misrepresentation of events at SS92 may be influenced by the stroke he suffered in the summer of 2002. What cannot be ignored is the timing, that Davey died prior to that, in May 2002. There was a full decade (1992-2002) when Bret could have raised his claims directly with Davey, if they were legitimate. He never did. Not once. The absurd and hurtful accusations began after Davey was no longer alive to respond … I will not accept is history being rewritten after the fact, especially when the person, (Davey)being totally discredited is no longer alive to defend himself. Davey was so good and loyal to Bret.” – Diana Smith
The Hart family remains one of wrestling’s most storied and complicated dynasties, forged in Stu Hart’s infamous Calgary Dungeon. Stu and Helen raised 12 children in hardship, producing multiple stars, including Bret, Owen, and in-laws like Jim Neidhart and The British Bulldog. While family loyalty fueled iconic 1990s WWF storylines such as the Hart Foundation and the explosive Bret-Owen feud, real-life tragedies, public accusations, and lingering tensions also shaped the era. Yet through Natalya, Davey Boy Smith Jr., and an enduring legacy, especially in Canada, the Hart name continues to thrive.
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WWE has officially trademarked the name Shido Ash, which, according to @WrestlePurists via Bodyslam+, will be the ring name for NXT prospect Shady Elnahas, signaling a major rebranding effort for the former Olympic judoka. The move highlights the promotion’s commitment to crafting marketable identities for its developmental talent, especially as NXT continues grooming homegrown stars for bigger stages. Standing at 6’4” with an imposing athletic build, Elnahas brings legitimate combat credibility and a lifelong passion for wrestling that dates back to his childhood.
Elnahas was born in Egypt in 1998 but was raised in Canada, where she turned to judo for self-defense and ultimately became a two-time Olympian, Commonwealth Games gold medalist, and decorated international champion. After retiring from competition, he would sign with WWE in May 2025, training at the Performance Center and occasionally competing on NXT house shows and appearing in background roles. However, most fans currently know him for his high-profile relationship with SmackDown star Tiffany Stratton, as they frequently share photos together on social media.
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During an interview with Wrestling Xotics Live, adult movie star Johnny Sins has openly expressed his interest in pursuing a career in professional wrestling. Sins opened up about his fandom, recalling his childhood and naming WWE Hall of Famer The Ultimate Warrior as his all-time favorite wrestler. Additionally, the popular spicy entertainer noted Logan Paul’s recent success, suggesting he is somewhat familiar with the current product.
“I have watched wrestling. I was big into wrestling when I was a kid. My favorite wrestler of all time is Ultimate Warrior. I’m born in 78, so I grew up in the ’80s, so I love all the ’80s wrestlers. I’d love to wrestle. I see Logan Paul doing it now, so yeah. He’s doing a great job.” – Johnny Sins
The link between adult entertainment and professional wrestling has long been evident, with several wrestlers crossing over into explicit content. Iconic figures like Chyna starred in major adult films such as “Backdoor to Chyna,” while Sunny and others, including X-Pac, also ventured into the industry. However, so far, no adult actor or actress has successfully gone the other way, suggesting Sins might struggle if he is seriously considering pursuing a wrestling career, especially given that he is almost 50.
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British-born wrestling star Blake Monroe continues to captivate audiences both inside and outside the ring, with her latest social media post grabbing attention. In the thirst trap photo, the NXT sensation flaunts her signature platinum blonde waves paired with a striking red top, radiating effortless confidence against a chic home backdrop. Subsequently, her admirers have filled the replies, celebrating her stunning good looks and commanding presence.
Monroe, real name Mariah Mead, began her wrestling career on the British independent circuit in 2019, later gaining valuable experience in Japan’s Stardom promotion as part of Club Venus. Joining AEW in late 2023, she rose quickly with a high-profile feud against Toni Storm and captured the AEW Women’s World Championship, holding it for approximately six months. However, her long-term goal was to work for WWE, and she achieved this in June 2025 when she made her surprise debut on NXT, adopting her current glamorous persona.
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Jacob Fatu has unveiled a powerful new tattoo on his arm and shoulder, wrapping intricate tribal patterns around his existing “Journey” script. The bold design, crafted by artist Michael Fatutoa aka Samoan Mike, celebrates his rich heritage while symbolizing personal growth and evolution in the demanding world of professional wrestling. Shared on social media ahead of WWE WrestleMania 42, the piece has sparked admiration from fans for its cultural authenticity and striking artistry.
In Samoan culture, the traditional tatau serves as a sacred rite of passage that embodies identity, resilience, courage, and service to family and community. Motifs such as shark teeth signify protection and adaptability drawn from ancestral ocean spirits, while spearheads represent warrior strength and defense of loved ones. Ocean waves evoke life’s voyages and endurance, and interconnected patterns highlight the unbreakable bonds between individual, lineage, and village. Fatu’s arm piece masterfully blends these timeless symbols with his personal “Journey” narrative, creating a living testament to his Samoan roots.
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In joyful news, Sports Illustrated has reported that WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia has exchanged vows with former wrestler Patrick Ellrich on April 12. The two reportedly met by chance at a restaurant, where Ellrich and Garcia bonded over wrestling talk. Ellrich had previously pursued a career in wrestling himself, competing on the indies under the ring name Hayden Young, and at one time even teamed with Xavier Woods.
“Garcia and Ellrich were married on Sunday April 12. The original plan was for Garcia and Ellrich to elope. Instead, friends of the couple, Jamie and Jason Symons, wanted to throw them an intimate barbecue and they were grateful for it.” – Sports Illustrated
Ellrich keeps a relatively low profile outside his craft beer business, with no major mainstream websites mentioning him beyond his relationship with Garcia and tag partnership with Woods. Therefore, it seems his story reflects the classic independent wrestling journey of regional success, big dreams, but ultimately a pivot to another career, given the limited number of wrestling jobs available.
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Always a point of contention for rock fans, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame revealed its inductees for the Class of 2026. Surprisingly, the list is actually geared more towards the rock artists who were up for nomination.
Metal legends Iron Maiden are going in, along with Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Oasis, Joy Division/New Order, Sade, Luther Vandross and Wu Tang Clan. Celia Cruz, Fela Kuti, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Gram Parsons will be presented with the Early Influence Award; Philly Soul songwriter Linda Creed, producer Arif Mardin, producer Jimmy Miller and Rick Rubin will be honored with the Musical Excellence Award; and Ed Sullivan will be given the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood issued a statement on behalf of the band saying: “We’d like to thank the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for including us (and former members who were all part of our story) in the 2026 roll call of inductees. Iron Maiden have always been about our relationship with our fans above anything else, including awards and industry accolades. However, having said that, it’s always nice to be recognized and honored for any achievements within the music industry too!”
Smallwood continued: “It also seems appropriate for the band to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame this year as we continue our 50th-anniversary celebrations with our ‘Run For Your Lives’ world tour visiting the Americas and beyond. We would also like to congratulate our fellow 2026 inductees and extend our gratitude as ever to our fans for their loyalty, perseverance and support for over 50 years now! See you all, somewhere on tour.”
Members of Maiden being inducted are singer Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Adrian Smith, Dave Murray and Janick Gers, along with former guitarist Dennis Stratton, former singers Paul Di’Anno and Blaze Bayley, and former drummer Clive Burr.
Rock or rock oriented artists who were up for nomination this year that didn’t get in include The Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, INXS and Melissa Etheridge.
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WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has firmly rejected any future involvement in Power Slap, agreeing with critics that the sport is dangerous and a direct path to head trauma. This topic came up during a recent TMZ interview following Jake Hager’s six-fight contract signing, with Henry saying it’s “asking for a concussion,” and noting that allowing someone to hit you isn’t a test of a person’s fighting ability.
“I‘m not a fan of the Power Slap. It’s just asking for a concussion. We live enough of an aggressive existence to not put yourselves in harm’s way. If somebody tells me, ‘Hey man, that’s hot, don’t touch it,’ I’m not touching it. I don’t have to feel, smell my own flesh sizzle for me to get the message. If you let somebody hit you, then do you really get the true measure of the man? I’m not letting nobody do me wrong. I’m just not gonna do it. You have to sneak up on me.” – Mark Henry
Slap fighting originated from informal toughness contests among strongmen in Siberia and Eastern Europe, where open-hand slaps replaced punches to settle disputes. These challenges later became sideshow attractions at strongman events in the early 2000s, and from there, viral videos exploded in popularity between 2017 and 2019, catching the world’s attention and leading Dana White to launch Power Slap in 2022. And while White has tuned the underground spectacle into a professional sport with weight classes and medical oversight, many feel the risk of long-term harm isn’t worth the financial reward.
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Over the weekend, wrestling fans have been mocking the head sculpt of the latest Alexa Bliss action figure online after Ringside Collectibles shared a photograph from an upcoming Mattel release. This is because its sculpted face bears almost no resemblance to the WWE star, with some in the comments even suggesting it looks more like Erika Kirk. Of course, it’s too late to make any changes now, and it will be interesting to see whether it becomes a peg warmer despite Bliss’ popularity.
Beyond Bliss’ polarizing figure, wrestling toy history is filled with infamous misses that left fans bewildered, from Jakks using the same face sculpt for both Jeff Jarrett and Owen Hart to a ripped Samoa Joe with an oversized head. And while, over time, companies usually produce spot-on replicas due to advancing technology, an ongoing joke among figure collectors is that no company has yet produced a good Bret Hart, with his figures typically looking more like Howard Stern.
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Liv Morgan is gearing up for her Women’s World Championship Match against Stephanie Vaquer at Wrestlemania 42, and she’s ready for some trouble in more ways than one. The WWE superstar released her own “Trouble” music video on Monday days ahead of her match at “The Show of Shows.
Morgan is in troublemaking mode throughout the risqué video lighting a car on fire, wrecking a game of pool and getting a tattoo before being arrested by police. “Trouble, trouble, that’s me/ Cherry lips and bad energy/ Say it once, say it twice and I’ll give it to you all night,” Liv sings on the chorus. The video also features police taking Morgan’s mugshot.
Earlier this month, Morgan told Chris Van Vliet: “I feel like since I’ve come back from my injury, I’m very much just trying to stay in the moment and be present. Obviously, WrestleMania is heavy on my mind, but I’m not feeling any anxiety or pressure yet. I’m just kind of taking everything day by day and just preparing as best as I can. So no, I don’t feel pressure right now in this moment.”
Check out Morgan’s new video below.
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Natalia Markova’s latest look has left fans breathless, with the current NWA Women’s Champion wowing fans by sharing a new photo on social media. Posing casually against a door with one hand behind her head, her long waves cascading freely, and bold makeup enhancing her striking features. Markova captioned the photo, “I didn’t plan to be extra today… It just happened,” and subsequently, fans flooded her post with praise for the effortless confidence that defines her ever-growing influence in the wrestling business.
37-year-old Markova debuted in 2007 with Moscow’s Independent Wrestling Federation under the name Bonnie, capturing the IWF Women’s Championship multiple times through 2017. The Russian wrestler then took a hiatus before relocating to North America, where she has since excelled on the indie circuit and briefly worked for AEW in an enhancement role. However, since 2021, she has been signed with Billy Corgan’s NWA and notably competed against Mickie James, Kamille, and Taya Valkyrie.
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