Last week, Toni Storm was scheduled to wrestle Marina Shafer on Dynamite but was pulled at the last minute, with an angle filmed in which it was claimed she’d been attacked backstage. Initially, it was speculated that she was suffering a real-life injury and would be sidelined for a long time. However, Dave Meltzer has now stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that this is not the case and that her absence is not injury-related. Therefore, why she needed to be written off television is unclear, leaving fans to speculate online.

“So on the Toni Storm thing, you know, it appears that she’s not going to be wrestling for a long, long time. And this was something that they found out on Wednesday. It was not an injury or anything like that.” – Dave Meltzer

30-year-old Storm made her debut in 2009 and would go on to become the first non-Japanese World of Stardom Champion. From there, she joined WWE and captured the 2018 Mae Young Classic and held the NXT UK Women’s Champion for 231 days. And while her time on the main roster failed to live up to expectations, since signing with AEW in 2022 and adopting her iconic “Timeless” golden-age-of-Hollywood persona, she has become one of the biggest female stars in the industry, becoming a record four-time AEW Women’s World Champion.

Last Friday, it was discovered that WWE management had fined Tama Tonga for sharing rehearsal footage on social media without permission. Apparently, this is an “unwritten rule” at the company, and the amount was reportedly significant at the time. And while the precise dollar amount remains unknown, according to Fighful Select, it was a five-figure sum, meaning at least $10,000.

“We’re told that the Tama Tonga fine from WWE was in the five figure territory.” – Fightful Select

43-year-old Tonga, whose real name is Alipate Leone, is the son of WWE legend Haku and began his pro wrestling career in 2008 after training with the Dudley Boyz. Subsequently, he gained fame in New Japan, winning the IWGP Tag Team Championship seven times with his brother Tonga Loa and the NEVER Openweight Championship four times. Joining WWE in 2024, he debuted by attacking Jimmy Uso, aligning with The Bloodline under Solo Sikoa’s leadership, and has since held the WWE Tag Team Championship twice.

Following Ricochet’s shocking tweet directed at a fan with multiple sclerosis, AEW issued an apology, which surprised many, as he’d previously defended his choice of words. However, it later emerged that he’d been advised by a friend to apologize, which was clearly the right decision. And now, according to a Fightful Select report, sources within AEW say that backstage producer and wrestling veteran Chris Hero advised him to do so.

“Those that we spoke to in AEW say that Chris Hero was the person who reached out to Ricochet to give him advice on the disrespectful MS tweet.” – Fightful Select

46-year-old Hero joined AEW in June 2023 as a coach and producer, initially contributing backstage to shows like Collision. In July 2025, he signed a full-time contract for this role, having earned praise for his technical knowledge and mentoring of talent. Still, it is understood that the former NXT wrestler considers himself an active wrestler, having wrestled for West Coast Pro in 2023 and 2024.

During MJF’s Texas Death Match against Hangman Page at AEW Revolution 2026, the AEW World Champion wore red, black, and white striped gear, plus a cowboy hat and poncho reminiscent of Terry Funk’s iconic look. And now WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley has praised MJF on Instagram for honoring Funk at AEW Revolution 2026, stating, “True legends never die!” Additionally, he confirms past reports that he was in talks to wrestle MJF, and he would have been his “one more match” opponent.

“MJF HONORS THE FUNKER Major props to @the_mjf for honoring Terry Funk last weekend at @aew Revolution 2026… True legends never die! If I had one more match in me, it would have been with MJF. Sadly, it just wasn’t meant to be…” – Mick Foley

Foley idolized Funk long before they met, first inspired by Funk’s brutal 1986 match against Bruiser Brody on tape. Later, Funk would become Foley’s mentor, teaching him the art of hardcore wrestling. Their bond deepened through intense rivalries in Japan and alliances in ECW and WWF. Ultimately, Foley considered Funk his closest friend and greatest influence, and was proud of having built a relationship with the Texas icon that blended fierce competition with lifelong affection and mutual respect.

Joey Janela’s Spring Break is scheduled for April 17 in Las Vegas, built around The Sandman’s final match against The Invisible Man. The other big match on the show is Janela himself vs. 14-year-old Brodie Lee Jr., which has seen some fans complain about the son of the late Jon Huber wrestling in a singles match. Still, Janela seems untroubled by the criticism of wrestling someone so young, telling the Johnny I Pro Show that his maturity is beyond his years and that it stems from outdated views of him as “Negative One” in AEW.

“I wouldn’t say I consider him a child, though, he’s a teenager now, he’s way more advanced than people actually know or realize, not only in the ring, but maturity-wise. People still see him as that little ‘Negative One’ kid, but he’s not that anymore. By the time he’s 20, he’s going to be taller than everyone.” – Joey Janela

Second-generation wrestler Brodie Lee Jr. became known to pro wrestling fans as Negative One as part of the Dark Order. While currently a free agent, it’s known he has signed a contract with AEW that legally activates when he turns 18, allowing him to follow in his father’s footsteps. In the meantime, he has trained at The Dungeon 2.0 with TJ Wilson and Natalya, and made his official in-ring debut in 2025, winning a GCW battle royal.

Fightful Select reports that several independent wrestlers have joined WWE through its ID program, with their involvement during the recent EVOLVE tapings confirming this. Among them is Notorious Mimi, who recently participated in a tryout at the Performance Center and was already known to management, having worked for the company back in 2022. Having previously competed in NXT as Sloane Jacobs, it’s understood she returned to this name again during the tapings.

“A number of indie talent are signed to WWE ID deals WWE held EVOLVE tapings this past week, and a number of WWE ID talent were revealed. Fightful Select can confirm a number of them, including an NXT veteran. Notorious Mimi, who used her old Sloane Jacobs name on the tapings, was confirmed.” – Fightful Select

23-year-old Jacobs, real name Amelia Herr, debuted in 2019 on the independent circuit after training at Monster Factory. Performing as Notorious Mimi, she captured multiple titles, including the Invictus Women’s Championship, TCW Goddess Championship, and others, in addition to working enhancement for AEW, facing Penelope Ford and Emi Sakura. In 2022, she signed with WWE, competing on NXT as Sloane Jacobs, where she made her debut against Nikkita Lyons and participated in the Women’s Breakout Tournament. And while released later that year, she returned to indies with a positive attitude, having not given up her WWE dream.

WWE backstage interviewer Cathy Kelley has revealed on Instagram that she recently underwent egg freezing retrieval surgery amid a grueling workweek. In the post, which featured a photo of the 37-year-old in a hospital gown, she thanked her medical team and noted that she didn’t miss a single day of work. This candid revelation from her personally highlights the fertility struggles for women in demanding careers like professional wrestling.

“between egg freezing retrieval surgery, interrupted interviews, and a severe shortage of french toast sticks… it’s been a week! wouldn’t have survived it without a care team who somehow pulled off a schedule that didn’t take me out of a single day of work and truly incredible friends who kept me (semi) sane throughout (especially @lindylinphoto for weathering the anesthesia induced tears.” – Cathy Kelley

Egg freezing is a fertility preservation method where a woman’s eggs are extracted, frozen, and stored for future pregnancy attempts. The 2–6-week process begins with a consultation, blood tests, and an ultrasound to assess ovarian reserve. Daily hormone injections stimulate multiple egg production over 10–14 days, with frequent monitoring. A trigger shot matures the eggs, followed by a retrieval procedure. Mature eggs are vitrified and stored in liquid nitrogen indefinitely, with success rates being highest when frozen before the age of 35.

Ronda Rousey made a surprise appearance at AEW Revolution on March 15, 2026, in Los Angeles, confronting Toni Storm post-match and generating massive buzz online. Yet, despite this impactful moment, Fightful Select reports that the former WWE star hasn’t signed a contract with Tony Khan’s company. Apparently, the cameo came simply because the venue was local to her, and she had a positive past working relationship with Khan.

“Ronda Rousey made her pro wrestling return at AEW Revolution, with a surprise appearance to help Marina Shafir. In the days that followed, Fightful Select asked a number of AEW sources about her status with the company. Everyone we spoke to is of the belief that she isn’t signed to AEW. When asking about the appearance, it was noted that Rousey lives nearby and has a good relationship with AEW owner Tony Khan.” – Fightful Select

39-year-old Rousey went from the world of MMA to professional wrestling in 2018, debuting at WrestleMania 34 in a mixed tag match alongside Kurt Angle. This first run would culminate in her main-eventing WrestleMania 35, putting over Becky Lynch in the process. However, her second run would be far less memorable, and while she appeared briefly on the indies and Ring of Honor, her focus right now is her upcoming fight with Gina Carano ahead of any potential return to the wrestling ring.

On Friday, former WWE wrestler Ted DiBiase Jr. was acquitted of all 13 counts against him in Mississippi’s high-profile welfare fraud case. The charges, stemming from a years-long investigation into the misallocation of TANF funds, were dismissed after deliberation, allowing DiBiase Jr. to return to normal life. And now, having not posted on social media for several years, he has shared a video on X.com of himself calmly riding a lawnmower and cutting grass, accompanied by a faith-centered message and an expression of gratitude to his legal team.

The Mississippi TANF welfare fraud scandal, the state’s largest public corruption case, involved the misappropriation of over $77 million in federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. These poverty-relief dollars, meant for low-income families, were allegedly diverted to favored nonprofits and resulted in sham contracts, no-show services, luxury items, and projects benefiting high-profile figures. However, while many were named as being involved, including Dibiase Jr’s brother Brett, he would be the only one to face a criminal trial.

Shinedown guitarist Zach Myers recently appeared on the “Beardo & Weirdo” podcast hosted by Five Finger Death Punch bassist Chris Kael and comedian Craig Gass. Myers was asked about the emotional connection fans have to Shinedown’s music and if surprises him. 

“Yes. But it also at times doesn’t feel real, because it’s true,” Myers said. “Your music does mean as much to you as Bruce Springsteen meant to me or U2 meant to me or Stevie Ray Vaughan or whatever. But when it’s you, it’s hard to… I get a lot of imposter syndrome, so it’s hard to go, ‘Oh.’ Like when people say, ‘Dude, your song saved my life,’ the computer just stops working for me. And I go, ‘Oh, man.’ And I don’t want it to make it look like it goes in one ear and out the other, ’cause the truth is people saying those types of things to me are the reason we stop doing meet-and-greets.”

Myers went on to explain that the stories he would hear from fans became too difficult to take just prior to taking the stage for a performance. 

“We would do ours very different,” he said. “Some people just do a photo line. It’s, like, quick — in, out. We’ve toured with bands — they do 150 people in 30 minutes. It took us 90 minutes to do 40 people. ‘Cause me and (singer) Brent (Smith) would start at one end, (bassist) Eric (Bass) and (drummer) Barry (Kerch) at the other, and we would just chat for five minutes with each person.”

Myers continued: “And you’d get these people, and they would go, ‘Man, I’ve got a seven-year-old boy. He died of cancer.’ And I’m, like, under my shirt, texting my wife, like, ‘Take our kid to the hospital right now.’ She’s, like, ‘What? He’s on the trampoline.’ I’m, like, ‘He might have cancer.’ And God bless those people, and I want our songs to help them. I am man enough to admit I don’t have the emotional barricade to not walk on stage with that. By the end of it — I think 2019 when we stopped doing meet-and-greets — I walked out of 11, just walked out. Because I was literally, like, I would start to tear up. And you go to the guy next to you, and he’s, like, ‘Dude, I’ve seen you guys 25 times, bro. Stoked to be here.’ And you’re, like, ‘Sorry, man. I can’t turn this off. I’m gonna think about this kid for a year.’ And you feel for the families. But now what it’s done for us, I think not doing them, is when you meet people out on the street, it becomes more real. It’s not this formulative thing, the construct of a meet-and-greet. It’s, like, they get to see the real you.”

Myers’ full interview can be viewed below.

A GoFundMe campaign titled “In Memory of Dennis Condrey” has been launched by AEW star Dax Harwood to support the late wrestler’s wife, Theresa, following his passing at age 74. The fundraiser, approved by Theresa, aims to cover funeral expenses and her immediate bills after Dennis’s death. As of this writing, no official cause of death has been confirmed, and the campaign has raised $6,440 toward an $11,000 goal from 53 donors, including Cody Rhodes, Nick Aldis, and both members of FTR.

“A sweet, God-fearing man who LOVED his wife Theresa. With her permission, I’ve opened this Go Fund me to help with funeral expenses and bills that she now has to take on her own. She didn’t ask for this. I asked, in his honor, could I do this for him. She allowed me to do this for Dennis & her, but is expecting absolutely nothing but love in return. If Dennis Condrey and the Midnight Express ever brought any amount of joy to your life, and you’re able to help, please do. If not, it’s absolutely ok! Please send all your thoughts and prayers to Theresa Condrey in her time of need.” – Dax Harwood

Condrey began his wrestling career in 1973 after training under Joe Turner. From there, he competed in the NWA Mid-America and the Continental Wrestling Association, often teaming with Phil Hickerson. In 1980, he co-founded the original Midnight Express with Randy Rose in Southeast Championship Wrestling. Then, uniting with Bobby Eaton under Jim Cornette in Mid-South Wrestling, they reestablished the team and became one of the most iconic tag teams in wrestling history. Known as “Loverboy,” Condrey excelled in World Class, Jim Crockett Promotions, and AWA, winning multiple titles before retiring in 2011 after 38 years.

On Friday, Andrew Zarian reported on social media that Tama Tonga had received a significant fine for posting restricted WWE rehearsal footage online.  However, rather than issuing a detailed statement confirming or denying it, the 43-year-old has seemingly acknowledged the report with just a cryptic emoji face on X.com. Whether the leaked video had anything to do with him and JC Mateo dropping the WWE Tag Team Championships to Damian Priest and R-Truth later in the evening is unclear, but some are speculating it may have.

WWE has a long history of imposing hefty fines on wrestlers for policy violations. Famously, Batista was fined $100,000 by Vince McMahon in 2008 for blading during a steel cage match against Chris Jericho, defying the company’s strict no-blood rule in the new PG era. Batista described the moment as heartbreaking, feeling his life “sucked out” of him. Yet despite the expense, he still offered to cover the additional $5,000 in fines levied against Jericho, referee Mike Chioda, and producer Dean Malenko for their involvement.