Roman Reigns has previously stated that he doesn’t like CM Punk, and now in an interview with Ariel Helwani for BT Sport, the Universal Champion has doubled down when given the opportunity to discuss past comments made by him. Hawaii would ask Reigns about Punk’s well-known displeasure with part-timers coming back to take main events when he was in WWE, and Reigns would indirectly call Punk bitter and not as good as Cena or The Rock.

As previously mentioned, Reigns isn’t a fan of Punk, so he likely isn’t just slamming Punk because he is set to debut for AEW on this Friday’s Rampage. In fact, in the past, when asked if he’d do business with Punk if he were to return to WWE, Reigns confirmed he would but added Punk would “have to be slapped around a few times in order to get his mind right.“

Obviously, the prospects of Punk and Reigns sharing a ring again are remote, with Punk about to be confirmed as All Elite and Reigns being the face of WWE. However, stranger things have happened in pro wrestling over the years, so it might be worth Punk keeping up with his MMA training just in case.

Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, collectively known as The IIconics, were among ten wrestlers released by WWE on April 15, ending their six-year run with the company. Due to WWE owning the trademark on their ring names, they promptly began going by Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay, respectively, and together have trademarked “The IInspiration.” Now being free of their 90-day non-compete clauses, their fans have been keenly awaiting an update on their next destination.

With it known, they intend to continue their careers as a tag team, some presumed that the duo would walk straight into AEW due to Royce being married to Shawn Spears. Obviously, that hasn’t happened, although Fightful Select has now reported that both Impact Wrestling and an unnamed promotion with a show scheduled to launch later this year have shown interest in them. It was noted, though, that no deals have been agreed.

With the pair being Australians, a significant issue for them is getting new green cards and work visas. Technically their 90-day non-competes counted as them being employed by WWE until July 14, so based on what the US government permits, they only have until September 12 to sign with a new promotion.

Brian Knobs of The Nasty Boys is currently hospitalized with unspecified stomach issues. A GoFundMe was sent up to help raise money to cover his medical bills for this and knee surgery, with $14.333 raised of the $20,000 goal as of writing. While this is clearly a serious issue, Eric Bischoff, who has known Knobs since they worked together in the AWA and was previously his boss in WCW, has now stated that the medical issues Knobs is dealing with are much worse than have been made public.

Knobs’ wrestling career began in 1985 as part of AWA and his mainstream run pretty much ended following his departure from WCW in 2000. Along with tag partner Jerry Sags, he would get a tryout ahead of a potential WWE return in 2007, but those in attendance said the match didn’t go well, and WWE didn’t follow up. His last hurrah came in 2010 following his longtime friends Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff to TNA. The duo would feud with Team 3D before leaving the promotion after an altercation involving Knobs at a TNA function which Spike TV executives observed. Since then, the 57-year-old has been wrestling on the independents and autograph signings at conventions. However, that ended in 2019 when his knee issues severely limited his mobility.

While neither AEW nor CM Punk has officially confirmed he has signed with the promotion, they haven’t denied it, and it’s anticipated he will be debuting on this Friday’s episode of Rampage. Based on a promo cut by Darby Allin where he said that AEW is the place to prove you’re the greatest, even if you’re the best in the world, the pair are expected to be working together. The belief being Punk expressly requested Allin as his first opponent in seven years based on previous comments about wanting to work with him if he ever made a comeback.

However, Kenny Omega has also been making subtle hints about Punk joining the promotion and seemingly potentially working with him. This first started a few weeks ago when Omega would wear a “Cookie Monster” t-shirt, which at one time was jokingly rumored to be what CM stood for in CM Punk’s name. Now though, during this week’s episode of Dynamite, he was much more specific, wearing a t-shirt saying, “Chick Magnet,” which is what the initials actually stand for as Punk started out wrestling in a team called The Chick Magnets.

While a match between Punk and Allin will undoubtedly get a lot of attention, a program between Punk and Omega is where the big money is, especially since they have never competed before. So if AEW is to go in that direction and look to maximize revenue rather than get a rating, it would seem Full Gear in November would be the most likely event for their first meeting.

Bo Dallas’ 13-year tenure with WWE ended this past April when he was released due to budgetary cuts. He had last wrestled for the company in November 2019, and his absence was thought to be simply down to WWE not having anything creatively for him. Now though, during a virtual autograph signing for Highspots, he explained that he actually had suffered a broken neck and had been out recovering.

During his time away from the ring, Dallas wisely began preparing for his post-wrestling life and has started a real estate business with fellow wrestler Liv Morgan, who herself began training to be a realtor last year. However, he would also reveal that he isn’t done with wrestling during the virtual signing and calls it his passion.

With him needing to show he can still compete despite his injury and needing to lose the ring rust, it seems likely Dallas will begin competing on the indies soon. Then based on his own name and that of his family, it wouldn’t be a shock to see him appearing for AEW or Impact Wrestling in the future, possibly even with his former tag partner Curtis Axel who himself is a free agent.

Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. who is best known for his roles in She’s All That, Scooby-Doo, and I Know What You Did Last Summer, previously worked for WWE in the role of producer and director. At one time, he was considered for the lead writer’s position but departed the company to focus on being a father. However, he still follows the product and remains in contact with several of his former colleagues in the company.

Now the actor has appeared as a guest on the new Ringer Wrestling Podcast to talk about SummerSlam, and during this, Bray Wyatt’s name would come up. Prinze Jr. would go on to say that there were creative issues between Wyatt and both Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn. He also indicated that this was why Goldberg squashed The Fiend at Super ShowDown 2020.

Up until his defeat to Goldberg, The Fiend was the hottest character in the company, and it looked as though he was going to headline WrestleMania 36 against Roman Reigns. At short notice, though, Goldberg won the Universal Championship and took The Fiend’s spot. So while The Fiend remained a popular character, he was definitely less over than before his match Super ShowDown 2020, and it did come across as self-sabotage. Now with the insight provided by Prinze Jr., it appears that’s exactly what it was with WWE damaging their own talent to prove a point.

NXT’s Adam Cole’s WWE contract recently expired, and to conclude his current feud with Kyle O’Reilly, he would extend his deal until after SummerSlam weekend. In order to convince him to re-sign, it’s known Vince McMahon personally met with him before a recent episode of SmackDown to discuss his future. While it isn’t known precisely what was discussed, it is believed the meeting went well as it was subsequently reported that McMahon had instructed his writers to begin pitching ideas for Cole’s main roster call-up. Since then, though, things have been quiet, and it isn’t known if Cole is staying with WWE or looking to join his girlfriend, Britt Baker, in AEW.

Now though, Cole may have provided a clue regarding his future, as, during a recent Twitch stream, he would tell viewers there is zero chance his channel will ever go away. This is significant because WWE does not allow talents on the main roster to have Twitch channels, yet AEW has no such rule. Thus, Cole may be planning on signing with AEW, which is why he is confident his channel will continue.

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Cole began training at CZW’s Academy in 2008 and would work for the promotion until 2013. After that, he’d go to wrestle for Ring of Honor, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and New Japan before signing with WWE in 2017. He’d debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III by attacking NXT Champion Drew McIntyre. Unfortunately for Cole, WWE changed their plan to put the belt on him, as according to Andrade, Cole was judged too small to beat McIntyre. Therefore Andrade would instead be the man to defeat McIntrye. As a result, Cole would have to wait nearly two more years to finally win the NXT Championship when he beat Johnny Gargano at TakeOver: New York.

Last month, police stopped Jimmy Uso for running a red light and speeding in Pensacola, Florida. After pulling him over, police smelt alcohol on him, and he was noticeably swaying when standing. He’d take two breathalyzer tests and was found to be more than double the legal limit. Initially, it was thought WWE might come down hard on him. However, he was not removed from television and even won the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, seemingly indicating WWE was not concerned.

Now speaking in an interview with the New York Post, Jimmy’s cousin Roman Reigns has commented on his arrest, acknowledging his family member made a mistake, but he doesn’t think turning his back on him will make him a better person. Additionally, he’d add that he is continually working to make sure Jimmy makes better decisions through communication.

Jimmy Uso’s life outside the ring has been plagued by legal issues stemming from drunken behavior. In 2011, he was charged with his first DUI and sentenced to probation, and an arrest followed this in 2013 for driving with a suspended license. Then in 2018, he would be arrested for DWI in Texas and released after posting a $500 bond. Then twice in 2019, he would encounter more legal troubles, once for disorderly conduct and obstruction and then again for DUI. Although in that instance, he would be found not guilty.

While some fans are turned off by his reckless manner, Darby Allin is currently building himself a sizable, loyal fan base consisting of people of all ages. An example of this would come this past weekend when Allin would meet a heavily tattoed superfan, who has shown her dedication to him by getting his ring name and face tattoed prominently onto their neck. Allin would describe the tattoo as “Wild,” and you can view a brief video featuring the encounter and tattoo below.

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Due to his daredevil style and non-verbal charisma, Allin is often likened to Jeff Hardy. However, he also shares many similarities with CM Punk due to their straight-edge lifestyle, love of punk music, and the same “Drug Free” tattoo on their hands. While this would appear to make them an ideal team in AEW, the belief is pair are set to face off in Punk’s first match in seven years, with the former WWE Champion personally choosing Allin as his first opponent.

Ric Flair left WWE two weeks ago following a text conversation with Vince McMahon over Charlotte’s booking. Flair himself says he asked for his release, although it has been claimed McMahon actually fired him. Regardless of the circumstances of his departure, he is now a free agent. Now during AAA’s biggest show of the year, TripleMania XXIX, he has made his first post-WWE appearance, accompanying his future son-in-law Andrade El Idolo for his AAA Mega Championship match against Kenny Omega.

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72-year-old Flair would get physical during the match after preventing Omega from hitting Andrade with the title belt. He and Andrade then took turns chopping Omega. Next, Flair would chop down Konnan, who was in Omega’s corner, and Flair would put Konnan in the Figure 4 while Andrade did the same to Omega. However, shortly afterward, as the referee was clearing the ring, Omega would hit Omega with the belt and then a One-Winged Angel for the victory.

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In recent years Flair has been in poor health due to a heart condition called alcoholic cardiomyopathy. Plus, in 2017, he had a piece of his bowel removed, resulting in kidney failure and dialysis. Thankfully, he recovered and was medically cleared to get physical in the ring while still with WWE. Despite this, McMahon would refuse to allow Flair to take bumps due to deeming it too risky.

With Andrade being signed with AEW, speculation is bound to increase that Flair will soon be joining him in Tony Khan’s promotion, and he will undoubtedly add to Andrade’s package based on their work at TripleMania. Flair has previously stated he never intends to retire from wrestling, and if he were to join AEW, he would be reuniting with fellow original Four Horsemen Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard, as well as one of his greatest ever rivals, Sting.

With a brand new show having debuted, AEW is currently in talent acquisition mode and has officially announced the signings of both Fuego Del Sol and Jamie Hayter on social media. The pair were both featured during the premiere episode of Rampage and believed to be signed to tier-one deals, which is AEW’s base contract.

Del Sol would be defeated by Miro, where the stipulation was that if Del Sol got the win, he’d earn an AEW contract. Despite losing, Del Sol would still be offered a contract as following the match, his real-life friend Sammy Guevara and Tony Khan would coming out to present him with a contract. For those unfamiliar with Del Sol, he has been a regular over the past 18 months on AEW YouTube shows, working as an enhancement talent. During this time, he has built up a significant following among fans and fellow wrestlers who he always makes look good despite constantly losing. It was a cool moment, however, Del Sol actually signed his contract a few weeks ago, and it was decided to postpone the announcement until Rampage.

Hayter would make her return to AEW following Rampage’s main event, aligning herself with Britt Baker, who had defeated Red Velvet. She would do this by attacking Kris Statlander, who had was attempting to save Velvet, who had been continuing to beat on by Baker after the match. Coincidentally, Hayter’s AEW debut actually came against Baker back in 2019 when she lost to her on the 4th ever episode of Dynamite. Since then, she has been wrestling for Stardom in Japan and RevPro in her home country of England.

SummerSlam is set to be headlined by Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. John Cena, and with the event being a week away, WWE is starting to heat up their feud. This was evident during last night’s SmackDown when Cena would cut a phenomenal promo on Reigns claiming he’d almost ruined Seth Rollins’s career, and then seemingly took a shot at Jon Moxley by saying Reigns had run Dean Ambrose out of the company.

Furthermore, he noted Reigns would end up as the answer to a trivia question about who Cena defeated for his record-breaking 17th world championship. Then in reference to CM Punk’s Money In The Bank victory from 2011, he said that once he won the title, he’d jump the barrier to leave the arena and may even blow him a kiss goodbye.

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It initially appeared to be a foregone conclusion that Reigns would defeat Cena as WWE’s long-term plan is to have Reigns vs. The Rock at WrestleMania. However, with Ric Flair, the man tied with Cena for most world championships, no longer being with the company, it wouldn’t be a massive surprise if Vince McMahon decides to have Cena take the record for himself. Additionally, Cena has been advertised as appearing on the September 10th episode of SmackDown, so that could potentially be where he would drop the title before resuming his acting career.