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WWE NXT General Manager Ava (Simone Johnson), daughter of The Rock, announced her departure from WWE on Friday, stating "It Has Been An Honor & A Privilege."
A current WWE star has announced their departure from the company after choosing not to sign a new contract. Ava, who has served as the NXT General Manager, is leaving WWE.
Ava, the daughter of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, has officially left WWE after choosing not to renew her contract. In an Instagram post, she confirmed that her appearance on this past Tuesday's episode of NXT was her final one with the company. Ava made history as the first fourth-generation wrestler in WWE when she signed in February 2020 and later became the youngest General Manager in WWE history at age 22 in January 2024.
WWE has instructed talent to limit social media photos due to concerns about accidentally spoiling Royal Rumble surprises, according to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live. Management told wrestlers to ease up on posting travel and backstage photos after worrying that surprise entrants might be revealed in the background of posts. WWE is also reportedly using staggered travel schedules, private flights, and tight hotel security to prevent leaks ahead of the January 31 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
WWE has booked a match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Tama Tonga for the February 6 SmackDown at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. During this week's SmackDown, Tama Tonga suggested a Shinsuke Sayonara tour, but Nakamura proposed they have their match next week instead.
CM Punk has been announced as the cover star for WWE 2K26, marking his return to the front of the box for the first time since WWE '13. Punk will also narrate the game's Showcase Mode, which will feature pivotal moments from his WWE career including his 2011 pipebomb promo, his 434-day title reign, and his 2023 return. WWE 2K26 is set to launch on March 13, 2026, and will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Dave Meltzer provided an update on Powerhouse Hobbs' new in-ring name and WWE signing. The report also covers money that was offered by AEW related to Hobbs' departure from the company.
WWE held SmackDown in Saudi Arabia on January 30, 2026, serving as the go-home show for the 2026 Royal Rumble. The show featured a title match and Royal Rumble entrant confirmations among its notable events.
Linda McMahon's planned visit to McKinley Elementary School in Connecticut was canceled after parents raised concerns and contacted the district with complaints. McMahon was scheduled to visit the school as part of the U.S. Department of Education's "History Rocks!" tour, which is promoted as celebrating America's 250th birthday and highlighting U.S. history and civic education. The Department of Education issued a statement blaming the cancellation on left-wing politics, while one parent cited concerns about special education services as reasoning for opposing the visit.
Tommaso Ciampa confirmed in a January 30, 2026 interview with SHAK Wrestling that WWE made him an offer to re-sign during his final months with the company, but he turned it down to join AEW. Ciampa stated that WWE approached him "a few times over the last two to three months" and that his decision was personal, saying "I just needed to do what I felt was right for me and my wife." He debuted on the January 28 episode of AEW Dynamite, answering Mark Briscoe's open challenge for the TNT Title, with his first AEW match scheduled for this Saturday on Collision.
During today's SmackDown broadcast from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that streamed internationally on Netflix, a production slip-up may have revealed that Bron Breakker is set to enter the Royal Rumble at #1. A nameplate graphic briefly flashed on-screen showing Bron Breakker as the #1 Entrant in the 30-man match while airing entrances for the Axiom vs Johnny Gargano match. The broadcast only aired live internationally via Netflix, as U.S. fans will see SmackDown on USA Network at 8pm ET in its usual delayed timeslot.
WWE may have accidentally revealed who will be the #1 entrant in the 2026 men's Royal Rumble match. The identity of the first entrant appears to have been spoiled through WWE's own actions.