Latest WWE updates, rumors, and results
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NXT General Manager Robert Stone announced the judges for the first-ever Mr. NXT pageant, selecting EVOLVE Champion Aaron Rourke, SmackDown's Kit Wilson, and comedian Matt Mathews to judge the contest between Shiloh Hill and Tristan Angels. The pageant will take place on the June 9 episode of WWE NXT on The CW, with competitors being judged in three categories: attire, talent, and public speaking.
Randy Orton's WWE return remains uncertain despite his name appearing on WWE's advertised schedule for upcoming SmackDown episodes in Providence and Kansas City. According to Sean Ross Sapp, Orton is not currently scheduled to return on next week's SmackDown, even though he was previously advertised for the May 29 episode in Barcelona, Spain, which did not happen. Orton has been absent from WWE television since WrestleMania 42, where he lost to Cody Rhodes and subsequently attacked him after the match.
Nick Khan claimed at the Sports Business Journal World Congress of Sports that WWE's WrestleMania 40 plans involving Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, The Rock, and Seth Rollins never changed from what fans saw in Philadelphia. However, sources indicate that plans did change when The Rock entered the picture around early 2024, leading to Rhodes initially stepping aside before fan backlash caused WWE to revert to Rhodes defeating Reigns for the championship. Vince Russo also disputed Khan's claim, pointing to a segment where Rhodes told Reigns he would take everything except his title as evidence of the direction change.
Jordynne Grace has been absent from SmackDown television despite attending WWE TV tapings and working Main Event matches, with her only SmackDown appearance since February 28 being a loss to Tiffany Stratton. According to Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, Grace suffered an ankle injury earlier this year and has not been able to build momentum since then, with WWE having limited television plans for her despite her continued presence at tapings. Grace has worked Main Event matches against opponents like Zelina Vega and Kiana James, but has not been given a steady role on SmackDown programming.
CM Punk has been absent from WWE television for nearly two months, with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reporting that Punk was originally planned for shows following WrestleMania but those plans suddenly changed. Sapp speculated that Punk's absence may be related to WWE managing a limited number of dates on his contract and allowing him time to heal nagging injuries, noting that Punk wrestled 11 matches by the end of February which represented a fast pace compared to his 38 matches throughout all of last year.
Vince Russo accused WWE President Nick Khan of lying about the company's WrestleMania 40 plans, specifically disputing Khan's claim that WWE "never changed" course with Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and The Rock due to social media backlash. Speaking on The Coach and Bro Show, Russo cited a segment where Cody Rhodes told Roman Reigns he would take everything from him "except your title," arguing this proved WWE's original plan involved The Rock taking the championship while Cody pursued the Bloodline family power. Russo and co-host Jonathan Coachman believe WWE is rewriting history regarding the WrestleMania 40 storyline changes.
Stevie Richards has accused Ric Flair of having a pattern of starting public drama and then playing the victim, specifically regarding Flair's recent controversy with his son David Flair over the "Flair" name. Richards criticized Flair for publicly calling out David, deleting the posts, and then citing health issues as a reason to move past the situation, arguing this follows a long-running cycle where Flair "starts it and then tries to babyface himself at the end."
Indi Hartwell has explained that there is one major difference in how she was presented during her WWE run compared to her TNA run. The wrestler discussed the contrasting ways the two promotions portrayed her character.
Former WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn stated that Vince McMahon broke a promise regarding how "Total Divas" would impact the women's division and its storylines.
WWE's Je'Von Evans, who is 22 years old, has commented on his wrestling style which he describes as "crazy." Evans believes he wrestles with a chip on his shoulder due to his age and states that he is "just getting started."
AJ Styles has named a European country as his favorite audience to perform in front of, where he wrestled a title match last year. Styles credits the international locale for providing his preferred wrestling audience.
Penta will defend his WWE Intercontinental Championship against Rey Mysterio on the June 8 episode of Monday Night RAW in Paris, France. The match joins an already loaded show that also features King and Queen of the Ring tournament matches, including a four-way qualifier with Seth Rollins, Je'Von Evans, Ricky Saints, and Talla Tonga, and another four-way with Becky Lynch, Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss, and Chelsea Green.