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WWE has updated the roster status of several female superstars, with Paige receiving a status update while AJ Lee and the Bella Twins (Nikki and Brie) have been moved from Raw to free agent status. The changes affect the official WWE roster listings for these performers.
New WWE contracts under TKO reportedly include a one-year non-compete clause for talent fired for cause or breach, which has become standard language according to multiple sources. Wrestling attorney Mike Dawkins revealed that TKO-era contracts also allegedly feature a nine-month "exclusive negotiation period" during the final portion of deals, preventing wrestlers from discussing their future with other promotions like AEW, TNA, or GCW during that timeframe. Dawkins described the nine-month restriction as potentially unreasonable and suggested some of the new contract language could lead to significant legal challenges.
Eric Bischoff has defended TKO's decision to ask WWE talent to take pay cuts, explaining that he believes the company is likely making decisions based on long-term financial forecasting rather than current revenue performance. According to reports, TKO has been pushing for "50% restructuring" on some existing deals, with Bryan Alvarez stating the company believes talent workloads are significantly lighter than when contracts were originally signed. Bischoff argued that publicly traded corporations like TKO don't operate on a year-to-year basis and suggested the company probably conducted an internal audit projecting what WWE's cost structure would look like over the next five years.
Lizzy Rain has commented on recent WWE debuts by stars from the United Kingdom, describing the developments as "very exciting."
According to a new report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, John Cena's major announcement at WWE Backlash 2026 is expected to be connected to the launch of "Club WWE," described as a fan-experience platform, membership program, or digital initiative. WWE internally has high expectations for the project and views Cena as the public face of the announcement as a major positive for the launch. When sources were asked if the announcement was tied to a future WrestleMania location reveal, they responded "probably not."
Paul Heyman told TMZ Sports that he was completely unaware of Brock Lesnar's retirement plans before WrestleMania 42, contradicting suggestions that it was a carefully orchestrated secret. Heyman pointed to his previous public comments about Lesnar having "15 years" left and said his emotional ringside reaction was genuine, stating "I was crying" and questioning whether he's capable of acting that well on command. WWE has since moved Lesnar to the alumni section of their website and aired tribute packages across their programming.
Eric Bischoff stated on his 83 Weeks podcast that WWE allowing Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to leave makes financial sense from a business perspective, despite fans' emotional attachment to The New Day. Bischoff explained that WWE had to evaluate the situation as a business decision rather than based on the team's loyalty and history with the company, noting that their contracts were likely structured around an older touring model that no longer exists. According to previous reports, WWE approached The New Day about restructuring their deals, but Kingston and Woods rejected the proposed terms before being granted their release.
According to a WrestleVotes report on Fightful Select, WWE's Gingerbread Man storyline involving Sami Zayn and Trick Williams has received "significant internal pushback" from WWE creative circles, with one source describing it as "hokey and archaic." The storyline escalated on the May 1 SmackDown when Sami Zayn attacked the mascot character, leading to speculation about a heel turn that Zayn himself later disputed in an interview with the Toronto Sun. WWE is continuing the angle with a "funeral" for the Gingerbread Man advertised for the May 8 edition of SmackDown.
The May 8, 2026 episode of Friday Night SmackDown serves as the go-home show before the Backlash Premium Live Event, featuring GUNTHER's appearance following his attack on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes last week. The show will include Tiffany Stratton defending the Women's United States Championship against Kiana James, and a six-woman tag team match with Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss facing Fatal Influence. Additionally, a funeral service will be held for the Gingerbread Man after Sami Zayn destroyed the character on last week's SmackDown.
Austin Theory has stated that Seth Rollins "might have to retire" after facing Bron Breakker at Backlash 2026. Theory believes Rollins may see his career come to an end when he faces Breakker at the WWE event.
WWE's Chelsea Green has provided a health update following a recent medical procedure to treat a long-standing heart condition. The procedure was specifically for SVT (supraventricular tachycardia), and Green stated "I'm feeling good" regarding her current condition.
Dakota Kai stated that her 2025 WWE release was more shocking to her compared to a previous departure from the company. Kai revealed she was surprised by the 2025 release and discussed her time away from wrestling.