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TKO has shared a behind-the-scenes video of WWE's talent relations department on social media. The video provides a look at the inner workings of the department.
The April 28, 2026 edition of WWE NXT experienced a decline in both viewership and ratings despite featuring multiple debuts. The episode was described as packed with debut appearances but still saw decreased audience numbers.
Karmen Petrovic has had limited involvement on NXT television in recent weeks, with only one match in April at an NXT live event and two matches in March. According to sources cited by BodySlam, Petrovic is expected to face Nikkita Lyons on EVOLVE in the coming weeks, with potential discussions about her working with Lucha Libre AAA before transitioning back to NXT TV.
WWE SmackDown aired May 1, 2026 from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, featuring a singles match between Charlotte Flair and Fatal Influence's Jacy Jayne. The show also included former WWE NXT Champion "Absolute" Ricky Saints making his SmackDown debut and a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match between champions Brie Bella and Paige against The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend).
Kevin Nash criticized WWE's hotel arrangements in Las Vegas following the CM Punk incident at WrestleMania 42, stating that WWE should either avoid Vegas properties or move talent to smaller, more secure hotels. Nash pointed to the difficulties wrestlers face navigating crowded casino floors and said the incident affected multiple talent members who just wanted privacy. Police did not arrest Punk after reviewing CCTV footage from the MGM Grand, determining that a fan initially approached Punk by tapping him on the shoulder, though they noted they could take action regarding a second incident where Punk knocked a phone from a fan's hand.
WWE released a video on social media showing Jacob Fatu on a mysterious phone call before the May 1 SmackDown episode in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The video shows Fatu using cryptic language during the call, though the identity of who he was speaking with remains unknown. WWE is continuing the ongoing storyline between Fatu and Roman Reigns, with Fatu being the first to challenge Reigns after WrestleMania where Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes to become Undisputed World Champion.
Brock Rechsteiner, son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner and cousin of Bron Breakker, has reportedly signed with an NFL team after going undrafted.
An unadvertised match featuring Royce Keys has been revealed for the May 1 WWE SmackDown episode, though his opponent has not been announced. The match was not part of WWE's official lineup and adds to an already loaded show that includes Cody Rhodes opening the program, a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match, and appearances by Jacob Fatu and others.
The April 27 episode of WWE RAW was internally titled "Family Business," reflecting the heavy focus on Roman Reigns and The Usos storylines throughout the night. According to Fightful Select, the creative breakdown revealed specific writers and producers assigned to each segment, with Michael Kirshenbaum writing the Roman Reigns consultation with The Usos and Bobby Roode producing multiple major segments including Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker and the Jacob Fatu/Roman Reigns segment. A planned segment involving Ethan Page and Rusev was shifted from the main broadcast to a digital exclusive.
WWE has added a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match to tonight's SmackDown, with current champions Paige and Brie Bella defending their titles against The Irresistible Forces. The match joins an already packed lineup that includes appearances by Cody Rhodes, Jacob Fatu, Sami Zayn, and a match between Jacy Jayne and Charlotte Flair.
Ridge Holland confirmed that his social media posts last October led to WWE terminating his contract two weeks earlier than planned, though he said the company had already decided not to renew his deal. Speaking with Sportshadow Wrestling, Holland stated he takes responsibility for his comments speeding up his departure but has no regrets about what he said on Twitter. Holland's contract was originally set to expire in November after WWE decided not to renew it in October.
According to a report by sports journalist Blake Avigon, WrestleMania 43 heading to Saudi Arabia traces back to the original agreement negotiated by Vince McMahon and Turki Alalshikh in 2018, with multiple TKO sources stating that WWE's biggest event was always expected to be part of the larger Saudi deal. WWE is reportedly targeting March 27 for WrestleMania 43 to align with the final weekend of Riyadh Season, with April 10 as a backup date, and the event is expected to proceed as long as the relationship between Turki Alalshikh and Nick Khan remains intact.