Paige got busted open the hard way on last night’s Smackdown thanks to a mic to the head courtesy of Nia Jax.
The injury happened during an in-ring segment where the WWE Women’s Tag Team champions cut a promo and got interrupted first by Fatal Influence and then by The Irresistible Forces. Obviously, that resulted in a brawl which led to Jax clocking Paige on her head and the former tag champs wiping out the current champs.
In a post on her social media, Paige uploaded a few photos and a video of her head, with WWE medical personnel treating the wound.
“So @LinaFanene said ‘welcome back bitch,'” she wrote.
Collision, which aired for an hour after Dynamite this past Wednesday, drew 429,000 viewers, up 102,000 viewers from the previous episode which aired on Saturday night. The show had a 0.07 rating in 18-49, up 0.01 from the Saturday airing. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
Tonight’s Backlash premium live event is close to being sold out, with over 14,000 tickets distributed for the show.
A couple of more sections were opened with the cheapest price at $76.75. Some floor seats remain available, with row two seats now down to $1,005.95. Other floor seats are priced at $505.95. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.com.
The Benchmark International Arena in Tampa holds around 21,000 fans in a hockey setting but WWE has one third of the arena closed off behind the stage.
WWE paid tribute to their former rival, Ted Turner, last night at the start of Smackdown, opening the show with a graphic which had a photo of Turner and the words “In Memory of Ted Turner 1938-2026.”
The tribute was nothing like anything that AEW did earlier this week on Dynamite, but at least the company did acknowledge someone whose purpose was to put them out of business with WCW and the Monday night war.
The media mogul took over Jim Crockett Promotions in late 1988 and then renamed it WCW, hired Eric Bischoff, and went to war with WWE, signing big names such has Hulk Hogan, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Bret Hart, and others.
Turner passed away earlier this week at the age of 87 after a long battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Live tonight from the Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida, WWE presents Backlash 2026. The full card is as follows:
Roman Reigns vs Jacob Fatu for the WWE World Heavyweight title
Trick Williams vs Sami Zayn for the WWE United States title
Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker
Iyo Sky vs Asuka
Danhausen and mystery partner vs The Miz and Kit Wilson
How to watch
The Countdown to Backlash kicks off at 4PM ET and airs live on YouTube and on WWE’s social media properties. The premium live event starts at 6PM ET, an hour earlier than usual, and airs in full on the ESPN app with unlimited plan for viewers in the United States and on Netflix for international fans.
The first hour of Backlash will also air live on linear television on ESPN2, with the Williams/Zayn and Rollins/Breakker match part of that hour.
The Backlash post-show will commence immediately following the PLE, currently scheduled for 9PM ET.
WWE has started selling the AAA Mega Championship replica title belt on the WWE Shop website, with a price of $549.99.
The belt measures 49.61″ x 9.45″ x 0.2″ and has a 100% Polyurethane strap and 100% Zinc Alloy center and side plates. The item is available to ship today.
Replica titles are a huge part of the WWE merchandise world, with many titles, including those for sports teams, available for purchase.
WWE has engaged the services of StreamEnforcement, a service that uses bots to scour the internet for live streams and identifies copyright strikes from content creators.
The use of the service resulted in a lot of content creators to be hit by copyright claims and takedown notices from WWE for their reaction videos etc.
The move comes somewhat as a surprise considering that the company has used content creators reaction videos in their broadcasts before and also invited several of them for the WrestleMania 42 stage unveiling in Las Vegas.
The takedowns come ahead of the Club WWE launch, an announcement which is expected today during Backlash.
Dynamite this week drew 591,000 viewers, down 5,000 viewers from the previous week and their lowest since the January 21 episode. The show had a 0.10 rating in 18-49, up 0.02 from last week and finished #9 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
A challenge for the WWE title has been made for Clash In Italy in Turin as Gunther looks to get his hands on some gold after retiring John Cena and AJ Styles.
On Smackdown last night, Cody Rhodes came out looking for a fight but was instead met by Paul Heyman, who informed him that the fight he was looking for wouldn’t be in Jacksonville, or even in the United States, but it would be in Italy.
Gunther did eventually make his presence felt, running in from the stands and trying a sneak attack on the champion. This time, Rhodes was prepared and avoided going to sleep.
The former World Heavyweight champion is now officially part of the Smackdown roster. The match between the two for the Italian premium live event has not been confirmed yet, but expected to be one of the main events come late May.
The final stop before Backlash takes place tonight live from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
There are only three matches announced so far for the three-hour broadcast and these are:
Tiffany Stratton vs Kiana James for the WWE Women’s United States title
Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss vs Fatal Influence
Damian Priest vs Talla Tonga
Other segments announced are Jacob Fatu kicking off the show ahead of his World Heavyweight title match against Roman Reigns, Gunther will be in the house to address his attack on Cody Rhodes, and Trick Williams hosts a funeral for Gingerbread Man.
The Sandman sat down with Chris Van Vliet in Las Vegas to discuss his retirement match against The Invisible Man in Las Vegas, how the Singapore cane became his signature weapon, making his entrance to “Enter Sandman” by Metallica, his legendary entrance at ECW One Night Stand, the controversial crucifixion angle with Raven, and more!
How did you get Metallica’s Enter Sandman?
“So I had a job working for the Philadelphia Inquirer. I had a thing we called the Sandman van. It was a custom van. There’s like four captains chairs, a bed in the back, TV and everything. I would pile 10-12 kids in there and drop them off in a neighborhood. They would knock on doors, and they would get people to sign up for The Philadelphia Inquirer. So one of those kids that work for me, he keeps telling me about the song, but I didn’t know what he was talking about. Then he got a tape. It was like an eight-track. I hear it, and I’m like, boom. I think I was coming out, the Big Shot to Billy Joel, and then I switched over to that. Look how great that worked out.”
The entrance you did at ECW One Night Stand is legendary. Do you remember before your music hit that night?
“You know what I always regret? I should have surfed that crowd. I could have surfed that goddamn crowd all over the place. I wish I would have done that. I never even thought. I just saw it because it’s been years since I saw it. I guess I saw it in the last couple of years. I’m like, damn it, should have surfed the ground. That would have been nasty. To me, that would have been epic.”
When ECW goes under. Was there talk of you going right to WWE at that time?
“No.”
Why not?
“I don’t think I was interested in them right then, and I don’t think they were interested in me. I had a reputation at that point, though, too. They were trying to do everything away. At that point, are they testing guys? I don’t know where their health freaking policies were at that point. They’re probably like, No, we ain’t touching that.”
Do you remember Raven telling you about this idea of him wanting to crucify you?
“No, I can’t remember, but I made it. I made it out of wood. If you guys go back and you watch Tommy Dreamer against Brian Lee in the scaffold match, I built that scaffold. It’s hanging down by chains from the ceiling, made out of the same four-by-fours that this thing’s made out of. So I made that thing too. So this thing was easy. I thought this was great.”
Did you think that doing that crucifixion angle crossed the line?
“Well, yes, that’s why I did it, but I didn’t care. I don’t know. I’ve never been a God-fearing person. I think there’s something, but I don’t believe in that. I don’t believe in like, the Father, the Son, the Holy Ghost kind of part of it. So to me, it wasn’t really blasphemous, for one, and for two, it’s professional wrestling, you know what I mean, and for three, f*ck anybody that didn’t like it.”
Do you think Raven shouldn’t have gone out and apologized?
“Oh, no, I told him not to. I told everybody. It’s Paul [Heyman], Todd Gordon, Shane [Douglas], Kurt Angle me and Raven. I told all of them, ‘You’re all f*cking assholes. This is bullsh*t.’ He should not be going out there, and walked away.”
Wasn’t this a big reason Kurt Angle was like, I cannot be seen on this:
“I can’t blame Kurt. First of all, I can’t blame anybody for the father and son the Holy Spirit sh*t. It’s his first delve into professional wrestling, and I could see how he’s a little bit aghast at it. He’s trying to dip his foot into the waters. ‘I’m not sure I want to be involved with this.’ So I can understand his perspective. I can’t understand Paul’s perspective of even considering letting Raven go and doing that. That’s f*cking bullsh*t.”
Four women have been moved to the “free agents” section on the WWE rosters page, meaning they could appear on both shows in the future.
These are Nikki Bella, AJ Lee, and the WWE Women’s Tag Team champions, Brie Bella and Paige.
The four join Oba Femi, Omos, and Danhausen who are also listed as free agents.
AJ Lee is expected to be absent from WWE television for several months as her return arc was completed at WrestleMania. Lee remains under a WWE contract but obviously is not a full-timer.
In related news, Brock Lesnar was also moved from the active list to the alumni section, reflecting his decision to retire at WrestleMania 42.
This week’s episode of NXT drew 641,000 viewers, up 100,000 viewers from the prior week and their best number since February 17 and third highest of 2026. The show had a 0.11 rating in 18-49, up 0.04 and also their best since that February episode. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
The TNA Knockouts title is back around the waist of a TNA-contracted wrestler after Lei Ying Lee defeated Arianna Grace on last night’s episode of Impact.
The main event match saw Lee pick up the victory after delivering a neck breaker from the top rope, winning the Knockouts title for the second time.
During the match, Grace’s fiancee “Stacks” Lorenzo was ejected from ringside by the referee due to the multiple interference during the match.
Grace won the title from Lee at the February No Surrender event, holding on to the gold for 61 days. Lee’s first reign lasted 87 days.
TKO Chief Operating Officer and President Mark Shapiro announced yesterday that their partners in Saudi Arabia will not be withdrawing their funding like they did with LIV Golf.
“Their commitment to our properties in 2026 and beyond is unwavering. As such, after these two events, we expect the remainder of our 2026 slate in the Middle East comprised of six events inclusive of UFC, WWE and Zuffa Boxing to take place as planned,” Shapiro told investors during the conference call.
“The demand is real, our partners are committed and we are leaning in. TKO benefits from having defensive model business characteristics,” he added.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was financing LIV Golf but it recently announced that it will be ending its funding after the 2026 season.
WWE has greatly benefited from Saudi Arabia, doing $50 million per show it produces in the Kingdom, and was paid way more for the Royal Rumble. The fee TKO will get from holding WrestleMania there next year will surpass any amount imaginable for a single event in the history of the company.
When the betting lines for WrestleMania 42 shifted suddenly, the internet didn’t just notice – it went into a total meltdown.
Fans watching the odds for that massive Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk clash at Allegiant Stadium saw a swing so fast it practically gave them whiplash.
This happens before every major show. But why? Keep reading this article, which explores how dedicated fans follow these odds and what those numbers actually reveal about the scripted world of pro wrestling. By the end, you’ll understand why the “smart money” moves and how to predict a major title change.
Why Wrestling Odds Exist and What They Actually Mean
Pro wrestling is predetermined. The outcomes are decided in advance. So why do betting markets exist for a sport where the finish is already written?
Because the drama is real, even if the outcome isn’t.
Wrestling odds don’t measure who is the better athlete. They measure:
Storyline Heat: Who does the narrative need to win right now?
Booking Habits: We all know how Triple H likes a long title reign. The odds usually reflect that predictable logic.
The “Leak” Factor: Someone always knows the finish. When a massive amount of money hits a specific underdog, it usually means a script leaked backstage.
Does shifting the line actually reveal the plan? Or is it just fans guessing on Reddit? It’s usually a mix of both, which is exactly what keeps the conversation going on the Monday before a pay-per-view.
Source: Pexels
The Major Events Where Odds Culture Is Most Active
Not every episode of Raw or Dynamite gets a betting market. Fans save their energy for the shows where history actually happens.
WrestleMania: This is the big one. At WrestleMania 41, the movement in the Cody Rhodes matches was wild. Fans treat these numbers like breaking news.
The Royal Rumble: This match is a total nightmare for oddsmakers. With 30 people involved, the “surprise return” market is where the most fun (and chaos) happens.
AEW All In: Ever since the massive 2025 show in Texas, the hype for AEW’s return to Wembley Stadium in August 2026 has sent the odds culture into overdrive, with fans watching closely to see if international stars like Will Ospreay get that “home field” booking advantage.
Money in the Bank: The odds here are unique. It’s not just about who wins the briefcase, but the speculation on when they’ll cash it in.
Is the community getting too good at this? Sometimes. When a huge long shot becomes a massive favorite 24 hours before a show, the “surprise” is usually ruined.
How Fans Actually Follow and Use Wrestling Odds
Most fans aren’t looking for a payday; they’re looking for clues. It’s a way to engage with the product between the weekly shows. They usually hang out in a few specific spots:
Community Hubs: Places like r/SquaredCircle or the Wrestling-Online forums are where the “line movement” talk happens first.
The “Dirt Sheets”: Rumors from insiders drive the lines faster than anything else.
And here’s the thing, even with “insider” info, things change. It’s why places like BeGambleAware.org are so important. Even in a scripted world, betting involves real money and real risk. No one, no matter how many podcasts they listen to, can truly predict a last-minute creative pivot.
The Real Figures in Wrestling Odds Culture
The odds don’t just move on their own. They react to the voices that the industry actually listens to.
Dave Meltzer: Through the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer’s reports on who is “pushed” or “buried” move the needle instantly.
Bryan Alvarez: His rants on Wrestling Observer Radio often highlight which wrestlers are dealing with injuries, which can tank their odds of winning a title.
Wade Keller: The Pro Wrestling Torch has been around forever. Keller’s focus on “booking logic” helps fans figure out the long-term plans.
Has this insider culture made the markets too accurate? It feels that way. Most major favorites win these days, which makes you wonder if the “secret” is even a secret anymore.
Final Thoughts
Wrestling odds are basically a high-stakes version of predicting the next plot twist in a TV drama you’re obsessed with. They aren’t about sports; they’re about the business of storytelling. Most fans feel like they’re missing part of the story if they don’t see where the money is going before a big show.
Now that you’ve understood the story behind the scenes, you can look at the next match card with a bit more perspective.
What to do now: Head over to WWE.com and look at the card for the next big event. Who do you think the “smart money” is on, and more importantly, would you book it differently?
In a video posted on his X account, John Cena said that the major announcement he will make tomorrow at Backlash will “shock the very foundation of WWE.”
Such announcements typically fall short of expectations and with Cena heading up the Club WWE project, the announcement is rumored to center around that.
“WWE Universe, hey, John Cena here, standing in Thunder Alley, outside of Benchmark International Arena in Tampa Bay,” Cena said in the video. “In just a few days, I have a major announcement inside this building that is gonna shock the very foundation of WWE, from its fans to its Superstars, from its champions down to its rookies.”
He added that he’s grateful that Tampa is allowing him a place to make this announcement and then plugged ESPN and Netflix as the destination for Backlash.
TNA Slammiversary on June 28 will have a much earlier start time than usual to avoid going head-to-head with the AEW Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
The show has a time listed of 3PM ET on the Ticketmaster.com page, although that is expected to be the pre-show, with the PPV portion of the event kicking off an hour later at 4PM ET.
Slammiversary, at the Agganis Arena in Boston, has barely moved any tickets since they went on sale and it’s not looking good so far, with whole sections still full of seats.
Tickets start as low as $61.90 for 100 level seats $82.35 for floor seats. Nine of the fifteen 100 level sections are also completely closed off.
Speaking on the conference call with investors following the Q1 2026 financial results, TKO Chief Operating Officer and President Mark Shapiro acknowledged that there were investor questions on the WWE ticket prices and creative, driven particularly by the “online commentary” of the WrestleMania ticket sales performance.
“Let me say that we are not concerned about the ticket performance whatsoever as it was unrealistic to expect year two growth in Las Vegas,” Shapiro said. “And even with that, WrestleMania 42 was still one of the highest gates in WWE history and easily outperformed anywhere else we could have staged it.”
WWE President Nick Khan said in a past interview that looking back, it was probably not the best idea to host the show in Las Vegas again but the show still drew one of the largest gates in pro wrestling history.
Shapiro also addressed the dissatisfaction online regarding WWE’s creative direction and the incredible amount of advertising during shows.
“There will always be periodic fan dissatisfaction around creative execution, commercial load and celebrity usage,” Shapiro continued. “We listen to all the feedback. We do not turn a deaf ear, but these are not new criticisms.”
Asked regarding the ever-increasing prices of tickets, Shapiro said that it’s not easy to balance the fan experience with the business of sports, be it ticket prices or commercial integration.
“It’s as old as time. And frankly, it crosses genres, right? It’s no different than Hollywood when you go to the movie theater and you see the prices rising for admission and popcorn and candy, not to mention the 30 minutes of commercials and trailers prior to the film that’s been also excessively talked about,” Shapiro fired back.
Shapiro also noted the amount of corporate sponsors leagues such as the NBA and MLB have, with sponsors on jerseys, digital boards at games, sponsors on courts, and naming rights to stadiums, as well as commercial breaks in the Final 4, NFL, and other major sporting events.
“The WWE, in particular, is truly new to commercial integration and sponsorship and change will be more glaring for some as we inevitably commercially integrate,” Shapiro continued. “There’s really no magic formula, there’s no serum for this. There’s going to be some trial and error over time. We have experimented. We pushed some boundaries with various events, we’ve leaned in with others, we’ve pulled back.”
WWE has announced 16 new dates for Raw and Smackdown this Summer.
On Monday, June 29, WWE will tape both Raw and Smackdown on the same night, likely due to the Fourth of July holiday that weekend
These shows will be taped from the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and will be the first time that WWE has held a show there since WrestleMania V. The location was then named the Trump Plaza Convention Center and the host of WrestleMania IV as well. AEW has held multiple shows at this arena over the past few years
Tickets for each show will go on sale Friday, May 15, at 10AM local time. Fans can purchase individual event tickets during an exclusive pre-sale starting Thursday, May 14, at 10AM local time.
Monday, June 29: Atlantic City – Raw and Smackdown at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
Monday, July 6: Chicago – Raw at Allstate Arena
Friday, July 10: Oklahoma City – Smackdown at Paycom Center
Monday, July 13: Dallas – Raw at American Airlines Center
Friday, July 17: Albany – Smackdown at MVP Arena
Monday, July 20: Detroit – Raw at Little Caesars Arena
Friday, July 24: Oakland – SmackDown at Oakland Arena
Monday, July 27: Inglewood – Raw at Intuit Dome
Friday, July 31: Green Bay – Smackdown at Resch Center
Monday, Aug. 3: Des Moines – Raw at Casey’s Center
Monday, Aug. 10: Norfolk – Raw at Scope Arena
Monday, Aug. 17: Buffalo – Raw at KeyBank Center
Friday, Aug. 28: Cleveland – Smackdown at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Monday, Aug. 31: Charlotte – Raw at Spectrum Center
Friday, Sept. 4: Cincinnati – Smackdown at Heritage Bank Center
Monday, Sept. 7: Birmingham – Raw at Legacy Center at BJCC
