Seth Rollins and AEW World champion MJF crossed paths at the Super Bowl Radio Row yesterday.
A bunch of wrestlers from both WWE and AEW are participating in appearances leading up to the Super Bowl this Sunday night.
The two stars were going to shake hands and then MJF suggested they look at each other in a devious fashion, before Rollins said they should do a face off.
Both stared at each other for a few seconds before Rollins cracked a smile and then both started laughing.
“I appreciate you, man,” MJF told Rollins.
“Somebody’s gonna get mad,” Rollins replied as the two shook hands and hugged each other. “But, hey, it was awesome, dude.”
X user Justin LaCertosa captured the exchange between the two which you can see below.
AEW President Tony Khan announced that AEW is teaming up with the NFL to release lucha libre masks themed after all 32 teams in the NFL.
The announcement came during Khan’s appearance on Super Bowl Radio Row.
Calling the collaboration a “dream come true,” Khan said that the masks will sport the AEW and NFL logos as well as the colors and branding of each team.
“Starting the first night of the NFL Draft, Thursday, April 23, we will have these masks available on ShopAEW.com for all 32 NFL teams,” Khan said. “Now, finally…I’ve always wanted this. It’s a dream I’ve been working on for years, a partnership between the NFL and AEW. So whoever your NFL team is, whatever football team you’re a fan of, you’ll be able to get an All Elite Wrestling NFL mask for your team!”
Khan’s family owns the Jacksonville Jaguars where he serves as the Chief Football Strategy Officer.
NXT this week with the ladder match to crown a new NXT champion drew 629,000 viewers, down 45,000 viewers from the prior week. The show had the same 0.08 rating it drew for the two previous weeks. Unlike with cable, shows on broadcast television did not get a bump in numbers from the new Nielsen methodology to count viewers as only shows on cable TV are benefiting from it. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
WWE referee Daphanie LaShaunn’s family suffered a tremendous tragedy this week with a house fire that caused the lives of four of her family members.
Her grandfather, grandmother, uncle, and cousin all tragically passed away on February 4.
“My heart aches. Last night I lost my grandma, grandpa, uncle, and cousin in a house fire. We were at the scene til the very end,” the ref wrote in a post on Instagram. “My soul is hollow right now. Please pray for my family as we navigate this unbelievable nightmare.”
She said that planning four funerals will be tough and the family of her cousin, which includes five kids, have no found themselves without a home.
A GoFund Me campaign has been launched to help her family, with the target of $90,000. As of this writing, over $75,000 have been collected, with several of her WWE family chipping in large amounts of money.
On yesterday’s episode of SiriusXM’s The Nikki and Brie Show, Brie Garcia addressed her highly anticipated return to WWE, sharing all the behind-the-scenes details from the moment she got the call to the chants that took over the arena.
Brie Garcia reflects on her WWE return & the moment she got the call (1:49-5:06)
Brie Garcia: I mean, obviously, everyone on the show knows the journey it’s been and I feel like so many times people have heard me, like when I was on red carpet or different interviews, you know, people always ask like, “So, Brie, you going back to WWE?” and I would always jokingly say like, “I haven’t got the call.” Obviously, it wasn’t a joke, but I would jokingly say it, and you know, it’s interesting because it has been a journey to get here. When you debuted a year ago, you know, it wasn’t in my mind, and then I started to get the itch. I wanted to get back into the ring and I tried and the answer kept being no. It was no, and so I was like, “Fine.” But I think what it was is timing. Sometimes, I think when we feel like we’re ready to do something, it’s like the higher-
Nikki Garcia: Divine timing.
Brie Garcia: Divine, you know, they wait for when the timing is supposed to be really right, and you know, it was now and I see it now, and you know, I’ve had a lot of patience and I feel like it’s just it was meant to be this way and it’s crazy because doing it in Saudi Arabia, the first thing I thought when I got the call, I was like, “I don’t think they know who I am. Could I just wait to debut in Philadelphia?” and they’re like, “The Saudi people know who you are,” and I’m like, “Do they?” But I’ll admit, I was stressed up until my music hit that I was going to have zero reaction. People were going to be like, “Who?” I thought I was going to get maybe the who chant, “Who, who, who?” But honestly, I was so stressed and so nervous, and I’m just gonna say it. I was not expecting the reaction I got.
Nikki Garcia: You got the pop of the night, girl. Humbly saying, you got the pop of the night, and everyone’s been telling you that.
Brie Garcia: Right, and I’ll admit, I didn’t have a lot of time to train for the Rumble, but the minute I knew I was gonna be in it, you saw. I dedicated every day to doing something to get ready. Whether it was weight lifting, getting in the ring, boxing, you name it. I was really like, it’s been a lot of years, many years, and I’m like, “I gotta do everything I can.” I was going to a physical therapist because, you know, make sure the body is aligned. I was going to rolfing. I can’t, I don’t say it right, but different techniques to just get my body aligned, feeling good, strong, and I’ve been training, obviously, weight lifting in the gym for a while, so that part I wasn’t nervous about, but it was everything else, and so, you know, in a short period of time, it gave me confidence and obviously, I’m going to keep that determination and schedule going moving forward, but yeah. I felt ready when I got on that flight to Saudi, but the only thing that I didn’t feel ready about is how everyone would be me coming being in a number in the rumble. I wasn’t sure the reaction I would get.
The Nikki & Brie Show hosted by Nikki & Brie Garcia is available anytime on the SiriusXM app. New episodes every Monday and Thursday. Listen to the full episode here.
A huge “F*ck ICE” chant was audible during Dynamite at the beginning of the AEW World title eliminator match between champion MJF and Brody King.
The commentary team stopped talking while the chants were going and they were not bleeped. MJF, standing in the ring, raised his eyebrows while looking directly at the camera and then looked around the fans inside the theater at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.
King made headlines last year when he entered the AEW Grand Slam: Mexico for his match with an “Abolish ICE” t-shirt and the former AEW Trios champ raised nearly $60,000 with Headlocked Comics and Edgemen Printing to assist families affected by the Minnesota ICE raids last month.
King posted a photo the donations sent to the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee – Education fund and ended his post on X with “F*ck Ice.”
The 38-year-old quickly disposed of champion MJF on Dynamite, earning a title shot at Grand Slam: Australia.
The Real American Beer launched by Hulk Hogan has a fresh new look…and one person is missing from the marketing: Hulk Hogan himself.
Launched in 2024 with Hulk Hogan front and center on the cans, the company is now celebrating surpassing 10 million cans produced and has ditched Hogan’s photo waving the American flag in return of a modern look.
TMZ.COM reports that special edition Hulk Hogan cans will be released in the future but for now, the new design will be the one showing up in stores.
The last remaining original cans in circulation have 50 golden tickets distributed in random 12-packs, with winners receiving a beer can signed by the late Hulk Hogan as well as a cash prize.
WWE, through TKO, own a minority stake in Real American Beer.
AJ Styles was a guest on the What’s Your Story? podcast with Stephanie McMahon this week and McMahon asked him about removing the gloves and then putting them back on following his loss at the Royal Rumble.
Styles admitted that he doesn’t even know why he put the gloves back on but said that every wrestler has a right to come out of retirement at least once.
“Never say never, right? That’s the saying. I know there’s…I think everybody’s allowed at least once coming out of retirement,” Styles replied. “I’m not saying that I’ll do it anytime soon. I mean, what if my son wrestles? The opportunity to tag with him once. You never know. There’ll be a time when the gloves never go back on and it may be now, but we’ll see.”
The Phenomenal one then went on to reveal that his second oldest son is currently interested in becoming a pro wrestler and trains with him and said that his daughter and oldest son might get into it too. It’s only his youngest son who has no interest in wrestling.
He added that he didn’t think there would be a time where he would want his kids to be wrestlers, but the business is different and better than it was during his time.
“It’s done right at this point. So I’d be happy if they wrestled,” Styles told McMahon.
The episode also included comments from his wife and fellow WWE Superstars, who explained what Styles mean to them.
The 1 hour 45 minute podcast is streaming now on YouTube and other podcasts apps.
The January 26 episode from Raw did not crack the Netflix top 10 global chart, falling off the chart after getting a spot last week.
The Royal Rumble go-home episode of Raw only charted in eight different countries for the week, with Bolivia, Canada, Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, and United States all making the list.
The #10 spot on the chart had 2,700,000 global views and 22,200,000 viewing hours in total, so Raw did less than the 2.7 million.
The number one contender for the AEW World title at Revolution will be decided at Grand Slam: Australia in a match between “Hangman” Adam Page vs Andrade El Idolo.
Page defeated Mark Davis in his qualifier while Andrade defeated Kenny Omega in the second match to punch his ticket to Down Under.
This will be a first-time match between the two stars and continues Andrade’s hot streak since his return to the company a few weeks ago.
The winner of this match will then meet the winner of MJF vs Brody King at the Revolution pay-per-view in March, taking place from the Crytpo.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Three title matches have been announced for the upcoming AEW Grand Slam: Australia show on Saturday, February 14.
The AEW World title will be on the line with MJF defending against Brody King. King yesterday defeated the champion in a couple of minutes, winning the eliminator match and earning himself a shot at the top title. King had a small assist in the form of a distraction from Adam Page which helped in winning the match.
Also, Jon Moxley will put his AEW Continental title on the line against Konosuke Takeshita. This will be Mox’s first title defense since winning it at the end of December.
Plus, the AEW Women’s Tag Team titles will be defended with Babes of Wrath taking on Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford. Bayne and Ford won an eliminator match against the champions last night on Dynamite, earning their shot.
Dynamite takes place live from Sin City tonight as the show rolls into Las Vegas, Nevada at the Pearl Theater at The Palms Casino Resort.
Only four matches have been announced at time of this writing, including Ricochet vs Jack Perry for the AEW National title, MJF vs Brody King in an AEW World title eliminator match, Kenny Omega vs Andrade El Idolo, and “Hangman” Adam Page vs Mark Davis.
Dynamite airs on TBS starting at 8PM ET and also live streams on HBO Max.
Nikki and Brie Bella spoke with hosts Danny Murphy and Evan Real on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio, promoting their return to WWE.
During the interview, Brie and Nikki open up about being reunited in the ring and why now was the right time for a comeback. They also reveal who’s on their hitlist, talk about their love of women’s wrestling, and Nikki claims she might even be a wife again in the future.
Listen to the full interview airing tomorrow, February 5th on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio. Page Six Radio on SiriusXM’s Stars (ch.109) airs daily from 8:00 am to 10:00 am ET and any time on the SiriusXM app.
Brie Bella Details Her WWE Return
Evan Real: Fans have been just waiting for this moment. How did it come to be? Why now?
Brie Bella: To be honest, I mean, so two things. I was shocked when the moment came because I definitely thought the door was closed for me. And so when I got the call I was just like, “Whoa. Like, all right, let’s go.”
Nikki Bella: Thank you, Nik.
Brie Bella: Thank you, Nik. And also, I mean now I look at the women’s tag division and it’s the best I’ve ever seen it and has been. And I just told Nikki, I’m like, “This is our time. This is our time to go for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. It’s time for like the Bella Twins to be back.”
Danny Murphy: I know because it’s exciting because of course The Nikki and Brie Show, you guys are together on that and also your family. So you’re together on that with new episodes Monday and Thursdays, and also on Stars 109, which we love. But how does it feel to be back as the Bella Twins?
Brie Bella: Oh, I mean, it’s wild. It’s iconic.
Evan Real: Very iconic, I know.
Nikki Bella: Very iconic. You know, it’s kind of funny because I feel like we’re in the era of nostalgia.
Danny Murphy: The 2016 challenge.
Nikki Bella: Yes. You know what I mean? I mean that was like prime Bellas baby.
Brie Bella: It like the challenge came to light.
Nikki Bella: But it’s just, it feels so great to be back together. It’s crazy that it’s been over seven years. I mean, we’ve done like rumbles, but to be in that Monday Night Raw ring, it’s been over seven and a half years. And so it just feels right. It’s the perfect moment. It’s divine timing.
Evan Real: Absolutely. What was it like doing the WWE without Brie for so long?
Nikki Bella: Lonely. Well, actually I was actually having a lot of fun without her. But this is the thing. Like, I understand what era I’m in and I know we can only do this for so long. So I know my days are more towards the end than the beginning, of course. And I just kept being like, “Goodness, like I really wanna end this here, my legacy with Brie, like, I have to end it with her by my side and our family there.” And look, I think we have, you know, a few years left in us, maybe less, who knows? But I want it with her. And so that was like, even though this past year was amazing and it’s been incredible growth for me in that ring. And I’ve become so close with all the other girls, I really missed her and I knew I needed her too.
The Bella Twins Put The WWE On Notice
Danny Murphy: Who should be the most afraid of the Bella Twins being back in action?
Nikki Bella: I mean, the ones that are holding the titles. If you’re holding the gold, Rhea…
Brie Bella: And the Bella twins always have tricks up their sleeves. You know what I mean? So, that’s what you have to watch out for.
Nikki Bella: But they all need to watch out. I want to make a statement on everyone. I want gold. I want to make a statement. I want to put them away. I want to do it all.
Evan Real: Put them away. Now, once the WWE journey ends, eventually, hopefully, you know, I hope it never does, but when it does, kind of, what’s the next step? Are you already thinking about the future beyond the WWE?
Nikki Bella: You know, it’s so funny ’cause like WWE is such, we’re family. I mean, when you were back and everyone was saying hi to you, and it’s crazy. We’ve all, I mean, we’ve been there almost 20 years, so people that are still there, I hope to always do something in that industry because I just love wrestling. I love women’s wrestling so much, but we are wine makers and wine is our passion and Bonita Bonita has boomed in the past few years, so that is obviously where when we become, like not become. When we have our entrepreneur hats on and we’re on planes like, okay, but now we’re really sore, so let’s just talk about the future. You know, it’s mainly that and we love The Nikki & Brie Show, and then of course being moms is number one, and you know, maybe one day I might be a wife again. I mean, I don’t want to be like a wife, but I’d like to have a partner. You know.
Danny Murphy: And more gold. Yes.
Nikki Bella: Someone to watch the sunset with. Yeah, something. I don’t know, but I mean, long time, long time.
Appearing on The Battleground Podcast, AEW President Tony Khan was asked about the status and potential return of Britt Baker.
Baker, who has not wrestled since November 2024, is not injured but has not been used on AEW television due to circumstances which have never been really explained.
“I really like Britt a lot and I think there’s so many exciting things happening in the women’s division,” Khan said, adding that he respects her a lot.
Khan noted that with four hours of television and the addition of the women’s tag team division, there’s more opportunities now to showcase different women.
“You’re seeing I’m signing a lot more young wrestlers and Britt’s still somebody very highly regarded and respected here in AEW so, I would expect to see Britt back in AEW,” Khan continued. “I just don’t want to say when.”
He said that when Baker returns, it will be a “good thing for everybody” and it will bolster AEW’s roster with more fresh matches.
“Britt’s somebody I would absolutely love to have back in AEW soon,” he concluded.
Collision drew a huge rating compared to previous months, drawing 492,000 viewers, up 239,000 viewers from the previous week. The show had a 0.07 rating in 18-49, up 0.05 from the prior episode. This was the best number on a Saturday night since April 2025.
Important to note that Nielsen has once again altered the way it calculates TV ratings, with tweaks done to their Big Data + Panel methodology which is resulting in higher ratings than the past several months. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
The Tribune-Review news website has a story about WWE commentator Corey Graves starting a new job as a professor at Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Graves, real name Matthew Polinsky, was originally invited to deliver a speech to the university’s broadcasting students and he was asked to come again by the dean of the school of communication.
After knocking it out of the park, twice, university officials asked him if he would be interested in teaching a class, something that he thought was “the most absurd thing” he’d ever heard of.
The dean, Dr. Bernie Ankey, was impressed with Graves in how he interacted and mentored students, bringing energy to his speech and presentation.
“I thought it would be worth looking into Corey teaching a class. Somebody like that, if you put him in the classroom, students are familiar with his work,” he said.
Graves and Dr. Ankey worked together for several months the details of the class and curriculum, now called Live Sports Production.
Graves teaches the three-hour course every Wednesday to 12 students and has the full blessing of WWE as well.
“TKO has seemingly been a lot more open to collaboration and allowing talent to step outside WWE, more so than the old WWE regime,” Graves told Tribune-Review. “Anybody who works for WWE has had an opportunity of some sort that they’ve had to turn down because they couldn’t get permission, or it was a conflict of interest. This really isn’t a wrestling class; it was a broadcasting class. I took it to my manager, and they’ve been supportive to help me with making this happen.”
A new number one contender for the NXT Women’s title will be decided next week.
A tag team match between Zaria and Sol Ruca vs Kendal Gray and Wren Sinclair has been set up for the next broadcast, with the woman who scores the pinfall or submission victory for their team becoming the number one contender.
The match against Jacy Jayne for the title takes place on the NXT show at Center Stage in Atlanta on Tuesday, February 24.
Ruca and Zaria had some miscommunication on yesterday’s show, with the duo losing their TNA Knockouts Tag Team title match after Ruca inadvertently hitting Zaria with the Sol Snatcher finisher.
Smackdown on Friday night from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia drew 1,260,000 viewers, up 317,000 viewers from the prior week and their best number since September 2025. In 18-49, the show had a 0.29 rating, up 0.07 from the previous week and was #1 on the top 50 cable chart for the night and #2 in overall television.
Important to note that Nielsen has once again altered the way it calculates TV ratings, with tweaks done to their Big Data + Panel methodology which is resulting in higher ratings than the past several months. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
With Ava’s departure as NXT General Manager, there was an open spot on yesterday’s broadcast and Shawn Michaels appointed Robert Stone as the interim General Manager.
The 42-year-old has been part of NXT since 2019 and has served both as a manager and also as an assistant to Ava. He also does color commentary for EVOLVE along with Peter Rosenberg.
Ava, real name Simone Johnson, left the company last week and was not mentioned on yesterday’s broadcast.
The eldest daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson raised some eyebrows a few days ago when she posted an anti-US government post on X. She later deactivated her social media account.
Appearing on the Notsam Wrestling Live show hosted by Sam Roberts on Sirius XM, Brie Bella credited WWE President Nick Khan for bringing her back to WWE.
Bella told Roberts that while she made it clear she wanted to return to WWE in the past, she was always told no and kind of gave up on the idea of going back around Thanksgiving.
Brie mentioned that some “other opportunities” were offered to her by other parties when all of a sudden, Khan gave her a call and offered her a job back.
“I was very shocked, and I was like, ‘Alright!’ And I’m grateful to Nick for bringing me back because I definitely thought the door was closed, and I’m happy that it reopened,” Brie said.
Many believed that Brie kept getting a no because of her husband Bryan Danielson, who has been working with AEW ever since he left WWE.
Speaking of Danielson, both Brie and her sister Nikki said that it was him who got them in shape for the Royal Rumble, getting them through some hard practices to be ready for the big day.
