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Current and former WWE Superstars pay tribute to R-Truth following WWE release

Fans are used to WWE releases and expect them every year, sometimes more than once.

But no release has hit harder than the one for R-Truth. Ever since the news hit the Internet earlier today that Truth’s contract was not being renewed and he is out of the company, fans and peers alike flooded social media with messages.

Rarely does this ever happen when WWE Superstars openly express their feelings towards someone when they are released, but they did so in droves for the 53-year-old, never-aging, ball of fun Ron Killings.

Kevin Owens: “I’ve said many times that there are a few people in this industry for whom I have unlimited respect, love and admiration for. @RonKillings is at the very top of that list. An incredible, timeless performer with an unmatched ability to entertain and bring a smile to anyone he encounters, be it the fans or every single person lucky enough to have had the privilege to work alongside him. His kindness, humility and infectious good nature makes him one of the most beloved people I’ve met in this industry and the void that his absence will leave in our locker room is immeasurable. I love you, dude.”

The Miz: “Forming Awesome Truth with you was one of the best runs of my career. No one made me laugh harder. Your energy, heart, and smile lit up every room…and every arena. You’re not one of a kind, you’re one in a lifetime. Love you, Truth. Keep shining.”

Rhea Ripley: “In all seriousness, this is literally so heartbreaking… Thank you Truth.”

Pat McAfee: “I love @RonKillings. It’s guaranteed joy when he’s a part of a segment.. He’s also my dad’s favorite WWE Superstar of all time. The McAfees are bummed aht but we all know R Truth will continue to bless the world with his BIG ass brain. THANK YOU TRUTH”

Big E: “No one made me laugh backstage more than Ron. I’ve known this man for 13 years. He treated me like a brother from the very first day. Never saw him in a bad mood. A man who spread kindness and joy every chance he could.”

Chelsea Green: “@RonKillings walked so I could run. Funniest man in wrestling. I can’t wait to see what you do next.”

Nia Jax: “R-Truth is a national treasure!!!!!!!”

Carmelo Hayes: “Thank you for everything you’ve done for the business, the doors you opened and being a real OG to the whole locker room. Taught me a lot about the game and how to navigate this business. Ron Killings is timeless!”

Natalya: “You are a class act @RonKillings. You were amazing to me since day one when I met you doing my first independent wrestling show in the U.S. Last week I loved seeing how excited you were for the championship match against John Cena. You remind everyone around the world to never lose that childlike wonder. I’m so proud to call you a friend for life!”

Adam Pearce: “Thank you, @RonKillings. I will ALWAYS appreciate you. TVL will have a lot less laughter coming from it.”

Wade Barrett: “So many amazing memories with @RonKillings. Truly one of one. Thank YOU for making the locker room better for all of us. One hell of a run my friend”

Road Dogg: “I am heartbroken. It’s the nature of the beast; the part of business that no one likes but the bean counters. I love Ron the Truth Killings and I don’t care who knows it. WHAT A RUN!”

Kelani Jordan: “Thank you for everything and for always lightening up everyone’s day.”

Karmen Petrovic: “You always were & will always be the TRUTH! You bring the light everywhere you go, thank you for reminding us everyday life’s supposed to be fun.”

Shotzi: “I love R-Truth so much! Nobody’s presence on TV made me smile, or laugh more than his.”

Tom Pestock (Baron Corbin): “Mind blowing! A true company guy and amazing person! Thank you for everything in and out of the ring my friend.”

Cedric Alexander: “All time great!!!!!”

Matthew Rehwoldt: “The number of times I’ve been on a card with Ron and he was one of the most over performers on the card – even if it was during a time when he wasn’t being featured on TV – I can’t even count. One of the funniest and best out there !”

Money In The Bank 2025 meet and greet sessions announced

WWE announced the Money In The Bank meet and greet sessions which will be held from June 5 to June 8 at the Superstore location at 1217 2nd Street in Santa Monica, California.

Scheduled to appear as of this writing are Aleister Black, Alexa Bliss, Chad Gable, Chelsea Green, Ethan Page, Lola Vice, Dragon Lee and Cruz Del Toro, Lyra Valkyria, R-Truth, Roxanne Perez, Stephanie Vaquer, and Zelina Vega.

Prices vary depending on the Superstar selected and tickets are available for purchase now at https://store.epic.leapevent.tech/money-in-the-bank/2025.

R-Truth released from WWE

R-Truth wrote on his social media today that he was released from WWE.

“Im sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE. I want to thank WWE for the ride, but MOSTLY I want to thank each and EVERYONE OF YOU who was along for the ride,” he said in a post on X. “Thank you for all the love, support, and appreciation you have given me over the years. Thank you.”

The 53-year-old has been working with WWE for a very long time, starting first in 1998 until 2001 and then an uninterrupted run from 2008 until now, marking a 17-year consecutive run with the company.

Loved by everyone backstage and fans for his humor, Truth has been a staple on WWE television when it comes to backstage segments and hilarious moments.

He is a 54-time WWE 24/7 champion, two-time WWE United States champion, two-time WWE Hardcore champion, and two-time WWE Raw Tag Team champion.

His last match was against JC Mateo on Smackdown this past Friday, a few days after he wrestled John Cena on Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Angel and Berto to wrestle for AAA Tag Team titles at Triplemania Regia

WWE AAA

Angel and Berto of Legado del Fantasma will be going for the AAA Tag Team titles at the upcoming Triplemania Regia show on June 15. The announcement was done last night during AAA’s show via a video.

In the video, Legado’s leader Santos Escobar said that this is just the first step of the faction taking AAA’s belts as after Angel and Berto win, he is going to return to AAA and go for the Mega championship, currently held by El Hijo del Vikingo.

Escobar wrestled for AAA between 2013 and 2019 under a mask as El Hijo del Fantasma.

Michael Cole to call episode of Raw in tank top after losing bet to Pat McAfee

Raw announcers Michael Cole and Pat McAfee had a little bet going on for the NBA Playoffs, with the bet being that if the New York Knicks won, McAfee had to call an episode of Raw in a full suit while if the Indiana Pacers won, Cole had to call a full episode of Raw in a tank top the way McAfee used to be in his early WWE days.

It was McAfee who got the last laugh after last night, the Pacers beat the Knicks 125-108 in game six, winning the conference finals 4-2.

It’s unclear when Cole will pay off his bet but it’s a given that we will hear about it tomorrow on Raw.

In related news, WWE is also selling a Tyrese Haliburton “choke” t-shirt on WWEShop.com. The stylized image of the Pacers player standing in the squared circle making the choke hand gesture comes from his celebration in game one.

Final two participants in the AEW International title four-way match revealed

Fyter Fest

The final two participants in the AEW International title four-way match set for Fyter Fest were revealed last night on Collision.

Claudio Castagnoli advanced first after he defeated Komander in the qualifier and then in the main event of the show, Mascara Dorada beat Hechicero to grab the final spot.

They now join champion Kenny Omega and Brody King in the match which so far is the only title bout on the broadcast.

Fyter Fest will be a four-hour broadcast, the first two as Dynamite and then as Collision, and will run from 8PM ET to Midnight on TBS and Max.

El Hijo Del Vikingo wins the AAA Mega championship from Alberto El Patron

El Hijo Del Vikingo became the new AAA Mega champion after he defeated Alberto El Patron yesterday in Mexico City.

Following the angle from earlier this week when El Patron attacked Vikingo’s father during a show on Mexican television, it was indeed Vikingo’s dad who came for revenge, smashing a guitar on the champion’s head, allowing his son to perform a 630 splash for the win.

Most of the roster came out to celebrate with Vikingo after the match to end the live broadcast.

This ended El Patron’s 287-day reign as champion after he won it from Nic Nemeth at the Triplemania XXXII: Mexico City in August of last year.

Vikingo will now defend the title against Chad Gable on next Saturday’s WWE/AAA Worlds Collide event. El Patron, who is no stranger to controversies, is not scheduled to be involved in the show.

In related news, WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield was also on the broadcast and continued to make friends in the country.

“I hate coming to this shithole that you call Mexico, you bunch of damn idiots,” JBL told the crowd. “You are the reason America had to build a wall!”

WWE Superstars attend Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live event yesterday

WWE Superstars Rhea Ripley, CM Punk, Raquel Rodriquez, Liv Morgan, Dom Mysterio, and The New Day were all at the Netflix Tudum 2025: The Live Event yesterday.

The event was held at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California, the site of next week’s WWE/AAA Worlds Collide show.

All of them spoke a little bit on the microphone, with CM Punk plugging the upcoming WWE: Unreal series which will debut on Netflix later this year.

“Our world might be stranger than Stranger Things or high stakes like Squid Game,” Punk said.

The whole on-stage segment lasted just over four minutes long.

Also, during the Love Is Blind kiss cam, Liv Morgan and Dom Mysterio were shown sitting next to each other and did not mind kissing each other on the lips! The camera remained on the two expecting another one but Morgan said no!

Collision to air late tonight, scheduled for 11:30PM start time on TNT/Max

Tonight’s episode of AEW Collision will air very late and will follow the post-show of Inside the NBA on TNT, currently scheduled to start at 11:30PM ET.

Collision got shifted from its original 8PM time slot due to the New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers NBA Playoffs game, which obviously takes precedence over anything that airs on the network.

Six matches have been taped for tonight’s broadcast including Kazuchika Okada vs Anthony Bowens in an AEW Continental title eliminator match, Don Callis Family vs Paragon and Tomohiro Ishi, LFI vs Top Flight and AR Fox, Skye Blue vs Mina Shirakawa, and two AEW International title four-way qualifying matches featuring Claudio Castagnoli vs Kommander and Hechicero vs. Mascara Dorada.

The show will also stream on Max at the same time the TNT broadcast starts.

Vince McMahon’s new company name is a throwback to old CWC location

Vince McMahon’s new company has a name, 14TH & I, according to a report by Wrestlenomics.

14th and I was the street which Capitol Wrestling Corporation was located in Washington DC back in the 1950s so the name is a throwback to the promotion his father, Vincent J. McMahon, ran.

Brad Blum, a former WWE executive and one of McMahon’s most trusted lieutenants, wrote on LinkedIn that he is the company’s President.

“14th & I is a private investment firm focused on the sports, media, & entertainment sectors. We are a disciplined, flexible, long-term capital and strategic partner, primarily targeting buyouts/majority deals, as well as selective growth-oriented minority investments,” Blum’s description of the company reads. “We seek to partner with and empower exceptional management teams, providing deep expertise, capability, and relationships to help drive significant long-term value.”

Trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office were filed on August 23, 2024, with Becky Troutman of Winston & Strawn LLP listed as the attorney on file.

The owner of the trademark applications is listed as an LLC in Delaware with the address 262 Harbor Drive, 3rd Floor, Stamford, Connecticut.

Mariah May removed from AEW roster page, expected to sign with WWE

Mariah May has been removed from the AEW roster page as the former AEW Women’s champion is believed to be headed to WWE once her contract expires, allegedly today.

The 26-year-old British star joined AEW in 2023 and had an epic feud with current champion Toni Storm, a feud which climaxed at this year’s Revolution pay-per-view in a Hollywood Ending falls count anywhere match which Storm won.

May won the AEW Women’s title at All In in Wembley Stadium in front of her home crowd and kept it for 174 days before losing it back to Storm at Grand Slam: Australia in February.

Her last match for AEW was at Revolution back in March and rumors are that her match did not main event the pay-per-view because she had informed the powers that be that she was not renewing her contract once it expires.

NXT Great American Bash to start at the same time as All In: Texas

NXT Great American Bash will be on a direct collision course with AEW All In: Texas as the show is set for a 3PM ET start time, the exact time that All In is also expected to start on pay-per-view.

Great American Bash is taking place from Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, July 12, and will be followed by Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC.

Ticket details have not been announced yet but are expected to go on sale shortly.

Great American Bash is part of a weekend takeover of Atlanta, with the Evolution premium live event also happening in the city on Sunday, July 13 from the State Farm Arena.

Unfortunately for WWE, they booked the show on the same day as a Beyonce concert happening across the street at the Mercedes Benz Stadium and combo tickets for SNME and Evolution haven’t moved much yet.

Final two MITB 2025 ladder match qualifiers announced for Raw

The final two spots in the two Money In The Bank ladder matches will be determined on Raw this coming Monday, airing live on Netflix.

Former NXT Women’s champion Stephanie Vaquer, who has just joined the Raw roster, will be in the women’s qualifying match along with WWE Women’s Tag Team champion Liv Morgan and Ivy Nile of American Made.

Meanwhile, the last spot in the men’s match will be a big one with AJ Styles, CM Punk, and El Grande Americano battling it out in the final qualifier.

Punk is no stranger to Money In The Bank ladder matches and won two back-to-back, successfully cashing in on both times in the past.

Stephanie Vaquer joins the Raw roster

Stephanie Vaquer has officially joined the Raw roster.

Vaquer, who lost the NXT Women’s title to Jacy Jayne earlier this week on NXT, was announced as the newest member of the red brand by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce in a video posted on social media.

The Chilean star made her WWE debut in September of last year and won the NXT Women’s North American title and the NXT Women’s title in a short period of time. She made history by becoming the first NXT double champion when she beat Giulia for the title in March at The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

Known as The Dark Angel, she originally wanted to debut on the main roster when she was given the choice but Shawn Michaels convinced her to do a nine-month stay in NXT.

Naomi and Andrade qualify for the 2025 Money In The Bank ladder matches

Naomi and Andrade punched their ticket to the Money In The Bank ladder match for next week as both won their respective qualifying matches on Smackdown last night.

Naomi qualified first after she defeated Nia Jax and Jade Cargill in the opening match of Smackdown. She now joins Alexa Bliss, Roxanne Perez, Rhea Ripley, and Giulia, with one spot left.

Later in the show, Andrade got the best out of Carmelo Hayes and United States champion Jacob Fatu to get a spot in the match. He joins Solo Sikoa, LA Knight, Penta, and Seth Rollins, with one more spot open.

Vape pods: the new lifestyle statement among wrestling fans

Pro wrestling has always been more than just scripted matches and high-flying stunts — it’s a full-blown cultural phenomenon. From unforgettable promos to iconic rivalries and devoted fan bases, it’s a scene that lives far beyond the ring ropes. As with any thriving subculture, trends pop up that fans grab onto and make their own. Lately, one such trend — a bit unexpected, perhaps — has been the rise of vape pods among wrestling enthusiasts.

At first glance, it might seem like a strange pairing. But take a closer look at the high-octane, socially-charged world of wrestling, and it starts to make sense.

The Wrestling Vibe: Energy, Community, and Expression

Wrestling fans are in a league of their own. Whether they’re tuning into WWE, AEW, NJPW, or a gritty local promotion, they show up — loud, loyal, and fully invested. The events are less like shows and more like celebrations, with tailgates, group streams, and post-match hangouts adding to the whole experience.

That’s where vape pods slide right in. Their small size, no-fuss design, and on-the-go ease make them a natural companion for fans who are always moving, mingling, or lining up hours before bell time. Whether it’s the calm before a sold-out PPV or decompressing after a wild finish, these pocket-friendly devices offer a moment of chill without slowing down the action.

What Makes Vape Pods a Hit?

Vape pods are essentially the sweet spot between performance and simplicity. They usually come in two pieces: a rechargeable battery and a pre-filled (or refillable) pod. No bulky setup, no coils to replace — just pop one in and you’re good to go.

So, why are wrestling fans in particular vibing with them? A few key reasons:

  • Super Portable: Easy to stash in a pocket or hoodie — perfect for fans heading to shows or meetups.
  • Effortless: No buttons or tinkering. Just inhale and enjoy.
  • Flavors Galore: Like the colorful world of wrestling itself, vape pods come in an endless variety of flavors and strengths to suit every personality.
  • Low Profile: Less vapor means less disruption, especially in packed venues or casual social settings.

For those curious to try or looking to expand their collection, Electric Tobacconist is a trusted online shop offering a wide variety of pod systems from top brands.

Where Vaping Meets Wrestling Culture

So how did vape pods find their way into the squared circle crowd? A lot of it comes down to generational shifts. Younger fans — mostly Millennials and Gen Z — are now a major part of the wrestling audience, and they’re also the biggest demographic in the vaping world.

Social media has also played its part. Wrestling influencers, podcast hosts, and YouTubers often showcase vape pods in their content — casually puffing during livestreams or making them part of their aesthetic. That kind of visibility naturally helps it stick.

Plus, both vaping and wrestling embrace bold self-expression. Whether it’s customizing a device or rocking flashy ring gear, it’s all about showing personality.

A Way to Chill in the Chaos

Let’s face it — being a wrestling fan can be emotional. Your favorite gets blindsided, a controversial swerve hits, or a dream match ends in heartbreak. It’s a ride. For many, vape pods have become a go-to for calming the nerves or simply taking a breather during the chaos.

They offer a smoother nicotine fix (when desired) without the old-school cigarette baggage — no lingering smell, no ash, and definitely more socially acceptable at group events.

For some ex-smokers in the fandom, vape pods also serve as a safer alternative that keeps them part of the social loop without going back to tobacco.

Mindful Vaping at Events

Still, it’s worth noting — not every venue is vape-friendly. Most wrestling arenas have rules in place, and it’s important to be aware of them. The idea is to enhance your fan experience, not ruin someone else’s.

If you’re attending a show or hosting a watch party, stay considerate. Pods that emit less vapor and odor are a great choice for keeping things chill without overstepping.

Final Bell

Pro wrestling keeps evolving, and so do the fans. Vape pods aren’t just a passing trend — they’ve become part of the lifestyle for many in the community. Not because it’s flashy or edgy, but because it fits. It fits the rhythm, the social pulse, and the personal rituals of today’s fans.

So whether you’re ringside or on your couch for Friday Night SmackDown, vape pods offer a modern, mellow way to kick back. Just keep it respectful, stay informed, and enjoy every twist and turn — both in the storyline and in life.

Abadon leaving AEW next month

AEW star Abadon posted on social media that she is departing AEW in June.

“The emotions I’m currently trying to manage are incredibly difficult and full of conflict as I reflect on my time there,” she wrote, noting that her contract was not being renewed.

She said that she loves wrestling too much to just stop and her goal now is to not let this be it for her.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work that I will now be able to show case more often. While my heart is currently broken you can bet that I’m still going to show up for training next week,” she added.

Abadon joined AEW in June 2020 and wrestled in Ring of Honor as well. She did not win any titles during her five-year career there.

Money In The Bank 2025 surpasses 14,000 tickets distributed

Money In The Bank tickets have surpassed 14,000 according to ticket tracking service @WrestleTix with a setup of just over 16,000.

The show, at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, will likely manage to sell out at this rate, although there are around 1,000 less seats open than the Raw on Netflix debut which took place from the same location back in January.

WWE managed to pack 17,107 fans for that star-studded Raw.

The cheapest tickets available for MITB are $259.35 including fees but before taxes. The most expensive are ringside with a $5,783.80 price tag. There are still several floor seats available and a lot behind the entrance.

Tickets for Night of Champions 2025 from Riyadh quickly snapped up

Tickets for Night of Champions on June 28 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia went quick after they went on sale on Webook.com.

As of this writing, only the cheap tickets for the premium live event remain available which are selling for approximately $16. Other ticket prices included the equivalent of $19, $80, $135, $180, and $185. Some VIP boxes are also available, although they require the purchase of eight tickets together.

Smackdown is also being held the night before on June 27 from the same location, but only single tickets for that show cannot be purchased and they’re only available in the combo package, which is sold out.

The shows will take place from the Kingdom Arena which can seat up to 27,000 fans.

Omos talks wrestling in Japan, his size, taking on Brock Lesnar, and more in new interview

WWE Superstar Omos joined Chris Van Vliet on the latest episode of Insight for an interview where he talks about realizing he was much taller than average, his run in Pro Wrestling NOAH, wrestling Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania and more!

On when he realized he was growing faster than average:

“Not until I got to college in the States. It took me years of playing basketball, and then the doctor realized that what’s going on with you is not normal. Just thought I was a growing kid.”

On what would have happened had the doctor not realized:

“I’d have been dead. So it’s kind of similar to what Andre The Giant had. It’s called acromegaly. I think Big Show has it as well. But mine is kind of unique, because I have acromegaly, I also have gigantism, just means that you just grow really, really tall, and I have what you call Partial Cushing’s disease. I don’t know how to explain, it’s kind of complicated, but I have all three combined, and it was the first time in endocrine history that they found a patient that has all three combined. So I’m a really, really rare case, to the point where they had a journal published about my case. Yes, it was a treat for endocrine doctors to say we have read about this in textbooks, but you’re the first person to admit that actually has this condition.”

On competing in Japan:

“What happened was I saw Tavion Heights of NXT and Josh Briggs go to Japan. I was just watching the videos and everything. Then, as they were doing shows in Japan, an interview came out with Great Muta, they asked him who would you love to have in Japan? The first name he mentions is me. I’m like, Oh, wow. That’s great. I didn’t think he would remember me, but he did. So I kind of threw the idea to a couple of guys about Japan. I remember seeing Road Dogg at the PC, ‘Hey, do you have a couple of minutes to chat? Not really busy right now, but I would love to go to Japan.’ He said, ‘You know what? Let me think about it.’ And then a couple months later, he was like, ‘Hey, you have an opportunity to go to Japan. Do you want to go?’ I was like, Yes! I want to go to Japan. To be honest, I am glad I did. I needed to go to Japan.”

On his style in Japan:

“I would say a little bit [different]. I took a lot of things that I learned while I was working with MVP. There were a lot of things that we talked about when we were on the road together, because he taught me a lot. I just took all that style. When I was there, I called him, because he wrestled in Japan. I called him. I called Shelton Benjamin, and they go, ‘Hey, in Japan, you’re a heel, be a heel. They love it, be the nastiest heel.’ I’m like, Oh, really? So I really got to embrace that. And they loved it.”

On whether there were concerns Brock Lesnar could not German suplex him:

“No, Brock, he’s a specimen. I wasn’t worried at all. People forget he’s a farm boy. He throws hay for a living. So him picking me up at 300-400 pounds. I knew he was gonna be able to do that. If Bobby can pick me up, I knew he could. That was my first time ever taking a suplex. Never taken it in training, never done it in the PC, not from anyone. That’s the first time I ever took it in German suplex was during that match.”

You didn’t do it the day before?

“No. He’s such a great dude. Because I remember during rehearsals, he just goes, ‘Hey, how many Germans do you want to do?’ I’m like, ‘Brother, it’s you, Brock. However much you want to give me. You’re doing me a favor with this match. So however many Germans you want that makes you look good, we’re gonna do it.’ He goes, okay.”

On the F5:

“That F5 was easy. The German suplexes sucked. But for the first time in my entire life, I never felt someone hook me that way, and I could feel the muscles contract when he picked me up. For the first time I felt that oh sh*t, I can’t do anything.”