There seems to be a lot of rumors regarding Evolution 2, the all-women WWE premium live event which at the moment seems to be taking place from Atlanta, Georgia during the second weekend of July.
PWInsider.com initially revealed the location and now Fanatics, the company behind the WWE stores at live events, is also hiring sales associates in Atlanta to man the stores via ZipRecruiter.
This seemingly confirms the news that the show will be taking place, although the date is likely to be on Sunday, July 13. WWE is planning to host Saturday Night’s Main Event on Saturday, July 12, the same day as AEW All In: Texas.
WWE has yet to confirm the news that Evolution 2 is taking place. The previous Evolution was held on October 28, 2018.
Smackdown last Friday drew 1,455,000 viewers, up 49,000 viewers from the prior week. The show had a 0.41 rating in 18-49, up 0.04 from the last show and was good enough for #2 spot on the cable chart behind the NBA Playoffs and it was also #2 in all of television for the night. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
The rebooted version of American Gladiators will have a WWE Superstar as host and it’s none other than The Miz.
The news was announced last night during the Amazon Upfronts as the new season of American Gladiators will be a Prime Video exclusive.
“We’re excited to officially welcome WWE Superstar Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizanin to the American Gladiators Family. He’s the perfect host for the new era of this iconic franchise. The US reboot, combined with our epic success in the UK, our Live Nation Tour, and the launch of our 24/7 Gladiators FAST channel, this isn’t just a comeback, it’s a cultural revival. Fans, old and new, are going to love this evolution in sports entertainment,” said Barry Poznick, general manager MGM Alternative, Evolution Media and Big Fish Entertainment.
This will probably take The Miz off WWE television while he’s doing filming for the show, depending on the schedule.
Whoever wins the match between Jey Uso and Logan Paul at Saturday Night’s Main event and walks out of Tampa with the WWE World Heavyweight title already have their next opponent lined up: Gunther.
The former champion, fresh off his victory against Pat McAfee at Backlash this past weekend, interrupted Jey Uso yesterday and said that he is in line for the next title shot.
The match will take place on the June 9 episode of Monday Night Raw, the Raw following Money In The Bank. This particular Raw is from the PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona.
Gunther held the WWE World Heavyweight title for a total of 259 days, winning it from Damian Priest at SummerSlam last year. He lost it to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41 Saturday.
The second match for this month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event was announced last night on Raw and it is a big one as CM Punk will team up with Sami Zayn to take on Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker in a tag team match.
The match came to be last night on Raw after Punk opened the show with an in-ring interview segment, an interview which was interrupted by Rollins and Breakker. The two eventually attacked, but Zayn came out to even the odds, even though the heels walked out with the upper hand.
This joins the Jey Uso vs Logan Paul match for the WWE World Heavyweight title which was announced last week.
Saturday Night’s Main Event takes place on May 24 at 8PM ET on NBC and also streams live on Peacock.
Tonight’s Raw is live on Netflix from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Four matches have already been announced for the broadcast including The War Raiders vs The Creed Brothers, Penta vs Chad Gable, AJ Styles vs Finn Balor, and Iyo Sky teams up with Rhea Ripley to take on Roxanne Perez and Giulia.
Plus, WWE World Heavyweight champion Jey Uso will be in the house and CM Punk will get a microphone in his hand for the first time since the road to WrestleMania.
Journalist James Stewart from 985 The Sports Hub in Boston is reporting that WWE is looking for a financial incentive of $1.5 million as a site fee from a city to host John Cena’s farewell match on December 13, 2025.
ABC affiliated station WCVB-TV ran a story last month interviewing John Cena’s father, who said that his final match will be at the TD Garden in Boston.
The location has not been confirmed by WWE yet.
Stewart also adds that WWE plans a weekend takeover of the city, with community events on Wednesday, December 10, The Undertaker 1 deadMAN SHOW on Thursday, December 11, Smackdown on Friday, December 12, and Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 for Cena’s curtain call.
Shotzi, whose WWE contract is not being renewed when it expires, is being teased for the June 26 Major League Wrestling show.
A vignette which aired during the Azteca Lucha show said “hearts turn black” and “the warning shotz will be fired” at the Summer of the Beasts show which will be held at the Melrose Ballroom in New York City.
The video had a background of a war tank and obviously the two phrases used are a take on her original name, Shotzi Blackheart.
The 33-year-old, real name Ash Urbanski, said recently that she has until July with WWE, but it looks like she’s getting out of her contract earlier to make this date.
The recently-released Braun Strowman will have a WWE-produced show on USA Network later this year.
Everything On The Menu with Braun Strowman was announced today by Versant, the new parent company for cable networks and other media assets that are being spun off from NBCUniversal and Comcast later this year. The new spinoff will house TV networks including MSNBC, CNBC, USA and E!
According to Variety, the show is a new food format with a big appetite. Each episode, Strowman eats his way across America while on the road for WWE, ordering everything on every menu and trying to down every last bite.
It is produced by WWE Studios and BrightNorth Studios. Paul Levesque, Lee Fitting, Marc Pomarico and Ben Houser executive produce for WWE Studios. Matthew J. Braley, Kevin Duncan, Morgan Hertzan, Pat Dimon, Shawn Efran, and Azadeh De Leon executive produce for BrightNorth Studios.
Strowman was released from the company with 17 other Superstars earlier this month.
Rob Van Dam, a longtime friend and also bitter in-ring rival of Sabu, paid tribute to the former ECW champion on social media following the announcement of his unexpected death.
RVD and Sabu were together at WrestleCon just a few weeks ago in Las Vegas during WrestleMania weekend, with Van Dam saying you never know when it is the last time that you’re together.
“Sabu was as irreplaceable in my life as he was in the industry. You all know how important he was to my career, and you know how much he meant to me personally,” RVD wrote. “He’s been a tremendous influence since I was 18 years old , when I met him.”
He said that learning to be an adult in the crazy world of professional wrestling can go in different ways, but he’s proud to have been able to carry many of Sheik and Sabu’s values, both in and out of the ring.
“Sabu helped make me the wrestler I am, the person I am, and I’ll always be proud of that and grateful. and because he loved the business more than anyone I know… WRESTlE IN PEACE,” he concluded.
The world of professional wrestling mourned the loss of Sabu, who passed away at the age of 60 this past weekend.
“WWE is saddened to learn that Terry Brunk, known to wrestling fans as Sabu, has passed away. WWE extends its condolences to Sabu’s family, friends and fans,” said a social media post by WWE. A short story on Sabu was also published on WWE.COM.
TNA Wrestling wrote, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Terry “Sabu” Brunk, who competed in many memorable matches in TNA history including the iconic first ever Barbed Wire Massacre match against Abyss. We offer our sincere condolences to his friends and family.”
AEW, where Sabu had one appearance, wrote, “AEW and the wrestling world mourns the passing of Sabu. From barbed wire battles to unforgettable high-risk moments, Sabu gave everything to professional wrestling. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fans.”
His last match was promoted by Game Changer Wrestling, and GCW wrote, “He was an outlaw and a gamechanger. He inspired so many that stepped inside a GCW ring and he will continue to inspire for generations to come. His legacy will last forever and he will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace, and…Long Live SABU.”
New Japan Pro-Wrestling also put up a social media message and a post on the NJPW website. “NJPW is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Sabu at the age of 60. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go to Sabu’s family, friends and fans,” the statement read.
Many other of his peers left messages on social media to pay tribute to the former ECW champion.
Bubba Ray Dudley: “A brotherhood and bond that very few in our business will ever understand. And tomorrow on @BustedOpenRadio we will pay respect to one of our own. RIP Sabu and THANK YOU for being the pioneer and originator of getting the tables!!”
Francine: “My heart is broken. Rest in peace to my friend Sabu. I love you always.”
Tommy Dreamer: “Game changers are people who altered the RULES in the profession for which they played. Bob Gibson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Deacon Jones, Mel Blount, Jordan Curry. Sabu tables innovative movesets high flying assault toughness
He was ECW.”
The Blue Meanie: “Rest In Peace Sabu….Thank you, I love you, I’ll miss you…I’m totally devastated.”
Triple H: “The ECW original whose innovative style helped bring the entire wrestling world to a new extreme. We send our condolences to his loved ones.”
Mark Briscoe: “Nobody made me want to be a wrestler more than Sabu. R.I.P. to a true hardcore legend. Suicidal, homicidal, genocidal 4-ever.”
Damian Priest: “Rest easy legend. #Sabu”
Sami Zayn: “This is a gut punch. I was pushing this agenda again a few weeks ago after Sabu had his final match. RIP Sabu. One of a kind, absolute legend, and a true game changer for professional wrestling.”
Matt Cardona: “RIP SABU. A true f*cking legend!”
Brett Lauderdale: “A pioneer, a rebel, and an outsider. Too extreme for the mainstream. Captured the imagination of multiple generations & inspired too many to count. Without a doubt, one of the most influential wrestlers of *all* time. Thank you for everything, and god bless you Sabu.”
Abyss: “Heart broken hearing the news of Sabu passing away. He always treated me great and we shared some special moments in the ring. He made me laugh so many times over the last 20 years. Rest in Peace and God Speed Sabu.”
Matt Hardy: “Sabu was a trailblazing groundbreaker who played a major role in the expansion of what a pro wrestling match could be. The fact that tables are commonly utilized in pro wrestling is because of Terry Brunk & how he made an inanimate object like a table a must see component in his match. Sabu was heavily influential on today’s current style, even though his contributions are still under appreciated by most. My thoughts go out to all of Sabu’s family, friends & fans.”
Brian Myers: “Sabu, you were the most unlikely friend I ever made in the wrestling business. I’m gonna miss our random texts checking in on each other. I’m sorry I bugged you for so many autographs over the years, but I certainly don’t regret it. I’ll cherish them & our friendship forever. I hope you’re with Melissa again & found the peace that you deserve. You were unapologetically you, they’ll never ever be another. Rest in peace.”
Jake “The Snake” Roberts: “I’m very sad to learn of the passing of Sabu. He was a pioneer in our business, a talented performer, and most importantly, a good man. RIP”
Terry Schiavone: “Terrible news on the passing of Sabu. He was with us in WCW for only a brief time in 1995, but no doubt redefined hardcore wrestling during his time in ECW. An incredible talent that will obviously put someone through a table in the afterlife.”
Josh Alexander: “I wrestled Sabu in 2019 a few months after he had a hip replacement. He springboard tornado ddt’d me out of my boots. It was wild! Then he wanted to stab me with a spike for a bit but we figured it out. RIP Sabu. One of very few who can say they changed the entire industry.”
Collision last week for Thursday’s episode drew 382,000 visitors, up 41,000 from the prior week. The show had a 0.09 rating in 18-49, up 0.03 from the previous show and was #9 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
Following the news of the unexpected passing of Sabu, one of his greatest rivals in ECW, Taz, recorded a video on social media to pay tribute to the “suicidal, homicidal, genocidal, death-defying maniac” as he was often referred to.
Taz said that coincidentally enough, last night he was watching a video interview on YouTube of Sabu which he did last year and today he got the news from some fellow ECW guys that Sabu passed away.
“Look, I would not have had the career that I have had, and I’ve been blessed to have, if it wasn’t for Sabu,” Taz said. “That man got me over and he didn’t have to get me over.”
Taz recounted that he and Sabu made their ECW debut together and against each other in 1993 but Heyman wanted Sabu and his job was to come in for one match and make Sabu look good.
“Sabu didn’t have to let me do anything in that match,” Taz said. “He could have just, you know, it was about him, not about me and he was so grateful to me and I never forget it even though we had a very deep rivalry, love-hate type thing, but more love than hate.”
He added that without Sabu, he would not have accomplished anything.
“But what Sabu has accomplished in his career has been amazing. This guy is amazing and he’s just a great hearted soul. I’m gonna miss him immensely, I feel horrible about this. Rest in peace my brother,” he concluded.
Sorry, my words are a little frazzled in this vid, I am trying to speak from my heart…I dunno what else to say. #RIPSabupic.twitter.com/o6ehKa0IjK
PWInsider.com is reporting that ECW legend Sabu has passed away at age 60.
No further details have been revealed regarding his passing yet.
Sabu, real name Terry Brunk, worked his last match against Joey Janela at the GCW Spring Break 9 event at the Pearl Theater at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas on April 18 during WrestleMania weekend. He won a wild, no rope barbed match to cap off a career which started in 1985.
The New York native is mostly associated with ECW where he was one of their biggest stars between 1995 and 2000. He is a former two-time ECW World champion, three time ECW Tag Team champion, and one time ECW TV champion.
His rivalries with the likes of Rob Van Dam, Taz, and The Sandman are just a few timeless classics throughout his career. He also worked for WWE, NJPW, WCW, TNA, and has one appearance for AEW as well.
A total of 17,155 fans showed up at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri for Backlash last night to witness the last ever match between John Cena and Randy Orton.
The hot crowd helped Randy Orton’s entrance by singing loudly along to his iconic Voices theme song and witnessed what could be a record number of RKOs in a single match.
Triple H also added in the post-show press conference that this Backlash was the highest-grossing domestic Backlash, so despite high ticket prices, it did not beat the gate of last year’s Backlash in Lyon, France, which holds the record for the series.
Both Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre had some Backlash battle wounds to show but they are deemed okay after getting checked by WWE medical.
Drew McIntyre had the roughest night out of everyone after he was on the receiving end of Priest’s South of Heaven finisher through a couple of tables. While the majority of McIntyre’s body landed on the table, his head missed it.
Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque said in the post-show press conference that McIntyre was a little banged up but after he was assessed by the medics backstage, including for concussion, and was given the okay.
Meanwhile, Priest also had an injury from the fatal four-way match in the form of a lost tooth. Nothing a short trip to the dentist won’t fix.
The WWE World Heavyweight title will be defended at the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event with Jey Uso putting the title up for grabs against Logan Paul.
The match was announced last night during Backlash.
This is the first bout revealed for the show and Jey Uso’s second title defense following his match against Seth Rollins on Raw earlier this week.
The next Saturday Night’s Main Event will be held on May 24 from Tampa, Florida.
WWE announced Night of Champions for Saturday, June 28 live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This will be the first, and only, event in Saudi Arabia for 2025.
In addition, Friday Night Smackdown the night before will also be held in Riyadh, with both events taking place at the Kingdom Arena, a 26,000-seater venue.
Tickets for both events will go on sale soon via Webook.com.
WWE did not hold a Night of Champions PLE last year and the last one took place from Jeddah in May 2023. Prior to that, you have to go back to 2015 for the last Night of Champions show, an event headlined by Seth Rollins vs Sting for the WWE title.
John Cena attacked long-time fan and fellow WWE Superstar R-Truth last night during the press conference which was held following the conclusion of the premium live event.
Cena interrupted Triple H during the press conference and decided to answer some questions but R-Truth showed up to congratulate the champion before Cena could answer the first one.
Truth, who’s been on Cena’s side since day one, told him that he was proud of him even though others are saying he couldn’t wrestle and he sucked.
Cena warned Truth that if he says another word, he’s going to get decked. Truth tried to reason with Cena but Cena had enough and gave Truth an AA through the table in front of him.
Jeff Cobb made his WWE debut last night at Backlash, associating himself with Solo Sikoa an and unknowing Jacob Fatu.
Cobb interfered in the fatal four-way match for the WWE United States title, and took out LA Knight at ringside after Solo Sikoa appeared to try and help Fatu.
Fatu looked confused and did not appreciate the extra assist, leaving the ring alone.
Cobb, who Michael Cole described as one of the hottest free agents, is a former NJPW star who held the IWGP Tag Team titles three times, the NJPW TV title once, and the NEVER Openweight title once.
He made a couple of appearances in AEW in the past as well, the most recent one in May 2024 on an episode of Dynamite.
