• 3 Wrestlers Gone From WWE
As we just reported on our WrestleFeed App, Nikki Cross announced her WWE departure. According to Sean Ross Sapp, Zoey Stark and Alba Fyre have departed WWE as well.
Alba was a regular part of SmackDown along with Chelsea Green. Fightful Select noted that Zoey was just cleared to return to in-ring action.
Nikki Cross wrote the following on X:
“Goodbye and Thank you WWE
I’m really excited for whatever my next chapter will hold.
Thank you all for the continued love and support.
Special thank you to Robbie Brookside and William Regal for helping this dream come true.
Thank you to the wrestlers, coaches, producers and all the backstage crew who make all this possible.
To the amazing girls in locker room ❤️”
UPDATE: More Releases Announced
• Why WWE Teased Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk
The original plan for WrestleMania 42 was for Randy Orton to defeat Cody Rhodes with help from Pat McAfee to win the Undisputed WWE Championship.
This would’ve led to Orton and McAfee vs. Rhodes and Jelly Roll tag team match at Backlash on May 9th.
However, McAfee requested to be booked out of this storyline because he didn’t like both the fans and the wrestlers being negative about this storyline. Orton RKOed McAfee at WrestleMania and then lost to Rhodes.
According to the Wrestling Observer, McAfee being out of the picture led to WWE teasing CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes on this week’s RAW. This is a match that fans should expect in the near future.
• Major Title Change Almost Didn’t Take Place At WrestleMania 42
In the main event of WrestleMania 42 – Night 2, Roman Reigns defeated CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE discussed an idea where Punk would defeat Reigns at WrestleMania, but then would go on to drop the title to The OTC at Backlash on May 9th.
In the end, WWE went ahead with their original plan and now Jacob Fatu is expected to face Reigns for the World Title at Backlash.
• WWE Signs Ex-World Champion & IYO SKY’s Fiancé
WWE has landed a major international star. Takaaki Watanabe, better known to wrestling fans as EVIL, is officially headed to the company.
After months of rumors about where the former NJPW star would end up, PWInsider confirmed that he has signed a deal and is officially part of the WWE roster. He is expected to get a new name.
The 39-year-old is a powerhouse with a long history of playing a dark, villainous character. He became a top star in Japan in 2020 when he betrayed his friends to join the Bullet Club. He eventually became a double champion, holding NJPW’s top two titles at the same time.
The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion is engaged to WWE Superstar IYO SKY.
