• Michael Cole Says RAW Star Is Dealing With Injuries
Rey Mysterio didn’t appear on this week’s post-Royal Rumble edition of RAW, sparking fresh debate over whether the legendary luchador is actually hurt or just playing a part in a larger story.
While Michael Cole attributed Rey’s absence to injuries sustained during the Men’s Royal Rumble match in Riyadh, the reality is a bit more complicated. Rey entered the Rumble at the #4 spot but had a surprisingly short night, lasting less than three minutes before being tossed by Oba Femi. To fans watching closely, this quick exit seemed like a way to protect Rey, who had already entered the weekend under an injury cloud.
The concerns actually started a week earlier on RAW during his match with Austin Theory. After a rough landing, Rey was visibly hurt, and the referee even signaled the dreaded “X” as medical staff helped him to the back. Although he was healthy enough to make the flight to Saudi Arabia, his limited Rumble participation and subsequent RAW absence suggest he may be nursing a legitimate injury.
However, some insiders suspect the injury might also be a convenient creative pivot. By keeping Rey off the show, WWE could justify why he wasn’t there to support Penta during his battle against Bronson Reed.
• Latest AEW Signing Revealed
All Elite Wrestling is on the verge of officially claiming another international standout. Following his appearance on AEW Collision this past weekend, Fightful Select reports that Clark Connors is expected to sign a full-time contract imminently.
Connors was a pillar of the Bullet Club War Dogs stable in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. His deal with NJPW reportedly expired recently, making him one of the most sought-after free agents on the market. His recent battle against Darby Allin served as a live audition of sorts, capped off by a post-match assault alongside Gabe Kidd that signaled his arrival as a permanent threat to the AEW roster.
The signing of Connors may be part of a much larger strategy for Tony Khan. Internal buzz suggests that AEW’s aggressive move for Connors is a direct prelude to their pursuit of David Finlay.
As the ex-leader of the Bullet Club War Dogs heads toward his own free agency, AEW sources believe that securing Connors provides the perfect bridge to lure Finlay stateside, potentially reuniting the stable under the AEW banner and changing the power dynamic of the midcard overnight.
• Why Royal Rumble 2026 Stadium Looked Half Empty
If you watched the Royal Rumble and thought the stadium looked half-empty, WWE says your eyes were playing tricks on you. Despite the hollow look on the broadcast, internal sources confirmed that 25,000 tickets were moved for the Riyadh event, making it a legitimate sell-out for the custom-built venue.
The culprit behind the ghostly atmosphere was a failed experiment with LED seating lights, according to PWInsider. WWE tried a new production element where lights were integrated into the stadium seats to create a vibrant, colored-coded crowd effect.
While it looked impressive to the fans in person, the high-intensity glow completely washed out the audience on camera. Instead of seeing a packed house, viewers at home saw what looked like rows of empty chairs reflecting the stage lights.
One production source noted that while they are always looking to innovate, this particular lighting setup will not be returning for future Saudi Arabia shows. WWE officials were reportedly frustrated that the 25,000-person atmosphere they worked to build was lost in translation due to a technical oversight in the camera shots.
