• Roman Reigns Isn’t Feeling Good Ahead Of Crown Jewel
Roman Reigns and “Big” Bronson Reed will have a rematch this Saturday at WWE Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia. They are going to have an Australian Street Fight, a stipulation Bronson is undefeated in.
During an interview on The Pat McAfee Show today, The OTC said the following about his condition ahead of the PLE:
“I feel like crap. My body does not feel good. I was down there [in Australia to film the Street Fighter movie] not too long ago. The flight back and forth has not been nice. I’ve been jet-lagged for, I feel like, four weeks in a row now.
So why not just go down there and try to kill myself? It is what it is. We’re going to go head against the wall – Goldberg style – just reckless abandon.
You can’t do much worse than I feel now so let’s just go mess it up physically.”
• WWE Is Making Creative Changes To Make Shows “More Enjoyable”
WWE is reportedly planning creative team changes behind the scenes in an effort to enhance the overall quality and presentation of their shows, according to Bodyslam.
The company is looking to expand SmackDown’s writing and production staff, with the goal of making the show “more enjoyable” for viewers moving forward.
Road Dogg (Brian James) will continue in his current role as Head of Creative for SmackDown, where he has been overseeing storylines and segment planning since taking over creative duties a couple of years ago. While his position remains secure, WWE intends to add new members to the team to bring fresh perspectives and balance to the creative process.
The move is said to be part of WWE’s ongoing internal strategy to streamline its creative structure, strengthen week-to-week storytelling, and ensure both main roster brands, RAW and SmackDown, maintain strong viewer engagement as the company heads into 2026.
Insiders suggest the changes are focused less on replacing leadership and more on improving consistency and energy in the product, especially after recent episodes have drawn mixed feedback for pacing and segment flow.
• SmackDown Wrestler Is Back With WWE
SmackDown wrestler Santos Escobar is officially staying with WWE. According to a new report from PWInsider, Escobar has come to terms on a new deal with the company, ending uncertainty about his future. WWE management reportedly took his creative concerns into account during negotiations and presented him with a significantly improved offer, which he accepted.
Just days ago, reports from Fightful Select indicated that Escobar’s WWE contract was set to expire and that he was leaning toward leaving the company. At the time, sources said Escobar wasn’t focused on money or a guaranteed push. Instead, he wanted to ensure WWE had a clear creative direction for him moving forward.
Escobar was said to be reluctant to re-sign without a concrete plan for how he would be used, fearing he would be “spinning his wheels” and underutilized on television.
WWE officials appear to have responded directly to those concerns. Not only did they provide assurances about his creative future, but they also put forward a much larger financial offer than any of their previous proposals – a deal convincing enough for Escobar to stay.
Escobar, a second-generation luchador, joined WWE in 2020 after years of success wrestling internationally under the names El Hijo del Fantasma and King Cuerno. Before signing with WWE, he was a standout performer in AAA, CMLL, and Lucha Underground.
With his new deal finalized, Escobar is expected to return to WWE programming soon. While it’s unclear what creative direction the company has planned, the improved offer and assurances suggest WWE still sees long-term potential in him.
