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Backstage heat after Night of Champions as Gunther clashes with Nick Aldis; Zayn wins WWE title in Saudi main event
13 days ago•Source: F4W/WON
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Danhausen Poised to Ride Knicks Finals Buzz into WWE Spotlight in NYC
With the Knicks up 3-1 in the 2026 NBA Finals, WWE star Danhausen is getting notable credit for boosting the team’s postseason storyline, and reports say WWE is planning to feature him at Madison Square Garden for the July 18 Saturday Night’s Main Event and related Fanatics Fest merchandise, signaling a major NYC spotlight if the Knicks clinch.
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Asuka’s WWE Future Hangs in the Balance After Raw Appearance
After losing to IYO SKY at WWE Backlash, Asuka hugged Sky and then appeared backstage on Raw, with commentator Michael Cole saying her future is “up in the air.” Reports say she’ll take time off not tied to recent cuts—with rumors of a return to Japan for a family matter—though no retirement or exact return date has been confirmed. She signed a long-term WWE extension in 2024, but the specifics and timing of any comeback remain unclear.
Asuka Heads to Raw Amid Planned Time Off and Ongoing WWE Buzz
Fightful Select reports Asuka is set for WWE Raw in Knoxville but will take planned time off, not connected to recent cuts. There were unconfirmed rumors she might return to Japan for a family matter, though sources say she’s backstage in Knoxville and expected to remain with WWE. She signed a long-term WWE contract in 2024, and while backstage and creative teams expressed uncertainty earlier, most indications suggest Asuka will continue with WWE beyond Backlash, though questions about whether her Backlash match was her final linger.
Jayne Breaks Through as Saints Sparks SmackDown, Gingerbread Gaffe Falls Flat
WWE SmackDown on 5/1/26 delivered a mix of highs and lows: Jacy Jayne scored a big win over Charlotte Flair (with Fatal Influence interference) signaling a serious push for an NXT call-up, Ricky Saints made his SmackDown debut with a strong promo and competitive match against Cody Rhodes, and Royce Keys got a meaningful backstage moment with Jacob Fatu, hinting at future alignments. However, the show leaned into a rehashed Ripley– Flair dynamic that echoes November’s WarGames, the goofy gingerbread man saga with Sami Zayn and Lil Yachty that felt overdone, and a Gunther vs. Rhodes segment that read as filler between bigger SummerSlam plans. The episode also teased a six-woman tag for next week, keeping fans guessing about how the Fatal Influence saga will unfold on the blue brand.
Raw After Mania Brims with Fallout: Bloodline, Breakker, and a Jacob Fatu Surprise
Raw after WrestleMania delivers a volley of fallout segments: IYO Sky & Rhea Ripley defeated the Kabuki Warriors to win the Women's Championship; Liv Morgan retained against Sol Ruca with post‑match interruptions from Zaria and Stephanie Vaquer; All Ego Ethan Page defeated Je’Von Evans, followed by post‑match chaos with Penta and Rusev; Finn Balor defeated JD McDonagh as tensions with Judgment Day intensify; Bron Breakker attacked Seth Rollins, reigniting their feud; Roman Reigns addressed the crowd, Jacob Fatu issued a bold challenge, and a tense Cody Rhodes–CM Punk exchange closed the show, signaling more drama on the road to Backlash.
WrestleMania 42: Dominik Mysterio vs Balor Gets Street Fight Makeover
WWE shifted the Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Balor match at WrestleMania 42 Night Two into a Street Fight after realizing the two-night card needed more variety beyond standard singles bouts. The Demon Balor used weapons and tables, finishing with a Coup de Grace through a table to win, making it one of Mania’s more chaotic bouts and marking the second Street Fight of the weekend per Fightful Select.
WWE eyeing Roman Reigns vs Gunther as post-WrestleMania 42 blockbuster
Dave Meltzer says WWE views Roman Reigns vs. Gunther as a major post-WrestleMania 42 direction, likely saved for a big premium live event later in the year (not Backlash), potentially SummerSlam. Reigns is set to challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42 Night Two, with Gunther coming off a big win over Seth Rollins; WWE expects the Reigns-Gunther clash to be a blockbuster-level program.
WWE Scraps Women's US Title Defense on SmackDown, Sets Grace vs Stratton for No.1 Contender
WWE removed the planned Women’s United States Championship match between Giulia and Tiffany Stratton from SmackDown on April 17, 2026, replacing it with a No.1 Contender’s bout: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jordynne Grace, with the winner earning a future title shot at Giulia; the rest of the WrestleMania go-home card remains, and no reason was given for pulling the title match.
Cody Rhodes vs. Pat McAfee fuels SmackDown as WrestleMania build goes into overdrive
SmackDown leans into WrestleMania fever with Cody Rhodes trading barbs with Pat McAfee while Randy Orton aligns with McAfee in a heat-packed show that also features Royce Keys’ debut win, Trick Williams beating Matt Cardona, Danhausen getting his first WWE win, Jade Cargill defeating Iyo Sky to set up a Ripley showdown, and Drew McIntyre brutalizing Jacob Fatu in a setup for their unsanctioned Mania match. The night balanced lengthy promos with a string of competitive bouts, building Mania storylines even as some segments drew mixed reactions.
Bella Twins Backstage Buzz Sparks WWE RAW at MSG
Nikki and Brie Bella were spotted backstage at WWE RAW in Madison Square Garden ahead of WrestleMania 42, signaling a potential appearance despite not being officially advertised. The MSG episode features a loaded lineup, including Nia Jax & Lash Legend defending the Women’s Tag Team Titles against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria, which has fans speculating the Bellas could pop up on the show or save their moment for a bigger WrestleMania moment.
Sami Zayn Captures US Title as Hayes Wedding Rumors Fade and Mania Plans Remain Murky
Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes on SmackDown to win the WWE United States Championship. Rumors that Hayes would take time off to marry Kelani Jordan are false; engagement photos circulated online, but Hayes' WrestleMania status remains unclear with no official confirmation of him entering the US title match.