Latest news with #Backlash
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive: John Cena's heel run feels 'forced' and 'fake', says WWE expert Dave Meltzer
John Cena, who is set to retire at the end of the year, is halfway through his 'farewell tour. And, things have been anything but predictable. 'The Last Real Champion' turned heel for the first time in over 20 years at Elimination Chamber 2025 in a moment that shocked the world. However, many in pro wrestling circles are not happy with the way the run has shaped up so far. One of them is veteran journalist Dave Meltzer. Speaking to Indiatimes, the veteran analyst said that the heel run hasn't made the desired impact as it feels 'forced'. Dave Meltzer slams John Cena's heel run John Cena turned heel at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event when he assaulted Cody Rhodes on The Rock's orders. This changed the very landscape of the WWE and garnered plenty of mainstream attention. However, Dave Meltzer– the founder of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter– is not too happy about the way things have unfolded since. 'Cena is a big draw no matter what role he plays. To me, the heel thing feels forced and fake. It shocked people and for two weeks made a big difference in viewership. I didn't think the build for Mania was the best, but Mania is always going to be a success,' he said Cena missed the Raw after Elimination Chamber before eventually appearing on the Red Brand during the European tour ahead of WrestleMania 41. He then spewed venom on the audience and said that fans have been 'terrible' to him. He went on to capture the Undisputed Championship from Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 with help from Travis Scott. The match received negative reviews, with critics panning the finish. Cena beat Randy Orton at Backlash to retain the title. He then beat CM Punk at Night of Champions in his second title defence. He was cheered during these bouts despite resorting to trademark heel tactics. 'Cena vs. Orton at Backlash didn't have as much interest as most WWE shows. Cena vs. Punk did. I don't think it's worked out well. People want to cheer him and do,' added Meltzer. The Rock's absence from WWE programming during this run too has not worked in its favour as 'The Final Boss' was the catalyst behind Cena embracing the dark side. What's next for John Cena? Cena is set to defend the title against Rhodes at SummarSlam. 'QB1' earned the right to face the veteran when he beat Randy Orton in the finals of the King of The Ring tournament at Night of Champions. He plans to wrestle his final match sometime in December. However, there is no clarity on the identity of his last opponent.
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Top 5 Moments From Randy Orton's Career Where He Broke Character
Image via WWE Randy Orton has been the cornerstone of the WWE since 2002. And for over 23 years, 'The Viper' has consistently proved his mettle inside and outside of the ring. This involves remaining in character to fit in the storylines and to move the show forward. However, there have been moments when the 14-time World Champion has done the contrary. Not in a sinister way but rather in a light-hearted manner. Here are 5 moments from Orton's career where 'The Apex Predator' seemed like a guy loving his work way too much. Orton Performs a Special 'Gymnastics' RKO on Mark Henry Back in 2011, Randy Orton was feuding with Mark Henry over the World Heavyweight title. During a match on SmackDown with also involved Christian, Orton performed his signature picture-perfect RKO on the World's Strongest Man. However, the celebration after the move was rather uncharacteristic. Randy Orton's toe-touch split RKO celebration: SmackDown, May 20, 2011 The usually stoic Orton jumped in the air in delight after the move and did a perfect split-legged toe tap in the ring to everyone's surprise. It was quite impressive considering Orton's 6'4'' and 250-pound frame to perform that move. Recently, a compilation featuring this moment was shared on X, which saw Mark Henry reacting and writing, 'This is why I love Randy!' The New Day Forces Orton to Dance to Their Theme Song Back in 2015, Orton and Roman Reigns were cutting a promo on Raw about the duo vowing to beat each other in an upcoming match. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo This is when The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E) entered the fray with their goofy theme song and started doing their regular shenanigans. Randy Orton Breaks Character To Dance to The New Day ! As the camera pointed towards Orton in the ring, 'The Viper' could be seen enjoying the theme song and even dancing to it. It was another hilarious moment involving the 14-time World Champion. Orton Breaks Character to Check if Raw Was off the Air Wrestlers have a busy schedule. There is no denying that, and for almost every event, they are expected to stay in character while the show is running. On an episode of Raw, Orton did something funny. While lying down on his back ringside, Orton pointed towards a fan and the time keeper to ask if the show was off the air. wwe Randy Orton ask official if show is over and then walks away faking an injury lol funny Once confirmed, 'The Viper' simply got up and started to leave as if nothing had happened. Although he did try to sell an injury to his arm, it was too late, as the clip quickly went viral and showcased the scripted nature of WWE. A Hilarious Reaction to a Move Performed at Backlash 2017 Back in 2017 at Backlash, Randy Orton defended his newly won WWE title against Jinder Mahal . 'The Modern Day Maharaja' was naturally accompanied by his sidekicks, 'The Singh Brothers', ringside, and during the match, Sunil Singh tried to interfere on Mahal's behalf. However, Orton quickly took care of business and performed a vicious back body drop on the announcer's desk, which saw Singh bounce off the table and fall on the other side. Randy Orton dropped Sunil Singh on the announce table during match. The hilarious bit came in the form of Orton's bamboozled reaction to the move as 'The Viper' must have realized that the landing of the spot was a bit harsh. Orton went on to lose the title to Mahal in that match, so it is safe to say that Singh's sacrifice didn't go in vain. Orton Gets Stuck at the Announcer's Table During a Spot Back in 2012, Randy Orton took on Kane on SmackDown. During a spot at ringside, 'The Big Red Machine' stalked Orton for the chokeslam on the commentator's table. However, Orton countered the move as he landed on the table on his feet and immediately kicked Kane to gain leverage. WWE - Randy Orton fall on SmackDown 22 July [720p] However, his leg got stuck in the monitor fitting space, which saw Orton fall from the table. Fortunately, Orton did not suffer any injury and was rather elated at the spot, which was visible on his face with a grin, and he pointed to convey that he got lucky. Also read: Randy Orton Reflects Upon Intense Weight Gain During Injury Layoff Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Newsweek
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Attitude Era Star Returns To WWE In A New Role
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Attitude Era star Savio Vega has revealed he is officially back with WWE in a new backstage role. He is working as a producer and agent for the company's new project with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. The news confirms his ongoing involvement with the company. This follows his memorable on-screen appearances at Backlash in 2023 and the recent Worlds Collide event. Savio Vega's Return Savio Vega made a huge crowd-pleasing return to WWE at the 2023 Backlash event in his home of Puerto Rico. There, he helped Bad Bunny defeat Damian Priest in a San Juan Street Fight. He was also shown ringside at the recent WWE x AAA Worlds Collide show. His new role solidifies his place in the ongoing integration between the two promotions. Savio Vega On His New Producer Role During a recent appearance on Ten Count Media, Vega detailed his new position. He expressed his excitement to be back with the company and working with the current talent. The WWE logo is seen on the front of the WWE wrestling world headquarters on January 28, 2024 in Stamford, Connecticut. WWE founder Vince McMahon resigned from the WWE and its parent company TKO as... The WWE logo is seen on the front of the WWE wrestling world headquarters on January 28, 2024 in Stamford, Connecticut. WWE founder Vince McMahon resigned from the WWE and its parent company TKO as executive chairman and its board of directors following allegations of sexual assault made public in a lawsuit in Connecticut. A former employee Janel Grant accused McMahon, 78, of sexual assault and sexually trafficking her. More"Well, yeah, I'm working as an agent with the company, with this project so, all this is gonna be the big move with the company and them. AAA's gonna become full with WWE. So, let's see what happens. We go step by step," Vega said. "I'm happy with being back and working with this talent, which they're in better shape than me right now." While he is focused on his backstage duties, he remains open to an in-ring appearance. "I'm working for WWE, you know, on this project... I'm gonna be as a producer. Hope something happen (in-ring-wise). Anything could happen. You there, you're still alive so you're good for something. So, I believe if it's there, I'm welcome. Why not?" More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation The WWE And AAA Partnership WWE's acquisition of the iconic Mexican promotion AAA was announced during WrestleMania 41 weekend this year. The partnership is still in its early stages. Vega's role as a producer for this project is one of the first public examples of the two companies working together behind the scenes. It signals that a deeper integration of talent and operations is underway, which is good for Savio and the company, as it gives him the chance to teach other stars. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Al Bawaba
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Kim Kardashian 's embarrassing conversation with ChatGPT is going viral
ALBAWABA - Kim Kardashian 's ChatGPT chat sparks backlash and confusion across social media. Kim Kardashian shared a snapshot of her ChatGPT discussion on her Instagram story on Wednesday, to which many have responded negatively. For those who are unaware, ChatGPT is an app that allows users to communicate with an AI-generated chatbot. As a result, the chatbot is essentially a robot that learns how each user wishes to connect with it through artificial intelligence and modifies its style accordingly. This explains why Kim's screenshot, which showed that she talks to the chatbot like a human, left so many people perplexed. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 19: Kim Kardashian (Photo by Emma McIntyre / Getty Images via AFP) Sadly for us, Kim only shared what seems to be the conclusion of her interaction with ChatGPT. Kim's first message in the grab reads, "Thanks for taking accountability." It's huge in my opinion. "Thank you so much for saying that," the chatbot answered. It means a lot, particularly from someone who obviously values precision and thoroughness. 'I'll keep raising my game to meet your standards,' the bot went on. 'If there's ever any doubt or if you want a deeper dive on anything, I'm here for it.' 'Thanks dude,' Kim wrote back, to which ChatGPT said: 'Anytime — you got it, dude😎 Let's crush the next one.' Kim posted the grab without further comment, but did add the '🥹' emoji, suggesting that she was genuinely touched by this exchange. Kim Kardashian Instagram story However, the online community did not share this feeling, and the screen grab swiftly gained popularity on X as users expressed their perplexed responses to the discussion. One user commented on Kim's initial statement in the chat: "……. this is the dumbest thing I've ever fucking seen? How did a language program assume responsibility? 'What does a robot have to take accountability for?' one mor asked. 'What's with people and developing an emotional connection with ChatGPT? Do they not realize that it's fucking weird?' somebody else tweeted, with another echoing, 'Is she really this lonely?' 'Was she arguing with a fucking robot?' Someone else asked, while another well-liked remark highlighted the severe harm that artificial intelligence in all its forms brings to the environment, saying, "The Earth's temperature just increased by one degree because of this." Another X user simply concluded, 'Having convos with ChatGPT or AI in general is so embarrassing.' In fact, Kim's remark was made just one day after Time published an article about a recent study conducted by MIT Media Lab researchers that suggested ChatGPT might be "eroding critical thinking skills." An illustration photograph taken on February 20, 2025 shows ChatGPT app (Photo by Justin TALLIS / AFP) 54 participants, ages 18 to 39, were divided into three groups for the study, and they were instructed to compose several SAT essays using ChatGPT, Google, or neither. After measuring the writers' brain activity with EEG, they found that ChatGPT users did worse in terms of brain function, language skills, and behavior, showing the least brain activity compared to the other two groups. Over the course of several months, the study discovered that ChatGPT users became lazy with each essay, and by the end, many had resorted to copying and pasting.
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Empress is back: Asuka's comeback tweet sets WWE universe ablaze
Asuka (Image via WWE) After more than a year away from WWE , Asuka made a thunderous return on WWE Raw and secured her place in the semi-finals of the Queen of the Ring tournament. Her return was not just a match, it was a clear statement. Fans across the world are buzzing about what's next. After her powerful tweet since the win, questions now arise: can she reclaim her throne? Is the Empress truly back to dominate once again? Asuka's cryptic tweet sparks buzz Just minutes after winning her qualifying match in Raw, Asuka buzzed up social media with a tweet that was a clear message. She wrote, "I wasn't gone. I was holding power inside. The fire never died, it's still alive. Now… It's time to burn again." — WWEAsuka (@WWEAsuka) This tweet excited all her fans, and it proved that though she was away from the WWE, her fighting spirit had never left. Asuka had been out of WWE since May 2024 due to a knee injury. The last match she wrestled was at Backlash, where she and Kairi Sane lost the Women's Tag Team Championship to Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Since then, fans have waited patiently for her to return. When WWE announced on Raw that Asuka would compete in the Queens of the Ring qualifiers' fatal four-way match, the excitement of fans shot through the roofs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Michigan: New Windows Available If You Own A Home In These Zip Codes Smart Lifestyle Trends Learn More A comeback fueled by fire In her comeback match, Asuka wrestled against Stephanie Vaquer , Raquel Rodriguez, and Ivy Nile in a high-stakes fatal four-way match. Despite her long absence, she looked sharp, determined, and dominant. Winning such a competitive match right after returning from a serious injury proves why she remains one of the most feared and respected superstars in the WWE locker room. Asuka will now face Alexa Bliss in the Queen of the Ring semi-finals this Friday on SmackDown. Both are former champions, and the winner of this match will head to the finals at Night of Champions. The winner of the finals will get a shot for the world championship at SummerSlam. Also read: Asuka's Life in Danger?: WWE Star Consult Police Over Disturbing Threat Triple H has often been praised for his creative decisions, especially with returning superstars. Now, fans are watching closely. Will he give Asuka the platform to shine again and possibly win the finals at SummerSlam? Now with the fire reignited inside her, the Empress is ready. The only question is will WWE let her burn brighter than ever?
