Latest news with #RoadtoWrestleMania
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
WWE reportedly set to launch NXT Europe by late 2025
Image via WWE WWE is gearing up to expand its global footprint with the much-anticipated launch of NXT Europe , expected to go live by the end of 2025. The brand will serve as a major step in the company's international development strategy, coming years after the conclusion of the NXT UK era. NXT Europe: A new chapter for WWE The new brand will mark WWE's return to the European wrestling scene following the hiatus of NXT UK, which officially went off-air in 2022. That brand produced several future stars, including Rhea Ripley and Toni Storm, who now feature prominently in WWE and AEW respectively. According to PWInsider, internal conversations have resumed with serious intent to launch the new brand. WWE has been actively recruiting European talent over the past several months, with reports suggesting names like Mike D Vecchio and Aigle Blanc have already been signed. — WrestleOps (@WrestleOps) The relaunch was originally planned for 2023 but was delayed due to the Endeavor acquisition and shifting priorities within the company. Now, WWE seems ready to move forward with an eye toward long-term international growth. A boost for talent and creative expansion The return of a Europe-based brand is expected to open new doors for wrestlers outside the United States. WWE has conducted international tryouts, including during its Road to WrestleMania tour in March, and plans to further invest in talent development across Europe. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Fans and insiders are excited about the fresh creative direction this could bring. Some are already envisioning cross-brand rivalries between NXT Europe and the U.S.-based NXT, reminiscent of the brand warfare between Raw and SmackDown. Others speculate the new roster could appear in events like the Royal Rumble 2026 or WrestleMania, helping to seamlessly integrate the brand into the wider WWE universe. This isn't just a European experiment. WWE's leadership has long hinted at expanding further into Japan, Australia, and other markets. Triple H, who now leads creative efforts across WWE, has previously discussed a vision involving multiple global performance centers feeding into the company's main roster. While the official launch date and broadcast platform for NXT Europe remain undisclosed, expectations are that more information will surface in the coming months. The success of this brand could be a critical test of WWE's global model in the Endeavor era. As WWE looks to shape the future of wrestling on a global scale, NXT Europe might be just the beginning. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The Rock announces first appearance since WrestleMania no-show as WWE fans seek answers over MIA star
Wrestling loyalists were left fuming that The Final Boss didn't appear for the John Cena vs Cody Rhodes in Las Vegas The Rock has been announced for his first major appearance since his WrestleMania 41 absence. The Final Boss was on the wrong end of the wrath of WWE fanbase after his no-show in Las Vegas over the weekend despite being the mastermind behind John Cena 's turn. The Rock changed the trajectory of the Road to WrestleMania when he cemented the alliance, with Travis Scott, against Cody Rhodes at the WWE Elimination Chamber in February. Cena then beat Cody Rhodes to become the Undisputed WWE Champion and break Ric Flair's record by becoming a 17-time champion. However the Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was nowhere to be seen at the 'biggest show of all', leaving fans fuming. One said: "The Rock is the biggest fraud in the history of professional wrestling. This man does not care about this business at all, he only comes back for his convenience." "Truly an awful company man," another wrestling supporter said. A further remarked: "Anyone else find that very anticlimactic? Like what??? Why did Travis Scott have a 5 minute entrance in the middle of the match and WHERE IS THE ROCK???? Happy for Cena, but WHAT????" One audience member at the most recent Monday Night Raw was even spotted with a sign that read: "Dwayne, turn up to work." Fans have had to wait for some answers - and they may now get some. One of the panelists of 'The Pat McAfee Show', "Boston" Connor Campbell, took to his X to announce that The Rock will be the next guest on the show tomorrow on Tuesday, which airs at around 5:15pm UK time. He revealed that they had questions for the Final Boss regarding an Austrian, referencing Gunther, who attacked Pat McAfee on the RAW after WrestleMania. The Ring General was frustrated after he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41. No mention was made of The Rock's WrestleMania absence but given Pat's reputation for straight talking he could shed some light on plans going forward. You can get all the news you need on our dedicated Rangers and Celtic pages, and sign up to our newsletters to make sure you never miss a beat throughout the season. We're also WhatsApp where we bring all the latest breaking news and transfer gossip directly to you phone. Join our Rangers community here and our Celtic community here.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE Live Event Results From Belfast, Northern Ireland (3/22): CM Punk vs. Gunther
WWE Live Event Results From Belfast, Northern Ireland (3/22): CM Punk vs. Gunther Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images WWE held a Road to WrestleMania live event from SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland on March 22nd. Among other matches, CM Punk faced World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. The results, courtesy of Wrestling Bodyslam, are as follows: Advertisement Rey Mysterio def. Finn Balor Charlotte Flair def. Piper Niven (with Alba Fyre) WWE Intercontinental Championship : Bron Breakker (c) def. Sheamus WWE Women's United States Championship : Chelsea Green (with Alba Fyre) (c) def. Michin WWE World Championship: Gunther (c) and CM Punk went to a double count-out. CM Punk hit Gunther with a GTS after the match. WWE World Tag Team Championship : The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar) (c) def. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) Andrade def. Carmelo Hayes Braun Strowman & Jimmy Uso def. Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu Steel Cage Match for Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes def. Solo Sikoa RELATED: Sheamus Returns To The Ring For the First Time Since Royal Rumble The post WWE Live Event Results From Belfast, Northern Ireland (3/22): CM Punk vs. Gunther appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE SmackDown results, highlights (April 18): Cody Rhodes obliterates John Cena before WrestleMania 41
John Cena took his second Cross Rhodes at "WWE SmackDown" inside the T-Mobile Arena. (Photo Credit: WWE) It felt weird to see a WWE event in Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena rather than the typical UFC PPV event, but the venue was a logical final stop on the Road to WrestleMania and "WWE SmackDown." Advertisement There's not much left to settle with the "Grand Daddy of Them All" going down tomorrow, and Friday's show reflected that. Fun teases popped up in certain instances, but not much else. Let's break it down and move on to enjoy the stacked weekend, folks. Sneak peek? The conclusion of the Road to WrestleMania was essentially an extension of what we've already seen between Rhodes and Cena. They spoke separately, as Cena targeted the crowd, while Rhodes absolutely roasted his legendary counterpart. I mean, the WWE Undisputed Champion whipped out a Starrcade '97 Sting reference. Rhodes just scorched Cena, but not before we finally got at least some (slightly) deeper mentions of The Rock from Cena. Just like the last time they met in the ring, Rhodes planted Cena with a Cross Rhodes. (This time countering an Attitude Adjustment.) The somewhat minimal, cookie-cutter build to their match has been entertaining in the most simplistic way. However, I wish it had more substance, especially given how crucial that element was. At this point, it will have felt like nothing more than a cash-grab spectacle main event choice if Cena doesn't win. There has to be more to this, right? 🎥Intertwining of the Night It's happening, you guys. Iyo Sky is hanging onto that Women's World Championship on Sunday, and there's no way Naomi doesn't get involved. Advertisement To start the final pre-WrestleMania interaction between Sky, Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair, I was pleasantly surprised to see WWE give Ripley the realization that she just randomly got distracted by Belair during her title loss to Sky. Once the champion arrived, Belair cut her off to a bunch of boos as Sky never got to speak a word. The way she's been such an afterthought has been intentional and crafted sneakily well. However, the real juice in this segment was Naomi's arrival to ask Belair why she's been ignoring her calls and interactions. She's the crazy, obsessed friend who demands her answer with hatred for the new friend. If the tease wasn't blatant enough, Jade Cargill perfectly cut off Naomi before she could say what she'll do after finishing what she started with the Cargill attack. That's because it will be the big attack on Belair to set up the continuation of this lengthy story, and rightfully so. I'm telling you guys, I will be wildly disappointed if this doesn't go where it should — win or lose for Naomi against Cargill. 👑 Uncrowned Gem of the Night 👑 To springboard off of intertwining storylines, a Battle Royal is essentially just throwing things together. That's what we got with the return of the Andre The Giant memorial Battle Royal — it just wasn't at WrestleMania. Advertisement Nonetheless, it was an awesome match. The final three were Rey Fenix, Andrade and Carmelo Hayes. That's a dream triple-threat match, and hopefully it comes to fruition at some point somehow. Ultimately, El Grande Americano emerged out of nowhere to cost Fenix, allowing for another Hayes-Andrade encounter's brilliance. Those two are just made for each other, and reminded the world of that. Karrion Kross also continued his brilliance with the time he had in the match, as did Ludwig Kaiser and Pete Dunne with a fun sequence. A Battle Royal is always an easy way to get in some fun, cool moments for those who deserve more screentime, and this was no exception. 💩Travesty of the Night The handling of the WWE Tag Team title scene has become embarrassing. If the titles being left off WrestleMania 41 weren't enough, the great matchup of the champion Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns ended via DQ when DIY interfered. Talk about a pitiful joke of a booking decision. Advertisement This is even worse if my predicted Big E return doesn't happen in the World Tag Team match with The New Day challenging the War Raiders. The end game between all three of the "WWE SmackDown" teams appears to be (and hopefully is) the triple-threat tag team title TLC match that was announced for next Friday's show. That match works for me, but getting to that destination has not been good. And how it gets left off 'Mania is beyond me. The Las Vegas crowd even booed when Nick Aldis announced it. 👍UP & UP👍 1. Seth Rollins opened "WWE SmackDown" and just started to cook on the microphone. This was one of the best standalone promos from the whole storyline between Rollins, CM Punk and Roman Reigns. Rollins took to the center of the ring and mocked Punk's classic pipebomb, sitting and taking off the mic sleeve. There were more AEW mentions and even a Dean Ambrose name drop (R.I.P.). As fun as the interactions are between all three, this was excellent for what it was. 2. During the Andre The Giant Battle Royal, Wade Barrett dropped a brilliant line about Ludwig Kaiser DM'ing him throughout the week. Advertisement 3. Unfortunately, the Nick Aldis steam for a Randy Orton match at WrestleMania 41 has appeared to completely cool off. Instead, Orton promised to be at the show of shows in yet another absolutely epic, passionate promo to issue an open challenge. The Rusev or Malakai Black ideas are fun, but are they really big enough to replicate the Rhodes-Rollins situation of years' past? Also, Orton shouldn't lose his match, which makes Aldis even more perfect. Neither Rusev nor Black should lose upon a return. 4. Anyone who watched Fenix in AEW knows he's a blast of a time in a tag team or trios match, and that was the case when he and the LWO (Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio) defeated American Made. 5. Despite the down I'm about to give out, WWE made a phenomenal Machine Head hyped video for Punk vs. Rollins vs. Reigns. Hell yeah. 👎DOWN & OUT👎 1. I've started to notice that with these three-hour "WWE SmackDowns," WWE uses a lot of reflection or preview videos to fill time that could be used to give screentime. That's what the whole point of this extra time should be, and I can't tell you how much time gets lost on these video packages. Advertisement 2. Zelina Vega beat United States Champion Chelsea Green clean with a super Code Red. Honestly, WWE, get rid of the belt now if this is how it's going to be treated. This has been atrocious. 3. Mysterio looks to have a possible injury the night before his WrestleMania match against El Grande Americano. A severe injury would be a huge bummer for the legend. We wish him all the best, no matter the details. 4. I was enjoying the hell out of LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa — then Jacob Fatu got Sikoa DQ'd by attacking Knight. This immediately turned it into a tag team match when Braun Strowman made the save, but this was still dumb, and Strowman lost the conclusion of his Fatu rivalry. (At least we thought.) Just make the tag team match from the beginning, or give us a clean match. The interference endings are so out of control lately. 👑 All that's left is the big show, thankfully. These recent weeks have felt like they've been holding off or dragging out until we could reach that final destination. I give this "WWE SmackDown" a Crown score of: 5.5/10 👑
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE SmackDown results, highlights (April 18): Cody Rhodes obliterates John Cena before WrestleMania 41
It felt weird to see a WWE event in Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena rather than the typical UFC PPV event, but the venue was a logical final stop on the Road to WrestleMania and "WWE SmackDown." There's not much left to settle with the "Grand Daddy of Them All" going down tomorrow, and Friday's show reflected that. Fun teases popped up in certain instances, but not much else. Let's break it down and move on to enjoy the stacked weekend, folks. The conclusion of the Road to WrestleMania was essentially an extension of what we've already seen between Rhodes and Cena. They spoke separately, as Cena targeted the crowd, while Rhodes absolutely roasted his legendary counterpart. I mean, the WWE Undisputed Champion whipped out a Starrcade '97 Sting reference. Rhodes just scorched Cena, but not before we finally got at least some (slightly) deeper mentions of The Rock from Cena. Just like the last time they met in the ring, Rhodes planted Cena with a Cross Rhodes. (This time countering an Attitude Adjustment.) The somewhat minimal, cookie-cutter build to their match has been entertaining in the most simplistic way. However, I wish it had more substance, especially given how crucial that element was. At this point, it will have felt like nothing more than a cash-grab spectacle main event choice if Cena doesn't win. There has to be more to this, right? .@JohnCena has couldn't even let @CodyRhodes get a word in 😬#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 LAST TIME?!Say you're joking, @JohnCena!! It can't end like this 😭#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 "You will lose because you care about THEM!"@JohnCena is sick of the WWE Universe... 😳#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 "You're just a kid in a man's world..."@JohnCena is NOT holding back!#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 JAW DROPPED!@CodyRhodes just roasted @JohnCena 😮💨#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 .@CodyRhodes said NOT TODAY! 😤#WrestleMania is about to be a movie 🍿#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 It's happening, you guys. Iyo Sky is hanging onto that Women's World Championship on Sunday, and there's no way Naomi doesn't get involved. To start the final pre-WrestleMania interaction between Sky, Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair, I was pleasantly surprised to see WWE give Ripley the realization that she just randomly got distracted by Belair during her title loss to Sky. Once the champion arrived, Belair cut her off to a bunch of boos as Sky never got to speak a word. The way she's been such an afterthought has been intentional and crafted sneakily well. However, the real juice in this segment was Naomi's arrival to ask Belair why she's been ignoring her calls and interactions. She's the crazy, obsessed friend who demands her answer with hatred for the new friend. NO EXCUSES! @RheaRipley_WWE plans on taking back the Women's World Championship this Sunday at #WrestleMania! 😤#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 Come on, @BiancaBelairWWE!Naomi just wants to talk...#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 If the tease wasn't blatant enough, Jade Cargill perfectly cut off Naomi before she could say what she'll do after finishing what she started with the Cargill attack. That's because it will be the big attack on Belair to set up the continuation of this lengthy story, and rightfully so. I'm telling you guys, I will be wildly disappointed if this doesn't go where it should — win or lose for Naomi against Cargill. This has gone off the rails! 😱@Iyo_SkyWWE had to remind EVERYONE who the Women's World Champion is 👊#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 To springboard off of intertwining storylines, a Battle Royal is essentially just throwing things together. That's what we got with the return of the Andre The Giant memorial Battle Royal — it just wasn't at WrestleMania. Nonetheless, it was an awesome match. The final three were Rey Fenix, Andrade and Carmelo Hayes. That's a dream triple-threat match, and hopefully it comes to fruition at some point somehow. Ultimately, El Grande Americano emerged out of nowhere to cost Fenix, allowing for another Hayes-Andrade encounter's brilliance. Those two are just made for each other, and reminded the world of that. Karrion Kross also continued his brilliance with the time he had in the match, as did Ludwig Kaiser and Pete Dunne with a fun sequence. The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal starts NOW! 🏆#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 A Battle Royal is always an easy way to get in some fun, cool moments for those who deserve more screentime, and this was no exception. The handling of the WWE Tag Team title scene has become embarrassing. If the titles being left off WrestleMania 41 weren't enough, the great matchup of the champion Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns ended via DQ when DIY interfered. Talk about a pitiful joke of a booking decision. This is even worse if my predicted Big E return doesn't happen in the World Tag Team match with The New Day challenging the War Raiders. DIY VS MCMG VS SP Book the match at mania pls 🙏🏻#smackdown — Cuda (@iamcuda) April 19, 2025 The end game between all three of the "WWE SmackDown" teams appears to be (and hopefully is) the triple-threat tag team title TLC match that was announced for next Friday's show. That match works for me, but getting to that destination has not been good. And how it gets left off 'Mania is beyond me. The Las Vegas crowd even booed when Nick Aldis announced it. 1. Seth Rollins opened "WWE SmackDown" and just started to cook on the microphone. This was one of the best standalone promos from the whole storyline between Rollins, CM Punk and Roman Reigns. Rollins took to the center of the ring and mocked Punk's classic pipebomb, sitting and taking off the mic sleeve. There were more AEW mentions and even a Dean Ambrose name drop (R.I.P.). As fun as the interactions are between all three, this was excellent for what it was. Okay, @wwerollins.. we see you channeling your inner @CMPunk 👀#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 .@wwerollins is putting it all on the line TOMORROW at #WrestleMania!!#SmackDown — WWE (@WWE) April 19, 2025 2. During the Andre The Giant Battle Royal, Wade Barrett dropped a brilliant line about Ludwig Kaiser DM'ing him throughout the week. 3. Unfortunately, the Nick Aldis steam for a Randy Orton match at WrestleMania 41 has appeared to completely cool off. Instead, Orton promised to be at the show of shows in yet another absolutely epic, passionate promo to issue an open challenge. The Rusev or Malakai Black ideas are fun, but are they really big enough to replicate the Rhodes-Rollins situation of years' past? Also, Orton shouldn't lose his match, which makes Aldis even more perfect. Neither Rusev nor Black should lose upon a return. Randy Orton ofrecerá un reto abierto este domingo en la segunda noche de #WrestleMania — TurnHeelWrestling (@TurnHeelWres) April 19, 2025 4. Anyone who watched Fenix in AEW knows he's a blast of a time in a tag team or trios match, and that was the case when he and the LWO (Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio) defeated American Made. Rey Fenix gets the win for his team. Rey Mysterio has seemingly suffered an injury during that match 😭 #SmackDown — Chris The Wrestling Informer 🇧🇪 (@Thewrestlingin1) April 19, 2025 5. Despite the down I'm about to give out, WWE made a phenomenal Machine Head hyped video for Punk vs. Rollins vs. Reigns. Hell yeah. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins #WrestleMania promo#SmackDown — WWE & AEW Rumors (@WWEAEWRumors) April 19, 2025 1. I've started to notice that with these three-hour "WWE SmackDowns," WWE uses a lot of reflection or preview videos to fill time that could be used to give screentime. That's what the whole point of this extra time should be, and I can't tell you how much time gets lost on these video packages. 2. Zelina Vega beat United States Champion Chelsea Green clean with a super Code Red. Honestly, WWE, get rid of the belt now if this is how it's going to be treated. This has been atrocious. Com um Super Code Red, Zelina Vega derrotou a campeã Chelsea Green de forma limpaLembrando que o combate não valia o título, mas certamente essa vitória deve render um Title Shot futuramente.#SmackDown — Portal PWBR 🤼 (@pwbrportal) April 19, 2025 3. Mysterio looks to have a possible injury the night before his WrestleMania match against El Grande Americano. A severe injury would be a huge bummer for the legend. We wish him all the best, no matter the details. Bummer. It looks like Rey Mysterio got hurt in the had to help him to @siradam03_ — Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) April 19, 2025 4. I was enjoying the hell out of LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa — then Jacob Fatu got Sikoa DQ'd by attacking Knight. This immediately turned it into a tag team match when Braun Strowman made the save, but this was still dumb, and Strowman lost the conclusion of his Fatu rivalry. (At least we thought.) Just make the tag team match from the beginning, or give us a clean match. The interference endings are so out of control lately. ¡JACOB FATU ATACA A LA KNIGHT Y CAUSA EL DQ!¡Y AQUÍ VIENE STROWMAN AL ATAQUE!#SmackDown #WWEonNetflix #wwe — Planeta Wrestling (@Planeta_Wrest) April 19, 2025 👑 All that's left is the big show, thankfully. These recent weeks have felt like they've been holding off or dragging out until we could reach that final destination. I give this "WWE SmackDown" a Crown score of: 5.5/10 👑
