Latest news with #Unlikely
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Champion Breaks Silence On Missing WrestleMania 41
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. WWE WrestleMania 41 was a loaded card with a ton of big names and matches on tap. However, long are the days of WWE having a card filled with matches that last longer than anyone had hoped for. Under Triple H, PLE cards are kept short with only the most important matches on tap, and WrestleMania is no different. The absence of Women's United States Champion Chelsea Green from WrestleMania 41 was a notable point of discussion among fans, especially considering her impressive run throughout 2024 and the fact that it marked the first WrestleMania where her title could have been showcased on the grand stage. Many had hoped to see the SmackDown star compete at the "Showcase of the Immortals." Still, she was ultimately relegated to action on the go-home episode of SmackDown, a decision that left a segment of the fans disappointed. Speaking with Adrian Hernandez of Unlikely, Green addressed her absence from WrestleMania, acknowledging her desire to be part of the event while recognizing the constraints of the show's runtime and available slots. "At the end of the day, of course, after a crazy year, the pinnacle is WrestleMania. So I felt the want and the need for these titles to be on the show. I wanted them to be on the show. But at the end of the day, we only have so many hours and so many spots on the card," Green stated. INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: WrestleMania Goes Hollywood at SoFi Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 01: WrestleMania Goes Hollywood at SoFi Stadium on April 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. Despite her omission from the event, Green was quick to commend her fellow female performers who did have the opportunity to compete at WrestleMania 41. "I think that the women that were on the show did an amazing job of representing all of us. So, although I'm upset and I wish I could have been on it, I'm really proud of the girls," she added, showcasing a sense of camaraderie and support for her colleagues within the women's division. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Green has prior experience competing at WrestleMania, having participated in a four-woman tag team match at WrestleMania 39, where she teamed with Sonya Deville. However, despite holding the newly established WWE Women's United States Championship heading into WrestleMania 41, reports indicated multiple creative pitches for her involvement. This included potential roles as a host, conducting a US Title Open Challenge, or having matches with Zelina Vega, Nikki Bella, or Alexa Bliss – she did not have a scheduled match on either night of the event. Looking ahead, Green is slated to defend her Women's United States Championship on the upcoming April 25th episode of SmackDown. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AJ Francis Responds To Swerve Strickland's Comments About Hit Row's WWE Release
Photo Credit: WWE AJ Francis gives his side of the story regarding Hit Row's WWE release. Earlier this week, All Elite Wrestling's Swerve Strickland appeared on VladTV. While discussing Hit Row's WWE release. Strickland said he heard that a member of the group was 'aggressive' on the phone with someone in the office regarding B-Fab's status with the company, which led to the group getting released later on. While Strickland didn't mention AJ Francis by name, many fans made the correlation. Upon seeing quotes from the interview, Francis took to social media to address the allegations, tweeting out: Advertisement 'Apparently I was an 'aggressive black man' for standing up for a black woman. And I'll be that time and time again. *Money bag emoji*,' AJ Francis said in a post. Francis would later respond to a fan who said it was his duty to speak up for B-Fab, tweeting out: 'Not ONE person has EVER said what I said that was 'aggressive' or 'disrespectful' in any way because it never happened. That's why we got rehired. *Money bag emoji*,' AJ Francis said in response. AJ Francis says Swerve Strickland knows what he heard was bullshit When another fan stated that Swerve said he got aggressive, Francis said Swerve just said what he heard despite knowing what he heard was bullshit,' tweeting back: Advertisement 'He said he didn't know what happened. He said what he heard. What he heard was some bullshit and he knows that. Take that how you want to,' AJ Francis said in response. While Hit Row was later brought back to WWE without Swerve Strickland, who was already signed with AEW, Francis was released again by the company a second time. Francis currently works for TNA Wrestling as the leader of the group Fir$t Cla$$. Francis also addressed the allegations in a new interview on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez. There, Francis said he wasn't about to watch his friends get fired from WWE and felt compelled to say something. 'I'm just supposed to be cool with her being gone? Clearly — she's back and doing everything, so clearly I was fuckin' right! But I say that, supposedly I'm the asshole,' Francis pointed out. 'So stand on it! If you were the person that said I was aggressive, stand on it!' Advertisement Francis also said he had a good idea of who said it, but it's never been confirmed to him. READ MORE: Swerve Strickland Felt Like He Was 'Bullshitted Around' At WWE Performance Center The post AJ Francis Responds To Swerve Strickland's Comments About Hit Row's WWE Release appeared first on Wrestlezone.
