Full List: WWE Adds 26 New Dates To 2023 Touring Schedule

BY SACNILK

Paul Heyman has revealed more about the decision that transformed Roman Reigns from “The Big Dog” into “The Tribal Chief,” explaining why he believed Reigns could not simply return to the same character he had played for years. The change came in 2020, when Reigns returned to WWE after stepping away during the COVID-19 pandemic. He aligned himself with Heyman and soon began presenting himself in a completely different way. The character eventually became known as The Tribal Chief and went on to define one of the longest chapters of Reigns’ WWE career. During his appearance on Six Feet Under, Heyman explained that the change was not simply about turning Reigns heel. He believed the entire presentation had to evolve. Heyman recalled that when WWE was preparing to put him together with Reigns, Vince McMahon originally told him that Reigns was still “The Big Dog” and that Heyman would be his advocate. “In 2020, when COVID hit and the decision was made corporately, we are going to produce live television or live-to-tape television twice a week, Raw and SmackDown. And we're still going to do what was then called pay-per-views, now premium live events. And Brock's contract wrapped up just as the whole world shut down. And Vince made the business decision, we got to take a break for a while.” Heyman then explained how Reigns’ situation created an opportunity for something new. With Reigns having taken time away and WWE looking for a new direction, the two finally had the chance to work together. “And the opportunity arose at that time that Roman had taken so much time off. And the decision was made for us to finally work together. And when I asked Vince his vision for it, he just said, ‘He's the big dog and you're his advocate.’” Reigns had already spent years being presented as The Big Dog. He had been positioned as one of WWE's leading stars, but Heyman felt that simply attaching himself to the same version of Reigns would not create anything fresh. “The first thing I said was, he can't be the big dog anymore. We've run with the big dog since 2012. He needs to evolve into something completely different, and I can't be his advocate. I was Brock Lesnar's advocate. I must be something different to this character.” Heyman did not want to take the role he had previously played alongside Brock Lesnar and simply place it beside Reigns. He believed both sides of the presentation needed to change. His inspiration came from another famous WWE character transformation: The Undertaker going from the Deadman to the American Badass. Heyman explained that the transformation worked because WWE did not erase everything that came before. Instead, the company took an established character and allowed him to evolve as the wrestling audience changed. “And the examples that I continuously gave were, and this is what sold Vince on it, was the Deadman, the American Badass. It has to be that shocking of a metamorphosis. And it has to make sense. The Deadman grew into the American Badass because times had changed around him. The '90s had evolved and the audience wanted more.” The goal was not to pretend that The Big Dog had never existed. Instead, the new character would build on Reigns’ previous history while taking him somewhere completely different. “Even though that's a seismic shift in character, you never alienated the Deadman, you incorporated him into an evolved character. It's the same thing. It's a progression, it's a metamorphosis. It's, here's what I have on my resume. And here's where I've been, and now here's where I'd like to take you next.” Heyman revealed that he came up with the nickname, although McMahon initially questioned the idea. Recent comments from Heyman have also confirmed that McMahon initially wanted Reigns to remain The Big Dog rather than adopt the new nickname.

BY SACNILK

Paul Heyman has opened up about a private moment involving Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker following Lesnar’s latest WWE appearance, revealing why a phone call between the two meant so much to the legendary wrestler. Brock Lesnar’s latest WWE chapter came to an end at SummerSlam 2026, where he faced Oba Femi inside Hell in a Cell in what became his final match. After the bout, Lesnar raised Femi’s hand and called him the future, adding another memorable moment to the closing chapter of his WWE career. The loss came after Lesnar and Femi had already met twice, making their SummerSlam encounter the deciding match in their rivalry. Femi ultimately defeated Lesnar by pinfall inside Hell in a Cell, with the victory being presented as a passing-of-the-torch moment for the younger WWE star. During an appearance on Six Feet Under, Heyman joined The Undertaker and discussed Lesnar’s WWE journey, his relationship with the former WWE Champion, and what he believes makes Lesnar’s connection to the wrestling business different from how many fans perceive it. The conversation eventually turned to a phone call Lesnar made to The Undertaker shortly after SummerSlam. Heyman then explained why he felt the phone call was necessary. “There is a code of honor in this industry that if you are in there with someone that you can't even stand on a personal level, but you stand on the chair and you fall backwards, you know that person is going to catch you.” Heyman said that, in his view, the wrestling business has an unwritten code of trust between performers. Even when wrestlers may not have a close personal relationship, they still understand the responsibility that comes with sharing the ring and putting their safety in each other’s hands. “That phone call was a must,” Heyman said. “And I couldn't imagine the day going by without that phone call being placed.” The Undertaker appeared to agree with Heyman’s assessment, saying the gesture meant a great deal to him as an “old timer.” He also suggested that the moment showed another side of Lesnar that fans do not always get to see. The discussion came while Heyman and The Undertaker were reflecting on Lesnar’s career and his recent chapter in WWE. Heyman noted that Lesnar has often been portrayed as someone motivated primarily by money, contracts or his own schedule, but he believes that view overlooks Lesnar’s genuine respect for professional wrestling. Heyman pointed specifically to the phone call as evidence that Lesnar understands the traditions of the business. “I think he genuinely had to love this business,” The Undertaker said during the conversation, explaining how the call reinforced his view of Lesnar’s passion. Heyman also connected Lesnar’s relationship with current WWE star Oba Femi to the way he once worked with Lesnar himself. According to Heyman, Lesnar has now reached a point in his career where he understands the responsibility of passing knowledge and guidance to the next generation. The conversation also revisited Lesnar’s most famous WrestleMania accomplishment: ending The Undertaker’s undefeated WrestleMania streak at WrestleMania 30. Heyman argued that, regardless of everything else Lesnar achieved in wrestling and combat sports, that victory will always remain one of the defining moments of his career. He pointed out that Lesnar was an NCAA Division I heavyweight champion, became a WWE Champion, won the UFC Heavyweight Championship and competed in multiple WrestleMania main events. Yet, according to Heyman, none of those accomplishments compare with defeating The Undertaker at WrestleMania 30. “It’s the greatest claim to fame,” Heyman said. “And it always will be when it comes to Brock Lesnar.”

BY SACNILK

Nia Jax is ready for WWE to stop viewing her as the woman who can be counted on to help others and start treating her as a star who deserves her own spotlight. During her appearance on Busted Open, Jax opened up about her frustration with being overlooked in the women’s division and made it clear that she believes her time to step into a bigger role has arrived. Jax has spent much of her WWE career as one of the division’s most recognizable performers, while also taking on roles that have helped elevate other talent. However, she admitted that she has grown tired of being the wrestler people rely on whenever someone else needs to look good. Speaking about her current mindset, Jax explained that she has changed almost every part of her game over the years, from her character and body to her work inside the ring and on the microphone. “I'm actually like I'm kind of getting sick and tired of always being the reliable big girl. I'm like why the heck can I not be—why don't you make me that girl? I've been working my ass off for over a decade. I've changed my character, I've changed my body, I changed the way I move in the ring. You know, I can get on the mic and cut you a promo. Why can't it be me?” Jax went on to describe the frustration of repeatedly being overlooked whenever she feels she has earned an opportunity. She said that she has no problem helping other wrestlers, but wants WWE to give her the chance to be the person at the center of the story. “I keep getting disrespected and, you know, every time I turn around, I freaking have somebody trying to screw me over. And then I just get looked over and then it's like, ‘Oh hey, let me just put her in and help—she'll help out somebody else.’ Yeah, I have no problem, but why can't I be the girl?” Jax said. The former WWE Women's Champion also received support during the conversation, with the Busted Open hosts discussing how she has become someone younger wrestlers can turn to for advice and mentorship. Jax's position as a veteran has often seen her help others, but she now wants that experience to translate into a bigger role for herself. Jax also addressed her recent physical transformation and explained that her decision to change her body was not simply about appearance. She revealed that after her WWE release, she found a new direction in her personal life and began focusing more on her health. “When I got released and I had like a full, you know, shot to my life, I found my walk with God. I gave my life over to Jesus and my life completely changed from there,” Jax said. She explained that being a larger wrestler had taken a toll on her body, particularly her joints, and that she wanted to make changes that would allow her to move more comfortably in the ring. At the same time, Jax stressed that she does not want to lose the qualities that have made her stand out as a powerhouse performer. The conversation then turned toward her place in the current WWE women's division and the possibility of Jax getting another chance to move toward the top of the card. Jax admitted that waiting for another opportunity can be difficult, especially as she gets older and knows that opportunities in wrestling can become harder to come by. “You know, it is difficult because I know that like that it—it’s hard to talk about it, but like you know, you get aged out. And so like I know that at one point they're going to be like, all right, we're not looking at you anymore,” Jax said. “But I think right now at where I am and what I'm doing is my moment. It's my time.”

BY SACNILK

WWE Monday Night Raw will take place on Monday, August 24, 2026, from the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. However, fans will need to take note of a different start time this week, as Raw will begin at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Netflix, two hours earlier than its usual time. The earlier start is connected to WWE's plans to tape the following week's Friday Night SmackDown after Raw, with that episode scheduled to air on August 28. WWE has previously used double-taping arrangements around holiday periods to give its talent time off. The August 24 episode will continue several stories coming out of Raw on August 17. The World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament is moving into its semifinal stage, Stephanie Vaquer is set to return to singles action against Roxanne Perez after being attacked by The Judgment Day, and Oba Femi and Bron Breakker will put pen to paper ahead of their Sunday Night's Main Event match. WWE Raw 8/24/26 Confirmed Match Card World Heavyweight Championship Contender Tournament: Penta vs. LA Parka The World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament will continue with Penta taking on LA Parka in one of the semifinal matches. The winner will advance to the tournament final and move one step closer to earning a World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns. Penta advanced to the semifinals after defeating JD McDonagh on the August 10 episode of Raw. LA Parka, meanwhile, earned his place in the tournament after winning his opening-round match. The two will now meet with a place in the final at stake. World Heavyweight Championship Contender Tournament: Rey Fenix vs. Dragon Lee The other semifinal will see Rey Fenix face Dragon Lee. Both men advanced on the August 17 episode of Raw, with Fenix defeating El Fiscal and Dragon Lee defeating El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. The winner will advance to the tournament final and remain in contention to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship when Raw heads to Mexico City on September 14. That gives the semifinal another layer, particularly with both competitors coming off first-round victories. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez Stephanie Vaquer is set to return to the ring against Roxanne Perez. Vaquer's return comes after The Judgment Day attacked her during the August 17 episode of Raw. The situation involving Vaquer, Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch has continued to develop over the past several weeks. On the previous Raw, Becky attempted to help Vaquer when The Judgment Day went after her, but the situation ended with Morgan's group gaining control. WWE has now booked Vaquer for singles competition, giving her a chance to respond inside the ring. Oba Femi and Bron Breakker contract signing Raw will also feature a contract signing between Oba Femi and Bron Breakker ahead of their match at Sunday Night's Main Event. Their rivalry has been building since Femi confronted Breakker after stopping a beatdown on Raw earlier this month. Paul Heyman later announced that the two will meet at Sunday Night's Main Event, and the August 24 contract signing gives WWE an opportunity to add another chapter before their match. Predicted Match Card Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and LA Knight The Bloodline story could receive another segment following the events of last week's Raw. Solo Sikoa refused to fall back in line with Roman Reigns, and the situation ended with Solo Sikoa and LA Knight attacking Reigns and The Usos. A likely prediction is that Roman Reigns will address Solo and LA Knight, possibly leading to another confrontation. WWE could also use the segment to further establish what Solo wants after rejecting Roman's offer. Je'Von Evans vs. Big Cass Another possible match is Je'Von Evans vs. Big Cass. Big Cass has continued targeting Evans, and the issue escalated after Evans defeated JD McDonagh on the August 17 episode before being attacked afterward. A singles match would give WWE a way to continue their story while also giving Evans an opportunity to respond to Cass' attacks. Liv Morgan and The Judgment Day With Stephanie Vaquer now booked against Roxanne Perez, Liv Morgan and The Judgment Day could remain involved in the women's division. A backstage confrontation or ringside appearance during Vaquer's match would fit the story that WWE established on August 17. Where and When to Watch WWE Raw WWE Raw airs live in the United States on Netflix at 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT on Monday, August 24, rather than its usual 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT start time. The earlier broadcast is tied to WWE's double-taping plans for the following week's SmackDown. United States: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT on Monday on Netflix United Kingdom & Ireland: 11:00 PM BST on Monday on Netflix India: 3:30 AM IST on Tuesday, August 25, on Netflix Australia: 8:00 AM AEST on Tuesday, August 25, on Netflix Mexico: 4:00 PM CST on Monday on Netflix

BY SACNILK

This Friday, WWE SmackDown will take place live from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on USA Network. For international viewers, WWE programming is available live on Netflix in most regions around the world. The biggest attraction on the card will be CM Punk defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens, while NXT Champion Oba Femi has also been advertised for the event. SmackDown Confirmed Match Card August 21, 2026 CM Punk (c) vs. Kevin Owens – Undisputed WWE Championship The only match officially announced for the August 21 episode of SmackDown is CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The match was set after Owens earned his title opportunity by winning a Fatal 4-Way No. 1 Contender's Match against Sami Zayn, Gunther and Finn Bálor at SummerSlam. Owens had also returned from a potentially career-ending injury at the event. The rivalry became more personal on the August 14 episode of SmackDown when Punk and Owens went face-to-face. Their confrontation touched on their past outside WWE and their time in the independent wrestling scene. Owens made it clear that he has wanted the opportunity to face Punk, while the champion questioned whether Owens had lived up to his potential. WWE has now moved the rivalry from the microphone to the ring, with the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line in Toronto. Oba Femi advertised for SmackDown Oba Femi has also been advertised for the Toronto show, although WWE has not announced what he will be doing on the episode. Scotiabank Arena itself promoted Femi's appearance, noting that “The Ruler” will be in Toronto fresh off his SummerSlam victory over Brock Lesnar. Because no match or opponent has been announced for Femi, his appearance should not be listed as an official match at this point. He could appear in a singles match, a confrontation or another segment. Predicted WWE SmackDown Card – August 21, 2026 Randy Orton could target Cody Rhodes Another possible development on Friday night involves Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. Orton has repeatedly targeted Rhodes in recent weeks, and their feud has continued to grow ahead of their scheduled singles match at Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6. With the match around the corner, WWE could use the August 21 episode of SmackDown to show a little preview of what's coming later. One possible scenario is for Cody Rhodes to defeat Kevin Owens, only for Randy Orton to appear afterward and attack him. Rhodes could celebrate his victory or address the crowd following the match before Orton strikes. The attack would give Orton another opportunity to leave his mark on Rhodes before their September 6 showdown, while also allowing WWE to keep their feud separate from the Punk-Owens championship story. Giulia vs. Blake Monroe The two have an ongoing issue, making a match between them a possible addition to the Toronto show. This has been discussed in SmackDown previews, but it is not currently confirmed by WWE. Where and When to Watch WWE SmackDown The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on USA Network and in most international markets on Netflix.

BY SACNILK

JC Jane has reached another milestone in her WWE career after defeating Giulia to win the WWE Women’s United States Championship. Now that she has had time to take in her victory, Jane has spoken about becoming a main roster champion, her years in NXT, and what she wants to do with the title. During an interview with Not Sam Wrestling, Jane discussed her championship victory and explained why finally becoming a singles champion on WWE's main roster means so much to her. She also talked about the wrestlers she wants to face and her desire to help bring more attention to women's wrestling. Jane said winning the title feels right after spending so much of her career working toward opportunities as a singles wrestler. Before winning the Women's United States Championship, Jane had already held the NXT Women's Championship. However, she explained that she had spent a long time waiting for the chance to compete for singles gold after being part of a tag team for much of her early WWE run. Speaking about having the championship around her waist, Jane said: “Yeah, I feel great. You know, it felt kind of weird not having a title around my waist. I feel like I'm right back where I need to be and my first main roster title and I'm ready to kick ass.” Jane also reflected on the period when she was waiting for her chance as a singles wrestler. According to the WWE star, she had been waiting for the opportunity for a long time and felt ready when it finally came. She explained: “Honestly, I felt like I waited so long for that opportunity to just have a title match to be a singles competitor because I was always in a tag team. So, I waited so long for that moment and when it finally came, I was ready and there was no looking back. I was like, ‘This is what, you know, I should have been doing this whole time.’ So, now I just want to rub it in everyone's face and I just keep trying to set the bar higher and higher. There's no going back. There's only forward.” Jane spent around five years in NXT before arriving on the main roster. While she admitted that she sometimes became frustrated while waiting for her call-up, she now believes the extra time helped her prepare for WWE's two-hour weekly shows. She also thanked Shawn Michaels for keeping her in NXT and helping her develop as a performer. “If I had come up two years ago or whatever the case was, like there's no way I would be in this kind of position. I wouldn't have been ready, you know? I probably would have sunk. So, thank you, Shawn Michaels, for keeping me around and helping me get better even when I was annoying about it.” Now holding the Women's United States Championship, Jane has already discussed the type of matches she wants during her reign. She said there are several women on the WWE roster whom she has not yet wrestled and mentioned Tiffany Stratton as someone with whom she believes she has good chemistry. Jane said: “There's nothing more that I love than having like a five-star classic match. You know, I would love to get—there's so many girls on the roster that I haven't been able to work yet that I think I would have great chemistry with. I thought me and Tiffany had great chemistry. Tiffany is tough as hell. So props to Tiffany.” Jane's approach to her championship reign also fits with the character she has built throughout her WWE career. She said she enjoys being booed and does not want to change her personality simply because she is now a champion. “I don't want to be cheered. I want you to hate me. I want you to try to attack me in the parking lot. I want old school. That's the kind of heat I want.” With her first main roster championship now secured, Jane wants to defend the Women's United States Championship, face new opponents and keep giving WWE fans reasons to boo her. For JC Jane, the win over Giulia is only the beginning of her run with WWE's Women's United States Championship.

BY SACNILK

Je'Von Evans has opened up about the botched finish during his NXT match with Randy Orton, revealing how the WWE legend responded when the planned sequence went wrong. Evans explained what happened during the cutter exchange, why the moment bothered him so much that he avoided watching the match for months, and how Orton's reaction afterward turned a frustrating moment into an experience he will always remember. Evans and Orton faced each other on NXT, allowing the young WWE star to share the ring with one of the most popular performers in the company. Evans already had an idea that the match was coming before WWE officially revealed it, but the biggest moment of the bout came when the two attempted a special cutter sequence. The idea was for Evans to hit his OG Cutter on Orton, who is famously known for the RKO. The two discussed the concept before the match, but they never actually rehearsed the sequence together. That became a problem when they attempted it during the match. Evans explained that the move required precise positioning and timing, with Orton expected to catch him as he spun through the sequence. However, the two did not execute it as planned, leaving Evans extremely frustrated with himself. During a recent interview Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Evans explained that the sequence was essentially something they came up with on the day of the match rather than something they had practiced repeatedly beforehand. “No. No, we didn't. It was literally just us saying, ‘Oh, this is going to be a cool idea. Let's do it.’ And then Randy's like, ‘I think we can do it.’ He was like, ‘You do like the spinny thing and then...’ And I'm thinking that you just like spin out and catch me. I was like, ‘Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.’ But I think just position-wise, we didn't try it before the show. It was just kind of like a thing we had an idea about.” The botched sequence clearly stayed with Evans after the match. He admitted that he was so unhappy with how it went that he avoided watching the match again for several months. However, with time, Evans began looking at the incident differently. Instead of viewing it simply as a mistake, he realized that the imperfect finish created a genuine moment between him and Orton. “It took me a while to watch that match because of that. I didn't watch that match for months, you know. But also it's cool to look at it and be like, ‘That was just a real moment.’ You know? Like everything in wrestling is not pretty. We're still fighting at the end of the day. And I just love, like, now I can look back at the moment kind of like this. I was still like, ‘Okay,’ you know? But I can look back at it and say, ‘Dang, like I learned from that moment.’ And then even if we hit that smoothly, we probably wouldn't have got the Randy Orton moment saying, ‘Hey, bro, you're the man.’” That reaction from Orton became the part of the match Evans remembered most. After the sequence went wrong, Evans apologized to Orton. Rather than getting upset with the young star, Orton immediately reassured him and gave him an endorsement that Evans clearly did not expect. “He was like, ‘Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Don't worry, bro. You're the f***ing man.’ He raised my hand, bro. Of course I was still pissed, but my hand—I'm like, ‘All right, bro. Randy just said I'm the man, bro.’” Evans has since explained why he refers to Orton as “Uncle Randy.” According to the young star, Orton taught him a great deal during their time together, and the two immediately connected. Evans also recalled a funny moment before the match when he and Terry Taylor were trying to find Orton backstage. Orton had recently returned and was wearing a hoodie, but Evans said the veteran's changed physique made him difficult to recognize at first. Once they finally met, Evans said the interaction felt natural and that he was able to learn from Orton both before and after the match. “It was just like a connection, and I feel like even just being able to learn from him was such an insane moment, bro. Like, I will always remember just being in a room with him and just communicating and talking with him about the match and just like about, or even before the match and after the match. Like, I met his family after the match. Like, it was cool, bro. It was insane.”

BY SACNILK

Je'Von Evans has made it clear that his goals in WWE go far beyond simply becoming a champion. The young star wants to establish himself as one of the greatest wrestlers the company has ever seen, and when discussing the wrestlers he studies, Evans pointed to Roman Reigns as someone who has already left a lasting mark on WWE. During his recent interview, Evans was asked who he considers the greatest wrestler of all time. While he named Shawn Michaels as his personal choice, he also praised Reigns when discussing the current generation and explained why he has so much respect for the former Undisputed WWE Champion. Evans credited Reigns with helping change WWE during a period when the company was dealing with declining viewership and revenue. He believes Reigns' return and transformation into his Tribal Chief character changed the way WWE presented its top star. “Roman, bro, he came back into the game and, bro, he carried WWE for like, I would even say four or five years. Like, he's doing his thing.” Evans then explained that Reigns did more than simply become a successful champion. In his view, the former world champion changed the overall feel of WWE and developed a presence that could connect with different generations of fans. “He changed the game. He changed the swagger, bro, of WWE. He changed everything.” Evans also compared Reigns' ability to draw reactions to that of John Cena, pointing out that both stars can step away from WWE and still return to major reactions from the audience. “No matter what, bro, like kind of like Cena, for real. Like no matter what, bro, he can take a break, come back and still get that big reaction.” The comments about Reigns also connect to Evans' goal of becoming the greatest WWE wrestler of all time. The 22-year-old has repeatedly spoken about wanting to build a career that places him among the biggest names in company history. Evans revealed that he is studying Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes and Triple H as he prepares for the future. He particularly admires the way Reigns understands WWE's changing audience and believes that Reigns has found a way to appeal to both longtime wrestling fans and newer viewers. “Roman for sure because he's so, like I said, he changed the game. So he kind of understands that this is not like a old fan base anymore... he knows how to kind of get the new fans and the old fans.” For Evans, Roman Reigns represents more than a potential future opponent. He is someone the young WWE star believes he can learn from as he works toward reaching the level of success he has set for himself.

BY SACNILK

Zilla Fatu has opened up about his WWE debut, revealing what was going through his mind moments before he entered the ring for the first time on NXT. The young wrestler also spoke about feeling the presence of his late father, Umaga, during the emotional moment. Fatu made his WWE NXT debut on the August 11 episode of NXT, arriving alongside Tama Tonga and JC Mateo to confront Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. The appearance marked Fatu's first WWE television appearance and brought him into a story involving several members of the Anoa'i family. Fatu's first WWE appearance came after he had spent years developing his wrestling career outside the company. He trained under Booker T at Reality of Wrestling and built a following before eventually earning his opportunity with WWE. Speaking on The Hall of Fame with Booker T and Brad Gilmore, Fatu explained what was happening inside his head immediately before he walked out for his NXT debut. He said he already knew what he had been asked to do and focused on executing the plan while still bringing his own personality to the performance. “Whenever I pulled up, I already knew what time it was. Long as they called the play, I ran it. I did exactly what was told and I put my flavor on it. I put my flavor on it and we did it like that and we had fun. And right before I went out, I just said a quick prayer to myself, and I knew my dad was there because I felt him. I felt him.” The reference to his father made the moment especially personal for Fatu. Umaga passed away in 2009, but his influence remains a part of Fatu's wrestling journey. Before entering the ring at NXT, Fatu said he felt his father's presence and carried that feeling with him during his first WWE appearance. Fatu also remembered looking toward Booker T before he made his entrance. Seeing his mentor watching him provided reassurance that everything was going according to plan. “Right before I went out, man, it was just—it happened. I don’t even know how to express it. Like the slide and everything I did, and then right before I slid in, I looked at Book. I seen him like, ‘Okay, yep. As long as he’s looking, we good.’” Fatu later described the debut as a memory he would never forget and said he is ready for the next chapter of his career. “It was a memory I never forget, and I’m just ready to start this new journey. And like I said, man, you guys better buckle up, man. It’s going to be a long ride.”

BY SACNILK

Booker T had already begun making a name for himself in WCW by 1996, especially alongside his brother Stevie Ray as Harlem Heat. But one match from that period still leaves him with mixed feelings — his Uncensored bout against The Road Warriors. Booker joined WCW in the early 1990s and eventually became one of the company's most successful stars. His partnership with Stevie Ray turned Harlem Heat into one of WCW's most decorated tag teams, while Booker later established himself as a singles wrestler and went on to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. By 1996, however, Booker was still building that singles identity while continuing to work closely with his brother. At WCW Uncensored 1996, Booker T teamed with Sting to face The Road Warriors — Hawk and Animal — in a Chicago Street Fight. The match featured the kind of chaotic action expected from a Chicago Street Fight, with the teams taking their fight outside the traditional rules of a wrestling match. Booker even recalled performing a Spinaroonie after hitting a missile elbow drop before leaving the match and eventually returning. Booker discussed the match while looking back at his WCW career on The Hall of Fame podcast. Booker admitted that, despite the match being a memorable night, he has never viewed it as something he was particularly happy about. “It was kind of bittersweet. It was kind of bittersweet pay-per-view for me, honestly, because I was working against the Road Warriors. It was me and Sting.” Booker explained that he believed he should have been in that spot with Stevie Ray. “It should have been me and my brother. It never should have been me and Sting doing that, you know. So, it was one of those moments to where, you know, I went out and did the work, got the work done because, you know, that's what I do. But, you know, it wasn't one of those things to where I was like, ‘Ah, man. This is like really, really so awesome.’” He said he and Stevie Ray had worked against Hawk and Animal before, but never received the kind of tag-team match they wanted. “I just always regretted, you know, that match because it was against the Road Warriors and I know me and my brother, we always wanted to beat all the old tag teams that came before us.” Booker continued: “The Road Warriors, we had tag matches with those guys, but nothing significant. And then I find myself on a pay-per-view against the Road Warriors, which just didn't make a lot of sense.” Looking back, Booker isn't saying the match itself was a disaster. His frustration comes from the missed opportunity. He wanted Harlem Heat to have that moment. Instead, WCW put him alongside Sting, leaving Booker to wonder what could have happened if he and Stevie Ray had been given the chance to settle things with The Road Warriors together.

BY SACNILK

Solo Sikoa made a shocking decision on Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, refusing to fall back in line with Roman Reigns before turning against his former Bloodline leader. Sikoa then left the ring alongside LA Knight after helping take down Roman and The Usos. The segment had been set up by Jey Uso’s victory over Sikoa the previous week. As part of their agreement, Jey was supposed to deliver Solo to Roman Reigns, leading to the long-awaited meeting between the two family members on Raw. WWE had promoted the confrontation throughout the week. Roman eventually came face-to-face with Solo and made it clear that he expected Sikoa to return to his side. The situation broke down when LA Knight entered the picture, bringing the Usos and Jacob Fatu into the confrontation. Roman ordered Solo to deal with Knight, but Sikoa refused to follow the order. Instead, Solo hit Roman with a Samoan Spike, turning the confrontation against The Bloodline. Knight then joined Solo as the fight spread around the ring. Solo and Knight eventually cleared the ring and walked away together. Knight offered Solo a fist bump, which Sikoa accepted before telling him, “Thank you.” Jacob Fatu remained in the corner and did not help Roman or The Usos during the final moments. The ending leaves Solo Sikoa on his own rather than returning to Roman Reigns, while LA Knight now appears to have an unexpected ally against The Bloodline.

BY SACNILK

Booker T believes Zilla Fatu’s WWE NXT run is just the beginning. After watching Fatu make his WWE debut, the WWE Hall of Famer had some advice for the young star: use NXT to prepare yourself, because there is a much bigger road ahead. Fatu recently made his WWE debut on NXT, immediately making his presence felt and putting the roster on notice. The appearance marked another step in the career of the son of late WWE star Umaga, who previously trained under Booker T at Reality of Wrestling. Booker was clearly proud while discussing Fatu’s arrival on The Hall of Fame podcast. He compared NXT to a NASCAR pit stop and told Fatu that this is the time to get everything ready before making his next move. “NXT, this just a pit stop. But you got to take full advantage of that pit stop. You got to fill the tank up. You got to check the tires and make sure everything’s rotated properly, and then you hit the track running real hard. So I just want to let you know about the pit stop, man.” Booker then made it clear that he was not simply talking about Fatu’s wrestling ability. He believes the young star has already shown the mentality needed to reach the next level. “I’m so damn proud of you for going out there and putting in that work. I’m really, really proud of you for going out there and putting in that work. I know people, they done seen me and you do our thing, but this real talk, man. This real talk. I’m so damn proud of you.” The relationship between Booker and Fatu goes back well before WWE. Fatu trained at Reality of Wrestling, Booker’s wrestling school and promotion in Houston, where the Hall of Famer pushed him hard because he saw something familiar in him. Booker explained that he was particularly tough on Fatu because he could see his own younger self in him. “I don’t think I was harder on anybody that has ever come through Reality Wrestling than I was on this kid. I literally rolled him, because I could see myself, you know what I mean? I could see myself.” Booker also opened up about why he felt Fatu needed that kind of guidance. He remembered being rebellious when he was younger and said he understood what it was like to have potential but still need someone to push you in the right direction. For Fatu, the WWE debut also carried an emotional connection to his father, Umaga. Speaking about the moments before entering the ring, Fatu said he said a quick prayer and felt that his father was there with him. “And your dad right now, man. Your dad right now is looking down on you like so freaking happy. I can see the smile on his face, man. I really can. So, congratulations. And let’s get ready for the takeover.”