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BY SACNILK

There are very few actors who can maintain their position at the top for half a century, but Rajinikanth continues to prove that his superstardom is in a league of its own. As fans eagerly wait for the return of Tiger Muthuvel Pandian in the upcoming sequel Jailer 2, the film has already started rewriting the history books of Indian cinema. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, the sequel carries the massive responsibility of following up on the 2023 cult classic, which famously collected over 604 crore at the worldwide box office. The momentum behind this second installment is now being felt in the business circles, where the film has just set an unprecedented record. According to an exclusive report by Bollywood Hungama, Jailer 2 has officially secured the biggest non-theatrical deal for any Tamil film to date. Sources close to the development have revealed that the streaming rights for the film have been sold to a major OTT partner for a staggering 160 crore. This figure is significant because it not only surpasses the previous record held by Vijay's Leo but also reportedly exceeds the digital deals for other upcoming big-budget films like Shah Rukh Khan's King. It appears that streaming platforms are willing to pay a heavy premium to secure the Rajinikanth-led saga, viewing it as the most high-profile acquisition of 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The marketing machinery for the film is also beginning to move at a rapid pace. Production house Sun Pictures is reportedly planning to release the first single from the movie on August 21, 2026. Given the massive impact Anirudh Ravichander’s music had on the first film, especially with the viral hit Hukum, there is immense pressure on the composer to deliver another chartbuster. There is also significant buzz regarding a grand audio launch tentatively scheduled for October 2. While Rajinikanth's landmark events are traditionally hosted at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai, the official venue for this sequel is yet to be confirmed. Regardless of the location, the launch is expected to be a massive celebration of the superstar's journey, with a planned television broadcast on Sun TV likely set for October 9. However, there is growing uncertainty regarding the film's actual arrival in theaters. While the initial plan pointed toward an October 15 release, recent industry chatter—highlighted by Valai Pechu—suggests a potential push to the Diwali weekend on November 5 or 6. This delay is reportedly due to extensive post-production work needed to perfect the sequel's high-octane sequences. While a Diwali release for the Superstar is usually a cause for celebration, many trade experts are advising against the move. The primary concern is the massive pan-Indian clash with Ramayana, which is also slated for the Diwali window. Analysts believe a collision would severely dent Jailer 2's screen count and its earning potential in North India. Given the film's massive ensemble cast featuring stars from multiple industries, the consensus among experts is that it deserves a clean, two-to-three-week solo run to truly maximize its theatrical footprint. Whether the makers opt for the crowded Diwali window or stick to their October guns remains to be seen, but the decision will undoubtedly define the box office trajectory for 2026. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The return of the character Tiger Muthuvel has created a level of anticipation that is rarely seen even for major sequels. With a record-breaking OTT deal already in the bag and a promotion schedule that looks to build a fever pitch over the next two months, Jailer 2 is positioned to be a commercial juggernaut. If the film manages to replicate the word of mouth of its predecessor, it could very well challenge the all-time records of the Tamil film industry.

BY SACNILK

Jacy Jayne 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

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 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

Hyderabad, August 18 - Superstar Jr. NTR and director Trivikram Srinivas' much-awaited upcoming epic on Lord Murugan has sparked fresh excitement, with NTR Arts reportedly registering two titles for the film. The project is one of the most ambitious collaborations in Telugu cinema and is confirmed to revolve around Lord Murugan, also known as Lord Kartikeya, with Jr NTR set to portray the divine warrior on a grand cinematic canvas. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The two titles registered for the film are reportedly Devasenapathi and God of War. Devasenapathi is particularly significant as it refers to Lord Kartikeya as the commander of the divine forces, while God of War directly reflects his identity as a powerful warrior deity. The registrations have therefore further strengthened the connection between the film's title and its central mythological subject. The makers had already dropped strong hints about the film's theme through the announcement poster, which featured a massive divine spear amid a battlefield and carried the tagline "One Spear. One Purpose. One Divine Reckoning." The announcement also described the protagonist as "The Son of Shiva. The Pride of Parvathi. The Eternal Commander," leaving little doubt about the Lord Murugan connection. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The project marks the reunion of Jr NTR and Trivikram after their successful collaboration on Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava. This time, the filmmaker is attempting something significantly more ambitious, with the story set against a mythological backdrop and expected to combine divine mythology, action, drama and large-scale visual spectacle. While Devasenapathi and God of War have reportedly been registered, the makers are yet to officially reveal the final title. Given the strong association of both names with Lord Kartikeya, either title could potentially become the film's official identity. With Jr. NTR headlining a film based on Lord Murugan/Kartikeya, the project is already emerging as one of the most eagerly awaited mythological spectacles from Indian cinema.

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 18 - Ektaa Kapoor is set to take her hugely popular Naagin franchise beyond television, with the iconic supernatural series now reportedly being developed for the big screen. The filmmaker teased the development on August 17, marking a major new chapter for a franchise that has dominated Indian television for more than a decade. The announcement comes on the occasion of Nag Panchami and has immediately sparked curiosity among fans about what a theatrical version could look like. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The Naagin television franchise began in 2015 and has since completed seven seasons, establishing itself as one of the country's most recognisable supernatural properties. The series, produced by Ektaa Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor under Balaji Telefilms, revolves around shape-shifting serpents and has featured several leading television actresses in its various seasons. Balaji Telefilms has itself described Naagin 1 through Naagin 7 as an extremely successful mystical-fantasy franchise. For now, the big-screen project remains shrouded in mystery. Details regarding the cast, director, storyline and others have not been revealed. This leaves the biggest question unanswered — who will play the next Naagin on the big screen? Given the franchise's popularity, speculation about a major Bollywood actress taking on the iconic role is already expected to intensify. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Interestingly, the idea of turning Naagin into a feature film is not entirely new. Ektaa Kapoor has previously spoken about wanting to develop a cinematic version of the property, with reports suggesting that she had even approached major Bollywood names in the past. However, this latest announcement appears to signal that the franchise is finally ready to make the transition from television to cinema. The timing could also make the project particularly interesting. Bollywood has increasingly embraced fantasy, supernatural stories and established IPs, while Naagin already comes with a massive audience and years of built-in recognition. A theatrical adaptation would allow the makers to significantly expand the scale of its mythology, action and visual effects compared with television. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) View this post on Instagram A post shared by EktaaRkapoor (@ektarkapoor)

BY SACNILK

Blake Monroe has opened up about the time she spent wrestling in Japan and explained how the experience changed both her career and her life before she made her way to WWE. Before becoming a WWE Superstar, Monroe built her experience on the independent scene and eventually traveled to Japan to continue developing as a wrestler. What was supposed to be a short trip turned into a much longer stay after she quickly became attached to the country and its wrestling culture. “I went to Japan and I was meant to go for like a month and I ended up moving there. So I only had like two or three suitcases. And it was in my first week and I was like, ‘I'll stay.,'" Monroe said during her appearance on The Nikki & Brie Show. Monroe explained she trained at the dojo and spent a lot of time wrestling and improving her skills. Her schedule could become demanding, especially during tournaments and busier stretches of the year. “It wasn't every day, but it went through phases. So, we wrestled at least twice a week. Sometimes in the summer like we had tournaments and like we'd be on the road. Like we'd be on this bus. Like you do your match, you take the ring down, shower if you can, the bus.” Monroe was around 23 at the time and felt she needed to spend some time away from home. Living in another country forced her to become more independent, and she said she found herself during that period. “I just fell in love. It's called the Dojo. We just trained all the time and I loved Japan and I feel like at that time in my life I must have been like 23 or something. I needed that. I needed to be by myself. I needed to be independent and I just found myself and I loved Japan.” Monroe couldn't speak Japanese when she first arrived, which meant she couldn't rely on long promos to connect with the audience. Instead, she had to find other ways to communicate her personality. That eventually became an important part of her development as a character. “I couldn't speak. And as we know, promos, especially in WWE, is the biggest part of like how you're going to make people like you. Wrestling is one thing, but I feel like you have to have something where people hate you, like you, relate to you, whatever it is. I couldn't do that in Japan. So, I had to learn how to exude that in my body, in the way I dressed, in all my mannerisms, and it really made me dial up to like a hundred.” She compared developing a wrestling character to training in the gym. The more she worked on it, the more she learned what connected with an audience. “I feel like it's developed. It's the same way you like train in the gym and you train at wrestling. I feel like you also train your character. But you just kind of learn what works, what doesn't, where you need the crowd, where you might need to like show out to them.” After making her mark in NXT, she's moved on to SmackDown and has made it clear that she wants to become more than someone who simply wins championships. She wants to create stories that fans remember. Monroe recalled eating raw chicken with friends before a major match against Giulia. She initially worried that the unusual meal was responsible for the knots in her stomach, only to realize she was simply nervous about the match. “I ate raw chicken. And I was fine. But it was the night before like a really big match with Giulia actually. And I really wanted to wrestle her... I had started my period so I had cramps. But in my head I'm like it's the chicken. It's raw chicken but it wasn't. I was just really nervous so like my stomach was in knots.”

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 17 - Emraan Hashmi has locked his next big-screen outing after the latest blockbuster Awarapan 2. The actor will headline Gunmaaster G9, an action entertainer directed by Aditya Datt, with the makers officially announcing November 27, 2026 as the worldwide theatrical release date. The film brings together Emraan, Aditya and music composer Himesh Reshammiya once again, nearly two decades after their earlier collaborations. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Gunmaaster G9 stars Emraan Hashmi, Genelia Deshmukh and Aparshakti Khurana in key roles. The film is being produced by Deepak Mukut, Sangeeta Ahir and Hunar Mukut and presented by Soham Rockstar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. With action at its core, the project is expected to showcase Emraan in another action-oriented avatar following his return to the spotlight with Awarapan 2. The reunion of Emraan Hashmi, Aditya Datt and Himesh Reshammiya is one of the major talking points surrounding the project. The trio previously collaborated during the peak of Emraan's career in the 2000s, making their return together particularly interesting for audiences who remember their successful musical-action collaborations. Himesh will once again be responsible for the music, adding a strong nostalgic element to the new film. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film also marks another collaboration between Soham Rockstar Entertainment and Himesh Reshammiya after the musical successes of Sanam Teri Kasam and Genius. While Sanam Teri Kasam has developed a strong cult following over the years, its recent theatrical re-release also demonstrated the enduring popularity of its music among audiences. For Emraan Hashmi, Gunmaaster G9 comes at an interesting point in his career. Following Awarapan 2, which is currently playing in theatres with a blockbuster collection, the actor is continuing to explore action-driven projects, and the November release gives the film an important theatrical window toward the end of the year. With Genelia Deshmukh and Aparshakti Khurana joining him, the makers are looking to package the film as a commercial action entertainer. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) #GunmaasterG9 is locked, loaded and ready to fire up the big screen on 27th November. And this time, it’s not just bullets firing. It’s romance, music and action coming to steal your heart.#G9 #GunmaasterProduced by @DeepakMukut #HunarMukut @sangeetaahirPresented by… pic.twitter.com/PDS3of8H6Z— Emraan Hashmi (@emraanhashmi) August 17, 2026

BY SACNILK

Mumbai, August 16 - Ranveer Singh's much-awaited post-apocalyptic thriller Pralay has officially been confirmed after months of speculation, marking the beginning of one of the most ambitious projects in the actor's upcoming lineup. Directed by debutant filmmaker Jai Mehta, the film has been in the news for several months, with reports previously suggesting that production would begin in August. The latest development now confirms that the shoot of the film begins today (August 16) in Mumbai. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film was initially expected to shoot extensively in Australia, with earlier reports claiming that a major portion of the schedule would be filmed there. However, the makers have now shifted the production to Mumbai. The move comes after the team reworked its shooting plans, using Mumbai to bring the film's post-apocalyptic setting to life. Pralay is said to be a large-scale survival thriller set against a zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic backdrop. Ranveer will headline the film, while Kalyani Priyadarshan has been confirmed as the female lead. The project is reportedly mounted on a massive budget of around 300 crore, which would make it one of the most expensive standalone films of Ranveer's career. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film has also generated curiosity because of its technical ambitions. The story is reportedly set in a devastated version of Mumbai, requiring extensive visual effects and practical work to create its world. Reports have previously suggested that the makers were exploring international talent for the prosthetics and effects, underlining the scale at which Mehta intends to mount the zombie thriller. With Pralay now officially in production, Ranveer Singh is set to enter a completely different space after the success of Dhurandhar. The film is produced by Ananya Birla's Birla Studios, in association with True Story Films, and Maa Kasam Films. It will be released in 2027.

BY SACNILK

Trick Williams has quickly established himself as one of WWE's most outspoken Superstars, but his confidence has been put to the test whenever he finds himself trading words with CM Punk. Now, Williams has explained why he believes he can stand toe-to-toe with one of the most respected talkers in wrestling history. The verbal tension between Williams and Punk has grown as both Superstars have crossed paths on SmackDown. Punk has made it clear that he is willing to answer challenges from anyone looking to step up to the Undisputed WWE Championship, with Williams among the names mentioned as a potential challenger. Williams has also made no secret of his ambition. Following his rise to the main roster, he has increasingly found himself sharing the spotlight with established stars, including Punk and Cody Rhodes. His confidence has only grown as he has become a regular part of major SmackDown storylines. However, when asked what it is like to trade bars with Punk, Williams did not back down. Instead, he acknowledged Punk's reputation while making it clear that he believes his own ability to talk trash comes from somewhere much deeper than wrestling. “CM Punk is one of the greatest of all time, and he's proven that. You know, he's had his legendary moments when talking the trash talking,” Williams said. “But, you got to understand, Shaq, I come from a long, long line of trash talking who's been passed down from my cells. You know, since a little kid, it's in my DNA to talk trash like only Trick Williams can.” Williams' comments underline an important part of his character. His confidence on the microphone is not something he believes he developed simply after entering WWE. Instead, he views trash talking as part of his personality and something that has been passed down through his family. That is why Williams does not appear intimidated by the experience gap between himself and Punk. While Punk can point to decades of professional wrestling experience, Williams believes that experience does not automatically make him the superior trash talker. “So, if CM Punk thinks that he's ready because he has 30 years of wrestling and WWE experience, he has to understand, my trash talk goes back for decades and decades, you know, all the way back to times that none of us was born,” Williams continued. “So, you know, I'm that level of trash talker.” The comments come at an interesting point in Williams' WWE career. He has already established himself as one of SmackDown's most entertaining personalities, while his United States Championship reign helped elevate his profile even further. WWE has repeatedly placed him in programs and segments alongside some of its biggest names, reinforcing the company's confidence in his ability to hold his own.

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Santino Marella has opened up about his time at Ohio Valley Wrestling and revealed how CM Punk immediately caught his attention long before either man became a major WWE star Speaking to Cody Rhodes on What Do You Wanna Talk About?, Marella reflected on the unique group of wrestlers who came through OVW during the mid-2000s. The developmental territory was home to several future WWE stars, including Rhodes, Punk, Beth Phoenix, John Morrison, Deuce and Domino, and others. Marella admitted that he initially did not understand why everyone at OVW was so excited about Punk. However, that changed quickly once he saw Punk in person and watched him wrestle. “I remember when Punk first came because I didn't watch Ring of Honor and this guy, CM Punk, CM Punk. And I'm like, why is everyone freaking out over this guy?” Marella then explained that Punk had something that was difficult to teach — an aura that immediately separated him from his peers. “And then I see him and he like literally had like an aura around him.” The former WWE star said Punk's wrestling ability made the impression even stronger. Marella recalled watching him perform and realizing that Punk was already operating at a level that many developing wrestlers were still trying to reach. “And then I watched him wrestle. I'm like, are they expecting me to become that good? He was already good.” Punk arrived in OVW in 2005 after establishing himself on the independent wrestling scene, particularly through Ring of Honor. He quickly became one of the standout performers in WWE's developmental system. His OVW run was not simply a period of learning the basics. Punk became a champion in the territory, winning the OVW Television Championship in November 2005 before eventually capturing the OVW Heavyweight Championship in May 2006. Marella also explained that the OVW locker room was packed with talent. Cody Rhodes recalled the atmosphere as well, noting that the group included several wrestlers who would eventually become important names in WWE. The former Intercontinental Champion said that when Punk arrived, he did not initially understand the reaction from the other wrestlers because he had not followed Punk's work in Ring of Honor. But after seeing him perform, Marella understood exactly why people were talking about him. Marella's own WWE career followed a very different path. While Punk became known for his serious, outspoken persona, Marella became one of WWE's most recognizable comedy characters. His in-ring career came to an end in July 2014 after he suffered his third significant neck injury. Marella announced his retirement at a WWE live event in Toronto, telling the crowd that his age and recurring neck problems could mean it was the end of his WWE in-ring career. WWE reported at the time that Marella hoped to remain involved with the company in another capacity. However, his association with WWE continued for another two years. Marella made several appearances for the company after his retirement, including as a guest General Manager, before WWE officially released him on May 6, 2016. WWE confirmed that Marella was among several performers released that day.