Ed Fuller

BY JITU JANGIR

Pat McAfee appears to have closed the door on another WWE run. After spending years as a commentator, wrestler, referee and manager, McAfee has now made it clear that fans should not expect to see him back on WWE television. The former NFL punter addressed his WWE future on Instagram Stories, after a fan asked whether he could return within the next year. McAfee pointed back to his WrestleMania 42 storyline involving Randy Orton and said there was only one scenario in which things could have been different. “If Randy had won, maybe, but I made a promise that I would never, ever. I would never be seen on WWE television ever again, and Cody Rhodes won. He is the one. Wow, what a donkey he turned out to be. Maybe I was wrong with what I was saying.” McAfee said. At WrestleMania 42, McAfee was involved in Orton’s story against Cody Rhodes. Rhodes defeated Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship, meaning McAfee’s storyline ended with him following through on his promise. McAfee then made his position even clearer when discussing Rhodes, saying, “And Cody Rhodes won. He is the one. Wow, what a donkey he turned out to be. Maybe I was wrong with what I was saying.” Despite leaving the door open hypothetically if Orton had won, McAfee insisted that he has no plans to return. “But no, wrestling fans can sleep soundly understanding that I will never be back over there,” he stated. McAfee had already spoken about his WWE career shortly after WrestleMania 42, explaining that he felt he had completed everything he wanted to do in wrestling. He pointed to his time on the independent scene, his NXT developmental run, commentary work and his appearances as a wrestler, referee and manager.

BY JITU JANGIR

WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event will take place on Sunday, September 6, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The special will stream live in the United States on Peacock at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT and on YouTube internationally. The first-ever Sunday Night’s Main Event is already shaping up around two singles matches: Cody Rhodes will face Randy Orton in their latest chapter, while Oba Femi will go one-on-one with Bron Breakker. The Atlanta show will continue several stories that have been developing across Raw and SmackDown. Rhodes and Orton have moved from former allies to bitter rivals, with Orton repeatedly targeting Cody and their singles match now set for September 6. Femi and Breakker, meanwhile, have been building toward a confrontation that Paul Heyman helped turn into an official match. WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event Atlanta Confirmed Match Card Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton is one of the two matches officially announced for Sunday Night’s Main Event. The rivalry has a long history, with Orton previously serving as one of the people who helped Cody early in his career before their relationship broke down. The current version of the feud has become personal. Orton has repeatedly gone after Rhodes, while Cody has been trying to put an end to the issue in the ring. The match will also have a homecoming feel for Rhodes, who is from Atlanta. WWE's promotion for the event specifically bills the match as Cody going to war with Orton. A win would give Cody another victory over Orton, but Orton has plenty of reason to make sure the match does not end cleanly. Their September 6 confrontation could therefore become another chapter rather than the final meeting between the two. Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker The second confirmed match is Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker. The two young stars have been moving toward a matchup after their recent confrontation on Raw, with Paul Heyman ultimately preventing them from fighting immediately and setting the match for Sunday Night’s Main Event. Femi enters the match after defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42, giving him another chance to establish himself against one of WWE's rising stars. Breakker, meanwhile, will be looking to show that he can handle Femi's size and physical style. This should be presented as a clash between two wrestlers WWE sees as future top-level singles competitors. The result could also determine which direction either man takes after the Atlanta event. Predicted Match Card Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa & LA Knight One of the strongest possibilities for the Atlanta card is a tag-team match involving Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa and LA Knight. The Bloodline story took another turn when Solo refused to simply return to Roman's side. The situation has since become even more complicated, with Solo attacking Roman while LA Knight has also been involved in the conflict. Jacob Fatu's recent hesitation to help Roman has added another question to the story. WWE could use the match to move the Bloodline story forward without immediately putting Roman and Solo into a singles match. A post-match betrayal involving Jacob Fatu would also be a possible way to create another twist. Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Becky Lynch Another possible addition is a Triple Threat Match involving Liv Morgan, Stephanie Vaquer and Becky Lynch. The three women have been connected through the ongoing women's division storylines, and recent Raw developments have kept Vaquer and Lynch around Morgan's orbit. A match between the three would allow WWE to bring several ongoing issues together on one show. Where and When to Watch WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event United States: 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT — Peacock United Kingdom & Ireland: 1:00 a.m. BST on Monday — YouTube India: 5:30 a.m. IST on Monday, September 7 — YouTube Australia: 10:00 a.m. AEST on Monday, September 7 — YouTube

BY JITU JANGIR

Paul Heyman has spent decades working alongside some of WWE’s biggest stars, but he has never been comfortable with being labeled simply as a “manager.” During his appearance on Six Feet Under, Heyman explained why he deliberately tried to change the role rather than be defined by its traditional image. Heyman recalled breaking into the wrestling business in 1987, when several veterans told him that managing was becoming a dying role. He said J.J. Dillon, Jim Cornette, Dusty Rhodes and Jim Ross were among those who encouraged him to become a commentator instead. “When I broke in in 1987, I was told by everybody that, Be a commentator. Why? Because a manager is a dead role. Everyone told me this. J.J. Dillon told it to me. Jim Cornette told me. And literally, I mean...” Heyman said Vince McMahon also gave him similar advice, telling him that the traditional manager role was disappearing and would eventually be replaced by other types of on-screen personalities. “Oh, well, you gotta transition over to be a commentator or something, because that manager, it's a dying role. It's gonna be beautiful women, to accompany the men to the ring, and one or two very, very old-timers.” Rather than leave the role behind, Heyman decided to reshape it. He wanted his work to feel different from what previous managers had done and eventually developed his own approach to working with wrestlers. “So my goal early on was to change that role, was to evolve it into something else. You know, wrestlers weren't wrestlers. They were superstars. Right. Elevate the role, do something different with it. So I don't get compared to anybody else. So I can find my own niche in the business to where I can say I'm the best that's ever done that role.” Heyman also explained that when he returned as part of the Dangerous Alliance, he asked to be called the CEO of the Dangerous Alliance rather than a manager because he felt the title represented the past. “When I came back to being a manager, which was in the Dangerous Alliance, I asked to be the CEO of the Dangerous Alliance so that I wasn't labeled a manager. Because I always figured, wow, that's the past. Let's not call it a manager because I'm just reminding people of a role that no longer exists.”Heyman’s career has since seen him work alongside Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, CM Punk and other top WWE stars, with his role often extending far beyond simply speaking for them.

BY JITU JANGIR

Roman Reigns’ transformation into The Tribal Chief changed the direction of his WWE career. After returning in 2020, Reigns aligned with Paul Heyman and moved away from the “Big Dog” persona that had defined much of his earlier run. He became a colder, more controlling figure who demanded understanding and established himself as the head of his family. Heyman has now explained that the character was not simply something Reigns performed during WWE television. The two worked on making Reigns understand The Tribal Chief so deeply that he could carry the character even when he was not cutting a promo or wrestling a match. While speaking on Six Feet Under with The Undertaker, Heyman recalled how he would deliberately speak to Reigns as The Tribal Chief during ordinary conversations, forcing him to think and respond as the character rather than simply memorizing lines. “When Roman and I first got put together, We would talk on the phone and at times I'd just out of the blue in the middle of a conversation talking about, you know, just how does your lawn look today? And just completely off topic, I'd say, what'd you have for breakfast today? Oh, you know, this many eggs and, you know, a bowl of oatmeal, whatever. Great, what did the tribal chief have? And I'd want him to talk to me as the tribal chief. And not just for a promo, like for five minutes. Talk to me for a while. Spend a half hour on the phone with me as the tribal chief. Do small talk with me as the tribal chief.” Heyman said the purpose was to make Reigns completely comfortable with the identity of the character. Instead of thinking about what Roman Reigns would say, he wanted Reigns to understand what The Tribal Chief would say and how he would behave in everyday situations. “Did the tribal chief take his kids to school today? Did the tribal chief pick his kids up from school today? What was that conversation like? So that just he learns how to... Walk in the skin of that character so much that he's just as comfortable being the tribal chief Roman Reigns as he is being Joe Anawai.” That approach became especially useful because The Tribal Chief was closely connected to Reigns’ real-life family background. Heyman explained that Reigns genuinely occupied a position of authority within the Anoaʻi family. “He is the head of his table. He is the tribal chief of that family. He legitimately is. And there always was. For a while, it was Afa and Sika together. Right. And Afa would handle the business, and Sika was the muscle. And then Rodney stepped up. Rodney, yeah. And for a while it was Junior. Junior was the undisputed head of that family for a long time. And it was time for Joe.” The partnership between Reigns and Heyman began in August 2020, shortly after Reigns returned from his hiatus. Heyman became his Special Counsel, later taking on the “Wise Man” identity, while Reigns built The Bloodline around his position as The Tribal Chief. The storyline eventually became one of WWE’s central stories for several years. Reigns’ battles with Jey Uso established the family dynamic, while The Usos, Solo Sikoa and other members of the Anoaʻi family were gradually brought into the story. Reigns’ championship run also became closely tied to the Bloodline narrative. Heyman believes the success came from treating every performer as an individual rather than trying to repeat what had worked with another wrestler. “What worked with Brock did not work with Roman. And what worked with Roman did not work with CM Punk. And what worked with CM Punk did not work with you or with Steve or with Rob Van Dam or anybody else that I've worked with. Everyone's an individual and we need to create and act like a marriage, like a professional marriage that I'm here to, if I understand my role right, I'm the supporting player.”

BY JITU JANGIR

WrestleMania 42 drew 97,126 fans across its two nights at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, according to newly released figures from the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, reported by Brandon Thurston. The number marks a clear drop from the 118,641 attendees recorded for WrestleMania 41, meaning this year's event drew 21,515 fewer fans across the two nights. Brandon Thurston reported 47,093 fans for Saturday, April 18, and 50,033 for Sunday, April 19. Compared with WrestleMania 41, Saturday was down from 58,538, while Sunday's figure fell from 60,103. Overall, the new figures represent an 18.1% year-over-year decline based on the Stadium Authority's numbers. Despite the lower attendance figure, WrestleMania 42 still featured a packed two-night lineup with several of WWE's biggest names. Night One was headlined by Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton. Rhodes managed to retain the title that also involved Pat McAfee. The situation did not end with the final bell, however, as Orton attacked Rhodes and delivered a Punt Kick to the champion after the match. The first night also featured Gunther defeating Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan defeating Stephanie Vaquer for the Women's World Championship, and Becky Lynch defeating AJ Lee to win the Women's Intercontinental Championship. Paige also made her WWE return and teamed with Brie Bella to win the Women's Tag Team Championship. The second night featured Roman Reigns defeating CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship, while Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar in one of the night's featured singles matches. Penta also retained the Intercontinental Championship in a Ladder Match against Je'Von Evans, Dragon Lee, Rusev, JD McDonagh and Rey Mysterio. The latest numbers add another data point to the discussion surrounding WWE's decision to hold WrestleMania in Las Vegas for a second consecutive year. WrestleMania 41 also took place at Allegiant Stadium, but the Stadium Authority recorded 118,641 attendees across the two nights. The decline was not entirely unexpected. WWE President Nick Khan previously acknowledged that bringing WrestleMania back to the same venue in consecutive years could affect the event, saying the decision was ultimately his and suggesting the company might not repeat the arrangement. Even with the decline, WrestleMania 42 remained one of the biggest events in WWE history. The latest figures do, however, show that the Las Vegas return did not bring the same attendance level as the previous year's WrestleMania, with the Stadium Authority recording more than 21,000 fewer attendees across the two nights.

BY JITU JANGIR

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 JITU JANGIR

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 JITU JANGIR

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 JITU JANGIR

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 SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 19 - Bollywood superstar Ranbir Kapoor is set to return to the Astraverse with Brahmastra Part Two: Dev, as director Ayan Mukerji gears up to take forward the ambitious franchise. The movie has been in development since Part 1's release in 2022, and now, it is set to roll next. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to a report by Pinkvilla, Ranbir Kapoor is set to begin shooting for the much-awaited sequel in April 2027, after completing work on Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana Part 2. The scripting and pre-production for Brahmastra 2 are reportedly already underway. Ranbir is expected to wrap Ramayana Part 2 by January 2027 and will then undergo a brief preparation period before commencing Brahmastra 2. The sequel will reportedly see him take on a challenging dual role as Shiva and Dev, expanding the conflict and mythology established in the first film. Alia Bhatt is also set to reprise her role as Isha, bringing back the central pairing from Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The report further states that Ayan Mukerji is in discussions with Deepika Padukone for the role of Amruta, with the filmmaker and his team believing that the character requires an actor with considerable screen presence and gravitas. Deepika's casting is not officially confirmed yet, with her availability and the overall shooting schedule still being worked out. Brahmastra 2 is expected to take the Astraverse on a significantly larger scale, continuing Ayan Mukerji's modern interpretation of Indian mythology. With Ranbir returning as both Shiva and Dev, Alia reprising Isha and Deepika potentially joining the franchise, the sequel could bring together one of the biggest casts in contemporary Hindi cinema.

BY JITU JANGIR

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 CHRISTA LINCY

The scale of the upcoming cinematic retelling of the Ramayana is reaching new heights as the makers aim for a truly global theatrical experience. In an exclusive update reported by Bollywood Hungama, Prime Focus Studios founder Namit Malhotra has announced a major partnership with CJ 4DPLEX to bring Ramayana: Part 1 to life in premium immersive formats. This collaboration ensures that the film will be released in both ScreenX and 4DX, marking a significant first for Indian cinema on the world stage. Namit Malhotra has shared that from its very inception, the project was designed to be more than just a regular movie. He believes that the partnership allows the team to match the massive scope and vision of the story with innovative technology. ScreenX is a unique format that expands the movie onto the side walls of the theater, providing a 270-degree panoramic view, while 4DX adds a multisensory layer with motion seats and environmental effects like wind, water, and scents. Together, these formats are meant to invite the audience to step directly into the world of the epic. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) According to the executives at CJ 4DPLEX, Ramayana is the exact type of event-level spectacle that these formats were created for. The film is expected to release across more than 1,200 ScreenX and 4DX auditoriums globally. This move is particularly historic because Ramayana: Part 1 will be the first Indian film to debut in ScreenX worldwide. The industry is already seeing a growing appetite for such experiences in India, especially after the recent success of titles like Spider-Man: Brand New Day in similar premium formats. The distribution strategy also reflects the film's global ambitions. While Dharma Productions will handle the release across North India, Sony Pictures International is set to take the film to theaters across the globe. This ensures that the retelling of the ancient epic reaches a massive international audience simultaneously during its Diwali 2026 release window. The project is being seen as a milestone that could redefine how Indian stories are presented to the world. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film features a powerhouse cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Yash as Ravana, and Sai Pallavi as Sita. The ensemble also includes Sunny Deol and Ravie Dubey in pivotal roles. With the first part scheduled for Diwali 2026 and the second installment already in production for a 2027 release, the team is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Ramayana becomes one of the most visually stunning and technologically advanced projects in Indian history.