Nandini Chikte

BY JITU JANGIR

Social media sensation turned WWE phenom, Logan Paul, continues to rack up wins. ## This week on SmackDown, he announced a major partnership that cements his place as a true force in both the entertainment and business worlds. ## Paul, the reigning WWE United States Champion, returned to Dallas, the city where he debuted at WrestleMania 38. He kicked off SmackDown by addressing the WWE Universe, expressing his passion for the company before unveiling a bombshell announcement tied to his business ventures.## The charismatic champion revealed a landmark deal between his highly successful energy drink brand, PRIME Hydration, and WWE. PRIME Hydration has become an official sponsor of the wrestling giant.## To mark this momentous occasion, Paul proudly displayed a giant PRIME logo emblazoned in the center of the ring, signifying its presence at future WWE shows and upcoming pay-per-view events. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, March 8 - Ajay Devgn-fronted supernatural thriller Shaitaan is off to a very good start at the box office. The Vikas Bahl's directorial, riding high on critics' reviews, surprises by exceeding trade expectations. ## According to early estimates, Shaitaan scored around 14-15 crores net collection which is a very good start for a thriller genre. The movie showed signs of a good start through pre-sales but strong walk-ins throughout the day, especially in evening and night shows, pushed the collection to a very good level. ## The traditional Friday release of the film benefitted from the Maha Shivratri holiday in some parts of the country. The very good opening has set the stage for the film for a fantastic weekend which could be around 55-60 crores net. The initial word of mouth is on the positive side. ## Meanwhile, Yami Gautam-fronted Article 370 starts the third weekend with a good hold, scoring 1.50-1.75 crores net on its third Friday. The total collection stands at 59.50+ crores net after 15 days as the movie is looking to finish over the 70 crores mark. ## Stay tuned...

BY JITU JANGIR

The Great One's electrifying return to WWE continues to generate buzz, with reports suggesting the iconic "Rock Concert" segment might be making a grand comeback.## Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's recent appearance stole the spotlight, even overshadowing the anticipation for Cody Rhodes' WrestleMania 40 debut. Now, a month into his return, The Rock has firmly established himself as a villain, aligning with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. This return blends his classic 90s heel persona with the larger-than-life Hollywood Rock.## Adding fuel to the fire, Wrestle Votes on Twitter hints at the much-anticipated return of "The Rock Concert" on next week's episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The official announcement might even come during this week's show, further electrifying the Memphis crowd.## "According to sources, the much-anticipated return of 'The Rock Concert' could light up next week's SmackDown, live from Memphis, TN. I'm told this idea has been brewing for weeks, with a possible announcement of it tonight on SD," the report suggests. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

The WWE Universe is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, set to take place on April 5th at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The ceremony will be a star-studded night, held just before WrestleMania XL Night 1, and will be livestreamed for fans around the world.## The night promises to celebrate the careers of legendary figures in professional wrestling. As of now, 5 inductees have been officially announced. On March 4th, the iconic manager and former promoter Paul Heyman was revealed as the first inductee. The following day, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H announced the induction of Bull Nakano, a former WWF Women's Champion. The Ringer reported that The U.S. Express will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024. ## More inductees are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks, leading up to the ceremony. Fans can expect a night filled with emotional speeches, legendary highlights, and a celebration of wrestling history. The ceremony will air live on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network internationally, following the conclusion of SmackDown. ## WWE Hall of Fame (2024) Inductees List Image Inductee Inducted by WWE recognized accolades Paul Heyman Roman Reigns Former manager and commentator for the American Wrestling Association and World Championship WrestlingOwner and operator of the former Extreme Championship Wrestling promotion, which was founded in PhiladelphiaFormer on-screen general manager of WWE's SmackDown brandFormer color commentator for Monday Night RawManager of Brock Lesnar, Big Show, CM Punk, Rob Van Dam, Kurt Angle, Steve Austin, Rick Rude, Arn Anderson, Roman Reigns and The Bloodline stable, amongst others. Bull Nakano Madusa One-time WWF Women's Champion1994 Slammy Award winner for Most DevastatingRecognized as having won women's championships in Japan, Mexico, and the United States Thunderbolt Patterson Scott Spears Recognized as having won championships across North America. Lia Maivia The Rock Posthumous inductee: One of wrestling's first female promoters. Ran Polynesian Pro Wrestling (PPW), a territory of the National Wrestling Alliance in Hawaii, in the mid-1980s. Her promotion ran a show called Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling on the Financial News Network. ## WWE Hall of Fame (2024) Category Image Inductee Inducted by WWE recognized accolades Group The U.S. Express (Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham) TBA WWF World Tag Team Championship (2 times) ## WWE Hall of Fame (2024) Category Image Inductee Inducted by WWE recognized accolades Celebrity Muhammad Ali Lonnie Ali Posthumous inductee: Three-time World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Olympic Gold Medalist Competed in “The War of the Worlds” against Antonio Inoki, a match dubbed by WWE as "MMA's first big fight" Special guest referee in the WrestleMania I main event. Guest of honor in the Collision in Korea event. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

The WWE Hall of Fame is about to welcome another legendary tag team: The US Express, comprised of Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham. ## Debuting at the historic WrestleMania I, The US Express left their mark on sports entertainment. Their entrance, fueled by Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA," set the tone for their exciting and entertaining matches throughout the 1980s.## Rotunda and Windham's legacy goes beyond charisma. As two-time World Tag Team Champions, they battled against iconic duos like Nikolai Volkoff & The Iron Sheik and The Dream Team (Greg Valentine & Brutus Beefcake).## Family is a strong theme for The US Express. Windham's father, Blackjack Mulligan, is a WWE Hall of Famer himself (part of The Blackjacks). Windham was previously inducted in 2012 as a member of The Four Horsemen.## The Rotunda family lineage continues in the new generation. Mike Rotunda's sons, Windham (named after Barry) and Taylor, are better known to WWE fans as Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas, respectively.## The US Express' pioneering spirit and in-ring contributions paved the way for future tag team success in WWE. Their well-deserved induction into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame is a testament to their lasting impact.## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

WWE has confirmed plans for its upcoming return to Saudi Arabia, locking in a May 25th date. This event falls directly before rival promotion All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) Double or Nothing event scheduled for May 26th. ## The Saudi Arabia show builds upon WWE's existing 10-year partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority, which sees the company host two premium live events (PLEs) in the country each year.## This news comes after earlier reports suggesting WWE was targeting a May return to Saudi Arabia. The official date coincides with the schedule outlined in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer.## Here's an updated look at WWE's 2024 PLE schedule:## Saturday, April 6th: NXT Stand & Deliver (Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA) ## Saturday & Sunday, April 6th & 7th: WrestleMania 40 (Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA)## Saturday, May 4th: WWE Backlash France (LDLC Arena, Lyon-Decines, France)## Sunday, May 26th: Saudi Arabia PLE (location TBA)## Sunday, May 26th: NXT Battleground (Enmarket Arena, Savannah, GA)## Saturday, July 6th: Money in the Bank (Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)## Sunday, July 7th: NXT Heatwave (Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada)## Saturday, August 31st: Bash in Berlin (Mercedes-Benz Arena, Berlin, Germany)## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's highly anticipated return to WWE at WrestleMania 40 might not be his only match this year. ## According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), there's a strong push within WWE to get The Rock to compete in at least one show in Saudi Arabia during 2024. ## While the report acknowledges several uncertainties and factors at play, it's clear WWE is eager to secure The Rock for a Saudi Arabia event, likely in May. ## This news comes after The Rock's recent confrontation with Roman Reigns on SmackDown, fueling speculation of a WrestleMania match between the two. Whether The Rock suits up for more WWE appearances beyond WrestleMania remains to be seen, but the company's desire is evident. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

All Elite Wrestling commentator Kevin Kelly has reportedly been fired by the promotion, according to PWTorch. This news comes after Kelly's social media criticism of AEW announcer Ian Riccaboni and his role on the company's "Collision" program.## On March 7th, speculation began swirling when Kelly was removed from the AEW roster page. Later that night, during the tapings of "AEW Collision," Kelly was noticeably absent from the announcer's desk. Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness handled commentary duties for the show.## Kelly had been a fixture on the "Collision" announce team since its launch. He previously held a long-standing role as part of the English announce team for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). However, AEW added Tony Schiavone to the "Collision" desk and positioned him as the lead play-by-play commentator, a move interpreted by some as a response to Kelly's perceived shortcomings.## The reasons behind Kelly's departure remain unconfirmed by AEW officials, but reports suggest his social media actions played a part. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE, has suggested she might return to the company someday. This comes despite her imminent debut for rival promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW). ## Mone's WWE departure came in May 2022 when she and Naomi walked out of an episode of Monday Night Raw. The reigning Women's Tag Team Champions at the time, their exit became a major wrestling story.## In a recently revealed clip from an interview with Evan T Mack on Kick Rocks, Mone expresses her belief in a future WWE return. "I know I'm going to be back there one day," she said. "It's not over. I have a lot of unfinished business in wrestling in a lot of places."## This sentiment comes as Mone prepares for her AEW debut at "Dynamite: Big Business" on March 13th. Her tag team partner Naomi, however, did return to WWE, participating in the 2024 Royal Rumble.## Mone has been sidelined with an ankle injury since May 2023, but her upcoming appearance in AEW signifies a return to active wrestling. Whether her comments regarding WWE indicate a potential future return remains to be seen.## Credit: Fightful for the transcription ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

WWE fans eagerly anticipating the location of WrestleMania 41 may have gotten a sneak peek thanks to a recent Minnesota state hearing. ## During a discussion on House File 3934, which pertains to sports and events grant funding, a mysterious event with a "Super Bowl-level" economic impact was mentioned. While the event itself couldn't be officially announced, the timeframe of the announcement – "in the coming weeks" – aligns perfectly with the expected reveal of WrestleMania 41's host city.## This cryptic clue strengthens rumors that Minneapolis, Minnesota will be the chosen location. U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis has been a strong contender since mid-2023, and the economic impact detail from the hearing further supports this speculation.## WrestleMania's drawing power is undeniable. The 2023 Los Angeles edition, held over two nights, generated an estimated $215 million for the area. With WrestleMania 40 set for Philadelphia this April, Minneapolis seems poised to take center stage in 2025, making it a banner year for wrestling fans in the "Land of 10,000 Lakes." ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

Bianca Belair, a WWE Superstar, faced a disgusting wave of racist comments on social media recently. The incident took place after the WWE Games Instagram account posted a photo featuring Belair alongside Rhea Ripley and Cody Rhodes to promote WWE 2K24. ## The caption celebrated them as the "Most iconic #WWE2K24 trio!", but the comment section was flooded with racist remarks targeting Belair. This sparked a counter-movement, with fans and fellow wrestlers rallying behind Belair on the platform formerly known as Twitter. The hashtag "#WeLoveYouBianca" quickly trended as a show of support.## Big E, a WWE Champion and vocal advocate for equality, addressed the issue head-on. He pointed out the "regular barrage of racism and misogyny" faced by Black women wrestlers, a problem that has persisted "for far too long."## Other WWE stars joined the chorus of condemnation. Zelina Vega called out the perpetrators, stating they should be "ashamed and embarrassed." She lauded Belair's talent and work ethic, highlighting how she "earned the name EST" (an acronym for "The EST of WWE").## Rhea Ripley, the current Women's World Champion, chimed in with a supportive message. She emphasized Belair's accomplishments as a "history maker" and "trailblazer," while also praising her character. Ripley concluded by suggesting the racist comments stemmed from jealousy towards Belair's talent.## Former WWE wrestler AJ Francis, also known as Top Dolla, weighed in with his own experience. He pointed out a pattern of racist comparisons made between Belair and other Black female wrestlers, highlighting the absurdity of such comparisons.## At the time of writing, Belair herself hasn't publicly addressed the online attacks. However, the overwhelming support from fans and colleagues sends a powerful message against racism and celebrates Belair's achievements. ## EST ain’t just a nickname… @BiancaBelairWWE is a history maker, a trailblazer, and one of the nicest humans that you would have the privilege to ever meet. Y’all just mad that she’s better than you 💁🏻‍♀️ #EST— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) March 7, 2024 ## The “fans” that took part in the blatant disrespect and hate towards her and other black men and women should be ashamed and embarrassed. It’s disgusting. But your hate will never EVER dim their shine. We love you B. You continue to be an inspiration to all of us. (2/2)— ZV (@ZelinaVegaWWE) March 7, 2024 ## The black women in this industry face a regular barrage of racism & misogyny from “fans.” And have for far too long. You cannot diminish their light. You cannot erase their contributions to this industry.— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) March 7, 2024 ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY JITU JANGIR

Pro wrestling fans were sent into a frenzy on March 6th when Kazuchika Okada, the legendary "Rainmaker," made a shocking debut on AEW Dynamite. Following the path of former IWGP World Heavyweight Champions Will Ospreay and Jay White, Okada has officially become "All Elite." ## Okada's arrival isn't just a boost to the AEW roster; he's landed himself amongst friends. The Rainmaker has aligned himself with The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), becoming the newest member of The Elite. This move fills the void left by Kenny Omega, who was recently "fired" by The Bucks for missing events without explanation. ## While details are murky on whether relocating to the US was an AEW mandate or Okada's own choice, reports indicate he'll be working a full-time schedule for the promotion. Fightful Select confirmed a multi-year deal for Okada, echoing reports of a three-year contract worth an estimated $4.5 million annually. ## While WWE was initially a rumored landing spot for Okada after his NJPW departure, the company denied any talks. However, sources revealed Okada did reach out to some WWE wrestlers while considering his options. ## With Omega's return shrouded in secrecy due to his ongoing battle with diverticulitis, the seeds have been sown for a potential dream match between him and Okada. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...