ANA 1

Goldberg Reveals Why Brock Lesnar Was His Greatest Opponent

WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg named Brock Lesnar as the greatest opponent of his legendary career, citing their striking physical and stylistic similarities in a recent interview. At the end of the day, Brock Lesnar was my best opponent because he was a mirror image of myself. Just as a blonde wrestler, and I played the part, he played the part,” Goldberg explained. The two powerhouses first clashed at Survivor Series 2003 and later delivered a memorable (albeit brief) WrestleMania 33 encounter in 2017. Goldberg also noted Lesnar’s toughness gave him confidence to work stiff, knowing the Beast Incarnate could handle real strikes without issue. Their matches embodied a rare clash of unstoppable forces that electrified audiences. The revelation highlights one of WWE’s most iconic rivalries between two of the industry’s biggest draws. Despite their limited in-ring time together, the respect between Goldberg and Lesnar remains evident decades later.

Paul Heyman Says Vince McMahon Initially Rejected Roman Reigns’ ‘Tribal Chief’ Name

Paul Heyman revealed that former WWE CEO Vince McMahon initially pushed back against calling Roman Reigns “The Tribal Chief” when the star turned heel in 2020, preferring to keep the “Big Dog” persona intact. Appearing on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Heyman recalled pitching the new moniker for Reigns’ return. McMahon responded skeptically: “Really? You want to call him the Tribal Chief?” Instead, Vince envisioned “The Big Dog, Roman Reigns, with his advocate, Paul Heyman.” Heyman pushed for a complete character reset, arguing he couldn’t reprise the same advocate role he held with Brock Lesnar. “We have to have something different for Roman Reigns, and Roman Reigns has to be different,” he told McMahon. “You gotta pull the trigger on this. This is a whole new character.” The gamble paid off spectacularly. Reigns embraced the Tribal Chief identity, becoming “The Head of the Table” and leading The Bloodline in one of WWE’s most dominant and acclaimed runs. Heyman’s insistence helped transform Reigns from a polarizing babyface into a legendary heel.

AEW’s Deonna Purrazzo Provides Injury Update After ROH Match Stoppage

AEW and ROH star Deonna Purrazzo has given fans an update after suffering an injury that forced an early end to her ROH Women’s Pure Championship defense against Steph De Lander during Monday’s Ring of Honor TV tapings in Jacksonville, Florida. The match was stopped and ruled a no contest after Purrazzo was hurt on a spot on the floor. She was helped to the back by officials, raising immediate concern among wrestlers and fans in attendance. On Tuesday, “The Virtuosa” posted a photo on social media showing her right foot in a walking boot while on crutches. She captioned the image simply: “Thanks for all the love & positivity,” confirming the injury without revealing specifics or a return timetable. As the inaugural ROH Women’s Pure Champion, Purrazzo’s absence could impact ongoing storylines across AEW and ROH. The wrestling community continues to send well-wishes, hoping for a swift recovery for one of the most respected technical wrestlers in the industry.

Former WWE NXT Champion Debuts on SmackDown

WWE’s latest call-up made a stunning impact on this week’s episode of SmackDown from London’s O2 Arena, as former NXT Women’s North American Champion Blake Monroe (formerly Mariah May in AEW and Stardom) made her main roster debut with a brutal post-match ambush on Giulia. Monroe, who had been teased on SmackDown for several weeks, struck after Giulia’s match, laying her out with her signature facebuster to a strong reaction from the crowd. The calculated attack immediately positioned the glamorous star as a major heel threat on the blue brand heading into Night of Champions. During her NXT run, Monroe quickly established herself as a dominant competitor, capturing the North American title with a mix of technical prowess and high-flying offense. Her move to the main roster marks another successful graduation under Triple H’s system, following a string of recent call-ups. Fans online praised the debut for its intensity and potential for a compelling feud with Giulia. Monroe’s arrival adds fresh depth to SmackDown’s women’s division as the road to SummerSlam heats up.

Trick Williams Missed WWE SmackDown to Marry Lash Legend in Jamaica

WWE United States Champion Trick Williams revealed on this week’s SmackDown taping in London that he missed last Friday’s episode to tie the knot with fellow superstar Lash Legend in a lavish destination wedding in Jamaica. The couple, whose real names are Matrick Belton and Anriel Howard, exchanged vows on June 20 at Trident Castle in Port Antonio. The multi-day celebration included welcome dinners, water excursions, a beach breakfast, and 120 guests. Williams’ older brother officiated the ceremony, while attendees included Nia Jax, Oba Femi, Julius Creed, and rapper Lil Yachty. Lash Legend wore three custom gowns, while Trick sported an all-white suit with his signature Lemon Pepper Steppers. The couple incorporated a traditional “jump the broom” ritual and danced to “Fire and Desire.” The pair, who met at the WWE Performance Center and got engaged on Thanksgiving 2025, shared their joy with fans. Williams’ heartfelt announcement received a huge ovation, with the wrestling world sending congratulations to one of WWE’s favorite real-life couples.

WWE’s Night of Champions Format Change Should Make Fans Happy

WWE is shaking up its Premium Live Event formula for Night of Champions 2026, expanding the card to six matches — one more than the recent standard five-match layout. The event, set for Saturday, June 27 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delivers extra in-ring action that fans have long requested.
The stacked lineup includes three championship bouts alongside the King and Queen of the Ring tournament finals. Highlights feature Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship in a triple threat, Seth Rollins battling Bron Breakker in a Steel Cage, and the crowning of new royalty with major SummerSlam implications. This format tweak directly responds to frequent fan feedback about shorter shows and excessive advertising time. By adding an extra high-stakes match, WWE increases overall value and wrestling content for viewers, especially those paying for the livestream. Critics and supporters alike have praised the move as a fan-friendly evolution under Triple H’s creative leadership. With more bouts and tournament payoffs, Night of Champions 2026 looks poised to deliver a memorable, action-packed night that should leave audiences satisfied.

Deonna Purrazzo Reveals Why She Refused Thunder Rosa’s Casket Match Pitch

AEW and ROH star Deonna Purrazzo has explained her strong refusal of a casket match pitched by Thunder Rosa to close out their heated 2024 rivalry. Speaking on the Boots To Boots podcast with Steve Maclin, “The Virtuosa” was candid about shutting down the idea multiple times. Thunder Rosa wanted our last match in the feud to be a casket match. She had asked me like ‘Can I pitch doing a casket match?’ I was like ‘Absolutely not,’” Purrazzo recalled. “I’m claustrophobic. I have such bad anxiety and panic, and my worst fear in life is death.” Purrazzo said Rosa asked three times, prompting a serious warning: “If you pitch that behind my back, I will legit fight you. The answer is no, and we will have a real problem if I show up to TV and it’s advertised that I’m in a casket match.” The pair ultimately settled on different stipulations for their encounters, including a No DQ match. Purrazzo’s revelation highlights how personal phobias can influence creative decisions in professional wrestling, even among top competitors.

WWE’s Blake Monroe Says Moving To The U.S. Changed Her In An Unexpected Way

WWE star Blake Monroe, formerly known as Mariah May in AEW, has revealed that relocating from the United Kingdom to America brought an unexpected personal benefit — clearer, glowing skin. The London-born wrestler, who arrived in the U.S. in 2023, shared the humorous insight during a recent appearance on Tiffany Stratton’s Twitch stream. Monroe joked about life back home, saying constant rain, gray skies, and different water quality often led to acne and a lack of sunshine. “It rains [in the U.K.]. It’s gray, you will get acne. The water is different…there’s no sunshine,” she explained. “I moved to America and my skin got better.” She playfully rated her “glow-up,” claiming she gained “a point and a half” in looks. Monroe added that better pay in the U.S. has also allowed her to invest more in skincare. While the comments were made in jest, they highlight her preference for American life over the UK, where she says living long-term could lead to “depression.

Joe Coffey Says The Rock ‘Couldn’t Have Been Nicer’ While Training for WrestleMania

Former WWE NXT star Joe Coffey has spoken glowingly about his experience training with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson ahead of WrestleMania XL. Along with his Gallus stablemates Mark Coffey and Wolfgang, the Scottish wrestler helped The Final Boss prepare for his high-stakes tag team match against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.In a recent interview, Coffey revealed that The Rock was exceptionally professional and kind throughout the intense sessions. “He couldn’t have been nicer,” Coffey said, praising the Hollywood superstar’s work ethic and humility. The group simulated match scenarios in a private ring setup as The Rock shook off ring rust after more than a decade away from full-time wrestling.
Coffey also shared that The Rock showed his appreciation afterward by sending him a case of Teremana tequila as a thank-you gift. The sessions played a key role in helping Johnson deliver a strong in-ring performance at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, further cementing his legendary status. Coffey’s comments highlight The Rock’s reputation for treating fellow wrestlers with respect and gratitude.

WWE’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Title Belt Gets Roasted by Fans

WWE has launched a new crossover merchandise item tied to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the premium replica belt is drawing heavy criticism rather than cheers. The WWE x FIFA World Cup 2026 Legacy Championship Replica Title Belt, priced at a hefty $549.99, was unveiled this week as fans prepare for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. WWE and Fanatics describe the belt as “a monument to the greatest sporting moment of a generation, forged in the iconography of sports entertainment royalty,” featuring design elements inspired by the global soccer event. However, wrestling and soccer fans quickly took to social media to roast its appearance. Comments flooded in calling it “ugly,” comparing it unfavorably to the infamous 24/7 Championship, and labeling it a blatant cash grab. One fan wrote, “Annnnd WWE does it again with another ugly belt. It’s actually impressive how you keep outdoing yourselves.” Another added, “Delete this rn... You should be ashamed of yourselves.”