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Newsweek
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Officials Pushing For Career-Changing LA Knight Decision
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A new report suggests that a major brand switch could be on the horizon for LA Knight. There is reportedly a significant backstage push to move the popular superstar from SmackDown to Monday Night Raw. This comes after a period of booking that has left some fans disappointed. A move to Raw could signal a fresh start for "The Megastar." Backstage Push And Netflix Influence On LA Knight According to a report from WrestleVotes, multiple individuals within WWE are advocating for LA Knight to be moved to the Raw brand. The move is seen as a way to present a refreshing change for the character. The report also suggested that WWE's streaming partner, Netflix, has direct input on programming. It is believed that the platform hopes a star with Knight's massive popularity can "move the needle" for Raw's global audience. Testing The Waters On Raw For LA Knight WWE may already be "testing the waters" for this brand switch. Knight has appeared on the last two episodes of Raw despite officially being a SmackDown superstar. US pro-wrestler and actor Shaun Edward Ricker aka LA Knight attends Netflix's "WWE Monday Night RAW" premiere at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on January 6, 2025. US pro-wrestler and actor Shaun Edward Ricker aka LA Knight attends Netflix's "WWE Monday Night RAW" premiere at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on January 6, 2025. Michael Tran / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images His appearances have seen him directly antagonize the new faction led by Seth Rollins. He helped Sami Zayn defeat Bron Breakker last week and assisted Jey Uso this week by taking out Bronson Reed during another King of the Ring match. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation LA Knight Sends A Message To Seth Rollins Following his latest appearance on Raw, LA Knight has made his intentions clear on social media. He posted a video taunting the members of Rollins' group that he has already neutralized. "Well, I guess if I ain't going to the King of the Ring then neither are either of the Brons. We got Bron squared over there, but I tell you what we took down what, three last week? I got this one, I got that one and we got one left [shows middle finger] yeah!" The combination of the backstage report and his very visible new feud strongly indicates that a permanent move to Raw is imminent. This would also give Knight a new career look and a fresh coat of paint for him after spending his entire main roster career on SmackDown. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE Raw results: Jey Uso advances to the semi-finals of the King of the Ring tournament
WWE Raw results: Uso beat Rusev, Sheamus, and Bronson Reed in the main event of WWE Raw to qualify for the semi-finals of the King of the Ring tournament. He will now face Cody Rhodes on next week's episode of the 'red brand'.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE SmackDown breaks record with 4 Fatal 4-Way matches in one night
The June 13th, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown was a very special night for wrestling fans. This show made history by featuring the most Fatal 4-Way matches in , a record that has not been broken in many years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The previous record was set back in 2010, when there were 3 Fatal 4-Way matches in a single event. But this time, SmackDown broke that record by delivering 4 Fatal 4-Way matches in just one night. This made it a big moment in wrestling history and something wrestling fans will remember for a long time. This was not just a big moment for the record books, it was a night full of action, drama, and superstar competition. All the WWE Superstars fought hard to win their match and move forward in the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes move forward after amazing matches The first King of the Ring match saw defeating , , and in a dramatic showdown. Orton finished the match by delivering his powerful RKO, securing his spot in the semi-finals. It indeed felt like it is a moment for history. The best will move forward, and fans are going to see something truly special in the finals. Randy Orton advances in King of the Ring Tournament: SmackDown highlights, June 13, 2025 also defeated , Damian Priest, and Andrade in another wild match. Cody Rhodes wins in quest to become King of the Ring: SmackDown highlights, June 13, 2025 This means Orton will face Sami Zayn in the semi-finals, while Cody Rhodes waits to see his opponent, which will come from a match featuring Sheamus, Rusev, Bronson Reed, and Jey Uso. The brackets are getting more and more dramatic as big names battle to become king. Jade Cargill and Alexa Bliss raise the stakes in Queen's Tournament On the women's side, defeated , Michin, and . Cargill finished the match by delivering her powerful Jaded move. Later in the show, Alexa Bliss defeated Candice LeRae in a match that also included Charlotte Flair and Alba Fyre. will now face in the semi-finals of the Queen of the Ring tournament. This adds even more excitement, with big names wrestling their hearts out to become the queen. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This record-breaking night was a big moment for WWE. The number of Fatal 4-Way matches made it a show that wrestling fans will remember for a long time. All the Superstars fought hard to move forward in the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, and now we're all excited to see who will win. This SmackDown proved that WWE can make history with its creativity and big match-ups, delivering a night full of action and entertainment for wrestling fans all over the world. Also Read:
Time of India
6 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Who Is Gina Adams? Ex-basketball star joins WWE NIL program with big dreams in the ring
Image via Instagram/ Former college basketball standout Gina Adams is making headlines once again, but this time it's not for dropping buckets—it's for body slams. The Lynn University baller from Westlake, Ohio, is now stepping into an entirely new arena after signing with WWE 's Next In Line (NIL) program, joining an elite group of collegiate athletes transitioning into the world of professional wrestling. Adams, a 5'11' guard/forward, was known for her athleticism, confidence, and on-court leadership during her time at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and later at Lynn University in Florida. With nearly 500 career points in 58 games, including standout performances like a 22-point explosion against Gannon and a double-double against Seton Hill, she proved to be a reliable two-way player. While injuries sidelined her during the 2023-24 season, Adams remained a key figure in her team and never lost her competitive edge. High school hero with a championship mentality Before her college career, she was a star at the high school level, scoring over 1,000 career points and earning the 2020 Southwestern Conference MVP title. She was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection and capped off her school career with an appearance in the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches All-Star Game. Now, Adams is trading in sneakers for wrestling boots. Her transition to WWE comes through the company's NIL program, which identifies and grooms collegiate athletes for potential careers in sports entertainment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Augen- und Mundfalten: Testsieger aus der Schweiz wirkt besser als Botox Apotheken Gesundheit Weiterlesen Undo The same program has previously produced successful wrestlers like NXT Champion Oba Femi. Part of a star-studded NIL class Adams joins 11 other athletes in WWE's latest NIL class, a group that includes sons of wrestling legends like Scott Steiner, Mark Henry, and Titus O'Neil. But despite not having wrestling lineage, Adams is already turning heads. She brings not only a solid sporting background but also the charisma and presence WWE looks for in its next generation of stars. On Instagram, Adams expressed her excitement, joking, 'Can't wait for my first RKO 😛,' hinting at her eagerness to jump into the theatrics of wrestling. Friends and followers flooded her comments with support, mixing encouragement with playful disbelief. Whether she's pulling off alley-oops or preparing for suplexes, Gina Adams is proving she's not afraid to embrace the spotlight in a whole new way. With WWE's eyes on her and fans ready to cheer her evolution, Adams might soon be known not just as a basketball phenom, but as the next big thing in the WWE universe. Also Read: King of the Ring heats up as Randy Orton books semifinal spot
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
SmackDown recap & reactions: The Truth hurts
WWE Champion John Cena was in the building for Friday Night SmackDown this week and that meant WWE Champion John Cena kicked off the broadcast for Friday Night SmackDown this week in Kentucky. Remember, folks, he'll lay your ass down for that three second tan. Advertisement But will he lay CM Punk down for one more at Night of Champions? That's what he was here to talk about, adding another layer to the latest chapter in their rivalry. Sure enough, he went right for the jugular. If Punk wants to take his title, he said, he's going to have to admit to the fact that he's a hypocrite. After all, he's going to be taking blood money to even have the opportunity to battle for the belt again. Choosing to do so is going against everything he claims to stand for as a man. But he also made sure to run the fans down again while saying the math says there will be no one worthy to earn the right to hold his championship again. That brought none other than Cody Rhodes out to the ring. Advertisement Rhodes, you'll remember, is in the King of the Ring tournament and the winner of said tournament will be getting a title shot at SummerSlam. They could be running it back sooner than we think. Cody put over the fact that everything Cena has said has come to fruition. But why didn't he include the fact that he was looking at the lights at Money in the Bank when Rhodes pinned him in the middle of the ring? 'I'm not part of your plan, you're part of mine. So, John Rushmore, where does that leave you and I?' And then it was Randy Orton's turn to make his presence felt, for the first time in many weeks. The stars were out in full force here, and the fans were singing their songs loud and proud. Advertisement Orton pointed out that he was about to beat Cena until someone showed up to save him. But he realized he has to do whatever it takes now, no matter who he has to go through, including Rhodes, who he loves like a brother. He will not hesitate, not for a second. And then LA Knight showed up. Yeah? Wade Barrett sure was happy about it. Knight said he heard the cries from the fans all week, so he was here to defiantly walk down to confront the establishment in the ring as the sore thumb sticking out against them. But he likes that. My man went out there and said he would drop all three of them, the Viper, the Nightmare, and 'the balding bitch.' Cena brushed him off and tried to walk out but Ron Killings attacked him from behind. After a commercial break, we saw Cena turning his hat around and screaming in General Manager Nick Aldis' face about what just happened. He looked like a baseball manager yelling at an umpire about a bad strike zone. That no one laughed was incredible. Advertisement Later, Cena ran into Jimmy Uso backstage and asked if he had seen R-Truth or Ron Killings. Cena wanted it known he was headed for the ring and wanted Killings to meet him there. 'Come out here and fight me.' Instead, Punk came out. The same guy he said earlier would have to prove he's a hypocrite to take the title from him. Classic promo response incoming? Punk played babyface, calling himself a little bit too Obi-Wan talking to Darth Vader looking for Anakin Skywalker in there. Stop this nonsense and let the people celebrate him on the way out. Give them the happy ending. Cena held firm — the fans don't matter, like basketball and horse racing don't matter (that really riled them up). Punk wanted the record to show he offered him and out. He didn't take it, so it's about to get real. Advertisement It felt like Punk tripped over his promo a bit here, like he forgot what he wanted to say. He took his time getting it back and eventually came around to saying he's not as confident as Cena because he won't walk out in front of a sold out arena dressed like a toddler who just struck out at t-ball. He didn't like the fans enjoying it too much cause it made him sound like PG John Cena. Which is funny because now Cena sounds a whole lot like CM Punk, what with the plan to ruin wrestling by taking the title home. 'You're stealing my best material, John. You're trying to follow in my footsteps.' He actually took the title and left back then too, and it was Cena who tried to stop him and couldn't. And now here's Punk to try to save the retirement tour and make it interesting. He'll follow him all the way to hell to prove he's better. He called Cena the GOAT but said he would spit roast him and sacrifice him to the gods of wrestling. He sees through him 'and that's the Truth.' Advertisement Naturally, he opened the door for Killings to show up again and attack from behind. Punk told him 'sorry, but the Truth hurts' before walking off as Killings was getting more licks in. Later, Punk ran into Rhodes backstage and they both made sure to say the quiet part out loud — they can't run from each other forever. The way they managed to weave together so many stories here was fantastic. Well played all around. Jacob Fatu literally only introduced himself before a commercial break to say he was about to come out, calling himself America's most wanted, and I was ready to run through a brick wall. Advertisement Yadadamean?!? He got a solid pop for his first entrance all on his own after turning on Solo Sikoa this past weekend. Fatu was given a microphone and some time in the ring. How would he do? As it turns out, pretty well! He said that just because you're family, doesn't mean you can go behind someone's back and try to snake them. Solo says he would be nothing without him? That's why he had to remind him what happens when you don't get in where you fit in. He's getting more and more connection to the crowd with his catchphrases. All gas, no brakes. Naturally, Solo had a pre-tape on the Titantron saying he made the biggest mistake of his life at Money in the Bank but he could be forgiven for it. He was nothing before Sikoa brought him around. Based on the story, it's actually true, too. The former Bloodline members didn't want Jacob around. Advertisement Solo said he's coming next week to stand in the ring with arms wide open expecting to hear four words. 'Remember, I brought you into this world and I will take you out.' How many of us heard that as kids? Chilling stuff. I'm invested in where this goes from here, if only because Fatu is still so obviously a star who is going to come out of this much better off. All the rest The first King of the Ring Tournament match came after the explosive opening segment, and was an actually fun match that saw Aleister Black, Carmelo Hayes, LA Knight, and Randy Orton do the damn thing. Knight put himself in a good position late but Seth Rollins' goons showed up to take him out as payback for his getting involved in Bron Breakker's match on Raw. Hayes tried to capitalize coming off the top rope but he got RKO'd in midair on top of LA, with Orton pinning Knight right after to advance. This was great. The Queen of the Ring tournament continued with a fairly slow 4-Way pitting Piper Niven vs. Nia Jax vs. Michin vs. Jade Cargill. Niven and Jax worked together for much of the match and then turned against each other just as Jax was about to win. Niven tried to capitalize off the Annihilator but Cargill ran in and hit her finish to score the pinfall to advance. If nothing else, this ensures we won't get a repeat winner. Naomi got her first promo time as Ms. Money in the Bank and she laughed at everyone who doubted her. She remembered current WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton as the one who used to bash her in the head when she was chasing Jax for that title some time ago. She was too nice then. But those days are over. Stratton actually showed up to answer her promo, claiming Naomi is the same person — all talk and no action. That's why she never won the title. But, hey, cash in now and prove her wrong? Good bait, but Naomi didn't fall for it. Jax showed up to take Stratton out but then wouldn't let Naomi cash in the contract. So we're already going back to this nonsense with the women's briefcase again. Awful. The entire tag team division campaigned to Aldis to wrestle the Wyatt Sicks and the Motor City Machine Guns won out. The match was fine, not really up to the standards of recent tag action, and Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy emerged victorious after Uncle Howdy asked for them to make a statement. They got the visual with the whole crew after and worked the gimmick. I'm not really buying in much anymore. The second Queen of the Ring match gave us a pretty big surprise — Charlotte Flair is already out of the tournament. Flair had Alba Fyre in the Figure Eight but she couldn't get her to submit fast enough. Instead, Alexa Bliss hit Sister Abigail on Candice LeRae and got the three count just moments before Fyre tapped. Flair can't stop losing, and it might actually be making her a whole lot more interesting. The final King of the Ring tournament match of the night saw Cody Rhodes taking on Damian Priest, Andrade, and Shinsuke Nakamura. That field alone was enough to tell you who was going to win the match, and to no one's surprise Rhodes won by pinning Nakamura with the Cross Rhodes. They're setting things up rather nicely for the Final but we're also going to get some really compelling semifinals as well. This was a strong effort from the blue brand, and it would be great if they could have this level of star power every week. Grade: A- Your turn! 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