The curses put out by WWE’s Danhausen have proven to be the real deal, so much so that the New York Knicks cleanly swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. With that in mind, WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella is now calling upon the “very nice, very evil” star to spread that same bad fortune to any and all challengers to the Women’s Tag Team Championships.

“Anyone my sister and Paige goes up against,” Nikki told “Sports Illustrated” when asked who she’d like to see Danhausen hex next. “Can we start with Judgment Day? The Irresistible Forces are calling them out, so that needs a major curse. And I’m over here just trying to get back in. I’m about to call him up and be like, ‘Hey, let’s start cursing these tag teams. They can’t lose those titles.’ So that is definitely where I would love to see him put some curses on. Let’s start with Monday Night Raw tonight, and then if they make it to Saturday Night’s Main Event, let’s get some curses over there.”

Brie Bella and Paige captured the Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 42 after the latter marked her WWE return and pinned Alexa Bliss. In the weeks following, the two have successfully fended off the Judgment Day (Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez) as well as The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend). Their latest title defense specifically pitted them against The Irresistible Forces, the preceding champions, at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 23. Nikki, on the other hand, remains on the sidelines after breaking, spraining, and tearing her ankle in a “WWE SmackDown” tag team match in March.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Sports Illustrated” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

AEW’s Shelton Benjamin has discussed if he has thought about quitting wrestling, as many of his peers from when he started out have retired. 

Benjamin, who has been in the business for over 25 years, stated in an interview with “The Wrestling Classic” how he hasn’t pondered retirement. He said that he still feels like he can do it at a top level and is keen to do more in the business.

“I guess the biggest reason [why I haven’t thought of retiring] is I still feel like I have something to give. And when we talk about the other guys in my class like the industry, the company like really taxed them. Like they gave their lives to this business in in huge ways and you know they were in all these amazing matches for years and years on end. I’ve always had the same opportunities as them, but I haven’t I’ve had the opportunity to do the same type of thing, I haven’t had the same opportunities that they have. And quite frankly, I just feel like I still have a lot to give. And physically, I can still do it. So, why would I quit?” he asked.

The former WWE star said that he has asked his friends in the business to tell him if he has lost a step and if it’s time to hang up his boots. He added that he doesn’t have a clue how much longer he can wrestle, but is determined to give back to the business in any way he can. 

Benjamin will likely continue to be a part of AEW for the foreseeable future, as he and his Hurt Syndicate partner, MVP, recently signed contract extensions with Tony Khan’s promotion.

Tonight’s “TNA Impact” was heavy on action, including two “Champions Challenge” tag team matches to bookend the show. Both of those matches elicited a strong enough reaction from our crew to be covered down below, along with such developments as the state of the onscreen authority figures, the “Broken” Hardys vs. Righteous feud, and more. TNA Wrestling

If there’s one thing “TNA Impact” has consistently produced well since moving to AMC, it’s the cinematic segments. Rosemary’s journey through the eerie and Undead Realm remains a notable example. Tonight, The Hardys and The Righteous created another one through their cryptic vignette, which teased a Wicked Garden Match.

Much like commentators Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt admitted, I’m not sure what a “wicked garden” is. I am, however, deeply interested to find out.

Tonight’s video started with carnival-like music, spotlighting the eccentricity of “Broken” Matt Hardy and Brother Nero (aka Jeff Hardy). When the camera then panned to The Righteous’ Vincent and Dutch, so did the sound. I can best describe that sound as dark and dramatic western music. Regardless of how you describe it, though, it served as a nice auditory contrast between the two teams, especially ones that are fairly similar in presentation otherwise.

In addition to the sense of sound, this segment successfully highlighted that of sight. We saw what I assume was a preview of the wicked garden. Beautiful flowers filled it, but according to The Righteous, they will eventually rot. And given their status as enemies, I also assume that The Righteous utilized that as a metaphor for The Hardys’ potential fate in their feud.

All together, I thoroughly enjoyed the visuals, music, and symbolism put into this vignette. Looking ahead, I am still uncertain as to what exactly a Wicked Garden Match is, but if tonight’s teaser is any indication, I have nothing but high hopes.

Written by Ella Jay

Father’s Day is just around the corner. And tonight, “WWE NXT’s” Stacks and his “lovely” lady Arianna Grace, did Santino Marella dirty. And for that, it’s getting a hated.

First of all, the Director of Authority wasn’t able to use his well-beloved Cobra to finish his future son-in-law off in the match. His daughter, Arianna, intercepted it. Then, after the match, she has the audacity to put her hands on her father? What kind of an evil daughter does that?!

Yes, I know this is all part of the on-screen game, but gosh darn it, Arianna, show some compassion towards your father. If it weren’t for him, you wouldn’t have broken into the business. You wouldn’t have received a shot at the Knockouts World Championship, and won it. What an ungrateful spoiled brat! But I love the family affair playing out.

As for Director of Operations Daria Rae, ooh, she gets under my skin. I love to hate her. And week by week, I do, more and more! Her bossy, cold, snake-like demeanor is best for business. Not to mention, it keeps things sizzling between her and Marella. They’re the perfect odd couple. I’m looking forward to what happens on next week’s show between the family.

Written by Brie Coder

The second of tonight’s Champions Challenge matches featured Léi Yǐng Lee and the Elegance Brand on the champion side, while the challengers consisted of Mara Sadè, Elayna Black, and Xia Brookside. In the end, Brookside pinned her former tag partner Lee to earn a chance at the TNA Knockouts Championship.

Not being too well-versed in TNA’s backlog, I wasn’t familiar with the stipulation before tonight, but it won me over by the end of the show. It offers a chance for some interesting face-heel dynamics, and that was showcased in the main event, offering a variation on the “can they co-exist?” trope.

Heather by Elegance and M by Elegance both had strong showings in the match, as did most of the others involved. The end may have been predictable, but that’s not always a bad thing, and it provided a significant step forward in the story between Brookside and Lee.

I think there could be some improvement made to Champions Challenge by making it an elimination match instead of having the first pin end it, as it would provide more incentive for the teammates to work together. In the future, TNA could elevate this stipulation to a pay-per-view or special event, add an elimination element to it, and use it to build out the immediate future for all of its championships in one night.

Written by Nick Miller