Shelton Benjamin is reflecting on the physical toll that comes with more than 25 years in the wrestling business. The veteran appeared on Busted Open Radio and spoke openly about why staying in shape has become essential for him at this stage of his career. Benjamin, now part of All Elite Wrestling and aligned with MVP and Bobby Lashley in The Hurt Syndicate, said his body still reminds him of the strain from decades in the ring.

Benjamin explained that even simple movements can trigger lingering effects from his long career. He said, “I’m on my 26th year of being (a) pro wrestler and you know, even uncomfortable positions, there’s still times when my hands will go numb for no reason and things like that so, it’s really important these days for me, to one, stay in shape because at this point, it’s use it or lose it.”

He added that his focus on fitness is no longer only about performing in matches. It is also about protecting his long‑term health and maintaining a strong quality of life outside the ring. Benjamin said, “So that’s why I stay in shape, and I’m really serious about my health these days. Both for work and for my quality of life. That’s why you see all these workout videos, and as you guys know, I never worked out before so now these last few years, I really changed my lifestyle to incorporate more training. So, yeah, health is important.”

Even at 50 years old, Benjamin continues to compete at a high level in AEW. His next major test comes at AEW Double or Nothing on May 24, where he will take part in the Stadium Stampede match. Benjamin will team with Chris Jericho, Bobby Lashley, Kenny Omega, Jack Perry, Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson. They will face Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona, Mark Davis, Andrade El Idolo, Clark Connors and David Finlay.

The match is expected to be one of the most chaotic and physical bouts on the card, adding another demanding chapter to Benjamin’s long career. His commitment to fitness and health has become a key part of how he continues to perform at a high level after more than two decades in the industry.

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Blake Monroe has shared her reaction to Mark Henry’s recent praise, saying his comments about her old‑school style made her smile and perfectly matched the identity she plans to bring to WWE SmackDown. Monroe spoke with Vicente Beltrán about Henry’s remarks and how they reflect the wrestler she aims to be on the main roster.

Monroe was officially called up to WWE late last month, with her first vignette airing on the April 24 episode of SmackDown. She has not yet stepped into the ring for her blue‑brand debut, but Henry — who worked with her during her AEW run as Mariah May — recently described her as “an old school, throwback wrestler,” a label she embraced.

Reflecting on Henry’s words, Monroe said, “That means a lot. I mean, I love Mark Henry. I was smiling while reading that, which I don’t often smile. It did make me really happy because I do think I’m pretty old school and pretty traditional. You know, I’m a wrestlers’ wrestler, and if you look at my journey and moving all around the world and getting good at this craft, I think, like I said, Blake Monroe has something that not every woman has. And don’t get me wrong, everybody’s journey is special, but I’m a wrestler’s wrestler, and I think you’re going to see that when I do eventually decide to debut on SmackDown.”

Monroe also hinted that her debut could happen during WWE’s European Summer Tour, possibly when SmackDown travels to Spain. WWE has not confirmed a date, but Monroe made it clear she wants her first appearance to reflect the identity she has built across her career.

Before joining AEW in late 2023, Monroe wrestled around the world, including a successful run in Stardom where she held the Goddesses of Stardom Championship with Mina Shirakawa. She also captured the inaugural Slammaster Women’s Championship and the United Wrestling Network Women’s Championship during her independent career. As Mariah May in AEW, she became AEW Women’s World Champion, and her rivalry with Toni Storm remains one of the most acclaimed women’s storylines in recent years.

With strong praise from a WWE Hall of Famer and a clear sense of who she wants to be on SmackDown, Monroe appears ready to make a major impact when her debut finally arrives.

Blake Monroe Reacts to Mark Henry’s Praise

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Nic Nemeth has opened up about how his in‑ring philosophy during his 19‑year WWE run may have limited his rise to the top. Speaking on the Sweet Pop podcast, the former Dolph Ziggler said his commitment to making opponents look great often came at the expense of positioning himself as a long‑term main event star.

Nemeth spent nearly two decades in WWE, earning multiple championships, including two World Heavyweight Title reigns. Despite his longevity and reputation as one of the company’s most reliable performers, he never became a consistent world‑title fixture. Looking back, he believes his mindset played a major role.

As he explained, “Everybody has a different perspective, guys like Shawn Michaels and Lance Storm think very differently, right? But the core ideas, the 101 psychology of what works and what doesn’t, will never go away. That’s always there, and that’s what linked me to all these different teachers, and to a fault, I was a little selfless. I was like, ‘I want you to look great. I want this match to be great. I want everyone to be talking about it,’ instead of going, ‘I want to be talked about as world champion,’ and there’s a difference there. Maybe it’s a reason I had a job for 20 years. But also, it’s detrimental to yourself when you’re not fully stepping on some backs and knifing some people in the back. When you’re not doing that, you miss out on getting ahead.”

Nemeth returned to WWE at Madison Square Garden in late 2025 to face Solo Sikoa in the Last Time Is Now tournament, created to determine John Cena’s final opponent before his retirement match against GUNTHER. Nemeth said he initially turned down multiple comeback offers until he learned this one was tied directly to Cena.

He recalled, “They had asked me to come back a couple different times for some other things, and I was like, ‘Uh, I don’t know. It’s been two years. I don’t really want to,’ and then they said, ‘This is for Cena.’ They said, ‘We’ve had a million matches together. Incredible guy. We’ve done so much. We have a story. We have a history, and I know all the good that he’s done. You could roll down a Santa Claus list of everything he’s done, what he’s done for us in the back, what he’s done to help the guys and girls, what he’s done granting wishes, everything. Come on, he’s the greatest of all time. So now, come back for this tournament? Yeah, hell yeah, I’ll come back. I really wanted to go, ‘I want you to see how good I am still.’”

Nemeth and Cena shared a long history across the 2010s, often meeting in high‑profile matches where Nemeth played the role of the workhorse challenger. The 2025 tournament allowed them to revisit that dynamic one final time before Cena’s retirement.

After his WWE release in September 2023, Nemeth signed with TNA Wrestling, where he captured the TNA World Championship in late 2024. He continues to compete for TNA and on select independent dates under the WWE‑TNA partnership. His brother Ryan Nemeth has also remained active in AEW and TNA.

Nic Nemeth Reflects on WWE Career and Why Selflessness Held Him Back

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Bully Ray believes WWE is missing a major creative opportunity with the upcoming Tribal Combat match between Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns at Clash in Italy. While the match has been promoted as a high‑stakes showdown, he argued on the Busted Open podcast that the stipulation lacks true identity and needs stronger presentation to stand apart from a standard no‑disqualification match.

Ray said the announcement on WWE RAW failed to give the concept real meaning. He emphasized that the term “Tribal Combat” should carry cultural and visual weight, not just function as another anything‑goes stipulation. As he explained, “Jacob Fatu said tribal combat, and it didn’t sound like it meant anything. What is tribal combat? Tribal combat should mean that the ring should be surrounded with fellow Samoans in the family, almost like a glorified lumberjack match. You can’t challenge another Samoan to tribal combat and have him turn it down, and thus we have to handle it amongst ourselves.”

He compared the stipulation unfavorably to other specialty matches that offer clear differences in rules and presentation. Ray said, “At the end of the day, a tribal combat match is the same thing as a no DQ, a weapons match, a street fight. The only way you can win the match is by pinfall or submission. No sh-t, Sherlock, the same way you win every other match.”

Producer Paul added during the discussion that the winner becomes Tribal Chief and the loser must acknowledge them. Ray agreed those stakes matter but stressed that they are post‑match consequences, not defining elements of the match itself.

Ray also criticized WWE’s handling of the Tongan Death Grip. He praised the company for highlighting it as a dangerous finishing move but questioned the lack of follow‑through after Backlash. He said, “I love the fact that the WWE is putting the spotlight on a finishing maneuver. The Tongan Death Grip is supposed to crush your Adam’s apple, your larynx, your vocal cords, your everything. But you put the Tongan Death Grip on Roman Reigns, and then the guy gets up a couple of minutes later, and he’s talking like nothing went wrong. Why are we taking a move that we can build around so much, and then just kind of, it worked, moving on?”

Tommy Dreamer defended the build, noting that both Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns have helped elevate Fatu by allowing him to stand strong in multiple confrontations. He pointed out that the Bloodline needed to restrain Fatu to gain any advantage, which reinforced his credibility.

Despite his concerns, Ray expects the Italian crowd to deliver a memorable atmosphere. As he recalled, “The second loudest crowd I’ve ever been in front of in my life was in Milan. I’m assuming the Italian crowd will be hot for this anything‑goes Tribal Combat match.”

Bully Ray Criticizes Tribal Combat Build for Reigns vs. Fatu

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WWE delivered a major development on the May 18 episode of RAW as Brock Lesnar made his return and immediately targeted Oba Femi.

The moment took place at the end of the second hour, when Femi made his way to the ring for his scheduled open challenge. As his entrance wrapped up, Lesnar appeared from behind and launched a sudden attack.

Lesnar overwhelmed Femi and delivered four F5 finishers in quick succession, leaving him laid out in the ring before exiting without further confrontation.

The angle quickly progressed backstage, where RAW General Manager Adam Pearce was shown in a segment with Paul Heyman. During the exchange, Heyman instructed Pearce to have Femi sign a contract for a match at Clash in Italy, stating that Lesnar had already signed his side of the agreement.

The challenge effectively sets the stage for a high-profile rematch between Lesnar and Femi at WWE Clash in Italy.

Lesnar’s return also adds context to his previous appearance at WrestleMania 42, where he was defeated by Femi in a singles match. At the time, Lesnar left his gloves and boots in the ring, a gesture commonly associated with retirement, though no official announcement was made.

This latest development indicates that Lesnar is not finished and is now seeking payback against Femi following that loss.

With the contract already signed on Brock Lesnar ’s end, attention now turns to whether Oba Femi will accept the challenge, as WWE builds toward its upcoming Clash in Italy event.

Brock Lesnar Returns On RAW, Attacks Oba Femi And Sets Up Clash In Italy Match

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