Cody Rhodes winning the WWE Championship on SmackDown has sparked discussion among fans and analysts, including WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray. The title change saw Rhodes defeat Drew McIntyre to regain the championship, and while Ray supported the creative decision, he also pointed out a concern about how the match was structured.

The match featured several intense moments, including action that spilled outside the ring and a spot where Rhodes was put through a table. While Ray said he enjoyed the overall presentation of the match, he questioned why such a physical contest did not include a formal stipulation.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Ray explained that his issue had nothing to do with the performers themselves.

“I was happy with that television world championship match and I was unhappy with that television world championship match. The unhappy does not have anything to do with Cody or Drew. It has to do with the rules, the regulations, and the lack of stipulations.”

According to Ray, the level of physicality in the bout made the absence of clear match rules feel inconsistent with what viewers were seeing in the ring.

“I have the same problem with Cody and Drew’s match, the stipulations on that match, that I had with Kenny Omega and Okada at Wrestle Kingdom. But as far as a television main event is concerned, mission accomplished.”

Despite raising those concerns, Ray strongly supported WWE’s decision to have Rhodes win the title. Cody Rhodes winning the Undisputed WWE Championship on SmackDown marked a major turning point in the storyline and the road to WrestleMania 42.

“I have zero problems with this creative decision. I have zero problems with this change of direction. None. I think it was a great idea. Forget about great idea, I think it was a smart idea. I think it was a ‘best for business’ idea. And at the end of the day, it makes for a considerably better story.”

Rhodes’ win marks his third world championship reign in WWE and moves him into a major match at WrestleMania. He is currently scheduled to defend the title against Randy Orton, who earned the opportunity after winning the men’s Elimination Chamber match.

Ray also noted that he is interested in seeing how WWE builds the rivalry between Rhodes and Orton on television in the coming weeks. He compared the potential face-to-face moment between the two stars to the excitement generated by the recent confrontation between CM Punk and Roman Reigns on WWE RAW.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Jamie Hayter Says Women’s Wrestling Still Has Work to Do – Jamie Hayter believes women’s wrestling has improved significantly in recent years, but she says there is still more progress to be made.

While speaking in a recent interview with Soundsphere Magazine, Hayter discussed the growth of the women’s division and explained why she feels the industry has not yet reached its full potential.

The Jamie Hayter women’s wrestling comments come as many promotions have increased the spotlight on their women’s divisions. Over the past several years, major companies have added more television time, championship opportunities, and high-profile matches for female wrestlers.

Despite those improvements, Hayter said she cannot describe the current state of women’s wrestling as perfect. She acknowledged the positive changes that have taken place while emphasizing that the work toward equality and representation is ongoing.

“There’s been a lot of changes for the better, but I can’t sit here and be like, ‘It’s so great now!’ because there’s just so much more work that can be done. But I can’t say that there haven’t been changes, because there have – and all the women have worked so hard for them. But there’s still stuff to be done.”

Hayter’s Jamie Hayter women’s wrestling comments also focused on how female performers are often judged differently than their male counterparts. According to her, women in wrestling face more scrutiny, especially when it comes to in-ring performance and appearance.

She explained that a single poor performance can lead to stronger criticism for women compared to men in the same situation.

“I feel like as a woman, we are probably under the microscope a lot more than men are. If you have a bad match, then it’s like ‘Oh my god, you’re the worst wrestler ever’. Whereas a guy could have a bad match and it’s like, ‘Oh well’, or if you don’t look a certain way, then they don’t like that either.”

Hayter’s perspective reflects a broader conversation within the wrestling industry about fairness and expectations placed on female talent. While promotions continue to expand opportunities for women, many performers believe there is still progress to be made when it comes to equal treatment and evaluation.

As the wrestling landscape continues to evolve, the Jamie Hayter women’s wrestling comments highlight the ongoing discussion about improving the environment for women in the sport.

Jamie Hayter Says Women’s Wrestling Still Has Work to Do

AdvertisementAdvertisement

NXT Stand & Deliver will stream live on WWE YouTube channels this year, marking a significant change in how the event will be distributed. The show is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, and will take place at The Factory in St. Louis.

The announcement signals another shift in WWE’s broadcast strategy for its Premium Live Events. In recent years, NXT Premium Live Events have primarily aired on streaming platforms connected to WWE’s major distribution deals.

Since 2021, NXT Premium Live Events had been streaming on Peacock after WWE moved the WWE Network service to the platform in the United States. That arrangement remained in place even after WWE made further changes to its streaming agreements.

In September 2025, WWE moved its main Premium Live Events from Peacock to ESPN Unlimited. Despite that move, NXT shows continued to air on Peacock. That situation remained unchanged until recently.

NXT Vengeance Day, which aired on March 7, became the final NXT Premium Live Event to stream on Peacock under that arrangement. With NXT Stand & Deliver now set for YouTube, the upcoming show will represent a new direction for how WWE distributes NXT’s major events.

Another notable change is the event’s placement on the calendar. In past years, NXT Stand & Deliver was typically held during WrestleMania weekend as part of the larger WrestleMania festivities. This year’s edition will take place separately from WrestleMania weekend, making it a standalone event on the NXT schedule.

The venue for the show will be The Factory in St. Louis, which has hosted several wrestling events and entertainment productions in recent years. The location adds a new setting for the annual NXT showcase.

At this time, WWE has not announced any matches for the show. However, more details about the card are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks as storylines continue to develop on NXT television.

With the show approaching in early April, fans will be watching closely to see how WWE promotes NXT Stand & Deliver on Youtube and what matches are announced for the card.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

The Rhea Ripley vs Jade Cargill WrestleMania 42 match continues to gain attention as the event approaches, with WWE Hall of Famer Booker T praising Ripley’s current level of performance. The two stars are scheduled to face each other at WrestleMania 42 after Ripley secured the opportunity by winning the Women’s Elimination Chamber match.

The match has quickly become one of the most discussed bouts heading into the event. Both competitors bring a strong physical presence and major star power, making the contest one of the marquee matches on the WrestleMania card.

Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T shared his thoughts on the matchup and highlighted Ripley’s recent in-ring work. According to him, the former champion is currently performing at the highest level of her career.

“Jade Cargill is a specimen. And then you got Rhea Ripley, who definitely holds her own against anyone, especially in ring. I think Rhea Ripley right now is the best worker that she’s ever been inside the squared circle. I really do. I watch her timing, I watch her movement, I can tell she’s thinking out there. That matchup right there definitely is a marquee matchup across the board.”

Booker T also suggested that the Rhea Ripley vs Jade Cargill match at WrestleMania 42 carries the type of star power that could potentially headline the event. In recent years, fans have continued to call for more women’s matches to close one of the two nights of WrestleMania.

Ripley’s performances have also received praise from other veterans in the wrestling industry. WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash recently complimented Ripley’s in-ring work and pointed to her ability to sell offense effectively during matches.

The rivalry between the two stars has also gained attention outside the ring. Ripley previously shared a message on social media that appeared to accuse Cargill of lying while telling her to improve her in-ring work. Cargill responded publicly, and later reports suggested the exchange was not part of WWE storyline plans.

With tensions between the two performers reportedly real, the Rhea Ripley vs Jade Cargill WrestleMania 42 match has become one of the most anticipated women’s matches scheduled for the event.

AdvertisementAdvertisement

Jon Moxley recently opened up about the origin of the Death Riders faction name in AEW, explaining that the phrase was not part of a carefully planned concept. Instead, the name developed from a random discovery that eventually became tied to his persona and the group’s identity.

Speaking with Renee Paquette on AEW Close Up, Moxley discussed how the phrase first appeared during his time in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2019. The name eventually evolved into something far more meaningful than he originally expected.

“I don’t think there’s anything I’ve ever done that I’m more proud of in my career than what we’ve built with the Death Riders,” Moxley said.

He explained that the phrase itself did not have a clear meaning when he first came across it.

“Death Riders means nothing. It’s just words put together. I like it because it’s kind of that wrestling Japanglish, because there was some kind of commercial with a jacket from Goodwill that said ‘Death Riders’ that I think was like the motorcycle guys who ride around inside the big steel ball at the carnival, which I’ve never done.”

Moxley continued by explaining that the name “Death Rider” started being used during his time in Japan and gradually became associated with his wrestling character.

“So, I have no idea what it means or where it comes from, but in Japan they started calling me The Death Rider, and started calling – it’s a word that means nothing. But to me, it means something now.”

During the conversation, Moxley also spoke about the importance of the other members of the faction and how much they have meant to him personally and professionally.

“I don’t think I would be here if not for these people. I don’t know what I would be doing. I might be in jail by this point if not for this group of people,” Moxley said.

He also commented on his frustrations with how some people in the wrestling industry talk about the business.

“You know, like a couple years ago, I’m looking around and I still look around to this day and I’m like, I’m surrounded by clowns everywhere. And I listen to people talk and I’m like, do you even know what you’re talking about? Are we even talking about wrestling? I don’t think you even know what you’re talking about.”

The Death Riders faction has remained a dominant presence in AEW since its formation. While the group evolved from the Blackpool Combat Club following several roster changes, it continues to be a major force in the promotion.

The current lineup of the faction includes Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir, PAC, and Daniel Garcia.

Jon Moxley Explains Origin of Death Riders Name

AdvertisementAdvertisement