Following a release from WWE, in-ring veteran Kairi Sane is set to become a free agent, with many potential landing spots awaiting her. During an interview with “TMZ’s Inside The Ring,” AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla specifically addressed the possibility of Sane joining her home of All Elite Wrestling.

“I think she’s an outstanding talent. I could totally see her in AEW,” Thekla said. “I think that would be cool. I’m always happy to see new people who are good, who have a reputation, who have a look. She knows how to do an entrance. Of course, you always got to be careful, protect yourself. The locker room’s small. You can’t have too many people in there otherwise it gets cramped, but Kairi’s sick. She’d totally elevate the product if they gave her a chance. The receipt is still waiting over here to get paid.”

Thekla’s last remark comes in reference to her sole in-ring encounter with Sane, which occurred under the STARDOM banner in May 2023. Thekla and Sane stood on opposite sides of an Artist of STARDOM Championship match that the former ultimately won alongside Mai Sakurai and current WWE star Giulia. On the path to victory, however, Thekla endured a vicious stomp from Sane, hence her desire to return the favor.

“We did share the ring once, except for her stomping the f*** out of me,” Thekla recalled. “I still remember that. We had one match … I’ve met her. She’s cool. She’s stiff. That’s what I can tell you. Not with me, but she’s cool.”

As of this writing, Sane’s post-WWE moves remain unknown. Should she return to STARDOM, though, a crossover with AEW talent, such as Thekla, would be possible due to the promotions’ working relationship.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “TMZ’s Inside The Ring” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

“WWE NXT” newcomer Lizzy Rain has made quite the splash, starting with her debut match against Nikkita Lyons, where she showed off her impressive finisher, Thunderstuck. On the most recent edition of the show, Rain seemed to challenge Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley, as the champion was mid-confrontation with Zaria. Rain told SOUNDSPHERE MAGAZINE that the title is indeed her goal, despite being so new to the roster.

“Why not?” Rain said. “Go big or go home. I’m loud. I’m unapologetic. I’m here to make an impact, so why not go for that belt. I’m so privileged to be in the ring with… Tatum and Zaria, and then to get that kind of a rematch, I know it’s a tag match, to be in the ring again with Nikkita, two people that I said I really wanted to face and then someone I faced just two weeks ago is very cool. The wrestling universe was really listening to me, which is very surreal that I get to do that so early in my career, getting to wrestle with the North American Champion as my tag partner.”

Rain and Paxley are set to take on the team of Lyons and Zaria on Tuesday’s edition of “NXT.” Rain also said that coming up with a new crop of European talent, including Tristan Angels and Will Rook, has been exciting. She said they’re all very supportive of one another.

“We all love wrestling so much, and to be here together, fueling this passion and driving each other to be better each and every day is so cool,” she said.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit SOUNDSPHERE MAGAZINE and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Welcome to Wrestling Inc.’s live coverage for “WWE NXT” on May 12, 2026, coming to you live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida!

Zaria will be teaming up with Nikkita Lyons to go head-to-head with Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley and Lizzy Rain. With Zaria having called her shot for the Women’s North American Championship during last Tuesday’s edition of “NXT”, Rain made it known that she had her eye on the Women’s North American Championship as well. This prompted Lyons – who Rain had scored a victory against on the April 28 episode of “NXT” – to follow out Rain and a brawl to break out between all four women.

Naraku (formerly known as EVIL) made his debut on April 28 when he confronted NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo moments before a brawl broke out between D’Angelo, Tavion Heights, and Mason Rook. Following such, he will be taking part in his first ever WWE match.

Kendal Grey will be returning to action as she goes one-on-one with former Women’s North American Champion Kelani Jordan. Jordan emerged victorious against Grey’s WrenQCC tag team partner and reigning Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair on April 28.

Noam Dar will be competing on “NXT” for the first time since losing the Heritage Cup on the April 22, 2025 episode of the show as he collides with Vanity Project’s Jackson Drake. With Vanity Project having gotten a new member in Myca Lockwood last Tuesday, Dar came to the defense of Romeo Moreno when Moreno had found himself involved in a backstage verbal confrontation with Vanity Project.

Additionally, Birthright’s Lexis King, Uriah Connors, and Heritage Cup Champion Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo will be taking on EK Prosper, Tate Wilder, and Sean Legacy.

Viewership for “WWE Raw” following WWE WrestleMania 42 continues to decline slightly after recently peaking at 3.3 million average viewers for the episode of the red brand following ‘Mania, despite a hot Bloodline angle leading into WWE Backlash. The main event of the May 4 episode saw World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu make their title match official, and ended with Reigns being sent through the table as Fatu had the Tongan Death Grip applied.

According to Wrestlenomics, with data from Netflix, the May 4 episode of “Raw” drew 2.7 million average viewers over the course of seven days, with 4.6 million hours of the show viewed over that time. Viewership was down from the previous week’s 2.8 million viewers, with 5.2 million hours of the show viewed, though that episode was around 11 minutes longer than the May 4 show.

“Raw” ranked seventh for the week amongst English TV shows globally for the week, and took eighth domestically. The top three shows in the US for the week included “Worst Ex Ever” season two, “Man on Fire,” and the “Lord of the Flies” limited series. “Funny AF with Kevin Hart” and “Running Point” season two followed “Raw” for the week.

In addition to the contract signing segment, the May 4 edition of “Raw” also saw Oba Femi make quick work of Otis in his open challenge and fellow “WWE NXT” alum Sol Ruca officially became a member of the red brand’s roster after a confrontation with Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch. JD McDonagh scored a win over Finn Balor and Joe Hendry got a disqualification victory over Austin Theory, thanks to Logan Paul interference.