After months of speculation and rumors, it seems as if WWE have finally landed the signature of a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.

According to PWInsider, former New Japan Pro Wrestling star EVIL has officially signed with WWE after departing NJPW earlier this year. EVIL last wrestled for NJPW back in January, where he was feuding with Olympic Gold Medalist Aaron Wolf over the NEVER Openweight Championship. Following their match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, speculation began surrounding EVIL’s future with the company as his contract was set to expire, and sure enough, he ran out his contract in Japan and attracted interest from WWE.

In terms of when fans should expect to see EVIL, that is still unknown at the time of writing, though his arrival was teased on the April 21 episode of “WWE NXT” when Tony D’Angelo was seen with a box that had Japanese writing on it. It was reported in late March that “NXT” is where EVIL is expected to begin his WWE journey, something the man himself suggested as he wants to get used to the American style of performing. However, don’t expect to call him EVIL in WWE as PWInsider was told that expectations in Japan are that he won’t be keeping the EVIL name, though it’s unclear if his entire character will be rebranded. 

EVIL walks into WWE with a rich history from NJPW, having been a member of Los Ingobrenables de Japon, Bullet Club, and his most recent run as the leader of The House of Torture. He is a former IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion where he held the titles simultaneously, a two-time IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion with SANADA, a four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, and a six-time NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champion, holding the titles with both LIJ and the House of Torture.

Late WWE Hall of Famer Andre the Giant has been honored in his adopted hometown of Ellerbe, North Carolina.

According to the Associated Press, Andre the Giant is being honored with a roadside marker in Ellerbe, a community of 1,000 people where the wrestler lived on a ranch just outside of town. 

The Richmond County marker at NC Highway 73 and Old NC Highway 220 now says, “Andre the Giant. 1946-1993. Actor and professional wrestler. Was born Andre Roussimoff. Known for role in The Princess Bride in 1987. Lived nearby.”

Andre, real name Andre Roussimoff, was born in France but later moved to the North Carolina in 1971 five years on from beginning his professional wrestling career. 

The report from AP notes that he became a critical part of the Ellerbe community and, in 1990, tape TV and radio spots against a possible low-level radioactive landfill nearby. A pair of his size 26 boots are kept at the Rankin Museum of American Heritage in Ellerbe. 

“The world of professional wrestling has given us a larger than life icon,” Vladimir Koloff said before unveiling the marker. 

Roussimoff died in 1993 in France at the age of 46, in his home country visiting for his father’s funeral. A service was held for him there, but body was cremated and his ashes were spread at his Ellerbe ranch. 

He only recently became a two-time WWE Hall of Famer with a 2026 induction into the ‘Immortal Moments’ wing for his WrestleMania 3 headliner with Hulk Hogan. He was individually inducted posthumously in 1993, becoming the inaugural and sole inductee of that year’s Class, thus spurring on the tradition that has seen countless WWE legends and icons honored in the three decades since.

Danhausen appears to have been a major hit over WrestleMania 42 weekend, not just with his in-ring segment but also at the merchandise counters.

It’s hard to overstate what a tremendous success Danhausen has been since making his debut earlier this year, and the hype train seems to have grown by leaps and bounds, if recent merch sales are any indication. “Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select” has revealed that Fanatics, WWE’s merchandise partners, were “blown away” by how much of Danhausen’s merch was sold over WrestleMania 42 weekend. The report said that Fanatics had to restock Danhausen’s merch a few times due to the high demand. 

Danhausen’s popularity has impressed Fanatics so much that they could add him to the Fanatics Fest event, which will be held between July 16 and July 19. Fanatics Fest will feature sporting leagues and teams from around the world across multiple sports, with WWE being among them. The former AEW star’s merch sales took WWE by surprise following his debut at Elimination Chamber, and they seem to have only grown since then. 

Aside from dominating at the merchandise counters, Danhausen received a huge ovation at “The Show of Shows” when he made his way to the ring alongside a few little people dressed as him, who eventually attacked Kit Wilson and The Miz, his recent nemeses. Danhausen also got to share the ring with John Cena, the host of WrestleMania 42, and appeared to earn his seal of approval.