D-Von Dudley has shared new insight into how WrestleMania comes together behind the scenes, detailing everything from when matches are finalized to how talent is paid for WWE’s biggest event.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Dudley explained that even the wrestlers themselves are not locked into plans far in advance. While there may be early ideas, the full card is not finalized until much closer to the show.

“Well, I’m probably going to say, as talent, you really don’t know that far in advance. You might know what you’re doing or the possibility of who you might be working with, but as far as knowing the whole card at WrestleMania—no, we do not know that. It’s pretty much locked in, I would say, probably about a month out of WrestleMania—that’s when you really know who you’re working with. So you really don’t know that far in advance. There’s always a chance that they might change it.”

He added that producers are also working with shifting plans until the final weeks leading into the event.

“For that being said, the producers don’t really know until maybe about a month and a half to almost two months prior to WrestleMania. I would definitely say we do know within the last three weeks before WrestleMania. That’s when we start to get it in our heads, get our creative juices flowing, and help the talent make that story really good—especially for a WrestleMania card.”

Dudley also spoke about the financial side of WrestleMania, confirming that the event brings significantly larger payouts compared to regular shows.

“You’re damn right we do. Think about it—all the people in those seats, they can upcharge the front row and all those seats around it for more money. That’s a big plus right there. Not to mention all the sponsorships that want to get involved with WrestleMania, which helps the boys make more money. Not everybody is breaking down the door to advertise on Raw, SmackDown, or a live event—but they do for WrestleMania.”

He described how those bonuses are delivered to talent.

“The WrestleMania payoffs—we’d get paid like a month later. You’d get your Monday Night Raw check, your SmackDown check, your live event check—and then all of a sudden, right underneath it would say ‘WrestleMania bonus.’ And bam—there was your payoff.”

Beyond the event itself, Dudley highlighted the atmosphere after the show, noting that the afterparty is more relaxed than fans might expect.

“The afterparty is just us—the boys, the family—getting together. People we haven’t seen in years. It’s like going to a family reunion, so to speak. You’re happy to see each other. You don’t have to worry about signing autographs or taking pictures for fans.”

Dudley’s comments offer a detailed look at how WrestleMania is put together, showing that even WWE’s biggest show is subject to late changes, high financial stakes, and a tight-knit environment once the cameras are off.

D-Von Dudley Reveals WrestleMania Secrets on Match Planning and Paydays

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Elton Prince remains in the early stages of recovery following neck surgery, and his tag team partner Kit Wilson says there is still no timeline for a return.

Speaking at WrestleMania Media Day on The Mark Hoke Show, Wilson addressed Prince’s condition after undergoing a two-level neck fusion procedure. While the surgery itself was successful, Wilson emphasized that the recovery process is ongoing and requires patience.

“Uh we don’t have a time frame at the moment. We’re just—he’s still kind of—he’s had the surgery, it’s been successful. Things are good. It’s just early days. It just, you know, as long as he’s been out, it’s still early days in the process of recovery. So, we’re just—we’re just waiting really. We’re just waiting.”

Prince’s injury was considered serious, stemming from a bad landing in the ring that led to neurological symptoms. The decision to undergo a two-level neck fusion marked a significant step in addressing the issue, but it also means a longer and less predictable recovery period.

Wilson has previously spoken about the emotional impact of the situation, noting that Prince is not only his tag team partner in Pretty Deadly but also a close friend. That connection has made the injury more difficult, but the focus remains on ensuring a full recovery.

At this stage, the key takeaway is that Prince is stable and progressing, even if the timeline remains unclear. Neck fusion surgeries often require extended rehabilitation, and WWE talent returning from similar procedures typically take time before being cleared for in-ring action.

For fans of Pretty Deadly, the update reinforces that a reunion will take time. WWE appears to be taking a cautious approach, allowing Prince to recover fully rather than rushing him back too soon.

Kit Wilson Provides Update on Elton Prince Recovery After Neck Surgery

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CM Punk delivered a final response to Roman Reigns during an appearance on ESPN’s Get Up, addressing the recent comments made ahead of their WrestleMania 42 match.

Reigns had posted a social media promo criticizing Punk, questioning his status as a fighting champion and stating that Punk is “not even a fighter.” The promo drew strong reactions online, and Punk acknowledged it while offering his own take.

“My response is: man, I wish he brought that energy the days he actually decided to show up on a couple of Mondays,” Punk said. “Look, I take nothing away from Roman. Tremendous superstar, he has the credentials. He’s a heavyweight. He’s going to be a tough out for me. But I am not looking to lose on Sunday. I’m sure he isn’t either. But this is about pro wrestling versus cinema.”

Punk also referenced the timing and delivery of Reigns’ comments.

“I’m glad that he had four days to shower and think about what he would say to me in a rebuttal and did it in a car while I wasn’t around. But I’m going to be around and in his face on Sunday. I’m going to send him to the orthodontist. I’m going to make his orthodontist a very rich person.”

The match between Punk and Reigns is set to headline WrestleMania 42 Sunday. The two also faced each other at WrestleMania 41 in a triple threat match that included Seth Rollins.

WrestleMania returns to Las Vegas this year, and Punk shared his thoughts on the location while speaking on the show.

“We’ve run into a little bit of trouble running the same venue twice in a row,” Punk said. “But, logistically, for me, I’m selfish. It’s fun for me. I like Vegas. There’s great food. There’s great atmosphere. You can always do something at any time of day.”

He emphasized the importance of the event, comparing it to the biggest stage in sports.

“But we want your sights focused on Saturday night and Sunday night, Allegiant Stadium, for WrestleMania. Because this is going to be our biggest show of the year. We always like to say it’s our Super Bowl. I like to say the Super Bowl is the NFL’s WrestleMania.”

With both competitors trading words, the main event continues to build as one of the most anticipated matches of WrestleMania 42.

CM Punk Responds to Roman Reigns Ahead of WrestleMania 42 Main Event

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