Following Asuka’s promise to teach IYO SKY “one final lesson” in the ring and SKY’s request for a match, it seemed all but guaranteed that WWE would include their long-anticipated collision in the official WrestleMania 42 lineup announcement on Tuesday morning. Come airtime on ESPN, though, a SKY-Asuka bout was notably omitted.

According to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, the reason for this stems from the uncertainty surrounding the condition of WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella. In late March, Nikki sustained an ankle injury on “WWE SmackDown” that later resulted in her wearing a walking boot. As it stands, Alvarez reports that Nikki isn’t cleared to compete in the ring, and in the event that she still isn’t by WrestleMania 42, Asuka and Kairi Sane will take the place of both Bella Twins at the show.

Nikki and Brie are slated to challenge for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships in a four-way bout also featuring Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair, Lyra Valkyria and Bayley, and the defending champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Should Nikki be unable to compete, her and Brie’s spots will reportedly be filled by Asuka and Sane (aka the Kabuki Warriors) instead, with SKY’s position on the WrestleMania 42 card then unclear. Should WWE clear Nikki in time, however, SKY vs. Asuka is expected to be formally added to the premium live event lineup.

The aforementioned fatal-four-way clash over the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships will take place on night one of WrestleMania 42, April 18. The PLE itself emanates from Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium.

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair is not happy with the company, and he took to social media on Tuesday to make it known. Flair, who was signed to All Elite Wrestling as of September 2025, took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and said that “per WWE,” he was no longer allowed to be affiliated with Roots of Fight, a media and apparel brand that highlights stories of iconic athletes.

“I Woke Up This Morning To Find Out That I’m No Longer Allowed To Be With @rootsoffight Per @WWE,” Flair wrote, before highlighting his many accomplishments, including his ESPN “30 For 30” documentary, as well as his titles. “21 World Championships, But I Always Played By Your Rules And Kept It At 16. Paid Vince McMahon Back 800k When He Said He Would Forgive It. I Honored It.”

Flair wrote that “fortunately” he’s still bringing in income thanks to his various other deals. “The Nature Boy” also thanked WWE’s competition, AEW, where he signed in October 2023 to accompany Sting during his fellow legend’s retirement run.

“What More Of My Legacy Do You Want To Destroy WWE?” Flair questioned. “You All Grew Up Loving Me And I Set The Bar. Now You Are Trying To Kill Me And Diminish My Legacy. Thank You, But It Ain’t Happening. Nice Try. LFG!”

I Woke Up This Morning To Find Out That I’m No Longer Allowed To Be With @rootsoffight Per @WWE. Let Me Think- I’m The Only Wrestler To Ever Be On 30 For 30 & Ranked In The Top 25 Of All Time, An Emmy Nominated Documentary-Courtesy Of The WWE, Which I Should Have Won But l Lost… pic.twitter.com/1VP8cxSz4o

— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) April 7, 2026

As of this writing, two products of Flair’s remain on the Roots of Fight website. A “Nature Boy” branded beanie and t-shirt remain available for sale. Flair did not go into details on social media as to exactly why WWE was no longer allowing him to partner with the brand, or if Roots of Fight specifically was not allowed to use trademarks relating to Flair and his likeness.

UFC shared an inside look at its training seminar at the FBI Academy in Quantico. 

UFC announced in March it had agreed a partnership with the FBI to see its fighters go to the Academy to train prospective agents and select senior staff in Quantico, Virginia. 

The announcement touted that fighters would go alongside matchmaker Mick Maynard to converse with the agents about how they prepare for competition as well as demonstrating specific tactics and techniques designed to guide students in their field duties if and when they graduate. 

UFC has since posted a gallery of photos from the event to its social media, with Justin Gaethje, Jorge Masvidal, Chris Weidman, Manel Kape, Michael Chandler, and Claudia Gadelha shown to be the fighters present. Gaethje and Chandler specifically are pictured with firearms. 

Masvidal said after the announcement that he believed he could save lives through the partnership, believing himself to be able to impart skills handy in de-escalating situations and thus preventing deaths in the field. 

Gaethje is due to headline UFC Freedom 250 on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14, challenging Ilia Topuria for the Lightweight Championship. Chandler is also due to be on the card fighting Mauricio Ruffy in lightweight action. 

FBI Director Kash Patel had made headlines after the seminar in Quantico after it emerged that he was signing autographs and wearing custom sneakers adorned with Marvel’s “Punisher” skull logo, as well as UFC-FBI branded clothing.