First Look At WWE’s Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson As Maui In Live-Action Moana

I’m not going to pretend that I am the world’s biggest “Moana” fan, or that I’ve been paying extra-close attention to the production woes of the live-action remake of the 2016 gem, but that is why it is all the more glaring that even I was aware of how much trouble Disney and the filmmakers had turning Dwayne Johnson into Maui. The film was delayed a whole year, as the initial plan of using an AI-deepfake of Johnson’s face on a body double was scrapped. While I do applaud the ethics of not going with some kind of hideous AI monstrosity, I do have to chuckle about all the time, work, and money that went into deciding “What if Maui just looked like The Rock in a wig?”

It really is the funniest decision they could’ve made.

There is something incredibly, hilariously off-putting about The Rock’s gaunt, skinny face and the weird rubber muscle suit he’s wearing. It would be adorable if it didn’t likely cost the GDP of a small country.

Again, I do not exactly hold the original film sacred, but it’s an adorable film, full of sweet, earworm songs, and -most importantly- a lot of color. I think I could look past The Rock’s ridiculous wig if there was literally anything else to look at in the trailer, but the bright, sunlight hues of the original film have been coated in a dull grey filter, such is the case with many live-action remakes. If you didn’t know, “live-action” has to mean “shot through grey mop water” because Hollywood executives all have clinical depression or something, and don’t believe that colors exist in real life, despite the existence of flowers.

Anyway, I am very underwhelmed by it all. A long delay, a lot of money spent, and the whole thing looks like a Super Bowl ad for Old Spice. I’m not saying I want to see whatever digital ghost they’d be able to make by AI-ing Johnson’s face onto a giant man, but there has to be a happy medium somewhere.

WWE NXT Star Lexis King Reportedly ‘Feeling Okay’ After Live Event Injury Scare

During an “NXT” live event in Lakeland, Florida on Friday, March 20, Lexis King suffered an injury scare that left fans in the building very concerned, especially after the match ended abruptly.

According to Wrestling Observer, King was in an 8-man match with fellow Birthright stablemates (Charlie Dempsey, Uriah Connors, and Stacks) against Elio LeFleur, Kale Dixon, Eli Knight, and Tavion Heights when “he got knocked silly”. King reportedly took a knee to the face and there was concern that King suffered a concussion. LeFleur suffered an arm injury during the same match and the match was called off when the ref put up the “X” symbol.

Fightful Select had an updated report regarding King. They were told he is “feeling okay” after the spot. King hasn’t addressed the situation directly online, but has been active on social media since the match happened.

Last week on “NXT”, Birthright members Connors and Stacks defeated Hank & Tank to advance in the tournament to crown Number 1 contenders for the tag team titles. Before the match even started, Birthright attacked Hank & Tank. King also involved himself during the match to cause a distraction that would help Connors and Stacks pick up the victory. 

Dave Meltzer Says WWE & Tom Brady Are Still Negotiating For WrestleMania Appearance

Ever since NFL legend Tom Brady started taking shots at WWE and WWE star Logan Paul in the lead up to the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, many have speculated this could all be leading to Brady being involved at WrestleMania 42, coincidentally being held in the stadium of the Las Vegas Raiders, a team Brady has an ownership stake in. That speculation only grew when the Flag Football Classic finally took place, with Brady and Paul having several interactions, including one where Brady hit Paul with a football.

Discussing the Brady-Paul shenanigans on Monday’s “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Dave Meltzer seemed convinced that everything surrounding Brady and Paul over the last few weeks was an angle. While he stopped short of saying a Brady appearance at WrestleMania was a given, Meltzer confirmed that the former New England Patriot and WWE had been attempting to work out a deal.

“From what I have been told, they are in negotiations with Tom Brady,” Meltzer said. “But there is absolutely not a deal at this point for Tom Brady. So it could happen. Obviously, Logan Paul and Tom Brady are working. I mean, everyone knows they’re working the angle, I think people have seen that coming in. 

“But…there could be something in some form at WrestleMania. It would not be a surprise. And what they did in the football game was clearly to build it, just as all the talk of, you know, Tom Brady cutting down pro wrestlers and the wrestlers all responding…that is all storyline. That is not like Tom Brady’s a d**k and he doesn’t respect pro wrestling.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Wrestling Observer Radio” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription

Ricky Saints ‘Not Surprised’ By Success Of WWE NXT Alumni

Ricky Saints has spoken about “WWE NXT’s” role in developing stars, stating that he was sure that a few call-ups would do well in the big leagues of “WWE Raw” and “WWE SmackDown.”

Saints, who himself has been touted as a star to look forward to in the future, has discussed how “NXT” is proving to be a solid training ground for future main roster stars, naming the likes of Je’Von Evans, Oba Femi, and Trick Williams as examples of “NXT” graduates who have succeeded on the main roster.

“So those three [Je’Von Evans, Oba Femi, and Trick Williams] have gone up there and done a lot of great things. And I think what it has created at NXT is more opportunity for people to step up and show up, so to speak. And I think it’s a great time too for those types of talents, excluding myself and other people, to rise to the occasion basically. Because I think Oba, Trick and Je’Von are all great examples of what NXT is able to offer, deliver, and produce,” he said on “Going Ringside.” 

While many predicted the aforementioned stars would do well before they were called up to the main roster, not many would have predicted the kind of success they have had. However, Saints stated that he was always sure the trio would do well.

“Not at all [surprised by their success]. Sometimes when you see certain talents, you just get it. It’s an immediate light bulb that goes off your head. It’s the same thing you see when you see me on screen. It just makes sense that they are gonna be stars no matter what. So me personally, I’m actually really glad to see them after working with all three of them, and seeing the growth that they’ve had too, and the success on the main roster is incredible.”

He highlighted how the rise of stars like Oba Femi, Williams, and Evans showcases what a wrestler can do when they pass through “NXT.”

AEW’s Tony Khan Is ‘Very Excited’ About Second-Generation Star Who Has Yet To Debut

AEW CEO Tony Khan has spoken glowingly about Sting’s son, Steve Borden, following Borden’s recent matches in AEW. 

Borden, who appeared alongside his father for his final match, began training to be a wrestler in 2024, and has featured in some dark matches in AEW. Khan, in an interview with “TMZ Sports,” spoke highly of the legendary wrestler’s son and recalled how he saw him as a prospect in football, well before Borden’s journey into pro wrestling.

“He’s fantastic. I’m getting very excited about Steven. And Steven Bordon, you know, he played football at Kentucky. He was a great prospect. I first saw him as a football player working at the Jaguars as a tight end coming out of Kentucky. And my first thought was, ‘Wow, he looks awesome.’ And, of course, with his family connection in pro wrestling and given that he’s Sting’s son, a lot of the genetics are there. And not only is Steven a great football player, he’s becoming a fantastic wrestler,” Khan exclaimed. “And we saw a little bit of it when he got involved in Sting’s last match against the Young Bucks and he came out looking like Sting and it gave me the thought, ‘Wow, I’d love to see more Steven as a wrestler,’ and he’s doing a great job. He’s wrestling in the dark matches and getting experience, but I think he has the potential to be an excellent wrestler.”

While he’s excited to see more of Borden, Khan explained that AEW is going to be taking it easy with him and not throw him in the deep end of live television. Borden debuted in pro wrestling last year for ACW, where he teamed with AEW’s Darby Allin in a tag team match and has since and has featured in several dark matches on “AEW Dynamite” and ROH, facing off against the likes of Jay Lethal and Aaron Solo.