WWE may be setting the stage for a major shift involving the Motor City Machine Guns following developments on Friday’s SmackDown.pic.twitter.com/Elj3R2lbVA

, Saúl Alejandro (@SaulAlejandr00) March 21, 2026

Jim Ross has opened up about how close Dennis Rodman came to appearing at WrestleMania 13 before WCW swooped in and secured the deal instead.

Speaking on Grilling JR, Ross revealed WWE had lined up Rodman for a one time appearance alongside Goldust, believing his unpredictable public image would make for a perfect fit.

“We thought for a one off, one time only appearance by Dennis, it would be a hit, because he was kind of polarizing,” Ross said. “We were disappointed, no doubt, because it seemed like it was going to be a layup.”

At the time, Rodman’s larger than life persona, including famously showing up to events in a wedding dress, made him an ideal crossover attraction. WWE viewed him in a similar role to Roddy Piper’s outsider involvement at WrestleMania 12.

“He was what we needed for that attraction, for that Piper role of an outsider coming in and doing his thing,” Ross explained.

However, everything changed when Rodman personally reached out to Hulk Hogan. That connection opened the door for WCW, with Eric Bischoff quickly stepping in to finalize the deal.

“It was frustrating for everybody,” Ross admitted, while also giving credit to Bischoff for making it happen, noting he was “smart enough and aggressive enough and bold enough to make it happen.”

WCW would go on to feature Rodman at Uncensored before using him in a high profile summer match that drew major attention and business.

The timing made the loss sting even more for WWE, as Rodman’s WCW deal generated major headlines in Chicago just weeks before WrestleMania 13 at the Rosemont Horizon.

Still, Ross made it clear the situation was not catastrophic for WWE in the long run.

“Was it a deal breaker? No. It was, to me, it was always going to be a one time deal,” he said. “WCW got more than one out of Dennis.”

Rodman is now set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

Ted DiBiase Jr. has spoken out following his acquittal on multiple serious charges.Romans 12:19
All Glory to God!
I want to thank Scott Gilbert, Sidney Lampton Morris, and Eric Herschman for believing the truth and fighting for justice
Apparently I didn’t hit the post button yesterday. Haven’t really used social media in 3-4 yrs really. But I did cut my grass, and I’m back”Romans 12:19

All Glory to God! 🙌🏼

I want to thank Scott Gilbert, Sidney Lampton Morris, and Eric Herschman for believing the truth… pic.twitter.com/CElONIU27o

, Ted DiBiase Jr. (@TedDiBiase) March 21, 2026

Callum Newman has officially arrived in a major way, capturing the 2026 New Japan Cup in a breakout performance that cements his rise among NJPW’s elite.

In the tournament final on Saturday morning, Newman went head to head with Yuya Uemura in a hard fought clash that showcased both men’s resilience and future star potential. Uemura absorbed two punishing brainbusters and continued to push forward, but a perfectly timed lariat from Newman shifted the momentum. Moments later, Newman sealed the victory with his Make Way finisher to secure the win.

At just 23 years old, Newman now becomes the youngest New Japan Cup winner in history. The victory earns him a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, where he will challenge Yota Tsuji at Sakura Genesis on April 4 inside Sumo Hall.

Following the match, Newman delivered a confident and commanding promo, declaring that no one in the company wanted the win more than him. He boldly claimed NJPW as his empire and positioned himself as the new ace of the promotion.

The moment intensified when Yota Tsuji made his way to the ring, confronting his upcoming challenger face to face. Tsuji made it clear that Newman’s moment would come to an end at Sakura Genesis. As tensions escalated, members of United Empire surrounded the champion, but Newman quickly ordered them to stand down, allowing Tsuji to exit without further incident.

Closing out the segment, Newman addressed the crowd with a final message, demanding they make way for the prince and kiss the crown.

Newman’s road to victory included wins over OSKAR, Hartley Jackson, Hirooki Goto, and Shota Umino, while Uemura advanced by defeating Great-O-Khan, Drilla Moloney, Shingo Takagi, and Boltin Oleg.

Mercedes Mone’s collection of championships has taken another significant hit following a tough outing at RevPro High Stakes 2026 on Saturday in Wolverhampton.

In a high stakes clash, Mone was defeated by Alexxis Falcon in a bout where both the Bodyslam Scandinavian Women’s Championship and the Discovery Wrestling Women’s Championship were on the line. The loss means Mone has now relinquished two more titles during what has become a difficult stretch in 2026.

Mone originally captured the Bodyslam Scandinavian Women’s Championship by defeating Aliss Ink in Greve, Denmark on October 10, 2025. She later added the Discovery Wrestling Women’s Championship to her résumé when she overcame Emersyn Jayne at RevPro’s 13th Anniversary event in London on August 22, 2025.

Despite the recent setbacks, Mone still holds multiple championships across various promotions, along with the commemorative title awarded for winning the 2025 Owen Hart Cup. Her remaining titles include the WPW Women’s Championship, the APAC Women’s Championship, and the PTW Women’s Championship.

She is next scheduled to defend the WPW Women’s Championship against former titleholder Jody Threat in Winnipeg on March 31, taking place one night before AEW Dynamite arrives in the city.

Mone’s recent struggles have been notable, as she has now dropped four consecutive title matches in 2026. Her losses include the EWA Women’s Championship to Mila Smidt in France on March 14, the BestYa Women’s Championship to Swan in Italy on March 8, and the CMLL World Women’s Championship to Persephone at Arena Mexico on March 6.

This downward trend follows additional title defeats prior to her brief hiatus earlier this year. She lost the TBS Championship to Willow Nightingale at New Year’s Smash, the RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship to Alex Windsor during a December 17 Collision taping in Manchester, and the ROH Women’s Television Championship to Red Velvet at Final Battle.

#ANDNEW

MERCEDES MONÉ’S IS DEFEATED BY ALEXIS FALCON AND HAS LOST HER BODYSLAM SCANDINAVIAN AND DISCOVERY SCOTLAND WOMEN’S CHAMPION TITLES!

SHE’S NOW ONLY 3 BELTS MONÉ, THE DOWNFALL CONTINUES😭😭😭😭 #RevPro pic.twitter.com/4cYDlFTKes

, Self Made AO 💫 (@KXNGAO) March 21, 2026