From a financial standpoint, WWE appears to be as strong as ever, continuing to break gate records, draw strong ratings, high revenues, and record profits. But over the last year, fan reception towards WWE has become more and more critical, with many taking issue with storylines such as John Cena’s 2025 heel turn, Cena’s subsequent retirement tour, and the inclusion of Pat McAfee into Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton feud in the lead up to WrestleMania 42.

But despite the hardships, one WWE executive is doing his best to give a vote of confidence for the increasingly embattled WWE chief content officer, Paul Levesque. POST Wrestling reports that a WWE/TKO town hall with staff was called on Monday, with WWE President Nick Khan giving Levesque his seal of approval. Those who attended the town hall say that Khan declared Levesque would continue in his role as head of creative, though it wasn’t clarified whether this was just Khan voicing his support, or a sign that Levesque had agreed to a new WWE/TKO contract.

Levesque wasn’t the only aspect of WWE that Khan was defending, as TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro asked Khan about the online criticism WWE had been receiving. Khan proceeded to characterize the criticism WWE was receiving as coming from a “vocal minority,” specifically when it came to citing the contrast in reactions between WrestleMania 42’s two nights, with Night Two being received more positively than Night One.

To further hammer his point home, Khan read out multiple messages criticizing WWE back in 2015, when Vince McMahon was still in charge of the company. While unconfirmed, it’s believed that Khan used those past messages in an attempt to paint past criticisms of the WWE product as historically unreliable. No word was provided on how TKO executives reacted to Khan’s defense.

One of the most divisive things WWE has done in storyline in recent memory was inserting ESPN star Pat McAfee into the angle between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton ahead of WWE WrestleMania 42. After being confronted by former World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk on “WWE Raw,” Rhodes appeared on the most recent episode of “WWE SmackDown,” and seemed to pivot from his feud with “The Viper.” It’s a storyline that Bully Ray said on “Busted Open Radio” that WWE needs to move on from, at least in the short term.

“There’s too much of a bad taste in people’s mouths when it comes to Cody and Randy because of the outside involvement,” he said. “It was an experiment that failed miserably. So miserably that they’re allowing talent to talk about it on TV… It failed miserably. I think you have to get away from Cody and Randy.”

The WWE Hall of Famer said that if WWE wanted to bring things back around, they could book Rhodes and Punk into a match, and then right at the apex of that bout, they could bring out Orton to RKO them both. Orton could then remind the “American Nightmare” they have unfinished business. If there’s one thing he knows WWE doesn’t need right now, however, it’s more celebrity involvement.

“I think they need to stay away from dropping Hollywood people into storylines for a while,” Bully Ray said. “They escaped by the skin of their teeth with this one. I think if they try and pull this s*** again, they could have a revolt on their hands.”

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

This past Friday was another dark day in the industry, as multiple main roster and “WWE NXT” stars were released from the Stamford-based company. Carlee Bright, a former “NXT” and “WWE EVOLVE” wrestler, was one of those several talents released this past weekend, although her name wasn’t made public at first.

Proving this setback won’t stop her from shining in this business elsewhere, Bright wrote an uplifting post on her departure through Instagram. “This wasn’t how I imagined this chapter ending, but if there’s one thing this journey taught me, it’s how to fight through uncertainty and the moments that test who you really are. I don’t know if there’ll ever be enough words to express the gratitude and love I have for this chapter. From all the hours filming, hair spray & makeup, long drives, and intense training days, I really did feel like my very own Hannah Montana — living the best of both worlds. I cherish the laughs, the memories, and the people who made this experience better than I could have ever imagined. You’ve changed my life, and that’s something I’ll carry with me forever… If there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s this: mom & dad didn’t raise a quitter. This chapter may be closing, but my story is far from finished.”

Signing with WWE in 2022, Bright (real name Kennedy Cummins) would appear for the first time on “NXT” television two years later, along with Kendal Grey, but was soon sent to “EVOLVE,” where she became a regular standout up until her departure. Despite her release, Bright is one of several up and coming prospects showcased on the third season of “WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats),” which premiered this past Sunday on A&E.

It was reported earlier on Monday that more “NXT” departures would likely become public soon.

Ronda Rousey said that her tutelage under UFC President Dana White may help her enter MMA promoting on a more long-term basis. 

Rousey will be returning to MMA on May 16 as she fights Gina Carano, herself making a return to the sport after 17 years. It will be the first time Rousey has fought since a first-round, first-minute loss to Amanda Nunes in 2016, which it was itself Rousey’s return after suffering her first defeat to Holly Holm via knockout. 

Ahead of her return with MVP and Netflix in May, Rousey has taken the lead when it comes to the idea of selling the card and her fight; Carano said that she had also taken the lead when it came to negotiating and setting up the fight, with it first being eyed for the UFC. 

With that in mind, Rousey was asked by “Geek Vibes Nation” whether she could envision herself taking the role of promoter in the future. 

“I mean, I think this is really my audition to see if [Netflix/MVP] would like me to be in that role,” Rousey said. “I think that, honestly, nobody’s more capable than I am and that I would do an incredible job. I’ve basically been Dana’s apprentice this whole time, and I’ve followed him around and see how he does it.”

She continued to say that MVP co-owners Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian had been incredible partners. And she said if they think there is a role for her with them, she would “love to inhabit it.”

“But we’ll see how this goes, and we’ll see if we can work something out,” she concluded.