BodySlam

Category: Editorials

In-depth wrestling editorials, opinion pieces, and analysis from the BodySlam writing team.

  • Why Combat Sports Fans Keep Chasing Certainty in Events Designed to Disrupt It

    Why Combat Sports Fans Keep Chasing Certainty in Events Designed to Disrupt It

    Combat sports involve endless discipline from those who compete at the top level. But what makes the likes of boxing and MMA so enticing to spectators is the element of chaos underpinning even the most high-profile bouts. With every punch thrown and kick launched, there’s the potential for sudden glory or painful defeat.

    Despite the reality of randomness in combat sports, fans tend to try to anchor each face-off with a degree of certainty. So, why is this the case, and does it make sense to predict fight outcomes, or is doing so a fool’s errand?

    Safety in Stats

    Combat sports are closely analyzed and dissected after the fact, so today we’ve got access to vast volumes of information on how each and every athlete performs. This gives us the incentive to make predictions and future fight outcomes based on things like takedown defense percentages and typical strike accuracy.

    It makes sense for bookmakers to be clued in on these metrics, since it’s their job to calculate odds for upcoming combat sport events. And with the dawn of legal sports betting Canada and other countries now have opportunities for punters to place wagers on their favorite fighters, so being data-focused is also worthwhile in this context.

    However, stats aren’t as applicable to combat sports as to other events. In a baseball season, for instance, you get lots of games across which long play sessions can be scrutinized. In MMA, a fight might last an average of 10 minutes, and a fighter might only compete two or three times annually at best. So here, there’s the illusion of safety in the numbers, whereas there’s much less cause for certainty in predictions.

    Obsessing Over Storytelling

    Another crutch combat sports fans have is their love of a good story. It’s something the media machine whips up before important events, and when two fighters have history with one another, or there’s a young upstart taking on a veteran athlete, it’s in our nature to make assumptions about the outcome based on what’s narratively satisfying, not what’s actually possible.

    Even homing in on apparent certainties, such as a competitor being in career-best form, based on footage from training camp sessions shared on social media, is misleading. All the prep in the world might feel like a montage from Rocky that leads us towards assuming there’ll be a Hollywood-style conclusion to a fight, but once the bell rings, it’s not about what would make sense in a movie script.

    Revising History

    Lastly, combat sports fans chase certainty in events that are fueled by potential disruptions because when we look back at past fights, we’re not afraid to rewrite the history books on what actually happened. A lucky punch that wins the day out of nowhere will be reframed as inevitable. A last-minute comeback from a fighter who’s spent the whole match with their back against the ropes will make the earlier shakiness seem strategic, rather than a sign of weakness.

    In short, no sporting event outcome is certain, and combat sports have more chaos involved than most. We want certainty as fans, whether we’re betting on a bout or not, because we like feeling clever, and we love good stories.

  • No Flips, Just Fists: A Tribute to Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler

    No Flips, Just Fists: A Tribute to Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler

    By Mark O’Brien (@WrestleMobs)

    There is a car park outside the Curtis Culwell ntre in Garland, Texas, that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

    I sat there for an hour after Supercard of Honor XV on Friday, 1 April 2022. I had just watched FTR beat The Briscoes in twenty-seven minutes and twenty-five seconds to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship. And something inside me, something I had been dragging around for five years, had just broken open.

    I want to write about FTR — Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler — because they are, without qualification or hedging, the greatest tag team of their generation, and one of the greatest tag teams ever to lace boots. That is the tribute I owe them as a fan and writer. But I cannot write that piece honestly without telling you what they did for me personally one night in Garland, because it is the reason I am here to write anything at all.

    This is a piece about craft. It is also a piece about being met at the right moment by the right thing.

    Case on Its Merits

    Before anything personal, the case on its own terms.

    FTR’s claim to tag team greatness is not a vibe or a marketing line. It is quantified and qualified in a ledger. In WWE as The Revival, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler — then Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder — became the first team in company history to hold the NXT, Raw, and SmackDown tag titles. First ever Triple Crown tag team champions. They did that while the company was actively trying to bury the division, while creative kept workshopping gimmicks nobody wanted, while a main roster run that should have been a coronation became an exercise in institutional indifference. They won anyway. They won because they were better than what they were being asked to do.

    They left. They spent two months on Dynamite in the summer of 2020 wrestling without a contract, because Tony Khan asked them to and they believed him. When they eventually signed, they were babyfaces because they had saved The Young Bucks from an attack — a bit of writing that is almost too neat when you consider how long those two teams would go on to define each other. They won the AEW World Tag Team Championships at All Out 2020 from Hangman Page and Kenny Omega. They lost them. They got them back. They got them back again. They are now three-time AEW World Tag Team Champions, tied for the record.

    They won the IWGP Tag Team Championships at Forbidden Door. They won the AAA World Tag Team Championships. They won the ROH World Tag Team Championships — twice — and the first of those reigns is the one I am going to come back to, because it happened in Garland.

    They did all of this while wrestling a style that, on paper, was a commercial suicide pact. “No flips, just fists.” A throwback to an era most of their audience was not alive for. Southern tag wrestling. Brainbusters. Midnight Express. Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. In an era where tag matches were increasingly sprints — dive festivals, four-way tornado spot-fests, every sequence trying to outdo the last — FTR went the other way. They slowed it down. They sold limbs. They built heat. They made you care about an arm bar in the year 2023.

    That is the craft argument. You can find a dozen versions of it written by better-credentialed people than me. What I want to add, because I am one of those who can, is what happens on the other side of the camera when two men are that good at what they do. What happens to the people who watch.

    Backstory

    Garland does not make sense without this section, so here it is, briefly.

    My mother died in 2017 after a long illness. In 2021 I broke my neck playing rugby, which ended a career I had been building since 2010 at various levels.

    So by the early months of 2022 I was grieving, without a sport, and without the particular outlet that a decade in rugby gives you for managing what is happening inside you. I had a professional career. I had the apparatus of a functional adult life. I had plenty to be getting on with.

    I flew to the United States that March with a friend to complete a bucket list activity, attending WrestleMania. However that weekend in Dallas had a separate card I could not look away from. FTR versus The Briscoes had been teased since Final Battle 2021, when Dax and Cash had shown up after The Briscoes’ twelfth ROH tag title win and sparked a pull-apart brawl. For anyone who had grown up on this stuff, this was the match.

    The show was on 1 April 2022. My mother’s anniversary was 4 days later. I did not plan it that way, purely coincidental.

    Garland

    The Curtis Culwell Center is not a cathedral. It is a multi-purpose arena in a Dallas suburb, the kind of building that hosts high school graduations and regional volleyball tournaments. Nine thousand seats. Low ceiling. It did not need to be a cathedral.

    The match itself is a twenty-seven-minute argument for professional wrestling as a serious art form. Two teams who had spent years being told they were the best of what was left of a dying form, finally in the same ring, with a belt on the line, on the first show of ROH’s new Tony Khan era. If you have not watched it, stop reading this and go watch it. I will wait.

    Back? Good.

    What FTR and The Briscoes did in Garland is the thing that, when it is done this well, cannot be done anywhere else. It is not film. It is not theatre. It is not sport. It is its own thing, and when it works, there is nothing else like it. They built the crowd from the first lockup. They told a story with bodies. The split crowd that became a unanimous one. The near falls that made grown men shriek. The moment in the final third when it stopped feeling like a match and started feeling like a vigil for a form of wrestling everyone in the room had been told was dead. FTR hit the Big Rig, Cash dove onto Jay, and Dax covered Mark for the pin. The referee’s hand came down. New champions.

    Something afterwards came loose in me.

    I do not fully understand, even now, the mechanism. I know there is a whole literature about catharsis, and I know that wrestling has always been a place where people who do not know how to process things go to process them by proxy. I know that watching two people do something with absolute competence and absolute love for the thing they are doing can reach parts of you that the conventional tools cannot. I know the timing mattered. I walked into that building 4 days before an anniversary I had been carrying quietly for years, and the building was ready for me in a way I had not been ready for it.

    I made it to the car park to call for an Uber. I sat there for an hour. And for the first time in a long time, I could breathe.

    I went to WrestleMania the next two nights. I could not tell you much about it, not a huge amount registered or landed in comparison with what I had seen the night prior. I was still in Garland.

    What Followed

    I want to be careful here, because stories about wrestling saving lives are stories wrestling tells itself, and some of them are true and some of them are nice myths, and the honest version of this one has to include the part the myth leaves out.

    Attending SuperCard of Honor, and seeing FTR vs Briscoes did not directly save my life, but it certainly opened a door. What I did after walking through it is what saved my life. That work was mine and most of it is not for a wrestling essay, but it was real and it took years and it is the reason the rest of this paragraph exists.

    I started writing about wrestling. I had never written about wrestling before. By the end of 2022 I had bylines at Bodyslam, then Wrestling Inc, Wrestlezone, Wrestle Inn, PW Musings and Voices of Wrestling. I started the WrestleMobs interview series with friends from the Irish Wrestling scene (Irish Wrestling Entertainment). I trained in a number of schools across Ireland and the UK. I wrestled on a handful of shows. I got invited to events and media junkets by WWE and AEW as credentialed media.

    In early 2023 I met Dax and Cash for the first time at a For the Love of Wrestling event in Manchester. I met them again the night before All In 2023 at Wembley — they invited me to spend time with them and colleagues, the night before the biggest wrestling show of all time. Same again the night before All In 2024. Same again before Forbidden Door 2025. Four separate occasions now where two men who owe me absolutely nothing have given me their time. I have not, in any of those meetings, told them the full version of the story in this essay, but I have certainly expressed parts of it, largely because there is no need. Men like Dax and Cash have met enough of us with similar stories to my night in Garland to understand the impact they have had on people’s lives, directly and indirectly.

    I applied to an MBA programme. I got into the top-ranked course in Europe, on a scholarship, which I still cannot quite believe when I write it out. I completed it. I graduated. I got consulting job I could only dream of, while coaching rugby at a semi professional level. I have a new relationship. There is a new life.

    I have bought, at last count, every piece of merchandise FTR have released since their WWE days. Every one. I have nearly every action figure. I scour eBay, Pro Wrestling Tees and the AEW shop at weekends looking for old drops. This is not a flex. This is how fans like me say thank you when we do not know how else to say it.

    What They Do, and Why It Matters

    I want to circle back to the craft, because I have buried the lead on purpose and now I want to dig it up.

    The thing FTR do, at their best, is the oldest thing in professional wrestling. They make you believe. Not in them — anyone charismatic can do that — but in the match. In the stakes. In the idea that an arm bar applied by a man who genuinely wants to hurt the other man is the most interesting thing in the world for the eight seconds it is happening.

    In a form that increasingly prizes the exceptional — the dive, the flip, the table spot, the shock — FTR prize the connective tissue. The transitions. The reason one thing leads to another. There is a structural intelligence to their work that I think is going to be studied by wrestlers fifty years from now the way good tag teams now study The Midnight Express tapes. They are teaching a style that was, on all reasonable forecasts, going to die with the men who invented it. It is not going to die. They have students now, whether they asked for them or not. The floor of tag team wrestling in AEW, ROH, and on the independent scene is higher because of them.

    And there is something else, which is harder to articulate and I will try anyway. There is a moral quality to what FTR do. Not moral in the puritan sense. Moral in the sense that there is a philosophy of labour underneath it. They show up. They do the work. They sell. They make the other team look good because the other team looking good is how the match looks good. They are pros in a sense that has been getting quietly vandalised in our culture for about thirty years. Watching them is, among other things, a reminder that there is dignity in being very, very good at a thing and caring about it more than you care about being seen caring about it.

    This is what was underneath my night of clarity in that Garland car park, I think. I had spent a decade in rugby, a sport that teaches you a particular relationship with your body and with effort, and I had lost that sport, and I had not replaced what it gave me. FTR, in Garland, for twenty-seven minutes, reminded me what it looks like when people love a craft enough to suffer for it in public. That is not nothing. In the right moment, on the right weekend, it is everything.

    What I Believe

    I have said versions of this to other fans in other rooms, and I believe it: there are people walking around alive today who would not be, if not for Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler.

    I do not say it as hyperbole and I do not say it for effect. I have been in rooms with fans who have told me variations of similar stories. Wrestling as a form has a peculiar power to reach people who cannot be reached by the conventional apparatus of help. It finds men who will not go to therapy and women who have tried everything else, and it sneaks up on them through a form they were told as adults they were too smart to love, and it does its quiet work. FTR, because of the specific style they wrestle and the specific story they tell with their bodies, do this as well as anyone in the business right now.

    What FTR gave me, in the end, was not a distraction, cure or escape – it was a door — a specific door, opened on a specific night, at a specific moment, in a specific car park, far away from home — and a glimpse through it of what the next version of my life might look like. That glimpse was enough. The rest of it I managed with an awful lot of help, But I managed it because, for one night in Garland, Texas, two men who had once been told their style of wrestling was obsolete reminded me that sometimes the old forms are the ones that still work.

    I do not know how to end a piece like this, because the truth is that it has not ended. I will be at more FTR matches this year at AEW All In at Wembley Stadium on August 30th,  and RevPro 14th Anniversary show the night prior in Wembley Arena, and the year after, for however long Dax and Cash choose to keep doing this. I will buy the next t-shirt. I will chase down the next figure. I will write the next thing.

    But if you have read this far, and you have ever wondered what any of this is for — the wrestling, the fandom, the absurd devotion some of us bring to a form that much of the culture does not take seriously — I would offer, as my one piece of evidence, a car park in Garland, Texas, on a Friday night in April 2022. A person who had living in a dense fog for too long, sat on a kerb, finally able to breathe.

    That is what FTR did for me. That is the craft of Professional Wrestling.

    People walking around and thriving in life today is their legacy, and this is my tribute.

    No flips. Just fists. Thank you, Dax. Thank you, Cash.

  • Nikki Blackheart Signs with WWE – What This Means for the Women’s Division

    Nikki Blackheart Signs with WWE – What This Means for the Women’s Division

    WWE has moved quickly to secure one of the fastest-rising names on the indie scene. Multiple reports confirm that Nikki Blackheart has signed with WWE after impressing at the company’s February 2026 Performance Center tryouts. Insiders noted that she stood out in a competitive class, which led to a deal being finalized within weeks. 

    That kind of turnaround usually points to strong internal backing. This signing lands at a time when WWE is actively refreshing its women’s division. Blackheart walks in with momentum, and there is a clear opening for someone new to break through.

    A fast-rising indie name WWE didn’t want to miss

    Blackheart’s timeline tells you why WWE acted fast. She debuted in 2024 and built traction almost immediately. By June 14, 2025, she had already won the Coastal Championship Wrestling Women’s Title and followed it up with several defenses. That early run gave her visibility and credibility in a short window.

    She stayed active across multiple promotions, including CCW and MPX, gaining experience in different match styles and crowd environments. That variety matters when transitioning to WWE, where adaptability often decides how quickly someone progresses.

    Her name had already started circulating as a likely pickup before the tryout even happened. WWE stepping in early prevented a bidding situation and gave them control over her development from the start.

    Why WWE moved quickly after the tryout

    The February 2026 tryout was designed to be a serious evaluation. Participants trained in front of top WWE names, including John Cena, Charlotte Flair, Natalya, and Lyra Valkyria. That setup pushed prospects through drills, promos, and live feedback at a much higher level than a standard tryout.

    Blackheart handled that environment well enough to stand out in a deep group. Reports shifted quickly from interest to confirmation of a deal, which reflects how clear the decision became internally.

    WWE tends to slow-play signings when there are question marks. That did not happen here. The timeline alone shows how strongly she performed during that window.

    The expected path starts in NXT

    Blackheart is expected to report to NXT first. NXT remains WWE’s main system for developing in-ring style, promos, and character work under weekly television pressure. The women’s division there has been one of the brand’s strongest areas, producing consistent call-ups over the past few years.

    She enters with enough experience to contribute early while still having room to refine her presentation. That balance gives creative options. They can test different directions without needing a long reset phase.

    Movement between NXT and the main roster has sped up recently. A strong start could shorten her stay. WWE continues to rotate new names into Raw and SmackDown to keep matchups fresh and avoid repetition on weekly shows.

    WWE’s current recruitment pattern is clear

    Blackheart’s signing fits a broader strategy. WWE has been targeting talent who already have momentum but are still early in their careers. This approach allows the company to shape presentations while building on existing buzz.

    Recent tryout classes have followed that pattern. The focus stays on athletes who can handle the transition quickly without needing years of basic development. It speeds up the pipeline and keeps the roster from feeling static.

    Blackheart checks those boxes. She brings indie experience, early success, and enough polish to step into structured training without slowing things down.

    What she adds to the women’s division right now

    The women’s division runs best when new matchups keep cycling in. Blackheart adds immediate variety. She has not been seen on WWE television, so every pairing feels fresh. That helps avoid the repeat matchups that can stack up over time.

    She also brings an audience that already follows her work. Fans today track talent across multiple promotions, and that awareness carries over when someone signs. The same online crowd that follows indie wrestling closely is also engaging with adjacent trends, following guides on how to use bitcoin for sports betting.

    There is also room to build her long-term. She can be introduced as a rising contender, a confident newcomer, or someone who earns her spot week by week. That flexibility gives creative space to adjust based on crowd reaction.

    Timing gives Nikki Blackheart a real opening

    Opportunity often comes down to timing. WWE is constantly adjusting its women’s division across Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. Injuries, shifting storylines, and event cycles create gaps that need to be filled with new faces.

    Blackheart arrives without heavy TV history attached to her name. That gives creative a clean starting point. They can plug her into existing stories or build something from scratch without working around past angles.

    Her real-life trajectory already offers a simple story to tell. A quick rise, early success, and growing attention translate easily to television if WWE leans into it.

  • WWE’s Future Runs Through Oba Femi

    WWE’s Future Runs Through Oba Femi

    From NXT standout to WrestleMania moment, Oba Femi’s rise signals WWE’s next dominant force.

    Oba Femi looks every bit like WWE’s next breakout star. The question is not whether he will become a main-event fixture, and future World Champion, but how quickly he will get there.

    The rise of Oba Femi is not built on hype alone. It is rooted in a background that mirrors many of the company’s most successful crossover athletes. Before stepping into the ring, Femi was a standout collegiate track and field athlete, specializing in the shot put. That foundation shows up immediately in his in-ring style. His power is not manufactured. It is real, explosive, and controlled. A once in a life time talent.

    Femi’s upbringing adds a layer of authenticity that cannot be taught. Born in Nigeria and later moving to the United Stares, he developed a blend of cultural discipline and adaptability that shows up every time he is on screen. There is a calm intensity in how he carries himself, rooted in lived experience rather than performance, and it translates into a presence that feels deliberate and controlled. He does not rely on over the top theatrics to sell dominance. Instead, his demeanor, pacing and body language project it naturally, giving him a credibility that many performers spend years trying to build.

    His journey to WWE came through the company’s NIL program, a pipeline designed to recruit elite athletes and mold them into performers. While many prospects take years to find their footing, Femi accelerated through the system. By the time he arrived in WWE NXT, he already looked comfortable under the bright lights.

    Femi’s NXT résume speaks for itself. He quickly established dominance, capturing gold and positioning himself as one of the brand’s most credible threats. More importantly, he did it with consistency. His matches told a clear story. His presence demanded attention. In a developmental system filled with potential, he separated himself as someone ready now. One would think he had 10 years of experience under his belt.

    That readiness led to his call-up, and WWE wasted little time placing him in a meaningful situation… Brock Lesnar. The defining moment came on the grandest stage of them all, at this past weekends WrestleMania 42. In a result that signaled a clear shift in direction, Femi defeated and surprisingly retired the living legend of Brock  Lesnar. If that’s not a new direction, then I don’t know what is.

    Moments like that are not handed out lightly. Lesnar has long been positioned as an attraction, a measuring stick reserved for only the most trusted talent. He is the most powerful and accomplished man in combat sports history. For Femi to be placed in that role, and to deliver, speaks volumes about how WWE views his ceiling.

    There is still work to be done. Charisma must continue to evolve. Storytelling will need to deepen. Those things will be fine tuned. But the foundation is already stronger than most at this stage.

    WWE has spent years searching for its next dominant force. In Oba Femi, it may have already found him.

  • WWE’s New Era: The Evolving Power of Sponsorships and Streaming

    WWE’s New Era: The Evolving Power of Sponsorships and Streaming

    Under the visionary leadership of WWE COO Paul “Triple H” Levesque, World Wrestling Entertainment is poised to enter a transformative phase with immense potential both inside and outside the wrestling ring. With a strategic focus on diversifying its sponsorship portfolio, WWE is not only adapting to the changing landscape of media consumption but also expanding its commercial income through innovative partnerships.

    The Shift in Sponsorship Dynamics

    The landscape of sponsorships within WWE has witnessed a notable transformation, particularly with the influx of gambling-related brands. As traditional sponsors begin to diversify their portfolios, WWE has capitalized on this trend by forging partnerships with companies that resonate with its audience. The collaboration with the free social casino at LoneStar exemplifies this shift, as it allows fans to engage with their favorite wrestling content in a novel way. The integration of WWE-themed slots not only enhances the entertainment experience but also opens up new revenue streams for the organization.

    This move aligns with a broader trend in sports and entertainment, where gambling companies are increasingly seeking partnerships with high-profile brands. The allure of wrestling, with its vibrant characters and dramatic storylines, makes it an attractive platform for these sponsors. As WWE continues to embrace this evolving sponsorship landscape, it stands to benefit from increased visibility and financial backing.

    A Ground-Breaking Streaming Media Partnership

    In January, WWE announced a landmark media rights agreement with Netflix, signaling a significant shift in its broadcasting strategy. WWE’s flagship program, Raw, will transition from traditional cable television to Netflix, the world’s leading streaming service with over 260 million paid subscribers. This deal, estimated to be worth $500 million over ten years, marks Netflix’s first foray into live sports and positions WWE to reach a global audience more effectively.

    The implications of this partnership are profound. By moving to a platform that prioritizes streaming, WWE aims to attract a younger, digitally-savvy demographic that prefers on-demand content. This shift is particularly relevant as WWE seeks to grow its fanbase and enhance its commercial prospects. With Netflix’s vast subscriber base, WWE Raw is set to capture a significant number of viewers, thereby increasing its appeal to potential sponsors.

    Expanding the Audience and Attracting Brands

    The potential for growth is not limited to viewership alone. A recent YouGov report revealed that 11% of regular Netflix users had engaged with WWE in 2023, indicating a substantial opportunity to draw in new fans. This influx of viewers could entice brands to invest in WWE, recognizing the platform’s ability to reach a diverse audience. As WWE continues to diversify its offerings, the integration of a variety of sponsors is increasingly relevant, showcasing how the wrestling promotion is adapting to contemporary trends.

    WWE’s partnership with Prime, which recently became the first brand to feature its logo at the centre of a WWE ring, exemplifies the innovative sponsorship opportunities that are emerging. The one-year deal, valued at $12.5 million, not only provides Prime with unprecedented visibility but also sets a precedent for future sponsorship agreements. As WWE explores new avenues for brand partnerships, the potential for lucrative mat sponsorships could significantly enhance its revenue streams.

    Bridging the Sponsorship Gap

    Despite the promising developments, there remains a considerable gap in sponsorship revenue compared to competitors like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). WWE is projected to generate only $29.41 million from sponsors in 2024, while the UFC surpassed this figure by reaching $196 million. To bridge this divide, WWE must continue to innovate and identify new sponsorship opportunities that resonate with its audience.

    The integration of gambling sponsors represents a strategic move to attract new brands and enhance WWE’s commercial viability. By leveraging its unique brand identity and engaging storytelling, WWE can create compelling sponsorship packages that appeal to a wide range of companies looking to tap into the wrestling fanbase.

    Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead

    The ‘new era’ of WWE is marked by a dynamic shift in its media strategy and sponsorship landscape. With the groundbreaking partnership with Netflix and the integration of gambling sponsors, WWE is well-positioned to expand its reach and grow its commercial income. As the company continues to innovate and adapt to changing audience preferences, the potential for attracting brands and diversifying revenue streams will be crucial for its long-term success.

    As WWE embraces this exciting phase, fans can look forward to enhanced engagement with their favorite wrestling content. The future of WWE is undoubtedly bright, and the journey promises to be as captivating as the action inside the ring.

  • The Wrestlemania Rundown: The Cody Edition

    The Wrestlemania Rundown: The Cody Edition

    Wrestlemania 42 is officially in the books and.. boy did it fly by! It came and it went. What a weekend. Welcome to the Wrestlemania Rundown: The Cody Edition. Where I give my thoughts and opinions and you either agree or disagree. Let’s get into it!

    I want to get this out of the way. In my humble opinion, night 2 saved the weekend. Night 2 had the star power, the matches, and the build for these matches were better than half of the matches on night 1.

    So let’s start from the top. John Cena comes out and welcomes everyone back for night 2 of Wrestlemania after a historic and incredible night 1. Now I don’t know what show Cena watched. But I don’t think we watched the same one. He hyped up Oba VS Lesnar and then walked away.

    First up, was the match I have been looking forward to since it was announced, Oba VS Lesnar. Now I’ve seen a lot of people say that the match was way too short. Here’s the thing. For me it lived up to the expectations. This match was made to make Oba Femi look strong and it did just that. It gave Oba his mania moment. It was chaos, it was fun, and the people love Femi. The talk of the night was the ending. When the match was over, Lesnar stayed back and took his gloves and boots off and laid them in the ring. Heyman and Lesnar were very emotional to close it as he left the ring. So is he retired? I don’t think so. But we shall see. Rating: 8/10

    Next up, the 6 man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship. The attires? On point. The match? Incredible, this match was everything I expected it to be and more. It had the athleticism, the crowd was in it, it had the spots, and the moments. It was a true Wrestlemania style ladder match. I truly didn’t expect Penta to win but to my surprise he did and I was very okay with it. Rating: 9.5/10

    Up next, Trick Williams VS Sami Zayn for the United States Championship. This match was good. I wish I had more and Trick got showcased more than he did, this match seemed to of flew by. Trick is over and Vegas HATED Sami. Trick winning the title was the right call. WWE needs to continue pushing him to the moon. Rating: 7/10

    Next was the return of the alter ego. The Demon. Dirty Dom Mysterio VS Finn Balor. Before I go into the match I just wanna say. These entrances were fantastic. The king of the luchadores entrance was great and the return of the demon was excellent. I said out loud during Finn’s entrance “he actually looks happy and looks like he’s having fun”. The match itself lived up to the story. It had everything. The addition of the street fight stipulation was a welcomed one and I feel like added a little more excitement. However I wish I had more. More outside of the ring moments and maybe even some in the crowd moments. But this match was great. I would say this was probably my 3rd favorite match of the night. 8.5/10

    Next was the Woman’s Championship match. First things first. I hated that Rhea came out last with no special entrance. I get that they may of done that for a reason but I just didn’t enjoy it. This match was pretty good. Another match I think we needed more of. The addition of IYO got a huge pop and I was very happy with that. Rhea winning was okay. We knew it would happen. I was hoping for a swerve and they kept building Jade up and getting her better but I guess not. Let’s see what’s next for her. Rating: 7/10

    The Danhausen segment was incredible. I loved everything about it and I love that they are going all in on Danhausen. He is incredible and very good for WWE.

    The main event. The match to end the weekend. Incredible, outstanding. I have so many words I could use but you would be reading this for a while. This match was everything. We knew that Roman would most likely be winning this one and at the end of the night. He ultimately did. I’m interested to see what they do with Punk now. How often is Roman going to show up? Is this ultimately leading to Riyadh for the rumored Rock VS Roman match? I guess we will wait and see. Rating: 9/10

    That’s it! Mania is over and in the books. The build now begins for the next one. Obviously we still have the Raw after Mania which is normally a very big show as well as the Smackdown after Mania. What’s in store? Who knows! It’s post Wrestlemania season.. anything can happen! But for now I give Wrestlemania 42 an overall rating of 7/10.

    Thank you for joining me on the Wrestlemania Rundown: The Cody Edition. Maybe this will become a thing for all PLE’s. Who knows! But until then remember to subscribe to Bodyslam.net and follow us for all things wrestling.

     

  • 10 Things to Know About Paige’s WWE Career

    10 Things to Know About Paige’s WWE Career

    Following her return to the company, Paige has quickly reestablished herself as a major presence. After Nikki Bella was not medically cleared to compete, Paige stepped in to team with Brie Bella, capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship and securing her first title win in approximately eight years.

    The victory also marked her long-awaited return to WrestleMania, her first appearance on the grand stage since competing at WrestleMania 30, adding another milestone to her accomplished WWE career.

    Paige Returns To WWE

    https://x.com/BodyslamNet/status/2045656899018711324

    With that in mind, here’s a look at some of the most notable accomplishments that have defined her legacy:

    • First NXT Women’s Champion: In 2013, at just 20 years old, Paige defeated Emma in the finals of a tournament to become the inaugural NXT Women’s Champion, setting a new standard for the division. Many believe this match helped spark what would later be known as the “Women’s Revolution.”
    • Historic main roster debut: On April 7, 2014, the night after WrestleMania XXX, she debuted on Raw and defeated AJ Lee to win the Divas Championship in her very first appearance.
    • Youngest Divas Champion in history: By winning the title at age 21, she set a record that still stands today.
    • Double champion: She remains the only woman to have held both the Divas Championship and the NXT Women’s Championship at the same time.
    • Key figure in the Women’s Revolution: Paige played a significant role in the transition from the “Divas” era to the modern women’s division, as part of Team PCB alongside Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch.
    • Two-time Divas Champion: In addition to her debut win, she regained the title months later at SummerSlam 2014, solidifying her position as a top star in the division.
    • Film inspiration: Her life and career were portrayed in the film Fighting with My Family, produced by Dwayne Johnson and starring Florence Pugh.
    • First champion born in the 1990s: Paige became the first wrestler of her generation to win a major title in the company.
    • SmackDown General Manager: After her in-ring retirement in 2018 due to medical reasons, she transitioned into an authority role as General Manager of SmackDown,
      earning strong fan support.
    • “Anti-Diva” pioneer: She broke away from traditional beauty standards of the era with her gothic look and aggressive in-ring style, paving the way for future generations.
  • WrestleMania 42 Night 2 Preview and Predictions: Full Match Picks

    WrestleMania 42 Night 2 Preview and Predictions: Full Match Picks

    WrestleMania 42 wraps up Sunday, April 19, with a loaded Night 2 card that will shape WWE’s direction moving forward. The show is headlined by Roman Reigns challenging CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship. Several other title matches and key matchups round out the night.

    Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi

    This is one of the most intriguing matches on the card. Oba Femi has momentum, but WWE often takes a cautious approach with rising stars. Brock Lesnar winning keeps him strong for future programs, and I don’t think he loses until his retirement match. To clarify, these predictions are not what I would do, but how I see WWE working.

    Winner: Brock Lesnar

    Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match

    Penta defends against Rusev, Dragon Lee, Rey Mysterio, Je’Von Evans and JD McDonagh. The match lacks a strong story, but the field suggests a showcase. Rey Mysterio stands out as a potential surprise winner in a moment-driven match.

    Winner: Rey Mysterio

    United States Championship Match

    Sami Zayn defends against Trick Williams. A character shift appears likely, with Zayn leaning heel and Williams gaining momentum as a fan favorite. Williams feels positioned for a breakout moment.

    Winner: Trick Williams

    Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio

    The long running Judgment Day story has cooled, but Balor bringing back his Demon persona signals a decisive outcome. Dominik Mysterio remains effective regardless of results.

    Winner: Finn Balor

    WWE Women’s Championship Match

    Jade Cargill defends against Rhea Ripley. With uncertainty around Bianca Belair’s status due to being pregnant, Cargill retaining keeps options open for a future title change tied to Belair’s return. But that seems like a long time from now. I think changes plans.

    Winner: Rhea Ripley

    World Heavyweight Championship Match

    CM Punk defends against Roman Reigns in the main event. Reigns regaining the title creates fresh storyline paths and potential rivalries. Punk’s direction may shift following a loss.

    Winner: Roman Reigns

    Final Thoughts

    WrestleMania 42 Night 2 looks set to deliver defining moments, with title changes, breakout performances and major storyline shifts all on the table. By the end of the night, WWE should have a clearer picture of its next era (another one?), with new stars rising and familiar names continuing to shape the main event scene.

    Stay tuned to BodySlam.Net for all post WrestleMania 42 news and results!

  • The Wrestlemania Rundown: The Cody Edition

    The Wrestlemania Rundown: The Cody Edition

    Night 1 of Wrestlemania is in the books and.. is it me or did it seem short? Just me? I don’t know. Maybe you have a different opinion than me. Welcome to the Wrestlemania Rundown: The Cody Edition. Where I give my thoughts and opinions and you either agree or disagree. Let’s get into it!

    As I stated above this show felt very short and very rushed. Little wrestling and more commercials than anything. The matches were okay and very up and down. So let’s break it down.

    The show started with a pop, the host of Wrestlemania John Cena. Now when this was announced I was intrigued and excited. I’ve always been a big fan of John Cena. But it felt. Odd. I hope he is able to do more on night 2 because I mean come on.. it’s Cena.

    Then, it’s the first match of the night. The 6 man tag team match between The Uso’s and LA Knight (yeah) VS Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and…. Speed. Now I will say. I was somewhat pleased with Speed’s performance. I’m interested to see what he does further. Especially with a possible program with Logan Paul after Paul attacked Speed. Overall I was very happy with LA Knight getting the win for his team. Rating: 7/10

    Then we had Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre. This match was chaos. I was happy with it but not much to say. Rating: 8/10

    Next we had the Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way with the return of Paige. I’ll be honest. I just didn’t feel it. It was okay. My favorite part was Paige returning. However them winning the titles? I disagree with. I believe it should’ve been Bayley and Lyra. Rating: 4/10

    Next we had Becky VS AJ for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Part of me wanted so much more from this match. It was cool. Sure, but their Elimination Chamber match was way better than what this was. However, I believe the result was the right call. Rating: 6/10

    Up next we had my personal match of the night. Rollins VS Gunther. This match was everything I expected it to be. Even with hardly any story, it was match of the night material, possibly match of the weekend. The beginning portion was great and the ending was great as well. I wish it would’ve been a clean finish, but when you throw in Breakker it only makes sense. Gunther winning was the right call to save his character and value. I look forward to what’s next for the both of these guys. Rating: 9/10

    Vaquer VS Liv… I wanted so much more. The build was good, everything about this screamed potential main event. Ultimately, this match should’ve been in the middle. Liv’s entrance? Scared me. Corey Graves learning her dance? Even scarier. This match had so much potential but was such a let down. Liv winning was a great choice though. I just hope Vaquer doesn’t get lost in the shuffle now. Rating: 6/10

    Very happy for Bianca and Montez!

    The main event, I was looking forward to this match. Cody’s entrance in my opinion was entrance of the night. Everything about it was perfect. It told the story of who he is. Jelly Roll putting Pat through a table made me laugh out loud. But I had more questions than answers coming out of this match. Why did Randy RKO Pat? Did Cody tease a heel turn with the low blow? Is Orton actually hurt? If this was their plan.. then congrats! You’ve done it for me. Overall I thought this match was great until Pat came back out. This was up there with the Jacob and Drew fight for me. Rating: 8/10

    Overall, night 1 of Wrestlemania felt very very rushed and didn’t feel like Wrestlemania. I felt like I was watching a overhyped normal PPV. Maybe they did this to make night 2 look better? I sure hope that’s the case. If I was WWE I would look at the comments on social media and figure out how to fix night 2. Because they have less than 19 hours to fix it. Overall rating: 6/10

    Stay up to date with all things Wrestlemania 42 throughout the weekend via Bodyslam.net and Bodyslam.net social media.

  • Liv Morgan And Stephanie Vaquer: A 30-Minute Build

    Liv Morgan And Stephanie Vaquer: A 30-Minute Build

    WrestleMania Night 1 is in the books, and the rivalry between Liv Morgan and Stephanie Vaquer has officially reached its conclusion.

    Liv Morgan Versus Stephanie Vaquer

    In a match that lasted 6 minutes and 50 seconds, Liv Morgan defeated Stephanie Vaquer to become the new Women’s Champion. While the bout delivered in terms of in-ring quality, its limited duration left much to be desired, with the closing moments lacking the impact expected on a stage like WrestleMania. Given the talent involved, the match could have benefited from an additional 5 to 7 minutes to fully develop its pacing and emotional payoff.

    However, the issue extends beyond the match itself—it reflects the overall structure of the feud.

    Since their first major confrontation on the February 23 episode of WWE Raw, the rivalry accumulated just 23 minutes and 47 seconds of total television time prior to WrestleMania. This includes promos, vignette packages, backstage segments, and physical altercations. When factoring in the WrestleMania match, the entire program totaled approximately 30 minutes and 37 seconds.

    For a feud culminating on WWE’s biggest stage, that level of exposure is notably limited. The lack of sustained weekly development restricted the opportunity to fully showcase Vaquer’s in-ring ability and the charisma that Liv Morgan consistently brings to her character work.

    WWE Raw – Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer Timeline (Post-Royal Rumble 2026)

    February 16, 2026

    • Sit-down interview with Michael Cole (Liv Morgan) – 3:00

    February 23, 2026

    • Liv Morgan chooses Vaquer as her WrestleMania opponent – 3:00

    March 2, 2026

    • Liv Morgan vignette promo – 2:00

    March 9, 2026

    • Raquel Rodriguez gauntlet match (Liv as manager) – 0:37 (timeline only counts the time Vaquer and Liv brawl outside and not the duration of the match)

    March 16, 2026

    • Raquel Rodriguez vs. Stephanie Vaquer (with Liv as manager) – 7:00
    • Iyo Sky interferes, attacks Liv

    March 23, 2026

    • Vaquer attacks Liv during entrance (manager role for Dominik Mysterio match) – 0:55

    March 30, 2026

    • Liv Morgan in-ring promo – 4:00
    • Roxanne Perez returns, makes the save

    April 6, 2026

    • Vaquer vignette promo – 1:30
    • Backstage: Vaquer attacks Liv – 0:15

    April 13, 2026

    • In-ring interview (Vaquer) – 1:30
    • Liv attacks → brawl

    Despite the abbreviated build, the match served as a milestone moment for Liv Morgan, who walks away as champion. BodySlam.net congratulates Morgan on her victory and title win.

    https://x.com/WWE/status/2045666069092683938?s=20