Latest news with #Stamford-based
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
CM Punk apologizes to the crowd of Saudi Arabia during the Night of Champions kickoff for posting mean tweet
(Image via X) WWE is back again with the 11th edition of Night of Champions 2025 in Saudi Arabia. Just like other premium live events hosted in 2025 by the Stamford-based promotions, the Night of Champions is expected to be a success, as it will feature several top-tier champions, making it more exciting and anticipated among fans. Among several top-tier talents, CM Punk is also expected to appear on the show for one of the significant feuds with his arch-rival, the Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena. However, it has been reported that CM Punk has faced massive criticisms from the fans when he started addressing the Saudi Arabia crowd during the Night of Champions kickoff event. The reason is said to be a mean comment posted by Punk himself in 2020. When he tried to clear the air, he was heavily booed by the fans in Saudi Arabia. Let's take a look at the incident in detail. CM Punk addresses the crowd in Saudi Arabia during the Night of Champions kickoff CM Punk, who is going to play a major bout in the upcoming 11th edition of the Night of Champions 2025 . The WWE icon was reportedly seen addressing and apologizing to the crowd in Saudi Arabia during the Night of Champions kickoff. During the WWE Night Of Champions kickoff media event today in Saudi Arabia, CM Punk apologized for his infamous tweet to The Miz about Saudi Arabia from years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo While addressing the crowd, CM Punk said, 'This guy wants me to apologize for a mean tweet I wrote six years ago,' he said. 'Hey, listen, legitimately had nothing to do with Saudi Arabia. I woke up and I was crabby and I wrote a mean tweet to The Miz. And I apologized to The Miz. And sir, what's your name? Mohammed? Mohammed, I sincerely apologize to you. And I love Saudi Arabia.' However, it seemed like the apology did not sit well with the fans present there during the kickoff show. Despite the direct apology, the crowd continued to voice their displeasure, a reaction WWE was reportedly expecting. The boos from the live crowd were a direct response to an infamous, since-deleted tweet from 2020 in which Punk made a crude remark directed at The Miz that referenced 'blood money' and Saudi Arabia. With the air cleared, attention now turns to Punk's Undisputed WWE Championship match against John Cena at Night of Champions, where the atmosphere promises to be electric and thrilling. Also Read : WWE Night of Champions 2025 preview and streaming details (06/28/25): Full match card, show highlights, how to watch, and more WWE's Night of Champions 2025 will emanate live from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this weekend. It will be the first, and potentially only, time that WWE will host a PLE in Saudi Arabia in 2025. It will be broadcast live in the USA at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Peacock Network and Netflix everywhere. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I was tryna push the Papi agenda': Rhea Ripley reveals the story about the initial suggestion of her WWE nickname
(Image via WWE) Rhea Ripley is one of the marquee players of the women's wrestling segment of the Stamford-based promotion. The Australian powerhouse has taken the WWE by storm with her dominating presence and ultimate wrestling prowess. However, Rhea Ripley has recently shared the backstory of how she got her nickname and what the initial suggestion she made to WWE was for her name. Ripley was last seen in action against Raquel Rodriguez on WWE RAW's June 23rd edition, where Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez ambushed her. Rhea Ripley suffered a 2-on-1 attack after being called out by Raquel Rodriguez during the segment. However, the reaction she generates every week on RAW is a testament to just how beloved she has become among fans. Rhea Ripley reveals her initial nickname suggestion to WWE WWE superstar Rhea Ripley has opened up about the origins of her iconic ring name recently during a podcast with Chris Van Vliet, where she described how the creative process behind the process was not smooth, and how she has faced rejection on making nickname suggestions. Rhea Ripley is famously known among her fans and the WWE universe as 'Mami'. However, the WWE icon has revealed that Mami was not the initial name that she had suggested to the company. During the Insight Podcast, Ripley revealed that she had initially suggested the name Papi instead of Mami to the creative team. But, the recommendation got flatly rejected by the company. Rhea Ripley: Mami Is ALWAYS On Top, Dirty Dom, Crazy Fans, Fav WrestleMania Moment, Buddy Matthews Describing the situation, she said, 'No, I was trying to push the Papi agenda. And they were like, 'Yeah, we can't do that.' And then Priest was like, 'What about Mami?' I was like, Okay, guess I'll be Mami. I was really set on the Papi thing. I was like, I can be a little s**t stirrer, just be Papi this, Papi that. But they're like, we just can't go there. And I was like, 'Okay, I respect that.' Mami's gonna grow on me, though.' In addition, she has also revealed how she initially hated her husband, Buddy Matthews : 'I used to hate him. I think he said this when he was (on Insight). I hated him. I hated him with a passion because I loved Sway, which was a female wrestler, and he was from Melbourne. He came from the back, and he just punched Sway straight in the face. I was like, sir, how dare you? I don't think I saw him before that, too.' Mami further stated, 'I think that was my introduction to Matt Silva at the time. And he punched Sway straight in the face. And then Jimmy Scarlet jumped the barricade and chased him away. And then they had a whole feud and all that. But, yeah, I didn't like him.' (source: Insight with Chris Van Vliet) Also Read : 'I'll show out for you': Karrion Kross thanks fans after WWE confirms a match at Night of Champions 2025 Apart from this, Ripley's now-iconic name, which blends her real first name with a striking surname, has become a symbol of her fierce, powerhouse persona among the fans and WWE universe since she stepped into the WWE ring. It is to be noted that Rhea Ripley will be seen in action against Raquel Rodriguez in a major Street Fight match at the upcoming Night of Champions on June 28, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
History in the Making: Legendary star can set new WWE SummerSlam milestone
Image via WWE WWE will be creating history with its second biggest show of the year, SummerSlam, this year. It will be the first time in more than three decades that the event will be a two-night show. It is scheduled to take place on August 2nd and 3rd, at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey, and will look to be game-changing for the Stamford-based promotion. Moreover, on the same night, a veteran WWE superstar, who is still part of the active roster, is also eyeing a history-making achievement after more than two decades in the business. Which veteran can set a new record at WWE SummerSlam? At the WWE SummerSlam Kickoff show held at Fanatics Fest, WWE legend Randy Orton revealed that he is currently tied with The Undertaker for most SummerSlam appearances at 16. He aimed to break the record and envisioned facing his arch-nemesis, John Cena, for the Undisputed WWE Championship at the first-ever two-night SummerSlam event this year. Orton said, "I did win my very first world championship at SummerSlam in 2004 and I went on to compete in sixteen SummerSlams so far, that has me tied for the most SummerSlam matches in the history of the WWE, tied with the one-and-only Undertaker. So, at SummerSlam will be my record-setting match. I tell you what, I see me leaving MetLife Stadium with gold around my waist [Michael] Cole, and I'm gonna fight John Cena, I'm gonna do it at MetLife, I'm gonna have all these beautiful New Yorkers there cheering my ass on. " SummerSlam Kickoff: June 21, 2025 Randy Orton's first appearance at SummerSlam came in 2004, where he became the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history. Since then, he has competed in top showdowns at the event against the likes of Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan and John Cena. Moreover, it is expected that The Viper would compete at this year's event as well. Orton is currently scheduled to face Cody Rhodes in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament at WWE Night of Champions. Should he be able to defeat Rhodes, he will earn himself a World Championship match at SummerSlam while setting the new record of most appearances at the show. Also read: WWE's $40,000 SummerSlam 2025 package sells out instantly Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
2 WrestleManias in a year? WWE planning to host the mega event twice in a single calendar year
WWE is reportedly planning to host two separate WrestleMania events within the same year, marking a major shift in the promotion of the Stamford-based promotion's biggest event. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now WrestleMania happens to be WWE's showpiece event, and the company is planning to make some huge changes in hosting the annual event, not once but twice. The last WrestleMania 41 was held at the Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada, with much pomp and fervor. The event saw some scintillating performances and a memorable feud between Cody Rhodes and John Cena, and a Triple-threat match among CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and OTC Roman Reigns. However, this decision to hold WrestleMania from now on to host twice is a major decision that the company has yet to pass a confirmation. Is WWE planning to host 2 WrestleManias in a single year? WWE is planning to host 2 WrestleManias in a single year, and Saudi Arabia is an integral part of the event. As part of WWE's ongoing 10-year partnership with Saudi Arabia, insiders say the company plans to stage a –branded show in the region. Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio , Dave Meltzer explained that WWE is all but certain to hold in Saudi Arabia, but could fight back against any backlash by holding a different version of the show in the Middle East. 'They've got the Royal Rumble there next year, they've got a quote WrestleMania coming. The WrestleMania may be the 'Greatest Royal Rumble' WrestleMania, as opposed to the WrestleMania. But they will do a show called WrestleMania. Whether that will be two WrestleManias, there could be. It's a decision they have to make.' It's looking like another WrestleMania in Las Vegas | Wrestling Observer Live He further added, 'There could be. Okay? It's the decision they have to make. You know what I mean? It's like, if they do that—if they can do two WrestleManias in a year, two shows called WrestleMania in a year—actually, it'd be three because there's gonna be two nights [of WrestleMania]. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And then they could—maybe they'll do two nights in Saudi Arabia too.' According to Meltzer, the motivation behind the move is simple: WWE could ease public backlash about the Saudi deal while raking in massive revenue by attaching the WrestleMania name to the show. WrestleMania to return to Las Vegas in 2026 'But if they do that, it eases the backlash against doing it, and they can still get the money for WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia. Or, you know, they may just do WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia. I don't know. I mean, I'm sure that, you know, the reaction to the Royal Rumble will probably, you know, factor into all this. These are all decisions that still have to be made,' he added. (source: Ringside News) Also Read : If WWE goes ahead with the idea of multiple WrestleManias each year, it will transform the perception of the biggest event in wrestling. Certain fans will adore the thought of increased spectacle, while many will claim to destroy its excitement and magic. Above all, it seems that the money is influencing things, and WWE is paying attention to generate massive revenue from it.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE finally confirms Bill Goldberg's last match against Gunther at Saturday Night's Main Event
(Image via WWE) Bill Goldberg is one of the most celebrated wrestlers and a legendary figure in the history of WWE. He is one of the prominent figures in the modern wrestling scenario, who is all set to hang up his boots in 2025. But, it seems the wait is finally over as WWE has recently confirmed Bill Goldberg's last match against Gunther. Earlier, it was speculated that the wrestling icon is soon to make an appearance and is all set to lock horns with his opponent, Gunther. However, this has not been confirmed officially yet by the company management or Goldberg himself. It is now clear they the duo will face off each other at the upcoming Saturday Night's Main Event on July 12, 2025. During an interview, Goldberg himself confirmed that 2025 is going to be his last year in WWE. However, fresh insights have emerged on the Hall of Famer's retirement and exit from the Stamford-based promotion. Goldberg is to play his last match against Gunther at Saturday Night's Main Event A major update has emerged on Goldberg's upcoming in-ring return, with WWE officially confirming his final match as the two-time WWE Universal Champion to finally play his retirement bout against Gunther at Saturday Night's Main Event on July 12, 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like San Antonio: Inicia hoy con Amazon CFD y construye un segundo ingreso. InvestIQ Registrarse Undo The event will emanate live from Atlanta, Georgia. WWE will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, next month to deliver the July edition of Saturday Night's Main Event. This will be the third edition of SNME in 2025, the show last emanated in May from Tampa, Florida. Further, WWE also confirmed the final match and announced it on June 20, 2025, in a press release saying that Goldberg vs Gunther at SNME will be Goldberg's final match. The press release read with a headline 'Goldberg's final match.' It said, WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, today announced that individual event tickets for Saturday Night's Main Event on Saturday, July 12 – headlined by Goldberg's final match versus WWE World Heavyweight champion GUNTHER – and Evolution on Sunday, July 13, in Atlanta will go on sale starting Wednesday, June 25 at 10 am ET/7 am PT via It is to be noted that at 58 years old, Goldberg could become the oldest WWE World Champion ever, if he wins the match against The Ring General . Goldberg comments on Gunther's idea about him Goldberg recently appeared on The National Football Show, where he shared his views on the final bout. He believes that Gunther thinks that he is just an old man. He admitted that Gunther probably does not take him seriously anymore. 'Who I am to him (Gunther) is an old man – is a 58-year-old guy who is hobbled and not like he used to be, and he believes that even at my peak, he could have taken me, which is laughable. But, I mean… he's a formidable opponent. He's the World Heavyweight Champion," Goldberg claimed during a candid chat on the show. Also Read : Goldberg admits regret over infamous Bret Hart injury, prepares for final WWE bout Even though Goldberg knows Gunther sees him as past his prime, he still respects the champion. He further stated that Gunther has grown into a top star, and it is an honor to face him in this big match. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
