WWE Files New Trademark For Upcoming A&E Series

BY SACNILK

Santino Marella has recalled a wild night from his WWE days that ended with him bleeding from the head after a joke involving John Cena and a broken plate. Marella shared the story during his appearance on What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, while discussing his “Fun Time Tony” persona and some of the memorable moments from his time traveling with WWE. According to Marella, the incident took place during a European tour. WWE talent had a room blocked off at a bar, where the group was drinking and enjoying themselves. What started as a joke over food eventually resulted in Marella suffering a cut to his head. Marella explained that someone noticed Cena had apparently ordered food for himself rather than the rest of the group. Cena then took a single french fry from the plate, which prompted Marella to smash the plate. “So Cena, and he knows exactly what he's doing. We were on a European tour. We had the room blocked off, we're drinking. And he just leans over and it was Percy Watson, Nick McNeil, goes ‘Did he just order food for himself and nobody else?’ And you know, I'm like, ‘What? Where is he?’ So he took one french fry. The plate just came. One fry." Marella added, "And I took the plate and I smashed the plate and he was just left with one french fry like... Like he looked forward to that meal so bad. So Cena, not realizing how sharp the shards were of the plate, took one and went ting to my head. And all of a sudden it's just drip, drip, drip, drip. And he's like, ‘Oops.’ And he goes, ‘Oh, well’ and he did it himself too. So we have to call Doc Amann to come down, little crazy glue.” The injury also made Marella's appearance particularly memorable. He said he was wearing a white tank top at the time, which ended up covered in blood. “And I was wearing a white tank top, which by the end of the night looked like I had been involved in, you know, a murder. It was just, it was horrible, it was very, very bloody.” Despite the injury, the night did not immediately come to an end. Marella recalled that the group continued drinking at the bar until around six or seven in the morning. Eventually, he decided it was time to return to his hotel room. Marella saw the elevator doors closing and rushed to get inside. When he entered, an elderly couple was already there after apparently finishing breakfast. The couple, however, had no idea what had happened to Marella. All they saw was a man covered in blood, staggering inside the elevator early in the morning. “There's an elderly couple, seven AM, just, you know, finished breakfast. And I'm just sitting there bloody, just staggering, like swaying. And they're just absolutely terrified. Like they don't know what happened, why am I bloody?” Marella eventually reached his floor and walked out, leaving the couple behind. He imagined that they were probably relieved once the elevator doors closed again. “And my door opens to my floor and I just walk off and they must have just had this huge sigh of relief. I mean, you know, it wasn't as bad as it looked, but it looked pretty bad.”

BY SACNILK

AJ Styles believes LA Knight is ready for another opportunity at the top of WWE, insisting that “The Megastar” has all the qualities needed to become a world champion. Styles discussed Knight's current position in WWE during the latest episode of The AJ Styles Show, where he was asked about the possibility of Knight eventually facing Roman Reigns again. While Styles did not confirm that WWE has plans for another match between the two, he made it clear that he believes Knight is more than prepared for a world championship opportunity. Styles has previously shared the ring with both men, giving his assessment of Knight's potential some added weight. The former WWE Champion believes Knight has reached a point in his career where he should be seriously considered for the company's biggest championship. “I’ve never seen anybody more ready to be a champion right now than LA Knight,” Styles said. “I know I keep harping on this, but I can’t be the only one that thinks this way. He’s got all the tools. Give him the opportunity.” According to Styles, Knight understands what would be expected of him if he were to become a world champion. That includes not only defending the championship but also representing WWE outside the ring. “He knows what comes with being a champion. He’s got it. And I’m not just talking about holding the heavyweight championship around your waist,” Styles explained. “When it comes to interviews and what you got to do to represent the WWE, he has those tools to be able to get it done and I think he’d do it flawlessly.” Knight has also already experienced what it is like to challenge Roman Reigns for a world championship. The two faced each other at Crown Jewel in 2023, with Reigns retaining the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship after interference from The Bloodline. The match helped establish Knight as a legitimate main-event performer, even though he ultimately failed to capture the championship. Now, the possibility of another encounter has become interesting again. Reigns is currently the World Heavyweight Champion, while Knight remains involved in WWE's world championship picture. Recent WWE storylines have also kept the two names in the same conversation, with Knight's championship ambitions continuing to be part of his character.

BY SACNILK

Zilla Fatu made an immediate impression during his arrival on WWE NXT, and AJ Styles was among those impressed by what the young star brought to the show. Fatu made his WWE debut on the August 11 episode of NXT, interrupting the match between Grayson Waller and Cruz Montana. The contest was set to determine the next challenger for Tony D’Angelo’s NXT Championship, but Fatu's arrival changed everything as he attacked both competitors. Styles had a close look at the segment because he was involved in producing the match between Waller and Montana. Speaking on The AJ Styles Show, he first praised both wrestlers for the way they handled the bout, explaining that he did not have to heavily guide them because of their experience. “There’s not a lot you have to do in this because you got two pros who’ve been on television. They know what they’re doing. I had no worries that they’d get it done in the time that they needed to. Total pros.” Styles also singled out Waller for praise, saying he feels the former NXT star is underrated in his current role. “Grayson Waller is very underrated. I think it’s very good, the heel work that he’s doing right now. He’s the pissed-off, ‘I’m going to tell you what I think and if you don’t like it, come do something about it.’ I kind of like that.” The match itself also left an impression on Styles. He pointed out that Waller and Montana were not holding back and appeared to have genuinely put themselves through a physical contest. “It wasn’t that they just went out there and, I don’t know if you saw them both at the end of their match, but there was bruises on their chest. Like these guys, there was a boot mark on Cruz’s face. They got after it. There was some very real stuff that was going on.” After watching the two wrestlers deliver a hard-hitting match, Styles said he was impressed by what happened when Fatu entered the picture. The son of the late Umaga made his presence felt immediately, taking the fight to both Waller and Montana. For Styles, it was not simply the attack itself that stood out. He was particularly impressed by Fatu's overall presence. “He looks like a star. Just his presence. It’s a very intimidating presence.” Styles also pointed out a detail that made Fatu's attack look even more painful. The WWE Hall of Famer noted that Fatu delivered his splashes without wearing knee pads. “And if you don’t know how scary he is, he did those splashes without knee pads. If you knew that, right? Come on, it kind of sucks.” The NXT crowd also reacted strongly to Fatu's arrival, something Styles noticed while discussing the moment. “The fans went crazy in NXT. So, yeah, it was a really cool moment.” Fatu's arrival has generated considerable attention since his WWE debut. He is the son of Umaga and part of the wider Anoa’i-Fatu wrestling family, which includes several major WWE stars. His debut also came at an important point for NXT, with the brand introducing a number of new faces to its men's division.

BY SACNILK

Kevin Nash once challenged The Ultimate Warrior to a $100,000 MMA-style fight after the two exchanged shots on Twitter. Years later, Nash revealed what happened when they finally met face-to-face. The former WWE Champion looked back on his unusual feud with Warrior during a recent interview with Inside The Ropes, recalling how a simple Twitter exchange turned into a challenge for a three-round fight. The incident began in 2012 after a fan asked Warrior why he didn't dye his hair. Warrior responded with a comment about not being someone who tried to steal the spotlight from younger talent. Nash took the comment personally and fired back. "I thought we got on well," Nash wrote before challenging Warrior to put up $100,000 for a three-round fight under MMA rules, with the winner taking everything. Looking back, Nash admitted he knew the challenge would get a reaction. "I knew it would strike a nerve because I knew he was deathly afraid of me," Nash said. Nash also claimed he spent only about 30 seconds writing his response, while Warrior took considerably longer to respond. "It took me, I don't know, maybe 30 seconds to type that," Nash recalled. "He spent three days to put together a seven-minute tirade that had about 45 edits." Nash said he never seriously expected the fight to happen. In fact, he believed the two could have turned the situation into a profitable spectacle if Warrior had played along. "I just said, 'Jesus, dude, it was a work,'" Nash said. "If he was smart we could have done the Jake Paul before Jake Paul was even Jake Paul." When asked what he would have done if Warrior had actually accepted the challenge, Nash didn't hesitate."Beat his bottom up," he said. Despite their public argument, Nash and Warrior eventually made peace. The two crossed paths backstage at the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, where Scott Hall was inducted. Warrior was also being presented with his Hall of Fame induction by Vince McMahon. Nash recalled seeing Warrior and deciding to put the old feud aside. "I went up and I hugged him," Nash said. Nash remembered Warrior being visibly soaked with sweat despite the room being extremely cold. The moment took on greater significance because Warrior died only a few days later at the age of 54. Looking back now, Nash's story about Warrior is less about their old Twitter argument and more about how quickly things can change. The veteran wrestler also spoke about losing many of the people he came up with, including Scott Hall and Hulk Hogan. "When you go to the dog park... you get to a point and you say to yourself, well, the average age is kind of 76. So, I got 10 years. Which means I got 520 weekends left," Nash said. "That's not a lot of weekends."

BY SACNILK

WWE Monday Night Raw returns this week on August 17, 2026, live from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The show streams live on Netflix in the United States starting at 8:00 PM ET, continuing the post-SummerSlam build as several ongoing storylines head toward their next chapter. The card is headlined by Chad Gable defending his newly won Intercontinental Championship against Rey Mysterio, alongside two first-round matches in the World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament, a Women's Intercontinental Championship match between Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria, and the long-awaited return of Roman Reigns, who is set to be on hand as Jey Uso delivers Solo Sikoa to him following weeks of Bloodline fallout. WWE Raw 8/17/26 Confirmed Match Card WWE Intercontinental Championship: Chad Gable (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Gable won the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam by defeating Penta, and he wasted no time lining up his first challenger. On the following episode of Raw, Gable approached Mysterio backstage and called him "the greatest luchador of all time," offering him a shot at the title as a sign of respect. Mysterio, who is currently juggling in-ring competition with his role as General Manager of AAA, accepted on the spot. Gable said he'd get Raw GM Adam Pearce to make it official, and Pearce has now confirmed the match for this week's show. It will be just the second-ever singles meeting between the two, with Mysterio winning their first encounter back in October 2022. Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria This one grows out of the increasingly tense dynamic in the women's division. Ruca has been chasing a rematch for the Women's Intercontinental Championship, while Valkyria — the first-ever holder of that title — has grown more erratic in recent weeks, repeatedly bringing up her attack on Bayley at Madison Square Garden. The two clashed backstage after Ruca and IYO Sky's tag win on August 10, arguing over who deserves the next shot at the title. That unresolved tension sets up this singles matchup, with both women looking to establish themselves as the top contender. Roman Reigns Returns Roman Reigns is advertised to make his return to WWE television this week, stepping back into the spotlight as the World Heavyweight Championship picture continues to take shape around him via the ongoing No. 1 Contender's Tournament. Jey Uso to Deliver Solo Sikoa to Roman Reigns This segment is the payoff to a stipulation match earlier on Raw, where Jey Uso defeated Solo Sikoa under terms that determined Sikoa's future with the Bloodline. Had Sikoa won, he would have been free of the group for good; instead, Uso's victory means Sikoa must fall back in line, and Uso is set to personally deliver him to Reigns on this show. World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament: Rey Fenix vs. El Fiscal One of two first-round matches set to determine who eventually earns a shot at Reigns' World Heavyweight Championship, pitting Fenix's high-flying lucha style against El Fiscal in a first-round showdown. World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament: Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. The second first-round tournament match of the night, continuing WWE's push to spotlight top lucha libre talent as part of the road to crowning Reigns' next challenger. Predicted Match Card Chad Gable retains the Intercontinental Championship in a competitive back-and-forth with Rey Mysterio, likely with some form of outside interference or a controversial finish, given how protective WWE has been of new champions so soon after a title change. Solo Sikoa doesn't go quietly when Jey Uso brings him in front of Roman Reigns — expect a chaotic segment, possibly with another Bloodline member inserting themselves, rather than a clean, peaceful resolution. Dragon Lee and Rey Fenix both advance in their respective tournament matches, setting up a lucha-heavy path toward the next World Heavyweight Championship contender. Where and When to Watch WWE Raw WWE Raw airs live in the United States on Netflix at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT. United Kingdom & Ireland: 1:00 AM BST (Tuesday) on Netflix India: 5:30 AM IST (Tuesday) on Netflix Australia: 10:00 AM AEST (Tuesday) on Netflix Mexico: 6:00 PM CST (Monday) on Netflix

BY SACNILK

Chad Gable vs. Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship is officially set for tomorrow night's WWE Raw. The title match headlines a stacked card that also features tournament action, a Roman Reigns appearance, and fallout from the Jey Uso–Solo Sikoa stipulation match. WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce announced it in an Instagram post ahead of Monday's show, which airs live from the KeyBank Centre in Buffalo, New York. The match itself came together after Gable won the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam by defeating Penta. On the following episode of Raw, Gable approached Mysterio backstage, calling him "the greatest luchador of all time" and offering him the first shot at the title. Mysterio, currently balancing in-ring competition with his role as General Manager of AAA, accepted the challenge on the spot, and Gable said he'd get Pearce to make it official — which he has now done for tomorrow's show. It marks just the second-ever singles meeting between the two, with their first coming back in October 2022. The rest of the card is loaded around the ongoing World Heavyweight Championship picture. Two first-round matches in the No. 1 Contender's Tournament are set, with Dragon Lee taking on El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., and Rey Fenix squaring off against El Fiscal, as WWE continues narrowing the field for a future shot at Roman Reigns' title. Reigns himself is advertised to appear on the show. Also on tap is a women's division matchup between Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria, along with continued fallout from Jey Uso's win over Solo Sikoa, as the Bloodline storyline moves toward Reigns' return.

BY SACNILK

Layla has opened up about the difficult transition she experienced after leaving WWE, admitting that her identity had become so closely connected to being a WWE Diva that she eventually felt she had lost herself. The former WWE Women's Champion discussed her post-WWE life during an appearance on TMZ Inside the Ring, explaining why she deliberately disappeared from the wrestling world following her retirement in 2015. Layla said that when she finally left WWE, she realized that being a WWE Diva had become a major part of her identity. "When I left WWE, Layla was like my whole identity was kind of lost," she explained. "I believe my identity was just around that I'm a WWE Diva." After spending nine years in WWE, Layla decided that she needed a complete break rather than immediately pursuing appearances, wrestling-related projects or other opportunities. "When I retired, I literally just disappeared," Layla said. The former Divas Champion explained that she stopped doing everything connected to wrestling because she needed to focus on herself. She acknowledged that her decision may have hurt some relationships within the wrestling industry, with people potentially believing that she had taken her distance personally. "I lost a lot of like wrestling family relationships and that because I think a lot of people took it personally," she said. "But that wasn't... it was nothing about anybody else. It was just about myself." Layla also spoke candidly about another difficult aspect of stepping away from the entertainment industry: getting older after spending years being presented primarily for her appearance. "Growing up, getting older... when you've always been like for your looks and stuff like that, like it was eye candy for a very long time," Layla said. "Getting older as a female, it's tough." Rather than immediately returning to wrestling, Layla said she needed to close that chapter of her life completely. She believes that decision ultimately helped her find herself again. "I needed it for myself," she explained. "I was being very selfish and taking care of me at that time and that's what I needed."

BY SACNILK

Former WWE Divas Champion Layla has finally revealed what was really behind one of the most unexpected moments of her WWE career, admitting that her viral interaction with AJ Lee during a 2013 match was completely unplanned. The moment happened during a singles match between Layla and AJ Lee on the May 20, 2013 episode of WWE Raw. AJ ultimately picked up the victory by applying her signature Black Widow submission, but it was what happened during the finish that caught the attention of fans watching at home. After the match reached its conclusion, Layla appeared to tap out while AJ had her trapped in the submission. However, instead of simply tapping the mat, Layla reached toward AJ and appeared to grab her backside. The unusual moment was picked up by the cameras and quickly became one of the more talked-about clips from Layla's WWE run. Contemporary coverage of the match also specifically noted the unusual interaction after Layla's apparent submission. During an appearance on TMZ Inside the Ring, Layla was shown the viral moment and asked whether the spot had been planned beforehand or whether she was simply tapping wherever she could. "No, it was my fault," she admitted. The former WWE Women's Champion explained that she sometimes became so immersed in what was happening inside the ring that she forgot the cameras were capturing every little thing. "I forget the camera's on and I thought that nobody would see that," Layla said. According to Layla, there was no secret WWE plan behind the moment. She was simply trying to mess with AJ and make her laugh while they were working the match. "I was just squeezing her butt, like messing with her," Layla revealed. That explanation gives the moment an entirely different context. What appeared on television to be an unusual part of the submission sequence was actually Layla breaking from the seriousness of the match for a brief joke with AJ. Layla also admitted that she had no idea the cameras had captured the interaction or that fans would eventually turn it into a viral clip. "I didn't even know that people saw it," she said. The former Divas Champion explained that she was particularly surprised because AJ was in an important stage of her WWE career at the time. Layla said she was only trying to make her opponent laugh at the end of the match, rather than intentionally creating a moment that would be replayed by wrestling fans for years. "I was just trying to mess with her, like to make her laugh at the end," Layla explained.

BY SACNILK

Raquel Rodriguez has revealed that the skin condition that previously forced her to step away from WWE has not completely gone away, but she has learned to manage it and use the symptoms as a warning sign from her body. Speaking about the condition during her recent appearance on Busted Open, Rodriguez was asked whether she worries about the issue returning and affecting her wrestling career. She explained that she still experiences occasional flare-ups, particularly when her body is under stress. “I've really learned to live with it this past year because it's not like it's fully gone away,” Rodriguez said. “I can talk right now. I have a couple of spots, a couple of rashes that pop up because of obvious reasons.” Rodriguez explained that she has learned to recognize what triggers her symptoms. Stress, poor sleep, an unhealthy diet and traveling can all affect her condition, making her skin something of an early warning system. “When I'm stressed or I'm not eating right or I'm not getting enough sleep or I'm not in my natural environment, my skin tends to show me, you know, hey, you need to bring it back. You need to calm down and you need to relax,” she explained. “And so, my skin has kind of been like my warning sign this past year.” Rather than allowing the condition to prevent her from wrestling, Rodriguez said the experience has forced her to make healthier decisions. She revealed that she now pays closer attention to rest, sleep and her diet and has also reduced her alcohol consumption, particularly while traveling. Rodriguez admitted that dealing with the condition has been difficult, but she believes it has ultimately made her stronger. “I've just learned to live with it and actually because of it I feel like it's made me stronger. It's made me mentally stronger. And it's made me more confident too,” Rodriguez said. The WWE star also revealed that other people have approached her to discuss similar problems and ask how she handles them. That has given Rodriguez another reason to be open about her experience.

BY SACNILK

Roxanne Perez believes she may have played a bigger role in John Cena’s retirement than anyone expected. During her appearance on Not Sam Wrestling Live, Perez was asked about her involvement in Cena’s retirement tour and the moment she hit the WWE legend with her Pop Rocks. Rather than simply looking at it as another memorable WWE moment, Perez embraced the idea that she was the one who helped end Cena’s career. “Yeah, you wouldn't have thought that Roxanne Perez would be the one to retire John Cena, right? Cuz it was me. It was me,” Perez said. Perez then joked about the effect her finisher supposedly had on Cena, claiming that the WWE legend was so embarrassed by the moment that he could no longer return to the ring. “He was so embarrassed that he I hit him with a Pop Rocks, he was so embarrassed. He just can't show his face ever again in a wrestling ring,” Perez said. The moment was particularly significant for Perez because Cena was one of the wrestlers she grew up watching. She revealed that one of her earliest memories of professional wrestling was watching Cena face The Rock at WrestleMania. “Honestly, yeah. I mean, uh one of the first memories I have of uh watching pro wrestling, which don't judge me, I was 10 years old and I'm younger than probably all of you guys here, was John Cena versus The Rock Once in a Lifetime,” Perez recalled. Perez then explained why the experience felt so surreal to her, considering how much time had passed between watching Cena as a young fan and eventually sharing the ring with him during his farewell run. “So, the fact that years later 12 years later, actually, I am retiring John Cena, and that just goes to show why they call me the prodigy,” Perez stated. Perez's comments fit perfectly with the confident persona she has adopted in WWE. The former prodigy who once watched Cena as a fan is now comfortable claiming that she helped bring the legendary Superstar's career to an end.

BY SACNILK

Roxanne Perez has opened up about her transformation from a young WWE hopeful into one of the company's most confident villains, revealing how her mindset completely changed after she stopped looking up to the stars she once idolized. Perez discussed her character evolution during an appearance on Not Sam Wrestling Live, where she explained that she was once simply happy to be a WWE Superstar. However, she eventually realized that admiring other wrestlers would not help her achieve the level of success she wanted. “I went from being someone that was just happy to be here. I was just like all of you guys sitting in the crowd, just hoping to be a WWE Superstar one day, and looking up to all the wrestlers,” Perez said. Perez specifically mentioned AJ Lee, Bayley and Paige as wrestlers she looked up to when she was younger. Her attitude toward those stars has changed considerably, though, as she now sees herself as someone capable of surpassing the women who inspired her. That change in mindset has also played a major role in her current heel character. Rather than trying to win over the WWE Universe, Perez has embraced her arrogance and believes she is already operating at a different level. “This is the best I've ever felt in my entire career,” Perez said. Her transformation has coincided with her run as a member of The Judgment Day. Perez joined the faction in 2025 and became part of its women's division alongside Raquel Rodriguez. The group has given her a prominent role on WWE's main roster, and Perez believes it has helped her avoid becoming another young talent who gets lost in the shuffle. Perez also defended The Judgment Day against the constant speculation that the faction is heading toward a breakup. She argued that the group's internal disagreements should not be confused with a lack of loyalty. “Families fight, right? Brothers, sisters, parents, kids, we all fight. But that doesn't mean that we won't stick by each other when we need each other,” Perez explained. “We're family. And a win for one is a win for all.” Perez's confidence has now reached the point where she is openly challenging WWE legends. She pointed to her victories over Nikki Bella and made it clear that she wants to face more established names. “Bring me all the legends. Bring them all,” Perez declared. One legend in particular remains on Perez's radar: AJ Lee. When asked why she did not include Lee among the wrestlers she believes she is better than, Perez made it clear that she wants an opportunity to prove herself against the former Divas Champion. “I need my match and then I can prove that I am better than her,” Perez said. Perez's comments show just how far her character has evolved. The wrestler who once watched AJ Lee and other WWE stars as heroes now wants to stand across the ring from them and prove she has surpassed them. Despite her current position in The Judgment Day and her growing confidence, Perez insists that fans have not seen her best yet. “This is not my peak at all. I have so much more to show you guys,” she said.

BY SACNILK

World Wrestling Entertainment is continuing to fortify its massive intellectual property catalog, officially submitting a brand-new trademark application that hints at a fresh character debut or a major persona repackage. According to public records from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), WWE filed an application for the term "Andi Summers" on August 14, 2026. The filing was submitted under Goods and Services Class 41, which specifically covers "entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media." WWE routinely locks down rights to unique names weeks—and sometimes months—before they ever debut on television. Historically, filings like this point to a few specific creative directions: As of this writing, no active performer on the WWE, NXT, or Level Up rosters has been publicly assigned the name. However, given the rapid turnaround time between USPTO filings and television debuts, the WWE Universe likely won’t have to wait long to see exactly who will be bringing "Andi Summers" to life. "IC 041: Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer rendered live and through broadcast media including television and radio, and via the internet or commercial online service; providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment via an online community portal; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information; fan club services, namely, organizing sporting events in the field of wrestling for wrestling fan club members; organizing social entertainment events for entertainment purposes for wrestling fan club members; providing online newsletters in the fields of sports entertainment; online journals, namely blogs, in the field of sports entertainment."