BY JITU JANGIR

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 JITU JANGIR

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 JITU JANGIR

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 SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 16 - Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures' Spider-Man: Brand New Day has created history at the worldwide box office. The Tom Holland-led blockbuster has crossed the $2 billion mark globally, becoming the first Spider-Man movie in history to achieve the milestone. The film's extraordinary theatrical run has now taken it into one of the most exclusive clubs in cinema history. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The achievement is even more remarkable considering the speed at which Brand New Day has reached the milestone. The film has crossed $2 billion in just 20 days, making it the second-fastest movie ever to reach the $2 billion mark, behind only Avengers: Endgame, which achieved the feat in 11 days. Ne Zha 2 took 33 days, while Avatar: The Way of Water needed 39 days and Avatar took 47 days. The milestone represents a phenomenal turnaround for the Spider-Man franchise. Spider-Man: No Way Home previously stood as the highest-grossing Spider-Man film worldwide, finishing its theatrical run at around $1.92 billion. Brand New Day has now comfortably surpassed that figure by the third Sunday and has established a new franchise benchmark. It had already become one of the biggest theatrical successes of 2026 after crossing $1 billion worldwide in just six days. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film's journey to $2 billion has been powered by an extraordinary opening and strong legs across domestic and international markets. Brand New Day opened to around $941.8 million worldwide, including a record-breaking $360 million domestic (North America) opening weekend, before continuing its momentum through subsequent weeks. With the $2 billion milestone now achieved, Spider-Man: Brand New Day has become only the 8th movie in the world to do so and has officially joined the most elite group in box-office history. More importantly, it becomes the first Spider-Man film to cross $2 billion worldwide, giving Tom Holland's superhero film a record that previous franchise entries could not achieve. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Films That Crossed $2 Billion Worldwide S. No. Movie Release Year Worldwide Gross Days To $2B 1 Avatar 2009 $ 2.92 Billion 47 Days 2 Avengers: Endgame 2019 $ 2.80 Billion 11 Days 3 Avatar: The Way of Water 2022 $ 2.33 Billion 39 Days 4 Titanic 1997 $ 2.26 Billion — 5 Ne Zha 2 2025 $ 2.20 Billion 33 Days 6 Avengers: Infinity War 2018 $ 2.05 Billion 48 Days 7 Star Wars: The Force Awakens 2015 $ 2.07 Billion 53 Days 8 Spider-Man: Brand New Day 2026 $ 2.00+ Billion 20 Days

BY JITU JANGIR

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 JITU JANGIR

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 SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 16 - Superstar Yash has finally addressed the much-discussed 4,000 crore budget of director Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, clarifying that the figure being reported is not the production cost of the first part alone. The actor, who plays Ravana and is also the co-producer in the two-part epic, explained that the massive amount covers the entire project and its global release strategy. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Speaking on Rajat Sharma's Aap Ki Adalat, Yash said that the 4,000 crore figure, which was reportedly claimed by producer Namit Malhotra, is for both parts of Ramayana, including release and promotional expenses. He described the approach as being similar to "Hollywood math", where significant amounts are allocated towards marketing and worldwide distribution because the films are designed for a global audience. Yash further explained that the scale of the investment needs to be viewed in the context of the film's worldwide ambitions. According to him, if the expenditure is global, the revenue opportunity is also global. He stressed that Ramayana and his upcoming Toxic are attempts to position Indian cinema as a truly global cinematic force. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana, with Nitesh Tiwari directing the ambitious two-part adaptation. Yash is also serving as a co-producer alongside Namit Malhotra. The first part is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 6, 2026, while the second part is expected in 2027. The 4,000 crore figure had generated considerable discussion among trade circles, particularly because it would make Ramayana the most expensive Indian film project ever mounted. Yash's clarification now makes it clear that the headline figure encompasses both films as well as their global release and promotional costs, rather than representing the production budget of Ramayana Part 1 alone. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) #Yash clears all the rumours around MAMMOTH 4000 Cr Budget of Ramayana. - 4000 Cr is NOT for Part 1, 4000 Cr is for Both the Parts INCLUDING PROMOTIONS. - Half of the budget sometimes got spent on GLOBAL PROMOTIONS of Movie and the 4000 Cr Number includes that. - So, 4000… pic.twitter.com/Dhf1msWcXg— KBP Reviews🏹 (@KshitizCritic) August 16, 2026

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 16 - The Indian box office witnessed a strong surge on Independence Day 2026, with the combined collections of the major releases crossing the 100 crore gross mark on August 15. Leading the charge was Emraan Hashmi's Awarapan 2, which emerged as the clear winner of the day, while Sunny Deol's Batwara 1947 also recorded a significant jump. The strong holiday business comes despite a crowded theatrical landscape that also includes Spider-Man: Brand New Day and other ongoing releases. Awarapan 2 was the biggest contributor to the Independence Day box office. After opening at around 22 crore net (26.50 crore gross) on Friday, the sequel recorded a substantial jump of over 50% on Saturday to score 33.75 crore net (40.50 crore gross), taking its two-day India net collection past 50 crore. Its India gross total stood at around 67 crore by the end of Day 2, while worldwide collections were 72 crore. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Tamil superstar Suriya's Vishwanath and Sons was the second biggest film of the day with around 26 crore gross collection on August 15, after 17.75 crore gross opening day. The movie benefited from the positive word of mouth among family audiences and is expected to continue its strong run. The film's total India gross is around 43.50 crores after two days. Batwara 1947 also benefited heavily from the national holiday. The Sunny Deol and Preity Zinta starrer jumped by nearly 135% on Saturday, collecting around 13.50 crore net (16.20 crore gross), after the low opening day of around 7 crore gross (5.75 crore net). The film's two-day India net stood at approximately 19.25 crore, with its India gross reaching around 23 crore. The sharp jump gives the period drama a much-needed boost as it heads into the rest of the extended weekend. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) India Box Office on Independence Day 2026 (August 15) S. No. Movie India Gross 1 Awarapan 2 ₹ 40.50 Cr 2 Vishwanath & Sons ₹ 26 Cr 3 Batwara 1947 ₹ 16.20 Cr 4 Spider-Man: Brand New Day ₹ 12 Cr 5 DC Movie ₹ 6.30 Cr Meanwhile, Spider-Man: Brand New Day continued to contribute to the overall market despite entering its third week. The Hollywood blockbuster collected around 10 crore gross on its 17th day, translating into approximately 12 crore gross for the day. The film had already accumulated around 550 crore gross in India by the third Saturday, and is on course to finish above the massive 575 crore gross. Among the other releases, Lokesh Kanagaraj's acting debut, DC, grossed around 6.30 crores on August 15, while other holdovers also contributed decently. The combined total gross on August 15 at the Indian box office was around 110 crores, making it among the biggest box office days of the year. With Awarapan 2 taking the top spot and Vishwanath & Sons and Batwara 1947 delivering a major holiday jump, the Independence Day frame has provided a major boost to the Indian theatrical business.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 16 - Ranveer Singh's much-awaited post-apocalyptic thriller Pralay has officially been confirmed after months of speculation, marking the beginning of one of the most ambitious projects in the actor's upcoming lineup. Directed by debutant filmmaker Jai Mehta, the film has been in the news for several months, with reports previously suggesting that production would begin in August. The latest development now confirms that the shoot of the film begins today (August 16) in Mumbai. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film was initially expected to shoot extensively in Australia, with earlier reports claiming that a major portion of the schedule would be filmed there. However, the makers have now shifted the production to Mumbai. The move comes after the team reworked its shooting plans, using Mumbai to bring the film's post-apocalyptic setting to life. Pralay is said to be a large-scale survival thriller set against a zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic backdrop. Ranveer will headline the film, while Kalyani Priyadarshan has been confirmed as the female lead. The project is reportedly mounted on a massive budget of around 300 crore, which would make it one of the most expensive standalone films of Ranveer's career. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The film has also generated curiosity because of its technical ambitions. The story is reportedly set in a devastated version of Mumbai, requiring extensive visual effects and practical work to create its world. Reports have previously suggested that the makers were exploring international talent for the prosthetics and effects, underlining the scale at which Mehta intends to mount the zombie thriller. With Pralay now officially in production, Ranveer Singh is set to enter a completely different space after the success of Dhurandhar. The film is produced by Ananya Birla's Birla Studios, in association with True Story Films, and Maa Kasam Films. It will be released in 2027.

BY JITU JANGIR

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."

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 15 - Superstar Yash's Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups is one of the most anticipated Indian films of 2026, with the actor promising a dark and unconventional cinematic experience. Ahead of its August 26 release, the film has also generated discussion over its mature themes and intimate scenes. Addressing the criticism, Yash has clarified that Toxic is not attempting to be provocative for the sake of it, but is designed to explore adult themes through a distinct visual and narrative language. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Speaking about the intimate content during Aap Ki Adalat, Yash drew a line between mature storytelling and vulgarity. The actor pointed out that the film does not rely on explicit romance and even remarked, "I haven't even kissed," while explaining his perspective on the scenes. According to Yash, the sequences have been approached aesthetically and are part of the film's larger storytelling rather than being inserted simply to create controversy. The actor also described Toxic as a film that is particularly aimed at Gen Z audiences. He explained that the movie explores the questions younger generations ask about rules, expectations and the way society has traditionally been structured. Rather than simply presenting a conventional action drama, Toxic attempts to examine these ideas through the perspective of its characters and their choices. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) The comments come at a time when expectations around Toxic are steadily rising following the release of its trailer. The film has positioned Yash in a radically different avatar, while Geetu Mohandas' direction has promised a darker and more stylised world. The combination of action, mature themes and an unconventional narrative has helped the film stand apart from conventional big-screen entertainers. Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups also features an ensemble cast including Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, Huma Qureshi and Rukmini Vasanth. With Yash now addressing the controversy surrounding its intimate content and explaining the film's Gen Z-focused themes, the makers will be hoping that the curiosity translates into a strong theatrical opening when Toxic arrives in cinemas on August 26, 2026.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Suriya starrer Vishwanath and Sons has officially crossed the prestigious one million ticket sales milestone on BookMyShow within just 48 hours of its release. This achievement marks a significant moment for the film, as it highlights the strong audience pull it has managed to sustain following its opening day. By reaching this mark so quickly, the movie has already surpassed the lifetime ticket sales of several notable releases on the platform, including Parasakthi, Retro, and Kanguva. It is clear that the collaboration between Suriya and director Venky Atluri is attracting a wide range of viewers across urban and semi-urban centers. The performance on its first Saturday shows a steady growth compared to the opening Friday. Between the window of 7 am and 3 pm today, the film sold approximately 219K tickets on the platform. When looking at other recent major releases for context, this puts the film in a very competitive bracket.The hourly momentum further supports this upward trend. During the 5 pm to 6 pm window today, approximately 24,640 tickets were booked, which is an improvement over the 23,860 tickets sold during the same hour yesterday. Looking at the cumulative daily count, the total tickets sold since 6 am today stands at approximately 2,93,540. This is a substantial jump from the 2,03,100 tickets sold during the same period on Friday, representing nearly a 45 percent increase in booking speed. Such a spike on a Saturday is a clear indicator that the family audience is turning up in large numbers. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) By achieving this 1 million mark within two days, Vishwanath and Sons has entered an exclusive club of Kollywood films that have seen similar rapid traction on BookMyShow. It currently sits at the 12th position on this elite list. Here are the films that have successfully crossed the one million ticket milestone by their second day of release: Coolie Leo Jailer Jana Nayagan The GOAT Vettaiyan Amaran Indian 2 GBU Vidaamuyarchi Karuppu Vishwanath and Sons The steady performance in both the Tamil and Telugu markets has been the primary driver for these high numbers. Additionally, the film's strong presence in major cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru has ensured that the show counts remain high. Given that the Sunday bookings are already looking promising, the movie is well-positioned to end its opening weekend with a very strong total.