Inside The Ropes

30/10/2026

Shawn Michaels is seemingly set for a big promotion behind the scenes.

Earlier this week, it was reported that long-time WWE executive Bruce Prichard is set to retire from his role as Executive Director of Creative Writing & Talent at WrestleMania 43 next year. Reports claim Prichard is still expected to contribute to the company as a remote consultant, but will no longer work full-time.

As for his replacement, PWInsider reports that current backstage plans are for NXT head honcho Shawn Michaels to take over Prichard's position. The WWE Hall of Famer has had a long history of working behind the scenes, taking over NXT executive duties from Triple H back in 2021.

Is HBK the right man for the job? Who should replace him as head of NXT if he does take over from Prichard? 🤔

28/10/2026

WWE Crown Jewel is undergoing some last minute changes.

The official Riyadh Season X account announced earlier today that Crown Jewel is being moved to a new venue and that all tickets are being refunded.

"We would like to inform you that WWE Crown Jewel has been moved to a new venue. All ticket holders will receive a full refund, and tickets will be re-released to everyone within the next 48 hours."

Despite recent attacks in the region, the event is still expected to take place in Saudi Arabia. PWInsider reports Crown Jewel will be remaining in Riyadh while Fightful Select later added that WWE officials only found out about the change when Riyadh Season made the announcement.

27/10/2026

John Cena is back on WWE TV.

During last night's Raw, it was announced that John Cena is set to appear on the November 2nd episode next week. This marks his first appearance on RAW, and WWE TV overall, since retiring from the ring at Saturday Night's Main Event last December.

Cena has since confirmed on social media that the appearance will kickstart the John Cena Classic, the tournament he announced at Backlash earlier this year. Unlike traditional tournaments, however, the winner will be determined by a fan vote rather than match results.

How are you feeling about the John Cena Classic? Who would you like to see win? 🤔

25/10/2026

Cody Rhodes believes The Rock hasn't hung up his wrestling boots just yet.

The Great One last competed at WrestleMania 40 where he teamed with Roman Reigns to take on Rhodes and Seth Rollins. The match was the result of a tumultuous build which, at one point, seemed to be leading to a singles match between Rhodes and Rock.

In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Rhodes was asked about the match and if he and The Rock were ever meant to have a one-on-one match:

"It’s not that I’m evading that answer. It’s that I don’t really know how to answer because I think personally he has a couple of matches probably left to do," Rhodes admitted. "I think that personally, but I also know looking at WrestleMania 40 and another guy who he’s given all, continues to give all as part of the board."

"He could easily say that was a great final piece as a performer in a wrestling ring. That’ll be up to him. That’ll certainly be up to him if there’s more and what those matches might be. I don’t think any wrestler would ever look you in the eye and tell you they wouldn’t want a match like that."

(h/t to Fightful for the transcription)

24/10/2026

All the best to the Nature Boy ❤️

TMZ reported Friday that Flair had been rushed to hospital after suffering a fall outside of a Florida restaurant. The news came hours after Flair announced he'd be unable to appear at a convention in Washington due to an ongoing blood clot.

Thankfully, however, it appears he's already on the mend. In an update posted on social media, Flair thanked fans for their support as well as medical staff at Tampa General Hospital for their care.

"Thank You All For The Messages And Prayers! I Will Get Back To You Each Individually As I Get Stronger," Flair wrote. "Thank You To All The Tampa General Hospital Staff And Doctors That Put Up With Me Until 4:30am. I Appreciate You All And Thank You For Everything You Did For Me! I Am Focused On My Healing And Recovery Right Now. I Will Be Okay!"

Everyone here at Inside The Ropes wishes Ric the best in his recovery.

23/10/2026

WWE Crown Jewel appears to be going ahead despite ongoing security concerns.

Ari Emanuel addressed the status of Crown Jewel during a recent interview with Fox News. Despite uncertainty following recent attacks in the region, the TKO Executive Chairman revealed WWE still plans to go ahead with the event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

“Right now, everything is still set," Emanuel said. "This weekend coming up in Abu Dhabi, we have a UFC fight. We have in the middle of November a Frieze art show. So far so good. Nothing’s been cancelled.”

“We have a whole team kind of working on this, and if that doesn’t happen, where we can move it. It’s a daily monitoring," he added.

The update comes days after the US State Department ordered non-emergency US staff based in Saudi Arabia to leave the country due to the recent tensions.

(h/t to F4WOnline for the transcription)

22/10/2026

Some good news about Good Ol' JR.

Jim Ross shared a concerning health update on social media last week, revealing that he was back in hospital after experiencing low oxygen levels. The news came less than a week after Ross underwent brain surgery for the second time in recent months.

However, it appears he's now on the mend. JR's long-time podcast co-host Conrad Thompson shared that Ross is now recovering at home during the latest edition of Grilling JR:

"As you all know, J.R. had to do a little outpatient visit recently, and it turns out he got a little bit of a chest cold. He’s got some sort of infection in his chest," Thompson revealed.

"They said his oxygen was low, so he spent the night in the hospital, but I’m happy to report that he is home and on the mend. They still haven’t gotten his shunt hooked back up yet, so we’re hoping for that sooner rather than later."

(h/t to POST Wrestling for the transcription)

21/10/2026

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We're thrilled to be bringing NIKKI STORM home to Glasgow!

Join us next month where she'll open up on her WWE run, winning gold as Nikki A.S.H., The Wyatt Sicks, SAnitY and more! Plus, get an autograph and photo with her as part of our VIP experience!

Tickets on sale this Wednesday at 7pm! 👇👇

21/10/2026

Ric Flair believes Tony Khan is one of the greatest wrestling promoters ever.

During a recent interview with Biff Poggi of NewsNation, Flair had high praise for the AEW President and even made the bold claim that Khan is one of the greatest promoters in the business when asked about the people who make the backstage decisions.

“It’s internal. I don’t know who makes the final decision. With Tony Khan, who runs AEW, who is really one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known, Tony has a group of people, which I’m sure they do at WWE, that he circles up with. And Tony does it right there. Tony Khan may be the greatest promoter of all time.”

“I’m saying in wrestling,” Flair went on to clarify. “He may not be as smart as Vince McMahon, but only through, you know, years and years. Because Vince was really smart and very clever. But Tony’s a great guy, generous to a fault.”

(h/t to F4WOnline for the transcription)

20/10/2026

We're thrilled to be bringing NIKKI STORM home to Glasgow!

Join us next month where she'll open up on her WWE run, winning gold as Nikki A.S.H., The Wyatt Sicks, SAnitY and more! Plus, get an autograph and photo with her as part of our VIP experience!

Tickets on sale this Wednesday at 7pm! 👇👇