In recent months, WWE has been generating excitement with the return of seasoned superstars, such as CM Punk and Carlito. Adding to the anticipation, reports suggest the comeback of the formidable tag team, the Authors of Pain (AOP). Despite their release in 2020 and subsequent reassignment in 2022 under Vince McMahon’s leadership, the duo, consisting of Ekam and Razor, has been noticeably absent from TV time.

According to a recent PWinsider report, the Authors of Pain are set to make their return at SmackDown: New Year’s Revolution on the January 5, 2023, episode. This news has stirred enthusiasm among fans, especially following a mysterious video package featuring Karrion Kross and Scarlett on a recent SmackDown episode. In the cryptic message, Kross hinted at the destruction of notable wrestlers like Drew McIntyre and Shinsuke Nakamura, suggesting a potential alliance with the “authors.”

It’s worth noting that Ekam and Razor, collectively known as the Authors of Pain, have previously achieved significant success as a tag team. They secured the Raw Tag Team Championship upon their main roster promotion and also clinched the NXT Tag Team Title during their time in NXT. Renowned for their strength and skills, they are poised to reclaim their status as one of the top teams in the company.

The zenith of their career came when they aligned themselves with Seth Rollins, forming a faction that not only heightened their popularity but also showcased their menacing characters. A potential collaboration with Karrion Kross could be a game-changer for AOP, opening up exciting possibilities in the coming months. Speculations suggest they might initially target factions like LWO or The Imperium before setting their sights on Roman Reigns and his formidable group, The Bloodline.

As the WWE universe eagerly awaits the return of the Authors of Pain, enthusiasts look forward to the unfolding chapters of their story and the potential impact they could have on the professional wrestling landscape in the next few months.

On the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, wrestling veteran Konan shared his perspective on CM Punk’s aspirations for a significant match at WrestleMania 40. Konan proposed an intriguing showdown between CM Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin, emphasizing the uniqueness of the opportunity due to Austin’s advancing career. Konan argued that waiting for future events might diminish the possibility of witnessing this epic clash, given the inevitable changes in Austin’s availability. In his words, 

“I believe they should arrange a match between CM Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin due to Austin’s career trajectory. As time goes on, he’s not getting any less busy. Waiting for WrestleMania 41 might not be the best option as he’ll be engaged in other projects. That’s why I think WWE should consider this route.”

The podcast discussion delved into the idea that locking in a Punk vs. Austin match sooner rather than later would capitalize on the current window of opportunity. Konan emphasized the significance of seizing the moment and not delaying such a potentially iconic encounter.

In recent developments, CM Punk’s trajectory within WWE took an intriguing turn when he announced his participation in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble match during a Raw episode. The ensuing excitement involved an altercation with Seth Rollins, setting the stage for a potential rivalry.

Punk emerged victorious in the Royal Rumble, securing the coveted main event spot at WrestleMania 40. While fans eagerly await the fulfillment of Punk’s dream match against Stone Cold Steve Austin, the anticipation continues to build around the dynamic storylines unfolding in the WWE.

Royal Rumble Excitement: Alexa Bliss, a standout in WWE, has enjoyed significant success since her debut, clinching the Women’s Champion title multiple times and engaging in captivating storylines. Notably, her partnership with the late superstar Bray Wyatt received widespread acclaim.

Taking a hiatus for several months due to pregnancy, Bliss welcomed a daughter into their family on November 27, 2023. Recent hints on social media suggest that Bliss’s return to WWE TV is imminent. A recent Instagram Story featuring a picture related to Royal Rumble 2023 has sparked speculation about her potential comeback.

The Instagram post, hinting at the Royal Rumble, suggests that Bliss might choose this prestigious live event for her return to WWE TV—an option frequently embraced by superstars. Bliss’s last match was against Bianca Blair at Royal Rumble 2023, where Bianca emerged victorious.

In other news, WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss recently reflected on her intergender match against Randy Orton at Fastlane 2021. Conducted in an empty arena during the Covid era, the match took on a cinematic quality. The return of The Fiend played a crucial role, helping Bliss secure the victory. In an interview with BT Sport’s Rob Armstrong, Bliss shared her thoughts on this unique match:

“I never thought I’d have the opportunity to face Randy Orton in a match. It’s probably one of my favorite matches in my career. It was pretty cool. It was a fun match. Let me tell you, it’s not a joke to be hit with an RKO. But it’s pretty cool to say you’ve been hit with an RKO before.”

Amid ongoing speculation about the return of former World Champion Brock Lesnar to WWE, the powerhouse remains notably absent from the Stamford-based promotion. However, recent reports shed light on Lesnar’s potential involvement in WrestleMania 40.

Brock Lesnar’s last WWE appearance occurred at the SummerSlam premium live event in August 2023, where he faced off against Cody Rhodes. Speculation heightened when a WrestleMania 40 poster featuring Lesnar circulated on social media. While this fueled anticipation of his participation in the event, Lesnar’s actual status remained uncertain.

In an update from SEScoops, insights into Brock Lesnar’s possible appearance at Royal Rumble 2024 were shared. The website now provides further details on the Beast’s plans for WrestleMania 40, citing sources within the company. According to the report, Lesnar is expected to be present at the event, although his opponent has not been revealed. The report also suggests that CM Punk’s recent return has sparked significant changes within the company.

Regarding a potential matchup, Brock Lesnar and Gunther crossed paths in the Royal Rumble 2023, leading to speculation about a future storyline. Booker T, a wrestling legend, shared his views on a potential clash between Lesnar and Gunther on the Hall of Fame Podcast. Booker T expressed, “Brock Lesnar vs. Gunther is a heavyweight battle, and fans of the industry would surely be interested in witnessing this bout. It has the potential to headline any show globally. Even if it doesn’t headline WrestleMania 40, it would be nothing short of a main event.”

A decade ago, Charlotte Flair signed her initial contract with WWE, marking the commencement of an impressive career. Currently standing as one of the leading female stars in the company, recent news surrounding her contract brings forth a significant milestone

Despite grappling with a knee injury that raises doubts about her participation in WrestleMania 40 and SummerSlam 2024, WWE acknowledges Charlotte Flair’s substantial star power. According to a recent report from Fightful Select, Flair has committed to a contract extension with the company and has now become the highest-paid women’s star in WWE history.

The report also sheds light on additional perks accompanying Charlotte Flair’s new contract, including the provision of a luxurious travel bus—a privilege reserved for the top-tier talent within the company. Furthermore, this contract extension signifies the commencement of the TKO era, preceding even the recent contract renewals of Rey Mysterio and Dominic Mysterio.

Despite her temporary hiatus from in-ring action, Charlotte Flair faced Oska two weeks ago on the SmackDown show, where a move resulted in a significant knee injury. An update from PWInsider discloses the severity of the injury, stating that The Queen will undergo surgery in the coming days. With an injury surpassing a torn ACL, Charlotte Flair is poised to remain on the sidelines for an estimated nine months.

In a recent interview with Strutting From Gorilla, WWE Superstar Becky Lynch addressed speculation surrounding the expiration of her contract, along with current World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, in June 2024. Amid talks of a potential departure, Lynch shared her perspective on the matter.

When asked about the possibility of concluding her career, Lynch expressed her strong connection to WWE, highlighting her love for the industry, the people, and the fans. She emphasized her appreciation for the opportunities WWE has provided and the positive changes they collectively brought to women’s wrestling. Lynch stated, “This (WWE) is my home, and this is the place where I have grown as a professional wrestler in many different ways. That is why I plan to retire here.”

Addressing the speculations, veteran journalist Bill Apter shared his insights on Sportskeeda’s The Wrestling Time Machine podcast. Apter suggested that Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins are likely to remain with WWE, citing the company’s historical support for their family. He acknowledged AEW as a potential alternative but expressed doubt about Rollins returning to Ring of Honor, given his previous tenure.

Hall of Famer Teddy Long echoed Apter’s sentiments, asserting that Seth Rollins is likely to stay with WWE due to the positive relationship between him and the company. Long drew a parallel with Edge, emphasizing that despite a good relationship, Edge chose to debut in AEW. Long concluded, “I don’t think we’ll see him (Seth Rollins) go anywhere else. WWE has been great to him.”