The Last Time is Now. John Cena has announced his retirement from WWE, including a retirement tour throughout 2025, including matches at Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania.
“Tonight, I officially announce my retirement from WWE,” Cena revealed at WWE’s Money in the Bank Premium Live Event in Toronto.
“It’s not gonna end at WrestleMania,” said Cena. “WrestleMania will be my last WrestleMania. But hopefully, if everything goes according to plan, we’re going straight through from January to December.”
John Cena announced that his retirement tour is tentatively set for 30-40 dates as he balances other ventures outside the ring. Currently tied with Ric Flair as a 16-time world champion, Cena can break this record with one more world title win. “I would love that opportunity, but those opportunities are earned. And given my past track record, I’ve got some work to do,” Cena said.
In its latest collaboration, WWE paired WWE champion Cody Rhodes with producer Metro Boomin to make the announcement. In the promotion the duo team up for an old fashioned stakeout of State Farm Arena, where Metro Boomin asks Rhodes if they’re going to sit there until October, which he replies that’s exactly what they’re going to do. They then question each other on why they’re not doing this in their respective tour buses.
WWE’s last Bad Blood event took place in 2004, when Shawn Michaels squared off with Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match. The event originated in 1997 as Michaels faced off against the Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match as well.
The Bad Blood show comes as Rhodes has elevated to the very top of the WWE card, earning a champion’s return home assuming he’s still carrying the belt a few months from now. It’s also a good event name to revive with the Bloodline still going strong (and now having an internal battle brewing). The last time WWE hosted a premium live event in Atlanta, Day 1 emanated from Rhodes’ home state in 2022 when Brock Lesnar headlined the show to win the WWE championship in a 5-way match.
On June 9, NXT Battleground, a WWE special event, took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It was an exciting evening filled with star power, nonstop action, and captivating matches starring top NXT talents. Sexyy Red was once again in attendance and hosted the night like a pro. She gave the show’s introduction, congratulated Kelani Jordan on her victory, and celebrated with NXT champion Trick Williams following his successful retention in the main event. She, of course, made some viral moments along the way, like Twerking with NXT talent and cooking with WWE legend Shawn Michaels.
But she also had a few other moments that appear to be gaining the kind of internet attention that WWE was hoping for when they chose to work with Red. One occurred during the main program when Lola Vice and Sexyy ran into each other following Shayna Baszler’s defeat in an NXT Underground match. Since neither of the women had ever been called shy, Red felt free to turn their tandem twerk into a trio with interviewer Sarah Schreiber.
Schreiber was a good sport about it and retweeted the above, showcasing some of her skills outside of wrestling. After the show, Sexxy Red had some more fun with her favorite sexy boy. NXT head honcho Shawn Michaels made an appearance alongside TNA Knockouts champion Jordynne Grace. He leaned into the chef joke, obviously enjoying dancing with the woman who he lobbied for to get on the show. He gave Battleground a five-star rating for dinner. Sexyy Red may be looking to catapult into the ring as an actual wrestler soon. That would draw some eyeballs to NXT.
The group is seen in a kitchen scene when Sexyy Red exclaims, “I’ve got two coming in hot!” as Grace closes the door to an appliance. Shawn Michaels then called NXT Battleground a “five-star meal” while jokingly donning a chef’s hat in remembrance of his legendary DX segment from 2009. Michaels posed with Grace and Red at the end of the film, perfectly encapsulating the lively mood of the night. Overall, Shawn Michaels has been cooking up quite a show with NXT, and Sexxy Red may have been the perfect ingredient to add.
It may be safe to dub “Not Like Us” as the song of the summer. While on air with The CW Houston, a meteorologist used bars from Kendrick Lamar’s banger to give updates on the area’s weather. You can hear the bars being used in the report below.
Houston meteorologist Adam Krueger displayed his creative flair during the @CW39Houston weather broadcast by cleverly incorporating lyrics from Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” to describe the sweltering temperatures in Texas.
“Not Like Us” also infiltrated the sports world as Naomi Osaka chose the Kendrick side in the beef with Drake. Speaking ahead of the Italian Open, Osaka states, “Not Like Us” put Dot over the top.
“Kendrick dropped some heat. That last song,” Osaka said. “That last song is amazing. And I played it walking onto the court. Currently, I think Kendrick’s doing another song.”
In a sealed filing today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York submitted materials to the federal court regarding an investigation they have initiated into the disgraced McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment, and WWE’s former head of Talent Relations, John Laurinaitis.
According to Deadline, the lawsuit brought by former WWE staff member Janel Grant will now be on hold as the United States government has stepped in.
“In addition to counsel already of record, please enter my appearance as counsel for the United States of America, Sarah Mortazavi, Assistant United States Attorney,” wrote U.S. Attorney Damien Williams.
However, five months after Jamel Grant filed her alarming allegations against McMahon, WWE, and others, her attorney confirms that the DOJ’s long-anticipated move is significant enough to halt the initial case for the time being.
“Ms. Grant has consented to a request by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stay her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. Laurinaitis, pursuant to a pending non-public investigation,” said Grant’s lawyer Ann Callis. “We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps.”
McMahon’s lawyer issued a statement: ” The horrific rape and sex trafficking allegations against former WWE boss Vince McMahon won’t have their day in court yet, thanks to the Department of Justice.”
Vince McMahon recently sold nearly $412 million of his stock in the TKO Group, which owns the WWE and UFC.
The sale sof 5.35 million shares follows a November deal where he sold 8.4 million for $670.3 million.
According to Variety, McMahon owned 20.35 million shares in December, and he still holds 15 million to date.
In January, former WWE employee Janel Grant sued Vince McMahon for sex trafficking and assault. Grant states she was the hush money employee in the 2022 investigation of McMahon.
Also named in the suit were WWE and former executive and wrestler John Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis, known as Johnny Ace in the wrestling world, was accused of sexual assault. The company is accused of covering the crimes in a false investigation.
Grant revealed she signed a nondisclosure agreement in 2022 that agreed to pay her $3 million not to provide details of her dealings with McMahon. After $1 million, McMahon stopped making payments and now the suit is to obtain financial damages.
According to The Wall Street Journal, McMahon pressured Grant into sexual acts to advance her role in the company. McMahon met Grant in their condo building after the latter parents had died. McMahon lived in the penthouse. McMahon created the “administrator-coordinator” position, which became the ire of other employees as she had a low level of work while others had “overflowing inboxes.”
McMahon is accused of using sex toys with Grant that he named after wrestlers that led to bruising and bleeding. He also passed nude pictures of Grant across the production team. In addition, Grant stated she was locked in a room by McMahon and another executive who took turns sexually assaulting her. Naming Laurinaitis, Grant stated he and McMahon restrained her and told her, “No means yes” and “Take it, bitch.” McMahon also locked her in his locker room and forced himself on her at a massage table.
McMahon also allegedly used nude images of Grant in contract negotiations with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar reportedly told Vince he liked the images, and Vince told Grant, “Part of the deal was f—ing U.” After an exchange of phone numbers, Lesnar allegedly asked Grant to send a video of herself urinating.
The arrangement was supposed to end once Vince’s wife, Linda McMahon, found out. Instead, after enacting the NDA, McMahon forced oral sex on Grant and then attempted to traffic her to a WWE Star in March 2022.
McMahon temporarily stepped down in the summer of 2022, returning to orchestrate a sale of the company to Endeavor, merging with UFC to become TKO Group Holdings. McMahon currently serves as an executive and member of the Board of Directors.
TKO Group Holdings released a statement to Variety:
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
A spokesperson for McMahon shared a statement to Deadline:
“This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself.”
Grant’s lawyer, Ann Callis, also served a response:
“Today’s complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug. She is an incredibly private and courageous person who has suffered deeply at the hands of Mr. McMahon and Mr. Laurinaitis. Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior, and it’s time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership.”
In July 2023, Vince McMahon was served a federal grand jury subpoena as law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on his home.
According to ESPN, McMahon was on medical leave following a major spinal surgery. No charges have been brought against McMahon.
The wrestling giant states the company received legal demands for documents regarding the investigation.
“WWE has cooperated throughout and fully understands and respects the government’s need for a complete process,” the company said in a statement.
According to Cageside Seats, a special committee of members of the company’s Board of Directors conducted an internal investigation into a hush-money scandal with McMahon. In their second quarter 2023 financial earnings reveal, WWE announced expenses related to the investigation cost a combined $12.4 million.
McMahon released a statement to CNBC:
“In 2022, WWE formed a special committee to review allegations of misconduct against me. That review was concluded in November 2022 following an extensive investigation. Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government’s investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing. I am focused on completing the recovery process from my recent spinal surgery and on closing our transaction with Endeavor, which will create one of the preeminent global sports and entertainment brands.”
Sexyy Red is becoming one of the biggest stars in hip-hop. Although she has proven to be controversial thanks to her lyrics and her visuals, Sexyy has been able to show people she knows how to come through with hits. Furthermore, she has received co-signs from some massive artists. Drake and Nicki Minaj are behind her, and producer Tay Keith has also been showing her lots of love. Having said all of that, it should come as no surprise that a sports organization like the WWE would take notice of her.
On Tuesday night, Sexyy Red got to partake in the WWE NXT event where she showed off the belt for a new women’s championship. It was a huge night for Sexyy as she got to partake in a fun event that allowed a broader audience to see her personality. Moreover, she even got to meet the legendary Shawn Michaels. You know the “Sweet Chin Music” line from Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us?” Well, Michaels is the originator of that move. In the clip below, you can see that Sexyy and Michaels got along just fine.
The two were seen singing the song “Sexy Boy” which is a song that Michaels penned back in the day when he was at his wrestling peak. Overall, fans gushed about the two on social media, and it was clearly a mutually beneficial appearance for all parties. In June, Sexyy Red will be at NXT Battleground, so there is no doubt WWE fans will be getting an extra helping of Sexyy in the not-so-distant future.
Let us know what you thought of Sexyy Red and her appearance at WWE NXT, in the comments section down below. Are you a fan of the artist despite just how controversial she has proven to be? Do you believe that the artist may get her own match someday? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Sexyy Red is continuing to ascend up the pop culture ladder. Her 2024 single “Get It Sexyy,” peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100, and her latest EP, In Sexyy We Trust, features a high-profile feature from Drake. It was only a matter of time before she crossed over into other arenas, and she did so, quite literally, into an arena on May 28. The rapper made her wrestling debut on a Tuesday night episode of WWE NXT opposite superstar Tatum Paxley.
Sexyy Red was shown to be in the crowd when the episode started, but nobody expected her to become a part of the storyline involving the NEW NXT Women’s North American Title. Red was introduced to the massive bass hits of her own music before she took the microphone and let the audience what was what. The rapper announced that she will the guest host of the upcoming Battleground live event. The event is set for Sunday, June 9, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. She also linked up with NXT general manager Ava to unveil the North American Title belt. She held the belt above her head and parading around the ring. It wasn’t all love for Sexyy Red, though.
The aforementioned Tatum Paxley showed up out of nowhere and tried to snatch the title from the rapper, but Michin showed up in time to stop her. Sexyy Red actually teased her appearance on NXT through X, tweeting that fans might get to see her lay down an RKO. She deleted the tweet, but fans were hoping she’d make good on her promise with Paxley. Sexyy Red didn’t get her hands dirty this episode. There’s a very good chance we could see her lay down her anticipated RKO when she hosts Battleground, however.
Sexyy Red has been trying to get on WWE for a while. The rapper tweeted at the organization back in October 2023 and asked, point blank, when she’d be invited. “I wanna see this happen fr,” she wrote in reference to a video of superstar Jay Uso. “When yal gonna invite me.” The Usos responded to her and told her they’d get her involved as a “special guest.” It took a little while, but it looks as though the made good on their promise. Sexyy Red has previously praised wrestlers like Trick Williams and the Meta-Four. We can’t wait to see what she gets up to in the ring.
In March, a video of Sexyy Red dancing to the famous WWE theme music featuring WWE great Shawn Michaels went viral. Now it looks like the Heartbreak Kid and the “Get It Sexyy” rapper might be officially collaborating. Tuesday evenings are when WWE’s NXT brand airs a weekly program, which is managed by Shawn Michaels. Sexyy Red hinted that she will be visiting the TV show soon. Red has expressed her desire to RKO someone on an upcoming WWE NXT show.
Subsequently, rumors circulated that WWE and Sexyy Red were planning to work together, implying possible future partnerships. Given this, Sexyy Red expressed her intention to RKO someone on Twitter, saying she was excited to attend NXT next week. Shawn Micheals also recently propositioned Drake and Kendrick Lamar during their beef to come to NXT to hash out their differences in the ring. Michaels even offered to be the mediator between the two rappers. Now, Sexxy Red is seemingly set to make her WWE debut soon.
Red tweeted on Monday, May 20, saying, “I can’t wait to go to NXT next week y’all, I might RKO somebody [loudly crying face emojis] @WWE #nxt.” The RKO is the name of the wrestling finisher created by WWE legend Randy Orton. Sexyy Red has previously stated that she would like to appear in WWE. The native of St. Louis responded to a video in October 2023 that featured an altered combination of her song “SkeeYee” and the entrance of former WWE tag team champion Jey Uso. Sexyy said in response to the clip, “I wanna see this happen [for real] [loudly crying face emojis]. @WWE when [y’all] gonna invite me?”
Hip-hop and wrestling have been collaborating for years, especially lately. A number of Hip-Hop stars competed in April’s WWE WrestleMania XL event. The start of the show was narrated by Philly native Meek Mill. Snoop Dogg commented on matches during the mega event. Furthermore, Lil Wayne led Jey Uso into the ring for his matchup with Jimmy Uso, his twin brother. Overall, Sexyy Red and the WWE seem like a match made in heaven. Hopefully, we get to see her RKO someone very soon.
Naomi Osaka has slid over to the Kendrick side in the beef with Drake. Speaking ahead of the Italian Open, Osaka states, “Not Like Us” put Dot over the top.
“Kendrick dropped some heat. That last song,” Osaka said. “That last song is amazing. And I played it walking onto the court. Currently, I think Kendrick’s doing another song.”
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a banger. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has bounced Drake out of holding a Spotify record. According to ChartData, “Not Like Us” has the biggest single streaming day for a Hip-Hop song in history, surpassing Drake’s “Girls Like Girls” featuring Lil Baby.
“Not Like Us” has hit the top of the Global Spotif chart with 10.986 million streams. “Girls Like Girls” was at 6.593.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” rises to #1 on the global Spotify chart with a new daily high of 10.986 million streams, up 41%.
All you have to do is mention Sweet Chin Music, and WWE icon Shawn Michaels will be right around the corner. Kendrick Lamar mentioned the wrestling finishing move on “Not Like Us,” prompting Michaels to offer his services to the duo to settle the differences.
“Put the wrong label on me, I’ma get ’em dropped/Sweet Chin Music and I won’t pass the aux,” Kendrick Lamar rapped.
“A little Sweet Chin Music goes a long way,” Michaels wrote. “@kendricklamar, you and @Drake are formally invited to #WWENXT to settle this thing. I’m even offering my services to mediate.”
Questlove is not feeling the Kendrick Lamar-Drake beef. On Instagram, Questlove said the battle was not about skill.
“Nobody won the war,” Questlove wrote. “This wasn’t about skill. This was a wrestling match level mudslinging and takedown by any means necessary – women & children (&actual faacts) be damned. Same audience wanting blood will soon put up ‘rip’ posts like they weren’t part of the problem. Hip Hop Is Truly Dead.”
A rumor is running rampant online, stating Universal Music Group is looking to step in and host a group Zoom, with Kendrick Lamar and Drake included. The rumor alleged Lamar is doing damage to Drake’s reputation with pedophile allegations.
TMZ hopped in and stated the rumor was “totally unfounded,” and no one asked Lamar to put out a statement that would backtrack his statements in the diss records. Furthermore, there was no Zoom meeting and no ask of a Zoom meeting. Additionally, UMG would never interject in the feud.
Also, why should UMG want it to wrap up? More music, more beef, more streams, more dollars.
This might be the wildest Zoom call in corporate history: Drake’s team, UMG and Nike reps asking Kendrick to stop the rap beef because allegations are costing everyone involved “a lot of money” pic.twitter.com/pGw7dEjEax
According to ChartData, “Not Like Us” has the biggest single streaming day for a Hip-Hop song in history, surpassing Drake’s “Girls Like Girls” featuring Lil Baby.
“Not Like Us” has hit the top of the Global Spotif chart with 10.986 million streams. “Girls Like Girls” was at 6.593.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” rises to #1 on the global Spotify chart with a new daily high of 10.986 million streams, up 41%.
