BY SACNILK

Eagle-eyed fans might have spotted that Dakota Kai was lacking her signature knee brace during Monday's Raw appearance alongside Damage CTRL (Asuka, IYO SKY, Kairi Sane, & Bayley). This segment saw Bayley bask in the glory of her recent women's Royal Rumble victory. ## Fear not, Kai-holics! The wrestler, sidelined since May 2023 with a torn ACL, offered a simple explanation on her Twitch stream: she simply forgot it.## "Busted! I totally forgot my brace," she chuckled. "That's the only reason I wasn't sporting it on Monday. Don't get your hopes up just yet. While others like Zoey [Zoey Stark] still rock their braces, mine will definitely be making a comeback for wrestling matches. But this time, it was purely an absent-minded moment. Nothing more!" ## The wait continues for Kai's official return to the ring. Until then, we can all appreciate her honesty and lighthearted explanation. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Ronda Rousey, widely considered one of the most dominant competitors in wrestling history, left the WWE last summer after building an impressive career in both UFC and the global juggernaut. However, her former MMA teammate, Shayna Baszler, recently teased the possibility of a future showdown between them. ## At WWE SummerSlam 2023, these two members of the famed MMA Four Horsewomen squared off in a brutal MMA-style match. Baszler emerged victorious, marking Rousey's final WWE bout. Since then, Rousey has made appearances elsewhere, including alongside her close friend Marina Shafir in ROH. ## In a recent interview, Baszler revealed that Rousey is currently unsure about her future in the squared circle, indicating that her SummerSlam match was motivated by a desire to share the ring with Shafir one last time. ## "She doesn't know if she's calling it quits or planning a comeback," Baszler explained. "She's taking a break and wanted to make sure she had a match with Marina if this is it for her." ## Baszler went on to suggest that Rousey might be tempted to return for one final match, driven by a desire to avenge her SummerSlam defeat. "Knowing Ronda, she'll want her payback," Baszler said playfully. "Only time will tell." ## While Rousey has expressed her desire to focus on motherhood full-time, the wrestling world is notorious for its "never say never" attitude. It's not impossible that the "Baddest Woman on the Planet" could one day return to unleash her fury once again. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

The 2024 WWE Premium Live Event calendar started with the Royal Rumble, setting the stage for the Road to WrestleMania. With Cody Rhodes and Bayley confirmed as challengers for world championships, uncertainties remain leading into Philadelphia. ## The Elimination Chamber on February 24 in Perth, Australia, serves as the next crucial event to provide clarity. While the full card is unknown, it promises to be an impactful show, helping shape the path to WrestleMania. ## World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber Match: Drew McIntyre vs Sami Zayn vs Andrade vs. Randy Orton vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jey Uso ## Punk vs Rollins, a dream match for WrestleMania, won't happen for now, leaving WWE with uncertainties. While many expected Punk to earn a title shot in the Elimination Chamber, his absence makes the winner unpredictable. Drew McIntyre is a likely contender, showcasing excellent work and serving as a suitable foil for Rollins, despite their previous matches. ## Gunther faces travel restrictions, making his participation doubtful. Sami Zayn could be a sentimental choice, possibly in a three-way with McIntyre and Rollins. The match participants remain anyone's guess, but McIntyre seems to be a strong contender. ## WWE Women's World Championship Elimination Chamber Match: Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Naomi vs. Natalya vs. Shayna Baszler ## Rhea Ripley's prominent role in Elimination Chamber promotions suggests her involvement, but on Raw, Nia Jax appears to be heading for a collision with The Eradicator. It's likely the Chamber will be a number one contender match for that showdown. ## Becky Lynch is a strong contender, with Liv Morgan as a dark horse after her near-Rumble victory. Naomi could add star power, while Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya and Shayna Baszler may fill the remaining spots. ## Singles Match: Bron Breakker vs. Dominik Mysterio ## Brock Lesnar's removal from the Royal Rumble match led to Bron Breakker taking his spot with the same planned creative. This included being eliminated by Dominik Mysterio, setting up a storyline where Lesnar would face Dominik at Elimination Chamber before clashing with Gunther at WrestleMania.## With Lesnar's uncertain status, WWE might continue with Breakker on the main roster, especially since he expressed unfinished business with Judgment Day. ## Women's World Championship Match: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax ## Ripley and Jax have yet to face off one-on-one despite their numerous encounters. While some may be disappointed that Ripley won't defend her title inside the Elimination Chamber, it makes sense for her to secure an impressive win in her home country, just six weeks before WrestleMania.## This anticipated match, deserving of a closing spot in Perth, could culminate in Ripley's victory over Jax before heading to WrestleMania for a significant title defense against Becky Lynch. Get ready for an electrifying moment as Ripley claims the win and sets the stage for a marquee match at WrestleMania. ## WWE United States Championship Match: Logan Paul vs. Kevin Owens ## Logan Paul's DQ win over Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble sets the stage for a likely rematch at Elimination Chamber, with Paul confirmed for the event. Owens has a solid claim for a rematch, possibly with a no DQ stipulation. ## Interference from Paul's entourage, Austin Theory, and Grayson Waller may lead to a Paul retention, concluding the feud more definitively. Owens' WrestleMania plans become uncertain, while Paul could transition into a program with LA Knight, potentially dropping the title at WrestleMania. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

WWE's road to WrestleMania 40 began with the Royal Rumble, featuring two namesake match victories guaranteeing title shots in Philadelphia on April 6 and 7. ## Champions held their ground, feuds heated up, and Superstars showcased their talents, vying for a spot on the grandest stage. ## Here's an early look at predicted match cards, highlighting the championship clashes set to headline the two nights. ## Undisputed Universal Title Match: Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes ## Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed Universal Title match, is one of the most talked about headlines in WrestleMania 40. After winning the 2024 Royal Rumble match, Rhodes declared his intention to go after Roman Reigns. So, this seems to be a done deal. ## IYO SKY vs. Bayley for the Women’s Title ## This match is anticipated for the Women's Title, with SKY challenging Bayley for the championship in your opinion. Both women currently stand together as a team, but the storyline could change anytime soon as the event draws closer. ## An imminent, unavoidable twist awaits Bayley courtesy of Damage CTRL, leading to her inevitable transition into a babyface. This betrayal is poised to pave the way for the Royal Rumble victor to step up and challenge Sky for the prestigious WWE Women's Championship on the grand stage. This could potentially serve as the career-defining moment that Bayley, renowned as a tireless performer in the ring and one of the company's top talents, has long been deserving of. ## WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: Seth Rollins(c) vs. Randy Orton ## The entire landscape of the World Heavyweight Title went through a messy change after Punk declared that he had gotten injured and wouldn't be able to make it to WrestleMania, thus preventing him from challenging Seth Rollins for the title. ## Now, the mystery remains: who will step in to challenge Rollins on the grandiose stage of them all? For sure, WWE aims to build a strong opponent for such a big event. Currently, WWE has a robust roster, but I see one person who has the potential to captivate the fans – none other than Randy Orton. ## If not CM Punk, then Randy Orton could be the one to challenge Rollins for the title. ## United States Championship Match: LA Knight vs. Logan Paul ## Logan Paul narrowly retained the United States Championship against Kevin Owens in Tampa, hinting at an ongoing feud. Expect this rivalry to conclude around Elimination Chamber, leading Paul to transition into a WrestleMania program against LA Knight. ## The history between Paul and Knight, dating back to last summer, sets the stage for a high-profile match, offering Knight a shot at his first WWE title, fittingly rewarding his rise from obscurity to a beloved babyface. ## Women's World Championship Match: Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley ## Becky Lynch's loss at the Women's Royal Rumble won't deter her from facing Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 40. The defeat adds credibility to Lynch's concerns about being inferior to The Eradicator, setting the stage for an intriguing storyline. ## Ripley's dominance as champion makes her a formidable opponent, and a showdown between these two industry stalwarts promises to be a star-studded affair, potentially headlining this year's WrestleMania. ## Intercontinental Championship Match: Jey Uso vs. Gunther ## Gunther eliminating Jey Uso in the Royal Rumble hints at a championship showdown, building on their previous encounters. This storyline, orchestrated by Triple H, suggests a unique opportunity for Main Event Jey to pursue individual gold against the reigning Intercontinental Champion, Gunther.## Despite the expectation for a clash with his brother Jimmy, Triple H's creative direction favors establishing Jey as his own man, presenting an intriguing path for his career. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

The "Ring General" reigns supreme! ## Gunther has cemented his legacy as the Intercontinental Champion for a staggering 600 days, utterly pulverizing the record that stood for 35 years. Back in June 2022, he snatched the title from Ricochet on SmackDown, and hasn't looked back since. ## This historic reign hasn't been a cakewalk. Gunther has fended off a who's who of wrestling royalty, including Chad Gable, the Celtic Warrior Sheamus, the Scottish Psychopath Drew McIntyre, the masked enigma Rey Mysterio, the Artist Shinsuke Nakamura, the Original Bro Matt Riddle, and even Xavier Woods of the New Day. He's weathered every storm, proving his ironclad grip on the coveted Intercontinental Championship. ## So, how do we describe this feat in a slightly different way? We could say Gunther has dominated the Intercontinental scene for 600 days, eclipsing the legendary Honky Tonk Man's record with a resolute reign. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Monday night's Raw saw a viewership surge, spiking from last week's 1.68 million to a solid 1.91 million average. ## According to Wrestlenomics, this post-Royal Rumble rumble drew fans in with a commercial-free first hour, fueling the fire throughout the 8 PM segment's peak of 2.09 million viewers. ## While not quite reaching last year's January 30th heights of 2.14 million, Raw's numbers still packed a punch compared to 2022's corresponding episode, which drew 1.86 million. The show's grip tightened further in the 18-49 demographic, with a 0.61 rating versus last week's 0.55. ## The viewership rollercoaster took a dip in the final hour, settling at 1.69 million, but overall, Raw delivered a strong comeback, proving the Rumble's aftershocks were still rocking the WWE Universe. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Fresh off his brutal attack on CM Punk on Raw, Drew McIntyre wasted no time in upping the ante on social media Tuesday morning. Capitalizing on Punk's heartbreaking announcement of a torn triceps and WrestleMania 40 absence, McIntyre unleashed a trollish meme on X (formerly Twitter), poking fun at Punk's misfortune. ## During Raw, McIntyre had taken a verbal jab at Punk, claiming to have "prayed" for his injury and WrestleMania withdrawal. He then backed up his words with ruthless action, laying Punk out and ruthlessly stomping on his wounded arm. ## pic.twitter.com/9FZJQYlkgu— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) January 30, 2024 ## Dave Meltzer recently reported that McIntyre has yet to sign a new deal with WWE, and his current contract is set to expire after WrestleMania. ## During Monday's Raw, following a promo segment, McIntyre laid out Punk, setting the stage for a future feud upon Punk's return. McIntyre's latest post has further escalated the feud, leaving everyone uncertain about its eventual conclusion. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Last night on Monday Night Raw, Michael Cole and Pat McAfee were seen on the same desk, bringing the same vibes as they would give back in the days. ## The duo returned together aftter WWE removed Kevin Patrick from his duties as SmackDown play-by-play commentator last week and he was replaced by Cole. Last night on Raw, Pat McAfee was seen back on TV, replacing Wade Barrett as the color commentator on the show, noting the move was permanent. ## While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that The plan for SmackDown going forward is for Wade Barrett & Corey Graves to be the new broadcast team. Graves would slide into the lead announce position while Barrett would remain in his color commentary role. ## Michal Cole doing SmackDown [full-time] is not the case. It's like, again. Yeah, it's a one-time thing. Pwinsider reports the plan is for Barrett to be paired with Corey Graves on the SmackDown team, Graves being the new lead announcer, while Barrett would remain as a color commentator. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Here is the full lineup for this Tuesday episode which is slated to air live on January 30, 2024. WWE NXT will air live on USA Network at 8 PM ET on Tuesday. ## WWE NXT Time In Canada: It airs live every Friday at 8 Am EDT on Sportsnet 360. The show also airs live on SuperSport Variety 3 in South Africa on Thursdays at 02:00 am CAT. ## In Italy, NXT airs live on Dplay 2:00 p. NXT airs live on Sony Ten 1 HD and Sony Ten 1 in India at 6:30 am. ## WWE NXT Preview & Match Card For (1/30/24) ## -Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semifinal: LWO (Joaquin Wild and Cruz Del Toro) vs. Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams ## -Chase U says "goodbye" ## -NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Noam Dar (c) vs. Von Wagner ## -Elektra Lopez vs. Lola Vice ## -Ilja Dragunov and Trick Williams face-to-face ## -Roxanne Perez vs. Tatum Paxley ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Brock Lesnar recently faced backlash in the wake of a lawsuit filed against Vince McMahon and WWE involving allegations of s*x trafficking, with a former WWE/UFC Heavyweight Champion being implicated in the legal action.## Prior to these allegations, WWE had solidified plans for Brock Lesnar's return. He was scheduled to make his comeback at this year's Royal Rumble event; however, he did not appear. Additionally, there were plans for Lesnar to work with Dominik Mysterio at Elimination Chamber, but reports indicate that this matchup will not be happening.## It now appears that none of the previously planned scenarios will unfold, and there is a recent report confirming that Lesnar will not be appearing on WWE television for the foreseeable future, and perhaps not at all. ## While discussing the situation on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that Lesnar is not expected to be around for a while, and some even speculate that he may never return. However, there remains a possibility that he could find his way back into WWE in the future. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Many wrestling fans were devastated upon hearing CM Punk's announcement that he won't be able to participate in WrestleMania. Punk's return to WWE occurred after some disagreements with AEW, leading to his departure from the company and subsequent debut at Survivor Series: WarGames – marking his first appearance with WWE since 2014.## After delivering several impactful promos, Punk had his first televised WWE match since 2014, entering as the 27th participant in the Royal Rumble match. Unfortunately, he ended up as the runner-up, being eliminated by the 2024 Royal Rumble winner, Cody Rhodes.## However, the wrestling community faced more disappointment when Punk suffered a torn right tricep, sidelining him and preventing his participation in WrestleMania XL. Although he didn't specify the duration of his absence, earlier reports suggested a potential recovery time of 4-6 months post-surgery. ## During the January 29 episode of Monday Night Raw, Punk engaged in an angle with Drew McIntyre. According to Dave Meltzer's report, a plausible return for CM Punk is expected in September. This development adds intrigue to the situation, considering the significant angle set up with Drew McIntyre as his potential opponent upon his return, especially given McIntyre's contract status, which reportedly extends only until April. ## "I’d say September is a reasonable return (for CM Punk). Which is interesting, really interesting, because they set up the big angle with Drew McIntyre tonight to be his opponent when he returns, and Drew McIntyre's not under contract past April. And that has not changed.… pic.twitter.com/RtMDOsQ0KT— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) January 30, 2024 ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Fresh off her epic Royal Rumble victory, Bayley strutted onto Raw this week, basking in the glory of Damage CTRL's dominance. She pointed out her glaring absence from the Rumble poster, only to stand tall as the last woman standing. ## Bayley reveled in being on top, boasting about shattering Rhea Ripley's endurance record in the match. But the reigning champ, Ripley, wasn't about to let Bayley have all the spotlight. She crashed the party, reminding everyone that Bayley only won because she wasn't even in the ring. ## Ripley was just about to drop some serious shade about Bayley wasting her title shot on her, when Nia Jax, the ultimate party crasher, laid Ripley out cold. Jax pummeled Ripley with brutal leg drops and capped it off with her devastating Annihilator. ## With Ripley writhing in pain, Jax turned to Bayley and offered a chilling ultimatum: pick anyone else for WrestleMania, because Ripley's ticket is officially punched to "nap city." Bayley, unfazed by the chaos, simply smirked and declared that she'll reveal her WrestleMania opponent on the February 2nd episode of SmackDown. ## What should @itsBayleyWWE do?!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/N4MTEJAT8S— WWE (@WWE) January 30, 2024 ## WWE SmackDown (2/2) Updated ## -Roman Reigns' road to WrestleMania begins ## -Logan Paul returns## -Bayley makes her WrestleMania 40 announcement## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...