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Joel & Jeremy refuse to be a manchild. - Mariah May becomes Blake Monroe on NXT - Oba Femi and Jasper Troy go hard in title match - NXT Women's Title to be defended at WWE Evolution - Jeremy went to see Kendrick Lamar - Queen of the Ring and Bayley notes from WWE RAW - AEW Summer Blockbuster preview & MORE!

Blackheart is in the process of trying to get her signature tank back from WWE. There's an extensive interview with Shotzi Blackheart that was conducted by Ariel Helwani. There came a point in the chat when Blackheart's on-screen presentation was praised. The tank she drove to the ring was specifically mentioned and Blackheart said former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was not a fan of it. He relayed to Shotzi that she has 'a lot going on.' McMahon told her that she has a cool look, but muddies it up with her tank, helmet and howling. Speaking of the tank, Blackheart said she's in the process of trying to get it back from WWE. She said it technically belongs to them both. She would pay to get it back if that's what WWE requested. “I mean, I don’t know (why my tank was removed from my presentation for a portion of my main roster run). Hunter loved it. When I went to NXT, he was all for it. I showed him a video of my little tiny tank that I got at Walmart… No (I did not get the one from WWE TV at Walmart). That’s the upgrade. That’s the Hunter version. He hooked it up. But, I started with a tiny tank that I got at Walmart. It’s for children. It was a little two-seater for children and I showed him a video and he’s like, ‘Can you get it to TV this week?’ And I ordered an Uber XL, got that little tank in there and brought it to Full Sail and yeah, he was just so into it, and then when I got to the main roster, Vince (McMahon) was not on the same page. No, he didn’t like it. But you know what? I was ready for the change and I totally understood where he was coming from. He was just like, ‘Look, you got so much going on. You got the green hair and all the tattoos. You’re really, really cool-looking and then you muddy it up with the helmet, the tank and the howl. I just wanna know who Shotzi is.’ He wanted me to be more real. I agree, I agree (the tank was great). But I was ready for the challenge. I’m a company woman. If there needs to be changes, I can do it. So I was fully game. I was a little sad to see it all go because I worked so hard to create this cool character and I was very happy with it. But I’m always down for a challenge. I would love to (show up to an independent show with the tank). I’m still in the process of trying to get my tank back… The souped-up tank. I’m trying to get that back. Technically, it’s half mine, half WWE’s, because when they made that tank, they cut my tank in half and put it on top of a… They built it around an eclectic wheelchair. So, I would love, if possible, to have it back. I did (ask). They were like, ‘Oh, we’ll find out for you.’ But, I was like, ‘I will drive to Connecticut right now and get it…' Yes (I’ll buy it from them if that’s what I have to do to get it back). In. Immediately. Yes, I love that thing so much. I would want it just to even just have it to keep in my garage or whatever. It means a lot to me.” In the same interview, Blackheart opened up about WWE not renewing her contract and her interest in All Elite Wrestling. To read the quotes, click here. If the quotes in this article are used, please credit The Ariel Helwani Show with an H/T to Fightful for the transcriptions.

Goto is sure he'll see Naito in the ring again. Since wrapping up with New Japan Pro-Wrestling in May, Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI have rebranded as 'Los Tranquilos de Japon.' Their exits -- specifically Naito's -- were delved into by Hirooki Goto during his chat with NJPW1972.com. Goto said he'll end his career in New Japan. He does not know what led Naito to make the decision he made but is sure it was not just one thing. Goto is positive he'll see Naito in the ring again. “It's a little weird for an entire faction I've feuded with to disappear. But you know, (Tetsuya) Naito always talks about the courage to take a leap, and I think he's shown that… I've always felt myself that I wouldn't want to wrestle anywhere else, and I'll end my career here. I don't know what made Naito arrive at the decision he did, and I'm sure it's not just one thing. I'm sad to see him go, but I'm sure I'll see him in the ring again… A lot of people go and come back in this business. (Katsuyori) Shibata was the same. There's no forever's in this business.” Since departing NJPW, both Naito and BUSHI have undergone surgical procedures. Neither of their in-ring returns has been announced as of this writing.

Mick Foley talks about what makes for a good guitar shot in the world of professional wrestling. Mick Foley has been hit with every iconic wrestling prop. He's been on the receiving end of Triple H's sledgehammer, Terry Funk's branding iron, and even Jeff Jarrett's signature guitar. Mick Foley recently spoke about a variety of hardcore weapons on Maven's YouTube channel. When discussing a time a Jeff Jarrett guitar struck him, Foley declared that it felt good because he received the reaction he was aiming for. He also mentioned that you want these guitar shots to be "crunchy" and reflected on being cut open by the impact. " You know, you want to hear that crunch, and it's like with the bottle you want to hear [shattering] right? You don't want to hear [plunk]. So when I took it from Jeff, I mean, I was injured because a shard had caught me in the nose, so there was a little bit of bleeding. When Jeff hit it, it was a great feeling, because you're getting the reaction. You're like, All right, good reaction. This hurts, but it's not a brain-rattling, star-seeing type of thing." Elsewhere in the video, he spoke about being the first person that Triple H ever hit with a sledgehammer. Learn more about that experience here. At this link, fans can learn about Mick Foley's current contract status with WWE. If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Maven's YouTube channel in addition to linking back to this article and giving Fightful credit for transcription.

Candid responses from Blackheart. WWE opted not to renew Shotzi Blackheart's contract and fast forward to present day, Blackheart has made her in-ring return on the independent scene. She's competed in several matches thus far and has a handful of dates lined up. Blackheart sat down with Ariel Helwani to discuss her exit from the company and the post-WWE road. When it comes to her deal not being renewed, Blackheart feels she'll never know why. She stated that the company may feel she's not money and she's fine with that. “No (I was not told why WWE was not renewing my contract), and unfortunately, that’s just how it is. I probably will never know why they released me but, WWE doesn’t owe me anything. That’s showbiz, right? They just didn’t think that I was money and that’s okay. I can take that.” Elsewhere in the chat, Blackheart was asked if she'd like to land in either AEW or TNA full-time. She chose AEW and cited the freedom talents have and the way company President Tony Khan cares for talent as reasons why she'd choose to land there. “Well, yeah, yeah (I am looking to land in a wrestling promotion full-time). I love TNA, I love AEW… AEW (is my preference). I mean, for so many reasons. I love their freedom, I have a lot of friends there who are doing really awesome things. I’ve heard many stories of how Tony (Khan) treats talent. So, yeah, I do love that he really cares for his talent. That is super important to me… and hot girls get to make out with each other so like that’s cool too (she laughed).” Further speaking about that, Blackheart named ROH Women's World Champion Athena as a dream match for her. Athena and Shotzi held the NXT Women's Tag Team Titles together. Blackheart expressed her opinion that Athena is the best women's wrestler in the world. She went on to state that she would not want AEW to hire her just because she's fresh out of WWE. She wants to do great on the indies and then if AEW takes notice, she's game. “First thing that comes to mind (for a dream match in AEW), Athena. I think that she’s so awesome. I honestly think that she’s the best women’s wrestler in the world. I am such a huge fan of her. Not even because we tagged together and I had so much (fun) with her as a tag team. But I just think she’s amazing, and I’ve never gotten to wrestle her before so, I would love that. But also, you know, Mercedes Moné… Toni Storm, absolutely. Just to hear the promos that she would cut on me. She is killing it. She is killing it. But I wouldn’t want to go to AEW just because I was signed to WWE and I expect them to sign me. I wanna earn my spot. That’s why I wanna just kill it on the indies and if they really love what I’m doing for the rest of the year, I’m game.” Circling back to the topic of WWE, Blackheart said she'd love to go back, but she does not want to return only to do nothing. “I mean, I would love to be back at WWE. I loved working there. I didn’t love not working there, you know what I’m saying? It was only when I wasn’t being used that I was unhappy but, any time I was being used, good time. Loved the locker room, loved everyone I was working for. So, yeah, that’s just it. I just don’t wanna go back and not work.” A list of Blackheart's upcoming independent dates can be found here. If the quotes in this article are used, please credit The Ariel Helwani Show with an H/T to Fightful for the transcriptions.

Two of the most legendary stars in the history of wrestling were hanging out backstage at WWE NXT as Shawn Michaels cozied up to La Yezca, the plush pet of AAA Luchador, Mr. Iguana. Following their involvement in WWE x AAA Worlds Collide, Psycho Clown, El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Octagon Jr., and Mr. Iguana visited the June 10 episode of WWE NXT. Before appearing on the show, they all took part in a photoshoot. Footage of this was shown, and at the end of the video, it was shared on X. Shawn Michaels was seen with Mr. Iguna's pet, La Yezca. We’re proud to welcome @luchalibreaaa to @WWENXT tonight. International styles. Championship pedigree. Generational pride. It starts tonight on #WWENXT… and continues this weekend at #Triplemania TONIGHT 8/7c @TheCW pic.twitter.com/WyAEgLMRih — Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) June 11, 2025 ---- #PongaseVerde @luchalibreaaa @WWE pic.twitter.com/v72mapz7XH — Mr. Iguana (@MrIguana) June 11, 2025 Fightful Select has further details on the internal reaction to Mr. Iguana backstage. WWE x AAA Worlds Collide is claimed to be the most-viewed live stream in WWE YouTube history.

Oba Femi perseveres on the June 10 episode of WWE NXT. The episode of NXT opened with Jasper Troy slamming Oba Femi onto a car, cracking the windshield. Throughout the night, there were regular check-ins with the WWE NXT Champion, who insisted on competing. In the main event, Troy and Femi clashed for the WWE NXT Championship, and while the WWE LFG season 1 winner put up a good fight, he ultimately came up short, falling to Oba Femi's Fall From Grace. ------@jaspertroywwe has attacked @Obaofwwe in the parking lot! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/WdjAm7qT6X — WWE (@WWE) June 11, 2025 .@jaspertroywwe is UNREAL! --‍--#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/UYwZPCzbQ3 — WWE (@WWE) June 11, 2025 OH. MY. GOD. #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/v397C7cxMQ — WWE (@WWE) June 11, 2025 This was Jasper Troy's first shot at the NXT Championship and his first loss on WWE NXT television. Fans can find Fightful's coverage of NXT by clicking here. Check out the post-show podcast for a full review by clicking here. Check out the full match in the video embedded at the top of this page.

The card for the next episode of NXT. On the docket for the June 17th edition of NXT on The CW is an appearance from Mariah May, who is now going by 'Blake Monroe' in WWE. She'll be signing her NXT contract. The program is also going to feature eliminator matches to determine who will challenge NXT Women's Champion Jacy Jayne at WWE's all-women's PLE Evolution. There are going to be four singles bouts. The winners of those matches will advance to a Fatal 4-Way and that match will determine Jacy's opponent. Below are the four singles bouts for 6/17: * Lash Legend vs. Kelani Jordan * Thea Hail vs. Jaida Parker * ZARIA vs. Izzi Dame * Lola Vice vs. Jordynne Grace Joining the mix is a six-man tag. It'll be TNA's Elijah teaming with Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura to face First Cla$$ (A.J. Francis & K.C. Navarro) and TNA World Heavyweight Champion Trick Williams.

AJ Francis returned to WWE NXT. This time, he brought KC Navarro along with him, and they will be in action alongside Trick Williams on June 10. First Class' Francis and Navarro confronted the team of Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura in the locker room when they were approached by another TNA wrestler, Elijah. Elijah was upset that First Class cost him the opportunity to become the TNA Wrestling World Champion at TNA Against All Odds, and it was later announced that he would team with Briggs and Inamura against First Class and Trick Williams on June 17. Trick Williams later appeared on June 10 to cut a promo on the upcoming match. Trick Williams and First Class will face Josh Briggs, Inamura, and Elijah next week! #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/lECzjWXZcS — Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) June 11, 2025 Fans can find Fightful's coverage of NXT by clicking here. Check out the post-show podcast for a full review by clicking here.

First title match locked in for Evolution. The first defense of Jacy Jayne's NXT Women's Championship took place on the June 10th NXT on The CW. With an assist from her Fatal Influence factionmates Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx, Jayne put Lainey Reid away to retain the belt. After the bout, NXT General Manager Ava showed up and broke the news to Jayne that on 6/17, there will be four singles matches. The winners of those four matches will advance to a Fatal 4-Way on June 24th. Whoever emerges victorious from the four-way will challenge Jayne for the NXT Women's Championship at WWE's all-women's PLE Evolution on July 13th. The NXT Women's Title defense is the first bout announced for the show.