Combined insider notes sourced from F4WOnline.com and FightfulSelect.com.
WrestleMania Direction & Top Programs
• WrestleMania 41 World Title Plans:
WWE’s intended direction is Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes III and CM Punk vs Bron Breakker. WarGames was structured to build Punk vs Breakker.
WWE’s intended direction is Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes III and CM Punk vs Bron Breakker. WarGames was structured to build Punk vs Breakker.
Source: Wrestling Observer Radio — F4WOnline.com
• CM Punk’s attacker was Austin Theory.
Confirmed by Meltzer; also reported by Fightful Select. Theory was originally expected to be in WarGames.
Confirmed by Meltzer; also reported by Fightful Select. Theory was originally expected to be in WarGames.
Sources: Wrestling Observer Radio & Fightful Select —
F4WOnline.com |
FightfulSelect.com
• Roman/Cody stare-down deliberately teased Mania direction.
Source: Wrestling Observer Radio —
F4WOnline.com
John Cena’s Final Year — Backstage Plan
• Cena vs Gunther expected to be Cena’s final match.
WWE wants Cena to end his career with a victory. The Dominik loss was designed to set up the arc.
WWE wants Cena to end his career with a victory. The Dominik loss was designed to set up the arc.
Source: Wrestling Observer Radio —
F4WOnline.com
• Internal plan originally had Cena retaining vs Dominik.
Cena was once meant to win at Survivor Series and defend in his final match. The plan changed after internal pushback.
Cena was once meant to win at Survivor Series and defend in his final match. The plan changed after internal pushback.
Source: Bryan & Vinny Show —
F4WOnline.com
Survivor Series 2026 — Early Location Talk
• Toronto is being strongly considered for the 2026 stadium show.
Source: Bryan & Vinny Show —
F4WOnline.com
Injury Updates
• Bron Breakker neck scare — backstage cleared.
Taken to medical immediately; evaluated and cleared shortly after.
Taken to medical immediately; evaluated and cleared shortly after.
Sources: Bryan & Vinny Show & Wrestling Observer Radio —
F4WOnline.com
• Chad Gable shoulder surgery update (Not a return report).
Shoulder surgery in July; long-term recovery. Seen at the Performance Center for rehab, not a return indicator.
Shoulder surgery in July; long-term recovery. Seen at the Performance Center for rehab, not a return indicator.
Source: Fightful Select —
FightfulSelect.com
Booking & Creative Notes
• Gunther still expected to win the tournament.
As of 10 days ago, Gunther was penciled in as the winner.
As of 10 days ago, Gunther was penciled in as the winner.
Source: Wrestling Observer Radio —
F4WOnline.com
• Women’s WarGames had more heat live — production miking issues.
Source: Wrestling Observer Radio —
F4WOnline.com
• Raw tournament semifinals expected Monday.
Source: Wrestling Observer Radio —
F4WOnline.com
Talent, Returns & Contract Situations
• Andrade has NOT signed with AEW yet.
Negotiations ongoing; WWE monitoring situation closely.
Negotiations ongoing; WWE monitoring situation closely.
Source: Wrestling Observer Radio —
F4WOnline.com
• Jacob Fatu was expected to return by now.
Source: Wrestling Observer Radio —
F4WOnline.com
Additional Notes from Bryan & Vinny
• WWE had to call in extra security post-show.
Thousands of fans swarmed the post-show interview area.
Thousands of fans swarmed the post-show interview area.
Source: Bryan & Vinny Show —
F4WOnline.com
• Lash Legend received internal praise for major improvement.
Source: Bryan & Vinny Show —
F4WOnline.com
• The Rock and Brie Bella were rumored but did not appear.
Source: Bryan & Vinny Show —
F4WOnline.com