The masked man storyline that played out on SmackDown and concluded at Elimination Chamber 2026 was reportedly viewed as a success internally. The angle centered on Seth “Freakin” Rollins and ended with him costing Logan Paul a possible win in the Chamber match, allowing Cody Rhodes to score the elimination.

In the weeks leading up to Elimination Chamber, a masked figure appeared on SmackDown, creating speculation about the identity behind the hood. Rollins later unmasked a decoy on the blue brand, which added another layer to the story. The real payoff came inside the Chamber when Rollins appeared, attacked Logan Paul, and delivered a Stomp. Rhodes capitalized and pinned Paul.

According to Bodyslam+, WWE officials are said to be very satisfied with how the storyline was executed, even with complications during its build.

“WWE is said to be very happy with the way that the Masked Man angle played out despite all of the different injuries and obstacles that popped up.”

The report also stated that Rollins was directly involved in shaping the creative direction of the angle. He personally selected Don Furio to portray the masked figure revealed on SmackDown. Furio is a graduate of the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy, the school run by Rollins and Marek Brave.

“Seth Rollins handpicked Don Furio for the storyline. This added a personal touch to the angle. Furio is a graduate of the Black and Brave Wrestling Academy, the school operated by Rollins and Marek Brave.”

Looking toward WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, the expected plan remains Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker. WWE is hopeful Breakker will be medically cleared in time. If that does not happen, the backup plan would see Rollins face Logan Paul instead.

“Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker is still expected for WrestleMania 42, as WWE is hopeful of Bron Breakker getting cleared in time. But if he isn’t, Rollins is currently expected to face Logan Paul on the grandest stage of them all.”

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WWE RAW Preview – March 2 – The road to WrestleMania 42 reaches a pivotal stop tonight at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Following a transformative weekend in Chicago, Monday Night RAW on Netflix is set to address the major fallout from Elimination Chamber and solidify the matches that will headline the grandest stage of them all in Las Vegas.

The OTC Confronts the Best in the World

CM Punk remains the World Heavyweight Champion after a grueling victory over Finn Bálor in his hometown. However, the celebration was short-lived, as Roman Reigns made it clear he was less than impressed with the champion’s performance. Tonight, “The OTC” returns to the Red Brand to stand face-to-face with Punk as they begin the final descent toward their epic clash at WrestleMania.

Adam Pearce to Address the Visionary

Saturday night saw the shocking return of Seth “Freakin” Rollins, who snuck into the Elimination Chamber to cost Logan Paul a shot at the WWE Undisputed Championship. While Rollins’ medical status has been a question mark since his shoulder surgery, General Manager Adam Pearce has promised to personally address the interference tonight. “I will address Seth Rollins,” Pearce confirmed via social media, leaving fans wondering if the “Visionary” will be in the building to answer for his actions.

AJ Lee’s Championship Homecoming

For the first time in over 11 years, AJ Lee is a singles champion in WWE. After submitting Becky Lynch to capture the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Lee arrives in Indianapolis to celebrate her historic win. With a target now on her back, the new champion looks to cement her legacy on the road to her first WrestleMania appearance since 2015.

Title Defenses and Grudge Matches

The Men’s Intercontinental Championship will be on the line as “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio finally makes a title defense. After a shoulder injury sidelined him following his Survivor Series victory over John Cena, Dom faces a massive challenge in Penta. Additionally, Gunther returns to singles action against Dragon Lee, who is out for vengeance after the “Ring General” ended the career of his former mentor, AJ Styles, at the Royal Rumble.

Fans should also keep an eye out for the potential appearance of Danhausen, who debuted at Elimination Chamber and is expected to be on-site tonight.

WWE RAW Preview – March 2

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Tiffany Stratton Misses Playing a Heel – Tiffany Stratton is thoroughly enjoying her time on the WWE main roster, but there is one significant aspect of her NXT tenure that she still finds herself longing for.

Now a mainstay on WWE Main Roster, Stratton recently participated in the Women’s Elimination Chamber match in Chicago. Although she ultimately fell short in the high-stakes contest, her performance further solidified her standing as one of the brand’s most popular stars. Despite her success as a fan favorite, Stratton revealed during an appearance on the No Contest Wrestling podcast that she misses the creative freedom of being a villain.

When asked what she misses most about her developmental run, Stratton pointed directly to her character’s moral compass. “That’s a really good question,” she noted. “I do miss how my character was down in NXT. I do miss being a heel. I love being a heel and wrestling as the heel.”

The former NXT Women’s Champion explained that portraying a “babyface” on the main roster comes with certain expectations that can feel restrictive. In contrast, playing a villain allowed her to fully lean into her “Buff Barbie” persona without holding back.

“It’s like right now I wrestle as a baby face,” Stratton said. “I love to just be free. Like as a heel, I feel more like I can be free and just kind of be like full Tiffy. Whereas like kind of right now I reel it back just cause—so I do miss wrestling as a heel doing backstages and promos as a heel. So I would say like, that’s the biggest thing that I missed on an NXT.”

While the WWE Universe in 2026 has embraced her with “Tiffy Time” chants, the athlete clearly remains fond of the edge that defined her rise to stardom. For Stratton, the opportunity to be “full Tiffy” as a villain is a role she hopes to revisit in the future.

Tiffany Stratton Misses Playing a Heel

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WWE Hall of Fame 2026 Ceremony Details – WWE has officially finalized the logistics for one of the most anticipated nights of the wrestling calendar. In a joint announcement with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the company confirmed that the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony will be held on Friday, April 17.

The event is scheduled to begin at 9 PM PT at Dolby Live at Park MGM, serving as a cornerstone of the WrestleMania 42 festivities in Las Vegas.

The ceremony promises to be a historic occasion, featuring a diverse group of legends. According to the official release from WWE:

“The 2026 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony will deliver an unforgettable experience for the WWE Universe, headlined by Class of 2026 inductees Stephanie McMahon, former WWE Chairwoman and Co-CEO, Grand Slam Champion AJ Styles and Demolition. Additional inductees will be announced in the coming weeks.”

Fans looking to attend the event in person will have their first opportunity to secure seats very soon. WWE revealed that:

“Tickets will go on sale starting Tuesday, March 10 at 1pm ET/10am PT via Ticketmaster.com. Fans can purchase tickets during an exclusive presale by visiting Ticketmaster.com starting Monday, March 9 at 1pm ET/10am PT.”

For those seeking a more luxurious experience, the company is once again partnering with On Location to offer specialized hospitality tiers.

“Additionally, WWE Hall of Fame Priority Passes will soon be available through On Location, the Official Fan Hospitality Partner of WWE. These exclusive packages will provide unparalleled access to every electrifying moment, including premium seating, Superstar Meet & Greet opportunities, and more,” the announcement noted.

The 2026 class currently features a mix of executive brilliance and in-ring excellence. Stephanie McMahon’s induction recognizes her decades of leadership and character work, while AJ Styles stands as one of the most decorated performers of the modern era. The inclusion of Ax and Smash of Demolition corrects a long-standing omission, finally bringing the legendary tag team champions into the Hall.

WWE Hall of Fame 2026 Ceremony Details

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Former WWE and AEW standout Jake Hager is transitioning into a new area of combat sports. During a recent appearance on the Inside the Ring podcast by TMZ, Hager announced that he has signed a multi-appearance deal with Dana White’s Power Slap promotion. The former World Heavyweight Champion has committed to six appearances with the organization, with his debut scheduled for next month during the festivities of WrestleMania week in Las Vegas.

The event, which will be streamed live on YouTube, is set to take place on April 17, 2026. “I’m so excited to announce that I’ve signed with UFC Power Slap, and they are doing a show April 17 in Vegas live. That’s the Friday before Mania. I’ll be competing in that show in the heavyweight division,” Hager revealed. Embracing the nature of the sport, he added with a touch of humor: “I’ve been told that I have a very slappable face, so I’m sure the line will be around the corner.”

Hager’s recruitment into the slap fighting world was facilitated by a familiar face from the wrestling industry. He noted that Sinn Bodhi, known to WWE fans as Kizarny, currently works for the promotion and was the person who initiated the contact. Despite the ongoing public debate regarding the safety of the sport and the potential for head trauma, Hager remains unbothered. “I mean, you know what you signed up for. You’re signing up to get slapped and trying to slap someone back as hard as you can,” he remarked. “So I expect injuries to happen. I know UFC does a great job of covering all expenses related to the injuries. I’m not worried about it, to be honest.”

While Hager previously competed in Bellator MMA, he does not foresee a return to that cage as he nears his 44th birthday. However, a return to the wrestling ring appears more likely. Although he once considered himself retired, Hager noted that his body is feeling rejuvenated after a hiatus. If he does return to pro wrestling, it likely will not be with AEW, as he has expressed criticism of Tony Khan in the past.

Currently, Hager’s focus remains on his family and his business ventures outside of the spotlight. “I definitely don’t watch AEW,” he said regarding his current viewing habits. “Like you said, I was a founding member of that company. I don’t watch a lot of pro wrestling or MMA right now. I’m pretty busy with the company and keeping the wheels turning. When I do have some downtime, I’m playing video games with my kids or playing soccer with my daughter.”

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