Welcome to the June 5th Inside The Ropes Live blog, bringing you the latest news from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT Wrestling and more.
Today’s biggest stories:
In June 2011, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin scheduled a match that kick-started a CM Punk movement. Watch the “Summer of Punk,” from the career-defining “Pipe Bomb” to the first live contract negotiation to Punk’s legendary match at Money in the Bank against John Cena and much more.
Check out the full mini-documentary below, courtesy of the WWE.
The winds of change seem to be sweeping across WWE once again, and not in a way that fans or talent may welcome.
On a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Live, insider Bryan Alvarez addressed growing concerns surrounding recent talent releases and offered a warning that more cuts could be on the way. He confirmed that the departure of Valhalla (Sarah Logan) may not be the end of the line, saying:
“I’ve been told that [there] might be others as well, so this might not be the end with Valhalla being released.”
While official confirmation of more names hasn’t surfaced yet, Alvarez strongly suggested that these may not be sudden firings, but rather quiet non-renewals of contracts, a method WWE has leaned on recently to manage roster size post-Endeavor merger.
In a surprising twist, Alvarez added fuel to speculation about one of WWE’s most recognizable veterans: The Miz. While stressing that his remarks are speculative, Alvarez pointed to a few key developments that have sparked concern:
Alvarez was clear to note this is not confirmation of a release, but where there’s smoke, there might be fire:
“I just think it would be a pretty lame thing to do… to remove references to WWE when everyone else has been released—if you’re not being released. So there might… where there’s smoke, there could be fire.”
The Miz has been a longstanding cornerstone of WWE, having been with the company for nearly two decades. His potential exit would not only be a shock to fans but also mark the end of an era defined by his consistency, versatility, and mic skills.
Karrion Kross has been generating significant buzz recently—though not because of in-ring action. While “The Herald of Doomsday” continues to feature in WWE backstage segments rather than matches, his rising popularity among fans and outspoken attitude have thrust him back into the spotlight.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, Kross is currently in his contract year with WWE. Interestingly, the company has yet to reach out to him regarding a renewal or extension.
While this might seem unusual, it aligns with WWE’s recent trend of waiting until the final month or so of contracts before initiating discussions.
Despite not being prominently featured on TV, Kross ranked in the top three for WWE merchandise sales last month, showing that his growing connection with fans could give him leverage in any upcoming contract negotiations.
Though Kross hasn’t seen regular in-ring time, WWE appears to be laying the groundwork for a feud with Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn. His current role sees him manipulating and psychologically targeting other superstars—most recently Zayn—urging them to embrace darker aspects of themselves.
This isn’t the first time Kross has targeted Zayn; the seeds of this rivalry were briefly planted in 2024 but never took off.
Now, with a potential storyline brewing, WWE may finally be ready to explore that angle further—potentially positioning Kross for a major TV return if his contract situation is resolved favorably.
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has ignited a storm of controversy on social media after taking a jab at wrestling legend Jim Ross, prompting a wave of backlash from fans and fellow veterans alike—including a sharp rebuke from Dutch Mantell.
The controversy began when Flair appeared to accuse Ross of seeking attention amid his public battle with colon cancer. The comments didn’t sit well with fans, and Dutch Mantell didn’t mince words on his Story Time podcast, bluntly telling Flair to “shut up.”
Flair wasn’t about to let that slide. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he responded directly to Mantell, referencing the veteran’s health issues and implying that his criticism was rooted in personal pain:
“Dutch, Everyone Is Always Going To Think Of You As A Veteran That’s Not Allowed To Have An Opinion… The Anger You Pour Out At Everybody Is Clearly Coming From The Pain You Feel. Please Stay Strong!”
Flair then doubled down with an even more aggressive tweet, boasting about his wealth and fame while telling critics to “go F” themselves:
“I’ve Got More Money Than I’ve Got Time. Go F Yourself Haters… Get Back To Me Again When You Make 3 Million Dollars A Year At The Age Of 76.”
The comments have polarized fans, with many calling out Flair for lacking compassion and escalating the situation unnecessarily.
Interestingly, Flair later attempted to clarify his original remarks about Jim Ross, stating they were meant as a joke:
“It was lighthearted fun. Just trying to make people smile. People take life too seriously.”
However, the apology didn’t do much to stem the criticism, as many believe Flair’s comments—especially about Ross’ health—crossed a line.
As one of wrestling’s most decorated icons, Flair’s words carry weight. But with this latest outburst, many fans and peers are wondering whether The Nature Boy has let his legacy veer too far into controversy.
CM Punk’s Pepsi tattoo has long been one of the most recognizable and talked-about body markings in WWE history. The colorful corporate logo inked on his left shoulder has intrigued fans for years—and now, the former world champion has finally peeled back the curtain on its true meaning.
Speaking on a recent episode of WWE Tattooed, Punk dove into the origins of the tattoo, citing the influence of the 1980s punk band Minor Threat and their guitarist Brian Baker. Punk explained that he first read about Baker’s Coca-Cola tattoo while stuck in detention. When asked why he had it, Baker reportedly said, “I like Coca-Cola.” That simple, unapologetic reasoning struck a chord with Punk.
“I don’t like Coke. I like Pepsi,” Punk said. “I’m a Midwest kid at heart. So I got a Pepsi tattoo.”
But beyond the brand loyalty, Punk shared that the ink represents a deeper part of his identity: his straight-edge lifestyle. While some may see the logo as a quirky or rebellious choice, for Punk, it symbolizes personal conviction and a lifelong commitment to clean living.
“That tattoo represents me being straight edge,” Punk said. “I know it seems silly to put a corporate logo on yourself, but it really has a deeper meaning and it means so much more to me than just, you know, soft drink.” [h/t Ringside News]
Things have taken a turn for the worse for WWE Superstar Zoey Stark following a serious knee injury suffered during a recent episode of RAW. The setback occurred during a Triple Threat Money in the Bank Qualifying Match against Rhea Ripley and Kairi Sane, when Stark landed awkwardly while attempting a missile dropkick. She was immediately escorted backstage and later underwent knee surgery.
While initial expectations placed her return toward the end of 2025, Fightful Select now reports that Stark is likely to remain sidelined until after WrestleMania 42 in April 2026. The timeline adjustment means she is set to miss WWE’s biggest event of the year.
Zoey Stark has faced knee issues before, making this latest injury even more disheartening. The star posted a photo following surgery on Instagram, simply captioned “Deja vu,” a nod to her past battle with injury.
Fans and colleagues alike are hoping for a full and speedy recovery, though the extended absence may alter her trajectory in WWE’s women’s division.
In a thrilling surprise at AEW Fyter Fest, Tay Melo made her long-awaited return to AEW after 724 days away from the ring. The moment came during a heated backstage segment that escalated to the ring, where Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford targeted Anna Jay following her recent loss on AEW Dynamite.
As Bayne and Ford prepared to assault Jay, the crowd erupted when Melo stormed in, wielding a weapon and laying out Ford before squaring up to Bayne. The dramatic moment ended with officials intervening, but the message was clear—Tay Melo is back and ready for action.
This marks Melo’s first AEW appearance since January 2023, when she teamed with Anna Jay in a losing effort against Ruby Soho and Willow Nightingale. Melo then stepped away from wrestling to welcome a daughter with husband Sammy Guevara.
Ahead of their high-stakes match at Money in the Bank, John Cena and Logan Paul have been plotting not just strategy—but branding. The Undisputed WWE Champion and the former United States Champion are set to team up to take on Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso in a battle that could shift the balance of power in WWE.
In a recent vlog on Logan Paul’s YouTube channel, the unlikely duo casually tossed around potential tag team names during a candid behind-the-scenes moment. Cena first jokingly pitched the bizarre “Human Centipede,” but Paul countered with the much more clever and heel-appropriate “Heel Team Six,” a pun on the elite US military unit SEAL Team Six.
Cena didn’t stop there, offering another idea: “The WWE.” As he put it, “We are The WWE.” The Champ even went so far as to mimic an over-the-top ring introduction for the name, suggesting he was genuinely amused by the concept.
Whether they stick with one of these names or surprise fans with something even more outrageous, Cena and Paul are clearly having fun in their mission to “ruin wrestling”—and their chemistry is undeniable.
AEW has officially confirmed one of the biggest matches in professional wrestling history for All In 2025. Following an intense episode of Fyter Fest, Kenny Omega—fresh off a successful International Championship defense in a Four Way bout—found himself locked into a monumental showdown.
Tony Khan announced that All In 2025, set to take place in Texas, will feature Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada in a Winner Takes All clash. Both the AEW International Championship (held by Omega) and the AEW Continental Championship (held by Okada) will be on the line.
This will be the long-awaited continuation of a legendary rivalry that captivated fans during their New Japan Pro Wrestling days. Their last singles match took place nearly 1,748 days ago at NJPW Dominion 6.9, where Omega defeated Okada in a historic Best Two Out of Three Falls match to claim the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
With their series currently tied at two wins each, the stakes have never been higher. This All In clash could not only settle the score—it may also deliver another instant classic in what many consider one of wrestling’s greatest rivalries.
Hello and welcome back to the ITRWrestling live blog
My name is Liam and I will be with you from 2pm to 6pm (UK) covering all the biggest stories from the past 24 hours across the world in wrestling.
Kicking things off today we have:
