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It was a big week in professional wrestling.
Both WWE Raw and SmackDown have been preparing for their next storylines after WrestleMania 42, seeing calls coming in and moving closer to some official matches for Backlash, scheduled for May 9.
All Elite Wrestling continued to head towards its Double or Nothing pay-per-view, which will take place on May 24. Darby Allin was in action as some championships were on the line throughout the week.
In case you missed anything, read the cliff notes below.
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Darby Allin defends the AEW World Championship for the first time
Darby Allin competes in the ring during AEW Collision on October 3, 2024, at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio. (Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire)
Darby Allin stunned the professional wrestling world almost two weeks ago by defeating Maxwell Jacob Friedman to win the AEW World Championship. There were only a few days left to celebrate before Allin was scheduled to defend his title on “AEW Dynamite” on Wednesday.
Allin faced Tommaso Ciampa for the title. It was a brutal match that saw Ciampa open up and deliver a hard-hitting drop to Allin from the middle rope on the floor. Allin used several submission maneuvers to finally allow Ciampa to kick out.
“Last night I met my soulmate in wrestling,” Ciampa wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “I have a feeling we’ll be doing this again and again for the next decade.
“Mark your words: it might not be this month… it might not be this year… hell, it might not even be 2027… but there will come a time when I hold that AEW World Title.”
Allin didn’t have much time to celebrate as another challenge presented himself: Brody King.
King said he got permission from AEW co-founder Tony Khan and, if it was okay with him, he would like to be the next man up. Allin agreed and the two will fight for the championship on this week’s edition of “Dynamite.”
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Jacob Fatu takes up the challenge.
After defeating Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 42, Jacob Fatu became the first person to become world heavyweight champion, Roman Reigns, on “Monday Night Raw.” The series, in this place, is used to create new storylines or shocking returns and Fatu helped the cause.
Reigns, flanked by Jey and Jimmy Uso, said Fatu would think about the challenge because he didn’t think Fatu was necessarily ready to face him. Fatu did more than enough to prove himself on “Friday Night SmackDown” by defeating Solo Sikoa and managing the MFT faction on his own.
Fatu’s effort left the Usos stunned as they watched him tear apart Tama Tonga, JC Mateo and Tonga Loa.
If Reigns accepts Fatu’s challenge, the World Heavyweight Championship fight would be scheduled for Backlash in a few weeks.
Cody Rhodes destroys ‘outside forces’ in scathing promo
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes speaks during SmackDown at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on April 24, 2026. (Michael Marques/WWE)
Cody Rhodes’ promos amid Pat McAfee’s insertion into his WrestleMania feud with Randy Orton blurred the line between what was real and what was kayfabe.
Over the last three WrestleManias, Rhodes has had to face The Rock, Travis Scott and McAfee as he attempts to either win the undisputed WWE Championship or retain it. He managed to defeat Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, but he wasn’t done sending pointed messages.
He told SmackDown on Friday that he wanted to “send a message” at WrestleMania.
“And the most important message I wanted to send is to those outside forces who have continued to intercede and interfere with my WrestleMania plans, who want to get involved in this nightmarish family celebration, I’m going to make it simple, you’re 0-3. Send your best or count your money and mind your own damn business,” he said.
It is unclear who will win the Rhodes title. But CM Punk apparently had his eyes on the belt on Monday.
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Other notes of the week in wrestling
Tiffany Stratton celebrates her victory as the new WWE United States Women’s Champion during SmackDown at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas on April 24, 2026. (Rich Wade/WWE)
Tiffany Stratton defeated Giulia to win the United States Women’s Championship. This is Stratton’s first reign in the United States. Giulia held the belt for 111 days. Stratton is the sixth winner of the American title since the championship debuted in December 2024.
WWE NXT stars were called up last week. Ethan Page, Sol Ruca, Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid appeared on the main roster last week. Ricky Saints, Joe Hendry and Blake Monroe were teased this week.
Several WWE stars announced their departures this week.
Damian Priest and R-Truth retained their tag team titles on “SmackDown.” They dominated JC Mateo and Tama Tonga.
Seth Rollins made a surprise appearance at AAW Wrestling’s latest show at the historic Berwyn Eagles Club in Illinois.
The son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner has signed with the Tennessee Titans after going undrafted.
Kevin Knight will defend the AEW TNT Championship on Wednesday against MJF. With MJF still angry about losing the AEW World Championship, Knight and MJF exchanged barbs and the match was made for this week on “Dynamite.”
Two title defenses were made on “Collision”. Jack Perry defeated El Clon to retain the AEW National Championship, while Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy and Roderick Strong retained the AEW Trios Championship against Andrade El Idolo, Hechicero and Lance Archer.
FTR raised the stakes of Cope and Christian Cage’s challenge. Cope and Cage said they wanted to challenge FTR for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at Double or Nothing in a street fight in New York and, if they lost, they would split up as a team forever. FTR stated on Collision that they would only do this if they agreed to an I Quit match. The ball is now in Cope and Cage’s court.
In TNA, Mike Santana and Rich Swaan put on a show for the TNA World Championship. Santana nailed Swaan with Spin the Block and pinned him for the win. The two men shook hands after the match.
Sayaka Kurara stunned professional wrestling fans on Sunday by defeating Saya Kamitani for the World Celebrity Championship at All Star Grand Queendom. Kamitani’s reign lasted 483 days and she defended her title nine times.
Pro Wrestling REVOLVER held its first YouTube show after breaking away from Triller TV. At Revolver STRONG, Mance Warner defeated Krule to become the new world champion.
AAA said a new CEO would be announced next month.
Season 3 of “WWE Legends and Future Greats” premiered Sunday night. WWE Hall of Famer Booker T previewed what’s to come on the show with PK Press Club Digital.
