WWE: WWE Reportedly in Talks with Stone Cold Steve Austin & Hulk Hogan for WrestleMania 40, Drew McIntyre WWE Contract Update, More News

WWE Reportedly in Talks with Stone Cold Steve Austin & Hulk Hogan for WrestleMania 40 Appearances

As noted before, WWE is currently working on plans for Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, and The Undertaker to make an appearance and be involved in next weekend’s WrestleMania 40 event in some form.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that WWE officials recently held new talks with Austin for a potential appearance at WrestleMania 40. Johnson reported that it is currently not known if WWE is planning for Austin to do something beyond just appearing at the event.

Johnson also reported that WWE officials have also been in recent talks with WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan for a potential appearance at the event as well. Johnson reported that WWE’s current plans for Hogan likely do not involve him getting involved in any angles of physical action at the event.

---

Drew McIntyre WWE Contract Status Update

As noted before, Drew McIntyre’s contract with WWE is currently expected to expire at some point beyond this April’s WrestleMania 40 event.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that McIntyre recently informed those close to him that he has yet to sign a new deal with WWE. Johnson reported that the current belief is that McIntyre and WWE officials are working under the expectation of reaching a new deal. Johnson reported that those close to McIntyre stated that the next step for McIntyre will be to focus on his family and this will be a major factor in his decision.

In a recent interview with Newsday, McIntyre provided an update on the status of his contract with WWE and talks for a potential new contract.

“I can say I’m having fun. And I hope to continue to have fun, no matter what. I’m still young, I’m in my prime. I’m gonna be wrestling,” said McIntyre, who made it clear that his satisfaction in WWE has a lot to do with his placement on the card. “If I’m not, you know, one of the featured players, if I’m not making a significant difference to the show, and the business as a whole, then quite frankly, I don’t want to be there.”

---

WWE News & Notes

NBC’s The Tonight Show recently announced that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Roman Reigns will be making a guest appearance on their April 3rd show.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that WWE recemtly began construction for the stage for next weekend’s WrestleMania 40 event at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

This past Tuesday’s NHL game between the Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks in Chicago featured CM Punk, Jey Uso, and Jackie Redmond among those in attendance.

As noted before, Alexa Bliss has been out of action for WWE since January of 2023 due to skin cancer treatment-related issues and maternity reasons over the birth of her first child. Bliss provided an update this past Tuesday on Twitter stating that she recently returned to the gym for some training for her potential in-ring return.

As noted before, this past Tuesday’s NXT show featured Natayla making a surprise appearance and return to WWE’s NXT brand. Natayla recently reflected on Twitter about her match against Lola Vice on the show and her return to NXT. Natayla stated “I had the best time at @WWENXT last night. It’s always been one of my favorite places in the world to wrestle. I’ve had some of the most special moments of my career there. I was really overwhelmed by the love that was shown to me last night and by how impressive @lolavicewwe is in the ring. Can’t wait to see what’s next.“

In a recent interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, Trick Williams gave his thoughts about his transition from a football to a pro wrestling career and how his personality makes him a good fit for WWE’s NXT brand. Williams stated “I just think I have a natural feel for liking people, liking to be around energetic situations. It’s really my goal in life that every single room that I walk in, I want people to feel better that I’m there. It started off with little things, maybe in a wide receiver meeting room or class, to now on a grand scheme. When I walk into the arena or stadiums, people can feel my presence now. It seemed like a little thing when I told myself, ‘That’s the goal, I want it,’ but now to see it on the big stage is awesome.“

In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Becky Lynch gave her thoughts about her current issues with WWE’s handling of their Women’s division of late. Lynch stated “I don’t need a title. The title doesn’t make me–I make the title. I have enough stories that I don’t need the title. NXT, that’s a place that does a great job with multiple stories with women that don’t all revolve around a title. That’s what our division needs, more stories that don’t revolve around a title.“

In a recent interview with the Straight Talk Wrestling podcast, former WWE talent Mustafa Ali gave his thoughts about his release from WWE this past September. Ali stated “Expected, but there was no emotional, like, sadness associated with it. I’m a very business-oriented person. I know what I’m capable of. WWE is a huge entity, it’s a promotional machine and oftentimes what happens is guys at the top of the card are in those positions for a reason and obviously, we always hear about the revenue breaking-records that they’re making. So they obviously know what they’re doing. I, as an individual, always believed in the mantra of if you really believe in it, you’re willing to bet on yourself, right? And I was willing to bet on myself a year-and-a-half or two years ago, whenever it was (that I first asked for my release) and that’s all it really came down to. I know what I’m capable of. In two months, I’ve already taken over the industry. Sold-out show after sold-out show. I can’t keep enough merchandise. It’s like I’m the hottest free agent in the world right now… in like 60 days? So, I bet on myself, it’s already paid dividends and I’m excited for what the future holds.” (Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com)

In a recent interview with the Impaulsive podcast, Rhea Ripley gave her thoughts about how working with Judgement Day has helped improve her promo work in WWE. Ripley stated “Joining the Judgment Day helped a lot. When I first entered with Edge and Damian. What better person to fall back on than Edge? Also, Damian, he was better than me. He was still learning, but he was better than me. I felt comfortable even though most of the time I didn’t know I didn’t know what the hell I was saying because we used a lot bigger words when Edge was in the faction. ‘I don’t know what that means, but I’m going to try and say it.’ I feel like if I did forget where I was going or got lost on the way, I could fall back on them and they would have my back and they remembered my part of the promo too, so they could say what I was going to say. Obviously, we grew and Edge, we kicked him out, Finn joined, Dom and JD came along. Every time I get to go out there with them, it’s just joking and talking with friends. They were always there and we would look at each other. It was a rare time that I would look at the crowd. I would look at them and the main camera, and that’s all I would look at so it felt like I was joking around and talking with them. It makes you feel more comfortable and confident. You slowly get better at it because you get reps, and the next thing you know you’re out there by yourself and cutting an amazing promo.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)