Daily Update: Nikki Bella, new John Cena movie trailer, Michael Tarver

Nikki Bella | WWE
Nikki Bella heads to the ring. (Image credit: WWE)

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Wednesday Update

Darby Allin | AEW
Darby Allin celebrates winning the AEW World title on Dynamite. (Image credit: AEW)

WWE

  • During an interview with USA Today, Nikki Bella said she’s hoping to return from her ankle injury by the end of June:
    • Injuries are so funny. I always try to ask that (asking the medical team for updates). (They’re like) ‘not until I see what your ankle looks like in June,’ and I’m like, ‘But if you were to just guess,’ and they’re like, ‘Don’t know, not until June,’
    • I’m hoping, for me in my head, end of June would be incredible, but I also don’t want to go back too early, because you know the big part about when people get reinjured is because their strength isn’t matching, so I need to make sure the calves, the quads, glutes, I need to make sure they’re all built up.
  • WWE uploaded the full Tatum Paxley vs. Lizzy Rain NXT Women’s North American Championship match from last night.
  • The Mark Moses Show interviewed NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo.
  • Charlotte Flair appeared on the latest episode of TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast.
  • Bianca Belair shared photos (part one, part two) of her baby shower, which was attended by many WWE colleagues including Liv Morgan, Nattie, Angelo Dawkins, Alexa Bliss, Ivy Nile, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Maxxine Dupri, Michin, Solo Sikoa, LA Knight, Omos, IYO SKY, and Jey Uso
  • Netflix released the official trailer for the upcoming John Cena-Eric Andre comedy “Little Brother.” The movie debuts on June 26:
    • Rudd (John Cena) has the perfect life – great job, loving family, and a thriving career as a real estate agent… until his little brother, Marcus (Eric Andre), crashes back into his world as a full-blown agent of chaos, stress-testing every part of Rudd’s carefully controlled existence.
  • To mark yesterday being the 30th anniversary of the “Curtain Call,” WWE Vault uploaded the 2015 documentary “The Kliq Rules.”

Other Wrestling

  • In a feature story for ESPN, Darby Allin discussed potentially becoming a father at some point and whether that would change him:
    • Will having kids of my own change me and make me tone it down? No, I don’t believe so. And I’ll tell you why. Because the moment I have a kid, I want to keep showing them that there’s no age limit that says you must calm down. You have to be that much more inspiring to them, because, who am I if I’m playing it safe with my 5-year-old? That’s not Darby Allin. But if I’m strapping the 5-year-old to a Can-Am and going on some jumps? That’s who I am. I want my kids to have the confidence I never had growing up.
  • The Allin story is the first AEW-focused piece to appear on ESPN’s website in quite some time. It was written by Andreas Hale, who was declined a credential for WWE WrestleMania 42 after covering the Janel Grant/Vince McMahon story for ESPN.
  • MJF made an appearance on SNY’s Baseball Night in NY.
  • Mark Briscoe celebrated today being the 26th anniversary of he and his late brother Jay making their in-ring debuts.
  • The Wrestling Classic interviewed Shelton Benjamin.
  • Will Ospreay praised NJPW wrestler Robbie X, who defeated Kosei Fujita in the main event of today’s Best of the Super Juniors show:
    • Robbie X is legitimately has been the best jr heavyweight for the last 4 years.
    • Seeing him get his flowers and rocking korakuen hall is a different level of special to see!!
  • Wrestling broadcaster Sam Laterna thanked Tony Khan for giving her the opportunity to serve as an on-screen interviewer at this week’s ROH TV tapings in Jacksonville:
    • If there’s one thing I’ll always bet on, it’s myself.
    • Huge thank you to Ring of Honor and Tony Khan for bringing me in for interviews at this round of ROH TV tapings. It was so wonderful seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and getting to work in such a fun environment!
  • Claressa Shields, a top women’s boxing star, showed up for Sukeban in New York City last night and got physically involved by delivering a punch and even earning a pinfall victory during the surprise appearance.
  • Fabian Aichner has filed a trademark for the nickname “Il Gladiatore,” which translates to “The Gladiator.”
  • Former Nexus member Michael Tarver is retiring from the ring with his final shows happening this Saturday and Sunday:
    • This is emotional week
    • This is my official goodbye to the pro wrestling Biz (in ring)
    • I finish my now 22 year journey with the 2 brothers who took me in 22 years ago in Barberton in a little dive bar called the Shamrock night club Josh E Robinson , Lamont Williams my brothers for life. I will be sharing some of my favorite moments of my career over the next week. Drew Jeffrey Andrew Taylor, from my start in UWC, CAPW, AIW, PWU, NWA to WWE / NXT and NJPW
    • From Akron Ohio to Japan to London to India to Puerto Rico to South Africa
    • From signing a @wwe contract homeless to being a part of a WrestleMania main event and main eventing SummerSlam
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Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.