The professional wrestling world is in a state of upheaval tonight following a series of explosive revelations and controversial decisions emanating from WWE and its parent company, TKO. A leaked town hall meeting has confirmed that artificial intelligence is now being used to craft storylines for the company’s flagship programs, sparking immediate backlash from fans and talent alike. The news, which broke just hours ago, has sent shockwaves through the industry, with many questioning the creative direction of the once-unstoppable sports entertainment giant.
During a TKO town hall meeting, Chief Financial Officer Andrew Schlimmer and President Mark Shapiro openly discussed the integration of AI into WWE’s core operations. While Schlimmer noted that the company is still in the early stages of testing, Shapiro made a stunning declaration that Nick Khan and Triple H are actively using AI to develop storylines. According to Shapiro, the technology is being employed to analyze what is resonating with audiences, which superstars are connecting, and in which pockets of the country they are most popular. This data, he claimed, is being used to shape creative content, editorial decisions, and touring schedules.
The admission has been met with widespread condemnation from fans who fear that WWE’s creative output will become soulless and formulaic. The concern is not unfounded, as WWE has already faced criticism for AI-related blunders in the past. A notable example was when Dominic Mysterio was mistakenly shown wearing an AEW Championship instead of the AAA Mega Championship, a glaring error that many attributed to a lack of human oversight. Critics argue that relying on algorithms to generate storylines could lead to even more disastrous mistakes, stripping the product of its emotional depth and spontaneity.
The backlash intensified almost immediately after the town hall comments leaked online. WWE aired an episode of NXT that featured a video package for Zarya that was entirely generated by AI. Fans were quick to call out the segment, describing it as horrendous and soulless. Social media was flooded with memes mocking the low-quality production, with many users labeling it as AI slop. The incident has raised serious questions about the company’s commitment to quality, especially given its status as a billion-dollar corporation.
In the midst of this controversy, NXT saw a wave of new debuts designed to revitalize the brand. The masked wrestler known as Evil made his highly anticipated debut, confronting NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo. Reports indicate that Evil requested to be placed on NXT at his own behest, and there are rumors that his new name could be Nox Raan, following a recent trademark filing. Additionally, several other talents, including Lizzy Rain, Will Cruz, Tristan Angels, Cam Hendris, and Tate Wilder, all made their first appearances on the show. The influx of new faces comes as NXT has lost a significant number of its top stars over the past two weeks, leaving the brand in desperate need of a reset.
Meanwhile, the future of Triple H as head of creative is under intense scrutiny. A report from Fightful Select has revealed that TKO maintains full control over WWE creative whenever it chooses to exert its authority. While Triple H runs day-to-day operations, sources indicate that TKO’s influence is most pronounced around major events like WrestleMania. This has led to speculation that Triple H’s position may be more precarious than previously believed. Brian Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer reported that there were internal discussions about whether Triple H would still be running creative by 2026, citing the increasing involvement of outside parties in last-minute decisions.
Alvarez pointed to several examples of TKO’s heavy-handed approach, including the insertion of Pat McAfee into storylines and the involvement of musician Jelly Roll. These moves, according to insiders, were made by individuals outside of Triple H’s creative team, raising doubts about the level of faith TKO has in his leadership. Although Triple H recently signed a new multi-year contract, the report suggests that his long-term future is far from certain. Some within the company believe that his reign over creative may have been nearing its end before the new deal was finalized.
Adding to the turmoil, AJ Lee has sparked speculation that her time with WWE may be over. Following her post-WrestleMania appearance, Lee took to social media to thank several fellow wrestlers, including Becky Lynch, Bailey, and referee Jessica Carr. In a heartfelt post, she praised Lynch for being selfless and hilarious, and expressed gratitude for the support she received. While her contractual status remains unclear, many believe that Lee may be taking another extended hiatus, potentially returning in time for SummerSlam. The ambiguity has left fans anxious about her future with the company.
Kyrie Sane has also broken her silence regarding her recent release from WWE. In a statement posted on X, Sane refuted reports that she had requested her own release to return to Japan. I never walked away and I have given my all in everything I do, she wrote, directly contradicting earlier claims by Dave Meltzer. The revelation has reignited the We Want Kyrie campaign, with fans chanting her name during live events. Despite the groundswell of support, WWE has reportedly indicated that there are no plans to bring her back in the near future. The situation echoes the backlash that forced the company to re-sign R-Truth last year, raising hopes that history may repeat itself.
In other injury news, Stephanie Vaquer has been declared legitimately injured following a backstage assault on Raw. Brian Alvarez confirmed that the injury is real, though it is unclear when it was sustained. Vaquer last competed at WrestleMania 42, where she lost to Liv Morgan. Similarly, Tala Tonga is also sidelined with an undisclosed injury, dispelling rumors that he had been released. Alvarez reported that Tonga is expected to return fairly soon, though no specific timeline has been provided. Both wrestlers have received well-wishes from fans and colleagues as they recover.
On a more positive note, Bronson Reed is being positioned for a major push upon his return from injury. WWE has reportedly planned for Reed to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship, capitalizing on their existing history. Reed famously defeated Reigns at Crown Jewel 2025, a victory that establishes him as a credible threat. Before suffering a torn bicep, Reed was slated to dominate the Elimination Chamber match, and the company remains committed to maintaining his momentum. A return in July is considered likely, setting the stage for a potential showdown at SummerSlam.
Raw this week was plagued by a technical malfunction that left the arena sweltering. A failure of the air conditioning system caused extreme heat, leaving wrestlers like Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns drenched in sweat despite minimal physical exertion. Videos posted online showed Reigns glistening under the lights, with fans noting the oppressive conditions. The malfunction negatively impacted the viewing experience and raised concerns about the venue’s infrastructure.
Finally, the release of Santos Escobar has drawn sharp criticism after it was revealed that WWE has revoked permission for him to use the Performance Center to rehab his injury. Escobar was part of the latest round of roster cuts, despite being injured while under contract. Fightful Select reported that the company initially allowed him to use the facility but later changed its policy. The decision has been labeled as cold and morally questionable, with many accusing TKO of prioritizing cost-cutting over the well-being of its talent. The move marks a troubling new precedent for how WWE handles injured performers.