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On-screen, the biggest WWE moment of the week came during Sunday’s episode of ‘Undertaker: The Last Ride’ on the WWE Network when The Undertaker seemingly confirmed that he has retired from in-ring competition.
Technically, the WrestleMania icon could still return – he said he would consider it if Vince McMahon needs him in an emergency – but various WWE articles and video packages throughout the week suggest that “The Deadman” really has competed in his final match.
Behind the scenes this week, Alexa Bliss revealed what her relationship with Buddy Murphy is like following their split, while former RAW Superstar Sarah Logan surprisingly announced that she is stepping away from wrestling after being released by WWE.
Let’s take a look at the full details behind those stories, plus eight others, as we count down 10 of the most interesting real-life stories that have been revealed about WWE Superstars and storylines this week.
#10 Alexa Bliss addresses Buddy Murphy split
Alexa Bliss posted pictures of her with her boyfriend, singer Ryan Cabrera, on social media this week, prompting questions about her relationship with fellow WWE Superstar Buddy Murphy.
Responding to a Twitter user, Bliss said she split up with Murphy in early 2018. However, they remain friends and they even share animals together.
#9 Nia Jax’s hectic 2019 WWE Royal Rumble
Nia Jax followed up her appearance in the 2019 Women’s Royal Rumble by attacking R-Truth to enter the Men’s Royal Rumble at the No.30 position.
The former RAW Women’s Champion eliminated Mustafa Ali before doing battle with male Superstars including Dolph Ziggler, Rey Mysterio, and Randy Orton.
Speaking to talkSPORT’s Alex McCarthy, Jax revealed that she thought she was in trouble in the hours leading up to the show when she was told she needed to speak to John Laurinaitis and Vince McMahon.
After finally tracking down Laurinaitis, she was advised to focus on the Women’s Royal Rumble first and figure out her Men’s Royal Rumble spot when she returned backstage.
#8 Sarah Logan’s post-WWE plans
Sarah Logan was among the most surprising names in the list of WWE Superstars who received their release from the company in April 2020.
The former Riott Squad member, who is married to The Viking Raiders’ Erik, looked set to make a quick return to WWE television after she continued to be mentioned on RAW in the weeks following her departure.
However, she took to Instagram this week to confirm that she has decided to step away from wrestling for the foreseeable future after spending the last nine years in the industry.
#7 Backstage morale during WWE RAW tapings
Lots of reports have emerged throughout the week about the growing number of WWE employees who have contracted COVID-19.
Prior to the news that 30+ people in WWE have tested positive, Ric Flair said in an interview with Wrestling Inc. that the morale has been “great” whenever he has appeared on WWE shows in recent weeks.
The two-time Hall of Famer added that he is “the most fortunate guy in the world” to still be involved in WWE, while he also revealed that he calls Randy Orton’s father, “Cowboy” Bob Orton, every time his son has a show-stealing match.
#6 Vince McMahon and The Undertaker pranked AJ Styles
The final episode of ‘Undertaker: The Last Ride’ revolved around The Undertaker accepting the fact that he will not have any more matches in WWE. Then, just when he thought he was set to officially retire, he received a phone call from AJ Styles asking him to consider having one more match.
When The Undertaker agreed to go ahead with the WrestleMania match, he played a prank on Styles by telling Vince McMahon to inform “The Phenomenal One” that he had decided to return for another WWE match, but it would not be against him.
Styles quickly worked out that the opponent that ‘Taker and McMahon referred to – “some kid in Tennessee” – was not real, and the WrestleMania match was finally agreed!
#5 WWE producer Jason Jordan is a father!
We have not seen Jason Jordan in a WWE ring since January 2018, but the Superstar-turned-producer still keeps fans up to date on his personal life with occasional posts on social media.
This week, Jordan tweeted a picture of him holding his new-born child, Ava Rose, along with a caption saying he “could not have asked for a better first Father’s Day”.
#4 The Undertaker’s tragic news
In another story from ‘Undertaker: The Last Ride’, The Undertaker revealed that he received a call from his niece during WWE's filming of the Boneyard match to inform him that his brother, Tim, had suddenly died after suffering a heart attack.
The WWE legend said the situation was made even more difficult because, one day after he learned of his brother’s passing, he had to film a match that revolved around being buried.
#3 How Zelina Vega reacted to WWE rejecting her
Zelina Vega has been one of the most prominent personalities on the WWE RAW roster since WrestleMania 36, but Andrade’s on-screen associate initially struggled to even get signed.
Speaking on The New Day’s Feel The Power podcast, the 29-year-old said she was “heartbroken” and “bawled her eyes out” when former WWE executive Ty Bailey told her that she needed to spend some more time training before she could be considered by WWE.
Finally, after several years of wanting to work for Vince McMahon's company, Vega reported to the Performance Center in 2017.
#2 Kevin Owens wanted to stay in WWE NXT
In May 2015, Kevin Owens had one of the most impactful debuts in WWE history when he defeated John Cena at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.
“The Prizefighter” had only appeared on WWE programming for six months before the event, having made his first NXT in-ring appearance at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution in December 2014.
Speaking on The Bump this week, Owens recalled that he was overcome with emotion following his final NXT match – versus Finn Balor at TakeOver: Brooklyn in August 2015 – simply because he did not want to leave the Black and Gold brand.
#1 Vince McMahon’s rule for WWE referees
If you read our article earlier this week on 10 WWE matches that had a botched finish, you will know that WWE referees are told to count Superstars out and count to three during pinfalls, even when it is obvious that a Superstar has made a mistake.
Speaking on Talk Is Jericho, recently released WWE referee Mike Chioda said Vince McMahon told him, “Whatever you do, I’ll back you up,” after asking him to put the rules into effect.
One notable example of a Superstar breaking this rule came in 2019 when Jack Gallagher inadvertently stumbled and failed to get back into the ring during a match against Chad Gable on 205 Live. The referee stuck to the rules and awarded the victory to Gable via countout.
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