The Rap On Wrestling

Tears for the blessed. We hate to see The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods leave WWE after reportedly being asked to renegotiate relatively new long-term contracts. They’re one of the greatest tag teams of all time, and we couldn’t ask for better representatives of our culture on a mega stage like WWE. Here, we discuss their impact and the big “what if” scenario of them heading to AEW. Elsewhere, it’s “Backlash” time, baby. We dissect Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker and, of course, dive into the big Bloodline brouhaha between World Champion Roman Reigns and his cousin Jacob Fatu. All that and more. Let’s g

None of this suggests that WWE is in immediate danger of losing its position at the top of the industry. But it does point to a growing gap between success and resonance. While WWE continues to refine and optimize its product, All Elite Wrestling is leaning into the raw, unpredictable elements that have always defined professional wrestling at its best. And in an industry built on emotion, connection, and moments that feel real, that difference matters. Because in the end, wrestling isn’t just about what works on paper. It’s about what makes people care.

We are two weeks removed from WrestleMania, and with Backlash right around the corner, you know it’s “all gas, no brakes.” We’re diving into Jacob Fatu challenging Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship, The Bloodline reuniting, and whether Randy Orton’s pursuit of Cody Rhodes’ WWE title is still happening—or if it’s time for The American Nightmare to face a new challenger. We’re talking all things Raw and SmackDown.

We caught up with WWE’s “Anointed One,” the new United States Champion Trick Williams, at the Netflix Brunch the day after night two of WrestlwMania. While standing poolside in Vegas, Trick broke down his relationship with his ring cohort Lil Yachty, how it feels to represent hip-hop in wrestling, and his top five favorite MCs. Let’s talk about it!

We caught up with the incomparable tag team duo of @smokedza and @westsidegunn outside of night 2 of #WrestleMania to get their take on the entire weekend, especially the main events of Saturday and Sunday and Brock Lesnar seemingly retiring. Check the full episode. LINK IN BIO When the “Rope” meets the #ROWP @4thrope @theraponwrestlingpodcast