This is the kind of week you do not skip.

MrTeshk is dialed in. Darrion is firing. The crew is locked. And the road to Elimination Chamber has real electricity behind it.

We have strong takes. We have momentum building across every brand. And we have a giveaway that is going down live tomorrow during Elimination Chamber.

Let’s set the table.

P.S. Want to listen instead? Hit Listen Online at the top right of your email or browser.

I hate it.

I understand it.

But it is lazy.

And it perfectly reinforces a point I have been hammering for months. Triple H and TKO care about moments. They care about spikes. They care about social clips and quick hits. Long term storytelling feels secondary.

Why do we keep putting Raw superstars on SmackDown?

Every time the brand split starts to mean something, every time rosters begin to develop their own identity, we get crossover chaos because a Premium Live Event needs a quick jolt of hype.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky defending tag titles on SmackDown to build Elimination Chamber? I get the logic. More eyeballs. Bigger match graphic. Social traction. It creates a short term buzz.

But is that really the only path to get there?

Online discourse this week has been split right down the middle. Some fans are excited because they get a bigger match on free TV. Others are exhausted because the brand split has become a suggestion instead of a structure. Reddit threads are full of the same question. If the brands do not matter, why pretend they do?

This is not about Rhea. This is not about Iyo. Both are elite. Both elevate anything they touch. This is about creative shortcuts.

SmackDown has been inconsistent for months. Outside of the United States title picture and flashes in the tag division, the show struggles for weekly identity. Instead of investing in that roster and building organic contenders, the solution keeps being to import star power from Monday nights.

That is not world building. That is patchwork.

Fans notice patterns. Raw stars pop ratings on SmackDown. SmackDown stars show up on Raw when a storyline needs heat. The result is a brand split that feels cosmetic instead of meaningful.

The irony is that WWE has more than enough talent to build within its own lanes. SmackDown has emerging names that need reps. Raw has ongoing arcs that need breathing room. Yet when a PLE looms, the creative instinct is to shuffle the deck instead of commit to the cards already in play.

The IWC has been vocal about this all week. The criticism is not that cross brand matches are inherently bad. It is that they feel reactive. They feel like “we need something big next Friday” rather than “this has been building for weeks.”

Elimination Chamber hype should feel earned. It should feel like tension has been simmering. Instead, we get accelerated friction. Big stare downs. Quick promos. Title defenses that exist primarily to remind you a PLE is coming.

That is moment booking.

And moment booking is not the same as storytelling.

Storytelling requires consequence. It requires boundaries. If Raw is Raw and SmackDown is SmackDown, let them be distinct ecosystems. Let rivalries grow without constant cross contamination.

Because here is the bigger issue. When everything overlaps, nothing feels special. When every superstar can appear anywhere at any time, the novelty disappears. The roster becomes interchangeable content instead of a structured universe.

TKO’s influence feels obvious here. Bigger match graphic equals more engagement. More engagement equals better numbers. Better numbers equals happy shareholders.

But wrestling is not just numbers. It is memory. It is payoff. It is patience.

Fans are not stupid. They can smell when a card is being shuffled for optics instead of narrative logic.

Do I understand why they are doing it? Absolutely.

Do I think it is sustainable? No.

SmackDown does not need Monday night imports to feel important. It needs direction. It needs layered rivalries. It needs its own stars to feel like stars without leaning on Raw’s gravity.

If Elimination Chamber is going to matter, the road to it has to matter too.

Otherwise, we are just chasing clips again.

The Drop?

Cross brand appearances should feel rare and explosive, not routine and convenient. If the brand split means anything, protect it. Build within it. Make us care about each show as its own world. Because if the only way to sell the next PLE is to blur your own lines, that is not creative flexibility. That is creative insecurity.

Alright. Lock in.

We are officially giving away the Topps Chrome Green Refractor Rey Mysterio 75/75 during Elimination Chamber.

Not next week.
Not “soon.”

Tomorrow.

This is the final copy printed. End of print. Clean green refractor shine. A legit collector piece featuring one of the most iconic luchadors of all time.

And one subscriber is taking it home live during Elimination Chamber.

If you are subscribed, you are in.
If you have been on the fence, this is your moment.

MrTeshk will be talking about the giveaway tonight live during SmackDown, which is shaping up to be an absolute banger. He always drops extra details, extra hype, and sometimes extra ways to win while we are live.

So here is the play:

👉 Tune into SmackDown with MrTeshk tonight.
👉 Make sure you are subscribed.
👉 Be ready for Elimination Chamber tomorrow.

This one is happening. Do not miss it.

With less than two months until WrestleMania 42, WWE finds itself in a position that feels unfamiliar this late in the game. The biggest show of the year is approaching fast, yet the card does not appear to be fully locked in. And that is where the concern begins.

Traditionally, WrestleMania is mapped out with precision. Major matches are often outlined months in advance so that creative, marketing, merchandising, and promotional teams can move in alignment. By this point on the calendar, the framework is usually clear. The direction is defined. The machine is already running.

This year feels different.

At the moment, the only true anchor is the World Heavyweight Championship match between CM Punk and Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns. That is the tentpole. That is the headline. But beyond that, several marquee matchups, including what is expected to serve as the other main event, remain unsettled.

Reports describing internal “panic” and constant high-level meetings suggest this is not routine last-minute polishing. This sounds more like leadership trying to finalize major decisions under pressure. When you hear that multiple departments are waiting on creative confirmation, that signals something larger than storyline tweaks.

WrestleMania is not just a wrestling event. It is a corporate engine. Merchandise lines, sponsorship activations, ticket pushes, media appearances, and cross-platform campaigns all depend on knowing exactly what the featured matches will be. If those pieces are still shifting, it creates ripple effects across the entire operation.

That does not automatically spell disaster. Wrestling history has shown that late pivots can sometimes produce magic. Injuries and creative disagreements have forced bold changes before, and occasionally those adjustments have resulted in stronger builds than the original plan.

However, the key difference is tone. You want confidence heading into WrestleMania season. You want clarity. You want fans to feel like they are watching a carefully crafted march toward something monumental. If uncertainty starts bleeding into weekly programming, the audience will sense it immediately.

The coming days are critical. If decisions truly need to be finalized now, viewers should begin to see sharper direction on television. Promos will tighten. Feuds will become more definitive. The narrative will solidify.

Right now, WrestleMania 42 feels like it is racing the calendar. That does not mean the show cannot deliver. It simply means the margin for error is shrinking.

If leadership lands the plane clean, no one will remember the turbulence.

If they do not, this stretch will be remembered as the moment the road to WrestleMania felt unexpectedly unstable.

Monday, February 23, 2026
📍 State Farm Arena — Atlanta, Georgia
🎙 Commentary: Michael Cole & Corey Graves
🗣 Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
📺 Netflix Runtime: 2h 35m

A show split between chaos and celebration.

Elimination Chamber spots were finalized. Liv Morgan made her WrestleMania decision violently clear. Brock Lesnar returned with a declaration. But the emotional anchor of the night was the tribute to AJ Styles, and that is what gave this episode weight beyond match grades.

RAW was not perfect. It was meaningful.

🧊 Gunther Tries to Hijack the Night

Gunther opened like the ultimate disruptor, demanding the ring be cleared and declaring it disgraceful to celebrate AJ Styles in his presence.

He listed legends he claims to have ended. Goldberg. Cena. AJ.

Adam Pearce cut him off, but Dragon Lee jumped him in the aisle and again backstage, turning what should have been a tribute show into a brewing side war.

Then the subtle moment. Cody Rhodes crosses paths with Gunther backstage. No words. Just tension.

That is future file material.

Segment rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Strong heat, layered seeds planted.

👑 Cody Rhodes in Atlanta

Cody Rhodes barely began addressing his hometown before The Vision swarmed.

Bronson Reed. Logan Paul. Austin Theory. Paul Heyman orbiting it all.

The Usos evened the odds and the first Chamber qualifier was set.

This was interruption-heavy, but structurally necessary.

Segment rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Efficient setup, even if crowded.

🎟 Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier
Bronson Reed vs Jey Uso vs Chad Gable Original El Grande Americano

Bronson Reed suffered a right biceps tear mid-match, and you could feel the adjustment in real time. The tempo dipped while officials checked on him.

Once it became Jey Uso vs OEGA, the finishing stretch delivered. Counters. Urgency. Jey hitting Spear into Uso Splash for the win.

Winner: Jey Uso

Match rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Solid recovery under difficult circumstances.

Men’s Chamber field now features: Randy Orton, LA Knight, Cody Rhodes, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams, Jey Uso.

💔 Liv Morgan Makes Her WrestleMania Choice

Liv Morgan called out both champions.

Stephanie Vaquer and Jade Cargill stood across from her.

Liv began with reflection. Gratitude. Vulnerability.

Then she cracked Jade with the microphone and obliterated Vaquer with double knees and Oblivion before posing with the Women’s World Championship.

Decision made.

Liv Morgan vs Stephanie Vaquer at WrestleMania.

And she made it personal in one segment.

Segment rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Clear, violent, effective storytelling.

🥊 Maxxine Dupri vs Natalya

Maxxine Dupri took a brutal ring post bump that led to referee stoppage.

Natalya looked vicious in the aftermath.

Quick. Sharp. Statement.

Match rating: ⭐️
Short, but intentional.

🐂 Backstage Seeds: Oba Femi / Rusev + The Mystery Crate

Oba Femi and Rusev locked eyes backstage like WWE is testing a collision.

Adam Pearce continues babysitting the “Do Not Open Until 02/28/26” crate, shipping it to Chicago for Elimination Chamber.

Long fuse storytelling.

🤠 Brock Lesnar Returns

Brock Lesnar returned in full aura mode.

Open challenge for WrestleMania. No answer tonight.

Crowd chanted for Oba Femi, which might be the most interesting direction possible.

Announcement-only returns are risky. The follow-through must hit.

Segment rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Big presence. Limited payoff.

🎤 Kofi Kingston vs Je’Von Evans

Kofi Kingston gave Je'Von Evans a strong platform.

Evans wrestled fearless and sold through a knee issue. The OG Cutter remains one of the cleanest visual finishes on television.

Winner: Je’Von Evans

Match rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️¼
Momentum builder for a rising star.

🎟 Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifier
Raquel Rodriguez vs Iyo Sky vs Kairi Sane

Raquel Rodriguez powered through late chaos and hit the Tejana Bomb on Kairi Sane for the win.

Iyo Sky briefly aligned with Kairi before tension resurfaced.

Winner: Raquel Rodriguez

Match rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️¼
Strong closing stretch, logical qualifier.

Women’s Chamber now includes: Rhea Ripley, Tiffany Stratton, Alexa Bliss, Asuka, Kiana James, Raquel Rodriguez.

🎬 AJ Styles Tribute Night

WWE threaded AJ Styles highlights throughout the broadcast.

When AJ finally addressed Atlanta, it felt grounded and real. Georgia roots. TNA. Japan. WWE. The grind. The sacrifice. Missing his children grow up while chasing greatness.

He left his gloves and jacket in the ring in his home state.

Then the perfect surprise.

The Undertaker rode out as the American Badass and announced AJ Styles as a 2026 WWE Hall of Fame inductee.

Locker room emptied. Applause. Curtain call.

Segment rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Executed exactly how a career tribute should be.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Three Stars of the Night

🥇 AJ Styles
🥈 Liv Morgan
🥉 Je’Von Evans

Final Thoughts

This RAW lived in two lanes. Story progression and emotional tribute.

The match quality was not elite across the board, and triple threat fatigue is starting to show. Punk’s promo did not elevate his title match heat enough. Brock’s return needs payoff soon.

But the show still mattered.

Jey is in the Chamber.
Raquel is in the Chamber.
Liv chose Vaquer and made it violent.
Gunther is heating up.
Cody and Gunther had a quiet tease.
Brock declared his lane.

And AJ Styles received a sendoff that felt earned.

Final Score: 7.25 / 10

Tuesday, February 24, 2026
📍 WWE Performance Center — Orlando, Florida
🎙 Commentary: Booker T & Vic Joseph

Four title matches. Three title changes. One perfectly timed betrayal.

This was controlled chaos in the best way. NXT leaned into instability heading toward Vengeance Day, and the result was a show that felt urgent, unpredictable, and meaningful.

New champions were crowned. Alliances fractured. Momentum shifted fast.

If the goal was to make March 7 feel important, this episode did the heavy lifting.

🏆 NXT Tag Team Championship
Darkstate vs The Vanity Project

Darkstate came in looking steady. The Vanity Project left with gold.

The match unraveled into pure ringside chaos. Ref distractions. Outside interference. Tony D’Angelo inserting himself at the perfect moment. Baylor stealing the deciding fall.

Winners and NEW Champions: The Vanity Project

Match rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️¼

Barely two months on NXT television and already holding titles. That is instant credibility and instant targets on their backs.

💪 Sean Legacy vs Keanu Carver

Keanu Carver continues to build a reputation as a future monster.

Legacy had flashes, but Carver’s offense looks heavy and deliberate. He feels like he is being positioned as the next “force of nature” presence.

Winner: Keanu Carver

Match rating: ⭐️⭐️¼

Short. Clear. Effective.

⚡ WWE Speed Championship
Jasper Troy vs Elio LeFleur vs Eli Knight

Jasper Troy played powerhouse. Eli Knight brought pace. Elio LeFleur brought upside.

LeFleur winning just before the time limit expired felt intentional. A statement win in a division built on quick bursts.

Winner and NEW Champion: Elio LeFleur

Match rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️¼

Fast matches live or die on urgency. This one delivered.

🏆 NXT Women’s Championship — No DQ
Jacy Jayne vs Sol Ruca

Sol Ruca never got a fair start.

Zaria speared her before the bell, delivered an F5, then told her good luck.

Bell rings. Jacy Jayne hits Rolling Encore. Eight seconds later it is over.

Winner: Jacy Jayne

No rating. This was an angle.

And it worked.

Zaria did not just turn heel. She ruined Sol’s biggest opportunity. That is how you generate real heat.

Then she threatened Jacy backstage and forced a title match next week. The chaos continues.

🥊 Women’s Speed Tournament
Blake Monroe vs Thea Hail

Thea Hail advanced, but Jaida Parker’s interference against Blake Monroe told the bigger story.

This feels less about tournament advancement and more about fueling that rivalry.

Winner: Thea Hail

Match rating: ⭐️

Monroe’s booking still feels stop-start.

🏆 NXT North American Championship
Ethan Page vs Myles Borne

Ethan Page built the match around his ankle and veteran control. Myles Borne built it around resilience.

Then everything broke loose. Vanity Project interference. Title shots. Hank, Tank, and Shiloh clearing space. Saints trying to insert himself. Joe Hendry cutting that off.

Exposed turnbuckle. Opening created.

Borne Again hits clean.

Winner and NEW Champion: Myles Borne

Match rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Borne hugging his mom in the crowd afterward made the moment feel earned. That is the human element that elevates title changes.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Three Stars of the Night

🥇 Myles Borne
🥈 Zaria
🥉 The Vanity Project

Final Thoughts

This was one of the most newsworthy NXT episodes in months.

Three title changes. A betrayal timed for maximum impact. New champions. New grudges. Clear direction toward Vengeance Day.

Yes, interference was heavy across the card. Yes, Sol Ruca’s loss was brutal.

But the brand feels volatile right now, and that volatility works in its favor.

NXT thrives when it feels unpredictable. This week, it absolutely did.

Final Score: 7.5 / 10

There is a difference between a wrestler being cooled off and a wrestler slowly drifting out of relevance. What is happening right now with WWE NXT talent Blake Monroe feels a lot like the second one.

It is not dramatic. It is not loud. There has not been a crushing squash match or some humiliating segment designed to knock her down the ladder. It is subtler than that. It is the kind of pattern you only notice when you step back and connect the dots.

Blake Monroe feels like someone who should be climbing.

Instead, she is hovering.

A few months ago, she looked like a name that could organically slide into the real conversation within the NXT women’s division. She has presence. She moves with confidence. There is an intensity to her that suggests there is another gear waiting to be tapped into. That is why this recent stretch stands out so much.

Take the Women’s Speed tournament match against Thea Hail. Three-minute format. Already restrictive. Before the match could even breathe, Jaida Parker gets involved at ringside. Chaos unfolds. The referee somehow misses it. Hail capitalizes. Monroe loses in barely over a minute.

Yes, on paper it advances a feud.

But perception is not built on paper.

Perception is built on repetition. And the repetition right now says this: Monroe absorbs the damage so someone else can move forward.

She is not being positioned as a threat. She is not getting the kind of competitive losses that build sympathy or toughness. She is not being framed as resilient in the face of adversity. She is simply the one who gets distracted, interrupted, or taken out to heat up the next chapter of someone else’s story.

That is where frustration starts creeping in.

In wrestling, momentum is everything. Especially in NXT. This brand is built on clear trajectories. You can see when someone is being groomed. You can feel when someone is heating up. Even when they lose, the direction is obvious.

With Monroe, the direction feels foggy.

She is not buried. She is not embarrassed. But she is also not elevated. She exists in that creative middle space that can quietly flatten a character if it lingers too long.

And here is the part that makes it more puzzling.

She has tools.

She could work as a gritty underdog fighting uphill. She could lean into a sharper edge and become more ruthless. She could easily slot into the upper midcard and feel credible. Instead, she feels reactive. Things happen to her. She is not driving the story. She is surviving inside of it.

If this is long-term storytelling, then fine. Wrestling thrives on delayed gratification. Setbacks can fuel something meaningful. But that payoff has to be intentional and it has to be decisive. There needs to be a moment where Monroe stops absorbing the narrative and starts dictating it.

Right now, she feels like potential sitting in neutral.

And in a division that has proven it can build stars quickly and confidently, that stands out.

It is not anger.

It is not outrage.

It is the quiet frustration of watching someone who feels like they should be rising… stay exactly where they are.

Be Good People🤘
mr.teshk

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