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Bella Twins' First-Ever Shot At WWE Women's Tag Titles Ends In DQ, Brawl On Smackdown

Charlotte Flair attacks Nikki Bella
Charlotte Flair attacks Nikki Bella - WWE

Nia Jax and Lash Legend defeated The Bella Twins to retain the Women's Tag Team Championship during "WWE SmackDown," albeit by disqualification.

The Bellas were wrestling their first tag team match together since 2018, looking to capture a title that wasn't established until after their full-time careers with the company came to an end towards the end of the last decade. And they almost did exactly that, had it not been for some untimely interference from Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss – Flair and Bliss having held the titles throughout last year.Β 

Much of the bout saw Jax and Legend tormenting both their opponents as well as Flair and Bliss on the outside, with the Bellas forced to fight from underneath against the physically larger champions. Nikki locked in the Fearless Lock to Legend in the middle of the ring, appearing to be about to get the submission victory. Meanwhile, Jax went to hit Brie with a title belt on the outside of the ring, and Flair got in the way but caused a disqualification in the process, allowing Jax and Legend to retain their titles.Β 

The three teams fought after the match, with the champions getting the better end of things and ending the segment standing tall over their challengers. Later on, it was made official that the Bellas could get some semblance of revenge over their defeat with a tag team bout against Flair and Bliss on "SmackDown" next week.

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Former WWE Star Ted DiBiase Jr. Found Not Guilty In Welfare Fraud Case

WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. attends the WWE and The Creative Coalition's SummerSlam Kickoff Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on August 16, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.
WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. attends the WWE and The Creative Coalition's SummerSlam Kickoff Party at the Beverly Hills Hotel on August 16, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California. - David Livingston/Getty Images

Former WWE star Ted DiBiase Jr. was found not guilty on Friday of all criminal counts in his Mississippi welfare fraud conspiracy trialΒ after being accused of misappropriating millions of dollars intended for families in need. The son of WWE Hall of Famer "The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, and former Legacy stablemate alongside Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, was indicted by the US Department of Justice almost three years ago. He was charged with the theft of millions of dollars in federal funds.

According to the Mississippi Clarion Ledger, jurors deliberated for around four hours. DiBiase Jr.'s trial began on January 6, though was halted for over a month shortly after it began, due to an illness suffered by his lead defense attorney. The Ledger reported DiBiase faced 13 counts, including four counts of money laundering and two counts of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. The former WWE talent pleaded not guilty to the charges and did not testify in the federal case. He faced up to five years in prison.

DiBiase Jr. spoke to local media following the conclusion of the trial, and a clip of his comments to WAPT News was posted to X. He said that the past seven years of "being slandered" had "about torn his family apart," and he was thankful it was all over.

Several high profile defendants were also initially named in the scandal, including "The Million Dollar Man" and his other son, Brett, as well as former NFL quarterback Brett Favre. As of January, DiBiase Jr. was the only defendant to stand trial. DiBiase Sr.'s friend, John Davis, the former director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services, is alleged to have given millions of dollars in funds from the department to two companies owned by DiBiase Jr. and a nonprofit owned by DiBiase Sr.

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WWE Night Of Champions Reportedly 'Doubtful At Best' To Take Place In Saudi Arabia

Triple H looks on.
Triple H looks on. - Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

If the rumors are true, WWE's annual "Night of Champions" premium live event could be in geopolitical jeopardy. Recent reports suggest that, due to the United States' ongoing war with Iran, WWE may choose to relocate their typically Saudi Arabia-based premium live event this year.

According to Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select, figures at WWE headquarters are "doubtful" that the premium live event will return to its typical home in Saudi Arabia. The news comes shortly after early reports seemingly confirmed a return to Riyadh for WWE, with WWE and Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority both allegedly refusing to entertain questions regarding rescheduling "Night of Champions."

It is to be noted that WWE has not confirmed a location for "Night of Champions β€”" in Saudi Arabia, or elsewhere. Wrestlevotes acknowledged that the premium live event's location is subject to change, though the timeline for WWE to confirm the June event's venue is unclear. As of writing, no alternative locations have been named.

While "Night of Champions'" presence in Saudi Arabia has been called into question, the ongoing conflict involved the United States, Israel, and Iran has not stopped WWE from pressing on with their WrestleMania 43 plans. Recent reports affirmed that WWE is still planning to host 2027's "Showcase of the Immortals" in Saudi Arabia β€” albeit, with back-up plans in place, should the conflict escalate or continue into next year's WrestleMania season. While "Night of Champions" has not always been hosted in Saudi Arabia β€” the event was exclusively hosted in the United States from its inception in 2007 until its retirement in 2015 β€” WWE typically uses the event as a chance to host a Saudi Arabia wrestling mega-weekend.

As of writing, neither WWE norΒ Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority have officially commented on "Night of Champions'" tentative, or final, location.

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Backstage News On Whether Bron Breakker Will Be Cleared In Time For WWE WrestleMania

Bron Breakker in rage mode
Bron Breakker in rage mode - Elsa/Getty Images

During Royal Rumble season, it seemed all but assured that Bron Breakker would find himself in a marquee match come WrestleMania 42. But the aftermath of Royal Rumble weekend changed all of that, when it was revealed Breakker would need surgery to recover from a serious hernia. Since then, there's been very little word regarding Breakker's status, leaving many to believe the chances of him working WrestleMania were unlikely.

But a new report suggests WWE is still hoping that Breakker could make his way back. Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select reports that at least one WWE source expressed "optimism" regarding Breakker being cleared to compete before WrestleMania. No update was provided on how Breakker's rehab was going, but it was suggested that WWE has their T's crossed in the event he can wrestle, as the promotion has put together a plan for Breakker at WrestleMania.

Prior to his injury, many expected Breakker to be in contention for one of WWE's two World Championships, or to be put in a program with Seth Rollins, who he forcefully removed from The Vision back in October. Rollins himself had been out recovering from an injury since that time, but returned at Elimination Chamber, attacking Breakker's stablemate Logan Paul.

Rollins has yet to wrestle since his return, but has continued to appear on TV, using an endless amount of masked men to play mindgames with Paul, Austin Theory, and Paul Heyman. Despite that, a match has yet to be made between Rollins and either Paul or Theory for WrestleMania, leaving open the possibility that a Breakker-Rollins match could happen should Breaker get cleared in time.

Read more: 5 Wrestlers Worse Off After Leaving WWE

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