Happy Sunday, wrestling faithful. It’s May 24th, 2026, and the road to Clash in Italy is officially in its final stretch. We’ve got a contract signing looming, a Money in the Bank holder with a very questionable bathroom strategy, a beloved NASCAR legend mourned, and Ludwig Kaiser apparently turning Mexico into his personal redemption arc. Buckle up β let’s run through everything you need to know tonight.
Wade Keller Reviews Smackdown 5/22 β Cody vs. Sami, Rhea & Charlotte, Trick vs. Hayes
Friday’s Smackdown was one of those episodes that reminds you why this show still matters. Cody Rhodes versus Sami Zayn in any context is appointment television, and Wade Keller breaking it down on the Hotline is equally essential listening. Sami is operating at a career-high level of emotional storytelling right now β the man could wring tears out of a parking cone. Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair teaming up against Fatal Influence is the kind of uneasy alliance that makes Smackdown feel layered. And Trick Williams versus Carmelo Hayes continues to be one of the best ongoing rivalries that doesn’t get nearly enough mainstream conversation. Twenty-six minutes well spent, folks.
Dominik Mysterio Reveals His Diabolical β and Hilarious β MITB Cash-In Plan
Leave it to Dirty Dom to turn Money in the Bank into a bathroom joke. Dominik Mysterio telling the Main Event Club podcast that he’d cash in while the champion is on the toilet is, honestly, the most on-brand thing he’s ever said β and that includes every single time he’s cried in the ring. Look, we’re not going to pretend this isn’t funny, because it absolutely is. But let’s also acknowledge: Dominik holding that briefcase is genuinely compelling television. He’s evolved from the most booed man on the roster into someone who can make a podcast appearance go viral. The toilet cash-in will never happen, but the fact that we’re talking about it? That’s called doing your job, Dom.
Keller & White Post-Smackdown Deep Dive β 107 Minutes of the Good Stuff
One hundred and seven minutes. That’s a commitment, and honestly, if the subject matter is Sami Zayn’s current story arc, it’s justified. The PW Torch post-show with Wade Keller and Joshua White consistently delivers the kind of nuanced analysis that goes beyond surface-level hot takes. The Keys-Priest tension is a slow burn that deserves serious attention, and Barrett’s comments on Brock Lesnar’s retirement situation are the kind of thing that could have major implications down the road. Grab your headphones on the commute this week β this one’s worth the runtime.
WWE Fans Pay Tribute to Kyle Busch Following His Passing
This one hits differently. Kyle Busch β two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, guest host of Monday Night Raw in 2009, and brief holder of the 24/7 Championship β passed away earlier this month at just 41 years old. Whether you were a NASCAR fan or not, Busch brought genuine energy to his WWE appearances and clearly had a good time in that world. The wrestling community mourning him alongside the racing community speaks to how those crossover moments, brief as they are, actually mean something to people. Rest easy, Kyle. The 24/7 Championship may be gone, but your reign lives forever in the highlight reels.
Roman Reigns & Jacob Fatu Contract Signing Set for Raw β Clash in Italy Looms
Here we go. A contract signing between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu, days before a Tribal Rules match at Clash in Italy, should be must-see television β and also should absolutely descend into chaos before anyone signs anything. That’s the contract signing code, and we expect it to be honored. Oba Femi also being on Raw adds another layer of intrigue to what’s shaping up to be a stacked Italian card. The Bloodline storyline has had its peaks and valleys, but Roman versus Fatu with Tribal Rules stipulations? That’s a big-match atmosphere waiting to happen. Monday cannot come soon enough.
Liv Morgan Stuns at LA Summit β Champion Beyond the Ring
Liv Morgan, WWE Women’s World Champion and apparently also the most stylish person at any summit she attends, showed up to the Greater Together Los Angeles event looking absolutely locked in. This is the kind of crossover visibility that elevates the entire brand. Morgan has been building something beyond wrestling for a while now, and seeing her in rooms with sports, business, and entertainment power players is genuinely exciting for the future of women’s wrestling representation. The suit-and-tie look? Impeccable. The hustle? Undeniable.
Ludwig Kaiser Breaks Down in Tears After Fan Support in Mexico
Whatever you think about the circumstances surrounding Ludwig Kaiser’s arrest in Florida, watching him visibly break down after receiving an outpouring of fan support in Mexico is a genuinely human moment. Wrestling can be a brutal industry when things go sideways publicly, and to see a performer moved to tears by crowd affection during a difficult time is a reminder that these are real people navigating real crises. We hope Kaiser gets through whatever he’s dealing with and comes out the other side stronger.
Ludwig Kaiser’s Girlfriend Speaks Out in Support
Adding to the developing Kaiser story, his girlfriend has broken her silence to publicly support him as he navigates the fallout from his Florida arrest. Kaiser’s return to Mexico under the El Grande Americano mask β complete with fan enthusiasm and emotional moments β suggests a community rallying around him. The AAA connection here is worth watching closely. Sometimes adversity reshapes a career in unexpected directions, and the Mexican wrestling scene has historically been a place of reinvention. We’re paying attention.
Mason Rook Defended by WWE Alum After Fan Mockery
The wrestling internet has turned its collective eye toward Mason Rook, the recently debuted NXT Superstar formerly known as Will Kroos, and unfortunately not always in a constructive way. Fans mocking a wrestler’s appearance is one of the ugliest recurring habits in this fanbase, full stop. The fact that a WWE alum stepped up to defend Rook speaks volumes. Judge the work. Watch the matches. Form opinions based on what happens between the ropes β not what someone looks like standing in them. NXT exists precisely to develop talent, and running someone out before they’ve had a real chance is the kind of short-sighted take we should all be better than.
Jade Cargill Opens Up About Her High School Years
Jade Cargill, never one to shy away from being authentically herself, shared some reflections during a TikTok livestream about her teenage years β describing herself as confident, popular, and someone with serious rizz across the board. Cargill’s willingness to be open and genuine with her fanbase is a big part of why she connects so strongly with audiences. She’s a star in every room she walks into, and that’s been true apparently since high school. No further notes.
π€ The WAW Take
That’s your WAW Evening Briefing for Sunday, May 24th, 2026. It’s a big week ahead β Raw’s contract signing, Clash in Italy on the horizon, and the kind of weekly wrestling ecosystem that keeps this industry endlessly fascinating. We’ll be back tomorrow with everything that goes down on Monday Night Raw. Until then, stay passionate, stay opinionated, and never stop watching.