Brian Damage
This Week in Wrestling: Week 43 of 2026
There appears to be a major shakeup about to happen in WWE. It has been reported that Bruce Prichard is ready to retire and will do so after Wrestlemania 43 taking place in Saudi Arabia. While that may be news in itself, it is now being reported that NXT head Shawn Michaels will be replacing Prichard as Triple h’s right-hand man in creative. Michaels and Triple H are not only the best of friends, but Shawn knows all the talent in NXT and Evolve and how to best utilize them on the main roster when their time is ready. Michaels also firmly believes in pushing tag team wrestling and has a strong record of pushing women’s wrestling.
With Shawn Michaels getting the eventual promotion, that leaves a serious hole for NXT. It seems that AJ Styles will be taking over that position with help possibly coming from both CM Punk and Bayley. That should make for an interesting dynamic if completely true. It remains to be seen how AJ would do as head of NXT creative, but NXT champion Grayson Waller recently gave AJ some high praise as a mentor down in developmental. Waller said that Styles listens closely to the wrestlers and doesn’t force anything on them that they may be uncomfortable doing in the ring. He allows the wrestlers a certain amount of creative freedom and is the first one to meet the wrestlers and offer advice after returning from the ring.
In addition to all of those future changes, it also appears that Michael Hayes is training Bobby Roode to takeover for Hayes once he retires. Hayes is considered to be this era’s version of the late Pat Patterson. Patterson was at one time the second most powerful person behind only to Vince McMahon and was instrumental in planning most of the finishes to matches. Once Michael Hayes hangs it up, Roode is poised into that position. So basically, as it stands right now, the last remaining vestige of the Vince McMahon era is Prichard. Once he goes; Triple H will have all of his own people in control of the product. Will it make things better? That remains to be seen.
Photo Gallery
Congrats to both CJ Perry and Rusev on the announcement that she is pregnant!
Jordynn Grace putting in the work.
Nikki Bella
Ash by Elegance
Karissa Rivera
Brooke Adams
Cassie Lee
Mandy Rose
Toni Storm
Lola Vice
Happy Halloween Mother F*ckers! 😉
Video Gallery
Happy Halloween to all who observe it. Here is a classic WCW advertisement for Halloween Havoc back in the day.
Luke
I don’t get this whole “Shawn is a great booker” thing. Ever since he took over, NXT’s sucked worse than ever under HHH. Outside of a few exceptions (the ones who actually know what wrestling is supposed to be, not the ones who ended up in NXT because they couldn’t hack it elsewhere), I feel like I’m watching mindless drones doing only what they’re being told to do and never thinking for themselves. The matches in NXT look faker than even in AEW. Shawn is trying to make everyone into his own image and doesn’t seem to understand that you can’t be Shawn Michaels without having Shawn Michaels talent. Also, if everyone is Shawn Michaels, no one is special.
Daniel Mitchell
Are you ever positive?
Luke
Of course, whenever there’s something positive to be about. Thing is, stupid people only see what they want to see. I’m not saying that’s why, but fact is you missed it…
david Lee fullam
“Hayes is considered to be this era’s version of the late Pat Patterson.” Oh dear. Was there a Hayes School of Self Defense?
PY GOD
Chubby Jordynne looked better!
Coach B
Time for Brother Bruce to retire.
Appreciate the weekly posting of talented ladies!