Bully Ray expressed doubt about Karrion Kross’s WWE future, despite recent developments in his character and storylines. After Kross’s involvement in a prominent feud with Sami Zayn that culminated at WWE Night of Champions 2025, speculation grew that WWE might elevate him into a top spot. However, Bully Ray cautioned on the Busted Open Radio podcast that the optimism surrounding Kross could be premature and warned that history shows many wrestlers who connected with fans still fail to sustain long-term success.
He noted,
“History tells us the optimism around Karrion Kross might be premature. There have been plenty of guys who managed to get over on their own, without much help from creative, and still didn’t go the distance.”
—Bully Ray
He added,
“Think about Matt Cardona, Rusev, Damian Sandow — each of them built real connections with the fans, and it still didn’t result in long-term success. I’d love to see Kross break that pattern, but I’m not getting my hopes up.”
—Bully Ray
Tyler Bate’s Absence and Uncertain WWE Status
Tyler Bate has not been featured on WWE television since his appearance in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the SmackDown before WrestleMania 41. Although he competed on WWE Main Event earlier this year, his most recent match aired on May 29, where he teamed with Pete Dunne to defeat A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller). Bate took to Instagram recently, posting a photo with the caption, Not injured. Waiting…
Following a torn pectoral muscle that sidelined him for the better part of 2024, Bate returned to in-ring action in March 2025 as part of a reunited New Catch Republic tag team with Dunne. Despite this comeback, there is still no definitive timeline for when fans will see him back on WWE television.
Victoria Confirms Absence From WWE Evolution Due to Injury and Booking
As anticipation surrounds WWE Evolution, the women’s wrestling celebration, several legends have been expected to return. However, Victoria, a former WWE Women’s Champion and a WWE Legends contract signee since August 2024, announced she would not be participating. During an Instagram Live session, she revealed she was not booked for the event and is managing ongoing back problems.
She stated,
“I am not going to be at Evolution. I didn’t get booked. My back is kind of funky, I’ll be honest with you.”
—Victoria
Victoria made a backstage appearance at a SmackDown taping earlier this year in January but confirmed she would not be part of the Evolution event lineup.
Ric Flair Updates Fans on Health and Return to Fitness
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair has been active recently as he continues to recover from multiple health challenges. Demonstrating resilience, Flair shared a positive message on Twitter about his return to the gym and ongoing recovery.
He posted,
“Back In Business! A Little Blood Can’t Hold Me Back! I’ve Been Bleeding My Whole Life! WOOOOO!”
—Ric Flair
Context on WWE Star Usage and Upcoming Changes
The uncertainty surrounding WWE’s utilization of certain talents is a theme this year. Tyler Bate’s absence, Victoria’s omission from a major event, and Bully Ray’s skepticism about Karrion Kross reflect broader questions about WWE’s direction for some wrestlers. Additionally, backstage reports indicate WWE is planning a heel turn for a top NXT superstar soon, suggesting potential shifts in character alignments.
This evolving landscape is complicated by injuries like Chad Gable’s recent surgery, which has paused his activity, while other wrestlers like El Grande Americano remain scheduled for appearances on Raw. WWE’s roster management continues to be a point of concern for fans and industry observers alike.
Implications for Karrion Kross and WWE’s Future Storylines
Despite the storyline push that saw Karrion Kross regain momentum after his loss to Sami Zayn, the doubts expressed by a veteran like Bully Ray highlight the pressure on WWE to convert buzz into sustained prominence. Kross’s future in WWE may depend on creative support and fan engagement amid a roster filled with both seasoned performers and emerging stars.
With the dynamic changes taking place behind the scenes, including shifts in talent utilization and health-related absences, the coming months will be crucial for Kross and others hoping to solidify their place. WWE’s handling of these talents will likely influence both the company’s storytelling success and fan reception moving forward.
