During a recent appearance on the Legion of Raw with Dr. Chris Featherstone podcast, former WWE, WCW, and TNA writer Vince Russo delivered a sharp critique of WWE Wrestlepalooza’s main events, focusing on Drew McIntyre’s defeat and Stephanie Vaquer’s performance after winning the Women’s World Title. Russo questioned the direction WWE has taken with certain finishes, pointing out the repetitive nature of McIntyre’s losses and expressing frustration that it diminishes the wrestler’s standing. Regarding Vaquer, he stated bluntly that her promo abilities are lacking and that such skills are essential for reaching the top rung in professional wrestling.
Russo remarked,
“I’m looking at this Wrestlepalooza and I’m like, ‘Okay, Cena gets destroyed by Brock. Great for Brock, what did that do for Cena?’ Then we get to the main, Cody over Drew. Great for Cody, what does that do [for Drew]? Just this obsession with clean finishes in fake wrestling matches. This is why, bro, nobody’s over. How many times are you going to beat Drew McIntyre until he means absolutely nothing, bro?”
Vince Russo
He continued his assessment of Stephanie Vaquer, stating,
“You talk about Stephanie Vaquer, whatever her freaking name is. I just wrote a note about her. It’s just funny, bro, because depending on how far you got pushed or how far up the ladder you climbed, a big part of that is being able to cut a promo. That is non-existent today. I swear to God. The fact that the belt is on this woman and the way she delivers and cuts a promo. Like, there’s no way when I was working, she would have ever got to that level not having the ability to cut a promo.”
Vince Russo
Adriana Rizzo Opens Up On Career and Personal Life Amid Injury Recovery
WWE NXT star Adriana Rizzo recently shared insights about her career and personal life during an appearance on the Stuck In My Thoughts podcast. Currently sidelined due to a torn ACL and meniscus, Rizzo detailed how she remained single for almost two years after joining WWE to avoid the complications of dating within the wrestling industry. She discussed her experience candidly, including her eventual decision to pursue a relationship with Cutler James, who belongs to the DarkState faction.
Rizzo explained,
“I actually had the plan to not date anyone in there because I had previously, you know, tried to date someone on a team in the past and I was like, ‘Oh, this is too much. Too much.’ So I thought, ‘Let me not get into that.’”
Adriana Rizzo
She added,
“So, I went about two years [without dating]. I didn’t talk to anyone. I didn’t date anyone. So, that was pretty cool of me because everyone else is dating immediately. No shade to any of you, but you did. You all did that. Anyway, so I waited. I was like, up this boy who I will soon name. He had a crush on me for the longest time.”
Adriana Rizzo
Regarding her growing feelings for James, Rizzo said,
“And for a year, I really liked him. But, I’m like, ‘I’m not doing that.’ So I ignored it, I ignored it, I ignored it. And then I liked him for over a year. And I’m like, ‘All right, I’ve had a crush on him for over a year. He’s been trying to date me. Let me give it a shot.’ So it was the best thing.”
Adriana Rizzo
She described James’ style, noting,
“So, Cutler James is his name. He’s a member of DarkState, and he makes a lot of questionable comments. That’s kind of his thing. So, it was great. I’m glad I did it, and not everyone should because there’s a lot of negativity that comes with dating on the job.”
Adriana Rizzo
Stephanie McMahon Announced for WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026
At WWE Wrestlepalooza, The Undertaker announced that Stephanie McMahon will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2026. This news has reverberated throughout the wrestling community, highlighting McMahon’s impact both on screen and behind the scenes. Charlotte Flair took to Twitter to extend her congratulations and celebrate McMahon’s achievements, particularly her role in advancing women’s wrestling.
Flair praised McMahon, writing,
“Congratulations @StephMcMahon on the 2026 Hall of Fame. She’s a philanthropist, a businesswoman, a wife, a mother, and such a powerful changemaker—not just on screen, but even more so behind the scenes.”
Charlotte Flair
She continued,
“One of her greatest contributions has been championing the Women’s Evolution and pushing for equality for female superstars, something that’s changed the industry forever.”
Charlotte Flair
Closing her message, Flair added,
“I’ve been lucky enough to work with her, and she’s not only incredibly talented, but also such an inspiration—someone who truly leads by example. Queen.”
Charlotte Flair
Wrestlepalooza’s Impact and Future Prospects for WWE Storylines
Wrestlepalooza sparked mixed reactions among fans and industry insiders, especially concerning the booking of marquee matches and talent presentation. Vince Russo’s criticism highlights ongoing concerns about WWE’s booking philosophy, especially the frequent use of clean finishes that, according to him, fail to build genuine momentum for top stars like Drew McIntyre. Similarly, his remarks about Stephanie Vaquer’s promo abilities underline the ongoing debate around the importance of mic skills in wrestling’s modern era versus in-ring performance.
Stephanie McMahon’s Hall of Fame induction represents a recognition of her profound behind-the-scenes influence, particularly regarding women’s wrestling development, which could bolster the company’s emphasis on elevating female talent. Meanwhile, Adriana Rizzo’s openness about navigating relationships and injury recovery adds a human element to WWE’s roster dynamics, providing insight into the challenges and personal decisions wrestlers face outside the ring.
Looking ahead, WWE’s creative decisions and talent cultivation will likely remain under scrutiny as fans and commentators closely monitor how stars like Vaquer evolve and whether WWE continues to prioritize compelling storytelling alongside athleticism. The integration of personal stories and backstage developments may also play a greater role in shaping audience engagement moving forward.
Congratulations @StephMcMahon on the 2026 Hall of Fame 💪🏻 👑 ❤️
She’s a philanthropist, a businesswoman, a wife, a mother, and such a powerful changemaker—not just on screen, but even more so behind the scenes.
One of her greatest contributions has been championing the Women’s… pic.twitter.com/81r0YPHAcr
— Charlotte Flair (@MsCharlotteWWE) September 22, 2025
