WWE: Randy Orton Appearance Set for 5/2 WWE SmackDown Show, Shotzi on Her Struggles with Personal Demons in Recent Years & Redefining Being a Ballsy Badass, More News

May 2, 2025

Randy Orton Appearance Announced for Friday’s WWE SmackDown Show

WWE announced one new segment for the card of Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the Wells Fargo Arena is Des Moines, Iowa.

This new segment announced was Randy Orton making an appearance on the show.

Randy Orton will be live on SmackDown en route to WWE Backlash
The final chapter in the storied rivalry between Randy Orton and Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena reached a fever pitch last week when the two Superstars came face-to-face in a volatile encounter.
With their title showdown set for WWE Backlash, The Viper is scheduled to be live on SmackDown, Friday at 8 ET/7 CT on USA.

Current card for May 2nd WWE SmackDown show:

Aleister Black vs. The Miz
Randy Orton to appear

Shotzi Comments on Her Struggles with Personal Demons in Recent Years & Redefining Being a Ballsy Badass

Shotzi recently posted an emotional promo video on Twitter about her life struggles and trying to find herself over the past few years. Shotzi also gave her thoughts about what it means to be the Ballsy Badass after facing her demons and the end result is that she is now unstoppable.

“Have you ever lost so much that you start to wonder if you’re even real anymore? I call myself the Ballsy Badass because I was wild, reckless, chaotic. Live for the danger, loved every second of it. That confidence and fearlessness, it was intoxicating. It’s why I loved being in the ring so much. But it felt like, in the blink of an eye, that feeling was gone. I lost people who meant everything to me, and I let that grief consume me. I let injuries make me feel worthless. And somewhere along the way, I lost myself. I wish I could stand here and tell you that I walked through the fire and rose from the ashes like a damn phoenix. But you know what? That’s not my story. I struggled, a lot. I fought through years of darkness. But you know what? Here’s where I’m gonna give myself some credit. Because through all of that, every dark thought, every injury, every crippling criticism, I never quit. I never asked for time off, even when I was down to just a sliver of who I used to be. I held on. I held on hoping that that same carefree Ballsy Badass would come back. But you know what? I realized something. As I was rebuilding myself, I realized that that Ballsy Badass? She’s gone. She’s gone, and she’s never coming back. But you know what? That’s okay. Because I redefined what it means to be the Ballsy Badass. It’s not just about being reckless or having brutal matches. It’s about having the guts to face your demons. It’s about standing tall, even when you feel like you’ve got nothing left. It’s about refusing to break, even when the world is telling you that you should. That takes bigger balls than anything I’ve ever done in the ring. Am I still wild? Yeah. A little unhinged? Sure. But now? Now I’m also unstoppable. The Ballsy Badass isn’t just back. She has evolved. And this time, nothing, and I mean nothing, can shake me.”

Whatever happens next I’m ready for it. Stay ballsy my friends. 💚 pic.twitter.com/PcpjZ0Vcun
— Shotzi (@ShotziWWE) May 1, 2025

Transcript h/t: CagesideSeats.com

WWE News & Notes

As noted before, Liv Morgan will be taking a break from WWE for the filming of a new movie called Bad Lieutenant: Tokyo. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that WWE officials currently do not have any plans to strip Morgan of her WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Those spoken to reportedly stated that WWE officials current plans are for Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez to remain as WWE Women’s Tag Champions throughout Morgan’s abscense. In regards to the length of Morgan’s abscense, Johnson reported that the current expectation within WWE is that Morgan will return to WWE television “within a month” if not sooner.

The Miz recently launched a new YouTube channel called Miz Golf. This new channel was described to be “Welcome to the most must-see YouTube Channel, welcome to… Miz Golf! Join WWE Superstar The Miz on his quest to become a scratch golfer. Watch as The Miz partners with celebrities, friends and golf pros as he tries to improve his skills on the course and lower his handicap.”

Syfy recently released the debut trailer for their upcoming new Revival television series. Among those featured for the upcoming show was CM Punk.

As noted before, Rey Mysterio has been out of action for WWE since this past April due to a torn groin injury and torn abductor surgery. PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that Mysterio’s surgery earlier this week was successful and he is already back home in California recovering.

WWE recently released one new video to their WCW Vault channel. This new video was the full March 8, 2000 episode of WCW Thunder.

WWE also recently released two new videos to their WWE Vault channel on YouTube. The first new video was a “John Cena’s journey to the top | WWE Ruthless Aggression.” The second new video was an Extreme Rules match of John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar from WWE Extreme Rules 2012.

WWE also recently released one new video to their NXT Vault channel. This new video was a NXT Championship match of Joe Gacy vs. Bron Breakker (c) from WWE NXT Spring Breakin’ 2022.

Austin Theory recently reflected on Twitter about him chasing his dreams and his current career in WWE. Theory stated “If I had hesitated, none of this would’ve happened. So many young people look up to others on social media, but the truth is, I’m no different than you. I’ve got flaws, struggles, insecurities… just like everyone else. I don’t have superpowers. What I do have is belief in myself. I can see the vision even when no one else does, and that’s what’s brought me here. If your dream scares you, good. That means it’s worth chasing. Now go chase it ALL DAY.“

In a recent interview with The Ariel Helwani Show, WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin gave his thoughts about him being interesting in getting back into the podcast business. Austin stated “I guess I got lucky because I looked at a lot of people when I first started doing the podcast and interviewing people and when you first start talking to people, even though you’ve been talking your whole life, interviewing is something different. It’s a learned skilled. I guess I grabbed onto it okay. I wouldn’t say I’m the best by any stretch. I’ve been thinking a little bit about starting back in the podcast business. I think my podcast aired five years ago. I’ve been thinking about getting back in the game. Maybe something more about my life than interviewing people. I’m trying to make a decision on that.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)