WWE: Backstage Reaction To Gunther’s Creative Direction Issues On SmackDown Brand, Rhea Ripley Announced for Pre-Show Event On Day Of Wrestlepalooza: Perth, Xelina (Zelina Vega) Wished Triple H Let Her Defend WWE Women’s U.S. Title “The Way I Wanted To Defend It”

Backstage Reaction To Gunther’s Creative Direction Issues On SmackDown Brand

WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that there has been a mild sense of frustration and confusion within WWE surrounding the recent use of Gunther on the SmackDown brand.

One source spoken to reportedly stated that Gunther’s current creative direction has raised questions among those in WWE creative, especially in regards to the trajectory he was on for his career in the company following the string of retirement matches involving him and his move to the SmackDown brand.

It was reported that some people within WWE had questioned whether there was an actual plan for Gunther after he retired John Cena in December of 2025.

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Rhea Ripley Announced For Pre-Show Event On Day Of WWE Wrestlepalooza: Perth

As noted before, Rhea Ripley has been out of action for WWE since this past May’s Clash In Italy event due to a meniscus tear injury & surgery.

On Location recently announced that Ripley and “Big” Bronson Reed will be making an appearance at a pre-show hospitality event in Perth on the day of WWE’s Wrestleplaooza: Perth event on December 12 at the RAC Arena in the city.

Two of Aussie’s biggest WWE names. One very exclusive pre-show. 🔥💪

⚡️ Rhea Ripley ⚡️ Bronson Reed ⚡️ Priority Pass hospitality

This is your sign to join us #OnLocation for an experience down under that will simply be like nothing seen before 👀

Secure your access ➡️ https://onlocationexp.com/wwe/wwe-wrestl epalooza-tickets?utm_source=onlocationexp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=wwe_wrestlepalooza-talentannouncement_generalsocial

#CloserThanEver #WrestlePalooza

Two of Aussie’s biggest WWE names. One very exclusive pre-show. 🔥💪 ⚡️ Rhea Ripley ⚡️ Bronson Reed ⚡️ Priority Pass hospitality This is your sign to join us #OnLocation for an experience down under that will simply be like nothing seen before 👀 Secure your access ➡️ https://t.co/aFhghGdj34 #CloserThanEver #WrestlePalooza

— On Location (@onlocationexp) October 15, 2026

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Xelina (Zelina Vega) Wished Triple H Let Her Defend WWE Women’s U.S. Title “The Way I Wanted To Defend It”

A recent episode of the Ring The Belle podcast featured Xelina, former Zelina Vega in WWE, as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Xelina’s thoughts about her WWE Women’s United States Championship reign in 2025 and how she had wished WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque would had allowed her to defend the title the way she wanted to.

“I wish that he (Triple H) would have loved it on me enough to let me defend it the way I wanted to defend it. But it’s fine, because I wanted to go and bring it to AAA and f*cking STARDOM. Let me bring it to different places and really make this the workhorse title if that’s what we were gonna do.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com