Credit: WWE.com
If there were two words to describe the WWE in 2023 it would be change and hot. For one, the WWE has repeatedly set record gates at PLEs, house shows, Raw and SmackDown episodes. WWE would also secure a new TV deal for SmackDown on the USA Network in September and one for NXT on CW in November, leaving Raw as the only weekly show without a TV deal. The most significant change came in September when the WWE iiwas sold to TKO Endeavor Holdings Group, which also owns the UFC, marking the first time in the company's near 70 year existence that it isn't owned by a McMahon.
Another notable move in September was the signing of former AEW standout Jade Cargill to WWE with much fanfare including a press release on ESPN. Fans would get their first glimpse of Cargill on WWE TV at Fastlane and even be treated to a backstage meeting between Cargill and Charlotte Flair on SmackDown. After appearances followed that up appearances on Raw and NXT leaving fans salivating for her in-ring debut .
The company also had a few notable returns in the last few months with the first of which was Carlito at Fastlane after first made an appearance at Backlash this spring. Nearly a month later, Kairi Sane made her return to WWE, attacking Bianca Belair at Crown Jewel and joining Damage Control. Survivor Series would see the long-awaited return of Randy Orton in the main event men's WarGames match and perhaps the most shocking return in CM Punk. Punk is already making waves and heating things up feuding with Seth Rollins leading to the presumptive main event for WrestleMania Night 1.
Royal Rumble boasts an anticipated title defense by Roman Reigns against Randyr Orton and of course the traditional men's and women's Rumbles. Will I Cody Rhodes repeat as a winner and punch his ticket to WrestleMania to finally finish the story? Or maybe CM Punk will punch his? Rising stars such as L.A. Knight, Santos Escobar, Dominik Mysterio, Dragon Lee and Carmelo Hayes are capturing the love and hate of fans. Not to mention Sasha Banks is in the news mill as a free agent. Could we see Banks return to the fold? Things can only get hotter from here.