The tenure of one WWE Superstar has officially ended with their moving to the Alumni section fo the official WWE website. Eagle-eyed fans who check the site will find that Valhalla/Sarah Logan has been moved, confirming her departure. The update follows her announcement in early June that her WWE contract would not be renewed.
This ends Valhalla’s second time with WWE, and she has been off off WWE television since early 2024. She gave birth in November of that year to the second child for her and Erik of the War Raiders.
Valhalla’s second run with WWE began on the November 11, 2022 episode of SmackDown, appearing alongside The Viking Raiders during an attack on Hit Row and Legado Del Fantasma. While she never held gold during either run with the company, Valhalla did have a feud with Maxxine Dupri as well as a handful of moments with WWE commentator Michael Cole.
Now, Valhalla/Sarah Logan will have to continue her life outside of wrestling. Whether it’s a return to the ring, or something outside of wrestling entirely, the ex-Superstar’s future won’t be shown on a WWE camera.
The biggest mixed tag team match in recent history is now official. On the September 8 edition of Monday Night Raw, the returning AJ Lee and her husband, CM Punk, officially challenged the World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and his wife, the Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, to a match at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza premium live event.
The segment, which took place in the second hour of the broadcast from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, began with AJ Lee making her first appearance on Monday Night Raw since 2015. She came to the ring holding the Women’s Intercontinental Championship belt, which she had stolen from Becky Lynch during her return on last week’s SmackDown. After receiving a “welcome back” chant from the crowd, Lee gave an emotional promo, explaining that she had retired ten years ago because she felt she had accomplished everything she wanted to in wrestling. She spoke about her journey with her mental health, which drew a supportive “therapy” chant from the fans.
The promo then shifted to her reason for returning: Becky Lynch getting physical with her husband, CM Punk. “AJ Lee wasn’t cool with Lynch “motor boating” her husband,” the report stated. This brought out a furious Becky Lynch, who was met with a sea of boos from the Milwaukee crowd. Lynch demanded her title back and traded verbal insults with Lee, who was showing off a black eye she had given Lynch on SmackDown. After Lynch claimed Punk was hiding behind his wife, Seth Rollins made his way to the ring, demanding the title back so they could leave the “dump of a city.”
This is when AJ Lee made her official challenge. She told Lynch she would give her the title back if she and Rollins agreed to the mixed tag team match at Wrestlepalooza. After a brief standoff that saw CM Punk also come to the ring to run off Rollins, the champion agreed to the match. With the bout now official, AJ Lee tossed the championship belt back at a surprised Becky Lynch.
The match at Wrestlepalooza will be AJ Lee’s first since the Raw after WrestleMania 31 in March 2015. Her return was fueled by Lynch’s interference in the main event of the Clash in Paris premium live event, which cost CM Punk the World Heavyweight Championship. The event, which takes place on Saturday, September 20, from Indianapolis, Indiana, will be the first WWE PLE to air on the new ESPN streaming platform.
On the September 8, 2025, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, AJ Styles cut a fiery promo during a commercial break that was only witnessed by the live crowd and those watching an uncut feed. “The Phenomenal One” vented his frustrations about his current position in the company, suggesting that “somebody doesn’t want me here.”
Just before his scheduled match against El Grande Americano, Styles grabbed a microphone and addressed the crowd directly. He pointed out that for the first time in his career, he has been left completely isolated on the roster. “For the first time in my career, I’ve got no one watching my back. Gallows, Anderson, they’re not here. Michin, she’s on SmackDown,” Styles said. “It’s like someone orchestrated a way for me not to win anymore, not to have help. I’ll let you make your own conclusions.”
He then acknowledged the unique, off-air nature of his promo, hinting that he was speaking more freely than he would on live television. “By the way, we are here right now and all over the world, but to rest everybody, is it a commercial break. I’m telling you something that you’re probably not supposed to hear, but somebody doesn’t want me here,” he continued.
Styles then stated his motivation for his match against El Grande Americano, framing it as a way to send a message to the person he believes is holding him down. “What we’re going to do is you’re going to beat the piss out of Grande Americano tonight so that the person that doesn’t want me here anymore can feel a little bit of his pain and mine also,” he declared.
The promo comes at a time when Styles’s future with WWE is a topic of speculation. He recently posted a cryptic hourglass image on his social media, and his son was seen agreeing with a fan who was critical of his father’s booking. While he did sign a one-year contract extension earlier this year, his contract is up in February.
The Usos are officially back together. In the opening segment of the September 8 edition of Monday Night Raw, Jimmy and Jey Uso reunited in the ring, received a thunderous ovation from the fans, and announced that they will team up to face The Vision’s powerhouse duo of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza premium live event.
The segment began with Jey Uso in the ring, but he was quickly interrupted by the arrival of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Reed took the microphone and bragged about the post-match assault on Roman Reigns at the Clash in Paris premium live event, a beatdown that has left Reigns “in the hospital” with multiple fractured ribs in the storyline. The comments drew the attention of Jimmy Uso, who made his way to the ring to stand by his brother’s side.
“He needs to keep Reigns’ name out of his mouth,” Jimmy Uso declared, before officially announcing the match for the September 20 premium live event in Indianapolis. The challenge was a direct response to the attack on their cousin and a way for The Usos to seek revenge on behalf of The Bloodline.
The tense confrontation then devolved into a brawl, with LA Knight also running out to join the fight against Breakker and Reed. The segment ended with The Usos hitting stereo dives onto their opponents at ringside, standing tall with LA Knight to close the segment. In a backstage interview later in the show, Knight stated that he also wants a piece of anyone named “Bron or Bronson,” suggesting that the war is far from over.
The duo had been separated by the brand split and their own internal family conflicts for some time. Their last official reunion came on the September 1 episode of Raw, when Jimmy returned to save Jey from a similar post-match attack. Now, they are officially back together and have their sights set on The Vision.
The tag team match at Wrestlepalooza will be the first time The Usos have teamed together in a premium live event match in over a year.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently turned heads at the Venice Film Festival with a noticeably slimmed-down physique, and now he has revealed the reason for his dramatic transformation. Speaking at the Toronto Film Festival on Monday, Johnson confirmed that his new look is for his next film role, in which he will play a “whimsical, eccentric 70-something year-old” character named Chicken Man in a new movie called “Lizard Music.”
The new film will see him re-team with Benny Safdie, the acclaimed director of his other upcoming film, “The Smashing Machine,” which has been earning rave reviews on the festival circuit. Johnson explained that after Safdie pitched him the role for 45 minutes, he immediately told the director, “I am your Chicken Man.” The quick re-teaming of the actor and director is a testament to the strong creative partnership they formed on their previous project.
According to a report from Variety, “Lizard Music” is an adaptation of a Daniel Pinkwater novel and “tells the story of a septuagenarian whose best friend is a 70-year-old chicken.” This whimsical and eccentric premise is a far cry from the blockbuster action films that Johnson is known for, further highlighting his desire to take on more diverse and challenging roles at this stage of his career.
To prepare for the role, Johnson had to undergo a significant physical change. He revealed that he has lost “much of the 30 pounds of muscle” that he had gained to portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr in “The Smashing Machine.” This transformation from a bulked-up fighter to a slimmed-down septuagenarian in such a short period of time is a testament to his dedication as an actor.
While it is not yet known when “Lizard Music” will begin filming, Johnson’s schedule is a busy one. He is set to begin shooting “Jumanji 3” with his co-star Kevin Hart in November, and “The Smashing Machine” is scheduled for its theatrical release on Friday, October 3. His commitment to these major film projects explains his current absence from WWE programming.
Hot off the critical success of their film “The Smashing Machine” at the Venice Film Festival, star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and director Benny Safdie are planning to reteam for another project, an adaptation of the Daniel Pinkwater novel, “Lizard Music.” The new film, which is being shopped to studios, will see Johnson take on the eccentric role of the “Chicken Man.”
According to the report from Deadline, Safdie will adapt the novel and direct Johnson in the film. The plot is a whimsical adventure that follows a young boy who discovers a secret, late-night television broadcast of lizards playing otherworldly music. His quest for answers leads him to the eccentric Chicken Man and his 70-year-old chicken, Claudia. The two kindred spirits then embark on a journey to find a hidden society, a voyage that becomes about the magic they find in each other.
The announcement of this new project comes as their previous collaboration, “The Smashing Machine,” is generating awards season buzz. The film, which tells the story of MMA legend Mark Kerr, had a rousing world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where Safdie won the Silver Lion for Best Director. Johnson’s transformative and dramatic performance in the lead role also drew widespread acclaim and a long-standing ovation from the festival audience.
Johnson has been open about his desire to take on more challenging roles that allow him to break away from the “brawny blockbuster” persona that has defined his career. In a recent interview, he spoke about being “pigeonholed” and his hunger to prove he was capable of more.
The producers for “Lizard Music” will include Safdie, Johnson, and David Koplan, who also produced “The Smashing Machine.” Johnson will produce through his Seven Bucks Productions company. The project is another step in his evolution from a wrestling superstar to a global box office draw, and now, to a critically acclaimed dramatic actor. “The Smashing Machine” is set to be released in October.
Former WWE “Tough Enough” winner Maven has built one of the most popular wrestling-related channels on YouTube, but in a new interview, he has revealed that he does not watch the current product from either WWE or AEW. The reason, he explained, is a deeply personal one: it’s simply “too hard” for him because it makes him “jealous.”
Speaking on a Monday appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Maven, whose WWE run ended nearly two decades ago, was asked why his popular YouTube videos focus on “evergreen” historical topics rather than current events. He explained that it’s a difficult and painful experience for him to watch the modern product. “It’s too hard,” he said. “It’s just too difficult. It’d be like watching the love of my life, my ex, going on her next date. And telling me, ‘Hey, this is my new boyfriend. He’s great.’ It’s still too difficult.”
He elaborated on his feelings, admitting that he gets jealous watching the current generation of superstars live out the dream that he can no longer be a part of. “I love wrestling. I love it. I love everything about it. I think it’s truly one of the best forms of entertainment going, and I root for its success,” he said. “I hope all those guys have careers I never dreamed of. I just can’t watch it. It’s just, I’m a human being, I get jealous. I watch them and a little bit of me is upset that I still can’t do it. That age, Father Time, has indeed done what Father Time does. And it’s just too tough. Yeah, it’s too hard.”
Maven explained that this has been his mindset since he left WWE in 2005. He did note that he had a brief period where he got up to speed on the current product in 2020 when he had a commentator tryout with the company. He also made it clear that he holds no resentment towards the business and doesn’t blame anyone for his career path. However, there was a period where he had to completely distance himself from wrestling and would not take any bookings related to the industry.
While he has competed in a handful of independent matches since 2015, with his most recent being in 2024, he does not consider himself a professional wrestler anymore. He has also stated in the past that he is dealing with herniated discs and may require surgery at some point, which further complicates any potential for a more regular in-ring return.
Maven’s focus is now on his successful YouTube channel, which currently has over 740,000 subscribers, and his full-time job in the world of finance.
AEW’s Wardlow only recently returned to programming, but fans may not see him in the ring anytime soon. According to Fightful Select, sources within AEW believe Wardlow may have sustained a torn pectoral muscle during or shortly after his comeback angle. An injury such as this could keep the former TNT Champion out for several months.
Wardlow has had his fair share of injuries and setbacks but had been medically cleared for months before his recent return. During that time, he filmed for American Gladiators, though any more filming will similarly hinge on his reported injury. Fightful adds that despite this setback, “There is the possibility he could remain on TV in an enforcer role.”
A number of AEW talents are said to be “bummed out” about Wardlow’s reported injury, given how hard he has battled through injuries to get back. Wardlow returned during the at the 2025 Forbidden Door PPV event where he aligned himself with the Don Callis family.
Whatever AEW may have planned for Wardlow, it will seemingly have to be put on the back burner for now. Once again, the former TNT Champion will have to work on bouncing back from this latest setback.
For years, one word was synonymous with Bryan Danielson, ‘YES.’ First introduced during Bryan’s slow heel turn in late 2011 and early 2012, the monosyballic chant would become a staple for the remainder of Bryan’s career both in and out of WWE.
Bryan isn’t the first wrestler to use a one-word chant, and ‘YES’ has often been compared to Stone Cold’s ‘What?’ Speaking to Nick Stav, Bryan argued that Austin’s chant would do damage to the efforts of those in the ring.
“It’s not like What. The What thing was really hard [to deal with.] Still hard to this day when a crowd really starts doing it. Somebody’s out there doing an interview and they’re trying to do their thing, but the crowd keeps interjecting at any pause…. I don’t feel like the Yes is like that. People do it when they’re excited about something.”
The crowd were certainly screaming ‘YES’ at AEW All In: London 2024, where Bryan captured the AEW World Championship, his first title in over five years. When asked about his favorite crowd, those in Wembley immediately came to mind.
“This amazing crowd reaction in front of 50 plus thousand people but my kids are there and they get to see it and then they get to get in the ring with me and then they get to experience the crowd reaction and so as a family we’re all experiencing this together.”
Starting this week, Bryan will serve as an AEW commentator as questions continue to loom about his in-ring future. While the American Dragon will be on the sidelines moving forward, don’t be surprised if there’s a YES! chant from rabid crowds, a testament to the support of Bryan Danielson.
Wrestling fans will have a few more opportunities to meet Sting before the icon rides off into the sunset for good. Following his in-ring retirement match at AEW Revolution 2024, the WCW legend announced he’d embark on his ‘2025 or Never’ meet and greet tour, which has been in full swing.
I have enjoyed meeting fans at events around the world.
As much as I have loved interacting with you all in the traditional Stinger war paint, I’ve decided that 2025 will be my last year appearing in full gear.
During a conversation with The Wrestling Classic, Sting revealed that he’s adding “many, many” more dates to his appearance schedule. Despite not providing specifics, Sting assured fans that details are forthcoming, and we haven’t seen the last of him.
“I’m getting a lot of responses from the fans, yes. And, you know, the common question is, ‘Are you sure this is it? I mean, you’re never going to be in the face paint again? What about if you did Surfer Sting?’
It’s like, I can’t pull off Surfer Sting anymore. so yeah, I’m not… It’s not a goodbye, okay?”
– Sting talks about his future in wrestling
This news is significant for wrestling fans eager to see Sting one last time and marks the end of an era as Sting confirmed that he will not return to his previous personas, including ‘Surfer Sting.’ The face paint, synonymous with Sting’s illustrious career, is officially retired, signaling the end of a legendary chapter in professional wrestling.
Check out Sting’s complete interview on Casual Conversations:
This coming January will mark a decade of the WWE tenure of AJ Styles, a man many once-believed would never be a ‘Superstar.’ In 2025, Styles re-signed with the promotion, ending speculation about his future, but not before the two-time former WWE World Champion considered his options.
According to Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated, multiple sources told The Takedown that before Styles signed his latest WWE contract extension, he put feelerss out there. These feelers were to gauge potential options outside WWE, and promoters were reportedly very interested in working with him. There were some early discussions, the report adds, before Styles re-signed with WWE.
Styles’ new deal is reportedly set to expire in February 2026, meaning fans could see a huge departure during the road to WrestleMania 42. In 2019, Styles revealed that he had spoken to the Young Bucks about a move to AEW, before re-signing with WWE.
While Styles’ career in WWE has been the run most wrestlers could only dream of, there’s no shortage of people ready to see something fresh. Ajay Jones, the son of Styles, recently shared that he gets angry with his Triple H books his father, seeing it as a tantamount to disrespect.
While Styles remains committed to WWE for now, fans know to never say never in wrestling. Similar to how there was a time when AJ Styles in WWE seemed impossible, fans shouldn’t count out a Phenomenal future in another promotion.
AJ Lee made a triumphant return to WWE on last Friday’s episode of SmackDown, marking her first appearance in the company in nearly a decade. The former Divas Champion addressed her loyal supporters on Monday via social media, dedicating this run to the “weirdos” who never forgot about her during the time away.
“You’ve had my back for a decade. This run is for you, my wonderful weirdos,” in a nod to the fans who have stood by her throughout her career.
Lee is set to appear on tonight’s episode of WWE Raw, where she is expected to continue building momentum following her comeback.
Wrestlepalooza
AJ Lee’s WWE return match is expected to take place next weekend at WWE Wrestlepalooza, where she’ll team up with CM Punk to face Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a high-profile mixed tag team match. As of this writing, the confirmed matches include:
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: Billed as their final encounter.
IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer for the vacant Women’s World Championship: Naomi vacated the title due to pregnancy, and Raw GM Adam Pearce set up this match between IYO SKY (the original #1 contender) and Stephanie Vaquer (who earned her shot via a battle royal) to determine the new champion.
WWE Wrestlepalooza takes place next Saturday, September 20, 2025 and will be the first WWE premium live event streaming on ESPN+.
AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm has opened up about her time in WWE, offering a complex and somewhat contradictory assessment of the creative freedom she was given during her run with the company from 2017 to 2021. While she stated that she had “complete creative freedom,” she also admitted that she felt she “wasn’t told what to do enough” and was often “very lost” when it came to her character’s direction.
Speaking on the Marking Out podcast, Storm was asked about the level of creative freedom she had in WWE. She explained the nuance of the situation.
“Well here’s the thing, this is where I get stuck on it. If the WWE- I don’t think I was told what to do enough. I wasn’t told to do anything actually,” she said. “But overall like, I don’t feel like I was told what to do enough. I was very lost.”
Storm elaborated on the differences between production direction and character direction.
“I mean like I knew there was direction in things like ‘this is how you do it, this is what you do on television, cameras.’ As in regards to a character? No, I was never like, I mean they write promos but like I was- I just did it,” she explained.
“Wasn’t really told “do this, today you’re a cat and your names Tori bloody Smith. No one told me anything and I kept my name the whole time and it was like I had complete creative freedom to be honest, some where others didn’t and others were given things. It’s so much so a very difficult thing to grasp.”
Storm’s comments suggest that the lack of a defined character direction left her feeling creatively adrift at times. She even stated that she would have been open to a more outlandish gimmick if it had been presented to her, as it would have given her something concrete to work with. The creative freedom, in her case, was almost a double-edged sword, leaving her to navigate her own path without a clear map.
“I wish they would, I would have done anything to be honest. That’s the weird thing about this if they had just given me some mad off the wall thing, I would have 100% gone with it. This is like therapy!” she said.
“Timeless” Toni Storm is scheduled to defend the AEW Women’s World Championship against Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander and Thekla next Saturday at AEW All Out.
AEW legend and WWE Hall of Famer Sting has reflected on his emotional and chaotic final match, which took place at the AEW Revolution pay-per-view in 2024. In a new interview, “The Icon” stated that the moment he shared in the ring with his two sons, who were dressed as different versions of his iconic character, was the absolute “highlight” of his incredible 40-year career in professional wrestling.
Speaking with Justin Dhillon of The Wrestling Classic, Sting looked back on the night. His final match was a Tornado Tag Team match for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, where he and Darby Allin, successfully defended their titles against The Young Bucks. The bout featured glass, ladders, and even interference from his longtime rival, Ric Flair. However, it was the deeply personal moment with his sons, Garrett and Steven Borden, that stood out the most to him.
“It was exactly as I envisioned it being. It was like a dream, a surreal kind of situation to actually witness it, even though I pictured it happening exactly the way it did,” Sting said. “But an amazing night, and that’s why it just is going to be etched in my mind forever. It’s probably the highlight of 40 years for me.” His comments show just how much the moment meant to him, placing it above all the world championships and iconic moments from his legendary career.
The involvement of his sons was a full-circle moment, as they represented two of the most famous eras of his career. Garrett Borden was dressed as “Surfer” Sting from the late 1980s and early 1990s in WCW, while Steven Borden donned the black and red of the nWo Wolfpac version of his character. It was a visual tribute that resonated with multiple generations of wrestling fans.
WWE NXT returns to the Performance Center in Orlando, FL, this Tuesday night at 8 PM ET on CW Network (and streaming on Netflix worldwide), as the brand shifts into high gear on the road to NXT No Mercy.
North American Champion Ethan Page puts his pride on the line in a Flag Match against Tavion Heights, while Tag Team Champions DarkState (Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin) defend against powerhouses Hank Walker & Tank Ledger in a can’t-miss clash.
The women’s roster spotlights a triple threat elimination match for the next shot at the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles, with Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx), The Culling (Izzi Dame & Tatum Paxley), and Sol Ruca & Zaria battling it out for supremacy. Plus, Faby Apache collides with Lainey Reid in the first round of the Women’s Speed Championship tournament.
Meanwhile, Je’Von Evans and Josh Briggs look to settle their heated rivalry after last week’s wild brawl, and Trick Williams will call out #DIY following their dramatic confrontation.
WWE NXT Announced Matches and Segments:
Ethan Page vs. Tavion Heights – Flag Match
DarkState (c) vs. Hank & Tank – NXT Tag Team Championship match
Fatal Influence vs. The Culling vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria – Women’s Tag Team Title #1 Contenders Elimination Match
Faby Apache vs. Lainey Reid – Women’s Speed Championship Tournament First Round Match
Je’Von Evans vs. Josh Briggs
Trick Williams calls out #DIY
Expect additional appearances and surprises as NXT continues its march toward No Mercy. Don’t miss what promises to be a monumental episode with championship implications and unresolved vendettas coming to a head.
After their intense back and forth last week, @WWEJeVonEvans looks to get some payback when he takes on Josh Briggs THIS TUESDAY on #WWENXT!
Former WWE Women’s World Champion Ronda Rousey has revealed that she was not contacted by WWE to be a part of the recent all-women’s Evolution II premium live event. In a new interview, the UFC Hall of Famer, who headlined the inaugural Evolution event in 2018, explained that while the company has an “open door” policy for her, she did not receive an invitation to appear at the historic show in July.
The first-ever Evolution pay-per-view in 2018 was a landmark event for women’s wrestling, and it was main evented by Ronda Rousey defending the Raw Women’s Championship against Nikki Bella. When WWE brought back the all-women’s PLE for a second installment on July 13, 2025, many fans were surprised that Rousey was not in attendance, especially given her role in the first show’s main event. Her former opponent, Nikki Bella, was a part of the show, competing in a 20-woman battle royal.
Speaking with Raj Prashad of Yahoo’s Uncrowned, Rousey was asked about her absence from the event. She confirmed that she was not invited to be a part of the show, but that she left the company on good terms. “I didn’t hear from anybody. It was more of the way we left it was, they were like, ‘There’s always an open door; if you ever want to come back, let us know,’” Rousey said. Her statement clarifies that her absence was not a case of her turning down an offer, but rather that an offer was never made.
Rousey’s final match in WWE took place at the SummerSlam premium live event in August 2023, where she lost an “MMA Rules” match to her real-life friend, Shayna Baszler. While she made a few appearances on the independent circuit and for Ring of Honor after her WWE exit to team with her friend Marina Shafir, she has been away from the ring since then.
In other recent interviews, Rousey has stated that she is “pretty much” retired from professional wrestling. She has cited frustration with the creative process during her WWE run and wanting to focus on her family and her writing career as the primary reasons for her decision to step away from the business.
WWE Raw heads to Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum tonight for what promises to be a pivotal episode in the road to Wrestlepalooza. The show streams live on Netflix at 8 PM ET, featuring the highly anticipated return of AJ Lee to Monday Night Raw for the first time in over a decade.
Following her memorable SmackDown appearance, AJ Lee is expected to confront Becky Lynch tonight, with speculation mounting about a potential power couples tag team match at Wrestlepalooza featuring AJ Lee and CM Punk against Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins.
The women’s championship picture takes center stage as IYO SKY and Stephanie Vaquer will officially sign their contract for the Women’s World Championship match at Wrestlepalooza. Meanwhile, AJ Styles seeks redemption against El Grande Americano after losing his Intercontinental Title due to interference.
The Usos story continues to evolve as Jimmy and Jey, now reunited after Jimmy’s dramatic save last week, will address their future and ongoing feud with The Vision. The eight-time tag team champions are expected to make a significant announcement regarding their next chapter.
Tonight’s Announced Matches and Segments:
AJ Lee returns: Her first Raw appearance in over 10 years, Becky Lynch confrontation expected
Contract signing: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer for Women’s World Championship at Wrestlepalooza
AJ Styles vs. El Grande Americano: Styles seeks payback for Intercontinental Title interference
Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez: Valkyria returns to action following SummerSlam
The Usos reunion announcement: Jimmy and Jey address their future and The Vision feud
Additional appearances confirmed for Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, Penta, and Jey Uso, with more matches likely to be announced throughout the evening as Wrestlepalooza anticipation builds.
WWE has announced three NXT live events across Michigan and Ohio, marking the developmental brand’s first return to these markets in over five years. The tour will span three consecutive nights from October 9-11, 2025.
The tour kicks off Thursday, October 9 at KEMBA Live! in Columbus, Ohio, followed by Friday, October 10 at Detroit’s historic Masonic Temple, and concludes Saturday, October 11 at The Agora Theatre in Cleveland.
The events will showcase NXT’s current championship lineup, including NXT Champion Oba Femi, NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne, NXT North American Champion Ethan Page, NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca, and TNA Champion Trick Williams.
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 10 at 10am ET through AXS.com. Wrestling fans can access an exclusive presale beginning Tuesday, September 9 at 10am ET using code “WWENXT” on AXS.com, with presale access running until 11:59pm ET the same day.
The announcement represents a significant return for NXT to these Midwest markets, where the brand hasn’t held live events since before 2020.
Fans may not be seeing AAA’s Octagon Jr. in the ring any time soon as it appears that the luchador is out with a genuine injury. Octagon Jr. was part of the recent AAA Alianzas, event, where he and Laredo Kid were part of a three-way tag-team match for the AAA Tag Team Championships. Despite a valiant effort, it was Pagano and Psycho Clown who retained the titles in the match that included WWE’s Angel and Berto.
As the champions celebrated, a medical team checked on Octagon Jr. While Laredo Kid checked on his tag team partner, a member of the medical staff through up an ‘X’, signifying that Octagon was dealing with a legitimate injury. Reports from the show add that Octagon was taken out on a stretcher due to a bad fall, in another worrying sign for the masked star.
This is the third wrestler to work as Octagon Jr. and previously worked under the name ‘Golden Magic.’ Like many luchadors, his real identity is not known to the public. He is a former AAA World Trios Champion and a former AAA Latin American Champion.
Octagon Jr. made his WWE debut in June as part oft the Worlds Collide event, and would compete against Dominik Mysterio the next night at Money in the Bank. Now though, his in-ring future remains in question, and we wish him the best in this scary situation.
Dakota Kai’s time with WWE came to an end in early 2025, ending the Kiwi Superstar’s second run as part of the promotion. Kai hasn’t competed since being cut from WWE, but she plans on changing that when the time is right.
During a live stream, Kai reflected on her wrestling journey. The former NXT and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion admitted that she misses being in the ring, though she does like being able to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the wrestling industry.
“I miss wrestling, you guys! I got to get back into it. It’s just one of those things where it has been nice to have a little bit of a break. I have been doing it for a long time. Longer than the last seven years that I was in WWE. You know what I mean? It is nice to take a step back for a while, but I really do miss it.”
On her Twitch stream, Dakota Kai said it’s been nice to have a break from wrestling, but she does miss it:
Kai’s release came as a surprise to many given that she was a part of Damage CTRL at the time. While the group would continue for a period of time without her, the group has since gone its separate ways. Kai was praised by Damage CTRL sister IYO SKY after her release while Bayley has also praised the work of her former colleague.
Christian Cage will team with Cope, (aka Adam ‘Edge’ Copeland) at AEW All Out, reuniting one of the most popular and successful tag teams of all time. Speaking to Uncrowned, Cage was well aware that seeing the pair as a team once more is something fans have been wanting for a very long time.
“I think that people have wanted this since [Cope] debuted in AEW, and were maybe hoping it would happen… It’s a big moment for the fans and I think they’re excited about it. I know it means a lot.”
Cope returned to action in 2020 as part of WWE, though his only reunion with Cage would last mere minutes as part of the 2021 Royal Rumble. Now, AEW is ready to give fans a full tag-team match between the two, with the prospect of much more on the horizon.
“The cool thing about AEW in some instances — they’re very much for the pro wrestling fan, and try to give what they want to the fan.”
While Cage and Cope will team at All Out, both still have eyes on the AEW World Championship. Though some fans hope to see this start a fully-fledged reunion of the former WWE Tag Team Champions, there’s no promises from Cage.
“Cope and I agreed to help each other with our issues. Part of the agreement was we’ll get through this, and there’s no promises beyond that.”
AEW All Out will take place on September 20, though earlier in the day to avoid competition with WWE WrestlePalooza. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Cage’s AEW role and whether he and Cope can still co-exist.
Ronda Rousey parted ways with WWE in August 2023 and put her friend Shayna Baszler over on her way out at that year’s SummerSlam. Since then, fans have speculated about whether she might return to the company, but that doesn’t appear to be in the cards.
Speaking with Yahoo Sports, Rousey revealed that when she departed, WWE told her the door would always be open for a return. Two years later though, Rousey doesn’t see herself leaving her family at home to be on the road.
“I just don’t think I could ever be on the road with the company again. I have two girls now, and hopefully we can have some more soon, I’d love that. And there’s just no room in my life to be able to maintain that lifestyle and a family at the same time.”
Rousey added that she has no reason to go back, as the only thing that’d win her back would be the prospect of doing more with the Four Horsewomen of MMA. With Shafir, Duke, and Baszler all gone from WWE, Rousey struggles to see herself making a return to a WWE ring.
“I feel like I’ve already accomplished everything that I wanted to in WWE and all that’s really left for me is to go there and have fun with my friends, and none of my friends are there anymore.”
Rousey recently shared that she believes WWE will downplay her legacy, a legacy that includes being one of the first women to headline WrestleMania. Beyond WWE’s biggest show, Rousey was a multi-time Women’s Champion, won the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble, and unified the NXT and WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles in 2023.
Now, Rousey is enjoying life after wrestling. With her family taking priority, and the possibility of more children coming, fans likely have seen the last of her in the ring.
Independent wrestler Jaka (real name Jonathan Echevarria) has died after being hospitalised earlier this month following a heart attack. Beyond Wrestling was the first to share the news, stating “The original Ace. RIP Jaka.”
Jaka was taken to the ICU in critical condition after his heart attack, according to a GoFundMe page created by his family. In their plea for help, they discussed what Jaka was like.
“Jonathan is the kind of person who brings laughter and energy wherever he goes—a fun, lovable pain in the butt who means the world to us. Seeing him in this state has been incredibly difficult, but we are staying strong for him and for each other.”
Jaka’s death has resulted in a wave of condolences online. On X, Mike Santana, who had aligned with Jaka during his time as part of LAX, shared his sadness over Jaka’s death.
Jaka debuted in pro wrestling in 2007 and was a featured part of Beyond Wrestling. His biggest match came in 2018 when he defended the EVOLVE Tag Team Championships during WrestleMania Axxess. He later competed on AEW Dark: Elevation in 2021.
We here at SEScoops would like to extend our condolences to Jaka’s family at this incredibly sad time.
The Smashing Machine starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson won big at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, ahead of the film’s theatrical release on October 3. At the event in Italy, the film’s director Benny Safdie took home the Silver Lion award for Best Director. Johnson confirmed the news on Instagram, promising his co-worker and friend big hugs and tequila to celebrate.
The film will tell the real-life story of Mark Kerr, a pivotal name in the early days of the UFC, as played by Johnson. The biopic sees Johnson reunite with Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s then-wife Dawn Staples.
Safdie’s award is the latest success story for The Smashing Machine. Critics have praised the film with Johnson earning acclaim for proving himself outside of his usual blockbuster schtick. The former WWE World Champion has spoken openly about being typecast in the past and is ready for the world to see a different side to his acting prowess.
While audiences won’t get to see The Smashine Machine until next month, the film is garnering a lot of attention. After the success of The Iron Claw, it remains to be seen if A24 and their team can deliver another home run in the world of combat sports movies.
AEW pay-per-views are coming to the HBO Max platform, giving fans of the All-Elite promotion a new way to enjoy the show. Starting with AEW All Out on September 20, fans will be able to enjoy the show, and all AEW pay-per-view events going forward, through HBO Max.
AEW’s flagship evvents will be broadcast HDRF10 and Dolby Atmos, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports. The idea is that the shows will be enjoyed with a better picture and sound quality than the event had when live, or has experienced in subsequent replays.
Thsoe who purchase pay-per-views can watch the shows on Max as often as they want through the replay function. The Observer adds that shows can be purchased up to six months after they take place.
AEW All Out will air the same day as WWE WrestlePalooza and the All-Elite event has moved to an earlier timeslot. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on AEW’s growing role with HBO as the promotion’s future will reside on Max.
