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Nick Hogan Joins Real American Freestyle After Father’s Passing

Thomas Lowson
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Nick Hogan Joins Real American Freestyle After Father’s Passing

Nick Hogan will be a regular presence in Real American Freestyle moving forward, honoring the goals and legacy of his late father Hulk Hogan. At a press conference, Nick explained his role with the budding promotion.

“I will be here to represent his interests and his growth in this business, and to see it through all the way to the stratosphere.”

Real American Freestyle will officially launch on August 30. The company was announced in early 2025 by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. The promotion’s debut event will happen in Cleveland, Ohio, and is set to air on Fox Nation.

The promotion will go on ahead, despite the passing of Hulk Hogan aged 71 in July 2025. While the Hulkster will not be a physical part of the show, he will remain with Real American Freestlye Wrestling in spirit, according to his son.

“My dad, Hulk Hogan, will always serve as the commissioner for this league.”

As the wrestling world turns its eyes to Real American Freestyle Wrestling, many are wondering whether the new promotion will find its place in a saturated market. Whatever comes, the promotion will always be a home to Hulk Hogan, even after his passing.

Medical Malpractice Claims Emerge After Hulk Hogan’s Death

Champion Pinned After WWE SmackDown In Lyon

Thomas Lowson
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Champion Pinned After WWE SmackDown In Lyon

The excitement didn’t stop after WWE SmackDown in Lyon, France, as one of WWE’s top champions was in action inside the LDLC Arena. Following the event, Penta took on WWE Intercontinental Champion ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio. Though Penta got the win, this was a non-title match, meaning Mysterio left Lyon with the gold.

Though the Lyon crowd didn’t see a new Intercontinental Champion, a new U.S. Champion was crowned in Sami Zayn. The Canadian dethroned Solo Sikoa in SmackDown’s main event in a chaotic affair that saw MFT, Jacob Fatu, and Jimmy Uso get involved. This win moves Zayn a step closer to WWE’s Grand Slam and puts him in an elite class of champions born outside the U.S.

As for Penta, he has been much of 2025 pursuing the Intercontinental title though has yet to capture the gold. Whether this win over Dirty Dom was just for the live crowd or the start of something more, time will tell…

Kevin Owens Reacts To Sami Zayn’s WWE U.S. Title Win

Tony Khan Makes Good After Tech Issues Plague ROH Death Before Dishonor

Thomas Lowson
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Tony Khan Makes Good After Tech Issues Plague ROH Death Before Dishonor

Ring of Honor and Tony Khan took action for the fans after streaming issues plagued the Death Before Dishonor 2025 event. These issues left fans using Chrome and Firefox unable to watch the show. On X, Ring of Honor shared a statement on the matter.

These issues would persist, prompting ROH to take action. Now, the remainder of the show fans weren’t able to watch due to these issues has been shared for free on YouTube.

It’s not just Death Before Dishonor 2025 that fans can now watch on the Ring of Honor. In a separate post, Tony Khan shared that all ROH subscribers will receive a free one-month credit as an apology for the inconvenience.

Khan’s efforts to make good with fans didn’t stop there. Khan made sure that not only can fans watch Death Before Dishonor 2025 for free, but all preceeding Death Before Dishonor events.

Khan’s decisions demonstrate his dedication to maing sure fans get a great experience, a goal that won’t be deterred by technical issues. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Khan and Ring of Honor.

Details Of What Happens In The Horror of The Wyatt Sicks Experience

Thomas Lowson
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Details Of What Happens In The Horror of The Wyatt Sicks Experience

WWE Presents: The Horrors of The Wyatt Sicks, is a new haunted house experience at the Universal Orlando Resort that launched on August 29. The experience marks a massive crossover between WWE and Universal Studios, but what exactly takes place inside the bone-chilling experience?

On social media, footage has been shared of the Horror of The Wyatt Sicks. Guests are greeted with an image of the faction, followed by Abby the Witch, though not played by Nikki Cross. More members of the faction make themselves known as the attendee makes their way through the venue. There is a replication of a WWE backstage set, a nod to the destruction the group caused during their debut in 2024.

As the attendee makes their way into the Firefly Fun House, they are accosted by Uncle Howdy and Abby the Witch. A series of mintors featuring WWE events plays in a chamber that includes an appearance from The Fiend.

The experience includes several easter eggs for WWE fans to pour over, including a Lily doll on a swing, a nod to Alexa Bliss’ ties to Bray Wyatt. The late Superstar himself appears on the Funhouse TV, as does the lantern carved from his head used by The Fiend.

The experience was a long-time dream for Wyatt, a notorious fan of horror. While he sadly will never get the chance to see his experience in action, his legacy lives on both in and out of the ring.

Bo Dallas: Every Wyatt Sicks Idea Is A Bray Wyatt Original

Kevin Owens Reacts To Sami Zayn’s WWE U.S. Title Win

Thomas Lowson
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Kevin Owens Reacts To Sami Zayn’s WWE U.S. Title Win

Sami Zayn captured the WWE United States Championship in Lyon, ending the title reign of Solo Sikoa. This win means a lot to Zayn, and others, and now his best friend/mortal enemy has weighed in on the Canadian’s victory in Europe.

On X, Kevin Owens reacted to Zayn’s title win. Representing their legacy of teaming and feuding, Owens said that Zayn was “one of the best” but added “I still hate him though. Or maybe not.” Owens admitted that it’s “hard to remember” and “depends on the day” if he loves or hates Zayn, but “one thing I do know for sure is that he’s the best.”

Owens himself is no stranger to the United States Title. First winning the gold at WrestleMania 33 from Chris Jericho, Owens is a three-time champion, having beaten Jericho a second time and his third reign began with a win over AJ Styles.

Kevin Owens is currently out of action and recently underwent a surgery that is expected to keep him out of action for a long time. Nevertheless, the Prizefighter is keeping a close eye on the new U.S. Champion, both pleased for his friend and scouting a potential target.

Sami Zayn Joins Exclusive Club After WWE U.S. Title Win

Sami Zayn Joins Exclusive Club After WWE U.S. Title Win

Thomas Lowson
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Sami Zayn Joins Exclusive Club After WWE U.S. Title Win

Sami Zayn is the new WWE United States Champion, adding another title win to the legacy of the Canadian Superstar. Not only has Zayn etched his name in the history books along men like Race, Cena, Flair, Ambrose, and others, but he’s also become the fifth member of a very exclusive club.

The Canadian Zayn won the U.S. Title in Lyon, France, making him the fifth wrestler born outside the U.S. to win the U.S. Title outside the U.S. The first was Kensuke Sazaki, who won the WCW U.S. Title in his native Japan in 1995. Five years later, Canada’s Lance Storm would win the WCW U.S. Title during a WCW event in the United Kingdom.

When the title became part of WWE, these unique title changes continued. In 2010, Bret Hart shocked fans by winning the gold, and the Canadian icon did so in his home country. Canada was also home to Shinsuke Nakamura’s title win at Survivor Series: Toronto in 2024, where the Japanese star dethroned LA Knight.

Now, Zayn had added his name to this list, proving that one doesn’t need to be from the U.S. to capture the star-spangled strap. It remains to be seen how far he goes as the new U.S. Champion.

H/T to @WrestleStatcast for uncovering this stat. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more interesting wrestling facts and statistics.

Kenny Omega Reacts To Reports of His Health

Anutosh Bajpai
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Kenny Omega Reacts To Reports of His Health

Kenny Omega has reassured his fans.

The former AEW Champion was reported to be dealing with some health issues following his Forbidden Door match, and many wondered if he’ll be taking time off from the company.

The wrestling veteran responded to the concerns about his health on X earlier on Friday. He mentioned that everyone is dealing with some kind of pain in their lives and assured the fans that he’ll be back on TV next week:

“Everybody is in some way, right?  Let’s not worry about me, we got work to do next week! I’ll be fine”

Kenny Omega teamed up with Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Will Ospreay, and Kota Ibushi to take on Death Riders, The Young Bucks, and Gabe Kidd in a brutal steel cage match at the Forbidden Door PPV.

The Cleaner then debuted a new clean-shaven look on this past Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite, as he came out to help Hangman Page against Don Callis.

Omega spent the whole of 2024 recovering from a diagnosis of diverticulitis. In an interview last month, the former champion had revealed the lasting effects of his illness. The former NJPW star had mentioned that it takes days for him to recover from a tough bout, and he is in constant pain.

John Cena Reconciles With Young Belgian Fan After Viral Brussels Incident

Michael Reichlin
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John Cena Reconciles With Young Belgian Fan After Viral Brussels Incident

John Cena delivered a heartfelt apology to a young Belgian fan during WWE SmackDown in Lyon, France on August 29, creating an emotional moment that brought closure to a viral incident from earlier this year.

The reconciliation stems from March 17, when Cena, during his heel turn at Raw in Brussels, pointed out the young fan and described their relationship as “toxic” and “dysfunctional.” The child’s heartbroken reaction was captured on camera and spread across social media, generating significant backlash against the WWE superstar.

During Thursday’s SmackDown, the same fan was in attendance holding a sign referencing the original incident. In a segment with Logan Paul, Cena left the ring and approached the boy directly.

“I was having a bad day,” Cena admitted, offering a sincere apology for his earlier comments. The young fan, who has supported Cena since age four, responded by shouting “I love you” and “thank you,” creating a genuinely touching moment that resonated with the Lyon crowd.

The timing proves significant as Cena prepares for his match against Logan Paul at Clash in Paris on August 31. Now turned babyface after losing the WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, Cena is in the final stages of his legendary in-ring career.

The reconciliation transforms what became a public relations nightmare into a redemptive story showcasing the human side of professional wrestling.

New #1 Contender For WWE Women’s Title Revealed

Andrew Ravens
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New #1 Contender For WWE Women’s Title Revealed

A new challenger has been revealed for the WWE Women’s Championship. On the August 29 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Jade Cargill confronted the reigning champion, Tiffany Stratton, in a backstage segment and revealed that she has been named the number one contender for the championship. The announcement immediately reignited the rivalry between the two top stars, who previously faced off at SummerSlam earlier this month.

The verbal exchange between the two was tense. Cargill stated that she was on a different level than the champion, while Stratton took credit for Cargill’s recent success and reminded her that she remains undefeated in 2025, which includes her victory over Cargill at SummerSlam.

The storyline justification for Cargill’s championship opportunity stems from last week’s tag team match, where she and Stratton teamed up to defeat Becky Lynch and Nia Jax. Cargill secured the victory for her team by pinning Nia Jax, a feat that has now moved her into championship contention. It’s unclear when the match will take place.

New Match Booked For WWE Clash In Paris

Andrew Ravens
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New Match Booked For WWE Clash In Paris

A new championship match has been made official for this Sunday’s WWE Clash in Paris Premium Live Event. On this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown from Lyon, France, The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) earned an opportunity to challenge The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) for the WWE Tag Team Championships.

The Street Profits secured their spot by defeating the team of Carmelo Hayes and The Miz in a number one contender’s match. The finish of the bout came after the champions, The Wyatt Sicks, appeared at ringside. Their presence distracted The Miz, which allowed Ford and Dawkins to capitalize and hit their finishing move on Carmelo Hayes for the pinfall victory.

This championship match at Clash in Paris will be a chance at redemption for The Street Profits. They are seeking to win the WWE Tag Team Championships for a third time, and their last reign was ended this past July by the very same team of Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis. The updated lineup for WWE Clash in Paris this Sunday, August 31, is below:

  • World Heavyweight Championship Match: Seth Rollins (champion) defends against Jey Uso, LA Knight and CM Punk
  • John Cena vs. Logan Paul
  • Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
  • Good ‘Ol Fashioned Donnybrook Match: Sheamus vs. Rusev
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match: Becky Lynch (champion) defends against Nikki
  • WWE Tag Team Championships Match: The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) (champions) defend against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford)

Spoiler: Title Change At WWE SmackDown in Lyon, France

Thomas Lowson
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Spoiler: Title Change At WWE SmackDown in Lyon, France

WWE may have descended upon Lyon, France for SmackDown, but it was the United States Title that took center stage in the main event. After weeks of back-and-forth, Sami Zayn met U.S. Champion Solo Sikoa, who was flanked by his MFT allies. As the heels continued to use their numbers to their advantage, it was the timely arrival of Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu who evened the odds.

In the end, it was Zayn who got the win, bringing an end to Sikoa’s title reign with two Helluva Kicks. The crowd in Lyon were electric as the new champion was officially crowned as SmackDown went off the air.

For Zayn, a four-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, this is his first taste of U.S. gold. This win is huge in its own right, and now puts Zayn one step closer to the ultimate accolade in WWE: the Grand Slam. Time will tell where his reign ultimately stacks up against former holders of the gold, but now the Canadian has etched his name in the history books once more.

Elayna Black Details How CM Punk Helped Her Decide To Take Wrestling Break

Andrew Ravens
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Elayna Black Details How CM Punk Helped Her Decide To Take Wrestling Break

Former WWE NXT star Elayna Black, known to fans as Cora Jade, has revealed that a conversation with her friend and mentor, CM Punk, helped assure her that she was making the right decision to step away from wrestling to focus on her mental health.

Speaking on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast, Black, who grew up idolizing Punk, detailed the advice she received from the WWE legend. She explained that she was struggling with the decision to take a break because she was afraid of letting people down.

“I like broke down one day and we had a conversation, me and [Punk] on the phone. Because I was like, hey, I need your advice — because he’s been through it all. He left WWE for 10 years and hated WWE, said crazy things, and nobody ever thought he was coming back. He’s found his love for wrestling again,” Black said. “And he sat there and listened to me. And he’ll always listen to me, which I’m very grateful for.”

“So I was just asking him if he found his love for it again after the break and stuff like that. And so many things that he said to me in that conversation really helped me. And he told me, like, I don’t owe anybody anything and I don’t have to stick in something that’s no longer serving me. And that really stuck with me,” she continued.

Black announced last month that she was canceling her upcoming independent bookings and taking the rest of 2025 off to take care of her mental health. She explained in the interview that before her break, she felt depressed and was having panic attacks before every match.

“I have no plans on retiring, I’m taking this break,” Black said. “If I wouldn’t have taken this break, maybe I would have retired… but that’s why I’m taking the break, because I do love wrestling and I do want to have fun again and enjoy it and not just be upset about it all the time or feel like constant negativity about it. I want to love it again the way I did as a kid.”

Black was released from her WWE contract in May of this year. She has a non-wrestling appearance scheduled for the WrestleCade convention in November and hopes to be back in the ring by the end of the year or early 2026.

John Cena Reconciles With Belgium Fan At WWE SmackDown

Thomas Lowson
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John Cena Reconciles With Belgium Fan At WWE SmackDown

John Cena was able to bury the hatchet with one very special fan during the August 29, episode of SmackDown in Lyon, France. During the show’s opening segment, Cena came face-to-face with Logan Paul, just 48 hours before the pair battle at Clash in Paris.

As the pair traded barbs, Cena spoke about what it means to be a true Superstar, and that includes having respect. Leaving the ring, Cena made his way to the crowd, and monologued on how respect means saying sorry to those you’ve hurt on a bad day. John then apologized to the young fan he’d singled out in Brussels, Belgium, admitting that he was having a bad day.

Cena blasted the young fan during an episode of Raw in Brussels, his first WWE appearance after turning heel at Elimination Chamber: Toronto. On the following Raw in Glasgow, Scotland, the heel Cena gloated over targeting the child, saying he tore him to shreds and could do that to anybody.

Cena has just nine appearances for WWE on his calendar before he hangs up his boots for good as an in-ring talent. As John prepares to say goodbye, his appearance on SmackDown shows it’s never too late to say sorry.

Viral John Cena Fan Comments On WWE Icon’s Scathing Attack

AJ Mana Loses Day Job Over Raja Jackson Attack Ties

Thomas Lowson
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AJ Mana Loses Day Job Over Raja Jackson Attack Ties

Raja Jackson’s actions at a recent KnokX Pro Wrestling event has shocked the wrestling world and raised questions as to how it could happen. While Syko Stu is thankfully awake and alert, the fallout of Jackson’s assault on Stu continues to be felt beyond both of these men.

During a Kick stream by Jackson, AJ Mana was seen encouraging the MMA fighter to give Stu a ‘receipt’ following a prior altercation between the two. While Stu apologized for hitting Jackson with a beer can after mistaking him for a wrestler, an apology Jackson seemingly accepted, Raja would deliver a series of punches to an unconscious Stu in the ring.

Appearing on the F’Yall Podcast, Mana shared that he hs been fired from his day job after those at his work saw a video from TMZ. Mana claimed that the gist of his dismissal was that his former employer sees him as “an accessory to an attempted murder,” leaving them with no choice but to let him go.

Jackson’s attack has had a serious impact on KnokX Pro, which has lost its status as a WWE ID affiliate. With talent reporting wanting out of KnokX Pro in the wake of what’s happened, it remains to be seen how the promotion will recover.

As for Mana, he has claimed that his encouragement for a ‘receipt’ was merely done in character. Nevertheless, this incident has reportedly cost him his job, leaving his future in and out of the ring uncertain.

Mark Henry Says Syko Stu Is Partially To Blame For Incident With Raja Jackson

WWE Revises Bronson Reed Shirt Over Jordans Comparison

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Revises Bronson Reed Shirt Over Jordans Comparison

Bronson Reed has made it his life’s purpose to steal as many pairs of shoes of Roman Reigns ahead of their match at WWE Clash In Paris. Now, Reed has a new shirt out for fans to purchase, though the garment in questions has undergone some serious changes.

The initially released shirt design featured the phrase ‘Tribal Thief’ as well as a pair of sneakers that bear a striking resemblance to Reigns’ Jordans. Now, that shirt has been removed from WWE Shop, replaced with a new design that doesn’t feature the shoes.

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Fans have speculated that the design was changed as WWE wanted to avoid a potential copyright claim from Nike, the manufacturer of Air Jordans. WWE has not explained why the design was changed for the former NXT North American Champion. Reed and Reigns kicked off WWE Raw in Birmingham with a brawl, during which Reed tried to take another pair of shoes from the OTC1.

Reed has been on the war-path since returning to the ring earlier this year, and a win over one of WWE’s biggest ever stars would take the Australian to a new level. Whether he succeeds in placing the ‘Shoe-la Fala’ around his neck in Paris this part of Reed’s character will not be represented on his new shirt.

Natalya Believes There Is “Real Tension” Between Becky Lynch And Nikki Bella

Andrew Ravens
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Natalya Believes There Is “Real Tension” Between Becky Lynch And Nikki Bella

Natalya has weighed in on the heated rivalry between Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella, stating her belief that there is “real tension” between the two superstars.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, the former champion discussed the personal nature of the feud, which has seen Lynch make comments about Bella’s past relationship with John Cena. Natalya believes this authenticity is why their segments have been so successful.

“Their segment, from what I understand, was one of the most viewed segments on the show and that’s because I do believe there’s real tension between the two of them,” Natalya said.

She stated that she believes Nikki Bella is channeling her real-life hardships into the storyline. “I think with Nikki, she’s in a place in her life where she’s been scrutinized, she’s been criticized, she’s been through the wringer up and down and back again,” she explained.

“She’s using all of it, every hardship that she’s been through, every breakup that she’s been through, everything that’s been challenging for her in her life, she’s channeling it in this feud and I love it,” Natalya continued. “She has never — since I’ve known Nikki from day one, she has never ever been a victim, she’s always been a survivor.”

“That’s the thing that Becky doesn’t realize is that Nikki has been a survivor of so many things that she doesn’t even talk about… I’m excited to see their match at Clash, I think their story has been fascinating.”

They are set for a championship match this Sunday, August 31, at the WWE Clash in Paris premium live event. Becky Lynch will defend her Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Nikki Bella.

Latest On Live AEW PPVs Coming to HBO Max Service

Thomas Lowson
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Latest On Live AEW PPVs Coming to HBO Max Service

Major changes are coming to the HBO Max service, changes that will impact how wrestling fans consume action on the platform. As first reported by Andrew Zarian and corroborated by PW Insider, these changes will go into effect on September 20. If all goes as planned, it is looking very likely that AEW All Out 2025 from Toronto will be the first All-Elite pay-per-view offered on the service.

HBO Max has been working on the technology for some time. The change is the latest development between AEW and HBO, both part of the Warner Bros. family. In July 2025, AEW landed on the HBO Max library with pay-per-views spanning from AEW’s first events in 2019 all the way to 2024.

Warner Bros. has also seen massive changes in 2025, including splitting from Discovery in a massive deal. While this split isn’t expected to effect AEW, the decision continues to raise questions as to the future for both entertainment and broadcasting giants.

On AEW programming, names like ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, Jon Moxley, ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm, MJF, and Mercedes Mone continue to dominate on the screen. Now, fans can expect to find current AEW pay-per-views on Max, giving fans a new outlet to get their fill of All-Elite action.

Actual AEW Streaming Numbers on Max (Exclusive)

Brandi and Cody Rhodes Welcome Their Second Daughter, Leilani Ella Runnels

Michael Reichlin
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Brandi and Cody Rhodes Welcome Their Second Daughter, Leilani Ella Runnels

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and his wife, Brandi, are celebrating the birth of their second daughter, Leilani Ella Runnels. Brandi shared the joyful news on Instagram:

“Welcome to the world Leilani Ella Runnels. We are in love. Thank you God for answered prayers. Cody + Brandi + Libby + Lani.”

The couple’s first daughter, Liberty Iris, was born in June 2021. Cody and Brandi have been married since September 2013, after first meeting as colleagues in WWE.

Congratulations to the growing Rhodes family on their newest addition!

Preview for Tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Lyon, France (8/29)

Michael Reichlin
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Preview for Tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Lyon, France (8/29)

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown comes to us from the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France. The show will air on tape delay in the United States tonight, August 29, 2025, at its regular time slot of 8 PM ET on USA Network. Internationally, the show will be available live earlier on Netflix.

Here’s the WWE SmackDown preview for tonight, August 29, 2025:

Confirmed matches

  • Solo Sikoa vs. Sami Zayn for the United States Championship: Solo Sikoa will defend his title against Sami Zayn, who has recently moved to SmackDown and is determined to capture gold after being denied a shot at the World Heavyweight title. Expect interference from the Family Tree faction, as where Solo Sikoa goes, his allies often follow.
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss are set to defend their titles against Piper Niven and Alba Fyre, representing the Secret Hervice.
  • No. 1 Contender’s Tag Team Match: The newly formed team of The Miz & Carmelo Hayes (Melo Don’t Miz) will compete against The Street Profits to decide who will be the next challengers for the WWE Tag Team Championships.

Promoted appearances and segments:

  • John Cena and Logan Paul will both be present, building to their clash at Clash in Paris this Sunday
  • The fallout from Randy Orton’s surprise RKO to Drew McIntyre last week.
  • Multiple top stars scheduled, including Cody Rhodes, Tiffany Stratton, Randy Orton, Jade Cargill, and LA Knight

Join us here this weekend for coverge of WWE Clash in Paris.

WWE Clash in Paris: Full Match Card, Cena’s Farewell & Title Shake-Up

Pokémon Partners with CMLL for Live Wrestling Event Featuring Mega Hawlucha

Michael Reichlin
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Pokémon Partners with CMLL for Live Wrestling Event Featuring Mega Hawlucha

The Pokémon Company has announced an unprecedented partnership with Mexico’s legendary wrestling promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) for a special live event at Arena México on September 25, 2025.

This unique crossover will showcase traditional Mexican lucha libre while promoting the upcoming video game Pokémon Legends: Z-A, specifically highlighting the newly revealed Mega Hawlucha character.

The Wrestling Pokémon, originally from the Kalos region, has received a Mega Evolution form that perfectly aligns with the high-flying spectacle of lucha libre.

“Bulked up by Mega Evolution, Mega Hawlucha is not only bodacious beyond belief but can also take hit after hit with ease,” according to The Pokémon Company’s announcement. The character’s wrestling-inspired moveset and showboating personality make it an ideal ambassador for this cultural celebration.

CMLL, founded in 1933, represents the world’s oldest wrestling promotion and a cornerstone of Mexican sports entertainment. This collaboration brings together two performance art forms that emphasize athleticism, storytelling, and crowd engagement.

The event begins at 7:00 PM local time (6:00 PM PDT) with tickets available through Ticketmaster. International fans can watch the live broadcast on CMLL’s official YouTube channel, making this cultural crossover accessible worldwide.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A launches October 16, 2025, exclusively on Nintendo Switch platforms.

Tony Schiavone Comments On Chris Jericho AEW Contract Speculation

Michael Reichlin
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Tony Schiavone Comments On Chris Jericho AEW Contract Speculation

Tony Schiavone addressed swirling Chris Jericho contract speculation on his What Happened When podcast with Conrad Thompson, revealing he remains in the dark despite recent extensive time backstage with Tony Khan.

“If there’s smoke to that fire, it has not been thrown my way,” Schiavone began. “I was backstage with Tony Khan most of this entire trip (for Forbidden Door). Chris Jericho’s name was not mentioned. But that doesn’t mean anything.”

The veteran announcer’s comments provide an interesting contrast to Khan’s recent heartfelt praise of Jericho during the ROH Death before Dishonor media call, where the AEW President credited Jericho as foundational to both AEW and ROH’s success.

Schiavone acknowledged Khan’s secretive approach to business dealings, explaining why he might be kept out of the loop.

“Tony, a lot of times, he’ll get on the phone with that person and not tell anybody. He likes to keep things close to the vest. I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

The AEW personality admitted his own curiosity about the situation, adding, “I’ve been wondering myself. I guess I should have asked, and then I would have known.”

Speculation continues to mount about Jericho’s future, with industry sources suggesting he may be considering a WWE return in early 2026. However, Khan recently expressed his desire to “have Chris back” while praising the nine-time world champion’s contributions.

Early Estimates For AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door Pay-Per-View Buys

Andrew Ravens
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Early Estimates For AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door Pay-Per-View Buys

The initial pay-per-view buyrate estimates for this past Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event have been reported, and the early numbers are considered to be strong. The event, which took place at The O2 Arena in London, England, had an early afternoon start time for audiences in the United States, a factor that was expected to impact its buys.

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided the first estimates for the show’s performance. He reported that the numbers are tracking similarly to AEW’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view from May.

“The early PPV numbers look to be identical to Double or Nothing, which was estimated at 122,000 to 130,000 buys. I’d call that very good because the early start time had to hurt in the U.S.”

The event was headlined by a 10-man Lights Out Steel Cage match and also featured several championship bouts, including “Hangman” Adam Page successfully defending the AEW World Championship against MJF. The show had only championship change of the night – Brodido (Brody King & Bandido) won the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

Mike Chioda Shares His Most Painful WWE Referee Moments

Thomas Lowson
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Mike Chioda Shares His Most Painful WWE Referee Moments

Mike Chioda may have spent much of his career officiating in-ring action, but there were plenty of times when the former WWE official was forced to get physical. Whether it was standing up to cheating wrestlers or taking bumps in the ring, Chioda wasn’t immune to pain despite not being a wrestler.

Speaking on the Insight podcast, Chioda took a stroll down memory lane and recounted some of his more painful moments. One such moment came during the Mick Foley Vs. Randy Orton match at WWE Backlash 2004, when Chioda’s count resulted in thumbtacks being embedded in his hand.

“I had one or two thumbtacks and it stung like a son of a, because I count really hard, right? I remember, boom. I was like, oh sh*t. I’m thinking Orton got like 75 of these things in his back, I can’t be complaining here.”

Like countless other referess, Chioda would take ref bumps throughout his career. It was one of these bumps that scored him a tidy bonus on WWE’s grandest stage in 1999.

“$2500. Yeah, it was a chair shot that Stone Cold gave me [at WrestleMania 15]. Because I started the match for the first 5-10 minutes, and I take the chair shot and I get knocked out.

“My head rang for like three days, ears were ringing, it was pretty cool. He [Jim Ross] goes, ‘You’re getting a bonus for that Mike.’ I was like, oh my god, thanks, JR. Got that bonus on top of the WrestleMania pay.”

Chioda was WWE’s longest-serving referee before his release, and shared on the podcast that he is retired for the most part. His story goes to show how its not just the wrestlers who put their bodies on the line any time a bell rings.

Ex-WWE Referee Spent an Hour Teaching Mike Tyson How to Count for WrestleMania 14

WWE Alum Melina Returning To The Ring After 3 Years

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Alum Melina Returning To The Ring After 3 Years

Former WWE Superstar Melina is set to make a return to the ring, and hopes that Paris, France is the setting of her triumphant return. On Facebook, Melina shared some photos of herself in the city of lights and hyped up her return to action.

Coming back to Paris means so much to me. When I was young, I dreamed of this city, and when I finally made it here with WWE, we left so quickly it broke my heart. Still, the beauty, culture, and spirit of Paris stayed with me all these years.

Now, I’m beyond happy to return—not only to enjoy the magic of France, but also to step into the ring once again in the city where I won my second title.

Tomorrow, I’ll be wrestling at #dragattackparis —grateful for this chance, grateful for the people here, and grateful for all of you who continue to support me.

Merci, Paris. Je t’aime. ????

Melina’s return to the ring comes three years after her most recent match for WrestlePro in May 2022. That match saw the former WWE Women’s Champion lose to Scarlett Bordeaux, but Melina plans on a much different result this time around. Melina’s match in Paris will come mere days before WWE takes over the French capital for their Clash in Paris PLE.

It remains to be seen if Melina’s return is a one-off, or the start of something bigger for the veteran wrestler. But with Melina proving she can still hit the splits in a separate Facebook post, fans can expect a nostalgic performance from the former Divas/Women’s Champion.

Melina Calls WWE Evolution The “Women’s WrestleMania”

Elayna Black On Break: I Have A Toxic Relationship With Wrestling

Thomas Lowson
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Elayna Black On Break: I Have A Toxic Relationship With Wrestling

In July 2025, Elayna Black shared that she’d be taking an indefinite break from pro wrestling, with no sign of when she’ll be back. Speaking to TMZ’s Inside the Ring, the former WWE NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion recalled the period of time after her release from WWE in early 2025.

“I had like 20 bookings right away. I was gone four days out of the week, plane right after plane. I was going, going, going. And that’s what made me realize—I’m not having fun doing this.”

Black was suffering from panic attacks before every match, and felt sick at the prospect of wrestling. While she made clear that she’s never once said she’s leaving wrestling, her relationship with the business is currently strained.

“I have a toxic relationship with wrestling right now. It was just so draining. I wasn’t sleeping. I wasn’t eating. I wasn’t working out. I was so depressed. I got to such a low, low point.”

Black, known to WWE fans as Cora Jade “would have went nuts and went off the rails” if not for this break from the ring. Even after just one month, the positive effect she’s felt already can’t be ignored.

“Even just after this like month of therapy and healing and not looking at anything wrestling related, it has genuinely helped me so much.”

Whenever Black returns to the squared circle, only time will tell. For now, the former WWE Superstar is focusing on herself and her own mental health.

Booker T Warns Elayna Black Of Perils Of Mental Health Break
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