Britt Baker was the first woman signed to an AEW talent contract in 2019 and for a while, was the top star of the women’s division. Baker’s days on top are now a distant memory, and her recent social media activity may have teased a bold move.
Baker has removed all references to AEW in her Instagram bio, distancing herself from the All-Elite promotion. On X, Baker’s bio is similarly AEW-free and makes reference to her role as a wrestler and a dentist.
Baker’s alterations come amid an interesting time in the DMD’s career. Baker hasn’t competed since November 2024, and has competed just five times over the past year. Baker remains active on social media though rarely makes reference to AEW.
Interestingly, her latest reference to AEW on social media saw her throw support behind Saraya following the British wrestler’s exit from AEW.
— Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (@RealBrittBaker) March 26, 2025
Baker’s absence has left fans wondering as to whether her time with AEW may also be coming to an end. In January, Chris Jericho cast doubt on the idea that Baker will leave AEW, following reports of alleged heat on the former Women’s World Champion.
If Baker does end her time with AEW, fans can expect WWE to make an effort to sign Baker who could also see interest from promotions overseas such as STARDOM. Whatever’s next, Britt Baker remains a talking point among wrestling fans, even with her hiatus from AEW growing day-by-day.
Jesse ‘The Body’ Ventura was part of the latest WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, but his role was far smaller than what fans had expected. Instead of commentating as seen in previous SNME shows, Ventura was part of an opening skit with Joe Tessitore and wasn’t used after that.
Fans should expect to see less of Ventura going forward, according to a report from Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Ventura’s commentary role at the May 2025 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event was seen as a “fiasco” and “the call was made not to let him announce.”
Ventura’s “fiasco” saw him serve on commentary in May during the steel cage match between Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest. During the match, Ventura criticized talent being able to win by leaving the cage, a long-standing rule of cage matches. Declaring on the show “what kind of BS is that?!” Ventura’s criticism of WWE’s presentation has affected his role going forward.
Whether in wrestling or politics, Ventura has never kept quiet about his views. While fans can expect ‘The Body’ on WWE shows, don’t expect him to be handed a live mic for too long.
Netflix has released its first biannual viewership report since its landmark partnership with WWE began on January 6, 2025. The data, which covers the period from January 1 through June 30, reveals impressive numbers for Monday Night Raw and some surprising results for the company’s premium live events in international markets.
In a surprising finding, the most-viewed single night of a WWE premium live event on Netflix internationally was not WrestleMania. The Royal Rumble in January topped all PLEs with three million international viewers. This viewership was higher than both nights of WrestleMania 41, which drew 2.4 million viewers for Saturday and 2.8 million for Sunday. In other international data, SmackDown’s viewership peaked at 1.1 million viewers, while the highest-viewed NXT PLE was New Year’s Evil with 500,000 viewers.
The debut of Monday Night Raw on the streaming platform was a huge success, achieving the highest viewership for any episode in the first half of 2025 with 6.9 million global viewers. That January 6th show featured a main event between CM Punk and Seth Rollins, as well as Roman Reigns facing Solo Sikoa in Tribal Combat. The third highest-viewed episode of Raw during the reporting period was the April 21st show, which featured major storyline developments involving John Cena, Randy Orton, and Paul Heyman’s new faction.
The strong performance in the first half of 2025 sets a high bar for WWE and Netflix. The next major premium live event that will be included in the next report is the upcoming two-night SummerSlam on August 2nd and 3rd, which will be headlined by John Cena defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER defending the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk.
While the likes of Logan Paul, Bad Bunny, and Johnny Knoxville have won over fans with their skills in the ring, Rob Van Dam is no fan of celebrity matches. On an episode of his podcast, 1 of a Kind with RVD, the ECW legend made his views perfectly clear.
“For me, it’s always offensive. I take the perspective of… in order to have a celebrity take a spot on a wrestling card, everyone else has to work around them to make it look like anybody could do it.”
Van Dam said that not everybody can wrestle though acknowledged that Paul is “so good,” despite being relatively new to the business. Van Dam shared what it’d take for a celebrity wanting to wrestle to win him over.
“If I can kick him in the mouth just like I kick Bubba Dudley or anybody else in the mouth, if they’re like, ‘Ok cool man, I really enjoyed that,’ maybe they’d win me over then.”
Van Dam’s comments are somewhat ironic given that he recently teased forging a partnership with Logan Paul. Long before Paul was tearing things up in WWE, Van Dam had a taste of celebrity action in the original ECW.
“When Insane Clown Posse came to ECW, me and Sabu beat the shit out of them. We didn’t take it easy on them at all and I broke [Violent J’s] eardrum.”
At 54 years old, questions remains as to how many matches, if any, Van Dam has left. But should he wrestle again, don’t expect him to work with the likes of Bunny, Paul, or Jelly Roll in the ring.
Happy Gilmore 2 will land on Netflix later this month, and fans are in store for a major plot twist, according to Nikki Bella. Speaking with E! News, the WWE Hall of Famer opened up about her time on set, revealing she had a great time filming her role for the movie.
“The greatest thing ever. He [Adam Sandler] is absolutely amazing. This set was so much fun. I truly am—I mean, I’ve always believed laughter is the best medicine, but it really is.”
Happy Gilmore 2 comes 30 years after the original film which remains a highlight of comedy movies. While the sequel has a tall order to rise to the original, Nikki believes Happy Gilmore 2 won’t just be as good as the original, but surpass it.
“This is going to be even better than the first. And I’m not even saying that ’cause I’m a part of it, but we just could not stop crying, laughing on set. Adam just makes it really comfortable for everyone.”
Looking ahead to the film’s release, Nikki expressed her excitement for fans to see what’s in store, teasing a major twist that hasn’t been shown in the trailers.
“There is a massive part that people are going to be obsessed with. I think it’s so cool that they haven’t really teased it, because you’re going to watch and you’re going to go, ‘Oh, it’s going in this direction.”
In addition to Nikki Bella, Happy Gilmore 2 will also feature fellow wrestling stars MJF and Becky Lynch. With a cast full of big personalities and high expectations, fans will soon find out if the long-awaited sequel can deliver.
One WWE Superstar was finally able to make a return to the ring before the latest episode of SmackDown after being out with an injury for over a year. Kiana James makes her in-ring retun during the Main Event tapings where she battled Michin. Despite this being a big night for James, it was Michin who got the victory.
James wasn’t just kept to the WWE Main Event taping. On SmackDown, she was spotted by eagle-eyed fans in the background of a segment, speaking to Women’s United States Champion Giulia.
James had been out of action since June 2024, when she suffered a leg injury. Prior to the Michin match, her most recent in-ring encounter saw IYO SKY beat James and Zelina Vega on WWE Raw.
James was moved to Raw in the 2024 WWE Draft, but her injury has robbed her of the chance to develop on TV. It remains to be seen what’s next for Kiana James after this long-awaited return.
For years, Dwayne Johnson teased his role as Black Adam, vowing that the hierarchy of the DC Comics cinematic universe was going to change. Unfortunately for WWE’s Final Boss, the film did not perform as hoped at the box office and now, DC has moved away from their previous universe plans that saw Johnson on top.
Speaking on the Happy Sad Confusedpodcast, DC Studios co-head James Gunn opened up about the circumstances that led to Johnson’s exit from DC. According to Gunn, by the time Dwayne Johnson was pushing for a larger creative role, DC leadership already had different plans in motion.
“There were other people [Johnson] that had a take on what they wanted to do at DC and were trying to force their way. And it just was never a part of the equation for David Zaslav, who was the head of WBD.”
This interview comes after reports that a Black Adam sequel was quietly scrapped, largely due to the film’s underwhelming box office. While the film had once been considered a launching point for Johnson’s long-term role in the DCU, its failure seemingly marked the end of his life in superhero films.
Though Black Adam didn’t perform, many are optimistic for the future of DC Comics on the big screen. 2022’s The Batman starring Robert Pattinson proved to be a smash hit with fans appreciating the darker tone and compelling performances. The new Superman reboot under Gunn’s leadership has been well-received so far, suggesting the DCU may be on more stable footing moving forward.
For Dwayne Johnson, his role as Black Adam appears to have been a one-off, despite big plans being in place for him to be a key part of the DC Universe.
Scott Steiner’s infamous ‘Steiner Math’ promo is iconic in the world of pro wrestling, and has now expanded beyond the squared circle. At this year’s Classic Tetris World Championship (CWTC), champion Justin “Fractal” Yu channelled Big Poppa Pump to guarantee his victory.
Yu certainly has the credentials to back up his bravado. The American is one of five CTWC competitors to reach the finals on multiple occassions. In 2023, he would the CWTC Championship, and has earned close to $40,000 from his total winnings.
Steiner’s promo came as part of the Sacrifice 2008 pay-per-view, in which he guaranteed victory in a triple threat match which would include Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle. Instead, Big Poppa Pump came up short, proving that even mathematics bows to the wills of the Olympian and the Samoan Submission Machine.
The July 18 episode of WWE SmackDown delivered a major development on the road to WWE SummerSlam, one that’ll effect John Cena and Cody Rhodes. In the closing segment, the Undisputed WWE Champion and his challenger met in the ring for what was expected to be a routine contract signing, before a violent stipulation was announced.
Cena entered the ring to deliver what he called “bad news.” Cena announced he would not be competing at SummerSlam, citing obligations to a major Netflix film project and feeling “emotionally exhausted.”
“We all feel it is best that I don’t compete at SummerSlam.”
Cena offered alternatives like “Paris or Perth” for the rematch but was adamant he wouldn’t be wrestling at SummerSlam, claiming his decision was “best for business.” Cody, visibly frustrated, demanded that Cena sign the contract. Cena refused, thanking Cody for understanding, but reiterating he wouldn’t sign.
Rhodes chased Cena outside the ring and dragged him back. Cena responded by slamming Cody into the steel steps. But once they returned to the ring, Cody reversed a title shot attempt from Cena, grabbed the championship belt, and struck Cena with it.
Cody then climbed the top rope, leaped onto Cena binder-in-hand, and forced him to sign the contract by placing the pen in his hand and guiding it to paper. With that dramatic moment, the match was made official—and Cody revealed it will be a street fight.
WWE SummerSlam will take place on August 2 and 3 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, marking the first-ever two-night SummerSlam in WWE history.
WWE employees were handed a tough blow today as the company rolled out a new severance policy which is bad news for long-tenured staff. According to an internal memo sent out this afternoon, WWE has eliminated its previous severance package, which provided one month of pay for every year of service. Instead, the company will now follow TKO Group’s structure, offering just two weeks of severance pay per year of employment.
PWInsider reports that the new policy also includes pay caps based on an employee’s management level, though the exact thresholds have not been disclosed. Nonetheless, the change has reportedly sent shockwaves through WWE’s corporate offices. Now, staff will have their severance packages effectively cut in half, in a major loss for employees.
Sincew the launch of TKO Group Holdings, internal workloads have reportedly surged. Many employees are now juggling responsibilities across WWE, UFC, and PBR (Professional Bull Riders). Now, the revised severance term has left those under pressure feeling they have even less job security.
For long-serving employees, the change is especially disheartening. Under the former structure, a 20-year veteran could expect nearly two years of severance pay. Now, they will receive 280 days of severance pay, less than half of what they had before.
This latest shift underscores the stark reality of WWE’s evolving corporate culture now as part of TKO. While the company continues to boast of record-breaking profits and events, those working in the offices are feeling the pinch.
WWE has unveiled 11 new live event dates for Raw and SmackDown across the United States. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 25 at 10 a.m. local time, with presale access beginning Wednesday, July 23 at 10 a.m. local time.
Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena will make his final appearance in Chicago at the Allstate Arena on Friday, September 5, followed by a return to his home state of Massachusetts at the MassMutual Center in Springfield on Monday, September 15.
Cardi B has fired back at Triple H with a playful response that has WWE fans buzzing about the possibility of seeing the Grammy-winning rapper step into the squared circle.
The exchange began when WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque was asked during a recent interview about the potential for Cardi B to make an in-ring appearance at SummerSlam 2025. His response was notably cautious, stating “I don’t know if anyone can control Cardi B, if she wants to I think it’s going to be hard to talk her out of it.”
Never one to back down from a challenge, Cardi B took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to respond directly to The Game’s comments. In her characteristic style, she posted: “Listen @TripleH these girls trying me ?” – a response that has sent wrestling fans into a frenzy speculating about what could unfold at WWE’s biggest summer event.
The social media exchange comes as WWE continues to build toward SummerSlam 2025, where Cardi B has been confirmed as the host. The announcement was originally made back in April, though the rapper’s involvement in the show’s promotion had been notably minimal in recent weeks, leading some to question whether her deal with the company remained intact.
However, recent reports confirmed that nothing has changed regarding Cardi B’s status, and she remains locked in for the August pay-per-view event. The report also indicated that WWE has been making long-term plans for the show with the “WAP” hitmaker in mind, though specific details about potential wrestling angles involving the star remain under wraps.
The Final Countdown
With SummerSlam just weeks away, WWE will likely begin ramping up Cardi B’s involvement in the show’s promotion. Whether her hosting duties will extend beyond traditional celebrity appearances remains to be seen, but her latest social media activity has certainly added an intriguing wrinkle to the event’s narrative.
Cardi B won’t be the only music industry presence at SummerSlam 2025. Country star Jelly Roll is also set to participate in a tag team match at the event and has multiple WWE appearances scheduled in the coming weeks leading up to the show.
As WWE continues to build toward their biggest summer spectacular, all eyes will be on how the company incorporates Cardi B into the festivities – and whether Triple H’s prediction about being unable to control the rapper proves prophetic.
The bitter family rivalry between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu is set to reach its explosive conclusion inside a steel cage at SummerSlam. Per Cory Hays, Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu for the United States Championship in a Steel Cage Match is officially set for SummerSlam.
This “Blood vs Blood” encounter represents the culmination of months of tension within the Anoa’i family, as two cousins who once stood together in The Bloodline prepare to tear each other apart for championship gold and family supremacy.
From Brothers to Enemies
The relationship between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past year. When “The Samoan Werewolf” first arrived in WWE, he served as Solo’s most loyal protector, famously declaring “I love you, Solo!” as his signature catchphrase. The dynamic duo seemed unbreakable as they dominated opponents together under The Bloodline banner.
However, cracks began to show after Jacob Fatu captured the United States Championship from LA Knight at WrestleMania. Solo’s attitude shifted, and he began treating Fatu as if he were beneath him despite being the champion. The final straw came when Solo brought in JC Mateo as additional muscle without consulting Fatu, making disparaging comments about the titleholder behind his back.
The breaking point arrived at Money in the Bank, where Fatu cost Solo the briefcase in a shocking moment of betrayal, screaming “I hate you, Solo!” The former allies were now bitter enemies, and a championship showdown became inevitable.
Night of Champions Controversy
At WWE Night of Champions on June 28, 2025, Solo Sikoa finally got his hands on Jacob Fatu’s United States Championship, but not through fair means. What should have been a one-on-one encounter quickly devolved into a numbers game against the defending champion.
JC Mateo interfered first, distracting the referee while providing assistance to Solo. When that wasn’t enough, the returning Tonga Loa emerged to even the odds further against Fatu. But the most shocking moment came with the WWE debut of Hikuleo (formerly known as Tala Tonga in New Japan), who delivered a devastating chokeslam to Fatu onto the announce table.
Despite facing a 4-on-1 disadvantage, Fatu’s resilience nearly carried him to victory. However, the constant interference finally took its toll, allowing Solo to connect with the Samoan Spike for the three-count and his first main roster singles championship.
Steel Cage Ensures Fair Fight
The steel cage stipulation for their SummerSlam rematch addresses the primary issue from their Night of Champions encounter: outside interference. With Solo’s expanded Bloodline faction now including JC Mateo, Tonga Loa, and Hikuleo, the cage will serve as the great equalizer, trapping both competitors inside while keeping everyone else out.
This stipulation also prevents Jacob Fatu’s ally Jimmy Uso from becoming a factor, ensuring that the deeply personal rivalry between the cousins will have a definitive winner determined solely by their own abilities inside the unforgiving steel structure.
Recent Developments
The animosity between Solo and Jacob has continued to escalate in recent weeks. At Saturday Night’s Main Event, Solo successfully defended his newly-won United States Championship against Jimmy Uso with assistance from Tala Tonga. However, Jacob Fatu made a dramatic return after the match, clearing the ring and confronting Solo’s allies to send a clear message.
On the July 4th episode of SmackDown, Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso defeated Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo in tag team action, with Fatu gaining some measure of revenge by pinning the United States Champion. However, Solo’s faction got the last laugh, powerbombing Fatu through the announce table in a brutal post-match assault.
SummerSlam Stakes
SummerSlam 2025, taking place August 2-3 in New Jersey, will witness this family feud reach its crescendo. The steel cage match represents more than just a championship bout – it’s a battle for the soul of The Bloodline legacy and the settling of very personal scores between two of the most dominant forces in WWE today.
For Solo Sikoa, victory would cement his position as the true leader of The Bloodline and validate his championship reign. For Jacob Fatu, it’s an opportunity to reclaim the title that was stolen from him and prove that he doesn’t need anyone’s help to succeed at the highest level.
When the steel cage door slams shut at SummerSlam, only one man will emerge as United States Champion. In this blood versus blood encounter, family ties will be tested, and the stronger competitor will leave with both the gold and ultimate bragging rights in one of wrestling’s most storied families.
Wrestling legend Ric Flair has announced he will no longer be appearing at the ATL Comic Convention this weekend. In a statement shared on his social media, Flair cited “personal and health related issues” as the reason for the cancellation.
“I am not going to be at the ATL Comic Convention tomorrow because of personal and health related issues,” Flair wrote. “Thank you so much for understanding & for all the appreciation! I look forward to seeing you at a future signing.”
Fans expressed support and well wishes in the comments, hoping for a swift recover
Live from Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT on USA Network
Tonight’s SmackDown serves as crucial fallout from both Saturday Night’s Main Event and Evolution, while ramping up the build toward SummerSlam in just over two weeks.
Confirmed Matches & Segments
SummerSlam Contract Signing Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena and Cody Rhodes will make their championship rematch official in what’s sure to be a heated confrontation. The American Nightmare earned his shot by winning the King of the Ring tournament, setting up a WrestleMania rematch between these two titans.
Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match (#1 Contender) With The Wyatt Sicks holding the WWE Tag Team Championship after defeating The Street Profits last week, four teams will battle for the right to challenge the sinister new champions: Fraxiom vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. #DIY. Expect chaos as these teams fight for their shot at gold.
Singles Competition
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre – Fresh off her Evolution Battle Royal victory, Vaquer looks to build momentum against The Secret Service member
Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez – The Queen takes on the Women’s Tag Team Champion following the explosive Fatal 4-Way at Evolution
Key Storylines to Watch
Jacob Fatu’s Return The Samoan Werewolf makes his first SmackDown appearance since being taken out by The MFTs, after his surprise assist to Jimmy Uso at Saturday Night’s Main Event against Solo Sikoa’s faction.
Women’s Championship Picture Queen of the Ring winner Jade Cargill and WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton are expected to cross paths as they begin their road to SummerSlam. After Stratton successfully retained against Trish Stratus at Evolution, all eyes turn to this fresh championship feud.
Tag Division Shake-Up Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss failed in their bid for tag team gold at Evolution, and both superstars are advertised for tonight. Will they reveal their next move, or is their “alliance of convenience” already over?
Wyatt Sicks Dominance Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis shocked the WWE Universe by capturing the tag titles last week. With Uncle Howdy’s twisted family now holding championship gold, expect their dark presence to loom large over tonight’s proceedings.
Tonight’s SmackDown promises to deliver major developments as WWE continues building toward what’s shaping up to be an explosive SummerSlam card. Don’t miss all the action live from San Antonio!????????????????
CM Punk has pulled back the curtain on the creative process behind his memorable “Doctor of Punkanomics” freestyle rap promo, which targeted John Cena on the June 27 episode of WWE SmackDown. In a new interview, Punk explained why he chose to “zag” instead of delivering another “Pipe Bomb.”
Speaking with ComicBook.com, Punk revealed that the motivation behind the rap was to deliberately avoid recreating his legendary Pipe Bomb promo, as he felt it was what everyone was expecting.
“The genesis of the idea was everybody’s expecting this Pipe Bomb 2 from me. And I’m not into delivering sequels to stuff that don’t need sequels,” Punk said. “For 14 years, people have been chasing this moment and trying to replicate it… I couldn’t even have followed myself… everyone’s expecting me to zig, so I zag. That was kind of the idea with it.”
To ensure the freestyle rap landed perfectly, Punk enlisted the help of some friends who specialize in that area, including battle rap expert Jensen Karp.
“I have a good friend of mine by the name of Jensen Karp who is to me like battle rap master—master’s kind of what he does. So it was his lane,” Punk explained. “So I definitely leaned on him… He helped me greatly, along with another friend of ours, Ron.”
“People are going to remember that. Whether it’s because of the delivery, the content, the way I was dressed, the atmosphere… I think it was a hell of a moment.”
The memorable promo on SmackDown served as a special confrontation between the two legendary rivals. Since then, both men have returned to their respective brand’s main event scenes. CM Punk is now the number one contender for GUNTHER’s World Heavyweight Championship on Raw. Meanwhile, Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena is scheduled for a contract signing on tonight’s episode of SmackDown with his SummerSlam challenger, Cody Rhodes.
WWE is trying to force Alberto El Patron out of AAA despite him being one of lucha libre’s “greatest legends,” according to former WWE commentator Hugo Savinovich. Though WWE announced its acquisition of AAA three months ago, the promotion has so far avoided making reference to El Patron on TV.
Speaking to “Lucha Libre Online,” Savinovich, a former WWE commentator, claimed the promotion wants El Patron gone from AAA.
“What will happen to Alberto del Rio? He wasn’t even present at the AAA-WWE inauguration in Los Angeles. Alberto was dethroned by Hijo del Vikingo as Mega Champion.
“AAA and WWE trying to push one of the greatest legends of lucha libre out the door… Does honesty, sacrifice, loyalty, great work mean nothing anymore?”
El Patron competed for years in WWE as Alberto Del Rio, though he has a rocky relationship with the company. In 2014, Alberto was let go after a backstage altercation with a worker. After being rehired the following year, Alberto was cut in 2016 amidst a volatile relationship with Saraya.
Alberto himself has said in the past that he believes he will return to WWE one day. But despite WWE and AAA being closer connected than ever before, his plans for a return seem further away than ever.
WWE Superstar Seth Rollins offered a rare glimpse into what genuine career fulfillment looks like during a heartfelt conversation with a 14-year-old aspiring wrestler on The Rich Eisen Show. Rather than focusing on championships and accolades, Rollins emphasized the relationships and personal growth that have defined his journey in professional wrestling.
When asked about his career satisfaction, Rollins provided an unexpectedly profound response that went far beyond typical wrestler talking points about titles and main events.
“If it all ended tomorrow, I would be extremely satisfied,” Rollins said. “Not only have I been able to accomplish all of these cool milestone things in my life, like winning world titles and main eventing WrestleMania and headlining… it’s the things that I think people don’t really think about like I’ve made some of my best friends in the world through the industry. I have met my wife here. So I have a family because of this business.”
The WWE champion continued to elaborate on how wrestling has enriched his life beyond the ring, highlighting the personal connections that have sustained him throughout his career.
“I’ve been able to travel the world. I get to talk to people like you who tell me that I inspire them, which is pretty insane,” Rollins explained to his young caller. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I get that often, but it never is lost on me how incredible it is to be an inspiration to another human being in whatever capacity that is.”
Rollins’ perspective challenges the traditional metrics of success in professional wrestling, where championships and pay-per-view main events are typically viewed as the ultimate achievements. His emphasis on family, friendship, and inspiring others suggests a more holistic approach to measuring career satisfaction.
“I have immense gratitude for my industry and what I’ve been able to do in it,” Rollins concluded, demonstrating the mindset that has helped him maintain longevity and fulfillment in the demanding world of professional wrestling.
This refreshing take on success offers valuable insight not just for wrestling fans, but for anyone pursuing their dreams in competitive industries where external validation often overshadows personal growth and meaningful relationships.
AJ Styles is officially returning to TNA at Slammiversary, over a decade after he last appeared in person for the promotion. For years, Styles’ name was synonymous with TNA, and his legacy with the company continues to be well-remembered to this day.
“We went through that all week as it all came together. We wanted to make sure the logistics of getting AJ to New York were set. As you know as well as anyone, these wrestlers are running around the world. You gotta make sure they can get there.”
Silva didn’t want to announce Styles until everything was finalized for his return to TNA. With that in mind, keeping Styles’ return a surprise was never an option for management.
“It’s AJ Styles. He’s returning, and we just wanted to tell everyone so that everyone could have the best chance to see him at Slammiversary.”
While his exact role at Slammiversary remains unconfirmed, speculation is already swirling. Some believe he could be setting up a future title match against current TNA World Champion Trick Williams. Regardless of what goes down, the return of “The Phenomenal One” has injected a fresh wave of buzz into TNA Slammiversary 2025.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett have been able to travel the world as WWE Superstars, and one of the couple’s recent viral moments wasn’t planned for the show. During a recent episode of WWE Raw in Providence, Rhode Island, Kross ended his promo segment by locking lips with his wife for an over-the-top smooch.
During a recent interview with 10 Count Media, Kross revealed that the passionate kiss he and Scarlett shared during a live episode of Monday Night Raw in Providence was completely improvised.
“Her and I play ribs on each other all the time,” Kross explained. “That one was just more obvious than the other ones that we’ve done live.”
Kross took his wife by surprise as neither are big into public displays of affection. For the pair, such displays remind them of waiting for kisses to finish and for the action to start on WWE TV.
“Her and I being wrestling fans, neither of us ever tuned in to watch wrestling to watch people make out. It’s kind of obnoxious, which is why we’ve always kind of stayed away from kissing on camera.”
Kross was surprised by the overwhelmingly positive crowd response. Despite both he and Scarlett being classed as heels, they got a bigger reaction than some of wrestling’s dastardly duos.
“I was surprised people cheered that, ’cause normally, people—you know, like if you were to see other couples in the past, Edge and Lita—no one was cheering that.”
Kross’ popularity is proving impossible to deny, though many fans are awaiting a big push for the popular Superstar. In the meantime, Kross will continue to take fans (and his wife) by surprise both on and off TV.
WWE nearly revived the Diva Search, according to Kelly Kincaid, who revealed that the project never made it past the casting. Taking to X, the WWE NXT interviewer shared that her first taste of a wrestling contract came from the planned reboot.
I made it to the final round of casting for what seemed to be a Diva Search reboot that never went into production, and that’s basically why I got my first exclusive wrestling contract. https://t.co/AtPL69dnyr
The Diva Search, which ran from 2003 to 2007, was a regular feature on WWE TV, though facec criticism at the time. WWE names like Ashley Massaro, Layla, and Eve Torres, the challenges that contestants had to endure very rarely had anything to do with wrestling prowess. Instead, the women would have to perform objectifying acts to try and earn a contract.
Kincaid joined WWE in 2022 following a brief run in Ring of Honor. Although WWE ultimately shelved the project, the casting process brought fresh talent into the company—Kincaid among them. Since then, she has become a consistent on-screen presence in NXT as a backstage interviewer.
With WWE over a decade into it’s ‘Women’s Revolution,’ concepts like the Diva Search, at least how it was, seem to be a thing of the past. While WWE continues to bring in women from all backgrounds, the focus now is firmly on their talent.
WWE launched on Netflix in January 2025, the product of a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar deal between the two entertainment giants. Fans around the world are enjoying WWE on Netflix, and this deal is certainly paying off.
According to a new report from Variety, WWE content has amassed more than 280 million hours watched globally since joining Netflix. The streaming giant listed WWE alongside other major titles such as Squid Game, Zero Day, Back in Action, and The Electric State in its latest data release.
For fans in the United States, they are able to watch WWE Raw on Netflix. For fans overseas, however, they can enjoy Raw, SmackDown, WWE NXT, and Premium Live Events on the platform. With new content being produced each week, fans can expect plenty more of WWE on Netflix for many years to come.
Wrestling legend Marcus “Buff” Bagwell chooses amputation over continued pain, marking a new chapter in his comeback story
Former WWE and WCW superstar Marcus “Buff” Bagwell has undergone a below-knee amputation of his right leg, ending a five-year medical ordeal that began with a devastating car crash in 2020. The procedure, documented by fellow wrestling veteran Maven Huffman, represents Bagwell’s decision to choose mobility and hope over prolonged suffering.
The Crash That Changed Everything
Bagwell’s journey began in August 2020 when he crashed his vehicle through a $300,000 brick building behind Cumberland Mall in Marietta, Georgia. The former wrestling star, who had been drinking and taking Xanax that evening, blacked out behind the wheel. The impact completely destroyed his right kneecap, with Bagwell describing how it “exploded” on impact.
“I thought I was sober enough to drive, but I blacked out,” Bagwell explained. The crash left him with injuries so severe that traditional knee replacement surgery became impossible.
A Marathon of Failed Surgeries
Over the following years, Bagwell endured more than 30 surgeries in desperate attempts to save his leg. Twenty-one of these procedures occurred in the early aftermath of the accident, as doctors moved his calf muscle in an attempt to preserve the patellar tendon. The interventions left him with multiple open wounds, extensive scarring, and chronic pain.
Despite the medical team’s efforts, Bagwell’s condition only worsened. In 2022, doctors gave him devastating news: there was a 75% chance he would lose the leg anyway. His final prognosis offered only a 20% chance of retaining a functional limb, and only through additional complex surgeries that would leave him permanently immobile.
Addiction and Rock Bottom
The prolonged medical crisis sent Bagwell into a spiral of alcohol and prescription drug abuse. For approximately two years following the accident, he admits to “drinking and staying messed up” as frustration and isolation consumed him.
“I couldn’t do simple things like put on my right shoe without help,” Bagwell revealed. “I would often sleep in it just to avoid needing assistance the next day.”
The wrestling star, once known for his impressive physique and athletic prowess, found himself trapped in his own body for five years.
A Life-Changing Decision
Everything changed when Bagwell met his current partner, Stacy, who provided crucial emotional support. After viewing videos of amputees who had regained active lifestyles, Bagwell made the difficult decision to undergo amputation rather than continue the cycle of failed surgeries.
“I saw this as the only real path forward,” he said before the procedure.
Surgery Day and Recovery
The amputation surgery, originally scheduled for 1.5 to 2 hours, extended beyond five hours due to complications, causing anxiety among family and friends waiting at the hospital. Despite the lengthy procedure, Bagwell emerged in good spirits.
“There’s little pain, but I can still feel my ankle and calf even though they’re gone,” Bagwell reported post-surgery, describing the phantom limb sensations common among amputees.
While acknowledging the emotional impact of seeing his missing leg, Bagwell quickly shifted focus to his recovery and future prospects.
Looking Toward a Wrestling Return
Remarkably, the five-time tag team champion hasn’t ruled out a return to the wrestling ring with a prosthetic leg. Drawing inspiration from other amputee athletes who have regained full mobility, Bagwell views his amputation not as an ending, but as the beginning of a comeback story.
“I want to show others that you can have just as good a life with or without a leg,” Bagwell stated. “This is about becoming a source of hope for people facing life-altering adversity.”
A New Mission
Now 54, Bagwell is transforming his personal struggle into a platform for inspiring others. The man who once dominated wrestling rings alongside legends like Hollywood Hogan is determined to prove that life after amputation can be meaningful, active, and fulfilling.
His story, documented by Maven Huffman who drove 800 miles to capture this pivotal moment, serves as both a cautionary tale about the dangers of substance abuse and a testament to human resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.
For Bagwell, the amputation represents not loss, but liberation—freedom from five years of pain and the beginning of what he calls his “next chapter.“????????????????
WWE Hall of Famer Sting retired from professional wrestling at AEW Revolution in 2024, but “The Icon” has revealed that his original plan for his farewell was slightly different. In a new interview, the legend stated he initially wanted to wrestle his final match as “Old Man Sting.”
Speaking on the Major Figure podcast, Sting discussed his current look, which includes a natural grey beard and hair, and said that was the persona he wanted to have his last match as. He also addressed the fans who are still calling for him to have one more match.
“I actually wanted to retire as Old Man Sting,” he said. “I’ve got enough fans going, ‘One more. Just one more.’ Right, one more match. I’m 66 now, enough is enough.”
Sting’s final run in AEW was a celebrated one, as he went undefeated with a 28-0 record, teaming with his protégé Darby Allin in every match. He retired as one-half of the AEW World Tag Team Champions after he and Allin defeated The Young Bucks at Revolution 2024. “The Icon” is now in his final year of doing convention appearances in his full face paint and gear, having filed a trademark for the “Old Man Sting” name in January.
While Sting has remained retired, the other participants in his final match have been central to recent AEW storylines. His protégé, Darby Allin, made a spectacular return at last weekend’s All In: Texas, rappelling from the stadium roof during the main event. Meanwhile, the men Sting and Allin defeated, The Young Bucks, also had a pivotal night at All In, losing a match that stripped them of their on-screen Executive Vice President roles.
The business numbers are in for this past weekend’s AEW All In: Texas pay-per-view, and the event was a major financial success for the company. A new report from the Wrestling Observer has revealed a strong pay-per-view buyrate and a record-breaking figure for merchandise sales.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the July 12th event is estimated to have done 175,000 buys on pay-per-view. This number would make it the fourth-highest buyrate in AEW history, behind only All Out 2021, All In 2023, and Revolution 2024. The report also notes that the event generated $725,000 in merchandise revenue, the largest amount for any non-WWE wrestling show in the history of the U.S. or Canada.
These numbers align with comments made by AEW President Tony Khan at the post-show press conference. Khan stated that the attendance at Globe Life Field was close to 30,000 fans, which produced the biggest gate for an AEW event ever held in the United States. The company’s overall attendance and gate records remain with the 2023 edition of All In from Wembley Stadium in London, England.
Following the success of All In, AEW will look to continue its momentum as it heads towards its next major pay-per-view, Forbidden Door, on August 24th. The annual crossover event with New Japan Pro-Wrestling will feature dream matches between stars from both promotions, though the card has been impacted by recent injuries to top AEW stars like Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay.
Paul Heyman believes Bronson Reed has been WWE’s best-kept secret for too long, and Seth Rollins’ injury might be the catalyst for his overdue main event push. Speaking to SHAK Wrestling, Heyman provided a ringing endorsement of Reed’s abilities while acknowledging the creative challenges of positioning him properly on the roster. The veteran manager didn’t mince words about Reed’s untapped potential.
“Bronson Reed is the most underappreciated and underutilized monster that we’ve had on the WWE roster in years,” Heyman declared. “And now finally he gets the spotlight to enjoy.”
With Rollins sidelined, Heyman sees a golden opportunity for Reed to face top-tier opponents and showcase his devastating tsunami finishing move against premier talent. The timing couldn’t be better for the Australian powerhouse.
“Before it was an effort just to get Bronson Reed into a main event,” Heyman explained. “Now the main Avengers line up for him and they all get tsunami. And good for Bronson Reed for stepping up into that spotlight because he earned it long before he even had the opportunity to demonstrate that.”
Heyman’s enthusiasm extended beyond just Reed’s in-ring abilities, praising his readiness to seize the moment when given the chance.
“He not only heads the spotlight, but now he gets the right opponents to smash. Now he gets the right opponents to tsunami,” the manager emphasized.
Reed’s elevation reflects WWE’s depth and ability to adapt when top stars are unavailable. Heyman’s comments suggest significant creative investment in Reed’s character moving forward, positioning him as a legitimate threat in the main event scene.
If Heyman’s track record with talent development holds true, Bronson Reed could emerge from this period as a major player.
