Names formerly associated with AEW agree with Gail Kim’s recent comments about Riho, according to Kim herself. The TNA Hall of Famer recently made headlines when she shared that she felt uncomfortable watching Riho, saying that camera shots of the Japanese star often seem improper.
Kim later stated that she is into believable wrestling and that it was hard to believe that the diminutive Riho could hold her own against other female wrestlers. This earned Kim a backlash among some fans who felt her comments were unfair to AEW’s first Women’s World Champion.
Appearing on the Huge POP podcast, Kim once again discussed the Riho situation. Kim claimed that names who had been with AEW agree with her stance.
“I actually had former AEW people who worked there, say to me, ‘I agree with you. I would be backstage and I felt the same way.’”
Kim once again shared that she felt uncomfortable when watching a match of Riho’s, recalling that the “cameraman shot up her skirt,” and said that Riho “dressed in that match as a little girl.” For Kim, that moment colored her view of the rest of the match.
“When I said she wasn’t very believable in that match, that’s because I wasn’t comfortable from the start.“
Kim concluded by saying that Riho is a believable wrestler in the current day, but admitted to not seeing enough of the Japanese star’s in-ring work. While some, including AEW’s Kenny Omega, have spoken against her, Kim isn’t backing down from what she believes.
Velvet Sky and Angelina Love, collectively known as the Beautiful People, will soon be TNA Hall of Famers, an honor only a select few have obtained so far. During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, the duo discussed their influence on TNA Wrestling and how they proved more popular than some of wrestling’s greats. Love said:
“Kurt Angle was in TNA. Sting. Christian. Hall. Kevin Nash. Booker T. They’re all there. And we were getting the highest-rated segments.”
Love recalled seeing on a weekly basis that she and Sky had the highest-rated segments, describing the feeling as “unbelievable.” Sky added that rather than being jealous or resentful, the men on the roster were thrilled to see the pair shine.
“The guys weren’t like, ‘These girls are stealing our shine.’ They were like, ‘Hell yeah, girls. Hell yeah!’… We had the support of everyone.”
Sky and Love will be inducted at Bound for Glory 2025 alongside Mickie James, marking the first-ever all-female class of inductees. All three are former TNA Knockouts Champions and worked multiple times with one another.
Though known as the Beautiful People, the influence the pair had on TNA proves they were much more than titilation. TNA Bound for Glory 2025 will take place on October 12, 2025, at Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.
TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva has confirmed the company is actively finalizing a significant television rights agreement set to begin in January 2026. Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, Silva revealed the deal has progressed beyond preliminary discussions.
“We’re no longer just talking. We’re now in the middle of the deal,” he stated, adding that both parties are enthusiastic about the partnership.
“We just kind of got to get through the paperwork, understand certain deal terms and push and pull from both sides.”
TNA Making an Impact in 2026
The timing proves crucial for TNA’s strategic planning. “The deal that we’re contemplating starts at the beginning of 2026. Being October 1st, the timing is great. We can get some things done, dot the I’s, cross the T’s, and then really put our efforts around marketing and packaging,” Silva explained.
The new agreement comes as TNA expands its operational model for 2026. Silva confirmed plans to increase live programming while maintaining some taped content. “We’re going to continue to do more live in 2026,” he said, noting the company is studying successful models like WWE’s NXT Performance Center to balance live weekly programming with operational efficiency.
Silva emphasized TNA won’t rush to full weekly live broadcasts immediately but aims to grow strategically. “I don’t think we’ll be going live 52 weeks a year in 2026 yet, but certainly we want to be live every week,” he stated.
TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva has clarified Joe Hendry’s contractual status following recent speculation about the breakout star’s relationship with WWE.
During an appearance on the Battleground Podcast, Silva directly addressed questions about Hendry’s future.
“He’s still a TNA guy,” Silva confirmed.
Silva praised Hendry’s contributions across both promotions. “Joe’s been great for us, Joe’s been great with WWE and NXT. We’ll continue to work through that together as good partners do,” he explained, before reiterating Hendry’s current status: “He is [TNA], until he’s not, but you know, he is.”
The clarification comes amid TNA’s expanding partnership with WWE and NXT. Silva described the relationship as a long-term strategic play rather than short-term collaboration.
“We entered into the partnership to make it bigger than just the way it starts. You start dating, you go to the movies, you go to dinner; it takes time,” he noted.
Despite the crossover success, Silva emphasized TNA’s commitment to maintaining its distinct identity. “We’re playing the long game here. Inside of all of that, though, we’re still TNA and we’ve always been TNA,” he stated. “WWE and NXT both understand that TNA is its own property. Everyone’s got to have your own property because that’s how you build the foundation.”
Joe Hendry and the TNA-NXT Connection
Joe Hendry’s crossover appearances in WWE NXT served as a crucial precursor to the ongoing TNA-NXT Invasion storyline. After his viral NXT debut in June 2024, Hendry became an increasingly prominent figure, competing in both TNA and WWE events. His appearances included challenging for the NXT Championship at No Mercy, entering the Royal Rumble as the first reigning TNA champion to compete, and sharing the WrestleMania 41 stage with Randy Orton, where he made a surprise appearance as Orton’s mystery opponent. These high-profile NXT and WWE showings helped establish Hendry as a key link between the two promotions, laying foundation for the Invasion angle that would see TNA and NXT rosters collide in 2025.
Orange Cassidy has been a fixture in AEW since their inception and heading into an AEW title bid on the sixth anniversary of AEW Dynamite, OC has a lot of iconic moments to reflect back on. One of those moments involved an encounter with the legendary Sting with Cassidy’s playful interaction with the former TNA and WCW champion turning into a viral clip online.
During a recent interview with The Sportster, the former AEW international champion covered several subjects as Cassy steps into the ring in pursuit of Kyle fletcher’s TNT title on tonight’s milestone Dynamite episode. Touching on the widely popular moment with the since retired Sting that blew up the internet wrestling community when it happened, Cassidy said,
“I didn’t tell Sting anything, and Sting just did it. He made our locker room better. He was a great leader, and for him to play with me was an honor. I didn’t tell him to do anything. He’s the one who did it. Blame him. Blame him for that.”
Orange Cassidy reveals that his brutal kicks spot with Sting wasn't rehearsed, that they just went for it:
“I didn't tell Sting anything, and Sting just did it. He made our locker room better. He was a great leader, and for him to play with me was an honor. I didn't tell him to… pic.twitter.com/A6WtSxLZnt
Orange Cassidy Reflects on AEW Journey and Dynamite’s 6th Anniversary Match
Orange Cassidy was one of the earlier signings in the company’s nascent days in 2019. Right away, the sloth-like persona juxtaposed with a high octane in-ring style connected with fans of All Elite Wrestling and Cassidy really vaulted into the broader consciousness of the pro wrestling world during AEW’s run at Daily’s place during the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Reflecting on how beneficial that period of time was to his development, in that same interview with The Sportster referenced above, as he heads into an opportunity tonight to add even more AEW gold to his resume, Cassidy stated,
“We spent a year and a half or two years, I don’t even remember at this point, in Florida during the pandemic. To me, Jacksonville and Daily’s Place is like, I think the first time I really felt like I was wrestling weekly.”
Cassidy credits an AEW legend with helping establish him as a household name.
“That program with Chris Jericho, it defines some of my career, so I’m grateful for those moments, and it’ll be nice to get back to give the Florida fans and the state of Florida who were there to support us during that time.”
A new report has shed light on how Andrade El Idolo was able to make his shocking return to All Elite Wrestling on last night’s Dynamite, less than three weeks after his release from WWE. According to a report from PWInsider.com, Andrade did not have the standard 90-day non-compete clause that is typical for main roster talent departing WWE.
This allowed him to become an immediate free agent and sign with another promotion. The absence of this clause is what enabled his surprising comeback to happen so quickly. The report, citing multiple WWE sources, states that Andrade was “cut outright” from the company due to what was described as “numerous WWE Wellness violations over the last year.”
Because of the nature of the release, WWE reportedly chose not to pay him for the 90-day non-compete period, thus making him free and clear to perform elsewhere immediately. The report also suggests that this situation confirms what many have suspected for some time: that WWE is no longer publicly announcing Wellness Policy suspensions for its main roster talent.
Andrade made his return on the sixth anniversary episode of AEW Dynamite, appearing after the opening six-man tag team match. Following a victory by the team of Kenny Omega and the AEW World Tag Team Champions, Brodido, the lights in the arena went out. When they came back on, Andrade was in the ring. He attacked Kenny Omega and then shook hands with Don Callis, officially aligning himself with the Don Callis Family faction.
Linda McMahon, a co-founder of Titan Sports, Inc. and a key architect in the global expansion of WWE, recently opened up about one of the most difficult periods in her and her husband Vince McMahon’s life: the time they went into bankruptcy.
While many might assume their financial struggles were related to the inherent risks of the wrestling business, Linda clarified that the bankruptcy was the result of a failed outside investment. Her story provides a candid look at the challenges they faced in the early 1980s, just as they were beginning to transform WWE from a regional territory into a national powerhouse.
Speaking in a recent interview with Sage Steele, Linda McMahon was asked if she ever worried that their ambitious plans for WWE wouldn’t work out. She explained that the company’s financial ruin came from a different venture entirely.
“No, because we were building as we went. However, during that time, we did have an accountant who suggested that we were putting all of our eggs in one basket, and we should diversify a little bit. He made some suggestions that we should invest in a construction company. We knew absolutely nothing about it. We put money into some construction accounts, co-signed on some loans. That went belly up, which eventually put us into bankruptcy. It wasn’t the wrestling side of what we were doing, but it was the other side that we invested in, outside of what we were doing with wrestling. We lost everything. My house was auctioned off. My car was repossessed in the driveway. I was pregnant with Stephanie. I know what it’s like to lose everything.”
Linda McMahon later went on to have a successful career in public service, most notably serving as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019.
Former WWE Superstar Ahmed Johnson is recovering after being involved in a collision with a drunk driver. As shared by Book Pro Wrestlers on Facebook, Johnson, real name Tony Norris, was involved in a collision on September 29. Though the back of Johnson’s vehicle was wrecked, he survived the crash, and shared the following statement.
“When you have the Lord on your side nothing can harm you.”
Johnson debuted in the WWF in 1995 and became the first African-American Intercontinental Champion the following year. 1996 also saw Johnson headline In Your House 9: International Incident, as part of a six-man tag-team match. He left the WWF in 1998 and later wrestled in WCW as ‘Big T.’
Thankfully, Johnson is okay, but this situation could have gone very differently. This situation shows why nobody should ever get behind the wheel while intoxicated.
A new series of books chronicling the life and career of Hulk Hogan could be coming if a Kickstarter campaign reaches its goal. The campaign is being launched by Guy Evans, who shared that people reached out to him about a book following Hogan’s passing in July 2025.
“In the wake of Bollea’s death, however, it became clear to me that my untitled book – tentatively known as The Hulk Hogan Story – couldn’t be adequately confined to a single volume. It is thus now my intention to develop a biographical trilogy on this most important subject – the first of its kind in the genre. That’s right…three full-length books on the life, career and unparalleled cultural impact of Hulk Hogan!”
If successful, the series will feature more than 100 exclusive interviews. It will be available in paperback, audiobook, and e-book formats. Kickstarter backers will also receive access to an exclusive hardcover version.
Evans is well-equipped to tackle the project. In 2018, he published NITRO: The Incredible Rise and Inevitable Collapse of Ted Turner’s WCW. The 590-page book earned praise for its accuracy and depth, and it remains one of the most detailed non-fiction wrestling books to date.
The Kickstarter campaign has not yet launched, but fans can sign up to be notified when it goes live. Though Hogan may no longer be with us, the legacy he left behind continues to shape the wrestling world.
AEW has a massive roster, which means that not everyone can be prominently featured every single week. On X, Queen Aminata shared that she wants more promo time, and made reference to ‘TK’ (Tony Khan) in her post. Aminata would also like to be in more mixed tag-team matches going forward.
I’m just gonna put this out there ( cough… cough …. Tk lol ): I need more promo time and I would love to be in these mixed tag matches pic.twitter.com/qwIYXHtA6M
Aminata isn’t the only star who isn’t thrilled with their current position in AEW. In a reply, Deonna Purrazzo shared that like Aminata, she hopes to do much more in Tony Khan’s promotion.
Purrazzo has had just three matches for AEW in 2025, all of which she lost. Her most recent match saw her lose to Harley Cameron during a February edition of Dynamite. Her most recent victory was during the ‘Winter is Coming’ edition of Rampage in December 2024.
Whether Tony Khan takes their requests on board, time will tell. For now, both Aminata and Purrazzo remain wanting much more in their roles as part of the AEW roster.
Tessa Blanchard made her return to CMLL during the October 1, episode of CMLL Informa. During the show, it was stated that while Blanchard is under contract with TNA, her deal allows her the chance to compete in CMLL.
? ? ?#CMLLInforma || ¡El Diamante Innegable está de regreso! Tessa Blanchard regresa a la Arena México el próximo Viernes 10 de Octubre.
It was confirmed that Blanchard will be in action for CMLL on October 10, though it is unclear who she will be facing. Blanchard last competed for CMLL in November 2024, where she lost to Persephone.
In July of this year, following her return to TNA Wrestling, Blanchard claimed on Refin It Up that she had been told that she could not perform for both TNA and CMLL. At the time, Blanchard was told that ‘alliances’ were the reason why she couldn’t work for both companies, though that has clearly changed.
While fans can expect to see Blanchard in CMLL, she has been absent from the ongoing storyline between TNA and WWE NXT. Blanchard has yet to appear at any invasion of WWE NXT programming and, despite being a top star in the Knockouts division, was not selected to represent TNA at the upcoming Showdown event.
Blanchard remains a source of controversy among many fans, but both CMLL and TNA Wrestling are ready to work with her. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Blanchard’s work in the ring.
At TNA Victory Road, Ash By Elegance forfeited the Knockouts Championship, announcing that she is stepping away from in-ring competition. With details about her situation unclear, some have speculated that her departure from TNA programming is merely a ‘work’ but that isn’t the case.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Dreamer, who works both on and off screen for TNA, confirmed that Ash’s situation is legitimate. Dreamer added that “people shouldn’t speculate” about her situation. Dreamer compared the situation to Seth Rollins’ worked injury, though their situations are much different.
“If it’s a work, you’re not going to hand in your title. the Seth Rollins thing, people were speculating… But with Ash… things changed because she stepped down and it sucks.”
ASH BY ELEGANCE HAS VACATED THE TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP.
Ash’s setback comes mere weeks after she won the TNA Knockouts Title, her first major singles title in her wrestling career. Now, the title is once again in the hands of WWE NXT as Kelani Jordan captured the vacated gold.
Ash’s situation wasn’t the only major change to the Knockouts Title scene at Victory Road. Originally, Ash had been set to defend against Masha Slamovich. That match was pulled following allegations that Masha had been abusive during a previous relationship with independent wrestler AKIRA.
It remains to be seen what’s next for Ash, who spent much of her wrestling career as Dana Brooke in WWE. While some may believe (or at least, hope,) that her injury is just part of an elaborate ploy, the reality is much worse.
Kevin Kelly and the Tate Twins have hit a serious roadblock in their legal battle with AEW. This week, The 11th Circuit Court dismissed their appeal to overturn a ruling that forced their case into private arbitration. This ruling seemingly closes the door on any chance of a public trial.
The lawsuit, first filed in August 2024, accused AEW, Tony Khan, and commentator Ian Riccaboni of breach of contract and defamation. The appeals court upheld Judge Harvey Schlesinger’s prior decision, citing a “classic delegation provision” in AEW’s talent contracts. With the appeal denied, the case will stay behind closed doors in arbitration, away from the fans and media scrutiny.
11th Circuit dismisses the appeal brought by Kevin Kelly, Brandon & Brent Tate, who sought review of the district court order that sent their case to arbitration.
The appellate judges ruled that because the case was stayed and is not dismissed, they can't review the decision. pic.twitter.com/JtP8MIYnvg
With the matter to be handled through arbitration, it remains to be seen what kind of decision both sides come to. Nevertheless, fans shouldn’t expect a public spectacle in this matter now that this appeal by the plaintiffs has been rejected.
Japanese wrestling star Sareee made her Ring of Honor debut on Wednesday at the promotion’s TV tapings, which took place just before AEW Dynamite’s 6th Anniversary show went live.
The 29-year-old veteran brings significant international experience to ROH’s women’s division. Sareee began her career at age 15 in Japan, working primarily with World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana from 2011 to 2020, where she became a two-time Diana World Champion.
In 2020, WWE signed Sareee, and she performed on the NXT brand under the ring name Sarray from 2021 to 2023. Her WWE tenure ended due to creative differences, and she departed in March 2023.
Since returning to Japan, Sareee has worked across multiple promotions including Seadlinnng, Stardom, and Dream Star Fighting Marigold, where she became the inaugural Marigold World Champion. She currently holds both the IWGP Women’s Championship and the Sukeban World Championship (as Sareee Bomb), making her one of the most decorated active wrestlers on the independent scene.
Her ROH appearance marks a potential expansion into AEW-affiliated programming and could signal additional U.S. bookings for the multi-time champion.
Less than three weeks after his release from WWE, Andrade El Idolo has made his shocking return to All Elite Wrestling. “El Idolo” appeared on the sixth anniversary episode of AEW Dynamite, laying out a returning Kenny Omega and aligning himself with the Don Callis Family. The surprise return is adevelopment for AEW, as Andrade was one of the most talked-about free agents in the industry following his abrupt departure from WWE on September 13 for what was reported as a disciplinary issue.
The stunning moment occurred after the show’s opening six-man tag team match, which saw the in-ring return of Kenny Omega. Omega teamed with the AEW World Tag Team Champions, Brodido (Brody King & Bandido), to defeat The Young Bucks and Don Callis Family member Josh Alexander.
After the match, as Omega was addressing the fans and celebrating the company’s anniversary, the arena lights went out. When they came back on, Andrade El Idolo was in the ring. He attacked Omega, laying him out before shaking hands with Don Callis at ringside, signaling his new allegiance.
Andrade’s previous AEW contract expired in December 2023. He made his return to WWE just a month later as a surprise entrant in the 2024 Royal Rumble. Now, after just over eight months back with WWE, he has once again jumped back to All Elite Wrestling, a move that is sure to have major repercussions for the entire roster.
A new report is out regarding the status of WWE superstar Jade Cargill following the gruesome injury she sustained during the main event of last week’s Friday Night SmackDown. PWInsider Elite reports that the injury was not as severe as it appeared, and Cargill is expected to make a relatively quick return to the ring. The news is a welcome relief for fans who were concerned after seeing the former champion bleeding profusely from a deep cut above her right eye during the broadcast.
Sources within WWE indicated that Cargill only required stitches to close the gash and that the “hope internally” is that she will be medically cleared to return to action in just a few weeks. It was also noted that she has not been pulled from any of WWE’s future schedules.
The injury occurred during a chaotic triple threat match against WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax on the September 26 episode of SmackDown. Near the end of the bout, Jax threw Cargill into the steel ring steps, which caused the severe laceration.
Following the match, Cargill took to her Instagram account to post a photo of the cut, showing her toughness and dedication to the business.
All Elite Wrestling & DC Comics are stepping into the ring together once again, this time for the biggest crossover yet. In a new two-issue comic book event, the AEW roster and the Justice League will unite. Those attending New York Comic Con will get to enjoy an exclusive preview of the series.
“In this epic tale, AEW’s finest — including Mercedes Moné, Will Ospreay, Darby Allin, Jon Moxley, Swerve Strickland, “Hangman” Adam Page, “Timeless” Toni Storm, Willow Nightingale, Orange Cassidy, and Kenny Omega — team up with legendary DC Super Heroes including Aquaman, Batman, Nightwing, Green Lanterns Guy Gardner and John Stewart, Hawkgirl, Zatanna, Wonder Woman, and Harley Quinn. Together, they must recover the Big Galactic Belt and prevent a cosmic catastrophe.”
Issues will be available from comic book stores, ShopAEW.com, and select AEW live events in 2026. In addition to this series, DC and AEW will also co-promote DC K.O., a new DC Comics event that will hit shelves in October 2025. DC will also serve as the sponsor for AEW Full Gear 2025 in Newark, New Jersey.
This crossover isn’t the first time that the AEW and DC Comics have teamed up. In 2024, several issues of DC Comics featured short stories giving the background behind some of the All-Elite roster. These stories were later re-released as a collected ‘AEW Origins’ book.
Pro-wrestlers have often been described as akin to comic-book characters, and never has this comparison felt more apt. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on AEW which continues to make waves in entertainment outside of the ring.
IShowSpeed and Randy Orton may be doing much more together very soon after the streamer nearly hit an RKO ‘outta nowhere.’ At his Speed Goes Pro launch event, Speed teased hitting Orton with the RKO, but the pair aughed and shared a hug.
Orton then hinted at future plans with the YouTube star, saying: “I guess we’re doing something in a couple of weeks, right?” Speed agreed and asked if Orton was ready for what’s next. When Orton replied that he was, Speed lit up and declared: “Of course, bro! Let’s do it, man.”
What the pair have planned remains unclear, but they already share some WWE history. At WrestleMania 40 in April 2024, Orton dropped Speed with a highlight-reel RKO on top of the announce table during Logan Paul’s U.S. Title defense. While Paul retained that night, Orton’s spot with Speed became one of the weekend’s biggest talking points.
Speed’s cameos have quickly become a fan-favorite part of WWE programming. Whatever he and Orton have planned next, expect it to be a viral hit if Speed’s past WWE cameos are any indication.
In March 2019, the world mourned the sudden passing of actor Luke Perry, who died at age 52 after suffering a stroke. Among those most deeply affected was his son, AEW star Jack Perry.
Just weeks before his father’s death, Jack had been announced as part of AEW’s roster—two life-changing moments that collided in unexpected ways. Reflecting on that period in an interview with TV Insider, he shared:
“It was the best thing to ever happen to me with the worst thing to ever happen to me. They kind of went hand-in-hand. It was an interesting time. I’m very grateful to have had this in my life and be a part of it with the people who have been there. I’m looking forward to the future.”
While Luke Perry was best known for his acting career, he also shared wrestling memories with his son. The two were spotted together in the crowd at SummerSlam 2009, years before Jack would become a professional wrestler himself.
Jack explained that having AEW in his life helped him cope with the loss, giving him both direction and community:
“I felt very lucky I had something I could pour my entire self into… It ended up being a very good support system as well. I had some friends already and met some of the best friends I have now.”
Since then, Jack Perry has grown into one of AEW’s most notable stars. Recently reunited with Luchasaurus, the “Scapegoat” has re-established his place in AEW and it remains to be seen what’s next for the pair.
A new report from PWInsider.com has indicated that the current ROH World Television Champion, Nick Wayne, is reportedly dealing with a foot injury. The report did not specify the severity of the injury or how much, if any, in-ring time the young star might miss as a result.
The timing of the potential injury is particularly noteworthy, as Wayne recently started on big storyline at the All In: Texas pay-per-view on July 12. On that night, he shockingly turned on his long-time mentor, Christian Cage, and has since aligned himself with a new faction.
The turn was a major step in his character development and positioned him for a main event run. Wayne has already had a decorated career in his short time with the company, having previously held the AEW World Trios Championship, which made him the youngest champion in AEW history.
He is also the current and youngest-ever ROH World Television Champion, a championship he won on an episode of AEW Collision in April by defeating Komander. A third-generation wrestler, Wayne was famously offered an AEW contract by Darby Allin while he was still a teenager and has been a featured performer since his official debut in July 2023.
World Wrestling Entertainment has filed a new trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for the name “SHOWDOWN,” marking a strategic rebrand of its upcoming crossover event scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, 2025.
The event, which will feature competitors from both NXT and TNA, was originally planned under the name “INVASION.” However, WWE made the decision to change the title due to sensitivity concerns surrounding the October 7 date, which marks the anniversary of the 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, an ongoing conflict with hostages still held in captivity.
According to USPTO records, the new “SHOWDOWN” trademark application was filed on September 30, 2025, and is currently awaiting examination. The application covers entertainment services related to professional wrestling events, broadcast media, and sports entertainment information.
WWE NXT Showdown
This marks WWE’s return to the “SHOWDOWN” brand after a previous iteration. The company had held a trademark for “WWE SHOWDOWN” that was filed in November 2011, but that registration was abandoned in July 2015 due to inactivity after WWE failed to file required statements of use.
The NXT vs. TNA crossover event represents a significant collaboration between WWE’s developmental brand and the independent promotion, generating considerable interest among professional wrestling fans. The name change demonstrates WWE’s awareness of global events and commitment to avoiding potential controversy surrounding the event’s branding.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has revealed the intense physical transformation he underwent to portray MMA legend Mark Kerr in the new film, “The Smashing Machine.” During an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the global superstar detailed the process of gaining over 30 pounds of muscle for the role, a directive that came straight from the film’s director, Benny Safdie. The movie is already generating significant Oscar buzz, is set to be released in theaters this Friday, October 3.
“We had a physical transformation, and certainly an emotional transformation, and a vocal transformation too as well,” Johnson told Fallon. In addition to the vocal and emotional work, the physical aspect involved both adding muscle and enduring a lengthy prosthetic process. “It was about 22 prosthetics,” Johnson said. “I had to put on just over 30 pounds of muscle. Which, by the way, what you realize is — you know how you have some actors who say, ‘Hey, I had to put on weight. I went to McDonald’s every day.’ Mark Kerr had just this quality of muscle, like fast-twitch quality of muscle — because he was a [freestyle] wrestler. And I had to still put on this weight, still be able to move like an MMA fighter.”
The Rock also shared the story of when the director first approached him about the need to bulk up for the role. “He said to me, ‘Hey DJ, I don’t know how to tell you this and I don’t know if you’ve ever heard this.’ He goes, ‘You’re going to have to get bigger.’ And I go, ‘Okay, here we go,’” Johnson said. Having successfully achieved the physique required for “The Smashing Machine,” Johnson has since gone in the opposite direction for his next project with Safdie. For the upcoming film “Lizard Music,” Johnson will be playing a man in his 70s whose best friend is a chicken, a role that will require him to shed a significant amount of weight.
“The Smashing Machine” has received overwhelmingly positive reviews since its debut on the film festival circuit. Critics have praised Dwayne Johnson’s transformative and vulnerable performance, with many calling it the best work of his career and a legitimate Oscar contender. The film currently holds a “Certified Fresh” rating of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes. Director Benny Safdie recently won the Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival for his work on the film.
On the day of AEW Dynamite’s sixth anniversary, one of the company’s original stars, “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy, has reflected on his unique journey and the reasons for his incredible popularity. In a new interview, Cassidy humbly credited the fans for getting his character over, even before AEW President Tony Khan fully understood his vision. Since debuting with the company in 2019, Cassidy has evolved from a cult favorite comedy act into one of the most reliable and beloved workhorses on the roster, including a record-setting reign as the AEW International Champion.
Speaking with The Sportster ahead of his championship match on tonight’s anniversary show, Cassidy explained how the fans’ early support was crucial to his success.
“I think it’s really the fans’ fault because they were very open and receptive before AEW, before Tony Khan really knew who I was, and they were reacting. I think it allowed them to be like, ‘All right, well, if they’re reacting, he must know something that we don’t.’ I was very lucky that the fans were reacting to what I was doing.”
He also praised his close working relationship with Tony Khan. “He still works very close to me about what I’m doing. It’s nice to have your boss understand what you’re doing and facilitate it. I could have got pigeonholed somewhere else. It could have been the same thing we see all the other times, but I think he allowed me to do this stuff because he also knew that I wanted to wrestle, too. That was nice.”
Finally, he spoke about his pride in being a foundational part of the company’s history.
“I’m just very grateful to be a part of AEW and to be a part of the history. I do like that when you think of AEW, you have to at least think of me, and that feels very special.”
Tonight on the sixth anniversary episode of AEW Dynamite, Orange Cassidy will challenge Kyle Fletcher for the TNT Championship.
Wrestling veteran Bully Ray has voiced his support for WWE’s decision to rename the NXT vs TNA premium live event from “Invasion” to “Showdown,” explaining why the original name never made sense from a storyline perspective.
Speaking on Busted Open After Dark, Ray questioned the logic behind calling it an invasion when the two brands have been collaborating for months. “I was scratching my head about the whole ‘Invasion’ name. Because how do you have an invasion when just a couple of months ago—maybe six months ago, however long—it’s been, these two brands have been working together?” he explained.
Ray emphasized that this situation differs significantly from past wrestling invasions. “This wasn’t like the ECW/WCW invasion of WWE back in the day. This wasn’t like any type of invasion storyline or angle we’re used to seeing. These are two brands that have gotten together, brand new relationship, and now things are starting to go a little bit wrong.”
The name change came after backlash over the original title’s negative connotations and its proximity to the anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attacks. Ray believes “Showdown” better captures the competitive nature of two collaborative brands whose relationship has turned contentious.
“So it’s no longer an invasion. It’s a showdown, which I think is a far better name for this upcoming PLE—Showdown instead of Invasion,” Ray concluded.
WWE has, by most metrics, been the undisputed leader in professional wrestling for about forty years. As discussed in part one of this series, the ID Program has taken the company’s ownership of the wrestling sphere to the next level, lending independent promotions and schools WWE branding and a pipeline to funnel best-fit talents straight into WWE’s system.
Another dimension of WWE’s new approach to world domination has included strategic acquisitions and partnerships. In particular, talent-sharing with TNA and acquiring AAA, though it continues to mostly operate as a sovereign brand, have presented a new set of circumstances.
WWE Exposure Brings More Eyes To Smaller Promotions
One of the surest benefits to both TNA and AAA since entering their dealings with WWE has been bringing more eyeballs to their products. TNA and NXT talent have thoroughly commingled across 2025, including Trick Williams and Jacy Jayne enjoying runs as TNA world champions and talent sharing across major events for both brands.
Meanwhile, AAA Worlds Collide events have explicitly cast AAA talents opposite WWE Superstars and even the long-running TripleMania featuring Dominik Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and El Grande Americano in the main event. That’s not to mention that the Worlds Collide event formally launching WWE-AAA crossover and TripleMania each streamed via WWE’s YouTube channel, exposing the product to a significant viewership who may not have otherwise tuned in.
Another clear example of the opportunities these dealings have opened for smaller promotions came at SummerSlam, where, before the TLC tag team bout, WWE cut to Team 3D and The Hardys in the crowd. Each team represented relevant legends who’d pioneered the TLC gimmick in WWE. WWE also singled out that these teams would square off at TNA Bound For Glory this year, lending direct advertising for a match that may legitimately be of interest to WWE viewers and that more casual fans may not have otherwise heard of.
WWE Gets Access To A Wider Pool Of Prospects
Mr. Iguana Photo: WWE.com
One of the not as explicitly advertised, but nonetheless clear results of WWE’s relationships with TNA and AAA has been access to talents signed to one of these smaller promotions.
Early rumblings about the TNA partnership included word that WWE brass saw Joe Henry as a ready-made star that they could feature. Similarly, Mr. Iguana made his WWE Raw debut shortly after getting a huge social media reaction at Worlds Collide. Each of these instances point toward opportunities for WWE try out, experiment with, and tap into potential future stars while they hone their craft on other brands.
There’s The Potential For WWE To Book Special Moments With Guest Talent
Photo: WWE.com
In 2022, it was a big deal when Mickie James appeared in the Royal Rumble with her TNA gear and entrance music, not to mention the Knockouts Championship over her shoulder. Little did fans know that Jordynne Grace would follow in her footsteps, or what Joe Hendry go on to accomplish.
Besides feuding with Trick Williams in NXT, Hendry had his moment as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble. Even more monumentally, though, he wound up Randy Orton’s mystery opponent at WrestleMania 41. In a win-win situation, Hendry got to work in front of the largest crowd he ever has—as TNA Champion at the time—while WWE got to nod toward hardcore fans in booking a viral Internet darling for a special WrestleMania moment.
Booking Mid-Card And Developmental Talents Against A Brand’s Top Stars Risks Diminishing Smaller Promotions
An uncomfortable reality regarding Joe Hendry’s WrestleMania debut was that Randy Orton defeated him handily in a three-minute, then dropped him with another RKO in the aftermath. By all accounts, Hendry and TNA were perfectly happy with the situation, but this did nonetheless cast TNA’s top guy as beneath The Viper’s level. Maybe there’s no shame in that given Orton’s legendary status, but it’s still an unusual scenario.
On top of that, Hendry would go on to drop the TNA Championship to Trick Williams. Williams is one of the top guns in NXT, but still, this an instance of a WWE developmental guy getting the best of a promotion’s top star. A similar narrative emerged in Jacy Jayne’s brief Knockouts Championship run. Not so dissimilar, Dominik Mysterio, El Grande Americano, and Dragon Lee have been cast as AAA Mega Championship contenders. While Mysterio is very over as a mid-card heel, and the El Grande Americano gimmick has overachieved, the larger picture is, nonetheless, WWE mid-carders main eventing for the Mexican brand.
These moves ultimately cast TNA and AAA alike as something more akin to their own WWE developmental territories. That’s in contrast to a situation like AEW’s crossover with TNA in preceding years, where main eventers Kenny Omega and Christian Cage were wrapped up in the TNA Championship picture, and Cage ultimately put over Josh Alexander as the new face of TNA.
Perhaps most interesting of all, the respective TNA and AAA situations may reflect a template moving forward. Might WWE partner with a major indie promotion like GCW or MLW, or make a play to buy NJPW? It’s hard to know how realistic these possibilities might be without knowing behind the scenes financials and strategies. Nonetheless, the seal is broken and a lot more seems like it could be in the works than one might have guessed even one year ago.
Ultimately, WWE seems to be reaping noteworthy benefits from having bought AAA and from its working arrangement with TNA. For AAA’s part, falling directly under WWE’s ownership, clearly the financials made sense and the brand now belongs to WWE to do with as they see fit.
By contrast, the future is less certain for TNA. Perhaps WWE will one day acquire the promotion, and if they do, it would probably be at least as much for their tape library as the current promotion. Assuming TNA remains independent, though, they may enjoy WWE backing that helps them compete with AEW for the number two spot they unofficially conceded years ago. As such, WWE’s adversarial relationship with AEW may well have a disproportionate impact on their dealings with TNA.
