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Swerve Strickland Says “It’s Time To Start Gatekeeping Wrestling Again”

Andrew Ravens
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Swerve Strickland Says “It’s Time To Start Gatekeeping Wrestling Again”

One day after his loss at the AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view, Swerve Strickland has posted a cryptic message on social media. His post suggests a potential change in mindset for the former champion.

In a post on his social media on Monday morning, Strickland made a statement. “It was time to start gatekeeping wrestling again,” he wrote. The message comes after a brutal night for the top star at Wembley Stadium.

At Forbidden Door event, Swerve Strickland unsuccessfully challenged Kazuchika Okada for the AEW Unified Championship. After the match, Okada continued his assault, targeting Strickland’s already injured knee. The champion trapped Swerve’s leg between the ring post and the steel steps before hitting it with a steel chair.

The attack was interrupted by Strickland’s manager, Prince Nana, who attempted to make the save with a steel pipe. However, this was followed by the surprise return of Wardlow, who attacked Nana and revealed himself to be the newest member of Okada’s faction, the Don Callis Family.

Strickland has been working through a legitimate torn meniscus injury for some time. He is expected to take time off to heal up. 

First Two Title Matches Officially Set for WWE NXT No Mercy 2025

Michael Reichlin
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First Two Title Matches Officially Set for WWE NXT No Mercy 2025

WWE has announced two major title matches for the upcoming WWE NXT No Mercy event, set for September 27th in Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

  • NXT Women’s Championship: Lola Vice will challenge the reigning champion, Jacy Jayne, after earning her spot by winning a triple threat match against Kelani Jordan and Jaida Parker at the recent NXT Heatwave event.
  • WWE Women’s Speed Championship: Sol Ruca will defend her title against the winner of a tournament that will be determined on the September 2nd episode of NXT. The tournament includes participants from Raw or SmackDown, NXT, TNA, and AAA.

These matches, as well as the announcement that the WWE Speed Championships are moving to the NXT brand, were all made official at Sunday’s NXT Heatwave Premium Live Event (PLE)

How to Watch WWE No Mercy 2025

Fans in the United States can watch the event live via streaming on Peacock. International audiences can catch the show on Netflix, as WWE’s NXT premium live events will remain on their established streaming partners.

Who Are The Other NXT Champions Likely to Defend at No Mercy?

To get a sense of the champions currently representing NXT:

  • NXT Champion: Oba Femi (recently retained his title at Heatwave)
  • NXT North American Champion: Ethan Page
  • NXT Tag Team Champions: Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
  • NXT Heritage Cup: Super Nova Sessions
  • NXT Women’s Champion: Jacy Jayne (to defend vs. Lola Vice at No Mercy)
  • NXT North American Women’s Champion: Sol Ruca (also the current Women’s Speed Champion)
  • Other Possible Defenses: Don’t rule out titles like the NXT Heritage Cup or North American Championship potentially being on the line, as No Mercy draws nearer.

What’s Next: Tuesday’s NXT on the CW

This Tuesday’s episode of WWE NXT on the CW will be a must-watch, serving as the official fallout show from Heatwave. It’s expected to answer many questions for No Mercy, with reactions from both Lola Vice and Sol Ruca, as well as further developments for other storylines and championship matches. New challengers could emerge, and the match card will begin to take shape as the aftermath of Heatwave is felt throughout the NXT roster.

WWE Raw Preview from Birmingham, UK: Special Start Time

Michael Reichlin
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WWE Raw Preview from Birmingham, UK: Special Start Time

WWE Raw airs tonight from Birmingham, United Kingdom (its first time in the city in over a decade), serving as the final Raw before the highly anticipated Clash in Paris premium live event on August 31. This episode has a special early start time of 3PM ET and will focus on advancing major rivalries and storylines before the Paris show.

Confirmed matches and segments:

  • Roman Reigns will open the show with an in-ring appearance.
  • Nikki Bella calls out Becky Lynch, seeking a Women’s Intercontinental Championship match.
  • Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez in singles competition—the third meeting between the two.
  • Penta vs. Kofi Kingston, building on their ongoing feud.

With Clash in Paris just days away, tonight’s Raw is set to spotlight the final build for major matches, including the fatal four-way for the World Heavyweight Championship and high-profile women’s title bouts scheduled for the Paris event.

The Fiend Co-Creator Shares Heartfelt Message Left By Bray Wyatt

Thomas Lowson
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The Fiend Co-Creator Shares Heartfelt Message Left By Bray Wyatt

Windham Rotunda, known to wrestling fans as Bray Wyatt, died on August 24, 2023, at the tragically young age of 36. Two years later, the legacy of Rotunda continues forward and now one of the people who knew him best has shared their tribute.

Jason Baker worked closely with Rotunda for years and was responsible for designing The Fiend, the burned Fiend, and the Firefly Funhouse. Reflecting on two years since Rotunda’s passing, Baker shared a unique item, a signed figure of Bray Wyatt with a heartfelt message from the late wrestler.

“To Jason, my brother, I will forever be in your debt. You took a crooked, thrown together idea for a monster and turned it into an icon. I am thankful for everything you do, and I look so forward to whatever horrible idea we come up with next. – Bray Wyatt.”

Baker’s influence in wrestling continues to be felt to this day. Baker is one of the key creative figures behind the Wyatt Sicks, an off-shoot of the Wyatt Family inspired by Windham. Baker also crafted Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania 40 mask as well as Rhea Ripley’s mask from Survivor Series: WarGames 2024, showing his influence extends beyond the Wyatts.

As for Windham Rotunda, his legacy remains in wrestling as tributes continue to poor in for the three-time WWE World Champion. The life and career he leaves behind remains loved by fans to this day.

JoJo Offerman Honors Bray Wyatt On 2nd Anniversary Of WWE Star’s Death

Latest On Raja Jackson After Violent KnokX Pro Incident

Thomas Lowson
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Latest On Raja Jackson After Violent KnokX Pro Incident

More has come to light about Raja Jackson’s attack on Syko Stu at a recent KnokX Pro Academy in Los Angeles, including potential legal repercussions. According to TMZ who spoke to the LAPD, officers were called to the event and the incident is now being investigated. Jackson, the son of UFC alum Rampage Jackson, attacked a seemingly unconscious Stu, delivering several blows to the head before talent pulled Jackson away.

A source close to the event guaranteed that Raja will never, ever wrestle for Knox Pro while speaking to TMZ. Douglas Malo, a wrestler who was one of the group to pull Jackson away, recalled the scene.

“This is so shocking because they were supposed to do a small spot and before you know it, he’s raining down punches.”

Douglas added that the situation was “tragic” and “barbaric” and was sad that such an ordeal took place in front of children watching. He added that his own mother was in the crowd at the event and was witness to what happened.

Rampage Jackson has spoken up against his son’s actions, stating that his son had no place being involved in the event. With Skyo Stu slowly recovering, our thoughts remain with him at this difficult time.

Star-Studded Guest List Celebrate Vince McMahon’s 80th Birthday

Thomas Lowson
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Star-Studded Guest List Celebrate Vince McMahon’s 80th Birthday

Vince McMahon may no longer be a key part of WWE but that didn’t prevent the billionaire from hosting an extravagent birthday party. August 24, 2025, marked McMahon’s 80th birthday and the ex-WWE Chairman had quite the guest list in New York.

Notable names in attendance included The Undertaker, Michelle McCool, Kane, John Cena, Gerald Brisco, Sheamus, Bruce Prichard, JBL, Sgt. Slaughter, Shane McMahon, and Ron Killings, PW Insider reports. Outside of wrestling, there were reportedly live performances from Kid Rock and AC/DC.

This party comes after McMahon was involved in a car crash in Connecticut. According to reports, McMahon’s vehicle was traveling at approximately 90 miles per hour when it collided with another car on the outskirts of Stamford. Authorities have confirmed that McMahon is facing legal charges related to reckless driving and endangerment.

While McMahon may no longer be part of WWE, he still has deep ties to the current roster. With his ongoing legal issues and plans for his own entertainment company, the 80-year-old continues to draw attention over a year after his WWE exit.

Vince McMahon Calls Hulk Hogan’s Racial Comments Unforgivable, Defends Wrestling Legend

Syko Stu Stable But In Critical Care, Says Brother

Thomas Lowson
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Syko Stu Stable But In Critical Care, Says Brother

Things took a disturbing turn at KnokX Pro Wrestling’s latest event when Raja Jackson assaulted Syko Stu with a series of blows to the head. The unplanned spot resulted in several wrestlers hitting the ring to pull Jackson away and Stu was later transported to the hospital.

In an update on Facebook, Andrew Smith, Stu’s brother, shared an update. Andrew said his brother is in stable, but critical care. Andrew also warned fans to be wary of fundraising websites, making clear that any money sent to any potential fundraiser is not offiliated with them.

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This incident has shocked fans and raised questions about Raja’s role in pro wrestling. His father, UFC legend and ex-TNA talent Rampage Jackson, has said his son had no place being a part of the show. Raja has remained silent on the matter that has gripped the wrestling community.

For now, fans can only continue to hope for the best for Stu’s recovery. This is an ongoing situation so keep following SEScoops for updates.

Ash By Elegance Brings TNA Knockouts Title Home At WWE Heatwave

Thomas Lowson
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Ash By Elegance Brings TNA Knockouts Title Home At WWE Heatwave

The TNA Knockouts Championship is back home with TNA Wrestling, thanks to the efforts of Ash By Elegance. At WWE Heatwave, Elegance won the title from Jacy Jayne in a triple-threat which included Masha Slamovich.

With both the Knockouts and World titles under the possession of NXT talent, Elegance’s win is a huge victory for TNA. On X, TNA President Carlos Silva was thrilled by the result.

Jayne, also the NXT Women’s Champion, won the title at Slammiversary from Slamovich. The win made Jayne the first-ever wrestler to hold WWE and TNA gold at the same time. Now, it’s Elegance (fka Dana Brooke) who holds the richest prize in the TNA Knockouts division.

Wardlow Returns to AEW After Year-Long Absence, Joins Don Callis Family at Forbidden Door 2025

Michael Reichlin
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Wardlow Returns to AEW After Year-Long Absence, Joins Don Callis Family at Forbidden Door 2025

Wardlow made a surprise return to AEW at the Forbidden Door 2025 pay-per-view event held yesterday on August 23, 2025, at The O2 Arena in London, England. This marked his first appearance in over a year, following his last televised match in March 2024 against then-AEW World Champion Samoa Joe.

During the event, after Kazuchika Okada retained the AEW Unified Championship against Swerve Strickland, Okada continued assaulting Strickland’s injured knee by trapping it in the ring steps and striking it with a steel chair. Prince Nana rushed out with a metal pipe to defend Strickland and chase off Okada.

That’s when Wardlow, dressed in a black suit, entered the ring behind them. He attacked Nana with a clothesline, followed by ground-and-pound strikes, and then took out multiple AEW security personnel who tried to intervene. Wardlow eventually left the ring, leaving Strickland helpless and in bad shape.

New Role with the Don Callis Family

Wardlow officially aligned himself with the Don Callis Family during this segment, embracing Don Callis on the ramp and shaking hands with Okada. The rest of the family members came out to welcome him with handshakes and embraces, solidifying his addition to the group. However, Konosuke Takeshita notably stared him down without a handshake, hinting at potential tension.

This move positions Wardlow as the newest member of the heel faction, which now includes talents like Kyle Fletcher, Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita, Lance Archer, Hechicero, Josh Alexander, and Rocky Romero. His role appears to be as a powerhouse enforcer, given his actions in the attack.

Work on American Gladiators

Wardlow’s extended absence from AEW was partly due to filming commitments for the upcoming reboot of American Gladiators on Amazon Prime Video, hosted by WWE’s The Miz. He participated in two seasons of the show as a competitor or gladiator, with filming now complete.

This project, along with prior injury recovery, kept him sidelined from wrestling until his recent clearance and return.

WWE Makes Big Change To Two Title Belts

Andrew Ravens
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WWE Makes Big Change To Two Title Belts

The future of the WWE Speed Championships has officially been revealed. During the NXT Heatwave premium live event, NXT General Manager Ava announced that both the men’s and women’s Speed titles are now officially part of the NXT brand and will be defended on NXT programming.

The announcement puts an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the championships. The titles were originally created for “WWE Speed,” a weekly show that aired exclusively on the social media platform X. However, the show has not aired a new episode since July, and it was recently reported that the brand was likely discontinued, leaving the status of its championships in question.

With Ava’s announcement, it is now confirmed that while the show is gone, the titles will live on as part of the NXT brand.

In addition to confirming the new home for the titles, Ava also made a further announcement regarding the Women’s Speed Championship, which is currently held by Sol Ruca. A four-woman, inter-promotional tournament will be held to determine the next number one contender.

The tournament will feature one woman from the WWE main roster, one woman from NXT, one woman from TNA Wrestling, and one woman from AAA. The winner of that tournament will then challenge Sol Ruca for the NXT Speed Women’s Championship at the upcoming NXT No Mercy premium live event on September 27.

Tony Khan Announces Major Rule Change For AEW’s Casino Gauntlet Title Shot

Andrew Ravens
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0
Tony Khan Announces Major Rule Change For AEW’s Casino Gauntlet Title Shot

AEW President Tony Khan has announced a rule change for the world title shot contracts that are earned by winning the annual Casino Gauntlet match. Moving forward, the winner will be required to give one week’s notice before executing their contract for a championship match.

Speaking at the post-event media scrum for the AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view, Khan explained the reasoning behind the new rule. He stated that the change is being made to add more “integrity” to the championships and to allow the company to promote its world title bouts.

“I want AEW to be different and I’ve been listening to the feedback and the voice of the fans and I think people want the championships in the sport of pro wrestling to have integrity,” Khan said. “I don’t want to have a big ticket championship match that we are unable to advertise and also I don’t really want to necessarily utilize a stipulation here that’s being utilized other places.”

He added, “That’s why going forward, I want to set the tone that from now on I think the right thing to do is all contract executions should be on at least a week’s notice so we can properly promote the matches.”

The change comes after several instances of the contract being used in a “Money in the Bank” style. Most notably, Christian Cage attempted to cash in his contract during the main event of the Revolution pay-per-view in March, turning the AEW World Championship match into a three-way.

The current holder of the men’s Casino Gauntlet contract is MJF, who won the opportunity at the All In: Texas pay-per-view. Athena won the women’s version and executed her contract in advance to set up her match with Toni Storm at Forbidden Door.

Ex-WWE GM Appears At AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door

Thomas Lowson
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Ex-WWE GM Appears At AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door

AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door has seen the two promotions collide for an epic show emenating from the O2 Arena in London, England. Not only has the shown seen the very best of both companies, but a former WWE General Manager has also made his presence felt.

In a video package, Nigel McGuinness is seen roaming the streets of London ahead of his title match against Zack Sabre. Jr. McGuinness meets up with former WWE NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint and the pair discuss strategy over a game of chess.

Saint is a smart choice for McGuinness to take pointers from. Considered one of the greatest wrestlers in British wrestling history, Saint held the World Lightweight Championship a record ten times. A former British and European Lightweight champion, Saint was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Hall of Fame last year.

From 2018-2022, Saint served as the WWE NXT UK GM, a brand that McGuinness also was a part of. Whether Saint’s appearance was a one-off for the crowd in London, or perhaps the start of something more, his Forbidden Door role was a treat for fans of the British icon.

Former WWE Star Confirms She Is Not Retired From Wrestling

Andrew Ravens
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Former WWE Star Confirms She Is Not Retired From Wrestling

Former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Aliyah has confirmed that she is not retired from professional wrestling, despite having made just a handful of in-ring appearances since her WWE release almost two years ago.

Speaking with PWMania, Aliyah, who now wrestles under her real name of Nhooph Al-Areebi, addressed her future in the business. She made it clear that she feels she still has a lot to offer.

“I’ve always felt like my best is yet to come, which is why I know I’m not done yet,” she said. “I’m still too athletic, talented, beautiful, and marketable to retire this young — it just doesn’t make sense.”

Since her WWE exit in September 2023, Aliyah has only competed twice, both times for Destiny Wrestling. Her most recent match was a victory over Zayda Steel on February 16 of this year.

She has also been exploring other ventures outside of wrestling, including DJing and competitive equestrian show jumping, where she has won multiple championships. “My first appearance outside WWE, I DJed — I’d never done it before — and I sold the place out… The sky is truly the limit for me,” she stated.

Aliyah was a part of the WWE system for eight years, primarily in NXT, but did win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship with Raquel Rodriguez in 2022.

AEW Reportedly Preparing For Top Star To Miss Several Months

Andrew Ravens
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AEW Reportedly Preparing For Top Star To Miss Several Months

Just hours before his AEW Unified Championship defense at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view, a previouslyreport indicates that Swerve Strickland may require surgery on his knee following the event. A procedure would sideline the top star for several months.

AEW recently worked Strickland’s legitimate knee injury into a storyline on the August 13 episode of Dynamite. Behind the scenes, the situation is a real one, as a report from Fightful Select has provided more details on the matter.

Strickland has reportedly been working with a torn meniscus, an injury he has been dealing with since his time at the WWE Performance Center in 2019. While he rested the injury at the time, it never fully healed.

AEW has been utilizing the medical team of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars to help Strickland recover and avoid surgery. However, with the injury not improving, a new Fightful Select reports that the internal conversations within AEW have now shifted to planning to be without him for months following the pay-per-view should he get the surgery.

If surgery is required, it could force Strickland to vacate the AEW Unified Championship and would cause a reshuffling of the company’s main event plans for the remainder of the year.

Former WWE Star Brian Jossie (Abraham Washington) Recovering After Being On Life Support

Andrew Ravens
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Former WWE Star Brian Jossie (Abraham Washington) Recovering After Being On Life Support

Former WWE star Brian Jossie, known to fans as Abraham Washington, is back home and recovering after a life-threatening medical emergency last month that saw him placed on life support. His significant other, Marnae June Barnum, provided a detailed update on his condition.

The situation began last month when Jossie, who has been competing in bodybuilding since his wrestling career, was taken to an emergency room with severe stomach pain. Tests revealed a tear in his intestines, which required immediate surgery.

While the initial surgery was a success, he experienced serious complications in the aftermath. He aspirated, causing fluid to enter his lungs. This led to him being placed on a ventilator, put into an induced coma, and being on life support for a period of time.

After nearly a month in the hospital, Jossie has now recovered enough to continue his journey at home. In her update, Barnum shared how much progress he has made. “After almost a month in the hospital, Brian is finally home! What a crazy, unexpected month August has been,” she wrote. “Just last week, he could barely sit on the edge of his bed without help. Today, when we were leaving they went to get a wheel chair, he refused, and he insisted on walking out on his own with me.”

Brian Jossie is best known for his time in WWE from 2009 to 2012. He first appeared on the ECW brand as the host of his talk show, “The Abraham Washington Show,” before later re-emerging on the main roster as the manager A.W., leading The Prime Time Players.

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A post shared by Marnae June Barnum (@marnaejune)

JoJo Offerman Honors Bray Wyatt On 2nd Anniversary Of WWE Star’s Death

Thomas Lowson
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JoJo Offerman Honors Bray Wyatt On 2nd Anniversary Of WWE Star’s Death

Today, August 24, 2025, marks two years to the day that the world lost Windham Rotunda, better known to wrestling fans as Bray Wyatt. Before his death, Rotunda had been engaged to JoJo Offerman, who had previously worked for WWE and is the mother of two of his children. 

On Instagram, Offerman remembered her partner. Though Rotunda is no longer alive, Offerman will always remember the man who brought so much into her life.

“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever. 2 years without you Windham, without the one person that knew me better than anyone. Not a day goes by that I don’t look at something our kids are doing and wish you could still be here to enjoy it with me. We miss you so much. But we know you’re all around, I can feel it, the kids feel it. I hope we keep making you proud my love. We love you forever.”

Offerman’s post received several messages of support including from her Total Divas alum Natalya and Eva Marie. Kelani Jordan and AEW’s Swerve Strickland were also in the comments, sharing their best wishes to JoJo on this sad day.

In the ring, Bray Wyatt wowed fans for years in WWE, while Windham Rotunda was a brother, a partner, a son, and a friend to so many. As fans reflect on the two-year anniversary of his death, what can be said for certain is that the former WWE World Champion will never be forgotten.

Bray Wyatt Story Coming to WWE 2K25 With Never-Before-Seen Content

Shawn Michaels On Unique WWE NXT: We Make Stars to Lose Them

Thomas Lowson
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Shawn Michaels On Unique WWE NXT: We Make Stars to Lose Them

Shawn Michaels has spent years honing talent in WWE NXT, only to see them leave his show and moved to the main roster. Speaking to the Boston Herald, Michaels reflected on how his particular brand of sports entertainment differs from what fans see anywhere else.

“There’s not another brand out there that works so hard to create stars in order to lose them. Everybody else builds stars to be able to draw money and ratings for their show. We do it to send them off somewhere. That is unlike any other brand, and it is part of the value NXT brings to the wrestling business as a whole.”

Michaels has no shortage of success stories from his time in charge of WWE NXT. Some of WWE’s very top names today, including champions like Solo Siko and Tiffany Stratton, landed in WWE NXT under Michaels’ regime. Their success, and the success of others, show that Michaels and his crew know how to breed success, even if it’s not for their own show.

Michaels’ role is just part of the WWE juggernaut which continues to go from strength to strength with massive business deals. For Michaels, a veteran of the business, the recent moves have been incredible to see.

“I’ve been with WWE for almost 40 years and we continue to break new ground and grow at such a global level that I find it unfathomable. WWE is part of mainstream Americana and around the world. That’s amazing to me.”

With WWE NXT continuing to host shows and bringing in new talent, Michaels is kept plenty busy in his role. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Michaels and WWE NXT.

Champion & Challenger Collide After WWE NXT in Philadelphia

Dates Confirmed For AEW’s Multi-City 2026 Australia Tour

Thomas Lowson
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0
Dates Confirmed For AEW’s Multi-City 2026 Australia Tour

AEW will be returning to Australia for multiple events in February 2026, Tony Khan has confirmed. Speaking to Ned Balme of 9News Queensland, Khan confirmed that AEW will debut in Sydney on February 14, for the ‘AEW Grand Slam: Sydney’ special from the Qudos Bank Arena. One day later, AEW will host its untelevised ‘House Rules’ show from Brisbane’s Entertainment Centre.

One name especially excited for AEW’s return to Australia is reigning TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher. Speaking to Balme, Fletcher reflected on his first live wrestling experience coming at the Qudos Bank Arena, a venue the Australian plans on competing in this coming February.

“The arena that I first saw professional wrestling in, I was sitting up in the nosebleeds. The cheapest tickets possible, literally about three rows from the back and I remember that night and just falling even more in love with it. So I think yeah, when I walk into that arena, it’s going to be such a crazy feeling. It’s going to feel very full circle.”

AEW debuted in Australia in February 2025 with the Grand Slam event. Though initially planned for Suncorp Stadium, the show instead took place at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Brisbane, Queensland. Though the show had its share of issues, AEW is committed to bringing its brand of pro wrestling back to the country in 2026.

Toni Storm Wins Fourth AEW Women’s Title At Grand Slam Australia

Rampage Jackson’s Son Hospitalized Wrestler in Shocking Live-Streamed Incident

Michael Reichlin
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Rampage Jackson’s Son Hospitalized Wrestler in Shocking Live-Streamed Incident

Raja Jackson, son of MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, sparked major controversy after brutally assaulting professional wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith during a live-streamed independent wrestling event in California.

The incident began when Smith allegedly hit Raja with a can at the Knokx Pro Wrestling venue entrance as part of what was meant to be a wrestling segment. Raja, apparently unaware it was staged, told viewers “Just wait, I’m going to get my get back.”

During Smith’s match 30 minutes later, Raja entered the ring, lifted the wrestler above his head, slammed him to the mat, and delivered over 20 full-contact punches to Smith’s head while he appeared unconscious. Smith was “flatlined” and hospitalized with serious injuries.

Former UFC champion Rampage Jackson issued a public apology, revealing his son had recently suffered a concussion and “should not have been participating.” He stated: “I do not condone my son’s actions at all! As a father, I am deeply concerned with his health AND the well-being of Mr. Smith.”

Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer called it “the worst thing I’ve ever witnessed in a ring.” Raja was subsequently banned from the Kick streaming platform.

Smith, a U.S. Army veteran who uses wrestling as PTSD therapy, is reportedly now awake and stable. The incident has sparked industry-wide debates about performer safety and proper vetting procedures.

John Cena On Being WWE’s GOAT: Winners Right the History Books

Thomas Lowson
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0
John Cena On Being WWE’s GOAT: Winners Right the History Books

John Cena has often been referred to as the Greatest of All Time in WWE, a claim it’s hard to argue with. As the only 17-time World Champion in the company’s history, Cena’s legacy as one of the biggest names in wrestling cannot be argued with.

Sitting down with WIRED, Cena answered some of the most searched questions about him on Google. When asked what makes him the ‘GOAT’ of WWE, John argued that his legacy has been carefully crafted.

“Because I say so. And as you know, I also say that winners write the history books and currently I’m winning, so I’m writing history and I’m the greatest of all time because I said so. That’s a great answer for you parents out there. [laughs]”

Cena’s winning ways have been on full-display during his retirement tour. Cena won his final Elimination Chamber match in March before winning the main event of his final WrestleMania in April. A series of title defenses would see John also came out on top before losing the WWE Championship at SummerSlam to Cody Rhodes.

Cena hopes to keep winning when he battles Logan Paul at WWE Clash in Paris 2025. With only a handful of appearances left before he retires for good, it remains to be seen how many wins Cena has left as he continues to write the history books.

John Cena Says He Failed Early Into WWE Heel Run

Nyla Rose Wins Gold, Blocks Mercedes Moné to Avoid Defense

Thomas Lowson
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0
Nyla Rose Wins Gold, Blocks Mercedes Moné to Avoid Defense

Mercedes Moné has nine championship belts to her name, and Nyla Rose isn’t interested in giving the CEO a tenth title. On August 23, Rose captured the EVE Championship. Rose, AEW’s second Women’s World Champion, captured the EVE title at EVE 138: EVE x The World defeating Nightshade.

Taking to X, Rose spent little time celebrating her huge win. Instead Rose shared a screenshot of herself blocking Moné on the platform, hoping to avoid any interaction that could lead to a title match. Rose confirmed that she’s not interested in even discussing a match with Moné, asking fans if they can keep her title win a secret. Unfortunately for Rose, she didn’t move fast enough, as Moné already has her eyes on a tenth title for her collection.

Moné already holds gold from various promotions spanning the globe, including the U.S. United Kingdom, Poland, and beyond. While Moné has no plans to ease up on the amount of titles she has in her possession, the CEO may have to work hard to track down Nyla Rose and her Pro Wrestling EVE Title.

Mercedes Nine-Belts: Every Title Moné Currently Holds

Ex-WWE Star Signs With STARDOM After 2025 Release

Thomas Lowson
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Ex-WWE Star Signs With STARDOM After 2025 Release

One former WWE Superstar is ready to write a new chapter in her career by signing with the Japanese promotion STARDOM. During a press conference in Japan, STARDOM President Taro Okada confirmed that Bea Priestley has finalized a new contract that will see her compete full-time for the promotion.

Priestley already made her in-ring return to STARDOM in July, entering the 2025 5?STAR Grand Prix. She advanced to the Red Stars A playoffs but was eliminated in the first round by Rina. Now under a contract, however, Priestley is set to challenge Saya Kamitani for the World of Stardom Championship at STARDOM TO THE WORLD 2025 on September 6th.

Priestley debuted for STARDOM in 2017 and remained with the promotion until 2021. During her impressive run as one of the company’s top gaijin wrestlers, Priestley was able to capture the World of Stardom Championship, the Goddesses of Stardom Championship twice, and the Artist of Stardom Championship.

Outside of STARDOM, Priestley is known for her role in WWE as Blair Davenport, which came to an end in February 2025. Now, Priestley is ready to prove that her STARDOM success was no fluke with this return to the promotion.

Blair Davenport Talks Possible AEW Return, Open to Facing Toni Storm: ‘We’re Hoping It’s Going to Happen’

Buff Bagwell Returns to Memphis Wrestling After Leg Amputation

Thomas Lowson
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Buff Bagwell Returns to Memphis Wrestling After Leg Amputation

Buff Bagwell made his return to Memphis Wrestling on August 23, his first appearance following his leg amputation. Coming out on crutches to a huge ovation, Buff hyped up the main event of the show. Buff shared that he would be in the corner of Big John Dalton & K-Toomer as they challenged for the Memphis Wrestling Tag Team Titles.

Bagwell’s connection to Memphis Wrestling is deep. Not only were he and Dalton former tag team champions, but his final match came in April 2024 for Memphis Wrestling, where he also teamed with John Dalton.

Despite his leg amputation, fans shouldn’t count out seeing Bagwell back in the ring. In July 2025, Bagwell said how he wants to have another match and show fans that “I came out of the darkness with this thing and I turned it around.” While there are currently no plans for a match, fans know to never say never in the world of pro wrestling.

Buff Bagwell and Bill Goldberg End 25-Year Wrestling Feud

Killer Kross, Scarlett & Nick Gage Help Shotzi Win Garage Beer Championship at GCW Homecoming

Michael Reichlin
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Killer Kross, Scarlett & Nick Gage Help Shotzi Win Garage Beer Championship at GCW Homecoming

GCW Homecoming Night 1 delivered major surprises when Killer Kross, Scarlett Bordeaux, and Nick Gage made unexpected appearances to help Shotzi Blackheart defeat Matt Cardona for the Garage Beer Championship.

The former WWE and Impact Wrestling stars’ interference, alongside GCW legend Gage’s dramatic return after over a year, proved decisive in the chaotic bout, marking a significant cross-promotional moment for Game Changer Wrestling. Cardona’s reign ends following the controversial finish, while Shotzi captures her first GCW championship.

The appearances add an intriguing dynamic to the independent wrestling landscape and showcase GCW’s ability to attract high-profile talent from across the industry.

Here are the full results from GCW Homecoming Night 1, which took place on August 23, 2025, at the Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ:

1. Garage Beer Championship Match: Shotzi Blackheart defeated Matt Cardona (c) with assistance from Killer Kross, Scarlett Bordeaux, and Nick Gage to win the title.

2. Singapore Cane Match: Maki Itoh defeated Mike Bailey.

3. GCW World Championship Match (Three-Way Ladder Match): Mance Warner (c) defeated Blake Christian and Jordan Oliver to retain the title.

4. GCW Ultraviolent Championship Match: Rina Yamashita (c) defeated Takashi Sasaki to retain the title.

Will Ospreay Fears For His Future As Surgery Looms

Thomas Lowson
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Will Ospreay Fears For His Future As Surgery Looms

Will Ospreay is preparing for battle at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door, but he is also looking ahead to a greater obstacle. Ospreay has shared that he has two herniated discs in his back, and that he will require surgery and a lengthy recovery after his ten-man ‘Lights Out’ cage match in London.

Speaking to CBS, Ospreay reflected on the perils that’ll face him post-Forbidden Door. For the British star, whatever happens in the match can’t compare to his nerves for what will come after.

“I’m anxious. I’m scared. Generally, I’m terrified. Not about the match, but just about afterwards. I don’t know what it looks like afterwards.”

Ospreay has been able to avoid surgery in his career so far, with his only broken bone being a broken nose years ago. For the British star who tries to use humor to handle the more complicated matters, this is a bold new chapter in his life.

“For the first time in my life, I have to realize that this is something serious and I don’t know how to navigate those emotions.”

Ospreay appreciates that fans are worried, not only for Forbidden Door but for his impending surgery. Despite being branded the Aerial Assassin, Ospreay knows that he may be a much different wrestler once he returns.

“I might have to kiss this part of my high-flying offense goodbye now. It’s something that I’m not ready to let go. I’ll be honest with you, I’m not ready to let go.”

Ospreay ended up on a positive note, highlighting talent including Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger and AJ Styles who changed their repertoire post-surgery and remained highly talented wrestlers. As Ospreay hopes to follow in their footsteps, a massive change for the British star continues to cast a heavy shadow.

Backstage News On Will Ospreay’s Injury
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