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Philly NXT Preview (8/19): Oba Femi’s Heatwave Challenger, Street Fight

Michael Reichlin
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Philly NXT Preview (8/19): Oba Femi’s Heatwave Challenger, Street Fight

Tonight, WWE presents NXT live on The CW, broadcasting directly from The Met in Philadelphia, PA. As the go-home show before NXT Heatwave 2025, this episode will give us the final push of momentum before this Sunday’s big PLE. The historic venue provides an electric setting for the night’s action.

Confirmed Matches & Segments

NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Trick Williams vs. Je’Von Evans
Winner faces Oba Femi for the title at NXT Heatwave

Street Fight: Josh Briggs vs. Yoshiki Inamura

Jasper Troy vs. Ricky Saints

Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Fatal Instinct (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Jazmyn Nyx) vs. The Elegance Brand (Ash By Elegance, Heather By Elegance & M By Elegance)
Special Guest Referee: Masha Slamovich

Jordynne Grace & Blake Monroe – Face-to-face confrontation before their PLE grudge match

Ethan Page & Chelsea Green seek a Peace Treaty with Tavion Heights & Tyra Mae Steele

Looking Ahead to NXT Heatwave 2025

Heading into NXT Heatwave 2025, the stakes are high. The main event of NXT’s summer spectacular is set to feature Oba Femi defending the NXT Championship against the winner of tonight’s crucial #1 contender’s match.

Meanwhile, the heated rivalry between Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe culminates in a grudge match, following weeks of betrayals and interference that have kept fans on edge.

A major theme throughout this build has been the ongoing cross-promotion with TNA, which continues to introduce new alliances and rivalries, adding fresh intrigue and excitement to the NXT landscape.

NXT Heatwave takes place Sunday, August 24, 2025, at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, MA, and will be broadcast live on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix internationally.

WWE Honors ECW At RAW in Philadelphia

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Honors ECW At RAW in Philadelphia

The August 18, episode of WWE Raw emenated from Philadelphia, PA, a city tied to the legacy and violence of the original ECW. It was therefore only fitting that the show had several nods to ECW during the broadcast.

During an in-ring promo, ECW alum Paul Heyman brought up a number of legends of ECW, including The Sandman, New Jack, Rob Van Dam, and the late, great Sabu. Heyman also referred to “the late, great Tommy Dreamer,” despite the fact that Dreamer is not dead.

Heyman landed a blow on Dreamer, saying “I know he’s not dead yet, but he should be.” When Bron Breakker asked Heyman if Dreamer is still alive, the WWE Hall of Famer said “Yeah, unfortunately.”

Later in the show, Jey Uso was in action in an Extreme Rules match. With a shopping trolley of weapons and a bandana around his head, many fans saw this as a tribute to the late New Jack.

ECW may have gone out of business in 2001, but the legacy of the Extreme promotion remains to this day. These tributes show that the spirit of ECW is alive and well in the hearts of fans and those who appear for WWE.

WWE Revives ECW’s Wrestlepalooza for September 20 PLE

Kevin Nash Calls Dishonesty On Bret Hart’s SummerSlam Claim

Thomas Lowson
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Kevin Nash Calls Dishonesty On Bret Hart’s SummerSlam Claim

Bret Hart recently made headlines when he spoke about being invited to SummerSlam, only to be told there wasn’t a seat for him. For Hart, this situation demonstrated what he feels is a lack of respect of him by WWE despite his contributions to the pro-wrestling world.

During his interview, Hart claimed that Kevin Nash received a seat, alluding to WWE giving preferential treatment to one of Paul Levesque’s closest allies. On his Kliq This podcast, however, Nash tells a very different story

“I didn’t go to the show, because I knew I didn’t have a seat. I guess my name got brought up, it would be, oh! Triple H’s buddy got a f*cking seat!”

Instead of attending the show, Nash had a signing inside MetLife Stadium, the two-time WWE Hall of Famer claimed. Nash added that his signing lasted from 1:30 to 3 o’clock, but that was all he did.

Nash shared that he called Bret, making clear that “I stopped going after they put me in a f*cking box and the monitor in the box didn’t work.” Nash also rejected the idea of watching a show with no announcing, as well as being unable to fast-forward the show.

As for Bret, it remains to be seen when, if ever, he appears for WWE again. Whatever’s next, the Hitman believes he was disrespected at WWE’s Biggest Party of the Summer.

Bret Hart Names the Best Wrestler in the World Today

h/t – Fightful

Bayley Transformation Continues, Asked If She Needs A Hug

Thomas Lowson
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Bayley Transformation Continues, Asked If She Needs A Hug

Bayley’s slow transformation continued during the August 18, episode of WWE Raw, and the Role Model may be returning to an old character. Bayley was hearing voices during the previous Raw and that torment continued during this week’s show in Philadelphia.

In a backstage segment, Bayley once again heard those voices as they taunted her. They mocked her for being so influential in WWE yet not currently being booked, and for missing both WrestleMania and SummerSlam. The torment escalated until Bayley screamed for the voices to stop—only for them to respond by asking if she wanted a hug.

Several fans responded to the above video, suggesting that this could mark the return of the Hugger side of Bayley. The former Women’s Champion infamously left her hugging ways behind in 2019 when she turned heel for the first time in WWE. Some predicted a split-personality character that would see Bayley play her current self, her heel ‘Role Model’ side, and her bubbly Hugger character.

Whatever comes next, Bayley’s segments continue to garner the attention of fans. Time will tell if Bayley’s future will see her bust out the occassional hug as well as her more violent moves.


Wrestling World Reacts To Naomi’s Pregnancy Reveal

Thomas Lowson
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Wrestling World Reacts To Naomi’s Pregnancy Reveal

During the August 18, episode of WWE Raw, Naomi shared that she is pregnant, a huge update that several fans had predicted. Due to her pregnancy, Naomi has vacated the WWE Women’s World Championship though vowed to return better than ever.

Naomi’s news has spawned several reactions. You can check out some of them down below.

Clearly, Naomi’s pregnancy means a lot to a lot of people. We at SEScoops would like to send our congratulations to Naomi and Jimmy Uso on this joyous occassion.

Jimmy Uso & Naomi Tell All On WWE Marriage Success

Karrion Kross On We Want Kross Chants: Don’t Ignore The Crowd

Thomas Lowson
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Karrion Kross On We Want Kross Chants: Don’t Ignore The Crowd

Karrion Kross is officially a free agent but that hasn’t stopped the WWE Universe from chanting his name at events. During the August 15 episode of WWE SmackDown, chants of ‘We Want Kross’ were heard during Sami Zayn’s opening promo aimed at Solo Sikoa.

On August 18, Kross posted a video on Instagram, speaking about the chants. He emphasized that fan reactions should never be brushed aside in wrestling.

“Can’t ignore the crowd in this business. I mean, you can try it. It’s not going to be good in the end. You don’t want to make your audience feel like they’re not a part of this.

“You can’t tell them that they’re a part of this and that they’re the universe and they’re so heavily involved in every aspect of it. And then, like on a whim, tell them, you know, certain subsections of them don’t matter. We can’t do that. That pisses people off. It turns people away.”

Kross recalled a conversation with R-Truth which took place as WWE travelled back from Saudi Arabia. Truth explained that while Kross hadn’t held gold on the main roster, having the fans behind him was just as valuable.

“He said to me, ‘You know, you haven’t won any titles on main roster, but the one title that you have right now that you will have for the rest of your life as a moment in time is the title that the people gave you when they chose you.’ And that’s f***ing real.”

This support from fans ultimately didn’t result in WWE reaching a new deal with Kross or Scarlett, both of whom left WWE on August 10. Wherever he ends up—WWE, AEW, or elsewhere—it’s clear that fans haven’t forgotten Karrion Kross.

Karrion Kross Seeking WWE Return Despite Frustrating Run

Naomi Announces She Is Pregnant On WWE Raw, Vacates Women’s World Title

Andrew Ravens
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Naomi Announces She Is Pregnant On WWE Raw, Vacates Women’s World Title

On tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Women’s World Champion Naomi announced that she is pregnant and will be out of action for at least nine months. As a result, she has been forced to vacate her championship.

The announcement came during an in-ring segment hosted by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce. Naomi came to the ring in her street clothes, holding the Women’s World Title. After receiving a warm reception from the crowd, she revealed the happy news by showing a clip from an upcoming episode of “Stephanie’s Places,” where her husband, Jimmy Uso, confirmed there is a “baby on board.”

The live crowd in Philadelphia met the news with a loud cheer and chants of “You deserve it.”

Following the video, Adam Pearce moved to take the championship from Naomi, but she refused to hand it over, stating that she isn’t giving him “sh*t” and that she has relinquished titles before and didn’t want to do it again. After telling Pearce to leave the ring, she cut a promo telling the women’s locker room they should be thanking her husband for getting her pregnant and taking her out of action.

She declared that “the Bloodline will continue” before laying her custom championship belt in the center of the ring as the crowd chanted “Baby Uso.” She promised to return and pick up right where she left off.

WWE Changes Start Times For Upcoming Raw Events

Andrew Ravens
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WWE Changes Start Times For Upcoming Raw Events

WWE has changed the advertised local start times for at least three Monday Night Raw events in September, moving them up by an hour. The move has led to speculation that the company could be shifting its flagship show’s broadcast time to avoid competition with the NFL’s “Monday Night Football.”

The official WWE website has updated the start times for several upcoming events. The September 15 Raw in Springfield, MA, the September 22 Raw in Evansville, IN, and the September 29 Raw in Raleigh, NC, are all now listed with a 6:30 p.m. local start time. The Evansville show, which is in the Central Time Zone, will begin at 5:30 p.m. local time, which is also 6:30 p.m. Eastern.

Typically, doors for WWE events open 30 to 60 minutes before the live broadcast begins. These new 6:30 p.m. Eastern start times suggest that the main Raw broadcast could be set to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET, a full hour earlier than its traditional 8:00 p.m. ET time slot.

While no official reason for the change has been provided, it is likely a strategic decision to avoid direct, full-length competition with “Monday Night Football” on ESPN, which begins its regular season in September. A 7:00 p.m. start time would give Raw a one-hour head start before the NFL game kicks off.

The potential shift in start time would be the latest major change for WWE’s flagship program in 2025. In January, Monday Night Raw moved from the USA Network to become a live, weekly exclusive on the Netflix streaming platform.

Danhausen Reportedly Requested AEW Not Pick Up His Option

Andrew Ravens
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Danhausen Reportedly Requested AEW Not Pick Up His Option

A new report has provided an update on the contract status of AEW’s Danhausen, confirming he will remain with the company “well into 2026.” The extension was reportedly due to time he missed for injury and was “apparently against his wishes.”

According to Fightful Select, Danhausen’s original AEW contract was scheduled to expire on July 1, 2025. However, due to the time he was on the shelf with a torn pectoral muscle, his contract has been extended and will now run into 2026.

The report adds a significant layer to the story, noting that this extension was “apparently against his wishes.” According to the outlet, it was “believed he requested they didn’t pick up his option” and was ready to leave the company.

The AEW star’s reported desire to leave stems from a lack of consistent creative plans for his character. He has not appeared on AEW television since competing in a battle royal at the Worlds End pay-per-view in December 2023.

His last match under the company banner was for Ring of Honor in February 2024. He made a one-off surprise appearance at the most recent ROH Final Battle, but the report notes that there were no creative plans to follow up on the appearance. Despite his lack of usage on AEW or ROH programming, he has remained active on the independent circuit. With no current creative plans for him in AEW, it is expected he will continue to take independent bookings.

Top TNA Star In Philadelphia For WWE Shows

Andrew Ravens
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Top TNA Star In Philadelphia For WWE Shows

The crossover between WWE and TNA Wrestling is set to continue this week. A new report from Fightful Select has confirmed that top TNA star Joe Hendry is in Philadelphia ahead of this week’s WWE television tapings.

According to the report, “The Prestigious One” is in town for the WWE events. Hendry has become a “somewhat of an NXT regular” in recent months as part of the ongoing partnership between the two promotions.

The report notes that Hendry’s recurring presence is no accident, as NXT officials, and specifically Shawn Michaels, “have long liked Joe Hendry.” His charismatic personality and “I Believe” catchphrase have quickly made him a fan favorite with the NXT audience.

Hendry has been featured in several high-profile spots during the crossover. He recently appeared on the August 12 episode of NXT, where he defeated Charlie Dempsey in a singles match. He has also challenged for the TNA World Championship against NXT’s Trick Williams at the Slammiversary pay-per-view.

Hendry’s presence backstage in Philadelphia comes on the day of the August 18 episode of Monday Night Raw from the Wells Fargo Center. It is also possible

Dave Bautista Ranked As The Number One Wrestler-Turned-Actor

Andrew Ravens
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Dave Bautista Ranked As The Number One Wrestler-Turned-Actor

The Hollywood Reporter has published a new list ranking the top ten professional wrestlers who have successfully transitioned into acting careers. The list, released on August 18, features a mix of legends and current stars, with a new name taking the top spot over the industry’s biggest box office draw.

According to the outlet’s new ranking, former WWE Champion Dave Bautista is the number one best wrestler-turned-actor. He was ranked just ahead of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who came in at number two, though the report noted that Johnson is the most financially successful actor on the entire list.

Rounding out the top five are John Cena at number three, the late “Rowdy” Roddy Piper at number four for his iconic role in “They Live,” and former WWE and current AEW star Adam Copeland (Edge) at number five, who was praised for his roles in “Vikings” and the “Percy Jackson” television series.

The second half of the list is filled with legendary figures from wrestling’s past. Kevin Nash was ranked at number six for his role in the “Magic Mike” franchise. He was followed by Hulk Hogan at number seven, Paul Wight (The Big Show) at number eight, former Minnesota Governor Jesse “The Body” Ventura at number nine, and Andre The Giant at number ten for his beloved role in “The Princess Bride.”

Dave Bautista was recently announced for major roles in the upcoming “Highlander” reboot and “Road House 2.” Number two on the list, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is currently working on the film “The Smashing Machine.” Number three, John Cena, will see the second season of his hit series “Peacemaker” premiere this week on August 21. The full, detailed ranking can be found on The Hollywood Reporter’s website.

More WWE Events To Air On ESPN This Year?

Andrew Ravens
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More WWE Events To Air On ESPN This Year?

A new report has confirmed the working plan for the main event of WWE’s upcoming September 20 premium live event. The show, which will run head-to-head with AEW’s All Out pay-per-view, is slated to be headlined by the massive first-time-ever singles match between John Cena and the returning Brock Lesnar.

Writing on his subscriber X account, Bryan Alvarez of F4Wonline.com confirmed the plans for the major showdown. This follows previous reports from POST Wrestling that WWE would be running a PLE on that date from Indianapolis, Indiana.

The match will be the end of the feud that was reignited at the SummerSlam premium live event, where Lesnar made his shocking return after a two-year absence to attack John Cena after his main event match with Cody Rhodes.

On Monday, Alvarez reported that the September 20 PLE could air on ESPN. This follows a previous report from PWInsider which also suggested the event could air on the network.

“I can confirm the working idea is the September WWE Brock vs. Cena PLE airing on ESPN, and perhaps all of the other PLEs this year as well,” Alvarez wrote.

WWE and ESPN’s official landmark rights agreement for premium live events is not scheduled to begin until 2026. Airing this year’s remaining PLEs on ESPN would mark an early start to their major partnership.

‘Peacemaker’ Season Two Redband Trailer Released

Andrew Ravens
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‘Peacemaker’ Season Two Redband Trailer Released

A new, NSFW redband trailer has been released for the upcoming second season of the hit HBO Max series “Peacemaker.” The trailer gives fans a glimpse of the R-rated chaos to come, and star John Cena has offered more insight into his character’s fluid sexuality.

The new trailer begins with John Cena’s character, Peacemaker, in his home surrounded by naked bodies in the aftermath of a bisexual orgy. The scene features a humorous exchange with his best friend, Vigilante (played by Freddie Stroma).

“You don’t even seem that into sex,” Peacemaker tells him. Vigilante replies, “I’m into sex because, like a lot of people, it’s an opportunity to bond with my best friend.”

In a interview for the new season, John Cena and series creator James Gunn played a word association game. When asked if Peacemaker would eliminate an alien disguised as a bald eagle or his Tinder date for the night, Cena gave a definitive answer.

“I don’t think he would eliminate a bald eagle, and if he…had to eliminate a Tinder date, he would just go to Grindr and find another date,” Cena said. “The great thing about Peacemaker is that all apps are welcome, all the time.”

His next scheduled WWE match is set for the Clash in Paris premium live event on August 31, where he will face former United States Champion Logan Paul. Season two of “Peacemaker” premieres on Thursday, August 21, on HBO Max.

Sting Shares Final Dates For ‘Now Or Never’ Tour

Thomas Lowson
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Sting Shares Final Dates For ‘Now Or Never’ Tour

For decades, Sting has wowed fans with a look as iconic as the wrestler himself. Now, the WWE Hall of Famer has confirmed when fans will have their very last opportunity to see him in costume. On X, Sting confirmed his final in-character appearances as part of his ‘Now or Never’ tour.

  • August 22 – FAN EXPO CANADA – Toronto, ON
  • August 30 – WRESTLEVERSE FEST – Chattanooga, TN
  • September 13 – HORRORHOUND WEEKEND – Cincinnati, OH
  • September 14 – ARKANSAS COMIC CON – Little Rock, AR
  • September 20 – HOUSTON CELEBRITY COMIC CON – Houston, TX
  • September 27 – FANX – Salt Lake City, UT
  • October 4 – SCARADISE – Tampa, FL
  • October 11 – COMIC CON SCOTLAND – Edinburgh, Scotland
  • October 25 – WINNIPEG COMIC CON – Winnipeg, Canada
  • November 1 – WRESTLEVERSE FEST – Baton Rouge, LA
  • November 8 – TWIN CITIES CON – Minneapolis, MN
  • November 9 – RHODE ISLAND COMIC CON – Providence, RI
  • November 15 – BIG EVENT NY – Brentwood, NY
  • November 22 – CARD & COLLECTIBLE CONVENTION – Santa Clara, CA
  • November 29 – WRESTLECADE – Winston-Salem, NC
  • December 20 – WRESTLEVERSE FEST – Pittsburgh, PA

Sting’s decision to leave the black and white behind comes over a year after he retired from in-ring competiton. The Icon received a fitting send-off at the AEW Revolution 2024 pay-per-view where he and Darby Allin defeated the Young Bucks. This victory meant that Sting retired from AEW undefeated and also as a champion as he and Allin held the tag titles at the time.

While Sting may still appear at wrestling events and conventions, the clock is ticking for fans wanting to meet him with his iconic look. With decades of memories and moments to his name, Sting can expect countless fans ready to give him a fitting goodbye.

Sting Superfans Get Engaged At Wrestling Icon’s Meet-and-Greet

AAA TripleMania XXXIII Breaks Record With WWE Backing

Thomas Lowson
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AAA TripleMania XXXIII Breaks Record With WWE Backing

The WWE Era of AAA is certainly proving lucrative for the lucha libre promotion as seen with the success of TripleMania XXXIII. The August 2025 event was the first TripleMania (AAA’s largest event) held by WWE, and drew over 4 million views in the first 24 hours.

WWE’s live stream peaked with 614,000 fans watching at a single time. Inside the Arena CDMX in Mexico City, 19,1691 attendees packed the venue, setting AAA’s all-time gate record, according to Deadline.

WWE’s influence over the event was impossible to ignore, with a total of 16 WWE Superstars appearing during the broadcast. Highlights include Rey Mysterio making an appearance in Mexico, while El Grande Americano, Dragon Lee, and Dominik Mysterio were all part of the main event.

WWE and AAA have wasted no time in confirming their next crossover event, with a huge main event planned for September’s Worlds Collide. As WWE continues its influence over AAA plans, things look bright for both parties.

WWE and AAA Launch New Era with Mexico Performance Center

First Look At Cody Rhodes As Guile In Street Fighter Movie

Thomas Lowson
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First Look At Cody Rhodes As Guile In Street Fighter Movie

Wrestling and movie fans have gotten their first tease of Cody Rhodes as Guile in the much-anticipated, star-studded Street Fighter movie. On social media, Andrew Schulz, another actor tied to the film, gave a shadowy look at Rhodes as series-favorite Guile. In case there was anything to mistake, Schulz included Rhodes’ WWE theme song in the post.

image

Instantly recognizable from his military fatigues and flat-top haircut, Guile has been part of Street Fighter lore since 1991’s Street Fighter 2. In the games he is portrayed as a U.S. Air Force pilot, seeking to avenge the death of his friend Charlie who was killed by series antagonist M. Bison.

For Rhodes, an avid gamer, this role is the latest major step outside of the ring. Rhodes is appearing in the Naked Gun reboot, a role that sees him share the screen with Liam Neeson. Rhodes has teased making a full-time move to Hollywood, following in the footsteps of John Cena, The Rock, and Dave Bautista.

For now, Rhodes remains WWE’s top babyface and the current WWE Champion. But as his filmography grows, it remains to be seen for how much longer he will be a wrestler first and an actor second.

Cody Rhodes Was Considered For ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Part

MMA Alum Anthony Taylor Pursuing Life Dream in WWE

Thomas Lowson
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MMA Alum Anthony Taylor Pursuing Life Dream in WWE

Several MMA stars have crossed into the world of pro-wrestling, including fighters like Cain Velasquez, Matt Riddle, and Shayna Baszler. Now, former MMA fighter Anthony Taylor hopes to carve his path into WWE superstardom with a tryout later this year.

In an interview with Esports Insider, Taylor revealed that he has been given a WWE tryout and is preparing to prove himself. For Taylor, this isn’t a move from one profession to another, but a huge step to filling a life-long dream.

“This is the moment I’ve been working towards my whole career. Every fight, every show, every crowd I’ve entertained has led to this.”

Taylor is ready to prove he belongs in WWE and is “coming in with the mindset to not just impress, but earn my spot.” For Taylor, making it in WWE would surpass anything he did as an MMA fighter.

“Before I ever stepped inside an MMA cage or boxing ring, my dream was to be a professional wrestler. As a kid, I was hooked on the larger-than-life characters, the drama, and the showmanship.”

While several WWE Superstars have reached success after MMA, Taylor feels a much different star proves his dream is possible. In Taylor’s eyes, he hopes to see success similar to former U.S. Champion Logan Paul.

“He’s proved that if you have the athletic ability, the dedication, and the personality to connect with the fans, you can walk in from another sport and earn respect.”

Taylor may have a tryout, but the journey to WWE programming is still a long way away. It remains to be seen what becomes of Anthony Taylor and his dreams of being a WWE Superstar.

Stay up to date with the latest, breaking news from the world of MMA at MMANews.com


Dominik Mysterio vs. El Hijo del Vikingo Set for AAA Mega Championship at Worlds Collide

Michael Reichlin
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Dominik Mysterio vs. El Hijo del Vikingo Set for AAA Mega Championship at Worlds Collide

WWE has officially announced a blockbuster match for the upcoming WWE x AAA Worlds Collide event: “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio will challenge El Hijo del Vikingo for the prestigious AAA Mega Championship on September 12 in Las Vegas. The bout was confirmed following an explosive main event at Triplemanía XXXIII, where Dominik issued a rematch challenge after interference cost him the title last weekend.

After a controversial four-way match at Triplemanía XXXIII, where Vikingo retained the gold due to AJ Styles’ interference, Dominik Mysterio is determined to right the wrongs and capture AAA’s top prize. The rematch is set to headline what’s quickly become the most anticipated Worlds Collide event yet.

Dominik Mysterio vs. El Hijo del Vikingo

Dominik Mysterio enters Worlds Collide with major momentum after recently capturing the WWE Intercontinental Championship and surviving the chaos of Triplemanía XXXIII. Fresh off a major SummerSlam win over AJ Styles, he finds himself at the brink of world title glory. Across the ring stands El Hijo del Vikingo, a two-time and current AAA Mega Champion whose spectacular high-flying style and successful defenses against top challengers (including Chad Gable and Dominik himself) have solidified his reputation as one of AAA’s elite. This clash pits Mysterio’s determination and rising star power against the proven excellence and dynamic offense of Vikingo, promising a world championship showdown at the highest level.

This match is more than just a title opportunity. It’ represents another milestone in Dominik Mysterio’s career, and a showcase of WWE’s next generation. With the AAA Mega Championship and franchise player status at stake, the “Dirty” one is ready to make his biggest statement yet. Positioned at the forefront of WWE’s new brand extension and global strategy, Mysterio’s challenge for the world title cements him as a potential cornerstone for the company’s future heading into the fall season.

AAA Stars Arrive in Philadelphia for Tonight’s WWE RAW

Finn Balor Made History At AAA Triplemania

Andrew Ravens
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Finn Balor Made History At AAA Triplemania

Finn Balor has joined a very exclusive club, becoming only the second wrestler in history to have competed at four of the professional wrestling industry’s biggest annual events: WWE WrestleMania, NJPW Wrestle Kingdom, CMLL Aniversario, and AAA Triplemania.

“The Prince” achieved the historic feat this past Saturday, August 16, when he competed at AAA Triplemanía XXXIII in Mexico City. He joins fellow WWE superstar Andrade as the only two wrestlers to have performed on all four of these major shows.

In a post on his Instagram account following the event, Balor highlighted his crowning achievement. The match at Triplemanía was a major inter-promotional Mixed Trios Match that saw Balor team with his Judgment Day stablemates, JD McDonagh and Raquel Rodriguez. The trio was victorious, defeating the team of Mr. Iguana, Niño Hamburguesa, and WWE NXT’s Lola Vice.

Balor’s journey to this historic milestone has spanned over a decade and three major promotions. He competed at CMLL’s 80th Anniversary Show in 2013 and NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 8 in 2014 during his legendary run as Prince Devitt.

Original Co-Host Of The Undertaker’s Podcast Details His Removal From The Show

Andrew Ravens
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Original Co-Host Of The Undertaker’s Podcast Details His Removal From The Show

Matthew Lyda, the original co-host of The Undertaker’s “Six Feet Under” podcast, has broken his silence on his abrupt removal from the show. In a new video with former WWE star Maven, Lyda explained how “The Deadman” broke the news to him and confirmed that their friendship remains as strong as ever.

The podcast, which originally launched as an independent project between the two friends, went on a sudden hiatus in March of this year. When it returned in June, it was under the WWE & Fanatics podcast network, and Lyda had been replaced as co-host by The Undertaker’s wife, Michelle McCool. Lyda recounted the conversation where he learned of the change.

“He goes, ‘Ahh, I really want to talk to you about some stuff.’… He was like, ‘Hey, you know, the podcast is going to be taken over by WWE. We’re moving in that direction,’” Lyda said. “And I looked at him, I was like, ‘So I’m assuming that this is the end of my run on this?’ And he goes, ‘Yeah, unfortunately.’”

Despite the disappointment of being removed from the project he helped create, Lyda made it clear that there is no bad blood between him and his close friend, Mark Calaway. He recalled a promise they made to each other years ago to never let business get in the way of their friendship.

“He just looked at me and goes, ‘We good?’ I said, ‘Mark, we said something a long time ago… if money ever comes in between us, we’re going to shut the whole thing down… And we’ll forget about all of it,’” Lyda recounted. “And I was like, ‘Dude, there’s nothing business-wise that on my end would ever come between you and I. I was like, ‘This is a podcast, man.'”

Since its relaunch under the WWE banner, “The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under” podcast has featured several guests including former World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER.

AAA Stars Arrive in Philadelphia for Tonight’s WWE RAW

Michael Reichlin
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AAA Stars Arrive in Philadelphia for Tonight’s WWE RAW

Two of AAA’s biggest names have made their way to Philadelphia ahead of tonight’s WWE Monday Night RAW. Mr. Iguana and reigning AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo were confirmed in town by Fightful Español, after both competing at TripleManía XXXIII over the weekend. Their quick turnaround demonstrates the commitment both wrestlers have to this cross-promotional opportunity.

While Mr. Iguana is expected to make sporadic appearances on WWE programming, Vikingo’s involvement runs much deeper. After retaining his championship at TripleMania (thanks to a surprise appearance by AJ Styles), his next defense will be against Dominik Mysterio at Worlds Collide 2 from Las Vegas.

WWE plans to utilize its top platforms to increase AAA’s profile, with one source revealing to Fightful that “there will be semi-regular integration of AAA talent across much of WWE programming.” The company has reportedly been thrilled with Mr. Iguana’s performances to date.

This development builds on the momentum from TripleManía, where WWE stars including Dominik Mysterio and Natalya participated in cross-promotional matches. Now, that lucha libre influence is extending to Monday nights.

Tonight’s RAW also features Roman Reigns seeking revenge on The Vision, Naomi addressing her missed title opportunity, and Becky Lynch defending the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Natalya. With AAA stars now in the mix, Monday Night RAW is becoming increasingly unpredictable.

Dominik Mysterio at TripleManía XXXIII: Complete Breakdown

WWE Raw Preview: Monday, August 18, 2025

Michael Reichlin
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WWE Raw Preview: Monday, August 18, 2025

WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce has announced the following matches and segments for Monday’s show from Philadelphia, PA:

World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and The Vision to Appear

World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins will join The Vision for a segment on tomorrow’s show. Rollins recently regained the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam 2025 through his “Ruse of the Century,” cashing in his Money in the Bank contract after CM Punk defeated Gunther. The Vision consists of Rollins, Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed, who have been dominant forces on Raw since forming.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match

Becky Lynch will defend the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Natalya. Lynch won the title from Lyra Valkyria at Money in the Bank on June 7, 2025, and successfully retained it against Valkyria at SummerSlam 2025 in a brutal No DQ match. This marks another defense of her first Women’s Intercontinental Championship reign.

Bron Breakker vs. Jey Uso

Bron Breakker and Jey Uso are set to face off in singles competition. Breakker is currently a member of Seth Rollins’ Vision stable and has been involved in the group’s recent dominance over CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and LA Knight on recent Raw episodes.

Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Iyo Sky will take on Raquel Rodriguez in women’s division action. Sky was scheduled to challenge Naomi for the Women’s World Championship on the August 11 episode of Raw, but the match was postponed due to Naomi not being medically cleared to compete.

Penta vs. Xavier Woods

Penta is scheduled to face Xavier Woods in singles action. Penta made his WWE debut on the January 13, 2025 episode of Monday Night Raw, defeating Chad Gable in his first match. The former AEW star has been building momentum since his arrival and represents WWE’s continued integration of international talent.

Women’s World Champion Naomi to Speak

Women’s World Champion Naomi will address the WWE Universe during tomorrow’s broadcast. Naomi was not medically cleared to compete on the August 11 episode of Raw, leading to speculation about her status. This segment is expected to provide clarification on her condition and future title defenses.

Violent Rule Made For Paul Walter Hauser’s Next Match

Thomas Lowson
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Violent Rule Made For Paul Walter Hauser’s Next Match

Actor Paul Walter Hauser has been dominating both in the ring and on the silver screen, and is the current PROGRESS Proteus Champion. Now, fresh off of appearing in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Hauser is ready to show his violent side in an upcoming title match.

Hauser will be a part of PROGRESS Chapter 183, set for Monday, August 25, at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, London. There, Hauser will put the gold on the line against YouTube sensation Simon Miller, Charles Crowley, and Bullit. Hauser has chosen a stipulation meaning fans can bring their own weapons to be used in the match.

This match will mark Hauser’s 16th match of his professional wrestling career. He won the gold at PROGRESS Chapter 179 in a five-way that included both Miller and Crowley. Hauser ended Miller’s title reign, adding another layer of drama as the pair prepare to do battle in this upcoming four-way title match.

It remains to be seen what weapons fans will provide for the four wrestlers when they battle at PROGRESS’ 100th event in the Electric Ballroom. One thing for sure though is that Hauser will have to overcome some serious odds if he plans on leaving with the gold.

Jeff Hardy Loves Life Again After Finding Sobriety

Thomas Lowson
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Jeff Hardy Loves Life Again After Finding Sobriety

Jeff Hardy has seen his fair share of demons, issues that have often cost him in his wrestling career. Speaking to the Outside the Ring podcast, Hardy reflected on how these personal issues continue to resonate in his daily life.

“When I think about my issues in my personal life with drugs and alcohol, naturally, a lot of shame and guilt.”

Jeff addressed how these issues harmed his professional life, recalling a 2003 push in WWE that saw him work with The Rock in the ring. Despite this push, Jeff would be let go from WWE shortly after as he was unable to deal with his substance issues at the time.

Jeff has been incident free since his June 2022 arrest, one that would cost him dearly during his run in All Elite Wrestling. Looking back, Jeff believes that his struggles may have inspired others in their own lives.

“I think it’s helped in the long run because I think it was just the journey I was meant to live, man. Because when you just think about people that I have helped that I’ll I’ll never meet in my lifetime, it just because I know there’s a lot a lot of people that really care and love me for who I am and what I do and respect all that stuff.”

For Jeff Hardy today, his priority is firmly on his wife and their children. Beyond that, Jeff has been able to find new passions and hobbies that never would have happened had he not cleaned up his act.

“Three years sober. Yeah. Three. And sobriety is like my motocross track for example, man, I would have never [made that] if I hadn’t got sober again. I would have never finished that. I would never talk about finishing a waterfall and building a waterfall… if I was still drinking and drugging. So, I’m just so glad to be in love with life again.”

Today, fans can find Jeff Hardy on TNA programming, where he and his brother continue to entertain fans. For the Charismatic Enigma, it thankfully appears that his personal struggles are finally in his past.

Jeff Hardy Reveals Bucket List of Dream Opponents

Becky Lynch Wants Nattie Neidhart Ahead of Title Match

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Becky Lynch Wants Nattie Neidhart Ahead of Title Match

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch will put the gold on the line against Natalya during the August 18, WWE Raw. For Lynch, she doesn’t just plan on retaining, but hopes to beat the most vicious side of the Canadian veteran.

On Instagram, Lynch demanded that her oppenent “bring this version of Nattie,” adding that “I’m sick of Natalya.” Outside of WWE in promotions like AAA and Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, Natalya has worked as Nattie Neidhart and shown a violent side rarely seen by her in WWE. Natalya/Nattie didn’t hold back in the comments, telling Lynch “You don’t get to dictate who the F*ck I am.“

For Natalya, she has a chance to capture her first taste of singles gold in close to a decade. Her last singles title reign saw her hold the SmackDown Women’s Championship for a couple of months in 2017. Natalya won the title from Naomi at that year’s SummerSlam and her reign was ended by Charlotte Flair.

As for Lynch, she’s in her first reign as Intercontinental Champion, a title she doesn’t plan on losing anytime soon. It remains to be seen what side of Natalya fans get in the ring on Raw.

WWE Raw Preview: Monday, August 18, 2025
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