WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella is continuing her public push for a WWE return for her twin sister, Brie Bella. Speaking with Rick Ucchino for Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown, Nikki discussed her efforts to get her sister back in a WWE ring. She noted that it’s a frequent topic of conversation backstage.
“I keep pushing it. All the women want her back and they keep asking me every week has that decision changed,” Nikki said.
Brie Bella herself recently stated on her podcast that she believes her husband, Bryan Danielson, working for AEW is a “roadblock” to her potential return to WWE. Nikki addressed this, stating her belief that a spouse’s career choice should not be a factor, though she understands the business realities.
“I don’t think legacies should be determined on spouses, but I also understand business,” Nikki said.
Despite the complexities, she expressed optimism that a deal could eventually be worked out. “I do think [WWE is] becoming more and more open to it. I understand it takes time and we just have to figure things out. There’s so much business to figure out, and Brie and I both completely understand that.”
Kevin Owens has provided an update on his recovery from neck fusion surgery. Speaking to the media at a NASCAR race in Daytona, Florida, Owens revealed that the procedure was a “best case scenario” but that his future in the ring remains uncertain.
Owens, who underwent the surgery in July, explained that there was a great deal of uncertainty heading into the procedure regarding its severity. He was relieved to receive some positive news from his surgeon.
“It was very stressful going into it because we weren’t really sure how severe the fusion was going to be, how many levels, all this stuff. Thankfully, it ended up being only one level which was the best case scenario for something like this,” he explained.
The “levels” in a neck fusion refer to the number of vertebrae that need to be fused. A single-level fusion, which Owens had, is a less complex procedure with a generally better recovery outlook than a multi-level fusion.
Despite the successful surgery, Owens was candid about the long and uncertain road ahead. “There’s no guarantee that it’s going to work,” he said, explaining that the recovery is a long process of seeing how his body heals.
“Fingers crossed, I get to come back to wrestling in the next year. I really don’t know. My goal is to come back, so hopefully that happens,” he said. He added that while he has enjoyed the extended time with his family, he is “jonesing to be back out on the road and back doing what I love.”
WWE Superstar Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) details his neck surgery he had last month, his timetable and next steps in his recovery, and how he has been enjoying his time away from the ring. pic.twitter.com/hT9eUlMAPR
Jake Hager has continued to speak out about his time in All Elite Wrestling, once again taking aim at AEW President Tony Khan in a new interview. Hager took aim at Khan’s booking ability and the lack of structure backstage while speaking with Bill Apter, Dutch Mantell, and Dr. Chris Featherstone of Sportskeeda.
“He can’t make himself a sandwich, let alone write a storyline that will at last,” Hager said. “He can spend a lot of money and make a big debut and make a lot of fireworks.”
Hager claimed that “everything changed after Cody Rhodes left” in 2022, after which he says it “became a free for all.” He also alleged that at one point, Khan “would not respond to his messages for like two weeks” when Chris Jericho was trying to contact him.
The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion also spoke about what he perceived as a lack of structure and communication backstage. “They stopped doing production meetings, they stopped doing anything to make the show timely,” he stated. “We would be waiting around till like 5:00 PM to find out what we’re doing that day.”
Hager went on to claim that he believes he was only signed to AEW because of Chris Jericho. “Tony wanted nothing to do with me because I was from the fed and he’s an indie darling guy… He wants flips and hamburgers and hot dogs and not storylines,” he said.
Brooke Hogan has revealed she was able to get a moment of closure, saying a final, private goodbye to her father, Hulk Hogan, more than a month after his death. In a new interview, she also provided an update on the police investigation into his passing.
During a call to the Bubba the Love Sponge Show on Wednesday, Brooke shared that she was recently invited by the Clearwater Police to review the details of their investigation. While in town, she was also able to visit the funeral home where her father’s body is currently located.
Brooke described the experience of seeing her father one last time as a “really nice day” that brought her a sense of peace.
“I was able to see my dad, and he looked great. He looked like he was ready for a pay-per-view,” Brooke said. “He was big, strong, you know, hair looking good, bandana on, Fu Manchu going. He looked great… It was awesome to see him. And I said a prayer over him, and I got to say my final goodbyes and that was that. It was super nice.”
For weeks, Brooke has been publicly questioning the circumstances surrounding her father’s death, even offering to pay for a private autopsy. She now says that after meeting with the police and reviewing the bodycam footage from the day he died, she is satisfied with their work.
“Everything is going smooth,” Brooke said. “It was a really beautiful day.” She thanked the police for being “very transparent” and also thanked her father’s wife, Sky Daily, for being “super sweet” and cooperative. While she is disappointed that a toxicology report was not possible due to the condition of her father, she no longer believes there was any foul play involved.
She and her father had been estranged for two years prior to his passing on July 24. After not attending the official funeral, choosing instead to honor him privately at the beach. She stated that while answers are great, “none of it brings my dad back,” and that she will no longer be speaking publicly about the “mystery” surrounding his death.
Just days after his unsuccessful attempt to win the AEW World Championship at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view, MJF has taken to social media to reflect on a time when he was on top of the wrestling world: the 2023 All In event at Wembley Stadium.
In a new social media post on Wednesday, MJF marked the one-year anniversary of the historic event with a simple but telling statement. He noted that on this day in 2023, at AEW All In, he was the “main character.”
The post comes after MJF lost his AEW World Championship match against the current champion, “Hangman” Adam Page, at this past Sunday’s Forbidden Door. Page has often been referred to by fans and commentators as the “main character” of AEW.
The All In 2023 event was a career-defining night for MJF. He wrestled in both the opening match of the “Zero Hour” pre-show and the final match of the main card.
He and Adam Cole, kicked off the show by defeating Aussie Open to win the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Titles. In the main event, the two friends then faced off against each other, with MJF defeating Cole to retain his AEW World Championship in front of a record-breaking crowd.
WWE returns to France for a blockbuster international event, as Clash in Paris 2025 takes over the electric Paris La Défense Arena on Sunday, August 31.
This show features farewell moments, massive championship bouts, and the most heated rivalries from both Raw and SmackDown.
How to Watch
WWE Clash in Paris Start Time:
United States: 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT
United Kingdom: 7:00 PM BST
France: 8:00 PM CEST
India: 11:30 PM IST
Australia: 4:00 AM AEST (Monday)
Broadcast Details:
United States: Peacock (final main roster PPV event on this platform)
International: Netflix
Select cinemas in the United States
Match Card
But first – WWE had originally scheduled Stephanie Vaquer (earned her shot by winning the Evolution Battle Royal) for a title match against Naomi in Paris. However, during the August?18, 2025 episode of Raw, Naomi announced she is pregnant (!!) and relinquished the Women’s World Championship, ending her 35?day title reign.
This forced WWE to cancel the scheduled title match. Raw GM Adam?Pearce confirmed that Vaquer remains the number?one contender, but her championship opportunity has simply been postponed to a later date as WWE figures out how to crown the new champion.
John Cena vs. Logan Paul
In a generational showdown, one of the final stops on John Cena’s farewell tour lead him to a showdown with social media megastar Logan Paul. After a controversial tag team encounter and weeks of escalating physicality, Paul aims to tarnish Cena’s legacy in the Hall of Famer’s first ever Paris match. For Cena, it’s a chance to inspire the French crowd before hanging up his boots for good.
World Heavyweight Championship
Seth Rollins (c) vs. CM Punk vs. Jey Uso vs. LA Knight
Rollins’ title reign is threatened by three of Raw’s top contenders in a battle where alliances shift and chaos is inevitable. CM Punk looks to reclaim old glory, Jey Uso eyes his biggest singles spotlight yet, and LA Knight is out to silence his doubters once and for all.
Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
The Tribal Chief returns to singles action, facing the powerhouse Bronson Reed. With Paul Heyman in Reed’s corner, Reigns must overcome brute strength and cunning strategy, hoping to reassert dominance after split opinions about his recent summer performances.
Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook Match
Sheamus vs. Rusev
Two European heavy-hitters collide in Paris in a bout guaranteed to feature hard-hitting brawling and wild ringside action. With both men known for their toughness and intensity, this match could steal the show.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Nikki Bella The Man defends against the Hall of Famer in a generational clash. After a heated confrontation on Raw and weeks of bold statements, these two trailblazers write another chapter in the history of WWE’s women’s division.
What Makes Clash in Paris Special
John Cena’s Paris Debut and Farewell: After more than two decades, John Cena finally competes in front of a live French WWE audience.
Venue: Paris La Défense Arena brings a festival atmosphere and is expected to be sold out, continuing WWE’s record streak of international sellouts.
History: The show will be the last WWE main roster PPV on Peacock in the U.S. before the move to ESPN streaming, marking the end of an era.
With an enthusiastic international crowd, major championship stakes, and career milestones, WWE Clash in Paris promises unforgettable moments as the road to Wrestlepalooza and the new streaming era begins. Tune in live from the City of Light for a premium wrestling experience unlike any other.
AEW star Swerve Strickland successfully underwent meniscus surgery on Wednesday, finally addressing a knee injury that had plagued him since 2019. The former AEW World Champion confirmed the procedure’s success with a simple social media post: “Success.”
Strickland’s legitimate knee issue was cleverly woven into recent AEW storylines, culminating in an injury angle at Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view in London. After losing his AEW Unified Championship challenge to Kazuchika Okada, Strickland became the target of a post-match attack focusing on his injured knee.
The angle also served as the catalyst for Wardlow’s surprising return to AEW programming, with the powerhouse being revealed as Okada’s newest ally in the Don Callis Family. This development adds another layer to the ongoing faction storyline while providing storyline justification for Strickland’s upcoming absence.
AEW has not announced a timeline for Strickland’s return to action. The company is already dealing with another significant absence, as Will Ospreay is also sidelined following Forbidden Door with his own upcoming surgery.
Strickland held the AEW World Championship for four months in 2023, establishing himself as one of the promotion’s top stars. His recovery will be closely monitored by fans eager to see the dynamic performer return to the ring at full strength.
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite launches a two-week residency at the legendary 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, the historic former ECW Arena and a landmark in wrestling history. This marks the start of seven AEW and ROH events that will unfold at this venue through September 11, blending AEW’s modern storytelling with the city’s storied wrestling legacy and setting the stage for major fallout after Forbidden Door.
Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite 8pm ET/7pm CT TONIGHT! Wed, 8/27@JonMoxley vs Daniel Garcia
After Mox injured Will Ospreay Sunday following the Lights Out Steel Cage Match, former TNT Champion Daniel Garcia will step up to fight former 4-time AEW World Champion Jon Moxley TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/iQQW2UpNhD
Falls Count Anywhere Match: Darby Allin vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Jon Moxley vs. Daniel Garcia
Women’s Tag Team Match: Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford vs. Haley Cameron & Kris Statlander
Additional segments and appearances expected, building on the results and surprises from Forbidden Door
AEW’s Philadelphia residency begins with high-stakes action and fresh rivalries, spotlighting both established stars and the next wave of contenders. Eyes are on how AEW will make the most of the iconic 2300 Arena as the run continues in coming weeks.
Looking Ahead:
The next AEW pay-per-view is AEW All Out, taking place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
WWE is counter-programming All Out 2025 by running a main roster Premium Live Event called Wrestlepalooza on the same night. It will be the first WWE PLE on the new ESPN app. It also first time a WWE main roster PLE will directly compete, head-to-head, with an AEW pay-per-view, escalating their rivalry beyond previous NXT events and aiming to split the wrestling audience between Indianapolis (WWE) and Toronto (AEW).
Shotzi Blackheart has shared the sad news that four of her pet chickens have been killed after an animal got into their coop. On X, Shotzi shared the sad news that her beloved Dolly, Ozzy 1, Ozzy 2, and Ozzy 3, had all been killed in the night. Shotzi shared that “Farm life is hard sometimes”
RIP to my chickens Dolly, Ozzy 1, Ozzy 2, and Ozzy 3. Something got in the coop and took 4 of my 7 chickens. Farm life is hard sometimes.
This isn’t the first time Shotzi has lost one of her chickens. In the comments, Shotzi shared that Pekpek, a favorite among fans familiar with her farm, died four years ago. Now, Shotzi has just three chickens left, one of them being named Ozzy.
For Shotzi, this is a difficult time as the animals she had been raising were killed in what should’ve been a place of safety. Shotzi was cut from WWE earlier this year and has been making waves on the independents ever since.
Naomi won’t be competing anytime soon due to her pregnancy, but Saraya is excited to see what’s next for her once she’s back. On X, Saraya was asked for her thoughts on the former Women’s World Champion and gushed about her friend/former colleague.
Man, trin deserves every bit of success she’s had. She is again someone that constantly evolving. From wrestling, to her look, just everything! Beautiful person inside and out
I’ll also gonna save everyone’s time and just know every female wrestler you ask my opinion on I’m… https://t.co/54IV6uwjHd
Saraya then reflected on the wider world of women’s wrestling, a world she is grateful to be a part of. The former WWE and AEW Champion is pleased to see “beautiful things” accomplished in women’s wrestling, and is proud to be a part of the industry.
“Every female wrestler you ask my opinion on I’m gonna say they’re all incredible. Because they are. Women’s wrestling is doing beautiful things and I couldn’t be happier and prouder to have been apart of it.”
As for Saraya, it remains to be seen what the future holds for her, as many fans hope to see a WWE return for the former Paige. With the Brit saying she’s open to a return, don’t be surprised if Saraya soon finds herself in the WWE Women’s World Title picture.
Chelsea Green may have committed much of her life to professional wrestling, but that doesn’t mean she has an encylopedic knowledge on the business. In a recent video shared by her husband Matt Cardona, Green wears a WrestleMania 2000 shirt, prompting a pop-quiz from the self-professed Indy-God.
Green instantly shares that she got this shirt for free, though that didn’t stop Cardona’s questioning. The former NWA World Champion first asks Chelsea to name a single match from WrestleMania 2000, a task Green “literally couldn’t” complete. Not only that, Green admits that “I couldn’t even tell you who wrestles in 2000.”
With the card remaining unshared, Cardona tries a different approach. As WrestleMania 2000 was not the 2000th WrestleMania, but rather the year of the show, Cardona asks Green which number WrestleMania it was. Green throws out several guesses, including being a year off with WrestleMania 17 (2001) before giving up, adding that “I don’t even know what WrestleMania it is now.”
For context, WrestleMania 2000 was the 16th iteration of the show of shows and saw Triple H defeat The Rock, the Big Show, and Mick Foley in the show’s main event. Whether Green goes back to watch the show remains to be seen.
The attack on Syko Stu at the recent KnokX Pro Wrestling event has shocked wrestling fans and raised questions as to how this incident was allowed to unfold. With Stu hospitalized as a result of Raja Jackson’s attack, the wrestling world has stepped up to help the injured star out.
A GoFundMe has been created to help Stu and his family. The fund will cover medical expenses, recovery support, and loss of income, according to Stu’s wife. The wrestling world and beyond hasn’t been afraid to give big, as seen with the figures below:
So far, the fund has raised over $125,000 and that number is continuing to climb. As emotions continue to run high over this incident, with outrage aimed at Raja Jackson, it is great to see the wrestling world unite to help out one of their own.
You can find out more information from the GoFundMe by clicking here.
Becky Lynch might have gone too far during the August 25 episode of WWE RAW when she tried to rile up the people of Birmingham, England. Appearing in the hometown of Ozzy Osbourne mere weeks after the music icon’s death, Lynch didn’t hold back in her insults on the city.
“The only good thing that came outta here died a month ago. But in fairness to Ozzy Osbourne, he had the good sense to move to LA, a proper city. Because if I lived in Birmingham I’d die too.”
This line has split opinion, with some seeing at fair game for a heel trying to get ‘heat’ while others have seen it as too far. Ozzy’s daughter Kelly has slammed Lynch as “disrespectful” and said that WWE should feel ashamed for such things to be said.
According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, the line was not cleared with the Osbourne family, and WWE is genuinely embarrassed by how the segment played out. There have been discussions about both a public apology for the line, as well as a private apology to the Osbourne family.
Whether an apology is ever made on TV, time will tell. But this incident shows that there are certain matters that are seemingly too far, even for the heel Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
Prestige Wrestling announced that Shayna Baszler will take on Masha Slamovich at Prestige Roseland XII on October 5. This will mark Baszler’s first match for Prestige, as well as her first match post-WWE. Her most recent match took place in April at GCW’s Bloodsport while Baszler was under a WWE contract.
? BREAKING NEWS ?
Shayna Baszler debuts against Masha Slamovich at #PrestigeRoseland XII!
+ Judas Icarus, Danhausen, Trish Adora, Good Brothers, Kevin Blackwood & more
October 5th, 2025 Portland, Oregon Roseland Theater All Ages (bar with ID)
While Baszler has been out of the ring, she’s been busy amid this absence. It was confirmed over the summer that Baszler had served in a producer role at a WWE NXT event despite her release from the promotion. At the time, Baszler did not share if this was a one-off or a sign of a new role within the company.
Known for her MMA-inspired style, Baszler plans to bring the hurt to Prestige Wrestling on October 5. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from the former WWE NXT Women’s Champion.
UFC alum Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has claimed that he has been on the receiving end of death threats following his son Raja’s attack on Syko Stu. The attack at the recent KnokX Pro Wrestling event has shocked wrestling fans as well as those within the business. Raja Jackson delivered a series of punches to a seemingly unconscious Stu, resulting in him being hospitalized in critical care.
Speaking to Joy Of Everything, the elder Jackson claimed that he’s been receiving death threats from “a lot of racist people,” adding that some are calling him a “bad father.” Jackson, who appeared for TNA Wrestling in 2013, added that such vitriol is “uncalled for.” Despite having spoken up against his son’s actions like many, Rampage added that “anything I says gets twisted.”
Raja Jackson has dodged accountability for the attack, instead blaming a cameraman who filmed the KnokX Pro Wrestling event. Though many have been outraged at his actions, some have taken a more neutral stance. WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has said that Syko Stu bears some responsibility for the assault, while Rob Van Dam has suggested that Jackson was manipulated into the attack.
The main event for the upcoming NXT No Mercy premium live event is now official. On this week’s episode of WWE NXT, Ricky Saints defeated Josh Briggs to become the new number one contender and will now challenge Oba Femi for the NXT Championship.
After the bout, Saints was confronted in the ring by the reigning NXT Champion, Oba Femi. Femi promised to make “Absolute” Ricky appear to be “absolutely mediocre” when they face off for the title.
The tense staredown between the champion and challenger was interrupted by the arrival of DarkState. The group, consisting of Osiris Griffin, Saquon Shugars, Cutler James, and Dion Lennox, surrounded the ring to confront both Femi and Saints.
Former NXT Tag Team Champions, Hank Walker and Tank Ledger, ran to the ring to even the odds, and the four babyfaces were able to fight off the members of DarkState. The segment ended with the four men standing tall.
The NXT Championship match is the latest addition to the card for NXT No Mercy, which takes place on Saturday, September 27, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It was also confirmed on the show that Jacy Jayne will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Lola Vice at the event while Sol Ruca is scheduled to defend the WWE Women’s Speed Championship against the winner of an upcoming inter-promotional tournament.
WWE has reportedly released three talents from its recently launched WWE ID (Independent Development) program. The news was first broken by one of the released wrestlers, Aaron Roberts, and later confirmed with additional names in a report from PWInsider.
On Tuesday morning, Aaron Roberts took to his social media to announce that he had been “fired from my dream job.” In a video, he stated that he is now accepting independent bookings.
“I’m still the baddest motherf*cker walking both sides of the Mississippi,” Roberts declared in his announcement. He was first revealed as a member of the WWE ID program in November 2024 at a Memphis Wrestling event.
Following Roberts’s announcement, a report from PWInsider confirmed that two other wrestlers, Ice Williams and Jordan Oasis, have also been released from the program. Williams is an independent wrestler from the West Coast, while Oasis, known as the “Global Nomad,” is from the Pacific Northwest and trained at the KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy.
The report notes that both Williams and Oasis will still make final appearances on upcoming, pre-taped episodes of the WWE EVOLVE show, which features talent from the ID program.
The WWE ID program was launched in late 2024 as a way for WWE to support select independent wrestlers and training schools, creating a new potential pathway to the main NXT brand.
The crossover between WWE and TNA Wrestling continued on Tuesday during WWE’s live event in Manchester, England. Top TNA star Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance, answered an open challenge, and defeated the former two-time WWE Champion, The Miz.
The match took place at the AO Arena as part of WWE’s “Road to Clash in Paris” tour. During the show, The Miz issued an open challenge to anyone in the back, which was answered by the surprising arrival of “The Prestigious One,” Joe Hendry.
Hendry, representing TNA, went on to defeat The Miz in the one-on-one contest. This was Hendry’s third official match on the WWE main roster. His previous appearances include an entry in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match and a match against Randy Orton on Night Two of WrestleMania 41.
In addition to his main roster appearances, Hendry has become a semi-regular on the NXT brand as part of the ongoing partnership between WWE and TNA. He has competed in several matches on NXT television and at their premium live events.
A new video has been shared showing WWE Hall of Famer Lex Luger walking without any support, a moment that showcases his incredible progress in his long recovery from a debilitating spinal injury.
The video, which was shared by the official DDP Yoga social media accounts, shows Luger walking around a kitchen island while being spotted by trainer Autumn Swansen. As he makes his way around the counter, Swansen exclaims, “Lex, you’re literally walking unsupported right now.”
Luger has been primarily confined to a wheelchair since suffering a spinal injury in 2007. In the years since, he has been working closely with his friend and fellow Hall of Famer, Diamond Dallas Page, using the DDP Yoga program to improve his mobility.
Just last week, another video was posted showing Luger using a LifeGlider upright walker to get up from his wheelchair. In that same video, he was also able to get out of his car and retrieve his own wheelchair without any assistance.
Luger’s incredible progress is the latest chapter in an inspiring year for “The Total Package.” Earlier this year, he was officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
A disagreement went public between AEW’s FTR and the recently retired Jake Hager. Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler have both publicly refuted claims made by Hager in a recent interview concerning a “talent only” meeting and an alleged outburst from AEW President Tony Khan.
In a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Jake Hager recounted a story about a “wrestlers-only” meeting that took place in 2022 after the incident involving CM Punk. Hager claimed the meeting was interrupted by an angry Tony Khan, who allegedly yelled at the talent. Hager stated he believed the reason for the outburst was that FTR had refused to come to television that day because they didn’t like the creative plans.
Both members of FTR have since taken to social media to refute Hager’s version of events. Dax Harwood posted a statement directly addressing the claims. “Cash and I were at the all-talent only meeting that was called by Bryan, Jericho, and Mox. Tony never interrupted,” Harwood wrote. “Cash and I have NEVER refused to show up to work… Im not really sure where all this is coming from, but it’s mostly not true.”
Cash Wheeler also refuted Hager’s story and went a step further, sharing a screenshot of a direct message exchange he had with Hager about the comments. The back-and-forth between the two stars adds another layer to the story.
Cash and I were at the all-talent only meeting that was called by Bryan, Jericho, and Mox.
Tony never interrupted.
Cash and I have NEVER refused to show up to work and, I’d to dare say, if you look at our schedules since Collision started, we’re the most consistent talent that… https://t.co/Hf9mPtyZfe
WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, who now serves as the Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Creative for the NXT brand, has high praise for the show he oversees. In a new interview, Michaels called NXT the “best two-hour show on television.”
Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Undisputed ahead of the recent NXT Heatwave event, the “Heartbreak Kid” expressed his pride in the current NXT product.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t think we have the best two-hour show on television,” said Michaels. “The most exciting.” He noted, “All our success comes down to the athletes that walk through the doors of the Performance Center every day in Orlando,” he said. “It’s a testament to all the work that our coaches and our creative team and the entire production team in NXT.”
He also touted the success of the brand’s recent partnerships. “The partnership with The CW is huge. They’ve been fantastic,” Michaels stated. “We’ve had collaborations like NOAH, TNA, and AAA.”
Raja Jackson’s actions at KnokX Pro Wrestling’s latest event have shocked wrestling fans, and now the MMA fighter has broken his silence over the incident. At the event, Jackson delivered a series of punches to the head of a seemingly unconcious Syko Stu, resulting in the latter being hospitalized in critical condition.
Countless fans and wrestling insiders have expressed their outrage at the attack while questioning how such a moment was able to unfold. In his first public comments since the incident, Jackson avoided accountability, instead pointing the finger of blame at a camera operator.
“It wasn’t my f***ing fault! The god-damn cameraman’s fault! I know he’s watching this s***… How could you? How f***ing could you. It’s what I expected though. It’s all good, we’re gonna figure this s*** out.”
While the vast majority of people have been outraged by Jackson’s actions, including his UFC alum father, some have come to his side. Mark Henry has said that Syko Stu bears some responsibility for the assault, while Rob Van Dam has suggested that Jackson was manipulated into the heinous actions.
Jackson has been banned from future events for KnokX Pro, who have lost their affiliation with the WWE ID program as a result of the attack. Whatever comes next, it appears that Jackson’s future in wrestling, if he has one, will forever be tained by this attack.
Warning: Clip below features profanity and a racial slur.
Raja Jackson and his father, Rampage Jackson, addressed the Knokx Pro situation in a livestream, where Raja, rather than apologizing , blamed the cameraman for continuing to film the incident instead of ending the broadcast.
Former All Elite Wrestling star Jake Hager offered an unfiltered look at why he walked away from professional wrestling. During his appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, he said:
“Absolutely. I’m very jaded from my exit at AEW… I wish I would have just stayed in MMA.”
Hager confirmed he’s done, and doesn’t even watch pro wrestling anymore.
“Retired, baby. Hall of Fame. I think for me, like, I had accomplished everything that I really cared about and wanted to move on.”
AEW Backstage Drama and CM Punk Fallout
Hager offered a unique perspective on AEW’s backstage environment during the young promotion’s most tumultuous chapter.
“After all the Punk [stuff] that went down, the boys got together and we had a meeting… No office, right? …Who comes into the room, storming in, daddy’s little billionaire and he’s like yelling at us… We became his little play things. We had to wait outside his office. His storylines were very good at debuting, but he could never carry anything through. …He couldn’t take criticism.”
In hindsight, he wishes he would have been more outspoken when he disagreed with Khan’s booking approach.
“I still to this day wish I would have stood up and said a lot of things, but you just told Sting you’re putting him in a six-man in 6 minutes, then honor him for his retirement…”
Hager Declares Chris Jericho as The G.O.A.T.
Hager’s AEW run was closely linked to Chris Jericho, and was one of the highlights of his time as an ‘All Elite’ athlete. He loved sitting under The Learning Tree, and marvels at Jericho’s ability to succeed in this unique field.
“Chris Jericho is the reason why that purple hat was so over. …He’s number one on my Mount Rushmore.”
These insights shed a revealing light on AEW’s inner workings from a veteran’s perspective.
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has weighed in on the controversial incident involving Raja Jackson and Syko Stu at a KnokX Pro Wrestling event this past weekend.
Speaking with TMZ, Henry commented on the situation, which saw Raja Jackson, son of MMA legend Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, legitimately knock out and injured Syko Stu. Henry stated that he believes the injured wrestler, Syko Stu, shoulders some of the blame for what happened.
“You’ve got to be careful, one, who you’re messing with, and, two, what kind of example are you as a veteran for inciting a riot with a kid,” Henry said.
“The World’s Strongest Man” noted that while he also chastised Raja for needing to have more “respect for the business” and to control his anger, he feels the primary fault lies with Stu for instigating the situation. The incident was preceded by an altercation where Stu hit Raja with a drink can.
“If indeed what I saw was what I saw, which is people before the show, during the day time, drinking and intoxicated or partially intoxicated, and you bust a bottle over a guy’s head and talk trash like that guy was not going to do nothing, yeah, you’re at fault,” Henry stated.
The in-ring attack, which was part of a planned spot that went wrong, left Syko Stu hospitalized with what his family called “severe injures to his head.” The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the incident.
An update from Stu’s family on Monday stated that he is “conscious and able to talk,” and a GoFundMe for his medical expenses has raised over $60,000. YouTuber Mr. Beast has also offered to help Stu and his family.
A positive injury update is out for one of AEW’s top stars. Former AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy has been medically cleared to return to the ring, and his return could be happening “sooner than later.”
BodySlam.net first reported on Tuesday morning that Cassidy has been cleared to return, a report which Fightful Select has since noted aligns with what their sources have said. The AEW star has been out of action for the past five months after suffering what was suspected to be a torn labrum in March.
The injury required Cassidy to undergo shoulder surgery, which has kept him on the sidelines throughout the spring and summer. His absence reportedly affected a number of creative plans for the company during that time.
A report from Fightful Select adds that Cassidy will be back “sooner than later” and is not expected to be out for the remainder of the year unless he suffers a setback. It was also noted that he has been frequently backstage at recent AEW events during his recovery.
