Fresh off Tuesday’s headline-making TNA invasion on WWE NXT, the road to Bound For Glory heats up tonight as TNA Impact hits Minneapolis with a packed show set for 8/7c on AXS TV, Sportsnet 360, TNA+, and YouTube.
As the final stop before tomorrow night’s Victory Road pay-per-view, tonight’s TNA Impact delivers the crucial go-home episode from Minneapolis, keeping the intensity high and rivalries simmering for both Victory Road and the ongoing build to Bound For Glory, TNA’s biggest event of the year on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
Confirmed Matches and Appearances
Here’s a preview of what to expect tonight from the Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis, MN (pre-taped):
The Hardys & Team 3D ‘The Final Negotiation’
Steve Maclin & Mr. Anderson vs. Frankie Kazarian & Jake Something
Bound For Glory Call Your Shot Gauntlet Battle Royal Qualifier
Cedric Alexander & Leon Slater vs. The Rascalz
Jody Threat vs. Victoria Crawford
Road To Glory: Mike Santana
Tonight’s episode premieres at 8/7c on AXS TV, Sportsnet 360, TNA+ and YouTube.
TNA World Tag Team Champion Jeff Hardy has revealed that he has a new and surprising goal he wants to accomplish before his legendary career comes to an end: winning the WWE NXT Tag Team Championships. The Hardy Boyz are one of the most decorated tag teams in the history of professional wrestling, having won championships in nearly every major promotion they have competed in.
The NXT Tag Team Championship is one of the few major accolades that has eluded the brothers, and with the current crossover partnership between TNA and WWE, Hardy’s goal is a realistic and exciting possibility.
During a recent appearance on the “I Love Wrestling Podcast,” the multi-time world champion discussed how he had been thinking about appearing in NXT long before it actually happened as part of the TNA partnership. He then stated that capturing the brand’s tag team championships is now on his list of final career accomplishments.
“Over a year ago, if not two years ago, I kinda was meditating and manifesting the thought of us showing up in NXT, and sure enough, that eventually happened. Definitely for me, to be the NXT Champions is on my list of things to accomplish.”
The Hardy Boyz, who are the current TNA World Tag Team Champions, have made several appearances on NXT programming in recent months as part of the cross-promotional storyline.
MJF will be taking a break from AEW, but has vowed to return more dangerous and more driven than ever before. During a promo recorded after All Out that aired on Dynamite, MJF shared that he didn’t feel like himself anymore. MJF highlighted his recent losses to ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and Mark Briscoe, before saying he would be going away.
MJF declared that he won’t be back until he could look in the mirror and not see the face of a fraud. Speaking about his eventual return, MJF promised to be more dangerous when he’s back and take his place back at the top of AEW.
MJF isn’t the only notable name who’ll be vanishing from AEW programming. During Dynamite, Adam Copeland shared that he “has to go” and is unsure when, if ever, he will be back in AEW. All Out saw Copeland’s wife Beth make her AEW debut. Though Copeland and Christian Cage beat FTR in Toronto, their celebration was cut short when The Matriarchy attacked them and Beth after the match.
With MJF and Copeland both set to vanish from AEW TV, it remains to be seen who will step up and fill the spot left by the duo of former World Champions. For now, fans shouldn’t expect MJF on TV, though a more violent side is in store when the ‘Salt of the Earth’ makes his return.
At #AEWAllOut, @The_MJF endured a brutal Tables N’Tacks battle with Mark Briscoe. Now he reflects on his time in AEW and what the future demands!
Former WWE Superstar Killer Kross is proving himself outside of the ring with a new film that has already received multiple award nominations. On X, Kross shared that his film ‘Blue Evening’ will be screening at the Burbank International Film Festival. Kross shared that he’ll be in attendance for the screening alongside Writer/Director Jett Jansen Fernandez and Producer Cory DeMeyers.
Kross also confirmed that Blue Evening will be shown at the Billy the Kid Film Fest in Texas and the Red Brick Road Film Fest in Oklahoma. The film has earned nominations for Best Worldwide Short Film, Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actor.
HERE WE GO!
Our film BLUE EVENING is screening at the Burbank International Film Festival tomorrow! Thursday Sep. 25th. 5pm Tickets are still available, Please go to https://t.co/r7wF7Ptql0 for direct ticketing link.
The story follows a homeless addict who, in a last-ditch attempt to turn his life around, discovers a lost masterpiece in a thrift store. This chance encounter sets him on a desperate journey of redemption, survival, and self-discovery.
The film features an impressive cast, including Kross. Alongside the former WWE NXT Champion, there is Gustavo Ramirez (The Oval, Grey’s Anatomy), Sari Sanchez (Signature Move, NCIS, Power, Empire), Sammy Horowitz & Adam Pasen (Power Book IV : Force).
For Kross, the film marks a chance to showcase a different side of his artistry beyond professional wrestling. Between an award-nominated short film and an upcoming memoir, Kross is establishing himself as a multifaceted performer inside and outside the ring.
WWE Evolve will soon host its first ‘Succession’ special, in the latest development for WWE’s newest brand. In a video shared on social media, Evolve General Manager Stevie Turner officially revealed WWE Evolve: Succession—a special edition of Evolve airing Wednesday, October 15, 2025, exclusively on Tubi TV.
The timing of this announcement came as AEW revealed its own major news: the introduction of Women’s Tag Team Championships. Given that the two promotions recently clashed when WWE’s WrestlePalooza aired on the same day as AEW’s All Out: Toronto it’s clear that neither side is ready to give up on this head-to-head battle.
WWE Evolve premiered in March of this year, and also includes Peter Roseburg and Robert Stone as the brand’s commentary team. With both Evolution titles in play, Succession could mark a turning point for the brand, setting the stage for new rivalries and future champions.
Masha Slamovich has been accused of being abusive during her past relationship with independent wrestler Akira, in a concerning development for the TNA star. After being removed from multiple events, Slamovich has shared her one and only statement on the matter.
Without going into specifics, she described her past relationship with AKIRA as “toxic and mutually destructive,” admitting to personal failures and expressing regret. Slamovich added that she has since sought help and is working towards a healthier way of handling conflict.
This controversy came about after a friend of AKIRA’s shared a collection of alleged screenshots, images, and messages between Akira and Slamovich. The material reportedly includes photos suggesting physical abuse and a pattern of troubling behavior.
TNA is investigating the claims against Slamovich, who last competed for the promotion during the September 5, taping of TNA iMPACT. For now, Masha’s future with the promotion and the wider wrestling world remains uncertain.
TNA Wrestling star Masha Slamovich is facing accusations of domestic violence of her former partner, AKIRA, in a situation the promotion is now investigating. The controversy has already impacted Slamovich’s career, with her upcoming plans in TNA seemingly nixed.
At TNA Victory Road on September 26, Slamovich was scheduled to challenge Knockouts Champion Ash By Elegance. However, fans visiting TNA’s official article promoting the match are now met with an “Error 404: Not Found” message. The removal of the coverage has led many to believe that the title match is officially off.
Slamovich’s challenges extend beyond TNA. She was also dropped from Prestige Wrestling’s Roseland XII card, where she was originally set to face Shayna Baszler. Instead, fellow TNA Knockout Dani Luna will step in for the match at the October show.
*ROSELAND XII UPDATE*
Masha Slamovich will no longer be competing at #PrestigeRoseland XII.
We will have further updates for you later tonight.
Thank you & we will see you on 10/5 in Portland, Oregon!
The controversy draws comparisons to 2020, when former Knockouts star Tessa Blanchard faced allegations of bullying and racist behavior. Despite the backlash, TNA crowned Blanchard its first female World Champion, a decision that earned both TNA and Blanchard heavy criticism.
Slamovich, a former Knockouts Champion herself, now faces an uncertain future in TNA. With her match seemingly scrapped and her absence from TNA’s ongoing invasion of WWE NXT, signs suggest she may be sidelined from the promotion for the foreseeable future.
After years of fan speculation and demand, All Elite Wrestling is officially expanding its women’s division with the introduction of the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships.
The historic announcement was made by AEW President Tony Khan during the September 24 episode of AEW Dynamite. The creation of these new championships is a significant move for the company, providing a new goal for its deep roster of female talent.
The announcement came in an on-screen video segment from Tony Khan. He declared that after years of building the division, it was finally time to introduce the new championships. He also confirmed that a tournament will be held to crown the first-ever AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions, with further details on the teams and the tournament structure to be announced soon.
Immediately following Khan’s video, the broadcast cut to Renee Paquette live in the arena, who was standing beside a podium. Paquette then unveiled the brand-new championship belts for the first time to the live Philadelphia crowd. The introduction of the championships has been a frequent topic of conversation in recent months, with many AEW stars, including Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale, publicly stating their desire to compete for tag team gold.
It's a historic moment in #AEW as President + CEO @TonyKhan unveils the brand new AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships!
“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy has made his return to All Elite Wrestling. After being sidelined for over five months with a shoulder injury, Cassidy appeared on the September 24 episode of AEW Dynamite, revealing himself as the mystery partner for Mark Briscoe and Hologram in a six-man tag team match.
The return was met with a strong ovation from the live crowd, who had been awaiting the comeback of one of the company’s most popular and reliable homegrown stars. His return provides a significant boost to the AEW roster at a time when several other top stars have recently been taken out of action with injuries.
The return took place during a trios match pitting Mark Briscoe and Hologram against three members of The Don Callis Family: the AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada, G1 Climax winner Konosuke Takeshita, and Hechicero. When the time came for the third man on Briscoe’s team to be revealed, the familiar sound of “Jane” by Jefferson Starship hit the arena.
Cassidy has been out of action since March, when he suffered a torn labrum that required surgery. His long road to recovery has been a topic of discussion, with recent reports from both Bodyslam.net and Fightful Select indicating that he had been medically cleared and was expected to return “sooner rather than later.” Tonight’s appearance confirms those reports and officially marks his return to the active roster.
Adam Copeland’s future in All Elite Wrestling is now uncertain, atleast in storyline. On the September 24 episode of AEW Dynamite, Copeland addressed the vicious attack on his wife, Beth Copeland, that took place at the All Out pay-per-view. In an emotional in-ring promo, the WWE Hall of Famer stated that the events of the past weekend have forced him to re-evaluate his priorities, and he announced that he “has to go” and is unsure if or when he will return to the company.
The segment saw Copeland speak about how the dangers of his professional life have now directly impacted his family. He was then interrupted by Christian Cage, who coldly told him that he no longer has a family. Copeland responded by stating that he does, and the two shared a handshake before Copeland left the ring, seemingly signaling a temporary departure from AEW TV.
The entire situation stems from the brutal post-match angle at the All Out pay-per-view on Saturday, September 20. After Adam Copeland and Christian Cage were victorious in their match against FTR, their celebration was cut short by a violent attack from The Matriarchy. The faction, led by Nick Wayne’s mother, Shayna, ambushed Beth Copeland at ringside.
The angle ended in Shayna, Kip Sabian, and Killswitch holding Beth down, allowing Nick Wayne’s father to deliver a devastating piledriver to her, leaving her motionless in the ring.
WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash is recovering after a recent medical procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat. The wrestling legend took to social media to give his fans an update, and he did so with his signature brand of humor.
The post, while lighthearted, came after Nash had revealed some serious and surprising details about his heart health, including the discovery that he may have unknowingly suffered a heart attack two decades ago.
His health has been a topic of concern for fans, given his family’s history with heart disease, making this positive update a welcome piece of news. Nash shared the news of his successful procedure on his social media account.
“Procedure went fantastic. Penis reduction was a success. Actually the strain of no longer pushing blood in the entire hog brought my heart rhythm back to normal. Thanks to everyone concerned about my well being.”
Jokes aside, the procedure was a serious one designed to “zap” his heart and put it back into a normal rhythm. In the lead-up to the procedure, Nash had revealed on his podcast that his cardiologist discovered scar tissue on his heart. The doctor suggested this was likely the result of a heart attack that could have occurred twenty years ago when Nash had a stent inserted.
Nash’s father passed away from a heart attack at the age of 36. An autopsy later revealed that his father had suffered five heart attacks in total, with the fifth one being fatal.
Procedure went fantastic. Penis reduction was a success. Actually the strain of no longer pushing blood in the entire hog brought my heart rhythm back to normal. Thanks to everyone concerned about my well being.
Mads Krule Krügger shocked the pro wrestling world when he became the MLW World Heavyweight Champion. The terrifying masked man of Contra Unit cashed in on his Gravity Gamble contract on September 13 at Fightland. He dethroned Matt Riddle, who had already been defending against Donovan Dijak.
“It’s still surreal a little bit,” Krügger said. “I’m always of the mind set of what’s next. I don’t really take a lot of time to revel in any big accomplishment. Obviously, this is a very big accomplishment, and I’m really proud of it. But it’s about what’s next. What do we do? How do we build this to make it successful?”
Since the title change, the 40-year-old journeyman has felt appreciation and respect from the fans. Many of whom were pleasantly surprised at the recent sequence of events.
“There is a responsibility, but I’ve always felt that responsibility from the day they brought me on the first time,” Krügger said. “In any company I work for, my job is to make it better. If I’m not making it better, then what’s the point of me being there. I’ve always had that mindset and it is true for any job you have in life. Now, yes, there is the pressure. I don’t feel that way because we now have to work harder, keep getting better and make sure we are telling stories the crowd and fans are going to engage with and want to see.”
The 20-year-vet has honed his skills and worked his way up the card for opportunities like the one MLW provided. Over the last five years, Krügger enjoyed evolving what is seen on television. He grew into “The Black Hand of Contra.”
“Contra was basically a pro wrestling terrorist organization bent on taking over MLW,” Krügger said. “I’ve often said that Jacob Fatu when he was here and the leader of that group, it was going to be very hard to go from that to something new just because of how great he is and work he did. I knew I had to take it in a darker direction. Less on the terrorist and more into the horror. That’s my character in itself. I base my character off of horror movies. I think it’s something that is lost on pro wrestling, real monsters. I wanted to be Jason Voorhees. We’re still in the process of it. I think changing it is slow for a reason. I think fans will see that as we continue forward from here. It’s going to grow and evolve into something completely different than before, which is necessary.”
Krügger looks to show more sides of his persona in the weeks to come, leaning into more cinematic elements. His posts on social media have been a little taste of what he looks to produce. The Georgian lives on a 100-year-old farm, which provides the perfect backdrop for segments that could be right out of a Blumhouse movie. Along with the darker presentation, Krügger has also been in his fair share of hardcore style matches that border on what would be considered death matches. These battlegrounds provided him the space to “create a monster within modern wrestling.”
“It’s not for the faint of the heart. It takes a lot of your body,” he explained. “My feelings on death match wrestling is it does have a place. Anything you do in the world of professional wrestling has a place as long as people are going to pay to see it and get invested in it. There is a place for it. Is it everyone’s cup of tea? Of course not. Do I think it’s overdone sometimes? Absolutely, especially being a professional wrestler in that mindset.
“I go in, even in a deathmatch, with the mindset of a professional wrestler. How do we tell a story? If we’re not telling a story, it’s just as pointless as any match in my opinion. I’m a fan of it obviously because I’ve done it, but in saying that, I think there are stories told in it. I think I’ve done that successfully by creating this monster that was undeniable because I walked through glass and everything they threw at me and came out of it on the other side.”
His first big test as MLW Champion comes October 4 when he defends against CW Anderson, Mr. Thomas, Matthew Justice, and two other challengers in a brutal Chamber of Horrors match. The Long Beach event will air on YouTube and beIN Sports.
“This is definitely my yard,” Krügger said. “This is what I’m made for and what the character is made for. Matthew Justice, he is also made for this environment. We’ve had our feud in the past, and it’s just going to continue to light back up and become a thing again. Mr. Thomas, I think is one of the most underrated talents in MLW. He doesn’t really work in other places outside of that. MLW is his home and where he works. I respect that. He is building himself now the last few months and really stood out and became a prominent member of the roster. CW is an old school guy. I have so much respect for him. I don’t know who the other two guys are, but I hope they’re coming ready to fight because it’s going to be one of those. It’s going to be violent and intense.”
Former WWE NXT star Jazmyn Nyx (Jade Gentile) has broken her silence following her recent exit from the company, sharing a heartfelt statement with fans and colleagues. In a video message posted on her Tik Tok, Nyx expressed gratitude for her time in WWE and cited personal reasons behind her decision to move on.
She reflected on her journey with the company, acknowledged the support from the WWE Universe, and expressed excitement for the new opportunities ahead in her career.
Why Jazmyn Nyx Left WWE
“As you know, there’s been things circulating and I kind of want to just set the record straight that I am not resigning with WWE. This was a personal decision I had to make for myself and for my future. Personally, the contract that they were offering me for the next three years just wasn’t going to cut it for me financially. And that’s okay.
I kind of just wanted to give a backstory of everything. I was playing professional soccer in Iceland and then I got recruited obviously to WWE, which I left everything out there to come here for this opportunity, which I’m very, very grateful for. I was kind of held back a little in the beginning. I had four knee surgeries, so I had to recover and rebuild my knees in order to step in the ring. And as some of you know, I broke my nose—that’s why I was wearing the mask. I had other injuries, concussions that kind of kept me out of TV for a little bit.
I will say that there’s been a lot of opportunities that I’ve had to turn down and pass up, but now that I am out of the job, I can kind of explore these opportunities more and take them more seriously.
Love my Jasmine Nyx fans. Thank you guys so much for supporting me and having my back for the past three years. It’s been an amazing journey and I will miss you guys. And yeah, that is it for Jasmine Nyx. So, thank you guys for watching and I love you guys so, so much.”
For more on this story, read our initial report, with PWInsider breaking the news that Nyx declined to re-sign with WWE:
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton made a memorable first impression at her WrestleMania debut earlier this year. Embracing her “Buff Barbie” persona, Stratton entered the stadium with a Barbie-inspired entrance, stepping out of a life-sized replica doll box with other boxes featuring videos of her in Barbie-esque costumes.
Speaking to Scott Johnson for Going Ringside, Stratton revealed that the idea had been in the works for years.
“So back in NXT, I had actually pitched this idea to come out of a Barbie box. However, I think with trademarking and stuff like that, it wasn’t going to really work out.”
Plans shifted when Mattel reached out to WWE ahead of WrestleMania, helping bring Stratton’s vision to life. For the Women’s Champion, finally realizing the entrance she had imagined was worth the wait.
“It was like a dream come true for me… So to have it debut at WrestleMania, my first WrestleMania, was just such an amazing opportunity and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Triple H and Mattel.”
WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker has addressed criticism of his Six Feet Under podcast following the addition of his wife, Michelle McCool, as co-host. On the latest episode, the Deadman pushed back at fans who claim McCool’s involvement has hurt the show’s quality.
“Look, this is where we’re at. This is the direction I wanted to take the show.”
For years, The Undertaker co-hosted the podcast with Matthew Lyda, who was removed after WWE acquired Six Feet Under. Despite fan backlash toward McCool, The Undertaker made it clear he isn’t letting negativity affect his passion for the project.
“Whether you like it or don’t like it, I do this, we do this for fun. And if you get entertained then be entertained, if you’re not entertained you don’t like it, this is America and you get to do whatever you want.”
McCool’s involvement extends beyond the podcast. She was also added to the second season of WWE LFG, reportedly at The Undertaker’s request. Her addition came as Mickie James was cut from the show, fueling speculation that James was removed to make room for McCool.
Closing out his remarks, The Undertaker urged listeners to embrace the new direction of the show, telling them, “Relax and enjoy the ride.” While some fans may prefer the old format, The Undertaker is focused on the future — with his wife by his side.
TNA Hall of Famer Gail Kim has revealed that she once pitched a major dream match against current AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone. The revelation came during a recent exchange on social media, where the former Knockouts Champion was discussing the current state of women’s wrestling.
The idea of a first-time-ever encounter between two of the most influential female wrestlers has fans dreaming of what-if. The conversation began after Kim posted a tweet offering a critique of AEW wrestler Riho’s ring attire and her believability in matches against larger opponents.
In response to her tweet, a fan suggested that Kim should face Riho’s most recent opponent, Mercedes Mone. Kim then replied to the fan, confirming that this was a match she had actively tried to make happen when Scott D’Amore was still the president of TNA Wrestling.
The potential match is now a fantasy booking scenario, as Gail Kim is no longer with TNA Wrestling, having departed from her long-time role as a backstage producer earlier this year. Scott D’Amore was also let go from his position as president.
I pitched it once to Scott when she was available but never came to be…. https://t.co/OsXejQ5G3i
Speaking with Scott Johnson for Going Ringside, Stratton provided an update on her condition. The “Buff Barbie” reassured fans that she is physically fine despite what she called “a bit of a rough landing.” She explained that her removal from NXT homecoming was “precautionary” and that WWE were simply seeing if anything was wrong with her after the rough landing.
Stratton’s comments come as she prepares to defend her WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax and Cargill on SmackDown. The high-stakes match will also decide who challenges newly crowned WWE Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer for the Crown Jewel Women’s Title next month at WWE Crown Jewel in Perth.
Fortunately for fans, Stratton’s setback is not expected to derail her career or her title reign. Instead, she is set to continue what has already been a standout 2025, with another marquee match on the horizon.
The Beautiful People’s contributions to TNA Wrestling will be celebrated with the duo’s induction into the TNA Hall of Fame at this year’s Bound for Glory. TNA shared on social media that the team, consisting of Angelina Love and Velvet Sky, will soon be TNA Wrestling Hall of Famers.
Love and Sky will join Mickie James in the class of 2025, marking the first all-female group of inductees in the Hall of Fame’s history. The trio will be the fourth, fifth, and sixth female inductees, following on from Gail Kim, Awesome Kong, and Traci Brooks.
While it will only be Sky and Love being inducted, they aren’t the only wrestlers to have been part of the Beautiful People. Past members include Madison Rayne, Lacey Von Erich and Cute Kip, better known to fans as Billy Gunn.
The vain faction vowed to cleanse the TNA roster “one ugly person at a time.” In TNA, Love is a six-time Knockouts Champion, a title Sky held twice. The group also held the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Titles, often defending the gold with other members via the ‘Freebird Rule.’
Now, Angelina Love and Velvet Sky will join Sting, Kurt Angle, Raven, Rhino, Abyss, and others as WWE Hall of Famers. TNA Bound for Glory will take place on October 12, at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.
The new WWE Women’s World Champion, Stephanie Vaquer, has spoken out for the first time since her historic victory at the WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event this past Saturday. The Chilean star defeated IYO SKY in a hard-fought match to capture the vacant championship, marking her first taste of championship gold on the WWE main roster.
In a new interview with the Chilean news outlet CHV Noticias, an emotional Vaquer reflected on what the championship win means to her after years of hard work and sacrifice.
“Emotional. I still feel like I’m in this dream that I still haven’t woken up. I’m enjoying it a lot, it has been a very big sacrifice many years ago. I’ve dreamed of this every day in recent years, and the happy truth,” Vaquer said (h/t to Fightful). “And what better, as you say, that the first Latin American is Chilean and WWE world champion.”
Before signing with WWE and quickly rising through the ranks of NXT, Vaquer was a top star in CMLL, where she held multiple championships. Her decision to leave that established career behind to pursue her WWE dream is the “big sacrifice” she referenced. Her victory at WrestlePalooza came after she won a number one contender’s battle royal at the Evolution PLE.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton has shared her excitement about the recent announcement that WrestleMania 43 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027. Speaking with Scott Johnson for Going Ringside, Stratton discussed being part of the continued evolution of women’s wrestling in the region.
The decision to take WWE’s flagship event outside of North America for the first time has been met with a mixed reaction from fans, with many citing the country’s human rights record as a reason for their disapproval. Recalling a previous WWE trip to the country, Stratton said;
“I’m excited. The last time we were there I believe, we went on this little safari adventure, and I hope we get to do that again because that was super fun.”
Proud to be part of history
She then echoed a sentiment shared by many of her fellow female performers who have competed in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the significance of their presence in the country.
“I think Bianca mentioned women are making history over there, and I can’t wait to be a part of that myself. So I’m super excited and I can’t wait.”
WWE’s partnership with Saudi Arabia began in 2018 as part of the “Saudi Vision 2030” social and economic reform program. The long-term, lucrative deal has seen the company produce two large-scale premium live events in the kingdom almost every year.
The first-ever women’s match in Saudi Arabia took place at the Crown Jewel event in 2019, a bout between Natalya and Lacey Evans. Both women wore full-body suits to comply with the country’s conservative dress policy. Since that match, women’s wrestling has become a regular and featured part of every subsequent WWE event in Saudi Arabia, with multiple women’s championship matches taking place on those shows.
AEW star Kenny Omega stirred the pot on social media today with a post that appears to take a shot at wrestling legends who have chosen to participate in WWE’s Saudi Arabia events. In his tweet, Omega wrote:
“Another day and another ‘legend’ doing the splits on it for the yearly TKO gift basket… ?”
Another day and another “legend” doing the splits on it for the yearly TKO gift basket… ?
While Omega doesn’t name names, the message is clear. “Doing the splits on it” is a not-so-subtle jab at veteran wrestlers who, in Omega’s view, are eagerly taking lucrative offers — represented by the “TKO gift basket” — to perform at high-profile Saudi shows promoted by WWE’s owners, TKO Group Holdings.
The comment reignites conversation around sports washing, a term used for the Saudi government’s use of major entertainment events to improve its global image amid ongoing human rights criticisms. WWE has faced regular criticism for its partnership with Saudi Arabia, and Omega has previously spoken out against the practice.
This latest shot underscores the ongoing tension between AEW and WWE.
3-Hour Playlist of Kenny Omega’s Best AEW Singles Matches
NXT star Jazmyn Nyx is done with WWE. According to PWInsider, she turned down WWE’s contract offer.
Jazmyn Nyx, whose real name is Jade Gentile, is leaving the company after a promising run on the NXT brand.
A former pro soccer player, Nyx made a splash in WWE with her athleticism and striking offense, notably as a member of the “Fatal Influence” stable with Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley.
Throughout her NXT tenure, she built a reputation as a skilled competitor and an opportunistic heel, often factoring into high-profile women’s tag and trios matches.
WWE hoped to keep Nyx on board with a new deal, but she chose to test free agency after being written off NXT TV by her former stablemates.
As she closes this chapter in WWE, fans can follow Jazmyn Nyx’s next moves and updates on Instagram at @jazmyn_wwe to see where her career goes next.
Stay tuned for more on Jazmyn Nyx as her story develops.
Another vision will be realized for promoter David McLane when WOW- Women Of Wrestling takes over the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas. The WOW Superheroes will perform under the iconic canopy for shows October 14 and 15 and October 21 and 22. McLane has always championed all-female presentations going all the way back almost 40 years with the trailblazing Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (GLOW).
In many ways, WOW picked up where the beloved brand left off and evolved to the syndicated series we see today. With the show recently starting its fourth season, McLane isn’t one to rest on past successes. He has a big goal in mind to take WOW to the next level.
“We’ve got to go live. We’ve got to get WOW live,” he said. “Any of you fans, we’ve got to rally for WOW Live. We have to go live versus taped programming and syndication only.”
For the go-getter businessman, eventually transitioning to a live format would maximize the audience and elicit engagement. He continued, “everything from social media to merchandise to marketing the Superheroes has been hampered in the fact it’s not live. We’ve got to go live. I was at another wrestling event, and when I flew in, I even went to a WNBA game in Vegas. I’m watching the fans interact with their phones in realtime. It’s just a great experience. It’s an engagement and family environment through your phone with technology. And to take part in that, we’ve got to get live.”
Conversations have been ongoing with one network that has interest in testing a live format, but McLane doesn’t just want any network. He recalled meeting with executive Jeanie Buss when he was doing World Roller Hockey League.
McLane added, “I remember when I was launching that with ESPN and their then president Steve Bornstein, and they said, ‘let’s test it by putting on one or two roller hockey events on.’ I came back and said we can’t do it unless we go all in because with one test you’re not going to learn anything. It can’t be one event. You have to see how it goes over time and be committed to it. So, we’re looking for that right partner right now.”
He is also a realist when it comes to taking WOW on the road. McLaine’s thought process is to go live first and then think about touring. “If we did it today, we’d be dead meat financially,” he explained. “The cost to put it up and take it city to city would be very difficult. We’d be dead meat, but that is an ultimate goal to take it out and be in different cities. The UFC has even struggled with that. They would love, I’m sure, financially to be in one location and do their UFC fights, but their president and CEO Dana White once mentioned, and I agree with him, that to grow the brand and touch the fans he is obligated to take it out into the marketplace and take it to different cities. We will need to do the same.”
McLane credits working with Buss as a great partner. Someone who has been WOW’s biggest cheerleader. The controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers saw the importance of launching an all-female training facility to build homegrown talent. Under the leadership of veteran Selina Majors, the promotion continues to bring in new faces that bring the right balance of athleticism and pizazz.
“By the way, the tag line for the WOW Superheroes was created by Jeanie,” McLane revealed. “When she came to the matches prior to Jeanie’s engagement I was calling them the WOW girls. She said, ‘no, they are like real-life action superheroes when they fly off the ropes and do this and that. I fell in love with comic books as a kid. And these are real life comic book people who come to life, bigger than life. They should be called Superheroes. That’s how they became Superheroes through Jeanie Buss’ innate genius marketing skillset.”
When it comes to WOW’s early beginnings in this current run, McLane remains grateful to have had AJ Lee. Someone who came in as an executive producer and commentator during the first season.
“She took a chance with us and came to WOW,” he said. “I think she is proud of the product. She’ll be on that special with Jeanie Buss. I wanted to get her in the ring with WOW, but the timing wasn’t right. She wanted to make sure her body was at a 10 in conditioning and in shape.
She was writing movies and doing comic books when we were able to get her engaged. Just coming off the comic books and going into the movies. It was so fun.
“I never knew AJ until she started working with us. Now it’s so fun to watch her and see her prospering and do so well in the ring. I sent her a note when she was going in on the first night of her debut. I said, ‘just soak it in and enjoy it.’ I’m sure she did because I could see from the expression on her face. She knows she is getting a blessing of enjoying this with her husband and having fun with it one more time.”
As for what’s to come on WOW, McLane looks forward to digging a little deeper into the backstories of the Superheroes. He also teased some fiery competition to come for WOW Trio Tag Team Champions Coach Campanelli, Kandi Krush, and Gloria Glitter.
“This is Santana Garrett’s run,” McLane continued. “I didn’t realize it until we interviewed her in Florida but she has been with every wrestling organization. All the wrestling organizations including WWE and won championships everywhere. She somewhat started her career on a major level with us, with WOW.
“Her dad Kenny G participated before his passing. He was able to come to WOW events and see his daughter. This is like full circle with her back in WOW. I know she would like to make a run for that WOW title. Tormenta is back from Mexico with the championship. Paola Mayfield who was a reality show in 90 Day Fiancé and Amazon’s The Goat. So it’s going to be a great season and a lot of great competition.”
John Cena’s stunned fans by turning heel in March 2025 which marked his first time as a fully-fledged villain in over two decades. While the turn itself shocked fans, many felt that what followed failed to meet expectations.
Cena’s heel run began with an alliance with The Rock, though the “Final Boss” quickly disappeared from WWE television afterward. Speaking on UnSKripted, Cena’s father, John Cena Sr., reflected on his son’s final year in the ring.
“I think what he’s done is right, it’s good, it’s positive… Turning John Cena heel was a great idea. The shock factor was great.”
While Cena Sr. praised the turn itself, he agreed with fans who felt the follow-up fell flat.
“The storyline [after the turn] was destroyed. That was a very poor move in my opinion because it was a big gamble for everyone involved.”
Cena Sr. placed much of the blame on The Rock’s sudden absence, calling it a crushing blow to one of WWE’s biggest storylines in years.
“To see how it started, and then to see the characters who are involved no longer be present, the heel turn almost became non-essential. That was something I wasn’t really too hyped up on.”
Ultimately, Cena abandoned the heel turn ahead of SummerSlam 2025 and returned to the fan-favorite role that defined much of his career. With only a handful of appearances left before retirement, Cena is set to close out his legendary run as the beloved babyface, despite his father’s belief that the heel turn could have been so much more.
John Cena and AJ Styles will battle at WWE Crown Jewel: Perth, in what will be one of the ‘Never Seen Seventeen’s’ final matches of his career. After the pair had a series of acclaimed matches in 2016 and early 2017, the two veterans are set to do battle one final time.
Cena had been pushing for the match, which Styles accepted, and Paul “Triple H” Levesque made it official on September 23. On X, Cena reflected on how the match—one long requested by fans for his retirement tour—was proof that WWE listens to its audience and that “listening to our audience is ALWAYS what’s best for business.”
I want to thank @TripleH for being flexible here and rewarding the true driving force behind #CenavsStyles .. the FANS! 2 posts over 10m views and so many of you let yourself be heard! #WWECrownJewel Perth and @AJStylesOrg you will get my everything. Listening to our audience is…
Cena vs. Styles is the third match confirmed for Crown Jewel. The event will also feature the Men’s and Women’s Crown Jewel Championship matches, currently set as Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins and Stephanie Vaquer vs. Tiffany Stratton.
With Cena nearing the end of his in-ring career, many fans have stressed that his remaining matches should feel meaningful. His clash with Brock Lesnar at WWE Wrestlepalooza drew criticism, as some felt Lesnar’s decisive win wasted a rare Cena appearance with no rematch likely.
Now, WWE has the opportunity to deliver by revisiting one of Cena’s most celebrated rivalries. WWE Crown Jewel: Perth takes place on Saturday, October 11, at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
