The six-sided ring was once synonymous with TNA Wrestling, but AJ Styles has little desire to return to the hexagonal setup. Speaking with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Styles explained just how painful the ring could be.
“There was a point in time where Kurt [Angle] and I were wrestling and he was gonna give me the belly-to-belly off the top. I remember taking that and I go, ‘Never taking that again. Don’t ask me, Kurt!’”
Styles and Angle wrestled multiple times during their TNA careers, and when Angle later suggested the move again—this time in a traditional squared ring—Styles reluctantly agreed. To his surprise, the landing was far more forgiving.
“He gave me it in a squared ring and I was like, ‘Oh.’ I landed and it was nothing compared to what it was.”
Styles had been angry about TNA moving from six sides to the squared ring at first, as the six sides had set TNA apart from countless other promotions. Once he took the top rope move from Angle, Styles’ view change, as he shared “‘Eh, I’m okay with the squared ring now.'”
While Styles isn’t a fan of the six sides, he acknowledged the design as a defining part of TNA’s identity.
“We made it who we were. I think they lost their identity to a certain extent, when they went to just a regular ring.”
Now approaching a decade in WWE, Styles’ days inside the six-sided ring are well behind him. Still, the memories—both painful and meaningful—remain a lasting part of his career.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Charlotte Flair recently reflected on her first-ever main roster championship win, admitting that at the time, she was not ready for the responsibility that came with being a champion. The moment took place at the Night of Champions pay-per-view in September 2015, when a still relatively new Charlotte defeated Nikki Bella to win the Divas Championship, ending Nikki’s record-breaking 301-day reign. The win was a pivotal moment in the “Divas Revolution” storyline of that era, but “The Queen” now believes that she had not yet grown into the role of a top champion.
In a new interview with Kate Mackz, the multi-time world champion explained her feelings about that first championship run.
“When I won the Diva’s Championship from Nikki Bella, I wasn’t ready. The title owned me, I didn’t own the title. You don’t want it to be about the title, you want it to be about you. It’s about the person holding it. So I didn’t think I got to that until I became the inaugural Raw Women’s Champion at WrestleMania 32 and I retired the Diva’s Championship.”
Her reign as Divas Champion lasted 196 days before the championship was retired at WrestleMania 32 and replaced with the new WWE Women’s Championship, which she also won. The transition marked a significant step in the evolution of women’s wrestling in WWE, and for Flair, it was the moment she truly felt she had become a champion. Today, she currently holds the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with her partner, Alexa Bliss.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins has pulled back the curtain on his elaborate “Ruse of the Century,” where he faked a career-threatening knee injury for weeks before making a shocking return at SummerSlam to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and win the championship. The long-term storyline was one of the most talked-about angles of the year, completely fooling a large portion of the fanbase and even some of his closest friends in the business.
Speaking with Jimmy Traina on the SI Media podcast, Rollins was asked how many people were in on the plan. “You can probably count on two hands.”
He also discussed the origins of the idea and his own commitment to making it a success.
“I’m not exactly sure where it was hatched. It was presented to me in advance, quite some time, which in our business is a few weeks. I thought the idea was brilliant when I first heard it. Obviously, the execution was going to be important, and the details were going to need to be ironed out. I felt the crux of the idea was brilliant. I was the guy to be able to pull that off. I was very excited at the prospect of it. My level of commitment to our industry is second to none. I was the guy for the job.”
When asked if he felt any guilt about deceiving his colleagues and the fans, Rollins was unapologetic.
“I didn’t feel guilty. I let my wife [Becky Lynch] take all the guilt. She has the Irish guilt anyway… If someone did this to me, I wouldn’t feel bad in the slightest. I would totally get it. Even my closest friends. Maybe John Cena. John reached out and I had to do my best to wiggle around it. John and I are cut from the same cloth, so when John saw the final outcome, he was very happy and proud.”
The storyline will culminate this Saturday at the WWE WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event, where Rollins will team with Becky Lynch to face CM Punk and the returning AJ Lee.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has named Roman Reigns as the most significant rival of his entire career. Since his return to WWE in 2022, “The American Nightmare” has been on a history-making run, culminating in his epic, multi-year story to capture the championship that had eluded his family. At the center of that story was Roman Reigns, whose historic reign as champion served as the final boss for Rhodes’s quest to win the title.
While Rhodes has had notable feuds with other top stars, he believes his respectful but intense competition with Reigns is what defines his current era. During a recent appearance on ESPN’s “First Take,” Rhodes was asked to name the biggest feud of his career and did not hesitate to name “The Tribal Chief.”
“In my career for sure is going to be Roman Reigns. Roman Reigns held the center of all of wrestling for a while when I went out there and did everything and tried to make as much noise and create all kinds of different worlds, he held the center, he was WWE’s guy and he stayed their guy. I came in as a disruptor and no matter how you look at it — wrestling is as real as it gets or you just look at it as the show — that competition between us is filled with respect. That’s the one that I’m always having to keep an eye out for, even as WWE Champion. Roman any day can step in and be the face of the company. We just did a movie together, which is crazy, the fact that we’re in this movie. Roman keeps me on my toes and I hope he’s around for years to come. I need a Roman Reigns.”
The rivalry between the two men was headlined by their back-to-back main events at WrestleMania 39 and WrestleMania 40. They last shared a ring at the Bad Blood premium live event in October 2024, where they teamed up to defeat two members of The Bloodline.
For years, Paul “Triple H” Levesque has served as WWE’s Chief Content Officer, shaping what fans see on television. But as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end—and Cody Rhodes is already considering what WWE might look like in a post-Levesque era.
Speaking on First Take, Rhodes was asked about his potential role in WWE ten years from now and whether he could see himself succeeding Levesque. While Triple H has given no indication of stepping down and has ruled out an in-ring return, Rhodes admitted the position has sparked interest among talents.
“There’s starting to become a fight for it… I felt like I had some experience and some interest in something like that,” Rhodes said.
Though open to the idea, Rhodes suggested he may not be the leading candidate. Instead, he praised CM Punk for his backstage work with the NXT roster.
“It’s very clear that CM Punk is really great at helping develop young talent. He probably has a knack for it more than anybody.”
Rhodes also named Seth Rollins as a strong contender. Having shared the ring with him as both ally and rival, Rhodes believes the World Heavyweight Champion has the leadership qualities to guide WWE’s future.
“Seth Rollins is a little bit more rough around the edges, but would probably be an outstanding boss.”
Beyond those names, Rhodes pointed to “tons of other people” who could one day take on management roles, mentioning Bayley and Roman Reigns among them.
For now, Rhodes is focused on his role as WWE Champion, but the former AEW EVP isn’t ruling out another future in management—this time in WWE.
The theatrical release date has been officially announced for the new film “Night Patrol,” which features an appearance by CM Punk. Following the movie’s premiere at the Fantastic Fest film festival, it was revealed that the Ryan Prows-directed picture will be released in theaters on Friday, January 16, 2026.
The film adds another significant credit to Punk’s growing acting resume, which includes roles in films such as “Rabid,” “Girl on the Third Floor,” and “Jakob’s Wife,” as well as a recurring role in the wrestling-themed television series “Heels.”
“Night Patrol” is a crime thriller with the following synopsis: An LAPD officer must put aside his differences with the area’s street gangs when he discovers a local police task force is harboring a horrific secret that endangers the residents of the housing projects he grew up in.
The film features a talented cast alongside Punk, including Jermaine Fowler, Justin Long, RJ Cyler, Freddie Gibbs, YG, Flying Lotus, Dermot Mulroney, Jon Oswald, and Nicki Micheaux. While his new movie now has a release date, Punk’s immediate focus is on this Saturday’s WWE WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event. He will team with his wife, the returning AJ Lee, to take on World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch in a mixed tag team match.
Former TNA Wrestling executive Scott D’Amore has confirmed a long-rumored story, recently brought to light by Kurt Angle, that “The Beast Incarnate” Brock Lesnar was interested in signing with the promotion back in 2007.
The story first emerged on Kurt Angle’s podcast, where he revealed that Lesnar, then a free agent, had called him and offered to sign with TNA if they could match Angle’s own lucrative contract. Angle said he pitched the idea to TNA management but was turned down, likely due to budget constraints at the time.
In his weekly column for Uncrowned, Scott D’Amore, who was a key figure backstage in TNA at the time, verified Angle’s account of the events. “Kurt was very excited about this and, obviously, it would have been a huge, maybe trajectory-altering signing for TNA. I passed it on to Dixie Carter, who owned TNA at the time. But, as you already know, it didn’t happen.”
D’Amore also reflected on the massive historical implications of TNA’s decision to pass on signing the future UFC Heavyweight Champion. “It’s a huge what-if, not just for TNA, but for Lesnar. If he came to TNA on a big contract in 2007, would he have still debuted in MMA that year? Would he have felt the need to go fight in the UFC in 2008 and help usher in a legion of new fans for the UFC? I suppose we’ll never know.”
After leaving WWE in 2004, Lesnar had a run in NJPW before transitioning to MMA. He ultimately became one of the biggest box office draws in UFC history before making his return to WWE in 2012. He is scheduled to face John Cena this Saturday at the WWE WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event.
Wrestling fans in London, Ontario, can look forward to seeing AEW live every single year, according to Tony Khan. Taking to X, Khan made his claim that AEW will be coming back to London every year, adding that the fans in the city are “tremendous.”
Khan’s comments come after AEW held its September to Remember event on September 17 at the Canada Life Place in London. The show served as the go-home episode of AEW Dynamite before All Out, scheduled to take place on September 20. Highlights of the show saw ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and Kyle Fletcher sign the contract for their World title match, while a brawl between the Don Callis family and Page ended the show.
The September 17 event, held at the Canada Life Centre, served as the go-home edition of AEW Dynamitebefore All Out on September 20. Highlights included Hangman Adam Page and Kyle Fletcher signing the contract for their World Championship match, and a chaotic brawl between the Don Callis Family and Page closing the show.
AEW is no stranger to Canada, having already hosted several events and pay-per-views in the country. All Out 2025 will emanate from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, marking just the second time the event has taken place outside of the Chicago metropolitan area.
Given Canada’s rich wrestling history, AEW’s continued presence in the country feels like a natural fit. With Khan confirming more shows in London, Ontario, fans can look forward to plenty of All Elite action in the region for years to come.
It appears that Joe Hendry’s memorable run as a crossover star between TNA Wrestling and WWE is heading towards its next logical step. A new report from Jon Alba of The Takedown on SI indicates that Hendry, who is still under contract with TNA, is in the process of being “largely phased out” of their programming as he becomes more integrated into WWE television.
The move has been expected for some time, as Hendry has made numerous high-profile appearances for WWE throughout 2025, all while being a top star for TNA. His viral “I Believe in Joe Hendry” theme song has made him one of the most popular acts in wrestling, and it seems WWE is ready to make him an exclusive part of their roster.
According to the report, the internal expectation within both companies is that he will officially be with WWE on a full-time basis by the start of next year. “Multiple WWE and TNA sources tell The Takedown on SI that Hendry is in the process of being largely phased out of TNA programming and integrated more into WWE TV. The internal expectation across people in both companies is that he will be WWE-bound on a full-time basis by the beginning of 2026.”
The report clarifies that this does not mean his time in TNA is completely over, but that the focus will be shifting to his NXT run.“This is not to say TNA will not use Hendry on TV in the future, but The Takedown was told fans should expect to see him more prominently on NXT.”
Hendry’s 2025 has been historic, featuring an entry in the Royal Rumble and a match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania, all while holding the TNA World Championship for four months. On this past Tuesday’s episode of NXT Homecoming, WWE legend Bobby Roode appeared in a segment with Hendry, encouraging him to set his sights on the NXT Championship.
Shawn Michaels has reflected on one of his most famous matches.
The WWE Hall of Famer recently had an interview with Chris Van Vliet. He talked about things such as his early career in wrestling, when he first started feeling like a star, working with Bret Hart and more.
During the interview, Michaels also discussed one of his most famous matches against Ric Flair at WrestleMania 24. The bout was the latter’s WWE retirement match and has been included in the list of the 50 greatest WrestleMania matches by the company.
HBK first discussed the emotional ending of the bout and told the story of how the finish came to him just days before the match:
“That might have been a week out, waking up in the middle of the night and just having this, whatever you want to call it, a flow of consciousness about the end of the match and what it ended up being. I was writing it down, and I came to the end, it’s stuff that sounds like it’s a movie scene, and the little tear drops on the paper. I’m like, Oh my goodness.”
Many people believe that Flair disrespected the emotions of the fans by choosing to wrestle again under the TNA banner after his WWE sendoff. Shawn Michaels talked about this notion and claimed that atleast on the day off the match, the emotion they showed was real:
“It was real that day, because he was weeping the entire time, and almost the entire match, but especially at that part. He knew it was the end, he knew it was the end of the match. I know people, they’ll even say, oh, you’re gonna wrestle again, not at that moment. Everybody was so invested in that, because for that moment in time, to us, it was real.”
Ric Flair would end up wrestling 16 matches for TNA during his stint with the company between 2009 to 2011. He had a second retirement match at an independent event in 2022.
Actor and former WWE Champion Dave Bautista has responded to the recent revelation from director James Gunn that he was the original choice to play the character of Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad. The role, which ultimately went to John Cena, has become a cornerstone of the new DC Universe, spawning a hit television series and appearances in other DC films. While the part was written specifically for Bautista by Gunn, a scheduling conflict prevented it from happening.
Speaking with ComicBook.com, Bautista confirmed the story and expressed his belief that Cena was the perfect person for the role, calling it a “blessing in disguise.”
“I have to say, that one. I really wanted to do that part. [Gunn] wrote that part for me, and it was meant for me, and it just became a scheduling thing where I just couldn’t do it, because I was doing Army of the Dead. And so it was a scheduling issue that we just could not figure out.”
Despite wanting to play the character, Bautista was incredibly complimentary of John Cena’s performance, stating that he believes Cena did a better job than he ever could have.
“And I think it was great. It was a blessing in disguise that I didn’t do that, because I have to say, I have to be honest, there’s no way that I would have been able to do that role like John. He’s just perfect for it, you know, and I wouldn’t have done it justice, and it wouldn’t have been as successful. So, look, and I am, I’m saying that with a bit of envy, you know, I would love it. I just wouldn’t have been able to do the same thing that John does to bring to that character. It wouldn’t have been the same. It wouldn’t have been as good. I can honestly say it wouldn’t have been as good.”
James Gunn had previously explained the situation, noting, “I wrote the character of Peacemaker for him, and we offered him the role, but he was offered two movies, and we weren’t paying him a lot, and so he had to go where the money was.”
AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm remains at odds with her former protégé Mariah May, but she’s a big fan of May’s new WWE persona as NXT’s Blake Monroe.
Speaking in-character on the Ariel Helwani Show, Storm didn’t hold back when reflecting on her former ally, calling her “the single most evil cold-hearted b***h I’ve ever met in my life.” Storm took credit for May leaving AEW earlier this year, adding that “I’m glad that I’ve banished her.”
While Storm had nothing kind to say about May, she admitted admiration for Monroe’s WWE work. “I’m a big fan of Blake Monroe,” Storm noted, adding that while she hasn’t followed NXT closely, the glimpses she’s seen from Monroe have been “wonderful.”
As for Storm, she now prepares to defend the AEW Women’s World Championship (a title she won from May) at AEW All Out on September 20. Storm will face Thekla, Jamie Hayter, and Kris Statlander in a four-way match at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.
The Storm–May rivalry is widely regarded as one of AEW’s strongest women’s storylines to date. While the two may never share the ring again, their animosity remains, even as Storm expresses her admiration for Blake Monroe.
WWE will host its first Premium Live Event in Italy in 2026, comments WWE President Nick Khan made to Sports Business at this week’s IMG x RedBird business Summit. The event will coincide with Netflix arriving in the country next year.
In recent years, WWE has staged major Premium Live Events outside the U.S., including Backlash, Elimination Chamber, and Clash at the Castle. Now, Italy will get a show of its own, with fans eagerly awaiting confirmation of the host city and venue.
There are several possible locations for WWE’s first Italian PLE. The country’s largest stadium is San Siro in Milan, with a capacity of 75,817. For an indoor setting, options include the Inalpi Arena in Turin (16,600 capacity) or the Forum di Milano in Milan (12,700). In the capital city, Rome’s PalaLottomatica can hold 11,200 fans.
WWE last visited Italy earlier this year for SmackDown in Bologna as part of the international Road to WrestleMania 41. The show featured Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins clashing in a brawl that hinted at WrestleMania plans.
After years of hosting TV tapings and live events, Italy will finally receive a Premium Live Event of its own in 2026. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on WWE’s moves both at home and overseas.
Tonight’s September to Remember special of Dynamite came live from Ontario’s Canada Life Place. The show featured three qualifying matches for the announced Tag Team Championship ladder match at the upcoming PPV.
The Young Bucks, JetSpeed and the Don Callis Family all picked up victories in their respective bouts. This earned them the right to challenge defending champions Brodido for the titles at the show this Saturday.
Apart from this, the show also featured a contract signing segment between World Champion Adam Page and TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher.
During the segment, Page who will be putting his title on the line against the Don Callis Family member, revealed a new stipulation for the bout. He announced that Fletcher will be stripped of his TNT title if any members of his faction interfered in their world title match.
The 2025 All Out PPV will be taking place from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The show set for Saturday, September 20 will have a special start time of 3 P.M ET. Here is the updated card for the PPV:
Tag Team Match: Adam Copeland and Christian Cage vs. FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) (with Stokely)
Trios Match: The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP) vs. Ricochet and GOA (Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona)
AEW TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Riho
Coffin Match: Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley
Tables ‘n’ Thumbtacks Match: Mark Briscoe vs. MJF
AEW Women’s World Championship Fatal Four Way Match: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Kris Statlander vs. Thekla
Singles Match: Big Bill vs. Eddie Kingston
Tag Team Championship Ladder Match: Brodido (Brody King and Bandido) (c) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. JetSpeed (Kevin Knight and “Speedball” Mike Bailey) vs. Don Callis Family (Hechicero and Josh Alexander)
AEW World Championship Match: “Hangman” Adam Page (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher
Unified Championship Triple Threat Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Máscara Dorada
AJ Lee is set to make her return to a WWE ring for the first time in over a decade this Saturday at Wrestlepalooza, and she has now revealed the key factors that lured her out of retirement. In a recent appearance on ESPN, Lee discussed her decision-making process, citing the challenge of WWE’s new chapter on the ESPN platform and the prospect of facing Becky Lynch as the primary motivators.
Lee will team with her husband, CM Punk, to take on the married couple of Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch in a mixed tag team match. This will be her first official match since she retired from professional wrestling in April 2015. During the interview, Lee explained that while the idea of a return had been floated for a few years, it took a unique and compelling opportunity to convince her to step back into the squared circle.
“It’s sort of been something that was in the air for the past couple of years as an option. However, when I retired, I was very comfortable staying retired, and I felt very complete in my career,” Lee said. “For me to embark on a new journey, it has to feel brand new and feel like I’m needed and exciting and kind of scary. Starting this new chapter on ESPN feels like a whole new mountain the company needs to climb, and I was flattered that they believed that I could help draw eyeballs in that way”.
Beyond the significance of the event, Lee pointed to one of her opponents as a major reason for her return. The opportunity to face Becky Lynch, one of the top stars of the current generation, was a challenge she found exciting. “Also, Becky is very interesting to me. I think she’s wonderful in the ring and we have a lot of similarities. She would not be an easy person to get back in the ring with. That was exciting,” she said.
After retiring, Lee had largely remained out of the wrestling spotlight, aside from a brief period serving as an executive producer and color commentator for WOW Women of Wrestling. Prior to her retirement, AJ Lee was one of the most popular and influential female performers in WWE.
Throughout his career, CM Punk has been known for being vocal about his creative direction, frequently clashing with management over ideas he disliked. However, since his return to WWE, Punk says he has adopted a much more relaxed and collaborative approach to the creative process, taking inspiration from a surprising source: his former rival, John Cena. Speaking on the Pardon My Take podcast, Punk explained that he no longer feels the need to be rebellious and is more open to executing ideas from WWE’s creative team.
Punk detailed this shift in his mindset, noting that he now trusts the experienced minds he works with and finds enjoyment in bringing their ideas to life. “There are a lot of great minds that I work with and a lot of people who have more experience than me. Maybe, back in the day, I would say, ‘No, I know what to do.’ Now, I guess I’m just kind of chill. Before, it was more rebelious,” Punk said. He continued, “To me, there is a magic about taking something that you didn’t see or you didn’t think of, somebody else’s idea, and going, ‘Okay, I can do that with this. What if we did this?’ I don’t really pitch things. I’ve taken a page out of (John) Cena’s book. They deal them, I play them. I have ideas and suggestions, and more often now, it’s for other people and not for me. I just roll with it”.
His initial exit from the company in 2014 was fueled by creative burnout and frustration over his booking, which he detailed in his infamous “Pipebomb” promo and in later interviews. In contrast, John Cena has long maintained a public philosophy of being a “company man,” taking whatever creative direction was given to him and committing to making it work to the best of his ability.
This approach appears to be working well for Punk in his current run. His ongoing program with Seth Rollins has been a marquee feud for WWE, blurring the lines between their real-life history and storyline. The feud has been a central focus of WWE programming since late 2023 and has now expanded to include his wife, AJ Lee, setting the stage for a mixed tag team match at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza premium live event.
AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone has revealed that it is her “dream” to have one final match against Bayley before she retires from professional wrestling. During a recent Q&A session on social media, Mone was asked about the possibility of a “last dance” with the WWE star, and she confirmed she wanted to share the ring with her one more time, though she acknowledged the current promotional barriers may prevent it from happening. The two women are currently signed to competing companies, with Mone in AEW and Bayley in WWE, making any potential matchup a logistical challenge.
When asked about the potential match, Mone stated, “It’s my dream to have one more with her before I retire but if it doesn’t happen I’m so happy with the matches we did have,” she replied. The matches she referred to are some of the most influential women’s bouts in modern American wrestling history. Their encounter at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn in 2015 is widely regarded as a breakthrough moment for women’s wrestling in WWE, earning Match of the Year honors and inspiring a generation of female performers.
The rivalry between Mone and Bayley was the centerpiece of the NXT women’s division during a transformative period. After their match in Brooklyn, they continued their feud on WWE’s main roster, while also teaming up to become the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions as “The Boss ‘n’ Hug Connection.” Their story, which often shifted between best friends and enemies. Their last one-on-one encounter took place on the November 6, 2020, episode of WWE SmackDown, where Moné defeated Bayley to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
While Moné hopes for a future encounter, her immediate focus is on her upcoming title defense at AEW All Out on September 20, where she is set to defend the AEW TBS Championship against Riho.
It’s my dream to have one more with her before I retire but if it doesn’t happen I’m so happy with the matches we did have.
AEW’s Hook recently got wrestling fans buzzing outside after a sighting with model Ava Dash. On Instagram, the Alexander Wang New York account shared photos of models arriving at the Matriarch Spring 2026 runway show. Among them was Dash, seen alongside the former FTW Champion.
The Matriarch Spring 2026 runway show took place on September 12, 2025, at 9:30 pm EST at The Wang Contemporary in New York City, as part of New York Fashion Week.
Dash is a model and the daughter of hip-hop mogul Damon Dash and fashion designer Rachel Roy. Born on December 7, 1999, she is seven months younger than Hook. She gained attention through Next Gen NYC, where she opened up about her relationship with her father while navigating life in New York’s spotlight.
Dash and Hook appeared to go public with their relationship in 2024. On social media, Dash shared a video describing them as a “combo,” calling herself the “tequila gf” to Hook’s “stoner bf.”
HOOK enjoying his time at home after Jericho burned his face with a fireball. ? pic.twitter.com/fTCRMbvnRV
Outside wrestling, Hook has begun exploring acting, appearing in the short film MONEY TALK$. With his AEW career back in motion and his relationship with Dash drawing attention, the 25-year-old continues to make waves in and out of the ring.
The launch of WWE Premium Live Events on ESPN’s new streaming platform is set to begin with significant confusion and frustration for many fans this Saturday. The first exclusive event, WWE Wrestlepalooza, will be unavailable to subscribers of several major television distributors, including Comcast and YouTube TV, which represent a combined total of over 20 million subscribers. This access issue will force many WWE fans to, in essence, pay twice for ESPN if they wish to watch the show, creating a rocky start for the new partnership.
The problem stems from the new app’s premium tier, “ESPN Unlimited,” which will house the exclusive WWE content. During a press availability on Wednesday, September 17, JT Lasker, SVP of direct-to-consumer at ESPN, confirmed that no form of limited accessibility would be offered this weekend to pay TV subscribers whose providers have not yet reached a deal for the new tier. This means customers of Comcast, YouTube TV, Cox, Sling TV, and other providers will be blocked from viewing Wrestlepalooza through their existing cable or streaming subscriptions and would need to purchase a separate subscription directly from ESPN to gain access.
According to Lasker, this issue is expected to be short-term. The ESPN executive stated that the “vast majority” of distributors would have access for their subscribers by the end of the year, a timeline he described as a “worst case scenario”. The resolution may come much sooner, as ESPN and parent company Disney have distribution deals with Google (YouTube TV) and Comcast that are set to expire as early as next month, which will likely accelerate negotiations to avoid potential blackouts. ESPN’s communication strategy for the launch has been to focus on informing customers who do have access—such as those with Charter, Verizon, and DirecTV—while planning no specific outreach to the customers who will be blocked from viewing the event.
The launch is reportedly the result of two converging factors: a hasty rollout of the new ESPN app to coincide with the start of the football season, and the WWE PLE deal beginning much sooner than its original April 2026 start date. This accelerated timeline did not leave enough time for ESPN to finalize distribution deals with all of its key partners before the first app-exclusive live event, leading to the current situation where a large group of wrestling fans is expected to be angry and confused this Saturday evening.
The fans who are unable to watch this weekend will miss a stacked card for the inaugural Wrestlepalooza. The event is scheduled to feature Cody Rhodes defending the WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre, a battle of married couples as CM Punk and AJ Lee take on Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, John Cena facing Brock Lesnar, and the crowning of a new Women’s World Champion in a match between Iyo Sky and Stephanie Vaquer.
Lola Vice has a golden opportunity at WWE NXT No Mercy to capture the NXT Women’s Championship when she challenges Jacy Jayne. Just days before the biggest match of her career, Vice spoke with Going Ringside‘s Scott Johnson about her mindset heading into the title bout.
“This is my third opportunity challenging for the title and I believe now more than ever, I’m ready. Jacy is a very tough champion. She took the title off of Stephanie.”
Vice won’t just have to contend with Jayne on September 27. If history is any guide, she’ll also have to deal with Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx of Fatal Influence—something she’s fully aware of.
“[Jayne has] Fallon and Jazmyn, even though I’ve knocked them both out already. I think I have my hands full next Saturday.”
Over her time in NXT, Vice has risen through the ranks to establish herself as one of the brand’s top competitors. Now, in her hometown of Miami, she has the chance to achieve her dream in front of friends and family.
“Next Saturday is my WrestleMania in Miami. Like this is my moment and this is my opportunity to bring that title home… it just really feels like the stars aligning and this is my moment.”
After signing a new contract earlier this year, Vice is confident she has the tools to dethrone Jayne. But with the champion’s track record and the looming presence of Fatal Influence, leaving Miami as the new NXT Women’s Champion will be no easy task.
WWE and ESPN have entered a major partnership that begins this weekend with WWE Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis. The stacked event is expected to feature what many believe will be the final showdown between John Cena and Brock Lesnar. However, ESPN’s Chris Fowler appeared unfamiliar with the two icons while promoting the show.
During a broadcast, Fowler mispronounced their names, referring to Cena as “John Sayna” and Lesnar as “Brock Lester.” Between them, the two Superstars hold 27 World Championships and four Royal Rumble victories, making the blunder all the more noticeable.
Fans on X quickly mocked Fowler’s slip, calling it an awkward way to kick off WWE’s new partnership with ESPN.
Cena and Lesnar were part of the same OVW class and both debuted on WWE’s main roster in 2002. Their rivalry reignited in 2012 following Lesnar’s return, with Cena defeating him in his first match back.
Now, the two legends are set to meet once more. With Cena’s retirement tour nearing its end, this encounter is widely expected to be their last. Fans can anticipate a memorable clash at Wrestlepalooza—and hopefully, Fowler will have the names right this time.
WWE Wrestlepalooza, the inaugural premium live event on the the ESPN app, streams live this Saturday, September 20 starting at 7PM ET.
WWE has announced a major music partnership for its inaugural Wrestlepalooza Premium Live Event this Saturday, September 20. In a post on his social media accounts, WWE Chief Creative Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque revealed that the song “Nokia” by superstar recording artist Drake will serve as an official theme song for the show.
The move continues WWE’s strategy of integrating high-profile music artists into its programming, following appearances and involvement from stars like Travis Scott, Jelly Roll, and Cardi B earlier this year. In his announcement, Triple H highlighted the significance of the partnership for the big event.
“An event as big as #Wrestlepalooza needs an artist as big as @Drake and the song to match. “NOKIA” is an Official Theme Song of @WWE’s Wrestlepalooza.”
The event, which takes place at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, is set to be one of the biggest of the year. The card features the in-ring return of AJ Lee after more than a decade, as she teams with her husband CM Punk to face Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. It will also feature anencounter between John Cena and Brock Lesnar. The previously unconfirmed WWE Championship match has also been added to the official lineup. The full card for WWE Wrestlepalooza is below:
WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (champion) vs. Drew McIntyre
John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
Women’s World Championship Match: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
Mixed Tag Team Match: AJ Lee and CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch
The Usos (Jey and Jimmy) vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed)
UFC President Dana White, a key figure in the TKO Group Holdings company that also owns WWE, has made it clear that despite the corporate connection, he is not a fan of professional wrestling. White, whose career has been dedicated to the world of combat sports, recently attended WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas and was admittedly blown away by the spectacle of WWE selling out Allegiant Stadium. However, the experience did not convert him into a fan of the product.
During a recent appearance on Logan Paul’s “IMPAULSIVE” podcast, White was asked if he watches WWE as a fan or from a business perspective.
“I’m not a fan. I don’t watch WWE. I’m into fighting, man. That’s what I do. You know how when you go on Instagram and then you go on your search page? My whole search is like, street fights and [stuff like that], that’s what I’m into.”
While he doesn’t enjoy the product itself, White was quick to state that he has a great deal of respect for the athleticism required to be a professional wrestler. He specifically praised Logan Paul for his successful transition into the industry.
“I am definitely — I respect the athleticism [of pro wrestling]. I told you when you first started doing it, ‘Man, you’re a hell of an athlete. You’re good.’ Yeah, it’s impressive to see what these guys do. It’s just not my thing.”
White noted that he enjoyed wrestling when he was a child but has since grown out of it. The attendance record set by WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium, which impressed White, was recently surpassed by the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford boxing match that took place in the same venue on September 13.
Executives from ESPN have stated that the network is open to the possibility of adding more WWE Premium Live Events to its broadcast calendar in the future. The comments were made during a media call on September 17, held to promote the upcoming WWE Wrestlepalooza event, which marks the beginning of a major five-year deal between the two companies. The new partnership will see all of WWE’s PLEs move to ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service, marking a significant shift in how fans will access WWE’s biggest shows.
During the call, ESPN executives Matt Kenny and J.T. Lasker were asked by WrestleZone’s Bill Pritchard about the potential for expanding the current PLE schedule. Pritchard noted that WWE has a Saturday Night’s Main Event special scheduled for Peacock in December, which is not a full-fledged PLE, and asked if ESPN would be interested in placing a premium event in a similar open slot. Matt Kenny, ESPN’s Programming and Acquisitions Lead, responded by confirming that while they are happy with the current schedule, the door is open for future discussions with WWE about evolving their event calendar.
“Yeah, I think anything along those lines will bear itself out in just more forward-looking scheduling conversations that we’ll get into with the WWE over time,” Kenny said. “But I think just to put a fine point on that answer, we knew what we were signing up for when we acquired the PLEs. The PLEs are incredibly invaluable and we understand the importance of those shows to help fuel our direct-to-consumer business so, we’re excited about the schedule of events that WWE puts forth for the PLEs, and if there’s conversations to be had about evolving that, then we’re certainly game to doing that”.
The current WWE premium live event schedule has largely settled into a rhythm of one major event per month, with occasional international shows added throughout the year. The structure was established during the company’s time with Peacock and Netflix, which allowed for an increase in the number of events compared to the traditional pay-per-view model.
As of the media call, the remainder of WWE’s 2025 premium live event schedule is set. Following Wrestlepalooza on September 20, the company will head to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for WWE Crown Jewel on Saturday, October 25. The final PLE event of the year will be WWE Survivor Series, which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 29 in Chicago, Illinois before WWE wraps things up with Saturday Night’s Main Event in December.
All Elite Wrestling kicks off AEW All Out: Toronto week with a bang: an AEW Dynamite: September to Remember special live from London, Ontario. With ten matches and segments, Wednesday’s Dynamite gives fans a lot to look forward to.
