The Dungeon 2.0, the training facility of Natalya and Tyson Kidd, is busy training the next generation of wrestlers within its walls. On Instagram, Natalya shared a photo from the latest training session, revealing that Aalyah Mysterio, daughter of Rey Mysterio, has been getting in the ring. Aalyah had plenty of names to learn from, including Natalya, Kidd, her father Rey Mysterio, Apollo Crews, Angelo Dawkins, and B-Fab, among others.
Aalyah is no stranger to appearing in wrestling. An interruption of her birthday would kick off Rey’s feud with CM Punk in 2010, a feud that resulted in Punk losing his hair. Years later, Aalyah got in the face of her brother Dominik at WrestleMania 39, and had a drink thrown on her by her big bro.
These weren’t the only notable names at the Dungeon’s latest training session. Eagle-eyed fans will spot WWE Hall of Famer Tatanka on the left-hand-side of the image. In recent days, Tatanka’s sons Jeremiah and Joseph have also been training at the Dungeon 2.0.
Time will tell if Aalyah or Jeremiah ever make it to WWE, or if their time in the ring is more-so about their own physical fitness rather than pro-wrestling aspirations. Whatever the case may be, the Dungeon 2.0 is proving to be a hot bed of notable young names, leaving fans excited to see who’s next to step out of the Dungeon and carve a legacy in the squared circle.
WWE/AEW alum Saraya has opened up on her mental health, sharing that she is feeling the most positive about herself and her situation than she has in years. On X, the British wrestler shared her “random late night thoughts” and included a photo of herself and her dogs for good measure.
This year I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been. Everything feels just so much more positive. Personal. Business. Even when things aren’t easy, my mind set is just so much better. I feel like it’s noticeable? I dunno but making big changes and putting myself first FINALLY looks good on me
Random late night thoughts lol but.. This year I’ve been the happiest I’ve ever been. Everything feels just so much more positive. Personal. Business. Even when things aren’t easy, my mind set is just so much better. I feel like it’s noticeable? I dunno but making big changes… pic.twitter.com/T7oX1Kp1lE
Saraya’s message is especially meaningful given the challenges she has faced in the past. During her WWE career, she struggled with substance abuse and endured harassment after private photos were leaked without her consent. In 2017, she suffered a serious neck injury that sidelined her for nearly five years. In her new memoir, she also discusses surviving assault during her younger life.
While Saraya is thrilled with how things are going professionally and personally, fans eagerly await her next move. With her AEW run over, many have pointed to a WWE return. In July, Saraya shared that while she loves WWE, return talks hadn’t happened yet. The British star wrestled as Paige for years, and has said that if a return does happen, she hopes to come back as her WWE persona.
Whatever’s next for Saraya, she’s ready to meet it head-on. With 2025 proving to be a great year already for her, the sky’s the limit for the British wrestler.
UFC alum Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson has said a police investigation is apt in the wake of his son’s attack on Syko Stu, but that Stu should be investigated. Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, the elder Jackson said that investigators should look into Stu, the victim of the attack, for times he’s “attacked somebody backstage and p***ed people off.”
“The police need to investigate that s***. How many times Syko Stu done attacked somebody backstage and p***ed people off, being drunk and s***?”
The issues between Stu and Raja Jackson reportedly began when Stu hit Jackson with a beer can, believing it to be a spot between wrestlers. While Jackson reportedly accepted Stu’s apology as the pair shook hands, Raja would later deliver a series of punches to the head of a seemingly unconscious Stu in the ring.
"The police need to investigate that s—. How many times Syko Stu done attacked somebody backstage and pissed people off, being drunk and s—."@Rampage4Real's final thoughts on his son's pro wrestling incident. pic.twitter.com/0AlEpieeG0
Rampage Jackson’s comments continue to follow a trend from the UFC alum. Though he has said that Raja went too far with his attack, Rampage has accused Stu of bring drunk and reckless, adding that this has been the case at past events as well. To date, Jackson has yet to provide any evidence of this, and has similarly not provided evidence that Syko Stu has attaacked others backstage while intoxicated.
This situation has cast an ugly shadow over KnokX Pro Wrestling, a promotion that has been dropped as a WWE ID affiliate as a result. With this situation continuing to develop, it remains to be seen what the future holds for both Syko Stu and Raja Jackson.
AJ Lee and Naomi fought dozens of times, both on TV, at pay-per-view events, and at untelevised house shows, during Lee’s first run with WWE. Lee’s final match on the March 30, 2015, edition of WWE Raw would see the former Divas Champion team with Naomi and Paige (now Saraya) to defeat The Bella Twins and Natalya.
Lee’s return is expected to be as part of the ongoing CM Punk feud against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. WWE Shop recently spoiled that AJ Lee’s return is coming and that new merchandise is in the works, though deleted this post from their X account.
As for Naomi, she’ll be out of action for several more months, and there’s no word on how long she will be out post-birth. However long it is, Naomi is ready to share the ring with AJ Lee once more.
MLW World Champion Matt Riddle has taken aim at both CM Punk and AJ Lee, in the latest hot take from the former WWE Superstar. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Riddle branded Punk a “p***y” and added that he’s already ready for a legitimate fight with the Best in the World.
Riddle then took aim at Punk’s support for the women of WWE NXT, including his support for Cora Jade. In Riddle’s eyes, the Chicago-Made star is too comfortable with female talent decades younger than him.
“I think he’s fake and I think he’s a creep. I don’t know. I feel like he’s just lingering around the NXT locker room a little too much.”
Punk married AJ Lee in 2014, with the former World Champion being served his WWE termination papers on his wedding day. Though claiming that “I have no problems with her” Riddle insinuated that Lee slept-around in wrestling.
“I’m not one to talk, I’m a little f**ed up myself—but she did go get around from what I heard. But no disrespect to that.“
Excitement is growing that AJ Lee will soon return to WWE, with her match expected to come in a matter of weeks at WrestlePalooza. Two years since his release, Riddle won’t be on the card, and the ‘Original Bro’ continues to throw shade at those still in WWE.
Age is just a number for Frankie Kazarian. The 48-year-old continues to compete at a high level for TNA Wrestling. A company the 28-year ring veteran began working for during its early days as part of the revolutionary X Division.
“I really don’t feel my age,” Kazarian said. “That’s the thing. I feel better than I did in my 20s…In addition to working hard, it’s about working smart. I think that’s why I’ve had the longevity I’ve had. I have a very strict regime in the gym. I’m very disciplined in terms of my diet and self limitations and always have been.
“Consistancy is key. It’s a lifetime’s worth of work. Staying healthy is very important to me because of what I do because of the physical nature and violent nature of it. Other than a couple of surgeries many years ago, I’ve avoided many injuries. I feel better than I have any right to.”
After his time away from TNA, he dipped his toes back into the promotion back in 2022 before fully committing to his former longtime home in 2023. It was during that period Kazarian was caught up in the positive atmosphere and motivated roster. He felt momentum building to the point the multi-time champion wanted to be on the team.
“I saw they were on a good path because they had gone through some pretty rough times in the past. I was part of those rough times early on. I saw they were trending in the right direction,” Kazarian said.
“…Since I’ve been back, call it coincidence,I don’t, but since I’ve jumped back in TNA we’ve trended upward in every metric. Right now the company is on fire. We’re selling out shows, breaking attendance records and coming to new towns. It’s really cool and exciting the same way it was exciting in the early Asylum days when we first got on Fox Sports [Net] and Spike TV, but it’s a different kind of excitement. We have this relationship with NXT that has garnered a lot of interest. The stuff we are doing on our own people are really into. It’s just a great time to be in this company.”
A contributing factor of TNA’s current success comes with its President Carlos Silva at the helm. The executive brings a wealth of sports experience to the table. His approach has been impactful in Kazarian’s eyes.
“Carlos is an outsider in terms of he didn’t come for the wrestling business, but he is certainly not a stranger to the sports industry and sports business,” he said. “I know Carlos is a very big advocate of live TV. He has been very aggressive about going out there and getting what he wants and saying things and making them happen. He stepped up as a true leader. He also will humble himself and will defer to things he may not know to others when it comes to pro wrestling.
“Carlos has been very good for our company. My first boss here was Jerry Jarrett and Jeff Jarrett. Two of the smartest guys you’re going to get in pro wrestling. Jeff Jarrett, at the end of the day, he is the founder of this place and this is his vision. What Dixie [Carter] did can never be overlooked. I hope Dixie is going to get the respect she deserves one day. What Scott D’Amore did for this company. He held it down through some rough times and brought us from the dark place into the light. All those men and women have shared and should share in the success of TNA and what we’re doing right now.”
One goal TNA hopes to achieve is landing a bigger programming deal. Whether that be a streamer or traditional network, Kazarian remains hopeful and optimistic that this will come sooner rather than later.
“Everybody is, internally and management and roster alike, are focused on getting better distribution, more distribution, more eyes on our product. Especially, now that we are at our hottest,” he said. “Be it on streaming or a cable network, everybody is waiting with bated breath. It’s one of those things where it’s a matter of if, but when. I know Carlos and his team are working around the clock.
“All of our management team are putting in the hours and time. That’s their job and our job is to entertain and bring the best wrestling you’re going to see. I really think it will happen. I would hope by the time Bound for Glory comes around or end of year we’d know more about that. I’m just a lowly wrestler, but I do talk to management quite often and we’re all on the same page and have that goal certainly in mind. I think we’re closer than we ever have been.”
When it comes to the future, Kazarian doesn’t have any intention of retiring from the ring any time soon. Though post active career he would be open to a behind the scenes role or even on commentary. At the same time, the dedicated father and husband hasn’t ruled out just fully riding off into the sunset “disappearing into the desert never to be heard from again.” The focus now is to continue his journey to achieving the one accolade that has escaped him, winning the TNA World Heavyweight Title.That and maybe making a match with his former TNA original AJ Styles a reality.
“I hope if we see AJ Styles, the person he sees across from him is Frankie Kazarian because it’s only fitting. There is nobody else that would make more sense than me and AJ doing it one more time in a TNA ring,” Kazarian said. “It would be very special. It would be very special to me. It would be very special to him. I know he is down. I know I am down. I know the fans want it. It’s just a matter of a few people signing off on it and making it happen. It would be a great full-circle moment for that to happen. For it to happen in a TNA ring would be very special.”
Outside of wrestling, Kazarian stays busy with his business ventures including American Rebel Cigars, which includes partner Cody Rhodes. He has a few “brothers of the leaf.” He named Eric Young as his cigar smoking buddy with Matt Cardona and Brian Myers rounding out the crew. Kazarian has managed to find a good work-life balance. Helping in that department is the fact his spouse is none other than OG TNA Knockout Traci Brooks, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023.
“We’ve been married 15 years. I couldn’t have done it without her. She is my rock,” Kazarian gushed. “She knows better than anybody what I go through because she has gone through it herself…She knows this business and is smart about this business and smart about people. She and my son are my entire support system. Putting up with me she should have a world title and be in the Hall of fame for that alone. It’s cool. Asking a ‘regular’ person to put up with our schedule and our incredibly wacky life is a big ask. To be with someone who knows the challenges you face has been just incredible. Whatever happens in pro wrestling, I’ll always be grateful for this business because it got me her and my son.”
Riho, AEW’s inaugural Women’s World Champion, made a surprise return on the September 3, 2025 episode of Dynamite after being sidelined for over a year due to a fractured arm.
During the opening match, TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defeated Alex Windsor but attacked her post-match. Riho’s music hit as she rushed to the ring, delivering a double foot stomp from the top rope and a dropkick that sent Mone retreating. Riho then picked up the TBS Championship belt, signaling her interest in challenging for the title.
The confrontation has led to an official TBS Championship match between Mercedes Moné (c) and Riho at AEW All Out 2025 on Saturday, September 20th, streaming on HBO Max PPV. This will mark the first singles match between the two wrestlers.
Riho looks to have her eye on @MercedesVarnado's TBS Championship!
The inaugural AEW Women’s World Champion, Riho, has made her surprise return to All Elite Wrestling. On tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Riho appeared for the first time in over a year, confronting the reigning AEW TBS Champion, Mercedes Mone, and making her intentions for the title clear.
The return took place after the opening match of the broadcast, which saw Mercedes Mone successfully defend her AEW TBS Championship against Alex Windsor. After securing the victory, Mone was not satisfied and continued her assault on Windsor, locking her back in the Bank Statement submission hold. This post-match attack is what prompted the surprise arrival of the former champion.
As Mone was applying the submission, Riho’s music hit, and she stormed the ring to a loud ovation from the Philadelphia crowd. She immediately went after the champion, taking her out with a diving footstomp. After chasing Mone from the ring, Riho attended to the fallen Alex Windsor before picking up the TBS Championship and holding it high in the air, a clear challenge to the “CEO.” The segment ended with the two stars staring each other down, teasing a potential championship match at the upcoming All Out pay-per-view.
This was Riho’s first appearance on AEW television in over a year. Her last match for the company took place on the July 6, 2024, episode of AEW Collision, where she defeated Lady Frost. As the first-ever AEW Women’s World Champion, Riho holds a special place in the history of the company.
WWE Hall of Famer The Godfather (Charles Wright) has shared details from his experience at Vince McMahon’s recent 80th birthday party, revealing a star-studded guest list and an interesting story about the former WWE Chairman’s attire. The party, which was intended to be a private affair, took place in New York City over the weekend of August 22-24 at the Baccarat Hotel and Gotham Hall.
Speaking on his “Poddin’ Ain’t Easy” show, The Godfather confirmed he had a “good time” at the event and listed some of the other high-profile attendees. “I’m not going to mention everybody who was there but, of course, Taker was there and Kane was there and Bradshaw was there. We had a good time. Cena was there,” he said. “A lot of entertainers were there. Jelly Roll performed.”
The Godfather also recalled his personal interaction with McMahon upon arriving at the cocktail party on Friday. “I’m like, ‘Vince, thank you for inviting me.’ He goes, ‘Charles, I just want you to know there’s nobody here that’s not my true friend.’” He also noted that McMahon’s physical condition appeared to have improved from recent photos. “He looked better than when I’ve seen pictures of him lately, he looks a lot better than that. He’s walking a lot better than that,” he said.
He then shared a story about McMahon’s suit, which he said reminded him of the character Dr. Evil from the “Austin Powers” movies, an observation he soon found out was shared by The Undertaker. “I didn’t want to say it to him but… I thought, Dr. Evil, you’re Dr. Evil,” he recalled. “He gets to me and Taker are talking and Kane and (Vince) walks away and Taker goes, ‘Dude, Vince looking like Dr. Evil. I’m like, ‘Dude, that’s exactly what I was thinking!’”
The Godfather also confirmed previous reports that the party was a private, secretive event, noting that phones and cameras were not allowed at the cocktail party. This aligns with a report from Fightful Select earlier this week which stated that the party was intended to be kept secret, but details and photos leaked out anyway.
WWE appears to be setting its sights on a significant return to the Chinese market, with influential figures within the company pushing for a Premium Live Event in Hong Kong.
According to Fightful Select‘s Sean Ross Sapp, “numerous people of influence within WWE have pushed for WWE to hold a major event in China in the coming years. Specifically, we’ve heard Hong Kong mentioned as a location, with a PLE event discussed internally within WWE as a possibility.”
This potential expansion represents a strategic shift for WWE, which previously focused its Chinese operations primarily in mainland cities like Shanghai and Shenzhen.
WWE and UFC in China
Between 2016 and 2019, WWE established what became a September tradition of touring China, holding eight events across the country before the COVID-19 pandemic halted international touring.
The timing aligns with parent company TKO Group’s broader Asian expansion strategy. UFC, also owned by TKO, has maintained an active presence in the region with events in Shanghai and Macau throughout 2024 and 2025, plus a Performance Institute facility in Shanghai since 2019.
A Strategic Return
WWE’s previous China ventures proved successful, featuring major stars like John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Charlotte Flair, while also serving as a platform for developing Chinese talent. The company signed multiple Chinese athletes to developmental contracts and established content distribution partnerships during their active period in the market.
Hong Kong’s selection as the potential venue represents a notable departure from WWE’s historical focus on mainland Chinese cities. The location could offer unique advantages for international broadcasting and audience reach while maintaining access to the broader Chinese market.
With WWE’s international expansion continuing across Europe, Australia, and the Middle East, a return to China would fill a significant gap in their global touring schedule.
The company has yet to announce official plans, but internal discussions suggest serious consideration of re-entering one of the world’s largest entertainment markets.
NBC Sports President Rick Cordella expressed gratitude to WWE and execs Nick Khan, Paul Levesque (Triple H), and Stephanie McMahon for their five-year partnership with Peacock, which began in 2021.
And a big thank you to @WWE Nick Khan, @TripleH and @StephMcMahon for taking a chance on Peacock 5 years ago, as we were just launching.
But it’s not goodbye. We’re excited to stay a partner of the WWE, with must-watch, Saturday Night Main Events for years to come. https://t.co/klTGmOpbgr
Dustin Rhodes has shared an update on his recovery journey just two weeks after undergoing a double knee replacement.
The wrestling veteran shared that he had been competing for the past five years with severely damaged knees, making his recent surgery a significant milestone in his career and personal life.
Today marks 2 wks since surgury. Don't really know how I was doing it these last 5 yrs. Knees were destroyed. Dressing off finally. I look forward to a slow and methodical rehab. Slow and steady. Thank yall for all of your support and prayers. God has it under control. ????… pic.twitter.com/z92o90p1xO
At the two-week mark, Rhodes posted post-surgery photos that highlight the extent of his procedure and the progress he has made so far. He noted that his dressings have now been removed, marking another step forward in his rehabilitation process.
“Today marks 2 wks since surgery. Don’t really know how I was doing it these last 5 yrs. Knees were destroyed. Dressing off finally. I look forward to a slow and methodical rehab. Slow and steady. Thank yall for all of your support and prayers. God has it under control.”
Despite the challenges, Rhodes emphasized his commitment to a slow and steady recovery, understanding the importance of patience and proper healing.
Fans and fellow wrestlers have expressed their support as Rhodes continues his journey back to health, inspired by his resilience and determination to overcome adversity.
Former WWE and UFC star Ronda Rousey has effectively closed the book on her professional wrestling career, revealing in a candid interview that WWE repeatedly failed to deliver on promised storylines throughout her tenure.
Speaking on The Lapsed Fan podcast, Rousey confirmed that pro wrestling is “pretty much” in her rear view mirror while detailing the frustrations that led to her October 2023 departure from WWE.
“I got into WWE because I wanted to be able to wrestle with my girls, you know, the Four Horsewomen and be able to wrestle with my friends,” Rousey explained. “And they kind of dangled that carrot for my whole run and never let it happen.”
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The revelation sheds new light on one of wrestling’s most anticipated storylines that never materialized. Fans had long anticipated a feud between WWE’s Four Horsewomen (Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Bayley, Sasha Banks) and their MMA counterparts (Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir, Jessamyn Duke).
Her Ultimatum to WWE
Rousey disclosed that she ultimately had to issue an ultimatum to secure her final WWE match.
“And then the second run, they kept dangling it. And then by the end, I was like, I’m f*cking leaving unless I can wrestle with Shayna [Baszler]. And that’s how I was able to do it at all.”
The match she referenced was her SummerSlam 2023 encounter with Baszler under MMA rules, which served as Rousey’s farewell to WWE.
Ironically, the only Four Horsewomen storyline Rousey received was against her own teammate.
“And now nobody even works there anymore,” Rousey noted, highlighting the complete dissolution of the MMA Four Horsewomen from WWE.
Baszler was released in May 2025 despite having three years remaining on her contract, while Shafir and Duke were released in 2021.
Life After WWE
Since leaving WWE, Rousey has appeared on the independent wrestling circuit alongside Shafir, who now works for AEW. She characterizes her WWE experience as a valuable “sabbatical” that will inform her future creative projects, including her recently published memoir “Our Fight.”
The interview provides rare insight into the creative frustrations that can drive top talent away from WWE, even when achieving championship success.
AEW has strategically shifted All Out to a 3pm ET start time on September 20, positioning the pay-per-view several hours before WWE’s WrestlePalooza on ESPN to avoid direct head-to-head competition.
The afternoon scheduling represents a tactical move in the ongoing wrestling wars, allowing AEW to capture viewership without competing directly against WWE’s evening ESPN broadcast. This timing strategy could potentially benefit both promotions by giving wrestling fans the opportunity to watch both events.
AEW PPVs are coming to HBO Max! Starting this Friday, U.S. subscribers can purchase AEW: All Out for the exclusive price of $39.99. @hbomax@AEWpic.twitter.com/DzjR7c1unv
Starting with All Out, AEW will transition all future pay-per-views to HBO Max as their exclusive streaming platform. Current Max subscribers in the United States can purchase the event for $39.99, featuring an ad-free viewing experience. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 5, with an exclusive $10 discount for early buyers.
The HBO Max partnership marks a significant shift from traditional pay-per-view distribution, with purchased events remaining available for replay exclusively to buyers for six months. Fans can access their purchases through the My Stuff section under My Purchases on the HBO Max platform.
This scheduling and platform strategy positions AEW to avoid the intense competition that often splits wrestling audiences during major events, while establishing HBO Max as their long-term streaming home for premium content.
AEW ring announcer Justin Roberts has revealed that he has sustained an injury, sharing on his social media that he has a broken toe. Roberts, who has been with All Elite Wrestling since the company’s inception, is a key part of the presentation of AEW’s weekly programming via his announcing style. His injury, while painful, is not expected to cause him to miss any time from his on-screen duties, a testament to his toughness and dedication.
In a post to his Instagram story, Roberts uploaded a photo of an X-ray of his foot, which clearly showed that one of his toes was broken. The graphic image detailed the extent of the damage to the bone.
Despite the unfortunate injury, Roberts maintained a sense of humor about the situation. He included a broken bone emoji in the post and also had the song “Them Bones” by the rock band Alice in Chains playing over the image for good measure.
Roberts’s career as a ring announcer has spanned over two decades, with a lengthy and memorable run in WWE before he joined AEW in 2019.
AJ Mana recently claimed that he’d been fired from his day job due to his role in Raja Jackson’s attack on Syko Stu that shocked the wrestling world. Now, Mana is walking back on those claims, as he told the Something to Wrestle podcast:
“[wORK TOLD ME] yOU’RE NOT TECHNICALLY FIRED, BUT WE’RE NOT REALLY ASKING YOU TO COME BACK TO WORK UNTIL THIS DISSIPATES.”
Mana was the person who told Jackson to give Stu a ‘receipt’ after Stu hit Raja with a beer can. Though Stu apologized and he and Raja shook hands, Jackson would deliver a series of punches to the head of an unconscious Stu in the ring in a moment that has outraged fans.
Mana is not fired, despite in a previous interview claiming that his day job terminated him once they saw a video of his and Jackson through TMZ. Mana had previously claimed that his work had told him “You’re an accessory to an attempted murder. We gotta let you go,” but that no longer appears to be the case.
This situation has cast an ugly shadow over KnokX Pro Wrestling, a promotion that has been dropped as a WWE ID affiliate. While Mana may not be gone from his day job, despite his past comments, his future in wrestling, much like Jackson’s, remains in doubt.
MLW World Champion Matt Riddle has refuted claims that he no-showed an independent wrestling event that raised funs for veterans and those reeling from the self-inflicted death of a loved one. In a video on Instagram, Riddle shared his side of the story.
“GWK, the reason I didn’t go is because you booked me a flight for Thursday for a show that’s happening Sunday. And you said you were booking me meet and greets, other matches, and appearances. You did none of that. I had nothing scheduled. What, I was gonna sit in a hotel room for two days in London? I told you multiple times I can’t do that, I wouldn’t do that, and I had work on Friday, Saturday, even Thursday. And I told you I’d fly to London on Saturday evening. You said you’d pay for it, and I said, ‘No, take it out of my pay, whatever.’ You guys refused.”
The show, hosted by the new Global Wrestling Kingdom promotion, took place in Barnsley, England on Sunday, August 31. In his video, Riddle also rejected the claim that the show was for charity, and believes GWK’s first show will also be their last.
“So I flew to Miami and wrestled there, alright? Also, I never said I wouldn’t pay you guys back. That’s a lie. And this show wasn’t a charity event. That’s another lie, a last-second change. You also booked me the worst flight in history, bro—middle seat, no meal, no bag. GWK, this is probably your last run.”
The mayor of Barnsley opened the show with a ribbon-cutting before General Manager Al Snow shared that Riddle would not be appearing. In his place, the UK’s own Grado made a surprise appearance and faced Simon Miller in the show’s main event. Riddle’s name was said during Grado’s post-match speech and illicited boos from the crowd.
The situation is the latest controversy to the name of the former WWE Superstar, who had a series of issues ahead of his release in 2023. With Riddle claiming innocence over his GWK no-show, it remains to be seen what’s next for the new promotion.
Excitement continues to grow that AJ Lee will finally return to WWE over a decade after her final match for the promotion. CM Punk has teased bringing his wife back as part of his feud with Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins, and now WWE Shop has seemingly given the game away.
On X, Wrestling YouTube content producer Wrestling Daze asked when fans can expect new AJ merch, jokingly horrified at the idea of not wearing her merchandise for a return. While Wrestling Daze likely didn’t expect a response, the now-deleted reply from WWE Shop’s official account speaks volumes.
This is the biggest sign yet that Lee will make her long-awaited return to WWE. It has been reported that Lee’s in-ring return will come at WWE WrestlePalooza, kicking off WWE’s new partnership with ESPN on a massive note. Lee last wrestled on the post-WrestleMania 31 edition of Raw in 2015. While she has done some things in wrestling, including being a presence on-and-off screen for WOW – Women of Wrestling, a return to WWE has been the dream of fans for years.
It remains to be seen whether AJ Lee’s in-ring return is a one-off or the start of something bigger. What we can say is that according to WWE Shop, her return isn’t a matter of if, but when.
The era of AEW pay-per-views on HBO Max is officially here. In a joint announcement from All Elite Wrestling and Warner Bros. Discovery, it was confirmed that AEW’s biggest shows will now be available to stream on the HBO Max platform, beginning with the All Out pay-per-view on Saturday, September 20. The announcement also revealed a new, earlier start time for All Out and a discounted price for HBO Max subscribers.
In a press release, AEW and WBD confirmed the details of the new arrangement. “Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO Max and All Elite Wrestling today announced a groundbreaking expansion of their nearly six-year relationship, with the launch of AEW pay-per-view events on HBO Max, starting with AEW All Out on Saturday, September 20 at 3 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada,” the statement read. The earlier start time is a strategic move to compete with WWE’s Wrestlepalooza event, which will air in the evening on the same day.
The press release also detailed the pricing and availability for the new pay-per-view offering. “Preorders for AEW All Out on HBO Max will launch this Friday, September 5, allowing U.S. HBO Max subscribers with supported devices to purchase the event for the exclusive price of $39.99.” This is a ten-dollar discount from the standard pay-per-view price. The events will be available to stream in HDR10 and Dolby Atmos. Replays will also be exclusively available for six months for those who purchase the events.
The new deal also includes special programming in the week leading up to the pay-per-view. On Saturday, September 20, a one-hour live pre-show, “AEW Saturday Tailgate Brawl: All Out,” will air at 2 p.m. ET on both TNT and HBO Max. Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, September 17, TBS and HBO Max will present a special three-hour “September to Remember” show, which will be the go-home episodes of Dynamite and Collision.
The addition of pay-per-view events to the HBO Max platform is the latest step in the growing partnership between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery. HBO Max subscribers in the U.S. already have access to the library of AEW content, including live simulcasts and on-demand replays of Dynamite and Collision, as well as past pay-per-view events.
HBO Max will stream AEW PPV shows LIVE starting very soon:#AEWAllOut Saturday Afternoon, 9/20 3pm ET/Noon PT !
All HBO Max subscribers can now purchase AEW ppv shows at an exclusive low price point: $39.99!
See you on TBS + HBO Max for Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite, TONIGHT!
AEW star Powerhouse Hobbs has opened up about his incredible and “freakish” recovery from a ruptured patella tendon, an injury that was expected to keep him out of action for up to a year. In a new interview, Hobbs revealed that he was able to return to the ring in just six months, a timeline that even shocked his doctors.
The injury occurred in April 2024, during a match against Jon Moxley. The ruptured patella tendon is a serious injury that typically requires a lengthy and difficult rehabilitation process. The initial prognosis for Hobbs was that he would be on the shelf for eight to twelve months. However, the powerful star was determined to beat that timeline and get back to the ring as soon as possible.
Speaking with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, Hobbs detailed his mindset during his recovery. “That’s me. What you see in the ring every week, that’s me to a large extension. Being down for six months with rupture patella, which was supposed to take eight to twelve months to heal. I’m a freak and a different beast,” he said. “I’m from the Bay. I knew once I came back that I had to amp things up and be different.” His comments reflect the intense and focused persona that fans have seen from him since his return to AEW programming.
Hobbs then shared a story about his doctor’s reaction to his rapid progress.“True story, you can ask our doctor Michael Sampson. When I first went to my second follow up after surgery, the doctor was like, ’You’re not supposed to be standing or doing any of this,” Hobbs recalled. “I had a gaol set in mind and I knew I was going to have surgery. I’m a little different. I’ve overcame a lot in my life and this was nothing different.”
Since his return to the ring in November 2024, Powerhouse Hobbs has been a dominant force in All Elite Wrestling. He is currently a member of the AEW World Trios Champions alongside his partners in “The Opps,” Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata.
MLW World Heavyweight Champion Matt Riddle has come under fire after no-showing a charity wrestling event in the UK and failing to return his deposit to the promotion. Riddle was scheduled to face Simon Miller at Global Wrestling Kingdom’s inaugural show “A New Kingdom Rises” on Sunday, August 31, in Barnsley, England.
The event, opened by the Mayor of Barnsley, was raising funds for Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) and Help 4 Homeless Veterans. According to Cultaholic, Riddle was booked months ago through his manager but recently expressed concerns about his “cheap” flights and unhappiness about staying in a Barnsley hotel for two days.
Global Wrestling Kingdom attempted to arrange paid seminars to help offset his travel costs, but were unable to finalize anything on short notice. Despite never formally canceling his booking, Riddle never traveled to the UK. A driver was left waiting hours for his arrival at the airport.
Riddle later messaged the promotion claiming he had accepted another booking but would “potentially” still make the show, then stopped responding to further communications. The no-show forced the promotion to issue refunds for meet-and-greet packages, with Grado stepping in to replace Riddle against Miller in the main event. Sources indicate Riddle has yet to return his deposit.
Instead of appearing in Barnsley, Riddle was spotted backstage at Real American Freestyle’s event on August 30 and competed at Boca Raton Championship Wrestling in Florida on August 31.
This marks the second no-show controversy for Riddle in 2025, after he failed to appear at a Championship Wrestling from Memphis event in January to attend Nick Hogan’s wedding.
AEW’s residency at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena continues tonight with AEW Dynamite live on TBS and HBO Max in the US and on AEW Plus internationally.
Confirmed Matches & Segments
TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Alex Windsor
All-Star 8-Man Tag: ‘Hangman’ Adam Page, Kenny Omega & JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey) vs. Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
Taz to be honored: Special segment for Taz and the 2300 Arena Hardcore Hall of Fame
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite continues the road to the promotion’s next pay-per-view event, AEW All Out 2025 on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This marks the first time All Out will be held outside the Chicago area and the United States. As of this writing, the only confirmed bout for that card is Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler).
Vince McMahon’s 2023 return changed WWE for the worse.
The former WWE owner announced his retirement from the company in July 2022 in light of hush money allegations. This exile only lasted 6 months however, as McMahon forced his way back in the promotion in early 2023. He would go on to sell the company to Endeavor who merged it with UFC under the TKO banner.
During a recent interview with PWMania, former WWE star Doc Gallows talked about the environment of the locker room at the time. Gallows with his tag team partner Karl Anderson was one of the names brought back by Triple H during Vince’s hiatus. According to him, the backstage environment was very different when McMahon was not there:
“Yeah, when we came back in October of 2022, it felt great. It felt fresh. It felt new. Then, a few short months later, we’re in New York and we’re getting ready to leave the building and a limousine pulls up and we see a moustachioed man pop out and it was Vince McMahon coming back for the first time, we happened to see him in the parking garage.”
Doc Gallows explained that Vince McMahon’s sudden return changed everything and things got very weird because of all the transition that was happening:
“I don’t know what goes on behind closed doors there, but from that point on, everything certainly got weird. Whether it was the Vince thing and then the eventual sale to TKO, and however that timeline worked. But, you know, you could feel the winds of change.”
While the Good Brothers remained with the company even after Vince’s exit from TKO, their TV role was reduced by a lot upon his return. Gallows mentioned that it was like wearing golden handcuffs, as they were still getting paid without getting the chance to perform. The former champions were released from the company in February this year.
Effective in September with Wrestlepalooza, WWE’s PLEs are, in the United States, transitioning from Peacock to ESPN. More than a platform change, the move comes with an upcharge. While lots of fans had access to Peacock through different bundles or special extended subscription deals that kept the price well under ten dollars monthly, ESPN’s new platform carries a $30/month price tag that has left a lot of fans cold.
Some have pointed out that in the traditional pay per view days, WWE charged upwards of $50 for even B-level PPVs, and the new price point still undercuts what AEW offers for its own specials. Indeed, the price is in some ways more consistent with the larger wrestling market and history. Still, it’s a tough pill to swallow for fans who aren’t otherwise invested in what ESPN has to offer to think about paying more than twice as much each month to follow the major shows.
Nobody wants to pay more for the same product, but is it possible that what WWE has planned will justify the the price hike?
The Move To ESPN Has Left Some Fans Miffed
In 2014, WWE launched the WWE Network. In what, in hindsight, feels like an inflection point between cable TV dominance and the age of streaming, a lot of fans weren’t sure what to make of the move, but the $9.99/month price point was undeniably a solid deal for monthly PLEs and a previously inaccessible library of past events.
While the general consensus was that Peacock was a poorer service for quality of live streaming, the fact that it came with a larger streaming platform of popular programming like The Office at essentially the same subscription price made the transition painless or even favorable to some fans. The move to ESPN comes with a price hike that may seem beneficial to wrestling fans who also follow other major sports at a serious level. For those who do not, however, the transition feels like more money for less content.
Triple H Books Well Under Pressure
Cody Rhodes and Triple H. Photo: WWE.com
The general consensus is that Triple H has performed well as the head of creative for WWE. As time marches forward, though, he does have his critics, who point out that weekly television has lost its momentum. Moreover, while fans were initially high on scaling back the marathon PLE format, shows with only five or even four announced matches have started to feel underdeveloped and like there’s too much filler in between the action. The COO has also come under fire for under-featuring black talent, particularly in the men’s singles ranks.
Some growing pains are to be expected. Triple H went from booking developmental where change was the name of the game with talents getting promoted to the main roster or released, while new names were always on their way in. In 2022, The Game had to pick up from everything Vince McMahon had already set in motion, which presented a mixture of its own advantages and challenges. 2023 saw Helmsley get to more fully pursue his own vision, but two years in some of the novelty has worn off, and new competing factors like TKO ownership and The Rock’s political stroke have added more layers of complication.
At the highest pressure moments, though, Triple H has tended to deliver. Whether it was sinking or swimming the first time he had his own territory to book in NXT, or elevating The Bloodline to greatness while also finishing Cody Rhodes’s story, The Game has lived up to the biggest moments in his creative thinking and leadership. This move to ESPN feels a lot like another inflection point, when fans hang from a precipice on whether they can justifying paying three times as much to follow WWE PLEs.
If The PLE Quality Meets The Price Increase, Everyone Might Win
Whether it’s the low match-count, the quality of the in-ring action, or the overarching creative, WWE has drawn mixed reactions for its PLE output in 2025. It’s hard to deny the product is much better than it was in the final stages of Vince McMahon’s leadership. Just the same, the overarching fanship’s honeymoon period with Triple H has come to a close.
Monthly PPV and monthly PLE streams have led to their share of lackluster major shows in between bangers. With fans paying thirty dollars a month, though, it stands to reason Triple H and his roster might feel the weight of responsibility to give fans their money’s worth.
No doubt, some fans will not make the jump to ESPN because the extra money simply isn’t in their budget. Meanwhile, other fans with some combination of the expendable income and diehard commitment to WWE will. As for everyone else in between, WWE can make the price hike worth their while with improved quality, slightly extending the match cards, finding their way to another hot streak of booking and delivering month in and month out.
How will WWE’s move to ESPN play out in the long run? Only time will tell. But while no one wants to pay more money to follow wrestling, WWE has a unique opportunity to make the investment worthwhile with some of its best output ever.
On the September 2, episode of WWE NXT, #DIY made a surprise return to the silver brand, confronting TNA World Champion Trick Williams. The segment resulted in Williams, also a former NXT Champion, being laid out, but now he’s ready to provide some history of his own.
Backstage, an irate Trick was seen leaving the arena and was asked for his thoughts on the two-on-one attack. With #DIY both being names associated from NXT’s past, Williams teased that he may bring some “history” of his own when he confronts the tag team next week.
“DIY? What they think I’m gonna let that slide… Y’all the only two around here with some history? Don’t worry about it. Imma see y’all next week! Yeah.”
Trick’s comments instantly led fans online to speculate who he plans to bring from NXT’s history, and Carmelo Hayes was the most popular suggestion. Melo and Trick were long-time allies in NXT before Carmelo turned on him, kicking off a feud that elevated Trick into the main event scene. With both men now heels, it remains to be seen if Melo is indeed the one returning, especially given his ongoing SmackDown unit with The Miz.
The September 9, episode of WWE NXT promises a lot, including Trick’s ‘history,’ a flag match, and a women’s triple-threat tag match for a shot at the Women’s Tag Titles. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest, as Trick Williams will be ready the next time he comes face-to-face with #DIY.
