A recently released WWE star may have already returned to the company in a backstage role. Shayna Baszler, who was let go in May, was reportedly working as a producer for a match during this week’s episode of WWE NXT.
According to a report from Cory Hays of BodySlam, the former NXT Women’s Champion was listed as a producer for the match between Kelani Jordan and Lainey Reid on the July 8 edition of NXT. It was noted that Chris Girard (formerly Oney Lorcan) was also listed as a producer for the match. This is often a tryout process for former wrestlers looking to transition into a full-time backstage role with the company.
Baszler’s WWE release in May reportedly caught many in the company off-guard, as she had re-signed with the promotion in 2024. Before her release, she last competed on the April 11 episode of SmackDown as a member of the Pure Fusion Collective faction alongside Zoey Stark and Sonya Deville. Her potential return in a new capacity while still under a 90-day non-compete clause is a noteworthy situation.
Baszler was part of a larger group of talent cuts in May that included Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, and Cora Jade. Kai has been teasing a return to the independent circuit under her former ring name while Jade has hit the ground running with several bookings.
A new power couple has come out of the ongoing second season of the WWE reality series, WWE LFG. Contestants Zena Sterling and Elijah Holyfield have officially confirmed that they are in a relationship, delighting fans of the show.
The two prospects, who have gained significant fan support for their chemistry and work ethic on the show, are now a public couple. Sterling confirmed the news on her Instagram account, posting a collection of photos with Holyfield along with the simple caption, “my ?.” The post was met with a wave of supportive comments from fellow WWE LFG contestants and WWE fans.
Sterling has been featured as a redemption story on this season of the show after not earning a contract during Season 1. Holyfield has also impressed coaches and the audience with his athletic ability and charisma. Their on-screen chemistry has been a talking point all season, and the confirmation of their real-life romance has fans hoping they both win developmental contracts at the season’s conclusion.
The second season of WWE LFG is nearing its end, with the finale scheduled to air in three weeks. Sterling and Holyfield are considered two of the front-runners to win the competition, which would award them both with official WWE NXT contracts. The final episodes will see the remaining contestants produce their own vignettes and compete in one last showcase match.
AEW is making changes to the format of its biggest show, All In. A new report indicates that this Saturday’s event from Arlington, Texas will feature a shorter runtime and a more condensed match card than in previous years.
According to Fightful Select, AEW All In Texas is scheduled to finish well before WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event airs at 8 p.m. ET. With the main card for All In set to start at 3 p.m. ET, the report suggests a total show length of under five hours. This marks a notable shift from other recent AEW pay-per-views, such as Dynasty, which ran for 4 hours and 23 minutes, and Double or Nothing, which lasted 4 hours and 30 minutes.
The report also states that the 2025 edition of All In will feature fewer matches than the 2023 and 2024 events. The updated lineup for this Saturday is as follows:
AEW World Championship Texas Death Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
AEW Women’s World Championship: Toni Storm (c) vs. Mercedes Moné
Winner Takes All Match: Kazuchika Okada (AEW Unified Champion) vs. Kenny Omega (IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay vs. The Young Bucks
TNT Championship: Adam Cole (c) vs. Kyle Fletcher
AEW World Tag Team Championships: Hurt Syndicate (c) vs. The Patriarchy vs. JetSpeed
WWE has announced 2 new matches for NXT Great American Bash.
This week’s episode of the development show featured a #1 contender Gauntlet match to determine the challenger for Ethan Page’s North American Championship.
Ricky Saints won the bout defeating names such as Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes and Jackson Drake. The win also earned the former AEW star the right to choose the stipulation for the match. The former champion decided that the championship bout will be false count anywhere.
Apart from this, the company also announced a singles match between Je’Von Evans and Jasper Troy for the event following multiple encounters between the two.
NXT Great American Bash will take place from Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia on July 12. The show will have a special start time of 3:00 p.m. ET. Here is the updated card for the event:
NXT Championship Match: Oba Femi (c) vs. Yoshiki Inamura (with Josh Briggs)
Tag Team Match: Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley) (with Jazmyn Nyx)
NXT Women’s North American Championship Match: Sol Ruca (c) (with Zaria) vs. Izzi Dame (with Tatum Paxley)
Falls Count Anywhere North American Championship Match: Ethan Page (c) vs. Ricky Saints
Singles Match: Je’Von Evans vs. Jasper Troy
The company also announced several new names for Evolution 2 during the episode. You can check out more about it here.
The glaring omission of some big names, including that of Stephanie Vaquer and Asuka, from the official poster of the show made many wonder if the PPV will have enough star power.
The company confirmed that Asuka will be teaming with Kairi Sane to compete in the tag team title fatal four way at the show earlier this week, and now they’ve confirmed the match for Vaquer as well.
Tonight’s episode of NXT featured General Manager Ava revealing names that will represent NXT in the announced battle royal at the show. During the segment, Stephanie Vaquer, Natalya, and Maxxine Dupri all came out to confirm that they’ll be a part of the battle royal as well.
The Women-only WWE event will take place from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia on Sunday, July 13. Here is the updated card for the show:
NXT Women’s Championship Match: Jacy Jayne (c) (with Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Jordynne Grace
Women’s World Championship Match: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
Fatal Four Way Tag Team Championship Match: The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez) (c) vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Sol Ruca and Zaria vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane)
WWE 2K25 will be pulling on heartstrings with an upcoming storyline tribute that explores the legacy of the Wyatt Family. On Tuesday, July 8, the official WWE Games account teased the upcoming addition with a cryptic post hinting at major developments.
Additional details emerged from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, who reported that 2K considers this their most emotionally powerful narrative to date. This mode will also include previously unused Bray Wyatt material and include full-length video content from both Uncle Howdy and Bo Dallas.
WWE 2K25 launched in early 2025 and boasts the largest roster of any wrestling video game in history. Since then, several DLC bundles have been released, giving fans access to an even greater number of Superstars and legends.
Though Bray Wyatt sadly passed in 2023, his legacy lives on to this day. Now, fans will get to experience more from the former WWE Champion as part of WWE 2K25.
In 2009, Randy Orton was arguably at his most evil, and one of his most infamous moments saw him handcuff Triple H and DDT Stephanie McMahon during an episode of Raw. While Orton appeared confident, even sealing his twisted act with a kiss on McMahon, he was actually a bag of nerves.
At 324 million views and counting, the segment is one of WWE’s most-watched videos on YouTube. When the topic came up during McMahon’s ‘What’s Your Story’ podcast, Orton opened up on how he felt at the time.
“I was in my twenties, and I was so nervous. And so, not really realizing how cool of a moment it would have eventually been.”
The segment remains legendary to this day, despite Orton’s nerves. On the podcast, he shared that he was hoping at the time that the segment would go too long, forcing WWE to pull it from the broadcast. Talking about the ‘Iss-K’ as he felt uncomfortable recalling the kiss, Orton said the whole thing was “super awkward” for him.
Orton may have stood tall on the night, but Triple H got his payback, beating the Viper at WrestleMania 25 to retain the WWE Championship. While Orton and the Game have been both allies and enemies since then, kissing Stephanie is an act Randy is happy to leave in the past.
AEW made its entry into the video game world with AEW Fight Forever which after several delays, hit shelves in mid-2023. Although the game received mixed reviews, fans remain curious about whether AEW will release more games.
Mike Straw of Insider Gaming recently shared on X that talks regarding AEW’s next gaming ventures are gaining momentum. This time, however, AEW reportedly plans to avoid announcing projects too early — a lesson learned from the rollout of Fight Forever.
It's not AEW related. But I can tell you, talks have picked up more on the AEW games front.
What they won't do, however, is announce anything too early this time.
They know that was a mistake. When a new game/update comes, it will be closer to it's planned released. https://t.co/1lDlWrC5b2
AEW has reportedly been searching for a new development partner for upcoming projects and is expected to part ways with Yukes. Tony Khan has also confirmed that more AEW video games are indeed in the pipeline.
WWE is stepping into spooky season in a major way with reports of a major crossover with one of the most iconic horror attractions in the United States. According to Fightful Select, WWE is planning a full integration into Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights later this year. An official announcement is expected before the end of the month for the collaboration that has reportedly been in development since late 2024.
Halloween Horror Nights is a major fall attraction, known for its haunted houses, scare zones, and immersive walk-through experiences. WWE is no stranger to chills and scares with horrifying Superstars such as The Undertaker, the Wyatt Sicks, Kane, and many more.
The annual event runs from August 29 to November 2 at Universal Studios Orlando. WWE won’t be alone in this year’s nightmare-fueled roster. Other IPs confirmed for the event include Jason Voorhees and Fallout, promising a mix of horror and gaming thrills.
With WWE diving deeper into the eerie and macabre this fall, fans can expect more than just slams and suplexes — they’re in for scream-worthy moments in the dark.
AEW President Tony Khan commented on the status of Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., during the AEW All In: Texas media call, addressing her long absence from company programming. Khan shut down any rumors that she was looking to leave the promotion.
“I’ve never had a conversation about Britt departing AEW. I like Britt a lot,” Khan said.
He then used a sports team analogy to explain why certain talented wrestlers, like Baker, may not be featured on television at all times.
“On a baseball team, you use nine players at a time. In the NFL, you can put 11 in at a time… Pro wrestling is unique because you can use a different number of people, but there is still only so many slots to fit into a show,” he explained. “We haven’t used everybody, and there are some really talented people on our bench that we can call in that would be a great part of the show. I absolutely think that applies to a number of women and men that are not necessarily being featured right now.”
Khan stated that his focus in 2025 has been on a “tight focused show” and not trying to force everyone on every week. He left the door open for Baker’s return when the time is right.
“Britt is a great example of somebody that is very talented and we could utilize in AEW with the right situation and at the time. Just like in pro sports, when you have some really talented people that aren’t necessarily starting every game at that point doesn’t mean they won’t be starting in the future. It makes sense for me to look at the AEW roster like a sports team and trying to manage the minutes and rotation.”
During the AEW All In: Texas media call on July 8, AEW President Tony Khan directly addressed recent speculation about whether Mercedes Moné has creative control over her direction in the company.
“That’s definitely not true at all,” Khan stated. “I have wanted Mercedes Moné in AEW and she is a big star on the show. I really enjoy working with her backstage… I also think it’s ridiculous, the idea that people would think because she’s a strong wrestler on the show that she must be the one dictating that. That is the complete opposite of what happens here.”
Khan reiterated that he has the final say on all creative matters in AEW, a philosophy he has held since the company’s inception. He explained his approach to working with top talent like Moné.
“I have such a high opinion of Mercedes in particular,” he said. “They are two of the best wrestlers on the planet. They are two people I meet with every single week. At least once a week, but usually multiple times a week and hear out ideas they might have and they hear out ideas I have. For both of them, I’m very involved in the direction of their character personally… In the case of this match, it’s something I really wanted to have in AEW for a very long time.”
He concluded by reinforcing his position on creative control within the company. “The idea that anybody in AEW has a creative control card and that’s why anybody would get a push here because they dictate it: that’s not how it works… When you have somebody of that stature, you would want to feature them and push them strongly.”
AEW and WWE have never shied away from going head-to-head, often forcing fans to choose which show to support on the night. While some fans believe WWE is wrong to schedule shows against AEW, MJF has made it clear that he sees it as a savvy business move.
In a recent interview with TV Insider, MJF was asked whether WWE running head-to-head events gives him more motivation. Rather than be outraged, MJF admitted that WWE’s alleged counter-programming simply makes sense.
“I think it’s a smart business practice. I give jolly old St. Nick and Trips a whole lot of credit. At the end of the day, if you can stomp out your competition, you’re doing what is necessary. Lord knows I would.”
MJF pointed fun at WWE scheduling programming to run the same time against AEW, despite many insisting AEW isn’t competition to WWE. What some may brush off as coincident, MJF believes is certainly not accidental.
“Everyone is judging them for it. I think that’s silly. Don’t judge them for it, but also, don’t be stupid. They’re not doing this by happenstance.”
The two companies may offer differing takes on pro-wrestling, but they’ve often gone one-on-one. Examples include:
AEW’s Dynamite debuted on TNT on October 2, 2019, directly competing with WWE’s NXT on USA Network each Wednesday night. AEW largely won the ratings battle until NXT moved to Tuesdays in April 2021.
An overrun edition of SmackDown was extended into FS1 and aired simultaneously with AEW’s Rampage in October 2021, an explicit move to draw viewers away.
WWE NXT destroyed AEW Dynamite when the two sides battled in October 2023, thanks in part to a stacked show of present NXT talent and legends.
NXT Battleground, a WWE premium event, was held opposite AEW’s flagship Double or Nothing. AEW’s Tony Khan later labeled it the most consistent counter-programming since the Jim Crockett era.
WWE scheduled Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC and the Great American Bash Premium Live Event on Peacock the same day AEW hosted All In: Texas later this week.
Whether fans see these head-to-head battles as strategic or petty, MJF clearly respects the move from a business perspective.
Goldberg can be a polarizing figure among wrestling fans. For those who followed WCW live through the Monday Night War era, there’s inevitably some nostalgia attached to the best built babyface the company had. His undefeated streak, the moment of him unseating Hollywood Hogan for the world title, his Halloween Havoc epic with Diamond Dallas Page, and other odds and ends live on in the collective memory.
On the other hand, Goldberg was never a great worker in a traditional sense. He was arguably overpushed and was responsible for ending Bret Hart’s career as a full-time wrestler. That’s not to mention uneven work under the WWE banner which included twice garnering world title reigns as a part-timer–booking that killed the momentum of younger, full-time main event acts.
Goldberg is ultimately synonymous with world titles, having spent such a large percentage of his pro wrestling career reigning or actively chasing a belt. As he gears up for one more world title shot opposite Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event, it’s time to look back at some strange, but true facts about Goldberg’s relationship with the top titles in wrestling.
Goldberg Won More World Titles In WWE Than WCW
Photo credit: WWE
While a lot of major stars wrestled for both WWE and WCW, Goldberg represents a unique case. There’s very little question he was a “WCW guy.” He never worked for WWE until they had bought out WWE. Moreover, he undoubtedly peaked in his popularity during his 1997-1998 run as an undefeated steamroller of a babyface.
It may surprise fans to realize, though, that Goldberg only had one world title reign in WCW, spanning the second half of 1998. By contrast, he was a three-time world champion in WWE, enjoying his meatiest reign for a roughly three-month span in 2003, before two short spells with the Universal Championship in 2017 and 2020. Unlikely as it may seem, that made Goldberg decisively more decorated in WWE than he ever was in WCW.
Goldberg Never Won The WWE Championship
Image Copyright: WWE
In 2003, there was a real case that WWE positioned Goldberg as its franchise player—the top babyface on the Raw brand who not only reigned as World Heavyweight Champion for 83 days, but spent over a month prior in the main event picture, chasing Triple H.
Moreover, his 2016-2017 comeback run also put him in the conversation as the top babyface in the company. Then, in 2020 he was positioned to put over Roman Reigns in a passing the torch moment at WrestleMania 36 for arguably the top title in the company before COVID-19 threw plans into disarray.
All that’s to say that as much as WWE consistently treated Goldberg as a top guy–in ways they didn’t really for any other top-tier WCW act—he nonetheless never actually won the promotion’s defining title—the WWE Championship.
Goldberg Lost All But One Of His World Titles In His Promotion’s Biggest Annual Event
Being a four-time world champion is impressive, particularly for a wrestler who, even by the most generous calculations, was active as in-ring talent for less than decade. As a further demonstration of his star power, three out of four of his world title reigns ended at a major promotion’s biggest show of the year—Starrcade 1998 in WCW, and WrestleManias 33 and 36 in WWE.
The other time Goldberg lost a world title was nothing to sneeze at either, as he dropped the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Survivor Series, a Big Four PLE, and to no lesser star than Triple H.
Goldberg Had More Than Six Times As Many Successful Title Defenses In His One WCW World Title Reign Than His Three World Title Reigns In WWE Combined
Despite Goldberg having three times as many world title wins in WWE than he did in WCW, an uncomfortable truth around his WWE reigns is that the latter two, with the Universal Championship, saw him lose his belt on the first title defense. Meanwhile, as World Heavyweight Champion, he had seven documented successful title defenses.
By contrast, Goldberg’s one WCW World Heavyweight Championship reign was 27 days longer than his three WWE world title reigns combined and featured a whopping 44 documented successful title defenses. Granted, the times were different, with world titles more frequently on the line on free TV and in non-televised matches. The difference is still staggering.
Goldberg Never Won A World Title On A WCW PPV
When fans look back on the tip-top stars of WCW, only a handful of names can objectively enter the discussion. Ric Flair. Sting. Hulk Hogan. Maybe folks like Diamond Dallas Page, Booker T, Lex Luger, Scott Steiner, Randy Savage, Sid Vicious, or Vader. Definitely Goldberg.
Goldberg was a defining star and one WCW built up at a crucial period at the height of the Monday Night War. Despite these factors, he won his one and only WCW World Heavyweight Championship on an episode of Nitro, aired on free TV rather than PPV. He had successful title defenses on PPV and did challenge for the belt on PPV, but never captured it on one of those featured shows.
MJF is finding his footing in Hollywood with a small role in The Iron Claw and will have a much more significant part in Happy Gilmore 2. While MJF is the latest name from wrestling to crossover into acting, he believes Hulk Hogan made things difficult for many wrestlers.
Speaking to TV Insider, MJF was asked whether it’s easier today for pro wrestlers to be taken seriously as actors. While MJF had praise for Dwayne Johnson, Dave Bautista, and John Cena, he had less than favorable things to say about the Hulkster.
“You’re watching these guys break this mold that unfortunately Terry Bollea [Hulk Hogan] created by being one of the worst actors of all time with Santa with Muscles, Mr. Nanny, and all that genuine garbage.”
Hogan would have several movie roles to his name, though his films were hardly massive success stories like what fans have seen from Johnson, Cena, and Bautista. While MJF hopes to see success in Hollywood of his own, he hopes to emulate this trio, and not the Hulkster.
As far as he’s concerned, Hogan’s reputation as a Hollywood performer left a long shadow that others had to overcome—and his opinion on that isn’t likely to change.
The collaboration between TNA Wrestling and WWE is set to continue as TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich will reportedly make appearances on WWE NXT programming. According to a report from PWInsiderElite.com, Slamovich will be featured on NXT television leading up to TNA’s biggest show of the summer.
The report notes that Slamovich is scheduled to appear at this Saturday’s NXT Great American Bash event. These appearances will serve to build a major champion vs. champion match scheduled for TNA’s Slammiversary pay-per-view.
At Slammiversary on Saturday, July 19, Masha Slamovich is scheduled to defend her TNA Knockouts World Championship in a title vs. title match against the NXT Women’s Champion. Her opponent will be either the current champion, Jacy Jayne, or Jordynne Grace, should Grace win the NXT Women’s Championship at the upcoming NXT Evolution event.
Slamovich is in the midst of her first reign as TNA Knockouts World Champion, having won the title from Jordynne Grace at the Rebellion pay-per-view this past April. Since then, she has successfully defended the championship against challengers such as Steph De Lander and Xia Brookside on TNA programming.
WWE’s groundbreaking all-women’s premium live event returns for the first time since 2018, taking place Sunday, July 13, 2025, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. Evolution caps off WWE’s historic weekend takeover, showcasing the incredible depth and talent of today’s women’s division.
When & Where to Watch
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025 Start Time: 8:00 PM ET Venue: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia Streaming: Peacock (United States) International: Netflix
Evolution will stream live exclusively on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix in most international markets, following the same distribution model as other WWE premium live events.
Confirmed Match Card
Women’s World Championship: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Trish Stratus
Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria
Women’s Battle Royal: Winner receives championship match at WWE Clash in Paris
Championship Spotlight
Women’s World Championship
Iyo Sky defends her Women’s World Championship against Rhea Ripley in what promises to be a hard-hitting encounter. The match represents the culmination of ongoing tensions between the champion and the former Judgment Day member.
WWE Women’s Championship
Tiffany Stratton puts her WWE Women’s Championship on the line against WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus. The match pits the young champion against one of the most accomplished women in WWE history.
Triple Threat Championship Match
The Women’s Intercontinental Championship will be decided in a triple threat match featuring champion Becky Lynch defending against both Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. This match showcases the depth of talent across multiple generations of WWE women’s wrestlers.
Cross-Promotional Elements
Evolution features significant cross-promotional storylines, with Jordynne Grace earning a championship opportunity after her impressive performances. Grace’s journey from TNA Wrestling to this championship match represents the continued collaboration between WWE and other promotions.
The event also showcases Blake Monroe’s continued integration into WWE programming following her debut at NXT Great American Bash the previous day.
Historic Return
Evolution’s return after seven years highlights how far women’s wrestling has come in WWE. The original 2018 event broke new ground as the first-ever all-women’s pay-per-view, featuring matches at all levels of the card and proving the drawing power of women’s wrestling.
The 2025 version promises to showcase the incredible evolution of the women’s division, with multiple championship matches and storylines that demonstrate the depth of talent available across WWE’s brands.
Ticket Information
Individual tickets for Evolution are available via Ticketmaster.com. Two-day combo packages with Saturday Night’s Main Event start at $152, providing access to both weekend events at State Farm Arena.
VIP packages through On Location offer premium experiences including ringside seating, all-inclusive pre-show hospitality featuring WWE Superstar meet-and-greets, and exclusive photo opportunities.
Women’s Division Showcase
Evolution represents WWE’s commitment to showcasing their women’s roster on the biggest stage possible. The event will feature championship matches across multiple divisions, demonstrating the company’s investment in women’s wrestling as a main event attraction.
The Women’s Battle Royal adds an additional layer of excitement, with the winner earning a championship match at the upcoming WWE Clash in Paris, extending storylines beyond the Atlanta weekend.
Weekend Finale
Evolution serves as the perfect finale to WWE’s unprecedented Atlanta weekend, following NXT Great American Bash and Saturday Night’s Main Event. The all-women’s showcase caps off four days of premium wrestling content that began with ROH Supercard of Honor on Friday.
WWE’s legendary Saturday Night’s Main Event returns to primetime television on Saturday, July 12, 2025, headlined by Bill Goldberg’s retirement match against World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. The NBC special takes place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta as part of WWE’s massive weekend takeover.
The primetime special will air live on NBC across the United States with a simultaneous stream on Peacock. International fans can watch live on YouTube, following the format of previous Saturday Night’s Main Event specials.
Complete Match Card
World Heavyweight Championship – Goldberg’s Final Match: Gunther (c) vs. Bill Goldberg
Singles Match: Seth Rollins vs. LA Knight
Singles Match: Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre
Goldberg’s Final Chapter
The main event features WWE Hall of Famer Bill Goldberg in what has been announced as his retirement match. The WCW legend challenges World Heavyweight Champion Gunther in his hometown of Atlanta, where WCW once ruled supreme. This emotional farewell takes place in the city where Goldberg first rose to prominence during his iconic undefeated streak.
Goldberg’s last in-ring match was in 2022, making this comeback at age 58 a significant moment for wrestling history. The question remains whether the veteran has one more spear and jackhammer left to capture championship gold in his final performance.
Key Storylines
Seth Rollins vs. LA Knight
LA Knight earned his opportunity against Seth Rollins through a sneak attack on “The Visionary” during Monday Night Raw. Knight is on a long list of wrestlers wanting to get their hands on Rollins, but the Megastar moved to the front of the line with his aggressive tactics.
Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre made his return on SmackDown after being out of action since his Steel Cage Match loss to Damian Priest in May. The Scottish Warrior immediately targeted Randy Orton with verbal attacks, but made the mistake of turning his back on The Viper, leading to an RKO and this grudge match.
Saturday Night’s Main Event Legacy
Saturday Night’s Main Event was revived in late 2024 after lying dormant for more than 16 years. The show now airs approximately four times per year as special NBC primetime events, featuring a mix of Raw and SmackDown superstars in high-profile matches.
This marks the first time Saturday Night’s Main Event has ever taken place in Atlanta, adding to the city’s rich WWE history that includes WrestleMania XXVII, Royal Rumble events, and most recently Bad Blood 2024.
Ticket Information
Individual tickets for Saturday Night’s Main Event are available via Ticketmaster.com. Combo packages with Evolution (July 13) start at $152, providing access to both State Farm Arena events. VIP packages through On Location offer premium seating, pre-show hospitality with WWE Superstar appearances, and ringside photo opportunities.
Competition Weekend
Saturday Night’s Main Event serves as the evening centerpiece of WWE’s Atlanta triple-header, following NXT Great American Bash at 3:00 PM ET and preceding Evolution on Sunday. The event airs during the same weekend as AEW’s All In: Texas, creating a massive weekend of wrestling content for fans.
Ring of Honor kicks off the biggest wrestling weekend of 2025 with Supercard of Honor, taking place Friday, July 11, 2025, at Esports Stadium Arlington in Arlington, Texas. The event marks the 18th edition of this annual showcase and will air exclusively on Honor Club.
When & Where to Watch
Date: Friday, July 11, 2025 Start Time: 8:00 PM ET Venue: Esports Stadium Arlington, Arlington, Texas Streaming: Honor Club exclusively via WatchROH.com
American viewers can watch the event live via an HonorClub subscription at WatchROH.com, with the event included in the monthly package. The service is accessible worldwide for international fans.
Supercard of Honor takes place this Friday, and with a stacked card already announced, and one more episode of ROH TV still to air this week!
— ROH – Ring of Honor Wrestling (@ringofhonor) July 6, 2025
Confirmed Match Card
Despite being less than a week away, only four official matches have been announced for the pay-per-view:
ROH World Championship: Bandido (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita
ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena (c) vs. Thunder Rosa
ROH World Tag Team Championship: Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara (c) vs. Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo
ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty (c) vs. Blue Panther
Key Championship Matches
ROH World Championship
Konosuke Takeshita declared his contention for Bandido’s ROH World Championship during a backstage segment at Global Wars Mexico, where the title match was later announced for Supercard of Honor. This match showcases ROH’s international flavor with Mexico’s Bandido defending against Japan’s hard-hitting Takeshita.
ROH Women’s World Championship
The women’s division takes center stage as ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defends her title against Thunder Rosa. This represents one of Rosa’s biggest matches since joining the ROH roster and could serve as a springboard for future storylines.
ROH World Tag Team Championship
On the July 3, 2025 episode of ROH, The Infantry (Capt. Shawn Dean and Carlie Bravo) defeated Top Flight (Dante Martin and Darius Martin) in a #1 Contender’s match to earn their shot at Sons of Texas (Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara) for the ROH World Tag Team Championships.
Ticket Information
Tickets for ROH Supercard of Honor are exclusively available through the purchase of an All In VIP or Champion VIP package for AEW All In: Texas. These premium bundles are the only way to secure entry to the event.
Additional Matches Expected
Several potential matches could be added to the card, including a six-man tag bout featuring John Silver and The Dark Order against Preston Vance’s Frat House faction. Additionally, the budding tournament to crown the inaugural ROH Women’s Pure Championship winner could see first-round matchups on the show.
On April 12, 2025, Tony Khan introduced the ROH Women’s Pure Championship to the Ring of Honor women’s division, with Serena Deeb, Queen Aminata, Deonna Purrazzo, Taya Valkyrie, Leila Grey, and Billie Starkz officially announced for the tournament.
Event Background
Originally scheduled for Atlantic City during WrestleMania weekend, the event was rescheduled for July 11 at Esports Stadium Arlington as part of All In weekend. This move aligns with AEW’s All In event, creating a perfect storm of wrestling entertainment in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Supercard of Honor is a professional wrestling event annually presented by Ring of Honor, traditionally taking place during WrestleMania weekend. It has been a yearly tradition since 2006, marking this as the 18th edition of the event.
Nikki Bella is back in WWE for an extended run, but she feels her comeback won’t be truly complete until her sister, Brie, is by her side. The WWE Hall of Famer appeared on “Live with Kelly and Mark” on Tuesday morning to promote the upcoming Evolution 2 premium live event.
Nikki is set to compete in the Evolution Battle Royal this Sunday, with the winner earning a Women’s Championship match at Clash in Paris. When asked by the hosts if Brie would be joining her in the ring soon, Nikki made her feelings clear.
“Well, she better join me. I mean, it’s the only way I sometimes feel like I can win is if I have her,” Nikki said (H/T to F4Wonline.com). “The fans are speaking really loudly — our Bella Army — they really want Brie back. And I really want her back. I feel like this comeback won’t be complete until the Bella Twins are together. So, it’ll be iconic.”
TMZ Sports reported in June that Brie Bella was in talks for a WWE return, though Brie later claimed she had not been contacted by the promotion. Brie’s last match was in the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble.
For now, Nikki is focused on the task at hand: winning the battle royal at Evolution. “I’m obsessed with Paris,” Nikki said. “And so to have a championship match at a really big PLE, it would just be incredible. So, I’ve got to win.”
Nikki’s original plans for Evolution involved a feud with Liv Morgan, but those plans were scrapped after Morgan suffered a dislocated shoulder. Now, Nikki’s path to a championship opportunity runs through the battle royal at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta this Sunday, July 13.
AEW’s flagship annual event makes history as the first professional wrestling show at Globe Life Field and the first All In event on American soil. Taking place Saturday, July 12, 2025, in Arlington, Texas, this Texas-sized spectacle promises to be AEW’s most stacked card of the year.
When & Where to Watch
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025 Start Time: 3:00 PM ET / 2:00 PM CT / 12:00 PM PT Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas Price: $49.99
How to Watch:
Traditional Pay-Per-View providers
Amazon Prime Video (with $10 TVOD credit for US customers)
TrillerTV
YouTube PPV
PPV.com
A 2-hour pre-show begins at 1:00 PM ET, featuring additional matches before the main card.
Complete Match Card
World Championship Matches
AEW World Championship – Texas Death Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
AEW Women’s World Championship: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Mercedes Moné
The AEW World Championship takes center stage in a Texas Death Match between champion Jon Moxley and “Hangman” Adam Page. Page earned this opportunity by winning the men’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament, setting up a redemption story as he attempts to reclaim the title he once held. The Texas Death Match stipulation adds extra intensity to this already personal rivalry.
Historic Championship Unification
Perhaps the most anticipated match sees the return of one of wrestling’s greatest rivalries. Kenny Omega puts his AEW International Championship on the line against Kazuchika Okada’s AEW Continental Championship in a winner-take-all unification match. The victor will be crowned the inaugural AEW Unified Champion, adding another chapter to these legends’ storied history.
High-Stakes Tag Team Action
The Young Bucks defend their Executive Vice President status against Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay. If Strickland and Ospreay lose, they cannot challenge for the AEW World Championship for one full year, adding massive stakes to this grudge match.
Historic Significance
AEW All In: Texas marks several firsts:
First AEW pay-per-view held in Texas
First professional wrestling event at Globe Life Field
First All In event held in the United States
AEW’s first afternoon pay-per-view
First All In to stream on Amazon Prime Video
All In: Texas Week Events
The weekend features a full lineup of events across the Arlington and Garland area:
July 9: AEW Dynamite (Curtis Culwell Center, Garland)
July 10: AEW Collision (Curtis Culwell Center, Garland)
July 11: ROH Supercard of Honor (Esports Stadium Arlington)
July 11-12: Starrcast convention (Sheraton Arlington Hotel)
On Saturday morning before All In, AEW will host a “Texas Tailgate” inside Texas Live!’s Shift4 Arena, with an “After Party” in The Arlington Backyard immediately following the event.
The Southern California home of WWE superstars Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch was burglarized early Tuesday morning, July 8, according to a report from TMZ Sports.
Law enforcement sources told TMZ that the break-in at the couple’s Playa Del Rey residence occurred at approximately 3 AM. The incident took place while Rollins and Lynch were across the country in Providence, Rhode Island, for the July 7 episode of WWE RAW.
The report states that no one was home at the time and that entry was gained by breaking a rear slider door. Cash was taken from the home. Seth Rollins reportedly made the 911 call to report the burglary after being alerted to the situation.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
The break-in comes just days before a major event for Lynch, who is the reigning WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion. She is scheduled to defend her title this Sunday, July 13, at the WWE Evolution pay-per-view. Rollins is the current Mr. Money in the Bank and the leader of a prominent faction on RAW.
WWE’s developmental brand returns to Atlanta for NXT The Great American Bash 2025, taking place Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the historic Center Stage Theater. The event notably airs head-to-head with AEW’s All In: Texas, marking the 13th Great American Bash under the WWE banner.
When & Where to Watch
Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025 Start Time: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT Venue: Center Stage Theater, Atlanta, Georgia Streaming: Peacock (United States), Netflix (International)
The event will stream live exclusively on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix in most international markets. For all other countries, the show will be available on the WWE Network.
Complete Match Card
NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Yoshiki Inamura
NXT Women’s North American Championship: Sol Ruca (c) vs. Izzi Dame
Tag Team Match: Jordynne Grace & Blake Monroe vs. Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Jacy Jayne)
TNA World Championship Contract Signing: Trick Williams, Joe Hendry, and Mike Santana
Championship Showdowns
NXT Championship Match
The powerhouse champion Oba Femi defends his title against Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Yoshiki Inamura, continuing the cross-promotional rivalry that’s added an international flair to the NXT main event scene. Inamura earned his shot by defeating Jasper Troy in a hard-fought number one contender’s match on July 1, setting up this international clash for NXT’s top prize.
NXT Women’s North American Championship
Sol Ruca’s athleticism and momentum will be tested against the relentless Izzi Dame in what promises to be a high-energy, fast-paced contest. Dame earned this championship opportunity after pinning Ruca in a recent tag team match, thanks to an inadvertent spear from Ruca’s partner Zaria.
Cross-Promotional Elements
One of the most intriguing segments involves the contract signing for the TNA World Championship match at TNA’s Slammiversary. Current champion Trick Williams, who became the first WWE-contracted wrestler to hold any TNA title at NXT Battleground, will face both Joe Hendry and Mike Santana in a three-way match on July 20, representing the continued partnership between WWE and TNA Wrestling.
The event also features a tag team match between Jordynne Grace and Blake Monroe against Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley and Jacy Jayne), marking Monroe’s televised WWE debut. Grace earned a shot at the women’s championship at Evolution after her impressive victory in a number one contender’s match.
Historic Venue
The Great American Bash returns to the historic Center Stage Theater – the former home of WCW Saturday Night from 1989-1992. This marks a nostalgic homecoming for the event, as the last time Great American Bash was in the Georgia area was the 1992 event.
Competition with AEW
The event’s 3:00 PM ET start time puts it in direct competition with AEW’s All In: Texas, which also begins at 3:00 PM ET. This head-to-head battle represents the most significant scheduling conflict between WWE and AEW since the Monday Night Wars era.
The Great American Bash serves as the opening act for WWE’s Atlanta triple-header weekend, followed by Saturday Night’s Main Event at 8:00 PM ET the same day, and Evolution on Sunday, July 13.
Pat McAfee has been absent from WWE Raw commentary for several weeks, with the popular host citing exhaustion as the primary reason for his break from the announce desk.
Speaking on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the former NFL punter explained his decision to step away: “Continuing to just kind of catch up on life as a whole. Post-Money in the Bank, pre-Night of Champions feels like a good time. I was getting pretty exhausted there. So shoutout to everybody at the WWE looking out for me, too. Very, very thankful.”
Demanding Schedule Takes Its Toll
McAfee’s grueling schedule has been particularly intense, as he produces and hosts a five-day-a-week show while managing his growing company with 14 employees and caring for his 2-year-old daughter. The multi-media personality had been juggling his daily ESPN show, WWE Raw commentary duties, and various other commitments since returning to full-time WWE commentary in January 2025.
Since Money in the Bank earlier this month, Wade Barrett initially filled in for McAfee on Raw, with Corey Graves subsequently taking over the color commentary position alongside Michael Cole for the past two weeks.
Future Commitments Add Complexity
Adding to McAfee’s scheduling challenges, ESPN has confirmed that “The Pat McAfee Show” will broadcast live from Atlanta on July 14 for Home Run Derby coverage, emanating from the Coca-Cola Roxy adjacent to Truist Park. This commitment further demonstrates the competing demands on McAfee’s time between his ESPN obligations and WWE responsibilities.
McAfee addressed criticism from some fans on social media, defending his decision by highlighting his extensive workload: “I produce/host a 5 day a week show, have been on the go every week since Dublin last year before College Football.”
No Clear Return Timeline
While McAfee hasn’t provided a specific return date to WWE programming, his comments suggest the hiatus was planned around WWE’s event schedule. The timing between Money in the Bank and Night of Champions appeared strategically chosen for his break.
The absence represents a three-week break from WWE, where McAfee has served as lead analyst on Raw since the show’s Netflix debut earlier this year. Given his pattern of taking time off during football season, this mid-year break reflects the demanding nature of his multi-platform career.
McAfee’s situation highlights the challenges faced by talent working across multiple high-profile platforms, balancing personal well-being with professional commitments in today’s fast-paced media landscape.
Cody Rhodes has unveiled his latest persona transformation, evolving from “The American Nightmare” to the “Nightmare King” ahead of his SummerSlam 2025 championship rematch with John Cena.
Rhodes announced the change via Twitter with an image of himself holding the King of the Ring crown, declaring simply: “Nightmare King @WWE.” WWE’s official account responded with “We’re speechless…”
Rhodes, a master storyteller who has utilized numerous personas throughout his career, strategically combines his iconic “American Nightmare” identity with his recent King of the Ring victory. The timing is deliberate—Rhodes faces the nemesis who took his WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41 in a controversial finish involving Travis Scott.
Rhodes earned his crown by defeating longtime friend Randy Orton at Night of Champions on June 28, showcasing a more aggressive edge. The victory guaranteed his SummerSlam title shot and made him one of only seven superstars to win both the Royal Rumble and King of the Ring while also being WWE Champion.
The Stakes
After acknowledging fan disappointment with their WrestleMania encounter, Rhodes has promised to “get them to the finish line” at SummerSlam. The “Nightmare King” persona signals a darker, more determined approach as he seeks redemption against Cena, now wrestling’s most decorated champion with 17 world titles.
As SummerSlam approaches, one thing is certain: the Nightmare King is coming for his throne.
Sami Zayn’s night on the July 7 episode of WWE Raw took a devastating turn before his scheduled match against Bron Breakker even began, resulting in his indefinite removal from WWE programming.
As Zayn made his entrance for what was expected to be a competitive singles match, Karrion Kross launched a brutal blindside attack from behind. With assistance from Scarlett, who provided the weapon, Kross struck Zayn repeatedly in his already-injured ribs with a steel lead pipe, leaving the former Intercontinental Champion writhing in pain on the entrance ramp.
WWE official Adam Pearce and medical personnel immediately rushed to the scene, confiscating the weapon and calling for medical assistance. Despite the vicious assault and visible injuries, Zayn demonstrated his characteristic determination by insisting he could still compete in his scheduled match against Breakker.
Zayn’s Stubborn Determination Proves Costly
Against Pearce’s wishes and medical advice urging him to withdraw, Zayn pushed past officials and humorously “diagnosed” himself as fit to compete. The weakened superstar entered the ring to face Bron Breakker, but the damage from Kross’s attack had already been done.
Breakker, who had earlier declared his vision of a WWE “without Sami Zayn,” capitalized on his opponent’s compromised condition. The match became a one-sided affair, with Breakker easily dominating the already-injured Zayn. Multiple devastating spears later, Breakker secured a decisive victory in what effectively became a squash match.
Paul Heyman Delivers the Final Verdict
The severity of Zayn’s condition became clear later in the evening when Paul Heyman addressed the situation. In a gloating statement that sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe, Heyman confirmed that Sami Zayn was now out of WWE indefinitely due to his injuries sustained from the attack.
“Sami Zayn was now out of WWE indefinitely due to his injuries” – Paul Heyman
This announcement effectively writes Zayn off television for the foreseeable future, leaving fans wondering when they’ll see the beloved superstar return to action.
The Escalating Kross-Zayn Feud
The attack represents the latest chapter in an intensely personal rivalry between Kross and Zayn. Despite Zayn’s recent victory over Kross at Night of Champions, where he broke a 210-day losing streak, Kross has continued his relentless psychological campaign against the former champion.
During a post-attack interview in the upper deck of the arena, Kross made his intentions crystal clear. “Every single week that Zayn comes out here, Kross is going to blast his guts with a steel rod,” he declared to a surprisingly supportive crowd that chanted “We Want Kross” throughout his appearance.
Kross’s message to Zayn was unmistakable: acknowledge that Kross was right about his character, or face continued punishment. “Until you do that, this will continue,” Kross warned, positioning himself as “the devil they know” while calling Zayn “the devil they don’t know.”
Implications for WWE Programming
Zayn’s indefinite absence creates significant ripple effects across WWE’s programming. The popular superstar had been involved in multiple ongoing storylines, including his conflicts with Seth Rollins’ faction consisting of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.
Karrion Kross’s stock continues to rise following this attack, with the former NXT Champion receiving unexpectedly positive crowd reactions despite his heel tactics. The fan support suggests WWE may be positioning Kross for a significant push, especially given his renewed contract status and the company’s apparent confidence in his ability to connect with audiences.
For Zayn, this forced hiatus could provide creative opportunities for character development and a potential reinvention upon his eventual return. Commentary teams have noted that Zayn may need to “save himself from himself” and reassess his approach to competition.
What’s Next?
With Zayn out of the picture indefinitely, attention turns to how WWE will fill the void left by one of their most reliable performers. Bron Breakker’s dominant victory positions him strongly within Seth Rollins’ faction, while Kross appears poised for bigger opportunities given his current momentum with fans.
The wrestling world will be watching for any signs of Zayn’s return timeline, though WWE’s use of the word “indefinitely” suggests this absence could extend for several weeks or potentially months.
As the dust settles from this shocking turn of events, one thing remains certain: when Sami Zayn does return to WWE programming, the landscape may look very different from the one he left behind.
