Author: Andrew Ravens

  • MLW Releases Multiple Talents

    Major League Wrestling has released several contracted talents in a strategic move to refresh its roster. According to a report from PWInsider, the promotion is making room to bring in new, higher-profile free agents.

    The report states that MLW opted to release wrestlers who were not being featured in immediate creative plans, allowing them to seek opportunities elsewhere rather than remaining under deals with no direction.

    “Rather than hold talents who may not be used regularly to deals, MLW has released a number of talents in order to allow them to pursue other opportunities, even if they had time left on their deals,” a source told PWInsider.

    Among those confirming their departures are former MLW Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo and Psycho Samurai.

    “I am extremely grateful to have spent the last few years developing under Major League Wrestling,” Exo wrote in a statement. “The God Queen was a concept many doubted but she has proven to be the living embodiment of what it means to bet on yourself and chase your dreams.”

    Psycho Samurai also confirmed his free agency on social media, writing, “Thanks for the memories, MLW… I’m a pro wrestler. Japanese King of the Deathmatch like Cactus Jack. Only one of me.”

    This roster shake-up comes as the 30- and 90-day no-compete clauses for many recently released WWE talents are expiring, flooding the market with new talent that MLW may be looking to sign.

  • Former WWE Star Carmella Reveals Gender Of Her Second Child

    Former WWE Superstar Carmella and her husband, WWE commentator Corey Graves, are expanding their family. The couple has announced they are expecting their second child together, a baby boy.

    Carmella shared the exciting news with her followers on Instagram. She posted a collection of photos of herself and Graves, with the final slide being a video of their private gender reveal celebration with family.

    “We’re having a….. ? last slide is the little gender reveal we did with our family,” Carmella wrote in the post’s caption.

    This will be the second son for the couple. They welcomed their first child, Dimitri Paul Polinsky, on November 8, 2023. Carmella is also a stepmother to Graves’ three children from a previous marriage.

    The announcement comes just over a month after Carmella’s departure from WWE. The former SmackDown Women\’s Champion was released from her contract in May 2025 as part of a round of talent cuts. Since her release, she has kept fans updated on her life and family through her social media channels.

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  • Drew McIntyre Calls Infamous Post-Match Segment The ‘Worst Moment Of His Life’

    Drew McIntyre has called the infamous post-match segment from the 2022 Clash at the Castle event the \”worst moment of his life.\” The former WWE Champion unsuccessfully challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title at the historic UK stadium show.

    The loss was a major disappointment for the largely pro-McIntyre crowd, but the segment that followed the match drew even more criticism. After the bout, McIntyre was joined in the ring by boxing legend Tyson Fury, and the two sang \”American Pie\” to the deflated audience.

    During a recent interview with Cultaholic Wrestling, McIntyre did not hold back his feelings about the moment.

    “I was so happy getting Clash in Wales and getting the first stadium show since SummerSlam 92’ and getting the main event,” McIntyre said. “I wasn’t happy getting s*rewed and the worst moment of my life singing that stupid song afterwards.”

    McIntyre is currently off WWE television recovering from an elbow injury he suffered during a Steel Cage match in late May. There is no timetable for his return.

  • Kurt Angle Believes WWE Treated Him As A ‘Liability’ During 2017 Return

    WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle recently revealed that he believes WWE viewed him as a \”liability\” when he made his celebrated return to the company in 2017. After an 11-year absence, Angle’s comeback was rolled out in a unique sequence that he feels was intentionally backward due to the company\’s concerns.

    Speaking with Inside the Ropes, Angle explained that instead of returning as a wrestler first, WWE started him with a Hall of Fame induction, then a run as the Raw General Manager, before finally allowing him to compete in the ring.

    “What they did with me—especially—they felt like I was a liability. So they started with the Hall of Fame first, they wanted to start slow and easy,” Angle said. “They started with the Hall of Fame, then they went with the GM role second, and then I wrestled third. But in reality, it’s supposed to be the opposite. You wrestle first, you play the GM role second, then you get inducted into the Hall of Fame third.”

    Angle concluded that the only reason he can think of for this cautious, \”opposite\” approach was the company’s perception of him at the time.

    “They did the complete opposite with me. And I have no idea why, and I can only think it’s because I was a liability.”

  • Top AEW Star Injured

    A new report has shed light on why former AEW Women\’s World Champion Jamie Hayter is once again absent from television. According to Fightful Select, Hayter is currently not medically cleared to compete, forcing a change in creative plans.

    Hayter\’s last appearance was on the Dynamite following the Double or Nothing pay-per-view, where she was written out of storylines via an attack by the debuting Thekla. The report notes that if Hayter were cleared, AEW would be using her on programming. Her absence has required the company to adjust the planned storyline for Thekla.

    This is another unfortunate setback for Hayter, who missed over a year of action between 2023 and 2024 with two herniated discs in her back. She has previously stated that the severity of that injury made her believe her wrestling career might be over.

    While there is currently no timetable for her return to the ring, AEW is hopeful she will be back soon.

  • WWE NXT Star Returns To Action After Abrupt Removal From Faction

    Brooks Jensen has returned to the ring for the first time since his shocking removal from \”The Culling\” faction. Jensen was in action at the WWE NXT live event in Dade City, Florida, on Saturday, June 14, where he defeated Performance Center athlete Jamar Hampton in a singles match.

    This marks a new chapter for Jensen, who was abruptly kicked out of his group on the May 27 episode of NXT. During that show, Jensen was betrayed by his stablemates when Izzi Dame struck him from behind with a steel chair. The turn was a surprise to many fans, as Jensen had been presented as a loyal protege of the faction\’s leader, Shawn Spears.

    Following the attack, The Culling appeared on the next week\’s episode of NXT without Jensen, solidifying his exit from the group and leaving his future uncertain.

    His return to action at the live event signals the beginning of a new storyline, presumably as a babyface seeking revenge on his former allies. This first victory as a singles competitor sets the stage for a potential feud with Spears and the other members of The Culling on upcoming episodes of NXT television.

  • Another WWE Hall Of Famer Reportedly Returning To Television

    WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus is reportedly set to return to television on next week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown. According to a report from WrestleVotes, the seven-time Women’s Champion will be back on the blue brand, likely to begin a storyline for the upcoming Evolution 2 all-women\’s premium live event next month.

    Stratus, who retired from full-time competition in 2006, has made several appearances in 2025. She competed in the Royal Rumble match and teamed with Tiffany Stratton to defeat Nia Jax and Candice LeRae at Elimination Chamber.

    Her rumored return follows that of another Hall of Famer, Nikki Bella, who appeared on the June 9 edition of Raw. That segment saw Nikki confronted by Women\’s Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan, ending with Nikki being laid out. Nikki later confirmed on social media she would be back on Raw for revenge.

    “Annnnd still feeling that ObLIVion… Ooooh Bella Army I can’t wait for Green Bay this Monday!! So grateful for all of you!! It’s just the beginning!” Nikki posted on Instagram.

    The return of multiple Hall of Famers suggests WWE is building a stacked card for the Evolution 2 event. There have been no reports of who Stratus could work with at the show.

  • WWE\’s Highest-Paid Superstar Has Been Revealed

    A new report has identified WWE’s highest-paid active superstar. According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Roman Reigns is the company\’s top earner among the full-time roster.

    This distinction excludes The Rock, who is compensated differently through TKO Group Holdings shares. The report notes that seven wrestlers in WWE currently earn over $5 million per year, with Reigns at the top of that list. His status as the highest earner is a direct result of his multi-year run as the face of the company, which included a historic 1,316-day reign as Universal Champion.

    Reigns has been one of WWE\’s top earners for several years, but he signed a new lucrative contract following WrestleMania 38 in 2022. This current deal is reportedly set to expire after WrestleMania 42 in 2026.

    For context, Reigns’ salary is significantly higher than the current starting wage for a WWE main roster talent.

  • Hikuleo Makes WWE Debut Before SmackDown

    After a year under contract with WWE, Hikuleo has officially made his in-ring debut for the company. The former NJPW star competed in a match taped for WWE Main Event prior to the June 13th episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Lexington, Kentucky.

    Hikuleo, who was reported to be backstage at the event, faced Kit Wilson of Pretty Deadly. This marks his first official match since signing with WWE in the summer of 2024, an arrival that fans have anticipated for the past several months.

    The debut follows a period of speculation regarding his status. Hikuleo signed with WWE shortly after his brothers, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, joined Solo Sikoa’s version of The Bloodline. While his brothers were immediately featured in a prominent storyline on SmackDown, Hikuleo had remained off television, reportedly training at the WWE Performance Center.

    At 6-foot-8, Hikuleo brings an intimidating presence to WWE. Given his direct family ties to the most dominant faction in the company, his debut, even on WWE Main Event, is a significant first step. It\’s unclear when he will show up on TV.

  • Bryan Danielson Confirms He Is Not Medically Cleared To Compete

    Bryan Danielson has been absent from AEW television since losing the AEW World Championship to Jon Moxley at the Wrestle Dynasty pay-per-view. In a recent interview, Danielson revealed the reason for his absence is that he is not currently medically cleared to wrestle.

    Speaking on the Daly Migs Show, Danielson addressed his status and confirmed he would not be competing anytime soon. He did, however, note that he would still make a live appearance for fans at an upcoming event in Kent, Washington, though it would likely be off-camera.

    “I don’t know, but right now, I’m not cleared to wrestle,” Danielson said. “Even if I wanted to, if I said, ‘Hey, I’m going to be there.’ I will be there in Kent. I will be there live in front of the people, but probably not on television. It’ll just be for the people there live.”

    This news comes after a period where Danielson has been open about his ongoing battle with neck injuries. His match against Moxley at Wrestle Dynasty was promoted as his final match as a full-time performer. It is currently unclear if this medical issue is a temporary setback or part of the planned conclusion to his full-time in-ring career.

    While he is not cleared for competition, Danielson is continuing to do promotional work for the company. Fans will have a chance to see him, but it will not be inside an AEW ring in the immediate future.

  • Injured WWE Star In Town For SmackDown

    Fightful Select reports Kiana James was brought to Lexington, Kentucky, for the June 13th episode of Friday Night SmackDown. It is not yet known if she is scheduled to appear on the broadcast.

    James has been sidelined with a leg injury since June 2024. Her last televised match was a Money in the Bank qualifying match on Raw against Iyo Sky and Zelina Vega. Shortly after being drafted from NXT to Raw in the spring of 2024, the injury halted her initial push on the main roster.

    Before her injury, James had made a name for herself in NXT, where she held the NXT Women\’s Tag Team Championship with Fallon Henley. Reports from May 2025 indicated that she was close to being medically cleared for an in-ring return. Her presence at the SmackDown event suggests her return to WWE programming could happen soon.

    However, that has yet to be confirmed. What has been announced are three notable appearances.

    Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena, Ms. Money in the Bank Naomi, and WWE United States Champion Jacob Fatu have been announced for the show.

  • Contracts Of Two AEW Stars To Expire Soon

    The future of Private Party, one of AEW\’s original tag teams, is reportedly uncertain as their current contracts with the promotion are nearing expiration. Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen were among the first signings for AEW in 2019, making a memorable debut by defeating The Young Bucks on the inaugural episode of AEW Dynamite. They later achieved the AEW World Tag Team Championship.

    However, the team\’s trajectory faced a setback when Marq Quen suffered a significant injury in late 2022, sidelining him for over a year. Upon his return in early 2024, he reunited with Kassidy. Since then, Private Party\’s appearances have primarily been on Ring of Honor, which is owned by Tony Khan, rather than AEW\’s main programming.

    According to a report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the tag team\’s time with AEW might be coming to a close. Dave Meltzer stated, “Private Party’s deals are up very soon.”

    As a team that was instrumental in the early days of AEW\’s tag team division, their contract status raises questions about their future in the company and the potential interest they may draw from other promotions.

  • Injured WWE Star Expected Be Back In Time For SummerSlam

    WWE is hoping that former champion Bianca Belair will return to the ring by SummerSlam this August, or possibly sooner. This is according to a report from PWInsider.com. Her injury forced a key women’s division storyline to be changed.

    According to the report, WWE Creative had to \”recalibrate\” its plans for Belair’s involvement in the rivalry between Naomi and Jade Cargill.  Initial plans reportedly had Belair as a key figure in that feud.

    The injury happened during the chaotic match, which Naomi ultimately won. Belair has been recuperating since the event. However, the injury required her to be written off television for recovery. 

    Belair has been off WWE television since her injury at WrestleMania 41 this past April. Belair sustained several broken fingers during the Women’s Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 41.

    A return by SummerSlam, scheduled for Saturday, August 2nd, would place her comeback just over three months post-injury. This timeframe aligns with a potential recovery window. However, it has yet to be confirmed. We wish her a speedy recovery. 

  • New Bloodline Member To Debut On WWE SmackDown?

    Hikuleo is slated to be at tonight\’s Friday Night SmackDown taping in Lexington, Kentucky, according to a new report from PWInsider. This could signal the long-awaited debut for the star, who has been with WWE for nearly a year.

    Hikuleo, the 34-year-old son of wrestling legend Haku and brother of current WWE star Tama Tonga, signed with the company in July 2024. Despite being under contract with WWE and in NXT, he has yet to make an official on-screen appearance for the brand.

    The Masked J of BodySlam.net confirmed his travel to SmackDown. The report stated, \”Hikuleo has transportation scheduled for SmackDown tomorrow. \”

    Hikuleo had a decorated career in NJPW from 2016 through 2024. During his time there, he held the IWGP Tag Team Championship with El Phantasmo and also had a run with the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. His arrival may be related to joining Solo Sikoa or Jacob Fatu following their split at the Money in the Bank PLE, when Fatu turned on Sikoa after months of building to it.

  • Brie Bella In Talks For WWE Return

    WWE Hall of Famer, Brie Bella, is reportedly in talks for a return.

    According to a report from TMZ Sports, Brie is considering coming out of retirement to be with her sister, Nikki Bella, at the all-women\’s Evolution premium live event on July 13. The motivation for her return comes after Liv Morgan made their feud personal by referencing Nikki\’s highly publicized and difficult split from her ex-husband, Artem Chigvintsev.

    Morgan attacked Nikki after a heated verbal exchange on this week\’s Raw. Should they agree on a deal, it would be Brie\’s first time getting physical in a WWE ring since the 2022 Royal Rumble match. A Bella Twins reunion would add major star power to the Evolution card and raise the stakes for their program with Morgan.

    Bella is a former WWE Divas Champion and a WWE Hall of Famer, inducted as part of The Bella Twins with her sister Nikki in the Class of 2020. Alongside her sister, Brie was a central figure in WWE branching off into reality television. She was a main cast member of the hit reality shows Total Divas and its spinoff, Total Bellas.

  • Netflix Developing New Wrestling Drama From Former WWE Writer And \”Wicked\” Director

    Netflix is developing a new professional wrestling-focused drama series titled \”Tuesday Night Titans,\” from former WWE writer Michael Notarile and Jon M. Chu, the acclaimed director of Wicked and Crazy Rich Asians.

    According to a report from Deadline, the series is in the early stages of development. The show will reportedly follow a writer who teams up with her estranged childhood best friend, a \”jobber\” on the independent scene, as they both try to make it in the same massive wrestling company they idolized as kids. The story will deal with their personal demons and how the lines between \”kayfabe\” and reality become blurred.

    The show\’s title is a clear homage to the classic mid-80s WWF talk show of the same name, which Vince McMahon hosted.

    Notarile worked as a writer on WWE\’s main roster creative team from 2013 to 2015 and was a key figure in creating The New Day. The new series will join WWE\’s flagship show, Monday Night RAW, on Netflix, which became its exclusive home in the US earlier this year.

  • AEW Star Reveals His Character Turn Was Planned For Almost A Year

    Ricochet has revealed that his recent turn to a heel character in AEW was the plan all along. He stated that the evolution of his persona has been a strategic process since he first arrived in the company.

    Ricochet debuted for AEW at All In in August 2024 and spent his initial months as a high-flying babyface. In a recent interview with WFFA, he explained that this was a deliberate part of a larger plan.

    “From the very first day, I have been very strategic about the development of the character,\” Ricochet said. \”I’ve been very strategic about how we’ve proceeded and about where Ricochet wants to go… from the very beginning, this had always been kind of the plan for me.\”

    He acknowledged that while the journey to get to this point can vary, the goal was always to transition into a more authentic version of himself.

    “Obviously, how you get there and how long it takes to get there, that all varies,\” he stated. \”But yeah, it has always been the plan for me to come in here and be myself.”

  • Nikki Bella Confirms WWE Raw Return

    WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella has confirmed she will be back on Monday Night RAW next week in Green Bay, Wisconsin, as her new feud with Liv Morgan heats up.

    Bella made her return to WWE this past Monday to promote the upcoming all-women\’s Evolution 2 premium live event. Her appearance was cut short when she was attacked and laid out by Liv Morgan.

    In a new Instagram post, Nikki referenced the attack and Morgan\’s insult that she was just a \”reality show diva.\”

    The confrontation has seemingly set the stage for a major match between the two at Evolution 2 on July 13. Nikki\’s confirmation that she will be on RAW next week indicates that the build to their high-profile encounter will continue. 

    Bella was the main event attraction for the first-ever WWE Evolution pay-per-view on October 28, 2018. Bella, with Brie in her corner, challenged Ronda Rousey for the RAW Women\’s Championship. After a competitive match, Rousey forced Nikki to submit to her signature armbar to retain the title.

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  • AEW Star\’s Contract Is Up Soon

    The future of Danhausen with AEW and ROH is reportedly uncertain, as his contract is set to expire in July.

    According to a new report from Fightful, there have been no creative plans for Danhausen since his surprise return at the ROH Final Battle pay-per-view in December 2024. That appearance was his first since suffering a torn pectoral muscle in March of that year.

    While Danhausen was said to have been welcomed back positively backstage at Final Battle, with the impression that he would be regularly featured again, he has not appeared on television since. The report notes that when Danhausen reached out to the company multiple times following the event, he was told there were no plans to bring him to television in those particular weeks.

    Unless significant injury time is added to his deal, the very nice, very evil star could become a free agent next month. Danhausen has yet to publicly comment on his AEW contract status. 

  • Chad Gable On Worlds Collide: \”It Was Probably The Most Special Day Of My Career\”

    Chad Gable had a whirlwind weekend, and he\’s calling it the most special of his entire career. He wrestled in three high-profile matches over three days, including headlining the historic WWE x AAA Worlds Collide event.

    On the official Raw Recap podcast, Gable reflected on the pressure of main-eventing the first major collaboration-type event between the two companies against AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo.

    “It was probably the most special day of my entire career,\” Gable said. \”The AAA thing… was an opportunity and pressure like I’ve never felt because it’s this new relationship that we’ve started… that falls on my shoulders as being part of the first main event. You better deliver.\”

    Later that same night, Gable competed as his masked alter-ego, El Grande Americano, in the Money in the Bank ladder match. He then went on to face AJ Styles on Raw just two days later.

    He believes the Worlds Collide event was a massive success that created a huge buzz for the new partnership. It also helped renew the passion of Corey Graves, who called the show with Konnan: 

  • Corey Graves Says Calling WWE x AAA Worlds Collide Helped Renew His Passion

    WWE commentator Corey Graves had a standout performance at the recent WWE and Lucha Libre AAA Worlds Collide event, and he says the experience helped rejuvenate his passion for the business.

    Graves, who called the action alongside lucha libre legend Konnan, received widespread praise from fans for his work on the show. Following the event, he posted a heartfelt message on social media, thanking AAA and acknowledging he had been going through a \”rough patch.\”

    “Sometimes, you run low on passion. But then, something like this weekend happens,\” Graves wrote. \”Gracias por permitirme entrar en tu mundo, @luchalibreaaa. I only wanted to do your culture & business proud… Thanks to you guys, for reminding me that a rough patch isn’t the end of the road.\”

    His comments come after he publicly voiced frustration earlier this year about being moved from the main roster commentary team back to NXT. He had missed some time due to the comments he made on social media before returning to his duties alongside Vic Joseph and Booker T on the announce team. 

    https://twitter.com/WWEGraves/status/1932251207738790001/history
  • GUNTHER Wins Back WWE World Heavyweight Title

    GUNTHER is once again the World Heavyweight Champion after defeating Jey Uso in the main event of the June 9th episode of WWE Monday Night RAW.

    The contest was a hard-hitting rematch from WrestleMania 41, where Uso famously made GUNTHER submit to capture his first World Heavyweight Title. Tonight, however, \”The Ring General\” reclaimed his throne, ending Jey Uso\’s championship reign at 51 days.

    After a grueling, back-and-forth battle, GUNTHER was able to counter Uso and lock in his signature sleeper hold. Despite a valiant effort to fight back, Uso eventually passed out from the submission, forcing the referee to stop the match.

    The victory marks the beginning of GUNTHER\’s second reign as World Heavyweight Champion. RAW went off the air with GUNTHER celebrating in the ring with his newly won championship as pyro erupted in the arena.

    There had been speculation that WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg may make his return on this show to confront GUNTHER or even cost him the title considering their history and segment at Bad Blood last year. That match is rumored to be happening at Saturday Night\’s Main Event next month, which would be Goldberg\’s retirement bout. 

  • Liv Morgan Attacks Nikki Bella On WWE Raw

    WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella made her return to Monday Night RAW tonight. However, her appearance was cut short by an attack from a Liv Morgan.

    Bella was in the ring to promote the upcoming all-women\’s premium live event, Evolution, which she headlined in its inaugural year. After praising several top stars in the division, she was interrupted by Morgan, who was angry about being excluded from the list.

    Morgan declared she was the most talented woman in the division and claimed Bella was jealous that she has \”a championship and a man,\” referencing her on-screen relationship with Dominik Mysterio.

    In response, Nikki brought up the ongoing love triangle between Morgan, Mysterio, and Roxanne Perez, telling Liv to \”give Perez congratulations for taking her title shot and her man.\” After Morgan called her a \”reality show diva,\” Bella was laid out by Morgan\’s finisher, Oblivion.

    The attack seemingly sets up a major match between the two for the Evolution event in July.

  • Asuka Is Returning To In-Ring Action

    After more than a year away from the ring, \”The Empress of Tomorrow\” Asuka is set to make her long-awaited return to WWE television.

    During the June 9 episode of Monday Night Raw, it was officially announced that Asuka will return on next week\’s show, June 16. She has been out of action since May 2024 while recovering from a significant knee injury.

    Her return adds major star power to the 2025 Queen of the Ring tournament. A graphic that aired during RAW confirmed her spot in a first-round qualifying match with the message: “Next Monday. Queen of the Ring. The Empress returns.”

    Asuka will immediately be thrown into a high-stakes bout, competing in a Fatal 4-Way match against Stephanie Vaquer, Raquel Rodriguez, and Ivy Nile. Her return to the women\’s division gives it a boost as WWE builds towards its all-women\’s Evolution premium live event in July. 

    The winner of this tournament will get a championship match at SummerSlam this August in New Jersey.

  • WWE\’s Zoey Stark Reveals Details Of Significant Knee Injury

    WWE RAW superstar Zoey Stark is on the road to recovery after undergoing major surgery for a significant knee injury.

    In a video posted to her social media, Stark confirmed that she had surgery to repair her ACL, MCL, and meniscus. The injury occurred on the May 19th edition of RAW during a triple threat match when she landed awkwardly after a missile dropkick.

    This is Stark\’s second major knee surgery. She suffered a similar injury during her time in NXT in 2021, which sidelined her for nine months. The video update showed Stark heading into the Rothman Orthopaedics surgery center and giving a thumbs-up post-op.

    The text in the video noted that the procedure took three and a half hours, longer than the two hours that were scheduled. The video concluded by teasing that more information is coming soon.

    It stated, “What’s next for Zoey Stark? Find out Monday, June 16.” We wish Stark a speedy recovery.