WWE Women\’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer has shared an emotional update with fans after being sent home from the company\’s Road to Royal Rumble European tour due to an ankle injury.
Sometimes it’s hard to find motivation, but from now on my mind is fully focused on overcoming this obstacle. I’m sorry to everyone I couldn’t be there with, as I was scheduled for the entire WWE tour in Europe. Even so, I truly felt and loved the amazing support from Germany…… pic.twitter.com/IQLUOsWTAq
Vaquer, who suffered the injury during her December 29 Triple Threat title defense against Raquel Rodriguez and Nikki Bella, took to social media to address her absence from the tour and her recovery progress.
\”Sometimes it\’s hard to find motivation, but from now on my mind is fully focused on overcoming this obstacle,\” Vaquer wrote. \”I\’m sorry to everyone I couldn\’t be there with, as I was scheduled for the entire WWE tour in Europe. Even so, I truly felt and loved the amazing support from Germany… we\’ll see each other very soon ?.\”
The champion added, \”Today I\’m focused on my recovery, and everything keeps getting better day by day.\”
Vaquer was advertised for WWE\’s European tour spanning January 8-20 across the UK, Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Belgium. She appeared at the January 12 Raw in Düsseldorf, Germany, where she was attacked by Rodriguez, before being sent home to continue her rehabilitation.
According to reports from Wrestling Observer\’s Dave Meltzer, Vaquer\’s ankle injury is legitimate but minor, with WWE amplifying its severity for storyline purposes. She is not expected to miss significant time and is reportedly cleared for contact once fully healed.
The Chilean superstar won the Women\’s World Championship at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, 2025, and also holds the 2025 WWE Women\’s Crown Jewel Championship, making her a dual titleholder heading into Royal Rumble season.
USA Network has renewed \”Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman\” for a second season, ordering 12 new episodes following the show\’s successful debut last fall.
The culinary travel series, which premiered in October 2025, quickly became one of cable television\’s highest-rated new shows of 2025 in the 18-49 demographic. The show also ranked as the #1 entertainment program across all of cable in its regular time slot and was the ninth most popular new cable show of 2025 according to Nielsen.
The Season 2 order represents a 50% increase from the first season\’s eight episodes, which saw former WWE star Adam Scherr visit eight cities including Fort Worth, Washington D.C., Orlando, Las Vegas, Chicago, Milwaukee, New Orleans, and Tampa.
\”Adam, aka Braun Strowman, has won the hearts and inspired the tastebuds of our audiences with Everything on the Menu,\” said Val Boreland, President of Entertainment at VERSANT. \”I\’m hoping for a dinner invite in season 2 so I can experience his culinary genius firsthand.\”
Scherr, who departed WWE in May 2025 after winning the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36 in 2020, reflected on the show\’s impact: \”I\’ve been so blessed to perform in front of massive crowds over the years, but getting the chance to travel the country, sit with people at their tables, hear their stories, and taste the meals that mean the most to them has been life changing.\”
The series is produced by WWE and Bright North Studios and distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution.
The Israeli Pro Wrestling Association has issued a statement defending former WWE star Priscilla Kelly after she withdrew from their upcoming Passover Bash event amid intense online backlash.
Kelly, who wrestled in WWE as Gigi Dolin from 2021-2025, was announced for IPWA\’s April 6 show but quickly faced criticism over the booking due to the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
After posting \”I\’m going to Israel\” on social media, Kelly received what she described as \”an influx of violent messages\” from deranged “fans” leading her to cancel the appearance and deactivate her X account.
IPWA founder Gery Roif defended Kelly in a statement on Instagram, saying she \”had no knowledge of the conflict in the region\” and \”treated it as a regular booking.\” Roif emphasized that IPWA brings wrestling superstars to meet both Israelis and Palestinians, promoting what he calls \”the wrestling language of peace.\”
The promotion highlighted its inclusive credentials, noting it hosted the first-ever Women\’s Championship match in Middle East wrestling history at WrestleMitzvah 2022, which is available on Fite TV.
Roif stated that \”by bullying Priscilla out of this booking you screwed Israelis, Palestinians, Arabs, Jews, Muslims, Druze, Russians, Ukrainians, Ethiopians, Christians and many more who live here in the region.\”
Kelly issued an apology stating her intention was \”never to make a political statement\” and that she does not \”condone the actions of the government in any way.\” She has not returned to social media since deactivating her account.
CM Punk is set to headline WWE 2K26\’s Showcase Mode when the game releases in early 2026, according to an exclusive report from Insider Gaming\’s Mike Straw.
The Showcase will be narrated by Punk himself and divided into three distinct sections:
The first allows players to relive some of Punk\’s favorite matches from his WWE career.
The second explores \”What If?\” scenarios examining what could have happened had Punk not departed WWE in 2014.
The third section features fantasy matches against opponents Punk never faced during his original run.
EXCLUSIVE: I've learned that CM Punk will be the feature star for WWE 2K26's Showcase Mode
Read the full story with more details at Insider Gaming and in the Insider Gaming Apphttps://t.co/7JVmrZC7b3
This marks a full-circle moment for \”The Best in the World,\” who was prominently featured in the very first Showcase Mode back in WWE 2K15. That edition highlighted Punk\’s legendary rivalry with John Cena from 2011-2013 across multiple matches.
Punk made his shocking return to WWE at Survivor Series in November 2023 after a nine-year absence. He previously appeared as DLC in WWE 2K24 as part of the ECW Punk Pack released in May 2024, marking his first appearance in a WWE game since 2K15.
WWE 2K26 is scheduled for release during fiscal Q4 2026, which runs from January through March 2026. Based on recent franchise patterns, a March 2026 launch appears likely. Get hyped!
WWE 2K26 Special Editions
Three special editions have been announced for WWE 2K26:
King of Kings Edition – Features Triple H and content celebrating \’The Game\’s\’ legendary career
TNA confirmed the signing with an official press release, calling it \”a major moment\” as the company enters a new era of national television exposure on AMC.
The multi-time world champion has been a cornerstone of TNA\’s roster since departing WWE in 2023. His resume includes the TNA World Championship, TNA World Tag Team Championship, two WWE World Heavyweight Championship reigns, and the NXT Championship across a 20-plus year career.
As the 2025 Call Your Shot Gauntlet co-winner, Nemeth holds a guaranteed future title opportunity. He teased on the announcement that he plans to cash in that shot \”soon.\”
Tonight\’s Thursday Night iMPACT! airs live at 9/8c on AMC from the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas. TNA Genesis follows on Saturday as a pay-per-view event from the same venue.
TNA Impact debuts on AMC tonight from the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, featuring AJ Styles\’ return to TNA programming and a TNA World Championship match. Over 2,500 fans will be on hand for what\’s sure to be a historic evening, and the start of another new era for the promotion.
TNA World Championship: Frankie Kazarian (c) vs. Mike Santana
TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: The IInspiration (c) vs. The Elegance Brand
Six-Man Tag: Elijah & The Hardys vs. Order 4
AJ Styles returns
TNA Impact Preview for Tonight
Main Event: In the main event, Frankie Kazarian defends the TNA World Championship against former champion Mike Santana. This rematch stems from November when Kazarian cashed in his Call Your Shot trophy under controversial circumstances following an NXT invasion. The winner will defend the title again just two nights later at Genesis. Adding intrigue, Nic Nemeth holds the other half of the Call Your Shot trophy and has teased cashing in tonight. TNA Hall of Famer Bully Ray will serve as special guest commentator for the championship match.
Knockouts Tag title Match: The Knockouts World Tag Team Championship is on the line as The IInspiration defend against The Elegance Brand\’s M and Heather By Elegance. The champions have held the titles since dethroning Heather and M last summer.
6-Man Tag: Building toward Genesis, Elijah teams with The Hardys to face Mustafa Ali\’s Order 4 in a six-man tag. This marks Elijah\’s first match in six months as he prepares to clash with Ali at Saturday\’s pay-per-view, while The Hardys will defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against The Righteous.
Phenomenal Homecoming: Plus, \”The Phenomenal\” AJ Styles returns to TNA for a special appearance.
How to watch TNA Thursday Night Impact on AMC
TNA Impact on AMC airs each week at 9 PM ET on AMC, AMC+, TNA+, and Sportsnet in Canada.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk is set to terrify audiences in the horror film \”Night Patrol,\” hitting theaters January 16, 2026, and the wrestler didn\’t hold back discussing the film\’s bold political commentary.
In a new interview with ComingSoon, Punk discussed playing Deputy, a ruthless vampire cop inspired by real-world police encounters.
\”All my experiences with most law enforcement lead me to play deputy, and I got to be a vampire, so there\’s no humanity there,\” Punk explained.
\”Seeing especially most recently the political climate we\’re in in the United States, seeing how police move and act — is it justified? Is it overreaching? I think this movie asks a lot of those questions.\”
The film\’s unflinching social commentary initially made Punk question whether it could be made.
\”I read the script and I was just like, \’Okay, we can\’t make this movie, can we? What year is this? This is a little too on the nose,\’\” he admitted. \”But I think it\’s important to talk about what is going on in the real world through art.\”
Punk praised co-stars Justin Long and Dermot Mulroney for their commitment to the indie production.
\”Justin Long starred in a Die Hard movie with Bruce Willis, and there\’s almost a thought that he\’s not going to take this seriously,\” Punk said.
\”He jumped into this with both feet. I was blown away — shame on me for assuming he was going to think he was bigger than this role.\”
The film features action-packed vampire sequences, including a scene where Punk\’s character shrugs off gunfire from rappers Freddie Gibbs and Flying Lotus.
\”I\’m getting shot, I\’m getting stabbed, and I just keep coming,\” Punk said. \”A true real treat for a horror movie fan to get to play that unstoppable killer.\”
Practical effects included a decapitated head prop created using iPhone scanning technology.
\”Somebody used an iPhone and an app and they walked around my head,\” Punk recalled. \”I didn\’t know we could do that. When they made that thing, it looked good.\”
Produced by Dark Knight and Blade trilogy writer David S. Goyer and directed by Ryan Prows, \”Night Patrol\” premiered at Fantastic Fest in September 2025 to positive reviews. The film releases theatrically via RLJE Films on January 16, 2026, before streaming on Shudder.
AEW coach and WWE Hall of Famer Billy Gunn delivered sharp criticism of modern wrestling during a recent appearance on ARWP, arguing that today’s performers rely too heavily on athleticism at the expense of fundamental storytelling.
“Nowadays, nobody knows how to work,” Gunn said. “They don’t know how to work in general. We get it, back in the 80s, isn’t going to work now because they’ve taken it so far to the extreme that you have to have very good basic storytelling for me to follow along and see somebody actually wrestle.”
The D-Generation X legend emphasized that matches need genuine conflict to engage audiences beyond hardcore fans. “There has to be a reason for us to fight. There has to be a reason for somebody to like me and hate you. Just because we’re going to wrestle, I don’t understand how you get into that,” Gunn explained, contrasting modern wrestling with the Attitude Era’s character-driven approach.
Gunn specifically criticized wrestlers for prioritizing high-impact moves over psychology. “These kids don’t do that because they’re lazy. They just want to go, ‘I’m going to do this move. I want everybody to pop for me first.’ They are so athletic that the people can’t follow along,” he said, noting the problem exists across both AEW and WWE.
The 35-year veteran has been off AEW television since The Acclaimed split. He competes for QT Marshall’s Georgia-based 1 Fall Wrestling.
This Friday night, the wrestling world turns its attention to Lewiston, Maine, where AEW World Champion MJF returns to Limitless Wrestling to defend his title against Alec Price at the Limitless Rumble.
The match represents a full-circle moment for MJF, who became Limitless Wrestling’s first-ever World Champion in March 2019 before departing for AEW full-time later that year. Now, seven years into his AEW career and holding the promotion’s top championship, MJF is bringing the title back to where his independent wrestling journey once flourished.
“The independent wrestling scene is the lifeblood of our sport,” MJF told Justin Barrasso of Undisputed. “Now I get to come back to Limitless, a place where I got to cultivate my career when I was grinding it out.”
MJF won the AEW World Championship on December 27, 2025, at Worlds End, defeating Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, and Hangman Adam Page in a four-way match. His first reign with the title lasted a record-breaking 406 days, making him the longest-reigning champion in AEW history.
MJF returns to Limitless Wrestling
Alec Price’s Big Break
His opponent, 27-year-old Alec Price, is one of independent wrestling’s most accomplished performers. The former Limitless World Champion has built his reputation through standout work in Beyond Wrestling and Game Changer Wrestling over his nine-year career.
“This is a career-changing opportunity,” Price told Barrasso. “MJF is the biggest star with the biggest title, and I respect that, but I have something to prove. When the bell rings, I can’t wait to prove that the indies are strong and that I belong on TV.”
The event takes place at The Colisée in Lewiston, with less than 200 tickets remaining from the venue’s 4,000-seat capacity.
MJF is Limitless
Limitless Wrestling owner Randy Carver, who founded the promotion in 2015 at age 18, called securing MJF’s return “something that always felt unrealistic” in Barrasso’s feature for his Undisputed Substack.
“Every year, without fail, the number one vote for the wrestler our fans wanted to see return was the same: MJF,” Carver said. “This Friday is a major step forward for Maine professional wrestling.”
The card also features AEW stars Hook, Eddie Kingston, and Ortiz, along with Donovan Dijak, and a WWE ID Women’s Title match between Laynie Luck and B3cca. The show airs live on IWTV.
MJF first defends the AEW World Championship against Bandido on Wednesday’s Dynamite before heading to Maine.
CM Punk has set a timeline for his wrestling retirement, revealing he plans to hang up his boots when he turns 50 years old. The announcement gives the WWE star approximately three years left in the ring.
In an interview with CinemaBlend’s Mick Joest ahead of his new film Night Patrol, Punk discussed his future in professional wrestling following John Cena’s recent retirement. The 47-year-old reflected on how his perspective on age has evolved throughout his career.
“When I was 15, if you asked me if I’d be wrestling when I was 40, I would tell you ‘No, that’s crazy. 40 is so old.’ I’m 47, and I don’t feel old yet,” Punk explained. “Terry Funk wrestled for a long time, Ric Flair wrestled for a long time. I mean, there’s luchadors that are like in their 70s that are still doing it. Do I want to be doing that? Probably not.”
Punk made his intentions clear when discussing his exit strategy:
“I would estimate probably the big 50 is when I should maybe gracefully bow out. Knock on wood, if nothing else horrible happens.”
The self-proclaimed “Best In The World” is still at the top of his game as the reigning WWE World Heavyweight champion.
R-Truth has opened up about his future plans in WWE, revealing he wants The Miz to be his final opponent when he decides to hang up his boots.
In an exclusive interview with SEScoops correspondent Scott Fishman for TV Insider, the 53-year-old veteran discussed how watching John Cena\’s farewell tour has shaped his own retirement vision.
\”Watching Cena\’s end game gave me ideas about mine. I want to articulate mine creatively,\” R-Truth said. \”We\’re all on a ride. The ride stops at some point. And it was great seeing him have some control and go, \’I want to get off right now.\’ That\’s what I want to do.\”
R-Truth\’s Retirement Plans
When asked who he envisions standing across from him in his final match, R-Truth didn\’t hesitate.
\”The Miz. I have a story with The Miz. I have an outside-the-ring story with The Miz. I have a relatable story with The Miz. The history,\” he explained. \”I will have that with The Miz.\”
The two have a storied history together as Awesome Truth, dating back to their 2011 heel run that culminated in a Survivor Series main event against John Cena and The Rock. They reunited in 2024 and captured the World Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania XL, giving R-Truth his first WrestleMania victory after over two decades in the business.
Under Contract Through 2028
R-Truth also confirmed he signed a four-year deal with a three-year option following his dramatic return at Money in the Bank 2025, where he shocked fans just six days after announcing his release from WWE.
WWE Unreal Season 2 premieres January 20 on Netflix and will document R-Truth\’s release and return saga, along with the Road to SummerSlam 2025.
AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage airs tonight from the Arizona Financial Theater in Phoenix, Arizona, featuring Kenny Omega\’s return to AEW programming and an AEW World Championship match.
AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage Match Card:
AEW World Championship: MJF (c) vs. Bandido
Darby Allin vs. PAC
AEW Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Four-Way: Young Bucks vs. Gates of Agony vs. JetSpeed vs. Don Callis Family
Six-Woman Tag: Kris Statlander & Babes Of Wrath vs. Triangle Of Madness
Kenny Omega returns
In the main event picture, MJF puts the AEW World Championship on the line against Bandido. The masked luchador earned this title opportunity and looks to capture his first AEW World Title against the self-proclaimed \”Salt of the Earth.\”
Darby Allin faces PAC in what promises to be a hard-hitting singles encounter between two of AEW\’s most dynamic performers.
The tag team division takes center stage with a four-way match to determine the next AEW Tag Team Championship contenders. The Young Bucks battle Gates of Agony, JetSpeed (Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight), and the Don Callis Family\’s Jake Doyle & Mark Davis for the title shot.
The women\’s division features a six-woman tag team match pitting Kris Statlander and the Babes Of Wrath (Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron) against the Triangle Of Madness (Thekla, Skye Blue, and Julia Hart).
Plus, former AEW World Champion will appear.
AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage airs tonight at 8pm ET on TBS and HBO Max.
WWE NXT General Manager Ava officially announced the signing of five new talents to the NXT roster on Monday ahead of Tuesday night’s episode. The Vanity Project (Jackson Drake, Brad Baylor, and Ricky Smokes), Eli Knight, and Keaneau Carver have all joined the brand following recent main roster call-ups.
The signings come after several NXT stars moved to the main roster in recent weeks, including Je’Von Evans (Raw), Trick Williams (SmackDown), and Jordynne Grace (SmackDown). Oba Femi has also exited NXT after vacating the NXT Championship last week.
All three members of The Vanity Project were WWE ID prospects beginning in late 2024 and have been regular performers on WWE EVOLVE. Drake currently holds the WWE EVOLVE Championship and has made multiple NXT appearances throughout 2025, including a gauntlet match against Ricky Saints in July. Baylor and Smokes work together as the tag team Swipe Right.
Knight joined the WWE ID program in October 2025 and has worked for promotions including Reality of Wrestling and GCW. He recently competed on the December 23 episode of NXT against Tavion Heights in the WWE Speed Championship No. 1 Contender’s Tournament.
Congratulations to the newest member of the #WWENXT roster, Eli Knight!
Carver, whose real name is Kevin Robertson, is a former Temple University defensive tackle who signed with WWE in June 2023. He competed in the 2023 NXT Breakout Tournament and has been a regular on WWE EVOLVE since its 2025 return.????????????????
All four members of The Rascalz are reportedly no longer under contract to TNA Wrestling, making the popular faction free agents.
According to PWInsider, Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz, Trey Miguel, and Myron Reed are all believed to be free and clear to appear for any promotion they choose.
The timing aligns with previous reports indicating Wentz\’s TNA contract expired on January 1, 2026, while Miguel\’s deal also ran through December 2025. Reed had been working without a formal TNA contract since August, and Xavier never signed a TNA deal following his return to the company after being released by WWE in October 2025.
The four wrestlers reunited at TNA Turning Point in November, marking the first time all original Rascalz members competed together as a unit when they defeated The System in an eight-man tag match. Despite creative plans being in place for the group, it appears negotiations for new contracts have not materialized.
The group\’s free agency comes as TNA prepares to debut on AMC on January 15, with the company having finalized short-term deals with several talents whose contracts expired at year\’s end.
Comment below and tell us where you want to see The Rascalz turn up next.
WWE NXT returns to The CW on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The show comes one week after the shocking conclusion of New Year\’s Evil, where Oba Femi vacated the NXT Championship by leaving the title in the ring following his successful defense against Leon Slater.
What Happens With the Vacant NXT Championship?
The biggest question heading into Tuesday\’s show is what becomes of the NXT Championship. Femi walked away from the title after defeating TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater in the main event of New Year\’s Evil, leaving the NXT Universe stunned. General Manager Ava was shown discussing recent NXT call-ups backstage before Robert Stone interrupted, asking if she had seen what Oba had done.
Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox – No Disqualification Match
Newly signed WWE star Joe Hendry finally gets his hands on DarkState leader Dion Lennox in a No Disqualification match. The stipulation came after DarkState attacked Hendry during his New Year\’s Eve Eve concert on last week\’s NXT.
General Manager Ava agreed to the match on the condition that Hendry find backup to neutralize the rest of DarkState. Hendry approached OTM backstage, convincing them that helping him could benefit their pursuit of the NXT Tag Team Championships. Will OTM successfully keep DarkState at bay, or will numbers still prove to be Hendry\’s downfall?
NXT Men\’s Speed Championship: Jasper Troy (c) vs. Tavion Heights
Tavion Heights earned this title opportunity by winning the recent Speed Championship tournament. Heights has been on a roll heading into this championship match, and he\’ll look to dethrone Jasper Troy for the Speed title. Troy has been a fighting champion, and this should be a fast-paced contest between two of NXT\’s rising athletes.
TNA International Championship: Channing \”Stacks\” Lorenzo (c) vs. Shiloh Hill
The TNA and NXT crossover continues as Stacks defends the TNA International Championship against Shiloh Hill. Hill earned this opportunity after defeating Stacks and his partner in a mixed tag team match. The big man has looked impressive since arriving in NXT and could add championship gold to his resume with a victory here.
Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
The rivalry between Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan continues to escalate following their confrontation at New Year\’s Evil. Both women have been at odds in recent weeks, and Tuesday\’s bout should help determine who moves further up the NXT women\’s division ladder.
Izzi Dame to Address Her Title Win
New NXT Women\’s North American Champion Izzi Dame is expected to address the NXT Universe following her shocking title victory at New Year\’s Evil. Dame captured the championship in surprising fashion, and her former friend Tatum Paxley will certainly have something to say about the new champion\’s rise.
Looking Ahead
How will the vacant NXT Championship be determined?
Can Joe Hendry overcome DarkState in No DQ rules?
What\’s next for Izzi Dame as Women\’s North American Champion?
Will OTM\’s alliance with Hendry lead them to tag team gold?
WWE NXT airs live Tuesday at 8/7c on The CW, with international fans able to watch on Netflix.
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky will face their first challenge as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions when they defend the titles against Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez at Saturday Night’s Main Event on January 25.
The new champions, known as Rhiyo, captured the titles on the January 6 episode of WWE Raw, defeating Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez to begin their reign. Now, less than three weeks later, they face a formidable team who earned their championship opportunity on this week’s show from Düsseldorf, Germany.
The next Saturday Night’s Main Event takes place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, streaming live on Peacock at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.
CM Punk has a new challenger for his WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and the match will take place in his opponent\’s backyard.
During Monday\’s live daytime episode of WWE Raw from Dusseldorf, Germany on Netflix, Punk addressed his championship status and the road to WrestleMania. After successfully defending his title against Bron Breakker last week, Punk declared himself ready to face all challengers at upcoming premium live events.
Finn Balor interrupted the champion\’s promo, making it clear he wasn\’t waiting for Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber. Balor challenged Punk to a match next week at The SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The match marks the first-ever televised WWE event from Northern Ireland.
Punk initially offered to fight immediately in Germany, but Balor insisted on the Belfast setting, citing \”home field advantage\” similar to what Punk enjoys in Chicago. Before accepting, Punk questioned whether he\’d face Balor one-on-one or the entire Judgment Day faction, referencing his recent battles with The Vision. Balor assured him it would be \”The Best in the World\” versus \”The Prince\” in a straight singles match.
Punk accepted the challenge, apologizing to the Dusseldorf crowd for not competing that night, then promising to apologize to Belfast fans next week \”after defeating Balor with the GTS.\”
The championship match is scheduled for Monday, January 19, 2026 on WWE Raw.
Becky Lynch will put the WWE Women\’s Intercontinental Championship on the line against Maxxine Dupri on the January 19th episode of WWE Raw.
The rematch comes two weeks after Lynch defeated Dupri to capture the title on the January 5th episode of Raw. However, the victory didn\’t come without controversy. Lynch secured the win by holding the ropes during the pinfall, though \”The Man\” has since claimed the bout was decided fairly.
This marks Lynch\’s second reign as Women\’s Intercontinental Champion, adding another accolade to her decorated WWE career. Dupri will look to capitalize on the questionable finish and reclaim the championship she lost under disputed circumstances.
The title match is one of two championship bouts scheduled for next Monday\’s Raw. CM Punk will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor in the main event.
Lynch\’s willingness to bend the rules to retain her title sets up an intriguing dynamic for the rematch, as Dupri seeks redemption in front of the Raw audience.
Current WWE Raw Lineup (1/19):
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Finn Balor
WWE Women\’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri
Tony Khan has revealed that the iconic briefcase moment from AEW All In Texas was Jon Moxley\’s brainchild, offering rare insight into the creative collaboration between the promoter and one of wrestling\’s most compelling performers.
Speaking on the 100th episode of Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, Khan praised Moxley\’s contributions to the Death Riders storyline that defined AEW\’s 2025.
\”It was a brilliant and that was John\’s idea. It was brilliant. I talked to John a lot and I love John so much and he\’s one of the most brilliant people and I\’m very grateful that he came into our lives,\” Khan said of the briefcase presentation that saw Hangman Page retrieve the AEW Championship.
Khan detailed an extensive three-hour creative session with Moxley before All In London 2024 that helped shape the year-long Death Riders arc.
\”I remember talking to John for like 3 hours before All In London and just some brilliant things and to think how far he was able to take it and his resolution. I\’m so proud of what AW accomplished in 2025 and John Moxley is a huge huge part of it,\” Khan explained.
The AEW president also addressed how the storyline\’s conclusion recontextualized Moxley\’s entire 2025 run, particularly the fan perception shift.
\”I think that John Moxley made it clear from the beginning he was going to try to lift AEW and he succeeded. People maybe didn\’t see what he was trying with his intentions, but everything he said he would do, he accomplished. And then at the end of the year, it meant so much to me and so many people around the locker room to see the fans embrace Mox again like that.\”
Moxley recently won the Continental Championship and continues to be a centerpiece of AEW programming. The Death Riders storyline earned Best Rivalry honors at Sports Illustrated, cementing its place in AEW history.
Logan Paul and Randy Orton reignited their rivalry on social media this weekend, trading jabs over the former U.S. Champion\’s leg development.
The exchange began Saturday when Paul posted a gym photo from Düsseldorf, Germany with Vision stablemate Austin Theory, captioning it \”Direkt ins gym.\” Orton slid into Paul\’s DMs with a pointed observation: \”Skipping leg day again I see.\”
Paul shared the message on his Instagram story, then fired tback Sunday with a photo showcasing his quads and a cheeky caption: \”did legs just for u daddy @randyorton.\”
Photo: Logan Paul, Instagram
The playful exchange marks the first DM between the two since April 2024, when they faced off at WrestleMania 40. Paul retained his United States Championship against Orton and Kevin Owens in a Triple Threat Match at that event.
Their paths crossed again at SummerSlam 2025, where Paul teamed with Drew McIntyre to defeat Orton and Jelly Roll. The rivalry continued through Survivor Series WarGames, with The Vision defeating a team that included Orton and Cody Rhodes.
Paul recently announced he signed a full-time WWE contract, telling fans on January 7: \”I\’m officially a full-timer now. All you people saying I\’m a part-timer can shut your mouths.\”
Orton returned to WWE programming in early January after a three-month absence. Whether this social media sparring leads to another in-ring encounter remains to be seen.
Will Ospreay will return to AEW in 2026, according to company CEO Tony Khan, though an exact timeline remains uncertain as the British star continues recovering from serious neck injuries.
Speaking on the 100th episode of Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, Khan provided the most definitive update yet on Ospreay\’s status since his injury at Forbidden Door London.
\”Will Osprey is recovering from serious neck injuries. And I\’m very grateful that Will Osprey is in AEW. And I\’m also very grateful that he\’s recovering and he will be back in 2026. I can\’t say exactly when, but I can tell you that in 2026, he will be back,\” Khan stated.
The confirmation comes despite Ospreay missing the second half of 2025 due to neck surgery. Even so, Sports Illustrated honored him as Best In-Ring Wrestler of the Year, a testament to the impact he made before his injury. His matches against Hangman Adam Page at Double or Nothing and Kyle Fletcher at Revolution were singled out as highlights.
Khan spoke glowingly about Ospreay\’s value to the company.
\”He\’s doing better, and I\’m very grateful,\” Khan said, emphasizing the priority placed on proper recovery over a rushed return.
Ospreay recently made a non-wrestling appearance at NJPW New Year Dash, where he announced plans to return to New Japan once cleared. The appearance saw former protégé Callum Newman attempt an attack, teasing future storylines upon Ospreay\’s eventual return.
The Revolution cage match against Kyle Fletcher, which featured a memorable Spanish fly spot, remains one of the most talked-about matches of 2025. AEW fans eagerly await what promises to be one of the biggest returns of the year when Ospreay is finally cleared to compete.
Tony Khan sidestepped direct questions about Chris Jericho\’s contract status during a recent interview, emphasizing the wrestling legend\’s historical importance to AEW while notably avoiding any commitment about his future.
The AEW CEO appeared on the 100th episode of Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, where he was pressed about the speculation surrounding a potential Chris Jericho WWE return.
\”I\’m really grateful when I talk about people that have been here from the beginning and talk about that first show in Las Vegas. None of it would be possible without Chris Jericho, who\’s been instrumental in AW from the very beginning,\” Khan said.
When asked specifically about Jericho\’s current status, Khan chose his words carefully, speaking almost entirely in past tense about the former AEW World Champion\’s contributions.
Tony Khan\’s Stance on Chris Jericho\’s AEW Status
\”I love Chris very much and I would say that Chris is always a big part of the AW and I think this promotion is here to stay and Chris Jericho is a huge part of our history,\” Khan continued.
The phrasing—particularly the emphasis on \”history\” rather than present or future—has drawn attention from fans analyzing the response. Jericho was the company\’s first world champion and one of its original pillars dating back to AEW\’s inaugural show in Las Vegas.
Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre recently addressed speculation about a potential Jericho WWE return, saying he wants his friend to do whatever makes him happy.
Jericho\’s AEW contract situation has been a topic of industry discussion, with many expecting clarity in the coming weeks. Khan\’s non-answer may have only intensified the speculation surrounding one of wrestling\’s biggest free agents.
NXT General Manager Ava has turned to the NXT Universe for help, asking fans to pitch unconventional ideas on how WWE should crown the next NXT Champion after the title was vacated.
reply to this with your most unconventional, non traditional wrestling ideas of how to crown the next champion https://t.co/W0kFlmp5mP
The NXT Championship became vacant after Oba Femi relinquished the title following his successful defense against Leon Slater at New Year\’s Evil. Femi left the championship belt in the ring, signaling his departure from NXT to pursue main roster opportunities.
Rather than simply announcing a tournament or standard title match, Ava publicly asked fans for \”unconventional\” and outside-the-box ideas on how to crown the new champion. She encouraged replies and suggestions from the NXT audience on social media, hinting that NXT may use a non-traditional format or stipulation to determine the next titleholder.
No official match, tournament, or stipulation has been confirmed yet by NXT or WWE.
What This Means
NXT has often experimented with creative title-deciding matches, including multi-man bouts and tournaments. Ava\’s on-screen role as NXT General Manager gives her storyline authority to shape how championships are decided, and fan engagement via social media has become a regular tool for NXT to gauge interest and generate buzz around major decisions.
Fans could see a unique or first-time-ever stipulation match to determine the new NXT Champion. The angle positions Ava as a fan-facing authority figure who is open to audience input, and NXT writers may incorporate popular fan suggestions into upcoming TV or premium live event plans for the title.
Femi\’s move to the main roster creates an opening for NXT\’s next generation of talent to step into the championship spotlight, continuing WWE\’s tradition of using NXT as a proving ground for future WWE Superstars.
Monday Night Raw heads overseas for a special afternoon broadcast from the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany. The January 12 episode marks WWE\’s continued European tour on the road to the Royal Rumble, featuring a first-time-ever clash between two all-time greats and the fallout from last week\’s eventful Netflix anniversary show.
WWE General Manager Adam Pearce has announced several additions to the lineup, including new segments and a newly confirmed tag team match.
PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany
Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY Open the Show
New WWE Women\’s Tag Team Champions Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY will kick off Monday\’s broadcast after winning the titles from the Kabuki Warriors last week. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria have already put the new champions on notice, setting the stage for potential challengers.
CM Punk to Address His Championship Reign
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk will appear for a promo segment following his successful title defense against Bron Breakker in an instant classic main event last week. Despite interference attempts from The Vision, Punk landed the GTS to retain the gold in what many are calling his career statement.
With the Royal Rumble three weeks away, the Best in the World will need to keep his eyes peeled for Breakker and The Vision\’s next move.
Raquel Rodriguez to Address Attack on Stephanie Vaquer
Raquel Rodriguez will address her vicious attack on Women\’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer from last week\’s show. Rodriguez targeted the already-injured ankle with a steel chair and Tejana Bomb, leaving Vaquer\’s status uncertain heading into Germany.
Reports indicate a title match between Vaquer and Rodriguez is scheduled before the Royal Rumble, but it remains unclear if that will happen on Raw or at Saturday Night\’s Main Event on January 24.
Dragon Lee & Penta vs. Austin Theory & Bronson Reed
In a newly announced tag team match, Dragon Lee and Penta, accompanied by Rey Mysterio, will face Austin Theory and Bronson Reed, who will have Paul Heyman in their corner. This marks a high-profile tag team clash with Luchador legends going up against the powerhouse duo backed by The Wiseman.
Gunther vs. AJ Styles (First Time Ever)
The Ring General faces The Phenomenal One in a dream match that\’s never happened before in WWE. This showdown was born from a confrontation on last week\’s Raw when AJ Styles had enough of Gunther mocking John Cena following their match at Saturday Night\’s Main Event in December
Styles slapped the taste out of Gunther\’s mouth, prompting the former World Heavyweight Champion to request the match from GM Adam Pearce. Styles fired back by calling Gunther a \”b*tch\” for running to the boss. With the match taking place in Germany, expect a hostile environment for Styles as the crowd rallies behind their hometown hero.
The Usos Look to Make a Statement
World Tag Team Champions Jimmy and Jey Uso enter 2026 with gold after defeating AJ Styles and Dragon Lee on the December 29 Raw.
With Styles now occupied in his feud with Gunther, The Usos are already welcoming tag teams to the \”Uso Penitentiary.\” Expect the nine-time tag team champions to be on the lookout for new challengers.
Becky Lynch\’s Controversial Reign Continues
Two-time Women\’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch continues to draw criticism for her controversial rope-assisted pin over Maxxine Dupri. Will the Alpha Academy member demand a rematch?
Looking Ahead
Next week\’s Raw emanates from Belfast, Northern Ireland (January 19)
The Beast Mortos has officially graduated and is now a licensed lawyer.
The AEW star shared the news on social media Saturday, posting photos from his graduation ceremony with family members and girlfriend Mercedes Moné in attendance.
\”Today was a very special day to share with the people I love because today was my graduation day, I am officially a lawyer. See you in court,\” Mortos wrote.
Today was a very special day to share with the people I love because today was my graduation day, I am officially a lawyer. see you in court pic.twitter.com/kmJX26qezU
The 38-year-old Mexican luchador completed law school in June 2025, passing his final exams with an impressive 8.03 average, including a 9.9 score in Civil Procedural Law. Saturday\’s ceremony marked the official conferral of his law degree.
Mortos joins a small group of professional wrestlers with law degrees, including former WWE star David Otunga, a Harvard Law graduate. Before his wrestling career, Mortos also worked as a veterinarian and nurse.
The La Facción Ingobernable member continues to balance his legal accomplishments with in-ring success. He currently holds the ROH World Tag Team Championship alongside Sammy Guevara, having won the titles at Final Battle in December.
Mortos was last seen on AEW Dynamite: New Year\’s Smash, competing against ROH World Champion Bandido.
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