SEScoops

Author: Mike Reichlin

  • NXT Preview for Tonight: Year-End Awards, Ethan Page vs. Moose, Joe Hendry Concert

    WWE NXT closes out 2025 tonight with its final episode of the year, featuring the NXT Year-End Awards, a North American Championship defense, and a Joe Hendry New Year\’s Eve Eve concert. The show continues building toward New Year\’s Evil on January 6.

    NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Moose

    \”All Ego\” defends against TNA\’s Moose in a clash of veterans. Page has held the title since October, and Moose brings main event power to challenge for the gold.

    Ricky Saints vs. Je\’Von Evans

    The NXT Champion faces Evans in non-title action after weeks of back-and-forth about who belongs at the top. Evans pointed to his main roster appearances; Saints says he can\’t keep up.

    Jacy Jayne vs. Wren Sinclair

    The Women\’s Champion takes on Sinclair, who earned this match defending Kendal Grey against Fatal Influence. Grey challenges Jayne for the title at New Year\’s Evil.

    WWE Speed Men\’s Championship #1 Contender Finals: Lexis King vs. Tavion Heights

    The winner earns a shot at Jasper Troy\’s Speed Championship. Heights brings wrestling credentials; King brings underhanded tactics.

    Segments

    Joe Hendry New Year\’s Eve Eve Concert: Hendry performs, though DarkState and Tony D\’Angelo may have other plans.

    NXT Year-End Awards: Winners announced throughout the show, including Male and Female Superstar of the Year, Match of the Year, and more.

    Looking Ahead

    Next week at NXT New Year\’s Evil (January 6, 2026):

    • NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Leon Slater
    • NXT Women\’s Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Kendal Grey
    • NXT Women\’s North American Championship: Thea Hail (c) vs. Blake Monroe
    • Singles Match: Izzi Dame vs. Tatum Paxley

    WWE NXT airs tonight at 8/7c on The CW and on Netflix internationally.

  • Nikki Bella Addresses John Cena Tribute on WWE Raw

    Nikki Bella delivered a special moment for fans during the December 29 episode of WWE Raw, performing John Cena’s signature STF finishing move in what she playfully dubbed the “Fearless Lock.”

    https://x.com/NikkiAndBrie/status/2005846674640343532?s=20

    The tribute spot drew loud “Thank You Cena” chants from the crowd, acknowledging the connection between Bella and her ex-fiancé. Following the show, Nikki took to social media to address her fanbase directly.

    “You all kept wanting a tribute from me geeezz so here ya all go… but… that’s the Fearless Lock,” Bella wrote on X, adding her signature emoji flair.

    https://x.com/NikkiAndBrie/status/2005847971066269742?s=20

    In a follow-up post minutes later, Nikki expressed gratitude to the Bella Army for their support during the live event. “BELLA ARMY I saw you tonight! And heard you! Goodness I love you all!! Soooo grateful for you all! Thank you for making your girl feel so special! Sorry I couldn’t get it done for you all.”

    https://x.com/NikkiAndBrie/status/2005877583838134710?s=20

  • Austin Theory Opens Up About Getting \”Comfortable\” in WWE Before Joining The Vision

    Austin Theory delivered an introspective promo during the December 29 episode of WWE Raw Talk, explaining his decision to join The Vision faction while admitting he had lost his way after early career success.

    \”When I really sit back, like I did, and think about it, I had a lot of big moments so quick in my career. I think I kind of lost myself, I did, I got comfortable,\” Theory revealed during the broadcast.

    The former United States Champion acknowledged he fell into a pattern of waiting for opportunities rather than creating them.

    \”Like I said before, (I was) waiting for somebody to give me a handout, give me something because of me feeling like I deserved it,\” Theory admitted.

    Theory reflected on his rapid rise in WWE and how it affected his mentality.

    \”I feel like my whole life I\’ve worked for everything that I had, and at a young age getting to the WWE, accomplishing the things that I\’ve done, I just got to a point…\”

    He explained that watching The Vision from home sparked a realization about taking control of his career.

    \”The Vision just takes, and they\’re not waiting for anything. Back at home when I\’m watching, it was like, I can sit here and I can wait, point the finger and blame whoever I want, but I can also point it at myself.\”

    Theory made it clear he\’s done relying on past accomplishments, specifically his victory over John Cena.

    \”I\’m not waiting for opportunities, I\’m not looking at my past and saying \’Hey, I beat John Cena, give me something. Somebody hand me another opportunity.\’\”

    Instead, Theory has embraced The Vision\’s aggressive philosophy.

    \”I know at the end of the day, if there\’s anything I truly want, I can have, but I\’ve got to take it. I\’ve got to put in that effort. I know exactly what to do, The Vision was the perfect opportunity for that,\” he stated.

    Theory concluded by emphasizing the faction\’s forward-thinking approach:

    \”To me it\’s about the future, and that\’s exactly what The Vision is about. It\’s about taking, that\’s what I\’m all about now. Nah, we just take, and that\’s how it feels now, being in The Vision, we\’re just gonna take everything.\”

  • Dominik Mysterio Out Indefinitely With Shoulder Injury

    WWE confirmed on the December 29 episode of Raw that Dominik Mysterio is out of action indefinitely due to a shoulder injury.

    Commentator Joe Tessitore made the announcement during the broadcast, noting that no return timeline has been set for the reigning Intercontinental Champion. Earlier in the show, Liv Morgan referenced Dominik\’s absence during a backstage segment, stating that \”Daddy Dom\” would be out \”for a little bit.\”

    The injury occurred on December 20 at AAA\’s Guerra de Titanes event in Guadalajara, Mexico. Dominik teamed with El Grande Americano against Rey Mysterio and Rey Fenix in the main event, where he took a DDT from his father that left him visibly struggling to use his arm. Despite the injury, he finished the match, which ended with Rey pinning his son.

    Dominik currently holds both the WWE Intercontinental Championship and the AAA Mega Championship. As of Raw, WWE has not announced any plans for the Intercontinental Title despite confirming his indefinite status.

  • Rumor Killer: Jim Ross Did Not Make Viral Quote About AEW Booking

    A quote attributed to Jim Ross criticizing modern wrestling booking has been making the rounds on social media, but it\’s completely fabricated.

    Conrad Thompson, co-host of JR\’s Grilling podcast, took to X (formerly Twitter) to debunk the viral quote that claimed Ross said: \”Booking wrestling in 2025 is very easy. Just throw a bunch of sht out there and some basement dweller will invent a story for you and defend your booking on social media.\”

    Not So Fast

    Thompson was clear in his response: \”We recorded @JrGrilling days before the PPV. @JRsBBQ did not say this on the pod or anywhere else. This is a made up quote but yall have fun I reckon.\”

    https://x.com/heyheyitsconrad/status/2005674761192620132?s=46

    The fake quote originally appeared alongside discussion of AEW Worlds End and was presented as if Ross had made disparaging comments about All Elite Wrestling\’s creative direction. The quote quickly spread across wrestling social media before Thompson\’s correction.

    This incident highlights the ongoing issue of fabricated quotes circulating in wrestling discourse, particularly on platforms like X where misinformation can spread rapidly before being fact-checked.

    Jim Ross remains an active commentator for AEW and continues to co-host Grilling JR with Conrad Thompson, where they discuss wrestling history and current events in the industry.

  • TNA Announces Albuquerque Debut With 2-Night Event

    TNA Wrestling will make its first-ever appearance in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with back-to-back shows on January 22-23, 2025, at Tingley Coliseum.

    The opening night on January 22 will feature a live broadcast of Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC, with doors opening at 5 p.m. local time and the show starting at 6 p.m.

    The second night on January 23 will be taped for future iMPACT! episodes, with doors at 6 p.m. and bell time at 7 p.m. Tickets for both events are available now through TIXR.com.

    Albuquerque native Mara Sadè and former TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth will preview the upcoming shows with appearances in the city on January 8-9. Sadè, who recently departed WWE to join TNA, graduated from Volcano Vista High School and has an extensive athletic background in track and field, basketball, volleyball, and bowling before transitioning to professional wrestling.

    \”New Mexico\’s film boom opened my path into entertainment,\” Sadè said of her journey from modeling and acting work in New Mexico productions to professional wrestling.

    Nemeth, known as Dolph Ziggler during his WWE tenure, debuted with TNA in January 2024 and enjoyed a successful run as World Champion. The former two-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion now competes in the tag team division alongside his brother Ryan Nemeth.

    The TNA roster scheduled for both Albuquerque events includes The Hardys (Jeff and Matt Hardy), Frankie Kazarian, Mike Santana, Mustafa Ali, Leon Slater, Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, Ash By Elegance, and Tessa Blanchard.

  • MJF Regrets Never Wrestling Childhood Idol John Cena

    Despite his reputation for arrogance and bravado, Maxwell Jacob Friedman showed a rare vulnerable side when discussing one of wrestling\’s biggest \”what if\” scenarios. During his chat with Brandon Walker on the Mostly Sports podcast, the new AEW World Heavyweight champion opened up about his childhood admiration for John Cena and the sadness he feels knowing they\’ll likely never face each other in the ring.

    \”Yes, absolutely. I think that there is a different world where that match would have happened. Unfortunately, it\’s not this one,\” MJF admitted when asked if he was sad about never wrestling Cena. \”I\’ve had so many incredible run-ins with John where we\’ve shot the sh*t. He\’s an incredible guy. He watches our product. He\’s seen my stuff. He was very complimentary. Obviously, I\’m super complimentary to him.\”

    The AEW star revealed just how deep his connection to Cena runs, dating back to his childhood on Long Island. \”Before CM Punk, my favorite wrestler growing up as a kid was John Cena,\” MJF shared. \”He was a fatthead on my wall in my bedroom. So, I\’d wake up, salute the OG, and then get ready for school.\”

    The mutual respect between the two performers is evident, with MJF noting that Cena actively follows AEW programming and has praised his work.

  • Je\’Von Evans Teases Main Roster Call-Up, Reveals Dream Hell in a Cell Match

    NXT\’s rising star Je\’Von Evans is setting his sights high for 2026, hinting at a potential main roster call-up while revealing his ultimate career goal in a recent interview with Going Ringside.

    When asked about a possible promotion to WWE\’s main roster, Evans acknowledged that discussions may already be underway.

    \”I think that it could be in the works,\” Evans said. \”But that\’s up to them. That\’s up to them whenever they feel like I\’m ready. I\’m just there whenever they need me. You know what I mean?\”

    The young superstar\’s approach to achieving bigger opportunities reflects a strong work ethic that has defined his rapid ascent in NXT.

    \”I just want bigger and better opportunities, but the only way for that to happen is to work harder,\” Evans explained. \”So that\’s what I\’m going to do. I\’m going to work my ass off until these bigger and better opportunities happen for me. For sure.\”

    Je\’Von Evans Planning for Longevity

    Despite his youth, Evans is already taking proactive steps to ensure longevity in the demanding world of professional wrestling. He revealed that he\’s incorporated yoga and stretching into his routine as a preventative measure.

    \”I haven\’t really felt any effects yet, but from what everybody\’s telling me, like, hey, it\’s going to catch up,\” Evans said. \”So, I\’m trying to get a little head start. I\’m trying to go ahead and start making my body feel good because I don\’t want to get to the point where I have to.\”

    Hell in a Cell Aspirations

    When the conversation turned to dream matches, Evans didn\’t hesitate to name his ultimate goal before retirement. \”Dream match. I want to do a Hell in a Cell,\” he declared. \”I would love to do one. Because it\’s great. I grew up watching them and I was like, \’Oh, I have to do it now.\’ So I have to do a Hell in a Cell before I retire. I have to do a Hell in the Cell.\”

    With his combination of athleticism, dedication, and clear vision for his future, Evans appears poised to make the jump to WWE\’s main roster sooner rather than later. Whether 2026 becomes his breakout year on Raw or SmackDown remains to be seen, but the 23-year-old is clearly preparing for whatever comes next.

  • Meet Your Heroes: Roxanne Perez on Working With AJ Lee and CM Punk

    Roxanne Perez couldn’t be happier about having her wrestling hero AJ Lee back in the WWE locker room.

    Speaking with Going Ringside, the Judgment Day member opened up about what Lee’s return has meant to her personally, crediting the former Divas Champion as the person who made her believe a WWE career was achievable.

    “She was definitely the person that made me realize that it was possible for me to become a WWE superstar. One of my biggest inspirations, for sure,” Perez said of Lee

    https://x.com/PopBase/status/1965438977068142904?s=20

    With both Lee and CM Punk now working together backstage in WWE, Perez has had a front-row seat to watch two of her childhood favorites interact. The young star didn’t hold back when describing the noticeable change in Punk’s demeanor when his wife is around.

    “That’s been awesome having them around in the locker room. You can definitely see the change in Punk’s energy and just overall happiness when she’s around. It’s so cute,” Perez shared. “And it’s awesome to see. You know, I grew up watching them. The storylines that they created were some of my favorite to watch growing up.”

    Now, instead of watching from afar, Perez gets to lean on both Punk and Lee for guidance as she navigates her own WWE career.

    “To now have them there and for them to just be people that I can turn to whenever I need advice or need help or anything. Yeah, they’re just amazing,” she said.

    When the interviewer noted the old adage about never meeting your heroes, Perez was quick to push back, giving both Lee and Punk full credit for defying that cynical expectation.

    “It definitely went well. I tell them that a lot where I’m like, thank you for making that quote, ‘never meet your hero,’ so untrue because they are just awesome. They’re just awesome to be around.”

  • Nick Gage Health Update: GCW Owner Says \”The King Is Back\”

    Pro wrestling deathmatch legend Nick Gage has made a remarkable recovery after being \”face to face with death\” just three months ago, according to GCW owner Brett Lauderdale.

    Lauderdale shared a photos of a healthy-looking Gage on Sunday night, announcing the 45-year-old has turned his life around after decades of addiction struggles. These were taken by renowned photographer Jarod Missimer:

    \”On oct 1st, this guy was face to face with death,\” Lauderdale wrote. \”In less than 3 months, the turnaround is shocking & remarkable. This is what it looks like when you break free from decades of addiction and finally start believing in yourself. The king is back and i couldn\’t be more proud MDK.\”

    Lauderdale also thanked WWE Hall of Famer Sean \”X-Pac\” Waltman for his assistance in Gage\’s recovery.

    2025 has been a difficult year for Gage. His longtime partner Sondra Culbertson passed away in April at age 43 after 26 years together. Gage last competed on September 20th before entering treatment indefinitely in October.

    The GCW icon has been open about his battles with addiction, including a previous rehab stay in 2024. Gage served five years in prison from 2011-2016 for bank robbery during the height of his addiction struggles.

    Lauderdale also had harsh words for those who he says failed Gage during his darkest moments.

    \”To the haters, grifters, enablers & bad faith \’brothers\’ who cowardly looked the other way or played dumb when you were called out, die slow, your time will come,\” he added.

    No word yet on when Gage may return to the ring.

  • Roxanne Perez Maintains: Dominik Mysterio is Just a Friend

    Roxanne Perez is shutting down rumors about any romantic involvement with Dominik Mysterio.

    In an interview with Scott Johnson for Going Ringside, the Judgment Day member was asked directly about the speculation surrounding her relationship with “Dirty Dom.” Perez’s response was clear and direct.

    “What do you mean by that?” Perez initially responded when asked what’s going on with Mysterio. “He’s the king of the luchadors. He’s double champ. I think that’s pretty much all that’s going on for Dominik Mysterio.”

    Perez made it crystal clear where Mysterio’s loyalties lie, emphasizing his relationship with Liv Morgan while listing off his close friends in the faction.

    “He’s got his güerita. He’s got his best friends in the Judgment Day. Me, Raquel, JD, Finn,” she said.

    When pressed further about whether Mysterio is in the “friend zone,” Perez maintained her position without hesitation.

    “Me and him have always been buddies. I don’t know what people are trying to misconstrue in there, but we’re just friends,” Perez stated firmly.

    The former NXT Women’s Champion also went out of her way to respect Liv Morgan’s place in Mysterio’s life, making her stance abundantly clear.

    “I would never get in the way of him and his güerita. I would never,” Perez declared.

    The comments come as Judgment Day continues to be one of WWE’s most prominent factions, with Liv Morgan recently returning from injury at Survivor Series and getting back in the ring this past weekend. Perez joined the group earlier this year, filling a key role while Morgan was sidelined.

    Despite fan speculation about potential romantic storylines, Perez appears committed to keeping her relationship with Mysterio strictly professional and friendly within the faction.

  • John Cena Asked Roxanne Perez for Advice After Survivor Series

    Roxanne Perez is still processing the surreal experience of hitting John Cena with her Pop Rox finisher at Survivor Series.

    In an interview with Scott Johnson for Going Ringside, the Judgment Day member reflected on how meaningful it was to be involved with Cena during his retirement tour, especially given her deep connection to the WWE legend\’s career.

    \”Him versus The Rock, Once in a Lifetime, that storyline was actually what made me fall in love with pro wrestling,\” Perez explained. \”So the fact that I got to be a part of something with him on his retirement tour is just absolute insanity.\”

    The Prodigy admitted that while she always believed she\’d make it to WWE, the specific moments she\’s experiencing have exceeded her wildest expectations.

    \”When people ask me if I thought that all of this would be happening, if I\’d be in the WWE, I say yes and no because I did always think that I would make it here. Something always told me that I would make it possible. But I never expected all of these crazy things to come with it, like being in the ring with John Cena and giving him my finisher. Never expected that. So yeah, wrestling is crazy.\”

    John Cena Seeks Roxanne\’s Feedback

    Perhaps most impressive was what happened backstage after the Survivor Series match. Perez revealed that Cena gathered everyone involved in the bout and immediately asked for constructive criticism.

    \”He\’s awesome. It\’s just really inspiring that even at his level, he always wants to be better,\” Perez said. \”After our match at Survivor Series, he brought us all together, everybody that was a part of that match, and the first thing he asked was, \’What do you guys think we could have done better?\’\”

    When asked if it was awkward having Cena solicit her opinion, Perez acknowledged the unusual dynamic but took away an important lesson.

    \”Maybe a little bit, but I think it was mostly just inspiring because I feel like it really just shows that you can learn from anybody. No one is better than anybody really, truly. That was definitely something that I would take with me throughout my entire career. You just never stop learning. You never stop getting better. Even the best to ever do it, John Cena, he never stops getting better.\”

  • Raw Preview for Tonight: Theory vs Mysterio, 2 Title Matches

    WWE Raw returns live tonight from the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida, for the final episode of 2025. The show streams at 8 PM ET exclusively on Netflix.

    After last week’s pre-taped show gave talents a holiday break, Raw is back to live action to close out the year for the red brand.

    WWE is looking to build momentum heading into next week’s massive January 5 episode at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which marks the one-year anniversary of Raw on Netflix and features CM Punk defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Bron Breakker.

    Announced Matches and Segments

    • The Vision Opens the Show: Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman will kick off the broadcast, setting the stage for next week’s World Heavyweight Championship clash between Breakker and CM Punk.
    • Women’s World Championship — Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella vs. Raquel Rodriguez: The champion requested both challengers at once after weeks of interference, and GM Adam Pearce delivered. Tension between Judgment Day members Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez adds another layer to this triple threat.
    • World Tag Team Championship — AJ Styles & Dragon Lee (c) vs. The Usos: Jimmy and Jey Uso punched their ticket to a title shot after defeating the New Day. The reunited brothers look to close out 2025 with gold around their waists.
    • Austin Theory vs. Rey Mysterio: After pinning Rey alongside Bronson Reed last week, Theory faces the legend in singles action as he continues auditioning for full membership in The Vision.

    Stay with SEScoops for complete WWE Raw coverage and results.

  • Kevin Nash Questions CM Punk\’s In-Ring Status, Gunther\’s Heat

    WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash delivered pointed criticism of both CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Gunther during the latest episode of his Kliq This podcast, questioning Punk\’s current in-ring capabilities and challenging the authenticity of Gunther\’s crowd reactions.

    Nash expressed concern about Punk\’s recent performances, particularly his physical presentation in main event programs. \”I watched him closely,\” Nash said. \”He looked slow. To me, it looks like it\’s time.\” The Hall of Famer specifically criticized Punk wrestling in a t-shirt while positioned in top-level matches, arguing it undermines the credibility required at that spot on the card.

    WWE

    Kevin Nash talks Gunther

    Turning to Gunther, Nash pushed back against the notion that the champion currently generates genuine heat. While acknowledging strong crowd reactions, Nash described them as manufactured rather than organic. \”He\’s got the closest thing to heat on that show,\” Nash said. \”But it\’s not real heat.\”

    Nash argued that authentic heat disrupts the flow of programming and demands immediate response, not polite introductions and scripted exits. He explained that if Gunther truly had real heat, WWE would not simply allow him full entrances and orderly departures from the ring.

  • Wrestling Legends Sound Alarm After AEW Worlds End

    Former WCW star Missy Hyatt and WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray joined a growing chorus of wrestling veterans warning about dangerous modern moves after a frightening spot at AEW Worlds End left Kyle Fletcher landing head-first from Jon Moxley’s avalanche cutthroat suplex.

    https://x.com/missyhyatt/status/2005095261065110006?s=46

    The terrifying moment occurred during Saturday\’s Continental Classic semifinal at Chicago’s NOW Arena, where Moxley delivered the top-rope move that sent Fletcher crashing directly onto his head. Multiple wrestling publications described the landing as “brutal” and “scary,” with fans fearing Fletcher had broken his neck. Despite the horrific impact, the 26-year-old Australian miraculously continued wrestling and the match was later named Match of the Night.

    “I just watched moxley deliver a cutthroat suplex to fletcher. The impact 2 the neck was dangerous.nobody learned from misawa death,” Hyatt wrote on X, referencing Japanese legend Mitsuharu Misawa, who died in the ring in 2009 from a spinal cord injury sustained during a match.

    Hyatt called it “a industry issue” and urged veterans who’ve had neck surgeries to warn current wrestlers. “Current generation should realize in the grand scheme that by eliminating neck/head dropping moves will not effect their quest for a pop or a ? rating,” she continued. “You only get one neck, protect it!”

    Bully Ray, whose verified account amplified Hyatt’s message, responded: “Thats a quite a profound final sentence Missy. The scary part is…its true.”

    https://x.com/missyhyatt/status/2005115770158858665?s=46

    The exchange comes one day after William Regal revealed he secretly wrestled with two broken necks for decades and now suffers daily consequences. AEW commentator Bryan Danielson also expressed concern during the Worlds End broadcast, questioning whether additional medical personnel were needed to check on Fletcher after the dangerous spot.

    https://x.com/drainbamager/status/2005095102122000521?s=46

    Fletcher ultimately lost the match when Moxley choked him unconscious. Moxley went on to defeat Kazuchika Okada in the tournament finals to capture the Continental Championship.

  • William Regal Reveals He Wrestled With 2 Neck Fractures in Stark Warning to Modern Stars

    WWE legend William Regal made a rare social media appearance to deliver a sobering message about wrestler safety, revealing he secretly competed with two broken necks and now suffers daily consequences.

    The 57-year-old posted an X-ray of his damaged neck alongside a lengthy warning about dangerous head-drop moves becoming commonplace in modern wrestling. \”I broke my neck twice, 9/93 in ring and a car wreck in \’97 and stupidly never told anyone,\” Regal wrote, explaining he continued wrestling by relying on old-school bridging techniques that younger wrestlers no longer learn.

    Regal specifically cited Bryan Danielson as someone now \”suffering daily like myself from his neck,\” describing their condition as \”a daily misery\” affecting sleep and every aspect of life.

    The British wrestling veteran expressed frustration that dangerous moves have increased rather than stopped after Mitsuharu Misawa\’s death from neck injuries.

    \”Whenever I talk to people about them doing it it\’s \’well it doesn\’t hurt….\’ Believe me it will,\” Regal warned. He dismissed the notion that performing risky maneuvers demonstrates toughness: \”broken necks or death are not something you should think is tough or cool. It\’s idiotic thinking.\”

    The post serves as a rare public plea from one of wrestling\’s most respected figures, urging current performers to prioritize long-term health over short-term acclaim before permanent damage occurs.

  • Jeff Jarrett Says Jeremy Borash Is This Generation\’s Mean Gene

    The late Mean Gene Okerlund is in a class of his own. The iconic broadcaster left huge shoes to fill, and few have come anywhere close to his stature in professional wrestling history.

    Okerlund was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 by Hulk Hogan, cementing his legacy as one of the most beloved interviewers and announcers in the industry.

    Jeff Jarrett has seen it all throughout his lifetime in the wrestling business, and says a current WWE employee he worked closely with in TNA Wrestling is as close as it gets to Mean Gene.

    \”I think he\’s the modern-day Mean Gene, because you can\’t put your thumb on \’Why\’s Gene so good?\’ Well, Gene can do your own promo, his own promo, the talent\’s promo, sell something,\” Jarrett said about Okerlund on his \”My World with Jeff Jarrett\” podcast. \”[Jeremy Borash] is a student of the game – love the dude – but man, oh man, the amount of hats he wore in the early days? There\’s just so many things.\”

    Despite Jarrett\’s praise of Borash\’s on-air abilities, he\’s primarily utilized behind the scenes in WWE today.

    Borash began his career in WCW with his streaming audio program \”WCW Live!\” before joining Jarrett at TNA in 2002, where he worked as ring announcer, video editor, writer, and eventually lead play-by-play announcer.

    Today, Borash serves directly to Triple H as a senior producer, similar to Pat Patterson’s former role with Vince McMahon. JB notably produced The Undertaker\’s acclaimed \”Boneyard\” match at WrestleMania 36.

  • Chris Jericho Teases WWE Return: \”You Never Know\”

    Chris Jericho has directly addressed mounting speculation about a potential WWE return, offering his most intriguing response yet during a live YouTube stream on Saturday.

    When a fan referenced his legendary 1999 WWE debut and asked about returning to the company, Jericho responded with a tantalizing \”You never know. You never know\” during his revived \”Christmas Dinner With The Winnipeggers\” show.

    The comment came as Jericho scheduled the YouTube broadcast to air at 9 PM EST on December 27—directly conflicting with AEW\’s Worlds End pay-per-view, which began at 7 PM EST the same evening.

    Contract Status Fuels Speculation

    Jericho\’s AEW contract is set to expire at the end of December 2025 after signing a three-year deal in October 2022. The 55-year-old hasn\’t appeared on AEW television since April 2025, when he lost the ROH World Championship to Bandido at AEW Dynasty and subsequently walked out on Bryan Keith and Big Bill.

    According to sources we’ve spoken to in both companies, AEW is not factoring Jericho into any creative plans, while WWE remains ready, willing and able to make a strong offer to welcome Le Champion back into the fold for a retirement run and a Hall of Fame induction.

    Jericho has made it crystal clear that we haven’t seen his final act. \”I\’m not done yet… I\’m pretty sure you\’ll see me in 2026 in a wrestling ring somewhere.\”

    Speculation has centered on the Royal Rumble 2026 in Saudi Arabia on January 31 or WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas as potential return dates. Notably, Jericho\’s band Fozzy has no concerts scheduled for the Royal Rumble date.

    AEW President Tony Khan has publicly stated Jericho remains \”always welcome\” in AEW, acknowledging his role as the company\’s inaugural World Champion and founding star.

  • Liv Morgan Returns to Action at WWE Tampa Live Event

    Liv Morgan made her in-ring return Friday night at WWE\’s Holiday Tour stop in Tampa, defeating Lyra Valkyria in singles competition.

    Morgan worked her first match since suffering a shoulder injury against Kairi Sane on June 16, securing the victory with her Oblivion finisher at the Benchmark International Arena. Fan footage from the December 27 event quickly circulated on social media, confirming her full return to action.

    The former Women\’s World Champion had already returned to television at Survivor Series, reuniting with Dominik Mysterio and The Judgment Day. However, the Tampa house show marked her first competitive match in over six months, serving as her official comeback from the shoulder injury that kept her sidelined throughout the latter half of 2025.

    Morgan\’s return adds another dimension to her ongoing storyline with Mysterio and The Judgment Day as WWE heads into 2026.

  • RVD and Katie Forbes Welcome Twin Babies, One Named After Sabu

    Rob Van Dam and Katie Forbes welcomed twin babies on December 26, announcing the news via social media. The wrestling legend revealed his children are named Karma and Saba, with the latter serving as a tribute to his longtime tag team partner and ECW icon Sabu.

    https://x.com/TherealRVD/status/2004682875325776172

    RVD announced the birth on X, stating \”Karma and Saba have officially left the womb.\” The name choice Saba honors Sabu, with whom Van Dam formed one of the most iconic tag teams in Extreme Championship Wrestling history during the 1990s. The duo captured the ECW Tag Team Championships and were known for their high-flying, hardcore style that helped define the promotion\’s legacy.

    Van Dam, 54, has been in a relationship with Forbes, a former Impact Wrestling personality, for several years.

    The announcement generated significant engagement on social media, with fans celebrating the news and praising the meaningful tribute to one of professional wrestling\’s most influential performers.

  • Hyan & Maya Worldd Officially Sign With AEW Following Worlds End

    AEW President Tony Khan announced the signing of Hyan and Maya Worldd following their performance at AEW Worlds End on December 27, 2025.

    The Brazilian and Colombian wrestlers competed against Julia Hart and Skye Blue during the Worlds End Zero Hour pre-show. Despite falling short in the match, their impressive performance earned them official AEW contracts.

    \”They wrestled another fantastic match at the #AEWWorldsEnd Zero Hour tonight, and now it\’s official: @_thehyan + @MayaWorldd are All Elite!\” Khan posted on social media. \”Thank you all watching AEW Worlds End right now!\”

    Hyan brings experience from IMPACT Wrestling, AAA, and the independent circuit, while Maya Worldd previously competed in Ring of Honor and various independent promotions. The duo\’s addition strengthens AEW\’s women\’s tag team division heading into 2025.

    Both wrestlers had made previous appearances for AEW before securing full-time contracts with the promotion.

  • El Clon Joins AEW Collision in January 2026

    AEW unveiled a cryptic teaser during Worlds End on December 27, announcing the arrival of masked luchador El Clon to AEW Collision in January 2026.

    The promotional vignette featured futuristic imagery with the text \”EL CLON / COMING TO COLLISION / JANUARY 2026.\”

    AEW\’s official tweet accompanying the video used binary code that translates to \”EL CLON ACTIVATED.”

    https://x.com/aew/status/2005077484270674350?s=46

  • Saraya Makes Surprise Indie Appearance With WWE Entrance Theme

    Former WWE and AEW star Saraya made a surprise appearance at Insane Wrestling Revolution\’s Season\’s Beatings Fest event on December 27, 2025, in Monroe, Michigan, marking her first indie wrestling appearance since becoming a free agent.

    The former two-time WWE Divas Champion and AEW Women\’s World Champion entered using her iconic WWE entrance theme \”Stars in the Night,\” the CFO$-produced track she used during her time as Paige in WWE from 2014 onwards.

    The appearance at IWR 41, held at the Frenchtown Township Community and Event Center, comes as Saraya has been exploring opportunities outside of major wrestling promotions. The indie promotion is co-owned by ECW legend Rhino and Gary Pillette.

    Saraya departed AEW in March 2025 after mutually agreeing to part ways with the company, despite having six months remaining on her contract. Her last match was on the October 8, 2024 episode of AEW Dynamite against Jamie Hayter in a \”Saraya\’s Rules\” match.

    https://x.com/saraya/status/2005096989156110752?s=46

    The British wrestling star recently revealed plans to resume training in January 2026, telling the Toronto Sun, \”I am starting to get the bug for it again. I\’ve just found this new love for it again, and I\’ve found this new passion for it again. I\’m going to get into training in January, and we\’ll see where that takes me.\”

    Her appearance at the Monroe event could signal the beginning of her return to active competition after taking most of 2025 off to focus on other projects, including her \”Rulebreakers\” podcast and memoir \”Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives.\”

  • WWE SmackDown Returns to 3-Hour Format with Stacked Card

    WWE SmackDown officially returns to a three-hour format on January 2, 2026, from KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, featuring multiple high-stakes matches to kick off the new year.

    Announced Matches for January 2:

    • Ambulance Match: Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black
    • 8-Woman Tag Team Match: Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY vs. Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Asuka & Kairi Sane
    • Singles Match: Jade Cargill vs. Michin (if Michin wins, she earns a future title shot)

    The headlining Ambulance Match between Priest and Black was announced via WWE\’s social media on December 27. This brutal stipulation is expected to serve as the blow-off to their months-long rivalry that has included a Last Man Standing Match and multiple weapons-based confrontations.

    The women\’s division showcase brings together former rivals and champions in an unlikely alliance, with Bliss, Flair, Ripley and Sky uniting against the heel faction.

    The January 2 episode airs live at 8 PM ET on USA Network.