All articles tagged with #pro wrestling
Karl Anderson revealed on Talk’n Shop that AJ Styles decided to retire due to a hurting neck and general weariness, aiming to help the next generation. Anderson had previously resisted the retirement notion and has since apologized for spreading false hope that Styles would keep wrestling.
The IInspiration—Jessica McKay and Cassie Lee—are officially signed to AEW on multi-year deals, confirmed after their Brisbane House Rules debut; deals were reportedly in place for over a month, their TNA exit was amicable, and WWE insiders expected AEW-bound if they skipped the Royal Rumble. With the signing, AEW adds a high-profile women's tag team and must decide whether to thrust them into title contention or develop them gradually.
AEW officially signed The IInspiration (Jessica McKay and Cassie Lee) after their Brisbane House Rules debut, but fans reacted with skepticism online, debating roster size, the debut placement, and whether the former WWE team fits AEW’s branding, highlighting a broader discussion about the company’s talent strategy.
AEW's House Rules Brisbane show on Feb 15 featured the IInspiration making their AEW debut, plus a stacked lineup: Hangman Page, Robbie Eagles and Brody King defeated Kyle Fletcher, MJF and Mark Davis; The Outrunners defeated The Velocities; Konosuke Takeshita defeated Dalton Castle; Toni Storm and Orange Cassidy defeated Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir; Wheeler Yuta defeated Adam Brooks before Mark Briscoe defeated Yuta; The Brawling Birds (Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor) defeated Kyla Knight and Charli Evans; Babes Of Wrath won the Women’s Tag Team Championship in a triple-threat; The IInspiration defeated Frankie P and Ayesha.
AEW reportedly anticipated the anti-ICE chants at Grand Slam Australia, with travel logistics delaying information about Brody King rumors; the chants aired on the taped U.S. broadcast, and the company is weighing whether to adjust future coverage as such chants recur.
A Las Vegas AEW crowd’s anti-ICE chants during a high-profile match illustrate a new trend: real-world politics are seeping into pro wrestling, with stars like Brody King and Hangman Page taking explicit political stances and promotions leveraging controversy to gain attention and differentiate themselves from WWE in a growing industry rivalry.
WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas has only one confirmed match (Roman Reigns vs CM Punk) with Fightful Select noting original plans haven’t been presented and most of the card is still being debated; Liv Morgan's Royal Rumble win sets up a Women’s Title scenario with Vaquer or Cargill, the women’s Elimination Chamber winner facing the survivor, and Drew McIntyre set to defend the WWE Championship against the men’s Elimination Chamber winner, while names like Rollins, Lesnar, Cody Rhodes, Zayn, Logan Paul, and others may appear but nothing is finalized yet.
AJ Styles reportedly wrapped his WWE in-ring career after the Royal Rumble, but sources say he isn’t done with wrestling entirely. With WWE and AEW unsure of his next move, NJPW has shown interest, and Styles has kept the door open with a “Never say never” remark, suggesting he could compete again in some capacity beyond a full-time WWE run.
AEW owner Tony Khan praised Powerhouse Hobbs, saying the wrestler had a great run in AEW and highlighting Hobbs' contributions during his time with the company.
Spoilers for AEW Collision in Las Vegas (taped Feb. 4, airing Feb. 7) include The Young Bucks defeating Gates of Agony; Kris Statlander being attacked by Thekla and Sisters of Sin, setting a strap-match stipulation for her next title defense; Tommaso Ciampa defeating Claudio Castagnoli and Roderick Strong to win the TNT Championship, with Kyle Fletcher challenging Ciampa; Kevin Knight over Scorpio Sky; Mina Shirakawa over Viva Van; Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir over Zayda Steel & Dante Martin (followed by Toni Storm and Orange Cassidy saving Steel & Martin); Thekla defeating Brittnie Brooks (Statlander saving post-match); Leila Grey and Christopher Daniels present with Sky.
Sami Zayn won the Fatal 4-Way at Saturday Night’s Main Event to earn a WWE Championship title shot against Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia; Zayn has never defeated McIntyre, WrestleMania season looms, and while a title change is not expected, surprises can happen in Saudi Arabia.
TNA iMPACT arrives on AMC with a strong backstage play: a surprise appearance teased for tonight, a strategy to unveil several re-signings during the launch window, and a live-focused plan to maximize on-air impact. The card at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, TX (9 PM ET) features Frankie Kazarian vs. Mike Santana for the World Championship, AJ Styles returning to TNA TV after 11 years, The IInspiration vs The Elegance for the Knockouts Tag Titles, and The Hardys & Elijah vs Order 4, with undisclosed twists expected as the show airs.
AEW taped Collision Maximum Carnage on January 14 in Phoenix; spoilers show Hangman Page & JetSpeed winning the Trios Titles from The Opps, Andrade El Idolo defeating Angelico, and Eddie Kingston & Ortiz beating Grizzled Young Veterans. Other notes include Marina Shafir defeating Zayda Steel, a Don Callis Family attack on Jon Moxley with Death Riders making the save, plus several additional matches featuring Takeshita, Bayne & Ford, Kamela & Van, and Jack Perry defeating Anthony Bowens as part of the evening.
The article discusses the latest Cageside Community Wrestler Rankings for Season 14, Week 24, highlighting top performers and the ongoing race for the Cageside Cup Performer of the Year, based on votes from fans for matches and performances from various wrestling shows during October 5-11, 2025.
WWE is set to announce that WrestleMania 43 in 2027 will be held in Saudi Arabia, with an official live stream scheduled for Friday featuring prominent WWE stars and legends, following a leak from the Saudi General Entertainment Authority.