WWE Raw airs live today with a special start time of 2:00 pm ET/11:00 am PT on Netflix from the Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy.
Questions about AEW’s long-term television future have continued to surface following news that Warner Bros. Discovery is set to merge with Paramount Skydance, but a new report suggests there may be far less concern within AEW than some rumors have indicated.
According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, AEW President Tony Khan is said to be optimistic about the merger and the opportunities it could create for the company moving forward.
AEW currently has a media rights agreement with WBD that runs through at least 2027, with an option that could extend the partnership through 2028. While that means any major changes remain several years away, speculation has already begun regarding what AEW’s next television deal could look like once the current agreement expires.
Recent rumors circulating within WWE reportedly suggested that the Paramount-WBD merger could hurt AEW’s chances of securing a future rights deal. However, sources within AEW have painted a much different picture.
Fightful reports that Khan is enthusiastic about the possibility of continuing a relationship with the combined company after the merger is completed. One source indicated that Khan actually views Paramount as a more favorable long-term partner than the previous scenario involving WBD’s reported ties to Netflix.
Paramount also has a long history with professional wrestling. Over the years, the media giant has been associated with programming involving WWE, TNA Wrestling, and ECW, giving the company familiarity with the wrestling business.
Another point that has generated discussion is Paramount’s existing relationship with TKO Group Holdings, particularly through its broadcast partnership with the UFC. Despite concerns that those ties could complicate any future AEW negotiations, Fightful reports that sources close to Paramount do not view that as an issue.
According to the report, Paramount’s UFC agreement does not include any exclusivity provisions that would prevent the company from working with another wrestling promotion. A Paramount source reportedly emphasized that UFC is a content partner for Paramount, not a factor that would dictate whether the company could pursue a relationship with AEW.
While AEW’s current media deal still has several years remaining, the latest report suggests that those within the company are viewing the Paramount Skydance merger as a potential opportunity rather than a setback, and Tony Khan is said to be encouraged by what the future could hold.
WWE brought a stacked card to Turin for Clash in Italy, featuring multiple championship matches, a Tribal Combat showdown, and several major storyline developments. By the end of the night, Roman Reigns remained Tribal Chief, Cody Rhodes escaped with the Undisputed WWE Championship, and Sol Ruca captured her first main roster singles title.
Here are the full results and highlights from WWE Clash in Italy.
The show opened with a hard-hitting championship clash between Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER. The challenger controlled much of the contest with his trademark chops, power offense, and repeated attempts to put Rhodes away with the Gojira Clutch.
Rhodes battled through several near-submissions and survived a devastating powerbomb before mounting a comeback with Beautiful Disaster and multiple Cross Rhodes attempts. After a frantic closing sequence, Rhodes connected with Cross Rhodes and secured the three-count to retain his championship.
The finish immediately sparked controversy. Replays revealed that GUNTHER’s foot was underneath the bottom rope during the initial pin attempt. Rhodes adjusted his cover during the count, pulling the challenger away from the ropes before the referee completed the fall.
Following the match, a frustrated GUNTHER argued with the official before storming backstage.
Winner: Cody Rhodes (retains WWE Undisputed Championship)
Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill delivered a physical battle that saw both women absorb tremendous punishment.
Cargill showcased her strength early, repeatedly tossing the champion around the ring and even taking time to taunt Ripley with push-ups. Ripley eventually rallied with a German suplex, a missile dropkick, and a series of power moves that nearly ended the match.
Outside interference became a major factor in the closing moments. B-Fab and Michin appeared at ringside on behalf of Cargill, only for Charlotte Flair to arrive and even the odds. Charlotte’s involvement prevented Jade from capitalizing on a near fall and shifted momentum back toward the champion.
Ripley eventually recovered and connected with Riptide to score the victory and retain the WWE Women’s Championship.
Winner: Rhea Ripley (retains WWE Women’s Championship)
Oba Femi pushed Brock Lesnar further than many expected in one of the night’s most physical contests.
Lesnar came out aggressively, delivering multiple F-5s in the opening minutes, but Femi refused to stay down. The former NXT powerhouse also escaped the Kimura Lock and answered with a huge powerbomb and chokeslam that left Lesnar visibly frustrated.
The action spilled to ringside, where Lesnar drove Femi through the announce table with another F-5. Despite the punishment, Femi beat the referee’s count and continued fighting.
Ultimately, Lesnar connected with one final F-5 inside the ring to finally put Femi away.
Winner: Brock Lesnar
One of the biggest surprises of the night came when Sol Ruca challenged Becky Lynch for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
Lynch attempted to dictate the pace throughout the match and repeatedly argued with referee Jessika Carr whenever things didn’t go her way. Ruca countered with her athletic offense, including several innovative aerial attacks and near falls that kept the champion on the defensive.
The closing moments featured multiple reversals, submission counters, and dramatic two-counts. After surviving the Manhandle Slam, Ruca found an opening and connected with the Sol Snatcher to score the pinfall victory.
The win marks a major milestone for Ruca, who leaves Italy as the new WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.
Winner: Sol Ruca (new WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
The main event featured a brutal Tribal Combat Match between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu for the WWE Men’s World Championship and the title of Tribal Chief.
The match quickly spilled into the crowd, with both men using the arena environment as weapons. Reigns blasted Fatu with a bucket of ice, while Fatu repeatedly slammed the champion into barricades, railings, and ringside structures.
Back in the ring, tables, steel steps, toolboxes, and exposed turnbuckles all came into play. Fatu repeatedly threatened to finish Reigns with the Tongan Death Grip, while Reigns relied on Superman Punches and Spears to survive.
Despite taking enormous punishment, Fatu continued to rise after every big move. Reigns eventually gained the advantage by targeting Fatu’s injured hand and repeatedly driving him into exposed turnbuckles. A devastating Spear through a table set up in the corner finally gave Reigns the opening he needed.
One final Spear ended the war and secured the victory for the champion.
After the match, The Usos entered the ring to recognize Reigns as Tribal Chief. The celebration was short-lived, however, as attention quickly turned toward Solo Sikoa and the MFTs watching from the crowd, teasing the next chapter in the ongoing Bloodline saga.
Winner: Roman Reigns (retains WWE Men’s World Championship)
Clash in Italy delivered several major developments, including Sol Ruca’s championship breakthrough, Charlotte Flair’s return to the title picture, Brock Lesnar’s hard-fought victory over Oba Femi, and another successful title defense for Roman Reigns as the Bloodline drama continues to evolve.
AAA World Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix defeated Laredo Kid (c) to win the title.
AAA Latin American Championship: Hijo del Vikingo defeated El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. (c) to win the title.
AAA World Tag Team Championship: War Raiders defeated Psycho Clown & Pagano (c) to win the titles.
Mask vs. Mask: El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) defeated Original Grande Americano (Chad Gable). After the match: Original Grande Americano unmasked to reveal himself as Chad Gable. Gable had his family in the ring. He gave his mask to El Grande Americano and said he will always be the Original Grande Americano, but now there is only one El Grande Americano.
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide Noche de Los Grandes Week 1 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico tonight at 9pm ET on YouTube and Facebook and FOX Latin America
AEW Collision live tonight at 8pm ET/5pm PT Coast-To-Coast on TNT and HBO Max from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
WWE Clash In Italy – Sunday, May 31, 2026 – Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy – pm ET / 11 am PT on the ESPN App with an ESPN Unlimited plan in the United States and on Netflix internationally.
The pre-show and first hour of the PLE to air on ESPN.
WWE SmackDown tonight at 8/7c on USA Network taped from Olimpic Arena Badalona in Barcelona, Spain. Will air live overseas starting at 2pm ET.
Former WWE performer Curtis Axel, whose real name is Joseph Curtis Hennig, is reportedly dealing with several legal issues following an alleged drunk-driving incident in Minnesota earlier this month.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Anoka County, the situation unfolded on May 17, 2026, at a McDonald’s in St. Francis, Minnesota. Police were dispatched to the location around 8:47 p.m. after receiving reports of a property-damage accident in the restaurant’s drive-thru area.
Officers allegedly encountered Hennig behind the wheel of a truck in the parking lot and noted multiple signs of possible intoxication, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong smell of alcohol.
The complaint further claims that Hennig did not comply with requests to exit the vehicle. Authorities reportedly shut off the truck, removed the keys, and physically escorted him out before placing him under arrest.
Police also allege that Hennig declined to take a chemical test after being informed of Minnesota’s Breath Test Advisory procedures.
A McDonald’s employee reportedly told officers that Hennig had been difficult to understand while placing an order in the drive-thru. The witness also claimed he became verbally aggressive and backed his vehicle into another car before yelling at the other driver.
During a search of the vehicle prior to towing, officers allegedly discovered an open 750 mL bottle of vodka inside the truck.
Hennig is now facing several charges, including:
Court documents show the case was officially filed on May 18. Bail was reportedly structured to allow either a $12,000 bond without conditions or release without monetary bail under court-ordered conditions.
At this time, neither Hennig nor his representatives have publicly commented on the allegations. As with all criminal cases, the charges remain allegations, and Hennig is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Curtis Axel wrestled for WWE from 2007 through 2020, performing under both the Curtis Axel and Michael McGillicutty names. A third-generation wrestler, he is the son of WWE Hall of Famer “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig and the grandson of wrestling veteran Larry Hennig.
During his WWE run, Axel captured the Intercontinental Championship and also held the WWE Tag Team Championship, becoming part of one of wrestling’s most well-known family legacies.
TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight at 9/8c on AMC.
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