TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight at 9/8c on AMC.
A significant group of former WWE talent officially entered free agency today as the 90-day non-compete clauses tied to April’s post-WrestleMania roster cuts came to an end.
More than 20 wrestlers were released by WWE following WrestleMania 42, and many of the biggest names from that group are now free to sign with or compete for any promotion they choose.
Among the newly available talents are Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Santos Escobar, Zoey Stark, Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis.
While some released stars have already returned to the independent wrestling scene, others have remained quiet about their future plans, leaving fans speculating about where they could surface next.
Several former members of the Wyatt Sicks faction have already begun laying the groundwork for life after WWE.
Nikki Cross, who has resumed using the name Nikki Storm, is scheduled to appear for both PROGRESS Wrestling and Maple Leaf Pro in the coming weeks. Storm has also expanded her role within the industry outside the ring, as she and her husband Big Damo recently became owners of both PROGRESS Wrestling and DEFY Wrestling.
Meanwhile, Joe Gacy has started teasing the next phase of his character. Last month, he released a video featuring imagery connected to the Wyatt Sicks persona he portrayed in WWE, suggesting a darker evolution of his character may be on the horizon.
The futures of Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, and Dexter Lumis remain less clear, with none of the three having publicly announced their next destinations.
Of all the WWE departures, Kairi Sane’s release generated some of the strongest reactions from fans.
The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion was actively involved in a storyline alongside IYO SKY and Asuka before her exit, leading many to question the timing of her departure. Reports later indicated that Sane had requested her release and was interested in returning to Japan.
On the first day of her free agency, Sane marked the occasion by sharing a photo of herself alongside a motorcycle on social media, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in her career.
Former WWE Tag Team Champions Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley have also kept fans guessing about their future.
The Motor City Machine Guns recently released a video on their YouTube channel featuring a comedic skit that ended with the duo discovering a mystery contract from an unnamed wrestling promotion. While the company was never revealed, many fans immediately speculated that All Elite Wrestling could be the destination being teased.
Both wrestlers have extensive histories with multiple promotions, making them one of the most intriguing tag teams currently available on the market.
Aleister Black remains one of the most notable free agents available.
Despite widespread assumptions that he could eventually return to AEW, no official plans have been announced. Reports have suggested there may be reservations within AEW regarding a potential reunion, though nothing has been confirmed publicly.
His wife, Zelina Vega, may already be preparing for her next wrestling chapter. Recently, she filed a trademark application for the name “Xelina” for wrestling-related entertainment services, leading to speculation that an in-ring return could be in the works.
Formerly known as Zoey Stark, Zoey Serrano has already lined up her first major post-WWE appearance.
She is scheduled to compete in the RevPro Women’s Grand Prix 2026, where she will face Zeuxis in the tournament’s opening round.
The appearance marks a significant milestone following the severe knee injury she suffered in May 2025 during a match involving Kairi Sane and Rhea Ripley. The injury sidelined her for an extended period and raised concerns about the future of her career.
Santos Escobar also acknowledged his newly acquired free-agent status this week.
In a social media post, the former WWE star reflected on his six-year run with the company while also directing criticism toward WWE President Nick Khan and Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
While Escobar did not reveal where he intends to wrestle next, his comments quickly generated discussion among fans as the next stage of his career begins.
With so many recognizable names now officially available, the wrestling free-agent market has become one of the industry’s biggest stories.
Some talents appear poised for immediate returns to the ring, while others are expected to take their time evaluating offers from promotions around the world. Whether the next destination is AEW, NJPW, TNA, independent wrestling, or somewhere entirely unexpected, the coming weeks could bring a wave of major signings and surprise debuts across the wrestling landscape.
The next generation of the Styles family is beginning to make waves on the independent wrestling scene.
Avery Styles, the son of WWE legend AJ Styles, is continuing to build momentum early in his wrestling career and is now set to make his debut for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) later this month.
The young prospect recently stepped into the ring for his first official match at a Squared Circle Action event, with his father accompanying him to ringside. The bout generated significant buzz among fans, eventually being elevated to the night’s main event after interest in the match continued to grow.
Avery made the most of the opportunity, picking up the victory after delivering his father’s iconic Styles Clash. Following the match, AJ Styles publicly praised both his son and opponent Ashton Martin, saying he was highly impressed by their performances.
Now, Avery is preparing for another major milestone.
GCW has announced that Styles will make his debut for the promotion on July 31 in Omaha, Nebraska. As of now, his opponent for the event has not been revealed.
However, his second appearance for the company is already set. On August 1, Styles will face Marcus Mathers at the legendary First Avenue venue in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Mathers is a familiar name to GCW fans and has established himself as one of the promotion’s rising stars. He is also part of WWE’s ID program, making the matchup an intriguing test for the younger Styles as he continues gaining experience.
Interestingly, the August 1 event takes place on the same night as the opening night of WWE SummerSlam, which is also being held in Minneapolis.
Before making his way to GCW, Avery will participate in another unique matchup on the independent circuit.
On July 26, he is scheduled to team with CJ Gallows, the son of Luke Gallows, at a Next Generation Wrestling event in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The duo will take on The Good Brothers, creating a matchup with strong ties to wrestling history. AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson famously worked together in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as members of Bullet Club before later reuniting in WWE as part of The OC.
The bout will provide Avery with another opportunity to gain experience while sharing the ring with veteran performers who have known his family for years.
While Avery Styles is still in the early stages of his wrestling journey, his first few appearances have already attracted considerable attention. Carrying one of the most recognizable names in modern wrestling naturally brings expectations, but his early performances have generated positive reviews from fans and veterans alike.
With upcoming matches in GCW and elsewhere on the independent scene, Avery appears committed to carving out his own path while learning from one of the most accomplished performers of his generation.
The next few months could offer a clearer picture of how quickly the young Styles develops as he continues to gain valuable in-ring experience.
AEW Dynamite live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from the The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee.
The closing moments of Tuesday night’s WWE NXT delivered a major surprise as former TNA World Champion Mike Santana made an unexpected appearance following the show’s main event.
Santana surfaced just after NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo successfully defended his title against Naraku in a hard-hitting street fight. The champion scored the victory by driving Naraku through a table with his Dead to Rights finisher before celebrating in the ring.
As D’Angelo stood on the ropes acknowledging the crowd, the atmosphere inside the WWE Performance Center suddenly changed when Santana’s entrance music hit.
The former TNA standout emerged through the crowd and made his way toward the ring, locking eyes with D’Angelo as the broadcast came to an end. The tense staredown immediately created speculation that Santana could be positioning himself as a future challenger for the NXT Championship.
The surprise appearance marks Santana’s first public wrestling appearance since his departure from TNA Wrestling.
Santana recently dropped the TNA World Championship to Nic Nemeth at Slammiversary, and reports shortly afterward indicated that his run with the promotion had come to an end. Rumors quickly followed suggesting WWE was the most likely destination for the veteran star.
His arrival on NXT will not come as a complete surprise to those who have followed WWE and TNA’s working relationship. Santana had previously spent time around the Performance Center as part of the partnership between the two companies, and reports have indicated that he was well-regarded within WWE’s developmental system.
Interestingly, WWE stopped short of officially identifying Santana during the broadcast.
Neither Vic Joseph nor Booker T referred to him by name on commentary, while WWE’s social media accounts described him only as a “new face” arriving on NXT. The company’s decision to avoid using his established ring name has sparked questions about whether Santana could receive a new identity moving forward.
WWE has shown a willingness to rebrand incoming talent in recent months. Several performers arriving in NXT have debuted under new names, including EVIL becoming Naraku and Nikki Blackheart appearing as Reina Volcan.
Whether Santana retains his familiar name or receives a new WWE persona remains to be seen, but his appearance instantly adds another intriguing player to the NXT title picture.
With D’Angelo standing tall after another successful title defense, Santana’s arrival could signal the beginning of the champion’s next major rivalry.
The stare-down that closed the show left little doubt that Santana has his sights set on championship gold. While WWE has yet to confirm his status or future plans, his debut appearance immediately generated buzz among fans eager to see what comes next.
If Tuesday night’s ending was any indication, Santana’s first feud in NXT may involve the brand’s top prize.
WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW and Netflix internationally.
Questions surrounding Bayley’s future in WWE continue to grow, but the former Women’s Champion isn’t giving much away.
Recent reports and online speculation have fueled discussion about Bayley’s contract status, with some fans wondering whether her time in WWE could be coming to an end. The rumors have only intensified following recent storyline developments on WWE television and teases from AEW talent that have sparked further debate about a potential jump to Tony Khan’s promotion.
The conversation gained momentum after Bayley’s recent feud with Lyra Valkyria took a dramatic turn.
During a discussion on Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez noted that the angle felt less like a continuation of a rivalry and more like a possible farewell for Bayley.
Alvarez pointed to Bayley’s loss to Valkyria and the post-match attack that followed, arguing that the segment came across as a definitive ending rather than the setup for another chapter in their rivalry.
Dave Meltzer agreed that the presentation felt unusual, especially considering the feud had only recently begun. While he acknowledged WWE could still revisit the program, he admitted the angle did not feel like a typical setup for a rematch.
Meltzer also referenced longstanding rumors regarding Bayley’s contract situation, noting that her current deal is believed to be nearing expiration. He further mentioned Bayley’s close friendship with AEW star Mercedes Moné, a connection that has frequently been brought up whenever questions about Bayley’s future arise.
Despite the growing speculation, Bayley appeared unfazed when addressing the chatter during an appearance on The Nikki & Brie Show at Fanatics Fest.
Reflecting on recent setbacks both in storyline and her overall situation, Bayley remained optimistic while discussing her outlook.
She joked about losing her best friend, losing her tag team partner, suffering a painful attack, and coming up short in her latest match. However, she emphasized the importance of continuing to move forward and staying focused on whatever comes next.
Bayley credited the lessons she has learned throughout her career and spoke about persevering through challenges, encouraging others to keep pushing toward the next opportunity and maintain hope regardless of obstacles.
At this stage, there is still no official confirmation regarding Bayley’s long-term plans.
While speculation about a possible departure continues to circulate, neither WWE nor Bayley has publicly announced any decision concerning her future. For now, fans are left interpreting storyline developments and public comments while waiting for more concrete information.
Given Bayley’s status as one of the most accomplished and respected performers in women’s wrestling, any decision regarding her future is likely to attract significant attention across the industry.
Until then, the rumors remain just that—rumors.
Whether Bayley ultimately stays with WWE or explores opportunities elsewhere, her future is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched stories in professional wrestling over the coming months.
Could Tom Brady be headed to WWE?
According to a new report from TMZ Sports, the legendary NFL quarterback and WWE are currently engaged in ongoing discussions, reigniting speculation that Brady could eventually make an appearance for the company.
The report comes just days after Brady and WWE star Logan Paul had another public confrontation during Fanatics Fest. The two have developed a playful rivalry through several appearances at Fanatics events, with their latest encounter making headlines after Brady slapped Paul during a face-to-face exchange.
Their interactions date back even further. Earlier this year, Brady and Paul crossed paths during the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, where the seven-time Super Bowl champion famously launched a football at the social media star turned wrestler.
This isn’t the first time Brady’s name has been linked to WWE.
Prior to WrestleMania 42, rumors circulated that Brady could appear during WWE’s biggest event of the year. While the appearance never happened, reports at the time suggested TKO CEO Ari Emanuel played a role in discussions about bringing Brady into the fold.
Brady and Emanuel also share a connection outside of WWE, as both are minority owners of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.
More recently, Brady fueled speculation himself when he told Cody Rhodes that he was still waiting for an invitation from WWE President Nick Khan to get involved with the company.
While talks are reportedly ongoing, there is currently no indication of what a WWE role for Brady would actually look like.
One possibility could have involved Logan Paul, but that scenario appears complicated by Paul’s injury status. The former United States Champion is recovering from a torn triceps suffered at Saturday Night’s Main Event in May, an injury that required surgery and has kept him out of action.
With SummerSlam set for August 1 and 2 in Minneapolis, WWE still has time to incorporate Brady into the event if an agreement is reached, though no plans have been publicly revealed.
WWE’s use of celebrities has been a major talking point throughout 2026.
Following WrestleMania 42, the company received criticism from portions of the fanbase regarding the amount of celebrity involvement on its programming. Despite that reaction, WWE has continued to bring recognizable names into the spotlight when opportunities arise.
Most recently, Saturday Night’s Main Event featured appearances by members of the NBA champion New York Knicks. Jalen Brunson shared the spotlight with World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns, while Karl-Anthony Towns also made an appearance during the broadcast.
Whether Brady becomes WWE’s next high-profile celebrity addition remains to be seen, but the latest report suggests communication between both sides is still active. As SummerSlam approaches, fans may want to keep an eye on any further developments involving one of football’s most recognizable figures.
WWE Raw live tonight at 8/7c on Netflix from Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
AEW Collision tonight on TNT and HBO Max.
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