Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT airs at 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST on The CW Network in the United States and on Netflix internationally, from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
Two of the most influential names in women’s MMA are stepping back into the cage — and this time, the world will be watching on Netflix.
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix have announced that former UFC Bantamweight Champion and former WWE Superstar Ronda Rousey will come out of retirement to face Gina Carano in a long-awaited dream fight. The bout is set for Saturday, May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.
The contest will take place at featherweight (145 pounds), contested over five five-minute rounds under the Unified Rules of MMA. The fight will be held inside a hexagon cage with 4oz gloves and streamed live globally on Netflix at no additional cost to subscribers. The event marks Netflix’s first-ever live MMA broadcast and MVP’s debut MMA promotion.
For longtime fight fans, this matchup feels surreal. Years ago, when Rousey was dominating the UFC and Carano had shifted her focus toward Hollywood, the UFC reportedly attempted to make the fight happen. Negotiations ultimately fell apart, with Carano previously pointing fingers at UFC President Dana White. Now, nearly two decades after Carano last fought and nearly ten years since Rousey’s final MMA appearance, the clash is finally becoming reality.
Rousey, 39, last competed in MMA at UFC 207 in December 2016, where she was defeated by Amanda Nunes. Following that loss, she pivoted to professional wrestling, signing with WWE and quickly becoming one of the company’s biggest attractions. She was part of the first-ever women’s main event at WrestleMania 35 in 2019 and remained a headline name before parting ways with WWE in 2023. Her most recent wrestling appearance came in November 2023, when she teamed with Marina Shafir in Ring of Honor.
Carano, now 43, hasn’t fought since 2009, when she was stopped by Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce. Despite the loss, Carano’s impact on women’s MMA is undeniable — widely regarded as the sport’s first true female crossover star, she helped lay the groundwork that allowed fighters like Rousey to break into the UFC spotlight.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Rousey didn’t hold back.
“Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history!” she said, adding that the partnership with MVP and Netflix will deliver something special for MMA fans past and present.
Carano echoed the sentiment, revealing that Rousey personally reached out to make the fight happen and thanked her for opening doors earlier in her career. Carano said she expects to win but anticipates a difficult battle, calling the moment an honor for both fighters and the MMA community.
MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian framed the bout as a historic step in expanding their combat sports footprint beyond boxing, while Netflix’s VP of Sports, Gabe Spitzer, described the fight as a defining moment for the streaming platform following its success in live boxing events.
Additional fights for the card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 5 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster, with pre-sale registration currently available.
For wrestling fans, this marks another fascinating chapter in Rousey’s unpredictable career. After conquering UFC, breaking barriers in WWE, and stepping away from the spotlight, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey is heading back to the cage for one more massive spotlight moment — this time against the woman who helped start it all.
AJ Styles may have officially called it a career at the Royal Rumble, but WWE isn’t done celebrating “The Phenomenal One” just yet.
During this week’s episode of WWE Raw, the company announced that next Monday’s show in Atlanta, Georgia will feature a special “Tribute to AJ Styles.” While the on-screen graphic made it clear the night will honor the former WWE Champion, WWE did not confirm whether Styles himself will be in attendance.
Styles’ in-ring career came to a dramatic end at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he passed out in Gunther’s Rear Naked Choke. The finish left little room for ambiguity, and WWE quickly framed it as the final chapter in one of the most decorated careers of the modern era.
Still, the speed of his exit surprised many fans. Unlike John Cena, who is currently receiving a year-long farewell tour, Styles’ retirement felt abrupt. After debuting in WWE at the 2016 Royal Rumble to one of the loudest reactions of the decade, Styles went on to become a multi-time WWE Champion, United States Champion, and Tag Team Champion over a ten-year run with the company. Before that, he had already established himself as the face of TNA and a top star in NJPW, even holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
With so many of his longtime friends and rivals now working in AEW, speculation about Styles potentially following a similar path began almost immediately after his “retirement.” So far, however, there has been no concrete confirmation regarding his next move.
The announcement of a tribute on Raw adds another interesting wrinkle to the situation. Whether Styles appears live in Atlanta or not, WWE dedicating a full segment to honor him suggests the company still views him as an important part of its legacy. That alone may cool some of the immediate talk about a jump elsewhere — or at least delay it.
For now, fans will be watching closely to see how WWE handles the tribute and whether “The Phenomenal One” makes a surprise appearance in his home state. In wrestling, retirements are rarely permanent — and when it comes to AJ Styles, nothing feels entirely off the table.
Bianca Belair’s road back to the ring just hit another hurdle.
After weeks of speculation about her recovery and potential involvement in WrestleMania 42 season, “The EST of WWE” confirmed that she is undergoing surgery for the finger injury she suffered earlier this year. Belair shared the update via her Instagram Story on Sunday, writing, “Finger surgery tomorrow,” along with a praying hands emoji — indicating the procedure was scheduled for Monday.
Belair has been sidelined since WrestleMania 41, where she competed in a high-profile triple threat match against IYO SKY and Rhea Ripley. During the bout, Belair’s hand became trapped underneath Ripley in a spot that left her in immediate pain. At the time, Belair admitted she felt like she had “broken all of her fingers.” It was later confirmed that she fractured the joint in her left ring finger — a painful and tricky injury for any in-ring performer.
While Belair has remained visible on WWE programming in limited roles, she has not returned to active competition. She briefly appeared on stage during WWE’s announcement that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027. Prior to that, she served as special guest referee for the match between her former tag team partners Jade Cargill and Naomi at Evolution in July, though she avoided any physical involvement.
As for her in-ring return, reports have painted an uncertain picture. A November update from BodySlam+ suggested WWE officials were hopeful Belair could be back by early 2026. However, a separate report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that there was no firm timetable in place for her comeback.
With surgery now underway, it’s clear Belair is taking the necessary steps toward a full recovery — even if it means missing more time. Given her track record of resilience and elite athleticism, few would bet against “The EST” making a strong return when she’s fully healed.
For now, the WWE women’s division moves forward without one of its cornerstone stars, while fans wait for updates on when Belair will once again bring the glow back to the ring.
The IInspiration are officially All Elite.
Jessie McKay and Cassie Lee made their in-ring debut for All Elite Wrestling at Sunday’s AEW House Rules live event, and by the end of the night, they made it clear their arrival wasn’t a one-off appearance. The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions confirmed to the live crowd that they have signed with AEW, kicking off a brand-new chapter in their already decorated careers.
Competing in tag team action against Frankie P and Ayesha, McKay and Lee wasted little time reminding fans why they’ve been one of the most recognizable duos in women’s wrestling over the past several years. The IInspiration picked up a decisive victory before addressing the audience and proudly declaring themselves “All Elite.”
However, the celebration didn’t last long.
Moments after their announcement, The Brawling Birds — Jamie Hayter and Alex Windsor — made their way to the ring, creating immediate tension. Rather than engage, The IInspiration opted for a strategic exit, but the message was clear: AEW’s women’s tag team division just gained another potential rivalry. While the official #AllElite graphic has yet to be released as of this writing, their status with the company appears to be firmly locked in.
According to Fightful Select, McKay and Lee quietly signed multi-year contracts with AEW nearly a month ago. The agreements reportedly came together shortly after they wrapped up their run with TNA Wrestling at the January 15 episode of iMPACT on AMC.
During that appearance, the duo dropped the Knockouts World Tag Team Championships to The Elegance Brand, closing the book on their most recent title reign. Interestingly, reports indicate their TNA contracts had technically expired around Bound For Glory last October, and they continued working without formal deals in the months that followed. Their departure from the promotion is said to have been amicable.
There had also been speculation surrounding their future earlier this year. WWE sources reportedly believed that if The IInspiration did not appear in the January 31 Royal Rumble, AEW would likely be their landing spot — which ultimately proved to be the case.
One intriguing detail from the report involves AEW’s Harley Cameron. Cameron is credited as the lyricist behind The IInspiration’s long-running entrance theme, a track the duo has carried with them across multiple promotions. That behind-the-scenes connection now adds another layer to their AEW arrival.
McKay and Lee bring significant experience and championship pedigree to AEW’s growing women’s division. Wrestling fans first saw them rise to prominence in WWE as The IIconics, where they captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and built a strong following thanks to their charisma and character work.
Following their WWE release, they signed with TNA in 2021 and went on to become two-time Knockouts World Tag Team Champions. After a brief hiatus and eventual return to TNA at Against All Odds, their run officially concluded last month, paving the way for this new opportunity.
The IInspiration are reportedly part of a larger group of recent AEW signings that have yet to be formally unveiled. One name already making waves is Lena Kross, who debuted at Grand Slam: Australia aligned with Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford.
With McKay and Lee now in the fold, AEW’s women’s tag team division gains instant depth, personality, and star power. The teased tension with The Brawling Birds could be just the beginning, and with several emerging teams in the mix, there’s no shortage of potential storylines.
Whether they’re chasing gold or stirring up chaos, The IInspiration’s presence immediately elevates the landscape. AEW’s women’s tag team scene just got a lot more interesting.
WWE Raw airs live today on Netflix, beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
The TNA Asylum in Nashville got a blast from the past on Friday night as “Hardcore Country” Mickie James made her long-awaited return at No Surrender 2026.
It had been nearly three years since James last appeared inside a TNA ring, but the former Knockouts legend chose the perfect moment to reemerge — and she didn’t come alone with just nostalgia. She came with a fight in mind.
The surprise unfolded after The Elegance Brand’s Heather and M successfully retained the Knockouts World Tag Team Championships against Indi Hartwell and Xia Brookside. With the champions celebrating, James’ music hit, instantly shifting the energy inside the building.
James made her way to the ring and quickly locked eyes with Ash by Elegance, signaling exactly who was on her radar. Ash didn’t waste time charging at the returning veteran as she stepped onto the apron — but the gamble backfired. James fired off a flurry of punches, reminding everyone why she’s one of the most respected brawlers in Knockouts history.
Of course, the numbers game soon caught up with her as Heather and M jumped into the fray. Before things could spiral out of control, Hartwell and Brookside rushed back to even the odds, leading to a chaotic scene that left fans buzzing about what comes next.
While this marked her first TNA appearance in quite some time, James hasn’t exactly been inactive. Nearly a year ago, in July 2025, she captured the ABC (Association Biterroise de Catch) Women’s Championship by defeating Mila Smidt — a title she still holds over 200 days into her reign. Even outside the ring, she’s remained a prominent figure in the industry, joining the 2025 TNA Hall of Fame class and serving as a coach on the debut season of WWE’s LFG.
Her last TNA match prior to this return came at Bound for Glory 2023, where she fell short in a Knockouts World Title challenge against Trinity (WWE’s Naomi). Now, with her focus clearly set on The Elegance Brand, it looks like James may be gearing up for another meaningful run in the company she helped define.
Whether this was a one-night appearance or the beginning of something bigger remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: the Knockouts division just got a lot more interesting.
AEW ‘Grand Slam: Australia’ tonight at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on TNT and streaming on HBO Max! The event took place at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney, Australia.
A new feature published by CNN.com examining the growing intersection between professional wrestling and political themes has sparked conversation for more than one reason.
While the article primarily focuses on what it describes as a “politically shaded rivalry” between AEW and WWE, it also makes a notable claim: that Warner Bros. Discovery — CNN’s parent company — owns a minority stake in AEW.
In the piece, CNN writes:
“The embrace of contemporary issues is part of a larger, politically shaded rivalry playing out in the industry, between the 7-year-old AEW and the industry’s ruling juggernaut for generations, WWE (Warner Bros. Discovery, CNN’s parent corporation, owns a minority stake in AEW).”
That line has raised eyebrows, as AEW President Tony Khan has consistently avoided confirming whether WBD holds any equity in the promotion. Since at least 2023, Khan has repeatedly stated that he maintains full control over AEW’s decision-making, though he has not directly confirmed or denied whether Warner Bros. Discovery owns a financial stake.
If WBD’s ownership were to exceed 10 percent, it would generally require public disclosure due to securities regulations tied to publicly traded companies. As of now, no such filing has been publicly highlighted.
It also remains unclear whether any ownership component may have been included as part of AEW’s most recent media rights agreement with WBD.
The ownership question becomes even more interesting when considering the broader corporate landscape.
Warner Bros. Discovery has been the subject of acquisition discussions, with Paramount and Netflix both reportedly exploring different types of deals.
If WBD does in fact own a minority stake in AEW, questions naturally follow:
At this point, those questions remain speculative.
Beyond the ownership note, the article focuses heavily on how political themes continue to surface in wrestling storylines and fan reactions.
CNN points out that wrestling has historically drawn from real-world political tensions for dramatic effect. The article references Sgt. Slaughter’s infamous Gulf War-era heel turn, in which he aligned himself with Iraqi sympathies during the height of U.S. tensions — one of the most controversial angles in WWE history.
More recently, AEW has found itself at the center of attention following politically charged chants at live events.
The article highlights chants that occurred during recent matches involving MJF and Brody King.
At AEW Grand Slam Mexico last June, King wore an “ABOLISH ICE” shirt. Fans in attendance at AEW Grand Slam Australia reportedly chanted “F— ICE” during King’s title match against MJF. That event is scheduled to air on tape delay at 8:00 PM ET on TNT and HBO Max.
CNN also quoted Eero Laine, a theatre professor at SUNY Buffalo who studies the history of professional wrestling. Laine noted that the chants were unusual in wrestling terms:
“They are interesting in that they support a political stance associated with one of the wrestlers, but they are not necessarily directly related to what’s happening in the ring. And the chant is not part of the repertoire of standard wrestling chants.”
The broader framing of the article suggests that AEW and WWE’s competition is no longer limited strictly to ratings and creative direction, but also cultural positioning. While WWE has largely avoided overt political messaging in recent years, AEW crowds — and occasionally talent — have shown a greater willingness to reference contemporary issues.
Whether that reflects company philosophy or simply organic fan behavior is open to interpretation.
What is clear is that CNN’s mention of a potential Warner Bros. Discovery minority stake in AEW is likely to fuel renewed discussion about the true nature of the partnership between the media giant and the wrestling promotion.
As of this writing, AEW has not publicly addressed the claim.
Sinner & Saint def. Brad Attitude & TW3
The local duo brought plenty of energy, but Sinner & Saint were clearly on another level. After absorbing some early offense, they sealed the deal with a sharp combo kick into a perfectly executed bridging suplex.
Mance Warner Calls Out “Action” Mike Jackson
Mance Warner and Steph De Lander interrupted the legendary Mike Jackson during a segment. Jackson didn’t flinch — but he made it clear that disrespect toward Gia Miller wouldn’t be tolerated. Warner questioned whether Jackson could still go. Jackson answered by accepting a match later in the night.
King’s Speech Leads To Frankie Kazarian vs. Alan Angels
Ryan Nemeth and Alan Angels were scheduled to wrestle, but Frankie Kazarian hijacked the segment for an impromptu edition of “King’s Speech.” Nemeth was fine with it — so long as he still got paid.
Angels refused to leave. Kazarian threatened to drop the mic and punch him — and followed through. Unfortunately for Kaz, Angels fired back.
In his official TNA return, Alan Angels made it clear he wasn’t there to waste time and challenged Kazarian on the spot.
Frankie Kazarian def. Alan Angels
Angels impressed immediately, flying around the ring and even locking in the Wings of Saturn. A missed moonsault proved costly, though. Kazarian capitalized and cinched in the chickenwing submission to force the tap.
Arianna Grace and Stacks vowed backstage that they would leave No Surrender as champions, promising to become wrestling’s ultimate power couple — and to make Santino Marella proud.
Winner: Jody Threat (Earns Knockouts Championship Match)
The Knockouts division brought chaos from the opening bell.
Late in the match, Mila Moore and Victoria Crawford tried to eliminate Jody Threat. Tessa Blanchard crashed into the pile — accidentally eliminating her own allies. Threat narrowly survived by hanging onto the bottom rope with her feet while the field assumed she was gone.
Blanchard thought she had it won after eliminating Mara Sade. Instead, Threat popped back in and sent Blanchard to the floor to secure the victory and a future Knockouts Championship opportunity.
Mike Santana cut a focused promo acknowledging Nic Nemeth and Eddie Edwards’ world title opportunities, warning that he sees “the snakes” lurking. Leon Slater also returned from visa-related absence and shot down the idea of using Option C — especially against Santana.
Oh — and yes, Jelly Roll was in attendance.
Trey Miguel def. Stacks (c) to win the title
Stacks had Arianna Grace in his corner — and she didn’t hesitate to get involved. However, the referee caught her slapping Trey Miguel and ejected her from ringside.
From there, Trey turned the tide. A sliding DDT on the floor shifted momentum before he put Stacks away with the Lightning Spiral to capture the International Championship.
Trouble in paradise for the “power couple.”
AJ Francis stormed the stage next, boasting that if Jelly Roll wants to wrestle in TNA, he’ll be waiting. Francis declared himself the real ratings mover and invited himself to commentary for the remainder of the night.
The 70+ year-old Jackson stunned the crowd with a suplex on the floor and a suicide dive. Warner recovered by avoiding a crossbody and leveling Jackson with a lariat before finishing him with a lifting DDT.
Post-match, Warner and Steph De Lander showed respect to Jackson — teasing a possible shift in attitude. A brief staredown with AJ Francis followed, but no punches were thrown.
Backstage, Arianna Grace berated Stacks for losing his title, warning him that one more embarrassment could mean the end of their relationship.
The Elegance Brand (c) def. Indi Hartwell & Xia Brookside
Mr. Elegance’s interference helped swing control early. Indi Hartwell eventually got the hot tag and cleaned house, but The Elegance Brand weathered the storm.
A brutal corner assault and their bow-and-arrow flying stomp finisher put Hartwell down for the three-count.
Moments later…
Hardcore Country is back.
Mickie James stormed the ring and immediately targeted Ash. The Elegance Brand retreated before Mickie could land her jumping DDT, clearly setting up unfinished business.
Before the bell even rang, BDE launched a series of dives onto Young. Once the match officially began, things turned nasty.
There was biting. There were low blows. There was referee distraction.
BDE nearly stole it with a Canadian Destroyer, but Young survived. A shove into the ropes knocked BDE off the top, and Young capitalized with a piledriver for the win.
Jody Threat celebrated her title opportunity until Tessa Blanchard and company interrupted. The trash talk quickly escalated into a singles challenge for Impact.
Arianna Grace def. Lei Ying Lee (c) to win the title
Despite earlier tension, Stacks remained at ringside.
Lei Ying Lee dominated early with strikes and suplexes. Chaos erupted when Dani Luna appeared on stage, demanding the title shot she never received due to visa issues. Security restrained her, but the distraction gave Arianna the opening she needed.
Stacks attempted to assist with the belt. Lee fought him off, but upon returning to the ring, Arianna kicked the ropes into her face. She then struck with the Cobra — yes, Santino’s Cobra — before finishing Lee with a fireman’s carry knee strike to win the Knockouts Championship.
Arianna Grace is now champion.
Santino later confronted Arianna backstage, only for Daria Rae to answer the door. Rae verbally tore into Santino, accusing him of failing both professionally and personally. When Santino reached for the Cobra — it was gone. Rae warned she would fire him if he used it and reminded him of her MMA background.
Questions about trust between The Hardys and The Righteous lingered throughout the match. At one point, they appeared fully united, even delivering stereo Twists of Fate and Swantons.
Late chaos saw Tasha Steelz throw powder into Dutch’s eyes. Mustafa Ali exploited the confusion, leading to a spinning side slam on Matt Hardy before Ali hit a 450 splash for the win.
Afterward, Elijah appeared with a guitar-case “casket” ahead of his upcoming match with Ali. Ali attacked a decoy, only for Elijah to emerge from inside the case and brawl with him.
Mike Santana & Leon Slater def. Nic Nemeth & Eddie Edwards
The looming threat all night was whether Nemeth, Edwards, or Slater would cash in their world title opportunities mid-match, which would have immediately halted the tag bout.
Instead, we got chaos.
Steve Maclin brawled Santana into the crowd. The System interfered. The referee was knocked down. Moose ran in for the save and fought Edwards to the back.
It ultimately came down to Slater vs. Nemeth.
Nemeth connected with a Fameasser and signaled for a superkick, but Slater beat him to the punch with a spinning heel kick. Slater then soared with a swanton 450 splash to secure the victory in a breakout performance.
No cash-ins. No world title shockers.
Just momentum shifting across the TNA landscape heading out of No Surrender.
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