Avery Styles Officially Signs With TNA Wrestling At Lockdown

A familiar last name is officially joining the TNA Wrestling roster.

During TNA Lockdown 2026, Avery Styles, the son of TNA legend and WWE superstar AJ Styles, announced that he has officially signed with the promotion.

The Phenomenal Son Arrives In TNA

The announcement took place during the Lockdown pay-per-view when Avery was introduced by Gia Miller.

Standing in front of the TNA audience, Avery reflected on his father’s historic connection to the company before revealing his decision to sign.

Avery explained that TNA played a major role in helping AJ Styles become one of the most successful wrestlers of his generation and believes the promotion can do the same for him as he begins his own career.

“The fans know what TNA means to AJ, and AJ wouldn’t be what he is today without TNA. Avery won’t become who he will be without TNA, so he officially signed with the company.”

Following In His Father’s Footsteps

AJ Styles remains one of the most influential stars in TNA history.

During his time with the promotion, Styles became a multi-time world champion and was widely regarded as the face of the company throughout much of the 2000s and early 2010s. His success in TNA helped launch a career that later saw him become a global star in NJPW and WWE.

Now, Avery Styles will attempt to carve out his own path while carrying one of the most recognizable names in professional wrestling.

Frankie Kazarian Offers A Warning

The celebration was briefly interrupted by TNA veteran Frankie Kazarian, who welcomed Avery to the company but also offered some advice.

Kazarian warned the newcomer that the TNA locker room is filled with challenges and people who cannot always be trusted, while suggesting that Avery could rely on him if needed.

The interaction hinted that Avery’s arrival could quickly place him in the middle of ongoing storylines.

New Generation Of The Styles Legacy

With his signing now official, Avery becomes part of a growing wave of second-generation wrestlers making their mark across the industry.

While expectations will naturally be high due to his father’s accomplishments, Avery now has the opportunity to establish his own identity in the same company where AJ Styles became a household name.

His first official match and future plans have not yet been announced, but TNA has added another intriguing young talent to its roster.

For now, the Phenomenal Son’s journey is officially underway.

TNA Lockdown 2026 Results

TNA Wrestling presented Lockdown 2026 on Thursday night, featuring multiple championship matches inside the steel cage, the return of Kiera Hogan, title changes, Avery Styles signing, and a major Bound For Glory challenge to close the show.

The Righteous Defeat Rich Swann & BDE On Countdown Show

The Lockdown pre-show featured tag team action as The Righteous continued their attempts to recruit BDE.

Rich Swann mounted a late comeback and BDE nearly secured the victory after connecting with a springboard cutter, but Dutch and Vincent regained control. After Dutch neutralized Swann on the outside, Vincent put BDE away with Orange Sunshine.

Winners: The Righteous

Trey Miguel Hands Agent Zero First Singles Loss

Trey Miguel entered wearing Spider-Man-inspired gear and used his speed to counter Agent Zero’s power throughout the match.

Zero appeared to have the bout won after catching Trey and setting up a power move, but Miguel escaped and scored a surprise roll-up to hand Agent Zero his first singles defeat in TNA.

Winner: Trey Miguel

TNA Lockdown 2026 Main Card Results

AJ Francis Defeats Elijah In Final Encore Match

The opening match saw AJ Francis battle Elijah inside the steel cage.

The two men delivered a number of memorable moments, including a superplex from the top of the cage. Elijah appeared close to victory, but interference from Expressions shifted momentum. Francis eventually connected with a chokeslam to secure the win.

Following the match, Elijah got some revenge by smashing a guitar over Francis’ head.

Winner: AJ Francis

Kiera Hogan Returns, Helps Allie Retain Knockouts Tag Team Titles

Before the match, Allie revealed that Rosemary had not been heard from and introduced a mystery partner to help defend the Knockouts Tag Team Championships.

That partner turned out to be the returning Kiera Hogan.

Despite interference from the Elegance Brand, Hogan scored the deciding pinfall after connecting with a swinging fisherman neckbreaker while Heather was trapped outside the cage.

Winners: Allie & Kiera Hogan (retain the Knockouts Tag Team Championship)

Frankie Kazarian Escapes Moose To Win

Frankie Kazarian and Moose met in an Escape the Cage Match.

Moose focused on punishment while Kazarian repeatedly looked for opportunities to escape. After a back-and-forth contest that included a Spanish Fly near the top of the cage, Kazarian used an eye poke before Moose speared him through the ropes and out the cage door.

Because Kazarian hit the floor first, he was declared the winner.

Winner: Frankie Kazarian

Xia Brookside Retains Knockouts Championship

Xia Brookside successfully defended the Knockouts Championship against hometown favorite Elayna Black.

The match turned physical early, with Brookside targeting Black’s face and leaving the challenger bloodied. Black nearly captured the title after hitting her double-underhook neckbreaker, but Brookside survived.

Moments later, the champion threw powder into Black’s eyes before rolling her up for the victory.

Winner: Xia Brookside (retains the Knockouts Championship)

Mustafa Ali Wins TNA International Championship

Jason Hotch defended the TNA International Championship against former ally Mustafa Ali in one of the most emotional matches of the night.

With Hotch’s wife and daughter watching from ringside, both men endured a brutal battle that included dives from the top of the cage and table spots. Ali repeatedly targeted Hotch emotionally, even taking a toy from Hotch’s daughter.

After surviving a flying double stomp from the top of the cage, Ali connected with two 450 splashes to finally put Hotch away and capture the championship.

Winner: Mustafa Ali (wins the TNA International Championship)

Avery Styles Signs With TNA

In a backstage segment, Avery Styles, the son of TNA Legend and WWE Hall of Famer The phenomenal AJ Styles, officially signed with TNA Wrestling.

Frankie Kazarian interrupted the signing and offered advice to the newest member of the roster, warning him about the challenges ahead.

Leon Slater Wins X-Division Championship

Cedric Alexander defended the X-Division Championship against Leon Slater in a Last Man Standing Match.

The two competitors punished each other throughout the contest with a variety of high-impact moves. In the closing moments, Slater delivered three consecutive Lumbar Checks followed by a Swanton 450.

Alexander was unable to answer the referee’s ten-count.

Winner: Leon Slater (wins the X-Division Championship)

The System Wins Lethal Lockdown

The System’s Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, Bear Bronson, and Alisha Edwards faced Ricky Sosa, KC Navarro, Fabian Aichner, and Jada Stone in Lethal Lockdown.

The match featured numerous weapon spots, including thumbtacks, barbed wire, trash cans, and a moonsault from the top of the cage by Jada Stone.

The finish came when Eddie Edwards blasted Ricky Sosa with the Boston Knee Party before planting him with a package piledriver onto chairs for the victory.

Winners: Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, Bear Bronson & Alisha Edwards

Nic And Ryan Nemeth Capture TNA World Tag Team Championship

The main event saw Matt and Jeff Hardy defend the TNA World Tag Team Championship against Nic and Ryan Nemeth under tornado tag rules.

The Hardys appeared moments away from retaining after putting Ryan through a table. However, Nic Nemeth struck from behind and delivered Danger Zone to Matt Hardy to score the pinfall and win the titles.

Winners: Nic Nemeth & Ryan Nemeth (win the TNA World Tag Team Championship)

Leon Slater Cashes In Option C

Following the main event, newly crowned X-Division Champion Leon Slater confronted TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth.

Slater officially exercised Option C, surrendering the X-Division Championship and challenging Nemeth for the TNA World Championship at Bound For Glory.

The Nemeth brothers attempted an attack, but Slater fought them off and stood tall as Lockdown went off the air.

TNA Lockdown 2026 Results

  • The Righteous def. Rich Swann & BDE (Countdown Show)
  • Trey Miguel def. Agent Zero (Countdown Show)
  • AJ Francis def. Elijah
  • Allie & Kiera Hogan def. Elegance Brand to retain the Knockouts Tag Team Championship
  • Frankie Kazarian def. Moose in an Escape the Cage Match
  • Xia Brookside def. Elayna Black to retain the Knockouts Championship
  • Mustafa Ali def. Jason Hotch to win the TNA International Championship
  • Leon Slater def. Cedric Alexander to win the X-Division Championship
  • The System def. Ricky Sosa, KC Navarro, Fabian Aichner & Jada Stone in Lethal Lockdown
  • Nic Nemeth & Ryan Nemeth def. The Hardys to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship

The biggest story coming out of Lockdown was Leon Slater’s decision to cash in Option C. With Bound For Glory now on the horizon, Slater is set to challenge Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Championship in one of the biggest matches of his career.

WWE SmackDown Preview 8/21/2026

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network and Netflix for international fans, from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • WWE Tag Team Championship Match: The MFTs (Tama & Talla Tonga) (c) vs. Damian Priest & R-Truth
  • Undisputed WWE Championship Match: CM Punk (c) vs. Kevin Owens
  • Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton expected to address what took place last week
  • Giulia vs. Blake Monroe
  • Oba Femi to appear

TNA Lockdown 8/23/2026 (Card)

TNA Wrestling Lockdown PPV – Sunday August 23, 2026 – CreditUnion1 Arena in Chicago, Illinois

CARD

  • Lethal Lockdown Cage Match: The System vs. Fabian Aichner, KC Navarro, Ricky Sosa, and Jada Stone
  • TNA World Tag Team Championship Cage Match: The Hardys (c) vs. Nemeth Brothers
  • TNA Knockouts World Championship Match: Xia Brookside (c) vs. Elayna Black
  • TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship Cage Match: Allie & ? (c) vs. The Elegance Brand
  • TNA International Championship Cage Match: Jason Hotch (c) vs. Mustafa Ali
  • TNA X Division Championship Cage Match (Last Man Standing): Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Leon Slater
  • Cage Match: Elijah vs. A.J. Francis
  • Escape The Cage Match: Moose vs. Frankie Kazarian
  • Pre-Show: The Righteous vs. BDE & Rich Swann
  • Pre-Show: Trey Miguel vs. Agent Zero

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 8/20/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight at 9/8c on AMC.

Tonight’s episode of TNA Impact is the go-home show for TNA Lockdown

  • TNA Knockouts Television Title Tournament Semifinal Match: Jada Stone vs. Heather by Elegance
  • Lethal Lockdown Advantage Match: Fabian Aichner vs. Brian Myers
  • Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Moose & Elijah vs. Nic Nemeth, Ryan Nemeth, Frankie Kazarian & A.J. Francis
  • Harley Hudson vs. Alisha Edwards
  • Rich Swann vs. Mr. Elegance
  • We’ll hear from Mustafa Ali

Report: Ilja Dragunov Departing WWE As Contract Expires

Former WWE United States Champion and NXT Champion Ilja Dragunov is reportedly no longer with WWE.

According to PWInsider, a report that has since been confirmed by Fightful Select, Dragunov’s contract with WWE has expired. While the exact expiration date has not been disclosed, multiple signs point to his departure from the company.

Dragunov Removed From WWE Roster

The reports note that Dragunov was removed from WWE’s internal roster this week. In addition, WWE has moved “The Mad Dragon” to the alumni section of its official website, further indicating that his tenure with the company has come to an end.

Dragunov had most recently been featured on SmackDown following his return from a lengthy absence due to an ACL sprain.

One of the biggest moments of that comeback came in October 2025 when he defeated Sami Zayn to capture the United States Championship in his first match back from injury.

Future Remains Unclear

As of now, there is no word on whether Dragunov’s expired contract includes a non-compete clause that would prevent him from immediately signing elsewhere.

That uncertainty has already led to speculation regarding his next destination.

With AEW All In: London scheduled for August 30, some fans have wondered whether Dragunov could potentially appear for AEW. However, there is currently no indication that such a move is imminent, nor has AEW publicly expressed interest.

Final WWE Matches

Dragunov’s final WWE appearance came in the 2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the SmackDown episode preceding WrestleMania 42.

The match was ultimately won by Royce Keys.

His final singles match took place on March 30, where he was defeated by then-United States Champion Carmelo Hayes.

Accomplished WWE Career

Dragunov first joined NXT UK in February 2019 and made his televised debut later that year.

He quickly became one of the brand’s standout performers, earning widespread praise for his hard-hitting matches and intense rivalry with GUNTHER.

In 2022, Dragunov transitioned to NXT in Orlando, where he entered a memorable feud with Carmelo Hayes over the NXT Championship.

His performances eventually earned him a main roster call-up during the 2024 WWE Draft, leading to a successful run that included capturing the United States Championship.

While WWE has yet to officially comment on Dragunov’s departure, reports indicate that his contract has expired, bringing an end to his run with the company. The next chapter of his career remains one of the biggest questions in professional wrestling.

AEW Dynamite Preview 8/19/2026

AEW Dynamite live tonight at 8:00 pm ET on TBS and HBO Max from the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

  • TBS Championship 4-Way Match: Maya World (c) vs. Persephone vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander
  • Trios Match: Will Ospreay, Francesco Akira & HENARE vs. The Don Callis Family (Brian Cage, Rocky Romero & Lance Archer)
  • Trios Match: The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks) vs. The Don Callis Family (El Clon, Mark Davis & Jake Doyle)
  • AEW Continental Cup Challenge Quarterfinal: Nigel McGuinness vs. Hechicero
  • Renee Paquette sit-down interview with Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay
  • AEW Continental Cup Challenge Quarterfinal: Jon Moxley vs. Jay White
  • Willow Nightingale and Mercedes Mone’ speak with Renee Paquette

Report: Sting’s Son Steven Borden Believed To Be Under AEW Contract

AEW may have another member of the Borden family officially in the fold.

According to a report from Fightful Select, there is a widespread belief within AEW that Steven Borden, the son of WWE Hall of Famer and former AEW star Sting, is currently signed with the company.

While AEW has not publicly announced a contract signing, Borden has reportedly been working regularly behind the scenes and competing in dark matches as he continues his development as a professional wrestler.

Steven Borden Continues Gaining Experience In AEW

Borden has quietly built experience throughout 2026 by competing in a number of dark matches before episodes of AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision.

His most recent appearance reportedly took place before the August 8 edition of Collision, where he defeated Ortiz.

Since making his AEW dark match debut in December at Dynamite: Winter Is Coming, Borden has continued to receive opportunities to develop in front of AEW audiences.

His first AEW dark match saw him score a victory over Kiran Grey.

Tony Khan Previously Praised Borden’s Development

AEW President Tony Khan has spoken publicly about Borden’s progress in the company.

Earlier this year, Khan revealed that AEW was actively working on developing Sting’s son as an in-ring performer.

Khan described Borden’s growth as a wrestler as a significant focus for the company.

“We’re working on developing him as a pro wrestler for AEW.”

According to Khan, helping Borden continue his training and progression has been a priority for both himself and the promotion.

Wrestling Career Began In 2025

Borden’s professional wrestling journey officially began in October 2025.

His debut match took place at an ACW event, where he teamed with JD Drake in a losing effort against AEW’s Darby Allin and Killer Kross.

One month later, Borden made his singles debut for DEFY Wrestling, defeating Kiran Grey.

Since then, he has continued building experience both on the independent scene and through AEW’s developmental opportunities.

Sting’s Sons First Appeared In AEW During Revolution 2024

Many fans were first introduced to Steven and his brother Garrett Borden during AEW Revolution 2024, the event that served as Sting’s retirement match.

During the match, both brothers appeared dressed as different eras of Sting’s iconic career, helping create one of the most memorable moments of the Hall of Famer’s farewell.

According to Fightful, Garrett remains on AEW’s radar as he also trains to become a professional wrestler. However, the report noted that it could not confirm whether he is currently under contract with the company.

While AEW has yet to officially comment on Steven Borden’s contractual status, all indications suggest that Sting’s son remains a key developmental project as he continues working toward a larger role within the promotion.

WWE NXT Preview 8/18/2026

WWE NXT tonight on the CW at 8/7c.

  •  AAA World Cruiserweight Championship #1 Contenders Match: EK Prosper vs. La Parka vs. Tristan Angels vs. Romeo Moreno
  • WWE Men’s Speed Championship Match: Lexis King (c) vs. Lucien Price
  • Myles Borne vs. Jackson Drake
  • If Drake wins, Vanity Project gets NXT North American Title and NXT Tag Team Title matches at NXT Heatwave.
  • Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan & Kali Armstrong
  • Thea Hail vs. Nattie
  • Cruz Montana calls out Zilla Fatu

Lance Anoa’i Announces Plans To Retire From Professional Wrestling In 2027

A member of the legendary Anoa’i wrestling family is preparing to step away from the ring.

Lance Anoa’i announced on Instagram that he plans to retire from professional wrestling in March 2027, bringing an end to a career that will span nearly 17 years.

The former WWE and MLW performer shared a lengthy statement reflecting on his time in the business and explaining why he has decided that the next chapter of his life will focus on family.

Lance Anoa’i Announces Retirement Plans

In his post, Anoa’i expressed gratitude to the fans, promoters, and fellow wrestlers who have been part of his journey since his debut.

“After almost 17 years in professional wrestling, I will be officially calling time on my in-ring career in March 2027, once I reach that 17-year milestone.”

Anoa’i noted that wrestling has provided him with countless memories and experiences, but he has reached a point where he wants to dedicate more of his time to his wife and children.

“For so many years, wrestling has taken up my weekends, my time, and countless moments away from the people I love most. I’ve reached a point where I want to dedicate that time to my wife and my kids and be there for the moments that matter most.”

He also praised his family members who continue to carry on the Anoa’i legacy in professional wrestling.

“I love what they’re building, I love being part of it in any way I can, and I will always support them 100% in everything they do going forward.”

While retirement is on the horizon, Anoa’i emphasized that he is not finished just yet.

“This isn’t goodbye just yet though. We still have a few months to go!”

Career Spanning Nearly Two Decades

Anoa’i made his professional wrestling debut in April 2010 and spent much of his career competing on the independent wrestling scene.

One of his most notable runs came in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he captured the MLW World Tag Team Championship during his time with the promotion.

He also made several appearances on WWE television throughout the mid-to-late 2010s as enhancement talent before eventually signing a WWE contract in 2024.

WWE Run Cut Short By Injuries

After joining WWE, Anoa’i was expected to begin the next phase of his career within the company’s developmental system. However, multiple injuries prevented him from making an official in-ring appearance for WWE.

He was ultimately released by the company in October 2025 without ever wrestling a televised match under contract.

Following his WWE departure, Anoa’i shifted some of his focus toward Power Slap while continuing his involvement in combat sports and entertainment.

Final Year Begins

With retirement now officially planned for March 2027, Anoa’i enters what will be the final months of his wrestling career.

As a member of one of wrestling’s most famous families, he leaves behind a career that included nearly two decades of competition and contributions to promotions across the wrestling landscape.

For now, fans still have several months remaining to see Lance Anoa’i compete before he officially calls time on his in-ring career.