NXT Vengeance Day – Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 7pm ET on Peacock and Netflix (Internationally)
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Details have surfaced regarding the departure of WWE Hall of Famer Brian “Road Dogg” James from WWE, and it appears the situation was not a company decision as some earlier reports suggested.
According to a new report from PWInsider, James’ exit was not the result of a “creative readjustment” or an internal shake-up within WWE. Instead, the longtime WWE personality personally resigned from his position on the creative team earlier today.
The report states that James went to WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut and submitted his resignation in person during the late morning hours. The decision reportedly came after several creative meetings earlier in the day.
Sources within the company indicated that James openly expressed frustration with WWE’s creative direction before formally stepping down from his role.
Importantly, this was not a case of WWE releasing him or removing him from his position. The departure was entirely James’ decision, with the Hall of Famer choosing to walk away from his backstage creative duties.
According to the report, James has been frustrated with aspects of the creative process for some time. While the exact issues were not detailed, those frustrations reportedly played a significant role in his decision to step away from the position.
Road Dogg has been involved with WWE behind the scenes for years, working in various creative roles and previously helping oversee the SmackDown brand during different periods.
Despite leaving the creative team, fans may still see James during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas.
He is currently under a WWE Legends contract, which is separate from his backstage creative responsibilities. Because of that deal, his previously scheduled meet-and-greet appearances at WWE World during WrestleMania weekend could still happen.
At this point, there has been no indication that those appearances have been canceled.
While his role behind the scenes has now come to an end, Road Dogg’s long history with WWE means he could still remain connected to the company in other capacities moving forward.
WWE appears ready to make history with its women’s division at WrestleMania 42.
According to a new report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE’s creative team is currently planning as many as six women’s matches across the two-night WrestleMania event set for Las Vegas this April. If that number holds, it would mark the highest number of women’s matches ever featured at a single WrestleMania.
The report claims that five of those matches are already locked in, with the possibility of a sixth bout being added as the card continues to take shape in the coming weeks.
Over the last several years, WWE has significantly increased the spotlight on its women’s division at its biggest annual event. Many of those matches have gone on to become highlights of the show.
At WrestleMania 41, four women’s matches took place across both nights. One of the most talked-about contests came on Night 2, when Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley delivered a highly praised triple threat match that opened the show.
Looking back further, WrestleMania 40 in 2024 featured three women’s matches, while the year before also saw four bouts involving the women’s division.
If WWE follows through with the current creative plans, WrestleMania 42 will represent another major step forward for the division.
Two women’s championship matches are already official for the event.
One of the featured bouts will see Rhea Ripley defend the WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill, a high-profile clash that has quickly become one of the most anticipated matches on the card.
Meanwhile, Stephanie Vaquer will defend the WWE Women’s World Championship against Liv Morgan, adding another marquee title contest to the lineup.
Another match that could soon be made official involves Becky Lynch and AJ Lee. The longtime rivals are reportedly being lined up for a showdown over AJ Lee’s WWE Intercontinental Championship.
If confirmed, the match would add even more star power to an already stacked women’s lineup for WrestleMania 42.
With multiple championship matches already announced and more potentially on the way, it’s clear WWE is continuing to emphasize the importance of the women’s division on the grandest stage of them all. As the road to WrestleMania continues, fans may soon see a record-breaking showcase for the women of WWE in Las Vegas.
ROH TV on #HonorClub at WatchROH.com 7/6c
Two names may soon be departing TNA Wrestling, as a new report indicates that Mance Warner and Steph De Lander are preparing to leave the promotion.
According to Fightful, both talents have reportedly quit TNA, with the situation tied to the company’s decision not to medically clear De Lander for an in-ring return following her injury.
De Lander had been sidelined for several months while recovering, and she was recently informed by TNA that she would not be cleared to wrestle again within the promotion. However, the situation took a turn when she sought a second opinion.
The 29-year-old reportedly consulted WWE’s spinal surgeon, who ultimately cleared her to return to competition. De Lander later confirmed on social media that she has officially received medical clearance, signaling that she’s ready to get back inside the ring.
Despite that clearance, her in-ring future in TNA appears to be over.
De Lander has not wrestled a singles match since May 2024, focusing instead on recovery and rehabilitation during her time away from active competition.
During that stretch, she remained connected to the promotion alongside her husband, Mance Warner, who has been featured in TNA storylines.
The report notes that there is a belief Warner and De Lander could finish out their remaining commitments during the current set of television tapings before officially departing the company.
If the exits are finalized, both talents will likely become intriguing free agents in the wrestling world. With De Lander now medically cleared and Warner maintaining a strong reputation on the independent scene, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the duo land elsewhere in the near future.
AEW delivered a major surprise on Wednesday night as former NJPW standout David Finlay officially arrived in the company during AEW Dynamite.
The moment came shortly after Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy picked up a tag team victory over Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors. Cassidy sealed the win by pinning Connors following his signature Orange Punch, but the celebration didn’t last long.
Out of nowhere, Finlay stormed the ring and attacked Allin and Cassidy from behind, turning the post-match scene into a chaotic three-on-two assault. Kidd and Connors quickly joined in, and the trio stood tall to close the segment, signaling the reunion of Finlay with his former War Dogs allies.
Not long after the segment aired, AEW President Tony Khan confirmed the signing on social media with an official “All Elite” graphic, announcing that Finlay, Kidd, and Connors will now compete in AEW together under the name “The Dogs.”
Khan wrote that the trio made their presence known on Dynamite and that the faction is now officially part of the AEW roster.
Finlay’s arrival in AEW follows the conclusion of his lengthy run with New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he spent over a decade competing and eventually rose to become the final lineal leader of the Bullet Club faction originally founded by Finn Bálor in 2013.
His contract with NJPW expired in February, immediately sparking speculation about where the second-generation star would land next.
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Finlay explored several options before signing with AEW. Discussions reportedly took place with WWE, TNA, and AEW before the final decision was made.
Meltzer noted that AEW ultimately presented the strongest offer financially and in terms of interest.
There had been speculation that Finlay might end up in WWE, especially given reports that NXT’s “Birthright” stable—a group built around second-generation wrestlers—could have been a natural landing spot for him. However, the deal never materialized.
Instead, Finlay opted for AEW, signing what’s believed to be a multi-year contract. The move also aligns with his reported interest in relocating to the United States after spending 11 years competing primarily in Japan.
With Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors already appearing regularly on AEW programming in recent weeks, Finlay’s debut instantly solidifies the group as a new force within the promotion.
Now rebranded as The Dogs, the trio wasted no time making an impact on Dynamite, and their attack on Allin and Cassidy suggests that AEW’s tag team and trios divisions may have a dangerous new faction to deal with moving forward. 🐶🔥
Finlay’s debut marks one of AEW’s more unexpected signings in recent months—and it could be the beginning of a major new chapter for the former Bullet Club leader.
AEW Dynamite airs live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from the Don Haskins Center in El Paso Texas.
Wrestling fans can now take a deep dive into the life and legacy of one of the industry’s most polarizing and influential figures — for free.
The Jeff Jarrett Story: Heart of a Promoter is officially available to stream on YouTube, giving viewers an in-depth look at Jarrett’s Hall of Fame career both inside the ring and behind the scenes as a wrestling executive.
The special chronicles far more than just Jarrett’s time as a multi-time world champion. Alongside longtime collaborator Conrad Thompson, the self-proclaimed “King of the Mountain” reflects on his family’s deep-rooted history in the wrestling business — a lineage that dates back to 1946. From Memphis territory days to the national expansion era, the Jarrett name has been intertwined with the evolution of sports entertainment for decades.
Of course, a major focus of the documentary centers on Jarrett’s bold moves as a promoter. That includes the founding of NWA Total Nonstop Action (TNA) as well as his later venture, Global Force Wrestling. The project explores the risks, setbacks, and perseverance required to launch and sustain wrestling promotions in an industry dominated by larger corporate entities.
In addition to revisiting his past, Jarrett remains active in today’s wrestling landscape. He hosts the popular My World with Jeff Jarrett podcast alongside Thompson, where he regularly shares behind-the-scenes stories from throughout his career. Jarrett also currently serves as AEW’s Director of Business Development, playing a key role in expanding the company’s partnerships and strategic opportunities.
For fans interested in wrestling history — especially the business side of the industry — Heart of a Promoter offers a comprehensive look at one of the most resilient figures the business has produced.
And now, it’s just a click away.
Also available to watch: the making of the documentary.
With Warner Bros. Discovery’s sale to Paramount Skydance moving closer to the finish line, the wrestling world is watching carefully to see how the deal could impact All Elite Wrestling.
AEW currently has multiple agreements tied to WBD platforms, including television rights on TNT and TBS, along with streaming, library, and pay-per-view distribution through HBO Max. On top of that, it was recently confirmed that WBD also holds a minority ownership stake in AEW — a detail that adds another layer of intrigue to the pending acquisition.
According to Dave Meltzer, that ownership piece may actually be the most straightforward part of the equation.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer explained that if Paramount completes its acquisition of WBD, it would automatically assume control of all WBD assets — including its minority stake in AEW. In other words, Paramount would become a part-owner of AEW.
“The situation here is number one, Paramount will own a percentage, a very small percentage, but they’ll own a percentage of AEW,” Meltzer said. “Because WBD has an ownership stake. And that will be transferred to Paramount. So they’ll own part of the company.”
While that may sound significant on paper, Meltzer indicated the immediate impact may be minimal — and potentially even positive. If AEW remains profitable, as Meltzer claims it currently is, there would be little incentive for Paramount to make drastic changes.
He noted that if AEW were hemorrhaging money, the scenario could look very different. But without substantial losses on the books, a minority stake in a profitable wrestling promotion could be viewed as a worthwhile asset for Paramount to maintain.
Of course, there are still plenty of moving parts. The acquisition is not fully complete, and media mergers of this scale often bring restructuring and strategic shifts. Questions remain about AEW’s long-term future on TNT, TBS, and HBO Max under new ownership, as well as whether Paramount could eventually look to integrate AEW content into its own streaming ecosystem.
For now, though, the key takeaway is simple: if the deal goes through, Paramount won’t just be AEW’s broadcast partner — it will technically be part of the company’s ownership group as well.
As always in the ever-evolving world of media rights and pro wrestling, the real answers will come once the paperwork is finalized and the dust truly settles.
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