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.
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event live tonight at 8/7c on Peacock from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Match Card
WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley will not be competing at SummerSlam, forcing WWE to make a major change to the championship picture heading into one of the company’s biggest events of the year.
Ahead of Friday night’s SmackDown, WWE announced that Ripley remains sidelined as she continues recovering from a torn meniscus. As a result, an interim WWE Women’s Champion will be crowned at SummerSlam in a high-stakes ladder match.
The announcement was made by WWE official Adam Pearce in a video shared on social media. While Pearce noted that Ripley has been making significant progress and is working closely with WWE’s medical team, he explained that the nature of the injury has prevented her from being medically cleared in time for the premium live event.
According to Pearce, Ripley’s return timetable remains uncertain, leading WWE to establish an interim champion until the reigning titleholder is able to return to competition.
To determine who will compete for the interim championship, WWE will hold a series of qualifying matches beginning on SmackDown and continuing over the next two weeks. Five women will earn spots in the SummerSlam ladder match, where they will battle for the right to carry the interim championship.
Pearce also confirmed that the situation will eventually be resolved when Ripley is cleared to return. At that point, the interim champion and Ripley will meet to determine the undisputed WWE Women’s Champion.
Ripley’s absence is a significant setback for WWE, as she has remained one of the company’s most prominent stars and a centerpiece of the women’s division. Despite the injury, Pearce emphasized that the champion has been working hard behind the scenes and appears to be nearing a return.
For now, though, the focus shifts to the upcoming qualifying matches and the ladder match at SummerSlam, where a new champion will be crowned while Ripley continues her recovery.
With one of WWE’s top titles now up for grabs, the race to become interim Women’s Champion is set to become one of the biggest storylines heading into SummerSlam.
Two spots in WWE’s upcoming Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam have officially been filled.
During Friday night’s SmackDown, Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill secured victories in qualifying matches to earn their places in the high-profile bout that will determine an interim champion while Rhea Ripley remains sidelined with injury.
Stratton’s path to SummerSlam wasn’t without obstacles.
Before her match against Jacy Jayne even got underway, members of Fatal Influence attempted to gain an advantage by attacking Stratton. However, the situation quickly escalated when Paige and Brie Bella rushed to ringside and went after Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley, leading to a wild brawl that spilled away from the ring.
Once the match officially began, Stratton quickly established control. She punished Jayne with a series of strikes and showcased her athleticism throughout the contest. After connecting with an Alabama Slam, Stratton maintained momentum despite a brief comeback from Jayne, who landed a swinging neckbreaker.
Jayne attempted to finish the match with her Rolling Encore, but Stratton countered the move and followed up with a rolling senton before delivering her signature Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the victory.
The win officially punched Stratton’s ticket to the SummerSlam ladder match.
The second qualifier of the night featured Jade Cargill taking on Nia Jax, with plenty of drama unfolding both inside and outside the ring.
Cargill entered the match accompanied by Michin and B-Fab, but outside interference ultimately played a major role in the outcome. After an evenly contested battle that saw Jax connect with a Samoan Drop and Cargill answer with a powerful spinebuster, Charlotte Flair became involved.
Flair attacked Michin at ringside before entering the ring and striking Cargill with a dropkick. The interference immediately brought the match to an end, resulting in Cargill being awarded the victory via disqualification.
Flair’s involvement didn’t stop there. Following the bell, she grabbed a steel chair and appeared ready to continue the assault, but Michin and B-Fab stepped in to even the odds. Moments later, Nia Jax attacked Flair before leaving the ring, creating another twist in the ongoing rivalry.
With Flair laid out, Cargill capitalized by planting her with Jaded and standing tall to close the segment.
Following the match, WWE official Adam Pearce addressed the situation and announced that Nia Jax will receive another opportunity to qualify for the SummerSlam ladder match. Next week, Jax will face Charlotte Flair in a new qualifying bout, with the winner advancing to the championship contest.
With Stratton and Cargill now officially qualified, the field for the Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match is beginning to take shape. Additional qualifying matches are expected over the coming weeks as WWE builds toward SummerSlam and the crowning of a temporary titleholder during Rhea Ripley’s absence.
WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on USA Network and Netflix internationally from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York.
Wrestling News Blog 