WWE Raw live tonight at 8/7c on Netflix from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
WWE may have revealed the new identity of one of NXT’s newest arrivals.
According to records from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, WWE filed a trademark application for the name “Cruz Montana” on July 24. The filing covers wrestling-related entertainment services, including live performances, television broadcasts, radio appearances, and online content.
The trademark filing has quickly sparked speculation among fans that “Cruz Montana” could become the new ring name for former TNA World Champion Mike Santana.
The speculation comes just days after Santana made a surprise appearance on WWE NXT.
Following Tony D’Angelo’s successful NXT Championship defense against Naraku in a street fight, Santana emerged through the crowd and confronted the champion as the show went off the air. The moment immediately generated buzz, as it marked Santana’s first appearance since reportedly finishing up with TNA Wrestling.
However, WWE notably avoided identifying him by name during the segment.
Neither Vic Joseph nor Booker T referred to Santana by his established ring name on commentary, while WWE’s social media posts described him only as a “new face” arriving in NXT.
If Santana is indeed being reintroduced as Cruz Montana, it would continue WWE’s recent trend of assigning new names to incoming talent.
Several performers arriving in NXT have debuted under different identities in recent months, with WWE opting to create fresh branding for stars transitioning into the developmental system.
Because Santana was never officially named during his debut appearance, many fans immediately began connecting the dots once news of the trademark filing surfaced.
At this time, WWE has not officially linked the Cruz Montana trademark to Santana.
Trademark filings do not always result in on-screen usage, and the company has yet to announce whether the name will be assigned to a wrestler, manager, commentator, or another performer entirely.
Still, given the timing of the filing and Santana’s recent debut, many believe the former TNA standout could soon be unveiled under a new WWE identity.
For now, fans will have to wait and see whether Cruz Montana becomes the latest addition to the NXT roster—or if WWE has another surprise planned.
The timing of the trademark filing and Santana’s unnamed NXT appearance has made “Cruz Montana” one of the most talked-about potential rebrands in WWE, with many expecting answers in the coming weeks.
“Daddy Magic” Matt Menard is in the ring to introduce the Fabulous Rougeaus.
Raymond and Jacques Rougeau come out and they cut promos, mostly in French which I do not speak, but Ray’s is obviously nice and friendly while Jacques is more brusque and talks a lot about “le hateurs.” Eventually he leads the crowd in holding their phones to the sky in memory of his dad and so on–
Enter Rocky Romero.
He steps to the Fabulous Rougeaus and says the only family that matters in wrestling is the Don Callis Family but Jacques hauls off on him and holds him in place for a kick to the gut from Ray before he and Menard send Romero packing over the ropes and to the floor!
Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong retained the AEW World Trios Championships in an action-packed opener. Despite several near falls from Jay Lethal and company, Cassidy secured the victory after The Conglomeration hit their trademark combination offense, allowing him to pin Lethal.
Winners: The Conglomeration (retain AEW World Trios Championships)
A chaotic six-man ladder match opened the main card. Highlights included multiple table spots, a moonsault off a ladder on the entrance stage, and Komander’s trademark aerial offense.
In the end, Bailey climbed the ladder and retrieved the contract to earn a future AEW International Championship match.
Winner: Mike Bailey
Tensions between Ospreay and Moxley were evident throughout the match. After a hard-fought battle, the Young Bucks connected with a Superkick Party on Moxley to score the upset victory.
Following the match, Ospreay appeared frustrated with Moxley’s increasingly aggressive tactics.
Winners: Young Bucks
Bandido pushed Fletcher to the limit in one of the night’s standout matches. After surviving multiple 21-Plex attempts and several near falls, Fletcher finally retained the championship with a devastating turnbuckle brainbuster.
Winner: Kyle Fletcher (retains AEW International Championship)
Jay White and Juice Robinson battled David Finlay and Clark Connors in a brutal chain match. Outside interference from Daniel Garcia, Wheeler YUTA, and Marina Shafir ultimately tipped the scales.
Finlay finished Robinson with a shillelagh shot to secure the victory.
Winners: The Dogs
One of the night’s biggest surprises came when Maya World upset Hikaru Shida to capture the AEW TBS Championship.
Despite Shida’s relentless offense and multiple running knees, World capitalized on a distracted champion and scored the pinfall with a bridging fallaway slam.
Winner: Maya World (NEW AEW TBS Champion)
Copeland and Cage successfully retained the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Death Riders members Claudio Castagnoli and PAC.
The finish came after Copeland connected with a spear on PAC for the three-count.
Afterward, the Young Bucks confronted the champions, teasing a future showdown.
Winners: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage (retain AEW World Tag Team Championships)
Jericho and Ciampa engaged in one of the most violent matches of the year, utilizing barbed wire, thumbtacks, broken glass, hockey sticks, and even a power drill.
After surviving nearly everything Ciampa threw at him, Jericho forced his opponent to quit after using an active power drill to the forehead.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Andrade captured championship gold after defeating Mark Davis in a physical battle.
Following a back-and-forth contest, Andrade connected with the DM to score the pinfall and become the new AEW National Champion.
Winner: Andrade El Idolo (NEW AEW National Champion)
Willow Nightingale overcame interference from Skye Blue and survived Thekla’s relentless attacks on her injured ear to score a dramatic victory.
A surprise backslide secured the win and crowned Nightingale as the new AEW Women’s World Champion.
Members of The Conglomeration celebrated with Nightingale afterward, while Mercedes Moné watched from above and appeared to signal her interest in the new champion.
Winner: Willow Nightingale (NEW AEW Women’s World Champion)
Willow Nightingale becomes the first AEW Women’s Triple Crown Winner
Kevin Knight delivered the performance of his career against Kenny Omega, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone the champion.
After a competitive main event filled with near falls and championship-level drama, Omega connected with the One-Winged Angel to retain the AEW World Championship.
Winner: Kenny Omega (retains AEW World Championship)
Following Omega’s victory, Jon Moxley, Marina Shafir, Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, Daniel Garcia, and Wheeler YUTA attacked the champion.
Will Ospreay rushed to the ring to make the save and prevented Claudio from Pillmanizing Omega’s neck. Moxley then attempted to convince Ospreay to suffocate Omega with a plastic bag, but Ospreay ultimately rejected Moxley’s influence.
Instead, Ospreay struck Moxley with a Hidden Blade and stood alongside Omega.
The show ended on a shocking note when Omega suddenly dropped Ospreay with a One-Winged Angel after the two appeared to reconcile. The Young Bucks joined Omega in the ring as AEW Redemption went off the air.
AEW President Tony Khan has officially confirmed that Tay Melo will be granted her release from the company following a recent request to step away from professional wrestling.
Speaking during the AEW Redemption media call, Khan addressed the growing speculation surrounding Melo’s status and pushed back on reports that claimed she had been seeking her release for more than a year.
According to Khan, while there was some truth to the rumors that Melo wanted out of AEW, the timeline that had been circulating online was inaccurate.
Khan revealed that the conversation took place shortly after the June 6 edition of AEW Collision.
That night, Melo teamed with Anna Jay in a losing effort against Divine Dominion’s Lena Kross and Megan Bayne. Following the match, Melo approached Khan to discuss her future with the company.
Rather than expressing interest in joining another wrestling promotion, Khan said Melo informed him that she wanted to step away from wrestling altogether.
According to Khan, Melo told him that she still had positive feelings toward AEW and the people within the organization, but felt it was time to move on from both the company and the wrestling business.
The AEW President made it clear that Melo’s request was not the result of an ongoing dispute or prolonged backstage issue.
Khan stated that he was surprised when Melo approached him about leaving and emphasized that the conversation was respectful and cordial. He also noted that he had recently spoken with Melo about the rumors and that she was frustrated by reports suggesting she had been attempting to secure her release since 2025.
According to Khan, there has never been any hostility between the two sides, and he described their working relationship as consistently positive throughout her time with the company.
Khan also addressed claims that AEW had been preventing Melo from leaving.
He explained that since their conversation following Collision, Melo has not been brought back to television or booked for any events. Khan said he had no intention of forcing her to remain with the company and confirmed that her release would be granted.
The announcement brings clarity to months of speculation regarding Melo’s future and officially opens the door for her departure from AEW.
While Melo is set to leave AEW, her long-term plans remain uncertain.
Based on Khan’s comments, the former AEW star is not currently seeking opportunities with another wrestling promotion and instead appears focused on stepping away from the industry entirely.
Of course, wrestling retirements and hiatuses often prove temporary, and it remains to be seen whether Melo eventually returns to the ring down the road.
For now, however, her priority appears to be moving on from professional wrestling, ending a run in AEW that included memorable partnerships, championship pursuits, and a key role in the promotion’s women’s division.
Khan’s comments provide the clearest picture yet of Melo’s situation, confirming that her departure was a recent decision rather than a long-running conflict and that AEW intends to honor her request to leave the company.
AEW Collision tonight at 8/7c on TNT and HBO Max taped from The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee.
AEW Redemption – Sunday, July 26, 2026 – Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.
With the 90-day non-compete period for many recently released WWE talents now officially over, speculation is growing that several notable free agents could soon be headed to All Elite Wrestling.
According to a report from F4WOnline, at least seven wrestlers are currently believed to be waiting on deals with AEW. The report cites sources who indicated that multiple talents are in line for potential signings, though no specific names have been confirmed at this time.
One source reportedly told the outlet they were aware of seven individuals awaiting contracts, while another suggested the actual number could be even higher.
Despite the growing rumors, AEW has not publicly revealed any upcoming additions to its roster.
The company is set to present its AEW Redemption pay-per-view from Montreal’s Bell Centre this weekend, but as of now, there have been no reports identifying which free agents could potentially debut at the event.
Fightful Select also followed up on the story, reporting that AEW sources acknowledged there are “several” wrestlers expected to either sign with or debut for the promotion in the future. However, those contacted did not provide any names.
The lack of specifics has only fueled further speculation among fans regarding which recently available stars could be joining the company.
The current free-agent market is one of the deepest in recent memory following WWE’s post-WrestleMania roster cuts.
Among the most recognizable names released earlier this year were Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Santos Escobar, Zoey Stark, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, and the members of the Wyatt Sicks faction.
Several of those names have already generated significant interest throughout the wrestling industry. The Motor City Machine Guns, for example, recently teased receiving an offer from an unnamed promotion in a video posted to their YouTube channel, leading many fans to speculate that AEW could be their eventual destination.
Meanwhile, Aleister Black has frequently been linked to a potential return to AEW due to his previous history with the promotion.
The available talent pool expanded even further after reports surfaced that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods would also be leaving WWE.
According to previous reports, the longtime New Day members opted not to continue under a restructured contract that would have included a pay reduction. Their non-compete clauses are expected to expire in time for AEW’s upcoming All In: London event.
Given their status as one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history, Kingston and Woods would immediately become among the most high-profile free agents on the market.
With All In: London approaching, many fans believe AEW could use the event as a platform to introduce new talent.
The promotion has a history of making major announcements and surprise debuts during its biggest shows, making the timing of these reports particularly noteworthy.
For now, the identities of the wrestlers reportedly waiting on AEW deals remain a mystery. However, with numerous former WWE stars now free to negotiate and compete wherever they choose, the coming weeks could bring several significant roster additions to the company.
As AEW heads toward one of its largest events of the year, the wrestling world will be watching closely to see whether any of the recently available free agents make the jump and become the promotion’s next headline-making acquisitions.
Nikki Bella is back in WWE.
The WWE Hall of Famer made a surprise return during Friday night’s SmackDown, coming to the rescue of Brie Bella and Paige after a post-match assault from Fatal Influence. The appearance marked Nikki’s first major WWE television appearance in months and immediately set the stage for a blockbuster match at SummerSlam.
The chaos unfolded after Brie Bella scored a victory over Lainey Reid, one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Following the match, Reid’s Fatal Influence allies Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley stormed the ring and launched an attack on Brie and Paige. With the numbers advantage in their favor, the champions appeared poised to leave their challengers laid out.
That changed when Nikki Bella’s music hit.
The WWE Hall of Famer rushed to the ring and quickly turned the tide, helping clear out Fatal Influence and giving Brie and Paige the chance to recover. Nikki capped off the return by planting Jayne with the Rack Attack 2.0 before standing over her fallen opponent.
As the crowd erupted, Nikki made her intentions clear, shouting that she was back before confronting Jayne face-to-face.
After Fatal Influence regrouped on the outside, Nikki grabbed a microphone and addressed the trio directly.
Bella accused the group of believing they could arrive from NXT, capture championship gold, and avoid consequences. She reminded them that veterans like herself, Brie, and Paige helped pave the way for the current generation of WWE women’s wrestlers.
She then issued a challenge that immediately became official.
Nikki announced that she, Brie Bella, and Paige will team up to face Fatal Influence in a six-woman tag team match at SummerSlam 2026.
The announcement adds another high-profile attraction to WWE’s biggest event of the summer and marks a rare in-ring reunion for the Bella Twins.
The matchup presents an intriguing clash between WWE legends and one of the company’s fastest-rising groups.
Fatal Influence has made a major impact since arriving on the main roster, capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and establishing themselves as one of the division’s most dominant factions. Their success has often come at the expense of veteran stars, including Paige and Brie.
Now, with Nikki Bella entering the picture, the rivalry has escalated significantly.
For Nikki, the match will provide an opportunity to prove she can still compete at a high level while standing alongside two of the most influential figures in WWE women’s wrestling history.
For Fatal Influence, defeating three Hall of Fame-caliber names on one of WWE’s biggest stages would further cement their status as a force in the division.
With the six-woman tag match now official, SummerSlam continues to add major attractions ahead of the two-night event.
The return of Nikki Bella brings additional star power to the card and creates one of the most anticipated women’s matches of the weekend. Whether the veterans can roll back the clock or Fatal Influence can continue their rise remains to be seen, but Friday’s surprise return ensured that the rivalry just became one of the hottest stories heading into SummerSlam.
Nikki Bella’s comeback appearance received one of the loudest reactions of the night, and her reunion with Brie and Paige gives SummerSlam a marquee showdown between WWE legends and one of the company’s most controversial rising factions.
WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California.
Another name has reportedly been added to the growing list of departures from TNA Wrestling.
According to information obtained by the Wrestling Observer, Victoria Crawford, known to many WWE fans as former Divas Champion Alicia Fox, has been released by TNA effective immediately.
In a statement attributed to the company, TNA confirmed the separation and wished Crawford success moving forward.
The report did not specify whether Crawford requested her release or whether the decision was made solely by the promotion.
Crawford joined TNA in the spring of 2025 and quickly aligned herself with Tessa Blanchard and Mila Moore. The trio eventually formed a group known as the Diamond Collective and became a fixture within the Knockouts division.
One of the group’s biggest opportunities came at Final Resolution in December when Crawford and Moore challenged The IInspiration for the Knockouts World Tag Team Championships. Despite coming up short in their title bid, the Diamond Collective remained active on TNA Impact, picking up several victories in six-woman tag team competition.
Their final appearance as a unit took place on the April 30 episode of Impact, where they faced Rosemary, Mara Sade, and the returning Allie.
The Diamond Collective has seen significant changes in recent months.
Tessa Blanchard exited TNA in June after deciding to focus her efforts on CMLL, effectively ending her involvement with the faction. Crawford’s departure now leaves Mila Moore as the lone remaining member of the group.
Moore has already moved in a different direction on television, joining Mustafa Ali’s Order 4 faction and taking on the role of Secretary of Strategic Affairs within the group.
Crawford’s final match for TNA reportedly took place on May 14, when she teamed with Moore against Rosemary and Allie.
At this point, Crawford has not publicly announced her next move in professional wrestling.
However, her social media activity suggests she intends to remain active within the industry. The former WWE Divas Champion has recently promoted her availability for wrestling matches, seminars, convention appearances, podcast interviews, and other wrestling-related bookings.
With nearly two decades of experience on the national stage and a recognizable name built through her WWE career, Crawford is likely to attract interest from independent promotions and international organizations alike.
As TNA continues to reshape its roster in 2026, Crawford becomes the latest veteran talent to move on from the company, leaving fans wondering where she will surface next.
Crawford’s departure marks another notable change for TNA’s women’s division, and her next move will be worth watching as the veteran performer explores new opportunities across the wrestling landscape.
Wrestling News Blog 