WWE NXT tonight on at 8/7c on The CW and Netflix internationally.
TNA Wrestling’s recent wave of roster departures reportedly continues, as Tessa Blanchard is said to have parted ways with the company.
According to Fightful Select, Blanchard requested and received her release from TNA. As of this writing, TNA has not publicly commented on the report or officially confirmed her departure.
The reported exit brings an end to Blanchard’s second run with the promotion. She originally competed in TNA from 2018 to 2020, establishing herself as one of the company’s top stars during that period. Her accomplishments included reigns as Knockouts Champion and TNA World Heavyweight Champion, making her one of the most decorated performers in company history.
However, her first tenure ended under controversial circumstances. During her championship run, allegations regarding past racist behavior and bullying resurfaced, generating significant backlash. Around the same time, Blanchard was unable to appear for TNA during the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as world champion, ultimately leading to her release from the company.
When she returned to TNA in late 2024, fan reaction was mixed, with some audiences continuing to reference the previous controversy during her appearances.
Before re-signing with TNA, Blanchard had been working extensively for Mexico’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), where she captured the CMLL World Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Lluvia. Although she initially stepped away from CMLL after returning to TNA, she resumed working for the promotion in 2025 and continued making appearances there while remaining under the TNA banner.
That dual affiliation reportedly became a point of tension behind the scenes. Recent reports indicated that some within TNA were unhappy with Blanchard continuing to work for CMLL, particularly given the complex relationships between WWE, TNA, AAA, AEW, and CMLL.
One match that reportedly drew attention was Blanchard’s bout against Persephone during CMLL’s WrestleMania weekend event in April. Persephone is associated with both CMLL and AEW, and the situation reportedly created frustration among certain decision-makers connected to TNA.
While nothing has been officially confirmed, speculation has emerged that Blanchard may have been forced to choose between continuing her relationship with CMLL or remaining with TNA. If true, the report suggests she opted to continue her work in Mexico.
With Blanchard now reportedly gone, TNA has seen several notable names leave the company in recent weeks, following the reported departures of Myla Grace and former TNA World Champion Steve Maclin.
For now, fans will be waiting to see whether Blanchard addresses the situation publicly and what her next move will be as she continues her career outside of TNA.
TNA Wrestling has officially announced the return of one of the most influential stars in X-Division history.
The company confirmed that Amazing Red will be part of Slammiversary 2026, marking his first appearance for TNA since 2011. The pay-per-view takes place on June 28 at Agganis Arena in Boston.
Red was originally scheduled to make a one-off return during a TNA event in April 2020, but those plans were canceled when the show was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than 15 years after his last TNA appearance, the former X-Division standout is finally set to step back into a TNA ring.
While TNA has not revealed exactly what role Red will play at Slammiversary, speculation is already centered around the Ultimate X match for the X-Division Championship. Cedric Alexander is scheduled to defend the title against Leon Slater and four additional competitors who have yet to be officially announced.
With multiple spots still available, many fans believe Red could be one of the participants in the high-risk contest that helped define his legacy.
Few wrestlers are more closely associated with the early success of the X-Division than Amazing Red. His innovative offense and fast-paced style played a major role in shaping the division during its formative years, influencing an entire generation of wrestlers who followed.
Outside of TNA, Red continued to leave his mark on the industry by founding House of Glory Wrestling, a promotion that has grown into one of the most respected independent organizations in the United States. He remains active both as a performer and as a trainer through the House of Glory wrestling school.
Slammiversary is shaping up to be one of TNA’s biggest events of the year, and the addition of a returning legend like Amazing Red adds another layer of excitement to an already stacked card.
Whether he ends up competing in Ultimate X or finds himself involved in another capacity, fans will finally get to see the former three-time X-Division Champion make his long-awaited return to TNA later this month.
WWE Raw airs live tonight at 8/7c on Netflix from the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
AEW Collision: Summer Blockbuster 2.5 Hour Special tonight at 8/7c on TNT & HBO Max from the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
WWE star Piper Niven has provided another update on her recovery from a serious neck injury, and her comments suggest that a return to the ring is far from guaranteed.
Niven has been sidelined since September after suffering a significant neck injury that ultimately required surgery. In May, she revealed that she had undergone an anterior discectomy procedure, sharing the news with fans on social media as she continued her recovery journey.
This week, Niven addressed growing questions about her wrestling future after interacting with fans on X. The conversation began when a fan thanked her for the memories she has created throughout her career and referenced her previous WWE personas and partnerships.
In response, Niven made it clear that she is not officially retiring, but she acknowledged that the road back remains uncertain.
“Don’t count me out just yet chick, just letting people know that it will be a long time and maybe possibly not at all so we don’t have to answer the same question 50 times a stream,” Niven wrote.
When another fan joked that she would likely continue receiving questions about a comeback regardless, Niven responded with humor, admitting that was probably true.
The comments mark one of the clearest indications yet regarding the seriousness of her condition. While she has not ruled out wrestling again, she also stopped short of guaranteeing a return.
Niven’s most recent match took place on the August 22 episode of WWE SmackDown, where she picked up a victory over Charlotte Flair. At the time, she was aligned with Chelsea Green as part of the popular Secret Hervice pairing.
Before her injury, Niven and Green had become a notable team within WWE’s women’s division, building on their previous success as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Following Niven’s absence, Green leaned into the storyline on social media by jokingly searching for a new “Slaygent” to join her ranks.
The group later included Alba Fyre, though Fyre departed WWE after her contract was not renewed following WrestleMania 42.
For now, Niven’s focus remains on recovery. While fans will undoubtedly continue hoping to see her back in a WWE ring someday, her latest comments underscore that there is currently no timetable for a return, and the possibility remains that her last match may already have taken place.
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on at 8pm ET the USA Network in the United States and Netflix intentionally from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
After spending the last two months away from WWE television, CM Punk has been at the center of plenty of speculation regarding his status with the company. Rumors ranging from alleged creative frustrations to reports of backstage issues and even release requests have circulated online in recent weeks.
However, several reports this week pushed back on those claims, indicating that there is no significant tension between Punk and WWE. Instead, the expectation remains that “The Best in the World” will make his return to television sometime in July.
Now, a new report suggests that WWE may have specific plans for Punk once he returns.
According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is expected to move Punk to SmackDown as part of an effort to better balance the company’s top-tier talent across both brands.
With Raw already featuring major stars such as Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan, and Oba Femi, the belief is that Punk could have a larger impact on Friday nights. A move to SmackDown would place him alongside names like Cody Rhodes, GUNTHER, and Randy Orton, creating several fresh matchups and storyline possibilities.
That said, the report notes that Punk could still make an appearance on Raw before any official brand switch takes place. The July 6 episode of Raw is scheduled for Chicago, Punk’s hometown, making it an obvious location for a high-profile return.
A move to SmackDown would also align with a storyline tease WWE planted before Punk’s absence. Prior to stepping away from television, Punk hinted at a future confrontation with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Given Rhodes’ position at the top of the blue brand, Punk’s arrival on SmackDown could quickly place him in the championship picture.
With SummerSlam approaching and rumors suggesting Punk is expected to be involved in one of the event’s major programs, fans are already speculating about a potential showdown between Punk and Rhodes. WWE has not confirmed any plans, but the possibility would undoubtedly rank among the biggest matches the company could present.
Before taking time away from television, Punk suffered a major setback at WrestleMania 42 when he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns. His eventual return could mark the beginning of a new chapter, potentially on a new brand and with a new championship target in sight.
For now, all eyes remain on July as WWE fans await the return of one of the company’s most talked-about stars.
TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight at 9/8c on AMC.
A new report has provided insight into WWE’s strategy for AAA, including why the company is bringing part of TripleMania to Las Vegas instead of keeping the event exclusively in Mexico.
During a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained that WWE’s decision is reportedly less about ticket sales and more about exposing AAA to potential business partners in the United States.
According to Meltzer, the goal is to put AAA’s product in front of influential industry figures who could help expand the promotion’s presence outside of Mexico. That includes potential television partners, sponsors, and other investors who may be interested in working with the brand.
Meltzer noted that WWE’s long-term vision for AAA extends beyond simply maintaining its popularity in Mexico. Instead, the company is reportedly focused on growing AAA as a global business asset and creating new revenue opportunities through media rights and sponsorship agreements.
One of the key objectives appears to be securing a television deal in the United States. While AAA content is currently available internationally through platforms such as YouTube, the promotion does not have a dedicated U.S. television home. Bringing a major event like TripleMania to Las Vegas reportedly makes it easier to attract executives and decision-makers who might not travel to Mexico for a live show.
Las Vegas was viewed as a logical destination due to its accessibility and its reputation as a major entertainment hub. According to Meltzer, WWE is also believed to prefer a smaller venue for the event, creating a more intimate atmosphere while ensuring invited guests can experience the product firsthand.
AAA already maintains television distribution through FOX in parts of Central and South America, and the report noted that any future U.S. television agreement would not necessarily affect those existing arrangements.
Since WWE’s acquisition of AAA, there has been significant interest in how the company plans to develop the promotion moving forward. Between crossover storylines, increased visibility, and efforts to expand the brand internationally, securing a U.S. television deal could represent one of the most important steps in WWE’s plans for AAA’s future growth.
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