Rhea Ripley Undergoes Knee Surgery, Provides Recovery Update

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley has shared a significant update on her injury status, revealing that she recently underwent knee surgery after attempting to avoid the procedure.

Ripley, who has been sidelined with a knee injury in recent weeks, previously disclosed that she suffered a slight meniscus tear. Now, the reigning champion has confirmed that surgery ultimately became necessary as she begins the road to recovery.

Rhea Ripley Shares Surgery Update

Taking to Instagram, Ripley opened up about the decision to undergo surgery and reflected on the physical toll that years of wrestling and athletics have taken on her body.

“Life update. After just under 14 years in wrestling and doing sports my entire life… It’s caught up to me. Surgery was never a first option for me, but it got to the point that it was needed… First one down… Hopefully no more…”

Despite the setback, Ripley remained optimistic about her recovery and eventual return to the ring.

“I’ve survived, now it’s time to start thriving again so I can get back to what I love to do! See you all down the road.”

Interim Champion Crowned At SummerSlam

With Ripley unable to compete, WWE moved to address the Women’s Championship picture at SummerSlam 2026.

A five-woman Ladder Match was held to determine an Interim WWE Women’s Champion, with Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend, and Tiffany Stratton competing for the opportunity.

Chelsea Green ultimately emerged victorious, climbing the ladder and retrieving the championship to become the new Interim WWE Women’s Champion.

No Return Timeline Announced

At this time, WWE has not announced how long Ripley is expected to be out of action following the surgery.

The injury temporarily halts another strong run for Ripley, who has remained one of WWE’s top stars and a centerpiece of the women’s division.

For now, Ripley’s focus shifts to rehabilitation as she works toward returning to the ring and reclaiming her place atop the Women’s Championship picture.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 8/6/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight at 9/8c on AMC taped from The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  • TNA Knockouts World Championship Match: Xia Brookside (c) vs. Wendy Choo
  • TNA Knockouts Television Title Tournament Match: Mara Sadè vs. Heather by Elegance
  • Matt Hardy vs. Ryan Nemeth
  • AJ Francis vs. The Home Town Man
  • Jeff Hardy and Nic Nemeth contract signing
  • We’ll head from The Righteous

Rey Mysterio Announces WWE And AAA Tournament To Determine Roman Reigns’ Next Challenger

A major championship opportunity is set to be decided through a unique crossover tournament involving talent from WWE and AAA.

During the August 3 episode of WWE Raw, Rey Mysterio was seen speaking with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns backstage. While the conversation was not explained on television, Mysterio has now revealed what the two were discussing — and it could have major implications for the World Heavyweight Championship picture.

Roman Reigns To Defend Title In Mexico City

In a video shared through WWE’s official social media channels, Mysterio announced that Reigns will defend the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the September 14 episode of Raw, which will air live from Arena Ciudad de Mexico in Mexico City.

According to Mysterio, he promised Reigns that he would find a worthy challenger for the championship match. The WWE Hall of Famer also noted that Reigns understands the significance of lucha libre within Mexican culture and was willing to embrace the opportunity.

WWE And AAA Stars To Compete In Tournament

To determine Reigns’ challenger, WWE will hold a tournament featuring luchadors from Raw, SmackDown, and AAA.

Mysterio stated that the tournament will begin on the August 10 edition of Raw, though additional details regarding the format have not yet been revealed.

At this time, WWE has not announced:

  • How many competitors will participate
  • Which WWE and AAA stars will be involved
  • When the tournament finals will take place

More information is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Busy September Ahead For AAA

The announcement comes as AAA prepares for one of the biggest months on its calendar.

The promotion’s annual TripleMania event is scheduled to take place across two nights on September 11 and September 13. The first event was recently moved to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas after reportedly generating stronger-than-expected ticket demand.

The second night of TripleMania will be held at Arena Ciudad de Mexico, the same venue that will host Raw and Roman Reigns’ title defense the following evening.

Later in the month, WWE and AAA are also scheduled to present Worlds Collide on September 26 at the Allstate Arena in Chicago.

With a World Heavyweight Championship match now set for Mexico City and talent from both WWE and AAA competing for the opportunity, the upcoming tournament could become one of the most closely watched storylines heading into September.

AEW Dynamite ‘Grand Slam Mexico’ Preview 8/5/2026

AEW Dynamite ‘Grand Slam Mexico’ live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico.

  • AEW International Championship Match: Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Mike Bailey
  • AEW World Trios Championship Match: The Demand (c) vs. Hangman Page & Brodido
  • No Outside Interference Allowed Street Fight: Will Ospreay vs Mark Davis
  • Casino Gauntlet Qualifying Match: Tommaso Ciampa vs. Andrade El Idolo vs. Komander
  • The Young Bucks & Cope and Cage vs. The Death Riders
  • Mercedes Mone & Divine Dominion vs. Willow Nightingale & Brawling Birds
  • Kris Statlander vs. Persephone
  • Don Callis Family (Kevin Knight, Kazuchika Okada, & Hechicero) vs. Chris Jericho, Darby Allin & Mistico

Lola Vice Appears To Say Goodbye To WWE NXT Following Championship Loss

Lola Vice’s time in WWE NXT may have officially come to an end.

During Tuesday night’s episode of NXT, Vice saw her undefeated streak in Underground Matches come to a halt when she was unsuccessful in her challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship against Kendal Grey. However, it was what happened after the show went off the air that has many believing Vice is headed to WWE’s main roster.

Lola Vice Addresses NXT Crowd

Following the conclusion of the broadcast, Vice spoke to fans in attendance and appeared to bid farewell to the NXT brand.

The former NXT Women’s Champion was joined by her real-life boyfriend, Damian Priest, as she reflected on her four-year journey in WWE’s developmental system.

“I came here four years ago. I took a leap of faith, sometimes, I’m going to be honest, I wasn’t sure if this was for me. I struggled a lot, but if there’s one thing I did is I always believed in myself. And all of you, every single Tuesday inspired me to keep going and represent Los Latinos … so, I just want to say thank you everybody and forever we are NXT.”

The emotional speech was met with a strong response from the crowd, further fueling speculation that Vice’s run in NXT has come to an end.

SmackDown Move Expected

According to a report from F4WOnline, Vice is expected to join Priest on WWE SmackDown following her departure from NXT.

The report also noted that she is likely to remain involved with AAA, where she has made appearances throughout the year while balancing commitments between the Mexican promotion and WWE.

Successful Run In NXT

Vice spent four years as part of WWE’s developmental brand and gradually established herself as one of the division’s featured stars.

While championship success proved elusive for much of her NXT tenure, she captured the NXT Women’s Championship earlier this year at Stand & Deliver, defeating Kendal Grey and Jacy Jayne in a triple threat match.

Outside of WWE, Vice also found championship success in AAA, where she held the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship alongside Mr. Iguana. Their reign came to an end last month when they lost the titles to La Hiedra and Laredo Kid.

Although WWE has not officially announced a main roster call-up, Vice’s farewell comments and recent reports strongly suggest that the next chapter of her WWE career could be taking place on Friday nights.

WWE Hall Of Famer Dory Funk Jr. Passes Away At Age 85

The professional wrestling world is mourning the loss of one of its most respected legends.

According to the Ocala Gazette, WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. passed away on Tuesday at the age of 85. The report cited Funk’s wife, Marti Funk, who stated that her husband died while under hospice care.

News of Funk’s passing quickly led to tributes from across the wrestling industry, with fellow wrestlers, organizations, and fans honoring his remarkable career and lasting influence on the business.

Wrestling World Pays Tribute

The Cauliflower Alley Club was among the first organizations to publicly honor Funk, sharing a memorial graphic on social media and remembering him as:

“A champion, a teacher, a gentleman, and an ambassador for our great sport.”

WWE Hall of Famer Brian Blair also paid tribute on social media, sharing memories of his longtime friend and reflecting on Funk’s impact on professional wrestling.

A Legendary Career Spanning More Than Six Decades

Dory Funk Jr. began his wrestling career in 1963, working for his father Dory Funk Sr.’s Western States Sports promotion.

Over the following decades, Funk built a reputation as one of the sport’s premier technical wrestlers, competing throughout the United States and internationally. His success in Japan helped establish him as one of the most respected performers of his era.

One of the defining accomplishments of his career came in February 1969 when he captured the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Funk held the title for more than four years, making him the second-longest reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion behind only Lou Thesz.

Success Around The World

Throughout his career, Funk competed for numerous major promotions, including:

  • All Japan Pro Wrestling
  • ECW
  • WCW
  • WWF/WWE
  • WWC

His relationship with All Japan Pro Wrestling was particularly notable, with multiple runs for the promotion spanning from the 1970s through the 2010s.

Although he officially retired in 2017, Funk continued making occasional appearances. His final match took place in August 2024 when he teamed with Osamu Nishimura in a victory.

Teacher And Mentor To Generations

Beyond his accomplishments inside the ring, Funk was widely respected for his work training future wrestlers.

In later years, he operated the Funking Conservatory in Ocala, Florida, where he helped develop aspiring talent and passed along decades of wrestling knowledge to the next generation.

Funk’s death comes less than three years after the passing of his younger brother, wrestling icon Terry Funk, who died on August 23, 2023.

Memorial Service Planned

According to the Ocala Gazette, a private service will be held for family members in the coming days.

A public memorial service honoring Dory Funk Jr.’s life and legacy is planned for Thanksgiving Day, with additional details expected to be announced at a later date.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Dory Funk Jr. leaves behind a legacy that spans generations and helped shape professional wrestling around the world.

WWE NXT Preview 8/4/2026

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

  • NXT Women’s Championship Underground Match: Kendal Grey (c) vs. Lola Vice
  • NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Vanity Project (c) vs. Tavion Heights & Myles Borne
  • WWE Women’s Speed Championship Match: Wren Sinclair (c) vs. Zaria
  • If Sinclair wins, she gets an NXT Women’s North American Championship match.
  • Keanu Carver vs. E.K. Prosper
  • Jaida Parker & Thea Hail vs. Karmen Petrovic & Nikkita Lyons (w/ Nattie)

Brock Lesnar Confirms WWE Retirement Following SummerSlam 2026 Farewell On Pat McAfee Show

Brock Lesnar has officially confirmed that his in-ring career with WWE has come to an end.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, Lesnar stated that his match against Oba Femi at SummerSlam 2026 was the final match of his WWE career, ending months of speculation surrounding his future.

The confirmation comes just days after Lesnar’s emotional post-match moment at SummerSlam, where he appeared to pass the torch to one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars.

Brock Lesnar’s Final WWE Match

Lesnar’s farewell took place after a hard-hitting Hell in a Cell Match against Oba Femi during the main event of SummerSlam Night 1.

Despite delivering multiple F-5s and even a Tombstone Piledriver onto exposed wooden boards, Lesnar was unable to put Femi away. The former NXT standout ultimately scored the biggest victory of his career by pinning Lesnar with Fall From Grace.

Following the match, Lesnar returned to the ring alongside Paul Heyman and embraced Femi in a show of respect. He then addressed the crowd, praising his opponent and making it clear that WWE’s future belongs to the younger generation.

Lesnar referred to himself as “the past” while declaring Femi “the future” before raising his hand in front of the SummerSlam audience.

SummerSlam Moment Viewed As Passing The Torch

The post-match scene was immediately viewed by many fans as a symbolic passing of the torch from one of WWE’s most dominant stars to a performer many see as a future main-event player.

That belief only grew stronger the following night on Raw when WWE aired a tribute video highlighting Lesnar’s legendary career and accomplishments.

While WWE never formally announced Lesnar’s retirement during the broadcast, the presentation led many to believe that his in-ring run had come to an end.

Lesnar Makes Retirement Official

Further speculation emerged when ESPN, one of WWE’s media partners, referred to Lesnar as retired in a social media post following SummerSlam.

Now, Lesnar himself has removed any doubt.

By confirming on The Pat McAfee Show that SummerSlam was his final WWE match, the former WWE Champion has officially closed the book on one of the most decorated careers in company history.

Over the course of multiple WWE runs, Lesnar established himself as one of the most dominant and recognizable stars of his generation, capturing numerous world championships and headlining some of the biggest events in professional wrestling history.

With Lesnar’s retirement now official, SummerSlam 2026 will be remembered not only for Oba Femi’s breakthrough victory, but also as the night WWE bid farewell to one of its all-time greats.

Big Cass Returns To WWE On Raw, Attacks Je’Von Evans Following Match

A familiar face made his way back to WWE during this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw, as Big Cass made a surprise return and immediately made an impact.

The former WWE star, who most recently competed in AEW as Big Bill, appeared after Je’Von Evans picked up a victory over Ethan Page. Moments after the match concluded, Evans was attacked from behind by the returning giant.

Cass quickly overwhelmed Evans, dropping him with a big boot before following up with a clothesline. He then locked in a bear hug and capped off the assault by delivering the East River Crossing, officially announcing his return to WWE.

The appearance marks Cass’ first WWE appearance since his release from the company in 2018.

Big Cass Returns After Runs In TNA And AEW

Cass originally broke into the wrestling business on the New York independent scene before signing with WWE’s developmental system in 2011, when it was still known as Florida Championship Wrestling.

He later found success in NXT as part of the popular tag team with Enzo Amore. The duo was called up to WWE’s main roster in 2016 and quickly became one of the company’s most recognizable acts.

Following his departure from WWE in 2018, Cass reinvented himself on the independent scene before joining TNA and later AEW. Wrestling under the names W. Morrissey and Big Bill, he became a featured performer and eventually captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship alongside Ricky Saints.

His most recent match took place for Ring of Honor in April, where he teamed with Bryan Keith.

WWE Return Rumors Confirmed

Reports surfaced in June indicating that Big Bill had informed AEW of his intention to leave the company and was expected to return to WWE once his obligations were complete.

Monday night’s surprise appearance officially confirmed those reports.

With his attack on Je’Von Evans, it appears Cass has already set his sights on making an immediate statement as he begins the next chapter of his WWE career.

TNA Wrestling Confirms Departures Of Jody Threat And Mara Sade, Teases Return Of Former Knockouts Champion

TNA Wrestling’s roster changes continue as the company has officially confirmed the departures of two members of its Knockouts Division.

In a statement released Monday titled “TNA Wrestling Knockouts Division Update,” the promotion announced that both Jody Threat and Mara Sade have exited the company. TNA also thanked both performers and wished them success moving forward.

“Best in their future endeavors,” the promotion said regarding the departing Knockouts.

The announcement comes shortly after reports surfaced regarding uncertainty surrounding Sade’s future with the company. According to recent reports, Sade’s contract had expired prior to TNA’s television tapings in Philadelphia, leaving her status up in the air.

While there had reportedly been interest from other wrestling promotions and discussions between Sade and TNA about a potential new deal, the two sides were ultimately unable to reach an agreement. No specific reason has been disclosed regarding the failed negotiations.

Sade joined TNA after previously competing in WWE as Jakara Jackson, where she was a member of the Meta-Four faction in NXT.

TNA Teases Knockouts Division Return

While TNA is losing two members of its Knockouts roster, the company also hinted that a familiar face could soon be returning.

As part of its announcement, TNA revealed that a former titleholder is set to return to the Knockouts Division. However, the promotion did not provide any additional details regarding the identity of the returning star.

The mystery has already sparked speculation among fans, as several former TNA Knockouts Champions and Knockouts Tag Team Champions are currently available.

Could Zelina Vega Return To TNA?

One notable name who fits the description is Zelina Vega, who recently became a free agent following the expiration of her 90-day non-compete clause after her WWE release earlier this year.

Before joining WWE, Vega competed in TNA Wrestling under the ring name Rosita from 2011 to 2013. During that run, she captured the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship alongside Sarita in March 2011.

At this time, TNA has not revealed when the returning former champion will appear or whether that individual will immediately join the active Knockouts roster.

For now, the Knockouts Division says goodbye to both Jody Threat and Mara Sade while fans wait to learn the identity of TNA’s mystery returning champion.