TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight at 9/8c on AMC.
WWE NXT gained another notable addition this week as former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL officially made his debut appearance on Tuesday night’s episode of the brand.
With several NXT stars recently moving to WWE’s main roster, the developmental show is beginning to introduce a fresh wave of talent, and EVIL may be one of the most intriguing names yet.
During the show, NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo addressed the crowd and declared himself the centerpiece of the brand. D’Angelo confidently stated that nobody in NXT was capable of knocking him off the top spot.
That confidence was quickly interrupted.
A cloud of fog and dramatic lighting filled the arena before EVIL made his entrance wearing a dark black robe. The former NJPW star slowly approached the ring and came face-to-face with D’Angelo in a tense staredown.
Rather than speaking, EVIL handed the champion a shirt featuring Japanese text before turning and leaving the ring. The mysterious presentation left both fans and commentators speculating about his intentions.
Commentator Vic Joseph acknowledged EVIL’s accomplishments in Japan during the segment, referring to him as a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion. However, WWE stopped short of officially identifying him by the EVIL ring name, leaving some uncertainty surrounding what name he will ultimately use going forward in NXT.
Reports surfaced earlier this year that EVIL had signed with WWE following the expiration of his New Japan Pro-Wrestling contract. His final NJPW appearance took place on January 20 during the Road To The New Beginning tour, where he competed in an eight-man tag team match.
The segment also teased additional challengers for D’Angelo. Shortly after EVIL’s appearance, former No Quarter Catch Crew member Tavion Heights attacked the NXT Champion from behind. English wrestler Will Kroos then added to the chaos by landing a moonsault onto D’Angelo.
With several new threats emerging at once, Tony D’Angelo’s reign could soon become far more difficult — and EVIL’s arrival may end up being the biggest game changer of them all.
WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW.
After months of uncertainty surrounding the future of WWE NXT Premium Live Events, WWE has officially locked in a new broadcast partner—and it’s a move that could quietly reshape how fans access big shows moving forward.
Earlier this year, Peacock’s rights to NXT PLEs expired, leaving fans wondering where the brand’s marquee events would land next. That uncertainty became even more noticeable when NXT Stand & Deliver broke tradition by moving off WrestleMania weekend and streaming for free on WWE’s YouTube channel. It was an unusual move that hinted WWE was still figuring out its next step.
Now we have the answer.
WWE announced Tuesday that The CW Network—already home to weekly WWE NXT programming—has secured the rights to NXT Premium Live Events as part of a new multi-year agreement. While financial details weren’t revealed, the deal will see The CW air 20 NXT specials over the next several years.
The first event under the new agreement will be The Great American Bash, set to air later this summer. An exact date hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the show will mark the official start of this new era.
The CW’s Brad Schwartz framed the move as a natural extension of the network’s relationship with NXT, which began in 2024 under a five-year deal. According to Schwartz, NXT has already proven to be a reliable draw on Tuesday nights, bringing in a consistent and engaged audience. Adding the brand’s biggest events to the lineup simply keeps everything under one roof for viewers.
The bigger story here, though, is accessibility. This marks the first time in WWE history that Premium Live Events—whether from NXT or the main roster—will air on traditional free television. For years, WWE’s biggest shows have lived behind paywalls, from the WWE Network to Peacock and now ESPN’s platforms. This deal breaks that mold in a significant way.
For fans, it means easier access to major NXT moments without needing a subscription. For WWE, it’s another strategic shift as the company continues experimenting with how and where it distributes content in a rapidly changing media landscape.
After a brief period of limbo, NXT’s PLE future is no longer in question—and it’s heading somewhere no WWE event has gone before: straight to free TV.
WWE Raw live tonight on Netflix from the Sames Auto Center in Laredo, TX, beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.
WWE may be hitting the reset button on Friday Night SmackDown sooner rather than later.
After kicking off 2026 with an expanded three-hour format, new reports suggest the blue brand won’t be sticking with the longer runtime for much longer. According to Bodyslam+, WWE is planning to scale SmackDown back down to its traditional two-hour format within the next few weeks.
The shift would mark yet another adjustment in what has become a bit of a recurring experiment for the company. Earlier this year, there were already rumblings that WWE could follow a similar pattern to 2025—using the first few months of the year to run three-hour episodes before eventually trimming things back. Last year, that transition didn’t happen until July, but this time around, the change could come significantly earlier.
The original move to three hours was reportedly designed to strengthen network programming by providing a longer lead-in for other shows. However, the extended format hasn’t exactly been a hit across the board. Some within the wrestling world, including WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray, have been vocal about their belief that three hours is simply too long for a weekly wrestling show to maintain consistent quality.
For comparison, WWE Raw—now airing on Netflix Monday nights—clocks in at around two and a half hours including commercials, offering a slightly shorter but still substantial viewing experience.
If the reports hold true, SmackDown returning to two hours could be welcome news for fans who prefer a tighter, more focused weekly show.
WWE has reportedly made another round of roster cuts, with a wide range of talent—from established main roster names to rising NXT prospects—being let go from the company.
As of now, the list of releases includes several recognizable names who have played key roles on WWE programming in recent years. Among the أبرز departures are Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, and Santos Escobar, all of whom have had significant runs on the main roster. The exits of Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas), Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, and Erick Rowan also stand out, especially given their ties to various factions and storylines over the past few years.
The tag team division has also taken a hit, with the Motor City Machine Guns reportedly parting ways with WWE. Meanwhile, Joe Gacy and Andre Chase—both heavily featured during their time in NXT—are also included in the cuts.
On the women’s side, Zoey Stark and Alba Fyre are among those released, along with developmental names like Tyra Mae Steele and Sirena Linton.
The list extends deep into NXT, with several newer or lesser-known talents also being let go, including Tyson Dupont, Tyriek Igwe, Chris Island, Dante Chen, Malik Blade, Trill London, and Luca Crusifino.
At this stage, there’s no official word on whether more releases are expected, but the scope of the cuts suggests a significant shake-up behind the scenes. Situations like this often point to roster restructuring, budget considerations, or shifts in creative direction, particularly as WWE continues to evolve its talent pipeline between NXT and the main roster.
As always, talent releases can open the door for fresh opportunities elsewhere in the wrestling world, and it’ll be interesting to see where these performers land next. For now, though, the WWE roster looks noticeably different following this latest wave of departures.
As it stands, the following names have been released (so far):
WWE is continuing its recent trend of bolstering the main roster with fresh talent, and the next name officially on deck is none other than “Absolute” Ricky Saints.
During Friday night’s episode of SmackDown, a vignette aired confirming that the former NXT Champion will make his blue brand debut on the May 1 edition of the show, live from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The video package, which aired just before the main event, gave fans a quick but impactful look at Saints’ rise through WWE’s developmental system.
The highlight reel featured a mix of charisma-heavy shots and in-ring dominance, spotlighting his time as both NXT North American Champion and NXT Champion. It also put a strong emphasis on his finishing move, the “Roshambo,” an inverted powerbomb variation that has become synonymous with his matches. True to form, Saints closed out the package with a confident declaration: “I am the man, because I am ‘Absolute’ Ricky freakin’ Saints!”
As of now, WWE hasn’t revealed what Saints will be doing on his first night—whether it’s a match, promo, or confrontation—but expectations are already high given the way he’s been presented.
Interestingly, Saints won’t be the only recent NXT standout making the jump that night. Blake Monroe, another heavily hyped call-up, is also slated to arrive on SmackDown, making the May 1 episode feel like a major turning point for the brand’s roster.
There’s also an added layer of intrigue for longtime fans, as both Saints and Monroe previously made names for themselves in AEW under different identities—Ricky Starks and Mariah May. Now, they’re set to share the stage again, this time under the WWE banner.
With multiple call-ups already shaking things up and more potentially on the way, SmackDown is quickly becoming the landing spot for NXT’s top talent—and Ricky Saints looks ready to make an immediate impact when he finally steps into the spotlight next week.
WWE appears to be adding even more depth to its SmackDown women’s division, as Blake Monroe is officially on her way to the main roster.
During Friday night’s episode of SmackDown, a vignette aired promoting the arrival of “The Glamour,” confirming that Monroe will be joining the blue brand soon. The video package leaned into the same presentation style used during her NXT debut, featuring a voiceover alongside highlights from her recent run in WWE’s developmental system.
Monroe’s exit from NXT seems to have been solidified earlier in the week at NXT: Revenge, where she came up short in a casket match against current Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley. The visual of Paxley slamming the casket shut felt symbolic, effectively closing the chapter on Monroe’s time in NXT amid months of speculation about a call-up.
Before signing with WWE last year, Monroe was known to many fans as Mariah May in AEW, where she reached the top of the division as AEW Women’s World Champion. She arrived in NXT in June shortly after departing AEW, and it didn’t take long for her to make an impact.
Her in-ring debut came at the Great American Bash, where she teamed with Jordynne Grace to score a win over Fatal Influence. However, Monroe quickly shifted gears the very next night, turning on Grace and launching her first major storyline in WWE. She later captured the Women’s North American Championship at Halloween Havoc, defeating Zaria—who was defending the title on behalf of Sol Ruca—in one of her biggest moments on the brand.
Now, with polished character work and championship experience already under her belt, Monroe heads to SmackDown with momentum and a clear edge. Between her star power and the growing list of recent call-ups, it’s becoming clear that WWE is stacking the blue brand—and Monroe may be positioned to make an immediate splash once she arrives.
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