AEW may be dealing with another unfortunate injury setback, as PAC appeared to suffer a significant injury during this week’s episode of Dynamite, live from Baltimore, MD.
The incident occurred during his highly anticipated matchup against Swerve Strickland. Multiple sources have reported that the injury seems to be centered around PAC’s right foot or ankle. The match, which had been delivering on expectations, came to a sudden halt following a buckle bomb from Strickland. Immediately afterward, PAC was seen clutching his lower leg in visible pain and rolled to the outside.
AEW medical personnel quickly checked on the former Trios Champion at ringside. Although PAC attempted to stay involved, it became clear he couldn’t continue, and he was helped to the back by officials. Swerve closed out the match swiftly with a kick followed by his signature Stomp to pick up the win.
At this time, AEW has yet to issue an official statement on the severity of the injury or PAC’s status going forward. The timing is especially rough considering PAC had just begun gaining momentum again after extended time off due to previous injuries.
With WrestleMania 41 just around the corner, WWE continues to build anticipation—not just for the in-ring action, but for one of the most emotional nights of the year: the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. While names like Triple H, Michelle McCool, Lex Luger, and the legendary tag team of The Natural Disasters (Typhoon & Earthquake) were already confirmed for the Class of 2025, WWE has now revealed three more legends who will join this year’s prestigious lineup.
In an announcement made Wednesday, WWE confirmed that Kamala, Dory Funk Sr., and Ivan Koloff will be honored as Legacy inductees for the 2025 class. Their addition brings this year’s total inductees to eight. And for the first time ever, a match will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as well—Bret Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13, a bout often hailed as one of the greatest in WWE history.
Remembering Kamala, The Ugandan Giant
Few characters in wrestling history were as instantly recognizable—or as feared—as Kamala. With his tribal war paint, imposing presence, and unpredictable demeanor, Kamala was a standout villain during WWE’s golden era in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Iconic battles against the likes of The Undertaker and Hulk Hogan helped cement his legacy. But behind the menacing persona was a performer who fans came to love over time—a gentle giant who left a lasting impression on the business.
Dory Funk Sr.: A Pioneer and Promoter
Dory Funk Sr. may not have the mainstream name recognition of some of his contemporaries, but his fingerprints are all over wrestling history. A highly respected amateur wrestler in the NWA during the 1950s and ’60s, Funk Sr. went on to become one of wrestling’s most influential promoters. Based in Amarillo, Texas, he built the Western States Sports territory into a key developmental hub, nurturing future legends like Harley Race, Bruiser Brody, and, of course, his own sons—Dory Funk Jr. and the hardcore icon Terry Funk.
Ivan Koloff: The Man Who Shocked the Garden
Ivan Koloff’s legacy is etched in one historic moment: January 18, 1971, when he ended Bruno Sammartino’s nearly eight-year WWE Championship reign at Madison Square Garden. That jaw-dropping upset forever changed the landscape of professional wrestling. Known for his rugged, powerhouse style and fierce intensity, Koloff played the role of foreign heel to perfection during a politically charged era in wrestling. His place in the Hall of Fame has been long overdue, and this induction finally gives “The Russian Bear” his due.
The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most well-rounded groups in recent memory, blending iconic performers, pioneering figures, and unforgettable moments. With WrestleMania 41 looming large, fans now have even more to celebrate as the legends of the past take their rightful place in wrestling immortality.
The road to Stand & Deliver just got a lot more chaotic — and a lot more exciting — as the NXT Women’s Championship picture saw a major shakeup on Tuesday night’s episode of WWE NXT.
The show kicked off with Jaida Parker squaring off against TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace in a match with championship implications. NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer was on commentary, poised to reveal her challenger for Stand & Deliver after the bout. But things spiraled out of control before she could even finish her thought.
After a fast-paced start, the match broke down outside the ring. Parker, never one to back down from confrontation, slapped Vaquer at ringside. The champ fired back, but in the chaos accidentally nailed Grace, prompting the referee to call for the disqualification. That didn’t stop the fight, though — all three women kept brawling, and just when things couldn’t get any more volatile, Giulia’s music hit.
The former NXT Women’s Champion made a thunderous return, sprinting to the ring and aligning with Vaquer — or so it seemed. After fending off Parker and Grace, Giulia turned on her ally-turned-rival, hitting Vaquer with a devastating Death Valley Driver and holding the title high above her head, a clear message that she’s back and wants her gold.
Later in the night, a furious and defiant Vaquer told NXT General Manager Ava that she will defend her title against all three challengers — Giulia, Jaida Parker, and Jordynne Grace — in a fatal four-way match at Stand & Deliver.
This marks Giulia’s first appearance on NXT TV since dropping the title to Vaquer at Roadblock in Madison Square Garden last month. Though there were rumors of an injury following her title loss, she had quietly been working non-televised live events, and now she’s made her presence felt in a major way.
With four top-tier competitors and no shortage of personal animosity, the NXT Women’s Championship match at Stand & Deliver is shaping up to be one of the most must-see bouts of WrestleMania weekend. Will Vaquer survive the onslaught, or is Giulia poised to reclaim her throne?
Stay tuned — NXT’s women’s division just became the hottest ticket in town.
WWE’s newest initiative to bridge the gap between the independent scene and its own developmental system just got even more intriguing.
After unveiling the WWE ID program last year — a developmental track specifically designed to scout and develop independent talent — WWE has now pulled the curtain back on the WWE ID Championships, one each for the men’s and women’s divisions. The inaugural champions will be determined through a double-elimination tournament kicking off during WrestleMania week in Las Vegas, but there’s a major twist: once crowned, those champions must defend the titles against any indie wrestler willing to step up — not just their fellow ID signees.
Yes, you read that right. Once the first official WWE ID Champions are crowned, the titles will be defended across various independent promotions. And if a non-ID, unsigned wrestler manages to capture the gold, they won’t just walk away with the title — they’ll also be awarded a WWE ID contract.
According to WWE’s announcement:
“The WWE ID Championships will be open to all independent wrestlers once the champions are crowned. The titles will be defended at various independent wrestling events. If a non-WWE ID prospect wins the title, they will be awarded a WWE ID contract.”
The concept is already generating buzz across the wrestling world, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity for unsigned talent to fight their way into WWE — not via tryouts or dark matches, but through proving themselves against WWE ID’s best inside the squared circle.
The Tournament Begins at WrestleMania Week
The road to crowning the first WWE ID Champions kicks off in Las Vegas during WrestleMania week with two major events:
April 16 at GCW’s “The Collective 2025” The opening salvo of the ID Tournament goes down under the GCW banner, where we already have confirmed first-round matches:
Kylie Rae vs. Zayda Steel in a women’s bout
It’s GAL vs. Cappuccino Jones on the men’s side
April 18 at Future Stars of Wrestling (FSW) More men’s tournament action will take place following SmackDown, including:
Sean Legacy vs. Ricky Smokes
Brad Baylor vs. Ice Williams
The tournament features a double-elimination format, meaning each competitor must lose twice to be eliminated. All current WWE ID prospects are participating, setting the stage for fierce in-ring competition and plenty of eyes on potential breakout stars.
What This Means for the Indies
This move represents a bold step forward in WWE’s approach to talent development, effectively creating a hybrid title system that lives both within and outside the WWE ecosystem. By making the ID Championships defendable on the indie circuit, WWE is injecting its scouting efforts with real stakes — and giving unsigned talents something massive to fight for.
It’s a unique opportunity for indie wrestlers to earn a WWE contract by doing what they do best — performing in front of passionate, grassroots crowds. For fans, it means high-stakes matches popping up on independent cards, with WWE implications on the line.
The wrestling world will be watching closely to see who walks out of Las Vegas with gold in hand — and how soon an outsider steps up to shake up the system.
From cheering in the front row to fighting for a chance at championship gold — Izzy Moreno’s story just keeps getting better.
The indie standout, best remembered by longtime fans as Bayley’s young superfan during NXT’s black-and-gold era, is now looking to carve her own path in the squared circle. And she’s eyeing a major opportunity: a spot in WWE ID’s Championship Tournament during WrestleMania Week.
Izzy made her intentions clear in a fired-up video posted to her social media, where she threw her name into the mix for the upcoming WWE ID Championship Tournament set to take place at GCW’s event on April 16 in Las Vegas.
“What if…..I mean what if @WWEID called me to be in the opening round of the WWE ID Championship tournament at @GCWrestling_ on April 16th in Las Vegas?” she teased.
“No more what ifs…. Izzy Moreno is ready for the WWE ID championship tournament! 😤 💪”
The WWE ID account wasted no time responding — and they didn’t hand her a spot. Instead, they handed her a challenge.
Izzy will have to earn her way into the tournament by defeating rising WWE ID prospect Zara Zakher in a non-tournament qualifier match at the April 16 GCW show. It’s a high-stakes moment for both women, with the winner securing a spot in the actual WWE ID Championship Tournament bracket.
“You have a world of potential, Izzy,” WWE ID wrote in response. “However, you have to earn your way into the WWE ID Championship tournament.”
This sets the stage for what could be a breakout moment for Moreno, who’s been grinding on the independent scene while sharpening her in-ring game. Though she’s still early in her career, the buzz around her name — thanks to both her childhood connection to WWE and her growing credibility as a performer — makes this upcoming clash with Zakher one to watch.
For Izzy, this isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about proving she belongs in the ring with today’s top prospects and tomorrow’s superstars.
April 16 in Vegas could be the night she flips the script from “superfan” to “serious contender.”
What if…..I mean what if @WWEID called me to be in the opening round of the WWE ID Championship tournament at @GCWrestling_ on April 16th in Las Vegas?
Kevin Owens is keeping his chin up — even if it’s his neck that needs fixing.
After delivering a surprising and emotional announcement on WWE SmackDown last week, Kevin Owens confirmed he’ll be stepping away from the ring to undergo neck surgery. The news sparked concern among fans, with some even speculating this could be a career-threatening situation. But if you ask KO himself? He’s not ready to hang up the boots just yet.
Speaking on the My Mom’s Basement podcast, Owens offered a candid and hopeful update on his condition and future in WWE. While acknowledging the seriousness of the injury, “The Prizefighter” made it clear that a return is very much on his mind.
“I know I’ll come back — or at the very least, I really hope I come back. You know, I guess there’s … I never take anything for granted in what we do, so who knows? But it’s pretty likely I’ll come back,” Owens said.
More than just a return, Owens already has his sights set on a dream singles match against none other than Randy Orton. The two briefly clashed at WrestleMania 40 in a triple threat match that also involved Logan Paul, but Owens wants another shot — one-on-one with “The Viper.”
“Maybe we could do it [a match with Orton at WrestleMania] eventually,” he added, suggesting that he’s not done chasing WrestleMania moments.
As for his recovery timeline, the former Universal Champion admitted it’s still early days. He hasn’t spoken to his surgeon yet — that appointment is set for this week — but based on what others have experienced with similar injuries, Owens estimates his absence could last anywhere from six to twelve months.
“Most of the people who have gone through similar things have probably, you know, six months to eight months to a year. So I would assume within that range, but I don’t really know. Like I said, it’s all really new right now.”
Owens’ last match came at Elimination Chamber in February, where he picked up a win over longtime friend (and sometimes rival) Sami Zayn — a fitting high note before taking time off.
While there’s still a long road ahead, Owens’ passion for the business and his desire for that elusive singles match with Orton could be the fuel he needs to power through recovery. For now, fans will have to wait — but if history has taught us anything, it’s that Kevin Owens always finds a way to fight back.
Stay locked in to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for updates on KO’s status and all things WWE.
AEW Dynasty 2025 delivered a stacked night of action, featuring title changes, the emotional implosion of Rated FTR and the return of The Young Bucks. From pre-show chaos to main event drama, here’s your full breakdown of everything that went down.
Zero Hour Pre-Show Highlights
CRU & Nick Wayne def. Top Flight & AR Fox The Patriarchy picked up steam with a hard-fought victory, despite interference attempts from Kip Sabian. AR Fox had the crowd on fire with a sequence of high-octane offense, but Nick Wayne sealed the deal with a brutal Wayne’s World to grab the win for his team.
Anthony Bowens def. Max Caster – Max Caster Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge Max Casters former The Acclaimed tag team partner Anthony Bowens with “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn answered the challenge. After swiping Caster’s “Best Wrestler Alive” moniker, Bowens leveled him with a Famouser for the win.
Main Card Results
Will Ospreay def. Kevin Knight – Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal (Men’s) Ospreay and Knight tore it down in a fast-paced opening bout. Knight gave Ospreay everything he could handle, but a late surge by “The Aerial Assassin” — including a Styles Clash, Os Cutter, and finally the Hidden Blade — punched Ospreay’s ticket to the semis.
The Hurt Syndicate (c) def. Bryan Keith & Big Bill – AEW World Tag Team Titles Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin retained their titles with help from MJF, who made a surprise appearance in the crowd, hits Big Bill with a forearm and led the fans cheering for The Hurt Syndicate. A spear by Lashley on Keith sealed the victory as The Hurt Syndicate continues to dominate the tag division.
Mercedes Moné def. Julia Hart – Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal (Women’s) Moné survived Julia Hart’s aggressive offense and multiple pinfall attempts. After escaping the Hartless submission, Moné locked in the Statement Maker for the decisive win. Harley Cameron was shown scouting from backstage.
The Death Riders (c) def. Rated FTR – AEW Trios Championship A hard-hitting war ended in heartbreak — not just defeat — for Cope and FTR. After an epic bout featuring tandem submissions and aerial chaos, Wheeler Yuta scored the pinfall with a Busaiku Knee. Post-match, Dax Harwood shockingly turned on Cope, delivering a piledriver and ordering a brutal chair assault. Wheeler initially tried to stop him but eventually joined in. FTR hit a Shatter Machine and Con-Chair-To, leaving Cope stretchered out.
Toni Storm (c) def. Megan Bayne – AEW Women’s World Championship Storm retained in a physically intense contest that saw interference from both Penelope Ford and Luther. After weathering Bayne’s powerhouse offense, Storm countered with a roll-up to escape with her title intact.
Kyle Fletcher def. Mark Briscoe – Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal (Men’s) Briscoe’s brawling spirit was alive and well, but Fletcher’s resilience and technical edge earned him the win. Despite absorbing a Razor’s Edge and elbow drop, Fletcher powered through and connected with a Brainbuster to advance.
Bandido def. Chris Jericho – ROH World Championship (Title vs. Mask) Bandido is your new Ring of Honor World Champion — but only after the match had to be restarted due to Jericho’s underhanded tactics. After a bat-assisted pinfall, the referee reversed the decision, and Bandido capitalized on the chaos, landing a 21 Plex to score the three-count. Jericho’s mask-snatching plan backfired big time.
Adam Cole def. Daniel Garcia – TNT Championship With ringside banned, this was a straight-up fight. Cole’s knee was targeted early, but he dug deep and landed two Panama Sunrises and The Boom to capture the TNT Title. Post-match, a show of respect between the two.
Kenny Omega (c) def. Speedball Mike Bailey & Ricochet – AEW International Championship In a show-stealing triple threat, Omega outlasted two of wrestling’s most explosive strikers. After a relentless flurry of dives, suplexes, and 450 splashes, Omega hit a One Winged Angel on Ricochet from the middle rope to retain. Post-match, Kazuchika Okada emerged, Continental Title in hand, confronting Omega and teasing a dream title vs. title clash.
Main Event: Jon Moxley (c) def. Swerve Strickland – AEW World Championship
This brutal affair between Moxley and Swerve Strickland lived up to the hype — and chaos. From fighting on the steps to a ladder-assisted meteora through the announce table, both men pulled out all the stops. Just as Swerve seemed to have Mox beat with a top-rope Swerve Stomp, the lights cut out — and The Young Bucks appeared, landing a BTE Trigger on Strickland. Moxley crawled into the cover to retain.
Watch the AEW Dynasty Post-Show Media Scrum below.
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