Author: John Bass

Report: WWE Star Randy Orton Expected Back Soon

With WrestleMania 41 fast approaching, WWE’s top stars are locking in their spots for the grandest stage of them all. Now, a new report suggests that Randy Orton could soon be back in the mix, just in time for the event in Las Vegas, Nevada.

According to PWInsider Elite, Orton is expected to return to WWE by March, potentially making his in-ring comeback during WWE’s Road to WrestleMania tour in Europe. This timeline would put “The Viper” on track to compete at WrestleMania itself, marking his 19th appearance at WWE’s biggest event.

Orton’s Road to Recovery and a Potential Owens Feud

Orton has been out of action since November 2024 after WWE says he suffered a cervical cord neurapraxia following a brutal piledriver from Kevin Owens. The injury put a sudden halt to Orton’s momentum, but with WWE officials reportedly expecting his return soon, the speculation has already begun about what his WrestleMania match could look like.

One likely scenario? A showdown with Owens. The two superstars initially teamed up heading into WrestleMania 40, joining forces with Cody Rhodes to battle The Bloodline. However, after Owens turned on Rhodes at Bash in Berlin, he also betrayed Orton, setting the stage for a heated rivalry. With Owens already set to face Sami Zayn in an unsanctioned match at Elimination Chamber this weekend, Orton could make his return soon after to reignite their unfinished business.

Orton’s WrestleMania Legacy Continues

If Orton does compete at WrestleMania 41, it will further solidify his status as one of WWE’s most consistent performers on the grandest stage. With 18 previous WrestleMania matches, he trails only Triple H (23 WrestleMania appearances) and The Undertaker (27 WrestleMania appearances) in all-time history.

Despite missing WrestleMania 32 (2016) and WrestleMania 39 (2023), Orton has been a fixture at the event ever since his first appearance at WrestleMania 20 in 2004. Whether he faces Owens or another top WWE star, his return would add another major name to an already stacked WrestleMania 41 card.

With March right around the corner, Orton’s return could be imminent—will he get revenge on Owens, or does WWE have another plan in store for “The Viper”? Stay tuned as the Road to WrestleMania heats up!

“Legit” Leyla Hirsch Set to Depart AEW as Contract Expires

Another name is hitting the free-agent market as “Legit” Leyla Hirsch is set to part ways with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). According to PWInsider Elite, Hirsch’s contract is set to expire at the end of February, and she has opted not to re-sign with the company. Since her deal is simply running out rather than being terminated, she will not be subject to a non-compete clause, meaning she’ll be free to wrestle elsewhere immediately.

Hirsch’s AEW Run: From Breakout Star to Injury Setback

Hirsch first appeared in AEW in 2020, making her debut on AEW Dark during the pandemic-era tapings at Daily’s Place. Her performances impressed AEW management, leading to a multi-year contract in March 2021. She quickly became a regular in the AEW women’s division, gaining traction throughout the year before entering a notable feud with Kris Statlander leading into Revolution 2022.

However, just as Hirsch’s momentum was building, an unfortunate injury derailed her career. In April 2022, she suffered a torn ACL during a dark match, which required surgery and sidelined her for over a year.

A New Chapter in ROH and What’s Next

When Hirsch finally returned in mid-2023, she found herself primarily competing in Ring of Honor (ROH) rather than AEW’s main roster. There, she delivered standout performances, including a Texas Death Match against Diamante at Death Before Dishonor 2024 and a title challenge against Red Velvet for the ROH Women’s World Television Championship at Final Battle. Her match at Final Battle ultimately marked her last appearance under the AEW/ROH umbrella.

Now, with her contract expiring, Hirsch is officially a free agent, opening the door for new opportunities across the wrestling world. Whether she finds a new home in another major promotion or hits the independent scene, one thing is certain—she brings experience, resilience, and a hard-hitting style wherever she goes.

TNA Impact Preview 2/27/2025

TNA Wrestling will present a new episode of Impact tonight on AXS TV, with NXT champion Oba Femi appearing on the show. The lineup includes:

  • TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship – Losers Become Personal Concierge: Spitfire (c) vs. Ash & Heather by Elegance
  • Oba Femi & The Hardys vs. The System
  • Mance Warner vs. Sami Callihan
  • Ace Austin vs. Frankie Kazarian
  • Mike Santana vs. TBD
  • Tessa Blanchard must wrestle or she’s fired

ROH TV Preview 2/27/2025

Ring of Honor will present a new episode of ROH TV tonight on HonorClub, with several matches announced. The lineup includes:

  • Gravity vs. Dark Panther
  • La Catalina vs. Lady Frost
  • Magnus, Soberano Jr. & Volador Jr. vs. Mascara Dorada, Atlantis Jr. & Templario
  • Blake Christian vs. Fuego Del Sol
  • Esfinge, Atlantis &Fuego vs. Gran Guerrero, Euforia & Rocky Romero
  • The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) in action

Debunking the Rumors: Vince McMahon Is Not Starting a New Wrestling Promotion

Rumors have been swirling about Vince McMahon making a return to the professional wrestling industry, with speculation that he’s looking to recruit former WWE executives and experienced production staff for a new promotion. However, multiple sources have now debunked these claims.

On the latest 83 Weeks podcast, Eric Bischoff and Conrad Thompson entertained the idea that FOX could be involved in this supposed new wrestling venture. However, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that a FOX spokesperson denied any involvement with McMahon, stating that the rumors were false.

Additionally, Dave Meltzer addressed the speculation on Wrestling Observer Radio, firmly stating, “He’s not starting a wrestling promotion. I can tell you that.” While fellow analyst Bryan Alvarez mentioned that McMahon wants to start a company, Meltzer clarified that it would be an entertainment company—not a wrestling promotion.

Meltzer also pointed out that even if McMahon did launch a wrestling promotion, he’d face a steep uphill battle. Alvarez noted that he would initially rank as the fourth-biggest company in the industry, behind WWE, AEW, and TNA. Meltzer suggested that McMahon could eventually surpass TNA, but with top-tier talent already locked into existing contracts, establishing a competitive promotion would be extremely difficult.

After his highly publicized exit from WWE amid legal controversies, McMahon’s future remains uncertain. While he may be exploring new business ventures, all credible reports indicate that a return to wrestling is not on the table.

Report: Reason Why WWE NXT Booked Double Title Match For Roadblock

A major champion in WWE NXT is reportedly dealing with an injury, which may explain the high-stakes title match set for NXT Roadblock.

On this week’s episode of NXT, General Manager Ava announced that NXT Women’s Champion Giulia will face Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer in a rare double-title match, with both championships on the line. However, new reports suggest that this match may have been booked due to an injury concern.

Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Live revealed that one of the competitors is currently banged up and needs time off, though he didn’t specify which one. However, WrestlePurists and Ibou of Self Made later confirmed on social media that Giulia is the one dealing with an injury. PWInsider Elite also reported that the NXT Women’s Champion is hurt, though the exact nature of her injury remains unknown. Despite this, multiple sources confirm that Giulia is still scheduled to compete at Roadblock.

Giulia has been on a dominant run since capturing the NXT Women’s Championship from Roxanne Perez at New Year’s Evil on January 7. She successfully defended the title against Perez, Bayley, and Cora Jade in a Fatal 4-Way at Vengeance Day, and her upcoming clash with Vaquer marks her second defense.

With both titles at stake, Roadblock could significantly shake up NXT’s women’s division. However, with Giulia reportedly competing through an injury, fans will be watching closely to see how it impacts the match—and what the future holds for her reign.

AEW Dynamite Preview 2/26/2025

AEW Dynamite will air live tonight coast to coast on TBS and will also air live on Max from the Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California.

  • AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Orange Cassidy – Winner faces Kenny Omega at AEW Revolution
  • Trios Match: TNT Champion Daniel Garcia and FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) vs. Undisputed Kingdom (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong)
  • We’ll hear from Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana
  • Bounty Match: Bryan Keith vs. Will Ospreay
  • Deonna Purrazzo vs. Harley Cameron
  • Hangman Adam Page will be in action
  • We’ll hear from MJF

FOX Denies Involvement In A Reported Vince McMahon Wrestling Promotion

The wrestling world is buzzing with speculation that Vince McMahon might be eyeing a return to the business. Reports suggest that the former WWE Chairman could be looking to bring back ex-WWE executives and reconnect with veteran wrestling production staff. The topic was recently discussed on the 83 Weeks podcast, where Eric Bischoff and Conrad Thompson even speculated that FOX could be backing a new McMahon-led wrestling promotion.

However, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand has poured cold water on those rumors—at least as far as FOX is concerned. Marchand reported that a network spokesperson denied any involvement with McMahon in such a project. He stated, “There is a report that Vince McMahon might start a wrestling company with FOX as a partner. If McMahon is planning that or not, I don’t know, but the FOX part is not true, according to a network spokesman.”

While McMahon’s next move remains uncertain, the idea of him re-entering the wrestling landscape isn’t far-fetched. After selling WWE to Endeavor and stepping away following multiple controversies, some believe he might not be ready to stay on the sidelines permanently. Whether this is just speculation or the beginning of something real, one thing is clear—when it comes to Vince McMahon, the wrestling world will always be watching.

WWE NXT Preview 2/25/2025

WWE NXT live tonight on The CW from the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.

  • NXT Women’s North American Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Karmen Petrovic
  • TNA X-Division Championship: Moose (c) vs. Lexis King
  • The Hardys vs. NQCC (Myles Borne & Tavion Heights)
  • Ricky Saint & Je’Von Evans vs. Wes Lee & Ethan Page

Report – WWE Employee Morale Low

As WWE continues to rake in record-breaking revenue following its merger with UFC under the TKO umbrella, behind the scenes, employees are feeling the pressure—and not in a good way. Despite the company’s booming financials, many WWE staff members are seeing cutbacks in benefits, limited promotions, and heavier workloads, leading to growing frustration and declining morale.

Financial Success vs. Employee Struggles

TKO Group Holdings is set to report its fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 earnings, with projections placing revenue between $2.67 billion and $2.75 billion and an adjusted EBITDA of up to $1.24 billion. These figures come on the heels of WWE’s most lucrative period ever, marked by a $5 billion streaming deal with Netflix, record-breaking live event ticket sales, and blockbuster deals such as its ongoing partnership with Saudi Arabia.

However, despite the company’s financial windfall, employees say they aren’t seeing the benefits. In an anonymous report to Wrestlenomics, multiple WWE staff members described a significant decline in workplace morale. Their concerns? Reduced benefits, stagnant pay, and increased workloads—all while WWE’s corporate messaging continues to emphasize “valuing” its workforce.

Perks Cut and Pay Raises Stagnant

One of the major sore points for employees is the elimination of several perks that once made working for WWE more rewarding. Among the key changes:

  • Stock Purchase Program Eliminated – WWE employees previously had the option to buy shares at a 15% discount, allowing them to invest in the company’s success. With the merger, this program was scrapped, leaving staff without a similar opportunity.
  • Fewer Pay Raises and Promotions – Many employees received only a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, despite strong performance reviews. Some who expected significant raises or career advancements were told the company wasn’t in a position to offer them due to “budget constraints” tied to the merger.
  • Cutting of Employee Recognition Programs – WWE’s popular “Superstar” peer-recognition program was discontinued, removing one of the ways employees could be acknowledged for their contributions.
  • No More Free Event Tickets – WWE previously provided complimentary tickets to live events as a perk, but this benefit has also been taken away.

For many employees, these cutbacks come at a time when workloads have only increased. With WWE and UFC operations consolidating under Endeavor’s oversight, many staff members report working 50 to 60 hours a week, particularly as WrestleMania season approaches. Some have even seen their job responsibilities expand beyond WWE, now tasked with supporting Endeavor properties like UFC and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) without additional compensation.

The Growing Gap Between Executives and Employees

While WWE employees are being told that financial constraints are limiting raises and benefits, top TKO executives have been raking in massive payouts. CEO Ari Emanuel received a $20 million cash bonus on top of stock grants, while other executives were awarded millions in bonuses and stock options following the merger.

At the same time, TKO recently announced a $2 billion stock buyback program and continues to pay out quarterly dividends to institutional investors. While these moves benefit shareholders and executives, they do little for the rank-and-file employees who help drive WWE’s success.

Is WWE’s Work Culture Changing?

For years, WWE has thrived on a culture of passion and dedication, with employees willing to go the extra mile to help put on world-class entertainment. However, with morale at an all-time low, some staff members now say they’re hesitant to give the same level of effort.

With WWE employees not unionized and limited avenues for recourse, many fear that workloads will continue to increase without additional benefits or compensation. With TKO likely to pursue further acquisitions, concerns are growing that the situation could get even worse.

For now, WWE may be setting financial records, but internally, its workforce is feeling increasingly undervalued. If this trend continues, the company could soon find itself facing another challenge—retaining the very employees who helped make its success possible.