Author: John Bass

Adam Copeland Is Expected To Return To AEW TV Very Soon

Former AEW TNT Champion Adam Copeland has been absent from the ring since suffering a brutal tibia injury during his Barbed Wire Steel Cage Match against Malakai Black at Double or Nothing in May. The injury forced Copeland to relinquish the TNT Championship and put him on the sidelines for months. However, it seems his time away is finally coming to an end.

According to a report from Fightful Select, Copeland has officially been medically cleared to return and could be making his comeback sooner rather than later. Most in AEW reportedly believe that his return will take place on the January 1 episode of AEW Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen. The timing and location make a lot of sense for several reasons.

Firstly, AEW’s January 1 Dynamite marks their streaming debut on MAX, making it a major milestone for the company. Secondly, the show will take place in Asheville, North Carolina, a city where Copeland currently resides. Adding more fuel to the speculation, FTR, who are also Asheville locals, recently teased that they wouldn’t be coming to Fight for the Fallen “alone.” If those comments are anything to go by, Copeland could very well be joining them in some capacity.

While Copeland has reportedly been training in preparation for his in-ring return after being medically cleared , he’s also been keeping busy outside the ring. He’s currently shooting the second season of Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians, where he plays Ares, the God of War. The filming is expected to wrap in January, so it remains to be seen whether Copeland’s potential appearance at Fight for the Fallen will be a one-off or if he’ll resume a more consistent schedule.

Interestingly, Copeland’s acting career has been thriving. He recently earned a Children’s and Family Emmy Award nomination for his work as Ares in the first season of Percy Jackson. Between his wrestling success and his Hollywood recognition, Copeland is proving once again why he’s one of the most versatile stars in the industry.

Adding to the importance of Fight for the Fallen, all proceeds from the show will go toward hurricane relief efforts in Asheville and surrounding areas following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. With AEW combining a charitable cause, a major streaming debut, and a potential surprise return, the January 1 Dynamite could be one of AEW’s biggest shows of the year.

Will Adam Copeland return to AEW on January 1 and kick off 2025 with a bang? If the speculation holds true, fans are in for an unforgettable night in Asheville! Stay tuned to wrestlingnewsblog.com for any updates on Copeland’s status and AEW’s Fight for the Fallen.

ROH Final Battle 12/20/2024 (Card)

Ring Of Honor – Final Battle – December 20, 2024 · New York, NY · Hammerstein Ballroom

Main Card:

ROH Women’s World Championship Match:
Athena (c) vs. Billie Starkz

ROH World Championship Match:
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Matt Cardona

ROH Women’s TV Championship Match:
Red Velvet (c) vs. Leyla Hirsch

ROH World Tag Team Championships Texas Bull Rope Match:
Sammy Guevara & Dustin Rhodes (c) vs. The Righteous

ROH TV Championship Survival of the Fittest Match:
Brian Cage (c) vs. AR Fox vs. Willie Mack vs. Komander vs. Blake Christian vs. Mark Davis

ROH Pure Championship Open Challenge:
Lee Moriarty (c) vs. TBD

QT Marshall vs. Jay Lethal

Atlantis Jr. vs. Mansoor

Katsuyori Shibata vs. “The Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington

Zero Hour:

The Infantry vs. Undisputed Kingdom

Alex Reynolds & John Silver vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Lee Johnson & EJ Nduka vs. Gates of Agony

Harley Cameron vs. Hanako

ROH Preview 12/19/2024

ROH TV tonight on HonorClub.

  • Lee Johnson vs. Bishop Kaun
  • Murder Machines (Lance Archer & Brian Cage) vs. Iron Savages (Beefcake Boulder & Bulk Bronson)
  • Queen Aminata vs. Lady Frost
  • Sidney Akeem vs. Serpentico
  • Grizzled Young Veterans and Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty) vs. Dark Order (Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds) and Undisputed Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven)
  • Billie Starkz & Athena vs. TBD
  • Update on Chris Jericho vs. Matt Cardona

TNA Wrestling In Active Contract Talks As Talent Departures Shake Up The Roster

TNA Wrestling is keeping busy behind the scenes as they prepare for the new year. According to a report from PWInsider, the company is currently in “active talks” with multiple talents regarding new contracts, signaling an effort to lock in key performers as their roster evolves.

This news comes on the heels of several notable departures. As previously reported, stars like KUSHIDA, Trent Seven, and Rhino have all recently wrapped up their time with TNA. While the promotion hasn’t officially commented on these exits, their departures mark a period of transition for TNA heading into 2024.

For fans tuning into TNA Impact on AXS TV, the next few weeks will feature the promotion’s annual Best of the Year episodes, celebrating standout matches and moments from 2023. The first episode featuring new in-ring content is currently set for January 2nd, kicking off what looks to be a pivotal year for TNA.

With TNA actively working to solidify its roster, the question remains: which talents will stick around, and could we see fresh faces join the promotion as it builds momentum? Stay tuned for updates as TNA’s 2024 plans continue to take shape.

Logan Paul Returns At WWE Raw-Netflix Event, Wants A World Title

Logan Paul is back in WWE, and he’s not holding back. Despite teasing retirement after becoming a father, the former United States Champion made a bold return at WWE Raw’s Netflix launch event at WWE headquarters on Wednesday. Paul’s comeback aligns with the red brand’s major move to Netflix, which is set to kick off on January 6.

In typical Logan Paul fashion, the social media sensation-turned-wrestler didn’t shy away from stirring the pot. In a fiery video posted to WWE’s official X account, Paul made it clear that he’s gunning for a top spot and doesn’t plan to ask for anyone’s approval.

“I see the narrative online that I’m a bully,” Paul admitted. “And guess what? I am a bully, and WWE is my playground. I’m not here to take part—I’m here to take over.”

Paul didn’t stop there. With his trademark confidence, he sent a warning to the entire WWE roster, vowing to dominate and take whatever he wants. “Your approval means nothing to me,” Paul said. “Because you’re still watching—and you will stay watching—because you are a spectator, and I am a star. I promise everyone watching: you’re looking at the future WWE World Champion, and his name is Logan Paul.”

Paul’s last WWE appearance was at SummerSlam in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where he fell short against LA Knight in a United States Championship match. Before that, he also lost to Knight in a Money in the Bank qualifying match and came up short against Cody Rhodes at King and Queen of the Ring. Despite those setbacks, Paul seems more determined than ever to climb to the top of WWE.

With Raw heading to Netflix and Paul’s bold declaration to capture a world title, one thing is certain: Logan Paul’s presence in WWE will be impossible to ignore. The question now is, can he back up his words and finally claim championship gold at the very top of the mountain?

AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash Preview 12/18/2024

AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash airs live tonight on TBS from the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC.

TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Mone’ (c) vs. Anna Jay

Jon Moxley, PAC and Wheeler Yuta vs. Hangman Page, Orange Cassidy and Jay hite

Continental Classic Gold League Match: Will Ospreay vs. Darby Allin

Continental Classic Blue League Match: Shelton Benjamin vs. The Beast Mortos

Hook and Katsuyori Shibata vs. Christian Cage and Nick Wayne

We’ll hear from FTR in a message from their hometown of Asheville, North Carolina

MJF will appear live

The Rock’s Next Potential WWE Appearance Revealed

The WWE Universe was stunned at WWE Bad Blood 2024 when Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a surprise return during the main event. Jimmy Uso had just assisted Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns in defeating Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, and in a moment that sent the crowd into a frenzy, The Rock emerged to count the decisive 1-2-3.

But it didn’t end there. After the match, The Rock shared an intense staredown with Cody, Roman, and Jimmy Uso, leaving fans with more questions than answers. The tension teased the possibility of something bigger on the horizon—and the speculation hasn’t stopped since.

WrestleMania 41: The Rock Addresses the Rumors

For months, the wrestling world has been buzzing about a potential showdown between The Rock and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. With The Rock’s involvement at Bad Blood, those rumors have only gained momentum.

However, The Rock himself recently attempted to cool the fire. When addressing WrestleMania chatter, he candidly dismissed the growing buzz, saying, “Don’t believe any of that bull***.”* Of course, wrestling fans know better than to take such comments at face value—especially with WWE’s knack for long-term storytelling.

The Rock Teased for WWE RAW’s Netflix Debut

Adding fuel to the speculation, WWE seems to be dropping subtle hints about The Rock’s next appearance. On this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW, General Manager Adam Pearce hyped the highly anticipated Netflix debut of RAW on January 6, 2025, at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

But eagle-eyed fans noticed something curious during the segment. Behind Pearce, a WWE production truck prominently displayed an image of The Rock—something that certainly didn’t seem accidental.

WrestleVotes, a reliable source for WWE backstage news, reported that these kinds of “easter eggs” are WWE’s way of subtly teasing future storylines or major returns. According to the report:

“If you watched RAW last night… Right over [Pearce’s] shoulder is a semi-truck with a big picture of The Rock. They don’t do that type of thing by accident… There’s a purpose for that. As far as I know, he’s expected to be there [on January 6].”

While WrestleVotes clarified that The Rock’s January 6 appearance doesn’t guarantee he’ll wrestle at WrestleMania 41, it’s clear WWE is keeping him in the mix for its major storylines.

What’s Next for The Final Boss?

The Rock’s connection to WWE remains strong, and it’s clear that his sporadic appearances will continue to be major events. With RAW set to make history as it moves to Netflix, having a Hollywood megastar like The Rock at the inaugural show makes perfect sense.

Whether this all leads to a massive WrestleMania 41 main event involving Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, or even Jimmy Uso remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: The Great One is back, and the road to WrestleMania just got a lot more electrifying.

Fans will want to keep an eye on RAW’s Netflix premiere on January 6 to see what WWE and The Rock have in store. If history has taught us anything, WWE never teases without a payoff.

Stay tuned to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for all the latest updates on The Rock, WWE’s move to Netflix, and the road to WrestleMania 41!

Matt Cardona Close To Signing With AEW (Report)

It looks like “Alwayz Ready” Matt Cardona might be closer than ever to a major return to the big leagues. According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer, AEW has officially offered Cardona a contract, with discussions reportedly nearing the finish line. While it’s unclear if the deal has been signed yet, Meltzer noted, “I know he was offered a contract. I don’t know if he signed. I guess maybe [he’s] close, yeah.”

If this deal comes through, it would mark Cardona’s first long-term contract with a major promotion since his WWE release in 2020. Cardona has been one of the busiest and most talked-about names on the independent scene since then, building a reputation in promotions like GCW, NWA, and IMPACT Wrestling. Now, he’s making waves again through a storyline with Chris Jericho that has been turning heads across AEW and its sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH).

AEW Merch and ROH Spotlights

Further fueling speculation about Cardona’s future, AEW has started selling official Matt Cardona merchandise through its online store. The shirt, featuring a skull rocking Cardona’s signature headband and the text “Alwayz Ready,” includes a notable detail in the fine print: “All Merchandise is owned by Ring of Honor.” This suggests that while Cardona may technically be signed to ROH, AEW’s flexible contracts would still allow him to make appearances on both platforms.

Cardona’s recent presence in ROH has been significant. On December 5, he stepped into the spotlight to challenge ROH World Champion Chris Jericho, setting up a showdown at Final Battle on December 20. Adding even more fuel to their feud, Jericho crashed Cardona’s December 14 booking at GCW, disguised in a hoodie and face bandana. Jericho blindsided Cardona with a baseball bat shot, allowing Effy to pick up the victory. But Jericho wasn’t done — after revealing his identity, he left Effy lying with a Judas Effect, adding an exclamation point to the chaos.

AEW Rampage Momentum

In AEW itself, Cardona has also been picking up momentum. On the December 13 episode of AEW Rampage, he secured a victory against rising star Bryan Keith. This win and the ongoing angle with Jericho suggest AEW may already be positioning Cardona for bigger things. However, if he does sign on the dotted line, the current story developments indicate that Cardona might see his primary role in ROH — at least for now — while still having the flexibility to shine under the AEW banner when Tony Khan and his creative team see fit.

A Long-Awaited Spotlight

For Matt Cardona, a major AEW/ROH contract would be the culmination of years of hustle and reinvention since his WWE departure. Cardona has proven himself as a versatile performer, capable of working as both a dominant main-eventer and an entertaining heel. From his hardcore battles in GCW to his indie world championships, Cardona has shown he can thrive anywhere. Now, as his feud with Jericho picks up steam, fans will be watching closely to see how this storyline unfolds — and where exactly Alwayz Ready ends up in AEW and ROH’s expanding universe.

With Final Battle just around the corner and the AEW/ROH machine gaining momentum, Cardona’s next move could be one of the biggest stories of the month. Stay tuned!

WWE NXT Preview 12/17/2024

WWE NXT live tonight on The CW from the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA.

  • WWE NXT Championship Match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Eddy Thorpe
  • WWE NXT Tag Team Championships Match: Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. Gallus (Joe Coffey & Wolfgang)
  • Oba Femi vs. Axiom
  • Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria
  • Wren Sinclair vs. Jaida Parker

WWE will also be taping next week’s episode to air on December 24 later tonight.

Is Jade Cargill Injured? Conflicting Reports Continue to Swirl Around WWE Star

The status of WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Jade Cargill has become one of the most confusing stories in wrestling right now. Ever since her abrupt backstage attack on the November 22 episode of WWE SmackDown, fans and insiders alike have been left scratching their heads about Cargill’s condition, her absence, and WWE’s overall direction for the Women’s Tag Team Championships.

A Timeline of Confusion

It all started when Cargill was written off TV after being ambushed and left sprawled on the hood of a car in a backstage segment. While the angle looked like classic WWE storytelling, it quickly fueled speculation that something else was at play. Was it an injury? A creative reset? Or simply time off for personal reasons?

Reports since then have been all over the map. Some outlets initially claimed Cargill was perfectly fine, while others hinted she might be dealing with a minor, undisclosed injury. Then came the revelation from PWInsider that Cargill was enjoying some downtime on vacation in the Bahamas and also focusing on non-wrestling ventures. That seemed to settle the matter—for a moment.

However, the waters were muddied once again after Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Live delivered a much more ominous update. Alvarez stated bluntly:

“Jade Cargill, by the way, I don’t care what you read online, okay? Jade Cargill is injured, and it’s serious, and I don’t know when she’s going to be back.”

This report paints a far less optimistic picture and leaves fans wondering just how serious Cargill’s situation really is.

What Does This Mean for the Women’s Tag Team Titles?

Despite rumors of a significant injury, WWE has yet to strip Cargill and her partner Bianca Belair of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Instead, WWE is temporarily filling the void by having Naomi step in as Belair’s partner for an upcoming title defense.

This move isn’t unprecedented. WWE has a history of creatively adjusting title situations when one half of a tag team is injured. Most recently, Piper Niven replaced Sonya Deville as Chelsea Green‘s partner when Deville suffered an ACL injury in 2023.

That said, the uncertainty surrounding Cargill’s health has sparked growing frustration among fans, especially given how her absence affected major events. Cargill was notably removed from the women’s WarGames match at Survivor Series and was replaced in the ongoing WWE Women’s United States Championship Tournament by Lash Legend.

WWE’s Silence Raises Questions

What’s most intriguing—or perhaps frustrating—is WWE’s silence on the matter. The company hasn’t provided any official update on Cargill’s injury status, nor have they addressed whether she and Belair will be able to continue as champions. If the injury is as serious as Alvarez claims, WWE will eventually need to make a decision about the titles, especially with Naomi temporarily filling in.

What’s Next for Cargill?

Jade Cargill’s WWE run has been highly anticipated since her signing earlier this year. After an impressive stint in AEW, she arrived in WWE with enormous buzz and has been positioned as a major star. However, her current absence—combined with the conflicting reports—has left her momentum in limbo.

For now, fans will have to wait for official word from WWE, though the uncertainty surrounding Cargill’s injury doesn’t appear to be clearing up anytime soon. Whether it’s a storyline, a minor setback, or something more severe, one thing’s for sure: the Women’s Tag Team Championship picture is as cloudy as ever.

Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to unfold.