Author: John Bass

TNA Faces Major Roster Shake-Up As Multiple Stars Are Exiting The Company

TNA Wrestling is entering 2024 with some significant changes, as the company prepares for a wave of talent departures. Following Final Resolution and the most recent TNA Impact tapings, several key names appear to be closing out their runs with the promotion, signaling a major shake-up for the roster heading into the new year.

KUSHIDA Nearing the End of His TNA Run

One of the most notable names preparing to exit is Japanese star KUSHIDA. According to Fightful Select, KUSHIDA is currently wrapping up his last contracted run with TNA. While he’s been a prominent part of the promotion, KUSHIDA’s primary focus seems to be shifting back to New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), where he and Kevin Knight are the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. The duo will defend their titles at Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4, a clear indicator that NJPW will become his main priority moving forward.

KUSHIDA’s exit will leave a void in TNA’s international presence, as his blend of technical precision and high-flying style has been a key highlight for fans over the past year.

Trent Seven Officially Departs

Another international talent saying farewell is Trent Seven. Reports from PWInsider confirm that Seven has wrapped up his time with TNA, placing him alongside his Speedball Mountain partner “Speedball” Mike Bailey in the free-agent pool. Seven’s departure marks the end of his brief but impactful run with the company, where he delivered standout performances both as a singles competitor and in tag team action.

Jade Chung and Josh Alexander Eye Free Agency

Behind the scenes, Jade Chung has also exited TNA. Chung, who served as a ring announcer and on-screen personality, has officially confirmed her departure, a move supported by her husband, Josh Alexander. Interestingly, Alexander—one of TNA’s top stars and a former World Champion—could also be testing the waters of free agency in the near future. His potential departure would be a major blow to TNA, as Alexander has been a cornerstone of the promotion over the last several years.

Other Big Names on the Move

These exits join a growing list of talent either leaving TNA or reportedly considering their next steps. Among them:

  • Rhino, a TNA Hall of Famer, recently wrestled his final match at the latest Impact tapings, marking the end of an era. On the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that talent was asked to take a pay cut, which factored into Rhino’s exit. He said, “One of the things that happened was a lot of the talent was asked to take pay cuts, I don’t know how many, that was among the reasons Rhino left. So he left. His last match would have been on Saturday.”
  • AJ Francis (formerly known as Top Dolla in WWE) will become a free agent unless he receives a new contract offer before the year’s end.
  • Jordynne Grace, one of TNA’s most decorated Knockouts Champions, is rumored to be WWE-bound once her contract officially expires. Grace’s potential move to WWE has been a hot topic, given her star power and dominance in the Knockouts division.

What’s Next for TNA?

While the departures mark the end of an era for many familiar faces, TNA has long been a company that thrives on reinvention. The upcoming months will likely focus on rebuilding and introducing new talent to fill the gaps left behind. With stars like KUSHIDA, Trent Seven, and Jordynne Grace making waves across wrestling’s global landscape, TNA’s roster shake-up could serve as an opportunity for emerging talent to rise to the occasion.

For fans, the biggest question remains: Who will step up to lead TNA into 2024? As the promotion enters a new chapter, one thing’s for sure—change is coming, and all eyes will be on TNA to see how they adapt in the year ahead.

Mysterious “Zero” Teaser on WWE Raw Sparks Fan Speculation—Is Penta El Zero Miedo WWE-Bound?

WWE fans have been buzzing ever since Monday’s Raw aired a cryptic teaser video that left more questions than answers. The short clip, featuring what appeared to be a stylized “zero” with a line through it—drawn in orange on a black background—has sparked widespread speculation online. Accompanied by dramatic music, the minimalistic teaser has fans wondering: Is this the arrival of Penta El Zero Miedo?

https://twitter.com/Fightful/status/1868850404014145968/history

Penta El Zero Miedo, also known as Pentagon Jr., became a free agent at the end of November following the expiration of his AEW contract. Since then, his future in professional wrestling has been a major topic of conversation. The teaser video has only added fuel to the fire, with many fans interpreting the “zero” symbol as a nod to Penta’s iconic “Cero Miedo” persona.

Penta’s Possible WWE Move

Penta recently appeared in Mexico’s AAA promotion, where he delivered an emotional farewell that seemed to signal a shift in his career trajectory. If WWE is indeed the next chapter for the Lucha Bros standout, it would mark a major addition to their roster. However, signing with WWE would mean he could no longer work with AAA due to WWE’s strict contractual exclusivity.

Penta’s rumored move hasn’t been without drama. His brother and longtime tag team partner, Rey Fenix, remains tied to AEW after the promotion added injury time to his contract. The Lucha Bros’ absence from AEW programming since August 2024 reportedly stemmed from speculation that the duo had been in contact with WWE while still under contract—something that AEW President Tony Khan takes very seriously. Fenix’s frustrations with his treatment in AEW were also evident in now-deleted social media posts.

With Fenix expected to remain with AEW for at least another year, fans have questioned whether Penta would make the leap to WWE without his brother by his side. If Monday’s teaser is any indication, the answer might be a resounding yes.

What Could This Mean for WWE?

If Penta does debut in WWE, it would represent a significant signing for the company. Known for his hard-hitting style, charismatic presence, and trademark “Cero Miedo” taunt, Penta has been a fan favorite in every promotion he’s appeared in. WWE has increasingly shown interest in incorporating top-tier lucha libre talent into its programming, and Penta could make an immediate impact—whether as a singles star or part of a tag team.

For now, though, WWE fans will have to wait and see what comes next. Was the teaser truly about Penta El Zero Miedo, or is WWE setting up something entirely different? Until then, speculation will continue to run wild, but one thing’s for sure: all eyes are on WWE’s next move.

WWE Raw Preview 12/16/2024

WWE Raw airs live tonight on the USA Network from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Chris Jericho Attacks Matt Cardona At GCW Event Ahead Of ROH Final Battle

Chris Jericho isn’t waiting until ROH Final Battle on December 20 to send a message to his challenger, Matt Cardona. The ROH World Champion made his presence felt in surprising fashion at GCW Highest in the Room 3 in Los Angeles this weekend, ambushing Cardona during the main event. Cardona, who was battling Effy, found himself blindsided by the “King of New York” as Jericho sent a clear warning ahead of their title clash.

The shocking moment quickly made waves, and Jericho took to Instagram afterward to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the ambush came together. Alongside the video, Jericho addressed his rival directly in a caption dripping with confidence:
“…Hi @themattcardona, you didn’t think that the King of New York would pop up in Los Angeles at your @gamechangerwrestling Indy Event, did you? You made a big mistake forgetting who you’re dealing with……I always get my man! See you at #rohfinalbattle. @aew @ringofhonor.”

Jericho’s attack wasn’t just about intimidation; it also carried a shot of controversy. After the beatdown, Jericho revealed an AEW t-shirt to a chorus of boos from the GCW faithful. This reaction comes amid tensions between AEW and GCW, stemming from past disagreements. AEW President Tony Khan notably pulled Ricky Starks from GCW shows following critical comments made by Effy about Khan’s father. Willie Mack, who was also removed from GCW events, was rumored to have made the call himself, though the situation remains somewhat murky.

For Jericho, these kinds of unexpected appearances have become a trademark since his WWE departure in 2017. He’s no stranger to crossing promotional boundaries to make a statement. Fans will remember his 2018 NJPW attack on Kenny Omega, as well as his shocking appearance at the inaugural All In, where he disguised himself as Pentagon Jr. to surprise Omega again. More recently, Jericho ambushed Will Ospreay at a 2023 RevPro event while disguised as NJPW star BUSHI, and the Jericho Appreciation Society turned heads with a surprise showing at a PWG event earlier this year.

With ROH Final Battle looming, Jericho’s sneak attack has already tilted the psychological advantage in his favor. For Matt Cardona, the ambush serves as a painful reminder of the mind games and unpredictability that Jericho brings to any title defense.

The question now is whether Cardona will have a response ahead of their showdown. Jericho may have struck first, but if history has taught us anything, the “Indy God” isn’t one to back down without a fight. Final Battle just got even more personal, and fans won’t want to miss how this rivalry unfolds.

Jade Cargill’s Absence: New Report Reveals What She’s Really Up To

There’s been plenty of buzz in the WWE Universe surrounding Jade Cargill’s mysterious absence after a backstage attack on WWE SmackDown a few weeks ago. Fans will remember Cargill being laid out on the hood of a car, and since then, she hasn’t been seen on television. That segment left fans speculating: Was it storyline? Was Cargill dealing with an injury? Or was there something else going on entirely?

Now, a fresh report from PWInsider sheds a bit of light on the situation. According to their sources within WWE, the answer seems to be much less dramatic than some fans anticipated. High-profile figures in the company revealed that Cargill has been busy working on non-wrestling projects during her time away from the ring. On top of that, WWE sources confirmed that the Women’s Tag Team Champion is currently enjoying a well-earned vacation in the Bahamas.

As for whether she’s dealing with an injury, the update remains unclear. PWInsider’s report didn’t include any confirmation or denial of physical issues, leaving that part of the story a mystery for now. However, considering she’s actively pursuing other ventures and relaxing on vacation, there’s a good chance Cargill is healthy and cleared to return when the time comes.

In the meantime, Jade Cargill’s tag team partner, Bianca Belair, has been carrying the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on her own. Belair has had her hands full, recently dealing with challengers like Piper Niven and WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green. Next week on SmackDown, Belair won’t have to go it alone—Naomi has stepped up to team with her, keeping the titles active and the division moving forward.

If Naomi does end up as a temporary fill-in for Cargill, it wouldn’t be unprecedented. Last year, Chelsea Green found herself in a similar situation when Sonya Deville suffered a serious knee injury. Green went on to defend the titles alongside Piper Niven, proving that the Women’s Tag Team Championships don’t lose steam, even when one champion is sidelined.

With Cargill’s future still unclear, the WWE Universe will have to keep an eye on SmackDown for any updates. Whether it’s a vacation, a return, or the next big storyline twist, it’s safe to say that Jade Cargill will make a major impact the moment she steps back into the ring.

TNA Star Hammerstone To Undergo Surgery

Hammerstone suffered a knee injury at Turning Point and was pulled from the Final Resolution pay-per-view event.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, the TNA wrestler announced that he’ll be undergoing surgery. He wrote,

“An unfortunate update. Surgery scheduled.”

Kevin Owens Shocks WWE Universe: Piledriver on Cody Rhodes and Chaos with Triple H Over Winged Eagle Title

The aftermath of Saturday Night’s Main Event turned chaotic when Kevin Owens not only left Cody Rhodes battered after a brutal piledriver but also attempted to steal the iconic Winged Eagle Championship.

In the show’s main event, Rhodes successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Owens in a hard-fought battle. Post-match, as Rhodes celebrated in the ring with the Winged Eagle title—a belt he’s long spoken about as a symbol of his championship dreams—Owens struck with a ruthless attack. The shocking piledriver left the champion needing to be stretchered out of the arena, leaving the WWE Universe stunned.

But Owens wasn’t done. Seizing the historic title, Owens marched up the ramp, seemingly intent on taking the belt with him. However, his path was blocked by none other than WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Video posted to X (formerly Twitter) captured the heated confrontation as Triple H intercepted Owens at the stage. The two men exchanged words before the confrontation escalated, with Triple H knocking the championship out of Owens’ hands and shoving him multiple times. Officials quickly intervened to separate the two as tensions flared. WWE later posted its own video to X.

According to PWInsider, Triple H recovered the Winged Eagle title and ensured it was safeguarded after Owens was escorted to the back. WWE later shared its own video of the incident on social media, sparking widespread speculation about what’s next for Kevin Owens and his apparent fixation on the historic championship.

Cody Rhodes has been vocal for years about his love for the Winged Eagle design, which holds sentimental value to him as a callback to a classic era of WWE champions. While Rhodes got to fulfill his dream of wearing the title for one night, Owens’ actions cast a dark shadow over his victory celebration.

The fallout from Owens’ attack and his confrontation with Triple H promises to be explosive. Is this the beginning of a bitter rivalry between Kevin Owens and WWE management? And what consequences await Owens for his actions? Stay tuned, as this story is far from over.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 12/14/2024 (Results)

WWE brought back the iconic Saturday Night’s Main Event in grand style, with a blend of retro nostalgia and high-octane modern action. From surprise appearances to epic title defenses, the show delivered on all fronts.

A Retro Throwback to Start the Show

The night opened with a vintage touch, featuring a retro voiceover hyping up the legendary history of Saturday Night’s Main Event. A nostalgic video package clicked through old-school TV channels before settling on a retro-style intro set to “Obsession,” a fitting throwback for the occasion. WWE brought back the iconic red, white, and blue ropes for the ring (an aesthetic hallmark of the original Saturday Night’s Main Event) that adding to the throwback feel.

Joe Tessitore welcomed none other than Jesse “The Body” Ventura, marking his big return to WWE. The iconic voice of Ventura set the stage perfectly, with Pat McAfee joining Michael Cole at the announce desk.

Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn

The opening match brought immediate energy as Drew McIntyre faced Sami Zayn. McIntyre came out swinging, but Zayn’s counterattacks—including a stunning Asai moonsault—kept him competitive. The hard-hitting action spilled to the outside, with McIntyre tossing Sami over the announce desk to take control.

Back from commercial, Zayn showed heart with a desperate Avalanche Sunset Flip Powerbomb and a near Blue Thunder Driver finish. However, Drew was too much to handle. After a brutal headbutt and a missed Claymore counter, McIntyre connected with the Claymore Kick to secure the victory.

Winner: Drew McIntyre via pinfall

WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs. IYO SKY

IYO SKY challenged Liv Morgan for the WWE Women’s World Championship in a thrilling contest. SKY’s agility shined early with a crisp dropkick and a jaw-dropping Asai moonsault to the outside.

After the break, SKY controlled the pace with rolling German suplexes and corner knees, but Liv fought back with a Lungblower and Codebreaker. The back-and-forth battle saw IYO nearly lock in a crossface, but Liv reversed into a short-arm knee strike.

In a pivotal moment, Liv countered SKY’s moonsault with her boots up and capitalized with Oblivion to retain her title.

Winner: Liv Morgan via pinfall (retains WWE Women’s World Championship)

Post-match, Rhea Ripley made her entrance, locking eyes with Liv. The tension was palpable as Ripley stood face-to-face with the champion, hinting at a future showdown.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER (c) vs. Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor

GUNTHER defended his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Damian Priest and Finn Balor in a chaotic triple-threat match. Balor tried to outsmart his opponents early, but GUNTHER and Priest quickly overpowered him.

The Ring General showcased his trademark chops and power moves, while Priest impressed with a rope-walk crossbody and a devastating South of Heaven. Finn wasn’t far behind, landing a shotgun dropkick and the Coup de Grace, only for GUNTHER to cut him off.

The match reached its climax with GUNTHER Powerbombing Priest into the steel steps before returning to the ring to hit a shotgun dropkick and the Tenryu Powerbomb on Balor for the win.

Winner: GUNTHER via pinfall (retains WWE World Heavyweight Championship)

Chelsea Green Crowned WWE Women’s United States Champion

In the tournament finals for the WWE Women’s United States Championship, Chelsea Green faced off against “Michin” Mia Yim. Green, with an assist from Piper Niven, took control during the match, despite Mia’s impressive offense—including a Tarantula stretch.

After the chaos settled, Green hit Unpretty Her to score the victory and make history as the inaugural WWE Women’s United States Champion.

Winner: Chelsea Green via pinfall (becomes inaugural WWE Women’s United States Champion)

Main Event: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens (WWE Undisputed Championship)

The main event saw Cody Rhodes defend his WWE Undisputed Championship against Kevin Owens in a brutal and dramatic match. Owens played mind games early, repeatedly retreating to the outside, but Rhodes responded with relentless offense, including a Cody Cutter on the announce table.

Referee Charles Robinson’s accidental bump added chaos as Owens hit a Stunner, only for a second referee to miss the pinfall due to another collision. Owens attempted to capitalize with a steel chair, but Rhodes turned the tables, hitting a decisive Cross Rhodes on the chair.

Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall (retains WWE Undisputed Championship)

A Night for the Ages

The return of Saturday Night’s Main Event was packed with unforgettable moments, hard-fought victories, and appearances from legends like Jesse Ventura, Tito Santana, and Greg “The Hammer” Valentine. WWE brought back the iconic red, white, and blue ropes for the ring—an aesthetic hallmark of the original Saturday Night’s Main Event. With Liv Morgan and Cody Rhodes cementing their reigns, and Chelsea Green’s history-making win, WWE proved that nostalgia and modern wrestling can coexist to create something special.

AEW Collision ‘Winter Is Coming’ Preview 12/14/2024

AEW Collision ‘Winter Is Coming’ tonight on TNT starting at 8:00 pm EST. There will also be an early west coast start time of 5:00 pm PST.

  • International Women’s Cup AEW Qualifier Finals: Willow Nightingale vs. Jamie Hayter
  • AEW Continental Classic Blue League Match: Kazuchika Okada vs. The Beast Mortos
  • AEW Continental Classic Blue League Match: Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe
  • Daniel Garcia, Orange Cassidy, The Outrunners, and Komander vs. The Premier Athletes, MxM Collection
  • Toni Storm vs. Shazza McKenzie
  • Kris Statlander vs. TBA
  • FTR address the Death Riders

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 12/14/2024 (Card)

The return of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on NBC – Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York

WWE Legends Jimmy Hart, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Koko B. Ware, and Tito Santana are expected to appear. Jesse “the Body” Ventura will join the broadcast announce team.

CARD

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP:
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Kevin Owens

WWE WOMEN’S UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP:
Michin vs. Chelsea Green

WWE WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky

WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:
Gunther (c) vs. Finn Balor vs. Damian Priest

Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn