WWE SmackDown airing tonight on USA Network taped from KAFD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
WWE Royal Rumble – Saturday 2pm ET/11am PT – KAFD in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Chris Jericho’s name continues to circulate as one of the biggest wildcards heading into the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, with new reporting adding fuel to the speculation surrounding a possible surprise appearance.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is a “possibility” that Jericho could be involved in the 30-Man Royal Rumble match. While nothing has been confirmed, Meltzer notes that the idea has at least been discussed internally within WWE, keeping the door open for an unexpected return.
Jericho himself has publicly tried to cool down rumors of his involvement in the Royal Rumble, but the backstage chatter tells a slightly different story. Reports indicate that Jericho has been a topic of discussion regarding a potential WWE return dating back to early 2026, especially as his status with AEW remains somewhat unclear.
The former AEW World Champion has not appeared on AEW television since April 2025, though he is still listed on the company’s official roster page. That absence, combined with his long and storied WWE history, has only intensified speculation as the Royal Rumble approaches.
With the 2026 Royal Rumble set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Jericho is now being viewed as one of the most closely monitored names going into the event. Whether it’s a one-night surprise or the start of something more, Jericho’s status is shaping up to be one of the key talking points as WWE fans count down to bell time.
Tommaso Ciampa officially turned the page on his WWE career this week, making his surprise AEW debut on Dynamite and immediately sparking conversation across the wrestling world. Now, the former NXT Champion has opened up about why he felt the time was right to walk away from WWE and start a new chapter.
Speaking with Rick Ucchino of Sports Illustrated, Ciampa made it clear that his decision wasn’t driven by one single issue, but rather a culmination of factors that became clearer as his WWE contract neared its end. According to Ciampa, those final contract discussions naturally forced him to evaluate where he fit in the current wrestling landscape.
Ciampa compared his mindset to different eras of wrestling. He explained that if he had been wrestling in the 1990s, ECW would have been his destination. In the early 2000s, Ring of Honor would have been the goal — something he was fortunate enough to experience briefly. For the 2010s, his dream was NXT’s “Black and Gold” era, where he became one of the brand’s defining figures. But when looking at the 2020s, Ciampa said the answer became obvious: AEW.
Another major factor was creative freedom, particularly surrounding his “Psycho Killer” persona. Ciampa admitted he pushed for years to fully bring that character to life in WWE, but for various reasons, it never fully materialized the way he envisioned. That changed immediately upon speaking with AEW President Tony Khan and the creative team. Ciampa said the open collaboration and willingness to trust his vision played a huge role in his decision, and he’s already thinking months — even a year — ahead in terms of evolving the character.
Ciampa also addressed long-standing online criticism suggesting that his 2018 run represented the peak of his career. He strongly disagreed, stating that he feels better physically and sharper mentally now than ever before. According to Ciampa, his storytelling, psychology, and overall performance have reached a level he hadn’t previously achieved — and AEW gives him the platform to prove it.
Finally, Ciampa touched on his respect for The Briscoes, specifically Mark Briscoe, whom he’s set to face soon. Ciampa praised Mark as the ultimate babyface, noting his natural charisma and fire. Despite not sharing a ring in over a decade, Ciampa said the chemistry was instantly there the moment they locked eyes, promising fans that their upcoming match will “tear the house down.”
Ciampa’s AEW arrival isn’t just about changing companies — it’s about betting on himself at a stage of his career where he believes his best work is still ahead. If his confidence is any indication, the “Psycho Killer” era in AEW may just be getting started.
This weekend’s WWE Royal Rumble premium live event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is set to be a landmark show, particularly for the women’s division. The 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble match will feature the largest number of female competitors ever to appear on a WWE event held in Saudi Arabia, a significant milestone for the company’s partnership with the region.
However, the historic nature of the match has also brought renewed attention to a familiar topic: ring gear.
For previous WWE events in Saudi Arabia, women have been required to modify their usual in-ring attire, typically competing in full bodysuits to align with the country’s conservative dress guidelines. With so many women involved in the Royal Rumble this time around, there had been some speculation that WWE might adjust or streamline the gear requirements to better accommodate the match.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, that is not the case. The report notes that the same attire guidelines used for past Saudi events remain firmly in place for this weekend’s Royal Rumble. One WWE talent involved in the Women’s Rumble confirmed the report, adding that there was no coordinated effort to ensure the competitors’ gear looked distinct from one another once everyone was in the ring.
Another noteworthy detail came from Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, who spoke with a separate talent scheduled for the match. According to that conversation, the women participating in the Royal Rumble were responsible for creating and/or paying for their own gear that meets the required parameters, without direct assistance from WWE. It remains unclear whether this is standard practice across the board or specific to this event.
While the Women’s Royal Rumble is poised to make history in terms of representation and participation, the backstage details highlight that some aspects of WWE’s Saudi events remain unchanged. As always, how the match ultimately comes across on screen — especially with a crowded field and similar-looking gear — will be something fans will be watching closely once the countdown clock starts.
TNA Wrestling delivered a classic Feast or Fired twist on Thursday night, and former world champion Steve Maclin ended up with the worst possible outcome.
During this week’s episode of TNA IMPACT, the four briefcases from last week’s Feast or Fired match were finally opened, revealing exactly what was on the line for Steve Maclin, Eric Young, Eddie Edwards, and the returning Trey Miguel. It marked the first Feast or Fired match in three years, and TNA wasted no time reminding fans why the concept remains so ruthless.
Trey Miguel was the first to open his case, learning he had earned a shot at the TNA International Championship. Eddie Edwards followed, discovering he’ll be receiving an opportunity at the TNA World Championship. At that point, the tension was already high — and it only escalated from there.
Maclin was next. When he opened his briefcase, he found the dreaded pink slip, signaling that he had been fired from TNA. The former champion stood in stunned silence as the reality set in. Moments later, Eric Young opened the final briefcase, revealing an opportunity at the TNA X-Division Championship. Young didn’t miss the chance to rub salt in the wound, mocking Maclin and reminding him that “actions have consequences” before laughing and walking away.
Maclin declined to comment on the situation, choosing instead to leave the ring visibly shaken.
The result is especially notable given Maclin’s history with the company. He joined TNA in 2021 after departing WWE and quickly became a key player. Maclin captured the Impact World Championship in 2023 (now known again as the TNA World Championship) and also enjoyed two reigns as International Champion throughout 2024. Reports late last year indicated that Maclin had signed a short-term contract extension after his deal expired in December, making this storyline development all the more intriguing.
Whether this “firing” leads to time away, a storyline suspension, or something more unexpected remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Feast or Fired has once again shaken up TNA in a major way, and Steve Maclin’s future with the promotion is now clouded with uncertainty.
With the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble just days away, Rey Mysterio’s status has suddenly become a major question mark. The WWE Hall of Famer sparked concern on Monday Night RAW after appearing to injure his arm during a match against Austin Theory, with the post-match visuals suggesting something wasn’t right.
However, newer reports indicate the issue may not be arm-related after all. According to PWInsider, Mysterio is actually dealing with a rib injury, though the exact severity hasn’t been confirmed. At this point, it’s unclear whether he’ll be medically cleared in time to compete in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, leaving WWE potentially forced to tweak creative plans at the last minute.
There is at least some reason for optimism. Mysterio recently posted a photo from Riyadh alongside Liv Morgan, Jade Cargill, Jacob Fatu, and Raquel Rodriguez, confirming that he has already traveled with the WWE roster for the premium live event. While that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be cleared to wrestle, it does suggest WWE hasn’t ruled out his involvement entirely, even if his role changes close to showtime.
The timing of this injury scare couldn’t be worse. Mysterio only returned to action in November 2025 after missing seven months due to a torn groin, and another setback so soon after raises understandable concerns about his long-term health. For now, all eyes are on WWE’s medical team as fans wait to see whether the legendary luchador will be able to take part in one of the company’s biggest matches of the year—and what it could mean for his road to WrestleMania if he can’t.
The AEW World Tag Team Championship bout on the January 28 episode of Dynamite was shaping up to be a big moment for Jake Doyle, but it appears the night took a rough turn far earlier than anyone expected. During the title match pitting FTR against Doyle and Mark Davis, Doyle seemingly suffered a serious injury that forced AEW to change course on the fly.
According to reports, the issue occurred after Doyle took a DDT on the ring apron. He was later heard telling Cash Wheeler that he believed he had torn his right biceps. From that point on, Doyle was quietly removed from the match and never returned, with FTR and Davis finishing things in short order. Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that the crowd immediately sensed something was off, describing the arena as going silent as it became clear the situation was legitimate rather than storyline-driven.
Dave Meltzer added more context regarding what Doyle could be facing recovery-wise. If the injury doesn’t require surgery, a return in roughly four months is possible. However, if surgery is needed, the timetable could stretch to six or seven months, which would be a significant setback—especially given how early Doyle is in his AEW run. Meltzer also pointed out how unfortunate the timing is, calling AEW the biggest opportunity of Doyle’s career to date and noting how easy it can be to lose momentum on such a stacked roster after a long absence.
There is at least some optimism for Mark Davis in the meantime. Meltzer suggested Davis is still likely to appear on AEW programming, potentially aligned with The Don Callis Family, though perhaps not in the same featured role the team would have had if Doyle were healthy. For now, fans will have to wait and see just how serious Doyle’s injury is, but it’s an undeniably tough break for a talent who was just starting to gain traction on a major stage.
The “Psycho Killer” Tommaso Ciampa is officially All Elite.
Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite closed with a moment few fans expected so soon, as Ciampa made his surprise debut for the company and immediately set his sights on championship gold. The former WWE standout appeared moments after Mark Briscoe successfully defended the TNT Championship against El Clon, turning what seemed like a routine post-match segment into a major talking point.
After retaining the title, Briscoe grabbed a microphone and announced an open challenge for this weekend’s AEW Collision. That’s when the arena lights dropped. When they came back on, an unknown video graphic and theme music played, then Ciampa appeared on the entrance stage, drawing a loud reaction from the crowd. The two men locked eyes in a tense staredown in the ring, and it didn’t take long before AEW made it official — Ciampa vs. Briscoe for the TNT Championship is set for Saturday night’s AEW Collision.
The debut comes just days after Ciampa’s WWE departure became official. Earlier this week, his profile was quietly moved to WWE’s alumni section, ending an 11-year run with the company that began in 2015. While there had been speculation about where Ciampa might land next, AEW wasted no time positioning him as a serious player.
Ciampa leaves WWE with an impressive résumé. He is a two-time NXT Champion and held tag team gold multiple times alongside longtime rival-turned-partner Johnny Gargano as part of #DIY. Their run together defined an era of NXT, with Ciampa carving out a reputation as one of the brand’s most intense and compelling performers.
Now, Ciampa steps into a new environment with immediate momentum and a title opportunity waiting for him. Whether his AEW run becomes a short-term shockwave or the start of something long-term, his debut has already added another layer of intrigue to AEW’s ever-evolving roster — and Saturday’s Collision just became must-see television.
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