Author: John Bass

AEW Collision Preview 1/3/2026

AEW Collision live tonight from Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas on TNT and HBO Max.

  • Timeless Love Bombs vs. Hyan & Maya World
  • Shelton Benjamin vs. Scorpio Sky
  • Darby Allin vs. Wheeler Yuta
  • El Clon vs. TBA

The Rock Is In Talks With WWE For A Match At WrestleMania 43 – Final Match Of Career?

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson may be sitting out WrestleMania 42, but that doesn’t mean WWE is done trying to get him back between the ropes. In fact, a new report suggests the company already has its sights set on a much bigger stage for The Rock’s potential return — and it could come a year later in Saudi Arabia.

According to Andrew Baydala, WWE has reopened discussions with Johnson, though not for this year’s WrestleMania. Instead, the offer on the table is for WrestleMania 43, which is currently planned to take place in Riyadh in 2027. While nothing has been finalized, the belief is that WWE sees this event as a possible capstone to The Rock’s in-ring career. At this point, Johnson is said to be weighing his options and has not committed either way.

The report comes after The Rock’s high-profile return to WWE television earlier in 2025. During that run, he was heavily involved in the angle that led to John Cena’s stunning heel turn at Elimination Chamber in Toronto. That storyline fueled speculation that The Rock would wrestle at WrestleMania, but those plans never materialized, with Johnson stepping away due to a mix of personal priorities and creative considerations.

If an agreement is reached for WrestleMania 43, the Riyadh show could be positioned as a historic moment — potentially the final match of one of the most influential figures the industry has ever seen. For now, WWE appears content to play the long game, hoping the right setting and timing will convince The Rock to lace up his boots one last time on the biggest stage possible.

Matt Cardona Is Officially Back In WWE On The SmackDown Roster

Matt Cardona made a surprise in-ring return to WWE SmackDown on Friday night, competing in a New Year’s-themed episode and picking up his first win on WWE television in more than six years. The former Zack Ryder squared off against Kit Wilson in a singles bout, marking another notable chapter in Cardona’s ongoing reintroduction to WWE audiences.

Wilson came out aggressively at the opening bell, using a Corkscrew Elbow to seize early control. Cardona weathered the storm and fired back with a clothesline to swing momentum briefly in his favor, but Wilson’s ring awareness allowed him to regain the upper hand by knocking Cardona off the ropes and keeping him grounded. The match remained competitive throughout, with both men trading advantages as the pace picked up.

Cardona came close to sealing the deal with a Double Underhook Powerbomb that nearly earned him the three-count. Wilson answered back by attempting his Tourniquet finisher, but Cardona managed to survive. The turning point came when Wilson missed a strike in the corner, opening the door for Cardona to capitalize. Moments later, Cardona connected with the Rough Ryder to score the pinfall victory.

Following the match, commentary from Michael Cole confirmed that Cardona is officially part of the SmackDown roster. The appearance continues a recent run that has included a match on NXT against Josh Briggs and involvement in the “Last Time Is Now” tournament. Prior to this stretch, Cardona had not competed in a WWE ring since 2020.

Since leaving WWE, Cardona has built a high-profile run across multiple promotions, including AEW, IMPACT/TNA, GCW, and Ring of Honor, reinventing himself as one of the most prominent independent stars in the industry. Interestingly, while he was introduced as Matt Cardona on SmackDown, his entrance video briefly displayed the Zack Ryder name, and his finishing move was called the Rough Ryder rather than its independent-era name, Radio Silence.

Those details leave some unanswered questions about Cardona’s presentation going forward. Whether WWE fully embraces his post-WWE persona, returns him to the Zack Ryder identity, or blends elements of both remains to be seen as his SmackDown run continues.

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/2/2026

WWE SmackDown airs tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix internationally, live from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

WWE SmackDown moves back to 3 Hours starting tonight.

  • Ambulance Match: Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black
  • 8-Woman Tag Team Match: Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY vs. Nia Jax, Lash Legend & The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)
  • Jade Cargill vs. Michin
  • Appearances by Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn, The Street Profits, Drew McIntyre, and Solo Sikoa

Madison Rayne Announced In-Ring Retirement

Madison Rayne has officially closed the book on her in-ring wrestling career.

Following her match on the January 1st episode of ROH on HonorClub, Rayne announced that she is retiring from active competition. The longtime veteran teamed with Deonna Purrazzo to take on Billie Starkz and Diamante, and while the match itself was significant, it was what came afterward that truly marked the moment.

In a backstage segment, Rayne addressed the camera and confirmed that the bout represented the end of an era for her. She reflected on her journey in the business and made it clear that this wasn’t a sudden decision, but rather a meaningful conclusion to a career that has spanned two decades.

Rayne signed with AEW in 2022, taking on a dual role as both an on-screen performer and a coach backstage. Over the past few years, she’s spoken openly about how mentoring younger talent helped her “re-find” herself at this stage of her career. That perspective played a major role in how she chose to step away from the ring.

Ending her career alongside Deonna Purrazzo was also intentional. Rayne noted that teaming with Purrazzo felt like the perfect way to wrap up her 20-year run, sharing the ring with someone she deeply respects while spotlighting the future of women’s wrestling at the same time.

Best known to many fans for her time in TNA as a former Knockouts Champion, Rayne’s influence has extended far beyond titles. Her transition into a coaching role suggests that while she may be done wrestling matches, her presence in AEW and ROH isn’t going anywhere.

Madison Rayne may be stepping away from in-ring competition, but her impact on the next generation is just getting started.

News On WWE & TNA Partnership

The working relationship between WWE and TNA Wrestling doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, all signs point to the partnership becoming an even bigger part of the wrestling landscape over the next several years.

According to recent reports, WWE and TNA are planning to extend their current multi-year agreement through at least 2028. The two sides first began collaborating in early 2025, and what started as a bold experiment has quickly evolved into one of the most talked-about cross-promotional efforts in modern wrestling.

The results so far have been hard to ignore. Talent from both rosters have moved fluidly between companies, creating memorable moments that benefitted everyone involved. The Hardy Boyz making history by holding both the NXT and TNA Tag Team Championships was a major headline, while Joe Hendry stepping into a WrestleMania 41 spotlight opposite Randy Orton gave TNA unprecedented exposure on WWE’s biggest stage.

Other crossover matches have also helped legitimize the partnership. Moose challenging Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship blurred brand lines even further, and Leon Slater reportedly turned heads backstage with his performance during John Cena’s farewell appearance at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

There was some recent speculation that TNA’s new television deal with AMC Networks could complicate matters. Instead, it appears to have done the opposite. TNA President Carlos Silva publicly confirmed that the WWE relationship remains intact and is expected to expand in 2026, easing concerns that the new media deal might force a change in direction.

According to Bodyslam+, both companies are extremely pleased with how the collaboration has played out. Internally, WWE and TNA reportedly view the partnership as a creative win that gives wrestlers fresh opportunities while keeping fans engaged with unexpected matchups and storylines.

Looking ahead, discussions are said to be ongoing regarding even deeper collaboration. Potential ideas include dual-branded events and possibly joint pay-per-view specials, which could push the partnership into uncharted territory as early as 2026.

With increased exposure for talent, growing fan interest, and strong business momentum on both sides, the WWE–TNA alliance is shaping up to be more than a short-term experiment. If plans hold, this partnership could remain a defining force in the wrestling industry for years to come.

Luchasaurus Reportedly Injured, Seemingly Written Off TV On AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash

An unfortunate situation appears to be developing for one of AEW’s most recognizable big men.

During AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash, Luchasaurus was seemingly written off television following a post-match angle tied to Ricochet’s successful National Championship defense. While the segment played out dramatically on screen, new information suggests the injury involved is very real.

According to Fightful Select, Luchasaurus is dealing with a legitimate shoulder injury and is expected to be sidelined for an undetermined amount of time. As of now, there’s no word on the exact nature of the injury or whether surgery will be required, but AEW officials are reportedly preparing for him to miss some action.

The warning signs appeared even before Wednesday’s Dynamite. Luchasaurus was only briefly involved during Jurassic Express’ match on the Zero Hour portion of Worlds End, where he was helped to the back by Bishop Kaun. He later returned with his shoulder heavily taped to finish the bout, raising early concerns about his condition.

On Dynamite, Luchasaurus accompanied Jack Perry to ringside for Perry’s National Championship challenge against Ricochet. After Perry came up short, Toa Liona targeted Luchasaurus at ringside, setting the stage for a more vicious attack moments later. Liona and Kaun ambushed him on the stage, with Liona placing part of the barricade onto Luchasaurus’ shoulder and smashing it with a steel chair. Even when security intervened, the damage continued, as Liona slammed one of the guards onto the barricade, crushing Luchasaurus’ arm underneath.

The angle served as a clear on-screen explanation for Luchasaurus’ absence moving forward, but behind the scenes, it appears AEW is dealing with a genuine injury concern. There’s no official timeline yet for his return, and updates will likely depend on further medical evaluation.

For now, fans may be seeing less of Jurassic Express as a unit, while AEW waits to see how serious Luchasaurus’ injury turns out to be.

Tetsuya Naito And BUSHI Win GHC Tag Team Championships In Pro Wrestling NOAH – First Match In Japan Since Leaving NJPW

Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI wasted absolutely no time reminding the Japanese wrestling scene that they’re still major players.

On New Year’s Day, the former Los Ingobernables de Japon members made their first in-ring appearance in Japan since leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and they walked out of the Nippon Budokan with gold. Competing at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s The New Year event, Naito and BUSHI defeated Naomichi Marufuji and Kenoh to capture the GHC Tag Team Championships, marking an immediate statement run in a new promotion.

The victory is especially notable given the circumstances. Naito and BUSHI officially departed NJPW in 2025 and had largely been quiet on the Japanese scene since, aside from a few appearances with RevPro. Their NOAH debut under the name Los Tranquilos de Japon came with plenty of intrigue, but few expected them to end the night as champions—especially against a team as established as Marufuji and Kenoh.

Interestingly, Naito leaned into his laid-back persona after the match, admitting that the duo doesn’t have a clearly defined plan for their future in NOAH. That uncertainty only adds to the intrigue, as both men are seasoned enough to thrive without a rigid roadmap.

For NOAH, the title change was sudden. Marufuji and Kenoh had only held the GHC Tag Team Titles for 19 days, having won them in December from Team 2000X’s Masa Kitamiya and Takashi Sugiura. For Naito and BUSHI, however, the win represents their first-ever championships in NOAH, giving their post-NJPW chapter immediate credibility.

Their arrival also highlights how fractured the former LIJ lineup has become. After the group’s dissolution, Shingo Takagi and Hiromu Takahashi aligned themselves with the War Dogs, while Yota Tsuji is focused on his looming IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match against Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Speaking of Wrestle Kingdom, this year’s event will feel very different without Naito. Wrestle Kingdom 20 will be the first Tokyo Dome show since 2013 to not feature him, with Wrestle Kingdom 8 being the last card he missed. BUSHI’s absence is less jarring, as he hasn’t appeared at the event since 2023.

Still, if their NOAH debut is any indication, Naito and BUSHI aren’t slowing down—they’re just taking a different road. And for now, that road has led them straight to championship gold.

AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash 12/31/2025

AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash live Wednesday Dec. 31 on TBS and HBO Max from the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, Nebraska.

  • Fallout from Worlds End
  • We’ll hear from new AEW World Champion MJF
  • AEW National Championship: Ricochet (c) vs. Jungle Jack Perry
  • AEW TBS championship: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Willow Nightingale

WWE NXT Preview 12/30/2025

WWE NXT tonight on The CW.

  • NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Moose
  • WWE Men’s Speed Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Lexis King vs. Tavion Heights
  • Je’Von Evans vs. Ricky Saints
  • Jacy Jayne vs. Wren Sinclair
  • Joe Hendry in concert
  • Year End Award winners revealed