Author: John Bass

AJ Styles Explains His New WWE Role After In-Ring Retirement

AJ Styles may have stepped away from the ring, but “The Phenomenal One” isn’t done contributing to WWE just yet. After officially retiring from in-ring competition at this year’s Royal Rumble, Styles is now transitioning into a behind-the-scenes role with the company as he prepares for his upcoming induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. 🤼‍♂️🏆

During a recent appearance on The Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles shed light on what his new responsibilities with WWE look like now that his legendary wrestling career has come to an end.

According to Styles, part of his job involves scouting and evaluating talent across different levels of the wrestling world. That includes independent wrestlers, as well as performers already working within WWE’s system.

Styles explained that he spends a good amount of time online reviewing matches and keeping an eye on potential prospects who could eventually find their way into WWE. If he sees promise in someone, he hopes to help guide them toward opportunities within the company.

In some cases, that could mean helping wrestlers secure a WWE ID or getting them noticed by the right people within the organization. While the process can be slow at times, Styles noted that making the right connections and phone calls is part of the job.

His work won’t be limited to scouting outside talent either. Styles revealed that he may also be working with wrestlers already signed to WWE, including those in NXT and even performers on the main roster. In fact, he mentioned plans to attend an upcoming episode of Monday Night Raw in Seattle, where he hopes to meet with talent and offer guidance.

Beyond evaluating prospects, Styles sees himself as someone wrestlers can talk to if they need advice or direction. Whether it’s discussing their mindset or suggesting time at the WWE Performance Center to sharpen certain skills, Styles wants to help talent stay motivated and continue improving.

Interestingly, the former WWE Champion admitted that he initially expected retirement to give him a lot more free time. Instead, his schedule has remained busy thanks to his new responsibilities with WWE, along with spending more time with his family.

While fans won’t see Styles competing in the ring anymore, it’s clear he’ll still play an important role in shaping WWE’s future by helping the next generation of talent grow and succeed.

WWE Raw Preview 3/9/2026

WWE Raw airs live today at 8pm ET/5pm PT on Netflix from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs. Original El Grande Americano
  • Oba Femi vs. Rusev
  • Women’s Intercontinental Championship No. 1 Contenders Gauntlet Match: IYO SKY vs. Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Ivy Nile vs. Asuka vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • Danhausen to appear

Mercedes Moné Drops Two Titles Over The Weekend

Mercedes Moné’s recent stretch of championship losses continued over the weekend, as the former multi-title holder dropped yet another belt during an international appearance.

On Sunday, Moné lost the BestYa Wrestling Women’s Championship to Swan at the Mone Mayhem event in Bagnolo Cremasco, Italy. The loss came just two days after she was defeated by Persephone for the CMLL World Women’s Championship on Friday night.

The defeat marks Moné’s second title loss in the span of a single weekend, adding to what has become a surprising downward run for the decorated star.

In fact, the latest setback means Moné has now dropped five different championships since December 20, 2025, a stark contrast to the dominant run she had previously enjoyed across multiple promotions.

Moné had built a reputation as one of the most successful traveling champions in the business, collecting titles around the world during her run outside WWE. However, the recent streak of losses suggests that chapter may be coming to an end as several promotions crown new champions.

Despite the skid, Moné remains one of the most recognizable names in women’s wrestling globally, and it will be interesting to see whether she rebounds quickly or shifts her focus toward new opportunities moving forward.

Brie Bella Fires Back at Online Trolls as Thea Hail Speaks Out About Toxic Wrestling Fans

Online criticism has always been part of professional wrestling, but several WWE stars are making it clear that the level of hate—particularly aimed at women—has gone too far. Recently, both Brie Bella and NXT standout Thea Hail spoke openly about the harsh treatment they receive on social media and why they’re pushing back.

During a recent episode of the “Nikki & Brie” podcast, Brie Bella didn’t hold back when addressing the constant criticism directed at female wrestlers. According to Brie, she’s only interested in feedback from people who actually understand the business and the challenges women face in it.

Brie explained that she values opinions from people who have experienced the wrestling industry firsthand—especially those who understand what it’s like to work in a male-dominated environment. For critics who have never been in that position, she made it clear their opinions carry little weight.

She also called out the boldness many people show behind a keyboard, joking that social media gives “brave fingers” to people who wouldn’t say those things in person. Brie added that she’s not afraid to clap back at trolls who try to tear her down online, making it clear she’s more than willing to defend herself when needed.

Brie’s comments come shortly after NXT star Thea Hail shared her own emotional message about dealing with negativity from fans.

Taking to social media, the 22-year-old wrestler reminded followers just how young she is and how much she sacrificed to pursue her wrestling dream. Hail revealed that she moved away from home during high school to chase a career in professional wrestling—something many people wouldn’t have been willing to do.

Despite dedicating the last five years of her life to the business, Hail said it’s been difficult to constantly see negative comments about her as a person whenever she checks her social media feeds. She described the experience as exhausting, especially after working so hard to reach major moments in her career.

Hail emphasized that while she loves professional wrestling more than anything, the constant online criticism can be discouraging. She urged fans to remember that the performers they watch every week are still human beings behind the characters.

Before posting harsh comments, she asked people to take a moment and consider how they would feel if those same words were directed at them.

The recent comments from Brie Bella and Thea Hail highlight an ongoing conversation within the wrestling community about fan behavior and the impact of social media. While passionate fan reactions are nothing new in the industry, many performers are hoping for a shift toward more respectful interactions online.

As more wrestlers speak out, the message is becoming clear: support and criticism are both part of fandom—but personal attacks don’t have to be.

NXT Vengeance Day 3/7/2026 (Results)

NXT Vengeance Day delivered a chaotic night filled with brutal stipulations, backstage brawls, and a major championship change. From a violent Street Fight to a controversial main event, the show pushed several storylines toward Stand & Deliver.

The show opened with Dion Lennox waiting for Tony D’Angelo in the parking lot.

Blake Monroe def. Jaida Parker – Street Fight

The night’s first major bout turned into a wild brawl almost immediately as Blake Monroe and Jaida Parker took their fight all around the ringside area.

Both women used the Street Fight rules to their advantage early. Chairs, kendo sticks, and even a red umbrella came into play as Monroe and Parker battered each other both inside and outside the ring. Monroe briefly gained momentum with a neckbreaker and began setting up weapons around the ring, including chairs wedged in the ropes.

Parker fought back with aggressive kendo stick strikes and nearly put Monroe away after driving her through a table with a springboard imploding seated senton. Despite the massive impact, Monroe somehow kicked out.

The finish came after Monroe scattered fake “diamonds” across the ring and tossed a handful into Parker’s eyes from the top rope. With Parker blinded, Monroe delivered the Glamour Shot to score the pinfall victory.

Parking Lot Chaos Leads to Tony D’Angelo vs. Dion Lennox

Before their scheduled match even started, Tony D’Angelo and Dion Lennox began fighting in the parking lot.

Darkstate initially believed they had caught D’Angelo off guard when his car arrived, but it turned out to be a decoy. D’Angelo attacked Lennox and the two brawled through multiple backstage areas, smashing each other into doors, road cases, and lockers while security attempted to regain control.

Members of Darkstate tried to interfere several times, but OTM and other wrestlers stepped in to prevent the numbers game from overwhelming D’Angelo.

The chaotic fight eventually spilled through a wall near the timekeeper’s area and into ringside.

Tony D’Angelo def. Dion Lennox

Once the match officially began, both men continued the brutal fight they had started backstage.

D’Angelo strung together multiple German suplexes, but Lennox fired back with heavy offense and even drove D’Angelo through the announce desk with a suplex from the crowd.

Despite the punishment, D’Angelo refused to stay down. After countering Lennox late in the match, he delivered a spinebuster to secure the hard-fought victory.

Tatum Paxley def. Izzi Dame (c) – New NXT Women’s North American Champion

One of the biggest moments of the night came when Tatum Paxley challenged Izzi Dame for the NXT Women’s North American Championship.

Dame controlled much of the early action with her strength advantage, repeatedly targeting Paxley with heavy strikes and submissions. Paxley fought back with explosive offense, including a German suplex and a 450 splash that nearly ended the match.

The closing stretch featured several near-falls and interference distractions from Shawn Spears at ringside. Paxley eventually capitalized with a sudden Cemetery Drive, scoring the three-count and capturing the championship.

The victory marks Paxley’s first reign as NXT Women’s North American Champion.

OTM Send a Message

Backstage, OTM explained their earlier involvement in the Darkstate brawl. According to Lucien Price and Bronco Nima, they didn’t help Tony D’Angelo out of loyalty — they simply want to eliminate Darkstate’s influence over NXT.

With Stand & Deliver approaching, the duo made it clear they’re coming after championship gold.

Triple Threat Title Match Announced For Upcoming LIVE NXT Show In Houston, Texas

Fatal Influence appeared in the ring with champion Jacy Jayne boasting about her dominant run as NXT Women’s Champion.

The segment quickly turned heated when Zaria interrupted to argue she deserves the next title opportunity. Sol Ruca soon joined the confrontation, escalating tensions between the three.

Robert Stone ultimately made things official: Jacy Jayne will defend the NXT Women’s Championship against both Sol Ruca and Zaria in a Triple Threat match in two weeks in Texas.

Fatal Influence ended the segment by attacking both challengers.

Lola Vice def. Kelani Jordan – NXT Underground Match

The NXT Underground bout between Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan was a gritty, fight-style contest with no ropes.

Both competitors focused heavily on submissions and strikes. Jordan targeted Vice’s hand throughout the match, repeatedly stomping on it and slamming it into the mat and ring post.

Despite the damage, Vice rallied with a series of brutal kicks before finishing Jordan with a spinning backfist. The referee stopped the fight due to unanswered strikes, awarding the victory to Vice.

Joe Hendry (c) def. Ricky Saints – NXT Championship

The main event saw Joe Hendry defend the NXT Championship against “Absolute” Ricky Saints.

Saints relied on speed and counters to keep Hendry off balance, while the champion responded with his trademark power offense. Both men came close to victory during a dramatic closing stretch featuring multiple near-falls.

Late in the match, Ethan Page appeared at ringside and attempted to influence the outcome by bringing the NXT title belt into play. The distraction nearly helped Saints, but the chaos backfired.

With the referee briefly out of position, Hendry landed a low blow before delivering the Standing Ovation to score the pinfall and retain the NXT Championship.

✅ Key Takeaways from Vengeance Day

  • Tatum Paxley captured the NXT Women’s North American Championship.
  • Tony D’Angelo defeated Dion Lennox after a wild backstage brawl.
  • Lola Vice picked up a stoppage victory in NXT Underground.
  • Joe Hendry retained the NXT Championship in a controversial main event.
  • Jacy Jayne will defend the NXT Women’s Title against Sol Ruca and Zaria in a Triple Threat match.

AEW Collision Preview 3/7/2026

AEW Collision live tonight at 8/7c on TNT and HBO Max from the Tucson Arena in Tucson, Arizona.

  • AEW World Tag Team Championships: FTR (c) vs. The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Dezmond Xavier)
  • $200,000 Match: LFI vs. The Swirl vs. The Outrunners vs. Private Party.
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Gravity

Konnan Reportedly Undergoes Leg Amputation Surgery, Remains in Delicate Condition

Legendary lucha libre star and longtime wrestling personality Konnan is reportedly dealing with a serious health situation after undergoing major surgery this week.

According to multiple reports coming out of Mexico, the AAA Hall of Famer was hospitalized in San Diego, California and underwent a procedure to amputate one of his legs due to ongoing medical complications. The initial information surfaced through the wrestling content creator “El Potro en el Ring” and was later picked up by several media outlets. As of the latest updates, Konnan is said to be in a delicate condition following the surgery.

While Konnan has generally kept the details of his medical struggles private over the years, the wrestling veteran has battled a number of health issues for quite some time. One of the most significant came in 2007 when he required a kidney transplant after suffering organ failure. More recently, he dealt with serious complications after contracting COVID-19 in early 2021, which reportedly led to additional kidney problems and heart-related issues.

Beyond those challenges, Konnan has also undergone multiple orthopedic procedures throughout the years, including a hip replacement. Despite these obstacles, he has remained an active and influential figure within the wrestling world.

Konnan’s impact on the industry spans several decades. Since the 1990s, he has been closely associated with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, helping shape the promotion both on-screen and behind the scenes. AAA itself made headlines last year after being acquired by WWE, further highlighting the organization’s global influence.

Fans in the United States may also remember Konnan from his time in WCW during the height of the Monday Night Wars, as well as his later roles across promotions such as MLW, AEW, Impact Wrestling, and TNA. In recent years, he’s been widely recognized for managing the Latin American Xchange (LAX), one of the most popular factions in modern tag team wrestling.

In addition to his in-ring and on-screen contributions, Konnan has played a key role in helping bring Mexican wrestling talent to a broader audience. He has long been credited with helping open doors in the U.S. for stars like Rey Mysterio, Juventud Guerrera, and Psicosis.

At this time, further updates on Konnan’s condition remain limited. The wrestling community has already begun sharing messages of support for the veteran performer and influential promoter as he continues his recovery. 🙏

WWE NXT Vengeance Day 3/7/2026 (Card)

NXT Vengeance Day – Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 7pm ET on Peacock and Netflix (Internationally)

CARD

  • NXT Championship: Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ricky Saints
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship: Izzi Dame (c) vs. Tatum Paxley
  • NXT Underground Match: Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Street Fight: Blake Monroe vs. Jaida Parker
  • Tony D’Angelo vs. Dion Lennox

WWE SmackDown Preview 3/6/2026

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

  • Fallout from Elimination Chamber
  • Undisputed WWE Championship: Drew McIntyre (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
  • WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley will go face-to-face
  • New WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) to hold a celebration
  • New No. 1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team Championships to be determined
  • United States Open Challenge Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. ?

Brian “Road Dogg” James Resigns from WWE Creative Team

Details have surfaced regarding the departure of WWE Hall of Famer Brian “Road Dogg” James from WWE, and it appears the situation was not a company decision as some earlier reports suggested.

According to a new report from PWInsider, James’ exit was not the result of a “creative readjustment” or an internal shake-up within WWE. Instead, the longtime WWE personality personally resigned from his position on the creative team earlier today.

Road Dogg Reportedly Resigned in Person

The report states that James went to WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut and submitted his resignation in person during the late morning hours. The decision reportedly came after several creative meetings earlier in the day.

Sources within the company indicated that James openly expressed frustration with WWE’s creative direction before formally stepping down from his role.

Importantly, this was not a case of WWE releasing him or removing him from his position. The departure was entirely James’ decision, with the Hall of Famer choosing to walk away from his backstage creative duties.

Frustrations Had Been Building

According to the report, James has been frustrated with aspects of the creative process for some time. While the exact issues were not detailed, those frustrations reportedly played a significant role in his decision to step away from the position.

Road Dogg has been involved with WWE behind the scenes for years, working in various creative roles and previously helping oversee the SmackDown brand during different periods.

WrestleMania Weekend Appearances Still Possible

Despite leaving the creative team, fans may still see James during WrestleMania 42 weekend in Las Vegas.

He is currently under a WWE Legends contract, which is separate from his backstage creative responsibilities. Because of that deal, his previously scheduled meet-and-greet appearances at WWE World during WrestleMania weekend could still happen.

At this point, there has been no indication that those appearances have been canceled.

While his role behind the scenes has now come to an end, Road Dogg’s long history with WWE means he could still remain connected to the company in other capacities moving forward.