Author: John Bass

Santos Escobar Re-Signs With WWE After Brief Free Agency, Promises of Bigger Creative Plans

It’s been a whirlwind week for Santos Escobar, and it looked at one point like his time with WWE had quietly come to an end. Reports surfaced Monday that Escobar’s contract was set to expire at midnight, and that he had chosen not to re-sign despite a strong offer from the company. Word was that creative frustrations had pushed the LWO member to test free agency.

But in true pro wrestling fashion, the story took a dramatic turn just 48 hours later. By Wednesday, Escobar was officially back under contract with WWE—this time with a deal reportedly more lucrative than the original offer he turned down.

During Wednesday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez discussed Escobar’s decision to stay put. Meltzer confirmed that the financial bump wasn’t the only reason behind his return, noting that WWE has promised to address Escobar’s creative concerns going forward.

“Yeah, [he’s been re-signed], with the idea that he’ll be used better creatively,” Meltzer said. “We’ll see. I remember that was said about Ron Killings too.”

That comparison to R-Truth (real name Ron Killings) isn’t random. Earlier this year, Truth had a brief “departure” of his own after his contract expired, only to return a week later following fan support online. WWE initially teased a new, more serious direction for him, but that quickly faded as he was eased back into his comedic role and used less frequently on television.

Escobar’s own recent run hasn’t been much better. Despite being a standout talent with charisma and in-ring ability to spare, he’s only wrestled seven matches in 2025 so far. A teased angle over the summer involving AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo was dropped without explanation, leaving Escobar largely off TV and fans wondering what’s next.

With this new deal in place, it seems WWE wants to make good on its promise to give the former NXT standout something meaningful to do. Whether that actually happens—or if Escobar ends up in R-Truth territory—remains to be seen.

For now, though, the “Emperor of Lucha Libre” is sticking with WWE, and the ball is in their court to make his return worth the hype.

Former WWE Star (Kayden Carter) Lacey Lane Made Debut in AEW, Answered Mercedes Moné’s Open Challenge

A familiar face made her AEW debut this week, as Lacey Lane—formerly known to WWE fans as Kayden Carter—stepped into the spotlight on AEW Dynamite to challenge reigning TBS Champion Mercedes Moné.

The match came about after Moné threw down an open challenge to any standout from Florida’s wrestling scene. Lane, who built her reputation in NXT as part of a successful tag team alongside Katana Chance, was quick to answer the call, earning a warm reaction from the crowd.

Despite being the underdog, Lane delivered an impressive showing against one of AEW’s most dominant champions. Her athleticism and striking offense kept Moné on her toes, but in the end, the “CEO” capitalized on an opening and sealed the win with the Moné Maker, extending her reign to a remarkable 500 days.

With the victory, Moné continues her reign of dominance—now boasting 22 successful title defenses since defeating Willow Nightingale at Double or Nothing 2024.

For Lane, though, her AEW debut made a lasting impression. Even in defeat, she proved she can hang with one of the company’s biggest stars—potentially setting the stage for more opportunities inside an AEW ring.

TNA World Tag Team Champs The Hardys Win NXT Tag Titles, WWE NXT vs. TNA Showdown

The Hardys continue to make history. Matt and Jeff Hardy added another championship to their legendary résumés Tuesday night, defeating Darkstate’s Osiris Griffin and Dion Lennox to become the new NXT Tag Team Champions at the WWE NXT x TNA Showdown special.

The win makes the veteran brothers double champions, as they currently hold the TNA Tag Team Titles as well. Their next challenge? A tables match against longtime rivals Team 3D—Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley—this Sunday at TNA Bound For Glory, where both sets of tag titles will reportedly be on the line.

The title bout in Orlando opened the highly anticipated crossover event with classic Hardy energy. Darkstate’s powerhouse tandem managed to keep Jeff Hardy grounded early, cutting the ring in half and punishing the high-flyer. But the “Charismatic Enigma” turned the tide with a signature Whisper in the Wind, creating the opening to tag in Matt.

Matt Hardy unleashed his trademark offense, smashing Lennox’s head into each turnbuckle before nearly scoring a three-count. The challengers briefly regained control and attempted a Doomsday Device, but Matt countered in midair with a Twist of Fate. After another Twist to Lennox, Jeff climbed the ropes and sealed the victory with a picture-perfect Swanton Bomb.

As confetti fell and the crowd erupted, The Hardys stood tall with both the NXT and TNA Tag Team Championships held high—while Team 3D watched from ringside, making it clear that their decades-long rivalry is far from over.

With Bound For Glory just days away, the stage is set for another chapter in one of wrestling’s greatest tag team rivalries—Hardys vs. Dudleys—with double gold hanging in the balance.

WWE NXT Showdown (NXT vs TNA) Preview 10/7/2025

WWE NXT Showdown live tonight on The CW – NXT vs. TNA

  • Men’s Survivor Series Elimination Match: Team NXT (Ricky Saints & Trick Williams & Je’Von Evans & Myles Borne) vs. Team TNA (Mike Santana & Moose & Leon Slater & Frankie Kazarian) (with Joe Hendry as special guest referee) – Men’s Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination match
  • Women’s Survivor Series Elimination Match: Team NXT (Jacy Jayne & Sol Ruca & Jaida Parker & Lola Vice) vs. Team TNA (Kelani Jordan & Jessie McKay & Cassie Lee & Mara Sade) (with Jordynne Grace as special guest referee) – Women’s Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination match
  • Title vs. Title – Winner Take All: TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardy Boyz (Matt & Jeff Hardy) vs. NXT Tag Team Champions DarkState (Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin)
  • NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Mustafa Ali

AEW Dynamite Homecoming Title Tuesday 10/7/2025

AEW Dynamite Homecoming Title Tuesday live at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TBS and HBO Max from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, FL. It will be a 2.5 hour special!

  • TNT Championship Match: Kyle vs. Kyle 2– Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Kyle O’Reilly
  • AEW World Tag Team Double Jeopardy Eliminator Match: Brodido (Brody King and Bandido) (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada & Konosuke Takeshita. If either Okada or Takeshita win, they earn a future AEW Tag Team Title Match. However, if Bandido or Brody King win, whoever gets the pinfall challenges Okada for the AEW Unified Championship.
  • TBS Championship Open Challenge Match: Mercedes Mone’ (c) vs. someone from Florida
  • Street Fight: The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona) vs. Hurt Syndicate (MVP, Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin)
  • Orange Cassidy vs. PAC (No Death Riders, No Conglomeration – 1 on 1
  • Jon Moxley vs. Tomohiro Ishii
  • Jurassic Express in action
  • AEW World Champion Hangman Adam Page and Samoa to go face-to-face

Santos Escobar Reportedly Exiting WWE After Turning Down New Contract Offer

It looks like Santos Escobar’s time in WWE may be coming to an end. According to a new report from PWInsider Elite, the leader of Legado del Fantasma was expected to officially become a free agent early Tuesday morning, ending a six-year run with the company.

Interestingly, Escobar’s reported departure wasn’t about money. Sources told PWInsider that WWE had extended a new contract offer which included a raise, but Escobar turned it down. Instead, his main concern reportedly centered on WWE’s creative direction for his character and his future on television.

Escobar was said to have wanted clarity on how he would be used moving forward — not necessarily demanding a major push, but wanting assurance that he wouldn’t just be “spinning his wheels” on the roster without meaningful storylines or matches.

The 40-year-old’s last televised appearance came in June at AAA x WWE Worlds Collide, where he teamed with Angel and Berto to defeat El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr., Pagano, and Psycho Clown. His most recent SmackDown match aired back on May 2, a loss to Rey Fenix.

With Escobar’s contract expiring at midnight heading into Tuesday, there’s still an outside chance WWE could make a last-minute effort to retain him. However, PWInsider reported that as of Monday afternoon, no one within the company seemed to believe that was likely.

Escobar — who first joined WWE in 2019 and became a standout in NXT before transitioning to the main roster — has been noticeably cryptic on social media in recent weeks. Many fans have interpreted those posts as hints about his uncertain future, especially following Andrade’s recent return to AEW after a similar situation.

If this truly marks the end of Escobar’s WWE chapter, the former NXT Cruiserweight Champion leaves behind a legacy of in-ring excellence and charisma that made Legado del Fantasma one of the most stylish and underrated factions of the modern era.

WWE Star Zoey Stark Gets Baptized Amid Injury Recovery, AEW’s Brian Cage Was There For Support

WWE Superstar Zoey Stark recently shared a major personal milestone with fans, revealing on social media that she’s been baptized in the Christian faith. In a video posted online, Stark can be seen taking part in the ceremony while wearing a shirt that read, “I have decided.”

Interestingly, the event also featured AEW’s Brian Cage, who attended alongside his family to show support. Cage shared his own post about the day, expressing how meaningful it was to witness Stark’s baptism and celebrate her commitment.

While Stark’s faith journey is just beginning, she joins a long list of wrestlers who have openly spoken about their Christian beliefs over the years. Names like Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan, Sting, Kurt Angle, Chad Gable, and The Undertaker have all shared how faith has played a role in their lives both inside and outside the ring.

Stark has been out of action since May 2025, sidelined by a serious knee injury suffered during a Women’s Money in the Bank qualifying match against Kairi Sane. During the bout, Stark’s knee appeared to buckle after a mistimed missile dropkick, and reports later indicated she’d likely miss the rest of the year.

Despite her time away from the spotlight, Stark has stayed active online, debunking an AI-generated video falsely claiming she had retired. The former NXT standout has made it clear that she fully intends to return to WWE once she’s cleared to compete.

Until then, Zoey Stark seems to be focusing on healing — both physically and spiritually — as she prepares for what’s sure to be a powerful comeback story.

WWE Raw Preview 10/6/2025

WWE Raw is back to it’s normal time of 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm live on Netflix from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

  • Roman Reigns will open the show
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch vs. Maxxine Dupri (non-title)
  • CM Punk to make his first appearance since Wrestlepalooza
  • Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez
  • Roman Reigns will open the show

Tony Khan Promises AEW Will Keep Ticket Prices “Family Friendly” As WWE Costs Soar

With ticket prices for WWE events climbing higher than ever, AEW President Tony Khan is making it clear that his promotion isn’t following that path. As WWE fans voiced frustration over skyrocketing costs — especially after WrestleMania 42 seats were revealed to start at a jaw-dropping $850 — Khan reassured fans that All Elite Wrestling remains committed to keeping live events “family friendly” and financially accessible.

Speaking with The Sportster, Khan said affordable ticketing has been a top priority since AEW launched in 2019.

“From our very first show, we wanted to make AEW something families could attend together,” Khan explained. “We’ve always kept our entry prices reasonable, and that’s been a consistent philosophy since day one. I really believe AEW is the best value in professional wrestling.”

That value-driven approach doesn’t seem to be hurting AEW’s bottom line. In fact, Khan noted that 2025 has been a record-breaking year for the company in terms of live event revenue. Major shows like All In, All Out, and Forbidden Door each generated gates exceeding $1 million, making them some of the biggest financial successes in AEW’s six-year history.

Khan credited the company’s pricing strategy as a key part of its continued growth, saying that fans have been vocal in their appreciation for AEW’s balance between affordability and quality.

“We’ve had a lot of great feedback this year,” Khan said. “People tell us all the time that AEW tickets are one of the best values in live entertainment, and that’s something we’re proud to maintain.”

Meanwhile, WWE’s rising ticket costs have sparked debate among fans about accessibility. The company’s partnership with TKO Group Holdings has brought major business moves — including record-setting revenue — but also a noticeable increase in the price to attend live shows. With entry-level WrestleMania tickets nearing $1,000 and premium seats well into the thousands, many longtime fans worry the product is moving out of reach for average families.

For Khan, AEW’s more budget-friendly approach has become part of its identity — an alternative not just in style and presentation, but in how it treats its fanbase.

Credit to The Sportster

Networks React To Revised AEW & WWE Nielsen Numbers (After Change In Way Ratings Are Calculated)

The numbers are in, and they’ve got people talking across the wrestling world. With Nielsen officially rolling out its new “Big Data + Panel” system, both WWE and AEW have seen noticeable dips in their TV ratings this week — and that’s raising a few eyebrows inside the industry.

While streaming has become a major player for both promotions — “WWE Raw” now living on Netflix and AEW airing live through HBO Max — traditional Nielsen ratings still carry major weight for networks, advertisers, and executives. The new hybrid data method, designed to more accurately reflect viewing habits across devices, has reshuffled the deck, leaving wrestling shows looking weaker on paper than before.

AEW Keeps Calm Amid The Shift

According to Fightful Select, AEW is keeping a close eye on the situation. Sources say Tony Khan understands the new methodology inside and out thanks to his well-known love of numbers and analytics. While the updated system might make week-to-week trends look rough, AEW still benefits from its simulcasts on HBO Max — even if those exact streaming figures aren’t being publicly shared. Reports suggest about 500,000 viewers tune in weekly to stream “Dynamite” and “Collision.”

A contact within Warner Bros. Discovery (AEW’s media partner) downplayed any panic, noting it’s far too early to make judgments with such a small sample size. The source also pointed out that AEW and WWE both ran head-to-head with Major League Baseball this past week, a sport that — along with college football and the NFL — has actually benefited from Nielsen’s new approach.

When asked if this change could spark talk of cancellations, the WBD insider reportedly laughed off the idea, saying that topic always comes up but is “never actually on the table.”

Interestingly, the new data system has one upside for AEW — it’s expected to end the use of “fast national” ratings, those early estimates that often circulated within hours of broadcast. Because Nielsen’s new reporting adds another day’s delay, those quick-turn numbers will no longer offer an accurate read, potentially eliminating a common talking point in the ongoing WWE–AEW ratings rivalry.

WWE’s Network Partners Weigh In

Over in WWE’s corner, USA Network and The CW are also monitoring the changes. While Raw has made the jump to Netflix, “SmackDown” remains on USA and “NXT” airs weekly on The CW — both still reliant on traditional TV numbers.

A USA Network source told Fightful they’re discussing the new metrics internally, but they’re not alarmed. The feeling is that while the numbers might suggest wrestling isn’t as “hot” as it looked under the old system, the overall value of WWE programming remains undeniable. WWE content continues to deliver strong returns at relatively low costs — something USA has appreciated for decades.

The CW didn’t comment, but the network has reportedly been pleased with NXT’s performance since day one. The shift in ratings measurement isn’t expected to change that enthusiasm.

TNA’s Situation & Industry Impact

One WWE insider did note that the updated Nielsen process could make things tricky for TNA Wrestling, which is currently seeking a new television home. Even so, company president Carlos Silva told Fightful the issue hasn’t come up during negotiations, and discussions with potential partners are still moving forward.

Meanwhile, talent across the major promotions have reportedly felt little direct impact, aside from a few more tweaks to production and travel schedules than usual.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Nielsen’s overhaul is shaking up how TV success is measured, but the wrestling industry has weathered plenty of changes before. Between the rise of streaming, shifting network priorities, and a fan base that consumes content in more ways than ever, the true picture of viewership might take months — if not years — to fully understand.

For now, one thing’s clear: both WWE and AEW are still drawing millions of passionate fans every week, no matter how the math gets crunched.