Author: John Bass

Why NXT/TNA “Invasion” Special Renamed To Showdown

WWE made a quick change this week to the name of its highly-anticipated NXT and TNA crossover special. What was originally announced as “NXT vs. TNA: Invasion” will now go forward under a new title — “Showdown.”

The event, set for October 7, was still being promoted with the “Invasion” branding earlier in the day, but by the time NXT aired Tuesday night, the name had been officially swapped out. The change sparked plenty of conversation, and it wasn’t just about WWE’s history with the “Invasion” label from the 2001 WCW/ECW storyline.

Why WWE Dropped the “Invasion” Title

The decision comes after backlash from Israeli fans and media outlets, who pointed out the sensitivity of branding the show “Invasion” on October 7. That date marks the second anniversary of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which left over 1,200 people dead. Critics described WWE’s choice as “insensitive,” noting both the word itself and the accompanying logo — which featured a bold red “V” — unintentionally resembled imagery associated with Hamas.

One viral post on X (formerly Twitter) even highlighted the resemblance, questioning how WWE’s marketing team could miss the connection, even if it was unintentional.

WWE Responds Quickly

Once the controversy began to circulate, WWE and TNA quietly pulled advertising for the event before reintroducing it on Tuesday’s NXT broadcast with its new name. On-screen, the change was woven into the storyline by TNA’s Director of Authority, Santino Marella, who lightheartedly reframed the show as more of a “showcase” than an “invasion,” ultimately dubbing it a “Showdown.”

Behind the scenes, WWE wasted no time moving forward with the rebrand — filing a trademark for “Showdown” almost immediately after the new name was announced.

Looking Ahead

The rebranding doesn’t change the fact that this crossover is a landmark moment for both NXT and TNA, as two promotions come together for a rare interpromotional showcase. With “Showdown” now locked in, fans can expect the focus to return to what matters most: the matches, the surprises, and the potential for new dream encounters between NXT and TNA’s top stars.

WWE NXT Preview 9/30/2025

WWE NXT live tonight on The CW.

  • Lash Legend vs. Jaida Parker
  • Ava and Santino Marella choose their teams for InVasion
  • TNA Stars to appear
  • Newly crowned NXT Champion Ricky Saints
  • The fallout from NXT No Mercy

WWE’s Ridge Holland Sidelined with Serious Foot Injury After TNA Tapings

Bad news has hit Ridge Holland’s momentum. The NXT/EVOLVE standout, who has been a regular face in the ongoing WWE–TNA partnership, announced that he’s dealing with a significant injury that will put him on the shelf for the foreseeable future.

Holland was in action this past weekend at the TNA iMPACT tapings from the Edmonton Expo Centre in Alberta, Canada. On Friday, he wrestled at the Victory Road 2025 special, suffering a loss to Mike Santana. The next night, he stepped into the ring with Moose for matches taped to build toward TNA’s marquee event, Bound For Glory, scheduled for October 12 in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Unfortunately, things didn’t end well for Holland. On Monday, he took to Twitter to confirm the nature of his injury, writing:

“Lisfranc Injury. Surgery Friday. See ya in a bit.”

The Lisfranc injury — which affects the midfoot — is no small matter, often requiring surgery and months of recovery time. That means Holland will be missing a crucial stretch of TV, including Bound For Glory, at a time when WWE and TNA’s partnership has created some high-profile crossover opportunities.

It’s a tough setback for the powerhouse, who had been gaining traction by mixing it up with some of TNA’s biggest names. While no timetable has been given for his return, fans will no doubt be eager to see him bounce back once he’s cleared.

Sting’s Son Steven Borden Preparing for First Wrestling Match This October

The Borden family legacy looks set to continue inside the squared circle. Steven Borden, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Sting, is reportedly preparing to make his in-ring debut this October.

Fans last saw Steven earlier this year at AEW Revolution 2024, where he and his brother Garrett paid tribute to their father during Sting’s emotional retirement match. Dressed in one of Sting’s classic looks, Steven even got physical, hitting the Young Bucks with his dad’s iconic Stinger Splashes in a memorable moment that had the wrestling world buzzing.

Now, according to PWInsider Elite, Steven is moving beyond cameos and stepping fully into the ring. His debut is scheduled for shows at New York’s 52 Walker gallery space on October 3 and October 10.

Training Under Darby Allin

What makes this debut even more fitting is who’s helping Steven prepare — none other than Darby Allin, Sting’s final tag team partner and one of the men most influenced by The Icon’s legendary career.

Allin reportedly began working with Steven shortly after Revolution, easing him into wrestling after the younger Borden had been reluctant to follow in his father’s footsteps. Earlier this year, Allin noted that Steven “has big shoes to fill” but emphasized that their training journey has been about respect, legacy, and giving back to Sting, who became both a mentor and friend to him in AEW.

A New Chapter for the Bordens

While Steven Borden made his mark as a football player at the University of Kentucky, his decision to step into the wrestling world is a significant moment. It’s not just about carrying the Sting name — it’s about seeing if the next generation can carve its own path.

With Darby Allin guiding him and the wrestling world watching closely, Steven’s debut this October will be one of the most intriguing stories to follow this fall.

John Cena’s Final Match Officially Set for Washington, D.C. – SNME

The time and place are finally official—John Cena’s last match will go down in the nation’s capital. WWE confirmed Tuesday that Cena’s farewell bout is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

The announcement puts to rest months of speculation. While many fans expected Cena’s final chapter to be written in Boston, near his hometown of West Newbury, Massachusetts, the venue shift had been rumored since early September. According to reports, D.C. landed the event after offering a sizable site fee, similar to the $7 million New Jersey paid for this year’s historic two-night SummerSlam.

Tickets and Fan Experiences

Tickets for Saturday Night’s Main Event officially go on sale October 17 at 10 a.m. EST via Ticketmaster, with a presale opportunity starting October 15 for registered fans. Premium passes through On Location will also be available, giving diehard fans the chance to sit ringside for Cena’s last outing, enjoy all-inclusive pre-show hospitality, and mingle with WWE stars.

If you can’t make it to D.C., the show will stream live on Peacock, bringing Cena’s farewell to viewers around the world.

More WWE in the Capital

WWE is going all-out with the weekend festivities. On December 12, fans can catch a live edition of “Six Feet Under with The Undertaker” at The Howard Theatre. Meanwhile, The Gallery Space DC will transform into a WWE Superstore, packed with exclusive merchandise celebrating Cena’s final match.

Cena’s Farewell Tour Rolls On

Before his career curtain call, Cena still has five stops left on his farewell tour. His next big match is set for Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia on October 11, where he’ll face off against longtime rival AJ Styles.

The Capital One Arena showdown marks the end of an era. Cena has been the face of WWE for more than two decades, and his final match promises to be a historic night both for fans in attendance and those tuning in from home.

WWE Raw Preview 9/29/2025

WWE Raw live tonight on Netflix at 7 PM ET from the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC.

  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Rusev
  • Tag Team Tornado Match: The Usos vs. The Vision
  • Bayley vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Los Americanos
  • Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY to appear

Referee Daphanie LaShaunn Speaks Out After Big SmackDown Main Event Botch

The closing moments of Friday’s WWE SmackDown women’s main event had fans buzzing for an unexpected reason — a botched pinfall that briefly threw the finish into question.

During the WWE Women’s Title Triple Threat Match, Tiffany Stratton appeared to have Nia Jax down for a three-count, but referee Daphanie LaShaunn (formerly known on the indies as Aja Smith) only registered a two despite Jax not kicking out. The hiccup was quickly overshadowed when Stratton went on to hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the actual finish, but the moment didn’t go unnoticed.

LaShaunn later addressed the incident on her Instagram Stories, showing humility and appreciation in her response:

“I see all the love. I’m just human, but I can promise that I strive to always be better. Which will forever be my goal as long as I’m on this journey. I love this just like y’all. That I can swear to you.”

According to reports, the finish of the match had already been slightly reworked after Jade Cargill suffered a cut earlier in the contest. Stratton was always planned to leave with the victory, but the sequence leading up to it ended up playing out differently than scripted.

As is often the case with live TV, WWE quickly cleaned up the mistake for its official YouTube upload, editing the missed count out of the footage.

While the botch sparked chatter online, LaShaunn’s professionalism and accountability in addressing the situation have earned her plenty of respect from fans. Mistakes may happen, but Stratton still got her big win — and SmackDown closed with the intended result.

Adam Scherr (Braun Strowman) Teases Possible Role as Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th Franchise

Braun Strowman may no longer be terrorizing opponents inside a WWE ring, but he could soon be terrorizing movie audiences on the big screen. The former Universal Champion, real name Adam Scherr, has been branching out since leaving WWE, diving into acting and even launching his own travel show. His next project? A role in the upcoming horror sequel Deathgasm 2: Goremageddon.

But according to Scherr, that might just be the beginning of his journey into horror. In a recent interview with Collider, the powerhouse revealed that he’s been in early discussions about playing none other than Jason Voorhees—the legendary slasher who’s been haunting campgrounds and movie screens for nearly five decades.

“If we could ever get everybody to get back on the same page and allow the things to work, I might be the next Jason Voorhees,” Strowman said, even adding that he’d shave off his trademark beard for the opportunity.

While it’s not clear how far along those conversations are—or if they’re directly connected to the current Friday the 13th projects—Scherr made it clear he’s more than interested in picking up the iconic hockey mask.

The franchise has been dormant on the big screen since 2009, marking its longest hiatus in 45 years. However, the property is starting to stir again. Peacock has a prequel series, Crystal Lake, in development, which is said to explore Jason’s backstory through the perspective of his mother, Pamela Voorhees. A new feature film is also in the works, which could open the door for someone like Scherr to step into the role of adult Jason.

For wrestling fans, the thought of Strowman’s imposing frame as the unstoppable Voorhees is easy to picture—after all, he’s spent years playing the monster among men. Whether it’s on the squared circle or the silver screen, Scherr seems ready to keep his reputation for destruction alive.

WWE NXT GM Ava Announces TNA Invasion TV Special For Same Night As AEW’s Title Tuesday “Homecoming”

The battle between NXT and AEW Dynamite on “Title Tuesday” is becoming a yearly tradition, and 2025 might be the most high-stakes showdown yet. During Saturday’s NXT No Mercy premium live event, General Manager Ava announced that the October 7 episode of NXT will be branded “Invasion”, with the black-and-gold brand facing off against stars from TNA Wrestling.

This means WWE’s developmental brand will once again go head-to-head with AEW’s annual Title Tuesday, which this year features a special “Homecoming” edition of Dynamite. And while AEW has yet to announce any matches for their card, NXT has already stacked the deck.

What’s on tap for NXT: Invasion?

  • Survival Matches: Both men’s and women’s teams will compete in elimination-style battles reminiscent of Survivor Series. Team lineups will be revealed on next week’s NXT.
  • Title-for-Title Matches:
    • NXT Tag Team Champions DarkState vs. The Hardy Boys, the reigning TNA World Tag Team Champions.
    • NXT Champion Oba Femi vs. TNA World Champion Trick Williams, with all outside interference banned following recent chaos on NXT.

The Oba vs. Trick matchup is especially noteworthy. While Williams currently represents TNA as world champion, his roots remain firmly in NXT. He captured the TNA World Title back in May at NXT Battleground, defeating Joe Hendry. The crossover has only deepened since then: the night before No Mercy, Kelani Jordan won the TNA Knockouts World Championship at Victory Road after Ash By Elegance vacated the title, while Je’Von Evans is scheduled to challenge for the X-Division Championship at Bound For Glory.

Why it matters

This Invasion special signals just how serious WWE is about counter-programming AEW. With championships from both promotions on the line and marquee names like the Hardy Boys involved, it feels less like a side attraction and more like a statement.

And while AEW hasn’t yet revealed what’s in store for Homecoming, WWE has made sure fans know the October 7 TV war will be must-see.

AEW’s Hologram Sidelined With An Injury

What was shaping up to be a major clash on AEW Dynamite has now been taken completely off the table. TNT Champion “The ProtoStar” Kyle Fletcher was set to defend his title against the undefeated Hologram in a unique Title vs. Streak showdown. Unfortunately, that plan has been scrapped after a violent turn of events this past weekend.

On Saturday’s AEW Collision, Fletcher blindsided Hologram in a backstage attack that quickly spiraled out of control. Officials rushed in to break things up, but the damage was already done. Tony Schiavone later revealed on commentary that Hologram had sustained a significant injury, an update that AEW President Tony Khan confirmed soon after on social media.

Khan didn’t sugarcoat the news, stating that Hologram is “likely out the rest of 2025.” That’s a huge blow for AEW, especially given the momentum Hologram has built since his debut just over a year ago. The masked high-flyer burst onto the scene in July 2024 with a win over Gringo Loco and has since put together an impressive undefeated streak, notching 34 wins without a single loss.

The injury also puts a pause on an intriguing storyline that had been unfolding in recent weeks. Fans had seen Hologram battling inner conflict with a darker persona known as El Clon, reportedly portrayed by former AAA standout Arez. With Hologram now sidelined, it’s unclear whether AEW will continue exploring the El Clon angle or put it on hold until he’s healthy enough to return.

For Fletcher, this attack only adds more heat to his run as TNT Champion. The AEW locker room — and the fans — will no doubt be keeping a close eye on his next moves.

Hologram’s rise was one of AEW’s more unique success stories in 2024, and his absence leaves a noticeable gap in the roster. The hope now is that Hologram can recover fully and eventually pick up where he left off — streak intact or not.