Author: John Bass

Warner Bros. Discovery Rejects Paramount’s Hostile Takeover Offer

The fight over control of Warner Bros. Discovery is heating up, and it could have ripple effects across the entertainment landscape — including All Elite Wrestling.

Warner Bros. Discovery, AEW’s longtime broadcast and streaming partner, has officially rejected a hostile acquisition attempt from the Paramount Skydance group led by David Ellison. The move comes after WBD recently agreed to a major deal with Netflix, which would see the streaming giant acquire a significant portion of WBD’s assets, including Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max.

Following that agreement, Paramount launched an aggressive all-cash tender offer directly to WBD shareholders, offering $30 per share and valuing the company at roughly $108 billion. Unlike Netflix’s proposal, Paramount’s bid would include WBD’s entire portfolio, including its linear television networks.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, WBD’s board has now formally rejected Paramount’s offer, telling shareholders it is “inferior” to Netflix’s deal and warning that the bid carries “numerous significant risks and costs.” With that decision made, Paramount’s options are limited: either convince shareholders to sell at the current price or return with a higher offer in hopes of disrupting the Netflix agreement.

WBD Board Chair Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr. said the rejection followed a comprehensive review of Paramount’s proposal. In a statement, Di Piazza said the board determined the offer undervalued the company while placing unnecessary risk on shareholders. He added that the bid failed to resolve issues WBD had already raised during discussions around Paramount’s six previous proposals.

Di Piazza emphasized that WBD believes the Netflix transaction offers stronger and more certain value, stating the company is confident in the long-term upside of that partnership.

THR noted that the board’s response was widely expected. Paramount’s tender offer closely resembled a proposal submitted earlier in December, shortly before WBD finalized its agreement with Netflix. WBD has repeatedly expressed concerns about Paramount’s financing, particularly questions surrounding foreign investment and whether Oracle founder Larry Ellison would fully guarantee the deal.

In a December 17 filing, WBD specifically pointed to issues with the backstop provided by Ellison’s revocable trust, citing a lack of transparency regarding the trust’s assets and liabilities. The filing also raised red flags about funding tied to Middle East sovereign wealth funds, including $10 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, $7 billion from Abu Dhabi, and another $7 billion from the Qatar Investment Authority.

Paramount has already had to adjust its financing structure. Tencent, which was expected to contribute $1 billion, was removed from the bid, while Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners has reportedly pulled out of a $200 million commitment. WBD has also stated it sees no meaningful regulatory advantage in Paramount’s proposal compared to Netflix’s.

Looking ahead, THR reports that Ellison and his team were waiting on WBD’s response before deciding their next move. If Paramount increases its offer, Netflix would have the opportunity to counter, potentially setting off a full-scale bidding war. Netflix, for its part, sent a letter to shareholders on December 17 calling its proposal “the right deal, with the right partner, at the right time.”

The report also revealed that Ellison texted WBD CEO David Zaslav just hours before the Netflix deal was finalized, signaling Paramount’s willingness to go higher than $30 per share. Notably, Ellison pointed out that the offer was not labeled “best and final.”

Despite the rejection, Paramount reaffirmed its $30 per share tender offer in a statement released today. Ellison reiterated his belief in the deal, arguing it offers superior value, a clearer path to closing, and avoids leaving shareholders with what he described as an overleveraged linear TV business.

Ellison and senior Paramount executives have continued lobbying investors, including at a recent UBS conference in New York. One attendee told THR they left believing Paramount is prepared to raise its bid and questioned whether Netflix could realistically match a higher offer given recent stock movement following the $83 billion announcement.

With several major WBD shareholders reportedly intrigued by Paramount’s all-cash proposal, pressure could continue to mount. If Paramount ups the ante, WBD may yet find itself forced to reconsider — setting the stage for an even bigger showdown in the media world.

Backstage Report Suggests NXT Rules Could Change Following Major Title Match Botch

The fallout continues from Tuesday night’s unexpected ending to the NXT Women’s North American Championship match, and new details suggest WWE may be preparing to adjust its backstage procedures as a result.

During WWE NXT, Thea Hail shocked viewers by defeating Blake Monroe to capture the Women’s North American Title. While the result appeared to be a major upset on screen, it was not the planned finish. The referee counted the pinfall after Hail hit her backwards drop from the second rope, with Monroe unable to respond in time. The confusion was immediately noticeable, as Monroe’s entrance theme briefly played before being cut off and replaced by Hail’s music once the decision was finalized.

According to Fightful Select, the timing of the mistake couldn’t have been worse. One NXT staffer described it as happening at “the worst possible time,” noting that NXT was in the middle of wrapping up its 2025 television tapings before the roster departed for the Christmas holiday.

The report states that several weeks of future NXT episodes had already been locked in creatively. Once the unplanned title change occurred, there was reportedly a “pretty frantic rush” behind the scenes to rework pre-taped material that had been built around Monroe remaining champion. WWE even briefly listed Monroe as retaining the title on its website before correcting the information.

Previous reports indicated Monroe had the wind knocked out of her during the move, which likely explains why she was unable to kick out before the referee’s count.

Rather than reversing course, WWE chose to lean into the outcome. Hail’s championship win was quickly promoted across NXT’s social media channels, and highlight clips were released almost immediately. The broadcast also included a post-match angle showing a stunned Monroe confronting Hail and Jordynne Grace during Hail’s victory interview.

Notably, that interview segment was not part of the original plan for the episode. Fightful reports it was assembled on short notice and added to the CW Network broadcast once the decision was made to move forward with Hail as champion.

One NXT executive reportedly believes the incident could spark a meaningful change in protocol. Going forward, talent may be required to remain backstage until all TV tapings are fully completed. Currently, NXT pre-tapes are filmed on Mondays, with wrestlers typically expected to stay through the following night’s live television taping — a policy that may now be enforced more strictly in the wake of this situation.

MJF Makes AEW Return, Alters Worlds End Title Picture

Maxwell Jacob Friedman is officially back, and his return has instantly changed the landscape of the AEW World Championship scene.

During this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, MJF re-emerged to cash in his Casino Gauntlet contract, inserting himself into the already high-stakes World Title match scheduled for Worlds End. The bout was originally set to feature reigning champion Samoa Joe defending against both Swerve Strickland and “Hangman” Adam Page, but MJF has now made it a four-way showdown.

Samoa Joe captured the AEW World Championship at Full Gear in November by defeating Page, aided by Hook’s involvement and Joe’s renewed alliance with The Opps. Strickland later returned to the picture, joining forces with Page as the two former rivals united against Joe and his allies. Their partnership was on full display at Dynamite: Winter Is Coming, where Page and Strickland fended off Joe’s Trios Championship partners, Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs, before officially declaring their shared pursuit of the world title.

On Dynamite, Joe, Page, and Strickland met in the ring to sign the contract for their upcoming clash. While tensions were high, Page and Strickland stood shoulder to shoulder, warning Joe that he had underestimated them. Moments later, the arena went dark — and MJF’s music hit.

The former champion made his first AEW appearance in three months, having last been seen losing to Mark Briscoe in a brutal Tables n’ Tacks match at All Out in Toronto. MJF wasted no time reminding everyone why he was there, signing the Casino Gauntlet contract he earned by winning the match at All In back in July, officially adding his name to the Worlds End title bout.

MJF then addressed each of his future opponents, taking shots at Strickland with a controversial comparison and referencing his WWE past, while also making it clear that his goal was to humiliate Page and the two men he considers his biggest rivals.

There’s plenty of history between all four competitors. Page defeated MJF to retain the AEW World Championship at Forbidden Door in August, while Joe ended MJF’s first title reign at Worlds End 2023. Joe would later lose the championship to Strickland at Dynasty 2024, setting the stage for a deeply intertwined and volatile main event heading into this year’s Worlds End.

AEW Dynamite & Collision – ‘Holiday Bash’ Preview 12/17/2025

AEW will present its 3-hour ‘Holiday Bash’ special episode of AEW Dynamite & Collision tonight on TBS and HBO Max from the Co-Op Live in Manchester, England.

  • AEW World Tag Team Championship Match: FTR (c) vs. Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson & Austin Gunn)
  • Mercedes Mone’, Athena, Megan Bayne & Marina Shafir vs. Harley Cameron, Willow Nightingale, Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa
  • $1 Million Match: The Elite vs. The Don Callis Family (Kazuchika Okada, Konosuke Takeshita & Hechicero)
  • AEW World Championship Three-Way Match Contract Signing For Worlds End: Samoa Joe, Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland
  • Continental Classic Blue League Match: Mascara Dorada vs. Orange Cassidy
  • Continental Classic Blue League Match: Jon Moxley vs. Roderick Strong
  • Continental Classic Gold League Match: Kyle Fletcher vs. PAC
  • Dynamite Diamond Ring Battle Royale

Unexpected NXT Title Switch Leads to Major Backstage Adjustments

Tuesday night’s episode of WWE NXT delivered a surprise that few — including those backstage — saw coming. Blake Monroe’s defense of the NXT Women’s North American Championship against Thea Hail ended with Hail scoring an unplanned victory, abruptly changing the title picture.

According to Fightful Select, Monroe was originally slated to retain her championship. Instead, a mistimed finish led to Hail being counted down for the win, prompting what was described as a frantic backstage response. That confusion reportedly explains the noticeable delay before Hail’s entrance music played, as officials worked in real time to adjust to the unexpected outcome.

The ripple effects were immediate. Creative plans for Hail, Monroe, and several other talents had to be reworked, as upcoming storylines were reportedly built around Monroe continuing her reign. With Hail now holding the title, NXT is said to be heading in a completely different direction than what was planned just days ago.

As of now, there’s no indication that anyone has been singled out for blame. Fans, however, have been quick to speculate online, with theories ranging from Monroe missing a kickout, to Hail’s pin being overly complex, to the referee simply following through with the count. The situation has drawn comparisons to an earlier incident this year involving Tiffany Stratton, Nia Jax, and Jade Cargill, when a referee stopped a three-count — a decision that sparked widespread backlash at the time.

Monroe’s reign ultimately ends at 52 days, despite expectations that it would continue. For Hail, the moment marks a major milestone, as the former Chase U standout captures her first championship since signing with WWE in 2022. Now aligned with Joe Hendry, Hail’s sudden rise adds an intriguing new wrinkle to the evolving NXT landscape.

WWE NXT Preview 12/16/2025

WWE NXT live TONIGHT at 8e/7c on the CW Network. 

  • Fatal 4-way – NXT Championship #1 Contenders Match: Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox vs. Myles Borne vs. TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship: Blake Monroe (c) vs. Thea Hail
  • Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair vs. Fatal Influence (Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)

Mick Foley Parting Ways With WWE For Their Continued Association With Donald Trump

Mick Foley is once again making headlines — but this time, it has nothing to do with hardcore matches or surprise WWE appearances.

The WWE Hall of Famer announced this week on Facebook that he is officially stepping away from WWE, citing the company’s ongoing association with former President Donald Trump as the deciding factor. Foley shared the news in a lengthy and emotional Facebook post, making it clear that this was not a sudden decision, but one that had been weighing on him for months.

Foley has been openly critical of Trump for years, most notably last October when he released a video directly addressing the president and condemning his stance on immigration. At the time, some fans questioned how Foley could be so outspoken while still maintaining a working relationship with WWE — a company that has strengthened its ties to Trump in recent years. According to Foley, that internal conflict has now reached a breaking point.

In his statement, Foley expressed deep concern over what he described as the administration’s “cruel and inhumane” treatment of immigrants, adding that recent comments made by Trump following the death of filmmaker Rob Reiner were the final straw. Foley said he could no longer represent a company that continues to align itself with someone he believes lacks compassion and is pushing the country in a dangerous direction.

As a result, Foley revealed that he has informed WWE’s talent relations department that he will not be making any appearances for the company as long as Trump remains in office. He also confirmed that he will not be renewing his Legends contract when it expires in June, effectively ending his formal relationship with WWE for the foreseeable future.

Despite the strong stance, Foley was careful to express his appreciation for WWE and his time there. He emphasized his love for the company and gratitude for the opportunities it provided throughout his legendary career. Still, as Foley put it by borrowing a line from Popeye, he has reached his limit. “I stands all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more.”

For now, Foley appears content standing by his principles, even if it means walking away from the company that helped make him a household name in professional wrestling. Whether WWE responds — or if this decision becomes permanent — remains to be seen.

WWE Raw Preview 12/15/2025

WWE Raw live tonight on Netflix from the GIANT Center in Hershey, PA.

  • WWE Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer(c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Maxxine Dupri (c) vs. Ivy Nile
  • The Usos vs. The New Day
  • CM Punk returns
  • Logan Paul vs. Rey Mysterio
  • Gunther to appear

Backstage News On The Reaction To John Cena’s Final Match

WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event delivered a historic night inside the Capital One Arena, and new backstage details are shedding light on how the company reacted to John Cena’s final match — both emotionally and creatively.

According to behind-the-scenes reports, Cena made a point to linger after the show wrapped, spending time saying his goodbyes and taking photos with WWE personnel. The moment clearly resonated throughout the locker room, as several top stars — including Bayley and CM Punk — were spotted watching Cena’s match from the crowd rather than backstage.

Despite inevitable speculation, WWE officials are reportedly firm that Cena is done competing in the ring. There are no plans to ask him to wrestle again, though that doesn’t mean fans have seen the last of him entirely. Cena is expected to remain connected to WWE in some capacity, both on-screen and behind the scenes, although specifics haven’t been finalized.

Mixed Feelings, No Backstage Fallout

The finish of Cena’s final match sparked plenty of discussion internally. While some talent would have preferred to see Cena go out with a victory, most understood the long-term direction involving Gunther, who emerged from the night with massive heat. Creative and booking personnel were largely supportive of the decision, and importantly, sources stressed that no one backstage was upset about the outcome.

That heat was very real. Gunther reportedly drew such a strong reaction that security had to escort him out of the arena, with fans following closely behind. The response only reinforced WWE’s belief in him as a top-level antagonist moving forward.

Triple H’s Reaction and Unplanned Emotion

One of the more notable details from the night involved Triple H, who was said to be visibly pleased with how things played out. Those in Gorilla Position noted he was smiling after the finish — the same expression fans saw on camera, even as he was being loudly booed by the crowd.

The show also featured several moments that weren’t originally on the rundown. An emotional ringside interview with Cody Rhodes, along with some post-match in-ring interactions, reportedly came together organically and added to the authenticity of the night.

Business Is Booming

From a business perspective, the event was a major win. A source connected to NBCUniversal claimed the buzz surrounding Saturday Night’s Main Event was stronger than anything they’ve seen on Peacock outside of WrestleMania — a significant endorsement of WWE’s current momentum.

As for Cena, while his in-ring career appears to be officially over, his presence still looms large. Whether it’s a cameo, a special appearance, or something entirely different, WWE clearly isn’t closing the door on him — they’re just making sure his final match truly stays final.

AEW/ROH Star Leila Grey Reveals She Has Torn ACL

AEW/ROH talent Leila Grey has confirmed that her recent match on AEW Collision came with a serious setback behind the scenes.

Grey revealed on X that she suffered a torn ACL during her TBS Championship match against Mercedes Moné on the December 6 episode of the show. The injury reportedly happened when Grey delivered a knee strike in the corner. Immediately after the move, she could be seen grabbing her knee, and moments later Moné locked in the Statement Maker to secure the title retention.

While the finish now makes more sense in hindsight, what’s impressive is what Grey managed to accomplish after the injury. Despite dealing with the torn ACL, she went on to compete in the WBFF Pro Fitness event, where she finished first place — all while wearing a knee brace.

Grey also shared that surgery will be required, and she expects to be sidelined for a significant amount of time as she recovers. It’s an unfortunate development for the rising AEW star, especially after getting a high-profile championship opportunity, but her toughness and determination have clearly not gone unnoticed.

There’s no timetable yet for Grey’s return, but AEW fans will undoubtedly be wishing her a smooth surgery and a strong comeback when she’s cleared to get back in the ring.