Andrade’s AEW return started with a bang — and then silence. After a shocking attack on Kenny Omega, the star has vanished from AEW programming and canceled multiple appearances. Now, new backstage reports suggest WWE might be behind his sudden disappearance.
Andrade’s second run with AEW has hit a roadblock just weeks after his big return. The former WWE standout shocked fans when he attacked Kenny Omega on AEW television, seemingly setting the stage for a major storyline. But since that night, Andrade has been nowhere to be found — not on TV, not in the ring, and not even on his scheduled independent shows.
According to Wrestling Observer Radio, the reason may be tied to an unexpected issue with WWE. Bryan Alvarez reported that Andrade’s absence has nothing to do with injury or discipline, but rather a non-compete clause stemming from his recent WWE release.
“I was told he is not hurt, he didn’t get himself fired,” Alvarez said. “But apparently something is up involving his WWE non-compete… AEW might’ve thought they could get this worked out in time to get the Omega match on, but it didn’t happen.”
Dave Meltzer added that AEW and even some within WWE believed Andrade had no non-compete period. However, WWE reportedly later informed AEW that Andrade is still restricted from appearing on wrestling television for 90 days — a development that seemingly blindsided everyone involved.
“AEW obviously believed there was no non-compete,” Meltzer noted. “Even some people in WWE thought there wasn’t one. But apparently, WWE said he can’t do anything for 90 days.”
WWE Clarified Andrade’s Status After He Took Indie Bookings
PWInsider Elite later reported that both Andrade and WWE initially operated under the impression that his release allowed him to compete immediately since he wasn’t receiving the standard 90-day pay. However, once Andrade began accepting independent dates, WWE clarified that he was still bound by a non-compete restriction.
Whether this was a change in direction or just a case of miscommunication isn’t clear. One WWE insider told PWInsider the company wants to avoid creating a loophole where talent could leave under controversial circumstances and immediately jump to another promotion.
Impact On Andrade’s AEW and Independent Plans
If the 90-day non-compete is enforced, Andrade will be sidelined until early next year, delaying his AEW storyline indefinitely. He’s also expected to miss several upcoming shows, including an event in Puerto Rico this weekend and an appearance for The Crash in Tijuana — where he currently reigns as Heavyweight Champion.
That leaves the future of The Crash title uncertain, especially since Andrade only captured the belt from DMT Azul shortly after reappearing in AEW.
For now, fans can only wait to see when Andrade will finally be cleared to return to the ring. His comeback may have started strong, but this legal roadblock has left one of AEW’s most intriguing returns stuck in neutral.
WWE could soon be remixing more than just its storylines. According to a new report from BodySlam.net, the company’s longtime music partner Def Rebel is nearing the end of its contract — and the change could usher in a brand-new era for WWE’s signature sound.
Def Rebel has been the creative force behind some of the most recognizable entrance themes of the past few years, crafting tracks for top stars such as Rhea Ripley, Asuka, LA Knight, Dominik Mysterio, Austin Theory, and Killer Kross (formerly Karrion Kross). Their production style has defined WWE’s current musical identity, blending cinematic beats with aggressive hip-hop and metal influences.
However, as the contract winds down, reports suggest that several Superstars have voiced interest in seeing a shift in how their music is developed and managed. That feedback, coupled with the expiring deal, could open the door for WWE to explore new creative partners or even revive collaborations with outside artists — something the company has done successfully in past eras.
If Def Rebel and WWE part ways, it would mark the end of a significant chapter in the company’s musical evolution. WWE themes have always been a major part of its presentation — from Jim Johnston’s legendary compositions to CFO$’s modern hits — and a new transition could dramatically reshape the sound of WWE programming heading into 2026.
For now, no official announcement has been made about Def Rebel’s status, but with their deal reportedly nearing completion, fans might start hearing new music — literally — in the not-so-distant future.
It’s been a tough week behind the scenes at WWE, as multiple names from the company’s developmental system—and even a member of wrestling’s legendary Samoan Dynasty—were let go.
Lance Anoa’i, son of former WWE star Samu and cousin to Roman Reigns, confirmed Friday that his time with WWE had come to an end. Anoa’i shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), noting that his run never really got started due to injuries and “bad luck” since signing. Despite not making an on-screen appearance, his family lineage and in-ring pedigree had drawn plenty of attention when he joined the company.
However, Anoa’i’s departure turned out to be part of a larger round of roster cuts. Reports from BodySlam’s Cory Hays and Fightful Select revealed that several names from the NXT and Performance Center ranks were also released. Among them was two-time NXT North American ChampionWes Lee, who had recently been sidelined with an injury. Other names included Stevie Turner, Jin Tala, Drako Knox, Haze Jameson, Summer Sorrell, Brayden “BJ” Ray, and Jamar Hampton.
Turner, who fans may remember from her stint as the “Prime Minister” of WWE Evolve and as Robert Stone’s co-Assistant GM in NXT, took to social media to confirm her exit. “My time with WWE has come to an end,” she wrote. “I’ve had a brilliant time and I’m so excited for the future. See you soon!”
Drako Knox—who had been featured as “Drake Starks” during Season One of WWE LFG—also confirmed his release, stating he was available for bookings in 30 days, as is standard with developmental contracts.
Adding to the list, Zara Zakher announced that her WWE ID deal had expired and that she’d be taking time away from wrestling. With Zakher included, the total number of confirmed departures from Friday’s round reached ten.
For many of these talents, especially those from the NXT and developmental ranks, the releases mark the end of one chapter and the potential start of another. Meanwhile, the loss of Lance Anoa’i quietly closes a brief but intriguing connection between the ever-expanding Samoan Dynasty and WWE’s current generation.
The shocking betrayal of Seth Rollins on Monday Night Raw wasn’t part of the long-term plan—at least, not yet. According to new reports from PWInsider and Fightful Select, WWE was forced to make a “heavy creative pivot” following a legitimate injury to the World Heavyweight Champion atCrown Jewel.
Just days after standing tall alongside Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman at the Perth premium live event, Rollins was blindsided by his own allies on Raw. The sudden fracture of The Vision—the faction that had seemed rock-solid heading into Crown Jewel—was reportedly written on the fly to explain Rollins’ upcoming absence from TV.
Sources tell PWInsider that Rollins was spotted with his arm in a sling after his win over Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in Perth. The injury apparently occurred when Rollins went for a high-risk coast-to-coast headbutt. Despite getting hurt mid-match, he powered through to finish the bout and retain his title.
Fightful Select added that the original plan had been for Breakker’s eventual split from Rollins to unfold sometime next year, but the injury forced WWE to move that storyline up. With Rollins now sidelined, Breakker and Reed are reportedly being positioned for a bigger spotlight much sooner than expected.
At this point, there’s no confirmed timetable for Rollins’ return. He’s said to be undergoing medical testing later this week to assess the severity of the shoulder injury.
The timing couldn’t be worse for The Vision’s Architect. Rollins had been locked in a heated rivalry with CM Punk, whom he defeated for the World Heavyweight Championship after a dramatic Money in the Bank cash-in at SummerSlam. In a twist of irony, that title win had been built around fake rumors of a Rollins injury—now, real life seems to have imitated storyline.
WWE fans will now have to wait to see how the company adjusts both the Vision storyline and the Punk feud while their champion recovers.
It was the end of an era at TNA Bound For Glory, as Team 3D seemingly called time on their legendary in-ring careers — and no one was more surprised than their longtime rivals, The Hardy Boyz.
In a high-stakes Tables Match that saw both the TNA and NXT Tag Team Championships on the line, Matt and Jeff Hardy managed to outlast Bully Ray and D-Von Dudley in a hard-hitting, nostalgia-filled showdown. But what came after the bell rang left fans and the Hardys alike stunned.
Following the match, Team 3D removed their boots and handed them to the Hardys — a symbolic gesture in pro wrestling that traditionally signifies retirement. With that simple act, one of the most decorated tag teams in history appeared to say goodbye to active competition.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Matt Hardy admitted the moment caught him completely off guard:
“They came out looking for a knockout — 3Ds right out the gate. But what shocked me was when the match ended, they took off their boots. They called it a career. We did not expect that. They… they gave us their boots, which was the ultimate sign of respect.”
Jeff Hardy echoed his brother’s emotions, reflecting on what the moment meant to him personally:
“What an honor. That right there gave us confidence and momentum for however long we keep doing this, knowing that that happened tonight.”
For both teams, the moment felt like a full-circle conclusion to a rivalry that helped define tag team wrestling at the turn of the millennium. The Hardys and Team 3D (then the Dudley Boyz) first clashed in a Tables Match at the 2000 Royal Rumble, and along with Edge and Christian, went on to create some of WWE’s most iconic moments in the original TLC matches.
Now, 25 years later, those same teams once again shared the spotlight — this time, to close the book on one of wrestling’s most storied tag team rivalries.
If Bound For Glory truly marked the final bow for Bully Ray and D-Von, it was a fitting farewell for a team that redefined what tag team wrestling could be — and an emotional passing of the torch to two men who helped them make history.
New Japan Pro Wrestling crowned a new top champion this morning, as AEW standout Konosuke Takeshita shocked fans in Tokyo by dethroning Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
The victory came after a grueling 31-minute battle at King of Pro Wrestling, where over 5,000 fans watched Takeshita outlast one of the most dominant champions in recent NJPW history. Sabre, who had held the title twice since first winning it nearly a year ago, came in with momentum from high-profile victories over Shota Umino, Shingo Takagi, Ricochet, and Nigel McGuinness.
But on this night, Takeshita proved to be the better man. The match told a classic NJPW story of contrasting styles — Sabre methodically targeted Takeshita’s arm, looking to neutralize his power, while Takeshita relied on his explosive strikes and athleticism. In the end, the AEW star broke through, delivering a pair of brutal knee strikes — the final one with the kneepad down — to score the decisive pinfall and claim the gold.
Takeshita’s celebration didn’t last long, though. Hirooki Goto, the man who briefly interrupted Sabre’s championship dominance earlier this year, confronted the new champion immediately after the match and issued a challenge. Takeshita mocked Goto and took shots at New Japan’s younger generation for failing to step up, but he ultimately accepted the challenge. Whether that title match happens soon or is saved for Wrestle Kingdom in January remains to be seen.
The win marks Takeshita’s first reign as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and continues his rapid ascent across multiple promotions. Already under contract with AEW, NJPW, and DDT, Takeshita now joins Jon Moxley as the second AEW wrestler in the past year to hold New Japan’s top championship.
And the momentum might not stop there — Takeshita is scheduled to compete at AEW WrestleDream this weekend, where he’ll team with Kazuchika Okada, his sometimes ally and rival within the Don Callis Family, to challenge Brodido for the AEW World Tag Team Titles.
If Takeshita can pull off another win, the “Alpha of the Callis Family” could soon be holding gold in two major promotions at once — a feat that would firmly cement his status as one of wrestling’s most unstoppable rising stars.
You know what the biggest mistake NJPW ever made was? Not accepting Konosuke Takeshita into the dojo. That’s right—his dream was just to compete here, and they turned him away. And now? Now he stands as YOUR IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. The man NJPW rejected is better than… pic.twitter.com/qPKJljvOB7
— ROCKY ROMERO🇵🇷 🇲🇽 🇺🇸 🇯🇵“Chico El Luchador” (@azucarRoc) October 13, 2025
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) held the 2025 King of Pro-Wrestling event on October 13 from Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
You can check out the complete results from the show below:
IWGP Women’s Championship: Syuri def. Sareee (c) to win the title.
War Dogs (David Finlay, Taiji Ishimori & Clark Connors) def. Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & Titan.
TNA delivered a memorable Bound For Glory this year, mixing nostalgia, chaos, and emotional moments in front of a red-hot crowd. From new champions to double winners and surprise appearances, the show had fans buzzing from start to finish.
Countdown to Bound For Glory
TNA Hall of Fame Inductions
The Beautiful People were first to be enshrined in the 2025 TNA Hall of Fame. Tommy Dreamer handled the induction — though, in true Beautiful People fashion, they put a paper bag over his head before their acceptance speech. Angelina Love and Velvet Sky shared their gratitude with names like Dreamer, Terry Taylor, Jeff Jarrett, and even “Cute Kip” Billy Gunn, while giving a heartfelt shoutout to the “Pigeon Army” fans. The segment closed with a crowd-wide “Let the pigeons loose!” chant.
Mickie James was the second inductee of the night, introduced by her longtime friend and rival Lisa Marie Varon (Tara/Victoria). Mickie thanked Jeff and Jerry Jarrett for giving her an opportunity in TNA, reflected on her early run with Raven’s Gathering stable, and credited Dixie Carter for believing in her “Hardcore Country” reinvention. Mickie summed up her legacy best herself: “I might be too crass, too badass, not your cup of tea — but I’ll always be Hardcore Country.”
Knockouts Tag Team Championship
The IInspiration (c) def. Elegance Brand
The IInspiration held onto their gold after a well-timed mistake from their challengers. Heather accidentally struck her partner M, opening the door for Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay to hit the IIdolizer for the win. Ash by Elegance accompanied her team but couldn’t prevent the champs from keeping their streak alive.
Bound For Glory Main Card
TNA International Championship
Steve Maclin def. Frankie Kazarian (c) to win the title
Maclin kicked things off with an ambush during Kaz’s entrance, setting a violent tone early. The two traded each other’s signature moves and even dragged Kazarian’s mother into the story — who flipped off Maclin after being taunted. After a gritty back-and-forth, Maclin countered Kaz’s tree-of-woe spear attempt and nailed the KIA DDT to become a two-time International Champion, celebrating with his mother afterward.
Tessa Blanchard def. Gia Miller
Tessa showed zero respect for Gia’s clean wrestling approach, using the steps, exposed steel, and even interference from Victoria Crawford to maintain control. Once Crawford was ejected, Jody Threat evened the odds — but Tessa used a roll of quarters to knock Gia out cold while the referee was distracted, stealing the pin.
Call Your Shot Gauntlet – Double Winners
Frankie Kazarian & Nic Nemeth declared co-winners
In one of the most chaotic “Call Your Shot” matches yet, the bout ended in controversy as Kaz and Nic Nemeth simultaneously scored pinfalls following a superplex and double cradle. With two referees giving two separate counts, Santino Marella ruled a rare double victory — and the crowd erupted with “bullshit” chants. Both men now hold guaranteed title shots at any TNA championship.
Notable highlights:
Jody Threat had her spot stolen by Kazarian.
Santino got revenge with a Cobra strike on Kaz.
Ryan Nemeth was accidentally superkicked by his brother Nic.
Matt Cardona’s elimination came after interference from Mance Warner and Steph De Lander.
Knockouts Championship
Kelani Jordan (c) def. Indi Hartwell to retain
In one of the night’s most technically competitive matches, Hartwell came close to ending Jordan’s reign with the Hurts Donut, but Jordan’s ring awareness saved her. After Indi missed a top-rope elbow, Jordan connected with a sharp kick and a split-legged moonsault to seal the win.
Hardcore War
The System (Moose, Eddie Edwards, Alisha Edwards, Brian Myers & Johnny “JDC” Curtis) def. Order 4 (Mustafa Ali, Tasha Steelz, John Skyler, Jason Hotch & Agent Zero)
This wild, WarGames-style brawl lived up to its name. Agent Zero made a statement by choke-bombing Alisha Edwards onto thumbtacks. Moose later wrapped a steel chain around his arm for a devastating spear, and after chaos all around, Eddie Edwards put Ali away with a barbed wire–wrapped Boston Knee Party. Brutal from bell to bell.
Chris Bey announced the new TNA attendance record for North America with 7,794 fans.
X-Division Championship
Leon Slater (c) vs. Je’Von Evans – No Contest
This one had “match of the night” written all over it until the finish went south. After a 20-minute time limit draw, Santino Marella restarted the bout for five more minutes. Just as Evans seemed ready to capture the gold, the lights went out — and DarkState attacked both men, ruining a fantastic contest. The crowd let TNA know how they felt about that one.
TNA/NXT Tag Team Championship (Tables Match) – One Final Table
Matt & Jeff Hardy (c) def. Team 3D (Bully Ray & D-Von)
Bound For Glory turned into a nostalgia trip when Team 3D faced the Hardy Boyz in a throwback tables match. With Spike Dudley making a cameo, both teams hit their classic moves in a hard-hitting, crowd-pleasing encounter. Jeff’s Swanton Bomb through a table evened the score, and the Hardys finished Bully Ray with a double table spot to retain both sets of titles. Afterward, Team 3D removed their boots and handed them to the Hardys.
Mike Santana def. Trick Williams (c) to win the title
The main event was emotional, violent, and story-driven from the start. Trick Williams’ trash talk lit a fire under Santana, who brawled with the champ through the crowd before the match even officially started. Williams targeted Santana’s head and taunted his daughter at ringside — earning a slap for his trouble. Santana fought back through blood and interference, hitting Spin the Block to capture the TNA World Title. He celebrated in tears with his daughter in the ring.
But Bound For Glory wasn’t done yet.
Post-Match Chaos
As Santana basked in victory, Nic Nemeth arrived to cash in his Call Your Shot trophy — only for the lights to go out. A familiar guitar strum rang out, and Elijah returned from injury to smash Nemeth with his signature weapon. Meanwhile, Frankie Kazarian tried his own cash-in attempt, but Santana stopped him cold with another Spin the Block. Santana closed the show still champion as the crowd chanted, “TNA! TNA! TNA!”
Bound For Glory 2025 delivered everything fans could ask for — legends, hardcore violence, shocking finishes, and emotional payoffs. With Santana leading the charge as TNA World Champion and multiple wrestlers holding title shots, the road ahead for TNA looks absolutely wild.
Wrestling News Blog 