WWE NXT tonight on The CW network.
New Japan Pro Wrestling is preparing for another significant shift, as the company has officially confirmed that longtime standout Hiromu Takahashi will be departing the promotion once his current contract expires.
NJPW announced the news on its official website earlier today, explaining that the decision came after discussions between both sides. Officials apologized to fans for the abrupt nature of the announcement and expressed gratitude for Takahashi’s contributions, wishing him success in whatever comes next.
While the news marks the beginning of the end of an era, Takahashi still has a handful of appearances left with the company. He is currently touring with the roster on The Road To The New Beginning, which wraps up on February 11 at The New Beginning in Osaka. That night will feature Takahashi’s final NJPW match, where he will team with fellow Unbound Co. member Taiji Ishimori against United Empire’s Jakob Austin Young and Francesco Akira. Once the bell rings for the final time, Takahashi will officially become a free agent.
Following the announcement, “The Time Bomb” spoke with Tokyo Sports in an exclusive interview, shedding light on his mindset and why now felt like the right moment to move on. Takahashi described the decision as something he had given serious thought to, noting that the outpouring of love from fans reinforced just how meaningful his NJPW run had been.
While he made it clear that his ambitions within wrestling haven’t changed — including his long-standing dream of eventually holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and competing at the very top of the card — Takahashi revealed that another personal dream has taken priority. He explained that waiting any longer could have led to regret later in life, making the timing of this decision crucial for him.
Takahashi exits NJPW with one of the most decorated résumés in junior heavyweight history. His accomplishments include five reigns as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, a run as IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, a NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship reign, and a record-setting four Best of the Super Juniors tournament victories.
As NJPW continues to evolve, Takahashi’s departure leaves a massive hole in the junior division — and opens the door to endless speculation about where one of the most influential performers of his generation may land next.
While WWE’s Royal Rumble dominated headlines over the weekend, a surprising off-screen development involving Ava quickly became one of the most talked-about stories in the company. The former WWE NXT General Manager announced on Friday that she was leaving WWE, a move that caught many fans — and insiders — off guard.
Things escalated further on Sunday when Ava posted politically charged comments on social media aimed at ICE and the Trump Administration before ultimately deactivating her X account altogether. While those remarks drew plenty of attention online, they weren’t the focus of the internal discussion within WWE.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed the situation, clarifying that Ava’s departure wasn’t the result of disciplinary action or a release. According to Meltzer, the prevailing belief backstage was simple: Ava no longer wanted to continue in her role.
Meltzer noted that those within WWE felt the decision was entirely hers, adding that Ava is expected to transition into other projects, potentially tied to the film and media studio run by her parents, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dany Garcia. With those opportunities available, there was no pressure for her to remain in NXT if her heart wasn’t in it.
However, Meltzer also mentioned a quieter factor that may have played a role. He revealed that he was told Ava’s girlfriend, Tatyane Dumas, had been released by WWE a few weeks prior — a move that flew largely under the radar. While Meltzer stressed that no one directly claimed this was the reason Ava left, some within the company privately speculated that it may have influenced her decision.
Ultimately, Meltzer emphasized that there was no looming threat to Ava’s position and no indication WWE was planning to move on from her. The exit came without much warning, and even those close to the situation didn’t see it coming.
In the end, it appears Ava simply chose to step away on her own terms — and with her background and connections, her next move outside of WWE will be worth keeping an eye on.
WWE Hall of Famer Mark “The Undertaker” Calaway is stepping into a fascinating new role behind the scenes, and he’s making it clear that his goal isn’t to turn Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide into another version of WWE programming.
Back in September, reports surfaced that WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque would be overseeing creative direction for AAA, with a support group that includes Jeremy Borash, Konnan, Dorian Roldan, and Calaway himself. Now, The Undertaker is shedding more light on what that vision actually looks like.
While appearing on Cody Rhodes’ What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, Calaway emphasized that his philosophy centers on simplifying wrestling in order to elevate it.
According to The Undertaker, he wants to lean back into physicality, logical in-ring storytelling, and matches that feel grounded and meaningful. He also spoke highly of lucha libre’s deep-rooted traditions, particularly the importance of masks, family lineages, and generational legacies that are woven into AAA’s identity.
Rather than changing that culture, Calaway says the goal is to respect it.
At the same time, he believes AAA can benefit from enhanced production values and more refined storytelling to better showcase its talent. He praised the current AAA roster, noting both their athleticism and the passion of the fanbase that supports them.
Most importantly, The Undertaker made it clear that this project isn’t about exporting WWE’s formula to Mexico.
He stressed that he has no intention of turning AAA into RAW or SmackDown. Instead, the plan is to blend what AAA already does well with select elements he’s learned throughout his legendary career, creating a hybrid product that feels authentic while also appealing to a broader audience.
If Calaway’s vision comes together as planned, AAA could be entering a new era—one that honors lucha libre’s past while presenting it in a way that resonates with modern wrestling fans worldwide.
WWE Raw airs live tonight on Netflix from Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Brie Bella’s surprise return at the Royal Rumble immediately sparked questions about whether the WWE Hall of Famer is back for more than just a one-night cameo — and a new backstage update has begun to clarify her situation.
After appearing in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match on Saturday in Saudi Arabia, Brie fueled speculation with an Instagram post declaring that “BRIEMODE IS ACTIVATED.” Naturally, fans wondered if that meant a longer-term WWE run could be on the horizon.
According to Dave Meltzer, the answer for now appears to be maybe, but nothing permanent. Meltzer reported Sunday evening that Brie is back with WWE “for the time being,” suggesting the door is open but no long-term commitment has been finalized.
Brie entered the Women’s Royal Rumble at No. 29 and spent roughly seven minutes in the match before being eliminated by Lash Legend. The appearance marked her first in-ring action since the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble, making it a notable return after several years away from active competition.
Her comeback also comes at an interesting time, given the landscape of her family connections. Brie’s husband, Bryan Danielson, remains under contract with AEW and recently handled a brief color commentary role on Dynamite while Taz recovered from shoulder surgery. Despite that, Brie’s Royal Rumble appearance shows WWE is still very open to working with her.
Meanwhile, her twin sister Nikki Bella has already re-established herself in WWE over the past year. Nikki returned in 2025, reigniting her in-ring career with a feud against Liv Morgan before later turning heel and targeting Stephanie Vaquer. That run culminated in a high-profile three-way Women’s World Title match at Survivor Series, where Nikki came up short against champion Raquel Rodriguez.
For now, Brie Bella’s WWE future remains fluid. She’s officially back in the fold, but whether this turns into a sustained run, sporadic appearances, or another short-term return remains to be seen. Either way, her Royal Rumble moment has clearly reopened the conversation about what’s next for Brie in WWE.
Chris Jericho continues to prove there’s life beyond the wrestling ring. The AEW star and former multi-time world champion is set to appear in an upcoming Apple TV series alongside Hollywood heavyweight Nicole Kidman.
According to Elle, Jericho will be featured in the new series Margo’s Got Money Troubles, marking another notable acting credit for the veteran performer. While details about Jericho’s character haven’t been officially revealed, early promotional images offer a strong hint. One preview photo shows Jericho standing in the corner of a wrestling ring behind Kidman, who is dressed in colorful pink-and-blue ring gear while leaning against the ropes — suggesting wrestling will play at least some role in the storyline.
Jericho also took to social media to hype the project, expressing his excitement about working with such a high-profile cast. He noted that filming alongside Kidman and Nick Offerman was a blast and praised the ensemble as an “all-star cast.”
Margo’s Got Money Troubles stars Elle Fanning as Margo Millet, a 20-year-old woman whose life takes a complicated turn after becoming pregnant by her junior college professor. As financial pressures mount, Margo turns to OnlyFans — with marketing help coming from her estranged father, a former professional wrestler.
Nick Offerman portrays that father, Jinx Millet, a retired wrestler navigating his own past while trying to help his daughter survive. Kidman also plays a former pro wrestler and longtime friend of Jinx, further tying the series into the wrestling world. Michelle Pfeiffer rounds out the core cast as Margo’s mother, Shyanne, a single mom with her own complicated history.
The series is scheduled to premiere on April 15 on Apple TV. The first three episodes will drop immediately, followed by weekly releases for the remaining five episodes.
Between music, wrestling, and now another major television role, Jericho continues to show why he’s one of the most versatile personalities to ever come out of the pro wrestling business.
Another familiar name from the modern wrestling era is preparing to step away from active competition. Former WWE star Nixon Newell, best known to many fans as Tegan Nox, has confirmed that she’s likely entering the final year of her in-ring wrestling career.
Speaking recently on Casual Conversations with The Classic, Newell explained that this timeline has been on her mind since her WWE release in 2024. At the time, she gave herself a rough two-year window, and with one year already gone, she now sees the end of her full-time wrestling run coming into focus.
According to Newell, the decision isn’t rooted in burnout or frustration with wrestling itself. Instead, her passion has simply shifted. These days, she finds far more fulfillment behind the scenes — producing matches, training talent, and helping others grow within the industry.
Newell has already begun embracing that role. She’s been producing shows alongside Miranda Alize and assisting with training at Evolution Dojo in Houston, experiences she described as genuinely rewarding. Helping others succeed, she said, has always come naturally to her, and that mindset has only grown stronger as her career has progressed.
After spending more than a decade wrestling across the globe — including stints in Japan, Europe, Canada, the UK, and several years inside WWE — Newell feels she’s reached a point where lifting others up means more to her than chasing personal accolades.
Her future plans extend beyond wrestling production as well. Newell is actively studying personal training and massage therapy, with a focus on injury recovery for athletes. That path is deeply personal, given her own well-documented history with major injuries.
During her WWE run, Newell suffered multiple devastating setbacks, including an ACL tear just weeks before the inaugural Mae Young Classic and a horrific injury during the 2018 tournament that saw her fracture her tibia while tearing her ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Those experiences, she says, shaped her desire to help others navigate the long and difficult road back from serious injuries.
While she hasn’t completely closed the door on wrestling opportunities that may arise in the next year, Newell made it clear that her priorities have changed. Her focus is now firmly on education, licensing, and building a future centered around coaching, rehabilitation, and mentorship.
Newell’s most recent match took place in December 2025 for Riot Cabaret Pro Wrestling in London. Whether or not fans see her step into the ring again, it’s clear her impact on the wrestling world is far from over — it’s simply entering a new chapter.
The speculation is officially over. Former AEW standout Powerhouse Hobbs has arrived in WWE — and he’s doing so under a new name.
Hobbs made his WWE debut during the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble, entering the match at No. 14 and immediately revealing his new ring name, Royce Keys. His arrival drew a massive reaction from the Riyadh crowd, helped in part by a striking presentation that featured his old “Powerhouse Hobbs” name going up in smoke on the titantron before he stepped through the curtain.
While Keys didn’t go the distance in his first WWE appearance, his debut left little doubt that the company views him as a major player. He wasted no time making an impact, going straight after Damian Priest and scoring a statement elimination by dumping the former world champion over the top rope.
Keys’ Rumble run also saw him mix it up with several notable names, including fast-rising NXT standout Je’Von Evans and former WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. The repeated interactions with Rhodes were particularly notable, given Rhodes’ status as the most high-profile example of an AEW talent successfully transitioning to WWE. Keys was also shown squaring off with hard-hitting competitors like Ilja Dragunov, further reinforcing his positioning among WWE’s upper-tier talent.
Ultimately, Keys’ night came to an end thanks to a combined effort from The Vision, with Bronson Reed being officially credited with the elimination.
Before joining WWE, Keys was best known for his time in AEW as Powerhouse Hobbs. During his run there, he captured the AEW Trios Championship alongside Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata as part of the group known as The Opps. His AEW contract expired on January 14, the same day he competed in his final match for the company, losing the Trios titles to JetSpeed and “Hangman” Adam Page.
As of now, WWE has not confirmed which brand Royce Keys will land on following his Royal Rumble debut. While a move to NXT would be a logical starting point, his interactions with established main-roster stars — and even AAA-linked talent during the match — suggest WWE may have bigger plans for him sooner rather than later.
Either way, Royal Rumble 2026 marked the official beginning of a new chapter for Royce Keys, and his arrival is one that won’t go unnoticed.
AJ Styles’ legendary WWE run came to a heartbreaking conclusion at Royal Rumble 2026, as “The Phenomenal One” was defeated by GUNTHER after passing out in the Ring General’s sleeper hold.
Following the match, Styles briefly teased leaving his gloves in the ring — a traditional symbol of retirement — before ultimately putting them back on and taking in the ovation from the Riyadh crowd, choosing to acknowledge the fans one final time rather than quietly walking away.
After both men vowed on SmackDown to make the other submit, the match began with Styles targeting GUNTHER’s leg in hopes of setting up the Calf Crusher. GUNTHER quickly shifted the momentum, dumping Styles to the floor and unleashing his trademark brutality by slamming him into the announce desk and ring post.
Styles battled back with a well-timed Pele Kick and continued hunting for the Calf Crusher. GUNTHER countered with a powerbomb, but Styles stayed alive and managed to lock in the submission on a second attempt. The Ring General responded by wrapping Styles up in a sleeper, signaling the beginning of the endgame.
Momentum swung wildly as Styles connected with a Phenomenal Forearm and wiped GUNTHER out on the outside. Back in the ring, the two traded punishment, with GUNTHER’s relentless chops wearing Styles down. Still, Styles dug deep, landing a springboard 450 splash followed by a Styles Clash that came agonizingly close to ending the match.
GUNTHER avoided another Phenomenal Forearm and went back to the sleeper, only for Styles to counter with one of his own. Drawing from their controversial encounter in Germany, GUNTHER once again bent the rules, distracting the referee before delivering a low blow to regain control.
An increasingly frustrated GUNTHER unloaded with repeated chops as Styles tried to mount one last comeback. Before Styles could fire off another Pele Kick, GUNTHER snatched him up and cinched in the sleeper once more. Styles fought desperately, reaching toward the ropes with his fingertips just inches away, but GUNTHER refused to release the hold.
With nowhere left to go, Styles passed out in the center of the ring, forcing the referee to stop the match and officially ending his WWE career.
While the loss marked a devastating conclusion, the post-match reaction made it clear: AJ Styles left Royal Rumble 2026 not just as a defeated competitor, but as one of the most respected and celebrated performers in WWE history.
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