Author: John Bass

Powerhouse Hobbs Reportedly Leaving AEW as WWE Move Looms

Powerhouse Hobbs appears to be on the verge of closing the book on his AEW run, with multiple reports indicating that a jump to WWE could be right around the corner.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, Hobbs’ AEW contract was set to expire at midnight on January 14. His time with the company effectively wrapped at the conclusion of the Maximum Carnage taping of AEW Collision, which was taped last night. While fans will still see Hobbs one final time on television, his departure behind the scenes is all but official.

The possibility of WWE landing Hobbs has been discussed for quite some time. Dave Meltzer noted in last week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE interest in Hobbs has existed for years, but sources within the company now believe a deal is imminent, assuming nothing changes in the coming days. Sapp added that while rumors circulated about Hobbs potentially heading to WWE in 2025, there was reportedly no contact at that time. However, WWE had reached out several years ago during Dan Ventrelle’s tenure as Head of Talent Relations, though Hobbs ultimately chose to re-sign with AEW back then.

AEW, for its part, made a strong push to keep one of its most physically imposing homegrown stars. Contract talks reportedly stretched on for a while, with AEW presenting what internal sources described as a “huge” offer. Despite the money on the table, Hobbs opted to explore his options elsewhere. The split is said to be on excellent terms, with no animosity between Hobbs and the company.

Although Hobbs is technically free to sign with WWE this week, he still has one last AEW appearance lined up. On the Maximum Carnage edition of Collision airing this Saturday, Hobbs will defend the AEW World Trios Championships alongside Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata as The Opps face Hangman Page and JetSpeed. The match was taped in advance, clearing the way for Hobbs to potentially appear on WWE programming as early as Friday night.

At this point, it’s unclear whether Hobbs would debut in WWE NXT or head straight to the main roster. What is clear is that he exits AEW with an impressive résumé, including a reign as AEW TNT Champion and a historic run as one-third of the longest-reigning AEW World Trios Champions.

If this truly is the end of Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, his next chapter could be the biggest of his career — and WWE may soon be welcoming one of the most dominant powerhouses to hit the market in years.

The Rascalz Officially Headed to AEW Following Multi-Year Deal Signings

AEW made things official on the Maximum Carnage edition of Dynamite, confirming that The Rascalz are on their way to the company. Shortly after the on-air reveal, new details emerged shedding light on how the popular group’s move came together behind the scenes.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, Desmond Xavier, Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz, and Myron Reed have all signed multi-year contracts with AEW, with the deals finalized by at least the first week of January. While it’s unclear whether their signings happened before or after Jake Doyle’s recent deal, the timing firmly places The Rascalz as part of AEW’s plans moving forward.

TNA reportedly made a legitimate effort to keep the former NXT Tag Team Champions in the fold. However, AEW ultimately presented a stronger offer, which proved to be the deciding factor. Miguel and Wentz were both nearing the end of their TNA contracts, set to expire at the end of 2025, while Xavier and Reed were not locked into contracts with the company at all. Despite one member of the group being especially motivated to move on, the report notes that all four departed TNA on good terms.

Myron Reed’s situation, in particular, drew attention over the past week. Reed had been advertised for the January 15 episode of TNA Impact, which will mark the promotion’s debut on AMC. He was slated to challenge Leon Slater for the X-Division Championship, but the match was quietly removed from promotional material, fueling speculation about his future. That removal ultimately cleared the path for Reed’s AEW signing.

Interestingly, Reed was reportedly open to working the Slater match as a farewell appearance. However, the bout was scrapped entirely due to the possibility of WWE wanting Slater available for its upcoming European tour, putting an end to the planned matchup.

With The Rascalz now officially AEW-bound, the focus shifts to how the high-flying group will be introduced on screen and where they’ll fit into AEW’s crowded tag team and trios landscape. One thing is certain: their arrival adds yet another exciting layer to AEW’s ever-evolving roster.

AEW Dynamite ‘Maximum Carnage’ Preview 1/14/2026

AEW Dynamite ‘Maximum Carnage’ airs live tonight on TBS and HBO Max from the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, beginning at 8:00 pm ET.

  • 4-Way Tag Team Match – Winner earns a future World Tag Team Title shot against FTR: The Young Bucks vs. Gates of Agony vs. Jetspeed vs. Don Callis Family’s Jake Doyle & Mark Davis
  • Babes of Wrath & Kris Statlander vs. Triangle of Madness
  • AEW World Championship: MJF (c) vs. ROH World Champion Bandido
  • Darby Allin vs. PAC
  • Kenny Omega returns

TNA Quietly Removes X-Division Title Match From AMC Debut Amid Contract Uncertainty Of The Rascalz

TNA Wrestling has made a notable last-minute change to the lineup for its upcoming AMC debut episode of iMPACT!, and it appears to stem from real-world contract issues rather than creative direction.

The company has quietly pulled the previously announced X-Division Championship match that would have seen Leon Slater defend his title against Myron Reed. The bout has been removed from promotional graphics and the official event listing for Thursday’s show at the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas. While Slater is still featured in TNA’s “tune in” press materials for the venue, Reed’s name is no longer mentioned.

Behind the scenes, reports suggest the decision is tied to the contract status of The Rascalz. According to PWInsider, members of the group are no longer under contract with TNA Wrestling. Trey Miguel and Zach Wentz are believed to have seen their deals expire at the end of 2025, with no option in place for TNA to extend them for an additional year.

Reed appears to have confirmed his own status indirectly, as his social media now lists him as a “free agent.” Dezmond Xavier has also resurfaced recently, though he is likewise believed to be unsigned. While all four performers still appear on some TNA roster listings, multiple sources indicate that there are currently no active contracts binding them to the promotion.

TNA officials reportedly declined to comment when asked about The Rascalz’ status. Despite the group still being listed on the company’s website, the belief backstage is that all four wrestlers are free to work elsewhere without restriction.

As for the X-Division Championship picture, Leon Slater’s reign remains intact and unaffected by the change. He is still scheduled to defend the title this Saturday at TNA Genesis in a Triple Threat match against Cedric Alexander and Moose, a bout that continues to be heavily promoted.

With TNA stepping onto a new platform with its AMC debut, the situation surrounding The Rascalz is one worth keeping an eye on, especially given their popularity and long-standing association with the company’s X-Division.

AEW Quietly Signed Former WOW Standout Tatevik Late Last Year

All Elite Wrestling continues to add depth to its women’s division, and one recent signing managed to fly completely under the radar.

According to a report from Fightful Select, independent wrestling veteran Tatevik officially signed with AEW back in the fall of 2025. Despite being under contract for several months now, she has yet to resurface on AEW television, leaving many fans unaware she was even part of the roster.

Tatevik’s lone appearance in an AEW ring came earlier in 2025, when she competed on AEW Collision in March against Harley Cameron, who now holds the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championship. Since then, her work has primarily taken place on the independent scene rather than AEW programming.

One of her more consistent stops has been Ohio Valley Wrestling, where she’s faced off against several notable names in the women’s division. Tatevik has gone toe-to-toe with former OVW Women’s Champions like Haley J, J-Rod, and Freya The Slaya. Her most recent OVW match occurred at the promotion’s Christmas Chaos event on December 21, where she teamed up with J-Rod.

Before her AEW signing, Tatevik gained wider recognition under the WOW: Women Of Wrestling banner, competing as Tatevik The Gamer. During that run, she shared the ring with former WWE NXT and TNA talent Santana Garrett, helping raise her profile beyond the indie circuit.

More recently, Tatevik appeared at Metroplex Wrestling’s Who Runs The World 2 event, which was organized by current ROH Women’s World Champion Athena. The show featured a four-way elimination match with major names, including AEW’s Deonna Purrazzo and Hyan, as well as Reiza Clarke. The winner earned a shot at the MPX Women’s Championship, currently held by former AEW talent Abadon.

For now, there’s no official word on when Tatevik will make her return to AEW television. AEW is set to be back in Phoenix, Arizona this week for Dynamite and Collision, but whether she factors into those plans remains to be seen.

With her contract already in place and a growing résumé across multiple promotions, it may only be a matter of time before AEW finally reintroduces Tatevik to its audience in a more prominent role.

WWE NXT Preview 1/13/2026

WWE NXT tonight on The CW.

  • No Disqualification Match: Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox
  • WWE Men’s Speed Championship: Jasper Troy (c) vs. Tavion Heights
  • TNA International Championship: Stacks (c) vs. Shiloh Hill
  • Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Ava makes announcement about the future of the NXT Championship

Bully Ray Set for Guest Commentary Role on TNA iMPACT’s AMC Network Debut

TNA Wrestling is adding a familiar and outspoken voice to a major night for the company. TNA has announced that Bully Ray — also known to WWE fans as Bubba Ray Dudley — will appear on this week’s episode of TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! as a guest commentator.

The appearance comes as part of iMPACT’s debut on AMC Network, a significant milestone for the promotion. Bully Ray will be stationed at the commentary desk for the main event, which sees Frankie Kazarian defend the TNA World Championship against former titleholder Mike Santana.

While Bully Ray has largely stepped away from in-ring competition, his presence still carries weight. The 54-year-old is a two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion and recently wrestled what is being billed as his final match, teaming with longtime partner D-Von Dudley against The Hardys in a Tables Match at Bound for Glory last year. Since then, Ray has remained active in wrestling through media appearances and on-screen roles rather than matches.

The title clash between Kazarian and Santana is expected to headline a loaded show, and Bully Ray’s blunt, no-nonsense commentary style should add an extra layer of intensity to the bout.

TNA iMPACT! airs Thursday, January 15, at 8:00 pm ET, live from the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas. Below is the updated card for the AMC Network debut:

  • TNA World Championship: Frankie Kazarian (c) vs. Mike Santana
    (Bully Ray as guest commentator)
  • TNA X Division Championship: Leon Slater (c) vs. Myron Reed
  • Six-Man Tag Team Match: Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy & Elijah vs. Order 4 (Mustafa Ali, Jason Hotch & John Skyler)
  • WWE’s AJ Styles to appear

With a new network home, a appearance by AJ Styles and a Hall of Famer joining the broadcast, TNA is clearly aiming to make a strong first impression on AMC viewers.

Motor City Machine Guns Set for AAA Appearance Amid WWE Absence

The Motor City Machine Guns may have been off WWE television for the past couple of months, but it looks like Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley are about to resurface — just not inside a WWE ring.

According to a new report from PWInsider, the veteran tag team is scheduled to work AAA tapings this weekend. The event is notable on multiple levels, as it marks Lucha Libre AAA’s debut broadcast on FOX Mexico, a major step for the promotion’s international visibility.

The January 17, 2026 tapings are expected to be stacked with star power. Names rumored or confirmed for the show include Rey Mysterio, AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio, El Hijo del Vikingo, PENTA, Rey Fenix, Dragon Lee, and El Grande Americano. The inclusion of the Motor City Machine Guns adds even more intrigue, especially given their current status within WWE.

Sabin and Shelley last appeared on WWE programming on the November 21, 2025 episode of Friday Night SmackDown. On that night, they joined forces with Rey Fenix, Sami Zayn, and Shinsuke Nakamura in a Survivor Series-style elimination match against Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo. The bout ended with the MFTs picking up the win, and the Machine Guns haven’t been seen on WWE TV since.

Their upcoming AAA appearance doesn’t necessarily signal a long-term shift, but it does suggest WWE is open to allowing the duo to stay active elsewhere while they remain off television. Given the Machine Guns’ reputation as one of the most influential tag teams of their generation, fans will be watching closely to see if this leads to more international appearances — or a renewed push when they eventually return to WWE screens.

Paramount Files Lawsuit Challenging Netflix Acquisition Of AEW Broadcast Partner Warner Bros.

AEW’s current media rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery still has a few years left on the clock, but that hasn’t stopped the wrestling world from keeping a close eye on what’s happening at the corporate level. The latest twist comes as Paramount has officially filed a lawsuit aimed at slowing down — or potentially derailing — Netflix’s proposed acquisition of WBD, AEW’s longtime broadcast partner.

According to reports from The Wrap, Paramount filed the lawsuit in Delaware this week, seeking to force WBD to provide detailed financial disclosures related to its decision to accept Netflix’s offer instead of Paramount’s reported $30-per-share bid. This legal move follows Paramount’s failed attempts at a hostile takeover, signaling a shift in strategy rather than a full retreat from the bidding war.

Paramount CEO David Ellison also revealed in a letter to shareholders that the company plans to nominate its own slate of board members at WBD’s next annual meeting. If successful, that maneuver could reopen negotiations and potentially push Netflix out of the picture. That said, even Ellison admitted the odds of Paramount ultimately acquiring WBD remain slim at this stage, making the move feel more like a last-ditch effort to stay relevant in the process.

From an AEW perspective, the end result may not dramatically change the landscape — at least not immediately. Both Netflix and Paramount already have business ties to TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company. Paramount is about to kick off a multi-year UFC streaming deal, while Netflix recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of WWE Raw airing on its platform. Still, with AEW’s next rights negotiation eventually looming, the outcome of this media power struggle could quietly shape the company’s long-term broadcast future.

Killer Kelly Officially Parts Ways With TNA Wrestling After Contract Expiration

Another notable name is officially off the TNA Wrestling roster. According to a report from Fightful Select, Killer Kelly has departed the company following the expiration of her most recent contract.

Last month, there was optimism that Kelly and TNA officials were working toward a possible extension. However, those talks ultimately failed to produce a new deal. Fightful notes that Kelly has now “effectively left the company,” with no creative plans currently in place for her moving forward.

Kelly’s contract situation had been somewhat fluid. Her deal was originally expected to run through August 2025, but due to time missed while on maternity leave, an additional four months were added to the agreement. Even with that adjustment, the two sides were unable to come to terms on an extension.

The former Knockouts Tag Team Champion made her return to TNA television in June 2025, quickly reestablishing herself as a threat in the Knockouts division. She set her sights on then-champion Masha Slamovich, culminating in a chain match title challenge on TNA iMPACT. Despite the high-profile matchup, Kelly came up short in her bid to reclaim championship gold.

Kelly’s final in-ring appearance for TNA was taped on December 7, where she suffered a loss to Myla Grace on TNA Xplosion. Since then, she has been absent from programming, and this latest report now confirms her exit from the company.

As of now, there’s no word on what’s next for Killer Kelly. Whether she resurfaces in another major promotion or takes time away from the ring remains to be seen, but her availability is sure to attract interest across the industry.