Author: John Bass

Report: Gunther Expected Back on WWE TV Soon

It looks like WWE fans won’t have to wait much longer to see the return of “The Ring General.” According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther is set to make his comeback to television after being sidelined since SummerSlam.

Gunther hasn’t been seen since night one of SummerSlam, where he dropped the World Heavyweight Title to CM Punk. That chaotic night saw Seth Rollins cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Punk immediately after, leaving the Austrian powerhouse empty-handed. WWE later announced that Gunther was out indefinitely with a series of serious injuries — including a subdural hematoma and orbital blowout fracture. Reports also surfaced that he underwent surgery to repair a broken nose.

Now cleared and expected back “very soon,” speculation is already heating up over what WWE has in store for him. With Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia on the horizon, Gunther could be slotted into a high-profile match on the card.

Over the past year, the former champion has been linked to several potential dream bouts. One of the biggest rumors ties him to John Cena, with whispers that Gunther could be the final opponent on Cena’s retirement tour. That match, however, isn’t expected until December, when Cena’s farewell bout officially takes place.

Another long-discussed showdown is Gunther vs. Brock Lesnar. WWE had initially explored the match for WrestleMania 40 before Lesnar was pulled from creative plans, but with Lesnar now back in the mix and having already bested Cena, that collision with Gunther could finally materialize.

Whether it’s Brock, Cena, or another top name, Gunther’s return is set to shake up WWE’s main event scene. After establishing himself as one of the most dominant champions in recent memory, fans are eager to see who will be the first to step in front of “The Ring General” when he marches back onto WWE TV.

Update On AEW Return Of Orange Cassidy

After six months on the shelf, Orange Cassidy is finally on his way back to AEW programming. The former International Champion has been out since March with a torn pectoral muscle, but all signs point to his long-awaited return this Wednesday on AEW Dynamite.

Over the weekend, Cassidy’s Conglomeration allies Mark Briscoe and Kyle O’Reilly all but confirmed his involvement in a six-man tag match. Dave Meltzer later reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Cassidy has officially been cleared to compete, setting the stage for his comeback bout.

On Dynamite, Cassidy will join Briscoe and Hologram to face three members of The Don Callis Family. That group has been steadily expanding in recent months, keeping busy feuding with The Conglomeration. Most recently, Kyle Fletcher and Josh Alexander scored a big win over O’Reilly and Tomohiro Ishii on the August 30 edition of Collision, adding more fuel to this faction rivalry.

Cassidy’s last appearance before the injury came back in March, when he fell short in a four-way eliminator for the AEW International Championship. That title has since been unified, but Cassidy’s impact on the belt — and AEW as a whole — can’t be understated. Since joining the company, he’s wrestled more than 250 matches, becoming one of the true workhorses of the roster.

This six-month layoff marks the longest absence of Cassidy’s AEW career, making his Dynamite return all the more significant. Fans will no doubt be eager to see if “Freshly Squeezed” can pick up where he left off and re-establish himself as one of the company’s most reliable stars.

TNA Wrestling Announces Mickie James As The First Inductee Into 2025 TNA Wrestling Hall Of Fame

TNA Wrestling has revealed that Mickie James will be the first name honored in the 2025 class of the TNA Hall of Fame. The multi-time Knockouts World Champion will officially take her place among the company’s legends later this year.

The induction is scheduled for Sunday, October 12th, during the annual Bound For Glory pay-per-view, which traditionally serves as TNA’s biggest event of the year.

James’ career with the promotion stretches across multiple eras, with her success helping establish the Knockouts division as one of the most respected women’s rosters in the business. From championship reigns to historic main-event moments, her impact on TNA/IMPACT Wrestling has been undeniable.

This Hall of Fame nod not only cements her legacy with the company but also highlights her influence on women’s wrestling as a whole. Fans can expect a special night at Bound For Glory when Mickie James takes her rightful place in the TNA Hall of Fame.

You can read the full announcement from TNA below:

Mickie James Will Be Inducted Into The TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame On Sunday, October 12 at Bound For Glory

Five-Time Former TNA Knockouts World Champion Is One Of The Most Accomplished, Decorated Wrestlers Of All Time

Mickie James, an 11-time women’s world champion between WWE and TNA Wrestling, will be inducted into the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame on Sunday, October 12, at Bound For Glory – the showcase event of the year for TNA, held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass.

The surprise announcement was made today during a live episode of Notsam Wrestling Live! on SiriusXM. While James was being interviewed by hosts Roberts and Tommy Dreamer, TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva made an appearance and shocked James with the Hall of Fame announcement.

James is the first announced member of the class of 2025 for the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame, which was established in 2012 and has honored 12 individuals and two groups (4 members): 16 total inductees. James is the fourth-ever Knockout inducted into the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame, joining Gail Kim, Awesome Kong and Traci Brooks.

MICKIE JAMES 
An 11-time Women’s World Champion, Mickie James has been wrestling for more than two decades, including multiple title runs in WWE and TNA Wrestling. She has been wrestling since 1999 and has been a multi-time winner of the Woman Wrestler of the Year award. Her 2021 Bound For Glory match against Deonna Purrazzo was voted the 2021 Knockouts Match of the Year. Away from the ring, James is a renowned country music singer, perhaps best known for her hit single “Hardcore Country.” She is an inductee into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame and is signed to Sony Music.

The TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony is Sunday, October 12, at Bound For Glory, which will air live around the world from the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Mass.

All the TNA stars will be at Bound For Glory, including Jeff & Matt Hardy, Nic & Ryan Nemeth, Mike Santana, Moose, AJ Francis, Steve Maclin, Eric Young, Brian Myers, Mustafa Ali, Leon Slater and Knockouts such as Indi Hartwell, Tessa Blanchard, Masha Slamovich and all members of the Elegance Brand. 

In addition, TNA World Champion Trick Williams – a member of the NXT roster – will be at Bound For Glory in Lowell.

One of the most-anticipated BFG matches this year is The Hardys vs. Team 3D (members of the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame) One Last Time.

For tickets to BFG, go to: https://tsongascenter.evenue.net/events/TNA.

WWE Raw Preview 9/22/2025

WWE Raw tonight at 7 pm ET on Netflix from Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana

  • Fallout from Wrestlepalooza
  • Lilian Garcia to fill in for ring announcer Alicia Taylor for tonight’s Raw
  • New Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer is expected to appear
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to appear
  • Roxanne Perez vs Bayley
  • 6-Man Tag No DQ Match: The New Day & Grayson Waller vs. War Raiders & Penta
  • WWE.com is advertising Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, Becky Lynch and LA Knight for tonight’s show.

Jey Uso Reportedly Enters Concussion Protocol After Wrestlepalooza

One half of The Usos may be sidelined after a rough spot at WWE’s inaugural Wrestlepalooza event.

According to Bryan Alvarez, Jey Uso was placed in concussion protocol following his tag team match alongside Jimmy Uso against The Vision’s Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. The injury happened in unusual fashion: during a chair shot to Breakker’s back, the weapon ricocheted and caught Jey in the head, leaving him bloodied and shaken.

Alvarez noted that the chair shot “split him six ways from Sunday,” and WWE immediately moved Jey into concussion protocol, which has become a standard procedure whenever a potential head injury occurs.

At this time, there’s no official update on the severity of Jey’s condition or when he might be cleared for a return. With The Usos heavily featured in WWE’s current storylines, his status will be one to watch closely in the coming days.

Kylie Rae Announces Pregnancy

Kylie Rae has shared some major life news outside of the squared circle—she’s expecting her second child.

The announcement came after fans asked why she vacated the Relentless Wrestling Women’s Championship. Rae revealed on social media that her pregnancy was the reason for stepping away.

Rae and her fiancé, fellow wrestler Isaias Velazquez, are already proud parents, having welcomed their first child in October 2023. Now the couple is preparing to grow their family once again.

Inside the ring, Rae hasn’t competed since August 8, but she’s still officially recognized as the WWE ID Women’s Champion. Her in-ring future remains uncertain, but the wrestling world is rallying around her with congratulations as she enters this next chapter.

For now, Rae’s focus is on family—but fans will no doubt be excited to see what the future holds whenever she’s ready to return to action.

The Undertaker Surprises Stephanie McMahon At Wrestlepalooza With 2026 WWE Hall of Fame Announcement

The Undertaker surprised Stephanie McMahon announcing her as the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

At Wrestlepalooza on September 20, 2025, The Undertaker, sporting his “American Badass” persona, appeared at Wrestlepalooza on his motorcycle. The Undertaker pulled up ringside, taking a seat next to McMahon. The Undertaker and McMahon started riffing on their long-standing friendship. He asked McMahon, “Are you ready?” evoking the spirit of D-Generation X and her husband, Triple H. The Undertaker proceeded to announce that McMahon would be the first person inducted into next year’s Hall of Fame class.

McMahon has not worked for WWE in an official capacity since 2023, when it was announced she would be leaving her role as co-CEO of WWE as Vince McMahon returned to the fold and later negotiated the merger with Endeavor to create TKO. She has since appeared in sporadic appearances, mostly those of a broadcasting or guest attending role, though she started her “What’s Your Story?” podcast on ESPN+ in partnership with WWE and Fanatics earlier this year. 

The 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony takes place during the week of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas

WWE Wrestlepalooza 9/20/2025 (Results)

The Return of Pat McAfee

The show opened with WWE COO Paul “Triple H” Levesque welcoming fans to “the final form of sports and entertainment.” Soon after, hometown hero Pat McAfee arrived to a thunderous ovation, joining commentary for the night alongside Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers.

Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

In their first clash in over a decade, Brock Lesnar made a terrifying return against John Cena. With Paul Heyman back by his side, the Beast lived up to his legend, delivering not one, not two, but seven F5s to Cena. After earning the pinfall, Lesnar wasn’t finished — taking out referee Dan Engler and hitting Cena with yet another devastating F5.
A tearful young Cena fan in the crowd captured the emotion of what may have been the final chapter in Cena’s in-ring story.

Winner: Brock Lesnar

The Usos vs. The Vision (with LA Knight as Guest Referee)

In one of the night’s wildest matches, The Usos battled Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed (The Vision), with LA Knight officiating. Despite plenty of “Yeet” energy from the crowd, Paul Heyman’s new powerhouse team picked up the win after Breakker speared Jey Uso through a table, setting up Reed’s crushing Tsunami.

Winners: The Vision

Women’s World Championship

Vacant Title Match: Stephanie Vaquer vs. IYO SKY
With Naomi vacating the title last month, Stephanie Vaquer and IYO SKY tore the house down in a high-intensity battle. SKY nearly pulled it off despite a damaged knee, but Vaquer countered late, landing the Devil’s Kiss followed by the SVB and a breathtaking spiral splash to win her first WWE gold.
An emotional Vaquer celebrated with her father at ringside, while SKY showed respect post-match.

Winner and NEW Women’s World Champion: Stephanie Vaquer

Mixed Tag Match: Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch vs. CM Punk & AJ Lee

In perhaps the most emotional moment of the night, AJ Lee made her first WWE appearance since 2015, teaming with husband CM Punk against Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch. The action was chaotic, with all four superstars trading signature moves and even sending each other through commentary tables.
The finish saw AJ lock in the Black Widow on Becky, forcing the Women’s Intercontinental Champion to tap out. The arena erupted as Punk and Lee stood tall together in victory.

Winners: CM Punk & AJ Lee

Hall of Fame Announcement

In a surprise segment, The Undertaker rode into Wrestlepalooza on his motorcycle and revealed that Stephanie McMahon will be the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026. An emotional Stephanie received a standing ovation from the Indianapolis crowd.

Undisputed WWE Championship

Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
The main event saw Cody Rhodes defend against a fired-up Drew McIntyre. The match was hard-hitting and dramatic, with McIntyre nearly sealing the win after a brutal Claymore. However, a miscalculation injured McIntyre’s leg, allowing Rhodes to strike with a top-rope Cody Cutter and a decisive Cross Rhodes to retain.

Winner and STILL Undisputed WWE Champion: Cody Rhodes

AEW All Out 9/20/2025 Results

Tailgate Brawl

Samoa Joe & Powerhouse Hobbs def. The Workhorsemen via submission

Daniel Garcia vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Your regular friendly neighborhood liveblog lady only sat down for this one a few minutes before the finish but Garcia is in control, hitting hard, standing surfboard…

Daniel Garcia wins by pinfall with a surfboard stomp.

Frat House (Griff Garrison, Kole Karter, & Preston Vance) vs. Hologram & Paragon (Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong)

Heels in control early, but O’Reilly starts picking them apart one-by-one. Interference ran, Kyle getting worked over but Hologram comes in hot! Head of steam, tope con giro, he takes Garrison back inside…

Hologram & Paragon win by pinfall, Hologram pinning Griff Garrison.

Harley Cameron, Mina Shirakawa, Queen Aminata, & Willow Nightingale vs. Megan Bayne, Penelope Ford, & Sisters of Sin (Julia Hart & Skye Blue) (Tornado Tailgate Brawl)

Brawling to start, babyfaces in control, four-way meeting of the minds, Shirakawa on all fours so Bayne can get tripped over here and the babyface gals all tear their shirts off! Heels make a comeback, Megasus chucks somebody over the ropes and into the crush with a military press, trading elbows, everybody back inside, looking for a comedically huge suplex… babyfaces suplex the heels!

Action to the floor, weapons in play, throwing plastic cups at each other, Ford spanks Aminata with a spatula and gets the tongs in return and we… go to commercial?

Back from commercial, brawling, Willow with a pounce, Aminata and Shirakawa take the Sisters of Sin to the floor, bounce ‘em off the barricade and put ‘em in a charcoal grill and punch ‘em through it! Back inside, Nightingale has Ford…

Harley Cameron, Mina Shirakawa, Queen Aminata, & Willow Nightingale win by pinfall with the Doctor Bomb from Nightingale on Penelope Ford.

All Out

Christian Cage & Adam Copeland def. FTR

Toronto couldn’t have asked for a more fitting opener, as local heroes Adam Copeland and Christian Cage reunited against FTR. The crowd was electric — from belting out Copeland’s entrance music to showering Cage with the affectionate “He’s our asshole” chant.

Despite FTR’s experience and some underhanded assists from Stokely Hathaway, Copeland and Cage turned back the clock with double-team offense that felt like it never left. The biggest surprise came when Beth Copeland got involved, spearing Stokely to a huge ovation. After a chaotic series of near-falls, Copeland nailed Cash Wheeler with a spear for the win.

The celebration didn’t last. Nick Wayne, his mother, and Kip Sabian set the stage for a post-match ambush, with FTR brutally leaving Cage and Beth laid out. Copeland was left handcuffed to the ropes, forced to watch in horror.

Eddie Kingston def. Big Bill

The Mad King is back! Kingston returned to thunderous chants and battled Big Bill in a hard-hitting slugfest. Bill’s size dominated stretches of the match, but Kingston’s fighting spirit wouldn’t be denied. After a series of chops and suplexes, Eddie sealed the win with the spinning backfist.

Afterward, Bryan Keith tried to jump Kingston — only for HOOK to make his return. The duo cleaned house and left together, teasing a dangerous new alliance.

Tables N’ Tacks Match: Mark Briscoe def. MJF

A night after losing the CMLL World Championship, MJF came into All Out with bad intentions. He and Briscoe delivered a violent spectacle filled with thumbtacks, tables, and plenty of blood.

MJF’s cruelty included shoving tacks into Briscoe’s mouth, but Briscoe’s resilience carried him through. After surviving chair shots and a tombstone on tacks, Briscoe connected with a Jay Driller on the steel for the three-count. The win was emotional, with Briscoe standing tall after one of AEW’s most sadistic matches in months.

Ricochet, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun def. The Hurt Syndicate

The Hurt Syndicate reunited for a six-man tag, but Ricochet and company had other plans. While Lashley and Benjamin looked strong, The Demand’s numbers game and Ricochet’s opportunism sealed the win. The high-flying star hit a Spirit Gun to MVP for the finish.

TBS Championship: Mercedes Moné (c) def. Riho

Riho pushed Mercedes Moné to her limit in one of the night’s most competitive matches. The challenger nearly stole it with a series of suplexes and submissions, but Moné showed her championship poise.

After raking the eyes behind the referee’s back, Moné hit a lungblower followed by the Moné Maker to retain her TBS Title.

AEW Unified Championship: Kazuchika Okada (c) def. Máscara Dorada & Konosuke Takeshita

In a triple threat that lived up to expectations, Okada retained his championship against Takeshita and Dorada. The match was fast-paced and filled with wild sequences — including Dorada hitting a double hurricanrana on both opponents at once.

Ultimately, Okada weathered the storm, dropping Dorada with the Rainmaker to keep the gold. After the bell, Okada and Takeshita shared a tense face-off, hinting this rivalry is far from finished.

Coffin Match: Jon Moxley def. Darby Allin

This was chaos from the start, with Allin diving off the entranceway into the crowd before the bell even rang. The violence escalated with forks, smashed fingers, and blood. At one point, Allin nearly suffocated Moxley with a plastic bag, only for PAC to make a shocking return.

PAC stuffed Allin into a body bag, shoved him into the coffin, and allowed Moxley to slam it shut for the victory.

AEW Women’s World Championship 4-Way: Kris Statlander def. Toni Storm (c), Jamie Hayter & Thekla – NEW Champion

In a match packed with physicality and drama, Kris Statlander shocked the world by dethroning Toni Storm.

Thekla impressed with big suplexes, while Hayter reminded fans why she’s one of AEW’s hardest hitters. Storm looked to steal the spotlight as usual, but in the end, Statlander trapped her in a quick seatbelt pin to score the upset.

Fireworks and confetti rained down as Statlander celebrated her first AEW Women’s World Championship.

AEW World Tag Team Championship Ladder Match: Brodido (c) def. Young Bucks, JetSpeed & Alexander/Hechicero

Ladders, tables, and chaos defined this four-team clash. Everyone had moments to shine — JetSpeed in particular wowed with high-risk dives — but the Young Bucks’ attempt to form a temporary alliance with the Don Callis Family couldn’t get it done.

After a series of insane bumps, Bandido pulled down the belts to keep the titles for himself and Brody King. Post-match, Jack Perry made his shocking return alongside Luchasaurus, leaving the Bucks laid out.

Darby Allin Tries to Make Jon Moxley Burn

Marina Shafir grabbed a cameraman and demanded he film what was happening. We saw the Death Riders standing around the coffin with Darby Allin inside, as Jon Moxley gave what sounded like a short eulogy. He then told the group he needed some alone time, so they left in a pickup truck. 

Moxley told the camera to leave and then Allin popped out of the coffin to attack Moxley with a pipe. He escaped the bodybag and put Moxley inside and zipped it up. He was about to smash Moxley’s head with the pipe until he saw something else. He grabbed some flammable aerosol spray and put it all over the bodybag. Then he LIT IT ON FIRE! Allin was dragged away by security as the fire was put out, but he continued to yell. 

AEW World Championship: Adam Page (c) def. Kyle Fletcher

The main event saw Kyle Fletcher give the fight of his life, targeting Hangman’s injured neck with brainbusters and vicious strikes. Don Callis could only watch as Fletcher came within inches of winning AEW’s top prize.

Hangman’s grit carried him through, surviving multiple close calls before finally connecting with the Buckshot Lariat to retain. After the bell, Page offered words of respect to Fletcher, closing the night on a rare note of sportsmanship.

WWE SmackDown Preview 9/19/2025

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight in the United States on the USA Network and Netflix for international fans from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio

  • Brock Lesnar interview
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Chelsea Green & Alba Fyre
  • WWE United States Championship Match Open Challenge: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to appear