WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network and Netflix for international fans from Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
The arena is about to get a lot more intense — and a whole lot more jacked — as professional wrestling meets classic ‘90s nostalgia in the upcoming American Gladiators reboot.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, five pro wrestlers have been tapped to star in the new American Gladiators series, which is coming soon to Amazon Prime’s FAST Channels. While a premiere date has yet to be announced, the cast already has fans buzzing thanks to its heavy dose of wrestling star power.
Leading the charge is none other than WWE’s A-Lister himself, The Miz, who will serve as the show’s main host. Joining him from the world of wrestling are:
Rounding out the broadcast team will be 106 & Park alum Rocsi Diaz as sideline reporter and veteran sports broadcaster Chris Rose handling play-by-play duties.
The reboot promises to blend both modern flair and retro thrills, bringing back fan-favorite challenges from the original series — including “Gauntlet,” “Hang Tough,” and of course, the ultimate test of endurance: “The Eliminator.”
While this isn’t the first attempt to revive American Gladiators, this version might just have the right mix of athleticism, entertainment, and star power to stick the landing. With The Miz at the helm — no stranger to reality TV or over-the-top competition — and a roster filled with legit in-ring talent, the show looks poised to bridge generations of fans.
For now, there’s no official launch date, but expect more updates to drop soon as Amazon ramps up promotion. Wrestling fans and ‘90s kids alike might want to start prepping for battle — because American Gladiators is about to suit up for a new era.
WWE appears to be going all-in on the rise of Seth Rollins’ new faction, with reports suggesting the company is planning a major rebranding — including a fresh theme song produced by a mainstream music artist.
According to a new report from Bodyslam.net, WWE is working on a new entrance theme for Rollins and his group, signaling a potential shift in the faction’s presentation. While details about the artist haven’t been revealed, the move suggests that WWE sees big things ahead for the trio, and wants to elevate their presence with a high-profile sound to match.
Rollins has long had one of the most iconic entrances in modern WWE, with his current theme — a mix of his “Burn It Down” era music and a massive singalong chorus — becoming a fan-favorite in arenas around the world. That song has become so synonymous with his character that even WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray recently commented that Rollins “wouldn’t be as over” without it.
So, changing it is a big deal — and speaks volumes about WWE’s investment in this new stable.
The faction has been on a steady ascent since forming in the aftermath of WrestleMania 41, when Rollins shocked fans by aligning himself with Paul Heyman. The partnership opened the door for Bron Breakker to join the group on the RAW after ‘Mania, and more recently, Bronson Reed was added to the mix. The trio has already picked up big wins, including a decisive victory over Sami Zayn and CM Punk at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Their influence has only grown since then, culminating in Rollins capturing the Money in the Bank briefcase for the second time in his career — a win that was no doubt aided by his powerful allies.
With the group on a hot streak, a new name is reportedly on the way as well, likely solidifying their identity as a long-term fixture on the red brand. While fans are still speculating about what the new moniker could be, the pairing of Rollins’ charisma, Heyman’s mastermind reputation, and the raw power of Breakker and Reed is clearly clicking behind the scenes — and on-screen.
Between the rumored musical collaboration, faction branding, and Rollins’ Money in the Bank victory, WWE is clearly positioning this group as one of RAW’s top acts heading into the summer.
WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg is officially heading back to Monday Night RAW, and all signs point to a potential farewell match in the city where his legend began.
Per PWI Elite, the former Universal Champion is set to appear on the June 16 episode of RAW, with expectations that he’ll be featured regularly in the lead-up to WWE’s highly anticipated return to Atlanta, Georgia next month. The timing aligns with previous hints from Goldberg himself, who recently teased that his retirement match would happen “in the South” — a region many speculated (correctly, it seems) referred to his hometown of Atlanta.
That speculation only intensified after WWE confirmed two major shows for the Atlanta market on July 12: The Great American Bash and Saturday Night’s Main Event. While it hasn’t been officially confirmed, sources suggest Saturday Night’s Main Event is currently the most likely landing spot for Goldberg’s final in-ring appearance.
If that proves true, it would mark the end of a career that began in WCW in the late ’90s — and that helped make Atlanta a hotbed for pro wrestling during the Monday Night Wars.
Fans last saw Goldberg in WWE at the Bad Blood premium live event in October 2024, where tensions unexpectedly flared between him and GUNTHER. During the event, “The Ring General” delivered a stinging promo targeting both Goldberg and his son, Gage. The WWE legend responded by hopping the barricade, clearly ready to throw down, but security intervened before things escalated further. While there were rumblings of a possible confrontation between the two on this week’s RAW in Phoenix — which ended with GUNTHER regaining the World Heavyweight Championship — those plans were reportedly pulled late in the game.
Goldberg’s last official match came more than three years ago at Elimination Chamber 2022, where he fell to Roman Reigns in a high-stakes title clash. Since then, fans have speculated on if — or when — he’d get one final moment in the spotlight.
Now, it looks like that moment is fast approaching.
With Atlanta serving as the emotional home base of Goldberg’s legacy and WWE stacking up big names for July’s events, the stage feels set for a proper sendoff. Whether it’s GUNTHER, someone from the past, or a surprise opponent, Goldberg’s last ride is about to begin — and fans won’t want to miss a second of it.
Nearly a year after word first broke of his WWE signing, it looks like Hikuleo is finally stepping into the WWE spotlight.
According to a new report from PWI Elite, the towering former NJPW standout is set to be backstage at this Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Lexington, Kentucky. While Hikuleo has been listed on WWE’s internal roster for some time now, this marks the first indication that the company may finally be ready to integrate him into the on-screen product.
The timing is intriguing — and so is the potential creative direction.
Given his real-life family ties to Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa (all three were members of NJPW’s Guerrillas of Destiny), speculation has long pointed to Hikuleo eventually becoming part of WWE’s ever-evolving Bloodline saga. With the faction undergoing a major shake-up in recent weeks, now might be the perfect time for a new piece to be added to the puzzle.
At Money in the Bank this past weekend, the Bloodline story took another wild twist. Jacob Fatu, who recently debuted and already holds the United States Championship, shockingly cost Solo Sikoa the briefcase opportunity — going as far as to yell “Solo, I hate you!” as he shoved him off the ladder. That moment allowed Seth Rollins to capture the contract, and it signaled that the cracks in this next-gen version of The Bloodline are only getting deeper.
If Hikuleo is coming in now, the big question is: whose side is he on?
It’s worth noting that fellow NJPW alum Jeff Cobb (now competing as JC Mateo) recently aligned with Jacob Fatu, helping him retain his title at WWE Backlash. Could Hikuleo follow suit, or might he be walking into the chaos to back up his brother Tama Tonga — or even Solo Sikoa?
Before signing with WWE, Hikuleo spent eight years making his mark in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He held the IWGP Tag Team Titles, the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship, and had brief appearances in AEW and TNA as well. At 6’8”, with a unique blend of raw power and agility, he certainly brings a physical presence that fits WWE’s main event scene.
Whether Friday’s SmackDown marks his on-screen debut or simply the start of his transition to TV, the message is clear: Hikuleo is on WWE’s radar — and perhaps on a collision course with the chaos surrounding The Bloodline.
TNA Wrestling will present a new episode of Impact tonight on AXS TV.
Big things are brewing in the world of independent wrestling, as Lariato Pro Wrestling, the Georgia-based promotion founded by former WWE and NJPW stars Luke Gallows (aka Doc Gallows) and Karl Anderson, has officially signed its first-ever broadcasting deal with STGN 49 Media Group.
After nearly a decade of steady growth and grassroots momentum, Lariato Pro is leveling up in a major way. The promotion will now air live events, pay-per-views, and original content across STGN 49’s global platforms, which include ROKU, Amazon Firestick, and Turkish Television, reaching audiences in 33 countries including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the UAE.
According to Gallows and Anderson — collectively known as The Good Brothers, one of the most decorated tag teams in the business — the partnership couldn’t have come at a better time. “We don’t take no for an answer,” the duo emphasized in a statement, calling STGN 49 their “forever home.”
The move is seen as a major win for both sides. STGN 49 Program Director Veronica J. Woodard, along with Lariato’s own talent and event coordinators Chris and Jessica Johnson, will oversee production of the promotion’s upcoming programming slate. Television executive Eric Mitchell praised the deal as an ideal match for STGN’s rebranded direction and family-friendly expansion goals.
The new era officially kicks off this Saturday, June 14th, with “HEATWAVE” — Lariato Pro’s first televised event under the STGN 49 banner. Set to take place in Dublin, Georgia, the card is headlined by a Triple Threat Match for the LPWG Heavyweight Championship, featuring:
Bryce Cannon (c) vs. Matt Hardy vs. QT Marshall
The champ Cannon faces a tall task defending against two veterans with major company experience — will he survive the heat, or will Hardy or Marshall walk out with the gold?
Also scheduled to appear:
Bell time is 7:30 PM, and tickets are still available at www.theLPWG.com.
With a TV deal now in hand and star power like Matt Hardy and QT Marshall in the mix, Lariato Pro Wrestling Guild is proving it’s ready to take the next step — bringing southern wrestling grit and high-caliber talent to a worldwide stage.
AEW just raised the stakes for All In 2025 in a massive way — and fans are already responding.
On this week’s AEW Summer Blockbuster special, it was officially announced that Kenny Omega will go one-on-one with Kazuchika Okada in a high-stakes title unification match, pitting the AEW International Championship against the AEW Continental Championship. The winner will walk out of Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas as the inaugural AEW Unified Champion.
According to Fightful Select, this dream clash has been in the works for nearly a year, with AEW reportedly locking in plans for Omega vs. Okada as far back as December 2024 — before Omega’s recent return to New Japan Pro Wrestling. The match not only reunites two of the most iconic rivals of the last decade, but also repositions AEW’s mid-card titles under a single, more prestigious banner.
While some speculated the new belt might carry the historic “Intercontinental” label, sources say AEW never seriously considered that name. Instead, the AEW Unified Championship is internally viewed as a major title — not just a mid-card placeholder, but a division-defining accolade meant to sit just beneath the World Championship in prominence.
And the announcement is already paying off. AEW reportedly moved over 1,400 additional tickets for All In 2025 in the week following the reveal — a clear sign that the Omega-Okada rivalry still draws major attention.
For fans worried about the fate of the Continental Classic tournament — don’t be. Despite the title merger, AEW is expected to continue the annual tourney in future years, likely with new stakes or perhaps feeding into the Unified title picture.
With two of the best wrestlers of this generation set to collide on one of AEW’s biggest stages, All In 2025 is shaping up to be another can’t-miss moment in wrestling history. The road to All In Texas just got a lot more epic.
The Bella Twins might be gearing up for one more run in WWE — together.
According to a report from TMZ, Brie Bella is currently in discussions with WWE about a potential return to the ring, with early indications pointing toward an appearance at the upcoming Evolution event on July 13.
This news comes hot on the heels of Nikki Bella’s surprise appearance on Monday Night RAW earlier this week, where she was seen interacting with several members of the women’s roster backstage. Things took a turn when Nikki was attacked by Women’s Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan, sparking immediate speculation about a possible storyline brewing — and possibly setting the stage for Brie’s return.
While nothing has been confirmed by WWE or the Bellas themselves, the timing seems too perfect to ignore. With Evolution being promoted as a landmark night for women’s wrestling — potentially a sequel to the all-women’s pay-per-view first held in 2018 — bringing back one of the most iconic duos in WWE history could be a major draw.
The Bella Twins haven’t wrestled as a team since 2018, but both have remained involved in the industry through outside ventures, WWE appearances, and their reality series. Their return, particularly in the current landscape of WWE’s women’s division, could add a nostalgic jolt and elevate whichever feud they step into.
If Brie does return, it could mean The Bellas vs. Liv Morgan & a partner is on the horizon — and that’s a matchup sure to generate buzz.
Stay with Wrestling News Blog as we continue to track developments on Brie Bella’s WWE status and everything leading up to Evolution on July 13.
WWE could be shaking up more than just its rosters next year — it might be reworking the timing of the entire Draft.
According to a new report from Bodyslam.net’s Cory Hays, WWE is seriously considering moving the 2025 Draft from its usual spring slot to a post-SummerSlam timeframe, with internal discussions suggesting a September date is now the frontrunner.
For years, the WWE Draft has been a spring staple, traditionally following WrestleMania to reset the playing field for RAW and SmackDown. But that long-standing format may be on its way out. If the shift happens, the Draft would instead align with WWE’s season premiere episodes in the fall — a strategic move that could serve both creative and business goals.
Sources indicate that one of the main reasons behind the potential change is WWE’s intent to let summer storylines breathe, rather than forcing sudden roster shakeups that could cut arcs short. With SummerSlam 2025 scheduled for the weekend of August 2–3, the company reportedly sees the major summer event as a natural point to hit the reset button before heading into the critical fall TV season.
There’s also the matter of roster flexibility. Recent NXT call-ups and ongoing long-term narratives have made a spring Draft feel less essential than in previous years, giving WWE the leeway to reevaluate the timing.
While nothing is official just yet, the signs are clear: WWE seems ready to break tradition and reposition the Draft as a fall feature — a notable shift that could have ripple effects across the creative calendar.
If this happens, fans can expect fresh rivalries and brand switches just in time for the buildup to Survivor Series and the year-end push. Stay tuned — WWE’s calendar might be evolving, and the 2025 Draft could lead the way.
Wrestling News Blog 