Author: John Bass

Report: Netflix Teaming With Former WWE Writer For New Wrestling Drama ‘Tuesday Night Titans’

Netflix is looking to step further into the squared circle — this time, with a scripted drama series helmed by a former WWE insider.

According to Deadline, the streaming giant is developing a new pro wrestling-centric show titled “Tuesday Night Titans”, created by ex-WWE writer Michael Notarile, with Jon M. Chu — best known for directing Crazy Rich Asians — attached to executive produce. The series will reportedly dive deep into the personal and professional chaos of the wrestling world, blending gritty drama with the larger-than-life world of sports entertainment.

The premise centers on a television writer who risks her career to get her indie wrestler friend a spot in a major promotion. From there, things spiral into a web of personal demons, backstage politics, and the thin line between fiction and reality in an industry where kayfabe extends far beyond the ring. As Deadline puts it, “kayfabe… bleeds into every aspect of their lives.”

Despite sharing a name with WWE’s old-school talk show from the ’80s, this new Tuesday Night Titans is not connected to the original program. Instead, it promises a fresh, modern look at the inner workings of pro wrestling — not through the eyes of the talent, but from the rarely-explored creative and backstage perspective.

Notarile brings legit experience to the table, having written for WWE from 2013 to 2015. During his stint, he was instrumental in getting The New Day on television — a major creative move that helped launch one of WWE’s most successful modern factions. Post-WWE, Notarile worked on TV dramas like The Cleaning Lady and The Resident, sharpening his storytelling chops outside the wrestling bubble.

Netflix has shown increasing interest in wrestling content in recent years. The platform already carries several WWE programs in international markets — including Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and Premium Live Events — and features titles like Heels, which stars CM Punk, and Wrestlers, the docuseries following Ohio Valley Wrestling.

With Tuesday Night Titans, Netflix appears ready to explore wrestling not just as a spectacle, but as fertile ground for compelling, character-driven drama — and with a WWE veteran steering the creative vision, this could be one of the most authentic scripted looks at the wrestling world we’ve seen yet.

AEW Summer Blockbuster Preview 6/11/2025

All Elite Wrestling will air AEW Summer Blockbuster tonight on TBS and MAX at 8pm ET from the Theater of the Clouds at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. This four-hour special features Dynamite and Collision.

  • Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada Contract Signing: All In Texas
  • Will Opsreay vs. Swerve Strickland
  • “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Julia Hart (non-title) – Mercedes Mone’ on commentary
  • Trios Match: The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin and MJF) vs. Speedball Baily, Komander and Kevin Knight
  • Mistico Returns
  • TayJay (Tay Melo and Anna Jay) vs. Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford
  • Kyle Fletcher vs. Anthony Bowens
  • “The Toxic Spider” Thekla vs. Queen Aminata

Matt Cardona vs. Shotzi Blackheart at GCW in Dallas, Cardona Threatens Shozi over “Indy God & Death Match King” Monikers

Matt Cardona isn’t letting Shotzi Blackheart stroll back onto the indie scene without a fight — especially when it comes to titles he believes he’s earned.

After Shotzi recently dubbed herself the “New Indy God” during her return to independent wrestling, Cardona wasted no time clapping back. The self-proclaimed “Indy God” and “Death Match King” took to social media to remind everyone — Shotzi included — that those aren’t just nicknames. They’re trademarks. Literally.

Cardona, never shy about protecting his brand, pointed out that he legally owns the rights to both “Indy God” and “Death Match King,” and even hinted that legal action could be on the table if Shotzi continues to use the moniker. He name-dropped well-known wrestling trademark attorney Mike Dockins (aka the “Gimmick Attorney”) as the man who might soon come calling.

Whether this turns into a full-on feud or just a battle of branding, one thing’s clear: Cardona isn’t ready to give up his throne without a fight.

GCW announced Battle of the Indy Gods: Matt Cardona vs. Shotzi Blackheart for their upcoming event Boss Of All Bosses in Dallas, Texas on July 11th.

Below are some post on X from Cardona and Shotzi:

NWA Lands Exclusive Streaming Deal with Roku Channel, Weekly Shows Kick Off This Summer

Big news for wrestling fans — and an even bigger move for the National Wrestling Alliance.

The NWA has inked an exclusive streaming rights deal with Roku, bringing its hard-hitting brand of pro wrestling to The Roku Channel starting July 29. As part of the new partnership, NWA programming will air weekly on Roku’s Sports Channel, with episodes dropping every Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. EST.

Best of all? It’s completely free to stream for viewers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

This marks a major step for the NWA as it looks to expand its reach with a more accessible digital platform. Under the leadership of Billy Corgan, the promotion has been steadily rebuilding its presence, and this move to Roku gives fans a consistent, no-cost destination to follow all the action.

Whether you’ve been riding with the NWA through its YouTube days or you’re a lapsed fan ready to jump back in, Tuesday nights just got a little more old-school — and a lot more exciting.

Set your reminders for July 29 — NWA Tuesdays are about to hit the big screen.

You can check out the official announcement below:

Roku Inks North American Streaming Rights Deal with Billy Corgan’s National Wrestling Alliance

Partnership kicks off on July 29 on The Roku Channel’s Roku Sports Channel

SAN JOSE, Calif. — June 10, 2025 — Roku, the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico*, and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) announced a new partnership that exclusively brings the promotion’s live professional wrestling matches to The Roku Channel. Starting on July 29, NWA matches will stream for free in the U.S. every Tuesday at 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT on The Roku Channel’s Roku Sports Channel. In Canada and Mexico, audiences will be able to watch for free on The Roku Channel.

“We’re thrilled to call The Roku Channel the streaming home of the National Wrestling Alliance, and as Billy and his team continue to excite audiences, we look forward to tapping into the scale of our platform to bring this historic and storied promotion to millions of viewers,” said Joe Franzetta, Head of Sports, Roku Media.

“When I purchased the National Wrestling Alliance in 2017, it was understood we were inheriting the history and legacy of the most storied brand in all combat sports, so to announce today we have now partnered with the #1 TV streaming platform in North America is indeed a moment to be proud of,” said Billy Corgan, Owner, National Wrestling Alliance. “I look forward to sharing new episodes of ‘NWA Powerrr’ with the incredible audience that Roku brings.”

Established in 1948, the National Wrestling Alliance is one of the oldest and most prestigious professional wrestling brands worldwide. In 2017, internationally renowned recording artist William Patrick Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) acquired the NWA with the vision of reinventing the brand for the modern era while honoring its legacy from the 1980s. The NWA has expanded its programming, starting with the critically acclaimed “Ten Pounds Of Gold” docuseries, followed by weekly broadcasts of “NWA Powerrr.” You can follow the NWA across social media platforms such as Meta, X, and YouTube for exclusive content.

The Roku Channel is available to stream on Roku devices or TVs and can be easily accessed online at TheRokuChannel.com and on iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TVs, Samsung TVs, and Google TVs and other Android TV OS devices.

Mariah May Reveals New WWE Persona On NXT (Blake Monroe), Changes Twitter Handle

Former AEW standout Mariah May has officially transformed into Blake Monroe — and she made that known in true star fashion. Ahead of this week’s episode of WWE NXT, May updated her X (formerly Twitter) handle to reflect her new identity, setting the stage for a high-impact reveal during the show.

Monroe, who debuted on NXT last week fresh off the expiration of her AEW contract, is wasting no time making waves. In a slickly produced video package aired on Tuesday’s broadcast, the newly-minted Monroe was introduced to the NXT Universe in a scene straight out of Hollywood. The segment featured her lounging in a bubble bath, as a news report-style voiceover narrated her arrival with lines like, “She’s beauty. She’s grace. And she will probably punch you in the face.”

Channeling both glamour and menace, Monroe exited the bath, got dolled up in high fashion, and dropped a towel in a Sabrina Carpenter-inspired visual cue to reveal a black outfit and fierce pose. A comic-book style animation then sealed the deal: Mariah May is no more — Blake Monroe has arrived.

Later in the night, WWE confirmed Monroe would be back on NXT next week to make things official by signing her contract. There’s no confirmed in-ring debut date yet, but fans won’t have to wait long to see when she steps between the ropes.

It’s worth noting that Monroe’s last match took place in March at AEW Revolution, where she came up short in a “Hollywood Ending” against Toni Storm. Now, with a bold rebrand and a target set squarely on Jacy Jayne’s NXT Women’s Championship, Monroe looks ready to make her next act her biggest yet.

WWE NXT Preview 6/10/2025

WWE will present a new episode of NXT tonight live on The CW Network starting at 8:00 PM EST.

  • Fallout from WWE/AAA Worlds Collide.
  • WWE NXT Championship: Oba Femi (c) vs. Jasper Troy
  • WWE NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Sean Legacy
  • Niko Vance & Shawn Spears vs. TBA
  • Tony D’Angelo & Luca Crusifino vs. Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe

Shotzi Blackheart Announces Multiple GCW Appearances, Plans To Direct Horror Flicks

Shotzi Blackheart is back—and she’s not just bringing chaos to the ring, but also plotting a future behind the camera.

The former WWE star and self-declared “Indy God” has confirmed a string of appearances for GameChanger Wrestling (GCW) in what looks to be a major independent resurgence. Shotzi will step back into the spotlight at multiple events this summer, spanning the U.S. and Japan, all set to stream live on TrillerTV.

Here’s where fans can catch Shotzi in action:

  • June 20 – GCW Bangin’ in Little Rock at The Hall in Little Rock, Arkansas
  • July 11 – GCW Boss of All Bosses in Dallas, Texas
  • July 28 – GCW Tokyo Event at Shinjuku Face, Kabukicho
  • July 29 – GCW Tokyo Event at Itabashi Green Hall, Itabashi City
  • July 30 – GCW Tokyo Event at Korakuen Hall, Bunkyo

Shotzi’s return kicks off with a bang—literally—as she faces off against Atticus Cogar in what’s sure to be a wild encounter at Bangin’ in Little Rock on June 20.

Fresh off her hardcore showdown at GCW Tournament of Survival X—a brutal three-way deathmatch against Matt Tremont and Jimmy Lloyd—Shotzi is once again embracing the gritty chaos that made her a standout in the indie scene before her WWE run.

But wrestling isn’t her only ambition.

During a recent appearance on Daria Berenato’s Unwrapped podcast, Shotzi revealed her dream career path once her days in the ring are over: horror movie director.

“Honestly, after wrestling, when my body just can’t take it anymore, I would love to be a horror movie director. That is the dream,” Shotzi said. “Obviously, be in them also—I just want to get my head chopped off a bunch.”

It’s not a surprising direction for the green-haired wildcard, who has always blended punk-rock attitude with spooky, horror-inspired flair. From her tank-riding entrances to her Halloween Havoc hosting duties, Shotzi has never shied away from theatrics—and it sounds like she’s ready to turn that passion into full-blown filmmaking.

For now, though, she’s got some skulls to crack and some blood to spill—figuratively and maybe literally—on the GCW circuit.

Queen Aminata Issues Stern Warning After Scary Fan Encounter

AEW star Queen Aminata is speaking out after a recent incident with a fan crossed the line from admiration to invasion of privacy.

In a powerful message shared on social media, Aminata revealed that during a trip to New York, a fan somehow obtained her hotel information — including her full name and room number — and sent flowers directly to her room. What might have been intended as a kind gesture quickly turned into something unsettling, leaving Aminata feeling deeply unsafe.

“Be a fan. Don’t be a creep,” she wrote. “Imagine how I felt that day and days after… y’all need to stop for real.”

The chilling experience has sparked renewed conversation around the importance of boundaries and safety for wrestlers, especially as fan interactions grow more personal through social media and public appearances.

Unfortunately, Aminata’s story is not an isolated one. The wrestling world has seen a disturbing uptick in cases of stalking and harassment. WWE’s Roxanne Perez recently fell victim to a doxxing attack that exposed her private information online, and Liv Morgan was stalked by a man who went as far as showing up uninvited at her home, ultimately leading to his arrest.

These incidents serve as a sobering reminder: wrestlers may be public figures, but they’re still human beings entitled to privacy and personal safety.

Queen Aminata’s message wasn’t just a call-out — it was a plea for respect, not just for herself, but for all performers who put their bodies and lives on the line to entertain fans.

At WrestlingNewsBlog.com, we stand with Queen Aminata and all wrestlers who face these kinds of violations. Supporting your favorite stars doesn’t mean ignoring their boundaries. Let’s all do better.

Asuka Returning from Injury for WWE Queen of the Ring 2025 Tournament

After nearly a year away from in-ring action, “The Empress of Tomorrow” is finally back.

WWE has confirmed that Asuka will make her long-anticipated return as part of the 2025 Queen of the Ring tournament. The former Women’s Champion, who has been sidelined since May 2024 due to a knee injury that required surgery, is set to compete in a high-stakes fatal four-way match in the opening round of the tournament next week.

Asuka’s return was quietly revealed during WWE’s announcement of the tournament bracket, a subtle but powerful nod to her looming presence in the women’s division.

She’ll face a tough challenge right out of the gate. Her first-round matchup will include rising star Ivy Nile, current Women’s Tag Team Champion Raquel Rodriguez, and red-hot newcomer to WWE Raw—and former NXT Women’s Champion—Stephanie Vaquer. The winner will advance to the semifinals to face whoever emerges victorious from a SmackDown four-way between Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Chelsea Green, and Candice LeRae.

The tournament will culminate at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia later this month, with the Queen of the Ring winner earning a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.

Asuka’s last WWE appearance came in May 2024, when she and Kairi Sane dropped the Women’s Tag Team Titles to the powerhouse duo of Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Following the loss, Asuka underwent surgery for a knee injury and has been off WWE programming ever since.

Her return now not only reignites her own career, but adds serious star power and unpredictability to this year’s Queen of the Ring bracket. If Asuka can shake off the ring rust quickly, she could easily be a top contender to claim the crown and punch her ticket to a title match at WWE’s biggest party of the summer.

Natalya to Receive Historic Lou Thesz Award at 2025 Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion

In a groundbreaking announcement, the Cauliflower Alley Club has revealed that WWE veteran Natalya Neidhart will be honored with the Lou Thesz Award at the upcoming 59th Annual CAC Reunion, set to take place August 18–20, 2025, at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

With this recognition, Natalya becomes the first female wrestler in history to receive the prestigious Lou Thesz Award—an honor typically reserved for those whose careers have been defined by technical excellence, leadership, and significant contributions to the wrestling business.

The CAC’s statement praised Natalya as a “trailblazer in every sense of the word,” highlighting her deep wrestling lineage, technical mastery, and the historic milestones she’s achieved throughout her career. From the famed Hart Dungeon to WWE’s biggest stages, Natalya has carried the torch of the Hart family legacy while carving out a powerful identity all her own.

A multi-time champion in WWE—holding the Divas Championship, SmackDown Women’s Championship, and Women’s Tag Team Titles (alongside Tamina)—Natalya’s influence extends well beyond her in-ring accolades. She’s also widely respected for her behind-the-scenes mentorship and role in shaping WWE’s women’s division during a transformative era.

“She has elevated the business both inside and outside the ring, and her contributions continue to influence generations to come,” CAC wrote in its announcement, underlining her lasting impact on the industry.

This year’s CAC reunion is shaping up to be a particularly meaningful one as the wrestling world comes together to celebrate a woman who has not only endured but thrived across eras, brands, and evolutions of the sport.

For fans and industry veterans alike, Natalya’s Lou Thesz Award is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a milestone moment for women’s wrestling as a whole.