AEW Collision live Saturday night 1/31/2026 at 8/7C on TNT and HBO Max from Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Tommaso Ciampa officially turned the page on his WWE career this week, making his surprise AEW debut on Dynamite and immediately sparking conversation across the wrestling world. Now, the former NXT Champion has opened up about why he felt the time was right to walk away from WWE and start a new chapter.
Speaking with Rick Ucchino of Sports Illustrated, Ciampa made it clear that his decision wasn’t driven by one single issue, but rather a culmination of factors that became clearer as his WWE contract neared its end. According to Ciampa, those final contract discussions naturally forced him to evaluate where he fit in the current wrestling landscape.
Ciampa compared his mindset to different eras of wrestling. He explained that if he had been wrestling in the 1990s, ECW would have been his destination. In the early 2000s, Ring of Honor would have been the goal — something he was fortunate enough to experience briefly. For the 2010s, his dream was NXT’s “Black and Gold” era, where he became one of the brand’s defining figures. But when looking at the 2020s, Ciampa said the answer became obvious: AEW.
Another major factor was creative freedom, particularly surrounding his “Psycho Killer” persona. Ciampa admitted he pushed for years to fully bring that character to life in WWE, but for various reasons, it never fully materialized the way he envisioned. That changed immediately upon speaking with AEW President Tony Khan and the creative team. Ciampa said the open collaboration and willingness to trust his vision played a huge role in his decision, and he’s already thinking months — even a year — ahead in terms of evolving the character.
Ciampa also addressed long-standing online criticism suggesting that his 2018 run represented the peak of his career. He strongly disagreed, stating that he feels better physically and sharper mentally now than ever before. According to Ciampa, his storytelling, psychology, and overall performance have reached a level he hadn’t previously achieved — and AEW gives him the platform to prove it.
Finally, Ciampa touched on his respect for The Briscoes, specifically Mark Briscoe, whom he’s set to face soon. Ciampa praised Mark as the ultimate babyface, noting his natural charisma and fire. Despite not sharing a ring in over a decade, Ciampa said the chemistry was instantly there the moment they locked eyes, promising fans that their upcoming match will “tear the house down.”
Ciampa’s AEW arrival isn’t just about changing companies — it’s about betting on himself at a stage of his career where he believes his best work is still ahead. If his confidence is any indication, the “Psycho Killer” era in AEW may just be getting started.
The AEW World Tag Team Championship bout on the January 28 episode of Dynamite was shaping up to be a big moment for Jake Doyle, but it appears the night took a rough turn far earlier than anyone expected. During the title match pitting FTR against Doyle and Mark Davis, Doyle seemingly suffered a serious injury that forced AEW to change course on the fly.
According to reports, the issue occurred after Doyle took a DDT on the ring apron. He was later heard telling Cash Wheeler that he believed he had torn his right biceps. From that point on, Doyle was quietly removed from the match and never returned, with FTR and Davis finishing things in short order. Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that the crowd immediately sensed something was off, describing the arena as going silent as it became clear the situation was legitimate rather than storyline-driven.
Dave Meltzer added more context regarding what Doyle could be facing recovery-wise. If the injury doesn’t require surgery, a return in roughly four months is possible. However, if surgery is needed, the timetable could stretch to six or seven months, which would be a significant setback—especially given how early Doyle is in his AEW run. Meltzer also pointed out how unfortunate the timing is, calling AEW the biggest opportunity of Doyle’s career to date and noting how easy it can be to lose momentum on such a stacked roster after a long absence.
There is at least some optimism for Mark Davis in the meantime. Meltzer suggested Davis is still likely to appear on AEW programming, potentially aligned with The Don Callis Family, though perhaps not in the same featured role the team would have had if Doyle were healthy. For now, fans will have to wait and see just how serious Doyle’s injury is, but it’s an undeniably tough break for a talent who was just starting to gain traction on a major stage.
The “Psycho Killer” Tommaso Ciampa is officially All Elite.
Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite closed with a moment few fans expected so soon, as Ciampa made his surprise debut for the company and immediately set his sights on championship gold. The former WWE standout appeared moments after Mark Briscoe successfully defended the TNT Championship against El Clon, turning what seemed like a routine post-match segment into a major talking point.
After retaining the title, Briscoe grabbed a microphone and announced an open challenge for this weekend’s AEW Collision. That’s when the arena lights dropped. When they came back on, an unknown video graphic and theme music played, then Ciampa appeared on the entrance stage, drawing a loud reaction from the crowd. The two men locked eyes in a tense staredown in the ring, and it didn’t take long before AEW made it official — Ciampa vs. Briscoe for the TNT Championship is set for Saturday night’s AEW Collision.
The debut comes just days after Ciampa’s WWE departure became official. Earlier this week, his profile was quietly moved to WWE’s alumni section, ending an 11-year run with the company that began in 2015. While there had been speculation about where Ciampa might land next, AEW wasted no time positioning him as a serious player.
Ciampa leaves WWE with an impressive résumé. He is a two-time NXT Champion and held tag team gold multiple times alongside longtime rival-turned-partner Johnny Gargano as part of #DIY. Their run together defined an era of NXT, with Ciampa carving out a reputation as one of the brand’s most intense and compelling performers.
Now, Ciampa steps into a new environment with immediate momentum and a title opportunity waiting for him. Whether his AEW run becomes a short-term shockwave or the start of something long-term, his debut has already added another layer of intrigue to AEW’s ever-evolving roster — and Saturday’s Collision just became must-see television.
AEW Dynamite Live on TBS and HBO Max from the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas
AEW Collision airs tonight at 8 PM EST/5 PM PST on TNT and HBO Max taped from the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida.
AEW Dynamite live on TBS and HBO Max from the Addition Arena in Orlando, FL.
AEW may soon find itself caught in the middle of a major media power struggle, as Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery continue reshaping their proposed merger. A newly revised all-cash offer has added urgency to the situation — and for wrestling fans, it raises real questions about where AEW programming could end up once the dust settles.
On January 20, Netflix and WBD confirmed they’ve restructured their merger agreement into a full cash deal, offering $27.75 per share for WBD. While the valuation hasn’t changed, the switch away from stock is a significant move. By removing equity from the equation, Netflix is clearly aiming to streamline regulatory approval and close the deal faster, limiting opportunities for rivals to interfere.
That hasn’t stopped Paramount from trying. The company has aggressively challenged the Netflix-WBD deal, filing lawsuits, launching a proxy battle, and even floating a competing bid reportedly valued at $30 per share. Paramount executives believe Netflix taking control would weaken WBD’s cable and sports assets — a category that directly includes TNT and TBS, the current home of AEW’s flagship programming.
At the heart of the issue is WBD’s planned breakup into two separate entities. Under the proposal, Warner Bros. would focus on studio and entertainment properties, while Discovery Global would house cable networks and sports. That structural split could play a decisive role in AEW’s future, especially when it comes to streaming.
Under earlier versions of the Netflix-WBD plan, live sports were not expected to remain a long-term priority on HBO Max. Instead, properties like AEW were projected to migrate to a standalone TNT Sports app. That direction appears unchanged under the new all-cash framework. While such a move might make sense from a corporate organization standpoint, it could significantly reduce AEW’s visibility compared to being featured on a major platform like Max.
Notably, the latest public statements from Netflix and WBD avoided mentioning AEW, TNT, or sports content by name. Instead, the messaging focused on innovation, growth, and consumer choice. Still, the emphasis on splitting the company into more “focused” units strongly suggests sports will be pushed into a more isolated ecosystem — one without the massive subscriber base of Netflix or HBO Max.
For AEW, that creates a tricky situation. Streaming exposure has become a crucial part of wrestling’s modern business model, not just for weekly TV but also for special events and international reach. A move to a brand-new TNT Sports app could require fans to actively seek out the product again, rather than stumbling upon it through a familiar platform. Casual viewers, in particular, may not make that jump.
The current timeline has the Netflix-WBD merger potentially closing within 12 to 18 months, assuming regulatory hurdles are cleared and the Discovery Global spinoff is completed. Paramount’s legal challenge remains a wild card, but the all-cash structure gives Netflix a cleaner pitch to shareholders eager for certainty.
If that path wins out, AEW’s time on Max may already be on the clock. While nothing is official yet, the broader media shakeup suggests AEW will need to stay flexible — and possibly proactive — about where its content lives long-term. In an era where accessibility often determines audience growth, the outcome of this deal could have ripple effects far beyond Wall Street, directly shaping how fans watch AEW in the years ahead.
When AEW signed The Rascalz, fans were eager to see Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz, Dezmond Xavier, and Myron Reed bring their high-energy chemistry to All Elite Wrestling. That excitement didn’t last long, though, as Miguel was unexpectedly released before the group ever made their planned debut on Collision, leaving many scratching their heads about what went wrong.
According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio, the decision to part ways with Miguel didn’t originate from within AEW’s usual creative or talent channels. Alvarez reported that the move came from “up above,” stressing that it was not connected to AEW’s roster, locker room issues, or even Tony Khan himself.
Alvarez noted that while rumors are circulating, there has been very little clarity backstage. However, his understanding is that the situation stemmed from a higher level of authority outside the normal AEW structure, leading to Miguel’s sudden release.
This has led fans to speculate about possible external factors being involved. AEW has dealt with similar situations in the past, most notably with Jay Briscoe, who was kept off AEW television for an extended period due to past social media posts despite being highly regarded within the company. Because of that precedent, some believe outside oversight or network-related concerns could again be a factor here, though nothing has been confirmed.
As of now, Trey Miguel is reportedly taking time away from in-ring competition. With questions still unanswered, fans are left waiting to see if more details emerge about what truly caused such an abrupt ending to his AEW run — and what’s next for Miguel moving forward.
Trey Miguel’s time with All Elite Wrestling has come to an abrupt and unexpected end.
Earlier today, Miguel took to his Instagram Stories to announce that he’s stepping away from wrestling for the time being. In his message, Miguel thanked fans for their support and urged them to continue backing The Rascalz, fueling speculation about his status after he was noticeably absent from recent AEW programming.
That absence now has an explanation. According to Fightful Select, Miguel was officially released from his AEW contract “within the last few days.” Reports from last week had suggested that all four members of The Rascalz — Miguel, Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz, and Myron Reed — had signed with AEW. While Xavier, Wentz, and Reed have since been involved with the company, Miguel did not appear at the AEW Collision: Maximum Carnage tapings on January 14.
Fightful notes that despite Miguel not being backstage for the taping, sources at the time still maintained that all four had signed with AEW. Miguel’s release reportedly came just over a week after he finalized his deal, which followed the expiration of his TNA Wrestling contract at the end of 2025. The reason for AEW’s decision to part ways with Miguel has not been disclosed, but both sides are said to be on good terms.
The situation is particularly surprising given Miguel’s long-standing connection to The Rascalz. The group most recently reunited in TNA Wrestling last year, rekindling the chemistry that made them standouts earlier in their careers.
Miguel has been a cornerstone of TNA Wrestling since 2018, carving out an impressive résumé along the way. He famously opted to remain with TNA when Wentz and Xavier moved on to WWE NXT, though Miguel still made several NXT appearances during the TNA–WWE crossover in 2024 and 2025. During his TNA run, Miguel captured the X-Division Championship twice and also held the Tag Team Titles with Wentz.
For now, Miguel appears focused on taking time away from the ring, leaving his future in wrestling uncertain. Whether this hiatus is brief or leads to a new chapter elsewhere remains to be seen, but given his track record, Trey Miguel’s name is unlikely to stay off the radar for long.
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