AEW Collision ‘Winter is Coming’ today from the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, Whales airing coast-to-coast at 4:30pm ET on TNT and HBO Max.
Andrade El Idolo’s strange post-WWE situation appears to finally be moving forward, though it comes with a very specific restriction.
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding his WWE non-compete clause, Andrade is officially set to return to the ring tonight in Puerto Rico, where he will compete for the World Wrestling Council (WWC). The former WWE star is scheduled to challenge Xavant for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship, marking his first sanctioned match in some time.
According to reports, WWE initially enforced a non-compete clause following Andrade’s brief and controversial return to AEW. That clause put his in-ring career on pause, even after he resurfaced on AEW Dynamite to attack Kenny Omega — an appearance that ultimately led to WWE issuing a cease-and-desist notice to AEW and Andrade being pulled from television entirely.
However, new details suggest Andrade’s legal team has been hard at work behind the scenes. Sources indicate that negotiations with WWE resulted in a compromise that allows Andrade to wrestle — but only in Puerto Rico. The agreement reportedly went into effect today, December 13, and bars Andrade from competing for any promotion outside of the island for now.
Andrade himself confirmed the breakthrough during a recent interview, expressing relief that the long-standing issue had finally been resolved. He explained that his lawyer received official, signed documentation from WWE granting him clearance to wrestle for WWC, ending what he described as months of uncertainty tied to a 12-month non-compete dispute.
“I’m so happy to be in Puerto Rico. I want to say thank you to my lawyer because he now has a letter from the WWE, because we had problems with the no-compete for 12 months. Today, my lawyer texted me and told me, ‘Andrade, I have a letter, signed, that you can participate tonight in Puerto Rico in WWC. I can get back to the ring tonight. I’m so happy because after all these problems — not problems, but just what happens in life — I don’t know what to say. I want to be ready for tonight.”
The timing couldn’t be better. Andrade hasn’t competed since winning The Crash Heavyweight Championship on October 3, and fans have been waiting to see when — and where — he would be allowed back between the ropes. Tonight’s WWC appearance represents his first step back into active competition following his WWE release earlier this year, which stemmed from alleged wellness policy violations.
While Andrade’s future beyond Puerto Rico remains unclear, this development at least puts an end to his in-ring limbo. For now, Puerto Rico is the only place fans can see Andrade El Idolo compete — but it’s a meaningful return that could open the door to bigger things once his contractual situation fully clears.
ROH TV tonight on #HonorClub at http://WatchROH.com
AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming airs live tonight on TBS and HBO Max from the Gateway Center in Arena in College Park, Georgia – 10 miles south of Atlanta.
AEW’s Dralistico revealed today that he’s preparing to undergo surgery, posting a short video message from a hospital bed to update fans on his condition.
In the clip, the masked star thanked supporters for the outpouring of messages he’s received and made it clear he’s approaching the procedure with optimism and faith. He also gave a shoutout to All Elite Wrestling for standing by him during the process, saying he’s placing the situation “in God’s hands” as he heads into the operating room.
While Dralistico didn’t specify what injury he’s dealing with or how long he may be sidelined, the tone of the update suggested he’s in good spirits and appreciative of the support system around him.
AEW has yet to release official details regarding the surgery or any recovery timetable, but we’ll keep an eye out for further information as it becomes available. For now, the former La Facción Ingobernable member appears focused on getting healthy and back to the ring when the time is right.
MJF has been off AEW TV since a rough September that saw him drop the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Title to Mistico and fall to Mark Briscoe in the Tables N’ Tacts match at All Out. His absence has largely been tied to filming Violent Night 2, but production on the movie is now complete — which had many expecting “The Devil” to reappear sometime in December.
So far, though, the former AEW World Champion hasn’t surfaced on Dynamite or Collision during the first week of the month. Despite that, Wrestlevotes Live on Fightful Select reports that AEW has had MJF penciled into plans for Worlds End since Thanksgiving week. Details on what those plans involve are still under wraps.
However, last week’s Dynamite may have offered a huge hint. AEW officially announced the return of the Dynamite Diamond Ring, kicking off with a Battle Royal during next week’s Holiday Bash. The final two competitors will then square off on the Christmas Eve edition of Dynamite — titled Dynamite on 34th Street. Considering MJF has won the ring every single year since its debut in 2019, he immediately becomes the obvious favorite the moment he walks back through the curtain.
And this time, the stakes are even higher. The winner of the Diamond Ring will earn an AEW World Championship match on January 14 at Dynamite: Maximum Carnage in Phoenix. With MJF spending 2025 chasing the world title — including a failed attempt against “Hangman” Adam Page at Forbidden Door — plus still holding the All In Casino Gauntlet contract, he’s got more avenues to a title shot than anyone on the roster.
If AEW is looking for a big return to shake up Worlds End season, MJF reclaiming the ring he’s owned since day one might be the perfect spark.
The media war around Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) just got a lot more chaotic — and the ripple effects could eventually reach AEW.
Over the past week, Netflix had been moving toward a massive $82.7 billion deal that would carve up WBD, taking control of Warner Bros. Studios, HBO, and HBO Max while spinning off the cable networks into a separate company. That deal, while far from finalized, had the potential to shake up WBD’s structure but wasn’t expected to immediately disrupt AEW’s presence on TNT, TBS, or Max.
But now Paramount has stormed into the picture with what several outlets are calling a hostile takeover attempt. The newly formed Paramount Skydance has reportedly put a $108.4 billion offer on the table — translating to $30 per WBD share, surpassing Netflix’s bid of roughly $27.75 per share.
According to Variety and other industry reports, WBD has acknowledged receiving Paramount’s unsolicited proposal and has 10 business days to make a formal decision.
If Netflix’s bid ultimately collapses, the streamer would owe WBD a hefty $5.8 billion breakup fee.
Paramount issued a statement to Deadline, touting its offer as a more stable, less complicated option for WBD shareholders — and taking a not-so-subtle swipe at Netflix’s deal by framing it as riskier and tied to a lengthy regulatory process.
In the short term, nothing changes. AEW’s existing media rights agreement with WBD runs through 2027, with an option year into 2028, covering TNT, TBS, and Max for Dynamite, Collision, and pay-per-view distribution.
However, the long-term landscape could get messier depending on which company wins out:
There’s no clear answer yet, but it’s a scenario worth watching.
With Hollywood and the streaming world in full consolidation mode, AEW finds itself tied to a partner that major companies are fighting over. That could either strengthen their position or leave them navigating a new corporate owner with new priorities.
For now, AEW is safe and locked in. But as the Paramount vs. Netflix drama unfolds, Tony Khan’s promotion may once again find its fate linked to boardroom battles far outside the wrestling ring.
AEW’s Continental Classic has hit another early snag for the second straight year, and once again it involves a major name. Darby Allin was officially removed from the Gold League lineup on this past Saturday’s AEW Collision after his opening-round match with Kevin Knight left him hospitalized. In his place, AEW slotted in longtime rival — and former TNT and Tag Team Champion — Jack Perry, marking Perry’s first run in the tournament.
The move came just one day after Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Allin had suffered a head injury during the match with Knight, with concussion concerns being the likely culprit. Meltzer expanded on the situation during Wrestling Observer Radio, offering a bit more clarity while reviewing Allin’s Collision promo.
According to Meltzer, Allin was backstage at Collision and able to travel, which is at least a positive sign. However, Allin revealed in his promo that his “leg stopped working” during or after the match — despite Meltzer reiterating his belief the root of the issue is a head injury. Allin also admitted he was legitimately scared by what happened and required a hospital visit, something no wrestler — especially one known for death-defying bumps — takes lightly.
At this point, AEW has not provided a timetable for Allin’s return, leaving fans and officials in wait-and-see mode. Remarkably, this is only the second time in his six-year AEW run that Allin has been sidelined due to an in-ring injury, an impressive track record considering the physical risks he regularly takes. Earlier this year Allin missed seven months while training for — and ultimately climbing — Mount Everest, but otherwise he’s been one of AEW’s most durable performers.
With the Continental Classic rolling on and Jack Perry stepping into the Gold League, the big question now is simply when Darby Allin will be healthy enough to return — and how AEW plans to reinsert him into the mix once he’s cleared.
AEW Collision live tonight on TNT and HBO Max from the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Former WWE standout Dakota Kai is officially stepping back into the ring next year — and her return comes with a brand-new name and a huge championship opportunity.
Kai, released by WWE in May, has been announced for Pro-Wrestling: EVE’s biggest event of the year, Wrestle Queendom 8, taking place March 8, 2026, at the O2 in London. The news was revealed by Will Ospreay, who is currently part of EVE’s creative team.
Going forward, Kai will compete under the ring name Charlie, and her first assignment is massive: she’ll challenge Kris Statlander for the EVE International Championship. It will also mark the first-ever singles meeting between the two.
Despite plenty of chatter linking Kai to AEW after her release, the former two-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion hasn’t signed with or appeared for any promotion since leaving WWE. Her last non-WWE-affiliated match came all the way back in 2017 for PROGRESS.
Statlander, meanwhile, has been a busy dual champion. She captured the EVE International Title from Anita Vaughan in July and has already racked up two defenses — against Nina Samuels in September and in a four-way against Vaughan, Alex Windsor and Yuu in November. On top of her UK gold, Statlander also holds the AEW Women’s World Championship, making this showdown even more intriguing.
Wrestle Queendom 8 now has a marquee matchup locked in:
Charlie vs. Kris Statlander — first time ever — for the EVE International Championship.
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