Category: Wrestling News

Mercedes Moné Drops Two Titles Over The Weekend

Mercedes Moné’s recent stretch of championship losses continued over the weekend, as the former multi-title holder dropped yet another belt during an international appearance.

On Sunday, Moné lost the BestYa Wrestling Women’s Championship to Swan at the Mone Mayhem event in Bagnolo Cremasco, Italy. The loss came just two days after she was defeated by Persephone for the CMLL World Women’s Championship on Friday night.

The defeat marks Moné’s second title loss in the span of a single weekend, adding to what has become a surprising downward run for the decorated star.

In fact, the latest setback means Moné has now dropped five different championships since December 20, 2025, a stark contrast to the dominant run she had previously enjoyed across multiple promotions.

Moné had built a reputation as one of the most successful traveling champions in the business, collecting titles around the world during her run outside WWE. However, the recent streak of losses suggests that chapter may be coming to an end as several promotions crown new champions.

Despite the skid, Moné remains one of the most recognizable names in women’s wrestling globally, and it will be interesting to see whether she rebounds quickly or shifts her focus toward new opportunities moving forward.

Report: Mance Warner and Steph De Lander Set to Exit TNA Wrestling

Two names may soon be departing TNA Wrestling, as a new report indicates that Mance Warner and Steph De Lander are preparing to leave the promotion.

According to Fightful, both talents have reportedly quit TNA, with the situation tied to the company’s decision not to medically clear De Lander for an in-ring return following her injury.

Medical Clearance Dispute

De Lander had been sidelined for several months while recovering, and she was recently informed by TNA that she would not be cleared to wrestle again within the promotion. However, the situation took a turn when she sought a second opinion.

The 29-year-old reportedly consulted WWE’s spinal surgeon, who ultimately cleared her to return to competition. De Lander later confirmed on social media that she has officially received medical clearance, signaling that she’s ready to get back inside the ring.

Despite that clearance, her in-ring future in TNA appears to be over.

Time Away From Singles Competition

De Lander has not wrestled a singles match since May 2024, focusing instead on recovery and rehabilitation during her time away from active competition.

During that stretch, she remained connected to the promotion alongside her husband, Mance Warner, who has been featured in TNA storylines.

Wrapping Up With TNA

The report notes that there is a belief Warner and De Lander could finish out their remaining commitments during the current set of television tapings before officially departing the company.

If the exits are finalized, both talents will likely become intriguing free agents in the wrestling world. With De Lander now medically cleared and Warner maintaining a strong reputation on the independent scene, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the duo land elsewhere in the near future.

JBL Says TNA Creative Shake-Up Halted Planned In-Ring Return

John “Bradshaw” Layfield was a lot closer to lacing up his boots again than most fans realized — but a sudden creative shift in TNA ultimately pulled the plug on the idea.

Speaking recently on TMZ’s Inside The Ring, the WWE Hall of Famer addressed the growing buzz about a potential in-ring comeback. Between appearances in GCW and AAA, along with reports that he had been training with veterans Jody Malenko and Gerald Brisco, speculation had been building that JBL was preparing for something substantial.

As it turns out, those rumors weren’t far off.

Layfield confirmed that he had agreed in principle to work with TNA last year. However, after a change in the company’s creative direction, he decided it was no longer something he wanted to be part of.

According to JBL, the revised plans simply didn’t make sense — not from a storytelling standpoint and not from a business one. Rather than force something he didn’t believe in, he chose to step away, noting that there are no hard feelings and that he still maintains a positive relationship with the promotion.

Interestingly, the creative decision-maker behind the change was reportedly let go shortly afterward. Around the same time, WWE’s evolving relationship with TNA shifted the broader landscape, and the proposed return never resurfaced.

TNA wasn’t the only company where plans changed. JBL also revealed that he had discussions about doing something with AAA in Mexico. But once WWE became more directly involved, his role pivoted. Instead of stepping back into the ring, Layfield found himself transitioning into commentary duties.

In hindsight, JBL seems perfectly fine with how things played out — even joking that WWE moving him to commentary might have been a subtle message.

That doesn’t mean he isn’t taking training seriously.

At 59 years old, Layfield has built out a personal training setup complete with mats, suplex dummies, and conditioning equipment, and he’s clearly enjoying the grind. While he stopped short of confirming any concrete return plans, he admitted there’s at least an outline of an idea floating around.

For now, JBL appears content staying active, staying in shape, and keeping his options open. If he does make one more walk to the ring, it won’t just be for nostalgia. As he made clear, any comeback would need to make sense creatively — and, just as importantly, be good for business.

CMLL Cancels Arena Coliseo Show Following Escalating Deadly Violence in Mexico

Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre has officially canceled its Tuesday, February 24 event at Arena Coliseo in Guadalajara due to growing safety concerns amid a wave of violence in Mexico.

The decision comes in the aftermath of a major military operation that reportedly resulted in the death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. Mexican authorities confirmed his death on Sunday, and the news was followed by significant unrest across multiple states, with reports of clashes and casualties surfacing in the days since.

In a statement shared on social media, CMLL announced that it would be suspending the Guadalajara event based on guidance from local security officials. The promotion emphasized that the safety of its fans, wrestlers, and staff is its top priority.

While wrestling promotions are known for adapting to unexpected challenges — from travel issues to injuries and even natural disasters — situations involving public safety on this scale leave little room for risk. Arena Coliseo Guadalajara is one of the company’s key venues outside of Mexico City, making the cancellation a notable disruption to the weekly schedule.

At this time, CMLL has not confirmed when or if the event will be rescheduled. Fans who planned to attend are encouraged to monitor the company’s official channels for further updates regarding refunds or future dates.

This marks a sobering reminder that even the world of professional wrestling is not immune to broader real-world events. As the situation continues to unfold, CMLL appears focused on ensuring that everyone involved remains safe before returning to business as usual.

Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Official for May as Netflix Enters Live MMA Business

Two of the most influential names in women’s MMA are stepping back into the cage — and this time, the world will be watching on Netflix.

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Netflix have announced that former UFC Bantamweight Champion and former WWE Superstar Ronda Rousey will come out of retirement to face Gina Carano in a long-awaited dream fight. The bout is set for Saturday, May 16 at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California.

The contest will take place at featherweight (145 pounds), contested over five five-minute rounds under the Unified Rules of MMA. The fight will be held inside a hexagon cage with 4oz gloves and streamed live globally on Netflix at no additional cost to subscribers. The event marks Netflix’s first-ever live MMA broadcast and MVP’s debut MMA promotion.

For longtime fight fans, this matchup feels surreal. Years ago, when Rousey was dominating the UFC and Carano had shifted her focus toward Hollywood, the UFC reportedly attempted to make the fight happen. Negotiations ultimately fell apart, with Carano previously pointing fingers at UFC President Dana White. Now, nearly two decades after Carano last fought and nearly ten years since Rousey’s final MMA appearance, the clash is finally becoming reality.

Rousey, 39, last competed in MMA at UFC 207 in December 2016, where she was defeated by Amanda Nunes. Following that loss, she pivoted to professional wrestling, signing with WWE and quickly becoming one of the company’s biggest attractions. She was part of the first-ever women’s main event at WrestleMania 35 in 2019 and remained a headline name before parting ways with WWE in 2023. Her most recent wrestling appearance came in November 2023, when she teamed with Marina Shafir in Ring of Honor.

Carano, now 43, hasn’t fought since 2009, when she was stopped by Cris Cyborg in Strikeforce. Despite the loss, Carano’s impact on women’s MMA is undeniable — widely regarded as the sport’s first true female crossover star, she helped lay the groundwork that allowed fighters like Rousey to break into the UFC spotlight.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Rousey didn’t hold back.

“Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history!” she said, adding that the partnership with MVP and Netflix will deliver something special for MMA fans past and present.

Carano echoed the sentiment, revealing that Rousey personally reached out to make the fight happen and thanked her for opening doors earlier in her career. Carano said she expects to win but anticipates a difficult battle, calling the moment an honor for both fighters and the MMA community.

MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian framed the bout as a historic step in expanding their combat sports footprint beyond boxing, while Netflix’s VP of Sports, Gabe Spitzer, described the fight as a defining moment for the streaming platform following its success in live boxing events.

Additional fights for the card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets go on sale Thursday, March 5 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster, with pre-sale registration currently available.

For wrestling fans, this marks another fascinating chapter in Rousey’s unpredictable career. After conquering UFC, breaking barriers in WWE, and stepping away from the spotlight, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey is heading back to the cage for one more massive spotlight moment — this time against the woman who helped start it all.

The Sandman Set To Face An Unusual Opponent In Final Match

The Sandman’s wild, beer-soaked ride through professional wrestling is finally coming to an end — but in true Sandman fashion, he’s doing it in the most unconventional way possible.

After an incredible 37-year career, the former WWE star and ECW icon is set to wrestle his final match this April at Joey Janela’s Spring Break. When Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” hits for the last time, fans will witness a farewell that nobody could have predicted: The Sandman vs. The Invisible Man.

Joey Janela revealed the surprising matchup on social media Monday night, dropping a trailer that instantly sent the wrestling world buzzing. While retirement matches are often emotional, straight-ahead affairs, this one leans fully into the absurd and creative energy that Spring Break has become known for — and that’s exactly why it fits Sandman so well.

For those unfamiliar, The Invisible Man is one of GCW’s most infamous long-running gimmicks. He rose to prominence during his surreal feud with Invisible Stan in 2019, which culminated in a fully officiated match at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 3, complete with AEW referee Bryce Remsburg calling the action. Despite being declared “dead” later that year, The Invisible Man has made sporadic returns ever since, popping up in GCW matches in 2020, 2022, and as recently as 2025.

Sandman’s retirement bout also continues a recent Spring Break tradition. He becomes the second consecutive ECW legend to close out their career on Janela’s stage, following the late Sabu, who wrestled his own final match last year in a brutal No Ropes Barbed Wire bout against Janela himself.

There’s also a bit of poetic irony in this matchup. This will mark the first time in Sandman’s career that he’s literally unable to see his opponent in a wrestling context — a fitting callback to one of the most memorable angles of his ECW run. In 1994, Sandman famously pretended to be blinded during an I Quit match against Tommy Dreamer, only to later reveal the injury was all a mind game.

Whether it turns out to be chaotic, comedic, emotional, or all of the above, The Sandman’s final match feels perfectly on-brand. It won’t be traditional. It won’t be predictable. And it certainly won’t be forgotten.

One last Singapore cane shot, one last beer smash — and one last swing at the invisible.

https://twitter.com/JANELABABY/status/2021022830465265852

Nixon Newell Reveals 2026 Likely Her Final Year as an In-Ring Competitor

Another familiar name from the modern wrestling era is preparing to step away from active competition. Former WWE star Nixon Newell, best known to many fans as Tegan Nox, has confirmed that she’s likely entering the final year of her in-ring wrestling career.

Speaking recently on Casual Conversations with The Classic, Newell explained that this timeline has been on her mind since her WWE release in 2024. At the time, she gave herself a rough two-year window, and with one year already gone, she now sees the end of her full-time wrestling run coming into focus.

According to Newell, the decision isn’t rooted in burnout or frustration with wrestling itself. Instead, her passion has simply shifted. These days, she finds far more fulfillment behind the scenes — producing matches, training talent, and helping others grow within the industry.

Newell has already begun embracing that role. She’s been producing shows alongside Miranda Alize and assisting with training at Evolution Dojo in Houston, experiences she described as genuinely rewarding. Helping others succeed, she said, has always come naturally to her, and that mindset has only grown stronger as her career has progressed.

After spending more than a decade wrestling across the globe — including stints in Japan, Europe, Canada, the UK, and several years inside WWE — Newell feels she’s reached a point where lifting others up means more to her than chasing personal accolades.

Her future plans extend beyond wrestling production as well. Newell is actively studying personal training and massage therapy, with a focus on injury recovery for athletes. That path is deeply personal, given her own well-documented history with major injuries.

During her WWE run, Newell suffered multiple devastating setbacks, including an ACL tear just weeks before the inaugural Mae Young Classic and a horrific injury during the 2018 tournament that saw her fracture her tibia while tearing her ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Those experiences, she says, shaped her desire to help others navigate the long and difficult road back from serious injuries.

While she hasn’t completely closed the door on wrestling opportunities that may arise in the next year, Newell made it clear that her priorities have changed. Her focus is now firmly on education, licensing, and building a future centered around coaching, rehabilitation, and mentorship.

Newell’s most recent match took place in December 2025 for Riot Cabaret Pro Wrestling in London. Whether or not fans see her step into the ring again, it’s clear her impact on the wrestling world is far from over — it’s simply entering a new chapter.

Why Tommaso Ciampa Ultimately Chose to Leave WWE for AEW

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.

Powerhouse Hobbs Reportedly Leaving AEW as WWE Move Looms

Powerhouse Hobbs appears to be on the verge of closing the book on his AEW run, with multiple reports indicating that a jump to WWE could be right around the corner.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, Hobbs’ AEW contract was set to expire at midnight on January 14. His time with the company effectively wrapped at the conclusion of the Maximum Carnage taping of AEW Collision, which was taped last night. While fans will still see Hobbs one final time on television, his departure behind the scenes is all but official.

The possibility of WWE landing Hobbs has been discussed for quite some time. Dave Meltzer noted in last week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE interest in Hobbs has existed for years, but sources within the company now believe a deal is imminent, assuming nothing changes in the coming days. Sapp added that while rumors circulated about Hobbs potentially heading to WWE in 2025, there was reportedly no contact at that time. However, WWE had reached out several years ago during Dan Ventrelle’s tenure as Head of Talent Relations, though Hobbs ultimately chose to re-sign with AEW back then.

AEW, for its part, made a strong push to keep one of its most physically imposing homegrown stars. Contract talks reportedly stretched on for a while, with AEW presenting what internal sources described as a “huge” offer. Despite the money on the table, Hobbs opted to explore his options elsewhere. The split is said to be on excellent terms, with no animosity between Hobbs and the company.

Although Hobbs is technically free to sign with WWE this week, he still has one last AEW appearance lined up. On the Maximum Carnage edition of Collision airing this Saturday, Hobbs will defend the AEW World Trios Championships alongside Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata as The Opps face Hangman Page and JetSpeed. The match was taped in advance, clearing the way for Hobbs to potentially appear on WWE programming as early as Friday night.

At this point, it’s unclear whether Hobbs would debut in WWE NXT or head straight to the main roster. What is clear is that he exits AEW with an impressive résumé, including a reign as AEW TNT Champion and a historic run as one-third of the longest-reigning AEW World Trios Champions.

If this truly is the end of Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, his next chapter could be the biggest of his career — and WWE may soon be welcoming one of the most dominant powerhouses to hit the market in years.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts Undergoes Successful Hip Surgery

WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts is on the mend following a successful surgical procedure this week.

According to an update shared by his wife Cheryl Roberts, the legendary wrestler underwent hip surgery on Tuesday and is already back home recovering. Cheryl took to Facebook later that evening to let fans know the operation went extremely well and thanked everyone for the outpouring of support.

PWInsider later clarified that the procedure was a hip revision surgery, meant to address complications from a prior hip replacement that had become an issue. Given Roberts’ well-documented health battles over the years, the positive outcome is especially encouraging news for longtime fans.

Since officially stepping away from in-ring competition in 2018, Roberts has dealt with multiple medical challenges but has remained active in the wrestling world in other ways. He is currently signed to a WWE Legends contract, though he has also made occasional appearances in AEW. Last year, Roberts openly discussed how WWE approved those AEW appearances, noting that the company was supportive as long as it made business sense.

At 69 years old, Jake Roberts continues to be one of the most respected minds and personalities in professional wrestling, with a legacy that stretches across generations. Hearing that his surgery went smoothly is a welcome update for anyone who grew up watching “The Snake” captivate audiences with his promos and psychology.

We echo the well wishes being sent his way and hope Jake Roberts enjoys a smooth, full recovery.