Category: Wrestling News

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.

Tetsuya Naito And BUSHI Win GHC Tag Team Championships In Pro Wrestling NOAH – First Match In Japan Since Leaving NJPW

Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI wasted absolutely no time reminding the Japanese wrestling scene that they’re still major players.

On New Year’s Day, the former Los Ingobernables de Japon members made their first in-ring appearance in Japan since leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and they walked out of the Nippon Budokan with gold. Competing at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s The New Year event, Naito and BUSHI defeated Naomichi Marufuji and Kenoh to capture the GHC Tag Team Championships, marking an immediate statement run in a new promotion.

The victory is especially notable given the circumstances. Naito and BUSHI officially departed NJPW in 2025 and had largely been quiet on the Japanese scene since, aside from a few appearances with RevPro. Their NOAH debut under the name Los Tranquilos de Japon came with plenty of intrigue, but few expected them to end the night as champions—especially against a team as established as Marufuji and Kenoh.

Interestingly, Naito leaned into his laid-back persona after the match, admitting that the duo doesn’t have a clearly defined plan for their future in NOAH. That uncertainty only adds to the intrigue, as both men are seasoned enough to thrive without a rigid roadmap.

For NOAH, the title change was sudden. Marufuji and Kenoh had only held the GHC Tag Team Titles for 19 days, having won them in December from Team 2000X’s Masa Kitamiya and Takashi Sugiura. For Naito and BUSHI, however, the win represents their first-ever championships in NOAH, giving their post-NJPW chapter immediate credibility.

Their arrival also highlights how fractured the former LIJ lineup has become. After the group’s dissolution, Shingo Takagi and Hiromu Takahashi aligned themselves with the War Dogs, while Yota Tsuji is focused on his looming IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match against Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Speaking of Wrestle Kingdom, this year’s event will feel very different without Naito. Wrestle Kingdom 20 will be the first Tokyo Dome show since 2013 to not feature him, with Wrestle Kingdom 8 being the last card he missed. BUSHI’s absence is less jarring, as he hasn’t appeared at the event since 2023.

Still, if their NOAH debut is any indication, Naito and BUSHI aren’t slowing down—they’re just taking a different road. And for now, that road has led them straight to championship gold.

Update On Andrade El Idolo’s WWE Non-Compete

Andrade El Idolo’s path back to the ring just became a lot clearer, and it opens the door for some major possibilities across the wrestling landscape.

According to recent reports, Andrade’s contractual ties to WWE officially ended on December 12, meaning he is now free to sign with any promotion he chooses. While his WWE departure dates back to September, the biggest hurdle was a reported year-long non-compete clause that could have kept him sidelined well into 2025. That obstacle, however, has now been removed.

Fightful Select reports that Rush played a key role behind the scenes by connecting Andrade with an attorney and representative who has an extensive working history with WWE. That assistance helped lead to an agreement that waived the non-compete entirely. Since Andrade had not been paid by WWE since his September release, both sides were able to reach terms allowing him to immediately explore opportunities elsewhere.

As a result, Andrade could soon appear in AEW once again. Andrade is now free to negotiate with any promotion, including AEW, CMLL, AAA, TNA, or others around the world. There were also visa-related complications after WWE’s sponsorship ended, but those issues are reportedly being addressed, and Andrade is said to be back in the United States.

On the AEW side, Tony Khan has remained openly optimistic. During the Worlds End media call earlier this week, Khan spoke highly of Andrade, noting mutual respect and interest between both parties. While Khan stopped short of confirming any immediate appearances, his comments only fueled speculation that Andrade’s AEW return could be closer than ever.

AEW has reportedly been cautious throughout the situation, especially following Andrade’s surprise appearance on AEW programming earlier this year, when he aligned with Don Callis and attacked Kenny Omega. Once WWE’s legal stance became clearer, AEW aimed to ensure the transition wouldn’t create further complications.

Adding even more intrigue, Andrade recently announced his return to NJPW, where he is scheduled to appear at Wrestle Kingdom 20 as part of the United Empire. That confirmation further supports the idea that his contractual limitations are now fully behind him.

With his non-compete waived, international bookings lined up, and AEW interest still very much alive, Andrade finds himself in one of the strongest positions of his career. Wherever he lands next, it’s clear that his name is once again a major player in the global wrestling conversation.

Warner Bros. Discovery Rejects Paramount’s Hostile Takeover Offer

The fight over control of Warner Bros. Discovery is heating up, and it could have ripple effects across the entertainment landscape — including All Elite Wrestling.

Warner Bros. Discovery, AEW’s longtime broadcast and streaming partner, has officially rejected a hostile acquisition attempt from the Paramount Skydance group led by David Ellison. The move comes after WBD recently agreed to a major deal with Netflix, which would see the streaming giant acquire a significant portion of WBD’s assets, including Warner Bros. Pictures and HBO Max.

Following that agreement, Paramount launched an aggressive all-cash tender offer directly to WBD shareholders, offering $30 per share and valuing the company at roughly $108 billion. Unlike Netflix’s proposal, Paramount’s bid would include WBD’s entire portfolio, including its linear television networks.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, WBD’s board has now formally rejected Paramount’s offer, telling shareholders it is “inferior” to Netflix’s deal and warning that the bid carries “numerous significant risks and costs.” With that decision made, Paramount’s options are limited: either convince shareholders to sell at the current price or return with a higher offer in hopes of disrupting the Netflix agreement.

WBD Board Chair Samuel A. Di Piazza, Jr. said the rejection followed a comprehensive review of Paramount’s proposal. In a statement, Di Piazza said the board determined the offer undervalued the company while placing unnecessary risk on shareholders. He added that the bid failed to resolve issues WBD had already raised during discussions around Paramount’s six previous proposals.

Di Piazza emphasized that WBD believes the Netflix transaction offers stronger and more certain value, stating the company is confident in the long-term upside of that partnership.

THR noted that the board’s response was widely expected. Paramount’s tender offer closely resembled a proposal submitted earlier in December, shortly before WBD finalized its agreement with Netflix. WBD has repeatedly expressed concerns about Paramount’s financing, particularly questions surrounding foreign investment and whether Oracle founder Larry Ellison would fully guarantee the deal.

In a December 17 filing, WBD specifically pointed to issues with the backstop provided by Ellison’s revocable trust, citing a lack of transparency regarding the trust’s assets and liabilities. The filing also raised red flags about funding tied to Middle East sovereign wealth funds, including $10 billion from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, $7 billion from Abu Dhabi, and another $7 billion from the Qatar Investment Authority.

Paramount has already had to adjust its financing structure. Tencent, which was expected to contribute $1 billion, was removed from the bid, while Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners has reportedly pulled out of a $200 million commitment. WBD has also stated it sees no meaningful regulatory advantage in Paramount’s proposal compared to Netflix’s.

Looking ahead, THR reports that Ellison and his team were waiting on WBD’s response before deciding their next move. If Paramount increases its offer, Netflix would have the opportunity to counter, potentially setting off a full-scale bidding war. Netflix, for its part, sent a letter to shareholders on December 17 calling its proposal “the right deal, with the right partner, at the right time.”

The report also revealed that Ellison texted WBD CEO David Zaslav just hours before the Netflix deal was finalized, signaling Paramount’s willingness to go higher than $30 per share. Notably, Ellison pointed out that the offer was not labeled “best and final.”

Despite the rejection, Paramount reaffirmed its $30 per share tender offer in a statement released today. Ellison reiterated his belief in the deal, arguing it offers superior value, a clearer path to closing, and avoids leaving shareholders with what he described as an overleveraged linear TV business.

Ellison and senior Paramount executives have continued lobbying investors, including at a recent UBS conference in New York. One attendee told THR they left believing Paramount is prepared to raise its bid and questioned whether Netflix could realistically match a higher offer given recent stock movement following the $83 billion announcement.

With several major WBD shareholders reportedly intrigued by Paramount’s all-cash proposal, pressure could continue to mount. If Paramount ups the ante, WBD may yet find itself forced to reconsider — setting the stage for an even bigger showdown in the media world.

Andrade El Idolo Cleared To Wrestle — But Only In Puerto Rico

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.