Category: Wrestling News

Former WWE Stars Nikki Cross & Big Damo Take Over PROGRESS Wrestling, Become Co-Owners Of DEFY

Two well-known names from WWE and the international wrestling scene are stepping into major leadership roles in professional wrestling.

Former WWE stars Nikki Cross and Killian Dain — also known worldwide as Big Damo — have officially acquired PROGRESS Wrestling in the United Kingdom and have also become co-owners of Seattle-based DEFY Wrestling.

The announcement marks a major shake-up for the independent wrestling landscape, especially considering both promotions have built strong reputations over the years. DEFY, in particular, has become closely linked with AEW talent, hosting appearances from stars such as Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Swerve Strickland, Brody King, and Marina Shafir. The promotion also helped launch the careers of Darby Allin and Nick Wayne, while AEW’s Bryan Keith currently reigns as DEFY World Champion.

In the official statement released by PROGRESS, Damo and Nikki emphasized their commitment to growing both companies while continuing to spotlight rising wrestling talent from the UK, Ireland, and beyond.

Damo called the acquisition a huge opportunity to continue building on PROGRESS’ legacy.

“We both started in the UK and Ireland and fully believe this is host to the greatest talent pool on earth,” Damo stated. “PROGRESS is well positioned to showcase this generation and the next generation.”

He also praised the previous ownership group for steering the company through difficult years following the pandemic while helping create international relationships with promotions like Pro Wrestling NOAH and DEFY.

The former WWE star made it clear that developing new stars will remain a major priority moving forward, highlighting current PROGRESS names including Cara Noir, Luke Jacobs, Ethan Allen, Alexxis Falcon, Rhio, Kanji, and others as examples of the promotion’s deep roster.

Meanwhile, Nikki Cross becomes the first female co-owner in PROGRESS history, bringing a unique perspective after years competing at the highest level in WWE. During her WWE run, Nikki captured the RAW Women’s Championship, won Money in the Bank, and held multiple Women’s Tag Team Championships.

Nikki said she hopes to help elevate both promotions while expanding opportunities for women’s wrestling.

“It is not lost on me that there are few female owners in professional wrestling,” Nikki said. “I want to bring my experience and insights to the table and elevate PROGRESS and DEFY to new levels.”

One of the biggest announcements coming from the new ownership team is plans for the first standalone women’s Super Strong Style 16 tournament in 2027 following positive reactions to this year’s women’s tournament.

The duo also revealed that PROGRESS plans to expand into additional cities across the UK in the near future.

PROGRESS Wrestling has long been viewed as one of the most influential promotions in Europe, helping elevate names like Gunther, Pete Dunne, Toni Storm, and Will Ospreay before they became global stars.

Outgoing owners Martyn Best and Lee McAteer praised Nikki and Damo as the right people to lead the company into its next era, pointing to their worldwide experience and credibility within the wrestling business.

The new era officially begins with PROGRESS Chapter 195: Wonderbrawl II in Manchester on June 7, followed by Chapter 196: Scorchio! at London’s Electric Ballroom. The London event will also feature Nikki Cross making her first UK wrestling appearance since leaving WWE earlier this year.

With major industry connections, strong ties to both WWE and AEW talent, and plans for expansion already underway, the future of both PROGRESS and DEFY could become one of the more interesting stories in independent wrestling moving forward.

The full announcement from PROGRESS on both acquisitions can be read below:

In a seismic shift for British and Irish wrestling, two globally renowned figures are coming home. Damian Mackle, known internationally as former WWE star Killian Dain and Big Damo and his wife, Nicola Glencross, known as Nikki Cross and Nikki Storm, fresh off a decade-long tenure with WWE, are taking ownership of PROGRESS Wrestling, the UK’s premier independent wrestling promotion, as well as DEFY Wrestling, one of the biggest independent wrestling promotions in the United States.

The couple, who first made their names in the UK scene before achieving global fame, have vowed to ensure PROGRESS remains a launchpad for today’s and tomorrow’s stars.

Big Damo, who wrestled in PROGRESS before and after his WWE success, and is a former PROGRESS Men’s World, Tag Team and Atlas Champion, said,

“We are delighted to be the new co-owners of PROGRESS. We both started in the UK and Ireland and fully believe this is host to the greatest talent pool on earth and PROGRESS is well positioned to showcase this generation and the next generation.

“We are also very excited to be the new co-owners of DEFY Wrestling. Home to the most feverish fan base in the Pacific North West. Nikki and I have an affinity with Seattle, and I always had an incredible experience wrestling on the DEFY shows in front of the Defyance.”

“We would like to thank Martyn Best and Lee McAteer for being wonderful custodians and bringing new levels of professionalism to our industry. They steered PROGRESS after a worldwide pandemic, created an incredible wrestling network in Hooked On Wrestling TV, created a phenomenal working partnership with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan and DEFY in USA and showed ambition, and an incredible drive to give multiple talented men and women visas to compete in the USA, and opportunities in so many other countries.

“Our job now is to guide PROGRESS through the coming years, identify new talent and integrate them with the current phenomenal roster. I’m proud to say we have some of the best wrestlers in the world performing for us right now. Our men’s World Champion Cara Noir and Charlie Sterling are performing at the highest level. Our Tag Team Champions Luke Jacobs and Ethan Allen are two of the best wrestlers in the world under 30. Our women’s division is host to some of the best women wrestlers alive. Women’s champion Alexxis Falcon, Rhio, Kanji, Emersyn Jayne and so many more. We also have Hollywood actor Paul Walter Hauser regularly walking the Hollywood red carpets with his PROGRESS Proteus Championship belt. Then there is Gene Munny, Charles Crowley, former WWE star Axel Tischer, Hollie Barlow, Simon Miller, Man Like DeReiss, Spike Trivet, Lykos Gym, and so many more.

“I could go on all day but Nikki and I want to continue to give these amazing athletes a platform to create engaging stories, while also leaving plenty of room for absolute masterpieces in ring.

“We also want to capitalise on our great relationships with talent and promotions worldwide, and create new partnerships that not only bring phenomenal talent to our shores, but also export our best talent to new ventures abroad.”

Nikki, a former WWE Women’s RAW World Champion, Money in the Bank Winner and also WWE Tag Team champion with Alexa Bliss and Rhea Ripley, becomes PROGRESS Wrestling and DEFY Wrestling’s first female co-owner, bringing a completely fresh point of view.

“It is not lost on me that there are few female owners in professional wrestling, so I want to bring my experience and insights to the table and elevate PROGRESS and DEFY to new levels.

“We were deeply encouraged by the first PROGRESS Women’s Super Strong Style 16 tournament. Rhio and Gisele competed in an incredible main event, and Rhio proved to be a worthy winner! We will soon be announcing that next year, in 2027, we will host the first stand alone female Super Strong Style 16.

“We are also in the process of bringing PROGRESS to new cities across the UK, and will be excited to announce those details soon”

PROGRESS Wrestling has been a cornerstone of British wrestling for 14 years, paving the way for stars like Pete Dunne, Toni Storm, Gunther and Will Ospreay. Now, with Damo and Nikki at the helm, the promotion is poised for its next chapter.

Expect exciting collaborations, new talent initiatives, and a renewed focus on the UK scene, all the while maintaining PROGRESS’s gritty, intimate atmosphere, and building upon their growing global presence.

PROGRESS was established in 2012, and dramatic and ground-breaking growth came to a halt in 2020 with the impact of the pandemic. Two years later, Martyn Best and Lee McAteer revived the promotion and have since delivered over 70 shows across the UK, USA, Germany, Canada and Dubai whilst re-establishing it as the leading UK promotion with many fine relationships across the globe.

Fresh from their success at the Collective in Las Vegas over WrestleMania weekend and the annual Super Strong Style 16 two day event which featured both a Men’s and Women’s tournament for the first time, Best & McAteer recognised that the influence and impact of Big Damo and Nikki Storm was needed to maintain this momentum.

Best added, “It’s been a fascinating and interesting journey with PROGRESS and I’ve personally made some very fine friendships. I’m so proud of what Lee and I have achieved and as with every successful and growing business it’s now time for its next chapter. Big Damo and Nikki Cross bring that extra massive oomph of global credibility and legitimate experience that PROGRESS now needs and I will certainly be supporting them and following their “progress” with huge interest.”

Lee McAteer said, “Being a custodian of PROGRESS Wrestling has been one of the greatest honours of my life and with fellow owners Martyn Best and Matt Buczek we have restored and protected PROGRESS and leave it in a stronger place for it to grow to the next level. I have been so proud of the connection we have nurtured with our loyal fans and it will be something I will always treasure.

“I am delighted that we are handing the company over to two people I have great admiration for, and are highly respected throughout the wrestling community. Big Damo and Nikki Cross are British and Irish wrestling royalty and after hearing their thoughts, I know that the most exciting chapter in PROGRESS’s history is still to come.

“To all the PROGRESS fans, wrestlers, colleagues and partners, thank you. I am incredibly excited for the future of PROGRESS under Big Damo and Nikki.”

The first order of business? The next show is in Manchester on 7th June at the O2 Ritz Academy, Chapter 195: Wonderbrawl II followed by the undoubted excitement of a homecoming show in London, at the Electric Ballroom.

Chapter 196: Scorchio! will feature Nikki making her first UK appearance since leaving WWE in April. Damo and Nikki will no doubt raise the roof with the PROGRESS faithful in the iconic Ballroom home of the company and set the tone for what’s to come. Tickets for those shows are available here.

Wrestling fans, both in the UK and worldwide, won’t want to miss what promises to be a landmark moment in the industry, and both shows will be available to watch live on Hooked On Wrestling TV.

TNA Slammiversary 2026 Set For Afternoon Start To Avoid Direct Clash With AEW Forbidden Door

TNA Wrestling and AEW may both be running major pay-per-view events on June 28, 2026, but fans likely won’t have to choose between the two shows after all.

New details released by Ticketmaster and Boston’s Agganis Arena confirm that this year’s TNA Slammiversary will begin at 3 p.m. ET. The earlier start time creates a significant gap between Slammiversary and AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, which is scheduled to begin later that evening from the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

Forbidden Door is currently set for a 4 p.m. PT start time, meaning the AEW event won’t begin until 7 p.m. ET — giving viewers several hours between the two pay-per-views.

The scheduling setup appears designed to minimize overlap between the promotions, especially considering both events are among the bigger wrestling shows planned for the summer.

TNA originally announced Slammiversary for Boston before AEW revealed the date and location for Forbidden Door 2026. Reports later surfaced that AEW faced challenges locking down a venue and date for the crossover event. Chicago was reportedly considered as the original host city before the company settled on San Jose.

Had Forbidden Door taken place in Chicago, the time difference between the events would have been much smaller, potentially creating a more direct competition for viewers.

Slammiversary remains one of TNA’s flagship annual events and will serve as the company’s next major pay-per-view offering. Meanwhile, AEW still has Double or Nothing coming up later this month before turning its attention toward Forbidden Door in June.

Dark Side Of The Ring Returning For Season 7 With First-Ever Multi-Part TNA Story

VICE TV’s acclaimed wrestling documentary series Dark Side of the Ring is officially coming back this summer, and Season 7 is shaping up to be one of the show’s biggest undertakings yet.

According to details released through Variety, the new season premieres on July 7 and will feature the series’ first-ever three-part documentary focused on TNA Wrestling. The episodes will center around TNA co-founder Jeff Jarrett and explore the company’s early years, including the successes, setbacks, and controversies that defined the promotion during its rise.

Series creators and executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisner described the upcoming season as the most ambitious in the show’s history. They specifically pointed to the TNA project as a major highlight, noting that Jarrett’s personal story of perseverance and redemption serves as the perfect backdrop for examining the promotion’s complicated legacy.

Since debuting in 2019, Dark Side of the Ring has become one of the most talked-about wrestling docuseries ever produced, diving deep into some of the industry’s most controversial and tragic stories through interviews with those directly involved.

Season 7 won’t stop with TNA. The new lineup will also include episodes focused on several notable names and moments from wrestling history, including:

  • The brutal and infamous Samoa Joe vs. Necro Butcher match
  • Former wrestling valet Missy Hyatt
  • One-legged WWE star Zach Gowen
  • WWE legend Big Boss Man
  • “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff
  • Rick Wilson, a former exotic dancer who portrayed “The Renegade”, a generic version of Ultimate Warrior.

Wilson’s story is expected to revisit his time portraying a character heavily inspired by The Ultimate Warrior during his WCW run.

VICE will kick off the season with two back-to-back episodes on premiere night before settling into its regular Tuesday night schedule at 9 PM ET for the remainder of the season.

With a mix of legendary names, controversial moments, and a deep dive into TNA’s turbulent beginnings, Season 7 looks set to continue the series’ reputation for uncovering wrestling’s most fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.

Ted Turner Passes Away At 87, Leaves Lasting Legacy On Wrestling Industry

The wrestling world is mourning the loss of one of its most influential behind-the-scenes figures. Media mogul Ted Turner has passed away at the age of 87, according to CNN. Turner, best known as the driving force behind multiple major television networks and the former owner of World Championship Wrestling, died surrounded by family.

While his legacy spans far beyond wrestling—having founded CNN and played a key role in launching networks like TBS and TNT—Turner’s impact on the pro wrestling business is impossible to overstate.

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1938, Turner first became involved with wrestling in the early 1970s when Georgia Championship Wrestling found a home on his TBS Superstation. That relationship helped introduce wrestling to a national cable audience and laid the groundwork for what would become a decades-long influence on the industry.

Things escalated in 1984 during the infamous Black Saturday, when WWE took over GCW’s time slot. The move didn’t sit well with Turner, and it ultimately pushed him to become more hands-on in the wrestling business. He soon brought in Mid-South Wrestling and later facilitated a deal that put Jim Crockett Promotions in that same slot—setting the stage for a fierce rivalry with Vince McMahon.

By 1988, Turner fully committed, purchasing JCP from Jim Crockett Jr. and transforming it into World Championship Wrestling. From there, WCW grew into WWE’s biggest competitor.

Turner’s most significant contribution came in 1995 when he approved Eric Bischoff’s idea for WCW Monday Nitro, launching the iconic Monday Night Wars. For a period between 1996 and 1998, WCW surged ahead, briefly overtaking WWE as the top promotion in the United States.

Despite being a relatively hands-off owner creatively, Turner remained one of WCW’s biggest champions internally, ensuring the company stayed on the air even when other executives were skeptical. His support proved crucial during both WCW’s rise and its eventual decline toward the end of the 1990s.

Following the AOL-Time Warner merger in 2001, Turner’s influence diminished significantly. With WCW struggling financially and losing its television foothold, the company was ultimately sold to McMahon, bringing Turner’s time in wrestling to a close.

Even after stepping away, Turner’s name remained synonymous with one of wrestling’s most competitive and transformative eras. Without his willingness to invest in and believe in pro wrestling, the landscape of the industry—particularly during the 1990s—would look very different today.

Ted Turner’s contributions helped shape modern wrestling into what it is now, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.

Ricky Saints Set for SmackDown Debut Next Week, Called Up From NXT

WWE is continuing its recent trend of bolstering the main roster with fresh talent, and the next name officially on deck is none other than “Absolute” Ricky Saints.

During Friday night’s episode of SmackDown, a vignette aired confirming that the former NXT Champion will make his blue brand debut on the May 1 edition of the show, live from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The video package, which aired just before the main event, gave fans a quick but impactful look at Saints’ rise through WWE’s developmental system.

The highlight reel featured a mix of charisma-heavy shots and in-ring dominance, spotlighting his time as both NXT North American Champion and NXT Champion. It also put a strong emphasis on his finishing move, the “Roshambo,” an inverted powerbomb variation that has become synonymous with his matches. True to form, Saints closed out the package with a confident declaration: “I am the man, because I am ‘Absolute’ Ricky freakin’ Saints!”

As of now, WWE hasn’t revealed what Saints will be doing on his first night—whether it’s a match, promo, or confrontation—but expectations are already high given the way he’s been presented.

Interestingly, Saints won’t be the only recent NXT standout making the jump that night. Blake Monroe, another heavily hyped call-up, is also slated to arrive on SmackDown, making the May 1 episode feel like a major turning point for the brand’s roster.

There’s also an added layer of intrigue for longtime fans, as both Saints and Monroe previously made names for themselves in AEW under different identities—Ricky Starks and Mariah May. Now, they’re set to share the stage again, this time under the WWE banner.

With multiple call-ups already shaking things up and more potentially on the way, SmackDown is quickly becoming the landing spot for NXT’s top talent—and Ricky Saints looks ready to make an immediate impact when he finally steps into the spotlight next week.

Former WCW Star Van Hammer Passes Away at 66

The wrestling world is mourning the loss of former WCW talent Van Hammer, real name Mark Hildreth, who has passed away at the age of 66. The news was shared by longtime friend and fellow wrestler Marc Mero, who announced the passing on social media over the weekend.

Mero paid tribute to Hammer with a heartfelt message, remembering him as someone who faced life’s challenges head-on and never stopped pushing forward. He also noted that those close to Hammer are still awaiting more information regarding the cause of death.

The two shared a deep bond that went back to their earliest days in the business. According to Mero, Hammer once drove him eight hours to secure his first WCW contract—a moment that spoke volumes about their friendship. They trained together, lived together, and eventually worked side-by-side promoting WCW during their early careers.

Van Hammer was signed to WCW in 1991 by Dusty Rhodes and debuted with a memorable “Heavy Metal” rock star persona. He remained with the company through early 1995 before stepping away for a period. Hammer later returned in 1997 as part of Raven’s Flock, showing a different side of his character during one of WCW’s more unique factions.

His run with the group included a notable storyline where he defeated Perry Saturn in a “loser leaves the Flock” match—only to be ousted from the faction anyway. He later experimented with a short-lived hippie-style gimmick as his WCW run wound down. While Hammer challenged for the United States Heavyweight Championship during his time with the company, he never captured a major title.

Following his departure from WCW in 2000, Hammer continued wrestling on the independent scene, including a stint with Maryland Championship Wrestling and a tour with Big Japan Pro Wrestling in 2001. He remained active in the ring for several years, with his final match taking place in April 2009, where he picked up a win over Champ Champagne.

Van Hammer may not have held championship gold, but his contributions to WCW and the friendships he built along the way left a lasting impression. He is remembered by fans and peers alike as a resilient figure who stayed passionate about the business throughout his life.

TNA Announces The Return Of Lockdown

TNA Wrestling announced that Lockdown, a showcase event in which every single match is contested inside a steel cage, will return on Sunday, August 23, broadcasting live around the world on pay-per-view from Credit Union 1 Arena in downtown Chicago. Lockdown will also see the return of Lethal Lockdown!

Pre-sale begins April 22, tickets go on-sale April 24! FULL DETAILS: https://tnawrestling.com/…/TNA-Wrestling-Revives…

Alberto Del Rio Charged in Domestic Violence Case, Released Under Conditions

Former WWE star Alberto Del Rio, also known as Alberto El Patron (real name Alberto Rodriguez), is once again in legal trouble following a domestic violence incident in Mexico.

According to reports, Rodriguez was arrested earlier in the week after his wife contacted emergency services. Authorities from the State Civil Guard responded to the call and reportedly caught the situation in progress, noting visible injuries to the victim, including marks on her arms and face.

Following his arrest, Rodriguez was taken into custody and held at La Pila prison while the State of San Luis Potosí’s Attorney General’s Office built the case. By Saturday, he was formally charged and appeared before a judge.

During the hearing, Rodriguez reportedly admitted wrongdoing and expressed remorse. The court granted him a conditional release, which comes with several strict requirements. These include attending rehabilitation programs for aggressors, having no contact with the victim, and covering damages related to the incident.

Reports also indicate that this was not an isolated situation, with prior alleged incidents contributing to the severity of the case.

As part of the resolution, Rodriguez agreed to pay approximately 1 million pesos to the victim, which factored into the judge’s decision to allow his release.

This marks another serious legal issue for the former WWE Champion. Fans may recall his 2020 arrest in San Antonio on charges of sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping. That case ultimately did not result in a conviction after the accuser failed to appear in court, and Rodriguez was acquitted in 2021.

Outside the courtroom, the fallout has already impacted his wrestling career. Rodriguez had previously been suspended from AAA following an incident involving fans in Tijuana. In light of this latest arrest, The Crash Lucha Libre has also suspended him.

With both legal and professional consequences mounting, Rodriguez’s future in the wrestling industry remains uncertain.

UPDATE: Alberto El Patron Remains in Custody Following Domestic Violence Arrest – Possibly Tried To Kill His Wife

Former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, also known as Alberto El Patron, is currently being held in custody following his recent arrest on domestic violence charges in Mexico.

According to reports, Rodriguez—whose real name is Alberto Rodriguez—appeared before a judge on Thursday in La Pila, where he remains detained. The hearing was conducted behind closed doors, reportedly to protect the privacy and well-being of his children. His wife, Mary Carmen Rodriguez Lucero, was in attendance as the judge ruled that Rodriguez will stay in preventive detention while the legal process moves forward.

The arrest stems from an incident earlier this week in which Rodriguez is accused of both verbal and physical abuse. Authorities were alerted after his wife contacted emergency services, and responding officers from the State Civil Guard reportedly arrived while the situation was still unfolding. Officials stated that visible injuries were found on Lucero’s arms and face, leading to Rodriguez being taken into custody at the scene.

The case is now being handled by the Attorney General’s Office of San Luis Potosí, with prosecutors continuing to gather evidence. It has also been assigned to a specialized unit that focuses on crimes involving women, family violence, and sexual offenses. Under local law, the charges Rodriguez faces could carry significant prison time, depending on how the case is ultimately classified.

This is not the first time Rodriguez has faced serious legal trouble. Back in 2020, he was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, on charges of sexual and aggravated assault. That case stretched into late 2021 before ultimately being dismissed when the accuser did not appear in court.

In addition to his legal issues, Rodriguez’s wrestling career has seen its share of turbulence in recent years. He parted ways with AAA after being suspended following an incident involving fans in Tijuana.

As the situation develops, more details are expected to emerge regarding both the case and Rodriguez’s future in the wrestling industry.

According to Mexican reporter Gabriel Cuevas, “And now this story is coming to light—that El Patrón, apparently—and I repeat this—yesterday intended to kill Marie Carmen.”

More Details Alberto Del Rio’s Arrest For Domestic Violence

Serious legal trouble is mounting for former WWE and AAA star Alberto Del Rio, as authorities in Mexico have now officially confirmed an investigation into his recent arrest.

The Attorney General’s Office of the State of San Luis Potosí announced that it has opened a case against Del Rio—real name Alberto Rodriguez—following his detention earlier this week on domestic violence charges.

Initial reports surfaced Monday indicating Rodriguez had been arrested after an alleged altercation with his wife. According to those reports, she contacted emergency services during the incident and was left with visible injuries to her face and arms.

Authorities say State Civil Guard officers arrived on the scene while the situation was still unfolding. Upon arrival, they reportedly found the victim showing clear signs of physical violence, leading to Rodriguez being taken into custody immediately.

In an official update, the Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the case has been handed over to the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Attention to Women, Family and Sexual Crimes. The investigation will focus on both physical and verbal abuse allegations stemming from the incident.

According to the victim’s statement, the confrontation began inside a residence in the Lomas del Tecnológico neighborhood and escalated into multiple forms of assault.

Rodriguez is now under the authority of the Public Ministry, which will compile evidence and move the case forward. He is expected to appear before a judge in an initial hearing, where he will formally respond to the accusations.

This latest development adds to Del Rio’s long history of legal issues and controversy, and it remains to be seen how the case will unfold in the coming days.

The Crash Lucha Libre has announced Alberto Del Rio – real name Alberto Rodriguez – has been suspended indefinitely in light of his domestic violence arrest in Mexico on Monday.