Category: Wrestling News

Dakota Kai (Now “Charlie”) vs. Kris Statlander Set for Pro-Wrestling: EVE’s Wrestle Queendom 8

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.

TNA Announces Major TV Deal With AMC

After months of speculation and whispers across the wrestling world, TNA has officially locked in a major new television home — and it’s a huge step forward for the company. Beginning January 15, 2026, TNA’s flagship series will air live on AMC, confirming the long-running rumors linking the promotion with the network best known for prestige dramas and massive mainstream reach.

The newly rebranded “Thursday Night iMPACT” will keep its familiar two-hour slot, running 9–11 p.m. ET every Thursday, and will simulcast on the network’s streaming platform AMC+. The premiere episode will broadcast live from the Curtis Caldwell Center in Garland, Texas, just outside Dallas, marking TNA’s first major TV night under the AMC banner.

AMC’s Influence Already Showing

According to Sports Illustrated, TNA won’t waste any time expanding its footprint on the new network. The company has locked in TV tapings for January 22 and 23 in Albuquerque, New Mexico—a city closely tied to AMC thanks to powerhouse hits Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. The synergy is impossible to miss, and it’ll be interesting to see if AMC leans into that connection in its promotional push.

TNA is also gearing up for its Genesis pay-per-view in January, though details are still under wraps beyond the show taking place somewhere in the Dallas area.

What About TNA’s Relationship With WWE?

One of the biggest questions surrounding the move has been how it might impact TNA’s unprecedented working relationship with WWE. The cross-promotion has produced some major moments over the past few years, especially with NXT talent appearing in TNA rings and vice versa.

Writer Jon Alba reported on X that when he asked whether the partnership was wrapping up, his sources “adamantly denied” any such plans. So for now, fans can expect the inter-promotional door to remain wide open heading into 2026.

A Massive Jump in Visibility

Moving from AXS TV — which is owned by TNA’s parent company Anthem — to AMC gives the promotion a dramatic increase in reach. “Thursday Night iMPACT” is expected to land in roughly 60 million homes, more than double what was possible on AXS. For a company that’s been fighting to rebuild momentum, this exposure could be transformational.

With a bigger platform, a fresh name, and a major network backing them, TNA enters 2026 with more buzz than it’s had in years. If the product delivers, “Thursday Night iMPACT” could be the company’s biggest breakout opportunity in over a decade.

Jimmy Hart Dealing With Stolen Megaphone After WrestleCade Appearance

Wrestling icon Jimmy Hart has spent decades building his brand around loud jackets, louder energy, and of course, the loudest accessory of all – his trademark megaphone. But this weekend at WrestleCade in Winston-Salem, that famous prop suddenly went missing.

WrestleCade officials announced on Sunday that Hart’s megaphone was stolen sometime during his Saturday appearance at the convention. While the WWE Hall of Famer isn’t interested in pressing charges, he does want the item returned — no questions asked.

However, Hart’s patience isn’t unlimited. Event organizers noted that if the megaphone isn’t brought back or if the culprit doesn’t contact WrestleCade by Tuesday, the situation will officially become a police matter. The Benton Convention Center, which hosted the event, is equipped with high-definition security cameras and is already preparing to hand footage over to authorities.

The theft ended up becoming the most talked-about moment of the entire weekend, which is saying something considering WrestleCade featured a few surprises of its own — including Jushin Thunder Liger briefly coming out of retirement to squash Joey Janela during the SuperShow.

For now, Hart and WrestleCade are simply hoping the megaphone finds its way home. After all, the “Mouth of the South” just isn’t the same without it.

Jushin Thunder Liger Shocks Fans With Surprise In-Ring Return At WrestleCade

WrestleCade weekend delivered one of its biggest surprises ever when Japanese wrestling icon Jushin Thunder Liger briefly stepped out of retirement for an unexpected showdown with The Bad Boy Joey Janela.

Liger officially wrapped up his legendary 35-plus–year career back in 2020, closing the book with a tag match in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. But the 61-year-old Hall of Famer proved he still had one more run-in left in him, answering Janela’s open challenge at the Winston-Salem convention. According to Wrestling Observer, the quick exhibition went about four minutes, with Liger picking up the victory to the delight of the crowd.

Janela didn’t leave with the win, but he left with a bucket-list moment. The former AEW star shared just how surreal it felt to find himself across the ring from the masked legend he grew up watching.

“I thought I saw a ghost! In high school when I was 16, I would bring a portable DVD player on the bus and watch a seven-hour Jushin Liger compilation. Twenty years later, somehow WrestleCade made this wizardry happen! Spectacular feels!” Janela wrote.

Since hanging up the boots, Liger has stayed active in the business through commentary work in NJPW and even popped up in AEW during the 2023 Owen Hart Cup, where he had a brief segment with Ricky Starks.

This year’s WrestleCade was stacked as usual, featuring appearances from Ricky Morton, the Hardy Boyz, JBL, Matt Cardona, Nic Nemeth, and plenty more. But Liger’s unadvertised return easily stole the show — a rare treat for longtime fans and a reminder of why his legacy still resonates across generations.

AEW Dynamite Thanksgiving Eve Preview 11/26/2025

The AEW Thanksgiving Eve themed episode of Dynamite airs live tonight on TBS and HBO Max, from The Pinnacle in Nashville, Tennessee.

  • Fallout from Full Gear
  • AEW Continental Classic Gold League: Kyle Fletcher vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • AEW Continental Classic Gold League: Darby Allin vs. Kevin Knight
  • AEW Continental Classic Blue League: Jon Moxley vs. Mascara Dorada
  • AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship Tournament Semifinal: Babes of Wrath (Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron) vs. Sisters of Sin (Julia Hart and Skye Blue)
  • The Opps to celebrate new AEW World Champion Samoa Joe

Legendary Mid-Atlantic & WCW Announcer Bob Caudle Passes Away at 95

The wrestling world is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic voices, as Bob Caudle, a staple of Mid-Atlantic, NWA, and WCW programming for decades, has passed away at the age of 95. His son Mike confirmed the news, sharing that Caudle died peacefully in his sleep.

Caudle’s career in broadcasting began humbly in Wilmington, North Carolina, before moving to Savannah, Georgia, where he first stepped into the world of wrestling as the host of a studio show. After returning to North Carolina, he became the weatherman for Raleigh’s WRAL — the same station where NWA Atlantic Wrestling was taped weekly — setting the stage for the role that would cement his place in wrestling history.

For fans of Jim Crockett Promotions, Caudle’s voice is unforgettable. He fronted some of the company’s most recognizable programs, including All-Star Wrestling, Wide World Wrestling, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling, and World Wide Wrestling. His calm, steady delivery and genuine warmth made him one of wrestling’s most beloved broadcasters.

Caudle also teamed with Jim Ross on several major NWA/WCW pay-per-views in the late ’80s, adding credibility and tradition during a transformative time for the company. After leaving WCW in 1991, he continued calling action in Smoky Mountain Wrestling until the promotion closed its doors.

Bob Caudle’s contributions helped shape the sound and feel of an entire era of professional wrestling. His legacy lives on through countless classic broadcasts and the many fans who grew up hearing his signature sign-off: “So long for now.”

WrestlingNewsBlog extends heartfelt condolences to the Caudle family and everyone touched by his legendary career.

John Cena Finally Becomes a Grand Slam Champion After Winning Intercontinental Title in Boston

John Cena has officially completed the ultimate WWE milestone — the 16-time World Champion is now a Grand Slam Champion. In an emotional and hard-fought victory, Cena defeated Dominik Mysterio in the opening match of WWE Raw from his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts, to capture the Intercontinental Championship for the very first time in his storied career.

The night began with Triple H kicking off Raw and introducing Cena to a massive hometown ovation. But before Cena could address the crowd, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio interrupted, leading the WWE COO to make the match official right then and there.

Dominik tried to play his usual mind games, even attempting to walk away early, but Cena wasn’t about to let the moment slip away. The action quickly spilled to the outside, with Mysterio throwing Cena into the steel steps. Despite the punishment, the veteran refused to stay down and made it back into the ring just in time to beat the count.

The match became a mix of tribute and trickery — Mysterio hit a slick sequence of the Three Amigos and tried to channel Eddie Guerrero by faking a chair shot. Cena matched his antics, mirroring Dominik’s ploy and turning the tables in classic fashion. A referee bump briefly halted the match, as Mysterio tapped out to the STF with no official to call it. By the time a second referee arrived, Dominik had recovered enough to keep the match going.

In the end, Mysterio connected with a 619 and went for the frog splash, but Cena rolled through mid-air, hoisting him up into an Attitude Adjustment to secure the pinfall and the Intercontinental Championship.

After the bell, Cena celebrated with the Boston crowd, proudly declaring, “The champ is here!” as fireworks lit up the arena. The victory not only marks Cena’s first run with the Intercontinental Title but also cements his place among WWE’s most elite — joining the ranks of those who’ve captured every major championship in company history.

At long last, John Cena’s WWE résumé is complete.

Raven Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles in New Documentary

ECW legend and former WWE, WCW, and TNA star Raven is known to wrestling fans as one of the sharpest minds and most captivating talkers of the 1990s. But behind the dark promos and brooding character, the man behind the persona—Scott Levy—was fighting an emotional battle that fans never saw.

In his newly released documentary, Nevermore: The Raven Effect, the hardcore icon opens up about his journey to sobriety and the mental health challenges that shaped both his life and career.

Raven revealed that he lives with multiple personality disorders, a diagnosis he discovered by accident during treatment. “You’re not supposed to know your diagnosis,” he explained, “but I happened to read it upside down on my doctor’s desk… it said histrionic personality disorder and narcissistic personality disorder. To me, it was freeing—now I understood why I behaved the way I did.”

The former ECW World Champion went on to describe how those disorders affected his life and relationships. “Narcissistic Personality Disorder is basically egomania,” he said. “But histrionic is more twisted—needing to be the center of attention, being overly dramatic, using appearance to draw attention. I checked all the boxes.”

Raven connected much of his emotional turmoil to his complicated relationship with his father. He recalled that his dad’s constant insults and sarcasm shattered his self-esteem, leading him to overcompensate through ego and bravado. “If I brag about myself and convince you that I’m great,” Raven admitted, “maybe you’ll convince me that I am.”

He shared that it wasn’t until his father’s passing that he was finally able to move forward. “When he died, that’s when I finally became an adult. I was 35, but before that, I was still a kid chasing my dad’s approval.”

For fans who followed Raven’s career through the chaos of ECW, the bright lights of WWE, and the creative freedom of TNA, this revelation offers a deeply human look at the man behind one of wrestling’s most complex characters.

Raven’s story is a reminder that even the toughest minds in the business fight battles that go unseen—and his willingness to open up about those struggles continues to make him one of wrestling’s most compelling voices, both in and out of the ring.

MLW Reportedly in High-Level Talks for Major New Weekly TV Series

It looks like Major League Wrestling (MLW) is preparing to make a big move on the television front. According to a new report from PWInsider, the promotion is deep in discussions over media rights for a brand-new weekly TV series, signaling one of its most ambitious projects in years.

Sources indicate that MLW executives have been holding meetings in New York and Los Angeles, exploring potential broadcast and streaming partnerships to bring the new series to life. While details remain tightly guarded, the belief is that the talks are focused primarily on the U.S. market.

If negotiations go well, the new series would mark MLW’s first weekly show since “Fusion” wrapped up in December 2023. To get things rolling, the company has already started searching for new backstage interviewers, suggesting that production plans are beginning to take shape behind the scenes.

At the moment, MLW’s U.S. programming airs on beIN Sports, which showcases its monthly specials, with additional live content available on YouTube. Internationally, MLW can be found on StarTimes across Africa and the Wataaa Fight Channel in the Middle East.

Adding to the intrigue, actor O’Shea Jackson Jr. and director Tony Toat were both spotted at the MLW Slaughterhouse event earlier this month — a sighting that’s fueled speculation about possible Hollywood involvement in the new project.

While MLW hasn’t officially announced its new TV home just yet, the buzz around these talks suggests that the company is gearing up for a major return to weekly television — and potentially, a bigger spotlight in the global wrestling landscape.

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Match: Could Shinsuke Nakamura Be “The Ace’s” Last Opponent?

As NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi prepares for his final match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January 2026, rumors are swirling about who will face him in his retirement bout. Recent reports suggest WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura — one of Tanahashi’s most iconic rivals — could be in line for the honor. However, interpromotional politics between WWE, AEW, and NJPW could complicate the dream matchup.

The Ace’s Last Dance

As 2025 winds down, New Japan Pro Wrestling is preparing to say goodbye to one of its greatest icons. Hiroshi Tanahashi, the man affectionately known as “The Ace,” is nearing the end of his legendary in-ring career. After more than a year on his emotional farewell tour, Tanahashi will wrestle for the final time on January 4, 2026, at Wrestle Kingdom 20 inside the historic Tokyo Dome.

Tanahashi’s retirement tour has been a celebration of two decades of excellence — a journey that saw him face top stars across generations, from Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito to Will Ospreay and Zack Sabre Jr. But as the Tokyo Dome finale approaches, fans are buzzing about who will stand across the ring from him in his final match.

According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, one potential — and emotional — choice could be Shinsuke Nakamura, the current WWE Superstar and Tanahashi’s most famous rival.

Nakamura Teases the Possibility

Speculation started growing during WWE’s recent tour of Japan. Nakamura paid homage to Tanahashi by mimicking his signature mannerisms during matches and later referencing him in a post-show promo — a nod that didn’t go unnoticed by fans or by Meltzer.

Interestingly, Nakamura’s WWE contract reportedly includes a clause that allows him to work select dates in Japan. On paper, that would make a Tanahashi vs. Nakamura farewell match possible. However, Meltzer pointed out that it’s far from a done deal, and there are major hurdles to overcome.

NJPW, AEW, and WWE Politics Complicate Things

The biggest obstacle isn’t Nakamura’s willingness — it’s the current state of interpromotional politics. NJPW maintains a close working relationship with AEW, and with AEW’s Konosuke Takeshita currently holding the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, it’s expected that AEW talent will feature prominently at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Having a WWE talent like Nakamura appear on the same card could create political friction between the promotions. Meltzer speculated that NJPW may hesitate to invite a WWE wrestler to such a high-profile show while the AEW partnership is active.

That said, Tanahashi’s retirement isn’t just another event — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Meltzer added that if there’s any scenario that could make WWE, AEW, and NJPW look past competitive barriers, this could be it. Tanahashi’s influence and legacy are that significant.

A Rivalry That Defined an Era

If Nakamura were to be chosen, it would bring things full circle. Tanahashi and Nakamura’s careers have been intertwined since the early 2000s, leading New Japan through one of its most transformative periods.

Their clashes — including classic bouts over the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and main events at Wrestle Kingdom 8 — helped define NJPW’s modern in-ring style and reestablished the promotion as a global wrestling powerhouse. The chemistry between Tanahashi’s fiery heroism and Nakamura’s flamboyant charisma became a cornerstone of New Japan’s resurgence.

A final encounter between the two, more than a decade after their last major showdown, would be the perfect symbolic closing chapter for both men’s shared legacy.

When Will the Opponent Be Revealed?

Fans likely won’t have to wait long for answers. Meltzer noted that the identity of Tanahashi’s final opponent could be revealed as soon as November 2, during Tanahashi’s “Final Homecoming” event in his hometown of Gifu, or in the days following.

Regardless of who steps up — whether it’s Nakamura, an AEW name, or a rising NJPW star — one thing is certain: Hiroshi Tanahashi’s last match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 will be more than a wrestling match. It’ll be a celebration of a legacy that helped rebuild New Japan Pro Wrestling and inspire an entire generation of wrestlers and fans alike.