Category: Wrestling News

Matt Riddle Reportedly No-Shows UK Charity Event, Deposit Still Unreturned

Former WWE star Matt Riddle is once again making headlines for the wrong reasons. According to a new report from Cultaholic, Riddle was scheduled to appear at a charity wrestling event in Barnsley, England this past Sunday but failed to show.

The event, hosted by Global Wrestling Kingdom, was organized to raise funds for survivors of domestic abuse and homeless veterans. Riddle had been advertised for a high-profile bout against YouTuber-turned-wrestler Simon Miller. However, the former WWE Superstar never boarded a flight to the UK, leaving promoters scrambling on the night of the show.

Making matters worse, it’s being alleged that Riddle has yet to return the deposit he was paid to secure the booking. Organizers are reportedly frustrated, with the situation casting a shadow over what was intended to be a positive night for charity.

Riddle has faced controversy since his WWE release in September 2023. His exit came after an incident at JFK Airport, where witnesses claimed he was intoxicated and causing a disturbance after a flight. Since then, the “Original Bro” has been apart of MLW, appeared at NJPW events and has made occasional indie appearances, but this latest story won’t do his reputation any favors.

At this point, it remains unclear whether Riddle intends to pay back the money owed or publicly address the no-show. For fans who were hoping to see him in Barnsley, it was a major disappointment — and for the charity, it was a setback in their mission to help those in need.

Former AEW/ROH Tag Team The Righteous Wrapping Up Indie Dates, Could Be WWE-Bound

It looks like The Righteous may be on the move again. According to Fightful Select, Vinny and Dutch have begun letting promoters know that they’re finishing up their independent dates in the coming months, fueling speculation that a WWE signing could be right around the corner.

This isn’t the first time WWE has circled the duo. Back in December 2022, both men took part in a tryout alongside KC Navarro and Kylie Rae. Unfortunately for all involved, that same period saw Vince McMahon force his way back into the company, triggering a hiring freeze that effectively slammed the brakes on WWE’s recruiting efforts for several months.

Since then, Vinny and Dutch found a home in AEW/ROH, where they made their presence felt before eventually parting ways earlier this year. With their release now behind them, the door appears open for the long-rumored WWE run.

Interestingly, several notable names have been backing The Righteous along the way. Former WWE star Elijah (known to fans as Elias) is said to have worked on vignettes with them, while the late Bray Wyatt had reportedly gone to bat for their signing after that 2022 tryout.

If the rumors prove true, WWE could be on the verge of adding a duo with both unique presentation and proven experience. For fans of The Righteous, it might just be a matter of when, not if, they make their way onto the company’s stage.

ROH Death Before Dishonor 8/29/2025 (Card)

ROH Death Before Dishonor on Friday, August 29 from 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, PA

CARD

  • ROH World Championship: Bandido (c) vs. Hechicero
  • ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena (c) vs. Mina Shirakawa
  • ROH World Tag Team Championship: Sammy Guevara & mystery partner vs. Outrunners
  • ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship: Sammy Guevara & Von Erichs vs. Shane Taylor, Shawn Dean, & Carlie Bravo
  • ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty (c) vs. Xelhua
  • Fight Without Honor: QT Marshall vs. Paul Walter Hauser

ROH World Tag Team Champion and ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion Dustin Rhodes is out following double knee replacement surgery.

DDP Hospitalized After Experiencing Atrial Fibrillation

WWE Hall of Famer Diamond Dallas Page (DDP) recently revealed that he was hospitalized after suffering an episode of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes an irregular and often rapid heartbeat.

DDP shared the news with fans on social media, explaining that the incident occurred while he was working out. He noted that he wasn’t wearing a heart monitor at the time, which made it harder to immediately track what was happening. Doctors later performed a cardioversion procedure — a treatment used to restore a normal heart rhythm.

The 68-year-old legend has long been known for his dedication to health and fitness, especially through his DDP Yoga program, which has helped countless wrestlers and fans alike improve their quality of life. While the episode was certainly a scare, Page seemed upbeat in his update and appears to be on the mend.

Wrestling fans everywhere will no doubt be wishing DDP a speedy recovery.

AEW Collision Preview 8/23/2025

AEW Collision on TNT and HBO Max from the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Sotland

  • The Young Bucks vs. Paragon
  • Skye Blue and Julia Hart vs. Queen Aminata and Willow Nightingale
  • First International Max Caster Open Challenge
  • GOA vs. Grizzled Young Veterans

Mercedes Mone Adds Another Championship to Her Collection

Mercedes Mone’s championship resume just keeps growing. The AEW star has once again proven why she’s one of the most decorated names in women’s wrestling, walking away with yet another title to add to her already stacked collection.

In a Title vs. Title clash, Mone defeated Emersyn Jayne to retain her Rev Pro Undisputed British Women’s Championship and simultaneously capture the Discovery Wrestling Scottish Women’s Championship. With the win, she now boasts nine championships across her career — earning her the fitting nickname “Nine Belts Mone.”

Since making her move to AEW, Mone has kept herself busy by taking bookings overseas, continuing to build her reputation as one of wrestling’s most sought-after global stars. This latest title victory further cements her as a dominant force who isn’t just making waves in AEW, but across the independent and international scene as well.

It’ll be interesting to see how AEW highlights Mone’s growing collection of hardware and whether these outside championships will play into her ongoing storylines on TV. For now, though, Mone’s reign as one of wrestling’s most in-demand champions shows no sign of slowing down.

A Decorated Career of Championships

Mone’s championship journey has stretched across multiple companies and continents. Here’s a quick look at some of the most notable titles she’s held during her career:

  • WWE Women’s Championships: A multiple-time champion on both Raw and SmackDown, Mone (then known as Sasha Banks) left her mark with memorable reigns that helped redefine the division.
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alongside Bayley, she was part of the very first team to win the titles, cementing her place in tag team history.
  • IWGP Women’s Championship: After leaving WWE, she shocked the world by capturing gold in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, helping elevate NJPW’s newly launched women’s division.
  • Rev Pro Undisputed British Women’s Championship: Her current reign overseas has been another example of how she continues to grow her global presence.
  • Discovery Wrestling Scottish Women’s Championship: The latest addition to her trophy case, proving she’s not slowing down anytime soon.

A Global Star Beyond AEW

Since signing with AEW earlier this year, Mone has kept herself busy both inside and outside the company. While fans eagerly anticipate her eventual climb toward AEW’s top women’s title, she’s also been building her brand internationally, defending and winning championships across the independent circuit.

Her growing collection of belts only strengthens her reputation as a worldwide attraction — the kind of wrestler who can walk into any promotion and instantly raise its profile.

With “Nine Belts Mone” now officially part of her legacy, the real question is simple: how long before she makes it ten?

Report: Hulk Hogan’s Cause of Death Linked to Private Cancer Battle

Report: Hulk Hogan’s Cause of Death Linked to Private Cancer Battle

The wrestling world is still reeling from the loss of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, who passed away just a week ago. While fans and fellow wrestlers have spent the last several days paying tribute to the iconic figure, a new report has shed light on a previously unknown struggle Hogan endured behind the scenes.

According to Page Six, official documents have confirmed that Hogan had been quietly battling chronic lymphocytic leukemia — a type of cancer that targets white blood cells. This diagnosis was never made public during Hogan’s life, and his death has officially been attributed to natural causes.

Further details indicate that the 70-year-old legend will be cremated following his memorial services.

Close friends of Hogan, including fellow WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, appeared unaware of the cancer battle. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Flair shared that his last conversation with Hogan revolved around business ventures — specifically Hogan’s Real American Beer company and a looming $10 million lawsuit. Flair expressed deep admiration for Hogan’s charitable efforts, especially his longstanding involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Flair also noted that Jimmy Hart, Hogan’s longtime confidant and frequent on-screen ally, gave no indication that Hogan was in declining health during their last exchange — which reportedly took place just one day before Hogan’s passing. This suggests that aside from close family and possibly Hart, very few knew the true state of Hogan’s health in recent years.

Hulk Hogan was not just a wrestling legend — he was a cultural icon. And while his death marks the end of an era, revelations like this highlight the quiet resilience of a man who chose to keep his personal struggles private while continuing to be a larger-than-life presence for millions.

Cora Jade (Elayna Black) Announces Hiatus from Wrestling to Focus on Mental Health

Another young star is stepping away from the ring — at least for now.

Former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion Elayna Black, known to WWE fans as Cora Jade, has announced she’s taking an extended break from professional wrestling. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Black opened up about the importance of prioritizing her mental health, telling fans she plans to take the rest of the year off to “take care of me and go from there.”

Black also apologized to both fans and promoters, acknowledging that her decision means stepping away from previously scheduled bookings. “I’m sorry to anyone I’ve let down, but this is something I need right now,” she wrote.

Before this announcement, Black had remained active on the independent scene following her time with WWE, most recently teaming with Brooke Havoc to face off against The IINspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay) at Prestige Wrestling’s Combat Clash on July 13.

While there’s no timetable for her return, the wrestling world has shown overwhelming support for Black’s decision, echoing a growing trend of talent putting personal well-being first. It’s a reminder that even in a business built on larger-than-life personas, mental health matters.

We wish Elayna Black the very best during her time away and look forward to seeing what the future holds for her — both inside and outside the ring.

Buff Bagwell Reveals Leg Amputation, Shares Hopes for In-Ring Return

In a candid and emotional update, wrestling veteran Buff Bagwell has gone public with life-changing news — the former WCW and WWE star revealed he recently underwent a right leg amputation.

Bagwell shared his story on Maven’s YouTube channel, opening up about the difficult decision that stemmed from lingering complications after his 2020 car accident in Marietta, Georgia. That accident, which occurred when Bagwell crashed into a freestanding bathroom at a bus station while driving under the influence, left him with significant leg damage. Despite undergoing multiple surgeries over the past four years, doctors ultimately determined he wasn’t a candidate for knee replacement due to the complete loss of his kneecap.

Faced with the possibility of living with a permanently straightened leg and limited mobility, Bagwell opted for amputation. But instead of letting it define him, the former WCW World Tag Team Champion is using the experience as a source of motivation.

“I want to get back in the ring, run the ropes, have a match. It’ll show that I came out of the darkness and turned it all the way around to be back in the ring as Buff Bagwell. You don’t have to give up with something like this. I’m taking it by the horns and showing that you can have just as good of a life without a leg.”

Bagwell also shared that he’s remained sober and is looking forward to embracing life post-surgery, determined to prove that a setback like this doesn’t have to be the end of the road — in wrestling or in life.

For a man who’s seen the highs and lows of the wrestling world, Buff Bagwell’s latest chapter might just be his most inspiring yet.

Will Ospreay Written Off AEW TV to Heal Up From Lingering Injuries

AEW fans expecting to see more of Will Ospreay after All In will have to wait a little longer — and now we know why.

Ospreay was stretchered out during the All In main event in what initially seemed like a brutal storyline beat. But according to a new report from Fightful Select, the exit wasn’t just for show. The English star is reportedly dealing with minor injuries that have been piling up in recent weeks, and AEW officials decided it was time for him to take some real time off to recover. While there’s no exact timeline for his return, sources told Fightful that Ospreay is expected to miss more than a month of action.

Fans may recall that Ospreay recently suffered a broken nose during a match with Swerve Strickland — an injury he bounced back from quickly. However, it appears that other nagging issues have caught up with him.

At All In, Ospreay and Strickland joined forces to defeat The Young Bucks, former AEW World Tag Team Champions. But the night didn’t end there for Ospreay. In the show’s chaotic main event between Jon Moxley and Hangman Adam Page, Ospreay inserted himself to fend off Moxley’s Death Riders faction. His involvement led to him being attacked — first by Gabe Kidd, and then by Claudio Castagnoli, who viciously trapped Ospreay’s neck in a chair, setting up the dramatic stretcher spot.

Ospreay wasn’t the only surprise backup for Page. The match saw shocking returns from Bryan Danielson — who arrived in disguise to lay out Kidd, Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta — and Darby Allin, who delivered a Coffin Drop onto the trio.

For now, AEW will be without one of its top international stars as Ospreay takes time to rest and heal. Given his track record, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him back sooner rather than later — but it sounds like this time, the break is much needed.