Category: Wrestling News

Naomi Opens Up About Nearing The End Of Her Wrestling Career, Wants To Be A Mother

During a heartfelt conversation with The Bella Twins, Naomi revealed that she’s preparing for life after wrestling as she hopes to start a family soon.

Naomi pointed out that she is currently 37 and has a limited timeframe remaining to start a family.

She said, “I always wanted kids young. I always wanted a lot. Your girl is getting up there. I’m 37. Time. I’ve got to figure this out like yesterday. I’m asking myself and struggling with that question. I’m definitely leaning towards it, but I’ve had health issues. I only have one ovary. Even if I wanted to continue wrestling longer, my biological clock, I can’t. We got a lot to figure out. I have to step away and take care of my health and myself. If we’re going to have kids, I have to start that process very soon. With that on my mind and on my plate, I think that makes my time left here even more special and valuable to me. That’s why I’m so passionate about what I’m doing because I think this might be it.”

Steve “Mongo” McMichael Passes Away at 67 After Courageous Battle With ALS

The wrestling and sports worlds are mourning the loss of a true warrior today, as Steve “Mongo” McMichael has passed away at the age of 67. The former Chicago Bears defensive standout, turned WCW star, died Wednesday following a four-year fight with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

McMichael’s legacy spans far beyond the gridiron. A cornerstone of the legendary 1985 Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears—famously dubbed the “Monsters of the Midway”—McMichael was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. But wrestling fans remember him just as fondly for his larger-than-life persona in the squared circle.

“Mongo” made a smooth transition from football to pro wrestling in the mid-90s, becoming a colorful figure in WCW. He initially joined the promotion as a commentator but quickly stepped into the ring, aligning himself with one of the most iconic factions in wrestling history: The Four Horsemen. During his in-ring tenure, McMichael captured the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship in 1997 by defeating Jeff Jarrett, a moment that cemented his place in wrestling lore.

McMichael’s later years were marked by a brave public battle with ALS, which he was diagnosed with in 2021. His health struggles became increasingly severe, and earlier this year he was hospitalized with MRSA and required a blood transfusion. On Wednesday, reports emerged that McMichael had entered hospice care after being taken off a ventilator. His passing was confirmed by WGN’s Jarrett Payton, who was with him during his final moments.

“With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with ALS surrounded by loved ones,” Payton posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family in your prayers.”

From hard-hitting tackles to Horsemen beatdowns, Steve McMichael lived every moment with intensity and charisma. Whether you knew him from Soldier Field or the WCW ring, “Mongo” left a lasting impression. His resilience, both as an athlete and as a man fighting a devastating disease, will not be forgotten.

WWE issued the following statement on Mongo’s passing on X (formerly Twitter):

“WWE is saddened to learn that Steve “Mongo” McMichael has passed away. WWE extends its condolences to McMichael’s family, friends, and fans.”

JD McDonagh Returns on Raw, Helps Dominik Mysterio Retain IC Title

Another familiar face is back on the red brand. JD McDonagh made his surprise return to WWE on the Raw After WrestleMania, jumping right into the action to lend a controversial hand to his Judgment Day ally, Dominik Mysterio.

Monday’s show in Las Vegas featured Dominik’s first Intercontinental Championship defense, just 24 hours removed from his WrestleMania 41 win. He faced off against a debuting Penta, who seemed moments away from dethroning the newly minted champ—until McDonagh made his presence felt.

With the referee conveniently distracted, McDonagh struck, laying out Penta and clearing the path for Dominik to hit his trademark frog splash for the pinfall victory. The assist wasn’t just McDonagh’s way of reasserting himself in the storyline—it was a clear signal that despite recent fractures within The Judgment Day, some alliances are still holding strong.

This marks McDonagh’s first appearance since suffering serious injuries back in January. The Irish star was sidelined with broken ribs and a punctured lung following a tag team match on the January 27 edition of Raw, where he teamed with Dominik against The War Raiders. His return couldn’t come at a more chaotic time.

The Judgment Day has been anything but unified lately. Finn Balor, long seen as the group’s leader, has been increasingly isolated and is now teasing a possible move against Dominik’s newly won Intercontinental Title. That development throws McDonagh’s return into an even more intriguing light—especially given his past loyalty to Balor.

Is McDonagh still loyal to the original Judgment Day architect, or is he staking his future alongside the group’s younger rising star? With tension boiling over and championship gold now in the mix, don’t be surprised if McDonagh finds himself caught between two Judgment Day forces in the very near future.

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII Results

GCW held their event Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII Thursday night at the Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Here are results:

  • Leyla Hirsch def. Jordan Blade via TKO
  • Maika def. Karmen Petrovic via submission
  • Charlie Dempsey def. Shinya Aoki via TKO
  • Karrion Kross def. JR Kratos via submission
  • Pete Dunne def. Timothy Thatcher via submission
  • Natalya def. Miyu Yamashita via submission
  • Tavion Heights def. Royce Isaacs via TKO
  • Shayna Baszler def. Komani via TKO
  • Zack Sabre Jr. def. Jonathan Gresham via KO. The match went to a time limit draw, resulting in a five-minute overtime.
  • Gabe Kidd def. Josh Barnett via TKO

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII 4/17/2025 (Card)

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII – Thursday, April 17, 2025 –
Pearl Theater At Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas

CARD

  • Royce Isaacs vs. Tavion Heights
  • Shayna Baszler vs. Konami
  • Josh Barnett vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jonathan Gresham
  • JR Kratos vs. Karrion Kross
  • Maika vs. Karmen Petrovic
  • Charlie Dempsey vs. Shinya Aoki
  • Nattie Neidhart vs. Miyu Yamashita
  • Leyla Hirsch vs. Jordan Blade
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Pete Dunne

WWE NXT Preview 4/1/2025

WWE NXT live tonight on The CW.

  • WWE NXT North American Championship: Shawn Spears (c) vs. Ricky Saints
  • Trick Williams calls out NXT Champion Oba Femi
  • It’s very likely that Darkstate will continue to make their presence known
  • What’s next for the Women’s NXT and Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer

Rey Fenix Set for WWE SmackDown Debut Next Week

The WWE roster just got even more exciting, as Rey Fenix is officially set to debut on SmackDown next week. The announcement was made during WWE SmackDown in London, England, confirming that the high-flying luchador will appear on the blue brand when WWE returns to the United States ahead of WrestleMania 41.

Rey Fenix Keeps His Name in WWE

After weeks of video teases and reports of his WWE signing, fans were eager to see what name Fenix would use in his new home. Unlike his brother and longtime tag partner Penta—formerly Pentagon Jr., whose name was shortened upon joining WWE Raw—Fenix will continue wrestling under the Rey Fenix moniker.

The decision follows a recent trend of WWE tweaking names for incoming talent. Former AEW star Ricky Starks, for example, recently rebranded as Ricky Saints upon joining WWE NXT. However, Fenix keeping his established ring name suggests WWE recognizes his international appeal.

Fenix’s Path to WWE

Fenix’s jump to WWE comes after months of speculation regarding his AEW status. AEW President Tony Khan initially extended Fenix’s contract due to injury time, preventing him from signing with WWE alongside his brother, Penta. However, Khan ultimately reversed his stance and granted Fenix his release in early May, paving the way for his WWE debut.

Reports had circulated that the Lucha Bros were in discussions with WWE before their AEW contracts expired, making Fenix’s arrival in WWE highly anticipated. With his explosive lucha libre style and a resume that includes championship reigns across multiple promotions, Fenix could quickly become a major player on SmackDown.

What’s Next for Rey Fenix?

Now that Fenix is officially WWE-bound, the big question is: How will he be introduced? Will he immediately enter the singles scene, or will WWE reunite the Lucha Bros on-screen? With WrestleMania 41 just around the corner, there’s no better time for Fenix to make an impact.

Fans won’t have to wait long to find out—Rey Fenix makes his WWE debut next Friday on SmackDown!

WWE Introduces New SmackDown Ring Announcer Mark Shunock (Mark Nash)

WWE’s blue brand is getting a fresh voice, as Mark Shunock has officially been named the new ring announcer for Friday Night SmackDown. Shunock, a seasoned host with experience in sports and entertainment, is set to bring his signature energy to WWE starting this week.

Mark Shunock Steps Into the WWE Spotlight

Shunock made the big announcement himself on social media, posting on X:

“Stepping into a new ring with @WWE. Thrilled to join Friday Night SmackDown. Mark ‘Nash’ will see you tomorrow night @TheO2. #WWE #WWESmackDown #SmackDown #RingAnnouncer”

With Alicia Taylor handling duties on Raw and Mike Rome on NXT, Shunock now completes WWE’s ring announcer lineup across all three major brands.

A Voice with Experience

While this may be Shunock’s first role with WWE, he’s no stranger to hyping up a live crowd. A former Canadian Hockey League player turned performer, he has an extensive background in both entertainment and sports announcing.

Fans may recognize him from his time as the in-arena host for the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. He has also worked as the ring announcer and host for Top Rank Boxing, bringing excitement to some of the biggest fights in the sport.

Replacing a WWE Veteran

Shunock takes over the SmackDown ring announcer role from Lillian Garcia, who has been handling the position since early January. Before that, Garcia was the voice of Raw following her return to WWE in late 2023.

With his mix of sports, theater, and hosting experience, Shunock seems like a natural fit to carry the energy of SmackDown into this new era. Fans will get their first taste of his WWE debut at The O2 Arena in London, where he’ll introduce the superstars of Friday Night SmackDown.

North Carolina Senate Proposes “RIC FLAIR” Act to Explore Wrestling Hall of Fame

North Carolina is looking to cement its place in pro wrestling history with a proposed Hall of Fame, and they’re doing it in true legendary fashion—by naming the bill after “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

The bipartisan Senate Bill 404, also known as the “RIC FLAIR” Act, aims to allocate $500,000 to study the feasibility of creating a professional wrestling Hall of Fame in the state. The bill is sponsored by Senators Jay Chaudhuri, Danny Britt, and Ralph Hise, and if passed, would require the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to conduct the study and present a report by the summer of 2026.

Senator Chaudhuri emphasized the deep connection between professional wrestling and North Carolina, stating, “Our shared cultural heritage in this state is college basketball, NASCAR, and professional wrestling. Professional wrestling still hasn’t gotten the recognition it deserves.”

North Carolina has long been a major hub for wrestling, with the legendary Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling promotion calling the state home before evolving into Jim Crockett Promotions, a key player in the rise of the NWA and WCW. Ric Flair himself became a household name while wrestling in the region, making the bill’s namesake a fitting tribute.

If the study leads to the creation of a Hall of Fame, North Carolina could establish itself as a premier destination for wrestling history alongside WWE’s Hall of Fame, which currently exists as a virtual entity without a dedicated physical location.

Could we see a brick-and-mortar wrestling shrine in North Carolina in the future? Only time will tell, but if there’s one thing Ric Flair knows how to do, it’s make history. Woooo!

Legendary WCCW Announcer Bill Mercer Passes Away at 99

The wrestling world has lost a true broadcasting icon, as Bill Mercer, best known as the voice of World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW), passed away on Sunday at the age of 99.

A Storied Career in Wrestling and Beyond

Mercer’s journey in wrestling began in the 1950s in Oklahoma before he made his mark in Texas. By 1976, he was a familiar voice in the industry, but it was his time calling WCCW from 1982 to 1987 that cemented his place in wrestling history. His commentary became synonymous with the golden era of WCCW, where he narrated the rise of legends like The Von Erichs, The Fabulous Freebirds, and Gino Hernandez.

However, Mercer’s talents extended well beyond the squared circle. His broadcasting career spanned 60 years, covering baseball, football, basketball, and even historic news events. He was on the ground as a news reporter covering the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963 in Dallas, a moment that forever shaped American history.

A Legacy in Education and Broadcasting

Beyond his work in media, Mercer was also a dedicated educator. From 1966 to 2006, he taught at the University of North Texas, shaping the careers of over 700 students in radio and television broadcasting. His contributions to the industry were recognized with inductions into both the Texas Radio Hall of Fame (2002) and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2020).

Before his passing, Mercer held the distinction of being the oldest living past president of the Dallas-Fort Worth SAG-AFTRA, an organization he served during the 1960s.

Remembering a Voice That Defined an Era

Bill Mercer’s influence on wrestling, sports, and journalism is undeniable. His voice provided the soundtrack to some of wrestling’s most unforgettable moments, and his impact will live on through the many students and broadcasters he mentored over the decades.

Rest in peace, Bill Mercer—your voice and legacy will never be forgotten.