Nattie Neidhart Announced for NWA 78th Anniversary Show

WWE veteran Nattie Neidhart is set to make another appearance outside of WWE, as the National Wrestling Alliance has confirmed that she will compete at its upcoming 78th Anniversary Show on July 25 at Philadelphia’s historic 2300 Arena.

The announcement was made Thursday on social media, with the NWA revealing that Nattie will both appear and wrestle at the event. However, the promotion has not yet disclosed who her opponent will be.

Potential Opponents Emerging

While no match has been officially announced, the NWA is already encouraging fans to speculate about who could step into the ring with the former WWE Women’s Champion.

One possibility is current NWA World Women’s Champion Tiffany Nieves, who captured the title from Natalia Markova earlier this year. Both Nieves and Markova are expected to be part of the anniversary event, though neither has been assigned a match as of this writing.

A title match featuring Nattie would certainly add additional intrigue to an event that is shaping up to be one of the NWA’s biggest shows of the year.

Nattie’s Growing Presence Outside WWE

Although she remains under the WWE banner, Nattie has become increasingly active outside the company over the last year. In addition to helping operate the new Hart Dungeon training facility alongside her husband, WWE producer TJ Wilson, she has also accepted select independent wrestling bookings.

Those appearances have allowed her to work with a variety of promotions while continuing her WWE career, something that has become more common in the evolving wrestling landscape.

Return to the NWA

This won’t be Nattie’s first appearance for the NWA. She previously competed at The Crockett Cup 2025, where she challenged then-champion Kenzie Paige for the NWA World Women’s Championship.

Despite a strong effort, Nattie was unable to end Paige’s historic title reign, which eventually stretched to nearly two years and included 29 successful championship defenses.

Paige is also scheduled to appear at NWA 78, though a singles rematch between the two seems unlikely at the moment. The former champion is currently focused on the NWA World Women’s Tag Team Championship scene alongside partner Kylie Alexa, with the duo holding the titles heading into the anniversary event.

NWA 78 Continues to Take Shape

The NWA has been steadily adding notable names to the card as it prepares for its 78th Anniversary celebration. Nattie’s inclusion gives the promotion another recognizable star and continues the trend of WWE-affiliated talent making appearances on independent and partner shows.

With her opponent still a mystery, attention now turns to who the NWA selects to face the veteran competitor when the promotion heads to Philadelphia later this summer.

WWE Raw Preview 6/22/2026

WWE Raw airs live today at a special time of 2:00 pm ET/11:00 am PT on Netflix from the O2 Arena in London, England.

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Match: Paige & Brie Bella (c) vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
  • World Tag Team Championships Match: The Vision (c) vs. The Street Profits
  • King of the Ring finalists Oba Femi and Jey Uso to appear
  • Queen of the Ring finalists Liv Morgan and IYO SKY to appear
  • Dragon Lee vs. Ethan Page
  • Chad Gable to appear

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/19/2026

WWE Smackdown live tonight at 8/7c on USA Network and Netflix internationally from T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

  • Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther (Special Guest Referee: Sami Zayn)
  • WWE Tag Team Championship Match: R-Truth and Damian Priest (c) vs. MFTs
  • Queen of the Ring tournament Semifinal Match: Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan
  • WWE United States Championship #1 Contenders Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints

D’Lo Brown Weighs In On The Possibility Of The Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions Purchasing WWE

Could The Rock one day own WWE? According to former WWE star D’Lo Brown, it’s not as far-fetched as some fans might think.

Speaking on The Coach & Bro Show with Jonathan Coachman and Vince Russo, Brown discussed a scenario in which Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his Seven Bucks Productions company could eventually acquire WWE from TKO Group Holdings.

The conversation began when Coachman floated the idea of The Rock taking control of WWE and potentially installing longtime collaborator Brian Gewirtz in a leading creative role. Brown responded by saying he could envision such a move happening down the line.

“I could see Seven Bucks trying to buy WWE and Rock owning it all,” Brown said.

Brown also addressed the longstanding speculation surrounding the relationship between Johnson and WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque. According to Brown, there has always been a competitive dynamic between the two dating back to their days as top stars during WWE’s Attitude Era.

“Paul and Dwayne don’t like each other, and they are definitely oil and water,” Brown claimed, while noting there are both on-screen and backstage elements to their relationship.

The Rock and Triple H famously feuded throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, helping define one of WWE’s most successful periods. Over the years, reports and rumors have occasionally surfaced regarding tension between the two behind the scenes, though neither man has publicly suggested that any personal issues currently affect WWE operations.

Coachman went a step further during the discussion, referencing his previous prediction that Triple H could eventually be removed from his creative leadership position. That prediction was largely based on the belief that Johnson’s influence within WWE could continue to grow.

However, recent reports suggest TKO remains firmly behind Triple H. Earlier this year, it was reported that Levesque signed a new multi-year agreement with the company, reinforcing his role as the executive overseeing WWE’s creative direction.

As for The Rock, his influence within WWE has undeniably increased since joining TKO’s board of directors. In addition to his executive role, Johnson has remained involved on-screen through his “Final Boss” character, making several high-profile appearances over the past few years.

Despite the speculation, there is currently no indication that WWE is for sale or that Seven Bucks Productions is pursuing an acquisition. For now, the idea remains just that—a hypothetical scenario discussed by former WWE personalities.

Still, given The Rock’s business success, his growing influence within WWE, and his position on TKO’s board, comments like Brown’s are certain to spark debate among wrestling fans about what the company’s future ownership structure could look like years down the road.

WWE NXT Preview 6/16/2026

WWE NXT tonight on at 8/7c on The CW and Netflix internationally.

  • NXT North American Championship #1 Contenders Match: Tavion Heights vs. Jackson Drake
  • WWE Women’s Speed Tournament First-Round Match: Layla Diggs vs. Arianna Grace
  • WWE Women’s Speed Tournament First-Round Match: Izzi Dame vs. Thea Hail
  • Nattie vs. Jaida Parker
  • Naraku and Tony D’Angelo face to face

WWE Raw Preview 6/15/2026

WWE Raw airs live tonight at 8/7c on Netflix from the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.

  • King of The Ring Semifinal Match: Dominik Mysterio vs. Oba Femi
  • Queen of The Ring Semifinal Match: Raquel Rodriguez vs. IYO SKY
  • World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns to appear
  • Chad Gable vs. Rusev

Piper Niven Opens Up About WWE Return, Says Future In-Ring Career Remains Uncertain

WWE star Piper Niven has provided another update on her recovery from a serious neck injury, and her comments suggest that a return to the ring is far from guaranteed.

Niven has been sidelined since September after suffering a significant neck injury that ultimately required surgery. In May, she revealed that she had undergone an anterior discectomy procedure, sharing the news with fans on social media as she continued her recovery journey.

This week, Niven addressed growing questions about her wrestling future after interacting with fans on X. The conversation began when a fan thanked her for the memories she has created throughout her career and referenced her previous WWE personas and partnerships.

In response, Niven made it clear that she is not officially retiring, but she acknowledged that the road back remains uncertain.

“Don’t count me out just yet chick, just letting people know that it will be a long time and maybe possibly not at all so we don’t have to answer the same question 50 times a stream,” Niven wrote.

When another fan joked that she would likely continue receiving questions about a comeback regardless, Niven responded with humor, admitting that was probably true.

The comments mark one of the clearest indications yet regarding the seriousness of her condition. While she has not ruled out wrestling again, she also stopped short of guaranteeing a return.

Niven’s most recent match took place on the August 22 episode of WWE SmackDown, where she picked up a victory over Charlotte Flair. At the time, she was aligned with Chelsea Green as part of the popular Secret Hervice pairing.

Before her injury, Niven and Green had become a notable team within WWE’s women’s division, building on their previous success as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Following Niven’s absence, Green leaned into the storyline on social media by jokingly searching for a new “Slaygent” to join her ranks.

The group later included Alba Fyre, though Fyre departed WWE after her contract was not renewed following WrestleMania 42.

For now, Niven’s focus remains on recovery. While fans will undoubtedly continue hoping to see her back in a WWE ring someday, her latest comments underscore that there is currently no timetable for a return, and the possibility remains that her last match may already have taken place.

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/12/2026

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on at 8pm ET the USA Network in the United States and Netflix intentionally from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.

  • Gunther reveals his stipulation for challenging Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship on next week’s show
  • King of the Ring Tournament Match: Jey Uso vs. LA Knight vs. Royce Keys vs. Finn Balor
  • Queen of the Ring Tournament Match: Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill

Report: CM Punk Could Be Headed to SmackDown When He Returns to WWE

After spending the last two months away from WWE television, CM Punk has been at the center of plenty of speculation regarding his status with the company. Rumors ranging from alleged creative frustrations to reports of backstage issues and even release requests have circulated online in recent weeks.

However, several reports this week pushed back on those claims, indicating that there is no significant tension between Punk and WWE. Instead, the expectation remains that “The Best in the World” will make his return to television sometime in July.

Now, a new report suggests that WWE may have specific plans for Punk once he returns.

According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is expected to move Punk to SmackDown as part of an effort to better balance the company’s top-tier talent across both brands.

With Raw already featuring major stars such as Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan, and Oba Femi, the belief is that Punk could have a larger impact on Friday nights. A move to SmackDown would place him alongside names like Cody Rhodes, GUNTHER, and Randy Orton, creating several fresh matchups and storyline possibilities.

That said, the report notes that Punk could still make an appearance on Raw before any official brand switch takes place. The July 6 episode of Raw is scheduled for Chicago, Punk’s hometown, making it an obvious location for a high-profile return.

A move to SmackDown would also align with a storyline tease WWE planted before Punk’s absence. Prior to stepping away from television, Punk hinted at a future confrontation with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Given Rhodes’ position at the top of the blue brand, Punk’s arrival on SmackDown could quickly place him in the championship picture.

With SummerSlam approaching and rumors suggesting Punk is expected to be involved in one of the event’s major programs, fans are already speculating about a potential showdown between Punk and Rhodes. WWE has not confirmed any plans, but the possibility would undoubtedly rank among the biggest matches the company could present.

Before taking time away from television, Punk suffered a major setback at WrestleMania 42 when he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns. His eventual return could mark the beginning of a new chapter, potentially on a new brand and with a new championship target in sight.

For now, all eyes remain on July as WWE fans await the return of one of the company’s most talked-about stars.

Report: WWE Looking To Secure U.S. TV Deal For AAA Following Acquisition

A new report has provided insight into WWE’s strategy for AAA, including why the company is bringing part of TripleMania to Las Vegas instead of keeping the event exclusively in Mexico.

During a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained that WWE’s decision is reportedly less about ticket sales and more about exposing AAA to potential business partners in the United States.

According to Meltzer, the goal is to put AAA’s product in front of influential industry figures who could help expand the promotion’s presence outside of Mexico. That includes potential television partners, sponsors, and other investors who may be interested in working with the brand.

Meltzer noted that WWE’s long-term vision for AAA extends beyond simply maintaining its popularity in Mexico. Instead, the company is reportedly focused on growing AAA as a global business asset and creating new revenue opportunities through media rights and sponsorship agreements.

One of the key objectives appears to be securing a television deal in the United States. While AAA content is currently available internationally through platforms such as YouTube, the promotion does not have a dedicated U.S. television home. Bringing a major event like TripleMania to Las Vegas reportedly makes it easier to attract executives and decision-makers who might not travel to Mexico for a live show.

Las Vegas was viewed as a logical destination due to its accessibility and its reputation as a major entertainment hub. According to Meltzer, WWE is also believed to prefer a smaller venue for the event, creating a more intimate atmosphere while ensuring invited guests can experience the product firsthand.

AAA already maintains television distribution through FOX in parts of Central and South America, and the report noted that any future U.S. television agreement would not necessarily affect those existing arrangements.

Since WWE’s acquisition of AAA, there has been significant interest in how the company plans to develop the promotion moving forward. Between crossover storylines, increased visibility, and efforts to expand the brand internationally, securing a U.S. television deal could represent one of the most important steps in WWE’s plans for AAA’s future growth.