Category: WWE

WWE Raw Preview 1/26/2026

WWE Raw airs live today on Netflix from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

WWE Raw ring announcer Alicia Taylor, is stuck at the airport due to the winter storm and unable to make it to tonight’s show. Lilian Garcia will fill in for Alicia tonight.

  • World Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contender’s Fatal Four-Way Match: The New Day vs. American Made vs. Alpha Academy vs. Los Americanos
  • AJ Styles and Gunther are scheduled to appear ahead of their match at the Royal Rumble
  • World Heavyweight Championship CM Punk set to appear after defending the title in Belfast
  • General Manager Adam Pearce to address Bron Breakker “fits into the future of the flagship”

AJ Style’s Royal Rumble Match Against Gunther Could Truly Be His Final Match

AJ Styles’ upcoming clash with GUNTHER at the WWE Royal Rumble has quickly turned from a marquee attraction into one of the most emotional talking points heading into the weekend. With Styles putting his career on the line, what once felt like a dramatic stipulation is now being widely viewed as a very real goodbye.

For weeks, many fans assumed Styles would survive the match. After all, the former WWE Champion had previously mentioned that 2026 was his target retirement year, leading to speculation that this storyline was simply a high-stakes wrinkle rather than the end. However, new backstage reports are painting a much different picture.

According to PWInsider, Styles’ current WWE contract is set to expire before WrestleMania 42, and there are reportedly no internal plans for him to be part of that event. That detail alone has raised eyebrows, especially considering Styles’ legacy and his importance to WWE over the past decade.

Dave Meltzer has also added more context, reporting that Shinsuke Nakamura was under the impression that Styles intended to retire following the Royal Rumble in 2026. That belief reportedly explains Nakamura’s now-deleted Instagram post, which many fans viewed as an early farewell message.

Adding fuel to the fire is the status of GUNTHER. Reports suggest there are no creative plans for him to lose at the upcoming Saudi Arabia event, making a Styles victory at the Royal Rumble seem increasingly unlikely. If GUNTHER is indeed locked in to continue his dominant run, Styles’ career-ending stipulation suddenly feels very real.

Behind the scenes, Styles’ retirement has reportedly been discussed within WWE for months, with the Royal Rumble long viewed as a realistic exit point. While a retirement match in Saudi Arabia would come with a massive payday and global spotlight, WWE plans are always subject to change — especially when a legend is involved.

Still, as things stand, all signs point toward the Royal Rumble potentially being the final chapter of AJ Styles’ storied WWE career. Whether this ends with one last Phenomenal performance or a shocking swerve, fans may want to savor every moment, just in case this truly is goodbye.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 1/24/2026

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event airs tonight at 8 PM EST/5 PM PST from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The show streams on Peacock in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally.

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Match: Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY (c) vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez
  • Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest vs. Sami Zayn
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/23/2026

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans, from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

  • AJ Styles to appear
  • WWE Tag Team Championships Match: Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. MFT
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships No. 1 Contenders Match: Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. Giulia & Kiana James vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
  • Nathan Frazer vs. Johnny Gargano
  • Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest
  • AJ Styles to appear

Powerhouse Hobbs Officially Signs With WWE After AEW Exit, New Name Reportedly Revealed

One of AEW’s most physically imposing stars is officially on the move.

Powerhouse Hobbs has signed with WWE following the expiration of his AEW contract, making his long-rumored jump to Stamford official. According to Fightful, Hobbs put pen to paper with WWE shortly after his deal with AEW ran out last week, confirming speculation that had been building for months.

As previously reported, AEW made a significant effort to retain Hobbs, with discussions continuing all the way up to the final days of his contract. The offer on the table was reportedly substantial, but by that point, Hobbs had already decided his future lay elsewhere. Despite leaving, sources indicate he handled the situation professionally, maintaining good relationships and fulfilling all remaining obligations.

That professionalism was evident on last week’s episode of AEW Collision, where Hobbs and The Opps dropped the AEW World Tag Team Championships to Hangman Page and JetSpeed. The loss now looks like a clear passing-of-the-torch moment as Hobbs prepared for his next chapter.

As of now, there’s no word on when Hobbs will make his WWE television debut. The timing is interesting, however, with SmackDown airing tonight, Saturday Night’s Main Event taking place this weekend, and the 2026 Royal Rumble looming next weekend. Any of those stages could serve as a launchpad, depending on how WWE chooses to roll him out.

Another unanswered question is what name Hobbs will use in WWE. While a change from his AEW presentation is expected, “Hobbs” itself is reportedly still on the table in some form.

At just 30 years old and boasting a rare mix of size, power, and intensity, Hobbs could be a major addition to WWE’s roster. How he’s positioned — and when fans finally see him — will be worth watching closely as the road to the Royal Rumble heats up.

In yet another report on Friday, this one from BodySlam+, Hobbs’ new ring name was also revealed. According to the outlet, Hobbs will be known as “Royce Keys” in WWE. The company filed a trademark for the name on Tuesday.

Backstage Details Reveal Mentor Changes and Format Overhaul for WWE LFG Season 3

WWE LFG is heading into Season 3 with some notable behind-the-scenes changes, both in terms of its mentor lineup and how the show will be presented moving forward.

According to a new report from PWInsider, Season 3 is currently filming at the WWE Performance Center in Florida, and several familiar faces will not be returning to the mentor panel. The Undertaker and Michelle McCool have both stepped away from their roles, marking a significant shift from the previous two seasons. The show’s original mentor lineup in Season 1 included The Undertaker, Mickie James, Bully Ray, and Booker T, with McCool taking over for James in Season 2.

Filling those open spots are two active WWE stars. Kevin Owens and Natalya have joined the mentor team, working alongside Bully Ray (Bubba Ray Dudley) and Booker T. Owens’ inclusion is particularly interesting given his current main roster status, while Natalya brings extensive experience as both a veteran performer and a trainer behind the scenes.

In addition to the mentor shake-up, WWE is reportedly adjusting the overall structure of the show. Rather than emphasizing competition between the mentors and their teams, Season 3 is said to place more focus directly on the individual talents and their development. The change suggests WWE wants to spotlight growth, coaching, and progression over rivalry-based storytelling.

On the production side, continuity remains with commentary. Jeremy Borash and Vic Joseph are expected to return as the commentary duo, maintaining a familiar sound and presentation for the series.

As of now, there’s still no word on when fans will actually see the new season. While WWE has confirmed that Season 3 is happening, no premiere date has been announced. Filming is clearly underway, however, with Natalya recently sharing that she’s been working on LFG at the Performance Center.

More details should emerge as production continues, but between the new mentors and the format adjustments, WWE LFG Season 3 is shaping up to feel noticeably different from what viewers have seen so far.

Report: NJPW Standout EVIL Expected to Depart Company, Likely WWE-Bound

A major shakeup could be on the horizon for both New Japan Pro Wrestling and WWE, as longtime NJPW star EVIL is reportedly preparing to exit the promotion with expectations that he’s headed stateside.

According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, EVIL has likely already informed NJPW of his decision to move on once his contract situation is finalized. Alvarez added that, internally, WWE is widely believed to be his next destination. That report lines up with earlier information from Super J-Cast, which stated that the House of Torture leader had officially given notice to New Japan.

The timing has only added to the speculation. EVIL recently lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Aaron Wolf at Wrestle Kingdom 20, a title change that immediately raised eyebrows and fueled rumors that his run with the company was nearing its end.

If this truly marks the conclusion of EVIL’s NJPW tenure, it closes the book on a highly decorated run. Since debuting with the promotion, EVIL rose from a popular tag team wrestler into a main event fixture, capturing both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. He’s also been a New Japan Cup winner, a four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, and a consistent presence in the tag and six-man divisions as part of Bullet Club and later House of Torture.

While WWE has yet to confirm any signing, the idea of EVIL joining the company is already sparking conversation. His darker persona, physical style, and experience at the top level in Japan could make him an intriguing addition, whether on the main roster or elsewhere within WWE’s system.

For now, it’s a waiting game. But if EVIL’s NJPW chapter is indeed closing, the next phase of his career could put him on the biggest stage he’s ever performed on.

Internal Discussions On Possible Steve Austin WWE Return

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin may be enjoying life away from the ring, but his name is once again making noise behind the scenes in WWE.

Austin famously wrapped up his full-time wrestling career in 2003 after dealing with serious neck injuries, but shocked the world nearly two decades later when he returned for a one-off match against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38. The No Holds Barred bout exceeded expectations and proved that The Rattlesnake still had some fight left in him. Since then, Austin has largely stayed out of the WWE spotlight, focusing on ventures like Broken Skull Beer and his passion for off-road racing.

That said, a new report suggests WWE hasn’t completely closed the door on using the Hall of Famer again. According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, Austin’s name has recently come up in internal WWE discussions, with multiple departments floating the idea of a potential appearance in the near future. While nothing is locked in and sources reportedly aren’t overly confident, the fact that conversations are happening at all is notable.

Austin himself has added fuel to the speculation in recent interviews. Earlier this month, he confirmed that there were legitimate plans for him to be involved at WrestleMania 40, including a proposed role connected to the main event. However, Austin explained that prior commitments made it impossible for him to participate. He also backed up previous Fightful Select reporting that, at one point, WWE had explored the idea of a blockbuster match between Austin and Roman Reigns.

The WWE Universe last saw Austin at WrestleMania 41, where he made headlines for an unintended reason after accidentally crashing his ATV into the ringside barricade during his entrance. While he didn’t take part in any storyline or physical segment, Austin was there to announce the official attendance figures for the two-night event.

As for another match, Austin has remained cautious. Earlier this year, he indicated that stepping back into the ring again is unlikely. Still, in true wrestling fashion, he left the door cracked open, reminding fans that in this business, you can truly “never say never.”

For now, any return remains speculative, but whenever Steve Austin’s name starts circulating backstage, it’s enough to get fans talking — and that alone shows the lasting impact of The Texas Rattlesnake.

WWE NXT Preview 1/20/2026

WWE NXT will air live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, starting at 8 PM ET on the CW Network. Internationally, fans can also stream the entire show on Netflix and on-demand viewing.

  • NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Elio LeFleur
  • Qualifying Match for NXT Championship Ladder Match: Josh Briggs vs. Shiloh Hill
  • Qualifying Match for NXT Championship Ladder Match: Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight
  • #1 Contenders Match for TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Titles: Zaruca vs. Wren-QCC vs. Fatal Influence

Becky Lynch Opens Up About WWE Future: “This Is Probably the Final Run”

Becky Lynch may be thriving on-screen as the current WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, but behind the scenes, the clock is clearly ticking on her legendary career. In a candid and emotional conversation, Lynch admitted that this phase of her WWE run could very well be her last.

Speaking on the latest season of WWE: Unreal, Lynch reflected on the physical and emotional toll of juggling life as a top WWE star and a mother. After returning to the road following the birth of her daughter, Lynch said she pushed herself at full speed — and eventually hit a wall.

According to Lynch, 2024 was a breaking point. She described feeling burned out after years of nonstop work and acknowledged that being away from her daughter weighed heavily on her. While her love for WWE hasn’t faded, the guilt of leaving home was becoming harder to manage, especially when she felt the distance affecting her relationship with her child.

That led to a pivotal conversation with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque in May 2024. With her contract nearing its end, Lynch asked for time away from the company. WWE granted her request, agreeing to pause negotiations and revisit her deal once she felt ready. That break, she admitted, came with uncertainty — including the possibility that she might not come back at all.

Now that she’s returned, Lynch seems more aware than ever that the finish line is in sight. She openly stated that this is likely her final contract with WWE and described her current run as the closing chapter of her in-ring career. While she still loves performing, connecting with the crowd, and wrestling at the highest level, the emotional tug-of-war between career ambition and motherhood remains constant.

Lynch also touched on the mental side of being a WWE star — the nonstop scrutiny, outside opinions, and internal battles that come with life in the spotlight. Even when those voices aren’t fully believed, she admitted they can linger in the back of her mind, adding another layer to the challenge.

For fans who have followed Becky Lynch from her NXT days to becoming one of the most influential women in WWE history, her words carry real weight. While nothing is officially set in stone, it’s clear Lynch is approaching this run with perspective, gratitude, and an understanding that the end may be closer than many expected.

If this truly is “The Man’s” final ride, she’s determined to enjoy it — balancing passion, purpose, and family — one match at a time.