WWE’s Premium Live Events have become known for featuring smaller match cards in recent years, but a new report suggests one of the company’s broadcast partners would like to see more action included on future shows.
According to WrestleVotes via Fightful Select, ESPN requested that WWE add more matches to Night of Champions, which took place last month in Saudi Arabia. The report states that ESPN wanted the event’s main broadcast to feature six matches, leading WWE to expand the card beyond the four- and five-match format that has become common for many PLEs.
The request reportedly focused on the paid portion of the broadcast, not the free first hour that airs on ESPN before the main show begins.
Night of Champions ultimately featured six matches on the main card, making it one of the more stacked PLE lineups WWE has presented this year. The event included both the men’s and women’s King of the Ring tournament finals, several championship matches, and a historic main event that saw Sami Zayn capture the Undisputed WWE Championship for the first time in his career.
The report is notable because WWE has largely moved away from lengthy PLE cards outside of its biggest annual events. In 2026, only Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, Backlash, and Clash in Italy featured between four and five matches, while WrestleMania and Night of Champions were the only events to include six or more bouts.
Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber traditionally dedicate significant portions of their runtime to the signature matches that give the events their names, which naturally limits the number of additional contests that can be featured. However, WWE’s overall trend toward shorter cards has been a noticeable shift compared to previous eras.
The report could indicate that ESPN sees value in presenting more matches during the premium portion of WWE events, particularly as the partnership between the two companies continues to grow.
Over the last year, WWE and ESPN have worked closely together on a variety of promotional initiatives. Numerous WWE stars have appeared across ESPN programming to promote upcoming events, while crossover appearances have become increasingly common. One recent example saw Danhausen become involved in ESPN coverage surrounding the New York Knicks’ NBA Championship pursuit.
It remains to be seen whether WWE will continue expanding its PLE cards moving forward, but if ESPN’s request carries weight, fans could see more matches featured on future premium live event broadcasts.
TNA announced on Wednesday that they granted veteran star Eric Young his release from the company. Young may already have his next destination lined up.
Initial reports suggested Young had been working under a short-term agreement, but the former TNA World Champion quickly disputed that claim, stating that he had been under a “binding contract the entire time.”
While Young’s future has not been officially confirmed, new reports indicate that a return to WWE is expected.
Speaking on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez noted that Young’s next move remains unclear publicly, though WWE is widely viewed as the likely landing spot. Dave Meltzer added that WWE officials have discussed a role for Young that would mirror the position currently held by Shawn Spears in NXT.
“He’ll be on NXT as a player/coach is what I was told,” Meltzer said. “I heard September, but that could be wrong, but it was from people in WWE. But yeah, player/coach in NXT is the current plan for him.”
The report suggests Young would both wrestle and help mentor younger talent within WWE’s developmental system.
Young is no stranger to WWE. He originally joined the company in 2016 and became a featured performer in NXT before later moving to the main roster as part of the Sanity faction. His first WWE run came to an end in 2020 when he was released during the wave of talent cuts that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He briefly returned to WWE in 2022 and was reportedly set to be part of television plans. However, Young requested his release before making an on-screen return following Vince McMahon’s return to the company. Reports at the time indicated that Young signed a non-disclosure agreement as part of his departure.
After leaving WWE, Young returned to TNA Wrestling, where he resumed his role as one of the promotion’s most recognizable veterans. During his career, he has captured the TNA World Championship twice and remained a key figure both on-screen and behind the scenes.
If the reported plans come to fruition, Young would bring decades of experience back to WWE while helping develop the next generation of NXT talent. Neither WWE nor Young has publicly confirmed the move at this time.
A familiar tag team could soon be making its way back to WWE.
According to a report from Fightful Select, Big Bill has informed AEW that he will not be remaining with the company once his contract expires. The report notes that Bill’s deal is set to run out within the next week, effectively bringing an end to his four-year run with AEW.
The former AEW World Tag Team Champion has been rumored as a potential WWE return candidate for months, and the latest report indicates that WWE is expected to be his next destination.
Perhaps even more interesting is who may be joining him.
Fightful reports that Enzo Amore is also expected to sign with WWE, setting the stage for a reunion of one of the company’s most popular tag teams from the mid-2010s. The duo rose to prominence in NXT before becoming fan favorites on the main roster as Enzo and Cass.
Despite their popularity, the team never captured WWE Tag Team Championship gold before splitting in 2017. Their partnership came to an end when Big Cass turned on Enzo, leading to a brief singles run before injuries and other circumstances ultimately led to both men’s departures from WWE.
While Enzo has been a free agent and available to sign for some time, the report states that WWE intentionally waited for Bill’s contractual situation to be resolved before moving forward. The goal reportedly was to secure both talents at the same time rather than bringing one in without the other.
Big Bill joined AEW in 2022 after previously wrestling for Impact Wrestling and on the independent scene. During his AEW tenure, he enjoyed a successful run alongside Ricky Starks, with the pair capturing the AEW World Tag Team Championship. He later aligned with Chris Jericho as part of The Learning Tree faction and remained a regular presence on AEW programming.
At this stage, it remains unclear where the reunited duo would debut. WWE could opt to bring them back through NXT, where they first became stars, or place them directly on the main roster.
Neither WWE nor AEW has officially commented on the report, but if the move becomes official, fans may soon be hearing one of the most recognizable catchphrases of the past decade back on WWE television.
Two of the most iconic figures in Memphis wrestling history will reunite this summer for a special event supporting a worthy cause.
Memphis Wrestling has announced that WWE Hall of Famers Jerry “The King” Lawler and Jimmy “Mouth of the South” Hart will appear together at the Memphis Wrestling Tupelo SuperShow on August 21, 2026, at the Tupelo Furniture Market in Tupelo, Mississippi.
The event is being presented in partnership with the Pontotoc Run Club, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Lawler and Hart remain synonymous with the glory days of Memphis wrestling and both have deep ties to the Mid-South region. Their appearance at the Tupelo SuperShow brings together two legendary personalities who helped define an era of professional wrestling that remains beloved by fans decades later.
Memphis Wrestling owner and host Dustin Starr expressed his excitement about welcoming the Hall of Famers to the annual fundraising event.
“We’re honored to welcome Jerry Lawler and Jimmy Hart to this year’s Tupelo SuperShow,” Starr said. “They inspired generations of wrestling fans, including me, and having them join us in raising money for St. Jude makes this event even more special.”
The Tupelo area played an important role in the history of the Memphis territory during the 1970s and 1980s. Fans may remember classic events held in the city, including the legendary Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl in 1979.
The annual fundraiser has continued to grow over the years. Organizers reported that the event raised more than $15,000 in 2023, followed by more than $19,000 in 2024. Last year’s event set a new record by generating $25,005 for St. Jude, and organizers are hoping to surpass that total in 2026.
Pontotoc Run Club founder Murray Collum, known to many as Coach Pillar, has been a driving force behind the fundraising efforts. Since its founding in 2019, the organization has raised more than $55,000 for St. Jude and related charitable projects, while North Mississippi St. Jude Heroes have collectively contributed more than $300,000 to support the hospital’s mission.
The event promises not only a rare reunion between Lawler and Hart but also another opportunity for the wrestling community to come together in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the families it serves.
WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles’ 19-year-old son, Avery Styles, made his professional wrestling debut on June 26, 2026, at a Squared Circle Action (SCA) event in Royston, Georgia. Avery wrestled Ashton Martin in the main event, winning the match with his father’s signature finishing move, the Styles Clash.
AJ Styles, who recently retired from in-ring competition, was in his son’s corner for the event and even stepped into the ring to personally count the 1-2-3 pinfall. Viral footage of the moment shows Avery performing his father’s iconic slide under the ropes into a Phenomenal Forearm before hitting the match-winning finisher
AJ later praised the bout, noting the in-ring chemistry and pacing both young athletes displayed.
WWE presented NXT The Great American Bash 2026 featuring several championship matches, the continued fallout from recent rivalries, and a major title change in the night’s main event.
By the end of the show, Kendal Grey reached the top of the NXT women’s division, while Tony D’Angelo, Zaria, Myles Borne, and Wren Sinclair successfully defended their championships.
Here are the full results and highlights.
NXT Championship
Tony D’Angelo (c) def. Naraku
Despite entering the match with a heavily bandaged eye following Naraku’s fireball attack earlier in the week, Tony D’Angelo refused to back down from the challenge.
The champion started aggressively, even spearing Naraku through the wall of The Perch area before the action officially settled inside the ring. Naraku targeted the injured eye throughout the contest and nearly forced the referee to stop the match due to D’Angelo’s condition.
Tony battled through the punishment and rallied late with a series of suplexes and power moves. After surviving a German suplex, D’Angelo connected with Dead to Rights to secure the victory.
Winner and Still NXT Champion: Tony D’Angelo
NXT Women’s North American Championship
Zaria (c) def. Tatum Paxley
Tatum Paxley pushed Zaria to her limits in one of the most competitive matches of the night.
The challenger came within inches of capturing the championship after delivering multiple Cemetery Drives, including one on the floor and another inside the ring. Despite the relentless attack, Zaria refused to stay down.
After surviving Tatum’s best offense, the champion regained control with a spear and eventually delivered a snap F-5 to retain the title.
Winner and Still NXT Women’s North American Champion: Zaria
Following the match, a frustrated Paxley was confronted backstage by Kelani Jordan, leading to a heated altercation that required security intervention.
Shiloh Hill def. Tristan Angels
Shiloh Hill and Tristan Angels delivered one of the more unusual matches of the evening, complete with a bizarre sequence underneath the ring involving mysterious voices and masked appearances.
Once the action returned to normal, Hill used the steel steps to his advantage before finishing Angels with Whisper of the Beast.
Winner: Shiloh Hill
After the match, Hill proudly celebrated while wearing his Mr. NXT sash.
Women’s Speed Championship
Wren Sinclair (c) def. Arianna Grace
With a strict five-minute time limit, Wren Sinclair and Arianna Grace wasted little time getting down to business.
Grace controlled portions of the match by targeting Sinclair’s previously injured knee, but the champion remained resilient. As the clock ticked down, Wren fought back and trapped Grace in the Final Wren-ch submission hold.
Grace tapped out before time expired, allowing Sinclair to retain.
Winner and Still Women’s Speed Champion: Wren Sinclair
Saquon Shugars def. Dion Lennox
Former DarkState allies collided in a heated grudge match.
The rivalry continued to intensify throughout the bout, with Cutler James and Osiris Griffin appearing at ringside despite both men seemingly dealing with injuries. Their presence created a distraction, but Shugars still found a way to overcome Lennox.
After a back-and-forth battle, Shugars scored the victory with an inverted splash.
Winner: Saquon Shugars
The celebration was short-lived, however, as James and Griffin revealed they were fully healthy before launching a post-match assault. The trio left Shugars laid out following a devastating DarkState powerbomb.
NXT North American Championship
Myles Borne (c) def. Tavion Heights
Myles Borne and Tavion Heights showcased their amateur wrestling backgrounds in a highly technical championship match.
The two competitors traded submissions, suplexes, and counters throughout the contest, with Heights nearly capturing the title after a series of impressive power moves and submission holds.
Borne ultimately found an opening late in the match, escaping a fireman’s carry and delivering Borne Again for the victory.
Winner and Still NXT North American Champion: Myles Borne
Following the match, Borne praised Heights while promising that his title reign is far from over.
NXT Women’s Championship
Kendal Grey def. Lola Vice (c)
The main event saw Lola Vice defend the NXT Women’s Championship against Kendal Grey.
The match featured strong grappling exchanges, submission counters, and momentum swings from both competitors. Grey repeatedly targeted Vice’s leg with ankle lock attempts, while the champion responded with her trademark strikes and submission offense.
Outside interference briefly came into play when Kelani Jordan attempted to get involved, only for Wren Sinclair to neutralize her and remove the distraction.
As the match entered its final moments, both women exchanged near falls and submission reversals before Grey delivered a massive middle-rope Shades of Grey to score the decisive victory.
Winner and NEW NXT Women’s Champion: Kendal Grey
After the match, Wren Sinclair joined her longtime friend in the ring to celebrate the championship victory. Lola Vice showed respect to the new champion before leaving the ringside area.
WWE NXT The Great American Bash 2026 Results
Tony D’Angelo (c) def. Naraku – NXT Championship
Zaria (c) def. Tatum Paxley – NXT Women’s North American Championship
The Great American Bash delivered several standout performances, but the biggest story of the night was Kendal Grey’s championship victory. Grey closed the show by capturing the NXT Women’s Championship, while Tony D’Angelo survived a brutal challenge from Naraku and the rest of NXT’s champions successfully defended their titles
WWE presented Night of Champions 2026 on Saturday from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, a Steel Cage Match between Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker, Men’s & Women’s United States Championship matches, and a blockbuster triple threat main event for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
King of the Ring Finals
Oba Femi def. Jey Uso
Jey Uso came out firing, but Oba Femi’s overwhelming power quickly became the story of the match. Despite Uso landing multiple superkicks, a spear, and consecutive Uso Splashes, the powerhouse refused to stay down.
Femi weathered the storm before taking control late, connecting with a devastating powerbomb and following it up with Fall From Grace to secure the victory.
Winner: Oba Femi via pinfall (Fall From Grace)
With the win, Femi becomes the 2026 King of the Ring and earns a world title opportunity at SummerSlam.
Following the match, Femi declared that Jey Uso wasn’t fighting just one man—he was fighting fate and destiny. The newly crowned King celebrated with the Riyadh crowd as chants of “Oba!” echoed throughout the arena.
Danhausen and Liv Morgan Segment
Danhausen appeared before the crowd and greeted “Riyadhausen,” joking about his recent financial success.
His celebration was interrupted by Liv Morgan, who demanded repayment of money she claimed was owed to The Judgment Day. Danhausen responded by attempting to curse Morgan, only to be slapped across the face before Liv headed to the ring.
Queen of the Ring Finals
IYO SKY def. Liv Morgan
The Queen of the Ring final saw Liv Morgan target IYO SKY’s knee throughout the match. Morgan repeatedly attacked the leg, nearly forcing a submission victory with a half-crab after SKY suffered an awkward landing on the floor.
Despite the injury, SKY refused to quit. After surviving a late assault from Morgan, the former Women’s Champion rallied with a Spanish Fly from the top rope before finishing things with her signature moonsault.
Winner: IYO SKY via pinfall (Moonsault)
IYO SKY is officially the 2026 Queen of the Ring and earns a championship match at SummerSlam.
Afterward, SKY announced her intention to challenge for the WWE Women’s World Championship at SummerSlam.
Steel Cage Match
Seth Rollins def. Bron Breakker
Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker engaged in a brutal Steel Cage Match that featured kendo sticks, steel chairs, a table, and plenty of punishment.
Breakker’s power was on full display as he repeatedly launched Rollins into the cage walls and delivered a breathtaking avalanche Frankensteiner onto a pile of steel chairs. However, Rollins continually found ways to survive.
The match reached another level when Rollins delivered a superplex from the top of the cage through a table. Despite blood pouring from Breakker’s face and multiple finishing attempts, neither man stayed down.
In the end, Rollins connected with an avalanche Blackout from the second rope to finally put Breakker away.
Winner: Seth Rollins via pinfall (Avalanche Blackout)
WWE Men’s United States Championship
Trick Williams (c) def. Ricky Saints
Ricky Saints attacked Trick Williams before the opening bell, looking to gain an early advantage in his championship opportunity.
The contest remained competitive throughout, with Saints nearly scoring the upset after several close near falls and a tornado DDT.
Williams ultimately regained control and landed the Trick Shot to retain his championship.
Winner: Trick Williams via pinfall (Trick Shot)
After the match, Lil Yachty returned to ringside armed with a kendo stick and attacked Saints. The segment concluded with Yachty delivering a People’s Elbow to the delight of the crowd.
WWE Women’s United States Championship
Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Jade Cargill
Tiffany Stratton survived a chaotic title defense against Jade Cargill thanks to a series of outside distractions.
Cargill appeared to have the match in hand despite interference from B-FAB, Michin, and Chelsea Green. However, the biggest surprise came when Charlotte Flair emerged and struck Cargill with the championship belt while the referee was distracted.
Stratton capitalized on the opening and connected with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to retain her title.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton via pinfall (Prettiest Moonsault Ever)
Undisputed WWE Championship
Sami Zayn def. Cody Rhodes (c) and GUNTHER
The main event featured Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against both GUNTHER and Sami Zayn in a high-stakes triple threat match.
All three competitors had moments where victory seemed inevitable. Rhodes landed multiple Cross Rhodes attempts, GUNTHER dominated stretches of the bout with his power and submissions, and Zayn repeatedly came within inches of winning after landing the Blue Thunder Bomb and Helluva Kick.
The match spilled outside the ring several times, including a sequence where Rhodes back body dropped Zayn through the American announce table and GUNTHER powerbombed Rhodes through the Arabic announce desk.
Late in the match, GUNTHER trapped Rhodes in the Gojira Clutch, only for Zayn to intervene. After a frantic closing sequence that saw all three men exchange finishing maneuvers, Rhodes attempted another Cross Rhodes on Zayn.
Instead, Zayn countered with a surprise victory roll and scored the three-count.
Winner and NEW Undisputed WWE Champion: Sami Zayn via pinfall (Victory Roll)
IYO SKY def. Liv Morgan – Queen of the Ring Finals
Seth Rollins def. Bron Breakker – Steel Cage Match
Trick Williams (c) def. Ricky Saints – WWE Men’s United States Championship
Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Jade Cargill – WWE Women’s United States Championship
Sami Zayn def. Cody Rhodes (c) and GUNTHER – Triple Threat Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship
The biggest story coming out of Night of Champions was Sami Zayn finally reaching the mountaintop. After a decade in WWE, Zayn captured the Undisputed WWE Championship for the first time, ending Cody Rhodes’ reign and closing the show with an emotional celebration in front of the Riyadh crowd. Meanwhile, Oba Femi and IYO SKY punched their tickets to SummerSlam with tournament-winning performances, setting the stage for major championship clashes later this summer.
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