John Cena has his final match of his career tonight at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event tonight airing live on Peacock at 8pm ET from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.
Andrade El Idolo’s strange post-WWE situation appears to finally be moving forward, though it comes with a very specific restriction.
After weeks of uncertainty surrounding his WWE non-compete clause, Andrade is officially set to return to the ring tonight in Puerto Rico, where he will compete for the World Wrestling Council (WWC). The former WWE star is scheduled to challenge Xavant for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship, marking his first sanctioned match in some time.
According to reports, WWE initially enforced a non-compete clause following Andrade’s brief and controversial return to AEW. That clause put his in-ring career on pause, even after he resurfaced on AEW Dynamite to attack Kenny Omega — an appearance that ultimately led to WWE issuing a cease-and-desist notice to AEW and Andrade being pulled from television entirely.
However, new details suggest Andrade’s legal team has been hard at work behind the scenes. Sources indicate that negotiations with WWE resulted in a compromise that allows Andrade to wrestle — but only in Puerto Rico. The agreement reportedly went into effect today, December 13, and bars Andrade from competing for any promotion outside of the island for now.
Andrade himself confirmed the breakthrough during a recent interview, expressing relief that the long-standing issue had finally been resolved. He explained that his lawyer received official, signed documentation from WWE granting him clearance to wrestle for WWC, ending what he described as months of uncertainty tied to a 12-month non-compete dispute.
“I’m so happy to be in Puerto Rico. I want to say thank you to my lawyer because he now has a letter from the WWE, because we had problems with the no-compete for 12 months. Today, my lawyer texted me and told me, ‘Andrade, I have a letter, signed, that you can participate tonight in Puerto Rico in WWC. I can get back to the ring tonight. I’m so happy because after all these problems — not problems, but just what happens in life — I don’t know what to say. I want to be ready for tonight.”
The timing couldn’t be better. Andrade hasn’t competed since winning The Crash Heavyweight Championship on October 3, and fans have been waiting to see when — and where — he would be allowed back between the ropes. Tonight’s WWC appearance represents his first step back into active competition following his WWE release earlier this year, which stemmed from alleged wellness policy violations.
While Andrade’s future beyond Puerto Rico remains unclear, this development at least puts an end to his in-ring limbo. For now, Puerto Rico is the only place fans can see Andrade El Idolo compete — but it’s a meaningful return that could open the door to bigger things once his contractual situation fully clears.
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network and Netflix internationally, from the Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
WWE is continuing to shake things up behind the scenes on its reality-based programming, as a new report has revealed some notable names joining the next season of WWE LFG.
According to PWInsider Elite, Kevin Owens and Natalya have been selected to serve as mentors for season three of the A&E series. Filming for the upcoming season is reportedly already underway, and the show is expected to feature a refreshed format compared to previous years. One of the key changes being discussed is an increased use of guest stars, which should add more variety and star power to individual episodes.
Booker T and Bully Ray will return in their coaching roles, bringing back their Hall of Fame wisdom from the first two seasons. Owens and Natalya add more experience to the cast, both having earned reputations as locker room leaders with decades of experience combined.
As of now, there’s no official word on when season three will premiere, but production progress suggests WWE and A&E are moving full steam ahead.
Owens’ involvement is particularly notable given his current status. The former Universal Champion has been training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando as he continues his recovery from neck fusion surgery earlier this year. The injury forced Owens to miss WrestleMania 41, but the surgery was reportedly successful, and his return to in-ring competition is tentatively expected in early 2026.
Natalya, meanwhile, brings extensive experience to the mentor role, with her veteran presence and deep-rooted wrestling background making her a natural fit to help guide emerging talent. With established stars like Owens and Natalya on board — and more guest appearances planned — season three of WWE LFG is shaping up to feel more dynamic than ever when it eventually hits the airwaves.
WWE appears ready to hit the reset button on Friday nights, as plans are reportedly in motion to significantly shake up SmackDown heading into 2026.
According to Bodyslam+, internal discussions within WWE point to SmackDown expanding back to a three-hour format early next year. The move is said to be a direct response to concerns about the show’s overall direction in 2025, which many — both internally and among fans — felt failed to consistently deliver momentum despite a few standout moments along the way.
Along with the added hour, WWE is expected to bolster the blue brand’s roster. Additional talent is reportedly being considered to help fill the expanded runtime and freshen up weekly programming. WWE officials are said to be closely monitoring audience feedback, acknowledging that SmackDown often felt “flat” throughout much of the year and lacked a clear identity compared to other flagship shows.
Creative changes are also on the table. WWE is evaluating how both storytelling and talent utilization can evolve to better support a longer broadcast, with the goal of making SmackDown feel more dynamic and essential on a week-to-week basis. If current plans hold, the three-hour version of SmackDown is expected to officially return in January 2026 — signaling a major creative shift for the blue brand as WWE looks to rebound and redefine its Friday night product.
WWE is getting ahead of the holiday schedule next week, as both RAW and SmackDown will be taped in back-to-back double sessions. Fans in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Grand Rapids, Michigan, will essentially be getting two shows for the price of one.
The December stop of Monday Night RAW in Hershey has been re-listed as a combined taping for both RAW and SmackDown. A few days later, Friday Night SmackDown in Grand Rapids will follow the same format, also pulling double duty.
To make room for the expanded schedule, WWE has bumped both events’ local start times to 6 PM. Interestingly, even though RAW will be taped early, it’s still set to air in its standard TV window at 8 PM EST, so fans at home won’t see the usual “early airing” adjustment that sometimes happens with internationally broadcast shows.
On the storyline front, WWE has confirmed a marquee tag match for next week’s RAW: The Usos vs. The New Day—a rivalry that never misses. With both brands under one roof and a packed taping schedule, it wouldn’t be shocking if more crossover surprises hit the card.
WWE NXT live TONIGHT at 8e/7c on the CW Network.
John Cena may be stepping away from the ring on December 13, but he’s not stepping away from WWE. In fact, the 16-time world champion has already locked in his next chapter with the company.
During a sit-down interview with Tom Rinaldi, Cena revealed that he’s officially signed a five-year deal to serve as a WWE ambassador — a role that will keep him closely tied to the brand long after his final match. According to Cena, the decision was an easy one.
“I will be an ambassador to WWE. I’m already signed on for another five years… I would like to be in this family as an employee, as a contributing part for as long as I can.”
While he made it clear that his days as an active performer are coming to a close, Cena said he’s eager to give back in new ways. Behind-the-scenes mentorship seems to be high on his list, as he talked about helping talent tap into their real personalities — much like he did when the now-famous “Doctor of Thuganomics” freestyle persona first emerged on a bus ride during his early days in WWE.
“It’s not my time to perform anymore… I have a bunch of strengths and gifts that I can pass on… Maybe mentorship to talent I wouldn’t spend time with… I’m looking forward to that stuff.”
Cena’s ambassador role likely means more media appearances, outreach efforts, and involvement in WWE initiatives — essentially using his global name recognition to continue pushing the company forward.
But before that next phase begins, Cena still has one last fight to finish.
WWE has confirmed that his final match will take place at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Cena will go one-on-one with the “Ring General” GUNTHER. The showdown marks the end of an iconic in-ring career, but clearly not the end of Cena’s WWE journey.
Expect Cena to remain a major presence — just in a whole new way.
WWE Raw tonight live from the T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City, Missouri airing on Netflix.
“The Ruler” has reclaimed his throne. Oba Femi muscled his way back to the top of NXT by defeating Ricky Saints in a physical, momentum-swinging main event.
Saints tried throwing a little swagger at the champion early on, but Femi quickly turned the match into his kind of fight—using raw power to toss the challenger around the ring. Saints refused to stay down, landing a massive Spear and Stunner combo that nearly stole it. Later, Saints connected on back-to-back Tornado DDTs, including a nasty one onto the steel steps that briefly shifted the tide.
But Femi absorbed the punishment and pounced when Saints countered a Roshambo with Fall From Grace. The champion-in-waiting responded with his own pair of Fall From Grace finishers—the second a sit-out version—to secure the three-count and reclaim the NXT Title.
EVOLVE Women’s Champion Kendal Grey shocked the NXT Universe by walking out of Deadline as the 2025 Women’s Iron Survivor.
Grey started the match against Kelani Jordan, scoring the first fall before Jordan immediately tied things up coming out of the penalty box. Jordynne Grace entered third and bulldozed her way into the chaos, but Lola Vice arrived moments later and quickly added her name to the scoreboard with a trademark spinning backfist.
Grey fought her way back into contention with a roll-up on Grace for her second fall. Sol Ruca entered next, only for Jordan to target her already banged-up knee and temporarily take her out. Ruca later returned with a vengeance, dropping consecutive Sol Snatchers for two quick points.
The closing stretch turned into complete madness. Grey hit Shades of Grey on Grace, but Jordan broke it up and snagged a fall of her own. Grace and Vice added points as well, creating a rare five-way tie heading into the final minutes.
Grey ultimately seized the moment, launching off the ropes with a flying Shades of Grey to secure the winning fall and cement herself as the 2025 Women’s Iron Survivor.
AAA’s Mr. Iguana brought his signature personality—and La Yesca—to Deadline, but it wasn’t enough to dethrone NXT North American Champion Ethan Page.
Iguana played possum, danced around Page, and got the San Antonio crowd loudly behind him. But once Page lost patience with the antics, the mood shifted. The champ brutalized Iguana on the outside, drilling him into the steps and mocking La Yesca before spitting on it to the crowd’s disgust.
Iguana attempted a late rally, but Page shut the door with a decisive Twisted Grin, keeping the title firmly around his waist.
Izzi Dame picked up a major win by putting away former NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley—though not without some drama.
Paxley, clearly emotional, seemed ready to reconcile with her former allies, but Dame wanted none of it. Instead, she tossed Paxley into the steel steps and followed up with heavy offense, including a punishing Big Boot while Paxley was tied up in the ropes.
Paxley managed to bait Dame on the outside and hit Cemetery Drive, but Shawn Spears jumped onto the apron and tore apart Paxley’s beloved doll, throwing her off her game. Paxley smacked Spears for the disrespect, but the distraction left her open to another Big Boot and Dame Over, giving Izzi the victory.
The Young OG delivered under pressure, winning the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge and staking his claim as NXT’s next major breakout star.
Evans kicked things off opposite his friend—and current TNA X-Division Champion—Leon Slater, scoring the first fall with a quick roll-up. Myles Borne entered next, followed by Dion Lennox, who capitalized on a counter by Borne to hit a Doomsday Device and get on the board.
Joe Hendry entered last and immediately changed the match’s pace, drilling Borne with a twisting DVD-style slam to tie things up.
The scoreboard shifted wildly from there. Slater picked up a fall thanks to Evans hitting a coast-to-coast on Hendry, while Borne and Lennox continued to trade shots. Hendry and Lennox even brawled inside the penalty box at one point.
In the closing seconds, Borne tried to steal a fall on Evans, but The Young OG reversed into a roll-up, scoring the decisive point just before time expired.
Post-match, newly crowned NXT Champion Oba Femi stepped onto the ramp—only for the lights to go out. When they came back on, Tony D’Angelo was in the ring, blindsiding Evans and sending a message loud and clear.
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