Category: WWE

Seth Rollins Officially Stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship on WWE Raw Due to Injury

WWE kicked off Monday Night Raw this week with a major announcement from General Manager Adam Pearce — and it’s one that will shake up the world title picture. Pearce confirmed the rumors that had been circulating all day: Seth Rollins is no longer the World Heavyweight Champion.

Rollins’ title reign came to an end following the injury he suffered at Crown Jewel in his match against Cody Rhodes, compounded by last week’s brutal attack from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. WWE is keeping the real-life details close to the vest, but the storyline explanation is that “The Vision” took things too far, leaving Rollins unable to compete.

Pearce addressed the crowd from the ring to open the show, but the scene quickly escalated when a black SUV pulled up outside the arena. Out stepped Paul Heyman, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker — the latter carrying the World Heavyweight Championship over his shoulder as if it already belonged to him. The trio made their way to the ring as Pearce laid out the situation face-to-face.

Pearce explained that Rollins underwent major surgery and would be sidelined for the foreseeable future. With the champion out, Pearce had no choice but to officially strip him of the title. After some tense back-and-forth, Breakker reluctantly handed the belt to Heyman, who passed it over to Pearce.

But Pearce wasn’t done making news. He announced that CM Punk — who earned a title shot after defeating LA Knight and Jey Uso last week — would still get his championship opportunity. To determine Punk’s opponent, Raw would feature an “old school” over-the-top-rope battle royal later that night. The winner would move on to face Punk at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where the new World Heavyweight Champion will finally be crowned.

With Rollins sidelined, Breakker and Reed making power plays, and Punk waiting in the wings, the World Heavyweight Title scene just got a whole lot more unpredictable.

WWE Raw Preview 10/20/2025

Monday’ WWE Raw airs live globally on Netflix from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.

  • Raw General Manager Adam Pearce will provide an update on the status of Seth Rollins, after Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed turned on him, laying him out at the end of last week’s show in Perth, Australia
  • Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed to speak on last week’s attack on Seth Rollins
  • WWE World Tag Team Championship: The Judgment Day (JD McDonagh & Finn Balor) (c) vs. AJ Styles & Dragon Lee
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Rusev

Ilja Dragunov Returns and Stuns Sami Zayn to Capture the U.S. Title on WWE SmackDown

After more than a year away from the ring, Ilja Dragunov stormed back into WWE in a big way—by taking the United States Championship from Sami Zayn on SmackDown.

Dragunov, who hadn’t competed since last September, became the seventh challenger to answer Zayn’s weekly open challenge. The “Mad Dragon” made the most of his shot, going toe-to-toe with the resilient champion in a hard-hitting clash that lived up to both men’s reputations.

The bout was physical from the opening bell, packed with punishing strikes and near-falls. Zayn looked to have things under control late in the match, lining up for his trademark Helluva Kick—but Solo Sikoa chose that moment to make his presence felt. The Bloodline powerhouse appeared at ringside, briefly distracting Zayn and giving Dragunov just enough time to recover.

Sensing an opening, Dragunov exploded with the Torpedo Moscow, flooring Zayn before sealing the deal with a thunderous H-Bomb elbow drop. The three-count ended Zayn’s 50-day reign and crowned Dragunov as the new United States Champion—his first title since joining the main roster. The victory adds to Dragunov’s already impressive résumé, which includes reigns as both NXT and NXT UK Champion.

However, Dragunov’s celebration was short-lived. Moments after the match, Sikoa and his MFT allies launched a brutal attack on both Dragunov and Zayn. Standing tall over the fallen Superstars, Sikoa declared that he would “bring gold back to his family.” But before The Bloodline could further their assault, the Wyatt Sicks emerged, creating a tense standoff that closed the show.

With Dragunov now holding the red, white, and blue gold, and Sikoa vowing vengeance, the United States Title picture just became one of the most volatile storylines on SmackDown.

WWE SmackDown Preview 10/17/2025

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix internationally, emanating from the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

  • Fallout from Crown Jewel
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair (c) vs. ZaRuca (Sol Ruca & Zaria)
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to appear
  • Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre (despite reports, Fatu is dealing with a non-wrestling injury that may leave him out of action well into 2026. WWE could do an injury angle to write Fatu off WWE television)

Backstage Update On Seth Rollins’ Injury — Surgery Likely, WWE Title Future Uncertain

It’s been a rollercoaster of a week for Seth Rollins, and not the kind fans were hoping for. The newly crowned WWE World Heavyweight Champion might be facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines following a serious shoulder injury reportedly suffered during his Crown Jewel victory over Cody Rhodes.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Rollins’ injury is legitimate — not a storyline twist — and the current plan calls for him to undergo surgery soon. The news throws WWE’s world title scene into chaos, especially if “The Visionary” is forced to miss time extending into WrestleMania season.

“It looks like he’s going to need surgery on the shoulder,” Meltzer said. “The story I got was that he was going to have surgery as soon as possible. As for the title situation, I haven’t heard anything concrete yet.”

The injury is believed to have occurred during a coast-to-coast headbutt spot in the match against Rhodes — a brutal moment that saw Rollins clutching his shoulder almost immediately. WWE then followed up with a shocking post-match betrayal from his Vision stablemates, which fans initially suspected was a storyline excuse to write Rollins off TV. However, this time it appears the injury is unfortunately all too real.

With Rollins likely out for a significant stretch, questions now swirl about the future of the World Heavyweight Championship and WWE’s plans for upcoming events like Saturday Night’s Main Event. Meltzer noted that an official update on the title picture could come as soon as WWE’s next show.

This marks yet another tough break for Rollins, who’s battled through injuries before while maintaining one of the most consistent runs in modern WWE history. If surgery does sideline him through WrestleMania season, it will be a huge blow not only to his fans but to WWE’s creative direction heading into 2026.

Jacob Fatu Reportedly Facing Long-Term Injury Layoff

It looks like WWE might be losing another major name to injury — and this one could have big implications for SmackDown storylines moving forward.

According to a new report from BodySlam, Jacob Fatu has suffered an injury that’s expected to keep him out of action for an extended stretch, potentially sidelining The Samoan Werewolf well into 2026.

While the exact details surrounding Fatu’s condition haven’t been made public, sources indicate that it’s a non-wrestling-related injury and serious enough to take him off WWE programming for the foreseeable future.

The timing couldn’t be worse for Fatu, who was gaining major momentum as part of his heated feud with Drew McIntyre. Many fans believed he was on the verge of breaking into the Undisputed WWE Championship picture alongside Cody Rhodes. After dropping the United States Title to Solo Sikoa back in June, it seemed WWE was positioning him for a main event push — plans that now appear to be on hold.

This isn’t the first health setback Fatu has dealt with since joining WWE. He missed brief time last year due to a foot injury following SummerSlam, and later tweaked something again during Survivor Series: WarGames, though he managed to bounce back quickly on both occasions. At this point, it’s unclear whether his latest issue is connected to either of those earlier incidents.

As for what this means for Drew McIntyre’s ongoing storylines, nothing has been confirmed. WWE hasn’t provided an update on McIntyre’s next feud or when Fatu was originally expected to challenge for the Undisputed WWE Title.

Hopefully, Fatu’s recovery goes smoothly — he’s been one of the most talked-about additions to the roster in recent months, and his absence will definitely be felt on SmackDown.

WWE NXT Preview 10/14/2025

WWE NXT live tonight on The CW at 8:00 ET/7:00 CT.

  • WWE NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Battle Royal: Lei Ying Lee, Mara Sadé, Xia Brookside, Heather by Elegance, Jordynne Grace, Victoria Crawford, Kelani Jordan. Jaida Parker, Izzi Dame, Tatum Paxley, Lash Legend, Cassie Lee, Jessie McKay, Kendal Grey, Lola Vice, Karmen Petrovic, Sol Ruca, Thea Hail, Arianna Grace, and Wren Sinclair
  • Blake Monroe vs. ZARIA
  • Matt Cardona vs. Josh Briggs
  • El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Lexis King

Report: WWE’s Partnership With Def Rebel Nearing Its End — Major Music Changes Ahead

WWE could soon be remixing more than just its storylines. According to a new report from BodySlam.net, the company’s longtime music partner Def Rebel is nearing the end of its contract — and the change could usher in a brand-new era for WWE’s signature sound.

Def Rebel has been the creative force behind some of the most recognizable entrance themes of the past few years, crafting tracks for top stars such as Rhea Ripley, Asuka, LA Knight, Dominik Mysterio, Austin Theory, and Killer Kross (formerly Karrion Kross). Their production style has defined WWE’s current musical identity, blending cinematic beats with aggressive hip-hop and metal influences.

However, as the contract winds down, reports suggest that several Superstars have voiced interest in seeing a shift in how their music is developed and managed. That feedback, coupled with the expiring deal, could open the door for WWE to explore new creative partners or even revive collaborations with outside artists — something the company has done successfully in past eras.

If Def Rebel and WWE part ways, it would mark the end of a significant chapter in the company’s musical evolution. WWE themes have always been a major part of its presentation — from Jim Johnston’s legendary compositions to CFO$’s modern hits — and a new transition could dramatically reshape the sound of WWE programming heading into 2026.

For now, no official announcement has been made about Def Rebel’s status, but with their deal reportedly nearing completion, fans might start hearing new music — literally — in the not-so-distant future.

Samoan Dynasty’s Lance Anoa’i, Wes Lee, and Several NXT, Evolve & ID Talents Released from WWE

It’s been a tough week behind the scenes at WWE, as multiple names from the company’s developmental system—and even a member of wrestling’s legendary Samoan Dynasty—were let go.

Lance Anoa’i, son of former WWE star Samu and cousin to Roman Reigns, confirmed Friday that his time with WWE had come to an end. Anoa’i shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), noting that his run never really got started due to injuries and “bad luck” since signing. Despite not making an on-screen appearance, his family lineage and in-ring pedigree had drawn plenty of attention when he joined the company.

However, Anoa’i’s departure turned out to be part of a larger round of roster cuts. Reports from BodySlam’s Cory Hays and Fightful Select revealed that several names from the NXT and Performance Center ranks were also released. Among them was two-time NXT North American Champion Wes Lee, who had recently been sidelined with an injury. Other names included Stevie Turner, Jin Tala, Drako Knox, Haze Jameson, Summer Sorrell, Brayden “BJ” Ray, and Jamar Hampton.

Turner, who fans may remember from her stint as the “Prime Minister” of WWE Evolve and as Robert Stone’s co-Assistant GM in NXT, took to social media to confirm her exit. “My time with WWE has come to an end,” she wrote. “I’ve had a brilliant time and I’m so excited for the future. See you soon!”

Drako Knox—who had been featured as “Drake Starks” during Season One of WWE LFG—also confirmed his release, stating he was available for bookings in 30 days, as is standard with developmental contracts.

Adding to the list, Zara Zakher announced that her WWE ID deal had expired and that she’d be taking time away from wrestling. With Zakher included, the total number of confirmed departures from Friday’s round reached ten.

For many of these talents, especially those from the NXT and developmental ranks, the releases mark the end of one chapter and the potential start of another. Meanwhile, the loss of Lance Anoa’i quietly closes a brief but intriguing connection between the ever-expanding Samoan Dynasty and WWE’s current generation.

Seth Rollins Injury At WWE Crown Jewel Reportedly Led To Major Creative Shift in WWE’s “Vision” Storyline

The shocking betrayal of Seth Rollins on Monday Night Raw wasn’t part of the long-term plan—at least, not yet. According to new reports from PWInsider and Fightful Select, WWE was forced to make a “heavy creative pivot” following a legitimate injury to the World Heavyweight Champion at Crown Jewel.

Just days after standing tall alongside Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Paul Heyman at the Perth premium live event, Rollins was blindsided by his own allies on Raw. The sudden fracture of The Vision—the faction that had seemed rock-solid heading into Crown Jewel—was reportedly written on the fly to explain Rollins’ upcoming absence from TV.

Sources tell PWInsider that Rollins was spotted with his arm in a sling after his win over Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in Perth. The injury apparently occurred when Rollins went for a high-risk coast-to-coast headbutt. Despite getting hurt mid-match, he powered through to finish the bout and retain his title.

Fightful Select added that the original plan had been for Breakker’s eventual split from Rollins to unfold sometime next year, but the injury forced WWE to move that storyline up. With Rollins now sidelined, Breakker and Reed are reportedly being positioned for a bigger spotlight much sooner than expected.

At this point, there’s no confirmed timetable for Rollins’ return. He’s said to be undergoing medical testing later this week to assess the severity of the shoulder injury.

The timing couldn’t be worse for The Vision’s Architect. Rollins had been locked in a heated rivalry with CM Punk, whom he defeated for the World Heavyweight Championship after a dramatic Money in the Bank cash-in at SummerSlam. In a twist of irony, that title win had been built around fake rumors of a Rollins injury—now, real life seems to have imitated storyline.

WWE fans will now have to wait to see how the company adjusts both the Vision storyline and the Punk feud while their champion recovers.