WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix internationally from the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
WWE has quietly updated its official online roster page, and several high-profile names are now listed as free agents.
Fans spotted on May 8 that AJ Lee, Paige, Nikki Bella, and Brie Bella had all been moved into WWE’s free agent category. Prior to the change, AJ Lee and The Bella Twins were listed under the RAW roster section.
The update means the four stars are no longer officially assigned to a specific brand, potentially opening the door for appearances across both RAW and SmackDown moving forward.
Paige recently made her in-ring WWE return at WrestleMania 42 after stepping in for an injured Nikki Bella during the Fatal Four-Way Women’s Tag Team Championship match. Paige teamed with Brie Bella in the bout, and the duo ultimately captured the titles from The Irresistible Forces.
AJ Lee also made a major comeback to WWE last year after returning in September. Since then, she had been involved in the women’s title picture before dropping the Women’s Intercontinental Championship to Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 42.
At the moment, AJ Lee has not been featured in an active storyline, though reports indicate she is expected to resurface on WWE television ahead of a major upcoming premium live event.
While WWE has not publicly commented on the roster adjustments, placement in the free agent section typically allows talent to appear on multiple brands without being locked into one specific show.
WWE’s recent push to recruit international talent may not be slowing down anytime soon, as another former New Japan Pro-Wrestling standout is reportedly expected to join the company.
According to a report from BodySlam, former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi is believed to be WWE-bound. Sources connected to the WWE Performance Center reportedly indicated that Takahashi could arrive in the company in the near future.
The report also noted that WWE may have a new ring name lined up for the longtime NJPW star: Nox Raijin.
Interestingly, that same name had previously been rumored for another recent WWE signing from Japan — former NJPW faction leader EVIL. However, WWE has since confirmed that EVIL will instead compete under the name Naraku, with the former Bullet Club member scheduled to appear on next week’s episode of NXT.
According to the report, WWE had originally planned to use the Nox Raijin name for EVIL before changing direction earlier this week and settling on Naraku instead.
Takahashi officially parted ways with NJPW earlier this year, ending a run that lasted more than 15 years with the promotion. During his time in New Japan, he became one of the company’s most recognizable junior heavyweight stars, capturing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship five times and building a reputation for his energetic personality and high-risk in-ring style.
Following news of his departure, both WWE and AEW were mentioned as possible landing spots for Takahashi. AEW fans are already familiar with him thanks to several appearances over the years, including a match against Kyle Fletcher for the TNT Championship at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
Outside of NJPW and AEW, Takahashi has also competed in promotions such as CMLL and Pro Wrestling NOAH in recent years, further expanding his international profile.
If the report proves accurate, Takahashi would become another major Japanese addition to WWE’s growing global talent roster and could bring even more depth to the company’s evolving NXT landscape.
VICE TV’s acclaimed wrestling documentary series Dark Side of the Ring is officially coming back this summer, and Season 7 is shaping up to be one of the show’s biggest undertakings yet.
According to details released through Variety, the new season premieres on July 7 and will feature the series’ first-ever three-part documentary focused on TNA Wrestling. The episodes will center around TNA co-founder Jeff Jarrett and explore the company’s early years, including the successes, setbacks, and controversies that defined the promotion during its rise.
Series creators and executive producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisner described the upcoming season as the most ambitious in the show’s history. They specifically pointed to the TNA project as a major highlight, noting that Jarrett’s personal story of perseverance and redemption serves as the perfect backdrop for examining the promotion’s complicated legacy.
Since debuting in 2019, Dark Side of the Ring has become one of the most talked-about wrestling docuseries ever produced, diving deep into some of the industry’s most controversial and tragic stories through interviews with those directly involved.
Season 7 won’t stop with TNA. The new lineup will also include episodes focused on several notable names and moments from wrestling history, including:
Wilson’s story is expected to revisit his time portraying a character heavily inspired by The Ultimate Warrior during his WCW run.
VICE will kick off the season with two back-to-back episodes on premiere night before settling into its regular Tuesday night schedule at 9 PM ET for the remainder of the season.
With a mix of legendary names, controversial moments, and a deep dive into TNA’s turbulent beginnings, Season 7 looks set to continue the series’ reputation for uncovering wrestling’s most fascinating behind-the-scenes stories.
The wrestling world is mourning the loss of one of its most influential behind-the-scenes figures. Media mogul Ted Turner has passed away at the age of 87, according to CNN. Turner, best known as the driving force behind multiple major television networks and the former owner of World Championship Wrestling, died surrounded by family.
While his legacy spans far beyond wrestling—having founded CNN and played a key role in launching networks like TBS and TNT—Turner’s impact on the pro wrestling business is impossible to overstate.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1938, Turner first became involved with wrestling in the early 1970s when Georgia Championship Wrestling found a home on his TBS Superstation. That relationship helped introduce wrestling to a national cable audience and laid the groundwork for what would become a decades-long influence on the industry.
Things escalated in 1984 during the infamous Black Saturday, when WWE took over GCW’s time slot. The move didn’t sit well with Turner, and it ultimately pushed him to become more hands-on in the wrestling business. He soon brought in Mid-South Wrestling and later facilitated a deal that put Jim Crockett Promotions in that same slot—setting the stage for a fierce rivalry with Vince McMahon.
By 1988, Turner fully committed, purchasing JCP from Jim Crockett Jr. and transforming it into World Championship Wrestling. From there, WCW grew into WWE’s biggest competitor.
Turner’s most significant contribution came in 1995 when he approved Eric Bischoff’s idea for WCW Monday Nitro, launching the iconic Monday Night Wars. For a period between 1996 and 1998, WCW surged ahead, briefly overtaking WWE as the top promotion in the United States.
Despite being a relatively hands-off owner creatively, Turner remained one of WCW’s biggest champions internally, ensuring the company stayed on the air even when other executives were skeptical. His support proved crucial during both WCW’s rise and its eventual decline toward the end of the 1990s.
Following the AOL-Time Warner merger in 2001, Turner’s influence diminished significantly. With WCW struggling financially and losing its television foothold, the company was ultimately sold to McMahon, bringing Turner’s time in wrestling to a close.
Even after stepping away, Turner’s name remained synonymous with one of wrestling’s most competitive and transformative eras. Without his willingness to invest in and believe in pro wrestling, the landscape of the industry—particularly during the 1990s—would look very different today.
Ted Turner’s contributions helped shape modern wrestling into what it is now, and his legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.
WWE is officially moving forward with its latest international signing, as the man formerly known as EVIL is set to compete on “WWE NXT” under a completely new identity.
After making a surprise appearance on last week’s episode to confront NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has now been given a new name—Naraku. The rebrand was confirmed during this week’s show through a vignette hyping his in-ring debut for next Tuesday.
The promo didn’t waste time establishing direction either. Naraku directly addressed D’Angelo, making it clear that he’s coming after the NXT Championship. The segment closed with a simple but effective message: his debut is imminent.
Before arriving in WWE, Naraku built a dominant résumé in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he held multiple titles, including the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. His run in Japan came to an end earlier this year after dropping the NEVER Openweight Championship to Aaron Wolf at Wrestle Kingdom. He competed one final time the following night at New Year’s Dash!! before NJPW confirmed he would not be renewing his contract.
That departure sparked immediate speculation about his next move, with WWE quickly emerging as the likely destination. Still, his debut appearance last week came with a twist—he wasn’t identified by name, leaving fans guessing about how the company would present him.
Now, we have that answer.
The name “Naraku” carries a layered meaning. In Japanese, it translates to “abyss,” fitting his dark persona. It’s also a name familiar to anime fans from the “Inuyasha” series, though it remains to be seen if WWE leans into that connection. There’s also some curiosity about whether the name could be a subtle nod to wrestling veteran Joseph Park’s “Abyss” character, though that hasn’t been confirmed.
Interestingly, earlier reports suggested WWE might go with the name Nox Raijin, but those plans appear to have changed or the reports was false.
With a new identity and a title target already in sight, all eyes will be on next week’s NXT to see how Naraku’s first official outing unfolds—and whether he can immediately shake up the championship picture.
WWE NXT tonight on The CW and Netflix (internationally).
More details are continuing to surface regarding WWE’s recent wave of roster cuts and reported contract restructuring, with new information painting a picture of growing frustration among talent and agents alike.
According to Fightful, WWE was recently instructed to cut “millions” of dollars from its payroll and overall expenses as part of broader cost-reduction efforts under TKO Group Holdings. The situation reportedly led to a combination of releases, renegotiated contracts, and requests for wrestlers to accept major salary reductions.
The reports have generated considerable backlash throughout the wrestling industry, especially given TKO’s strong financial performance and executive compensation packages. While roster cuts are not uncommon in WWE, many within wrestling reportedly took issue with claims that some talent were asked to accept dramatic pay reductions — in certain cases allegedly totaling seven figures per year.
One of the larger concerns emerging from the situation is how it could affect future WWE contract negotiations. Sources within both the talent and agent communities reportedly believe many wrestlers may now hesitate before signing lengthy deals, particularly if there are doubts about whether the original financial terms will ultimately be honored.
Fightful also noted that in recent years WWE had approached some wrestlers about signing new contracts during overseas tours, sometimes earlier than expected. While some individuals viewed that strategy as an attempt to finalize deals before agents had an opportunity to fully evaluate the terms, the report stressed that such claims remain speculative.
On the day of the most recent roster cuts, multiple talents were reportedly informed they had just 48 hours to either accept reduced contracts or part ways with the company.
Among the most notable names connected to the situation were Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of The New Day. According to the report, both men opted to leave WWE rather than agree to the proposed cuts, despite reportedly sacrificing millions of dollars that would have been earned over the remaining years of their deals.
The situation has drawn comparisons to comments previously made by Killer Kross, who stated in the past that he was given only one day to make a decision regarding a WWE contract offer.
There was also discussion internally about a rumored digital-focused contract for Xavier Woods, though no confirmation has surfaced regarding the reported arrangement or whether it would have restricted his ability to work with other promotions such as AEW.
Meanwhile, Fightful reported that several people within AEW are already pushing for The New Day to eventually join the company.
Another source of frustration reportedly stems from the fact that several WWE talents — including Santos Escobar and members of The New Day — had signed new contracts within the last year, in some cases without testing free agency or exploring outside offers. With WWE now revisiting or restructuring those agreements, some agents reportedly believe the company may have unintentionally weakened its own negotiating leverage in the future.
There is also concern that the strategy could benefit AEW, as frustrated wrestlers may become more willing to leave WWE while accepting lower competing offers elsewhere.
At this point, there is no confirmed list of talents who agreed to revised contracts, though reports indicate the requested pay reductions varied significantly depending on the performer.
Finally, the handling of The New Day’s departure reportedly became another internal talking point. Some individuals were said to be disappointed that WWE did not publicly acknowledge the group’s accomplishments following their exit. However, one company source claimed praise had been communicated privately and that a joint statement recognizing their contributions had originally been planned before ultimately falling through.
A new report suggests WWE’s ongoing cost-cutting efforts may now be affecting active roster contracts, with at least one heavily featured talent reportedly agreeing to a major salary reduction.
According to PWInsider, a “majorly pushed” WWE star was allegedly approached last week about taking a 50% pay cut and ultimately accepted the revised deal. The identity of the performer has not been revealed, and the report stressed that the claim has not yet been fully confirmed.
Even so, the timing has raised eyebrows backstage and among fans.
The reported contract discussion reportedly took place just one day before news emerged regarding Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods departing WWE after being asked to restructure their own contracts. While details surrounding those situations remain limited, the reports have added to growing speculation that WWE and parent company TKO are aggressively looking to reduce payroll expenses.
Earlier reports indicated that TKO had instructed WWE executives to lower main roster spending, a move many believe contributed to the wave of post–WrestleMania 42 roster cuts that resulted in 25 releases on April 24.
Bryan Alvarez previously noted that the recent NXT departures were largely based on developmental evaluations, while the main roster releases appeared to be more financially motivated.
PWInsider described the situation by stating:
“A pretty majorly pushed talent who was asked to take a 50% pay cut, and allegedly did. I’m not naming the talent because I have no way, yet, to confirm this was the case, but the timing of that claim and what happened the very next day was very, very interesting, to say the least.”
The report also cautioned readers to treat the information carefully until additional confirmation surfaces.
Meanwhile, Fightful has added that multiple WWE talents have reportedly been approached regarding pay reductions, suggesting the situation may be broader than a single isolated case.
If accurate, the reports would mark a significant shift in WWE’s handling of talent contracts under the TKO banner, particularly coming so soon after WrestleMania season — traditionally one of the company’s strongest financial periods of the year.
WWE’s Chelsea Green has shared a personal health update, revealing that she recently underwent a heart procedure after doctors diagnosed her with SVT following a years-long struggle with the condition.
Green posted the news to Instagram on Monday, explaining that doctors were finally able to identify the issue after dealing with symptoms for roughly a decade. She also shared a photo of herself recovering in a hospital bed alongside her husband, fellow wrestling star Matt Cardona.
“After 10 years, doctors finally caught my SVT and I was able to get a heart procedure done! Three hours later and I’m on the mend,” Green wrote in the caption.
SVT, or supraventricular tachycardia, is a heart rhythm condition that can cause episodes of rapid or irregular heartbeat. While the condition is often manageable and not always dangerous on its own, it can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath and may require medical treatment depending on severity.
The announcement adds another setback to what has already been a frustrating stretch away from the ring for Green. The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion has not competed since February, when she took part in a triple threat qualifying match for the Women’s Elimination Chamber bout. Green teamed with Lash Legend in the losing effort against Tiffany Stratton during that contest.
Following the match, reports surfaced that Green had suffered a broken ankle. By March, word indicated she was nearing medical clearance for the injury, but she has yet to make her WWE return.
There is currently no timetable for when Green could resume in-ring competition following the heart procedure, though her post suggested the operation was successful and that she is already recovering.
Green has become one of WWE’s most entertaining personalities over the past several years, gaining popularity through her comedic timing and over-the-top character work across both “Raw” and “SmackDown.” Fans and wrestlers alike quickly flooded social media with support after her announcement.
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