Category: WWE

Lance Anoa’i Announces Plans To Retire From Professional Wrestling In 2027

A member of the legendary Anoa’i wrestling family is preparing to step away from the ring.

Lance Anoa’i announced on Instagram that he plans to retire from professional wrestling in March 2027, bringing an end to a career that will span nearly 17 years.

The former WWE and MLW performer shared a lengthy statement reflecting on his time in the business and explaining why he has decided that the next chapter of his life will focus on family.

Lance Anoa’i Announces Retirement Plans

In his post, Anoa’i expressed gratitude to the fans, promoters, and fellow wrestlers who have been part of his journey since his debut.

“After almost 17 years in professional wrestling, I will be officially calling time on my in-ring career in March 2027, once I reach that 17-year milestone.”

Anoa’i noted that wrestling has provided him with countless memories and experiences, but he has reached a point where he wants to dedicate more of his time to his wife and children.

“For so many years, wrestling has taken up my weekends, my time, and countless moments away from the people I love most. I’ve reached a point where I want to dedicate that time to my wife and my kids and be there for the moments that matter most.”

He also praised his family members who continue to carry on the Anoa’i legacy in professional wrestling.

“I love what they’re building, I love being part of it in any way I can, and I will always support them 100% in everything they do going forward.”

While retirement is on the horizon, Anoa’i emphasized that he is not finished just yet.

“This isn’t goodbye just yet though. We still have a few months to go!”

Career Spanning Nearly Two Decades

Anoa’i made his professional wrestling debut in April 2010 and spent much of his career competing on the independent wrestling scene.

One of his most notable runs came in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he captured the MLW World Tag Team Championship during his time with the promotion.

He also made several appearances on WWE television throughout the mid-to-late 2010s as enhancement talent before eventually signing a WWE contract in 2024.

WWE Run Cut Short By Injuries

After joining WWE, Anoa’i was expected to begin the next phase of his career within the company’s developmental system. However, multiple injuries prevented him from making an official in-ring appearance for WWE.

He was ultimately released by the company in October 2025 without ever wrestling a televised match under contract.

Following his WWE departure, Anoa’i shifted some of his focus toward Power Slap while continuing his involvement in combat sports and entertainment.

Final Year Begins

With retirement now officially planned for March 2027, Anoa’i enters what will be the final months of his wrestling career.

As a member of one of wrestling’s most famous families, he leaves behind a career that included nearly two decades of competition and contributions to promotions across the wrestling landscape.

For now, fans still have several months remaining to see Lance Anoa’i compete before he officially calls time on his in-ring career.

WWE Raw Preview 8/17/2026

WWE /raw live tonight at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT. on Netflix from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

  • World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Tournament Match: Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.
  • World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Tournament Match: Rey Fenix vs. El Fiscal
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Chad Gable (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
  • Jey Uso to deliver Solo Siko to roman Reigns

Hiromu Takahashi Revealed As Shinsuke Nakamura’s Mystery Partner In WWE Digital Exclusive

WWE has seemingly revealed the identity of Shinsuke Nakamura’s mystery partner, and the reveal points to another major international signing joining the SmackDown roster.

After making his first WWE appearance since May during a pre-recorded backstage segment last week, Nakamura promised that he had found an ally to help him take the fight to Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga, collectively known as The MFT’s.

Nakamura Sends Warning To New WWE Tag Team Champions

Friday night’s edition of SmackDown saw Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga capture the WWE Tag Team Championship, defeating Damian Priest, R-Truth, and AAA Tag Team Champions The War Raiders in a triple threat match.

Following the show, WWE released a digital exclusive featuring Nakamura addressing the new champions.

“Congratulations MFT’s. You are now the champions. Are you savoring the feeling, knowing it will be gone soon? Was the victory as sweet, knowing what’s coming next? Me, my partner, your destruction.”

As the promo continued, WWE showed brief glimpses of Nakamura’s mystery partner while teasing his arrival on SmackDown.

“My partner is what you all pretend to be. Experienced, vicious, deadly. He is chaos. He is a ticking time bomb. Take cover.”

Hiromu Takahashi Appears WWE-Bound

The phrase “Ticking Time Bomb” immediately caught the attention of New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans, as it has long been associated with Hiromu Takahashi.

Takahashi, one of NJPW’s most accomplished junior heavyweight stars, departed the promotion earlier this year after a 15-year run.

In February, NJPW officially announced his departure following discussions with company management.

During his career, Takahashi became one of the most recognizable stars in Japanese wrestling and competed for several major promotions, including:

  • New Japan Pro-Wrestling
  • AEW
  • Ring of Honor
  • CMLL
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH

The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has been heavily linked to WWE since becoming a free agent, and Nakamura’s latest promo strongly suggests that he will soon arrive on SmackDown.

WWE Continues Adding Free Agents

Reports earlier this year indicated that Takahashi was among several notable free agents believed to be WWE-bound.

Since then, a number of those names have already debuted, including:

  • Big Cass
  • Baron Corbin
  • Cruz Montana
  • Zilla Fatu

If the tease proves accurate, Takahashi would become the latest high-profile addition to WWE’s growing roster.

When Will Takahashi Debut?

As of now, WWE has not officially announced a debut date for Takahashi.

However, with Nakamura openly teasing his arrival and positioning him as a key ally against the newly crowned WWE Tag Team Champions, it appears only a matter of time before the former NJPW star makes his first appearance on Friday Night SmackDown.

Should Takahashi arrive as expected, WWE fans could soon see one of Japan’s most decorated wrestlers join forces with Nakamura in a battle against The MFT’s and the WWE Tag Team Champions.

WWE SmackDown Preview 8/14/2026

WWE /smackDown live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network and Netflix internationally from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

  • WWE Tag Team Championship: Damian Priest & R-Truth (c) vs. The War Raiders vs. The MFTs
  • WWE United States Championship: Baron Corbin (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • WWE Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jacy Jayne
  • Will Cody Rhodes finally get his hands on Randy Orton?
  • What will happen between CM Punk and Kevin Owens before their Undisputed WWE Title Match in Toronto?

Rey Mysterio’s Daughter Aalyah Reportedly Added To WWE Internal Roster

The Mysterio family’s legacy in WWE could soon be expanding.

According to a report from PWInsider, Aalyah Gutierrez, the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, has been added to WWE’s internal roster after recently reporting to the WWE Performance Center for training.

The report notes that Aalyah is currently listed under her real name rather than the famous Mysterio surname.

Aalyah Continues WWE Training

While Aalyah has never competed in a WWE match, she has become a familiar face to fans over the years through her appearances alongside her father and brother, Dominik Mysterio.

Most notably, she was involved in a storyline during 2020 that centered around a romantic relationship with then-WWE star Buddy Murphy. The angle became a major part of the feud between Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Seth Rollins, and Murphy at the time.

However, Aalyah’s previous appearances were limited to acting roles rather than in-ring competition.

Over the last year, that has reportedly changed.

Full-Time Wrestling Career In The Works

Aalyah first visited the WWE Performance Center last fall, where she participated in basic in-ring drills while Rey Mysterio was preparing for his own WWE return.

She later returned to the facility in February for a more extensive training session.

Following that visit, Rey revealed that his daughter had committed to pursuing professional wrestling on a full-time basis with WWE.

Her continued training appears to be progressing, as she was recently featured in a photo alongside fellow WWE Performance Center trainee Marie Malenko and NXT stars Uriah Connors, Lexis King, and Brooks Jensen.

Another Generation Of The Mysterio Family

Should Aalyah eventually make her WWE debut, she would become the latest member of the Mysterio family to compete for the company.

Rey Mysterio made his WWE main roster debut in 2002 and went on to become one of the most decorated stars in company history, earning a place in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Dominik Mysterio followed in his father’s footsteps, making his WWE in-ring debut in 2020 and becoming a former Intercontinental Champion. He currently remains one of the top stars on the Raw roster.

While WWE has not officially announced any plans for Aalyah’s debut, her addition to the company’s internal roster suggests that her journey toward becoming a WWE Superstar is continuing to move forward.

Report Reveals When WWE SmackDown Could Return To Three-Hour Format

WWE SmackDown may not remain a two-hour show for much longer.

According to a new report from WrestleVotes via Fightful Select, sources at USA Network expect SmackDown to return to a three-hour format beginning in January 2027.

SmackDown Expected To Expand Back To Three Hours

The report states that the tentative date for the change is the January 8, 2027 episode of SmackDown, though WWE has not officially confirmed the move.

The expected adjustment is reportedly tied to USA Network’s programming plans for the new year and would mark another shift in the blue brand’s broadcast length.

SmackDown returned to a two-hour format in July 2026 after previously airing as a three-hour program. At the time, reports indicated that the shortened runtime could remain in place through the end of the year.

WWE Expected To Alternate Formats

Since WWE’s television rights agreement with USA Network began in 2024, reports have suggested that SmackDown could alternate between two-hour and three-hour formats throughout the duration of the five-year deal.

If the latest report proves accurate, January’s return to three hours would be the latest example of that strategy.

Neither WWE nor USA Network has publicly commented on the reported change.

Timing Coincides With WWE’s European Tour

WWE has not yet announced a location for the January 8 episode of SmackDown.

The show is scheduled to take place one week before WWE kicks off its annual European tour on January 15.

The tour will begin in Brussels, Belgium, before SmackDown heads to Manchester, England. Meanwhile, Raw is scheduled to visit Glasgow, Scotland, and Dublin, Ireland as part of the international run.

For now, SmackDown remains a two-hour broadcast, but according to the report, fans may see the blue brand return to a three-hour format shortly after the start of 2027.

Zilla Fatu Makes WWE Debut, Attacks NXT Title Contenders During Main Event

A major new name has arrived in WWE.

Zilla Fatu made his long-awaited WWE debut during Tuesday night’s episode of NXT, interrupting a No. 1 Contender’s Match and immediately inserting himself into the NXT Championship picture.

The surprise appearance came during the show’s main event, which featured Cruz Montana and Grayson Waller battling for the right to challenge Tony D’Angelo for the NXT Championship at Heatwave on August 30.

Zilla Fatu Appears During NXT Main Event

Prior to the broadcast, False Finish reported that Fatu had been spotted at the WWE Performance Center, with speculation growing that he had officially signed with the company. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp had previously reported that discussions between WWE and Fatu had been ongoing since June.

Those reports appeared to be confirmed when Fatu emerged from the crowd during the closing moments of the match.

Montana and Waller had been engaged in a competitive back-and-forth contest, with both men coming close to securing a title opportunity. Montana appeared poised for victory after connecting with his Spin the Block finisher.

Before he could make the cover, however, Fatu stormed the ring and attacked both competitors.

Main Event Ends In Chaos

The interference resulted in the match being ruled a no contest.

Fatu laid out both Montana and Waller as the broadcast came to a close, making it clear that he has his sights set on the NXT Championship.

The attack leaves the title picture in question heading into Heatwave.

What Happens At Heatwave?

With the No. 1 Contender’s Match ending without a winner, it remains unclear who will challenge Tony D’Angelo for the NXT Championship on August 30.

WWE has not yet announced whether Montana and Waller will receive another opportunity to determine a challenger or if Fatu’s actions have earned him a place in the title match.

Given the way Tuesday’s episode ended, a multi-man championship match now appears to be a possibility.

Regardless of the final decision, Zilla Fatu made an immediate impact in his first WWE appearance and has quickly become one of the most talked-about names in NXT.

WWE NXT Preview 8/11/2026

WWE NXT tonight on The CW at 8/7c.

  • NXT Championship #1 Contenders Match: Grayson Waller vs. Cruz Montana
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship Match: Zaria (c) vs. Wren Sinclair
  • Izzi Dame & Niko Vance vs. Lizzy Rain & Shawn Spears
  • Lucien Price vs. Lexis King
  • Dion Lennox vs. Saquon Shugar

WWE Raw Preview 8/10/2026

WWE Raw live tonight at 8/7c on Netflix from the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.

  • First-Round Match to determine Roman Reigns’ challenger for the World Heavyweight Title in Mexico City: Penta vs. Laredo Kid
  • The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez) vs. Sol Ruca and a partner of her choosing
  • Austin Theory vs. Akira Tozawa
  • Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer to appear

Interim WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green Reveals Injury Following WWE SmackDown

Just days after capturing the Interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam 2026, Chelsea Green is dealing with an injury that could impact her immediate future.

According to reports from Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, Green was injured during Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Philadelphia. The new champion later confirmed the news herself in a video posted to Instagram, revealing that she suffered a fractured orbital bone.

Chelsea Green Confirms Injury

In the video, Green addressed her condition and explained that she was taken to the emergency room following the incident.

“I did get injured last Friday night,” Green said. “Stuff happens. It’s live television. It’s wrestling. It’s an occupational hazard. I ended up in the emergency room and I have a broken orbital bone.”

Despite the severity of the injury, Green noted that the visible damage could have been much worse.

“It looks amazing, all things considered; it feels awful, but looks pretty amazing.”

The Interim Women’s Champion admitted she is unsure what the injury means for her short-term future in WWE.

“I have no idea what that means for me. Usually, you guys have seen me play into every single injury, but this feels different. It feels frustrating. I’m upset. I feel like if I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.”

Green added that she plans to focus on healing before making any decisions about her return.

“We’re just going to take it day by day.”

Injury Comes Days After SummerSlam Championship Victory

The injury comes at a difficult time for Green, who recently won the Interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.

Green emerged victorious in a chaotic Ladder Match that also featured Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend, and Tiffany Stratton. The victory gave her the interim championship while reigning WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley remains sidelined.

Green appeared on SmackDown intending to celebrate her championship win but instead found herself back in action. She teamed with Tiffany Stratton in a Women’s Tag Team Championship match against Fatal Influence, with Green ultimately taking the loss for her team.

At this time, WWE has not confirmed exactly when Green suffered the injury during the match.

Women’s Division Dealing With Multiple Injuries

Green’s injury is the latest setback to affect WWE’s women’s division.

Last week, Rhea Ripley revealed that she underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus after initially attempting to avoid surgery. Ripley is expected to miss several months of action, which led to WWE creating the Interim Women’s Championship.

Reports indicate WWE officials are hopeful that Ripley could return in time for the Royal Rumble 2027 event in Arizona.

Meanwhile, Green’s status remains uncertain as she awaits further evaluation and recovery from the fractured orbital bone. WWE has not announced whether the injury will affect her reign as Interim Women’s Champion.