Category: WWE

WWE Hall of Famer Reveals He Broke Both of His Heels at MLW Battle Riot VII

WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam shocked fans recently with a painful revelation: he broke both of his heels during his surprise appearance at MLW Battle Riot VII earlier this month. The injury occurred during the April 5 event in Los Angeles, and RVD opened up about the incident on the latest episode of his One Of A Kind podcast.

RVD entered the chaotic 40-man Battle Riot match as the final surprise entrant at #40, only to be eliminated by eventual winner Matt Riddle. The injury happened in the final moments of the night when Riddle shoved him off the top rope. Van Dam landed on his feet, but not in the way he intended.

“A lot of people don’t know that I got hurt because it was the very last move in the night. But I went up to the top rope and Matt Riddle pushed me off and then I landed on my feet. Normally I kind of like, hug the guardrail and my weight goes into it. This one I must have misjudged it a little bit, and I just landed on my feet...both heels blew. I thought that my ankles were sprained. I crawled out of there. I haven’t been able to walk since. And so I got the x-rays, both heels broke. It’s not something that I’m not used to, I kind of routinely kind of go through this thing, but, man, it definitely made me cancel a lot of plans that I had for the next few months and Wrestlecon and WrestleMania week, I made it through all the obligations.”

Despite the injury, RVD still managed to honor a handful of commitments during WrestleMania week, including WrestleCon appearances. However, he admitted that the break has forced him to cancel several plans moving forward.

RVD, known for his high-risk, high-impact style, has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his legendary career. But breaking both heels in one move is a rare and brutal reminder of the toll pro wrestling can take — even on the most seasoned veterans.

WWE Raw Preview 4/28/2025

WWE Raw airs live globally tonight on Netflix from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

  • Rhea Ripley vs. Roxanne Perez
  • Becky Lynch will explain her attack on Lyra Valkyria
  • Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins to appear
  • Pat McAfee has requested time to address being attacked by Gunther
  • SmackDown General Manager Nick Adis will fill in for Adam Pearce this week only
  • Logan Paul to appear

Aleister Black Returns to WWE on SmackDown

After weeks of cryptic vignettes keeping fans on their toes, Aleister Black made his highly anticipated return to WWE Friday night on SmackDown — and he didn’t waste any time making an impact.

The Miz was in the ring, venting his frustrations over being left off the WrestleMania 41 card. A WrestleMania mainstay since 2007, Miz felt blindsided after not even getting a cameo at this year’s biggest show. Adding to his fury, Miz called out the recent surge of newcomers, specifically targeting El Grande Americano, who recently clashed with Rey Fenix, and TNA Champion Joe Hendry — revealed as Randy Orton’s surprise tag partner after Kevin Owens was sidelined with an injury. Miz didn’t hold back, mocking Hendry as nothing more than a “meme” who turned the ring into a musical theater stage.

But before Miz could get too deep into his rant, the arena lights dropped — signaling something big was about to happen.

Out came Aleister Black, making a chilling entrance that paid homage to his original WWE persona, complete with a remixed version of his first theme. The crowd erupted as Black stepped into the ring. Miz barely had time to react before Black leveled him with a devastating Black Mass, leaving the “A-Lister” laid out to a thunderous ovation.

Black’s return comes after finishing up his run with AEW earlier this year. While he wrapped things up there in January, it’s believed his free agency wasn’t finalized until late February or early March. Fans will remember Black’s initial WWE stint beginning in 2016, where he quickly became a standout star before his release in 2021 led him to AEW.

Now, Aleister Black is back on WWE soil — and if Friday night was any indication, the blue brand just got a whole lot darker.

Fraxiom Officially Joins WWE SmackDown Roster with Big Debut Win

SmackDown just got a serious boost in its tag team division. Fraxiom — the dynamic duo of Nathan Frazer and Axiom — officially made their blue brand debut on this week’s episode, and they wasted no time making a statement.

Facing off against Los Garza (Angel & Berto), the former NXT Tag Team Champions looked right at home under the SmackDown lights. The match reached its climax when Axiom nailed Angel with a beautiful Spanish Fly, perfectly setting up Frazer to hit his signature Phoenix Splash for the three-count.

While this was their first official outing as a team on SmackDown, both Frazer and Axiom have been making solo appearances recently. Frazer battled Rey Fenix on the April 4 episode, while Axiom tested himself against the powerhouse GUNTHER back on March 14.

WWE has confirmed that Fraxiom will be sticking around on the SmackDown brand moving forward, adding some fresh energy — and high-flying fireworks — to the tag team scene. Get ready for more show-stealers from these two.

WWE SmackDown Preview 4/25/2025

WWE SmackDown live tonight on USA Network and Netflix International, beginning at 8:00 pm ET. from the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX

  • Fallout from WrestleMania 41
  • WWE Tag Team Championship – TLC Match: Street Profits (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. D.I.Y.
  • Mystery person in the teaser vignette video to appear tonight (4/25/2025) – expected to be the return of Aleister Black
  • Also scheduled to appear: John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Tiffany Stratton, Bianca Belair, LA Knight, Solo Sikoa

WWE’s AAA Takeover: New Details Emerge, Including Role of Mexican Investment Firm Fillip

The wrestling world is still buzzing after WWE’s surprise announcement last week that it has acquired Lucha Libre AAA. While the company made headlines by confirming a crossover NXT Worlds Collide event with AAA this June, new details are surfacing about how this deal came together—and who else is involved behind the scenes.

According to the latest from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE isn’t going it alone in this deal. They’re partnered with Fillip, a Mexico-based sports and entertainment holding company that’s quietly been building a portfolio across international markets. While WWE holds the majority stake in the acquisition, Fillip is reportedly the minority partner.

So who is Fillip? The private capital firm may not be a household name to wrestling fans, but they’ve got ties to global ventures like Kings League Soccer—an innovative sports project operating in countries like Spain, Italy, and Brazil—and Tycoon Enterprises, which handles brand licensing in Latin America. With that kind of background, their involvement signals that WWE’s move into the Mexican wrestling scene might be part of a much bigger play.

Talks between WWE and AAA go way back—nearly two decades, in fact. WWE first showed interest in acquiring a piece of AAA as far back as 2007, following the passing of AAA founder Antonio Peña. While WWE wanted creative and operational control, the Roldán family, who have run AAA since Peña’s death, repeatedly turned down offers that would’ve meant giving up a majority stake.

What’s different this time? The addition of Fillip appears to have made the deal more palatable. Sources say negotiations have been ongoing for over a year, with WWE execs even attending recent AAA events—like the show at Juan de la Barrera Gym—to keep tabs on the product. The eventual announcement during WrestleMania weekend reportedly caught many in the industry off guard, even those who knew talks were happening.

While WWE has sealed the deal, the official takeover won’t go into effect until Q3 of this year. Until then, AAA will continue to operate as normal. Currently, the promotion has thirteen wrestlers signed under contract, though it’s unclear how WWE’s involvement will impact the roster long-term.

As for the financials? Official figures haven’t been disclosed, but a number floating around in Mexican media puts the acquisition price at a staggering $50 million.

With WWE now firmly planting its flag in the Mexican wrestling scene and the NXT Worlds Collide event on the horizon, fans can expect to see major changes in how AAA operates—and who gets the spotlight.

Steve “Mongo” McMichael Passes Away at 67 After Courageous Battle With ALS

The wrestling and sports worlds are mourning the loss of a true warrior today, as Steve “Mongo” McMichael has passed away at the age of 67. The former Chicago Bears defensive standout, turned WCW star, died Wednesday following a four-year fight with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).

McMichael’s legacy spans far beyond the gridiron. A cornerstone of the legendary 1985 Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears—famously dubbed the “Monsters of the Midway”—McMichael was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024. But wrestling fans remember him just as fondly for his larger-than-life persona in the squared circle.

“Mongo” made a smooth transition from football to pro wrestling in the mid-90s, becoming a colorful figure in WCW. He initially joined the promotion as a commentator but quickly stepped into the ring, aligning himself with one of the most iconic factions in wrestling history: The Four Horsemen. During his in-ring tenure, McMichael captured the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship in 1997 by defeating Jeff Jarrett, a moment that cemented his place in wrestling lore.

McMichael’s later years were marked by a brave public battle with ALS, which he was diagnosed with in 2021. His health struggles became increasingly severe, and earlier this year he was hospitalized with MRSA and required a blood transfusion. On Wednesday, reports emerged that McMichael had entered hospice care after being taken off a ventilator. His passing was confirmed by WGN’s Jarrett Payton, who was with him during his final moments.

“With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with ALS surrounded by loved ones,” Payton posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family in your prayers.”

From hard-hitting tackles to Horsemen beatdowns, Steve McMichael lived every moment with intensity and charisma. Whether you knew him from Soldier Field or the WCW ring, “Mongo” left a lasting impression. His resilience, both as an athlete and as a man fighting a devastating disease, will not be forgotten.

WWE issued the following statement on Mongo’s passing on X (formerly Twitter):

“WWE is saddened to learn that Steve “Mongo” McMichael has passed away. WWE extends its condolences to McMichael’s family, friends, and fans.”

WWE’s Tama Tonga Sidelined With Undisclosed Injury

Just as Solo Sikoa’s new-look Bloodline seemed to be gaining serious momentum with Jacob Fatu’s big United States Championship win at WrestleMania 41, the faction has reportedly hit a major snag. Multiple sources, including BodySlam.net and Cody Whoades of PWN, have confirmed that Tama Tonga is taking a medical leave of absence due to an undisclosed injury—an issue that may require surgery.

Details on the injury are scarce, and as of now, neither WWE nor Tonga himself have issued a public statement. What’s clear, however, is that Tonga will be off WWE television for the foreseeable future, leaving a major hole in the faction’s lineup.

Tonga was last seen on the April 18 episode of SmackDown, where LA Knight launched a surprise backstage attack on The Bloodline to open the show. While the angle served to write Tonga off TV, reports indicate the injury wasn’t sustained during the brawl—it was simply a storyline device to explain his absence. Tonga was also notably absent from ringside during Jacob Fatu’s title match at WrestleMania, where faction leader Solo Sikoa accompanied the “Samoan Werewolf” instead.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Over the past year, Tonga has become a key figure in Sikoa’s Bloodline, bringing his hard-hitting New Japan Pro-Wrestling style to WWE and capturing Tag Team gold alongside both Jacob Fatu and his real-life brother Tonga Loa. Unfortunately, Loa has also been sidelined with an injury, leaving Sikoa and Fatu as the only active members of the once-deep faction.

With the group’s ranks now halved, all eyes are on how WWE plans to keep this iteration of The Bloodline strong. Will Sikoa and Fatu look to recruit fresh blood to maintain their dominance on SmackDown, or will they hold down the fort as a duo until Tonga and Loa return?

Whatever the plan, the faction’s future just got a little murkier—and with LA Knight still gunning for revenge, the pressure isn’t going anywhere.

WWE NXT Preview 4/22/2025

WWE NXT live on The CW starting at 8:00 pm EST.

  • Fallout from Stand & Deliver
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Match: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin
  • NXT Women’s Championship Match: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Roxanne Perez

Becky Lynch Turns on Lyra Valkyria After Stunning Tag Title Loss on Raw After Mania

The team-up between Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria was short-lived—and so was their reign as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Less than 24 hours after their surprise victory, the Irish duo dropped the titles to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez on Monday Night Raw After Mania. But it was what happened after the match that truly sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe.

Following a hard-fought bout that opened the show, Lynch turned on her protégé with a vicious assault, signaling a heel turn that could reshape the women’s division moving forward.

A Match That Ended in Mayhem

The clash between Lynch & Valkyria and the newly-aligned Judgment Day duo of Morgan & Rodriguez began in chaos and ended in heartbreak. Things kicked off with a fiery exchange between Lynch and Morgan, with both women unleashing stiff strikes. Valkyria tagged in early and held her own, but momentum shifted quickly once the powerhouse Raquel Rodriguez entered the fray.

The bulk of the match saw Valkyria and Rodriguez battling it out in a physically intense showcase, while Lynch and Morgan intermittently rejoined the fight. The turning point came when Valkyria tweaked her knee coming off the top rope, leaving her vulnerable. Rodriguez capitalized with a big boot, and after missing earlier in the match, Morgan finally nailed Valkyria with the Oblivion for the win.

Lynch, who had been taken out briefly on the outside by a falling Rodriguez, could only watch from the floor as Morgan and Rodriguez celebrated their victory—marking Morgan’s fourth reign with the women’s tag titles.

Lynch Snaps

As Valkyria tried to regroup in the ring, Lynch joined her and offered what appeared to be a consoling embrace. But seconds after they parted, Lynch struck—flooring her fellow Irishwoman with a sudden clothesline. What followed was a calculated, unrelenting assault as Lynch unleashed a storm of fists and fury on her now-former partner.

The ambush lasted several rounds, with Valkyria left battered and broken by the former multi-time world champion. The crowd, stunned into silence, watched as Lynch reintroduced the ruthless side of her persona that hadn’t been seen in quite some time.

What’s Next?

Lynch’s heel turn adds a whole new layer to her character and throws immediate spotlight on Valkyria, who now stands as a sympathetic figure heading into what could be her breakout feud on the main roster. After months of being mentored by The Man, Valkyria now finds herself standing across from her in what’s shaping up to be a highly personal, high-stakes rivalry.

Meanwhile, Morgan and Rodriguez are wasting no time getting to work as champions. The duo is set to appear on NXT to defend the Women’s Tag Team Titles against the unlikely pair of Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley.

One chapter has closed in violent fashion, but for Lynch, Valkyria, and the women’s division as a whole, the story is only just getting started.