Category: WWE

WWE Reportedly Upset Over AEW Talent Appearing Alongside The Miz on American Gladiators Reboot

The revival of American Gladiators on Amazon Prime Video is generating a lot of buzz — and some behind-the-scenes tension. The show, which features former WWE Champion The Miz as its host, has cast several wrestlers as modern-day Gladiators, including former WWE Superstar Rick Boogs, OVW’s J-Rod, and former TNA Tag Team Champion Jessie Godderz. But what’s causing the biggest stir is the involvement of current AEW talent: Kamille and Wardlow.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE isn’t thrilled that one of their marquee personalities, The Miz, is sharing the screen with wrestlers still under AEW contract — even if Kamille and Wardlow haven’t been actively featured on AEW programming for a while. The concern reportedly centers on potential brand crossover, especially if the AEW stars are promoted on-air alongside Miz, or worse, if The Miz ends up in segments that could inadvertently shine a spotlight on AEW.

The tension illustrates WWE’s longstanding policy of keeping its talent (and by extension, its brand) distinct from rival promotions — a stance that’s being tested more often as wrestlers branch out into mainstream entertainment.

This isn’t the first time WWE has found itself in a promotional tug-of-war. Just last week on the June 16 episode of RAW, WWE took issue with Netflix airing a trailer for Happy Gilmore 2 — which prominently features MJF, a top AEW star, in a major role as one of Gilmore’s sons. WWE stars Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella also appear in the film, though in smaller roles.

WWE reportedly pushed for a customized trailer that completely omits MJF, which Netflix agreed to air during RAW. Despite Netflix’s desire to market Happy Gilmore 2 as one of its biggest summer titles, WWE is unwilling to indirectly promote AEW by giving screen time to one of its breakout stars.

From AEW’s perspective, there’s less cause for concern. Sources suggest that AEW isn’t bothered by Lynch and Bella being involved in the same project as MJF. While it’s unlikely that AEW will do a full promotional push for Happy Gilmore 2 — especially since Netflix isn’t a direct partner — the exposure MJF gains from the film is likely seen as a net positive, especially following the success of The Iron Claw last year.

As mainstream media continues to embrace pro wrestlers from all promotions, expect more crossover complications like these. While fans enjoy seeing their favorite stars in new arenas, promotions like WWE remain hyper-aware of where and how their brand — and their competitors’ — is represented.

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/20/2025

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan on the USA Network in the United States and on Netflix for international fans.

  • Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena vs. Ron “The Truth” Killings (non-title)
  • King of the Ring Semifinal Match: Randy Orton vs. Sami Zayn
  • Queen of the Ring Semifinal Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka
  • LA Knight, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Miss Money in the Bank Naomi and Nia Jax are expected to appear

Dr. Chris Nowinski Praises Wrestling’s Strides in Concussion Awareness

In an industry built on high-impact storytelling and physical spectacle, the phrase “bump card” has long symbolized the finite number of hits a wrestler can safely absorb in their career. But thanks to the work of former WWE Superstar turned neuroscientist Dr. Chris Nowinski, that card might last a little longer these days.

Speaking on a recent episode of Talk Is Jericho, Nowinski reflected on how far professional wrestling has come in terms of protecting its performers from the long-term effects of head trauma, particularly chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). His mission began after a series of devastating losses rocked the wrestling world — including the deaths of Test, Superfly Snuka, Mr. Fuji, Axl Rotten, Balls Mahoney, and most infamously, Chris Benoit.

“Wrestling is dramatically safer than it used to be,” Nowinski told Chris Jericho. “They’re putting top-down constraints on what can happen.” He credits these changes to a cultural shift in the business — one that encourages smarter in-ring decision-making and values longevity over spectacle.

While many fans are aware that chair shots to the head are now banned in WWE, Nowinski pointed out that the real progress is happening behind the scenes. Ringside doctors are more visible, wrestlers are taking fewer unnecessary risks, and there’s a growing focus on executing moves that pop the crowd without endangering the performer’s health.

AEW, he noted, still allows the occasional high-risk spot, but even there, he sees a growing consciousness among talent. “Performers are now empowered to realize, ‘I don’t need to go off the top of a ladder through a table if there’s another way to get the same reaction,’” Nowinski said. “They’re thinking more about the reward versus the risk — and about brain health.”

Once dismissed or ignored, the conversation around concussions and CTE is now a serious part of wrestling’s evolution. And for Nowinski, who has been leading the charge for over a decade through his work with the Concussion Legacy Foundation, the industry’s response has been nothing short of encouraging.

As the business continues to balance its roots in spectacle with the reality of athlete health, it’s clear that the future of wrestling lies not just in louder pops or riskier stunts — but in smarter storytelling and longer, healthier careers.

Liv Morgan Out with Shoulder Injury, Surgery Required—WWE Tag Title Status Uncertain

WWE Star Liv Morgan Will Require Surgery

One of WWE’s most prominent female stars is officially sidelined. PWInsider has confirmed that Liv Morgan suffered a separated shoulder during her brief match against Kairi Sane on this week’s episode of WWE Raw, and will require surgery—a blow that could keep the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion out of action for months.

The injury occurred early in the bout, just moments after the opening bell, and led to a rushed conclusion. Mike Johnson of PWInsider described the situation as “pretty much the worst case scenario,” with internal sources indicating a long recovery ahead. While no official timetable has been released by WWE, the expected recovery for this type of injury could stretch as long as 16 weeks, according to earlier reporting from PWI.

This puts Morgan’s immediate future in serious doubt—not just in terms of in-ring action, but also regarding her championship reign. WWE has yet to announce whether she and her tag team partner Raquel Rodriguez will be forced to vacate the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles. Given Morgan’s extended absence, a title vacancy or interim title scenario appears increasingly likely.

The injury also throws a wrench into creative plans heading into the Evolution premium live event. Just before her match with Sane, Morgan had called out WWE Women’s World Champion IYO SKY, demanding a rematch for the title she previously lost. She also seemed to be setting up a program with WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella, who returned last week to promote Evolution. That moment hinted at a possible tag team match involving the Bella Twins, but all of that is now up in the air.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select noted during Wednesday’s edition of The Hump that WWE’s creative team is already reworking plans for Evolution in light of Morgan’s injury, though specifics on what was originally intended remain under wraps.

For now, fans will have to wait and see how WWE adjusts. Liv Morgan’s absence leaves a noticeable gap in both the women’s tag division and the Evolution build—but knowing WWE, the show will go on. Just not exactly as planned.

Reason Why WWE Changed Jordynne Grace’s Entrance Music

Jordynne Grace has been making waves since stepping into NXT, but this week, it wasn’t just her dominant win over Lola Vice that had people talking—it was her brand-new entrance music. During Tuesday’s episode of WWE NXT, Grace walked out to a fresh theme ahead of her victory in a qualifying match for next week’s NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal Four-Way. But the WWE Performance Center crowd made it loud and clear: they weren’t feeling the change.

According to Fightful Select, WWE swapped out Grace’s old theme—one she owns the rights to and used during her TNA run and early NXT appearances—for something new due to a couple of key reasons. First, WWE has reportedly doubled down on only using entrance music they fully control from a rights standpoint. Second, Grace’s original theme opened with sirens, which officials felt sounded too much like Raw star Bron Breakker’s entrance—sirens that carry deep roots in wrestling lore thanks to Breakker’s ties to the Steiner family.

Since Breakker’s sound had historical weight and WWE priority, Grace’s music had to be altered.

Fans weren’t shy about voicing their disapproval. “Fire Def Rebel” chants broke out in the PC—Def Rebel being WWE’s in-house music production team responsible for most superstar themes. Grace, to her credit, handled the crowd reaction with trademark humor, later tweeting, “I know what the streets are saying,” before cheekily adding that fans need to “suspend your disbelief and vibe with it.”

One fan responded saying they wouldn’t be vibing, to which Grace clapped back with a playful jab: “Let me know what you’re wearing next week so I can jump the barricade.”

Love it or hate it, the new music isn’t going anywhere for now. Grace will walk out to the updated theme once again next Tuesday when she steps into a high-stakes Fatal Four-Way against Lash Legend, Izzi Dame, and Jaida Parker. The winner earns a shot at NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne at NXT Evolution.

Jordynne Grace Unveils New Entrance Music, Crowd Not Impressed- Chant: “Fire Def Rebel”

Jordynne Grace made waves on this week’s WWE NXT—and not just for her in-ring performance. During her match against Lola Vice, the TNA Knockouts Champion debuted a brand-new entrance theme… but the fans in attendance weren’t exactly feeling it.

As Grace made her entrance, the crowd at the WWE Performance Center broke out in an unmistakable chant: “Fire Def Rebel.” The pointed jab was directed at WWE’s in-house music production team, signaling that this latest track may have missed the mark with fans used to more impactful themes.

Despite the rocky musical reception, Grace handled business in the ring. She defeated Vice and punched her ticket to the upcoming Fatal 4-Way match set for the June 24 edition of NXT. There, she’ll battle Lash Legend, Jaida Parker, and Izzi Dame for a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship, currently held by Jacy Jayne. The title match is scheduled to take place at WWE Evolution.

Though the crowd may not have loved the new theme, Grace’s momentum in NXT continues to build—and with Evolution on the horizon, she’s just one win away from a golden opportunity.

Report: WWE SmackDown Returning to Two Hours Starting July 4

After a brief stint in three-hour territory, WWE SmackDown is officially set to scale back to its traditional two-hour format starting with the July 4 episode. According to a new report from PWInsider Elite, fans can expect just two more extended editions before the blue brand reverts to its more familiar runtime.

The change aligns with a new Friday night programming shift on USA Network. At 10 p.m. following SmackDown, the network will debut a new series titled The Rainmaker—an adaptation of the John Grisham novel of the same name. This programming move all but confirmed WWE’s decision to cut back SmackDown‘s length.

The three-hour expansion was introduced earlier in 2025, largely as a stopgap after WWE Raw shifted over to Netflix in January. While the extended runtime gave more talent time to shine, it was always billed as a temporary move. Now, with SmackDown set to return to two hours, WWE appears to be settling back into a more sustainable weekly schedule.

For some fans, this is welcome news. The two-hour format has long been seen as the sweet spot—long enough to build stories and showcase top-tier talent without dragging. Even Paul “Triple H” Levesque previously noted that his ideal show would land somewhere between two and three hours, giving creative teams enough breathing room without feeling bloated.

Still, the rollback means less weekly TV time to go around, and some Superstars who’ve enjoyed regular exposure during the three-hour stretch may soon find themselves fighting harder for airtime.

As WWE fine-tunes its new era of TV partnerships and streaming transitions, the return to a tighter SmackDown may mark a renewed focus on concise storytelling and more meaningful weekly programming.

Stay tuned—July 4 might not just be about fireworks in the sky, but also a refreshed spark for the blue brand.

WWE NXT Preview 6/17/2025

WWE NXT tonight on The CW.

  • WWE Evolution Eliminator Match: Lash Legend vs. Kelani Jordan
  • WWE Evolution Eliminator Match: Zaria vs. Izzi Dame
  • WWE Evolution Eliminator Match: Thea Hail vs. Jaida Parker
  • WWE Evolution Eliminator Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Lola Vice
  • Trick Williams & First Class vs. Elijah, Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura
  • Blake Monroe signs her NXT contract

Injury Update: Liv Morgan Legitimately Hurt on WWE Raw, Dislocation Confirmed

Unfortunately, it’s not part of a storyline — Liv Morgan’s recent injury is very real, and WWE is treating it with serious concern.

There had been some early speculation online that Liv’s injury might be a cover to write her off TV for an outside project, but according to a new report from PWInsider, that’s absolutely not the case. The former Women’s Champion was reportedly evaluated immediately backstage by WWE medical staff after the incident occurred, and the company is now awaiting a full medical assessment to determine how long she’ll be out of action.

Initial word is that Liv suffered a dislocation, though the full severity hasn’t yet been confirmed. If it turns out to be a serious case, she could be looking at up to 16 weeks on the sidelines — a timeline that could stretch even longer depending on the complexity of the injury.

Right now, WWE is treading carefully and monitoring her recovery process closely.

Sources describe the incident as a “freak accident,” with no heat or blame placed on any of the talent involved. These kinds of injuries can happen suddenly, even during routine in-ring work, and there’s a sense of disappointment rather than frustration backstage — especially given Liv’s recent high-profile push.

Liv has been front and center in WWE programming over the past few weeks, and her momentum has been undeniable. This injury puts a major speed bump in that run, but if history is any indicator, she’s as tough and determined as they come.

We’ll keep you posted as soon as WWE provides an official update on her status. Here’s wishing Liv a speedy and complete recovery.

Goldberg Returns, Targets GUNTHER for Final Match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

After months of speculation and teases, Goldberg made his long-awaited WWE return — and he’s coming back for one final battle.

On this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw, just as World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER was celebrating his recent title win over Jey Uso, the Hall of Famer made a thunderous return to WWE television. But this wasn’t just a cameo — it was a direct challenge. Goldberg declared that GUNTHER would be his last opponent, setting the stage for a massive showdown next month at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta, Georgia.

GUNTHER had taken to the ring to silence speculation and refocus the conversation around his title reign, addressing rumors and even mentioning Seth Rollins and his looming Money in the Bank briefcase. But before he could get too far, Goldberg’s music hit — and the energy in the arena shifted immediately.

Standing face to face with the reigning champion, Goldberg made it clear: this is personal. He reminded GUNTHER that it was he who picked the fight in the first place, all the way back at Bad Blood last October, when the Austrian powerhouse called him out in front of his hometown crowd while Goldberg was seated ringside with his family.

Since then, fans have speculated that the WWE legend was plotting a retirement match. Those suspicions only intensified after Goldberg mentioned during an appearance on SEC Nation last fall that he was preparing for one final in-ring performance in 2025. With Saturday Night’s Main Event now confirmed for Atlanta — Goldberg’s backyard — the stars have aligned for a generational clash.

There were some concerns about Goldberg’s readiness. In recent interviews, he admitted to dealing with nagging injuries and had been undergoing stem cell treatments for his back, shoulder, and knee. But judging by his return on Raw, the former Universal Champion is locked in and ready to go.

The match is shaping up to be a blockbuster: GUNTHER, the hard-hitting Ring General with a dominant title reign, versus Goldberg, one of the most explosive forces in WWE history looking to go out on his own terms — and in his hometown, no less.

Will Goldberg ride off into the sunset as champion one last time? Or will GUNTHER add another legend to his growing list of victims?