Category: WWE

Backstage Update Brings Relief on Rey Mysterio’s Status Ahead of Royal Rumble

Rey Mysterio had WWE fans holding their breath following a scary moment on this week’s episode of RAW. The Hall of Famer appeared to suffer an injury during his singles match with Austin Theory, sparking immediate concern with the Royal Rumble just days away.

The match itself descended into chaos thanks to interference from The Vision — Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed — which ultimately allowed Theory to pick up the win. However, the focus quickly shifted after the final bell when Mysterio was seen clutching his arm. The referee throwing up the dreaded “X” signal only added to the alarm, and Mysterio was notably absent from the post-match angle as medical personnel escorted him to the back.

Given WWE’s history of blending real injuries into storylines, fans were left wondering whether this was all part of the show or a legitimate issue that could derail Mysterio’s plans.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, there’s reason for optimism. Meltzer reports that the injury is not believed to be serious, and as of now, Mysterio is still expected to compete in the 30-man Royal Rumble match in Riyadh.

That’s significant news considering Mysterio only returned to action in November 2025 after missing seven months with a torn groin. At 51 years old, any physical setback naturally raises red flags, but WWE reportedly has no plans at this time to remove him from the Royal Rumble lineup.

While WWE will undoubtedly continue to monitor the situation closely, the early word backstage suggests this was more of a scare than a setback — a welcome update for fans hoping to see the legendary luchador shine on one of WWE’s biggest stages.

WWE NXT Preview 1/27/2026

WWE NXT tonight on The CW

  • NXT Tag Team Championship: DarkState (c) vs. OTM
  • NXT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Joe Hendry vs. Jackson Drake
  • NXT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Andre Chase vs. Keanu Carver
  • NXT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Myles Borne vs. Dion Lennox

Rey Mysterio Reportedly Suffered An Injury In WWE Raw Match With Austin Theory

Rey Mysterio’s road to the Royal Rumble may have hit an unexpected roadblock.

The WWE Hall of Famer was reportedly injured during this week’s episode of WWE Raw while competing in a singles rematch against Austin Theory. The bout was set up earlier in the show by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, stemming from last week’s six-man tag team match that saw Mysterio team with Penta and Dragon Lee against Theory, Logan Paul, and Bronson Reed.

That prior encounter ended with controversy, as Pearce appeared just as Logan Paul attempted to use brass knuckles. The distraction allowed Mysterio to get his hands on the weapon and strike Theory, scoring the pinfall victory. On Raw, however, Theory managed to even the score — albeit with plenty of help.

During the rematch, interference from The Vision turned the tide. Penta and Dragon Lee rushed the ring to counter the numbers advantage, leading to a chaotic brawl at ringside. Amid the confusion, Theory capitalized by hitting a stomp on Mysterio to secure the pin.

Things only escalated after the bell. The Vision continued their assault on the luchadors, and Bron Breakker made his presence felt. Cameras quickly cut away as Breakker lined up Mysterio for a spear. When the broadcast returned, it was Penta who took the spear, followed by a Tsunami from Bronson Reed.

Despite the production switch, it was later reported that Mysterio had been legitimately hurt during the match itself. According to BodySlam’s Cory Hays, Rey was assisted to the back by WWE medical personnel following the segment, raising immediate concern about his condition.

The timing is especially unfortunate, as Mysterio is currently advertised for this Saturday’s Royal Rumble match. As of now, WWE has not confirmed the severity of the injury, nor whether Rey will be medically cleared to compete or pulled from the Rumble altogether.

Given Mysterio’s history of battling through injuries — and his importance to WWE’s ongoing storylines — fans will be anxiously awaiting updates on his status in the coming days.

WWE Raw Preview 1/26/2026

WWE Raw airs live today on Netflix from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

WWE Raw ring announcer Alicia Taylor, is stuck at the airport due to the winter storm and unable to make it to tonight’s show. Lilian Garcia will fill in for Alicia tonight.

  • World Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contender’s Fatal Four-Way Match: The New Day vs. American Made vs. Alpha Academy vs. Los Americanos
  • AJ Styles and Gunther are scheduled to appear ahead of their match at the Royal Rumble
  • World Heavyweight Championship CM Punk set to appear after defending the title in Belfast
  • General Manager Adam Pearce to address Bron Breakker “fits into the future of the flagship”

AJ Style’s Royal Rumble Match Against Gunther Could Truly Be His Final Match

AJ Styles’ upcoming clash with GUNTHER at the WWE Royal Rumble has quickly turned from a marquee attraction into one of the most emotional talking points heading into the weekend. With Styles putting his career on the line, what once felt like a dramatic stipulation is now being widely viewed as a very real goodbye.

For weeks, many fans assumed Styles would survive the match. After all, the former WWE Champion had previously mentioned that 2026 was his target retirement year, leading to speculation that this storyline was simply a high-stakes wrinkle rather than the end. However, new backstage reports are painting a much different picture.

According to PWInsider, Styles’ current WWE contract is set to expire before WrestleMania 42, and there are reportedly no internal plans for him to be part of that event. That detail alone has raised eyebrows, especially considering Styles’ legacy and his importance to WWE over the past decade.

Dave Meltzer has also added more context, reporting that Shinsuke Nakamura was under the impression that Styles intended to retire following the Royal Rumble in 2026. That belief reportedly explains Nakamura’s now-deleted Instagram post, which many fans viewed as an early farewell message.

Adding fuel to the fire is the status of GUNTHER. Reports suggest there are no creative plans for him to lose at the upcoming Saudi Arabia event, making a Styles victory at the Royal Rumble seem increasingly unlikely. If GUNTHER is indeed locked in to continue his dominant run, Styles’ career-ending stipulation suddenly feels very real.

Behind the scenes, Styles’ retirement has reportedly been discussed within WWE for months, with the Royal Rumble long viewed as a realistic exit point. While a retirement match in Saudi Arabia would come with a massive payday and global spotlight, WWE plans are always subject to change — especially when a legend is involved.

Still, as things stand, all signs point toward the Royal Rumble potentially being the final chapter of AJ Styles’ storied WWE career. Whether this ends with one last Phenomenal performance or a shocking swerve, fans may want to savor every moment, just in case this truly is goodbye.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event 1/24/2026

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event airs tonight at 8 PM EST/5 PM PST from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The show streams on Peacock in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally.

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Match: Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY (c) vs. Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez
  • Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest vs. Sami Zayn
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. AJ Styles

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/23/2026

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans, from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

  • AJ Styles to appear
  • WWE Tag Team Championships Match: Wyatt Sicks (c) vs. MFT
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships No. 1 Contenders Match: Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. Giulia & Kiana James vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
  • Nathan Frazer vs. Johnny Gargano
  • Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest
  • AJ Styles to appear

Powerhouse Hobbs Officially Signs With WWE After AEW Exit, New Name Reportedly Revealed

One of AEW’s most physically imposing stars is officially on the move.

Powerhouse Hobbs has signed with WWE following the expiration of his AEW contract, making his long-rumored jump to Stamford official. According to Fightful, Hobbs put pen to paper with WWE shortly after his deal with AEW ran out last week, confirming speculation that had been building for months.

As previously reported, AEW made a significant effort to retain Hobbs, with discussions continuing all the way up to the final days of his contract. The offer on the table was reportedly substantial, but by that point, Hobbs had already decided his future lay elsewhere. Despite leaving, sources indicate he handled the situation professionally, maintaining good relationships and fulfilling all remaining obligations.

That professionalism was evident on last week’s episode of AEW Collision, where Hobbs and The Opps dropped the AEW World Tag Team Championships to Hangman Page and JetSpeed. The loss now looks like a clear passing-of-the-torch moment as Hobbs prepared for his next chapter.

As of now, there’s no word on when Hobbs will make his WWE television debut. The timing is interesting, however, with SmackDown airing tonight, Saturday Night’s Main Event taking place this weekend, and the 2026 Royal Rumble looming next weekend. Any of those stages could serve as a launchpad, depending on how WWE chooses to roll him out.

Another unanswered question is what name Hobbs will use in WWE. While a change from his AEW presentation is expected, “Hobbs” itself is reportedly still on the table in some form.

At just 30 years old and boasting a rare mix of size, power, and intensity, Hobbs could be a major addition to WWE’s roster. How he’s positioned — and when fans finally see him — will be worth watching closely as the road to the Royal Rumble heats up.

In yet another report on Friday, this one from BodySlam+, Hobbs’ new ring name was also revealed. According to the outlet, Hobbs will be known as “Royce Keys” in WWE. The company filed a trademark for the name on Tuesday.

Backstage Details Reveal Mentor Changes and Format Overhaul for WWE LFG Season 3

WWE LFG is heading into Season 3 with some notable behind-the-scenes changes, both in terms of its mentor lineup and how the show will be presented moving forward.

According to a new report from PWInsider, Season 3 is currently filming at the WWE Performance Center in Florida, and several familiar faces will not be returning to the mentor panel. The Undertaker and Michelle McCool have both stepped away from their roles, marking a significant shift from the previous two seasons. The show’s original mentor lineup in Season 1 included The Undertaker, Mickie James, Bully Ray, and Booker T, with McCool taking over for James in Season 2.

Filling those open spots are two active WWE stars. Kevin Owens and Natalya have joined the mentor team, working alongside Bully Ray (Bubba Ray Dudley) and Booker T. Owens’ inclusion is particularly interesting given his current main roster status, while Natalya brings extensive experience as both a veteran performer and a trainer behind the scenes.

In addition to the mentor shake-up, WWE is reportedly adjusting the overall structure of the show. Rather than emphasizing competition between the mentors and their teams, Season 3 is said to place more focus directly on the individual talents and their development. The change suggests WWE wants to spotlight growth, coaching, and progression over rivalry-based storytelling.

On the production side, continuity remains with commentary. Jeremy Borash and Vic Joseph are expected to return as the commentary duo, maintaining a familiar sound and presentation for the series.

As of now, there’s still no word on when fans will actually see the new season. While WWE has confirmed that Season 3 is happening, no premiere date has been announced. Filming is clearly underway, however, with Natalya recently sharing that she’s been working on LFG at the Performance Center.

More details should emerge as production continues, but between the new mentors and the format adjustments, WWE LFG Season 3 is shaping up to feel noticeably different from what viewers have seen so far.

Report: NJPW Standout EVIL Expected to Depart Company, Likely WWE-Bound

A major shakeup could be on the horizon for both New Japan Pro Wrestling and WWE, as longtime NJPW star EVIL is reportedly preparing to exit the promotion with expectations that he’s headed stateside.

According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live, EVIL has likely already informed NJPW of his decision to move on once his contract situation is finalized. Alvarez added that, internally, WWE is widely believed to be his next destination. That report lines up with earlier information from Super J-Cast, which stated that the House of Torture leader had officially given notice to New Japan.

The timing has only added to the speculation. EVIL recently lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Aaron Wolf at Wrestle Kingdom 20, a title change that immediately raised eyebrows and fueled rumors that his run with the company was nearing its end.

If this truly marks the conclusion of EVIL’s NJPW tenure, it closes the book on a highly decorated run. Since debuting with the promotion, EVIL rose from a popular tag team wrestler into a main event fixture, capturing both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships. He’s also been a New Japan Cup winner, a four-time NEVER Openweight Champion, and a consistent presence in the tag and six-man divisions as part of Bullet Club and later House of Torture.

While WWE has yet to confirm any signing, the idea of EVIL joining the company is already sparking conversation. His darker persona, physical style, and experience at the top level in Japan could make him an intriguing addition, whether on the main roster or elsewhere within WWE’s system.

For now, it’s a waiting game. But if EVIL’s NJPW chapter is indeed closing, the next phase of his career could put him on the biggest stage he’s ever performed on.