A new live episode of WWE NXT airs tonight on The CW. Tonight’s show is the go-home edition before this weekend’s WWE Vengeance Day premium live event.
The legal troubles surrounding Vince McMahon continue to mount as a federal appeals court has ruled that his former attorney improperly withheld key documents from a grand jury investigation. The case revolves around multimillion-dollar settlements McMahon allegedly used to cover up accusations of sexual misconduct by two former WWE employees.
According to the Associated Press, the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals in New York upheld a previous ruling, determining that the withheld documents were not protected by attorney-client privilege due to an exception for “crime or fraud.”
Federal prosecutors argue that McMahon and his legal team went to great lengths to circumvent WWE’s internal policies and fabricate records to hide the settlements from company auditors. While McMahon reportedly used personal funds for the settlements, the court concluded that his actions—along with those of his attorney—misled WWE’s auditors and failed to properly disclose the financial agreements.
The lawsuit involves two settlements:
One of the women involved, Janel Grant, claims she was coerced into leaving WWE and signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Her lawsuit argues that the NDA should be invalidated because McMahon failed to pay the full settlement amount.
McMahon’s lawyer had already provided numerous documents to the grand jury but attempted to withhold 208 communications, citing attorney-client privilege. The appeals court rejected this argument, ordering the documents to be turned over, as they were allegedly part of a scheme to keep WWE and its auditors in the dark.
The court ruling stated:
“Because the settlement agreements resolving the Victims’ claims were ‘structured and negotiated … to keep them hidden from (the Company),’ the district court found that ‘all communications about the claims and settlement agreements were made in furtherance of the criminal scheme to keep (the Company) and its auditors unaware of the allegations.’”
While the ruling does not explicitly name McMahon, a source confirmed that he is the unnamed former CEO referenced in the case.
The current status of the grand jury investigation remains unclear, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan has not provided further comment. McMahon’s representatives have also not responded publicly, though he has denied any wrongdoing in the past.
This ruling comes months after McMahon settled SEC charges, agreeing to pay a $400,000 fine and reimburse WWE $1.3 million for failing to properly disclose the settlement payments.
With the legal walls seemingly closing in, the question now is whether this latest development could lead to criminal charges against the former WWE chairman.
Tonight’s WWE Raw which airs live globally on Netflix beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
WWE’s latest round of talent cuts extended into the weekend, with more names being confirmed as released from the company. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, known collectively as The Good Brothers, were let go, according to PWInsider, with Fightful later verifying the news. Additionally, Fightful also reported that Giovanni Vinci had been released as well.
These releases follow a string of cuts that began on Friday night, with Isla Dawn, Blair Davenport, Sonya Deville, The Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar), their manager Paul Ellering, and Cedric Alexander all parting ways with WWE.
Elektra Lopez, the manager of the stable Legado Del Fantasma, was released from WWE this weekend following a four-year run with the company.
While WWE has yet to provide an official reason for the roster changes, Fightful reports that sources within NXT believe the moves are tied to an upcoming wave of main roster call-ups. With WrestleMania season approaching, WWE frequently shakes up its rosters, and this could indicate fresh talent from NXT is about to get the spotlight on Raw and SmackDown.
The releases of Gallows and Anderson are particularly notable, as the duo had long been associated with WWE’s Bullet Club-adjacent faction, The O.C., alongside AJ Styles. Their return to WWE in 2022 was expected to be a long-term run, but it appears their time with the company has once again come to an end.
Notably, Anderson is out with an injury with a torn labrum and rotator cuff; he had surgery in November and used the word “indefinitely” in a December interview before setting a return expectation of “at least six or seven more months.” Fightful gave his recovery time as “at least 3-6 months minimum” and noted that Anderson is “in good spirits” despite the highly unusual practice of being released during injury rehab.
As always, the wrestling world will be watching to see where these released superstars land next. Could we see some of them in AEW, TNA, or NJPW? Only time will tell.
WWE is raising the bar for wrestling reality TV with its brand-new competition series, “WWE LFG”, premiering Sunday, February 16th at 8 PM ET on A&E. This high-stakes show will push 16 aspiring WWE Superstars to their absolute limits as they compete for the ultimate prize: a spot on NXT, WWE’s developmental brand that serves as the gateway to superstardom.
For the first time, fans will get an unfiltered look at WWE’s rigorous training process, featuring intense in-ring battles, behind-the-scenes drama, and jaw-dropping performances. These competitors won’t be going it alone, though—they’ll receive world-class guidance from some of the biggest legends in WWE history. The Undertaker, Booker T, Mickie James, and Bubba Ray Dudley will serve as mentors, offering their expertise to help shape the next generation of WWE talent.
Adding even more star power to the mix, WWE Hall of Famers Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Shawn Michaels will oversee the competition. As WWE’s Chief Content Officer and Senior VP of Talent Development Creative, respectively, their insight will be crucial in evaluating performances and determining which competitor has what it takes to thrive in NXT. Contestants will earn points based on their athleticism, charisma, and in-ring ability, with each week bringing them closer to—or further from—their WWE dreams.
With a mix of action, emotion, and legendary mentorship, “WWE LFG” promises to be a must-watch for wrestling fans and aspiring Superstars alike. Mark your calendars—this is one journey to the squared circle you won’t want to miss!
WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network and on Netflix for international fans, beginning at 8:00 pm ET. from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Nikki Bella’s return to WWE at the 2025 Royal Rumble may have just been the beginning. During a recent episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, the former Divas Champion dropped some intriguing hints about her future in the company—and even suggested that her twin sister Brie Bella might not be far behind.
Addressing her comeback, Nikki played coy about whether this was a one-time appearance or the start of something bigger. “Is this a one-off or is she here to stay? Keep tuning in,” she teased. However, she didn’t leave fans completely in the dark, making it clear that she’ll be back in the ring sooner rather than later. “You will see another ‘Fearless’ Nikki appearance, sooner than later, that is for sure. I’m definitely doing more than what I just did on Saturday.”
The biggest tease, though, was Nikki’s mention of her sister. “Hopefully, Brie Mode will be by my side soon. More on that to come.”
Could we be seeing a Bella Twins reunion in WWE? While there’s no official confirmation yet, Nikki’s comments suggest that Brie may be gearing up for a return of her own. The duo last competed together in WWE at the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble, but a full-fledged comeback would certainly shake up the women’s division.
For now, fans will have to wait and see what’s next—but it looks like Nikki Bella isn’t done just yet, and she might be bringing Brie along for the ride.
Jade Cargill could be gearing up for a major return to WWE, with reports indicating that she is working hard to make it back in time for WrestleMania 41. The dominant superstar has been absent from television since November after being written out of storylines following an attack by an unknown assailant. Since then, speculation has been running wild about when—and how—she might return.
According to SI’s The Takedown, Cargill has recently been spotted at the WWE Performance Center, fueling rumors that she is actively preparing for an in-ring comeback. While details regarding her injury remain undisclosed, sources suggest she is focused on getting cleared as soon as possible, potentially setting the stage for a blockbuster return at The Grandest Stage of Them All this April.
As of now, WWE has not revealed any plans for Cargill’s next feud if she does return in time for WrestleMania. However, given her star power and the intrigue surrounding her absence, a high-profile storyline could be in the works.
In her absence, Naomi has stepped up, aligning with Bianca Belair to capture the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. The duo has been dominating the division, leaving fans wondering whether Cargill could target the champions upon her return or go after singles competition instead.
With WrestleMania 41 fast approaching, all eyes will be on Cargill’s next move. Will she make a surprise comeback on the biggest stage of them all? Stay tuned to Wrestling News Blog for the latest updates on her potential return!
It’s been over five years since WWE hosted Evolution, its first and only all-women’s pay-per-view, and fans are still wondering why a sequel hasn’t happened. While WWE’s women’s division has continued to grow in both talent and star power, there’s been no official word on a follow-up event. However, one of the stars from the original Evolution card, Bayley, believes that now is the perfect time to bring it back.
In a recent interview with Screen Rant, the former multi-time Women’s Champion made a passionate case for Evolution 2, citing the ever-expanding women’s roster, the rising talent in NXT, and WWE’s newly established working relationship with TNA Wrestling as major reasons why the event needs to happen sooner rather than later.
“I’ve been dying for an Evolution 2, and I think now is the perfect time. Bigger than ever, we have more girls than ever. We can have a freaking back-to-back two-night show if we wanted to, like WrestleMania. There’s so many girls, so many at NXT, we got this TNA partnership, we got two new titles. What are we doing? Let’s do it!”
Bayley’s enthusiasm isn’t surprising. She was part of the 2018 Evolution event, teaming with Natalya and Sasha Banks to defeat The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, and Sarah Logan). That show was widely praised by fans, featuring classic matches like Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing Match and Ronda Rousey vs. Nikki Bella for the Raw Women’s Championship.
Despite the positive reception, Evolution was reportedly never seen as a major event within WWE at the time. Some backstage speculation suggested that the show was created to counteract backlash over WWE’s decision to exclude its women’s division from Crown Jewel, a pay-per-view held in Saudi Arabia just days later.
Bayley’s argument for an Evolution sequel is stronger than ever. WWE now has a larger women’s roster, an influx of NXT talent, and—perhaps most intriguing—a working partnership with TNA, which opens the door for cross-promotional dream matches. With the introduction of new championships like the WWE Women’s Championship and WWE Women’s World Championship, there’s even more gold to fight for.
The demand for Evolution 2 has never disappeared, with fans frequently calling for WWE to make it an annual tradition. Now, with TNA stars like Jordynne Grace appearing in WWE, the idea of a WWE vs. TNA women’s showcase could be the spark needed to bring Evolution back in a bigger and better way.
So, will WWE listen to Bayley’s plea and finally book Evolution 2? With WrestleMania season in full swing and the women’s division thriving, now might be the best chance to make it happen. What are we doing? Let’s do it!
The WWE NXT landscape just got a shake-up with the unexpected return of JDC, the star formerly known as Fandango. The TNA Wrestling talent made his presence felt during this week’s episode, interrupting Lexis King’s promo and setting his sights on the Heritage Cup. JDC is now set to challenge for the title on next week’s show.
Lexis King had taken center stage to gloat about his recent Heritage Cup defense against Charlie Dempsey under British Rounds Rules two weeks ago. However, King revealed that moving forward, he would be abandoning the traditional format in favor of standard single-fall matches—a controversial change that immediately sparked debate. Before he could relish his newfound authority over the cup’s stipulations, JDC made his shocking return, signaling his intent to dethrone the champion.
For longtime NXT fans, JDC’s homecoming is a nostalgic one. He last competed for the black-and-gold brand in 2021, where he and Tyler Breeze held the NXT Tag Team Championship in 2020 as Breezango. That reign marked his only championship victory in WWE, closing out a 15-year tenure that saw him rise to prominence, most notably upsetting Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 29 in his main roster debut.
JDC has openly discussed how his WWE career trajectory could have gone differently. He previously claimed he was set to win the Intercontinental Championship in 2013, but an undisclosed concussion reportedly led to backstage heat and derailed his momentum. After his WWE exit in 2021, he reinvented himself on the independent circuit, wrestling for promotions like NWA and GCW under the name Dirty Dango.
In 2022, he resurfaced in TNA Wrestling, a company he had briefly worked for in the early 2000s under his real name, Johnny Curtis. His current moniker, JDC (Johnny “Dango” Curtis), reflects his wrestling evolution, and he has since aligned himself with The System, one of TNA’s top factions.
JDC is poised for a high-stakes showdown with Lexis King next week. Given his experience, charisma, and past connection to the brand, his return could signal a fresh crossover partnership for the TNA star, or it could simply be a one-off special appearance. Either way, NXT fans will be watching closely to see if the former ballroom-dancing showman can once again capture gold in WWE.
Will JDC dethrone King and claim the Heritage Cup, or is this just a brief visit before heading back to TNA? Tune in next week to find out!
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