Category: WWE

Internal Discussions On Possible Steve Austin WWE Return

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin may be enjoying life away from the ring, but his name is once again making noise behind the scenes in WWE.

Austin famously wrapped up his full-time wrestling career in 2003 after dealing with serious neck injuries, but shocked the world nearly two decades later when he returned for a one-off match against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38. The No Holds Barred bout exceeded expectations and proved that The Rattlesnake still had some fight left in him. Since then, Austin has largely stayed out of the WWE spotlight, focusing on ventures like Broken Skull Beer and his passion for off-road racing.

That said, a new report suggests WWE hasn’t completely closed the door on using the Hall of Famer again. According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, Austin’s name has recently come up in internal WWE discussions, with multiple departments floating the idea of a potential appearance in the near future. While nothing is locked in and sources reportedly aren’t overly confident, the fact that conversations are happening at all is notable.

Austin himself has added fuel to the speculation in recent interviews. Earlier this month, he confirmed that there were legitimate plans for him to be involved at WrestleMania 40, including a proposed role connected to the main event. However, Austin explained that prior commitments made it impossible for him to participate. He also backed up previous Fightful Select reporting that, at one point, WWE had explored the idea of a blockbuster match between Austin and Roman Reigns.

The WWE Universe last saw Austin at WrestleMania 41, where he made headlines for an unintended reason after accidentally crashing his ATV into the ringside barricade during his entrance. While he didn’t take part in any storyline or physical segment, Austin was there to announce the official attendance figures for the two-night event.

As for another match, Austin has remained cautious. Earlier this year, he indicated that stepping back into the ring again is unlikely. Still, in true wrestling fashion, he left the door cracked open, reminding fans that in this business, you can truly “never say never.”

For now, any return remains speculative, but whenever Steve Austin’s name starts circulating backstage, it’s enough to get fans talking — and that alone shows the lasting impact of The Texas Rattlesnake.

WWE NXT Preview 1/20/2026

WWE NXT will air live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, starting at 8 PM ET on the CW Network. Internationally, fans can also stream the entire show on Netflix and on-demand viewing.

  • NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Elio LeFleur
  • Qualifying Match for NXT Championship Ladder Match: Josh Briggs vs. Shiloh Hill
  • Qualifying Match for NXT Championship Ladder Match: Sean Legacy vs. Eli Knight
  • #1 Contenders Match for TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Titles: Zaruca vs. Wren-QCC vs. Fatal Influence

Becky Lynch Opens Up About WWE Future: “This Is Probably the Final Run”

Becky Lynch may be thriving on-screen as the current WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, but behind the scenes, the clock is clearly ticking on her legendary career. In a candid and emotional conversation, Lynch admitted that this phase of her WWE run could very well be her last.

Speaking on the latest season of WWE: Unreal, Lynch reflected on the physical and emotional toll of juggling life as a top WWE star and a mother. After returning to the road following the birth of her daughter, Lynch said she pushed herself at full speed — and eventually hit a wall.

According to Lynch, 2024 was a breaking point. She described feeling burned out after years of nonstop work and acknowledged that being away from her daughter weighed heavily on her. While her love for WWE hasn’t faded, the guilt of leaving home was becoming harder to manage, especially when she felt the distance affecting her relationship with her child.

That led to a pivotal conversation with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque in May 2024. With her contract nearing its end, Lynch asked for time away from the company. WWE granted her request, agreeing to pause negotiations and revisit her deal once she felt ready. That break, she admitted, came with uncertainty — including the possibility that she might not come back at all.

Now that she’s returned, Lynch seems more aware than ever that the finish line is in sight. She openly stated that this is likely her final contract with WWE and described her current run as the closing chapter of her in-ring career. While she still loves performing, connecting with the crowd, and wrestling at the highest level, the emotional tug-of-war between career ambition and motherhood remains constant.

Lynch also touched on the mental side of being a WWE star — the nonstop scrutiny, outside opinions, and internal battles that come with life in the spotlight. Even when those voices aren’t fully believed, she admitted they can linger in the back of her mind, adding another layer to the challenge.

For fans who have followed Becky Lynch from her NXT days to becoming one of the most influential women in WWE history, her words carry real weight. While nothing is officially set in stone, it’s clear Lynch is approaching this run with perspective, gratitude, and an understanding that the end may be closer than many expected.

If this truly is “The Man’s” final ride, she’s determined to enjoy it — balancing passion, purpose, and family — one match at a time.

AJ Styles Will Put His Career On The Line Against GUNTHER At WWE Royal Rumble

AJ Styles is officially walking into the most dangerous match of his WWE career.

On the latest episode of WWE Raw, Styles confirmed that he has accepted GUNTHER’s brutal stipulation for their upcoming clash at the Royal Rumble event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: if Styles loses, his career is over.

The tension between the two started brewing in the fallout from GUNTHER’s shocking submission victory over John Cena in what was billed as Cena’s retirement match. Since forcing Cena to tap out at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, the self-proclaimed “Ring General” has been on a victory lap, boasting weekly on Raw about ending the career of one of WWE’s greatest icons. That arrogance didn’t sit well with Styles, another longtime rival of Cena who felt compelled to step in and humble GUNTHER.

Their first encounter took place last week on Raw in Berlin, Germany, and it delivered exactly the kind of hard-hitting, technical battle fans expected. Styles appeared to have GUNTHER beaten after locking in the Calf Crusher and clearly forcing a tap out. The problem? The referee didn’t see it. While Styles argued his case, GUNTHER capitalized on the distraction and escaped with a controversial victory, leaving a massive question mark hanging over the result.

That unresolved finish led Styles to demand a rematch this week. GUNTHER, however, wasn’t interested in a simple do-over. Instead, he raised the stakes dramatically, agreeing to face Styles again only if “The Phenomenal One” was willing to put his entire career on the line. Initially hesitant, Styles later made his decision clear in a backstage segment with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, officially accepting the challenge.

Now the rematch is set, and the implications couldn’t be bigger. This will be GUNTHER’s third match since retiring John Cena, and he’ll be looking to add another legendary name to his list by ending AJ Styles’ career on one of WWE’s biggest international stages.

Whether this marks the final chapter for Styles or another defining moment in GUNTHER’s dominant reign remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Royal Rumble just became must-see viewing.

R-Truth Names His Dream Final Opponent After Reflecting on John Cena’s Retirement

John Cena officially calling it a career in 2025 didn’t just mark the end of an era — it also sparked some deep reflection from one of WWE’s most beloved veterans. R-Truth recently opened up about how watching Cena’s carefully planned exit has influenced how he wants his own WWE journey to eventually wrap up, including who he’d like standing across the ring from him one last time.

Speaking with TV Insider, Truth explained that Cena’s ability to take control of his final chapter left a lasting impression. Rather than letting circumstances dictate the ending, Cena chose when and how to walk away, something Truth says he wants for himself. With a four-year deal currently in place — plus a three-year option — Truth made it clear that retirement isn’t imminent, but he’s already thinking creatively about how that final ride should look.

While Cena’s farewell opponent was decided through a tournament that ultimately led to Gunther defeating him, R-Truth already has his ideal final opponent in mind. For Truth, the answer is easy: The Miz. The two have a long, intertwined history both on-screen and behind the scenes, making Miz the perfect choice in Truth’s eyes.

Truth praised The Miz as being one of the most underrated performers in WWE history, pointing to their shared past as rivals, partners, and champions. From their heated feud back in 2010 to forming Awesome Truth, the chemistry has always been there. That connection resurfaced again in 2024 when the duo reunited and captured the WWE Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 40, holding the gold for two months and reminding fans just how well they work together.

Whether it happens years down the road or closer than expected, R-Truth facing The Miz in a retirement match would offer WWE the kind of full-circle storytelling fans love. Given their history, humor, and unexpected emotional depth, it’s hard to argue against it being a fitting final chapter for one of WWE’s most unique and enduring performers.

WWE Raw Preview 1/19/2026

WWE Raw airs live today on Netflix from the SSE Arena in Belfast, Ireland, with a special start time of 3:00 pm ET/12:00 pm PT.

  • Gunther to open the show
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri
  • Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee & Penta vs. The Vision (Logan Paul, Bronson Reed & Austin Theory) with Paul Heyman
  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk vs. Finn Balor (non-title)
  • El Grande Americano vs. Je’Von Evans

Preview For AAA On FOX Latin America Debut 1/17/2026

AAA will hold its landmark debut show on FOX Latin America later tonight.

The show will air at 9:00 pm ET/6:00 pm PT on FOX in Latin America. It will also stream live on YouTube and Facebook everywhere else.

  • AAA Mega Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. El Grande Americano:
  • AAA Reina de Reinas Champion Flammer vs. Lady Shani in a non-title bout
  • Mr. Iguana, La Parka & Niño Hamburguesa vs. Abismo Negro, Taurus & Histeria
  • Rey Mysterio will appear
  • El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. will appear
  • Omos will appear

Backstage Update on Leon Slater’s TNA Absence and Surprise WWE SmackDown Appearance

Leon Slater has found himself at the center of a lot of buzz this week, and while his surprise appearance on WWE SmackDown turned heads, there’s now more clarity on why the TNA X-Division Champion has been pulled from multiple scheduled matches.

WWE had interest in featuring Slater during its ongoing European tour, which included SmackDown emanating from Wembley Stadium. Slater answered Carmelo Hayes’ open challenge for the United States Championship, giving the British standout a high-profile moment on WWE television. Although Slater didn’t walk away with the title, his performance reportedly left a strong impression backstage.

At the same time, fans noticed Slater’s sudden removal from upcoming TNA programming. He was initially advertised to defend the X-Division Championship against Myron Reed on the AMC debut of Thursday Night iMPACT, but that match was quietly scrapped. Shortly after, Reed and The Rascalz were announced as new signings with AEW, further fueling speculation.

Slater was also pulled from a major title defense at TNA Genesis on January 17, where he was set to face Cedric Alexander and Moose. That bout has since been changed, with Alexander and Moose now challenging Joe Hendry instead.

Given Slater’s crossover appearance on SmackDown, rumors quickly surfaced suggesting a working arrangement between WWE and TNA—possibly with Slater’s appearance being traded for AJ Styles showing up on iMPACT. However, according to Fightful Select, the situation is far less political and more logistical.

The report notes that Slater is one of several TNA talents currently dealing with visa issues. Because he was already back home in the UK, TNA opted to allow WWE to use him during their European tour rather than keep him sidelined entirely. During iMPACT, TNA officially addressed the situation in a backstage segment, announcing that Slater would miss Genesis due to those visa complications.

Before Friday’s SmackDown, Slater’s most recent WWE appearance came at NXT New Year’s Evil, where he suffered a loss to Oba Femi. Despite the crossover exposure, Slater remains under contract with TNA through the end of 2026.

While visa issues may have temporarily disrupted his TNA run, Slater’s recent WWE appearances have only elevated his profile. Once those matters are resolved, it’ll be interesting to see how TNA positions its X-Division Champion after gaining valuable experience on one of WWE’s biggest stages.

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/16/2026

WWE SmackDown airs tonight (Jan. 16) with a show (live on Netflix in certain international markets, taped version airing in its normal time slot in the USA) from OVO Arena Wembley in London, England

  • New Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre returns to SmackDown
  • Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Qualifying Match: Randy Orton vs. The Miz
  • Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Qualifying Match: Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
  • Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Qualifying Match: Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov
  • Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Qualifying Match: Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
  • Carmelo Hayes to host a United States Title Open Challenge

Powerhouse Hobbs Reportedly Leaving AEW as WWE Move Looms

Powerhouse Hobbs appears to be on the verge of closing the book on his AEW run, with multiple reports indicating that a jump to WWE could be right around the corner.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, Hobbs’ AEW contract was set to expire at midnight on January 14. His time with the company effectively wrapped at the conclusion of the Maximum Carnage taping of AEW Collision, which was taped last night. While fans will still see Hobbs one final time on television, his departure behind the scenes is all but official.

The possibility of WWE landing Hobbs has been discussed for quite some time. Dave Meltzer noted in last week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE interest in Hobbs has existed for years, but sources within the company now believe a deal is imminent, assuming nothing changes in the coming days. Sapp added that while rumors circulated about Hobbs potentially heading to WWE in 2025, there was reportedly no contact at that time. However, WWE had reached out several years ago during Dan Ventrelle’s tenure as Head of Talent Relations, though Hobbs ultimately chose to re-sign with AEW back then.

AEW, for its part, made a strong push to keep one of its most physically imposing homegrown stars. Contract talks reportedly stretched on for a while, with AEW presenting what internal sources described as a “huge” offer. Despite the money on the table, Hobbs opted to explore his options elsewhere. The split is said to be on excellent terms, with no animosity between Hobbs and the company.

Although Hobbs is technically free to sign with WWE this week, he still has one last AEW appearance lined up. On the Maximum Carnage edition of Collision airing this Saturday, Hobbs will defend the AEW World Trios Championships alongside Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata as The Opps face Hangman Page and JetSpeed. The match was taped in advance, clearing the way for Hobbs to potentially appear on WWE programming as early as Friday night.

At this point, it’s unclear whether Hobbs would debut in WWE NXT or head straight to the main roster. What is clear is that he exits AEW with an impressive résumé, including a reign as AEW TNT Champion and a historic run as one-third of the longest-reigning AEW World Trios Champions.

If this truly is the end of Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, his next chapter could be the biggest of his career — and WWE may soon be welcoming one of the most dominant powerhouses to hit the market in years.