Category: WWE

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.

WWE NXT Preview 1/13/2026

WWE NXT tonight on The CW.

  • No Disqualification Match: Joe Hendry vs. Dion Lennox
  • WWE Men’s Speed Championship: Jasper Troy (c) vs. Tavion Heights
  • TNA International Championship: Stacks (c) vs. Shiloh Hill
  • Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Ava makes announcement about the future of the NXT Championship

Motor City Machine Guns Set for AAA Appearance Amid WWE Absence

The Motor City Machine Guns may have been off WWE television for the past couple of months, but it looks like Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley are about to resurface — just not inside a WWE ring.

According to a new report from PWInsider, the veteran tag team is scheduled to work AAA tapings this weekend. The event is notable on multiple levels, as it marks Lucha Libre AAA’s debut broadcast on FOX Mexico, a major step for the promotion’s international visibility.

The January 17, 2026 tapings are expected to be stacked with star power. Names rumored or confirmed for the show include Rey Mysterio, AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio, El Hijo del Vikingo, PENTA, Rey Fenix, Dragon Lee, and El Grande Americano. The inclusion of the Motor City Machine Guns adds even more intrigue, especially given their current status within WWE.

Sabin and Shelley last appeared on WWE programming on the November 21, 2025 episode of Friday Night SmackDown. On that night, they joined forces with Rey Fenix, Sami Zayn, and Shinsuke Nakamura in a Survivor Series-style elimination match against Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo. The bout ended with the MFTs picking up the win, and the Machine Guns haven’t been seen on WWE TV since.

Their upcoming AAA appearance doesn’t necessarily signal a long-term shift, but it does suggest WWE is open to allowing the duo to stay active elsewhere while they remain off television. Given the Machine Guns’ reputation as one of the most influential tag teams of their generation, fans will be watching closely to see if this leads to more international appearances — or a renewed push when they eventually return to WWE screens.

Paramount Files Lawsuit Challenging Netflix Acquisition Of AEW Broadcast Partner Warner Bros.

AEW’s current media rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery still has a few years left on the clock, but that hasn’t stopped the wrestling world from keeping a close eye on what’s happening at the corporate level. The latest twist comes as Paramount has officially filed a lawsuit aimed at slowing down — or potentially derailing — Netflix’s proposed acquisition of WBD, AEW’s longtime broadcast partner.

According to reports from The Wrap, Paramount filed the lawsuit in Delaware this week, seeking to force WBD to provide detailed financial disclosures related to its decision to accept Netflix’s offer instead of Paramount’s reported $30-per-share bid. This legal move follows Paramount’s failed attempts at a hostile takeover, signaling a shift in strategy rather than a full retreat from the bidding war.

Paramount CEO David Ellison also revealed in a letter to shareholders that the company plans to nominate its own slate of board members at WBD’s next annual meeting. If successful, that maneuver could reopen negotiations and potentially push Netflix out of the picture. That said, even Ellison admitted the odds of Paramount ultimately acquiring WBD remain slim at this stage, making the move feel more like a last-ditch effort to stay relevant in the process.

From an AEW perspective, the end result may not dramatically change the landscape — at least not immediately. Both Netflix and Paramount already have business ties to TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company. Paramount is about to kick off a multi-year UFC streaming deal, while Netflix recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of WWE Raw airing on its platform. Still, with AEW’s next rights negotiation eventually looming, the outcome of this media power struggle could quietly shape the company’s long-term broadcast future.

WWE Raw Preview 1/12/2026 – Special Early Start Time

WWE live today on Netflix from the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Special early start time of 2pm ET/11am PT.

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY open the show
  • Penta & Dragon Lee vs. The Vision (Austin Theory & Bronson Reed)
  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk to speak
  • Judgment Day’s Raquel Rodriguez to speak 
  • AJ Styles vs. Gunther

Jacob Fatu Returns, Interferes In Three Stages of Hell Match On SmackDown – Drew McIntyre Captures Undisputed WWE Title

Friday night’s WWE SmackDown from Berlin delivered one of the most chaotic main events of the year, as Drew McIntyre walked out as the new Undisputed WWE Champion after surviving Cody Rhodes in a brutal Three Stages of Hell Match — with a shocking assist from a returning Jacob Fatu.

The match was built to test endurance and brutality, and McIntyre and Rhodes wasted no time living up to that promise. The opening stage was a traditional singles match, and McIntyre immediately showed a more ruthless edge. While brawling spilled outside the ring early, the decisive moment came when McIntyre distracted the referee by exposing a turnbuckle. With the official turned away, McIntyre delivered a low blow to Rhodes and followed it with a Claymore to steal the first fall.

The second stage shifted into Falls Count Anywhere, and the intensity ramped up quickly. McIntyre introduced a table at ringside and drove Rhodes through it, but the champion somehow powered out at two. The fight spilled into the crowd and backstage area before Rhodes managed to regain control. In a highlight-worthy moment, Rhodes climbed into the stands and launched himself off the railing, crashing through McIntyre and a table below.

Rhodes wasn’t done there. After dragging McIntyre back toward the ring, he cleared off the commentary desk and delivered a Cross Rhodes that sent both men crashing through it. The impact was enough to even the score at one fall apiece, forcing the match into its final and most dangerous stage.

With the steel cage lowering around the ring, both men fought with urgency, knowing escape would mean victory. McIntyre repeatedly tried to flee through the door and over the top, while Rhodes answered with relentless offense. Despite eating multiple Cross Rhodes and a Cody Cutter, McIntyre refused to stay down. Even a Claymore couldn’t put Rhodes away for good, as the champion continued to dig deep.

The turning point came when McIntyre attempted another escape through the cage door — and ran directly into a returning Jacob Fatu. Believing McIntyre was the mystery attacker who sidelined him months ago, “The Samoan Werewolf” unleashed a brutal assault. Rhodes stepped in to confront Fatu, only to get caught up in the chaos himself.

As Fatu and Rhodes brawled inside the cage, McIntyre seized the moment. He crawled through the door and escaped to the floor, officially ending the match and capturing the Undisputed WWE Championship. Inside the ring, Fatu looked on in disbelief as McIntyre celebrated, leaving more questions than answers about what comes next.

McIntyre’s reign begins amid controversy and unfinished business, while Fatu’s return instantly shakes up the title picture. One thing is certain: SmackDown’s main event scene just became far more unpredictable.

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/9/2026

WWE SmackDown tonight 8/7C on USA Network taped at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.

  • Undisputed WWE Championship – Three Stages of Hell Match (Traditional singles match, a Falls Count Anywhere Match and a Steel Cage Match): Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
  • The Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT’s
  • Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix

AJ Styles Set for PHENOMENAL TNA Wrestling Return on LIVE January 15 Premiere of Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC

TNA Wrestling is kicking off a brand-new era in a massive way, as AJ Styles is officially set to return to the company on the live premiere of Thursday Night iMPACT! on AMC.

For the first time since Slammiversary, “The Phenomenal One” will step back into a TNA ring on January 15, 2026, when iMPACT! goes live from the Curtis Culwell Center in Dallas, Texas. The announcement immediately sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, with Styles’ return positioned as a cornerstone moment for TNA’s relaunch on a new network.

Styles has long been synonymous with TNA Wrestling, having built much of his legacy inside the company during its formative years. While details remain under wraps regarding his exact role on the show, TNA is clearly framing his appearance as a major statement heading into this new chapter. Whether Styles is returning for a one-night moment, a short run, or something more substantial remains to be seen — but expectations are sky-high.

Stacked Card for Historic Night

AJ Styles won’t be the only attraction on the night, as TNA has loaded up the premiere with multiple championship bouts and marquee names.

The TNA World Championship will be on the line as Frankie Kazarian defends against Mike Santana, a match that has serious implications for the company’s main event scene. In the Knockouts Tag Team division, The IInspiration will put their titles up against The Elegance Brand in what promises to be a high-energy clash.

Elsewhere on the card, Elijah and The Hardys will team up to face Order 4, giving fans another dose of star power on a show designed to make noise.

A New Era Begins

The move to AMC and the launch of Thursday Night iMPACT! represents one of the most significant moments for TNA in years. Bringing AJ Styles back for the debut only reinforces the company’s intent to blend its rich history with its future direction.

Thursday Night iMPACT! premieres live on January 15, 2026, at 9/8c on AMC from Dallas, Texas. Tickets are currently on sale, and if the lineup is any indication, this is shaping up to be a can’t-miss night for TNA fans.