Former NXT Tag Champ TNA Star JDC (FKA Fandango) Returns To Challenge For NXT Heritage Cup

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.

A Familiar Face Returns to NXT

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.

A Career of Ups and Downs

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.

What’s Next for JDC in NXT?

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!

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1886952198489207241

WWE’s Bayley Set to Represent in NBA Celebrity All-Star Game

WWE’s own Bayley is stepping onto a different kind of stage this month, as she’s set to participate in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game. The announcement came earlier today via the NBA’s X account, confirming that the “Role Model” will be part of Team Rice, coached by NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice and internet star Khaby Lame. They’ll be facing off against Team Bonds, led by baseball legend Barry Bonds and rapper 2 Chainz.

Bayley’s squad will include some notable names, such as former NBA star Matt Barnes, country singers Walker Hayes and Shaboozey, comedian Druski, and NFL great Terrell Owens. Interestingly, a lot of the participants have ties to the Oakland/San Francisco Bay Area, where the NBA All-Star Weekend is set to take place. That includes Bayley herself, who hails from San Jose, California.

This marks a first-time appearance for Bayley in the NBA’s Celebrity Game, making her just the second WWE star to play in the event. The first? The Miz, who turned heads with an incredible half-court buzzer-beater in 2023. Whether Bayley will deliver a highlight-reel moment of her own remains to be seen, but if her in-ring career has proven anything, it’s that she knows how to shine under pressure.

Of course, Bayley won’t have much time to celebrate (or recover) after the game. The very next night, she’s set to be in Washington, D.C., for NXT Vengeance Day, where she and Roxanne Perez will challenge Giulia for the NXT Women’s Championship. That means a cross-country travel sprint for the former Women’s Champion, but Bayley has never been one to back down from a challenge—whether it’s on the court or in the squared circle.

Stay tuned to see if Bayley makes her mark on NBA All-Star Weekend, and don’t forget to catch NXT Vengeance Day the following night for what could be a major moment in her career.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1886808511922700385
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WWE NXT Preview 2/4/2025

WWE NXT returns tonight on The CW with a new episode as the build continues for this month’s NXT Vengeance Day.

  • A-Town Down Under vs. Oba Femi & Trick Williams
  • Karmen Petrovic vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Ridge Holland vs. Stacks
  • Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jacy Jayne
  • NXT Women’s Championship Vengeance Day Summit between Bayley, Roxanne Perez, and Giulia

Charlotte Flair and Andrade Officially Divorced

The marriage between WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair and fellow wrestler Andrade has officially ended after two years. According to Florida court records obtained by TMZ, Flair (real name Ashley Fliehr) initially filed for divorce in June 2023, and a judge finalized the split in December 2024.

Flair and Andrade (Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza) tied the knot in May 2022 in a lavish ceremony held in Andrade’s hometown in Mexico. The wedding, covered by People, featured several wrestling legends in attendance, including Flair’s father, Ric Flair, and WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.

A Relationship That Rarely Crossed Into Work

Though both are prominent figures in the wrestling world, their careers never truly overlapped on-screen. The couple first made headlines in 2019 when dating rumors surfaced during Andrade’s initial WWE run. By New Year’s Day 2020, they had announced their engagement. However, Andrade left WWE in 2021 to sign with AEW, keeping them in separate promotions for much of their marriage.

In 2023, Andrade returned to WWE at the Royal Rumble, but by that point, Flair had been sidelined due to a knee injury, meaning they once again spent little time in the same workplace. The closest their careers ever came to intersecting was Andrade teaming with Ric Flair for Ric Flair’s Last Match in 2022, shortly after the wedding.

No Public Reason Given for the Split

At this time, no official reason for the divorce has been disclosed. TMZ noted that court documents did not include any specifics regarding the separation.

For Andrade, 35, this was his first marriage, while the 38-year-old Flair has been married twice before.

Following the news of the divorce, Flair addressed fans on Instagram, expressing gratitude for their support:

“To all my amazing friends, family, and fans – thank you for your unwavering support and for continuing to be there through thick and thin. I truly appreciate each of you.”

While both stars have remained silent on the details of their split, fans will likely be watching closely to see what the future holds for them—both personally and professionally.

AJ Styles Joins WWE Raw Following Royal Rumble Return

The “Phenomenal One” is officially back—and with a new home. AJ Styles made his highly anticipated return from injury at the Royal Rumble and has now been confirmed as the latest addition to the WWE Raw roster.

WWE Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the announcement during a backstage segment on Monday night, revealing that Styles’ move was finalized just before the transfer window closed over the weekend. Reports from PWInsider Elite earlier in the day had already hinted at the shift, and Pearce confirmed he was able to strike one last deal to bring Styles to the red brand.

Styles’ Injury and Road to Recovery

Styles’ last televised match before his return took place on WWE SmackDown in October, when he faced Carmelo Hayes. That bout followed his loss to Cody Rhodes in an intense “I Quit” match, but just as Styles was getting back into the swing of things, a foot injury put him back on the shelf. The veteran superstar later revealed he had suffered a Lisfranc injury, which affects the ligaments and bones in the foot. He described the setback as “challenging” on social media, but WWE remained confident he would recover in time for the Royal Rumble.

Royal Rumble Performance and Elimination

Entering the 30-man Royal Rumble match at the #21 spot, Styles looked sharp in his first in-ring appearance in months. However, his return was cut short thanks to Logan Paul, who eliminated him by knocking him off the ring apron. While it wasn’t the comeback Styles likely envisioned, his move to Raw opens up fresh opportunities—and potential rivalries—on Monday nights.

With Styles now a full-time member of WWE Raw, fans will be eager to see what’s next for the former WWE Champion. Will he set his sights on Gunther and the World Heavyweight Championship? Or could he have unfinished business with Logan Paul after his Rumble elimination? Either way, expect the “Phenomenal One” to make an impact sooner rather than later.

WWE Raw Preview 2/3/2025

WWE Raw tonight will air live globally on Netflix, beginning at 8:00pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Fallout from the Royal Rumble
  • 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso will appear
  • 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair will appear
  • Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches

Triple H on WWE EVOLVE: A New Era for Developmental Wrestling

During the post-Royal Rumble 2025 press conference, Triple H shared his excitement for the upcoming launch of WWE EVOLVE, a new developmental brand that he says reminds him of the early days of NXT.

“That will be a show that I’m excited about,” Triple H said. “In many ways, for me, it seems like going back to the very beginning of NXT, where nobody knew who anybody was, and it was just a bunch of young kids trying to find their way to get in the business. And that’s what we’re going to go back to with that show.”

EVOLVE will serve as a training ground for WWE’s next generation, with a strong focus on talent from the WWE ID program and the Performance Center. With 100-120 talents training at the PC at any given time, EVOLVE will give young wrestlers a platform to work in front of live crowds, gain experience in front of cameras, and develop into future WWE Superstars.

While NXT has evolved into a more polished, mainstream product, EVOLVE looks to recapture that raw, underdog energy of its early days. Fans of old-school NXT—or those who love watching wrestlers grow from unknown prospects into top stars—may want to keep a close eye on this new brand.

In 2015, Evolve formed a relationship with WWE, allowing WWE to scout Evolve talent and potentially sign them. On July 2, 2020, WWE officially purchased Evolve. WWE is set to relaunch Evolve as a new series titled WWE Evolve in March 2025 on Tubi.

Alexa Bliss Reportedly Replaced Another WWE Superstar In Royal Rumble At Last Minute

After a year away from the ring, Alexa Bliss made her long-awaited return to WWE during the Women’s Royal Rumble Match on Saturday. Entering at #21, Bliss shocked both fans and many within WWE itself, as she had not been scheduled for the match as of Friday’s rehearsals.

According to Fightful Select, Bliss and WWE had been far apart in contract negotiations, leading to an assumption that she wouldn’t appear until the situation was resolved. However, by Saturday, both sides had clearly reached an agreement—at least enough for Bliss to make her return. Interestingly, her entry wasn’t originally planned, as the #21 spot had reportedly been intended for Shotzi, who has been working her way back from a knee injury. While some in WWE were thrilled to see Bliss back, others expressed sympathy for Shotzi, whose return to the main roster was seemingly delayed as a result.

Bliss had previously posted a picture of herself with her baby daughter, implying she would be spending the night at home. But much like Jordynne Grace’s misdirect before her own Rumble appearance, this may have been a clever attempt to throw fans off the scent.

With Bliss now back in the fold, the big question is: What’s next for her? Could she step back into title contention, or does WWE have a different storyline in mind? Either way, it’s good to see the former SmackDown Women’s Champion back in action as the Road to WrestleMania heats up.

WWE had already prepared Bliss’ merchandise for her return, which was created in advance for RAW in San Jose.

Bliss would be part of the RAW brand moving forward

Previously there was reports that she will join the Wyatt Sicks upon returning, who has been moved to SmackDown

UPDATE

With Alexa Bliss now back on WWE television and seemingly destined for the RAW brand, Pwinsider Elite is reporting that there have been internal discussions about moving her to SmackDown instead.

Bliss was absent from Monday’s WWE RAW TV tapings, despite early reports suggesting a return to the red brand in January. The potential move to SmackDown comes amidst The Wyatt Family’s shift to the blue brand, and there is speculation that WWE may revisit their original creative plans involving Bliss’ connection with the group.

Confirmation On Who Drew McIntyre Blames For His Royal Rumble Elimination Not Going As Planned

The Royal Rumble always brings surprises, but this year, one of the biggest stories came after the match, when Drew McIntyre stormed out of Lucas Oil Stadium, visibly frustrated. Reports quickly surfaced that McIntyre was upset about how his elimination played out, specifically blaming interference from another Superstar for throwing off the moment.

According to F4WOnline, McIntyre holds LA Knight responsible for the botched sequence, feeling that Knight “got in the way” and caused the planned angle with Damian Priest to lose momentum. Footage from the match fueled speculation among fans, with some initially pointing the finger at Logan Paul, but it’s now confirmed that Knight was the one involved.

This kind of real-life tension has often been turned into on-screen storylines in WWE, and there’s a possibility that McIntyre and Knight could be heading toward a rivalry leading into WrestleMania 40. The two have history dating back to their TNA days, and with Knight’s momentum cooling off in recent months, a feud with McIntyre could be exactly what he needs to climb back up the card.

However, McIntyre’s post-Rumble reaction suggests he’s not too happy with Knight at the moment, which could complicate things. If WWE wants to capitalize on this, they’ll need to get both men on the same page. Will we see their real-life frustration spill over into a heated WrestleMania program? Or will McIntyre push to move in a different direction?

McIntyre according to PWInsider, sources within the promotion have told them that the Scottish star will likely be moved to SmackDown with WWE’s transfer window that ended at the Royal Rumble

Either way, this is definitely a situation to watch as the Road to WrestleMania heats up.

Drew McIntyre Reportedly Storms Out of WWE Royal Rumble After Controversial Elimination

While WWE officials, including Paul “Triple H” Levesque, continue to celebrate a successful Royal Rumble weekend, not everyone left Indianapolis in high spirits. According to PWInsider, Drew McIntyre was visibly frustrated following his elimination from the Men’s Royal Rumble match, leading to a heated backstage incident and his abrupt exit from Lucas Oil Stadium.

What Happened in the Rumble?

McIntyre entered the match at No. 17 and found himself battling against longtime adversaries such as CM Punk, Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn. However, his night ended at the hands of Damian Priest, who eliminated the Scottish Warrior once all 30 entrants had made their way into the match.

According to PWInsider’s report, something about McIntyre’s elimination did not go as planned, leading to immediate backstage frustration. When he returned to the Gorilla Position, he was overheard “screaming and cursing”, allegedly upset that “someone had to get their moves in” at the expense of the match’s storytelling.

McIntyre’s Reaction: A Pattern of Frustration?

Rather than sticking around to watch the final moments of the Rumble, McIntyre stormed out of the arena before the match had even concluded. This incident echoes a similar situation from Survivor Series 2023, when he reportedly left the venue immediately after CM Punk’s shocking return.

It remains unclear who McIntyre was referring to in his post-match frustration, but his reaction highlights potential tension behind the scenes.

What’s Next for McIntyre?

With WrestleMania 41 now on the horizon, McIntyre’s current status raises several questions. Could this frustration impact his standing within WWE? Is this a sign of deeper creative frustrations? While McIntyre has been vocal about his contract situation in recent months, this latest outburst adds further intrigue to his future with the company.

For now, WWE is moving forward with Jey Uso as the 2025 Royal Rumble winner, while McIntyre’s next steps remain uncertain. Stay tuned to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for further updates on this developing story.