Charlotte Flair Retuning To WWE Programming Soon

Anticipation is building as “The Queen” Charlotte Flair appears to be gearing up for her long-awaited return to the WWE women’s division. Flair, a 15-time women’s champion and one of the most decorated performers in WWE history, posted a 19-second video on X (formerly Twitter) that has fans buzzing about her comeback.

In the clip, Flair is seen running up and down a quiet road, wearing a knee brace, as a gritty monologue plays over the footage. Addressing both her critics and herself, Flair says, “Charlotte, she’s selfish. She’s just Ric Flair’s daughter. She’s going to come back washed. She’s not even that good. Oh, she’s been handed everything. You’re going to prove them wrong. Ashley, get out of your f**king head.” The caption accompanying the video reads, “It’s ME vs ME. Always has been, always will be” — punctuated by a painted red nails emoji.

The powerful video not only serves as a message of resilience but also suggests Flair is ready to silence doubters and reclaim her spot at the top of WWE’s women’s division.

The Long Road to Recovery

Charlotte Flair’s last WWE appearance was on SmackDown in December 2023, when she suffered a devastating injury during a match against Asuka. A dangerous fall from the top rope left Flair with a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus, forcing her to the sidelines for over a year. The Grand Slam Champion’s absence was felt deeply in the women’s division, and rumors of her comeback have been swirling ever since.

Last September, reports surfaced that WWE had preliminary creative plans to involve Flair in a storyline with then-WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax and rising star Tiffany Stratton. However, her recovery timeline put those plans on hold. Now, with the Women’s Royal Rumble just two weeks away on Saturday, February 1, speculation is mounting that Flair could make her dramatic return in the annual battle royal.

Could Flair Be Royal Rumble-Bound?

The timing of Flair’s video has fueled speculation that her comeback could happen at the Royal Rumble, one of WWE’s biggest events of the year. Adding to the intrigue, Flair is not the only high-profile name rumored for a return at the Rumble. Alexa Bliss, who has been absent from WWE programming since mid-2023, and Becky Lynch, Flair’s longtime rival and occasional ally, are also reportedly gearing up for returns.

The idea of Flair, Bliss, and Lynch reentering the fold simultaneously has fans dreaming of blockbuster feuds and fresh storylines for 2024. With Flair’s history of dominating at marquee events, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her use the Royal Rumble as the perfect stage for her return.

What’s Next for “The Queen”?

If Flair does make her comeback at the Royal Rumble, it could set the stage for a potential WrestleMania moment. A win in the Rumble would give her a title opportunity at WrestleMania 41, and with a division stacked with stars like Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, and IYO SKY, the possibilities are endless.

Regardless of when and where Flair officially returns, her video makes one thing clear: she’s coming back with something to prove. As her motivational monologue suggests, Flair isn’t just battling external challenges — she’s facing down her own doubts and expectations. For “The Queen,” it’s always been about striving for greatness and silencing anyone who dares to question her legacy.

Stay tuned as more details emerge, and be sure to catch the Women’s Royal Rumble on February 1 to see if Charlotte Flair makes her triumphant return to WWE!

Last night on WWE SmackDown the following vignette aired to build hype for Charlotte Flair’s return:

WWE SmackDown Preview 1/17/2025

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown airs live on the USA Network in the United States and on Netflix internationally from the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.

  • WWE Women’s Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Bayley
  • Motor City Machine Guns vs. Los Garza
  • Solo Sikoa returns following his loss to Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat

Frustration Among AEW Talent Fuels Interest in WWE Amid Success of Former AEW Stars

It seems the grass might be greener on the other side for some All Elite Wrestling (AEW) talent. According to a report from Lucha Libre Online, a number of AEW wrestlers unhappy with their roles in the promotion are now viewing WWE as a more appealing option. This shift in attitude comes as more former AEW talent find success in WWE, with recent examples fueling speculation about potential moves.

Changing Perceptions of WWE

In the early years of AEW, many believed WWE wasn’t a viable destination for disgruntled talent. Concerns about being “lost in the shuffle” on WWE’s massive roster, coupled with its often-criticized corporate culture, made jumping ship seem unappealing. However, that perception is changing—especially after the notable success of former AEW stars in WWE.

The most recent example? Penta’s debut on RAW this past week, where he delivered a standout performance and defeated Chad Gable in an impressive match. Penta’s instant impact has reportedly given AEW wrestlers confidence that their time in AEW could serve as a strong resume when negotiating with WWE.

Success Stories Turning Heads

The report highlights other former AEW talent who have thrived in WWE, such as Ethan Page and Lexis King (formerly Brian Pillman Jr.). Both wrestlers had relatively quiet runs in AEW but have seen their stock rise since joining WWE. Ethan Page has become a key player in NXT, while Lexis King has been given a fresh start with a new persona that fans and WWE officials alike have embraced.

These success stories haven’t gone unnoticed by AEW’s roster, particularly those feeling underutilized or frustrated with their current roles. For many, the idea of a fresh start under WWE’s revamped management has become more enticing.

A Culture Shift in WWE

Another factor influencing AEW talent’s interest in WWE is the reported culture shift within WWE itself. Changes in management—stemming from Vince McMahon stepping back and Triple H taking a larger role in creative—have made the company more attractive. Under Triple H’s leadership, the creative direction is reportedly more talent-friendly, with increased focus on meaningful storylines and long-term character development.

This cultural change, combined with WWE’s global platform and financial stability, is making it a more viable option for wrestlers who may not feel creatively fulfilled in AEW.

What’s Driving the Frustration in AEW?

AEW’s rapid growth and star-studded roster have created an undeniable wealth of talent, but that has also led to challenges in ensuring everyone gets their moment in the spotlight. Wrestlers lower on the card—or those stuck in creative limbo—may feel overshadowed by the constant influx of new signings and the heavy focus on established stars like Kenny Omega, MJF, and Jon Moxley.

The frustrations reported by AEW talent are not uncommon in wrestling promotions with stacked rosters. However, the growing sentiment that WWE might offer greener pastures indicates that AEW could face retention challenges if these feelings persist.

What This Means for Wrestling Fans

The wrestling world is buzzing with possibilities. If more AEW talent make the jump to WWE, it could create fresh opportunities for dream matches and shake-ups on both rosters. For WWE, bringing in AEW alumni allows them to capitalize on the buzz surrounding AEW’s reputation for creating stars. For AEW, however, this trend could mean reevaluating how they manage and showcase their talent to prevent further departures.

As for fans, this growing talent pipeline between AEW and WWE only enhances the unpredictability of professional wrestling. With the free-agent market heating up, who knows which AEW stars might be Raw, SmackDown, or NXT-bound next?

Stay tuned to Wrestling News Blog for more updates on this story and all the latest happenings in the wrestling world!

AEW Grand Slam: Australia Faces Scheduling Shake-Up Due to NBA All-Star Weekend

AEW’s highly anticipated Grand Slam: Australia 2025 event is set to make history as the promotion’s first major show in Australia, but its U.S. broadcast plans have hit a scheduling snag. During this week’s Dynamite, AEW announced that Grand Slam: Australia would air on Saturday, February 15, at 8 PM ET on TNT and Max. However, that time slot directly conflicts with TNT’s coverage of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night, one of the league’s biggest annual events and a cornerstone of the network’s sports programming.

This overlap left fans scratching their heads about how AEW’s international showcase would fit into such a packed night of sports entertainment.

AEW’s Solution: A Post-NBA Airing

According to a report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, AEW has adjusted its broadcast strategy. Instead of competing directly with the NBA, Grand Slam: Australia will now air on TNT after the NBA coverage wraps up, giving the show a coveted lead-in from the massive All-Star audience.

While this plan offers significant exposure, it also means that Grand Slam: Australia will air at a very late time slot for U.S. viewers. The current plan would see the event begin at 2:30 AM Eastern time (technically early Sunday morning) and air on a tape delay, approximately 21 hours after it takes place in Melbourne. This unusual timing raises questions about how the show will perform in such a late-night spot.

Will Max Stream the Event Live?

One major question still unanswered is whether Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform, Max, will air Grand Slam: Australia live. The report doesn’t confirm whether Max will simulcast the event as it happens or follow TNT’s delayed broadcast schedule. If Max offers a live streaming option, it could provide a much-needed alternative for fans who want to watch the event in real time without staying up into the early morning hours.

The Challenge of NBA All-Star Weekend

AEW’s decision to shift the broadcast comes as no surprise, given the massive viewership and importance of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. The event, which features fan-favorite competitions like the Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Contest, is a marquee attraction for TNT. Competing head-to-head with such a high-profile broadcast would have been a risky move for AEW.

By airing after the NBA coverage, Grand Slam: Australia will benefit from a built-in audience that may stick around for the wrestling action. However, the late airtime presents its own challenges, especially for East Coast viewers who may not stay up to watch.

A Big Night for Wrestling

February 15 is shaping up to be a busy night not only for sports but for professional wrestling as well. WWE’s NXT Vengeance Day 2025 is also scheduled to air that evening, adding even more competition to the mix. Wrestling fans will have to choose between WWE’s event, the live NBA festivities, and AEW’s delayed broadcast—or simply try to catch them all.

AEW’s Growing Global Presence

Despite the scheduling hurdles, Grand Slam: Australia is a significant milestone for AEW. The event reflects the company’s continued push to expand its global reach and bring AEW to fans around the world. With a unique setting and a roster full of stars, the event promises to deliver memorable moments, even if the broadcast logistics are less than ideal for U.S. audiences.

What’s Next?

As the broadcast date approaches, fans will be keeping a close eye on how AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery handle the logistics. Whether Max offers a live stream or TNT’s late-night airing becomes the primary option, the event will be a key test of AEW’s ability to adapt and deliver on the global stage.

Stay tuned to Wrestling News Blog for updates on AEW Grand Slam: Australia 2025, as well as all the latest developments in the world of professional wrestling!

Update On The Expected Runtime For WWE Raw Going Forward

The Netflix era of WWE Raw is officially in full swing, with the company having already aired two episodes of its flagship program on the world’s biggest streaming platform. However, just two weeks in, a major talking point has emerged: the show’s runtime. The debut episode on January 6 clocked in at just over three hours, but the January 13 episode was noticeably shorter, running just two hours and 30 minutes. This has led many fans to speculate whether WWE plans to lock in a specific runtime for Raw going forward or if it will vary week to week.

Triple H’s Vision for the Perfect Runtime

According to a recent report in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque has a very specific vision for Raw’s runtime. Sources told Dave Meltzer that Triple H believes two hours and 30 minutes is the “sweet spot” for the show—long enough to deliver compelling matches and storylines without dragging on. This vision seems to have directly influenced the January 13 episode, which hit that exact runtime.

However, sticking to this target hasn’t been without challenges. To meet the two-and-a-half-hour mark for the January 13 show, certain segments reportedly had to be cut, including a debut match and post-match promo from Penta. Despite these cuts, it’s unclear whether Netflix imposes strict guidelines on WWE’s runtimes. Meltzer speculated that Netflix may be flexible, as both episodes aired so far have exceeded their planned lengths by a few minutes.

The International Difference

While U.S. audiences are adjusting to Raw’s shorter format on Netflix, international viewers are still being presented with the show as a three-hour broadcast. This is because Raw continues to air on traditional TV networks around the world, where commercial breaks extend the runtime. To accommodate this, WWE has reportedly been filming additional backstage interviews and segments that don’t appear on the Netflix version. These extra scenes help pad the runtime for international audiences while providing content to fill commercial gaps.

What Does This Mean for Fans?

For now, it seems fans in the U.S. will enjoy a more streamlined version of Raw on Netflix, while international viewers will continue to see the full-length three-hour version. Whether this shorter runtime will lead to tighter storytelling and fewer filler segments remains to be seen, but Triple H’s focus on quality over quantity is a promising step.

One thing is certain: as WWE continues to adapt to the streaming landscape, changes like these are inevitable. Whether Raw’s Netflix era ultimately reshapes the entire format of WWE’s programming—or just serves as a platform-specific experiment—remains one of the most intriguing stories to watch in 2025.

WWE and TNA Announce Multi-Year Partnership

In what many wrestling fans have suspected for months, WWE and TNA Wrestling have officially confirmed their working relationship, solidifying it with a multi-year partnership. The announcement, made via a joint press release on Thursday afternoon, marks a major milestone for both promotions, as two of the biggest names in professional wrestling join forces in an unprecedented collaboration.

Building on a Year of Collaboration

The seeds of this partnership were planted last year, when former TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace made a surprise appearance in the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble. That cameo was followed by a brief stint in NXT for Grace last summer, fueling speculation about a broader working relationship between the two promotions. Over the past year, cross-promotion between TNA talent and WWE’s NXT brand has been met with enthusiasm from fans, paving the way for this formal announcement.

While the press release didn’t go into specifics about whether the partnership would extend to WWE’s main roster, it did confirm that fans can expect continued talent exchanges between TNA and NXT. For now, it seems the focus will remain on developmental and crossover opportunities within these two brands.

A Win-Win for Both Sides

The leadership of both WWE and TNA expressed their excitement about the partnership, framing it as a chance to grow their respective rosters and improve the fan experience. Ariel Shnerer, TNA’s Senior VP of Content & Distribution, emphasized how the partnership has already benefited both companies and their audiences.

“This historic relationship demonstrates that collaboration and competition do not have to be mutually exclusive,” Shnerer said. “Our partnership allows the TNA Wrestling brand and its incredible athletes to reach a significantly wider audience, while giving WWE and NXT stars an opportunity to cross the line and gain valuable experience, as they join forces with one of the most talented rosters in professional wrestling today. The response to our collaboration over the past year has been tremendous, and both companies have benefited—but the fans have reaped the greatest rewards.”

Shawn Michaels Speaks on the Future of NXT and TNA Collaboration

Shawn Michaels, the WWE Hall of Famer and head of NXT, echoed Shnerer’s sentiment, highlighting the opportunities this partnership brings for talent development and fan engagement.

“We look forward to growing and evolving our partnership with TNA Wrestling and its outstanding group of athletes by creating new opportunities to further the development of our talent and to elevate the viewer experience at home,” Michaels said.

The announcement signals an exciting time for both promotions as they work to enhance their programming and strengthen their rosters. Whether it’s NXT stars heading to TNA for new challenges or TNA talent getting the chance to showcase their skills in front of WWE’s global audience, this collaboration promises to shake up the wrestling landscape in ways we haven’t seen before.

What’s Next for WWE and TNA?

While fans may be eager to see main roster crossover events involving Raw or SmackDown, for now, the focus appears to be on the NXT and TNA connection. However, given how open both companies seem to be about this partnership, anything feels possible down the road.

With both brands boasting a wealth of talented wrestlers, the potential for dream matches and unique storytelling is endless. For now, all eyes are on how this partnership will unfold in the coming months—and whether it will inspire other wrestling promotions to consider collaborations of their own.

TNA Genesis 1/19/2024 (Card)

TNA Genesis live on pay-per-view Sunday, January 19, 2025 – Curtis Culwell Center – Dallas, TX.

CARD

TNA World Championship: Nic Nemeth (c) vs. Joe Hendry

TNA X-Divsion Championship: Moose (c) vs. Ace Austin

TNA World Tag Team Championship: The Hardys (c) vs. The Rascalz

TNA Knockouts World Championship – Clockwork Orange House of Fun Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Rosemary

TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship: Spitfire (c) vs. Ash & Heather By Elegance w/The Personal Concierge

I Quit Match: Josh Alexander vs. Mike Santana

Jordynne Grace vs. Tessa Blanchard

The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) w/Alicia Edwards vs. Eric Young & Steve Maclin

(Countdown to Genesis) – Frankie Kazarian vs. Leon Slater

Countdown to Genesis hosted by Busted Open Radio

TNA Impact Preview 1/16/2025

TNA Wrestling will present a new episode of Impact tonight on AXS TV, the last episode before this weekend’s Genesis PPV.

  • Sami Callihan & PCO vs. The Hardys (If Callihan & PCO win, they are added to TNA tag title match at Genesis)
  • Trent Seven vs. Leon Slater
  • Laredo Kid vs. Jake Something
  • Eric Young & Steve Maclin vs. First Class
  • Nic Nemeth & Joe Hendry go face-to-face
  • We’ll hear from Josh Alexander & The Northern Armory
  • Rosemary & Masha Slamovich confessional
  • Ash By Elegance & Heather By Elegance’s Pre-Launch Championship Celebration By Elegance

ROH Preview 1/16/2025

Ring of Honor will present a new episode of ROH TV on HonorClub tonight.

  • LEEJ (EJ Nduka & Lee Johnson) & Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor) vs. Boulder, Serpentico & The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver)
  • Tony Nese vs.The Beast Mortos
  • Katsuyori Shibata vs. TBD
  • Blake Christian vs. TBD
  • The Outrunners vs. TBD
  • Red Velvet in Proving Ground action
  • Athena World Tour update

Baseball Legend and WWE Hall of Famer Bob Uecker Passes Away

The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that ‘Mr. Baseball’ Bob Uecker has passed away at the age of 90.

The Brewers wrote: “We are heartbroken to announce that Brewers icon & Baseball Hall of Famer Bob Uecker passed away today at the age of 90.”

Uecker is a baseball legend, WWE Hall of Famer and actor. He played for the Milwaukee Braves, then won a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964. He also served as the Brewers’ play-by-play radio announcer since 1971.

For wrestling fans, Uecker is best known for his role at Wrestlemania IV, where he interviewed and got choked by Andre the Giant.

As an actor, Uecker starred in the sitcom Mr. Belvedere and appeared in the Major League films.