Madison Rayne Announced In-Ring Retirement

Madison Rayne has officially closed the book on her in-ring wrestling career.

Following her match on the January 1st episode of ROH on HonorClub, Rayne announced that she is retiring from active competition. The longtime veteran teamed with Deonna Purrazzo to take on Billie Starkz and Diamante, and while the match itself was significant, it was what came afterward that truly marked the moment.

In a backstage segment, Rayne addressed the camera and confirmed that the bout represented the end of an era for her. She reflected on her journey in the business and made it clear that this wasn’t a sudden decision, but rather a meaningful conclusion to a career that has spanned two decades.

Rayne signed with AEW in 2022, taking on a dual role as both an on-screen performer and a coach backstage. Over the past few years, she’s spoken openly about how mentoring younger talent helped her “re-find” herself at this stage of her career. That perspective played a major role in how she chose to step away from the ring.

Ending her career alongside Deonna Purrazzo was also intentional. Rayne noted that teaming with Purrazzo felt like the perfect way to wrap up her 20-year run, sharing the ring with someone she deeply respects while spotlighting the future of women’s wrestling at the same time.

Best known to many fans for her time in TNA as a former Knockouts Champion, Rayne’s influence has extended far beyond titles. Her transition into a coaching role suggests that while she may be done wrestling matches, her presence in AEW and ROH isn’t going anywhere.

Madison Rayne may be stepping away from in-ring competition, but her impact on the next generation is just getting started.

News On WWE & TNA Partnership

The working relationship between WWE and TNA Wrestling doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. In fact, all signs point to the partnership becoming an even bigger part of the wrestling landscape over the next several years.

According to recent reports, WWE and TNA are planning to extend their current multi-year agreement through at least 2028. The two sides first began collaborating in early 2025, and what started as a bold experiment has quickly evolved into one of the most talked-about cross-promotional efforts in modern wrestling.

The results so far have been hard to ignore. Talent from both rosters have moved fluidly between companies, creating memorable moments that benefitted everyone involved. The Hardy Boyz making history by holding both the NXT and TNA Tag Team Championships was a major headline, while Joe Hendry stepping into a WrestleMania 41 spotlight opposite Randy Orton gave TNA unprecedented exposure on WWE’s biggest stage.

Other crossover matches have also helped legitimize the partnership. Moose challenging Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship blurred brand lines even further, and Leon Slater reportedly turned heads backstage with his performance during John Cena’s farewell appearance at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

There was some recent speculation that TNA’s new television deal with AMC Networks could complicate matters. Instead, it appears to have done the opposite. TNA President Carlos Silva publicly confirmed that the WWE relationship remains intact and is expected to expand in 2026, easing concerns that the new media deal might force a change in direction.

According to Bodyslam+, both companies are extremely pleased with how the collaboration has played out. Internally, WWE and TNA reportedly view the partnership as a creative win that gives wrestlers fresh opportunities while keeping fans engaged with unexpected matchups and storylines.

Looking ahead, discussions are said to be ongoing regarding even deeper collaboration. Potential ideas include dual-branded events and possibly joint pay-per-view specials, which could push the partnership into uncharted territory as early as 2026.

With increased exposure for talent, growing fan interest, and strong business momentum on both sides, the WWE–TNA alliance is shaping up to be more than a short-term experiment. If plans hold, this partnership could remain a defining force in the wrestling industry for years to come.

Luchasaurus Reportedly Injured, Seemingly Written Off TV On AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash

An unfortunate situation appears to be developing for one of AEW’s most recognizable big men.

During AEW Dynamite: New Year’s Smash, Luchasaurus was seemingly written off television following a post-match angle tied to Ricochet’s successful National Championship defense. While the segment played out dramatically on screen, new information suggests the injury involved is very real.

According to Fightful Select, Luchasaurus is dealing with a legitimate shoulder injury and is expected to be sidelined for an undetermined amount of time. As of now, there’s no word on the exact nature of the injury or whether surgery will be required, but AEW officials are reportedly preparing for him to miss some action.

The warning signs appeared even before Wednesday’s Dynamite. Luchasaurus was only briefly involved during Jurassic Express’ match on the Zero Hour portion of Worlds End, where he was helped to the back by Bishop Kaun. He later returned with his shoulder heavily taped to finish the bout, raising early concerns about his condition.

On Dynamite, Luchasaurus accompanied Jack Perry to ringside for Perry’s National Championship challenge against Ricochet. After Perry came up short, Toa Liona targeted Luchasaurus at ringside, setting the stage for a more vicious attack moments later. Liona and Kaun ambushed him on the stage, with Liona placing part of the barricade onto Luchasaurus’ shoulder and smashing it with a steel chair. Even when security intervened, the damage continued, as Liona slammed one of the guards onto the barricade, crushing Luchasaurus’ arm underneath.

The angle served as a clear on-screen explanation for Luchasaurus’ absence moving forward, but behind the scenes, it appears AEW is dealing with a genuine injury concern. There’s no official timeline yet for his return, and updates will likely depend on further medical evaluation.

For now, fans may be seeing less of Jurassic Express as a unit, while AEW waits to see how serious Luchasaurus’ injury turns out to be.

Tetsuya Naito And BUSHI Win GHC Tag Team Championships In Pro Wrestling NOAH – First Match In Japan Since Leaving NJPW

Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI wasted absolutely no time reminding the Japanese wrestling scene that they’re still major players.

On New Year’s Day, the former Los Ingobernables de Japon members made their first in-ring appearance in Japan since leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and they walked out of the Nippon Budokan with gold. Competing at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s The New Year event, Naito and BUSHI defeated Naomichi Marufuji and Kenoh to capture the GHC Tag Team Championships, marking an immediate statement run in a new promotion.

The victory is especially notable given the circumstances. Naito and BUSHI officially departed NJPW in 2025 and had largely been quiet on the Japanese scene since, aside from a few appearances with RevPro. Their NOAH debut under the name Los Tranquilos de Japon came with plenty of intrigue, but few expected them to end the night as champions—especially against a team as established as Marufuji and Kenoh.

Interestingly, Naito leaned into his laid-back persona after the match, admitting that the duo doesn’t have a clearly defined plan for their future in NOAH. That uncertainty only adds to the intrigue, as both men are seasoned enough to thrive without a rigid roadmap.

For NOAH, the title change was sudden. Marufuji and Kenoh had only held the GHC Tag Team Titles for 19 days, having won them in December from Team 2000X’s Masa Kitamiya and Takashi Sugiura. For Naito and BUSHI, however, the win represents their first-ever championships in NOAH, giving their post-NJPW chapter immediate credibility.

Their arrival also highlights how fractured the former LIJ lineup has become. After the group’s dissolution, Shingo Takagi and Hiromu Takahashi aligned themselves with the War Dogs, while Yota Tsuji is focused on his looming IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match against Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Speaking of Wrestle Kingdom, this year’s event will feel very different without Naito. Wrestle Kingdom 20 will be the first Tokyo Dome show since 2013 to not feature him, with Wrestle Kingdom 8 being the last card he missed. BUSHI’s absence is less jarring, as he hasn’t appeared at the event since 2023.

Still, if their NOAH debut is any indication, Naito and BUSHI aren’t slowing down—they’re just taking a different road. And for now, that road has led them straight to championship gold.

AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash 12/31/2025

AEW Dynamite New Year’s Smash live Wednesday Dec. 31 on TBS and HBO Max from the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Omaha, Nebraska.

  • Fallout from Worlds End
  • We’ll hear from new AEW World Champion MJF
  • AEW National Championship: Ricochet (c) vs. Jungle Jack Perry
  • AEW TBS championship: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Willow Nightingale

WWE NXT Preview 12/30/2025

WWE NXT tonight on The CW.

  • NXT North American Championship: Ethan Page (c) vs. Moose
  • WWE Men’s Speed Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Lexis King vs. Tavion Heights
  • Je’Von Evans vs. Ricky Saints
  • Jacy Jayne vs. Wren Sinclair
  • Joe Hendry in concert
  • Year End Award winners revealed

Update On Chris Jericho’s AEW Status And Possible WWE Return

Chris Jericho’s future in AEW appears to be up in the air, and it’s once again sparked serious talk about a potential return to WWE.

According to multiple reports, Jericho’s current deal with All Elite Wrestling is set to expire on December 31, 2025, unless a new agreement has already been finalized behind the scenes. As of now, there’s been no confirmation that an extension is in place.

What’s adding fuel to the speculation is chatter coming out of WWE circles. PWInsider reports that several WWE licensing partners are operating under the assumption that Jericho may soon be available for use on their products. WrestleVotes has also noted that some within WWE have been anticipating a Jericho comeback dating back to August of last year.

On the AEW side, Jericho hasn’t been seen on television since April 2025, when he suffered a loss to Bandido. Since that match, there’s reportedly been no creative direction for him, and his absence was especially noticeable at AEW’s Worlds End 2025 pay-per-view. With no on-screen role and no storyline movement, questions about his status have only intensified.

Outside the ring, Jericho has kept busy. He was recently spotted in Vancouver while working on an undisclosed Disney-related project. While details are scarce, it’s clear the former world champion is exploring opportunities beyond wrestling as his AEW contract winds down.

Jericho himself hasn’t exactly shut the door on WWE. During a December 27 YouTube livestream, he responded to questions about a return by saying, “You never know,” leaving plenty of room for interpretation. He has also previously mentioned that he expects to wrestle again “somewhere” in 2026.

Despite rumors circulating online, PWInsider has pushed back on claims that Jericho was set to appear on RAW this week, stating there was no credible sourcing behind those reports. Still, once his AEW deal expires at midnight on December 31, Jericho would officially be a free agent heading into the new year.

With WWE’s January 5, 2026 episode of RAW scheduled for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, some fans believe that show could be the stage for Jericho’s return. If it happens, it would mark his first appearance with WWE since 2018 — and one of the more significant comeback moments in recent memory.

Penta Returns From Injury On WWE Raw, Saves Rey Mysterio From The Vision

Penta is officially back, and he didn’t waste any time making an impact on Monday Night Raw.

The masked star made his return from injury during this week’s episode, rushing to the aid of Rey Mysterio after things broke down following Rey’s match with Austin Theory. Mysterio had the bout well in hand before Logan Paul inserted himself, tripping Rey as he went for the 619 and causing an immediate disqualification.

The numbers game quickly caught up to the WWE Hall of Famer, as Paul and Theory laid into Mysterio after the bell. That’s when Penta’s music hit, bringing the crowd to its feet as he sprinted to the ring and cleaned house, taking out both members of The Vision and evening the odds in a big way.

Penta had been absent from WWE programming since late November after suffering a shoulder injury on the November 24 episode of Raw. His quarterfinal match against Solo Sikoa in the “Last Time Is Now” tournament was abruptly stopped when Penta was hurt attempting a diving hurricanrana from the barricade. The referee called for the stoppage, awarding the match to Sikoa as medical officials checked on Penta.

The injury also forced Penta to miss a highly anticipated appearance at AAA’s Guerra de Titanes on December 20, where he was scheduled to reunite with his brother Rey Fenix as the Lucha Bros. Instead, Rey Mysterio stepped in as a replacement for that match.

Now cleared to compete again, Penta’s return instantly injects fresh energy into Raw and sets the stage for what looks like a growing issue with Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and The Vision. More importantly, it puts a dangerous ally back in Rey Mysterio’s corner — something their enemies may quickly regret.

WWE Confirms Dominik Mysterio’s Shoulder Injury, Announces He’s Out ‘Indefinitely’

WWE has officially confirmed that Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio is sidelined with an injury, and it doesn’t sound like he’ll be back anytime soon.

During Monday night’s episode of Raw, commentator Joe Tessitore announced that Mysterio is out “indefinitely” due to a shoulder injury. The situation was first hinted at earlier in the show when Liv Morgan mentioned backstage that Dominik would be gone “for a little while,” but the commentary team later made it clear that the absence is more serious than initially implied.

The injury reportedly occurred at AAA’s Guerra de Titanes event, where Dominik teamed with El Grande Americano against Rey Mysterio and Rey Fenix in the main event. According to reports, the shoulder issue happened during a DDT spot. Following that match, Dominik was noticeably absent from WWE’s holiday live event tour, further fueling speculation about his condition.

Earlier in the day, Bodyslam+ described the situation as an “injury scare,” noting that Dominik was in good spirits despite the setback. Still, WWE’s use of the word “indefinitely” suggests the company is preparing for a potentially extended absence.

At this point, WWE has not announced what this means for the Intercontinental Championship. Whether the title will be vacated, defended in Dominik’s absence, or put on hold remains to be seen. The situation is even more interesting considering Dominik is also the reigning AAA Mega Champion after defeating El Hijo del Vikingo at Worlds Collide back in September.

To make matters worse for Judgment Day, Dominik isn’t the only member dealing with health issues. JD McDonagh is also out of action as he continues to recover from surgery on his right hand, leaving the faction short-handed heading into the new year.

As always, we’ll keep an eye on updates regarding Dominik Mysterio’s recovery timeline and the future of the Intercontinental Title as more information becomes available.

WWE Raw Preview 12/29/2025

WWE Raw airs live today on Netflix from the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida with a start time of 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.

  • The Vision (Paul Heyman, Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, Logan Paul & Austin Theory) to open the show
  • WWE Women’s World Championship Triple Threat Match: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Nikki Bella vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • WWE World Tag Team Championship Match: Dragon Lee & AJ Styles (c) vs. The Usos
  • Austin Theory vs. WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio