AEW Dynamite Preview 4/2/2025

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight on TBS and Max from the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois.

  • AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Penelope Ford (w/Megan Bayne)
  • Cope vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Mixed Tag Tornado Rules Match: Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir vs. Swerve Strickland and Willow Nightingale
  • Will Ospreay returns
  • Men’s and women’s brackets for The Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament will be announced

Mick Foley Hospitalized After Car Accident, Shares Update with Fans

WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley is known for enduring some of the most brutal moments in wrestling history, but his latest battle happened outside the ring. The “Hardcore Legend” revealed on social media that he was hospitalized following a car accident, suffering injuries from his knees to his back, as well as a concussion.

Never one to lose his sense of humor, Foley shared a photo of himself standing beside the wreckage on Facebook, reassuring fans while keeping his signature upbeat attitude.

“TOUGH DAY FOR MICK! I have no idea how I am still walking around after this accident. I’m in the hospital now, and I’m sore from my knees to my neck, including a minor concussion,” Foley wrote.

Foley, a three-time WWE Champion and one of the most beloved figures in wrestling history, has taken some insane punishment throughout his career—from being thrown off Hell in a Cell to countless hardcore brawls. While this latest incident wasn’t part of a scripted match, it’s clear that his resilience remains intact.

Fans have flooded social media with well wishes, hoping for a speedy recovery for the hardcore icon. No further details have been shared about the accident, but knowing Foley, he’ll be back with another update soon—possibly with a tale that makes even this real-life scare sound like just another chapter in his legendary career.

Get well soon, Mick!

UPDATE

Foley posted the following update on Facebook:

“It’s been a little over 24 hours since I climbed out of this car, and I’m feeling very fortunate and very grateful. I do feel like I’ve been run over by a truck, but the idea that someone would be in an accident like this and walk away with only soft tissue injury makes me feel like someone was looking out for me! Thank you to all of you who sent well wishes.

I’m back on the road tomorrow and will not miss a single date!”

Pat McAfee Faces Potential Legal Trouble Over Controversial Comments on His Show

Pat McAfee, known for stirring up controversy both as a WWE commentator and ESPN host, is once again in hot water—this time over comments made on The Pat McAfee Show that could lead to legal consequences.

The situation stems from a February 26 episode of McAfee’s show, where he and his co-hosts discussed an online rumor involving an Ole Miss college student allegedly having an affair with her boyfriend’s father. While McAfee didn’t mention the student by name, The Athletic has since identified her as 18-year-old freshman Mary Kate Cornett, a business major with no ties to sports.

The discussion happened during a segment with NFL insider Adam Schefter, who was covering Ole Miss quarterback and NFL Draft prospect Jackson Dart. Despite no apparent connection between Dart and Cornett, the rumor gained traction after McAfee’s show addressed it. Former NFL receiver Antonio Brown, personalities from Barstool Sports, and ESPN St. Louis radio host Doug Vaughn further amplified the story, leading to widespread social media harassment directed at Cornett, her boyfriend, and her family. The harassment escalated to the point that Cornett had to relocate to emergency housing.

Cornett has since hired attorney Monica Uddin and is pursuing legal action against McAfee, ESPN, and potentially others involved. Speaking on the ordeal, Cornett expressed how deeply the situation has affected her life.

“I would like people to be held accountable for what they’ve done,” she said. “You’re ruining my life by talking about it on your show for nothing but attention, but here I am staying up until 5 in the morning, every night, throwing up, not eating because I’m so anxious about what’s going to happen for the rest of my life.”

As of now, neither McAfee nor ESPN have responded to the controversy. With legal action on the horizon, this situation could have serious consequences for McAfee’s media career—not to mention his role with WWE.

WWE NXT Preview 4/1/2025

WWE NXT live tonight on The CW.

  • WWE NXT North American Championship: Shawn Spears (c) vs. Ricky Saints
  • Trick Williams calls out NXT Champion Oba Femi
  • It’s very likely that Darkstate will continue to make their presence known
  • What’s next for the Women’s NXT and Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer

John Cena Opens Up About Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Teams with Neutrogena for Awareness Campaign

John Cena has always been known for his resilience, both in and out of the wrestling ring. Now, he’s using his platform to spread an important message about skin health. The WWE legend and Hollywood star has teamed up with Neutrogena to promote their Ultra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen, revealing that he was previously diagnosed and treated for skin cancer.

Cena’s Personal Battle with Skin Cancer

In an interview with PEOPLE, Cena admitted that he had been “stubborn” when it came to sun protection, assuming he was immune to the long-term effects of sun exposure. However, after years of outdoor activity with minimal protection, he was diagnosed with skin cancer and had a cancerous spot removed from his right pectoral muscle.

“I didn’t want to have a routine, and I also thought the problem would never reach me,” Cena admitted. “It wasn’t until I went to a dermatologist, got a skin checkup, and had a cancerous spot removed from my right pec.”

Even after that first scare, Cena’s battle wasn’t over. A year later, he had another spot removed near his right shoulder, leaving visible marks that fans can actually see when he wrestles in WWE.

Spreading Awareness and Encouraging Prevention

Now, Cena is using his experience to encourage others to take sun protection seriously. He emphasized how overwhelming the statistics on skin cancer are, but noted that personal stories are what truly make an impact.

“The best way to hammer home a point is human-to-human connection,” Cena said. “That phone call is not what you want to get… because it is unpredictable, and you don’t know how bad it’s going to be.”

Through his partnership with Neutrogena, Cena hopes to educate fans on the importance of sunscreen and regular skin checkups, making sun protection a priority rather than an afterthought.

A Champion’s Message

Cena has spent decades inspiring fans with his “Never Give Up” mantra, and now he’s applying that same mindset to health advocacy. By sharing his story, he’s not only raising awareness but also encouraging people to take proactive steps in preventing skin cancer—because even superheroes like Cena aren’t invincible to the sun’s dangers.

AEW Dynamite’s Viewership Sees a Boost with Max Streaming, Averaging Over a Million Combined Viewers

Since AEW made its streaming debut on Max at the start of 2024, the promotion has gained a significant boost in total viewership—though exact numbers have been difficult to track. However, a new report suggests that AEW Dynamite has been pulling in impressive figures when factoring in its audience from both Max and TBS.

According to B.J. Bethel of SEScoops, AEW’s flagship weekly show has been averaging around 500,000 viewers on Max, on top of its traditional TV audience on TBS. When combined, this puts Dynamite’s total viewership over 1 million per episode, with some weeks reaching as high as 1.2 million viewers. Max reportedly calculates its numbers using Live-Plus-1 ratings, meaning it accounts for both live streams and those who watch within 24 hours. Additionally, Dynamite has been racking up about 60 million minutes watched per episode, even outperforming some major hockey broadcasts on the streaming platform.

AEW’s TV Ratings vs. WBD’s Perspective

While Dynamite’s cable ratings had seen a dip in recent months, the March 19 episode delivered the show’s highest TV viewership of the year. Despite internet chatter about ratings concerns, it seems Warner Bros. Discovery remains supportive of AEW’s programming. Andrew Zarian of Fightful’s Wrestling Beyond the Bell reported that WBD officials aren’t fazed by fluctuations in traditional TV ratings, saying the network remains happy with AEW’s performance.

Collision on the Rise, Thanks to Basketball Lead-Ins

Although Bethel’s report didn’t include Max numbers for AEW Collision, the Saturday night show has been making strides on TNT. The recent “Slam Dunk” special episodes, which had college basketball as a lead-in, saw Collision register its best numbers since December 2024. The strong sports crossover audience seems to have provided a temporary boost, further solidifying AEW’s growing presence on Turner networks.

With AEW continuing to expand its reach across both traditional cable and streaming platforms, the company seems to be settling into a strong and sustainable viewership model—one that may be less reliant on Nielsen ratings moving forward.

WWE Raw Preview 3/31/2025

WWE Raw airs live today globally on Netflix from the O2 Arena in London, England, with a special start time of 3:00 pm ET/12:00 pm PT.

  • WWE Women’s World Championship: IYO SKY (c) vs. Rhea Ripley. Bianca Belair will be the special guest referee
  • John Cena and Cody Rhodes to go face-to-face
  • Logan Paul to call out AJ Styles
  • Jimmy Uso vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther (non-title)
  • WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker and Penta vs. Judgment Day’s Finn Balor and Dominik ysterio
  • The New Day in action

SPOILER – TNA Wrestling To Introduce A New Championship

TNA Wrestling is shaking things up once again. The company has officially retired the Digital Media Championship and unveiled a brand-new title: the TNA International Championship.

The first-ever champion will be crowned at TNA Unbreakable 2025, set to take place during WrestleMania Week at the Cox Pavilion in Paradise, Nevada. The championship will be decided through three-way qualifying matches, leading up to the grand showdown at Unbreakable.

This marks a significant shift for TNA, as the Digital Media Championship had been part of the promotion since 2021. With the introduction of the International Championship, it appears the company is looking to expand its global reach and add more prestige to its mid-card division.

Unbreakable 2025 will air live on pay-per-view, making it a must-watch event for TNA fans. Stay tuned as more details, including participants for the qualifying matches, are revealed in the coming weeks!

Jerry “The King” Lawler Gives Health Update, Opens Up About Stroke Recovery

WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler recently provided an update on his health, discussing his ongoing recovery from a 2023 stroke and revealing details about his recent knee surgeries. The legendary commentator and former in-ring competitor spoke with Sportskeeda’s Bill Apter, sharing both the challenges he’s facing and his determination to keep moving forward.

Lawler’s Knee Surgery & Future Plans

At 74 years old, Lawler remains active but admitted that his knees have been giving him trouble. He recently underwent knee replacement surgery on his right knee, with another procedure expected for his left knee in the future.

“I feel great. I feel good except my knees are a little bit under the weather. I had my right knee replaced about six or seven months ago, and they said that takes about a year to get back to normal. My left knee needs to be replaced, too, but I’m going to wait a while on that one.”

Despite these setbacks, Lawler remains in good spirits and continues to make public appearances when possible.

Stroke Recovery: A Daily Battle

Lawler also reflected on the lingering effects of his 2023 stroke, admitting that while he has recovered enough to resume some activities, the impact is something he deals with every day.

“That’s [stroke] something that’s here constantly every day. I haven’t gotten over [it] because the effects of the stroke are always there. My whole right side of my body is damaged, and I can’t write real good, I can’t draw, but I can still sign autographs. Other than that, I feel fine.”

Fans will recall that Lawler was hospitalized following the stroke but made an inspiring recovery. While his days of wrestling and regular commentary are behind him, “The King” still finds ways to connect with the WWE Universe.

Lawler’s WWE Status & Recent Appearances

After decades as one of WWE’s most recognizable voices, Lawler’s long-standing contract with the company was not renewed in 2024. However, WWE still acknowledges his legacy, and he was seen on-camera during the February 7, 2025 edition of SmackDown, where he was shown in the crowd and received a warm ovation from the Memphis audience.

Although his full-time days in WWE may be over, Lawler remains a beloved figure in wrestling history. His resilience through health struggles is yet another testament to why he is, and always will be, The King.

Rey Fenix Set for WWE SmackDown Debut Next Week

The WWE roster just got even more exciting, as Rey Fenix is officially set to debut on SmackDown next week. The announcement was made during WWE SmackDown in London, England, confirming that the high-flying luchador will appear on the blue brand when WWE returns to the United States ahead of WrestleMania 41.

Rey Fenix Keeps His Name in WWE

After weeks of video teases and reports of his WWE signing, fans were eager to see what name Fenix would use in his new home. Unlike his brother and longtime tag partner Penta—formerly Pentagon Jr., whose name was shortened upon joining WWE Raw—Fenix will continue wrestling under the Rey Fenix moniker.

The decision follows a recent trend of WWE tweaking names for incoming talent. Former AEW star Ricky Starks, for example, recently rebranded as Ricky Saints upon joining WWE NXT. However, Fenix keeping his established ring name suggests WWE recognizes his international appeal.

Fenix’s Path to WWE

Fenix’s jump to WWE comes after months of speculation regarding his AEW status. AEW President Tony Khan initially extended Fenix’s contract due to injury time, preventing him from signing with WWE alongside his brother, Penta. However, Khan ultimately reversed his stance and granted Fenix his release in early May, paving the way for his WWE debut.

Reports had circulated that the Lucha Bros were in discussions with WWE before their AEW contracts expired, making Fenix’s arrival in WWE highly anticipated. With his explosive lucha libre style and a resume that includes championship reigns across multiple promotions, Fenix could quickly become a major player on SmackDown.

What’s Next for Rey Fenix?

Now that Fenix is officially WWE-bound, the big question is: How will he be introduced? Will he immediately enter the singles scene, or will WWE reunite the Lucha Bros on-screen? With WrestleMania 41 just around the corner, there’s no better time for Fenix to make an impact.

Fans won’t have to wait long to find out—Rey Fenix makes his WWE debut next Friday on SmackDown!