TNA Wrestling will present a new episode of Impact tonight on AXS TV as the build continues for Genesis next week.
Ring of Honor will present a new episode of ROH TV on HonorClub tonight.
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan’s appearance on the premiere episode of WWE RAW on Netflix stirred controversy, as the wrestling legend was met with a wave of boos from the live audience. The segment, intended to promote Hogan’s Real American Beer brand, became a major talking point backstage due to the overwhelmingly negative reaction.
The segment was designed as a straightforward promotional opportunity, but fans in attendance weren’t shy about expressing their disdain. Hogan’s past controversies, including his vocal support for Donald Trump and associations with divisive figures, appear to have played a role in the crowd’s reaction. The situation reportedly caused frustration among WWE officials, who had high hopes for the Netflix premiere as a marquee event.
Despite the hostile reception, Hogan was said to have taken the incident in stride. While he expressed “surprise and disappointment” at being booed so heavily, he reportedly brushed it off backstage. WWE also limited Hogan’s screen time, with the segment kept short due to his physical condition and to avoid further backlash.
Following the event, online fans speculated that Hogan could have embraced the negativity by revisiting his infamous nWo Hollywood Hogan persona, which would have aligned with the heel reaction he received. However, WWE sources revealed that the focus was always on promoting the beer, not reinventing Hogan’s character. One insider noted, “We’re trying to sell beer, not get a 70-year-old over any way we can.”
While the reaction was far from ideal, WWE does not appear ready to sever ties with Hogan’s Real American Beer brand. However, the incident has sparked internal discussions about exploring other options. Some within WWE reportedly suggested that the company should consider using different legends or active talent to endorse the beer moving forward.
For now, Hogan remains part of the promotional plans. He is expected to appear at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event later this month, though WWE will likely take steps to mitigate another negative crowd reaction.
Hogan’s appearance highlights the challenges WWE faces when working with polarizing figures, even legends as iconic as Hogan. As the company looks to balance nostalgia with its modern audience’s preferences, moments like this could influence how WWE utilizes its Hall of Famers in the future.
The wrestling world is buzzing with rumors that former AEW World Trios Champion Malakai Black may be on his way out of All Elite Wrestling. A new report from Fightful Select suggests that Black might be finishing up with AEW, though no official confirmation has been made. This speculation comes despite earlier statements indicating Black’s AEW contract would run through 2027.
Black’s contract status has been the subject of intense discussion for months. According to Fightful, Black’s deal was initially reported to expire in early 2025, with additional option years built in. However, AEW President Tony Khan previously stated that Black was locked in until 2027, raising questions about whether an option year was declined or if Black sought an early exit.
Adding fuel to the fire, Black’s House of Black teammate Buddy Matthews recently faced Will Ospreay on AEW Dynamite. Following the match, Ospreay delivered a promo encouraging Matthews to aim for singles gold, even offering to stand in his corner if needed. Some fans saw this as a potential hint at a shake-up within the faction, though no direct mention of Black was made.
Rumors of Malakai Black returning to WWE have been swirling for some time, especially after Paul “Triple H” Levesque took over creative responsibilities in WWE. Black has publicly praised Triple H, and WWE is reportedly interested in bringing him back to the fold. His wife, Zelina Vega, is currently a prominent member of WWE’s Raw roster, which has only added to the speculation.
Back in September, similar rumors about Black’s AEW departure emerged but were ultimately debunked when he returned to AEW programming. As of now, Black is still listed on AEW’s official roster page, but Fightful noted they were unable to confirm whether his contract has been terminated, renewed, or altered in any way.
If Black does leave AEW, the move could have significant implications for both AEW and WWE. Black’s dark, enigmatic persona has been a standout feature of AEW programming, particularly as the leader of the House of Black. His potential departure could signal a shift in AEW’s roster dynamics and storylines. Meanwhile, a WWE return would mark an intriguing chapter in Black’s career, especially under Triple H’s creative direction.
For now, fans will have to wait and see how the story unfolds. Whether he stays with AEW or moves on, one thing is certain: Malakai Black remains one of the most compelling figures in professional wrestling today. Stay tuned to Wrestling News Blog for updates on this developing story.
AEW Dynamite air live tonight on TBS at 8:00 pm ET and live on Max coast to coast beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the F&M Bank Arena in Clarksville, Tennessee.
The debut episode of WWE Raw on Netflix delivered plenty of surprises, but perhaps none were as polarizing as Hulk Hogan’s appearance. Stepping onto the stage at the Intuit Dome on Monday night alongside longtime ally Jimmy Hart, Hogan faced an unexpected reception as the Los Angeles crowd greeted him with resounding boos.
Hogan, one of WWE’s most iconic figures, attempted to rally the audience with a heartfelt speech, declaring that being part of WWE was the “greatest part of his life.” He also reminisced about his legendary career and told fans they were his “greatest partners” over the years. However, his words did little to sway the crowd, which continued to voice its displeasure throughout the segment.
The Hulkster used the opportunity to plug his Real American Beer brand before tearing off his shirt to reveal a custom “Netflix Is RAW” t-shirt. He concluded with a modified version of his famous catchphrase:
“Whatchya’ gonna’ do when WWE and Netflix run wild on you, brother!”
The unrelenting boos, however, suggested the crowd wasn’t ready to run wild with Hogan that night.
After the show, social media buzzed with speculation over why Hogan was met with such a hostile reaction. Many theorized that his well-documented support for former President Donald Trump may have played a role. Hogan has long been associated with Trump’s MAGA movement, but some fans noted the mixed messaging when comparing his reception to that of other WWE personalities.
For instance, The Undertaker, who had Trump as a guest on his podcast, was loudly cheered when he appeared earlier in the evening. Similarly, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon—both spotted at Trump’s New Year’s Eve party—received warm reactions from the crowd.
Hogan’s polarizing reception underscores the complexities of his legacy. While he remains a cornerstone of WWE history and a hero to generations of fans, his personal controversies and political affiliations have alienated some of his audience. Monday’s crowd reaction was a stark reminder that not all fans are willing to separate the performer from the person.
Despite the boos, Hogan’s appearance achieved its purpose of generating buzz for Raw’s Netflix premiere. Whether fans loved or loathed his segment, it ensured people were talking about the show long after the cameras stopped rolling.
As WWE continues its partnership with Netflix, it will be interesting to see how the company balances nostalgia-driven appearances like Hogan’s with the demands and expectations of its modern audience. For now, Hulkamania might not be running wild in Los Angeles, but it’s certainly stirring the pot.
When Netflix unveiled its highly anticipated trailer for WWE Raw, many fans expected Becky Lynch, prominently featured in the promotional material, to make a dramatic return during the red brand’s official debut on the streaming platform. However, as the night unfolded live from the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, Lynch was notably absent, leaving fans and even some WWE talents scratching their heads.
According to a report from Fightful Select, WWE never actually planned for Lynch to appear during the Netflix premiere of Raw, despite speculation that her segment might have been cut. The outlet clarified that Lynch wasn’t even in Los Angeles on Monday, dispelling rumors of a last-minute cancellation.
Interestingly, other reports claimed that Lynch was initially slotted to appear after the WWE Women’s World Championship match between Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan. That spot, however, was reportedly reassigned to WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker, who shared a memorable post-match moment posing with Ripley.
Though Lynch’s absence may have disappointed fans, the good news is that her WWE future seems secure. Fightful Select reported that Lynch has agreed to a new deal with WWE, though the specifics, including the contract’s duration, remain under wraps.
Her previous deal expired in spring 2024, during which she briefly became a free agent. It’s said WWE faced stiff competition from other suitors offering big money, but Lynch ultimately chose to stay with the company where she has become one of the most recognizable and influential stars.
Becky Lynch’s return may still be a while off, but her absence hasn’t gone unnoticed. Lynch has not competed since May 27, 2024, where she lost to Liv Morgan in a steel cage match on Raw. However, a report from early January 2025 indicates that her return is expected to play a key role in WWE’s plans for WrestleMania 41. While details of her involvement remain under wraps, the company is reportedly working on “high-level” plans to reintroduce her into the fold in a major way.
Lynch’s absence from the Netflix premiere of Raw may have been disappointing, but it underscores WWE’s evolving approach to storytelling and surprises. With her new deal locked in and major plans reportedly in the works, Becky Lynch’s return will undoubtedly be worth the wait.
Fans should keep their eyes on the road to WrestleMania, as “The Man” is likely to make her mark once again, bringing her signature fire and passion to the grandest stage of them all. Until then, speculation about her comeback will only continue to build.
Konosuke Takeshita is setting the wrestling world ablaze as he kicks off 2025 with an unprecedented level of success and a packed schedule. “The Alpha” is now leaving Japan not only with two championship belts but also with contracts from three major promotions: AEW, NJPW, and DDT. Takeshita’s rise in prominence highlights his undeniable talent and the growing collaboration between wrestling companies across the globe.
Since signing with AEW in 2022, Takeshita has balanced his commitments with DDT while making waves in the U.S. wrestling scene. Now, with a one-year deal freshly inked with NJPW following the Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5, Takeshita has expanded his already busy schedule. Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer shed light on how this unique arrangement works.
“Takeshita’s primary contract is still with AEW,” Meltzer explained. “He can work indies and has been active in Japan with DDT. But now, he’ll be wrestling more for New Japan. AEW remains the priority, but Tony Khan and Rocky Romero are collaborating to ensure he can perform for both AEW and NJPW effectively.”
Takeshita’s latest accomplishments in Japan only add to his growing legacy. On January 3, he teamed with his mentor Jun Akiyama at a DDT event. Just one day later, at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 19, he defeated Shingo Takagi to claim the NEVER Openweight Championship. The momentum didn’t stop there. At the Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5, Takeshita retained both the NEVER Openweight and AEW International Championships in a hard-fought battle against Tomohiro Ishii.
With two championships to defend and three promotions to juggle, Takeshita is set for a whirlwind year. His next major challenge will come at NJPW’s Battle in the Valley on January 11, where he’ll defend his NEVER Openweight Championship against KUSHIDA.
Takeshita’s triple-contract situation is a testament to the evolving wrestling landscape. The collaboration between AEW, NJPW, and DDT highlights a willingness among promotions to share talent and provide fans with unforgettable matches. For Takeshita, this means greater opportunities to showcase his skills on multiple platforms, while for fans, it promises exciting cross-promotional matchups in 2025.
As Takeshita embarks on this monumental chapter in his career, one thing is clear: “The Alpha” is poised to dominate the wrestling world and redefine what it means to be an international star. Stay tuned to see how he balances this historic run!
Sorry for this post being so late, but here in Southern Indiana we are dealing with problems from a winter storm with a lot of ice from freezing rain that left a lot of people without power from frozen tree limps falling on power lines. Some are still without power.
So below is the results from Wrestle Dynasty:
Pre-Show:
Main Card:
WWE NXT New Year’s Evil tonight live on The CW from the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, CA.
Wrestling News Blog 