TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 1/29/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT tonight at 9pm ET on AMC and TNA+

  • The System to kick off the show
  • The Feast or Fired cases will be opened
  • No Holds Barred Match: Rich Swann vs. AJ Francis
  • Elayna Black’s in-ring debut
  • BDE vs. Nic Nemeth
  • Jason Hotch vs. Elijah

Rey Mysterio Injury Update Raises Royal Rumble Concerns Ahead of Riyadh Event

With the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble just days away, Rey Mysterio’s status has suddenly become a major question mark. The WWE Hall of Famer sparked concern on Monday Night RAW after appearing to injure his arm during a match against Austin Theory, with the post-match visuals suggesting something wasn’t right.

However, newer reports indicate the issue may not be arm-related after all. According to PWInsider, Mysterio is actually dealing with a rib injury, though the exact severity hasn’t been confirmed. At this point, it’s unclear whether he’ll be medically cleared in time to compete in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, leaving WWE potentially forced to tweak creative plans at the last minute.

There is at least some reason for optimism. Mysterio recently posted a photo from Riyadh alongside Liv Morgan, Jade Cargill, Jacob Fatu, and Raquel Rodriguez, confirming that he has already traveled with the WWE roster for the premium live event. While that doesn’t guarantee he’ll be cleared to wrestle, it does suggest WWE hasn’t ruled out his involvement entirely, even if his role changes close to showtime.

The timing of this injury scare couldn’t be worse. Mysterio only returned to action in November 2025 after missing seven months due to a torn groin, and another setback so soon after raises understandable concerns about his long-term health. For now, all eyes are on WWE’s medical team as fans wait to see whether the legendary luchador will be able to take part in one of the company’s biggest matches of the year—and what it could mean for his road to WrestleMania if he can’t.

Jake Doyle Suffers Apparent Biceps Injury During AEW Tag Title Match on Dynamite

The AEW World Tag Team Championship bout on the January 28 episode of Dynamite was shaping up to be a big moment for Jake Doyle, but it appears the night took a rough turn far earlier than anyone expected. During the title match pitting FTR against Doyle and Mark Davis, Doyle seemingly suffered a serious injury that forced AEW to change course on the fly.

According to reports, the issue occurred after Doyle took a DDT on the ring apron. He was later heard telling Cash Wheeler that he believed he had torn his right biceps. From that point on, Doyle was quietly removed from the match and never returned, with FTR and Davis finishing things in short order. Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that the crowd immediately sensed something was off, describing the arena as going silent as it became clear the situation was legitimate rather than storyline-driven.

Dave Meltzer added more context regarding what Doyle could be facing recovery-wise. If the injury doesn’t require surgery, a return in roughly four months is possible. However, if surgery is needed, the timetable could stretch to six or seven months, which would be a significant setback—especially given how early Doyle is in his AEW run. Meltzer also pointed out how unfortunate the timing is, calling AEW the biggest opportunity of Doyle’s career to date and noting how easy it can be to lose momentum on such a stacked roster after a long absence.

There is at least some optimism for Mark Davis in the meantime. Meltzer suggested Davis is still likely to appear on AEW programming, potentially aligned with The Don Callis Family, though perhaps not in the same featured role the team would have had if Doyle were healthy. For now, fans will have to wait and see just how serious Doyle’s injury is, but it’s an undeniably tough break for a talent who was just starting to gain traction on a major stage.

Tommaso Ciampa Makes AEW Debut On Dynamite

The “Psycho Killer” Tommaso Ciampa is officially All Elite.

Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite closed with a moment few fans expected so soon, as Ciampa made his surprise debut for the company and immediately set his sights on championship gold. The former WWE standout appeared moments after Mark Briscoe successfully defended the TNT Championship against El Clon, turning what seemed like a routine post-match segment into a major talking point.

After retaining the title, Briscoe grabbed a microphone and announced an open challenge for this weekend’s AEW Collision. That’s when the arena lights dropped. When they came back on, an unknown video graphic and theme music played, then Ciampa appeared on the entrance stage, drawing a loud reaction from the crowd. The two men locked eyes in a tense staredown in the ring, and it didn’t take long before AEW made it official — Ciampa vs. Briscoe for the TNT Championship is set for Saturday night’s AEW Collision.

The debut comes just days after Ciampa’s WWE departure became official. Earlier this week, his profile was quietly moved to WWE’s alumni section, ending an 11-year run with the company that began in 2015. While there had been speculation about where Ciampa might land next, AEW wasted no time positioning him as a serious player.

Ciampa leaves WWE with an impressive résumé. He is a two-time NXT Champion and held tag team gold multiple times alongside longtime rival-turned-partner Johnny Gargano as part of #DIY. Their run together defined an era of NXT, with Ciampa carving out a reputation as one of the brand’s most intense and compelling performers.

Now, Ciampa steps into a new environment with immediate momentum and a title opportunity waiting for him. Whether his AEW run becomes a short-term shockwave or the start of something long-term, his debut has already added another layer of intrigue to AEW’s ever-evolving roster — and Saturday’s Collision just became must-see television.

AEW Dynamite Preview 1/28/2026

AEW Dynamite Live on TBS and HBO Max from the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas

  • AEW Women’s World Championship: Kris Statlander (c) vs. Thekla
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship: FTR (c) vs. Jake Doyle & Mark Davis
  • TNT Championship: Mark Briscoe (c) vs. El Clon
  • Continental Championship Eliminator Match: Jon Moxley vs. Ace Austin
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Andrade El Idolo
  • Kenny Omega vs. Rocky Romero
  • AEW World Champion MJF to appear

Brock Lesnar Confirms Entry In 2026 WWE Royal Rumble Match

Speculation surrounding Brock Lesnar’s WWE future can officially be put to rest — at least for now. The former WWE Champion has confirmed that he will be competing in the Men’s Royal Rumble match at the 2026 Royal Rumble premium live event.

Lesnar made the announcement during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, where he addressed the rumors head-on and left little room for interpretation. In classic Lesnar fashion, “The Beast” didn’t just confirm his entry — he declared his intentions.

“I’m heading to the Royal Rumble, boys,” Lesnar said. “I’m gonna win it.”

The confirmation immediately positions Lesnar as one of the favorites heading into the 30-man match, especially given his dominant history in the Royal Rumble. Lesnar has previously bulldozed through the field in past appearances, and his mere presence tends to shift the entire dynamic of the match.

This year’s Royal Rumble is already historic, as the event will take place on January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show will be held at a temporary outdoor stadium in the King Abdullah Financial District as part of the ongoing Riyadh Season festivities, marking the first time the Royal Rumble is staged outside of North America.

With Lesnar officially in the field, the Men’s Royal Rumble just gained another massive layer of intrigue. Whether WWE plans to use his return to launch a WrestleMania main event program remains to be seen, but one thing is clear — Brock Lesnar isn’t coming to Riyadh just to participate. He’s coming to dominate.

Backstage Update Brings Relief on Rey Mysterio’s Status Ahead of Royal Rumble

Rey Mysterio had WWE fans holding their breath following a scary moment on this week’s episode of RAW. The Hall of Famer appeared to suffer an injury during his singles match with Austin Theory, sparking immediate concern with the Royal Rumble just days away.

The match itself descended into chaos thanks to interference from The Vision — Logan Paul, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed — which ultimately allowed Theory to pick up the win. However, the focus quickly shifted after the final bell when Mysterio was seen clutching his arm. The referee throwing up the dreaded “X” signal only added to the alarm, and Mysterio was notably absent from the post-match angle as medical personnel escorted him to the back.

Given WWE’s history of blending real injuries into storylines, fans were left wondering whether this was all part of the show or a legitimate issue that could derail Mysterio’s plans.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, there’s reason for optimism. Meltzer reports that the injury is not believed to be serious, and as of now, Mysterio is still expected to compete in the 30-man Royal Rumble match in Riyadh.

That’s significant news considering Mysterio only returned to action in November 2025 after missing seven months with a torn groin. At 51 years old, any physical setback naturally raises red flags, but WWE reportedly has no plans at this time to remove him from the Royal Rumble lineup.

While WWE will undoubtedly continue to monitor the situation closely, the early word backstage suggests this was more of a scare than a setback — a welcome update for fans hoping to see the legendary luchador shine on one of WWE’s biggest stages.

TNA Impact On AMC Viewership & Ratings Report, Holds Steady In Week Two As Fan Reception Improves

TNA’s jump to AMC got off to a rocky start, and heading into week two, there was real concern that Impact might follow a familiar wrestling trend — a sharp drop after the premiere. While the January 22 episode did see a slight decline, the numbers suggest the situation isn’t nearly as dire as some feared.

According to reports from Wrestlenomics and the Pro Wrestling Torch, the second AMC airing of TNA Impact averaged 171,000 viewers, along with a 0.03 rating in the key 18–49 demographic. That’s a modest dip from the debut episode’s 173,000 viewers and 0.04 demo rating, translating to just a 1% drop in overall viewership and a 0.01 slide in the demo. Considering how often wrestling shows see steeper declines after a premiere, TNA managing to retain most of its audience is an encouraging early sign.

Where Impact really rebounded, though, was in fan perception. The episode scored a 6.09 rating on Cagematch, a massive improvement over the premiere’s rough 1.47 score. That jump suggests that while viewers may still be cautious, those who tuned in were far more satisfied with the in-ring product and presentation this time around.

A big talking point from the show was the return of TNA’s classic “Feast or Fired” match. Eddie Edwards, Eric Young, Steve Maclin, and Trey Miguel walked away with the briefcases, but it was Miguel’s involvement that generated the most buzz. Just a week earlier, Miguel had exited TNA for AEW, only to be released almost immediately after past comments resurfaced and were deemed homophobic. With his AEW stint ending as quickly as it began, Miguel was free to return to TNA — the company where he spent the majority of his eight-year career.

While Impact hasn’t delivered a breakout ratings moment yet, holding steady in week two and dramatically improving its reception gives TNA something to build on. The bigger question now is whether the promotion can turn that stability into growth as its AMC run continues.

WWE NXT Preview 1/27/2026

WWE NXT tonight on The CW

  • NXT Tag Team Championship: DarkState (c) vs. OTM
  • NXT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Joe Hendry vs. Jackson Drake
  • NXT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Andre Chase vs. Keanu Carver
  • NXT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Myles Borne vs. Dion Lennox

Rey Mysterio Reportedly Suffered An Injury In WWE Raw Match With Austin Theory

Rey Mysterio’s road to the Royal Rumble may have hit an unexpected roadblock.

The WWE Hall of Famer was reportedly injured during this week’s episode of WWE Raw while competing in a singles rematch against Austin Theory. The bout was set up earlier in the show by Raw General Manager Adam Pearce, stemming from last week’s six-man tag team match that saw Mysterio team with Penta and Dragon Lee against Theory, Logan Paul, and Bronson Reed.

That prior encounter ended with controversy, as Pearce appeared just as Logan Paul attempted to use brass knuckles. The distraction allowed Mysterio to get his hands on the weapon and strike Theory, scoring the pinfall victory. On Raw, however, Theory managed to even the score — albeit with plenty of help.

During the rematch, interference from The Vision turned the tide. Penta and Dragon Lee rushed the ring to counter the numbers advantage, leading to a chaotic brawl at ringside. Amid the confusion, Theory capitalized by hitting a stomp on Mysterio to secure the pin.

Things only escalated after the bell. The Vision continued their assault on the luchadors, and Bron Breakker made his presence felt. Cameras quickly cut away as Breakker lined up Mysterio for a spear. When the broadcast returned, it was Penta who took the spear, followed by a Tsunami from Bronson Reed.

Despite the production switch, it was later reported that Mysterio had been legitimately hurt during the match itself. According to BodySlam’s Cory Hays, Rey was assisted to the back by WWE medical personnel following the segment, raising immediate concern about his condition.

The timing is especially unfortunate, as Mysterio is currently advertised for this Saturday’s Royal Rumble match. As of now, WWE has not confirmed the severity of the injury, nor whether Rey will be medically cleared to compete or pulled from the Rumble altogether.

Given Mysterio’s history of battling through injuries — and his importance to WWE’s ongoing storylines — fans will be anxiously awaiting updates on his status in the coming days.