Seth Rollins Officially Stripped of the World Heavyweight Championship on WWE Raw Due to Injury

WWE kicked off Monday Night Raw this week with a major announcement from General Manager Adam Pearce — and it’s one that will shake up the world title picture. Pearce confirmed the rumors that had been circulating all day: Seth Rollins is no longer the World Heavyweight Champion.

Rollins’ title reign came to an end following the injury he suffered at Crown Jewel in his match against Cody Rhodes, compounded by last week’s brutal attack from Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. WWE is keeping the real-life details close to the vest, but the storyline explanation is that “The Vision” took things too far, leaving Rollins unable to compete.

Pearce addressed the crowd from the ring to open the show, but the scene quickly escalated when a black SUV pulled up outside the arena. Out stepped Paul Heyman, Bronson Reed, and Bron Breakker — the latter carrying the World Heavyweight Championship over his shoulder as if it already belonged to him. The trio made their way to the ring as Pearce laid out the situation face-to-face.

Pearce explained that Rollins underwent major surgery and would be sidelined for the foreseeable future. With the champion out, Pearce had no choice but to officially strip him of the title. After some tense back-and-forth, Breakker reluctantly handed the belt to Heyman, who passed it over to Pearce.

But Pearce wasn’t done making news. He announced that CM Punk — who earned a title shot after defeating LA Knight and Jey Uso last week — would still get his championship opportunity. To determine Punk’s opponent, Raw would feature an “old school” over-the-top-rope battle royal later that night. The winner would move on to face Punk at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where the new World Heavyweight Champion will finally be crowned.

With Rollins sidelined, Breakker and Reed making power plays, and Punk waiting in the wings, the World Heavyweight Title scene just got a whole lot more unpredictable.

Former AEW Coach Blasts Promotion Over Dangerous Match Spot

AEW’s WrestleDream 2025 pay-per-view is still making headlines—this time for all the wrong reasons. During a brutal “I Quit” match between Jon Moxley and Darby Allin, the two pushed the envelope on violence and shock value. But it was one particularly disturbing sequence that’s drawing heavy criticism from within the wrestling world.

At one point in the match, Moxley repeatedly forced Allin’s head into a fish tank, holding him underwater while demanding he quit. Allin, true to his daredevil reputation, refused to give in—but the visual left many uneasy.

One of those disturbed by the spot was former AEW coach and producer Sarah Stock, who took to social media to share her concern. Stock, who was released from AEW earlier this year, didn’t hold back:

“You know who should stop this? Mothers. With their remote control. This is worse than the plastic bag over the head. Kids are going to end up dead trying this stuff at home.”

Stock’s comments highlight an ongoing debate within pro wrestling about how far companies should go to blend violence with entertainment. While AEW has built its identity on hard-hitting, risk-taking action, critics argue there’s a line between gritty realism and reckless danger—especially when impressionable fans might try to imitate what they see on TV.

As of now, AEW hasn’t publicly responded to Stock’s remarks, but the conversation around safety and responsibility in wrestling storytelling isn’t going away anytime soon.

WWE Raw Preview 10/20/2025

Monday’ WWE Raw airs live globally on Netflix from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT.

  • Raw General Manager Adam Pearce will provide an update on the status of Seth Rollins, after Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed turned on him, laying him out at the end of last week’s show in Perth, Australia
  • Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed to speak on last week’s attack on Seth Rollins
  • WWE World Tag Team Championship: The Judgment Day (JD McDonagh & Finn Balor) (c) vs. AJ Styles & Dragon Lee
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Maxxine Dupri
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Rusev

AEW WrestleDream 10/18/2025 (Results) – Sting Appeared

AEW WrestleDream Quick Results

  • (Tailgate Brawl) – Death Riders def. Roderick Strong & The Conglomeration
  • (Tailgate Brawl) – Eddie Kingston & HOOK def. Frat House
  • (Tailgate Brawl) – Harley Cameron & Willow Nightingale def. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
  • (Tailgate Brawl) – FTR def. JetSpeed
  • Jamie Hayter def. Thekla
  • $500K Tag match: Jurassic Express def. The Young Bucks
  • Tornado Trios match: The Hurt Syndicate def. The Demand
  • TNT championship: Kyle Fletcher (c) def. Mark Briscoe
  • AEW Women’s World championship: Kris Statlander (c) def. Toni Storm
  • TBS & ROH Women’s TV championship: Mercedes Moné (AEW) def. Mina Shirakawa (ROH)
  • AEW Tag Team championship: Brodido (c) def. Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita
  • AEW Men’s World championship: Hangman Page (c) def. Samoa Joe
  • I Quit match: Darby Allin def. Jon Moxley

The Tailgate Brawl Pre-Show

AEW kicked off the night in pure mayhem with a four-match Tailgate Brawl series, featuring wild tag and multi-man action that set the tone for the evening.

Death Riders def. Roderick Strong & The Conglomeration

The first chaotic battle saw Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, Daniel Garcia, and Wheeler YUTA — collectively known as The Death Riders — score a hard-fought victory over Roderick Strong, Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy, and Tomohiro Ishii. The bout turned into complete anarchy with all eight men throwing bombs until PAC sealed the win, connecting with a Knee Trembler on Ishii for the decisive pinfall.
Afterward, La Faccion Ingobernable cut a backstage promo warning that their issues with Eddie Kingston and HOOK were far from finished.

Eddie Kingston & HOOK def. Frat House

The unlikely pairing of Kingston and HOOK proved dominant, as they overcame Griff Garrison and Kole Karter (with Jacked Jameson at ringside). After a brief interference from Jameson backfired, HOOK locked in Redrum on Karter while Kingston delivered a devastating Backfist to the Future for the submission win.

Harley Cameron & Willow Nightingale def. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford

Willow Nightingale’s powerhouse energy combined with Harley Cameron’s intensity to score a major pre-show win. The four women tore into each other with high-impact offense and close calls before Nightingale finished the match in emphatic fashion, hitting Ford with the Doctor Bomb for the victory.

FTR def. JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey)

The pre-show finale bled directly into the main card, as FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler faced Kevin Knight and “Speedball” Mike Bailey in a fast-paced classic. Despite JetSpeed’s incredible chemistry and aerial offense, FTR’s ring savvy — and a little help from Stokely Hathaway holding Bailey’s foot — gave them the edge. Harwood countered a crossbody into a suplex for the tainted pin, keeping FTR on top.

Main Card Highlights

Jamie Hayter def. Thekla

With no seconds allowed at ringside, Jamie Hayter and Thekla put on a stiff, physical encounter that saw both women trade heavy shots and suplexes. Thekla’s Spider’s Web submission nearly forced Hayter to tap, but the former AEW Women’s Champion powered back, hitting the Hayterade lariat for the victory. Post-match, Queen Aminata appeared to raise Hayter’s hand as the ominous Sisters of Sin looked on from the stage.

Jurassic Express def. The Young Bucks – $500,000 Tag Match

For a cool half-million dollars, Jungle Man Jack Perry and Luchasaurus went to war with the Young Bucks in a high-octane tag team bout filled with callbacks and chaos. The Bucks threw everything at Jurassic Express — including multiple BTE Triggers — but Perry refused to stay down. In the closing moments, Luchasaurus leveled Nick Jackson with a massive chokeslam, setting up Perry to hit Countdown to Extinction on Matt Jackson for the huge win and the payday.
After the match, Don Callis Family (Lance Archer, Mark Davis, and Josh Alexander) attacked Jurassic Express until Kenny Omega made a surprise return to even the odds.

The Hurt Syndicate def. The Demand – Trios Tornado Match

In a wild brawl to determine the next challengers for the AEW World Trios Titles, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and MVP — The Hurt Syndicate — overcame Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona of The Demand. The match featured carnage at ringside, highlighted by a double spinebuster through a table early on. In the end, Benjamin pinned Kaun after a chaotic sequence to earn the Syndicate a title opportunity.

Kyle Fletcher def. Mark Briscoe – AEW TNT Championship

Kyle Fletcher retained the TNT Championship against Mark Briscoe in a brutal, evenly-matched fight that had the St. Louis crowd on their feet. Briscoe seemed to have it won after hitting the Jay Driller on the apron, but Fletcher showed his grit, escaping multiple Froggy Bow attempts and countering into a turnbuckle brainbuster to keep his title. Don Callis watched from commentary, grinning as his protégé survived another war.

Kris Statlander def. Toni Storm – AEW Women’s World Championship

Kris Statlander and Toni Storm put on a hard-hitting classic that mixed technical exchanges with raw emotion. Storm came close after landing Storm Zero, but Statlander rallied with the Area 451 and finished with Saturday Night Fever to retain the AEW Women’s World Title.
Post-match, Mercedes Moné arrived, dismissing Statlander and issuing an open challenge — answered by ROH’s Mina Shirakawa.

Mercedes Moné def. Mina Shirakawa – AEW TBS & ROH Women’s TV Titles

In a historic winner-takes-all bout, Mercedes Moné retained her AEW TBS Title while capturing Shirakawa’s ROH Women’s TV Championship. The two traded submissions and pin counters until Moné stole the win by pinning Mina with her feet on the ropes — unseen by the referee.
Kris Statlander returned afterward to confront Moné, laying her out with a Samoan Drop to set up a heated collision at Full Gear.

Brodido def. Okada & Takeshita – AEW Tag Team Championship

Brody King and Bandido, collectively known as Brodido, successfully defended their AEW Tag Titles against Kazuchika Okada and Konosuke Takeshita of the Don Callis Family in a brutal, athletic showdown. Despite Okada’s precision and Takeshita’s power, the champions outlasted the challengers — with Bandido hitting a picture-perfect 21-Plex on Okada for the win.
Afterward, Takeshita glared at Okada, teasing dissension in Callis’ camp as Brodido celebrated with fans at ringside.

Hangman Adam Page def. Samoa Joe – AEW World Championship

Hangman Page retained the AEW World Title in a violent, hard-hitting encounter with Samoa Joe. The match was pure intensity — Joe dominating early with punishing strikes and submissions, and Hangman fighting from underneath with heart and desperation. After surviving a Coquina Clutch and escaping a Muscle Buster, Page hit Deadeye and followed up with a trio of Buckshot Lariats to seal the victory.
Post-match, Joe appeared to show respect — only to lay Page out alongside Katsuyori Shibata and Will Hobbs, declaring that Hangman wasn’t worthy of the gold. Joe stood tall over the champion, belt in hand, as the crowd booed furiously.

Darby Allin def. Jon Moxley – “I Quit” Match

The main event was pure madness. Darby Allin and Jon Moxley tore each other apart in a barbaric “I Quit” match that saw blood, broken glass, and even an aquarium filled with water used as weapons. Moxley and his Death Riders allies tried to drown Darby, but the lights went out — and Sting appeared for a shocking return, laying waste to Moxley’s crew before leaving Darby to finish the fight.
Allin rallied, locking Moxley in a Scorpion Deathlock amid the shattered glass, forcing him to scream the words, “I quit.” Darby stood tall, clutching the AEW flag in victory — a symbolic end to a gruesome war.

Ilja Dragunov Returns and Stuns Sami Zayn to Capture the U.S. Title on WWE SmackDown

After more than a year away from the ring, Ilja Dragunov stormed back into WWE in a big way—by taking the United States Championship from Sami Zayn on SmackDown.

Dragunov, who hadn’t competed since last September, became the seventh challenger to answer Zayn’s weekly open challenge. The “Mad Dragon” made the most of his shot, going toe-to-toe with the resilient champion in a hard-hitting clash that lived up to both men’s reputations.

The bout was physical from the opening bell, packed with punishing strikes and near-falls. Zayn looked to have things under control late in the match, lining up for his trademark Helluva Kick—but Solo Sikoa chose that moment to make his presence felt. The Bloodline powerhouse appeared at ringside, briefly distracting Zayn and giving Dragunov just enough time to recover.

Sensing an opening, Dragunov exploded with the Torpedo Moscow, flooring Zayn before sealing the deal with a thunderous H-Bomb elbow drop. The three-count ended Zayn’s 50-day reign and crowned Dragunov as the new United States Champion—his first title since joining the main roster. The victory adds to Dragunov’s already impressive résumé, which includes reigns as both NXT and NXT UK Champion.

However, Dragunov’s celebration was short-lived. Moments after the match, Sikoa and his MFT allies launched a brutal attack on both Dragunov and Zayn. Standing tall over the fallen Superstars, Sikoa declared that he would “bring gold back to his family.” But before The Bloodline could further their assault, the Wyatt Sicks emerged, creating a tense standoff that closed the show.

With Dragunov now holding the red, white, and blue gold, and Sikoa vowing vengeance, the United States Title picture just became one of the most volatile storylines on SmackDown.

AEW WrestleDream 10/18/2025 (Card)

AEW WrestleDream – Saturday, October 18, 2025 – Chaifetz Arena, Saint Louis University – St. Louis, MO

WrestleDream

  • AEW World Championship: Hangman Page (c) vs. Samoa Joe
  • AEW Women’s World Championship: Kris Statlander (c) vs. Toni Storm
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship: Brody King & Bandido (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada & Konosuke Takeshita
  • TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Mark Briscoe
  • I Quit: Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley
  • $500k Match: Young Bucks vs. Jurassic Express
  • Hurt Syndicate vs. Ricochet & GOA
  • Jamie Hayter vs. Thekla

Tailgate Brawl

  • JetSpeed vs. FTR
  • Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron vs. Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford
  • Eddie Kingston & HOOK in a tag team action
  • Death Riders vs. The Conglomeration

Tailgate Brawl will air on TNT at 6pm ET.

WWE SmackDown Preview 10/17/2025

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix internationally, emanating from the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

  • Fallout from Crown Jewel
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair (c) vs. ZaRuca (Sol Ruca & Zaria)
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to appear
  • Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre (despite reports, Fatu is dealing with a non-wrestling injury that may leave him out of action well into 2026. WWE could do an injury angle to write Fatu off WWE television)

Injured AEW Star Jay White Breaks Silence With Cryptic One-Word Post

After months of silence both in the ring and online, Jay White has finally resurfaced — and fans are buzzing.

The former leader of Bullet Club and current AEW star took to X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday for the first time in seven months, posting a single word:

“Ready?”

That one-word tease was all it took to set social media ablaze, drawing hundreds of comments and speculation from fans eager to know what “Switchblade” might be hinting at. Could a comeback be on the horizon?

White has been out of action since March 2025, when he last wrestled Kevin Knight on AEW Collision. Not long after that match, reports surfaced that White had suffered a hand injury severe enough to require surgery. Later, word came that he may also have been dealing with shoulder issues, though details about whether he needed a second surgery were unclear.

Before his injury, White was scheduled to compete in the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, but AEW used a storyline attack from the Death Riders to write him off television. Knight ultimately took his spot in the bracket, facing Will Ospreay in the opening round.

White’s social media silence only added to the mystery. His last activity on X came back in July, when he replied to a fan predicting a future AEW singles title run with a winking GIF — a fittingly cryptic response from “The Catalyst.”

Now, months later, fans are wondering if “Ready?” means exactly what it sounds like — that Jay White is preparing for his long-awaited return to AEW.

Whether it’s a tease for an in-ring comeback or something else entirely, one thing’s for sure: the wrestling world is watching closely.

Tony Khan Confirms AEW Interested In Launching Developmental Program

AEW could be taking a major step toward building the future of its roster — one that mirrors WWE’s approach with the Performance Center and NXT.

During the AEW WrestleDream media call, AEW President Tony Khan confirmed recent reports that the company has discussed launching its own developmental system and training facility. Khan said the idea has been on the table for some time, and while nothing is finalized, there’s definite interest in moving forward with the concept.

“I am interested in it and it’s something I’ve talked about,” Khan said. “I was kind of surprised to see the report because I’m still interested in that. There’s truth to what’s out there, but like a lot of things, it’s not the whole story.”

According to Fightful Select, AEW had previously explored opening a training center in Asheville, North Carolina, with early plans targeting 2025 for development. The proposed lineup of trainers was impressive — FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood), Adam Copeland (Edge), and Beth Phoenix were reportedly being considered to help lead the project.

However, the initiative was shelved due to budget concerns, and AEW’s creative direction shifted as storylines evolved — particularly with the on-screen fallout between FTR and Copeland’s circle earlier this year.

Khan addressed that dynamic, acknowledging the real-life and storyline ties between those involved:

“They are fantastic mentors — FTR, Cope, and Christian,” Khan said. “But clearly, earlier this year the dynamic between Adam Copeland and FTR changed a lot. If everyone can get back on the same page, I’d love to revisit that project. We talked about having an AEW-affiliated training school in Asheville with those guys leading it.”

While AEW’s current focus remains on weekly programming and its expanding pay-per-view schedule, the company’s leadership clearly sees the long-term value in building a dedicated system to nurture the next wave of talent.

If the plan does come together, AEW’s developmental program could mark a major milestone for the promotion — creating a true homegrown pipeline to rival WWE’s Performance Center.

Backstage Update On Seth Rollins’ Injury — Surgery Likely, WWE Title Future Uncertain

It’s been a rollercoaster of a week for Seth Rollins, and not the kind fans were hoping for. The newly crowned WWE World Heavyweight Champion might be facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines following a serious shoulder injury reportedly suffered during his Crown Jewel victory over Cody Rhodes.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Rollins’ injury is legitimate — not a storyline twist — and the current plan calls for him to undergo surgery soon. The news throws WWE’s world title scene into chaos, especially if “The Visionary” is forced to miss time extending into WrestleMania season.

“It looks like he’s going to need surgery on the shoulder,” Meltzer said. “The story I got was that he was going to have surgery as soon as possible. As for the title situation, I haven’t heard anything concrete yet.”

The injury is believed to have occurred during a coast-to-coast headbutt spot in the match against Rhodes — a brutal moment that saw Rollins clutching his shoulder almost immediately. WWE then followed up with a shocking post-match betrayal from his Vision stablemates, which fans initially suspected was a storyline excuse to write Rollins off TV. However, this time it appears the injury is unfortunately all too real.

With Rollins likely out for a significant stretch, questions now swirl about the future of the World Heavyweight Championship and WWE’s plans for upcoming events like Saturday Night’s Main Event. Meltzer noted that an official update on the title picture could come as soon as WWE’s next show.

This marks yet another tough break for Rollins, who’s battled through injuries before while maintaining one of the most consistent runs in modern WWE history. If surgery does sideline him through WrestleMania season, it will be a huge blow not only to his fans but to WWE’s creative direction heading into 2026.