Report: Sting’s Son Steven Borden Believed To Be Under AEW Contract

AEW may have another member of the Borden family officially in the fold.

According to a report from Fightful Select, there is a widespread belief within AEW that Steven Borden, the son of WWE Hall of Famer and former AEW star Sting, is currently signed with the company.

While AEW has not publicly announced a contract signing, Borden has reportedly been working regularly behind the scenes and competing in dark matches as he continues his development as a professional wrestler.

Steven Borden Continues Gaining Experience In AEW

Borden has quietly built experience throughout 2026 by competing in a number of dark matches before episodes of AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision.

His most recent appearance reportedly took place before the August 8 edition of Collision, where he defeated Ortiz.

Since making his AEW dark match debut in December at Dynamite: Winter Is Coming, Borden has continued to receive opportunities to develop in front of AEW audiences.

His first AEW dark match saw him score a victory over Kiran Grey.

Tony Khan Previously Praised Borden’s Development

AEW President Tony Khan has spoken publicly about Borden’s progress in the company.

Earlier this year, Khan revealed that AEW was actively working on developing Sting’s son as an in-ring performer.

Khan described Borden’s growth as a wrestler as a significant focus for the company.

“We’re working on developing him as a pro wrestler for AEW.”

According to Khan, helping Borden continue his training and progression has been a priority for both himself and the promotion.

Wrestling Career Began In 2025

Borden’s professional wrestling journey officially began in October 2025.

His debut match took place at an ACW event, where he teamed with JD Drake in a losing effort against AEW’s Darby Allin and Killer Kross.

One month later, Borden made his singles debut for DEFY Wrestling, defeating Kiran Grey.

Since then, he has continued building experience both on the independent scene and through AEW’s developmental opportunities.

Sting’s Sons First Appeared In AEW During Revolution 2024

Many fans were first introduced to Steven and his brother Garrett Borden during AEW Revolution 2024, the event that served as Sting’s retirement match.

During the match, both brothers appeared dressed as different eras of Sting’s iconic career, helping create one of the most memorable moments of the Hall of Famer’s farewell.

According to Fightful, Garrett remains on AEW’s radar as he also trains to become a professional wrestler. However, the report noted that it could not confirm whether he is currently under contract with the company.

While AEW has yet to officially comment on Steven Borden’s contractual status, all indications suggest that Sting’s son remains a key developmental project as he continues working toward a larger role within the promotion.

WWE NXT Preview 8/18/2026

WWE NXT tonight on the CW at 8/7c.

  •  AAA World Cruiserweight Championship #1 Contenders Match: EK Prosper vs. La Parka vs. Tristan Angels vs. Romeo Moreno
  • WWE Men’s Speed Championship Match: Lexis King (c) vs. Lucien Price
  • Myles Borne vs. Jackson Drake
  • If Drake wins, Vanity Project gets NXT North American Title and NXT Tag Team Title matches at NXT Heatwave.
  • Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan & Kali Armstrong
  • Thea Hail vs. Nattie
  • Cruz Montana calls out Zilla Fatu

Lance Anoa’i Announces Plans To Retire From Professional Wrestling In 2027

A member of the legendary Anoa’i wrestling family is preparing to step away from the ring.

Lance Anoa’i announced on Instagram that he plans to retire from professional wrestling in March 2027, bringing an end to a career that will span nearly 17 years.

The former WWE and MLW performer shared a lengthy statement reflecting on his time in the business and explaining why he has decided that the next chapter of his life will focus on family.

Lance Anoa’i Announces Retirement Plans

In his post, Anoa’i expressed gratitude to the fans, promoters, and fellow wrestlers who have been part of his journey since his debut.

“After almost 17 years in professional wrestling, I will be officially calling time on my in-ring career in March 2027, once I reach that 17-year milestone.”

Anoa’i noted that wrestling has provided him with countless memories and experiences, but he has reached a point where he wants to dedicate more of his time to his wife and children.

“For so many years, wrestling has taken up my weekends, my time, and countless moments away from the people I love most. I’ve reached a point where I want to dedicate that time to my wife and my kids and be there for the moments that matter most.”

He also praised his family members who continue to carry on the Anoa’i legacy in professional wrestling.

“I love what they’re building, I love being part of it in any way I can, and I will always support them 100% in everything they do going forward.”

While retirement is on the horizon, Anoa’i emphasized that he is not finished just yet.

“This isn’t goodbye just yet though. We still have a few months to go!”

Career Spanning Nearly Two Decades

Anoa’i made his professional wrestling debut in April 2010 and spent much of his career competing on the independent wrestling scene.

One of his most notable runs came in Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he captured the MLW World Tag Team Championship during his time with the promotion.

He also made several appearances on WWE television throughout the mid-to-late 2010s as enhancement talent before eventually signing a WWE contract in 2024.

WWE Run Cut Short By Injuries

After joining WWE, Anoa’i was expected to begin the next phase of his career within the company’s developmental system. However, multiple injuries prevented him from making an official in-ring appearance for WWE.

He was ultimately released by the company in October 2025 without ever wrestling a televised match under contract.

Following his WWE departure, Anoa’i shifted some of his focus toward Power Slap while continuing his involvement in combat sports and entertainment.

Final Year Begins

With retirement now officially planned for March 2027, Anoa’i enters what will be the final months of his wrestling career.

As a member of one of wrestling’s most famous families, he leaves behind a career that included nearly two decades of competition and contributions to promotions across the wrestling landscape.

For now, fans still have several months remaining to see Lance Anoa’i compete before he officially calls time on his in-ring career.

WWE Raw Preview 8/17/2026

WWE /raw live tonight at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT. on Netflix from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

  • World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Tournament Match: Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.
  • World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Tournament Match: Rey Fenix vs. El Fiscal
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship Match: Chad Gable (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
  • Jey Uso to deliver Solo Siko to roman Reigns

Hiromu Takahashi Revealed As Shinsuke Nakamura’s Mystery Partner In WWE Digital Exclusive

WWE has seemingly revealed the identity of Shinsuke Nakamura’s mystery partner, and the reveal points to another major international signing joining the SmackDown roster.

After making his first WWE appearance since May during a pre-recorded backstage segment last week, Nakamura promised that he had found an ally to help him take the fight to Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga, collectively known as The MFT’s.

Nakamura Sends Warning To New WWE Tag Team Champions

Friday night’s edition of SmackDown saw Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga capture the WWE Tag Team Championship, defeating Damian Priest, R-Truth, and AAA Tag Team Champions The War Raiders in a triple threat match.

Following the show, WWE released a digital exclusive featuring Nakamura addressing the new champions.

“Congratulations MFT’s. You are now the champions. Are you savoring the feeling, knowing it will be gone soon? Was the victory as sweet, knowing what’s coming next? Me, my partner, your destruction.”

As the promo continued, WWE showed brief glimpses of Nakamura’s mystery partner while teasing his arrival on SmackDown.

“My partner is what you all pretend to be. Experienced, vicious, deadly. He is chaos. He is a ticking time bomb. Take cover.”

Hiromu Takahashi Appears WWE-Bound

The phrase “Ticking Time Bomb” immediately caught the attention of New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans, as it has long been associated with Hiromu Takahashi.

Takahashi, one of NJPW’s most accomplished junior heavyweight stars, departed the promotion earlier this year after a 15-year run.

In February, NJPW officially announced his departure following discussions with company management.

During his career, Takahashi became one of the most recognizable stars in Japanese wrestling and competed for several major promotions, including:

  • New Japan Pro-Wrestling
  • AEW
  • Ring of Honor
  • CMLL
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH

The former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion has been heavily linked to WWE since becoming a free agent, and Nakamura’s latest promo strongly suggests that he will soon arrive on SmackDown.

WWE Continues Adding Free Agents

Reports earlier this year indicated that Takahashi was among several notable free agents believed to be WWE-bound.

Since then, a number of those names have already debuted, including:

  • Big Cass
  • Baron Corbin
  • Cruz Montana
  • Zilla Fatu

If the tease proves accurate, Takahashi would become the latest high-profile addition to WWE’s growing roster.

When Will Takahashi Debut?

As of now, WWE has not officially announced a debut date for Takahashi.

However, with Nakamura openly teasing his arrival and positioning him as a key ally against the newly crowned WWE Tag Team Champions, it appears only a matter of time before the former NJPW star makes his first appearance on Friday Night SmackDown.

Should Takahashi arrive as expected, WWE fans could soon see one of Japan’s most decorated wrestlers join forces with Nakamura in a battle against The MFT’s and the WWE Tag Team Champions.

AEW Collision Preview 8/15/2026

AEW Collision tonight at 8/7c on TNT and HBO Max taped from The Pearl Theater at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada

  • AEW World Trios Championship Match: Adam Page & Brodido (c) vs. The Lethal Twist
  • AEW Continental Cup First Round Match: Katsuyori Shibata vs. Nigel McGuinness
  • AEW Continental Cup First Round Match: Roderick Strong vs. Kyle O’Reilly
  • AEW Continental Cup First Round Match: Brian Cage vs. Hechicero
  • The Hurt Syndicate, Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty vs. TBA
  • Divine Dominion vs. TBA
  • Mercedes Mone vs. Zayda Steel

WWE SmackDown Preview 8/14/2026

WWE /smackDown live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network and Netflix internationally from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

  • WWE Tag Team Championship: Damian Priest & R-Truth (c) vs. The War Raiders vs. The MFTs
  • WWE United States Championship: Baron Corbin (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • WWE Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jacy Jayne
  • Will Cody Rhodes finally get his hands on Randy Orton?
  • What will happen between CM Punk and Kevin Owens before their Undisputed WWE Title Match in Toronto?

Rey Mysterio’s Daughter Aalyah Reportedly Added To WWE Internal Roster

The Mysterio family’s legacy in WWE could soon be expanding.

According to a report from PWInsider, Aalyah Gutierrez, the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, has been added to WWE’s internal roster after recently reporting to the WWE Performance Center for training.

The report notes that Aalyah is currently listed under her real name rather than the famous Mysterio surname.

Aalyah Continues WWE Training

While Aalyah has never competed in a WWE match, she has become a familiar face to fans over the years through her appearances alongside her father and brother, Dominik Mysterio.

Most notably, she was involved in a storyline during 2020 that centered around a romantic relationship with then-WWE star Buddy Murphy. The angle became a major part of the feud between Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio, Seth Rollins, and Murphy at the time.

However, Aalyah’s previous appearances were limited to acting roles rather than in-ring competition.

Over the last year, that has reportedly changed.

Full-Time Wrestling Career In The Works

Aalyah first visited the WWE Performance Center last fall, where she participated in basic in-ring drills while Rey Mysterio was preparing for his own WWE return.

She later returned to the facility in February for a more extensive training session.

Following that visit, Rey revealed that his daughter had committed to pursuing professional wrestling on a full-time basis with WWE.

Her continued training appears to be progressing, as she was recently featured in a photo alongside fellow WWE Performance Center trainee Marie Malenko and NXT stars Uriah Connors, Lexis King, and Brooks Jensen.

Another Generation Of The Mysterio Family

Should Aalyah eventually make her WWE debut, she would become the latest member of the Mysterio family to compete for the company.

Rey Mysterio made his WWE main roster debut in 2002 and went on to become one of the most decorated stars in company history, earning a place in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Dominik Mysterio followed in his father’s footsteps, making his WWE in-ring debut in 2020 and becoming a former Intercontinental Champion. He currently remains one of the top stars on the Raw roster.

While WWE has not officially announced any plans for Aalyah’s debut, her addition to the company’s internal roster suggests that her journey toward becoming a WWE Superstar is continuing to move forward.

Report Reveals When WWE SmackDown Could Return To Three-Hour Format

WWE SmackDown may not remain a two-hour show for much longer.

According to a new report from WrestleVotes via Fightful Select, sources at USA Network expect SmackDown to return to a three-hour format beginning in January 2027.

SmackDown Expected To Expand Back To Three Hours

The report states that the tentative date for the change is the January 8, 2027 episode of SmackDown, though WWE has not officially confirmed the move.

The expected adjustment is reportedly tied to USA Network’s programming plans for the new year and would mark another shift in the blue brand’s broadcast length.

SmackDown returned to a two-hour format in July 2026 after previously airing as a three-hour program. At the time, reports indicated that the shortened runtime could remain in place through the end of the year.

WWE Expected To Alternate Formats

Since WWE’s television rights agreement with USA Network began in 2024, reports have suggested that SmackDown could alternate between two-hour and three-hour formats throughout the duration of the five-year deal.

If the latest report proves accurate, January’s return to three hours would be the latest example of that strategy.

Neither WWE nor USA Network has publicly commented on the reported change.

Timing Coincides With WWE’s European Tour

WWE has not yet announced a location for the January 8 episode of SmackDown.

The show is scheduled to take place one week before WWE kicks off its annual European tour on January 15.

The tour will begin in Brussels, Belgium, before SmackDown heads to Manchester, England. Meanwhile, Raw is scheduled to visit Glasgow, Scotland, and Dublin, Ireland as part of the international run.

For now, SmackDown remains a two-hour broadcast, but according to the report, fans may see the blue brand return to a three-hour format shortly after the start of 2027.

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! Preview 8/13/2026

TNA Thursday Night iMPACT! tonight at 9/8c on AMC taped from The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA.

  • TNA World Championship Match: Nic Nemeth (c) vs. Jeff Hardy
  • TNA Knockouts Television Title Tournament Semifinal Match: Indi Hartwell vs. M by Elegance
  • Mustafa Ali, Agent Zero, & John Skyler vs. Rich Swann, BDE & TBA
  • Ricky Sosa vs. Brian Myers
  • Eddie Edwards vs. KC Navarro
  • We’ll hear from Moose