Report: WWE Reportedly Makes New Offer to Karrion Kross Amid Contract Uncertainty

After coming up short in his match against Sami Zayn at SummerSlam, Karrion Kross – along with his on-screen and real-life partner Scarlett – has found himself at the center of speculation regarding his WWE future. Notably absent from the post-SummerSlam episode of WWE Raw, the pair’s contract situation has raised eyebrows across the industry.

As reported by Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE has since extended a new contract offer to Kross, signaling that the company may not be ready to part ways with the former NXT Champion. While there’s no official confirmation from WWE just yet, longtime insider Dave Meltzer has indicated he expects Kross to re-sign. Kross responded to the chatter in a recent interview with Joey Karni, stating that while “a lot” of what’s been reported isn’t accurate, both he and Scarlett are hopeful to remain part of the Raw roster.

Fightful Select also weighed in, clarifying that while they couldn’t confirm if formal contract offers had been made, they did provide some context on the situation. Kross and Scarlett were originally booked to travel to Brooklyn for the August 4 episode of Raw, but those plans were scrapped at some point prior to the broadcast. The report also notes that as of that date, the duo had told people both inside and outside the company that WWE had yet to approach them about new deals – despite their current contracts reportedly expiring on August 10.

Interestingly, tentative creative plans for Kross had apparently been floated in recent weeks, though specifics remain under wraps. The idea that WWE would let their contracts lapse without any effort to retain them doesn’t seem to match the couple’s own expectations either.

It’s also worth noting that this kind of last-minute contract handling hasn’t been common in WWE over the past year and a half. The previous pattern of delayed offers was often associated with former WWE EVP of Talent Dan Ventrelle, who has since departed the company.

As it stands, it seems WWE isn’t ready to move on from Kross and Scarlett just yet — and judging by Kross’ own comments, the feeling may be mutual. Whether or not that culminates in a new deal before their reported expiration date remains to be seen, but it’s clear both sides are still talking.

TNA iMPACT Preview 8/7/2025

With Emergence just eight nights away, the Path to Bound For Glory rages on! Don’t miss an all-new TNA iMPACT! this Thursday at 8/7c on TNA+ worldwide, Sportsnet 360 in Canada, and at 9/8c on AXS TV in the US.

  • TNA World Champion Trick Williams to kick of iMPACT
  • TNA Knockouts Championship: Jacy Jayne (c) vs. Ash By Elegance
  • Joe Hendry vs. Mustafa Ali
  • Steve Maclin vs. Jake Something
  • Director of Authority Santino Marella has promised an announcement about Emergence
  • Mara Sadè in action
  • Heather and M by Elegance vs. Léi Yǐng Lee and Xia Brookside

Peacock Emerges As Frontrunner For TNA Media Rights Deal Amid WWE’s ESPN Move

WWE’s blockbuster move to ESPN starting in 2026 may be opening the door for another wrestling brand to step into the spotlight on Peacock. According to media insider Bobby Axelrod, TNA Wrestling has emerged as a top candidate to land a new media rights deal with the streaming service—potentially worth $10 million.

With WWE’s premium live events set to leave Peacock in favor of ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer platform, Peacock is actively seeking fresh wrestling content to fill the impending void. And TNA appears to be at the right place, at the right time.

TNA to Peacock? WWE May Be Lending a Hand

Interestingly, WWE and parent company TKO are reportedly supporting TNA’s pursuit of the deal, a move that speaks volumes about the evolving partnership between the two promotions. TNA has already been featured across WWE programming thanks to recent crossover appearances, and a formal streaming deal could signal an even deeper working relationship moving forward.

If the deal goes through, TNA would not only gain a powerful distribution platform in Peacock, but also increased visibility among mainstream wrestling fans who are already familiar with the app thanks to years of WWE content.

Peacock Also Looking at AAA Amid WWE Acquisition

TNA isn’t the only promotion on Peacock’s radar. The streamer is reportedly also in discussions for a deal with Lucha Libre AAA, which WWE recently acquired a 51% ownership stake in. That move could bring the high-flying, lucha-style wrestling product to a wider U.S. audience—and give Peacock a trio of wrestling brands to build its future around: TNA, AAA, and potentially archived WWE content that remains after the ESPN transition.

Rebuilding the Roster, Streaming Style

With WWE set to exit in 2026, Peacock is clearly preparing for life after its biggest wrestling partner. By pivoting to TNA and AAA, they’re not just patching a hole—they’re building a more diverse wrestling catalog that could appeal to both hardcore fans and international audiences.

Should the TNA deal be finalized, it would mark a huge milestone in the company’s resurgence under the TNA banner, and potentially elevate its visibility to a level it hasn’t seen in years.

WWE Strikes Blockbuster Streaming Deal with Disney – Premium Live Events Heading to ESPN Streaming Service in 2026

A major shift is coming to how U.S. wrestling fans will watch WWE’s biggest shows. Beginning in 2026, WWE’s premium live events (PLEs) will stream exclusively on a brand-new direct-to-consumer platform from Disney-owned ESPN. The deal is reportedly worth a staggering $1.6 billion over five years, averaging $325 million annually, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal and CNBC.

That means starting with WrestleMania 42, fans will need to subscribe to ESPN’s upcoming streaming service to catch all major WWE events, including Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, Survivor Series, and Money in the Bank. The price tag? $29.99 per month—or $299.99 for the year—a significant increase compared to the current setup on Peacock.

Disney Dives Into the Ring

The move marks WWE’s exit from its current deal with NBCUniversal’s Peacock, which began in March 2021 and reportedly brought in around $900 million over its term. That deal included both WWE’s live events and its massive video library. At this point, it’s unclear whether the Disney deal includes the WWE Network archives.

While the full scope of content hasn’t been confirmed, ESPN did announce that select WWE events will also air on its linear TV networks—potentially giving casual viewers a taste of WWE’s top-tier programming without a streaming subscription.

“This agreement, which features the most significant WWE events of the year, bolsters our unprecedented content portfolio and helps drive our streaming future,” said ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, adding that WWE’s “immense, devoted and passionate fan base” was a key reason behind the partnership.

What’s Staying, What’s Changing

WWE’s SmackDown will remain on the USA Network, and replays of weekly programming will still be available on Peacock for the time being. However, if you’re a fan who tunes in for the big shows—the ones that define WWE’s calendar year—you’ll need to adjust your subscription habits by 2026.

WrestleMania 42 Ushers in a New Era

This deal kicks off with WrestleMania 42, signaling the start of a new era for WWE’s distribution strategy in the U.S. With a direct-to-consumer model, ESPN and WWE are betting big on loyal fans being willing to pay a premium for exclusive access.

For WWE, the move is a financial windfall. For fans, it’s a shake-up—one that could lead to deeper content, more mainstream exposure, but also a higher monthly bill.

Triple H on WWE/ESPN deal

WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque appeared on Wednesday’s episode of Get Up on ESPN.

Triple stated the PLE’s on ESPN will be more of a spectacle than they have been.

“There’s nothing bigger, there’s no bigger opportunity for us than this right now…Nick and I have been thinking about it for a long time, of it is the right home for it. It’s something that we’ve been trying to work through for a long time. Jimmy Pitaro making it happen, it’s thrilling for us. Can’t be more excited…from my point of view, nobody does large-scale, massive events like ESPN. Super Bowl, all of it, right? It’s what you do. And it’s what we like to think we do better than anybody else on the planet,” he said. “So this is the perfect marriage. When we get together, things like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble are going to be bigger than ever. They’re going to be more of a spectacle than ever before. And we’re going to light the world on fire.”

AEW Dynamite Preview 8/6/2025

AEW Dynamite live on TBS and HBO Max from the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, OH.

  • AEW World Tag Team Eliminator Tournament Semifinal: The Young Bucks vs. Brodido (Brody King & Bandido)
  • MJF vs. Mark Briscoe
  • “8 Belts” Mercedes Moné returns
  • Forbidden Door TBS Title 4-Way Qualifier: Queen Aminata vs. Sky Blue vs. Alex Windsor vs. Billie Starkz

TNA Closing In On New TV Deal, A&E and CW Rumored as Potential Homes

The ongoing WWE-TNA partnership may be generating mixed reactions from fans, but it could be paying off in a major way behind the scenes. According to a new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, TNA Wrestling may be closer than ever to locking down a new, more prominent weekly TV deal — with both A&E and The CW reportedly in the mix.

The rumored networks are notable for their existing ties to WWE. A&E currently airs multiple WWE-related shows, including the docuseries WWE LFG, and The CW is home to WWE NXT: Level Up. This has fueled speculation that WWE could be playing a direct role in helping TNA secure a higher-profile broadcast partner as part of their growing working relationship.

The report also notes that scheduling is still being discussed, with Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays all on the table. Wednesdays would be a competitive choice, placing TNA in the middle of the weekly wrestling war between AEW Dynamite and WWE programming. On the other hand, Thursday or Sunday nights could offer TNA a clearer path, avoiding direct head-to-head competition.

In fact, TNA IMPACT! could end up as a lead-in for WWE LFG on Sunday nights, which might help both brands benefit from shared viewership.

TNA President Carlos Silva added fuel to the fire during a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, where he confirmed that negotiations for a new media deal have been ongoing since early 2025. Silva emphasized the importance of reaching a wider audience and revealed that talks had been “accelerating” over the past few months. He also hinted that by the end of the year, fans could see both IMPACT! and additional TNA programming move to a new network — possibly with live broadcasts replacing the current taped format.

If finalized, the deal would mark a major step forward for TNA, which has been looking to regain its foothold in the wrestling landscape. With WWE’s support and new champions from its own roster appearing on TNA programming, this potential media move could help turn the renewed partnership into a long-term win for both sides.

Stay with Wrestling News Blog for the latest updates as TNA’s media future comes into focus.

Dustin Rhodes Facing Double Knee Replacement, ROH Championship Future in Question

Veteran wrestler Dustin Rhodes has revealed that he’s heading into double knee replacement surgery later this month. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the 56-year-old star shared that both of his knees are “destroyed” and that he’ll be undergoing the procedure on August 21st.

“They can’t actually fix the damage, so we are getting two knee replacements,” Rhodes wrote. “Damn! #KeepSteppin … By the way… this is NOT THE END.”

Rhodes had recently mentioned needing “major” surgery, and now the specifics are confirmed. According to Fightful, he is expected to be out of action for the remainder of 2025.

The announcement comes just days after Rhodes dropped the TNT Championship to Kyle Fletcher on AEW Collision, where Fletcher launched a post-match assault on Rhodes. That loss capped a brief but emotional title run for Rhodes, who captured the belt at AEW All In: Texas in July.

With his surgery now scheduled and recovery time looming, serious questions are being raised about the status of the titles Rhodes still holds in Ring of Honor. He’s currently one-half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions alongside Sammy Guevara and also holds the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Titles with Ross and Marshall Von Erich.

ROH has yet to comment on what will happen with either set of championships. Their next major event, Supercard of Honor, is set for August 23 at the legendary 2300 Arena in Philadelphia—just two days after Rhodes goes under the knife.

While the road to recovery won’t be short, Rhodes made it clear that this isn’t the end of his in-ring journey. Given his decades-long resilience and enduring fan support, it’s hard to count out The Natural.

WWE NXT Preview 8/5/2025

WWE NXT live TONIGHT at 8 ET/7 CT on the CW Network

  • Lexis King vs. Myles Borne
  • Blake Monroe vs. Kelani Jordan
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship: Sol Ruca (c) vs. Tatum Paxley
  • NXT Tag Team Championship: Hank & Tank (c) vs. Chase U
  • Nia Jax vs. Thea Hail

Karrion Kross & Scarlett Not Backstage At Raw, Reportedly Nearing WWE Exit Amid Contract Uncertainty

Karrion Kross and Scarlett’s time in WWE may be coming to an abrupt end.

According to a new report from Fightful Select, the on-screen duo was notably absent from this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW, and their absence could be tied to an expiring contract situation. Sources within WWE have confirmed that both Kross and Scarlett’s current deals are set to expire this weekend — and as of now, no new offers have been made.

Even more concerning, the couple reportedly hasn’t even been informed by WWE officials that their contracts are winding down. That radio silence behind the scenes has cast serious doubt on their future with the company, with one higher-up suggesting they may not be re-signed at all.

If no last-minute deal is reached, Kross and Scarlett will officially become free agents before the end of the week.

The duo returned to WWE in 2022 after a previous stint that ended with Kross’ underwhelming main roster run, during which he was infamously repackaged with a drastically different look and no Scarlett by his side. Since coming back under Triple H’s leadership, they’ve remained a package deal but haven’t had consistent storylines or major screen time.

Should they depart WWE, there’s bound to be interest from other promotions — especially given Kross’ past success in IMPACT Wrestling and Scarlett’s charisma as both a manager and performer.

We’ll keep an eye on this story as it develops. For now, the sands may be slipping through the hourglass for Kross and Scarlett in WWE.

Big Changes Coming to AAA as WWE Finalizes Acquisition

The long-rumored WWE takeover of AAA is now official—and the shake-ups are already underway.

As confirmed in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE has finalized its acquisition of the Mexican lucha libre promotion AAA, and with that comes a significant cultural and structural overhaul. At the heart of WWE’s plan: blending its trademark sports-entertainment formula with the rich traditions of lucha libre, while laying the foundation for long-term talent development south of the border.

Mexican Performance Center On the Way

One of the most immediate changes will be the launch of a WWE Performance Center in Mexico. According to Dave Meltzer, WWE plans to hire Mexican trainers, fly them to the U.S. for instruction in the “WWE style,” and then have them return to Mexico to teach a hybrid style that combines lucha libre flair with WWE’s polished in-ring storytelling. That means new AAA recruits will be learning how to work matches and cut scripted promos—a major shift from the more improvisational, in-ring-centric traditions of Mexican wrestling.

Familiar Faces, But Some Will Go

AAA’s current Spanish commentary team—Jose Manuel Guillén and Roberto Figueroa—is expected to stay in place, and most referees will be retained as well. However, the famously over-the-top antics of AAA referees are going to be scaled back, in favor of a more grounded presentation that aligns with WWE’s overall production style.

WWE is also reportedly not planning to hold onto most of AAA’s veteran talent. Instead, they’ll be looking to bring in younger indie stars and some crossover names from WWE’s own roster. One notable example is Dominik Mysterio, who is expected to work in AAA as part of the new creative direction, alongside newly-signed talent El Grande Americano.

No War With CMLL… Yet

While many speculated that WWE would raid rival promotion CMLL for talent to boost its revamped AAA brand, Meltzer shut that down—at least for now. WWE is reportedly trying to keep operating costs low and avoid an all-out promotional war. That said, Meltzer also noted that a “war is inevitable,” especially with CMLL recently locking down several of its luchadors through dual deals with AEW.

Whether those AEW-CMLL contracts influenced WWE’s current strategy is unclear, but it’s evident that the rivalry between the two major Mexican promotions—and their respective U.S. partners—is starting to heat up.

WWE’s full-scale entry into the lucha libre world is one of the most ambitious international moves in company history. With a Performance Center on the way, younger talent being scouted, and its own stars primed for crossover appearances, WWE is setting the stage to reshape Mexican wrestling—and the global wrestling landscape—in a major way.