While WWE gears up for its two-night SummerSlam extravaganza at MetLife Stadium this weekend, the underground fight scene in pro wrestling is heating up just a short drive away. Game Changer Wrestling’s Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV is set to kick off Saturday afternoon in New Jersey, and a pair of former WWE World Tag Team Champions are officially stepping into the no-ropes ring for the very first time.
Josh Barnett took to social media to break the news himself, declaring: “WAR is coming to Bloodsport.” That’s right—Erik and Ivar, collectively known as The War Raiders, are making their long-awaited debut at the gritty hybrid shoot-style event.
WAR is coming to Bloodsport
Ivar Erik
The War Raiders are looking to conquer new ground…or die trying.
The War Raiders are coming to Josh Barnett's: Bloodsport.
Last seen on the July 10 episode of WWE Main Event, where they steamrolled LWO’s Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro, Erik and Ivar will now test their mettle in one of wrestling’s most unforgiving formats. True to Bloodsport tradition, their match will be contested in a ring stripped of ropes and turnbuckles, with a hard-hitting MMA-meets-pro-wrestling ruleset. Their opponents for the event have yet to be revealed.
They won’t be the only WWE talents on the card, either. Raw veteran Natalya is set to face off against TNA Wrestling’s dangerous and unpredictable Masha Slamovich, while SmackDown‘s Pete Dunne brings his brutal British strong style to a clash with Jonathan Gresham. Also announced: NXT’s Charlie Dempsey returns to Bloodsport following his loss to Tavion Heights earlier this month. His opponent remains under wraps for now.
WWE’s growing crossover with Bloodsport isn’t exactly new. Last year’s Bloodsport X featured Shayna Baszler and Charlie Dempsey, both of whom picked up big wins—Baszler over Slamovich (with Zoey Stark in her corner) and Dempsey over Matt Makowski. The appearances signaled a surprising but intriguing collaboration between WWE and GCW, one that seems to be gaining more momentum with each event.
Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIV kicks off Saturday at 1 PM ET, offering a violent, visceral counterpoint to the polished spectacle of SummerSlam. Whether it’s WWE talent, indie legends, or international heavy-hitters, expect no frills—just fights.
It’s been a quiet few months for Pete Dunne on WWE TV, and fans have been wondering what’s next for the Bruiserweight—especially after his New Catch Republic partner, Tyler Bate, made a brief return earlier this year. While the duo had a glimmer of main roster exposure with a short-lived feud and an appearance in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, they’ve since faded from the spotlight, primarily popping up on “WWE Main Event.”
But behind the scenes, Dunne has been far from idle.
According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer, Dunne has been putting in work backstage with WWE’s involvement in AAA (Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide), though the specifics of his role are still under wraps. Meltzer noted that Dunne hasn’t wrestled for AAA, but has been a consistent backstage presence at shows, potentially in a producer or agent-like capacity.
“Pete Dunne’s now working on… kind of the AAA side anyway right now,” Meltzer said. “They’re using him as… I don’t know if it’s like an agent or whatever.”
The revelation came during a conversation about this week’s Raw, where Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh defended the World Tag Team Titles against Legado Del Fantasma members Cruz del Toro and Joaquin Wilde. The match featured interference from a mysterious third El Grande Americano—an increasingly recurring masked gimmick on WWE TV that has previously involved Ludwig Kaiser and Chad Gable. While Meltzer didn’t confirm Dunne was under the mask this time, he acknowledged it’s “possible,” even if he remained skeptical.
So what does all this mean for Dunne’s future?
WWE might be testing the waters with him in a backstage role or simply keeping him engaged while creative determines the next on-screen step. With Triple H’s increasing influence behind the curtain and a track record of reinvigorating overlooked talent, a repackaged or re-energized Dunne might not be out of the question—especially with Bate back in circulation.
For now, Dunne fans will have to stay tuned. Whether he’s working in gorilla, donning a mask as El Grande Americano, or plotting his in-ring return, it’s clear WWE still sees value in the Bruiserweight—even if it’s just not on our screens… yet.
Mercedes Moné’s reign of dominance shows no signs of slowing down. On Sunday, the CEO made history once again by capturing two inaugural championships in one night while competing in Poland. Moné walked out of the event as the first-ever Prime Time Women’s Champion and the inaugural BestYa Women’s Champion, defeating local standout Diana Strong in a highly anticipated main event.
According to Fightful, the AEW TBS Champion sealed the deal by delivering her signature backstabber before locking in the Bank Statement, forcing Strong to tap out. The victory adds yet another pair of belts to an already stacked trophy case—and cements Moné’s status as one of the most decorated wrestlers in the world right now.
Here’s a look at her current championship collection:
AEW TBS Championship
EWA Women’s Championship
CMLL World Women’s Championship
Queen of Southside Championship
RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship
2025 Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Winner
Prime Time Women’s Championship (inaugural)
BestYa Women’s Championship (inaugural)
Moné’s run has seen her hop continents and cross promotional lines, picking up titles in AEW, CMLL, RevPro, and beyond. Since returning to action earlier this year, she’s made it clear her goal isn’t just to dominate AEW—it’s to build a legacy that spans the entire wrestling world.
With her global gold rush showing no signs of slowing, the only question now is: who, if anyone, can stop Mercedes Moné?
With WWE SummerSlam just around the corner and marquee matches like Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena and CM Punk vs. Gunther already locked in, one of Night 1’s more buzzworthy bouts could be in jeopardy—thanks to a surprising real-world issue.
According to a report from Fightful Select, Drew McIntyre is currently stranded in the UK due to a passport mishap that prevented him from boarding his flight back to the U.S. McIntyre, who resides in Nashville, had traveled to England for a friend’s wedding, only to be blocked from flying home after he was unable to use his British passport.
The issue stems from travel restrictions that require U.S. residents to enter the country with an American passport, something McIntyre apparently didn’t have on hand. Though frustrating, WWE insiders reportedly believe the issue will be sorted out in time for the show. Still, with the clock ticking, concern is creeping in.
McIntyre himself took to social media to vent, posting a video filmed somewhere in the English countryside. “Does that look like an American scenic countryside? No! I’m in England still,” he quipped, clearly irritated but staying in character. The Scottish Warrior even threw some classic heel shade at his SummerSlam tag team opponent Jelly Roll, accusing the country star of pulling strings to keep him grounded.
“You realized when I took off my shirt on SmackDown, you went, ‘Oh my God, oh the horror, I’m screwed!’” McIntyre said, laying blame at Jelly Roll’s feet for sabotaging his training week. He then promised vengeance upon his return, finishing with a shot at the musician’s weight in typical villain fashion: “Eventually, you’re gonna gain all that weight back and look like one of these f***ers,” he said while pointing his camera at a herd of cows.
The planned match would see McIntyre team with Logan Paul against Randy Orton and Jelly Roll, in what WWE has marketed as a celebrity-laced showdown. While Logan Paul and Jelly Roll are expected to bring the entertainment factor, McIntyre’s real-life passport problems might delay—or even derail—the moment.
For now, it’s a waiting game. If Drew can resolve the travel snag, expect him to show up at SummerSlam angrier than ever—and ready to take it out on Jelly Roll.
It’s been a quiet few months for AEW’s silent assassin, Hook. The young star hasn’t wrestled since April due to a concussion, and while fans were hopeful after his brief appearance at Double or Nothing, it looks like that may have been a one-off. According to a recent Fightful Select update, there’s still no clear timetable for Hook’s return to in-ring action.
Hook popped up during the wild Anarchy in the Arena match in May, siding with The Opps and their allies against the Death Riders. While he made his presence felt—landing a shot on Claudio Castagnoli with a golf club, no less—Hook wasn’t involved in any physical bumps or attacks, suggesting he wasn’t medically cleared at the time.
Before the injury, Hook had found his footing in The Opps faction alongside Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata. The trio was on track to pursue AEW Trios gold, but Hook’s concussion threw a wrench into those plans. Powerhouse Hobbs eventually stepped in, and the new lineup captured the AEW World Trios Championships in April.
Now, with Samoa Joe also off TV due to his commitments promoting Twisted Metal Season 2, The Opps have been noticeably absent from AEW programming. A double comeback for both Joe and Hook would be a big moment—but at this point, it all hinges on Hook’s health.
For now, AEW is keeping things close to the vest. If Hook is nearing a return, they’re not letting it slip. Until then, fans will just have to wait and see when the “Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil” resurfaces in the ring.
WWE personality and sports media host Pat McAfee has publicly apologized after spreading false and damaging rumors involving an Ole Miss student, Mary Kate Cornett. The former NFL punter addressed the controversy on The Pat McAfee Show, taking full responsibility for his role in amplifying an internet-fueled story that turned out to be completely untrue.
The Rumor That Sparked a Firestorm
Cornett was at the center of a bizarre and scandalous viral rumor earlier this year, one that accused her of cheating on her boyfriend—with his father, a high-profile banker based in Texas. Despite the story having no factual basis, it exploded across social media platforms, gaining traction to the point that McAfee mentioned it during coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine.
His comments helped push the narrative even further into the mainstream, eventually drawing legal threats and backlash from Cornett’s family. On his show this week, McAfee acknowledged the harm that had been caused, both by his own remarks and by the platform his show provided to the misinformation.
“I have since learned that the story was not true, and that my show played a role in the anguish caused to a great family, and especially to a young woman, Mary Kate Cornett,” McAfee said in a heartfelt statement.
A Private Apology, Then a Public One
McAfee revealed that he had taken time to meet personally with the Cornett family before issuing a public retraction. He explained that he delayed commenting publicly out of respect for the family, choosing to speak with them directly first.
“I got a chance to sincerely apologize to them and acknowledge that what I said about Mary Kate was based solely on what others were saying on the internet or what had previously been reported by others,” he said.
The sports media personality also made it a point to express appreciation to Mary Kate’s father for granting him the opportunity to apologize face-to-face.
“Our program played a role in his daughter’s pain,” McAfee said, reflecting on his own perspective as a fellow “girl-dad.”
Others Involved — and Not
Cornett’s family also called out other public figures and platforms, including former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown and Barstool Sports, for their part in fanning the flames. While Barstool founder Dave Portnoy clarified that Brown’s comments never appeared on their official channels, he still issued a general apology for the way the situation was handled.
A Lesson Learned
McAfee ended his apology by describing the Cornett family as “wonderful people” and expressing hope that the ordeal serves as a reminder of the real-world consequences of reckless online gossip.
“Our goal at this show is to make the world a happier place, a better place. To celebrate life and sports and unify folks. I, and we, don’t always get it right. But we’ll never stop trying,” McAfee added. (Per NYPost).
As the dust settles on the controversy, it’s a sobering reminder that rumors—especially those involving private individuals—can have lasting and deeply personal impacts. For McAfee, it seems this was a hard but necessary lesson in accountability.
The wrestling world is in mourning today following the shocking news that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71. According to TMZ, Hogan—real name Terry Bollea—died of cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning, July 24. Emergency services were called to the scene at 9:51 a.m., but sadly, the icon could not be revived.
While Hogan’s longtime friend Jimmy Hart recently tried to quiet whispers about Hogan’s health, speculation had lingered in recent weeks after a reported hospitalization. Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his two children, Brooke and Nick Hogan.
A Legacy Larger Than Life
Terry Bollea’s journey in pro wrestling began in 1977, and no one—least of all the man himself—could have predicted he’d become one of the most recognizable figures in the industry’s history. After sharpening his skills in various territories and spending time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Hogan made his official WWF debut in late 1983. By January 1984, “Hulkamania” was born when Hogan toppled The Iron Sheik to win his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
The years that followed redefined sports entertainment. Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, going toe-to-toe with some of the biggest names in the business—Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, Sgt. Slaughter, and more. Whether it was the bodyslam heard around the world or his larger-than-life promos, Hogan was pro wrestling’s first true mainstream crossover star.
In 1994, after a decade of dominance in WWF, Hogan signed with WCW and shocked the wrestling world again two years later with his infamous heel turn and the formation of the New World Order (nWo), altering the industry’s landscape forever.
An Enduring, If Complicated, Legacy
Hogan’s later career saw him bounce between promotions, including memorable WWE returns in the early 2000s to face off with The Rock and Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 18 and 19. He also had a run in TNA starting in 2009, helping to reshape the company’s creative direction.
Though controversy followed him in 2015 with the release of a racially charged audio recording—leading to a temporary severing of ties with WWE—Hogan was eventually brought back into the fold in 2018 and continued to make guest appearances.
His final televised match came in 2011 during his TNA tenure, where he lost to Sting. Hogan is a rare two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted first as a singles star in 2005 and later as part of the nWo in 2020. His accolades speak for themselves: six-time WWE Champion, six-time WCW World Champion, two-time Royal Rumble winner, and a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Farewell to the Immortal
“Hulkamania” wasn’t just a gimmick—it was a cultural phenomenon. Hogan’s red and yellow became synonymous with ’80s wrestling, and his charisma turned him into a household name far beyond the squared circle. Whether adored or booed, he remained a magnetic force in wrestling for decades.
The impact of Hulk Hogan’s legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come. Today, we say goodbye to a larger-than-life icon whose presence will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Rest in peace, Hulkster. The ring will never be the same without you.
The wrestling world is in mourning today following the shocking news that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71. According to TMZ, Hogan—real name Terry Bollea—died of cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning, July 24. Emergency services were called to the scene at 9:51 a.m., but sadly, the icon could not be revived.
While Hogan’s longtime friend Jimmy Hart recently tried to quiet whispers about Hogan’s health, speculation had lingered in recent weeks after a reported hospitalization. Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his two children, Brooke and Nick Hogan.
A Legacy Larger Than Life
Terry Bollea’s journey in pro wrestling began in 1977, and no one—least of all the man himself—could have predicted he’d become one of the most recognizable figures in the industry’s history. After sharpening his skills in various territories and spending time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Hogan made his official WWF debut in late 1983. By January 1984, “Hulkamania” was born when Hogan toppled The Iron Sheik to win his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
The years that followed redefined sports entertainment. Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, going toe-to-toe with some of the biggest names in the business—Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, Sgt. Slaughter, and more. Whether it was the bodyslam heard around the world or his larger-than-life promos, Hogan was pro wrestling’s first true mainstream crossover star.
In 1994, after a decade of dominance in WWF, Hogan signed with WCW and shocked the wrestling world again two years later with his infamous heel turn and the formation of the New World Order (nWo), altering the industry’s landscape forever.
An Enduring, If Complicated, Legacy
Hogan’s later career saw him bounce between promotions, including memorable WWE returns in the early 2000s to face off with The Rock and Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 18 and 19. He also had a run in TNA starting in 2009, helping to reshape the company’s creative direction.
Though controversy followed him in 2015 with the release of a racially charged audio recording—leading to a temporary severing of ties with WWE—Hogan was eventually brought back into the fold in 2018 and continued to make guest appearances.
His final televised match came in 2011 during his TNA tenure, where he lost to Sting. Hogan is a rare two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted first as a singles star in 2005 and later as part of the nWo in 2020. His accolades speak for themselves: six-time WWE Champion, six-time WCW World Champion, two-time Royal Rumble winner, and a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Farewell to the Immortal
“Hulkamania” wasn’t just a gimmick—it was a cultural phenomenon. Hogan’s red and yellow became synonymous with ’80s wrestling, and his charisma turned him into a household name far beyond the squared circle. Whether adored or booed, he remained a magnetic force in wrestling for decades.
The impact of Hulk Hogan’s legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come. Today, we say goodbye to a larger-than-life icon whose presence will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Rest in peace, Hulkster. The ring will never be the same without you.
The wrestling world is in mourning today following the shocking news that WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away at the age of 71. According to TMZ, Hogan—real name Terry Bollea—died of cardiac arrest at his Clearwater, Florida home early Thursday morning, July 24. Emergency services were called to the scene at 9:51 a.m., but sadly, the icon could not be revived.
While Hogan’s longtime friend Jimmy Hart recently tried to quiet whispers about Hogan’s health, speculation had lingered in recent weeks after a reported hospitalization. Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky Daily, and his two children, Brooke and Nick Hogan.
A Legacy Larger Than Life
Terry Bollea’s journey in pro wrestling began in 1977, and no one—least of all the man himself—could have predicted he’d become one of the most recognizable figures in the industry’s history. After sharpening his skills in various territories and spending time in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Hogan made his official WWF debut in late 1983. By January 1984, “Hulkamania” was born when Hogan toppled The Iron Sheik to win his first WWF World Heavyweight Championship.
The years that followed redefined sports entertainment. Hogan headlined eight of the first nine WrestleManias, going toe-to-toe with some of the biggest names in the business—Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, Sgt. Slaughter, and more. Whether it was the bodyslam heard around the world or his larger-than-life promos, Hogan was pro wrestling’s first true mainstream crossover star.
In 1994, after a decade of dominance in WWF, Hogan signed with WCW and shocked the wrestling world again two years later with his infamous heel turn and the formation of the New World Order (nWo), altering the industry’s landscape forever.
An Enduring, If Complicated, Legacy
Hogan’s later career saw him bounce between promotions, including memorable WWE returns in the early 2000s to face off with The Rock and Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 18 and 19. He also had a run in TNA starting in 2009, helping to reshape the company’s creative direction.
Though controversy followed him in 2015 with the release of a racially charged audio recording—leading to a temporary severing of ties with WWE—Hogan was eventually brought back into the fold in 2018 and continued to make guest appearances.
His final televised match came in 2011 during his TNA tenure, where he lost to Sting. Hogan is a rare two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted first as a singles star in 2005 and later as part of the nWo in 2020. His accolades speak for themselves: six-time WWE Champion, six-time WCW World Champion, two-time Royal Rumble winner, and a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Farewell to the Immortal
“Hulkamania” wasn’t just a gimmick—it was a cultural phenomenon. Hogan’s red and yellow became synonymous with ’80s wrestling, and his charisma turned him into a household name far beyond the squared circle. Whether adored or booed, he remained a magnetic force in wrestling for decades.
The impact of Hulk Hogan’s legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come. Today, we say goodbye to a larger-than-life icon whose presence will be sorely missed but never forgotten.
Rest in peace, Hulkster. The ring will never be the same without you.
Wrestling News Blog 