AEW “Grand Slam Mexico” Set for Historic Night in Arena Mexico

AEW is officially making its long-awaited debut in Mexico, and they’re doing it in a big way.

Announced early this morning via Fox Sports Mexico and quickly confirmed by AEW on social media, the promotion will host AEW Grand Slam: Mexico Edition on June 18, 2025, live from the legendary Arena Mexico in Mexico City. This marks the first AEW show ever held in Mexico—and the first time a U.S. wrestling promotion has run an event at Arena Mexico in the venue’s nearly 60-year history.

That’s right. The hallowed home of CMLL, one of the oldest wrestling promotions in the world, is opening its doors to AEW for a landmark television taping that’s poised to make international wrestling history.

While AEW hasn’t revealed the full match card yet, the official poster already teases some major star power. Featured talents include Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, rising luchador favorites Komander and Hologram, plus CMLL icons Mistico and Mascara Dorada. With AEW and CMLL growing closer over the last two years, this show looks to be another major step in their cross-promotional partnership.

The event is being billed as another installment in AEW’s “Grand Slam” series—following the brand’s international expansion that kicked off earlier this year in Australia. The Grand Slam Australia show in Brisbane drew attention for its strong turnout and fan enthusiasm, and now AEW hopes to capture that same energy south of the border.

Beyond AEW’s own milestones, Grand Slam Mexico is significant for another reason: it will be the first live TV taping by a U.S. wrestling promotion in Mexico since WWE last taped Raw and SmackDown in 2011. With Fox Sports Mexico airing the event live, AEW is positioning itself not just as a global touring brand, but one capable of delivering historic, first-of-their-kind experiences.

AEW owner Tony Khan has made no secret of his desire to expand AEW’s international presence—and now, that vision is coming to life. Between the Australia debut, this upcoming Mexico show, and rumored future events in Japan and the UK, 2025 is quickly shaping up to be AEW’s biggest global year yet.

Expect more announcements in the coming weeks regarding matches, ticket sales, and how fans worldwide can watch live. One thing’s certain: AEW is about to bring some serious lucha heat to the heart of Mexico.

Tetsuya Naito Leaving NJPW After Nearly Two Decades – Bushi Also Leaving

In a move that few wrestling fans saw coming, Tetsuya Naito is officially parting ways with New Japan Pro-Wrestling after nearly 20 years with the company. NJPW confirmed the news via a press release, revealing that both sides have mutually agreed not to renew his contract. Naito isn’t leaving alone either—fellow Los Ingobernables de Japon member Bushi is also set to exit the promotion.

Naito will fulfill his remaining obligations with NJPW through May 4. After that, he’s free to explore new opportunities across the wrestling world. While there’s been no announcement yet about his next destination, NJPW made it clear that the split was amicable.

Behind the scenes, it turns out Naito had been operating without a contract for some time. According to Fightful Select, the veteran star and NJPW had been in discussions for a new deal, but ultimately couldn’t come to terms. The report also indicates that several other NJPW talents are in similar contract limbo, working without signed agreements.

Alongside Naito and Bushi, Jeff Cobb is another name expected to depart, with heavy speculation linking him to a WWE debut. This follows a growing trend over the past few years that’s seen some of NJPW’s top stars—like Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay—head to AEW or WWE in search of new challenges.

Naito’s departure hits differently, though. Apart from brief stints in CMLL, ROH, and various indies, NJPW has been his wrestling home since the very beginning. A founding member of Los Ingobernables de Japon and one of the promotion’s most beloved and decorated stars, Naito’s exit marks the end of an era. Bushi, while not a day-one NJPW talent, has been a consistent presence for more than a decade and was instrumental in the faction’s identity and growth.

What’s next for the Los Ingobernables de Japon leader? Time will tell. But one thing’s for sure—wherever Naito shows up next, the wrestling world will be watching.

Stay tuned to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for updates on this developing story and the latest on NJPW’s shifting landscape.

Report: Mariah May Wants To Leave AEW For WWE

AEW’s women’s division breakout star Mariah May has been conspicuously absent from television since dropping the AEW Women’s Championship back to Toni Storm last month—and there may be more to her disappearance than just a post-title break.

According to the latest update from Wrestling Observer Radio, veteran journalist Dave Meltzer is reporting that WWE insiders are under the impression that May is eyeing a move to the company. “I know from people in WWE that she has been — they know she wants to go there,” Meltzer shared. While her contract details haven’t been publicly confirmed, Meltzer added that “everyone seems to think it’s this summer” when her AEW deal could be up.

Co-host Bryan Alvarez backed up the speculation, noting he’s heard similar buzz from AEW sources. It’s believed May signed a two-year deal when she first joined AEW, though the official debut came in November 2023—leaving the door open that the contract may have started earlier in the year.

Adding fuel to the speculation, May recently posted a cryptic Instagram Story with a motivational quote about “ending up where you’re meant to be,” tagged from Orlando, Florida—home base for WWE’s Performance Center. That subtle post didn’t go unnoticed by fans or industry insiders, including Meltzer.

This isn’t May’s first brush with WWE. She previously participated in a 2019 WWE tryout, where she was advised by trainer Sarah Stock to gain international experience—a suggestion May took to heart, eventually making waves in STARDOM before landing in AEW.

While it’s possible her current TV absence is simply a breather following a high-profile feud with Toni Storm, AEW President Tony Khan has a track record of quietly pulling talent from programming when he suspects they’re WWE-bound. Wrestlers like Ricky Starks (Saints), Rey Fenix, and Penta all saw reduced screen time ahead of their departures. Conversely, Malakai Black was used until shortly before his own exit.

At just 26 years old, Mariah May’s stock is rising fast, and her next move could be one of the biggest shifts in the women’s wrestling landscape this year. If WWE is indeed her next destination, we could be seeing the early stages of another significant defection in the ongoing talent tug-of-war between AEW and WWE.

WWE NXT Preview 4/15/2025

WWE will present the Stand & Deliver go-home episode of NXT tonight on The CW at 8 pm ET.

  • NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifiers
  • NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Match: Lexis King vs. Ethan Page vs. Eddy Thorpe vs. Wes Lee
  • NXT Tag Team Championship #1 Contender Gauntlet Match: Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. The Culling (Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen) vs. Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe vs. Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura vs. No Quarter Catch Crew (Myles Borne & Tavion Heights)
  • Parking Lot Fight: DarkState vs. The D’Angelo Family

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII 4/17/2025 (Card)

GCW Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII – Thursday, April 17, 2025 –
Pearl Theater At Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas

CARD

  • Royce Isaacs vs. Tavion Heights
  • Shayna Baszler vs. Konami
  • Josh Barnett vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Jonathan Gresham
  • JR Kratos vs. Karrion Kross
  • Maika vs. Karmen Petrovic
  • Charlie Dempsey vs. Shinya Aoki
  • Nattie Neidhart vs. Miyu Yamashita
  • Leyla Hirsch vs. Jordan Blade
  • Timothy Thatcher vs. Pete Dunne

WWE Raw Preview 4/14/2025

WWE Raw airs live globally tonight on Netflix from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.

  • AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross
  • Bayley vs. WWE Women’s World Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan
  • Appearances by WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, Logan Paul, Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns

Tony Khan Unveils ROH Women’s Pure Championship, First Champion to Be Crowned at Supercard of Honor

AEW Collision had a little extra buzz this past Saturday night — and it wasn’t just the in-ring action. Before the Ring of Honor television tapings kicked off, AEW CEO and ROH owner Tony Khan made a major announcement that’s got fans talking: the introduction of the ROH Women’s Pure Championship.

The new title brings a fresh layer of prestige and competition to ROH’s growing women’s division, with a focus on the signature Pure Rules that have defined the men’s Pure Championship. These matches typically emphasize technical wrestling, limited rope breaks, and strict enforcement of in-ring conduct — something that should shine a spotlight on the division’s most disciplined and skilled performers.

Khan also revealed that the inaugural champion will be crowned at this year’s Supercard of Honor, set for Friday, May 2, at the Adrian Phillips Theater at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The annual Supercard event has historically been one of ROH’s biggest nights of the year, and adding a new title to the mix only ups the stakes.

While no participants have been officially announced for the championship match just yet, expect ROH to highlight some of the top names from both the ROH and AEW women’s rosters in the coming weeks. With stars like Athena, Billie Starkz, Mercedes Martinez, and more in the mix, the competition is sure to be fierce.

The creation of the Women’s Pure Championship is another sign that Khan and ROH are serious about expanding and evolving the brand’s identity. It also offers another platform for women in the company to showcase their in-ring technical prowess under a unique ruleset that prioritizes clean, strategic wrestling.

Stay tuned to WrestlingNewsBlog.com as more details emerge on who will compete for the ROH Women’s Pure Championship at Supercard of Honor!

Josh Mathews Joins AEW in Backstage Role Following TNA Exit

AEW has welcomed another familiar face from the wrestling world into its growing backstage ranks. Josh Mathews, best known for his time as a WWE announcer and longtime TNA Wrestling commentator and producer, is now officially working behind the scenes for All Elite Wrestling.

The report, first noted by the Wrestling Observer, confirms Mathews’ new role within AEW, though the specifics of his position have yet to be revealed. However, it appears he’s already been spotted backstage at a recent episode of AEW Dynamite, signaling that his transition into the company is well underway.

Mathews’ move to AEW follows his recent departure from TNA Wrestling, where he spent over a decade in various capacities. Initially joining the promotion as a lead commentator, Mathews eventually shifted to a backstage producer role, helping shape the product from behind the camera. His time with TNA came to an end in February 2025, as part of a wider internal restructuring that saw several longtime staff members let go.

For fans who have followed Mathews’ journey, his arrival in AEW isn’t entirely surprising. Not only has he been a vocal supporter of the company in past interviews, but he also has a direct connection to the promotion — his wife, Madison Rayne, is an in-ring talent and coach within AEW’s women’s division. Mathews had previously expressed interest in AEW, though he admitted he appreciated the more relaxed pace of life working behind the scenes at TNA.

If Mathews is indeed stepping into a producer role — which many suspect — he’ll be joining a stacked lineup of veteran minds that includes Jerry Lynn, Dean Malenko, Chris Hero, Scotty 2 Hotty, Sarah Stock, and, of course, Rayne. With over two decades of experience spanning from his early WWE days as a Tough Enough contestant and backstage interviewer, to stints as a commentator and even an occasional wrestler, Mathews brings a well-rounded résumé to AEW’s already deep bench of wrestling minds.

AEW continues to build out its infrastructure with seasoned industry veterans, and the addition of Josh Mathews only strengthens its behind-the-scenes team as the company pushes forward into its next chapter.

What’s the Hold-Up with The Wyatt Sicks and Alexa Bliss? Backstage Update on WrestleMania Absences

WWE fans are buzzing about the major names set to headline the grandest stage of them all. But with so many big names in the spotlight, it’s hard not to notice some glaring omissions from WrestleMania 41 — namely, The Wyatt Sicks and Alexa Bliss.

Despite her dramatic return at the 2025 Royal Rumble following a two-year hiatus, Bliss has been noticeably absent from WWE programming in recent weeks. Many expected her return to lead to a storyline tied to the eerie and ominous Wyatt Sicks faction, especially considering her storied history with the late Bray Wyatt. However, that reunion appears to be on hold — for now.

According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, the Wyatt Sicks’ current absence comes down to one key issue: injury. Bo Dallas, who leads the group under his “Uncle Howdy” persona, is currently sidelined, and WWE creative reportedly has no plans to use the faction unless they can appear as a full unit. With WrestleMania season in full swing and multiple storylines converging, sources say it’s simply not the right time to rework the creative direction around a group still dealing with injury setbacks.

Bliss, it seems, is caught in the crossfire. Sapp reports that while there are long-term plans to integrate her into The Wyatt Sicks storyline, there’s currently no standalone creative direction for her. As a result, she was pulled from all WrestleMania weekend plans.

There’s also uncertainty around when the group might return, as updates on Dallas’ injury status remain scarce. The Wyatt Sicks haven’t been seen since their loss to The Miz and The Final Testament on the December 9, 2024 episode of Raw. That match also marked the last appearance of Rezar and Akam, formerly of the Authors of Pain, who have since been released by WWE — further complicating any potential comeback plans for the group.

While fans may be disappointed not to see the eerie presence of The Wyatt Sicks or the return of Alexa Bliss at WrestleMania 41, the good news is that both are still on WWE’s radar. It’s just a matter of waiting for the right time — and the right pieces — to fall into place.

AEW Collision Preview 4/12/2025

AEW Collision live tonight on TNT and Max from the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA.

  • Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament Match: Athena vs. Harley Cameron
  • Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament Match: Jamie Hayter vs. Billie Starkz
  • Men’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament Match: Brody King vs. Konosuke Takeshita
  • Anthony Bowens vs. Blake Christian
  • Megan Bayne vs. TBA
  • We’ll hear from FTR