More AEW Departures Expected in March

AEW has long faced criticism for its bloated roster, and it looks like March will bring another round of departures. With limited TV time across Dynamite, Collision and ROH, not everyone can get the spotlight, leading to contracts quietly expiring or not being renewed.

As reported yesterday “Legit” Leyla Hirsch’s AEW contract ends today, making her a free agent. But according to Wrestling Observer Live’s Bryan Alvarez, Hirsch won’t be the last.

More Roster Moves on the Horizon?

Alvarez reported that AEW fans should expect more departures this month, hinting that some talent may be outright released, while others could see their contracts expire without renewal.

“I think that this will not be the last time you hear this story in the month of March. I have heard that there might be some departures coming up… Whether it’s people being released, people’s deals coming up and not being renewed. The fact of the matter is, they got way too many people under contract.”

While no specific names were mentioned, AEW has already lost notable talent in recent weeks.

Recent AEW Exits

February saw the departures of Malakai Black, Miro, and Ricky Starks (mistakenly listed as “Ricky Saints” in some reports). All three have either returned to WWE or are on their way back.

  • Ricky Starks has already resurfaced in NXT, surprising many fans with his move to WWE’s developmental brand.
  • Malakai Black and Miro are reportedly in WWE’s creative plans, though their returns haven’t been made official yet.

With AEW’s stacked roster and only so much weekly programming, it’s no surprise that more names could be on their way out. Who will be next? Stay tuned as the situation unfolds.

WWE Elimination Chamber 3/1/2025 (Card)

WWE Elimination Chamber PLE – Saturday March 1, 2025 – Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

CARD

MEN’S NO. 1 CONTENDER’S ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH:
CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre vs. John Cena vs. Logan Paul vs. Seth Rollins vs. Damian Priest

UNSANCTIONED MATCH:
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn

WOMEN’S NO. 1 CONTENDER’S ELIMINATION CHAMBER MATCH:
Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley vs. Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Naomi vs. Roxanne Perez

Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae

The Rock is coming to WWE Elimination Chamber to see if Cody Rhodes will agree to be ‘his champion’

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/28/2025

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown is the go-home show for Saturday’s Elimination Chamber premium live event and will air live on the USA Network in the US and Netflix internationally. from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

  • WWE United States Championship: Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. LA Knight
  • WWE Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green vs. a mystery opponent
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to appear
  • WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus to appear

Update On AEW Star Eddie Kingston’s Injury and Recovery Process

It’s been nearly a year since Eddie Kingston last stepped inside the squared circle, and while fans have been eagerly awaiting his return, it looks like “The Mad King” is still battling through the recovery process.

Kingston suffered a broken tibia and additional injuries during an NJPW STRONG match in May 2024, where he lost the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship to Gabe Kidd in a brutal no-rope, last man standing match. Since then, he’s been on the road to recovery—but it hasn’t been easy.

According to a new update from PWInsider, Kingston is dealing with more than just his leg injury. Speaking candidly about his struggles, Kingston admitted:

“S** is hard and when it rains, it pours. I f**ed my stomach up from stress and I am waiting for results, then back to physical therapy. I got new insurance that cost an arm and leg.”

While the original expectation was for Kingston to return sometime in summer 2025, it’s unclear if his latest health setback will push that timeline even further.

Kingston Staying Inspired by ’90s Wrestling

Despite the challenges, Kingston is still keeping his love for wrestling alive. He revealed that throughout his rehabilitation, he’s been immersing himself in classic ’90s wrestling—particularly ECW, AJPW, and NJPW—and encouraged fans to do the same.

Meanwhile, the title Kingston lost to Kidd has remained in the spotlight, with Kidd holding onto the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship ever since. His most recent defense came at NJPW Battle in the Valley, where he fought Tomohiro Ishii to a 30-minute draw.

What’s Next for The Mad King?

Kingston’s return to AEW and NJPW is still uncertain, but if there’s one thing fans know about him, it’s that he never stays down for long. Whether it’s this summer or later in 2025, expect Eddie Kingston to come back with a vengeance—and probably with a few more ‘90s wrestling tapes to recommend along the way.

Report: WWE Star Randy Orton Expected Back Soon

With WrestleMania 41 fast approaching, WWE’s top stars are locking in their spots for the grandest stage of them all. Now, a new report suggests that Randy Orton could soon be back in the mix, just in time for the event in Las Vegas, Nevada.

According to PWInsider Elite, Orton is expected to return to WWE by March, potentially making his in-ring comeback during WWE’s Road to WrestleMania tour in Europe. This timeline would put “The Viper” on track to compete at WrestleMania itself, marking his 19th appearance at WWE’s biggest event.

Orton’s Road to Recovery and a Potential Owens Feud

Orton has been out of action since November 2024 after WWE says he suffered a cervical cord neurapraxia following a brutal piledriver from Kevin Owens. The injury put a sudden halt to Orton’s momentum, but with WWE officials reportedly expecting his return soon, the speculation has already begun about what his WrestleMania match could look like.

One likely scenario? A showdown with Owens. The two superstars initially teamed up heading into WrestleMania 40, joining forces with Cody Rhodes to battle The Bloodline. However, after Owens turned on Rhodes at Bash in Berlin, he also betrayed Orton, setting the stage for a heated rivalry. With Owens already set to face Sami Zayn in an unsanctioned match at Elimination Chamber this weekend, Orton could make his return soon after to reignite their unfinished business.

Orton’s WrestleMania Legacy Continues

If Orton does compete at WrestleMania 41, it will further solidify his status as one of WWE’s most consistent performers on the grandest stage. With 18 previous WrestleMania matches, he trails only Triple H (23 WrestleMania appearances) and The Undertaker (27 WrestleMania appearances) in all-time history.

Despite missing WrestleMania 32 (2016) and WrestleMania 39 (2023), Orton has been a fixture at the event ever since his first appearance at WrestleMania 20 in 2004. Whether he faces Owens or another top WWE star, his return would add another major name to an already stacked WrestleMania 41 card.

With March right around the corner, Orton’s return could be imminent—will he get revenge on Owens, or does WWE have another plan in store for “The Viper”? Stay tuned as the Road to WrestleMania heats up!

“Legit” Leyla Hirsch Set to Depart AEW as Contract Expires

Another name is hitting the free-agent market as “Legit” Leyla Hirsch is set to part ways with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). According to PWInsider Elite, Hirsch’s contract is set to expire at the end of February, and she has opted not to re-sign with the company. Since her deal is simply running out rather than being terminated, she will not be subject to a non-compete clause, meaning she’ll be free to wrestle elsewhere immediately.

Hirsch’s AEW Run: From Breakout Star to Injury Setback

Hirsch first appeared in AEW in 2020, making her debut on AEW Dark during the pandemic-era tapings at Daily’s Place. Her performances impressed AEW management, leading to a multi-year contract in March 2021. She quickly became a regular in the AEW women’s division, gaining traction throughout the year before entering a notable feud with Kris Statlander leading into Revolution 2022.

However, just as Hirsch’s momentum was building, an unfortunate injury derailed her career. In April 2022, she suffered a torn ACL during a dark match, which required surgery and sidelined her for over a year.

A New Chapter in ROH and What’s Next

When Hirsch finally returned in mid-2023, she found herself primarily competing in Ring of Honor (ROH) rather than AEW’s main roster. There, she delivered standout performances, including a Texas Death Match against Diamante at Death Before Dishonor 2024 and a title challenge against Red Velvet for the ROH Women’s World Television Championship at Final Battle. Her match at Final Battle ultimately marked her last appearance under the AEW/ROH umbrella.

Now, with her contract expiring, Hirsch is officially a free agent, opening the door for new opportunities across the wrestling world. Whether she finds a new home in another major promotion or hits the independent scene, one thing is certain—she brings experience, resilience, and a hard-hitting style wherever she goes.

TNA Impact Preview 2/27/2025

TNA Wrestling will present a new episode of Impact tonight on AXS TV, with NXT champion Oba Femi appearing on the show. The lineup includes:

  • TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship – Losers Become Personal Concierge: Spitfire (c) vs. Ash & Heather by Elegance
  • Oba Femi & The Hardys vs. The System
  • Mance Warner vs. Sami Callihan
  • Ace Austin vs. Frankie Kazarian
  • Mike Santana vs. TBD
  • Tessa Blanchard must wrestle or she’s fired

ROH TV Preview 2/27/2025

Ring of Honor will present a new episode of ROH TV tonight on HonorClub, with several matches announced. The lineup includes:

  • Gravity vs. Dark Panther
  • La Catalina vs. Lady Frost
  • Magnus, Soberano Jr. & Volador Jr. vs. Mascara Dorada, Atlantis Jr. & Templario
  • Blake Christian vs. Fuego Del Sol
  • Esfinge, Atlantis &Fuego vs. Gran Guerrero, Euforia & Rocky Romero
  • The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) in action

Debunking the Rumors: Vince McMahon Is Not Starting a New Wrestling Promotion

Rumors have been swirling about Vince McMahon making a return to the professional wrestling industry, with speculation that he’s looking to recruit former WWE executives and experienced production staff for a new promotion. However, multiple sources have now debunked these claims.

On the latest 83 Weeks podcast, Eric Bischoff and Conrad Thompson entertained the idea that FOX could be involved in this supposed new wrestling venture. However, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that a FOX spokesperson denied any involvement with McMahon, stating that the rumors were false.

Additionally, Dave Meltzer addressed the speculation on Wrestling Observer Radio, firmly stating, “He’s not starting a wrestling promotion. I can tell you that.” While fellow analyst Bryan Alvarez mentioned that McMahon wants to start a company, Meltzer clarified that it would be an entertainment company—not a wrestling promotion.

Meltzer also pointed out that even if McMahon did launch a wrestling promotion, he’d face a steep uphill battle. Alvarez noted that he would initially rank as the fourth-biggest company in the industry, behind WWE, AEW, and TNA. Meltzer suggested that McMahon could eventually surpass TNA, but with top-tier talent already locked into existing contracts, establishing a competitive promotion would be extremely difficult.

After his highly publicized exit from WWE amid legal controversies, McMahon’s future remains uncertain. While he may be exploring new business ventures, all credible reports indicate that a return to wrestling is not on the table.

Report: Reason Why WWE NXT Booked Double Title Match For Roadblock

A major champion in WWE NXT is reportedly dealing with an injury, which may explain the high-stakes title match set for NXT Roadblock.

On this week’s episode of NXT, General Manager Ava announced that NXT Women’s Champion Giulia will face Women’s North American Champion Stephanie Vaquer in a rare double-title match, with both championships on the line. However, new reports suggest that this match may have been booked due to an injury concern.

Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Live revealed that one of the competitors is currently banged up and needs time off, though he didn’t specify which one. However, WrestlePurists and Ibou of Self Made later confirmed on social media that Giulia is the one dealing with an injury. PWInsider Elite also reported that the NXT Women’s Champion is hurt, though the exact nature of her injury remains unknown. Despite this, multiple sources confirm that Giulia is still scheduled to compete at Roadblock.

Giulia has been on a dominant run since capturing the NXT Women’s Championship from Roxanne Perez at New Year’s Evil on January 7. She successfully defended the title against Perez, Bayley, and Cora Jade in a Fatal 4-Way at Vengeance Day, and her upcoming clash with Vaquer marks her second defense.

With both titles at stake, Roadblock could significantly shake up NXT’s women’s division. However, with Giulia reportedly competing through an injury, fans will be watching closely to see how it impacts the match—and what the future holds for her reign.