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.
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.
Just days after capturing the Interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam 2026, Chelsea Green is dealing with an injury that could impact her immediate future.
According to reports from Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, Green was injured during Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown in Philadelphia. The new champion later confirmed the news herself in a video posted to Instagram, revealing that she suffered a fractured orbital bone.
Chelsea Green Confirms Injury
In the video, Green addressed her condition and explained that she was taken to the emergency room following the incident.
“I did get injured last Friday night,” Green said. “Stuff happens. It’s live television. It’s wrestling. It’s an occupational hazard. I ended up in the emergency room and I have a broken orbital bone.”
Despite the severity of the injury, Green noted that the visible damage could have been much worse.
“It looks amazing, all things considered; it feels awful, but looks pretty amazing.”
The Interim Women’s Champion admitted she is unsure what the injury means for her short-term future in WWE.
“I have no idea what that means for me. Usually, you guys have seen me play into every single injury, but this feels different. It feels frustrating. I’m upset. I feel like if I didn’t have bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.”
Green added that she plans to focus on healing before making any decisions about her return.
“We’re just going to take it day by day.”
Injury Comes Days After SummerSlam Championship Victory
The injury comes at a difficult time for Green, who recently won the Interim WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam.
Green emerged victorious in a chaotic Ladder Match that also featured Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend, and Tiffany Stratton. The victory gave her the interim championship while reigning WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley remains sidelined.
Green appeared on SmackDown intending to celebrate her championship win but instead found herself back in action. She teamed with Tiffany Stratton in a Women’s Tag Team Championship match against Fatal Influence, with Green ultimately taking the loss for her team.
At this time, WWE has not confirmed exactly when Green suffered the injury during the match.
Women’s Division Dealing With Multiple Injuries
Green’s injury is the latest setback to affect WWE’s women’s division.
Last week, Rhea Ripley revealed that she underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus after initially attempting to avoid surgery. Ripley is expected to miss several months of action, which led to WWE creating the Interim Women’s Championship.
Reports indicate WWE officials are hopeful that Ripley could return in time for the Royal Rumble 2027 event in Arizona.
Meanwhile, Green’s status remains uncertain as she awaits further evaluation and recovery from the fractured orbital bone. WWE has not announced whether the injury will affect her reign as Interim Women’s Champion.
WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley has shared a significant update on her injury status, revealing that she recently underwent knee surgery after attempting to avoid the procedure.
Ripley, who has been sidelined with a knee injury in recent weeks, previously disclosed that she suffered a slight meniscus tear. Now, the reigning champion has confirmed that surgery ultimately became necessary as she begins the road to recovery.
Rhea Ripley Shares Surgery Update
Taking to Instagram, Ripley opened up about the decision to undergo surgery and reflected on the physical toll that years of wrestling and athletics have taken on her body.
“Life update. After just under 14 years in wrestling and doing sports my entire life… It’s caught up to me. Surgery was never a first option for me, but it got to the point that it was needed… First one down… Hopefully no more…”
Despite the setback, Ripley remained optimistic about her recovery and eventual return to the ring.
“I’ve survived, now it’s time to start thriving again so I can get back to what I love to do! See you all down the road.”
Interim Champion Crowned At SummerSlam
With Ripley unable to compete, WWE moved to address the Women’s Championship picture at SummerSlam 2026.
A five-woman Ladder Match was held to determine an Interim WWE Women’s Champion, with Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend, and Tiffany Stratton competing for the opportunity.
Chelsea Green ultimately emerged victorious, climbing the ladder and retrieving the championship to become the new Interim WWE Women’s Champion.
No Return Timeline Announced
At this time, WWE has not announced how long Ripley is expected to be out of action following the surgery.
The injury temporarily halts another strong run for Ripley, who has remained one of WWE’s top stars and a centerpiece of the women’s division.
For now, Ripley’s focus shifts to rehabilitation as she works toward returning to the ring and reclaiming her place atop the Women’s Championship picture.
A WWE Hall of Famer made a shocking return on the final SmackDown before SummerSlam, as Haku appeared alongside his sons Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga to officially cement their new direction.
The surprise appearance came during the July 31 edition of WWE SmackDown, where Tama and Talla continued to distance themselves from Solo Sikoa and the MFT faction.
Haku Delivers Powerful Message To His Sons
Earlier in the show, WWE aired a vignette featuring Tama and Talla Tonga discussing their recent split from Solo Sikoa’s group.
The brothers explained that their pursuit of championships had taken a backseat while they were focused on internal family conflicts. They emphasized that it was time to put family first and return to what truly mattered.
The segment took an emotional turn when Haku appeared on screen.
The legendary wrestler spoke about the family’s Tongan heritage and reminded his sons of the legacy they carry every time they step into the ring. Haku’s appearance immediately drew attention, marking his first significant WWE television involvement in quite some time.
Champion Vs. Champion Match Breaks Down
Later in the evening, WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest and R-Truth faced AAA World Tag Team Champions The War Raiders in a non-title champion-versus-champion showdown.
The match quickly spiraled out of control.
As tempers flared, the referee was knocked down while attempting to restore order. With no official able to maintain control, the bout was ruled a disqualification. Even after the bell, the four competitors continued brawling throughout the arena.
The MFTs Make A Statement
As chaos unfolded, Tama and Talla Tonga stormed the ring.
The duo attacked everyone in sight, laying out both teams in dominant fashion. Tama connected with the Cut Throat on Erik, while Talla delivered a devastating chokeslam to Priest.
With the ring cleared, the brothers stood tall holding both the WWE and AAA Tag Team Championships.
Moments later, Haku made his way to the ring and joined his sons, creating a memorable image as the show headed toward its conclusion.
New Chapter After Solo Sikoa Split
Tama and Talla officially severed ties with Solo Sikoa on the June 26 episode of SmackDown.
At the time, the brothers claimed they were acting on instructions from “the elders” and voiced frustration over Sikoa’s obsession with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline power struggle.
Since then, they have begun carving out their own path, and Haku’s return appears to solidify that direction.
Now being presented as The MFTs, Tama and Talla have added one of the most respected figures in wrestling history to their corner as they continue their pursuit of championship gold.
SummerSlam Implications
The timing of Haku’s return is particularly noteworthy with SummerSlam just around the corner.
After standing tall over both the WWE Tag Team Champions and the AAA World Tag Team Champions, Tama and Talla have sent a clear message to every team in WWE.
With Haku now serving as their mentor and on-screen leader, The MFTs appear poised to become a major force in WWE’s tag team division moving forward.
Whether their actions on SmackDown lead directly to a championship opportunity remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Tonga family made a statement just one night before SummerSlam.
“YOU ARE THE SOMS OF HAKU GO MAKE THEM FEAR US AGAIN”
The WWE Hall of Famer made a surprise return during Friday night’s SmackDown, coming to the rescue of Brie Bella and Paige after a post-match assault from Fatal Influence. The appearance marked Nikki’s first major WWE television appearance in months and immediately set the stage for a blockbuster match at SummerSlam.
Nikki Bella Saves Brie And Paige
The chaos unfolded after Brie Bella scored a victory over Lainey Reid, one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Following the match, Reid’s Fatal Influence allies Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley stormed the ring and launched an attack on Brie and Paige. With the numbers advantage in their favor, the champions appeared poised to leave their challengers laid out.
That changed when Nikki Bella’s music hit.
The WWE Hall of Famer rushed to the ring and quickly turned the tide, helping clear out Fatal Influence and giving Brie and Paige the chance to recover. Nikki capped off the return by planting Jayne with the Rack Attack 2.0 before standing over her fallen opponent.
As the crowd erupted, Nikki made her intentions clear, shouting that she was back before confronting Jayne face-to-face.
SummerSlam Match Confirmed
After Fatal Influence regrouped on the outside, Nikki grabbed a microphone and addressed the trio directly.
Bella accused the group of believing they could arrive from NXT, capture championship gold, and avoid consequences. She reminded them that veterans like herself, Brie, and Paige helped pave the way for the current generation of WWE women’s wrestlers.
She then issued a challenge that immediately became official.
Nikki announced that she, Brie Bella, and Paige will team up to face Fatal Influence in a six-woman tag team match at SummerSlam 2026.
The announcement adds another high-profile attraction to WWE’s biggest event of the summer and marks a rare in-ring reunion for the Bella Twins.
Legends Versus The New Generation
The matchup presents an intriguing clash between WWE legends and one of the company’s fastest-rising groups.
Fatal Influence has made a major impact since arriving on the main roster, capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and establishing themselves as one of the division’s most dominant factions. Their success has often come at the expense of veteran stars, including Paige and Brie.
Now, with Nikki Bella entering the picture, the rivalry has escalated significantly.
For Nikki, the match will provide an opportunity to prove she can still compete at a high level while standing alongside two of the most influential figures in WWE women’s wrestling history.
For Fatal Influence, defeating three Hall of Fame-caliber names on one of WWE’s biggest stages would further cement their status as a force in the division.
SummerSlam Continues To Take Shape
With the six-woman tag match now official, SummerSlam continues to add major attractions ahead of the two-night event.
The return of Nikki Bella brings additional star power to the card and creates one of the most anticipated women’s matches of the weekend. Whether the veterans can roll back the clock or Fatal Influence can continue their rise remains to be seen, but Friday’s surprise return ensured that the rivalry just became one of the hottest stories heading into SummerSlam.
Nikki Bella’s comeback appearance received one of the loudest reactions of the night, and her reunion with Brie and Paige gives SummerSlam a marquee showdown between WWE legends and one of the company’s most controversial rising factions.
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