Report On AAA Star El Hijo del Vikingo Injury

AAA star El Hijo del Vikingo may be facing another setback at a particularly unfortunate time in his career.

After making his WWE television debut on SmackDown in a match against Rey Fénix for the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship, Vikingo was scheduled to appear the following day at NXT tapings, where he was set to defend the AAA Latin American Championship against EK Prosper.

However, reports indicate that Vikingo suffered an injury while preparing for the match. While he was able to make it to the tapings, the bout ultimately did not go as planned, and the exact nature or severity of the injury remains unknown.

During a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided an update on the situation and suggested there is concern regarding how serious the injury could be.

“It could be serious. It’s really too bad because he’s had a lot of injuries. An inopportune time.”

The timing is especially unfortunate given Vikingo’s growing visibility through WWE’s partnership with AAA. His SmackDown appearance marked a significant opportunity to introduce him to a broader audience, but the injury could potentially interrupt that momentum.

Meltzer also discussed WWE’s booking of AAA talent, noting that Vikingo’s loss to Rey Fénix on SmackDown may raise concerns among AAA fans. He pointed out that the AAA Latin American Championship is considered one of the promotion’s top titles, while Fénix is currently positioned lower on WWE’s roster hierarchy.

According to Meltzer, if WWE consistently presents AAA wrestlers as being below established WWE stars, it could affect how fans perceive the AAA roster moving forward.

This latest injury scare adds to a growing list of physical setbacks for Vikingo over the past two years. In 2024, he suffered a significant knee injury that included a torn meniscus and ligament damage in his right knee, forcing him to miss approximately six months of action. Earlier this year, he reportedly dealt with a shoulder injury following a match against Mini Vikingo, though that issue only sidelined him for a short period.

At this time, neither WWE nor AAA has provided an official update regarding Vikingo’s condition. Fans will likely be waiting for further information to determine whether the injury will impact his upcoming appearances and championship commitments.

Given Vikingo’s history of overcoming injuries and returning to top form, many will be hoping this latest setback proves to be minor rather than another lengthy stay on the sidelines.

WWE Raw Preview 7/6/2026

WWE Raw live tonight at 8/7c on Netflix from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

  • Seth Rollins to open the show
  • Oba Femi to address Brock Lesnar
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Sol Ruca (c) vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits (c) vs. The Vision
  • Undisputed WWE Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
  • CM Punk expected to appear

Sheamus Reportedly Set To Leave WWE After Turning Down New Contract Offer

A major chapter in WWE history may be coming to an end.

According to Fightful Select, former WWE Champion Sheamus is expected to leave WWE once his current contract expires. The report states that WWE recently approached the veteran star with a restructured contract extension, but Sheamus reportedly declined the offer and chose not to sign a new deal.

If the departure becomes official, it would mark the first time in nearly two decades that Sheamus has been a free agent in professional wrestling.

Further fueling speculation, Sheamus has reportedly already been moved to WWE’s alumni section on the company’s official website, a move that often signals a talent’s departure from the promotion.

Sheamus originally signed with WWE in 2007 after impressing officials during a tryout. After developing in the company’s developmental system, he quickly rose through the ranks and became one of WWE’s biggest success stories.

His breakout moment came in 2009 when he defeated John Cena at TLC to capture his first WWE Championship. Over the years, Sheamus established himself as one of WWE’s most decorated stars, winning multiple world championships, United States Championships, and tag team titles. He also added a Royal Rumble victory, a Money in the Bank win, and a King of the Ring crown to his resume.

Despite those accomplishments, one goal remained elusive throughout his career: winning the Intercontinental Championship and completing the Grand Slam.

Sheamus’ most recent WWE match took place on the November 17, 2025 edition of Raw, where he teamed with John Cena and Rey Mysterio against The Judgment Day’s Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh. Shortly afterward, a shoulder injury forced him to undergo surgery and withdraw from WWE’s “The Last Time Is Now” tournament.

The report also comes amid ongoing stories regarding WWE’s efforts to restructure several talent contracts in recent months. According to previous reports, some performers accepted revised deals in order to remain with the company, while others pushed back against proposed pay reductions.

For many fans, the news is particularly disappointing given Sheamus’ long-standing commitment to WWE. Throughout nearly 20 years with the company, he remained a reliable performer, consistently delivering standout matches and helping elevate younger talent whenever called upon.

His pursuit of the Intercontinental Championship became one of the defining stories of the latter part of his career. Despite receiving several opportunities over the last few years, the title remained just out of reach, preventing him from achieving Grand Slam status before his reported departure.

As of now, neither WWE nor Sheamus has publicly commented on the report. If his WWE run has indeed come to an end, Sheamus will leave behind a legacy as one of the most accomplished and respected stars of his generation, while opening the door to the next chapter of his wrestling career.

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/3/2026

WWE SmackDown airs tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the US and on Netflix for international fans. This episode was taped this past Monday at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

  • More fallout from Night of Champions
  • Charlotte Flair, Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill, B-Fab and Michin
  • AAA Cruiserweight Championship Match: Rey Fenix (c) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo
  • Newly crowned Undisputed WWE SmackDown Sami Zayn to speak
  • Brie Bella vs. Lainey Reid

Report: ESPN Requested WWE Add More Matches To Premium Live Events

WWE’s Premium Live Events have become known for featuring smaller match cards in recent years, but a new report suggests one of the company’s broadcast partners would like to see more action included on future shows.

According to WrestleVotes via Fightful Select, ESPN requested that WWE add more matches to Night of Champions, which took place last month in Saudi Arabia. The report states that ESPN wanted the event’s main broadcast to feature six matches, leading WWE to expand the card beyond the four- and five-match format that has become common for many PLEs.

The request reportedly focused on the paid portion of the broadcast, not the free first hour that airs on ESPN before the main show begins.

Night of Champions ultimately featured six matches on the main card, making it one of the more stacked PLE lineups WWE has presented this year. The event included both the men’s and women’s King of the Ring tournament finals, several championship matches, and a historic main event that saw Sami Zayn capture the Undisputed WWE Championship for the first time in his career.

The report is notable because WWE has largely moved away from lengthy PLE cards outside of its biggest annual events. In 2026, only Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, Backlash, and Clash in Italy featured between four and five matches, while WrestleMania and Night of Champions were the only events to include six or more bouts.

Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber traditionally dedicate significant portions of their runtime to the signature matches that give the events their names, which naturally limits the number of additional contests that can be featured. However, WWE’s overall trend toward shorter cards has been a noticeable shift compared to previous eras.

The report could indicate that ESPN sees value in presenting more matches during the premium portion of WWE events, particularly as the partnership between the two companies continues to grow.

Over the last year, WWE and ESPN have worked closely together on a variety of promotional initiatives. Numerous WWE stars have appeared across ESPN programming to promote upcoming events, while crossover appearances have become increasingly common. One recent example saw Danhausen become involved in ESPN coverage surrounding the New York Knicks’ NBA Championship pursuit.

It remains to be seen whether WWE will continue expanding its PLE cards moving forward, but if ESPN’s request carries weight, fans could see more matches featured on future premium live event broadcasts.

Report: Eric Young Granted Release From TNA, Expected To Join WWE NXT In Player-Coach Role

TNA announced on Wednesday that they granted veteran star Eric Young his release from the company. Young may already have his next destination lined up.

Initial reports suggested Young had been working under a short-term agreement, but the former TNA World Champion quickly disputed that claim, stating that he had been under a “binding contract the entire time.”

While Young’s future has not been officially confirmed, new reports indicate that a return to WWE is expected.

Speaking on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez noted that Young’s next move remains unclear publicly, though WWE is widely viewed as the likely landing spot. Dave Meltzer added that WWE officials have discussed a role for Young that would mirror the position currently held by Shawn Spears in NXT.

“He’ll be on NXT as a player/coach is what I was told,” Meltzer said. “I heard September, but that could be wrong, but it was from people in WWE. But yeah, player/coach in NXT is the current plan for him.”

The report suggests Young would both wrestle and help mentor younger talent within WWE’s developmental system.

Young is no stranger to WWE. He originally joined the company in 2016 and became a featured performer in NXT before later moving to the main roster as part of the Sanity faction. His first WWE run came to an end in 2020 when he was released during the wave of talent cuts that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He briefly returned to WWE in 2022 and was reportedly set to be part of television plans. However, Young requested his release before making an on-screen return following Vince McMahon’s return to the company. Reports at the time indicated that Young signed a non-disclosure agreement as part of his departure.

After leaving WWE, Young returned to TNA Wrestling, where he resumed his role as one of the promotion’s most recognizable veterans. During his career, he has captured the TNA World Championship twice and remained a key figure both on-screen and behind the scenes.

If the reported plans come to fruition, Young would bring decades of experience back to WWE while helping develop the next generation of NXT talent. Neither WWE nor Young has publicly confirmed the move at this time.

Mike Santana Reportedly Finished With TNA Following Slammiversary Title Loss

Mike Santana’s future appears to be coming into focus following his loss at TNA Slammiversary, as a new report indicates the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion has wrapped up his run with the promotion.

According to PWInsider Elite, Santana’s appearance at Slammiversary was his final commitment with TNA. The report states that he is not scheduled for this week’s Impact television tapings in Albany, New York, and is currently considered finished with the company.

The news comes just days after Santana lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Nic Nemeth in the main event of Slammiversary. While championship changes are often part of the normal wrestling cycle, the timing of the loss immediately fueled speculation regarding Santana’s contract status and long-term future.

With Santana now reportedly done with TNA, attention has quickly shifted toward a potential move to WWE. The company has shown interest in Santana in the past, and he made several appearances on WWE NXT programming during TNA’s ongoing partnership with WWE.

Despite the rumors, the report notes that there is currently no confirmation that Santana has signed with WWE. It also remains unclear whether he could appear on NXT television in the immediate future. Santana himself declined to discuss his plans when questioned prior to Slammiversary, stating that his focus remained solely on his title defense against Nemeth.

Santana first gained national recognition in TNA as one half of LAX alongside longtime partner Ortiz. The duo later signed with AEW in 2019, making a memorable debut at All Out by attacking both The Young Bucks and The Lucha Brothers.

During their AEW run, Santana and Ortiz became key members of The Inner Circle, led by Chris Jericho. Although the team enjoyed several high-profile feuds, they never captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship. A real-life falling out eventually led to the partnership ending, and Santana departed AEW in March 2024.

Shortly after leaving AEW, Santana returned to TNA and quickly reestablished himself as a singles star. His resurgence culminated at Bound for Glory 2025, where he defeated Trick Williams to capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.

While his next destination remains unknown, Santana’s reported departure marks the end of a successful second run with TNA and opens the door for what could be one of the more intriguing free-agent stories in professional wrestling.

Report: Big Bill Gives Notice To AEW, WWE Reunion With Enzo Amore Expected

A familiar tag team could soon be making its way back to WWE.

According to a report from Fightful Select, Big Bill has informed AEW that he will not be remaining with the company once his contract expires. The report notes that Bill’s deal is set to run out within the next week, effectively bringing an end to his four-year run with AEW.

The former AEW World Tag Team Champion has been rumored as a potential WWE return candidate for months, and the latest report indicates that WWE is expected to be his next destination.

Perhaps even more interesting is who may be joining him.

Fightful reports that Enzo Amore is also expected to sign with WWE, setting the stage for a reunion of one of the company’s most popular tag teams from the mid-2010s. The duo rose to prominence in NXT before becoming fan favorites on the main roster as Enzo and Cass.

Despite their popularity, the team never captured WWE Tag Team Championship gold before splitting in 2017. Their partnership came to an end when Big Cass turned on Enzo, leading to a brief singles run before injuries and other circumstances ultimately led to both men’s departures from WWE.

While Enzo has been a free agent and available to sign for some time, the report states that WWE intentionally waited for Bill’s contractual situation to be resolved before moving forward. The goal reportedly was to secure both talents at the same time rather than bringing one in without the other.

Big Bill joined AEW in 2022 after previously wrestling for Impact Wrestling and on the independent scene. During his AEW tenure, he enjoyed a successful run alongside Ricky Starks, with the pair capturing the AEW World Tag Team Championship. He later aligned with Chris Jericho as part of The Learning Tree faction and remained a regular presence on AEW programming.

At this stage, it remains unclear where the reunited duo would debut. WWE could opt to bring them back through NXT, where they first became stars, or place them directly on the main roster.

Neither WWE nor AEW has officially commented on the report, but if the move becomes official, fans may soon be hearing one of the most recognizable catchphrases of the past decade back on WWE television.

WWE NXT Preview 6/30/2026

WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on The CW and Netflix internationally.

  • AAA Latin American Championship Match: El Hijo del Vikingo (c) vs. EK Prosper
  • NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Vanity Project (c) vs. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. & Galeno
  • Mason Rook vs. Jackson Drake
  • Jaida Parker vs. Karmen Petrovic

WWE Raw Preview 6/29/2026

WWE Raw live on Netflix from the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with a special start time of 6:00 pm ET/3:00 pm PT.

  • Fallout from Night of Champions
  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns to appear
  • 2026 King of the Ring Oba Femi to appear
  • Chad Gable vs JD McDonagh