Collision had a nice bump in viewers this week for its Thursday airing, getting 409,000 viewers, up 82,000 from last week. This was their best number since June 21. The show had a 0.10 rating in 18-49, up 0.02 from the prior week. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
Inaugural men’s and women’s WWE ID champions crowned
The inaugural WWE ID men’s and women’s champions were crowned last night at the WWE ID Showcase event promoted by Game Changer Wrestling.
Kylie Rae won a triple threat mach which also involved Zayda Steel and Zara Zakher to become the champion while Cappuccino Jones defeated Jack Cartwheel in the men’s title match to get his gold.
A total of seven matches took place on this event which was held at the Williams Center in Rutherford, New Jersey as part of SummerSlam weekend.
The show is available for free as part of TrillerTV+. A subscription to TrillerTV+ is currently at $0.60 a month for three months for international viewers or $0.80 a month for U.S. viewers by using the code TVPLUS90 at checkout.
John Cena turns face again on Smackdown
John Cena is no longer a bad guy and the crowd-loving GOAT is back…or so it seems so!
Cena turned completely face again last night on Smackdown in the opening segment with Cody Rhodes, saying that his team left him in the aftermath of his WWE championship win, referring to The Rock and Travis Scott.
He said he flushed a legacy of 25 years down the toilet just for a shock moment and did not want to take the WWE title home with him to ruin wrestling, but to be remembered.
Cena said that the attack by Rhodes last week was the kick in the ass he needed, because August 1, 2025 was the day he came back to WWE.
The champ hit some of his usual babyface lines and the crowd ate it up and then told Rhodes that at SummerSlam, he will face the greatest of all time and the only platinum-selling artist showing up at the event will be him, in another dig at Scott.
Cody, who always wanted to face the real John Cena, told him “welcome back” and gave Cena a beer before shaking hands and a toast.
There are rumors that Cody will be turning heel tomorrow and this was the perfect hard reset for Cena’s second half of his retirement tour to be presented as a babyface again.
Bag policy and prohibited items at MetLife Stadium for SummerSlam
The MetLife Stadium will play host to another WWE premium live event this weekend with the two-night SummerSlam. WWE already hosted WrestleMania 29 and 35 in the same location in the past.
The stadium has a clear bag policy and only bags 12″x6″x12″ or smaller are allowed. They should be completely clear and free of any color. Non-clear small purses no larger than 4.5″x6.5″ are also allowed in and it’s only one bag person.
To make things easier and faster, do not bring any cameras with a lens longer than 6″, no video cameras or GoPros with selfie sicks, no umbrellas or laser pointers, don’t think about bringing in any alcohol…you must buy the overpriced drinks from inside! If you have any signs, be careful what you write or it might be taken away.
And don’t forget, SHOWER BEFORE YOU GO! It’s going to be a long night and you don’t want to be THAT one stinking up the joint! And put some deodorant on!
Nikki Bella reveals breast implant injury from Raw tag match
On the latest episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, Nikki Bella revealed that she suffered a breast implant injury during Raw.
Nikki said that she had to go to the doctor this week to get it checked out because her implant moved.
The injury occurred when Piper Niven dropped an elbow on Nikki during their eight-woman tag match.
“It’s been hard to laugh and cough, but it’s okay. We’re going to get it fixed one day.” Nikki said. “I told the doctor, I go, newly divorced, so the minute the boots are hung up, I’m coming back to you, and we’re going to make these girls look real good because these girls are going to get some action in the future, and that can’t look like that,”
Her sister said that there is a little difference but it’s not that bad.
“They still look hot,” Nikki said of her boobs, with Brie saying that it reminded her of breastfeeding when one gets bigger than the other!
Jade Cargill appears on The Nikki & Brie Show ahead of SummerSlam
Jade Cargill was a guest on The Nikki & Brie Show ahead of SummerSlam where she opened up about how it felt becoming Queen of the Ring, why she’s definitely taking the Women’s title at SummerSlam 2025, her Twitter feud with Naomi and which women she’s ready to face in the ring next.
Jade Cargill on her upcoming match at SummerSlam 2025 & dream opponents (17:11-18:56)
Nikki Garcia: You have a huge match Saturday.
Jade Cargill: Yes, I do.
Nikki Garcia: So, tell us a little bit about that.
Jade Cargill: Let’s talk about me. Let’s talk about me. Yes. I’m taking that WWE Women’s Championship home. Yes. Yes. It’s my time. I don’t know what other time it was on, but it’s definitely my time.
Nikki Garcia: It ain’t Tiffy Time, huh?
Jade Cargill: Who’s time is broken, is blocked? It’s whatever you want to call it because it’s my time. The storm’s time is here, so it’s this Saturday. I’m really excited for it. It’s my first, shot at the title, my title.
Nikki Garcia: I got chills.
Jade Cargill: I’m excited for it. It’s Saturday.
Nikki Garcia: Are you prepping differently at all? Is there, I mean, and obviously we could expect the entrance and some gear that’s going to be incredible. I know you can’t give it away.
Jade Cargill: I can’t. So, I faced Tiffany before. I came up short. I would say she cheated. It is what it is. It comes with the game. I’m all eyes open, all ears open. I’m ready. I’m ready for anything that she has to throw at me. I know exactly what she does. I’ve been watching her for a while.
Nikki Garcia: I’m so excited for it. So, let’s just say you come out as champion on Saturday.
Jade Cargill: Let’s just say.
Nikki Garcia: You will. We’re going to manifest, so you will come out as a champion. Who are some dream opponents?
Jade Cargill: Rhea Ripley is one.
Nikki Garcia: That’d be a good matchup.
Jade Cargill: Yeah. Charlotte Flair.
Nikki Garcia: I would like that.
Jade Cargill: I know every time she’s in the ring with someone, she levels them up, so I’m excited whenever that match comes into fruition. Naomi, whenever she wants to get it again. I want that title too. I want that title too.
Jade Cargill on Twitter feud with Naomi (19:34-20:30)
Nikki Garcia: You two are so entertaining on Twitter.
Jade Cargill: Let me tell you, I hate Twitter, right? I hate Twitter, but I know every time I go on Twitter, I’m like, someone tweets me. I’m like, “What is this? What is this? Something’s blowing up. Something’s blowing up,” and I check Twitter maybe three times a week because it’s everywhere. Now I have to, well, when we’re in that whole thing, I had to check it like three times a day because if I miss something, it keeps, like she’s just layering it, layering it. Everybody’s like, ‘You don’t hear what she’s talking about.” I’m like, “What are we talking about?” And I missed a joke, then I missed this, then I missed that and I’m like, behind, and then she comes right back. I’m like, “Do you have your phone in your hand 24/7? I know we all, but you are like, at it.” I’m like, trying to think of something that’s PG. I’m like, “What is happening? You’re so witty, I’m trying to catch up, but girl. I’m trying to play it nice. I don’t know what to do right now.” She was just cutting me a new one. What is happening?
The Nikki & Brie Show hosted by Nikki & Brie Garcia is available anytime on the SiriusXM app. New episodes are out every Monday and Thursday. Listen to the full episode here.
TNA World and X Division title matches announced for TNA Emergence
The TNA Emergence special event had its first two matches announced last night during Impact.
TNA World champion Trick Williams will be defending his title against former TNA X Division and World champion Moose. Moose pinned Williams in a tag team match last night as he teamed with Eddie Edwards against the champ and AJ Francis, earning himself a title match.
The second match announced was new X Division champion Leon Slater taking on Cedric Alexander. The two were involved in a three-way match yesterday, a match which also involved Jason Hotch. Slater won the match, pinning Hotch.
Emergence takes place on Friday, August 15 live from the Chesapeake Arena in Baltimore, Maryland and streams exclusively on the TNA+ streaming service.
WWE announces partnership with Breath Death
WWE announced a new partnership with Breath Death, the brand behind the wildly disruptive mint movement taking the internet by storm.
Breath Death will debut its first-ever product and category-defining innovation – Crystal Breath – at SummerSlam, with limited availability at the SummerSlam Superstore at American Dream and the SummerSlam Team Store at MetLife Stadium.
This collab features exclusive, limited-edition WWE x Breath Death Crystal Breth tubes, available only at official WWE merch locations during SummerSlam weekend.
Only a limited number of collab tubes will be available.
Dynamite rating for 07/30/2025
This week’s episode of Dynamite which had an AEW World title match between “Hangman” Adam Page and Jon Moxley drew 612,000 viewers, up just 4,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast. The show had a 0.15 rating in 18-49, up 0.01 from the prior week. Dynamite was #5 in the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Wrestlenomics)
Zelina Vega talks winning women’s U.S. title, wrestling in PR, Dom Mysterio, and more
Zelina Vega sat down with Chris Van Vliet in Nashville, TN to discuss defeating Chelsea Green to win the Women’s United States championship, wrestling Rhea Ripley in Puerto Rico, becoming friends with The Rock and being cast as AJ Lee in the Paige biopic “Fighting With My Family”, prank calling Dominik Mysterio, the 619 that broke Chelsea Green’s nose, being the first-ever Queen of the Ring winner, being mentored by Rey Mysterio and more!
On winning the Women’s US Championship:
“Well the day of, when it actually happened, I think I was just so in work mode that I wasn’t able to grasp what was happening. Then the second I grabbed my face, when I was walking up the ramp with it, that’s when it kind of hit me and I was like, oh sh*t, this is real right now, like work stuff and things. And then it was like, oh sh*t, this is my first singles title, what the hell? It just so happened to be the same time that the commentators putting that over so yeah, I think that’s when it hit me and I was kind of blown away by it. I wasn’t expecting to get emotional, because I hate crying. I hate it, as much as you’re like, Oh, she’s gonna cry again. I hate crying. When it was coming out, it’s like you kind of fight it a bit, but that moment and Backlash were the two that I just let it go.”
On winning Queen of the Ring:
“That’s where the weird Australian, British kind of accent started. So yeah, because Vince asked me, ‘Can you do an accent?’ I was like, ‘I could do a really bad one.’ And he’s like, ‘That’s even better. Do that!’ I’m like, All right, cool. So yeah, that’s how it started. I did talk to Booker T right before I won it and I was like, ‘Hey, are you cool with me doing an accent if I end up doing this?’ And he was like, ‘Yeah, for sure.’ I was talking to him and Sharmell, he’s like, ‘Make sure you make it yours. But whatever feels natural to you, just amplify that.’ So it was cool to get to talk to them right before it happened, because for me, he’s my favorite. King Booker was my favorite.”
On being cast as AJ Lee in Fighting With My Family:
“So he [The Rock] knew for a while that I wanted to do acting, because I was doing acting before I started wrestling, because I thought that’s what you had to do. I loved any kind of backstage or vignettes or in-ring promos. I loved that, and he was like the godfather of it. So he knew that I wanted to do acting also. I remember one time he was like, ‘You sure you want to do wrestling? Because I just feel like acting is right there for you. You have the look, I’ve seen what you can do…’ I showed him reels and stuff. So he’s like, ‘You sure?’ And I’m like, ‘100% sure wrestling first and foremost, but I’d love to do acting at some point too.’ He was like, Okay. And then eventually he’s like, ‘I have the perfect blending of the worlds for you right now.’ I was like, okay, and mind you, so this came after I had already said I don’t want to do anything entertainment business anymore. I’m f*cking over it, blah, blah, blah. He’s like, ‘Give me a few days.’ So he calls me, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, I got this thing…’ The funny thing is, I don’t remember exactly how the conversation went, because I remember a sinking feeling the more he talks. I was like, Oh my God, I feel like something big is coming, and I don’t know what it is yet. Then he’s like, ‘So we’re doing this movie. It’s a documentary that they had on Paige’s life and her family. Basically, we’re doing the movie, but we’re continuing it, and kind of replaying this whole thing out with Paige and AJ Lee and how she won the championship and whatever, because I was the one who told her about it that day, and I need you to be my Divas Champion.’ And I was like, ‘What?!’ He’s like, ‘This is usually where people are like, super happy and say, “Thank you so much.”’ I’m like, ‘Wait, wait, I didn’t even hear what you’re saying correctly. Can you repeat what you just said? Because it sounds like you offered me a role just now, but I’m not 100% that’s what you said.’ And he’s like, ‘Yes. You know you don’t even have to audition for it. I already know that you can do it, you’re gonna be my Divas Champion.’ I was like, holy sh*t. So yeah. And then I remember just studying AJ’s voice to exhaustion.”
First two matches for AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door 2025 announced
The first two matches for this year’s AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view have been announced.
The current ROH Women’s champion, Athena, will be cashing in her contract which she won by coming out on top at the Casino Gauntlet battle royal at All In: Texas and will challenge for the AEW Women’s title currently held by Toni Storm.
This follows the action from Dynamite on Wednesday where Athena pinned the champion after an O-Face in a tag team match where she was joined by Billie Starkz against Storm and Alex Windsor.
Also, the AEW Unified title is on the line as champ Kazuchika Okada will defend against former AEW World champion Swerve Strickland. Okada won the title at All In: Texas in a winner-takes-all match against then-International champion Kenny Omega.
Triple H at The White House, does signature water spray pose outside!
WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H joined other athletes at The White House yesterday as President Donald Trump signed a new executive order to expand the Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.
Triple H was at the front to the President’s side during the televised address, with Trump introducing him as a 14-time WWE champion and a “man who you’re not gonna mess around with.” He described him as a friend an amazing athlete.
Trump looked at Triple H during the introduction but then turned around and had to look around to find him. He was eventually helped by another person who pointed at him.
“There he is…” Trump said as he touched him on his arm. “Oh he’s still very strong,” he continued, drawing laughs from everyone in the room.
Triple H also said a few words at the ceremony regarding the new executive order to make America fit again.
Meanwhile, The White House X account posted a video of Triple H exiting the building to his WWE theme song and doing his famous water spray pose in front of the entrance, a stunt which did not go over very well with online commenters.
ARE YOU READY… TO MAKE AMERICA FIT AGAIN
WHITE HOUSE X @TRIPLEH pic.twitter.com/2sBFWok5ZF
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 31, 2025
NXT rating for 07/29/2025
NXT this week drew 675,000 viewers on The CW, down 72,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast which had The Undertaker’s appearance. The show had a 0.16 rating in 18-49, the same number it pulled last week. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
Kyle Fletcher wins the TNT title on Collision
There’s a new TNT champion in town and his name is Kyle Fletcher.
A very bloody, hardcore Dustin Rhodes vs Fletcher in a Chicago street fight main evented Collision last night and this win ends Rhodes’ only single title reign in AEW which lasted just 19 days.
Rhodes won the title unexpectedly at All In: Texas after Adam Cole surrendered the title due to health issues. While many thought Fletcher would win the four-way replacement match, it was Rhodes who ended with the fairytale ending, making it for one hell of a great moment on AEW television.
But his reign was never meant to be a long one and in fact, it wasn’t at all, as The Protostar won his first AEW title following a brainbuster on yesterday’s show. Following the match, both Fletcher and Don Callis added more damage to Rhodes’ already-injured knee with chair shots.
Two more teams advance in the AEW Tag Team title eliminator tournament
FTR advanced to the AEW Tag Team title eliminator tournament final after they defeated the Bang Bang Gang last night on Collision.
The former champions now await the winners of the other semi final match, which will take place on Wednesday during Dynamite, between Brody King and Bandido vs The Young Bucks.
King and Bandido defeated Gates of Agony in the opening match of last night’s Collision to advance to the semi final.
The eliminator tournament winners battle The Hurt Syndicate for the AEW Tag Team titles at Forbidden Door later this month.
SummerSlam Superstore opens today at American Dream Mall
The SummerSlam Superstore opens this morning at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The store is located on level 2 with opening hours today and tomorrow from 11AM to 10PM and then Monday from 11AM to 7PM.
Chase Freedom customers can enter the store 30 minutes prior to the opening for the general public.
The SummerSlam Superstore will contain the largest collection of SummerSlam merchandise as well as other exclusive WWE apparel, mini titles, replica titles, and more.
The WWE Memorabilia Showcase will be located right next to the Superstore and will feature a one-of-a-kind collection of authentic, autographed memorabilia.
The American Dream Mall is located right next to MetLife Stadium.
Florida Governor declares August 1 as Hulk Hogan Day in Florida
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proclaimed today, August 1, as Hulk Hogan Day in Florida.
In a memo distributed yesterday, DeSantis directed that flags of the United States and the State of Florida be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol in Tallahassee and at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout Pinellas County from sunrise to sunset.
The memo from the Office of the Governor read, “On Thursday, July 24, 2025, Florida resident and legendary professional wrestler Terry Bollea, better known as Hulk Hogan, passed away. Hogan was born in Augusta, Georgia, but moved to Tampa at a young age. He began his wrestling career in 1977 and rose to fame after joining World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Hogan was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice, first in 2005 and again in 2020 as a member of the New World Order. His larger-than-life personality will be missed, as the “Hulkster” was an icon for many who grew up in the 80s and 90s as well as today. He was a true Floridian through and through. To commemorate his life and legacy, I hereby declare August 1, 2025, as “Hulk Hogan Day in Florida,” and direct the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, and at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout Pinellas County from sunrise to sunset on Friday, August 1, 2025.”
Cody Rhodes opens up about AEW departure, attributes it to disrespect
In an interview with The Bill Simmons Podcast which is being published soon, Cody Rhodes opened up a bit more about his departure from AEW, saying there’s clearly bad blood, but there’s also clearly respect and love.
Rhodes attributed his departure to lack of respect, saying that if he ever felt disrespected in WWE, it would be one thing as he’s just a “number on a spreadsheet,” but in AEW, he built the company with his friends.
“Feeling disrespected at something I built with my friends, that we built, feeling disrespected there, I wouldn’t stand for it,” he said.
“I think with Brandi and I both – I’m so blessed to have her – it was one of those where it was like, ‘F*ck it.’ I did way more here than you think and you’re going to find out the moment I’m out the door,” he continued.
He added that the greatest revenge on earth is success and feels that he has achieved that in WWE.
“I felt like we were sitting on something wonderful, something great, a huge potentially, with what I was doing with the American Nightmare as a bad guy, as a good guy, something in between,” Cody said. “We’re sitting on something magic and if I’m not doing to do it in the house I literally with Matt, Kenny, and Nick built? Then, buddy, I’m going elsewhere!”
Jimmy Hart says Hulk Hogan was “devastated” after hearing crowd reaction on Raw Netflix debut
Appearing on the Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw podcast, Jimmy Hart recounted how the negative crowd reaction at the Intuit Dome on the Raw Netflix debut devastated Hulk Hogan.
Hart said he does not care about politics and didn’t join Hogan to any of the conventions supporting Donald Trump and felt nervous about the possible reaction from the Los Angeles crowd since it’s typically a blue state.
“So we come flying into LA, baby…he’s got that Trump-Vance t-shirt on,” Hart recalled. “We get out, man, and all of a sudden I hear a few of the people like, ‘Booooo!’ I’m going, ‘You know what, this doesn’t feel right.'”
Jimmy said that Hogan told him not to worry about it but that reaction was a preview of what was about to happen a few hours later.
He said after they went through the promo, with Jimmy just waiving the American flag behind, they went backstage and Hogan was devastated.
“We got in the back and he said, ‘What do you think happened?’ I said, ‘Hulk, it’s simple, blue state, red state. Boom,'” Hart said.
Hogan also asked him how he’s feeling and Jimmy said that he told him he felt like he was managing the Hart Foundation against the British Bulldogs or the Killer Bees!
“But that bothered him because of that,” Hart added. “And I said, ‘Well, surely people are going to realize what that was for! Then the next week we’re in Texas, and it’s all cheers, you know, but that always bothered him. It sure did.”
Triple H at the White House for signing of fitness-related executive order
WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque will be at the White House today along with other athletes to join President Donald Trump sign an executive order to revive the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools.
Set to join Triple H are golfer Bryson DeChambeau, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor, and others.
The Presidential Fitness Test was first introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 to create school-based programs which reward “excellence in physical education” and developing criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award. President Barack Obama abandoned the test in 2012 and replaced it with something else.
The test will be administered by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.