Tonight’s NXT is the last one on USA Network as the show moves to The CW starting with next week’s episode.
Five matches, including one for a title, have been announced for this broadcast, including Kelani Jordan defending the NXT Women’s North American title against Wren Sinclair, Lexis King vs Oro Mensah, Hank Walker and Tank Ledger vs Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, Wendy Choo and Rosemary vs Brinley Reece and Karmen Petrovic, and Ridge Holland vs Riley Osborne.
Plus, Grayson Waller will return for the Grayson Waller Effect with NXT Tag Team champions Nathan Frazer and Axiom and there will also be an NXT on CW opress conference featuring Ethan Page, Trick Williams, Giulia, Roxanne Perez, Wes Lee, and Zachary Wentz.
Collision last weekend, just like Rampage, saw a good spike in viewership, getting 347,000 viewers, up 79,000 viewers from the prior week. The show had a 0.12 rating in 18-49, up 0.04 from the previous show. (Ratings credit: Wrestlenomics)
A new report by Matthew Belloni of Puck News said that Vince McMahon tried to buy his documentary rights back from Netflix according to two sources familiar with the situation.
His move was rebuffed by Netflix and McMahon even tried to engage the help of Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel at the time after he became “nervous” about it, but Netflix kept the rights and moved on with the documentary.
The six-part docuseries, which hits the streaming service on September 25, will chronicle McMahon’s rise and fall, ending with his sexual abuse allegations and departure from TKO.
The documentary, according to Belloni, was supposed to be released in March of this year but after the lawsuit sparked headlines around the world, filmmaker Chris Smith restarted the project to capture the fallout from McMahon’s departure.
The documentary was proposed in 2019 and received the blessing of McMahon himself and WWE for production. Several WWE stars and members of the McMahon family, including himself, are interviewed.
PWInsider.com reported that several Netflix and other studio executives were present at WWE Raw last night in Ontario, California.
In fact, some Netflix execs were shown on Raw during the opening of the second hour and acknowledged on commentary.
WWE and Netflix will start their proposed 10-year partnership in January 2025 when Raw moves to the streaming giant for those in North America. Other countries around the world will get the full WWE experience with Raw, Smackdown, NXT, and premium live events all part of Netflix.
The deal is reportedly worth $5 billion over 10 years, with Netflix having the option to opt out after the fifth year.
Rampage on Friday did 327,000 viewers, up 77,000 viewers from the prior week and the best number since July 12. The show had a 0.12 rating in 18-49, up 0.05 and also the best since July 12. The show placed #6 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
16-time world champion Ric Flair issued a statement on social media announcing the split from his wife Wendy Barlow after 13 years.
The duo separated once before in 2022 but they eventually got back together a few months later.
“As with every couple, we have experienced our ups and downs. I think it’s important for everyone to know right now that we have decided to part ways respectfully,” Flair wrote. “I’ll never ever be able to thank her enough for standing by my side through my terrible health crisis in 2017. She never left my side! And for that I will always be grateful!”
Flair said that both of them are currently working on different projects and it became difficult with the conflicting schedules to make it work.
“I wish her the best of luck with her projects, and I know that she supports mine,” Flair wrote.
Janel Grant’s attorney Ann Callis reacted to Vince McMahon’s statement on the Netflix documentary, calling him delusional for labeling his treatment of her client as “an affair.”
“Vince McMahon physically and emotionally abused, sexually assaulted and human trafficked Janel Grant for more than two years. Calling his horrific and criminal behavior ‘an affair’ is delusional and nothing more than a sad attempt to save his shredded reputation,” the former Chief Judge wrote.
“Although Ms. Grant has not seen the ‘Mr. McMahon’ docuseries, we hope it shines a bright light on his abhorrent and criminal actions by accurately portraying the realities of his abusive and exploitative behavior. Ms. Grant will no longer be silenced by McMahon,” Callis continued.
She added that Grant’s story, while deeply troubling and painful, is one which could help other abuse survivors find their voices.
“We seek to hold McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE accountable and to give Ms. Grant her day in court,” she concluded.
In what could be a better indication of where Smackdown will be on USA Network, last Friday’s show did 1,495,000 viewers, down 228,000 viewers from the premiere episode of the week before. The show had a 0.45 rating in 18-49, down 0.10 from the previous week and was #1 on cable for the night and #3 overall in all of TV. (Ratings credit: Programming Insider)
The shark cage will make its return on WWE television for the first time in several years at Bad Blood.
The stipulation was added to the Liv Morgan vs Rhea Ripley match for the WWE Women’s World title, with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce announcing that Dominik Mysterio will be suspended inside the shark cage for the match due to his many interference on behalf of Liv Morgan in the past.
The last time a shark cage was used in WWE was for a Carmella vs Asuka match for the Smackdown Women’s title at Extreme Rules 2018, with Carmella’s sidekick James Ellsworth being locked up above the ring.
The concept was used more often in the past, with the likes of Paul Heyman, Chyna, Jimmy Hart, Jim Cornette, Chris Jericho, Teddy Long, and many others finding themself confined in the small cage throughout the years.
Ahead of the release of the Mr. McMahon Netflix documentary, the subject of the docuseries, former WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, published a statement on social media, saying that documentary deliberately and intentionally leaves viewers confused about the character he played on television and him in real-life.
“I don’t regret participating in this Netflix documentary. The producers had an opportunity to tell an objective story about my life and the incredible business I built, which were equally filled with excitement, drama, fun, and a fair amount of controversy and life lessons,” McMahon wrote in the statement. “Unfortunately, based on an early partial cut I’ve seen, this doc falls short and takes the predictable path of conflating the ‘Mr. McMahon’ character with my true self, Vince. The title and promos alone make that evident.”
McMahon argued that a lot of stuff was left out, misrepresented, and editing tricks with out of context footage was used to confuse viewers.
“A lot has been misrepresented or left out entirely in an effort to leave viewers intentionally confused. The producers use typical editing tricks with out of context footage and dated soundbites etc. to distort the viewers’ perception and support a deceptive narrative,” he continued.
McMahon also mentioned the recent Janel Grant lawsuit, saying that producers decided to use a lawsuit which is based on an affair he decided to end to present him as Mr. McMahon.
“In an attempt to further their misleading account, the producers use a lawsuit based on an affair I ended as evidence that I am, in fact, ‘Mr. McMahon’,” Vince continued. “I hope the viewer will keep an open mind and remember that there are two sides to every story.”
Bron Breakker’s Intercontinental title reign came to a halt last night on Raw as Jey Uso became the new champion, defeating Breakker clean with a spear and a splash in the main event of Raw.
Uso, who won his first-ever singles title in WWE 14 years after his debut, celebrated with the yeeting crowd as fireworks went off. The same crowd went absolutely bananas after the referee hit the three-count, making it a memorable moment for Jey.
Afterward, a very emotional Uso cried as Jackie Redmond tried to interview him for a WWE Digital exclusive.
“The embodiment of hard work paying off is ‘Main Event’ Jey @WWEUsos,” wrote Triple H on X later. “An all-time great in the tag team division, and now has won one of the most historic championships in our business. Congratulations, Jey…YEET!”
Jey became the number one contender for the Intercontinental title after he defeated Braun Strowman, Ilja Dragunov, and Pete Dunne in a fatal four-way match.
PWInsider.com is reporting that Hikuleo has been added to the NXT roster on internal documents, suggesting that the former NJPW star will land in the black and gold brand before getting the main roster call up.
The 33-year-old is the brother of Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa and the adoptive son of Haku. Due to his family history, he was expected to be joining The Bloodline upon his arrival.
It was reported back in July that he signed with WWE after an eight-year stint with New Japan Pro-Wrestling where he was the NJPW Strong Openweight champion, NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team champion, and IWGP Tag Team champion.
Hikuleo has a few AEW appearances under his belt too, with his latest one coming on the June 1, 2022 episode of Dynamite.
WrestleMania 41 tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 25, with a pre-sale kicking off two days earlier on Wednesday, October 23.
Additionally, official WrestleMania 41 Priority Pass ticket packages will soon be available from exclusive hospitality partner On Location, offering fans the chance to be ringside for every exhilarating moment including premium seating, pre-show hospitality with WWE Superstar appearances, ringside photo opportunities and more. To learn more or sign up for exclusive presale access, please visit https://onlocationexp.com/wm41.
In addition to the two-night WrestleMania, WWE will bring Raw, Smackdown, NXT Stand & Deliver, WWE World (with Fanatics) and the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony to Las Vegas, as well as a variety of local outreach events designed to give back to the Las Vegas community.
WrestleMania 41 takes place from the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Just a day after Elton Prince and Kelly Kincaid announced the birth of their daughter, the other one half of Pretty Deadly, Kit Wilson, announced that he married fellow British NXT star Stevie Turner.
The duo got hitched at the Valley of Fire state park in Nevada and there were several congratulations on Instagram for the new couple from their peers.
Turner, 27, has been part of WWE since 2021 while Wilson, 30, has been there since 2020.
Needless to say, it was a pretty memorable weekend for the YES BOYs!
Appearing on WFAN Daily with Sam Licata, AEW President Tony Khan said that he’s 100% confident that AEW television will remain on Warner Bros. Discovery properties TNT and TBS for the foreseeable future.
It’s the second time that Khan made that statement, suggesting that the AEW media rights deal with WBD has been concluded and it’s just a matter of time till the announcement is made.
Asked about pay-per-views streaming on Max, the company’s streaming service, Khan said that since they’re sunsetting The Bleacher Report, they will have their PPVs available on other apps as well.
“You can get the pay-per-views other places for now but we’re working on some exciting announcements on where to get those and what’s to come with Max but I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I can promise you, I’m 100% confident that you’re going to have AEW on TBS and TNT for a long time to come,” Khan said.
Pay-per-views are not the only thing that Khan is eyeing on Max but stopped short of what plans they have until the official announcement comes.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s marching band announced that they will be playing Cody Rhodes’ popular theme Kingdom at the Bad Blood premium live event next month.
“Oh nothing… just expanding our reach and getting national exposure,” the band’s X account wrote. “WWE see you soon!”
The band already played the theme during week one of the college football season and their performance went viral when somebody uploaded the video on the Internet, complete with cheerleaders dancing.
Here’s the full video of the Arkansas Pine Bluff Band playing Kingdom! @UAPBM4
WWE couple Kelly Kincaid and Elton Prince have become parents, with Kincaid announcing the arrival of their daughter, Poppy Faye Howley, born on September 20.
Kincaid is a backstage interviewer and does ring announcing on NXT Level Up while Prince is one half of the British tag team Pretty Deadly.
The 32-year-old Kincaid started with WWE in 2022 while Prince, 27, has been with WWE since 2020 as part of the Pretty Deadly tag team.
Britt Baker is returning on AEW television next month on the 5th anniversary episode of Dynamite on October 2.
Baker has been missing in action again since her match against Mercedes Mone at All In in late August. She had previously spent 10 months out and returned to the company in July, only to get suspended for a couple of weeks for a backstage altercation with MJF and his girlfriend Alicia Atout.
During Collision last night, Serena Deeb challenged the former AEW Women’s champion to a match on the anniversary show.
PWInsider.com is reporting that there were three main people behind the creative and production of the Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns segment which aired last night on Smackdown.
Shot earlier in the week, PWInsider says that Jeremy Borash, the company’s Senior Director of Content and Development, was on site to produce the segment and was also helped by Rob Fee, the Director of Character Development.
Paul Heyman was also on location and was heavily involved with the segment, helping direct what ended up being an eight-minute mini movie, shot with specific cameras and anamorphic lenses.
The segment was well received online with rave reviews from fans and critics alike.
Dynamite: Grand Slam set for this Wednesday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York is struggling for tickets as AEW has only managed to move around 5,500 tickets so far according to @WrestleTix.
This would be the least-attended Grand Slam for AEW in the 21,000-seater stadium, which is currently set up for just under 7,000 seats.
The inaugural Grand Slam was in 2021 and attracted a whopping 20,177 fans. In 2022, the same show had 13,800 fans inside, and the 2023 episode had just over 11,000.
As of now, the attendance would represent almost a 50% drop from last year and around a 73% drop from the first episode.
More tickets are expected to move over the next few days but highly unlikely that they would go anywhere near last year’s 11,000 mark.
