wwe
Vince Russo is back in the writers room at a professional wrestling company. Just not the one he originally wanted you to think he was at
SPOILER: Plans Reportedly Revealed for the Future of the World Heavyweight Championship
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Fightful reports Seth Rollins is expected to vacate the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on tonight's episode of Monday Night Raw following the shoulder injury he suffered at WWE Crown Jewel.
As of Monday afternoon, WWE was reportedly discussing holding a battle royal to determine a new contender for the vacated title.
The winner of that match would likely go on to face CM Punk, who is already positioned as a top challenger, to crown the new World Heavyweight Champion. While not yet confirmed, this championship match is tentatively slated for an upcoming Saturday Night's Main Event.
Andrade Gone From WWE
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In a surprising move, Andrade has officially parted ways with WWE. According to an initial report from Fightful, this was not a case of his contract expiring, as he reportedly had over 18 months remaining on the deal he signed upon his return last year.
The departure is said to have been in the works for at least a week. While the specific circumstances remain unclear, his absence had been noted. He was not on WWE's internal injury list in August but was reportedly unavailable for booking. His last appearance was at SummerSlam, and his sudden exit has reportedly impacted immediate creative plans. The news came as a surprise to many within the company, as numerous talent were apparently unaware he was leaving. Mark from Bodyslam.net was the first to notice Andrade had been moved to the alumni section of WWE's website.
This exit follows his departure from AEW in December 2023 under less-than-ideal circumstances. At that time, AEW had offered him a contract extension they believed he had agreed to before he informed them otherwise, altering their creative direction. Sources within AEW were reportedly unaware of his WWE departure, but indicated a future return would not be impossible.
AJ Lee Returning to WWE?
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According to Fightful, AJ Lee's name has been circulating internally in various pitches over the last couple of months. Notably, these pitches haven't been dismissed as they have in the past, with WWE sources indicating more traction on a potential comeback than in previous years.
A high-ranking WWE official expressed confidence in Lee's ability to return to the ring without issue, citing her physical condition and the precedent set by her husband, CM Punk, who also made a successful return after a prolonged absence. This sentiment is reportedly shared by many within the company, who believe she could seamlessly transition back into a prominent role.
The speculation reached a fever pitch at the conclusion of WWE's Clash in Paris event. In the main event, Seth Rollins retained his World Heavyweight Championship in a chaotic fatal four-way match against CM Punk, Jey Uso, and LA Knight. In the aftermath of the match, the ongoing animosity between Rollins and CM Punk led to Becky Lynch’s involvement.
As Punk was leaving the arena, he acknowledged a fan's sign that read "AJ Lee," holding it up for the cameras in a move many are interpreting as a deliberate tease.
This moment, combined with the internal discussions at WWE, strongly suggests that the door is more open than ever for an AJ Lee return. While nothing is confirmed, the events at Clash in Paris have added significant weight to the rumors, leaving fans to wonder if and when they will once again hear the familiar "Let's Light It Up" theme song in a WWE arena.
WWE/TNA DEAL INCLUDES OPTION TO BUY AND FIRST RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY OTHER OFFERS
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Recent developments in the professional wrestling world have brought the relationship between WWE and TNA (Total Nonstop Action) back into the spotlight. A report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter suggests that WWE has an option to purchase TNA and the right of first refusal to match any other offers. This means that if TNA were to be sold, WWE could step in and acquire the company. The report suggests that this provision is a way for WWE to ensure that any potential buyer of TNA would be "friendly" to their interests, as they wouldn't be able to turn the company into a profitable competitor.
The idea is that a new owner would secure a media rights deal, turning the company from a money-loser into a turnkey profitable company. However, if they were to compete with WWE, the deal wouldn't happen.
This move comes after the formation of TKO Group Holdings, a company created by the merger of WWE and UFC under the umbrella of Endeavor. This merger has given WWE an even larger presence in the sports and entertainment landscape. Endeavor, with its vast portfolio of media and talent management, now has a controlling stake in a company that includes both of the world's most valuable combat sports organizations.
There are also rumors swirling about a potential purchase of TNA by Lorenzo Fertitta, a former UFC head honcho. His name has emerged in recent meetings, and his past connection to the UFC, which is now part of TKO, adds another layer to this story. Fertitta and his brother Frank, along with Dana White, built the UFC into a global powerhouse before selling it to Endeavor. This history makes his potential involvement in a TNA acquisition particularly interesting, as he would have deep connections to the same company that now controls WWE.
The moves by WWE and TKO, while strategic for business growth, have raised questions about antitrust and monopoly laws. A smaller wrestling promotion, Major League Wrestling (MLW), has a pending antitrust lawsuit against WWE. MLW's lawsuit alleges that WWE has monopoly power and has used it to interfere with MLW's media rights deals and its ability to book venues. Court documents have revealed that a WWE executive spoke with a streaming service executive on the day before a deal with MLW was set to be announced, which MLW claims led to the deal falling apart. The claim is that WWE controls over 90% of the wrestling media rights revenue. These legal battles highlight the concerns that WWE's dominant position could stifle competition and prevent smaller promotions from growing. The possibility of WWE acquiring TNA through a right of first refusal would only fuel these concerns, as it would effectively prevent a strong competitor from emerging.
TNA, a company that has had an up-and-down history, has recently found a collaborative relationship with WWE. In 2024, the two companies announced a multiyear partnership that allows for talent crossovers between NXT and TNA. This has been a mutually beneficial arrangement, providing exposure to both rosters and giving fans unique viewing experiences. However, the existence of a potential purchase option for WWE suggests that this partnership could be a precursor to a full-on acquisition, solidifying WWE's place as the undisputed leader in professional wrestling.
WWE Looking to Help TNA Wrestling Move to a WWE Affiliated Network: To Compete With AEW on Wednesday Nights
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In a move that could once again shift the landscape of professional wrestling, Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling is reportedly considering a seismic shift in its programming schedule.1 As part of ongoing media rights discussions, TNA is contemplating a move to Wednesday nights, a move that would place it in direct competition with All Elite Wrestling's (AEW) flagship show, "Dynamite."2 This potential move is not just a simple scheduling change; it's a strategic maneuver that carries with it the undertones of a larger power play, with speculation swirling about the involvement of WWE in this decision.
The news, initially reported by Sports Illustrated, suggests that TNA is in deep discussions with several platforms, with The CW and A&E emerging as potential suitors.3 The CW, which currently airs WWE's developmental brand NXT, is of particular interest.4 Sources indicate that The CW has a legitimate interest in TNA, and that some influential figures within WWE are supportive of TNA making the move to their network partner.5 While TNA President Carlos Silva has remained tight-lipped, not denying the rumors, he has stated that any decision made will be in the "best interests" of TNA, rather than a direct act of competition.6
However, this potential move is being viewed by many within the wrestling community as the latest chapter in WWE's ongoing efforts to counter-program and stifle the growth of AEW. This is not the first time WWE has made a strategic move to compete directly with AEW. When AEW launched "Dynamite" on Wednesday nights in 2019, WWE responded by moving its NXT brand from the WWE Network to the USA Network, airing live in the same time slot.7 This period, dubbed the "Wednesday Night War," saw both promotions vie for viewership in a head-to-head battle. Ultimately, NXT moved to Tuesday nights, a move that was seen by many as a concession to AEW's consistent ratings victories in the key demographics.8
Beyond the "Wednesday Night War," WWE has continued to employ counter-programming tactics.9 The company has scheduled its Premium Live Events (PLEs) on the same day as major AEW pay-per-views.10 For instance, NXT's "Great American Bash" was scheduled to run concurrently with AEW's "All In," one of AEW's biggest shows of the year.11 In another instance, a main roster WWE PLE was scheduled for the same day as AEW's "All Out."12 There are also reports of WWE considering a major event, possibly featuring John Cena, to counter-program AEW's "Worlds End" pay-per-view.13
The motivation behind these moves, according to industry observers, is to disrupt AEW's momentum and potentially impact their next television rights deal. By creating a more competitive landscape and presenting an alternative for wrestling fans, the thinking goes, WWE can potentially devalue AEW's product in the eyes of television executives. The potential move of TNA to Wednesday nights, especially with the rumored backing of WWE, is seen as a continuation of this strategy, a proxy war in the ongoing battle for supremacy in the world of professional wrestling. Whether this move will ultimately benefit TNA and what the ramifications will be for the wrestling industry as a whole remains to be seen.
Mark Henry: “[Hulk Hogan] said, in his words, that he was a racist.
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WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry shared a candid account of his conversation with Hulk Hogan regarding the wrestling legend's 2015 racism scandal. In an interview for the TMZ documentary, "The Real Hulk Hogan," Henry recalled Hogan admitting to being a racist. Henry, who grew up as a fan, expressed his personal hurt over the admission, stating, "It hurt. I grew up watching the dude. I used to love that dude. I wanted to be like him. It hurts."
In 2015, transcripts from a private sex tape filmed in 2007 were released to the public. In these recordings, Hogan was heard using racial slurs and making offensive comments about his daughter's boyfriend. The controversy led to WWE terminating its contract with Hogan and removing all references to him from its website and Hall of Fame.
During his conversation with Hogan and then WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, Henry suggested a way for Hogan to genuinely address the fallout. He proposed a "black college tour," including stops at institutions like Morehouse and Prairie View, where Hogan could deliver a sincere apology. However, according to Henry, Hogan declined the suggestion, explaining that he had been advised not to discuss the matter further. Henry concluded that he believed this to be "bad advice."