Author: Ian Carey

Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.

John Cena, Kazuchika Okada, others comment on Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement

Posted on by Ian Carey

The wrestling world has been paying tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi in the wake of his retirement.

Tanahashi’s final match headlined Sunday’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 at the Tokyo Dome, where he was defeated by Kazuchika Okada. Following the match, several of Tanahashi’s former rivals and allies came to the ring to honor him. The tributes have continued on social media, with Okada, John Cena, and others sharing comments about Tanahashi.

Cena posted an image of Tanahashi to his Instagram page on Sunday. As is typical with Cena’s posts, he did not include a caption.

Okada wrote (translated): “Tanahashi-san, thank you for your hard work. Let’s meet again, everyone in Japan.”

CMLL’s Atlantis wrote (translated): “Respect and admiration for Hiroshi Tanahashi in his retirement match. His influence marked generations and elevated Japanese professional wrestling to the world. Legends don’t retire, they transcend.”

CMLL wrote (translated), “Today we bid farewell to a legend of the ring. Hiroshi Tanahashi leaves an indelible mark on the history of Lucha Libre and on that of CMLL, where in 2013 he was crowned Universal Champion, demonstrating his greatness, respect, and love for this sport.”

TNA World Champion Frankie Kazarian wrote, “I raise a glass to @tanahashi1_100 One of the very best. What an incredible career. It was an honor to share the ring with such a talented and well rounded ambassador to our industry. NJPW is in great hands.”

MJF wrote, “Solid career kid, you’re welcome for the rub 😉”

Ricochet wrote, “You did great things, Ace. I got it from here. 👑”

Rush wrote, “GRACIAS AMIGO. Respect and admiration !!”

Christopher Daniels wrote, “Congratulations to @tanahashi1_100 on his incredible career & amazing retirement! Thank you Ace! And may your presidency bring @njpw1972 unrivaled success in Japan in the coming years! 💐 💐 💐“

Tanahashi wrote following the show, “I’m home. Tokyo Dome event. Super packed. Lots of cheering! Thank you so much. I’m tired~”

Kenny Omega shares statement on Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kenny Omega has released a statement on Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement.

Omega was one of several great opponents from Tanahashi’s past who came out to pay tribute to him following the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the Tokyo Dome on Sunday. Following the show, Omega posted the following to social media:

“Tonight I had the incredible honor of participating in Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony. To stand with him in that ring, to see what he saw in those final moments…I felt the reality of it all, the weight of his decision. 
Once I returned backstage I sat in stand-by lost in thought watching the monitor. Before I knew it, everyone around me had left. Tana, Ibushi, and I made the final walk. I joked that all 3 of us had to take the stairs slowly one by one – something I’m usually self conscious about (it doesn’t look cool), but today was different. We owned it proudly. 
In the car ride back to the dressing rooms we shared one last conversation. I could easily type what was said, but to explain the real meaning of it was probably different for all 3 of us. 
Broken down rivals now turned comrades. It’s really a beautiful thing, isn’t it?
Thanks to all that tuned in to celebrate the retirement of one of the greatest to ever do it.”

Omega and Tanahashi previously headlined the Tokyo Dome against one another in 2019. Tanahashi defeated Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13. The bout went just under 40 minutes and was rated five and three-quarter stars by our own Dave Meltzer. Their only other singles match took place at the New Beginning in Niigata show on February 14, 2016. On that show, Omega defeated Tanahashi for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship in a match that went just under 30 minutes and was rated four and three-quarter stars by Meltzer.

Omega’s post is below:

Adam Pearce drops possible Chris Jericho tease for WWE Raw

Posted on by Ian Carey

Adam Pearce dropped a tease for a possible Chris Jericho appearance on Monday’s show.

In his weekly rundown of the Raw lineup, Pearce asked, “Who can break the walls down and claim the gold?” while referring to the three championship matches scheduled for the show, a possible reference to the lyrics of Jericho’s WWE entrance theme.

“Do not forget, three humungous championship matches. Who can break down the walls and claim the gold?” Pearce said in the video.

Last week, multiple reports stated that Jericho’s AEW contract expired on January 1, with some indicating he could appear on WWE programming as soon as Monday’s one-year anniversary show on Netflix.

Dave Meltzer addressed the situation in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, writing:

“There has been a lot of talk about Jericho debuting, perhaps as soon as 1/5. The only thing I can say is that within the business the idea of Jericho going to WWE has been talked about heavily and like it was happening. Nobody on either side has commented to us about it, but I’d think it would be that way.“

Meltzer noted that Jericho has previously delayed a return after word of it leaked.

“Nobody has specifically denied it to us either. What those in WWE have said to me is only not to believe anything said about it,” Meltzer continued.

Monday’s Raw is set for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, and will be a special Stranger Things-branded episode.

WWE Raw lineup January 5, 2026:

  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defends against Bron Breakker
  • Liv Morgan vs. Lyra Valkyria
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri defends against Becky Lynch
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) defend against Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY

NJPW reveals full lineup for New Year’s Dash

Posted on by Ian Carey

NJPW has revealed the full lineup for New Year’s Dash.

The first event of NJPW’s post-Hiroshi Tanahashi in-ring era takes place Monday, January 5 at Ota City General Gymnasium.

Previously announced for the show, IWGP Tag Team Champions The Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) will defend their titles against World Tag League winners Zack Sabre Jr. and Ryohei Oiwa.

Also announced, Jake Lee and Yota Tsuji will be in the same ring at the same time following Lee’s attack on Tsuji after the Wrestle Kingdom 20 semi-main event. The two will be on opposing sides of an eight-man tag at New Year’s Dash.

New NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf will wrestle his second official match on the show, teaming with Toru Yano, YOH, and Master Wato against House of Torture.

The full lineup is below:

NJPW New Year’s Dash 2026 Lineup:

  • IWGP Tag Team Champions Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defend against TMDK (Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)
  • Yota Tsuji, David Finlay, Shingo Takagi & Drilla Moloney vs United Empire (Jake Lee, Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) 
  • Aaron Wolf, Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato vs House of Torturę (Ren Narita, EVIL, Don Fale & Dick Togo)
  • Gabe Kidd, Hiromu Takahashi & Clark Connors vs United Empire (Andrade El Idolo, Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young)
  • Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Boltin Oleg vs House of Torture (SANADA, Yujiro Takahashi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
  • El Phantasmo & Shoma Kato vs Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero
  • Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Katsuya Murashima vs Team 150 (Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Satoshi Kojima)

Report: NJPW star rumored to be ‘looking for options’ outside company

Posted on by Ian Carey

According to a new report, a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion may be considering options outside of New Japan Pro Wrestling.

On Sunday, Fightful Select reported that EVIL is believed to be exploring potential options in the near future. The report noted that AEW is not expected to be among those options, as Tony Khan is said to not be a fan of EVIL’s work.

The House of Torture leader lost the NEVER Openweight Championship at the Tokyo Dome during Wrestle Kingdom 20 on Sunday. EVIL was defeated by Olympic gold medalist judoka Aaron Wolf, who was making his in-ring debut.

The 38-year-old entered the NJPW Dojo system in 2011 and later went on excursion to Ring of Honor in 2014 and 2015 before returning under the EVIL persona in October 2015. He is a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Intercontinental Champion, two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion with SANADA, and four-time NEVER Openweight Champion.

Steven Borden Jr. works ROH tapings at AEW Collision

Posted on by Ian Carey

Steven Borden Jr. was part of AEW’s show at the Esports Arena in Arlington on Saturday night.

The son of Sting wrestled Jon Cruz on the Ring of Honor portion of the show. Full spoilers from last night’s ROH tapings are not yet available.

The match was Borden’s fifth on record and second under the AEW/ROH banner. Fightful Select reported last month that one source in AEW believes Borden will be “under an AEW contract before long if he’s not already.”

Borden Jr.’s in-ring debut took place on October 3 in New York at an art installation associated with Darby Allin, where he teamed with JD Drake in a loss to Allin and Killer Kross. His other three matches were singles bouts against Kiran Grey, who is listed as having been trained by both Allin and the Nightmare Factory in Georgia. Borden defeated Grey at DEFY’s November 21 show and again in a dark match at the December 10 AEW Winter Is Coming event, before losing to Grey at DEFY’s December 28 show.

Images and clips of Steven Borden Jr. vs. Jon Cruz courtesy of the Aaron Loves Wrestling podcast are available below:

WWE posts video package for CM Punk vs. Bron Breakker on Stranger Things-themed Raw

Posted on by Ian Carey

Triple H says the match between CM Punk and Bron Breakker on Raw this Monday could turn WWE “upside down.”

On Saturday, WWE’s Chief Content Officer posted a video package for the World Heavyweight Championship match scheduled for Monday’s Stranger Things-themed episode on Netflix. The full video is available here and below this article.

Triple H wrote:

“The Stranger Things #WWERaw could turn the @WWE upside down… 
Punk vs. Breakker for the World Heavyweight Championship. 
This Monday LIVE on @netflix.”

Monday’s show takes place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Three championship matches are scheduled for the show. The announced lineup is below.

Current WWE Raw lineup | This Monday

  • WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defends against Bron Breakker
  • Liv Morgan vs. Lyra Valkyria
  • WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri defends against Becky Lynch
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) defend against Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY

Additionally, Netflix has been posting Stranger Things-themed posters for the show and Punk vs. Breakker specifically.

John Cena on Matt Cardona’s WWE return: ‘Making luck through effort’

Posted on by Ian Carey

John Cena has commented on Matt Cardona’s return to WWE.

Cardona was revealed as an official member of the SmackDown roster on Friday’s show from Buffalo. He had previously appeared on the November 14 episode, wrestling under his old Zack Ryder persona in the Last Time Is Now tournament for a chance to be Cena’s final opponent.

On Saturday, Cena posted to social media that both Cardona and his wife Chelsea Green, who previously returned to WWE after her own release, are examples of “making luck through effort.”

Cena wrote:

“Persistence and preparation tend to help manufacture luck. I couldn’t be more proud of both @TheMattCardona and @ImChelseaGreen. They stand as a tremendous example of making luck through effort. Welcome home Matt. ☕️🍸”

Cardona also released a statement on his WWE return on Saturday, saying there are too many people to thank. Triple H, Brian Myers, Joey Janela, and others have also commented. Cardona’s return comes nearly six years after he was released from WWE in April 2020.

Cena’s social media post is below:

Matt Cardona posts statement on WWE return: ‘There’s way too many people to thank’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Matt Cardona has released a statement on his WWE return.

The former Zack Ryder was revealed to be the newest member of the SmackDown roster on Friday’s show in Buffalo. He defeated Kit Wilson in singles competition.

On Saturday, Cardona posted a statement to social media noting there were too many people to thank.

He wrote:

“April 15, 2020…Zack Ryder was released from @WWE. It had to happen. Being a WWE Superstar was my lifelong dream. I had been signed for 14 years…on TV for 13. I traveled all over the world, had action figures, won championships, and experienced everything else that came with living the dream. I experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. While it was a heartbreaking day, I was grateful for my time in WWE. 
I knew I had 3 options. I could feel sorry for myself, become bitter, and fade into obscurity. I could coast off my WWE name and make some money for the rest of my life playing the greatest hits. OR I could reinvent myself, work my ass off, try to outwork every motherfucker out there, and create my own path. I chose option 3.
These past 5 years on the indies have been the greatest time of my career…so far. I have to thank every promotor who booked me, every opponent I wrestled, and every fan who supported me in some way. There’s way too many people to thank. I love you all. There’s no way to wrap up these 5 years in a social media post…it’ll have to wait for the book. 
From the moment I got released, I knew I couldn’t focus on proving people wrong. I wanted to prove myself and my fans right…and I believe I did that. 
I’m often asked for advice. My advice is don’t quit. You might make it if you don’t. You definitely won’t make it if you do. I took my own advice. I never quit.
My goal was to get back to WWE. And as of last night, January 2, 2026, I am back in WWE…MATT CARDONA is in WWE. I am Alwayz Ready and I’M NOT FINISHED! (Buy my new shirt on http://WWEShop.com 😉)”

Following his release from WWE in April 2020, Cardona wrestled for multiple promotions around the world, winning several titles including the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, the GCW World Championship, and the WSW World Heavyweight Championship in Australia. He is also the reigning world champion for Juggalo Championship Wrestling.

Cardona previously returned to WWE on the November 14, 2025 edition of SmackDown as part of the Last Time Is Now tournament. He was defeated by LA Knight on the show.

Cardona’s post is below:

The Bella Twins announced for MrBeast charity competition

Posted on by Ian Carey

Nikki and Brie Bella have an upcoming chance to win one million dollars for charity.

On Saturday, YouTube star MrBeast announced a special challenge where 30 celebrities will compete for a chance to win $1 million for charity. He posted a photo of the group, which includes The Bella Twins.

Mr. Beast wrote:

“To celebrate Beast Games 2 dropping next Wednesday me and Kevin Hart gathered 30 celebrities to compete for $1,000,000 for charity! This YouTube video will drop the same day as Beast Games 2. I CANT WAIT!”

The first three episodes of Beast Games 2 will be released on Prime Video on January 7, with weekly releases scheduled after. The show will include 200 contestants vying for five million dollars in prize money by competing in challenges.

Nikki Bella is coming off two straight losses in Women’s World Championship matches. She lost to Stephanie Vaquer at Survivor Series and then dropped a triple threat match along with Raquel Rodriguez to Vaquer on the December 29 episode of Raw.

Report: WWE star expected to leave company when contract expires

Posted on by Ian Carey

According to a new report, Tommaso Ciampa is expected to leave WWE once his contract expires.

On Saturday, Bodyslam reported that Ciampa’s contract is set to expire soon and he “plans on finishing his time up with the company without a renewal.”

The report notes it’s not clear if Ciampa is expected to sign elsewhere or take time away from wrestling. Ciampa’s tag partner, Johnny Gargano, is expected to continue as a singles wrestler on SmackDown.

On Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown, Gargano unsuccessfully challenged Carmelo Hayes for the United States Championship. He was accompanied to the ring by his wife Candice LeRae, but Ciampa was not in his corner for the match.

Ciampa hasn’t wrestled since a December 15 SmackDown taping in Hershey, PA, when he and Gargano dropped a tag match to Ilja Dragunov and Hayes. Three days earlier, he dropped a United States Championship match to Dragunov on the December 12 SmackDown in a match rated four and a half stars by our own Dave Meltzer.

The 40-year-old Ciampa is a two-time NXT Champion, two-time WWE tag champion and one-time NXT tag champion with Gargano. In 2018, his and Gargano’s feud was voted Feud of the Year in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.

Gable Steveson on WWE run: ‘I wasn’t giving 100% to the business’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Gable Steveson discussed what led to him leaving WWE in a recent interview.

The Olympic gold medalist was released by WWE in May 2024 and has since racked up a 2-0 MMA record with wins in LFA and most recently APFC. He also picked up a knockout win in under 15 seconds for the Dirty Boxing promotion in October.

During a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Steveson said he wasn’t giving WWE 100 percent of his focus because he still had a competitive drive.

Steveson said:

“Honestly, I had a great experience. I have nothing wrong with anybody there. TKO was great. ‘Triple H’ Paul Levesque was great, Stephanie, Vince, everybody was great.“

“I just had a competitive drive that I needed to get out. And so, you know when you have that gap there, you can’t do both. I was trying to bridge both, and I wasn’t giving my 100 percent to the business. And if I’m not going to give 100 percent to the business, then you might as well X me out because it’s already over with. That’s practically how it happened.”

“I would love to go back in the future,” Steveson added before Rogan mentioned he could go back to WWE after winning the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

“I would do it again most definitely because I have no hard feelings to them and that’s how it goes.”

The Olympic gold medalist was the first athlete WWE signed as part of its NIL deal in 2021. However, while he wrestled several times at NXT live events and in SmackDown dark matches, he only ever wrestled one match on WWE programming, a double count-out against Baron Corbin at NXT Great American Bash 2023.

Steveson’s comments about his time in WWE begin around the 15-minute and 30-second mark of the interview. The video below is cued.

Triple H, Brian Myers, Joey Janela, more react to Matt Cardona’s WWE return

Posted on by Ian Carey

Triple H and others have commented on Matt Cardona’s WWE return on SmackDown.

Cardona returned on Friday’s show in Buffalo, defeating Kit Wilson in an unadvertised singles match. He wrestled under his real name, Matt Cardona, rather than his previous WWE ring name, Zack Ryder. On commentary, Michael Cole noted that Cardona was officially a member of the SmackDown roster.

Following Cardona’s return, Triple H posted to X, “A lesson to learn for everyone going into 2026: Stay Ready. Congrats and welcome back home @TheMattCardona. #SmackDown.”

Cardona posted after the match, “I’m not finished!”

Cardona’s longtime friend and tag partner Brian Myers posted, “Matt’s run from 2020-2025 is the stuff of legend. It’s gonna be talked about & referenced for years. He unlocked the unlimited potential that someone could have outside the WWE bubble. He set an example that should be followed forever. Control what you can control, believe in yourself, & NEVER take no for answer. See you down the road @TheMattCardona! Well, actually we’re recording the @MajorWFPod Monday morning.”

GCW’s Joey Janela posted about Cardona’s WWE return, “This guy really deserves it all, it was always about elevating the independent promotions and coming up with stories to elevate talent on the indies and being selfless. A true professional & great dude!”

Cardona’s wife, two-time WWE United States Champion Chelsea Green, has re-posted several clips of his return, though she continues to be focused on the Stranger Things finale. Green posted the below image before the start of SmackDown on Friday night: