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.

Update on injury frequency in WWE vs. AEW

Posted on by Ian Carey

Dave Meltzer provided some new insight into the injury frequency found in WWE vs. AEW in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Meltzer noted that while both AEW and WWE typically have around 12 percent of their rosters injured at any given time, the most recent stats show AEW’s injuries happening at a higher frequency than WWE.

Meltzer wrote:

“I was running the injury stats and usually WWE and AEW are about the same, at around 12 percent of the roster injured at any one time. That is no longer the case. Right now the WWE injury percentage is down to 8.6 percent right now, which is at the low end. AEW on the other hand, is at 14.4 percent, above that usual level.“

He added that while there typically is little difference between the two promotions in terms of injury ratio, if the current trend continues, it gives greater weight to the idea that WWE’s style is safer.

Meltzer continued:

“Historically there has been no significant difference between the two companies and the arguments about one style being healthier than the other really didn’t fly. If this maintains over the course of the year, you can say something about WWE is superior in this aspect.“

Notable WWE wrestlers currently out of action include Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Bianca Belair, Zoey Stark, Apollo Crews, Elton Prince, Piper Niven, Adrianna Rizzo, and others. Chad Gable hasn’t returned from injury as of yet either, although he is expected to do so shortly.

Wrestlers on the shelf for AEW currently include Will Ospreay, Buddy Matthews, Wardlow, Thunder Rosa, Adam Cole, Brian Cage, Jay White, Dustin Rhodes, Nick Wayne, Hologram, Kota Ibushi, Rush, Dralistico, and more.

Meltzer’s full thoughts on the subject are available in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter for subscribers.

Vince Russo responds after Seth Rollins calls him a ‘hanger-on’ and ‘idiot’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Vince Russo has responded to recent criticism levied at him by Seth Rollins.

During a recent interview with Jay Mohr, Rollins was asked who he liked better between Jim Cornette and Vince Russo. Rollins responded that he doesn’t like either of them, saying, “They are both jackasses.”

When pressed, Rollins said he’d pick Cornette over Russo, as he worked with Cornette in Ring of Honor (2008-2010) and said Cornette was more a victim of “hot take culture.” Rollins continued to call Russo a “hanger-on,” saying “That guy’s an idiot.”

Russo then issued a lengthy statement addressed to Rollins on social media in response, writing:

“So, @WWERollins ‘hates me’ and according to him I’m a ‘hanger-on-er’. So this is why I love being an analyst. I get to really analyze people’s comments.

So, Seth Rollins ‘hates’ a guy that he actually never even met, or even had a conversation with. In other words, he’s never had any contact with me in any way, shape, or form. That equates to — @WWERollins doesn’t know me.

So then WHY the hate?

I’m assuming that it must have to do with my ‘analysis’ of Seth Rollins over the years. While there is no question that Seth is a great athlete, I have always questioned Seth being a great ‘worker’. Why? Simply because I have witnessed dozens of Seth’s matches over the years where he fails to sell. In my book, being a great worker means you know how to sell.

From there, I questioned why, when Seth turned ‘heel’, did he still go out there and literally conduct the fans as they sang along to his song. Is that what a ‘heel’ would do?

Then there’s this — me saying ad nauseam that his ‘mentor’ (thus, Seth being his ‘boy’), @TripleH is not a writer. Guess what? I’m not even going to argue that point. SmackDown just did under a million viewers for the third time. That’s proof enough.

From there, ‘Idaho’s Own’, ‘The Monday Night Messiah’, Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins’, ‘The Visionary’, and whatever other moniker he’s used over the years, said that I was a hanger-on-er. Bro — I left the @WWE over 26 years ago. Don’t you think by now my hands would have been callused, bloody, and scarred grasping that rope? Brother — I don’t have Seth Rollins muscles. I would have let go within the first three minutes.

And lastly… the obvious… ‘NOBODY LIKES HIM’.

Yup — that must explain why I keep getting hired over and over again even at 65 years old.

Seth — if you want to learn anything about being a character, storylines, what exactly a ‘heel’ is, and yes, even selling — you can tune into @jcwlunacy every Thursday night on YouTube.

Maybe you can even have a sleepover with @TripleH — wouldn’t hurt him to learn a thing or two either.

And while I thank both you and Mr. Mohr for putting me over by mentioning me on his show — PLEASE — and I BEG YOU — respond to this tweet. RussosBrand.com could use the clicks.

Good day and Merry Christmas.”

Russo is now the head writer and an on-screen character for Juggalo Championship Wrestling, the promotion formed by the Insane Clown Posse’s Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. JCW Lunacy airs every Thursday night on YouTube.

Russo’s post is below:

Amanda Huber shares heartfelt comments on Cody Rhodes, Tony Khan, others

Posted on by Ian Carey

AEW’s Amanda Huber recently posted heartfelt comments regarding Tony Khan, Cody Rhodes, Eric Rowan, Tay Melo and Maxwell Jacob Friedman.

December 26 was the five-year anniversary of Amanda’s husband, Jon Huber aka Brodie Lee/Luke Harper’s passing. Amanda Huber noted on social media that she had never seen the tribute show AEW put on after Brodie Lee’s passing, but decided to do so on Friday.

She wrote that seeing Rowan on the tribute show was an amazing surprise.

“Seeing @ErickRedBeard at the tribute show was the most amazing surprise and completely unexpected. I didn’t know he was there until I walked into the trailer. Forever thankful that he was a part of the show.”

Huber said that backstage at the tribute show, MJF stayed in character when interacting with her children. MJF then continued to do so on social media after her post.

“As much as a piece of shit  @The_MJF is, I’ll never forget the tribute show.
He was his terrible self to Brodie all day. When everyone else was extra nice, Max stayed horrible.
Why?
Because Max knew how much Brodie loved wrestling. He knew he needed that escape. That ability to enjoy the thing he loved more than anything in the world. 
It also made it extra gratifying when Brodie finally hit him 💜”

MJF responded to Huber with, “Second that kid turns 18 he’s FUCKED.”

Huber also posted about Tay Melo’s connection with Brodie Jr. and that Melo is now a mother herself.

“The tribute show is where our connection with @taymelo started and I’m so thankful for the road our relationship has taken. From her connecting with Brodie to seeing her become the most amazing mom possible.
Beyond thankful for her 💜”

To Cody Rhodes, Huber wrote:

“I’ll never be able to put into words how much I appreciate Cody. He drove 6 hours the day after Christmas to be there when I told Brodie. He was own of the few people who got to see Jon. He took Brodie to fly kites as I said goodbye. He promised to show up for our family and he’s stood by it. He goes out of his way to always be good to my family. His bond with Brodie is so incredibly special. He’s the perfect example for the boys. He’s passionate, hard working, and loyal. He shows up for his people, not just when it’s convenient for him. He’s someone I’m lucky to call our friend. I’m beyond thankful for his friendship and bringing the Hubers into the Rhodes family.”

After finishing the tribute show, Huber sent a message to Tony Khan:

“Thank you @TonyKhan for putting on the most beautiful pro wrestling show I’ve ever watched.
It’s taken me 5 years to watch this but it’s been worth it.
In the 5 years Jon has been gone I’ve been lucky enough to be in the @AEW family. Getting to travel with this amazing company and work for someone like Tony. Someone so passionate about wrestling but also so thoughtful. The care and love he puts into AEW everyday is never lost on me. I can’t say enough good and how incredible it is. It’s been such a wild road the last 5 years. The highs and lows and the twists and turns. I’m thankful for it all. Especially how beautiful it is that I get to work in a business I’ve dreamed of being in my whole life.
Tune in to World’s End tomorrow and support this beautiful crazy world of pro wrestling 💛🖤
Ok. I’m going to finish crying and get to sleep.
Thank you everyone for all the love, kind words, and messages today. 💜🖤”

Huber’s social media posts are below:

Update on The Undertaker’s role at AAA Guerra de Titanes

Posted on by Ian Carey

The Undertaker played a significant role in AAA’s show in Guadalajara last week.

In September, Dave Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AAA’s creative team consists of Jeremy Borash, The Undertaker, Dorian Roldan, and Konnan, with Paul “Triple H” Levesque in charge.

In the most recent edition of the newsletter, Meltzer writes that Borash and Taker booked AAA Guerra de Titanes on December 20:

“The booking of the show was handled by Jeremy Borash and Undertaker. They worked with Konnan and Dorian Roldan and went through them to make sure the ideas worked based on AAA history and Mexican pro wrestling culture.”

Meltzer praised the show overall, calling it better than a typical Friday night show for CMLL.

“To me, it was better than most Friday nights at Arena Mexico because while Arena Mexico has had a few main events better, this was hot from the opener to the main event and had great wrestling up and down the show.”

The show sold out a day in advance with over 13,000 tickets distributed for what is typically a walk-up crowd.

Konnan also addressed what Taker brings to the AAA creative team during an episode of his podcast in September, saying:

“Undertaker’s brilliant. I don’t think they would have put him in that position (otherwise). When you sit down and talk to him, he knows his stuff. I’ve been around enough bookers to know who knows their s–t and who doesn’t.”

“What Undertaker brings to the game is he knows what gets heat, what works, what can get somebody over, and what are good finishes. That’s his genius.”

Also at AAA Guerra de Titanes, the promotion announced its next big event will be Rey de Reyes in Puebla on March 14 at the Auditorio GNP Seguros.

Meltzer’s full review of AAA Guerra de Titanes is available in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter for subscribers.

WWE Raw falls out of Netflix’s global top-10 English TV shows

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE Raw has once again fallen out of Netflix’s list of top-10 global English-language TV shows.

The December 15 episode of the show, which featured the fallout from John Cena tapping out to Gunther in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, failed to crack the top-10 ranking for the third time in four weeks.

The November 24 and December 1 episodes of Raw also missed the top-10. The December 8 episode ranked at number 10 with 2.5 million views.

Stranger Things Season 2 ranked at number 10 on the list this week with a reported 3.3 million views and 26.0 million total hours watched. Raw has typically been doing in the 2.3 to 2.5 million views range of late for standard episodes, not including the November 17 episode, which did 3.1 million views for Cena’s final Raw appearance from Madison Square Garden.

Netflix Global Top-10 TV Shows (English) December 15 – 22, 2025

  • Man vs. Baby Season 1, 14.6 million views, 28.7 million hours watched
  • Emily in Paris Season 5, 13.5 million views, 78.2 million hours watched
  • Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, 10.9 million views, 35.3 million hours watched
  • Stranger Things 5, 8.2 million views, 38.9 million hours watched
  • Sean Combs: The Reckoning Season 1, 6.3 million views, 26.2 million hours watched
  • Stranger Things 4, 3.9 million views, 51.4 million hours watched
  • Stranger Things 3, 3.6 million views, 27.4 million hours watched
  • Stranger Things Season 1, 3.5 million views, 23.9 million hours watched
  • Dave Chappelle: The Unstoppable…, 3.3 million views, 4.2 million hours watched
  • Stranger Things 2, 3.3 million views, 26.0 million hours watched

Dave Meltzer has a deeper dive into the Netflix viewership this week available for subscribers here.

Report: WWE commentary team changes coming in 2026

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE is shaking up its announce teams beginning in 2026.

According to a report from PWInsider on Tuesday, Michael Cole and Corey Graves will be the Raw commentary team beginning with the January 5 show. On SmackDown, it will be Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett for what will again be a three-hour show beginning January 2.

Graves being announced as on the Raw commentary team for the Netflix one-year anniversary show comes nearly a year after he was moved to the NXT brand and Pat McAfee joined Cole on Raw. Later that month, Graves posted his frustration at the situation to social media and briefly was absent from his NXT commentary role as well.

This is the second change to the commentary assignments the company has made in recent months. Cole and Graves were announced as the new SmackDown team in September as Joe Tessitore moved to Raw to allow him to also cover College football.

Jerry Lawler says he has ‘one more match left’

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Jerry Lawler said he still has one more match in him.

The 76-year-old was featured in a recent segment on Action News 5 in Memphis, promoting a special edition of Memphis Wrestling titled Christmas with the King, which will air on the channel on Thursday, December 25.

The segment mentioned Lawler’s recent health challenges, including a stroke he suffered in September. When asked how he’s feeling on a scale of 1 to 10, Lawler responded that he’s about a six or a seven.

“Something I saw on the news recently is people say six or seven,” Lawler joked, referencing a recent viral trend. “I get up to seven and something happens, I go back to six.”

Lawler also revealed during the interview that he is now color-blind as a result of his most recent stroke. The segment featured Lawler taking the crew on a tour of some of his artwork, when he noted that it all looks black and white to him.

“Because I’m color blind and I can’t see the colors,” Lawler said.

He also addressed a possible return to the ring, saying it’s something he still thinks about.

“I have not put it out of my mind. We have one more match in there somewhere,” Lawler said.

The one-hour Memphis Wrestling: Christmas with the King special will air on WMC-TV 5 beginning at 11 a.m. on Thursday. Lawler’s full interview with Action News 5 is available below.

Hiroshi Tanahashi reflects on 26-year career: ‘How did it go by so fast?’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Hiroshi Tanahashi reflected on his 26 years in the wrestling industry following his final match at Korakuen Hall.

On Monday, Tanahashi wrestled for the final time at the famed Tokyo venue, defeating Kosei Fujita in the main event. Following the show, Tanahashi said in his backstage comments that he is truly grateful he was able to finish out 2025 with a packed crowd.

Tanahashi said (translated):

“Thanks to all of you for packing Korakuen today. When I think of Korakuen, I can’t help but think back to the 2000s. We were doing all that we could to try and fill this place. I clearly remember the first time it was packed and I’m truly grateful we could finish out 2025 in this way.”

“It went by so fast. 2025, 26 years after my debut. How did it go by so fast? I think it’s because I gave everything to it.”

“Today at Korakuen Hall and January 4 in the Tokyo Dome, this proves I was meant to be a pro wrestler. I’m giving it my all until the end.”

“In 2026, New Japan will present the best lineup. The wrestlers and staff will give it our all. Please stick with us. Thank you for all your support in 2025.”

Tanahashi will wrestle Kazuchika Okada in the Tokyo Dome on January 4 in what will be his final match. The lineup for the show is below.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 (Sunday, January 4, 2026 on NJPW World) —

  • Hiroshi Tanahash’s retirement match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • Winner-take-all match: IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita vs. IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji
  • NEVER Openweight Champion EVIL defends against Aaron Wolf
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight title number one contender’s match: El Desperado vs. SHO vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishiimori
  • David Finlay, Shingo Takagi, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman, Henare, Andrade El Idolo & A Mystery Partner
  • Winner-take-all match: IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri vs. NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Saya Kamitani
  • NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano defend in a multi-team ranbo against Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe, Kaisei Takechi, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura, Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Oleg Boltin, Team 100 (Satoshi Kojima & Taichi) & Tomohiro Ishii, House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru), TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.), and Clark Connors & The Knockouts Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice)
  • NJPW World TV Champion El Phantasmo defends against Chris Brookes

Report: WWE divided on signing AEW wrestler when contract expires

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE is reportedly divided on whether or not to sign Danhausen when his AEW contract expires early next year.

Fightful reported on Monday that Danhausen’s AEW contract will expire in February. He hasn’t wrestled for the promotion since appearing in a battle royal on the World’s End 2023 pre-show.

According to comments made on the WrestleVotes Live show on Monday, Danhausen has both supporters and detractors within WWE.

“It’s an interesting one. I know people there want him to come over. And I know this will be picked up but I know people there that aren’t so keen on him and his talents.“

“So I don’t know where they’re going to stand when it’s time for him to come as a free agent. I’m sure there’ll be an offer. He’s talented, people like him, he’s over. I could see them making an offer, but I know some people there maybe just don’t get it. And that’s fair. So we’ll see.”

One person in WWE who is said to be a supporter of Danhausen is The Rock. The TKO board member is said to be a “big fan” of Danhausen, as reported by our own Dave Meltzer in the August 25, 2025 edition of the The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Danhausen is said to have aired his frustrations to Tony Khan following plans for his return in late 2023 being scrapped. His contract was originally set to expire in mid-2025. However, the company added injury time onto it, extending the deal into early next year.

NJPW confirms full Wrestle Kingdom 20 card, teams for Ranbo

Posted on by Ian Carey

New Japan Pro Wrestling has confirmed a new match and the teams for the Ranbo match at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

In an official preview for the January 4 event in the Tokyo Dome, NJPW confirmed that El Phantasmo will defend his New Japan World TV title against Chris Brookes on the show. The title defense was set up at the Road to Tokyo Dome show at Korakuen Hall on Sunday when Brookes accepted ELP’s open challenge by attacking him from behind.

NJPW has also confirmed the teams that will challenge for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championships in the Ranbo match on the show. Champions Master Wato, YOH, and Toru Yano will defend the belts against the below seven teams:

  • Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe
  • Kaisei Takechi, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura
  • Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Oleg Boltin
  • Team 100 (Satoshi Kojima & Taichi) & Tomohiro Ishii
  • House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
  • TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.)
  • Clark Connors & The Knockouts Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice)

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 (Sunday, January 4, 2026 on NJPW World) —

  • Hiroshi Tanahash’s retirement match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • Winner-take-all match: IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita vs. IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji
  • NEVER Openweight Champion EVIL defends against Aaron Wolf
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight title number one contender’s match: El Desperado vs. SHO vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishiimori
  • David Finlay, Shingo Takagi, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney & Hiromu Takahashi vs. Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman, Henare, Andrade El Idolo & A Mystery Partner
  • Winner-take-all match: IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri vs. NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Saya Kamitani
  • NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions YOH, Master Wato & Toru Yano defend in a multi-team ranbo against Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe, Kaisei Takechi, Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura, Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) & Oleg Boltin, Team 100 (Satoshi Kojima & Taichi) & Tomohiro Ishii, House Of Torture (Ren Narita, SANADA & Yoshinobu Kanemaru), TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa & Zack Sabre Jr.), and Clark Connors & The Knockouts Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice)
  • NJPW World TV Champion El Phantasmo defends against Chris Brookes

Masha Slamovich announced for first match since TNA Wrestling exit

Posted on by Ian Carey

Former TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich’s return to the ring has been announced.

Maryland Championship Wrestling has announced Slamovich for its Fan Jam 5 show on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from the RJ Meyer Arena in Joppa, Maryland. It will be her first match since TNA Wrestling announced it was opening an investigation into Slamovich following domestic abuse allegations that surfaced online in September.

MCW wrote:

“Former #TNA Knockouts World Champion @MashaSlamovich is coming to #FanJam5 on Sunday March 1st from The RJ Meyer Arena in Joppa, #Maryland 💥 Tickets 🎟️ go on sale Monday December 29th and Meet & Greet info will be available in the coming days🔥 Get more info visit http://MCWProWrestling.com.”

Earlier this month, Fightful reported that Slamovich’s contract had expired and that she was no longer with the promotion. Sports Illustrated later reported that TNA sources told them Slamovich “is not currently with the company, but leadership plans to touch base with her and regroup in 2026.” Her profile is no longer featured on TNA’s website.

In September, Slamovich released a public statement addressing the domestic abuse allegations levied against her.

Slamovich wrote:

“Up until the beginning of this year, I was in a toxic and mutually destructive relationship. We hurt each other deeply, and in private moments, failed to treat each other with the consideration and respect we both deserve. 

I take responsibility for my actions and I am sorry, embarrassed, and ashamed of the role I played in our relationship and the way things turned out. 

In the time since, I have sought help to reflect on this time and deal with conflict in more mature, healthier, and sustainable ways. 

I apologize to those I let down, including my former partner. I hope he is able to heal. 

This will be my only statement on the matter. 

-Masha”

Prestige Wrestling and West Coast Pro also pulled Slamovich from bookings shortly after the allegations surfaced.

Harley Cameron on AEW Women’s Tag title win: ‘No one can take that away from me’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Harley Cameron says that no matter where her wrestling journey goes, nobody will ever be able to take away that she and Willow Nightingale made history.

Cameron was a guest on Monday’s edition of The Ariel Helwani Show and was asked about winning the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championships at Winter is Coming.

“It was amazing. I think that it represents faith in you as a competitor, as a performer,” she answered.

“Being with Willow, who I absolutely adore, getting to make history together and being the first ever AEW Tag Team Champions is something that I’m like ‘Wow.’ There’s ups and downs in life, and there’s ebbs and flows in the business in general, but there’s monumental moments like this where you go, ‘Well, no one can take that away from me.’“

“And that no matter which way the journey goes, there’s moments that you can look back and be proud of, and I’m so elated that I get to have that moment.”

The Babes of Wrath will defend their titles on Saturday at AEW Worlds End against TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and ROH Women’s World Champion Athena. It will be a rematch from the quarterfinal match the two teams had in the title tournament on November 5.

When asked about a potential dream match, Cameron didn’t look past her upcoming pay-per-view match against Athena and Mone.

“I will say truthfully we have Worlds End coming up, obviously, Willow and I against Mercedes and Athena. I think that our first tag match against them was one of my favorite matches I’ve ever had in my life and I genuinely am so excited for that. When I had a taste of it the first time, it was one of those matches that stays with you and makes you go, ‘Gosh, I’d love to face them again.'”

Cameron also discussed her history with ventriloquism on the show, bringing out a puppet named Earl. She also gifted Helwani a “My Buddy” doll. A clip of this part of the show is available below:

Cameron’s appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show is available below: