Author: Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade. In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.

Roman Reigns sends message to WWE roster: ‘Get over, kids’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show ahead of the Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns sent a message to everyone else on the WWE roster.

Reigns’ wrestling schedule has slowed down over the past couple of years — and Saturday’s PLE will be the first time we’ve seen him in action since Survivor Series. He addressed his WWE schedule during today’s McAfee Show appearance, cutting an in-character promo where he challenged everyone else in WWE to step up and get themselves over.

“There’s always a mindset of that,” Reigns responded when asked if he feels like WWE will always be his show. “But to be completely honest and transparent here, two years ago it all changed around and what I’ve been doing out there hasn’t exactly been the same of what I’ve done before. And the way I look at it is, I’m a generous Tribal Chief. I give the people plenty of time. These young talent, they say we hog all the TV time. They’ll complain about one thing, and then I leave an opening, I give them plenty of space to create whatever type of superstardom they want. Get over, kids. Get over. You know what I mean?

“And we’re two years here now, and we haven’t advanced. We haven’t evolved. We have great leadership in Nick Khan. God bless him, what a businessman. He’s a genius. But we have to be able to keep up with that creatively. And that’s why people like me, people who are striving to be the very best, the greatest, the GOATs, the [Michael Jordans], I just can’t sit around and see [mediocrity] — not when I set it up for everybody to just slam it home. I mean, we’re on Netflix for crying out loud. You gotta capitalize. We have people playing around and trying to figure it out. And I got the formula. I know how to cook it up.

“So it’s been a tough couple of years for me, but at the same time, when you come off such a hell of a run, you’ve gotta kind of just pump the brakes for a second. You know, I’ve got five children at home. We all wear those two important hats, being a husband and a father. And I’ve been on the road for a long time. So I needed to be able to pull back a little bit, but I’m fully capable. And I’m only 40 years old. With all the tech and all the information we have now, I feel like I’m 25 years old. So I’m still good to go.”

Reigns will be among the 30 entrants in Saturday’s men’s Royal Rumble match. Brock Lesnar, Cody Rhodes, and The Vision (Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory) are some of the other participants that have been confirmed.

The PLE is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and has a start time of 2 p.m. Eastern, streaming live on the ESPN app in the United States and Netflix elsewhere.

WWE introduces new Saudi signee at Royal Rumble kickoff event

Posted on by Joseph Currier

During Friday’s Royal Rumble kickoff event in Riyadh, WWE took a moment to officially unveil one of the company’s newest roster additions.

It was announced this week that Saudi powerlifter and arm wrestler Fahd Tuwaiq has signed with WWE and begun training at the Performance Center. Tuwaiq’s first appearance for the company came in Riyadh today, with him hyping up his home country fans for Royal Rumble 2026 and WrestleMania 2027.

“I’m really proud to be here in my country between my people, the best fans in the whole world. Royal Rumble tomorrow will be awesome, will be great,” he said. “Next year, WrestleMania will be here in Saudi Arabia. The Mania in Arabia!”

A video aired during the kickoff show with Tuwaiq calling himself the “first Saudi super heavyweight joined to WWE.” He said he wants to change the world and plans on using WWE as his platform to do so.

“I am champion with arm wrestling and powerlifting. I have been at the Performance Center, this is a top place if you want to be a professional wrestler,” Tuwaiq said. “I want to make my country proud, and I will do so in WWE.”

WWE filed a trademark for the name “Fahd Tuwaiq” back on December 5. It’s not known when he’ll be making his in-ring debut.

WWE 2K26 cover star revealed

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For the second time in his career, CM Punk is being featured as the cover star of a WWE video game.

Punk was officially unveiled as the cover star for WWE 2K26 during an announcement that was made on Friday’s Royal Rumble kickoff event in Saudi Arabia. The game, which is set to be released on March 13, is now available for pre-order. It will be available on PS5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Punk also appeared on the cover of WWE ’13 during his initial run with the company. He’s been back in WWE since November 2023 and is the current World Heavyweight Champion.

“It is my pleasure and my honor. When I was a little kid, I could only dream of being on the cover of a video game,” Punk said at today’s kickoff event. “And now I am joining some esteemed dignitaries that have been on the cover twice. It’s amazing, it’s pretty special we got to do the reveal here today in front of all you wonderful fans. I missed you guys, I love you.”

Punk is also the focus of WWE 2K26’s Showcase mode, where you are able to play through some of his past matches as well as dream-match scenarios.

While the standard edition of the game has Punk on the cover, there are three other editions also being released. The “King of Kings,” “Attitude Era,” and “Monday Night War” editions include early access, extra features, and will be available at a higher price point than the regular game.

The official gameplay trailer for WWE 2K26 is set to air during the Royal Rumble this Saturday. Punk does not have a title defense at the PLE but will be appearing as a panelist on the countdown show.

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre names Tokyo Dome as goal

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre would love to compete at the Tokyo Dome one day.

While speaking with ABEMA ahead of the Royal Rumble, McIntyre expressed how much he respects Japanese fans and promised them that he’ll be back in the country. Because he’s never wrestled at the Tokyo Dome before, that is something McIntyre would like to do.

“Japan, I’m coming back. Roppongi [an entertainment district in Tokyo], wait for me,” he said. “I’ve never had a big match at the Tokyo Dome, so I want to compete there.”

McIntyre hasn’t wrestled in Japan since a 2019 WWE house show tour. WWE visited Japan for live events in both 2025 and 2024 but has not held a televised main roster show there since 2015’s Beast in the East special at Sumo Hall.

At the Royal Rumble this Saturday, McIntyre is putting his WWE Championship on the line against Sami Zayn. It’s the first televised defense for McIntyre since he won the belt from Cody Rhodes in a Three Stages of Hell match on the January 9 episode of SmackDown.

McIntyre told ABEMA that he’ll “crush” Rhodes if they face off again at WrestleMania 42.

“If you want to face me at WrestleMania, win the Rumble,” McIntyre said. “Doesn’t matter who wins. Roman [Reigns], Brock [Lesnar], or a surprise entrant. Even Cody, I’ll crush him at WrestleMania.”

Royal Rumble 2026 is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tomorrow and will stream live on the ESPN app in the United States, ABEMA in Japan, and Netflix elsewhere.

Daily Update: WWE 2K26, PWI Awards, Taka Michinoku

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • A look at Saturday Night’s Main Event, the interest level, the Royal Rumble and Rumble odds
    Big Bad Bobby Duncum, a look at the career of a worldwide headliner who worked on top with almost every major babyface of the 70s, including big WWF and AWA runs and Japanese major tournaments
  • CMLL has a big business week with Bandido, Ricochet, Komander, Gates of Agony and Lee Moriarty.
  • A look at some of the best matches so far this year and the craziness that ruined what could have been the best of all of them.
  • A look at prior plans for 2025 PPV shows that changed
  • A look at Netflix numbers over the past six months, as well as how every PPV in 2025 did and some surprises in that direction, as well as how SmackDown did internationally as well as NXT, and how shows that went head-to-head with AEW PPVs drew.
  • Notes on the TNA ratings for the first show on AMC and what they tell us.
  • TNA Genesis coverage
  • 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards ballot
  • More AEW stars to CMLL next week
  • AAA TV taping notes
  • Thoughts on the current AAA product and how it relates to Lucha Libre and WWE
  • Stardom makes claim against Marigold
  • Saya Kamitani returns early
  • Notes about a mainstream model who became one of the first big stars in Stardom and women’s MVP
  • Best tag team match of the year
  • New Japan next major show lineup
  • Eight promotions combine for a singles tournament
  • The potential best actual wrestler in the world signs with RAF
  • Feast or Fired thoughts
  • More on AEW’s future with the WBD sale to Netflix
  • Trey Miguel situation
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week
  • UFC returns to action with first big show of 2026
  • Top exec since the inception of  PFL leaves
  • More notes regarding a lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE
  • WWE headliner talks bowing out
  • WWE and AEW injury updates
  • Punk movie box office
  • Talent coming and going from promotions
  • TKO and WWE execs get millions this quarter

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • Mercedes Mone was chosen as Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Woman of the Year for 2025, with Toni Storm taking home the award for Most Popular Wrestler of the Year.
  • Harley Cameron thanked the readers of PWI for naming her their Most Improved Wrestler:
    • Thank you to the readers of PWI for voting me Most Improved for 2025. And thank you @aew and @tonyrkhan for allowing me to live out my dream! I vow to continue improving…my improvement!
  • Mike Santana reacted to being chosen as PWI’s Most Inspirational Wrestler of the year:
    • Huge shoutout to all the readers of Pro Wrestling Illustrated and every person who’s walked this path with me. 
    • Blessed and humbled that my journey has connected with so many. You all have played a huge role in motivating me to push forward every single day. 
    • THANK YOU.
  • Shotzi Blackheart was named PWI’s Indie Wrestler of the Year.
  • Evil Uno has been announced for DDT Pro Wrestling’s 29th Anniversary show on March 22.
  • Taka Michinoku noted that he’ll be in the United States at the end of March and is looking for bookings around Indianapolis:
    • I’m going to Indianapolis on March 27th and 28th. If I go all the way to US, I’d like to wrestle around that time. I went to England and Australia in the last few years, but it’s been seven years since I went to the U.S. Please make an offer to DM.
  • CMLL wrestlers Persephone and La Catalina were featured in a documentary from L’Oreal Groupe:
    • What’s the secret behind the Olympian Noah Lyles’s record-breaking sprints? How do star lucha libre wrestlers Persephone and La Catalina prepare their game face ahead of a match? And how does the FC Barcelona soccer player Jules Kounde achieve greatness through routine?
    • ‘Meeting the Moment’ is a documentary narrated by the basketball legend Sue Bird that follows four athletes as they prepare for a major sports competition, revealing how physical training, mental fortitude and self-care rituals make up their winning formula.
  • Madison Rayne discussed her in-ring retirement on AEW Unrestricted.
  • Daria Rae (the former Sonya Deville) appeared on a new episode of TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast.

Braun Strowman undergoes surgery due to ‘out of control’ infection

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Adam Scherr (former WWE star Braun Strowman) remains hospitalized due to the infection he’s dealing with, but he should be getting out soon.

On Instagram today, Scherr posted a video thanking fans for the support they’ve given him as he battles an infection in his knee. He announced that he’s undergone surgery and is finally starting to feel the pain subside. Scherr has been in the hospital four days now but should only have to spend one more night there.

“All right, guys and girls, back again. Day four. So, just had surgery,” he said. “I had an infection in my bursa around my patella in my knee, and it got out of control. So they went in this morning. They removed the bursa from my knee, drained a bunch of fluid out of it, and then left the wound open to continue to drain. It’s going to be a couple of days still, taking it easy. I think I gotta stay in here one more night and then I get to go home. And then, yeah, recovery. Still got a ways to go to get over this hump all the way with the infection and stuff, but the pain is finally starting to subside some. It doesn’t feel like my kneecap is going to explode off anymore.

“So, again, thank you for the continued prayers, the well wishes. It means the world to me. You guys are getting me through this. I’ve been praying a lot to God and asking him to keep me calm and keep my guidance. And I had an awesome team for my surgeries and recovery and things like that. And we’re kicking, we’re kicking. Again, I thank you and love you all so much for the support. Thank you, that’s all I can say. I’ll keep you updated.”

Scherr was released from his WWE contract in May 2025 but still stars in the USA Network food series “Everything on the Menu,” which WWE is a producer of. The show has been picked up for season two after impressing in the ratings during its initial run. Since his release from WWE, Scherr has not wrestled anywhere.

AEW Champion MJF says tribalism among wrestlers ‘just doesn’t exist’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

According to MJF, the tribalism that exists between AEW and WWE fans on social media is not replicated in the actual locker rooms.

MJF told Rolling Stone Australia that bad blood between AEW and WWE talent “just doesn’t exist.” Some wrestlers might take pride in being with a certain company, but they don’t have any hatred toward the competition.

“As far as [wrestlers like] Adam Copeland, Jon Moxley, CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, these guys aren’t turning around and saying ‘F that other company.’ They’re not in real life. I’m sorry. They’re just looking for a place to hang their hat,” MJF said.

“And then you have certain guys who feel very passionate about the company they’re in, and they would never want to leave, you know? Everybody’s different. Everybody looks at professional wrestling different. Some people look at it as, I love professional wrestling, but I love money more, so I’m gonna go to this place. Some people care more about the creative side of things and feeling free as both an entertainer, an artist, and as a professional athlete. What I will say is there’s no bad blood between the boys in the companies. It just doesn’t exist.”

MJF has called tribalism “dumb” when talking about the subject in the past. In the Rolling Stone Australia interview, he credited the existence of AEW for helping make the wrestling industry a healthier place where people can make more money than they did before. He feels wrestling is more culturally relevant right now that it’s been at any point since the Attitude Era.

“Forget the fans, I don’t care about the fans. But the fact that the wrestlers now have places to hang their hat more now than ever is really cool,” MJF said. And the fact that when we started that, we became that alternative, we forced WWE or TNA or MLW to go, ‘Oh man, we have to pay our talent more money because there’s a new show in town,’ I think that’s incredible.”

MJF is the current AEW World Champion. His interview with Rolling Stone was to promote’s AEW’s upcoming trip to Australia, which will include stops in Sydney and Brisbane. Grand Slam Australia 2026 is taking place in Sydney on February 14 before Brisbane hosts a house show on February 15.

Logan Paul: ‘I’m a legitimate professional athlete now’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Nearly four years into his WWE career, Logan Paul views himself as a “legitimate professional athlete.”

Paul announced this month that he’s signed a new WWE contract that officially makes him a full-timer in pro wrestling. He’s set to compete in the men’s Royal Rumble match in Saudi Arabia this weekend, and Paul made an appearance on Thursday’s edition of The Pat McAfee Show to promote the event. Paul hyped that he’s “so locked in” at this point in his life now that he’s married, has a daughter, and is sober.

McAfee asked Paul if, back when he was just making content on YouTube, he ever envisioned himself becoming a full-time wrestler.

“Hell no, hell no. This is crazy. I’m a legitimate professional athlete now, which is just insane to say,” Paul responded. “But life is about the art of the pivot, you know? Doing what you’re good at, doing what you love, and finding that pocket and then just running it.”

While wrestling is his main focus at the moment, Paul said his WWE career has also opened up opportunities for him outside of the company.

“I’m training every day. I’m going back to back to back on meetings. I’m absolutely optimizing and maximizing my life,” Paul said. “Everywhere we go, I’m stacking in the opportunities. Because, look, being a WWE Superstar gives you the opportunity to amplify what you want to build — both inside and outside of the WWE. So when we go somewhere, when we travel, man, I’m doing business meetings. I’m training. I’m bonding with The Vision and Paul Heyman. I’m learning.”

All four members of The Vision (Paul, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and Austin Theory) have been confirmed as entrants for Saturday’s Rumble match. The PLE airs live on the ESPN app in the United States and Netflix everywhere else starting at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

TNA announces signing of Bear Bronson

Posted on by Joseph Currier

One month after debuting for the promotion, Bear Bronson is officially under contract with TNA Wrestling.

TNA announced today that Bronson has signed with the company. Since departing AEW in 2025, Bronson has reinvented himself as a singles competitor after previously being a tag team wrestler. He is now receiving a push in TNA as a new member of the faction The System.

“Truthfully, I’ve always known in my heart where I knew I needed to be, and that’s why it was a no-brainer when I got the opportunity to enter TNA Wrestling,” Bronson said in an interview with PWInsider. “It felt like a new home for me and the second they offered to sign me, I accepted. So today, I am delighted to confirm I am signed with TNA Wrestling.”

Bronson was trained at the Create-A-Pro Wrestling Academy in New York. While in AEW, he was known for being part of the team Bear Country with tag partner Bear Boulder. Their duo was dissolved last year when Boulder was fired from AEW following a domestic violence arrest. Bronson issued a statement strongly condemning Boulder following the arrest.

The announcement of Bronson’s signing comes after TNA also confirmed new deals for Elayna Black, Ash By Elegance, and Mr. Elegance (Andreas John Ziegler) this week.

Seth Rollins: When I come back, the WWE World Heavyweight title is mine

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On Thursday morning, Seth Rollins stopped by ESPN’s Get Up as the promotional push for WWE Royal Rumble 2026 continued.

Rollins will not be able to compete in the Rumble due to a shoulder injury. He still has his sights on championship gold, though, with Rollins saying he’ll be coming after the World Heavyweight title once he’s back in action. Rollins named current champ CM Punk as the person in WWE that he hates most.

“The current World Heavyweight Champion of WWE, the guy who’s holding onto my title, keep it warm, Punk,” Rollins said. “Because when I come back, it’s mine.”

Rollins was the World Heavyweight Champion prior to his injury but had to vacate the belt when he was forced out of action. He’s hoping that he’ll be cleared in time for WrestleMania 42 this April. Rollins will also likely have issues to settle with Bron Breakker and The Vision once he returns, with Rollins having been kicked out of the faction in an angle that WWE ran after his injury.

While hyping Saturday’s PLE, Rollins noted that he’s excited to see which young wrestlers elevate themselves through their Rumble performances.

“The Rumble’s exciting, dude. You got 30 guys, 30 girls, one winner, 29 people getting thrown over the top rope,” he said. “You punch your ticket to WrestleMania. This is it, this is make or break. It’s our time. This is like going to the Super Bowl for us. So anytime you get an opportunity to go in there and punch your ticket to the biggest stage. There’s surprises, there’s returns, there’s face-offs. It’s one of the best events in WWE, my favorite as a kid growing up. So I’m just excited to see which of these young guns, on the women’s side, on the men’s side, steps up, elevates their game, and maybe punches their ticket to the main event of WrestleMania.”

Saturday’s event is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and has a start time of 2 p.m. Eastern, airing live on the ESPN app in the United States and Netflix elsewhere.

AJ Styles files for two trademarks ahead of potential final WWE match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AJ Styles has made a couple of trademark filings that are sure to increase speculation about what his next move will be.

This weekend, Styles’ WWE in-ring career could come to an end at the Royal Rumble. He’s facing off against Gunther in a match where Styles will retire if he loses. Styles has filed for two trademarks ahead of the bout, applying for the term “The Phenomenal AJ Styles” on January 28 along with the “P1” logo he’s used during his career.

Allen Jones — which is Styles’ real name — is listed as the owner on both trademark applications. They note that Styles has used the “Phenomenal” nickname since at least 2001 and the P1 logo since at least 2012.

The trademark applications list that they are for goods and services related to performances by a professional wrestler, with the “P1” trademark also covering merchandise that Styles could potentially release:

  • Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer; Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Providing online interviews featuring professional wrestler and sports entertainer in the field of professional wrestling and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes
  • Shirts; Shirts and short-sleeved shirts; Sweatshirts; Hooded sweatshirts; Hats; Gloves for apparel; Slip-on shoes; Shorts

While these filings could indicate that Styles is preparing for the imminent end of his WWE career, it remains to be seen whether Saturday will actually be his last match. We know that Styles will be retiring at some point in 2026 –and Paul “Triple H” Levesque said this week that he’s been in regular communication with Styles about the opponents he wants to face before hanging up his boots. Styles has spoken about potentially remaining with WWE as a trainer after he’s done in the ring.

The Royal Rumble is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday with a start time of 2 p.m. Eastern for viewers in the United States.

Tommaso Ciampa cuts first AEW promo: ‘The Psycho Killer is alive’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Backstage after making his AEW debut, Tommaso Ciampa cut his first promo since signing with the promotion.

Ciampa arrived in AEW by confronting TNT Champion Mark Briscoe on Dynamite last night. He answered Briscoe’s open challenge for a title match that will happen on Collision this Saturday. Ciampa addressed the bout in a brief post-show promo, vowing to become the new TNT Champion.

“Tonight, Tommaso Ciampa became All Elite,” he said. “On Collision, I become the new TNT Champion. The Psycho Killer is alive.”

It didn’t take long for Ciampa to join the AEW roster after departing WWE. Around the start of 2026, it was revealed that Ciampa was opting to leave WWE when his contract with the promotion expired. His profile was move to the alumni page of WWE.com on Tuesday — with that being the same day Ciampa released new merchandise on his Pro Wrestling Tees store.

“Psycho Killer” is a nickname that Ciampa has used dating back to before he was in WWE. He filed trademarks for the terms “Psycho Killer” and “Psycho King” on January 21.

Ciampa — a former NXT Champion — was on the SmackDown roster prior to his WWE departure. He held the WWE Tag Team titles twice with DIY partner Johnny Gargano, who is still with the company.

Briscoe has been TNT Champion since November and is coming off a successful title defense against El Clon on Dynamite last night.

Jeff Hardy gives neck injury update, feeling ‘much better’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jeff Hardy is feeling a lot better as he continues to work through a neck injury.

Earlier this month, Hardy revealed that he’s been dealing with two bulging discs in his neck since The Hardys faced DarkState in a Broken Rules match at NXT Halloween Havoc 2025. The injury did not force Hardy out of action despite slowing him down. He gave an update on how he’s feeling while appearing on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet.

“It’s better,” Hardy said. “This past Monday and Tuesday, it felt really good. Then we flew out here and I fell asleep a little funky on the plane. And I remember like jerking my head up one time and it hurt. So it was hurting a little more than it did Monday and Tuesday, but overall, man, it’s feeling good. It’s definitely better. So this has been a little over three months now. I’ve been dealing with two bulging discs on the left side of my neck.

“This happened when we dropped the titles at the NXT Halloween Havoc show. It was one of those things, man. You couldn’t even tell. It looked completely fine. Like I landed flat, but I was on the big guy’s shoulders. The one guy jumped off the ladder, clotheslined me off. And the idea was for me to go through the table, but I kind of overshot the table and he just broke the table and my head just hit the mat. And it was a little whiplash like that. It felt terrible. I mean, it definitely felt like a concussion and I was close to being knocked out. But that’s when it happened, man. Two bulging discs on the left side of my neck, but I’m feeling much better.”

When asked about his current pain level between 1-10, Hardy put it at a five, calling the neck pain “not bad at all.”

The timing for the injury was bad with it happening leading into TNA Impact’s AMC premiere. Hardy was praying that he would be better by the time the debut episode happened. He was not 100 percent but was still able to compete in an eight-man tag match on the show. By the time he faced Mustafa Ali in a singles bout the next week, Hardy’s was already feeling a lot better.

Matt Hardy noted that, while Jeff has been injured, The Hardys having been doing everything they can to protect him in the ring.

“We’ve also just been very cognizant of it,” Matt said. “It’s been protect Jeff at all costs, you know what I mean? So we’ve done what we had to do to try and work smart and not make things worse in his issue — and so far so good.”

The Hardys are the current TNA Tag Team Champions. It was revealed in December that they had re-signed with TNA. Both Hardys told Van Vliet that they are not thinking about retirement and are going to keep going for as long as they can.

Triple H weighs in on ring work vs. mic skills debate

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Paul “Triple H” Levesque believes charisma is the most important element in making a successful professional wrestler.

Whether ring skills or mic skills are more important has been a frequently debated topic among fans — and Levesque weighed in during an appearance on ESPN’s Unsportsmanlike this week. He was asked whether he would rather have a wrestler who is an A+ in the ring and a C on the mic or a wrestler who is an A+ on the mic but a C in the ring.

“I’ll go on the mic,” Levesque responded. “The thing about our business, when people ask me what’s key in our business, the king is charisma. It always is, it always will be. It’s not a knock on anybody, but as you go through the years, you can make a list of the biggest stars, the people that transcended the business in the biggest way, the biggest stars. Sometimes they weren’t the most athletic. Sometimes they weren’t the best wrestlers. They weren’t the best technically skilled wrestlers, but they captivated people’s emotions. It’s what they did. John Cena captivated people’s emotions. Hulk Hogan captivated emotions. Hulk Hogan wasn’t the most athletic by far of his generation, but [he] was the biggest star by far of his generation because he had charisma. It is the biggest thing that you can have.

“I think that you see it in other sports as well. I think that sometimes charisma can carry people to unbelievable moments in their careers, and it makes them bigger stars all the way around. So that’s king in our business. Look, I’m not going to say that in-ring skill doesn’t matter. It absolutely matters, especially in today. You have to be able to deliver in that ring, but you’ve got to be able to get them to tune in first.”

Elsewhere in the Unsportsmanlike interview, Levesque was asked to name the one wrestling storyline that he did not write but wishes that he did. Levesque chose the Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon rivalry, saying he doesn’t know if he could have made that story even bigger than it was but would have liked to give it a shot.

Levesque appeared on both Unsportsmanlike and ESPN’s Get Up during his media tour to promote the Royal Rumble, which is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Saturday. Levesque hyped that there are a lot of surprises in store at the PLE.

Daily Update: Street Profits, Eddie Kingston & Ortiz, Chris Jericho

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • A look at Saturday Night’s Main Event, the interest level, the Royal Rumble and Rumble odds
    Big Bad Bobby Duncum, a look at the career of a worldwide headliner who worked on top with almost every major babyface of the 70s, including big WWF and AWA runs and Japanese major tournaments
  • CMLL has a big business week with Bandido, Ricochet, Komander, Gates of Agony and Lee Moriarty.
  • A look at some of the best matches so far this year and the craziness that ruined what could have been the best of all of them.
  • A look at prior plans for 2025 PPV shows that changed
  • A look at Netflix numbers over the past six months, as well as how every PPV in 2025 did and some surprises in that direction, as well as how SmackDown did internationally as well as NXT, and how shows that went head-to-head with AEW PPVs drew.
  • Notes on the TNA ratings for the first show on AMC and what they tell us.
  • TNA Genesis coverage
  • 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards ballot
  • More AEW stars to CMLL next week
  • AAA TV taping notes
  • Thoughts on the current AAA product and how it relates to Lucha Libre and WWE
  • Stardom makes claim against Marigold
  • Saya Kamitani returns early
  • Notes about a mainstream model who became one of the first big stars in Stardom and women’s MVP
  • Best tag team match of the year
  • New Japan next major show lineup
  • Eight promotions combine for a singles tournament
  • The potential best actual wrestler in the world signs with RAF
  • Feast or Fired thoughts
  • More on AEW’s future with the WBD sale to Netflix
  • Trey Miguel situation
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week
  • UFC returns to action with first big show of 2026
  • Top exec since the inception of  PFL leaves
  • More notes regarding a lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE
  • WWE headliner talks bowing out
  • WWE and AEW injury updates
  • Punk movie box office
  • Talent coming and going from promotions
  • TKO and WWE execs get millions this quarter

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • Eddie Kingston & Ortiz have been announced for Beyond Wrestling’s Ballroom Blitz show in Cranston, Rhode Island on February 27.
  • On his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross said he would like to see AEW sign Tommaso Ciampa:
    • I think that’s logical. I don’t know for sure where else. What are his other options? I mean, they’re there. He could get a deal in Japan. He could work their style well. But if I know AEW as I do, he’s somebody you wouldn’t pass on. You know, he’s a good worker and he’s got a lot of name recognition, name identity in the business.
    • I like his work. It seems to me, and like I said, I got nothing to base this on other than my gut instincts, that he will be on the AEW roster sooner than later. Because he can have great matches with anybody. I like his work. He’s solid. He doesn’t worry about breaking an egg. He’s a tough kid. So I hope that we get him. I really do.
  • Elle magazine posted a first look at the upcoming Apple TV series “Margot’s Got Money Troubles,” with one of the pictures showing Chris Jericho sharing a scene with Nicole Kidman.
  • Due to injury, Hechicero is unable to compete at a show for Bandido’s Entertainment in Mexico this Friday. The Beast Mortos is replacing him at the event.
  • While speaking with the Orlando Sentinel, Killer Kross discussed the freedom he has outside of WWE:
    • With the realities of television formatting, sometimes people are placed into positions with a very low ceiling to succeed. If you’re trapped in that position long enough … the casual fan may think certain performers don’t have anything more to give. That’s very soul-crushing. So I have to remind them that there’s still that guy in there. To be where I’m at right now, to have the freedom to perform the way they didn’t even know I could, is really important.
  • Cha Cha Charlie is the latest entrant confirmed for MLW Battle Riot VIII this Thursday.
  • Mike Santana spoke with radio station Q101 in Chicago.
  • The Metro interviewed Shotzi Blackheart.