Author: Josh Nason

Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.

LFI member injured during AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

LFI leader Rush was injured during his match during Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

Rush, Dralistico and The Beast Mortos were challenging AEW Trios Champions The Opps (Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs and Katsuyori Shibata) when Rush was getting back into the ring for the final sequence of the match.

However, he stumbled after his kneepad got caught on the bottom rope, hitting his elbow on the mat as he fell. According to our Bryan Alvarez, the former ROH World Champion dislocated his elbow when he did that.

He immediately was grabbing his left arm, holding it as he rolled outside. Shibata rolled outside with him and basically held onto him as opposed to a brawl. Alvarez said Rush popped the elbow back into place and he then took part in the post-match beatdown angle between Joe and AEW World Champion Hangman Page.

As of this point, Rush is scheduled to wrestle in Mexico Thursday in a match that also includes LA Park and his sons.

New WWE Evolve champion crowned

Posted on by Josh Nason

WWE Evolve now has a new Women’s Champion: Kendal Grey.

On Wednesday’s special Succession edition of Evolve on Tubi, Grey defeated inaugural champion Kali Armstrong, ending her 151-day run. The end came when Grey hit a powerslam counter while Armstrong was running the ropes, giving her the victory (seen below).

It’s Grey’s first WWE title reign of any kind.

The match was taped on September 23rd with both women having wrestled several times since then including the 24-year-old Grey unsuccessfully challenging for both the WWE Women’s Speed title and the NXT Women’s North American title on NXT house shows.

The 31-year-old Armstrong first won the gold in late-April in a four-way that also included Grey. She successfully defended the title four times before her loss to Grey.

Grey made her pro debut under the WWE banner in March 2024 and has appeared on the main NXT TV show in addition to TNA Impact and the defunct NXT Level Up.

Update on Taz’s shoulder replacement surgery

Posted on by Josh Nason

An update on Taz’s total shoulder replacement surgery was given on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

During the broadcast, lead commentator Excalibur stated that the man known as the “Human Suplex Machine” had indeed undergone “successful” shoulder surgery earlier on Wednesday.

On October 8, the former ECW and WWE star revealed on social media that he was going under the knife soon and would taking time off away from commentary. No timetable for his return was given.

Taz was told in May 2024 that he needed both knees and shoulders replaced, but he said he would be trying ā€œregenerative proceduresā€ rather than surgery. He eventually had one knee replaced in October 2024, keeping him off AEW TV and PPVs until late-December. The pressure on his new knee kept him away from long travel like August’s Forbidden Door and lead-in Dynamite in London, England.

He attributed the injuries to working out too hard in the gym and not from the damage he took in the ring.

AEW & ROH wrestler reveals possible knee injury

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

AEW & Ring of Honor wrestler Queen Aminata is dealing with a possible knee injury, revealed on her latest vlog.

During the part of the vlog shot last Wednesday in Jacksonville, Florida, when Collision was being taped, Aminata said that she was rolling around in the ring and “I hurt my knee a little,” visibly limping as she was filming. She mentioned going to do a pre-tape segment, but nothing made air.

After the show when she was heading to the airport at 4 AM Eastern, she said, “Iā€™m so tired. My knee is so friggin’ sore.ā€ After she got home, she again said she was tired and then “my knee is super sore and swollen.”

No footage was shown of how she suffered the injury or any other details. She was not seen wearing a brace during the video.

The 29-year-old hasn’t wrestled since the Tailgate Brawl show prior to AEW All Out on September 20. As of this writing, she has yet to be announced for her next match.

WWE teases announcement of new WWE ID prospects

Posted on by Josh Nason

Amid a stretch in which at least one notable wrestler departed, WWE teased an impending announcement of new talents joining the WWE ID program.

In a video shared to their social media channels (seen below), WWE hyped up how those signed to the program have made their presence felt weekly on their Wednesday Evolve show on Tubi. They closed the video by stating that more prospects will be appearing on Evolve “soon.”

Last week, inaugural women’s WWE ID Champion Kylie Rae, pregnant with her second child, revealed that her contract was not being renewed. That came on the same day Zayda Steel announced she was voluntarily leaving. In August, Aaron Roberts, Ice Williams and Jordan Oasis were also released.

While the women’s title is vacant, Cappuccino Jones is the inaugural and reigning men’s WWE ID Champion and has defended it twice since winning it in August.

Launched in 2024, the WWE ID program was created to provide indie talent with financial support and other development opportunities while creating a potential pathway to a full developmental contract.

JNPO: ‘Tulsa King’ star Mike ‘Cash Flo’ Walden on advice from Sylvester Stallone, wrestling future

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Paramount/Sarah Coulter

On a brand-new Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, Josh talks with longtime OVW wrestler and the man who plays “Bigfoot” on the breakout Paramount Plus hit Tulsa King: Mike “Cash Flo” Walden.

Josh and Mike discuss getting acting tips from show star & executive producer Sylvester Stallone, how he got the role of Bigfoot to begin with, the similarities of learning to act and learning to wrestle, and whether his in-ring career is done after nearly three decades in the ring, and plenty more.

Here’s the image talked about during the interview.

You can listen for free below, on Spotify, or Apple Podcasts (just search Wrestling Observer).

Click here to listen

Location confirmed for WWE Elimination Chamber 2026

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the first time since 2021, WWE Elimination Chamber will be returning to the United States and in a new city in 2026.

First reported last Friday in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and confirmed by Wrestlenomics Tuesday, the annual event will head to Chicago on Saturday, February 28. Neither our Dave Meltzer or Wrestlenomics could confirm the venue, but the Allstate Arena has been a constant for past WWE events in the city.

From Meltzer:

“The Rumble date is pretty locked in. It wouldnā€™t shock me to see the Chamber date changed a week in either direction if they want to compete with AEW.”

The last time Elimination Chamber took place in the U.S. was in February 2021, when it took place at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, during the pandemic. Since then, it headed to Saudi Arabia (2022); Montreal, Canada (2023); and Perth, Australia (2024).

It’s the third official WWE premium live event on tap for 2026.

Current WWE PLE Schedule 2026:

  • WWE Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, January 31
  • WWE Elimination Chamber in Chicago on Saturday, February 28
  • WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 18 & Sunday, April 19

WWE Raw Crown Jewel go-home episode viewership revealed

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

Viewership for the October 6 episode of WWE Raw on Netflix was not tied with the lowest of all time, but wasn’t that much higher either.

In new data released by the streaming giant Tuesday, the October 6 show generated 2.4 million global views and 4.8 million global hours viewed.

The global views are up 100,000 from the past two weeks’ record low of 2.3 million while the global hours viewed were the show’s highest since the September 15 episode’s 5.3 million.

The show was the go-home before this past weekend’s Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia, and featured Roman Reigns opening the broadcast, Becky Lynch in non-title action, and appearances by CM Punk, LA Knight, and Jey Uso.

It also faced primetime sports competition domestically from both the NFL (over 22 million viewers for their Monday Night Football game) and the Major League Baseball playoffs (Los Angeles vs. Philadelphia).

The show began at its normal time of 8 PM Eastern following several weeks of 7 PM kickoffs.

Dave Meltzer has his thoughts for subscribers here.

Raw Viewership Details:

  • The episode ranked ninth globally and sixth in the United States. It was also in the top ten for Canada, Bolivia, and Trindad and Tobago.
  • The listed 1:57 run time was up four minutes from the prior week.
  • The average for the last ten weeks decreased to 2.58 million global views and 5.12 million global hours viewed.

Last 10 weeks of WWE Raw on Netflix ratings/viewership:

Episode dateGlobal ViewsGlobal Hours
October 3, 20242.4 million4.8 million
September 29, 20252.3 million4.5 million
September 22, 20252.3 million4.5 million
September 15, 20252.6 million5.3 million
September 8, 20252.6 million5.1 million
September 1, 20252.4 million5.2 million
August 25, 20252.6 million5.0 million
August 18, 20252.8 million5.4 million
August 11, 20252.8 million5.3 million
August 4, 20253.0 million6.1 million
Average for last 10 weeks:2.58 million5.12 million

Report: WWE had ‘significant say’ in TNA Bound for Glory match finish

Posted on by Josh Nason

On a Sunday night that saw several finishes and occurrences that had fans complaining both in the arena and online, news has emerged about WWE’s involvement in one of those finishes from TNA Bound for Glory.

SI’s Jon Alba reported on Monday that in regard to the finish between TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater and NXT’s Je’Von Evans, WWE “had a significant say in the booking direction for the match.”

The match ended in a 20-minute draw followed by what was supposed to be a five-minute overtime. However, that extra time was broken up by NXT faction Darkstate which didn’t sit well with those in attendance and on social media.

Alba noted that according to TNA head Carlos Silva, creative is a shared process for wrestlers which they share like Joe Hendry. sources have indicated WWE especially has “a lot of pull” when its talents are utilized on TNA programming.

However, Alba wrote, “It is worth noting, though, that sources have indicated WWE especially has “a lot of pull” when its talents are utilized on TNA programming.”

Alba wrote that even before the finish, it was expected the two were going to have a rematch, possibly at NXT Halloween Havoc.

Mike Santana wins World title at TNA Bound for Glory

Posted on by Josh Nason

Mike Santana can now call himself a singles champion in a major promotion after defeating Trick Williams for the TNA World title in the main event of Sunday’s TNA Bound for Glory from Lowell, Massachussetts.

Santana picked up the win after Williams charged in for a Trick Shot, but Santana ducked. Santana blocked another uranage, hit a flying lariat, and then hit his discus lariat to get the pin and win.

As TNA head Carlos Silva was going to present Santana with his title, Nic Nemeth teased cashing in his Call Your Shot gauntlet title shot. The lights went out and Elias returned from injury to take out Nemeth. Co-winner Frankie Kazarian then was also going to try and cash in, but he wasn’t able to since he didnā€™t have the trophy. Santana took him out with a lariat, was presented with his title, and then handed the belt to his daughter in the ring.

Prior to the match, Santana found AAA’s Konnan in the crowd and brought him down to the ring for his entrance.

Santana previously failed to win the title in a three-way with Williams and Joe Hendry at July’s Slammiversary which surprised some fans since it was held on Long Island, New York. He kept picking up wins and was later announced as challenging Williams one-on-one.

The loss ends the 140-day reign of NXT’s Williams who defeated Hendry for the gold at this past May’s NXT Battleground. He had six successful defenses going into Sunday.

TNA Bound for Glory quick results:

  • The IInspiration defeated The Elegance Brand to retain the Knockouts Tag Team titles
  • Kelani Jordan defeated Indi Hartwell to retain the TNA Knockouts title
  • Tessa Blanchard defeated Gia Miller
  • Nic Nemeth and Frankie Kazarian were co-winners of the Call Your Shot gauntlet
  • The System defeated Order 4 in a Hardcore War match
  • X-Division Champion Leon Slater and Jeā€™Von Evans went to a no contest
  • TNA & NXT Tag Team Champions The Hardys defeated Team 3D in a tables match to retain
  • Mike Santana defeated Trick Williams for the TNA World title

TNA Bound for Glory notes: Hall of Fame, Xia Brookside, Chris Bey, record attendance

Posted on by Josh Nason

Here’s a few news items from TNA’s Bound for Glory on Sunday:

Chris Bey made a special appearance to announce an attendance of 7,794 which TNA said is their North American record.

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As is tradition, TNA held its annual Hall of Fame ceremony prior to Bound for Glory which featured several familiar faces appear on camera.

For Mickie James’ induction, husband and current WWE SmackDown GM Nick Aldis appeared on camera as did current NXT star Jordynne Grace whom James notably feuded with near the end of her TNA run. Former WWE & TNA wrestler Victoria/Tara also appeared to give James the original Knockouts title belt. For the Beautiful People’s induction, Awesome Kong made a video appearance.

Former TNA star and fellow Hall of Famer Traci Brooks was the host for the ceremony.

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It was announced during the broadcast that Xia Brookside had to miss the Call Your Shot gauntlet match due to an illness. No other details were given. Her tag team partner Lei Ying Lee did compete in the match.

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In a bit of a surprise, NXT’s Kelani Jordan retained the TNA Knockouts title by defeating Indi Hartwell. Jordan won the title at September’s Victory Road by defeating the aforementioned Lee for the title vacated by Ash by Elegance. As noted on commentary, Hartwell’s family was in attendance after a four-flight journey to be there.

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Spike Dudley walked out with Team 3D for their final match with The Hardys for the NXT & TNA Tag Team titles.

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There will be an “After The Glory” special following this Thursday’s TNA Impact which is a show already taped.

TNA announces first pay-per-view of 2026

Posted on by Josh Nason

TNA Wrestling will kick off a new year once again with a Genesis pay-per-view.

During Sunday’sĀ Bound for Glory, the promotion announced the 2026 edition of Genesis will emanate from “Dallas” this January, but didn’t reveal the actual date, location or ticket information.

Based on last year’s Genesis, the event could once again emanate from the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland.

The first Genesis took place in November 2005 and was held in the same month for two more years before transitioning to January in 2009. Next year’s edition will be their 11th after they revived the name this year after a four-year absence. The Hard to Kill name that had been associated with their January PPVs appears to be staying in IP mothballs for some time to come.

Remaining 2025 TNA pay-per-views/streaming events:

  • Turning Point streaming special on Friday, November 13 from Orlando, Florida’s Full Sail University
  • Final Resolution streaming special on Friday, December 5 from El Paso, Texas’ Coliseum

End of X-Division title match at TNA Bound for Glory draws ire of fans

Posted on by Josh Nason

For 20 minutes, TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater and young NXT star Je’Von Evans put on a show at TNA Bound for Glory that ended in a draw, bringing out Director of Authority Santino Marella to add another five minutes.

Then, things fell apart when NXT’s Darkstate came out to attack both men, drawing boos from the North American record crowd as well as those online. After Evans hit a Spanish Fly in overtime and went for the cover the lights went out and the heel faction attacked both men, drawing “f**k these guys” chants.

The match was then declared a no contest.

The angle is assumed to be leading to a match with Evans and Slater joining forces against the faction, but that wasn’t what fans wanted to see unfold on Sunday.

With the decision, Slater retains the title he first won at July’s Slammiversary.

TNA Bound for Glory ongoing quick results:

  • The IInspiration defeated The Elegance Brand to retain the Knockouts Tag Team titles
  • Kelani Jordan defeated Indi Hartwell to retain the TNA Knockouts title
  • Tessa Blanchard defeated Gia Miller
  • Nic Nemeth and Frankie Kazarian were co-winners of the Call Your Shot gauntlet
  • The System defeated Order 4 in a Hardcore War match
  • X-Division Champion Leon Slater and Je’Von Evans went to a no contest

Steve Maclin wins International title at TNA Bound for Glory

Posted on by Josh Nason

Steve Maclin is now a two-time TNA International Champion after regaining the title at Sunday’s TNA Bound for Glory.

Maclin defeated Frankie Kazarian in the pay-per-view opener, hitting the KIA after a shoulderblock in the corner for the pinfall. He and his mother celebrated afterward, both flipping off the camera.

Maclin is also a former TNA World Champion, having held the title for 54 days in 2023.

The 38-year-old Maclin was the inaugural champion, winning the title in April’s Unbreakable in a three-way. In his tenth defense of the gold at September’s Victory Road, Kazarian ended his run but never defended the title before Sunday.

Kazarian’s night was not done, however. He entered the Call Your Shot gauntlet match and was the co-winner along with Nic Nemeth after a double pin which the live crowd didn’t like.

TNA Bound for Glory ongoing results:

  • The IInspiration defeated The Elegance Brand to retain the Knockouts Tag Team titles
  • Kelani Jordan defeated Indi Hartwell to retain the TNA Knockouts title
  • Tessa Blanchard defeated Gia Miller
  • Nic Nemeth and Frankie Kazarian were co-winners of the Call Your Shot gauntlet