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.

TNA Impact TV taping spoilers: Former World Champion returns, NXT star appears

Posted on by Josh Nason

The following are spoilers from Friday’s TNA Impact TV taping in Minneapolis, Minnesota — the second of two straight nights of action following Thursday’s live Impact.

From ProWrestling.net’s Chris Vetter’s report, these are for both the September 18 and September 25 editions of Impact which are leading into Victory Road. Matches for this Thursday’s show were taped after the live broadcast.

Explosion:

  • Myla Grace defeated Ruthie Jay
  • Harley Hudson defeated Lili Ruiz

Impact for 9/18 and 9/25:

  • The Hardys vs. Bully Ray & D-Von segment reported on earlier today opened things up with the two teams agreeing to a tables match at October’s Bound for Glory.
  • Mustafa Ali defeated Brian Myers which set up the announcement of a Hardcore War match for BFG between Order 4 and The System.
  • Twin Cities native and former TNA star ODB was shown in attendance as her food truck was outside. This may have just been for the live crowd.
  • Judas Icarus defeated Eric Young
  • Victoria Crawford did a segment calling out Gia Miller (who was on commentary). Jody Threat backed up Miller, so Jackson left.
  • The Elegance Brand (Ash by Elegance, M by Elegance & Heather by Elegance) defeated Masha Slamovich and The IInspiration (Cassie Lee & Jessie McKay)
  • Frankie Kazarian came out for a promo segment and introduced Mr. Kennedy/Ken Anderson who lives in the area and is a former TNA World Champion who was making his first TNA appearance since January 2016. Kazarian started mocking Steve Maclin’s military service which didn’t sit well with Anderson who is in the National Guard. Jake Something attacked Anderson which brought out Maclin for the save. Kazarian vs. Maclin is set for BFG as well.
  • Indi Hartwell defeated Dani Luna by DQ
  • Mike Santana defeated AJZ. Santana called out TNA World Champion Trick Williams, but NXT’s Ridge Holland attacked him instead.
  • TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys defeated The Nemeth Brothers to retain
  • Victoria Crawford defeated Jody Threat
  • Leon Slater & Cedric Alexander defeated The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz)
  • Mance Warner won a 10-person intergender battle royal
  • There was an Ash by Elegance segment interrupted by Masha Slamovich who will challenge her at BFG. Indi Hartwell came out and revealed she’ll be the special referee.
  • Ken Anderson & Steve Maclin defeated Jake Something & Frankie Kazarian

Stipulation added to key match at TNA Bound for Glory

Posted on by Josh Nason

Note: The following is a spoiler for this Thursday’s TNA Impact.

For their final ever battle at October’s TNA Bound for Glory, The Hardys and Team 3D have raised the stakes.

First reported by ProWrestling.net’s Jason Powell via Wade Keller of PWTorch, the encounter between Matt & Jeff Hardy and Bully Ray & D-Von will not only be for the TNA World Tag Team titles but also a tables match.

The development occurred during Friday’s TV taping in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an in-ring segment billed as their “final negotiation.” Unlike when the match was first made at Slammiversary, D-Von was in attendance alongside Bully Ray.

It will be the first time the two teams have met since a House of Glory four-way in December 2016. Before that, the two teams feuded with The Wolves over the TNA tag titles in the fall of 2014. Their last straight-up tag match against each other took place in June of that same year. Their famed rivalry goes back to the fall of 1999 in WWE.

We are still looking for full results from the entire taping. Please send them to [email protected] if you were in attendance.

Current TNA Bound for Glory lineup | Sunday, October 12 | Lowell, MA

  • TNA World Champion Trick Williams defends against Mike Santana
  • TNA Knockouts World Champion (Ash by Elegance or Masha Slamovich) defends against Indi Hartwell
  • TNA Tag Team Champions Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy defend against Bully Ray and Devon in a tables match

TNA Wrestling adding six new dates, returning to familiar city

Posted on by Josh Nason

TNA Wrestling is preparing for their end-of-year run, adding six new dates to their calendar for November and December that could portend announcements for both Turning Point and Final Resolution.

Revealed on their events page, the company will head to their familiar stomping grounds of Orlando, Florida, from Thursday, November 13 through Saturday, November 15 which is assumed to be a live edition of Impact, perhaps their November Turning Point streaming special, and a TV taping.

TNA then heads to El Paso, Texas, for Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7 which could be their December Final Resolution streaming special followed by two nights of TV tapings to finish out the year and perhaps into 2026 ahead of the yet-to-be announced Genesis pay-per-view.

In both cases, ticket information and the venues have yet to be revealed.

The company typically runs “best of” shows to close out the calendar which seems likely to happen again given that both Christmas and New Year’s Day are on Thursday this year.

WWE star teases retirement in new social media post

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

After saying six months ago that he’s not afraid of retirement, WWE star AJ Styles is more than strongly hinting that the end is near.

On Instagram, Styles posted a graphic (seen below) of an hourglass with his logo in it, slowly running out.

Styles has been in a feud with current WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio, but was unable to defeat the champion in matches at SummerSlam and this past Monday’s Raw in Paris, France.

In a March interview with Chris Van Vliet, the 48-year-old said he plans to retire before he turns 50 and he has an idea for a storyline to build to a retirement match. He debuted at the 2016 Royal Rumble in Orlando, Florida.

That debut might be relevant as shortly after the graphic was released, Fightful Select reported that according to sources, Styles’ current deal is up or around February 2026.

Styles has wrestled since the late 1990s with notable runs in both TNA, NJPW and Ring of Honor in addition to WWE where he has been since 2016. He has held the WWE title twice, the Intercontinental Championship once, the Raw Tag Team titles once, and the U.S. title three times. He’s also a former two-time TNA World Champion, six-time X-Division Champion, two-time TNA Tag Team Champion, and two-time King of the Mountain Champion.

As if that wasn’t enough, he’s a former ROH Pure and Tag Team Champion, former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, three-time former NWA World Champion and four-time Tag Team Champion, former PWG Champion, and a past titleholder for more than a dozen indie promotions.

Big spoiler reported for tonight’s WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Josh Nason

The following contains spoilers for tonight’s WWE SmackDown from Chicago.

The rumors of former WWE women’s star AJ Lee returning to join husband CM Punk against Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch appear to be more than just rumors based on new intel from PWInsider.

The outlet reported Friday that Lynch is set to close tonight’s SmackDown. That comes after Punk’s name was removed from the official preview for the show earlier in the day.

Punk and Lee famously reside in the Windy City with Punk throwing out the first pitch at Wrigley Field Friday for his beloved Cubs.

Lynch helped cost Punk his shot at regaining the WWE World Heavyweight title at Clash in Paris, aligning with Rollins in The Vision. She then confronted and slapped Punk repeatedly on this past Monday’s Raw — the same show where Lee’s return was teased. During the aforementioned match, Rollins made a point to yell “I hate your family!” to Punk.

It’s expected that Punk and Lee will face Rollins and Lynch at this month’s Wrestlepalooza PLE that kicks off the ESPN era for WWE.

Lee hasn’t wrestled since March 2015 and had retired that same year. In a September 2021 interview, Punk said his wife would not return to the ring.

It is shaping up to be a big edition of the show with John Cena schedule, a rumored appearance by Brock Lesnar, and the potential for Lee’s return. Triple H himself tweeted earlier in the day that the Allstate Arena “is magic…let’s make some more tonight.”

Our live coverage kicks off at 8 PM Eastern.

Update on Will Ospreay’s impending neck surgery

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

There is now an update on the impending neck surgery for AEW star Will Ospreay that is expected to keep him out of action for a lengthy period for time.

In this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that the surgery to repair two herniated discs will happen “in a few weeks.”

Following July’s All In, Ospreay revealed the diagnosis on AEW Dynamite and that he was going to do his best to make it to August’s Forbidden Door. He did just that, part of a lights out steel cage match that closed the show in London, England. Ospreay was attacked by the Death Riders afterward and taken out on a stretcher to write him off.

In the run-up to Forbidden Door, Ospreay said he had been dealing with issues for ten months and had previously mentioned loss of feeling in one of his arms. He said that doctors told him the injury couldn’t get any worse going into the Forbidden Door match and everyone was comfortable with him being in there.

A timetable for his return is unknown.

Bryan Danielson reveals if there’s anything left on his wrestling bucket list

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

As his media tour of Australia kicks off for AEW, former AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson was asked if there’s anything left on his wrestling bucket list.

His answer was simple: “Nope, not a single thing.”

In the interview seen below, Danielson said he’s been fortunate to have so many incredible moments and that when he was “forced” to retire while in WWE, he wasn’t ready to be done and also didn’t have kids like and wife Brie (Bella) Garcia do now.

“With the last six months of my wrestling career being in as much pain as I was, that put me in this thing of ‘I think I’m ready to be done,'” he said. “I’m very fulfilled by my career, very fulfilled by my life right now, and I still get to stay involved with professional wrestling which is something I love to this day.”

Danielson’s full-time career and lone AEW title reign ended at AEW WrestleDream in October 2024 at the hands of Jon Moxley. While Danielson has recently got physical on AEW and ROH shows (namely All In: Texas), there has been no indication he is returning to the ring as he continues to work backstage and on commentary for AEW.

He said he was asked in another interview if he had any interest in acting to which he replied that his only forms of entertainment are reading and watching wrestling. He said on the plane to Australia, he was watching older wrestling in order to give ideas to younger talent on things that have been lost.

Danielson excitedly spoke about the volume of good wrestling there is to watch out there for younger talent and “I nerd out” on wrestling and watching old matches that he didn’t have access to growing up.

Danielson will continue to promote Grand Slam Australia and House Rules Brisbane in the days ahead.

Kenny Omega responds to report about planned time off from AEW

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

AEW star Kenny Omega took to X Thursday night to respond to a Thursday report about taking time off that will include this month’s AEW All Out.

Fightful Select had reported that Omega being taken out on a stretcher at the conclusion of Wednesday’s Dynamite (seen above) was writing him off TV for a while due to a planned break, one that includes a trip to Japan.

Omega took umbrage with the report, responding with the following while also not denying he is going to be out of action:

“Time off? Specialized hospital visits and work that had been planned for a year, but sure, let’s bait the trolls. I’m just trying to improve what I can and represent the company in a positive way while not performing. Don’t be misleading with headlines, please and thank you.”

Part of that planned work would appear to be at the Tokyo Game Show as Fightful report. It’s unknown when the former AEW World Champion might return.

Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather agree to future fight

Posted on by Josh Nason

Yes, you read the above headline correctly: Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather have agreed to a boxing match.

However, details are still a bit light. The exhibition fight is set to occur in the spring of 2026 but the location has yet to be determined. How people can watch is also unclear.

CSI Sports, “a multimedia company that acquires, produces, distributes, and broadcasts fight related content weekly in the U.S. and international markets,” is promoting the event. The company has previously acquired the rights to HBO boxing events in addition to the Tuesday Night Fights series that used to air on USA Network that now air on their Fight Sports network in addition to other combat sports, American Ninja Warrior and other content.

The 59-year-old Tyson famously fought and lost to Jake Paul last November on Netflix — his first bout in nearly 20 years. The 48-year-old Mayweather last fought professionally in 2017, defeating UFC star Conor McGregor. However, he fought nearly his entire undefeated career at welterweight (140-147 pounds) which is a far cry from Tyson’s heavyweight range.

Since then, Mayweather has fought in exhibitions against current WWE star Logan Paul, kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, former sparring partners, and YouTubers.

Former ESPN executive John Skipper, former HBO PPV executive Mark Taffet, and former Showtime PR head Chris DeBlasio all have joined the CSI Sports group with the promise of an impending “multi-event global media streaming and broadcast partnership that will launch with this event.”

Main eventer reportedly in Chicago for WWE SmackDown appearance

Posted on by Josh Nason

The official announcement of John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar for this month’s WWE Wrestlepalooza could come as soon as this Friday’s SmackDown as Lesnar is reportedly set to be in Chicago.

First reported by Fightful Select, Lesnar was said to be scheduled for travel to the Windy City this week, possibly as early as Thursday. He was already scheduled for both the September 12 and 19 episodes of SmackDown.

It was reported earlier in the day that Friday is expected to be Cena’s final appearance on SmackDown as the final year of his career winds down.

The match is on tap for the September 20 premium live event from Indianapolis, Indiana but has yet to be formally announced. The show will mark the kickoff of the new multi-year domestic PLE deal between WWE and ESPN.

On the August 22 SmackDown, GM Nick Aldis told Cena he had heard from Lesnar, but before relaying what the message was, Cena was knocked out by Clash in Paris opponent Logan Paul.

Lesnar made his surprise return at August’s SummerSlam, taking out Cena at the end of the PLE after he had already lost the WWE title to Cody Rhodes. It was Lesnar’s first appearance in two years as he was put on the shelf after being named in the Janel Grant vs. Vince McMahon & WWE lawsuit that began in January 2024.

The Cena/Lesnar match will be their first time sharing the ring since a three-way with Seth Rollins at the 2015 Royal Rumble. Their last singles match took place in October 2014 at Night of Champions.

Top star reportedly not planned for AEW All Out

Posted on by Josh Nason

Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite angle that saw former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega taken out on a stretcher following an attack from Kyle Fletcher was done to write him off for quite some time which includes this month’s All Out.

Fightful Select reported that news Thursday, adding that has been the plan “for quite a while” with the main reason being planned time off that includes a trip to Japan for the Tokyo Game Show. The outlet noted the break is not injury-related as any pain Omega experiences now is to be expected.

If accurate, it would mark the second straight All Out Omega will have missed after being out nearly the entirety of 2024 recovering from various injuries and surgeries including for diverticulitis.

Omega returned to action in January against Gabe Kidd at NJPW Wrestle Dynasty and has competed 12 times this year overall. Since May, he has wrestled just once a month, primarily in tag team matches or multi-man bouts.

Current AEW All Out card | Toronto, Canada | Saturday, September 20

  • Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Riho
  • The Hurt Syndicate (Shelton Benjamin, MVP & Bobby Lashley) vs. Ricochet and the Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)

John Cena’s next WWE SmackDown appearance might have added significance

Posted on by Josh Nason

John Cena’s final appearance in Chicago as an active wrestler is scheduled for Friday’s WWE SmackDown and a new report out Thursday implies it will have added significance for the soon-to-be retired star.

Wrestlevotes reported that Cena’s appearance at the Allstate Arena is thought by some within WWE to be his final appearance on the blue brand. If true, it would hold significance as Cena’s first SmackDown appearance and final one would come at the same arena.

That first appearance was a famous one: a challenge of Kurt Angle on June 25, 2002. Angle won in less than six minutes, but the appearance remains one that is referred frequently to when talking about Cena’s past.

The 48-year-old has wrestled 28 times at the venue with the last coming against Elias on the Christmas night edition of Raw in 2017.

Cena has eight dates remaining on his schedule through the end of the calendar year, two of which have yet to be announced:

  • Friday, September 5: WWE SmackDown (Chicago, IL)
  • Monday, September 15: WWE Raw (Springfield, Massachusetts)
  • Saturday, September 20: WWE Wrestlepalooza (Indianapolis, Indiana)
  • Saturday, October 11: WWE Crown Jewel: Perth (Perth, Australia)
  • Saturday, November 29: WWE Survivor Series (San Diego, CA)
  • Saturday, December 13:  WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event (retirement match/final appearance)
  • TBD
  • TBD

VIDEO: Taz’s Hardcore Hall of Fame banner, backstage tribute by AEW’s Tony Khan

Posted on by Josh Nason

Per Taz’s request, his Hardcore Hall of Fame induction, banner and tribute at the 2300 Arena that took place Wednesday did not air on the live AEW Dynamite broadcast.

In an eight-minute live video by Tony Khan seen below, he and Taz talked about the situation and that Taz preferred to not have any ceremony take up time on Dynamite so the focus could be on the current talent instead. Khan said he wanted to put the whole thing on TV, but wanted to honor Taz’s wishes. The two also ran down the card at length and joked about the TV show Seinfeld.

The banner (seen below) inside the former ECW Arena was shown on TV during the broadcast and acknowledged by Taz who said he was appreciative of the gesture and that it was “humbling.” He appreciated Khan and the fans, especially those in Philadelphia.

The ceremony that took place before Dynamite has yet to make it to social media or YouTube as of this writing.

Taz was originally surprised by the honor following last week’s kickoff to AEW’s multi-week residency at the 2300 Arena. Khan said on Friday that Taz asked to have the ceremony pushed to this week so more family could be in attendance.

Title match part of new additions to AEW All Out lineup

Posted on by Josh Nason

Two new matches were added to this month’s AEW All Out from Toronto, Canada, that will see the former AEW World Tag Team Champions in action in addition to the TBS Champion.

Announced near the end of Wednesday’s Dynamite, it was revealed that TBS Champion Mercedes Mone will defend her title against former AEW Women’s World Champion Riho.

That follows Riho’s surprise return earlier in the evening after more than a year out of action. She came out as Mone had Alex Windsor in the Statement Maker after their match had wrapped, breaking it up and then dropkicking the champion out of the ring.

It will be their first-ever encounter.

**********

After a challenge was issued earlier in the show by Ricochet and the Gates of Agony, The Hurt Syndicate of Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin and MVP later accepted.

Ricochet, Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun contributed to The Hurt Syndicate’s Tag Team title loss at last month’s All In, attacking the champions and fighting to the back. They never came back out, leaving Brodido to defeat FTR to win the titles in a three-way title match.

Last Wednesday, the former champions got revenge, costing Ricochet and the Gates of Agony in their attempt to win the AEW World Trios titles against The Opps.

The show will now start at 3 PM Eastern.

Updated AEW All Out card | Toronto, Canada | Saturday, September 20

  • Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Riho
  • The Hurt Syndicate (Shelton Benjamin, MVP & Bobby Lashley) vs. Ricochet and the Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)

Former AEW Women’s World Champion back on Dynamite after lengthy absence

Posted on by Josh Nason

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Riho made her surprise return on Wednesday’s Dynamite with a new championship in her sights.

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and Alex Windsor continued to fight after the bell in the show opener. Mone had Windsor in the Mone Maker when Riho’s music hit and she hit a stomp off the top to Mone. She then hit a dropkick to a seated Mone to send her out of the ring and then focused her attention on Mone’s title.

It was later announced she will challenge Mone for the title at this month’s All Out pay-per-view from Toronto. It will be their first ever match against each other.

It was Riho’s first appearance on AEW TV since a July 2024 match against Lady Frost on Collision. It was in that match where she fractured her arm, putting her out of action. She hasn’t wrestled anywhere since then.

It’s not the first time Riho has missed time due to injury as she suffered a broken collarbone in 2022. She also missed several months in 2024 due to visa issues.