Tiffany Stratton is rejecting speculation online about a situation between herself and a former WWE wrestler.
During a livestream, Stratton was denying online rumors about various subjects when she brought up one about a former WWE wrestler who was supposedly fired for flirting with her. Stratton took time to deny any such thing happened and wished the best for the wrestler in question.
“You guys. That may be the craziest one I’ve ever heard. That did not happen, that is not true,” she said. “There is no truth to that. I hope he’s doing amazing, I heard he just signed with TNA, and I think he’s gonna kill it. So absolutely no truth to that. That’s a [completely] false accusation.”
Who is the wrestler in question?
Although Stratton did not mention this person by name, former WWE wrestler Giovanni Vinci made his Impact debut on Thursday’s live show, staring down new X Division Champion Cedric Alexander.
Vinci is best known for his run as a member of Imperium alongside Ludwig Kaiser and Gunther. Although not originally called up to WWE’s main roster, he eventually joined his stablemates in 2022. The three remained a unit until 2024, when he was kicked out of Imperium following an assault by Kaiser. He made his debut as a singles wrestler on SmackDown later that year, but was defeated twice by Apollo Crews before being released in February 2025.
Former WWE wrestler Giovanni Vinci has now officially made his TNA debut.
The Thursday, May 14 episode of TNA Impact saw the debut of the former WWE wrestler Giovanni Vinci, aka Fabian Aichner.
In the closing moments of the episode, after Cedric Alexander defeated Leon Slater and won the X-Division Championship, he was greeted with Vinci’s arrival.
While Alexander was busy celebrating his new championship and ending Slater’s reign of almost becoming the longest-reigning X-Division champion, Vinci interrupted him. The former WWE superstar arrived and set his sights on the new champion.
Vinci dropped his Giovanni Vinci name and appeared on TNA Impact as Fabian Aichner. He stood on stage and shared a staredown with the new champion as the show came to a close.
Giovanni Vinci, aka Fabian Aichner, is a former WWE wrestler. He has been a part of the WWE roster since 2017 until his release in 2025. Not wrestled since his dark match in WWE SmackDown in December 2024, Aichner has now arrived in TNA Wrestling.
He’s been away from the industry for more than a year, but Giovanni Vinci is looking forward to getting back into the ring.
Vinci (real name Fabian Aichner) was released from his WWE contract in February 2025 and hasn’t wrestled since December 2024. He took a step back after his release but reemerged last month with his first social media post since being let go by WWE.
Now appearing on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Vinci opened up about his departure from WWE and his wrestling future. He took some time to recharge his batteries but is excited to start wrestling again.
“I just knew that after the call — because it was such a surreal feeling, man,” Vinci said about his release. “It was like, on the one hand, it sucked that that chapter was over because that’s what I wanted to do since I was 13 years old. But on the other hand, because it was such a roller coaster leading up to that, it felt freeing in a way.
“Like, I told a friend of mine, he asked me if I was okay. I said, ‘Yeah, man, I’m good.’ It’s almost like when you’re in school and school ends and you go on summer vacation. Just all the weight was off because at least I knew. At least I knew. There was no more thinking about it. And really, after that, all I did was, I just knew I was taking some time. Didn’t know how much it was. And, yeah, I didn’t think about how long exactly I was going to be out for. Just like, okay, I’m going to need some space, take some time for myself, figure myself out, and, yeah, enjoy life a little bit.”
Vinci said he was both surprised and not surprised by his release. When SmackDown went to three hours, he hoped there would be more time on the show for him, but WWE didn’t end up doing much with his repackaged singles character after splitting from Imperium.
There is no definitive timeline for when he’ll return to wrestling, but Vinci said he’s had some “really good talks” about it. He is staying ready and believes he has not reached his full potential as a wrestler yet.
“I feel like there’s way more things to do for me,” he said. “I feel like I haven’t reached my full potential yet. I feel like some people know what I can do, but I know I can do a lot more. And I just really, like, yeah, I wanted to take enough time to not come back and go in halfway. So I definitely work out, like I want to wrestle again. I feel like there’s many things still to do. Nothing set in stone yet, but when that opportunity comes, I know I’ll be ready for it.”
When he does return, the 35-year-old Vinci wants to focus on having fun and being authentic. He used to put too much pressure on himself and second guessed himself too often because he was so focused on accomplishing his dream of getting to WWE and succeeding there.
“Whereas nowadays, I just want to have fun, man,” Vinci said. “I want to go out there — because that’s what it’s supposed to be. It’s just fun.
“I want to have great matches. I want to be authentic. I want to tear it up with whoever I’m in the ring with. Just have a good time and enjoy the process. Live in the moment. And I know that’s when great things are going to happen.”
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows are no longer with the company, according to reports from PWInsider and Fightful Select on Saturday. Giovanni Vinci has also been released, per Fightful Select.
The Good Brothers and Vinci join Sonya Deville, Cedric Alexander, AOP, Paul Ellering, Blair Davenport, and Isla Dawn as part of the latest round of cuts.
Anderson and Gallows had been with WWE since returning in June 2022. Their first stint lasted from 2016 until their release in April 2020. Gallows previously worked for WWE from 2005 to 2010 under gimmicks including an imposter Kane, Festus (of Jesse & Festus), and a member of CM Punk’s Straight Edge Society, before being released in November 2010.
Vinci debuted in WWE as part of the 2016 Cruiserweight Classic and later formed a tag team with Marcel Barthel in 2017. The duo aligned with WALTER (now Gunther) and Ludwig Kaiser to form Imperium and captured the NXT Tag Team Championships twice. Vinci was removed from the group in April 2024 and had limited appearances on WWE programming afterward.
After a nearly five-month absence, Giovanni Vinci is returning to WWE programming.
WWE has confirmed that Vinci will make his return on SmackDown next Friday (September 6). He’s been away since an angle where he was attacked by Ludwig Kaiser and kicked out of Imperium this April. Vinci moved to SmackDown in the 2024 WWE Draft while his former Imperium stablemates Gunther and Kaiser stayed on Raw.
The first vignette building to Vinci’s return aired on SmackDown three weeks ago. The Italian Vinci has been repackaged back into the character he played in NXT, wearing expensive clothes and driving fancy cars.
A new video was shown on SmackDown tonight with Vinci saying this isn’t his return, it’s his arrival. The video ended with the announcement that Vinci will arrive on SmackDown next week.
Next Friday’s SmackDown is the last episode on Fox before the show moves to USA Network. Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada is the venue for the episode. WWE has set up that there will also be a tag team match involving The Bloodline, DIY, and The Street Profits. It looks to be an eight-man tag with Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Jacob Fatu facing Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford.
A vignette aired during Friday’s SmackDown featuring the former Imperium member. He said that the best part about the past is that it is behind you. Now he has become the man he has always meant to be, a man that has no limits and will soon bring his relentless drive to SmackDown.
The video showed him portraying a gimmick similar to his singles run in NXT, wearing a suit, getting out of a fancy car, and hanging around Las Vegas. He ended with the phrase “veni vidi vici”.
Back in April, former Imperium tag team partner Luwdig Kaiser turned on Vinci, attacking him on the outside following a loss and hit a running dropkick to Vinci’s head, which was on the steel steps. Kaiser entered the gorilla position after the match, where Gunther seemed pleased by Kaiser’s actions, effectively ending the stable.
As part of the 2024 WWE Draft that took place shortly after, Vinci was moved to SmackDown. However, he hasn’t wrestled since the split took place.
After their loss to the New Day on Monday’s Raw, Ludwig Kaiser consoled Vinci as they recovered in the ring. Kaiser helped Vinci to the outside where suddenly he drove Vinci into the side of the ring, attacking him. Kaiser set up Vinci on the ring steps as officials came to ringside to try and break up the fight. At first, Kaiser complied, walking to the back. However, he did an about-face and bolted back to ringside, hitting a running dropkick to Vinci’s head over the steel steps.
Following the assault, Kaiser entered the gorilla position where he met with Gunther, who had left the two following their loss. Gunther seemed pleased by Kaiser’s actions.
Gunther, Kaiser, and Vinci have been associated with one another on the main roster since Vinci returned as part of Imperium at Clash at the Castle 2022. In recent months, Gunther at times had been displeased by Kaiser & Vinci’s losses.
On Monday, Gunther declared for the upcoming King of the Ring tournament, with the finals taking place in Saudi Arabia on May 25.
This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina before Monday’s episode of Raw.
A good episode this week, made better by some funny bits on commentary and a decent match at the top of the show.
Zoey Stark defeated Natalya (4:40)
They gave the win to Stark in this one which didn’t have too much going for it. She and Natalya worked well together and the crowd was into a little by the end, too.
The early going was very much back and forth. You could tell that Howard and James were looking for things to say, with James discussing how you pronounce ‘cravat’ at one point.
And there were more than enough cravats in this one, unfortunately, which is not what the crowd wants to see when Natalya is in the ring.
The crowd got behind her when she hit a snapmare and basement dropkick onto Stark, as she looked like she was tipping the balance in her favor.
As she was looking for the Sharpshooter, Stark kicked Natalya off her and then pulled her down, using the tights, into a roll-up to snatch the win.
After the match, they shook hands and Natalya hugged her, raising her arms with Stark in celebration.
Giovanni Vinci defeated Apollo Crews (5:58)
A debut win on Main Event for Giovanni Vinci here was fun to watch. There was a smoothness to how these two worked together, which is impressive given their size.
Giovanni Vinci looked a million bucks as he came out here to debut. They played up his role in Imperium, but he can certainly work so it would be good to see him in more singles action like this.
Crews had a little streak of wins in recent months on this show but has lost his momentum. The suggestion was that a win here might give him a shot at Gunther, but realistically he’s a long way from that right now in storyline.
Vinci used a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker on Crews as we went to the ads, but afterward Crews managed to grab some separation as he hit a delayed German suplex on Vinci as they both went down.
Crews then went through his moveset, hitting a stinger splash, gorilla press slam, followed by a standing moonsault.
Vinci countered with a fireman’s carry roll into the corner and a second rope moonsault, but Crews kicked out at two and it was clear at this point that Vinci was bleeding from the nose.
When he comically slapped away the offer of a tissue from the ref, he went to the finish, hitting Crews with a brain buster and celebrating with a cheeky smile.
It would be good to see these two go at it again next week, because they were pretty great together.
How this not only affects New Japan but the change in the marketplace
Okada’s career legacy
Preview of Royal Rumble and Revolution
Full coverage of Battle in the Valley, the return to Chicago, and the next major events
Debut of Matt Riddle and Jack Perry with New Japan
Impact turns into TNA, business notes, full coverage
The PFL vs. Bellator dream card, lineup, how this relates to pro wrestling in the past, and how this show exemplifies the complete economic changes in the fight business
Full coverage of the ratings over the past week, including weekly ratings, competition, comparisons with a year ago and segment-by-segment
Dream rematch shows continue at Arena Mexico
Lots of new tournaments
Takagi vs. Mochizuki
Masa Fuchi main events at the age of 70
Anniversary of the first pro wrestling show in Japanese television
FantasticaMania notes
Wrestling references by Paul Walter Hausen at the Emmys
Demolition of famous arena
Kevin Von Erich is Israel
Update on Iron Claw movie business
Mark Hitchcock show update
New wrestling history book out
Examining WBD press release on AEW
New AEW international deal
Samoa Joe talks current scene
Advance ticket sales to WWE, AEW and UFC events
New AEW signee who will have a new gimmick and details as to why
Overseas programmer talks about AEW setting ratings record
Sean Strickland and sponsors and this isn’t going to be fun for Dana White when Bud Light hears about it
A college working with fighters for courses in fight disciplines
New Cena movie
Drug testing realities
WWE injury updates
WWE, AEW & TNA PPV updates
International TV ratings and streaming numbers
What Canadian ratings mean in comparison to U.S. numbers
Coverage of all the WWE house shows of the past week
Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio, talking Raw, Frankie Edgar, Seth Rollins and taking your questions that you can send to [email protected]
Seth Rollins will address his knee injury tonight on Raw. He has a torn MCL and partially torn meniscus. Wrestlers do work on that all the time, but it’s obviously advisable not to. But it’s Mania season and people do matches with far worse, but again it’s not in their best interest long-term to do so. And there are title implications involved as well.
Giovanni Vinci was cleared from his concussion and returned over the weekend at house shows and will be wrestling tonight on Raw.
Raw tonight is from New Orleans. No NFL until the fall so Raw numbers should bounce back to pre football season levels and even higher with tonight’s show with the Rollins announcement and Punk/Rhodes segment. It should be No. 1 for the night most weeks on cable and remain the No. 1 cable entertainment program unless Vanderpump starts back up where it left off when it returns next Tuesday. C.M. Punk is on the show with a face-off with Cody Rhodes, there’s the Seth Rollins promo, plus Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest, Chad Gable vs. Ivar, Ivy Nile vs. Valhalla, New Day vs. Vinci & Ludvig Kaiser and Miz vs. Dominik Mysterio.
Less than 2,000 tickets have been sold for the AEW show in Savannah, GA on Wednesday even with what on paper is a unique series of matches.
Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway for the BMF title will take place at UFC 300 on 4/13 in Las Vegas.
Collision and UFC ratings from Saturday could take a real hit. The 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers game head-to-head on FOX was the most-watched television show on a Saturday night in the U.S. in nearly 30 years (since the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding skate-off at the Olympics). The show averaged 37.5 million viewers and peaked at 41 million. It’s the last Saturday night of the NFL Playoffs. For Collision, this coming week is likely not to do well against the Royal Rumble, but the competition, while never easy on sports-heavy Saturday nights, won’t be as bad starting 2/3.
New Japan at Korakuen Hall at 4:30 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning:
Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murahama vs. Yoh & Shoma Kato
Great O’Khan & Henare & TJP & Francesco Akira & Callum Newman vs. David Finlay & Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors & Drlla Moloney
El Phantasmo & Hikuleo & Jado vs. KENTA & Chase Owens & Taiji Ishimori
Tetsuya Naito & Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji & Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi vs. Sanada & Taichi & Yuya Uemura & Douki & Taka Michinoku
Master Wato vs. Sho
Desperado vs Yoshinobu Kanemaru for IWGP jr. title
This is Okada’s next-to-last Korakuen Hall show. He finishes up Wednesday at Korakuen with the Tanahashi & Okada & Ishii trios title defense against Nicholls & Haste & Fujita.
Rob Van Dam, Mike Bailey, Mistico, Masato Tanaka and the reuniting of Savio Vega & Jose Estrada Jr. & Huracan Castillo Jr. & Miguel Perez Jr. as Los Boricuas will be on the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow on 4/5 in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena.
This was something of a quiet weekend when it comes to major matches to see. Japan didn’t produce anything people were ratings that strongly. Mascara Dorada vs. Cavernario Barbaro from Friday at Arena Mexico would have been the best match but the finish was lame. We also had recommended the Claudio Castagnoli vs. Bryan Keith match from Thursday’s ROH show.
Kazuchika Okada teams with Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley vs. Moose & Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards in the Impact TV main Event on Thursday, plus Jordynne Grace vs. Trinity for the Knockouts title and Nic Nemeth vs. Zacharty Wentz.
The SportingPost.com lists these as the top ten fighters when it comes to value of their Instagram posts: 1. Conor McGregor; 2. Khabib Nurmagomedov; 3. Ronda Rousey; 4. Israel Adesanya; 5. Jon Jones; 6. George St-Pierre 7. Khamzat Chimaev; 8. Charles Oliveira; 9. Nate Diaz; 10. Francis Ngannou. As far as still active guys, Dustin Poirier is No, 12, Sean O’Malley No 14, Kamaru Uman No. 16, Max Holloway and Paddy Pimblett at No. 20.
Minoru Suzuki will be wrestling on the 2/29 MLW show at the Melrose Ballroom in New York.
Pro Wrestling Revolver on Thursday night in Dayton, OH at the Calumet Center has Jon Moxley vs. Gringo Loco, Jake Crist vs. Alex Shelley for both the Revolver world title and Remix title, tag champs Rickey Shane Page & Alex Colon defend against Steve Manders & Matt Justice, Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel and the Grizzled Young Vetrans, Sami Calihan vs. JT Dunn last man sanding Steve Maclin vs. Mance Warner in a street fight, Ace Austin vs. Matthew Palmer, Jake Something vs. Masha Slamovich, a scramble match with Rich Swann, Myron Reed, Warhorse, Damian Chambers, Brett Oakley, and KC Jacobs and more. They also run 2/17 in Grand Prairie TX with Lio Rush vs. Chris Bey, Elijah (Elias) vs. Mike Bailey and Grizzled Young Veteran vs. Alex Zayne & Lance Archer.
West Coast Pro announced its women’s champion Takumi Iroha defends against Veny (the other Asuka) on Saturday night at the United Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco. The show also features the first U.S. appearance of The Crush Gals, the top women’s tag team in history, since 1986. They won’t be wrestling, just appearing.
Smackdown in Canada did its best rating since 10/27 on Friday as reported by Post Wrestling’s John Pollock.
WBD has rebranded its sports division TNT Sports, instead of Turner Sports or more recently WBD Sports since 2021. The TNT Sports name had already been used in Europe. Technically, AEW is listed as entertainment, not sports. It was listed as sports until 2022.
The New Day segment on the Drew Barrymore show aired today.
A video of the 40th anniversary of Hulk Hogan winning the WWF title from Iron Sheik will air on Raw tonight.
During Monday’s Raw, Micheal Cole on commentary announced that Vinci would be out ‘a number of weeks’ following an injury that took place on last week’s show. Vinci had taken a dropkick by Kofi Kingston as he was coming off the top rope. After the referee checked on Vinci, the match was called off, with Kingston and tag team partner Jey Uso being declared the winners.
An angle on this week’s Raw saw Kingston and Ludwig Kaiser being counted out in a singles match after they brawled around ringside. Both continued their attack, with Kaiser throwing a chair right at Kingston’s face. As he was being led to the back, Kaiser suddenly rushed past security, ran around the ring, then dropkicked Kingston’s head into the steel steps. In a backstage interview, Kaiser said it was retribution for what Kingston had done the previous week.
Gunther, another member of Imperium, had recently taken time off to be with his newborn child. However, he was advertised to appear on next week’s Raw.
Giovanni Vinci wrote on social media that he’s ‘fine’ following a match stoppage on Raw.
During a Jey Uso & Kofi Kingston vs. Imperium match on Monday, Vinci went to the top rope and launched off. Kingston connected with a dropkick right on Vinici’s face, causing him to fall to the floor. Kingston made the hot tag to Uso, but right as Uso ran in, the referee ended the match. It was eventually ruled that Kingston & Uso won due to referee stoppage.
Two weeks ago on Raw, Kofi Kingston was handing out presents to the crowd dressed as Santa Claus when Imperium attacked him due to comments Kingston made earlier in the show. That led to Jey Uso coming out for the save, setting up the match for WWE Raw Day 1.
At Saturday’s Clash at the Castle pay-per-view, Giovanni Vinci rejoined Imperium and reunited with his stablemates Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser. Vinci had left the faction shortly before Gunther and Kaiser were called up to SmackDown this April.
Vinci and Kaiser brawled with Ridge Holland and Butch as Gunther’s Intercontinental title defense against Sheamus began. Officials broke up the brawl and Vinci, Kaiser, Holland, and Butch were sent to the back, leaving Gunther and Sheamus to go at it one-on-one with no one at ringside.
Despite rejoining Imperium, Vinci is still going by the name “Giovanni Vinci.” He previously went by his real name Fabian Aichner until being repackaged in NXT earlier this year.
Gunther retained the Intercontinental title against Sheamus at Clash at the Castle, pinning him after hitting a powerbomb and a lariat. Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick near the finish, but his back gave out following all of the punishment he had taken in the hard-hitting match.
Vinci and Kaiser returned to ringside after the match to celebrate with Gunther. When they left, the crowd gave Sheamus a standing ovation.
Lots to discuss on this NXT 2.0 Heatwave edition of Speak Now! Topics include: possible main roster call ups, Tyler Bate confronts Bron Breakker, what is the future of NXT UK, my vision for Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade, the ending of Santos Escobar vs. Tony D’Angelo, plus more!
Tune in every Tuesday to chat NXT 2.0 on Speak Now Pro Wrestling!
Giovanni Vinci vs. Bodhi Hayward has been announced for NXT.
The match was set up in an angle from last week’s show when the Chase U bus blocked Vinci in the NXT parking lot.
“After Chase University used their bus to block Vinci in the NXT parking lot and scuffed his pristine ride, Vinci must now teach them a lesson by taking on star pupil Bodhi Hayward,” reads WWE.com.
The former Fabian Aichner has won three straight on NXT programming since being repackaged as Giovanni Vinci. He has defeated Guru Raaj, Ikemen Jiro, and Apollo Crews so far.
Chase U’s Bodhi Hayward hasn’t wrestled on NXT since March when he lost a singles match to Von Wagner. He’s won four straight on NXT Level Up since then, however.
The announced lineup for Tuesday’s edition of NXT is as follows:
Apollo Crews vs. Xyon Quinn
Tony D’Angelo’s Family (four of D’Angelo, Santos Escobar, Raul Mendoza, Joaquin Wilde, and Channing Lorenzo) vs. Diamond Mine (Roderick Strong, Brutus Creed, Julius Creed, & Damon Kemp)
Giovanni Vinci (the recently repackaged Fabian Aichner) is set for action on NXT this Tuesday night.
WWE has confirmed that Vinci vs. Ikemen Jiro will take place on this Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Aichner debuted his new “Giovanni Vinci” character on NXT two weeks ago, defeating Guru Raaj.
Vinci vs. Jiro was set up when Jiro interrupted a backstage interview with Vinci on NXT last week.
“Giovanni Vinci claims to have finally brought style to NXT 2.0, but he may have forgotten the king of ‘style strong,’ Ikemen Jiro,” WWE wrote.
“Game recognized game when Jiro interrupted Vinci reveling in his debut win, proclaiming he liked Vinci’s style, but is he truly ‘style strong’? It will take more than a fresh suit to decide who is the real world-class athlete.
“Can Jiro show the newcomer a thing or two about style? Find out Tuesday night on NXT 2.0 at 8/7 C on USA.”
This April, Aichner left Imperium when he walked out on the group during a tag team match. Aichner wasn’t called up to the WWE main roster with Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser.
Here’s the updated lineup for this Tuesday’s NXT:
NXT Women’s Tag Team title number one contender’s match: Roxanne Perez & Cora Jade vs. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
Indi Hartwell vs. Kiana James
Sanga vs. Xyon Quinn
Giovanni Vinci vs. Ikemen Jiro
Nikkita Lyons returns
NXT Champion Bron Breakker and Cameron Grimes go face-to-face
Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen address their NXT UK Tag Team title win
