Tag: Kelani Jordan

WWE NXT live results: Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame Women’s title match

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Reigning WWE NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice will put her title on the line against Izzi Dame in the headliner of tonight’s NXT on The CW.

Dame earned the shot by way of a mixed tag team match that also featured Nikko Vance and Mr. Iguana. This will be Vice’s third televised title defense after winning the title in April.

In another women’s singles match, Speed Champion Wren Sinclair faces Kelani Jordan in a non-title match while Jaida Parker goes one-on-one with the debuting Layla Diggs.

The announced card is rounded out by The Culling’s Shawn Spears and Niko Vance vs. OTM’s Bronco Nima and Lucien Price.

Our live coverage begins at 8 pm Eastern.

****************

NXT is on the air in front of a live studio audience from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando. Opening the show is a women’s match.

WWE Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair (with Kendal Grey) vs. Kelani Jordan in a non-title match

—

Jordan blindsides Sinclair before the bell, but Sinclair counters her as the bell sounds to start the match. They grapple and exchange strikes in a scrappy fight.

Jordan takes a back drop on the floor just before the show goes into a commercial break. Jordan regains her momentum and targets a leg during the break. Back from the break, Jordan works the leg. That includes her doing a modified tarantula in the ropes.

Comeback by Sinclair as she fires up on Jordan. Sinclair is cut off, but Jordan misses her split moonsault. Moments later, Jordan applies a STF hold. As Sinclair reaches for the ropes, Jordan drags her to the middle of the mat. Jordan then applies a modified cloverleaf using her foot to bridge to apply pressure while bridging backwards. Sinclair taps out. Jordan submits the Speed champ, presumably setting up a title match. Jordan got over well with the finish.

Match result: Kelani Jordan defeated WWE Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair via submission in a non-title match.

— Lizzy Rain chats with WWE Women’s North American Tatum Paxley in a goofy backstage skit where Shiloh Hill enters wanting them sign his petition. Tristan Angels interrupts to tease and taunt Hill before leaving. Rain then declares she is going “redhead hunting” in her search for Zaria. Hill offers to help Rain, and they leave together.

— Darkstate turning on Saquon Shugars and kicking him out of the group is the focus of a video package. That precedes a talking segment with the three members of Darkstate.

Out comes Darkstate for an in-ring promo. In the graphics during their ring entrance, the caricature of Shugars has an “X” over the graphic. Darksate is in the ring to explain themselves.

Osiris Griffin says Shugars was an odd-man out, as the other three are college athletes. Shugars is merely an indie wrestler. Dion Lennox says he never fit it. Cutler James claims Shugars took himself out of the faction.

They think Shugars was trying to be the leader, but he was the weak link. Lennox says Darkstate is going to back to what they do best. Too bad the booking killed that aspect of their gimmick, but whatever.

— Kali Armstrong and Lola Vice exchange words in a skit from the trainer’s room, where Vice and Kendal Grey are checking on Wren Sinclair.

Sean Legacy vs. Dorian Van Dux in a quarterfinal match in a Speed tournament

—

Time limit draw as they go broadway after a Spanish Fly off the top rope. Van Dux looked like a monster at times, and he heaved Legacy hard into the ring post at one point. Legacy came back to set up the Spanish Fly in the closing moments, but to no avail. They shake hands after the match in a show of good sportsmanship. The draw eliminates both from the tournament, so the other quarterfinal match set for later tonight is now the final.

Match result: Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux wrestled to a three-minute time limit draw.

— Nattie Neidhart offers encouragement to Layla Diggs, and Nattie says she will be in Diggs’ corner tonight.

Jaida Parker vs. Layla Diggs (with Nattie Neidhart)

—

Diggs fought valiantly, but she ultimately drops the fall to Parker. Setting up the finish, Diggs goes for a moonsault press. No water in the pool, and Diggs takes a Hipnotic from Parker. For the finish, Parker executes a Deja Vu and pins Diggs.

Match result: Jaida Parker defeated Layla Diggs via pinfall.

— NWA Champion Tony D’Angelo is headed to the ring for a monologue, but before a video packing hyping the champ.

Challengers confront the champ

Tony D’Angelo talks about the new talent debuting on NXT, and they are coming for his title. D’Angelo mentions that next week he defends the NXT title against challenger Kam Hendrix. D’Aneglo then shifts his comments to Naraku. Tony D calls him out.

Out comes Naraku to confront D’Angelo. The champ knows Naraku speaks in riddles, but D’Angelo says he is more straightforward. D’Anfelo wants Naraku to simply ask for a title match. Naraku says he is here to keep Tony safe and protect the title. Naraku insists he and D’Angelo are destined for war over the title.

Kam Hendrix interrupts them to cut a promo on D’Angelo in which Hendrix proclaims he will win the NXT title next week. Meanwhile, Naraku sits there like a bump on a log. However, Naraku will soon step in to protect the champ.

Hendrix and D’Angelo cut promos on each other. Hendrix goes to sucker punch D’Angelo, but Naraky blocks it before peppering Hendrix and tossing him over the top rope. Naraku then turns and bows to D’Angelo before leaving the ring.

— Tavion Heights is backstage aplogizing to NXT North American Champion Myles Borne when both are jumped by Darkstate. The heel faction lays out Heigths and Borne, which would seem to set up a tag team match.

Nathan Frazier (with Axiom) vs. Romeo Moreno (with Noam Dar) in the Speed tournament final

—

Originally a quarterfinal match, this bout becomes the tournament final because of a time limit draw in a previous match earlier tonight. In this bout, they tease another time limit draw as Moreno scores a pinfall with a small package in the closing seconds. Good match throughout, and they shake hands in a show of sportsmanship after the match. For the finish, Frazier leaps on the top rope to cut off Moreno and execute a superplex. Frazier rolls through and goes for another suplex, but Moreno counters with the small package for the win.

Moreno won in an upset, and he earned a Speed title match against champion Lexis King. He and Birthright watched the match from a perch overlooking the ring.

Match result: Romeo Moreno defeated Nathan Frazier via pinfall in a Speed tournament final.

— NXT General Manager Robert Stone is talking with Mason Rook in a backstage skit. Naraku interjects to warn Rook about interfering in the upcoming NXT title match.

— OTM are making their entrance for a match when they are jumped by Shawn Spear swinging a metal folding chair. Spears hits OTM with the chairs several times before referees pour out to stop the attack. Niko Vance comes out to get Spears, and Vance is clearly upset that Spears jumped OTM.

— Kali Armstrong is interviewed to kill time when she is met by Thea Hail.

— Shiloh Hill asks Zaria to sign his petition, and she scoffs at him. Suddenly, Lizzy Rain jumps Zaria. Referees and Robert Stone run in to separate them.

Charlie Dempsey (with Birthright) vs. Shiloh Hill

—

Hill is continuing his latest gimmick, which reminds me of wacky Bugsy McGraw. Hill and Dempsey were given plenty of time in this match, as they wrestle through a commercial break. Finish came out of nowhere when Hill counters a front facelock with a Northern lights suplex. Hill does a bridge and scores a three count on Hill.

Match result: Shiloh Hill defeated Charlie Dempsey.

— In a post-match angle, Tristan Angels comes out to inform Hill they are entered into a Mr. NXT pageant in two weeks. This plays on Hill and his petition to become Mr. NXT. Hill intends to embarrass Angles. Hill ends the segment with a wild cackle that was odd.

— Izzi Dame berates Shawn Spears over The Culling booking a tag match the same night as her title challenge. Vance insists they will take care of the issue.

NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame in a title match

—

Dame gets in a lot of offense during the match, as she takes the fight to Vice. She becomes upset just before a commercial break when OTM runs down to brawl with The Culling at ringside. The two teams brawl their way to the back.

They trade near falls after the show returns from the commercial break. They also have a ref bump. Double down in the ring as the ref is also down and out. Vice and Dame rise to their feet and exchange strikes. Vice with a near fall, but no ref to count. The ref finally crawls over, but Dame kicks out. Dame tosses the tile belt to Vice, and Dame does a Van Daminator of sorts by hitting a the title belt with a big boot that drops Vice. Ref crawls over again for another close two count.

Dame goes to lift Vice, only get caught in a guillotine choke. Dame flails around. Inside cradle for two. Separation just before Dame walks into a spinning back fist from Vice. The champ falls on top of the challenger to pin her.

Match result: NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice defeated Izzi Dame via pinfall to retain her title.

— The show ends with Darkstate leaving the building and boasting about being back. They vow to finish their job next week and then go on to win all of the titles. Eavesdropping and lurking over them is Saquon Shugars, as he stands perched over Darkstate.

Blake Monroe, Lyra Valkyria express interest in John Cena Classic

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

We still don’t know when or where the John Cena Classic is going to be, or how it’s going to work. But we’re starting to get some ideas about who might be involved.

A pair women on WWE’s main roster have expressed interest in participating in the JCC. The first is Blake Monroe, who discussed the possibilities in a conversation with Vicente Beltran of Marca, a Spanish sports news site.

“Of course I want to be part of it,” Monroe said. “It looks like it will be a huge tournament and obviously you need to head it with a huge name like the glamorous Blake Monroe.” 

Cena suggested the event would pit stars of Raw and SmackDown against wrestlers from NXT, an idea that gave Monroe mixed emotions. 

“I just escaped from the women of NXT,” she said. “They were tormenting me. But we have a lot of talent. I would love to face Tatum [Paxley] again because we have pending matters after I got into a coffin. There is also Kendall Grey and many new European additions.”

Lyra Valkyria, who also came to WWE through the NXT system, would also like to compete in the JCC. She talked about it with Dom Smith of Soundsphere. 

“With all the talent in NXT, I feel like it just could be anyone’s chance to really make themselves the next big thing,” she said. “So I’m really excited for this tournament, and to see who’s going to stand out and who’s going to step up.”

She also named an NXT opponent she’d like to face: Kelani Jordan.

“We never crossed paths in the ring on NXT, but we got in the ring a lot together in the Performance Center,” Valkyria said. “I’ve always thought she had such a fantastic work ethic, and she’s very cool. I want to see if she stepped up. I’d love to see what she’s got, if I was able to choose anyone.” 

WWE NXT live results: Naraku makes his in-ring debut

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Tonight’s WWE NXT on The CW will feature the in-ring debut of former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Naraku.

Formerly known as EVIL in NJPW, he made his promotional debut last month, and he will compete against an opponent to be named.

In a singles bout, Kendal Grey will take on Kelani Jordan in a key women’s match while NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley teams with NXT rookie Lizzy Rain against Zaria and Nikkita Lyons in tag team action.

Noam Dar will return for his first televised match since June 2025 due to an undisclosed injury when he goes one-on-one with Jackson Drake after Dar was rejected by the Vanity Project last week, and wrestled in four dark matches over the last month before returning to TV.

A trios match featuring Sean Legacy, EK Prosper & Tate Wilder vs. BirthRight’s Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, Charlie Dempsey and Uriah Connors rounds out the show.

Our live coverage kicks off at 8 pm Eastern.

**************

NXT is back on the air in front of a live studio audience from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando. Opening the show is a women’s tag team match.

NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley & Lizzy Rain vs. Nikkita Lyons & Zaria

—

Lizzy Rain continues to be the best new character on NXT in my opinion. Her character is fun. Pro wrestling is best when it’s fun to watch.

This tag match culminates in an angle where Zaria turns on her tag partner, leading to Lyons dropping a fall to Rain. Good opener.

In the match, the babyface duo clean house before stereo wrecking ball dropkicks outside the ring as the show cuts to a commercial break.

Paxley in trouble after the show returns from the break, but she creates separation and crawls over for a hot tag. Rain runs wild, and she is a house of fire. Moments later, double down with Lyons and Paxley out on their feet as they crawl to tag out.

Lyons is nearly to her corner as she leaps to make a tag. Zaria pulls back her outstretched hand and jumps backwards off the apron, which leaves Lyons hanging in the ring. Lyons is alone as she takes Rain’s finisher, and Rain pins her.

Match result: Tatum Paxley & Lizzy Rain defeated Nikkita Lyons & Zaria when Rain pinned Lyons.

— In a plug for two nights of AAA Triplemania 34 on September 11 in a location TBA and September 13 in Mexico City, it is referred to as the “first-ever two-night” Triplemania. AAA ran multiple Triplemania cards in different cities during many years in the past, but whatever.

— Another plug advertises Penta, Bayley and Grayson Waller for NXT house shows this weekend.

— Speaking of special appearances, out comes Lince Dorado for a match against the wrestler formerly known as Evil.

Naraku vs Lince Dorado

—

Dorado is currently a trainer in WWE, and here he puts over Naraku in a glorified enhancement match designed to get Naraku over in his in-ring debut. Dorado gets some offense, but not for long. Handspring into a cutter by Dorado, but that was the beginning of the end. Naraku eats him up and drops Dorado with a STO. One…two…three.

Match result: Naraku defeated Lince Dorado via pinfall.

— In a pre-taped skit, Nattie Neidhart is filming a promo for LFG when she is interrupted by Jaida Parker. They have words in a confrontation that clearly sets up a match between them.

Birthright (Charlie Dempsey, Uriah Connors & Stacks with Lexis King & Arianna Grace) vs. EK Prosper, Sean Legacy & Tate Wilder in a six-man tag team match

—

The match goes through a commercial break and has a lot of action much of the time. To me, this match is proof that PWG has a lasting impact on pro wrestling. Wild match with high spots galore. For the finish, Wilder shrugs off a tag, much to the chagrin of Legacy and Prosper. Wilder proceeds to leap off the top with a moonsault. No water in the pool. Connors and Stacks then execute stereo kicks, and and Connors pins Wilder.

Match result: Charlie Dempsey, Uriah Connors & Stacks defeated EK Prosper, Sean Legacy & Tate Wilder when Connors pinned Wilder.

— Tristan Angels has words with Shiloh Hill in a backstage skit that also featured Lizzy Rain and Tatum Paxley. Hill is chatting with them when Angels confronts Hill and cuts a promo on him. Angels reveals his in-ring debut is next week on NXT. Judging by this skit, Angels is being programmed with Hill for a match in the near future.

— Izzi Dame and The Culling are the focus of a personality profile.

Mason Rook moonsaults and inks his NXT contract

NXT General Manager Robert Stone introduces Mason Rook for a contract signing, which leads to an interruption by NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo. First, Rook cuts a promo where he mentions wrestling overseas. He turns heads everywhere, including John Cena. He is not only the best super-heavyweight, he is the best at any weight. Try to stand up to a tank and get crushed.

Enter the champ, Tony D’Angelo. Stone pleads with him, and Tony D assures him he is not there to fight. Tony D is cutting a promo from the aisle when he is ambushed again by Kam Hendrix. They brawl at ringside as security tries to separate them. Rook capitalizes by climbing the turnbuckles and doing a moonsault to the floor on a pile of bodies. He rolls back into the ring to sign his contract and pose — while the champ glares at Rook.

— Romeo Moreno gives a pep talk to Noam Dar, who is returning to the ring in NXT for the first time in a long while. Dar doubts himself, but Moreno puts over Dar’s accomplishments.

Noam Dar vs. Jackson Drake (with Vanity Project)

—

Dar fought valiantly, but he suffers from outside interference. Dar fights off Vanity Project when Brad Baylor and Ricky Smokes attempt to interfere. However, Lockwood holds Dar’s trunks, allowing Drake to land a knee strike. Drake follows up with a 450 splash on Dar, and Drake scores a three count.

Match result: Jackson Drake defeated Noam Dar via pinfall after outside interference.

In a post-match angle, Darkstate enters the arena looking to confront Vanity Project. The show cuts to commercials during the foreboding entrance of Darkstate.

— NXT North American Champion Myles Borne has a disagreement with Tavion Heights after Myles informs Heights about a tag match next week. Robert Stone booked Borne teaming with Tony D’Angelo against the team of Mason Rook and Kam Hendrix. Heights is upset with Borne, as Heights perceives him as big-leaguing his former teammate. Borne tries to reason with Heights, as Borne did not lobby for the match. Heights storms off.

— Back to the ring where Darkstate wants to challenge Vanity Project for the NXT Tag Team Championship. Next comes a convoluted segment where Dion Lennox and Saquon Shugars are announced as the team challenging Vanity Project for the tag titles. The story coming into this segment involved dissension and tension between Shugars and Lennox. Osiris Griffin announces Shugars and Lennox are partners. The segment ends after the heels try to ambush Darkstate, but Vanity Project powders instead as they are dispatched by Darkstate.

— Backsatge, Stone shakes hand with Naraku. Stone then walks into his office to find Kan Hendrix and Mason Rook. They are informed they are booked as a team next week. In walks Tate Wilder, followed by Keanu Carver. This sets up another match for next week with Wilder booked against Carver.

— Kali Armstrong is interviewed backstage, which leads to a brief confrontation with Kendal Grey Wren Sinclair (as they head to the ring for the main event).

Kelani Jordan vs. Kendal Grey (with Wren Sinclair)

—

WWE Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair is on crutches at ringside in Grey’s corner. The match itself goes through a commercial break. Jordan flew during the match, and Grey leaps off the top turnbuckle with a high cross to the floor before the show cuts to commercials.

Double down as the show returns from commercials. They trade near falls. Jordan goes for a springboard off the ropes, but Grey instead catches her in an ankle lock. Moments later, Grey goes for an armbreaker, but Jordan escapes. They trade more near falls before going home.

During the match, Izzi Dame is seen backstage brawling with Lola Vice, which would play into the finish of the ongoing match. Nearing the finish, Spanish Fly off the top for another near fall. They are perched on the turnbuckles setting up spot when Vice and Dame fight their way to ringside. Referees pour out in an attempt to separate them. During the melee, Sinclair is knocked down and loses her crutches.

Back in the ring, Grey is tripped up on the ropes. Jordan with a split-legged moonsaut, and she covers Grey for a three count.

Match result: Kelani Jordan defeated Kendal Grey via pinfall.

— Afterwards, Lola Vice goes to check on Sinclair. Grey is upset with Vice, and she shoves her. Vice and Grey yell at each other before Vice is ambushed by a sneak attack from Izzi Dame. She floors Vice with a running boot. Dame poses with Vice’s title as the show goes off the air.

Noam Dar in-ring return, Naraku debut part of next week’s WWE NXT lineup

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Noam Dar’s televised in-ring return is set for next week’s NXT.

Vanity Project were seen dismissing Evolve prospect Romeo Moreno when Naom Dar walked in, back after an extensive injury. He told the trio that he had just walked out of Robert Stone’s office and confirmed he was back in NXT. He told Drake that he would be the perfect opponent to face off against in his return, setting up a match for next week.

This would be Dar’s first televised match since last June, competing in a men’s Speed tournament final against Berto. He returned to NXT house shows at the end of April.

Meanwhile, Kendal Grey and Kelani Jordan will meet as Grey looks for revenge after Jordan took out Wren Sinclair last week. Birthright will also be in six-man tag action, with Fit Finlay and William Regal both making appearances on this week’s show to give Birthright a pep talk after their loss last week.

A tag team match will also take place after Zaria, Nikkita Lyons, and Lizzie Rain all made it clear they had their eyes on Tatum Paxley’s North American title. A brawl ensued with Zaria standing tall. Later, Stone announced a tag match pitting Zaria and Lyons against Rain and Paxley. Zaria was upset that she was being put in another tag team match.

Naraku, the former EVIL, will also be making his debut. He made his first televised appearance on last week’s NXT, handing Tony D’Angelo a shirt with the Japanese symbol for war on it. Naraku made clear in a promo on Tuesday that the two would soon meet for the NXT Championship.

WWE NXT (May 12)

  • Noam Dar vs. Jackson Drake
  • Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Zaria & Nikkita Lyons vs. Tatum Paxley & Lizzie Rain
  • Naraku debuts
  • Birthright (Uriah Connors, Lexis King, and Stacks) vs. Sean Legacy, Tate Wilder, and EK Prosper

Carmelo Hayes clears up timeline for wedding with Kelani Jordan

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Carmelo Hayes and Kelani Jordan will tie the knot later this year. 

Speaking on Battleground Podcast, Hayes cleared the air about the details of his upcoming wedding to Jordan. He addressed the engagement photos that fans mistook to be from their wedding. 

“It’s going good. Kelani’s handling a lot of it. She’s on top of it and I’m giving my two cents when warranted. A lot of people thought that we already got married. I guess that was like the big thing, but the wedding is in October, everybody. Those were engagement photos and I’m super excited and we’re halfway there really.”

When asked about what it’s like to work and be in the same industry as his fiancé, Hayes talked in-depth about how they lean on each other for support and advice. 

“I think it’s a cheat code. I mean, a sense of you know, you got somebody that understands kind of the ups and the downs of the business. You got somebody that, the ins and the outs, you know what I mean? There’s a lot that people don’t understand about what we do that they’ll never understand. They think that we’re just characters that go on TV, but we put in so much work and mental and emotional time and effort into everything that we do. And this game is ruthless. It takes a toll on you. And having somebody that understands that or having somebody that I guess can sympathize with the ups and the downs like even in my sense, there’s nothing that she’s going to go through or is going through that I haven’t experienced.”

The couple got engaged in July 2025 after dating for nearly two years. 

Hayes lost the United States Championship to Sami Zayn on SmackDown last week. Meanwhile, Jordan’s rivalry with Jaida Parker intensifies on NXT with Parker securing victory over her on this week’s episode. 

NXT Women’s Championship not necessary for main roster move, believes Kelani Jordan 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Kelani Jordan claims she is main roster ready regardless of whether she holds the NXT Women’s Championship at least once in her WWE career. 

Jordan told Bully Ray on Busted Open Radio that she is prepared for the main roster call-up and the NXT Women’s Championship – whichever opportunity comes first. 

“I would love to go to the main roster, I would love to be able to be on a bigger platform, but also be able to wrestle girls who are on that next level. I would love that, Raw, SmackDown, I’m ready. Of course, if the NXT Women’s Championship is in my future, that’s great, but if the main roster is next, I have my eyes on the US Championship, the Intercontinental (Championship).”

Jordan feels she does not need to win the NXT Women’s Championship to succeed on the main roster. She referenced Becky Lynch winning the title years after moving on from the NXT brand. She also highlighted a few notable talents who have made a name on Raw and SmackDown without ever having the title in their possession.

“I think you can jump over that championship cause we’ve seen girls do it before. Like even when Becky was in NXT, she didn’t win the championship, she actually when she came back and had the feud with Tiffany (Stratton) and Lyra and all of them is when she got the championship. But it’s also other superstars like greats who never won the NXT Women’s Championship and they’re prospering and thriving on the main roster.” 

Jordan became the inaugural NXT Women’s North American Champion in June 2024. Last year she also captured the TNA Knockouts Title amidst the promotion’s crossover rivalry with NXT. 

Jordan made her Royal Rumble debut at the Premium Live Event in January this year.

Underground match added to WWE NXT Vengeance Day

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

After weeks of feuding, Lola Vice and Kelani Jordan will face each other in an underground match at WWE NXT Vengeance Day.

Vice and Jordan have been feuding against each other, but things reached an extreme when Jordan recently targeted and attacked Vince’s hand and injured her.

On Tuesday, during the February 24 episode of NXT, fans witnessed the duo get into a brawl. Things escalated when Jordan stormed into the interim NXT GM’s Robert Stone’s office and demanded a match against the former MMA fighter.

Stone confirmed the match and announced that Vice will now take on Jordan in an underground match at NXT Vengeance Day on March 7th in Orlando, Florida.

The duo last faced each other on the February 17 episode of NXT, where Jordan defeated Vice.

WWE NXT Vengeance Day updated lineup | March 7th, 2026

WWE NXT Vengeance Day is set to take place at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, on March 7, 2026.

  • Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice in an NXT Underground match
  • Joe Hendry (c) vs. Ricky Saints for the NXT Championship
  • Izzi Dame (c) vs. Tatum Paxley for the NXT Women’s North American Championship

Daily Update: Kelani Jordan, RVD, Andrade

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is now available and covers the following topics:

  • Polls on Worlds End plus Continental Classic MVP and best match polls.
  • The story of the WWE/UFC merger and Vince McMahon’s resignation, how real was it, the big unanswered question about the WWE Board of Directors, lots of Discovery information in the shareholders lawsuit against WWE, McMahon, TKO, Nick Khan and others, things behind the scenes about the merger, and the change in plans prior to the 2023 WrestleMania in more detail than ever before.
  • Full coverage of AEW Worlds End and business notes on the show
  • The retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi and the Tokyo Dome show
  • The record setting 2025 at Arena Mexico and biggest attendance week in the 92 years of CMLL, a look at the last week as well as how many Americans are at the shows.
  • The few times in history that a company sold out a major arena three times in the same week.
  • A look at the Stardom Dream Queendom show
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH hosts the first major show of 2026
  • Weekly odds
  • 2026 Observer award ballot
  • Most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week.
  • Weddings and engagements in pro wrestling this past week
  • All Japan has its best match of 2025
  • William Regal and others talk about neck injuries in pro wrestling and our thoughts on it as well as the reaction of some
  • Who had the most great matches in 2025
  • How Eric Bischoff’s new promotion is similar to Sam Muchnick starting out as a promoter
  • Company does a Vince McMahon/Janel Grant angle on its TV show
  • AEW business partner delisted
  • Tony Khan talks a ton of different subjects
  • Top merch sellers in US outside of WWE
  • Tom Aspinall update
  • Don Frye talks health issues
  • Lots of injury updates

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

WWE

  • On No-Contest Wrestling, Kelani Jordan opened up about how proud she is of her fiance Carmelo Hayes for becoming United States Champion:
    • Oh, I’m so proud of him. Not only because, of course, you know, I don’t want to say, like, I’m biased, but really, honestly, like, he’s such a great person. He works really hard. I’ve never seen someone more passionate about this business and what he does. He studies all the time. He works hard.
    • He’s in the gym. He sometimes even does extra ring [work] with me, not only to help me, but just to make sure he’s in shape for his matches when he doesn’t really need to be. Like, he’s in great shape.
    • So I’m just super proud of him because I want to say he never, like – it wasn’t handed to him. He definitely earned it. And I feel like he definitely paid his dues. And of course, his talent speaks for himself, but he has a genuine heart. And so I’m super proud of him.
  • The Toronto Sun’s No Holds Barred podcast has an interview with Hayes.
  • Games Hub asked RVD if he feels like there is anyone in WWE who was particularly underutilized in 2025:
    • I mean that it seems like that’s always their job, they’re over obligated, they got so much TV time and they gotta figure out how to use everybody. Nobody really comes to mind. I feel like I prefer watching the ladies actually a lot more because they’ve really stepped it up.
    • If you go back to like 2001, when I came into WWE, the girls weren’t the best workers and a lot of wrestling fans would say that when the girls are on, that was their break to run to the kitchen or whatever, watching it. I didn’t know that girls could even move like they were fighting because they seemed so unnatural before, but they were hot, they get really hot girls. That’s not the same thing as someone that’s a tomboy that fought with their brothers and grew up that way. So now they have so many girls that qualify that I don’t see how they’re gonna use all of them because they gotta beat each other. And the NXT too, watching the girls that are coming up, I’m so impressed with them and they seem like they’ve closed the gap and lady wrestling might be just as popular as men wrestling someday.
  • WWE and ESPN partnered together to make a custom title belt themed after the College Football Playoffs:
    • The two sides have teamed up to create a custom WWE x ESPN CFP National Championship Title Belt, a one-of-one piece inspired by host city Miami and featuring the outline of Hard Rock Stadium, palm trees, and College Football–inspired design elements, including 136 diamonds representing each Division I FBS program. The belt will be on display for fans to take photos and interact with at the ESPN CFP x WWE activation at Playoff Fan Central in Miami from January 16–18, and one lucky fan will also have the chance to win it through an official ESPN sweepstakes.
    • The title belt will make its first public appearance with WWE Superstar Nikki Bella on the sideline of the CFP Semifinals on Jan. 8 at the VRBO Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Bella’s home state.
  • The WWE Vault YouTube account asked fans for 2026 content suggestions: “You have Vault requests… we want ‘em! Let’s start 2026 right. Lay your WWE Vault suggestions on us in the comments below!”
  • Amazon Prime Video released the trailer for “The Wrecking Crew,” a movie starring Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa that’s set to premiere on January 28.

Other Wrestling

  • AEW shared a look at its new stage setup that debuted on Dynamite last night.
  • Andrade El Idolo thanked Tony Khan for bringing him back to AEW: “Once again, thank you very much, Sir!!! @AEW vamos a romperla!!”
  • House of Glory announced that Amazing Red will be Andrade’s opponent at their City of Angels show in Los Angeles on January 30. It’s a first-time-ever matchup.
  • AEW acknowledged its wins in ESPN’s 2025 Pro Wrestling Awards:
    • Tag Team of the Year: FTR
    • Breakthrough Wrestler of the Year: Kyle Fletcher
    • Best Event of the Year: AEW Revolution
    • Best Storyline: Toni Storm & Mariah May
  • Raven told Insight with Chris Van Vliet that he feels like he was under-pushed in WWE:
    • They should have pushed me. They didn’t really push me at all. I should have been used, at least as a strong mid-carder, if not a main eventer. But that’s me. I mean, I could be biased, and I’m sure I am, but looking at it objectively, I think I could have drawn money for them.
  • Ikuro Kwon is set to compete in MLW Battle Riot VIII on January 29.
  • Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling announced a new competition series named Prospe-X:
    • Reality of Wrestling proudly introduces PROSPE-X — a brand-new, high-stakes competition series searching for the next breakout star in professional wrestling.
    • Created by Booker T and Sharmell Huffman, PROSPE-X will spotlight 10 of the top independent prospects from across the U.S. (9 singles competitors + 1 tag team), selected through an open nationwide submission process.
    • What’s on the line? One standout competitor will earn an official ROW roster spot and compete at a major ROW ‘Big Four’ event: Last Stand Rumble • Summer of Champions • SubZero • Battle to the Bell

WWE couple announces timeframe for wedding

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Kelani Jordan

After getting engaged this year, the wedding of WWE couple Carmelo Hayes and Kelani Jordan now has a timeframe.

NXT’s Jordan, the reigning TNA Knockouts Champion, and SmackDown roster member Hayes are preparing to have their ceremony toward the end of 2026, according to Jordan in an interview with TV Insider from earlier this week.

The 31-year-old Hayes proposed to the 27-year-old Jordan on July 1, announced a few days later by the couple.

Jordan talked about the benefit of having a relationship with someone that is also in wrestling.

“I feel it’s a blessing to have someone in the business who knows the schedule, knows the time, the dedication to being the best of the best. He has helped me not only in the ring but also helped me by believing in me. Sometimes he believes in me more than I believe in myself. Actually, that happens a lot of the time. It’s amazing to have someone who understands what you’re going through and also has been a champion and also knows what it’s like to be at a top level. So if you’re at a period where you’re trying to find yourself, he just helps me so much. I’m so thankful for him,” she said.

A pro since October 2022, Jordan has previously held the WWE NXT Women’s North American title. Hayes is a former NXT Champion and former two-time NXT Men’s North American Champion who is looking for his first main roster title.

WWE NXT star says John Cena gave ‘so much insight’ in visit

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Getting to spend a little bit of time with John Cena was an insightful experience for WWE NXT star Kelani Jordan.

With his in-ring career winding down, Cena made a couple of visits to the WWE Performance Center last month to share some wisdom with the talent in NXT. Jordan reflected on those visits in a new interview with Denise Salcedo. Jordan got to ask Cena a few questions, with Cena telling her that there are inevitably going to be peaks and valleys in any wrestler’s journey — but it’s important to believe in yourself when adversity hits.

“First of all, he is just so intellectual. And he is incredible. He gave us so much insight,” Jordan said. “He honestly just kept reminding us that, ‘Hey, wrestling’s a journey. It’s not going to always be the mountain top, there’s going to be times you’re in the valleys.’ So he just kept on, like, reinforcing, ‘Hey, believe in yourself. Dare to be different.’ He told me, because I asked him a few questions, he’s like, ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing, stay the course.’

“Because, guess what? There’s going to be times where — sometimes on social media, people love you. Sometimes in the crowd, they love you. But sometimes they boo you, and that’s okay. He was a babyface for so long and there were times where the crowd turned on him. But guess what? He’s still John Cena, and they’re still paying tickets to come see him. So he just kind of reminded us, like, ‘Hey, there’s going to be valleys, there’s going to be hills, but just believe in yourself and keep at it because then you’re destined for greatness.'”

Cena only has three WWE appearances left on his retirement tour, which will conclude with his last match taking place at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13. Because Cena loved his Performance Center visits so much, he came up with the idea for the SNME card to include some exhibition matches between NXT talent and main roster stars. Jordan told Salcedo that being part of SNME would mean the world to her. If she’s able to compete, either Rhea Ripley or IYO SKY would be dream opponents.

At the moment, Jordan is the TNA Knockouts World Champion. She has a title defense coming up at NXT Gold Rush week two later this month. It will be Jordan putting her belt on the line against Jordynne Grace and Lei Ying Lee in a triple threat.

TNA Impact live results: Turning Point go-home show

Posted on by Joseph Collins

For the first time in a month, TNA Wrestling returns with a brand-new live edition of Impact from Orlando, Florida, just in time for Friday’s Turning Point streaming special.

With just one match announced, tonight’s broadcast should be full of announcements for Friday.

In his first appearance since winning the title at October’s Bound for Glory, TNA World Champion Mike Santana will be on the show.

Elijah will make his return to TV with a live concert after popping back up at Bound for Glory.

TNA Knockouts Champion and NXT roster member Kelani Jordan will be in action while Cedric Alexander goes one-on-one with Jason Hotch.

In a key Knockouts division match, Dani Luna takes on Indi Hartwell.

The System will also be on the show to talk about what’s next for them.

**********

Back after a month off and live from Full Sail in Orlando, Florida, it’s TNA Impact. 

Tom Hannifan & Matthew Rehwoldt were on commentary. 

Mike Santana Opens the Show. 

Santana entered through the crowd while the crowd chanted “You whooped Trick!” and “You deserve it!” Santana believed in himself, his daughter believed in him, and the fans believed in him. At Bound for Glory, he made good on his promise he made when he returned to the company in April 2024 to take the top spot. And now, he’s the TNA World Champion. 

Santana acknowledged Frankie Kazarian and Nic Nemeth each hold part of the “Call Your Shot” trophy, and calls out anyone from any company to challenge him. But whoever comes after him better bring the fire. 

Ryan Nemeth came out to interrupt and mock Santana, calling him “Mikey.” Nic’s flight was delayed, but as soon as he’s arrived Nic will take the TNA World Title faster than he can say “Orlando Sucks.” Ryan took a swing at Santana, who easily blocked it. Rather than let Ryan Nemeth spoil his good time, Santana’s going to go to back and have Santino Marella make a match between Santana and Ryan Nemeth. And that match is official for later tonight.

— Gia Miller interviewed Kelani Jordan about her upcoming title defense against Heather by Elegance. They’re interrupted by the face side of the TNA Knockouts roster, who invite her to spend time in their locker room. Jordan blows them off, and Léi Yîng Lee (through Xia Brookside) called her a real nasty word, that Brookside spelled out for Jordan.  

— Santino Marella came out to direct his authority and brought out the General Manager of NXT, Ava.  Ava put over Showdown from a month ago, and reinforced that the TNA and NXT partnership will continue. Ava can’t be at TNA every week, so she brought out Arianna Grace to keep an eye on TNA in her stead. 

Dani Luna v. Indi Hartwell

It took 25 minutes for a company called “Nonstop Action” to get their first match in the ring. Just saying. 

Luna sprung off the turnbuckles and hit a lariat on Hartwell, who was hung up on the ropes, for a near fall. Hartwell tried to fight back, but Luna dropped her with an exploder and hit a sliding lariat for a near fall. Luna went for a powerbomb, but Hartwell countered with a rana. Hartwell hit a series of clotheslines, and Lana dropped to the floor to regroup. 

Luna pulled Hartwell to the floor, which proved to be a mistake when Hartwell hit Luna with a spinebuster. Back in the ring, Hartwell hit an elbow off the top rope for a near fall. Hartwell went for the Hurts Donut, but Luna escaped and hit Hartwell with a dropkick. 

Luna dropped to the floor and went looking for a weapon. She found a steel chair and brought it into the ring, but Hartwell caught her with a small package. Hartwell got the chair and hit Luna with it, causing an obvious disqualification. Hartwell wore out Luna with a chair and she ran to the back, but she was the winner. 

Match Result: Dani Luna wins by disqualification after Hartwell uses a foreign object (6:11)

After the match, Hartwell challenged Luna to a no disqualification match at Turning Point.

— Outside Full Sail, Eric Young was preaching to the Full Sail crowd about “The Cleanse” and how “The Truth is Coming.” 

The System Talks About Their Future

The System came out to chat. Eddie Edwards put over the toughness of his wife, his “ride or die” Alisha. Eddie got choked up talking about their family being in the building at Bound for Glory. JDC grabbed the mic and told the crowd he got married two months ago. After discussing it with his wife, JDC will retire at Genesis in 2026. He decided to announce this at Full Sail because the building means a lot to him. He’s thankful for the last few years he’s spent in TNA and put over the locker room. JDC promised to help the other members of the System figure out who would take his place. 

The Rascalz came out to interrupt and challenged the System to a match. Moose pointed out the obvious problem, that there are four member of the System and three members of the Rascalz. The Rascalz promised a fourth member of their team for tomorrow night and so there’s an eight man tag on the books for Turning Point. 

The TNA Injury Report: 

  • Elijah is healthy enough for a concert. 
  • Alisha Edwards is cleared for competition. 
  • Leon Slater has no injuries and is cleared. That seems like a waste of a slot on the injury report. 
  • Mike Santana is also healthy and cleared. 

— Mustafa Ali and the rest of Order 4 entered the arena, and Ali was hyping up Jason Hotch for his match later tonight. They ran into the Hardys doing a photo shoot and challenges are made for the tag team championship. Not an immediate challenge, something more down the line. Agent Zero does a staredown with the Hardys and still doesn’t look that imposing to me.

— Earlier tonight, AJ Francis chokeslammed a YouTube geek named BDE (I think) through a table. Gia Miller goes to interview the guy and there will be a one-on-one match with BDE and AJ Francis tomorrow night. Leon Slater and Rich Swann enter the scene, Slater to encourage BDE and Swann to warm him he’s about to be “unalived.” This lead to Swann v. Slater for the X-Division title tomorrow night. 

Jason Hotch (w/ Order 4) v. Cedric Alexander 

Ali joined the commentary team and Agent Zero watched his back from behind the announcer’s desk. 

Hotch dropped to the floor to salute the System, and Alexander slid out of the ring and hit him with a forearm from behind. While the ref was distracted, Jon Skyler dropped Alexander with a short-arm clothesline. Back in the ring, Hotch tripped up Alexander for a near fall. Alexander came back with a pair of German suplexes. Alexander hit a dropkick on a seated Hotch. Alexander went for the lumbar check, but Hotch rolled him up for a near fall. Hotch tried a German, but Alexander blocked it and rolled up Hotch for a near fall. Hotch went for Ali’s rolling neckbreaker, but, in a smooth spot, Alexander rolled Hotch right into the Lumbar Check and got the pinfall. 

Match Result: Cedric Alexander pinned Hotch (3:31). 

This wound up being the best match of the show.

After the match, Agent Zero ran in and dropped Alexander with a hanging tree slam. The Hardys ran into make the late save, dumping Zero with a double clothesline. Jeff went to the top to go for the swanton on Ali, but Zero and Hotch pulled him out for the save. 

— Mila Moore is TNA’s newest Knockout. She started watching wrestling after one of her friends passed away. She watched a ppv, saw how larger than life everyone was, and wanted to be a part of that. She has been training for about  year. Moore was upset when Jada Stone got a contract before she did, but then got signed too. This was pretty boring until she took a heel turn at the end when she criticized TNA for taking so long to sign her. 

Heather by Elegance (w/ The Concierge and M) v. Kelani Jordan for the TNA Knockouts World Championship

The Concierge grabbed the mic and insulted the Orlando crowd while doing Heather’s introduction. 

Jordan is trying to be a heel, and Heather is a heel, so this starts out clumsy with them both trying to cheap shot each other. Jordan hit Heather with a dropkick to send her to the floor. 

Jordan chased Heather around the ring. Heather feigned hurting her knee while running, distracting the ref and allowing M to attack Jordan from behind. Back in the ring, Heather’s offense was a lot of hair pulling and choking Jordan against the ring ropes. Heather sent Jordan into the turnbuckles hard for a near fall. 

Heather worked a chinlock for a bit. As Jordan powered out of the move, Heather pulled her back down by her hair, then taunted the crowd. 

Heather burned a knee into Jordan’s midsection to maintain control. Heather went back to a chinlock, and the crowd got behind Kelani while the faces of the TNA Knockout’s locker room watched. 

Jordan came back with a pair of clotheslines and a back elbow. Heather had a small cut on her face. Jordan caught Heather with a superkick. Allegedly, Heather hit Jordan with a DDT, but it looked like Jordan was driving her own head into the mat. So that was ugly. 

While the Concierge distracted the ref, Heather tried to send Jordan into a right hand by M, but Jordan reversed. So M absolutely stopped, and didn’t come close to hitting Heather. Heather sold like she was hit anyway. M sold like she’d made a big mistake. And then Jordan hit the split legged moonsault for the pinfall. 

Match Result: Jordan pinned Heather to retain, a botched botched interference finish (9:05). 

That finish was absurd.

— The IInspriation will defend the Knockouts Tag Team titles against Tessa Blanchard & Victoria Coward and Xia Brookside & Léi Yîng Lee in a triple threat match, and each team cut brief promos promising victory. 

Elijah’s Return Concert. 

Oh my goodness, some fans in the crowd are holding up “WALK!” Signs for Elijah. Because who wants to walk with Elijah? Elijah explained his injury and surgery, and a fan shouted “You’ll be alright!” Elijah has a screw in his elbow, and it’s really messed with his guitar playing. Elijah sings a cover of “Amazing Grace” that honestly isn’t too bad. He then switched up to a song about TNA. 

Ali ran in to ruin the concert and make a challenge to the Hardys and Cedric Alexander for tomorrow night. Of course, Ali will have members of Order 4 as his partners. Elijah cut him off to challenge Ali to a one-on-one match. Elijah turned away, and Ali gave him a cheap shot with a microphone. Ali then broke one of Elijah’s guitars on his “surgically repaired” elbow. 

TNA Turning Point: 

  • Indi Hartwell v. Dani Luna in a No DQ match. 
  • The IInspiration v. Tessa Blanchard & Victoria Coward v.  Xia Brookside & Léi Yîng Lee for the Knockouts Tag Team Title. 
  • AD Francis v. BDE 
  • Cedric Alexander & The Hardys v. Mustafa Ali, Jason Hotch and Jon Skyler 
  • Leon Slater v. Rich Swann for the X-Division Title. 
  • Kelani Jordan v. M by Elegance for the Knockouts Title
  • Mike Santana & Steve Maclin v. Frankie Kazarian & Nic Nemeth

Ryan Nemeth v. Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship

Nemeth demanded that the fans cheer for him, and tried to get a “Let’s Go Ryan!” chant going. 

Ryan jumped Santana from behind. His advantage didn’t last long. Santana caught Nemeth with an enziguri, absorbed a dropkick from Nemeth and dropped him with a chop. Santana followed up with a senton, then a cannonball in the corner. It looked like Santana was setting up for the rolling lariat, but then the Nemeths’ music played. Nic was showed walking through the backstage area, but he got jumped by a hooded figure before he could get to the ring. 

Then back in the ring, a bunch of NXT guys ran in to attack Santana and end the match. Ryan Nemeth got out of there and about a dozen NXT guys lead by Lexis King and Charlie Dempsey attacked Santana. Steve Maclin and The Home Town Man tried to make the save, but it was basically ten on three so that went badly for them. Dempsey got an arm breaker on Santana, and then the NXT crew Pillmanized Santana’s arm with a chair. 

Match Result: Mike Santana via dq or the match was thrown out maybe? (1:58)

The NXT crew leaves, and medical people tend to Santana. And then Frankie Kazarian came out with the Call Your Shot trophy to cash in. 

Mike Santana v. Frankie Kazarian for the TNA World Championship

Kazarian hit the Fade to Black, but Santana kicked out at two. Kazarian went for the chicken wing, but Santana escaped. Santana tried for the rolling lariat, but his arm was too hurt, and Karazian rolled him up for the pinfall. 

Match Result: Frankie Kazarian pins Mike Santana, wins TNA World Title (0:51). 

When will bookers realize that all these cheap finishes do is make fans hate the promotion?

What an absolute slap in the face to anyone who got invested in the Mike Santana storyline. If they were going to screw Santana this quickly, they might as well have done it while everyone was walking out of the main event at Bound for Glory. Tonight was an absolute garbage fire and I’d imagine any goodwill built up by this company was flushed down the toilet with the ending tonight.

Oh but Turning Point is tomorrow night. Whatever.

Also, Full Sail was dark and it looked like there were many empty seats in the arena. I don’t know who Tony Condello is, but this looked like a WCW Saturday Night taping from 1992, but with an LED board and more lights.

TNA Impact live results: Open Fight Night, Kelani Jordan interview

Posted on by Joseph Collins

For the first time since 2017, TNA Wrestling will revive their Open Fight Night concept where wrestlers make challenges that must be accepted.

The one difference is these matches were previously taped as the company is in a one month dark period ahead of next Thursday’s live episode of Impact.

The only match announced thus far will see a four-way tag team match featuring The System’s Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards vs. The Rascalz vs. The Great Hands vs. Sinner & Saint.

After her comments on Tuesday’s NXT, reigning TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan will have a new sit-down interview.

Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.

**********

Santino talked up Bound for Glory, and explained that tonight is open fight night. 

This was followed by a promo from Brian Myers released on TNA Digital this week, which set up the four team match opening the show. 

Tom Hannifan & Matthew Rehwoldt were on commentary. 

Sinner & Saint (Judas Icarus and Travis Williams) vs. The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs. The Great Hands (John Skyler & Jason Hotch) (w/ Tasha Steelz) vs. The System (Brian Myers & Eddie Edwards) (w/ Alicia Edwards) 

The Rascals took all six of their opponents out with a double-dive to the floor. The crowd was behind the Rascalz as they double-teamed Icarus. Icarus caught Hotch with a forearm, setting Hotch up from a doulbe-team from Williams and Icarus. Hotch caught Williams with an eye-poke, but then Myers got the tag and went after Hotch. 

Skyler distracted Myers, which allowed Hotch to catch him with a dropkick from behind that sent him to the floor. Skyler attacked Myers on the floor. Back in the ring, The Great Hands double-teamed Myers in their corner. 

Hotch and Edwards hit a double team neckbreaker/legsweep on Myers for a near fall. Myers went for a sunset flipper two, but Hotch came back with a dropkick to get his own two count. Hotch dumped Myers to the floor again and Tasha Steelz attacked him on the floor. 

Finally Edwards got the tag and hit Skyler with a lariat. Hotch got a high backdrop, and then Myers took Skyler down with a top rope rana. Then the match broke down with everyone getting in the ring for like a minute, before Edwards took out Skylar with a Boston Knee Party, and Edwards got the pinfall.

Match Result: The System won when Eddie Edwards pinned John Skylar (8:56 aired)

Should have just been a straight tag match between the System and The Great Hands for as much as the others were involved. 

— Jody Threat challenged Dani Luna tonight. 

— The Elegance Brand is looking for Mr. Elegance. The prize is a one year contract with TNA Wrestling. If you think you’re Mr. Elegance, make a video and send it to EleganceBrand(at)TNAWrestling.com. 

Dani Luna v. Jody Threat

Threat went for a forward cannonball off the apron, but Luna ducked and Threat hit the floor with an audible thud. Back in the ring, Luna took Threat down with an exploder. Luna went for another exploder, but Threat reversed it into an exploder of her own.  The comeback was short-lived, and Luna hit a German suplex on Threat. 

Threat came back with chops and forearms. Luna escaped a suplex but Threat hit a lariat. Threat dumped Luna to the floor and hit her with a cannonball off the apron. Back in the ring, Threat hit kind of a jackhammer for a near fall. 

Threat went for a submission, but Luna caught her with a back elbow and a back-body drop.  Luna hit a slingshot blue thunder bomb for a near fall. Luna started jawing with the ref, and that gave Threat the opening to grab a rear naked choke. Luna made the ropes to escape. 

Luna buried a knee in Threat’s midsection. Threat came back with a forearm, so Luna put her down with another knee. Threat came back with more forearms, but Luna hit a clubbing forearm to the back of Threat’s neck. 

Luna went for the Luna Landing, but Threat escaped with a rana. Threat wound up on the outside, and Luna, in a impressive feat, got on the middle rope and threw Threat back into the ring with a release German suplex. Luna hit the Luna Landing and got the pinfall. 

Match result: Luna pinned Threat (10:05 aired). 

It felt like they missed their peak by about 3 minutes. 

The TNA Injury Report: 

  • Mustafa Ali is day-to-day with injuries from the Hardcore War. 
  • Jake Something is suffering lingering after effects from Rosemary’s mist, but isn’t expected to miss any time. 
  • Mike Santana suffered a laceration in the Bound for Glory main event. 

— Cedric Alexander challenged Mike Santana to leave his title in the back and come out for a fight tonight. 

— Nic Nemeth and Mike Santana did a promotional tour all over El Paso. Nemeth wouldn’t make a bad first title defense for Santana. TNA will be in El Paso in December for Final Resolution and two nights of Impact tapings. 

— To pad out the run time of the show, the showed a match from last March between The Hardys and the Colons in El Paso a few months ago. Allegedly it was an “El Paso Street Fight” but the first few minutes followed the rules of a straight tag match. Eventually it did break down into a street fight all over the arena, with the Hardys and Colons brawling all over the commentators area and freaking out Hannifan. The Hardys won after a Swanton bomb through a very uncooperative table on Orlando Colon.

— Then they aired a match between AJ Styles and Bobby Roode for the TNA World Title from a 2012 Open Fight night. Roode retained.

— On NXT Tuesday, Joe Henrdy and Thea Hale made a challenge (of sorts) to the new AAA Mixed Tag Team champions Ethan Page & Chelsea Green at NXT Gold Rush. Also on that show, Santino Marella set up Lei Ying Lee v. Kelani Jordan v. Jordan Grace for the TNA Knockouts Title at NXT Gold Rush.

A Sit-down Interview with TNA Knockouts World Champion Kelani Jordan. 

Kelani Jordan sat down with Sarah Schreiber for an interview. A bunch of ungrateful women kicked Jordan out of the locker room, so now Jordan will “stay in her own lane.” She’s already beaten Jordynne Grace and Lei Ying Lee, so she didn’t see the reason to fight them again. Jordan isn’t afraid of anyone in the TNA locker room. She won’t let the women in TNA or NXT or the fans at home label her. In the end, “No one can do it like Lani.” Jordan feels miscast as a heel.

— The Elengace Brand were not impressed with any of the men in Edmonton.

Next week on TNA Impact: 

  • Elijah returns with a live concert. 
  • Jason Hotch v. Cedric Alexander

The following night is Turning Point, and nothing has been announced for that show.

TNA World Champion Mike Santana v. Cedric Alexander

Santana “left his world title belt” in the back because Cedric Alexander told him to in his challenge, not because this match was taped a month before Santana won the belt. 

This is a standard babyface v. babyface match, with lots of technical wrestling and reversals in the opening minutes. Santana went for a wild swing early but Alexander ducked and went to the outside to regroup. 

Santana caught Alexander with a springboard crossbody. Alexander dropped to the floor, and Santana followed to hit him with a superkick. Back in the ring, Alexander caught Santana with a Asai moonsault. The fought on the apron, and Alexander hit him with a flatliner on the apron. 

After a commercial, Alexander dumped Santana with a release German suplex for a near fall. Santana and Alexander exchanged chops in the corner. Alexander caught Santana with a Michinoku Driver for another near fall. 

Santana flipped out of a back suplex attack and hit a lariat. Santana followed up by coming off the ropes with a flying lariat. Santana went for the rolling cutter, but Alexander countered that with a suplex, then hit a fisherman’s buster for a near fall. 

Alexander went for a Lumbar Check, but Santana escaped. Santana set up Alexander for a superplex, but Alexander countered and escaped. Santana caught him with a boot and hit the rolling cutter for another near fall. 

Santana hit a boot, but Alexander came back with a superkick. Both guys exchanged cradles for near falls. Alexander avoided the rolling lariat, Santana escaped the Lumbar Check, and finally Santana hit the rolling lariat to get the pinfall. 

Match Result: Mike Santana pinned Cedric Alexander (11:17 aired). 

This was a good babyface match.

Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan segment set for TNA Impact

Posted on by Ian Carey

The TNA Knockouts World Champion Kelani Jordan will appear on this week’s episode of TNA Impact.

The promotion revealed on Wednesday that a sit-down interview with Jordan will air on Thursday’s show. This follows the announcement on NXT earlier in the week that Jordan will defend her title against Jordynne Grace and Lei Ying Lee in a triple threat match at NXT Gold Rush.

As for the rest of this week’s Impact, the episode will follow “Open Fight Night” rules. Similar to a format the promotion used in 2017, all matches will be determined via open challenge.

Brian Myers issued the first open challenge for the show, leading to an eight-man tag featuring Myers, Eddie Edwards, Jason Hatch, and John Skyler against Judas Icarus, Travis Williams, Trey Miguel, and Zachary Wentz. The match was taped on September 27 in Edmonton.

TNA Impact lineup for Thursday, November 6, 2025:

  • Kelani Jordan sit-down interview
  • Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, Jason Hatch & John Skyler vs. Judas Icarus, Travis Williams, Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz

Following this week’s episode, TNA will present a live Impact from Full Sail University on November 13, followed by Turning Point 2025 the following night in the same venue. A TV taping will be held at Full Sail on November 15 as well.

WWE NXT live results: TNA Knockouts title on the line

Posted on by Chris Aiken

NXT’s Halloween Havoc fallout episode takes place tonight with a card highlighted by two women’s title matches.

The TNA Knockouts Championship will be on the line with Kelani Jordan defending against Jordynne Grace. A former TNA star before arriving in NXT, Grace is looking to reclaim a title that she has held three times before.

New Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey also has a title defense scheduled, taking on Lash Legend.

A new number one contender for men’s Speed Champion El Grande Americano will be determined in a tournament final. The matchup pits Axiom against Jasper Troy.

Plus, former No Quarter Catch Crew members Tavion Heights and Myles Borne meet in singles action.

We should also get appearances by NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley, Women’s North American Champion Blake Monroe, and NXT Tag Team Champions DarkState following their Halloween Havoc title wins.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

NXT is on the air from the Performance Center in Orlando in front of a live studio audience. The results and happenings at NXT Halloween Havoc are recapped in a video package. It somewhat reminded me of WCW Halloween Havoc in 1999 since both shows were overbooked.

After the canned intro, Trick Williams is in the television control room ranting and raving at production staff. Trick is hijacking the show like he is NWO in 1996. He screams about this being his house, and he runs things. He orders no one touch any buttons as he storms his way into the building, and Trick grabs a microphone on his way to the ring.

Trick says to shut up because grown folks are talking. He then proceeds to say he beat NXT Champion Ricky Saints “like a bum.” Trick calls Saints a bum numerous times, prompting NXT General Manager Ava to interrupt Trick’s diatribe.

Ava tells Trick a temper tantrum will get him nowhere. Ava insists there is no controversy from the title match, and Trick simply lost. Trick strongly disagreed. He rants some more, and Trick claims to the fans support him. The studio audience chants “Trick got whopped,” which plays on common chant during Trick’s segments and matches.

Trick cuts a promo listing some of his recent victories over the likes of Carmelo Hayes, Ethan Page and Pete Dunne. That includes some fights in the “underground” and last man standing. With that, out comes Ricky Saints with his NXT championship belt in hand. Saints runs to the ring while yelling into a microphone, saying that it is tough talk for “a guy that got his ass whipped on Saturday.”

Saints rushes into the ring with security rushing in close behind him. Saints and Trick have a silly pull-apart brawl, as this feud seemingly must continue.

— Sponsored by an insurance company, a video package hypes the Speed tournament final with Axiom against Jasper Troy, which is up next.

Axiom vs. Jasper Troy in of the WWE Speed Championship Number One Contender’s Tournament

—

On commentary, the announcers likened this to tales old as time where speed meets brute strength. That includes David against Goliath. Booker T also likens the match to “The Tortoise and the Hare”. Sure, Booker.

That was indeed David against Goliath, except the Goliath character won this time. The match was short of course, given the time limit. There was some cat and mouse. Axiom used his speed, but this match was more about getting Troy over. For the finish, Troy gives Axiom a Black Hole Slam. Troy then pins him to become the number one contender to the WWE Speed Championship. His opponent, El Grande Americano, was sitting in the crowd watching the match.

Match result: Jasper Troy defeated Axiom via pinfall in the finals of the WWE Speed Championship Number One Contender’s Tournament.

— Sol Ruca is backstage talking with Ava. Alongside them is Zaria. Ava says Ruca is making “progress” with her injury, but not sure when Ruca will be cleared to compete. Ruca forfeits the WWE Speed Women’s Championship to Ava, much to the dismay of Zaria. Ruca had also declined to have anyone sub for her, and Zaria storms off.

— The Culling is heading towards the ring.

New women’s champ spins the wheel to make a deal

Newly-crowned NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley is joined by The Culling, as they celebrate her win with an in-ring promo. Paxley shouts “We did it!” as chants of “Tatum” fill the sound stage. She dreamed of this moment, she says before calling Halloween Havoc the greatest night of her life. Paxley goes to cut a babyface promo, much to the chagrin of her heel faction.

Paxley wanted to share the win with everyone. Not because of who holds the title, but what the title represents. Paxley talks about the journey getting there, and how she made the most of her opportunity. If a creepy weirdo like her can become the women’s champ, then anyone can. Paxley wants to be a fighting champion.

Izzi Dame, Paxley’s stablemate in The Culling, interjects trying to talk sense into Paxley. Dame does not picture Paxley as a fighting champion, and Tatum can lose the title fast as she won it. Dame mention it took Paxley four years and countless title challenges, and Dame insists that Paxley make challengers earn their shot like Paxley did.

Paxley dismisses Dame’s concerns, and Paxley herself insists this is going to be amazing. Paxley mentions fans were upset about no wheel at Halloween Havoc, so she brought it back to determine a challenger. A gleeful Paxley hurries to the wheel gimmick that is on the entrance ramp. Notably, Dame’s name is not on the wheel. Paxley says they would never fight over the title as she wants nothing to come between their friendship.

Paxley spins the wheel and it stops on the name of Lola Vice. Paxley is pumped up, and her first title defense is set for later tonight.

— Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey enlists the help of Wren Sinclair to be her second for the title match that is up next.

Kendal Grey vs. Lash Legend for the Evolve Women’s Championship

—

Grey really shined here. They were given a lot of time, and this could possibly be among the longest matches in the career of Lash Legend. Especially so with no smoke and mirrors.

The match goes through a commercial break. Legend lands a big boot, and she is standing tall as the show cuts to commercials. The big boot spot would play a part in the finish. As they go home, Legend misses a big boot. Grey counters to deliver her flatliner finisher (“Shades of Grey”), and she scores a pin on Legend. And still…

Match result: Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey defeated Lash Legend via pinfall to retain her title.

—

Myles Borne vs. Tavion Heights

—

Good match that was given time, as it went through a split-screen commercial break.

Josh Briggs is at ringside at the announce desk for guest commentary, and Briggs goes on to play a part in the match. Heights finds himself outside the ring near the desk. He exchanges sharp words with Briggs, and Briggs jumps on the apron after Heights rolls into the ring. Briggs is knocked off the apron by Heights, but the distraction allowed Borne to clothesline Heights out of the ring. Borne follows up with a plancha on both.

Back in the ring they are going back-and-forth down the home stretch, when Borne counters a belly-to-belly into an inside cradle. Borne scores a pinfall with the small package.

Match result: Myles Borne defeated Tavion Heights.

Borne and Heights shake hands after the match, but they are soon each attacked in post-match angles. Briggs brawls with Heights at ringside as security tries to break them up. Meanwhile, Trick Williams rushes into the ring with a metal folding chair. Borne takes a chair shot from Trick, and Trick grabs a microphone.

Trick against calls out Ricky Saints as he rants and raves. Trick is ranting and looking towards the entrance ramp. “Stone Cold” Ricky Saints jumps the barricade for a surprise attack on Trick. They have a pull-apart brawl. I have lost track of the number of pull-apart brawls on this show. Please give it a rest. Security could use a break.

— Chelsea Green in a cameo appearance is talking with Ethan Page backstage. Page, who is still NXT North American Champion, hypes up their mixed tag team title match on a AAA show this Sunday. As they talk, Thea Hail walks by and name drops Joe Hendry. Say his name and he appears, and he does appear by jumping out of a trash bin like a jack in the box. As Page and Green leave, Hail comes back to push Hendry away as he rides in the trash bin. This was an odd skit.

Tatum Paxley vs. Lola Vice for the NXT Women’s Championship

—

This was more of an angle than a match, as the heel trio of Fatal Influence interfere to render a no-contest. Former champ Jacy Jayne is joined by her cohorts, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, as they surround the ring. Vice and Paxley get back-to-back trying to fight off the heels. However, they are no match for the heel trio. Paxley is held so that Jayne can deliver a Rolling Encore. Both Paxley and Vice are laid out in the ring as the heels pose in the ring.

Despite the numerous pull-apart brawls throughout the night, security was nowhere in sight on the Fatal Influence run-in. No security rushing to the ring, even though they rushed to the ring earlier in the show. Maybe they were too tired from all the other pull-apart brawls. Or they could be busy still trying to break up Trick and Saints. Nevertheless, the heels just run amok here on the babyface champ and her new friend. This sets up a trios match with Fatal Influence against Paxley, Vice and Dame next Tuesday on NXT.

Match result: NXT Women’s Champion Tatum Paxley and Lola Vice wrestle to a no-contest after interference by Fatal Influence.

— New NXT North American Women’s Champion Blake Monroe cuts a promo in bathtub. This includes product placement with Maybelline. Monroe reveals her first title defense is in New York City for the “Gold Rush” specials held from The Theater at MSG.

— Darkstate has a confrontation with Je’Von Evan, which helps set up Evans teaming with Leon Slater against the heels in a tag title bout.

— Kelly Kincaid interviews Sol Ruca and Zaria as they are leaving the building. Zaria blurts out that she is entering the Speed tournament, and she vows to win the title back for Ruca. They are then interrupted by Jacy Jayne and company. Jayne then cuts a promo on regaining the women’s title she lost.

Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace for the TNA Knockouts Championship

—

The match goes through a commercial break. Jordan rams Grace’s leg into the ring steps just before the show cuts to the break.

They do a close near fall on a Spanish Fly, and Grace kicks out at the nick of time. At that point, there is a commotion at ringside. The fight between Ricky Saints and Trick Williams spills out into the aisle, which interrupts the match that is still going in the ring.

With the referee distracted by the melee at ringside, Jordan retrieves her Knockouts title belt. Jordan stares at the title belt, and she throws it down like she thought better of using it to cheat. Grace rolls her into German suplex for another near fall. Jordan got a shoulder up.

Saints and Trick fight their way into the ring, where Saints spears Trick. More brawling before a Cactus Jack clothesline sends them both out of the ring. Security rushed in trying to separate them. Meanwhile, Jordan grabs the title again. Grace goes to grab Jordan, and Jordan turns around with a belt shot. Hit by the title belt, Grace sells like she is knocked out. Jordan then covers her for the winning three count.

Match result: TNA Knockouts Champion Kelani Jordan defeated Jordynne Grace via pinfall to retain her title.

Two title matches set for next WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two title matches are set for Tuesday’s NXT.

The TNA Knockouts title will be on the line when Kelani Jordan squares off against Jordynne Grace. The two had a confrontation at Halloween Havoc, trading insults back and forth before Grace said she wanted to challenge for the title next. Jordan responded by saying the title carries way more weight than her. Grace slapped Jordan, who reacted by telling Grace that she’ll regret that.

Kendal Grey will be defending the Evolve Women’s title against Lash Legend. After the two exchanged words on Tuesday, they did so again at Halloween Havoc, this time with Lash issuing a challenge. Grey agreed to a title match for Tuesday.

Former members of the NQCC will meet when Myles Borne takes on Tavion Heights. After both shared their gripes about their recent issues with Josh Briggs with Ava, the NXT GM suggested the two face off on Tuesday.

Here is the update lineup for Tuesday’s NXT:

WWE NXT (October 28)

  • TNA Knockouts title: Kelani Jordan defends against Jordynne Grace
  • WWE Evolve Women’s title: Kendal Grey defends against Lash Legend
  • Men’s Speed Tournament finals: Jasper Troy vs. Axiom
  • Tavion Heights vs. Myles Borne