Tag: TNA news

Daily Update: Pat McAfee, Trish Stratus, TNA Impact lineup

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest Headlines

Latest Audio

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

*More on the death of Hulk Hogan
*The ugliness of the aftermath of the death
*An article talking about the aftermath of the death
*Those close to him talk about his death
*Those not remotely close to him get harassed about his death
*Documentaries coming on Hogan
*A look at the biggest names in history when it comes to drawing and how Hogan compares with them domestically and internationally
*Hogan’s WWF peak
*WWF business under Hogan and Austin
*Hogan’s live show magic
*The Andre match on NBC
*Gorgeous George, The Rock, Sammartino, Londos, Rikidozan and Santo
*Wrestling in the U.S. pre-Hogan and the myths that have been created
*Hogan vs. Londos
*Hogan’s family talks
*SummerSlam story and interest levels
*WWE, AAA and CMLL in Mexico this past week
*Lots on WWE’s plans for AAA
*TripleMania thoughts
*Alberto, Dominik, Vikingo and Grende Americano in Mexico
*A classic match at Arena Mexico with Neon vs. Mascara Dorada
*Update on the G-1 Climax tournament
*The life and times of Gerry Morrow, a Canadian wrestling journeyman who is one of the most underrated inflential wrestler of the st 40 years with comments by those he inflenced
*Conor McGregor’s appeal of the sexual assault civil cse
*The most detailed look at the ratings for  all the TV wrestling shows
*MJF to Arena Mexico
*Five Star Grand Prix opens up
*The Hogan vs. Andre match that never happened
*Santo and Fuerza Guerrera retirement show notes
*The first major ethnic draw in the U.S.
*TNA looking for new TV deal
*Will Ospreay update
*Forbidden Door update
*Details of the WBD split
*Tony Khan has already made belts for a new title
*Tag team tournament AEW update
*TKO Boxing notes
*Update on ringboys lawsuit against the McMahons and WWE
*Vince McMahon auto accident details
*Levesque and Trump
*Thoughts on WWE Unreal
*An original Mania show
*Cody Rhodes on Bill Simmons
*Lots of notes on the WWE tryouts this week

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Sol Ruca vs. Tatum Paxley NXT Women’s North American Championship match from last night.
  • Cody Rhodes was on SportsCenter today discussing WWE’s new partnership with ESPN.
  • Pat McAfee posted a tweet reacting to the news that WWE PLEs are coming to ESPN’s direct-to-consumer streaming service in 2026. In his response, McAfee – one of ESPN’s top stars – continued to take shots at the “powerless” ESPN suits he believes have been trying to sabotage him behind the scenes:
    • Congrats to the @WWE and @espn on getting a historic PLE deal done.
    • Great to see 2 powerhouses of sports and entertainment come together.
    • I assume all the mid level, powerless, bum ass suits at ESPN will attempt to muddy this somehow (out of context leaks/ignorant anonymous opinions/etc.) but, in the end.. this agreement will outlive the dinosaurs currently guarding desks in Bristol and this deal will be great for ESPN. 
    • Cheers to the future
  • John Cena is featured on the cover of the August 18 edition of People magazine.
  • Trish Stratus announced that she will not be able to make her scheduled appearance in the United Kingdom at Comic Con Wales on August 9-10:
    • Hi everyone, it breaks my heart to share that I won’t be able to attend the autograph signing in Wales this weekend. My mom needs me by her side right now, and with the distance involved, the travel is simply too far. If anything were to happen, I’d be too far away to get back quickly and that’s not a risk I can take at this time.
    • To those who bought tickets – I’m so sorry to disappoint you. I promise I will come back to Wales and we will meet another time! I’m truly sorry to disappoint anyone, please know I never take your support for granted, and it means the world to me.
    • I’m aware I have several upcoming appearances scheduled on the #Trish25 Tour and as of now, those are still planned. I’m working on putting the right support in place at home to allow me to step away when needed – but for this particular event, I had to make the difficult decision to stay close to home.
    • Thank you so much for your understanding and compassion. Your prayers and positive energy for my mom mean everything right now.
  • NXT wrestler Brinley Reece got engaged to her boyfriend Marcus Aponte on August 2: “BRB- Changing my last name! 8.2.25 was the best day of my life. This moment was more magical than my younger self could have ever dreamed of. I love you, forever!!”
  • Jacy Jayne was the guest on this week’s episode of Celtic Warrior Workouts with Sheamus.
  • The My Mom’s Basement podcast interviewed Dominik Mysterio.
  • WWE followed Dominik backstage at SummerSlam for a behind-the-scenes vlog.
  • Charlotte Flair made an appearance on Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe.

Other Wrestling

  • While speaking with the Ohio News-Herald, Willow Nightingale opened up about her decision to re-sign with AEW:
    • The idea of entertaining free agency didn’t even really cross my mind. I mean, obviously, the thought was there because it’s a business at the end of the day, but I am so happy where I am, and I feel like my work here is so far from done. And the things that I love about wrestling the most are afforded to me here. I do get to travel and see the world, wrestle other places, wrestle other people. But, also, I get to be a part of our locker room, and it’s changed and grown since I’ve started there, let alone from the people who were there from day one. Penelope Ford is someone who comes to mind, who was really an OG AEW wrestler, and she was gone for two years with a hip injury. She came back and instantly had as much passion as when she started. She and I don’t see eye-to-eye in the ring. We don’t deal with things the same way. We’ve got different mentalities. But I have to applaud someone who kind of came from a different time, and as the locker room has pushed for more and been hungry to get better, she has done the same, and that is — that’s the kind of locker room I want to be a part of.
    • You know, who’s just, like, ‘OK, we’re evolving, we’re growing, I’m gonna get with it?’… We all want each other’s spot. Whoever’s at the top — (AEW women’s world champion) Toni Storm, (TBS champion) Mercedes Mone — we all want to be you. And that’s the company I want to be in. I don’t want to be the best of people who are just happy to be where they are. I want to be the best people who are hungry and trying to make everybody better.
  • Nyla Rose is challenging Nightshade for the Eve Championship at Pro Wrestling Eve’s show in London on August 23.
  • After receiving backlash, Kiera Hogan posted a statement explaining a reality show clip where she called wrestling a “stepping stone” for her:
    • Yes, I said ‘pro wrestling was always going to be a stepping stone for other things.’ And I meant that.
    • Because wrestling has always been my first love – but I’m multi-talented and unapologetically ambitious. I knew from the jump that wrestling would open doors for me in fashion, TV, and beyond. Just like it has for so many others before me.
    • Y’all cheer when wrestlers land movie roles, runway shows, or makeup deals… but get mad when I say it out loud?
    • I’m not here to play small or limit myself to one lane. I’m here to build an empire.
  • Here is everything that’s been announced for Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact:
    • TNA World Champion Trick Williams kicks off the show
    • TNA Knockouts Champion Jacy Jayne defends against Ash By Elegance
    • Joe Hendry vs. Mustafa Ali
    • TNA International Champion Steve Maclin defends against Jake Something
    • Santino Marella makes an announcement regarding TNA Emergence
    • Mara Sade (former NXT wrestler Jakara Jackson) in action
    • The Elegance Brand (Heather By Elegance & M By Elegance) vs. Lei Ying Lee & Xia Brookside
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Mike Santana named AJ Styles as his dream opponent:
    • AJ Styles. Just especially being put in this position in TNA as being that new guy and the new face, and they call me The Standard and stuff like that. I think it’d be amazing. Of course, there’s other people that I love to work with over there [in WWE], and I have a lot of people that I know and that I came up on the indies with over there. But to me, AJ is the guy.
  • Prestige Wrestling announced that all profits from its August 23 show in Portland, Oregon will be donated to RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). Tickets are donation-based with fans choosing how much to pay. The event was announced after a different local promotion attempted to book Joey Ryan, though that booking has already been canceled.

TNA extends contracts of commentary team

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt are sticking around as the voices of TNA Wrestling.

While speaking with Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown, TNA President Carlos Silva confirmed that the promotion has extended the contracts of Hannifan and Rehwoldt. The two anchor TNA’s broadcast team with Hannifan serving as the play-by-play voice of the company and Rehwoldt working alongside him as the color commentator.

The Takedown says the length of their renewals is not known at this time.

“Silva told The Takedown on SI in a new interview to be dropped later this week that the company recently extended Hannifan and Rehwoldt’s contracts. The length of the renewals is unclear,” the article said. “He also noted McKenzie Mitchell will remain in her role as the promotion’s ring announcer.”

Both Hannifan and Rehwoldt formerly worked for WWE, where they were known as Tom Phillips and Aiden English prior to their respective releases. Rehwoldt transitioned to commentary near the end of his WWE run before later making it his full-time focus.

The two have been TNA’s commentary team since 2022. Hannifan recently got emotional speaking about how hard everyone in TNA works trying to make the promotion great.

TNA is on the road to Bound for Glory 2025, with the pay-per-view set to take place in Lowell, Massachusetts on October 12.


Daily Update: WWE notes, Christian Cage, Chris Bey

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest Headlines

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Notes from the new issue:

  • Life of Hulk Hogan, notes on his death, WWE expansion, comparisons with Rikidozan, Santo and Dwayne Johnson, the complicated legacy, the story behind the tape that ruined his legacy, last WWE appearance, Bobby Heenan comments,  Jimmy Hart’s first connection with Hogan, first match with Andre and how it got him to national TV,  lies about his career, meeting Superstar Billy Graham the start of his career and the real story on Hiro Matsuda, Ed Leslie, Austin Idol, New Japan Pro Wrestling, the Terry Funk hotel room story, never doing jobs, the myths about the AWA title, leaving the AWA, his most famous match with Inoki,  his return to WWF, the first WrestleMania, record breaking attendance, WrestleMania III payoff,  Ultimate Warrior, WestleMania VII with Sgt. Slaughter, the Zahorian and McMahon steroid trials, Jerry McDevitt, going to WCW, the rise and fall of WCW,  the Sting & Goldberg matches, the end in WCW and return to WWE, the TNA run and life after wrestling.
  • Updates on SummerSlam
  • Notes on Buff Bagwell
  • The most detailed look at what we’ve learned about both viewing habits on Netflix as well as actual numbers for Smackdown, NXT, PPVs and shows from the past.
  • Complete UFC 318 coverage and retirement of Dustin Poirier
  • G-1 notes
  • TNA Slammiversary coverage
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week
  • CMLL anniversary show taking shape
  • MJF headed to Arena Mexico
  • The amazing Friday night show this past week
  • The weekend battle of Mexico City
  • A look at why CMLL is on fire
  • Omos update
  • Stardom major show coverage
  • All Japan big matches
  • NOAH and the two GHC title bouts
  • Real American Freestyle update
  • How the financial situation after WWE has changed for certain women after leaving the company
  • A look at Ed Don George and his being honored this past week
  • More on Cowboy Bob Ellis
  • AEW on MAX update as well as DVR numbers
  • Bryan Danielson talks a lot about many different things
  • The Ali Act and the attempt to change it to benefit TKO
  • Dana White on Jon Jones
  • Lots of new UFC PP main events
  • Diego Sanchez arrested
  • Ben Askran returns home
  • Changes in the WWE workplace
  • Notes on Survivor Series this year
  • Punk on his promos
  • Goldberg talks
  • McIntyre  with Logan Paul
  • A celebrity out of the video game after his situation with WWE has changed
  • WWE weekend house shows

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • Following the tributes on SmackDown and Raw, WWE honored Hulk Hogan again last night with a 10-bell salute at the start of NXT.
  • Jordynne Grace posted a tweet responding to Blake Monroe after the promo on NXT where Monroe showed old pictures of Grace and mocked her appearance: “The bell is going to ring at some point.”
  • Music star Jelly Roll was in the crowd at NXT as he prepares to make his in-ring debut this weekend at SummerSlam.
  • WWE did not air a new episode of WWE Speed on X/Twitter today, meaning it’s now been three weeks since the show stopped airing without explanation.
  • Rhea Ripley spoke to Allenownz Wrasslin about her connection with Liv Morgan:
    • Liv is someone that I love deeply. Our feud that we’ve had in WWE – it’s gone on for so long now. And I feel like every time we come back to it, we don’t get to touch on everything that’s actually happened throughout our careers together.
    • This goes back to like NXT – she gave me her NXT locker when she left to be a part of the main roster. We’ve always had some sort of connection. So to be able to go through and have this continuously long story that sort of gets threaded together but then forgot about but then threaded together, it’s really cool to see it all come together in the end. Especially knowing how many problems there were with it and how many ups and downs, like with the injuries…
    • She’s like my story nemesis – my wrestling nemesis, my everything nemesis, but like, at the same time, like my wrestling love. It’s a really weird combination of emotions and story that we have together.
  • On The Bill Simmons Podcast, Cody Rhodes named his loss to Roman Reigns from WrestleMania 39 as his favorite match of his career.
  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque will be a guest at the TEDSports convention in Indianapolis this September.
  • Levesque made an appearance on WFAN Radio with hosts Brandon Tierney & Sal Licata.
  • Sean “X-Pac” Waltman will be in attendance at Friday’s WWE ID Showcase event when the first-ever WWE ID Champions are crowned: “I’m proud to coach members of the @WWEID program. I’ll be at their ID Showcase this Friday 8/1 in Rutherford, NJ for the crowning of their 1st ever Men’s & Women’s Championships. This is an exceptionally talented group of aspiring pro wrestlers. Come see them if you’re in town.”
  • Charlotte Flair shared a photo of her training with other legacy wrestlers Ava (Simone Johnson), Lexis King (Brian Pillman Jr.), and Uriah Connors (Brogan Finlay).
  • WWE Hall of Famer Stevie Ray posted the following: “Hulk Hogan was very important to me and my brother’s careers. He was always a good man to talk to. R.I.P. brother.
  • Tiffany Stratton was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • Netflix conducted an interview with Alexa Bliss while on a roller coaster. 
  • The Battleground Podcast interviewed Karrion Kross.
  • Muscle & Fitness published a story on Chelsea Green.

Other Wrestling

  • Tony Khan announced an appearance by Christian Cage for tonight’s AEW Dynamite: “For the first time since The Patriarch was betrayed by Nick & Shayna Wayne + Kip Sabian, and @RatedRCope then told him go find himself at #AEWAllInTexas, Christian Cage returns TONIGHT!”
  • Samoa Joe was the guest on a new edition of Talk is Jericho.
  • Going Ringside spoke with Paul Wight.
  • ESPN has a feature story on Chris Bey and his recovery from the near-fatal broken neck he suffered in October 2024. In the article, Bey discussed potentially returning to the ring in the future:
    • I call this ‘the greatest story ever told’ because I was living my dream at the highest level that people told me would be unattainable. I had a life-altering injury and potentially life-ending injury. But through the grace of God, with all the odds stacked against me, not only am I back on my feet, but I’m in the process of becoming an athlete again. And should that day come when we get to end it my way, when the music hits and I come back out to the ring in full wrestling gear and a pair of boots, it’s just the greatest story ever told.
  • Bey noted that, while he’s out of action, he’s interested in helping the next generation by working behind the scenes in a capacity like producing or writing: “I should use my talents in any way possible to help continue and push forward the next generation.”

AJ Styles hopes to have another TNA match but ‘can’t promise that’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

After his appearance at Slammiversary, AJ Styles is hoping that he’ll get the chance to step into a TNA ring again.

Styles — the greatest homegrown star in TNA history — returned to the company at Slammiversary on July 20. It was just a one-night appearance made possible by WWE’s working relationship with TNA, but Styles is hoping there will be more in the future. In a clip from TNA’s “Fade to Black” documentary on Slammiversary, Styles said he wants to have another TNA match but can’t promise anything.

“Tonight was the perfect night for me. It was an opportunity for me to come and see the fans face-to-face, something I haven’t done in a really long time,” Styles said after Slammiversary. “And WWE said, ‘Yeah, sure, go do that.’ You don’t see that every day. So the opportunity just to come and visit and share some time with them, it was pretty amazing, man. I hope there’s something special as far as a match goes, but I can’t promise that. I can’t promise you tomorrow what’s going to happen to me. I can tell you this — I was very excited. Even I had the butterflies tonight.”

If Styles does compete for TNA, it would be his first match for the company since 2013. Styles had several World Championship and X-Division title reigns while with TNA — and his appearance at Slammiversary saw him praise new X-Division Champion Leon Slater.

The 48-year-old Styles will be in action at WWE SummerSlam night two this Sunday when he challenges Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental title.

TNA Wrestling, NJPW honor Hulk Hogan following his death

Posted on by Joseph Currier

TNA Wrestling and NJPW are honoring Hulk Hogan for the contributions he made to their respective promotions.

– Following Hogan’s passing at 71 years old, TNA presented a live episode of Impact from Kingston, Rhode Island on Thursday night. The broadcast was dedicated to Hogan with TNA taking a moment to remember him.

“Earlier today the world learned of the passing of the biggest icon in the history of professional wrestling, Hulk Hogan. His contributions to this company and the entirety of this industry will never be forgotten,” commentator Tom Hannifan said. “TNA Wrestling is deeply saddened by this news, and we send our condolences to the fans, friends, and family of Hulk Hogan.”

TNA is where Hogan ended his in-ring career, having his final match in 2012 on a TNA tour of the United Kingdom. He was with TNA from 2009-2013 as an on-screen performer as well as significantly influencing the company behind the scenes.

– NJPW, where Hogan found early success alongside his American stardom, posted the following remembrance on the company’s website:

New Japan Pro-Wrestling is saddened to learn of the passing of Terry Bollea, known to wrestling fans as Hulk Hogan, on July 24. He was 71.

While Hogan’s status as a blockbuster attraction and pop culture icon in the US is well documented, he also left a significant mark on Japanese and New Japan Pro-Wrestling history. Trained by Hiro Matsuda, Hogan first came to Japan in 1980, participating in the third MSG (Madison Square Garden) League that brought names from America to battle NJPW’s top stars. 

In late spring of 1983, the International Wrestling Grand Prix League saw the IWGP letters known today first used in NJPW competition. A league tournament brought wrestlers from across the world from various member promotions to determine an IWGP Champion that would then defend their status in the next year’s tournament. The league boiled down to Hogan and Antonio Inoki in the final, and to massive shock, Hogan would upset Inoki, landing his Ax Bomber lariat to send Inoki off the apron and to count out defeat to be the first IWGP League winner. Later that year, Inoki teamed with Hogan, and the two won the MSG Tag League together.

Hogan continued to compete in NJPW until 1985, and then returned to Japan in the early 1990s for the Genichiro Tenryu operated SWS. In 1993, Hogan created a stir when he targeted IWGP Heavyweight Champion Great Muta at Wrestling Dontaku while still carrying the WWF Championship; Hogan would defeat Muta in a non title bout in Fukuoka that May, and faced Tatsumi Fujinami the following January 4 in the Tokyo Dome before transitioning to WCW Stateside. Hogan’s last match in Japan came at Ultimate Crush in October 2003 with a victory over Masahiro Chono. 

 The thoughts and sympathies of all at New Japan Pro-Wrestling go to Hogan’s family, friends and fans. 

Daily Update: TNA Impact lineup, Kacy Catanzaro, Ric Flair

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest Headlines

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This week’s issue is one of the biggest of the year when it comes to major shows and we have one our biggest issues of the year out:

  • Full coverage of All In Texas including why matches ended the way they did, business numbers, lots of injury updates, booking notes on the top matches,  PPV numbers, gate, merch, history of Texas stadium shows, complaints about the length and why, interest level comparisons with WWE this week and the past month, next head-to-head and more
  • Bill Goldberg’s retirement, his comments, a look into the ratings of the show, WWE side of the story, what could have been done differently, Seth Rollins angle looked at, SummerSlam card revealed, how to accurately look at the numbers and more.
  • WWE Evolution, early numbers, booking thoughts.
  • Great American Bash and competition wth All In.
  • ROH Supercard of Honor featuring an incredible main event
  • Dragon Gate has its biggest show of the year
  • The life and times of the Amazing Kung Fu on the death of Eddie Hamill and his influence on how babyfaces in the U.K. work
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling television shows this past week, with demo, comparisons with last year and quarters.
  • A look at the CMLL anniversary show
  • MJF heading to Mexico to challenge for title
  • Arena Mexico has trios match with young wrestlers that was super
  • Alberto turns face in AAA
  • G-1 Climax first week news
  • Celebrity returns to Japanese rings
  • MMA legends do pro wrestling title match
  • Cowboy Bob Ellis and the Hall of Fame
  • Tokyo Joshi Pro in the U.S.
  • Slammiversary is TNA’s  biggest event in years
  • Update on lawsuit against AEW
  • Tony Khan talks a number of subjects after All In
  • The story behind the Dralisico & Dragon Lee win over FTR in Mexico and what happened next
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW upcoming shows
  • Dana White talks about White House show for next year
  • MMA champion shot five times this past week
  • Randy Couture update
  • Business of Taylor vs. Serrano
  • Lawsuit involving Real American Beer
  • Stratus talks Evolution
  • SummerSlam advances

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Oba Femi vs. Josh Briggs vs. Yoshiki Inamura NXT Championship main event from last night.
  • There was no new episode of WWE Speed today, making this the second straight week without an episode or an explanation why. WWE did not announce a new tournament at the end of the most recent Speed broadcast.
  • Tiffany Stratton was a guest on PHL17 News and discussed the importance of the WWE Performance Center: “I think it’s so important to have some sort of training center to coach the next in line, the future of the business. And they’ve been doing such a great job. I am from the WWE Performance Center, I’m a homegrown talent. So, I am proof that the WWE Performance Center works.”
  • Stratton named Rhea Ripley as a dream opponent she’s hoping to face in the future, as well as saying she wants to have a rematch against Becky Lynch.
  • Chris Sabin noted that today is the one-year anniversary of him signing with WWE: “1 year ago today I signed my first WWE contract. 24 years of hard work, dedication, injuries, comebacks, highs and lows and everything was absolutely worth it to achieve what was both my dream and goal. Never give up.”
  • WWE filed a new trademark for “SuperBrawl” on July 22.
  • WWE 2K25 is now available on Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Nikki Bella is the guest on a new episode of Cody Rhodes’ “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast.
  • Chelsea Green appeared on the Toronto Sun’s No Holds Barred podcast.
  • Myles Talks Wrestling spoke with CM Punk & Rhea Ripley.
  • In the ongoing top 25 countdown, WWE ranked The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar from 2002 as the eighth greatest match in SummerSlam history:
    • 25. Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar (2023)
    • 24. Seth Rollins vs. John Cena title vs. title match for the WWE Championship and United States Championship (2015)
    • 23. The Undertaker vs. Bret Hart for the WWF Championship (1997)
    • 22. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship (2019)
    • 21. Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship (2022)
    • 20. Randy Orton vs. Christian no holds barred match for the World Heavyweight Championship (2011)
    • 19. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker (2015)
    • 18. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk TLC match for the World Heavyweight Championship (2009)
    • 17. Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle for the WWF Championship (2001)
    • 16. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero ladder match (2005)
    • 15. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship (2017)
    • 14. The Rock vs. Triple H ladder match for the Intercontinental title (1998)
    • 13. John Cena vs. CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship (2011)
    • 12. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship (2023)
    • 11. John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship (2013)
    • 10. The Undertaker vs. Edge Hell in a Cell match (2008)
    • 9. Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon ladder match for the Intercontinental title (1995)
    • 8. The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar for the Undisputed Championship (2002)

Other Wrestling

  • Ric Flair (who is now cancer-free) apologized for having to miss his scheduled appearance at ATL Comic Convention last weekend, sharing a picture of his forehead after undergoing skin cancer treatment: “@ATL__CC, I’m Sorry I Missed You, But Now You Know Why! Moving Forward With @FitermanSports, It Won’t Happen Again!”
  • While speaking with Busted Open Radio to promote “Happy Gilmore 2,” MJF reiterated that he wants to be both a full-time wrestler and actor for years to come:
  • There’s a lot of people in the history of our sport where they just try to do one or the other. I love both with a passion, so I plan on being in All Elite Wrestling for years to come and being on your movie screen or TV screen for years to come.
  • Shark Boy appeared in a video promoting tonight’s Shark Week edition of AEW Dynamite.
  • AEW put together an eight-hour Timeline video featuring moments from Hangman Page’s redemption story.
  • Powerhouse Hobbs named Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks on his Mount Rushmore of AEW.
  • Here is the updated lineup for this Thursday’s live episode of TNA Impact:
    • Joe Hendry vs. Mike Santana
    • NXT Women’s Champion & TNA Knockouts Champion Jacy Jayne appears
    • We’ll hear from new X-Division Champion Leon Slater
    • The Elegance Brand (Ash By Elegance, Heather By Elegance & M By Elegance) vs. The IInspiration (Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay) and a mystery partner
    • No DQ match: Jake Something vs. Mance Warner
  • TNA President Carlos Silva presented Alisha Edwards with a TNA All Star Award at Slammiversary celebrating how much she contributes to the promotion in the ring and behind the scenes
  • The Battleground Podcast interviewed Leon Slater.
  • Frankie Kazarian appeared on Busted Open Radio today.
  • Buff Bagwell uploaded a new YouTube video documenting his successful amputation surgery.
  • Kacy Catanzaro (former WWE wrestler Katana Chance) announced that she and her boyfriend Naoufal Abouelhouda are now engaged: “Cheers to forever I SAID YES Yes today, Yes tomorrow, Yes ALWAYS”

TNA president gives update on potential new TV deal

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An agreement hasn’t been made yet, but TNA President Carlos Silva is confident that the promotion is moving closer toward getting a new TV deal.

In the aftermath of Slammiversary, Silva was a guest on the Battleground Podcast and was asked if there are any new updates on TNA securing a new media rights deal. Silva recently said his goal is to find a deal that would allow TNA Impact to air live every single week. He is targeting an agreement in the range of $10 million per year and thinks it could be reached within the next 60-90 days.

“You know, I think every day it gets closer,” he told the Battleground Podcast. “I certainly think Slammiversary and the kind of fan, social, the buzz, talking with you and so many others now that we’ve gone past it — all of it matters. But like [all] of these things, and I’ve done it throughout my career, you need to work hard every single day to be there. And if you work hard every single day to be there and you perform and the product’s great, then you get lucky. Luck doesn’t just happen because it happens, it happens because we keep doing these things every single day. That’s going to be what gets us a TV deal.

“Look, everyone notices — the media space is about buzz. It’s about creating this feeling of getting bigger and growing. And that’s exactly what we’re doing. So, is it going to help? Yeah. Is it done yet? No, it’s not done yet. But I’m working on it today and I’m working on it tomorrow. And it’s my focus to get that done. And there’s a couple of different options that we’re working on, and we’re going to keep pushing every day.”

Impact currently airs on AXS TV, a station that is owned by TNA’s parent company Anthem Sports & Entertainment, as well as being simulcast online for TNA+ members.

Silva became the new president of Anthem’s sports division in December 2024 and oversees TNA as part of his job duties. He’s appeared in the crowd at TNA and WWE NXT events during his time as president. With the working relationship TNA has with WWE, NXT wrestlers Trick Williams and Jacy Jayne currently hold TNA’s top titles.

The Battleground Podcast’s complete interview with Silva can be watched below:

New double champion Jacy Jayne to speak on live TNA Impact

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Following her Slammiversary victory, WWE NXT star Jacy Jayne is slated to appear on TNA Impact this Thursday.

Jayne became a double champion by defeating Masha Slamovich at Sunday night’s pay-per-view. Already the NXT Women’s Champion going into that winner-take-all match, Jayne now holds the TNA Knockouts Championship as well. We’ll hear from Jayne this Thursday night on a live edition of Impact.

Interference from Fatal influence partners Fallon Henley and Jazmyn Nyx helped Jayne win at Slammiversary. Lei Ying Lee and Xia Brookside did counter that interference, but an inadvertent ref bump kept Slamovich from getting the three count when she had Jayne beat. Jayne then used her Rolling Encore finisher to end Slamovich’s nine-month reign with the Knockouts title.

TNA’s two World Championships are now held by NXT wrestlers with Trick Williams retaining the TNA World Championship over Joe Hendry and Mike Santana on Sunday.

The Ryan Center in Kingston, Rhode Island is hosting Thursday night’s live Impact episode as well as a TV taping on Friday.

Here is what’s been announced for Thursday’s show so far:

TNA Impact (Thursday, July 24) —

  • Joe Hendry vs. Mike Santana
  • NXT Women’s Champion & TNA Knockouts Champion Jacy Jayne appears
  • The Elegance Brand (Ash By Elegance, Heather By Elegance & M By Elegance) vs. The IInspiration (Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay) and a mystery partner

D-Von Dudley addresses returning for one final match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

D-Von Dudley insists that his next match will truly be his final one.

At TNA Slammiversary, it was revealed that The Dudley Boyz and Hardys will face off for one last time at Bound for Glory this October. It will only be the fourth match D-Von has had since 2016. Following a seven-year absence, he returned to the ring on the 1,000th episode of TNA Impact in 2023.

D-Von suffered a stroke in 2020 and underwent spinal surgery in 2022, but he’s feeling good physically after dropping 85 pounds through DDP Yoga and focusing on his diet. Appearing on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, D-Von said he is not worried about getting injured by returning to the ring.

“Is there moments where I feel like if I get back in the ring, I’m going to get hurt? No, I don’t,” he said. “I have the wrestling school in Winter Park, Florida, which is doing extremely well. And the great thing about that is, is that I roll around with some of the guys sometimes in the ring. So every once in a while I take bumps and I feel good when I’m in there. So there’s no hesitation in how I think or feel about what I do in that ring now.”

The Insight episode was recorded last week prior to Slammiversary, so D-Von’s Bound for Glory return had not been officially announced at the time. D-Von told Van Vliet that, if he were to wrestle again, it would only be for one final match and not a more expansive run.

“But, you know, at 50 years old, I don’t want to go in here and do it, like I said, until I’m 70 and 80. That’s not going to happen. If we were to do one more match, it would be the last one and that would be it,” he said. “There is no one more, ‘Can you come back one more time, one more time?’ No, because — and I tell this to everybody when they ask — I go, every time I do one more time, that one more time is over, let a year go by, ‘Hey, you guys look great, you can go another match.’ No, we can’t, stop, stop.”

D-Von added that The Hardys would be the ideal opponents for his final match because of how much he trusts Matt and Jeff.

“If I was to do anything in the ring again, it would have to be with Matt and Jeff,” D-Von said. “And, you know, I would say Edge and Christian too, but they’re in the other, you know, organization, AEW, and I don’t think that would ever happen. When the opportunity came, when Edge left WWE and went to AEW, you had Christian and Edge there, and then The Hardys were there. And it was like, we were wondering why, you know, Tony [Khan], who is a huge fan of the business and always had it, why wouldn’t he take the opportunity to be the one to put those three teams together and to do that, but he never did. So I think that opportunity is lost.

“But, you know, if I was to come back and do something, it would have to be with The Hardys. And those are the only two I trust. Even though I think Jeff is out of his damn mind [laughs], but those are the only two I would trust [with] my body on the line and to go in there one more time.”

Bound for Glory 2025 is being held at the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts on October 12. The Dudleyz vs. Hardys match was set up for the pay-per-view when Bully Ray issued a challenge to Matt and Jeff following their TNA Tag Team title win at Slammiversary.

D-Von worked as a producer for WWE from 2016-2023. At the end of 2024, he launched a new YouTube channel that has now grown to having more than 160,000 subscribers.

Mustafa Ali addresses scary TNA Slammiversary dive: ‘No one to blame but me’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Mustafa Ali is taking the blame for his rough landing at TNA Slammiversary last night.

During his match against Cedric Alexander at Sunday’s pay-per-view, there was a scary moment where Ali flew through the middle ropes for a dive to the outside. He hit the top of Alexander and almost flew over him entirely before taking a scary head-first landing onto the floor. A group of Ali’s Secret Service members were there but did not catch him. That has drawn criticism from fans, but Ali says no one is at fault but himself.

“Appreciate everyone’s concern. Unfortunately, I have to pull the curtain back here because the talent ringside was absolutely not responsible for that scary fall in any way and they are getting all the blame.” Ali tweeted this morning. “They did exactly what they were instructed to do. I tried to do a variation of a dive and simply slipped off my opponent. No one to blame but me.”

Ali was able to finish the match and get the victory over Alexander. And despite how scary the spot looked, Ali says he’s “all good.”

“I am all good,” he wrote. See ya on #TNAiMPACT”

After being released by WWE in 2023, Ali debuted for TNA in 2024 and is signed to a contract with the promotion. He plays a heel politician character, leading a faction called Order 4 with Jason Hotch, John Skyler & Tasha Steelz.

TNA’s next event following Slammiversary is a live episode of Impact in Kingston, Rhode Island this Thursday. The promotion will also hold TV tapings there on Friday.

Zilla Fatu to make TNA debut on Slammiversary pre-show

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Zilla Fatu — the son of departed wrestling legend Umaga — is officially set to make his TNA debut at Slammiversary.

TNA has confirmed that a six-man tag match with Fatu, Real 1 (Enzo Amore) & Josh Bishop facing Steve Maclin, Jake Something & Mance Warner will take place on the pre-show for Slammiversary this Sunday. The pay-per-view is being held at UBS Arena in Long Island, New York.

The trio of Fatu, Real 1 & Bishop are representing Fourth Rope, an indie promotion and wrestling brand that aims to promote the love of wrestling through art, fashion, and music. The brand is curated by rapper and wrestling fan Westside Gunn. Leading into Slammiversary, Fourth Rope videos featuring Real 1 have been airing on Impact.

Fatu started his wrestling career in 2022 training at Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling. His first match then happened for Reality of Wrestling in 2023.

Maclin is the TNA International Champion and recently retained the belt against Something and Warner in a triple threat match.

The one-hour Slammiversary pre-show begins at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday and will be hosted by Gia Miller, Tommy Dreamer, and Busted Open Radio’s Dave LaGreca. The pre-show is streaming for free on TNA+ and TNA’s digital platforms.

TNA Slammiversary 2025 (Sunday, July 20)–

  • AJ Styles appears
  • TNA World Champion Trick Williams defends against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana in a triple threat match
  • Winner-take-all match: Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich vs. NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne
  • Ladder match: TNA Tag Team Champions Nic & Ryan Nemeth defend against Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy, Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz, and AJ Francis & KC Navarro
  • X-Division Champion Moose defends against Leon Slater
  • Tessa Blanchard vs. Indi Hartwell
  • Mustafa Ali vs. Cedric Alexander
  • Matt Cardona, Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards & JDC vs. DarkState (Saquon Shugars, Cutler James, Dion Lennox & Osiris Griffin)
  • Pre-show: Knockouts Tag Team Champions Ash By Elegance & Heather By Elegance defend against Cassie Lee & Jessica McKay
  • Pre-show: Steve Maclin, Jake Something & Mance Warner vs. Real 1, Zilla Fatu & Josh Bishop

Daily Update: WWE notes, MJF-CMLL, TNA Slammiversary

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest Headlines

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • The big weekend,matches, booking,business, favorites and strategies
  • The life and times of Cowboy Bob Ellis, one of the great babyfaces of his era. A long career as a star all over the world, defining the wrestling cowboy character, the bulldog headlock, wars with Dick the Bruiser and why he had a long career but his top ten drawing days were only a few years.
  • Donald Trump wants a UFC show at the White House on July 4, 2026
  • Preview of the G-1 Climax tournament
  • The most in depth look at the ratings for all the TV shows, including quarters, competition, people watching together, year over year and week over week comparisons and all the little details you won’t get anywhere else on the shows.
  • The Arena Mexico business milestone and comparisons to 2006 and 1991 boom periods and CMLL sells out three shows this past week.
  • AAA has one of its big shows of the year this week
  • Details over the attempt to trademark a major name as part of a fight between wrestler and promoter
  • Stardom star taking a temporary leave
  • Dragon Gat’s biggest show of the year
  • Tiger Mask retires in 2026
  • Notes on Tanahashi Jam
  • Updates on Ric Flair and Wendi Richter
  • Highest ratings for a woman’s main event in American television history
  • Tons of major indie shows coming up
  • Maple Leaf Wrestling coverage
  • Grandson of legend about to start out
  • Kim Wood, the architect of the Brian Pillman storyline, turns 80
  • TNA attempts to upgrade its U.S. TV situation
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows
  • Kenny Omega talks, taking risks, career, match philosophy and future
  • Tony Khan talks more stadium shows, Britt Baker, U.S. record gate ad Unified title
  • How much is the Khan sports empire worth, the TKO sports empire and where both trank in the world standins
  • New contract signings
  • AEW quarter two television final numbers and explaining what the numbers mean
  • Jim Ross update
  • Lots of business updates
  • Phil Davis talks attempt to legally change the foundation of MMA to make it like a real sport
  • Randy Couture update
  • A $25 million tournament announced
  • Update on Janel Grant case
  • WWE stars in acting roles and a movie that will a top name from both WWE & NJPW
  • Wrestlers who get harassed the most in social media

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

WWE

  • During an interview with TV Insider, CM Punk was asked if he and his wife AJ Lee have any plans to work together on a TV or movie project:
    • There are really two things me and my wife don’t do together. One is to work out and the other is to work together. It’s really the perfect relationship. She is my partner through and through. She has her things, and I have mine. When the right thing comes along, I guarantee we will work together. Although I’m not looking over her shoulder while she is slaving away at her computer telling her to write a role for me for her many projects coming up. I’m sure it will happen if it fits. And it has to fit. It can’t be forced. It can’t be her just writing something for me or vice-versa or me trying to get her slotted into something because she is my wife. She is a creative genius and extremely talented in her own right. So, anything we do end up doing together will be super fun, but it has to be the right fit.
  • Peacock announced that it is increasing its price by $3 per month beginning on July 23:
    • Starting July 23, the price for Peacock Premium (which includes ads) will increase by $3 to $10.99/month and Premium Plus (which has limited ads in live programming) by $3 to $16.99 per month. Peacock’s annual price will be $109.99/year for Premium and $169.99/year for Premium Plus.
  • On a new episode of their Nikki & Brie Show, Nikki and Brie Bella recapped WWE Evolution weekend. Brie Bella said she was bummed to miss the show, but she believes everything happens for a reason:
    • I was yearning to be in Atlanta, to either watch live or I would have loved to have been in a match or been part of something. At the same time, where I’m at in my life, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. Everything is meant to be.
    • There were so many Bella Army people hitting me up, ‘I’m so bummed you’re not there.’ I am, too, but it’s Nikki’s time. Fingers crossed, I would love to come one day. If that will ever happen. If it doesn’t, then it doesn’t. That’s fine.
  • Rhea Ripley thanked IYO SKY following their match at Evolution: “Always bet on yourself. From the Pre show dark match [Ripley vs. Dakota Kai] at Evolution 1 to the Main event of Evolution 2! Thank you @Iyo_SkyWWE for making history with me”
  • Stephanie Vaquer posted a thank you to Stephanie McMahon following the moment they shared at Evolution: “Thank you, @StephMcMahon, for empowering women and elevating this women’s division to new heights. I’m proud and deeply grateful to all the trailblazers who paved the way, so that today we can chase our dreams and make history together.”
  • Gymnast and model Livvy Dunne joined McMahon on this week’s episode of her “What’s Your Story?” podcast.
  • Ludwig Kaiser expressed his appreciation for how William Regal, Dave Taylor, Fit Finlay, and Robbie Brookside paved the way for European wrestlers in the United States.
  • NXT wrestler Brooks Jensen made a surprise appearance on WWE Evolve last night, attacking Evolve Champion Jackson Drake.
  • Logan Paul uploaded a new vlog.
  • WWE ranked The Rock and Triple H’s ladder match from SummerSlam 1998 as the 14th greatest match in SummerSlam history. Here is the countdown so far:
    • 25. Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar (2023)
    • 24. Seth Rollins vs. John Cena title vs. title match for the WWE Championship and United States Championship (2015)
    • 23. The Undertaker vs. Bret Hart for the WWF Championship (1997)
    • 22. Brock Lesnar vs. Seth Rollins for the Universal Championship (2019)
    • 21. Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship (2022)
    • 20. Randy Orton vs. Christian no holds barred match for the World Heavyweight Championship (2011)
    • 19. Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker (2015)
    • 18. Jeff Hardy vs. CM Punk TLC match for the World Heavyweight Championship (2009)
    • 17. Steve Austin vs. Kurt Angle for the WWF Championship (2001)
    • 16. Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero ladder match (2005)
    • 15. Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe vs. Braun Strowman for the Universal Championship (2017)
    • 14. The Rock vs. Triple H ladder match for the Intercontinental title (1998)

Other Wrestling

  • A promo aired on CMLL Informa last night with MJF challenging Averno to a CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship match. MJF, who is feuding with Mistico, said he wants to win the belt because he knows it means more to Mistico than any other championship in the world.
  • Indie star Kevin Ku appeared as a security guard on Dynamite in a segment with Adam Copeland and Stokely Hathaway.
  • Kazuchika Okada debuted new theme music on Dynamite. The song, which replaces the music Okada had used since NJPW, is named “C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y.” by ONE OK Rock featuring Paledusk and CHICO CARLITO.
  • After losing their in-storyline EVP titles, The Young Bucks were given a purposely low-rent entrance on Dynamite with no pyro.
  • Ricochet filed a trademark for the nickname “Lightskin Kingpin” on July 16.
  • MuscleManMalcolm uploaded an interview with Kyle Fletcher.
  • Marina Shafir appeared on a new episode of Saraya’s Rulebreakers podcast.
  • The Frathouse (Jacked Jameson & Cole Karter) were the guests on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • TNA Wrestling announced that all floor seats for Slammiversary have sold out ahead of the PPV taking place at UBS Arena in Long Island, New York this Sunday:
    • Major Slammiversary Update: TNA Wrestling confirmed that all floor seats are officially sold-out for this Sunday’s showcase event at the UBS Arena in New York. Plus, Slammiversary will be the biggest attendance of any TNA show in more than 10 years — and it is projected to be the largest crowd at any TNA Wrestling live event in the U.S. in company history.
  • While speaking with The Takedown on SI, TNA President Carlos Silva reiterated his desire for TNA Impact to air live weekly if the promotion can secure a TV deal that would make the idea financially feasible:
    • I think the first thing, I mean, I’m a live guy. I’ve been a live guy my whole career. The team that we’ve built believes in live, I would love TNA to be live every week. Live, every week, is a different animal, logistically and operationally. I know the team that we’ve got can handle it.
    • The partnerships that we’ve got would support it. But there’s a different cost structure around going live 52 weeks a year, whether you’re in a location like a performance center-type of place, some of the year you’re traveling, part of the year, it just changes the dynamic around operationally allocating your costs. And I think that would be the first thing that would change.
  • Silva added that he knows going live is something the fans want as well:
    • I know the fans want us to be live every week. I want to be live every week. It’s why we’ve started to open up some more live windows, because I think the wrestlers perform differently live as well, and they’ll tell you when we have our meetings together, they love the energy of live. And so really, that’s the linchpin of what it would do for us as we sort of go to the next level.
  • TNA has entered into an agreement with A-Game Hydration to make A-Game the official hydration partner of TNA. The beverage company was founded by former baseball star Johnny Damon, who will be appearing at TNA’s charity softball game in Merrick, New York this Saturday.
  • The Battleground Podcast interviewed Mike Santana.
  • Revolution Pro Wrestling revealed that CPF (Joe Lando & Danny Black) will be Tetsuya Naito & BUSHI’s opponents for a match in Sheffield, England on August 27.
  • The Augusta Free Press spoke with Dan Severn.

Update on AJ Styles-TNA Slammiversary rumors

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AJ Styles — the greatest homegrown star in TNA Wrestling history — could be returning to the promotion for an appearance this weekend.

Speculation that Styles will be appearing at TNA Slammiversary began this week when, while posting a tweet promoting the show, TNA President Carlos Silva was sure to capitalize the word “PHENOMENAL” — a possible reference to Styles. There has been no official announcement that Styles will appear, but Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown reports that several members of the TNA roster expect him to be at Sunday’s pay-per-view in some capacity.

“The Takedown has learned that a potential Styles appearance at Slammiversary has been in the works for some time now and was a top priority for the upper brass within TNA,” the report said. “The expectation among several members of the roster is that he will indeed be at UBS Arena for Slammiversary in some capacity.”

Styles is one of the most decorated wrestlers in TNA history but has not competed for the promotion since 2013. The 48 year old recently signed a one-year contract extension with WWE. An appearance at Slammiversary would be possible because of the growing working relationship that WWE has with TNA Wrestling.

The build to Slammiversary has been heavily featured on WWE NXT — and NXT stars Trick Williams and Jacy Jayne are competing in two of the top matches at the pay-per-view. Williams, the current TNA World Champion, is defending his title against Joe Hendry and Mike Santana in a triple threat match. Jayne and Masha Slamovich are facing off in a winner-take-all bout where the NXT Women’s Championship and TNA Knockouts Championship are both up for grabs.

Long Island, New York is hosting Slammiversary with the July 20 PPV set to take place at UBS Arena.

Trey Miguel undergoing hernia surgery after TNA Slammiversary

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Trey Miguel is slated to undergo surgery soon, but he’ll still be competing at TNA Slammiversary.

Miguel announced today that he’ll be undergoing hernia surgery after the July 20 Slammiversary pay-per-view. He described it as a minor operation and said a full recovery is expected.

“After Slammiversary I will undergo hernia surgery. I was given a choice and I chose to be there. I will give it my absolute best because that’s what [TNA] deserves and you the fans,” Miguel wrote. “A full recovery is expected as this is a minor surgery. Thank you all for the well wishes and messages. Apologies to anyone I missed and didn’t get to reply to.”

The Rascalz (Miguel & Zachary Wentz) are one of four teams who will be competing in a ladder match for the TNA Tag Team titles at Slammiversary. Nic & Ryan Nemeth are defending their belts against Miguel & Wentz, The Hardy Boyz, and First Class (AJ Francis & KC Navarro).

Miguel is a former Tag Team Champion and X-Division Champion in TNA. He and Wentz held the tag titles for two months from August-October 2023.

UBS Arena in Long Island, New York is hosting Slammiversary. The PPV will be headlined by Trick Williams vs. Joe Hendry vs. Mike Santana in a triple threat match for the TNA World Championship.

Gail Kim responds to TNA president’s comments about her firing

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Gail Kim has issued a response to comments that TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva recently made about her firing from the company.

In March of this year, Kim was shockingly let go by TNA Wrestling in a behind-the-scenes shakeup. She was a Hall of Fame wrestler for the promotion and a seven-time Knockouts Champion before transitioning to a role in talent relations. Her departure led to Kim receiving an outpouring of support from fans and her peers within the industry who did not agree with the decision.

Silva addressed Kim’s firing during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show this week. He called it the toughest decision he’s had to make during his time leading TNA, but Silva said the move was made to “reinvigorate” the locker room and the Knockouts division.

On social media today, Kim reacted to Silva’s comments.

“On comments recently about the KO division needing to be reinvigorated, I want to let it be known that I was pushing for that for a year plus before Carlos Silva came in,” she wrote. “To grow homegrown talent and do more with the KO division. I was fighting for that since Scott [D’Amore] departed.

“My loyalty and passion towards the KO division should never be questioned and how I wanted that division to be upheld. I fought for them on the weekly. Just wanted my thoughts to be clearly delivered.”

Kim has not signed anywhere for a new behind-the-scenes role following her TNA exit but has been backstage at some recent NXT events.

Silva is the president of Anthem Sports Group, which includes TNA, women’s MMA promotion Invicta, and The Fight Network.