People in NXT are questioning the purpose of WWE LFG following Friday’s roster cuts.
Season 1 winner of the show and Olympic gold medalist Tyra Mae Steele was part of WWE roster cuts revealed on Friday. Our own Bryan Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on X Sunday that there are people in NXT questioning what the purpose of WWE LFG is if the winner is just going to be cut.
“A lot of people in NXT questioning what the point of LFG is if they’re just going to cut the winner.”
Steele had been wrestling on episodes of EVOLVE prior to being part of Friday’s roster cuts. She challenged Kendal Grey for the WWE EVOLVE Women’s Championship in a match taped on February 20 that aired March 11.
Her last WWE match came at the March 20 EVOLVE taping at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, where she competed in a gauntlet match for an EVOLVE Women’s title shot won by Wendy Choo.
Joining the cast of WWE LFG has helped Kevin Owens stay busy while he recovers from injury.
Season three of the A&E show premieres this Sunday (April 26) with Owens and Nattie replacing The Undertaker and Mickie James on the coaching roster. In a sneak peek clip from the season premiere, Owens said he was “losing his mind” not being around wrestling and was looking forward to helping the next generation in this LFG role. Owens was 8-9 months removed from neck surgery at the time.
“I’ve been wrestling for 25 years. Ultimately, for me, I just want to help the next generation,” Owens said. “And also, I don’t really know what I’d do with myself if it didn’t. This is just all I’ve done since I was 15. This is what I love, this is what I’ve always loved.
“Right now, I’ve been off for 8-9 months because of my neck surgery. I’m losing my mind. Like, I just want to be around it.”
Owens underwent neck surgery in July 2025 and does not have a definitive return date yet. The last time he wrestled was against Sami Zayn at WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 more than a year ago. Last November, he shared a brief clip of himself doing some cardio work at the WWE Performance Center.
The WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats) season three premiere airs on A&E at 10 p.m. Eastern on Sunday. Booker T and Bubba Ray Dudley are the other coaches on the show, which spotlights Performance Center recruits as they attempt to move their way up into NXT.
A WWE prospect recently revealed her reaction to being labeled the “female Gunther” by fans after an awkward encounter last year.
Just over a year ago, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther visited the trainees during the WWE LFG show. An interaction with Zena Sterling (real name Olena Sadovska) in particular stuck out as he blatantly mocked her mannerisms and added that “no one wants to see Barbie.”
Speaking with TMZ’s Inside the Ring, Sterling was asked about the “female Gunther reference” by WWE fans on social media and she said it doesn’t bother her and considers it a compliment, admitting that she reads them and jokingly pats herself on the back when she does.
The 23-year-old has been competing on WWE NXT live events and was last seen losing to Tyra Mae Steele on a late-January episode of Evolve.
When asked about her dream opponent in WWE, Sterling instantly named Rhea Ripley. She distinctly pointed out the similarities between them, especially with Ripley’s shy and quiet demeanor when she first joined the WWE PC.
“She’s always been an inspiration of mine because she got to the Performance Center when she was 19, just like me and she was once shy as well. I feel like we just connect on so many levels and I see myself in her. So, it’s her development and where she is now. Over time as I develop that same way and get better, I feel like that could be a cool, little match.”
Sterling was a runner-up on LFG Season 1, mentored by Bubba Ray Dudley. And is now an active competitor on WWE Evolve.
Meanwhile, Gunther and Rhea Ripley are cited as credible talents to emerge from WWE NXT and the Performance Center. Gunther was primarily recognized for his work in NXT UK before being absorbed with the central brand in 2022.
This year, Ripley walks into her seventh WrestleMania match as she aims to dethrone Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship.
WWE’s Sunday night programming block is coming back to A&E next month with three shows set to return.
It was announced today that Biography: WWE Legends, WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats), and WWE’s Greatest Moments will return on April 26. The block begins at 8 p.m. Eastern with Biography, then WWE LFG follows at 10 p.m. and Greatest Moments airs at 11 p.m.
The new season of Biography is set to include episodes on the Von Erich family (April 26 and May 3), the Road Warriors (May 10), and The Four Horsemen. In the Von Erich documentary, Kevin Von Erich will tell the story of his family and the tragedies they suffered.
A press release said:
‘WWE Legends’ returns with new specials offering an inside look at legendary WWE Superstars, including the stories of the ‘Legion of Doom,’ ‘The Four Horsemen’ and famed ‘Von Erich family,’ that inspired a Hollywood film. ‘The Curse of the Von Erichs,’ airing on 4/26 and 5/3, will delve into the history of the Von Erichs where Kevin Von Erich tells the powerful story behind his family’s wrestling dynasty and the tragedies faced in building their empire. Following on 5/10 and 5/17 respectively are special two-hour episodes highlighting the Legion of Doom, also known as The Road Warriors, who are regarded by many as the greatest tag team in pro wrestling history and The Four Horsemen, who were wrestling’s first true supergroup led by Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and others.
The new season of LFG will have a revamped coaching roster with Kevin Owens and Natalya replacing The Undertaker and Mickie James. Along with that, there will be an “all-new format” with raised stakes:
The in-ring competition series ‘WWE LFG’ returns for a new season with an all-new format, raising the stakes as rising talent battle for a shot at WWE stardom. Competitors face relentless pressure training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida where there are no limits and one defining moment could advance a Future Great to NXT or end their journey in the program altogether. Guided by iconic coaches and special guests including Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, Kevin Owens, Natalya and others, the series spotlights the next generation of hopefuls as they battle it out in front of packed crowds for a chance at greatness.
Greatest Moments, hosted by Michael Cole, takes a look back at iconic events and wrestlers in WWE history. The new season will spotlight Chyna, Roddy Piper, Lex Luger, and Seth Rollins:
‘WWE’s Greatest Moments’ offers fans a chance to count down the most iconic events in WWE history. Hosted by legendary play-by-play announcer Michael Cole, each half-hour episode pays tribute to WWE Superstars and Legends such as Chyna, ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, Lex Luger, Seth Rollins and more. From unforgettable debuts and backstage chaos, to highlights from the premium live events like Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania, relive some of the most iconic moments from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s.
The partnership between WWE and A&E dates back several years now, with today’s press release noting that it’s set to continue with approximately 200 hours of programming in the years ahead.
Following the initial two seasons of WWE LFG, WWE has already begun its preparations for the show’s third season, which according to our Bryan Alvarez, is currently in production.
No other details were provided.
The series was announced in December 2024 and first aired on February 2025. It was followed by a second season that aired in June 2025 and finished in October.
Jasper Troy and Tyra Mae Steele won the first season while Shiloh Hill and Dani Sekelsky (Skylar Raye) won the second season. According to reports, Kevin Owens and Natalya will be featured as mentors in LFG season three. On Wednesday, Natalya shared a post on social media confirmed her involvement in filming the latest season.
WWE LFG is a reality competition show that features emerging talent from WWE’s developmental system competing for a contract in NXT (even though some are already under contracts already). The competing talents are mentored by WWE stars and Hall of Famers.
Started my morning at the Performance Center filming LFG and ended it at The Dungeon. So much progress.. WE WANT THE SMOKE! 💨 pic.twitter.com/XK6J9oRW5V
The next season of WWE LFG will include Kevin Owens and Natalya in mentorship roles.
PWInsider reported today that Owens and Natalya will be featured as mentors in season three of WWE LFG on A&E. The show, which is currently filming, will also have Bully Ray and Booker T back as mentors. A premiere date for the new season has yet to be announced.
WWE LFG is a competition-style show with Performance Center recruits trying to earn their way onto NXT television. Season one was won by Jasper Troy and Tyra Mae Steele, while Shiloh Hill and Skylar Raye were the season two winners.
In season one, The Undertaker and Mickie James were coaches along with Bully Ray and Booker T. Michelle McCool then replaced James in season two.
Owens is unable to wrestle at the moment following neck surgery, but he shared a video of himself last month doing some cardio work at the Performance Center.
This mentorship role should be a natural one for Natalya, who already works with wrestlers both in and outside of WWE at her Dungeon training facility with husband TJ Wilson.
PWInsider’s report says that there will be a slight format change to WWE LFG in season three, with the show set to feature more guest stars.
Former WWE LFG and Evolve talent Jin Tala has been announced for her first indie booking since being let go by the company.
Beyond Wrestling announced Thursday that Tala, now wrestling as Lady Leigh (a play on her LFG name of Leigh Laurel), will debut for the promotion at their Novembercanrana event next month on Friday, November 14 in Cranston, Rhode Island at the Rhodes On The Pawtuxet venue.
BREAKING: Lady Leigh (@leighlaurel) makes her Beyond Wrestling debut at the "Novembercanrana" supershow on Friday, 11/14/25 at Rhodes On The Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI!
Tala was part of the mass releases across NXT and Evolve earlier this month. She appeared on Season 1 of WWE LFG as Leigh Laurel, but was billed as Jin Tala in her Evolve appearances.
While primarily appearing on LFG and Evolve, Tala did make two in-ring appearances on NXT house shows on the brand’s Florida loop prior to her release.
Tala also revealed in a social media post last week that she is in a relationship with new WWE United States Champion Ilja Dragunov.
Former WWE LFG talent and occasional NXT live event wrestler BJ Ray has issued a statement regarding his release from the company last week.
Ray, perhaps best known for instigating an argument with coach Bubba Ray Dudley on LFG, posted about his time with WWE, calling it “…arguably was one of the greatest rookie runs of all time.”
WWE made several cuts from its ID program and NXT last Friday, one of which was Ray, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Ray wrote:
“WHAT A JOURNEY
Well obviously I had to have pissed somebody off lmao! I would like to take this moment to address you guys as Brayden Jesse Ray. First and foremost, I have to give the glory to my lord and savior Jesus Christ, who had given me this opportunity. Secondly, I would like to thank Hunter, Shawn, & Matt Bloom (as well as all the
@WWE coaches & staff) that were involved with this entire process. The WWE Performance Center is truly a unique place filled with many gifted individuals and unlimited support. As soon as I stepped out of my uber at my WWE tryout, the SexyBJRay effect was in full play. I had a strategy upon filming WWE: NEXT GEN, to start building one of the most over exaggerated versions of myself, to give the wrestling industry a HEEL like they’ve never seen before. And quite frankly, it arguably was one of the greatest rookie runs of all time. In a matter of months, whether hate or love, I won the WWE fans over and they were extremely invested. Without ever having a debut match on live
@WWENXT tv, I have become one of the most recognized names in the brand and industry. From getting swarmed at WWE World in Las Vegas to taking pictures with fans in every airport I walk into, I have been able to build a movement with my hard work and dedication. The hours behind the scenes, editing social media content, training, and reflecting on my character work, I feel it has all payed off. There have been many challenges along the way, but I can only control what I can only control. Obviously this release is a big bummer (especially when you have no idea what you could have done different), but the only option in my opinion is an attitude of gratitude. All I can do is keep pushing, & put it in God’s hands. I’m healing strong and will continue to rehab my shoulder until I’m 100%. And the biggest SHOUTOUT & THANKS to my fans who made it all worthwhile. And now, Brayden Jesse Ray is back on sabbatical and SexyBJRay has a few words. As my good friend@TheNotoriousMMA once said, “I’d like to take this chance to apologize to absolutely nobody”. What you’ve seen was just the trailer… get ready for the whole movie
and p.s. “Ayo you got Snapchat?!”
WHAT A JOURNEY 🙌
Well obviously I had to have pissed somebody off lmao!
I would like to take this moment to address you guys as Brayden Jesse Ray. First and foremost, I have to give the glory to my lord and savior Jesus Christ, who had given me this opportunity. Secondly, I… pic.twitter.com/xjYnXrd6JO
The winners of the second season of WWE LFG have been determined.
Shawn Michaels chose Dani Sekelsky and Shiloh Hill as the winners of this season’s LFG. Sekelsky defeated Penina Tuilaepa while Hill defeated Harlem Lewis. Both winners were on The Undertaker’s team.
As a result of the win, both WWE PC trainees will soon be appearing on NXT television. But the runners-up also have some momentum, as Lewis is currently on tour with Pro Wrestling NOAH alongside Charlie Dempsey. Meanwhile, Tuilaepa has a new WWE trademarked name, PJ Vasa.
Jasper Troy and Tyra Mae Steel were the winners of the first LFG season. Both went on to have roles on NXT television. Troy got a big push, wrestling Oba Femi for the NXT World Championship. Although he lost, he continued to show dominance, feuding with Ricky Starks. The two met on the August 19 edition of NXT, with Starks emerging as the winner. Tyra Mae Steele wrestled at Heatwave, teaming with Tavion Heights in a losing effort against Chelsea Green and Ethan Page.
WWE cuts this past week, why and more details, lots of reaction to R-Truth and the story behind it
Preview of the WWE Money in the Bank and Worlds Collide shows as well as updated ticket demand for the shows as well as odds
New Japan Dominion and Kosei Fujita win Best of the Super Juniors in one of the year’s best matches
The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling TV shows this past week including competition, segments, demo and what things on the different shows boosted the audience
Notes on one of the biggest Arena Mexico shows this year
Major arena sells out seven weeks in a row
Newcomers behind the scenes as WWE takes over AAA
Stardom PPV notes
Major signings for Hogan & Bischoff’s RAF company
Who has won the most awards in specific categories in the 45 year history of the Observer awards
Ratings for the past season of Dark Side of the Ring
Notes on wrestlers recently cut by WWE
AEW departures and details
Advance ticket sales for WWE, AEW and TNA shows
Lots more notes on AEW going to Arena Mexico
Bryan Danielson says his career highlight
Significance of the Phil Davis lawsuit and how it affects TKO and perhaps even WWE
Promotion cutting prices to increase ticket buys
Notes on MMA reporter Jordan Breen
Update on WrestleMania in Las Vegas
Nick Khan and Vince McMahon selling TKO stock
How much are analysts expecting the WWE PLE right and UFC rights to end up at and what does this mean for the stock price
Paul Levesque and Dwayne Johnson
Notes on WWE counter programming AEW
Bill Goldberg updates
How much money has Dwayne Johnson made from WWE since his return 18 months ago
AEW has uploaded the entire match between Bryan Danielson and Zack Sabre Jr. from WrestleDream 2023.
Eddie Kingston shared a video on social media of him going through rehab on his knee: “I tried to find some ‘motivational’ quote, but let’s be real, s*** sucked and I hate doing it, but it has to be done.”
Season one just finished airing last night, but it won’t be long until “WWE LFG” is back for season two.
A&E has announced that the competition series will return with season two premiering on Sunday, June 22 at 10 p.m. Eastern time. The Undertaker, Booker T, and Bubba Ray Dudley are returning as coaches, with Michelle McCool replacing season one coach Mickie James. Shawn Michaels will also be featured in his role as WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative.
LFG stands for “Legends & Future Greats.” The premise of the show is that WWE Performance Center recruits are competing to earn an NXT contract. Tyra Mae Steele (Olympic gold medalist wrestler Tamyra Mensah-Stock) and Jasper Troy (former college football player Antoine Frazier) were crowned as the season one winners. The Undertaker also was awarded with the inaugural WWE LFG title belt for having the best-performing team among the coaches.
The next season will feature both new contestants and some returning names.
“The intensity ramps up in season two, premiering Sunday, June 22 at 10 PM ET/PT, as 16 contenders – both new and returning – battle for a chance at their dream. Guided by an all-star lineup of WWE Legends, including coaches Undertaker, Booker T, Michelle McCool, Bubba Ray Dudley, and WWE SVP of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels, the competitors enter the next phase of training for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” A&E wrote. “As the coaches share their expert insights, hopefuls hone their skills, face off in high-stakes challenges, and navigate shifting team dynamics and even tougher rivals. Each hour-long episode delivers more action, drama, and the relentless pursuit of becoming WWE’s next breakout Superstar.”
It was announced in March that “WWE LFG” and “WWE’s Greatest Moments” had each been renewed for season two. Their first seasons aired in WWE’s Sunday night programming block on A&E alongside a new season of existing series “WWE Rivals.”
On Sunday’s episode that aired on A&E, Tyra Mae Steele and Jasper Troy were announced as the winners of the first season of the reality competition show. As a result, they have “signed NXT contracts,” although all of the competitors have been signed by WWE and already train at their Performance Center.
Steele, who was on The Undertaker’s team, was chosen over Zena Sterling, who was on Bubba Ray Dudley’s team. Hill, who was on Booker T’s team, was chosen over Team Undertaker’s Shiloh Hill. Undertaker was crowned the first-ever WWE LFG Champion as two of his rookies made it to the final round.
“I’m so excited. It’s been a long time coming. I swear I’ve just been waiting for my moment to shine,” Steele said. “I just feel elated. I just feel so, so freaking blessed.”
“This is the first thing I ever won,” Troy said. “I’ve never won a championship or a playoff, you know. So to me, this is like a Super Bowl moment. But I see how someone like DeVonta Smith or A.J. Brown will be like, ‘winning the Super Bowl was cool, but now it’s like what’s next?'”
Steele (real name Tamyra Mensah-Stock), 32, was the first Black woman to win gold in women’s freestyle wrestling at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She signed with WWE in 2023 and has competed on Level Up.
Troy (Antione Frazier), 26, has a background in football and made his debut in 2023, also previously competing on Level Up.
While Oba Femi was talking about Trick Williams and other potential challengers for his NXT Championship, the Undertaker walked in and told Femi that NXT was his yard for now, but his guys from LFG are going to be coming for it very soon. Shiloh Hill, Anthony Luke, and Jasper Troy walked in. Femi told Undertaker he was looking forward to the challenge.
Undertaker has been a judge and mentor on the first season of LFG along with Mickie James, Booker T, and Bubba Ray Dudley. He appeared at the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania weekend, inducting his wife Michelle McCool. Last month, it was announced that LFG would be renewed for a second season with McCool being added as a coach.
Earlier in the show, Meta-Four officially reunited following Noam Dar’s surprise return last week, winning back the Heritage Cup trophy. Lash Legend, however, shared her feelings on the reunion saying she felt it was time for Oro Mensah to do his own thing on Evolve and for Jakara Jackson to branch out and do her own thing. Dar agreed, ending the segment with a group hug.
The group first formed back in 2023, helping Dar win and keep the Hertiage Cup. However the group largely went their seperate ways after Dar suffered a leg injury in 2024, keeping him out of action for the rest of the year. Mensah feuded with Ethan Page while Jackson & Legend continued as a tag team.
John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the major topics in the world of wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast.
We kicked off the show by talking about two big topics from Thursday having to do with The Rock and Shane McMahon before giving out our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week. And then, we went into our Top Five topics which included:
Report cards for AEW Grand Slam Australia and WWE Vengeance Day
The latest on the Road to WrestleMania
The big matches for AEW Revolution and some AEW Dynamite thoughts
A WWE LFG review and why we think it’s 25 years too late
WWE’s Sunday night programming block is returning to A&E in just under three weeks.
The programming block will resume on February 16 with the premiere of two new series and the return of a continuing one. The three-hour block will consist of:
8:00 p.m.: WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats)
9:30 p.m.: WWE Rivals
10:30 p.m. WWE’s Greatest Moments
LFG and Greatest Moments are both new additions to the WWE on A&E lineup. The LFG show is described as an “action-packed, competitive series” featuring 16 WWE prospects trying to earn a spot on NXT. Matches for the show have been taped prior to NXT episodes in recent months and feature recruits signed to the Performance Center.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, Booker T, Mickie James, and Bubba Ray Dudley all have roles on LFG helping to guide talent.
“For the first time ever, viewers get an inside look at the grueling training process including intense in-ring matches and behind-the-scenes footage,” a press release said. “The participants receive world-class coaching from iconic WWE Legends such as Undertaker, Booker T, Mickie James, and Bubba Ray Dudley. In addition to the legendary coaches, a pair of WWE Hall of Famers – Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, and Shawn Michaels, WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative – help guide the competitors as they earn points for their electrifying performances.”
WWE’s Greatest Moments is hosted by Michael Cole and features WWE wrestlers and legends looking back at iconic moments from company history.
“New series ‘WWE’s Greatest Moments’ offers fans a chance to count down the most iconic events in WWE history,” WWE and A&E wrote. “Hosted by legendary play-by-play announcer Michael Cole, each half-hour episode will feature WWE Superstars and Legends – including ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Owens, AJ Styles and more – sharing their personal memories from some of the most unforgettable moments in WWE history. The series will count down the most unforgettable moments from every era of SmackDown and Monday Night Raw to premium live events like Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. It will also explore legendary moments from Superstars like CM Punk and the groundbreaking factions of DX and NWO.”
Comedian Gabriel Iglesias is back as the host of WWE Rivals. Among the panelists who will join him for this new season are Cody Rhodes, Kevin Nash, Kevin Owens, and John Bradshaw Layfield. The rivalries that will be examined are Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior, Roddy Piper vs. Mr. T, Shawn Michaels vs. Scott Hall, Steve Austin vs. Undertaker, The Rock vs. Mick Foley, Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch, and more.
The programming partnership between WWE and A&E began in 2021 and has included other series like Biography: WWE Legends and WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures, which are not part of this season.
