Tag: wwe\

Steve Austin praises WWE stars Chelsea Green, Kevin Owens

Posted on by Joseph Currier

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin is a big fan of current WWE stars Chelsea Green and Kevin Owens.

In celebration of 3:16 Day (March 16), Austin spoke with The Takedown on SI and had praise for both Green and Owens. He sees Green as “fearless” and willing to take chances, which Austin believes is an important element to the success of any wrestler.

“You’re an idiot when you first join the business,” Austin said. “You just are, unless you’re Shawn Michaels and you kind of get it from day one. When you’re starving and you’re making $15 and $20 a night, you realize that you better get good pretty quick and learn how to reach people on an emotional level, so you can start making some money. I think that Chelsea Green does that a lot of time. She’s pretty fearless out there. On a creative note, she’ll go for it, and it’s done well for her.”

Owens was Austin’s opponent when The Texas Rattlesnake came out of retirement at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. With it looking unlikely that Austin will ever compete in another wrestling match, Owens should forever hold the honor of being the last person to face Austin — one of pro wrestling’s greatest-ever legends.

Austin told The Takedown on SI that he sees Owens as a Hall of Fame-worthy talent. A couple months back, he checked in on Owens to see how he’s recovering from the neck surgery he underwent last year.

“I called Kevin a couple of months ago,” Austin said. “I think he’s got a great doctor, according to him, and I threw out a name that I’d heard good things about. I care about the guy. Love the guy. He’s a Hall of Fame talent. I don’t know how he banged his neck up, but he took a lot of bumps. He did a lot of stuff.

“It’s a rough business, right. No matter what style you work, you’re going to take a bump. And even the most simple bump can be the devastating bump. Although it looks normal, that sets off some chain reaction, or is the straw that breaks the camel’s back and there’s that injury. So, hey, injuries happen. I stay in touch with him a little bit and I wish him nothing but the best.”

It’s not yet known when Owens will be returning to the ring, but he’ll be featured as one of the coaches on the next season of WWE: LFG (Legends & Future Greats). The new season is slated to premiere on A&E on April 26.

The Bella Twins return to TV on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Bella Twins are back, and are looking for the Tag Team titles.

Nikki and Brie made their return to WWE TV on Friday, coming out after Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss made their entrance for their imminent Tag Team title match against the Irresistible Forces. The twins declared that they were next in line for the Women’s Tag Team titles and would be at ringside for the upcoming title match to scout.

The twins ended up playing into the finish of the match when Nikki and Brie were caught in the crosshairs of a Flair/Jax brawl. Bliss got the upper hand for her team and was about to hit twisted Bliss on Jax when Brie entered the ring and attacked Jax for the disqualification. The confusion allowed The Irresistible Forces to recover and wreak havoc, laying out both teams in the process.

Brie Bella made her WWE return at the Royal Rumble, taking part in the women’s Rumble match. But after a promo featuring the two on the following Raw, they had been absent from TV ever since.

WWE reveals date and location for next Saturday Night’s Main Event

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has locked in the date and location for its next Saturday Night’s Main Event special.

It was announced today that Saturday Night’s Main Event will take place from Fort Wayne, Indiana on May 23. This will be the first time Fort Wayne has hosted a televised WWE event since 2014. Allen County War Memorial Coliseum is the venue for the show, which will stream live on Peacock.

May 23 was the expected date for this SNME, though the location was unconfirmed until now. There had been speculation about it potentially being held in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tickets for the event are going on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. local time on Friday, March 20, with a pre-sale set to begin one day prior. No matches have been announced yet, with the card likely to come together after WrestleMania (April 18-19) and Backlash (May 9).

WWE and tourism organization Visit Fort Wayne are partnering together for this show. It’s happening shortly before WWE begins an extensive European tour that includes the company’s Clash in Italy PLE taking place on May 31.

With this announcement, it’s confirmed that the weekend of May 23-24 will be a busy one for the pro wrestling industry. AEW’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view is happening in New York City on the 24th.

Tatum Paxley feels prepared for WWE main roster call-up

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Tatum Paxley feels ready for the WWE main roster but is fine with remaining in NXT for a while.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Paxley reflected on the initial slow pace of her time in NXT. Five years into her run, Paxley is eager to join the main roster just like many of the peers she came up with. However, she knows timing is the most important aspect to her eventual call-up.

“1000 percent,” Paxley responded when asked if she feels ready for Raw or SmackDown. “But, I am also in zero rush. I’m in no rush to get there. This is something I’ve learned from being in NXT, that timing is everything. My career was a little bit of a slow start, but I would not have wanted that to change at all, especially looking back on it.

“Now, if you were to go back in time and ask me, I’d be like, ‘Man, I wish this’ and ‘I wish that.’ But gosh, looking back on it now, timing is everything. I trust in them, the writers and everybody. I trust in them so much that I know when they’re ready to give me the ball and run, I trust their timing. You know, like, ‘Okay, it’s Tatum’s turn. Catch.’ ‘Thanks!’ And I’ll take off.

“So whenever Raw or SmackDown is ready to toss me that ball, I’m catching it and I’m sprinting.”

Paxley had a promising 2025. She won the NXT Women’s Championship for the first time in her career and formed an alliance with The Culling to fill the void after Lyra Valkyria’s Raw push. Unfortunately, Paxley’s friendship with Izzi Dame imploded when Dame betrayed her and cost her the title she barely held for a month.

At NXT Vengeance Day this past weekend, Paxley got some revenge by dethroning Dame for the Women’s North American Championship. They’ll face off for the title again in a steel cage match next week.

Road Dogg announced for three appearances following WWE departure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

It’s now been announced that Road Dogg will also be appearing for Diamond Championship Wrestling in Alabama on March 20.

**********

Following his departure from WWE, Brian “Road Dogg” James has been announced for a couple of appearances.

News broke last week that James — a WWE Hall of Famer — had departed his position on the WWE creative team. He’s now set to make a convention appearance later this month, with Squared Circle Expo announcing that James will be at their event in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 27-28.

James is also set to reunite with his New Age Outlaws tag team partner Billy Gunn for an appearance this December. They’re the first guests announced for Blizzard Brawl 21, an annual indie event produced by Great Lakes Championship Wrestling. The show is being held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Prior to his WWE departure, James served as the co-lead writer of SmackDown. It was his second stint in the role.

While reporting on the situation, Dave Meltzer noted that — before James left the company — WWE had given him permission to take a convention booking later this month before then rescinding it. The report didn’t state whether that was this Squared Circle Expo appearance or not.

“James got his annual review. The belief is that he wasn’t happy with it and left,” Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. “He may say he left over something else and only he would know exactly why he did so. But it was his decision and it came after his annual review. One person close to the situation said that it has been brewing. He was going to do a convention later this month and it was approved, and then the approval was rescinded and he had to cancel, but in pulling out pretty much said that wouldn’t be an issue starting in a little while.”

WWE NXT notes: Finlay & William Regal appear, Charlie Dempsey, Tony D’Angelo

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Notes from this week’s NXT.

After Charlie Dempsey agreed to team with Tavion Heights, he turned against his former tag team partner on Tuesday after seeing his father William Regal and Finlay at the entrance. It was then that he dragged Heights out of the ring and gave him a German suplex, eventually allowing Birthright to score the victory. Dempsey then entered the ring and posed with the rest of Birthright, solidifying himself as the newest member of the group.

On social media, Finlay shared a picture of him and Regal with the group backstage writing: “well, who would have thought! ⁦@WWENXT just changed. You need this, yet you recoil from it.”

Birthright, consisting of Lexis King, Stacks, Arianna Grace, and Uriah Connors had been attempting to recruit Dempsey for several weeks. At Vengeance Day, Dempsey rejected their offer outright and agreed to team with Heights for Tuesday’s match.

Tony D’Angelo came to the ring on Tuesday following his victory over Dion Lennox and said the other reason he returned to NXT was because he wanted to win the NXT Championship, calling out Joe Hendry. He said last year he would have asked to break bread with Hendry but now things are different, saying Hendry better prepare for him because he would not be denied.

The main event of Tuesday saw Ethan Page and Ricky Saints defeating Hendry and Myles Borne after Page pinned Hendry, setting himself up as one of the top contenders for the NXT Championship.

Booker T Appreciation Night, steel cage title match part of next WWE NXT lineup

Posted on by Bryan Rose

It will be Booker T Appreciation Night next week in Houston.

Prior to the main event of Tuesday’s show, Vic Joseph spoke to the crowd and surprised Booker T by announcing that next week’s show in the Hall of Famer’s hometown of Houston would be dedicated to him. The five-time WCW Champion was taken by surprise at the news.

Also set for next week is a steel cage rematch for the NXT Women’s North American title where Tatum Paxley will defend against Izzi Dame, who interrupted Paxley at the start of Tuesday’s show and made it clear she wanted another shot. Paxley attempted to leave but was blocked by The Culling, allowing Dame to lay out her former friend. Backstage Paxley found Dame and they brawled until Robert Stone cut them off, making the match for next week.

Another title match was set on Tuesday when Wren Sinclair defeated Thea Hail to win the latest women’s Speed tournament. She will now face champion Fallon Henley next week. A tournament will also begin next week to determine the next challengers for Vanity Project’s NXT Tag Team titles. Former champions Hank & Tank will compete in the first round, squaring off against Birthright.

Stone also informed Vanity Project that they would be wrestling in a six-man tag team match next week against Raw stars Los Americanos.

WWE NXT (March 17)

  • Booker T Appreciation Night
  • Triple threat match for NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne defends against Sol Ruca and Zaria
  • Steel cage match for WWE NXT Women’s North American title: Tatum Paxley defends against Izzi Dame
  • NXT Tag Team title number one contender’s tournament: Hank & Tank vs. Birthright
  • Women’s WWE Speed title: Fallon Henley defends against Wren Sinclair
  • Vanity Project vs. Los Americanos

Women’s IC title match, Americano vs. Americano set for next WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Women’s Intercontinental title will be on the line next week.

Bayley won the gauntlet match on Raw, earning the championship match against AJ Lee next week when Raw heads to San Antonio. The finish of the match saw Asuka trap Bayley with the Asuka lock, but Bayley managed to escape and countered with the rose plant. Other competitors in the match included Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez, Lyra Valykria, and IYO SKY.

On last week’s Raw, Lee celebrated her title win that took place at Elimination Chamber but also took time to throw out the challenge for anyone in the locker room to face her, saying that the next time she steps in the ring it will be to defend the title. Multiple talent backstage expressed interest in challenging AJ, setting up the gauntlet match.

The two Americanos will meet next week when the Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) will meet the second El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser). On this week’s show, the first Americano was set to challenge Penta for the IC title but ran into Danhausen. Much like his meeting with Dominik Mysterio, Danhausen didn’t take being rejected by Americano well and put a curse on him as the second Americano’s henchmen were nearby. When it came time for the title match, the second Americano emerged to take the original’s spot. Despite the ploy, it was all for nothing as Penta successfully defended the title.

Here is the updated lineup for next week’s Raw:

WWE Raw (March 16):

  • Roman Reigns will appear
  • Brock Lesnar will appear
  • Women’s Intercontinental title: AJ Lee defends against Bayley

Timothy Thatcher booked for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XV

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Timothy Thatcher is headed to Bloodsport.

Josh Barnett announced on Sunday that the current WWE ID trainer has been added to Bloodsport XV, which takes place on April 17 as part of this year’s Collective event.

“If it’s Bloodsport, then you know this man will be there to showcase his Catch-as-Catch-can prowess,” he wrote. “A day-1 of Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport, you’ll not find a wrestler more ready for combat. Timothy Thatcher is returning to Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport 4/17, Wrestlemania Week.”

Thatcher was released by WWE in 2022 but was brought back a few years later as a trainer for WWE ID prospects. He has continued to wrestle on the independent scene wrestling ID talent but has also been seen on Evolve competing against the likes of Charlie Dempsey and Keanu Carver.

Pete Dunne, who is currently on Raw as part of Los Americanos, has already been announced for the WrestleMania weekend event. Other talent announced include Shayna Baszler, Erick Stevens, Fuminori Abe, Masashi Takeda, Miyu Yamashita, Matt Mako, Ray Jaz, Royce Isaacs, Angel Verduzco, and Joe Dashou.

Two title matches confirmed for WWE NXT Houston

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two title matches are set for NXT’s show in Houston later this month.

At Vengeance Day, Jacy Jayne came out and cut a promo talking about her history of being Women’s Champion. Robert Stone cut her off and said this was about finding her next challengers. After both Zaria and Sol Ruca came out to stake their claim, Stone cut everyone off and announced a triple threat match for the title on March 17.

Later on backstage, Jayne was upset about the triple threat match as the rest of Fatal Influence conspired to take out Ruca before the championship match took place.

Fallon Henley also brought up that on the same show, she would be defending the Speed title against the winner of the finals set for this coming Tuesday’s NXT between Wren Sinclair and Thea Hail, both of whom picked up victories in the qualifying round.

WWE NXT (March 17)

  • NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne defends against Zaria and Sol Ruca
  • WWE Speed Championship: Fallon Henley defends against either Wren Sinclair or Thea Hail

Tatum Paxley wins Women’s North American title at WWE NXT Vengeance Day

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new North American Women’s Champion has been crowned.

Tatum Paxley defeated her former friend Izzi Dame to win the championship for the first time. The finish had Dame going for a codebreaker but Paxley countered by hitting a cartwheel. An unaware Dame then walked into a running kick by Paxley who then finished the job by pinning Dame with the cemetery drive for the win.

Dame had been champion since January, defeating Thea Hail at New Year’s Evil. Earlier on that show, Paxley had defeated Dame and was looking to challenge Hail, who had an open challenge for the title after Blake Monroe was thrown out of the building. But Dame entered the ring first and challenged instead, defeating Hail to win the title.

Over the course of the last several weeks, Paxley has appeared via vignettes saying a new version of herself would be seen at Vengeance Day. Dame, meanwhile, dismissed the idea, saying the same old Paxley would show up. The two split months ago after Dame turned against Paxley, costing her the NXT Women’s Championship.

Two new number one contenders crowned on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The number one contenders for both the WWE and Women’s Tag Team titles were determined on SmackDown.

After Giulia & Kiana James and Alexa Bliss & Charlotte both came out on Friday to confront new champions the Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend), Nick Aldis arrived and made an impromptu number one contender’s match between the first two teams. Flair and Bliss emerged victorious after Flair hit the natural selection on Giulia, giving them the next shot against Jax and Legend.

The Irresistible Forces defeated Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY on last week’s SmackDown to win the titles for the first time as a team. During their celebration backstage, they announced that they would have an additional celebration on this week’s show.

For the men, Damian Priest and R-Truth emerged as the new number one contenders for the titles, winning a Tag Team Turmoil match. The Motor City Machine Guns were first eliminated by Fraxiom, who then were eliminated by Los Garza. The Wyatt Sicks were in next, but shockingly lost after Tama Tonga interrupted the match, allowing Berto to roll up Dexter Lumis for the win. Finally Priest & Truth entered and scored the victory over Los Garza to become the new number one contenders, earning a future title match against the MFTs.

Update on next WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event special

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE’s next Saturday Night’s Main Event special looks to still be a couple of months away.

WrestleVotes Radio reports that the next edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event is currently slated for May 23, later confirmed by our Bryan Alvarez.

The location for the show is not confirmed yet, but WrestleVotes notes that Nashville, Tennessee, is being considered. The event will be broadcast live on Peacock.

The show is scheduled to happen shortly before WWE begins an extensive European tour. From March 29-June 8, WWE has events scheduled for Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal. The company then returns to Europe on June 22 for a Raw episode in London.

SNME would be taking place just over one week before WWE’s Clash in Italy PLE in Turin.

On the pro wrestling calendar, this SNME date falls one day before AEW’s Double or Nothing 2026 pay-per-view in New York City.

SNME made its return in December 2024 as WWE revived the classic series. The most recent edition was held in January prior to the Royal Rumble. Before that, there were SNME specials in both November and December 2025 — with the latter show being built around John Cena’s retirement.

Three WWE series returning to A&E next month

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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.

New match & stipulation added to WWE NXT Vengeance Day

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A match and a new stipulation has been added to NXT Vengeance Day. 

Jaida Parker and Blake Monroe’s face-to-face ended in a confrontation on Tuesday, leading Parker to stand tall. Later in the show, Monroe emerged by the announcer’s table and told Parker she did bring the hell out of her and said this would end at Vengeance Day in a Street Fight.

The two have been feuding since last month, with their first match ended in a double countout and with Monroe injuring Parker’s neck. On last week’s NXT, Parker returned and attacked Monroe, costing her a Speed tournament match against Thea Hail.

Throughout Tuesday’s show, DarkState looked to go after Tony D’Angleo, who cost them the NXT Tag Team titles. Tony D finally confronted Dion Lennox in the crowd, saying the hunter has become the hunted. He blamed Lennox for his downfall last year and while he might have killed that man, he’s returned as a more dangerous person. D’Angelo challenged him to a match at Vengeance Day, saying after he beats Lennox he will have completed one of the two goals he has set out for himself since making his return.

After Sol Ruca came out and interrupted the NXT Women’s Championship match between Zaria and Jacy Jayne, Robert Stone said he would have a decision about the NXT Women’s Championship at Vengeance Day. Ruca laid out both women with the sol snatcher, leading to no winner in their title match.

Here is the updated lineup for WWE NXT Vengeance Day:

WWE NXT Vengeance Day (March 7)

  • NXT Championship: Joe Hendry defends against Ricky Saints
  • NXT Women’s North American title: Izzi Dame defends against Tatum Paxley
  • NXT Underground match: Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Street Fight: Blake Monroe vs. Jaida Parker
  • Tony D’Angelo vs. Dion Lennox