All articles tagged with #pro wrestling
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in a NewsNation interview with WWE executive Triple H, suggested pro wrestling might be real rather than predetermined, referencing the sport’s resilience and the idea that wrestlers must rebound from defeats.
WWE NXT taped for July 7 reveals Layla Diggs winning the North American Championship contendership; Niko Vance defeated Shiloh Hill but was chair-attacked by Shawn Spears; Keanu Carver beat Tank Ledger; Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux won the Tag Team Championship contendership as Kali Jordan and Lola Vice interrupted Kali Armstrong, whom Kali Armstrong laid out; Kendal Grey (c) defeated Nattie to retain the NXT Women’s Championship; and two #1 Contender Four-Way matches were set for 7/7.
Kendal Grey captured the NXT Women's Championship on a live episode, signaling a fast-tracked push but highlighting that she’s still developing her mic and in-ring skills, with Kurt Angle publicly backing her ascent as she grows into the role.
Joe Doering, a veteran pro wrestler who competed for All Japan Pro Wrestling and TNA, died at 44 after battling a brain tumor and entering hospice care earlier this week, prompting tributes from promotions and peers across the wrestling world.
AEW is partnering with The Last Match: A Pro-Wrestling Rock Experience to debut a West End rock-wrestling musical this fall—a first-ever collaboration between a major wrestling company and original theatre. The immersive show will fuse an 1980s-inspired rock score with theatrical storytelling and live wrestling inside a 52,000 sq ft West End venue, plus preshow wrestling installations and opportunities for AEW appearances on select nights. Tickets run from £30 to £80, with premium VIP add-ons.
Pro wrestler Jordan Saint, 23, aka 'Black Flash,' died in a head-on crash on Bethpage State Parkway on Long Island after a Hyundai crossed into oncoming traffic; the Hyundai driver was seriously injured. Saint had recently returned to wrestling and was slated to appear at Pandemonium’s Burst and Decay in Austin on August 2. Tributes from indie promotions highlighted his talent and character.
WWE's Clash in Italy in Turin was the promotion's first premium live event in the country. Roman Reigns and Rhea Ripley retained their titles, Sol Ruca dethroned Becky Lynch to win the Women's Intercontinental Championship, and Brock Lesnar defeated Oba Femi. The main Rhodes–Gunther bout drew criticism for a flat finish that protected Gunther, leaving Gunther, Oba Femi and Jacob Fatu as the night's losers, while Charlotte Flair and Sol Ruca stood out as the major winners.
WWE revealed the brackets for Queen of the Ring 2026 (and King of the Ring) during Clash in Italy. The Queen tournament’s opening round features four four‑person bouts: Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green; Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill; Roxanne Perez vs. Iyo Sky vs. Giulia vs. Lash Legend; Bayley vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Jacy Jayne vs. Kiana James. The Queen of the Ring starts on Raw on June 1, with Fightful providing live coverage.
WWE has unveiled the bracket for the 2026 King of the Ring, featuring four fatal-four-way first-round matches that feed into semifinals and a final at Night of Champions; the tournament winner earns a world title shot at SummerSlam, with action kicking off June 1 on Raw. The four first-round matchups are Oba Femi vs. Penta vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Carmelo Hayes; Dominik Mysterio vs. Bron Breakker vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest; Seth Rollins vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Talla Tonga vs. Ricky Saints; and Jey Uso vs. LA Knight vs. Royce Keys vs. Finn Balor, with Fightful providing coverage of the bracket.
At AEW Double or Nothing 2026 in NYC, MJF defeated Darby Allin to become a three-time AEW World Champion by age 30, ending Allin’s reign after a brutal, back-and-forth bout that included a near Coffin Drop, an avalanche tombstone, and MJF’s decisive side headlock takeover. Post-match, TNT Champion Kevin Knight appeared and teased future feuds. The show also featured a tag-team title win for Christian Cage and Adam Copeland (Edge) and other highlights (Okada vs. Takeshita, Owen Hart Tournament openers).
On SmackDown May 22, Cody Rhodes defeated Sami Zayn in the main event after Gunther interference; Trick Williams defeated Carmelo Hayes; Tiffany Stratton defeated Lash Legend in an open US title challenge; Flair & Ripley teamed to beat Toxic Attraction with a post-match attack from Jade Cargill; Solo Sikoa defeated Damian Priest while Shinsuke Nakamura fell to Talla Tonga; the show teased SNME 43 and a Clash in Italy, delivering a mixed but solid episode.
WWE Backlash 2026 delivered a chaotic night highlighted by a controversial finish as Roman Reigns secured the win through questionable tactics, while Jacob Fatu unleashed havoc with interference and chaotic moments that stole the spotlight and kept fans buzzing.
WWE Backlash 2026 in Tampa delivered a stacked night: Roman Reigns retained the WWE World Championship in a brutal main event against Jacob Fatu, Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn to retain the United States Championship, IYO SKY defeated Asuka to retain the WWE Women's Championship, Bron Breakker beat Seth Rollins in the opener, and Danhausen & Minihausen defeated Kit Wilson & Miz. John Cena announced the John Cena Classic, a fan-voted title concept, and post-match chaos lingered as Fatu attacked Reigns after the bell.
NXT’s latest reset leans into chaos: Tony D’Angelo attacks Tavion Heights before the bell, Kam Hendrix interferes mid‑match, and Will Kross reveals a new name—Mason Rook—after costing both men. The roster is being shuffled with new faces and growing pains, while Kali Armstrong shines and a potential North American Championship four‑way looms for Lizzy Rain, Zaria, Nikita Lyons, and Tatum Paxley. Noam Dar returns and is set to face Jackson Drake next week; Naraku is teased for a debut, and DarkState tensions threaten to fracture the tag division. Keanu Carver’s interview bit lands awkwardly, and while the episode aims for a fresh, chaotic vibe, it often feels scattershot rather than cohesive.
Jacob Fatu loomed over SmackDown, overpowering The Usos and Solo Sikoa and leaving the main event with no winner as Roman Reigns’ stance on him remains unclear. Cody Rhodes was medically cleared and defeated Ricky Saints, only to be attacked post‑match by GUNTHER, signaling cross‑brand title drama. Fatal Influence scored in the women’s division by helping Jacy Jayne pin Charlotte Flair, while Sami Zayn leaned into heel heat ahead of Backlash. Ricky Saints debuted and Royce Keys moved closer to Jacob’s orbit as MFT tensions rose. In short, SmackDown positioned Jacob Fatu as its centerpiece and seeded multiple Backlash showdowns.