On Thursday, WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reported that a “more extensive winter loop” could happen later in the year based on the success of the 10 events added to WWE’s schedule for July and August. The financial success of the shows and their impact on talent health were listed as the main factors to be evaluated.

Also regarding house shows, the report noted that “select main event talent” were approached about working the events and given the choice to decline.

The report also noted that between 25 and 30 talent are expected per live event.

WWE’s reason for running more house shows

Our own Dave Meltzer addressed WWE adding 10 main roster house shows to its summer 2026 tour in the May 15 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, with Meltzer writing that the idea is to get more reps for younger talent.

Meltzer wrote:

“What we were told is that with more younger wrestlers on the roster than before, they felt it was good for them to get more experience away from television so this was the time to expand the schedule. Plus, unlike a few years ago when the company wasn’t as popular, there will almost surely be a nice profit margin doing the house shows. The idea in the past was less shows created more of a demand for shows and that was one of the reasons for cutting back, and the belief that the older roster could use less dates and wear and tear and they had enough experience. The attempt is to get a younger roster now and they could use more reps before a crowd.“

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Announced on Thursday, the former head of Strikeforce and Bellator MMA is the co-founder and CEO of the unnamed company which is planned to launch in early-2027. From The Hollywood Reporter’s story, Peter Levin of Griffin Gaming Partners is also a co-founder and chairman of the company’s board. He was also an investor and advisor to Strikeforce and has a long history with Coker.

The news comes less than a week after the debut of Jake Paul’s MVP promotion in the MMA space with two former Coker fighters in Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.

Coker was last on the scene with Bellator, joining the organization in June 2014 and resigning as CEO when it was sold in 2024 to the PFL. He is most known for Strikeforce, the organization he founded in 1985 as a kickboxing promotion but went full on MMA in 2006. It was bought by Zuffa/UFC in March 2011 and Coker remained contractually obligated to Zuffa through 2014.

From the company’s media release, Coker said:

“I always knew I wanted to come back when the time was right, with the right vision and a carefully curated team. That time is now. There is an incredible demand for a fresh, new global brand in MMA. This new league is about returning to what matters: the integrity of competition, respect for the athletes and sharing their remarkable journeys with the world. We are building something authentic, something that belongs to the athletes and to the fans who live and breathe this sport. I’ve spent nearly two year developing this concept, and I’m thankful to Peter, all of our investors and the team we’re putting together.”

The investor group includes Tony Hawk, DC United owner Steve Kaplan, New York Yankees limited partner Swimmy Minami, and many others in addition to investment firm Creator Sports Capital and the aforementioned Griffin Gaming Partners.

More news on the promotion is said to be revealed in upcoming weeks.

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On his Grilling JR podcast this week, the 74-year-old announcing legend shared that he just had a “very positive” appointment with his neurologist. They’re concerned about dementia/Alzheimer’s so are putting Ross through some tests. Ross is approaching the situation with a positive mindset and is willing to do whatever doctors suggest, but, given that there’s no cure, he doesn’t really know what the treatment plan would be if he does have the condition.

Ross will be in New York City this Sunday to provide commentary at AEW Double or Nothing. He reacted to the news that Mick Foley will make his AEW debut at the event and discussed how often we could see Foley appear. Ross said he does not know whether Foley has signed a full-time AEW contract.

“I don’t know how much he wants to work,” Ross said. “And if you look at other guys, myself included, we’re used on a limited basis. And that keeps me, in this case, fresher and it gives me a chance to continue to get my ailments addressed.

“I had a very positive doctor’s appointment with my neurologist. Everybody’s getting in on the act, man. So the neurologist and I had an appointment and they took a bunch of blood and ran some tests. You know, I think they’re worried about dementia or Alzheimer’s. And I said, ‘What the hell are you going to do about it?’ It’s not a cure. You know, if there’s meds I could be taking preventively, tell me what they are and I’ll do it.

“We’ll see how it works out. I’m going through a lot of tests now. I don’t feel bad at all. I feel great, actually. But you know, Conrad, let me tell you something buddy. Getting old is a bitch.”

Ross and his old broadcast partner Jerry “The King” Lawler appeared together at Motor City Comic Con in Detroit last weekend, with Ross saying it was a fun experience and the largest turnout he and Lawler have had at a convention. Weekends like this help Ross feel like everything is worthwhile. He’s had a rough few years health-wise, including a bout with colon cancer in 2025.

Dementia/Alzheimer’s —

Dementia is defined as the loss of cognitive functioning to such an extent that it interferes with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, with early symptoms commonly including “forgetting recent events or conversations.” Those who suffer from more advanced forms of Alzheimer’s experience significant memory loss and can have trouble performing routine tasks.

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According to WrestleVotes on Fightful Select, WWE is interested in reuniting and bringing back Enzo Amore and Big Cass to the company. They have maintained a positive relationship with several producers backstage including from their NXT days. Big Cass’s AEW contract is reportedly set to expire by the end of May. 

A few days ago, Amore was reportedly at the WWE Performance Center. He debuted in WWE in 2012 but was released in 2018 when sexual assault allegations came forward. Later, he made his wrestling return and competed in NJPW, MLW and even made his TNA debut at the 2025 Slammiversary pre-show. 

Meanwhile, Cass signed with AEW in 2022 and made his official debut in May that year. 

The two united as a heel tag team on NXT in 2013. They challenged for the WWE Tag Team titles on numerous occasions. Amore’s mic skills and Cass’s intimidating stature, made them a fan-favorite with their diverse in-ring personas. 

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As first reported by Variety on Thursday, the documentary will air on Friday, May 29, immediately following WWE SmackDown on the USA Network, with encore presentations planned throughout June and on the July 4 holiday.

The official logline for WWE: Made in America states the film will explore, “the evolution of a regional business into a global powerhouse, examining how the company mirrored the American spirit across five decades — from the patriotic heroes of the 1980’s all the way through to the newest generation of superstars continuing to further WWE’s American legacy.”

WWE commentator Joe Tessitore will host the special, and Lilian Garcia will give a special performance of “America the Beautiful.”

Also advertised for the documentary are appearances by Triple H, Cody Rhodes, Jimmy Hart, The Undertaker, Booker T, Sgt. Slaughter, Kane, Matt Cardona, Carmelo Hayes, Nattie Neidhart, Je’Von Evans, and reporter Erielle Reshef.

The documentary was directed by Matt Braine, with Triple H, Lee Fitting, and Ben Houser serving as executive producers.

A trailer for the documentary is below.

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Ibush posted a video on Instagram amid his current medical recovery from a broken femur in 2025. He stated that since an in-ring return is next to impossible at the moment he hopes to contribute to the wrestling community by revamping Shinjuku FACE, a notable venue in Tokyo, Japan where many wrestling events were held. 

“Thank you all so much for everything up until now. I’m Kota Ibushi, a professional wrestler who has been active for 22 years. I was able to fulfill many dreams in the world of professional wrestling and I truly had a wonderful life as a wrestler.”

“I am currently sidelined due to a right leg injury sustained last November. To be honest, a comeback seems unlikely for now. I turned 44 today. So I decided, Kota Ibushi, I want to give back to the professional wrestling world.”

“The professional wrestling world is currently facing a serious crisis: Shinjuku FACE is closing down. This venue, where I’ve had many matches, is a place that professional wrestling organizations have been grateful to. In particular, it was the perfect venue for independent wrestling promotions to hold regular shows.”

“I believe that the disappearance of such venues is equivalent to a crisis for the culture of professional wrestling. Therefore, Kota Ibushi will put his body on the line. I’m putting my body on the line to earn money. I am going to build a pro wrestling venue. So, please cooperate with me. Please give me work, no matter how small the project may be.”

“My leg isn’t fully recovered, so I can’t play the match, but I’ll manage to get through everything else with sheer willpower. And, with the money they earn, I’ll build a professional wrestling venue. I don’t care how long it takes! I want to give back to the professional wrestling world in the end.”

“To achieve this, I need your cooperation. I look forward to your DMs. Thank you!”

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In her Twitch Stream, Stratton recalled WWE considered naming her ‘Veronica Swanson’. She had thought about the name ‘Darby’ so she could be nicknamed ‘Darby Doll’ but that did not pan out. 

“So, it was between Tiffany Stratton or Veronica Swanson. Do you guys think I look like a Veronica? Veronica Swanson.” 

“But the name I would like, I actually thought about this a long time ago and I’m like, ‘Why didn’t I put it down?’. I thought about doing the name Darby, so I could be called the Darby Doll, but I don’t think they would have gone for that. I’m really happy (with Tiffany Stratton). It’s my mom’s name, I like the name Tiffany a lot.”

Stratton mentioned an accidental bump she took on SmackDown a couple of months ago due to a botched moonsault. 

“So there was a bump that I actually, I did to myself, it wasn’t from someone else. It was a backflip, it was a moonsault off the top to the floor. It was in my match on SmackDown a couple of months ago. I don’t remember who it was against but I did a moonsault and I was flipping way too fast and my head whipped, my head hit the ground really hard and I blacked out for a second. I didn’t know where I was.” 

During the stream, she named her dream triple threat match would be against Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY. 

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It was first reported on Wednesday night that Kaiser had been arrested in Orange County, Florida on May 20 on charges of battery. According to arrest records, the incident took place on April 24 at the Orlando apartment complex Kaiser lives at. The alleged victim is identified as a fellow male resident, who accuses Kaiser of attacking him outside of an elevator. The attack is said to have happened after Kaiser and a female were acting “uncontrollably intimate” by aggressively kissing in the elevator. The victim says he told them to “please have some manners,” leading to the attack.

The affidavit says:

• [The victim] stated he was battered by an unknown white male just outside the elevator on the 12th floor. [The victim] advised that at approximately 1830 hours, he entered the elevator and was followed by an unknown white male and an unknown white female. [The victim] stated that as the elevator ascended, the male and female began acting in an ‘uncontrollably intimate’ manner, which he described as aggressively kissing.
• [The victim] stated that once the elevator reached the 12th floor, he exited the elevator and told the couple to ‘please have some manners.’ [The victim] advised that immediately after making the statement, the unknown male began attacking him. [The victim] described the attack as the male punching him multiple times and pushing him to the ground. [The victim] further stated the male made threats of additional violence toward him.

A responding officer observed a “large, fresh scratch” on the victim’s head and redness in the same area. Security footage was obtained showing a white male punching and pushing the victim outside of the elevator. Kaiser was identified as a possible suspect, and the victim immediately pointed to him as the attacker when presented with a photographic lineup of six individuals.

Per the terms of his bond, Kaiser cannot have any contact with the victim and cannot possess a firearm, consume alcohol to intoxication, or possess drug paraphernalia/controlled substances unless they are prescribed. He must also maintain separate residences from the victim.

Motion to continue traveling for WWE —

Kaiser became aware of the warrant on May 19 while in Mexico for WWE/AAA. He made plans to return to Orlando the next day and turn himself in. He was released on $1,000 bond and maintains his innocence in the case, submitting a written plea of not guilty. With that, he has filed a motion requesting that he be allowed to continue traveling both domestically and internationally:

• Mr. Barthel is an international performer who is required to travel throughout the United States and around the world to remain employed. His primary residence is the apartment complex in downtown Orlando where the alleged incident occurred.
• Mr. Barthel has no prior criminal history anywhere in the world and is not a danger to others. He maintains his innocence and has retained undersigned counsel to assist him in this matter. He has every intention of appearing at all required court appearances related to these allegations.
• Wherefore, for the foregoing reasons, the Defendant respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an Order allowing him to travel out of the State of Florida and internationally.

The 35-year-old Kaiser, who is originally from Germany, has a highly anticipated mask vs. mask match scheduled for AAA Noche de los Grandes on May 30. It will be El Grande Americano (Kaiser) facing off against Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable).

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In a reply on X calling out the rumors on his re-signing with WWE, he wrote:

“Had to correct my horrible grammar. I accepted 8 shows in Europe. My eye is still swollen from Australia. I also didn’t know i was done with some of these companies. Who ever is making my schedule needs to let me know this sh*t. I thought it was me but apparently it’s not.”

He was with WWE for 12 years before his exit in 2024. Pestock won the King of the Ring tournament in 2019, the Money in the Bank ladder match in 2017 and is a former United States Champion in the company. 

Following his WWE departure, Pestock has been active on the independent circuit under the name Bishop Dyer. He competed prominently on GCW, Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling and CMLL. He also fought in World Series Wrestling’s (WSW) Rise Against Tour in Australia this month where he faced Karrion Kross in a No Holds Barred match and Nic Nemeth in a Street Fight bout.

He also wrestled a dark match in AEW before the January 21 edition of Dynamite in an eight-man tag team match. 

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AEW filed to trademark ‘Brawl in the Ballpark’. This comes shortly after their press release announcement on a Major League Baseball game and AEW partnership. The trademark, under the serial number – 99834579 is for ‘entertainment services in the nature of live professional wrestling performances’.  

• Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services in the nature of live professional wrestling performances; Entertainment services in the nature of production of professional wrestling programs and events.

The post-game event will take place on July 10 at Target Field. Ticket sales for exclusive packages have commenced inclusive of a CT Twins and AEW Lucha mask and VIP ringside access. 

AEW hosted a one-hour special of Collision on May 9 at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. It was presented as wrestling on a golf course, a unique theme that blends with AEW’s perspective of cross collaboration over the years. 

There were two matches featured with Darby Allin defending the AEW World Championship against PAC in the main event, and Mark Davis defeating Jack Perry for the AEW National Championship. 

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Lynch confirmed on X that her bout with Ruca on Saturday is a non-title match. In typical Lynch fashion, she mocked Ruca for not doing anything to earn a title opportunity, and whether she could keep up with the ‘greatest female wrestler’ of all time. 

“There seems to be misinformation regarding my Saturday Nights Main Event match! (The biased wrestling media is pushing the agenda that the title should be on the line!!) NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!!!! I CLEARLY stated that SUCKER Sol Ruca has done NOTHING to earn a shot at MY VERY PRESTIGIOUS IC TITLE!! We will see if she can hang with the GREATEST female wrestler of all time. A LOT of people don’t think she will, but we will see!! Thank you for your attention on this matter – BTB,” tweeted Lynch. 

Ruca officially signed her Raw contract on the May 4 edition of the show. Lynch interrupted the segment to confront Adam Pearce for enabling IYO SKY to challenge for her title the week before. The newest Raw member called her out for overshadowing her moment. Amid the chaos, Lynch accidentally hit Pearce, and later blamed Ruca for it.  In the weeks that followed, the two collided in backstage segments further intensifying their feud. 

SNME takes place this weekend in Fort Wayne, Indiana at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. Penta will defend his Intercontinental Title against Ethan Page, The Street Profits challenge The Vision for the World Tag Team Titles, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley team up against Jade Cargill, B-Fab and Michin in a six-woman tag team bout. The Women’s Tag Team Titles will also be defended with Brie Bella and Paige facing The Irresistible Forces. 

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Timestamps:
Start: Phil Hickerson passes away
6:25: Ludwig Kaiser/El Grande Americano arrested on battery charges, Dave’s thoughts on Brock Lesnar’s return
10:46: Enzo Amore possibly coming back to NXT & Big Cass rumors, WWE town hall notes
13:39: Dave’s extensive thoughts on the Ronda Rousey/Gina Carano fight & numbers
37:41: CMLL notes
45:11: AEW Dynamite & Collision recap, Double or Nothing lineup
1:10:57: WWE NXT notes

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As of writing, 9,654 tickets have been distributed for the show. This is up +263 since the last update (from 3 days ago), and way up from the last time the company ran the building (on 4/21/2024 for Sunday Stunner: 5,638).

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event matches this weekend

Here are all of the matches that have been confirmed for this weekend’s SNME card from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana:

• Intercontinental Championship Match: Penta (c) vs. Ethan Page
• World Tag Team Championship Match: The Vision (Logan Paul and Austin Theory) (c) vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins)
• Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Scream Mode (Paige and Brie Bella) (c) vs. The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend)
• NON-TITLE Match: Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca

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Tonight’s broadcast takes place as TNA continues its road to Slammiversary 2026, set for Sunday, June 28 at Agganis Arena in Boston, Massachusetts. Here are all of the start times for tonight’s show globally, including the UK, Australia and US:

TNA IMPACT start time by timezone

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In the main event, TNA World Champion Mike Santana will be defending his title against Steve Maclin, TNA International Champion Mustafa Ali will be putting his belt on the line against Chazz “Starboy” Hall, Vincent takes on Broken Matt Hardy, Indi Hartwell faces Elayna Black and Xia Brookside goes one on one with Jada Stone.

TNA IMPACT Matches tonight

Here are all of the matches and segments confirmed for tonight’s episode of TNA IMPACT:

• Xia Brookside vs. Jada Stone
• Indi Hartwell vs Elayna Black
• Vincent vs. Broken Matt Hardy
• TNA International Championship match: Mustafa Ali (w/Order 4) (c) vs. Chazz “Starboy” Hall
• TNA World Championship match: Mike Santana (c) vs. Steve Maclin

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