Sunday, May 18th
Congrats to Darby Allin and his fellow team members as they have made it to the top of Mount Everest today. Their arrival was posted on the official site:
8:50am local time Summit!
Good weather was in our favor, but many teams took advantage of the short window aswell, which slowed our progress more than expected.
Darby Allin, USA
Ang Dorjee Sherpa, Nepal/USA 24th summit
Pasang Bhote, Nepal 14th summit
Tashi Thundu Sherpa, Nepal 12th summit
Pemba Sherpa, Nepal 2nd summit
The team will savor their moment on top and then start the return back to Camp 4.
Some news from MLW:
Major League Wrestling (MLW) today announced that the MLW Women’s World Featherweight Championship will be defended in Japan for the first time in history as reigning champion “Big Kaiju” Shoko Nakajima puts the title on the line against rising star Kaya Toribami at the upcoming Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling (TJPW) event on June 7 at Kitazawa Town Hall. This landmark championship bout marks the first time an MLW women’s title will be contested in Japan and underscores MLW’s growing global alliance with top organizations such as TJPW. “History will be made in Japan… and it will be glorious,” said MLW President Cesar Duran. “The first-ever MLW Women’s World Title defense on Japanese soil. Thank you, TJPW… I am most intrigued by how this unfolds. Shoko Nakajima, make them remember you.”
Last night’s airing of Collision on TNT in the US was cut short. After 90 minutes, TNT switched to the movie Black Adam and Max ended the show with the graphic “This event has ended”. Fans missed the last two matches.
Word is the Money in the Bank main event could be Cody Rhodes and a mystery partner (R-Truth, Bad Bunny?) against Travis Scott and John Cena.
Congrats to TNA’s Lei Ying Lee (Xia LI). She won her debut MMA bout.
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Saturday, May 17th
More dates have been added to Cena’s farewell tour:
You CAN see @JohnCena on The Road to #WWEClash in Paris! 🇮🇪 🇫🇷 🇨🇦
🎟️ https://t.co/OSrJiHP01I pic.twitter.com/V8DXo6Ewly
— WWE UK (@WWEUK) May 17, 2025
Here is the line-up for Border Brawl:
- Flag Match: Nic Nemeth (USA) vs. Santino Marella (Canada)
- Matt Hardy (USA) vs. Eric Young (Canada)
- Tessa Blanchard (USA) vs. Jody Threat (Canada)
- Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards (w/ Alisha Edwards) (USA) vs. Judas Icarus and Travis Williams (Canada)
- Hardcore Match: Tommy Dreamer (USA) vs. Champagne Singh (Canada)
- Victoria Crawford (USA) vs. Courtney Rush (Canada)
- Moose and JDC (USA) vs. Channing Decker and Jesse Bieber (Canada)
- Frankie Kazarian (USA) vs. Cody Deaner (Canada)
- Sami Callihan (USA) vs. William Trudeau (w/ The Personal Concierge) (Canada)
The Border Brawl features noteworthy coaches for both countries:
USA
Rampage Jackson (Team USA Coach)
Kelly Kelly (Team USA Assistant Coach)
CANADA
Jacques Rougeau (Team Canada Coach)
Allie (Team Canada Assistant Coach)
Gail Kim had this message for her fans:
IMPORTANT UPDATE pic.twitter.com/gXk25Doovv
— Gail Kim-Irvine (@gailkimITSME) May 17, 2025
Rocky Johnson and Tony Atlas are being inducted into the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2025.
In case you missed it, Giulia has officially joined the Smackdown roster.
The SNME line-up for next weekend looks like this so far:
Jey Uso (c) vs. Logan Paul – WWE World Championship Match
CM Punk and Sami Zayn vs. Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker
John Cena (c) vs. R-Truth – Undisputed WWE Championship Match
Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre – Steel Cage Match
Here are the NXT house show results from Lakeland, Florida, last night:
Lince Dorado def. Anthony Luke
Chris Island def. BJ Ray
Izzi Dame (w/ Niko Vance) def. Arianna Grace
Charlie Dempsey (w/ Wren Sinclair) def. Edris Enofe
Lash Legend def. Nikkita Lyons
OTM (Bronco Nima & Lucien Price) def. Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors (w/ Andre Chase)
Karmen Petrovic def. Tyra Mae Steele
Lexis King def. Shiloh Hill
Zaria def. Jaida Parker
NXT Champion Oba Femi def. Dante Chen
Word is that Cody Rhodes was advertised and supposed to be part of last night’s Smackdown show in Greensboro, NC. Some fans in attendance have expressed their disappointment on social media.
It is a special day for Damian Priest. He is being included in the Bronx Walk of Fame.
Friday, May 16th
Here is a cool story on how Leaf fans are turning to wrestling to soften their woes.
The Onion jabbed at The Rock today with this: Dwayne Johnson Honored For Accomplishments In Neck Acting.
Here is what you will see on Smackdown tonight:
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax.
Money in the Bank Qualifier: Chelsea Green vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Michin.
Money in the Bank Qualifier: Jimmy Uso vs. Rey Fenix vs. Solo Sikoa.
The fallout of WWE Backlash.
Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes.
Fraxiom vs DIY.
Expect Alexa Bliss to return to WWE TV shortly.
Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green are still pondering a reality show about their lives.
Slam Wrestling’s John Powell has your streaming calendar for the weekend:
More and more rumours that Cody might turn heel in the sense that he might take up The Rock’s offer in a bid to get that belt back.
At the upcoming Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Dwayne Johnson (Callum Drift, Red One) is nominated for Favorite Movie Actor, Male Animated Movie Voice and Bad Bunny is up for Favourite Male Artist.
Tatanka is returning to SNME on May 24th.
Awwwww….
Would you believe me if I said I was completely in love with him already at this point 😂 https://t.co/uilPo8Nh2t
— ZV (@ZelinaVegaWWE) May 16, 2025
WWE has signed three Olympians: Shady Elnahas, a decorated Judoka, Francois Prinsloo, discus competitor and Judoka Aaron Fara, who competed in judo.
Carmella has told Sports Illustrated about a return to the ring: “I think at some point I’d love to put my Jordans back on, move on back out there and get in the ring again at some point. Just not right now. I’m trying to focus on other things.”
For all the Maple Leaf Wrestling, Bret Hart fans:
TNA, RoH star Taeler Hendrix has written a supernatural thriller entitled: Behind These Whispering Walls. The story is described as: “Set within the decaying confines of a long-abandoned mansion, the story follows Emmeline, a young girl grappling with the tragic death of her brother. As her family relocates to a new country and into the eerie estate, Emmeline confronts unsettling memories that don’t belong to her, secrets that refuse to remain buried, and a creeping dread that the very walls around her might be alive. Hendrix masterfully blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural, crafting a narrative that explores the depths of human emotion and the haunting legacy of the past.”
“Wrestling taught me how to tell a story without words. Now, I’m telling a story with every word I write. Through my pen, I intend to make every word count with purpose,” said Hendrix about the release.
AEW Dynamite ratings:
This week: 682,000 overnight viewers and 0.17 in the key demos.
Last week: 629,000 overnight viewers and 0.16 in the key demos.
Thursday, May 15th
Here are your Collision spoilers:
Megan Bayne beat Anna Jay.
Tribute to Mongo McMichael with his wife, Dean Malenko and Ric Flair.
ROH Champion Bandido, Tomohiro Ishii and Brody King beat Rocky Romero, Lance Archer and Trent Beretta. The Outrunners stopped a beatdown of the faces.
Mike Bailey beat Blake Christian. Bailey called Kazuchika Okada out. Rush and Dralistico took out Bailey.
Big Bill and Bryan Keith beat The Gates of Agony in a street fight.
ROH Tag Team Champions Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara beat Cru. They will face The Hurt Syndicate at Double or Nothing for the AEW Tag Team Championship.
Powerhouse Hobbs beat Wheeler Yuta. Willow Nightingale fought off Marina Shafir.
Here is what you will see on TNA tonight:
TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich and NXT’s Nikkita Lyons vs. Victoria Crawford and Tessa Blanchard
Mance Warner vs. Matt Cardona vs. Ace Austin vs. Elijah – #1 Contender’s Match for the TNA International Championship
Indi Hartwell makes her TNA in-ring debut
The Rascalz vs. The Great Hands
Jeff Hardy vs. Nic Nemeth
NXT Ratings:
This week: 664,000 overnight viewers and 0.15 in the key demos.
Last week: 652,000 overnight viewers and 0.14 in the key demos.
Wednesday, May 14th
In response to reports that Karrion Kross has the number one selling shirt for WWE but isn’t featured on WWE TV, Tom Pestock (Baron Corbin) wrote on X: “They don’t like it when you get over on your own!”. What could it all mean?
Zelina Vega was interviewed by Fox News. She has this to say about finally being a champion in WWE: “It feels amazing … When I was growing up, I just wanted to be a part of it,” she said. “And of course, I wanted to be champion. I made this huge thing in my mind when I was a kid, I was like, ‘I’m gonna be champion, this is gonna happen for me.’ I didn’t see a Plan B in my mind. Now, it’s like, not only did you make it, not only you’re champion, you’re also a part of history. First-ever Queen of the Ring, like I never thought that was gonna happen. So, it’s still shocking me but also that eight-year-old Thea that was like trying to get all of this sorted out in my mind. I didn’t see a Plan B, I was so stubborn. I was like, ‘No, this is happening.’ So, proving her right, it feels like the most amazing feeling.”
Slam’s John Powell has this review for you horror fans:
At the JP Morgan Conference, TKO President Mark Shapiro stated he would like to reduce WWE live events from 300 to 200.
The late Pete Rose was one among many MLB stars who were reinstated yesterday.
Tuesday, May 13th
Brad Schwartz, president of The CW, had this to say about NXT: “It’s been an absolute game changer for the CW, and I think it’s been a game changer for WWE. This last quarter that just ended was the highest rated NXT quarter in five years. It’s up 19% year over year..“In adults 18 to 49 and 25 to 54, we’re regularly beating Fox on Tuesday nights. It’s unheard of. So it’s been absolutely crushing for us. It’s one of the big reasons why our network as a whole is up 40% season over season…Besides animation on Fox, [NXT] has the highest concentration of 18-49 and 25-54 on all broadcast.”
Smackdown ratings:
This week: 1,455,000 overnight viewers and 0.41 in the key demos.
Last week: 1,406,000 overnight viewers and 0.37 in the key demos.
AEW has announced:
The Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom in Chicago will host an exclusive multi-week residency of AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision, marking the first time in history that AEW has ever held a residency in Chicago.
The residency dates are as follows:
Wednesday, July 16 – AEW Dynamite
Thursday, July 17 – Special Taping of AEW Collision
Wednesday, July 23 – AEW Dynamite
Saturday, July 26 – AEW Collision
Wednesday, July 30 – AEW Dynamite
Thursday, July 31 – Special Live Edition of AEW Collision
Fans interested in early access presale opportunities can register to become an AEW Insider by visiting allelitewrestling.com/aew-insider.
TNA has confirmed the TNA talent competing at Triplemanía Regia is Sunday, June 15. For tickets to Triplemanía Regia, go to: https://lucha-libreaaa.
Otis posted an amusing but interesting message on Instagram in which he complained about new restrictions on WWE catering. WWE are now implementing charges on some complimentary desserts in the catering which includes zebra cakes, Swiss rolls, cosmic brownies and oatmeal cream pies.
In case you missed Raw last night, the alliance between Giulia and Roxanne Perez has ended.
We’ve got a situation developing backstage between @roxanne_wwe and @giulia0221g following the conclusion to #WWERaw… pic.twitter.com/HEcb3WIk8R
— WWE (@WWE) May 13, 2025
Amazon Prime Video is bringing back American Gladiators and The Miz will be hosting the show.
New Japan has an interview with El Desperado. In it, he talked about how LIJ has lost two members in Naito and Bushi. “I have my own opinions on all that, but the main thing I think is I don’t feel it’s a problem at all. It’s a game of musical chairs and one seat is open now, so who sits in it? I say let’s enjoy finding out.”
Speaking on the The Ariel Helwani Show about his new promotion, Eric Bischoff had this to say: “As a matter of fact, as soon as we’re done with this, I have a call with a major platform that everybody would know about and recognize. We may end up there, we may not. We are going to end up on a platform on August 30th. We’re in discussions. I don’t even want to call negotiations. I’ll be really straightforward with you on this. We’re in discussions with two different platforms. Like I said, one over the next 45 minutes. I’m confident that we’re going to land a streaming opportunity and it may be a cable broadcast, but time will tell, you know. I’m not concerned that we won’t have a platform. I’m only concerned with which one it will be and how it will work for us.”
Monday, May 12th
What could it all mean?
these contracts are forever 👭🏽👭🏻👩🏽🤝👩🏻👩🏽🤝👩🏻 pic.twitter.com/7if2FWpCxt
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) May 9, 2025
Rumor has it that John Cena will be taking on R-Truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Don’t be surprised if Shotzi ends up in MLW.
Pat McAfee is feeling the burn and not in a good way.
My chest… is ahhh… burning pic.twitter.com/RVrhRkRYuf
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 11, 2025
WWE has trademarked ‘King of Luchas”.
Want to know what’s new to stream this week? Slam’s John Powell has your calendar here:
Here is what you will see on WWE Raw tonight:
WWE World Champion Jey Uso to appear.
WWE Women’s World Champion IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley vs. GIULIA & Roxanne Perez.
CM Punk returns
Penta vs. Chad Gable.
The fallout of Backlash.
AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor.
War Raiders vs. American Made.
You can check out these two shows for free, if you haven’t already:
Sunday, May 11th
The Sporting News has an interesting editorial to check out: Waiting Game: WWE making journey to stardom too long for young talent.
Word is that Jeff Cobb new name in WWE could be JC Mateo.
John Cena’s final match will be on December 13th in the TD Garden.
Although he took a hard hit when Damian Priest put him through that table last night word is that Drew McIntyre is okay but Priest had one of his teeth knocked loose.
As announced last night at Backlash, Night of Champions will be on Saturday, June 28th, in Saudi Arabia.
Saturday, May 10th
And yes, that fan who threw an empty beer bottle at John Cena was ejected from the arena last night at Smackdown.
The Sun in England has a report on London being ready to host WrestleMania. You can read all about it here.
In case you were wondering who Jade kissed on Smackdown last night. It wasn’t just some schlub in the audience. It was her husband, former MLB player Brandon Phillips.
Here are your NJPW Resurgence results:
CJ Tino defeated Allan Breeze
Bea Priestley defeated Viva Van
Fred Rosser defeated Matt Vandagriff
United Empire (Templario & TJP) defeated The World Class Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs) (c) – NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship Match
The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson) & The Good Brothers (Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson) defeated BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors, David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & Gedo)
Tomohiro Ishii (c) defeated Drilla Moloney – NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship Match
Konosuke Takeshita (c) defeated El Phantasmo – NEVER Openweight Championship Match
Hirooki Goto (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. ended in a draw. – IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Match
AZM defeated Mina Shirakawa and Mercedes Mone (c) – NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship Match