Hey guys! SRS here. Get those questions in this weekend.
We will have another q&a form Sunday, but will be a little different. But I'll be dropping a special q&a Thanksgiving morning.
Don't forget -- Wrestlevotes q&a launches monday December 1 LIVE at 3 PM ET
A key figure in the AEW women’s tag team division could be entering free agency.
Fightful Select has learned that Anna Jay’s AEW contract is believed within AEW to be up in the next few months. As of now, we haven’t learned if there have been contract negotiations tied to extending her, but an AEW source did expect that AEW was going to make the move to retain her if possible.
It was noted to Fightful that Anna Jay enjoys teaming with Tay Melo, but also is open to doing what’s right for her career, including exploring any potential free agency options. The team of TayJay has been eliminated from the Women's Tag Team Title Tournament
2025-11-21 02:12:46 +0000 UTC View PostAnother former TNA title holder has their contract coming out, and we've found out specifically when.
On Monday, former TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion Jody Threat told Fightful's In The Weeds that her TNA contract is coming up soon, but that she and the company are in talks to retain her.
Since then, we've learned that her contract is scheduled to expire on December 1. TNA sources Fightful Select spoke to confirmed that they are hoping to retain her.
2025-11-20 18:00:09 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome to Select Answers, a feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.
When aggregating these posts please refer to it as "Fightful Select Answers Q&A" and tag Fightful, noting that it was in the Q&A format to avoid confusion.
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Other than general incompetence, why do you think TNA likes to LOLTNA? Is it branding or circumstance? Idk at this point.
I'm not sure. It's a systemic reach to intentionally try to piss off their most loyal of fans, and honestly it's gone on for decades. Jeff Jarrett's insanely long reign, and never dropping the title to Monty Brown. The James Storm/Bobby Roode Bound for Glory 2012 thing. The Austin Aries Bound For Glory main event snafu. Putting a title on Del RIo at all. Delaying and delaying Santana or Josh Alexander, and even delaying Joe Hendry. They have consistently put themselves in positions to try to appear smarter than the audience that does their best to enjoy the show.
What would you say the odds are of TNA and/or AAA being added to WWE 2K26?
I would say there's a significant chance of top or marketable AAA talent being added to WWE 2K26. I'd be very surprised if AAA titles and venues aren't worked in. As far as TNA, that's a whole different beast, and I would imagine that there's a real possibility of us seeing someone like the Hardy Boyz. Maybe a "TNA Pack" DLC is a reality instead of a full on roster.
Is there hope for TNA?
There's hope for every wrestling company. They have more positive trajectory now than ten years ago. Things were grim back then. I don't know why so many wrestling fans live in the gloom and doom for these companies. If you don't like them, don't consume the show! We need more effective places for talent to work, not less. TNA has a lot of great talent and people working there. I don't agree with a lot of decisions they've made in the last two years, but there's a lot I agree with, and the same could be said with most top wrestling companies. It's a product of attempted growth.
2025-11-20 17:00:08 +0000 UTC View PostA couple of prominent independent wrestling stars are in the good graces of All Elite Wrestling.
Maya World and Hyan have been a couple of the most highly regarded independent wrestlers ove the last couple of years already, and they’ve seized an opportunity. The two got a last minute match on a recent Collision when Miranda Alize and Nixon Newell opted not to perform, and then ended up getting an eight minute match on the next week’s Collision. Those we spoke to in AEW say it was a direct result of how well they handled the prior week.
It was confirmed to Fightful that Maya World and Hyan are not signed by All Elite Wrestling, but it was claimed that the company has had heavy interest in using them moving forward. AEW sources we spoke to said that they wouldn’t be surprised to see the duo under contract sooner than later.
2025-11-19 23:33:02 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome to Select Answers, a feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.
When aggregating these posts please refer to it as "Fightful Select Answers Q&A" and tag Fightful, noting that it was in the Q&A format to avoid confusion.
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Do you think the elite are going to be united again. I really do miss them being together. Maybe Kenny can become a part-time manager for them. I think it would add alot to AEW excitement
I do. Kenny Omega will still wrestle here and there, but he faces so many health struggles that it's impressive that he's able to stay in the shape he does. I think the Young Bucks downfall has been the catalyst for a babyface turn. They had to be humbled after that Elite VP run before they were babyfaces again. Now, AEW is so loaded on the heel side with the Death Riders, Don Callis Family, The Opps and MJF back soon.
El Clon has debuted for AEW as a DCF member, but he hasn't wrestled a match yet. I'd heard that the man portraying him had suffered an injury not long before that debut. What is the timeline for him to be ready to wrestle, or are they holding him off for other reasons?
I heard back in August that Arez, the wrestler scheduled to portray the Clon character, had sustained an injury of some sort -- I believe a foot injury. They still kicked off the angle, but then Hologram got sidelined with a very serious knee injury. This angle has seemed snakebit unfortunately. I know it's one that Tony Khan really wanted to do.
Let's say WWE did want Edge to face Cena, if they told Tony Khan they would lift the no compete clause on Andrade for Edge to make 1 or 2 appearances, do you think Tony Khan would've done it?
I doubt it. I don't think Tony Khan is at the point right now that he would do anything to help WWE. That was different years ago when he allowed Paul Wight and Chris Jericho so submit videos for a John Cena thing, but the last probably three years have changed that completely. Especially since TKO took over. Also, I'm pretty sure Tony Khan knows if Andrade will be able to get out of his deal anyway.
2025-11-19 17:00:11 +0000 UTC View PostNXT is filming this week and next week's shows tonight.
In addition, there are TNA names in the house. Specifically, Tommy Dreamer and Carlos Silva are at tonight's show.
Another return to WWE happened, and the deal seems to be the same as last week’s.
Nic Nemeth returned to WWE on the November 17 episode of WWE Raw, losing to Solo Sikoa in the Last Time Is Now Tournament. In his return, he used the Dolph Ziggler name for the first time since leaving WWE.
Much like with Matt Cardona/Zack Ryder the week prior, WWE sources indicated to Fightful that Ziggler is not signed to a WWE contract. He is still considered to be with TNA, and has worked on a series of short-term contracts. We were told by TNA sources that Nemeth has preferred that method after being locked down to WWE for so long.
WWE was happy with his performance on Monday.
2025-11-18 17:36:20 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome to Select Answers, a feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.
When aggregating these posts please refer to it as "Fightful Select Answers Q&A" and tag Fightful, noting that it was in the Q&A format to avoid confusion.
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Are the talent ever told how they should wear their championships (around the waist, over the shoulder, dragged by the strap) or is it just up to their preference?
Occasionally they are. For varying reasons. People used to sling it over their shoulders because of convenience due to the belt snaps. Then there would be times when a talent was instructed to wear it a certain way, or a talent would get it cleared if they wanted to switch things up and wear it backwards, or hanging from their dong area or whatever. Especially in WWE, everything like that gets approved.
When a wrestler is consistently away from the ring for acting projects over and over again, are they still drawing their full salary from the wrestling promotion?
Yes, almost always. Sometimes a company might have it worked in to deals where a contract gets frozen or extended for the period that they're out. These days, a talent is almost always paid their salary when taking a break to film something else. I can't think of a situation where they're not.
Hey Sean! I was wondering if you’d ever consider doing like a “retro scoops” type of thing on Select. Maybe followup/scoops to news stories from years ago? For example, was New Jack ever considered for any ECW One Night Stand? There was a guy named “Gunner Scott” who had a lot of hype, defeated some big stars, and then disappeared forever from WWE TV. Why was that? I hope I’m making sense! Just something different to add to Fightful Select.
This is something I considered doing for years, and will try to work it in the fold. There are so many things I want to dig into that I think would fit well here, and with time that passes, people are more willing to speak to it. For example, I want to know what was supposed to happen with Jade Cargill and Bow Wow. WHY DIDN'T WE LEARN!? Yes. I'll do this here and there.
How long do you think Joe Hendry would last in NXT as he has now signed with WWE
Well, he's on a main roster level deal from what I understand. By that, I mean making above the main roster minimum. I think with him coming in, we're likely to see a Ricky Saints or Ethan Page move up, and then Hendry is the next guy up on NXT with familiarity outside WWE. But that's just a hunch. I think he will be Mr. Iguana-esque, where he pops up here and there as well.
2025-11-18 17:00:16 +0000 UTC View PostWell, at least a bunch of stuff happened on Raw.
Almost all of it bad, of course.
Best thing that happened on Raw was that Gunther has his old WALTER music back. And then they actually gave the Jevon Evans match some time, which was unexpected.
(Should have been the finals of the tournament, but we're not allowed to talk about that.)
Almost everything else that happened on Raw was terrible and bad.
Especially Maxine Dupri becoming IC Champion.
Everything sucks. Let's talk about it.
VIDEO https://youtu.be/dccLKUpTiKc
2025-11-18 03:23:31 +0000 UTC View PostThe following contains potential spoilers for tonight's episode of WWE Raw
WE ASK THAT YOU BE COGNIZANT OF THOSE WHO WISH TO AVOID SPOILERS. DON'T POST IT PUBLICLY ON THE TL FOR CLOUT!
The active plan for today was John Cena to face Judgment Day along with Rey Mysterio and Sheamus. There are plans for a Dominik Mysterio rematch with John Cena, presumably at Survivor Series as well.
2025-11-18 00:54:38 +0000 UTC View PostThe following contains potential spoilers for tonight's episode of WWE Raw
WE ASK THAT YOU BE COGNIZANT OF THOSE WHO WISH TO AVOID SPOILERS. DON'T POST IT PUBLICLY ON THE TL FOR CLOUT!
Earlier we confirmed BodySlam's report that Liv Morgan, AJ Lee, and Roman Reigns were all scheduled to fly in for tonight's WWE Raw in NYC. In addition, we revealed in an earlier post, who was slated as Solo Sikoa's opponent.
We can also confirm that Brock Lesnar flew in to the area privately Sunday night, and is expected at Madison Square Garden for WWE Raw.
He was scheduled to be a part of the War Games match as of this past week, and in a segment with those involved that is slated to close the show tonight.
Drew McIntyre is also at the show.
2025-11-17 20:53:19 +0000 UTC View PostThe following contains potential spoilers for tonight's episode of WWE Raw
WE ASK THAT YOU BE COGNIZANT OF THOSE WHO WISH TO AVOID SPOILERS. DON'T POST IT PUBLICLY ON THE TL FOR CLOUT!
The Last Time Is Now tournament continues tonight, with Solo Sikoa facing a mystery opponent. Fightful Select has learned the name that has been planned.
Fightful Select spoke with WWE sources who claimed that materials were produced in relation to Dolph Ziggler taking on Solo Sikoa on tonight's episode of Raw. Ziggler competed in WWE for over 15 years, and now goes by his real name, Nic Nemeth.
There's always a chance things could change, but that's the match that was being prepared for internally as of Monday afternoon. We wouldn't put it past WWE to run a super covert INTERNAL SWERVE, but materials were prepared for Ziggler vs. Sikoa.
2025-11-17 20:28:41 +0000 UTC View PostPlease navigate away if you wish to avoid spoilers. Please be cognizant of those who wish to avoid spoilers.
WWE is loading up tonight's episode.
Bodyslam on Patreon revealed a number of names who were expected backstage at tonight's WWE Raw. Among them included Roman Reigns, Liv Morgan and AJ Lee.
Fightful Select has confirmed that AJ Lee, Liv Morgan and Roman Reigns were scheduled to travel in to tonight's episode of WWE Raw as of last Thursday. We'll work to find out more details, but their travel being set could mean a number of things. We can't confirm they'll be there or appear.
Many had been speculating that Joe Hendry would be Solo Sikoa's opponent tonight. As of this weekend, he was not scheduled to travel in.
2025-11-17 19:58:16 +0000 UTC View PostA cancellation of an appearance by wXw comes with ‘shadier’ details.
Earlier this week, wXw announced that scheduled appearances by Naito and Bushi for November 14th and beyond would not be taking place. Fightful Select's Corey Brennan has since spoken to wXw sources that have since shed some light on the announcement.
Fightful Select were told that previously, the promotion had worked out a deal with Testuya Naito and Bushi’s representation that was the same as the pair’s deal for their previous appearances with the promotion in September, with the pair also being “very happy” with this deal for possible future appearances as well, and wXw sources say they also helped organize further bookings for the pair with other European promotions. However, this week, the situation would change.
wXw sources told Fightful Select that a new ‘assistant’ for the pair had demanded more from the promotion with their representatives claiming that they should not worry. In addition to their previous deal, in the days leading up to their planned appearance, the pair would demand a EU work visas, something that they did not require to work wXw events. Due to this wXw sources noted that the pair had been removed from future events and plans with the company.
A wXw source noted to us that other promotions in Europe had been notified about the issues, with the same source noting that it was “bad business” on Naito and Bushi’s behalf and that they were not sure where the pair will go from here.
We will continue to update readers on this story as the news breaks.
2025-11-17 18:44:07 +0000 UTC View PostAnother TNA contract appears to be coming up soon.
Jody Threat appeared on Fightful's In The Weeds on November 17, promoting the upcoming New Wave Wrestling Academy show. She's been a regular for TNA Wrestling for years now, but her deal is up soon.
Threat told In The Weeds that her contract is up relatively soon, but that the two sides are in talks about an extension. Fightful Select reached out to both Threat and TNA sources for clarification, and a TNA source indicated that they're hoping to retain Jody Threat.
Threat is a two-time Knockouts Tag Team Champion
You can see the full episode at this link.
2025-11-17 18:31:22 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome to Select Answers, a feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.
When aggregating these posts please refer to it as "Fightful Select Answers Q&A" and tag Fightful, noting that it was in the Q&A format to avoid confusion.
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When it comes to talent like JeVon Evans & Oba Femi… do you think they’re more important to NXT bc they do have their own TV deal and they’re both stars there or are they needed more on the main roster since they lack youth on RAW & SD
NXT is always going to need established TV stars on its show. However, they have a roster full of them, including talent that they aren't using. Now they have AAA at their disposal as well. With a deal on CW, they like having people such as Jordynne Grace, Ethan Page and Ricky Saints because they have more familiarity than a lot of the NXT talent traditionally does, and fans can discover talent. I think that when one person like that comes in, more will come up. But for Oba and Evans, the very reason you have NXT is to eventually develop main roster stars.
In 10 years time how do you see the top men and women in WWE as most into their 40’s would be retired or at least close to with a new generation at the helm. Personally I think it has to be Bron, Oba and Je’Von for the men and Rhea, Roxanne and Blake for the women
I think Bron Breakker and Oba Femi will have the ability to do what they're doing for a very long time. The landscape is going to look way different, because WWE has a lot of 40+ guys that eventually Father Time will catch up to -- certainly by ten years from now. I think Jordynne Grace will still be able to do what she's doing at 39, and Je'Von will have rounded out even more as a performer. Thea Hail and Blake Monroe are definitely going to be people that emerge and do well. There are also people like Izzy and the new generation of Rhodes' that will be signed by then. There's a lot of promise from people in The Vanity Project as well.
After Cope signed with AEW, that first presser after the WrestleDream PPV, he talked about wanting to be a presence there on a weekly basis. I was pumped to see him so excited about it all, but It doesn't feel like he's been there much in 2025. Did that original plan get wrecked after his foot/ankle injury and then future acting roles he's received? Thanks.
Well, you can never plan for injuries, but considering his age, they didn't expect to have him there in AEW 52 weeks a year. That was never an expectation that I heard of. AEW knew there was a possibility that the Percy Jackson and the Olympians role could lead to more though. There have been plenty speed bumps and creative adjustments, but AEW has seemed happy with him.
2025-11-17 17:00:15 +0000 UTC View PostSean Ross Sapp answers all your questions and carries you through the week of wrestling news!
TNA's media fumble (the first 20 minutes of the show. Enjoy)
Tony D
MJF
AJ Francis, Rascalz, More contracts
Matt Cardona/Zack Ryder WWE
Wheeler Yuta
Joe Hendry
MLW
DEBUNKATHON
27:00 Q&A: Collision, Qualifiers, Cena/Edge, Andrade, Austin's Mania Accident, Zootopia, WWE in 10 years. Cope's schedule, how titles are worn, acting schedules, El Clon, The Elite, wrestling tropes, Denver wrestling, TNA decisions, WWE 2K26
Tony D has been out of action, and we haven’t heard much of an update on him coming back of late. However, there was a slight development.
Tony D hasn't wrestled since July on NXT, and hasn't been referenced on any WWE programming in months. When we asked this summer if his main roster call-up was imminent, people there hadn't heard anything. Three months later, we've got our first update.
Fightful Select has been following up with NXT staff and talent for months, and were told that if he's been at the WWE Performance Center, they haven't seen him. That changed this past week, as Tony was backstage at the NXT show in Orlando on November 11. It was claimed he wasn't dressed to train or to film anything. Very little additional detail was provided outside of it being a rarity to see him these days, and that people were happy to see him there.
Tony D remains under contract to WWE.
2025-11-17 00:00:09 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome to Select Answers, a feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.
When aggregating these posts please refer to it as "Fightful Select Answers Q&A" and tag Fightful, noting that it was in the Q&A format to avoid confusion.
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Favorite wrestling books of all-time?
If you guys haven't read Nitro, do it immediately. Use the code FIGHTFUL to save 20 percent at GuyEvansBooks.com. We did a 45 minute interview, and I just adore that book. I personally love creating new source material for old stories, and nobody in sports media does that quite like Guy Evans does for everything, but especially NITRO.
As far as expanding on that, a top 10 for me in no order are Jon Moxley, Eric Bischoff, Becky Lynch, Nattie Neidhart, Chris Jericho's first, Mick Foley's first, Bryan Danielson, NITRO, Sean Oliver, and the new NWO book from Marc Raimondi.
With Cenas retirement coming up, can you think of a top tier wrestler who honored their retirement and never came back? Ive come up with Dibiase (except for the NXT angle a few years ago and an occasional raw nostalgia appearance) and no one else
Batista stuck to his retirement after saying that Triple H would be his last match. Triple H is another one, but I think we shouldn't include ones that have medical circumstances tied to it. Undertaker hasn't returned after the Boneyard match, and very easily could do a chokeslam, pin match. Jushin Thunder Liger has stuck to his, and considering his influence in the wrestling world, I'd consider him up there as well. These days, there's so much money tied up in nostalgia spots.
Any update on the TNA TV deal? Did their negotiations get hurt by the Big Data + Panel ratings system change at Nielsen?
So I don't have an answer on what's going on with the TV deal, but I do have an answer on the second half of things. A couple of weeks after the Big Data + Panel system hit, I asked Carlos Silva if he was concerned that he would get lowballed as a result of low wrestling numbers. He didn't even seem to know what I was talking about, and said that it hadn't come up at all. I don't know if that's still the case, but at least initially, it wasn't a hurdle.
2025-11-16 17:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostWe’re hitting a period where a number of TNA contracts are coming due.
Fightful Select has confirmed that a number of TNA talent have contracts still coming up at the end of the year. Among them is AJ Francis. This was also the case at the end of last year, and he actually hit free agency.
Ultimately, he and TNA agreed on terms to bring him back to the company, and he ended up getting signed through 2025. We’re told that the relationship between the two sides has been good, and TNA is hopeful to retain him for 2026. The feeling seems to be mutual, as Francis has noted that he is very happy with the opportunities TNA has given him.
2025-11-15 21:00:05 +0000 UTC View PostNote: the following is an editorial from Sean Ross Sapp.
Well, that was a weird situation.
If you checked out the Debunkathon on Friday, you saw us mention that a Mike Santana/TNA story going around was a work. I care about transparency and being honest to our audience, so I'm going to provide as much context as possible.
At no point in my career before November 14 did I have an official, exec or PR rep from any wrestling company provide myself info to advance a storyline, while pretending it was real. I know there are a lot of misconceptions about the relationship of media with pro wrestling and higher ups, and I'm happy to speak on my experiences. There have absolutely been times where companies say "this may seem unusual, but it's an angle, and will be paid off very quickly," to limit concern. WWE reps were transparent with us about Brooks Jensen's controversial storyline last year.
I tweeted about this, and many people didn't seem to understand. There was a former wrestler who posted "Dirt Sheets saying promoters or wrestlers have never contacted them / messaged them back to leak information, push info, rumors, a story or a headline is lying lmfaooo. I’ve had multiple Dirt Sheets in my DMs digging for info & I assure you there are snakes that give them info." That wasn't what I said, nor even related. Of course promoters contact us to leak information. We've been on camera with over a thousand people in the industry, and there are hundreds more we're in contact with. Very specifically, we never have had a rep, exec or official contact us with information, pretending it's "real" when it's not.
If you think "what about that time when..?" Nope. Not then. Not whatever else you're thinking of either. It's just not really the relationship between these companies and media. It erodes trust. I often say that I don't get lied to much, if at all by officials, but there's plenty of times they simply don't answer. That's their right. They don't owe the media information, the media owes their audiences information.
So on November 14, we were contacted by a TNA official who said "FYI ...
Mike Santana did not participate in Thursday night’s post-show Meet & Greet. He also has not arrived at Full Sail University, and Talent call-time was 1pm, nor has he replied to TNA calls or text messages. TNA executives were unavailable for comment, but said tonight’s Turning Point Main event is now in doubt."
I responded with a picture of a frog dressed as a wizard that said "doubt," and immediately let members of my team know not to cover this unless TNA tweets it out officially. It wasn't true, and isn't the kind of thing companies ever offer up to us, and if they did it would be on background (able to report it without naming the source), or off the record (for our knowledge but unable to report without separate sources on the record or on background). That wasn't the case here. Shortly after I sent that reply, another outlet was fed the news and ran it. We contacted them to let them know it was a work. By then, at least two other media members were provided that info, one of whom ran it verbatim.
I'm not one to finger wag unless people are being dishonest, making things up or just stealing content (transcriptions or original work), but if you're ever fed information from anyone, much less a company official, and your first internal question isn't "why?," you're not doing a good job. This was an angle from the start, and that's fine, but you can also say "TNA has provided the following statement," as opposed to angling for us to report it as a scoop. First off, we'd be far more concerned about the well-being of the individual than some pretend wrestling title.
I had people compare this to the MJF Double or Nothing 2022 weekend. Nope. Not the same. I'll happily explain why on this week's Fightful Report Podcast, but no info was provided by an AEW official in that story. I've had people say "Why is media spoiling this TNA storyline?" then lying that AEW stories never get spoiled. That's just weirdo shit, but hey, TNA officials were providing that info. They wanted it out, and it got out. They wanted to work some sort of unusual multi-layered angle that implied that Mike Santana -- one of the most responsible, hard working, and professional guys in wrestling -- no showed a meet & greet and blew off TNA because he was mad that they booked him to lose his TNA World Title in a scripted match. Okay, then. No wonder so many people were confused. The approach didn't make sense. Save that for your Twitter account or TV, and then let us know quietly that he's safe, and the angle will be paid off imminently. No biggie.
I saw people say "What about WWE feeding people incorrect info about WrestleMania or some other show?" Quite a bit actually. I'm not sure who people think "WWE" is, but that isn't the kind of information company officials or PR reps send to people like me. I don't know why they would, either. There will always be bad info, but there's usually just more of an incentive to not say anything than providing knowingly false information. That can always have exceptions, but if someone feeds us false info, it almost always gets filtered out by the follow up work in verifying. Still, that's not happened with officials or those in a PR capacity to further an angle. That's stuff that just emerges from other people in the company. I know that's hard for many wrestling fans to believe, especially when places like WWE have had a very odd, front facing "don't believe the internet dirt sheets" attitude on screen, and a cordial relationship most other times.
I'm not above covering things in storyline. We do storyline articles on Fightful every day. I've done dozens of in-character interviews. Sometimes they're very fun. This wasn't that. This was an unusual attempt to do a work-shoot angle by working the media. To the point that one outlet had their scheduled interview with Mike Santana canceled and were provided that same comment that we were. So not only did the official actively try to work one of the most respected publications in wrestling history in Pro Wrestling Illustrated, they took away content they'd planned for as a result.
I won't even get into the morbid parallels that something like that can share with horrible moments in the past. Plenty of fans already made those comparisons, and fortunately, nothing remotely like that was afoot.
I realize this is a non-issue to most of you, and that's okay. I don't expect everyone, or even most people to care about this kind of thing. But I do care about the integrity and respecting the intelligence of our audience that supports us and wanted to be as transparent as possible. This was an irresponsible, weird violation of trust by an official in pro wrestling. There are plenty of people who will find that as a pretentious stance from someone who reports things that wrestling companies don't want out there, but I'll put it like this. That bad intel that I mentioned almost always gets filtered out? Plenty of that is information debunked by officials themselves. How could anyone covering TNA -- much less those provided that information -- trust them after that attempt?
Either way, I'll talk about this at length on the Fightful Report Podcast this week. Thank you for your support.
Sean Ross Sapp
2025-11-15 20:49:57 +0000 UTC View PostZack Ryder is back in WWE....for one night only!
Well, maybe not one night. But Matt Cardona did appear on the November 14 episode of Smackdown in the John Cena The Last Time Is Now Tournament. He took on LA Knight in a losing effort.
We confirmed with Matt Cardona and WWE that he isn't signed to WWE, and for now the appearance is a one off. WWE sources confirmed that there is a merchandise deal, which is why you saw Zack Ryder merchandise hit the website.
We haven't learned why they used the Zack Ryder name as opposed to Matt Cardona yet.
2025-11-15 18:13:21 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome to Select Answers, a feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.
When aggregating these posts please refer to it as "Fightful Select Answers Q&A" and tag Fightful, noting that it was in the Q&A format to avoid confusion.
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Do you think they push the Owen Hart tournament back a couple of months in 2026 to potentially allow Ospreay to compete?
I am not sure what his window is, but I don't think that's the kind of thing they would adjust a schedule to do. Also, I don't know if putting Ospreay in a tournament right after a serious neck injury would be the best course of action or the best way to exercise caution. I've not heard of any specific plans for the Owen Hart tournament.
Is Pretty Deadly over? Or will they return to normal upon Elton Prince being cleared?
I'm not sure exactly Elton Prince's injury, but it's pretty clear that they either didn't have plans for Kit Wilson for months, or didn't expect Elton Prince to be out that long. It was indicated to me that whenever Elton Prince is back, there's a good chance that the team is reunited. They still haven't got a REAL run.
With WWE terminating Ridge Holland contract early due to breach of contract, did that move come from inside the office of WWE or higher ups at TKO?
Inside the office at WWE, but the higher ups at TKO didn't reverse course when it happened, so they helped make the call as well. It was a decision that was made, and then reinforced across many levels, and a heartless one at that. I'm shocked and disgusted that people try to play devil's advocate for it. It's one wrestling standard that shouldn't have been broken.
2025-11-15 17:00:10 +0000 UTC View PostDezmond Xavier is back in TNA...for now!
Dezmond Xavier appeared in TNA as the least surprising surprise in recent memory, and that was by design. Xavier returned to TNA after his years-long run in WWE as Wes Lee at TNA Turning Point to rejoin his Rascalz brothers. TNA knew pretty well everyone would expect him as the surprise, and were happy with the reaction with that his return got as well as his performance.
Fightful Select has confirmed that Xavier is not under contract to TNA. However, there are creative plans for him moving forward with the team.
In addition to that, we're told that Zachary Wentz's deal with TNA is up at the end of the year. The group plan to evaluate their options moving forward, and we've heard that there is expected to be interest in The Rascalz outside of TNA.
We're looking to get updates on Myron Reed and Trey Miguel as well.
2025-11-15 02:58:29 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome to the Fightful friday tradition -- the DEBUNKATHON. We have a loaded news update for you all as well
Westside Gunn
Bianca Belair
NWA/WWE
Mike Santana no-showing
Wheeler YUTA
Blood & Guts
Nattie
NWA Title changes
Creative
Lots of MLW news
DEBUNKATHON!
Consider subscribing to our paid tier to help support exclusive and original coverage of pro wrestling!
Welcome to the Fightful friday tradition -- the DEBUNKATHON. We have a loaded news update for you all as well
Westside Gunn
Bianca Belair
NWA/WWE
Mike Santana no-showing
Wheeler YUTA
Blood & Guts
Nattie
NWA Title changes
Creative
Lots of MLW news
DEBUNKATHON!
Consider subscribing to our paid tier to help support exclusive and original coverage of pro wrestling!
Regarding Westside Gunn, Fightful was told at the time that he was kicked out of WWE Raw, and the word going around was that they weren't happy about him using their intellectual property. We have since been told WWE sent numerous cease and desists.
The surprise names for John Cena's tournament were being kept very close to the vest this week.
We asked for an update on Bianca Belair recently, and were told that she's still recovering from injury, and her knuckle on her broken finger hasn't returned to normal yet.
There is some confusion among fans regarding some NWA Title changes of late. The title changes you're seeing on social media were actually filmed back in August, but not acknowledged by the NWA until they aired nearly three months later. NWA actually did something that used to happen in many areas and had the champions who lost their title compete in matches on the indies defending those belts until it aired.
After Nattie Neidhart's interview with Cody Rhodes, we had a number of readers also asking about her NWA match. It didn't end up airing, and was heavily implied it was WWE that made that decision.
As indicated by the viewership, Braun Strowman's food show is doing big numbers with Smackdown lead ins on USA Network. The crew on the show were left with uncertainty regarding a second season.
After our Select Answers article ran today about how every creative team should have a dissenting opinion in the room to explain why something would suck, we heard from a major wrestling promoter that agreed with that notion.
Outside of the dental issues we mentioned, we weren't told of any injuries to Jamie Hayter after Blood & Guts.
There is a Tony Khan media call set for next week ahead of AEW Full Gear.
The Mike Santana news about him not answering calls is a work. The same official at TNA tried to feed that to us, and provided it elsewhere. Normally we wouldn't blast something like that, but this is the first time someone in an official capacity reached out and provided us a worked angle in an effort to specifically work our audience. We'll elaborate more on that this weekend on our Select shows.
WrestleVotes reported today that USA and WWE are moving Smackdown back to 3 hours starting in January. Wrestlevotes will be joining Fightful Select on December 1!
MLW
MLW has been approached to do a show in Las Vegas for WrestleMania but have chosen not to. Their strategy has been to avoid that weekend for ears.
MLW has been aiming to return to Orlando for quite some time and will do so for the first time in 6 years in January. They wanted to bring a big show to the area that helped launch them, and set the Battle Riot for there.
MLW is doing media events with Don Gato Tequila throughout the city of Charleston, SC next week. Court Bauer said the city has treated them better than any they've been to.
Shoko Nakajima is expected to defend the MLW Women's Title in Asia in the coming months. She defended against Viva Van in Japan this past week.
WHEELER YUTA
Fightful Select spoke to Wheeler Yuta after his Blood and Guts performance on Wednesday. He said that outside of some bumps and bruises, he emerged okay fortunately.
We spoke about his most viewed Youtube video -- him gaining the respect of the BCC. He said looking back that he was just trying to make the most of a special opportunity that he was given, and he couldn't ask for more than the mentors he's been given in All Elite Wrestling.
He said that during the pandemic he was working at The Vitamin Shoppe and had time to focus on what kind of wrestler he wanted to be and work on himself physically. He's very proud of his independent wrestling run, and said that the indies were in a weird place at that time because a lot of people were signed, and the pandemic just happened.
He said that most of his family gets what he does in wrestling, because he grew up a wrestling fan. However, his godmother gets fired up at the chants against him.
The full interview is up for tier 2 subscribers.
DEBUNKATHON
For some reason a twitter account claimed Paul Heyman refused to work with Carmelo Hayes. This isn't true whatsoever.
There are conspiracy theories that Tony Khan and AEW blocked Shinsuke Nakamura from wrestling Hiroshi Tanahashi at the Tokyo Dome. Nobody from WWE had even heard of that being broached, and NJPW always knew it was a pipe dream. Numerous NJPW sources confirmed there was no "AEW shutting down" that match. It was very clearly stated from a rep that there was no situation like that happening
Sportskeeda, in their efforts to continue sucking as much as possible, posted the World Heavyweight Title with a clickbait headline. The actual article was about the women's ID title. The World Heavyweight Title is not being vacated again.
The Scott Steiner twitter page isn't actually run by Scott Steiner, but it is run by his business rep. So not a lot different than Iron Sheik and Virgil. He has permission to. This is not like the fake Sid Vicious/Bob Holly twitter accounts or the MJF facebook account that aren't affiliated.
Welcome to Select Answers, a feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.
When aggregating these posts please refer to it as "Fightful Select Answers Q&A" and tag Fightful, noting that it was in the Q&A format to avoid confusion.
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Any update on the Andrade contract situation?
Not a lot, outside of I know that people are looking into it. Personally, I wouldn't expect it to stand. There's not a lot of room for something that firm to work out for WWE in this day and age, even when they clearly have important people of influence on their side like Donald Trump. The Andrade situation is a clear non-compete and impeding the ability to provide for himself if unpaid. If it's paid, then that's a different story.
Who's your early picks to win the rumble and MITB? Mine are Sami and Liv for the rumble. Knight and Lyra for MITB
CM Punk was a selection of mine before he won the world title, and I guess there's still room if he loses it. It's a big potential accolade that he's never achieved. I thought that he would go after Cody and that would be a WrestleMania main event.
I don't think you can rule out Roman Reigns either, and him making it to a major match. Sami Zayn seemed poised for that, and maybe he still could, but WWE has leaned out of his world champion talk on screen that was a focal point of the Kross feud. I would personally go with Oba Femi, leading to a Cody Rhodes match, or Bron Breakker.
On the women's side, I would go with Liv Morgan. You have a totally new crop of women's stars, but most of them have already been pushed to titles, such as Giulia, Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer.
I think 2026 is the year an NXT call-up should win the Rumble.
Money in the Bank is ten months away. That's a fruitless exercise. We don't know what the company looks like at that point.
It seems like the consensus among fans being that WWE and AEW are stuck in a rut right now, what would it take for there to be a change in creative in both companies and do you think that’s necessary?
I think that staying fresh is always important in pro wrestling. I am only as familiar with the creative process as I've been educated about, but I think that there always needs to be a couple of "this is why this could suck" voices in the room. I feel that is very, very important to not fall into booking ruts and tropes. Unfortunately, feelings get hurt way too much. I know constantly people in the companies say "we don't book for the online audience," but you should be paying attention to the good faith criticism from your most loyal fans.
2025-11-14 17:00:07 +0000 UTC View PostGet your questions in, friends!! I should be recording saturday night or sunday evening!
2025-11-14 13:00:15 +0000 UTC View PostJoe Hendry’s days in TNA are pretty well over.
Sources in TNA confirmed to Fightful Select this week that former TNA Joe Hendry is effectively done with the company in an official capacity. Hendry hasn’t been seen in weeks, but has been featured on NXT TV for quite some time. There's good reason for that -- he's officially a WWE Superstar.
Hendry is not listed internally to appear on this weekend’s TNA shows, though people we spoke to said it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him drop by backstage as he’s living in the area. Hendry was not booked for TNA Bound For Glory and was not backstage, which surprised a number of people we spoke to.
WWE sources confirmed that Hendry is effectively full-time with WWE at this point and officially with the company, and had been someone they wanted to bring in for quite some time. Shawn Michaels had been vocal about how much he liked Joe Hendry, and wanted WWE to try to buy out his TNA deal. There are actually a number of months that remained on his TNA contract, but he’s now with WWE moving forward.
Throughout the process of navigating both companies, Hendry used representation to amicably move forward in his future with WWE.
Sports Illustrated's Jon Alba reported earlier this year Hendry was expected to join WWE.
2025-11-14 02:10:33 +0000 UTC View PostWelcome to Select Answers, a feature that provides some of the answers to questions that were posed to Sean Ross Sapp in the most recent Fightful Weekly Q&A Podcast. The show drops every week on Fightful Select for subscribers.
When aggregating these posts please refer to it as "Fightful Select Answers Q&A" and tag Fightful, noting that it was in the Q&A format to avoid confusion.
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As Danhausen's deal presumably comes to an end, do you see WWE potentially taking the chance on him? It's a shame AEW gave up on him since he feels like a better fit there, but it's there a spot for him on the main roster? NXT? AAA? Mr. Iguana and Danhausen tag team?
Yes, and I think they should for the reasons you mentioned. R-Truth is back, but they won't have that "Santino" character forever. I think Danhausen is a great one that can go across different brands for them and do that type of thing. I could imagine he and Mr. Iguana teaming and finding a great niche. Also, WWE's marketing machine behind him would probably take him to a different level.
What’s your favorite bad wrestling theme?
THE DEVILED EEEEEEGGGGGGGGGGGGS. The Good Brothers these days. It actually fits them very well. Rob Conway's "Just Look At Me" theme is so obnoxious, hilarious and perfect for a character that had been done way too many times, but made his stand out. Those are the two that I enjoy the most. I need Conway's to make a comeback. That was wasted by him not having much of a run.
Best match or angle you were there live for?
The best individual match was probably Hangman Page & Kenny Omega vs. The Young Bucks. That was unbelievable to witness in person. I'd have to say Andrade vs. Johnny Gargano at Full Sail after the hurricane was insane too.
The one that means most to me is Sting's retirement match. He was among the first wrestlers I ever saw. That was a very special night.
The one that has performed best on social media was Jey and Jimmy Uso turning on Roman Reigns, and then Jey pinning Roman Reigns. Also AJ Styles telling Scarlett "I'm Married, BITCH." Samoa Joe's AEW return and Darby's glass swanton did well, too.
2025-11-14 00:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post