WWE breaks 23-year tradition with fans shocked over 'mind blowing' twist
WWE fans witnessed history and the end to a 23-year championship legacy over the weekend.
Last night, for the first time ever, a TNA Wrestling championship was defended on WWE television – and viewers tuning into NXT Battleground were stunned after a major twist.
History was made in the main event as Trick Williams stole the win from TNA Wrestling World Champion Joe Hendry, meaning for the first time in its 23-year history, TNA's top title is now held by a WWE contracted superstar.
Although the TNA Title itself has only been active since 2007, the company used the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for its first five years.
It's a massive step in the partnership between WWE and TNA, and fans couldn't believe what they were seeing as Sunday's show went off air.
'A WWE superstar is TNA world champion.. I never thought I'd see something like this in my lifetime,' wrote @Formersoccerfan on X.
A second fan, @TheDanHuelsman, added: 'The TNA Champion is a WWE Wrestler. Unreal times….'
Another viewer, @HeelBalor, tweeted: 'Honestly, my mind is blown but in a good way kind of way this is insane. A WWE wrestler is now the TNA world heavyweight champion just WOW!'
'Is a WWE superstar now the TNA champion???? What is going on??? Rules have been broken,' raved @Lux00__, with @jackbeeton2002 saying: 'Never thought I'll see the day a wwe wrestler is a tna champion wow (sic)'
'Yo I can't believe that the TNA Champion is a WWE wrestler… 🤯🤯,' @2crack_17 added, and @JcAponte_35 said: 'A WWE wrestler is TNA world champion… weird timeline to be in #wwebattelground (sic)'
TNA President Carlos Silva was on the front row at Battleground, and took to X afterwards to offer his congratulations while hinting at future plans in the pipeline.
'Congrats Trick. Make sure you take care of that belt,' he wrote, before adding: 'I'll see you in the TNA office tomorrow.'
Fans have had a hint of what's to come, with TNA Wrestling star Mike Santana revealed earlier in the show that he would be waiting to challenge whoever walked out as champion.
The result is also interesting when it comes to the future of Hendry himself, who has caught fire with WWE fans this year, including a shock WrestleMania match with Randy Orton last month. More Trending
There has been plenty of speculation about whether or not the Scottish star will making the jump from TNA to WWE when his contract is up – and a decision could be made sooner rather than later.
'Who knows what's gonna happen next. I'm in my contract year right now, it's a very exciting time,' he recently told Chris Van Vliet on Insight.
View More »
'I'm doing my best to give my best to the performance, give the audience everything else and to enjoy it.'
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson dies aged 79 after Alzheimer's diagnosis
MORE: Injured WWE star returns after 6 months to join 'unstoppable' group
MORE: 'I'm a buff WWE wrestler but I've always struggled with body image'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
WWE Smackdown: UK start time, matches announced and current Money In The Bank 2025 card
Who will qualify this evening for the star-studded WWE Money In The Bank matches taking place in June? Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... WWE Smackdown takes place this evening at the Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tensions look to mount even more as WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena and former champion Cody Rhodes will be in the same vicinity. Here's your preview for this evening's WWE Smackdown, the UK start time on Netflix and a look at the current card for WWE Money In The Bank 2025. It's set to be another action-packed episode of WWE Smackdown this evening, as the final few Money In The Bank qualifying matches take place before the PLE next month. With two slots remaining on both the men's and women's sides, two more qualifying bouts are set to take place tonight in Knoxville, Tennessee – and there's a homecoming for the EST of the WWE planned too! Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But the big news tonight will be former and current WWE Champions, Cody Rhodes and John Cena, appearing under the same roof after Cody's shock return to the company. While Cena has continued his quest to 'ruin' professional wrestling, what will Rhodes say to the man who turned his back on the fans and, quite possibly, the business he once loved? Here's your preview for WWE Smackdown this evening, the start time in the United Kingdom, and what matches have currently been confirmed for the upcoming Money In The Bank PLE event, taking place on June 7, 2025. WWE Smackdown preview - May 30 2025 Cody Rhodes and John Cena - under one roof Will it be an explosive episode of WWE Smackdown this evening, as the Champ and the Quarterback reside under the same roof? |Cody Rhodes made his return to WWE for the first time since his WrestleMania loss last week, charging the ring to save Jey Uso during his World Heavyweight Championship defense against Logan Paul. During that match, John Cena – who believes a 'YouTuber' world champion would 'ruin wrestling' and is committed to fulfilling his promise before retirement – interfered to assist Paul. However, it was the WWE's Quarterback who ensured no shenanigans would pay off. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tonight, the pair are under the same roof. And with Rhodes still seething after losing the championship he fought so hard to win and finish his story, saying 'sparks are set to fly' might not even do justice to the powder-keg the WWE Universe finds itself standing on. Bianca Belair's Homecoming to Knoxville Bianca Belair is set to make an appearance in her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, this evening. Questions are swirling about what's next for the Women's Triple Crown Champion. After unsuccessfully challenging for the WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania, what are her objectives now? Is the Women's North American Championship a possibility for the EST on the blue brand? Money In The Bank Qualifier: Jacob Fatu v Andrade v Carmelo Hayes With two more spots to fill in the men's Money In The Bank ladder match, Solo Sikoa can only hope that Jacob Fatu qualifies to join him in this high-stakes, high-risk bout at the next Premium Live Event. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, trouble is brewing between the pair. Since the introduction of JC Mateo (former NJPW and Lucha Underground star Jeff Cobb), there's been a distinct lack of trust between Fatu and the man he once professed to 'love.' Adding to the animosity in the match, Andrade and Carmelo Hayes look to pick up where they left off earlier in the year, after a sensational best-of-seven series brought out the best in both. Will they be too distracted by each other instead of focusing on 'The Samoan Werewolf'? Money In The Bank Qualifier: Jade Cargill v Nia Jax v Naomi Much like the men's Money In The Bank ladder match, there are two more slots to fill in the women's equivalent – and this triple threat is full of bad blood. Jade Cargill and Naomi have been involved in a torrid feud since the revelation that Naomi intentionally injured Cargill, thus replacing her in a tag team alongside Bianca Belair. Ever since that admission, Naomi has made it her personal task to ruin Cargill at every chance she gets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But the X-factor is, of course, Nia Jax. The former WWE Women's Champion will be looking to qualify for the ladder match and, perhaps, cash in on Tiffany Stratton – her once-time partner who just so happened to cash in her Money In The Bank briefcase to win the coveted title from Jax. What time is WWE Smackdown airing in the United Kingdom this evening? The latest episode of WWE Smackdown is scheduled to broadcast on Netflix in the United Kingdom from 1am BST on May 31 2025. What matches have currently been announced for Money In The Bank 2025? Alongside the men's and women's Money In The Bank ladder matches (which grant a title shot anytime, anywhere), the event will also feature John Cena teaming with social media influencer Logan Paul against Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso, and Becky Lynch's last chance at the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship against Lyra Valkyria. Money In The Bank 2025 - current match card Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso v John Cena and Logan Paul WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship : Lyra Valkyria (c) v Becky Lynch (if Lyra loses, she will be forced to raise Lynch's hand and 'recognise' her as the 'better woman') : Lyra Valkyria (c) v Becky Lynch (if Lyra loses, she will be forced to raise Lynch's hand and 'recognise' her as the 'better woman') Men's Money In The Bank ladder match : Solo Sikoa v LA Knight v Penta v Seth Rollins v TBD v TBD : Solo Sikoa v LA Knight v Penta v Seth Rollins v TBD v TBD Women's Money In The Bank ladder match: Alexa Bliss v Roxanne Perez v Rhea Ripley v Giulia v TBD v TBD
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Ex-WWE Chairman 'Vince McMahon wants to buy back the company' - just one year after sex trafficking lawsuit led him to resign - but would TKO sell back to him?
Recent reports have suggested Vince McMahon wants to buy back the WWE from TKO. The former chairman resigned from the company in January 2024 following a lawsuit filed by ex-employee Janel Grant, alleging sexual harassment and trafficking. Since leaving, McMahon has been selling off his shares in the company, and is believed to have made over $1.5billion (£1.1bn) from these sales. TKO President Mark Shapiro has previously insisted that McMahon will not return to the WWE and that he has no internal contact with the company. He said in March 2024: 'We're not in conversations with him [McMahon]. We don't know his motives, his plans or his timeline. 'He doesn't work for the company, doesn't come into the office and he's not coming back to the company. And that's where we sit.' And it seems TKO have double down on their stance, as a new report from PWN Reports has claimed that the company still have no interest in selling to McMahon. In fact, WWE insiders reportedly view the notion of McMahon returning as laughable, considering the heinous nature of the allegations made towards him. A post on X read: 'I was given word that TKO is not interested in selling off #WWE. And the source I spoke with chuckled at the thought of Vince purchasing it back. 'It's very possible he may feel like he wants it back, but seems very unlikely at this point since WWE is not for sale.' Part of Grant's 67-page lawsuit accused McMahon of pressuring her for sexual relations in exchange for her job. McMahon allegedly 'greeted her in his underwear, touched her, repeatedly asked for hugs, and spent hour sharing intimate details about his personal life'. Once employed, Grant alleged that McMahon and John Laurinaitis, who served as head of talent relations for the WWE, sexually assaulted her 'while colleagues were busy at their desks.' Her allegations include that McMahon and Laurinaitis locked her in a room at the WWE's Stamford, Connecticut headquarters in June of 2021 and took turns sexually assaulting during the work day. The married McMahon is additionally accused of trafficking Grant to other men, forcing her to perform sex acts 'on demand' and sharing nude photographs of the plaintiff. In one alleged text message from 2020, he is accused of sharing a photo of her with others and writing: 'She may scream and try to say NO!!although it would B difficult to say anything with a c*** down her throat.' Another message allegedly sent by McMahon to Grant a month earlier read: 'I'm the only one who owns U and controls who I want to f*** U.' A spokesperson for McMahon stated after Grant's allegations: 'This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He [McMahon] will vigorously defend himself.'
Scottish Sun
17 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Proper ick' – Gerwyn Price's on-stage antics divide fans as former World Darts champion torments Luke Littler again
The Ice Man's roars were powerless to prevent defeat at the O2 PRICED OUT 'Proper ick' – Gerwyn Price's on-stage antics divide fans as former World Darts champion torments Luke Littler again GERYWN PRICE played up to his pantomime villain role at the Premier League Darts Finals - but was no match for Luke Littler. The Ice Man rattled The Nuke early on at the O2 and let rip with his trademark screaming celebration at the oche. 3 Gerwyn Price fell just short against Luke Little at the O2 - despite his trademark roar Credit: PA 3 The Welshman led 6-4 at the break but was reeled in by the world champ Credit: Getty 3 Littler is looking to defend the title he won last year Credit: Reuters Follow the Premier League Darts Final with our LIVE BLOG Price belted out regular roars as the two players traded breaks, with the Welshman taking a shock 6-4 lead into the break. But reigning champ Littler stormed back to win a thriller 10-7 and book his place in the final. The 2021 world champion's emotional on-stage persona is a divisive subject among darts fans. READ MORE ON DARTS LITTLERMANIA Luke Littler backs darts to bring in WWE-style event and reveals how it'd work He infamously wore headphones on stage in 2023 to block out jeers from the Premier League crowd. And he was met with a chorus boos from some among the 12,000 sell out at London's O2 on Thursday. Price wasted no time in breaking the Littler throw, letting out a huge roar and a fist bump towards his entourage. One fan immediately complained on X: "That scream Gerwyn Price does is a proper ick ur[sic] 40 bro." Another agreed: "Does anyone else feel as though Gerwyn Price was screaming well over the top in that game? I found it quite annoying tbh." BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK But a third countered: "I have been sick in bed for 24 hours. When I just heard that Gerwyn Price Roar I felt better. Some sort of energy transfer went on." And a fourth said: "The Price roar is mega int it." Luke Littler and Luke Humphries play out 'best darts match ever' as Wayne Mardle says 'even they're finding it funny' Littler admitted after the match he "stormed off stage" after his slow start to the contest. He told Sky Sports: "When he hit the double five to go 6-4 up I took myself straight off stage, I needed to get myself up for it. "The first five or six legs I was nervous and going into the break 6-4 down was not what I wanted. "I knew, especially after last year, that I love coming on after a break so I relaxed myself and I got the job done. "I stormed off stage but that was just in my own head. I just had to. "I sat down and had a drink and cooled myself down and said 'You can do it'. I got the job done."
