Latest news with #TNAWrestling
Newsweek
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Big WWE Superstar Teased For TNA Slammiversary
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A recent social media post from a top TNA Wrestling executive has sparked widespread speculation about a potential appearance by WWE superstar AJ Styles. The post from Anthem Sports Group President Carlos Silva has fans buzzing that "The Phenomenal One" could appear at this Sunday's TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view. The speculation stems from a post Silva made on X regarding the high ticket demand for Slammiversary. He ended his message with a very specific and telling choice of words. A "Phenomenal" Tease In his post, Silva wrote, "This event will be TNA's greatest achievement and trust me it's going to be PHENOMENAL." Fans immediately seized upon his use of the word "phenomenal," the long-standing nickname for AJ Styles, interpreting it as a deliberate tease for an appearance by the TNA legend. We're moving the stage back to accommodate more fans. This event will be TNA's greatest achievement and trust me it's going to be PHENOMENAL. #Slammiversary #TNA @ThisIsTNA — Carlos Silva (@carlossilva) July 15, 2025 This speculation has been further fueled by reports that Styles was backstage at TNA's Final Resolution event this past December. While his appearance was off-camera, his presence at a TNA show demonstrated he still has connections to his former company. "Mr. TNA": A Company Original For many fans, AJ Styles is synonymous with TNA Wrestling. As a "TNA Original," he was with the company from its very first broadcast in 2002 and served as the promotion's cornerstone for over a decade. Styles is widely regarded as the greatest homegrown star in the company's history. TOKYO,JAPAN - JUNE 28: Luke Gallows,Triple H,AJ Styles and Karl Anderson celebrate the victory during the WWE Live Tokyo at Ryogoku Kokugikan on June 28, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan. TOKYO,JAPAN - JUNE 28: Luke Gallows,Triple H,AJ Styles and Karl Anderson celebrate the victory during the WWE Live Tokyo at Ryogoku Kokugikan on June 28, 2019 in Tokyo, his tenure, Styles was a multiple-time NWA and TNA World Heavyweight Champion. He was also the inaugural TNA X Division Champion, putting the division on the map with his high-flying, innovative style. Styles was the first-ever TNA Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion, cementing his legacy as "Mr. TNA" before he departed the company in 2013. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Opening The "Forbidden Door" While an appearance by a top, contracted WWE superstar at a TNA event would have been impossible just a year ago, the current "forbidden door" partnership between the two companies makes it a plausible scenario. The working relationship has already seen TNA's Jordynne Grace compete in WWE's Royal Rumble and on NXT while holding the TNA Knockouts Championship. More recently, NXT's Trick Williams had a run as the TNA World Heavyweight Champion. This unprecedented crossover has proven that major stars can appear in rival promotions. AJ Styles is currently a featured performer on WWE's Monday Night Raw, where he is involved in a rivalry with The Judgment Day. While a return to a TNA ring remains speculation, Silva's choice of words has guaranteed that many fans will be watching Slammiversary this Sunday for a potential "Phenomenal" surprise. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Major WWE star teased for TNA Slammiversary as 'nothing's off limits'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Fans could see some big WWE and TNA Wrestling names crossing over with nothing 'off the table'. The two promotions announced an unprecedented partnership earlier this year, which has seen the likes of Joe Hendry appear at WrestleMania, while NXT superstar Trick Williams is the current TNA Wrestling World Champion. Days before Slammiversary on July 20, TNA president Carlos Silva exclusively told Metro that he believes anything is possible before sparking rumours AJ Styles could appear. He teased: 'When you can have Joe Henry run into WrestleMania with the TNA belt, you know that nothing's off limits. 'And you know that everyone at all the different levels are just thinking about, 'What can we do to create great fan experiences?' And, and I really think that's the thinking there. 'I don't think there's anything off the table… And, and it's nice to see, because so far it's been easy, and so far it's been great. So we're gonna keep it rolling together.' When Trick won the TNA World Title, WWE had Raw star and TNA legend AJ Styles narrate a video package on the history of the championship. Just days after our interview, he even referenced the Phenomenal One's nickname as he wrote on X: 'We're moving the stage back to accommodate more fans. This event will be TNA's greatest achievement and trust me it's going to be PHENOMENAL. #Slammiversary #TNA @ThisIsTNA' Fans are clamouring for Styles to return to his roots before his retires. Is Carlos looking at talks about using that calibre of WWE superstar? '100% It's all part of the partnership, and how wrestlers, you know, move up, down, sideways,' he admitted. 'We'll continue to do it.' Carlos took over TNA in December 2024, following over two decades working in combat sports and television. He was more of a 'casual wrestling fan' earlier in life, namedropping the 'Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant era', and Goldberg, who officially retired over the weekend. 'I still came [into TNA] as a bit of an outsider,' he admitted. 'I didn't follow [wrestling] week in and week out, like so many others. But now that I'm inside of it, the feeling it's giving me is really incredible.' Carlos made some big changes, and was met with fierce backlash after firing TNA mainstay Gail Kim, who spent years championing the Knockouts Division. 'Every team, when a new coach or a new leader comes in, it's super hard,' he acknowledged. 'But if you want to get better, you've got to be willing to make some changes.' 'Winning here is letting more people see TNA, it's bringing in new sponsors. It's growing the brand,' he added. 'You have to continue to turn the dials to make some changes.' Carlos is in charge of overseeing TNA Wrestling as a brand, and he's backstage at every show, happy to step up in a more direct way. 'People might miss a show, they might have a family issue, or they might have a wedding they need to go to. We have a great team,' he explained when asked how hands-on he is creatively. 'If one person can't make it, you can always fill in. I love being at every show.' Although it's a tough schedule with frequent overnight flights, it's all worth it to see the fans' reactions. 'It makes everyone work harder and for me, it's just been great to be part of it,' he smiled. 'Hopefully I've helped to add a little bit to what was already a great team and a great foundation, and just helped get a little extra out of everybody.' A key aspect of Carlos' stint so far has been the blossoming arrangement with WWE. While the companies had already been working with each other to a certain degree, they announced an official partnership weeks into his tenure. Carlos has been inspired by the way the WWE has matched TNA's 'openness to try things'. 'I have to tell you, it's been such a great road, and very easy working through creative, operations, logistics [with them],' he said, while he outlined his approach as the smaller company. 'I don't know that you can really use the word assurances,' he pondered. 'When you approach partnerships like this, with the leader in the space… you want to partner with the leader, and make sure that it's a two way street in everything you do.' He has enjoyed an 'open' working arrangement, but insisted it's TNA's role to 'uphold' their end and make the most of the 'marketing and exposure' the WWE partnership gives them. That was most obvious at WrestleMania, when then-TNA Champion Joe Hendry was Randy Orton's surprise opponent. More Trending 'It was all very, very intricate,' he added. 'Everyone at WWE was so helpful to make it work perfectly. And so it all came off just right. Everyone hit their marks.' This weekend, TNA takes centre stage at Slammiversary, and Carlos has high hopes as he chases a new TV deal to take the company even further. 'Slammiversary is going to be another big inflection point for TNA,' he teased. 'It's going to be a great night. I mean, it's going to be our biggest night ever.' View More » Watch TNA Slammiversary on Sunday, July 20 at 1am on the TNA+ app. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The first look at the new Harry Potter confirmed my worst fears MORE: Celine Dion fans shocked by 'how badly Ellen DeGeneres show has aged' after resurfaced clip MORE: WWE SummerSlam in chaos as things 'don't look good' for top star
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did ex-WWE superstar make a romantic attempt at Nikki Bella during her relationship with John Cena?
and were one of the most prolific power couples of all time. At the prime of their respective in-ring careers, the duo fell in love and had a beautiful relationship that lasted for years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, there was one incident when Nikki Bella's past came in front of her during a live WWE show. Things escalated, and that same former WWE superstar made an attempt towards her old love, who was still in a relationship with the 17-time World Champion. Who was Nikki Bella's former love interest who made a romantic attempt towards her while she was still dating John Cena? Nikki Bella's relationship with John Cena was heavily featured on the reality series, Total Divas and Total Bellas. On an episode of Total Divas, Nikki and her sister Brie Bella were watching John Cena enter the ring for his scheduled match on Monday Night RAW. Just then, former WWE superstar came up to her and took her to the parking lot for a quick chat. To the unversed, Dolph Ziggler and Nikki Bella were in a relationship for a while, early in their careers. Ziggler attempted to rekindle their relationship and said that he wanted to give her marriage and children, something John Cena was unwilling to do. In a moment of passion, Ziggler leaned towards Bella in an attempt to kiss her, but the Fearless One slapped her right across the face. Nikki Bella proved that she was committed to John Cena, despite him not giving her something that meant a lot to her. In another episode of Total Divas, Ziggler met Bella at a spa and apologized for his actions. The former WWE Divas Champion forgave him, and the two remained on good terms. However, Cena and Bella's relationship came to an end in 2018, lasting for almost six years. Cena married Shay Shariatzadeh in 2020, and the marriage has been going strong. However, Nikki's marriage to Dancing with the Stars choreographer Artem Chigvinstev ended in divorce in 2024 due to a domestic assault and battery lawsuit. As for Dolph Ziggler, he is currently a part of TNA Wrestling and is thriving as one of the top talents of the company. Also read:
Metro
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Most disastrous WWE match ever when Undertaker almost died on live TV
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Undertaker has been involved in some of WWE's greatest moments in history, with an almost unrivalled legacy. However, the decorated legend almost died in the middle of the ring during one of the wrestling world's most disastrous matches against fellow Hall of Famer Goldberg. Back in 2019, the two WWE icons faced off in the searing Saudi Arabia heat in the main event of Super ShowDown in a bout which fans, and the stars themselves, would rather forget. Goldberg collided with the steel corner early on and appeared to suffer a concussion, and almost dropped Undertaker on his head when he hoisted him up for his signature Jackhammer move. 'I was two inches away from making my wife a widow, and my kids fatherless,' Undertaker revealed in 2020's The Last Ride documentary. Fans watching were incredibly nervous, and referee Mike Chioda had a huge call to make at the massive stadium show. 'I almost had to call an audible [to end the match],' he exclusively told Metro in 2021. 'It went downhill after Goldberg got gashed open in the turnbuckle, got concussed. 'He was badly concussed and he got through the match, but barely. That's when I was kinda worried.' He recalled seeing both superstars 'almost break their necks' with the Jackhammer attempt, and veteran referee Chioda was waiting to see if there were any instructions to end the bout in his earpiece. He added: 'I was waiting to hear back from somebody to say, 'should I call this match or not because he's not doing good at all?' ' A few months after the bout, in October 2019, Goldberg – who will be in action for his retirement match against World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER on July 12 – defended his performance in light of the injury. 'When I know the whole deal and everything, it's like, come on guys. Give me a break – I knocked myself out, dude,' he told Metro during an event in Los Angeles. 'Now let me see you walk down the street – let alone pick up a 320lbs dude – when you're knocked out.' Goldberg has said in the past that Chioda repeatedly checked on him, while the former WWE official noted that Undertaker had the final say about whether to continue or not. 'I would definitely listen to Undertaker. If he told me to do something, it'd be done, and then we'd have to take back there. It would be done,' he said, while pointing out the money at stake. As well as WWE being paid huge sums for the Saudi Arabia events, it's been reported that both men received seven figure paydays for the match. 'You ain't stopping a match like that unless you're told to,' Chioda laughed during another conversation with Metro in January this year. Things could have been very different, with former WWE superstar Elias – who know works for TNA Wrestling as Elijah – originally planned as Undertaker's opponent for the show. He exclusively told Metro in 2024: 'I can remember Vince [McMahon] said, 'Hey, you're gonna be working with Taker'. Taker pulled me aside, he's like, 'Hey, man, we're gonna go do some business at Saudi, we're gonna have some fun.' ' Plans changed, with Goldberg drafted in for what Elias referred to as an 'infamous match'. 'My personal opinion is, it would have went way better with me and [Undertaker] and a lot safer, probably,' he added. 'But, you know, that's how history goes sometimes.' The match went the way it did, finishing in just under 10 minutes with both men managing to walk away relatively unscathed, but both with a point to prove. 'It was very important to nobody but me,' Goldberg said of the wanting to rebuild his reputation. 'People were very critical of me, and I'll be honest, I never really respond to it.' A few weeks later, he faced off with Dolph Ziggler, now known as Nic Nemeth in TNA, in a dominant bout with the aim of getting back some 'self-confidence'. Metro's WWE expert Alistair McGeorge reflects on the match and its fallout… Even going into the match, Goldberg and The Undertaker had their work cut out for them, with the Dead Man being honest about his own physical limitations at the time, while his opponent was never known for five star matches. It was evident things had gone south quickly when Goldberg hit his head in the corner, and I can still remember panicking as he struggled to get 'Taker up for the Jackhammer. The vitriol online was predictable but intense, and it's safe to say the bout is remembered for all the wrong reasons. Thankfully, both men were able to atone for the match, with Goldberg looking more like his intense old self when he beat Ziggler a couple of months later at SummerSlam. His output since then has been mixed, but a final match next month against GUNTHER at Saturday Night's Main Event is the perfect way for him to go out. For Undertaker, he ended his career a year after the Goldberg match, beating AJ Styles in the cinematic Boneyard Match – a tonne of fun to watch as a fan, and a befitting end to his legendary career. 'Not for anyone else,' he pointed out. 'But I just needed to go out there and go through the motions, and know just 'cause you stumble once, [it] doesn't define you.' He added: 'It's a blessing and it's a curse. I'm never happy, but I'm always striving to be better than anybody else… [The Ziggler match] helped me out a lot.' Similarly, Undertaker didn't want to retire after the Goldberg match, and it wasn't until his cinematic horror movie-esque Boneyard Match with AJ Styles at WrestleMania in April 2020 that he found his closure. 'I was very proud of the match and what we were able to do,' he exclusively told Metro in May 2023. 'I wasn't mentally ready to retire, but I knew my body was getting to the point that I needed to,' he recalled. Around 10 months after the Goldberg match, Undertaker realised in a 'moment of clarity' he would have to call time on his career. More Trending 'It was about 4 in the morning and we were between one fight scene and another. My back is completely locked up, I've got pain shooting down my legs. That's when I knew I was done, I was for sure, 100% done,' he said. 'It was physical, we did some really big stunts, but I shouldn't have felt, at that point, the way that I did. It was just that moment of clarity… ''Let's finish it, enjoy what you're gonna do here because this is it.' I'm really proud of what we did in that match, but yeah, that was the moment that I knew it was all over.' View More » All WWE events are available to stream on Netflix. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Iconic WWE star's twins, 15, are being 'groomed for the family business' MORE: How to watch 'captivating' true crime series A Body in the Snow after Karen Read's trial MORE: Netflix drops all 8 episodes of dark TV series 'compared to Ozark'
National Post
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
Zone·ify Becomes First AVOD Platform to Launch Free Gaming Through TV Remote Controls
Article content After shattering streaming records with the 'Border Brawl,' co-produced with TNA Wrestling, Zone·ify expands its entertainment platform with interactive TV games and branded game opportunities Article content TORONTO — Zone·ify, the rapidly growing free streaming platform, today announced the launch of a new feature: free interactive games playable instantly with an existing TV remote. In partnership with ES3 – the leading TV interactive engagement platform provider, the launch makes Zone·ify the first AVOD (Ad Supported Video on Demand) platform to offer native gaming as part of the core TV experience – no downloads, consoles, or mobile devices required. The games are now available on a wide range of streaming devices and cable and satellite providers, including Android TV, Fire TV, Comcast Xfinity TV, DIRECTV U-verse, Rogers Xfinity TV, and many others. The launch follows the explosive success of The Border Brawl, Zone·ify's first exclusive live sporting event streamed from Niagara Falls, Canada which became the most-watched title in company history and drove a 13x increase in live watch time. Now available on demand, the event was a cross-border showdown of wrestling legends and reality stars that drew record-breaking viewership across the U.S. and Canada. Building on that moment, Zone·ify is taking the next step in redefining free entertainment. Article content 'We're not just a streaming service anymore – we're a full-scale entertainment platform,' said Doug Edwards, President of Zone·ify. 'From the viral success of The Border Brawl and our rapidly growing library of content to the launch of TV gaming, we are evolving into a destination for watching, playing, and engaging – all in one place.' Article content Now live with over a dozen casual games, Zone·ify's newest feature offers instant gameplay using nothing more than the TV remote – no downloads, no mobile devices, and no extra hardware required. The company has plans to rapidly expand its game catalog and offer custom-branded games for advertisers and sponsors, providing a new, measurable way to engage with audiences. With branded game integrations, companies can align their marketing campaigns or entertainment IP with playable content, reaching viewers through immersive interaction. Article content Zone·ify's free games are available now on these devices with more planned to launch in the coming months: Article content Zone·ify's first-ever exclusive live sports event, The Border Brawl, held in Niagara Falls, Canada, shattered the platform's all-time streaming record with a 13X surge in live watch time. Fueled by national pride, reality TV stars, and wrestling legends like 'The Mountie' Jacques Rougeau, Barbie Blank, Brutus 'The Barber' Beefcake, Matt Hardy, Nic Nemeth, Tommy Dreamer, and many others, the event delivered an outrageous showdown between Team USA and Team Canada. Streaming free on Zone·ify, the spectacle became the most-watched title in company history and is now available on demand across Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Comcast, Cox, and more. Article content Zone·ify, available on over 422 million devices and in 16 million Pay TV households, delivers thousands of movies, TV shows, curated short-form content, FAST channels, games, and events like nothing else on the digital landscape. Article content ABOUT ZONE·IFY Article content Zone·ify is a free, ad-supported streaming entertainment platform delivering live events, FAST channels, movies, short-form content, games, and exclusive programming to audiences across the U.S. and Canada. Available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Comcast, DIRECTV, Cox, Rogers, Bell, mobile devices, and the web, Zone·ify reaches over 422 million consumer devices and 16 million Pay TV households. With 75+ curated channels, a growing slate of live ring sports, and bold original content, Zone·ify is where niche meets mainstream — all in one place, always free. Learn more at Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content
