The Wrestling World is Buzzing with Secrets! But here's where it gets controversial... From mysterious absences to behind-the-scenes deals, today's rumors will leave you questioning everything. And this is the part most people miss: the stories behind the headlines are often more fascinating than the matches themselves. Let's dive into the latest whispers swirling around the squared circle.
For many fans, dissecting the latest gossip in professional wrestling is almost as thrilling as watching the high-flying moves and dramatic storylines unfold in the ring. In this daily feature, we sift through the chatter and bring you the most talked-about rumors making the rounds. Remember, these are just rumors—unconfirmed tidbits from the ever-churning wrestling rumor mill. We keep track of how accurate these whispers turn out to be in our weekly Rumor Look Back series, which you can find here. So, take everything with a grain of salt and enjoy the ride!
Today’s Hot Rumors:
Andrade’s Mysterious Absence: In a recent Fightful Select (http://fightfulselect.com/) Q&A, Sean Ross Sapp shared insights from sources close to Andrade, who revealed the Mexican star is reportedly in good spirits despite being absent from AEW television since his re-debut. But here’s the twist: no one seems to know why. Sapp’s AEW contacts confirmed Andrade is under contract, and one insider hinted that the issue isn’t solely AEW’s or Andrade’s fault. What’s really going on? Only time will tell. More details here.
AEW’s Scrapped Performance Center: Did you know AEW considered launching its own Performance Center in Asheville, North Carolina? According to the same Fightful Q&A, plans were well underway, with wrestling legends like FTR and Adam & Beth Copeland slated to join the coaching staff. Even Sting’s son, Steven Borden, was set to train there. But here’s where it gets controversial: the project was shelved due to the high costs of building and maintaining the facility. Was this a missed opportunity, or a smart financial move? Full story here.
Ridge Holland’s Contract Saga: Ridge Holland’s financial journey has been a rollercoaster. Wrestling Observer (https://www.f4wonline.com/) revealed his last WWE contract was for “NXT money,” but Fightful (https://www.fightful.com/) clarified he was on a main roster deal that expired in 2024. He accepted a one-year extension for $200K less. But here’s the part most people miss: Holland wasn’t paid extra for the TNA show where he was injured, and WWE likely covered his rehab costs despite not being under contract. Could this have led to a lawsuit? Read more here.
WWE’s Elimination Chamber Plans: Wrestlenomics (https://wrestlenomics.com/) confirmed WWE is eyeing February 28 in Chicago for next year’s Elimination Chamber event. Will this be the stage for epic showdowns? Details here.
WWE’s New ID Program: WWE teased on social media that new ID program prospects are on the horizon. Who will be the next big star? Check it out here.
BJ Ray’s Attitude Issues: Booker T didn’t hold back on his Hall of Fame podcast, revealing that BJ Ray’s off-camera behavior mirrored his on-screen persona. “You can’t be that way,” Booker T said. Was this the reason for Ray’s release? Listen here.
Food for Thought:
Is AEW missing out by not having a Performance Center? Should wrestlers like Ridge Holland be better protected in their contracts? And what does BJ Ray’s situation say about the importance of professionalism in wrestling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we love a good debate!
For more wrestling insights, check out our coverage on:
- AEW
- Impact Wrestling
- Indies
- Lucha Libre (AAA/CMLL)
- TNA
- WWE
- WWE Elimination Chamber
- WWE NXT
