• 2025 WWE Hall of Famer Undergoes Surgery
WWE Hall of Famer The Shockmaster, also known as Tugboat and Typhoon to pro wrestling fans, recently underwent vascular surgery.
The news was shared by former WWF Women’s Champion Leilani Kai on Facebook. She posted:
“Today, my dear friend and wrestling brother Fred Ottman (who fans know as Tugboat, Typhoon, and of course The Shockmaster) is undergoing vascular surgery. Fred has given so much of himself to this business, both in the ring and outside of it. He’s always been larger than life, but what I love most is his heart. He has a way of making everyone around him feel cared for, and that’s something truly special.
I want to ask all of you to please lift Fred and his wife Sheila up in your thoughts and prayers today. Sheila has been right by his side through everything, and I know your love and support will mean the world to both of them. Wishing my friend a safe surgery and a strong recovery. We’re all pulling for you, Fred.”
Typhoon and his late partner John Tenta aka Earthquake (The Natural Disasters) were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame earlier this year. They won the WWF Tag Team Titles in 1992.
WWF Old School wishes a speedy recovery to the legend!
• Chris Jericho Spotted With WWE Name Amid Rumors Of Return To The Company
Chris Jericho hasn’t been seen on AEW programming since the April 9th episode of Dynamite, where he expressed his frustration towards Big Bill and Bryan Keith after losing the ROH World Championship.
Rumors have surfaced online in recent weeks that the former AEW World Champion’s contract with Tony Khan’s promotion is set to expire in December 2025. He also liked an Instagram post stating that he would be “open to returning to WWE depending on the situation”, which sparked speculation about a potential comeback.
Y2J was recently spotted with WWE ring announcer Mike Rome at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights.
Below is what Mike Rome shared on Instagram:
“Had a blast at @horrornights at @unistudios seeing the #wyatt6 house and seeing some old friends.”
Chris Jericho recently said he’s open to a WWE return. The veteran last appeared in the company at the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018 in Saudi Arabia.
• The Rock Reveals Why He Has Lost 60 Lbs
The Rock recently appeared at the Venice Film Festival, where everyone noticed a significant change in this physique. He apparently lost 60 pounds.
During a career retrospective talk at the Toronto Film Festival, The Great One revealed that he’s going through physical changes for a role called “Chicken Man” in an upcoming movie ‘Lizard Music’, which will be directed by Benny Safdie, the director of The Smashing Machine.
“Benny pitched me this, and after about 45 minutes, this pitch ended and I said, ‘I am your Chicken Man.’
I still have a long way to go. I’m so excited to get a chance to hopefully transform again like I was able to do in ‘Smashing Machine.’ [It means] eating less chicken.”
The film tells the story of a 70-something year old (played by The Rock), whose best friend is a chicken.
• Current Plan For Cody Rhodes’ Return
Cody Rhodes hasn’t been seen on WWE programming since the August 8th episode of SmackDown. He was attacked by Drew McIntyre, so he could be written off TV as he was scheduled to film the upcoming Street Fighter movie.
According to the Wrestling Observer, the plan for Wrestlepalooza was a match between The American Nightmare and The Scottish Warrior for the Undisputed WWE Championship. WWE was planning to have Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton at this PLE if Rhodes did not come back in time.
The company has announced McIntyre vs. Orton for the upcoming edition of SmackDown, which likely means that Rhodes will be back in time to defend his title at Wrestlepalooza.
It is possible that he shows up on the blue brand this week following McIntyre’s encounter with The Viper.
• “It came off like domestic abuse” – WWE Hall Of Famer Blasts Becky Lynch’s Segment With CM Punk
Becky Lynch helped her husband Seth Rollins retain the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of WWE Clash In Paris by attacking CM Punk. The following night on RAW, she showered slaps on The Best In The World.
WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash was not a fan of the segment. While discussing it on his Kliq This podcast, he said that it felt like domestic abuse.
“When she went violent on Phil, with the smacking, it felt like watching Deborah Winger and West Hightower in Urban Cowboy. It came off like domestic abuse and that’s not the kind of heat you want. The company censors a line like ‘eat a fat f**k,’ but apparently portraying domestic violence is okay? That doesn’t sit right.”
He went on to question The Man’s promo and felt like she was trying to get cheap heat.
“Then Becky gets a line on RAW to say ‘gross ball sweat.’ I saw it coming. It felt so contrived. Like George C. Scott in Patton – ‘you magnificent son of a b*tch, I read your book’ – I knew exactly what was going to happen. And it’s the same old cheap heat, like when someone says, ‘The only bigger losers than you guys are the Eagles here in Philadelphia tonight.’ Come on, man. That’s where we’re at?”
• Wardlow Suffers Injury After AEW Return
AEW star Wardlow may be sidelined again after suffering an injury almost immediately following his long-awaited comeback.
According to Fightful Select, the injury is believed to be a torn pectoral muscle, a setback that could keep him out of in-ring action for an extended period. While the exact timing of the injury is not confirmed, some within AEW suggest it may have occurred during his return angle at Forbidden Door.
Wardlow had only just resurfaced on AEW programming after more than a year away. His absence was initially due to injuries, though he had been cleared several months ago. His television comeback was delayed as he fulfilled outside commitments, including filming the first two seasons of American Gladiators. That project has since wrapped, paving the way for his AEW return – only for this latest setback to occur.
Although his in-ring future is uncertain, AEW sources noted the possibility of keeping Wardlow visible on television in a non-wrestling role, potentially as an enforcer for The Don Callis Family, while he recovers.
The news has reportedly dampened morale among AEW talent, as many were eager to see Wardlow regain momentum after a frustrating stretch of injuries and time away.
If the torn pec diagnosis is confirmed, Wardlow will join the growing list of AEW talents battling injuries in 2025. The timeline for recovery has not yet been shared, but such injuries typically require lengthy rehabilitation.
