• Possible New WWE Name For Powerhouse Hobbs After AEW Departure
The wrestling world is on high alert as Powerhouse Hobbs has officially become a free agent, with all signs pointing toward a major debut under the WWE banner.
Following a report from Fightful Select on January 14, Hobbs’ contract with AEW has expired, and notably, he is not subject to a non-compete clause. This means the former TNT Champion could legally appear on WWE TV as early as tonight’s SmackDown if a final agreement is reached.
The transition follows a period of intense bidding for his services. Sean Ross Sapp reports that AEW made several “huge” financial offers to keep Hobbs, with negotiations continuing right up until his final days with the company. Despite the lucrative offers, Hobbs was reportedly set on a move to WWE and took care to leave All Elite Wrestling on good terms without “burning bridges.”
WWE’s interest in Hobbs is not new. The company has reportedly tracked him for several years and had attempted to make contact during previous contract cycles.
Internal discussions within WWE suggest that Hobbs is being fast-tracked for the main roster rather than a stint in NXT. However, fans should expect some changes to his presentation.
WrestleVotes Radio has indicated that the current expectation is for Hobbs to receive an altered ring name, though there is a possibility the company may simply shorten it to “Hobbs” to maintain some brand recognition from his time in AEW.
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• Real Reason Behind Title Change On Tonight’s TNA iMPACT
The popular duo of Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay, known as The IInspiration (fka The IIconics in WWE), are officially moving on from TNA Wrestling.
After a successful stint that saw them capture the Knockouts World Tag Team Championship, the team dropped the titles to Heather By Elegance and M By Elegance on tonight’s AMC premiere of TNA iMPACT. This loss served as their final appearance for the promotion as they prepare to enter the free-agent market.
According to Fightful Select, the duo had been working on a series of short-term agreements after their original contracts expired in October 2025. While there were ongoing discussions about a long-term stay, Lee and McKay ultimately decided not to sign new contracts. The split is described as amicable, with the team remaining open to staying until they ultimately chose to “finish up” after tonight.
The wrestling world is now buzzing about where the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions will land next. Fightful’s report indicated there is significant interest in the team from major promotions outside of TNA.
Given their charisma and proven track record in the tag team division, many fans are speculating on a potential return to WWE or a fresh start in AEW as both companies look to bolster their women’s rosters for the 2026 season.
