• 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.
• AJ Lee Issues Statement After WWE Return
On last week’s SmackDown, AJ Lee returned to WWE after 10 years and laid out Becky Lynch. AJ tweeted the following about her return:
“You’ve had my back for a decade. This run is for you, my wonderful weirdos.”
Reacting to her return drawing massive numbers on social media, the former Divas Champion wrote the following on Instagram:
“120 million social views in 24 hours???
Thank you for watching, for all the messages, love, and hilarious posts. My wonderful weirdos, you’ve been here since Day One and had my back for a decade. This run is for you.”
AJ is scheduled to appear on tonight’s RAW.
• Former WrestleMania Axxess & AEW Dark Competitor Dies At 39
The wrestling community is mourning the loss of Jonathan Echevarria, best known to fans as Jaka, who passed away in Florida at the age of 39. The former EVOLVE Tag Team Champion suffered a heart attack a few days after competing at a Boca Raton Pro Wrestling event on August 31.
Before beginning his wrestling career, Echevarria trained in Taekwondo, later pursuing professional wrestling under the guidance of trainer Magic. He debuted in 2007, initially working under the name Jonny Mangue.
Over the years, he became a fixture of the Northeast independent circuit, appearing in promotions such as WXW (run by Afa Anoa’i), AIW in Cleveland, JAPW, IWA Deep South, Dragon Gate USA, CHIKARA, GCW, and Beyond Wrestling. In Beyond Wrestling, particularly, Jaka became one of the most familiar faces on their cards, regularly working against opponents who would later rise to national prominence.
Jaka’s highest-profile success came alongside Chris Dickinson. Together, they captured the EVOLVE Tag Team Championship multiple times, even appearing at WrestleMania Axxess in 2018. He later wrestled for AEW Dark in 2021.
Beyond Wrestling fans also knew him as part of Team Pazuzu, teaming with Mike Santana (now in TNA) and Angel Ortiz (AEW). Both men have since shared tributes, with Santana writing, “No words. GUTTED,” and Ortiz posting, “I love you tio.”
Echevarria’s sister, Annette, described him as a source of joy in any room. When a GoFundMe was launched to support his medical care, she wrote: “Jonathan is the kind of person who brings laughter and energy wherever he goes—a fun, lovable pain in the butt who means the world to us.”
Friends and peers echoed that sentiment, recalling Jaka as someone beloved in locker rooms across the country, admired for both his humor and generosity.
In more recent years, Jaka had reunited with Sean Maluta to form The Island Boys, capturing tag team titles in BRCW and Full Impact Pro in Florida. He also credited the late Harley Race as an important influence on his career, having attended seminars that Race personally conducted.
R.I.P
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