In exciting news for British Wrestling fans, former WWE stars Killian Dain and Nikki Cross have acquired PROGRESS Wrestling and its U.S. partner, DEFY, which was announced in an official statement shared on social media. Fans and wrestlers have reacted with huge excitement to the landmark deal, with the married couple, who share deep UK and Irish roots, now expected to take one of Britain’s most respected independent companies to the next level.
PROGRESS Wrestling was founded in 2011 by comedian Jim Smallman and events promoter Jon Briley, with actor Glen Joseph joining shortly afterward. It launched its debut show, Chapter One: In The Beginning, on March 25, 2012, at The Garage in Islington, London. Famous for hard-hitting, strong-style action and a punk-rock attitude, the promotion quickly became a cornerstone of the UK indie scene and helped launch names like AEW’s Will Ospreay and WWE’s Tyler Bate.
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The Young Bucks have taken to social media to shower praise on the AEW production team behind this year’s Stadium Stampede, revealing that the entire chaotic seven-on-seven brawl was captured live in real time, with no pre-taped segments beyond the entrances. Given the chaos and multiple backstage segments, some assumed a significant part of the match was recorded beforehand, so finding out it wasn’t made the bout even more impressive.
AEW’s latest Stadium Stampede delivered a high-octane 31-minute war at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York, featuring 14 wrestlers from rival factions. Action spilled from the ring into backstage hallways, the merch booth, catering, escalators, a practice tennis court, and the parking lot. This real-time execution required precise timing among multiple camera crews while the live PPV continued uninterrupted. Despite strict venue rules and the inherent challenges of controlled chaos, the match earned widespread acclaim for its ambition and seamless creativity.
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According to a report by Fightful Select, promoters have been informed that Enzo Amore is no longer accepting independent bookings, including those he would typically take. The big speculation online is that Amore is headed back to WWE after he was recently spotted at the Performance Center. Adding to this is the fact that his former NXT tag team partner, Big Cass, who wrestles as Big Bill in AEW, is rumored to be out of contract in the coming days.
“Fightful Select has since learned from those close to Enzo Amore that some promoters are being told that he was not taking bookings in the future that he regularly would be taking. Those promoters are operating on the assumption that Enzo is headed to WWE and will be signing there.” – Fightful Select
While not yet officially confirmed, it is believed that Big Bill is nearing the end of his tenure in AEW. The seven-footer signed with Tony Khan’s promotion in August 2022 and enjoyed success as a tag team wrestler alongside Ricky Starks and, later, Bryan Keith. Still, he has been largely absent from AEW and ROH television in recent months, which is usually a sign that a talent isn’t signing a new contract.
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Following his debut at Double or Nothing 2026, Mick Foley has expressed his joy at joining the company. The WWE Hall of Famer wrote on Instagram, “I am so genuinely happy to be part of AEW, and to have contributed in a small way to such an amazing night of wrestling.” After co-hosting the Zero Hour pre-show with Renee Paquette and being officially welcomed into the company, Foley’s heartfelt message reflected true excitement about his new chapter, having decided to walk away from WWE.
“ALL ELITE I am so genuinely happy to be part of @AEW, and to have contributed in a small way to such an amazing night of wrestling.” – Mick Foley
Foley’s night was highlighted by a tense in-ring confrontation with MJF, who interrupted his promo with verbal barbs and a low blow. This charged exchange has reignited past discussions between the two, including a private meeting years ago where MJF pitched a detailed storyline for what could have been Foley’s retirement match. While that bout never happened, their fresh on-screen tension has fans buzzing about potential future storylines or even a limited in-ring return for the beloved hardcore wrestler.
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In sad news announced by Cauliflower Alley Club, wrestling veteran Jerry “Golden Boy” Grey has passed away at the age of 62 following a brave battle with stage 4 colon cancer. The Akron, Ohio native, who made his professional debut in 1981, earned widespread respect throughout the wrestling industry for his professionalism and work ethic. Therefore, once he made his health struggles public, the global wrestling community rallied around him, raising more than $36,000 through a dedicated GoFundMe to help with medical expenses.
Grey built a solid wrestling career as a reliable in-ring technician and tag team specialist. He competed in major territories and promotions, including WWF, WCW, USWA, WCCW, Championship Wrestling from Florida, Pacific Northwest, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Among his highlights were winning the NWA Bahamas Heavyweight Championship, the NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team titles with Tom Prichard, and the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship with Bob Cook. Still, his greatest achievement was an early career upset victory over Ric Flair.
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Nick Gage left fans bitterly disappointed after no-showing the BZWxGCW “Now or Never” event in northern France on May 23. The deathmatch legend had been heavily promoted for months, yet failed to appear without any prior warning or explanation from the promotions. One frustrated attendee subsequently took to Reddit to reveal traveling 16 hours by train only to discover Gage’s absence at the venue, criticizing the complete lack of communication as unprofessional and “carny.”
“I took a 16h train ride to the north of France just to learn 2 things: no beer at the show / only water allowed inside the venue AND Nick Gage is not here. And while I was told that I can’t drink a can of coke inside the venue at the make shift “bar” there was NO mention or reason given to us why Gage is not here. Feels like a scam. Carny behaviour at its best and I won’t attend any BZW event ever again. f*ckers.” – Ancient-Yellow-6197
Gage is likely most famous for his 2010 robbery of a New Jersey bank, which resulted in his. serving several years in prison. This felony conviction creates major visa obstacles for overseas travel under strict European rules. Therefore, some fans have wondered whether this was a factor in his inability to appear. Still, he has also missed shows in the United States, which has damaged trust and presumably limited opportunities on the independent scene.
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AEW’s “Double Or Nothing” pay-per-view was held Sunday night at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York. The company has frequently licensed well-known tunes for both entrance music, special occasions and video packages, and last night ahead of the Stadium Stampede match, the team of Jericho, Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, Jungle Jack Perry, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks filmed a match intro to the Metallica classic “Devil’s Dance.”
“In 35 years of being in the wrestling biz, the opening credits for tonight’s #StadiumStampede is one of my favorite things I’ve ever been involved with and one of the best things I’ve done in @aew!!” Jericho said via Instagram. “Thanks to the whole #AEW team for putting in a solid 24 hours of work to film & edit this and thanks to @metallica for letting us use this monster of a tune!! The perfect way to kick off the incredible & batsh*t crazy spectacle that followed it!!! And thanks to @barabasmen for the flashy fit! What a blast! Wrestling rules… #AEWDON”
AEW previously licensed Metallica’s “Seek and Destroy” for Sting and Darby Allin’s tag team entrance at “All In” at Wembley Stadium. “Devil’s Dance” comes from Metallica’s 1997 “ReLoad” album which recently got the remastered deluxe box set treatment set for a June 26 release.
Check out the Stadium Stampede intro video below.
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Tragedy struck the world of lucha libre once again on Sunday night when veteran wrestler José Calzada Salazar, better known as El Piloto Suicida, died at the age og 56. The high-flying Lucghador was performing at Arena Internacional in Ciudad Juárez when he slipped during a signature dive and landed headfirst on the concrete floor. Yet despite receiving immediate medical efforts, diario.mx reports he was pronounced dead at the scene, with it later confirmed that his death was instant.
“During a move from the third rope, José Calzada Salazar, the wrestler known as “El Piloto Suicida,” died Sunday night at Arena Internacional in Ciudad Juárez after falling and striking his head directly on the floor, according to municipal police from the Centro district. The venue was evacuated. Paramedics tried to assist the wrestler, but nothing could be done as he broke his neck and died instantly, the SSPM officer stated.” – diario.mx
Mexican wrestling has a painful history of fatalities that highlight the sport’s inherent risks. Hijo del Perro Aguayo tragically passed away during a 2015 tag team match against Rey Mysterio after fracturing his C1, C2, and C3 vertebrae, which led to a cervical stroke and cardiac arrest. La Parka suffered a severe cervical injury in 2019 after a mistimed suicide dive and later died from complications. Silver King also died in the ring after suffering a reported heart attack while wrestling in the UK. These incidents serve as sobering reminders of the thin line between spectacle and tragedy in one of the world’s most physically demanding and risky sports.
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Sadie Gibbs has traded intense knee rehabilitation for some well-deserved sun-soaked relaxation over a perfect UK bank holiday weekend. The resilient 34-year-old former AEW star took to X, beaming with gratitude as she posed confidently in a tiny bikini, showcasing her toned physique and positive spirit. Sidelined from the ring since last August following a serious knee injury, Gibbs has stayed dedicated to her fitness and recovery journey, proving once again her strength both inside and outside the squared circle.
A standout talent since her 2015 debut, Gibbs built a strong following on the UK independent circuit and in Japan with World Wonder Ring Stardom. Subsequently, she signed with AEW in 2019, where she competed in the Women’s Casino Battle Royale at All Out. However, pandemic-related travel restrictions limited her appearances, leading to her 2020 release. After a brief 2021 retirement to focus on fitness, the determined athlete returned to the ring in 2024, continuing to inspire fans with her resilience and passion for wrestling.
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During a recent interview with Sportshadow Wrestling, The Godfather has publicly revealed that his royalty checks have dropped sharply since Vince McMahon’s exit from the WWE. As one of the first wrestlers to sign a Legends contract, the veteran admitted the financial rewards feel far less generous under the new regime. “The money seemed to be better when Vince was running things,” he stated, highlighting how many legacy stars are feeling the pinch from TKO’s ownership.
“All I will say is the money seemed to be better when Vince was running things, and I’ll let it go at that. But my royalty checks have gone way down since Vince left.” – The Godfather
Under WWE’s Legends contracts, the company secures the rights to use wrestlers’ names and likenesses across merchandise, video games, and streaming platforms. In return, talents earn small pro rata royalties on net sales, which helps in retirement. While former stars like D-Von Dudley can pocket $30,000–$40,000 in strong quarters, Kevin Nash recently claimed on his podcast that his nWo payments have been cut roughly in half since TKO took control, and that statements have become far less transparent.
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In a fun and nostalgic Instagram Stories moment, veteran commentator Tony Schiavone has playfully revisited his most famous WCW Nitro calls from the Monday Night Wars. With typical self-deprecating charm, he lightheartedly poked fun at the sarcastic quip he once made about Mick Foley winning the WWF Championship ahead of the hardcore legend making his AEW debut at Double or Nothing on Sunday, jokingly writing his appearance “will put butts in seats.”
On January 4, 1999, during WCW Monday Nitro, Schiavone delivered one of pro wrestling’s most notorious lines under orders from Eric Bischoff, saying, “Mick Foley, who wrestled here one time as Cactus Jack, is going to win their world title. Ha. That’s gonna put some butts in the seats.” The jab aimed to spoil Foley’s emotional WWF title victory over The Rock and keep viewers from switching to Raw. However, it backfired spectacularly, with roughly 600,000 households flipping channels, and ultimately became a pivotal turning point in the Monday Night Wars.
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Earlier this week during a show in Glenside, Pennsylvania, original Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth got emotional while telling a heartfelt story about the late, great Edward Van Halen. While strumming a classical guitar, Roth began saying: “Most of these songs that I wrote with Ed, we wrote in a very, very tiny little space, I myself started off in the exact same space. My dad was just starting in school on the GI Bill when I happened. Back in 1954, the Fender Stratocaster was released, and so was I.”
He continued: “And we lived in student housing for about the first 10, 12 years of my life. It was very tight, about the size of the drum riser here. And I had a little space that was for the washer and the dryer, and just enough for me on some cinder blocks with a foam rubber cushion. When I met Ed — now Van Halen — I went over to their house over in Pasadena, California. When I first walked into Ed’s room, it wasn’t even a room. It was identical to the way I grew up. You had to go from the backyard to the kitchen, and you moved through what they called his room, but it was just a little alcove for a washer and a dryer — and then, ultimately, me.”
Roth began to fight back tears before continuing: “The beginnings of every song we sing to you tonight, I started with Ed. He had an electric guitar, and his mom wouldn’t let him plug into the amp. So I would have to listen to the electric guitar without an amp, and it’d be so close that our knees would touch.”
“And those first couple of years, God, how many hours did I spend leaning over like this?” Roth said, leaning forward and pretending to watch EVH’s fingers. “Tape recorded on a Sony little thing with the push buttons and the cassette player. Take it home, write the lyrics and bring it back and go, ‘I think it’s a song about runnin’ with the devil or something. What do you got next?’ It would be so quiet that our knees would touch the whole time. We never noticed.”
“And these were the days when I’d say, ‘Hey, you wanna have a cigarette?’ He’d go, ‘Yeah,’ and that’s what we would have. The two of us, one cigarette. ‘Don’t f*ckin’ hotbox it. You’re lipping it. No, f*ck you, too. Oh, f*ck you twice. He f*ckin’ runs with the devil, what’s that f*ckin’ mean?’ There was friction early and we loved it.”
Check out the full clip of Roth’s tribute to EVH below.
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