Welcome to the July 2nd Inside The Ropes Live blog, bringing you the latest news from WWE, AEW, NJPW, IMPACT Wrestling and more.
Today’s biggest stories:
Buckle in for a compilation of never-before-seen Live Event matches featuring your favorite New Generation Superstars, including a huge tag team from Madison Square Garden, pitting Shawn Michaels and Diesel against Bret “Hit Man” Hart and The Undertaker. Plus, action featuring “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Mankind, Razor Ramon and more!
Following her WWE release in May, former NXT standout Cora Jade—now competing once again under her indie name Elayna Black—has made it clear she’s not looking back anytime soon.
Speaking with Mandy Sacs (fka Mandy Rose), Elayna opened up about her departure, describing it as “almost like a breakup.” Despite calling WWE her dream job, she revealed that if the company called her tomorrow, she would decline, opting instead to focus on new opportunities both in and outside of wrestling.
“Obviously I didn’t want to lose my dream job… but if they call me tomorrow, I would say no, because I’m excited for this time and need this time right now for myself to explore… I want to do other stuff.”
Now actively working the independent scene, Elayna recently captured her first singles title by defeating Brittnie Brooks for the AWF Women’s Championship. While she remains thankful for the WWE platform that helped build her fanbase, she’s intent on using that momentum to branch out creatively and financially.
Interestingly, while WWE isn’t on her radar, Elayna has expressed openness to returning to AEW—five years after her brief stint there—hinting that her next chapter might include a run in Tony Khan’s promotion.
The wrestling world was stunned at WrestleMania 41 when Paul Heyman turned on Roman Reigns after five years of being The Tribal Chief’s trusted Wiseman. The betrayal hit hard, especially after Reigns had honored Heyman during his WWE Hall of Fame induction, crediting him as essential to the rise of the Bloodline.
Reigns has been absent since the RAW After WrestleMania episode in April, but his return is reportedly being lined up to reignite a feud not with Solo Sikoa’s new Bloodline, but directly with Heyman.
According to WrestleVotes, WWE creative plans to put the spotlight on Reigns vs. Heyman when The Tribal Chief returns. While many fans expect Roman to side with babyfaces like Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso against Solo’s rogue faction, reports suggest he’ll instead pursue revenge against his former advisor. Heyman, meanwhile, has begun backing a new stable with Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed.
Despite the potential for a four-on-four showdown, it looks like Roman Reigns’ next move will focus squarely on personal payback. As WWE heads into a packed summer featuring Saturday Night’s Main Event XL, Evolution 2, and SummerSlam, expect this long-simmering betrayal to take centerstage.
John Cena was recently seen enjoying some downtime at Wimbledon 2025 alongside his wife, Shay Shariatzadeh.
Currently holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, Cena took a break from the ring to attend the prestigious tennis tournament in London. The couple was spotted in the Royal Box at Centre Court, joining a star-studded lineup of celebrities including Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas, Olivia Rodrigo, Dave Grohl, Cate Blanchett, and Rebel Wilson.
John Cena at Wimbledon 👏🏻👏🏻
pic.twitter.com/SenBxnhBce— ITR Wrestling (@ITRWrestling_) July 2, 2025
As Cena balances Hollywood success and his current WWE run, this rare public appearance with Shay highlights his ongoing efforts to make time for both personal and professional milestones.
A rare new image of Brock Lesnar has emerged, showing the former WWE Champion in phenomenal shape despite being away from the ring for nearly a year.
Lesnar hasn’t appeared on WWE television since his loss to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2023. He was originally expected to return at this year’s Royal Rumble, but plans were reportedly scrapped following his name being mentioned in the Vince McMahon–Janel Grant lawsuit.
The Beast has kept a low profile since, but a recent gym photo shared by a fan account on Instagram shows Lesnar looking shredded, rocking his signature long hair and Viking-style beard.
🚨│ Recent Picture of BROCK LESNAR
Still looks Jacked 👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/fufsQW8eOq
— Ceaser Wrestling (@CeaserWrestles) July 2, 2025
While there’s still no official word on a WWE return, the photo makes one thing clear—Brock Lesnar is staying ready.
On the eve of Jordynne Grace’s high-stakes title clash with Jacy Jayne, she’ll join forces with Blake Monroe to battle Fatal Influence in a heated tag team match at The Great American Bash.
Monroe’s shocking arrival in NXT shook up the women’s division, and her alignment with Grace has only intensified the rivalry with Fatal Influence—who made it personal by putting The Glamour through a table.
With Grace riding momentum as the Evolution Eliminator Tournament winner and Monroe seeking retribution, can this duo silence Fatal Influence just one day before Grace’s golden opportunity?
Find out Saturday, July 12, at 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT, streaming live on Peacock in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally.
A colossal showdown is set for The Great American Bash as NXT Champion Oba Femi defends his title against Pro Wrestling NOAH’s powerhouse, Yoshiki Inamura.
Since claiming the gold in January, Femi has been an unstoppable force on Tuesday nights. But standing across from him will be a unique challenger in Inamura, who arrives from Japan with one goal—make history as the first non-WWE-contracted Superstar to capture the NXT Championship.
Can The Ruler maintain his dominance, or will Inamura pull off a seismic upset?
Find out Saturday, July 12 at 3 p.m. ET/Noon PT, streaming live on Peacock in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally.
Roman Reigns may be off WWE TV, but life hasn’t slowed down for The Tribal Chief. During his ongoing hiatus, Reigns and wife Galina Becker quietly welcomed their sixth child, as revealed by Joe Lowry during a WrestleBinge Q&A session. The couple now has two daughters and four sons, including two sets of twins.
While Reigns has been absent since the night after WrestleMania 41—where he was ambushed by Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman’s new faction—his return is reportedly being saved for the build-up to SummerSlam. Marketing plans and new merchandise are already in motion, and he may debut an alternative nickname when he resurfaces.
With family growing outside the ring and major storylines waiting in WWE, Roman’s comeback is shaping up to be a headline event.
The behind-the-scenes battle between WWE and AEW continues, especially in the race to sign fresh talent. According to a new report from Bodyslam.net, WWE is showing “major interest” in two notable AEW acts—Danhausen and tag team Private Party.
Danhausen, who hasn’t appeared in AEW since late 2023, is reportedly nearing the end of his contract this July. WWE sees him as a “fresh-but-TV-ready” character, aligning with their current talent strategy.
Private Party—Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy—are also reportedly on WWE’s radar. AEW originals, they briefly held the AEW World Tag Team Titles earlier this year but haven’t appeared on AEW programming since January. With no word of contract extensions, the door may be open for a move to WWE.
As contract expiration dates near, these signings could signal a major shift in the ongoing talent tug-of-war between wrestling’s top promotions.
Hello and welcome back to the ITRWrestling live blog
My name is Liam and I will be with you from 2pm to 6pm (UK) covering all the biggest stories from the past 24 hours across the world in wrestling.
Kicking things off today we have:
