WWE and AEW continue to engage in what many fans and industry insiders insist is a wrestling war. Counter-programming and talent acquisitions seem to be the bigger shots fired in the so-called war these days, but now the battles have spilled out into the mainstream world.
WWE’s Becky Lynch and Nikki Bella, AEW’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and rapper-singer Bad Bunny, a former 24/7 Champion, are featured in Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2. The long-awaited Adam Sandler film premieres on Friday, July 25. As the latest trailer dropped, the streaming giant ramped up promotions, commercials during RAW.
The Man and Fearless Nikki are featured in a group of celebrity golfers playing the course, which includes NFL’s Reggie Bush and actor-stuntman Fernando Marrero, who bills himself as a retired pro wrestler and MMA fighter, and Bad Bunny portrays Happy’s caddie named Benito. Meanwhile, MJF plays a significant role in the movie as Gordie, the son of Adam Sandler’s titular character, and can be seen several times in the trailer, which caused an issue for WWE officials.
Monday’s RAW featured a trailer for Happy Gilmore 2, and MJF was nowhere to be seen. In the days before this week, The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted how there was talk of WWE trying to obtain a trailer without MJF, “if and when” it was time to promote the film on the red brand’s live Netflix telecast. The decision was made in days, as a trailer was produced without the presence of the former AEW World Champion.
All Elite Wrestling has not confirmed plans to promote MJF’s role in Happy Gilmore 2. It’s believed Tony Khan will not care about Lynch being in the movie when it comes to promotions. However, AEW usually does not promote a talent’s projects outside of the promotion, unless a film is sponsoring an episode of Dynamite or a PPV, but The Observer speculated that the Jacksonville-based company will likely promote the Sandler sequel, as it would make sense for Netflix to make a sponsorship deal.
WWE requesting a custom Netflix trailer to air without a top All Elite Wrestling star is raising similar questions and concerns about the American Gladiators situation. Sources reported last week that there was an issue brewing over WWE’s The Miz hosting the upcoming Amazon Prime reboot of American Gladiators, as AEW’s Kamille and Wardlow are also members of the cast.
WWE Reportedly At The Root Of The American Gladiators Issue
American Gladiators has always had strong buzz in the wrestling world, but the upcoming Amazon Prime reboot is making headlines as WWE’s The Miz will host the show and serve as one of three Executive Producers. The cast of 16 gladiators will feature AEW’s Kamille and Wardlow, along with former WWE Superstar Rick Boogs and OVW’s Jessie Godderz of TNA & CBS’ Big Brother fame.
Word last week was that officials from both companies were keeping a close eye on the Gladiators comeback, and that there was already talk of “issues from one side” over the WWE and AEW stars sharing a show. No other details were provided, but it was speculated that the rumored issues were something never considered by producers. The Wrestling Observer now reveals that the issue originated from World Wrestling Entertainment.
Sources claimed that it was officials from WWE, and not AEW, that had the issue, which centers around a singular potential issue: The Miz hosting while current AEW talents are competitors, which is ironic as Tony Khan has not used Wardlow or Kamille in a while. Filming is underway, and now the big question remains how the two wrestling competitors plan to advertise the show on their programming, if at all.
I’m thrilled to announce I’m the new host of AMERICAN GLADIATORS! The 10-year-old me is screaming. Huge thanks to MGM & Amazon Prime Video for trusting me with this iconic legacy. We’re honoring the original and bringing fresh energy to a whole new generation. AG IS BACK! pic.twitter.com/tJk94agiSf
— The Miz (@mikethemiz) May 12, 2025
American Gladiators on Amazon Prime will feature new competitions, as well as some of the classics such as Gauntlet and The Eliminator. The first American Gladiators to be filmed outside of the United States will premiere on Prime’s FAST channels sometime in 2025 or 2026. Tapings are being held this month and next at the Cergy Aren’Ice multi-purpose arena in Paris, France.