Thursday, April 2, 2026

Pro Wrestling News

Daily Digest · Since 2026
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Thursday, April 2, 2026

108 stories 173 sources cited Updated 1 hour ago Edition 1

WWE

Drew McIntyre Gives Update on WWE In-Ring Future

Drew McIntyre is not ready to hang up his boots just yet. In a recent appearance on the "Insight with Chris Van Vliet" podcast, McIntyre, who turned 40 in 2025, expressed his desire to continue wrestling and settle his ongoing rivalry with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis in the ring. He indicated that he feels physically fit and has plenty of ideas for future matches, suggesting that fans may not have seen the last of "The Scottish Warrior" in the squared circle. This is significant as McIntyre's presence adds star power to WWE, especially with WrestleMania 42 on the horizon, where he is expected to be a key player in the build-up to the event [1][2][3][4][5][6].

Randy Orton Drops Massive Hint on Identity of Mystery Caller

Randy Orton is set to unveil the identity of his mysterious phone friend this Friday on WWE SmackDown in his hometown of St. Louis. After turning heel on Cody Rhodes, Orton has been teasing this alliance, and fans are eager to see who has been pulling the strings behind the scenes. Given Orton's recent resurgence as a more ruthless character, this reveal could have major implications for his ongoing feud with Rhodes and the overall dynamics on SmackDown [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14].

WWE NXT Star Tyson Dupont Undergoes Hip Surgery

In unfortunate news, WWE NXT talent Tyson Dupont has announced he will undergo hip surgery to address ongoing pain he has been dealing with for over a year. Dupont shared a video from his hospital bed, describing the surgery as a “minor setback for a major comeback.” This is a reminder of the physical toll wrestling takes on athletes, especially for those like Dupont who are striving to make a name for themselves in the demanding environment of WWE [21][22][23][24][25].

Chelsea Green's Status for WrestleMania 42 Revealed

Chelsea Green has confirmed that she will not be competing at WrestleMania 42 due to her ongoing recovery from injury. However, she plans to be involved in some capacity, ensuring her presence at WWE's biggest event of the year. This news adds to the growing anticipation for WrestleMania, where fans are eager to see how the card will finalize, especially with high-profile matches already announced [31][32][33][34][35].

Drew McIntyre Reflects on WWE Championship Reign

In another segment from his podcast appearance, McIntyre opened up about his recent Undisputed WWE Championship reign, stating that it provided a necessary shake-up for the show and revitalized Cody Rhodes' character. He believes that his title win and subsequent loss were pivotal for the storytelling on SmackDown, highlighting how important it is for the title picture to evolve continuously [41][42].

AEW

Chris Jericho Returns to Kick Off AEW Dynamite

In a highly anticipated moment, Chris Jericho made his surprise return during the April 1 episode of AEW Dynamite in Winnipeg, much to the delight of the hometown crowd. Jericho's unexpected appearance set the tone for a night filled with drama, including a contract signing segment for the upcoming MJF vs. Kenny Omega match. However, the crowd's reaction was mixed, sparking discussions about whether Jericho's return lived up to the hype [112][113][114][115][116][117][118][119][120][121].

Former AEW Titleholder Returns at Collision Taping

In a spoiler that has fans buzzing, Hikaru Shida returned during the taping for AEW Collision, stepping up to answer Willow Nightingale's open TBS Championship challenge. Shida's presence not only reignites her storyline but also adds intrigue to the women's division as the company heads towards its next major events. This return could signal a shift in the title picture, especially following Shida's previous championship reign [122][123][124][125][126].

AEW Champion Issues Open Challenge for Collision

Willow Nightingale has issued an open challenge for her TBS Championship on tonight's episode of AEW Collision. This bold move not only highlights Nightingale's confidence as champion but also adds an element of unpredictability to the match. Fans will be eager to see who steps up to face her, potentially leading to surprising matchups and story developments [130][131][132].

NJPW

NJPW Road to Sakura Genesis Live Results

NJPW held a significant event at Korakuen Hall, featuring two title matches. DOUKI defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against YOH in the main event, seeking to extend his successful defense streak. This event is crucial as it builds momentum towards the Sakura Genesis, showcasing the talent and rivalries within NJPW's junior heavyweight division [152][153].

Updated List of NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Entrants

The lineup for the upcoming Best of the Super Juniors 33 tournament is nearly complete, with the addition of junior heavyweights KUSHIDA and Ryusuke Taguchi. This tournament is always a highlight of the wrestling calendar, and the inclusion of these seasoned competitors raises the stakes for what promises to be an exhilarating competition [154].

Tiger Mask Sets NJPW Retirement Date

In a heartfelt announcement, Tiger Mask IV revealed his retirement date, scheduled for July 7 at Korakuen Hall. This marks the end of an era for one of NJPW's most iconic figures, who has been a staple in the wrestling world for decades. Fans will undoubtedly turn out in droves to pay tribute to his storied career [155].

Looking Ahead

Tonight's AEW Collision promises to deliver excitement with Willow Nightingale's TBS Championship open challenge and the return of Hikaru Shida. Meanwhile, WWE SmackDown will be pivotal as Randy Orton reveals his mystery caller, potentially reshaping the landscape heading into WrestleMania 42. NJPW fans can look forward to more developments as the Road to Sakura Genesis continues to unfold.

Upcoming Shows

Full Calendar →
Apr 2 Thu
AEW Collision
AEW
Willow Nightingale issues an open challenge for her TBS Championship
Hikaru Shida returns to answer the challenge.
Apr 2 Thu
TNA Impact
TNA
First-ever women's Bunkhouse match featuring Tessa Blanchard and Jody Threat.
Apr 2 Thu
TNA Sacrifice
TNA
Key matches include Mike Santana and Leon Slater vs. Eddie Edwards and Cedric Alexander
Jeff Hardy vs. Brian Myers.
Apr 2 Thu
WrestleMania 42
WWE
Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas, NV
Sami Zayn vs TBD — United States Championship
Jacob Fatu vs Drew McIntyre — no rules match
ongoing rivalries between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes
Randy Orton's heel turn and potential assault on Cody Rhodes.
Apr 4 Sat
Sakura Genesis
NJPW
Ryogoku Kokugikan — Tokyo, Japan
Yota Tsuji will defend his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against the winner of the New Japan Cup, which starts on March 4.
Apr 4 Sat
NXT Stand & Deliver
WWE
St. Louis, MO
Kendal Grey vs. Lola Vice for a shot at the NXT Women’s Championship
Johnny Gargano vs. Myles Borne for the North American Championship
Joe Hendry defends the NXT Championship in a Fatal 4-Way match against Ethan Page, Ricky Saints, and Tony D’Angelo.
Apr 4 Sat
WrestleMania 42
WWE
Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton — Undisputed WWE Championship
Title change on SmackDown sets the stage for this match
Mixed reactions from fans regarding booking choices.
Apr 4 Sat
WWE Raw
WWE
Apr 5 Sun
WrestleMania 42
WWE
Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
further developments and matches to be solidified as the event approaches
Apr 6 Mon
WrestleMania 42
WWE
Las Vegas, NV
Start-time change to 2:30 PM local time
stacked card anticipated.
Apr 7 Tue
WrestleMania 42
WWE
Saudi Arabia
Drew McIntyre expected to be a key player in the build-up
Chelsea Green will not compete but plans to be involved.
Apr 7 Tue
WWE SmackDown
WWE
Apr 8 Wed
Sakura Genesis
NJPW
Will Ospreay returns after neck surgery.

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