AJ Styles is urging fans to move past the constant WWE vs. AEW arguments, saying the modern wrestling landscape offers more variety than ever and shouldn’t be treated like a battleground.

AJ Styles on Wrestling Tribalism

Speaking on his Phenomenally Retro Podcast, Styles addressed the ongoing tribalism debate that continues to dominate online wrestling discussions. The topic came up while talking about how the industry now features multiple major promotions and weekly shows competing for attention. Styles said fans should appreciate that abundance instead of fighting over it.

“Yeah, I mean this is — you’re right — it’s a great time to be a wrestling fan. If you like wrestling, then take part in it. There are so many things going on right now.”

Styles explained that each promotion — and even each WWE brand — offers something unique, which is why fans shouldn’t feel pressured to pick a single side.

“NXT is different than Raw and SmackDown. AEW is different than Raw and SmackDown and NXT. There are a lot of things going on and a lot of wrestling to watch, so enjoy it.”

Fans Don’t Need to Defend One Promotion

The future WWE Hall of Famer said the idea that fans must defend one company while attacking another doesn’t make sense when there’s so much wrestling available. He noted that WWE itself tries to offer a wide range of entertainment elements across its programming.

“You don’t have to hate one or the other. There’s enough out there for you to enjoy a little bit of everything. I think that’s what WWE is trying to do — give you a little bit of everything. Because you want to be entertained, you want to laugh, you want to cry, and you want to enjoy the wrestling. Trying to find all of that in one show is very difficult.”

Criticism Over Wrestlers Changing Companies

Styles also addressed the negativity that follows wrestlers who move between promotions. He said those arguments miss the bigger picture and distract from the fact that fans now have more options than ever.

“But then you’ve got people hating on this because this guy left here and went there, or that guy moved somewhere else. Don’t do that, man. Just enjoy what you’ve got, because who knows how long it lasts.”

Wrestling Has More Variety Than Ever

To illustrate his point, Styles reminded listeners that there was once a time when fans only had one major promotion to watch. Today, the landscape is far broader.

“There was a time when it was just WWE. Back then it was just Raw and SmackDown… and that was all you got. We just listed four different shows and didn’t even mention TNA. And TNA is still there doing some really good work too. Yeah, TNA are great right now.”

Styles’ comments come at a time when debates between WWE and AEW fans continue to dominate social media.

AJ Styles on Wrestling Tribalism

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WWE has expanded the lineup for the March 16 episode of WWE RAW, with General Manager Adam Pearce announcing that Dominik Mysterio and The Judgment Day will appear live on the show.

Dominik Mysterio Judgment Day RAW Appearance

During his weekly rundown, Pearce confirmed that the group will be in San Antonio and hinted that they may address their attack on Finn Balor from last week’s broadcast.

“And ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio, with Judgment Day in tow, will be in the house. And what will they have to say about their dastardly attack last week on Finn Balor? I’m sure Dom will have a mouthful.”

Mysterio enters RAW fresh off his successful AAA Mega Championship defense against El Hijo del Vikingo at Rey de Reyes in Puebla, Mexico. On last week’s RAW, he and the rest of Judgment Day blindsided Finn Balor, appearing to remove him from the faction.

Raw on Monday, March 16 will take place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. WWE has now confirmed the following lineup.

Updated Lineup for March 16 WWE RAW

• Roman Reigns will appear
• Brock Lesnar will appear
• Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Bayley
• El Grande Americano vs. Original El Grande Americano
• Maxxine Dupri vs. Nattie
• Stephanie Vaquer vs. Raquel Rodriguez
• Dominik Mysterio and Judgment Day to appear live

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Santos Escobar’s WWE status became a topic of speculation earlier today after fans noticed his profile listed in the Alumni section of WWE’s official website instead of the Current Superstars page. The unexpected placement immediately raised questions about whether Escobar had quietly exited the company.

Santos Escobar WWE Status

The timing of the discovery added to the confusion. Escobar had just competed in the AAA Rey de Reyes 2026 tournament final, where El Grande Americano defeated Escobar, La Parka, and the “Original” El Grande Americano in a chaotic four‑way match to earn a future AAA Mega Championship opportunity.

A new report from Bodyslam.net has now provided clarity on the situation. According to the outlet, Escobar remains under WWE contract and is still part of the company’s plans. The report states that he is expected to continue working with El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. in a storyline program for the AAA Latin American Championship on AAA television.

“Sources indicate to Bodyslam that Escobar is still with WWE and expected to continue in a program with El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. for the AAA Latin American Championship on AAA TV.”

The report also explained how the confusion began. Escobar’s brief contract expiration last year resulted in his profile being moved to the Alumni section, and it was never restored after he re‑signed.

“Escobar has been in the alumni section since his contract expired back in October before re‑signing with WWE a day later. WWE’s social team just never moved him back to the active roster page.”

Escobar re‑signed with WWE in October 2025, one day after his contract lapsed. Since then, he has continued appearing across WWE programming and resumed competing in AAA in January 2026 as part of the ongoing partnership between the two promotions. Based on the latest update, the roster listing appears to be nothing more than a lingering website oversight rather than an indication that Escobar has left WWE.

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Eric Bischoff believes the strongest criticism of Triple H’s creative direction comes from a narrow slice of the wrestling audience rather than the broader fanbase that watches WWE each week.

Eric Bischoff on Triple H WWE Creative Criticism

Speaking on 83 Weeks, Bischoff was asked whether the early optimism surrounding Triple H’s creative leadership had faded since Vince McMahon stepped away from WWE. Bischoff said any shift in sentiment is largely confined to online communities.

“For internet wrestling fans, possibly,” Bischoff said. “I think for WWE fans, the general audience, probably not, because it is not what they think about. The only people that think about and talk about that are people who are hardcore fans who kind of live in the Reddit, internet wrestling community bubble and enjoy getting their dopamine hit discussing things that they do not really understand but know enough about to feel like they do.”

Bischoff argued that much of the online discourse is driven by the thrill of argument rather than genuine insight. “They argue with each other. That is a dopamine hit. They put each other over. That is a dopamine hit. And they get to live in that comfortable little bubble of semi‑knowledgeable discourse. That is how they get their nut. It is what it is.”

Selective Use of Data Points

Bischoff acknowledged that some online criticism references real business metrics — ticket sales, creative decisions, and other measurable indicators — but said those numbers are often used to reinforce pre‑existing opinions.

“Whatever we see out there in the ether as a particular data point, people will embrace it to either affirm or confirm their bias, or use it to support their bias against something,” he said. “It just is. It is the nature of the community.”

WWE’s Business Performance Tells a Different Story

From Bischoff’s perspective, WWE’s actual business results contradict the narrative pushed by online critics.

“I think if you look at the performance of the product, the ticket sales in general, Raw doing two stadium shows back to back, business‑wise, not at all,” he said. “I do not think there is any luster at all. You are going to go through cycles. Some things are going to be more popular from a storyline perspective than other things.”

Danhausen’s WWE Run as an Example of Shifting Online Sentiment

Bischoff pointed to Danhausen’s WWE debut and the reaction that followed as a recent example of how quickly online opinion can swing. His Elimination Chamber debut drew heavy criticism, but subsequent appearances were received far more positively. Bischoff said the shift shows why early online reactions are not always reliable indicators of long‑term success.

Creative Cycles Compared to Television

Bischoff compared WWE’s creative process to network television, where characters and storylines evolve constantly.

“You see a character that they thought was going to be a prominent character get written off the show,” he said. “Why? Because it just did not click as much. The same thing happens here, only it is 52 weeks a year, so it is out in front of us all year round.”

Triple H has overseen WWE’s creative direction since 2022. In that time, WWE merged with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings and secured major media rights deals with ESPN and Netflix. WrestleMania 42 takes place April 18–19 in Las Vegas.

Eric Bischoff on Triple H WWE Creative Criticism and the Divide Between Online and Mainstream Fans

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MLW returned to Center Stage in Atlanta on March 14 for a double taping of Fusion, delivering a night packed with title bouts, storyline pivots, and a concerning moment involving Alex Hammerstone. Here are MLW Taping Spoilers from Atlanta:

Hammerstone Injury Scare During Riddle Match

The most notable moment of the evening came during Hammerstone’s match with Matt Riddle in the second taping. Hammerstone appeared to injure his knee while throwing a pump kick, prompting officials to move to the finish earlier than planned. Despite pushing to continue, he was visibly hurting afterward, though still able to walk backstage.

Hammerstone had opened the night on commentary, but his role shifted quickly. During the first taping, Riddle scored a rollup win over Trevor Lee after using the referee as a shield against the Cave‑In. Riddle then confronted Hammerstone at the desk and blasted him with a spinning back fist, setting up their later match. Hammerstone ultimately pinned Riddle with a rollup, though the bout seemed shorter than expected due to the injury. Riddle followed with a promo calling out Karrion Kross, which triggered a chaotic brawl involving several wrestlers.

Trevor Lee Becomes First Southern Crown Champion

The tapings also crowned the inaugural MLW Southern Crown Champion. Trevor Lee outlasted a field that included Andrew Everett, Ikuro Kwon, The Beast Man, Diego Hill, Jesus Rodriguez, Paul Hauser, Festus, Josh Bishop, and Matthew Justice to win the Bunkhouse Stampede.

Aries Retains Openweight Title

Austin Aries kept hold of the MLW National Openweight Championship in a match with Diego Hill. With the referee down, Aries used the title belt as a weapon, hit a brainbuster onto the belt, released his Last Chancery, and delivered a second brainbuster to secure the victory. He called out Mistico after the match.

Shotzi Keeps Featherweight Gold

Shotzi successfully defended the MLW Women’s Featherweight Championship against Kira, finishing the match with a top‑rope senton. She later posed for a photo with Mistico backstage.

Anderson vs. Dijak, Skyscrapers Update

Karl Anderson picked up a win over Donovan Dijak by countering Feast Your Eyes into a rollup. After the bell, John Bishop hit the ring to help Dijak attack Anderson. Dijak then introduced Bishop as the newest member of the Skyscrapers and one half of the MLW Tag Team Champions. Bishop Dyer, Dijak’s previous partner, was not present.

Additional Notes From the Tapings

• Titán defeated Magnus.
• LeBron Kozone scored lariat victories over Alan Angels and Okumura in separate matches.
• Zamaya beat Priscilla Kelly with a sit‑out chokebomb.
• Paul Hauser submitted Bryce Cannon with a Texas Cloverleaf.
• Teddy Long appeared to introduce Kozone.
• The Good Brothers closed the night with a promo rallying support for MLW and led the crowd in an MLW chant.

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