Pat McAfee Casts Doubt On WWE Return: ‘That Business Has Kind Of Passed Me By’

This past summer, WWE color commentator and former NFL kicker Pat McAfee announced that he would stepping away from the broadcast desk after experiencing burnout due to his multiple responsibilities in the sport media world. With WrestleMania 42 on the horizon, many believed McAfee would’ve returned by now, but according to the 38-year-old himself, his journey in professional wrestling may be coming to an end.

On Sunday, McAfee was responding to questions on his Instagram story, and when asked about his future with WWE, he explained that he will not be returning anytime soon.

“I don’t think you ever say never, especially with the WWE. But right now it doesn’t feel like something that’s supposed to happen. It doesn’t feel like – it feels like that business has kind of passed me by a little bit. I grew up loving it. Dreamed of working it. Feel honored that I had the opportunity to work alongside the GOAT Michael Cole. But I feel like the business is in a good spot without me. I’ll continue to watch.”

Just weeks before announcing that he would be stepping away from professional wrestling, McAfee competed in his first singles match in two years when he entered the ring with GUNTHER at Backlash. The former football player was also on the call for WWE Wrestlepalooza in September, which is his most recent appearance at the broadcast table. McAfee has been heavily involved at WrestleMania throughout the past four years, whether it be in a commentary or in-ring capacity, but due to his latest comments, it remains to be seen if he’ll make an appearance at this year’s event.

Former WWE Performer Dakota Kai (AKA Charlie) Wrestles Return Match Against AEW Star

It was a sight to see this past Sunday, as Charlie (formerly known as WWE star Dakota Kai) made her in-ring return at EVE Wrestle Queendom 8 in London, 10 months after her WWE release.

In her return match, Charlie challenged the current EVE International Champion and former AEW Women’s World Champion, Kris Statlander. Despite earlier leverage on Charlie’s part, “Big Stat Daddy” retained her championship after executing three straight Saturday Night Fever tombstone piledrivers. Even though she was unsuccessful on Sunday, the reception she got from colleagues -former and possibly future – was enough for Charlie to feel like a champion. Some of those thoughtful messages came from former two-time WWE Women’s Champion Bianca Belair stating, “So happy you’re back in the ring! Wrestling needs you! [kissing emoji], and former-two time AEW International Champion and working producer/creative member of EVE, Will Ospreay, agreeing with a question proposed to him on whether Charlie should join the AEW women’s division.

Charlie was one of several stars who was released in May of 2025 from WWE, concluding her second tenure at three years. Her first return came at SummerSlam in 2022, where she joined Bayley and IYO SKY under Damage CTRL. Never a single’s women’s champion, Charlie conquered the women’s tag team championships both on the main roster (twice) and twice in “WWE NXT.” She and Raquel Rodriguez were the first to win the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship five years ago to the day tomorrow (March 10, 2021). As of this report, Charlie hasn’t signed with any other major company outside of WWE yet.

WWE’s Stephanie Vaquer Promises To ‘Keep Fighting’ On International Women’s Day

Between reigns as NXT Women’s North American Champion, NXT Women’s Champion and her current run as WWE Women’s World Champion on “Raw,” Stephanie Vaquer has made her first year and a half in WWE look pretty easy. But through it all, Vaquer has continued to deal with the fallout of her domestic violence situation with former AAA luchador Cuatrero, who was arrested after Vaquer accused him domestic abuse and attempted femicide back in March 2023.

On her Instagram Story on Sunday, Vaquer posted a lengthy message in both Spanish and English in honor of International Women’s Day, all while referencing recent developments regarding her situation.

“This Women’s Day, a huge hug to all women, especially those who, like me, spoke up and reported despite fear and threats,” Vaquer said. “He is still free, but I am still alive, and I will keep fighting for the truth and justice until the very end.”

Cuatrero has been out of prison for almost a year now after previously spending over a year in jail after being denied parole. Initially inactive, Cuatrero resumed his lucha libre career this past Friday, wrestling at an independent show Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico. This has led some to speculation that the case against Cuatrero has ended in his favor, though there has been no confirmation that is the case.

Meanwhile, Vaquer has one of the biggest matches of her career on the horizon, as she’ll defend the WWE Women’s World Championship against Liv Morgan at WrestleMania 42 next month. It will be Vaquer’s first ever WrestleMania appearance, having made her main roster debut one night after WrestleMania 41 one year ago.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at_ their website_.

AEW Launches Global FAST Channel With New MyAEW Streaming Platform

All Elite Wrestling has officially stepped into the FAST streaming space, launching its own ad supported channel through a new partnership with streaming technology company Kiswe.

After more than six years in operation, AEW has unveiled MyAEW, a new platform designed to provide fans with additional ways to watch the company’s content globally. The service is available at MyAEW and will feature both live and on demand programming along with a dedicated FAST channel.

FAST stands for free ad supported streaming television, a format that has rapidly grown in popularity across the streaming landscape.

According to the official announcement, the new platform is intended to give fans “immersive access to live and on-demand events outside the United States and Canada, a dedicated FAST channel with ad supported viewing available to fans globally and more exciting features to come in the near future.”

At launch, the platform is already offering early content from AEW Dynamite, with episodes from the promotion’s inaugural year currently streaming in chronological order. The site also features links to official merchandise and teases additional projects including the upcoming AEW Podcast Network.

The company also suggested that the platform will continue to evolve.

“….this partnership marks the beginning of a long-term evolution for MyAEW, with continued advancements and developments over the next year.”

While the FAST channel itself is free to watch, the announcement hinted that certain programming could eventually carry a paid component. The release noted that Kiswe’s technology supports “a variety of live and on-demand content, with flexible, region-specific pricing.”

That language has sparked speculation about whether the service could eventually become an alternative distribution platform for AEW pay-per-views, particularly internationally. Currently, many fans outside the United States access AEW events through TrillerTV, which has faced widely reported financial difficulties.

It also remains to be seen whether AEW’s FAST channel will expand beyond its own platform to established FAST distributors such as Pluto TV, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Samsung TV Plus, or Xumo Play.

Parent company Warner Bros. Discovery has already launched several FAST channels across those platforms, though AEW programming has not yet appeared there.

Interestingly, the FAST landscape is already seeing activity from other wrestling promotions. Earlier this year, The CW Network rolled out a FAST channel built around WWE NXT programming. Meanwhile both TNA Wrestling and National Wrestling Alliance have established presences across multiple FAST providers including Pluto TV.

For now, MyAEW appears to be the first step in a broader streaming strategy that could expand significantly over the next year.

Will Ospreay Wants Former WWE Star To Join AEW

Will Ospreay Wants Former WWE Star To Join AEW

Will Ospreay has voiced support for a former WWE star potentially joining AEW after her recent return to the ring. The wrestler formerly known as Dakota Kai competed for the first time since her WWE release in May 2025 when she appeared at the March 8 Pro Wrestling EVE Wrestle Queendom VIII event. Now performing under the name Charlie, the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion made a successful comeback, with Ospreay reportedly helping facilitate the appearance behind the scenes.

Following the match, a fan asked Ospreay on Twitter if people would be “very happy and like to see” Charlie appear in AEW. The top AEW star kept his answer simple, responding with a single word: “Yes.” His endorsement has quickly fueled speculation that Tony Khan could consider bringing the experienced free agent into the company to strengthen the women’s roster.

Charlie spent several years in WWE across two runs, with her most recent stint lasting three years before ending in May 2025. During that time she was a key member of Damage CTRL alongside IYO SKY and enjoyed success in the tag team ranks, capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships twice. She also holds the distinction of being one half of the inaugural NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, adding to an already decorated career in the company.

Her last WWE match took place in March 2025 shortly before her release. After stepping away from the ring for nearly a year, Charlie focused on recovery and preparing for her next chapter in professional wrestling. Her return match at Wrestle Queendom VIII marked her first step back into active competition and showed she is ready to resume performing at a high level.

If she were to join AEW, Charlie would arrive at a time when the promotion’s women’s division continues to expand. The company recently introduced the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships, although the division has been adjusting due to Penelope Ford’s injury. A veteran performer with international experience could add depth and credibility to the roster across Dynamite and Collision.