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Boxing/MMA

Roundup: Multiple stars released ahead of Sunday Night’s Main Event, Frustration within WWE, The Undertaker at WrestleMania 43?

StaffBy No Comments5 Mins Read

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#5. Frustration within WWE – Report

On 30 August 2026, AAA hosted Ola de Calor, followed by NXT Heatwave 2026. The two events lasted over six hours back-to-back in the same venue in Edinburg, Texas. While both received praise from the audience, there was backstage frustration regarding the event in Texas.

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), the audience was loud throughout the AAA event; almost one-third of the crowd left before NXT Heatwave. Moreover, several NXT talents were frustrated about going out to perform for a show where the audience had already been in attendance for 4-5 hours.

Furthermore, there was an internal scheduling problem. Hopefully, the company will keep events from two different brands separate to create a more seamless flow.

#4. Official card for WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event 2026

Sunday Night’s Main Event is set to take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The card is slated to feature four matches and one performance by Quavo. The matches primarily feature SmackDown superstars, but The Vision’s Bron Breakker and Oba Femi are also on the card in a singles match.

Official card for Sunday Night’s Main Event 2026:

  1. The Vision’s Bron Breakker vs. Oba Femi in a singles match
  2. Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton in a singles match
  3. Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley vs. Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab in a six-woman tag team match
  4. Baron Corbin vs. Lil Yachty in a singles match with a 5-minute time limit

Yachty doesn’t need to pin or submit Corbin to win the match, as he only needs to survive in the ring. If he does, Trick Williams will get another shot at the United States Championship in the coming weeks.

#3. Popular name picks The Undertaker as dream WWE opponent for WrestleMania 43

The Undertaker hasn’t competed since 2020, but The Deadman isn’t afraid to size up superstars or hit a chokeslam once in a while. In July 2025, then-TNA World Champion Trick Williams met The Phenom and took a chokeslam in the middle of the ring.

Speaking to Casino Guru, Omos was asked to pick a superstar to face him at WrestleMania 43, and the host mentioned it could be a retired superstar as well. The Nigerian Giant picked The Undertaker, as it’s been his dream to face The Phenom at the company’s biggest event of the year.

Omos is currently working in AAA as part of El Ojo, and The Deadman is creatively contributing to the brand behind the scenes. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for The Nigerian Giant.

#2. CM Punk set to defend his title next week on WWE SmackDown

In July 2026, CM Punk returned from his hiatus and defeated Sami Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Championship. While The Second City Saint moved on to new challengers on Friday Night SmackDown, Zayn wants justice and has become a roadblock in every potential challenger’s path.

Last week on Friday Night SmackDown, Sami Zayn interrupted a number one contender’s match between Kevin Owens, Gunther, and Finn Balor. On the recent edition, Zayn caused a distraction during a title match between CM Punk and Johnny Gargano, allowing Punk to retain the title.

After the match, CM Punk had enough of Sami Zayn and granted him a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship on SmackDown in Mexico City. It’ll be interesting to see if Zayn can prove everyone wrong, as he previously did when he won the title at Night of Champions.

#1. Multiple WWE stars released during SmackDown

WWE is known to release superstars from the company right after WrestleMania. Earlier this year, over 20 superstars were released from the promotion following WrestleMania 42, including former champions and popular tag teams. Moreover, superstars have left WWE when asked to take a pay cut, such as The New Day.

Shortly before and during SmackDown, Fightful Select reported that superstars from the developmental brands were being released. By the end of the night, ten superstars were released from the promotion, and no reason for their release was mentioned.

  1. Wendy Choo
  2. Adriana Rizzo
  3. Zena Sterling
  4. Anya Rune
  5. Braxton Cole
  6. Jasper Troy
  7. PJ Vasa
  8. Gary Wilson
  9. Ellen Akesson
  10. Marcus Brown

Some of these names were regulars on NXT or Evolve. As of this writing, no one from WWE’s main roster was let go, and the releases were primarily from the developmental brands such as NXT and Evolve.