Browsing: Hall

By Ella Jay

Oct. 19, 2025 1:41 pm EST

TNA

Last weekend, TNA Wrestling honored three Knockouts with Hall of Fame inductions, two of whom were Angelina Love and Velvet Sky of The Beautiful People. During a recent interview with “Velvet Ropes,” Sky opened up about the dreamlike feeling of accepting her respective place as a part of the 2025 TNA Hall of Fame class.

“It’s so surreal to me,” she said. “It’s very humbling. I mean, you get into wrestling hoping to get your name out there, hoping to be noticed by one of the major TV companies. It’s like that was good enough for me, just making it to TNA, being recognized and doing what I did with Angelina’s Beautiful People. Then taking it a step further and having this honor be like the highest honor of one’s career and getting inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame and having our legacy forever be cemented in TNA history is like what is this life? It’s amazing and I’m just so humbled and so grateful.”

With the additions of Lacey Von Erich, Madison Rayne, and Billy Gunn, The Beautiful People dominated the late 2000s and early 2010s in TNA Wrestling. Together, the group enjoyed one reign as Knockouts Tag Team Champions. Individually, Love earned six reigns as Knockouts Champion, while Sky held the title for two runs.

Per Love and Sky’s request, TNA executive Tommy Dreamer inducted them into the Hall of Fame during the ceremony, held right before the Bound For Glory pay-per-view on October 12. In the case of Mickie James, her own HOF induction was preceded by an emotional speech from Lisa Marie Varon, known to TNA fans as Tara.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Velvet Ropes” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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The 21-year-old Tigers shortstop posted a .991 OPS across three levels this season, coming back from injury to log 101 hits in 88 games and walk 13 more times than he struck out. Along the way, he found his power stroke and upped his home run total from five a year ago to 19 against more advanced pitching—something that helped him climb all the way up to becoming Baseball America’s No. 2 overall prospect.

It was, by just about any measure, a season to remember for one of the game’s best prospects.

But as he reflected on the past season during his stint in the Arizona Fall League, McGonigle made one thing clear: Thereâ€s still work to be done.

“I struggled with defense this year,†McGonigle said. “Thatâ€s why Iâ€m here. Iâ€m really trying to lock in on that. I struggled with throwing, range—even just routine ground balls, sometimes I have hiccups on. Iâ€m trying to find the right foot patterns to approach different ground balls and just make every single play thatâ€s hit at me.â€

That kind of self-awareness and work ethic has defined McGonigle since his amateur days. It’s part of what the Tigers valued when they selected him 37th overall in 2023.

A polished, lefthanded bat with a mature approach at the plate, McGonigleâ€s offensive reputation preceded him long before he entered pro ball. He consistently barrels pitches, shows plate discipline beyond his years and has proven he can handle advanced pitching at every stop so far.

But while the bat has translated seamlessly, McGonigle’s defensive development is still an area requiring improvement. Though his arm strength is considered an above-average tool, his lateral quickness and overall consistency in the field remain a work in progress. The Tigers have recognized it—and so has McGonigle.

“This is the biggest offseason for me,” he said.

And so, Detroit challenged McGonigle with an unfamiliar assignment this fall: more reps at third base. It’s a position heâ€s played in-game just once—way back during the clubâ€s Spring Breakout exhibition in March.

Helping to guide that transition is a name synonymous with Tigers defensive excellence in Hall of Famer Alan Trammell. The legendary shortstop has worked closely with McGonigle throughout his career, serving as both mentor and infield coordinator.

“He was all in,†Trammell said of McGonigle’s new defensive assignment. “Heâ€s one of the top prospects. He could say ‘Why? Whatâ€s wrong with me playing shortstop?’ But thatâ€s not who he is. Heâ€s open to anything to help the organization win. That tells you a lot about Kevin McGonigle.â€

So far, McGonigle has soaked up every bit of insight he can from his sessions with Trammell, treating each one like a masterclass in infield play. Throughout the season, heâ€s focused on refining the small but crucial details—the kinds of things that separate solid defenders from great ones.Â

Heâ€s learned techniques like how to handle deep throws from the backhand side—if you’re going to miss, aim for the grass to give the first baseman a long, manageable hop—and he’s worked on setting his base properly, learning to generate power from his legs instead of relying solely on his arm so that his throws carry more velocity and stay on target.

“Heâ€s a sponge,†Trammell said. “Since the day he signed, heâ€s been really engaged. Thatâ€s one of the key attributes I always look for in young players. Heâ€s already a pretty darn good defensive player, but thereâ€s always room for improvement, and he knows that. He wants to be great.â€

They’re subtle adjustments, but McGonigle knows they can make all the difference over the course of a season—and a career.

“Being surrounded by people like Alan Trammell has helped a lot,†McGonigle said. “Heâ€s helped me so much through my first years of pro ball. Sitting down and listening to guys like him will help you further your career. I try to hone in on the little things they teach, and thatâ€s whatâ€s gotten me better since the day I was first drafted.â€

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AJ Styles has stated numerous times that he plans to retire in 2026, and one WWE Hall of Famer agrees that itâ€s time The Phenomenal One calls it a career.

On the latest episode of The Hall of Fame Podcast, NXT commentator Booker T spoke about the upcoming retirement of AJ Styles in 2026, stating he believes itâ€s time for the former WWE Champion to wrap it up and call it a career.

“Okay, you know what? Itâ€s time to wrap it up. It is. Itâ€s time,†Booker T said. “For me, I said 40 was going to be my number. And just like AJ, I probably got to 40 and said, ‘Man, Iâ€m still better than all these suckersâ€â€¦ and I pushed it for five more years. For him to have lasted this long, props. Itâ€s time to wrap it up, man, and live on the fruits of the labor. Seriously, he doesnâ€t have to do anything ever again.

Despite his impending retirement, Booker T believes Styles will remain in the wrestling industry because he has a great mind and a lot to offer to the business.

One thing about AJ Styles, too, heâ€s one of those carpenters that weâ€re going to need in this business for many, many years. So when he retires, heâ€s still going to have a job doing something in this business, I would imagine, just because heâ€s one of those great minds that this business definitely can utilize.†[H/T: WrestlingNews.co]

READ MORE: Booker T Weighs In On If The Hardys Or Dudleys Are The Greatest Team Of Their Era

What do you make of Booker Tâ€s overall comments? Do you think itâ€s time for AJ Styles to retire from wrestling? Let us know your overall thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.

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John Cena’s retirement match caused major plans to be changed by a WWE Hall of Famer.

Last year, John Cena confirmed that 2025 will mark the final year he will compete in WWE as a superstar before officially retiring in December. Throughout his Farewell Tour, he faced the likes of AJ Styles, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and more. After Crown Jewel last weekend, he only has four appearances left before his retirement match.

Last month, WWE confirmed that John Cena’s last match will occur on December 13, at Saturday Night’s Main Event at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Although a final match for The Cenation Leader has already been announced, his final opponent has yet to be revealed.

Throughout his Farewell Tour, John Cena paid tribute to his former rivals by doing their finishers during his matches. Now, it’s one of his former rivals’ turns to honor the 17-time World Champion before he officially hangs up the boots.

Booker T Moves Wrestling Event For John Cena’s WWE Retirement Match

On X (Twitter), Booker T, WWE Hall of Famer and owner of the Reality of Wrestling promotion, announced that he will move the company’s Subzero event to December 20 so that fans can properly support John Cena’s retirement match. The two-time Hall of Famer added that he wanted the wrestling world to come together to watch and honor The Cenation Leader as he wrestles for the final time.

In honor of @JohnCenaâ€s final match taking place December 13th on Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event, we at @TheOfficialROW have made the decision to move our annual winter event, #SubZero, to December 20th. Some moments in this business are bigger than any one show — and this is one of them. We want the entire wrestling world to come together to watch, reflect, and honor the greatest of all time as he takes his final bow. #ThankYouJohn“

In honor of @JohnCenaâ€s final match taking place December 13th on Saturday Nightâ€s Main Event, we at @TheOfficialROW have made the decision to move our annual winter event, #SubZero, to December 20th.

Some moments in this business are bigger than any one show — and this is one… pic.twitter.com/clY9afQm8p

— Booker T. Huffman (@BookerT5x) October 15, 2025

John Cena and Booker T shared the ring several times since 2004, mainly feuding for the United States title. At that year’s No Mercy event, the former defeated the latter in a Best of Five Series match to become the new US Champion.

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WWE’s latest united duo has recalled receiving advice from multiple legends, including The Rock.

Last week, on the October 9th episode of SmackDown in Perth, fans witnessed Aleister Black unite with real-life wife Zelina Vega for the first time on WWE television. In the main event of the show, Black defeated Damian Priest before coming together with Vega.

Recently, appearing in an interview with Robbie and Carly, Vega and Black opened up about their personal and professional life, before recalling some of the great advice and mentorship they received from some of the industry’s legends.

Sharing how The Rock helped Vega come out of a dark phase in her life, the former women’s United States Champion said,

“Every year I had a tryout, and it was always like, youâ€re too small or youâ€re too this, or not enough of this. By the time I had that conversation with him [The Rock], I was like, I think this is it, I think Iâ€m done, Iâ€ve reached my end with this, and heâ€s like, just give me three days, Iâ€m working on something, and thatâ€s when he called me and told me and said, ‘I want you to be my Divas Champion, I donâ€t just see you as a girl who is part of WWE or just a girlfriend, or just a brown girl, youâ€re the girl. So Iâ€d like you to be my Divas Champion.’â€

“So Iâ€m like, what the heck is that. That was the craziest call I ever had. I think when it comes to that, itâ€s cool to look back and feel there was a reason I was on this path.â€

Aleister Black further opened up about receiving advice from The Undertaker, Paul Heyman, and a few other legends.

“Terry Taylor, William Regal, Robbie Brookside, Hunter himself. Undertaker is someone who, he graciously took time to sit me down and talk to me about a bunch of stuff, kind of give me his perspective on certain things. To be honest, there are so many great minds, even like Paul Heyman, obviously Paul was always a big proponent of me and still is and will give me great feedback and Iâ€m very thankful to these gentlemen to be in my corner the way they are.â€

H/t 411mania

WWE Couple Aleister Black And Zelina Vega Open Up About Their Married Life

In the same interview, the couple also shared insights into their married life,

Aleister Black: “I think in order to be successful in any discipline, you have to be completely absorbed in it. And also, our school is attached to our house, our training center is attached to our house, so weâ€re always busy with wrestling. Sure there are other things we do, but for the most part, we are very good at having the wrestling but then also saying, alright, now weâ€re gonna do so and so, has nothing to do with wrestling. We have a normal life outside of being professional wrestlers or working with WWE.â€

Zelina Vega: “Our 10 cats help with that.â€

In other news: Jon Moxley has been hailed as AEW’s locker room leader.

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By Ella Jay

Oct. 12, 2025 1:30 pm EST

Lisa Lake/Getty Images

In the ring, D-Von Dudley utilizes moves such as the Saving Grace, a rope hung neckbreaker, and a 3D as his finishers. Meanwhile, former AEW World Champion Chris Jericho is best known for the Judas Effect, Walls of Jericho, and Codebreaker. In a recent video for his YouTube channel, D-Von detailed his experience taking Jericho’s Codebreaker during their previous stints in WWE.

According to D-Von, this move has delivered results on both ends of the pain spectrum. “I got to say, this particular move, the Codebreaker, can be a little on the scary side,” he said. “Some might beg to differ with me. ‘What’s so scary about it, D-Von? Hell, you’re watching him.’ Yes, I agree, you’re watching him, but think about it. Your face is coming down into his knees. If he goes a little bit before me or if I go a little early, possibly my face could be rearranged in a sense. But at the same token, it could be one of the most easiest ones that you could take.

“It’s also the way that the person who’s taking it, the way he reacts to it, how he sells it. It’s the ones that you think aren’t going to hurt you bad, those are the ones that get you because you’re not putting any effort into protecting yourself really.”Â

Jericho and D-Von have shared the ring on over three-dozen occasions, one of which saw Jericho and Chris Benoit successfully defend the WWE World Tag Team Championships in a four-way TLC match in May 2001. Jericho and D-Von last crossed paths in a 16-man elimination tag match on “WWE Raw” in 2016. Like Rey Mysterio, D-Von considers Jericho to be a true professional in the ring, especially when it comes to protecting their opponents.Â

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit D-Von Dudley with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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Mickie James will be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame at Bound for Glory on October 12. Many people feel this was long overdue and now her husband, Nick Aldis has honored James and explained why she deserves the induction.

Nick Aldis took to Twitter and shared a heartfelt message to honor his wife, Mickie James, before her TNA Hall of Fame induction, praising her amazing career and impact on wrestling.

Aldis said Mickie went through many challenges and unfair treatment in her career but never complained or played politics. Instead, she kept working hard, learning and improving herself every step of the way.

“Tonight, TNA recognizes Mickie James for her extraordinary contributions to TNA and to Professional Wrestling by way of her induction into the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Key word: CONTRIBUTIONS.

This woman has endured hardships, setbacks and unfair treatment at different times in her career that would have put a lot of people in therapy for the rest of their life, but she didnâ€t complain, she didnâ€t bitch and she didnâ€t play politics. She laced â€em up tight and kept moving forward.â€

Aldis called her a true professional who earned respect through hard work and dedication. He said people who talk about the growth of womenâ€s wrestling should always remember women like Mickie, who helped build it with their skill, pride and passion.

Aldis also mentioned her incredible achievements, including being a five-time WWE Womenâ€s Champion, Divas Champion, and five-time TNA Knockouts Champion, making her the only woman to ever hold all those titles. He said she has made every woman she wrestled with better.

“Moved on to another territory. Learned a new hold. Reinvented herself.

Because sheâ€s a PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER first. Trained correctly, dues paid in full. Treated no different than the boys, because she is “one of the boysâ€.

When you talk about “evolving†womenâ€s wrestling, or if youâ€re a woman kicking ass and making a ton of money today, just remember to put some respect on the names of the women who actually laid the groundwork and showed the proof of concept; women who stood ten toes down and took pride in their craft first; their work in the ring, their promos, their gimmick. Their beauty and femininity were a part of the package, not the whole act. Mickie James is absolutely one of those women.

When you get in this business, the veterans teach you to leave the business better than you found it. In the case of Mickie James, mission accomplished. 5 x WWE Womenâ€s Champion, Divas Champion, 5 x TNA Knockouts Champion. The only woman in history to hold all those championships. And most importantly, has made every woman sheâ€s been in the ring with better. Thatâ€s what it means to be great.â€

Aldis finished by saying Mickie James deserves every Hall of Fame honor she gets and stated that she bar got raised when she came along. He added that she is also very attractive.

“The bar got raised when she came along. Maybe Iâ€m biased. Or maybe Iâ€m just right. Sheâ€s a no-brainer for every Hall of Fame. Sheâ€s also fine af. Back woods or up town 😘 #HardcoreCountryâ€.

Mickie James†induction into the TNA Hall of Fame is more than just a personal achievement. It celebrates her incredible career and the way she helped raise the standard for womenâ€s wrestling across many generations and companies. So itâ€s definitely a no-brainer for her to be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame and fans are happy for her.

What do you think of Nick Aldis†touching tribute to Mickie James? Do you agree that sheâ€s one of the most influential women in wrestling history? Share your thoughts and congratulations for Mickie below!

October 12, 2025 11:07 am

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In assessing Jade Cargill’s recent performance and injury in a triple threat main event on “WWE SmackDown,” WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently asserted that she needed to better protect herself. He also stated that Cargill is still “fresh off” her run in All Elite Wrestling, where likely she wasn’t given a chance to learn about professional wrestling in depth. A report from Fightful Select later indicated that talents within WWE, AEW, and TNA were “baffled” by the latter remark –something Booker himself has since addressed on the “The Hall of Fame” podcast.

“I want to know who those baffled WWE, TNA and AEW wrestlers are,” Booker said. “I’m willing to talk and challenge and debate with any of those guys. I don’t look at myself above or below any of the guys that’s in the business today, guys in the past or future, none of that. I’m serious. I feel like we’re all on the same level. My thing is I respect the young guys. Say, for instance, a company like AEW, and I don’t see anybody over there that’s working in the main event, that’s been in the business two years or three years. The Young Bucks, those guys got time in. The Kenny Omegas, Edge, Christian, most of the guys over there on that roster got years of experience in this business. So when someone questions me, I’m going to look for your credentials first and foremost.

“I understand when someone who comments who’s never been in the business and they can look at two years in the business and think that’s a really, really long time. But one of my peers that’s been in the business, I think they know what two years is.”Â

In September 2023, Cargill left AEW after a 500-plus day reign as TBS Champion and making her professional wrestling debut in the company 2.5 years earlier. Later in the same month, WWE confirmed that Cargill had inked a deal with it, leading to her WWE in-ring debut at the 2024 Royal Rumble.

Booker Says He Knew ‘Very Little’ In First Two Years Of His Own Career

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Two years out from signing with WWE, Cargill is now a two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion and a top star on the “WWE SmackDown” brand. She’s also competed in two WrestleManias, earning wins in both appearances. Still, in the grand scheme of things, Booker believes Cargill remains a work in progress.

Based on his prior in-ring experiences, Booker argues that two years is not a long time in the wrestling industry, hence his previous remark about Cargill still being “fresh” out of AEW. “I know at two years in the business what I knew, which was very, very little,” he said

Early in his career, Booker recalled wrestling in-ring veteran Dusty Wolfe, who had several years of television experience under his belt. Though Wolfe had actually rarely emerged victorious in his own matches on television, Booker found Wolfe’s insight valuable, so much so that he personally asked Wolfe to guide him through their forthcoming bout, which Booker was slated to win.

“I learned so much in that match listening to Dusty Wolfe,” Booker said. “I appreciate Dusty Wolfe. Wherever you are out there, Dusty, I appreciate the knowledge that you gave me to actually hopefully give to some other young guy one day, which I know I did. That’s what being in the business is at that stage. If you ain’t got your ears open learning from someone like a Dusty Wolfe, you’re going to be swimming upstream. I can almost guarantee you that in Jade’s first two years, she didn’t work with anyone like Dusty Wolfe.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “The Hall of Fame” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman has issued a response to a post from former WWE talent Braun Strowman where Strowman called him “Oswald Cobblepot.”

Strowman’s post on Monday came in response to a line from a Heyman promo on Monday’s Raw where Heyman said that no one but The Vision had ever forced Roman Reigns to do a stretcher job before.

Strowman posted an image of an angle where Reigns was stretchered out at the hands of Strowman, then Strowman tipped the stretcher over:

Strowman wrote: yea ok Oswald Cobblepot!!

Oswald Cobblepot is the name of The Penguin character in Batman lore and the HBO Max show The Penguin.

Heyman responded in an Instagram story on Wednesday writing:

Dear Mr. Strowman,

Your post was brought to my attention. I have nothing negative to say about you, nor to you sir.

In fact, I am actually relieved and indeed celebratory to learn you’re still alive, something most of us didn’t realize and even fewer cared about.

With Love and Respect,

Paul Heyman

The root of the social media beef between Heyman and Strowman may stem from the post-WrestleMania 41 edition of The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN where Heyman relayed a story that Strowman had approached him crying because he was not part of the WrestleMania card, with Heyman saying that he told Strowman “that he sucks” and that’s why he was left off the show.

“Literally Braun Strowman goes up to crying that heâ€s not on WrestleMania and I tell him straight to his face, heâ€s not on WrestleMania because he sucks, did he get mad at me? Nope heâ€s rolling with the punches.â€

— Paul Heyman pic.twitter.com/1h3P3XeQDy

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) April 21, 2025

Strowman’s WWE contract expired this past July as the company elected not to renew his deal, ending his second tenure with the company.

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The Beautiful Peopleâ€s inductor has been revealed.

In an interview with Gabby LaSpisa, Tommy Dreamer revealed that he would be the one inducting Angelina Love and Velvet Sky this weekend at Bound for Glory in Lowell, MA.

“They asked me. It was a big honor, so there you go,†Dreamer said.

It was also announced LaSpisa would be the host of the ceremony, which will be held prior to Bound for Glory. Earlier on Monday it was revealed that Tara, aka Victoria in WWE, would be inducting Mickie James.

The Beautiful People were a major part of the Knockouts division in TNA throughout the 2010s, mainly consisting of Love and Sky but also featured Madison Rayne and Lacey Von Erich at one point. Together, Love & Sky held the Knockouts Tag Team titles twice, while Love held the Knockouts title 4 times.

Hereâ€s a look at every TNA Hall of Fame inductee since the honor was established in 2012:

• 2012: Sting
• 2013: Kurt Angle
• 2014: Team 3D (Bully Ray & D-Von)
• 2015: Jeff Jarrett, Earl Hebner
• 2016: Gail Kim
• 2018: Abyss
• 2020: Ken Shamrock
• 2021: Awesome Kong
• 2022: Raven
• 2023: Mike Tenay & Don West, Traci Brooks
• 2024: Rhino, Bob Ryder
• 2025: Mickie James, The Beautiful People (Angelina Love & Velvet Sky)

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