Michael Sidgwick

1 day ago | whatculture.com | Michael Sidgwick

AEW's Kenny Omega has expressed his concerns over the future of professional wrestling. In an interview with Adi Shankar, creator of the Devil May Cry series on Netflix, the current AEW International champion amongst various other topics discussed the increased focus on social media influencers. It should be noted in bold, since the tone of these things is so often missed - or wilfully misinterpreted! - that Omega was more philosophical than outright critical.

2 days ago | whatculture.com | Michael Sidgwick

WWE Hall of Famers Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff - after a viral campaign heavily inspired by the New World Order, which ran for all of two videos - have, together with legendary freestyle wrestling coach Israel 'Izzy' Matinez, launched Real American Freestyle Wrestling. This is not competition for WWE nor AEW - if it was, you'd expect certain members of the media to proclaim it as a potential #2 promotion - since the idea is to present unscripted freestyle and folkstyle wrestling.

2 days ago | whatculture.com | Michael Sidgwick

In a familiar story, variations of which you will have read since 2019, WWE is apparently set to counter-programme a major AEW show. Rumours are rife that a sequel to Evolution - one of the last great cult hits under the twilight years of Vince McMahon's creative - is set to happen. This news was broken by PWInsider; reportedly, the event will form a double header alongside the heavily rumoured Saturday Night's Main Event.

3 days ago | whatculture.com | Michael Sidgwick

Mina Shirakawa is expected to join AEW in a full-time capacity very soon. This was reported overnight by Fightful Select. Mina, who barely took a dip in the pro wrestling free agent pool, is "set to appear on AEW programming imminently," wrote the ever-prolific Sean Ross Sapp. Mina made herself a lot of admirers during her excursion in All Elite Wrestling last year. A very marketable talent, Mina's performances in the classic Timeless Toni Storm Vs. Mariah May programme drew rave reviews.

3 days ago | whatculture.com | Michael Sidgwick

WWE fans spotted a potentially intriguing development at Saturday's Premium Live Event. After successfully defending the WWE Undisputed title at Backlash 2025 in a wild, excessive match against Randy Orton, the fans in St. Louis, who may have watched Cena perform live in the ring for the last time, awarded him with chants of "Thank you, Cena" after the PLE broadcast. Cena looked visibly moved by the reaction, which fans on social media platform inferred was a deliberate use of body language.