TNA plans major surprise debut for Slammiversary, WWE events in flux

Cageside Seats3 min read • Latest: Jun 23, 2026, 5:00 AM

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

TNA plans major surprise debut for Slammiversary, WWE events in flux
Summary

TNA announces a significant surprise for its upcoming Slammiversary event, with a former WWE multi-time singles champion set to debut. Amazing Red is also making a return at the show. Meanwhile, discussions surrounding changes in WWE’s SmackDown tag team division suggest growing frustrations among some wrestlers. Plans for the women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament have been altered due to multiple injuries, including that of Willow Nightingale. Deonna Purrazzo reportedly injured herself during a recent match and needed assistance backstage.

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Status Watch
  • TNA announces a former WWE champion will debut at Slammiversary.
  • Amazing Red returns for TNA's Slammiversary event.
  • Damian Priest and R-Truth face frustrations in the SmackDown tag title scene.
  • Toni Storm's exit altered plans for the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.
  • Deonna Purrazzo reportedly suffered an injury during a match.
Latest Updates
  • 5:00 AMCageside SeatsRumor Roundup (June 23, 2026): TNA surprises, AEW plans, WWE frustrations, more!
What they're saying
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The rumor mill never stops churning, and we are here to keep on burning. Let’s do that. Lead rumor: TNA surprises TNA recently revealed that the promotion cooked up a big return for Slammiversary with Amazing Red making his way back for the big show. Now, word is they have a potentially much bigger surprise planned for that night. Indeed, PW Insider says “TNA will be debuting a former WWE talent” at the show. It’s not known exactly who but the word is it’s a former “multi-time singles champion.” They are sure to say that this could extend to any singles title in history, so it’s not necessarily saying a ton there, but there will be a former champion in WWE making his debut. That alone would rule out quite a few wrestlers, considering all who worked for TNA at one time or another. In another update to TNA, Insider also says Vice President of TV Production Eric Tompkins will be working hand-in-hand with Delirious on creative. There’s also been talk of others coming in but so far nothing is officially in place in that regard. One name that is possible is Road Dogg, who they say is “expected” to be at the show, even though TNA is trying to keep it quiet. Other rumors floating around On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer revealed the original plan for the women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament was for Toni Storm to win the whole thing before challenging Thekla for the title at Wembley Stadium. That all changed when Storm suddenly departed the promotion. The plan shifted to Willow Nightingale at that point, but she injured her shoulder and had to withdraw because of it. Mercedes Mone was a fill in for Nightingale, and it’s unclear what previous plans for her may have been. WRKD Wrestling claims that while Damian Priest and R-Truth are “beloved” backstage, “there is a growing frustration over a lack of variety and competitiveness among the SmackDown tag title scene.” According to Cory Hays, Rey Fenix is looking at a run with the AAA World Cruiserweight championship similar to the run Penta has had with the Intercontinental title. There’s word going around from the Ring of Honor tapings, via Jacob Cohen, that Deonna Purrazzo suffered an injury in her match and she had to be helped to the back. False Finish says WWE/AAA is “actively working to get Perros as the theme song for Perros del Mal but nothing is close to being finalized as of right now.” Get in on this, y’all.

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