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DEBUNKATHON NEWS UPDATE! A loaded edition. Free preview inside
🕑 Added 2026-01-09 19:09:56 +0000 UTCWelcome to the Fightful Friday DEBUNKATHON
In addition to the debunkathon we have a ton of news!
Thea Hail vs. Blake Monroe
MJF's Diddy promo
Stranger Things
Mustafa Ali
Stephanie Vaquer
WWE/Netflix
Street Profits
Chris Jericho
Bullet Club
Eddie Kingston and Airica Demia speak to Fightful.
Mercedes Martinez
Knockout Bros
Drew Cody!
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The decision to not have the Blake Monroe vs. Thea Hail match on NXT was not a last minute one, and had been in the works for a couple of weeks.
Wrestling Observer Live reported recently that the "Diddy" promo from MJF wasn't known by other talent before it happened. We're told that's true, and there were a number of people not happy about it.
There were efforts to get cast members of Stranger Things to attend WWE Raw, but it didn't end up happening.
Mustafa Ali confirmed that he re-signed with TNA recently. There had been both long term and short-term negotiations.
Adam Pearce's comment on his video promoting Raw had nothing to do with Stranger Things, and there isn't a reference there that would fit that.
The WWE-Netflix deal for the WWE library is primarily archived PLE events. There are still plans to slowly roll out other content on Youtube.
Stephanie Vaquer does have an injury. We're not sure how severe it is, but she's been cleared for contact. It was claimed to be an ankle sprain
We've been asked about the Street Profits a lot of lately. They are not currently on WWE's European tour.
As of Friday there was still no internal memo indicating Chris Jericho had left All Elite Wrestling.
Mercedes Martinez had not been backstage at AEW/ROH in quite some time before her departure, we're told.
As reported by Ibou of Self Made PW, the Knockout Bros did have interest from WWE. NJPW sources did not expect them to leave, even before they announced such. It was definitely a subject of conversation throughout the week leading up to NJPW Wrestle Kingdom among talent.
Although there have been some names like Blake Monroe and Jacy Jayne discussed for call-ups, we aren't expecting those two imminently.
Wrestling Observer reported that Tiffany Stratton has been off WWE TV with an injury. She last wrestled on November 1, dropping her title to Jade Cargill.
Bodyslam has reported there is an internal push for Drew McIntyre to beat Cody Rhodes. We did hear about that push, and even rumors internally that talent were on board. However, we did not hear of a particular direction.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful spoke to Airica Demia at WrestleCade for a new interview.
Airica admitted that she wasn't ready for her NWA debut, but called it a great learning experience. She said that she's never felt better about anything she's done than where she is in her career.
She said that she let Wrestling Open know she'd be available to work a show that weekend, and Open messaged her back for confirmation she would be eligible for the WWE ID match. She says that she got really good feedback and reassuring moments, as well as things to work on.
She said she's learned a lot in the ring from Nixon Newell, Priscilla Kelly, Brittnie Brookes
You can see the full interview at this link.
Eddie Kingston joins IN THE WEEDS!
Opens by discussing the late Jaka and what he meant to his career and the independent scene. Says Jaka always kept things light and grounded.
Says he didn’t pitch to team with Ortiz because they don’t listen to his pitches anway.
Wants to punch Zack Sabre Jr in his face. Asked if there were talks of him ever working with Zack or Nick Aldis (the other two names he mentioned in the famous pre-AEW promo), says not that he knows of, but open to fighting ZSJ at Forbidden Door.
Looks back on teaming with Sting and Jon Moxley, and how excited he was. “It’s Sting. It’s my childhood.”
Asked about Bryan Danielson’s praise for him after the Samoa Joe match, says he told Danielson backstage, ’Why did you do that, dick?” Did admit that it does feel good to hear those things as an ego boost.
Says it doesn’t feel like he goes to work unless he’s able to bust Tony Schiavone’s balls.
Doesn’t take responsibility for running over a kid in TNA because the kid shouldn’t have been out so late. “Bad things happen after 11.”
Opens up about his mental health and how he’s gotten help and has a strong support system around him. Explains what he does to take care of himself during tough moments.
Is on the side that the New York Knicks should not have hung a banner for winning the NBA Cup. Discusses the kind of sports fan he is and how hard he takes losses.
Reveals what he likes to watch when he’s not wrestling, which is a lot of YouTube videos and not wrestling (old AJPW excluded).
Names some of his favorite South Park episodes.
Admits he bought Madden this year after swearing it off, but gives a good reason as to why.
Tries not to get in trouble at the end of the interview. Tune in to see if he did or not.
DEBUNKATHON
Any list you see online of wrestlers net worths or salaries are likely incorrect. We have compiled a verified list in our resources section
The fake MJF page that blocked Fightful for calling it out as fake has been removed from Facebook. To be clear, MJF has no public facebook, and asked the platform to remove it numerous times.
Wrestling Observer did not report that LA Knight was going to be repackaged.
No, Alberto Del Rio is not in talks to return to WWE. They're not bringing him back.
Needless to say, there were not BIG PLANS for AJ Lee at Raw this week.
Comments
M
MJF was weird as hell not telling anyone about what he was gonna say, it’s giving “I know this is gonna be a joke I get told no to so I’ll tell nobody what I’m gonna say”. His promo this week was way more refreshing and I’d rather have the version of max that relies on just being a good villain character and not having to use internet ragebait tactics and weird kinda racist jokes to get over even if he thinks is the peak of entertainment for whatever reason. Being an MJF fan is literally so tiering lol
Jeff Brown
Eddie is the best!
