Pro Wrestling Rumours: The Hardys Expiring TNA Deals, Backstage Reaction To John Cena Vs. AJ Styles

Following on from WWE’s Crown Jewel premium live event in Perth, Australia yesterday, the rumour mill across the likes of WWE, TNA and beyond continues. When it comes to the aftermath of the show, there is news on WWE’s response to the John Cena vs. AJ Styles match, in addition to expiring contract news for champions in TNA.

The Hardy Boyz TNA Deals Expiring Next Month

The Hardy Boyz are the reigning TNA World Tag Team Champions and now also the NXT Tag Team Champions. However, they may not be TNA wrestlers for much longer as Fightful Select has learned that unless an agreement has been made quietly, the TNA contracts of Matt & Jeff Hardy are expiring next month. 

This comes after news of TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions The IInspiration also having expiring deals, though like The IInspiration, the expectation in TNA is that they will retain The Hardys. It is noted that when the brothers re-signed in 2024, it was on one year deals. When it comes to the backstage opinion on their run, things are very positive, especially since it is stated in this report that the pair often stay for hours after shows to fulfil commitments, meet & greets, etc. 

Backstage Reaction To John Cena Vs. AJ Styles

One of the highlights of Crown Jewel 2025 was the showdown between John Cena and AJ Styles, during which they paid homage to a sea of wrestlers with finisher tribute after finisher tribute, spamming buttons in what felt like a video game match. The audience went wild for the match, and the reaction from those backstage was similar.

According to Fightful Select, when AJ Styles and John Cena came back through the curtain they were greeted with a round of applause and standing ovations from those watching in the back. This sort of response is often only saved for the matches that deliver a lot of quality. 

Reason Behind WWE’s Latest Releases

Over the last couple of days, news began trickling out of exit after exit from WWE’s developmental system, both from the NXT roster and those working on the likes of Evolve and in the WWE ID program. Among the names released included Wes Lee, Stevie Turner, BJ Ray, Lance Anoa’i, and more. 

When it comes to the reasoning behind this latest sea of releases, Fightful Select has revealed that they are not budget-related, and instead because of WWE’s new approach to the developmental system. It is said that this is part of the process of cycling out developmental talent who are not deemed to have improved enough in order to then bring in more talent to replace them, with WWE still in active recruitment of talent. 

Released NXT Wrestler Says She Can’t Believe She’s “Gonna Get To Wrestle Again”

Stevie Turner was one of many NXT releases over the last couple of days. During her spell within WWE, which started in 2021 when she initially joined the NXT UK roster, she has mostly been kept out of the ring. In recent times, she was at first made assistant to NXT General Manager Ava before being sent over to Evolve to act as the authority figure for that brand. 

Taking to social media following her departure, Turner has expressed her excitement for actually wrestling again, rather than being a General Manager. 

“Can’t believe I’m gonna get to wrestle again.”

This suggests that the decision to keep Turner out of the ring wasn’t necessarily her decision nor wish. Turner hasn’t wrestled since an NXT Live Event in February. Prior to joining WWE, Turner wrestled across the globe in the likes of STARDOM, RevPro, and more.