After AJ Styles called Arik Cannon a &#8220;jealous douche&#8221; for targeting his son, Avery Styles, in the &#8220;pay your dues&#8221; controversy, a fan tweeted:
&#8220;I mean I get that every parent wouldn’t want their child to go through what they had to go through, traveling around the country to wrestle for a hot dog and a handshake, but didn’t ROH make you set up and take down the ring? Isn’t that part of the &#8216;dues&#8217; nattie was talking about?&#8221;
AJ replied:
&#8220;You know it&#8217;s funny, as I was talking to Gabe Sapolsky literally tonight. He talked about the ring crew that ROH used. That&#8217;s why we never had to set up or break down the ring. Not even the chairs. Wanna guess the crew that GCW hired to do that?&#8221;
Arik posted a photo of Cody Rhodes cleaning the ring on the indy scene:
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<a href="https://t.co/UcjzaA45II">pic.twitter.com/UcjzaA45II</a>
&mdash; Arik Cannon (@arikcannon) <a href="https://x.com/arikcannon/status/2086899293533655474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Cody replied:
&#8220;Arik my friend no shade intended, but my outlook…
Avery is 19. His Father was paying dues and making sacrifices throughout that young man’s youth that some people may never understand. When you’re the family holding down the fort.
To simplify…he already set up the fn’ chairs&#8221;
WWE Speed Champion Lexis King posted a photo with fellow second-generation wrestlers in NXT and wrote:
&#8220;We already setup the f’n chairs…&#8221;
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We already setup the f’n chairs… <a href="https://t.co/J1DzR0MgXc">pic.twitter.com/J1DzR0MgXc</a>
&mdash; King (@LexisKingWWE) <a href="https://x.com/LexisKingWWE/status/2087363372916318585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Cody Rhodes & More WWE Wrestlers Comments On The Avery Styles “Pay Your Dues” Controversy

Zilla Fatu (Umaga&#8217;s son) made his WWE debut on tonight&#8217;s NXT.
He interrupted the No.1 contender&#8217;s match between Grayson Waller and Cruz Montana, and attacked both men. Zilla looked at NXT Champion Tony D&#8217;Angelo and said &#8220;I need that.&#8221;
Grayson tweeted the following about Zilla&#8217;s debut:
&#8220;Just what WWE needs, another overrated Uce&#8221;

Grayson Waller Is Not Happy After Zilla Fatu’s WWE Debut

&#8211; WWE Speed Championship Match: Lexis King (c) vs. Lucien Price
&#8211; NXT North American Champion &amp; NXT Tag Team Champion Myles Borne vs. Jackson Drake
(If Jackson wins, Vanity Project will secure title matches at Heatwave)
&#8211; No.1 Contender&#8217;s Match For The AAA Cruiserweight Championship: EK Prosper vs. LA Parka vs. Romeo Moreno vs. Tristan Angels
&#8211; NXT Women&#8217;s Champion Kendal Grey and WWE Women&#8217;s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair vs. Kelani Jordan and Kali Armstrong
&#8211; Nattie vs. Thea Hail

Card For Next Week’s NXT (August 18)

Tonight&#8217;s NXT took place at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Below are the results:
&#8211; Lizzy Rain and EK Prosper def. Izzi Dame and Niko Vance
Shawn Spears was nowhere to be found, so EK Prosper replaced him in the match.
&#8211; Kendal Grey (c) vs. Kelani Jordan for the NXT Women&#8217;s Championship will take place at Heatwave.
&#8211; Keanu Carver was upset that Grayson Waller and Cruz Montana are getting a No.1 Contender&#8217;s Match over him when they haven&#8217;t done anything.
&#8211; Dion Lennox def. Saquon Shugars
After the match, DarkState attacked Saquon and laid him out with a powerbomb.
&#8211; NXT Women&#8217;s North American Championship Match: Zaria (c) def. WWE Women&#8217;s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair to retain the title
&#8211; Kam Hendrix def. Mason Rook
&#8211; Lucien Price def. WWE Speed Champion Lexis King
&#8211; Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair in a Title Unification Match will take place at Heatwave. The NXT Women&#8217;s North American Title and the WWE Women&#8217;s Speed Title are being unified.
&#8211; No.1 Contender&#8217;s Match For The NXT Championship: Grayson Waller vs. Cruz Montana ended in a No Contest after Zilla Fatu (Umaga&#8217;s son) made his WWE debut and attacked both men
Zilla looked at NXT Champion Tony D&#8217;Angelo and said &#8220;I need that.&#8221;
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ZILLA FATU!!! 😱😱😱
OH MY GOD!!! <a href="https://t.co/sA1VuOuYXO">pic.twitter.com/sA1VuOuYXO</a>
&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://x.com/WWE/status/2087358896683766122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
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NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN 🚨
Zilla Fatu with a REALITY CHECK for <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/WWENXT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWENXT</a>! <a href="https://t.co/hyxFiQAZZw">pic.twitter.com/hyxFiQAZZw</a>
&mdash; WWE NXT (@WWENXT) <a href="https://x.com/WWENXT/status/2087363739972772124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote>
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NXT Results – Zilla Fatu Debuts, Title Unification Set

According to Self Made Pro on Self Made Sessions, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have creative plans in mind that go beyond their familiar New Day presentation if they eventually join AEW.
While initial speculation suggests AEW could lean into nostalgia upon their debut, the long-term plan reportedly involves a complete reinvention.
Sources indicate that Kingston and Woods have several conceptual ideas and alternative presentations that they were unable to put on television during their run in WWE. These reportedly include concepts they wanted to explore following their previous heel turn, as well as specific talent they already have in mind to work with.
AEW has previously held internal creative discussions regarding how to utilize the former WWE stars once they arrive. However, specific details regarding their new presentation or a concrete debut timeline remain undisclosed.

Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston Reportedly Planning Creative Reinvention For AEW Run

WWE is reportedly planning to reunite The Lucha Brothers once their current singles runs come to an end. According to a backstage report from Self Made Pro on Self Made Sessions, a tag team reunion for Penta and Rey Fenix is expected following the conclusion of the ongoing AAA tournament.
The tournament features both brothers competing for a future opportunity against Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship on the September 14 episode of Monday Night RAW in Mexico City. Penta advanced in the tournament by defeating Laredo Kid on RAW, while Fenix is also participating.
While the exact booking path remains speculative, the report indicates that a backstage expectation exists for the brothers to join forces again after the tournament concludes. This aligns with recent comments from both wrestlers, who have repeatedly expressed confidence that they will eventually reform their tag team after pursuing individual success.
Penta previously stated to the Dallas Morning News that he knows in his heart a reunion will happen, and both competitors have continued to tease coming back together since transitioning to WWE.

Update On Lucha Brothers Reunion In WWE

Former WWE and ECW diva Dawn Marie has launched an official OnlyFans account. The page, which debuted on August 11, promises exclusive content and direct interaction with subscribers through private messages.
Dawn Marie established clear boundaries for her account immediately, stating she will not post explicit material. She noted that subscribers can expect &#8220;sexy shoots and implied nudity&#8221; but clarified that &#8220;no full nudity or overtly sexual/adult content is allowed.&#8221;
She also issued a strict warning against copyright infringement. She stated that legal action will be taken against anyone who copies, shares, or redistributes her paid content.
Outside of this new venture, Dawn Marie currently works as a nurse specializing in dementia care. She also runs a crystal store and works in alternative healing and education.

Cody Rhodes & More WWE Wrestlers Comments On The Avery Styles “Pay Your Dues” Controversy

Grayson Waller Is Not Happy After Zilla Fatu’s WWE Debut

Card For Next Week’s NXT (August 18)

NXT Results – Zilla Fatu Debuts, Title Unification Set

Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston Reportedly Planning Creative Reinvention For AEW Run

Update On Lucha Brothers Reunion In WWE

Dawn Marie Joins OnlyFans