PWI Weekly for February 16, 2026
How Inspiring: Killer Kross, Mike Santana, Joe Hendry, & More
ALL TOO OFTEN IN wrestling, fans and analysts alike can be guilty of dwelling on negativity. We get caught up in betrayals, politicking, cheating, and sneak attacks … and that’s all just a regular NXT Tuesday night.
We’re kidding, of course. Well … kind of.
We aren’t kidding, though, when we say there is still plenty of good to be found in wrestling. Dare we say it, there is even inspiration! In this edition of the PWI Weekly, we’re offering up some praise to those who have motivated us as of late.
WRESTLER OF THE WEEK
In an industry where athletes are too often deemed “surplus to requirements” by the large companies that employ them, Killer Kross recently authored quite the redemption story. At MLW Battle Riot VIII, Kross defied the odds by entering the titular match at #1 and outlasting 39 other competitors on his way to becoming the new MLW World heavyweight champion. In doing so, he didn’t just claim a title, he also reclaimed his legacy—one that many felt WWE mishandled during his most recent tenure there.
The Battle Riot victory served as an inspirational turnaround for a man who appeared stifled by the proverbial glass ceiling in his prior place of employment. The win was made even more poignant by virtue of his mother being in the front row to witness him capturing his first World title. For her part, Kross’ mother served as an inspiration to all those in attendance after a courageous battle against cancer.
From perceived “castoff” to now reigning as king of Major League Wrestling … well done, Killer Kross.
A QUICK WORD ABOUT …
On the February 3 edition of NXT, the collective wrestling world “believed” as Joe Hendry claimed the vacant NXT championship. In a high-stakes ladder match, the Scot outlasted a field of hungry competitors, including former champ, Ricky Saints. The win marked another milestone in the unique partnership between TNA and NXT, as Hendry has transitioned from a World champion in the former to the centerpiece of the latter. With gold now around his waist, we have to believe that many people in NXT will be saying his name in the coming weeks.
SPOTLIGHT ON …
At just 18 years old, Maddy Morgan is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names in British wrestling. The young prospect made waves in her PROGRESS Wrestling debut last December and has secured further outings with the promotion in the near future. Inspired to take up grappling thanks to an infatuation with Nikki Bella, Bayley, and other top women in WWE, Morgan is now inspiring a new generation of young girls to follow their wrestling dreams.
Keep an eye on PWI-online.com in the coming weeks for an in-depth interview with the upwardly mobile Morgan.
CAPTURING INSPIRATION
Mike Santana has never been one to do things half-heartedly. Perhaps that’s why our readers voted him their 2025 Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year. When he received his awards plaque, we dispatched PWI Contributing Photographer RJ Adams for a special photoshoot in New York City. Check out this video for a rare behind-the-scenes look—and to see Santana and Adams almost literally stop traffic.
AND ANOTHER THING …
There’s inspiration, and then there’s The IInspiration. See what we did there? Anyway, we’re sure you are familiar with the former TNA Knockouts tag team champions. But did you also know that their iconic (we did it again) theme song was originally performed by none other than AEW Women’s tag team champion Harley Cameron? Well, now you do. Hit the music!
