Author: Dave Meltzer

Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.

Daily Update: Sonya Deville, WWE Raw, Roman Reigns

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

See Dave & Bryan in London

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • Feds investigating Vince McMahon and more
  • AEW signings Kenny Omega, Young Bucks and Adam Page, lots behind it with comments from any going into details on the reason the decision was made, their pact to stay together and far more
  • WWE financials for quarter two, including why the next TV deal is taking longer to negotiate, how every sector of business is doing, USA Network with and without WWE and looks to the future
  • SummerSlam, why matches were changed, the huge Saturday night of events, ticket sales and more
  • Updating All In, where it stands on all-tie records, two straight weeks of PPV shows, the last time it happened and the history, rumored matches and more
  • G-1 Climax, what everyone needs to advance to the final eight, cards for the rest of the tournament and running down the shows from the past week
  • UFC 291 coverage, the stories behind the stories, what is next, business notes
  • NXT Great American Bash notes with full coverage
  • The life and times of Adrian Street, his death, his start, the famous photo, his U.K. heyday, why he came to the U.S., thinking wrestling was real, meeting Linda and his life after wrestling
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for all the pro wrestling and MMA shows, including what the numbers mean, rankings, segment-by-segment and how shows are doing compared with one year ago.
  • Promotion shooting new star to the top
  • One of the best matches of the year in Mexico
  • Top pro wrestler worked as an Uber driver during the pandemic
  • Why Stardom is bringing back 80s and 90s legends
  • Wrestle Kingdom notes
  • Minoru Suzuki match in a unique location
  • Second generation star celebrates his 50th birthday on show this past week
  • Update on the number of homes and carriage rates for the shows that carry wrestling and MMA
  • More on a new television wrestling promotion starting in the fall
  • More matches on All In weekend in London
  • Who Giulia is likely defending her New Japan Strong title against next
  • Men’s All Japan Strong title match in Defy
  • Business of AEW and its value
  • Tony Khan talks business growth
  • Update on WBD business
  • Health updates on AEW & WWE wrestlers out of action
  • Paul Levesque and Tony Khan exchange words
  • International TV ratings
  • Streaming numbers
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • Top merchandise sellers in WWE & AEW
  • UFC pushing Slap Fighting at commission meeting
  • Dwayne Johnson buys a house for a UFC fighter
  • Backstage fight at show in Japan
  • Notes on Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
  • Crawford-Spence PPV numbers
  • WWE returns to India and details on that
  • Kevin Owens talks future
  • Former WWE personality working in TV news
  • WWE house show notes

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Monday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Raw, G-1, the cursed women’s tag titles, SummerSlam fallout, Kairi Sane and many other topics with Wrestling Observer radio.

Sonya Deville suffered a torn ACL on the 7/28 Smackdown show and will be undergoing reconstructive surgery in the morning. TMZ first reported this. The belief is the titles will be held up but the official word from WWE is that the title situation will be addressed on tonight’s show.

Raw is tonight from Minneapolis. No matches were announced as of this afternoon. No Brock Lesnar on the show tonight nor any time soon. There were 8,855 tickets out as of this morning. This is already up 40 percent from a Smackdown taping in the same building last year in the summer. Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Raquel Rodriguez are there. Rodriguez could face Rhea Ripley tonight or next week. Nick Aldis is backstage working as a producer in his first night with the company.

Roman Reigns will be on Smackdown Friday night.

The C block top place-winners in G-1 will be determined in a show that starts tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. from the Yokohama Budokan. The standings are:

  • David Finlay 4-2
  • Evil 4-2
  • Eddie Kingston 4-2
  • Tama Tonga 3-2-1
  • Shingo Takagi 3-2-1
  • Mikey Nicholls 2-4
  • Aaron Henare 2-4
  • Tomohiro Ishii 1-5

The tournament matches are:

  • Ishii vs. Nicholls – both out of the running
  • Tonga vs. Henare – Tonga with a win is alive
  • Evil vs. Takagi – Winner is alive
  • Kingston vs Finlay – Winner is alive

The top two go to the playoffs. If Evil beats Takagi, he’s in the playoffs. If Finlay and Evil win, Finlay finishes first and Evil second. If Kingston and Evil win, then they both advance. If Kingston & Finlay draw and Evil loses, Takagi will make it in with Kingston. There are other options as well, but those are the most likely.

The former A.J. Lee, now A.J. Mendez, noted this week that she is leaving her role as Executive Producer at WOW.

Cory Sandhagen noted that he tore his triceps off the bone in the first round of his main event fight with Rob Font on Saturday’s UFC show in Nashville. He still won the fight doing four rounds with the injury. He will have surgery later this week. He said he wasn’t able to punch or elbow with the bad arm without it hurting like hell.

PWInsider reported Brian Pillman Jr. will be at the NXT tapings tomorrow night and that they believed he had signed with WWE. Those at NXT didn’t confirm or deny this. Pillman had hinted that he had something big happening shortly after he got a tryout at the Performance Center.

Impact on Thursday has:

  • Moose & Brian Myers & Bully Ray vs. Black Taurus & Laredo Kid & Samuray del Sol
  • Mike Bailey vs. Kushida
  • Chris Bey & Ace Austin vs. Sami Callihan & Rich Swann in a tournament for a tag title shot
  • Alisha Edwards vs. Jody Threat
  • Dirty Dango vs Bhupinder Gujjar

TBS sent out a release that last Wednesday’s episode of Dynamiet was viewed by 2.5 million viewers. That number is every single person who watched the show both live and on DVR through Saturday at midnight. It did a real 0.80 rating in 18-49 which was 0.68 live and 0.12 over the next three days. That was a 1.03 in men 18-49. 

Defy on Saturday night in Seattle at Washington Hall has Ninja Mack vs. Artemis Spencer, Clark Connors vs. Cody Chhun, Titus Alexander vs. Judas Icarus, Shigehiro Irie vs. Tom Lawlor, Nicole Matthews vs. Masha Slamovich and Travis Wlliams & Evan Rivers vs. Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl.

Jonathan Gresham suffered a training injury yesterday and is expected to be out of action four to six weeks.

Elon Musk claims that his potential fight with Mark Zuckerberg will air live on X with all proceeds going to charity for veterans. 

Our buddy Jay Dumont (Great Fowler) had heart ablation surgery earlier today. He said it’s not a cure for his issues but it may give him more energy and give him enough strength for a hernia surgery that he also needs. 

Season seven of Dana White’s Contender Series debuts on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. Eastern. The show will air live the next two Tuesdays at 7 p.m. from the Apex in Las Vegas. After that it will move to its regular 8 p.m. Eastern start time.

Daily Update: Steve McMichael, KAIRI, WWE SummerSlam aftermath

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

See Dave & Bryan in London

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • Feds investigating Vince McMahion and more
  • AEW signings Kenny Omega, Young Bucks and Adam Page, lots behind it with comments from any going into details on the reason the decision was made, their pact to stay together and far more
  • WWE financials for quarter two, including why the next TV deal is taking longer to negotiate, how every sector of business is doing, USA Network with and without WWE and looks to the future
  • SummerSlam, why matches were changed, the huge Saturday night of events, ticket sales and more
  • Updating All In, where it stands on all-tie records, two straight weeks of PPV shows, the last time it happened and the history, rumored matches and more
  • G-1 Climax, what everyone needs to advance to the final eight, cards for the rest of the tournament and running down the shows from the past week
  • UFC 291 coverage, the stories behind the stories, what is next, business notes
  • NXT Great American Bash notes with full coverage
  • The life and times of Adrian Street, his death, his start, the famous photo, his U.K. heyday, why he came to the U.S., thinking wrestling was real, meeting Linda and his life after wrestling
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for all the pro wrestling and MMA shows, including what the numbers mean, rankings, segment-by-segment and how shows are doing compared with one year ago.
  • Promotion shooting new star to the top
  • One of the best matches of the year in Mexico
  • Top pro wrestler worked as an Uber driver during the pandemic
  • Why Stardom is bringing back 80s and 90s legends
  • Wrestle Kingdom notes
  • Minoru Suzuki match in a unique location
  • Second generation star celebrates his 50th birthday on show this past week
  • Update on the number of homes and carriage rates for the shows that carry wrestling and MMA
  • More on a new television wrestling promotion starting in the fall
  • More matches on All In weekend in London
  • Who Giulia is likely defending her New Japan Strong title against next
  • Men’s All Japan Strong title match in Defy
  • Business of AEW and its value
  • Tony Khan talks business growth
  • Update on WBD business
  • Health updates on AEW & WWE wrestlers out of action
  • Paul Levesque and Tony Khan exchange words
  • International TV ratings
  • Streaming numbers
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • Top merchandise sellers in WWE & AEW
  • UFC pushing Slap Fighting at commission meeting
  • Dwayne Johnson buys a house for a UFC fighter
  • Backstage fight at show in Japan
  • Notes on Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
  • Crawford-Spence PPV numbers
  • WWE returns to India and details on that
  • Kevin Owens talks future
  • Former WWE personality working in TV news
  • WWE house show notes

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday Update

Our weekend show covering SummerSlam. Collision, G-1 and more is up on the site now with Bryan. Our weekly Observer and news review with Garrett is also on the site right now. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night after Raw.

Steve McMichael’s family said that the sepsis that hospitalized him is gone, but he’s still battling pneumonia. Best of luck to McMichael.

Kairi still has a few Japanese dates left to fulfill before she starts back with her new WWE contract.

WWE will be sending out a press release in the morning. I believe it will list the SummerSlam gate and whether it broke the domestic non-Mania gate record ($7.3 million) or the overall non-Mania gate record ($8.1 million at Clash of the Castle last year). Either way it was super successful and would be either 10th or 11th place all-time depending on if it beat the Clash of the Castle number.

Dakota Kai is not close to ready to return. She was brought in to congratulate Iyo Sky on winning the WWE women’s title.

We’re looking for your thoughts on SummerSlam, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

Konnan said that the rules for the four-way with Rush, Psycho Clown, LA Park and Sam Adonis as the TripleMania main event for this coming Saturday in Mexico City at Arena Ciudad will be a first person getting pinned or submitted losing his hair or mask.

The one thing about the Paul Brothers is that their actual fights, as opposed to Logan’s pro wrestling matches, do garner a lot of interest. It doesn’t always translate to PPV buys but as far as curiosity goes, last night Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz fight was the biggest thing by far of the week as far as Google searches with five million. For a comparison, SummerSlam had 200,000 which on the surface sounds very low (it’s the usual number for a WWE major event) but with the way they’ve been tabulating it’s not as concerning. SummerSlam was sixth for the Friday/Saturday weekend. lBut it does tell you just how much more general public interest there was in the fight. The UFC show had Tatiana Suarez at No. 9 and Cory Sandhagen at No. 11 yesterday. The other pro wrestling, boxing or MMA related stuff that placed this ast week were Steve McMichael at No. 12 on Friday, Diaz vs. Paul at No. 4 on Thursday and Vince McMahon (for being investigated) at No. 6 on Wednesday.

Nick Diaz issued a challenge to either of the Paul Brothers after Nate’s loss to Paul. 

As mentioned on the show last night, Brock Lesnar will be off for a while. We’re not clear when he’s scheduled to return but that was not his farewell. For Ronda Rousey, that was her farewell at least for now. She’s not expected back at any specific date and that’s why she did that finish with Shayna Baszler where she got choked out.

Also looking for reports from the N-1 tournament earlier today in Yokohama. The first night of NOAH’s version of G-1 saw: 

  • Shuji Kondo & Seiki Yoshioka & Stallion Rogers b Anthony Greene & Yo-Hey & Tadasuke
  • Manabu Soya b Katsuhiko Nakajima
  • Jack Morris b Yoshiki Inamura
  • Lance Anoa’i b Yuma Anzai
  • Yuki Yoshioka b Masa Kitamiy
  • Naomichi Marufuji & Atsushi Kotoge & Hi 69 b Kazuyuki Fujita & Amakusa & Junta Miyawaki
  • El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. b Daiki Inaba
  • Adam Brooks b Kenoh
  • Go Shiozaki b Saxon Huxley
  • Jake Lee b Timothy Thatcher

The show aired live on Wrestle Universe and the first three bouts are on YouTube.

WrestleTix has the attendance for SummerSlam at 51,477. It was crazy to see that Nick Khan said 43,000 tickets were sold on Wednesday at the investors call and while they did move a few thousand in the last few days, then announcing the 59,000+ number a few days later.

All In’s ticket advance yesterday surpassed the final number of the famous Hogan vs. Andre WrestleMania III attendance at the Pontiac Silverdome. It is now fourth place on the all-time list of paid shows, six if you include the two shows in North Korea. 

The G-1 Climax tournament has the C block final day on Tuesday. The C block winner faces Will Ospreay in the first round of the playoffs on Thursday in Funabashi. The second place finisher in C block faces Sanada in the first round of the playoffs.

Because I was watching Collision and SummerSlam and then did a show, I haven’t watched G-1 yet this weekend, but we got a lot of feedback from people raving about Ospreay vs. El Phantasmo generally calling it the match of the weekend.

Dennis Condrey was at Collision yesterday in Greenville, SC, and after the show was over, FTR and C.M.Punk brought it up and they brought Condrey in the ring. Punk also put over Ricky Steamboat and Condrey. Dax Harwood said Condrey changed the course of tag team wrestling and how because Condrey worked 300 days a year to get tag team wrestling over, he can be home with his family five days a week. Condrey said that FTR was the best tag team in the world and thanked FTR for keeping their name alive and having the similar music.

Fast nationals for Collision were 388K/0.12. Actual numbers won’t be out until Tuesday but it does show that SummerSlam likely drew a very large percentage of the usual AEW audience. UFC and Paul vs. Diaz didn’t help, but it does look like AEW is going to be hurt once a month on Saturdays against WWE major events.

Tom Lawlor vs. Shigehiro Irie will be on Saturday’s Defy show at Washington Hall in Seattle.

LuFisto, who deleted her Twitter after negative feedback to her comments on the AEW women’s locker room, which saw a lot of the AEW women respond denying it, has pulled out of her next Sunday Americanrana show in Worcester, MA. They are looking for an opponent for Dan Barry, who she was scheduled to face.

A story in the New York Post on DDP Yoga having helped Butterbean drop from about 515 pounds to 303.8 pounds.

Adam Wilcox noted to us that he purchased both All In and All Out from FITE (which handles the overseas PPV) and didn’t get any FITE credits for early purchases. He asked and was told that FITE no longer offers FITE credits for those who buy PPVs in advance as they previously had.

Capital Championship Wrestling ran last night in Paulsboro, NJ at the Monster Factory. The Renegade Twins who were in a tournament pulled out because they were booked for last night’s ROH tapings and another wrestler pulled out to work the WOW tapings in Los Angeles: Harleen Lopez b Damaris Dawkins, JC Storm b Clara Carreras, Sara Leon b Miranda Vignette, Ultra Violette won four-way over champion Christina Marie, Delmi Exo and Jade to win the CCW women’s title. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)

DOA All Women’s show from last night in Portland, OR with Queen of Thorns tournament bouts: Amira b Bambi Hall, Nicole Matthews b Murphy Madsen, Abigail Warren b Tara Zep, Liiza Hall Izzy McQueen, Amira b Nicole Matthews, Abigail Warren b Liiza Hall, Rebel Kel b Shazzma McKenzie to keep the Grand championship, Nick Radford b Kel to win the title, Amira b Warren to win the tournament.

GCW on Friday night in Detroit: Jordan Oliver won over Adrian Alanis, Caleb Konley, Jimmy Lloyd, Shane Mercer and Rico Gonzalez, Masha Slamovich b Alec Price, Dominic Garrini & Kevin Ku b Ciclope Miedo Xtremo, Sawyer Wreck b Parrow, Komander b Joey Janela, John Wayne Murdoch & Reed Bentley b Mance Warner & andes, Cole Radrick b Crazy King, Effy & Allie Katch b Davey Bang & August Matthews, Blake Christian b Mike Bailey to retain the GCW title (thanks to Leonard Brand)

Daily Update: Steve McMichael, Robert Gibson, LuFisto

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

See Dave & Bryan in London

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • Feds investigating Vince McMahion and more
  • AEW signings Kenny Omega, Young Bucks and Adam Page, lots behind it with comments from any going into details on the reason the decision was made, their pact to stay together and far more
  • WWE financials for quarter two, including why the next TV deal is taking longer to negotiate, how every sector of business is doing, USA Network with and without WWE and looks to the future
  • SummerSlam, why matches were changed, the huge Saturday night of events, ticket sales and more
  • Updating All In, where it stands on all-tie records, two straight weeks of PPV shows, the last time it happened and the history, rumored matches and more
  • G-1 Climax, what everyone needs to advance to the final eight, cards for the rest of the tournament and running down the shows from the past week
  • UFC 291 coverage, the stories behind the stories, what is next, business notes
  • NXT Great American Bash notes with full coverage
  • The life and times of Adrian Street, his death, his start, the famous photo, his U.K. heyday, why he came to the U.S., thinking wrestling was real, meeting Linda and his life after wrestling
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for all the pro wrestling and MMA shows, including what the numbers mean, rankings, segment-by-segment and how shows are doing compared with one year ago.
  • Promotion shooting new star to the top
  • One of the best matches of the year in Mexico
  • Top pro wrestler worked as an Uber driver during the pandemic
  • Why Stardom is bringing back 80s and 90s legends
  • Wrestle Kingdom notes
  • Minoru Suzuki match in a unique location
  • Second generation star celebrates his 50th birthday on show this past week
  • Update on the number of homes and carriage rates for the shows that carry wrestling and MMA
  • More on a new television wrestling promotion starting in the fall
  • More matches on All In weekend in London
  • Who Giulia is likely defending her New Japan Strong title against next
  • Men’s All Japan Strong title match in Defy
  • Business of AEW and its value
  • Tony Khan talks business growth
  • Update on WBD business
  • Health updates on AEW & WWE wrestlers out of action
  • Paul Levesque and Tony Khan exchange words
  • International TV ratings
  • Streaming numbers
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • Top merchandise sellers in WWE & AEW
  • UFC pushing Slap Fighting at commission meeting
  • Dwayne Johnson buys a house for a UFC fighter
  • Backstage fight at show in Japan
  • Notes on Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz
  • Crawford-Spence PPV numbers
  • WWE returns to India and details on that
  • Kevin Owens talks future
  • Former WWE personality working in TV news
  • WWE house show notes

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Friday Update

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up on the site today. We’ve already gotten a lot of positive feedback on our story on the life and career of Adrian Street.

Garrett and I did our week in review show talking a ton of different topics from SummerSlam, Adrian Street, All In, Dark Side of the Ring and much more. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night talking SummerSlam and the other weekend news.

Steve McMichael, who is battling ALS, is currently in intensive care battling sepsis, which is what killed Adrian Street. The Chicago Tribune story on it. McMichael was unconscious when rushed to the hospital Thursday night and given antibiotics on an IV. He was awake today and his vital signs improved. He is also battling pneumonia. Those in Homer Glen, IL, a southwest suburb of Chicago, held a rally for McMichael outside of the hospital as well as pushed for him to go into the NFL Hall of Fame this year. (thanks to Eric Krol and others)

Robert Gibson of Rock & Roll Express fame underwent hip replacement surgery last week according to PWInsider.

Big E revealed today at press for SummerSlam that some doctors have suggested that he never wrestle again. He said he has interest in doing color commentary. He said he is happy he has no nerve damage and is taking his time making a decision about the future saying he wants to live a pain free life.

LuFisto is having it out with much of the AEW women’s locker room. She told her story on Twitter with complaints about backstage from a tryout and a number of the women responded about what a great locker room they have and how everyone is there for everyone in times of issues.

Smackdown tonight on FOX features Jey Uso vs. Solo Sikoa, Sheamus vs. LA Knight, Austin Theory vs. Cameron Grimes, and angle with Asuka, Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair for their match tomorrow night. Knight is scheduled to be getting more of a push starting relatively soon. Paul Heyman will also be doing a feature called The History of Tribal Combat. Grayson Waller will interview Bayley and Iyo Sky. They are also announcing names for the SummerSlam Battle Royal. There were just under 8,900 tickets out for the show as of this morning. It will end up more than doubling the attendance of the last time WWE was in Dayton.

AEW Rampage on TNT at 10 p.m features Chuck Taylor & Trent Baretta vs. Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli in a parking lot brawl. This match was taped starting at about midnight last night in Jacksonville. We’ve been told it was great. One person at the taping said it was pretty sick, and that they destroyed half of Downtown Jacksonville. Also on the show is Keith Lee & Hardys vs. Butcher & Blade & Kip Sabian, Anna Jay vs. Skye Blue and AR Fox & Swerve Strickland in a tag team match.

PW Insider noted that Randy Orton is in Detroit. That doesn’t necessarily mean he will be on SummerSlam or do a surprise appearance, but he is there.

Bobby Roode starts this week as a producer for WWE.

We’re looking for reports from Smackdown tonight in Dayton, with dark matches and anything not on the live show to [email protected]

Our only weekend poll will be for SummerSlam, you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected]

Here’s some pre-show video from the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz fight tomorrow night:

WEIGH-INS PRESS CONFERENCE OPEN WORKOUTS

The G-1 shows this coming weekend are the last night of A block on Saturday at 4 a.m. Eastern from Osaka and the last night of B block at 1 a.m. late Saturday night from Osaka. For those on the West Coast, the New Japan show will start at about the same time as Collision ends and UFC ends on television, and maybe an hour or two after SummerSlam ends. The Observer goes into detail in all four blocks of who is alive, tiebreakers and such.

Combate Global is live on Univision and Paramount + on Sunday at 9 p.m. Eastern with Lucero Acots (3-2) vs. Silvia Juaneda (3-1) in the main event. This will be the first Combate show since the show after a major soccer game ended up No. 7 in the prime time rankings for the week a few weeks ago.

Hulk Hogan did a video interview with some stories. He claimed a sumo wrestler was making his debut and refused to put him over, so John Tenta came to the ring and the two got into a fight. Okay, the first part never happened, but there was an incident where Koji Kitao, a former sumo star, was unhappy about having to put over Tenta. They were in the ring and it was very tense. Neither would make the first move but it could have ended up in a fight. The bigger one is claiming that he and Vince McMahon were both offered a shot at buying UFC as partners, but they turned it down. He did say he regretted it. There was a time when SEG was in talks of selling UFC to Vince, but Vince ultimately decided against it, thinking that because you couldn’t control the outcomes and stars you put money into promoting could lose at any time, that there was no long-term future in it.

AIW on 8/12 is running shows every two hours at the Main Street Festival in North Canton, OH starting at 11 p.m through 9 p.m. with free admission. They also announced the J.T. Lightning Memorial tournament for 9/15 and 9/16 in Cleveland at Temple Live at 3615 Euclid Avenue.

Sareee ran a show earlier today at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo: Ibuki Hoshi b Chi Chi, Kaoru Ito & Kohaku b Jaguar Yokota & Kinzuma Tanaka, Mio Momon b iyuki Takse, Sareee & Kairi b Arisa Naajima & Takuma Iroha (thanks to Shannon Walsh)

Want to send our best wishes to Jay Dumont (Great Fowler) who will be undergoing a heart ablation procedure on Monday.

Ortiz is looking for independent bookings at [email protected]

August 7, 2023 Observer Newsletter: Vince McMahon under federal investigation, The Elite re-sign with AEW

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

The WWE revealed on 8/2 that Vince McMahon was under investigation by federal law enforcement authorities. They did not reveal the nature of the investigation but it is believed to be related to the payouts made to various women, which at one point saw him leave the company.

The WWE statement read: “On July 17, 2023, federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on Mr. McMahon. No charges have been brought in these investigations. The Company has received voluntary and compulsory legal demands for documents, including from federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, concerning the investigation and related subject matters.”

Nick Khan addressed the situation during the earnings call that day and said the company would be cooperating fully and that otherwise, they would not comment on legal matters.

McMahon is currently on medical leave from the company with no target date listed upon his return. This stems from his very serious spinal surgery last week. McMahon is still the Executive Chairman but until recovery would not be working with the company so one would expect the late changes to television and direction changes beyond minor tweaking won’t be happening at nearly the same level for now.

Subscribers can click here to read this week’s issue.

WWE Raw ratings down, third hour beats first in viewership

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Raw had a unique night last night where, as is rarely the occasion, the third hour was actually slightly higher than the first hour.

Overall the show averaged 1.76 million viewers and drew a 0.53 rating in 18-49, both a little below what has been the usual levels. The 18-49 number was Raw’s lowest since the holiday episode on July 3 and the total viewership was the lowest since June 12.

The second hour (which was the high point) had the usual 9 p.m. peak and then was strong again for the Cody Rhodes angle with Brock Lesnar.

The third hour was headlined by Seth Rollins & Sami Zayn vs. Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio.

The show was down three percent in viewers from last week, down seven percent in 18-49, and down 13 percent in 18-34.

From one year ago, the comparison is somewhat unfair because SummerSlam came a week earlier. So the Raw after SummerSlam was a monster rating, like next week is likely to be.

It was down 21 percent in viewers from last year, down 13 percent in 18-49, and down five percent in 18-34. If you factor in homes lost by USA, the actual numbers would be 16 percent down with viewers, five percent down in 18-49, and four percent up in 18-34.

The three hours were:

  • 8 p.m. 1.71 million viewers
  • 9 p.m. 1.86 million viewers
  • 10 p.m. 1.72 million viewers

Daily Update: Adrian Street, AEW All In, WWE Raw

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

See Dave & Bryan in London

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • SummerSlam preview, records that will be set, records that are in jeopardy and more
  • Update on the card including notes about matches not yet announced
  • Update on ticket sales
  • Preview of Great American Bash and next NXT major event
  • Gable Steveson’s decision, his debut, what his decision really is and what wasn’t true in his angle
  • Preview to AEW in Wembley Stadium
  • What angles are being done and what is amazing about the build
  • Ticket sales and will they outsell Hogan vs. Andre at WrestleMania III before announcing the first match
  • Lots of AEW booking updates
  • Full coverage of the G-1 tournament, standings, matches left, Okada vs. Ospreay, what young guys are doing well and what aren’t
  • How business is doing so far
  • Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor coverage, business notes, PPV
  • Coverage of UFC at the O2 Arena in London, update on the heavyweight division
  • DDT runs biggest show of the year
  • A look at the carer of Tommy Siegler
  • The most detailed look at ratings for the past week
  • How wrestling shows did in the weekly standings and each night
  • Segment-by-segment numbers and comparisons with one year ago
  • Robbery of the box office at a major promotion show
  • CMLL Anniversary show update
  • World Gran Prix participants announced
  • Konnan talks TripleMania Mexico City main event
  • Day one of the Five-Star Grand Prix
  • Stardom upcoming shows including a multi-title show featuring New Japan belt and a legends show
  • King of Gate update
  • NOAH match with fastest fan club advance in history
  • Hogan getting married
  • Senate honors legendary wrestlers and how this differs from the U.S.
  • Lots of news on the Mildred Burke movie including pro wrestling personalities involved
  • Lio Rush injury update
  • Indie show has tickets sold to people from 32 countries
  • Impact does surprisingly well on PPV
  • Notes on Rush signing with AEW
  • Update on AEW injuries
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE and AEW shows including WWE PPV shows, AEW PPVs shows and Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium
  • International TV ratings
  • A look in detail at the largest MMA show rating of the year and it wasn’t from UFC, and how many of its viewers watch UFC
  • Peacock bleeding money and its future
  • WWE injury updates
  • WWE Royal Rumble news
  • WWE signings talk
  • Big match being teased
  • New names for WWE talent
  • Rundown of all the WWE weekend house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Monday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio covering last night’s Great American Bash, tonight’s Raw, the AEW PPV, Adrian Street, this weekend’s crazy schedule and more. 

Very sorry to hear about the death of Adrian Street today. He came to the U.S. later in his career after being a legendary figure on the British scene, but due to running opposition and promoting and being part of it, he was having a hard time getting booked in the U.K. He was very shocking for that era but in time people appreciated just how good he was with his gimmick that had many copiers but none who did it as well. The wrestlers who came from the U.K. considered him one of their real legendary characters and he was very well liked by most in the U.S. as well. He used to attend lots of wrestler reunions and even got married in conjunction with the Cauliflower Alley Club banquet in 2005, with his hero, Don Leo Jonathan, as his best man. We’ll have a story on him in this week’s issue as well as talk more about him tonight.

Brandon Thurston confirmed that DirecTV will be carrying the All In PPV. inDemand is as well so all the major cable companies will be carrying it like a normal show. They are listing a $50 price tag. None of this has been made official to the public but officials with DirecTV confirmed it to Thurston and those within companies have confirmed the inDemand carrying it to us. Nor have any of the companies advertised the show to the public. It is possible something else could pop up and that’s why even at this late date neither AEW nor the companies have released information. It will also be available at this point on Bleacher Report. We have had people internally check on the idea of a bundle where you get All In and All Out at a discounted price and there is nothing anyone can find that is offering that. That doesn’t mean necessarily something won’t be added, just that within major companies there is nothing on the docket internally right now. 

Raw is tonight in Houston. It’s been basically sold out for a long time with more than 12,900 fans as of this morning. It’s the SummerSlam go-home show. As we noted yesterday, no Drew McIntyre, but both Brock Lesnar and Logan Paul will be on the show. The only matches are Dominik Mysterio & Damian Priest vs. Sami Zayn & Seth Rollins and Valhalla vs. Maxxine Dupri.

We’re looking for reports from tonight’s show, which would be Main Event matches and anything else not on the live show to [email protected]

We are also doing a weekend poll on the Great American Bash show, so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle, plus a best and worst match to [email protected]

The Cody Rhodes documentary on Peacock debuted today. We’re looking for your thoughts on that as well.

Muhammad Ali has been added to the WWE video game.

Survivor Series in Chicago on 11/25 is sold out and the Smackdown the night before is close to sold out and will be well ahead of time.

People have been raving about the Mascara Dorada 2.0 vs. Rocky Romero Leyenda de Plata finals that headlined Friday night’s show at Arena Mexico. CMLL also gave fans beach balls to bounce around between matches at the show which is so unlike CMLL, which is the most traditional old school promotion around.

Dark Side of the Ring tomorrow night has an episode about the 2000 Bash at the Beach PPV which will largely consist of Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo telling totally opposite stories about the same thing. Myself and Jeff Jarrett are also featured on that episode.

Derrick Lewis, who is a free agent, said he’s looking to sign with UFC. A lot of people had pegged him as a potential PPV opponent for Francis Ngannou in PFL.

NXT will have Lyra Valkyria vs. Jacy Jayne, Eddy Thorpe vs. Dijak and a Schism interrogation segment to try and find out who the masked followers are that screwed them (Creeds) on tomorrow’s show.

G-1 continues in Takamatsu at 6 a.m. Eastern time tomorrow:

  • Hikuleo (2-3) vs. Kaito Kiyomiya (2-1-2)
  • Yoshi-Hashi (2-3) vs. Great O’Khan (1-4)
  • Ren Narita (0-3-2) vs. Chase Owens (2-3)
  • Taichi (3-2) vs. El Phantasmo (2-3)
  • Sanada (5-0) vs. Gabe Kidd (2-1-2)
  • Will Ospreay (4-1) vs. Tanga Loa (2-3)
  • Shota Umino (2-1-2) vs. Yota Tsuji (1-3-1)
  • Kazuchika Okada (4-1) vs. KENTA (2-3)

The C&D block return on Wednesday morning at 5:30 a.m. from Hiroshima

John Cena is part of the No. 1 movie in the country, with his role in Barbie, and the No. 1 streaming movie in Netflix, “Hidden Strike,” with Jackie Chan.

Women of Wrestling is taping 8/2 to 8/4 and again 8/16 to 8/18 for upcoming episodes at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles.

Daily Update: AEW All In, WWE NXT Great American Bash, UFC 291 fallout

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

See Dave & Bryan in London

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • SummerSlam preview, records that will be set, records that are in jeopardy and more
  • Update on the card including notes about matches not yet announced
  • Update on ticket sales
  • Preview of Great American Bash and next NXT major event
  • Gable Steveson’s decision, his debut, what his decision really is and what wasn’t true in his angle
  • Preview to AEW in Wembley Stadium
  • What angles are being done and what is amazing about the build
  • Ticket sales and will they outsell Hogan vs. Andre at WrestleMania III before announcing the first match
  • Lots of AEW booking updates
  • Full coverage of the G-1 tournament, standings, matches left, Okada vs. Ospreay, what young guys are doing well and what aren’t
  • How business is doing so far
  • Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor coverage, business notes, PPV
  • Coverage of UFC at the O2 Arena in London, update on the heavyweight division
  • DDT runs biggest show of the year
  • A look at the carer of Tommy Siegler
  • The most detailed look at ratings for the past week
  • How wrestling shows did in the weekly standings and each night
  • Segment-by-segment numbers and comparisons with one year ago
  • Robbery of the box office at a major promotion show
  • CMLL Anniversary show update
  • World Gran Prix participants announced
  • Konnan talks TripleMania Mexico City main event
  • Day one of the Five-Star Grand Prix
  • Stardom upcoming shows including a multi-title show featuring New Japan belt and a legends show
  • King of Gate update
  • NOAH match with fastest fan club advance in history
  • Hogan getting married
  • Senate honors legendary wrestlers and how this differs from the U.S.
  • Lots of news on the Mildred Burke movie including pro wrestling personalities involved
  • Lio Rush injury update
  • Indie show has tickets sold to people from 32 countries
  • Impact does surprisingly well on PPV
  • Notes on Rush signing with AEW
  • Update on AEW injuries
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE and AEW shows including WWE PPV shows, AEW PPVs shows and Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium
  • International TV ratings
  • A look in detail at the largest MMA show rating of the year and it wasn’t from UFC, and how many of its viewers watch UFC
  • Peacock bleeding money and its future
  • WWE injury updates
  • WWE Royal Rumble news
  • WWE signings talk
  • Big match being teased
  • New names for WWE talent
  • Rundown of all the WWE weekend house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday Update

Bryan and I did our weekend show last night covering Collision, UFC and Smackdown. Garret and I also did our week in review show, a two-hour show covering a ton of topics including the latest business, Bam Bam Bigelow, All In, SummerSlam and a ton of other stuff. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night covering tonight’s Great American Bash as well as Raw.

Sources have confirmed to us that Comcast, while not advertising it yet, is scheduled to air All In on PPV on 8/27 from Wembley Stadium with a $50 price tag. That would mean it would be on inDemand and all the cable systems would be expected to be carrying the show. This confirms that as of this moment, it will be a PPV show, just as All Out will be. Other cable systems have not confirmed it and AEW has yet to announce it. Andrew Zarian, who first said it would be a PPV event, has confirmed Joe Hand Promotions would be airing the show at movie theaters around the country, also just like a usual AEW PPV show. As noted many times, this is the one show that both WBD (which was prominent in the early promotion as being part of the 100 years of WBD) and AEW should have wanted in front of the most eyeballs possible, which would be television and streaming and it at this point appears that won’t be the case.

Great American Bash tonight from Cedar Park, TX at 8 p.m.:

  • Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov for the NXT title – On paper this should be great as Dragunov has the ability to bring a level of intensity and Hayes is very talented. On paper this should be Hayes’ best title defense.
  • Dominik Mysterio vs. Wes Lee vs. Mustafa Ali for the North American title. Mysterio has been driving the NXT ratings with Rhea Ripley so I wouldn’t change the title. But the three-way allows them many different options here and Lee vs. Ali was the direction they were going before Mysterio showed up.
  • Gallus vs. Tony D’Angelo & Stacks Lorenzo for the tag titles. This will open the PPV portion of the show. Expect the Creeds under a mask to be a factor in this.
  • Tiffany Stratton vs. Thea Hail for the women’s title in a submission match. Hail has a lot of momentum here but has dominated the angles leading up to this and Stratton is the one the company is very high on right now.
  • Gable Steveson vs. Baron Corbin. This is Steveson’s pro wrestling debut and he’s been the subject of a lot of questions. WWE has a lot of money invested in Steveson so they don’t want him doing anything but succeeding. Usually I’d say Steveson wins quickly and explosively but whatever decision they make will be very interesting.
  • Blair Davenport vs. Roxanne Perez in a weapons match. Davenport won their first meeting and this is in Texas, so Perez in theory would be the favorite.
  • Nathan Frazer & Dragon Lee & Yulisa Leon & Valentina Feroz vs. Noam Dar & Oro Mensah & Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson in the pre-show match at about 7:40 p.m. Eastern
  • There were 3,775 tickets out as of earlier today.

We’re looking for your thoughts on the Great American Bash NXT PLE, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

We are also looking for reports on tonight’s WWE show in Coral Gables, FL with results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

Both the Terrence Crawford vs. Erroll Spence Jr., boxing match and Justin Gaethje vs. Dustin Poirier UFC fight did an excess of 1 million Google searches. Early numbers indicate Crawford vs. Spence did over 1.2 million searches and the UFC fight did over 1.1 million, but the way they tally stuff now, that doesn’t mean Spence-Crawford was bigger. But it probably was as it was a bigger fight in boxing for the undisputed welterweight title while the UFC fight was for the made up BMF title. Both went head-to-head, and also opposed Collision as well as Bellator being on Showtime. People are talking of Crawford now as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world the way he took care of Spence enroute to a ninth round TKO win at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

UFC had four of the top ten searched for subjects last night with Gaethje vs. Poroier, as well as Derrick Lewis, Jan Blachowicz and Tony Ferguson. No other pro wrestling, boxing or MMA subjects cracked the top 20 for any day this past week.

I don’t think there was much controversy over the Alex Pereira vs. Jan Blachowicz decision from last night. I had it 29-28 Pereira which the vast majority also had. Blachowicz claimed he was robbed. The third round was close, but Pereira did better in the stand up. Blachowicz got a late takedown but did no damage from the top. Media scores were 85 percent with Pereira.

Justin Gaethje, after his win, was challenged by Conor McGregor. Gaethje pretty much blew it off. McGregor still hasn’t enrolled in the USADA drug testing so in theory can’t fight for the next six months, although I have little doubt they’ll find a way to waive that rule. Gaethje said he thinks McGregor turned down fighting him six times. McGregor said he’d slap Gaethje around. McGregor indicated wanting to face Gaethje rather than Michael Chandler, which had been the plan, coming off this season of Ultimate Fighter. Gaethje said he didn’t care, that at one time he would have wanted the fight, but said, “I’m not going to fight someone on steroids. I’ve never taken steroids in my life, never will–well, maybe when I retire, I might. But I’ve never taken steroids and I don’t want to fight someone that’s cheating. And I probably shouldn’t even say that if I want the fight, but it’s the truth.” He said he wants the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title, and he hopes Oliveira wins so he can avenge his loss to Oliveira.

Drew McIntyre won’t be on Raw tomorrow night. He’s doing a movie in Budapest, Hungary. It’s the same reason he wasn’t on the 7/17 show. Of course he returns to the U.S. this coming weekend for his match with Gunther at SummerSlam. Seth Rollins & Sami Zayn vs. Dominik Mysterio & Damian Priest will be on tomorrow’s Raw show in Houston, which is sold out.

WWE is doing a community service experience event on Friday night at Ford Field in Detroit prior to SumerSlam. All ticket money will be donated to the V Foundation and Conor’s Cure for Pediatric Cancer. Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan will both be appearing.

The G-1 tournament next show is Tuesday at 6 a.m. Eastern from Takamatsu with Kazuchika Okada vs. KENTA, Yota Tsuji vs. Shota Umino and Will Ospreay vs. Tanga Loa as the top bouts.

WWE from last night in Estero, FL:

  • Matt Riddle b Gunther via DQ when Ludvig Kaiser & Giovanni Cinvi attacked Riddle and The Alpha Academy made the save
  • Riddle & Gable & Otis b Imperium when Riddle pinned Kaiser. Gable gave Gunther a Chaos Theory suplex before the finish.
  • Austin Theory retained the U.S title over A.J Styles using the trunks. Styles laid him out after the match.
  • Kayden Carter & Katana Chance b Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre when Chance pinned Dawn with the usual Carter/Chance neckbreaker 450 combination
  • Cody Rhodes b Damian Priest with Cross Rhodes. Rhodes saw a little girl in the front row with unicorn horns and asked if he could borrow them. He put them on and said that now he knows he can beat Brock Lesnar.
  • Omos b Johnny Gargano
  • Asuka won a three-way over Charlotte Flair and Shotzi when Flair gave Shotzi natural selection and Asuka threw Flair out of the ring for the pin
  • Seth Rollins b Rinn Balor with the curb stomp to keep the world title. No Rhea Ripley or Dominik Mysreio on the show and both were advertised with Cody vs. Dominik and Ripley vs. Natalya (who also wasn’t there). (thanks to Shannon Walsh)

Also thanks to Matthew Merritt for weekend WWE reports.

The Pitbull Brothers accused Kleber Koike of attacking Patricky from behind in their locker room at the Bellator/RIZIN joint show at the Saitama Super Arena earlier today. Patricio, who was shockingly knocked out in the first round by Chihiro Suzuki, made this public saying that Koike kicked his brother and ran away. Patricky had beaten Koike’s teammate, Roberto Satoshi De Souza in the main event of the show, a first round lightweight Grand Prix tournament fight.

Philo, a streaming television provider, is dropping AXS TV from its lineup. Philo is a low-cost alternative to satellite and cable at $25 a month. It was a base station service to Philo and coming off the successful numbers of Slammiversary, it’s disappointing. It’s not a great deal of homes lost but it is something. The change is scheduled for 7/31 at this point.

Other Notes

Defy from last night in Seattle: Clark Connors won 8XGP match over Ethan HD, Evan Rivers and Guillermo Rosas, Vert Vixen b Billie Starkz to keep the women’s title (people were raving about this onie), Cody Chhun won 8XGP match over Schaff, Titus Alexander and Travis Williams. Connors attacked Chhun after the match and Rosas made the save. Curry Man (Christopher Daniels) b Miles DeVille, Bollywood Boyz b Billington Bulldogs to keep the tag titles, Jon Moxley b Artemis Spencer via ref stoppage.

Defy Spirit, Friday’s all women-s show results from Seattle: Trish Adora b Cat Power, Dulce Tormenta & Rebel Kel b Bambi Hall & Taryn from Accounting, Allie Katch b Nicole Matthews, Zamaya b Amira due to interference for Tara Zep–Madusa who is the authority figure for the promotion, ordered the match restarted, Amira b Zamaya, Marina Shafir b Liiza Hall, Vert Vixen b Maki Itoh. After the second Amira vs. Zamaya match, Zamaya and Zep attacked Amira & Madusa, who made their own comeback. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)

RevPro announced that its show today in Portsmouth at Guildhall was postponed and that they would be announcing a new date tomorrow morning. They apologized for the late notice.

Japanese wrestler Saki Akai announced she would be retiring in November after ten years in the business.

Kirk White’s Big Time Wrestling sold out the Newark, CA Pavilion Friday night: Matt Cardona b Chris Masters with help from Steph De Lander, Jacob Fatu b Big Fonz in what was said to be a great match, Viva Van b De Lander to keep the women’s title, The Freaks b Sir Samurai & Eliza Hammer, Alpha Zo b Chupacabra, Matt Carlos b Truex, Aaron Solo b Titus Alexander. Next show is the company 27th anniversary card on 10/6 with Mick Foley and John Morrison announced (thanks to Jim Davis)

Chainsaw Pro Wrestling from last night in Kalkaska, MI: Great Tiger b Noctambulo, Don Tone Leone & Babyface Jay Leo b TJ Meyer & Thomas Bailey, Devon Ryker b LaDon Sanders, Chris Moore b Lamario Starr-DQ, Jumal Kyng & Chris Moore b Nate Bock & Lamario Starr, Tommy Vendetta b Shazza McKenzie, Kevin Kalloway & Sean Tyler & Solo b Adam Wck & KJ Reynods & Ryan Matthias, Rick Morton & Alex Steel b Kyler Coleman & Corad Loucks, Brutus Atwell b Anakin Murphy, Rae Larson & Stelle Buho b Green Mamba & Glamorous Gazelle, Aaron Orion b Gary Jay (thanks to Leonard Brand)

Jeff Jarrett was at a minor league baseball game last night in Springfield, IL, which is the team he is co-owner of. He hit a planted fan of the visiting team with a guitar shot (thanks to Eric Krol)

Santino Brothers from Cudahy, CA last night: Raunchy Rico b Adrian Quest, Lucas Riley & Dom Kubrick b Eli Everfly & Chrisi Nastyy, Delilah Doom b Ray Rosas (good match), Slice oogie b Che Cabrera to win the Santino Brothers title, Big Dick Hoss won 20 man Rumble throwing out Bad Dude Tito to win.

June 5, 2006 Observer Newsletter: UFC 60, Apache Bull Ramos

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

“In fighting, a lot of things work, but nothing works forever.”

Frank Shamrock, after the September 20, 1996, match where relatively inexperienced Lion’s Den fighter Jerry Bohlander scored a unanimous decision (yes, they had judging in UFC back in 1996) over BJJ world champion Fabio Gurgel at a time when many people thought fighting and world championships in BJJ were synonymous.

On November 12, 1993, Royce Gracie showed much of the world that everything they thought they knew about fighting was a myth. On May 27, 2006, Royce Gracie and those who clung to the belief pure Jiu Jitsu was the supreme fighting system found out that evolution had made everything he thought he knew about fighting also became a myth.

In what will likely go down as among the most historic moments in UFC history, Gracie, the original conqueror of the UFC and dominant fighter of its first year, returned after an 11-year absence and proved the saying that, “You can’t go home again.” Not when the neighborhood, that he and his brother built, had been completely refurbished. 

Subscribers can read this newsletter here.

Daily Update: Survivor Series tickets, Steve McMichael, UFC weigh-ins

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

See Dave & Bryan in London

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Friday Update

– Garrett Gonzales and I will be doing our week in review show today and Bryan and I will be back Saturday night covering UFC, Collision and everything else.

– The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up on the site right now:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • SummerSlam preview, records that will be set, records that are in jeopardy and more
  • Update on the card including notes about matches not yet announced
  • Update on ticket sales
  • Preview of Great American Bash and next NXT major event
  • Gable Steveson’s decision, his debut, what his decision really is and what wasn’t true in his angle
  • Preview to AEW in Wembley Stadium
  • What angles are being done and what is amazing about the build
  • Ticket sales and will they outsell Hogan vs. Andre at WrestleMania III before announcing the first match
  • Lots of AEW booking updates
  • Full coverage of the G-1 tournament, standings, matches left, Okada vs. Ospreay, what young guys are doing well and what aren’t
  • How business is doing so far
  • Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor coverage, business notes, PPV
  • Coverage of UFC at the O2 Arena in London, update on the heavyweight division
  • DDT runs biggest show of the year
  • A look at the carer of Tommy Siegler
  • The most detailed look at ratings for the past week
  • How wrestling shows did in the weekly standings and each night
  • Segment-by-segment numbers and comparisons with one year ago
  • Robbery of the box office at a major promotion show
  • CMLL Anniversary show update
  • World Gran Prix participants announced
  • Konnan talks TripleMania Mexico City main event
  • Day one of the Five-Star Grand Prix
  • Stardom upcoming shows including a multi-title show featuring New Japan belt and a legends show
  • King of Gate update
  • NOAH match with fastest fan club advance in history
  • Hogan getting married
  • Senate honors legendary wrestlers and how this differs from the U.S.
  • Lots of news on the Mildred Burke movie including pro wrestling personalities involved
  • Lio Rush injury update
  • Indie show has tickets sold to people from 32 countries
  • Impact does surprisingly well on PPV
  • Notes on Rush signing with AEW
  • Update on AEW injuries
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE and AEW shows including WWE PPV shows, AEW PPVs shows and Grand Slam at Arthur Ashe Stadium
  • International TV ratings
  • A look in detail at the largest MMA show rating of the year and it wasn’t from UFC, and how many of its viewers watch UFC
  • Peacock bleeding money and its future
  • WWE injury updates
  • WWE Royal Rumble news
  • WWE signings talk
  • Big match being teased
  • New names for WWE talent
  • Rundown of all the WWE weekend house shows

– As was first reported by Fightful, Vince McMahon, 78, underwent what we were told was a very serious spinal operation this past week that lasted four hours. He is currently recuperating from the injury.

– The Survivor Series at the Allsate Arena in Chicago on 11/25 officially sold out the first day tickets that were put on sale. The Smackdown the night before is basically sold out as well other than 1,145 high priced platinum tickets. (thanks to William Zdon)

– Steve McMichael is a semifinalist in the voting for the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame.

– SmackDown tonight on Fox from New Orleans has announced Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar with the winner facing Austin Theory in a U.S. title match, plus Karl Anderson vs. Karrion Kross. Roman Reigns and Jey Uso will also appear. There were 7,900 tickets out as of earlier today.

– Rampage tonight at 10 p.m. on TNT:

  • Tag team Battle Royal for a title shot with Butcher & Blade, Hardys, Big Bill & Brian Cage, Brother Zay & Ethan Page, Luther & Serpentico, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker, Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh and Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
  • Matt Taven & Mike Bennett vs. ?
  • Komander vs. Kip Sabian
  • Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose – we got a number of reports saying this match was really good.

– We didn’t get this in today’s issue but here were the most video views of wrestling stuff off television from the last week

  • 1. Roman Reigns final segment on SmackDown announcing Tribal Rules 1.4 million
  • 2. Ricky Starks/C.M.Punk opening promo on Collision 549,000
  • 3. LA Knight interview 500,000
  • 4. Logan Paul and Ricochet angle 480,000
  • 5. Judgment Day highlights from Raw 405,000

Stuff was way down from usual aside from the Reigns segment.

– Logan Paul will be doing a boxing match on 10/14 in Manchester, UK.

– We’re looking for reports on these weekend shows:

  • SmackDown tonight in New Orleans (dark matches and anything not on television)
  • Impact TV tapings tonight in Chicago at Cicero Stadium
  • Collision tomorrow night in Hartford, CT (ROH and dark matches only)
  • Impact TV tapings tomorrow night in Chicago at Cicero Stadium
  • WWE house show tomorrow in Estero, FL
  • WWE house show Sunday in Coral Gables, FL

We’re looking for results, finishes, angles and other highlights to [email protected]

– Saturday is a major night when it comes to fighting. AEW Collision with MJF & Adam Cole vs. FTR goes head-to-head with the UFC prelims, which air on both ESPN and ABC. They would almost surely beat AEW out in the ratings. There are also two PPV shows head-to-head, with the Erroll Spence Jr. vs. Terrence Crawford PPV and the UFC PPV headlined by Justin Gaethje vs. Dustin Poirier. The PPVs go head-to-head but the main fights will start after Collision ends. However, Showtime is also airing Bellator from the Saitama Super Arena in Japan starting at 11 p.m. Eastern, so that show will go head-to-head with both the major fights on the UFC PPV show and Crawford vs. Spence.

– UFC weigh-ins for tomorrow’s PPV show from Salt Lake City:

ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m. Eastern time

  • Miranda Maverick (125.5) vs. Priscila Cachoeira (125)
  • Matthew Semelsberger (169.5) vs. Uros Medic (170.5)
  • CJ Vergara (125.5) vs. Vinicius Salvador (128.5) – Salvador missed weight and forfeited 20 percent of his purse

ESPN and ABC and ESPN+ at 8 p.m Eastern

  • Jake Matthews (170) vs. Darrius Flowers (170.5)
  • Roman Kopylov (185) vs. Claudio Ribeiro (185.5)
  • Derrick Lewis (263.5) vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima (262)
  • Gabriel Bonfim (170) vs. Trevin Giles (170)

PPV at 10 p.m.

  • Michael Chiesa (170) vs. Kevin Holland (169.5)
  • Tony Ferguson (155) vs. Bobby Green (155.5)
  • Stephen Thompson (170.5) vs. Michel Pereira (174) – Pereira missed weight. This fight may be canceled as it was up in the air at last word
  • Jan Blachowicz (205) vs. Alex Pereria (205.5)
  • Dustin Poirier (155) vs. Justin Gaethje (156)

– G-1 at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya starts at 3 a.m. Sunday morning and midnight Saturday night Pacific time.

– UFC has signed a brand partnership agreement with Roobet.fun, a free-to-play social casino where the community competes for cash and prizes. It’s a multi-year agreement where UFC will promote Roobet.fun as the Official Social Casino of the UFC on various events each year. They will also promote sweepstakes packages featuring in-person prizes, tickets to live vents, post-fight tours, meet and greets and VIP tours of the Performance Institute in Las Vegas.

Other Notes

– Defy has a doubleheader this weekend. Tonight is an all women’s show at Washington Hall in Seattle with Vert Vixen defending her Defy title against Maki Itoh, Marina Shafir vs. Liiza Hall, Nicole Matthews vs. Allie Katch in a street fight and more, plus a meet and greet with Madusa. Saturday night has Curry Man (Christopher Daniels) vs. Miles Deville, Vert Vixen defends against Billie Starkz, Bollywood Boys defend the tag titles against the Billington Bulldogs, Guillermo Rosas vs. KC Navarro vs. Clark Connors vs. Evan Rivers, Schaff vs. Travis Williams vs. Cody Chhun vs Titus Alexander and Jon Moxley vs. Artemis Spencer in the main event.

– AIW tomorrow night in Jefferson, OH at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds with the Bill Alfonso hardcore tournament.

– Progress on 9/24 in London has Spike Trivet vs. Kid Lykos for the Progress world title.

– The 8/26 Progress show over All In weekend at the Electric Ballroom has added Paul Robinson vs. Nathan Cruz, Lizzy Evo vs. Kanji and SoCal Val will be hosting the show.

– Aron Stevens is available for seminars on character development and psychology through Bill Behrens a [email protected]. The seminars will cover creating a memorable character and adapting to bad situations and how to make the most out of less than favorable booking.

July 31, 2023 Observer Newsletter: WWE SummerSlam card takes shape, questions surround AEW All In

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

WWE runs what will be the biggest SummerSlam show in recent history on 8/5 at Ford Field.

The show will be the biggest in a few ways. It’s a virtual lock that, given the growth of Peacock and the growth of WWE popularity this year, will be the most number of people watching in North America or any SummerSlam show in history. It will be the second largest attendance (it won’t beat the 1992 show at Wembley Stadium) and will likely be the largest gate for any non-WrestleMania show ever in the U.S. (the target is $7.3 million based on how gates are usually measured and $7.7 million that WWE announced for Royal Rumble including Ticketmaster fees).

They’ve peaked big as well with the main event, with the Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso match not only being for all three belts that Reigns & Paul Heyman carry around as Universal champion, but even more significant in the storyline, the lei Reigns wears which makes him Tribal Chief. The match is being billed as Tribal Warfare, another name for an anything-goes, no DQ weapons match.

Subscribers can read the rest of this week’s issue here.

WWE Raw draws another strong ratings number

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Raw last night averaged 1.82 million viewers and drew a 0.57 rating in 18-49 along with a very strong 0.43 in 18-34.

While the viewers and 18-49 number were similar to last week, the 18-34 number was way up, which could have to do with Logan Paul.

It was the normal summer pattern where the second hour was the high point and the high point being Dominik Mysterio vs. Sami Zayn for the NXT North American title.

There was a pretty significant third hour drop so the Seth Rollins-Finn Balor contract signing didn’t keep the audience as well as most main events.

The show was down two percent in viewers from last week, but almost identical in 18-49 and 18-34 was up 25 percent.

From last year, it was down four percent in viewers from the first Raw after Vince McMahon announced his retirement and the number was way up from that time frame, but the audience this year is substantially younger with a 15 percent gain in 18-49 and a 31 percent gain in 18-34. And that’s with a marked decline in the number of homes USA Network is in.

The three hours were:

  • 8 p.m. 1.87 million viewers
  • 9 p.m. 1.91 million viewers
  • 10 pm. 1.67 million viewers

Daily Update: Rush, WWE Raw, Ronda Rousey

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

See Dave & Bryan in London

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Poll results from all the major shows plus Match of the week and Performer of the week
  • Looking back on a week with some of the best matches of the year, story behind the matches and complications involved
  • Week one G-1 Climax coverage, what stories have been told, where is business, what is and isn’t working and match-by-match coverage
  • Coverage of TripleMania, including what really happened with Don Callis, the story behind Vikingo vs. Omega, as well as looking at the 8/12 show in Mexico City
  • Tony Khan press conference coverage, update on All In with new ticket sales info and how close to records is the show, more PPVs question, longer Dynamite, Death Before Dishonor and more
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show and what is next for the participants
  • Eric Young returns and Impact Slammiversary, as well as the return of Josh Alexander
  • How many homes are the networks that carry wrestling in
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling and MMA television shows, with a lot of shockers in the weekly and daily standings. Including what show placed No. 7 for the week in network television, where the wrestling and MMA shows finished on cable, segment-by-segment, competition and more
  • What promotion is killing it every week in ticket sales at the same arena
  • Major talent jump to join his brother
  • Documentary on the life of one of the biggest stars in history hits movie theaters internationally in the fall
  • Major TV documentary on the Ali vs. Inoki fight, what was revealed and some new news being reported
  • 75th anniversary of the birth of the NWA and the real story of its birth and growth
  • How the public’s viewing has changed
  • The Rick Steiner situation and how it was handled
  • More on the Teddy Hart arrest and what he was in Florida for
  • Notes on upcoming Impact TV shows
  • Upcoming ticket sales for WWE & AEw shows
  • Lots of new major UFC fights
  • Iconic company set for a return in September
  • Updated Money in the Bank and Forbidden Door PPV numbers
  • WWE injury updates
  • Dwayne Johnson reportedly sets an all-time money record
  • Gable Steveson’s decision
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Monday Update

Bryan and I are back tonight with Wrestling Observer radio covering all the latest news plus Raw coverage for tonight.

Rush, whose AEW deal had either just expired or was about to expire, has signed a new contract with the promotion. We’ve been covering that in the Observer the past few weeks. Those in WWE confirmed interest and those close to Rush confirmed interest in WWE, but those in WWE also believed AEW had made the better money offer and would likely get him a far better offer and would likely get him. Rush just confirmed the signing today.

Raw tonight is in Tampa. We’re looking for reports on the Main Event and anything off TV from the show to [email protected] The key stuff includes Cody Rhodes doing a promo regarding his match with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, face-to-face confrontations with Gunther and Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul and Ricochet and the Seth Rollins-Finn Balor contract signing for SummerSlam. Plus Becky Lynch has to beat Zoey Stark to get a match at SummerSlam. If she loses she has to get the name Trish Stratus tattooed on her chest, which isn’t happening. There were 10,800 tickets out for the show this morning so it’s be another big crowd, perhaps a sellout. Cody Rhodes said that this would be the biggest Raw crowd in Tampa history.

Ronda Rousey is likely on the show tonight, since she worked the weekend house shows in Mexico against Shayna Baszler, and will also be on Stars on Mars on FOX tonight.

TBS sent out a press release regarding the Blood & Guts show. They listed more than 2.5 million viewers for the show. That figure is every person who tuned into one minute of the show or watched though Saturday night via DVR. In 25-54, the L+3 number was the best number in that demo for a prime time show on the station is more than two months. They noted an 0.83 18-49 number in L+3. It was the top show on cable in both categories. The 0.83 is the percentage of viewers in that age group that get TBS. That’s probably an 0.38 or so based on the numbers you would be used to seeing as far as the 18-49 demo after three days, which started at 0.34 on the same day.

Judgment Day, as in Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley, will open NXT tomorrow.

Dwayne Johnson has given a seven-figure donation to SAG-AFTRA. SAG-AFTRA called it the biggest donation that they have ever received from one individual at one time.

We’re looking for your thoughts on Friday’s ROH Death Before Dishonor show, a thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected]

G-1 continues at Korakuen Hall tomorrow at 5:30 a.m. with Will Ospreay vs. Great O’Khan, Shota Umino vs Gabe Kidd, Taichi vs. KENTA, Yota Tsuji vs. Chase Owens, Tanga Loa vs. El Phantasmo, Ren Narita vs. Hikuleo, Kazuchika Okada vs. Yoshi-Hashi and Sanada vs. Kaito Kiyomiya.

The Barbie movie, which came out over the weekend and features John Cena, did $162 million at the U.S. box office which these days is a gigantic number. It did $356 million worldwide.

The Lio Rush injury we wrote about yesterday and talked about on the show is legit. He was to work a match last night and they only said he was not cleared to wrestle. The MCW main event last night was to be Lio Rush vs. Brian Cage and the co-main was Action Andretti vs. Flip Gordon. It ended up Cage & Gordon vs. Andretti & Miami Mike where Mike pinned Gordon to win. (thanks to Ideen Barimani)

WWE stars will be on Celebrity Family Feud on Sunday. It will be men vs. women.

STARZ starts its second season on Friday night. As noted before, both CM Punk and AJ Mendez are part of the cast which is based around a small independent wrestling promotion in Georgia built around two feuding brothers whose father started the company.

Other Notes

GCW announced shows on 9/22 and 9/23 in Germany.

Prestige Wrestling from last night in Asbury Park,NJ, before 200 fans: Colin Delaney & Bobby Orlando b Ace of Space, Alan Angels b Manders, Xia Brookside b Janai Kai, Jake Crist b Robert Martyr (Martyr had to leave Prestige Wrestling based on the stipulation), Malakai Black & Kevin Blackwood b Alan Angels & Jake Crist in what was billed as Prestige vs. Revolver wrestling, Trish Adora b Maki Itoh, Alex Shelley b Jonathan Gresham to keep the Prestige title. (thanks to Joseph Kurliak)

Daily Update: WWE in Mexico, SmackDown rating, Katsuyori Shibata

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

See Dave & Bryan in London

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Poll results from all the major shows plus Match of the week and Performer of the week
  • Looking back on a week with some of the best matches of the year, story behind the matches and complications involved
  • Week one G-1 Climax coverage, what stories have been told, where is business, what is and isn’t working and match-by-match coverage
  • Coverage of TripleMania, including what really happened with Don Callis, the story behind Vikingo vs. Omega, as well as looking at the 8/12 show in Mexico City
  • Tony Khan press conference coverage, update on All In with new ticket sales info and how close to records is the show, more PPVs question, longer Dynamite, Death Before Dishonor and more
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show and what is next for the participants
  • Eric Young returns and Impact Slammiversary, as well as the return of Josh Alexander
  • How many homes are the networks that carry wrestling in
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling and MMA television shows, with a lot of shockers in the weekly and daily standings. Including what show placed No. 7 for the week in network television, where the wrestling and MMA shows finished on cable, segment-by-segment, competition and more
  • What promotion is killing it every week in ticket sales at the same arena
  • Major talent jump to join his brother
  • Documentary on the life of one of the biggest stars in history hits movie theaters internationally in the fall
  • Major TV documentary on the Ali vs. Inoki fight, what was revealed and some new news being reported
  • 75th anniversary of the birth of the NWA and the real story of its birth and growth
  • How the public’s viewing has changed
  • The Rick Steiner situation and how it was handled
  • More on the Teddy Hart arrest and what he was in Florida for
  • Notes on upcoming Impact TV shows
  • Upcoming ticket sales for WWE & AEw shows
  • Lots of new major UFC fights
  • Iconic company set for a return in September
  • Updated Money in the Bank and Forbidden Door PPV numbers
  • WWE injury updates
  • Dwayne Johnson reportedly sets an all-time money record
  • Gable Steveson’s decision
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Moderators needed:

We are currently looking for two people to moderate our message board. Those interested please contact [email protected].

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio covering all the news from the weekend. We also have our week in review show with Garrett up on the site right now. There was a lot of history on that show on the formation and growth of the NWA and the AWA and WWWF and the making of Harley Race as an international superstar with the anniversary of his title win over Jack Brisco.

WWE from Mexico City last night:

  • Rhea Ripley retained the world title in a three-way over Natalya and Becky Lynch by pinning Natalya with the Riptide
  • Cody Rhodes b Damian Priest with Cross Rhodes
  • Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde & Matt Riddle b Imperium
  • There was a Miz TV segment with Rousey. Both spoke in Spanish. Rousey used a USA gi to make her the heel.
  • Shayna Baszler b Ronda Rosuey via DQ when Rousey used a chair and they did a pull-apart brawl after the match. Rousey was a total heel in this match
  • Seth Rollins b Dominik Mysterio with the curb stomp even with Priest and Ripley interfering
  • Austin Theory b Santos Escboar to keep the U.S. title
  • Asuka won a three-way over Charlotte Flair and Shotzi to keep the WWE Womens’ title when Shotzi was pinned
  • Roman Reigns b Rey Mysterio. Dominik attacked Rey after the match and tried to do the three amigos when Rey escaped and hit Dom with the 619 to end the show. Paul Heyman was there with Reigns. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)

Regarding the 1.182,000 number for Friday’s Smackdown on FS 1 on the fast nationals, it should that fast nationals count Friday from 8-10 p.m. Pacific time on the West Coast and for sports that means in this case the fast national would have the replay number and not the live number. So that will affect the final number significantly.

They were teasing Katsuyori Shibata vs. Josh Woods at some point for the ROH Pure title at the ROH tapings before Collision. The show was five hours.

Kota Ibushi teased that he was originally booked on the AEW Wembley Stadium show saying he might have a match and he needs a quick recovery.

Saya Kamitani suffered a dislocated elbow doing a dive off the lighting tower like Will Ospreay did at WrestleKingdom a few years back. People are raving about the show although the Kamitani vs. Tam Nakano main event was cut short due to the injury. Kamitani is believed to be out for the rest of the tournament which completely changes so much of the plans for the tournament. The matches to go out of your way to see I was told were Mirai vs. Momo Watanabe, Suzu Suzki vs Syuri, Mayu Iwatani vs. Hazuki and Giulia vs. Saori Annou. There was also a big surprise as Megan Bayne showed up and she’s being brought in to be a star because she beat up Nakano and challenged her for a matc for the World of Stardom title. Utami Hayashishita also challenged Mayu Iwatani for the IWGP women’s title. These challenges took place after the Kamitani injury and Nakano and Hayashishita were both very upset doing the angle due to the legit injury of Kamitani. The storyline is that Hayashishita met Bayne in the U.S. and recruited her to come over. One person said this was the best tournament show since the 2020 G-1 tournament anywhere in the world. (thanks to Thomas Grimes, Tim Hunter, David Hayter and Ingo Ga)

The first night results saw: Maika b Hanan, Mariah May b AZM, Natsuko Tora b Ami Sohrei, Natsupoi b Starlight Kid, Utami Hayashishita b Mina Shirakawa, Momo Watanabe b Mirai, Syuri b Suzu Suzuki, Mayu Iwatani b Hazuki, Gioulia d Saori Anu 15:00, Tam Nakano b Saya Kamitani – injury stoppage

At the DDT Peter Pan show, Chris Brookes beat Yuji Hino to win the KO-D title, plus El Desperado baet Daisuke Sasaki, Konosuke Takeshita beat Yui Ueno and Matt Cardona won the Universal title over Tetsuya Endo. Cardona, Takeshita, and Taka Michinoku were the main outside stars.

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE show in Monterrey, Mexico and the DDT Peter Pan show to [email protected]

We’re also doing a poll this weekend for the ROH Death Before Dishonor show, thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected]

In the most searched list for Google this week, the only thing from wrestling, boxing or MMA to make the list was Tom Aspinall, who beat Marcin Tybura in the UFC main event at the O2 Arena in London. 

The G-1 Climax tournament continues on Tuesday with three straight days in Tokyo, two at Korakuen Hall and Thursday at the Ota Ward Gym in Tokyo. Sanada vs. Kaito Kiyomiya and Kazuchika Okada vs. Yoshi-Hashi are the top matches Tuesday. Eddie Kingston vs. Tomohiro Ishii, Jeff Cobb vs. Zack Sabre Jr. and Tama Tonga vs. David Finlay are the top bouts for Wednesday and Thursday may be the biggest match of the tournament with Okada vs. Will Ospreay

Tommaso Ciampa vs. Bronson Reed and a contract signing for Seth Rollins and Finn Balor have been added to Monday’s Raw in Tampa.

Other Notes

MCW Shane Shamrock Memorial Cup fro last night in Joppa, MD: Lio Rush b Myles Hawkins, Marcus Mathers b Techno, Kekoa won three-way over Alex Divine and Mike alkier, Mike Bailey b Jordan Oliver, Jack Cartwheel b Carlie Bravo, Gia Scott & Brittany Blake & Kaia McKenna b Tiffany Nieves & Haley J & Simone Valentina with Mickie James as referee, Tim Spriggs & Spencer Slade b Joe Keys & Dante Caballero Robert Locke b Ken Dixon, Mike Walker won over Mike Bailey, Flip Gordon, Jack Cartwheel, Marcus Maters and Kekoa to win the Shane Shamrock Cup. Lio Rush injured his shoulder and was taken to the hospital so he didn’t come back after his win. Rush has had a history of shoulder issues that have threatened his career so hopefully it isn’t bad.

Defy raised more than $18,000 last night for the Cataleya’s Crusade, helping someone battling Neurofibromatosis. Afternoon show in White Center, WA: Derrick Shaw won three-way over Luis Alexander and Ashton Sours, Jacky Lee & Shareeef Morrow b Coco Flash & Guerilla Suge, Sebastian Wolf b Casey Ferreria, Amira b Case Ferreira, Eddie Pearl & Ricky Gibson b Coco Flash & Guerilla Suge, Sebastian Wolfe b Brian Cook, Jacky Lee & Shareef Morrow & Amira b Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl & Ethan Carnica

Evening show in Eatonville, WA: Artemis Spencer b Miles Deville, Schaff b Evan Rivers, Rebel Kel won four-way over Taryn, Liiza Hall ad Bambi Hall, Sebastian Wolf won Battle royal, Nicole Matthews b Amira, Curry Man (Christopher Daniels) & Cocy Chhun won three-way over Judas Icarus & Travis Williams and Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl

WPW Super Clash V on 10/29 in Gloucester, UK at the Oxstalls Sports Park.

May 29, 2006 Observer Newsletter: ECW, Booker T & Batista

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Things are going crazy in the WWE.

With injuries and burnout affecting much of the roster, fights breaking out, Smackdown ratings plunging badly, yet house show business seemingly strong and ECW about to be launched with almost nothing finalized in plans, it can only be described as nobody knows what is going to happen next. Major booking plans change by the minute, and nobody knows what is going to happen in two PPV events that are just a few weeks away.

It was expected all week that an announcement would be made on 5/23 that the new ECW show would be signed for the Sci-Fi channel and debut on 6/13. With so much going on, things got crazy on the deal. As best we can tell, the announcement will likely be made before any of you read this. Some of the terms were not yet finalized.

The show will air on Tuesday night, either at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., for one hour. Sci-Fi, after first agreeing to a 52 week commitment, started getting some cold feet on the project, and at last word had only committed to 12 episodes. Because of the WWE’s exclusive TV deal with NBC Universal, and USA Network not interested in giving the show a good time slot, and Bravo expressing only mild interest, WWE has very little leverage in this deal.

Subscribers can click here to read this issue.

Daily Update: Disney, WWE SmackDown, Big E

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

See Dave & Bryan in London

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Poll results from all the major shows plus Match of the week and Performer of the week
  • Looking back on a week with some of the best matches of the year, story behind the matches and complications involved
  • Week one G-1 Climax coverage, what stories have been told, where is business, what is and isn’t working and match-by-match coverage
  • Coverage of TripleMania, including what really happened with Don Callis, the story behind Vikingo vs. Omega, as well as looking at the 8/12 show in Mexico City
  • Tony Khan press conference coverage, update on All In with new ticket sales info and how close to records is the show, more PPVs question, longer Dynamite, Death Before Dishonor and more
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show and what is next for the participants
  • Eric Young returns and Impact Slammiversary, as well as the return of Josh Alexander
  • How many homes are the networks that carry wrestling in
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling and MMA television shows, with a lot of shockers in the weekly and daily standings. Including what show placed No. 7 for the week in network television, where the wrestling and MMA shows finished on cable, segment-by-segment, competition and more
  • What promotion is killing it every week in ticket sales at the same arena
  • Major talent jump to join his brother
  • Documentary on the life of one of the biggest stars in history hits movie theaters internationally in the fall
  • Major TV documentary on the Ali vs. Inoki fight, what was revealed and some new news being reported
  • 75th anniversary of the birth of the NWA and the real story of its birth and growth
  • How the public’s viewing has changed
  • The Rick Steiner situation and how it was handled
  • More on the Teddy Hart arrest and what he was in Florida for
  • Notes on upcoming Impact TV shows
  • Upcoming ticket sales for WWE & AEw shows
  • Lots of new major UFC fights
  • Iconic company set for a return in September
  • Updated Money in the Bank and Forbidden Door PPV numbers
  • WWE injury updates
  • Dwayne Johnson reportedly sets an all-time money record
  • Gable Steveson’s decision
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Moderators needed:

We are currently looking for two people to moderate our message board. Those interested please contact [email protected].

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Friday Update

For this weekend, Garrett and I did a show today talking about the news of the week and some history. Bryan and I will be back Sunday covering all the weekend stuff.

There is a giant news story coming from CNBC about Disney CEO Bob Iger attempting to make deals to give the NBA, NFL and Major League Baseball minority owner stakes in ESPN. The idea to me seems to be that ESPN wants to get out of the spiraling rights games by offering the key content producers points in the company with the assurance that they will stay on ESPN. As we constantly talk about, the television business is rapidly changing and as more and more people no longer get cable, and cable carriage fees and advertising declines with them, the stations will no longer have the money to pay as much for programming. This spells potential disaster for every sport, as well as WWE, AEW and UFC, in attempts to continually get more money each negotiation period. The bottom hasn’t fallen out yet, and may not, but it feels to me this is the most dangerous challenge to this system that has served sports so well and made WWE and UFC into giant companies. 

For those wanting to see the Kento Miyahara vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima match that was talked about in the new issue and will probably finish high in match of the year voting, you can get a free week at Wrestle Universe and watch it with English commentary at https://www.wrestle-universe.com/en

Smackdown is tonight in Orlando, which is sold out with more than 12,100 tickets out this morning. Remember the show is on FS 1 and not FOX tonight due to Women’s World Cup soccer. If you watch via DVR, adjust it quickly because in most cases, your FOX season pass will not record the show. There will be angles set up for the Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso SummerSlam main event with the stips, as well as for the Asuka title match (which has already been announced as a three-way with Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair) plus Rey Mysterio vs. Sheamus vs. LA Knight vs. Cameron Grimes in a match where the winner faces Santos Escobar next Friday. The winners of that will get a U.S. title match with Austin Theory. Dominik Mysterio vs. Butch for the North American title is also scheduled.

The Austin Theory U.S. title match was as of earlier this week scheduled for Smackdown and not for SummerSlam, which is already full with nine matches. That could always change but it was confirmed to us that was the original plan for the tournament.

Big E is at the building tonight for Smackdown backstage. Bayley is also there but not scheduled for a match.

UFC announced Leon Edwards defending the welterweight title against Colby Covington for the semi on the 11/11 30th anniversary show at Madison Square Garden. That’s the show headlined by Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic for the heavyweight title. 

Rampage tonight on TNT at 10 p.m. has a 20 man Royal Rampage match with the winner facing Luchasaurus at All Out for the TNT title, plus Kris Statlander vs. Marina Shafir for the TBS title and Billy Gunn & The Acclaimed vs. QT Marshall & Johnny TV & Aaron Solo. They will also be announcing tomorrow night’s Collision show tonight on the air.

Tonight at Arena Mexico will have Cibernetico main event with Mistico, Metalik, Rocky Romero, Volador Jr., Templario, Titan, Mascara Dorada 2.0 and Dragon Rojo Jr. On paper, this should be something. Arena Mexico as far as big crowds and big reactions, on Friday nights, ism the closest thing to old-school wrestling in atmosphere pretty much anywhere.

UFC tomorrow from the O2 Arena in London on ESPN+ from Noon to 7 p.m. Eastern:

  • Jafel Filho (126) vs. Daniel Barez (125)
  • Shauna Bannon (115) vs. Bruna Brasil (115)
  • Yanai Ashmouz (155) vs. Chris Duncan (156)
  • Ketlen Vieira (135) vs. Pannie Kianzad (136)
  • Makmud Muradov (186) vs. Bryan Barbarena (185)
  • Mark Parkin (264) vs. Jaal Pogues (266)
  • Marc Diakiese (156) vs. Joel Alvarez (156)
  • Danny Roberts (171) vs. Jonny Parsons (171)
  • Davey Grant (136) vs. Daniel Marcos (136)
  • Lerone Murphy (146) vs. Josh Culibao (146)
  • Jai Herbert (155) vs. Fares Ziam (155)
  • Paul Craig (186) vs. Andre Muniz (185)
  • Nathaniel Wood (146) vs. Andre Fili (145)
  • Julija Stoliarenko (125) vs. Molly McCann (125)
  • Tom Aspinall (258) vs Marcin Tybura (246)

Tod Gordon did an interview with FOX News about his upcoming book on the history of ECW with the idea of saying that the WWE version of Paul Heyman version of his departure aren’t accurate.

We’re looking for your thoughts on tonight’s ROH PPV show, you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

We’re also looking for reports from these shows:

  • WWE Smackdown tonight in Orlando (dark matches only or anything not on television)
  • NXT tonight in Lakeland, FL
  • AEW tomorrow night in Newark, NJ (ROH tapings and dark matches only)
  • WWE Saturday night in Mexico City
  • NXT Saturday night in Gainesville, FL
  • WWE Sunday night in Monterrey, Mexico
  • We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

There was a G-1 show today in Nagaoka. Lots of raves about actually most of the show. There is no show on Saturday and the C and D block run Sunday morning at 5 a.m. Eastern from Nagano which has Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Jeff Cobb, Aaron Henare vs Eddie Kingston and Tomohiro Ishii vs. Shingo Takagi, the latter of which is always one of the better matches of the year.

Michael Oku defending the British heavyweight title against Trent Seven, as expected from the angle at York Hall, has been added to the 8/26 RevPro show at the Copper Box Arena in London.

Pro Wrestling NOAH announced a record advance gate for its 9/17 Korakuen Hall show with Will Ospreay vs. Naomichi Marufuji as the main event.

SummerSlam odds at BetOnline:

  • Seth Rollins -300 Finn Balor +200
  • Cody Rhodes -450 Brock Lesnar +275
  • Shayna Baszler -1000 Ronda Rousey +550

Other Notes

Manami Toyota, perhaps the greatest woman wrestler who ever lived, will be making a special appearance at the West Coast Pro debut in Los Angeles at The Don Quixote on 9/10.

Sam Adonis announced today that he was leaving MLW, for now. He said “I have nothing but wonderful things to say about the MLW crew and I wish them nothing but the best.”

There is a 30 percent off ticket sale for Defy using the code DEFYTIME for shows on 7/28, 7/29 and 8/12. Tickets are at www.DefyWrestling.com 7/28 is an all women’s show with Vert Vixen, Maki Itoh, Marina Shafir and Madusa as a guest. 7/29 features Jon Moxley vs. Artemis Spencer. 8/12 features the Super 8XFP Grand Prix night two the debut of Masha Slamovich and Lio Rush vs. Judas Icarus.

Central States Wrestling on 7/29 in Lenaxa, KS at the National Guard Armory with a 60:00 Iron man match with Dak Draper vs. Jeremy Wyatt as the main event.

CM Punk will be announcing for the Cage Fury Fighting Championships on UFC Fight Pass on Thursday from the Seminole Hard Rock in Tampa. It is the sixth straight sellout for the promotion in the building. Cedric Gunnison (6-1) defends the lightweight title against Rob Watley (12-3) in the main event.

Leon Slater vs. Alec Price was announced for the 8/19 GCW show in Atlantic City.

Kirk White’s Big Time Wrestling on 7/28 at the Newark, CA Pavilion with Matt Cardona vs. Chris Masters, The Freaks vs. Sir Samurai & Eliza Hammer, Titus Alexander vs. Aaron Solo and Viva Van vs. Steph De Lander.