Author: Bryan Rose

Daily Update: The WWE-Endeavor deal becomes official

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is out with the following covered:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week from the past two weeks
  • The most detailed story of the AEW/C.M. Punk relationship
  • The honeymoon period
  • The business records
  • The difficulty of the decision to cut ties with him
  • Lots of new information not reported previously
  • The original records set and business success
  • The fight after All Out and its aftermath
  • Realities of pro wrestling
  • Analysis of him going to WWE
  • Support and non-support for him in AEW
  • Punk’s prior two contacts in recent years with WWE about returning
  • Conflict between Punk and other talent
  • The situation with Adam Page
  • The attempts to get everyone working together and why it kept being delayed
  • Details on what happened in the investigations after All In
  • Tony Khan’s speech before the live crowd in Chicago
  • The life and times of Sheik Adnan-Al Kaissie, the Native American babyface torn foreign menace
  • Amateur wrestling, legend in Hawaii, and giant stadium crowds in Iraq including beating Andre the Giant
  • His WWWF tag team title run
  • His AWA run including the biggest crowds in the heyday of the promotion affiliated with Jerry Blackwell and Ken Patera
  • The final run with Sgt. Slaughter
  • Full coverage of Payback, business notes, stories out of the show and match-by-match coverage
  • Full coverage of All Out, highlights, polls, business notes and more
  • UFC weekend coverage from Paris
  • More notes on the formation of a new all-women’s promotion that starts in a few weeks with Japanese stars
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for every wrestling and MMA show, segment-by-segment notes
  • Rocky Romero talks his CMLL run
  • Latest from Arena Mexico
  • Hall of Famer says he hopes to recover from recent operation and have a big retirement match
  • Stardom Five-Star Grand Prix tournament notes
  • Stardom PPV coverage
  • New rookie getting rave reviews
  • All Japan and NOAH have big shows
  • Terry Funk funeral notes
  • Notes on new TV show
  • Big tag team tournament coming
  • More notes on Wembley Stadium attendance
  • Bryan Danielson and Adam Cole talk post All Out
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • AEW value calculated
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Aussie Open on why they signed with AEW
  • Sports franchise owned by pro wrestling star wins championship
  • Dana White talks Bellator being for sale
  • More on Bellator sale talks
  • Analyst talks where he thinks WWE will wind up on television
  • Gable Steveson not doing world championships and update
  • Merchandise sales for Clash at the Castle and for All in
  • Cena’s drawing power on his return

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.

Tuesday Update

WWE

  • TKO’s stock ended on their first day at $103.22, up 2.44%.
  • WWE executives have received a bonus as a result of today’s closing. That includes Nick Khan ($15 million), Kevin Dunn ($7 million), Paul Levesque ($5 million), and Frank Riddick ($5 million).
  • Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro talked to CNBC’s Squawk on the Street regarding TKO.
  • Matthew McConaghey will be a guest on tomorrow’s episode of The Bump.
  • Raw ring announcer Samantha Irvin commented on X after people accused WWE of turning down Dominik Mysterio’s mic during his promos: One week the crowd “isn’t reacting enough”- the next week we get the LOUDEST reactions ever and we mad at production. you know y’all could just ask me instead of looking like bonafide haters just lmk.”
  • Cody Rhodes celebrated his ten-year wedding anniversary to Brandi Rhodes on X.
  • Bayley announced on Instagram that she is auctioning off ring worn gear, with the proceeds going to the Hawaii Animal Rescue Foundation, which will support animals affected by the recent wildfires.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube today include Edge vs. Dominik Mysterio from the September 12, 2022 edition of Raw, Batista vs. JBL from No Mercy 2008, and Kane vs. The Great Khali in a kendo stick match from Breaking Point 2008.

AEW

Other Wrestling

Nia Jax makes return on WWE Raw, attacks Rhea Ripley

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Nia Jax has made her return to WWE.

Jax appeared at the end of Monday’s Raw, jumping Raquel Rodriguez during the main event between Rodriguez and Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship. Ripley used the opportunity to pin Rodriguez. After the match, Jax attacked Ripley as well, ending the show by giving Ripley the banzai drop in the corner.

Since being released from WWE in 2021, Jax has largely stayed away from pro wrestling. She made an appearance earlier this year in the Women’s Royal Rumble match, where she entered at number 30 and was eliminated by a group of women.

Jax first signed with the company in 2014 and made it to the main roster by 2016. During her first run in the WWE, Jax held the Raw Women’s Championship once and the Women’s Tag Team titles twice with Shayna Baszler. Her last appearance prior to being released in November 2021 was the Baszler/Jax team splitting up, with Baszler stomping on Jax’s arm while it was wedged in the steel steps.

Sean Strickland wins middleweight title at UFC 293

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Sean Strickland is the new UFC middleweight champion.

Strickland defeated Israel Adesanya by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to win the middleweight championship for the first time. Adesanya had been champion for 155 days, defeating Alex Pereira at UFC 287 back in April of this year. 

After the decision was read, Strickland said he never thought in a million years that he would ever be here. He called Adesanya a “bad mother*****r”, saying that Adesanya beat a majority of his friends. He said the people of Australia motivated him, and their yelling fueled him.

Adesanya has been part of the middleweight title scene dating back to 2019, when he became the undisputed champion. He had held the title up until Pereira defeated him at UFC 281 on November 12 of last year, being knocked out in the fifth round of that fight. The only other loss in Adesanya’s career was a loss to Jan Blachowicz in March of 2021 for the UFC light heavyweight title, preventing him from becoming a double champion.

Impact 1000 spoilers: Returns, title change, new HOF inductee

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Source: PWInsider

Here are results from Saturday’s Impact 1000 tapings from White Plains, New York. The episode is airing on AXS TV this Thursday (September 14):

  • Jody Threat defeated Kylinn King
  • Masha Slamovich and Killer Kelly defeated The Death Dollz (Courtney Rush and Jessicka) to retain the Impact Knockouts Tag Team titles. Slamovich pinned Jessicka following a snow plow.
  • Alan Angels won a Ultimate X match, defeating Zachary Wentz, Rich Swann, Samuray del Sol, Speedball Mike Bailey, and Ace Austin
  • Yuya Uemura, Crazzy Steve, Chris Bey, and Moose won a Feast or Fired battle royal, all grabbing briefcases. Others involved in the match include Heath, Steve Maclin, Laredo Kid, Johnny Swinger, Joe Hendry, Jonathan Gresham, Black Taurus, PCO, Sami Callihan, John Skyler, KUSHIDA, Brian Myers, Kevin Knight, Bhupinder Gujar, Jai Vidal, and John E. Bravo. The finish had Rhyno gore Maclin, allowing Moose to grab the final briefcase.
  • Scott D’Amore came out and welcomed everyone to Impact 1000. He introduced Gail Kim, who talked about how special the Knockouts division was and showed a video. The Beautiful People came out and interrupted, saying they liked the clips of themselves but thought everyone else was ugly. Gisele Shaw, Jai Vidal, Deonna Purrazzo, Jordynne Grace, Trinity, Awesome Kong and Raisha Saeed, Tasha Steelz, and Mickie James all came out. This set up a 5 vs. 5 Team Beautiful People vs. Team Trinity match for later in the taping.
  • Rohit Raju and Champagne Singh came out. They asked which team accomplished more than they have. Team 3D then came out for the next match.
  • Team 3D defeated Desi Hit Squad after they hit the 3D on Singh. Raju was Bubba bombed through the table after the match.
  • Josh Alexander came out for a promo, saying he never lost the Impact World title. Alex Shelley came out said it’s not Josh’s title anymore. Shelley ended up challenging Alexander. The Rascalz then emerged and attacked Alexander, with Shelley walking out as The Rascalz continued to beat down Alexander.
  • Traci Brooks and Frankie Kazarian defeated Eddie Edwards and Alicia Edwards when Brooks defeated Alicia with a kryptonite crunch. After the match, it was announced that Brooks would be inducted into the Impact Hall of Fame. Brooks was in tears after the announcement, with Kazarian and Brooks celebrating in the ring with their son.
  • Chris Sabin defeated Lio Rush to win the X-Division Championship. Sabin won after hitting Rush with the cradleshock. Shelley celebrated with Sabin after the match.
  • Jake Something defeated Dirty Dango
  • Eric Young (with Scott D’Amore) defeated Kenny King (with Sheldon Jean) by DQ. It then turned into a tag match, but after Deaner and Kon hit the ring, Shark Boy came out and made the following match an eight-man tag team match.
  • America’s Most Wanted (Chris Harris and James Storm), Eric Young, and Scott D’Amore defeated Kenny King, Sheldon Jean, Big Kon, and Deaner. Young won the match with a piledriver.
  • Josh Alexander defeated Trey Miguel
  • Trinity, Awesome Kong, Gail Kim, Mickie James, and Jordynne Grace defeated Angelina Love, Tasha Steelz, Savannah Evans, Gisele Shaw, and Deonna Purrazzo in a ten woman tag team match. Kong pinned Shaw after hitting the Implant Buster.
  • Rhino and Tommy Dreamer defeated Brian Myers and Moose. Rhino won the match after hitting the gore on Myers.

Finals set for AEW Grand Slam World title eliminator tournament

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The finals for the AEW Grand Slam World title eliminator tournament are now set.

Roderick Strong will face Samoa Joe in the finals that take place this coming Wednesday on Dynamite. The winner of this match will then advance to AEW Grand Slam on September 20, where they will face MJF for the AEW World Championship.

Saturday’s Collision saw Strong defeat Darby Allin. Distractions from AR Fox and Nick Wayne, who are not on the same page, caused Allin to become distracted and ultimately lose the match after Strong connected with the end of heartache. Samoa Joe defeated Penta El 0 M after Penta went for the fear factor, but Joe countered with the coquina clutch for the submission.

Additionally, Big Bill will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW International title this Wednesday. Ricky Starks confronted Bryan Danielson on Saturday, with things still unresolved between the two following their strap match at All Out. Big Bill ended up attacking Danielson. However, Jon Moxley came out to even the odds. Regardless, the segment ended with both Starks and Bill standing tall.

Here is everything announced so far for next week’s Dynamite:

  • Grand Slam World Title eliminator tournament finals: Roderick Strong vs. Samoa Joe
  • AEW International title: Jon Moxley defends against Big Bill
  • 4-way Women’s title eliminator match: Britt Baker vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose vs. Toni Storm
  • Hangman Page vs. Brian Cage
  • Don Callis to reveal his next masterpiece

Tag Team title match announced for next week’s AEW Collision

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FTR’s next Tag Team title defense will take place next week.

On Saturday’s Collision, FTR were interviewed and asked what was next for them. They said that in order to be the best team, they needed to beat the best teams in AEW. They announced the start of the FTR World Tag Team Challenge, where they will defend their titles against any young team in the division that wanted to challenge for the titles. Later in the show, it was announced that FTR will defend the titles next week against The Iron Savages.

FTR’s last title defense took place at All In at Wembley Stadium last month, where they defeated The Young Bucks to retain their titles and win the rubber match in their trilogy. The following week, they agreed to team with The Young Bucks against Bullet Club Gold, who taunted them backstage following their match. FTR and The Young Bucks ended up losing that match at All Out to miscommunication.

Here is the card so far for next week’s Collision:

  • AEW Tag Team titles: FTR defends against The Iron Savages

Jade Cargill makes AEW return on Collision

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Jade Cargill is back, and wants her title back.

Cargill returned Saturday at Collision while The Renegades were beating down TBS Champion Kris Statlander. The Renegades held up Statlander as if Cargill was going to help them, but instead Cargill took out both Renegades and helped up Statlander. However, it was a trap as Cargill laid her out with Jaded as Mark Sterling came to the ring. Cargill then held the TBS title in the air before dropping it on Statlander’s chest.

It was Statlander who made a surprise return at AEW Double or Nothing back in May after Cargill had successfully defended the TBS Championship against Taya Valkyrie. Statlander immediately challenged Cargill to a match, and she agreed. However, Statlander managed to pin Cargill, marking her first loss in pro wrestling and losing the TBS title after over 500 days as champion. Cargill has been off television since then.

In the months that followed, Statlander has repeatedly defended the TBS Championship, including Saturday where she defeated Robyn Renegade.

Jay White misses AEW Collision due to personal reasons

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Jay White will not be wrestling on Saturday’s Collision.

Tony Khan announced shortly before the start of the show on X that White is no longer on the card due to ‘personal reasons’.

“Due to personal reasons, Jay White is unable to appear tonight,” he wrote.

White was originally set to team with the rest of Bullet Club Gold (Juice Robinson and The Gunns) against Aerostar, Gravity, Metalik, and Dios Del Inframundo (Drago). The match will go on as scheduled, but will instead be a trios match with Metalik being removed from the match.

In the last several weeks, Bullet Club Gold has been focused on The Elite. At All In, Robinson and White teamed with Konosuke Takeshita successfully against The Young Bucks and Kota Ibushi. They also were successful one week later when the entire stable emerged victorious, defeating The Young Bucks and FTR in an eight-man tag team match, White’s most recent match to date.

Report: Prince Nana signs multi-year contract with AEW

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Prince Nana is reportedly remaining in AEW.

Fightful Select reported Saturday that Nana has signed a multi-year contract with AEW. The report noted that Nana’s work with The Mogul Embassy stable has received “high marks” within the company.

Nana had been part of Ring of Honor from early in its lifespan, managing wrestlers throughout the years in his stable called The Embassy. Last year, Nana returned to ROH under Tony Khan and revealed he had purchased Tully Blanchard Enterprises in storyline, reforming The Embassy stable once more with Brian Cage, Kaun, and Toa Liona. They are the current ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions.

Earlier this year, Swerve Strickland revealed he had merged his Mogul Affiliates stable with The Embassy, forming The Mogul Embassy.

On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Hangman Page was about to cut a promo when Nana and Srickland came out. Strickland revealed that he was targeting Page next and wanted the spot, Strickland claimed, that Page acted like he didn’t want. After Strickland went after his family, Page went to attack Strickland but was laid out from behind by Cage.

Pretty Deadly return to TV on WWE SmackDown

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Pretty Deadly made their TV return on Friday’s SmackDown.

As The Judgment Day faced The Brawling Brutes (Butch and Ridge Holland) on Friday’s show, Elton Prince and Kit Wilson were seen watching the match from a monitor backstage. Prince was in a wheelchair and also had his arm in a sling.

The team had been off television since the July 14 edition of SmackDown, when they defeated The Brawling Brutes. Prince had suffered a shoulder injury during the match and has been off television recovering from the injury since.

Prior to the start of the September 1 edition of SmackDown, Butch defeated Wilson in a singles dark match.

Since being called up to the main roster earlier this year, Pretty Deadly had been given a push on SmackDown, challenging Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles. Prior to Prince’s injury, the two had been aligned with Austin Theory as they feuded with all three members of the Brawling Brutes.

IYO SKY to defend WWE Women’s Championship against Asuka

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Asuka will get her WWE Women’s Championship rematch in two weeks.

It was announced on Friday’s SmackDown that Asuka will get her rematch in two weeks, on the September 22 edition of SmackDown. Champion IYO Sky and Bayley were wrestling Shotzi and Charlotte Flair in the opening match of Friday’s show when Asuka distracted Dakota Kai, grabbing IYO’s title that Kai had been holding at ringside. This caused SKY to also become distracted, eventually allowing Charlotte to send IYO off the apron as Shotzi pinned Bayley.

Later, in a backstage promo, SKY issued the challenge to Asuka. In another backstage promo, Asuka said she wanted a rematch she never got, and told SKY that she was not ready for her.

Asuka lost the WWE Women’s Championship at SummerSlam, with Bianca Belair rolling her up while Charlotte had Belair in the figure eight. However, Damage CTRL came out and cleared the ring, allowing SKY to cash in her Money in the Bank briefcase and pin Belair to become the new WWE Women’s Champion.

Grayson Waller Effect with John Cena set for next week’s WWE SmackDown

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John Cena is returning to SmackDown next week.

Grayson Waller announced during Austin Theory’s match against LA Knight on Friday’s show that Cena will be appearing on his Grayson Waller Effect talk show next week. Additionally, The Miz will face LA Knight in a rematch from WWE Payback.

Cena has had history between both Waller and Theory. Cena was first confronted by Waller earlier this year, with the two meeting at Money in the Bank in London. After Waller suggested WrestleMania should take place in Australia instead of the UK, Cena laid him out with the AA. Earlier this year, Cena lost to Theory in a match that took place at WrestleMania.

After Knight defeated Theory on Friday, he went into Adam Pearce’s office and asked for a match against The Miz, which was granted. Despite Knight pinning Miz at Payback, Miz has since complained that Cena was an unfair referee. Before leaving Pearce’s office, Knight had a brief confrontation with Paul Heyman.

Here’s the lineup for next week’s SmackDown:

  • LA Knight vs. The Miz
  • The Grayson Waller Effect with guest John Cena 

Four-way Women’s title eliminator set for next week’s AEW Dynamite

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The finals of the AEW Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament will take place next week on Dynamite.

The tournament will conclude on next week’s show, with the quarterfinals taking place on tonight’s Dynamite and Friday’s Rampage. The winners of those matches will advance to Collision on Saturday.

A four-way match to determine the next challenger for Saraya’s Women’s Championship is also set. Britt Baker will face Hikaru Shida, Nyla Rose, and Toni Storm. The winner will face Saraya at Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, Hangman Page will face Brian Cage. Page was confronted by Swerve Strickland on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Once Page became confrontational with Swerve, Cage came out and attacked Hangman from behind.

Don Callis will also “reveal his next masterpiece”. Callis in a promo on Wednesday said that he and Konosuke Takeshita will reveal their next target next week, preventing Renee Paquette from taking a peek of a covered painting nearby.

Here is everything announced so far for next week’s Dynamite:

  • Grand Slam World Title eliminator tournament finals
  • 4-way Women’s title eliminator match: Britt Baker vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose vs. Toni Storm
  • Hangman Page vs. Brian Cage
  • Don Callis to reveal his next masterpiece

Roderick Strong, Darby Allin advance in AEW Grand Slam eliminator tournament

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Darby Allin and Roderick Strong have advanced to the semifinals of the Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament

Allin defeated Nick Wayne in the main event on Wedensday’s Dynamite. Earlier in the show, Roderick Strong defeated Trent Beretta. The two will now advance to Collision on Saturday, where the winner will move to to the finals on next Wednesday’s Dynamite.

Rampage will see two more quarterfinal matches. Samoa Joe will face Jeff Hardy, while Penta El 0 M will face Jay Lethal. The winners of those matches will also face one another in the semifinals on Collision.

The winner of the tournament will face off against MJF for the AEW World Championship at Grand Slam on September 20. On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Samoa Joe and MJF traded words after the two had an in-ring altercation at All Out this past Sunday. The segment ended with Samoa Joe attacking MJF and targeting his injured neck, with Adam Cole making the save.

Roderick Strong ran into Adam Cole as he was heading up the ramp as the two exchanged words.

Number one contender’s match announced for next week’s WWE NXT

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A match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship will take place next Tuesday.

Wes Lee confronted Ilja Dragunov on Tuesday’s show after Dragunov defeated Oro Mensah. They argued over who should be the next person to challenge NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes This brought out Hayes who said he talked to Shawn Micheals and set up a number one contender’s match for next week. The winner of the match between Dragunov and Lee will earn a title match at NXT No Mercy later this month.

Two Global Heritage Cup matches will also take place. Tyler Bate will face Axiom, while Akira Tozawa will face Nathan Frazer.

The Creed Brothers, who won their reinstatement against The Dyad, will take on Edris Enofe and Malik Blade. In a show-long storyline, The Creeds invited all of the tag division to their dojo, which ended with all of the teams getting into a brawl.

Here is the updated card for next week’s NXT:

  • NXT Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton defends against Becky Lynch
  • NXT Championship number one contender’s match: Wes Lee vs. Ilja Dragunov
  • Global Heritage Invitational: Tyler Bate vs. Axiom
  • Global Heritage Invitational: Akria Tozawa vs. Nathan Frazer
  • Creed Brothers vs. Edris Enofe and Malik Blade