Daily Update: SmackDown ratings, Gable Steveson, new Collision match

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • What people thought of Worlds End and Stardom Queendom
  • Roman Reigns vs. The Rock
  • All the AEW news and controversies from the past week
  • Worlds End rundown
  • MJF future
  • AEW departures
  • Business numbers
  • Full coverage of New Japan at the Tokyo Dome
  • Kevin Dunn’s WWE departure
  • Breakdown of WWE and AEW attendance in 2023 and how it compares to other companies historically
  • 2023 WWE Iron Man award winner
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH’s big show
  • Stardom show at Sumo Hall rundown
  • Giulia future
  • Nakajima vs. Miyahara II
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings of all the shows, rankings, demos, competition and comparisons with one year ago
  • What AEW may have done this past week for the first time in its history
  • What Japanese wrestler drew more major crowds in the U.S. than anyone in history
  • Andrade’s last match at Arena Mexico draws a sellout
  • The unique show this week at Arena Mexico
  • Lots of international groups coming to Philadelphia for WrestleMania
  • Story behind the departures and changes in All Japan
  • Annual New Year’s Eve trio tournament coverage
  • Takeshita comes to All Japan
  • Surprise as far as popularity of Iron Claw in week two
  • The story of World Class in Israel
  • Mil Mascaras and Hulk Hogan speak
  • Thoughts on Mad Kurt
  • Grandfather of NJPW star will be honored by the King Charles
  • Danielson talks his future
  • International TV deals for WWE and AEW
  • International TV ratings
  • Streaming numbers for the past week
  • UFC PPV experiment
  • Lots of newcomers to WWE
  • Advanced tickets for upcoming WWE & AEW & NJPW shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Saturday Update

WWE

  • Last night’s New Year’s Revolution episode of SmackDown averaged 2.33 million viewers in the overnight ratings, up from the 2.01 million viewers the show drew in the overnights two weeks ago (last week was a best-of episode). The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.6.
  • Gable Steveson worked a dark match before SmackDown, defeating Cedric Alexander.
  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque posted a photo with Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger from backstage at SmackDown in Vancouver.
  • Paul Heyman cut a promo on SmackDown mentioning The Rock, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and more potential challengers for Roman Reigns.
          • After The Rock teased that he wants to take Reigns’ spot at the Head of the Table, Heyman said The Rock hasn’t been invited to the table – nor will he be.
          • Heyman said Punk may have been the original Paul Heyman Guy, but Heyman has upgraded since then.
  • The Rock reacted to the pop he received at the end of his promo on Raw: “25+ years of sacred connection with the people that I’ll forever honor. This eruption at the end just hit different. I’ve experienced some very loud crowd pops, but this was different. Layers. Chills. ~ people’s champ”
  • Charlotte Flair shared a video of her moving her knee for the first time after surgery.
  • While appearing on the Casual Podcast, Becky Lynch teased that she wants to compete in an Elimination Chamber match at next month’s premium live event in Perth, Australia:
          • There is a big ol’ premium live event coming up in Perth, there is Elimination Chamber. Did you know that I have never been in an Elimination Chamber match? I’ve been in many matches, I would say nearly all of the types of matches that one could do in a wrestling ring. But I’ve not been in Elimination Chamber. So I’m looking at that and going, ‘Maybe it’s time Becky Lynch makes her debut in an Elimination Chamber match and maybe she wins – and maybe she goes on to main event WrestleMania once again.’
  • In an interview with Bill Apter, Scott Steiner was asked why Bron Breakker isn’t on the WWE main roster yet:
          • They are still waiting to bring him up when the time is right. I mean, it’s better to go up there with them having a plan in mind than just show up. It’s best for him to keep on learning. They’ll know when he’s ready. I mean, I think he’s ready now.
  • People interviewed Cody Rhodes about his good deed paying for members of KIPP AMP Middle School’s Wrestling Club to attend WrestleMania 40.
  • Cody teased that he might surprise The Wrestling Club with a visit to their school: “My wife Brandi wants to find a way to set up a meeting for me with the kids that weekend. I wonder if I should just show up at the school though and surprise them?”
  • WWE uploaded a video documenting Shotzi getting married in Las Vegas last week and then wrestling at a house show the same night.
  • Bianca Belair, Kevin Owens, and Butch & Tyler Bate appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.
  • Virgin Media’s Sports Stories podcast has an interview with Sheamus.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Skye Blue vs. Kiera Hogan has been added to the card for tonight’s episode of AEW Collision
  • Anthony Henry of The Workhorsemen tweeted ahead of his tag match against Sting & Darby Allin on Collision: “Sting was a big reason for me getting into wrestling as a kid. He was my first favorite. Now, I get to stand in the same ring as the man. Life is wild. Still gonna #punchinandnockout”
  • Mariah May tweeted yesterday that the building she lives in had a fire but everyone is ok: “sad news… the building I live in had a fire. good news… everyone is ok and the firefighters are sexy. and I made friends with some animals I carried out. a win is a win.”
  • AEW filed trademarks for “AEW: Get the Feeling” and “Get the Feeling” on January 4.
  • Kenny Omega & WWE’s Xavier Woods ranked their top 10 video games of 2023 for Giant Bomb.
  • Maki Itoh announced that she has to take a break from wrestling for a little while. The break is because Itoh has been experiencing numbness in her arm. She underwent an MRI and the doctor determined that she needs to rest and receive treatment. A return date for Itoh hasn’t been announced yet.
  • While appearing on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, former WWE wrestler Rick Boogs discussed how his place in WWE was hurt by the company’s regime change when Vince McMahon retired in 2022:
          • If you just look at it objectively, look at my NXT run and then look at when I was seen by Vince, and look at that run. And then, when management and the whole regime changed again, look at that run.
          • So, a lot of people say, ‘Oh, but he was injured,’ but…I was supposed to be brought back early when I wasn’t even cleared yet, like a month or two after rehab. And I was really…pumped. Like, man I can’t really bend my knee yet, but yeah let’s get back out there. And then it was just kiboshed.
  • Boogs said he doesn’t think he’ll wrestle in 2024: “Not for now, no. I mean, we’ll see what happens. I’ll never say never, but I’m busier now than I was in WWE.”
  • Jacob & Zilla Fatu vs. Mane Event has been announced for GCW’s Look At Me show in Tampa, Florida on Friday, January 26.
  • A Tokyo Joshi Pro vs. GCW event will take place as part of The Collective in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 6.

Daily Update: Ngannou vs. Joshua, WWE SmackDown, Pat McAfee

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • What people thought of Worlds End and Stardom Queendom
  • Roman Reigns vs. The Rock
  • All the AEW news and controversies from the past week
  • Worlds End rundown
  • MJF future
  • AEW departures
  • Business numbers
  • Full coverage of New Japan at the Tokyo Dome
  • Kevin Dunn’s WWE departure
  • Breakdown of WWE and AEW attendance in 2023 and how it compares to other companies historically
  • 2023 WWE Iron Man award winner
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH’s big show
  • Stardom show at Sumo Hall rundown
  • Giulia future
  • Nakajima vs. Miyahara II
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings of all the shows, rankings, demos, competition and comparisons with one year ago
  • What AEW may have done this past week for the first time in its history
  • What Japanese wrestler drew more major crowds in the U.S. than anyone in history
  • Andrade’s last match at Arena Mexico draws a sellout
  • The unique show this week at Arena Mexico
  • Lots of international groups coming to Philadelphia for WrestleMania
  • Story behind the departures and changes in All Japan
  • Annual New Year’s Eve trio tournament coverage
  • Takeshita comes to All Japan
  • Surprise as far as popularity of Iron Claw in week two
  • The story of World Class in Israel
  • Mil Mascaras and Hulk Hogan speak
  • Thoughts on Mad Kurt
  • Grandfather of NJPW star will be honored by the King Charles
  • Danielson talks his future
  • International TV deals for WWE and AEW
  • International TV ratings
  • Streaming numbers for the past week
  • UFC PPV experiment
  • Lots of newcomers to WWE
  • Advanced tickets for upcoming WWE & AEW & NJPW shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Friday Update

Garrett and I just did our week in review talking about the New Japan angles, The Rock vs. Roman Reigns, Mercedes Mone, Kevin Dunn, AEW business and other stuff from the new issue of the Observer. Bryan and I did a show last night covering Wrestle Kingdom and will be back Sunday covering Smackdown, Collision, and New Year’s Dash.

Francis Ngannou will box Anthony Joshua on 3/9 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I explained on the show today how this fight happening as a major fight shows how much Saudi Arabia has changed the landscape. After Tyson Fury vs. Ngannou bombed so badly on PPV, the idea a fight like this would be made that also likely won’t do business on PPV but where the participants will have huge guarantees wasn’t there because it wouldn’t have made economic sense. But now that doesn’t matter because Saudi Arabia will make it make economic sense.

Joshua is opening at -500 because almost all betting money was coming in on Joshua.

A correction from yesterday’s issue as the 2/24 AEW Collision/Rampage taping is in Springfield, MO, not Springfield, MA.

Smackdown tonight from a sold out Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC:

  • LA Knight vs. AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton – winner faces Roman Reigns for the title at the Royal Rumble
  • Iyo Sky vs. Michin for the WWE women’s title
  • Kevin Owens vs. Santos Escobar – winner faces Logan Paul for the U.S. title at the Royal Rumble
  • Pretty Deadly vs. Butch & ?
  • Reigns and Logan Paul appear on the show. There has been talk of the return of Authors of Pain with Paul Ellering tonight. Also backstage include Drew McIntyre, Rhea Ripley and Ivy Nile.

Rampage tonight at 10 p.m. on TNT

  • Matt & Jeff Hardy & Mark Briscoe vs. Butcher & Blade & Kip Sabian
  • Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale vs. Notorious Mimi & Kennadi Hardcastle
  • Hikaru Shida vs. Anna Jay
  • Wheeler Yuta vs. Komander for the Pure title

We’re looking for your thoughts on the New Japan Tokyo Dome show and the Jan. 2 NOAH show, thumbs up, down or middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

We’re looking for reports on these weekend shows:

  • Smackdown tonight in Vancouver, BC (dark matches only)
  • NXT tonight in Melbourne, FL
  • AEW Collision tapings tomorrow in Charlotte, NC (ROH and dark match reports)
  • WWE house show tomorrow in Spokane, WA
  • NXT house show tomorrow in Sebring, FL
  • WWE house show Sunday in Wenatchee, WA
  • We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

There is another big show tonight at Arena Mexico. The gimmick is that the next three Fridays they are doing rematches of the best matches of 2023. Mascara Dorada vs. Templario in a 2/3 fall match headlines, plus Tessa Blanchad is on the show and the semi is Stephanie Vaquer vs. Lluvia.

Pat McAfee accused ESPN exec Norby Williamson of attempting to sabotage him by leaking negative ratings information to the New York Post The Post wrote a story saying that McAfee wasn’t drawing good enough numbers to justify all the bad press he gets with his show, which started on the station in September. McAfee praised ESPN itself, but said there are people actively trying to sabotage us, and mentioned Williamson’s name, calling him a rat and an enemy in our own camp. This all stemmed from Aaron Rodgers going on his show and implying that Jimmy Kimmel was associated with Jefrey Epstein. Kimmel denied that and that led to McAfe and Rodgers getting heavily criticized and ESPN apologizing for what happened. But ESPN today sent out a press release praising McAfee’s numbers. This led to a lot of TV criticism because they used Tik Tok and social media views in the release which television stations rarely do because they are measured so differently.

Neon, who may end up being the next big thing out of Mexico, will be on the next two Fridays. The 1/19 show has Neon & Futuro vs. Magnus & Rugido in a match that was incredible when it first happened. Mascara Dorada & Neon will also be a tag team in the Gran Alternativa tournament, so this may be Neon’s start of a meaningful push.

A Go Fund Me has been set up for the family of Kurtis Chapman aka Mad Kurt, who passed away this past week. All money will go directly to the family to help in this difficult time. In hours, they had 12,960 pounds donated when the goal was 5,000, with the top donators being Will Ospreay (2,000 pounds), Dan Moloney (1,000 pounds) and Chris Jericho (1,000 pounds).

Atsushi Onita was announced for the 4/5 Battleground Championship Wrestling show at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Impact+ is now called TNA+

Lots of news coming out of New Year’s Dash today, with these among the matches set up:

  • Tetsuya Naito vs. Sanada for the IWGP World title
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kazuchika Okada (now official for 1/13 in San Jose)
  • Jon Moxley vs. Shingo Takagi no DQ (1/13 in San Jose)
  • United Empire with Will Ospreay vs. Bullet Club War Dogs in a cage match in Osaka at the New Beginning show
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Matt Riddle for the Tv title
  • Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
  • Okada & Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii vs. TMDK for the trios titles
  • Desperado vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru for the jr. title

Logan Paul announced a buyback program involving his CryptoZoo game. The game has led to a class action lawsuit involving Paul and his former business partners. Paul said he would make things right one year ago and now announced he’s buying back Base Egg and Base Animal CryptoZoo NFT’s for their original purchase price through 2/8.

The Discovery Channel is bringing back a six episode run of Big Little Brawlers, about mini pro wrestlers that will air at 10 pm. Tuesday nights starting this week. It’s a reality show about wrestlers in the Micro Wrestling Federation in Tennessee.

CFFC announced its first Muay Thai event for 1/27 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Fubu Sports announced live streaming of Xtreme Fighting 13 from Long Beach tomorrow night for free at 8 p.m. Eastern.

Defy returns to Washington Hall in Seattle on 2/9 featuring the debut of Mustafa Ali.

Tickets for the New Japan show on 4/12 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago go on sale a week from today and there will be a pre-sale Thursday with the code NJPW.

 Chris Weidman faces Bruno Silva on a 3/30 UFC show in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall.

Daily Update: Joaquin Wilde, Kurt Angle, Wrestle Kingdom press conference

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • Notes on the recent AEW departures
  • AEW financial notes for 2023
  • Some rights fees thoughts
  • Tony Khan talks the TV landscape
  • A look at Worlds End
  • The most detailed look at the New Japan decision to make Hiroshi Tanahashi president and comments from many in the industry about it
  • Full details on the WWE’s biggest grossing U.S. house show in history on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden plus past history from the event
  • The Iron Claw, history of the Von Erichs, in a long detailed article regarding the rise and fall and the making of the movie
  • Preview of the Tokyo Dome show, advance ticket sales and Stardom PPV
  • How many tickets are comped at the usual AEW and WWE shows
  • 2023 Awards ballot
  • Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, placings for the night and week, competition, segment-by-segment, gains and losses from one year ago and more
  • Andrade heads to Mexico and a big business week
  • Another two Vikingo vs. Taurus matches
  • New Japan bodybuilding contest notes
  • Major shows for New Japan in the first three months of he year
  • One of the best trios matches in a long time
  • DDT tournament finals set
  • Notes on a book on wrestling history
  • New Scottish wrestling Hall of Famer
  • Chris Jericho and Stephen New
  • Tony Khan’s recent press call
  • Dynamite headed for tougher competition
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE
  • Amanda Huber talks anniversary of Jon Huber’s death
  • Dana White on UFC 300
  • More on the MLW lawsuit settlement
  • Changing an angle
  • Return of a WWE tag team
  • Injury return updates
  • Longest running pro wrestling TV show in history
  • Bill Goldberg speaks on Vince McMahon
  • Rundown of the recent WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque praised Joaquin Wilde for the insane dive he hit on last night’s NXT: “Wow. @joaquinwilde_ is incredible. #NewYearsEvil”
  • WWE uploaded a post-show interview with Kevin Owens following his appearance on NXT.
  • During a Q&A at Steel City Con, Kurt Angle addressed his WWE status. Angle responded when asked if he’ll do another promo with WWE:
          • Yeah, I’ll talk all day and night, but I’m not going to wrestle. I’m 55 going on 80. WWE has utilized me. Last year, I did a segment in Pittsburgh where I had the milk truck in the arena and I sprayed down Chad Gable and Otis with milk. That was a remake of what I did against Steve Austin in 2001. They also had a birthday celebration for me. I do certain events with them. I’m still signed with them, I have a contract with WWE. I’m sure they’re going to possibly use me for something at WrestleMania or Royal Rumble or something. They always come up with something. I’ll eventually do something crazy with WWE and I’m sure I will in the future.
  • Logan Paul posted a social media skit where he traded his WWE United States title belt and a bottle of Lemonade Prime to NFL star Patrick Mahomes for his Super Bowl ring.
  • Today’s episode of WWE’s The Bump looked back at the top moments from 2023.

AEW/Other Wrestling

Daily Update: Roman Reigns, Tony Khan, McKenzie Mitchell

Daily Update

Latest News

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

January 1, 2024 Observer Newsletter: AEW Worlds End preview, NJPW front office changes

  • Match and performer of the week
  • Notes on the recent AEW departures
  • AEW financial notes for 2023
  • Some rights fees thoughts
  • Tony Khan talks the TV landscape
  • A look at Worlds End
  • The most detailed look at the New Japan decision to make Hiroshi Tanahashi president and comments from many in the industry about it
  • Full details on the WWE’s biggest grossing U.S. house show in history on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden plus past history from the event
  • The Iron Claw, history of the Von Erichs, in a long detailed article regarding the rise and fall and the making of the movie
  • Preview of the Tokyo Dome show, advance ticket sales and Stardom PPV
  • How many tickets are comped at the usual AEW and WWE shows
  • 2023 Awards ballot
  • Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, placings for the night and week, competition, segment-by-segment, gains and losses from one year ago and more
  • Andrade heads to Mexico and a big business week
  • Another two Vikingo vs. Taurus matches
  • New Japan bodybuilding contest notes
  • Major shows for New Japan in the first three months of he year
  • One of the best trios matches in a long time
  • DDT tournament finals set
  • Notes on a book on wrestling history
  • New Scottish wrestling Hall of Famer
  • Chris Jericho and Stephen New
  • Tony Khan’s recent press call
  • Dynamite headed for tougher competition
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE
  • Amanda Huber talks anniversary of Jon Huber’s death
  • Dana White on UFC 300
  • More on the MLW lawsuit settlement
  • Changing an angle
  • Return of a WWE tag team
  • Injury return updates
  • Longest running pro wrestling TV show in history
  • Bill Goldberg speaks on Vince McMahon
  • Rundown of the recent WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Tuesday Update

WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • Tony Khan posted a message on Monday reflecting on the five-year anniversary of AEW’s launch: “Happy New Year 2024! 5 years ago today, we launched @AEW 1/1/19! 2023 marked new highs, our biggest PPV year ever, world record 81,035 tickets sold #AEWAllIn London, debuted #AEWCollision + ended the year with a streak of big tv ratings! Thank you all who made this all possible.”
  • Willow Nightingale will be on Food Network’s Superchef Grudge Match Tuesday night.
  • In an interview with SEScoops, former NXT backstage interviewer McKenzie Mitchell talked about her sudden release from WWE. “It’s been quite a rollercoaster as you would expect when someone gets released,” Mitchell said. “For me, it was not expected. I didn’t expect it was going to happen, but I was able to take the news and what happened and move forward. It was unfortunate that it happened during the holidays but also a blessing as well because I was able to spend time with my family and friends, my husband, and my kids. All of that. It has been nice to decompress. 2023 has been a really hard year for us in every facet of life, so I’m able to take these last two weeks and hit the restart button before we hit 2024.”
  • New NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi spoke to Sports Illustrated ahead of Wrestle Kingdom 18.
  • A NJPW Kazuchika Okada interview was uploaded to their YouTube channel.
  • Nic Nemeth, the former Dolph Ziggler, will be at WrestleCon during WrestleMania weekend.

Daily Update: WWE Raw Day 1, The Rock, Kevin Dunn

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Match and performer of the week
  • Notes on the recent AEW departures
  • AEW financial notes for 2023
  • Some rights fees thoughts
  • Tony Khan talks the TV landscape
  • A look at Worlds End
  • The most detailed look at the New Japan decision to make Hiroshi Tanahashi president and comments from many in the industry about it
  • Full details on the WWE’s biggest grossing U.S. house show in history on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden plus past history from the event
  • The Iron Claw, history of the Von Erichs, in a long detailed article regarding the rise and fall and the making of the movie
  • Preview of the Tokyo Dome show, advance ticket sales and Stardom PPV
  • How many tickets are comped at the usual AEW and WWE shows
  • 2023 Awards ballot
  • Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, placings for the night and week, competition, segment-by-segment, gains and losses from one year ago and more
  • Andrade heads to Mexico and a big business week
  • Another two Vikingo vs. Taurus matches
  • New Japan bodybuilding contest notes
  • Major shows for New Japan in the first three months of he year
  • One of the best trios matches in a long time
  • DDT tournament finals set
  • Notes on a book on wrestling history
  • New Scottish wrestling Hall of Famer
  • Chris Jericho and Stephen New
  • Tony Khan’s recent press call
  • Dynamite headed for tougher competition
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE
  • Amanda Huber talks anniversary of Jon Huber’s death
  • Dana White on UFC 300
  • More on the MLW lawsuit settlement
  • Changing an angle
  • Return of a WWE tag team
  • Injury return updates
  • Longest running pro wrestling TV show in history
  • Bill Goldberg speaks on Vince McMahon
  • Rundown of the recent WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Monday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio covering Raw and the rest of the news. We also did our show after Worlds End on Saturday night.

Raw is tonight in San Diego, as the Day 1 specially themed show. Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre headlines for the world title, plus Rhea Ripley vs. Ivy Nile for the women’s title, Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax and Tegan Nox & Natalya vs. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark have a match with the winners getting a shot at the women’s tag titles. The big thing is that a former WWE champion is supposed to appear on the show. It goes up against the ending of the Rose Bowl game most likely with No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 5 Alabama and then from about 8:45 p.m. on goes against the Sugar Bowl with No. 3 Texas vs No. 2 Washington. These are the college football semifinals with the finals next Monday against Raw. While these are major games, they won’t be doing NFL numbers and Raw should bounce back strong tonight in theory.

Dwayne Johnson and Nick Khan were both at the Rose Bowl game. They’ve been teasing a former WWE champion showing up tonight. The expectation was that Andrade, as a free agent, would be there tonight, but obviously Johnson could be as well. C.M. Punk is backstage so that would make him a favorite. He wasn’t advertised to return until next week’s show. Pasadena isn’t too far from San Diego, although if Johnson is staying for the entire game, probably the earliest he could be there would be late in the show. If he’s left at this point he’ll make it, and they could take a private flight and it’s a quick turnaround. It’s 135 miles and a two-and-a-half hour drive in rush hour traffic.

Big changes as well tonight as they are cutting back to two announcers on each show and obviously no Kevin Dunn directing and we’ll see what that means. No word on the announcing assignments. In the past when they’ve made changes they’ve given them ahead of time to some trades for press but have not as of this writing.

We’re looking for reports from San Diego tonight with any Main Event matches or stuff that happened after the show went off the air to [email protected]

We’re doing weekend polls on AEW Worlds End, as well as the Stardom Queendom show from Friday at Sumo Hall and yesterday’s All Japan show at Yoyogi Gym, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with the best and worst match on each of these shows to [email protected]

The 7.6 earthquake in Japan’s West Coast earlier today was felt in the Ishikawa and Nagano prefectures. The epicenter was 365 miles from Tokyo. It should not affect the wrestling shows in Tokyo all this week.

Keiji Muto said today, “I will say this though, even if it gets me heat–Sanada was at a certain end of year party I was at the other day and he was dead drunk…I’ll be honest, I’ve had some of my best matches hung over. Maybe not at The Dome though.” Sanada defends the IWGP world title against Tetsuya Naito late Wednesday night U.S. time at Wrestle Kingdom at the Tokyo Dome.

Fios has dropped AXS from its basic cable lineup which means that TNA and New Japan’s audience will probably drop by a considerable amount this year.

In catching up on the Wednesday numbers, the AEW show’s 0.31 was not only its biggest number since the Grand Slam show but it was even more impressive going against highly-rated college bowl games on both ABC and ESPN. It’s not close to NFL competition that the Saturday show has been going against, but it was by far the toughest Wednesday competition since the World Series. NBA is tough but that’s usually one game on national TV (granted you have lots of local games) and this was two games that each did much larger than NBA numbers. AEW was fourth for the day on cable, behind three bowl games and beat everything else. Currently the ratings are out through 12/28 and from Raw on 12/18 through at least 12/28, Dynamite was the highest rated entertainment show on cable. That will end tonight as the Raw number, even with the competition and the holiday, is expected to be very strong and way up for the first Raw not against the NFL.

For those interested in the 2023 Observer awards, the ballot is in the current issue up on the site this week.

John Cena’s movie “Freelance” was destroyed by critics with seven percent positive reviews, making it one of the worst reviewed movies of the past few years, but the audience scores are 77 percent positive.

People continue to rave about yesterday’s Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kento Miyahara match on the All Japan show as the last match of the year candidate of 2023.

Brian Blair, 66, had emergency surgery on his lower back a few days ago. We want to send our best wishes to Brian, who does the thankless job of being President of the Cauliflower Alley Club and who keeps in touch with so many of the stars of the 70s and 80s. Brian had been a friend for decades.

Glory Pro Wrestling from Saturday night in St. Louis: Rohit Raju b Allie Katch-DQ to keep the Zero Gravity title, Tootie Lynn b Nixi XS, Mason St Goods b ATM, Camaro Jackson b Jabari King, Rahim de la Suede b Eff, Xavier Walker b Mike Outlaw, Campbell Myers & SK Bishop b Jake Bosche & Scott Stanley, Dak Draper won four-way over Dan the Dad, Kody Lane and Laynie Luck, tag champs Moses & Ethan Price d Philly C & Martino T (double pin draw) to keep the titles, Warhorse b Jake Something in a three stages of hell match (regular match, tables match and dog collar match) to win the Crown of Glory title (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)

Daily Update: Kevin Dunn, Andrade El Idolo, AEW Worlds End fallout

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Match and performer of the week
  • Notes on the recent AEW departures
  • AEW financial notes for 2023
  • Some rights fees thoughts
  • Tony Khan talks the TV landscape
  • A look at Worlds End
  • The most detailed look at the New Japan decision to make Hiroshi Tanahashi president and comments from many in the industry about it
  • Full details on the WWE’s biggest grossing U.S. house show in history on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden plus past history from the event
  • The Iron Claw, history of the Von Erichs, in a long detailed article regarding the rise and fall and the making of the movie
  • Preview of the Tokyo Dome show, advance ticket sales and Stardom PPV
  • How many tickets are comped at the usual AEW and WWE shows
  • 2023 Awards ballot
  • Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, placings for the night and week, competition, segment-by-segment, gains and losses from one year ago and more
  • Andrade heads to Mexico and a big business week
  • Another two Vikingo vs. Taurus matches
  • New Japan bodybuilding contest notes
  • Major shows for New Japan in the first three months of he year
  • One of the best trios matches in a long time
  • DDT tournament finals set
  • Notes on a book on wrestling history
  • New Scottish wrestling Hall of Famer
  • Chris Jericho and Stephen New
  • Tony Khan’s recent press call
  • Dynamite headed for tougher competition
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE
  • Amanda Huber talks anniversary of Jon Huber’s death
  • Dana White on UFC 300
  • More on the MLW lawsuit settlement
  • Changing an angle
  • Return of a WWE tag team
  • Injury return updates
  • Longest running pro wrestling TV show in history
  • Bill Goldberg speaks on Vince McMahon
  • Rundown of the recent WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Sunday Update

Happy New Year to everyone from here at the Observer family. Bryan and I did our weekend show last night talking a ridiculous amount of news including the fallout of last night’s PPV show. We also did our news of the past week show with Garrett Gonzales on Thursday including a lot of talk on the Iron Claw movie, and a ton of AEW news in particular.

There are no shows tonight of note in the U.S. given it’s New Year’s Eve. The big house show tour ended last night in Los Angeles at the Forum.

Regarding the departure of Kevin Dunn from WWE, officially he, like several in AEW, will no longer be with the company as of midnight tonight. When Vince McMahon lost power, it was expected that he would retire or be retired as the new people in charge would put their own team together. As far as a replacement as Executive Producer of all the shows goes, I was told not to presume anything and multiple people in the company even threw the name Mike Mansury about as someone Paul Levesque would want, but I presume Mansury is under a long-term deal with AEW. Marty Miller’s name was mentioned. He’s the Director but what’s something completely different and in particular, the aspect of Dunn’s job dealing with budgets. At one point the attempt was to make Chris Kaiser the Executive Producer who would handle the budgets and Dunn as the guy handling the shows and making the final decisions. It could end up with Miller running the truck and Kaiser handling the budgets but that’s all speculation at this point. I was told that this was known internally by a few, but not most as people I heard from last night were surprised, and they knew maybe a few weeks at most although the process goes back a couple of months and really has to do with Vince McMahon being out of power. Dunn has been in charge of production for decades and has 40 years with the company. He answered to nobody but Vince. So this is part of the change with Endeavor in control.

Tony Khan brought up Andrade finishing up last night. I talked about this on the show and his booking in the Continental Classic and thoughts on it regarding Anrade and Daniel Garcia, if he was leaving. It also explains Andrade’s rush to go to Arena Mexico and saying that he needed to do it now because he may not get another chance if he was with WWE. The expectation is he’s the guy Paul Levesque referred to as the surprise for tomorrow. I do know those in WWE have talked about his returning shortly as something expected. To his credit, he worked really hard, finished up his business last night, lost via submission to Miro and worked very hard. The night before at Arena Mexico, he drew a sellout with Volador Jr. and drew way above usual everywhere he went this past week. The Volador match ended up being cut in time to 14:05 because the show was going long and he had a red-eye from Mexico City to New York right after the show so they basically cut the first 8-10 minutes out. They had a great match there as well.

The big match we’ve heard as the best of the weekend was today’s Katsuhiko Nakajima Triple Crown title defense, beating Kento Miyahara. Nakajima won via submission with an armbar. Nakajima will defend on 1/3 at Korakuen Hall against Charlie Dempsey, who won’t be on Tuesday’s NXT show because of this match.

Tony Khan praised Andrade, Rafael Morffi (last show in), Dana Massie and QT Marshall who all will be gone as of midnight tonight. He said that Andrade and Marshall would always be welcome back, and praised the other two for their work behind the scenes. He noted Morffi went out on a sellout and has on his resume being the promoter of the show with the largest paid attendance in history. He said that Massie was instrumental before AEW and that if she and Matt Jackson didn’t talk with him in 2018 that there would be no company today.

He also said that the PPV number based on streaming looks similar to Full Gear (which would be about 135,000 buys), which I would consider a huge success given the sports competition last night and coming just six weeks after Full Gear and with a lot of top people off the show and really only a few of what I’d call money matches. Keep in mind this is just estimates from streaming and really with the holiday, until the middle of next week I don’t know that we can definitively give a number yet. But it certainly comes across right now as a big positive for the build and value of the main event and main event angles, not what they did at the show but what they did to build the show. Khan said that the tournament success was a feather in the cap for those who have argued for a more sports-based presentation. But in fairness you can’t do a tournament like that more than six or seven weeks out of 52.

We ‘re looking for your thoughts on last night’s Worlds End show as well as Friday’s Stardom show from Sumo Hall and today’s All Japan show with Miyahara vs. Nakajima, you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

Dwayne Johnson officially announced on FOX the merger of the USFL and XFL into the UFL, or United Football League. They will open on 3/30 with the USFL champion Birmingham Stallions vs. XFL champion Arlington Renegades. They will have TV deals this season with FOX, FS 1, ESPN and ABC.

Conor McGregor has said he will be facing Michael Chandler in a 185 pound class fight, which is 30 pounds up from what Chandler and McGregor have usually fought at, on June 29 as the main event for International Fight Week at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Evidently Chandler didn’t know this but said he was okay with the weight.

As far as Google trends for the week, earlier today the Fulham vs. Arsenal EPL game was No. 4 for today. Fulham is the team that Tony Khan and his father own. The only combat sports related thing that made the top 20 this week was Worlds End was No. 14 yesterday with 50,000 searches. This is the first AEW show to crack the top 20 in a while.

Bull Nakano will be making an appearance for West Coast Pro on 3/23 in San Francisco.

WWE from last night at the Forum in Los Angeles which drew one of the biggest house show crowds of the year with a loaded lineup:

  • LA Knight b Jimmy Uso in a cage match with the BFT
  • Bianca Belair b Bayley with the KOD even though Iyo Sky interfered
  • Kevin Owens b Solo Sikoa in a last man standing match by putting him through a table
  • Jey Uso b Finn Balor with a spear
  • CM Punk b Dominik Mysterio
  • Street Profits b Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro
  • Seth Rollins b Drew McIntyre to keep the world title
  • Becky Lynch b Zoey Stark with the man handle slam
  • Kofi Kingston b Ludvig Kaiser
  • Cody Rhodes b Shinsuke Nakamura in a street fight with Cross Rhodes

Daily Update: Killer Khan, John Cena, AEW Worlds End

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Match and performer of the week
  • Notes on the recent AEW departures
  • AEW financial notes for 2023
  • Some rights fees thoughts
  • Tony Khan talks the TV landscape
  • A look at Worlds End
  • The most detailed look at the New Japan decision to make Hiroshi Tanahashi president and comments from many in the industry about it
  • Full details on the WWE’s biggest grossing U.S. house show in history on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden plus past history from the event
  • The Iron Claw, history of the Von Erichs, in a long detailed article regarding the rise and fall and the making of the movie
  • Preview of the Tokyo Dome show, advance ticket sales and Stardom PPV
  • How many tickets are comped at the usual AEW and WWE shows
  • 2023 Awards ballot
  • Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, placings for the night and week, competition, segment-by-segment, gains and losses from one year ago and more
  • Andrade heads to Mexico and a big business week
  • Another two Vikingo vs. Taurus matches
  • New Japan bodybuilding contest notes
  • Major shows for New Japan in the first three months of he year
  • One of the best trios matches in a long time
  • DDT tournament finals set
  • Notes on a book on wrestling history
  • New Scottish wrestling Hall of Famer
  • Chris Jericho and Stephen New
  • Tony Khan’s recent press call
  • Dynamite headed for tougher competition
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE
  • Amanda Huber talks anniversary of Jon Huber’s death
  • Dana White on UFC 300
  • More on the MLW lawsuit settlement
  • Changing an angle
  • Return of a WWE tag team
  • Injury return updates
  • Longest running pro wrestling TV show in history
  • Bill Goldberg speaks on Vince McMahon
  • Rundown of the recent WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Saturday Update

WWE

  • WWE extended its condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Killer Khan:
          • WWE is saddened to learn that Masashi Ozawa, known to sports-entertainment fans as Killer Khan, passed away at age 76.
          • The Japanese-born competitor was an imposing figure in the ring and highlighted his career with memorable rivalries against Legends such as Bob Backlund, Pedro Morales, Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan and more. After a brief return to WWE in 1987 with Mr. Fuji as his manager, Killer Khan would retire from sports-entertainment. Following his career in the ring, Ozawa owned a restaurant in Tokyo.
          • WWE extends its condolences to Ozawa’s family, friends and fans.
  • Michael Hayes wrote about Khan’s passing: “So sorry to hear of the passing of Killer Khan. What a great guy!! His epic battles with Terry Gordy in WCCW will live forever!!! Condolences, prayers for his family, friends and fans.”
  • Last night’s Absolute Best of 2023 episode of SmackDown averaged 1.37 million viewers in the overnight ratings. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.3.
  • A video from John Cena aired on the Best of SmackDown episode. Cena said he doesn’t know how much time he has left in WWE, but he looks forward to the next time that he and the fans can get together. Cena thanked the WWE fans for making 2023 a wonderful year for him and his family:
          • WWE Universe, John Cena here, all dressed up to celebrate a wonderful group of people. A toast to the WWE Universe for making my 2023. As you know, I was able to return to SmackDown in the fall and the reception and the respect – I will never forget. I do not know how much time in the WWE I have left, but I do know in recent times when I’ve been able to return home, you have always welcomed me as one of your own. I am forever indebted to your generosity, your empathy, your respect, and your excitement. I look forward to the next time we can get together, but I wanted to take a moment to truly say thank you for making this a wonderful year for me and for my family. To the WWE Universe. Until the next round, cheers.
  • NXT’s Charlie Dempsey has arrived in Japan ahead of making his AJPW debut. Dempsey & Yuma Anzai are facing Tatsumi Fujinami & Leona in a tag match on December 31. Dempsey will then challenge either Katsuhiko Nakajima or Kento Miyahara for the Triple Crown Championship on January 3.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • AEW’s full Countdown to Worlds End preview special is available to watch on YouTube.
  • The entire Continental Classic tournament has also been uploaded to AEW’s YouTube channel.
  • Our Josh Nason previewed the Worlds End card for Sports Illustrated.
  • AEW shared a promo with Samoa Joe addressing why he attacked MJF this past Wednesday.
  • Wheeler Yuta spoke with Cageside Seats ahead of challenging Hook for the FTW Championship tonight:
          • My confidence level going into this match with Hook is very high. I’ve been in some crazy wars with the BCC man. I’ve been in two Blood and Gus Matches, Stadium Stampede, Anarchy in the Arena. I’ve really had to prove myself, both with pure wrestling and also just with violence. I’m very excited to dip my toe back into that. Very excited to be in his hometown. A town I hate in New York. I think it’ll be a lot of fun for me.
  • Yuta said he would love to win the Continental Classic one day:
          • I hope that we continue to do the Continental Classic. I would love to be in it. I would love to win it one day. There’s no real animosity [on being left out of the CC], but there’s definitely a drive and a hunger that has been a result of that. It’s definitely lit a fire underneath, but I don’t see how it couldn’t, when you see the quality of those matches and how great it’s been. Especially the draw between Claudio and Bryan. That was absolutely incredible.
  • Mercedes Mone has filed trademarks for “Mone Talks,” “Time is Mone,” and “Mone Wear.”
  • Impact Wrestling uploaded the full Will Ospreay vs. Mike Bailey match from Bound for Glory. It was voted Match of the Year in Impact’s year-end awards.
  • Denise Salcedo has interviews with Claudio Castagnoli, McKenzie Mitchell, and Mansoor.
  • Castagnoli said he was close to competing in the NJPW G1 Climax before joining AEW in 2022: “Right before I joined AEW, I was extremely close, probably a couple days away before doing the G1 for New Japan. I always want to do the G1, and I still owe them one, I feel like. So to do the Continental Classic, I was super excited.”
  • Tenille Dashwood (Emma) & Mike Rallis (Riddick Moss) were interviewed on TMZ Sports.
  • Adam Cole ranked his top 10 video games of the year for Giant Bomb.

Daily Update: Kurtis Chapman, MJF, WWE house shows

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Match and performer of the week
  • Notes on the recent AEW departures
  • AEW financial notes for 2023
  • Some rights fees thoughts
  • Tony Khan talks the TV landscape
  • A look at Worlds End
  • The most detailed look at the New Japan decision to make Hiroshi Tanahashi president and comments from many in the industry about it
  • Full details on the WWE’s biggest grossing U.S. house show in history on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden plus past history from the event
  • The Iron Claw, history of the Von Erichs, in a long detailed article regarding the rise and fall and the making of the movie
  • Preview of the Tokyo Dome show, advance ticket sales and Stardom PPV
  • How many tickets are comped at the usual AEW and WWE shows
  • 2023 Awards ballot
  • Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from the past week, placings for the night and week, competition, segment-by-segment, gains and losses from one year ago and more
  • Andrade heads to Mexico and a big business week
  • Another two Vikingo vs. Taurus matches
  • New Japan bodybuilding contest notes
  • Major shows for New Japan in the first three months of he year
  • One of the best trios matches in a long time
  • DDT tournament finals set
  • Notes on a book on wrestling history
  • New Scottish wrestling Hall of Famer
  • Chris Jericho and Stephen New
  • Tony Khan’s recent press call
  • Dynamite headed for tougher competition
  • Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers for AEW & WWE
  • Amanda Huber talks anniversary of Jon Huber’s death
  • Dana White on UFC 300
  • More on the MLW lawsuit settlement
  • Changing an angle
  • Return of a WWE tag team
  • Injury return updates
  • Longest running pro wrestling TV show in history
  • Bill Goldberg speaks on Vince McMahon
  • Rundown of the recent WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Friday Update

Garrett Gonzales and I were back doing our Friday show talking the AEW PPV show, business, Hiroshi Tanahashi, The Iron Claw and answering some questions. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night after the AEW show with our weekend show.

Very sad to hear the news of Kurtis Chapman’s death today. I saw him before the Mad Kurt character and was told when he was a teenager that he was going to be a top wrestler that I should watch out for. He went a different way with Mad Kurt, a character you could see he really got into. We send our sympathies to those who knew him and worked with him.

There has been a lot of talk regarding this article written by MJF in the Players Tribune, both in and out of the company.

We’re looking for reports from these weekend shows

  • WWE from last night in Houston
  • WWE tonight in Las Vegas
  • WWE tonight in Toronto
  • WWE tomorrow night in Los Angeles with C.M. Punk
  • We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

We’re also doing our poll for Worlds End for tomorrow night. You can leave a thumbs up, down or middle plus a best and worst match to [email protected]

Smackdown tonight is a best of show. Jackie Redmond and Corey Graves host.

Rampage at 10 p.m. tonight on TNT:

  • Wheeler Yuta vs. Matt Sydal for the Pure title
  • Ruby Soho vs Marina Shafir
  • Orange Cassidy & Trent Baretta & Rocky Romero vs. Top Flight & Action Andretti

Countdown to Worlds End airs at 11 p.m. tonight on TNT

WWE from last night in Laval, Quebec

  • Becky Lynch b Zoey Stark with the man handle slam
  • Kofi Kingston b Ludvig Kaiser with trouble in paradise
  • Omos b R-Truth with a tree slam
  • Rhea Ripley won three-way over Ivy Nile and Shayna Baszler, beating Baszler to keep the women’s title
  • Sami Zayn b Finn Balor via DQ when Dominik Mysterio interfered and Kevin Owens made the surprise save
  • Zayn & Owens b Balor & Dominik
  • Cody Rhodes b Damian Priest in a last man standing match
  • Seth Rollins won over Drew McIntyre and Shinsuke Nakamura to retain the world title by pining Nakamura

Volador Jr. vs. Andrade headlines Arena Mexico tonight along with Mascara Dorada & Titan & Mistico vs. Averno & Mephisto & Euforia and Stephanie Vaquer defending the CMLL women’s title against Jarochita. Based on the advance, it was expected to draw the biggest crowd since the anniversary show. And they are doing another show on 1/1 putting Ultimo Dragoncito, Pierrothito, Fantasy, Mercurio, Minors, Aereo, Pequeno Polvora, Pequeno Magia, Pequeno Olimpico, Shockercito, Pequeno Violencia, Acero, Angelito, Full Metal, Kaligua and Galaxy in a cage and the last man left loses his mask or hair. Tessa Blanchad returns on the show plus Mascara Dorada vs. Angel de Oro and Atlantis Jr & Mistico & Flip Gordon vs. El Terrible & Dragon Rojo Jr. & Cavernario Barbaro.

Next Friday at Arena Mexico will be the first of three weeks of rematches of best matches in the building from 2023. They have Astral vs. Capital Suicida, Pegasso & Rey Samuray & Stigma vs. Futuro & Vegas & Max Star, Rey Cometa & Espiritu Negro vs. Akuma & Dark Maic, Esfinge vs. Cavernario and Soberano Jr. vs. Templario.

Stardom from earlier today from Sumo Hall: Miyu Amasaki & Azusa Inaba & Yazuki b Hanako & Sayaka Kurara & Ranna Yagami, Saki Kashima & AmiSohrei won a four-way over Mai Sakurai & Thekla, Lady C & Hina and Saki & Yuna Mizumori, Mayu Iwatani & Hazuki & Hanan & Saya Iida b Starlight Kid & Ruaka & Rina & Fukigen Death, Nanae Takahashi & Yuu & AZM b Syuri & Mina Shirakawa & Mei Seira, Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani b Natsuoke Tora & Momo Watanabe to retain the tag titles, Giulia b Megan Bayne to retain the Strong women’s title, Saori Anou b Mirai to win the Wonder of Stardom title and Maika b Suzu Suzuki to win the vacant World of Stardom title. They officially announced Giulia’s next defense against Trish Adora on 1/13 in San Jose. 

There was a problem with the PPV feed live and they ended up putting the last two matches on YouTube so you can watch them for free. The show was tremendous. I was told the Maika and Giulia matches in particular were the standouts, particularly the end of the Giulia match. Bayne, who is headed to AEW soon, got over really big in the loss. 

Wednesday’s AEW TV show doing an 0.31 made it the highest rated entertainment show on cable television since 12/18. With Raw doing a repeat show it has a very good chance of ending up No. 1 for this week. The show also did 144,000 viewers in Canada, the best an AEW show has done there since March. It finished just below Smackdown in the key demo and doubled the Best of Raw in the key demo in Canada.

A correction from the current issue. AEW couldn’t run the UBS Arena for the PPV tomorrow night not because of an Islanders game, but because of the St. John’s vs. Hofstra basketball game. (thanks to Phil Strum)

John Cena will be honored by the NCAA with a silver anniversary award, which honors student-athletes that graduated in 1999. It noted that Cena was a Division III first team All-American at Springfield College in 1998 and a three-time Academic All-Conference athlete and was inducted into the Springfield College sports Hall of Fame in 2015. Cena and multi-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor were the most famous of the class. 

Regarding the talk yesterday by Tony Khan about ratings of Raw & Dynamite, Dynamite, not including Wednesday’s show, was down 10 percent for the quarter from Q4 last year while Raw, not including Monday which shouldn’t count anyway, was down seven percent. In 18-49, Dynamite is down nine percent and Raw is up 12 percent. Given the drop in 18-49 viewers, Dynamite is doing better than cable television as a whole Rampage (down 17 percent) is doing worse but Collision being added should hurt Rampage and even Dynamite a bit.

Defy tomorrow night in Seattle at Washington Hall has Cody Chhun defending the PrimoLucha International title against Jet Knight, The Bollywood Boyz defend the tag titles against Los Suavecitos, Artemis Spencer vs. Sami Callihan in a street fight and more.

Daily Update: NXT award winners, Rey Mysterio, MLW

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The longest issue in our history. Among the highlights are:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • A preview of what will be among the biggest if not the biggest pro wrestling news story of 2024, the upcoming contract deals for both all the AEW television shows and WWE Raw. We go through details of talks that have taken place, potential homes for both shows, what would be best for AEW and why those situations are unlikely, past history of rights talks, where WBD stands, momentum, money figures, ROH, discrepancy in household wealth of AEW Dynamite viewers vs. Raw & Smackdown viewers, what AEW would need to be home free financially and very profitable, value of AEW and how it can change and much more
  • Update on Kenny Omega
  • What we do and don’t know and may never know about the WWE lawsuit settlement with MLW
  • Promotions in Japan unite together
  • Notes on the Iron Claw movie including a review
  • Notes on the business for the major AEW & WWE PPV shows over the next few months
  • UFC 296 full coverage
  • Political leanings of WWE & UFC fans
  • Tokyo Sports Japanese wrestling awards for 2023 and the politics involved in the decision making and why some obvious choices didn’t even get considered
  • Full coverage of ROH Final Battle, NXT Deadline and recent television
  • The career of Japanese star Osamu Kido, who passed away recently, including highlights and the period he go a major push and why
  • Update on Liv Morgan’s arrest
  • The most complete look at the ratings over the past week, including demo, competition and segment-by-segment
  • International ratings and streaming numbers
  • Andrade returns to Arena Mexico
  • Stardom big show this coming week
  • Former New Japan star debuts for All Japan
  • Jan. 2 NOAH major show card
  • Wrestle Kingdom update
  • 60th anniversary of the death of Rikidozan, one of the biggest stars in history
  • Will Ospreay’s last match of 2023 and his final independent match before starting with AEW announced
  • Tony Khan talks social media negativity
  • Rocky Romero talks CMLL and AEW relationship
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE events as well as Impact and NJPW U.S. events
  • Major question regarding non-UFC MMA fighters under contract and if they’ll get enough fights in 2024
  • WWE Speed concept
  • Notes on WWE Hall of Fame
  • WWE stock value

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • The winners of NXT’s 2023 Year-End Awards were revealed last night:
          • Match of the Year: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov for the NXT Championship (No Mercy)
          • Moment of the Year: The Undertaker appears on October 10 episode of NXT
          • Male Superstar of the Year: Ilja Dragunov
          • Female Superstar of the Year: Tiffany Stratton
          • Tag Team of the Year: The Creed Brothers
  • ESPN and the New York Post announced their 2023 pro wrestling award winners.
  • Cody Rhodes thanked ESPN for naming him their Male Wrestler of the Year.
  • Here’s the TV listing for Friday’s Absolute Best of 2023 SmackDown episode: “The best moments from SmackDown in 2023 are remembered, featuring marquee main events with the biggest names, hard-fought title matches and shocking returns.”
  • On the Christmas party edition of K100 with Konnan and Disco Inferno, Rey Mysterio confirmed that the injury he underwent surgery for is a torn meniscus. Mysterio said he’s in week four of a 6-8 week recovery time.
  • Mysterio discussed the steps he’s taking to maintain his longevity:
          • I’m getting a personal trainer at the beginning of the year that’s going to work with me just so I can work on my lower body and strengthen up my hips, my quads, my legs in general so I can resist. I’ve never had a personal trainer that can train me, kind of like UFC fighters train, so I can use most of my power from the hips down.
          • I know that I’m slowing down, the older I get, but I can make things look faster just by being in the business so long, that keeps the fans the perspective of ‘he hasn’t slowed down.’ I can go out there every time and pour it out. I don’t know how to hold back. I know how to hold back on movements and stuff I know I can’t do, like pushing off my left knee is really hard. I know personally that I’ve slowed down over the years. I try to be very innovative and creative with my style that it makes it seem that I haven’t slowed down.
  • Madison Square Garden gave CM Punk a gift commemorating his return match at last night’s house show.
  • NBA star Tyrese Haliburton met Booker T and Sharmell before the Indiana Pacers played the Houston Rockets last night.
  • Vibe published a story on Carmelo Hayes.
  • WWE wished Goldberg (57) and Zelina Vega (33) a happy birthday.

AEW/Other Wrestling

Daily Update: CM Punk, Joseann Offerman, MLW/WWE

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The longest issue in our history. Among the highlights are:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • A preview of what will be among the biggest if not the biggest pro wrestling news story of 2024, the upcoming contract deals for both all the AEW television shows and WWE Raw. We go through details of talks that have taken place, potential homes for both shows, what would be best for AEW and why those situations are unlikely, past history of rights talks, where WBD stands, momentum, money figures, ROH, discrepancy in household wealth of AEW Dynamite viewers vs. Raw & Smackdown viewers, what AEW would need to be home free financially and very profitable, value of AEW and how it can change and much more
  • Update on Kenny Omega
  • What we do and don’t know and may never know about the WWE lawsuit settlement with MLW
  • Promotions in Japan unite together
  • Notes on the Iron Claw movie including a review
  • Notes on the business for the major AEW & WWE PPV shows over the next few months
  • UFC 296 full coverage
  • Political leanings of WWE & UFC fans
  • Tokyo Sports Japanese wrestling awards for 2023 and the politics involved in the decision making and why some obvious choices didn’t even get considered
  • Full coverage of ROH Final Battle, NXT Deadline and recent television
  • The career of Japanese star Osamu Kido, who passed away recently, including highlights and the period he go a major push and why
  • Update on Liv Morgan’s arrest
  • The most complete look at the ratings over the past week, including demo, competition and segment-by-segment
  • International ratings and streaming numbers
  • Andrade returns to Arena Mexico
  • Stardom big show this coming week
  • Former New Japan star debuts for All Japan
  • Jan. 2 NOAH major show card
  • Wrestle Kingdom update
  • 60th anniversary of the death of Rikidozan, one of the biggest stars in history
  • Will Ospreay’s last match of 2023 and his final independent match before starting with AEW announced
  • Tony Khan talks social media negativity
  • Rocky Romero talks CMLL and AEW relationship
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE events as well as Impact and NJPW U.S. events
  • Major question regarding non-UFC MMA fighters under contract and if they’ll get enough fights in 2024
  • WWE Speed concept
  • Notes on WWE Hall of Fame
  • WWE stock value

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Tuesday Update

WWE

  • CM Punk thanked fans ahead of his WWE in-ring return at Tuesday’s house show at Madison Square Garden on Instagram Stories. “Grateful for all the fans who have carried me to my greatest moments. Thankful for the legends that paved the roads I travel. I wouldn’t be who I am without all of you. Thank you. “So goes the Garden, so goes the business”.
  • Punk also talked briefly to WWE’s social media about returning to Madison Square Garden in a wrestling capacity before the show.
  • The United States District Court in the Northern district of California has officially dismissed the MLW lawsuit against WWE after both parties came to a settlement that was filed with the Court on December 22, officially closing the lawsuit.
  • Prime Video has a preview video for 2024, which includes a look at John Cena’s upcoming Road House remake.
  • The Miz talked to TMZ Sports, talking up the idea of the Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce and his brother Jason doing a WWE match.
  • Free matches added to WWE’s YouTube today include Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T from the December 26, 2011 edition of Raw, Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens from the December 26, 2016 episode of Raw, and CM Punk vs. Randy Orton from Extreme Rules 2011.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Joseann Offerman wrote on Instagram:” Merry Christmas Eve my love. It’s been 4 months without you and it still gets harder. Especially now, because Christmas was your thing. You LOVED going all out for the kids. You did the shopping and I did the wrapping. That was our routine. And you got the coolest s*** I swear lol trying to do Christmas the way you would have has been so hard. And I’ve broken down every single day. I miss you so much. The kids miss you so much. We wish you were here. But I know you’re here in spirit and I hope I made you proud baby. I love you more than words Windham, forever.”
  • Today marks the three year anniversary of the passing of Jon Huber, best known as Brodie Lee. AEW reposted their tribute video.
  • The Rock wished everyone a Merry Christmas dressed up as his infamous black turtleneck picture from the 90.
  • This week’s Being The Dark Order.
  • AEW stars share their favorite holiday movies.
  • Post Wrestling talked to Renee Paquette.
  • The New York Post released their 2023 Awards in pro wrestling.
  • The former Top Dolla, AJ Francis, announced that Cheez-Its has signed him to represent the MVP title at the Citrus Bowl on January 1.

Daily Update: Christmas, Chris Jericho-Stephen P. New, The Rock

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The longest issue in our history. Among the highlights are:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • A preview of what will be among the biggest if not the biggest pro wrestling news story of 2024, the upcoming contract deals for both all the AEW television shows and WWE Raw. We go through details of talks that have taken place, potential homes for both shows, what would be best for AEW and why those situations are unlikely, past history of rights talks, where WBD stands, momentum, money figures, ROH, discrepancy in household wealth of AEW Dynamite viewers vs. Raw & Smackdown viewers, what AEW would need to be home free financially and very profitable, value of AEW and how it can change and much more
  • Update on Kenny Omega
  • What we do and don’t know and may never know about the WWE lawsuit settlement with MLW
  • Promotions in Japan unite together
  • Notes on the Iron Claw movie including a review
  • Notes on the business for the major AEW & WWE PPV shows over the next few months
  • UFC 296 full coverage
  • Political leanings of WWE & UFC fans
  • Tokyo Sports Japanese wrestling awards for 2023 and the politics involved in the decision making and why some obvious choices didn’t even get considered
  • Full coverage of ROH Final Battle, NXT Deadline and recent television
  • The career of Japanese star Osamu Kido, who passed away recently, including highlights and the period he go a major push and why
  • Update on Liv Morgan’s arrest
  • The most complete look at the ratings over the past week, including demo, competition and segment-by-segment
  • International ratings and streaming numbers
  • Andrade returns to Arena Mexico
  • Stardom big show this coming week
  • Former New Japan star debuts for All Japan
  • Jan. 2 NOAH major show card
  • Wrestle Kingdom update
  • 60th anniversary of the death of Rikidozan, one of the biggest stars in history
  • Will Ospreay’s last match of 2023 and his final independent match before starting with AEW announced
  • Tony Khan talks social media negativity
  • Rocky Romero talks CMLL and AEW relationship
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE events as well as Impact and NJPW U.S. events
  • Major question regarding non-UFC MMA fighters under contract and if they’ll get enough fights in 2024
  • WWE Speed concept
  • Notes on WWE Hall of Fame
  • WWE stock value

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Monday Update

Bryan and I did our first show together since 12/13 last night covering Iron Claw, AEW departures, Collision and the rest of the latest news. There will be no show tonight unless something unforeseen happens and we will be back Wednesday night.

Merry Christmas everyone. It is notable with Iron Claw about how big Christmas used to be as a wrestling holiday. In particular, the Crocketts, Georgia, Mid South, AWA and Dallas would have some of their biggest events of the year that night. Thanksgiving and Christmas night were the two biggest drawing nights for live pro wrestling in that era, as families would be together and then look for entertainment, whether it was the movies or live events. Yes, pro wrestling was family entertainment long before people who rewrote history told you it wasn’t.

The Dallas wrestling boom of 1983-84 was kicked off by Gary Hart’s angle on December 25, 1982, at Reunion Arena. You’ll see exaggerated numbers elsewhere, but there were 12,000 fans at the show to see Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich in a cage match where referee Michael Hayes turned heel and Terry Gordy slammed the cage door on Kerry to cause him to lose via ref stoppage after collapsing. It was the first-ever $100,000 gate in the state of Texas, breaking a record set for a Dory Funk Jr. vs. Fritz Von Erich NWA title match ten years earlier. Hart quit the company thinking he was shorted on his payoff for that show, but the Freebirds vs. Von Erichs the next two years was classic stuff. I was at the December 25, 1983, show 40 years ago today. David Von Erich beat Flair with a routine DQ finish. It was far from the best match the two had but Flair’s matches were always very good and usually great in that era. He had also wrestled a show that afternoon (can’t find the record of it but do remember we knew it was his second show of the day). That show drew a legit sellout of 19,000 fans and broke the gate record for Texas that was set a month earlier on Thanksgiving night. It’s funny because on December 25, 1984,when Flair and Kerry wrestled on Christmas, it drew 15,000 fans. I remember thinking because that match didn’t sell out on Christmas night that the boom was over. And it was, although 1985 was still a strong year with two stadium shows of more than 20,000, but it fell off greatly in 1986. 

Perhaps the most important of all Christmas stories was in 1971. Georgia Championship Wrestling, which started in 1954 on WQXI-TV in Atlanta, moved to WTCG, Ch. 17 in Atlanta, owned by 33-year-old Ted Turner with the first episode airing from 6-7 p.m. Saturday on December 25, 1971, from the TV studios and airing on a few hour delay. In 1972, WTCG added a second hour for Ann Gunkel’s All South Wrestling, and when that company folded, the Georgia office had two hours from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday night. It remained on the station as the station went national through 2000. You could make the argument that Georgia Championship Wrestling ran for 46 straight years, although on different channels making it the longest running wrestling show in history. Raw and Smackdown claim continuous runs while also both switching channels multiple times. It changed its name to World Championship Wrestling in the early 80s, and for one year, it was a WWF show, so it did change promotions from the NWA Georgia office (1954-1984), WWF (1984-85), Jim Crockett Promotions (1985-88) and WCW (1988-2000). But if none of that happens in 1971, pro wrestling history would be completely different (thanks to a clip by Al Getz).

Chris Jericho wrote this last night in response to Stephen P. New, who represented CM Punk and Ace Steel. “I don’t adhere to an employee handbook and have never had one in four years of working for AEW. I’ve also never signed an NDA in my life…ever. So stop trying to be a bully and making egotistical fantasy brags for your clients, and start doing some research before you make blanket statements about your buddies. Because I saw EVERYTHING that night..including how Lucy (and her husband and best buddy) acted and what really went down…and since I was in the room and watching her and everybody else the whole time…I know exactly what really happened. And considering you weren’t there and I was, maybe you should shut your mark ass up. Because what really went down was disgusting.”

The West Australian reported on documents they got as part of the Freedom of Information act related to the Elimination Chamber show on 2/24 in Burswood, Western Australia. In the documents, the tourism board who paid for WWE to come in asked for Dwayne Johnson to appear at the show. It was just a request and they did not report that Johnson would be there, only that the tourism board asked WWE if it was possible they could get him for the show. Obviously that would cost far more.

Douki won New Japan’s bodybuilding contest today, with Drilla Moloney second and last year’s winner, Tama Tonga, third.

WWF never had the Christmas tradition but it has the holiday week tradition with house shows every year running 12/26 to 12/30, two shows per night, and it’s the biggest week of house shows in the U.S. of the year, kicked off by the annual holiday show in Madison Square Garden. The show already had more than 15,000 tickets out, partially if not largely due to C.M. Punk’s first WWE match in ten years against Dominik Mysterio. MSG went from 9,000 when the match was announced and has continued to move tickets at a huge place. The other Punk show, which is at the Forum in Los Angeles on Saturday, has gone from 8,000 to 12,000.

The MSG show besides Punk vs. Dominik also has Seth Rollins vs Drew McIntyre for the world title, Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a bullrope match (pushed as the first bullrope match in MSG since Dusty Rhodes vs. Superstar Billy Graham in 1978) and Finn Balor & Damian Priest are listed against Jey Uso & Sami Zayn. Not sure what the deal is there since Zayn did an injury angle on television and was to be out for a while. They also run Baltimore tomorrow with Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa last man standing, Jimmy Uso vs. L.A. Knight in a street fight, Iyo Sky vs Bianca Belair for the women’s title, Street Profits vs. Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde, Bayley vs. Shotzi, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. Pretty Deadly and Butch vs. Austin Theory.

Raw tonight is a 2023 highlights show hosted by Jackie Redmond and Peter Rosenberg.

Tyrus will be hosting a New Year’s Eve special on FOX News and Ric Flair will be a special guest.

As far of the UFC/WWE crossover, Dana White was giving away WrestleMania tickets and a trip to Philadelphia as part of his sweepstakes where he is giving away 12 gifts.

MLW is already pushing Matt Riddle merch.

Rizin is trying to sign an Anderson Silva retirement fight for Japan.

Mayu Iwatani defends the IWGP women’s title against Syuri in the main event of a 1/4 show at the Tokyo Dome City Hall. Stardom is doing a show at the fancy arena at the Korakuen Mall, a hundred yards or so from the Tokyo Dome. The show will start late morning with the idea it ends before the New Japan show.

The Countdown to Worlds End will air at 11 p.m. on Friday night, right after Rampage.

The El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Black Taurus match on Rampage is all that it was cracked up to be. I thought the ROH match between the two was slightly better, but I wouldn’t be surprised if after this performance on television that Taurus gets signed. If not, I would at least expect to see him more.

Mick Foley and Raven have been added to The Gathering in Charlotte the first weekend of August. There will be a tribute to World Class featuring Kevni Von Erich, Brian Adias, Rod Price, John Tatum and Nord the Barbarian. Missy Hyatt is also scheduled and Angelo Mosca Jr. is scheduled to honor his father.

Daily Update: AEW departures, Authors of Pain, The Iron Claw

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The longest issue in our history. Among the highlights are:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • A preview of what will be among the biggest if not the biggest pro wrestling news story of 2024, the upcoming contract deals for both all the AEW television shows and WWE Raw. We go through details of talks that have taken place, potential homes for both shows, what would be best for AEW and why those situations are unlikely, past history of rights talks, where WBD stands, momentum, money figures, ROH, discrepancy in household wealth of AEW Dynamite viewers vs. Raw & Smackdown viewers, what AEW would need to be home free financially and very profitable, value of AEW and how it can change and much more 
  • Update on Kenny Omega
  • What we do and don’t know and may never know about the WWE lawsuit settlement with MLW
  • Promotions in Japan unite together
  • Notes on the Iron Claw movie including a review
  • Notes on the business for the major AEW & WWE PPV shows over the next few months
  • UFC 296 full coverage
  • Political leanings of WWE & UFC fans
  • Tokyo Sports Japanese wrestling awards for 2023 and the politics involved in the decision making and why some obvious choices didn’t even get considered
  • Full coverage of ROH Final Battle, NXT Deadline and recent television
  • The career of Japanese star Osamu Kido, who passed away recently, including highlights and the period he go a major push and why
  • Update on Liv Morgan’s arrest
  • The most complete look at the ratings over the past week, including demo, competition and segment-by-segment
  • International ratings and streaming numbers
  • Andrade returns to Arena Mexico
  • Stardom big show this coming week
  • Former New Japan star debuts for All Japan
  • Jan. 2 NOAH major show card
  • Wrestle Kingdom update
  • 60th anniversary of the death of Rikidozan, one of the biggest stars in history
  • Will Ospreay’s last match of 2023 and his final independent match before starting with AEW announced
  • Tony Khan talks social media negativity
  • Rocky Romero talks CMLL and AEW relationship
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE events as well as Impact and NJPW U.S. events
  • Major question regarding non-UFC MMA fighters under contract and if they’ll get enough fights in 2024
  • WWE Speed concept
  • Notes on WWE Hall of Fame
  • WWE stock value

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Sunday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio covering the news from the past several days including AEW departures, AEW & WWE TV, Tokyo Dome, Iron Claw and more.

Want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas tomorrow and hope that you and your families have a great holiday season.

With the new format of the Observer which is now printable in the format of the printed issues previously, we no longer have space limitations so the issue that came out Friday is the longest in our history.

Regarding the recent AEW departures, both Rafael Morfii and Dana Massie, who finish up at the end of the year, left on their own. Morfii, who was in charge of live event promotion, has taken a job working at the Barclays Center. He’ll be booking sports and entertainment acts for the building. His background included working for WWE, TNA, and the New York Mets and Cosmos.

PWInsider reported that the Authors of Pain with manager Paul Ellering will return to WWE on the 1/5 Smackdown show in Vancouver. Akam of the team is from British Columbia and was an Olympic probability in wrestling before he left the sport young to take a WWE deal.

With the release of the Iron Claw movie, VICE has put up part one of its two part series on The Von Erichs up for free.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V7xEp5hGzg

The Iron Claw was No. 6 at the box office for the weekend and will do an estimated $5.06 million in 2,774 theaters in week once. I don’t think anyone expected this to do big numbers at the theaters. I saw it at a theater Friday night in Santa Barbara and aside from a large family, we were the only ones in the theater and there were no wrestling fans there.

Conor McGregor was at the Anthony Joshua fight on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and said he wanted to fight, talking about facing Manny Pacquiao in boxing and how he was supposed to return in April but UFC isn’t booking him, which shows you how much the guaranteed money for PPV from ESPN has changed the game as far as UFC booking McGregor and other big stars. He claimed nobody in the history of the fight game has been treated the way he’s been treated Well, maybe nobody with his drawing power. McGregor has only fought four times in MMA in the last seven years.

For this past week, the only thing related to wrestling, MMA and boxing that hit the top 20 for a day on Google searches was Anthony Joshua, who won his fight yesterday, at No. 7 with more than 100,000 searches.

A match that took place on Thursday that people have been raving about, including some calling it the best trios title match in New Japan history, was the Kazuchika Okada & Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii match against Jeff Cobb & Henare & Great O’Khan from Korakuen Hall.

Dwayne Johnson doing a make-a-wish visit teased the idea of returning to WWE.

Israel Adesanya is now talking like he’ll be back in UFC soon. He had previously said he wouldn’t be fighting until 2027.

Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry and Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa have been announced for 2/17 in Anaheim, CA.

Yair Rodriguez vs. Brian Ortega has been announced in a five round co-main event on 2/24 in Mexico City. Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi will headline the show.

LA Knight got the key to the city of Hagerstown, MD last night. He was born in that area. There were about 500 people there, all ages. Shaun Ricker’s family serves the community and his brother is a member of the fire department. He was very gracious, signing tons of autographs and taking photos with anyone who asked. His family was there as was his girlfriend. (Thanks to Jimmie Alexander at WTOP News)

Stardom today at Korakuen Hall: Mei Seira b Yuzuki, Hanan b Hanako, Mai Sakurai & Thekla b Hazuki & Saya Iida, Saki Kashima won three-way over Mina Shirakawa and Yuna Mizumori, Nanae Takahashi & Yuu b Syuri & Ami Sohrei, Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani & AZM & Lady C & Hina & Miyu Amasaki b Natsuko Tora & Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid & Ruaka & Rina & Fukigen Death in an elimination match, Suzu Suzuki & Megan Bayne & Saori Anou b Giulia & Maika & Mirai when Bayne pinned Giulia after an F-5.

There were three title changes on today’s Dragon Gate Final Gate 20223 in Fukuoka. Kai & Ishin & Yoshiki Kato won the Triangle gate titles over Yamato & Dragon Kid & Punch Tominaga, Kaito Kiyomiya & Alejandro from NOAH won the vacant Open the Twin Gate titles beating Ben K & Kota Minoura and Luis Mante won the Open the Dream Gate title in a three-way over Madoka Kikuta and Shun Skywalker.

Tetsua Endo faces Yukio Naya in the finals of the DDT D King Grand Prix tournament on 1/3.

Pro Wrestling Phoenix from Wednesday night in Omaha, NE: Ryan Romantic b The Siev, Tanner Renken b Chaac De Oro, Willy Sweet b Clay Evans, Pat Powers & Vic Douglas b Con Artiest & TankBryson, JC Slater b Xander McIntosh, Joey Daniels b Alan Lyric, Willy Sweet won Battle Royal, Moonshine Russell b Willie Sweet. The next show is 1/25 at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha.

Lucha Va Voom has announced shows on 2/14 and 2/15 at the Mayan Theater in downtown Los Angeles. Those announced are Taya Valkyrie, Ma1gno, Lil Cholo, Jack Cartwheel, and Dirty Sanchez.

Mustafa Ali vs. Leon Slater was announced for the 1/28 Progress show at the Electric Ballroom in London.

Rusty Blair was announced as the 2023 inductee into the Scotland Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. Born Carole Taylor, she won the British and European women’s championship, beating Mitzi Mueller in 1980. In 1987, she headlined the first all-women’s match held at Royal Albert Hall.

Stee Teulan aka Jack Bonza, who was in the New Japan tag tournament, pleaded guilty to a high range drunk driving after admitting drinking a full bottle of Vodka and driving. He almost hit a police car set up at a random testing site and pleaded guilty to one count of high range drunk driving. The alleged incident took place on 11/11 in Tuggerah, Australia at 9:15 p.m. 

In the CBS celebration of the 98th birthday of Dick Van Dyke on Friday, they showed the clip from the original Dick Van Dyke show in 1964 where Fred Blassie appeared as the world heavyweight wrestling champion and gave Van Dyke an airplane spin.

Dana White announced Jiri Prochazka vs. Alexander Rakic, Aljamain Sterling moving to 145 to face Calvin Kattar and Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage for the 4/13 UFC 300 show.

PCO vs. Dirty Dango has been added to the TNA 1/13 PPV show in Las Vegas.

Pro Wrestling Eve has 16 tickets left for its 1/5 show at the Big Penny Social in Walthamstow, London.

2 Cold Scorpio headlines a 1/19 show in Niagara Falls, NY at the Frontier Fire Hall for Empire State Wrestling.

Bob Magee sent us notes regarding independent promotions raising money for Christmas charities this year. This is always something we like to publicize and give credit to:

As of the morning of December 21, I have information on $246,523.40 in cash donations, 6,779 pounds (that’s OVER THREE TONS) of canned and non-perishable food, 3,960 pounds of dog food donated, and 21,594 toys/gifts that have been collected, and 6 bags of winter coats.

All Pro Wrestling/Nevada presented Headlock on Hunger at Reed High School, Sparks, NV raising over $10,000 for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

Wrestling for a Cure raised over $7,000 for St. Jude’s Hospital for Children through wrestling shows in the Chicagoland area.

Uprise Pro Wrestling held Climb The Ladder on August 5 in Marshall, NC to benefit the Manna Food Bank, raising around $500.

Supreme Pro Wrestling presented Lemonade on August 20 at Soccer World Indoor Arena in Elk Grove, CA; and is proud to announce it raised over $1,300 for the Alex’s Lemonade Stand charity dedicated to pediatric cancer.

San Diego Pro Wrestling Academy, together with It’s All About the Kids Foundation presented the Unity in the Community Food Drive charity event to collect canned food in El Cajon, CA on August 26. 50 pounds was collected at this individual event, as well as its wrestlers packing 700 bags of non-perishable food, which will benefit 3,500 to be distributed all over San Diego County.

Keystone State Wrestling Alliance set up a ring at Century 3 Kia in West Mifflin, PA on September 2 to raise $350 and 20 pounds of food for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Mid Southern Championship Wrestling held a food drive on September 2, for the children the Trumann, AR School District to help students who don’t know where their next meal will come from. At least 100 pounds of food that filled the back of a Dodge Ram was collected.

 1CW Pro Wrestling comes to Houston, DE on September 9 at the Houston Volunteer Fire Company, 143 Main Street, raising $2,325 at a show designed to benefit the Alex Oliveras Family.

GCW Charity Wrestling event returned to Aurora, ON on Saturday September 9, collecting 300 pounds in non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada event came to Aurora, ON on September 10, collecting 500 pounds in non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Wrestling for a Cause returned to Tulsa, OK, on September 9 for WHY Ranch Foundation Presents: WFC- Wrestleland 4: Fight For Emmitt raising $1,200.

REAL Pro Wrestling returned to Fort Myers, FL on September 15 benefitting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, raising $1,000 and counting.

ECWA Pro Wrestling returns to Morganville, NJ on September 16, benefitting POAC (Parents of Autistic Children) Autism Services in Brick Township, NJ, which provides educational, support and recreational services to children and adults on the autism spectrum.

Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations presented Steelstacks Smackdown II in Bethlehem, PA on September 16 as a benefit to raise money for New Bethany, featuring The Godfather and D’Lo Brown. 450 pounds of canned and non-perishable food items were collected, as well as $400 in cash donations and counting to help Bethany’s work.

Chinlock Wrestling presented Chinlock for Charity on September 16 (sponsored by Cigar Chief) in Tyendinaga, ON with Legends of Wrestling meet and greet and autograph signing, as well as an exciting show raised $8,298.14 in support of Indigenous organizations in Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory,

United Wrestling Coalition held a benefit at its September 23 show at McKaig-Test-Mullen American Legion Post 455 New Egypt, NJ raising $3,600 for an annual scholarship fund for the family of fan John Begley, who recently passed away from cancer. UWC also collected $65 cash and 50 items for Angels in Motion (Atlantic City chapter) that helps the homeless with “blessing bags”.

Journey Independent Championship Wrestling returned on September 23 for the Austin Fury Memorial Tournament in Martinsville, IN at the Morgan County Fair and 4-H Association; raising $500 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Metro Pro Wrestling presented its annual Relay for Life Cancer Benefit show on September 23 in Taylor, MI, raising $48,000.

Pure Pro Wrestling returned on September 23 at Flint Iceland Arenas, with a show that helped raise $1,000 for the Autism Parent Support Network, a Flint based nonprofit.

WrestleARTS 12 returned to The Irving Theater in Indianapolis, IN on September 23 and raised an additional $500 for the Grotto’s Kids Fund. 

Crossfire Wrestling presented FIRED UP 2023 at Merriton Community Centre in St. Catharine’s, ON on September 24. Partial proceeds from this and all shows go to the Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children (see below for overall total).

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Cobourg, ON on Saturday September 30, collecting 250 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Team Blue Brands and Pure Pro Wrestling presented Battle in the Creek 3: The Whole DAM Show on September 30, This year’s event featured Rob Van Dam, Dan Severn, Brian Cage, Alex Hammerstone, and more. $250 was collected for the South Michigan Food Bank. The League of Enchantment also held a Toy Drive at the event, collecting 35 toys.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada returns to Kingston, ON for a ComicCon on October 1, collecting 200 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Pro Wrestling KING returned to Anderson, IN on October 1, and raised $165 for the Anderson chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Service Dog Program.

On October 7, One Fall Entertainment, and Sheboygan County Pink Heals Organization return to Sheboygan, WI to raise funds for Pink Heals, a non-profit organization assisting cancer victims and their families raising $13,000 this year featuring Al Snow, Doug Basham, Kenny King, Heath, and James Storm.

Tri States Wrestling partners with Against All Odds Animal Rescue for the entire 2nd Annual Midwest Tour October 5 – Palmyra, MO at the Palmyra Middle School Gym October 6- 7:00 PM in Sliced Bread Innovation Center, Chillicothe, MO. October 7- The St. Joseph REC Center, Saint Joseph, MO October 8 – Kansas City North Community Center, Kansas City, MOAs a result, just over $500 and (3,960 pounds) of dog food were donated for Against All Odds Animal Rescue.

On October 7 in Pascagoula, MS, AWA Pro Wrestling honored our great friend Joey Goetz with a portion of our proceeds from our October events donated to the Animal Rescue Foundation, an organization he was passionate about.

Promoter Diamond Dan Garza and Dr. Chuck Dietzen (aka Dr. Doom) together with Timmy Global Health presented the 21st annual #TimmyTakeDown, an event for children with many different disabilities to showcase their amazing abilities against professional wrestlers in a ring on October 8, in Kirklin, IN. The event raised $11,500

Showcase Pro Wrestling returned to Taunton, MA on October 13 for a Suicide Awareness show.

Champion for a Cause Promotions presented: The Hart of the Matter on October 13 in Wayne, MI: featuring Bret “The Hitman” Hart , Rhino, The Motor City Machine Guns, and Zach Gowen; raising $9,000 for the Fredi the PizzaMan Foundation, dedicated to building sensory rooms in public schools, creating safe spaces for students with autism to learn, grow, and thrive.

1CW Pro Wrestling returned to Selbyville, DE at the Selbyville Volunteer Fire Company, on October 14 raising $2,300 for Choke Slammin’ Cancer.

Proving Ground Pro held its annual show, ELKMANIA 10 on October 14, a fundraiser for the Elks National Foundation, which provides veterans services, medical research and college scholarships, raising $2,142 (totaling $25,000 over the last 10 years of Elks shows.

Live Pro Wrestling returned to Goderich, ON at Goderich Memorial Arena on October 14, and raised $6,000 to benefit the Hunter Costello Memorial Fun-dation, which works to build an accessible playground in Goderich, and to provide financial relief to families with ill or injured children in the local community.

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Oshawa, ON on October 14. collecting 500 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.*

Pure Pro Wrestling stormed into Bay City, MI, on October 14, to benefit the Historic Masonic Temple community arts and movie facilities, raising approximately $1,000

On October 14 in Ocean Springs, MS, AWA Pro Wrestling honored great friend Joey Goetz with a portion of our proceeds from October events donated to the Animal Rescue Foundation, raising $540. 

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada event returned to Ajax, ON for a ComicCon on October 15 collecting 300 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

United Wrestling Coalition held a benefit at its October 21 Trick or Treat with the wrestlers show in New Egypt, NJ, collecting a large bag of personal hygiene items and non-perishable foods for Angels in Motion (Atlantic City chapter) that helps the homeless.

Appalachian Championship Wrestling presented Barnyard Beatdown 3 on October 21 in Winfield, WV; raising well over $1,000 to benefit West Virginia Horse Network, a horse rescue organization.

Mission Pro Wrestling returned to San Antonio, TX on October 21 at the Salvation Army Mission Corps, raising $400 to benefit the Salvation Army.

Cody Deaner (who also does motivational appearances at schools under his given name of Chris Gray) is raising funds at his wrestling and motivational appearances until just before Christmas for a special young man named Conor, who deals with Coffin-Lowry Syndrome, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, Crohn’s disease, and other conditions. 100% of the money Deaner brings in from his “Giv’er for Charity” merchandise at events for the next few months will go to Conor, his family, and paying for their growing medical expenses. Deaner will make five wrestling appearances and seven speeches this month; and has raised $1,114 through October 28.

On October 21, KSWA Wrestling teamed up once again with Sam’s Club Tarentum (Pittsburgh Mills) to raise $1,700 for a Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraiser to benefit the local Children’s Hospital on October 21.

On Saturday, October 28 in Winston-Salem, NC, AML Wrestling held a pro wrestling benefit for TJ Small who has been diagnosed CNS Lymphoma in the brain, raising at least $2,400.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada event returned to Belleville, ON for a ComicCon on October 28, collecting 400 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

California Championship Wrestling presented a fundraiser show on October 28 for the 51 Fifty Gloves not Drugs program, raising $550.

IWA Productions presented its 11th annual Wrestling for a Cause show in Mount Vernon, IL on October 28, raising $2,167 for the mammogram department at Crossroads Hospital.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada event returned to Whitby, ON for a ComicCon on October 28, collecting non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

GCW Charity Wrestling returns to Bowmanville, ON on October 29, collecting 240 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Independent Pro Wrestling returned to Hamilton, ON on November 4 for Hammering Cancer 4, working with Chris M Toste with all proceeds to benefit Hamilton Health Sciences/Juravinski Cancer Center. $4,174was raised.

1CW Pro Wrestling came to Houston, DE on Saturday, November 4, raising $3,200 for Delmarva Aces, and will Adopt a Family for Thanksgiving.

AWA Pro Wrestling and Mississippi Gulf Coast Toys for Tots held a Toys for Tots collection at its November 4 Ocean Springs, MS show, collecting at least 20 new, unwrapped toys.

Project X Wrestling presented House Party on November 3 at The Caruso Club, Sudbury, ON with a toy drive which will benefit the Salvation Army Christmas Hamper Program , collecting at least 100 toys.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada returned to Sudbury, ON for a ComicCon on November 4 collecting 800 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada returned to Angus, ON at the Angus Recreation Centre on November 5collecting 400 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Orillia, ON on November 10, collecting food for the local community food bank.

AWA Pro Wrestling held a Toys for Tots collection at its November 11 Pascagoula, MS show, collecting at least 80 toys.

All Star Wrestling presents Bodyslams for Toys on November 11 in Vancouver, BC collecting an overflowing table of 50-100 new, unwrapped toys to the show.

GCW Charity Wrestling returns to Oshawa, ON on November 11, with two shows collecting 320 pounds food for the local community food bank.

MMWA Professional Wrestling returns to action on November 11 in St. Louis, MO, collecting a “very nice amount” of food for those in need for the holidays.

Tippy’s Collectibles and Midwest All Star Wrestling presented Women of Nations Grand Slam 5 on November 11 at North St. Paul High School, North St Paul, MN, raising the unbelievable figure of $74,800.

The United By One non-profit presented Together We Stand on November 11 in Hamden, CT in a wrestling charity event, raising $7,000 in a sold out show to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes with a portion of the proceeds going towards Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, with the remainder going to their own efforts.

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Lindsay, ON on Sunday, November 12, collecting 280 pounds of food.

Empire State Wrestling returned to Buffalo RiverWorks on Friday, November 17 with WrestleBash XIII, with a food drive with three boxes of canned food going to Hearts for the Homeless of WNY Inc.

Three Legacies Wrestling presented Damage Control in Lancaster, PA on November 18 with an associated food drive for Brightside Opportunities Center, collecting around 50 pounds of canned and non-perishable foods.

United Wrestling Coalition held its November 18 New Egypt, NJ show, collecting for Angels in Motion (Atlantic City chapter) that helps the homeless, collecting 7 winter jackets and a case of Progresso soup for Angels in Motion, plus 5-10 toys/bikes ahead of the actual toy drive in December.

Brew City Wrestling returned to Waukesha, WI on November 18 with “Thanksgiving Throwdown”, the promotion’s annual Hunger Task Force show, collecting two full containers, over 100 pounds total.

UWE Pro Wrestling presented Headlock for Hunger on Saturday November 18, in Cadillac, MI at the National Guard Armory, around two dozen store bags worth, about 30 pounds of food.

On November 18 in Rocky Top, TN, Tennessee Legacy Wrestling presented the Mac McMurray Memorial Rumble, raising $357 to benefit the Rocky Top Angel Tree.

On Saturday November 18, CanAm Wrestling presented “The Good, The Bad, & The Crazy” in Olds, AB, raising $950 and collecting 60 pounds of food for the Mountain View Food Bank stock its shelves for the Christmas season.

IWF Media LLC and North Arlington Board of Education presented: When Legends Rise- 26th Anniversary Live Event on November 18 in N. Arlington, NJ to benefit Michael Robert Cammett Jr. Memorial Foundation. The event raised $4,051.26

On November 19, Supreme Pro Wrestling presents: STILL HUNGRY, their annual food drive show at Soccer World Indoor Arena in Elk Grove CA, around 50 pounds, enough food collected to fill a car for the Elk Grove Food Bank.

Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on November 25 and raised $1,300 for their ministry feeding the hungry in the Tulsa area.

GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Aurora, ON on November 25 collecting at least 50 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Journey Independent Championship Wrestling presented Toys for Tots on November 25 in Martinsville, IN , collecting 50 toys.

Southern States Wrestling collected 15 toys and 2 bikes, plus 100 pounds of food donatedmat its November 25 show at Kingsport TN’s Armed Forces Center Armory making 31 straight non-pandemic years the promotion has served its community.

Vancouver Island Pro Wrestling returned to Nanaimo, BC on November 25, with its annual food drive event, Headlocks for Hunger, collecting 563 pounds of food for Nanaimo Loaves and Fishes.

Cape Championship Wrestling returned to Perryville, MO on November 25 in a benefit show with $1,000 raised for St. Jude Hospital for Children.

Gulf State Wrestling presented Season’s Beatings 7 for Toys for Tots in Berwick, LA on November 26, collecting at least 200 toys/and bikes.

For many years pre-pandemic, Hoosier Pro Wrestling held one of the largest toy drives in indie wrestling with their Firemen’s Cheer Fund Toy Drive shows. Although Hoosier Pro no longer is operating, Jerry Wilson and those sponsors still do a small toy drive, which this year bought 17 bikes for the Firemen’s Cheer Fund.

Wrestling With Purpose presents Clash For the Kids 2 on December 1, in Pembroke, NC and raised $1,490 so less fortunate children of Robeson County will get to experience the magic of Christmas.

DCW Wrestling returned for its annual Toys for Tots show on December 2 in Felton, DE, collecting around 100 toys.

MCW Pro Wrestling collected around 200 toys at its Breakthrough event on December 2 in Joppa. MD.

International Wrestling Cartel held their annual toy drive with Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes, at the December 2 show in Elizabeth, PA, collecting 50-60 toys.

Rocket Pro Wrestling returned to Joliet, IL for Christmas Chaos for Children on December 2, collecting 100 toys donated, plus $250 in donations for Windy City Ghostbusters for the LaRabida Children’s Hospital!!

Total Wrestling Federation returned on December 2 to Sacramento, CA for Wreck The Halls to collect 35 toys for children at Shriner’s Hospitals.

GCW Charity Wrestling/POP Culture Canada came to Port Perry, ON on December 2, collecting 250 pounds of canned and non-perishable foods for the local community food bank.

Wrestling for a Cause returned to Tulsa, OK on December 2 for the Fight for David Burt show, raising $1,300.

GCW Charity Wrestling/POP Culture Canada came to Newmarket, ON on December 2, collecting 80 pounds of canned and non-perishable foods for the local community food bank.

Crossfire Wrestling presented Jingle Bell Brawl in St. Catharines, ON on December 2, with $2,000 going to the Niagara Peninsula Foundation for Children this season.

KSWA Wrestling held its annual Fan Fest/Toy Drive 2023 on December 2, in Pittsburgh, PA in conjunction with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services Holiday Project that provides toys and other necessities to families within Allegheny County; with the show collecting nine construction bags of toys”, around 700 toys.

On December 2, POWW Entertainment returned for Rage Reaction in Fox Lake, IL; collecting about 100 pounds of canned/non-perishable foods for Project FISH in McHenry, IL.

Cojo Toy World held its annual Toy Drive on December 3 in New Bedford, MA with Ethan Page, Spike Dudley, and John Cena Sr., collecting an incredible 2,000 toys

Revolt Ministries held their annual 12 day Stuff The Bus Toy Drive at The Guardian’s Legacy show in Florida on December 2, with the overall Stuff The Bus Toy Drive (a part of Revolt Ministries’ work with The Guardian’s Legacy) going through, collected 12,000 toys as of December 13, plus $6,000 in cash donations for toys

ACTION Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots event on December 8 at the Roger Spencer Community Center in Tyrone, GA, collecting around 80 toys.

Power Pro Wrestling/Adrenaline Championship returned to Milford, DE on December 8 for We Have Risen featuring Mark Briscoe and BLK OUT, collecting 100 new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots.

Atlantic All-Star Wrestling presented “Christmas Beatings 2023” on December 9 in Woodbury, NJ, collecting 80 toys for Toys For Tots

1CW Pro Wrestling returned to Houston, DE on December 9, raising $2,475 with the annual Toys for Joy show.

Championship Wrestling from Georgia presented Revelation on December 9 at the Emanuel County Recreation Cnter in Swansboro, GA, collecting 100 toys for Restoration Worship Center in Metter, GA.

Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on December 9, collecting canned and non-perishable food for their ministry feeding the hungry in the Tulsa area, with 100 pounds of bread, and canned food items working with the local BIMBO Bakery.

SuperKrazee Wrestling presented its Toys For Tots show on December 9 in Gloucester City, NJ, collecting around 30 toys.

UWE Pro Wrestling presented Christmas Karnage on December 9 at the Cadillac Army National Guard Armory in Cadillac, MI, collecting around 100 toys and bikes, with 1 blanket.

CanAm Wrestling, partnering with the Olds Christmas Angels Society presented “The Nightmare before Christmas” in Olds, AB, on December 9. During the intermission, they hosted a Teddy Toss event, where 125 Teddy Bears were donated to the Olds Christmas Angels Society.

Barrie Wrestling pulled a double header on December 9 at the Ferris Lane Community Church, Barrie, ON; raising $500 for Christmas Cheer Barrie.

On December 9, United Pro Wrestling returned to Bowling Green, KY at the National Guard Armory for Toys for Tots of Southern Kentucky, collecting 281 toys and books.

Off The Ropes Studio in Kitchener, ON worked with Camino Wellbeing to give back to the kids in the Kitchener community this Christmas at Punk Rock Slobberknocker 2 in Kitchener, ON as part of the KWPRFM Holidaze Market on December 9, raising $350.

MCW Pro Wrestling held its annual Toys for Tots show on December 9 in Frederick, MD, handled by Frederick Elks Lodge #684, with a guesstimate of at least 100.

Big Time Wrestling returned to Newark, CA in December 8, collecting 250 toys and gifts (per Family Giving Treet) in their annual Toy Drive for Family Giving Tree.

Hamilton Pro Wrestling presented its annual Wreck the Halls Food and Toy Drive Wrestling Event on December 8 in Hamilton, ON, with 300 canned and non-perishable items for the annual Food Drive with The Good Shepherd, and around 200 toys for the Toy Drive partnered up with Friends with Hearts! 

Mission Pro Wrestling returned to San Antonio, TX on December 9 at the Salvation Army Mission Corps, for Silver Bells 3 to benefit the Salvation Army.

Palmetto Championship Wrestling returned to Camden, SC on December 9 raised $250 to benefit the Elgin Police Department Toys Roundup and Caring Hands Foundation.

Hope For The Holidays presented their annual Charity Wrestling Event on December 10 in St. Petersburg, FL, to benefit Christmas Toy Shop, collecting 1,500 toys…enough toys to fill a 20 foot box truck. 

RMW Lucha Libre returned to Oxnard, CA on December 10; for its holiday toy drive show: collecting 150 toys for the children served by La Mision de Jesus in Tijuana, MX.

Demand Lucha returned to Toronto, ON on December 14 for A Very Merry Christmas Show, including a Toy Drive for Starlight Childrens Charity/Sick Kids

New Breed Wrestling returned on December 16 to Eldon, MO for a night of family fun and collecting at least 100 toys for Toys for Tots.

United Wrestling Coalition held its annual Toys for Tots event in New Egypt, NJ on December 16, and collected 5 large Toys for Tots boxes filled to the brim and 12 new bicycles, plus 5 large bags of winter clothing, coats and gloves.

Three Legacies Wrestling presented its final event of the year with Ring The Bells on December 16 in Lancaster, PA, collecting 50-60 new, unwrapped toys.

GCW Charity Wrestling’s associate organization Pop Culture Canada featured a ComicCon on December 16 in Markham, CA, collecting around 50 pounds of non-perishable food items for the local community food bank.

Delmarva Wrestling Digest presented: Over The Top For Toys For Tots…and the ninth Annual Toys For Tots Toy Drive on December 16 in Bridgeville, DE, collecting at least 100 toys plus cash donations.

Lucky Pro Wrestling and West Real Estate joined forces on December 17 in Wilmington, MA, collecting eight boxes of new and unwrapped toys, around 200 toys.

Texoma Pro Wrestling presented a Toy Drive show on December 15 in Sherman, TX and December 16 in Ardmore, TX, collecting at least 50 toys

New Tradition Lucha Libre returned to Palmdale, CA on December 17 for the NTLL Toy Pile Driver show, donating at least 200 toys to the Pinney Lane Foundation in Lancaster, CA.

On December 17, Supreme Pro Wrestling returned to Elk Grove, CA for its annual toy drive show, collecting around 100 toys.

Tri States Wrestling returned for a special two-night event with The Rumble for the Rescue Dogs in Bethany, MO on December 15 and 16; raising $300 for Against All Odds Animal Rescue.

Future Stars of Wrestling presented Holiday Smile Driver in Las Vegas, NV on December 16, collecting toy and wish donations.

American Premier Wrestling returned to East Statesboro, GA on December 16; show and dinner benefit Toys for Tots Foundation.

Glory Pro Wrestling returned to St. Louis, MO on December 17 for its annual holiday charity event, December to Rizzmember II, raising $5,000 to benefit Operation Food Search. 

GCW Charity Wrestling presents its annual Season’s Beatings Live Charity Wrestling Event on December 27 at the Harmony Creek Community Centre,15 Harmony Rd N, Oshawa, ON in Oshawa, ON Front Row reserved seats $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Please bring non-perishable food items for your local community food bank and get entered to win some fun prizes. One raffle ticket will be given for each item. The following items are in high demand and are greatly appreciated: Kids school snacks, juice (boxes and large), canned veggies and fruit, canned pasta, cereal, toothpaste/soap/toiletries, pet foods, diapers and baby supplies.

Southern States Wrestling will collect canned food items, clothing, and toys at its December 30 show at Kingsport, TN’s Armed Forces Center Armory making 31 straight non-pandemic years the promotion has served its community. Kids 12 and under FREE with paid adult to general admission! Saturday December 30th 7:30 p.m. Armed Forces Reserve Center Armory 399 highway 11w Mount Carmel Tennessee. Who is going to leave bald!?! Main Event Hair vs. Hair “Lord” Murphy Costigan vs. Wayne Adkins. Two special referees, one inside the ring, one outside the ring: Jason Blythe and Bruiser Bob. Plus five other main event matches!

Daily Update: WWE SmackDown overnight ratings, Eddie Kingston, Xavier Woods

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Highlights of the current issue:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • TKO COO Mark Shapiro talks WWE and UFC business and changes they are thinking about
  • Future of the house show business and why breaking even should be okay
  • Injury rate in WWE and AEW and does the schedule make a difference
  • His thoughts on the PFL taking over Bellator
  • Upcoming media rights deals to be made
  • Ideas for UFC’s streaming service
  • How much UFC is making for certain overseas shows as well as WWE
  • When deals are up
  • Change in the look of the WWE ring
  • Running shows in the same city in the same weekend
  • What is the median income of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the level of education of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the ethnic makeup of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • A look at All In 2024 ticket sales
  • A look at NXT Deadline and the interest level
  • A look at the Tokyo Sports MVP and its top candidates and why the person who should win has little chance to win
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings, with competition, how each segment did, how the audience has changed over the past year and demo breakdowns
  • AEW and former WWE star headed to Arena Mexico
  • Plight of arrested wrestling star ends up in Mexico president press conference
  • Stardom PPV coverage and build to the Sumo Hall show
  • All Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • New Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • AEW star will headline major NOAH show
  • Updates on Okada
  • Notes on Iron Claw movie
  • Former WWE tag champ retires
  • Sukeban coverage
  • Former WWE announcer working with Trump
  • Great match on indie show
  • U.K. promotion running April show in U.S.
  • Major show with big names in U.K. next week
  • TNA return ticket sales
  • More on the firing of Kevin Sullivan by AEW
  • Update on Continental Classic
  • Von Erichs and AEW
  • Tony Khan talks Sting’s retirement and Ric Flair
  • Khan talks future of Bryan Danielson
  • Danielson talks CM Punk
  • Ticket sales to upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • AEW star on show in Vietnam and why
  • Final Battle rundown
  • Why Montreal didn’t do well for AEW
  • Injury updates
  • Update on buys for last two PPVs
  • How much money did the UFC owners pay themselves as compared to the fighters
  • Dana White laughs at Bellator sale to PFL
  • Former UFC champion arrested for allegedly punching his brother
  • Average ticket sales for AEW & WWE
  • More on multiple WWE firings
  • Royal Rumble notes
  • Update on WWE and Giulia
  • Changes in WWE TV schedule
  • Notes on newcomers to NXT
  • Notes on the new WWE signings
  • Rundown of WWE arena events

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Saturday Update

WWE

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura posted a one-word response to the news that Hiroshi Tanahashi has been named the new president and representative director of NJPW: “Wow”
  • In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Eddie Kingston detailed how nervous he was before his first NJPW G1 Climax match:
  • I threw up before my match against Shingo. I always get nervous before matches, but I’ve never been that nervous. So I got to the ring, talked to myself and said, ‘Yup, I’m in the G1.’ That helped. Then Shingo hit me really hard with the first forearm, and I knew I was ready.
  • Kingston further reflected on competing for NJPW in the G1:
  • Walking through the curtain at Sumo Hall, and I’ve seen so many great matches there, like the first G1 Finals between Keiji Mutoh and Masahira Chono, I couldn’t believe I was there. There’s a picture of me with my mouth open, looking around in astonishment, at Sumo Hall. That summed it up, right?
  • I had a lot of good guys around me in Japan. The New Japan locker room is the best locker room I’ve ever been part of. They showed me around, and I tried everything. I don’t like fish, but I did in Japan. I loved it there.
  • Kingston said about the AEW Continental Classic:
  • The G1 is already established. Every year, you know it’s going to be great. It’s the greatest tournament in professional wrestling. We’re just starting the Continental Classic. We’re setting the tone and building it. Then, next year, we’ll need to be even better.
  • While appearing on Casual Conversations with The Classic, Ric Flair praised MJF:
  • Well number one, I think he’s (MJF) actually — he comes across as confident in real life as he comes across with his confidence in the ring and he’s got a good interview, he’s got a great look, he worked hard. I think he’s got the confidence in real life that he portrays on TV and I think the future is unlimited for him and he’s really good. He could be the next Randy Orton. That’s about as high a praise as I can give him.
  • Amanda Huber commented on being part of Titus O’Neil’s Joy of Giving event in Tampa: “So incredibly thankful to @TitusONeilWWE & @BFFTampa for the incredible #JoyOfGiving event. I am so blown away by this and so thankful to have been involved. Can’t wait for more opportunities to do good around Tampa”
  • Matt Riddle will make an on-air appearance during MLW’s Holiday Rush special that’s airing on Christmas Eve. Riddle’s MLW in-ring return will be against Jacob Fatu at Kings of Colosseum on Saturday, January 6.
  • Gabby AF has an interview with Deonna Purrazzo.
  • AJ Francis (Top Dolla) spoke with MuscleManMalcolm.

Daily Update: NXT Year-End Awards, Hulk Hogan, MJF

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Highlights of the current issue:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • TKO COO Mark Shapiro talks WWE and UFC business and changes they are thinking about
  • Future of the house show business and why breaking even should be okay
  • Injury rate in WWE and AEW and does the schedule make a difference
  • His thoughts on the PFL taking over Bellator
  • Upcoming media rights deals to be made
  • Ideas for UFC’s streaming service
  • How much UFC is making for certain overseas shows as well as WWE
  • When deals are up
  • Change in the look of the WWE ring
  • Running shows in the same city in the same weekend
  • What is the median income of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the level of education of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the ethnic makeup of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • A look at All In 2024 ticket sales
  • A look at NXT Deadline and the interest level
  • A look at the Tokyo Sports MVP and its top candidates and why the person who should win has little chance to win
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings, with competition, how each segment did, how the audience has changed over the past year and demo breakdowns
  • AEW and former WWE star headed to Arena Mexico
  • Plight of arrested wrestling star ends up in Mexico president press conference
  • Stardom PPV coverage and build to the Sumo Hall show
  • All Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • New Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • AEW star will headline major NOAH show
  • Updates on Okada
  • Notes on Iron Claw movie
  • Former WWE tag champ retires
  • Sukeban coverage
  • Former WWE announcer working with Trump
  • Great match on indie show
  • U.K. promotion running April show in U.S.
  • Major show with big names in U.K. next week
  • TNA return ticket sales
  • More on the firing of Kevin Sullivan by AEW
  • Update on Continental Classic
  • Von Erichs and AEW
  • Tony Khan talks Sting’s retirement and Ric Flair
  • Khan talks future of Bryan Danielson
  • Danielson talks CM Punk
  • Ticket sales to upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • AEW star on show in Vietnam and why
  • Final Battle rundown
  • Why Montreal didn’t do well for AEW
  • Injury updates
  • Update on buys for last two PPVs
  • How much money did the UFC owners pay themselves as compared to the fighters
  • Dana White laughs at Bellator sale to PFL
  • Former UFC champion arrested for allegedly punching his brother
  • Average ticket sales for AEW & WWE
  • More on multiple WWE firings
  • Royal Rumble notes
  • Update on WWE and Giulia
  • Changes in WWE TV schedule
  • Notes on newcomers to NXT
  • Notes on the new WWE signings
  • Rundown of WWE arena events

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • Voting for the 2023 NXT Year-End Awards is now open. Here are all of the nominees:
    • NXT Match of the Year –
          • Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge (Deadline)
          • Carmelo Hayes vs. Ilja Dragunov (No Mercy)
          • Ilja Dragunov vs. Dijak (Battleground)
          • Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton (No Mercy)
          • Axiom vs. Tyler Bate (Global Heritage Invitational)
          • Johnny Gargano vs. Grayson Waller
          • Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
          • Roxanne Perez vs. Blair Davenport
          • JD McDonagh vs. Dragon Lee
          • Roxanne Perez vs. Kiana James (Halloween Havoc)
          • Eddy Thorpe vs. Damon Kemp (NXT Underground match)
    • NXT Moment of the Year –
          • Roxanne Perez collapses after defeating Meiko Satomura
          • Bron Breakker smashes Von Wagner with steel steps
          • Fallon Henley dresses up like Tiffany Stratton
          • The #FreeTonyD movement
          • Trick Williams gets attacked by a mystery assailant
          • Lash Legend slams Otis
          • Dominik Mysterio ends Wes Lee’s historic North American title reign
          • Jacy Jayne kicks Gigi Dolin through a door
          • Bron Breakker spears Carmelo Hayes through a wall
          • The Undertaker comes to NXT
          • Bron Breakker and Baron Corbin crash through Shawn Michaels’ office wall
    • NXT Male Superstar of the Year –
          • Ilja Dragunov
          • Carmelo Hayes
          • Trick Williams
          • Bron Breakker
          • Wes Lee
          • Dijak
          • Dragon Lee
          • Baron Corbin
          • Nathan Frazer
          • Axiom
    • NXT Female Superstar of the Year –
          • Roxanne Perez
          • Tiffany Stratton
          • Thea Hail
          • Kiana James
          • Lyra Valkyria
          • Gigi Dolin
          • Jacy Jayne
          • Fallon Henley
          • Ivy Nile
          • Kelani Jordan
    • NXT Tag Team of the Year –
          • The Creed Brothers
          • Tony D’Angelo & Stacks
          • Gallus
          • Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen
          • Hank Walker & Tank Ledger
          • Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn
          • Kayden Carter & Katana Chance
  • Mike Rotunda confirmed that his late son Windham (Bray Wyatt) has been placed on a Legends contract by WWE: “I have to give WWE credit. They’ve done awesome helping our family out with a lot of different stuff. They put Windham on a legends contract and all the proceeds go to…Windham has four children. Luckily, we have them.”
  • Rock star Dee Snider detailed how Mick Foley inspired him to be a charitable person:
          • Mick Foley, the wrestler — Mankind, Cactus Jack, Dude Love, and all those characters — he and I became very good friends. We lived near each other on Long Island, and we met and connected. Mick does [an] insane amount of charity, and without making a big deal about it. Amazing. Put it this way — the man’s married and he’s got three or four kids. Mick would just in his spare time, go and knock on doors and show up at kids houses that he knew were dying of cancer and were fans of his, and hang out and watch TV with them. And he called me one day and says, ‘Listen, I’m visiting a kid in the hospital. He’s got leukemia, he’s a big fan of yours. Would you come with me?’
          • So I went to the hospital and met this kid and saw what the kid got out of it, out of just that moment. When Mick drove me home, I said, ‘Mick, you made me a better man today.’ I’m getting a little choked up because I was so shaken. I said [to myself], ‘Look at what Mick does, and look at what you don’t do.’ At the point, it was in the early 2000s, where I said, ‘I need to do more. I need to give back. I need to say yes.’ And not just send a guitar. By the way, all celebrities get these invitations, these opportunities to do more, and most of us just blow it off or send them an autographed picture or something. Thank you, Mick Foley, for waking me up and showing me that we can help. And there’s something more that we need to do.
  • While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Hulk Hogan praised Randy Orton:
          • If I wasn’t all beat to hell, I’d love to get in the ring with Randy. We could still tear it down in the main event. Randy could call it in the ring, and he could adjust to my style to make sure it worked perfectly. He’s just so good. He can work with veterans and the newer guys, too. He knows how to pivot both ways in the ring.
          • He understands wrestling in a way very few do. That’s why he is making masterpieces in the ring.
  • South Park parodied Logan Paul and his Prime sports drink.
  • ROAR Around the Ring interviewed Bianca Belair.
  • Alpha Academy, Drew Gulak, and Katana Chance & Kayden Carter were today’s guests on WWE’s The Bump.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Josh Nason interviewed actor Holt McCallany about playing Fritz Von Erich in “The Iron Claw.” The interview is available for free on our YouTube channel.
  • Swerve Strickland told Going Ringside that his primary focus for 2024 is winning the AEW World Championship: “That is the only thing on my mind right now.”
  • The Orlando Sentinel has an interview with Samoa Joe. Joe explained where he finds inspiration for his promos: “Most of my inspiration comes from outside the (wrestling) industry. I watch a lot of drama, a lot of big action films, with great speakers plying their trade. I’ll see something that inspires me, recycle it, change it and make it my own.”
  • MJF was a guest on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina.
  • In an interview with SEScoops, MJF detailed his meeting with John Cena from “The Iron Claw” red carpet:
          • I don’t think it’s unprofessional for me to discuss what we talked about. He didn’t have to do this, and it meant the world to me. He walked over to me, and he said he’s a fan of my work, and he respected my professionalism.
          • Once we were on the red carpet, we talked some more and I told him straight up, I said, ‘You’re an inspiration’ because he is, you know?
          • There are a lot of people in my industry who phone it in. I cannot recall one time in the over a decade of John Cena’s career where he phoned it in even once. He’s incapable, just like I’m incapable.
          • He is a tremendous role model. Not just for me as a professional wrestler, but for everybody around the world, because he teaches you how important hard work is.
          • We also discussed transitioning from pro wrestling to acting. He’s just an incredible person and I don’t have one negative thing to say about him.
  • Solomonster Sounds Off also has an interview with MJF.
  • AEW has abandoned its trademark application for “East West Express,” which was the name of Nick Wayne & Jordan Oliver’s tag team on the indies.
  • EC3 is officially set to defend his NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship against Matt Cardona in The Ultimate Match of Death at NWA Paranoia on Saturday, January 13. The show is taking place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is an NWA television taping.
  • In a poster for MLW’s Kings of Colosseum event, it’s advertised that Matt Riddle will return to the promotion for a match against Jacob Fatu. Kings of Colosseum is being held at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday, January 6. It will air live on TrillerTV+.
  • Sami Callihan is returning to MLW on the TV tapings portion of the January 6 show. Callihan will face Satoshi Kojima.
  • David Penzer commented on Jade Chung being named TNA Wrestling’s new ring announcer: “It was an absolute honor to ‘pass the mic’ to @JadeChung11! Incredibly talented and super sweet I know she will kick ass at #TNAWrestling”
  • D-Von Dudley announced that his wife Taylor has given birth to their new son: “Just want to let everyone know that DJ was born Tuesday Dec.19 2023 12:54pm 6lbs 11oz 20in . Mom and baby are doing great thank you.”
  • NJPW shared interviews with Tetsuya Naito and SANADA building up their Wrestle Kingdom 18 main event match.
  • Chris Hero is the guest on today’s edition of Talk is Jericho.

Daily Update: Stone Cold Steve Austin, new AEW trademark, Shingo Takagi

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Highlights of the current issue:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • TKO COO Mark Shapiro talks WWE and UFC business and changes they are thinking about
  • Future of the house show business and why breaking even should be okay
  • Injury rate in WWE and AEW and does the schedule make a difference
  • His thoughts on the PFL taking over Bellator
  • Upcoming media rights deals to be made
  • Ideas for UFC’s streaming service
  • How much UFC is making for certain overseas shows as well as WWE
  • When deals are up
  • Change in the look of the WWE ring
  • Running shows in the same city in the same weekend
  • What is the median income of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the level of education of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • What is the ethnic makeup of the viewers of all the different promotions
  • A look at All In 2024 ticket sales
  • A look at NXT Deadline and the interest level
  • A look at the Tokyo Sports MVP and its top candidates and why the person who should win has little chance to win
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings, with competition, how each segment did, how the audience has changed over the past year and demo breakdowns
  • AEW and former WWE star headed to Arena Mexico
  • Plight of arrested wrestling star ends up in Mexico president press conference
  • Stardom PPV coverage and build to the Sumo Hall show
  • All Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • New Japan tag team tournament coverage
  • AEW star will headline major NOAH show
  • Updates on Okada
  • Notes on Iron Claw movie
  • Former WWE tag champ retires
  • Sukeban coverage
  • Former WWE announcer working with Trump
  • Great match on indie show
  • U.K. promotion running April show in U.S.
  • Major show with big names in U.K. next week
  • TNA return ticket sales
  • More on the firing of Kevin Sullivan by AEW
  • Update on Continental Classic
  • Von Erichs and AEW
  • Tony Khan talks Sting’s retirement and Ric Flair
  • Khan talks future of Bryan Danielson
  • Danielson talks CM Punk
  • Ticket sales to upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • AEW star on show in Vietnam and why
  • Final Battle rundown
  • Why Montreal didn’t do well for AEW
  • Injury updates
  • Update on buys for last two PPVs
  • How much money did the UFC owners pay themselves as compared to the fighters
  • Dana White laughs at Bellator sale to PFL
  • Former UFC champion arrested for allegedly punching his brother
  • Average ticket sales for AEW & WWE
  • More on multiple WWE firings
  • Royal Rumble notes
  • Update on WWE and Giulia
  • Changes in WWE TV schedule
  • Notes on newcomers to NXT
  • Notes on the new WWE signings
  • Rundown of WWE arena events

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Tuesday Update

WWE

  • Chelsea Green & Piper Niven commented following their Tag Team title loss on Monday.
  • Alpha Academy and Drew Gulak will be guests on this week’s The Bump.
  • Slim Jim announced that their ‘Fast Meat’ car featured at WWE’s Survivor Series event has been stolen. It was last seen in California, as the car was headed to Los Angeles for a photo shoot. People with tips are encouraged to contact the LAPD or Los Angeles Crime Stoppers.
  • Stone Cold Steve Austin on X: Thanks to everyone for the Happy Birthday wishes today. I always appreciate it. I had a great f****** time both living a dream and entertaining the @wwe and Pro Wrestling fans all over the world. What a f****** ride..Cheers, M***********!! And that’s the bottom line, cause Stone Cold said so.
  • PWInsider is reporting that Marvin Jackson, who filed a lawsuit against WWE over alleged injuries that took place while he attended WrestleMania 38, will get a chance to argue for the continuation of the lawsuit during the week of February 5. The lawsuit had originally been dismissed by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include The Usos vs. Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens from the December 19, 2022 episode of Raw, Sami Zayn vs. Braun Strowman in a 10 minute challenge match from Roadblock: End of the Line 2016, and William Regal vs. CM Punk from the January 19, 2009 edition of Raw.
  • WWE has added a blurred version of the ‘yeet’ t-shirt on WWEShop.com.

AEW & Other Wrestling