Category: Daily Updates

Daily Update

Latest News

• CM Punk, Randy Orton appearances set for WWE Raw
• NJPW World Tag League 2023 night six results, updated standings
• WWE Survivor Series review: Hey, that’s CM Punk
• Triple H says Jade Cargill’s development ‘was limited,’ addresses WWE status
• WWE Main Event results: Joe Coffey vs. Von Wagner
• Details on CM Punk’s WWE return at Survivor Series

Latest Audio

• Wrestling Observer Radio: All the details of CM Punk’s return, Survivor Series, Collision, Rampage, and more

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• November 27, 2023 Observer Newsletter: AEW Full Gear review, PFL/Bellator deal

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

• What did people think of Full Gear as compared to the other AEW PPVs of late
• Performers and match of the week
• Lots of good and bad thoughts on Swerve Strickland vs. Adam Page
• A look at WWE vs. AEW when it comes to free agent signings of late
• What Will Ospreay will and won’t mean for AEW
• Full details of why Ronda Rousey appeared on the ROH show this week and it’s not what you think
• Who is the top free agent out there right now
• Thoughts on the MJF/Cole/White/Gunns storyline
• Realities of AEW’s enemies and how the Strickland vs. Page match fits into that discussion
• Logic issues and creative license in wrestling
• Impromptu and using instinct in reacting when things mess up in a match
• Why Ospreay signed with AEW and why it was announced this week
• PPV numbers early on and what is says about more PPV shows
• Live show business notes
• Theater business notes
• Full match coverage
• Sorting out the Bellator/PFL deal and looking at the business aspect, top talent, show plans, next two PPV show ideas and more
• Company talks 2024 schedule plans for Bellator and PFL
• The top fighters under contract at this point to the new group
• Hall of Fame updates and reaction to last week’s issue
• Greatest tag teams of all-time
• A look at a likely 2024 ballot
• A look at Survivor Series plans, plus public demand and interest level
• A look in depth at the Continental Classic, the good and bad of it
• A look at this last week’s UFC show and notes about future shows
• The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week, the segment-by-segment, changes in each group, competition, and where wrestling stands in the weekly numbers
• World title match doesn’t get over on major show and why
• Promotion running a business deal with major company to get major discount on a famous product
• New team will be taking over the name of one of the best tag teams in history
• Major changes in Stardom hierarchy and what happened to lead to it
• Stardom titles vacant and steps on filling those vacancies
• Stardom PPV rundown
• Fantastica Mania 2024 notes
• What dream match was planned for January in California and where it stands right now
• New Japan tag tournament notes
• All Japan tag team tournament notes
• A look back at one mystery in the death of WCW
• Wrestlers suspended for working an unlicensed show
• Full details on Ronda Rousey’s appearance at AEW show in Los Angeles
• Young Bucks repackaging
• Darby climbing Mount Everest and details
• What day will a number of new free agents be available
• Looking at the ones AEW could sign
• Two new rulings in Cung Le case and what kind of money figures are being bandied about
• A look at WWE arena business and future show ticket sales, has it peaked, what does future say
• AEW future ticket sales
• International TV ratings and streaming numbers
• Reigns next match and who it’s not with
• Levesque booking philosophy
• A look at the WWE & NXT house shows over the past week
• Notes on December television schedule for both AEW and WWE including a show not airing, and a double taping planned

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

• September 4, 2006 Observer Newsletter: 2006 Hall of Fame issue, Kurt Angle

Ordering Info:

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday Update

– Bryan and I of course did our weekend show last night covering CM Punk’s return to WWE, Survivor Series, Seth Rollins, what we know and don’t know about what happened with Drew McIntyre as well as the AEW show last night. Garrett and I did our Observer in review show talking about the Full Gear fallout, thoughts on Strickland vs. Page, just how much AEW has grown in revenue this past year, and even the potential NFL MVP this season whose father used to attend pro wrestling matches with me about 35 years ago which even Garrett wasn’t aware of.

– There’s not a lot new to report on Punk’s signing that we didn’t talk about last night. We were told this came together about 11 days ago or so and was kept very quiet. He was hidden from the talent as well most of the night last night. Nick Khan was the key decision maker in this. Vince McMahon is not involved in that aspect of the business any longer and it was now up to Khan and Paul Levesque. Whether that did or didn’t change the dynamic we don’t know, but from a pure business standpoint it made sense to do it last night the way it was done.

– CM Punk and Randy Orton are both scheduled for Raw tomorrow night in Nashville. One would expect it to be by far the highest rated episode of the show at least since football season started, if not longer.

– Punk’s return got a lot of mainstream press including ESPN, USA Today, BBC, FOX News, and more. On Google, it was the second most searched term in the country yesterday with 500,000. David Benavidez the boxer was No. 4 with 200,000. They were the only things in wrestling, boxing or MMA to crack the top 20 on a specific day this week There was no UFC show last night, although UFC shows aren’t a given to crack the top 20 anymore.

– Punk’s return is over three million views on YouTube as of this afternoon. WWE released a Punk T-shirt last night upon his return.

– We’re sorry to report the death of Absolute Andy (Andreas Ullman) of wXw fame, who passed away at the age of 40 on Thursday after a lengthy illness. He was a major star there as a two-time world champion, five-time tag team champion and the 2018 winner of the 16 Carat Gold tournament. In 2009, he won the wXw title from Bryan Danielson which would be his biggest career win.

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

– We’re also looking for reports on tonight’s WWE house show in Peoria, IL, results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

– PFL head Donn Davis claimed they had a $15 million offer for Nate Diaz to fight Jake Paul on an upcoming PPV show. Davis said that Paul wouldn’t fight MMA until late 2024 because he has to train specifically for that sport. He said the plan was always for Paul’s PFL debut to be in the fourth quarter of next year because he needs about a year of MMA training.

– Stock analysts are predicting the WWE Raw rights going for about $387 million per year, up from the last deal at $265 million. That would be less than the $398 million that the stock price was originally based on, but it would still make the company far more profitable.

– For those of you who are friends or know Jay Dumont aka Great Fowler, he’s had a real rough past few days. He was violently vomiting for several hours on Friday night and may be in ER today as he fell unconscious last night at one point. He’s survived far longer than expected and always notes that for him, every day is a blessing. If you know him and are friends with him, wish him the best of luck and we’re all pulling for him.

– There were riots this past week in Dublin including a child being stabbed. Conor McGregor was tweeting all week against the government. On Friday the prime minister came out against McGregor for inciting people and boxing promoter Eddie Hearn pulled McGregor from appearing at last night’s boxing show in Dublin. It was noted that the majority of those in Ireland are not on the side of McGregor (thanks to Tony Coleman)

– The New Japan tag team tournament returns on Tuesday with an A Block show in Nagoya with the Gates of Agony vs. Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd, Great-O-Khan & Henare vs. Evil & Yujiro Takahashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste, and Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa vs. Shota Umino & Ren Narita.

– Impact and AAA have a joint TV taping in San Pedro Garza, Mexico (outside of Monterrey at the Showcenter) tonight:

• El Hijo del Vikingo & Alex Shelley vs, Trey Miguel & Abismo Negro
• Chris Sabin & Trinity vs. Dinamico & Chik Tormenta
• Josh Alexander & Octagon Jr. vs. Moose & Toxin
• Tommy Dreamer & Laredo Kid vs. Brian Myers & Taurus
• Myzteziz & Rich Swann vs. Eddie Edwards & Latigo
• Sanson & Forastero vs. Frankie Kazarian & Arez
• Deonna Purrazzo & Maravilla vs. Jordynne Grace & Sexy Star

– Last night’s WrestleCade Supershow results: Bojack & Colby Corino & Diego Hill defeated Jordan Oliver & Alan Angels & Fuego del Sol, George South defeated Martin Stone (formerly Danny Burch in NXT), Tajiri (managed by Sonny Onoo) defeated Joey Janela, Brock & CW Anderson (managed by Arn Anderson) defeated Terrell & Terrance Hughes (managed by D-Von Dudley), Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander & Brad Attitude defeated EC3 & Angelina Love & Psycho Boy Fodder, Andrade (managed by CJ Perry) defeated Mike Bailey, Violent J won a Battle Royal (biggest names were Shane Douglas, Vampiro, Shane Taylor, Johnny Swinger, Curtis Hughes, Griff Garrison, Ricky Morton and Richard Holliday), Marina Shafir defeated Masha Slamovich, Matt & Jeff Hardy defeated Heath Slater & Rhino, El Hijo del Vikingo (managed by Konnan) defeated Jacob Fatu (thanks to Shannon Walsh)

– Suzu Suzuki missed the Stardom weekend shows due to an illness.

Daily Update

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• November 27, 2023 Observer Newsletter: AEW Full Gear review, PFL/Bellator deal

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

• What did people think of Full Gear as compared to the other AEW PPVs of late
• Performers and match of the week
• Lots of good and bad thoughts on Swerve Strickland vs. Adam Page
• A look at WWE vs. AEW when it comes to free agent signings of late
• What Will Ospreay will and won’t mean for AEW
• Full details of why Ronda Rousey appeared on the ROH show this week and it’s not what you think
• Who is the top free agent out there right now
• Thoughts on the MJF/Cole/White/Gunns storyline
• Realities of AEW’s enemies and how the Strickland vs. Page match fits into that discussion
• Logic issues and creative license in wrestling
• Impromptu and using instinct in reacting when things mess up in a match
• Why Ospreay signed with AEW and why it was announced this week
• PPV numbers early on and what is says about more PPV shows
• Live show business notes
• Theater business notes
• Full match coverage
• Sorting out the Bellator/PFL deal and looking at the business aspect, top talent, show plans, next two PPV show ideas and more
• Company talks 2024 schedule plans for Bellator and PFL
• The top fighters under contract at this point to the new group
• Hall of Fame updates and reaction to last week’s issue
• Greatest tag teams of all-time
• A look at a likely 2024 ballot
• A look at Survivor Series plans, plus public demand and interest level
• A look in depth at the Continental Classic, the good and bad of it
• A look at this last week’s UFC show and notes about future shows
• The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week, the segment-by-segment, changes in each group, competition, and where wrestling stands in the weekly numbers
• World title match doesn’t get over on major show and why
• Promotion running a business deal with major company to get major discount on a famous product
• New team will be taking over the name of one of the best tag teams in history
• Major changes in Stardom hierarchy and what happened to lead to it
• Stardom titles vacant and steps on filling those vacancies
• Stardom PPV rundown
• Fantastica Mania 2024 notes
• What dream match was planned for January in California and where it stands right now
• New Japan tag tournament notes
• All Japan tag team tournament notes
• A look back at one mystery in the death of WCW
• Wrestlers suspended for working an unlicensed show
• Full details on Ronda Rousey’s appearance at AEW show in Los Angeles
• Young Bucks repackaging
• Darby climbing Mount Everest and details
• What day will a number of new free agents be available
• Looking at the ones AEW could sign
• Two new rulings in Cung Le case and what kind of money figures are being bandied about
• A look at WWE arena business and future show ticket sales, has it peaked, what does future say
• AEW future ticket sales
• International TV ratings and streaming numbers
• Reigns next match and who it’s not with
• Levesque booking philosophy
• A look at the WWE & NXT house shows over the past week
• Notes on December television schedule for both AEW and WWE including a show not airing, and a double taping planned

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

• August 28, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Shamrock/Ortiz, WWE SummerSlam

Ordering Info:

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday Update

WWE

• I previewed the Survivor Series card for Sports Illustrated and gave my predictions for each match.
• Cody Rhodes shared a look at his ring gear for tonight.
• In the event program for Survivor Series, Gallus and The Authors of Pain are listed as part of the WWE roster.
• On SmackDown last night, there was an angle where Ridge Holland walked out on Butch during a match against Pretty Deadly. There had been a miscommunication between Butch and Holland the previous week that caused them to lose a triple threat tag match. Pretty Deadly defeated Butch last night after he was left on his own.
• After missing two weeks due to paternity leave, Corey Graves was back on commentary for last night’s SmackDown.
• Drew McIntyre cut a social media promo responding to people who say he’s turned heel:
• Who’s a heel? Who’s a bad guy? Are we not watching the show and not keeping up with things? Do I have to spell things out even more simply?
• If you’re a fan of mine, like I said on Raw, you get it. You understand. If you don’t, and if you’ve turned your back on me, if you feel a certain way about me, you weren’t a fan in the first place, or you just haven’t been watching closely or half-closely because it feels pretty obvious to me, or have a short-term memory or it’s fun to say ‘Yeet’ and do this [mocking does Jey’s taunt] — which it is, but it doesn’t change the facts.
• That’s all I do is tell the truth. I’m a real person, wrapped into a real situation with someone who showed up in my backyard, who was part of trauma from the worst part of my career, which led to the worst moment of my career. So I’m dealing with it now, doing what a lot of people wish they could do and I can do, being a WWE Superstar… Kick someone’s arse who wronged me. Point out the truth, be met with, not a rebuttal but a Yeet Yeet YeetDown, which is fun to say, but it’s not exactly replying to the facts that were presented.
• Nonetheless, don’t care. Got him in a cage, still the same guy. My fans get it. Whatever. I’m going to keep being me, keep kicking arse and eventually get back to that World title with people in the crowd. Simple.
• Zoey Stark spoke to SEScoops ahead of challenging Rhea Ripley for the Women’s World Championship tonight:
• I’m so excited. Rhea and I, we’re really just going to kill each other. Let’s be honest, we’re going to be going really hard in this match. So everyone, strap your seatbelts on and let’s go … Like you said, it’s the biggest match of my career, so being completely and utterly focused is my number one priority. So I’m going to do whatever I need to do to get that title around my waist.
• Carmella discussed the nerve damage she’s dealing with after giving birth:
• I have nerve damage in my right foot from pushing this bubs out of me. So, the entire side of my right foot is numb. It’s difficult to move my toes. I can’t really move my foot, so it’s making it difficult to walk. Which is a bit annoying but the anesthesiologist… I thought it was originally from the epidural. I didn’t know what was wrong.
• But he [the anesthesiologist] said it can happen and with pushing on your back and it should hopefully resolve in a few weeks. I’m going to see a chiropractor next week which will hopefully help. My acupuncturist has been working on it so we’ll see. Fingers crossed it’s better soon.
• TNT Sports in the UK/Ireland interviewed The Miz.
• WWE Shop released a new Randy Orton T-shirt and hoodie design ahead of his return at Survivor Series.
• Santos Escobar, Butch, and Damage CTRL appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.

AEW/Other Wrestling

• “Speedball” Mike Bailey paid tribute to Absolute Andy: “Rest in Peace Absolute Andy. His gigantic personality lit up every room and his kindness made Germany feel like home to any who got to spend time with him.”
• Chris Hero wrote: “Crushed to hear of the passing of Absolute Andy. I remember Andy’s first wrestling camp in the Sauerland & I had the privilege to share the ring with him many times after. Andy was always a friendly face, always worked his ass off & meant a lot to a lot of people. RIP my friend”
• Killer Kelly: “Andy is one of the most important people in my wrestling career. He taught and helped me so much while I was in @wXwGermany, way more than he ever knew. One of the greatest and most caring people I’ve ever met. My wrestling dad [heart] I love you and I will miss you dearly”
• Shigehiro Irie: “Hi Andy…When I came to Germany first time in 2018, you were already Unified World Wrestling Champion, and you welcomed me so kindly. I didn’t speak English much then, but you always talked to me and cared everyone even stranger from abroad like me. I miss you so much…”
• Anthony Henry: “I had the opportunity to work with Andy in 2019, during Wrestlemania weekend. He was an absolute pro in every sense of the word. Being around the WXW crew not long after for the Tag Festival, I could sense how important and instrumental he was to the scene. He will be missed.”
• Chris Brookes: “Andy was a wonderful person. May he rest in peace.”
• Sha Samuels: “First met Andy around 2007/8. Lovely man. He was a great professional at shows and always enjoyed working with him. Love and condolences to his family and friends R.I.P Andy.”
• Kris Statlander explained what she’s learned from Orange Cassidy:
• I’ve learned so much from him. He has been like a mentor and a friend to me pretty much my whole career with AEW. I think one thing he really instilled in me is that — obviously, you want to win your match, and you want to continue to be the champion.
• No one really wants to lose. But take it as an opportunity to bring the best out of your opponent and try to elevate them to see if they really are ready to be a champion or not. So every match I have is not just for me; it’s about pushing people to see if they’re ready for the spot that I’m in.
• Zach Gowen was a guest on Insight with Chris Van Vliet.
• Mickie James interviewed Missy Hyatt for Busted Open Radio.

Daily Update

Latest News

• Black Friday sale: One month of F4WOnline for just $3.99~!
• ROH Pure title match set for AEW Rampage
• Hiroshi Tanahashi to face Zack Sabre Jr. in Pro Wrestling NOAH tag match
• Early estimate on AEW Full Gear PPV buys
• AEW’s Ethan Page now a permanent resident of United States
• Young Bucks update: AEW repackage, KTB Wrestling trademark
• Roman Reigns vs. LA Knight not planned for WWE Royal Rumble
• NJPW World Tag League 2023 night four results

Latest Audio

• Wrestling Weekly: AEW Full Gear fallout, WWE Survivor Series predictions
• Bryan & Vinny Show: AEW Dynamite with the Continental Classic kickoff, NXT with Lyra vs. Xia

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• November 27, 2023 Observer Newsletter: AEW Full Gear review, PFL/Bellator deal

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

• August 28, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Shamrock/Ortiz, WWE SummerSlam

Ordering Info:

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

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

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

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

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

Friday Update

– We’ve got a busy weekend coming up with shows. Garrett and I will be doing our week in review, looking at the major news in the Observer this week which also talks the future. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night covering Survivor Series along with the weekend WWE & AEW shows.

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

• What did people think of Full Gear as compared to the other AEW PPVs of late
• Performers and match of the week
• Lots of good and bad thoughts on Swerve Strickland vs. Adam Page
• A look at WWE vs. AEW when it comes to free agent signings of late
• What Will Ospreay will and won’t mean for AEW
• Full details of why Ronda Rousey appeared on the ROH show this week and it’s not what you think
• Who is the top free agent out there right now
• Thoughts on the MJF/Cole/White/Gunns storyline
• Realities of AEW’s enemies and how the Strickland vs. Page match fits into that discussion
• Logic issues and creative license in wrestling
• Impromptu and using instinct in reacting when things mess up in a match
• Why Ospreay signed with AEW and why it was announced this week
• PPV numbers early on and what is says about more PPV shows
• Live show business notes
• Theater business notes
• Full match coverage
• Sorting out the Bellator/PFL deal and looking at the business aspect, top talent, show plans, next two PPV show ideas and more
• Company talks 2024 schedule plans for Bellator and PFL
• The top fighters under contract at this point to the new group
• Hall of Fame updates and reaction to last week’s issue
• Greatest tag teams of all-time
• A look at a likely 2024 ballot
• A look at Survivor Series plans, plus public demand and interest level
• A look in depth at the Continental Classic, the good and bad of it
• A look at this last week’s UFC show and notes about future shows
• The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week, the segment-by-segment, changes in each group, competition, and where wrestling stands in the weekly numbers
• World title match doesn’t get over on major show and why
• Promotion running a business deal with major company to get major discount on a famous product
• New team will be taking over the name of one of the best tag teams in history
• Major changes in Stardom hierarchy and what happened to lead to it
• Stardom titles vacant and steps on filling those vacancies
• Stardom PPV rundown
• Fantastica Mania 2024 notes
• What dream match was planned for January in California and where it stands right now
• New Japan tag tournament notes
• All Japan tag team tournament notes
• A look back at one mystery in the death of WCW
• Wrestlers suspended for working an unlicensed show
• Full details on Ronda Rousey’s appearance at AEW show in Los Angeles
• Young Bucks repackaging
• Darby climbing Mount Everest and details
• What day will a number of new free agents be available
• Looking at the ones AEW could sign
• Two new rulings in Cung Le case and what kind of money figures are being bandied about
• A look at WWE arena business and future show ticket sales, has it peaked, what does future say
• AEW future ticket sales
• International TV ratings and streaming numbers
• Reigns next match and who it’s not with
• Levesque booking philosophy
• A look at the WWE & NXT house shows over the past week
• Notes on December television schedule for both AEW and WWE including a show not airing, and a double taping planned

– A few weekend notes: There is no Rampage tonight due to an NHL game on TNT, AEW has three hours from 7-10 p.m. tomorrow night head-to-head with Survivor Series.

SmackDown tonight is the Survivor Series go-home show. It’s on FS1 from the Allstate Arena in Chicago. If you have a season ticket pass, you may have to manually record this show as my DVR didn’t pick it up. Also, on the Wet Coast, the show airs at 5 p.m. rather than 8 p.m. With the smaller stage in use it will be the largest legit crowd for a WWE TV shoot this year. As of last night there were 15,720 tickets out. Announced is Damian Priest & Finn Balor vs. Street Profits for the tag titles and Kevin Owens on the Grayson Waller Effect.

– We’ll write more about it this coming week, but BTE is not on hiatus, it’s actually done. As of this point in time, there are no plans to bring it back.

– Katsuyori Shibata vs. Wheeler Yuta for the ROH Pure title has been added to tomorrow’s first hour [Rampage] at 7 p.m. on TNT. Eddie Kingston vs, Brody King and Daniel Garcia vs. Claudio Castagnoli will be on the last two hours [Collision] in the Continental Classic.

– We are doing a poll this weekend for Survivor Series, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

– We’re looking for reports from these weekend events

• Smackdown tonight in Chicago (dark matches only)
• Collision tapings tomorrow in Pittsburgh (only need stuff not on the live show)
• Sunday WWE house show in Peoria, IL

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

– WWE is doing a 30 percent off ticket sale for the 12/26 holiday tour house show in Madison Square Garden using the code FRIDAY. It’s a one-day sale.

– We have another new book out for Christmas covering the first part of 1991. It’s available on Amazon in the U.S., Canada and U.K.

– The PFL has a PPV show tonight from Washington, DC. It is mostly the $1 million finals of the company’s tournaments this year.

• Jesus Pineda (145) vs. Gabriel Braga (144.6) for the featherweight $1 million final
• Derek Brunson (185.8) vs. Ray Cooper III (186,8) – Cooper missed weight by 0,.6 pounds
• Kayla Harrisoin (150.4) vs. Aspen Ladd (150)
• Josh Silveira (202.6) vs. Impa Kasanganay (202.4) for he light heavyweight $1 million final
• Magomed Magomedkermiv (170) vs,. Sadibou Sy (169.8) for the welterweight $1 million final
• Larissa Pacheco (145) vs. Marina Mokhnatkin (144) for the women’s featherweight $1 million final
• Denis Goltsov (244.6) vs, Renan Ferreira (261.2) for the heavyweight $1 million final
• Clay Collard (154.8) vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier (154.8) for the lightweight $1 million final

– Will Ospreay talks this past year for him.

– New Japan tag team tournament continues with an A Block show in Fujisawa tomorrow morning

• Shota Umino & Ren Narita vs. Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona
• Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs, Alex Coughlin & Gabe kidd
• Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa vs, Evil & Yujiro Takahashi
• Great O’Khan & Henare vs. Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste

– Eve results from Sunday in London:

First show: Su Yung defeated Skye Smitson, Alex Windsor defeated Lizzy Evo, Millie McKenie defeated Emersyn Jayne, Nina Samuels defeated Safire Reed-DQ, Miyu Yamasthia defeated Chantal Jordan, Yuu defeated Rhio to retain the International title

Second show: Rhio won over Alexxis Falcon and Emersyn Jayne, Royal Aces won the Eve tag titles in a four-way over champions Nina Samuels & Chantal Jordan, Aleah James & Kanjji and Skye Smitson & Nightshade, Su Yung defeated Kasey, Yuu defeated Rhia O’Reilly to keep the International title, Safire Reed defeated Miyu Yamashita to win Eve championship.

Daily Update

Latest News

• AEW Rampage to air before Collision this Saturday
• AEW reveals full list of entrants for Continental Classic tournament
• Toni Storm to give championship acceptance speech on AEW Dynamite
• Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, more announced for NJPW Battle in the Valley
• Triple H: WWE doesn’t ‘take our fan base for granted’
• Eight episodes of NWA Power added to The CW streaming app
• Fatal four-way match set for next week’s WWE NXT

Latest Audio

• Wrestling Observer Live: AEW Continental Classic line-up, NXT TV report, Dynamite, more
• Bryan & Vinny & Shawn & Craig Show: Saturday Night’s Main Event S7:E2, plus Granny and more!
• We’re Live, Pal: AEW Full Gear fallout & WWE Survivor Series preview

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• November 20, 2023 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Hall of Fame issue

One of our two traditional biggest issues of the year of the Observer came out this week, the 2023 Hall of Fame issue:

• 2023 Hall of Fame voting standings for all candidates
• Hall of Fame coverage, career highlights of the seven new inductees and one major feature story on a European legend, plus who is off the ballot next year, who will be added to the ballot next year, every first ballot Hall of Famer, every person historically elected with more than 75 percent of the vote and the top 30 in each category for reporters, historians, active pros and retired pros.
• Match of the week and performer of the week
• A look at Full Gear and Survivor Series
• UFC 295 full coverage
• The end of an era with Bellator and MMA on Showtime
• Coverage of DDT’s Ultimate Party with Chris Jericho, Hiromu Takahashi and a great title match on top
• PWG on hiatus and its ever changing role in pro wrestling
• The most complete ratings report, demo coverage, competition for the shows and segment-by-segment notes, plus comparisons with one year ago.
• Notes on Flip Gordon becoming a regular in CMLL
• Newcomers to watch out for including one spectacular newcomer at Arena Mexico
• Stardom and All Japan tag tourneys
• New Japan tag tournament notes and this week’s shows
• Lone Star Shootout from New Japan
• Women’s wrestling sets all-time attendance mark
• Tony Khan’s Continental Classic
• Lots of AEW stars in mainstream acting gigs
• International TV ratings
• Upcoming ticket advances for WWE & AEW
• How times have changed greatly for UFC regarding Conor McGregor
• Dana White gos on rampages about sponsors and critics of another sponsor
• UFC’s greatest fighters of all-time
• New UFC major fights
• Bellator champion suspended regarding drug test failure
• Fury-Ngannou PPV update
• Retired star gets giant money offer to return from Middle East
• More notes on Vince McMahon’s stock sale
• Rey Mysterio update and angle update
• WWE making production changes for Mania week
• Dwayne Johnson claims he almost went to Pride
• Why Raw could take a big hit this week

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

• August 28, 2006 Observer Newsletter: Shamrock/Ortiz, WWE SummerSlam

Ordering Info:

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday Update

WWE

• With the two sides having reached a settlement, WWE and Panini have asked the court to dismiss their case with prejudice, meaning that the case will be over and neither side can revisit it in the future. The case was initially dismissed without prejudice when WWE and Panini agreed to their settlement.
• Greg & The Morning Buzz asked Paul “Triple H” Levesque if WWE had any involvement in A24’s upcoming “The Iron Claw” film:
• We did not. They came to us recently, looking to do some promotion with us, and they were trying to screen it for us a few weeks ago and we had an international tour going on and a PLE in Saudi, we couldn’t make it work. I’m excited to see it. I’ve heard it’s very good. I listen to Michael Hayes complain to me all the time about how they made a movie with him in it and he never signed off on it or agreed to be in the movie. That’s his point of view. It’s an amazing moment in the industry, that whole thing and the fascination of it. For me, I hope they don’t dwell…there is so much positive in our business in so many ways and yet, a lot of times, no different than anything else in life, people want to focus on negative moments. It’s a tragedy, the family. I just hope that it’s done well. I heard it is. I heard it’s done in a way that is not negative, not a downer, but just tells you about the perils of that stuff. If it’s done in that manner, I think it’s great. If it’s just a sensationalized hatchet job on a tragedy in a family that could have been surrounding a lot of different businesses, I hope it’s not that.
• The Ringer published a feature story on Jey Uso. Before The Usos split up earlier this year, Jey sent a message to the other top tag teams in the world:
• If you all want these dream matches, you all going to have to bring your ass to WWE, dog, to the top tier. You all going to have to come. Where we at ain’t dropping down. Young Bucks, everybody, like, bring it, dog. Run it. We the ones for a reason, and I mean that. I stand on that, bro. We the best tag team in the world. And if you want to get detailed with it, I’m talking about on the microphone, the way we dress, the way the gear look, the way we carry ourselves, the swag, the ink, everything. The hair, the grills, the earrings, the chain. All that’s real, Uce. All that is real.
• Billboard also posted an interview with Jey.
• William Regal reflected on yesterday being the 10th anniversary of his last-ever wrestling match:
• It’s 10 years today since my final bout against @ClaudioCSRO. I couldn’t of gone out with a better bout against someone I rated extremely highly and cared for. Thank you very much indeed to everyone who made that 30 years run in the ring and charmed life possible.
• AEW’s Claudio Castagnoli responded to Regal:
• One of my favorite matches / moments of my career against someone who advanced my career so much and still keeps me on my toes. Thank you
• The Battleground podcast has an interview with Johnny Gargano.
• Jim Varsallone interviewed Declan McMahon.
• X-Pac and Kazeem Famuyide were the guests on WWE’s The Bump today.

AEW/Other Wrestling

• AEW uploaded a Control Center video ahead of tonight’s Dynamite.
• The Young Bucks filed a trademark for “KTB Wrestling” on November 21. KTB stands for “Killing the Business.”
• The Young Bucks also applied to trademark “Superdick Party.”
• Maki Itoh is challenging Janai Kai for the MLW Women’s Featherweight Championship at MLW One-Shot in New York City on Thursday, December 7.
• Justin Credible has been announced for GCW’s show in Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday, December 2.
• Karen Jarrett was the guest on AEW Unrestricted this week.

Daily Update

Latest News

• UFC on ESPN+ 90 live results: Brendan Allen vs. Paul Craig
• Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches set for WWE NXT
• AEW Full Gear preview & predictions: A man alone
• WWE SmackDown video highlights: Becky Lynch, Cody Rhodes appear
• Chris Hero makes in-ring return at West Coast Pro Whiplash

Latest Audio

• Wrestling Observer Radio: New WON HOF class

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• November 20, 2023 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Hall of Fame issue

One of our two traditional biggest issues of the year of the Observer came out this week, the 2023 Hall of Fame issue:

• 2023 Hall of Fame voting standings for all candidates
• Hall of Fame coverage, career highlights of the seven new inductees and one major feature story on a European legend, plus who is off the ballot next year, who will be added to the ballot next year, every first ballot Hall of Famer, every person historically elected with more than 75 percent of the vote and the top 30 in each category for reporters, historians, active pros and retired pros.
• Match of the week and performer of the week
• A look at Full Gear and Survivor Series
• UFC 295 full coverage
• The end of an era with Bellator and MMA on Showtime
• Coverage of DDT’s Ultimate Party with Chris Jericho, Hiromu Takahashi and a great title match on top
• PWG on hiatus and its ever changing role in pro wrestling
• The most complete ratings report, demo coverage, competition for the shows and segment-by-segment notes, plus comparisons with one year ago.
• Notes on Flip Gordon becoming a regular in CMLL
• Newcomers to watch out for including one spectacular newcomer at Arena Mexico
• Stardom and All Japan tag tourneys
• New Japan tag tournament notes and this week’s shows
• Lone Star Shootout from New Japan
• Women’s wrestling sets all-time attendance mark
• Tony Khan’s Continental Classic
• Lots of AEW stars in mainstream acting gigs
• International TV ratings
• Upcoming ticket advances for WWE & AEW
• How times have changed greatly for UFC regarding Conor McGregor
• Dana White gos on rampages about sponsors and critics of another sponsor
• UFC’s greatest fighters of all-time
• New UFC major fights
• Bellator champion suspended regarding drug test failure
• Fury-Ngannou PPV update
• Retired star gets giant money offer to return from Middle East
• More notes on Vince McMahon’s stock sale
• Rey Mysterio update and angle update
• WWE making production changes for Mania week
• Dwayne Johnson claims he almost went to Pride
• Why Raw could take a big hit this week

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

• August 23, 2006 Observer Newsletter: WWE Mexico tour, Diva Search

Ordering Info:

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday Update 

WWE

• SmackDown averaged 2.22 million viewers in the fast national ratings last night. The rating in the 18-49 demo was a 0.6.
• With Corey Graves still on paternity leave, Road Dogg filled in for Graves on SmackDown commentary last night. Road Dogg called the show alongside Michael Cole and Kevin Patrick.
• Axiom wrestled on SmackDown for the first time ever last night, losing to Dragon Lee. Axiom made a post on social media after the match saying it was an opportunity he’s always dreamed of.
• WWE shared a vlog from Becky Lynch’s appearance on Celebrity Jeopardy.
• The Masked Man Show has an interview with Gunther.
• Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits, Carlito, and LA Knight appeared on The SmackDown LowDown.

AEW/Other Wrestling

• AEW’s YouTube channel uploaded the full Countdown to Full Gear special that aired last night.
• Josh Nason previewed the Full Gear card for Sports Illustrated.
• Bryan Alvarez noted last night that the word was Roderick Strong is okay following the scary spot where he landed on his head during a botched Spanish Fly from Action Andretti on Rampage.
• Uproxx interviewed Hangman Page ahead of Full Gear. Page said his next goal after facing Swerve Strickland at Full Gear is winning the AEW World Championship for a second time:
• I fully intend to finish that for good on Saturday. Once I can bring closure to that, for me, I feel that now I’m in a very different place than I was for the past year and a half, and I feel extremely motivated and I know that once my current goal is done, (winning the world title again will) be my next one.
• MJF appeared in the latest video for Dr. Beau Hightower on YouTube.
• In an interview with The Walkaway Fight Club, Daniel Garcia praised Mercedes Mone:
• I think a Mercedes, not even in a women’s division, I think she’s one of the greatest performers of all time. I think she carries herself like a star. Her in-ring ability is amazing. I think she’s very creative, very unique. I’ve never met her, but you can tell her work ethic is insane. When she left, took a break for a year, and she was going to all these different schools. She trained in Mexico, she trained in Japan, she trained with House of Glory in New York City, just learning and adapting to all these different styles to improve her game. Just always being a student, not being complacent, not just resting on her laurels. She never seems like the type to do that. I really admire her, I love watching and studying her matches. I think she’s one of the best of all time, male or female.
• Garcia spoke to The Messenger about not being part of the card for Full Gear:
• I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt not being on these pay-per-views. That’s what I aspire to be on. I want to be in the biggest matches. I want to be facing the biggest names in the biggest opportunities.
• I feel like if you don’t want to be on the pay-per-views, that’s weird. Like, why are you wrestling if you don’t want to be on the biggest shows?
• I’m not somebody who gets easily discouraged. I work very hard. When I see one thing isn’t working, I adapt, I change, I shift. I meld into different things.
• I’ve been ready for a long time, and I feel like that’s never changed. With every opportunity, with every week that passes, I just keep getting more ready.
• The full Will Ospreay vs. Josh Alexander match from this week’s Impact has been uploaded to Impact Wrestling’s YouTube channel. Impact also shared video of Ospreay and Alexander’s post-show comments.
• Alex Zayne now has a sponsorship deal with Taco Bell Japan for his own Alex Zayne Meal:
• I’m gettin my own Alex Zayne Meal at Taco Bell in Japan.
• Making me an unsigned, independent, professional wrestler with an international brand deal.
• For those in the same line of work, the opportunities are out there waiting for you to put all the flavors together. Waiting for you to make the sauce.
• Get creative and permeate mainstream culture with wrestling culture. With Independent Wrestling Culture.
• I believe in you, I believe in professional wrestling.
• Thank you to anyone who has ever supported me and my love for Taco Bell.
• We did it!
• Next stop, NJPW WORLD TAG LEAGUE!
• ITADAKIMASU!

Daily Update

Latest News

• Number one contender’s match added to WWE SmackDown
• Update on new AEW signing to be announced at Full Gear
• WWE & Rotunda family launch new Bray Wyatt merchandise collection
• KOPW title changes hands at New Japan Road event
• WWE has renewed interest in Kazuchika Okada
• Kris Statlander: I’m proud I was in Jade Cargill’s last AEW match

Latest Audio

• Wrestling Observer Live – Filthy Friday: Life of Lawlor, WON HOF, AEW Full Gear, more
• Wrestling Weekly: AEW Full Gear predictions
• JNPO: AEW Q3 investors call with Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston
• Fight Game: Who is AEW’s devil?
• Bryan & Vinny Show: Final Dynamite before Full Gear 2023, high-camp NXT

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• November 20, 2023 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Hall of Fame issue

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

• August 23, 2006 Observer Newsletter: WWE Mexico tour, Diva Search

Ordering Info:

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

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

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

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

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

Friday Update

– We’ve got a very busy weekend of shows coming up. Garrett and I will talk the Hall of Fame and the latest news on tonight’s show and tomorrow night Bryan and I will be back talking Full Gear and the other weekend news.

– One of our two traditional biggest issues of the year of the Observer came out today, the 2023 Hall of Fame issue:

• 2023 Hall of Fame voting standings for all candidates
• Hall of Fame coverage, career highlights of the seven new inductees and one major feature story on a European legend, plus who is off the ballot next year, who will be added to the ballot next year, every first ballot Hall of Famer, every person historically elected with more than 75 percent of the vote and the top 30 in each category for reporters, historians, active pros and retired pros.
• Match of the week and performer of the week
• A look at Full Gear and Survivor Series
• UFC 295 full coverage
• The end of an era with Bellator and MMA on Showtime
• Coverage of DDT’s Ultimate Party with Chris Jericho, Hiromu Takahashi and a great title match on top
• PWG on hiatus and its ever changing role in pro wrestling
• The most complete ratings report, demo coverage, competition for the shows and segment-by-segment notes, plus comparisons with one year ago.
• Notes on Flip Gordon becoming a regular in CMLL
• Newcomers to watch out for including one spectacular newcomer at Arena Mexico
• Stardom and All Japan tag tourneys
• New Japan tag tournament notes and this week’s shows
• Lone Star Shootout from New Japan
• Women’s wrestling sets all-time attendance mark
• Tony Khan’s Continental Classic
• Lots of AEW stars in mainstream acting gigs
• International TV ratings
• Upcoming ticket advances for WWE & AEW
• How times have changed greatly for UFC regarding Conor McGregor
• Dana White gos on rampages about sponsors and critics of another sponsor
• UFC’s greatest fighters of all-time
• New UFC major fights
• Bellator champion suspended regarding drug test failure
• Fury-Ngannou PPV update
• Retired star gets giant money offer to return from Middle East
• More notes on Vince McMahon’s stock sale
• Rey Mysterio update and angle update
• WWE making production changes for Mania week
• Dwayne Johnson claims he almost went to Pride
• Why Raw could take a big hit this week

– Will Ospreay is the person who is by far the leading candidate for the AEW signing announcement tomorrow. The one thing is he would more than fit the bill for a major announcement. PWInsider reported that New Japan had given Ospreay permission to negotiate. We had figured with the AEW/NJPW working agreement that it would make sense for New Japan to allow this deal to be announced now. As noted previously, he had hired Barry Bloom, the agent of The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Bill Goldberg, formerly Paul Levesque and tons of others for decades to handle his talks. Everyone, WWE, New Japan, Impact and more wanted him. If handled well, this would greatly help AEW in the U.K,. and the timing of the announcement would make sense for AEW just because they could use a new signing and because of the Wembley Stadium tickets going on sale in two weeks. Ospreay will not be an immediate ratings game changer. I don’t know that anyone except for John Cena, Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns would be right now and none of those are going to be in AEW any time soon. But Ospreay does add depth at the top and there are countless new opponents he’s never worked with. It also would enable Ospreay to at least work major New Japan shows and perhaps RevPro shows where he’s been very loyal this past year. Hopefully whoever it is the deal in actuality is done, because as Christian Cage noted, when he was heavily teased as a surprise, while he did verbally agree, he hadn’t signed before they were doing the tease.

– Tonight will mark the first time in an actual WWE vs. AEW head-to-head battle that it won’t even be competitive in the ratings, given SmackDown is on Fox while Collision is on TNT, and Collision is out of its normal time slot. Plus SmackDown usually does about five times what Collision does to begin with. I guess because the result is so foregone there has been no talk about it at all, unlike the other 79 times the companies went head-to-head. AEW has actually won 77 of those 79, only losing once in 2019 and the most recent time when the loaded up NXT beat Dynamite moved to a new night. I don’t anticipate WWE being hurt at all with AEW live but AEW may have a tough time.

– Announced for SmackDown is Jimmy Uso vs. LA Knight, an appearance by Paul Heyman & Solo Sikoa, an appearance by Damage CTRL, and a tag team number one contender’s match with Pretty Deadly vs. The Street Profits vs. Brawling Brutes. 

SmackDown only had 5,400 tickets out for tonight in Evansville as of this morning and less than 5,000 paid. There has been a major difference with John Cena not on the show weekly anymore and Roman Reigns not on this show as well. It’s way down from the last time SmackDown ran in the city in February. It should be noted that a ton of cities had presales for WWE tickets yesterday and public on-sales today. These are shows as late as April of next year and the pre-sales generally were great, so there is no sign of WWE losing steam even though tonight is much lower than they have been doing.

– AEW had just over 4,000 tickets out for tonight at the Forum in Inglewood, CA. They have three-and-a-half hours of programming on TNT with Collision 8-10 p.m., Rampage 10-11 p.m. and Countdown to Full Gear from 11-11:30 p.m. Collision has Dax Harwood vs.Rush, Miro vs. Daniel Garcia and Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander vs. Saraya & Ruby Soho. Rampage has Toni Storm vs. Emi Sakura plus Renee Paquette will interview both MJF and Jay White whose job it will be to bolster last minute PPV sales.

– Ric Flair was not listed in the advertising for Full Gear as being in Sting’s corner in stuff we’ve gotten after first being listed but we are told today he is scheduled for the show. He is definitely headed there and he has teased being with Sting today on social media.

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

• SmackDown tonight in Evansville (only dark matches or segments)
• Collision tonight in Los Angeles (only stuff not on television)
• WWE house show tomorrow night in Tupelo, MS
• WWE house show tomorrow night in Canton, OH
• WWE house show Sunday night in Saginaw, MI
• WWE house show Sunday night in Jonesboro, AR

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

– We are also doing our PPV poll on Full Gear so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

– The updated PPV lineup:

MJF vs. Jay White for the AEW title – Should be very good, but on top of this card they are in the position where they need to be great. I will say historically both when put in tough positions have come through almost every time

Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley for the International title – That title was supposed to be on Moxley, but injuries saw it go to Fenix and Cassidy. Moxley said this was the reset back and we’ll see if it is. Cassidy vs. Moxley was great last time out.

Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland in a Texas death match – Whether you do or don’t like the storyline, this is a hot program thanks to Page’s promos. Their first match was great as well, and the last time Page did a Texas death match, also in California, it was among the best Texas death matches (with Moxley).

Hikaru Shida vs. Toni Storm for the AEW women’s title – Should be good. Also should be a title change.

Young Bucks vs. Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega – A weird one since they are in LA and the Bucks are the heels. It came out of nowhere as far as build goes, but it’s the first time the Bucks have been against Omega since the tag match with Page, which won many match of the year awards. In the ring it is likely to be great.

Ricky Starks & Big Bill vs. FTR vs. Brody King & Malakai Black vs. Rush & Dralistico for the AEW tag titles – It wouldn’t surprise me to see any of the first three teams mentioned win. Rush & Dralistico would be a shock. It’s interesting, will almost surely be very good and could be great.

Sting & Adam Copeland & Darby Allin vs. Christian Cage & Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne – This has been built up with a storyline involving Christian’s long issues with Allin, and Wayne’s with Allin, plus they will no doubt tease Copeland vs. Cage and try and make that interaction strong. Copeland almost never has anything but good to great matches, Cage you can say the same, Allin you can say the same.

Kris Statlander vs. Skye Blue vs. Julia Hart for the TBS title – I could see any of them winning this. On paper it’s the weakest on the show but Statlander has done well in her big matches.

MJF & ? vs. Gunn Brothers for the ROH tag titles – Samoa Joe has been teased as the partner. For what it will be, likely a crowd pleaser but also likely not long given MJF has to come back for the main event.

While not announced, they’ve been building Hook vs. Wheeler Yuta for the FTW title. They will likely announce a few more matches tonight. On paper, this looks like a very strong show for match quality and action. The big question is does this revert back to Forbidden Door and Double or Nothing level numbers (140K) or the more recent All Out and WrestleDream numbers (110K or so).

– Besides WWE and AEW, there are other major things tonight:

Tonight’s West Coast Pro Wrestling show will be airing live starting at 10 p.m. Eastern from San Francisco on YouTube for free featuring Chris Hero’s return to the ring against Timothy Thatcher as the main event.

Bellator has what could be its last show ever tonight from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago and it’s a loaded show by their standards:

• Patricky Pitbull Freire vs. Alexandr Shabliy in a lightweight Grand Prix semifinal
• A.J. McKee vs. Sidney Outlaw
• Danny Sabatello vs. Raufeon Stots
• Sergio Pettis vs. Patchy Mix for the bantamweight title
• Yarosloav Amosov vs. Jason Jackson for the welterweight title

– Billy Corgan has denied reports that there will be any cutbacks in NWA talent or production. He told us that they are spending upwards of six figures on the tapings this weekend. Nick Hausman had reported the company making cutbacks, but his report was that they would be taking place on the first taping of 2024, not this taping. Corgan would not comment on anything related to Hausman past denying the reports, and said that there is nothing he could say about a television deal more than has been said until the official announcement is made. He told Mike Johnson they still had two television deals and nothing has changed regarding that, and that those deals have been in place for a long time. As noted, the reality show was confirmed to be for CW since the CW logo was on the passes and this dates back to filming months ago. Corgan told Johnson there would be no roster cuts and the company’s financial health is fine, and he’s the 100 percent owner with no investors so he makes all the calls. He also told us he couldn’t give a time frame for the announcement of which he had said was that they would have two shows on a top 20 station.

– WWE has combo tickets for sale for the SmackDown/Hall of Fame, NXT Stand & Deliver and Raw shows in Philadelphia over Mania week. The idea is that SmackDown and Raw will be big tickets and offering a combo will help the NXT show, which last year didn’t draw nearly as well as the other two the past few years over Mania week.

– AEW has official on-sales for 1/3 in Newark, NJ, 1/6 in Charlotte, NC, 1/10 in Jacksonville, FL and 1/13 in Norfolk. None did giant business yesterday for the presales.

– UFC runs tomorrow from 2-8 p.m. on ESPN+

• Charles Johnson (125) vs. Rafael Estevan (128) – Estevan missed weight by two pounds
• Trey Ogden (155.5) vs. Nikolas Motta (155)
• Lucia Pudilova (135.5) vs. Allin Perez (136.5) – Perez missed weight by 0.5 pounds
• Jeka Saragih (146) vs. Lucas Alexander (148) – Alexander missed weight by two pounds
• Mick Parkin (262.5) vs. Caio Machado (250)
• Christian Leroy Duncan (186) vs. Denis Tiuliulin (186)
• Chad Anheliger (134.5) vs. Jose Johnson (136)
• Jonathan Pearce (145.5) vs. Joanderson Brito (145)
• Myktybek Orolbai (170) vs. Uros Medic (171)
• Luana Pinheiro (115.5) vs. Amanda Rubas (115.5)
• Payton Talbott (136) vs. Nick Agirre (136)
• Chase Hooper (155.5) vs. Jordan Leavitt (155.5)
• Michael Morales (171) vs. Jake Matthews (170.5)
• Brendan Allen (186) vs. Paul Craig (186)

– Eddie Kingston and Dalton Castle dedicated their ROH match that aired last night to Brodie Lee. After the match Kingston said, “Brodie will never die. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Eddie Kingston and I don’t give a f***. I’m out.”

– I didn’t get to this in the Observer but Volador Jr. vs. Soberano Jr from last Friday’s Arena Mexico show was fantastic. Super heat. Super action. Soberano is giving me Gino Hernandez in Houston in the late 70s heel vibes. If you like hot crowds and great in-ring intensity and just amazing in-ring moves, when CMLL releases this match you’d want to go out of your way to see it. CMLL is clearly the comeback promotion of the year as these Friday Arena Mexico shows with the hot crowds are such a turnaround from when it appeared this was a dying company.

– All Japan’s tag team tournament and Junor Battle of Glory resumes Sunday at the Nagoya International Conference Hall.

–Defy and GCW run two shows this weekend in Seattle at Washington Hall. Tonight GCW has a show with Matt Cardona vs. Santana Jackson, Blake Christian vs. Schaff for the GCW title, plus Nick Gage, Mike Bailey, Maki Itoh, Effy, Allie Katch, Rina Yamashita, Gringo Loco, the Bollywood Boyz and Joey Janela. Tomorrow night Defy has KENTA vs. Joey Janela for the Defy title, Nick Gage & Mike Bailey & Artemis Spence vs. The Sovereign, Schaff vs. Jordan Oliver for the Northwest title, Vert Vixen vs. Allie Katch for the Defy women’s title, Gringo Loco vs. Cody Chhun for the Defy Lucha title and Bollywood Boys vs. Effy & Curry Man for the Defy tag titles. GCW airs live tonight at 11 p.m. Eastern on FITE +

– New Japan starts its tag team tournament on Monday at 4:30 a.m. at Korakuen Hall. It’s an all A block show with Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste vs. Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona, Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs. Evil & Yujiro Takahashi, Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa vs. Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd and Shota Umino & Ren Narita vs. Henare & Great O’Khan.

– MLW runs tomorrow night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with a Battle Royal as part of the Fusion tapings. They also have a FITE+ live show with Alex Kane vs. Jacob Fatu for the MLW title, Matt Cardona vs. Mance Warner loser leaves MLW, Rickey Shne Pge & Akira defend the MLW tag titles in a ladder match with 1 Called Manders & Matthew Justice, Rocky Romero & Cavernario Barbaro vs. Mascara Dorada & Ichiban.

– RingsideFest 2023 gives you a sneak peek at the next Mattel WWE action figure releases with guests Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio and Mick Foley.

– MCW tomorrow night is in Ridgely, MD at the Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department.

– ISPW tonight is in West Millford, NJ, at the St. Joseph Parish Hall features Danny Morrison defending the ISPW title against Crowbar. Morrisoni was Danny Doring in ECW and Crowbar as an attitude era wrestler in WCW.

– Lambda Films is doing a documentary on Zak Knight, the older brother of Saraya, who was the brother featured in the Dwayne Johnson “Fighting For My Family” movie. 

Daily Update

Latest News

• Jim Ross provides health update, will miss a few more weeks of AEW TV
• Report: Mickie James taking ‘a break’ from Impact Wrestling
• Darby Allin: Being part of Sting’s final chapter is ‘super important’
• WWE & Panini reach settlement in principle on trading card lawsuit
• TNA Wrestling announces Orlando TV tapings
• Brian Cage & Melissa Santos welcome birth of baby boy
• Trinity on preparing for Jordynne Grace, winning Impact Knockouts title
• WWE NXT spoilers from Orlando

Latest Audio

• Wrestling Observer Live: Dynamite preview with Bucks match added, NXT TV report, RAW ratings, tons of news
• Bryan & Vinny & Craig & Shawn: Saturday Night’s Main Event from 10/13/90, plus Granny and more!
• We’re Live, Pal: AEW Full Gear preview

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• November 13, 2023 Observer Newsletter: TKO earnings call, NXT to The CW

We’ve got a very heavy business issue of the Observer focusing on a lot of different breaking stories involving both WWE and AEW:

• Match of the week and performer of the week
• The changes in WWE business under TKO
• UFC & WWE quarterly business updates
• Behind Vince McMahon selling 8.4 million shares of TKO stock, what he got, what he still owns, what it did to the stock price and what other large sum of money he just received that fell under the radar
• Why WWE numbers were unexpectedly down, and why TKO actually losing money this quarter is nothing to be concerned over
• A look at WWE and AEW attendance and how it’s changed over the past year
• Ari Emanuel talks about competition for WWE and UFC
• More departments where jobs will be lost
• Company goals for 2024
• Changes in the live arena experience
• Key that makes WWE and UFC attractive for television stations
• Issues with Vince McMahon
• The CW deal for NXT
• Changes for a WWE show next year and other changes talked about
• Who are the leaders for the Raw rights
• What are the rankings of the stations with pro wrestling and MMA product
• Billy Corgan gives comments about the cocaine angle
• A look at the TV deals that Tony Khan, Dwayne Johnson and Vince McMahon have been part of for wrestling and football
• Full coverage of Crown Jewel and the booking
• A look at the Ricochet injury and how it changed the IC title path slightly going into the Survivor Series
• Early notes on the Survivor Series
• PPV numbers and what did Crown Jewel buyers watch and not watch when it came to major PPV events this past month
• The future for Will Ospreay and Giulia
• Notes on the Tokyo Dome show
• Great matches and angles at Power Struggle
• Full Power Struggle coverage
• UFC from Brazil coverage
• The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week from all shows, including comparison to last year, competition, and how each segment did as well as Dynamite vs. NXT
• Major rudo turn on sold out Arena Mexico show
• AAA doing a talent search
• More injuries and health issues with Stardom
• Update on Stardom tag team tournament
• Controversy at Stardom event after changed start time of show
• All Japan has an incredible match this week and sets up another for New Year’ Eve
• A look at All Japan’s year end tag team and junior tournaments
• Lots of injury updates
• New Japan big events in early 2024
• DDT has major show this week
• More on the Von Erich movie
• Indie star says his indie career is over
• Indie promotion draws 5,000 fans
• Contract issues in MLW
• WBD stock falls
• Update on Full Gear
• Notes on Mariah May debut
• Stardom star under contract to AEW and details
• Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
• International TV ratings and streaming numbers
• UFC signs deal with new TV outlet to return from nearly a decade
• How Vince McMahon kept UFC off NBC
• Lots of new UFC title matches
• Unique facts about this weekend’s UFC show
• More on Fury vs. Nganou PPV numbers
• WrestleMania week news
• CM Punk news
• YouTube numbers and WWE and TKO value at this point
• Reports from the WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

• August 23, 2006 Observer Newsletter: WWE Mexico tour, Diva Search

Ordering Info:

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday Update

WWE

• Becky Lynch’s episode of Celebrity Jeopardy airs on ABC tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Connor’s Cure is the charity that Lynch is playing for.
• PWInsider reports that Brogan Finlay and Jay Malachi were spotted at the WWE Performance Center yesterday. Both recently took part in a WWE tryout and are expected to be new WWE signees
• D’Angelo family member Anna Keefer has been given the name Adriana Rizzo in NXT.
• Sami Zayn and Nick Aldis were the guests on today’s episode of WWE’s The Bump.
• Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was the guest on the latest edition of The Joe Rogan Experience.
• Kurt Angle appeared on the True Geordie podcast.
• Bill Apter interviewed Glenn Jacobs (Kane) for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge.
• WWE remembered “Macho Man” Randy Savage on what would have been his 71st birthday.
• Tegan Nox turns 29 years old today.

AEW/Other Wrestling

• A face-to-face with Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page has been added to tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
• Due to unforeseen circumstances, Bryan Danielson won’t be able to make his scheduled appearance at the WrestleCade convention on Saturday, November 25. WrestleCade hopes to have Danielson back at another event in the future:
• Due to unforeseen circumstances, we’ve been informed that Bryan Danielson will not be able to appear during #WrestleCade Weekend. If you bought an advance ticket to meet him, bring your ticket to the venue and his vendor will let you use it as a credit for one of his other clients appearing at the event including Mandy Sacs, Andrade or Lana. If you don’t want a credit, your refund will be processed accordingly.
• The WrestleCade Weekend Team is sorry that this happened and we hope to have Danielson back at another event in the future.
• MJF reflected on today being the third anniversary of his grandfather’s death:
• Today is the hardest part of the year for me. It’s the third year anniversary of my grandfather’s death. I can’t even put into words how much this man molded me. Showed me how to sing. Showed me how to dance. Showed me how to dress. (I wear an article of his clothes every week) Showed me how to talk. Showed me how to walk. Showed me how to be a man. I love you Poppa.
• On the Under the Ring podcast, Orange Cassidy discussed his friendship with Kris Statlander:
• Kris Statlander is very special because she’s part of our little stable and her and I have become very good friends. She’s in a very similar spot that I was when I had my first title run that she’s in now, so we can kind of lean on each other and kind of help each other out. It’s not really so much that I’m mentoring her as we’re kind of just like bouncing ideas off each other. Then it’s also very easy when Kris Statlander is one of the best professional wrestlers in the world, just to be like, ‘Oh, hey, you should do this’, and she does it incredibly, like, I’m not really doing too much. She’s already figured it out.
• Fightful reports that Megha Parekh has “largely stepped back from her duties” as AEW’s chief legal officer in recent months to focus on Jacksonville Jaguars work.
• GCW announced that Andrade El Idolo will face Joey Janela at their Highest in the Room 2 show in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 9.
• WGN Radio 720 interviewed Britt Baker.
• Saraya and Chris Jericho appeared on Snacked for First We Feast.
• Chris Hero spoke to The Masked Man Show about returning to the ring for West Coast Pro Wrestling this Friday.
• Mandy Leon and former ROH booker Delirious (Hunter Johnston) got married on Tuesday.
• The NJPW World YouTube channel uploaded Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Mike Bailey from Lonestar Shootout.
• Tony Deppen vs. Nolo Kitano is set for MLW’s TV tapings in Philadelphia this Saturday.

Daily Update

Latest News

• Atlantis Jr. on the CMLL/AEW relationship, working with his father
• Two new matches announced for AEW Collision
• Two matches added to Monday’s WWE Raw
• PWG gives update on status of promotion
• WWE SmackDown video highlights: Asuka, Santos Escobar heel turns
• AEW Collision & ROH spoilers from Oakland

Latest Audio

• Wrestling Observer Live: Vince’s stock sell-off, AEW, NJPW Lonestar Shootout, more
• Wrestling Weekly: WWE NXT’s new TV deal leaves NWA out in the cold?
• Fight Game: Are The Bloodline getting stale?

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• November 13, 2023 Observer Newsletter: TKO earnings call, NXT to The CW

We’ve got a very heavy business issue of the Observer focusing on a lot of different breaking stories involving both WWE and AEW:

• Match of the week and performer of the week
• The changes in WWE business under TKO
• UFC & WWE quarterly business updates
• Behind Vince McMahon selling 8.4 million shares of TKO stock, what he got, what he still owns, what it did to the stock price and what other large sum of money he just received that fell under the radar
• Why WWE numbers were unexpectedly down, and why TKO actually losing money this quarter is nothing to be concerned over
• A look at WWE and AEW attendance and how it’s changed over the past year
• Ari Emanuel talks about competition for WWE and UFC
• More departments where jobs will be lost
• Company goals for 2024
• Changes in the live arena experience
• Key that makes WWE and UFC attractive for television stations
• Issues with Vince McMahon
• The CW deal for NXT
• Changes for a WWE show next year and other changes talked about
• Who are the leaders for the Raw rights
• What are the rankings of the stations with pro wrestling and MMA product
• Billy Corgan gives comments about the cocaine angle
• A look at the TV deals that Tony Khan, Dwayne Johnson and Vince McMahon have been part of for wrestling and football
• Full coverage of Crown Jewel and the booking
• A look at the Ricochet injury and how it changed the IC title path slightly going into the Survivor Series
• Early notes on the Survivor Series
• PPV numbers and what did Crown Jewel buyers watch and not watch when it came to major PPV events this past month
• The future for Will Ospreay and Giulia
• Notes on the Tokyo Dome show
• Great matches and angles at Power Struggle
• Full Power Struggle coverage
• UFC from Brazil coverage
• The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week from all shows, including comparison to last year, competition, and how each segment did as well as Dynamite vs. NXT
• Major rudo turn on sold out Arena Mexico show
• AAA doing a talent search
• More injuries and health issues with Stardom
• Update on Stardom tag team tournament
• Controversy at Stardom event after changed start time of show
• All Japan has an incredible match this week and sets up another for New Year’ Eve
• A look at All Japan’s year end tag team and junior tournaments
• Lots of injury updates
• New Japan big events in early 2024
• DDT has major show this week
• More on the Von Erich movie
• Indie star says his indie career is over
• Indie promotion draws 5,000 fans
• Contract issues in MLW
• WBD stock falls
• Update on Full Gear
• Notes on Mariah May debut
• Stardom star under contract to AEW and details
• Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
• International TV ratings and streaming numbers
• UFC signs deal with new TV outlet to return from nearly a decade
• How Vince McMahon kept UFC off NBC
• Lots of new UFC title matches
• Unique facts about this weekend’s UFC show
• More on Fury vs. Nganou PPV numbers
• WrestleMania week news
• CM Punk news
• YouTube numbers and WWE and TKO value at this point
• Reports from the WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

• August 21, 2006 Observer Newsletter: WON Hall of Fame, Brock Lesnar

Ordering Info:

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday Update

WWE

• Sheamus, who has been out of action since August due to a shoulder injury, is advertised for the November 24, December 8, and December 15 episodes of SmackDown on WWE’s website.
• PWInsider reports that the expectation at last night’s SmackDown was that Becky Lynch will be added to Bianca Belair, Charlotte Flair & Shotzi’s WarGames team for Survivor Series. WWE has set up that Belair, Charlotte & Shotzi will be facing Bayley, IYO SKY, Kairi Sane & Asuka in WarGames.
• Bobby Lashley was the guest on WWE After the Bell this week. With Corey Graves away due to the birth of his son, Wade Barrett filled in for Graves and co-hosted the podcast alongside Kevin Patrick.
• Lashley was asked how much longer he plans to continue wrestling:
• I tell my sparring partners, I tell my training partners, and I tell anybody that works out with me, when you see that I’m missing a step or slowing down a little bit, just tell me. I mean, because you see a lot of times those guys that are fighting in the UFC or boxing or something, and they take that one fight too many. It’s almost sad. Or you see those guys get in the ring and they just can’t move the same, it’s sad. He kind of loses that a little bit. I don’t want to be that guy. It’s like when Superman gets that kryptonite, you see Superman kind of falling apart and becoming weak. I don’t need that. I put myself financially in a very, very good position that it’s not for the money. It’s for my enjoyment. I mean, I truly love going out there and being in front of the crowd and being in front of fans and stuff like that really gets me up and I really like some of the guys that I work with.
• Cody Rhodes told Gabby AF that he’s been impressed by the work JD McDonagh has done on the main roster: “He’s been one of the most impressive callups I feel from NXT, and I really wasn’t expecting it. I didn’t have low expectations, I didn’t have high expectations. But that’s potentially a big-time player moving forward.”
• In honor of Veterans Day, WWE raised one of the largest American flags in the country on top of WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.
• Vince McMahon was interviewed by Fox News about the flag raising. It was noted in the Fox News article that McMahon declined to comment on the sexual assault allegations that have been made against him: “McMahon, 78, has been mostly out of the public eye over the last couple of years as he faced sexual assault allegations, a lawsuit that was later settled, and a federal investigation. When asked for comment by Fox News Digital, McMahon declined.”
• TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd) appeared on Insight with Chris Van Vliet.
• LA Knight, Grayson Waller & Austin Theory, and Damage CTRL were interviewed on The SmackDown LowDown.

AEW/Other Wrestling

• At Lonestar Shootout last night, NJPW set up that Shingo Takagi will be defending his NEVER Openweight Championship against Tama Tonga at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4.
• Gabe Kidd emerged as the next challenger for Eddie Kingston’s Strong Openweight Championship by attacking Kingston at Lonestar Shootout. NJPW hasn’t announced when Kingston vs. Kidd will be taking place.
• Fred Rosser challenged Tom Lawlor to have their next match against each other in Japan in 2024. They have a 2-2 record over their first four times facing each other for NJPW in the United States.
• Chris Jericho and Konosuke Takeshita took part in a press conference ahead of their match at Sunday’s Ultimate Party event for DDT Pro Wrestling.
• In a clip that’s gone viral on social media, “The Iron Claw” actor Jeremy Allen White explained what surprised him about the sport of pro wrestling while making the movie.
• Zac Efron discussed the transformation he went through to play Kevin Von Erich in the film:
• (When) you’re playing a real person and it’s a true story, there’s an extra bit of motivation to get things as honest and real as possible. And I knew that going into this after watching the footage of Kevin in the ring that the physicality was gonna be the hardest thing to get right. So I started training probably six months before and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
• 103.5 Kiss FM interviewed Britt Baker.
• Sarah Stock was interviewed on AEW Unrestricted.

Daily Update

Latest News

• WWE announces WrestleMania week schedule for April 2024
• WWE NXT ratings up, averages nearly 800k viewers
• Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega segment announced for AEW Dynamite
• Alex Hammerstone: Communication from MLW ‘has been sparse’ since release request
• Report: NWA talent frustrated with Billy Corgan
• Sukeban reveals date and card for second event
• MLW says it released Arez & Aramis in May, AAA did not inform them
• AEW’s Mark Briscoe ‘feeling great’ after knee surgery

Latest Audio

• Wrestling Observer Live: NXT signs with CW, NXT TV from Tuesday, doom of NWA-TNA reviews
• Big Audio Nightmare: Giulia, Nakajima, Power Struggle review, Wrestle Kingdom
• Bryan & Vinny & Craig & Shawn Show: GRANNY’S 94TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! And we have to talk about NWA-TNA

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

• November 6 Observer Newsletter: WWE Crown Jewel preview, Cung Le/UFC lawsuit

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site right now covering these stories:

• Match and performer of the week
• Preview of Crown Jewel, favorites and directions
• Preview of Full Gear, directions, business and more
• Update on perhaps the most important business story this year and its ramifications as the Cung Le lawsuit against UFC is headed for trial next year. We talk about the trial, what it means to UFC, WWE and the MLW lawsuit against WWE. We also have notes from discovery on the actual pay that Conor McGregor, Georges St-Pierre, CM Punk, Ronda Rousey and Jon Jones got for their biggest career fights.
• Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, the story behind coming one round short of one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. We look at what happened, how this fight was a prelude of the change of the business of major events and why, how the PPV did and why it doesn’t really matter, the celebrities and what happens next.
• We preview the 2023 Hall of Fame with research on the wrestlers with the best matches throughout their careers, best tag matches, annual MVP, Most Outstanding, Best Draws and best tag team votes involving candidates on the ballot or in the Hall of Fame and who comes across well in this.
• A look at the Vladimir the Superfan documentary
• The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week, numbers, competition, gains and losses over the last year, placings and segment-by-segment.
• Women’s Grand Prix show draws big crowd
• Injuries plaguing Stardom
• Stardom PPV and tag tourney coverage
• Big match this weekend in All Japan
• A tag match this past week that you should see
• Nakajima’s NOAH farewell
• New Japan U.S. house show notes
• Update on a women’s dream match that was planned but now is uncertain and why
• New Japan Super Juniors tag team tournament news
• Ronda Rousey working indies against AEW stars
• Talks of two pro wrestlers and fights with Jake Paul
• CM Punk talks unionization of wrestlers
• New documentary coming out in two weeks
• Jon Moxley returns from concussion
• Jon Moxley talks concussion protocols
• Impact signs two U.K. wrestlers
• Impact U.K tour
• Bryan Danielson injury details
• Notes on Ric Flair’s two new deals with AEW
• Talks on Omega vs. MJF
• More on the CMLL/AEW deal
• Ticket advances for WWE & AEW shows
• International TV ratings and top streaming numbers
• Merch sales
• Derrick Lewis arrest
• UFC pay
• This weekend’s UFC show
• Why FOX didn’t bid to keep Smackdown
• Raw’s live show growth
• Fastlane actual gate numbers
• What record did WWE claim that doesn’t look to be accurate
• Lots of injury updates
• Reviews of al the major WWE house shows
• WWE signs a three-time national college wrestling women’s champion

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

• August 21, 2006 Observer Newsletter: WON Hall of Fame, Brock Lesnar

Ordering Info:

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday Update

WWE

• Shawn Michaels commented on NXT’s new TV deal with The CW Network: “I am absolutely thrilled for @WWENXT to debut on @TheCW in October 2024. This is huge for our young superstars and I’m very proud to continue the success that @TripleH laid the ground work for. #WeAreNXT”
• A mural honoring Rey Mysterio and the Mysterio family in San Diego was painted over without warning after the business the wall belonged to was put up for sale.
• Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Montez Ford appeared on WWE’s The Bump this afternoon.

AEW/Other Wrestling

• Ahead of challenging MJF for the AEW World Championship on Dynamite tonight, Daniel Garcia posted the following message:
• This one feels bigger than me.
• For Ricky, for Private Party, for Moriarty, for Take, for Anna, for Darius, for Ethan, for Action, for Stoke, maybe even for Sammy and Yuta. We take it back and lead AEW into the future. The right way.
• Restore the feeling.
• Andrew Zarian noted that he’s hearing AEW won’t be airing a Collision episode during the week of the promotion’s Worlds End pay-per-view. Worlds End is taking place in Long Island, New York on Saturday, December 30. Zarian wrote: “As of today, I’m hearing AEW won’t be airing Collision the week of the Worlds End PPV”
• Jeff Jarrett underwent dental surgery this week to have a tooth implant put in after a back molar was bothering him.
• While being interviewed by Chillin with Ice, Powerhouse Hobbs said he believes WWE and AEW are on the same level:
• We’re on the same level as them. We’re their competitors. They’re on national TV and we’re on national TV. We go head-to-head. We’re right on them. We’ve beaten them in ratings at times. We’re right there on their neck. There are two major companies in this business, and it’s WWE and AEW. We’re right there with them.
• An ROH World Championship match with Eddie Kingston defending against Angelico will headline ROH TV this Thursday.
• Ethan Page revealed that his Alpha-1 Wrestling indie promotion is returning with events in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on February 4, March 24, and May 19.
• EC3 will defend his NWA World title against Jax Dane at the NWA’s TV taping in Sarasota, Florida on Saturday, November 18.
• “Alpha Female” Jazzy Gabert announced that he’s passing the torch and getting out of the ring:
• I pass the torch
• About 10 years ago, an English promoter told me it was time for me to hand over the torch. But God knows I wasn’t ready for it and it annoyed me a lot!
• At least in retrospect I can say that there was still a lot to come. The last 10 years have been a high, higher highest!
• Now in 2023 with a 20 year in-ring career I can say ‘I pass the torch’
• The future of German wrestling looks bright. The young talents have fire and the necessary respect and discipline to go far.
• I’m getting out of the ring now and I’m now the organizer. That’s where I found my new passion.
• Janai Kai is set to defend her MLW Featherweight title against Delmi Exo and Tiara James in a three-way match at MLW’s TV tapings in Philadelphia on Saturday, November 18.
• Matt Cardona was a guest on the Swerve City Podcast.
• NJPW star Kazuchika Okada turns 36 years old today. AEW’s Keith Lee turns 39.