Tag: daily update

Daily Update: UFC, Victor Conte, NJPW

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This Week’s Back Issue

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Monday Update

–We’ll be back tonight for Wrestling Observer Radio to talk about Raw, fight fixing, New Japan’s show yesterday, and stuff in this report.

–The UFC has issued a statement regarding the Isaac Dulgarian vs. Yadier Del Valle fight which has led to allegations Dulgarian threw the fight  It should be noted Ariel Helwani today said that UFC before the fight confronted Dulgarian after finding out all the betting on Dulgarian to lose in the first round (which happened) and he assured them there was nothing to it.   Dulgarian was fired after all the allegations of a fixed fight came out.  The UFC statement said, “Like many professional sports organizations, UFC works with an independent betting integrity service to monitor wagering activity on our events.  Our betting integrity partner,  IC360,  monitors wagering on every UFC event and is conducting a thorough review of the facts surrounding the Dulgarian vs. del Valle bout on Saturday, November 1.  We take these allegations very seriously and along with the health and safety of our fighters, nothing is more important than  the integrity of our sport.”

–Victor Conte, a steroid and PED guru who served time, and then said he had come clean, and worked later with a  lot of MMA athletes and some pro wrestlers, passed away this morning at the age of 75.  He had been battling pancreatic cancer.  He worked with legendary athletes Barry Bonds and Marion Jones, and worked with Patrick Arnoldto popularize the cream and the clear, steroids that would pass tests that wrestlers and athletes used during that period.  He was aswo in the 70s part of the legendary band Tower of Power.

–New Japan has a press conference tonight at midnight Eastern and 9 p.m. Pacific for the Tokyo Dome show and likely announcing the tag team tournament as well.

–In the Jake Paul story after Gervonta “Tank” Davis was sued for assault by an ex-girlfriend and looks to be out of the match (that hasn’t been officially said, but it’s well known they are talking to replacement fighters), Francis Ngannou said he was insulted by Paul’s offer,.  He said he was disrespected and wasn’t interested.  A new name brought up as a possible replacement is undefeated and retired former champion Andre Ward.  Paul’s fight now seems likely for December on a Saturday night.

–If you want to see some beautiful stuff,  watch the second half of yesterday’s Hiroshi Tanahashi vs.  Yota Tsuji match, and even more, the post-match.  In one fell swoop we had the passing of the torch from legend to protege, the protege vowing to be the new top star, the tearful farewell and the new young heel issues a challenge for a house show match this coming Saturday night.  Every element of past and present, with some future thrown out there.  There is a major back story for Tanahashi vs. Tsuji as well as for Saturday’s Tanahashi vs Yuto-Ice “Ace vs. Ice” singles match.

–Raw tonight is in Rio Rancho, NM  Rio Rancho, NM.  They will be starting the build for Survivor Series.  They also will have some more news hopefully on the John Cena tournament.  CM Punk will be there talking about his title win on Saturday.  AJ Styles & Dragon Lee defend the tag titles against Finn Balor & JD McDonagh.  Stephanie Vaquer & Nikki Bella face Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez, plus Penta vs Grande Americano and Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Asuka & Kairi Sane  The show will be sold out in a 6,500 seat building.

–Mustafa Ali said he was injured while wrestling in Berlin this past weekend.  He said that he won’t be missing any dates but will be doing extensive rehab.

–New Japan has put up on the World web site a conversation with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega that was taped when Omega went to Japan.  Omega was the surprise guest on a show billed as Tanahashi talks to a former Wrestle Kingdom main event opponent.

–Chelsea Green & Ethan Page won the AAA mixed tag titles last night in Monterrey from Mr. Iguana & La Hiedra in a match where Lola Vice interfered.  El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. beat El Hijo del Vikingo in the main event and was attacked by Page after.  Wagner defending the Latin American title against Page will take place on 12/20 at the new Arena Guadalajara.  After Angel & Berto lost to Dave the Clown & Murder Clown they teased issues between the two of them.

–Tonight at Arena Puebl;a has Mistico vs. Yutani and Mascara Dorada & Neon & Stigma vs. Hechicero & Okumura & Voador Jr.

–After losing her World of Stardom match to Saya Kamitani earlier today, Momo Wtanabe said she will be taking time off to heal her injuries, notably a knee injury.  Syuri challenged Kamitani for the Tokyo Dome on 1/4 in a match that will be Kamitani putting up the New Japan Strong title against  Syuri’s IWGP women’s title.  Kamitani will defend the World of Stardom title on 12/29 at Sumo Hall against Saori Anou. I was told Kamitani vs. Watanabe and Konami vs. Starlight Kid where Konami won the Wonder of Stardom title were off the charts.

–Trey Miguel made a surprise appearance at the Championship International Wrestling show last night in Toledo saving Phil Nitro Monohan from Shane Stevens and The Next Level (thanks to Paul Meade)

–The Raven Effect documentary on the life of Scott “Raven” Levy will be released on Blu Ray by ETR Media.  Names listed in the video are Raven, Billy Cofrgan, Rob Van Dam, Chris Jericho, DDP, Bubba Ray dudley, Tommy Dreamer, Sandman, Perry Saturn, Kevin Sullivan, Blue Meanie, Shane Dougls, Lodi, Brian Meyers, D-Lo Brown, Buff Bagwell, Sami Callihan, Moose and Scott D’Amore.

–NXT tomorrow has Je’Von Evans vs. Saquon Shugars, Fatal Influence vs Tatum Paxley & Izzy Dame & Lola Vice and the start of a tournament for the vacant Speed title.

–Nick Kozak, who is one of the oldest still living wrestlers in the world, turns 93 today.  Kimberly Anthony, the Dirty White Girl, turns 57.  Dawn Marie turns 55.  Jackie Gayda Haas turns 44.  Ariane Andrew (Cameron) turns 38.  Sputnik Monroe passed away 19 years ago today. (thanks to Tony Richards)

Daily Update: Weekend preview, Logan Paul, Jerry Lawler

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This Week’s Back Issue

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Friday Update

– The weekend schedule is that Garrett Gonzales and I will be doing a show this afternoon talking the news of the week, talking about this weekend’s events, Mick Foley and taking questions. Our weekend show will be Saturday Night with Bryan Alvarez talking Saturday Night’s Main Event, Smackdown, Bandido vs. Mascara Dorada on Collision, and the rest of the news.

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

  • Major Hall of Fame article covering the Mexico and Japanese ballot. We go into detail on the likes of Zack Sabre Jr., Iyo Sky, Inoki & Sakaguchi, Yoshihiro Takayama, Angel Blanco & Dr. Wagner, Dorrell Dixon, El Dandy, Volador Jr., Sangre Chicana and others.
  • A look at Saturday Night’s Main Event and favorites.
  • The eye poke and crazy reaction to the Tom Aspinall vs Cyril Gane ending.
  • El Hijo del Santo will retire on the same night as John Cena and historical notes regarding his last shows.
  • A look at the wrestling career of Mike Rotunda, from star high school and college athlete to success with a number of different gimmicks.
  • Full coverage of NXT Halloween Havoc.
  • How WWE continues to change AAA and the phenomenon that is Dominik Mysterio in Mexico
  • The most detailed look at the ratings over the past week, how the new data has done a number on wrestling, Braun Strowman, World Series and an NFL rating that makes seven less sense than pro wrestling numbers
  • Women’s Grand Prix draws the largest crowd of the week
  • Lots of big matches and angles in a major week for CMLL
  • The New Japan Super Juniors tag team tournament
  • Iyo Sky vs. Mayu Iwatani in Sumo Hall
  • Updates on many legends
  • UFC star elected to wrestling Hall of Fame
  • Legal action involving former wrestlers including her mother’s prior lawsuit against her daughter who now wants to be a wrestler
  • Some very interesting independent notes
  • RAF goes the route of using MMA names and family members as its attempt to draw in Chicago
  • AEW PPV update
  • How people watch AEW TV & PPVs based on a survey we are doing
  • Advance ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • Gable Steveson fights Dirty Boxing
  • Tank Davis sued by former girlfriend
  • Brother of WWE & UFC head Ari Emanuel talked about as presidential candidate for 2028
  • The WWE WrestleMania ad
  • Andrade and his non-compete

– WWE is in Salt Lake City tonight for SmackDown. The only matches announced are Carmelo Hayes vs. Kit Wilson and Alexa Bliss vs. Nia Jax. It goes against the World Series, plus Halloween is traditionally a very bad night for wrestling on television. Don’t be surprised with a low number, although I don’t think it’ll be down by percentages as much as Halloween SmackDowns years in the past because the current audience does consist of a lot fewer trick or treaters and a far higher percentage of over 50 viewers. But the series could hurt it there. Other things announced are a Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre face-off which will be a contract signing, Jade Cargill explains her actions and interacts with Tiffany Stratton and Ilja Dragunov defends the U.S. title. There are about 7,000 tickets out. Salt Lake City has been a tough market for WWE. WWE asked fans to come in Halloween costumes tonight.

– Saturday will be Saturday Night’s Main Event, airing exclusively on Peacock in the U.S and YouTube outside the U.S. It’s Rhodes vs. McIntyre for the WWE title, CM Punk vs. Jey Uso for the vacant world title, Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill for the WWE women’s title and Dominik Mysterio vs. Rusev vs. Penta for the IC title. I think Punk vs. Jey may save the show from the hit it would take IF the series goes seven. AEW Collision has Mercedes Mone vs. Olympia for the CMLL women’s title and Bandido vs. Mascara Dorada for the ROH title. This was taped on Wednesday. People raved about the main event.

– The Best of the Super Juniors final night of B block is tomorrow morning with a 5 a.m show from Osaka. It comes down to this: A block winners and current jr. tag team champions Sho & Douki will face, most likely, the winner of tomorrow’s main event with Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X. Eagles & Fujita go to the finals with a win or a draw. If they lose, it becomes a three-way tie with those two teams and Kushida & Yuki Yoshioka, provided Kushida & Yoshioka beat El Desperado & Kuukai. If all that happens, all three teams are 4-2 and would be 1-1 against each other, meaning they’d need a playoff match. If Kushida & Yoshioka lose, then the tag match determines who goes to the finals which are Sunday morning at 4 a.m. Eastern from Gifu. That will be part of a show that includes Konosuke Takeshita defending the IWGP title against Hirooki Goto and Yota Tsuji defending the Global title against Hiroshi Tanahashi.

– Logan Paul was able to get himself removed from a class action lawsuit regarding CryptoZoo, a program that he promoted and a suit was filed for his involvement. His name was there on the grounds it was alleged he defrauded investors in a cryptocurrency game that never got off the ground. Judge Alan Albright on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Waco, TX, dismissed Paul as a defendant in the suit. A magistrate judge had ruled that the plaintiffs failed to present evidence that directly linked Paul to the losses suffered from the game previously as the judge this week backed up that ruling.

– Arena Mexico is sold out with 16,000 tickets sold for tonight’s Halloween show. The Sky team faces Hechicero & Volador Jr. & Barbaro Cavernario on top. The Rey del Inframundo title has Difunto defending in a four-way against the winners of Cibernetico matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Puebla, who are Adrenalina, Villano III Jr. and Guerrero Maya Jr, plus Titan & Esfinge & Xelhua vs. Averno & Mephisto & Euforia and India Sioux vs. Persephone. 

Persephone replaces Diamante, who had to return to the U.S. and cut her tour early. The show is available in English on Triller PPV. These Sky Team main events have been pretty much guaranteed fantastic matches of late.

– While Soberano Jr. did an angle on Tuesday in Guadalajara with Atlantis Jr., he is not on this coming Tuesday’s show. He’s expected to be back from surgery on the 11/11 show.

– UFC tomorrow night from the Apex in Las Vegas with an ESPN+ exclusive show airing from 4-10 p.m. Eastern. That means the top fights go head-to-head with WWE on Peacock.

  • Talita Alencar (115) vs. Ariane Carnelossi (115.5)
  • Phil Rowe (171) vs. Seokhyon Ko (170)
  • Alice Ardelean (115.5) vs. Montserrat Ruiz (115)
  • Ketlen Vieira (136) vs. Norma Dumont (136)
  • Donte Johnson (184) vs. Sedriques Dumas (185.5)
  • Timmy Cuamba (136) vs. Chang Ho Lee (135.5)
  • Billy Elekana (205.5) vs. Kevin Christian (205)
  • Allan Nascimento (129.5) vs. Cody Durden (130)
  • Charles Radtke (171) vs. Daniel Funza (171)
  • Isaac Dulgarian (146) vs. Yaider del Valle (146)
  • Jeremiah Wells (170.5) vs. Themba Gorimbo (171)
  • Wado Cortes-Acosta (263) vs. Ante Delija (237)
  • Steve Garcia (145.5) vs. David Onama (146)

– Jerry Lawler will be appearing at the 11/23 taping of Memphis Wrestling. He will be doing photo-ops at the VIP experience. This will be a special Christmas TV taping for WMC-TV, which aired wrestling on Saturday mornings from 1977 to 1997, and at other points later, with Lawler as the biggest star. At its peak, it was one of the top five television shows in the market, beating NFL numbers.

– Gene Anderson died 34 years ago on this day at the age of 52. Moose Chokal died 23 years ago this day at the age of 72. 16-year-old Akihisa Mera, who was just in the news last week, had his first pro match 61 years ago today. You would know him better as the second and most famous Great Kabuki, with Gary Hart (thanks to Tony Richards).

– Tyler Breeze will be working for AIW on 11/28 at the Glove Iron in Cleveland. Nic Nemeth works the 12/27 show in Akron, OH at the Royal Palace.

– MCW is doing Autumn Armageddon shows tomorrow night in Hollywood, MD at the Volunteer Fire Department and Sunday in Dundalk, MD at the North Point Flea Market.

Daily Update: Tyrus, Booker T, Dezmond Xavier

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

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Thursday Update

WWE

  • Wrestler/political commentator Tyrus (the former Brodus Clay) told TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast that he thinks there’s a good chance President Donald Trump will be at John Cena’s last match this December, which is taking place in Washington, D.C. on Saturday Night’s Main Event:
    • One thousand percent. If he says he’s going, he’s going. And that’s not by no mistake [the show being in Washington, DC]. He might even be in the finish. He might hit a binding resolution in the middle of that match. But, you know, I definitely think if the President says he’s going to be there, he’s going to be there. Because he’s a fan, he loves it.
  • KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York announced that – instead of hosting the January 5 episode of Raw – it will now host the January 2 episode of SmackDown. Brooklyn’s Barclays Center is the new venue for the January 5 Raw.
  • Bayley shared a photo on social media with AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander.
  • Ricky Saints was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • The Undertaker appeared on the 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast with Tom Segura.
  • WWE posted a video with Jacob Fatu meeting up with The Boogeyman, who helped Fatu when he was on the indie scene.
  • WWE Vault uploaded a found footage video with clips spotlighting wrestling’s most terrifying monsters.

Other Wrestling

  • On his Hall of Fame radio show, Booker T was asked if he’d be interested in having Mercedes Mone challenge for the Women’s Championship in his indie promotion Reality of Wrestling:
    • Yeah, without even a shadow of a doubt. Without even thinking about it. She wants to come to Reality of Wrestling — drop me a line. Shoot, we’ll get you in. You know what I mean? We’ll even put the title on you. Mone wants the Reality of Wrestling titles? Come on down here and get them. Okay. No problem. I’ll sign it right now.
  • Toa Liona is participating in a fundraiser to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes:
    • Y’all may know me as @AEW Star Toa Liona, but I am also a father to a daughter with Type 1 Diabetes. This Sunday @BreakthroughT1D Walk Fundraiser is happening so we can find a cure to this disease. Donate whatever you can, any amount will go a long way
  • Kyle O’Reilly was the guest on this week’s episode of AEW Unrestricted.
  • Adam Copeland is celebrating his 52nd birthday today.
  • TNA World Champion Mike Santana reflected on visiting an Eddie Guerrero mural in El Paso:
    • When we came to El Paso in March, things were so busy that I didn’t get to come and pay my respects. But this time around, I made sure to make it a priority.
    • As soon as we pulled up and I got out the car, I could feel goosebumps. As we all know, Eddie is a huge inspiration for me. Not just being a Latino in the game and someone that I looked at as a kid and aspired to be. But someone who, like me, brought himself out of the trenches of rock bottom. Put in the work, paid his dues, and proved that he belonged under the brightest lights possible. So he can share with the world the gift that God has blessed him with.
    • I remember being kind of disappointed that I couldn’t make it the last time. But coming here now, AS A WORLD CHAMPION. Meant the absolute world to me. Blessed to be able to be paying tribute while carving my own path in this game.
  • Dezmond Xavier (former NXT wrestler Wes Lee) is now accepting bookings following his WWE release and will be free to work starting on November 11. He is represented by Paragon Talent Group.
  • House of Glory Wrestling will make its Los Angeles debut on January 30, 2026 with a show named City of Angels. It’s being held at the Globe Theatre, which was the home to PWG before that promotion went on its hiatus.
  • Ronda Rousey was a guest on the Bertcast with comedian Bert Kreischer.

Daily Update: Natalya, Amazon-WrestleDream, Walker Stewart

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Kelani Jordan vs. Jordynne Grace TNA Knockouts Championship match that headlined NXT last night.
  • WWE’s YouTube channel did a free live stream today broadcasting both nights of WrestleMania 41 from earlier this year. The separate videos for night one and night two are both available.
  • In an interview with Fox News Digital, Natalya named Bayley and Liv Morgan as two wrestlers she sees some of herself in:
    • There’s bits and pieces I see of myself in certain women. I think Bayley is very selfless. She’s all about giving back. She loves helping men and women. She’s somebody that just loves to give to the business. Even if she’s in a rut about something, she’s quick to pull herself out of it. She’s very grateful. She’s very grateful for all she has.
    • I gave her a book the other day, and an hour later she’s posting about it and sharing it. She celebrates her friends and I love that. She’s somebody that the locker room looks up to. If it’s somebody’s birthday, she’ll get them a cake.
    • I see a lot of grit in Liv Morgan. I take a lot of pride in the grit that I have because you can go far in the industry, but you can’t get your furthest without the grit. And so, I see Liv Morgan as somebody who has a lot of grit. She is so tough and she loves the industry. (Monday) she posted on her social media. She’s like, ‘It’s my 11th year in WWE.’ We were talking backstage once when she won the title her last time, I said, ‘Just remember you’re not an overnight success story.’ I said, ‘You are somebody that worked really, really hard to get everything that you have today – and that’s why you’re still here.’
    • People will just see us sometimes and think this just happened overnight. Liv is a really great example of somebody that hasn’t given up, has a lot of grit, doesn’t take no for an answer. She’s just gonna keep on growing and building and also giving back.
  • TJ Wilson (Tyson Kidd) praised his wife Natalya’s new book:
    • I’ve known Nattie for over 30 years — we met when I was just 12 years old. When she told me she was going to write a book, I thought, ‘I already know this story.’ But I quickly realized I only knew it from my perspective. What I hadn’t fully understood was her perspective of her own story — until now. And it’s so different than anything I ever expected from her, in the best way. As I read each page, I felt myself drawn in closer and closer. By the time I reached the last chapter, I found myself wishing it wouldn’t end. 
    • I’m so proud of you, Nattie. And all of what is about to come- from you having the courage to tell your story.
  • David Otunga told MuscleManMalcolm that the documentary WWE produced on the Nexus a few years ago will never see the light of day:
    • We recorded that. It was completed… I talked to the guy, one of the producers, and literally like the next day, two days later, he got fired. They all got fired. They got let go in COVID. But I had just talked to him. Man, this guy was telling me, he was like, ‘Yo, the documentary was so good.’ He’s like, ‘It was long, they made us edit it down.‘
    • He said he spent a whole day doing this, got it to where they wanted it. He was telling me how fire my part was. He told me my interview was so good they were saving me for last. I know I smoked it, I’ll be honest with you. But I was just happy that they appreciated it too. They put me on last. I was the main event of the documentary, if you will. But anyway, now it’s not going to see the light of day. I think we should figure out how to get there. But it’s completed. The guy told me, it’s completed.
  • R-Truth is performing a concert in New York City on November 16.
  • New Order Coffee in Michigan has released a new blend in collaboration with Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin).

Other Wrestling

  • Amazon Prime Video is issuing refunds to those who had technical issues with AEW’s WrestleDream pay-per-view on the service.
  • SHAK Wrestling interviewed Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron.
  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey uploaded a new episode of his vlog.
  • Commentator Walker Stewart celebrated yesterday being the two-year anniversary of his NJPW debut:
    • It’s October 28 in America, and that means it has officially been 2 years since I made my debut with @njpwglobal. 
    • I have very few undying loves in this life. My love for my beautiful Yvette, my love for my family, and my love for professional wrestling. 
    • The combination of these 3 things inspire me daily, not only to be a better broadcaster and orator, but to be a better human being. To leave the world better than I have found it. To paint it with vibrant colors.
    • I have done so much in my short time in professional wrestling. I don’t take any of it for granted, nor do I take for granted a single soul who has supported me or the brand I represent. I’m thankful every single day that the hard work has paid off and brought me to my second home of Japan.
    • I’m beyond grateful for all of the fans, all of my peers, and all who have paved the way to make pro wrestling what it is today! 
    • When all is said and done, I sincerely hope I have colored professional wrestling in a way that sets a new standard. 
    • Until then, I will continue to love deeper and feel every second passionately (on and off the broadcast).
    • It’s been a great 2 years, and I’m happy to have signed a contract for my third. Thank you for following the journey, and thank you for supporting New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
  • Chris Bey shared a video of himself lifting weights one year removed from his broken neck.
  • Detroit Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs dressed up as Jeff Hardy for Halloween.
  • The Stunner interviewed former WCW wrestler Crowbar.

Daily Update: Natalya, Kota Ibushi, Rikishi

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

–The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site now
*Full coverage of WrestleKingdom
*Thoughts on the booking decisions
*How the PPV did and other business notes
*Polls on the show
*The unique situation of AEW in St. Louis
*Saturday Night’s Main Event update and depth in WWE right now
*The life and times of Bobby “Mo” Horne, from Men on a Mission who passed away this past week.
*The Hall of Fame case for Sabu
*Odds for upcoming major pro wrestling matches
*The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling TV shows this past weeks, placings for the night and the week, annual comparisons and more
*The largest crowd for an all-women’s pro wrestling show in more than seven years
*More on the AEW talent in Mexico this week
*WWE talent in Mexico this week
*Notes on Kento Miyahara vs. Go Shiozaki
*New Japan Super Juniors tournament
*Lots of health issue updates for those in the wrestling business
*Lots of WWE injury updates
*Andrade update
*Fantastica Mania U.K. notes
*More on potential sale of WBD and how this affects AEW
*What wrestlers have had the most great matches in 2025
*Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows over the next two months
*What show is expected to break the all-time arena gate record
*More on the debate over the new version of the Ali Act
*Death of Duke Roufas
*WWE value to ESPN as far as selling subscriptions
*Lots of WWE news regarding non-compete and a look at various situations including that of Brock Lesnar, Samantha Irvin and Renee Paquette
*More on AI and WWE creative
*WWE international tour notes

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Tuesday Update

Lee South Kota Ibushi vs Josh Alexander Jacksonville, FL AEW Collision October 8, 2025

 WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

Daily Update: WWE Raw, World Series, Netflix

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

–The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site now
*Full coverage of WrestleKingdom
*Thoughts on the booking decisions
*How the PPV did and other business notes
*Polls on the show
*The unique situation of AEW in St. Louis
*Saturday Night’s Main Event update and depth in WWE right now
*The life and times of Bobby “Mo” Horne, from Men on a Mission who passed away this past week.
*The Hall of Fame case for Sabu
*Odds for upcoming major pro wrestling matches
*The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling TV shows this past weeks, placings for the night and the week, annual comparisons and more
*The largest crowd for an all-women’s pro wrestling show in more than seven years
*More on the AEW talent in Mexico this week
*WWE talent in Mexico this week
*Notes on Kento Miyahara vs. Go Shiozaki
*New Japan Super Juniors tournament
*Lots of health issue updates for those in the wrestling business
*Lots of WWE injury updates
*Andrade update
*Fantastica Mania U.K. notes
*More on potential sale of WBD and how this affects AEW
*What wrestlers have had the most great matches in 2025
*Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows over the next two months
*What show is expected to break the all-time arena gate record
*More on the debate over the new version of the Ali Act
*Death of Duke Roufas
*WWE value to ESPN as far as selling subscriptions
*Lots of WWE news regarding non-compete and a look at various situations including that of Brock Lesnar, Samantha Irvin and Renee Paquette
*More on AI and WWE creative
*WWE international tour notes

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Monday Update

–Bryan and I will be back up tonight talking Raw, the weekend shows, Raw,  Tom Aspinall, Iyo Sky vs. Mayu Iwatani and more with Wrestling Observer Radio.

–We’re looking for your thoughts on NXT Halloween Havoc, so please leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

–CM Punk and Jey Uso opened the show.  Cody Rhodes is on the show.  Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss defend the women’s tag team titles against Bayley & Lyra Valkyria, Nikki Bella vs. Roxanne Perz and Rusev vs. Penta for a shot at the IC title are also on the show.  I’d expect they still have one spot left for Saturday’s SNME card so that would have to be made either tonight or Friday.  As of earlier today they had 11,500 tickets out so it will either be a sellout in Anaheim or close to it.

–Game three of the World Series started at 8 p.m. Eastern.  The NFL game has the Kansas City Chiefs vs Washington Commanders on both ABC and ESPN.   U.S, numbers for Raw will be impacted greatly by this.  

–Netflix is involved in negotiations for the Floyd Maywether Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight in 2026.  I don’t know how that impacts the prior announcement of Mayweather vs. Mike Tyson.  The Jake Paul vs Tank Davis’ numbers for 11/14 will probably  impact Netflix doing these freak show fights in 2026.  Historically this stuff works short-term but not long-term.

–Julia Hart & Skye Blue & Thekla beat Jarochita & Reyna  Isis & Zeuxis on Saturday Night at the CMLL show at Arena Coliseo in Mexico City.

–This week in CMLL they are doing Cibernetico matches for the Rey del Inframundo championship.  This title comes into play during Halloween week every year.  Difunto is the defending champion and he’ll defend it in a four-way on Friday night against the winners of three different Ciberneticos held tonight and tomorrow night.  Tonight in Puebla it’s Stigma, Arkalis, Xelhua, Pegasso, Rayo Metalico and Guerrero Maya Jr.  Tomorrow night at Arena Mexico it’s Rugido, Magnus, Villano III Jr., Valiente Jr., Max Star and Dragon de Fuergo.  Tomorrow night in Guadalajara it’s Furia Roja, Demonio Maya, Principe Daniel, Fantastico, Bestia Negra and Adrenalino

–Mr. Iguana and La Parka, after working Saturday night in Prescott Valley, AZ,  missed an afternoon booking in Merida on Sunday when their flight was canceled (thanks to The Cubs Fan).
–The Smashing Machine was down to 86 screens this past weekend and grossed $43,994.

–Today is the one year anniversary of the accident that led to Chris Bey being paralyzed for a period of time.  Bey is now walking on his own and was at the TNA Bound for Glory show.

–The New Japan Best of the Super Juniors tournament continues tomorrow in Sado, Japan at 5:30 a.m. Eastern time with A block matches with Ryusuke Taguchi & Dragon Dia vs. Templario & Jakob Austin Young, Master Wato & Yoh vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Gedo and Douki & Sho vs Clark Connors & Daiki Nagai.

–Real American freestyle announced for 11/29 in Chicago at the  Wintrust Arena, Michael Chandler vs. Chad Mendes.  Both were college All-Americans in the 00s who became stars in MMA.  Mendes retired from MMA seven years ago.  Chandler, a year younger, is still in the UFC but is well past his prime.  UFC does allow its fighters to participate in BJJ or freestyle wrestling but not boxing or kickboxing..  Another retired MMA fighter, Darion Caldwell, is there to put over Bo Bassett, a high school senior who is a favorite for the Junior Hodge Trophy this season, plus Holly Holm will wrestle.

–Subscriber Mark Pink noted that he’s had DirecTV for 20 plus years, had ESPN+ for UFC and Peacock for WWE.  He said with WWE moving, he canceled Peacock  but decided to wait to get ESPN Unlimited until the Rumble to see if he could get it for free through DirecTV by then.  The belief is that it’ll happen by the end of the year.  He then canceled ESPN+, deciding to skip the next two UFC PPV shows.  A week later DirecTV offered him Peacock for free and two days later DirecTV offered to activate ESPN Unlimited for free and he said it works fine and he can now see WWE PPV shows free.

–The Georgia High School Sports Hall  of Fame announced they were inducting the 1976 Warner-Robins football team of which Ron Simmons was the defensive star making 130 tackles.  Simmons as an individual was already inducted into the  Georgia High School Sports Hall of  Fame and the NCAA College Football Hall of Fame.

–Maple Leaf Wrestling tonight in Toronto has the Reena Rumble at the New Age Experience Center with Josh Alexander & Gisele Shaw vs. Kris Chambers & Taylor Rising, Rohan Raja vs Rhino, Mike Santana vs  Sheldon Jean, Carlito vs. Richard Holiday, plus Micro Man and Matt Hardy.

Daily Update: UFC 321 fallout, Abdullah the Butcher, AAA Heroes Inmortales

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

–The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site now
*Full coverage of WrestleKingdom
*Thoughts on the booking decisions
*How the PPV did and other business notes
*Polls on the show
*The unique situation of AEW in St. Louis
*Saturday Night’s Main Event update and depth in WWE right now
*The life and times of Bobby “Mo” Horne, from Men on a Mission who passed away this past week.
*The Hall of Fame case for Sabu
*Odds for upcoming major pro wrestling matches
*The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling TV shows this past weeks, placings for the night and the week, annual comparisons and more
*The largest crowd for an all-women’s pro wrestling show in more than seven years
*More on the AEW talent in Mexico this week
*WWE talent in Mexico this week
*Notes on Kento Miyahara vs. Go Shiozaki
*New Japan Super Juniors tournament
*Lots of health issue updates for those in the wrestling business
*Lots of WWE injury updates
*Andrade update
*Fantastica Mania U.K. notes
*More on potential sale of WBD and how this affects AEW
*What wrestlers have had the most great matches in 2025
*Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows over the next two months
*What show is expected to break the all-time arena gate record
*More on the debate over the new version of the Ali Act
*Death of Duke Roufas
*WWE value to ESPN as far as selling subscriptions
*Lots of WWE news regarding non-compete and a look at various situations including that of Brock Lesnar, Samantha Irvin and Renee Paquette
*More on AI and WWE creative
*WWE international tour notes

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Sunday Update

— We’ve had two shows up the past two days. We did our week in review talking about all of the news from the last issue of the Observer as well as answered questions on Friday and yesterday we covered Smackdown, UFC  and the weekend news.

— Reports are that Abdullah the Butcher suffered two strokes this past week and remains under observation.

–This is the schedule for the World Series. The first game was Friday night and thus should hurt the SmackDown number. Last night’s game will hurt the Collision number which would have already been hurt going head-to-head with the NXT show. Game three is tomorrow night against Raw. Game four goes against NXT. Game five, if necessary, goes against Dynamite. Game six would go against SmackDown on Friday and if a seventh game is necessary it would go against both Saturday Night’s Main Event and Collision.

— Heroes Inmorttales from last night at Juan de la Barrera Gym: Nino Hamburgues & Lady Shani & Primpinela Eslcarlata b Dalys & Abismo Negro Jr.. Taurus, Mascarita Sagrada b Mini Abismo Negro, Galeno del Mal b El Fiscal, Laredo Kid won four-way to keep the cruiserweight title over Jack Cartwheel, Aero Star and Lince Dorado when he pinned Cartwheel, Lady Flammer kept the Reina de Reinas title over Faby Apache and Natalya when  Natalya was pinned after being distracted by La Hiedra, Lola Vice b Chik Tormenta, Psycho Clown & Pagano retined the tag titles over Sanson & Forastero (notable them being used on a WWE show with their issues with Stephanie Vaquer) and Erick Rowan, Dextler Lumis Joe Gacy and Nikki Cross attacked Psycho & Pagano after the match to set up a tag title match and Dominik Mysterio b Dragon Lee to keep the AAA Mega title when he pulled off his boot and hit Lee behind the refs back. There was a post-match brawl with Grande Americano & Dominik fighting Lee & El Hijo del Vikingo setting up a tag team main event on 11/22 at Juan de la Barrera Gym

— The last three bouts are up on YouTube.

— Dominik got his left eyebrow busted open by a coin thrown from a fan. (thanks to William Betran)

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

— In Google searches for this weekend, the UFC PPV did 600,000 searches which is low for a PPV show. It was No. 11 for the weekend. The only other combat sports searches were 20,000 for Saturday Night’s Main Event and 2,000 for the NXT Halloween Havoc show.

— Persephone won the Women’s World Grand Prix on Friday night at Arena Mexico. The match went just shy of an hour. I haven’t seen it yet but the main story was that the match last week with Mercedes Mone really broke Persephone out of the pack. We’ve had people who loved the match and others who didn’t love it.

— Best of the Super Juniors today in Uonuma was B block night: Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Dick Togo b Desperado & Kuukai, Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X b Tiger Mask & Yamato, Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita b Kushida & Yuki Yoshioka

Current standings:

A block: 1. Douki & Sho, Yoh & Master Wato 6; 3. Templario & Jakob Austin Young, Hiromu Takahashi & Gedo and Ryusuke Taguchi & Dragon Dia 2 6. Clark Connors & Daiki Nagai 0.

B block: Eagles & Fujita 6, Kushida & Yui Yoshioka and Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X 4; 4. Desperado & Togo, Kanemaru & Sho and Tiger Mask & Yamato 0

— Mercedes Mone vs. Jody Threat from last weekend from Winnipeg (thanks to Blair Pacheco).

— Miku Aono won the world title in Marigold beating Utami Hayashishita.

— Raw tomorrow has Jey Uso and CM Punk face-to-face, Nikki Bella vs. Roxanne Perez and Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Lyra Valkyria & Bayley for the tag titles.

— NXT Tuesday has Kendal Grey vs. Lash Legend, Kelani Jordan defends the Knockouts title against  Jordynne Grace, Myles Borne vs. Tavion Heights and Axiom vs. Jasper Troy in a Speed tournament match.

— Dynamite on Wednesday has Jamie Hayter & Queen Aminata vs. Skye Blue & Julia Hart in the women’s tag team tournament, FTR vs. JetSpeed vs Young Bucks vs. Jurassic Express-winner faces Brody King & Bandido at Full Gear for the tag team titles , Ricochet vs. Samoa Joe vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Hook with the winner facing Adam Page for the title at Full Gear. Not on Dynamite but being taped for ROH vs. Bandido vs Mascara Dorada for the ROH title.  

— Mercedes Mone’s next CMLL title defense will be on Saturday’s Collision against Olympia.

— The video for the returning guy on Raw looks to be Gunther. He’s been cleared and waiting for the storyline return. At least word this was for the John Cena match.

— The match we’ve gotten the most feedback on this weekend is the Iyo Sky vs Mayu Iwatani match from today’s Marigold show at Tokyo Dome Hall. Sky won the match and everyone loved it, with some saying it was Sky’s best match this year but others saying they didn’t think it was close to her best match. From the impressions we’ve gotten it didn’t have the heat her best matches did nor was it as crisp, but she did more because it was Japan and everyone from WWE that goes to a Japanese promotion knows they have to do more.

— I am absolutely dumbfounded at some of the reaction to last night’s Tom Aspinall vs Cyril Gane fight, with the idea that Apinall quit after the eye  poke. First, while Gane was winning the round, it was close and competitive. Second he couldn’t see out of one eye, still couldn’t see 20 minutes later and was taken to the hospital. The way Dana White talked about it after did give fuel to that fire with the idea that Aspinall quit. Chael Sonnen and Anthony Smith said that he should have fought with only one good eye and should have lied to the ref bout not being able to see. Sonnen is a troll to begin with but that was just ludicrous. White said they would have to make a rematch after the no contest verdict as soon as possible.

— In the judging for Alexander Volkov vs. Jailton Almeida, judge Michael Bell gave Almeida rounds two and three while Tony Weeks and Coleman Werner only gave Almeida the second round. 65% of scores from reporters went to Volkov in a fight where he was mostly on his back but was busier. I had Volkov 29-28  In the Mackenzie Dern vs. Virna Jandiroba fight, 100 percent of the reporters’ scores were for Dern, many being 49-46. I had it even after two and the fifth close but had Dern 48-47  Michael Bell had one, four and  five for Dern. Sal D’Amasto and rounds two through five for Dern  Judge Chris Lee had two, four and five for Dern.  

— Mistico & Neon & Titan face Volador Jr .& Hechicero & Yutani in Monday’s main event from Puebla. Tuesday at  Arena Mexico has Mistico & Mascara Dorada & Esfinge vs  Ultimo Guerrero & Valiente & Volador Jr. plus Hazuki & Koguma vs Catalina & Tessa Blanchard.    Friday’s Arena Mexico show the Dia de la Muerte show with Mistico & Dorada & Neon vs Cavernario & Hechicero & Volador Jr., plus the Rey del Inframundo final.  Arena Coliseo on Saturday has Mistico & Atlantis Jr vs. Hechicero & Ultimo Guerrero.  A week from tonight at Arena Mexico has Voldor Jr. vs. Cavenario vs. Valiente in a three-way main event plus Blue Panther vs. Averno for the MLW open weight title and Angel de Oro & Niebla Roja defend the CMLL tag titles against the legendary team of Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero.

— Laredo Kid vs  Marcus Mathers vs. Tate Wilder will be on the Wednesday Evolve show.

— Defy from Friday night in Portland, OR: Bryan Keith b Cody Chhun to retain the Defy title, Jack Evans won four-way over Guillermo Rosas, Matt Brannigan and Evan Rivers, Marina Shafir b Su Yung to keep the women’s title, Midnight Heat won three-way over Flaming Aces and Bollywood Boyz, Jon Moxley b Royce Isaacs.

— Today would have been the 76th birthday of Kevin Sullivan, the 87th birthday of Ron Wright and 61st  of Nicole Bass. Austin Idol and El Satanico turn 76 today, Taka Michinoku turns 52, CM Punk turns 47 and Wheeler Yuta turns 29. (thanks to Tony Richards)

Daily Update: Dave’s birthday, ratings, weekend schedule

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

–The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site now
*Full coverage of WrestleKingdom
*Thoughts on the booking decisions
*How the PPV did and other business notes
*Polls on the show
*The unique situation of AEW in St. Louis
*Saturday Night’s Main Event update and depth in WWE right now
*The life and times of Bobby “Mo” Horne, from Men on a Mission who passed away this past week.
*The Hall of Fame case for Sabu
*Odds for upcoming major pro wrestling matches
*The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling TV shows this past weeks, placings for the night and the week, annual comparisons and more
*The largest crowd for an all-women’s pro wrestling show in more than seven years
*More on the AEW talent in Mexico this week
*WWE talent in Mexico this week
*Notes on Kento Miyahara vs. Go Shiozaki
*New Japan Super Juniors tournament
*Lots of health issue updates for those in the wrestling business
*Lots of WWE injury updates
*Andrade update
*Fantastica Mania U.K. notes
*More on potential sale of WBD and how this affects AEW
*What wrestlers have had the most great matches in 2025
*Advance ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows over the next two months
*What show is expected to break the all-time arena gate record
*More on the debate over the new version of the Ali Act
*Death of Duke Roufas
*WWE value to ESPN as far as selling subscriptions
*Lots of WWE news regarding non-compete and a look at various situations including that of Brock Lesnar, Samantha Irvin and Renee Paquette
*More on AI and WWE creative
*WWE international tour notes

This Week’s Back Issue

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Friday Update

—Garrett and I have our week in review show talking about the stories in the new issue of the Observer today and we’ll also be doing a show most likely tomorrow afternoon after the UFC show.

–Thanks for all the birthday wishes.  As I used to be reminded every year by Lance Russell, who would always call me after he called Bill Dundee, today’s is Dundee’s 82nd birthday.  The original Paul Diamond from the 60s and 70s turned 90 today and as best we know he’s still alive.  Kamille turned 33 and Bron Breakker turned 28. (thanks to Tony Richards)

–AEW Dynamite did 477,000 viewers and an 0.08 in 18-49.  It’s just the reality of the new numbers.  For  every show, numbers that were inconceivable are now the reality  ESPN had Cleveland vs. New York Knicks NBA at 2,166,000/0.63, FOX News had Watters (3,250,000/0.16) and Hannity (2,798,000/0.14), Middle Tennessee vs. Delaware college football on ESPN 2 did 417,000/0.09 and AEW taied with Challenge, Expedition X and The Source with Kaitlan Collins on CNN for fourth place at 0.08.  A Freeform  movie in the first half hour did an 0.13 so it would have tied for the first 35 minutes.   There were a ton of NBA local market openers but  the story is still the Big Data+Panel destroying wrestling and UFC numbers and that doesn’t look to be changing at all.

–This is a big weekend as far as shows go.  We are only doing one poll this weekend which will be for the NXT Halloween Havoc show tomorrow, but a weekend scorecard:
*Women’s Grand Prix tonight from Arena Mexico on Triller PPV
*UFC tomorrow morning/afternoon in Abu Dhabi on ESPN PPV
*NXT Halloween Havoc tomorrow in Prescott Valley, AZ on Peacock
*AAA Heroes Inmortales at Juan de la Barrera Gym in Mexico City (I expect this to be put on on YouTube on a tape delay)
*Real American Freestyle tomorrow night from Penn State University streaming on Fox Nation 
*Marigold Sumo Hall on Sunday
–Smackdown tonight is from Tempe, AZ at the Mullett Arena,which has 5,100 tickets out and will be sold out as it’s a smaller arena.  The only stuff announced is an Ilja Dragunov U.S. title open challenge and Kiana James vs. Tiffany Stratton.

–Arena Mexico tonight:
Women’s Grand Prix Cibernetico:  Reyna Isis, Jarochita, Lluvia,  India Sioux, Zeuxis, Catalina, Persephone, Skadi, Olympia, Mina Shirakawa, Julia Hart, Thekla, Skye Blue, Hazuki, Koguma,  Diamante, Shoko Nakajima and Kanji
Mascara Dorada & Titan vs. Difunto & Barboza
Hechicero vs. Xelhua
Dragon de Fuego & Dragon Legendario vs. Elemental  & Yutani

–New Japan’s Super Juniors tournament is in Saitama with a 4 a.m.Eastern time show  with Ryusuke Taguchi & Dragon Dia vs. Clark Connors & Daiki Nagai, Yoh & Master Wato vs. Templario & Jakob Austin Young and and Hiromu Takahashi & Gedo vs. Douki & Sho.

–Halloween Havoc is at 7 p.m. tomorrow night Eastern time
Ricky Saints vs. Trick Williams for the NXT title
Jacy Jayne vs. Tatum Paxley for NXT women’s title
Broken Hardys vs DarkState for NXT tag titles in a Broken Rules match
Ethan Page vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. for the North American title in a Dia de a Muerte (no rules) match
Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater vs. Mr  Iguana & La Parka

–UFC is an early PPV show from Abu Dhabi with two title matches.  It will start at 10 a.m. Eastern on  ESPN+ and FX
Jaqueline Amorim (116) vs. Mizuki Inoue (115)
Azat Maksun (129) vs. Mitch Raposo (125.5) – Maskum missed weight by three pounds and was fined 30 percent of his purse as a penalty
Hamdy Abdelwahab (265) vs. Chris Barnett (261)
Nathaniel Wood (146) vs. Jose Miguel Delgado (147) – Delgado missed weight by one pound and was fined 20 percent of his purse
Valter Walker (244) vs. Louie Sutherland (264.5)
Mateusz Rebecki (155.5) vs. Ludovit Klein (156)
Ikram Aliskerov (185.5) vs. Jon Yong Park (185.5)
Nasrat Haqparast (156) vs.  Quillan Salklid (155.5)
PPV at 2 p.m.Eastern
Aleksandar Rakic (205) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (205.5)
Alexander Volkov  (261.5) vs. Jailton Almeida (237)
Umar Nurmagomedov (136) vs. Mario Bautista (135.5)
Virna Jandiroba (115) vs. Mackenzie Dern (115) for the vacant strawweight title
Tom Aspinall (255) vs.Cyril Gane (247.5) for the heavyweight title

–AAA Heroes Inmortales is headlined by Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee for the AAA Mega title, Pargano & Psycho Clown vs. mystery team for AAA tag titles, Flammer vs. Lady Apache vs. Natalya for the Reina de Reinas title and Laredo Kid vs. Jack Cartwheel vs. Lince Dorado vs. Aerostar for the AAA cruiserweight title

–The Marigold Sumo Hall show features Mayu Iwatani vs Iyo Sky in the main event.

–Braun Strowman’s “Everything on the Menu” TV show begins at 10 p.m. tonight on USA right after Smackdown.  There is a New York Times story on it. (thanks to Chris Cruise and many others)

–The Hulk Hogan estate led by Nick Bollea have settled out of court with Bubba the Love Sponge.  The settlement allows the Bubba documentary “Video Killed the Radio Star” about the Hulk Hogan sex tape to go forward.  Nick Bollea had attempted and failed to get it blocked.

–Verizon Fios’ deal with Nextra ends tonight.  If a new deal isn’t reached CW will be off in Washington,DC, Buffalo, Philadelphia, New York and Norfolk so people with Verizon in those markets won’t be able to watch NXT until a new deal is made.  Given that there are also Nexstar stations with NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX, and it’s  football season, I presume a deal will be worked out.

–A lot of independent wrestlers have been doing PowerSlap.  It pays better than indie wrestling.

 — MLW will be on YouTube at 10 p.m. tomorrow night with a taped show with Mistico vs. Austin Aries and Satoshi Kojima vs. Volador Jr. in the Opear Cup, Blue Panther vs. Atlantis vs Rugido for the National openweight title, Shotzi has a match, Templario defends the middleweight title against Virus, Brock Anderson has a singles match and Magnus vs  Diego Hill vs. Stigma vs. Okumura vs. Ikuro Kwon.

—Vickie Guerrero will be the guest on tomorrow’s Memphis Wrestling TV show.

Daily Update: NJPW, D-Von Dudley, Jelly Roll

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Notes from the new issue which apparently has been the talk of the social media wrestling world:

  • Seth Rollins injury and how this will lead to numerous changes in booking plans, including what was scheduled short and long-term for Rollins through Mania and after.
  • Full coverage of Crown Jewel, business notes and match coverage
  • The Media Ratings Council has questions about the new numbers
  • Just how far Smackdown has dropped with younger viewers based on the new sampling and NXT isn’t much different, nor is AEW
  • Konosuke Takeshita beats Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP title, a look at King of Prm Wrestling, WrestleKingdom, first thoughts on Aaron Wolf, and the angles on the show
  • WrestleDream preview, business notes, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake City needs the entire show revamped
  • Odds for upcoming big matches
  • TNA Bound for Glory notes
  • A detailed story on WWE cuts focusing on Ridge Holland and Wes Lee
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH at Sumo Hall
  • A huge story on the 2025 Hall of Fame U.S. & Canada candidates
  • What the awards voting over the last 45 years says about those who fare better not in than those who are in.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling shows of the past week
  • It’s women’s month at Arena Mexico but one person is still the star, a look at the recent main events
  • A look at two PPV shows from Arena Mexico coming
  • Who is the obvious choice for tag team of the year that nobody is talking about
  • Best of the Super Juniors tournament
  • Japanese referee dies in bear attack
  • Update on Smashing Machine business
  • They named a bridge after Stu Hart and more notes
  • NFL star copying Ric Flair
  • Fantastica Mania UK
  • The Andrade situation
  • Lots of background details on similar stories
  • Kota Ibushi update
  • Notes on Chris Jericho and Britt Baker
  • Darby Allin talks about the cancers that used to be in AEW
  • Update on a training camp for AEW in Asheville, NC
  • Rematch of a match of the year candidate coming to AEW show in Edinburg, TX
  • Updates on YouTube numbers for September
  • Debate over the new and old Ali Act
  • Details on Zuffa Boxing deals
  • How much UFC makes in profit per Saturday show
  • New UFC fights
  • Sad BJ Penn story
  • Stories on fighters getting screwed by promoters
  • Ticket demand for John Cena’s last show
  • New WWE hire, usage of AI for wrestling storylines and some are worried about their jobs
  • AJ Styles talks retiring
  • WWE injury updates

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

WWE

  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Jelly Roll detailed pitching to Paul “Triple H” Levesque why he wanted to lose his in-ring debut at SummerSlam:
    • It was an easy pitch. I was just like, it took three things. One, it’s the right thing to do, let’s just start at core values here. No celebrity has any business coming in and pinning a wrestler on their first run without some extreme circumstance. [Like] if Randy comes out and double RKOs everybody while I’m out and puts me on top of somebody.
    • But two, I can always come back, I don’t think any other celebrity ever really cared enough to think full angle through. If I lose this, I love Logan. That’s my friend in real life. But every time he’s in that ring, now he’s got to wonder if at some point he’s going to hear, ‘You know I got it, so come and get it’ [Who’s Your Daddy? By Toby Keith]. He’s got to wonder about that a little bit. Drew too. If I really owe one of them, it’s Drew. So that was part two of it. I was also smart enough to be like, Yo, I want to angle in. And I was like, I don’t want to be remembered as a celebrity who did the thing, and then Triple H stopped me. This will probably be on Unreal because it was so gangster. He said, ‘I will tell you this though.’ He said Floyd wanted to lose to The Big Show. I don’t know if I should be sharing that, but he told me that, and I thought that was cool.
  • The Battleground Podcast has an interview with Jacy Jayne.
  • Denise Salcedo interviewed Natalya about her upcoming book.
  • Titus O’Neil appeared on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast.
  • Former WWE wrestler Hornswoggle was a guest on “What’s Your Story?” with Stephanie McMahon.
  • WWE Vault uploaded the full “Triumph & Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling” documentary that WWE produced in 2007.
  • The Vault channel also shared behind-the-scenes footage of a CM Punk Hell in a Cell commercial shoot from 2012.

Other Wrestling

  • D-Von Dudley spoke to Video Gamer about racism in pro wrestling:
    • I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. The Klan wore sheets on their heads. The Ku Klux Klan wore sheets over their heads. And I felt that a lot of those Klan members made their way into wrestling, traded in their sheets for suits. 
    • It was definitely a behind the scenes thing. I’ve dealt with it with certainly higher ups like MVP said. I dealt with that certain higher up that told me to my face, they don’t like me because of the color of my skin. And they work for other organizations now, and this person knows who he is. I have no respect for that person. I don’t really care for him. Now that he’s not in the position that he once was, I just really don’t care for him.
  • Dudley addressed whether he would like to work behind the scenes again now that he’s retired from the ring:
    • I have a very successful YouTube channel that’s doing extremely well. So I’m doing that and I still have my legends deal with WWE, I’m doing that. I still have my wrestling school in Winter Park, which is right down the road from the PC in Florida. And I have my detailing business in Fort Lauderdale. So I’m set. I’m good and hopefully God continues to bless me and I continue to strive in what I do and be successful. Right now my life is my family, my businesses. And that’s it now.
  • Due to illness, Katsuya Murashima missed today’s NJPW event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Zane Jay replaced him on the card, teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi in a loss to Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji.
  • NJPW Super Junior Tag League 2025 kicked off with the following results:
    • B Block: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita defeated El Desperado & KUUKAI
    • A Block: YOH & Master Wato defeated Ryusuke Taguchi & Dragon Dia
    • B Block: KUSHIDA & Yuki Yoshioka defeated Tiger Mask & YAMATO
    • A Block: Hiromu Takahashi & Gedo defeated Clark Connors & Daiki Nagai
    • B Block: Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Dick Togo
    • A Block: DOUKI & SHO defeated Templario & Jakob Austin Young
  • Marko Stunt (real name Noah Nelms) – who retired from wrestling last year – posted a Tiktok video documenting his new career as a car salesman.
  • Eric Bischoff spoke to Undisputed ahead of Real American Freestyle holding its second-ever event this Saturday:
    • This hits different for me. I love starting something from scratch and building it. That’s always appealed to me. And this one is special. We’re taking an idea we discussed over coffee. We’re literally starting this from the ground up–every aspect of it. That’s what excites me the most.
    • I can’t wait for Saturday. And we have a surprise on standby that will light everyone up. It’s going to be a big night.
  • Goldberg was a guest on Real Talk with Mike Burke.
  • Aubrey Edwards & Will Washington reacted to WrestleDream on a new episode of AEW Unrestricted.

Daily Update: Tony Khan, Zaria, Shotzi Blackheart

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Notes from the new issue which apparently has been the talk of the social media wrestling world:

  • Seth Rollins injury and how this will lead to numerous changes in booking plans, including what was scheduled short and long-term for Rollins through Mania and after.
  • Full coverage of Crown Jewel, business notes and match coverage
  • The Media Ratings Council has questions about the new numbers
  • Just how far Smackdown has dropped with younger viewers based on the new sampling and NXT isn’t much different, nor is AEW
  • Konosuke Takeshita beats Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP title, a look at King of Prm Wrestling, WrestleKingdom, first thoughts on Aaron Wolf, and the angles on the show
  • WrestleDream preview, business notes, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake City needs the entire show revamped
  • Odds for upcoming big matches
  • TNA Bound for Glory notes
  • A detailed story on WWE cuts focusing on Ridge Holland and Wes Lee
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH at Sumo Hall
  • A huge story on the 2025 Hall of Fame U.S. & Canada candidates
  • What the awards voting over the last 45 years says about those who fare better not in than those who are in.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling shows of the past week
  • It’s women’s month at Arena Mexico but one person is still the star, a look at the recent main events
  • A look at two PPV shows from Arena Mexico coming
  • Who is the obvious choice for tag team of the year that nobody is talking about
  • Best of the Super Juniors tournament
  • Japanese referee dies in bear attack
  • Update on Smashing Machine business
  • They named a bridge after Stu Hart and more notes
  • NFL star copying Ric Flair
  • Fantastica Mania UK
  • The Andrade situation
  • Lots of background details on similar stories
  • Kota Ibushi update
  • Notes on Chris Jericho and Britt Baker
  • Darby Allin talks about the cancers that used to be in AEW
  • Update on a training camp for AEW in Asheville, NC
  • Rematch of a match of the year candidate coming to AEW show in Edinburg, TX
  • Updates on YouTube numbers for September
  • Debate over the new and old Ali Act
  • Details on Zuffa Boxing deals
  • How much UFC makes in profit per Saturday show
  • New UFC fights
  • Sad BJ Penn story
  • Stories on fighters getting screwed by promoters
  • Ticket demand for John Cena’s last show
  • New WWE hire, usage of AI for wrestling storylines and some are worried about their jobs
  • AJ Styles talks retiring
  • WWE injury updates

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Ricky Saints & Trick Williams contract signing and brawl from NXT last night.
  • NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • Zaria reflected on the one-year anniversary of her NXT debut and looked ahead to her Women’s North American Championship match against Blake Monroe at Halloween Havoc:
    • 1 Year ago today I debuted in WWE. It’s gone by so quickly that it all feels like a dream. I’ve accomplished more than I thought I would in just a year. Iron Survivor, ladder match at Stand and Deliver, tag championship match at Evolution, debuting on Smackdown and now I get to have my first singles championship match at Halloween Havoc. 
    • A championship that belongs to my partner [Sol Ruca]. Someone that has played such a big role in my growth this past year. The friendship that was so unexpected yet the bond is unbreakable. Stepping into a WWE ring for the first time at Halloween Havoc was such a definitive moment for me and now defending the NA Championship for Sol, is a definitive moment for ZaRuca. This moment means everything to me. I won’t let you down
  • JC Mateo posted a photo with TNA’s Chris Bey, who continues to progress in his recovery after suffering a broken neck last year:
    • No excuses, this man is a literal example of that. So happy to have run into him and see first hand his progress. If you think you can’t do it, don’t listen to me, look at this man and follow his example. Keep going forward kid!
  • Nikki Bella shared a video of her son attending Monday’s Raw with her.
  • To promote tonight’s New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA game, ESPN created a WrestleMania 28-inspired poster with stars Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell in the places of The Rock and John Cena.

Other Wrestling

  • Superstar Crossover asked Tony Khan what he believes John Cena’s legacy will be in wrestling:
    • John Cena’s absolutely a legendary pro wrestler who came into the space and became a huge star very quickly on television because he has so much charisma and he’s one of the hardest working people as far as I know in pro wrestling.
    • I’ve never actually met John Cena. I have a ton of respect for him as a wrestler. He seems like a wonderful person. Everybody I know that’s worked with John Cena has only the very, very best things to say about him. And he’s known for being the utmost professional.
    • I think he’s also a very, very talented actor. I’m a huge fan of the Peacemaker show on HBO Max…
    • I think that he’s absolutely fantastic in the ring. And he seems fantastic out of the ring. Certainly on screen, one of the all-time greats. And he came into the wrestling business after many of the top stars were either getting ready to retire or entering the final phase of their career and he really stepped up as one of the biggest wrestling stars of all time. Even though I’ve never met him or talked to him, I have a ton of respect for him.
  • Khan told amNewYork that he’s interested in taking AEW to more new markets internationally:
    • We built a lot. It’s been six years of AEW, and again, it feels like we started just yesterday. I’m very interested in taking AEW and visiting more of Europe. I think there are more opportunities there. We’ve had great shows in the UK, particularly with shows in London. We’ve set records at Wembley Stadium, and we’ve had great events in Cardiff, Wales. And I’m really excited about this year taking AEW to Manchester for the first time. I think there’s more opportunities there internationally, for AEW…I think that’s very attractive, just international expansion.
  • TNA Wrestling has entered into a partnership with ticketing company Tixr:
    • TNA Wrestling today confirmed a long-term partnership with Tixr, a global technology leader modernising ticketing and live event commerce, to be an official sponsor and ticket provider for future TNA live events.
    • The TNA/Tixr partnership kicks off in November, when TNA presents three consecutive nights of live, intense, action-packed pro wrestling at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 13-15.
  • NJPW’s English-language website posted an interview with Konosuke Takeshita.
  • Shotzi Blackheart told TV Insider that MLW has been her favorite place to work after her departure from WWE:
    • MLW has honestly been my favorite place to work for right now. It kind of reminds me of my first year at NXT. When I got to NXT, Hunter [Triple H] really got me. They gave me the opportunity to host Halloween Havoc and really let me be me and my character and really understood me. MLW really understands the ‘Ballsy Badass.’ I came in and every creative thing they have given me, they totally get my character. From promos to giving me my ‘Graveyard Shift’ talking segment. Just letting me be myself and understanding my character. MLW gets me. It’s a breath of fresh air to be somewhere where someone enjoys your character and appreciates what I bring to the table and highlights it.
  • Shotzi noted that, if WWE contacted her to return, it’s not something she would want to do at the moment:
    • Right now, I can genuinely say if WWE offered me another contract I’d be like, ‘call me back in six months.’ Ask me again in six months because I’m just having so much fun right now. I feel like I’m growing so much as a performer, an in-ring wrestler and a ring leader. I don’t want to stop that right now. I’m learning so much about myself. I don’t trust I would be able to do that there. I just want to develop myself and regain all my confidence and just have a good time right now and not rush back. 
  • House of Glory Wrestling has announced Scarlett Bordeaux & Shotzi vs. Priscilla Kelly & Allie Katch for its November 15 Superclash event in Brentwood, New York.
  • Ric Flair was a guest on the Games with Names podcast with New England Patriots legend Julian Edelman. They looked back at Flair’s 1989 Chi-Town Rumble classic against Ricky Steamboat.
  • SoCal Val interviewed Lisa Marie Varon (the former Victoria/Tara) for WrestlingNewsCo.

Daily Update: Sir Mo, WWE Raw, AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Notes from the new issue which apparently has been the talk of the social media wrestling world:
*Seth Rollins injury and how this will lead to numerous changes in  booking plans, including what was scheduled short and long-term for Rollins through Mania and after.
*Full coverage of Crown Jewel, business notes and match coverage
*The Media Ratings Council has questions about the new numbers
*Just how far Smackdown has dropped with younger viewers based on the new sampling and NXT isn’t much  different, nor is AEW
*Konosuke Takeshita beats Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP title, a look at King of Prm Wrestling, WrestleKingdom, first thoughts on Aaron Wolf, and the angles on the show
*WrestleDream preview, business notes, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake City needs the entire show revamped
*Odds for upcoming big matches
*TNA Bound for Glory notes
*A detailed story on WWE cuts focusing on Ridge Holland and WEs Lee
*Pro  Wrestling NOAH at Sumo Hall
*A huge story on the 2025 Hall of Fame U.S. & Canada candidates
*What the awards voting over the last 45 years says about those who fare better not  in than those who are in.  
*The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling shows of the past week
*It women’s month at Arena Mexico but one person is still the star, a look at  the recent main events
*A look at two PPV shows from Arena Mexico coming
*Who is the obvious choice for tag team of the year that nobody is talking about
*Best of the Super Juniors tournament
*Japanese referee dies in bear attack
*Update on Smashing Machine business
*They named a bridge after Stu Hart and more notes
*NFL star copying Ric Flair
*Fantastica Mania UK
*The Andrade situation
*Lots of background details on similar stories
*Kota Ibushi update
*Notes on Chris Jericho and Britt Baker
*Darby Allin talks about the cancers that used to be in AEW
*Update on  a training camp for AEW in Asheville, NC
*Rematch of a match of the year candidate coming to AEW show in Edinburg, TX
*Updates on YouTube numbers for September
*Debate over the new and old Ali Act
*Details on Zuffa Boxing deals
*How much UFC makes in profit per Saturday show
*New UFC fights
*Sad BJ Penn story
*Stories on fighters getting screwed by promoters
*Ticket demand for John Cena’s ast show
*New WWE hire, usage of AI for wrestling storylines and some are worried about their jobs
*AJ Styles talks retiring
*WWE injury updates

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Monday Update

–A quick note regarding our Apple and Spotify feeds for audio: Today’s internet outage appears to have impacted both feeds and we will have today’s WOL posted there as soon as possible.

–Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio.  We” be taking the fallout of a show that will have a lot of news including how they are going to crown a new WWE champion, and how they handle the Rhea Ripley broken nose from Saturday’s show in Tokyo.

–Very sorry to hear of the death of Bobby Horne,  who wrestled as Sir Mo and Mo of Men on a Mission as well as Bobby Knight and many other names.  He wrestled 1993-96 in WWF and later promoted independent wrestling.  He had many health issues over the past decade and was only 58 at the time of his death yesterday.  We will talk more about him tonight and have a story on him in the next Observer.

–Raw tonight is from Sacramento, CA, back to the normal 8 p.m. start time.  More than 10,000 tickets are out so  it’s still a very good crowd even though the advance was down from recent trips to the city.  The biggest thing will be the announcement of what they are doingr  about the WWE title.  I presume it’ll be CM Punk vs. someone for the vacant title on 11/1 in Salt Lake City, but that’s just speculation.  But they will be explaining all that tonight.  Plus it’s Dominik Mysterio vs. Rusev for the IC title, Becky Lynch vs. Maxxine Dupri for the IC title, Finn Balor & JD McDonagh vs. AJ Styles & Dragon Lee for the world tag team titles and Stephanie Vaquer vs. Roxanne Perez.  The NFL has Tampa Bay vs. Detroit at 7 p.m. on both ESPN and ABC.  There is a Seattle vs. Houston game at 10 p.m. tonight in ESPN+.  It will be very interesting to see how ESPN+ does as compared to television.

–We’re looking for reports from Sacramento tonight with anything not on the live show such as Main Event or dark matches to [email protected]

–We’re also doing our weekend poll on AEW WrestleDream, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

–AEW on Wednesday from San Antonio has announced Kazuchika Okada vs. Bandido for the Unified title, The Opps vs. Hurt Syndicate for the trios titles, and they will be announcing the brackets for the women’s tag team titles.

–Killer Kross will be debuting a documentary at 10:15 p.m. called “One Big Work” on YouTube tonight about his life after WWE.

–The Smashing Machine was No. 16 at the box office this weekend with $329,751 putting it at $11,121,428 after three weeks.  It was down to 819 theaters this week.

–Mercedes Mone will next defend the CMLL women’s title against Olympia.  They did the challenge Friday night but said the match would take place in the U.S.

–Arn Anderson will be debuting for a meet and greet with MLW as part of its 11/20 show in Charleston WC at the Music Hall.

–Dustin Rhodes will be doing his RWA one year anniversary show on 11/23 at 5 a p.m. at Wild West in Cedar Park TX with Deonna Purrazzo, Billy Gunn and Zilla Fatu.

–Riho returned to Japan on today’s Starlight Kid tenth anniversary show at Shin=Kiba.  The PPV of that show that took place earlier today was canceled due to a giant global network outage.  All customers will be refunded.  The show instead is available for free on YouTube.

–XICW had its 25th anniversary show before a sellout in Clinton Township, MI before a sellout crowd with a main event of Killer Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux & Jimmy Jacobs over AdamWick & Maxximillian & Heather Blue.  Also on the show were Trey Miguel, Jake Crist and Simon Gotch.  They return on 11/8 at the Premier Events Center in Clinton Township with Rhino & Jimmy Jacobs appearing.

Daily Update: AEW WrestleDream fallout, Paramount, Ace Steel

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Notes from the new issue which apparently has been the talk of the social media wrestling world:
*Seth Rollins injury and how this will lead to numerous changes in  booking plans, including what was scheduled short and long-term for Rollins through Mania and after.
*Full coverage of Crown Jewel, business notes and match coverage
*The Media Ratings Council has questions about the new numbers
*Just how far Smackdown has dropped with younger viewers based on the new sampling and NXT isn’t much  different, nor is AEW
*Konosuke Takeshita beats Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP title, a look at King of Prm Wrestling, WrestleKingdom, first thoughts on Aaron Wolf, and the angles on the show
*WrestleDream preview, business notes, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake City needs the entire show revamped
*Odds for upcoming big matches
*TNA Bound for Glory notes
*A detailed story on WWE cuts focusing on Ridge Holland and WEs Lee
*Pro  Wrestling NOAH at Sumo Hall
*A huge story on the 2025 Hall of Fame U.S. & Canada candidates
*What the awards voting over the last 45 years says about those who fare better not  in than those who are in.  
*The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling shows of the past week
*It women’s month at Arena Mexico but one person is still the star, a look at  the recent main events
*A look at two PPV shows from Arena Mexico coming
*Who is the obvious choice for tag team of the year that nobody is talking about
*Best of the Super Juniors tournament
*Japanese referee dies in bear attack
*Update on Smashing Machine business
*They named a bridge after Stu Hart and more notes
*NFL star copying Ric Flair
*Fantastica Mania UK
*The Andrade situation
*Lots of background details on similar stories
*Kota Ibushi update
*Notes on Chris Jericho and Britt Baker
*Darby Allin talks about the cancers that used to be in AEW
*Update on  a training camp for AEW in Asheville, NC
*Rematch of a match of the year candidate coming to AEW show in Edinburg, TX
*Updates on YouTube numbers for September
*Debate over the new and old Ali Act
*Details on Zuffa Boxing deals
*How much UFC makes in profit per Saturday show
*New UFC fights
*Sad BJ Penn story
*Stories on fighters getting screwed by promoters
*Ticket demand for John Cena’s ast show
*New WWE hire, usage of AI for wrestling storylines and some are worried about their jobs
*AJ Styles talks retiring
*WWE injury updates

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Sunday Update

— Both of our weekend shows are up on the site today. On Friday’s show we talked about all the news of the week from the Observer including AI booking and the future, card changes, WrestleDream as well as talked to James Dixon on his book about 1992 WWE and the fall of the company from its 1985-91 strong period, with Bret Hart as champion, steroid testing, Hulk Hogan leaving, Ultimate Warrior failing and more. Last night’s show talked about WrestleDream, WWE injury updates and more.

— There were three issues technically with last night’s WrestleDream show. It’s weird that it was three, from three different providers, none related to issues from AEW and three totally different problems. There were no problems with places like PPV.com, YouTube, Triller and other platforms.

The biggest problem was with Amazon Prime, which cut the show off at midnight, just a few minutes into the Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin I Quit match. They had a power failure on their internal rebroadcast system which caused the outage and this also impacted other sports broadcasts that were going on. It also cut out during the Mercedes Mone vs. Mina Shirakawa match.  We heard from a number of people who complained and got refunds, so this is going to impact the PPV revenue negatively.

The other big problem was at the start of the show with Comcast. Apparently they configured the program wrong in their system so many people couldn’t buy the show. At least some homes on HBO MAX lost the sound during the pre-show. It was fine long before the PPV started.  

— There was not a time management issue as the show was booked for the FTR vs. Jet Speed match to end up mostly on the PPV. It was a new idea to make it unpredictable on pre-shows that you know the finish is coming before the top of the hour. It was the right match to test this out as they opened the match hot and then the show itself opened hot being mid-match. It helped a lot that they had a great match, because they could not do a slow build or normal style as they had to peak early and open the PPV portion at 4:00 into the match and it had to be very hot as well at that point.

— The reason the Mercedes Mone match wasn’t announced ahead of time is that they wanted to have her break the Ultimo Dragon record on the show last night, rather than tonight in Winnipeg.  But if they had pushed it prior to late Friday night, it would have given away that she wasn’t losing her CMLL women’s title to Persephone. Unlike WWE, which doesn’t concern itself with spoiling a finish to a show in Mexico, AEW does. But it led to adding a match with zero build at the last minute.

— I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a shot with three tag team matches of the quality of Brody King & Bandido vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Kazuchika Okada, Young Bucks vs. Jurassic Express and FTR vs. JetSpeed.

— They also announced for Wednesday in San Antonio that the Opps, now heels, face Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin & MVP for the trios titles and Okada vs. Bandido for the Unified title.

— They did not have a strong walk up in St. Louis due to bad weather in the city. It was not sold out although for a U.S. show, the crowd response and heat through most of the show was excellent.

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

— We’re also looking for reports from the WWE shows this weekend in Tokyo and the RevPro Fantastica Mania shows from Wolverhampton, UK, and today’s Winnipeg Pro Wrestling show where Mone goes after her 12th belt when she faces WPW women’s champion Jody Threat.

— Bad news from an interest level is that WrestleDream did not place in the top few hundred searches. It used to regularly hit the top 20 and was not even top 500. The UFC show yesterday had 120,000 searches which isn’t bad  for a Fight Night only on ESPN. For the weekend, the only searches from combat sports in the top 100 were the death of Duke Ruogas at No. 55 and Brendan Allen, who won the UFC main event, at No. 96.

— On the UFC show, they did a tribute to Roufas with Paul Felder, who trained under Roufas.  Roufas, a former world champion kickboxer and brother of Rick “The Jet” Roufas, the top U.S. kickboxing star of his era, opened Roufasport in Milwaukee and trained and was a father figure to a open of Midwest fighters, notably Anthony & Sergio Pettis, Stephan Bonnar, Felder and he was also the trainer of CM Punk.

— The Seth Rollins situation and World title situation will be addressed at Raw tomorrow in Sacramento, CA. It will be back to an 8 p.m. start. There are 8,000 tickets out, lower than usual for a TV shoot in that market, but San Jose had a healthy walkup and came close to selling out Friday night. I think SOME of the weakness in advances as compared to the post-Zayn turning on Reigns period and Rhodes explosion are people waiting to buy late figuring they can get tickets at a better price. It’s the same reason the John Cena retirement show didn’t instantly sell  out even though the demand was there.  

— Paramount, under the ownership of Dvid Ellison, is expected to lay off between 2,000 and 3,000 employees in an attempt to cut $2 billion in costs. The job cuts are expected to be across the board. Part of the reason for the cuts is the $1.1 billion per year deal that Paramount signed with UFC. Another reason is they are expected to make a stronger bid to buy WBD.

— DDT will be running Ultimate Party 2025 on 11/3 at Sumo Hall. The top two matches have IWGP champion Konosuke Takeshita & celebrity Kaisei Takechi (he’s like Logan Paul in his ability to catch on to this) vs. Kazusada Higuchi & Takeshi Masada, Zack Sabre Jr. vs.  Chris Brookes in a dream match and a title vs. title match with KO-D champion Yuki Ueno facing Universal champion Minoru Suzuki.

— It was major news yesterday about the death of Sam Rivera, the bass guitar player for Limp Bizkit, who performed Undertaker’s theme at WrestleMania 19.

— 60s, 70s and 80s announcer Boyd Pierce would have turned 97 today.  

— British wrestling legend Kendo Nagasaki (Peter Thornlehy) turned either 79 or 84 today. I’m sure someone will let us know which one is accurate. Julia “Sweet Saraya” Bevis, the mother of Paige/Saraya, turns 54 today. Toni Storm turns 30 today. Mike Hegstrand/Road Warrior Hawk died 22 years ago today. Lia Maivia, the grandmother of Dwayne Johnson and former promoter in Hawaii passed away 17 years ago today. Mike Graham committed suicide 13 years ago today (thanks to Tony Richards)

— Regarding Ace Steel’s reaction to Tony Khan, while I would not compare Jon Moxley to Harley Race, the idea of being a multi-time world champion is similar. But what a freaking crazy overreaction when Steel said, “Count this as one of the dumbest and most blasphemous things I’ve ever read, utter crap, really infuriating zero comparison.” Steel was tight with Race and evidently not with Moxley. Then again, when I first saw the Young Bucks live as heels against Josh Alexander & Ethan Page, about five minutes into the match it was like just the way they worked, did big moves and controlled the crowd and made their opponents look so good, it was very clear they were like the Midnight Express in the mid to late 80s except using modern moves and a faster pacing. As you can imagine, many people blew gaskets even though a ton of top wrestlers who study both teams have told me the same thing. Hatred is not a good trait.

— Dungeon Wrestling from Friday night in Calgary before 450 fans: Michael Allen Richard Clarke b Bryce Hanson, Chris Knight b Scorpious, Ava Lawless & Kat Von Heez b Riley Rose & Sage Morin, Mo Jabari b Sheldon Jean to keep the Jericho Cruise Oceanic title, Rohan Raja b Tommy Billington (AEW) to keep the PW Grail title, Tiger Raj Singh b Harlow Abott, Raj Dhesi (Jinder Mahal) b Matt Riddle to retain the Stu Hart Heritage title. (thanks to Ross Hart)

— Boca Raton Championship Wrestling on 11/2 at the VIP Ballroom Ricky Morton vs. son Kerry Morton, plus Bull James, Cezar Bononi, Stallion Rogers, Matt Riddle, Bobby Fish, EJ Nduka, Lacey Lane and Jonny Fairplay.

— A documentary on Gama Singh of Stampede Wrestling fame debuted last night at the International Film Festival in Toronto. It debuts streaming on Crave on Monday.

Daily Update: Ratings, Seth Rollins, Jacob Fatu

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Notes from the new issue which apparently has been the talk of the social media wrestling world:
*Seth Rollins injury and how this will lead to numerous changes in  booking plans, including what was scheduled short and long-term for Rollins through Mania and after.
*Full coverage of Crown Jewel, business notes and match coverage
*The Media Ratings Council has questions about the new numbers
*Just how far Smackdown has dropped with younger viewers based on the new sampling and NXT isn’t much  different, nor is AEW
*Konosuke Takeshita beats Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP title, a look at King of Prm Wrestling, WrestleKingdom, first thoughts on Aaron Wolf, and the angles on the show
*WrestleDream preview, business notes, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake City needs the entire show revamped
*Odds for upcoming big matches
*TNA Bound for Glory notes
*A detailed story on WWE cuts focusing on Ridge Holland and WEs Lee
*Pro  Wrestling NOAH at Sumo Hall
*A huge story on the 2025 Hall of Fame U.S. & Canada candidates
*What the awards voting over the last 45 years says about those who fare better not  in than those who are in.  
*The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling shows of the past week
*It women’s month at Arena Mexico but one person is still the star, a look at  the recent main events
*A look at two PPV shows from Arena Mexico coming
*Who is the obvious choice for tag team of the year that nobody is talking about
*Best of the Super Juniors tournament
*Japanese referee dies in bear attack
*Update on Smashing Machine business
*They named a bridge after Stu Hart and more notes
*NFL star copying Ric Flair
*Fantastica Mania UK
*The Andrade situation
*Lots of background details on similar stories
*Kota Ibushi update
*Notes on Chris Jericho and Britt Baker
*Darby Allin talks about the cancers that used to be in AEW
*Update on  a training camp for AEW in Asheville, NC
*Rematch of a match of the year candidate coming to AEW show in Edinburg, TX
*Updates on YouTube numbers for September
*Debate over the new and old Ali Act
*Details on Zuffa Boxing deals
*How much UFC makes in profit per Saturday show
*New UFC fights
*Sad BJ Penn story
*Stories on fighters getting screwed by promoters
*Ticket demand for John Cena’s ast show
*New WWE hire, usage of AI for wrestling storylines and some are worried about their jobs
*AJ Styles talks retiring
*WWE injury updates

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Friday Update

Jacob Fatu
Jacob Fatu (Image credit: WWE)

–Garrett Gonzales and I did a show today covering Andrade and Seth Rollins and AI in wrestling as well as talked a lot about WWE in 1992 with James Dixon who wrote a book on that period.  I wished we had more time to talk because that was a fun discussion.  Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night covering all the news plus AEW’s WestleDream.

–The new issue of The Observer out today apparently has been the talk of the social media wrestling world.  

–I only have minimal ratings notes on AEW on Wednesday, but considering the environment we are in where wrestling 18-34 is clearly severely undercounted and  Hispanic viewing seems to be as well, the numbers were the best they’ve been since the new system was put in place.  Dynamite did 534,000 viewers and an 0.11 in 18-49 and Collision did 400,000 viewers and an 0.11.    These numbers don’t include viewership on HBO MAX.

–From talking with people in both companies, the belief, or at least hope, is that the flaws will be fixed in the system at some point.  There is a ton of technical stuff involved.  I’ve had some conversations with people not in wrestling but super knowledgeable about ratings and I think the key flaws have been discussed in the past two week’s issues.

–No word on where they are going with the WWF world title situation.  The only update on Seth Rollins is that until they do the surgery, they won’t know the level of the damage or the amount of time it will take for him to return.  The injury is legit, the surgery is legit, unless they are really trying to fool everyone.  It’s quite the amazing irony.  But as far as how long he’ll be out, anything you may see as an estimate is premature past it’ll be months.

–Regarding Jacob Fatu, I believe the story that it was a non-ring related injury is accurate.  The hope was that he wouldn’t be out of action tha long, but it does eliminate him from tonight’s main event in San Jose (Drew McIntyre vs. Cody Rhodes is scheduled).  This is a domino effect since that was scheduled to be on the Survivor Series show, and still may be.  But the McIntyre vs. Fatu program over who gets the shot at Rhodes may have to be delayed.

–Based on Shinsuke Nakamura copying Hiroshi Tanahashi at today’s WWE show at Sumo Hell where Nakamura & Jey Uso beat Bron Brakker & Bronson Reed, it opened up speculation regarding Nakamura being Hiroshi Tanahashi’s last opponent at the Tokyo Dome.  Nothing is finalized.  Could it happen?  It’s not like that’s a firm no.

–A correction from today’s issue.  When talking about tomorrow’s show and the mention of Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi vs. Josh Alexander & Hechicero as a planned  match, Omega & Ibushi were to do a tag match but it may have been a different Callis family team like Alexander & Mark Davis.  Omega & Ibushi were in the original plans, but Hechicero was not going to be their opponent as he was not booked on the show.

–Due to Mercedes Mone, tonight’s All-women’s show at Arena Mexico, with Mone vs. Persephone and India Sioux vs. Skadi, will be the largest crowd for an all-women’s pro wrestling show in many years.  The advance is well above previous CMLL shows and it will beat the WWE Evolution show this year or any women’s shows in Japan.  Aubrey Edwards is being brought in to referee the Mone match.   Barring injury, something with Mone will be added to tomorrow’s WrestleDream show.

–Most of the top CMLL stars are in the UK for tomorrow’s Fantastica Mania shows in Wolverhampton, UK.  The shows will take place tomorrow at 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. Eastern.

–UFC is in Vancouver for an all  ESPN+ show starting at 4 p.m. tomorrow
Melissa Croden (136) vs. Tainara Lisbos (135.5)
Azamat Bekoev (185) vs. Yousri Belgaroui (185.5)
Stephanie Luciano (116) vs. Ravena Oliveira (115.5)
Kyle Prepolec (155.5) vs. Drew Dober (155.5)
Danny Bartlow (185.5) vs.  Djorden Santos (185.5)
Bruno Silva (125.5) vs.  HyunSung Park (126)
Charles Jourdain (135.5) vs. Davey  Grant (136)
Kyle Nelson (155.5) vs. Matt Frevola (155)
Cody Gibson (136) vs. Aoriqileng (135.5)
Manon Fiorot (125.5) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (125.5)
Marlon Chito Vera (136) vs. Aiemann Zahabi (135.5)
Kevin Holland (170.5) vs. Mike Malott (171)
Reinier de Ridder (186) vs. Brendan Allen (186)

de Ridder could be in line for the middleweight title with a win.

–Ilja Dragunov is backstage in San Jose according to PWInsider training in the ring.

–Laredo Kid vs. Lince Dorado vs. Aerostar vs. Jack Cartwheel for the AAA cruiserweight title has been added to the 10/25 show at Juan de la Barrera Gym.  In a match I never would have expected last month, hje 11/2 show in Monterrey has El Grande Americano Kaiser vs. Galeno del Mal.

–Sedriques Dumas is back in UFC for a fight with Donite Johnaon on 11/1 in Las Vegas.  You can look up a ton of articles on Dumas to know why using him is so controversial.

–There was a shocking photo of retired NJPW star Manabu Nakanishi.  He was famous for eating huge amounts of food.  He’s now unable to do so and has lost 66 pounds and honestly you would never recognize him.

Daily Update: R-Truth, Jay White, Mickie James

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

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

  • In depth with the changes in ratings, are pro wrestling and MMA being undercounted, are they less popular than we thought, how the changes have happened, streaming, how this relates to baseball, football, and other entertainment shows.
  • John Cena’s last matches, and the surprises in current WWE booking plans for now until December.
  • A look at Crown Jewel and WrestleDream, the cards, how the shows look and the current interest level in them.
  • Favorites in the betting in all the major future matches
  • A look at The Smashing Machine, the heyday of Mark Kerr, the box office and what we’ve learned, comparisons with Iron Claw, the performances by Dwayne Johnson Emily Blunt and Ryan Bader and the Pride Grand Prix in 2000 with Sakuraba vs. Gracie and key what ifs that people don’t talk about
  • All In Texas attendance and how much the state will be paying AEW based on the deal, plus original plans for that week and three shows that were once thought and talked about but didn’t happen with two international promotions.
  • Full coverage of UFC 320, what’s next for the winners, the business side of things and match-by-match.
  • The most complete and detailed look at the ratings for all the major shows as well as comparisons with last year, segment-by-segment notes, demos and more.
  • Expectations of when a major milestone in history of buildings that house wrestling will be reached and when 1 million fans in one specific building attending wrestling in a year is expected
  • King of Pro Wrestling thoughts
  • New Japan’s last major show looked at
  • 40th anniversary of a landmark tag team event taking place
  • Hulk Hogan’s widow looking at medical malpractice suit
  • Death of the former Sabrina
  • Dave Bautista makes surprising revelation
  • Mistico vs. Bandido in Xalapa
  • Renee Dupree talks the old WWE locker room
  • Bound for Glory notes
  • Lots of injury and contract updates
  • The story of Ultimo Dragon’s ten belts and Mercedes Mone beating that record
  • Sting’s son has his first match
  • Advance tickets sales for the WWE & AEW shows over the next two months
  • The strange secret suspension of  Conor McGregor
  • More on the White House show
  • MMA fight of the year on the Dana White Contenders Series
  • Has the WWE boom period ended or is it ending?
  • The WWE product right now
  • Jimmy Jacobs talks differences in backstage at WWE and TNA

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

WWE

  • R-Truth told CBS Sports that he thinks it would have been a selfish move to continue going by Ron Killings instead of returning to his R-Truth character:
    • It went where it was supposed to go. Ron Killings created R-Truth. Those hundreds of millions of fans who spoke and up-roared. They wanted R-Truth back. Ron Killings was the rebellious one who spoke up for R-Truth.
    • Ron Killings has been around for years, but people had never come together in lockstep like that. They did that for R-Truth. You feel me?. I wanted Ron Killings to go where he was supposed to go. He made a statement; he had eyes on him. When John Cena came back, R-Truth came back. Ron Killings was the cavalry.
    • I think [Ron Killings] was a selfish-type deal, more of a selfish move. I had more than 100 million views that wanted R-Truth. If numbers are real, that was the power of numbers.
  • Bleacher Report and the New York Post also have interviews with Truth.
  • In the Bleacher Report interview, Truth was asked who he thinks can be the next John Cena in WWE:
    • Man, there’s a lot of guys. NXT is full of talent, man. Trick [Williams] is there, Carmelo [Hayes] is up here now, they got Je’Von [Evans], there’s so much talent there, man. I don’t want to, like, put no names or specific things on people, I like to just watch and let everything blossom and bloom. There’s a lot of things that a lot of people still have to pay attention to and see, as far as characters go, a lot of people still coming into their characters. But there’s gonna be guys, you’ll see another almost like Cena, you’ll see another almost like everybody else. But I don’t like to put no names on anybody, there’s a lot of them that you need to keep your eyes on.
  • Chelsea Green told Woman’s World magazine that she and Matt Cardona want to have children one day, but plans to do so are paused at the moment:
    • We put it on pause when I was asked to come back to WWE. This was an opportunity we both knew we could not turn down. If I turn it down, I’m going to end up having kids and resent the family life.
    • So here I am. I’m 34. I’m dying for babies. My husband wants babies… but duty calls. I’m making money. I’m living my dream. But hey, you never know. In a couple months, if it happens, God willing, it happens. I’ll just have to take my babies on the road with me!
  • Omos has partnered with cologne company Zaharoff to produce his own fragrance named “IBERE.”
  • New Evolve Women’s Champion Kendal Grey posted today:
    • Two years ago today, I walked into WWE not knowing what to expect. Now I can’t imagine my life without it.
    • The memories, the friendships, the lessons — all of it has meant so much, more than I can put into words. Just so grateful
  • The Miz appeared on Kittle Things with Claire & George Kittle.
  • Peter Rosenberg was a guest on Insight with Chris Van Vliet.
  • Rhea Ripley reacted to photos from throughout her career on a new episode of WWE Break It Down.

Other Wrestling

  • Jay White – who has been sidelined since March due to injury – returned to social media today after a long absence. He tweeted the following: “Ready?”
  • Bleacher Report asked Kris Statlander if she plans to go after the AEW Women’s Tag Team titles:
    • Absolutely. One of my trainers [Brian Myers] is a former tag team champion, so tag team wrestling, it’s not my bread and butter, but it’s something that I hold so near and dear to my heart.
    • I love love love a really good tag match more than anything in the world. To be able to carry that legacy from my trainer, and being the first woman to hold all three [AEW women’s] titles would be the most insane thing to ever happen.
    • I love being able to do the first of anything, but I also love being able to do anything at all that I have the privilege of doing.
    • We were all there when he ended his losing streak and they won the tag championships. Him and Matt Cardona. All of the students were there when that happened and it was such a really cool moment. It was a really special moment for all of us to be there for that.
  • The Battleground Podcast has an interview with The Young Bucks.
  • Denise Salcedo spoke with Jamie Hayter.
  • Orange Cassidy was a guest on Casuals with Katie Nolan.
  • This week’s AEW Unrestricted podcast is a WrestleDream preview episode.
  • Lio Rush will face off against Leon Cage at an event for Attack! Pro Wrestling in Cardiff on December 12.
  • Mickie James reflected on her induction into the TNA Hall of Fame:
    • Standing on that stage and being welcomed into the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame was one of the most humbling and magical moments of my career.
    • Thank you to @ThisIsTNA & @RealJeffJarrett for giving a young Alexis Laree her first real opportunity & to @TNADixie for welcoming me back & helping bring #HardcoreCountry to life
    • Thank you @carlossilva for the incredible honor bestowed upon me & for a beautiful ceremony at such a historic event for the company
    • @THETOMMYDREAMER thank you for believing in me, for fighting for me, and for always seeing the woman and the wrestler I’ve tried to be.  To my sister, my ride-or-die, @REALLiSAMARiE [Victoria/Tara] thank you for inducting me — there’s no one else I’d rather share that moment with. You’ve been my partner in crime through it all, and I love you so much.
    • To the entire Knockouts Division — past, present, and future — you are the heart and soul of this company. You’ve broken barriers, told stories, and made magic every single time you stepped through those ropes. I’m so proud to stand beside you all.
    • And finally, to the fans — you’ve been with me through every high, every low, every reinvention and every return. Your love, your chants, your unwavering support… it means the world. I wouldn’t be here without you
    • This honor isn’t just mine — it’s ours.
  • A bridge located on Highway 8 near Calgary, Alberta, Canada has been named the “Stu Hart Memorial Bridge” in honor of the late Stu Hart. Bret Hart appeared at an official naming ceremony for the bridge and said the following:
    • When I think of the award or the honor of a bridge being named after my father, when I think of my dad, I think (of) someone that’s very strong, solid, sturdy as a rock.
    • In a lot of ways, it’s very symbolic for my father to be honoured with a bridge, because he was a bridge in many ways to so many people and so many things, from wrestling to just his roots in Canada, and his special pride with his wrestling product.

Daily Update: TNA notes, CM Punk, Sheamus

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

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

  • In depth with the changes in ratings, are pro wrestling and MMA being undercounted, are they less popular than we thought, how the changes have happened, streaming, how this relates to baseball, football, and other entertainment shows.
  • John Cena’s last matches, and the surprises in current WWE booking plans for now until December.
  • A look at Crown Jewel and WrestleDream, the cards, how the shows look and the current interest level in them.
  • Favorites in the betting in all the major future matches
  • A look at The Smashing Machine, the heyday of Mark Kerr, the box office and what we’ve learned, comparisons with Iron Claw, the performances by Dwayne Johnson Emily Blunt and Ryan Bader and the Pride Grand Prix in 2000 with Sakuraba vs. Gracie and key what ifs that people don’t talk about
  • All In Texas attendance and how much the state will be paying AEW based on the deal, plus original plans for that week and three shows that were once thought and talked about but didn’t happen with two international promotions.
  • Full coverage of UFC 320, what’s next for the winners, the business side of things and match-by-match.
  • The most complete and detailed look at the ratings for all the major shows as well as comparisons with last year, segment-by-segment notes, demos and more.
  • Expectations of when a major milestone in history of buildings that house wrestling will be reached and when 1 million fans in one specific building attending wrestling in a year is expected
  • King of Pro Wrestling thoughts
  • New Japan’s last major show looked at
  • 40th anniversary of a landmark tag team event taking place
  • Hulk Hogan’s widow looking at medical malpractice suit
  • Death of the former Sabrina
  • Dave Bautista makes surprising revelation
  • Mistico vs. Bandido in Xalapa
  • Renee Dupree talks the old WWE locker room
  • Bound for Glory notes
  • Lots of injury and contract updates
  • The story of Ultimo Dragon’s ten belts and Mercedes Mone beating that record
  • Sting’s son has his first match
  • Advance tickets sales for the WWE & AEW shows over the next two months
  • The strange secret suspension of  Conor McGregor
  • More on the White House show
  • MMA fight of the year on the Dana White Contenders Series
  • Has the WWE boom period ended or is it ending?
  • The WWE product right now
  • Jimmy Jacobs talks differences in backstage at WWE and TNA

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full number one contender’s battle royal from NXT last night, which was won by Tatum Paxley as she earned an NXT Women’s Championship shot against Jacy Jayne at Halloween Havoc.
  • Matt Cardona reacted to competing on NXT against Josh Briggs: “Thank you…I may have lost the match, but tonight was a win. I’ll never quit…and I’m ALWAYZ READY. @WWENXT”
  • On his Instagram stories, CM Punk sent out a message thanking the fans in Australia following today’s house show in Melbourne:
    • Australia. Perth, Melbourne. I was crushed over a year ago when I was injured and missed visiting you all. The last few days have been unforgettable. Love the passion and the noise.
  • Sheamus mourned the loss of his dog Betty:
    • Unlike my wife, who’s great at writing long, beautiful messages, I’m not always the best with words. But where do I start… Over four and a half years ago, I saw this chunky little pup at the National Humane Association — a dog who had been discarded by her owners. I instantly knew she was coming home with me.
    • What an incredible journey it’s been. Even though our time together was cut far too short, I’ll never regret the decision to make her part of our family. She brought so much joy and happiness into our home and into the lives of everyone who met her.
    • Even after losing her leg, she never lost her spirit — she was still just as happy, just to be home, surrounded by love. You stole my heart, and the hearts of everyone who knew you.
    • Thank you for the countless amazing moments and memories. I’ll never forget you. Rest well, sweet girl. I love ya Betty

Other Wrestling

  • Bodyslam Wrestling in Denmark uploaded the complete Mercedes Mone vs. Aliss Ink match from last week where Mone continued to add to her belt collection.
  • In honor of Child Grief Awareness Day, Hangman Page, Powerhouse Hobbs, Amanda Huber, and more visited Highmark Caring Place – a center for grieving children, adolescents, and their families.
  • Hobbs was interviewed on radio station 96.5 The Fan.
  • TNA shared a behind-the-scenes photo of the locker room greeting Mike Santana after his World Championship victory at Bound for Glory.
  • Santana made a social media post reflecting on his journey to the TNA World title.
  • Here is the description for this Thursday’s After the Glory episode of TNA Impact:
    • On a special After the Glory edition of TNA iMPACT!, go beyond the ring with exclusive access to the biggest event of the year, Bound For Glory. Don’t miss never-before-seen interviews, backstage footage and more. Plus, the champions will be in studio to take you inside their epic clashes. 
    • Tune in this Thursday at 8/7c on TNA+ around the world, AXS TV in the US, and Sportsnet+ in Canada.
  • TNA announced that it is delaying the on-sale date for its upcoming Orlando and El Paso events in order to increase the seating capacity:
    • The Ticket Pre-Sale and the Official Ticket On-Sale dates for the TNA Wrestling live events in Orlando, Florida and El Paso, Texas, have been changed as we finalize ticketing demands and expand the seating capacity for all shows.
    • The Pre-Sale for both the Orlando live events at Full Sail University (November 13-15) and at the El Paso County Coliseum (December 5-7) is now Wednesday, October 22, starting at 10am ET. The Official Ticket On-Sale for all shows in Orlando and El Paso is Friday, October 24, starting at 10am ET.
  • NJPW has opened applications for its LA Dojo class that runs from January 5-March 26. Coaches will include KUSHIDA, Fred Rosser, The DKC, Shane Haste, and Royce Isaacs.
  • Saraya met up with one of her old teachers for the first time in 18 years:
    • Got to see my science teacher after 18 years. Was incredible. He would come to watch my shows before I got signed to come to America. I would be taking days off school to do the indies and he would make sure the school didn’t give me a hard time about it. Truly encouraged my wrestling journey and couldn’t adore him enough!
  • Diamond Dallas Page appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show today.
  • Author Brian Solomon was a guest on Busted Open Radio, promoting his new book “Irresistible Force: The Life and Times of Gorilla Monsoon.”