Tag: daily update

Daily Update: Jim Ross, Finn Balor, Jelly Roll

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Ted Turner’s legacy in sports
  • The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
  • The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
  • The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
  • Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
  • The local TV business in the early 70s
  • The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
  • The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
  • The growth of TBS
  • The launching of CNN
  • How Vince McMahon got on TBS
  • Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
  • The role Jim Barnett played
  • The death of Mid South Wrestling
  • The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
  • The death of WCW
  • How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
  • Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
  • The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
  • Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
  • How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
  • A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
  • Reaction to the death of WCW
  • Numerous people react to the death
  • The tribute on AEW television
  • His exploits in other sports
  • Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
  • Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
  • His charitable work
  • Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
  • A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
  • WWE cuts continue and are looked at
  • A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
  • Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
  • Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
  • New Day bid farewell
  • WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
  • More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
  • Backlash preview, business notes and odds
  • Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
  • New Japan Dontaku coverage
  • Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
  • NOAH big show notes
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
  • Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
  • Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
  • Champion Carnival down to final four
  • Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
  • Raja Jackson case coming to a close
  • Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
  • Worldwide YouTuber numbers
  • Dana White talks McGregor’s return
  • Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
  • When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
  • Janel Grant gets more public
  • Notes from WWE’s television contracts

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

Finn Balor WWE Demon
Finn Balor competes at WWE WrestleMania 42. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • Finn Balor told Stephanie McMahon that, while he loves Japan, he doesn’t think he wants to wrestle there full-time again before the end of his career:
    • I always kind of imagined myself going back to Japan to finish my career in Japan. I didn’t want to leave Japan, but I kind of wanted to roll the dice with WWE and give it a try. And like, if I had a year at NXT and then it didn’t work out, I would have happily went back to Japan.
    • I like how everything [in Japan] is just exactly as you see it. There’s no bullsh*t. Like, people are straight with you. It’s ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. Everything’s clean, organized. Maybe I was immune to the politics because I didn’t speak the language so good. So I was kind of ignorant to that stuff, you know? And obviously, when you look back on any time, romantically, you always kind of hold that up.
    • I fell in love with Japan, but I don’t want to go back to wrestling in Japan, I don’t think. I’d love to go back to Japan and spend time there. When we go back with WWE, it’s absolutely incredible. To perform for WWE in Japan, that’s the dream.
    • Maybe we can set up an NXT Japan. [Triple H] might need a right-hand man to run it. Me and Shinsuke [Nakamura] I think would do a good job over there, right? God, that would be incredible. Go back to my dojo training days.
  • DJ Bootleg Kev shared that his friend Jelly Roll was “very self aware” that fans would not like him getting involved in the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton WrestleMania 42 story:
    • I’m pretty comfortable in saying this. I’m really close to Jelly Roll — he was very self aware that he was being pushed into a storyline that he probably didn’t need to be pushed into. And he was pushing, he was being very vocal about wanting to be involved in a storyline that is still playing out currently that was more comedic.
    • And he was like, ‘Guys, if you put me into this thing, I promise you it’s going to cook. It’s going to f**k.’ I was there at SmackDown in Phoenix and I heard him having these convos with certain people at WWE. And they still decided to – and, look, if you’re him, you’re like, ‘Hey man, if you’re going to push me into the main event of WrestleMania, I’m not going to say no. But I don’t think people are going to [like it].’ And then to me it wasn’t even him so much, the McAfee thing was like – it was just weird. It just made no sense.
  • US Weekly asked Cody Rhodes how he would feel about his daughters Liberty and Leilani becoming wrestlers:
    • I would say the same thing my dad said, which was cool. ‘You can go into it, but you have to be the best.’ And that’s easier said than done, but I think they could certainly do it, those two.
  • Jimmy Hart, Diamond Dallas Page, and Fallon Henley have recorded interviews for future episodes of Rhodes’ “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast.
  • DDP posted some photos from WWE Headquarters after spending the day there yesterday for the podcast.
  • Jake Paul claimed that TKO has “major beef” with him over the back and forth he’s gotten into with UFC boss Dana White:
    • From my side, I’m just having fun. And the fact that one of the biggest organizations in the world, the TKO Group, has this major beef with me – they won’t even let me be in my brother’s WWE matches because they hate me so much. And so it’s pretty wild how much under their skin we are. And to me, yeah, it’s just been a fun journey. I enjoy sh*t talk. I like when people make fun of me. I’m easy to make fun of. You know, I’m able to make fun of myself, so the beef to me is just fun and entertaining for everybody.
  • Gunther shared a video working out in the gym with Ilja Dragunov.
  • Italian YouTuber Enry Lazza has an interview with Gunther.
  • Sami Zayn appeared on Huge Pop! with Donnie DaSilva and Jimmy Korderas.
  • Ethan Page was the guest on Complex’s Graps podcast this week.

Other Wrestling

  • On his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross said he plans on being in New York for AEW Double or Nothing on May 24:
    • I tell ya, AEW’s TV shows, and I know people expect us to ballyhoo it, to put it over – it’s easy to put it over when it’s good. And their TVs lately have been very good. And what they’re doing with Darby, they’re not doing anything more important on their television than featuring Darby Allin and letting us support him and get behind him and all that stuff. So he’s very resilient, and I like his approach a lot. So we’ll see how that materializes over the next few weeks. I plan on being in New York in a couple of weeks. And I’m excited about this card. It’s loaded, man. It’s got some good sh*t on it.
  • During an interview with Bootleg Kev, Swerve Strickland recalled seeing WWE star Oba Femi at the gym and telling Femi that, if it were up to him, Femi’s debut would have been winning the WWE Championship:
    • I met Oba at the gym and I said, ‘If I had the pen, your debut would be winning that belt.’ I was close because his debut was against Cody. And [Femi] was like, ‘How did you do this, man?’ I was like, ‘I just call it how I see it, it’s you, bro.’
  • Strickland gave his thoughts on influencers/celebrities crossing over into pro wrestling:
    • There’s a time and a place for it, for sure. Once again, it always comes back to the connection to the fan base. Like, how much have you connected with the fan base to warrant your level of involvement in said space in wrestling? You always got to listen to the fan base. They’re going to tell you what they’re receiving well. 
    • They’re like children, they cry when they’re getting something they don’t want. Or they’re going to cry when they want something. And then you feed it to them and they’re going to be like, ‘Oh, that satisfied me. You answered what I was [looking for].’ It’s the same way. They’re going to tell you when they don’t like it or they’re not digesting it well.
  • While looking ahead to his Best of the Super Juniors matchups, Jun Kasai gave his thoughts on Nick Wayne:
    • Yeah, we’ve been in GCW together and we’ve talked a bit. He’s younger than my son! If I lose to him, how can I look my own boy in the eye? [laughs]. But he really is a prodigy. You have this young protege and an average old vet. But even though I’m average, what I have in spades is passion. That’s what I’ve had for 28 years. That’s hard to beat.
  • Kasai, who is known for being a death match wrestler, described his BOSJ inclusion as a win-win:
    • I mean, if you eat your favorite food every day of the week and eventually you get sick of it. So for a misfit toy like myself to be in a top flight tournament for BOSJ it’s different for the tournament, and it’s different for me. So it’s win win.
  • After suffering a knee injury last September, CMLL wrestler Zandokan Jr. is set to return in La Copa Junior 2026. 
  • The Battleground Podcast interviewed AJ Francis.
  • ESPN published a feature story on Ronda Rousey ahead of her MMA return.

Daily Update: Upfronts, Bianca Belair, Dixie Carter

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Ted Turner’s legacy in sports
  • The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
  • The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
  • The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
  • Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
  • The local TV business in the early 70s
  • The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
  • The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
  • The growth of TBS
  • The launching of CNN
  • How Vince McMahon got on TBS
  • Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
  • The role Jim Barnett played
  • The death of Mid South Wrestling
  • The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
  • The death of WCW
  • How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
  • Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
  • The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
  • Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
  • How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
  • A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
  • Reaction to the death of WCW
  • Numerous people react to the death
  • The tribute on AEW television
  • His exploits in other sports
  • Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
  • Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
  • His charitable work
  • Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
  • A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
  • WWE cuts continue and are looked at
  • A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
  • Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
  • Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
  • New Day bid farewell
  • WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
  • More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
  • Backlash preview, business notes and odds
  • Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
  • New Japan Dontaku coverage
  • Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
  • NOAH big show notes
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
  • Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
  • Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
  • Champion Carnival down to final four
  • Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
  • Raja Jackson case coming to a close
  • Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
  • Worldwide YouTuber numbers
  • Dana White talks McGregor’s return
  • Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
  • When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
  • Janel Grant gets more public
  • Notes from WWE’s television contracts

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

Bianca Belair WWE WrestleMania 42
Bianca Belair makes her entrance at WWE WrestleMania 42. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Kendal Grey vs. Kelani Jordan match from NXT last night.
  • On Instagram, Bianca Belair showed a photo of how enlarged her ring finger still is from the injury she suffered at WrestleMania 41. Belair has gotten her wedding ring back and can wear it again, but the size has gone from a 7.5 to a 10, and her ring finger is now bigger than her thumb.
  • Cody Rhodes, representing WWE/ESPN, was in attendance at Disney’s upfronts in New York City on Tuesday. He sat alongside WrestleMania 42 rival Pat McAfee during a College GameDay panel at the event.
  • In response to Penta vs. Ethan Page being announced for Saturday Night’s Main Event, Rey Fenix tweeted that he also wants a shot at Penta’s Intercontinental title: “I love my brother, but i will like to have my chance.”
  • Brock Rechsteiner, the son of Scott Steiner who has been signed by the New Orleans Saints, named Bron Breakker, Roman Reigns, and Randy Orton as the three current WWE wrestlers he would choose to draft as his teammates in the NFL.
  • Rusev’s Kech Pro Wrestling school is now open in Nashville. Former WWE wrestler Gangrel is partnering with him as a trainer at the school.
  • CM Punk and Ken Shamrock will be among the panelists for a new “UFC Rivals” show that launches on A&E on Sunday, June 21. The first two episodes will focus on the Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz and Georges St-Pierre vs. Matt Serra rivalries. Mario Lopez is hosting the show, with Punk, Shamrock, Miesha Tate, and Michael Bisping listed as some of the names who will be part of the expert roundtable.

Other Wrestling

  • An AEW Dynamite graphic featuring MJF, Kenny Omega, Willow Nightingale, Will Ospreay, and Jon Moxley was on display at WBD upfronts today. It was shown alongside graphics for Shark Week, Guy Fieri’s Tournament of Champions, 90 Day Fiance, and Love & Marriage: Huntsville.
  • AEW/ROH wrestler Billie Starkz celebrated her graduation from college:
    • From ring ropes at 13 to a graduation cap in 2026
    • Years of bumps, bruises, early mornings, late nights, and chasing a dream that started in a wrestling ring before I even stepped into a college classroom. Here’s to proving you can chase your passion and your education at the same time.
    • The grind never stopped… it just earned a degree
  • Renee Paquette interviewed The Conglomeration on a new episode of AEW Close Up.
  • PWInsider reports that Dixie Carter turned down “several invitations” to be interviewed for the upcoming Dark Side of the Ring episode focused on TNA and Jeff Jarrett.
  • Sareee announced that she is taking approximately one month off from wrestling so that she can have neck treatment.
  • Following his release from WWE, Joe Gacy (now going by Joseph Sawyer) has been announced for a Blitzkrieg Pro show in Enfield, Connecticut on August 8 and a Pro Wrestling Junkie event in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey on September 20.
  • Indie wrestler Jay Bishop has signed with MLW.

Daily Update: Trick Williams, Kenta Kobashi, Liv Morgan

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Ted Turner’s legacy in sports
  • The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
  • The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
  • The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
  • Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
  • The local TV business in the early 70s
  • The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
  • The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
  • The growth of TBS
  • The launching of CNN
  • How Vince McMahon got on TBS
  • Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
  • The role Jim Barnett played
  • The death of Mid South Wrestling
  • The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
  • The death of WCW
  • How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
  • Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
  • The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
  • Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
  • How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
  • A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
  • Reaction to the death of WCW
  • Numerous people react to the death
  • The tribute on AEW television
  • His exploits in other sports
  • Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
  • Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
  • His charitable work
  • Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
  • A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
  • WWE cuts continue and are looked at
  • A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
  • Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
  • Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
  • New Day bid farewell
  • WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
  • More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
  • Backlash preview, business notes and odds
  • Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
  • New Japan Dontaku coverage
  • Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
  • NOAH big show notes
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
  • Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
  • Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
  • Champion Carnival down to final four
  • Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
  • Raja Jackson case coming to a close
  • Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
  • Worldwide YouTuber numbers
  • Dana White talks McGregor’s return
  • Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
  • When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
  • Janel Grant gets more public
  • Notes from WWE’s television contracts

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Tuesday Update

Liv Morgan WWE
Liv Morgan WWE (Image credit: WWE)

 WWE

  • Nattie paid tribute to Asuka on social media after it appeared she was taking time off following Monday’s Raw: “So grateful I got to hug you when you came back after your match at Backlash, Asuka. You mean so much to all of us, both in the ring and backstage. Nothing but love, admiration, and respect for you always @WWEAsuka. You are everything that is great about wrestling.”
  • Randy Orton responded on social media after someone spent $42,100 at an auction for a one-of-a-kind WrestleMania 41 card: “Whoever bought this card should be entitled to the throwback gear I wore at WM41.”
  • Liv Morgan traded words with Nikki Bella on social media: “I can’t believe ur tweeting me from home with ur broken a** ankle but since you want my attention…. Ur sister and Beige should be embarrassed. Next week @RaquelWWE & @roxanne_wwe are gonna be our NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions & as for you ? You can just keep on watching me. Happy Mother’s Day btw, much love to all the single mothers out there.”
  • John Cena is in a new commercial for Chime.
  • Trick Williams received a resolution from the South Carolina House of Representatives while on News 19 WLTX.
  • WWE Vault additions include a show held in Kuwait from May 12, 1996, Hulk Hogan & Randy Savage vs. Jake Roberts & Berzerker from a January 1992 dark match, John Cena vs. Big Show from Judgement Day 2009, and John Cena vs. Ryback in a Last Man Standing match from Extreme Rules 2013.

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • Justin Barrasso interviewed new AEW National Champion Mark Davis, who reflected on his time in AEW: “I’m whole again,” he remarked. “I have the space, time, and support for all of that to happen in AEW, and I’m blessed to work here. It’s changed my life.”
  • When Sean Ross Sapp asked on social media where AEW should run an event next, MJF replied “MSG.”
  • Callum Newman is returning to RevPro to take on Leon Cage on May 17.
  • NJPW interviewed Robbie X ahead of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
  • TNA’s Champions Challenge returns on May 15 in Sacramento.
  • The next Hardy Party is scheduled for May 13, also in Sacramento.
  • Kenta Kobashi recently celebrated the 13th anniversary of his retirement: “About 14 years ago, I decided to retire with the words, “I can no longer do Kenta Kobashi-style pro wrestling.” I have no regrets about my decision!! On December 25, 2012, I founded Fortune KK. I started it together with my wife, hand in hand. I myself felt anxious about the future after retirement. I think my wife felt even more anxious than I did. I am truly grateful to Mayuko. And thanks to the passionate support from Kenta Kobashi fans across the nation, I was able to welcome this 13th retirement anniversary with a smile. Thank you!!”

Daily Update: Ronda Rousey & Gina Carano, Garrett Borden to make wrestling debut

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Ted Turner’s legacy in sports
  • The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
  • The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
  • The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
  • Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
  • The local TV business in the early 70s
  • The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
  • The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
  • The growth of TBS
  • The launching of CNN
  • How Vince McMahon got on TBS
  • Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
  • The role Jim Barnett played
  • The death of Mid South Wrestling
  • The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
  • The death of WCW
  • How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
  • Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
  • The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
  • Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
  • How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
  • A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
  • Reaction to the death of WCW
  • Numerous people react to the death
  • The tribute on AEW television
  • His exploits in other sports
  • Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
  • Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
  • His charitable work
  • Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
  • A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
  • WWE cuts continue and are looked at
  • A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
  • Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
  • Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
  • New Day bid farewell
  • WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
  • More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
  • Backlash preview, business notes and odds
  • Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
  • New Japan Dontaku coverage
  • Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
  • NOAH big show notes
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
  • Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
  • Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
  • Champion Carnival down to final four
  • Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
  • Raja Jackson case coming to a close
  • Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
  • Worldwide YouTuber numbers
  • Dana White talks McGregor’s return
  • Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
  • When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
  • Janel Grant gets more public
  • Notes from WWE’s television contracts

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Monday Update

Garrett Borden to make pro wrestling debut
Garrett Borden to make pro wrestling debut (Image credit: Rhodes Wrestling Association)

— Bryan and I will be back tonight to talk WWE, the Von Erichs, ratings woes, Rousey vs. Carano and more.

— Ronda Rousey was hyping her big fight with Hunter Campbell great today on Ariel Helwani’s show. “He was being so dismissive and just trying to get me and Gina to value ourselves less from the get-go. He was like, `Oh, I know, you guys are just so much older and I just don’t know how it’s gonna do.’ It just really rubbed me the wrong way that like this fucking guy is the person that’s going to be shepherding the company that I helped build. My mom is part of the California Athletic Commission and she had a meeting with him about trying to get Slap allowed for California. He goes, this is a really big opportunity for a lot of these people. A lot of these guys would just be doing meth in a trailer park if it wasn’t for this… We are glorified bum fights to this guy. This guy does not have a job because he’s good at it, he has a job because he is Dana and Lorenzo’s lawyer’s son. He was fing intern when I was there before and now he’s coming up to me saying, ‘I don’t know how you and Gina are going to do.’ Like motherfer I’m gonna put on a bigger fight with Gina than you have your entire fing career. Keep trying to fail upwards motherer. Keep trying to suck the right dicks in the right order. I’m fucking coming for your job.”

Evidently there was an issue with Ronda’s mother, who is on the Athletic Commission in California, who told Campbell when he was trying to get SlapFighting approved in the state that she thought SlapFighting was analogous to so many things wrong with society. Rousey has done a great job in building up a Rousey vs. Campbell match. She also doubled down on this being her last fight, saying, “I promised my husband up and down that this is the last one. He’s the one that I really got to convince to get on board for this promoter shit afterwards. He’s not 100 percent sold on it. He’s not going for the fighting at all after this. This is the dream fight. This is the absolute pinnacle. This is the perfect way to end it.”

— Too bad the fight isn’t against Hunter Campbell on Saturday.

— Jake Paul predicted more than 20 million views for Rousey vs Carano. I hope so. Keep in mind that would be easily four times what WrestleMania did worldwide (Mania was on Netflix everywhere but the U.S. and ESPN and the app in the U.S.

— Gina Carano recently turned 44.

— Raw tonight is from Knoxville, TN. I wonder if we’ll get a Kane cameo since he’s the mayor. They had 9,448 tickets out as of this afternoon so a strong crowd. Asuka is there and whatever her situation is would likely be explained. Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu will be doing an angle. Brie Bella & Paige will have an angle presumably with Roxanne Perez & Raque Rodriguez. Oba Femi has an open challenge. The Street Profits & Joe Hendry face Bron Breakker & Austin Theory & Logan Paul.

— Regarding the new dates Roman Reigns has been put back on for Raw (he was listed, taken off last week, put back on two shows this week), I don’t know yet if that means he’s on the Saudi Arabia card. But it does mean the next time someone mocks the term “plans change,” you can laugh in their faces given they change daily.

— We’re looking for your thoughts on WWE Backlash Saturday. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

— We have a story up on the site for members on the TNA and AEW ratings including a stat that is clearly making zero sense.

— Box Brown noted to us that Labor of Love Wrestling came up with the Danhausen cloning idea and did it at a show three weeks ago in Philadelphia. I was sent the video. It was identical. The only thing is that the wrestler doing the cloning had an identical twin brother who came out. But the box was exactly the same, the smoke was the same, I mean the thing at Backlash was so clearly taken from the show in Philadelphia.

— Garrett Borden, Sting’s other son who was involved in the Sting & Darby Allin vs. Young Bucks match makes his pro wrestling debut as an official competitor on Sunday for Dustin Rhodes’ Rhodes Wrestling Association.

— Tonight’s CMLL show in Puebla was sold out before I even woke up. The main event is Mistico & Mascara Dorada & Atlantsi Jr. vs. Averno & Soberan Jr. & Hechicero. We mistakenly listed that as the main event for last night’s show. Last night was Mistico & Templario & Esfinge over Angel de Oro & Hechicero & Niebla Roja.

— Something notable about the 9/11 and 9/13 TripeMania announcements are that WWE has a tour of South America on 9/9 to 9/12 and Penta and Grande Americano are advertised although I suppose there are two Grande’s and one could at TripleMania and the other in Argentina. But after 5/30 there should only be one Grande, unless WWE changes the tradition and a guy loses his mask and still works with a mask.

— Kevin Gil’s lawsuit against Game Changer Wrestling was settled this week in U.S. District Court in New Jersey. Gill had filed a suit in 2024 claiming that he and GCW agreed to start a Patreon together and he would receive 20 percent of the patreon revenue. He said that he was underpaid his percentage and that he stopped being paid in 2020. He had sued for a figure in excess of $150,000.

— The WWE shareholder lawsuit against WWE is scheduled for a 6/8 trial date, so there are only a few weeks to go before a likely settlement would be reached.

— TNA will debut a Wicked Garden match at its Friday taping in Sacramento. It will be Hardys vs. Righteous and air on 6/4. They are taping Thursday and Friday in Sacramento. Skip Caray, the great grandson of Harry Caray (one of the most famous baseball announcers of all-time) and the A’s announcer, will be on Thursday’s live TNA broadcast from Sacramento.

— Paul Diamond of WWE fame (as opposed to the 60s and 70s wrestlers) turned 65 today. He was a former pro soccer player in the old North American Soccer League. Billy Kidman turned 52. Bobby Roode turned 50. Lince Dorado turned 39. Rollerball Mark Rocco/Original Black Tiger was born on this day in 1951. He was one of the greatest U.K. wrestlers in history and a Hall of Famer. Silver King was 51 when he passed away seven years ago. Sabu was 61 when he passed away last year. Steve Austin debuted on this day in 1989. (thanks to Tony Richards)

— The movie Nacho Libre, where Silver King played the lead heel, was the No. 4 movie for yesterday on Paramount + and No. 8 overall. It had more views than UFC on Sunday (not more than Saturday obviously since that was the No. 1 show for the day on the service and more than Zuffa Boxing.

— WWE sent out a press release saying that the first two-night TripleMania takes place in September. There have been multiple day TripleManias in 1994, 1995, 1996,1997, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

— Jeet Rama, who formerly worked for WWE, has started Pro Wrestling Rebellion in India. Mansoor was announced for the show as both a writer and working in production, and Mark Dallas of Insane Championship Wrestling will also be involved.

Daily Update: UFC & WWE Backlash fallout, BTS at Arena Mexico

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Ted Turner’s legacy in sports
  • The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
  • The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
  • The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
  • Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
  • The local TV business in the early 70s
  • The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
  • The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
  • The growth of TBS
  • The launching of CNN
  • How Vince McMahon got on TBS
  • Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
  • The role Jim Barnett played
  • The death of Mid South Wrestling
  • The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
  • The death of WCW
  • How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
  • Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
  • The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
  • Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
  • How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
  • A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
  • Reaction to the death of WCW
  • Numerous people react to the death
  • The tribute on AEW television
  • His exploits in other sports
  • Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
  • Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
  • His charitable work
  • Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
  • A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
  • WWE cuts continue and are looked at
  • A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
  • Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
  • Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
  • New Day bid farewell
  • WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
  • More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
  • Backlash preview, business notes and odds
  • Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
  • New Japan Dontaku coverage
  • Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
  • NOAH big show notes
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
  • Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
  • Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
  • Champion Carnival down to final four
  • Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
  • Raja Jackson case coming to a close
  • Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
  • Worldwide YouTuber numbers
  • Dana White talks McGregor’s return
  • Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
  • When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
  • Janel Grant gets more public
  • Notes from WWE’s television contracts

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Sunday Update

Mistico wears a BTS-influenced jacket
Mistico wears a BTS-influenced jacket (Image credit: CMLL)

— We have two weekend shows up right now. Last night Bryan and I talked about Backlash, Collision, Ted Turner, Mistico, WWE business and other subjects. Today’s show with Garret, with questions from the current issue of the Observer, the UFC 328 show and more on Ted Turner, wrestling, baseball and cable.

— Happy Mother’s Day for all the mothers out there.

— Last night’s UFC show did the largest numbers the company has done since the first major show on Paramount. So I expect big numbers for CBS when they come out on Tuesday. It was the No. 1 rated show worldwide on Paramount+ for the day, even beating South Park. In fact it was so big that old UFC shows placed No. 10 for the day. Outside of Europe and Australia (where it aired after midnight so it wouldn’t be listed until tomorrow), it was the No. 1 show in every market it aired in on Paramount + other than the U.S., where it was No. 2 to South Park.

— Not a lot coming out of Backlash, although the post-match made it appear that Roman Reigns would be doing something to try and get Jacob Fatu out of WWE starting on tomorrow’s Raw.

— Regarding the details of the John Cena Invitational, we were just told today that this is a work in progress. They wanted to make the announcement but as far as what it is, that is not decided so any speculation of tournament vs. individual matches or how the champions will be set up is just speculation.

— We’re looking for your thoughts on Backlash, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestliing observer.com

— For Google searches, last night’s UFC show led by Sean Strickland’s middleweight title win over Khamzat Chimaev did 1,360,000 searches. WWE Backlash did 254,000. Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano did 10,000.

— There were two very close decisions on last night’s UFC show. Sean Strickland beat Khamzat Chimaev on 47-48, 48-47 and 48-47 scores. I had Chimaev clearly winning rounds and and four, Strickland winning round two and I did have Strickland three and five but both were so close they could have gone the other way. Media scores were 54 percent for Chimaev. This could have gone either way. I still had it open in the last ten seconds that if Chimaev landed strongly I had him winning. Chimaev is not going to ask for a rematch because he’s moving to light heavyweight. He had way too much weight to cut and it made a difference with his stamina.

— Judge Eric Clon went for Strickland winning rounds two, three and five. Sal D’Amato gave Strickland the same three rounds. Sue Sanidad had Strickland winning two and three and Chimaev winning one, four and five. In Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, had Cortez-Acosta winning one and three but most had it the other way. Media scores were 80 percent in favor of Volkov, who won. Judge Jon Bilyk had all three rounds for Vokov. Henry Krawiec had one and two for Volkov. Dave Tirelli had two and three for Volkov.

— Not much in the way of reports on great matches this weekend. Aside from Backlash and the Darby Allin vs. Pac match, we didn’t get anything in the way of recommendations.

— At Arena Mexico on Friday, members of the band BTS were in the front row. Mistico came out with a BTS jacket. Then last night at the BTS concert before 65,000 fans at Estadio GNP Seguros, Jin had a Mistico jacket on and they led the crowd in chants for Mistico. BTS ran three shows in Mexico City. It was reported that when tickets were put on sale that there were 2.1 million people in the queue to buy tickets. Reports were that they turned away 40,000 fans at the stadium last night.

— Group member Yoongi talked last night about being a lifelong fan and his favorites being Rey Mystreio and Eddy Guerrero. Backstage group members were trying to do Mistico moves on each other last night.

— Tonight at Arena Mexico has Mistico & Mascara Drada & Atlantis Jr. vs Averno & Soberano Jr. & Hechicero as the main event.

— The A&E Biography today is on The Four Horsemen at 8 p.m. LFG airs at 10 p.m. and WWE’s Greatest Moments air at 11 and 11:30 p.m. The 11 p.m. show will be on Nitro and the 11:30 p.m. show will be a history of Backlash.

— Tito Santana, born Merced Solis, turned 73 today. Frankie Hill Murdoch, the father of Dick Murdoch, was born on this day in 1909. Billy Sandow, one of the most important figures in pro wrestling history, was born on this day in 1912. Jerry Brown of the Hollywood Blonds tag team was born on this day 1937. Hall of Fame promoter Frank Tunney of Toronto died 43 years ago today at the age of 70. He was the uncle of Jack Tunney, who took over Maple Leaf Wrestling after Frank’s death. Ilio DiPaolo, the biggest pro wrestling regional star ever in Buffalo and also well known for the Italian Restaurant DiPaolo’s (which still exists today after 61 years), died 21 years ago today at 68. Mack York was 90 when he died ten years ago today. Bob Bruggers was 80 when he died two years ago today. So this week’s Observer in 2024 had the story on the 1972 Class of Verne Gagne and Billy Robinson trainees, which included Bruggers, Ric Flair, Ken Patera, Iron Sheik, Greg Gagne & Jim Brunzell. The two expected to be the biggest stars were Patera and Bruggers, who was a high school basketball legend and former NFL player. (thanks to Tony Richards)

— CNN aired a documentary last night on the life of Ted Turner. There was no mention of pro wrestling in the documentary.

Daily Update: Ted Turner, AEW & NWA ratings notes, WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Ted Turner’s legacy in sports
  • The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
  • The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
  • The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
  • How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
  • Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
  • The local TV business in the early 70s
  • The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
  • The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
  • The growth of TBS
  • The launching of CNN
  • How Vince McMahon got on TBS
  • Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
  • The role Jim Barnett played
  • The death of Mid South Wrestling
  • The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
  • The death of WCW
  • How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
  • Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
  • The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
  • Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
  • How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
  • A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
  • Reaction to the death of WCW
  • Numerous people react to the death
  • The tribute on AEW television
  • His exploits in other sports
  • Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
  • Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
  • His charitable work
  • Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
  • A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
  • WWE cuts continue and are looked at
  • A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
  • Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
  • Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
  • New Day bid farewell
  • WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
  • More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
  • Backlash preview, business notes and odds
  • Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
  • New Japan Dontaku coverage
  • Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
  • NOAH big show notes
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
  • Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
  • Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
  • Champion Carnival down to final four
  • Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
  • Raja Jackson case coming to a close
  • Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
  • Worldwide YouTuber numbers
  • Dana White talks McGregor’s return
  • Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
  • When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
  • Janel Grant gets more public
  • Notes from WWE’s television contracts

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Friday Update

WWE SmackDown May 8, 2026 graphic Cody Rhodes, Gunther
WWE SmackDown May 8, 2026 graphic Cody Rhodes, Gunther (Image credit: WWE)

— There will be no Observer radio today as Garrett and I are going to do a show Sunday morning Pacific time. Bryan and I will be up tomorrow night after WWE Backlash.

— The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up today. It is one of the biggest in our history covering the life and times of Ted Turner, both as it related to pro wrestling, a small part of his life but one that still made him one of the three most influential figures in pro wrestling over the past 55 years.

— Thanks for all the nice comments on the Ted Turner story. This was one of the longest stories I’ve written and had to get it done in two days. Crazy. It’s among the best stuff I’ve done. I will say the WWE cuts story has some very notable information people haven’t fully noticed yet.

— AEW Dynamite on Wednesday did 590,000 viewers with an 0.10 in 18-49. Collision did 429,000 viewers and 0.07. Dynamite was 9th for the night and 4th in the time slot, behind NBA playoffs which did 5,178,000 viewrs and 1.59 in 18-49, NHL playoffs which did 1,260,000 and 0.31 as well as FOX News. Collision was 8th in its time slot. The latest change in cable continues to hurt all pro wrestling.

— Regarding the 275,000 viewer claim of NWA for Saturday, at this point we have no corroboration on it as to where that number comes from and how it was calculated. The NWA has announced its 78th anniversary event will take place on 7/25 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia

— SmackDown tonight is from Jacksonville. The matches announced are Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James for the US title, Rhea Ripley & Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Jacy Jayne & Falln Henley & Lainey Reid, Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga plus appearances by Gunther, Jacob Fatu and the funeral of the Gingerbread Man. There were 7,340 tickets out for the show as of earlier today.

— Reports today from Ring Magazine list Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao as being held on 9/25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Netflix.

— Backlash tomorrow night from Tampa opens with Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker and Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn for the U.S. title on ESPN 2 at 6 p.m. Eastern. After that will be Danhausen & ? vs. Miz & Kit Wilson, Iyo Sky vs. Asuka and the main event of Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu for the world title. We have a preview in the current issue.

— We’ll be doing a weekend poll on Backlash, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

— Dana White called the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland feud the third biggest in UFC history behind Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier. That sounds high. I don’t see this as above Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir, Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans, GSP vs. Nick Diaz, GSP vs. Matt Serra, Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate or GSP vs BJ Penn.

UFC 328 starts at 5 p.m. Eastern on Paramount +

  • Clayton Carpenter (126) vs. Jose Ochoa (125)
  • Baisangur Susurkaev (186) vs. Djorden Santos (186)
  • Pat Sabatini (145) vs. William Gomis (15)
  • Roman Kopylov (185) vs. Marco Tulio (186)
  • Jim Miller (155) vs. Jared Gordon (156)
  • Grant Dawson (156) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (156)
  • Yaroslav Amasov (170) vs. Joel Alvarez (170)
  • Ateba Gautier (185) vs. Ozzy Diaz (186)
  • King Green (155) vs. Jeremy Stephens (160) – Stephens missed weight by three pounds and has forfeited 30 percent of his purse
  • Sean Brady (170) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170)
  • Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosts (264)
  • Joshua Van (125) vs. Tatsuro Taira (125) for the flyweight title
  • Khamzat Chimaev (185) vs. Sean Strickland (185) for the middleweight title

— From 8-10 p.m. on CBS they will air Amasov vs. Alvarez, Gautier vs. Diaz, Green vs Stephens and Brady vs Buckley.

— Arena Mexico tonight has Mistico & Titan vs. Angel de Oro & Cavernario Barbaro, Neon vs. Black Tiger, Futuro & Hombre Bala Jr & Max Star & Valiente Jr. vs. Elemental & Explosivo & Maquina Letal & El Terrible, Kira & Jarochita & Tessa Blanchard vs. Keyra & Reyna Isis & Zeuxis, La Calavera Jr. I & II vs. Diamante & Brillante Jr. and Espiritu Negro & Fuego & Rey Cometa vs Dark Magic & El Gallero & Espanto Jr.

— Saturday night at Arena Coliseo has Titan & Neon & Esfinge vs. Barboza & Difunto & Furia Roja, Yutani vs. Valiente Jr. in a lightning match and Los Gemelo Diablos vs. Euforia & Mephisto.

— Next Friday at Arena Mexico is the 20th anniversary of Me Muero, the song and music video that is now Mistico’s iconic entrance music. Keep in mind that we actually never hear that song on CMLL shows since they don’t have the rights. They do play the song in the building and the place goes crazy. Literally this is like if they played Cult of Personality in the buildings but then on television played a cover song so you couldn’t hear it or the crowd reaction. The same happened in New Japan. Tony Khan has paid for usage of the song, so the only televised place to hear it is actually on AEW television. The 20th anniversary main event is Mistico & Mascara Dorada & Neon vs. Volador Jr. & Averno & Ultimo Guerreo

— AAA TV tomorrow night looks to have Octagon Jr. vs. Cruz del Toro vs. Lince Dorado and Catalina vs. Jessy Jackson. This will air on YouTube after the Backlash broadcast ends.

— Walter Holloway, who wrestled for Matt Tremont’s H2O Wrestling group in the Northeast as well as other independent groups, passed away from a shooting at the age of 31. The shooting took place Wednesday night at about 10:30 p.m. in South Philadelphia. He had been shot several times. The belief is the shooting is related to an incident on Tuesday that has yet to be reported.

— An interview with Diana Hart Smith.

Daily Update: Jacob Fatu, WWE Chile, The Sandman

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • A look at the WWE releases, reasons, prospects for the future, who should AEW or TNA be interested in
  • Nick Khan speaks to WWE employees about Paul Levesque, WrestleMania, social media, Saudi Arabia and AI
  • WWE Backlash and AEW Double or Nothing updates, including interest levels for both shows
  • Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom show looked at
  • How the latest Nielsen ratings change affects pro wrestling and where it affects it the most
  • Dragon Gate has its annual big Nagoya show this week
  • A look at the career of Gran Markus Jr.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA programming this past week
  • The 70th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico
  • Who is coming for Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • Big match planned for AAA television
  • Champion Carnival update
  • NOAH major show update
  • New Japan has Dontaku with Andrade and Will Ospreay this week
  • Wrestling Red Zone coverage
  • A look back at the original Tiger Mask and his influence on pro wrestling and MMA
  • Who are the most famous wrestler in the ten largest cities in the world, and top 50 cities in the world
  • Biggest moments in NCAA wrestling tournament history over the past 60 years
  • Former pro wrestling booker heading up a unique promotion
  • Updates on Real American Freestyle
  • More UFC stars coming to RAF
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major pro wrestling events over the next two months and the story that it tells
  • Two relatives of major pro wrestling stars signing with NFL teams
  • Remembeing David Allan Coe, the country singer of Great American Bash fame
  • Jimmy Valiant retires
  • Former WWE star says she’s making a comeback
  • Carlos Silva on why TNA won’t let its talent work with AEW talent and examining what he said
  • AEW May television schedule changes
  • WWE television schedule changes
  • Ronda Rousey wants to be a promoter
  • Puck breaks a notable story on Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon
  • More on when the next lawsuit against WWE goes to court
  • More notes on TNA expanding domestic exposure
  • More on new WWE signings
  • NXT house show notes

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

Jacob Fatu WWE Raw
Jacob Fatu confronts Roman Reigns on WWE Raw. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • During an appearance on No-Contest Wrestling, Jacob Fatu cut a promo on fans who think he won’t defeat Roman Reigns at Backlash:
    • Let’s keep it 100. He just won it. This is the next PLE. So I can understand why people think, ‘Oh, well, he’s not going to lose. It’s just a match. He’s going to fall in line.’ Nah, that’s ass. All right. That’s ass
    • What y’all think? Y’all know the booking? What y’all think? ‘Oh, Roman Reigns, first title defense against Jacob. There’s no way Roman’s losing it.’ Man, that’s ass.
    • Because check this out, of course y’all going to be watching. Y’all going to be tapped in. So everybody else complaining online about this and that. Hey, hey, hey, I bet you will definitely buy that ESPN app. And I bet you going to be sitting there watching and enjoying the show and not saying a word during the match. So for everybody tapping in like that, come on. Man, come on with it.
  • Fatu added:
    • I can understand why people think I’m not going to win. First PLE, first title defense out of WrestleMania, there’s no way, right? Well, check this out – there was no way Jacob was supposed to be here. There was no way Jacob was supposed to be main event, PLE, Roman Reigns, right out of WrestleMania. But we’re here. And keep it 100. Like I said before, they ain’t never ran into nobody like me.
  • No-Contest Wrestling asked Fatu to name five wrestlers from WWE history that he would like to have main evented WrestleMania against:
    • Bron Breakker
    • Randy Savage
    • Jeff Hardy
    • Mr. Perfect
    • Brock Lesnar
  • Sami Zayn and Stephanie Vaquer called for WWE to change September’s house show in Chile into a PLE after tickets sold out quickly after going on sale.
  • Johnny Gargano announced that he and Candice LeRae’s dog Pawdme passed away after months of battling seizures:
    • I always made the joke that Pawdme’ was my first child. She prepared me for Quill. The real joke is that she’s actually way more high maintenance than her brother. She was SO good to him too. A true big sister. I’lll miss her sleeping between my legs. I’ll miss her zooming around the house with her rope. I’ll miss her sun bathing by the window of my gym.. I’m just really going to miss her. I just hope she knows we tried to give her the best life possible in the short time we had, and she will always hold an irreplaceable spot in our hearts. We love you forever, Tato. Thank you for choosing us to spend your life with.
  • The Miz promoted Backlash with appearances on ESPN’s Get Up, First Take, and The Rich Eisen Show.
  • Danhausen stormed into SportsCenter to help count down the top plays from the day.
  • Kevin Owens turns 42 years old today.
  • WWE Vault put together a video featuring rarely seen Championship Wrestling from Florida footage.

Other Wrestling

  • Actor Nick Offerman was the guest on a new episode of Talk is Jericho.
  • To prepare for his role on Apple TV’s “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Offerman – who didn’t know much about wrestling going in – read Bret Hart and Mick Foley’s autobiographies:
    • I was relatively ignorant. I knew the pop culture, the big stars of my youth, Hulk Hogan and Macho Man. My friend wrote a song about the Von Erichs. I knew bits and pieces, but I had no idea of the rich lore and just the culture, until I started researching for this job.
    • I read Bret Hart’s memoir and Mick Foley’s memoir, basically getting really into looking at all the different looks and gimmicks and characters that wrestlers have had over the years. It was a wonderful permission that Jinx’s [Offerman’s character] heyday was like 30 years ago, because that allowed us to be a lot more campy.
    • I have to say, it’s like getting cast as a linebacker or something. If you’re going to be out there actually representing and playing the sport, you got to respect it and treat it with absolute reverence, because I own a mirror, so I’ve never had a big enough ego to think that I can just ride it out on my personality alone.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, The Sandman was asked to encapsulate the career he’s had in the ring:
    • Too many drugs, honestly, too many drugs. A lot of smiles. I get a lot of fan mail and stuff at home. Just some of the things that people write to me and they tell me how I got them through a hard time in their life, or when their dad passed away, or something like that. Those are the times when it’s really, really worth it. I mean, it’s great when you’re living your life dream. When I was five years old, all I ever wanted to be was a pro wrestler. That’s it. Not a cop, fireman, doctor. All I ever wanted to be was a pro wrestler, so I got to live my life and make decent money out of it and make people really happy. You know, when you get some people come up to you and they’re like, ‘Oh my God, you’re the greatest thing ever.’ That just gives you goose bumps. That’s cool sh*t.
  • Inside the NBA did a segment last night remembering Ted Turner.
  • AEW wished Will Ospreay (33) and Angelico (39) happy birthday.

Daily Update: Ted Turner, Will Ospreay, new WWE production hire

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • A look at the WWE releases, reasons, prospects for the future, who should AEW or TNA be interested in
  • Nick Khan speaks to WWE employees about Paul Levesque, WrestleMania, social media, Saudi Arabia and AI
  • WWE Backlash and AEW Double or Nothing updates, including interest levels for both shows
  • Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom show looked at
  • How the latest Nielsen ratings change affects pro wrestling and where it affects it the most
  • Dragon Gate has its annual big Nagoya show this week
  • A look at the career of Gran Markus Jr.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA programming this past week
  • The 70th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico
  • Who is coming for Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • Big match planned for AAA television
  • Champion Carnival update
  • NOAH major show update
  • New Japan has Dontaku with Andrade and Will Ospreay this week
  • Wrestling Red Zone coverage
  • A look back at the original Tiger Mask and his influence on pro wrestling and MMA
  • Who are the most famous wrestler in the ten largest cities in the world, and top 50 cities in the world
  • Biggest moments in NCAA wrestling tournament history over the past 60 years
  • Former pro wrestling booker heading up a unique promotion
  • Updates on Real American Freestyle
  • More UFC stars coming to RAF
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major pro wrestling events over the next two months and the story that it tells
  • Two relatives of major pro wrestling stars signing with NFL teams
  • Remembeing David Allan Coe, the country singer of Great American Bash fame
  • Jimmy Valiant retires
  • Former WWE star says she’s making a comeback
  • Carlos Silva on why TNA won’t let its talent work with AEW talent and examining what he said
  • AEW May television schedule changes
  • WWE television schedule changes
  • Ronda Rousey wants to be a promoter
  • Puck breaks a notable story on Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon
  • More on when the next lawsuit against WWE goes to court
  • More notes on TNA expanding domestic exposure
  • More on new WWE signings
  • NXT house show notes

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE Logo

WWE

  • Jim Rodriguez announced that he has joined WWE as a Senior Associate Producer. His past work experience includes production roles for DAZN, Univision, and ESPN. He also has on-air hosting experience and speaks both English and Spanish:
    • Bucket list job! I’ve joined the WWE as a Senior Associate Producer. Gonna be involved with RAW, Smackdown, NXT productions and making trips to Mexico for AAA. Beyond excited.
  • WWE uploaded the full Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana vs. Izzi Dame & Niko Vance mixed tag match from NXT last night.
  • On May 5, WWE filed a trademark for “Naraku,” which is EVIL’s new NXT name.
  • John Cena continued to show support for new NXT addition Mason Rook (Will Kroos) by sending out another tweet after Rook laid out Tony D’Angelo last night.
  • To promote Backlash, Paul Heyman appeared on ESPN’s First Take and Get Up today.
  • WWE’s Pete Dunne will face off against Leon Cage for indie promotion Attack! Pro Wrestling in Cardiff, Wales on June 19.
  • Andscape and ESPN put together a video documenting Lash Legend’s WrestleMania debut.
  • WWE has a pre-Backlash vlog focused on Jacob Fatu.

Other Wrestling

  • The NWA posted a tribute to Ted Turner:
    • The National Wrestling Alliance mourns the passing of Ted Turner.
    • His vision helped shape the landscape of professional wrestling and brought the NWA to a national stage, creating moments that will live forever.
    • Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who were impacted by his legacy.
  • MLW wrote: “RIP Ted Turner. A true American tycoon and media maven.”
  • Matt Hardy tweeted: “RIP Ted Turner. Thank you for your investment into pro wrestling/sports entertainment and giving it a platform to grow & sprawl into pop culture.”
  • Turner Classic Movies posted a tribute to its founder:
    • We say goodbye to our founder, the visionary Ted Turner. Ted’s love of classic films inspired him to create a channel dedicated to preserving them. He considered TCM one of his greatest accomplishments.
    • His passion continues to inspire us all as we work to fulfill his mission.
  • CNN, Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America, CBS News, and ABC News did segments covering Turner’s death.
  • Eric Bischoff appeared on both The Ariel Helwani Show and Busted Open Radio to share his memories of Turner.
  • In an interview with Forbes, Will Ospreay said he doesn’t feel comfortable doing the Shooting Star Press anymore following his return from neck surgery:
    • It’s mainly my range of motion right now. There are so many things where I just don’t feel comfortable doing certain tricks anymore, so I’ve kind of knocked them on the head. For example, I won’t do a shooting star press anymore because that required me to really put my head back and get a good arch, and I just can’t do it anymore.
  • Ospreay also told Forbes that he would love to see Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods join AEW:
    • I mean, I would love it. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about them. I loved watching Kofi Kingston win the WWE Championship and seeing what that meant to so many people. I think that’s powerful stuff.
    • I’ve only really spoken with Xavier Woods on Twitter, and I think it’s mostly been about costumes more than anything. He’s messaged me quite a lot about how he loves my jackets.
    • Everybody’s said they’re wonderful human beings, so if the avenues are there, of course I’d love to f****** wrestle them.
  • Leilani Kai shared an update on her Glamour Girls tag team partner Judy Martin after announcing that Martin was in the hospital:
    • I had a chance to speak with Judy [last night] on the phone. She wasn’t feeling well and we don’t have the test back yet to know what’s going on. I wrote her on the phone today and hadn’t heard back. I was getting nervous and the phone rang and it was her. I don’t know how she got ahold of it as she’s still in the hospital but she wanted to let me know she was ok. 
    • She bought me this jacket when my bag was lost flying to NJ. She didn’t want me to be cold and she even bought herself one so we could match. I’ve always been lucky to have my Judy in my corner. 
    • We are still waiting on further test and results. I’ll update you guys. Please keep my best friend in your prayers.
  • TNA put together a three-plus hour video with matches from the entire Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe series.
  • CMLL sent out a statement acknowledging the passing of Guillermina Zarzosa, a superfan who was known as “La Cavernaria.”
    • CMLL deeply mourns the passing of Ms. Guillermina Zarzosa ‘La Cavernaria,’ recognized as one of the most passionate and loyal fans in the history of our institution.
    • We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones, and wish them strength in coping with this irreparable loss.
    • May she rest in peace.
  • GCW has announced Joey Janela vs. Hook for its Race Against Time event in Cincinnati on June 19.
  • Leah Van Dale (former WWE wrestler Carmella) is launching a new podcast called “Hot Mom Sh!t”:
    • Hot Mom Sh!t is the podcast that lives in the AND — because you can look good and be a good mom. You can love your kids fiercely and still need to be more than just their mom. 
    • Hosted by Leah Van Dale, this is the show for the mom who is done pretending to have it all together, all of the time.
    • Hear the real stories, honest conversations, and the moments Leah probably should have kept to herself but didn’t. This isn’t a show about doing it perfectly.
    • It’s about the raw side of motherhood exactly as it is — hot and messy.

Daily Update: New Joe Hendry music video, The Rock, CM Punk

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • A look at the WWE releases, reasons, prospects for the future, who should AEW or TNA be interested in
  • Nick Khan speaks to WWE employees about Paul Levesque, WrestleMania, social media, Saudi Arabia and AI
  • WWE Backlash and AEW Double or Nothing updates, including interest levels for both shows
  • Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom show looked at
  • How the latest Nielsen ratings change affects pro wrestling and where it affects it the most
  • Dragon Gate has its annual big Nagoya show this week
  • A look at the career of Gran Markus Jr.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA programming this past week
  • The 70th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico
  • Who is coming for Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • Big match planned for AAA television
  • Champion Carnival update
  • NOAH major show update
  • New Japan has Dontaku with Andrade and Will Ospreay this week
  • Wrestling Red Zone coverage
  • A look back at the original Tiger Mask and his influence on pro wrestling and MMA
  • Who are the most famous wrestler in the ten largest cities in the world, and top 50 cities in the world
  • Biggest moments in NCAA wrestling tournament history over the past 60 years
  • Former pro wrestling booker heading up a unique promotion
  • Updates on Real American Freestyle
  • More UFC stars coming to RAF
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major pro wrestling events over the next two months and the story that it tells
  • Two relatives of major pro wrestling stars signing with NFL teams
  • Remembeing David Allan Coe, the country singer of Great American Bash fame
  • Jimmy Valiant retires
  • Former WWE star says she’s making a comeback
  • Carlos Silva on why TNA won’t let its talent work with AEW talent and examining what he said
  • AEW May television schedule changes
  • WWE television schedule changes
  • Ronda Rousey wants to be a promoter
  • Puck breaks a notable story on Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon
  • More on when the next lawsuit against WWE goes to court
  • More notes on TNA expanding domestic exposure
  • More on new WWE signings
  • NXT house show notes

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Tuesday Update

The Rock | WWE
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson appears at WWE Elimination Chamber. (Image credit: WWE)

 WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

Daily Update: More on WWE talent paycut story, Hijo del Vikingo injury update

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • A look at the WWE releases, reasons, prospects for the future, who should AEW or TNA be interested in
  • Nick Khan speaks to WWE employees about Paul Levesque, WrestleMania, social media, Saudi Arabia and AI
  • WWE Backlash and AEW Double or Nothing updates, including interest levels for both shows
  • Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom show looked at
  • How the latest Nielsen ratings change affects pro wrestling and where it affects it the most
  • Dragon Gate has its annual big Nagoya show this week
  • A look at the career of Gran Markus Jr.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA programming this past week
  • The 70th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico
  • Who is coming for Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • Big match planned for AAA television
  • Champion Carnival update
  • NOAH major show update
  • New Japan has Dontaku with Andrade and Will Ospreay this week
  • Wrestling Red Zone coverage
  • A look back at the original Tiger Mask and his influence on pro wrestling and MMA
  • Who are the most famous wrestler in the ten largest cities in the world, and top 50 cities in the world
  • Biggest moments in NCAA wrestling tournament history over the past 60 years
  • Former pro wrestling booker heading up a unique promotion
  • Updates on Real American Freestyle
  • More UFC stars coming to RAF
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major pro wrestling events over the next two months and the story that it tells
  • Two relatives of major pro wrestling stars signing with NFL teams
  • Remembeing David Allan Coe, the country singer of Great American Bash fame
  • Jimmy Valiant retires
  • Former WWE star says she’s making a comeback
  • Carlos Silva on why TNA won’t let its talent work with AEW talent and examining what he said
  • AEW May television schedule changes
  • WWE television schedule changes
  • Ronda Rousey wants to be a promoter
  • Puck breaks a notable story on Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon
  • More on when the next lawsuit against WWE goes to court
  • More notes on TNA expanding domestic exposure
  • More on new WWE signings
  • NXT house show notes

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Monday Update

El Hijo del Vikingo suffers apparent injury during AAA on FOX match
El Hijo del Vikingo suffers apparent injury during AAA on FOX match (Image credit: AAA)

— Bryan and I will be back tonight taking more WWE news and covering Raw, Dontaku and more with Wrestling Observer Radio.

— Regarding the story by Mike Johnson which noted a star performer who was asked to and agreed to take a 50 percent pay cut, I can’t say more than that is believed to be the case and the person is not a tippy top person. There have been recent raises and there have been people asked to take cuts. I think it’s very clear who they see as the top people and none of them have been asked to take a cut.

— TKO will be announcing first quarter earnings Wednesday.

— Raw tonight is in Omaha as the go-home show for Backlash. They will have the Roman Reigns contract signing with Jacob Fatu, a Sol Ruca contract signing, the Oba Femi open challenge, Penta & Je’Von Evans vs. Ethan Page & Rusev, Finn Balor vs. JD McDonagh and an Iyo Sky angle with Asuka. They had 8,847 tickets out so it’s a solid crowd but won’t be sold out.

— Because of the UFC show and not wanting to overlap by much, Backlash Saturday is starting at 6 p.m. Eastern. UFC starts at 7 p.m., but the main card won’t start until 9 p.m. So if there is an overlap for the UFC main card and Backlash, it will be limited.

— AEW on Wednesday has a three-hour show from North Charleston. They have under 2,000 tickets out. Among the matches are Darby Allin vs. Kevin Knight for the AEW title, Dax Harwood vs Orange Cassidy and if Cassidy wins, the Conglomeration gets a tag title match and if dax wins, FTR & Tommaso Ciampa get a trios title shot, Jon Moxley vs. Juice Robinson for the Continental title, and Mina Shirakawa & Harley Cameron vs. Hikaru Shida & Kris Statander. They only had 1,739 tickets out, so coming off the best Dynamite crowd in the U.S. since 2024, they return and will be among the lower Dynamite crowds in history.

— Saturday’s UFC 328 show from the Prudential Center with Khamzat Chimaev defending the middleweight title against Sean Strickland and Joshua Van defending the flyweight title against Tatsuro Taira has 15,556 tickets out. It’s about 1,800 shy of capacity.

— From today’s Donaku show, Mistico & El Desperado won the IWGP jr. tag titles from Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, meaning in the last year Mistico has held titles in AEW, MLW, PWR, CMLL and New Japan. Ospreay & Great O’Khan & Henare won the Never trios titles over Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Oleg Bolton when O’Khan pinned Yoshi-Hashi. Callum Newman retained the IWGP title in the main event over Shingo Takagi. Sanada returned and will challenge Konosuke Takeshita for the TV title that Takeshita retained over Chase Owens.

— Puebla tonight has an elimination match for Cinco de May with Cavernario, Difunto, Esfinge, Titan, Bishop Dyer, Diego Hill, Donovan Dijak and Ikuro Kwon., plus Dorada & Angel de Oro vs. Aries & Trevor Lee and Xelhua vs. Kushida.

— Arena Mexico on Tuesday has Mascara Dorada & Templario vs. Kushida & Yutani as the main event and a Titan vs. Flip Gordon lightning match. Last night saw a Cibernetico match with MLW and CMLL wrestlers that ended at 45:00 when Dorada beat Aries.

— El Hijo del Vikingo is awaiting results of an MRI. In his match with Mini Vikingo on Saturday in Queterago, the more famous Vikingo (who lost in a giant upset) landed badly on his shoulder coming off the top rope. He continued the match but you could see he was hurt. He is scheduled to face El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. for the Latin American title on the 5/30 show in Monterrey. Another Wagner family member, Galeno del Mal, saved Wagner from an attack by Omos on Saturday’s show.

— Blood 4 Blood, a combination of four bands and four brawls, Bare Knuckle boxing and heavy metal takes place on Wednesday night in Dayton Beach, FL, at the Ocean Center.

— Sunday’s AEW Biography episode from 8-10 p.m. will be on the Road Warriors.

— I’ve heard great things on the episode on the Von Erichs. It replays Sunday from 4-8 p.m.

— WWE referee Scott Armstrong turned 65 today. Jungle Jim Steele turns 59. Puerto Rican legend Ray Gonzalez turns 54. Dory Funk Sr., whose sons became two of the biggest international stars in history, was born on this day in 1919. Harry Fujiwara, the famed Mr. Fuji, was born on this day in 1934. Sammy Steamboat was born on this day in 1934 (thanks to Tony Richards)

— WAR’s 23rd anniversary and Hall of Fame event is 5/30 in Lima, OH at the Bradfield Community Center.

— GCW is in Milan, Italy on 5/24 with Nick Gage, Atticus Cogar, Shotzi Blackheart, Drew Parker, Joey Janela, Gringo Loco, Vipress, KJ Orso, Manders and more.

— Atlantis Jr. debuts for Pro Wrestling Revolucion on 7/18 in San Jose at Mt. Pleasant High School.

Daily Update: AEW & WBD deny sale story, more on New Day departure

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • A look at the WWE releases, reasons, prospects for the future, who should AEW or TNA be interested in
  • Nick Khan speaks to WWE employees about Paul Levesque, WrestleMania, social media, Saudi Arabia and AI
  • WWE Backlash and AEW Double or Nothing updates, including interest levels for both shows
  • Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom show looked at
  • How the latest Nielsen ratings change affects pro wrestling and where it affects it the most
  • Dragon Gate has its annual big Nagoya show this week
  • A look at the career of Gran Markus Jr.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA programming this past week
  • The 70th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico
  • Who is coming for Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • Big match planned for AAA television
  • Champion Carnival update
  • NOAH major show update
  • New Japan has Dontaku with Andrade and Will Ospreay this week
  • Wrestling Red Zone coverage
  • A look back at the original Tiger Mask and his influence on pro wrestling and MMA
  • Who are the most famous wrestler in the ten largest cities in the world, and top 50 cities in the world
  • Biggest moments in NCAA wrestling tournament history over the past 60 years
  • Former pro wrestling booker heading up a unique promotion
  • Updates on Real American Freestyle
  • More UFC stars coming to RAF
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major pro wrestling events over the next two months and the story that it tells
  • Two relatives of major pro wrestling stars signing with NFL teams
  • Remembeing David Allan Coe, the country singer of Great American Bash fame
  • Jimmy Valiant retires
  • Former WWE star says she’s making a comeback
  • Carlos Silva on why TNA won’t let its talent work with AEW talent and examining what he said
  • AEW May television schedule changes
  • WWE television schedule changes
  • Ronda Rousey wants to be a promoter
  • Puck breaks a notable story on Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon
  • More on when the next lawsuit against WWE goes to court
  • More notes on TNA expanding domestic exposure
  • More on new WWE signings
  • NXT house show notes

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Sunday Update

New Day Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods from WWE.com
New Day Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods from WWE.com (Image credit: WWE)

— Bryan and I will be back tonight to talk about today’s news and stuff here, as well as whatever we can watch with all the stuff that happened this weekend.

— Tanea “Rebel” Brooks in response to the message to her by Tony Schaivone on Collision last night said, “Thank you to my AEW family and to Tony Kahn and thank you to the fans for the signs. They truly lifted my spirits.” Brooks was diagnosed this past week with ALS, a horrible disease and from her video, she has likely been affected by it for a few years since she’s had multiple health issues that they had been unable to get to the bottom of. The story is so sad because ALS is a horrible disease and there is no cure for it. I think everyone says their prayers for her in this situation.

— I hate even addressing a non-story but this whole AEW story by John McMullen, which he completely rewrote, was such a non-story. Tony Khan has said the conversation claimed with David Zazlav in August never happened. Both AEW and WBD have completely denied the story. Of course they would if it was true, but the idea that any decision on AEW would be made prior to Paramount getting the company in and of itself makes no sense, let alone in August before ANYONE knew who would get it and Netflix was the clear frontrunner. Since August we’ve seen HBO MAX start adding AEW PPVs to its service and multiple new WBD/AEW integrations including on Adult Swim, the timeline of which made the story makes no sense.

MyAEW TV was not even released in the U.S. and Canada and was obviously, and we noted this from day one, a way for AEW to break ties with Triller which was having so many financial issues. It was not rushed out or even intended for the U.S. market, it was to replace AEW+ on Triller with an in-house service.

The only accurate thing is that the contract expires at the end of 2027 and whatever decisions will likely be made that year by whomever at Paramount/Skydance on either the sports side or entertainment side (and we don’t even know yet which side it will fall under) makes those decisions. Paramount + would have a small ownership stake in the company when the sale goes through and get a percentage of PPV revenue besides owning streaming and television rights from the sale.

I’ll talk more about this tonight.

— The stories on New Day that largely broke yesterday are accurate in that they were asked to take a pay cut on a deal signed in 2025 that was to go to 2030. They didn’t accept the pay cut and left on their own. For their careers, it was time to leave probably two years ago. It is most of the time good for longevity for a change in scenery, but talent doesn’t do it much for a variety of reasons including comfort and less or a risk in their minds. But they will be free agents in three months I believe, as their situation is different from the other roster cuts.

— The one incorrect narrative going around is that what has happened is something different than in the past. This happens every year. There are always lots of cuts, and always a few surprises such as talented people who were in stories that end up cut. Most of the cuts are people in the middle of contracts. There may be one or two no-cut contracts but for 99 percent of the talent they can be cut at any time. The cuts are more roster size than anything else and Vince McMahon did the exact same thing. Now, restructuring of contracts in the middle was not common, but it did happen under McMahon many times., Nothing is new here.

— Regarding Roman Reigns being pulled from June TV dates that were announced, the reason we were told is that he’s not going to be on the Saudi Arabia PPV and thus there was no reason to do the TV’s building that show. If he loses the title next week, of course that would be a change and there will be more to the story. If he retains, that’s probably all it is. But Reigns is no longer scheduled for any television in June.

— We haven’t gotten much on great weekend matches. Shane Haste’s GHC tite win over Yoshiki Inamura was 30+ minutes and if you like that kind of match, very solid, world title style working, it was a great version of that match, particularly Haste. Haste’s first title defense is 5/13 at Korakuen Hall against Kenta.

— Andrade beat Yota Tsuji earlier today to win the Global title in Fukuoka.

  • Mistico & Desperado & Taiachi & Yuya Uemura b Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson & Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita. Mistico & Desperado vs Eagles & Fujita tomorrow is now an IWGP jr. tag title match.
  • Will Osperay & Great O’Khan & Henare b Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Tatsuya Matsumoto
  • Konosouke Takeshita & Shota Umino b Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi
  • Shingo Takagi & Drilla Moloney & Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X & Daiki Nagai b CallumNewman & Jake Lee & Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay
  • Aaron Wolf b Don Fale
  • Ren Narita b Oleg Boltin to retain the Never title
  • Andrade b Tsuji with the message.

Andrade will be defending next against either Umino or Moloney next, or in a three-way against both.

The second show starts at 1:40 a.m. Eastern tonight. Key bouts are:

  • Newman vs. Takagi for IWGP title
  • Goto & Yoshi-Hashi & Boltin defend the trios titles against Ospreay & O’Khan & Henare
  • Tsuji & Moloney & Robbie X & Hartley Jackson vs. Lee & Akira & Young & Jay
  • Eagles & Fujita vs. Mistico & Desperado for the IWGP jr. tag titles
  • Uemura & Taichi vs. Hartley Jackson & Oiwa
  • Takeshita vs. Owens for the TV title

— Templario beat Kushida on Friday night at Arena Mexico to win the MLW middleweight title. They didn’t sell out for CMLL vs. MLW but it was a very big crowd. Donovan Dijak & Trevor Lee both remarked it was the loudest in the case of Lee and one of the two loudest in the case of Dijak crowds they had performed in front of. Angel de Oro & Soberano Jr. beat Lee & Austin Aries. Dijak & Bishop Dyer kept the MLW tag titles over Euforia & Averno. Shotzi kept the MLW women’s title over Garra Negra.

— Jack Perry vs. Mascara Dorada and the ten-man tag match with The Rascalz & Top Flight vs. Death Riders & Dogs from Peoria last night on Collision were also great.

— I would have thought due to the time slot that the UFC show would not have done well, but it was reversed. UFC was the No. 2 television show on Paramount + yesterday worldwide, as well as No. 2 in the U.S. even though the show aired early in the morning from Australia.

— As far as Google searches for the weekend:

  • David Benavidez had 200,000
  • UFC last night was 310,000
  • Kofi Kingston was 100,000 (Roman Reigns not listed)
  • The Rock (for being pulled over) was 20,000
  • Ricky Saints was 5,000

— I saw nothing for Naoya Inoue, whose boxing match at the Tokyo Dome drew a reported 55,000 fans (sounds high to me but it was sold out way in advance) and a $32 million gate. It was the largest combat sports gate ever in Japan by a wide margin In the all-time rankings, it was behind Mayweather’s fights with Pacquiao and McGregor, Alaverez vs Crawford and both nights of the 2025 WrestleMania. Not sure what the 2026 Mania gates were so it’s possible it could be above that but don’t think so because WWE did not announce a record gate and this number was just underneath the $33 million each night from last year.

— AJPW Champion Carnival update:

A block

  1. Kento Miyahara 7
  2. Rei Saito, Kengo Mashimao, Oddyssey, Go Shiozaki, Talos and Kuma Arashi 6
  3. Yuma Anzai 5

B block


1. Ren Ayabe and Daisuke Sekimoto 8
3. Hideki Suzuki and Yuma Aoyagi 7
5. Madkota Kikuta and Ryuki Honda 6
7. Xyon 5
8. Jan Saito (injured)

— Tom Aspinall said that things with his eyes are progressing well now and he hopes to be cleared for contact training soon. He said he is training, but not sparring, but said if things continue to improve, he’s back. He said he’s looking to fight the winner of Cyril Gane vs Alex Pereiera, who fight in June for the interim title.

— Dwayne Johnson turns 54 today. Pat McAfee turns 38. Wild Bull Curry was born on this day in 1913. Don Kernodle was born on this day in 1950. Randy Culley/Moondog Rex was born on this day in 1950. Ray Traylor aka Big Bubba aka Big Bossman aka The Boss was born on this day in 1963. Sammy Steamboat, who got canoeing into Hawaiian high school sports and was a legit legend of the 60s, passed away 20 years ago today at the age of 71.

Kirk White’s Big Time Wrestling from Friday night at a sold out Newark, CA Pavilion: Jiah Jewell b Marcus Lewis, Satnam Singh b Ben Bishop, Viva Van b Simone, Los Suavecitos b All Day Kru, VertVixen b Indi Hartwell, Bad Dude Tito b Jordan Cruz, QT Marshall b Royce Isaacs with Tommaso Ciampa as referee, Aaron Solo b Tome Filip. Next show is 7/17 (thanks to Johnny Poon and Jim Davis)

Daily Update: Rebel, WWE SmackDown, weekend lineups

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • A look at the WWE releases, reasons, prospects for the future, who should AEW or TNA be interested in
  • Nick Khan speaks to WWE employees about Paul Levesque, WrestleMania, social media, Saudi Arabia and AI
  • WWE Backlash and AEW Double or Nothing updates, including interest levels for both shows
  • Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom show looked at
  • How the latest Nielsen ratings change affects pro wrestling and where it affects it the most
  • Dragon Gate has its annual big Nagoya show this week
  • A look at the career of Gran Markus Jr.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for pro wrestling and MMA programming this past week
  • The 70th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico
  • Who is coming for Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • Big match planned for AAA television
  • Champion Carnival update
  • NOAH major show update
  • New Japan has Dontaku with Andrade and Will Ospreay this week
  • Wrestling Red Zone coverage
  • A look back at the original Tiger Mask and his influence on pro wrestling and MMA
  • Who are the most famous wrestler in the ten largest cities in the world, and top 50 cities in the world
  • Biggest moments in NCAA wrestling tournament history over the past 60 years
  • Former pro wrestling booker heading up a unique promotion
  • Updates on Real American Freestyle
  • More UFC stars coming to RAF
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major pro wrestling events over the next two months and the story that it tells
  • Two relatives of major pro wrestling stars signing with NFL teams
  • Remembeing David Allan Coe, the country singer of Great American Bash fame
  • Jimmy Valiant retires
  • Former WWE star says she’s making a comeback
  • Carlos Silva on why TNA won’t let its talent work with AEW talent and examining what he said
  • AEW May television schedule changes
  • WWE television schedule changes
  • Ronda Rousey wants to be a promoter
  • Puck breaks a notable story on Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon
  • More on when the next lawsuit against WWE goes to court
  • More notes on TNA expanding domestic exposure
  • More on new WWE signings
  • NXT house show notes

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Friday Update

CMLL logo
CMLL logo (Image credit: CMLL)

— Garrett Gonzales and I will be back with a show this afternoon covering the news of the week and Bryan and I will have our weekend update on Sunday night.

— Just wanted to send sympathies and make mention of Tanea Brooks, the former Rebel in TNA and AEW, who was diagnosed with ALS. She has been battling health issues for years and they never could give her an answer as to what her problems were. She was about to have lung surgery and she found out that was the issue. ALS is as horrible a disease as there is. there is no coming back from it and you just continually get weaker. Among the high profile people who have had it include baseball Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, Stephen Hawking, Roberta Flack, Dwight Clark, David Niven, Ezzard Charles and Steve McMichael. This was such a sad diagnosis. She put out a video today.

— Smackdown is tonight from Tulsa. Very little has been announced, only that Cody Rhodes will open the show, that Ricky Saints will debut and that Charlotte Flair will wrestle Jacy Jayne. They had 6,388 tickets out as of earlier today. There is some ticket sale softness for a lot of the WWE advance sales.

— MLW talent will be in Mexico this week. Tonight at Arena Mexico has:

  • Ikuero Kwon & Okumura vs. Los Calavera Jr. I & II
  • Olympia vs. Lady Frost
  • Shotzi vs. Garra Negra for MLW women’s title
  • Bishop Dyer & Donovan Dijak vs,. Averno & Euforia for MLW tag titles
  • Neon vs. Diego Hll
  • Angel de Oro & Soberano Jr. vs. Austin Aries & Trevor Lee
  • Kushida vs, Templario for the MLW middeweight title

The show is at 7 p.m. Eastern time on the CMLL YouTube page.

— For tomorrow night at Arena Coliseo, the key matches are Dyer & Dijak vs. Bue Panther & Hill non-title, Trevor Lee vs. Volador Jr. in a lightning match and Titan & Templario vs, Aries & Kushida.

— Sunday at Arena Mexico has a Cibernetcio main event with CMLL vs MLW with Akuma, Averno, Black Tiger, Flip Gordon, Mascara Dorada, Neon, Templario, Aries, Dyer, Hill, Dijak, Kwon, Kushida and Lee.

— Monday in Puebla has a Cibernetico with Barbaro Cavernario, Difunto, Esfinge, Titan, Dyer, Hill, Dijak and Kwon, plus Kushida vs Xelhjua and Angel de Oro & Dorada vs. Aries & Lee.

— Tuesday in Guadalajara has Dyer & Hill & Dijak vs. Averno & Euphoria & Rey Bucanero Aries & Kwon & Lee vs. Barboza & Difunto & Furia Roja and Blue Panther vs. Hechicero.

— The AAA television show on YouTube Saturday night from Queretaro is live with El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Mini Vikingo, Rey Fenix vs Laredo Kid non-tite and the contract signings with the Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano mask vs. mask match on 5/30.

— Charles Oliveira’s camp announced that he’s signed a new eight fight deal with the UFC.

— Johnny Walker in UFC is moving to heavyweight for an 8/1 fight in Belgrade, Serbia, where he’ll face Ante Delija.

— Arman Tsarukyan has signed for another wrestling match with RAF on 6/13 in St. Louis where he’ll face Tony Ferguson.

— Jackey Kamei of Dragon Gate has been announced for the British J Cup on 6/23 in Stevenage at the Gordon Craig Theater.

— The NWA debuts on Comet TV at 10 p.m. Eastern tonight. A new show will air at 4 pm. Eastern tomorrow.

— UFC starts at 4 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning from Perth, Western Australia on Paramount +:

  • Dom Mar Fan (155) vs. Kody Steele (156)
  • Jonathna Micalief (170) vs. Themba Gorimbo (171)
  • Ben Johnston (185.5) vs. Wes Schultz (186)
  • Colby Thicknesse (135) vs. Vince Morales (136)
  • Jacob Malkoun (186) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (190) – Meerschaert missed weight by four pounds. The fight will be taking pace with Meershaert forfeting 30 percent of his purse
  • Junior Tafa (205.5) vs. KIevin Christian (204)
  • Cam Rowston (185) vs. Robert Bryczek (186)
  • Tai Tuivasa (265) vs. Louie Sutherland (261)
  • Shamil Gaziev (264) vs. Brando Pericic (265)
  • Marwan Rahiki (146) vs. Ollie Schmid (145.5)
  • Tim Elliott (126) vs. Steve Ergec (125.5)
  • Beniel Dariush (156) vs. Quillan Salkild (156)
  • Jack Della Maddaena (170) vs. Carlos Prates (170)

— Hook and Billie Starkz are on the 6/19 GCW show in Cincinnati

— David Taylor, the former WCW wrestler from Britain and not the gold medalist from the U.S., turns 69 today. Gary Steele turns 53. Ace Romero turns 36. Tiffany Stratton turns 27. Neff Maiava, whose grandson is the starting QB at UFC and was one of the legends of 50th State Wrestling in Hawaii in the 60s and 70s, was born on this day in 1924. Jos LeDuc passed away 27 years ago today at the age of 54. Elizabeth Hulette, the famed Miss Elizabeth, was 42 when she passed away from an overdose 23 years ago. A little known fact is that in the early 80s, before she became famous Liz Hulette did a wrestling newsletter of sorts and was also on the ICW television show, a promotion run by Angelo Poffo, the father of Randy Savage. Kurt Von Poppenheim, an Oregon legend, was 89 when he passed away 23 years ago.

— Combate Global has announced a Mexico vs. USA fight show on 5/6 in Burbank, CA on EstrellaTV, Samsung gTV Plus and YouTube in the U.S.

— PFL tomorrow night on ESPN 2 at 10 p.m. Eastern frm Sioux Falls, SD

  • Logan Storley (170.4) vs. Florim Zendell (171)
  • Gadzhi Rabadanov (159.6) s. Alex Chizov (160)
  • Simeon Powell (205.6) vs. Emilian Sordi (205.5)
  • Renan Ferreria (262.5) vs Sergei Bilosteenly (262.2)
  • Magomed Magomedov (136.8) vs. Leandro Higo (135.6)

— Patricky Pitbull Freiore was to face Karate Combat champion Shahzaib Rind tomorrow night in Miami in Karate Combat event. However, this morning, when they were doing face-offs, it got nasty and the result was Patricky was cut above his left eye and that fight had to be canceled. Patricky and Rind were face-to-face when Patricky grabbed him in a bearhug like move. Rind pushed him and threw a head kick and they were separated. Patricio Pitbul Freire, the UFC fighter, landed a punch on Rind. Patricky said that yesterday when he and his brother and their wives were at breakfast, Rind’s team started throwing water on them. Patricky said he asked them to stop,but they continued and he threw a bottle of water at them. They chased them and a brawl broke out there as well. Rind was not in that brawl. Patricky said it was a set up as they were filming them throwing water.

— Create a Pro has sold out tonight’s show in Melville, NY with MJF in an open challenge, Nic Nemth vs. Bear Bronson, plus Kris Statlander, Max Caster, Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, Cedric Alexander and more.

— Charlotte Flair will be appearing for WWE Night at the Los Angeles Galaxy soccer game in Carson, CA tomorrow night.

Daily Update: Marc Izard, Roman Reigns, Roxanne Perez

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • What did people think of WrestleMania, the strengths and weaknesses of both shows
  • Brock Lesnar
  • Reigns vs. Punk
  • The machinations behind the scenes and in front of the camera of Rhodes vs. Orton
  • Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro and who has the final say and when it’s used
  • Injuries
  • Pat McAfee and Jelly roll
  • The overdoing commercials
  • All the business notes for the week
  • TV ratings
  • Netflix ratings
  • Full coverage of both shows
  • Coverage of other major shows over Mania week
  • The Ali Act, Nick Khan, Oscar de la Hoya and the arguments before the senate
  • Court filings on what percentage of revenue goes to talent in WWE
  • Why the idea of a second major MMA group is very difficult even if Ronda Rousey’s fight does big numbers
  • Mark Shapiro’s deposition contradicts claims on Vince McMahon regarding the UFC and WWE merger
  • Life and times of Van Hammer
  • Weekly wrestling odds looked at
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings for pro wrestling shows this past week with demos, segment notes and comparisons with a year ago
  • CMLL tournament of champions final
  • How much business is up in CMLL
  • CMLL vs. MLW show next week
  • Stardom has its biggest show of the year this week
  • Major promotion parent company taking out sizeable loans
  • Kenta Kobashi shares the ring with Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Maple Leaf Wrestling TV
  • Who had the most top matches so far this year
  • Alberto is wrestling again but not in the promotion that was to be built around him as they’ve washed their hands of him
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Double or Nothing notes
  • UFC signs new overseas deal
  • Mark Hunt arrested for domestic violence
  • WWE headed to Saudi Arabia
  • Security issues at MGM Grand for Mania week
  • How much the top TKO executives earned
  • How much Peacock has lost
  • Ric Flair speaks
  • New NXT star whose uncle was part of one of the most famous heavy metal bands

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Tuesday Update

Roxanne Perez
Roxanne Perez (Image credit: WWE)

 WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • Progress Wrestling and RevPro offered condolences to the family of Marc Izard, a wrestling fan who passed away in Las Vegas during WrestleMania 42 weekend.
  • Izard’s family has launched a GoFundMe to cover costs getting him back home to the UK as well as funeral expenses.
  • Outsports covered Kidd Bandit’s final match, which took place at Effy’s Big Gay Brunch during WrestleMania weekend.
  • GCW is returning to Indianapolis on June 20.
  • Fancy Ryan Clancy shared an injury update: “Day 6 Post Surgery. PT Day 1 completed. The Fancy Man is ahead of schedule. Grueling pain, but all worth it for the vision of getting back in the ring.”
  • Mr. Elegance is in action on this week’s TNA Xplosion.
  • Alex Abrahantes on his WrestleMania weekend: “Had a blast making my return to the indies at @GCWrestling_ last week during Mania Week! It reminded me that the hunt never ends. I’ve decided I need to continue the quest to find the pro wrestlers and luchadores with the most amount of HYPE. That being said, I’ll be accepting select indie bookings… while I still can. Let’s work. [email protected]”

Daily Update: WWE releases, SmackDown, Arena Mexico

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Wyatt Sicks
Wyatt Sicks (Image credit: WWE)

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • What did people think of WrestleMania, the strengths and weaknesses of both shows
  • Brock Lesnar
  • Reigns vs. Punk
  • The machinations behind the scenes and in front of the camera of Rhodes vs. Orton
  • Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro and who has the final say and when it’s used
  • Injuries
  • Pat McAfee and Jelly roll
  • The overdoing commercials
  • All the business notes for the week
  • TV ratings
  • Netflix ratings
  • Full coverage of both shows
  • Coverage of other major shows over Mania week
  • The Ali Act, Nick Khan, Oscar de la Hoya and the arguments before the senate
  • Court filings on what percentage of revenue goes to talent in WWE
  • Why the idea of a second major MMA group is very difficult even if Ronda Rousey’s fight does big numbers
  • Mark Shapiro’s deposition contradicts claims on Vince McMahon regarding the UFC and WWE merger
  • Life and times of Van Hammer
  • Weekly wrestling odds looked at
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings for pro wrestling shows this past week with demos, segment notes and comparisons with a year ago
  • CMLL tournament of champions final
  • How much business is up in CMLL
  • CMLL vs. MLW show next week
  • Stardom has its biggest show of the year this week
  • Major promotion parent company taking out sizeable loans
  • Kenta Kobashi shares the ring with Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • Maple Leaf Wrestling TV
  • Who had the most top matches so far this year
  • Alberto is wrestling again but not in the promotion that was to be built around him as they’ve washed their hands of him
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Double or Nothing notes
  • UFC signs new overseas deal
  • Mark Hunt arrested for domestic violence
  • WWE headed to Saudi Arabia
  • Security issues at MGM Grand for Mania week
  • How much the top TKO executives earned
  • How much Peacock has lost
  • Ric Flair speaks
  • New NXT star whose uncle was part of one of the most famous heavy metal bands

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Friday Update

CMLL logo
CMLL logo (Image credit: CMLL)

— Garrett Gonzales and I will be up today doing a show covering the last week, and what a week it was. Bryan and I will be back for our weekend show on Sunday night.

— Releases are going on today in WWE. Those released are Zoey Stark (surprised because she’s very good and also rehabbing a knee injury), Alba Fyre, Joe Gacy, Andre Chase, Uncle Howdy and Nikki Cross. I was told to expect a fairly long list.

— Smackdown tonight is from Fort Worth, TX. The only match announced is Giulia vs. Tiffany Stratton for the US title. Rhea Ripley becomes a Smackdown regular tonight, plus Trick Williams & Lil Yachty are together again. They had 9,528 tickets out at last look from Wrestletix.

— Tonight is the 70th anniversary of pro wrestling at Arena Mexico. The show sold out 16,000 the day after the lineup was announced. CMLL announced the sellout last night but apparently all tickets were gone by Wednesday:

  • Dragon de Fuego & Dragon Legendario & Dragon Rojo Jr. vs. Elemental & El Hijo del Villano III & Villano III Jr.
  • Lluvia vs. Jarrochita vs. India Sioux vs. Tessa Blanchard vs. Zeuxis vs. Reyna Isis vs. Olympia vs. Keyra for the 70th Anniversary Cup
  • CMLL vs. Japan: Barbaro Cavernario & Esfinge & Soberano Jr. & Templario vs Kushida & Okumura & Shoma Kato & Yutani
  • CMLL vs. Don Callis Family for 70th Anniversary men’s Cup: Mistico & Neon & Angel de Oro & Ultimo Guerrero vs. El Clon & Mark Davis & Rocky Romero & Volador Jr.
  • Mascara Dorada vs. Black Tiger vs. Hechicero for the Universal Champion of Champions tournament final

— CMLL also announced Sunday and Tuesday at Arena Mexico are kids day shows, and a Copa Juniors (tournament with second generation wrestlers would be 5/22 and 5/29.

— I want to clarify all this because it is in the Observer but it’s become a topic of conversation. At Wednesday’s hearing before the U.S. Senate committee, Nick Khan, in running down the WBC (the idea is they are anti sanctioning bodies) said that they had purchased $265,000 worth of tickets for the Alvarez vs. Crawford fight. He compared that to Make-a-Wish purchasing $2,500 worth of tickets to WrestleMania. I, and others, noted being surprised that they would charge Make-a-Wish for tickets. And I’m still a little surprised. This led to people making up things or getting things wrong such as Make-a-Wish is forced to buy tickets as a charity and can’t accept freebies, somehow they are forced to buy tickets or else the families of the kids will be taxed for them a gift, none of which is true or even close to true. Khan was saying this as a way to make a comparison with the idea the WBC is using its money as a non-profit group for its members to spend like crazy buying tickets, which another charity, Make-a-Wish, does not do. So that’s why he said it. As far as WrestleMania goes, all Make-a-Wish kids if they were at the show would be comped. WWE did comp tickets for Make-a-Wish but had a number listed and Make-a-Wish’s purchased tickets were over the allotment. They did not involve kids themselves, but people who were involved in bringing the kids. In my mind they could have comped them as well, but they did comp tickets. So the theories of why “it had” to be like this are wrong. But they also did not force Make-a-Wish kids or Make-a-Wish to purchase tickets for the kids themselves.

— I’ve only seen part of the Hulk Hogan Netflix documentary. I was very surprised that it was not in the top ten for either Wednesday or Thursday for the day. It could be a glitch, last week’s Raw didn’t make the daily listing’s one day last week on a Tuesday, for Monday, when it obviously should have.

— We will be doing one weekend poll, covering Sunday’s Stardom show from Yokohama. You can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]. Saya Kamitani puts up the World of Stardom title against Sayaka Kurara, and if she loses, the Cosmic Angels group will cease to exist.

— In Mexico, FS2 aired the matches previously in the Universal tournament and hyped up tonight’s show last night. We had reported the midweek show as CMLL Classics, but it looks like it’ll be a show to build up the Friday show. Tonight’s show airs on FS 2 in Mexico with a 30 minute pre-show and then the full card.

— Tomorrow night at Arena Coliseo, which will almost surely sell out, has Shotzi Blackheart vs Sanely, Templario & Neon vs. Kushida & Yutani, Mascara Dorada & Niebla Roja & Soberano Jr. vs. Clon & Rocky Romero & Volador Jr., and Atlantis Jr. & Averno vs. Mark Davis & Hechicero. Sunday at Arena Mexico has Mistico & Dorada & Neon vs. Cavernario & Difunto & Clon, Atlantis Jr. & Esfinge vs. Black Tiger & Kushida, Angel de Oro vs. Romero in a lightning match, Shotzi vs Skadi and Kemalito vs. Tengu for the micros title. Dorada & Neon vs. Cavernario & Soberano Jr. headlines Puebla on Monday.

— New Japan RedZone will air at 4 a.m. tomorrow morning Eastern and 1 a.m. Pacific from Hiroshima:

  • Yuto-Ice & Oskar defend the IWGP tag titles against Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi
  • Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X defend the IWGP jr. tag titles against Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita
  • Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji & Gedo & Daiki Nagai vs. Callum Newman & Jake Lee & Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay

— A&E starts back on Sundays with a WWE block. From 8-10 p.m. will be part one of a two part biography series on the Von Erichs, followed by LFG at 10 p.m.

— The Lucha Underground Twitter account did a tease like it would be returning. Nobody seems to know what that means. This may be some kind of a deal made somewhere to air the old episodes.

— TNA announced for the 5/14 tapings in Sacramento, a Battle Royal to determine a TNA title shot plus AJ Francis vs. KC Navarro in a street fight.

— Kirk White’s Big Time Wrestling on 5/1 at the Newark, CA Pavilion features a meet and greet with Tommaso Ciampa plus QT Marshall vs. Royce Isaacs with Ciampa as referee, Aaron Solo vs. Tome Filip, Satnam Singh vs. Ben Bishop, Vert Vixen vs. Indi Hartwell, Viva Van vs Simone, Bad Dude Tito vs Jordan Cruz and more.

— UFC from the Apex Arena tomorrow at 5 p.m. Eastern on Paramount+

  • Talita Alencar (116) vs. Julia Polastri (115.5)
  • Max Griffin (170.5) vs. Victor Valenzuela (170)
  • Francis Marshall (155.5) vs. Lucas Brennan (155.5)
  • Jafel Filho (135.5) vs. Cody Durden (135.5)
  • Mayra Bueno Silva (136) vs. Michelle Montague (135.5)
  • Sedriques Dumas (184) vs. Jackson McVay (185)
  • Rodolfo Vieira (185.5) vs. Eric McConico (186)
  • Marcus Buchecha (252.5) vs. Ryan Spann (264)
  • Montel Jackson (135.5) vs. Raoni Barcelos (136)
  • Davey Grant (135.5) vs. Adrian Luna Martinetti (135.5)
  • Rafa Garcia (155) vs. Alexander Hernandez (155.5)
  • Norma Dumont (135.5) vs. Joselyn Edwards (135.5)
  • Aljamain Sterling (146) vs. Youssef Zalal (145.5)

— AEW has announced shows on 7/1 in San Diego, 7/15 in Boston, 7/16 in Boston, 7/22 in Nashville, 7/29 in Detroit, 7/30 in Detroit and 8/12 in Baltimore. These are all in small buildings except San Diego. I was basically told that you’ll be able to figure out Grand Slam Mexico at Arena Mexico based on dates not announced, so perhaps 7/8 or 8/5.

Daily Update: WrestleMania ESPN viewership, ROH Pure title, Big Damo

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Sol Ruca vs. Zaria Last Woman Standing match that headlined NXT last night.
  • NXT wrestler Brooks Jensen is set to challenge coach Steve Corino for the PWF Championship at the indie promotion’s event in Newport, North Carolina this Sunday.
  • Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported the viewership numbers for ESPN’s TV simulcasts of the first hours of WrestleMania 42:
    • Night one (ESPN2): 1.62 million viewers
    • Night two (ESPN): 1.82 million viewers
  • Joe Jonas, who sang the National Anthem at night two of WrestleMania, uploaded a vlog from the event.
  • Jelly Roll also has a vlog with some WrestleMania footage.
  • Rapper Cam’ron made an Instagram post issuing a SummerSlam challenge to Jey Uso and his entire family: 
    • All I can do is laugh at you @romanreigns staying for Monday Night Raw after WrestleMania is like eating thanksgiving leftovers on Monday after thxgvn The Rock would Never
    • But you’re @tripleh lil lil employee. You better do what he says
    • @uceyjucey bring ya whole family and let’s settle this in August at #SummerSlam
    • @rosenbergradio make it happen
  • Big E tweeted about meeting up with AEW’s Kevin Knight and TNA’s Leon Slater during WrestleMania weekend:
    • Ran into @Jet2Flyy & @LEONSLATER_ at the gym in Vegas a few days ago. Glad I got to tell those brothers what a joy it is to watch them do incredible things in this industry. Pro wrestling’s youth movement is a beauty to behold.
  • The Wrestling Classic interviewed Alba Fyre.

Other Wrestling