Bad Bunny handed the WWE 24/7 title to R-Truth tonight on Raw, ending his reign with the championship.
During a backstage segment on tonight’s Raw, R-Truth tried to sneak up and attack Bad Bunny to win the championship back. Damien Priest, however, pointed R-Truth out before he could attack. Truth, who was carrying Stone Cold Steve Austin merchandise, responded by giving Bad Bunny the merch he had on him. He told Bad Bunny, however, that he wanted his title back. After some deliberation with Priest, Bad Bunny gave the championship to R-Truth, saying he respected Truth and the business.
This ends Bad Bunny’s reign with the championship after 28 days, pinning a laid out Akira Tozawa on the February 15 edition of Raw. This starts R-Truth’s 50th reign as champion.
During his run as champion, Bad Bunny showcased the championship during high profile events, including his appearances on Saturday Night Live and last night’s Grammy Awards. Bad Bunny won a Grammy last night for Best Latin Pop or Urban Album.
The death of Tom Cole this week takes us back to one of the most sordid pro wrestling stories of the last 50 years, which involved media heavyweights at the time like Phil Donahue, Larry King, Geraldo Rivera and Phil Mushnick. It’s the lead story of a new double issue of the Observer.
We look at the story and its tragic end this past week and all the key characters involved. We look at Cole’s death, what exactly happened to him, different media appearances at the time, the WWF first settling his case, the unique plans for the Phil Donahue show, at the time the leading daytime talk show in the U.S. with a gigantic audience and how Vince McMahon planned the show and why it never transpired the way it was planned. Cole’s memories of what happened, and things that triggered his past including a first suicide attempt that few knew about. This is a major piece of wrestling history that has been largely hidden except from those who were around at the time.
Also in this issue:
NXT Takeover show with match-by-match coverage, star ratings and poll results of what undoubtedly will be considered among the best shows of 2021.
WWE not offering raises and promotions and how that went down this past week, as well as a look at WWE performer salaries if they were paid the same percentage as sports stars or even UFC fighters, Lacey Evans’ pregnancy, a pilot for a new WWE Network show filmed, the attempt to re-litigate the concussion case and its likely outcome, injury updates, details of a number of different people having signed new deals, who they are and their background, notes on how many saw Sasha Banks start the Daytona 500, Finn Balor talks staying in NXT, TV show with WWE stars as guests, WWE & AEW international TV ratings and how last week’s shows did compared to other sports, another celebrity training to appear in WWE rings, upcoming TV matches, a what ever happened to, current company value and the most-watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.
Gina Carano and her social media posts that cost her a television series was was to be built around her, her new affiliation, and the situation with Ariel Helwani, Dana White and ESPN as well as media criticism of ESPN for how they handled the situation.
UFC 258 with match-by-match coverage and all the business news.
How Keiji Muto became one of the oldest world champions in history, why NOAH made the move, a look at NOAH today after its biggest show in many years.
WWE social media regulations for its talent, what is and isn’t allowed.
Debut episode of “Young Rock,” its ratings, and what was real, nor real and in between about the stories with a look at early women wrestling promoters, Rocky Johnson, Peter Maivia, Lia Maivia and Dwayne Johnson growing up.
Second night of New Japan’s New Beginning in Hiroshima..
Television ratings of the past week, including segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown and more.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Elimination Chamber as well as the rest of the current news on Wrestling Observer Radio. We also have a Friday night show where we talked to Jon Moxley on a ton of different subjects, and Garrett and I did an all news show that is up on the site right now.
Regarding tonight’s show, we were told about 90 minutes ago that they were in the process of figuring out the card due to all the changes. We still don’t know if Keith Lee will or won’t be in the three-way with Bobby Lashley and Riddle..
Elimination Chamber starts at 7 p.m. with a pre show match likely at 6:30 p.m. but not announced at this moment. Only three matches were 100 percent as of this morning the two Chamber matches and the women’s tag title match were announced on Friday. Lashley will defend the U.S. title and Roman Reigns defends the Universal title against the Smackdown Chamber winner. We’re looking for your thoughts on the show so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Chamber matches themselves are usually very good to great. They are very careful with the Reigns presentation so it’s likely to be good. The show is really only about those three matches so of what is advertised and pushed, it should deliver strongly.
Smackdown chamber match: The winner will face Roman Reigns. Due to late betting, Cesaro has replaced Kevin Owens as the favorite at -150 while Owens is +125, Daniel Bryan is +450, Jey Uso is +1000, King Corbin is +5000 and Sami Zayn is +5000. One would expect a babyface to win and you can argue for any of the three as all would make for great opponents for Reigns, although Owens has had multiple matches already. He’s also the one strongest in the program, but Cesaro would give Reigns a chance to have a new match not advertised and put Cesaro in one of the main events. The Smackdown chamber match is scheduled to start the show.
For the Raw Chamber, BetOnline has Drew McIntyre as a big favorite at -400, Sheamus at +350, A.J. Styles at +700, Randy Orton at +700, Kofi Kingston at +4000 and Jeff Hardy at +5000.
Reigns is listed as a -2000 favorite to retain his title. Anything is possible and they always can do a quick switch, but I wouldn’t recommend it. With Reigns vs. Edge as of last word planned to be the WrestleMania main event, that would seemingly make Reigns a huge favorite to retain his title tonight.
Lashley is a -300 favorite to retain his title whether it’s a singles match with Riddle or the three-way. Keith Lee is out of the match although WWE has yet to announce this. Riddle has not been booked as competitive with Lashley so a win would likely be a match he gets mauled in and the win looks like a fluke if they do book the upset.
Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax are -200 favorites to retain over Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair. The traditional booking would be Banks & Belair having a falling out in the match and that leads to them wrestling at WrestleMania, but there are other ways you can book to get to the same destination.
Regarding last week’s Takeover show and the Observer star ratings odds going in from Kambi, both Dusty Classic and Gargano vs Kushida beat the predicted star rating, the women’s three-way was 1/4 star under the prediction and Finn Balor vs. Pete Dunne was identical. (thanks to www.wweleaks.org)
Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center are now doing NHL and NBA games in front of spectators. MSG is running with a 2,000 seat capacity and Barclays for the Nets is running with just 300 seats, so you can imagine the prices are through the roof to get in.
Bad Bunny had the 24/7 belt on him during Saturday Night Live last night. There were also some jokes made regarding the Gina Carano situation on the show. They didn’t explain the belt or anything but he did have it with him.
Except for yesterday, nothing involved with combat sports trended all week. Bad Bunny was listed as No. 2 with 200,000 off his appearance but as is the case at times, his name disappeared and No. 2 (formerly No. 3) is listed as Derrick Lewis, the UFC fighter who beat Curtis Blaydes in the main event with a devastating knockout, also at 200,000. Adrian Broner was No. 5, also at 200,000 Boxer Oscar Valdez was No. 15 at 50,000. Elimination Chamber should do between 200,000 and 500,000 depending on how much interest there is.
Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions debuts a show with Sasha Banks tonight.
The London Times ran an obituary on Pat Patterson today. (thanks to Lee Wall)
AXS TV is promoting Hulk Hogan’s last match ever from the 2011 Bound for Glory PPV which was Hogan vs Sting no DQ from Philadelphia. It will air on 3/2. Kurt Angle vs. Bobby Roode for the TNA title headlines plus RVD vs. Jerry Lynn in a Full Metal Mayhem match, Bully Ray vs. Ken Anderson falls count anywhere and Austin Aries vs. Brian Kendrick for the X title and A.J. Styles vs. Christopher Daniels in an I Quit match.
Just to clarify something in the Observer story on Tom Cole and the way it was written, what appeared to trigger Cole was the death of Pat Patterson and finding out in 2019 about the death of Mel Phillips. It was written to where some thought it was an article on Jamie Hemmings on Slam which it was not at all as Hemmings’ first article on Cole that I’m aware of didn’t even come out until just after his death. But Cole had texted things to Hemmings that showed how upset he was after the death of Patterson in December.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post has not written anything about the death of Cole.
Shinsuke Nakamura’s theme played today during Ohio State vs. Michigan basketball game.
Sami Zayn’s videographer on Friday night’s Smackdown show was Andrew Steele, who is a Full Sail University graduate who started as an intern with NXT in 2017 before he got a job with WWE. Steel had been a pro wrestler working mostly in Delaware and Florida before his career ended due to a 2015 broken neck injury.
The WWE Network yesterday ran the first Progress show since the pandemic started from the Theatre Peckham in London. The show was actually taped: Chris Ridgeway won a match to get a Progress title bout over Gene Mummy, Omari and Spike Trivet, Luke Jacobs b Man Like Dereiss, Ethan Allen b Kid Lykos II, Millie McKenzie (who is headed to WWE) b Mercedes Blaze, Danny Black b Elijah, Warren Banks b Joe Gunns, Kid Lykos b Chuck Mambo, Cara Noir retained the world title over Dan Maloney with the blackout sleeper (thank to Shannon Walsh)
ICW will have a live special on the WWE Network on 3/20 called ICW Fight Club: Barred.
UFC
Ottman Azaitar, who had been fired for breaking COVID-19 protocols and was said to be never coming back, is now back. UFC confirmed this to MMA Fighting after his manager, Ali Abdelaziz told ESPN that the incident was a misunderstanding.
AEW
Miro was not on Wednesday’s show this past week because the blizzard hit Nashville, where he lives. There was to be a wedding follow-up segment this past Wednesday but it had to be taken off the show. For the show on 2/10, the high point audience wise was the end of the wedding segment.
OTHER NEWS
Ruaka won the Rumble and the complete results of today’s Stardom show in Tokyo. Stardom results from yesterday in Tokyo at Shin kiba: Tam Nakano b Lady C, Himeka b Unagi Sayaka, Momo Watanabe & Saya Kamitani & AZM d Giulia & Syuri & Maiki & Natsupoi 15:00, Saya Iida b Honoro Hana to keep the Future of Stardom title, Bea Priestley & Konami & Natsuko Tora & Saki Kashima b Mayu Iwatani & Starlight Kid & Gokigen Death & Ruaka (thanks to Shannon Walsh and Tomi Yamada)
Today’s Tokyo Joshi Pro tag team tournament results from Tokyo: Hikari Noa & Shena Shioiri b Yuka Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu, Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel b Mira Maiui & Suzume, Yuka Sakazaki & MizukI & Moka Miyamoto & Arisu Endo b Pom Harauku & Haruna Neko & Mariko Kobashi & Raku, Maki Itoh & Miyu Yamashita b Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe, Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao b Yuki Aino & Oodoka Tenma.
Global Syndicate Wrestling debuted with a show last night at the Monster Factory in Paulsboro, NJ on FITE, featuring the return of Austin Aries, who looked great. Michael Elgin also worked the show. Michael Elgin b Wrecking Ball Legursky (Jacob Fato attacked Elgin after the match to set up a future match, Masha Slamovich b Hyan, Richard Holliday b Tyson Maddox, Vicious Vicki b Gabby Ortiz, Ricky Reyes b Gio Galvano, Deonna Purrazzo b Trish Adora thanks to help from Kimber Lee, Alexander Hammerstone b Austin Aries to become the first GSW champion. Chris Dickinson then challenged Hammerstone for the title on the 5/22 show. (thanks to Kyle Prescott)
Dragon Gate has a match on Tuesday night in Kyoto which is the finals of a trios tournament to determine the next contender for the Open the Triangle Gate title held by Kzy & Genki Horiguchi & Susumu Yokosuka. The tournament final has Bokutimo Dragon & Punch Tominaga & Ryo Saito vs. Dia Inferno & Diamante & Hip Hop Kikuta
Music superstar and current WWE on-screen character Bad Bunny is the new 24/7 Champion.
On tonight’s episode of Raw, Bad Bunny pinned Akira Tozawa to win the WWE 24/7 title. Right before losing the title to Bad Bunny, Tozawa had pinned R-Truth to become 24/7 Champion.
Bad Bunny and Damian Priest were being interviewed backstage on tonight’s Raw before they were interrupted by the commotion of Tozawa winning the 24/7 title from R-Truth. Tozawa celebrated his title win before bumping into Priest. Priest threw Tozawa into a production crate, then urged Bad Bunny to pin Tozawa and win the 24/7 title.
Bad Bunny will be the musical guest on this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live. That was mentioned by Priest during their interview on tonight’s Raw.
Bad Bunny, who is a pro wrestling fan, performed his song “Booker T” live at last month’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view. He also took part in an angle with The Miz and John Morrison, hitting a crossbody from the top rope on them after they were eliminated from the men’s Royal Rumble match by Priest.
Priest made his Raw debut the night after taking part in the Royal Rumble. Priest defeated The Miz on that show and defeated Angel Garza the following week, with Bad Bunny appearing with Priest both times as they continued to feud with Miz and Morrison.
People know me as a rock and heavy metal guy, but there are many times on Spotify I’ll put Bad Bunny radio on. I know his music and dig it. I really dig the person, too. We’re so similar. I was raised in the same town [Vega Baja] he was born in [in Puerto Rico]. We come from really tough upbringings. He’s done things his way and doesn’t care what others might say about him. I’m the same way.
He loves wrestling. We hit it off immediately when we met. There was a bond. Not just because we’re both entertainers, but because of heritage and things we like, and our personalities. It’s cool to be around him.
The most in-depth look at the WWE’s new deal with the Peacock Network is the lead story in the new double-issue of the Observer.
We look at who the deal was put together, the finances behind it, is it a good deal for all parties, what goals there are for each side, how this affects the TV landscape and Smackdown in particular, how much money WWE was getting before and after from the Network, television vs. streaming when it comes to homes in the U.S., comparisons to UFC’s deal with ESPN, quotes from the key parties, the financial viability of NBC purchasing WWE, the stock price, network subscriber numbers, money in modern PPVs, WWE projected profitability, why the method wrestlers are paid makes no sense in today’s game, and notes fromall ke parties.
Also in this issue:
NBC shutting down NBC Sports Network affects both the USA Network and how it could impact WWE.
Amanda Huber’s timeline of the death of Brodie Lee from her interview with Tony Schaivone and Aubrey Edwards this week, his symptoms, treatments, and what the doctors thought.
UFC 257, including an update on the business of the show and television viewership, plus full coverage of what could end up as the biggest show of the year, and was one of the biggest PPV events in history.
2021 Royal Rumble, people rumored to be in that won’t be, others that could be, and thoughts on the build and the matches.
WrestleMania, Young Rock, Daniel Bryan talks his future, WWE talent listed among the most marketable in sports and losses in ad revenue to performs in social media accounts, Undertaker says current wrestles are soft and Bill Goldberg, Mick Foley and Drew McIntyre respond, Nick Khan talks future of rights fees, where AEW stands, NXT India, Teases of Japanese star signing, International TV ratings, most-watched shows on the WWE Network and strongest athletes in WWE developmental.
New Japan’s show at Ota Ward Gym this past week with its parody main event plus the big shows upcoming this week.
WWE’s TV special for India and look at the talent from that country that the company wants to build a promotion around.
A huge story on Hank Aaron, Civil Rights, Bill Watts and how they all intersected in the early 90s.
Comparison piece on the greatest MMA fighters of all-time, looking at their wins, losses, bouts with major names and where they stand in relation to each other.
The death of El Hijo de Anibal and the legacy of the mask created by his father, one of the biggest stars of the 1970s, including the match that was the first big title match to give the UWA credibility.
Television ratings of the past week, including segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown and more.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Rey Mysterio confirmed in a Sports Illustrated interview that he has re-signed with WWE. “We never made the signing of my new deal public, but there is definitely going to be more time to see Rey Mysterio in WWE,” Mysterio said. “I’m going to keep wrestling, at least until Father Time catches up and says, ‘It’s time to go.’ ”
PWInsider reported that Bad Bunny was training at the WWE Performance Center yesterday.
Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bianca Belair, Carlito, Torrie Wilson, and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard were guests on today’s episode of The Bump.
Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford spoke to TVInsider regarding tonight’s Beach Break wedding. Sabian said that they are legitimately getting married on the show. “I obviously wanted my parents to be there, but they understand the situation,” he said. They’ll be able to watch from home. We could get married in our house and be just as happy. We’re people who just want to be married. Down the line, once COVID is hopefully eradicated and things are OK, we’ll have a celebration, party, housewarming combined where all our families can be there.”
The WWE Royal Rumble and Monday’s Raw won’t be the last fans see of Bad Bunny.
First reported by PWInsider and confirmed by Dave Meltzer, WWE is planning on future appearances from the Puerto Rican pop star and soon-to-be actor. PWInsider said they were told that WrestleMania 37 is in the plans with a pitch for him to wrestle on the event.
The 26-year-old performed at the Rumble and was involved in a show-long angle with Miz and John Morrison. It culminated with Miz breaking Bunny’s turntables on the way out to the Rumble match which brought Bunny out to distract he and Morrison. Damien Priest then eliminated Miz and Morrison and Bunny hit a dive off the top on to them.
Bunny was also on last night’s Raw as a guest on Miz TV. Miz offered Bunny the chance to learn how to wrestle under he and Morrison in exchange for a recording contract. Bunny refused and brought out Priest who defeated Miz in his Raw debut which also included a microphone shot from Bunny to Morrison’s head.
Two title matches involving members of The Hurt Business are set for tonight’s post-Royal Rumble episode of Raw.
WWE has announced that Riddle will get his shot at Bobby Lashley’s United States Championship on Raw tonight. Lashley’s Hurt Business stablemates Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander are also defending their Raw Tag Team titles against The Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado) on tonight’s show.
Riddle got the US title shot by defeating The Hurt Business’ Benjamin, MVP, and Alexander in a gauntlet match last Monday. That match featured dissension between Alexander and his stablemates.
Lashley attacked Riddle after last week’s gauntlet match and put him in the Hurt Lock.
Riddle, Big E, Daniel Bryan, and Christian eliminated Lashley in last night’s men’s Royal Rumble match.
Lashley quickly retained his United States title against Riddle on the January 11 episode of Raw after attacking Riddle before the bell rang.
Metalik & Dorado defeated Benjamin & Alexander in a non-title match on Raw Legends Night last month.
Metalik & Dorado are taking part in NXT’s men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and will face Legado Del Fantasma’s Raul Mendoza & Joaquin Wilde in a quarterfinal match on NXT this Wednesday.
WWE is also hyping that The Miz has promised that he’ll have rapper Bad Bunny on Miz TV tonight. Bad Bunny, who performed his song “Booker T” at the Royal Rumble, hit a crossbody from the top rope on The Miz and John Morrison at the pay-per-view after Miz destroyed his equipment.
Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view will include a special pro wrestling-inspired musical performance.
WWE has announced that Bad Bunny “will perform his hit single ‘Booker T’ off his new album ‘El Último Tour Del Mundo’ live for the first time” at the Royal Rumble this coming Sunday. The song is named after WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, who appears in its music video. After being released at the beginning of this month, the video currently has more than 39 million views on YouTube.
“Bad Bunny’s most recent and third album of 2020, ‘El Último Tour Del Mundo’ debuted at #1 on the ‘Billboard 200’ chart, the first all-Spanish-language album to reach #1 in the 64-year history of the all-genre chart, as well as #1 on Apple Music’s global ‘Top Albums’ chart for all genres,” WWE.com wrote.
“Performing at the Royal Rumble is a childhood dream come true,” said Bad Bunny. “I have been a lifelong fan of WWE and I am excited to take the stage and entertain fans around the world.”
“Bad Bunny is at the top of the music industry, and a pop culture icon with strong ties to WWE and our fans around the world,” said Neil Lawi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, WWE Music Group. “We are thrilled to provide a global platform for his first-ever live performance of ‘Booker T’ as we kick off the road to WrestleMania.”
The Royal Rumble main card will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday. The PPV features the men’s and women’s Royal Rumble matches, Drew McIntyre vs. Goldberg for the WWE Championship, Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens in a Last Man Standing match for the Universal Championship, and Sasha Banks vs. Carmella for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
