Tag: boxing

Daily Update: AEW Double or Nothing preview, more on Oleksandr Usyk boxing match

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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Sunday Update

MJF & Darby Allin | AEW
MJF & Darby Allin sign the title vs. hair contract on AEW Dynamite. (Image credit: AEW)

— Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about Double or Nothing as well as the latest news. We did a show last night talking about Saturday Night’s Main Event, AAA, Ratings, Usyk vs. Verhoeven, ESPN wrestling coverage and a lot more.

— Double or Nothing from Louis Armstrong Stadium in New York starts at 7 p.m. with the expected five plus hour show. Since it’s an AEW PPV show, we can predict with good certainty that there will be fantastic matches, complaints that it lasted too long and surprises. The show was sold out with 14,028, but really it’s been sold out for a week. The gate is already the second biggest non-WWE gate in American pro wrestling history ($1.5 million or so), but if you account for inflation it’s only among the biggest but not No. 2. I expect a good PPV number. As of earlier today, the “get-in” price was $160 on the secondary market. While WWE big shows have been higher, this is the highest day of the show for any AEW event I can recall and it’s tripled since the announcement of the hair vs. title stipulation. Unfortunately all the tickets were sold first so it’ll be the secondary market making a ton of gate money, but presumably AEW will make more based on a higher PPV number.

First hour pre-show:

  • Megan Bayne & Lena Kross vs. Zayda Steel & Viva Van 5:00 time limit. If Steel & Van last the time limit they get a future women’s tag title match
  • AJ & QT Marshall & Mark Briscoe & Orange Cassidy & Roderick Strong vs Shane Taylor & Anthony Ogogo & Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo & Lee Moriarty with all kinds of folks at ringside including Big Justice and maybe the Rizzler
  • Claudio Castagnoli & Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta vs. Anthony Bowens & Hook & Katsuyori Shibata
  • Mick Foley debuts in a host role during the first hour

PPV:

  • Athena vs. Mina Shirakawa non-title in the Owen Hart Cup tournament
  • Thekla vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW women’s title
  • Bandido vs. Swerve Strickland non-title in the Owen Hart Cup tournament
  • Will Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe in the Owen Hart Cup tournament
  • Jon Moxley vs. Kyle O’Reilly for the Continental title no time limit
  • Kazuchika Okada vs Konosuke Takeshita for the International title
  • FTR vs. Adam Copeland & Christian for the AEW tag titles in an I quit street fight. If Copeland & Christian don’t win, they can never team up again. That would seem to make this a favorite for a title switch
  • Anarchy in the Arena: Chris Jericho & Young Bucks & Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin & Kenny Omega & Jack Perry vs. Ricochet & Gates of Agony & Mark Davis & Andrade & Clark Connors & David Finlay. This may be too many but I think this match will be filled with insanity.
  • Darby Allin vs. MJF AEW title vs MJF’s hair

— We’re looking for your thoughts on Double or Nothing so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

— Regarding last night Oleksandr Usyk boxing title defense against Rico Verhoeven in Giza, Cairo, Egypt. Some notes:

While there was some social media chatter, the heavyweight world champion vs. kickboxing heavyweight world champion thing didn’t create nearly the interest it would have in a different era. It also never would have happened in a different era as boxing wouldn’t allow it. But if they would have, it would have been so much bigger since the heavyweight title has fallen greatly in public interest.

For what it’s worth, I had Verhoeven up 97-93 going into the 11th. The only rounds I could see for Usyk up to that point were 3, 7 and 10. After round eight, when they announced it was 76-76 (I had it 78-74 clearly) you could see they were not going to let Verhoeven win as they saw Vehoeven as an outsider to boxing. The stoppage was bad for a title fight. It was one second left, and the ref doesn’t make decisions based on if there is a second left or not, but it was early and there was one second left. Verhoeven was hurt, but I’ve seen him in fights come back from far worse. Still he’s a kickboxer and that’s five round fights. He really got tired in round ten. He may have been knocked out in 12, but he may not have. He was not getting the decision either way even though had he survived 12 he should be champion. The idea of a real world champion with a 2-0 boxing record is unfathomable and that’s why it wasn’t going to happen.

After ten rounds, Judge Manuel Oliver Paloma and Judge Fabian Guggenheim had it 95-95 while Judge Pasquala Procopio had Verhoeven up 96-94. Since round 11 was 10-8 for Usyk they’d go into the final round 105-103 for Usyk on two cards and 104-104 on one. Essentially Verhoeven needed a knockdown in the 12th to win the title if the ref had allowed it to get to the 12th. You just felt dirty watching it knowing the scores and even boxing experts were attributing it to institutional issues regarding an outsider coming in.

The fight did 120,000 Google searches (compared to 2.75 million last week for Ronda Rousey’s fight). That’s less than most UFC shows and any UFC PPV show, or just about any WWE PPV show.

— After 99 years, CBS Radio’s final top of the hour and 30 minute 24 hour a day newscast ended at 11:30 p.m. last night Eastern time. Former wrestling announcer Chris Cruise anchored the very last episode. I listened to Cruise on my Sunday night drives home almost every week for years. And probably started listening to CBS News on the hour with my father easily 60 years ago. Best of luck to Cruise for his future.

— Saturday Night’s Main Event did 50,000 searches. Lance Stephenson, who was in a celebrity fight show at the Apex in Las Vegas did 20,000. Dana White was out there announcing. Imagine Mark Shapiro talking about how the MVP show was bad while White was out there announcing on a celebrity fight show of 100 times lower of a level. Alexa Bliss had 10,000 searches regarding changing agents. Double or Nothing had 5,000 earlier today and AEW shows never have that in advance but it’s still not a large enough number that I’d take it as a sign the show will do well. Nikki Bella had 5,000 for issuing a challenge for her and her sister to face Caitlin Clark & Sophie Cunningham in a tag team match.

— GCW had a show today in France with Banger Zone Wrestling and runs Milan, Italy tomorrow.

— Bandido beat Volador Jr. to keep the ROH title at a sold out Arena Mexico Friday night.

— As noted elsewhere, AAA announced Rey Mysterio as General Manager. He did two babyface moves, setting up Laredo Kid (now a rudo) defending the cruiserweight title in a rematch with Rey Fenix on Saturday at Arena Monterrey, and then when the two Grande Americanos violated their stipulation and started fighting, which was said that would mean if either touched the other they would have to unmask and the 5/30 match doesn’t happen, Rey overruled that, so neither guy had to unmask and the match is still on.

— WWE does not have a biography on A&E today. They have a three hour block of new shows:

  • 8 p.m. WWE Rivals: Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage
  • 9 p.m. WWE Rivals: Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch
  • 10 p.m. LFG
  • 11 p.m. Special on Chyna
  • 11:30 p.m. Special on Famous managers

— Raw tomorrow has Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez, plus there will be an Oba Femi interview regarding Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns angle with Jacob Fatu.

— WWE starts a European tour with a house show on Thursday in Liverpool and a Smackdown taping on Friday night in Barcelona, plus Clash in Italy on Sunday early afternoon and Raw both in Turin, Italy. The Clash in Italy with Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu tribal warfare, Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther, Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill, Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi and Becky Lynch vs. Sol Ruca is very loaded for a B show.

— Adam Pearce is doing a meet and greet on 8/20 for the South Bend Cubs minor league team for Pro Wrestling Night featuring matches before and after the show from local Revolution Championship Wrestling.

— Mistico is expected back shortly, maybe as early as Friday night. Tonight’s Arena Mexico show has Atlantis Jr & Blue Panther & Neon vs. Gran Guerrero & Ultimo Guerrero & Stuka Jr., plus Mascara Dorada vs El Clon, meaning those two won’t be on tonight’s AEW show.

— Jun Kasai beat Nick Wayne in the main event of today’s Best of the Super Juniors show at KBS Hall in Kyoto. Robbie X beat Titan, Kosei Fujita beat Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato beat Valiente Jr. and Francesco Akira beat Daiki Nagai. Titan remains in first in the A block with 10, Kasai and Wato have 8, Wayne, Fujita, X, Akira and Taguchi have 6, Valiente Jr. has 4 and Nagai has 0.

— Salina Majors (Bambi) turned 59 today. Elijah Burke turned 45. The original Strangler Lewis, Evan Lewis, was born on this day in 1860. Ricky Romero was born on this day in 1931. Former Hawaii promoter Al Karasick was 74 when he died on this day 61 years ago. Vincent James McMahon was 69 when he died on this day 42 years ago. Rusher Kimura was 68 when he died on this day 16 years ago. Paul Christy was 82 when he died on this day five years ago.
(thanks to Tony Richards)

— House of Glory results from Friday night at a sold out NYC Arena in New York:

  • Kevin Knight b Amazing Red
  • Lena Kross b Shotzi in a non-title unsanctioned match
  • Angel Jacquez won over JJP, JJ Doze, Mikee G, Jodi Aura and KC Navarro
  • Phumi Nkuta (who fought in a prelim fight last Saturday on the Rousey vs. Carano show) b Raheem Royal
  • Phumi Nkuta b Angel Jacquez
  • Infamous b Lio Rush to keep the HOG cruiserweight title
  • Zilla Fatu b Cashflow to retain the Crown Jewel title
  • Charles Mason b Sweet Cheeks to keep the HOG title
  • Matt & Jeff Hardy b Evil Uno & Stu Grayson to keep the HOG tag team titles
    (thanks to Sam Rosenthal)

— Tommy Dreamer returns to AIW on 6/19 in Lakewood, OH at The Roxy

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao rematch announced for Netflix in unique location

Posted on by Josh Nason

A rematch of the biggest combat sports live gate in history is now on the books for this year as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will fight one more time.

Announced Monday, the fight will take place on Saturday, September 19 from The Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, airing live on Netflix. The UFC was the last and only combat sports group to run the unique arena with September 2024’s UFC Noche.

Their initial boxing clash took place on May 2, 2015, generating a combat sports record $72,198,500 off 16,219 tickets sold. The fight also generated a record 4.6 million PPV buys for roughly $410 million in revenue.

Mayweather won the fight via unanimous decision. A day short of 49, Mayweather hasn’t fought in a non-exhibition bout since defeating Conor McGregor in August 2017 to go 50-0 in another massive money generating fight. Since then, he’s competed in eight exhibitions.

The 47-year-old Pacquiao returned to the ring in July 2025 after a four year absence, going to a draw with Mario Barros. He’s fought just twice in the last six years.

Ronda Rousey reportedly in ‘active’ fight negotiations, but not for UFC

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: WWE

In a twist few saw coming, Ronda Rousey is reportedly in talks to return to the combat sports world, but not in the Octagon or wrestling ring.

Instead, Rousey’s return could be as a boxer.

Boxing Scene’s Lance Pugmire reported Monday that Rousey and two-time undisputed women’s World Champion Katie Taylor are in “active” negotiations for a 2026 fight in Las Vegas. No other details were provided other than a source noted Netflix — the same outlet that aired a rematch between Taylor and rival Amanda Serrano — is interested.

Rousey hasn’t fought professionally since getting knocked out in 48 seconds by all-timer Amanda Nunes in December 2016 that was preceded by a second round knockout loss to Holly Holm in November 2015. Rumors grew this year that she could return to UFC for a special fight after footage was released of her in training.

While she has never boxed professionally and lost violently in her last two MMA fights that were nearly a decade ago, Pugmire writes:

“Although she won many of her UFC bouts by armbar submission, Rousey was schooled heavily in boxing by then-coach Edmond Tarverdyan in Glendale, California, and her confidence in fighting from the stand-up stance increased into her final bouts.”

The 38-year-old jumped to WWE in 2018 starting at WrestleMania 34, departing in April 2019 after WrestleMania 35. She returned for a maligned run in January 2022, departing for a second time in August 2023. She made her indie debut in October 2023 and wrestled two matches before making a surprise appearance for Ring of Honor in November 2023.

JNPO: Todd Grisham on his WWE past, UFC tenure & boxing’s future

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: DAZN

On a new Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, Josh talks with former WWE broadcaster Todd Grisham on his lengthy run in WWE, dealing with Vince McMahon, and whether he has any interest in returning to the business.

Josh and Todd also talk about the current state of boxing, Todd’s role commentating fights for DAZN and Glory Kickboxing, and why his time in the UFC was cut shorter than expected. Todd even addresses winning two Wrestling Observer Newsletter Worst Announcer awards.

All that and more await on this week’s Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, available for free below, on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Just search “Wrestling Observer.”

Click here to listen

Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather agree to future fight

Posted on by Josh Nason

Yes, you read the above headline correctly: Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather have agreed to a boxing match.

However, details are still a bit light. The exhibition fight is set to occur in the spring of 2026 but the location has yet to be determined. How people can watch is also unclear.

CSI Sports, “a multimedia company that acquires, produces, distributes, and broadcasts fight related content weekly in the U.S. and international markets,” is promoting the event. The company has previously acquired the rights to HBO boxing events in addition to the Tuesday Night Fights series that used to air on USA Network that now air on their Fight Sports network in addition to other combat sports, American Ninja Warrior and other content.

The 59-year-old Tyson famously fought and lost to Jake Paul last November on Netflix — his first bout in nearly 20 years. The 48-year-old Mayweather last fought professionally in 2017, defeating UFC star Conor McGregor. However, he fought nearly his entire undefeated career at welterweight (140-147 pounds) which is a far cry from Tyson’s heavyweight range.

Since then, Mayweather has fought in exhibitions against current WWE star Logan Paul, kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa, former sparring partners, and YouTubers.

Former ESPN executive John Skipper, former HBO PPV executive Mark Taffet, and former Showtime PR head Chris DeBlasio all have joined the CSI Sports group with the promise of an impending “multi-event global media streaming and broadcast partnership that will launch with this event.”

December 12, 2007 Observer Newsletter: Is boxing in trouble with UFC’s rise?

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Thomas Hauser, the well known biographer of Muhammad Ali and one of the best known boxing writers, wrote a long story on boxing and UFC on the secondsout.com web site this past week.

Even with boxing having its biggest show, he said the sport was in trouble. Using Google hits to judge popularity, he listed the most popular fighters of today as: 1) De La Hoya; 2) Manny Pacquiao; 3) Mayweather; 4) Oritz; 5) Liddell; 6) Couture, noting MMA’s biggest stars as significantly more popular than Bernard Hopkins, Kelly Pavlik and Wladmir Klitshcko. Emmanuel Steward ripped MMA as being ugly and brutal, with nothing beautiful about it like a nice jab in boxing.

He noted UFC follows the WWE when it comes to marketing and stated studies that showed UFC gets its crowds more than WWE fans than boxing fans. Hauser blamed the firing of Chris Albrecht from the head of HBO for the demise of the HBO/UFC deal.

Subscribers can read this issue here.

November 26, 2007 Observer Newsletter: Where things stand business-wise, Congress looking to investigate pro wrestling

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

When looking at where things were a year ago, and today, it really shows just how much things change in pro wrestling and MMA. A year ago, UFC was the hot commodity, booking the best feuds, and building them up. WWE seemed to have lost its way to a degree, and people were writing obituaries for the sport of boxing, saying after the last De La Hoya fight, it was done.

After one of the biggest weekends of the year, it’s clear that everything is different. Boxing is thriving, with HBO re-inventing the formula of match promotion television. Round two is the build up of the 12/8 Floyd Mayweather vs. Ricky Hatton fight with the 30 minute weekly show until fight time showing their preparation as well as living their life.

It’s the outside drama and personality development, more than the training footage, that made the first episode. Mayweather has gone from the cocky adversary in the De La Hoya series to a multi-dimensional larger-than-life character, living in the mansion, but raising kids, with all the hangers-on, and continuing the problems with the father who raised him to be a boxing superstar.

Subscribers can read this issue here.

Daily Update: AEW Collision, Maxx Justice, TKO & boxing

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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Sunday Update

— Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about all the wrestling news of the weekend.

— We don’t have any updates regarding Collision. Due to a technical issue, the show ended about 30 minutes early last night on TNT. It was said by Tony Khan on X that the full two hour version would air on the West Coast feed and be on MAX last night. The problem persisted and MAX doesn’t even have the show up, or at least didn’t the last I checked. We are told the overseas show on Triller aired in its entirety.  

We had gotten updates last night but nothing new today past Tony Khan late last night writing on X that they will get the show up on MAX as soon as possible. Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Gueveara beat Lio Rush & Action Andretti to earn a title shot at Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin on the 5/25 Double or Nothing PPV show in one of the bouts, and the other was Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Wheeler Yuta.

— Mike Raybeck, who wrestled for years in Northern California as Mike Diamond and Maxx Justice, passed away after being hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle home from work on 5/9.  Raybeck was believed to be 63. He was a regular with Roland Alexander’s All Pro Wrestling with the likes of Michael Modest, Tony Jones, Vic Grimes, Erin “Crash Holly” O’Grady, Vinnie Massaro, Robert Thompson and others from that period. He was working for the city of Hayward for the last 16 years as a utilities maintenance mechanic. His death was discussed at the City Council meeting this past Tuesday. They lowered the flags at all city properties. 

He was 6-foot-5 and about 260 pounds. Because of his size, he had a WWE tryout as well as one for WCW in the 90s. He held the APW Universal title five times. He was in the movie “Beyond the Mat” where he nearly got into a fight with a fan who spit on him.

–There is a lot of talk in the boxing/MMA world regarding the announcement that SELA and Riyadh Season will be promoting the Terrence Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez fight, which has been moved to 9/13, head-to-head with a UFC PPV show. On the recent TKO conference call, it was talked about that TKO would be promoting the show. Inquiries to both UFC and WWE officials close to Dana White and Nick Khan have not gotten a response whether something has or hasn’t changed regarding Turki Alalshikh and TKO.

— The Sky Team of Mistico & Mascara Dorada & Neon won the CMLL trios titles from Averno & Mephisto & Euforia on Friday night at Arena Mexico.

— Scott D’Amore announced that he would match all  donations during a time frame in a Go Fund Me for the family of Sabu and to pay funeral expenses. In doing so, he’s paid $15,932 to make the total $52,282 in donations. Other major donations included $5,000 by Chris Jericho, $2,000 by Ryan Barker of Pro Wrestling Tees and $1,600 by Joey Janela.

— Want to give best wishes to Jim Ross in his battle against colon cancer. There’s no update past what Ross stated publicly on Twitter earlier in the week, regarding him having surgery in the next week or two.

— Dricus du Plessis defends the UFC middleweight title against Khamzat Chimaev on 8/16 at the United Center in Chicago.  

— Islam Makhachev, who was considered by most as UFC’s best champion, vacated the lightweight title to move to welterweight and challenge Jack Della Maddelena for the title. No date or place for this fight has been announced. This comes after Makhachev said that Ilia Topuria, the featherweight champion, didn’t deserve a lightweight title fight because he’d never beaten anyone major at lightweight. So now he’s getting a title fight having not beaten anyone of note at welterweight.  

— The vacant lightweight title will be filled on 6/28 in Las Vegas for the International Fight Week show with Topuria moving up to face former champion Charles Oliveira. Also on that show,  Alexandre Pantoja will defend the flyweight title against Kai Kara-France. Top flyweight contenders Brandon Royval and Manel Kape are on the undercard.

— In an interview with Adam Glyn, Dana White said when asked about Conor McGregor that he’s not fighting anytime soon. I don’t think anyone really expects McGregor to fight again in the UFC.

— Kyle Snyder is expected to plead guilty to disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor in his arrest last week for engaging in prostitution. Snyder, the 2016 Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, was arrested when police set up a sting operation taking out an ad for prostitution. Officers received text messages and called from a man, and a meeting was  arranged in a nearby hotel. Snyder allegedly arrived at the hotel and paid an undercover officer cash for a sexual act and he was arrested. He will likely have to pay a fine and attend a John school class to prevent repeat offenses. Snyder was one of 16 men arrested during the sting operation. Snyder signed with the Hogan/Bischoff Real American Freestyle group. Snyder is still listed for Final X on 6/14 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, facing Hayden Zillmer for the U.S. berth at 213 pounds in the upcoming world championships.

— Patchy Mix, the former Beallator bantamweight champion, who got his release from the PFL last week, was announced as debuting in UFC on the 6/7 PPV show. He will face Mario Bautsta at the Prudential Center.  Mix is replacing Marlon Chito Vera, who was injured in training.

— Defy results from Friday night in Seattle: Kevin Blackwood won the PrimoLucha title in a scramble match over champion Guillermo Rosas, Cody Chhun, Eddie Pearl, Evan Rivers and Miles Deville, Labron Kozone b Vaughn Vertiigo, Marina Shafir retained the women’s title over Kylie Rae, Steve Migs won a BMF Battle Royal, Sinner & Saint retained the tag titles over Los Suaveitos, Minoru Suzuki b Joey Janels. Next show is 6/13 at Washington Hall. They also have a 6/7 show in White Center, WA at the Lariat Bar.

— Friday’s show was a memorial for Kevin Diers, who passed away last week at the age of 39  Diers handled the social media for Defy and also handled interview segments. He worked for local Rock station KISW so was very tied into the Seattle community and he had been with Defy since the launch of the promotion.

— WWE has plans to run a major show in Mexico City headlined by Cody Rhodes.

— Regarding the Hardys and TripleMania Regia, they were part of the original plans for the show for AAA through TNA but as Matt Hardy mentioned, they had already booked an autograph signing on that date and the promotion was told they had been paid half up front and weren’t wanting to pull out. TNA is sending the Nemeths, the tag champs, and Moose to the 6/15 event in Monterrey. Regarding reports that Rey Mysterio was going to be on that show but was injured so couldn’t appear, obviously AAA would have wanted him and would have asked, but it was never agreed to prior to his injury. There was talk in that direction.

— Real American Freestyle, the Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff-led promotion, has announced Evan Wick, Austin Gomez, Real Woods, Will Lewan and Parker Keckeisen to the roster. Wick recently won the U.S. national championship. Gomez represented Mexico in the 2024 Olympics and placed second in the 2024 NCAA tournament wrestling for the University of Michigan. Woods was second in the 2023 NCAA tournament. Lewan was an age group world champion and placed fifth at the 2022 NCAA tournament. Keckeisen won the 2024 NCAA title wrestling for Northern Iowa.  

— Paramount Global Content Distributions announced an all-wrestling FAST channel called Wrestling Central for Roku in the U.S. and Canada. It will feature weekly shows from Women of Wrestling and the Billy Corgan NWA.

— Ozawa retained the GHC title over Kaito Kiyomiya in a match with a lot of interference at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo today. A lot of people liked it because there was great wrestling but others thought too much interference. In the pre-match stuff they talked about Kiyomiya leaving if he lost. Ozawa looks to next defend in a three-way against Tetsuya Endo and Takashi Sugiura.

— Rei Saito won the Champion Carnival in All Japan today beating Kento Miyahara in the finals.  This leads to brother Jun Saito vs. Rei for the Triple Crown on 6/1 in Sendai, which is near where both are from.

— The final episode of LFG airs at 8pm tonight on A&E. Wrestling’s Greatest Moments at 9:30 pm. is on DX and 10 pm is on Money in the Bank cash-ins.

— Tommy Dreamer was the first inductee in the Mid Hudson Civic Center pro wrestling Hall of Fame in Poughkeepsie, NY. This was at the Awesome Championship Wrestling show at the building.

— Kratos & Odinson won the Crockett Cup tournament beating Eddie & Orlando Colon (Primo & Epico) in the main event last night at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. Nattie Neidhart lost when challenging Kenzie Paige for the NWA women’s title. Thom Latimer kept the NWA title over Rhino and Colby Corino.  

— Limitless Wrestling put on a wrestling show at a youth prison in South Portland, ME. The show was an idea from Ace Romero, the former Impact wrestler who is a member of the Long Creek Youth Development Center staff, a juvenile facility. Scotty 2 Hotty, who is from the area, was on the show. 

— The International Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame announced Tony Atlas & Rocky Johnson going in as a tag team in 2025. They had previously announced Trish Stratus being inducted.

— Shoko Nakajima defends the MLW women’s featherweight title against Kaya Toribami on 6/7 at Kitazawa Town Hall for Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling.

Daily Update: Tetsuya Naito, TKO boxing details, Mayu Iwatani

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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  • Lots more on the AAA sale to TKO (and that it’s not actually completed), CMLL’s cryptic response, Grand Slam Mexico, Dorian Roldan talks why he sold and Konnan and Latin Lover talk the future of AAA and in theory how things change in Mexico and the U.S., plus the major business goals.
  • Tam Nakano ends her career, Mayu Iwatani leaves Stardom, Stardom puts on its biggest show with its biggest match in history and a couple of award categories this should do well in.
  • Update on WWE Backlash
  • Update on both major lawsuits against Vince McMahon and WWE. New plaintiffs emerge in the ringboys suit and a new Vice President is implicated, and Janel Grant’s attorneys push for the case to move forward while the defendants want discovery held up.
  • Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff promote Real American Freestyle. What they need for success, what mistakes they’ve already made and is Hogan the right person to the face of the company
  • Full coverage of TNA Rebellion
  • Long story on the Hollywood Demons episode on the Von Erichs, how this is different from other stories, more on the deaths, the political situation in Texas and things in the new documentary that aren’t completely accurate, as well as dispelling major myths.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings, including placings, demos, competition and more for all the shows
  • End of the CMLL Universal championship tournament with a super finish
  • MLW vs. CMLL matches this week
  • Champion Carnival update
  • Lots of New Japan big matches coming up
  • Meiko Satomura retires
  • Big indie shows this week
  • Big Progress tournament this week
  • RVD injury update
  • More NXT stars on TNA television
  • AEW expects one of its biggest gates for upcoming show
  • Bryan Danielson talks his career and AEW
  • Advanced ticket sales for upcoming WWE and AEW shows
  • Lots of injury updates
  • PFL involved in a number of messy lawsuits
  • Freak show fight with powerlifters gets major attention
  • SmackDown time slot change
  • Did you know the person behind the movie with Liv Morgan did a movie based on a Hall of Fame 80s and 90s pro wrestling legend
  • Value of WWE’s PLEs on the open market
  • The story of the most powerful man in combat sports that most reporters aren’t touching
  • Lots of notes on the Smashing Machine movie
  • How much Dwayne Johnson has made since joining the TK Board
  • More talk on a WWE all-women’s PPV show

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Sunday Update

— We did our weekend show last night instead of tonight to get the WWE releases analysis out as soon as possible. Last night’s show went in depth on everyone that was released, lots of talk as to why the releases were done, some reasons, and future prospects for everyone. We also talked about the rest of the weekend news. Garrett Gonzales and I did our week in review as well with instant thoughts on the releases, Hogan & Bischoff’s new promotion, and answered a lot of questions. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night after Raw.

— WWE just added Iyo Sky vs. Roxanne Perez in a non-title match to Raw. Those in WWE are very high on Sky as you can tell and these two were great on Tuesday’s NXT in the tag match.

— Tetsuya Naito’s final New Japan match earlier today in Fukuoka drew the largest crowd in the city for wrestling in six years with Hirooki Goto over Callum Newman in the IWGP world title match main event. Naito & Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi & Bushi beat Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii & Taichi & Taka Michinku.  

— Turki Al-Sheikh announced yesterday that the expected TKO boxing debut show will be 9/12 with Canelo Alvarez vs. Terrenice Crawford for the Ring Magazine title as the main event. Dana White and Nick Khan will be promoters of the show at Allegiant Stadium, the site of WrestleMania. They said that the TV platform for the show will be announced shortly. I wonder if they will go with PPV or try and get as many viewers as possible. I think Netflix looking to repeat the one-night boxing model that worked for them with Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul is a good bet.

— Mayu Iwatani’s Marigold debut today over Nanae Takahashi at Korakuen Hall was recommended to us as an excellent match. Iwatani won. Reports that Korakuen Hall sold out instantly were incorrect as they were not sold out at all.

— The other match outside of New Japan heavily recommended was Ozawa over KENTA in the Sumo Hall main event yesterday for NOAH to retain the GHC title.

— TNA announced a media rights deal with Claro Sports in Mexico, South and Central America for all its programming. It will both air on Pay TV as well as streaming.

— Mistico beat Kushida in Friday’s Arena Mexico main event in the CMLL vs. MLW show. MLW talent is there for the weekend.

— Maple Leaf Wrestling’s debut in Toronto is said to be selling well for the Mattamy Athletic Center. They took out ads during Dynamite on TSN as well as have a billboard up in Dundas Square in Toronto, which is the closest thing they have to Times Square.

— Ryan Bader was at the Tokyo Dome for today’s show put on by Rizin. He indicated fighting the winner of their heavyweight Grand Prix on 12/31. Bader, who plays Mark Coleman in the movie “Smashing Machine,” said that he would be heavyweight champion after the fight.

— There are two more episodes of LFG tonight, one at 8 p.m. Eastern and the other at 9:30 p.m. Eastern. The second show will air the male semifinals with the winners meeting for “a contract” (keep in mind everyone on the show is already under contract) at an event in Madison Square Garden.

— For Google searches this weekend, Canelo Alvarez, who beat William Scull via unanimous decision in what has been dubbed the most boring major fight weekend in modern boxing history had 560,000 searches. Terrence Crawford had 50,000. Last night’s UFC show had only 120,000 with most of the talk about Reiner de Ridder stopping Bo Nickal in the second round, handing Nickal his first loss. WWE releases had 100,000.

— Insane Wrestling Revolution had a show last night in Monroe, MI. We were told that they offered all fans 40 percent off tickets to Collision on Thursday in Detroit. Those tickets are not selling well with nothing announced for the show. They had a Wrestlefest with Kurt Angle, RVD, Eric Bischof, Shark Boy, Boogeyman, Rhino, Heath Slater, Brookln Brawler, Victoria and ODDB.  Benjamin Boone won a Battle Royal. Angle put Pierre Guerin in an ankle lock in a segment.  Country Gentlemen b Rhino & Heath Slater to keep the tag titles, Johnny Swinger b Buckeye Sam, KJ Reynolds & Ryan Matthias b Aaron Orion & Adam Wicks, Dread King Logan b Zeeko ODB b Jessicka Havok, Adam Wick won a four-way over Myron Reed, Jake Crist and Rich Swann (all four got a standing ovation after the match) to win the U.S. title, Eh eam b Alienated Youth and PCO & Soultaker to keep the IWG tag titles, Kitty Lafleur & Kenny Urban b Sam Beale & Shelly Benson, NWA champion Thom Latimer beat IWR champion Silas Young to win the title. (thanks to Paul Meade)

— Invicta on 5/16 in Kansas City has announced Katharina Lehner vs. Olga Rubin as the main event.  

— Dominick Cruz will replace Joe Rogan as announcer for Saturday’s UFC 315 show in Montreal. Rogan has said he won’t go to Canada.

WOR: AEW Dynamite & NXT recaps, TKO gets into boxing, NJPW news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Image: AEW

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the new TKO boxing endeavor, New Japan Cup and their Anniversary show, a huge weekend of shows with WWE, AEW and UFC, Dynamite and NXT results, Collision spoilers, and tons more.

Plus, Bryan does math.

A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Brian Knobbs update, TKO announces boxing venture
7:15: NJPW notes on anniversary show, NJPW Cup
9:55: Big weekend schedule
19:52: Ratings, including math
37:58: AEW Dynamite recap
59:00: WWE NXT recap
1:08:57: AEW Collision spoilers

Right Click Save As or watch with a premium YouTube subscription

TKO & Saudi Arabia reportedly set to launch boxing league

Posted on by Josh Nason

The TKO family may grow over the next few weeks as a report out Wednesday has the owners of WWE & UFC teaming up with Saudi Arabia to launch a new boxing league.

While rumors of TKO and the Saudis partnering up on boxing began in 2024, a New York Times report stated that a company owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund is “close” to creating a league with TKO featuring “up-and-coming boxers tied exclusively to the league” that could be announced at some point in the next few weeks.

WWE and the Saudis just announced that the Royal Rumble will be heading to the country in 2026 in the latest extension of their longtime relationship.

UFC head Dana White has long felt that boxing is broken and has wanted to do something about it, even teasing Zuffa Boxing years ago. TKO president Mark Shapiro said on a November investor call that if the company was to do something with boxing, it would be “in an organic way” and not by purchasing an existing entity.

Saudi Arabia General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alsheikh has been a key driver in bringing major boxing events to the country in recent years with a potential eye toward something like this.

According to the report, TKO would be a managing partner with the aforementioned Fund covering the investment. TKO would receive an equity stake and a revenue share.

Jake Paul defeats Mike Tyson as Netflix experiences major streaming issues

Posted on by Josh Nason

On a night marred by Netflix buffering issues and poor streaming quality, Jake Paul did what many expected and defeated the legendary Mike Tyson in an eight round boxing match on Friday in Arlington, Texas.

Paul won the fight on the judges’ scorecards by counts of 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73.

The bout itself was devoid of any firefights between the two or even signature moments. The 58-year-old Tyson, who fought with a knee brace on his right leg, slowed as the fight went on as did Paul. The crowd responded in kind, booing in frustration as the fight developed.

Perhaps the bigger story of the night were the issues the streaming giant had starting with the Amanda Serrano vs. Katie Taylor co-main event rematch. Users on social media complained loudly about experiencing problems with buffering, unavailable video, and the video quality itself — a narrative Netflix didn’t want to deal with as their NFL Christmas Day games approach in addition to the launch of WWE in January.

However, it should be noted that the amount of viewers worldwide for the Tyson vs. Paul fight was considerably more than the NFL or WWE are expected to garner. During his post-fight promo, Paul referenced 120 million viewers but that is unverified as of this writing.

Tyson declined to announce his retirement with Jake’s brother Logan Paul offering to fight Tyson next which the legend quickly agreed to.

The rules were eight two-minute rounds with 14 ounce gloves, four ounces bigger than for usual heavyweight fights.

The fight between Tyson (50-7) and the 27-year-old Paul (11-1) was first announced in early-March for late-July, but was pushed back due to Tyson suffering ulcer complications in June.

Perhaps the most viral moment of the night was Tyson doing a backstage interview, walking away, and showing his bare buttocks in an unintended moment of hilarity.

It was Tyson’s first fight of any kind since a November 2020 exhibition boxing bout with Roy Jones Jr. which was preceded by a 15-year-gap of inactivity.

Mike Tyson’s ulcer flare-up causes Jake Paul boxing match to be postponed

Posted on by Josh Nason

One of the most anticipated sports spectacles of the summer is being postponed due to, of all things, an ulcer.

On Friday night, it was announced that the July 20th boxing match between legend Mike Tyson and social media sensation turned fighter Jake Paul is being moved back due to a well-publicized ulcer flare-up Tyson suffered on a plane trip recently.

Despite feeling fine afterward, the 58-year-old Tyson was reportedly advised to only do minimal-to-light training in the weeks ahead which didn’t work with his timeline ahead of the clash with the 27-year-old Paul.

The fight will still air on Netflix and will still emanate from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with a new date promised by next Friday.

Tyson vs. Paul was first announced in early-March to much surprise. It will be Tyson’s first fight of any kind since a November 2020 exhibition boxing bout with Roy Jones Jr. which was preceded by a 15-year-gap of inactivity.

Former UFC rivals Anderson Silva & Chael Sonnen to fight in boxing match

Posted on by Josh Nason

The boxing bug has bit two former UFC rivals as Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will do battle for a third time — only this time in the ring vs. the cage.

The news was revealed Sunday night, coming on the same day Silva denied he would be fighting actor Terry Crews. It’s being promoted as the “grand finale” of Silva’s career even though he has declined to answer whether he will retire.

The two will clash on Saturday, June 15th in Brazil, but the rules are unknown as is whether it will be a pro or exhibition bout. It will come nearly two weeks before their first UFC fight is inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

The 49-year-old Silva (3-2) has boxed professionally three times since retiring from the UFC, picking up wins over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Tito Ortiz before losing to Jake Paul in September 2022. While the 47-year-old Sonnen has trained in boxing before, he has never competed in boxing professionally.

The two fought twice before in the Octagon with Silva picking up both victories.

Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul live boxing match announced for Netflix

Posted on by Josh Nason

In a fight that defies belief based on the combatants alone, boxing legend Mike Tyson will return to the ring to take on Jake Paul this July on Netflix.

The live event will take place on Saturday, July 20th at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It will be Netflix’s first-ever boxing/MMA show as Paul’s company signed a deal with Netflix last November.

Tyson is 58 years old and hasn’t competed since an exhibition against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020 that generated over 1 million pay-per-view buys. That fight was 15 years after his last one.

Tyson has continued his dalliances with pro wrestling in recent years, last appearing for AEW in 2022. He said in a February 2023 interview that he would rather be involved with WWE even though AEW pays more.

The 27-year-old Paul (9-1) is a YouTube star turned boxer who has made his name by defeating former MMA stars looking for a large payday like Anderson Silva, Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley.

As of this point, it’s unknown if this will be a sanctioned pro fight or exhibition one, the amount of rounds, glove size, etc. How much each fighter is getting paid is also unknown.

The live event will come more than five months before WWE kicks off their own live programming deal in January with Raw in the U.S. and all WWE content internationally.