Tag: britt baker

Mick Foley, Britt Baker visit AEW colleague Rebel amid ALS battle

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Amid her battle with ALS, Rebel (Tanea Brooks) got to spend time with a couple of visitors on Friday.

New AEW signee Mick Foley shared a photo to social media saying he was having the “best” time spending the day with Rebel and Britt Baker. All three were wearing the “Rebel Heart” bracelets that AEW recently released to raise money for ALS support organizations.

“REBEL HEART!,” Foley wrote. “Having the BEST day, visiting with @rebeltanea & @realbrittbaker – who are FORCING me to watch [Love Island]….which I’m kind of addicted to now!”

Rebel announced this week that she has joined the group I Am ALS as an ambassador. It’s a patient-led organization that is looking to accelerate a cure for the fatal disease by “mobilizing collective power to drive urgent policy and systems change.”

The profits raised from AEW’s “Rebel Heart” bracelet and T-shirt sales will be donated to I Am ALS and Team Gleason, another charity that helps support those suffering from the progressive neurodegenerative disease.

The 47-year-old Rebel announced her ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) diagnosis last month after going through a long period where she was having serious health problems but doctors could not fully figure out what was wrong. She is best known to AEW fans through the partnership she once had with Baker on screen.

Baker has been off AEW television since late 2024 with no official explanation. Tony Khan has left the door open for her to return when asked about her status in media interviews, but there have not been any developments despite his comments.

The legendary Foley debuted for AEW as a broadcaster at Double or Nothing 2026 and could end up getting into the ring eventually for one final match.

Britt Baker says ‘not up to me’ as to AEW Revolution absence

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Britt Baker has responded to a question about her absence from AEW Revolution.

Missing from AEW programming since November 2024, fans have yet to catch a glimpse of Baker on their screens. In a night full of returns at Revolution 2026, fans saw the comebacks of Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, and even the debut of Ronda Rousey. However, while they kept waiting for Baker to show up, it did not happen.

Our Bryan Alvarez also noted that despite all the returns after singles matches on Revolution, Baker did not appear to be at the show.

Alvarez’s statements soon coincided with Baker’s social media update. As AEW Revolution continued, Baker responded to a social media post talking about all the Revolution returns except hers. Breaking her silence, Baker wrote, “Not up to me.”

Around a month ago, AEW President Tony Khan opened up on Baker’s status; however, despite speaking highly of her, Khan refrained from sharing a confirmed return timeline.

Britt Baker says she isn’t retired, no longer a full-time dentist due to ‘fans wanting to come kill me’

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker hasn’t wrestled since November 2024, but in a quick-hit red carpet interview Friday, she said she isn’t done yet.

Baker was at a Sports Illustrated hosted event when she was directly asked if she was retired.

“I would not say I’m retired, no,” Baker said, adding “Yeah, maybe” when asked if she felt good enough to get back into wrestling.

She also revealed in the one minute interview that she is no longer doing full-time dentistry due to wrestling fans being “a little passionate, sometimes for their own good and for my own safety.”

“It got a little carried away sometimes with some scary wrestling fans wanting to come kill me because I’m a bad guy,” she said.

AEW head Tony Khan has been repeatedly asked about Baker’s status with one of his latest answers being, “I would expect to see Britt back in AEW. I just don’t want to say when.”

Despite not wrestling, Baker is still enjoying all the chatter around her and her potential return.

“I just love that the fans are still talking about me. Keep the chatter up because I love it. Stay tuned,” she said.

Tony Khan comments on Powerhouse Hobbs, Britt Baker, Steven Borden

Posted on by Ian Carey

Tony Khan commented on several current and former members of the AEW roster during recent interviews to promote Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite in Las Vegas.

Khan appeared on The Yo Josh Martinez Show on Wednesday and was asked about Powerhouse Hobbs, who debuted for WWE in the Royal Rumble on Saturday after a five-and-a-half-year run with AEW.

Khan said:

“I think Powerhouse Hobbs had a great run here in AEW. He started wrestling here in Jacksonville, where I am now, and had some great matches and became a champion in AEW.”

“He’s a former TNT Champion, former World Trios Champion.”

“I’ll always wish him all the best.”

Khan also addressed Steven Borden, the son of Sting, who has been wrestling dark matches at AEW events of late. Asked on the Battleground podcast about Borden using his father’s former ring music for his AEW matches, Khan responded:

“It was my idea. It’s a song that was in a library, and we made a deal to get a certain number of plays. We haven’t used it on air yet, but we have a deal to use ‘Turbocharged,’ which is a track that was available through a music library, and I love licensing great music. That’s one of my favorite songs from my childhood. I think about it all the time, and I thought it would be really cool for Steven to come out to it.”

Borden’s most recent match was a dark bout on the January 21 episode of AEW Dynamite in Orlando. He teamed with QT Marshall in a win over Nathan Cruz and Rosario Grillo.

Khan continued to say of AEW developing Borden:

“Steven and developing him for the future is a huge priority to me and everyone in AEW.”

The AEW president also addressed Britt Baker’s status on Wednesday. Baker has not wrestled for AEW since November 2024.

Khan said of the former AEW Women’s World Champion:

“Britt’s somebody I really like and respect a lot. I definitely think as we’ve evolved, with more tag teams and singles wrestling opportunities across multiple shows, now that we have four hours of TV with Dynamite and Collision, I think there’s going to be more and more opportunities.”

“Britt’s still somebody very highly regarded and respected here in AEW. I would expect to see Britt back in AEW. I just don’t want to say when.”

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite is set for the Pearl Theater at the Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Khan’s podcast appearances are available below:

Updates on AEW status of Andrade, Chris Jericho & Britt Baker

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: JJ Williams

As part of a wide-ranging interview with Ariel Helwani Tuesday, AEW head Tony Khan was asked about the status of several big name wrestlers in addition to his relationship with UFC head Dana White.

Andrade El Idolo

Khan was careful when talking about the contractual situation of Andrade El Idolo, reiterating when he initially left AEW, it was on the “best of terms.” Khan said he was thrilled to see him again and whenever he is free, he hopes to work with him again.

When asked if Andrade misrepresented his status following his departure from WWE that reportedly has come with a one-year non-compete, Khan said he couldn’t speak to that.

Andrade reappeared with AEW in October after his firing from WWE and attacked Kenny Omega. However, he quickly disappeared off TV afterward.

Chris Jericho

Similar to Andrade, Khan reiterated his past sentiments about wanting Chris Jericho to return. He said he couldn’t speak to when Jericho could return but that he’s always welcome to come in. The former AEW World Champion hasn’t been on AEW TV since this past April.

Asked about where he has been, Khan said some of it is just working out the dates and wouldn’t confirm when Jericho’s contract is up (Jericho had previously said his deal is up at year’s end.)

Khan says he hopes to have Jericho back in AEW and that when you are dealing with talents like that, you have to negotiate a certain number of dates.

Britt Baker

Khan again reiterated some of his past comments and that he’s really had some good talks with Baker. “I’m still looking for the right time with Britt,” he said, adding that he “would love to have her back in AEW. Britt is going to be back, I really believe, in AEW and I hope soon. It has to be the right situation for her and everyone involved. I want to make sure she’s 100% and that’s important to me.”

Baker hasn’t wrestled for AEW since November 2024.

Dana White

Despite Dana White being under TKO’s umbrella with the UFC, Khan said he and White are “still close” and recently attended a University of Miami football game with several Jacksonville Jaguars executives, Dan Lambert, and White.

For more coverage of Khan’s hour-long talk with Helwani, visit our AEW section.

Tony Khan addresses Britt Baker’s status with AEW

Posted on by Ian Carey

Tony Khan commented on the AEW statuses of several wrestlers on his roster recently.

During an appearance on Z100 on Tuesday, Khan was asked about former AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker, who is now coming up on one year since she last wrestled for the promotion. Khan responded that Baker is still with the company and that he’d love to see her return.

“She’s been away from AEW for a while, but still very much with us and at some point, hopefully soon, I’d love to see Dr. Britt Baker come back,” Khan said.

Baker last wrestled for AEW on the November 13, 2024 episode of Dynamite. She defeated Penelope Ford on the show.

Later in the conversation, Khan was asked about rumors that Adam Copeland was returning to WWE to wrestle John Cena. The AEW president responded that Copeland will return to AEW when he’s done filming his current project.

“Adam is out filming right now,” Khan said. “I’m excited for him to be back in AEW, hopefully soon, after this project is done and he’s taken care of business.”

Khan was asked about Andrade’s status but said he couldn’t say much on the situation.

“I have a ton of respect for him and I can’t say much more, other than to say that I’m very excited to see what happens next with Andrade.”

Asked about Chris Jericho, Khan responded:

“We’re so grateful to Chris Jericho and Chris Jericho is somebody also that I would love to see back in AEW anytime. The door is always open to get Chris Jericho back in here and he’s been busy. He’s doing a lot of things.”

Khan’s full interview with Z100 is available below:

Daily Update: Britt Baker, Go Shiozaki, Declan McMahon

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is out with the fallout of three major shows this past weekend and what key things we learned from them:

  • Reader polls on the weekend shows
  • Key points we learned from WWE going after AEW
  • Numbers for all three shows and how they did
  • Does the price make a difference, how is afternoon vs. evening?
  • What we’ve learned about AEW that goes against the grain of 30 plus years of PPV numbers
  • Mistico vs. MJF looked at as well as Mistico’s place in Lucha Libre history
  • Misconceptions about John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar
  • The next big shows from WWE & AEW
  • Lots of injury updates
  • Advanced ticket sales for the major shows over the next month
  • Odds for last weekend and next weekend
  • Where wrestling shows stood in the weekly ratings and comparisons with the same week in 2024 and 2023
  • Exactly how much the audience makeup has changed for AEW on television this past year
  • For every major TV show, what percentage of viewers were women this past week
  • Blue Panther wins title at 65 years old
  • Big head-to-head battles in Mexico City on Saturday and Sunday this week
  • Lineup for the women’s Grand Prix match in Mexico City with talent from RevPro, Stardom and AEW/ROH
  • Notes from the Pokemon CMLL crossover event
  • Story about the changes in the crowds at Arena Mexico and leading reporter opposes the story
  • Lots of health updates
  • Real American Freestyle signs first woman gold medalist
  • Masha Slamovich controversy
  • Zuffa Boxing close to announcing TV deal
  • Former WWE developmental talent signs with UFC for November debut
  • International promotion in talks with ESPN Unlimited
  • Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis silliness
  • Cody Rhodes talks Paul Levesque’s successor
  • Mark Shapiro talks how WWE & UFC will decide on locations for big shows
  • ESPN review of Wrestlepalooza and the controversy allows ignoring the far bigger story
  • Jazmyn Nyx turns down WWE offer, says it’s too low

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • Amid her ongoing absence from AEW programming, Britt Baker sent out the following message on X/Twitter yesterday: “We’re always so quick to burn the trolls on this app, but never quick enough to appreciate the true fans who show love every day. Thank you”
  • Tony Khan spoke to Forbes about AEW introducing Women’s Tag Team titles:
    • I’m very excited about the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship coming to AEW this year. Throughout 2025, the women’s division has been delivering more great matches and rivalries than ever before, and so many top stars have continued to emerge.
    • We’ve had amazing signings, like Mercedes Mone, who came in as a free agent and is now the TBS Champion, and if you look back a few years, Toni Storm joined AEW and went on to become one of our greatest champions. Along the way, we’ve added so many talented faces. Kris Statlander, who’s been here from the early years, has become a top star in her own right.
    • More recently, we’ve also seen the rise of some very interesting and very talented women’s tag teams. With the roster at its strongest, the highest quality it’s ever been, I think now is the perfect time to introduce the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championships. Women’s wrestling in AEW is the best it’s ever been, and these titles will make it even stronger.
  • During an interview with Undisputed, Anthony Bowens listed the five best moments he’s ever had on AEW Dynamite:
    • Winning the tag team titles [September 2022] – ‘We won the belts on Dynamite, a night I’ll always remember.’
    • Dynamite debut [December 2020] – ‘Our first match ever has to belong on this list, and that was against SCU.’
    • Main-eventing against the Young Bucks [December 2020] – ‘The fans got to see our entire journey, beginning from when we were paired together on DARK and didn’t have the same gear yet. This was a big step for us, a tag team title shot a couple months into the company.’
    • Main-eventing against Sting [January 2022] – ‘Sting is one of my heroes, so wrestling him in Washington, DC was very significant for me.’
    • National Scissoring Day [October 2022] – ‘This would be incomplete without National Scissoring Day. That was a very interesting day. It was trending all day, and it cemented us as stars.’
  • Will Ospreay named his Mount Rushmore of cruiserweight wrestlers: Rey Mysterio, Hayabusa, Naomichi Marufuji, and Dragon Kid.
  • Ricochet also listed his choices: Mysterio, Hayabusa, Jushin Thunder Liger, and Amazing Red.
  • Without revealing her destination, IWGP Women’s Champion Sareee posted an image teasing that she’s heading overseas for something.
  • Go Shiozaki spoke to Tokyo Sports about his future now that he’s departed Pro Wrestling NOAH:
    • I still don’t know where I’ll go. However, Go Shiozaki’s matches will remain the same, even if they evolve. I want to find a ring where I can bring out Go Shiozaki. I think that no matter which promotion I go to, I’ll be able to feel a fresh fight. That’s why I want to do things that can only be experienced as a freelancer.
  • An MLW Middleweight Championship match is set to take place on the TV taping portion of Slaughterhouse 2025 in Long Beach, California on October 4. It will be Templario defending his title against Virus.
  • Tommy Dreamer and Rhyno have been announced for GCW’s Dream On show at the American Dream mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey on November 22.
  • Busted Open Radio has an interview with new TNA Hall of Famers The Beautiful People (Angelina Love & Velvet Sky).
  • SoCal Val interviewed Bishop Dyer for WrestlingNewsCo.

DDP asks Tony Khan when he’s bringing Britt Baker back to AEW

Posted on by Ian Carey

Diamond Dallas Page wants to know when Dr. Britt Baker DMD will be back in AEW.

Page posted a message to social media on Tuesday directed at Tony Khan, saying the former AEW Women’s World Champion is in peak physical condition and ready to return. He also included a link to an interview with Baker from December 2024.

Page wrote:

“Yo Tony, when are you bringing back @RealBrittBaker? Rumor has it she’s been staying in peak physical condition and is ready to make her return. She’s ready and so are the fans. Catch the full DDP’s Gauntlet with Britt from last December now on the @DDPYoga YouTube channel!“

AEW Dynamite will be in Baker’s hometown of Pittsburgh later this month. The September 24 Dynamite, the fallout show from All Out, will take place at the Petersen Events Center in the city. Dave Meltzer addressed what that show could signify about Baker’s standing with AEW in the July 28, 2025 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Meltzer wrote:

“Whatever the Britt Baker deal really is, if she’s not on this show, I’d think she’d never be back. Plus, with injures to both Jamie Hayter and Thunder Rosa, it’s not like spots haven’t opened up on the women’s side.”

Baker hasn’t been seen in AEW since the November 13 edition of Dynamite. Serena Deeb came out to confront Baker after her win over Penelope Ford, seemingly setting up a future match between the two. Baker was heard saying “Nobody cares” into the camera multiple times during the segment, which was never followed up on. Deeb then wore a shirt with the words “Nobody Cares” printed on it when she appeared on the December 7 episode of Collision.

DDP’s post is below.

Britt Baker, Johnny Gargano, others react to Adam Cole’s announcement

Posted on by Ian Carey

Following Adam Cole’s announcement at AEW All In on Saturday, numerous people from around the wrestling world have posted tributes online.

Tony Khan revealed shortly before the show began that Cole was not cleared to perform and that the TNT Championship was vacated, though he didn’t specify what was preventing Cole from being cleared. Cole then came out before the TNT title match and told the fans he would be “gone for a while.” He also said he wasn’t in the right head space to think about retirement, leading to speculation that his in-ring career could be over.

After Cole’s announcement, Britt Baker, Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black, and several others reacted online:

Johnny Gargano wrote:

“I’ve known @adamcolepro for over 15 years at this point. We were already good friends from our time on the indies, but even more so during our time in NXT. You’d be hard pressed to find someone I spent more time with on a daily basis. We’d go to the Performance Center, sit and watch wrestling with Shawn, eat lunch, then work out with @fla_hayes, and drive to the local Florida coconut shows together on the weekends. We’d always talk about getting a chance to work together on a big stage on those drives. We got that chance when we main evented TakeOver: New York. To my knowledge.. one of the highest grossing NXT events of all time. That night was already incredibly special for me but the fact I got to share it with one of my best friends made that moment mean even more. Nothing but love and well wishes to not just one of my favorite opponents but favorite human beings.”

“Adam Cole Forever,” wrote Renee Paquette.

Christopher Daniels wrote, “ADAM COLE I can’t express how much I love and respect this man. I hope he recovers and returns to continue fulfilling his dream here at AEW.”

“Adam Cole is an incredible Professional wrestler and an inspiration to all Independent wrestlers everywhere. In 2021 AEW had a bus ride going from Kansas City to St. Louis and he talked to me for 2 hours straight. Giving me advice, and chatting with me about the business. I genuinely hope to see him in a wrestling ring again some day,” wrote Alan Angels.

“One of the highlights of my time at WWE was getting to work with Adam Cole on a weekly basis. For 3+ years, I got to see him flourish and excel in every facet of the pro wrestling game. And what a magnificent human being,” wrote Dewey Foley.

Britt Baker, Cole’s former longterm partner, posted an image of a broken heart.

Aleister Black also posted to his Instagram Stories about the news, writing:

“To one of my favorite opponents and people in wrestling @adamcolepro. Thank you, for all of what you did in and outside of the ring for me.”

Tony Khan AEW media call: Creative control, Britt Baker, Unified title update

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: JJ Williams

At the starting point of a busy week, AEW & Ring of Honor head Tony Khan spoke to the media for more than an hour Tuesday to help promote All In and ROH Supercard of Honor.

He also addressed some Internet rumors about Mercedes Mone’s creative control, the status of Britt Baker, and some required changes for Supercard of Honor due to injuries.

Here’s some of the key talking points with full audio at the bottom of this post.

Mercedes Mone’s AEW creative control (or lack thereof)

Khan was asked to address the narrative that the reason Mone is featured so much on AEW TV and wins so often is that she has creative control. Khan denied that, reiterating that he is the only one in AEW with creative control before retelling how he took control back heading into 2020 and again into 2025 which resulted in a better product.

Khan said he’s worked with Mone, Jen Pepperman, Toni Storm and RJ City on this angle, but he has the final say. He said the idea of anyone getting a push because they have “a creative control card” isn’t how it works in AEW. He puts Mone over as a great person to work with backstage and a great star.

“This is the most focused and best AEW in many, many years because there are less voices,” he said.

Where’s Britt Baker?

Khan was asked to address the recent reports Baker has requested her release so she can go to WWE. He said he’s never had a conversation about her leaving AEW and that he likes her a lot. He then launched into a sports analogy about only being able to use so many players as starters and how they have been running a tight, focused show with a focused crew. He said they have a lot of talent on their bench if they need it which applies to both men and women.

The former AEW Women’s World Champion hasn’t been on TV since last November with no storyline explanation.

Continental & International titles not being retired

Khan made it a point to say the AEW Continental and International titles are not being retired and that the new Unified Champion (decided this Saturday between Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada) may carry around all three belts.

Khan said the Unified title is new to AEW, was made to represent the importance of this match, and that the lineage of both titles will be “intact.” He also verified the Continental Classic will be back, but didn’t mention what the winner will get.

Red Velvet, Jamie Hayter injured, new interim ROH Women’s TV title coming

Khan said that a number of injuries changed plans for this week’s Supercard of Honor with Queen Aminata being “called up” to replace Jamie Hayter whose latest injury has taken her out of action longer than expected. She said reigning ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet was injured during her CMLL match last month and while she is expected to push through it, she will be unable to defend the title and thus, a new interim champion will be crowned on Friday. No further details were provided.

For more on all that plus other news and notes from the 70+ minute call, listen below.

Click here to listen (free)

WOR: Kenny Omega on his comeback, facing Kazuchika Okada at AEW All In

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales are back with a Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, joined by returning guest and reigning AEW International Champion Kenny Omega.

They talked with Kenny about his injuries, how he’s feeling, his comeback, his January comeback match with Gabe Kidd, his series of matches with Kazuchika Okada, and wrestling’s future.

Then, Dave talked about losing this week’s current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and the skeleton issue up now.

Here were some of the other things we discussed:

  • CM Punk and Saudi Arabia
  • Kevin Iole’s retirement
  • The latest on Britt Baker
  • An update on Kommander
  • AEW Dynamite ratings

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Update on Britt Baker’s AEW status

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

The news on former AEW Women’s World Champion Britt Baker is that there is no news.

Amid the latest rumors of her looking for her release from AEW in order to go to WWE, Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that from what he has heard, “there’s been absolutely no change in anything.”

“I heard she’s still got time left on her deal and there’s been nothing new in terms of coming back and nothing new in terms of imminently leaving. So, it appears nothing is going on right now,” he said.

Dave Meltzer added that when he has asked, no one has either confirmed or denied her wanting to go to WWE but that those in AEW don’t think there’s anything to it.

The 34-year-old returned in the summer of 2024 after nearly a year away, but has only wrestled five times in the last year with her last match coming in November 2024. It’s unclear why she has been off TV for so long with no explanation.

While Baker herself has posted on social media during the absence, she has not provided any insight either.

Chris Jericho: Britt Baker is a ‘very valuable’ part of AEW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Chris Jericho sees Britt Baker as a valuable part of the AEW roster and is looking forward to having her back on television.

Baker has not competed in an AEW ring since November 2024. Last week, rumors about her status emerged with it being reported that she might be done with the company. The rumors said Baker was unpopular in the AEW locker room and Tony Khan was fed up with her.

In a recent interview, Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown asked Jericho about Baker’s status. While he hasn’t heard much about what’s going on, Jericho said he thinks Baker is a great talent. He can’t see her leaving AEW.

“I mean, you’d have to ask Britt that. I haven’t really heard either way, but I know she’s obviously a very valuable part of the company,” Jericho said. “She’s one of the OGs, probably one of our first homegrown stars. And I think she does a great job whenever she’s in the ring. So I don’t see her leaving or going anywhere. And I’m looking forward to having her come back on the show, because she has a great character and a great presence and, once again, a great fanbase within AEW and within the wrestling world.”

Bryan Alvarez reported that, though Baker is not being used right now and there are no imminent plans for her in AEW, rumors of her being finished with the company “appear to be blown way out of proportion.”

Baker has not commented on this matter specifically, but she made a social media post last Wednesday addressing a different rumor that had been spread by Konnan on his podcast. Konnan claimed that the reason Baker and Adam Cole broke up was because Baker cheated on Cole — which Baker denies.

“I understand we as performers are expected to have thick skin through opinions and lies we read about ourselves, but spreading lies about my personal life is just low, weird, and something I won’t tolerate,” she tweeted. “I’ve never cheated on anyone in my life. #TellYourSource”

Daily Update: Kamaru Usman, Britt Baker, House of Black

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • January 20, 2025 Observer Newsletter: ’24 business year in review, Vince McMahon, WWE & AEW notes
  • The biggest attended shows in combat sports of 2024
  • Who drew the most big crowds of the year
  • What companies drew the biggest crowds
  • Amazing UFC PPV gates
  • The biggest pro wrestling drawing card by the year from 1916 to 2024
  • The biggest enduring drawing cards of all-time and where the modern stars rank with the historical stars
  • Updating all the Vince McMahon legal issues, from the SEC findings, the criminal investigation an the lawsuits, plus several things that have happened regarding the Grant chase this past week and who are with Vince for his start of a new company
  • WWE and NBC book Saturday Night’s Main Event head-to-head with All In Texas
  • The history of this tactic, and an estimate of how much revenue it would cost AEW
  • WWE on Netflix, what episode one did for business, trying to figure out what the numbers mean, time of show and more
  • WWE & TNA make deal
  • New Japan Battle in the Valley coverage
  • The arenas in the U.S. that have held pro wrestling for the longest amount of time
  • Bret Hart talks his favorite wrestler and the life of Sweet Daddy Siki
  • What is up with Corey Graves
  • Death of Ray Richard
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings over the past week and key takes
  • Blue Panther vs. Hechicero
  • Athena tours Stardom
  • New Japan big shows coming up
  • Thoughts on the death of Bob Uecker
  • VOW best wrestlers of 2024
  • More on the AEW show in Brisbane, Australia
  • Lots more on AEW ratings declines and where
  • Darby Allin update
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEw shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Conor McGregro sued again in a sex case
  • PFL drops the Bellator name, releases Bellator’s biggest star and cuts tournament prize money in half
  • Lots of new stuff from GFL
  • WWE sets more business records
  • Notes on the next Saturday Night’s Main Event
  • Paul Heyman talks booking

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • After Konnan claimed that Britt Baker and Adam Cole broke up because Baker cheated on Cole, Baker posted a tweet denying the allegation. Baker said she has never cheated on anyone in her life:
    • I understand we as performers are expected to have thick skin through opinions and lies we read about ourselves, but spreading lies about my personal life is just low, weird, and something I won’t tolerate. 
    • I’ve never cheated on anyone in my life. #TellYourSource
  • With Malakai Black not expected back in AEW, a video aired on Dynamite spotlighting Brody King, Buddy Matthews & Julia Hart as a trio. The “Hounds of Hell” has been trademarked as a potential new name for the group. They said in their promo last night:
    • For years, we’ve had a voice to guide us. That voice was all but deafening. Now, that voice has gone silent. And we are done living in the shadows. It’s time to honor ourselves. No rules. No leaders. No gods. No masters. Just violence. When we bark, we bark together.
  • Frakie Kazarian tweeted out the following after his former tag team partner Christopher Daniels announced his retirement from in-ring competition:
    • There’s no way to articulate what [Christopher Daniels] means to me. As an opponent, a tag team partner, or most importantly as a best friend and brother. His contributions to our sport will never be realized. I love you CD. Bad Influence, The Addiction or SCU. I loved every single minute.
  • In an interview with Undisputed, Mark Briscoe said he’s made it a point to incorporate a lot of his late brother Jay Briscoe’s ideas into his style as a singles wrestler:
    • For so many years, Jay and me, we’d argue. Jay would sell me on his ideas and his style being the way to go. I would be selling him on how my ideas and my style were the way to go. All along, it was iron sharpening iron. Well, now I have no desire to argue his points. In the past, it was automatically incorporated because we were two partners in a tag team. Now it’s just me, and I’m incorporating what Jay was saying all along.
    • When we tagged together, the contrast was obvious. You knew who Jay was and who Mark was, and the whole was greater than the sum of both parts. That’s what made The Briscoes so special. We went together like peanut and jelly, or peanut butter and chocolate if you’re a fan of Reese’s like myself.
    • Mark Briscoe, at his core, is a tag team specialist with Jay Briscoe. That’s what we did for 22 years. So I made the decision to incorporate more of Jay Briscoe into what I do in the ring. Jay is one of the finest wrestlers, in my opinion, there ever has been, so I’m damn sure going to take everything my brother taught me and learn from it.
  • Anthony Bowens filed a trademark for “The Pride of Pro Wrestling” on January 21.
  • Rocky Romero appeared on the latest episode of AEW Unrestricted.
  • AEW wished happy birthday to Powerhouse Hobbs (34) and Nigel McGuinness (49).
  • Joe Hendry will be a guest at WrestleCon’s convention in Indianapolis during Royal Rumble weekend.
  • Hendry and The Hardys appeared on SA Live, promoting tonight’s live episode of TNA Impact in San Antonio.
  • Axiom tweeted about making his TNA debut on Impact tonight: “In 2008 @ThisIsTNA started airing on TV in Spain. Someone tell 10 years old Axiom that one day he will be making his TNA debut while defending a WWE Title.”
  • CMLL announced that its Women’s Tag Team title tournament will have qualifying rounds on March 7 and March 14 with the finals then taking place on March 21. The titles were vacated last month when Tessa Blanchard departed CMLL.
  • Former WWE wrestler Indi Hartwell is sharpening her in-ring skills by training with Ace Steel at his Foundation of Professional Wrestling school in Florida.