Roberts on Twitter revealed today that he has COVID-19, noting that he is a high risk case and has not been on AEW television recently.
“I’ve waited so long. Actually thought I was bulletproof. Yes I’ve gotten Covid-19!!!!!,” he wrote. “Yes after not going to do my AEW work for nearly 3 months. Tony Kahn knows I’m high risk and has gone above and beyond all expectations trying to keep everyone safe. Pretty sure I got it from family or when I was out shopping.”
Roberts, who has usually accompanied Lance Archer to ringside for matches, has not been on AEW television as of late. Archer has not been on AEW television since October, where he lost in the first round of the AEW World title eliminator tournament to Eddie Kingston. Archer suffered a neck injury that led to the match going right to the finish.
AEW will hold their final episode of Dynamite live at the Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida tonight.
Dave Meltzer and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio talking all of the latest in pro wrestling.
We discuss the following:
WWE talent and executives missing the weekend house shows and RAW
New protocols for COVID-19 testing
Near record low attendance for WWE in Madison Square Garden and why
The passing of Markus Crane
Wrestle Kingdom
AEW Dynamite and NXT previews
Full RAW recap
Timestamps
Start: WWE and COVID
19:49: WWE at MSG record low attendance
32:52: Markus Crane passes away
34:32: Wrestle Kingdom 16 press conference, Stardom upcoming card
44:37: NXT lineup
50:21: AEW lineup
52:55: Raw thoughts
Vince McMahon and a majority of key WWE executives are not at Monday’s WWE Raw in Detroit.
PWInsider first reported that McMahon, Bruce Prichard, Kevin Dunn, Michael Hayes and Adam Pearce are not there tonight. John Laurinaitis and Ed Koskey are running things behind the scenes instead.
It’s unknown the exact reason for their absence, but a number of talents and personnel tested positive for COVID-19 following the weekend of December 17th. While WWE didn’t officially announce any specific absences, the company saw a number of changes for live events that kicked off their Holiday Tour Sunday that will see WWE run two shows a day for five straight days.
PWInsider also reported Monday that WWE producers “were hit hard” by COVID-19, leaving the company with half of their usual crew. They reported that Chris Park, Shane Helms, Molly Holly, Jason Jordan and Petey Williams covered tonight’s taping with Jordan taking lead. Jordan and Helms were in charge at Sunday’s MSG house show while TJ Wilson and Kenn Doane are taking lead with the SmackDown crew this week.
Big E, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Zelina Vega, Bobby Lashley, Shinsuke Nakamura and Xavier Woods all missed Sunday house shows. Not all of them tested positive as WWE is trying to risk key personnel not missing Saturday’s Day 1 pay-per-view which also could be the reason for the executives’ absence Monday.
Our Dave Meltzer confirmed a Fightful report Monday that WWE will no longer test talent for COVID-19. Meltzer said it’s believed WWE is following CDC recommendations for a five-day quarantine period, meaning any talents who tested positive will be available for Saturday’s Day 1 if the positive tests were from last Saturday or before. Otherwise, any talents would need negative tests on two consecutive days with the first test allowed on day five following the first positive test.
Meltzer noted that masks are now mandatory backstage with fines imposed for talent or anyone that works backstage. They are also recommending vaccine boosters, but not requiring them.
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MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Garrett and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio. We’ll be talking all the COVID related WWE & AEW news, Raw, MSG attendance and a lot more. You can also send questions related to the news of and the WWE policy changes to [email protected]
Bryan and I will be back doing a show again on Wednesday night after AEW. He has been unable to fly home from his vacation due to flights being canceled.
The Fightful story regarding WWE no longer testing talent for COVID has been confirmed by a number of people to us although WWE has not publicly commented on it. There is a ton to talk about regarding the weekend. While not confirmed, it is believed the company is following CDC recommendations and shortening the quarantine time from ten to five days, so those who tested positive and missed shows would be available for Day 1 provided the positive test took place Saturday or earlier are likely to be available for Saturday’s Day 1 show. One would need two negative tests on consecutive days with the first test allowed on day five, so basically six days in total.
Other new rules are that masks are mandatory backstage at all times and there will be fines imposed for not just WWE talent but anyone backstage. The company did recommend but not mandate everyone get a booster.
This is a list of talent advertised that did not appear at the WWE shows last night. On Raw at MSG, missing were Big E, Seth Rollins (who confirmed COVID), Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Queen Zelina and Bobby Lashley. On Smackdown in Tampa, those missing were Roman Reigns, Shinsuke Nakamura and King Woods. WWE officials have noted that not all of those missing tested positive. Some of them were pulled from the house shows this week because they are intent on not risking certain key people from this coming Saturday’s Day 1 show. One person noted that in particular they wanted to do everything possible to make sure Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman can do what is scheduled on Saturday because that leads in some form to WrestleMania. We were also told they are considering it fortunate that Smackdown was taped on 12/17 and that there is no Smackdown show this Friday. It will be a best of show on FS 1.
Raw tonight is from Detroit and they had the biggest advance of the week for tonight’s show. Announced include Miz and Maryse renewing their wedding vows, A.J. Styles vs. Omos (they did a match last night and it was said to be quick and painful with a bad finish), Damien Priest vs. Dolph Ziggler for the U.S. title, Mysterios vs. Street Profits with the winning team getting a tag title match at Riddle & Randy Orton at a future date, Randy Orton vs. Otis and Austin Theory vs. Finn Balor. Edge is on the show, likely to do something involving Miz.
The NFL game tonight is Miami vs. New Orleans, with both teams 7-7, so it won’t be disastrous to Raw at the level some of the recent games have been.
While not wrestling related directly, the band Phish postponed shows on 12/29, 12/30, 12/31 and 1/1 in MSG and will make up the dates in April. They made the call last Thursday feeling that they may have been forced to do so anyway and with every show being sold out, it would be a nightmare if capacity was cut. (thanks to Jeffer Sheehan)
We are looking for reports from Detroit tonight for the stuff not televised, whether it be dark matches or Main Event matches before Raw, as well as from Orlando tonight where the Smackdown brand has a show to [email protected]
Regarding SB Kento from yesterday’s Dragon Gate show, he is okay. He did have a knee injury that he came into the match with and was working limited, but he wasn’t injured in the match itself.
We’ve got a major story coming up later this week in the Observer regarding MSG and the crowd from last night’s show which was among the lowest in the last 83 years.
For those attending the AEW show on 1/5 in Newark, NJ, you will have to have proof of vaccination to attend, the same as for WWE and AEW shows in New York of late.
Regarding ratings, the Smackdown number for Christmas Eve will come out tomorrow morning. We were told by someone with access to market by market that the numbers are way down. This is due to Christmas Eve and you can really throw the number out as far as it meaning anything. Similarly, the Rampage number for Saturday, which will be out on Wednesday, you can throw out as far as meaning anything, due to the holiday and unfamiliar day and time. Raw ratings will be out early Wednesday. NXT numbers are scheduled to be out Wednesday and AEW numbers on Thursday. Similarly, next week’s numbers will also be delayed
Also wanted to send sympathies to the friends and family of Marcus Crane, who passed away yesterday. We were told he took a nap and never woke up.
Notes from last night’s WWE show in Tampa: Kofi Kingston b Sami Zayn, Xia Li b Shotzi, Ridge Holland b Mansoor, Usos NC Drew McIntyre & Sheamus (Sheamus turned on McIntyre) to keep the tag titles, Ricochet & Cesaro won three-way over Viking Raiders and Los Lotharios, happy Corbin b Rick Boogs, McIntyre b Sheamus in a street fight
Dark Elevation tonight taped in Greensboro:
Alex Reynolds & John Silver & 10 vs,. Brandon Scott& JR Miller & Fodder
Anthony Ogogo vs. Duncan Mitchell
Thunder Rosa vs. Dani Mo
Santana & Ortiz vs. Alexander Moss & Movie Myk
Tay Conti & Anna Jay vs. Emi Sakura & Diamante
Shawn Spears vs. Lee Moriarty
Matt Hardy vs. Darius Lockhart
Austin & Billy & Colten Gunn vs. Stu Grayson & Evil Uno & Alan Angels
OTHER NOTES
Very sad to hear the news that Beau James, a longtime Tennessee independent promoter and wrestler, is battling serious health issues and will be undergoing heart surgery next month. Jack Booth, his nephew and referee organized a benefit show last night for James’ Southern States Wrestling event in Kingsport, TN: Wayne Moxie d Marty Clay, Nate Diamond b Eric Porter, Brian Logan b Bob Mitchell, Ray Idol b Stan Sierra-DQ, Ricky & Kerry Morton & Wayne Adkins b Eric Darkstorm & Jason Kincaid & Johnny Youngblood. Tom Prichard, KC Thunder, Stan Lee, Joe Wheeler and Ricky Morton all gave speeches about their friendship and dealings with James, who is also a area wrestling historian and super knowledgeable about area history.
The latest COVID spread through the Delta and Omicron variant leading to new cases that caused delays and changes to the NFL, NHL (which paused its season this past week until after Christmas), and NBA schedule this past week have also involved pro wrestling.
The most notable news is that with the province of Quebec ordering a shutdown due to rising numbers, and all entertainment events not being allowed to have spectators, the WWE canceled its 12/30 house show in Laval, Quebec at the Place Bell Arena. WWE rescheduled the date for 3/6 and tickets for 12/30, which had upwards of 6,000 tickets out, would be moved to that date.
The 12/29 show in Toronto is still on, although they have to somehow cut back on the 7,178 tickets that were out down to a maximum of 5,000 in the building. All entertainment events in Ontario in indoor buildings larger than 1,000 capacity have to be cut down to 50 percent capacity.
The new Omicron variant of COVID-19 that became a major news story this week led to Japan closing its borders.
The announcement was made that as of 11/30, travelers could not come to the country, but it is not what it sounds like.
This will have some effect on the pro wrestling business. Basically, wrestlers who have already obtained working visas will be able to return, and it’s been confirmed that Will Ospreay will be working the Tokyo Dome in the main event on 1/5 against the winner of the Shingo Takagi vs. Kazuchika Okada IWGP title match the night before. There was a one-day period where New Japan officials were trying to get clearance for this and there was no answer regarding those leaving the country or those not in the country.
Those who have been in Japan over the past year, people like Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa, Jeff Cobb, Aaron Henare, Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens, KENTA, and announcer Kevin Kelly (who will be staying in Japan from January through March and doing live English broadcasts of all the major shows until the end of the New Japan Cup) will all be allowed to come to Japan or in some cases stay in Japan.
“Sorry gang. I was really looking forward to meeting everyone at Comic-Con.
Thankfully, due to NJPW’s testing guidelines I was able to catch it early and isolate immediately. I am vaccinated so hopefully this will pass quickly. Again, sorry for my absence this weekend. Be well -CC”
Connors had been scheduled to appear at the NJPW Comic Con booth for a meet and greet on Friday, December 3 and a panel discussion with Jay White and Fred Rosser on Saturday, December 4. The company announced that Gabriel Kidd will take Connors’ place at the events.
NJPW went on to say that Connors’ status for the Thursday, December 9 NJPW Strong Nemesis taping in Los Angeles is subject to a negative COVID-19 test. Connors is currently scheduled to team with Jordan Clearwater against Bullet Club’s Chris Bey and Hikuleo on that show.
Connors received training from Lance Storm before joining NJPW’s LA Dojo and training further under Katsuyori Shibata. After wrestling for nearly three years as a Young Lion on NJPW events in Japan and the United States, it was announced on the May 14 episode of Strong that Connors had officially graduated from Young Lion status.
AEW president, CEO and GM Tony Khan says that “most” of the AEW talent roster has received the COVID-19 vaccine.
In an interview with Wade Keller of the Pro Wrestling Torch, Khan went into detail about his own vaccination status, that of the AEW roster, plus why vaccination status is important as AEW looks to tour internationally.
“I have got, most of the roster in AEW is vaccinated,” Khan said.
Khan said that he foresees a difficult landscape for unvaccinated talent as his company looks to tour outside of the United States, and even in certain areas of the U.S. with strict mandates.
“And, for example, there have been some places we went where everybody had to be vaccinated… I think when the company starts doing international travel, we’ll see that for say, Canada, for England, places like that, it’ll be very difficult for wrestlers to travel without it,” said Khan.
“So it will certainly present a challenge as we tour. And I know California, in the future, is a place that has very strict mandates. So, most of the roster is vaccinated, and as we continue touring, I think it’s something that may come up. So, I understand why for some people, especially with the return to touring, international touring looming, why that would be an issue.”
Keller asked Khan directly whether or not he had been vaccinated against COVID.
“Yeah. That’s the first time somebody has ever asked me that on the record. But, yeah,” Khan said.
“I mean, I’m in the NFL. I mean, our access is very different if you’re not. So I mean, it’s different with players and ownership, yes, but all of us are under the same mandates and there’s mask mandates in the locker room, and really it’s a very different set of rules for the unvaccinated people in the NFL,” said Khan.
Khan said that he has not mandated that AEW talent get the vaccine.
“It has come up several times. I’ve not required it, same with the NFL, same with other wrestling leagues, but it will be a big challenge if you’re not for a lot of circumstances,” said Khan. “A great example was the Jericho cruise where all the wrestlers on the Jericho cruise had to be vaccinated.”
When asked if he had to have a heart-to-heart talk with any of his talent about getting vaccinated, Khan said that he had not, but did not rule out the possibility.
“No, it hasn’t gotten to that point with anybody yet. At some point if we’re gonna go do a show some place where there was a mandate, it could,” said Khan.
In this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer shared some notes regarding Thursday’s WWE releases including that vaccination status was the reason for several of the cuts.
“Some of the talent released was due to them refusing to get vaccinated and not being big enough stars to get away with that. While the number going around is that five of the 18 (releases) were not vaccinated, one talent in the company said it was a larger number than that. On the main roster, talent can’t tour foreign countries without being vaccinated. However, talent that may have been cut due to not being vaccinated were told they were let go due to budgetary cuts,” Meltzer wrote.
He also noted that age is likely another reason for several of the cuts as WWE wants more talents in their 20s on TV and have focused on bigger, younger people with an athletic background. He added that the new directive in hiring women is 25 or younger.
There is also discussion, according to Meltzer, that the company is looking at 60-day trial contracts for signing new talent. The idea would be that those under 60-day deals would need to show improvement in the trial period and if they do, they would be signed to a full-time deal. He believes that top prospects and established talent/indie prospects would not be subject to that type of deal.
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TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
The company trademarked several names on October 28, including Von Wagner, Alpha Academy, Queen Zelina, Toxic Attraction, GYV, and RK-Bro.
Main Event matches taped prior to Raw for this week include Liv Morgan vs. Tamina and Cedric Alexander vs. Jaxson Ryker.
The Miz released a statement on Twitter thanking dance partner Witney Carson and others after being eliminated from Dancing With The Stars last night.
Cesaro spoke to the Manchester Evening News about his upcoming series of matches against WALTER in the UK. “He’s somebody I always wanted to face,” he said. “We have a similar background, coming up through pretty much the same ranks in Europe and then travelling the world. I’m very, very excited that this is going to happen. I’m even more excited to see how excited the fans are to see that much. The fact that it’s only on live events makes me strangely excited because it just means it’s hopefully a legendary match that lives on in people’s heads. The fact it’s happening in England, in Europe, is very special. It’s cool to see that England gets something special. I still think we should run a pay-per-view over in England. The fact that they get this match and people are excited for it makes me feel really good.”
Mandy Rose spoke to Sean Ross Sapp about how she made her return back to NXT. “I got the call and I didn’t really get much explanation, which is kind of the usual. I didn’t expect anything less. It’s one of those things where they want you to help some of the other talent out, need a good heel, and I said, ‘Sure, why not.’ I live in Florida, it’s not that bad of a commute for me. I kinda just went with it and it worked out really well. I am in the process of helping a lot of the other talent and other women. In that process, I think I kind of evolved myself, in the best way possible. I kind of felt like I needed a little bit of a revamp or whatever it may be. I think we all go through those moments where are characters have to evolve and change a little bit or find some other layers to your character, in a sense. I have and I’m really enjoying this ruthless side of me. I knew I always had it, but sometimes you need the time and space for it. You know how it is on TV, it’s hard with the women getting…we’ve come a really long way but it’s hard with all of us and sometimes you can get lost in the shuffle.”
Corey Graves talked to Ryan Satin about recent comments made about Dana Brooke that was perceived as him burying her. “99.9% of the time, everybody realizes that it’s just me doing what I do,” he said (h/t NoDQ). I love walking the line and being provocative. I also make sure, and I try to take great care, that I don’t ever harm anybody from a character perspective. I always want to make people better. For instance, the Dana Brooke issue, I actually sent her a text message the next morning saying, ‘Hey, no hard feelings, it wasn’t personal.’ Full disclosure, I don’t know what’s going to happen on these shows. I am reacting. That’s my choice. There have been times where I sat in production meetings and I have ideas, but I prefer to not know what’s happening because I like to think my reactions are more genuine, I get to use my wit a little bit better.
Doudrop spoke to the Daily Star about online abuse she gets and how she doesn’t let it affect her.
PWInsider is reporting that Matt Tremont will likely remain hospitalized for up to a week due to the burns he suffered during a deathmatch against Atsushi Onita on Halloween night.
The Mainichi has an article on Japan easing COVID-19 limits on large events.Events across Japan can now have 5,000 spectators or 50 percent of venue capacity. Large-scale event spaces can have 10,000. Spectators shouring and cheering will be limited to 50 percent of venue capacity. Prefectural govenors can also implement their own policies.
Impact has uploaded a video of “Speedball” Mike Bailey signing with Impact Wrestling.
The former Tyler Breeze is a guest on this week’s Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette.
Masa Slamovich spoke to WrestlingNews.co about her signing with Impact Wrestling, recalling what she remembered when Gail Kim arrived to give her the contract. “Well at first, I was trying to explain to myself why she was coming out and I was like, man you know I mean we went a little over time with the entrances or something like that,” she said. “I’m like, alright, whatever. They’re probably sending out the next segment and I’m just going to take myself to the back. Then she turned towards me and she’s like, ‘No, come here.’ I’m like, wait a minute. What’s going on and the rest is history. You all saw the clip go around on Twitter that she offered me a contract and it was proof that I had done everything right while I did it. You know, I did everything my way because I’ve had quite the unconventional career so far and it still paid off and worked out. It was just an incredible moment.”
NJPW has released an interview with Kazuchika Okada, his first since winning the G1 Climax tournament.
Jordan Oliver on Twitter commented on his MLW release. “A week ago MLW released me, I did exactly what I wanted to do there and that is LEARN&GROW, I’m only 22 Years old and I’m one of the hardest working Mfs in the game. Get at me I’m ready to turn up X10.”
Yuko Miyamoto of Big Japan Pro Wrestling has suffered a fractured fibula and is out of this year’s Real World Tag League tournament for AJPW. He was scheduled to team with Takao Omori.
Will Ospreay is currently suffering mild COVID-19 symptoms.
On Twitter, RevPro announced that he had tested positive despite being fully vaccinated.
“Will Ospreay has tested positive for Covid-19. He is fully vaccinated, only has mild symptoms & is otherwise healthy. He will be following protocols and will be out of this weekend’s shows. He is still expected to be able to compete at September 19th’s High Stakes,” RevPro’s statement reads.
“I’m sure I’ll be back in no time so other than that, I hope everyone is well,” Ospreay said in a video. “I can’t go to the RevPro shows this weekend, so unfortunately, you’ll have to deal with only really good wrestling, not the best wrestling, because the best wrestler is currently battling COVID. I’m going to beat COVID and why? Because I am on another level.”
Ospreay recently returned after four months due to a neck injury, appearing at NJPW’s Resurgence event last month. He was scheduled to team with The Young Guns to take on Brendan White, Doug Williams, and RKJ at RPW’s Live at the Cockpit 53 event on Sunday.
Pat McAfee has revealed he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Calling into his show today, McAfee said that he had a fever of 104.5 degrees. Despite being fully vaccinated, he tested positive after the show had ended.
“Fully Vax’d. Very Positive,” he wrote on social media. “[Out] Indefinitely. It’s miserable but thankful that my wife and the boys at the office all took tests and they are all negative. This is obviously a sign from the universe, probably telling me that I stink & to stay home for a while. I’ll see yinz.”
McAfee has been part of the SmackDown announce team since April of this year. He appeared on last week’s episode and also was on announcing duties during SummerSlam this past Saturday.
This week’s SmackDown will take place at the Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Both Becky Lynch and Brock Lesnar, who made their returns at SummerSlam, have been advertised for the show.
KENTA revealed on social media that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
On Instagram, KENTA wrote that he has been suffering from COVID for the last few weeks, but has since tested negative.
“I got COVID last few weeks,” he wrote. “First of all, I apologize to everyone who had to [change plans] because of me. Fortunately, my symptom was not too bad. Just [had a] fever a few days (102 F) and lost my smell. But now I’m totally fine. And got [a negative test]. Stay safe and healthy, everyone.”
KENTA last appeared for NJPW back on July 25, when he competed in the King of Pro Wrestling 22-man Ranbo battle royal. Prior to that, he lost to Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW’s Summer Struggle event in Nagoya a day prior.
NJPW’s next major event is Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome, which will take place over two days on September 4 and 5.
NJPW confirmed this evening that Shingo Takagi and BUSHI have both tested positive for COVID-19.
The company further said that their conditions are not becoming worse and are undergoing the appropriate treatment.
“Two wrestlers, Shingo Takagi and BUSHI, who presented with a fever and missed their match on the day of the August 15 event were immediately tested in accordance with COVID protocols, with the tests returning positive,” New Japan’s statement reads. “Their fevers went down and their conditions are not becoming worse. According to protocols and under medical advice, they are isolating and receiving appropriate treatment.”
Takagi and BUSHI were removed from the Summer Struggle tour on Sunday after both were suffering from high fevers. In the days since, six other wrestlers have been removed from the Summer Struggle tour due to COVID-19 contact tracing: Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL, Yujiro Takahashi, Gedo, and Dick Togo. Takagi, the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, is set to defend the title against EVIL at Wrestle Grand Slam in MetLife Dome on September 5.
Stardom, who is under the same parent company as NJPW, has canceled several shows in the last two weeks due to COVID-19 contact tracing that led to some in their roster having to quarantine.
The latest set of WWE cuts and the more important political battle and changes in what WWE wants out of developmental
Going through all of the WWE talent cut, who can benefit where, why decisions were made
Life of Dominic DeNucci, the biggest drawing babyface ever in Australia and trainer of many top stars
Gable Steveson wins gold medal, looking at the big decision Steveson has to make, AEW star challenges Gable Steveson and Steveson’s response
Hall of Fame season, what top draws are not in
Full coverage of UFC 265
CMLL loses four major names, another talks his problems, and the big picture of what is leading to the decline of the world’s oldest and formerly most stable promotion
WWE & AEW business, how ticket sales are going, lineups for the big events, secondary market demand, what shows scalpers overbought which shows they under bought
Preview of this year’s TripleMania
A look at all the ratings of the past week and analysis
Name changes of wrestlers coming
A number of COVID positives in Japan and others having to quarantine
Previewing NJPW’s show in Los Angeles, Jr. tag tourney standings, frustrations with COVID impacting New Japan
Peggy Lathan – The Queen of Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling
Lots of news regarding Rampage carriage outside the U.S.
Update on Max Caster
McGregor melts down regarding Cormier’s criticism
Adam Cole update
WWE & AEW International TV numbers
Former controversial WWE performer running for public office and complains about WWE COVID policies
What WWE segments on television were the most watched after the fact
More detail on the ratings than any other source, how many different viewers the shows had, breakdown of who watches the shows, how they watch, DVR numbers and how long the average fan watches
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week
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.
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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.
TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
The dark match following last night’s Raw had Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods defeating The Miz and John Morrison.
In an interview with DAZN, Goldberg talked about his feud with Riddle, saying that at the very least, he appreciates his passion for the business. “Yeah. The cocky kid (Riddle) spouting off his mouth in the beginning, and I didn’t appreciate it very much by any stretch of the imagination. But the guy has put in a lot of frickin hard work and a lot of hard work, and he’s dedicated his life to this business. Whether I like him as a human being or not, I have to understand and appreciate his passion for the business and his work ethic. Because he works hard and that I appreciate as an athlete and as a human. Is he a prick sometimes? Absolutely. But that’s him. That’s his character, and so am I.”
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Seth Rollins said he would train Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson if given the opportunity. “I mean, we’d love to have him,” he said. “He seems like an incredible athlete, and decent dude. And, you know, we’ve had some luck with Olympic gold medalists before, so why not? I do have a wrestling school, Black and Brave Wrestling Academy, so if he wants to move to Davenport, Iowa for three months, we’ll get him ready.”
Taylor Rust, aka Tyler Rust in WWE, talked to WrestlingInc about the rumored power struggles between NXT and forces on the main roster. “I know there’s a lot of rumors now as far as Vince wanting to overhaul the NXT product and everything,” he said. “Sometimes, rumors, maybe they’re right. We’ll see how it is going forward from there, but from my experience there, there wasn’t really many eggshells as far as upper management not being happy. Everything they saw whenever they came to the Performance Center and they saw us training, they absolutely loved it. I remember hearing exact words were always like, ‘This is amazing. This is everything that we want to invest in,’ how much they were proud of all the hard work we were doing there at the Performance Center, and they see the way we train, the way that we work. They see how hard we really, really work on this product, and it was always such positive feedback from everybody upstairs, honestly.”
Here is the Road to Dynamite for this week, focusing on Chris Jericho vs. MJF, Britt Baker, The Young Bucks, and Sting.
Chicago is reinstating a mask mandate for indoor public spaces starting Friday for anyone over the age of 2. This will apply for AEW’s Rampage event this Friday and All Out week.
Showbuzz Daily, a source of cable and broadcast ratings which announced their closure in June, has resurfaced and is back providing ratings.
Heels’ premiere on Starz Sunday drew 128,000 viewers, with 23,000 viewers in the 18-49 demographic.
Esquire Middle East spoke to Stephen Amell, who said he told CM Punk to return to an AEW ring. “I hope he comes back in the ring because I can tell you from experience that that boy can still go. He can still really go,” he said. I tried not to be a full fanboy with him. Alexander [Ludwig] had us all over for dinner towards the end of the season, and I finally said to him, ‘come on, man, you gotta come back. You have got to go back for one big match, either at Wrestlemania or AEW.”
Billy Corgan told Sports Illustrated that the NWA has acquired Mildred Burke’s version of the NWA Women’s title. The title will be on display at NWA EmPower when current champion Kamille defends the title against AEW’s Leyla Hirsch.
The NWA has a Road To EmPower video, with a sit-down interview with Billy Corgan and Mickie James.
