As a result of the State of Emergency declared across Tokyo, New Japan Pro-Wrestling has arrived at the decision to cancel three events on the Road to Wrestle Grand Slam tour on May 8, 10 and 11 at Korakuen Hall.
We deeply apologise to fans who were looking forward to these events. Though matches with no fans in attendance were considered, NJPW has decided that, in order to act in the best interests of staff and wrestlers as they prepare for Wrestle Grand Slam in Yokohama Stadium May 15 and Tokyo Dome May 29, cancellation was the correct course of action.
The company also said in their statement that the rest of their events are set to be held as planned, and will be in contact with authorities in regards to restrictions and regulations. All tickets for the canceled shows will be refunded.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga delcared a state of emergency in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Hyogo that began on April 25 and will run through May 11 due to an increase in COVID-19 infections.
NJPW’s next big shows are Wrestling Dontaku on May 3 and 4 in Fukuoka, Wrestle Grand Slam in Yokohama Stadium on May 15, and Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome on May 29.
The end of the Wednesday night war is the lead story in the current issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at the announcement, international implications, barbs back-and-forth, Paul Levesque’s speech announcing the move to those who work at NXT, the Wednesday night stats with one week left, a look at the final head-to-head battle, advantages each side had going in, what lessons were shown by the Wednesday wars, where each side had the advantage and what lessons it says about what people want out of their wrestling.
NXT’s move to Tuesday, what should happen with the ratings based on past examples, trajectory changes of late, the numbers each show has done in the past unopposed and what should and shouldn’t be expected to happen over the next few weeks. We also look at the 2021 averages for AEW and NXT.
Also in this issue:
How the Endeavor IPO changes the UFC business and how the ESPN deal makes making the big money fights less important to UFC. We look at the value of a Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou fight, but where the big payoff goes and where the big expense goes.l We look at numbers Jones has talked about, the lightweight title, belts losing all credibility, and questions about Jones and Ngannou should a fight take place.
WWE Network shows migrating to Peacock, shows difficult to find, editing of shows, shows that had already been heavily edited, WWE next business report, how the new NFL scheduled affects Raw and WWE, Charly Caruso leaving and ESPN deal, Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck lawsuit update, William Shatner as wrestling fan decades ago, Glenn Jacobs honored, Rhea Ripley talks how she found out about her WrestleMania match, Paige talks wrestling again, writing team member let go, International TV ratings, how wrestling shows did s compared with sports programming this past week, Shawn Michaels talks superkicks, a look at the Hurt Business breakup, William Regal talks Sasha Banks, Hall of Fame news, and WWE market value.
UFC 260, with the background of the show, match-by-match coverage, business notes and poll results.
WWE heading into WrestleMania, the main event story behind the story the build up, business notes, ticket sales, NXT Takeover, plus updated lineups.
Andrade’s different interviews talking why he left, the Charlotte Flair pregnancy test story, the COVID story, the Saudi Arabia trip, where he may wind up, offers made by WWE, what he wants out of his career, and what angle suggested for him that was nixed.
ROH 19th anniversary show, with highlights, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
2021 Hodge trophy award voting and why there were two winners even with the voting not close.
Non-WWE shows during WrestleMania weekend, from AEW to Game Changer, ticket sales and more.
More into detail on ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
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In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight talking about WrestleMania news, New Japan’s title change, Stardom, Olympic trials and more. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]
Stardom PPV results from earlier today in Yokohama: Hina won three-way over AZM and Lacy C, Momo Watanabe b Mina Shirakawa, Saya Kamitani b Unagi Sayaka, Rina & Ruaka & Konami & Saki Kashima & NatsukoTora b Gokigen Death & Hanan & Saya Iida & Starlight Kid & Mayu Iwatani in an elimination match, Tam Nakano b Natsupoi to retain the Wonder of Stardom title, Utami Hayashishita b Bea Priestley to retain the World of Stardom title,l Giulia & Syuri b Himeka & Maika to win the Goddesses of Stardom tag titles. The Stardom PPV link is here.
The biggest news from the show is that after losing, Priestley said that this was her last match in Stardom. When she didn’t sign a new contract with New Japan, she also didn’t sign a new deal here and she made this decision some time back. She is leaving Japan. The only thing I can say is that she’s not going to AEW and the rest would be the same conclusion everyone else would come up with, which is the place she’s not allowed to say if she’s going there and thus she’s said nothing. This was kept quiet because if it had been said ahead of time it would have given away the result of the match. People are raving about this as the best women’s match this year and that the top three matches are all great. Syuri challenged Hayashishita for the title.
Another note is that Will Ospreay and Priestley both went into the ring challenging for the world title at literally the same time earlier today in buildings about 45 minutes apart. I wonder if such a thing has ever happened previously in wrestling history.
Regarding WWE quarantine rules for this week.There was no mandate put down by the company.There are people who are quarantining themselves by choice this week because nobody wants to test positive.
For those who attend WrestleMania live, these are the rules:
Masks are required at all times unless you are in your seat eating or drinking
You are not allowed to gather in common areas with people in places like the concourse
All food and drink transactions will be cashless. They will have reverse ATM machines to use if you have cash, you can put the cash into the machine and it will give you a debit card you can use
No bags are allowed in the stadium
You must sign a waiver that holds WWE, Raymond James Stadium, the city of Tampa and everyone else harmless if you catch COVID at the show, even if it is due to the negligence of any of those parties
This waiver is standard across the board these days as has been noted in the Observer for Mania and other events.
Here are the results from last night’s finals of the Olympic trials in Fort Worth, TX. There were a number of major confrontations with the best wrestlers in the country. Of note to WWE fans, Gable Steveson made the Olympic team. 2016 gold medalists Kyle Snyder and Helen Maroulis will go for their second gold medals. All the finals were best two out of three:
Women’s freestyle:
110 – Sarah Hildebrandt b Victoria Anthony 12-2, 10-0
117 – Jacarra Winchester b Ronna Heaton 7-4, 12-2
125 – Helen Maroulis b Jenna Burkert 5-3, 5-6. pin :24
150 – Tamyra Mensah-Stock b Kennedy Blades 12-4, 8-1
167 – Adelina Gray b Kylie Welker 10-0, 11-0
Welker is a high school junior who is 17 years old and was the big surprise of the trials
Men’s freestyle:
125 – Thomas Gilman b Vitali Arujau pin 5:42, decision
143 – Jordan Oliver b Joseph McKenna 3-0, 5-2
163 – Kyle Dake b Jordan Burroughs 3-0, 3-2. Burroughs is a multiple-time world champion and this was considered the biggest U.S. match of the year
189 – David Taylor b Bo Nickal 4-0, 6-0
213 – Kyle Snyder b Kollin Moore 10-0, 5-1
275 – Gable Steveson b Nick Gwiazdowski 10-0, 10-4
Men’s Greco-Roman
132 – Ildar Hafizov b Ryan Mango 7-0, 8-0
147 – Alejandro Sancho b Ellis Coleman 2-0, 3-1
169 – Jesse Porter b Peyton Walsh 8-1, 7-7
191 – John Stefanowicz b Joe Rau 6-5, 2-1
213 – G’Angelo Hancock b Braxton Amos 8-0, 8-0
286 – Adam Coon b Cohiiton Schultz 10-0, 3-3
With no UFC event yesterday and the boxing and wrestling not having anything major to the general public all week, nothing cracked the top 20 from combat sports or entertainment in searches the entire week. Logan Paul was No. 9 on Wednesday but that was from the Masked Singer, not wrestling.
A major welterweight fight with Stephen Thompson vs. Gilbert Burns has been added to the 7/10 show.
John Cena will appear on “Ellen” and “The Late Show with Stepehn Colbert tomorrow plugging “Wipeout.”
UFC
Belal Muhammad vs. Demian Maia has been added to the 6/12 show. This will be the final fight of Maia’s contract. He has talked about retirement in the past.
Raoni Barcelos vs. Timur Valiev is slated for the 6/26 show.
Juan Espino vs. Alexandr Romanov has been added to the 4/17 show.
Rick Glenn vs. Joaquim Silva has been added to the 6/19 show.
OTHER NEWS
This is an updated list of those who will be at WrestleCon in Tampa this year: The Steiner Brothers, Jay White, Magnum TA, Dean Malenko, Christian Cage, Gail Kim, Ricky Steamboat, Scott Hall, Ted DiBiase, Kevin Nash, Jerry Lawler, Arn Anderson, Jake Roberts, Ron Simmons, Jim Duggan, Sgt. Slaughter, Matt Taven, Enzo, Cass, Salina de la Renta, Matt Cardona, Sean Waltman, Jazz, Karl Anderson, Doc Gallows, Rocky Romero, Brooke Adams, Lio Rush, Lex Luger, Brooke Hogan, and Haku.
A very interesting story on the rise of Danny Hodge in the McGuirk territory in 1959-60. From his first pro wrestling match, he became the top babyface in a major territory in six months, replacing Ivan the Terrible (an early name of Pampero Firpo). Actually more shocking isn’t that Hodge took six months to be the top star, it’s that Ivan the Terrible, billed as a Russian, was the top babyface in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and several other states in 1959, which was the height of the cold war. I don’t know if anyone, sans guys like Danno O’Mahoney who was top babyface after only a few matches, could make this claim. Lex Luger in Florida was top babyface in seven months. Bill Goldberg was probably about 10 months.
Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell claims the Republicans have turned the government into WWE and actually explains breaking of kayfabe as well. (thanks to Paul Kacprzak)
Memphis Wrestling from yesterday’s TV show: Alan Steel b Max Stone, CeCe Chanel b Diana Taylor, Ryan Rembrandt b Precious, DJ Brown b Johnny Lyons, Da Russell Twins b Skimahorns, Mike Anthony b Justin Cole, Queen Kaytelyn Black b Nikki Lane.
XICW from yesterday in Standish, MI: Royce Carney III b Heat Bock, Alex Weir b Mitch Hewitt & TJ Meyer, Grey Wolves b Mysterious Movado & El Ridiculoso, LJ Lawrence b Soultaker-DQ, Billy Ray Daniels b Nelson Edwin Robet Doolittle, Kongo Kong b Mongo, Danny Shay b Lawrence Jeter, Tommy Vendetta b Dre Jacobs and Justin Dream to win Intense title, Malcolm Monroe b Aaron Orion to keep Midwest title, Rhino & DBA b Jack Price & Adam Wick to win the Proving Ground tag team titles (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Texoma Pro Wrestling from last night in Sherman, TX: Will Alldayu b Mr. Wobble, JD Griffey b Matthew Palmer, Edge Stone won three-way over Cam Cole and Nate Collins, Johnny O’Mara b Niles Plonk, Funnybone b Chickasaw Warrior, Promise Braxton won three-way over Mayka Madrid and Miranda Gordy, Charlie Haas b Dmitri Alexandrov. Next show is 4/16 (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
WrestleMax St. Louis from last night in St. Louis for the David Lee Memorial tournament: Rahim de la Suede won four-way over Moses, ATM and Ryu Kendrick, Mat Fitchett b Anthony Gutierrez, JDX b Jah-C, Calvin Tankman b Jake Something, Mike Outlaw b Xavier Walker-COR, Kevin Lee Davidson NC Moonshine Mantell, JDX b Mat Fitchett, Mike Outlaw b Calvin Tankman, Brooke Valentine b Blair Onxy, Jah-C won over Camaro Jackson, Edvin Kudic, Levi Everett, Devon Monroe and Chris Hendrix, Mike Outlaw b JDX to win tournament (thanks to Patrick Bandmeyer)
Charlotte Flair has confirmed that she has tested positive for COVID-19.
On Twitter, Flair wrote: “I know everyone has been wondering where I have been. I tested positive for COVID and have been home resting. Thank you everyone for your love.”
Flair has not wrestled since the March 1st edition of Raw, where she defeated Shayna Baszler. Prior to her absence, there had been build between her and Asuka for a Raw Women’s title match. In a promo that took place on the March 1st edition of Raw, she told Asuka she wanted a match for the title. In a backstage promo on the March 8th edition of Raw, she told Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose that she wanted to challenge Asuka for WrestleMania.
On tonight’s episode of Raw, Rhea Ripley made her debut on the brand and challenged Asuka for the title at WrestleMania. Asuka accepted.
It was reported last week that there was a COVID-19 outbreak at the WWE Performance Center, causing changes being made to that week’s episode of NXT.
With another COVID breakout in NXT, WWE put tickets on sale on 3/18 for WrestleMania in Tampa at Raymond James Stadium while UFC announced what would be the first attempt to do a sold out full arena show for a sports event in the U.S. on 4/24.
In Florida, there are no regulations whatsoever regarding large gatherings. WWE could, if they felt they could sell the tickets and it was morally responsible, put 60,000 in Raymond James Stadium. AEW could put 5,500 tickets for sale for Dynamite, which they couldn’t sell right now, or for Double or Nothing, which by 5/30, maybe they could, if they wanted to. And by 5/30, if enough of the country is vaccinated, that may not even be irresponsible.
Last week they had told city officials and the hotels in the area that they were looking at 45,000 per show, or 75 percent capacity. Back in January, when the decision was pretty much made to sell tickets to WrestleMania, the idea was 50 percent capacity. Tickets were to go on sale on 3/16, but the night before they announced ticket sales were delayed. The idea is that the way they had set up the building was going to change from the original plans. On 3/18, they put 25,000 seats on sale for each night, or 42 percent capacity (the public claim is 36 percent but that’s of a football capacity, and with the stage cutting out 12,000 seats and the floor adding 7,000, the net loss of capacity is under the 65,000 listed for football).
We’ve got the most detailed analysis of AEW Revolution as the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at the fallout of the errant explosion, the business numbers, what drew and what was the reason for so many new purchasers and will they be back, lessons from the show, the signing of Christian Cage, a look back at different signings and how they’ve turned out, Christian’s road to returning to wrestling, usage of Christian Cage, differences with AEW and Impact, Ethan Page, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Also in this issue:
WrestleMania ticket sales, as well as the planned show.
We’ve got our first annual Shad Gaspard/Jon Huber Memorial Award winners for 2020 and the reasons why.
WWE Network migration to Peacock, a look at the seven year history of the WWE Network and what was and wasn’t a success financially regarding it, what has happened to PPVs in general. We look at projections and how they fell short, but what ended up saving the company from the projections falling short.
John Laurinaitis being put back n his old position, and his story, and what happens to Mark Carrano, matches for the next Takeover shows, update on Fast Lane, new and departing WWE writers, new television location, WWE reaction to thigh slapping, where wrestling shows rank among sports shows in the U.S. this past week, foreign television ratings, Gable Steveson goes for NCAA title, Jim Johnstone talks WWE music today, Pat McAfee talks WrestleMania, WWE current market value, and the surprising most-watched thing this past week on the WWE Network.
Life of Buddy Colt and the plane crash that ended his career.
UFC 259, with scoring notes, business notes, poll results, where the champions go next, plus match-by-match coverage.
NHL deal affects pro wrestling and what it means for WWE and AEW, how ESPN is using it and where things stand with NBCU.
WWE over WrestleMania weekend, and the Hall of Fame ceremony.
Dwayne Johnson’s attempt to revive the XFL.
New Japan Cup and the anniversary show with match-by-match coverage and star ratings for the matches over the past week, and a look at where things stand for the rest of the tournament.
More into detail on the ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.
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.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight covering Raw, the New Japan Cup, and a number of other topics with Wrestling Observer Radio. You can send email questions for the show to [email protected]
The only thing not already reported regarding the COVID outbreak at the Performance Center in the main story on the front page is that people were starting to get sick on Friday which is why tests were done, many of which came back positive. Normally the tests for NXT would be done on Tuesdays before the taping. A number of wrestlers tested positive and others have quarantined because of being exposed to those who tested positive. Based on what we’ve heard, there are people who tested positive that were not related to the building and moving of rings without masks on Thursday in the building next to the Performance Center. So not all positives were related to that. WE has not commented on anything other than they did tell us the Performance Center has not closed down, and another two WWE sources have said that aspects of Wednesday’s NXT show have been changed due to things that would have involved talent no longer available on the show. But no names are listed.
Doug Williams, 48, has announced he is coming out of retirement and taking bookings.
In an update from yesterday regarding Google Searches, we don’t know why but there was an issue on Saturday with the numbers not being available. Everything is back to normal. We know Leon Edwards did trend on Saturday but don’t know the number. but he was listed at No. 8 on Sunday. Marvin Hagler did not trend which may be part of the glitch because obviously he would and he had more than 500,000 searches. Bad Bunny was No. 17 as of earlier today with 100,000 based on his winning a Grammy for Best Latin Pop or Urban album and performing last night.
In the New Japan Cup, at today’s Korakuen Hall show, David Finlay beat Yoshi-Hashi and Jay White beat Hiroshi Tanahashi. So at 5 a.m. tomorrow at Korakuen Hall, it’ll be Evil vs. Toru Yano and Shingo Takagi vs. KENTA. On Thursday morning in Shizuoka, which is a 5:30 a.m. show, it’s Will Ospreay vs. Sanada and White vs. Finlay.
Raw is tonight with two title matches announced with Riddle vs. Mustafa Ali for the U.S. title and Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander vs. The New Day for the tag titles. It’s also the go-home show for Fast Lane, so in theory we should get more matches for the show, but who knows at this point. Asuka is in the building. So evidently she’s cleared after her concussion a few weeks ago and could be back on the show tonight.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have agreed to a heavyweight title unification fight. The contract calls for a fight and a rematch. Fury is listed as a -190 favorite.
The debut of Dark Elevation is tonight on YouTube with Paul Wight announcing:
Butcher & Blade & Private Party vs. Dean Alexander & Carlie Bravo & Brick Aldridge & David Ali
Diamante vs. Leila Gray
Abadon vs. Ray Lyn
Miro & Kip Sabian vs. Baron Black & Vary Morals
Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Brandon Cutler
Tay Conti vs. Ashley Vox
Max Caster vs. Dante Martin
Jungle Boy vs. Danny Limelight
Riho vs. Maki Itoh
WWE
A new Broken Skull Sessions show with Randy Orton will air on Sunday after the Fast Lane PPV show.
Rogers Communications, which has the rights to the WWE Network in Canada, is purchasing Shaw Communications, one of its major competitors in a $20 billion deal. This has no real ramifications because Rogers leased the rights to the network to Shaw.
ECW Press is releasing a book tomorrow called “Austin 3:16: 316 Facts and Stories about Stone Cold Steve Austin.
For those with WWE Network gift cards, there is an official release after all this time saying, “We are sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused. We are currently working out the details to issue credit for any unredeemed WWE Network gift cards purchased in the U.S.”
Titus O’Neil was hosting a Monster Jam show at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa yesterday to push the WrestleMania on sale tomorrow. The MonsterJam event had 10,000 in attendance.
DK Publishing has announced the release of the WWE Superstar Handbook.
UFC
Carlos Felipe faces Jake Collier on the 6/12 show. Felipe has also signed a new four-fight deal according to MMA Fighting.
Johnny Eduardo is out of this coming Saturday’s show because he wasn’t allowed to travel to the U.S. due to a visa issue. He was to face Anthony Birchak in a prelim fight. Eduardo hasn’t fought in nearly four years.
OTHER NOTES
An interview with rock star James Durban talks about his love of pro wrestling, why he’s a big AEW fan, and a song he wrote inspired by Jushin Liger here.
Impact tomorrow has Black Taurus vs. Luster the Legend at 7:30 p.m. plus the regular two hour show has David Finlay & Juice Robinson vs. Acey Romero & Larry D, Rohit Raju vs. Mahabali Shera, Trey Miguel vs. Sami Callihan and Deonna Purrazzo & Kimber Lee & Susan & Tenille Dashwood & Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz vs. Jordynne Grace & Jaxx & ODB & Havok & Nevaeh & Alisha Edwards.
AXS is airing a special old TNA PPV show at 3 p.m. Eastern tomorrow that includes Austin Aries vs. Bobby Roode for the TNA title, a ladder match with A.J. Styles, Kurt Angle, Christopher Daniels and Samoa Joe, a tables match with James Storm, Jeff Hardy, Bully Ray and Robbie E, a falls count anywhere match with RVD, Ke Anderson, Pope and Magnus (Nick Aldis) and more.
Vice TV tomorrow night airs Dark Side of the Ring Confidential talking about the Montreal screw job.
GAW TV is doing an action for GirlUp.org Celebrities will donate dresses and gowns, autographed cocktail dresses or evening gowns including dresses of Mickie James and Lisa Marie Varon.
Bare Knuckle Fighting announced their show on Friday night is sold out. There will be two fights free on YouTube at 8 p.m. Eastern followed by a main card at the BKTV app. Former UFC star Leonard Garcia faces Joe Elmore in the main event.
Hikuleo returns to New Japan on 4/4 at Sumo Hall, which means he has to leave for quarantine by the end of the week.
There was an outbreak of COVID-19 resulting in a number of positive tests in NXT coming from the Performance Center.
Full details are unavailable past it does affect this Wednesday’s NXT episode. Obviously no names are being disclosed nor has WWE addressed it publicly.
What is known is that on Thursday they were building and moving rings at the building next door to the Performance Center and it was said workers were not wearing masks. One report is that there were people who tested positive that both were and weren’t there at the time.
Fightful reported earlier today that it came from something Thursday where proper precautions weren’t followed.
The word broke yesterday that there was an outbreak and there were substantial numbers who tested positive. Both people testing positive, and others who had been around them, are in quarantine and would be at least through this week.
It is believed no Raw or SmackDown talent was effected by this outbreak.
According to Dave Meltzer, Konnan was released from a hospital Thursday and is doing better.
The former Mexican wrestling legend tested positive for COVID-19 and was hospitalized this week afterward due to a serious kidney issue. Following a 2007 kidney transplant and side effects from anti-rejection drugs, he had been very cautious in the pandemic due to a weakened immune system.
The 57-year-old born Charles Ashenoff said he was bedridden for three days before getting his diagnosis and going to the hospital as his kidneys were failing. It’s unknown how he got the virus and whether he still it.
Meltzer said that he had been spending time with no one other than his family and the Mysterio family who recently revealed they battled COVID-19 back in December. Konnan had attended both Impact Wrestling and AAA tapings in recent months.
Now retired from active competition, he has stayed involved with several organizations including the aforementioned AAA and Impact in addition to MLW where he has been feuding with Salina de la Renta.
WrestleCon has announced they will be running a scaled-back convention during WrestleMania week.
This year’s WrestleCon will run on April 9 and 10 and will take place at the Westin Tampa Waterside, a Marriott property. It will be a modified convention, with no live wrestling events taking place. WrestleCon’s website noted that there will also be a significant virtual component of the convention. Sgt. Slaughter has been announced as a featured guest.
The convention will be entirely indoors. WrestleCon plans on having no more than 320 people in one room at any time, which also includes vendors, talent, and staff. Talent will remain masked for all interactions, including photo ops. Talent may also be seated behind plexiglass screens.
WrestleCon has been holding conventions since 2013, and has featured live wrestling. They were set to run during last year’s WrestleMania week, but the convention was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their 2019 Supershow event was headlined by Will Ospreay defeating Bandido.
Our lead story in this week’s Observer covers WWE finances. We look at the direct numbers of WWE, revenue, profits, value of the company on Wall Street, what was up and why, what was down and why, exactly how much WWE took in on TV rights, network and merchandise. We look at what the company’s top priorities are for 2021, why the stock price is down, plus Vince McMahon, WWE President Nick Khan, CBO Stephanie McMahon and CFO Kristina Salen comment on the company.
They talk the Peacock deal, the Indian and Latin American markets, new television products, how much COVID cost the company in revenue and costs of the Thunderdome set-up as compared to the old way of doing things.
The issue also covers:
Ratings, as well as what USA would be doing without WWE, and WWE’s declines as compared to cable and network TV as a whole, how much money WWE has taken in and profited, or lost, every year since 1994.
Update the New Japan/AEW relationship, the different steps over the past few years from New Japan blowing off AEW to them doing business with the KENTA vs. Jon Moxley program, why it happened and where things stand now.
Royal Rumble, including how everyone did, stories behind the matches, age of men’s talent in WWE vs AEW and the message loud and clear, two of the main events scheduled for WrestleMania, match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
New Japan deal with Roku and what this means both short and long-term, as well as other people who had interest. We look at the keys to the deal decision going the way it did.
Viewing experience for fans from Peacock, John Cena WrestleMania notes, NXT Takeover card, update on the Dusty Classic shows, two top WWE stars talk their recent positive tests for COVID, details behind the firings of Lars Sullivan and Steve Cutler, update on Vince McMahon/Oliver Luck lawsuit, Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley talk Undertaker remarks, International TV ratings, how wrestling does in comparison to other sports in the ratings, Bill Goldberg talks MMA, background of Reginald, Cesar update, new WWE signing and most watched shows of the past week on the WWE Network.
NJPW New Beginning in Nagoya, with match-by-match coverage, poll results, and where things are going next.
Giant Baba Memorial show.
Television ratings of the past week, including segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown and more.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
In regards to when he might return to the ring following his appearance at the Royal Rumble, Christian said on The Bump that there was no timetable for a WWE return. “No decisions have been made,” he said. “I’m not sure at this point. We’ll just take it day-by-day at this point.”
Carlito will be a guest on After the Bell with Corey Graves.
In an interview with Forbes, John Cena named three people he considers the top stars in WWE, going back against comments he said last year about WWE never having another marquee star. “Now you have Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns, Sasha Banks can be in that conversation, but it’s not what I said it was in 2020,” he said. “It’s not a scattered fragment of Super Friends. WWE has just refocused, re-shifted and now is consolidating on marquee stars. They have their marquee stars, and going forward they will have their big names. As far as those names being larger than life, the enormity of their impact is up to the individuals themselves.”
A new SEC filing shows that Vince McMahon purchased 19,875 shares of Class A Common Stock on February 4. Other executives who bought stock on February 4 include Stephanie McMahon (5,644), WWE President Nick Khan (15,310), Triple H (5,644), WWE Executive Vice President of Operations Bradley Blum (4,770), and Kevin Dunn (7,552).
Raw averaged 228,200 viewers on Sportsnet 360 in Canada.
McKenzie Mitchell spoke to Drake Maverick on their history together, as well as Maverick teaming up with Killian Dain.
The Stamford Advocate has a story on WWE moving forward with their new headquarters in Stamford.
WWE Battleground will start rolling out a roster update today. Mr. McMahon will be added, with Gran Metalik and Mojo Rawley being unlocked. Being added through March 24 is Mr. Perfect, Doink the Clown, Vader, Paige, Cactus Jack, Ricky Steamboat, British Bulldog, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Earthquake, Typhoon, The Brian Kendrick, Curtis Axel, and Alundra Blayze.
The state of New York announced that large stadiums and arenas, such as Madison Square Garden, will be able to reopen starting on February 23. Venues will be able to open at 10% capacity as long as the state’s Department of Health signs off on safety plans.
FOX 4 in Kansas City has a story on Butch Reed’s passing. His family cites COVID-19 for his death, which he tested positive for around January 12.
Mia Yim tested positive for COVID-19 in a test taken on Saturday afternoon.
Yim posted a statement on Twitter announcing that — while she had debunked a rumor that she was positive with COVID-19 earlier in the day — she tested positive in a test taken this afternoon:
This morning at around 10;30am, I debunked a rumor stating I was positive with Covid. For that, I must make a statement. I have been getting tested every week for several months now, all have been negatives. I was negative last week. I got tested this afternoon less than an hour ago and it came back positive. Please respect my privacy. Please stay safe, wash your hands, and wear a mask. See you all soon!
Yim, who goes by the name Reckoning on WWE television as part of RETRIBUTION, had yet to be announced as an entrant for tomorrow’s women’s Royal Rumble match.
Yim appeared on Raw this week as the rest of RETRIBUTION accompanied Slapjack for his match against Xavier Woods. Woods defeated Slapjack but was laid out by RETRIBUTION after the match.
The rumor that Yim was addressing was started after Yim and Keith Lee (who is in a relationship with Yim) didn’t appear on the January 18 episode of Raw. Lee also didn’t appear on this Monday’s Raw.
Arn Anderson revealed on his podcast that he had tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies after becoming ill for ten days.
During this week’s episode of the ARN podcast, Anderson said that he got really sick for ten days during an off period in AEW’s taping schedule. He said he had tested negative several times for COVID-19 before feeling the symptoms.
“I was [in bed] for probably a week,” he said. “I couldn’t drink anything. Couldn’t eat anything. I was hallucinating. I was looking at my ceiling and I saw ice forming on the ceiling. So, I had one day there for a minute where I couldn’t catch my breath and it was a lot of things I never experienced in my life. It scared me to death. So what I want to do is reiterate to everybody out there, guys, that this thing is bad. It’s really bad and it varies from person to person.”
Anderson noted that at the most recent taping prior to recording the podcast, he had tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies despite never testing positive for COVID-19. He urged people to wear masks and adhere to social distancing.
“So all I’m asking is let’s do some common sense things,” Anderson said. “Go the extra mile, for those of us that can do it, do something nice for a stranger. Do something nice for a family member. Do something nice for a friend and let’s get this thing knocked out.”
Anderson currently works for AEW as Cody Rhodes’ on-screen personal advisor, accompanying him to ringside for matches.
Depending on if exceptions are made for athletes are not, President Biden announcing a quarantine on people coming into the U.S. can greatly affect wrestling and to a degree MMA. With MMA, because the nature of the fight is such that fighters could spend two weeks quarantined and would still take the fight it could be worked around.
Biden brought up quarantining on 1/21 but didn’t mention a time frame. Japan and the U.K. both have a two-week quarantine in place for people coming from foreign countries.
With wrestlers from Mexico or Canada coming into the U.S., it would be more difficult. The idea they would have to test negative before boarding the plane that arrives would not be a game changer, but a lengthy quarantine period entering would make it so talent would probably have to move to the U.S. if they are European and Japan-based to work here, because to come in, you’d have to quarantine upon arrival for a certain length of time, and then for two weeks when returning.
WWE is planning on selling tickets for both nights of WrestleMania 37.
It isn’t known how many fans will allowed in for both April 10th and 11th, but it would mark the first shows that WWE has sold tickets for since last March when they stopped touring due to the pandemic.
From a Saturday press release and event: “In coordination with local partners and government officials, WWE will announce ticket availability and safety protocols for WrestleMania 37 in the coming weeks. Information on additional WrestleMania Week events is forthcoming.”
As part of the announcement, WWE made it official that this year’s WrestleMania will be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, the originally planned location for last year’s event. The pandemic necessitated its move to the Orlando-based Performance Center instead and was spread over two nights for the first time ever.
WWE also confirmed Saturday that WrestleMania 38 will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on April 3, 2022, with WrestleMania 39 happening at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on April 2, 2023 — the originally planned location for this year’s event.
A series of COVID-19 stories came out regarding some major players both having tested positive last year as well as currently.
I had expected new cases coming off Christmas and New Year’s just because that has been the case in society at large. In actuality, within the industry it wasn’t as bad as I had expected coming out of the holidays, although certainly in no way is good.
I do know that in both WWE and AEW privately, and Paul Levesque publicly, has talked about talent that is too cavalier, attending large parties, still going out since so many live in Florida and wrestlers from multiple companies often get together and socialize and that can cause spread throughout the business. There are AEW/WWE couples and at least one WWE/Impact couple. Levesque on a press call a few months back noted in frustration that a lot of talent thinks we’re over it and we’re not over it.
This story was updated on Thursday at 9 AM Eastern.
On the most recent edition of his podcast, Chris Jericho said he had COVID-19 in “maybe” September.
Jericho made the admission during an interview with past Wrestling Observer Radio guest Dr. Alex Patel, saying he had zero symptoms but got a test just to get one. He said it wasn’t a false positive as he had three tests that all came back positive. He didn’t specify whether those were AEW adminstered tests.
He didn’t give any information on how he believed he got it, nor the timeframe in which he had it and was cleared. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said he believed he got it from a family friend who had tested positive which is why he decided to get checked out.
If it was in September, he was on All Out and every episode of Dynamite that month although the company did have a mix of live and taped editions of the show. On the podcast, he said he spent ten days in isolation which would put his recovery time around the middle of the month.
Jericho said his virus antibodies are disappearing according to blood tests he gets as part of AEW’s screening process.
