Tag: Daily updates

Daily Update: Brian Cage, Don Callis, MJF

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • A look back at the career of Dennis Condrey of Midnight Express fame
  • Update on WrestleMania, both the matches, business update the ticket demand at the present time
  • An updated look at AEW’s All In on 8/30 at Wembley Stadium as well as a look at the Dynasty show and ticket demand for the show
  • Coverage of El Homenaje a Dos Leyendas, CMLL’s second biggest show of the year, with El Satanico’s retirement at 76, The Death Riders appear, the heavyweight title changes hands and Mistico returns
  • A look at the NCAA Division I tournament including a look back 79 years when future pro wrestling legends dominated the heavyweight division and how it ties into the most recent tournament. We also look at the rivalry that could define college wrestling for years to come between a coach and his former pupil, a guy who was in high school in December and wins the NCAA title in March, as well business notes on the show, both attendance and television ratings
  • A look back at Sid Vicious, Badnews Allen and Dennis Rodman’s pro wrestling days
  • Trying to explain the latest controversy in television ratings and how this related to pro wrestling
  • How ratings differ from a sports survey about wrestling fans
  • The most complete look at the ratings for all the pro wrestling television shows over the past week,including competition, demos and comparisons with one year ago, as well as competition in the time slot.
  • Notes on CMLL talent coming to WrestleMania week
  • Major injury to arguably CMLL’s best worker
  • Notes on the 83rd anniversary of pro wrestling in one of its most famous arenas
  • Notes on tentative plans for a major mask vs. mask match
  • Callum Newman and Yuya Uemura tear it up in the New Japan Cup finals
  • Next major New Japan show thoughts with Ospreay’s returnh
  • Tanahashi talks goals to turn the company around
  • Kazusada Higuchi retirement notes
  • Thoughts on Satoru Sayama and his impact on pro wrestling
  • Aja Kongs 40th anniversary show
  • Gable Stevesn and RAF
  • Ted DiBiase Jr acquitted in his case
  • The end of CBS News Radio and what former WCW announcer was an anchor there
  • Notes on the announcing at the orignal When Worlds Collide AAA show
  • Lots of WrestleMania week show notes
  • FantasticaMania comes to the U.K.
  • Update on WBD sale to Paramount Skydance
  • Update on Revolution PPV buys
  • Jeff Jarrett becomes co-owner of a sports franchise
  • Jericho talks about working today
  • More on the Ali Revival Act
  • A list of a lot of PPV buy numbers for UFC
  • Ari Emanuel’s role in getting President Trump to stop the case against Ticketmaster/Live Nation.
  • WWE star training for a bodybuilding contest soon
  • Jesse Ventura rants but his timeline makes sense

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

Lola Vice Kendal Grey WWE NXT
Lola Vice and Kendal Grey’s WWE NXT match ends without a definitive winner.

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • On Games with Names, MJF compared Bryan Danielson to NFL legend Tom Brady:
    • That’s like a Tom Brady level. I would say he’s Tom Brady. Like, definitely GOAT status. He’s like soft-retired right now. I don’t know if he’ll ever come out of retirement. He’s a sicko, so he probably will, because he can never get enough – much like Brady. And he’s definitely, if you talk to wrestling fans and you say who’s one of the greatest wrestlers, bell-to-bell, all-time, GOAT, they’ll say Dragon.
  • Brian Cage appeared on RVD’s 1 of a Kind podcast and gave an update on he’s feeling now that he’s medically cleared to compete:
    • I feel great. I’ve been cleared for a little while. I’m not 100 percent as far as performance-based — obviously I’m not lifting as much weight on my leg lifts and I’m not jumping just as high just yet. But, I mean, I can do everything, I’ve been in the ring several times training and practicing. I’m doing all kinds of different dynamic jumping stuff on my off days in the gym. I just trained legs today, I can train them fine. So I’m feeling good and excited. Have been waiting to come back. I’ve got three matches on the same day on Mania weekend. It just worked out that way.
    • The quad would’ve had me out for probably nine months anyways, and then I chose to get this right knee surgery and get a special, like, replacement on it. And that’s actually what kept me out longer. Because long story short, they botched it. I should’ve come back in November, and then I had to go back under the knife in November, and now I’m cleared from that surgery. When I found that out in October, I was pretty freaking devastated. I was like, ‘You got to be kidding me.’ Because the whole point of getting the one I got done in June on my right knee was so that when November came around, I didn’t have to get surgery again. I could be good to go instead of coming back and still having problems with my right knee.
  • Queen Aminata noted that she’s now pain-free after the neck injury she’s been dealing with for months.
  • Edmonton Journal published a story on Don Callis ahead of tonight’s Dynamite in Winnipeg. Callis reacted to the news that Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling has gotten a TV deal in Canada with TSN:
    • I think MLP getting a national television deal in Canada is gigantic news. It’s the first time since, I think, ’86 or ’89, since anyone has had national television in Canada in terms of a quote, unquote, independent (promotion). Of course, AEW is also on TSN, so I think it’s a great partnership.
    • I’m excited for Canadian fans that Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling is back. I think Canada has great wrestling fans – I don’t want to speak or interact with them – but they are intelligent in terms of pro wrestling.”
  • Parodying the Peter Rosenberg tweet from earlier today where he cautioned WWE talent against doing dives, Chris Hero joked that wrestlers should avoid taking bumps altogether:
    • This is why I tell whoever I can at ROH and even at AEW — don’t bother with these bumps. They are all risk — no reward. If you successfully take a bump in 2026 no one cares, But if you mess it up you could truly harm yourself! Don’t do it
  • Lady Frost will make her MLW debut at a TV taping in Charleston, South Carolina on April 12. She’s now under contract with MLW after her AEW deal expired at the end of March.
  • Yota Tsuji spoke to NJPW’s website about leading the company as IWGP Heavyweight Champion:
    • I’ll keep the same attitude that I have; I won’t change that regardless of the talk that comes out of it. And as I lead NJPW, I have to think about carrying all of Japanese wrestling and all of pro-wrestling worldwide. We have to change things, we have to keep moving into new areas, untested waters. If NJPW gets complacent, it gets left behind by WWE, AEW, CMLL, so part of protecting what makes NJPW great is by changing the way it does things, and to innovate. And that goes for the staff and the wrestlers too; I hope people disagree with me,  and prove me wrong, if that makes things bigger and better for all of us.

Daily Update: Netflix price increases, Roman Reigns, WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Full coverage of AEW Revolution, keys to the show, the returns and surprises, poll results and other business notes, thoughts on the matches
  • Notes on Tony Khan’s attempt to buy WWE in 2023 that came out this week
  • Updates on WrestleMania with confirmed matches, matches not announced but are on the schedule, the 31.6% off ticket sale, comparisons of demand for tickets with last year, potential matches and more on how matches were changed, as well as Steve Austin talks
  • AAA Rey de Reyes update, a look at the promotion and how it differs from WWE and CMLL and what comes next
  • A look at what happened in the ring when referee Dallas Edwards suffered a medical emergency in the ring during a match and the response issues
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major television and streaming shows of WWE, AEW and TNA, demos, comparisons, competition numbers and placings
  • Claudio Castagnoli draws his first Arena Mexico sellout as CMLL world champion
  • Notes on the other major shows of the week in Mexico
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament finals and the top matches for the company’s biggest show of the year
  • Champion Carnival blocks
  • New Japan Cup notes
  • Manami Toyuota and never going to WWE and would it have mattered
  • Sareee talks her WWE stint
  • Kendo Kashin on Tadao Yasuda
  • 45th anniversary of the Tiger Mask debut and the best woman wrestler in the world at that time is still holding a championship today
  • NCAA wrestling tournament notes
  • Ted DiBiase Jr. trial notes
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW, TNA, Tokyo Joshi Pro, Rousey vs. Carano and more shows
  • Mistico sells out San Jose three weeks in advance and thoughts on the show
  • Former WWE champion in boxing match
  • Ricochet, Gates of Agony and Mercedes Mone in Europe
  • TNA new business deal
  • Ricochet Twitter controversy
  • Former AEW and WWE champion appears this weekend on one of the most-watched TV shows
  • AEW contract notes
  • Zuffa makes choice not to accept a commission regulation and will do it themselves
  • Gina Carano talks about how UFC tried to stop the Carano vs. Cyborg fight from happening
  • WWE in Saudi Arabia thoughts
  • WWE’s deal with Front Office Sports and some thoughts
  • Davey Coates, WWE tour manager, passed away

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

WWE logo
Official WWE logo. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • Roman Reigns is appearing on “The Tonight Show” tonight, with Chris Pratt & Charlie Day and Ariana DeBose set to be the other guest. BTS are the musical act.
  • Netflix, the broadcast home of WWE Raw, has raised its prices on all three tiers in the United States:
    • The ad-supported tier is now $8.99 per month (previously $7.99)
    • The standard plan without ads is now $19.99 per month (previously $17.99)
    • The premium plan with ultra HD is now $26.99 (previously $24.99)
  • The June 9 episode of WWE NXT will take place on the road from the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, Massachusetts. Tickets are going on sale this Friday.
  • NXT referee Adrian Butler (Darryl Sharma) thanked Ricky Morton for spending time with the refs while guest coaching at the Performance Center this week:
    • Thank you @RealRickyMorton for coming back for a great week with us. Thanks for the amazingly kind words and spending time with the #WWENXT referees!
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has wrapped up production on the third and final movie in his “Jumanji” franchise, which is set to be released in theaters this Christmas.
  • WWE ID wrestler Cappuccino Jones told Opinion City Podcasts that Sean “X-Pac” Waltman and Booker T have been two of his wrestling mentors:
    • Let’s be talking about Sean Waltman, X-Pac. He’s like one of my biggest mentors. I’ve learned so much from him. Really, he’s someone who really has taught me to just be myself, be an artist. You know, I’m an artist at heart, I think we all are. Wrestling’s an art form at the end of the day. He’s really good about reminding me that it’s – just be yourself, just be loose out there.
    • Booker T as well. I wrestle at Reality of Wrestling quite often. I’ve had so many matches there. And Booker T has so many good – he’s really good at the details. All these guys, Booker T, X-Pac – it’s no accident that they were stars for their whole careers.
  • While promoting tomorrow’s SmackDown, Chelsea Green visited the Pittsburgh Steelers’ facility and met up with players Cam Heyward and Joey Porter Jr.
  • WWE Vault uploaded a full Madison Square Garden house show from March 19, 1990 featuring Ultimate Warrior vs. Mr. Perfect, Bret Hart vs. Rick Martel, and more.

Other Wrestling

  • Referee Aubrey Edwards made an Instagram post reacting to the end of AEW’s Unrestricted podcast:
    • Today we released the last episode of the AEW Unrestricted podcast. I’ve been crying on and off about it for a few weeks, but I’m smiling listening to it this morning. It’s incredibly bittersweet, as I’m not going anywhere – this is just an end to one of the few projects I work on at AEW. Now I get those precious few hours back every week to put into being the best referee I can be.
    • On this episode I tell the story of how I accidentally became a podcast host for 7 years. It’s never something I expected, but I’m thankful for [Tony Schiavone] for picking me to be his cohost.
    • Thank you to [Alex Abrahantes] for filling in sooooooo many times at the last minute when Schiavone’s plate was overflowing.
    • Thank you to [Will Washington] for becoming the second full time host when Tony’s plate got too full. You’ve become one of my closest friends in the process.
    • Thank you to our wonderful producer Stacie. She was behind the scenes, involved in all 316 episodes. This podcast would not have happened without the glue and magic that was Stacie.
    • Thanks of course to @aew and @tonyrkhan for giving us a platform to tell stories.
    • Thank YOU so much for listening to AEW Unrestricted
  • Wardlow will be going by the name “Fang” in Amazon Prime Video’s “American Gladiators” revival.
  • Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows appeared on a new episode of TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast.
  • ECW legend Shane Douglas was interviewed by Going Ringside.

Daily Update: Cody Rhodes, Bloodsport, Gallus

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Full coverage of AEW Revolution, keys to the show, the returns and surprises, poll results and other business notes, thoughts on the matches
  • Notes on Tony Khan’s attempt to buy WWE in 2023 that came out this week
  • Updates on WrestleMania with confirmed matches, matches not announced but are on the schedule, the 31.6% off ticket sale, comparisons of demand for tickets with last year, potential matches and more on how matches were changed, as well as Steve Austin talks
  • AAA Rey de Reyes update, a look at the promotion and how it differs from WWE and CMLL and what comes next
  • A look at what happened in the ring when referee Dallas Edwards suffered a medical emergency in the ring during a match and the response issues
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major television and streaming shows of WWE, AEW and TNA, demos, comparisons, competition numbers and placings
  • Claudio Castagnoli draws his first Arena Mexico sellout as CMLL world champion
  • Notes on the other major shows of the week in Mexico
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament finals and the top matches for the company’s biggest show of the year
  • Champion Carnival blocks
  • New Japan Cup notes
  • Manami Toyuota and never going to WWE and would it have mattered
  • Sareee talks her WWE stint
  • Kendo Kashin on Tadao Yasuda
  • 45th anniversary of the Tiger Mask debut and the best woman wrestler in the world at that time is still holding a championship today
  • NCAA wrestling tournament notes
  • Ted DiBiase Jr. trial notes
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW, TNA, Tokyo Joshi Pro, Rousey vs. Carano and more shows
  • Mistico sells out San Jose three weeks in advance and thoughts on the show
  • Former WWE champion in boxing match
  • Ricochet, Gates of Agony and Mercedes Mone in Europe
  • TNA new business deal
  • Ricochet Twitter controversy
  • Former AEW and WWE champion appears this weekend on one of the most-watched TV shows
  • AEW contract notes
  • Zuffa makes choice not to accept a commission regulation and will do it themselves
  • Gina Carano talks about how UFC tried to stop the Carano vs. Cyborg fight from happening
  • WWE in Saudi Arabia thoughts
  • WWE’s deal with Front Office Sports and some thoughts
  • Davey Coates, WWE tour manager, passed away

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

Cody Rhodes on Pat McAfee
Cody Rhodes on Pat McAfee. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • In an interview with Undisputed, Matt Jackson of The Young Bucks gave his thoughts on the stipulation where Hangman Page is no longer able to challenge for the AEW World Championship:
    • The stipulation is interesting. Does this mean Hangman might have to drop into our world, find a partner, and go for the tag team titles? Perhaps the TNT title? He’s one of the best in the business at crafting a character and story, so I’ll leave it to him.
  • Adam Copeland & Christian Cage appeared on a new edition of Close-Up with Renee Paquette.
  • After debuting a new look and gimmick, Lio Rush filed a trademark for “Blackheart Lio Rush” on March 24.
  • Deonna Purrazzo was at the New Jersey State House this week to help advocate for better education funding in her hometown of Jefferson Township:
    • I’m not just fighting for funding, I’m fighting for the programs that made me who I am.
    • The little girl in the cheer uniform…
    • The teenager in the stands…
    • The student in the classroom…
    • All of those versions of me were shaped by the programs in Jefferson Township.
    • I spent the last two days with @highlands_impact_aid_now fighting to make sure today’s students have those same opportunities. Because this isn’t just about funding, it’s about their futures too.
  • Brian Cage will be in action for Future Stars of Wrestling in Las Vegas on April 17. The show is named Mecca XI and is being produced by Killer Kross.
  • Royce Isaacs vs. Shane Mercer has been announced for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XV on April 17:
    • Power. Crushing Force. Brute Strength. They say Martial Arts is all about ‘technique.’ But what happens when the technique fails because your opponent is so strong they simply pull your arm out the socket? A battle of violent force – powerhouses Royce Isaacs takes on Shane Mercer at Josh Barnett’s: Bloodsport XV!
  • All three members of Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang) have signed with MLW and will be using “GBOT” as their faction name.
  • Joe Coffey spoke to The Takedown on SI:
    • We are the GBOT. It stands for a lot of things, but it’s Glasgow Boys on Top. We’re from Glasgow, and that’s the mentality we have. I’ve done my time, just playing my part and being a good soldier. You know, Killer Kross, I’m not really interested in him. I’m interested in what he’s got around his waist [the MLW World Heavyweight Championship], to be honest.
    • But, like him, we have a familiarity, GBOT. It means one thing: I’m not here to just play a part. I’m here to really establish myself and who I am, because before my time for the past couple of years that I’ve had in other companies, I was a world-traveling superstar. I was wrestling people from Hall of Famers to world champions. I’m not here just to make up any numbers. I’m here to show what Joe Coffey is all about and what I can do, and I’ll be leaving my mark as well.
  • Ronnie Garvin was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • The Sandman & Joey Janela appeared on BTA Philly.
  • The Stunner interviewed Steph De Lander.

Daily Update: WWE auctions, Candice Michelle, Luca Crusifino

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Preview and business notes on AEW Revolution
  • Updates on WrestleMania, how we got to Rhodes vs. Orton and feuds that are starting
  • A look at the UFC White House show and how we got here
  • Full UFC 326 coverage including the most viewers of a TV UFC show since Paige Van Zant vs. Michelle Waterson
  • A look at the new AEW streaming service
  • NXT Vengeance Day coverage and poll results
  • Odds on upcoming pro wrestling matches
  • Logan Paul’s grandstand challenge to football players gets several takers, including some big names, but nothing can transpire and how it ended
  • Full coverage of the 16 Carat Gold tournament in German featuring many of the best independent wrestlers in the world
  • A complete look at the TV ratings from all the pro wrestling shows over the past week, including breakdowns in various categories, placings, how Raw did on Netflix, competition and more
  • CMLL’s lineup for its No. 2 show of the year next week
  • Full rundown of the CMLL all women’s show onFriday
  • Konnan news
  • Behnid the Nino Hamburguesa firing
  • Rey de Reyes notes
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament news
  • New Japan Cup and anniversary show news
  • Pro wrestler and MMA star looks back at a fixed fight and more comments including the Japanese attempt to get a major WWE star to job in an MMA match to theri guy
  • Notes on a new promotion debuting
  • Attendance updates for future WWE, AEW, TNA and other shows including Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
  • Giant weekend in Europe including the two big Eve shows and the controversy
  • TNA future direction
  • Notes from the Tony Khan media call
  • Putting recent Collision numbers into perspective
  • How Zuffa boxing’s biggest show did
  • Rousey vs. Carano and Rousey’s promotional tactics as well as responses from other fighters
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Jake Paul’s women’s boxing group makes ESPN deal
  • Changes to the WWE writing team
  • ESPN reporting side does exactly what they said they wouldn’t do regarding pro wrestling
  • More vacant WWE titles

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

American Gladiators logo
Logo for Amazon’s “American Gladiators” revival. (Image credit: Amazon)

WWE

  • Sports Business Journal reports that WWE is revamping its online auction platform and will be offering more event-used items:
    • WWE is revitalizing its auction platform with event-used products, starting by auctioning off a Stone Cold Steve Austin event-worn knee brace from WrestleMania 38 — the site of his final match. That piece sold for $58,000. The new auction platform will give fans access to purchase historically relevant and impactful products. WWE plans to auction more exclusive content during WrestleMania 42 weekend, set for April 16-20 in Las Vegas. More unique products will be announced at a later date.
  • In an Instagram post, The Miz wrote about how honored he is to be the host of Amazon’s American Gladiators revival:
    • If you grew up in the 80s and 90s like I did… you watched American Gladiators.
    • As a kid, there was nothing bigger than WWE and American Gladiators. The Superstars and the Gladiators were larger than life.
    • So to not only be a @wwe Superstar for the past 20 years… but to now be the host of this reboot… I’m incredibly proud and honored.
    • And let me tell you, this was a true team effort.
    • From the absolute powerhouse Gladiators… to the contenders with stories you’ll fall in love with…to @crose127 on commentary bringing the perfect mix of professionalism and humor…and @rocsidiaz absolutely knocking it out of the park.
    • Everyone brought their best to honor what you remember… and take it to a whole new level.
    • It’s a privilege to be part of it.
    • American Gladiators premieres April 17th on @primevideo.
    • Trust me… this is most must-see.
  • One week after his new persona was unveiled in a vignette, Luca Crusifino, a former member of the D’Angelo Family in NXT, was interviewed on WWE Evolve this week. Crusifino called himself the life of the party and said his rave-inspired character is all about PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect).
  • WWE Vault uploaded a full house show that took place at the Boston Garden on March 8, 1986. It featured Hulk Hogan & Junkyard Dog facing off against Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr.

Other Wrestling

  • Tommaso Ciampa shared footage of his daughter Willow performing his entrance before AEW Dynamite last night:
    • Willow has been asking for weeks if she could perform my entrance… well, last night the crew went above and beyond to make her wish come true.
    • And she CRUSHED it!
    • Not only did the kid have no fear at all, but she even came up with an entire ‘dance routine’ to go along with each beat. The air guitar was my personal favorite.
    • After filming her full rehearsal with music and lights (no fire)… I was able to bring Willow into the truck to see how everything works behind the scenes. And they even surprised her once again by placing her name on the lower third graphic.
    • When I say, I found my wrestling home, I’m 100% sincere. I love this family.
    • I may have peaked, guys. Hard to top this.
  • FTR filed a trademark for their logo on March 18.
  • Zayda Steel was the guest on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • Ricochet’s wife Samantha Johnson (Samantha Irvin) shared more of the death threats she’s gotten in the wake of his social media controversy.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Candice Michelle said she hopes her new backstage role as an agent in TNA leads to her making an in-ring comeback for the company as well:
    • Being called to TNA as an agent, I think was a hope spot for me. And it brings me longevity. And when I can get in there and help these men and women win their dreams and their championships, that lasts a lifetime for me. And I always believe, like, when I teach my kids something, I don’t ever tell them to do something I’m not willing to do. And so if I get to have the opportunity to start over again and have a comeback, it will be one hell of a comeback.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. will compete at Effy’s Big Gay Brunch in Las Vegas on April 18.
  • Persephone has been announced for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s event in Vegas on April 17.
  • Busted Open Radio interviewed Killer Kross.
  • WRESTHINGS has an interview with Cedric Alexander.
  • Former WWE wrestler Michael Tarver appeared on the F’Yall Podcast.

Daily Update: Sgt. Slaughter, Lilian Garcia, Ricky Saints

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Preview and business notes on AEW Revolution
  • Updates on WrestleMania, how we got to Rhodes vs. Orton and feuds that are starting
  • A look at the UFC White House show and how we got here
  • Full UFC 326 coverage including the most viewers of a TV UFC show since Paige Van Zant vs. Michelle Waterson
  • A look at the new AEW streaming service
  • NXT Vengeance Day coverage and poll results
  • Odds on upcoming pro wrestling matches
  • Logan Paul’s grandstand challenge to football players gets several takers, including some big names, but nothing can transpire and how it ended
  • Full coverage of the 16 Carat Gold tournament in German featuring many of the best independent wrestlers in the world
  • A complete look at the TV ratings from all the pro wrestling shows over the past week, including breakdowns in various categories, placings, how Raw did on Netflix, competition and more
  • CMLL’s lineup for its No. 2 show of the year next week
  • Full rundown of the CMLL all women’s show onFriday
  • Konnan news
  • Behnid the Nino Hamburguesa firing
  • Rey de Reyes notes
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament news
  • New Japan Cup and anniversary show news
  • Pro wrestler and MMA star looks back at a fixed fight and more comments including the Japanese attempt to get a major WWE star to job in an MMA match to theri guy
  • Notes on a new promotion debuting
  • Attendance updates for future WWE, AEW, TNA and other shows including Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
  • Giant weekend in Europe including the two big Eve shows and the controversy
  • TNA future direction
  • Notes from the Tony Khan media call
  • Putting recent Collision numbers into perspective
  • How Zuffa boxing’s biggest show did
  • Rousey vs. Carano and Rousey’s promotional tactics as well as responses from other fighters
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Jake Paul’s women’s boxing group makes ESPN deal
  • Changes to the WWE writing team
  • ESPN reporting side does exactly what they said they wouldn’t do regarding pro wrestling
  • More vacant WWE titles

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

Booker T WWE NXT Appreciation Night
WWE celebrates Booker T on NXT in Houston. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame steel cage match for the Women’s North American Championship that headlined NXT last night.
  • A video package celebrating Booker T aired during the NXT episode, which took place in Houston and was Booker T Appreciation Night. 
  • Ricky Saints spoke with KRON 4 News about his acting ambitions:
    • It’s so taboo to talk about like, ‘Oh, he’s a wrestler and he’s talking about wanting to go from wrestling to acting.’ Yes, for sure, my body won’t be able to do this forever. So, for those who hate hearing it, yes, I want to get into acting. Who cares? I loved acting. I loved [CW’s] Wild Cards. I loved the whole experience. I thought it was really good, and it really gave me a sense of something that I’m able to do after this. [When] this life is over, and so, you know, the hope is more of that to come. And the network, they love me. They really did. They enjoyed me. They cherished me. All my fans. They said, ‘well, Ricky, you did great. You were a natural.’ And I say, ‘Yeah, can’t help it.’
    • I’ve always said I think I could play a really, really good Gambit [from X-Men]. I just need to learn how to throw cards and, you know, shuffle a deck. But, yeah, that’s like the top of the list. If I can get Gambit, it’s a wrap or Blade. Imagine me as Blade. I think I look good in leather.”
  • Sgt. Slaughter told Going Ringside that he was the only wrestler to go to Iron Sheik’s funeral when Sheik passed away in 2023:
    • In 2023, he passed. And I was the only wrestler at his funeral, which I thought was pretty horrendous, that I was the only wrestler to go to his funeral. And he lived in Atlanta where all the wrestlers lived, so I thought that was kind of a slap in the face. [Sheik did] so much not only for wrestlers but for the professional wrestling business.
  • Lilian Garcia was a guest on Busted Open Radio today. She noted that she’ll be doing some ring announcing at WWE’s summer 2026 European tour and will be in Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42 weekend:
    • To be able to get called back, to come back and still have a role. You know, Saturday Night’s Main Event, Worlds Collide. I’ll be doing some of the Europe tour now, they just let me know. And some things here at WrestleMania. It’s just always fun. It’s just in my blood.
  • When asked how WWE has changed across her different stints with the company, Garcia pointed to how much the Wellness Policy has cleaned up things in the locker room:
    • I just listened to the podcast with Chris Masters and Chris Van Vliet actually, and he was talking about some of the things that were happening with the Wellness Policy and how things have changed now and the partying that was before and the Wellness Policy, how it cleaned up a lot. And so it changed.
    • I think for me, that was really great to see too. Obviously, I think for all of us. You know, Tommy [Dreamer], you and I have experienced the loss of so many wrestlers dying way too young. When I started counting it one day, I’m like, ‘I’ve lost my fingers. All my fingers are gone. All my toes are gone. It’s crazy.’ And so I think that’s the biggest thing, that the wellness is better in there. And you’re not expected to be this monster of a wrestler to be able to be effective.
  • Liv Morgan will be appearing at a live podcast taping for Cody Rhodes’ “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” during the Wednesday of WrestleMania week.
  • Complex’s Graps podcast interviewed Jade Cargill.
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be featured in the next season of the video game Fortnite.
  • For a 3:16 Day video, Danhausen tried to trick wrestlers into thinking he was “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

Other Wrestling

  • In an interview with High Times, Marina Shafir opened up about her relationship with husband Roderick Strong:
    • He’s such an amazing partner. I love that I can speak my love language with my husband while training together. That’s a different level of trust. He understands who I am, and I understand who he is.
    • There’s so much going on outside of my bubble that I can’t control…  It’s a lot. So I take it one week at a time.
    • We really try hard to carve out time for our son, too. Soccer practice, going to the farmers market, and just making time for family.
  • MVP appeared on Your Entertainment Escape in Fresno ahead of tonight’s Dynamite.
  • Denise Salcedo uploaded video of her live show with Willow Nightingale from Revolution weekend.
  • AJPW Tag Team Champions Titans of Calamity (Ren Ayabe & Tolos) will compete in the 2026 NWA Crockett Cup in Forney, Texas on April 4.
  • During an Instagram Q&A, Maki Itoh was asked what her biggest career goal is right now: “Go to the Tokyo Dome with STARDOM. And suddenly show up in AEW again..make the crowd want me, and leave for Japan right away lol”

Daily Update: New WWE casino game, Cam Skattebo, Shinjuku FACE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • More on the Paramount purchase of WBD and details of when it goes through, if it goes through and details on how it helps or hurts UFC, AEW and Zuffa Boxing as well as a cost efficiency look at the three properties for 2027 if plans go through as stated.
  • The road to WrestleMania and why Paul Levesque is in a position where it’s impossible for him to do the job people want and impossible for him to fail, business notes on the show, and a look at the Elimination Chamber show, how it did on Netflix, the good and the bad.
  • Preview and updates on AEW Revolution and interest level
  • Odds on upcoming wrestling matches
  • Coverage of the New Japan New Beginning USA show in Trenton with two title changes
  • A look at the Demolition tag team as they go into the WWE Hall of Fame
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling TV shows, including demos, competition and comparisons with last year.
  • Johnny TV in the most heated match so far this year with Angel de Oro
  • Why AAA television is so entertaining
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament notes
  • Brothers face off in NOAH jr. tag tournament final
  • New Japan Cup first two days
  • Final night of Fantastica Mania notes
  • Jeff Jarrett documentary
  • Wrestler out of prison starts working on indices this week
  • Real American Freestyle angle
  • Update of the robbery of the Canadian promotion and the Davey Boy Smith Jr. Hall of Fame ring
  • John Laurinaitis wants back in to wrestling
  • 16 Carat Gold weekend in Germany
  • Pro Wrestling Eve has biggest show of its history this week
  • Brodie Lee Jr. first singles match date
  • Steph De Lander talks why she and Mance Warner quit TNA
  • Notes on David Finlay signing with AEW
  • ROH first TV tapings in a studio
  • UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight title updates
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Updates on WWE front office news and changes
  • The story behind leaking fast nationals
  • WWE accused of deleting key information in a lawsuit
  • More notes on the WWE deal with Endeavor and how it went down
  • Janel Grant speaks in favor of changing Connecticut law on NDAs
  • Bianca Belair update
  • WWE sends out unchecked email to network subscribers causing a panic
  • Next WWE media deal to be made
  • WWE injury updates
  • Nick Khan sells millions in TKO stock

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

WWE

  • WWE and White Hat Studios have partnered together to launch the casino game “WrestleMania: Road to Gold” that is now available through the Fanatics Casino app:
    • WWE, part of TKO Group Holdings, and White Hat Studios announced the official branded slot, WrestleMania: Road to Gold, will launch exclusively with Fanatics Casino beginning today. 
    • Available only in the United States, the new online casino game for real money wagering in regulated markets will harness the star power of 20 marquee names from the WWE, including fan-favorites Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley just in time for WrestleMania 42, which will return to Las Vegas, on April 18-19, 2026.
    • The Unlock Trail gameplay takes players on a journey through WWE Premium Live Events, with progressive bonus mechanics inspired by SummerSlam, Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and Money in the Bank. Each milestone intensifies excitement and win potential before culminating in the legendary WrestleMania showdown. The action in WrestleMania: Road to Gold, is further elevated by the unmistakable voice of Michael Cole, transporting players ringside and ensuring the entire storytelling experience is underpinned by authenticity. 
    • The breadth of personalities and events integrated makes WrestleMania: Road to Gold one of the most comprehensive and immersive IP games brought to market. Drawing on more than 70 years of entertainment heritage, WrestleMania: Road to Gold is designed to capture the spirit of WWE’s iconic brand, providing WWE fans across regulated US iCasino markets with a new way to interact with the global brand.
  • On the Rich Eisen Show, New York Giants star Cam Skattebo addressed the WWE Raw appearance he made at Madison Square Garden last November, which drew some criticism from the New York media due to Skattebo getting physically involved shortly after undergoing season-ending surgery:
    • I got some plates and screws in there. I mean, at that point, it’s already screwed in and put plates on. So I felt like I was okay to do whatever I wanted to. You know, it’s not like it was going to break or anything. I was behind a wall, having a good time with my boys, teammates were out there backing me up. If something really broke down, I know I had my boys behind me that were going to start going with me.
    • It was pretty sweet. Yeah, I used to watch WWE with some family members, [with] my grandpa growing up. I actually haven’t watched it in a really long time up until this point. It was pretty cool to be a part of it.
    • Obviously John Cena was one of them [Skattebo’s favorite wrestlers]. It was actually pretty cool to work with Dom Mysterio because his dad was somebody that I kind of watched all the [time]. You know, the 619 was something we did in the house off the couches and stuff. So it was something fun for us.
  • Charlotte Flair spoke with Sports Business Journal about becoming an angel investor in Self-Care Is For Everyone, a clothing and lifestyle brand that promotes mental wellness:
    • As a female that’s approaching 40, I started thinking about what’s next for me and what feels organic and real. A lot of my career, I felt like I had to hide whether I had anxiety or mental health issues that are taboo to talk about. Whether I make money or don’t, for me right now, I’m investing in something that’s going to help other people. I hope that investing and spreading awareness really does help.
  • While doing media to promote May’s Clash in Italy PLE, Chelsea Green was asked what she would do if she were named WWE general manager for one night:
    • My first official move as general manager would be to have as many women on the card as I possibly can. And I want to mix it up. I want you to see, you know, a girl you might call a top girl wrestle someone lower on the card.
    • I want to switch things up. And I want to make sure that U.S. title has a spotlight. We’ve actually seen Giulia do amazing work with the U.S. title, but you know me, as your first, fourth, and almost final United States Women’s Champion, I want even more. I want to see more of that U.S. title. So I think that’s what I would do. You know, who cares about the boys? I care about the girlies.
  • Jade Cargill made an appearance on the Hawks AF podcast from the Atlanta Hawks.
  • The WCW YouTube channel has uploaded a three and a half hour video of Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat footage.

Other Wrestling

  • This week’s AEW Unrestricted episode is a Revolution preview featuring an interview with Konosuke Takeshita.
  • MJF had (mostly) kind words for indie wrestler “Fancy” Ryan Clancy in an interview with Undisputed:
    • I’ve had my eye on [Clancy] for quite some time now. He’s very special. A traditionalist and a minimalist bell to bell, much like myself. He’s strategic and athletic, also much like myself. Unfortunately, he’s quite ugly. But if he gets signed to a major wrestling promotion, that’s what money is for–he’ll find himself a good plastic surgeon and he could be a top guy.
  • Brian “Road Dogg” James has been announced for appearances at the Big Event Entertainment & Sports Expo in New York on March 21 and WrestleCon in Las Vegas this April.
  • Though the Shinjuku FACE wrestling venue in Tokyo will be closing at the end of September, there is hope that a new venue will be opened after the aging building it’s relocated in is rebuilt.
  • El Desperado has been announced for MLW, NJPW & CMLL’s Fantastica Mania USA event that’s being held in Charleston, South Carolina on April 12.
  • Desperado will also be competing at GCW’s The Wrld on Lucha in Las Vegas on April 17.
  • Fabian Aichner, who has not wrestled anywhere since his release from WWE in February 2025, has returned to social media after a long absence. He captioned a new Instagram post with “New chapter.”
  • Barrett Media published a feature story on the success of Busted Open Radio.

Daily Update: William Regal, Eddie Kingston, Pro Wrestling Eve

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • More on the Paramount purchase of WBD and details of when it goes through, if it goes through and details on how it helps or hurts UFC, AEW and Zuffa Boxing as well as a cost efficiency look at the three properties for 2027 if plans go through as stated.
  • The road to WrestleMania and why Paul Levesque is in a position where it’s impossible for him to do the job people want and impossible for him to fail, business notes on the show, and a look at the Elimination Chamber show, how it did on Netflix, the good and the bad.
  • Preview and updates on AEW Revolution and interest level
  • Odds on upcoming wrestling matches
  • Coverage of the New Japan New Beginning USA show in Trenton with two title changes
  • A look at the Demolition tag team as they go into the WWE Hall of Fame
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling TV shows, including demos, competition and comparisons with last year.
  • Johnny TV in the most heated match so far this year with Angel de Oro
  • Why AAA television is so entertaining
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament notes
  • Brothers face off in NOAH jr. tag tournament final
  • New Japan Cup first two days
  • Final night of Fantastica Mania notes
  • Jeff Jarrett documentary
  • Wrestler out of prison starts working on indices this week
  • Real American Freestyle angle
  • Update of the robbery of the Canadian promotion and the Davey Boy Smith Jr. Hall of Fame ring
  • John Laurinaitis wants back in to wrestling
  • 16 Carat Gold weekend in Germany
  • Pro Wrestling Eve has biggest show of its history this week
  • Brodie Lee Jr. first singles match date
  • Steph De Lander talks why she and Mance Warner quit TNA
  • Notes on David Finlay signing with AEW
  • ROH first TV tapings in a studio
  • UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight title updates
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Updates on WWE front office news and changes
  • The story behind leaking fast nationals
  • WWE accused of deleting key information in a lawsuit
  • More notes on the WWE deal with Endeavor and how it went down
  • Janel Grant speaks in favor of changing Connecticut law on NDAs
  • Bianca Belair update
  • WWE sends out unchecked email to network subscribers causing a panic
  • Next WWE media deal to be made
  • WWE injury updates
  • Nick Khan sells millions in TKO stock

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE NXT tag team main event
Image: WWE

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Joe Hendry & Myles Borne vs. Ricky Saints & Ethan Page tag team main event from NXT
  • PWInsider reports that, prior to his appearance on NXT last night, William Regal had not been seen at the Performance Center for some time and also had not been on the road with the main roster for an extended period. The report says it’s expected that Regal and Fit Finlay will be regulars on NXT going forward for their role with NXT’s Birthright faction.
  • Cody Rhodes appeared on a new episode of Complex’s Graps podcast. He’ll also be the guest on a new edition of Insight with Chris Van Vliet this Friday.
  • JBL joined Undertaker on today’s edition of the Six Feet Under podcast.
  • Chantel Monroe has been cleared to return from a broken nose and will be back on WWE Evolve soon:
    • Three months ago I fractured my nose, and that’s why you haven’t been seeing Chantel Monroe in action these past couple of Wednesdays… but don’t worry divasss  I’m officially fully cleared, back, and ready to give EVOLVE the sparkle it’s been missing #wwenxt #wwe

Other Wrestling

  • Eddie Kingston, who has been out of action due to severe migraines, is advertised to compete at ROH & Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Global Wars Canada event in Windsor, Ontario on March 27.
  • Along with Thursday night’s regular edition on Honor Club, ROH will be broadcasting a special TV episode on YouTube at 7 p.m. this Friday.
  • Renee Paquette spoke to TV Insider about how much she enjoys passing on knowledge to up-and-coming female broadcasters in the wrestling industry:
    • I love to be able to help the other girls. That’s something I didn’t have as much time to do when I was in WWE. With the time I spent there, and the things I learned there and the experience I have for the duration of my career, I love being able to help these other girls out. Someone like Lexi [Nair] I think has grown so much. She is so great and awesome to work with. She always has a good attitude. She always wants to learn more. She will be doing Ring of Honor tapings till whatever time in the morning. She wants to be there and get better. 
    • It’s the same for Arkady Aura. I’m not a ring announcer, so I can’t contribute with that, but with all the prep she does wanting to get all the names right and pronunciations right, especially when you have all these wrestlers coming in. You have guys from CMLL and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, so you want to make sure you’re on your game with that stuff. To see these girls grow and develop, I love that. Even with the WWE side, to see what Jackie Redmond has been able to do over there. Her and I go way back, so it’s really fun for me to see her in that role at WWE.
  • TV Insider asked Paquette if her daughter Nora understands what her mother and father (Jon Moxley) do for a living:
    • Oh yes. She is very into it. She has really gotten into watching women’s wrestling, which is really fun for me to get to show her some stuff. She doesn’t love watching dad wrestle so much because it’s much scarier. It’s cool to see her soak it all in. One day she is like, ‘Mommy, I want you to teach me everything about broadcasting.’ The next day she’ll tell me she wants to be a wrestler like dad. I think she has a good comprehension of what we both do. Maybe not the gravity of it or the magnitude, but she has an understanding. It is funny being a parent and watching your kids soak up that environment. I sort of pull myself out of it wondering what her first memories are going to be of walking into the women’s locker room with me, and there are all these amazing female athletes and characters, and all the people who see backstage getting there earlier in the day. She sees the stage and set and how the show comes together. I wonder if she is going to think about that when she is older.
  • In an interview with The Takedown on SI, Thekla discussed how being a “control freak” has helped her succeed in pro wrestling:
    • I’m a massive control freak. It’s like, these are the colors. This is my logo. I design it. I was working with somebody and I was telling him it’s gonna be a mix of a spider with a hazard sign, right? So, it’s all me. I’m great on ideas and then connecting with people and telling them this is exactly what I want.
    • I get hyped when I go out and I think the fans can really feel this. There’s those two things. The person and the music really make sense together. Those are small artistic details that I’m crazy about.
  • Pro Wrestling Eve promoter Dann Read put out a statement addressing the backlash over Paul Robinson working for the promotion as a producer. During the Speaking Out movement in 2020, Robinson was accused of having kissed a 16 year old girl and getting close with her until the mother of his children found out.
  • NJPW’s English-language website posted an interview with HENARE.
  • Taiji Ishimori will be in action at Fantastica Mania USA in Charleston, South Carolina on April 12. The event is being put on by MLW in collaboration with NJPW and CMLL.
  • Sherilyn Guerrero interviewed Mick Foley about his memories of her late father Eddie.
  • Richard Holliday was a guest on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast.

Daily Update: WWE notes, Mick Foley, Great Muta

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered in this issue:

  • A detailed look at the WBD/Paramount/Netflix situation, what the latest decision of WBD to Paramount entails, the keys to why this is happening, business notes, how this affects AEW and can it get approved.
  • A look at the UFC and WWE business in 2025 and in the final quarter of this past year. We look at the numbers, what they mean, why WWE was more profitable in 2025 than UFC and the key thing that can change that in 2026, Mark Shapiro talks ESPN value to WWE, lots of news about the business of the White House show, UFC fighters upset over pay, why WWE wrestlers are so underpaid but not publicly upset over, and business initiatives going forward
  • The violence in Mexico and tons of wrestling shows canceled this past week
  • We look in depth at the Janel Grant speech from last week, what we learned, what she said, and where everything stands.
  • Update on the build for WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber, business notes, ticket sales and favorites for the weekend.
  • An updated look at AEW Revolution and business notes
  • The retirement of AJ Styles looked at
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings from the past week, including comparisons with a year ago, competition, demos and much more.
  • Notes from Arena Mexico
  • CMLL attempts to break a North American record next week
  • Cinderalla tournament in Stardom
  • Fantastica Mania notes
  • The life and times of former Olympic wrestler Bobby Douglas, his coaching career, his beating Dan Gable, and two notable pro wrestlers he coached
  • College wrestling sets an attendance mark already this season
  • Who had the most top ten matches of the year over a career according to Cage match.
  • City builds a bust memorializing top 80s star
  • WrestleMania week schedule
  • Former MMA fighter and pro wrestler running for Governor
  • Robbery of the ring truck for an indie group
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows over the next two months.
  • How many subscribers does Paramount need to make up for UFC expenses
  • More talk on Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
  • Stand & Deliver moves and why
  • When Roman Reigns and Brock Ldesnar are booked for TV in the Mania build
  • Pro wrestler who is active in Japan competes this weekend for the U.S.national team in anther sport
  • Notes on a newcomer to WWE who started this week
  • More notes on value of Dwayne Johnson’s TKO stock

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

Nia Jax & Lash Legend WWE
Image: WWE

WWE

  • During an appearance on the Beyond The Bell podcast, Nia Jax gave a kayfabe response to CM Punk’s promo line from Raw where Punk said he’s going to bury Roman Reigns next to his father Sika:
    • I think small men bark loud. And so in that moment right there, he was probably feeling a little confident. It’s funny because you see him walk away right after he says that line. That doesn’t bother me because I know what my family is physically capable of. We’ve shown it over the last three decades what our family is capable of, the Samoan Dynasty. So that’s fine. He can speak all he wants. But when it comes down to it, the person who’s going to be reigning over Phil will be none other than The OTC.
  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque shared the official poster for Punk and Reigns’ World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 42.
  • Ahead of their upcoming WrestleMania match, Stephanie Vaquer and Liv Morgan both attended a training session at Natalya and TJ Wilson’s Dungeon last night. To keep kayfabe, they did not appear in photos together. Natalya tweeted that the session might have been her favorite ever at the facility: “Maybe the best practice we’ve ever had in The Dungeon. Four hours of sweat equity. So incredibly proud of this group tonight.”
  • Trish Stratus told Wrestlezone that there were plans for her to do more with WWE last year, but her mother passing away changed that. Stratus would like to come back and get closure on her career:
    • The 25th anniversary year was a special year. [WWE and I] worked together to see how we can celebrate it. It turned out really good with the homecoming moment, where I could team up with Tiffy. Being part of Evolution, all women’s pay-per-view, obviously, was amazing. Coming back to the Royal Rumble as 25. So, we kind of like plotted it out.
    • My mom got sick last year, and she passed. So there were plans [for more]. So, I do think there should be a bit of a finale moment. I’m very much about closure. So I feel like that I would need a little bit of closure. And I think maybe you guys need some closure on your Stratusfaction as well. Maybe.
  • Bianca Belair received flowers from Charlie (former WWE wrestler Dakota Kai) as she recovers from finger surgery.
  • The Ghost of Hollywood interviewed Chelsea Green.
  • The Wrestling Classic has an interview with Blake Monroe.
  • Ronnie Singh of 2K Games appeared on this week’s episode of “What’s Your Story?” with Stephanie McMahon.
  • The WCW YouTube channel put together a two and a half hour compilation of Great Muta footage from 1989.
  • Logan Paul uploaded a new vlog with footage from Elimination Chamber.

Other Wrestling

  • AEW produced an eight-minute video with Renee Paquette & RJ City detailing everything that new fans need to know about the promotion:
    • Looking to join in as a fan of All Elite Wrestling, but not quite sure where to start? Do you have a friend who wants to become a fan and you’re trying to help them out? We’re here for you. Here’s everything you need to know about AEW in 8 minutes to get you up to speed, from our most prominent wrestlers to our championships and more.
  • Dustin Rhodes’ dog, a mastiff named Beast, won an award at Crufts Dog Show in the United Kingdom.
  • Mick Foley will be doing an auction at his upcoming comedy shows to raise money for Brian Knobbs, who has been battling health issues for a while and shared last month that he was back in the hospital due to an infection:
    • In our dysfunctional, yet loving extended professional wrestling family, I believe we have to look out for each other, especially when one of us is going through a difficult time. Brian is going through that type of time now and can use a little help from all of us.
    • Knobs is one of those legends in wrestling that other legends talk about. To say he’s an inimitable force would be an understatement. But he’s really hurting now and can use a hand. I’m going to be doing my shirt off my back auction and all five of my upcoming #40YearsOfFoley shows in March – #NewOrleans #Lafayette #ColumbusOH (two shows in Columbus) and #DundeeIL. If you’re at one of these events, please consider placing a bid. For everyone else, please take a look at the GoFundMe site that has been set up for Brian
  • Trey Miguel spoke to Soundsphere magazine about how much TNA means to him:
    • The last time you asked me, what I said was only a percentage of what it means now. TNA has given me the opportunity to change my life. Back then, we hadn’t worked with WWE yet. I grew up watching WWE, so getting to reunite the Rascals, do great matches for four months with my brothers. That was special.
    • And everything I’ve been through recently, the way TNA showed loyalty to me, loyalty I’ve always tried to show them. It feels good to work for people who care about you. We’re all more than wrestlers; we’re humans. Humans go to bed with worries: ‘Is this going to work out? Can I keep doing this?’
    • For a moment, I doubted I’d ever wrestle again. I had announced I was wrapping things up. TNA called and offered me an opportunity not to do that. That showed me that the company I’ve given my best to for seven years feels the same way about me. That deepened the connection I have with TNA.
  • The Great Muta had an MRI after experiencing numbness in his hand, but no abnormalities were found:
    • I had numbness in my right hand, so I got an MRI of my cervical spine, but nothing abnormal showed up. I’m not even a baseball pitcher, but my elbow is deformed and it hurts!! Treatment injections… It’s scary

Daily Update: WWE notes, Jeff Jarrett documentary, Mickie James

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered in this issue:

  • A detailed look at the WBD/Paramount/Netflix situation, what the latest decision of WBD to Paramount entails, the keys to why this is happening, business notes, how this affects AEW and can it get approved.
  • A look at the UFC and WWE business in 2025 and in the final quarter of this past year. We look at the numbers, what they mean, why WWE was more profitable in 2025 than UFC and the key thing that can change that in 2026, Mark Shapiro talks ESPN value to WWE, lots of news about the business of the White House show, UFC fighters upset over pay, why WWE wrestlers are so underpaid but not publicly upset over, and business initiatives going forward
  • The violence in Mexico and tons of wrestling shows canceled this past week
  • We look in depth at the Janel Grant speech from last week, what we learned, what she said, and where everything stands.
  • Update on the build for WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber, business notes, ticket sales and favorites for the weekend.
  • An updated look at AEW Revolution and business notes
  • The retirement of AJ Styles looked at
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings from the past week, including comparisons with a year ago, competition, demos and much more.
  • Notes from Arena Mexico
  • CMLL attempts to break a North American record next week
  • Cinderalla tournament in Stardom
  • Fantastica Mania notes
  • The life and times of former Olympic wrestler Bobby Douglas, his coaching career, his beating Dan Gable, and two notable pro wrestlers he coached
  • College wrestling sets an attendance mark already this season
  • Who had the most top ten matches of the year over a career according to Cage match.
  • City builds a bust memorializing top 80s star
  • WrestleMania week schedule
  • Former MMA fighter and pro wrestler running for Governor
  • Robbery of the ring truck for an indie group
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE, AEW and TNA shows over the next two months.
  • How many subscribers does Paramount need to make up for UFC expenses
  • More talk on Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano
  • Stand & Deliver moves and why
  • When Roman Reigns and Brock Ldesnar are booked for TV in the Mania build
  • Pro wrestler who is active in Japan competes this weekend for the U.S.national team in anther sport
  • Notes on a newcomer to WWE who started this week
  • More notes on value of Dwayne Johnson’s TKO stock

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Ricky Saints/Joe Hendry segment that closed NXT last night.
  • Brock Lesnar has recorded an interview for an upcoming episode of the Barstool Sports podcast Spittin Chiclets.
  • While speaking with Undisputed, Bill Eadie (Demolition Ax) credited the fans for playing a big role in Demolition’s WWE Hall of Fame induction:
    • We owe our career to the fans and to the unselfish sacrifice of our families. As for fan support, we have always said that without their support, there is no drive to excel.
    • The fans drive the sport. They give you a reason to do your best. They drive you to do your best. After all these years of support, we truly believe they were a great part of the decision making to induct us into the Hall of Fame.
  • Rey Fenix congratulated his brother Penta on winning the Intercontinental title: “Congrats brother, you will always be my favorite luchador, i love you @penta_zero_miedo I miss sharing the ring with you, but now I think; would it be good to relive old times?”
  • The Undertaker revealed the official poster for AAA Rey de Reyes 2026.
  • Busted Open Radio has an interview with Bayley.
  • Bayley noted that she’s received an “insane” amount of applicants for her upcoming Lodestone women’s wrestling seminar in Las Vegas:
    • Insane response to this. I wish I didn’t have to make a cut off, but unfortunately space is limited in the building. And I want to ensure that everyone attending gets an equal experience. Thank you for your understanding.  Going through emails this week!
  • TV Insider asked Xavier Woods how it feels to now have been in WWE for more than 15 years:
    • I’m 22 years in wrestling, and that is shocking to me. I’ve very much enjoyed myself. I think I’ve had the chance to show what I can do in a lot of situations and with different opportunities. It has given me the chance to go and perform in places like Japan, Australia, the U.K., and South America, and other places I may have never got to have been in my life. We were able to build what we were able to build with the New Day and inspire a generation to be themselves. We have shown wrestling doesn’t have to be seen in one specific way. It can be fun at the end of the day. That’s what we are here to do at the end of the day, have a good time. It feels great.
  • Charlotte Flair made an appearance at last night’s Anaheim Ducks vs. Colorado Avalanche NHL game.
  • WWE Vault uploaded the “WWF Desire” music video from 2001.

Other Wrestling

Daily Update: Mercedes Mone, Rocky Romero, BOSJ schedule

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered in this issue:

  • Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania updates. Update on ticket sales to both shows as well as AEW Revolution and explanations of why and current interest level in tickets.
  • Notes on the giant gates WWE drew for WrestleMania last year and John Cena’s retirement.
  • How much Mania tickets have increased in recent years
  • Odds on this week shows
  • Gina Carano vs. Ronda Rousey and a history of how women’s MMA overcame so many obstacles due to those two. We look at what each did, their background, the story behind the 2014 fight that never happened and why this fight is happening, as well as addressing very serious questions regarding the fight.
  • A look at nostalgia fights and different ways to do them and how they work or don’t work
  • A look at the life and career of the Great Mephisto, one of the most creative minds in wrestling as a wrestler and booker of the 60s and 70s, including his heyday in San Francisco and Australia and stories about his confrontations with Roy Shire, copying from and teaming with The Sheik, Booking WCW in Australia, and a life that start as a street hustler in the depression to facing Hulk Hogan in his first match ever in Northern California.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings over the past week, with comparisons, Nielsen and Netflix flaws, Olympics and more.
  • Major change in CMLL rules and thoughts about it
  • This past week in CMLL including a hot Friday night sold out show with Mistico vs. Templario
  • Mistico talks Observer awards
  • Saya Kamitani update
  • FantasticaMania first night
  • Cain Velasquez update
  • Notes on the death of Brett Wolverton and Kerwin Silfies
  • Mick Foley television series
  • Longest lasting pro wrestling ring announcer
  • Eve sets UK record
  • Tag team holds titles in Europe & Japan at the same time
  • TNA No Surrender notes
  • More on mainstream coverage of Brody King
  • More on WBD sale
  • Report that Trump will kill current deal
  • AEW in Australia notes
  • Sean Strickland is an idiot
  • Dana White talks boxing
  • Gable Steveson fights again and update
  • Janel Grant lawsuit update
  • Another WWE European tour and PLE show
  • Bad Bunny wrestling update

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

WWE

  • Now that he’s retired and getting to spend more time at home, AJ Styles shared a photo on Instagram of his daughter doing his hair: “What are you doing now that you’re retired? Well, I’m currently getting my hair done by my daughter.”
  • D-Von Dudley hopes that Spike Dudley will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame:
    • If it wasn’t for him, I don’t know if the Dudleys would have gotten as far as we did. It was because of Spike and the crazy bumps that he took for us, and what he allowed us to do to him was why the Dudley Boyz really became the Dudley Boyz. If it’s anybody that belongs into the Hall of Fame, it’s Spike Dudley. So Triple H, I hope you’re listening. Please get my little brother in that Hall of Fame. He deserves every bit of it.
  • Mick Foley made an Instagram story post agreeing with The Undertaker about Chelsea Green being underutilized in WWE: “In total agreement with @undertaker on this. @chelseagreen is a star.”
  • Alexa Bliss tweeted out a message to NXT’s Tatum Paxley after Paxley revealed that watching Bliss is what inspired her to become a wrestler: “Thank you for the kindest words – can’t wait til we meet again in the ring @TatumPaxley”
  • ESPN continued the promotional push toward Elimination Chamber with Randy Orton, CM Punk, Je’Von Evans, Jey Uso, Tiffany Stratton, and Joe Tessitore making appearances.
  • Big E, Peter Rosenberg, and ESPN’s Joe Fortenbaugh hosted an Elimination Chamber preview show.
  • In an interview with The Takedown on SI, Trish Stratus shared what advice she would give AJ Lee ahead of Elimination Chamber. Lee is facing Becky Lynch at the PLE in what is Lee’s first singles match in more than a decade.
  • Stratus said:
    • Get your reps in, get to the place where you’re comfortable. You’re gonna think you’re not comfortable, but rely on your body. There is this aspect of it’s like riding a bike. You literally get to the point where like your body goes, I got this, as long as you can support it. And recovery-wise, make sure that you take care of all the things. I do my yoga, I do all the things to make sure I can support [the performance]. She’s gonna be great.
  • Tiffany Stratton trained with Ivy Nile for a video on Nile’s YouTube channel.
  • New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson was the guest on the latest episode of Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast.

Other Wrestling

  • Ric Flair remembered his late son Reid on what would have been Reid’s 38th birthday:
    • Not A Day Goes By Where We Don’t Think About You Big Man! We All Know You Are In A Better Place, But It Doesn’t Make The Pain Ever Go Away. Reid, We Are All Remembering You Today On Your Birthday! Love & Miss You!
  • Mercedes Mone is returning to Poland on March 29 to defend her Prime Time Wrestling Women’s Championship against a yet-to-be-announced opponent.
  • Rocky Romero spoke to Fox News Digital about the working relationship that exists between AEW, NJPW, and CMLL:
    • What’s cool about it is AEW, especially Tony Khan, has so much respect and so much love for New Japan and New Japan has always been supportive of AEW. I think it’s a partnership that really works and obviously it’s an essential partnership when you’re going against someone who has such a huge market share in WWE. So, I think it’s very strategic and now that we’ve thrown CMLL into the mix, these three big promotions really working fluidly together and working on storylines that cross all three promotions and having talent go from each company and champions.
  • Rush, who has been out of action since November due to a knee injury, tweeted today: “I feel better than ever.”
  • Shop AEW released a new “Big Hebrew” T-shirt for MJF after he applied to trademark that term this week.
  • Comic book writer Steve Orlando was the guest on AEW Unrestricted today, discussing the partnership between DC Comics and AEW.
  • NJPW announced that this year’s Best of the Super Junior tournament will take place across 14 nights from May 14 through June 7. The participants have not been revealed yet. Here is the schedule:
    • Night 1: Thursday May 14 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
    • Night 2: Saturday May 16 Tokyo Esforte Arena Hachioji 
    • Night 3: Sunday May 17 Tokyo Yoyogi National 2nd Gymnasium
    • Night 4: Wednesday May 20 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
    • Night 5: Friday May 22 Osaka Asue Arena
    • Night 6: Saturday May 23 Hyogo Acrie Himeji
    • Night 7: Sunday May 24 Kyoto KBS Hall
    • Night 8: Wednesday May 27 Shizuoka Kira Messe Numazu
    • Night 9: Friday May 29 Niigata Tsubame Citizens Gymnasium
    • Night 10: Saturday May 30 Toyama Takaoka Techno Dome
    • Night 11 & 12: Tuesday June 2 & Wednesday June 3 Tokyo Korakuen Hall 
    • Night 13: Friday June 5 Gunma G Messe
    • Night 14 (Final): Sunday June 7 Tokyo Ota City Gymnasium
  • Shayna Baszler will face off against Kristara in a Voyageur Cup quarterfinal match for Winnipeg Pro Wrestling next month. The winner of the tournament challenges Mercedes Mone for the Winnipeg Pro Women’s Championship.
  • Ronda Rousey shared new footage of her training for her upcoming MMA fight against Gina Carano.
  • Comedian Brad Williams appeared on Insight with Chris Van Vliet.
  • Jeremy Peeples, a long-time writer for our website, has started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of his housemate Sherry who suddenly passed away this week.

Daily Update: Myles Borne, new MJF trademark, MLW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered in this issue:

  • Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania updates. Update on ticket sales to both shows as well as AEW Revolution and explanations of why and current interest level in tickets.
  • Notes on the giant gates WWE drew for WrestleMania last year and John Cena’s retirement.
  • How much Mania tickets have increased in recent years
  • Odds on this week shows
  • Gina Carano vs. Ronda Rousey and a history of how women’s MMA overcame so many obstacles due to those two. We look at what each did, their background, the story behind the 2014 fight that never happened and why this fight is happening, as well as addressing very serious questions regarding the fight.
  • A look at nostalgia fights and different ways to do them and how they work or don’t work
  • A look at the life and career of the Great Mephisto, one of the most creative minds in wrestling as a wrestler and booker of the 60s and 70s, including his heyday in San Francisco and Australia and stories about his confrontations with Roy Shire, copying from and teaming with The Sheik, Booking WCW in Australia, and a life that start as a street hustler in the depression to facing Hulk Hogan in his first match ever in Northern California.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings over the past week, with comparisons, Nielsen and Netflix flaws, Olympics and more.
  • Major change in CMLL rules and thoughts about it
  • This past week in CMLL including a hot Friday night sold out show with Mistico vs. Templario
  • Mistico talks Observer awards
  • Saya Kamitani update
  • FantasticaMania first night
  • Cain Velasquez update
  • Notes on the death of Brett Wolverton and Kerwin Silfies
  • Mick Foley television series
  • Longest lasting pro wrestling ring announcer
  • Eve sets UK record
  • Tag team holds titles in Europe & Japan at the same time
  • TNA No Surrender notes
  • More on mainstream coverage of Brody King
  • More on WBD sale
  • Report that Trump will kill current deal
  • AEW in Australia notes
  • Sean Strickland is an idiot
  • Dana White talks boxing
  • Gable Steveson fights again and update
  • Janel Grant lawsuit update
  • Another WWE European tour and PLE show
  • Bad Bunny wrestling update

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Ethan Page vs. Myles Borne NXT main event from last night, where Borne defeated Page to become the new men’s North American Champion.
  • In an Instagram stories post, Stephanie Vaquer congratulated Borne (her boyfriend) on his title win: “I’m so proud of you, because I truly know how hard you work day after day. You deserve this and so much more”
  • On Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast, Michael Hayes shared that he is now 17 months sober from alcohol.
  • Charlotte Flair wished her father Ric a happy 77th birthday: “Happy Birthday Dad @RicFlairNatrBoy I love you big as the sky:
  • Shinsuke Nakamura reacted to AJ Styles’ retirement:
    • AJ left the ring with his family by his side.
    • That’s the right way to go.
    • We fought. We pushed each other. We made history.
    • As a rival, I respect him. As a friend, I’m happy for him.
    • Much love, brother
  • WWE has filed a trademark for “WWE Evolve Succession,” which is the name the company has been using for Evolve’s special episodes.
  • A new WWE ID recruit will be revealed this Friday at Chaotic Wrestling’s event in Watertown, Massachusetts. The winner of Jariel Rivera vs. Tony “The Big Cheese” Navarro receives an ID contract.
  • CM Punk appeared on ChicagoNow ahead of Elimination Chamber.
  • Cody Rhodes was on ESPN’s Get Up and First Take today, while Finn Balor was on SportsCenter.
  • The Chicago Lead interviewed Jade Cargill.
  • Tatum Paxley was a guest on Busted Open Radio.

Other Wrestling

  • On February 23, MJF filed a trademark for the term “Big Hebrew.”
  • During her latest vlog episode, Queen Aminata said she’s hoping to return from her neck injury “pretty soon.” She’s scheduled to be backstage at Dynamite tonight to get checked out. If everything looks good, she’ll be able to start rolling around in the ring and taking bumps again.
  • Roderick Strong appeared on a new edition of Close-Up with Renee Paquette.
  • Tommaso Ciampa made an appearance on 9 News in Denver.
  • Street Fighter shared a video of Kenny Omega doing some motion-capture work as the character Alex in Street Fighter 6.
  • The Infantry (Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo) have been announced for Battle for the Brave, which is taking place on June 6. It’s an indie show that Deonna Purrazzo and Steve Maclin are producing to benefit the charity organization Tunnel to Towers.
  • MLW will make its Tennessee debut with a TV taping at The Signal in Chattanooga on May 9. Tickets are going on sale on March 4.

Daily Update: Blake Monroe, Kerwin Silfies, John Cena

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Our annual awards issue is out covering the following topics:

  • Winners, top place winners, comments and every winner of every award dating back to 1980, from Wrestler of the Year, MMA MVP, Most Outstanding, Most Outstanding MMA Fighter, Tag Team of the Year, Best on Interviews, Promotion of the Year, Best Weekly TV show, Match of the Year, MMA Fight of the year, U.S./Canada MPV, Japanese MVP, Mexico MVP, Europe MVP, Best non-heavyweight, Women’s MVP, Women’s MMA MVP, Feud of the Year, Best Box Office Draw, Most Improved, Most Charismatic, Best Technical, Best Brawler, Best Flying Wrestler, Most Overrated, Most Underrated, Rookie of the Year, Best Non-WRestler, Best Television Announcer, Worst Television Announcer, Most major show, Worst major show, Best maneuver, Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic, Worst TV show, Worst match, Worst feud, Worst promotion, Best Booker of the Year, Promoter of the Year, Best Gimmick, Worst Gimmick, Best Book and Best Documentary.
  • Tons of news related to the build to WrestleMania, why the card may be changing, a major concern regarding ticket sales, predictability vs. surprises, How Bron Breakker’s injury changes things, Brock Lesnar situation, Becky Lynch situation, situation in Las Vegas, concerns in Las Vegas, why ticket sales are down, plus build to Elimination Chamber
  • Tadao Yasuda, a unique life of a former sumo star, IWGP champion, one of the biggest upsets in MMA history, the birth of the New Year’s Eve fighting tradition, gambling issues and more
  • Coverage of the New Beginning in Osaka, talent leaving, talent staying, what is the direction for New Japan the next few months and a worst and best match of the year candidate one right after the other
  • Betting odds for this week’s wrestling
  • Most detailed look at the TV ratings, a look at the red flags, streaming numbers and more.
  • Notes on the honoring and retirement of El Satanico and career highlights
  • Mistico sellout updates
  • The last Friday for a month at Arena Mexico with the biggest names
  • AAA TV tapings with WWE talent
  • Starddom PPV notes
  • Epstein files wrestling references
  • Biggest UK women’s show coming
  • Show coming up attempting to be the largest attendance for an all-women’s show in three decades
  • Paramount again trying to get WBD
  • How politics affects pro wrestling
  • Grand Slam Australia notes
  • MJF talks Punk
  • TV reviews
  • YouTube notes
  • CBS airing UFC on 3/7
  • Zuffa boxing defies Ali Act with world title announcement
  • WWE injury updates
  • Bad Bunny Super Bowl controversy
  • WWE Hall of Famer threatens to quit if another person isn’t removed
  • Reigns upcoming schedule

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

Kirwin Silfies

WWE

  • WWE and 2K Games held a Creator Fest event at WWE headquarters today to promote the upcoming release of WWE 2K26. Blake Monroe was among the talent there, with this being her first visit to HQ. She appeared on Busted Open Radio and discussed what her time in WWE NXT has been like so far:
    • Oh, it’s been amazing. I mean, wrestling is a real roller coaster. But for me, I always just come back to as a kid, I wanted to be a WWE Superstar. And then to be in somewhere like the WWE HQ where the walls are just covered in legends and then people from now. For me, that’s just really cool. Because it’s like, ‘Hey, I remember being a kid.’ And like, ‘I remember that match and I remember this.’ And it’s like, hey, I’m a part of this and I will build a legacy here.
    • Once we get rid of Thea Hail [in their NXT feud], I can get back on track and build a legacy here and be a part of that. So I think it’s a balance of, like, having the humility of, hey, this was always my dream, but also like I earned my spot here and loads of people want to be a WWE Superstar and they can’t.
  • Michael Hayes posted a tribute to former WWE director Kerwin Silfies following his passing:
    • I was so sorry to hear about Kerwin passing.
    • Kerwin was one of the nicest people I’ve ever met at WWE.
    • You may think you don’t know Kerwin, but, you know his body of work.
    • If there was ever a WWE childhood memory you have, it was most likely directed by Kerwin from 1985-2020. Kerwin will surely be missed.
    • NEVER FORGOTTEN!!
    • RIP Kerwin
  • Shawn Michaels sent his condolences to Silfies’ family and friends:
    • The @WWE family lost a very special part of our team.
    • Kerwin Silfies was our Director during my entire career. If you were there, you know how important that role was. He helped shape the sound, the feel, and the rhythm of what fans watched every week.
    • Raw, SmackDown, WrestleMania… he was in the chair, leading the way.
    • Kerwin loved the work. He loved the crew. And he took pride in getting it right. I’m grateful I got to work alongside him.
    • My thoughts are with his family and everyone who called him a friend.
  • Stephanie McMahon, Mark Henry, Matt Hardy, and Jeff Jarrett are among the others who posted tweets remembering Silfies.
  • In an interview with The Takedown on SI, John Cena named some of the opponents he learned a lot from early in his WWE career:
    • Oh my goodness, that list is long and distinguished. So you’re talking about a short period of time, so I’m going to leave out a lot of names that continued to, quote unquote, carry me from that point beyond. But up until then, Booker T, Eddie Guerrero, John Layfield, Kurt Angle, Rikishi.
    • Man, the list goes on and on. Every performer with time in front of a live audience, who wasn’t from my OVW class, I was able to learn from. They took care of me. Matt Bloom, who was A-Train, guys like Kidman on Velocity, heck even matches I had with a young Bryan Danielson, Paul London, Brian Kendrick, Renee Dupree.
    • To be able to learn from those guys. I was able to learn from every person I was put in the ring with, until I won the championship from a mentor who really took care of me, and toughened me up too, but showed me the ropes, in John Layfield. I’m grateful to them all.
  • PWInsider reports that Sean “X-Pac” Waltman was at the WWE Performance Center today.
  • Shawn Michaels shared a brief clip from WWE’s Performance Center tryouts.
  • TalkSport interviewed Drew McIntyre.
  • Raquel Rodriguez appeared on TMZ’s Inside the Ring podcast.

Other Wrestling

  • Rocky Romero spoke to Undisputed about how Kazuchika Okada was able to help get him acclimated to Japan when they were faction mates in NJPW:
    • We’ve also spent a lot of time together on the road. Dinners in the middle of nowhere, him helping me navigate all different parts of Japan to make sure I was getting culture in our days off and not just in my room watching TV. There’s no one like Okada.
  • Matt & Jeff Hardy have been announced for Battle for the Brave in Rahway, New Jersey on June 6. It’s a wrestling event that Deonna Purrazzo and Steve Maclin are putting on to benefit the charity Tunnels to Towers.
  • Former WWE wrestler Eva Marie was the guest on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet.
  • SoCalVal interviewed Christy Hemme for WrestlingNewsCo.

Daily Update: Kevin Nash-Je’Von Evans, Kerwin Silfies, Ronda Rousey

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Our annual awards issue is out covering the following topics:

  • Winners, top place winners, comments and every winner of every award dating back to 1980, from Wrestler of the Year, MMA MVP, Most Outstanding, Most Outstanding MMA Fighter, Tag Team of the Year, Best on Interviews, Promotion of the Year, Best Weekly TV show, Match of the Year, MMA Fight of the year, U.S./Canada MPV, Japanese MVP, Mexico MVP, Europe MVP, Best non-heavyweight, Women’s MVP, Women’s MMA MVP, Feud of the Year, Best Box Office Draw, Most Improved, Most Charismatic, Best Technical, Best Brawler, Best Flying Wrestler, Most Overrated, Most Underrated, Rookie of the Year, Best Non-WRestler, Best Television Announcer, Worst Television Announcer, Most major show, Worst major show, Best maneuver, Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic, Worst TV show, Worst match, Worst feud, Worst promotion, Best Booker of the Year, Promoter of the Year, Best Gimmick, Worst Gimmick, Best Book and Best Documentary.
  • Tons of news related to the build to WrestleMania, why the card may be changing, a major concern regarding ticket sales, predictability vs. surprises, How Bron Breakker’s injury changes things, Brock Lesnar situation, Becky Lynch situation, situation in Las Vegas, concerns in Las Vegas, why ticket sales are down, plus build to Elimination Chamber
  • Tadao Yasuda, a unique life of a former sumo star, IWGP champion, one of the biggest upsets in MMA history, the birth of the New Year’s Eve fighting tradition, gambling issues and more
  • Coverage of the New Beginning in Osaka, talent leaving, talent staying, what is the direction for New Japan the next few months and a worst and best match of the year candidate one right after the other
  • Betting odds for this week’s wrestling
  • Most detailed look at the TV ratings, a look at the red flags, streaming numbers and more.
  • Notes on the honoring and retirement of El Satanico and career highlights
  • Mistico sellout updates
  • The last Friday for a month at Arena Mexico with the biggest names
  • AAA TV tapings with WWE talent
  • Starddom PPV notes
  • Epstein files wrestling references
  • Biggest UK women’s show coming
  • Show coming up attempting to be the largest attendance for an all-women’s show in three decades
  • Paramount again trying to get WBD
  • How politics affects pro wrestling
  • Grand Slam Australia notes
  • MJF talks Punk
  • TV reviews
  • YouTube notes
  • CBS airing UFC on 3/7
  • Zuffa boxing defies Ali Act with world title announcement
  • WWE injury updates
  • Bad Bunny Super Bowl controversy
  • WWE Hall of Famer threatens to quit if another person isn’t removed
  • Reigns upcoming schedule

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Ethan Page vs. Shiloh Hill North American Championship match that headlined NXT last night.
  • Kevin Nash deleted the tweet where he apologized for using the term “Mr. Bojangles” in regards to Je’Von Evans. In a reply to a fan who was critical of his apology, Nash wrote that he won’t be saying anything about Evans again:
    • No worries. I won’t make the mistake of saying anything about The Young OG. I’ve read the comments, and I agree. If he fails, it’s on him. Haven’t seen a comment from anyone who’s made millions in the business. I didn’t coin him an ‘Original Gangster’ Won’t change my life either way.
  • Evans appeared to reference the situation in an Instagram post today that was accompanied by the nWo Wolfpack theme music:
    • ‘Just Wanna Apologize Real Quick….Im Sorry For Being The Best In Da Game Right Now!! Elimination Chamber Bout To……Ya’ll Finish The Rest’ -Je’Von Evans #TheYoungOG
  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque posted a tribute to former WWE director Kerwin Silfies following his passing:
    • Today, the @WWE family lost one of our beloved members. Kerwin Silfies was a huge part of the company’s programming since the mid-1980s. Over his 35+ year tenure with WWE production, he directed countless episodes of Raw and Smackdown, PLEs, and of course WrestleMania. With a dry wit and an unmatched passion for his work and his coworkers, Kerwin affected hundreds of employees and millions of fans. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.
  • Adam Pearce wrote the following:
    • Godspeed, Kerwin Silfies.
    • When I started working on Raw and SmackDown back in 2015, you were so patient and accommodating as I found my way. Always a steady, calm voice with your trusty mini notepad in hand, ready to take note of what we had cooked up. ‘Ok whaddya got, Adam?’ you’d ask me as you went around the room, listening.
    • Teaching.
    • I learned to see what we do through your director’s eye, to understand camera placement in a way I hadn’t before, and I always wondered how you always stood so calm under intense fire.
    • Cool as the other side of the pillow. Experience, red wine, talent?
    • All of the above, I surmise.
    • Thank you for letting a punk kid sit under your learning tree. And though I’m no connoisseur, the next time I have a taste of the vino it’ll be in a toast to you.
    • Rest well, Kerwin.
    • And thank you, sir.
  • AEW commentator Taz recorded a brief podcast remembering Silfies. 
  • WWE Hall of Famer Typhoon (Fred Ottman) shared that everything went well with his pre-surgery consultation and things look good heading into his operation on February 23. Ottman recently spent approximately a month in the hospital after his gallbladder “exploded” and released poison into his body.
  • CM Punk’s old ROH theme “Miseria Cantare” by AFI will be included in WWE 2K26.
  • On Instagram, Trish Stratus wrote a comment responding to WWE’s summer 2026 European tour announcement: “No but why do I suddenly feel like dusting off this ring rust”
  • Seth Rollins appeared on Club Shay Shay with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe.
  • Jaida Parker was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.

Other Wrestling

Daily Update: WWE/Mad Dog partnership, MJF, Johnny Loves Taya

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 Observer is up on the site covering the following topics:

  • Road to WrestleMania including the booking changes and injury changes that have caused several changes of plans since they were first in place. We discuss the evolution of this year’s two main events.
  • We look at how the Royal Rumble show changed on the last day
  • Full Royal Rumble coverage
  • Status of different matches
  • AJ Styles and is this his final match
  • Business notes on the show
  • Plans for Elimination Chamber
  • How Royal Rumble did on Netflix
  • What changes in Nielsen have meant to the TV ratings and why this has happened, and how it will happen multiple more times in 2026 to a lesser degree
  • Has the increased in reported viewership helped pro wrestling in the TV world
  • Full UFC 325 coverage
  • Death of Frankie Cain/Great Mephisto, one of the most intriguing pro wrestling characters of the 60s and 70s with ties to many different worlds
  • Death of Bob Lueck, a former Stampede Wrestling headliner who was a CFL All-Star and how he was responsible for getting one of the most important and most influential wrestlers of all-time into the industry
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of the pro wrestling shows this past week including placings, demos and silliness
  • Box office record set
  • CMLL star arrested
  • AEW stars spend the week in CMLL
  • Major Arena Mexico shows coming
  • Reyes del Aire report
  • Hiromu Takahashi leaving
  • New Japan major show this week
  • Fantastica Mania cards announced
  • Best matches of 2025
  • AEW booking direction
  • New AEW signings
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major WWE & AEW shows
  • Dana White’s testimony regarding his job
  • Pride star passes away
  • Ava departure from WWE

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Thursday Update

WWE

  • WWE has reached a new partnership agreement with Mad Dog, a company known for its fortified wine.
  • Lexis King responded to a fan who asked about David Finlay potentially joining King’s Birthright faction in NXT: “As long as he likes to fight!”
  • In an interview with the Edinburgh Evening News, Joe Hendry spoke about how proud he is to be NXT Champion:
    • I’m extremely proud to be NXT champion and I know that you say it’s the developmental brand, but look, we’re on Netflix here in the UK. That’s huge. So in order to be put in this position, we have to be the absolute top of our game and the competition that we had in that ladder match, I think the quality of the show of NXT is unbelievable and I think if someone hasn’t seen pro wrestling before or they haven’t watched for a little while, that NXT would be an amazing place to start and go and check out because it’s a high energy, action-packed professional wrestling show and it just is everything that a professional wrestling show should be. So I’m so proud to be NXT champion and I’m excited to see where we can take the brand.
  • Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis have been added to the list of guests for the WWE World convention in Las Vegas.
  • Comedian Bert Kreischer appeared on a new edition of Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast.
  • Royce Keys has recorded an interview for a future “What’s Your Story?” episode.
  • Ring the Belle spoke with IYO SKY.
  • WWE Vault uploaded a CM Punk vs. Bryan Danielson match that took place for indie promotion Full Impact Pro in 2005.

Other Wrestling

  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, MJF said he feels like he still has a lot to prove in AEW:
    • There’s still a lot for me to prove here. I think it’s very easy for somebody to watch what I’ve done here and be like, ‘Well, Max has proven it.’ It’s like, to me, my first reign was about being the longest reigning World Champion. This reign is going to be about being the best World Champion that this company’s ever had since its inception.
    • I want to drive up business, and that’s something I take a great deal of pride in. I’m not saying it’s not going to be a rollercoaster. We’re going to go up some weeks, we’re going to go down some weeks, but I think we’re going to see a steady increase in 2026.
  • MJF discussed the importance of ticket sales as a business metric:
    • I think people will look at the thing they want to for their narrative. All I know is year-over-year in every single market, we’re up in ticket sales. That’s a proven barometer for that, has been since the dawn of time for professional wrestling that is televised. If you are selling more tickets, that means more people are watching your show. That’s just how it goes, right?
    • So WWE had that big boom period. I feel right now, we’re slowly but surely coming into a new boom period and a new era. And we have young hungry dudes on top of this card that want it.
    • And, really, we’re living in an era in AEW where anything can happen and anybody can come for me for this [title], and it’s exciting.
  • All In 2026 is being advertised on signage at Wembley Stadium following the announcement that tickets will go on sale next month (March 16 pre-sale and March 20 general public on-sale).
  • Season two of the series “Johnny Loves Taya” premieres at noon Eastern time this Saturday on AEW’s YouTube channel. It’s a scripted comedy series starring Johnny TV and Taya Valkyrie.
  • Alec Price & Jordan Oliver were the guests on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • Fumenori Abe will compete at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XV in Las Vegas on April 17.
  • TV Insider interviewed Killer Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux.
  • Kayla Becker (former WWE broadcast team member Kayla Braxton) shared that she has booked two new movie roles:
    • Can’t go into too much detail yet, but wanted to share. I just booked 2 movies – they came out of nowhere and I’m so stoked. Also am about to be right back on your screens in the sports broadcasting world. And my podcast just hit a milestone … 2026 … TY. Let’s keep going!
  • Charlie (the former Dakota Kai) was a guest on Busted Open Radio.
  • Trey Miguel appeared on the Battleground Podcast.

Daily Update: The Miz, Ricochet, Tommaso Ciampa

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 Observer is up on the site covering the following topics:

  • Road to WrestleMania including the booking changes and injury changes that have caused several changes of plans since they were first in place. We discuss the evolution of this year’s two main events.
  • We look at how the Royal Rumble show changed on the last day
  • Full Royal Rumble coverage
  • Status of different matches
  • AJ Styles and is this his final match
  • Business notes on the show
  • Plans for Elimination Chamber
  • How Royal Rumble did on Netflix
  • What changes in Nielsen have meant to the TV ratings and why this has happened, and how it will happen multiple more times in 2026 to a lesser degree
  • Has the increased in reported viewership helped pro wrestling in the TV world
  • Full UFC 325 coverage
  • Death of Frankie Cain/Great Mephisto, one of the most intriguing pro wrestling characters of the 60s and 70s with ties to many different worlds
  • Death of Bob Lueck, a former Stampede Wrestling headliner who was a CFL All-Star and how he was responsible for getting one of the most important and most influential wrestlers of all-time into the industry
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of the pro wrestling shows this past week including placings, demos and silliness
  • Box office record set
  • CMLL star arrested
  • AEW stars spend the week in CMLL
  • Major Arena Mexico shows coming
  • Reyes del Aire report
  • Hiromu Takahashi leaving
  • New Japan major show this week
  • Fantastica Mania cards announced
  • Best matches of 2025
  • AEW booking direction
  • New AEW signings
  • Advance ticket sales for all the major WWE & AEW shows
  • Dana White’s testimony regarding his job
  • Pride star passes away
  • Ava departure from WWE

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Sol Ruca & Zaria vs. Kendal Grey & Wren Sinclair main event from NXT last night.
  • Jacy Jayne appeared on Busted Open After Dark following NXT.
  • On Six Feet Under, The Miz refuted the idea that he felt bullied by JBL early in his career:
    • JBL gets a lot of flack for, like, bullying and was an assh*le or whatever. I’m not sure if we’re allowed to swear, but he gets a lot of that. It wasn’t really him. He was the person that would take me aside and go, ‘Hey kid, you’re doing a good job. You know what? Keep doing this, keep doing this, do this, this, this, this, and this, and this, this, but keep it up.’
  • Joe Hendry told The Metro that he thinks Miz might be the most underrated wrestler of all time:
    • The Miz really inspired me as a young person who was interested in professional wrestling, because I feel like he faced a lot of adversity in his career.
    • I just looked at what The Miz did, and how tough he was and how durable he’s been as a performer, and the heights that he’s got to by being a true professional.
    • He might be the most underrated wrestler of all time. And it’s weird to say that about a Grand Slam champion; the guy has done it all.
  • Chelsea Green posted a tweet claiming that her injury is a broken ankle.
  • Rob Van Dam, Kane, and Road Dogg have been confirmed as guests for the WWE World convention in Las Vegas.
  • WWE broadcaster Megan Morant has added a new role as part of Pro Wrestling Nation 24/7 on SiriusXM.
  • Stacy Keibler wrote an emotional tribute to her friend James Van Der Beek after the “Dawson’s Creek” actor passed away at 48 years old following a battle with cancer.
  • Sol Ruca joined Sheamus on a new edition of Celtic Warrior Workouts.

Other Wrestling

  • In an interview with Forbes, Ricochet said he would like to defend his AEW National Championship in Japan:
    • And yeah, I want to go back to Japan. I think Japan is my favorite place I’ve wrestled. It’s one of my favorite places I’ve ever been, and I have a great connection out there. I know there are a lot of guys who are hungry out there, guys who would want to take a shot at this and take their opportunity.
  • Forbes asked Ricochet if he feels any pressure establishing the National Championship as a new title:
    • Yeah, I think especially when you have a roster as deep as AEW, it’s like everybody could be champion at any point in time. You know what I mean? That’s men, women, that’s everybody across the board. You honor everything.
    • At the end of the day, say what you want, we’re all prizefighters. We’re fighting for a prize. You’re fighting for something. So I think adding another prize to the pot is only good for the fighters, giving them something to fight for. Especially when you have so many guys from the bottom to the top, everybody is so good.
    • I do understand what people are saying, but at the same time, when the roster is that deep and everybody could be champion at any time, I think it’s okay. But there absolutely is pressure with a new title, being the inaugural champion, to make it mean something and to make its legacy mean something, especially with the pool of other championships that are out there to be fought for.
    • That’s what I think I’m doing best. I think I’m representing this great. I think I’m traveling the entire world, putting everybody on notice, and letting them know that not only will this be defended on AEW television, but it will be defended in your hometown as well.
    • I think that gives people outside of AEW an opportunity. It gives them something to fight for, something to really reach for. So if you think you know, step up. The thing is, anybody on your show could win. I just wrestled Starboy Charlie. When they say it’s slim to none, he still had a chance. He still had a chance.
    • I think that’s something that makes this different. And then, yeah, just the fact that it’s me. I think I have enough history to know that I’ve been an inaugural champion for multiple other companies, multiple other times. I’ve shown that I can be the one to make a first-ever championship mean something big.
  • Tommaso Ciampa spoke to Vice about wanting to pursue other opportunities in addition to wrestling:
    • I like the idea of being able to go and do different appearances, actually having face time with fans again. Being open to doing things in the fitness world and having some sort of collaboration or sponsorships. Doing things in acting whether it’s television or movies, little simple things. This is going to sound super silly, we watch these shows like America’s Got Talent or Is It Cake? [Ciampa’s daughter Willow] will say to me sometimes, ‘You should judge that!’ That would be awesome.
  • TSN spoke with Kris Statlander.
  • Grapple Theory has an interview with Will Ospreay.
  • TNA and Fight Network produced an Immersed documentary on Johnny “Dango” Curtis’ retirement.
  • AJ Francis was interviewed by Baby Huey of radio station 107.7 The Bone.