On Monday, AEW and NJPW confirmed that Jon Moxley will defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Tetsuya Naito on the show. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Orange Cassidy has also been officially added to the lineup.
Naito vs. Moxley was set up at NJPW Dominion in Osaka on Sunday. Following his victory over EVIL, Moxley put out an open call for someone to challenge him on the June 30 pay-per-view and Naito accepted. Moxley defeated Naito to win the title at NJPW Windy City Riot in April.
ZSJ challenged Cassidy to a match at the pay-per-view in a video package that aired on AEW Collision on Saturday. Cassidy retained the AEW International Championship at last year’s Forbidden Door in a four-way match against ZSJ, Daniel Garcia and Katsuyori Shibata.
Six matches are now confirmed for the show, which takes place at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. NJPW World TV Champion Jeff Cobb has also issued an open challenge.
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024 announced lineup —
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Will Ospreay
Ladder match for the vacant TNT Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mark Briscoe vs. TBD
Title for title: TBS Champion Mercedes Mone vs. NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer
AEW Women’s Championship: Toni Storm defends against Mina Shirakawa
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley defends against Tetsuya Naito
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including more on the AEW TV negotiations, AEW releases with perhaps more to come, WWE contracts coming due including Nattie and Becky, ratings, UFC previews, AEW Dynamite and NXT TV reports, Forbidden Door, Rampage spoilers and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps: Start: AEW/WBD negotiation updates 4:00: Arn Anderson, Mark Henry, and Jake Hager leaving AEW, Natalya’s deal with WWE coming up, Young Bucks sneaker sales 8:59: Ratings, Kento Miyahara match 18:25: UFC this weekend 22:14: AEW Dynamite recap 47:07: WWE NXT recap 59:40: AEW Rampage spoilers
Wrestlers from Stardom and CMLL will be featured at the next Forbidden Door show.
Tony Khan posted a picture of himself with Stardom President Taro Okada ahead of AEW Big Business on Wednesday. Our own Dave Meltzer addressed the meeting between the two on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.
Meltzer said:
There will be Stardom and CMLL wrestlers on the Forbidden Door show when they do that show in June.
So(Taro Okada)came in and that kind of explains, again, when Tony Khan tweeted those tweets about Rossy Ogawa.It was definite loyalty to Stardom and Rossy Ogawa was quitting Stardom, so that’s what is going on there.
Meltzer also noted that he believes wrestlers from Stardom will be on the April 5 ROH Supercard of Honor show. In particular, he noted that AZM and Mina Shirakawa could be scheduled for it.
Bushiroad fired Stardom founder Rossy Ogawa in early February, just weeks before his contract was to expire. Following Ogawa’s release, Khan posted to social media seemingly to celebrate the news.
At AEW and NJPW’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view, Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay put on a classic as they battled over the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship.
Ospreay defeated Omega in the match to regain the IWGP US title. The match received significant praise, but one spot near the end proved to be divisive. Ospreay dropped Omega on his head/neck with a Tiger Driver 91 shortly before getting the victory.
Omega addressed the criticism of the move during an interview with Uproxx, noting that he does think about his health and would never do something in the ring if he didn’t trust himself to perform it.
“People that wanted to sh*t on something or people that want to frown upon something, or for people that want to say, ‘Well, if it were me, I wouldn’t have done that.’ I didn’t get to where I was by being able to do things that everyone else could do. I realized, and I recognized that I do have special talents that maybe not everyone else can do,” Omega said.
“Without revealing too much, I think a lot about my health. I think a lot about life after wrestling. I think a lot about my current life. I think about next week’s Dynamite and the week after that. I would never do something I didn’t trust myself in performing 100 percent.”
Omega told Uproxx that he wanted to take people on an emotional rollercoaster in the Ospreay match.
“That’s what I do,” Omega said. “There were a number of things that were designed to elicit a response from people, whether it be positive or negative. But I wanted to take people on an emotional rollercoaster.”
Omega said he takes a lot of pride in his profession and was preparing himself to wow the crowd at this kind of level.
Hopefully it leaves fans questioning is he okay? It’s all about the match. We’re battling in that ring and I want you to go along for the ride with us. If they thought everything else in that match was just the worst sh*t they’ve ever seen in their life, but that one moment, got them for a second, ‘He’s not going to kick out, he’s not going to get up, they better get the gurney, call in the f*cking airlift,’ that’s perfect. And if I had a whole match of those types of reactions, even better.
It’s all part of my job, it’s all part of my profession. These are things that I take a lot of pride in and I think that’s why when I went into this match, there’s a lot of physical and mental preparation that goes into it because I was really preparing myself to wow the crowd to this kind of level.
This was the second Omega vs. Ospreay match from 2023. At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17, Omega won the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship by defeating Ospreay.
Omega told Uproxx that he’s thankful for performers like Ospreay who can bring out the best in him.
I feel that magic when I’m in there with Will. I feel that pressure to perform, to deliver, to give the type of performance that I guess I’m known for. So I’m thankful for people on the planet like Will who can awaken that part in me, that as time goes by, it is harder to summon.
Will had his moment in the sun. But I’m proud of the performance. I’m proud of everything that I was able to do in preparation for the match, the sacrifices to keep my mind in a good place for that match. So I was firing on all cylinders. Before the match, during the match, and I’d say after it was all done, I lost this belt. You are that guy now, Will, I’m just going to kind of let it go.
On AEW Dynamite this Wednesday night, Omega will be in action. He’s facing Wheeler Yuta in a singles match on the episode.
I am back with a special Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live, previewing tonight’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
The show is available for website subscribers below or on YouTube for subscribers. A free 16-minute preview can be seen above.
I take a look at tonight’s PPV card and about how the build this year is better compared to last year. I break down the matches, including Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay.
Plus, what other matches might steal this show?
I also break down Saturday’s AEW Collision, which turned out to be a very polarizing show considering the reaction CM Punk got in Toronto.
Also, I do an early WWE Money in the Bank Preview and also talk a significant wrestling anniversary.
Positives and negatives about working for AEW and WWE
The Collision announce team
The most detailed look at Collision ratings and what category was it tops among sports during the week
What TNT was doing in the time slot, what should be expected and what would be considered good
How each segment did
The Marc Raimondi ESPN piece
Punk talks Adam Page
Contradictory stories
Original idea for Collision that changed
Full rundown of both Chicago shows with business notes
Preview of Forbidden Door and what business mark for AEW may be set and where it ranks all-time among Canadian gates
Notes on Danielson vs. Okada and Omega vs. Ospreay
Notes on PPV
The rest of the card
The Owen Hart tournament
Update on Wembley Stadium
Rickson Gracie battles Parkinson’s and a look back at a fighting legend in the underground days as well as his battles with a famous pro wrestler in Brazil
Money in the Bank update
Notes on Saturday’s UFC show
Tons of new major matches announced by UFC for the summer and fall
The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling and MMA shows over the past week, how they do with different age groups, segment-by-segment and what WWE stars moved numbers big this past week
First wrestling company in history to hit 90 years consecutively in business
Multiple cities doing a 40th anniversary celebration for a Hall of Famer
Konnan talks heavily about Bandido and Rush
An issue with women’s wrestling fans in Japan
How the women’s wrestling fan base in Japan has changed multiple times
What happened to the key young Dragon Gate talent that was let go
Two wrestlers who started together, became big stars in different companies, have a dream match that sold out instantly
N-1 tournament including surprise entrants
New Japan Strong shows in Japan
A bill introduced in New York regarding regulating pro wrestling
Lots of injury updates
More on the MLW lawsuit against WWE
Impact stars on major television show in Canada
More on B.J. Whitmer case
Tony Khan talks working with Gedo and where AEW stands among start-ups in the sports brand space
Tony Khan talks Bill Goldberg
Update on Bandido
International TV ratings and streaming numbers for WWE and AEW
Ticket sale updates for all the major shows for WWE & AEW
Talks regarding the sale of Bellator, rumors about Tony Khan being interested and he shoots them down
Tons of drug suspensions handed out this week
Gable Steveson debuts on TV and what his goals for 2024 are
We are currently looking for two people to moderate our message board. Those interested please contact [email protected].
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Sunday Update
Bryan and I will be up tonight after Forbidden Door covering the show along with the rest of the weekend news. We also have a week in review show with Garrett and I up on the site.
Just to clear something up regarding the situation in AEW and people kept apart, as tonight is the first time the Elite and C.M. Punk will be on the same show, is that FTR is not part of this equation. FTR actually went out of their way of late to clear the air and have no working issues with each other. Most involved have confirmed that all is good between them and the hope was that other discussions would happen soon.
On the loud but mixed reaction C.M. Punk got last night in Toronto, those there said Punk was fine with it and even told the crowd it’s okay to boo him if you want to. He cut a total face promo, blamed himself for the loss since he was the captain and said like the Toronto Maple Leafs, he’ll come back stronger. Dax Harwood did a promo talking about the 2/3 fall match with Chad Gable & Jason Jordan. He didn’t mention Gable & Jordan by name but mentioned the 2/3 fall match in the building. He said that match was one of the matches that helped get them where they are now. As we’ve noted, it really doesn’t matter if Punk is cheered, booed, or the reaction is in between. The key is if he helps grow business. He could be cheered and if there’s no business growth, that means far less than if he’s booed like crazy and business grows. People were vociferous both for and against him. Live in the building the crowd cheered FTR, Starks, Jay White and Juice Robinson while Punk got heavily cheered and heavily booed. Right now it feels like the company has momentum, but it’s also in its early stages. Last night’s show moved a lot of tickets in the last week so that’s a positive sign.
Regarding Friday’s Smackdown and the Bayley vs. Shotzi match with the MITB shot at stake, the LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar vs. Butch match and the Cameron Grimes vs. Baron Corbin match that were all advertised, this was Vince McMahon making heavy last minute changes to the show. There was a pattern before Vince got back involved that almost all the advertised matches would take place, and before when Vince was in control, things were changed at the last minute all the time. But there was a lot of unhappiness that this much had changed.
Forbidden Door is tonight at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. They put a lot of new tickets on sale yesterday and were at 13,419 this morning. There were actually 13,870 available at that time. So even though this was an instant sellout, there were and probably still are some tickets available now. This looks to be a nearly five hour show:
First hour pre show matches:
Stu Grayson vs. El Phantasmo
Trent Baretta & El Desperado & Rocky Romero vs. Brian Cage & Bishop Kuan & Toa Liona
Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher & TJP vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi & Bushi
Athena vs. Billie Starkz in an Owen Hart Foundation tournament match
Main card:
MJF vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for AEW title
Sting & Darby Allin & Tetsuya Naito vs. Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki
Toni Storm vs. Willow Nightingale fr AEW title
Orange Cassidy vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Daniel Garcia for the International title
C.M. Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima for the Owen Hart Foundation tournament
Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli & Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino vs. Young Bucks & Adam Page & Eddie Kingston & Tomohiro Ishii
Sanada vs. Jack Perry for IWGP title
Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay for U.S. title
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson
We’re looking for your thoughts on Forbidden Door so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
We’re looking for reports on these shows:
NXT on Friday night in Fort Pierce, FL
NXT last night in Citrus Springs, FL
WWE house show tonight in Mobile, AL
We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]
Chris Samsa noted that Kazuchika Okada made his debut on August 29, 2004, in Mexico City, in a Toryumon match and Bryan Danielson was on that card.
Fantastica Mania takes place in Puebla tomorrow night with Averno & Mephisto & El Satanico vs Tiger Mask & Desperado & Atlantis, plus Bushi & Tetsuya Naito & Rocky Romero & Titan vs. Magia Blanca & Magnus & Rugido & Volador Jr.
For Google trends this past week, the only things that cracked the top 20 were Maycee Barber for yesterday’s ABC TV fight with Amanda Ribas, which had 20,000 searches and on Thursday the talk of an Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg got 100,000 searches and was No. 7 for the day. People were raving about the Barber win over Ribas as something to go out of your way to see.
Another match, this time from pro wrestling, getting a lot of praise was the Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani & AZM & Hinda & Lady C & Miyu Amasaki cage match win over Natsuoko Tora & Saki Kashima & Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid & Ruaka & Rina match at today’s Stardom PPV show at Yoyogi Gym. Hayashishita was busted open and bled heavily after being hit with a lead pipe to the face by Tora when she was trying to escape. Oedo Tai turned on Kashima for being the last one left in the cage and losing the match for them and the winning Queen’s Quest team made the save. But Kashima did not join Queen’s Quest today. One reader said it was similar to some of the biggest Dragon Gate Dead or Alive cage matches and how the storytelling and usage of weapons came across so well.
Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa won the Goddess of Stardom tag titles from Mirai & Ami Sohrei on the show. Giulia also issued a challenge to Willow Nightingale for the New Japan Strong women’s title. This looks to take place either 7/4 or 7/5 at Korakuen Hall.
Matt Cardona will be on the DDT 7/23 Peter Pan show at Sumo Hall, facing Tetsuya Endo for their Universal title. Yuji Hino vs. Chris Brookes is the main event for the KO-D title. Konosuke Takeshita returns to face Yuki Ueno on the show.
WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures at 9 p.m. Eastern tonight on A&E will be about Kurt Angle. Stone Cold Takes on America airs at 10 p.m.
WWE house show from last night in Monroe, LA:
Charlotte Flair b Bayley with the figure eight
Omos b Rick Boogs with a tree slam
Santos Escobar b LA Knight by holding the tights. Knight was very popular and he cut a promo before the match on winning Money in the Bank and fans weren’t happy Escobar came out to interrupt the promo. They didn’t boo Escobar but started giving him the what statement.
Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler kept the women’s tag titles over Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan. Rousey & Baszler came out with both sets of belts.
Bobby Lashley b Baron Corbin
Asuka b Shotzi with the Asuka lock to keep the WWE women’s title
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn won four-way to keep the tag titles over Street Profits, Pretty Deadly and Sheamus & Butch when Zayn pinned Elton Prince.
The WWE opens its tour of the U.K. on Wednesday in Liverpool for a house show with this card:
Raquel Rodriguez vs. Piper Niven
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bronson Reed
Ricochet vs. Dominik Mysterio
Becky Lynch vs. Zoey Stark
Matt Riddle & New Day (Kofi Kingston advertised as back in the ring after his recent injury) vs. Emporium
Natalya vs. Rhea Ripley for women’s world title
Cody Rhodes vs. Finn Balor street fight
Seth Rollins vs. Damien Priest for world title
There was huge controversy regarding Friday night’s PFL show in Atlanta, which drew a reported sellout. In a battle of former lightweight season champions, Natan Schulte vs. Raush Manfio, Shulte won a decision 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 to advance to the final four in the division. Schulte took third in the standings. But later, the PFL announced that Shulte and Manfio did not give their best efforts (the two, who are very close friends, had what was described as a sparring session) and the promotion pulled Schulte from the final four and replaced him with fifth place Shane Burgos. The statement said both fighters have been suspended because the match “did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition.” They took away Schulte’s points. Schulte is the Godfather of Manfio’s daughter and Manfio had noted that Schulte had lent him money to allow him to not lose his house and had said he was his best friend. A lot of reporters were very critical of the PFL for this, noting that this type of decision should have come from the athletic commission, basically overturning a win, and not the promotion.
Georges St-Pierre called himself a big fan of Elon Musk, said he’d like to help train Musk for a fight with Mark Zuckerberg. Earlier Jon Jones said he’d like to train Zuckerberg for such a fight.
Xavier Woods and Kenny Omega have gone back-and-forth in the video game world trading barbs. They’ve been working their own feud for five years or more. If you recall, many years ago both the New Day and Elite worked to put together a six-man tag but political issues kept it from happening.
OTHER NOTES
A horse named Cactus Jack won the second race at Monmouth in New Jersey yesterday and paid $19 (thanks to Barry Werner)
Pro Wrestling Eve runs on 7/2 at The Dome in Tufnell Park in London. They announced Billie Starkz on the show against Nina Samuels along with Miyu Yamashita vs. Emersyn Jayne.
Choco Pro, a women’s promotion in Japan will be running 8/26, All In weekend, at The Yard Theater in Hackney Wick, London at 2 p.m. You must be over the age of 18 to attend.
Tetsuya Natio will team with Sting and Darby Allin at Forbidden Door.
The opening of Saturday’s Collision saw Jericho and Minoru Suzuki call out Sting and Allin, upset they were left hanging after agreeing to a six-man tag team on Saturday, where they will team with Sammy Guevara. Sting and Allin came out, with Allin telling Jericho it was someone that he lost to at the Tokyo Dome. Naito then came out and had a staredown with Jericho, who ultimately exited the ring.
Jericho and Naito had a no disqualification match back at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in January of 2019, where Naito defeated Jericho to win the IWGP Intercontinental title. The two had a second match later that year at Dominion, where Jericho regained the championship.
Here’s the current card for Sunday:
IWGP United States Champion Kenny Omega defends against Will Ospreay
Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson
IWGP World Heavyweight Champion SANADA defends against Jungle Boy
AEW World Champion MJF defends against Hiroshi Tanahashi
AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Willow Nightingale
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Daniel Garcia, Zack Sabre Jr. and Katsuyori Shibata in a four-way
Eddie Kingston, Tomohiro Ishii and The Elite (The Young Bucks & Hangman Page) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta), Shota Umino and Konosuke Takeshita
Adam Cole vs. Tom Lawlor
Sting, Darby Allin & Tetsuya Naito vs. Chris Jericho, Minoru Suzuki & Sammy Guevara
Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal: CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima
Zero Hour pre-show: Owen Hart Foundation women’s quarterfinal: Athena vs. Billie Starkz
Dave Meltzer and I are back for a Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio going over all the news in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We discuss the following:
Dave’s story on CM Punk’s return to AEW
One specific talent being frustrated after Wednesday’s TV
1 Bill Phil and what it means
Forbidden Door’s two big matches
The excitement surrounding the entire card
AEW’s Dynamite rating
Bellator and Tony Khan
NXT ratings and strategy
The Bloodline storyline and the level of detail to the story
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including a huge weekend of stuff, Smackdown with more Bloodline drama, a can’t-miss Rampage if you’re a subscriber, Collision on Saturday and Forbidden Door on Sunday, plus tons of news. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the AEW Dynamite show with the build towards both Collision and Forbidden Door, all the ratings notes from the past week, health updates on Tommy Dreamer, Tenryu and Rickson Gracie, NXT TV, Rampage spoilers and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Zarinoff Leboeuf passes away
3:26: Ratings
18:18: More on CM Punk promo from Collision
22:45: Health updates on Tommy Dreamer, Tenryu, Rickson Gracie
Chicago hosts tonight’s AEW Dynamite, the last episode before Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
Bryan Danielson will call out NJPW’s Kazuchika Okada on the show. The two will meet at Forbidden Door.
Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara will team with NJPW’s Minoru Suzuki against Action Andretti, Darius Martin, and AR Fox.
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy teams with ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata against NJPW World TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. and Daniel Garcia.
Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy face Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn in tag team action.
Jeff Jarrett will battle Mark Briscoe in a concession stand brawl.
Kris Statlander is set to defend the TBS Championship against Taya Valkyrie.
Promos from Eddie Kingston and Adam Cole have been announced for the show.
Names will be drawn for the blind eliminator tournament, with the tournament winners set to receive a Tag Team title shot.
While not announced, CM Punk is scheduled for the show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as they throw it to the entrances for our opening contest.
The Gunns (Austin & Colten) defeated The Hardys (Matt & Jeff)
(The opening match itself I thought was better than the six man tag at Double or Nothing, with the crowd hot throughout. The bigger story is the post match, as it certainly appears The Gunns have joined Bullet Club Gold, who enjoyed the numbers in their favor only briefly, as the main event for the next Collision seems to be made.)
While commentary talked about how this match was made to see who was the best brother tag team, Excalibur pointed out how the Lucha Brothers, Young Bucks & Top Flight are all on the roster, which you can also add Rush & Dralistico as well. Jeff launched early off Matt’s back into a corner splash and followed with Whisper in the Wind on Austin. Colten blindsided Jeff to allow The Gunns to gain control momentarily until a Matt hot tag. Austin was planted with a Side Effect and Twist of Fate, but Colten saved his brother and put the foot on the rope. Austin missed a Fame Asser, but Matt missed another Twist of Fate, allowing Colten to hit a spinning underhook suplex.
Jeff tagged back in and cleaned house with a double DDT and double low leg drop. Jeff sent Colten flying with a Twist of Fate, but as he went up top, Juice Robinson appeared and distracted the referee. Switchblade Jay White shoved Jeff off the top, allowing The Gunns to hit 3:10 to Yuma and steal the win.
Post match, White dropped Matt with a Blade Runner while Robinson dropped Jeff with a Left Hand of God. Matt was about to suffer the same fate when Ricky Starks ran out to make the save, but was quickly outnumbered. FTR sprinted out to a huge ovation, but the numbers again were too much. CM Punk ran out to even the odds, as Bullet Club Gold & The Gunns bailed before Robinson suffered another GTS. Punk took the microphone and issued a challenge for Collision Saturday, as he said he’s not even supposed to be on Dynamite.
Mark Briscoe defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Concession Stand Brawl
(While last week on Rampage, Mark Briscoe found backup in the form of his father and Aubrey Edwards, tonight it was a lot more to fend off Jarrett & crew. This was a fun brawl in another chapter in a pretty fun rivalry.)
Excalibur made sure to mention the famous first ever Concession Stand Brawl involving Jerry Lawler, Bill Dundee, Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris. Both Briscoe & Jarrett were waiting for the match to officially begin by referee Paul Turner, who called for the bell and Briscoe almost immediately threw Jarrett through a table. Briscoe chucked hot dogs at Jarrett, whose hair is bright yellow from the mustard and now his hair looks like the early 90s. Karen Jarrett appeared and blinded Briscoe, as one of the concession attendants, who was independent wrestler Blair Onyx, helped Briscoe with water to clear his eyes. Briscoe set up Jarrett on a table, climbed a ladder, but someone in a hoodie climbed the ladder and shoved Briscoe through the table. That person was Sonjay Dutt, as Jarrett & Briscoe brawled into the crowd during commercial, as Jay Lethal popped up to help during that time.
It’s 3 on 1 back from break in the ring as Lethal went to grab the ring attendant table, but an awaiting Papa Briscoe chokeslammed Lethal through it. Papa Briscoe cleaned house on Dutt & Jarrett until Karen hit a low blow. Mark fired off redneck kung-fu on Jeff, trying for a Jay Driller, but Satnam Singh appeared and laid out Mark with a chokeslam. Best Friends, Lucha Bros & Christopher Daniels ran out to fend off Singh, as Fenix dropped him with a massive springboard splash. Penta cracked Jarrett with a superkick as Briscoe got a school boy to win it.
-Backstage The BCC are with Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita. Jon Moxley issues a 5 on 5 challenge to The Elite, as The BCC & Takeshita will have Moxley’s protégé Shota Umino by their side. Moxley said The Rainmaker will have a nightmare on Sunday thanks to the best wrestler in the world. Danielson said he challenged Okada to a face to face tonight, but he doesn’t believe Okada is even in the building. When they step in the ring, Danielson will prove Okada is an amateur. If Okada doesn’t answer the call out, he’ll prove he’s an amateur and coward.
**********
-A video package highlighting the debut of Collision was shown.
Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki defeated Action Andretti, Darius Martin & AR Fox
(I enjoyed the chaos of this six man quite a bit, as we had fun callbacks of the Andretti & Jericho feud, while everyone else got off their big time moves. The post match, I completely understand them saving the announcement of Sting & Allin’s partner for the PPV for Collision, but it ended the segment on a pretty weak note, as the crowd wasn’t happy they had to wait.)
The crowd doing the Kaze Ni Nare chant during Suzuki’s entrance will never get old, no matter the company. Excalibur asked Schiavone if he ever thought he’d see Suzuki team with Jericho & Guevara, but these three teamed together at the last Forbidden Door. Guevara & Andretti had a lighting fast opening sequence before Suzuki & Martin tagged in with Suzuki daring Martin to chop him. Suzuki just ate them and dropped Martin with violent forearms. Jericho & Suzuki double teamed Martin briefly before doing Le Sex Gods pose that popped everyone. Fox jumped in and briefly had control of Jericho, who pulled referee Aubrey in front of him to gain control into commercial.
Fox made the hot tag to Andretti, who fought off the man he upset in his AEW debut, as Jericho responded with chops until Andretti wiped out Guevara with a dive and Jericho with a springboard attack. A shotgun dropkick sent Jericho flying into the corner, but a missed split legged moonsault landed Andretti into Suzuki’s clutches. Martin broke it up and Suzuki dropped him with one shot. The match broke down with back and forth high flying attacks until Fox hit an inverted springboard somersault senton to the floor. Andretti nearly beat Jericho the same way he did before with a running shooting star, but Jericho escaped at two. The match broke down with Suzuki planting Fox with a Gotch Style Piledriver, as Martin ran wild on Jericho, who blocked a dive into a nasty Lion Tamer for the submission.
Post match Renee Paquette interviewed the winning team in the ring, as she asked Jericho about being face to face with Sting for the first time last week. Jericho ripped the microphone from her hands and called it a monumental moment in wrestling history. Everyone was excited except Jericho, who called Sting a whore for showing up wherever the highest bidder is. Jericho issued a challenge to Sting, Darby Allin and partner to face Le Suzuki Gods at Forbidden Door. Sting & Allin walked to the ring as Sting put his arm around Jericho and said they accept the challenge. Allin said Jericho made a lot of enemies in a lot of places and said Jericho will find out their partner at Collision, which deflated the crowd and got boos since they won’t find out tonight.
-Tony Schiavone & RJ City are backstage with names in a tumbler to determine the pairings for the Blind Eliminator Tournament next week. Schiavone picked out two names, but never told us who, instead saying we’ll find out the brackets next week.
**********
-The Elite are backstage talking about The BCC’s challenge earlier in the night. Hangman Page said while the numbers don’t look to be in their favor, they have friends all over. Kenny Omega said thankfully a lot of people hate Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita, as Eddie Kingston walked into the shot. While Kingston doesn’t like The Elite, he hates Claudio Castagnoli more, so he’ll team with The Elite, but he gets to name the final partner. The Elite accept the terms and Kingston walks out of frame.
Adam Cole & MJF Face Off
Cole came to the ring to a huge ovation and said he had to give the Devil his due last week. While Cole didn’t win, neither did MJF and said it was smart to not accept 5 more minutes after the 30 minute draw. Cole called out MJF, who had a massive reaction from the crowd, as MJF told the mouth breathers to keep their mouths shut. MJF said Cole should thank him for bringing out the best of him last week. MJF said he had Cole beat last week, so while Cole wants a rematch, for his well being and health, MJF declines the rematch. Cole said they could fight tonight when Tony Schiavone stood up from the commentary table and said he had an announcement as Cole & MJF both told him to shut up simultaneously in a great moment.
Schiavone talked about the Blind Eliminator tournament and how the names he drew earlier were Adam Cole & MJF. Cole was furious having to team with MJF, while MJF was upset he has to wrestle every week. Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared on the big screen and talked about his challenge last week to MJF, who was going to reject the challenge again when Cole goaded him into accepting with chanting coward. MJF accepts the challenge, as Cole pats him on the shoulder and said good luck, partner.
The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Brackets Announced
Excalibur informs us via graphic the brackets for the tournament, as Sunday at Forbidden Door CM Punk faces Satoshi Kojima, then on the June 29th Collision, Roderick Strong vs. Samoa Joe, Dustin Rhodes vs. Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson will all take place.
The women’s tournament will feature Athena vs. Billie Starkz at the Zero Hour of Forbidden Door, while Anna Jay battles Skye Blue on Rampage Friday, Nyle Rose takes on Willow Nightingale on Collision and next Wednesday Ruby Soho vs. Britt Baker in a rematch of last year’s final.
NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. & Daniel Garcia defeated AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata
(This was a fun tag match and ultimate set up for the Forbidden Door match. At first I thought we’d be getting two singles matches at the PPV, but it makes more sense to potentially save Garcia vs. Shibata for the ROH PPV. Cassidy will again find the odds against him on Sunday.)
A nice opening back and forth grappling sequence between Sabre & Shibata before Garcia & Cassidy jumped in for a 4 way face off with referee Bryce trying to gain order into commercial. Back from break, Shibata & Sabre picked up where they left off, as Shibata worked the ankle until Sabre escaped into a cravat. Sabre blocked a Cobra Twist with a flying octopus hold, but Shibata escaped. Garcia & Cassidy made the tag and dance at one another briefly to pop the crowd, as Cassidy fired off offense with his hands in the pockets. Sabre tagged in and applauded the tricks, daring Cassidy to hit him, as Cassidy threw his little kicks. A series of switches by Cassidy ended in Sabre twisting the neck with his feet to gain control. Garcia & Sabre kept Cassidy isolated as they went to another commercial.
Cassidy fought back with a Stundog Millionaire on Sabre to make the hot tag to Shibata, who fired off kicks, forearms and upper cuts. Sabre went at the arm, allowing Garcia to pick up the pieces and zone in. Shibata fired back with the good arm until Garcia mocked the Shibata pose and sat in the ring eating little kicks by Cassidy & Shibata. Both men went wild with forearms and dueling running dropkicks as Sabre was taken out by a diving Cassidy, while Garcia ate another corner dropkick from Shibata. Garcia rolled through on Shibata and sank in the Dragon Tamer, which Shibata countered into an arm breaker. Sabre broke things up, but ate a Cassidy spinning DDT. Shibata & Garcia no sold strikes until Garcia ducked and Orange Punch, as Cassidy cracked Shibata by mistake. Garcia got a school boy and stole the win. Garcia held up the AEW International Title, but Sabre grabbed it, then Shibata as well, as we’re told Cassidy will defend the title in a Four Way at Forbidden Door. Cassidy ripped the title from Shibata’s hands and walked to the back.
-Alex Marvez is backstage and walks up to Will Ospreay, who is just getting to the arena. Marvez asks about Ospreay disparaging Canadian fans ahead of Forbidden Door and Ospreay said AEW will have to get security for him. Don Callis walks in and said he can provide security saying he’ll do it as a favor. Ospreay asks what is in it for Callis, who said he just wants Ospreay to defeat Kenny Omega and get the three.
**********
-We learn from a video package that AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will defend her title against NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale at Forbidden Door
Kris Statlander defeated Taya Valkyrie to retain the TBS Title
(In my opinion this was a fantastic back and forth battle, with both ladies looking excellent. This was the best Valkyrie has looked in AEW and one of Statlander’s strongest matches as well.)
Statlander mowed down Valkyrie with a shoulder tackle and corner chops early, but as Statlander charged, Valkyrie just slapped the taste out of her mouth. Both ladies traded more chops until Valkyrie put together a series of kicks, only to get low bridged to the floor by Statlander. A standing shooting star from the apron by Statlander, who took too long to send Valkyrie back in the ring and ate a shotgun dropkick to the floor to put Valkyrie in control during commercial.
Both ladies connected with high kicks at the same time into the double down. Statlander fought back with a running corner knee and spinning fisherman’s driver for two. Valkyrie countered Statlander’s finisher with a double arm underhook driver for two of her own, as Statlander avoided a curb stomp with a huge spear. Statlander missed a clothesline and Valkyrie hit a spear of her own followed by a sliding German with Statlander hung up in the ropes. Valkyrie went up top, but Statlander cut her off with a superplex. Statlander connected with Wednesday Night Fever to retain the title.
**********
Eddie Kingston is in the ring, thanks the crowd for their ovation and has to put a shirt on because he just had surgery and ate a lot of ice cream. Kingston said there are a lot of things going on he doesn’t agree with, including someone who he thought was his homeboy, but despite not liking The Bucks, he hates Claudio Castagnoli more. Jon Moxley emerges from the crowd and he comes to the ring to face off with Kingston. Moxley said Kingston is drawing a line at Forbidden Door, which Kingston interrupted and said Moxley drew the line teaming with that scum bag. Kingston fired up and wanted Moxley to say something, but because he wouldn’t, Kingston just announced the fifth man for the Forbidden Door tag match as Tomohiro Ishii.
Ishii came to the ring as Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli hit the ring to attack Kingston & Ishii. Danielson took the mic and said if Okada isn’t showing up, he’s going to stomp Ishii’s face in. The sound of coins dropping could only mean one thing, as Okada ran out and had a faceoff with Danielson. Yuta attacked Okada from behind, as Danielson was going to hit his charging knee, but Okada ducked and Danielson hit Yuta. Okada nearly hit a Rainmaker on Danielson, who bailed quickly. This left Yuta to eat a Rainmaker as Okada stood tall staring down Danielson at the ramp.
AEW Rampage 6/23/23
· Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher, Jeff Cobb & Swerve Strickland take on Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & YOH
· AEW World Champion MJF makes his first appearance ever on Rampage
· The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass will be in action
· We hear from Adam Cole
· Jungle Boy Jack Perry battles DOUKI (w/Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
· Anna Jay vs. Skye Blue in an Owen Hart Tournament Match
AEW Collision 6/24/23
· CM Punk, AEW Tag Team Champions FTR & Ricky Starks vs. Switchblade Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns
· Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Swerve Strickland
· Christian Cage addresses the TNT Title
· We learn Sting & Darby Allin’s partner for Forbidden Door
· Brody King battles Andrade El Idolo
· Willow Nightingale vs. Nyla Rose in an Owen Hart Tournament Match
AEW & NJPW Forbidden Door 6/25/23
· Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada
· Kenny Omega defends the IWGP US Title against Will Ospreay
· MJF vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the AEW World Title
· SANADA vs. Jungle Boy Jack Perry for the IWGP Title
· Toni Storm defends the AEW Women’s Title against NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale
· CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima in an Owen Hart Tournament Match
· Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino vs. Hangman Adam Page, The Young Bucks, Eddie Kingston & Tomohiro Ishii
· Sting, Darby Allin & a mystery partner vs. Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki
· Orange Cassidy vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Daniel Garcia for the AEW International Title
· Zero Hour: Athena vs. Billie Starkz in an Owen Hart Tournament Match
The debut of Collision, AEW’s ratings decline and reasons and what the return of Punk will tell us
The problems Collision will have from the get go
Why the success of Collision is so important financially to AEW
The reaction as far as cheering and booing for Punk outside of Chicago and what is far more important than booing or cheering
Oversaturation of television in the marketplace
Ticket sales for Collision and all AEW & WWE events this summer
Update on WWE negotiations
Value of WWE to a new station with interest
The situation with WBD and potentially getting WWE
How many homes the key stations that could carry WWE & AEW are in right now
Conor McGregor sexual assault charge
Lawyer Eric Anderson breaks down the judges ruling to continue the MLW lawsuit against WWE, WWE’s arguments on antitrust, the judges reaction and what comes next
B.J. Whitmer fired
Full details on G-1 Climax tournament, the blocks, the favorites, the key matches and some storylines to look for going in
Update on the Forbidden Door show and business and key things to learn from about the business results
UFC 289 coverage including the retirement of Amanda Nunes, why, what about the titles she retires and other storyline notes from the most recent show and business notes as well
Updates on WWE Money in the Bank
Full coverage of All Together Now, the Japanese show with New Japan, All Japan and NOAH’s top talent and how it went down
Coverage of Final X
The most detailed look at the ratings of the wrestling and MMA shows this past week, with key breakdowns, segment-by-segment, who watches, rankings in sports and entertainment for the week
An attempt to make a superstar with a new character later this month
Update on Rush in AAA and TripleMania
New Japan Strong goes to Japan
More on the longest world title reigns in wrestling history
Movie on wrestling star to be released in September
Against All Odds results and Slammiversary notes
New AEW hires
What was Brock Lesnar’s biggest-ever one night payoff?
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Sunday Update
Bryan and I did our weekend show last night after Collision and will be back tomorrow night after Raw. Garrett and I also did our weekly show covering the news of the week.
We talked extensively about Collision on last night’s show. Collision was the No. 10 most searched topic on Google yesterday, although the number was listed was 20,000. That would seem to indicate a good rating. I expected a good number with the debut of a new show that has been promoted for a month and C.M. Punk’s return being heavily promoted as well. It’s more about the staying power past the novelty but all indications I had was interest in this show was high. I don’t know the cost, but getting Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting as the theme was cool as hell.
Regarding Punk’s interview, the key comment was the saying David Zaslov calling him “1 bill Phil” and the reference to the counterfeit Bucks, that line was approved by management. The 1 bill Phil line was taken by many as a reference to the supposed $1 billion deal that AEW was supposedly getting in a new five-year contract with WBD (Zaslov is the head of WBD). AEW and Tony Khan have been quiet on that story and all negotiation stories which is why I was surprised on television they would have a reference to that. It was ambiguous enough that you could just say it was a line in a promo.
The Young Bucks made a reference on Twitter just saying that if this was the old days there would already be a Counterfeit Bucks T-shirt at Pro Wrestling Tees.
No update on Jim Ross past him writing that he was going to take time away to heal.
Regarding the Bandido injury, which took place in the match with Konosuke Takeshita that aired on Rampage, it was described as a freak injury as he planed his hand to break his fall and his wrist broke. Whether he has surgery or not, which he said is likely to be determined tomorrow, he will be out of action for a while.
AEW has to release the entire undercard for Forbidden Door next week and also hard sell. The New Japan members haven’t been announced but their tour is over so everyone from New Japan on Forbidden Door would be available for Wednesday in Chicago as well as Saturday night in Toronto. None have been announced yet and if they do an angle with Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay in Chicago the reaction will be probably not be favorable to Omega while in Toronto it would likely be extremely favorable, but Toronto is Collision which is the show Omega normally wouldn’t work. It will be a very interesting week of match announcements and fan reactions.
For the week in Google searches, the only thing besides Collision from boxing or MMA or wrestling on the list was Conor McGregor at No. 5 on Thursday for the sexual assault allegation story.
TMZ had a video here that showed McGregor and the accuser at a club after the basketball game and after the claim he sexually assaulted her.
Local Ch. 10 has a report on this including some messages from the alleged victim, an interview with the attorney who made claims about how the police reacted and the basic insinuation from the police that the story wasn’t correct.
Smackdown on Friday in Lexington at Rupp Arena drew the largest gate in the history of pro wrestling in Kentucky. It was not close to the largest audience but still an all-time gate record is still notable.
After Collision went off the air, Dax Harwood said he gets a lot of crap for what he says and blamed it on being Punk’s best friend. He said it’s not Dynamite vs. Collision and it’s all AEW. CM Punk spoke up in support of LGBTQ and said that the ice cream bars he gave out from two years ago was to support trans youth and didn’t get ice cream bars this time because he thought everyone hated him. (thanks to Eric Krol)
WWE in Cincinnati with a rare Roman Reigns house show:
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn b Finn Balor & Dominik Mysterio to keep the tag titles when Zayn pinned Mysterio
Austin Theory b Sheamus to keep the U.S. title
Bobby Lashley b Karrion Kross
Becky Lynch & Michin & Zelina Vega & Shotzi b Bayley & Iyo Sky & Chelsea Green & Zoe Stark when Lynch used the disarmer on on Green
Seth Rollins b Damien Priest to keep the world title
Chad Gable & Otis b Viking Raiders
Gunther won a three-way over Shinsuke Nakamura and Matt Riddle to keep the IC title beating Nakamura
Roman Reigns b Rey Mysterio to keep the Universal title. There was interference by Sikoa, Usos and Dominik Mysterio and Rey took out Dominik and got in the ring and Reigns speared him. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
Two matches from Japan yesterday I was told to try and watch were Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi vs. Atsuki Aoyagi & Rising Hayato for the All Japan world tag titles and the Jake Lee vs. Takashi Sugiura match for the GHC title in NOAH.
The 6/30 Rampage will air on TSN 2 at 10 p.m. Rampage almost never airs on television in Canada. (thanks to Jeff Zinger)
Other Notes
MCW runs Saturday night at the RJ Meyer Arena in Joppa, MD.
ICW No Holds Barred from Friday night in Berwyn, IL: Tommy Vendetta b Nate Webb, Dr. Redacted b Satu Jinn, Bobby Beverly b Eric Ryan, Shazza McKenzie b Danny Demanto, John Wayne Murdoch & Reed Bentley b LuFisto & Mickie Knuckles, Hoodfoot won over Abdullah Kobayashi, Krule and Tank (Thanks to Leonard Brand)
Insane Wrestling Revolution from Thursday night in Monroe, MI: Jason Hotch b KJ Reynolds, Zack Thomas & Damien Chambers b Saint Brother & Aaron Arion & Tommy Vendetta, Madman Fulton b Jackson Stone, Tanner Nix & Nikki Ratu b Sam Beale & Benjamin Boone, Trey Miguel & Myron Reed b Solomon Tupu & Conan, Buckeye Sam b Gia Miller,Sami Callihan b Ryan Matthias, Ace Austin b Dread King Logan to keep the U.S. title, N8 Mattson & Aren Daniel Norman & Ace Evans b DBA & Kenny Urban Rod Lee, Thomas Latimer b Big Kon. Next show is 8/2 with Rhino, The Rascalz and Latimer (thanks to Leonard Brand)
House of Glory sold out Friday night in New York: Nolo Kitano b Mike Bailey, Encore & Ken Broadway b Smoothe Blackmon & Michael Fain and Eden & Osedo, Ultra Violette b Kamar to keep the women’s title, Alex Shelley b Mighty Mante, Joey Silver won over Raheem Royal, Darren Richards and Ben Ruten, El Hijo del Vikingo b Charles Mason via DQ so Mason retained the Crown Jewel title, Matt Cardona b Carlito-DQ to retain the HOG title. Next sho w is 8/18 with Mason vs Eddie Kingston in a no holds barred match for the Crown Jewel title and a cage match with Amazing Red & BXL defending the tag tile against Midas Black & Jay Lyon, The Mane Event. (thanks to Samuel Rosenthal)
UWC on 6/24 in New Egypt, NJ at the American Legion for the company’s 200th event
Stardom from today in Tokyo: Mina Shirakawa & Xena b Natsuko Tora & Momo Watanabe, Syuri & Mirai & Ami Sohrei b Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani & AZM, Suzu Suzuki b Starlight Kid, Giulia & Mika vs. Mayu Iwatani & Hazuki vs. Tam Nakano & Natsupoi was a 15:00 draw, Mariah May won a Rumble match to qualify for the Five Star Grand Prix over Aya Sakura, Lafy C, Waka Tsukiyama, Yuna Mizumori, Hanako, Miyu Amasaki, Saya Iida, Ruaka, Thekla, Koguma, Momo Kohgo, Fukigen Death, Rina, Mei Seira and Mai Sakurai
Despite Rocky Romero’s recent statements that NJPW is interested in Forbidden Door events taking place in Japan, AEW head Tony Khan said those events will remain in North America.
Speaking to the New York Post about a variety of subjects, Khan said, “The idea of doing an event over there with AEW stars and New Japan stars is very potentially interesting, but if it happens it won’t be Forbidden Door. Forbidden Door is gonna stay in North America. It wouldn’t make sense with the time zones, the revenue.”
“I know that that is something that New Japan is very interested in doing and it doesn’t necessarily have to be Forbidden Door 2. It can be Forbidden Door 3. It can definitely be in Japan. Forbidden Door was successful internationally, so I feel that can be left open. There are definitely tons of places you can go internationally with a card like Forbidden Door. I think Forbidden Door would be successful internationally. It just depends on the timing if we decide to do it in June of next year or if it needs to be accompanied by part of January 4th and 5th or something. I think there are a lot of options.”
In the interview, Khan also revealed the plan for what would have been an interesting trios match either at Forbidden Door or in the lead-up:
“It would have been totally different stuff because (Hiroshi) Tanahashi wouldn’t have been in the Blood and Guts Moxley/ (Chris) Jericho stuff because Tanahashi would have been wrestling (CM) Punk. There would have been a completely different set of stories going into the pay-per-view. When Will Ospreay invades, Punk would have been with FTR so they would have taken Punk and FTR down. So that trios match would have been Punk and FTR versus Ospreay and the United Empire.
While not explicitly said, it’s assumed that match would have happened prior to the PPV with the Punk-Tanahashi title match happening at Forbidden Door.
Khan was also asked about the following:
Kenny Omega: Khan said he was optimistic about the former AEW World Champion’s return, but that he didn’t want to put a timetable on it. Even with Omega’s recent aired frustrations about rehab, Khan said he was going to talk more to Omega but he remains optimistic.
Adam Cole: Khan said Cole had no contact between Double or Nothing and Forbidden Door and that he was cleared to compete. Cole had been taking time off and Khan said, “I’ll take some more time make sure he’s right and wouldn’t want him to wrestle until he’s feeling 100 percent. He was feeling 100 percent going into Forbidden Door. That’s how unpredictable these are.” He didn’t clarify what “these” meant.
Their next TV rights deal: “Whenever our next media right deal, the next one does kick in, it will be historic. It will be recorded in history because everything in wrestling is recorded in history into posterity. It will make history however it goes. Right now, everyone would expect very, very well. We expect it’s going to go very well for us based on how strong we’ve been performing.”
Fumi Saito gives his thoughts on AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door, plus the reaction to the show in Japan and where it could lead in the future. He also has observations on Clark Connors, Moxley vs Tanahashi and how he thinks FTR will be received as IWGP Tag Team Champions in Japan.
There’s also talk about Stardom “Fight In the Top” and the new PPV business model that seems to be springing up in Japan. TAJIRI has a new book out, “What Pro-Wrestlers Are Showing The Audience”. Available on Amazon, Fumi translated it to English. We talk about Tajiri’s career and philosophies in the book. That and more in this episode of Pacific Rim.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including an update on Santana, the situation with Kenny Omega and his rehab, Double or Nothing vs. Forbidden Door PPV buys, ratings, Mistico, UFC this coming weekend, full reviews of Dynamite and NXT 2.0, Rampage spoilers and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Santana injury update
1:23: Kenny Omega, social media, and pro wrestling
17:19: Dave’s poll on Double or Nothing & Forbidden Door
24:31: Ratings
31:36: Notes on Natsupoi vs. Tam Nakano, Mistico, UFC 276
