Tag: George Kittle

Daily Update: Matt Cardona, George Kittle, Swerve Strickland

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • AEW heads to Arena Mexico, reaction of talent, background and key facts about Arena Mexico and wrestling history, the rise, fall and comeback of Mistico, the quadruple crown of wrestlers and even announcers and full coverage of the Tuesday and Wednesday night shows as well as this past Friday’s show.
  • Where New Japan stands today with its reset at Dominion, full coverage of the show, plus news ands thoughts regarding the G-1 Climax tournament
  • WWE preparing many major shows over the next few weeks
  • Coverage of TripleMania Regia
  • Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon and TKO make arguments to get out of the ringboys lawsuit and what statements made by McMahon and Gorilla Monsoon more than 30 years don’t look good regarding this case
  • A look at U.K. women’s wrestling pioneer and Scottish Hall of Famer Rusty Blair.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the major shows
  • CMLL’s biggest show of the year announced
  • Konnan praises Corey Graves
  • A new television milestone reached this past month and an explanation of what it means
  • The U.S. team going to the world championships in Croatia
  • Hogan & Bischoff RAF promotion announces debut show and a very bad sign regarding their actual interest
  • Notes on two of the best attended indie shows of the year on the same night
  • El Hijo del Santo’s last match in Mexico as scheduled today
  • AEW women stars working in Europe
  • Advanced ticket sales for WWE, AEW and TNA shows
  • Tony Khan does interview, gets criticized regarding how he presented the info
  • More on Dana White and Nick Khan’s boxing project with Turki Alalshikh
  • What is the value of the UFC PPV shows?
  • Aaron Pico vs. Moovsar Evloev and what that says about UFC’s intentions
  • Reports on Vince McMahon getting back involved and what is and isn’t viable
  • Realities of AEW TV rating year-to-year
  • Gunther vs. Goldberg notes
  • Goldberg talks about why he’s coming back
  • Michelle McCool talks saving Undertaker’s life twice
  • Liv Morgan’s injury and changes that have to be made
  • Interesting note on WWE’s house shows in Mexico
  • WWE & AEW rivalry goes long past wrestling shows
  • Yet another WWE tournament

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Jordynne Grace vs. Jaida Parker vs. Izzi Dame vs. Lash Legend main event from last night’s NXT, where Grace pinned Parker to earn an NXT Women’s Championship shot against Jacy Jayne at Evolution.
  • Florida Gators football players George Gumbs Jr. and Tyreak Sapp appeared on NXT in a backstage segment with Myles Borne and Lexis King. 
  • Bully Ray interviewed Lola Vice on Busted Open Radio After Dark.
  • On Cody Rhodes’ “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast, Kevin Owens joked about Matt Cardona calling himself The Indy God while wanting to be back in WWE:
    • I love Matt. The only thing I’ll say is – for a guy who loves being on the indies so much, he sure f*cking talks about how much he wants to be back in WWE a lot. That’s all. Can’t call yourself King of the Indies and you’re going out there telling people, ‘I don’t know why WWE hasn’t signed me. I don’t get it. If I was them I definitely would have signed me.’ Are you f*cking happy or not, dude?
  • In an interview with WrestleStar, Zelina Vega said Asuka would be her ideal opponent for Evolution:
    • Asuka. I’ve always said that. I love Asuka so much… besides the fact that she’s my friend, I mean, I’m just one of her biggest supporters. I freaking love Asuka. And I think, like, male or female, she’s one of the best, and it feels like better every time I get into the ring with her. So definitely, definitely, Asuka.
  • San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle – who is a huge pro wrestling fan – told USA Today that he’d love to cross over to WWE when his football career is over:
    • I would love to do WWE. I think there’s definitely opportunity within that world, and I would love nothing more than to be a part of it.
    • I would only do WWE if I bought a ring and practiced my ass off for a while so I wouldn’t look like an idiot out there. I’ve been in a WWE ring like three times. I don’t know what I’m doing out there. I have an understanding of how it works, but I haven’t moonsaulted off the top rope at WrestleMania like Pat McAfee did.
  • Bayley, Sheamus, and Grayson Waller were in attendance for a surprise performance by Taylor Swift in Nashville last night. The performance happened at a Tight End University concert put on by Kittle, Greg Olsen, and Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce.
  • The No-Contest Wrestling Podcast interviewed Rey Mysterio at Fanatics Fest.
  • Ethan Page was a guest on Insight with Chris Van Vliet.

Other Wrestling

  • Swerve Strickland told Nisqually Valley News that the “secret sauce” to the success he and Prince Nana have had in AEW is that everything they do is genuine:
    • The secret sauce to everything Nana and I touch turning to gold is because everything that Nana and I do is genuine.
    • It starts with that. That’s the attachment. That’s the connection we have with the people. It’s up to the people to turn it into gold. The more people connect to us, the more people wear what we wear, post what we post, show up to where we’re at, like, retweet and share the things that we do, do the dances — that’s connection. That’s just us being ourselves. That wasn’t really anybody controlling, playing or navigating us. It was just putting us in the place and giving us the opportunity, the time to do it. Getting the platform is the first thing. Landing on the platform is the first thing, and what you do with that turns it into more over time.
  • Nana added that he and Strickland want to show the fans how passionate they are every single week:
    • We go by a saying, ‘everything we do is with a passion.’ That’s what our secret sauce is. We have passion. We have desire. This is what we do. We want to relay that to the fans each and every week.
  • This Saturday, Strickland will be the honorary pace car driver at a Quaker State 400 race at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta.
  • Athena spoke to Sports Illustrated about the all-women’s event her Metroplex Wrestling indie promotion is putting on in Bedford, Texas on August 9. She praised some of the wrestlers who will be participating:
    • I love Masha [Slamovich] to death. She’s such an amazing athlete. She’s a little crazy, but she’s gonna give you a thousand percent. Vert Vixen, just an amazing, amazing woman. Hyan, who’s traveled all around the world, including her too. But then we have Abadon, absolutely amazing as well. I’ve worked with them before. They have so much heart and passion for what we do, but all my heavy hitters for the announcement reside in Texas and I’m very excited.
  • Kevin Knight will compete for Jersey Championship Wrestling in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey on August 3.
  • To build up their match that’s taking place for GCW in Dallas on July 11, Shotzi and Matt Cardona took part in an angle where Cardona ambushed Shotzi and ran over her arm with her tank.
  • Matt & Jeff Hardy appeared on Busted Open Radio today.
  • Isla Dawn will have her first UK indie match in more than five years when she wrestles for Burning Heart Pro in Manchester on August 3.

Daily Update: Raw, George Kittle & Penta, Toni Storm

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The most detailed look at the updated Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE. We look at the new claims, the arguments in favor of the case not going to arbitration as McMahon, Laurinaitis and WWE have argued, who is the most in jeopardy, lots of notes on the legal strategy from both sides, more text messages released as well.
  • Tons of records set at the 2025 Royal Rumble, the direction going into WrestleMania, the fake record John Cena may break and who has always been planned to break it later, Dwayne Johnson, Jey Uso, Alexa Bliss, business records including a very noteworthy record set by the show. We have an apples-to-apples comparison between Rumble viewers on Netflix and Raw viewers which is very interesting.
  • The ringboys lawsuit goes forward against Vince & Linda McMahon and WWE, details of what the issues that put it on hold were as well as a very important note about the suit that hasn’t gotten much talk.
  • The most detailed look at TV ratings and streaming numbers for pro wrestling programming in the U.S., including segment-by-segment numbers, what countries Raw is strongest in, competition and more.
  • Unique tournament this month in Mexico City
  • A look at major international matches over the past week
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • Tag champ brothers release a new album and music video.
  • New Beginning in Osaka and Fantastica Mania upcoming shows.
  • Young Bucks talk their return to Japan
  • Why Hiroshi Tanahashi was in tears after Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Hall of Famer says his son has recently got a WWE offer
  • Ed Wiskowski’s time in Australia.
  • Lots of news on Grand Slam Australia.
  • International TV numbers and streaming numbers
  • Ticket sales to all the major upcoming WWE & AEW shows including WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber, Revolution and All In.
  • Jericho Cruise notes
  • Merch sale leaders from WWE & AEW
  • Story on the retirement of Dominick Cruz and his legacy in UFC
  • One of the key people in the pro wrestling business and the most important person in the MMA business are rumored to be working together to start a new sports franchise
  • How is ESPN+ doing
  • Another world champion wants release from his promotion.
  • All the craziness of the Canelo negotiations
  • TKO stock reaching record highs
  • Lots of news on Mania week
  • More on cancellation of Cena TV show
  • More on new Evolve TV show
  • Another lawsuit with Nick Khan’s name in it
  • How much WWE stock does Dwayne Johnson now own?
  • Lots of contract news
  • WWE & AEW injury stats – which company, on average, has more serious injuries.

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Tuesday Update

WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • Toni Storm has filed trademarks for the names ‘Timeless’ and ‘Toni Storm’.
  • Lance Archer on social media wrote that his SUV was stolen on Monday.
  • CJ Perry responded to news of Miro’s release from AEW: “A very happy Miro Day !!!” 
  • Matt Cardona has been announced for WrestleCon weekend.
  • Will Ospreay congratulated Hirooki Goto on his IWGP World title win.
  • Elektra Lopez responded to her WWE release: “Heard any good news lately? No? Well, make it quick—I’ve got a packed schedule for the next 90 days.”
  • Karl Anderson released a tease on social media.
  • Paul Ellering on X: “@WWE I am tired of the talking heads. Akam and Rezar can, without a doubt beat any Tag Team in the business today. Pedigree check. LOD 2.O.”
  • Marisela Pena announced that Triplemania XXXIII is set for August 16 in Mexico City.
  • The NWA announced that Barry Windham will appear for a special autograph signing on March 22 at their Hard Times V event.

George Kittle: 49ers said ‘Don’t do that again’ after WWE WrestleMania 39 appearance

Posted on by Ian Carey

George Kittle won’t be back in WWE until, at least, after his football career has ended.

The All-Pro Tight End for the San Francisco 49ers was shown ringside at WrestleMania 40 but got far more involved in the action at WrestleMania 39 last year. He delivered a clothesline to The Miz and helped Pat McAfee to victory that year. Kittle says the 49ers told him not to do something like that again.

Kittle told ESPN that team general manager John Lynch later texted him, “Hope you had fun” and “Don’t do that again.”

Kittle did not tell his team ahead of time that he would be getting physically involved in McAfee’s match. His theory was “Just don’t get hurt, and we won’t have any problems with anything.”

Typical NFL contracts commonly include clauses that restrict an athlete from potentially dangerous activities such as hang-gliding or rock climbing. Patrick Mahomes’ contract even prohibits him from playing basketball.

“I tried to use that clause to get out of dancing at my own wedding,” Kittle added. “It didn’t necessarily work, and I was able to make it through without any injury.”

Kittle talks frequently about his love of wrestling. During a Monday Night Football game in Mexico City in 2022, Kittle was shown hugging AEW’s Penta El Zero Miedo, who also presented him with a lucha mask.

“I have more than ten lucha masks, and I’m most proud of my Penta red-and-gold Niners mask with my number on it,” Kittle later told SI.com. “That’s the one I wore into our Mexico City game in 2022.”

“Wrestling is the pinnacle of sports entertainment, as is football,” he continued.

Pat McAfee returns at WWE WrestleMania 39, defeats The Miz

Posted on by Josh Nason

Despite what WWE CEO Nick Khan said about no plans for him this weekend, Pat McAfee appeared at WWE WrestleMania 39 and picked up a win over The Miz.

As the saying goes, plans change.

Miz and Snoop Dogg were out in the ring to announce the night’s attendance when Miz said he was disappointed no one accepted his open challenge. As he was about to deliver his catchphrase, McAfee’s music hit and out he came.

McAfee accepted the challenge and Miz attempted to get out of it, saying no one could make the match. Snoop Dogg said as the co-host of the evening, he had the authority to do so and did just that.

McAfee was aided by San Francisco 49ers’ tight end George Kittle who Miz shoved as he was attempting to walk out of the match. Kittle jumped over the barricade and clotheslined Miz as the referee was distracted, leading to McAfee hitting a swanton off the ringpost to the outside.

Shortly after, McAfee hit a punt kick on Miz to get the pin and win.

The now-former SmackDown announcer wrestled at last year’s WrestleMania, defeating Austin Theory before losing a bizarre match against Vince McMahon right afterward. He picked up a win over Happy Corbin at last year’s SummerSlam.

Due to time commitments with ESPN, his daily show and other entities, McAfee had to step away from his SmackDown announcing duties and was replaced by Wade Barrett last fall.

VIDEO: AEW star Penta El Zero Miedo appears on NFL Monday Night Football

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An AEW star made an appearance as this week’s Monday Night Football game took place in Mexico City.

During Monday night’s broadcast of the San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals, ESPN showed footage of Penta El Zero Miedo meeting up with Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle before the game. Penta gave Kittle a custom 49ers lucha mask.

https://twitter.com/r0bato/status/1594881026148425729

Kittle, who scored two touchdowns on Monday night, wore a Penta mask and shirt to his post-game press conference.

Kittle is a huge pro wrestling fan and uses Penta’s “Cero Miedo” taunt as a celebration during games.

Penta and his brother Rey Fenix currently hold the AEW Trios titles with PAC. They retained the titles against The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks) at Full Gear this past Saturday. The finish saw Fenix pin Omega after hitting him with a hammer.

Full Gear was the start of a best-of-seven series between Penta, Fenix & PAC and The Elite for the Trios titles. The series will continue with match two taking place on Dynamite this Wednesday night.