Tag: google trends

Daily Update: WWE house shows, Google trends, UFC on ESPN

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • What readers thought of Survivor Series and best and worst matches
  • CM Punk’s return, whatever details are available, what history teaches, the WWE creative process and next programs
  • What was and wasn’t real after the show
  • Previous talks of Punk in WWE and how they went down
  • Punk’s return promo and why he didn’t say what many thought he would say
  • Tony Khan’s thoughts and statements
  • The most detailed look at the 2023 AEW business, revenue, PPV, Wembley, ticket sales, projections for 2024 and the biggest story relating to AEW of the next year
  • Value of AEW
  • What revenue streams will be expected to grow and others that probably won’t over the next year
  • Issues with the weekend shows
  • Thoughts on 2024 in the ring and beyond
  • Will Ospreay
  • Issues involving other suitors for TV other than WBD
  • Full coverage of Survivor Series
  • All the business notes, record
  • What WWE show did an amazing number of late buys
  • Full details of the two stockholder lawsuits regarding the Endeavor/WWE deal and the key points they are arguing
  • The sad story of Tammy Sytch, a one-time pre-med student whose life was a mess for so long and an innocent person died as a result. A look at her career, that of Chris Candido, a rise at a young age and fall
  • Being the Elite is no more, a look at a show that changed wrestling history when it comes to NJPW in the U.S., ROH’s best period ever and even the formation of AEW. A look at the first All In, early episodes, what stars took off because of the show and more
  • Absolute Andy, the stunning death of a German independent star who wrestled with and against many of the biggest in-ring stars of this generation
  • Update on how many homes the key stations that air pro wrestling and MMA reach
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for every show over the past week, how the segments did, demos did, comparison to a year ago, how CM Punk moved the Monday numbers and Randy Orton’s segments as well, competition and how badly Thanksgiving week hurt wrestling numbers
  • AAA and Impact join forces for a TV taping for both groups
  • First AAA show of 2024
  • Stardom PPV lineup and build to one of the biggest events of the year
  • All Japan tag team tournament and junior tournament notes
  • NOAH’s first show of the new year and coverage of this past week’s biggest shows
  • Okada pushes for Tokyo Dome main event
  • New Japan tag team tournament notes
  • Mercedes Mone update and thoughts
  • WrestleCade coverage
  • WWE group returns on indies
  • Promotions headed to Germany to piggy back off WWE’s big show
  • London pre-sale for All In
  • Nick Khan talks heavily about Wembley, WWE business and more
  • Sting’s retirement and the first televised Flair vs. Sting match in 1988
  • Lots of injury updates*More on QT Marshall leaving AEW
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • ROH PPV notes
  • Upcoming ticket sales for WWE & AEW events
  • Highest paid fighters for a single fight for UFC every year from 2011 to 2016
  • PFL’s new TV deal
  • PFL claims offering $15 million one fight offer for former UFC star
  • Coverage of PFL’s tournament finals
  • Raw contract renewal talks
  • WrestleMania ticket sale info
  • What WWE exec just got $12 million worth of new stock
  • Detailed notes on all WWE & AEW events

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking the weekend news, including Bobby Green, Japan MVP, Collision, Smackdown and this coming week’s stuff.

WWE from Allentown, PA last night:

  • Shotzi b Bayley. Bayley worked hard to get booed but lots still wanted to cheer her.
  • Bobby Lashley & Angelo Dawkins b Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson – Crowd cheered for Lashley & Dawkins, particlary Lashley, who speared Anderson to win.
  • Butch b Karrion Kross
  • Santos Escobar b Dragon Lee. Escobar tried to get heat saying he’d rather be in Bethlehem. That didn’t get the expected heat because a decent percentage of the crowd was from Bethlehem. Escobar used the trunks to win.
  • Kofi Kingston b Ivan in a Viking rules match after putting him through a table
  • Grayson Waller & Austin Theory b Odyssey Jones & Cameron Grimes. No heat. Crowd didn’t know who Jones was. Theory pinned Grimes.
  • LA Knight & Kevin Owens b Solo Sikoa & Jimmy Uso. Crowd super hot. Knight pinned Uso.(thanks to Doug Hunt)

WWE from Bangor, ME last night:

  • Sami Zayn b Dominik Mysterio via DQ in a North American title match when JD McDonagh interfered Jey Uso made the save. Adam Pearce announced a tag match.Zayn & Jey Uso b Dominik Mysterio & McDonagh when Jey speared McDonagh
  • Ricochet b Bronson Reed via schoolboy
  • Chad Gable & Otis b Giovanni Vinci & Ludwig Kaiser when Gable pinned Kaiser after a Chaos Theory suplex
  • Nia Jax b Raquel Rodriguez with the annihilator
  • Cody Rhodes b Damian Priest via Cross Rhodes
  • Omos b Akira Tozawa – Same thing they’ve been doing where MVP offered $10,000 to anyone who can get Omos off his feet.
  • Becky Lynch b Zoey Stark with the manhandle slam
  • Seth Rollins b Shinsuke Nakamura in a street fight to keep the world title. Rollins did a promo after and fans chanted for CM Punk. Rollins said he didn’t want to waste time on people who weren’t even there, said Becky Lynch was the greatest of all-time and that this was the highest attendance for a show in Bangor in ten years.
  • Rhea Ripley and Gunther were advertised but not there (thanks to Sean Stackhouse and Grant Langdon)

As far as google searches this past week, two items from combat sports made the top 20 for Saturday, which were the only thing charting all week. Ryan Garcia was No. 3 and the UFC show from Austin, TX yesterday was No. 5, both with 200,000 views. That’s very high for a UFC non-PPV these days and is the normal figure for a WWE PPV now. It wasn’t even that big of a show although the Bobby Green stoppage ended up being a pretty big story.

The Bobby Green stoppage against Jalin Turner was way way late by referee Kerry Hatley in Texas. This is hardly the first controversy related to Hatley but this was egregious with Dana White calling the late stoppage one of the worst he’s ever seen.

New Japan has a B block show in Kochi tomorrow morning in the tag team tournament with Taichi & Yuya Uemura vs. Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza, Hikuleo & El Phantasmo vs. Atlantis Jr & Soberano Jr., Minoru Suzuki & Yuji Nagata vs. Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hasehi and Alex Zayne & Lance Archer vs. Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr.

After tomorrow, there will be one A block show (Wednesday in Karatsu) and one B block show (Thursday in Mioyakonojo) before the semifinals on Friday and finals on Sunday.

Still alive in the A block are Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste, Alex Coughlin & Gabe Kidd and Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano. The big talk all weekend is Ishii & Yano vs. Shota Umino & Ren Narita on Friday was the match of the week so far.

All Japan’s Junior Battle of Glory final on Wednesday at Korakuen Hall is Dan Tamura vs. Naruki Doi. 

All Japan’s tag tourney ends on Wednesday with these matches:

  • Cyrus & Ryan Davidson (4-4) vs. Hayata Tamura & Galeno del Mal (4-4)
  • Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani (4-4) vs. Seigo Tachigana & Japan Tokyo Kuroshio (3-5)
  • Shuji Ishikawa & Ren Ayabe (2-6) vs. The Saito Brothers (5-3)
  • Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi (4-3-1) vs. Hokuto Omori & Katsuhiko Nakajima (5-3).
  • Suwama & Hideki Suzuki finished at 5-4.

Kota Ibushi faces Naomichi Marufuji on the NOAH 1/2 show at the Ariake Arena in the main event. Former UFC fighter Yuta Sasaki debuts against Takashi Sugiura.

Stardom did a PPV show yesterday in Nagoya. As expected, Suzu Suzuki beat Hazuki in the main event via repeated German suplexes to set up Suzuki vs. Maika for the vacant World of Stardom title as the main event for 12/29 at Sumo Hall. The two issued challenges back-and-forth after the match. Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani won the vacant Goddesses of Stardom tag titles beating Megan Bayne & Maika when Maika accidentally hit Bayne with a lariat and Hayashishita pinned her with a German suplex. Natsuko Tora & Momo Watanabe challenged Hayashishita & Kamitani for the titles. Giulia also beat AZM to retain the New Japan Strong women’s title. I wouldn’t read anything into that result as Giulia was already going to defend the title against Trish Adora on 1/13 in San Jose, CA.

Yuka Sakazaki of Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling has her final match in the promotion on Wednesday before she moves to the U.S. She’s been featured before in AEW so that may be her destination. She is in a three-way with Arisa Nakajima and Rina Yamashita.

There will be a Logan Paul interview with Randy Orton on Paul’s podcast Tuesday.

Among the wrestlers at the final KISS concert last night in Madison Square Garden were Missy Hyatt (who posted on it), Madusa, Bully Ray, Blue Meanie and Dave LaGreca. Dale Torborg, who played the KISS Demon inWCW, was also at the show.

A lot of WWE talent was at the Big 12 championship game last night where WWE was a key part of the presentation including presenting a title belt to Quinn Ewers by Undertaker. Undertaker, Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Samantha Irvine, Michelle McCool Calaway and Jade Cargill were there. Cargill also presented a WWE title belt to Nelly, who performed the national anthem. One thing in the photo notable is how much larger McIntyre now looked than Undertaker.

The former Charly Caruso, now Charly Arnolt (her real name) was announced as the special guest for this year’s New York Young Republicans Dinner with Donald Trump as the featured guest.

Some new NXT made for TV names look to be Keanu Carver, Dion Wilder and Dion Lennox. WWE has taken out trademarks for those names which usually means they’ll be names used by people starting soon on NXT television.

WWE has moved 1,700 tickets for Albany tomorrow after a weak advance. They had topped 6,600 tickets today.

Tiara James vs. Notorious Mimi vs. Zaya Steel has been added to the MLW show on 12/7 at the Melrose Ballroom in New York. 

Daily Update: AEW Collision, UFC 295, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Clip

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

We’ve got a very heavy business issue of the Observer focusing on a lot of different breaking stories involving both WWE and AEW:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • The changes in WWE business under TKO
  • UFC & WWE quarterly business updates
  • Behind Vince McMahon selling 8.4 million shares of TKO stock, what he got, what he still owns, what it did to the stock price and what other large sum of money he just received that fell under the radar
  • Why WWE numbers were unexpectedly down, and why TKO actually losing money this quarter is nothing to be concerned over
  • A look at WWE and AEW attendance and how it’s changed over the past year
  • Ari Emanuel talks about competition for WWE and UFC
  • More departments where jobs will be lost
  • Company goals for 2024
  • Changes in the live arena experience
  • Key that makes WWE and UFC attractive for television stations
  • Issues with Vince McMahon
  • The CW deal for NXT
  • Changes for a WWE show next year and other changes talked about
  • Who are the leaders for the Raw rights
  • What are the rankings of the stations with pro wrestling and MMA product
  • Billy Corgan gives comments about the cocaine angle
  • A look at the TV deals that Tony Khan, Dwayne Johnson and Vince McMahon have been part of for wrestling and football
  • Full coverage of Crown Jewel and the booking
  • A look at the Ricochet injury and how it changed the IC title path slightly going into the Survivor Series
  • Early notes on the Survivor Series
  • PPV numbers and what did Crown Jewel buyers watch and not watch when it came to major PPV events this past month
  • The future for Will Ospreay and Giulia
  • Notes on the Tokyo Dome show
  • Great matches and angles at Power Struggle
  • Full Power Struggle coverage
  • UFC from Brazil coverage
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week from all shows, including comparison to last year, competition, and how each segment did as well as Dynamite vs. NXT
  • Major rudo turn on sold out Arena Mexico show
  • AAA doing a talent search
  • More injuries and health issues with Stardom
  • Update on Stardom tag team tournament
  • Controversy at Stardom event after changed start time of show
  • All Japan has an incredible match this week and sets up another for New Year’ Eve
  • A look at All Japan’s year end tag team and junior tournaments
  • Lots of injury updates
  • New Japan big events in early 2024
  • DDT has major show this week
  • More on the Von Erich movie
  • Indie star says his indie career is over
  • Indie promotion draws 5,000 fans
  • Contract issues in MLW
  • WBD stock falls
  • Update on Full Gear
  • Notes on Mariah May debut
  • Stardom star under contract to AEW and details
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • UFC signs deal with new TV outlet to return from nearly a decade
  • How Vince McMahon kept UFC off NBC
  • Lots of new UFC title matches
  • Unique facts about this weekend’s UFC show
  • More on Fury vs. Nganou PPV numbers
  • WrestleMania week news
  • CM Punk news
  • YouTube numbers and WWE and TKO value at this point
  • Reports from the WWE house shows

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday Update

Bryan and I did our weekend show last night talking the TV shows, weekend news and UFC show. We’ll be back for another show Monday after Raw. Garrett and I will be back on Friday catching up on all the business stuff.

We also talked about the AEW tapings in Oakland on Friday night that I attended live. A lot of interesting notes. AEW has done some of its biggest walk-ups in recent shows in New York (Grand Slam), Houston (for Mistico), Philadelphia (after the Okada announcement) and this show, with Will Hobbs (from Palo Alto) doing the media rounds in the market.

We’re looking for reports on tonight’s WWE show in Roanoke, VA, with results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

There was WWE crossover at last night’s UFC event in Madison Square Garden. While not on the air, inside the building there were many commercials on the big screen for WrestleMania in Philadelphia. Logan Paul was also shown on the broadcast and his phone had a shoutout for Dominik Mysterio.

Donald Trump was at the show and came out before the PPV started with Dana White, Kid Rock and Tucker Carlson. Trump was cheered like crazy. Interesting that WWE has distanced themselves from Trump because they don’t want to alienate a lot of their fan base even though he and Vince McMahon are friends, while UFC has embraced him. Every time Trump was shown the reaction was louder than for any fighter. They did boo Carlson though.

The only thing on Google searches involving combat sports this week was last night’s UFC show at 250,000, which is very low for a major UFC PPV show. That said, I came out of the show very interested in the idea of Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall for the heavyweight title.

Aspinall said that he would like to face Jones next and said he wanted the fight in Manchester, but said the idea of Wembley Stadium would be great as well.

Dana White said they were going to run Noche 2, in mid-September 2024 which is Mexico’s independence day weekend, for a debut at The Sphere in Las Vegas, a new state-of-the-art concert arena that is the most expensive place in the world to rent. 

Mercedes Mone today said, “I cannot wait to return back into the ring Definitely expect me to be back with some wrestling company in 2024. I cannot wait to be back in that squared circle. It’s where I feel the most at home.”

The University of Iowa’s women’s wrestling team sold out its Carver-Hawkeye Hall today with 8,207 fans. It set the record for the largest crowd for an all-women’s freestyle dual meet. That outdrew every pro wrestling show in the world, whether it be WWE, AEW, or DDT, for this weekend except Friday night’s Arena Mexico.

Hiroshi Tanahashi turned 47 today.

In last night’s Jiri Prochazka vs. Alex Pereira main event for the vacant light heavyweight title, ref Mark Goddard stopped the fight with Pereira on top in mount. At first it appeared to be an early stoppage but when seeing the replay, Prochazka did go out for a split second before fighting back. Goddard actually made a good call even though for fans live and watching in real time it didn’t appear to be that way. Prochazka never complained and said that Goddard was right and he did go out. He was very classy saying what happened happened. “I accept that. Watch me now. I’ll be back stronger than ever.” Pereira is expected to make his first title defense against previous champion Jamahal Hill, who had to vacate the title due to injury.

AEW has announced that all active military members can get one free ticket to any live event. For more details go to allelitewrestling.com/post/aew-honor

Will Ospreay posted “I will be the first wrestler on Strictly Come Dancing.” This does not mean he’s scheduled for the show. In fact he is not. But he would like to do the show and has thrown that out.

I haven’t seen the DDT show or the New Japan show from this weekend, but the matches we’ve heard the most this weekend about are Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Mike Bailey from Garland, TX, Shingo Takagi vs. Trent Baretta from the same show, Chris Jericho vs. Konosuke Takeshita from the DDT show earlier today and the Chris Brookes vs. Yuki Ueno main event. Another match getting great reviews was Volador Jr. vs. Soberano Jr. from Friday night at Arena Mexico.

At the DDT show in the retirement ceremony for Saki Akai, there were a number of top stars who sent video messages to her including Hiroshi Tanahashi and Togi Makbe from New Japan. The big surprise was Shinsuke Nakamura did as well, although his was not allowed on the broadcast.

Chris Jericho while in Japan did a press conference for the Takeshita match. He played total foreign heel in the build in Japan. He also said he was interested in doing matches in Japan against Tetsuya Endo, Kota Ibushi and Minoru Suzuki.

WWE results from last night in Johnson City, TN:

  • Gunther retained the IC title over Sami Zayn via choke and referee stoppage.
  • Becky Lynch pinned Zoey Stark with the Man handle slam
  • Kevin Owens pinned Jimmy Uso via stunner
  • LA Knight beat Grayson Waller with a BFT
  • Cody Rhodes pinned The Miz after Cross Rhodes. Rhodes kicked out of the skull crushing finale before the finish.
  • Jey Uso pinned Dominik Mysterio after a spear. JD McDonagh tried to interfere. This was the first interference on the show, so they toned down compared to prior weeks
  • Iyo Sky retained the women’s title in a three-way over Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair. Flair had Belair in the figure eight when Sky then pinned Flair.
  • Seth Rollins pinned Drew McIntyre to keep the world title after two stomps

Some notes from the New Japan Lonestar Shootout on Friday night. After Eddie Kingston retained the Strong title over Satoshi Kojima, Gabe Kidd attacked Kingston. They also officially made Shingo Takagi vs. Tama Tonga for the Never title at the Tokyo Dome on 1/4 when Tonga came out after Takagi beat Trent Baretta. Strong reviews also for KENTA & David Finlay vs. Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta when Moxley pinned KENTA with the death rider. (thanks to Victor Taylor)

DDT, which has had books (the Young Bucks autobiography) and blow up dolls as its heavymetalweight champion, added the IWGP jr. heavyweight title belt on today’s show. Somehow the belt wound up on top of champion Hiromu Takahashi and a three count was given so the belt won the title. Kauzki Hirata then covered the belt to win the title. Mao beat Matt Cardona to win the Universal title. Jericho made Takeshita tap out to the Walls of Jericho and Yeno beat Brooks to win the KO-D title in the main event.

From yesterday’s UFC show, regarding the close decisions, in Loopy Godinez vs. Tabatha Ricci, Godinnez won rounds one and three from Derek Clearly, one and two from Sal D’Amat while Bran Miner had all three rounds for Ricci in what was said to be the worst scorecard in a long time. Media scores were 95 percent for Godinez and more than half gave her all three rounds. In the Vlacheslav Borshchev vs. Nazim Sadykhov fight, which was said to be super exciting, 93 percent had it a draw with Borshcev winning one and three and Badykhov getting a 10-8 second round. 

Author John Cosper is doing a book on former world women’s champion June Byers called “The Great and Inimitable June Byers,” and comes out this month.”

Stardom’s tag team tournament ended with Maika & Megan Bane beat Suzu Suzuki & Mei Seira in the finals today in Nagaoka. The tournament was said to be disappointing due to all the injuries. Both Maika & Bayen and Suzuki & Seira advanced due to forfeits when opponents were injured.

All Japan continues its tag team tournament and junior Battle of Glory tournament on Wednesday with Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi headlining against DDT’s Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okani. 

Usman Nurmagomedov, Bellator’s lightweight champion, was suspended for six months after testing positive for a banned substance after his fight with Brent Primus a few weeks ago. The win has been changed to a no contest. California State Athletic Commission Executive Director Andy Foster said that the positive test was from a prescription medication but did not name the substance. Ali Abdelaziz, the manager of Nurmagomedov said was not a performance enhancing drug like a steroid, HGH or EPO and that he and Primus would rematch and get back in the tournament. Nurmagomedov was also fined $50,000. Bellator has not made a statement regarding the title or his spot in the tournament. Then again after this coming Friday, we don’t even know if there will be a Bellator.

Insane Championship Wrestling from Thursday night in Monroe, MI: Shane Douglas b Buckeye Sam-DQ, Sam Beale won Battle Royal, Sarah Baer b Gina Marie, ShainBoucher & Jay Mrston b Kenny Urban & Rod Lee, Sami Callihan & Rhino & The DBA b King Latimer & N8 Mattson & Karam, Ace Austin b Dread King Logan, Jackson Stone & Papa Dingo b Solomon Tupu & Malice-DQ, Aaron Orion & Jack Price b Tommy Vendetta & Isaiah Broner in the fInals of the Kangaroo Cup Mean Gia & Kelly Moore b Jessicka Havok & John E.Bravo, Myron Reed b Jason Hotch. Sabu did an autograph signing and helped Callihan & Rhino & DBA win their match. Next show is 12/28 at the P.O.P. Hall in Monroe featuring Billy Gunn (thanks to Leonard Brand)

United Wrestling Coalition on 11/18 in New Egypt, NJ at the American Legion with a Rumble called the New Egypt Rumble as the main event.

Satoshi Kojima, who was the first-ever MLW champion back in 2003, is back 20 years later for the 12/7 show at the Melrose Ballroom in New York. Right now he is scheduled to be a semi-regular with the promotion and not be a one-time deal.

The 12/26 WWE show in Madison Square Garen will be a pure Raw brand show with Seth Rollins, Cody, Rhodes, Beckly Lynch and Rhea Ripley as the headliners. WWE will also be running a Smackdown brand house show that night in Baltimore. They also run Detroit and Boston the next night.

Daily Update: PRIME, Google trends, UFC 290 fallout

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE3YxkMEKwo

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Match of the week and performer of the week for the past two weeks
  • Full coverage of Money in the Bank, the story behind all the matches angles and finishes
  • Eight confirmed matches for SummerSlam
  • Ticket sales for SummerSlam and records already broken and other records on the verge of being broken
  • Live gate for Money in the Bank and a breakdown of the multiple records set
  • WrestleMania in London and an update on where that stands
  • Total viewership for the show
  • PPV numbers for the show and how it compares to other shows plus crossover with AEW Forbidden Door
  • Story behind the results and angles on the show
  • The life and times of Darren Drozdov, comments from wrestlers, family, friends and the story behind the accident that changed his life and how he battled back and ended up close with his family.
  • His brief career in wrestling
  • Jerry McDevitt removed from the MLW lawsuit and announces his retirement. A look back at the legendary attorney and his history with WWE
  • What happened with Collision in week three. A detailed breakdown of what was one of the most important TV ratings of the year
  • WWE & AEW quarterly business, viewership, house shows, what is up and what is down and why
  • New Japan Strong at Korakuen Hall with four title changes and two brutal matches
  • Full UFC coverage for the week and business notes
  • Dragon Gate’s biggest show of the year takes place
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major wrestling shows, including weekly rankings
  • CMLL runs major event with Romero vs. Volador Jr., and notes on the debut of Mascara Dorada 2.0
  • Stardom PPV coverage
  • Notes on the Five-Star Grand Prix tournament
  • Triple Crown title change and fantastic performance by Yuji Nagata
  • Father and daughter appear on show together in Japan
  • What companies in Japan have drawn the most fans so far this year
  • One of the biggest tag teams of all-time having a special show
  • Lots more on the Mildred Burke movie that was being filmed this past month and stories about Burke’s legend
  • Grappl lists its fan voted best matches in history
  • Matt Morgan talks back surgery
  • Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame notes for 2023
  • Stardom star coming to GCW and notes on the deal
  • Kenny Omega talks AEW video game
  • Updated ticket sales for All In and where it ranks on the all-time list
  • Update on Forbidden Door PPV numbers
  • Jon Moxley goal to become an historical first
  • Omega talks Will Ospreay match
  • Ticket sales to the upcoming WWE and AEW shows
  • Jim Ross updates his condition
  • Injury updates
  • Streaming number updates
  • Merch number updates
  • International TV ratings
  • Lots of gimmick fights being talked about
  • ESPN announce new multi-part documentary
  • Paul Levesque talks NXT Europe
  • Plans for net year’s Mania
  • Gable Steveson issues challenge for another sport he’s never done before
  • Rundown of all WWE events this past week

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

Moderators needed:

We are currently looking for two people to moderate our message board. Those interested please contact [email protected].

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday Update

We did our weekend show last night with Garrett Gonzales talking the news of the week, Collision, Smackdown, and had Ryan Frederick on to talk last night’s UFC show, which was a very noteworthy show. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night talking Raw as well as all the news of the week.

Sen. Charles Schumer called on the FDA to investigate PRIME Energy drink, the drink that Logan Paul backs and has been pushed on WWE broadcasts as part of its deal with Paul and a sponsorship deal. The story said PRIME has been a big hit over the past year due to the promotion of Paul and KSI. The issue is that PRIME has 200 mg of caffeine in a 12 ounce can, or equivalent to six Coke cans or two Red Bulls. Some doctors have warned of health impact especially with young children. PRIME has said that they clearly label the drink as not recommended for children under 18 and that for kids they recommend PRIME Hydration, which has no caffeine at all. Schumer said that both drinks are marketed similarly so many parents believe they were getting some juice but in reality that are buying kids heavy caffeine.

In Google searches, last night’s UFC show was first for the entire weekend with 500,000. Nothing else involving MMA, boxing or pro wrestling cracked the top 20 any day this past week.

Dan Hooker’s right wrist was broken during his fight with Jalin Turner on the UFC show last night. He still came back to win rounds two and three and take the fight.

Regarding the two main card split decisions, in my opinion the right person won each time and the dissenting scorecards were bad. Ben Cartlidge, who is usually a good judge, gave Alexander Pantoja only round one against Brandon Moreno. My thought was Pantoja clearly won rounds one, three and five, and four was very close. Judge Derek Clearly gave Pantoja rounds one, three and five. Judge Junichiro Kamijo also gave Pantoja one, three and rive. Of media scores, , 57 percent gave Pantoja four of the five rounds and another 29 percent gave him three of the five rounds. 16 percent gave three of the five rounds to Moreno and nobody gave Moreno four rounds. It was a strong fight of the year candidate, nonstop exciting action and Moreno was the most popular fighter on the show and people were living and dying with every blow. Just a great crowd.

In Hooker vs. Turner, I thought it was very clear who won each round. Derek Cleary and Ron McCarthy had the same rounds two and three for Hooker, while Adelaide Byrd gave Turner rounds one and three and the decision. Media scores were 93 percent for Hooker and seven percent for Turner

As far as Israel Adesanya using the N word with an a at the end over and over on Dricus Du Plessis, who is a white South African, to build a probable middleweight title fight later this year, Dana White said, “Who gives a shit. I could care less. This is the fight business.”

Smackdown on 7/21 is scheduled for FS 1 as FOX will be airing a women’s World Cup soccer match that night. (thanks to David Wolf)

FTR vs. Jay White & Juice Robinson was one hell of a match last night They are doing a two of three fall rematch in Calgary on Saturday night with the tag titles at stake.

As far as other matches, heard a lot positive about today’s Will Ospreay vs. Leon Slater match from York Hall in London.

Wrestlenomics reported that the next Saudi Arabia show will be 11/4.

Dillon Danis, a much mocked Bellator fighter was backstage Friday night in Madison Square Garden. He posted a photo of himself with Paul Levesque and claimed “Negotiations.” Much of the top WWE brass was at the show.

Don King is involved in MLW storylines as the person behind the Bomaye fight club. The bomaye chant comes from the chant for Muhammad Ali in his Zaire fight with George Foreman, and Don King was the promoter of the fight. The story on how King got involved with MLW.

The final episode of the season of WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures, focusing on the Anoa’i and Fatu families, airs tonight on A&E at 9 p.m. Stone Cold Takes on America is at 10 p.m. 

Wrestlers Trey Miguel and Ashley D’Amboise were engaged this weekend.

Gail Kim and Gisele Shaw were the first team eliminated in Amazing Race Canada on CTV.

There is an ROH PPV show in 12 days in Trenton, NJ. Right now the only match announced is Claudio Castagnoli vs. Mark Briscoe for the ROH title. They taped ROH TV last night and nothing was shot as far as angles other than Evil Uno vs. Stu Grayson.

After its PPV show last night, MLW announced its next PPV show would be 9/3 from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.

Condolences to New Japan’s Fred Rosser, whose father passed away at the age of 98.

RevPro from earlier today at York Hall in London:

  • Conor Mills b Robbie X to win the cruiserweight title (said to be great)
  • Trent Seven b Sha Samuels
  • Luke Jacobs b Tom Lawlor
  • Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster b Greedy South to win the tag titles
  • Alex Windsor won four-way to become Rev Pro champion over Dani Luna, Skye Smitson & ?
  • Zack Sabre Jr. b Jordan Breaks- Ricky Knight Jr laid out Sabre after the match
  • Will Ospreay b Leon Slater (said to be incredible). Dan Moloney attacked Slater after the match
  • Michael Oku b Great O’Khan to win the British heavyweight title. This was O’Khan’s first loss ever in the U.K., which he’s been going to for years (thanks to Adam Cousins)

In potential next fights, Israel Adesanya is a -330 favorite to retain over Dricus Du Plessis and Alexander Volkanovski is listed at -240 for a potential featherweight title defense against Ilia Topuria.

Other Notes

With Steve Maclin injured, Bully Ray will announce his new tag team partner for the match against Scott D’Amore & PCO on Saturday’s Slammiversary show tomorrow morning on his Sirius radio show. 

Tyler Breeze won the NGW Tennessee championship in his first match in recent memory. He used the name Tyler Breeze.

Southern States Wrestling on Tuesday runs at the Jefferson Count Fair in Jefferson City, TN, at 7 p.m., with a free show with fair admission and a meet and greet before the show with former area legend Ron Fuller. They also run 7/23 at the Farmer’s Market Pavilion in Kingsport, TN, and 9/7 in Manchester, T as part of the Coffee County Fair with shows at 6 and 8:15 p.m. The second show will be an all-women’s show. Both are free admission with a ticket to the fair.

Demand Lucha on 7/23 at Lee’s Place in Toronto featuring Gringo Loco vs. Bendito for the Premier championship plus Bryan Keith vs. Effy.

West Coast Pro from last night in San Francisco: Jiah Jewell & JT Thorne & Kubes & Serza b Watson & Action Braxton & Ice Williams & Fresco, Robert Martyr b Kevin Blackwood, Riko Kawahata & Maria b Nicole Savoy & Johnnie Robbie, Bryan Keith b Mao, Jeff Cobb b Alpha Zo, Kushida & Kevin Knight & Starboy Charlie b Danny Rose & Rickey Gomez & Adria Quest, Masha Slamovich b Trish Adora to keep the women’s title Titus Alexander b Vinnie Massaro to keep the West Coast Pro title in nearly 30:00. Booker Chris Hero said Alexander would defend next against Kevin Night on 8/11. Chigusa Nagayo came out after the women’s match in a surprise, saying she’s been studying English in Japan and wants Slamovich to defend against Takumi Iroha.(thanks to Shannon Walsh)

IPW on 7/15 in Kalamazoo, MI at the Wax Wings Brewing Company and 7/16 in Ypsilante,MI at Fowling Warehouse. Paul London appears 8/6 in Hamtramck, MI at Fowling Warehouse. (thanks to Leonard Brand)

Richard Holliday beat Crowbar, Leo Sparrow and Bull James in a tournament last night in West Milford, NJ, to win the vacant ISPW title. They run 9/29 in Totowa, NJ, with Rey Calitri vs Super Crazy. 

Nyla Rose of AEW worked last night’s Tokyo Joshi Pro show at the Ota Ward Gym in Tokyo beating Miu Watanabe with a power bomb. It was her first match back in Japan since the start of AEW. Eve champion Miyu Yamashita beat Sawyer Wreck.

Braun Strowman is involved in a fundraiser in Genesee, WI and a home run derby.

Stardom sold out Korakuen Hall earlier today: Fukigen Death won three-way over Hina and Ram Kaichow, Mei Seira b Momo Kohgo, Natsuko Tora & Momo Watanabe & Ruaka b AZM & Lady C & Miyu Amasaki, Hazuki & Koguma b Hanan & Saya Iida, Mai Sakurai & Thekla b Nanae Takahashi & Hanako, Ami Sohrei & Saki Kashima b Starlight Kid & Rina, Natsupoi & Saori Anou & Yuna Mizumori b Mina Shirakawa & Mariah May & Waka Tsukiyama, Tam Nakano & Mayu Iwatani & Syuri & Giulia b Saya Kamitani & Maika & Mirai & Suzu Suzuki in an elimination match when Giulia threw Maika over the top rope.

Fuego del Sol said that he will be opening up a wrestling school in Oklahoma.

Daily Update: Vince McMahon, UFC, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

The new issue of the Observer is up on the site with these stories:

  • The return of Vince McMahon, the sales talks, and the departure of Stephanie McMahon
  • Who is in charge of running the company right now
  • What Vince McMahon’s role is today
  • How Vince McMahon got back in power
  • A look at different entities who have expressed interest in WWE
  • Can Tony Khan get control of WWE
  • What kind of numbers are we talking about for the deal
  • What is the current market value of WWE
  • The Saudi Arabia rumors
  • How far did the rumors spread
  • What the experience of the UFC sale in 2016 tells you about what is said publicly
  • Notes from the meeting Stephanie McMahon, Frank Riddick and Nick Khan had with all the company employees
  • If something happens with Saudi Arabia, what would be the likely repercussions based on previous sports world examples
  • What companies did Nick Khan bring up to employees when talking the sale
  • Changes in WWE morale
  • 2022 Business year in review for pro wrestling, MMA and boxing major events
  • Biggest crowds of the year
  • Main eventers on top for the most biggest crowds
  • PPV numbers for the year
  • Who drew the most 15,000+ crowds
  • UFC gate numbers
  • List of $2 million gates
  • Biggest pro wrestling drawing card each year since 1916
  • Biggest drawing cards in history
  • The changing of the media landscape and how this effects AEW and WWE
  • Analysis of the losses incurred by FOX on Smackdown by Morgan Stanley
  • The career of wrestler and promoter Johnny Powers, one of the biggest stars of the 60s and 70s
  • The attempt to promote nationally and what happened
  • How he got his first break with Bruno Sammartino
  • Multiple world title matches around the world
  • His runs with major promotions
  • Being the star of the NWF
  • How Powers figured into the early days of New Japan Pro Wrestling and his biggest matches there
  • How Powers was promoted in Japan
  • Powers and the Greatest 18 Club
  • Full coverage of PWG Battle of Los Angeles with thoughts on the shows, where PWG stands, background of the appearance of Chris Jericho, who you should keep your eyes on and match-by-match coverage
  • A look back at the career of Black Warrior
  • The most detailed look at the ratings from all the shows this past week as well as segment-by-segment
  • Mexican iconic character looking at retiring
  • Sting’s last match in Japan
  • Major change in New Japan’s U.S. approach
  • Update on Sasha Banks/Mercedes Mone in New Japan with more dates
  • How Mercedes moved tickets for her first match
  • A look at the major matches on the next new Japan tour
  • Superstar Billy Graham health update
  • TV announcer starts up promoting new group
  • The death of the real Bobby Heenan, and how the pro wrestling legend found out about his brother and his family
  • Adam Cole’s return
  • Kyle O’Reilly gives health update
  • Streaming numbers for AEW and WWE
  • International TV numbers
  • Attendance for upcoming shows
  • California legislators critical of Dana White
  • Dana White talks at press conference about his situation
  • Bellator signs perhaps its top fighter
  • Phil Baroni charged with homicide and facing a lifetime in jail
  • PFL announces new tournaments
  • WWE tries to get things removed from the discovery process in MLW lawsuit
  • How slow the courts can be on these situations
  • How much did Shane McMahon earn from WWE in 2022
  • Former New Japan wrestler quietly started in WWE camp this week

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday Update

My weekend show with Garrett Gonzales is up on the site now and I’ll be back with Bryan tonight covering the weekend news. You can send questions to the show to [email protected]

Regarding a note from this past week’s Observer regarding how quickly things change, we had been told Vince McMahon was only back regarding facilitating a sale and wouldn’t be in the office or making changes, but that has already changed. Ringside News first reported McMahon having been back in the office and suggesting changes, and we’ve confirmed that story as well. Talent was told on Friday that Paul Levesque would remain in charge of creative and Levesque threw out a scenario that Vince could make suggestions and he talks to several people about creative and they can make suggestions but he is the guy making the final calls. 

It’s back to business as usual in UFC. They had the first show and Dana White headed the press conference announcing that Francis Ngannou is no longer with the company and that Jon Jones and Ciryl Gane face off for the heavyweight title on 3/4. White said that Ngannou was offered more money than any heavyweight in history (he most ever was Brock Lesnar who got $8 million for his last fight) to face Jones and threw the knock that Ngannou was looking for easier competition. Last year there was a lot of talk of Ngannou wanting to box Tyson Fury and his being able to get far more as a boxer, even though it’s a fight he’d have very little chance in. Ngannou vs. Jon Jones would be a big fight that would be the biggest PPV event UFC can put on right now. UFC had to pay fairly big to get Jones to sign for eight fights. Ngannou’s second move, if the first one is Fury, would be interesting. It would feel like the best move economically would be a return to UFC, but Bellator and PFL would certainly at least try to nab him. But if the asking price is more than Lesnar, I don’t see how it makes economic sense.

In last night’s UFC main event, Sean Strickland beat Nassourdine Imavov with his size difference. All three judges gave Strickland the first four rounds and Imavov the fifth.

The controversial decision was Raquel Pennington over Ketlen Vieira. Bell gave Pennington the first two rounds. Derek Cleary gave Pennington rounds two and three. Sal D’Amato gave Vieira one and three. But 87 percent of media scores were for Vieira.

As far as Google searches this weekend go, it’s obviously dominated by football. The UFC was No. 6 yesterday but more for the Ngannou, Jones and Gane news than the show itself.

We’re looking for your thoughts on Friday’s Impact Hard to Kill show, 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 also looking for reports on the WWE show tonight in Corbin, KY, results, finishes and any other notes to [email protected]

WWE from last night in Roanoke, VA:
Candice LeRae b Bayley-DQ for interference by Io Sky and Dakota Kai in a quick match. Liv Morgan and Tegan Nox made the save leading to:
Morgan & Nox & LeRae b Bayley & Sky & Kai
Omos b Mustafa Ali
Dolph Ziggler b Baron Corbin with a superkick
Dominik Mysterio b Butch
Drew McIntyre & Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows b Imperium
Dexter Lumis b Chad Gable. Otis tried to interfere and was thrown out
Charlotte Flair b Shayna Baszler to keep the Smackdown women’s title
Austin Theory b Seth Rollins with the same low blow finish they’ve been doing for weeks. (thanks to Jason Gallo)

United Wrestling Network from last night in Mesa, AZ: Clark Connors b Jakob Austin Young, Midnight Heat b Reno Scum to win the tag titles, Zeda Zhang b Danielle Kamela, Kevin Martenson b Davey Richards, Bad Dude Tito won four-way over Shawn Dean, Joey Janela and Willie Mack, Peter Avalon b R3 Cassus, Alexander Hammerstone b Ortiz, Danny Limelight NC Eddie Kingston in a UWN title match, Invictus Khash won a Rumble

Not a wrestling story, but a major WBD story is that the fourth season of Snowpiercer was canceled by TNT. It’s part of WBD cuts and it was the last remaining scripted television series on TNT. The decision had already been announced this would be the last season of the show. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)

A story about Apollo Crews and the WWE’s tryouts in Nigeria next month.

FOX used both Paul Heyman and Nate Diaz on its broadcast of the San Francisco 49ers game yesterday. Diaz did some pregame hype and Heyman cut a promo on Brock Purdy, the 49ers quarterback, being the next big thing.

In the new Netflix movie The Fall, in which two girls are stuck on top of a 2,000 feet tower, as one is about to fall asleep, the other one tries to make her stay awake by asking her what she was doing with her dead as a kid. She answered that they used to watch wrestling together and mentions her favorite wrestlers as Steve Austin, The Rock, Bautista and then asked what was Cactus Jack’s name with a mask and then remembered and said Mankind. (thanks to Pat Laprade)

Jon Moxley appeared today for Cavalcade of Customs in his home city of Cincinnati (thanks to Brian Henke) 

Lance LeVine noted to us Freelance in Chicago had a really fun show last night at the Logan Square Auditorium, which was packed with almost 600 fans to see Ricky Morton. The highlight as local tag champs the Bang Bros who did some imitations of Sheamus moves because of the Banger Bros name.

Daily Update: Gene LeBell, Google trends, Bray Wyatt

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • The legacy of Inoki, his title histories and highlights, where he stands in Japanese culture, record attendances and gates, stadium shows from around the world, merchandise, major opponents, hostage settlement, Ali vs. Inoki, Bruno Sammartino, the complete story on the most famous mixed martial arts match of its generation, the heyday of wrestling in Japanese domed stadiums, Inoki vs. Don Frye, Inoki’s career start, and his heyday over more than 30 year, formation of new Japan and IGF, New Year’s Eve specials on network television, famous programs with Hogan, Andre, Backlund and Singh, his matches against international stars and stars from other sports, his legacy in foreign countries, the Inoki vs. Maeda and Inoki vs. Baba matches that didn’t happen, and so much more.
  • What happened with Sammy Guevara and Andrade, from multiple people who were there
  • WWE PPV business update
  • WWE television changes
  • Giulia, the Five Star Grand Prix, biggest match for Stardom at the end of the year and notes on the show
  • Television ratings for every national show this past week
  • New Japan Declaration of Power
  • New Japan notes from England
  • The story of AEW changing its Latin American distribution
  • New AEW signing and where other potential signings stand
  • Live event business upcoming for WWE and AEW
  • Streaming number updates
  • New A&E docs on wrestling stars
  • International ratings

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday News Update

We have two new weekend shows up on the site. My weekly show with Garrett Gonzales talks the news of the week, Antonio Inoki, Jon Moxley, TV and more, plus we did last night’s show with Bryan talking Extreme Rules, more on Moxley and all the weekend news.

Want to thank everyone for their comments on this week’s Observer and the Antonio Inoki story, which was the largest story we’ve written in the 40 year history of the newsletter. And for good reason if you’ve read it. It’s pretty clear when the dust has settled that with the exception of Vince McMahon, Inoki was the largest and most influential figure in modern pro wrestling history, and one of the most influential figures in MMA history as well.

The funeral for Gene LeBell took place today in Los Angeles. Ronda Rousey who spoke first at the funeral, wore the pink gi, a LeBell trademark, and her black belt in walking to the ring last night prior to beating Liv Morgan to win the Smackdown women’s title. She flew right in from Philadelphia and talked about all LeBell did for her as a judo coach, helping her get into MMA, and more. Mike Lano talked about Gene’s days as a television announcer for his brother’s wrestling company in the 70s Lano talked about LeBell’s interactions with Bruce Lee and Antonio Inoki. Josh Barnett and Bas Rutten were there as was former pro wrestling photographer Dan Westbrook, whose work appeared in the Japanese magazines during that era. They aired the video of the LeBell vs. Milo Savage wrestler vs boxer match in Salt Lake City in 1963.

Regarding Google searches for the week, the only topic in boxing, wrestling and MMA was Extreme Rules which was No. 5 yesterday with 200,000 searches. That’s the usual level of a non-big four WWE PPV. There was no UFC this week and as far as topics went, the Guevara-Andrade, Moxley signing or Bray Wyatt returns did not crack the top 20 on their day this week.

The Bray Wyatt return from last night currently has 1.7 million views on YouTube which is very high, although not close to record setting, since last night.

The VICE schedule on 10/18 lists other programming from 8-10 p.m., repeats of the first two episodes of Tales from the Territories that have already aired in that time slot. That night was the original date for “The Nine Lives of Vince McMahon documentary.” We don’t have a new scheduled date but since both AEW & NXT are going live from 8-10 p.m. head-to-head, it’s a good date to avoid doing a wrestling documentary. I would expect it to air on a Tuesday before the Territories show, but waiting to find out the week. Both myself and Bryan Alvarez were interviewed for that show.

Highlight matches we’ve heard worth checking out this weekend were Josh Alexander vs. Eddie Edwards and Mike Bailey vs. Frankie Kazarian from Friday’s Impact Bound for Glory and the AAA match with El Hijo del Vikingo vs Laredo Kid vs. Black Taurus which was actually last weekend but aired on television this weekend.

We’re looking for reports on yesterday and today’s GCW shows in Atlantic City to [email protected]

We are doing polls this weekend on both Extreme Rules from last night and Impact Bound for Glory from Friday night, so you can leave a thumbs up, down or middle, best and worst match to [email protected]

Predictions are for Dwayne Johnson’s Black Adam movie to debut in the $65 million to $70 million range which would be in two weeks.

Dwayne Johnson will be on Good Morning America on Wednesday, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday and Live with Kelly and Ryan on Friday, there to promote the release of Black Adam.

In a unique match, Dragon Gate’s Yamato is scheduled to face Mike Bailey tonight on the GCW show in Atlantic City, NJ at the Showboat.

Smash Wrestling and Canadian Indy Wrestling are both scheduled to debut on the WWE Network and Peacock. The first taping is 11/19 in London, ONT at the Toronto Rec Room.

Paul Craig vs. Johnny Walker has been added to the 1/21 UFC PPV show from Rio de Janeiro.

MMA Fighting has reported that the UFC returns to Australia with a show on 2/11 in Perth, Western Australia. It will be UFC”s first show in Australia since 2019. The show has first reported by Perth Now as taking place at the RAC Arena.

Other Notes

Last night’s Impact tapings in Albany, NY were held up for about an hour due to no ambulance being at the building which is a requirement by the New York State Athletic Commission.

CJ Perry, the former Lana, will be on the new season of “Surreal Life’ ON VH1. The new season will air on Monday nights starting on 10/24.

Hooked on Wrestling will be hosting a 2023 Royal Rumble watch party on 1/23 at BOXPARK in Wembley in London.

Bellator announced the signing of undefeated former Olympian Ali Isaev (9-0). Isaev competed at the 2008 Olympics and won a gold medal at the 2008 European championships in freestyle wrestling. They also announced signing new deals with Bellator ranked fighters Kana Watanabe, Tyrell Fortune, Gadzhl Rabadanov, Sullivan Cauley, Brian Moore and Norbert Novenyl Jr. (11-1).

NFC is running a show on 10/15 at District Atlanta. The main event will be Douglas Usher vs. Jared Gooden for the NFC middleweight title in MMA. There will also be a Jiu Jitsu match under tag team rules, a Female MMA Fight plus the first pro wrestling match in NFC history.

Battleground Championship Wrestling on 12/17 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia has announced an Extreme tribute show with Rob Van Dam vs. Rhino, Bully Ray (with D-Von in his corner) vs. Matt Cardona, 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Rich Swann, Juventud Guerrera vs. Super Crazy, KC Navarro vs. VSK vs. Brian Kendrick, FBI vs Afa Jr. & Beastman, plus Gangrel, Francine, Shane Douglas, Pitbull Gary Wolf and more.

GOUGE from last night in Chapel Hill, NC: Sean Cruise & Bobby Wohlfert b Metalico & Glamor Boy Khan, Mecha Mercenary b victor Andres, Lee Valiant b Joseph Everhart, Chet Sterling DDQ Seymour Snott, Inuit Joe b Waylon Maze to win the North Carolina title, Snooty Fox & TKO b Viva La Amish to keep the tag titles. Next show is 10/30 in Raleigh, NC at Rebus Works at 3 p.m.

Stardom results from today in Nagoya: Ruaka b Lady C, Mina Shirakawa b Saya Iida, Mayu Iwatani & Momo Kohgo b Giulia & Mai Sakurai, Maika & Himeka DCOR Hazuki & Koguma, Syuri & Mirai & Ami Sohrei b Tan Nakano & Natsupoi & Waka Tsukiyama, Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid & Saki Kashima retained the Artist of Stardom titles going to a 30:00 draw with Utami Hayashishita & AZM & Saya Kamitani (thanks to No Prima Donnas)

RevPro from today in Southampton, UK: Shaun Jackson b Remi Adetunji, Brendan White & Danny Jones b Samuel Hawkes & Cameron Kahi, Yota Tsuji b Robbie X, Maya Matthews b Safire Reed, Will Kaven b Michael Oku-DQ, Ricky Knight Jr. b Gabriel Kidd to keep the British heavyweight title (thanks to No Prima Donna)

Defy from last night in Portland, OR: King Naja won Oregon Pro Wrestling School Showcase, Miles Deville & Sebastian Wolfe won over Cody Chhun & Guillermo Rosas and The Bollywood Boyz to win the Defy tag titles, KC Navarro b Ethan HD, Amira b Taryn, Schaff b Adriel Noctus, Ortiz b Adam Ryder, Swerve Strickland b Christopher Daniels to win the Defy title. Next show is 10/29 in Seattle at Washington Hall with Minoru Suzuki vs. Tom Lawlor as the main event.

Former UFC fighter and NFL star Greg Hardy scored a knockout over Mike Cook last night in Delray Beach, FL in his pro boxing debut.

The first round bracketing for the AAW Jim Lyman tournament on 10/14 at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago, IL has: Yamato vs. Zachary Wentz, Schaff vs. Davey Richards, Fred Yehi vs. Calvin Tankman, Masha Slamovich vs. Dante Leon, Mike Bennett vs. Davey Vega, Gnaris Garvin vs. Silas Young, Manders vs. Josh Alexander, and Ace Austin vs. Rich Swann.

Daily Update: Malakai Black statement, Kenny Omega, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

Job Listing: Onlamp php/mysql developer. Experience with vbulletin and drupal/WordPress a plus. Email [email protected] with subject PHP DEVELOPER with resume.

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

The aftermath of the AEW brawl after All Out
Why suspensions were lifted
The CM Punk injury and how it changes things
AEW video game promotion in Japan
What people under suspension aren’t allowed to do
Tony Khan position
Clearing up some wrestling stories
Ideas for AEW to improve the developmental rate of its young talent
The most important thing for AEW long-term
Ways to get wrestlers more time in the ring
Ways to get wrestlers more time learning promos and angles
Complete coverage of UFC 279
The life and death of UFC star Elias Theodorou
Coverage of this past week’s Stardom PPV show
How every wrestling show this past week did in the ratings, competition, football, where WWE & AEW fall in entertainment standings, how the segments on the major shows did
Unique finish to set up CMLL tournament final
Final build to the anniversary show
CMLL star undergoes surgery
Promotion talk about new reality show idea
Stardom Five Star Grand Prix update
New Japan and Stardom business rundowns, profits, losses, revenue, streaming numbers
Kota Ibushi update
Yuji Nagata celebrates 30 years in the ring
New Japan Strong TV for the future
Talk about the Desperado vs. Jun Kasai bloodbath
Generational dream match announced between 80 legend and modern legend
Konosuke Takeshita’s ten year anniversary
Ricky Steamboat returns to the ring
How viewing is changing
Story behind Steamboat’s comeback
More on movies about 80s stars and a movie on the life of modern star
Hall of Famer from Japan wants match with Moxley
Wrestling cartoon show canceled
Latest on WBD and wrestling
More AEW injury news
Ticket sale numbers for WWE & AEW shows
International TV numbers
Streaming numbers
More on the business of doing major shows
Commission examining UFC backstage brawl
More Clash at the Castle news
WWE projected revenue for this year
Why Raw will have a problem next week
Gable Steveson update
New talent coming to NXT
A&E bio news

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday News Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking all the weekend news and taking email questions to [email protected]. My show covering the last week of news with Garrett Gonzales, talking a number of significant stories about the future notably the possibility of a 2024 merger of NBCU and WBD, lessons of Wednesday’s AEW ratings and more is up on the site now.

Malakai Black released a statement about his situation, confirming his release from AEW, mad that aspects of it went public , and complained of promises not delivered. The full statement is:

Firstly thank you all for your messages, know they are being read and appreciated. With all the turmoil going on in the landscape of Professional Wrestling I took the time to think of my words but also needed to wait until conversations between mine and AEW’s camp had come to a conclusion.

Firstly, I dislike reading parts of my private conversations between myself and AEW in regards to my mental well being on the internet. These conversations were private and not meant to be shared with the public. As by now most people realize I am a very private person and do not feel the need to have stuff like this out on the internet.

If you’ve been following me longer than a cup of coffee you’re aware I’ve spoken about them prior but would like to be the one deciding when this finds its way to the public and not through someone else’s mouth, as with anything through the lips of someone else: that story gets distorted.

Secondly, to be in line with the above, they also need context:

I did indeed ask for my release, the last 2 years of my life have lended to a lot of set backs. Both me and my wife have been affected by uncontrollable actions from the outside that resulted in loss of life, medical set backs, career jeopardizing, the suicide of a close friend and a close family member almost losing their life, then experiencing an injury that I was sure was the end of my career.

I spend every week going through several sessions of rehab, dry needling and therapy just to be able to walk and compete. Now this being the tip of the iceberg and with the combination of the promises in my professional field that were not upheld which resulted as a combination of all of these to a complete demoralization of life and career.

This decision had been in my mind for the past six months. It’s hard to really put a finger and say “this was the moment it all went wrong.” But I can tell you after many years that I have learned from a rational point of view to see when I need to hit the breaks; which is what this is.

Perhaps once my mind settles on certain things and processes the last 2 years a bit better I will convey (via a different platform than written out) what the exacts were that happened, and have a more informed conversation about them.
For now know that I am good, and am taking, for the first time in 22 years, a few months to recalibrate the last 2 decades of my life.

Lastly, I have read a few narratives online in regards to my “release”, mental health and my personal life that I can summarize swiftly; if it didn’t come from me, it didn’t happen.

Stuff about conditional releases, stuff in my marriage or using said mental health to leverage the other when as I said before that part wasn’t even going to be part of the public conversation are false. My marriage is fine, I am fine. It is just time to make sure those things stay that way.

Once again, I appreciate your support and we will see each other soon enough.

A photo has surfaced from a television appearance in Japan of Kenny Omega showing fresh bite marks on his left forearm. It was from an appearance a few days ago.

As far as Google trends this past week, only two things made the list. The
Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin fight did 2.5 million searches, which was the same as last week’s Nate Diaz vs. Tony Ferguson UFC show. The only other thing for the week making the list was the death of Elias Theordorou, which was No. 17 on Monday with 100,000. The last few days the list was dominated by pro and college football. 

Notably, the Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul match did not make the list, nor did yesterday’s UFC show. The idea was to hold the press conference in Las Vegas yesterday when people were in town for the Alvarez fight and thus get legitimate sportswriters, notably the boxing press talking about it. From what I’ve seen, its mostly people who cover pro wrestling that are writing about it, unlike the MMA and boxing press who covered far more when Cain Velasquez and Tyson Fury were announced in Las Vegas for a Saudi Arabia show. 

Jose Aldo, who had one fight left on his UFC contract, is retiring and has gotten a release from his contract. He was also removed from the rankings. He was WEC and then UFC featherweight champion from a 2010 win over Urijah Faber that was a huge PPV success until his 2015 loss to Conor McGregor, which at the time was one of the biggest UFC fights in history.

We’re looking for reports from these events over the weekend:

      • Smackdown TV from Anaheim with dark match results
      • WWE house show last night in Bakersfield, CA
      • WWE house show tonight in Oakland,CA
      • MLW TV tapings tonight in Norcross, GA
      • All Japan Budokan Hall show today

The MLW TV taping lineup tonight:

      • Alex Hammerstone vs. Bandido for MLW title
      • Willie Mack vs. Jacob Fatu street fight
      • Laredo Kid & Komander & Microman vs. Gino Medina & Black Taurus & Mini Abismo Negro
      • Myron Reed vs. Shun Skywalker for middleweight title
      • Davey Richards vs SB Kento for national title
      • Taya Valkyrie defends women’s featherweight title against winner of an earlier Lady Shani vs. Lady Flammer vs. La Hiedra & Reina Dorada match
      • Alex Kane prize fight
      • Mads Krugger vs. Mance Warner

We’ll have more on this later, but people were raving about the Jarochita mask vs. mask win over Reyna Isis and the Atlantis Jr. mask win over Stuka Jr. at Friday’s anniversary show of CMLL. I had those in the business in particular say that the women’s match was must-see.

Kento Miyahara beat Suwama to win the Triple Crown at the Budokan Hall main event today.

A correction from Friday’s update. WWE is having a show on 12/27 in Detroit. WWE released a schedule of events that didn’t include anything on 12/27 but that show is on the calendar and has been announced.

Another correction is that Devon Nicholson is not standing trial on 10/12 regarding the assault allegation of his ex-girlfriend. That date will be the next hearing. Nicholson on hid podcast noted his ex-girlfriend Minsaki Mona Yates also has assault charges from the incident. Nicholson is claiming self defense.

Other Notes

Stardom results from today in Osaka:

      • Utami Hayashishita & Lady C b Saya Iida & Momo Kohgo
      • Red block: Koguma b Unagi Sayaka
      • Red block: Saki b Mai Sakurai
      • Blue block: Starlight Kid b Mina Shirakawa
      • Blue block: Giulia b Ami Sohrei
      • Blue block: Saya Kamitani d Mirai 15:00
      • Red block: Tam Nakano b Risa Sera
      • Blue block: Suzu Suzuki b Momo Watanabe

Will Ospreay noted he had 30 hours of travel to get to today’s New Japan show in Beppu that ended up being canceled. The Fukuoka show today is also canceled due to the typhoon in Japan. Right next the next show is schedule for Wednesday in Kumamoto.

Pro Wrestling Eve has announced to Wrestle Queendom shows, an afternoon and an evening show on 11/13 at The Venue in Great Portland Street in London. Jetta defends the Eve title against Alex Windsor. It’s noted that Jetta’s fiance i Windsor’s best friend. Millie McKenzie faces Miyu Yamashita, noting that until now the match was impossible to book because McKenzie was with WWE UK and Yamashita worked with AEW. Both those matches will be on the afternoon show and the two winners will face for the title on the evening show. Takumi Iroha, the AAAW champion from Marvelous and Stardom faces Kanji.

Nick Wayne was to wrestle Callum Newman on today’s Progress show but Wayne had to pull out of the match due to an injury. Progress said the match will happen in the future when Wayne is healthy.

WAR on 10/8 in Lima, OH at the Empowered Sports Center.

Republic of Lucha ran a show yesterday in South Pasadena, CA in the parking lot of the Lucha store that Penta and Fenix own and they booked this show: 

      • Demus b Mascarita Dorada (Fun opener)
      • Taya b Lady Flammer (hard hitting a lot of brawling)
      • Brian Cage won a three-way over Willie Mack and Black Taurus when Cage pinned Taurus
      • Rey Leon & Zokre b Latigo & Black Magic in a pure lucha match 
      • Lince Dorado b Matt Sydal
      • QT Marshall & Aaron Solo b Penta & Fenix. Lots of crowd brawling. Marshall got great heat
      • Rush & Bestia del Ring caused Penta & Fenix to lose and challenged them to a match
      • They ended the show at 7:30 p.m. so fans had time to get dinner and watch the Canelo Alvarez fight (thanks to Chris Whitehead)

New Japan’s second show on 10/27 at the Palladium in New York only has 492 tickets out in a 1,000 seat building after the Friday show sold out. (thanks to Wrestle Tix)

Prestige Wrestling from Pomona, CA last night: 

      • Jordan Cruz b Robert Martyr
      • Alan Angels b Bateman
      • Tom Lawlor & Jorel Nelson b Atticus Cogar & Rickey Shane Page
      • Taya Valkyrie b Dark Sheik
      • AC Mack b Sonico to keep IWTW title
      •  Miyu Yamashita b Trish Adora
      • Alex Shelley b Calvin Tankman
      • Sandra Moone b Maki Itoh 
      • Malakai Black b Kidd Bandit

MCW from Friday night in Joppa, MD:

      • KiLynn King won three-way over Katie Arquette and Zoey Skye
      • Amber Rodriguez & Adena Steele b Zayda Steel & Portia
      • Trish Adora b Dani Mo
      • Rey Lyn b Queen Aminata
      • Vicious Vicki b Gabby Ortiz
      • Kelsey Raegen b Brittany Blake
      • Mandy Leon won MLW women’s title in four-way over Gia Scott, Leila Grey and Melina

Boom Pro Wrestling from last night in Vancouver, BC: 

      • Billy Suede b ?
      • Tony Baroni b Elliot Tyler
      • President Abraham Lincoln (Pete Powers) b Parm Singh Mann
      • Brady Malibu b Shareeef Morrow
      • Ravenous Randy b Travis Williams
      • Cat Power won three-way over Nicole Matthews and Liza Hall
      • Actor Sachin Sahel of “The 100” was at the show and turned heel to join Brady Malibu
      • Next show is 10/29

Daily Update: UFC 279 notes, Google trends, WWE house shows

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

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Latest Audio:

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

Details of Punk’s latest injury
Details of Punk’s broken foot, how it happened, and his recovery
Why more details about the suspension weren’t announced on television
The suspensions and how the company is handling the backstage fight
Stories coming out about the fight that are clearly not true, motives to explain why things happened
More details about the press conference
More things that happened that haven’t been reported
Where AEW goes from here
Full coverage of Clash at the Castle
Full coverage of AEW All Out
PPV and live numbers for both shows and what lessons can be taken
Notes from our two-hour interview with Tony Khan on AEW business
Keiji Muto retirement news
WWE Worlds Collide coverage
UFC makes debut in France with a great main event
Complete rundown of TV ratings of all the national shows plus how each segment did
CMLL Noche de Campeones card with fan voting on matches
Lucha Libre Dy cad at Arena Mexico
Five Star Grand Prix update
N-1 tournament finals and next major NOAH show
Movie on Ric Flair
Notes on Scottish Hall of Famer Ian Campbell
Thunder Rosa update
Update on AEW video game
Advance tickets for WWE & AEw shows
International TV ratings
WWE & AEW streaming numbers
Backstage fight in UFC
New executive hires in WWE as well as new contract details for the WWE big four execs

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday News Update

We have two weekend shows up. Garrett Gonzales and I talked all the news of he week on one show and Bryan and I ran down UFC and the weekend TV shows as well as the latest news.

Regarding last night’s UFC 279, there was one big unanswered question. Dana White said the commission would not have allowed Nate Diaz, at 171, to face Khamzat Chimaev, at 178.5. But the commission did allow Li Jingliang, at 171, to face Daniel Rodriguez, at 180. And in the cage the two looked far more than nine pounds different.

Chimaev, who was one of the biggest heels I’ve seen in UFC, maybe even at the Matt Serra/Josh Koshcheck in Montreal facing GSP level, said he wants to still fight at 170 and can make weight. Dana White at the post-show press conference, said he thinks Chimaev should move to 185 pounds. 

For Google searches, last night’s show did 2.5 million searches, more than one million of which related to Diaz. That would indicate a good PPV number. AEW, which never cracks the top 20 unless it’s the day of the PPV show, had C.M. Punk at No. 9 on Monday with 100,000 and at No. 16 on Wednesday with 50,000, the first related to the altercation and the second related to the first word being out that the triceps injury was serious. The other combat sports related placing for the week was Anderson Silva, at No. 13 on Tuesday, regarding his fight with Jake Paul.

Regarding the Li Jingliang vs. Daniel Rodriguez fight, it was a very controversial decision for Rodriguez. Judge Michael Ball had rounds two and three for Rodriguez. Judge Douglas Crosby has one and two for Rodriguez. Judge Ron McCarthy only had round one for Rodriguez. Almost every media score had 29-28 for Jingliang, with 92% scoring for him and 8% for Rodriguez.

We’re looking for your thoughts on last night’s UFC 279, 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 are also looking for reports from these weekend shows:
Smackdown Friday in Seattle (dark matches only)
NXT on Friday in Jacksonville and Saturday in Orlando
WWE’s house show tonight in Wenatchee, WA
New Japan tonight in Las Vegas for Strong tapings at Sam’s Town.
We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

The Raw house show last night in Colorado Springs, CO:

    • Street Profits b Alpha Academy
    • A three-way match for 24/7 title saw Nikki ASH beat Dana Brooke to win the title, then Tamina pinned ASH and then Brooke beat Tamina and Brooke escaped with the belt
    • Rey Mysterio b Austin Theory
    • Bianca Belair & Asuka & Alexa Bliss b Bayley & Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai.
    • Matt Riddle b Omos-DQ when MVP interfered
    • Finn Balor & Damian Priest b A.J. Styles & Dolph Ziggler with help from Dominik Mysterio
    • Bobby Lashley b The Miz in a street fight for the U.S. title. Tommaso Ciampa was interfering and helping Miz win the title, the lights went out and Dexter Lumis appeared and saved the title. Lashley put Ciampa and Miz through tables to win (thanks to Lupita Lara)
    The Smackdown house show last night in Spokane,WA:
    • Usos b New Day to keep the tag titles
    • Karrion Kross b Drew Gulak via crossjacket choke
    • Shinsuke Nakamura b Happy Corbin via Kinshasa
    • Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez kept women’s tag titles over Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler and Xia Li & Shotzi when Aliyah pinned Li
    • Liv Morgan b Natalya to keep he women’s title
    • Sheamus & Butch & Ridge Holland b Gunther & Giovanni Vinci & Ludvig Kaiser via DQ
    • Drew McIntyre b Sami Zayn in a street fight with the Claymore kick after putting him through a table
    • (thanks to Ryan Millman and Jesse Carder)

WWE

Fallon Henley vs. Lash Legend has been added to Tuesday’s NXT 2.0 first year anniversary card.

In the fans voting for Tuesday, this is how the balloting looks
For the stipulation in the Pretty Deadly vs. Creed Brothers tag title match, fans will vote for either a tornado match, a no DQ match or a cage match.
For the opponent for Carmelo Hayes for the North American title, fan swill vote on Wes Lee, Joe Gacy or Von Wagner.

A&E has no new content from WWE for a while now, but they are airing replays of Biographies tonight with Bill Goldberg at 8 p;m., Undertaker and 10 p.m. and Goldberg again at midnight.

Other Notes

For the New Japan show tonight in Las Vegas, as of this morning, there were 165 tickets left. Sam’s Town was set up for 914. Tonight’s card:

    • Juice Robinson vs. Ren Narita
    • QT Marshall vs. Shota Umino
    • Doc Gallows vs. Che Cabrera
    • Shingo Takagi vs. Rocky Romero
    • Tomohiro Ishii vs. Tom Lawlor
    • Mistico & Blake Christian vs. Mascara Dorada & Alex Zayne
    • Jay White & Karl Anderson vs. Homicide & Wheeler Yuta

MCW from last night in Joppa, MD: Angel Alvarado won three-way over Alex Divine and Steve Fuerte, Trey Miguel (with Lio Rush in the corner) b Mike Walker, Robert Locke & Eric Martin b Diego Cruz & Lor Diaz, Mandy Leon b Zayuda Steel, Drolix & Chuck Lennox & Erick Redbeard b Jacobs Family, Tim Spriggs (a BJJ champion) b Killian McMurphy. Spriggs was a surprise replacement for Brandon Scott, Chris Bey b Myles Hawkins, Brian Johnson won an 11 man Bruiser Strong Rumble elimination match to become the new MCW champion.

Britain Hart (6-1) beat Charisa Sigala (1-3-1) to become the first Bare Knuckle Fighting strawweight champion last night in Great Falls, MT in the main event. Former UFC fighter Joe Riggs went to a no contest with Ken Dyer after Riggs was knocked down and unable to continue after an accidental headbutt.

KSW yesterday sold out Arena Otrow in Osrow Wielkopolski, Poland. Phil De Fries retained his heavyweight title for the seventh time in the main event with a submission in 4:11 over Ricardo Prasel. Tom Breese beat former Olympic wrestler Damian Janikowski with a guillotine at 1:55 of the second round. Janikowski was upset after the match saying that he never tapped out and Breese seemed open to a rematch.

GOUGE from last night in Raleigh, NC: 

    • Mecha Mercenary & Dirty Daddy b Bobby Wohlfert & Victor Andrews 
    • Snooty Fox & TKO b Mecha Mercenary & Dirty Daddy 
    • Snooty Fox & TKO b Viva La Smith to win the Gouge tag titles, 
    • Kaitlyn Marie & Glamor Boy Khan b Nina O’Rian & Chet Sterling, 
    • Waylon maze b Caribbean Tiger in a lumberjack match, 
    • TIM b Seymour Snott to keep the Gouge title. 
    • Next show is 9/24 at Clouds Brewery in Raleigh, NC.

Daily Update: G1, weekend recap, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • Match and performer of the week
  • The life and times of Gene LeBell, MMA, stunt work, pro wrestling, an accessory to a murder, being trained by Lou Thesz, national judo champion, enforcer work in boxing and wrestling, details on the supposed first mixed match in history and later refereeing Ali vs. Inoki, the Bearcat Wright story, Steven Seagal, Bruce Lee, Chuck Morris, Ronda Rousey, Roddy Piper, the Los Angeles wrestling territory
  • Updated G1 Climax report with all the bouts last week, the standings and the final shows
  • Clash at the Castle update
  • Vice’s Tales from the Territory, what is and isn’t confirmed
  • UFC Saturday night coverage
  • AAA Triplemania preview and Verano de Escandalo coverage
  • The death of the Mexican star TNT, and a look back at a boom period for wrestling in that country
  • The most detailed look at the pro wrestling TV business over the past week
  • More on the CMLL anniversary sow
  • More on the CMLL Grand Prix
  • Konnan and Dorian Roldan talk AAA future
  • *Stardom Five Star Grand Prix update
  • NOAH N-1 tournament
  • Ric Flair talks his last match
  • Dave Bautista movie update
  • Death of Mike Masters/Rocky Jones
  • Former early Raw performer loses race for senate
  • Lots of AEW updates
  • Major star talks going to AEW
  • AEW & WWE streaming numbers
  • Ticket sale updates on AEW & WWE shows
  • UFC new deal in its second biggest market
  • Lots of new major UFC fights
  • Bo Nickal and UFC
  • Vince McMahon’s new payments found
  • Questions being asked about a WWE branch
  • Returns of Dexter Lumis, Karrion Kross & Scarlett
  • Women’s tag team title tournament
  • New WWE TV show filming

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday News Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking G-1 with Kevin Kelly as we had into the last day of the round-robin on Tuesday at Budokan Hall. Garrett Gonzales and I went over the past week’s news on our Friday night show.

  • These are Tuesday’s G-1 matches at Budokan Hall
  • A block: Kazuchika Okada (4-1) vs. Lance Archer (3-2)
  • B block: Tama Tonga (4-1) vs Jay White (5-0)
  • A block: Jonah (3-2) vs. Bad Luck Fale (2-3)
  • B block: Tomohiro Ishii (1-4) vs. Sanada (3-2)
  • C block: Hirooki Goto (3-2) vs. Evil (2-3)
  • C block: Tetsuya Naito (3-2) vs. Zack Sabre Jr. (4-1)
  • D block: Shingo Takagi (3-2) vs. El Phantasmo (2-3)
  • D block: Will Ospreay (3-2) vs. Juice Robinson (2-3)
  • If Okada wins, he wins A block. If Archer beats Okada, he wins A block. If Okada and Archer do a no contest and Jonah beats Fale, Jonah wins A block.
  • White vs. Tonga winner wins B block. If there is a draw, White advances
  • If Sabre wins, he wins C block. If Naito wins, he wins C block.
  • If Robinson and Phantasmo win, there is a seven-say tie at 3-3 in D block. If Takagi and Ospreay win, Takagi wins the block. If Ospreay wins and Takagi loses, Ospreay wins the block.
  • On Wednesday, the A vs. B and C vs. D winners face and the winners face off on Thursday for the championship.
  • If you saw the Smackdown overnight viewership number of 2,431,000, as noted before, it’s not really indicative of what the show actually drew. There were 28 markets that aired NFL preseason in that time slot and the Fast National measure FOX stations in the slot, not the specific show. So that number includes 28 markets airing higher rated NFL. So the overall number will be significantly lower. The one good thing is after last year, most people do know that so there has only been a minimal amount of people pointing to that number like it means Smackdown did a blow away number.
  • Drew McIntyre missed last night’s show in Salisbury, MD and will be off tonight’s show in Atlantic City. He injured his back a few weeks ago and has been working through it. The idea is to do rest and rehab. The injury is not expected to impact him wrestling Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle.
  • We’re looking for dark match notes from Friday’s Smackdown show in Raleigh, NC as well as reports from tonight’s WWE show in Atlantic City and tonight’s GCW show in Atlantic City to [email protected]
  • Mary Austin, the daughter of the Fabulous Moolah, who wrestled for his mother, usually under the name Pat Sherry from 1956-72, passed away. She may be best known to current fans for her appearance on the Dark Side of the Ring show on her mother in season one of that series.
  • Larry Katz, who did a Saturday night pro wrestling talk show in the Baltimore market in the late 80s and early 90s, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 74. Best wishes to his family and friends and former listeners.
  • In matches that have had high recommendations this weekend, the big ones are from Impact Emergence, Josh Alexander vs. Alex Shelley as well as Bandido vs Rey Horus. Another match to go out of your way to see is Nate Landwehr vs David Onama at yesterday’s UFC show on ESPN. Also have heard Miu Watanabe vs. Miyu Yamashita and Watanabe vs. Yuka Sakazaki in the Tokyo Princess Cup of TJPW were great matches.
  • The WWE programming on A&E tonight has the Biography of DX at 8 p.m. WWE Rivals covers HHH vs. Mick foley at 10 p.m. and Smack Talk has Shawn Michaels as a guest at 11 p.m.
  • WWE results from last night in Salisbury, MD:
  • Bianca Belair b Asuka to keep the Raw women’s title
  • Gunther b Ricochet to keep the IC title
  • Veer Mahaan b R-Truth
  • Seth Rollins b Dolph Ziggler (Riddle attacked Rollins after the match)
  • Bobby Lashley won three-way to keep the U.S. title over Miz and Theory
  • Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler b Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez with a double tap out finish
  • Street Profits & Madcap Moss b Sheamus & Usos via DQ. It was then restarted as a street fight with Profits & Moss winning. Moss replaced McIntyre.
  • Not much in the way of Google searches related to combat sports/Wrestling this past week. The only thing was Dominick Cruz (who lost the main event yesterday) at 100,000, although for whatever reason in checking, he’s no longer listed in yesterday’s to 20. Cruz was up on all three scorecards going into the fourth round of his main event with Marlin “Chito” Vera, before being knocked out with a head kick in round four.
  • Former UFC welterweight champion Rory MacDonald announced his retirement. He lost in the PFL semifinals to Dilano Taylor via first round knockout in a bout that determined who would go to the $1 million final.

WWE

  • An interview with Dana Brooke building the upcoming Raw show tomorrow in Washington, DC. 
  • AJ Styles, Rey Mysterio and Doudrop were in Saudi Arabia this past week promoting WWE’s return in the fall. They are flying from Saudi Arabia directly to DC for Raw tomorrow. 

Other Notes

  • The N-1 tournament continues on Tuesday in Sendai with Kenou vs. Go Shiozaki, Kazuyuki Fujita vs. Hideki Suzuki, Masaaki Mochizuki vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr., Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Takashi Sugiura, Satoshi Kojima vs. Masa Kitamiya and Kinya Okada vs Jack Morris.
  • Pro Wrestling EVE on 9/1 in London at 229 The Venue with Alexxis Falcon vs. Kanji.
  • GCW from last night in Atlantic City, NJ: Dark Sheik b Bradley Prescott IV, Nick Wayne b Starboy Charly, Jordan Oliver b Ninja Mack, Gringo Loco won over Joe Landro, Jimmy Lloyd, Axton Ray, Grim Reefer and Marcus Mathers, Blake Christian b Tony Deppen, Mark & Jay Briscoe b Los Macizos to regain the GCW tag titles, Cole Radrick b Charli Evans to keep the extreme title, John Wayne Murdoch b Matt Tremont in a crazy death match, Rina Yamashita b Alex Colon to win the Ultraviolent title, Jon Moxley b Effy to keep the GCW title. After the match Nick Gage came out to challenge Moxley to a title match and they agreed to a title vs. career match but didn’t announce the date. (thanks to Owen O’Connor)
  • Stardom today in Okayama: Syuri & Ami Sorei won three-way over Saya Kamitani & Lady C and Mina Shirakawa & Mai Sakurai, Unagi Sayaka b Saki Kashima, Giulia b Hanan, Utami Hayashishita b Momo Kohgo, Maika b Koguma, AZM b Himeka, Hazuki b Mirai, Momo Watanabe b Natsupoi
  • Jacob Fatu defends the West Coast Pro title on 8/18 against Mike Bailey in San Francisco as part of their two days of shows this weekend.
  • Prestige Wrestling and West Coast Pro joint show n 9/3 in Sacramento, CA with Titus Alexander, Reno Scum, Alex Zayne, Masha Slamovich, Alan Angels and Davey Richards.

Daily Update: UFC 276, scoring, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • Among the highlights:
  • Match and performer of the week
  • A look at Forbidden Door
  • The most detailed business notes and poll results on the show
  • The unique ticket selling aspect
  • How injuries plagued the show
  • Plans that changed not due to injury
  • AEW injury rate
  • What we’ve learned about AEW, PPV and what can draw that people thought couldn’t from this show
  • Why people both did and didn’t buy the show
  • Who bought this and Double or Nothing, and who bought this that didn’t buy Double or Nothing
  • The ball being dropped on the follow-up
  • How much money the show took in
  • Where the show ranked as far as biggest AEW shows
  • Complete rundown of every match
  • Abraham Riesman’s story on Vince McMahon and Rita Chatterton looked at from all aspects
  • Logan Paul signs with WWE, early SummerSlam notes, Money in the Bank notes and origin
  • Cain Velasquez sues the man he shot
  • Full UFC coverage from Saturday
  • Stardom Fight In The Top PPV coverage
  • The most detailed look at television ratings from last week
  • CMLL’s biggest star undergoes surgery
  • Notes on a lot of different tournaments
  • Most Outstanding Wrestlers of 2022
  • Next ROH PPV show
  • Kenny Omega talks a number of different subjects
  • International TV ratings
  • Streaming numbers from the past week
  • Ticket sales for upcoming shows
  • Francis Ngannou’s return
  • ESPY awards for wrestling and MMA
  • This week’s UFC how preview
  • Huge upset leads to Bellator title change
  • The story behind Chris Jericho, Bryan Danielson and Paul Wight being on Raw
  • Story on a new WWE signing that got a lot of publicity this past week and what they are looking for
  • WWE, AEW and NJPW injury updates
  • Different booking ideas that have been talked about
  • WWE star whose contract is expiring and has yet to sign a new deal
  • Gina Carano talks doing a fight with Ronda Rousey
  • A look at all the WWE live events over the past week

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

Ordering Info:

Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday News Update

  • For our shows this past weekend, we have a show Garrett and I did with Brian Solomon, whose great biography of The Sheik is out. We talked The Sheik, as well as talked Vince McMahon, who he worked for as part of the magazine and writing team. We also talked to Greg Oliver about his Sports Illustrated story on Rocky Johnson’s multiple children before Dwayne who in recent years, thanks to DNA testing and Ricky Johnson, found each other. We talk a lot about Rocky Johnson the wrestler and the person. Last night Bryan, myself and Ryan Frederick talked Money in the Bank and UFC, along with the other weekend shows.
  • No controversial decisions as a rarity last night with both UFC title bouts being very one-sided in favor of champions Alexander Volkanovski and Israel Adesanya. It certainly appeared Adesanya vs. Alex Pereira is coming,which would be the first guy Adesanya has faced who can match him as a standup fighter.
  • For Google searches last night, the UFC show had 2.3 million and Money in the Bank had 200,000, about what one would expect for both. Sean O’Malley actually beat out the entire MITB show in yesterday’s rankings. O’Malley and Donald Cerrone cracked the top 10 from last night (the main eventers are figured into the total and not broken out separately). Aside from that, nothing from pro wrestling, pro boxing or MMA cracked the top 20 this past week.
  • The UFC show on ABC last night only did 0.15 in 18-49 on the fast nationals. Keep in mind the audience was split between ABC, ESPN and ESPN+ but that is not a good prime time number.
  • There were three pro wrestler generated ring entrances at last night’s show. I believe Jessica Eye came out to Shawn Michaels’ music, but somebody on the undercard did. Jim Miller came out to the Road Warriors theme and Israel Adesanya came out to Undertaker’s theme complete with a hat and urn. 
  • We’re looking for reports from the WWE house show tonight in Tucson, PWG tonight in Los Angeles and RevPro’s show today to [email protected]
  • The WWE show is advertising Seth Rollins vs. Riddle, Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs Rhea Ripley (who at last word wasn’t cleared yet) vs. Becky Lynch and Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn.
  • PWG tonight at the Globe Theater in Los Angeles
  • Shane Haste vs. Titus Alexander
  • Jonah vs. Kevin Blackwood
  • Masha Slamovich vs. Yuka Sakazaki (first PWG women’s match in a decade)
  • Jonathan Gresham vs. Davey Richards
  • Buddy Matthews vs. Mike Bailey
  • Malakai Black & Brody King defend the tag titles against Aussie Open
  • Daniel Garcia defends the PWG title against Konosuke Takeshita
  • Our weekend polls are for WWE Money in the Bank and UFC 276, yo u can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to [email protected]
  • There were reports that Tony Khan and Jim Ross were at the UFC show in Las Vegas. That was incorrect. Apparently somebody put up on a photo of them from the 4/9 show in Jacksonville that they were at and it got circulated in a number of places. Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Paul Levesque, Pat McAfee (in a neck brace to sell the post-show attack from Happy Corbin) and Nick Khan were all sitting ringside for the last few matches after the WWE show ended. All but Khan were identified on television,
  • I have not seen this match yet, but will be watching it, but the match I’ve heard the most about being a must to see is Friday’s Impact match with Mike Bailey vs. Trey Miguel for the X title. I did see the Chris Sabin vs. Frankie Kazarian match on TV Thursday night and those guys were great. That was a G-1 main event caliber singles match.
  • PAC vs. Shota Umino for the AEW All Atlantic title takes place this coming Sunday in Sheffield, England. It will be the first defense of that title.
  • Announced for Raw tomorrow is Miz addressing Logan Paul saying he didn’t want to team with him. Plus Damian Priest & Finn Balor vs. Rey & Dominik Mysterio and the beginning of the hard build for SummerSlam.
  • The National Enquirer ran a piece on Vince McMahon this week. (thanks to Paul Kacprzak)
  • PFL ran Friday night with the last regular season women’s lightweight and men’s welterweight matches. For the women, going into the final four will be Larissa Pacheco, Kayla Harrison, Martina Jindrova and Olena Kolesnyk. In the final four playoffs Harrison will be going for her third $1 million check with a tournament win. Even though Rory MacDonald lost via unanimous decision to Sadibou Sy, he did make the final four with Sy, Carlos Leal and Magomed Umalatov.
  • The A&E WWE marathon started today at 1 p.m. Eastern and continues until 5 pm. tomorrow They will be airing the bio features on the likes of Mick Foley, Ultimate Warrior, Steve Austin, Randy Savage, Bret Hart and Roddy Piper.
  • Warrior Wrestling announced Tessa Blanchard for its 8/20 Stadium Series show in Chicago. Also announced is Athena vs. Kylie Rae and Rikishi.
  • A horse named Ring of Honor won the 7th race at Davenport in Australia on Sunday. (thanks to Barry Werner)
  • Lois Thomas, co-promoter for United Wrestling Coalition in South Jersey, which has done 22 annual Toys for Tots show each December (not counting 2020 due to COVID prohibitions) collecting at least 6,000 toys.and inspiring numerous East Coast indies to do the same, has major surgery scheduled. She has major surgery scheduled and a GoFundMe is being done for her.
  • Rich “Svengoolie” Koz on his 40 year tribute show included clips of Hulk Hogan, Honky Tonk Man and Roddy Piper. Koz is a longtime fan and reader.
  • ICW from last night in Maybee, NY: Shlak b Eric Ryan, Akira b Brandon Kirk, Satu Jinn b Neil Diamond Cutter, Tommy Vendetta b Bobby Beverly, Kasey Kirk b Dale Patricks, Krule b Carver, Joel Bateman b John Wayne Murdoch to keep death match title (thanks to Leonard Brand)

Daily Update: Tim White, Dave Hebner, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: June 20, 2022 Observer Newsletter: Vince McMahon under investigation by WWE Board of Directors

One of the most important wrestling news stories in years is taking place right now and is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer out today. The issue has:

  • Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis, the alleged payouts, the key aspect of the story, how the story broke, notes on the investigation, the prior burial of Stephanie McMahon, the timing of her leaving, the firm handling the investigation, and what happens next.
  • Jeff Hardy arrested, more details, AEW response and more
  • Update on AEW Forbidden Door show and fan interest levels
  • The career of Keiji Muto with his retirement announcement
  • Report on the changes to the 2022 G1 Climax tournament
  • Issues with top AEW talent in G1 this year
  • Update on WWE Money in the Bank and ticket interest levels
  • UFC 275–coverage of one of the greatest fights in MMA history, business notes and poll coverage
  • New Japan Dominion coverage, match-by-match with star ratings, storylines, business notes and poll results
  • Cyberfight show
  • College athletes that WWE signed this week to NIL deals
  • How the death of Hana Kimura led to a change in Japanese laws on cyberbullying
  • Pro wrestling TV ratings over the past week
  • Notes on the oldest tradition in wrestling, now in its 89th year
  • The family tag team tournament update
  • News from this week’s Triplemania
  • Key Stardom rule
  • Dream trios match of Triple Crown champions
  • Early notes on N-1 tournament
  • Movie on famous pro wrestling family
  • NWA 74th anniversary show
  • 70s and 80s star doing autobiography
  • One of the year’s best independent matches
  • Ticket sale updates for all the major pro wrestling and UFC shows
  • AEW injury update and story
  • FTR managed by Bet Hart
  • Politics of Forbidden Door show
  • International TV ratings
  • AEW stars announcing MMA
  • New major UFC fights and this week’s card
  • Another major UFC retirement
  • News for those who get Peacock free
  • Notes on Paige being dropped by WWE
  • Roman Reigns schedule
  • Oliver Luck vs. Vince McMahon trial
  • Ronda Rousey talks the one MMA fight she would still do and how it almost happened years ago and why it didn’t

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:  May 9, 2005 Observer Newsletter: Death of Chris Candido

Ordering Info: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday News Update

  • Bryan and I will be back tonight talking all the weekend wrestling news. I did a Friday night show with Garrett talking the Vince McMahon stuff.
  • Want to send sympathies to the Hebner family and friends and family of Dave Hebner and Tim White. While best known as referees, Hebner worked a number of different jobs in WWE and was affiliated with TNA after being fired by WWE. White also worked as a producer besides being a referee and was the handler and good friend of Andre the Giant. White was super very well liked across the board, and Hebner was well liked and respected as well. I don’t know the circumstances of the death of White but he was scheduled to undergo surgery right around now.
  • Regarding Google searches, Vince McMahon was the most searched thing on Friday with the exception of Father’s Day, with 200,000 On Wednesday he was also No. 7 with 200,000. Even though last night UFC show was on ESPN, it seemed to have little interest. Josh Emmett as listed as No. 5 earlier today at 20,000 and Kevin Holland was No. 9 at one point yesterday with 50,000. But UFC itself never made the list and that’s very unusual. Dave Hebner was on yesterday’s list at No. 10 at one point yesterday with 50,000. In something of a surprise, Jeff Hardy never cracked the top 20 all week.
  • We’re looking for reports tonight from the WWE show in Billings, MT and the GCW show tonight in Providence, RI which features Will Ospreay vs. Nick Wayne for the first time ever. We’re also doing polls on these two shows:
  • Impact Slammiversary from Nashville tonight
  • AAA Triplemania from Tijuana last night
  • Slammiversary tonight on PPV from Nashville:
  • Josh Alexander vs. Eric Young for Impact title
  • Mark & Jay Briscoe vs. Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson for Impact tag titles
  • Ace Austin vs. Kenny King vs. Mike Bailey vs. Trey Miguel vs. Alex Zayne vs. Andrew Everett (replacing injured Jack Evans)
  • Queen of the Mountain for Knockouts title with champion Tasha Steelz vs. Mia Yim vs. Jordynne Grace vs. Deonna Purrazzo vs. Chelsea Green. Mickey James will be special enforcer in this match.
  • Honor No More (PCO & Vincent & Mike Bennett & Matt Taven & Eddie Edwards) vs. Impact Originals (Frankie Kazarian & Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley & Nick Aldis & mystery partner)
  • Tenille Dashwood & Madison Rayne defend Knockouts tag title against Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary
  • Moose vs. Sami Callihan Monster’s Brawl match
  • Rich Swann vs. Brian Myers Digital Media title
  • Reverse Battle Royal
  • The latter two bouts will be on the pre show.
  • PW Insider reported Jim Mitchell will be at the Slammiversary show tonight as well as tomorrow’s TV tapings.
  • I have to write about something because other people who don’t know anything about the subject have claimed a story isn’t true and misled people about it. On this week’s Observer, we noted that the Los Angeles Times was looking at doing a story on AEW but never heard back from AEW and there was no story. Houston Mitchell, a member of the sports staff for decades and also someone who has for years been our Hall of Fame consultant and is a long-time reader, said that he sent emails to AEW twice to propose doing a story on The Young Bucks to build for the show in Ontario, CA. He never heard back and the story was never done. Mandy O’Donnell of AEW said that she never received the emails and that they would have cooperated, but both Mitchell and O’Donnell have since been in communication and straightened everything out and hopefully there will be a story when AEW is next in Southern California. Both have told us the issue has been straightened out.
  • Regarding last night’s UFC, Dana White said that he would not book Donald Cerrone vs. Joe Lauzon again. Lauzon weighed in for the fight and right after his knee locked up and he couldn’t walk and there was no way he could fight. White said they would offer Cerrone a fight soon but probably not at 155 since he’s cut to 155 twice in recent weeks and they don’t want him to have to do it again.
  • Another great main event with Josh Emmett winning a split decision from Calvin Kattar in a fight that could have gone either way. Douglas Crosby scored rounds one and three for Emmett, giving Kattar the nod. Judge Sal D’Amato gave Emmett the first three rounds to win. Judge Chris Lee gave Emmett rounds one, three and four. 74 percent of media scores were for Kattar. During the fight when they were talking about how they had no idea who was ahead, Daniel Cormier said not to talk about open scoring because we can’t have that. 
  • In the Damir Ismagulov vs. Guram Kutateladze fight, Crosby gave Ismagulov only round two and had Kutateladze winning 29-28. Lee had Ismagulov rounds two and three and had him winning 29-28. Jason Stafin gave all three rounds to Ismagulov which was pretty shocking. The media scores were 73 percent for Kutateladze.
  • Regarding Triplemania, the five-way with Rey Fenix winning the Latin American title (that Taurus held) and the cruiserweight title (that Laredo Kid had held for years) with Bandido, Taurus, Laredo Kid and El Hijo del Vikingo was an amazing spectacle. If you are into crazy spot matches you had five of the best in the world at them doing them non-stop. It was lacking in other areas but that’s not what the match was designed for. It was like the modern version of Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay and if you liked that one, you’d want to go out of your way to see this one. If you didn’t like that one, you won’t like this one either. They also ended teasing Vikingo vs. Fenix with those two titles and the AAA Mega title at stake.
  • Bandido landed on his head during the five-way match and actually got back up and continued the match. But after the match, he was carried out on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital. We haven’t heard more as far as his condition since last night.
  • The mystery partner for Matt Hardy was John Morrison as Johnny Hardy, doing a lot of Hardy mannerisms, until turning on Matt at the finish. 
  • As everyone knows, John Laurinaitis was not in Minneapolis Friday night for Smackdown but one person noted to us he wasn’t scheduled. No word if he’ll be at Raw tomorrow night in Lincoln, NE.
  • While the final number won’t be out until tomorrow, Smackdown obviously is going to do its best number in a long time because of the publicity involving Vince McMahon being on the show. 
  • AEW’s high point on Wednesday was 944,000 viewers and 465,000 in 18-49 for the period with Jon Moxley, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Lance Archer Tay Conti and El Desperado. Because of the shockingly low number, and also shockingly low number of people watching television on Wednesday this week’s number will have a lot more scrutiny than usual.
  • Jake Lee beat Kento Miyahara to win the Triple Crown at Ota Ward Gym today. The bigger surprise was Shotaro Ashino & Ryuki Honda winning the world tag titles from Shuji Ishikawa & Kohei Sato.
  • WWE results from last night in Rapid City, SD:
  • Usos b Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods to keep the tag titles
  • Veer Mahaan b Robert Roode
  • Theory b Montez Ford to keep U.S. title
  • Bianca Belair over Becky Lynch and Asuka to keep tag titles
  • Aliyah b Shayna Baszler-DQ
  • Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez b Natalya & Baszler
  • Gunther won three-way to keep IC title over Ricochet and
  • Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Drew McIntyre b Sami Zayn in a street fight
  • (thanks to Jory Andre)

Other Notes

  • Warrior Wrestling from last night in Grand Rapids, MI: Brian Cage b KC Navarro, Chelsea Green b Tootie Lynn, Kevin Ku & Dominic Garrini b Myron Reed & Dante Leon, Sam Adonis b Rey Leon to keep the Lucha title, Athena b AQA to keep the women’s title, KC Navarro won the War of Attrition for the Warrior title over champion Will Ospreay, Brian Pillman Jr., Bran Cage, Sam Adonis, Jake Something, Lance Archer and Swerve Strickland. They announced the next show is 6/26 at Malcolm X College at 2 p.m., to 5 p.m., which is near the United Center where Forbidden Door is taking place. Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz & Myron Reed are back together as The Rascalz against Nick Wayne & Blake Christian & Fuego del Sol, (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • Myron Reed has been added to the MLW Battle Riot match on 6/23.
  • Prestige Wrestling from last night in Pomona, CA: Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson b Dom Kubrick & Lucas Riley, Drexel b Richard Holliday, Bateman b Jordan Cruz, Mia Yim b Willow Nightingale, Rickey Shane Page b Tom Lawlor-DQ, Evil Uno & Alan Angels b Ray Rosas & Peter Avalon,Vinny Massaro b Anthony Greene, Kid Bandit b Funnybone, Konosuke Takeshita b Lee Moriarty

Daily Update: Will Ospreay, UFC, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Sasha Banks & Naomi walk out of Raw, Ric Flair returning to the ring

  • Performer and Match of the Week
  • Sasha Banks and Naomi walking out of the WWE taping on Monday. What were the plans, where were things going, how did it go down, what was the reaction, what is the not talked about story that was the key to all of this
  • Dwayne Johnson and the XFL get an ESPN deal, what it means, what is their competition and also a look at ratings
  • Ric Flair returning to wrestle, a look at the situation, the match, others of his age wrestling, why Ricky Steamboat turned down the match
  • Cain Velasquez denied bail again, the man he was accused of shooting speaks, his lawyer speaks
  • AEW Double or Nothing and WWE Hell in a Cell as well as business notes for the week
  • Ticket sales for the WWE Clash at the Castle in Cardiff
  • Full coverage of Capital Collision, the New Japan show from Washington, DC
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show
  • This past week’s ratings
  • Main event plans for the next four WWE PPV shows
  • More details on why Stephanie McMahon took a leave of absence
  • Update on Money in the Bank
  • Update on Young Rock
  • Streaming numbers
  • Freak accident ends a main event just three minutes in
  • Matt Jackson does video challenging for major world title
  • Five Star Grand Prix tournament
  • Update on Kota Ibushi
  • New Japan Strong tapings for the next month run down
  • Best of the Super Juniors update
  • Update on Tammy Sytch
  • Wrestler shot to death
  • Zachary Wentz talks about his Hitler photo
  • Former WWE stars announce new promotion featuring the wrestling debut of Alistair Overeem
  • Huge match between two of the top stars in the business set for Sunday
  • More on the Warner Discovery upfronts and what is going on at Warner Discovery
  • Tony Khan talks the creative process
  • Hikaru Shida gets upset
  • Toni Storm talks the original plan for the Charlotte Flair angle
  • AEW vs. WWE in New York and Chicago business update
  • International TV ratings
  • Sports franchise of the year
  • How much UFC CEO Ari Emanuel earned this past year
  • Ari Emanuel defends his ESPN PPV deal
  • Baseball legend on MMA promotion board of directors and a new investor

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter: April 18, 2005 Observer Newsletter: Matt Hardy released by WWE, Ultimate Fighter 1 Finale

Ordering Info: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday News Update

  • Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio covering weekend news. The Saturday show with Garrett and I went into detail on Stephanie McMahon leaving WWE temporarily, the WWE suspending Sasha Banks and Naomi and AEW Double of Nothing among other topics.
  • An update on Will Ospreay is that he is suffering from a kidney infection and as of a few hours ago he had a 104 degree fever. He was scheduled to headline York Hall today and defend his British title against Minoru Suzuki. It’s serious business and until the infection clears we won’t have an estimate of when he can return to the ring, but what he has is no joke. Ospreay said he was as miserable as he’s ever been, that he can’t stand without without feeling he was about to faint, and gets bad sweats as well as bad chills.
  • Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes in a rematch of one of the biggest upsets in MMA history will headline the 7/30 UFC show at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The two are currently coaching the two teams on the current season of Ultimate Fighter that airs on ESPN+.
  • In yesterday’s UFC main event, Ketlen Vieira won a split decision over Holly Holm. Judge Michael Bell gave Vieira rounds two, three and four to win 48-47. Judge Derek Clearly gave Vieira rounds two, three and four and had her up 48-47. Judge Sal D’Amato gave Vieira only two and four and gave Holm a 48-47 edge. However, media scores were 90 percent for Holm.
  • In the Michel Pereira vs. Santiago Ponzinnibio fight, Bell had Pereira winning the first two rounds and up 29-28. Junichiro Kamijo had it 29-28 for Ponzinibbio with him having Ponzinibbio in round two (the swing round) and three. Ron McCarthy gave Pereira 30-27 win. Media scores were 60 percent to 40 percent in favor of Pereira.
  • NOAH has announced that Keiji Muto will make an important announcement on 6/12 at the CyberFight Festival at the Saitama Super Arena.
  • No polls this week but we are looking for reports on these shows to [email protected]
  • WWE last night in Rockford, IL
  • WWE tonight in Fort Wayne, IN (Advertised is Bianca Belair vs. Liv Morgan vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss, which may not happen since last night was Belair vs. Asuka vs. Becky Lynch and usually main events are the same, plus Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins)
  • WWE tonight in Cedar Rapids, IA (advertised top matches are Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre for the Universal tile and Ricochet vs. Sami Zayn for the IC title, both of which did take place last night in Rockford
  • RevPro today at York Hall in London
  • WWE in Canton, OH last night:
  • Street Profits b Alpha Academy
  • Veer Mahaan b Robert Roode
  • Theory b Mustafa Ali
  • A.J. Styles & Liv Morgan b Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley
  • VIP Lounge where Bobby Lashley came out and speared MVP
  • Cody Rhodes b Seth Rollins
  • Bianca Belair won three-way to keep the women’s title over Asuka and Becky Lynch by pinning Lynch (thanks to Tim Bussey)
  • For Google trends this week, only three combat sports related topics charted all week, all yesterday. No. 9 was Floyd Mayweather, who did an exhibition fight yesterday in Abu Dhabi (as did Anderson Silva). No. 10 was boxer David Benavidez. No. 11 was Sasha Banks. The only day that story trended was Saturday. We talked heavily on the subject on the show with Garrett. Nothing from yesterday’s UFC show trended which is unusual, nor did anything on Banks & Naomi until yesterday nor anything related to Stephanie McMahon.
  • Today would have been the 144th birthday of the original Great Gama, which became a news item because Google put it on its home page earlier today (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
  • I’ve heard people raving about the Aussie Open vs. Velocities tag team match at the RevPro show at York Hall. As noted before, last year’s match in Australia between the two teams was generally regarded as among the best matches of the year (every major service had it ranked high).
  • The on sale went well for WWE tickets in Cardiff, Wales on 9/3 but it did not come close to a first day sellout. High ticket prices kept a lot of consumers away. Echo in Wales had a story on it but noted the complaints were more about service charges added . To get tickets, you had to pay an extra 12.5 percent and at first, there was nothing under $250 U.S. out there (now there is a lot of cheaper tickets so a family of four would be $1,000 plus another $125 in service charges and other fees).
  • The 7/27 AEW show in Worcester, MA got off to a strong start the show the week before in Duluth, GA (Atlanta market) as the Gas South Arena got off to a weak start. 
  • Thom Latimer and Kamille (Kailey Farmer) of NWA got married yesterday in Durhan, NC. Latimer was formerly married to Ashley Fliehr (Charlotte Flair) many years ago.

WWE

  • Stephanie McMahon was voted on the WWE Board of Directors with the third most votes, behind Vince McMahon and Nick Khan, just hours before she publicly released that she was taking a leave of absence. The current issue and the show with Garrett Gonzalez goes into more detail on this.

Other Notes

  • AIW from last night in Akron, OH: Chuck Stone & Arthur McArthur b August Matthews & Davey Bang, Nasty Russ & T-Money b Eric Taylor & Mikey Montgomery, Tom Lawlor b Kaplan, Eddie Kingston b Isaiah Broner, Derek Dillinger b Chase Oliver, Dominic Garrini b Matt Cardona-DQ so Cardona keeps AIW title, Josh Bishop & es Barkley & Dominic Garrini & Britt Baker b Philly Collins & Marino Tenaglia & Matt Cardona & Chelsea Green, Josh Bishop won Rumble style match. Next show is 6/17 in Cleveland at the Odeon.
  • CWE in Rivers, Manitoba last night: James Roth b Samuel, Tyler James & Dragneel b Bobby & Brenden Collins, Sammy Peppers b Danny Duggan, Adrian Burton b Kevin Cannon, Mike Mission b Rob Stardom. They are running 5/26 to 5/29 in Saskatchewan with Mike Rotunda there doing his IRS character.
  • Chainsaw Pro Wrestling last night in Kalkaska, MI: Kevin Kalloway & Sean Tyler b Jack Verville & Louis Lyndon, Erick Redbeard b Brutus Atwell, Solo & Chase Barnett b Kyler Coleman & Conrad Louks, Alex Shelley b Tommy Vendetta, Justin Kyle b Aaron Orion, Max Morrison & Jimmy Shalwin b Jackson Stone & Mitch Hewitt, Jumal Kyng b Jason Hotch (thanks to Leonard Brand).
  • GOUGE from yesterday in Apex, NC: Drew Hood b Oliey Primo, TIM b Victor Andrews to keep Gouge title, Seymour Snott b Glamour Boy Kahn, Inuit Joe b Carolina Kid, Waylon Maze b Chet Sterling in a cigar and a pole match. Next shows are 6/4 and 6/5 in Raleigh, NC at the Jim Graham Building Man’s Expo.
  • Fortitude Wrestling Entertainment on 6/18 at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds Holshouser Building in Raleigh, NC has Eugene, Hornswoggle, Zach Gowen, Super Crazy, Rob Conway & Sylvain Grenier and more.
  • EPW from last night in Perth, Western Australia: Taylor King b Mr. Thompson, James Hartness b Harry Dux, Harry Dux & Johnny Dux b Zenith & Del Cano, Father Tyler Jacobs b Faizal Keris, Noah Greene b Elijah Henry, Bruno Nitro & Ryan Rivers b Blake Walker & Seven Norsk, Elijah Henry won three-way over Gavin McGavin and Edith Night to win the Rising Star Cup. Next show is 6/11 at the Freo Social with McGavin vs. Mikey Nicholls. 

Daily Update: Kota Ibushi, Kevin Von Erich, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Roman Reigns cutting back on WWE appearances, Kota Ibushi-NJPW issues

  • Roman Reigns schedule in detail, what he is working, next title defense, current plans on his biggest summer match.
  • Behind the issues with Kota Ibushi and New Japan, where they started, where it stands and who is trying to smooth things over
  • WrestleMania Backlash, business numbers, match-by-match with star ratings and poll results
  • Update on all the big AEW & WWE summer shows, how tickets are moving, secondary market interest and million dollar gates
  • The unique ending of the UFC strawweight title reign by Rose Namajunas and what it says about scoring, cornering and how open scoring plays a part in this
  • Complete UFC 274 coverage with PPV numbers, TV numbers, match-by-match, what next and more
  • The Hall of Fame career of Daniel Cormier, someone who made it to the top in two different sports and becoming a UFC champion having never trained in striking until nearly the age of 30
  • Major joint promotion show lineup
  • Ratings for the past week, where wrestling ranks on cable, where AEW ranks as far as youngest skewing sports shows, how each AEW segment did, and realistic comparisons with last year’s numbers
  • Wrestling at Arena Mexico
  • Juice Robinson and his NJPW contract
  • Best of the Super Juniors notes
  • Tammy Sytch updates including sad situation with Bill DeMott
  • Ted DiBiase sued by Mississippi Department of Human Services
  • The life of popular referee and office person Charlie Smith of GCW fame
  • Legend of the 90s coming out of retirement again
  • A look back at the British Bulldogs
  • Lowest rated cable station
  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • AEW and Warner Media update
  • Upcoming AEW shows
  • Tony Khan talks Bret Hart in AEW
  • Blackpool Combat Club original idea
  • Amazing UFC business run
  • UFC revenue and how much goes to fighters
  • Upcoming UFC matches
  • Former WWE wrestler wins in Bare Knuckle fighting
  • Strange booking of Lacey Evans
  • Questions about the Money in the Bank in 2022
  • International TV ratings
  • Streaming numbers

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter: April 4, 2005 Observer Newsletter back issue: WrestleMania 21 preview, All Japan Women shuts down

Ordering Info: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday News Update

  • Bryan and I will be back talking the weekend shows and latest news. You can also send questions to the show regarding the main stories of the past week and the current issue to [email protected]
  • As far as an update on Kota Ibushi, he has not been fired at this point so they are not giving up on the relationship but obviously New Japan and Bushiroad is very unhappy with the publicity. He has toned down on Twitter in the last 36 hours. Ibushi’s only tweet of note in the last three days translated into “I will fight until the end. I will not surrender to them.” The only wrestlers who have really commented are Toru Yano on his podcast, saying he wasn’t happy that Ibushi confused the fans but said he was still a New Japan wrestler and as still his friend. Kenny Omega tweeted in Japanese, “Fire of resurrection will burn bright again someday. Let’s hang on until then everybody.”
  • Kevin Von Erich turned 65 today.
  • We’re looking for your thoughts on last night’s New Japan Capital Collision show, 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 also looking for reports on these shows
  • WWE last night in Florence, SC
  • WWE tonight in Roanoke, VA
  • NJPW tonight in Philadelphia, PA
  • New Japan tonight in Philadelphia at the 2300 Arena
  • Jeff Cobb vs. Willie Mack
  • David Finlay vs. Danny Limelight
  • Karl Fredericks vs. QT Marshall
  • Brody King vs. Jake Something
  • Alex Coughlin & Kevin Knight & The DKC vs. Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs & JR Kratos
  • Yuya Uemura vs. Killer Kross
  • Minoru Suzuki vs. Tony Deppen
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Chris Dickinson
  • Will Ospreay vs. Homicide
  • Tom Lawlor vs. Fred Rosser for the Strong title and Rosser must leave NJPW if he doesn’t win the title
  • There was a fight between a wrestler and fan at an indie show over the weekend that has gotten a lot of talk. This is the incident.
  • Regarding searches for the combat sports this week, no pro wrestling broke into the top 20 all week. Only two things did all week, both yesterday. UFC was No. 12 at 100,000 and the Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano boxing match was No. 15, also at 100,000.
  • Mike “Virgil” Jones announced he had stage two colon cancer. Best wishes to him.
  • Day two of the New Japan Best of the Super Juniors tournament will be Tuesday at 5:30 a.m. with these matches
  • Douki vs. Lindaman
  • Bushi vs. El Phantasmo
  • Robbie Eagles vs. Wheeler Yuta
  • TJP vs. Master Wato
  • El Desperado vs. Titan
  • Dr. AnnaMaria De Mars, who is the mother of Ronda Rousey, started last night at the Carlo fight in her new role as part of the California State Athletic Commission. De Mars was the first American woman to win a judo world championship.
  • PCO suffered what was believed t have been a shoulder injury at last night’s Impact tapings in Kissimmee, FL. 
  • Regarding last night’s show in the Katlyn Chookagian vs. Amanda Ribas judging, Derek Cleary gave only round two to Chookagian. Sal D’Amato gave Chookagian rounds two and three as did Junichiro Kamijo so she won a spit decision. Media scores were 83 percent for Chookagian so it seems the consensus whe won the fight winning rounds two and three. While kept secret, after the fight Marcelo Ribas, father of Amanda, noted that Amanda had done the fight with a totally ruptured biceps 25 days before the fight.
  • Kento Miyahara retained the Triple Crown over Champion Carnival winner Yuma Aoyagi today in Sapporo.
  • Stardom did a live PPV show earlier today from Korakuen Hall:
  • Ruaka won three-way over Hanan and Rina
  • Ami Sorei b Saya Iida
  • Syuri & Mirai d Maika & Himeka 15:00
  • Elimination match: Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid & Saki Kashima & Fukigen Death b Mayu Iwatani & Hazuki & Koguma & Momo Kohgo when Kashima beat Kohgo, Giulia & Natsupoi & Thekla & Mai Sakurai b Tam Nakano & Unagi Sayaka & Mina Shirakawa & Waka Tsukiyama when Sakurai cradled Tsukiyama, Utami Hayashishita won five-way to become the leader of Queens Quest over Saya Kamitani, AZM, Hina and Lady C

WWE

  • On Smackdown Friday night, the dark match results were Los Lotharios over Viking Raiders (Lotharios worked as babyfaces in the match as a surprise) and Bobby Lashley over Happy Corbin in the main event with a spear, (thanks to Bradley Augenstein).
  • On today’s USFL broadcast on NBC, they did a promotion spot for Raw. One of the announcers, Jac Collinsworth (the son of Cris Collinsworth) after the promo aired asked Jason Garrett if he was a wrestling fan. Garrett said he grew up loving Bruno Sammartino and they showed a photo of Sammartino who Garrett called the Babe Ruth of wrestling. (thanks to Barry Werner)

AEW

  • The 7/13 show in Savannah, GA had a good first day of sales Friday with 3,339 tickets out.

UFC

  • Gregor Gillespie noted he was removed from the UFC rankings but said he was not leaving UFC and UFC has always been great to him. He hasn’t fought in one year and said UFC has been offering him fights and he’s been agreeing to them but the opponents keep turning him down. He mentioned Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler and Rafael dos Anjos as people who turned down fights with him.

Other Notes

  • Former WCW announcer Chris Cruise wrote a letter to the Maryland State Athletic Commission trying to get Ric Flair denied a wrestling license due to having a pacemaker and his age. There is no indication Flair’s match is scheduled for the state of Maryland.
  • Stand Alone Wrestling on 5/21 in Norwich CT at Pistol Pete’s features Davey Richards, Serpentico, Marko Stunt and Lince Dorado. There is also a Fan Fest before the show with Bob Backlund, Sabu, Nuncio, Gangrel, Kalisto and Manny Fernandez along with the wrestlers on the show.
  • Jonathan Gresham was stripped of his Progress title after losing via DQ to Gene Munny. 
  • TVG hosts yesterday spoke heavily about Mick Foley after a horse named Cactus Jack raced in the tenth race in Los Angeles.
  • Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling from last night in East Carondelet, IL: Ax Allwardt b Jimmy Razor, The Intern b Brandon Barretta-DQ, Big Texan b Payton Ayres, Kowalski b Gary Jackson to win the Central States title, Curtis Wylde & Danny Dollar & Jayson Breed b Mauler McDarby & Rick Ruby & Frankie D, King Christopher Hargas b Bill McNeil in 2/3 falls, Bobby D won the Bruiser Brody Memorial Battle Royal throwing out Kowalski, Flash Flanagan b Attila Khan & Travis Cook in a handicap match to win Khan’s Classic championship (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • CWE from Friday night in Winnipeg: James Roth b Cory Diamond in 2/3 falls, Sammy Peppes & Bryce Bentley b Bobby & Brenden Collins, Moses Luke NC Kevy Chevy, Rob Stardom b Adrien Burtin last man standing, Bobby Schink & Travis Cole & Big Vito b Mike Mission & Tyler James & Dragneel, Kevin Cannon & Shaun Martens & Kevin O’Doyle b A.J. Sanchez in a handicap match, Chad Daniels b Danny Duggan-DQ, Mentallo b Tommy Lee Curtis to keep the CWE title. Adam Knight showed up to challenge Mentallo for the title.
  • NFC on 5/21 outside under a tent for the 20th anniversary show

Daily Update: WWE Raw, Google trends, Nate Diaz

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: May 9, 2022 Observer Newsletter: WWE Q1 2022 financials, Forbidden Door presale sells out

  • Match and performer of the week
  • WWE business, profits, revenues
  • WrestleMania number releases and putting them into perspective
  • Elimination Chamber viewership and the obvious unsaid reason why it was up
  • Ticket demand for the Cardiff, Wales show
  • More on the WWE deal with A&E
  • Nick Khan talks multiple bidders for WWE rights deals including the next rights deal
  • Stephanie McMahon talks WrestleMania sponsorships
  • More on WWE recruiting and question on adding Performance Centers
  • Questions on doing a stadium show in India
  • What categories is business up and and what categories is it down
  • AEW Forbidden Door sellout and gate, ticket demand, the card, secondary market numbers
  • Full coverage of New Japan’s return to the former Fukuoka Dome and all the angles, returns and direction of the company
  • Business notes on the show
  • What matches had to be changed as well as endings
  • Notes on the Best of the Super Junior tournament and Dominion
  • Story behind the changes to the WrestleMania Backlash show
  • What is the planned stadium direction
  • Ticket updates for all the WWE PPV thought the summer
  • Details on AEW’s new television show
  • AAA Triplemania coverage
  • Story behind the Triplemania main event
  • Plans for the next Triplemania
  • More notes on the recent WWE cuts
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show
  • A look at both Stardom PPV shows and future direction
  • Dragon Gate Dead of Alive coverage
  • TV ratings including what category AEW beat both Smackdown and Raw in
  • How the different segments did
  • CMLL Universal tournament concludes
  • New tournaments coming to CMLL
  • Who Stardom is interested in from AEW
  • King of Gate tournament
  • Who is Jumbo Tsuruta and his Memorial show
  • What was the highest rated pro wrestling match on television in history
  • Champion Carnival coverage
  • NOAH Sumo Hall coverage
  • What American signed a new contract with NOAH
  • Freddy Prinze wants to start a promotion
  • PWG coverage
  • Update on a new pro wrestling cartoon show
  • AEW and Warner/Media
  • A look at what is the likely Double or Nothing show
  • WWE vs. AEW in Long Island this week
  • AEW stars on TV show Sunday
  • WWE & AEW ticket sales for all the upcoming major events
  • Streaming numbers
  • Dana White on boxers pay
  • More on Jorge Masvidal charges
  • Plans for July 2 UFC show head-to-head with Money in the Bank
  • UFC longtime stars in a must-win fight
  • WWE draft plans
  • Canadian TV numbers for AEW & WWE
  • WWE European tour coverage

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter: April 4, 2005 Observer Newsletter back issue: WrestleMania 21 preview, All Japan Women shuts down

Ordering Info: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Monday News Update

  • Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw and the latest wrestling news. You can send questions for tonight’s show to [email protected]
  • The only thing announced for Raw tonight thus far is Theory vs. Cody Rhodes for the U.S. title. The show is from Hartford, CT. There were 6,500 tickets out for the show as of this morning.
  • WrestleMania Backlash was the fourth most searched term on Google yesterday with 200,000 searches. That is the usual number for a “B” PPV show. Some figured with the lack of title matches and a six-man tag on to that there would be less interest than usual. But it was normal level interest. We hope to have PPV numbers in the issue later this week.
  • There is a rumor that is in fact legit that in the Corbin/Moss video package last night the WWE used crowd footage that was edited like it was done during an angle between the two but it was actually use of a 2012 clip of a reaction of John Cena doing a rap on The Rock.
  • We’re looking for your thoughts on both WrestleMania Backlash and UFC 274 on Saturday, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
  • Khamzat Chimaev claimed that Nate Diaz has turned down a fight with him over and over. It is well known UFC wanted that fight for 7/2. Diaz on Twitter this week teased that he would be fighting on 7/30, another PPV going head-to-head with a WWE PPV show, but didn’t tease an opponent past that the fight would be at 170 pounds.
  • Donald Cerrone, who missed Saturday’s UFC show due to food poisoning from a local restaurant, said that he is looking at doing two more fights and then retiring.
  • AEW is loading up Wednesday in the New York market. There is a competition with WWE on Friday night at the Nassau Coliseum and AEW on Wednesday at the UBS Arena. For Dynamite, AEW has C.M. Punk vs. Long Island’s John Silver, Ricky Starks vs. Jungle Boy for the FTW title, Tony Nese vs. Danhausen, Owen Hart tournament matches with Adam Cole vs. Dax Harwood, Darby Allin vs. Jeff Hardy and Toni Storm vs. Jamie Hayter, plus the MJF announcing the stipulations and a contract signing for a match with Wardlow and a Chris Jericho Appreciation Society interview. Announced for Friday, taped Wednesday, is Scorpio Sky vs. Frankie Kazarian for the TNT title and Riho vs. Ruby Soho in the Owen Hart tournament. The ticket numbers for both shows will be relatively close. AEW has topped 7,000 tickets.

WWE

  • A story on WrestleMania Backlash helping local businesses near the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence. (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
  • Sasha Banks was announced as a guest during the next season of Kevin Hart’s Cold as Balls Internet sports talk show. George Kittle, who has been featured on a lot of TV regarding his fandom for wrestling and his favorite wrestler Pentagon Jr., also on the new season.

AEW

  • TNT in Spain has made a deal with AEW to air the four Battle of the Belts shows this year. The first two will air on 6/17 back-to-back at 10:05 p.m. and then be replayed on 6/19 at 11:30 a.m. They will also air on TNT Now in Spain and the VOD channel.
  • AEW Dark Elevation tonight on YouTube
  • Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds & 10 & Alan Angels vs. Ryan Nova & John Fuller & Brandon Scott & Raul Macho
  • Emi Sakura vs. Abadon
  • Sonny Kiss vs. Peter Avalon
  • John Silver vs. Tony Deppen
  • Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland vs. QT Marshall & Nick Comoroto

UFC

  • Herbert Burns vs. Khusein Askhabov, who is 23-0, are schedule for a featherweight fight on 7/16.

Other Notes

  • NJPW has put up another of its most well regarded junior heavyweight bouts of recent years on its YouTube channel, the Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet match from 2016 in the Best of the super Juniors tournament. This match caused a ton of controversy because of an acrobatic clip from the match. 
  • Amaya’s Mexican grill in Monroe, MI is hosting “An Evening with Darren McCarthy: A Different Kind of Comedy show,” with Rhino has a guest. McCarty is a legendary former star on the Detroit Red Wings who has wrestled on area indie shows including for Rhino’s Insane Wrestling Revolution group (thanks to Paul Meade)
  • PWP from Saturday night in Omaha: Moonshine Russell b Tim Boston, Branden Juarez b Jack Darling, Moonshine Russell & Jack Darling b Branden Juarez & Tim Boston-DQ, Duke Cornell b Purple, Angus Keyser b Joey Daniels, Angus Keyser b Ryan Romantic, Willy Sweet b Keaton Stoneburner, Willy Sweet won Battle Royal. The next show is 4/18 at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha which is the company’s 17th anniversary show.
  • Cage Fighting Fury Championships, the MMA promotion that CM Punk still announces for, announced an MMA show for 5/27 and a grappling event on 5/28 at the 2300 Arena In PhIladelphia. It’s confirmed he won’t be able to make the dates due to AEW commitments. That is Double or Nothing weekend. Santo Curatolo (6-2) vs. Hugo Paiva (5-0) meet in the main event on the 5/27 show for the Interim flyweight tile. Ben Saunders, a former UFC star, faces Sean Brady in the main event of the grappling show the next day. Other UFC stars appearing in the grappling matches are clay Guida, Alex Caceres as well as Clay’s brother Jason Guida.
  • Boca Raton Championship Wrestling debuts on 5/15 at the Boca Black Box with Steve Maclin (Steve Cutler in WWE), Cezar Bononi, Josh Woods, Noah Kekoa, Jessie Elaban, Bull James, Santana Garrett and Gangrel, plus Brutus Beefcake will be there as commissioner. Former NXT creative head Ryan Katz will be putting together the show.
  • RevPro from yesterday in London: Rami Adetunji b David Francisco, Kid Lykos & Kid Lykos II b JJ Gale & Callum Newman, Shota Umino b Chuck Mambo, Ricky Knight Jr. b Lee Hunter Robbie X b Joshua James, Alex Windsor & Maya Mathews b Rhia O’Reilly & NightShade, TK Cooper b Yota Tsuji, Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis b Michael Oku & Connor Mills & Luke Jacobs.

Daily Update: WWE WrestleMania Backlash, UFC 274, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: May 9, 2022 Observer Newsletter: WWE Q1 2022 financials, Forbidden Door presale sells out

  • Match and performer of the week
  • WWE business, profits, revenues
  • WrestleMania number releases and putting them into perspective
  • Elimination Chamber viewership and the obvious unsaid reason why it was up
  • Ticket demand for the Cardiff, Wales show
  • More on the WWE deal with A&E
  • Nick Khan talks multiple bidders for WWE rights deals including the next rights deal
  • Stephanie McMahon talks WrestleMania sponsorships
  • More on WWE recruiting and question on adding Performance Centers
  • Questions on doing a stadium show in India
  • What categories is business up and and what categories is it down
  • AEW Forbidden Door sellout and gate, ticket demand, the card, secondary market numbers
  • Full coverage of New Japan’s return to the former Fukuoka Dome and all the angles, returns and direction of the company
  • Business notes on the show
  • What matches had to be changed as well as endings
  • Notes on the Best of the Super Junior tournament and Dominion
  • Story behind the changes to the WrestleMania Backlash show
  • What is the planned stadium direction
  • Ticket updates for all the WWE PPV thought the summer
  • Details on AEW’s new television show
  • AAA Triplemania coverage
  • Story behind the Triplemania main event
  • Plans for the next Triplemania
  • More notes on the recent WWE cuts
  • Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show
  • A look at both Stardom PPV shows and future direction
  • Dragon Gate Dead of Alive coverage
  • TV ratings including what category AEW beat both Smackdown and Raw in
  • How the different segments did
  • CMLL Universal tournament concludes
  • New tournaments coming to CMLL
  • Who Stardom is interested in from AEW
  • King of Gate tournament
  • Who is Jumbo Tsuruta and his Memorial show
  • What was the highest rated pro wrestling match on television in history
  • Champion Carnival coverage
  • NOAH Sumo Hall coverage
  • What American signed a new contract with NOAH
  • Freddy Prinze wants to start a promotion
  • PWG coverage
  • Update on a new pro wrestling cartoon show
  • AEW and Warner/Media
  • A look at what is the likely Double or Nothing show
  • WWE vs. AEW in Long Island this week
  • AEW stars on TV show Sunday
  • WWE & AEW ticket sales for all the upcoming major events
  • Streaming numbers
  • Dana White on boxers pay
  • More on Jorge Masvidal charges
  • Plans for July 2 UFC show head-to-head with Money in the Bank
  • UFC longtime stars in a must-win fight
  • WWE draft plans
  • Canadian TV numbers for AEW & WWE
  • WWE European tour coverage

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter: April 4, 2005 Observer Newsletter back issue: WrestleMania 21 preview, All Japan Women shuts down

Ordering Info: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].

Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.

In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.

For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.

Sunday News Update

Bryan and I will be back talking WrestleMania Backlash and the rest of the latest wrestling and MMA news tonight on Wrestling Observer Radio. Garrett and I did our weekly show last night talking the UFC show, Forbidden Tour, the Canelo Alvarez fight, WWE financials, ratings, today’s show and more up on the site right now.

  • WrestleMania Backlash is tonight at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI:
  • Roman Reigns & Usos vs. Drew McIntyre & Randy Orton & Riddle – Nothing said B show, or even C show than having one world champion and him being booked on PPV in a six-man tag match. Obviously this is the prelude to Reigns vs. McIntyre. With that in mind, the logical finish is McIntyre beating Reigns with a Claymore kick. But they protect Reigns so much I don’t think that is what will happen. This should be an action-filled main event, but not substantially different from many Raw & Smackdown TV main events. The odds have McIntyre’s team as a -275 favorite. The over/under star rating for the main event on Kambi is 4.25, so they are predicting a strong main event.
  • Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey in an I Quit match for the Smackdown women’s title. Rousey is a whopping -800 favorite to win the title given the stipulation. This is the only title match advertised on the show at this point.
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins. These two have been tearing it up at the house shows and had one of the best WWE maches of the year at WrestleMania. Logical booking would have Rhodes winning every match until he gets a title shot. WWE 50/50 booking would say this is Rollin’s turn. Rhodes is still listed as a -300 favorite.
  • Edge vs. A.J. Styles. Damian Priest is barred from ringside. That doesn’t mean he won’t be there because WWE doesn’t live up to stipulations much of the time Since Edge won the first match, one would think Styles would win this, but Edge is listed as a -155 favorite. They seem to be building Edge & Priest vs. Styles & Finn Balor.
  • Bobby Lashley vs. Omos. Another WrestleMania rematch with Lashley winning the first one. This figures to be short. People are predicting 50/50 booking here with Omos a strong -375 favorite. Lashley winning the arm wrestling clean probably led to these predictions.
  • Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss. This is a big match for Moss as his first big show match as as babyface. He ticks a lot of boxes, but his gimmick limits him from upward mobility as a babyface and he should at some point transition out of it. Moss at last look was a -190 favorite.
  • There was a lot to digest from yesterday’s UFC show which included Charles Oliveira losing the lightweight title by missing weight, but then beating Justin Gaethje. So Oliveira will battle for the title in his next fight. Carla Esparza scored a huge upset in a fight with Rose Namajunas. We discussed this extensively on our show.
  • Esparza vs. Namajunas scoring saw Eric Colon give Esparza rounds two and four so had 48-47 Namajunas, Brad Frank gave rounds one, two and four to Esparza and had her up 48-47 and Rick Winter gave Esparza one through four and had her up 49-46. Nothing happened in this fight until the fourth round. I had 49-48 for Esparza but judges are strongly told not to score 10-10, even in rounds that literally nothing happened in. Esparza got two takedowns in four and Namajunas landed one good punch. In five, Namajunas won the found. Four is probably Esparza, five is definitely Namajunas and the other three could have been scored either way. Namajunas gave away the title and her corner sabotaged her title. Media scores were 56 percent for Esparza 38 percent Namajunas and six percent even.
  • In Ovince Saint Preux vs. Shogun Rua, Eric Colon had OSP winning one and three, Junichiro Kamijo had OSP only winning three and Winter had OSP winning all three rounds. I had OSP winning two and three but almost nothing happened in the first two rounds and OSP clearly won three. Rare to have two really bad fights on the main card. Media scores were 88 percent for OSP.
  • In Randy Brown vs. Khaos Williams, Kamijo had rounds two and three for Brown Chis Lee and two and three for Brown and Winter had only round two for Brown. 89 percent of media scores went to Brown.
  • In Blagoy Ivanov vs. Marcos Rogerio de Lima, Ivanov won rounds two three no all judges cards. Media scores were 50 percent for each.
  • For Google searches for the week, the Canelo Alvarez loss to Dmity Bivol was No. 1 for yesterday with 3 million searches. The UFC 274 show had 2 million searches. Donald Cerrone, who was taken off the UFC show due to food poisoning, had 100,000 searches while Tammy Sytch had 50,000 for her arrest. No other boxing, MMA or wrestling topics made the top 20 during the week.
  • We’re looking for your thoughts on UFC 274 last night and WWE WrestleMania Backlash tonight 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 also looking for reports from tonight’s Impact TV tapings in Newport, KY.. Announced for the show is Josh Alexander & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Jay White & Chris Bey, a Gauntlet for the Gold, Kenny King vs. El Phantasmo and Mike Bennett & Matt Taven vs. Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson.
  • WWE from last night in Trenton, NJ:
  • Ronda Rousey & Sasha Banks & Naomi b Natalya & Charlotte Flair & Shayna Baszler
  • Veer Mahaan b Drew Gulak
  • Ricochet won three-way to keep IC title over Jinder Mahal and Sami Zayn
  • Austin Theory b Finn Balor to keep U.S. title
  • Cody Rhodes b Seth Rollins
  • Kevin Owens show with Riddle leading to:
  • Matt Riddle & Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods b Kevin Owens & Usos
  • Becky Lynch won three-way over Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley
  • Roman Reigns b Drew McIntyre to keep the Universal title
  • Reigns in his promo after the match left a cryptic message. The only thing we were told about it is that Reigns is not leaving the promotion right now for Hollywood, which is how a lot of fans took the message. He did say he was changing things up going forward and entering a new phrase. (thanks to Bernard Ozarowski)
  • Reelz is doing a WWE television marathon today:
  • 4 p.m. Hulk Hogan
  • 5 p.m. Rob Van Dam documentary
  • 6 p.m. Randy Savage autopsy
  • 7 p.m. Chyna autopsy
  • 8 p.m. Chris Benoit autopsy
  • 9 p.m. Andre the Giant autopsy
  • 10 p.m. Eddy Guerrero autopsy

WWE

UFC

  • Luke Rockhold vs. Paulo Costa is scheduled for a 7/30 PPV show. So UFC and WWE will be running PPV shows on both 7/2 and 7/30.

Other Notes

  • Warrior Wrestling has announced as 6/26 show in Chicago at Malcolm X College at 2 p.m. This is the day of the Forbidden Door show. There will also be a pre-show fan fest. We’ll have more details as the show approaches.
  • The 2018 Best of the Super Juniors final match with Hiromu Takahashi vs. Taiji Ishimori, one of the best junior heavyweight matches in New Japan history, was posted by New Japan on its YouTube channel.
  • John Smith has been nominated for voting for he U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame. Smith is one of three U.S. wrestlers, along with George Mehnert and Bruce Baumgartner, to win two gold medals. He also won four world title and his six total world championships from 1987-1992 is the most in U.S. history. Lou Thesz was once told me he considered Smith the greatest American wrestler of all-time.
  • AAA announcer Joe Dombrowski is producing a documentary at the Extreme Rising promotion, the attempt to revive the spirit of ECW promotion that ran a few successful events before petering out.
  • Former Glory middleweight champion Jason Wilnis has signed a multi-fight MMA deal with the KSW promotion and will debut on 5/28 in Lodz, Poland at the Atlas Arena. The 31-year-old has kickboxing wins over both Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. he’s 2-0 in MMA.
  • Matt & Jeff Hardy return to MCW for a 5/15 show in Millesville,MD at the Benfield Sports Center. They face Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. The show also has Ken Dixon vs. Moses vs. Nick Aldis vs. Brian Johnson, Gia Scott vs. Mandy Leon for the women’s title and Mike Bailey vs. Joey Janela vs. Chris Bey.
  • NESN is still airing ROH shows over-and-over again, basically airing the last TV show with Jay Briscoe vs. Jay Lethal. (thanks to Aray Witner)
  • Invicta returns for a Wednesday night show in Kansas City featuring strawweight champion Emily Ducote (10-6) defending against Alesha Zappitella (9-3, 1 no contest).
  • Delirious is available for seminars, wrestling matches or appearances through Bill Behrens at [email protected]
  • Ed Harris, who does the UFC show open narration did a bit for MLW on the originals of Octagon Jr. on this past week’s television show. MLW has said they are upgrading production and expanding the staff.
  • Insane Wrestling Revolution had a packed house on Thursday night in Monroe,MI: Ace Austin b Aiden Prince, Jackson Stone b Tanner Nix, Deaner b Jason Hotch, Trey Miguel b Jake Crist (said to be great), Sam Beale won three-way over Malcolm Monroe III and Kenny Urban, Big Kon b Dread King Logan when Shane Douglas turned on Logan so Kon kept the IWR title, Benjamin Boone b DBA-COR, Nate Bock & Kyle Barrett b Heath & Rhino-DQ. They were giving away free tickets to tonight’s Impact tapings in Newport KY, which was about four hours away, at this show. Next show is 6/9 with Kon vs. Erick Redbeard for the IWR title at the F.O.P. Hall in Monroe. (thanks to Paul Meade and Leonard Brand).
  • St. Louis Anarchy from Friday night in Alton, IL: Solomon Tupu & Mike Hartenblower b Orion Starlight & Jacques Kennedy, Sean Orleans b Nick King-DQ, Christian Rose b Jake Dirden in a lumberjack match, Billy Starkz Kody Lane, Camaro Jackson & the Kenway b Victor Analog & Anakin Murphy, Jeremy Wyatt b Chip Day, Davey Vega b Mike Bailey, Evan Gelistico won six-way over Adrian Surge, Moonshine Mantell, Campbell Myers, Chase Holliday and Jay Marston, Aaron Williams b Mat Fitchett, Derek Neal b Manders, Kenny Alfonso b Thomas Shire, Gary Jay b John Wayne Murdoch (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • Northeast Wrestling from last night in Bethany, CT: Keith Youngblood b J He ru, Kerr b Bull Pittman & Lorenzo Vendetta in a handicap match, Chris Battle & Hunter Ta rca b Daniel Evans & Ray Jaz, Nikki Duke b Rebecca Scott, Wrecking Ball Legursky b Dutch, Brett Ryan Gosselin b RJ Rude, JT Dunn b KC Navarro (great match) to keep Live title), Dan Maff b Flip Gordon to keep NEW title, Jay Lethal & Jaylen Brandyn & Traevon Jordan b Channing Thomas & J Cruz & Victor Chase
  • Ruthless Pro Wrestling from last night in Detroit, MI: Kevin Blackwood b Alex Shelley (Shelly worked this date and missed the Impact show last night) Atticus Cogar b Matt Cross, Dominic Garrini b Schwartzy, Jake Something b Rickey Shane Page, Jake Crist b Kevin Giza, Justin Kyle b Josh Woods to keep title, Kevin Giza won Battle Royal, Randi West b Bobby Beverly to keep Rustbelt title, Atticus Cogar b Parrow & Hoodfoot to win the Underground belt, Eric Ryan won four-way over Masada, John Wayne Murdoch and Tommy Vendetta (thanks to Leonard Brand)

Daily Update: AEW Rampage, WWE house shows, Google trends

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News:

Latest Audio:

Latest Free YouTube Video:

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter: COVID strikes pro wrestling again, Warner Bros. Discovery & AEW

  • The new issue of the Observer has these stories:
  • Major players from five companies test positive for COVID causing changes in television or major shows.
  • Sunday’s Fukuoka Dome show and a look back at the previous pro wrestling events in the building that featured some of the biggest American stars of all-time.
  • The Discovery/Warner merger, what was said at the earnings call about cutbacks, and the different ways this can go for AEW
  • Streaming vs. television and the realities of the numbers
  • Wrestling on television in every category, who is up, who is down, factoring out cable losses, and reasons behind the ups and downs.
  • WWE & AEW shows coming up between now and August ticket sales, interest in the secondary market, how many seats WWE is setting up for the stadium shows
  • WrestleMania Backlash card update and business update
  • Saturday’s UFC report
  • New wrestling history television show series being filmed and who is behind it
  • Karl Lauer and the growth of the Cauliflower Alley Club
  • Ratings of all the television shows of the past week
  • Death of Toro Bill Jr.
  • Preview of TripleMania
  • Unique statement by L.A. Park about TripleMania
  • All Japan, Dragon Gate, NOAH and other Japanese events
  • This week’s PWG show
  • MLW answers the WWE’s attempt to get the lawsuit by MLW thrown out
  • Personnel changes in Impact
  • AEW injury notes
  • AEW’s Double or Nothing show
  • Updates on ticket sales for WWE & AEW shows
  • Promotion gets major television deal with Amazon Prime
  • Tyson Fury on Drew McIntyre and Francis Ngannou
  • Peacock business update
  • WWE survey sent to fans about what they want
  • Biggest streaming numbers from the week

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter: March 21, 2005 Observer Newsletter: Raw leaving Spike TV, TNA Destination X review

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Sunday News Update

  • Bryan and I will be back tonight talking all the weekend news including Triplemania, Fukuoka Dome, WWE cuts, WrestleMania Backlash and more.
  • AEW announced that Rampage will start at 5:30 p.m. Eastern and 2:30 p.m. Pacific this coming Friday. The show is going to be bounced around the next several weeks based on NBA and NHL playoffs.
  • There are some interesting names for the Best of the Super Juniors tournament this year (5/15 to 6/3) with new names due to travel being more open: Clark Connors, Ace Austin from Impact, Alex Zayne, Francesco Akira (who had been announced), Titan, Lindaman and Wheeler Yuta from AEW. That means Yuta will not be on the Memorial Day AEW Double or Nothing PPV.
  • Keiji Muto returns from hip issues on the 5/21 NOAH show at the Tokyo Ota Ward Gym, teaming with Satoshi Kojima & Naomichi Marufuji vs. Go Shiozaki & Kaito Kiyomiya & Masato Tanaka.
  • We’re looking for reports from these shows:
    • WWE on Thursday in Newcastle
    • WWE today in Leipzig, Germany
    • WWE tonight in Fairfax, VA
    • Reports can be sent to [email protected]
  • We’re also doing polls on these shows, you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle with a best and worst match from:
    • Stardom Friday night in Tokyo Ota Ward Cinderella finals
    • NOAH second show at Sumo Hall on Saturday
    • AAA TripleMania on Saturday
    • NJPW PayPay Dome Dontaku
    • You can send your thoughts to [email protected]
  • WWE from yesterday in Paris, France:
    • Ricochet won three-way over Sami Zayn and Butch in an IC title match
    • Aliyah b Shotzi
    • Gunther b Shinsuke Nakamura
    • Bobby Lashley b Ridge Holland – Sheamus was there but didn’t wrestle but did interfere
    • Charlotte Flair b Ronda Rousey using natural selection wit her feet on the ropes. Rousey put Flair in an armbar after the match
    • Sasha Banks & Naomi b Natalya & Shayna Baszler with the Banks & Naomi double-team rent due finish on Natalya
    • In a non-title match, Randy Orton & Riddle b Usos with Orton using the RKO for the pin
    • Roman Reigns retained the Universal title over Drew McIntyre with a spear
    • (Thanks to Sebastian Mantilla Vargas)
  • Thanks to Alex Dudley and William Wilsher for reports on Friday’s show in London. Regarding concern in London about Nakamura being hurt and being helped to the back in London, he did wrestle in Paris the next day.
  • WWE from last night in Lakeland, FL
    • Street Profits b Alpha Academy
    • Omos b Reggie
    • Miz TV with Ezekiel and Kevin Owens. It ended up where Owens said Ezekiel could get a match with him if he first beat Miz
    • Ezekiel b Miz. Owens then said he lied and there would be no match
    • Cody Rhodes b Seth Rollins. Great match.
    • Theory b Finn Balor to keep the U.S. title
    • A.J. Styles b Damian Priest-DQ
    • Bianca Belair won four-way over Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan when Belair pinned Morgan. Really good match (thanks to Chris Hughes)
  • Regarding Google searches, the UFC show on ESPN only had Rob Font at 20,000 listed today and nothing cracked the top 20 yesterday. Shakir Stevenson vs. Oscar Valdez was No. 11 yesterday with 100,000 and Katie Taylor was No. 15 with 100,000. Nothing from boxing, MMA and pro wrestling cracked the top 20 all week. The Taylor number shocks me because I’ve heard so much about the fight and figured the interest level would be huge.
  • The four weekend matches I’ve heard people raving about are Go Shiozaki vs. Kaito Kiyomiya from the Saturday NOAH show, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii and Kazuchika Okada vs. Tetsuya Naito from Fukuoka and Young Bucks vs. Rey Fenix & El Hijo del Vikingo.
  • For those who have asked about Wheeler Yuta and the ROH Pure title, it is still recognized and Yuta will be defending it today at the Dark tapings in Orlando.
  • Due to being out of town this weekend, I’ve only seen most of Triplemania everything but the last two matches) but that was a fun show if you are into AAA style. It’s a lot better than most even if the idea that Sammy Guevara can enter the match at the end and win the mixed tag title makes no sense when you think about it. Guevara was injured (although not a leg injury as he was working) so only came in for the finish, but the plan coming in was for Guevara & Tay Conti to win the mixed tag titles, so even though he couldn’t do the full match, they ended with the plan they had. The four tag team match was a lot of fun. The crowd went nuts for L.A. Park vs Villano IV and for Vampiro’s return in saving Latin Lover from Jeff Jarrett and Rey Escorpion. It had a real big show feel.

UFC

  • Darren Till vs. Jack Hermansson is set for 7/23 in London. The main event is a key heavyweight fight with Tom Aspinall vs Curtis Blaydes.

Other Notes

  • Defy results from last night in Seattle before a sold out house on Pluto TV: Swerve Strickland & Nick Wayne & Adam Brooks b Christopher Daniels & Ricky Gibson & Eddie Pearl. They teased Strickland being jealous that Wayne scored the fall and he walked to the back during the Wayne & Brooks celebration. Big Damo b Kevin Blackwood, Dannika Della Rouge b Kikyo to keep the PCW Ultra women’s tile, Schaff b Timothy Thatcher, Steve Migs b El Phantasmo with help from Ethan HD (Migs is a Seattle area radio personality), Gurv & Harv Sihra retained the Defy tag titles over Cody Chhun & Guillermo Rosas, Jon Moxley b Tom Lawlor in a double juice match. After the match, Moxley said Lawlor is a friend of the Blackpool Combat Club, that Defy is a friend of AEW and that if the crowd screamed loudly enough, Bryan Danielson may come with him next time.
  • Grandel Wrestling from last night in St. Louis: Josh Alexander b Camaro Jackson, Dan the Dad b Silas Young, Fred Yehi b Davey Vega, Mike Outlaw b Alex Shelley, Gary Jay b Aaron Williams to keep the St. Louis anarchy title in a ladder match, Tenille Dashwood b Tootie Lynn, Moose b Kevin Lee Davidson, Moses the Deliverer & Rahim de la Suede b Royce Isaas & Jorel Nelson, Davey Richards b Samuray del Sol (formerly Kalisto) (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
  • AAW from Friday in Merrionette Park, IL: Davey Vega won four-way over Gringo Loco, Brayden Lee & Shane Hollister, Schaff b Victor Benjamin, Fred Yehi b Mike Bennett, ACH & Jah C & Rich Swann b Karam & Hakim Zane & Ren Jones, Ace Austin b Myron Reed to keep the Heritage title, Christi Jaynes b Skye Blue to keep the women’s title, Josh Alexander b Gnaris Garvin, Ace Perry & Alex Hammerstone b Russ Jones & Heather Reckless to keep tag titles, Mat Fitchett b Eric Young to keep the AAW title, Manders b Silas Young in a cage match (thanks to Leonard Brand)
  • Renegades of Wrestling from last night in Melbourne, Australia: Mat Diamond won three-way over Murdoch and Robby Heart, Aysha b Lena Kross, Paris Da Silva & Jude London b Robbie Eagles & Emman the Kid, Tarlee b Kalty Luxe, Tommy Knight b Kendo, Jonah b Caveman Ugg. This was Jonah’s first back back in Australia since 2019. Jonah wrestled today in Adelaide, Australia. (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
  • Stardom from today in Fukuyama: Thekla b Momo Kohgo, Starlight Kid & Ruaka b AZM & Hina, Giulia & Maika & Himeka & Natsupoi & Mai Sakurai b Mayu Iwatani & Hazuki & Koguma & Saya Iida & Hanan, Momo Watanabe & Saki Kashima & Rina b Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani & Lady C, Syuri & Konami & Mirai & Ami Sorei b Tam Nakano & Unagi Sayaka & Mina Shirakawa & Waka Tsukiyama