Tag: Joe Koff

Daily Update: Cain Velasquez, weekend preview, Tony Khan pays tribute to Joe Koff

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Friday Update

– A few notes on the Wrestling Observer Radio shows. We have the first of likely two Hall of Fame shows today, with John Muse and Ethan Tyler, both of who have done a lot of research on the subject. My weekend show with Bryan Alvarez will be up Sunday night this week.

– The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is out today. Among the highlights:

  • The life of Joe Koff and how his influence on the current wrestling scene is so underplayed. From being a childhood fan of Bruno Sammartino, heading the production on the original Battle of the Belts series, saving ROH at least twice, and providing a place where many of today’s biggest stars were able to make a living while building resumes that led them to the top in WWE and essentially the building blocks of the formation of AEW, and the success of All In. We look at his life and career both in and out of the wrestling business.
  • Bryan Danielson retires from full-time wrestling, his future and how this played out on WrestleDream.
  • A look at WrestleDream, the business of the show, the rundown and polls.
  • More details on the AEW television deal, what it does and doesn’t cover, prospects for other deals, the economics, attempting to rebuild attendance at shows, the Mexico deal, international prospects going forward and more.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. wins IWGP title while Hiroshi Tanahahashi provides a retirement countdown. Plus a look at the future NJPW lineups, Tokyo Dome prospects and King of Pro Wrestling coverage.
  • The Gegard Mousasi lawsuit and the latest attempt to get a court to rule on the independent contractor vs. employee status.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the wrestling shows, placings for the night and week, competition, year-by-year comparisons and more.
  • When did star ratings for wrestling matches begin? The answer will surprise you.
  • Santo draws the biggest indie crowd of the year.
  • Jimmy Jacobs leaves AEW.
  • Bob Ryder and the birth of TNA.
  • International TV ratings.
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows.
  • Fighters depositions in Cung Le lawsuit.
  • UFC TV rights news.
  • Major UFC stars say they want to come out of retirement.
  • How much WWE & UFC are expected to produce this year in revenue.
  • New WWE project with Netflix.
  • Update on Netflix ratings for the two wrestling shows.

– Cain Velasquez was to be sentenced today after pleading no contest to attempted murder and gun related charges. But the sentencing was postponed to early 2025. Velasquez remains free, with restrictions. He is expected to face some time in his sentencing when he went on an 11 mile high speed chase after Harry Goularte, the man accused of molesting Velasquez’s four-year-old a the time son, and fired shots at the car, one of which hit driver Paul Benader (Goularte’s stepfather) in the arm.

– Tony Khan on Joe Koff: “Joe Koff was a wonderful man. I enjoyed every interaction I had with him. He worked hard to develop Ring of Honor wrestling, and he fought to keep ROH in business. When times were tough, he came to me years ago, looking to sell the promotion and help people at ROH keep their jobs, and I was very touched by his dedication. It’s due to Joe Koff’s commitment that ROH continues today. My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this terrible time. God bless you Joe Rest in peace.”

– SmackDown tonight on USA:

  • Angel & Berto vs. ? (believed to be Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley in their debut)
  • Carmelo Hayes vs. Andrade – winner gets a U.S.title shot at LA Knight
  • Roman Reigns and Randy Orton appear

– Rampage tonight on TNT at 10 p.m.

  • Mark Briscoe vs. The Butcher non-title
  • Kyle O’Reilly vs. Aaron Solo
  • Anna Jay vs. Trish Adora
  • Private Party vs. MxM Collection

– We’re looking for reports on these shows:

  • WWE Smackdown tonight in Columbia, SC (the matches not on live TV only)
  • RevPro tomorrow in Doncaster UK.
  • New Japan Royal Quest Sunday in London at the Crystal Palace.

We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

– PFL has its biggest show to date of ESPN+ and DAZN PPV tomorrow from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:

1:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+ and DAZN as the free show

  • Tariq Ismail (145.1) vs. Taha Bendaoud (145.5)
  • Ibragi Ibragimov (145.5) vs. Nacho Campos (145.9)
  • Makkasharip Zaynukov (155.6) vs. Derek Sanders (154.9)
  • Raufeon Stots (135.8) vs. Marcos Breno (136)

4 p.m. Eastern on PPV

  • AJ McKee (155.8) vs Paul Hughes (155.8)
  • Husein Kadimagomaev (146) vs. Zafar Mohsen (145.8)
  • Johnny Eblen (184.7) vs. Fabian Edwards (184.9) for Bellator middleweight title
  • Cris Cyborg (144.5) vs. Larissa Pacheco (144.1) for the women’s featherweight Superfight title
  • Francis Ngannou (256.8) vs. Renan Ferreira (251.5) for the heavyweight Superfight title

– Stardom on Sunday will have an eight-women’s Battle Royal where the last two left in will be part of a four-way number one contender’s match at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed on 11/8 in Lowell, MA. Anna Jay has already been confirmed for the number one contender’s match. The winner gets the next shot at NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone.

– The PFL world championship show will take place 11/29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The card has:

  • Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos in the women’s flyweight tournament final
  • Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev in the featherweight tournament final
  • Brent Primus vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov in the lightweight tournament final
  • Shamil Mosaev vs Magomed Umalatov in the welterweight tournament final
  • Impa Kasanganay vs. Dovietdzhan Yaghimuradov in the light heavyweight tournament final
  • Denis Goltsov vs. Oleg Popov in the heavyweight tournament final
  • All winners will receive $1 million.

– UFC is a pure ESPN+ show from the Apex tomorrow from 4-10 p.m. Eastern:

  • Austen Lane (251) vs Robelis Despaigne (264)
  • Melissa Martinez (115.5) vs. Alice Ardelean (115)
  • Jessica Penne (115.5) vs. Elise Reed (115)
  • Joselyne Edwards (139) vs. Tamires Vidal (135.5) – Edwards missed weight by three pounds. The penalty she will face is unclear at this point.
  • Brad Katona (135.5) vs. Jean Matsumoto (135.5)
  • Matheus Nicolau (125.5) vs. Asu Aimabayev (125.5)
  • Darren Elkins (144.5) vs. Daniel Pineda (145.5)
  • Jake Hadley (135.5) vs. Cameron Smotherman (135.5)’
  • Charles Johnson (126) vs. Sumudaerji (126)
  • Rob Font (135.5) vs. Kyler Philliops (135.5)
  • Anthony Hernandez (185.5) vs. Michel Pereira (185.5)

– MLW announced a Fan Fest from 6-6:45 p.m. local time at Cicero Stadium prior to its 11/9 event. Announced for the Fan Fest are CMLL headliners Mistico, Ultimo Guerrero, Atlantis, Altantis Jr., Hechicero, Averno, Titan and Magnus. You have to have a ticket for the show to attend the fan fest.

– Maple Leaf Wrestling debuts with shows on Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. Eastern on Triller TV from Windsor, ONT.

  • The big matches on day one are Mike Bailey vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Gisele Shaw vs. Miyu Yamashita and Josh Alexander & Stu Grason & El Phantasmo vs. Trevor Lee & Rocky Romero & Alex Zayne.
  • Sunday has Athena vs. Gisele Shaw for the ROH women’s title, and Takeshita vs. Alexander for the AEW International title.
  • Mauro Ranallo and Don Callis will be announcers.

– Tony Atlas and Fred Ottman will be appearing for Memphis Wrestling on its 10/27 taping.

– Jeff Hardy and Joe Hendry are in concert on 10/27 at the TNA show in Detroit at Wayne State University. This would be before the TV tapings the day after Bound for Glory, starting at 4:30 p.m.

– Toni Storm vs. Catalina and Zeuxis vs. Persephone in the finals of the Universal tournament headline an Arena Mexico show tonight that features four women’s matches out of six, including Lluvia & Tessa Blanchard defending the CMLL world women’s tag titles against Ungai Sayaka & Suika Yanagawa. Alex Windsor, Red Velvet and Viva Van are also on the show.

– Lexis King will wrestle Skrilla the Great on the 10/26 Deep South show in Atlanta at New Realm Brewing.

– Boca Raton Wrestling on Sunday at the Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel with Matt Riddle Stallion Rogers, Bull James, Kerry Morton, Madman Fulton, Bobby Fish, EJ Nduka and AJ Francis.

October 21, 2024 Observer Newsletter: Joe Koff obituary, Bryan Danielson’s full-time career ends at AEW WrestleDream

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Subscribers can now read this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The lead story is the passing of Ring of Honor’s Joe Koff who was responsible for providing a place to work for so many wrestlers after helping save the company twice. I go into his life, ROH history, and why he is such an important figure.

I also recap last Saturday’s AEW WrestleDream that saw the illustrious full-time career of Bryan Danielson come to a violent end, the return of both Adam Cole and MJF, and more.

This week’s issue also includes notes on the AEW/WBD TV deal, Zack Sabre Jr. winning the IWGP World title, and plenty more.

Click here to read.

Wrestling Observer Radio: Joe Koff & Steve Bagwell memories, Dave goes to AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Image: AEW

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the deaths of Joe Koff and Steve Bagwell, WWE PPV buy notes, ratings, the Cung Le lawsuit, Dave’s trip to watch Dynamite live, NXT TV recap, Rampage spoilers, all the news and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Joe Koff, Steve Bagwell pass away
14:22: WWE pay-per-view buys
17:37: NJPW Power Struggle card, fake AEW Dynamite match
24:54: Ratings
29:29: Gegard Mousasi lawsuit, update on Cung Le lawsuit
36:20: AEW Dynamite recap
1:06:56: WWE NXT recap
1:15:36: AEW Rampage spoilers

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Daily Update: Logan Paul-Jacob Fatu, Wendy Choo, Joe Koff

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Latest News

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is out today.  There are a ton of major stories covered including:

  • Bad Blood coverage
  • Dwayne Johnson’s wrestling update which is a big surprise
  • Crown Jewel and Survivor Series
  • Bill Goldberg notes
  • Business notes on the show
  • What finish was changed
  • What match was also nearly changed and why and notes on head shots with objects
  • AEW goes from the highest of highs to record lows
  • What to learn from this week’s numbers
  • How successful AEW will be financially compared to major  companies like WCW and WWE over the past 30 years
  • Next NXT vs. Dynamite head-to-head is a few weeks away
  • Notes on WrestleDream and positive business notes
  • UFC 307 full coverage
  • Janel Grant’s side asks for WWE to release women from NDAs
  • Unique quote from Ari Emanuel from last year and how it plays into this story
  • The full letter from Ann Callis
  • The most detailed look at the  TV ratings from all the national shows, including placings, competition, demos and segments.
  • CMLL focusing on women’s wrestling this month
  • AAA Heroes Inmortales notes and Guerra de Titanes card
  • Stardom PPV coverage
  • NOAH and New Japan both have major shows this week
  • Vikingo vs. Ricochet
  • International Wrestling Hall of Fame notes
  • More background on Ernie Roth, the Grand Wizard of Wrestling/Abdullah Farouk
  • Bound for Glory news
  • 70s and 80s legend looking to become the oldest male wrestler of all-time
  • Does WBD own a percentage of AEW?
  • Legendary ROH Matches added to the ROH television show
  • What’s notable about AEW’s Mexico TV dal
  • Luchasaururs update
  • Taz update
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE and AEW shows
  • Largest streaming numbers
  • Injury updates
  • Fighters talk about health and money issues
  • How much will Anderson Silva get if the Cung Le case gets settled this week.
  • What fighters will make millions of dollars in the settlement.
  • Conor McGregor to stand trial over a 2018 case.
  • Former UFC champion coming  out of retirement
  • How Hurricanes affecting WWE
  • Update on the viewership of Mr. McMahoin and Queen of Villains on Netflix
  • How much  WWE is getting from the government for next year’s SummerSlam and why
  • Newcomers ready to debut
  • International TV ratings
  • Unique wrestling TV special aired

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Ethan Page vs. Wes Lee vs. Je’Von Evans number one contender’s match from last night’s NXT. Page won the match and will challenge Trick Williams for the NXT Championship at Halloween Havoc on Sunday, October 27.
  • Page did a post-show interview reacting to his win.
  • NXT’s Wendy Choo is advertised for TNA Bound for Glory weekend in Detroit, which consists of the Bound for Glory PPV on October 26 and the post-PPV television taping on October 27.
  • Lexis King (Brian Pillman Jr.) wrote that his goal in pro wrestling is for his father to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame:
    • Just speaking as Pillman Jr. here for a moment.
    • This is all I ever wanted. My goal from day one in wrestling has always been to bring enough attention to the Pillman name, to remind us all of this legendary performer so that he could take his rightful spot in the hall of fame.
  • On Impaulsive, Logan Paul said he wants to have a match against Jacob Fatu:
    • Very clear rising star. He’s one of the only guys who really stands out to me, and I think everyone else sees it. While I recognize his greatness, part of me also thinks – he’s on my list. And I will be wrestling him in the near future and we’re going to be going at it. So I sort of see him as competition.
    • I can’t wait. I promise you, we’re going to go f*cking crazy. Crazy. I don’t know when it’s going to happen. But, dude, it’s inevitable, no?
  • After watching Gunther vs. Chad Gable at a house show on WWE’s UK tour, Bayley praised Gable as a future World Champion:
    • Watching Gunther vs Chad Gable tonight made me really excited to inevitably see @WWEGable as World Heavyweight champion someday. Such a special performer! But until then….What a match
  • Cody Rhodes named Jake “The Snake” Roberts as his dream opponent if he could face anyone past or present:
    • Hmm, I’d probably say I’d like to wrestle – this is perhaps a random one – Jake Roberts. Jake ‘The Snake.’ Just because he had a really kind of unique psychology to how we do this in front of an audience, and I’d like to learn in addition to [fighting] him at the same time.
  • Adam Pearce posted a remembrance of former ROH executive Joe Koff:
    • Godspeed, Joe Koff. When circumstances made it impossible for me to return to ROH as commentator, Joe paid me for every date I’d agreed to. He didn’t have to. I never had a cross word or bad experience with him. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Rest well, sir.
  • The WWE Vault YouTube channel has a nearly three-hour Playlist video on “Crow” Sting in WCW.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Chris Jericho explained how Joe Koff helped him make the first-ever Chris Jericho Cruise a reality:
    • Sad to hear about the passing of former @ringofhonor COO #JoeKoff. Little known story- Joe was instrumental in getting the first @jericho_cruise out to sea in the fall of 2018! I’d been discussing the cruise concept with @wwe with the idea of having @wwenxt talent wrestling onboard. After literally months of keeping me waiting for an answer, they finally declined to be a part of the cruise, which really put me in a bit of a last minute bind. But literally ONE HOUR after #WWE passed, I had Joe on the phone agreeing to have #ROH & their amazing talent be a part of the cruise and the rest is history! I haven’t seen or spoken to Joe since, but thanks to his sharing and understanding of my vision, the #JerichoCruise is still going strong today! Thanks for your love and dedication to the wrestling business and all you did for it, Joe!!!
  • Former ROH Director of Operations Gary Juster paid tribute to Koff:
    • Joe Koff and I go back to 1989 when he was the general manager of WNUV-TV in Baltimore and I was promoting wrestling there. We were friends from the first time we met. Two Jewish kids who grew up loving pro wrestling. We stayed in touch through the years. After WCW closed, I would occasionally bring him wrestling ideas, finally Ring of Honor. It took almost two years but through Joe’s diligence, and the respect he had at Sinclair Broadcasting, Sinclair purchased Ring of Honor from Cary [Silkin]. Joe was decent, kind, empathetic and respectful of all. Truly a mensch. He was loved and will be missed by many, myself included.
  • Brian Cage appeared on Good Day Sacramento this week.
  • Kenny Omega turns 41 years old today.
  • A six-way scramble match featuring Jake Something, Trevor Lee, Stu Grayson, Sheldon Jean, Mike Rollins, and Alex Zayne is set for night two of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s Forged in Excellence weekend in Windsor, Ontario, Canada this Sunday (October 20).
  • MLW announced a trios match with Atlantis, Atlantis Jr. & Star Jr. vs. Barbaro Cavernario, Magnus & Felino for Lucha Apocalypto in Cicero, Illinois on Saturday, November 9.
  • Former WWE wrestler Ezekiel Jackson shared a clip on social media of himself working out in a wrestling ring. When asked if he’s planning a comeback, Jackson responded that he’s “currently just having fun.”
  • Chris Van Vliet interviewed The Godfather on the latest episode of Insight.

Wrestling Observer Live: Death of Joe Koff, Janel Grant update, WWE Raw report

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including the passing of ROH’s Joe Koff, Janel Grant’s latest filing, NXT and AEW Dynamite lineups for this week, notes from the Monday’s WWE Raw and tons more.

A packed show as always so check it out~!

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Cody Rhodes, AEW/ROH, more pay tribute to Joe Koff

Posted on by Ian Carey

The wrestling world is paying tribute to former Joe Koff in the wake of his passing.

The former ROH executive passed away this morning after a battle with cancer.

Cody Rhodes paid tribute to Koff, writing, “Joe Koff. Really great man that I learned a lot from and was always happy/lucky to be in his presence. All love to his family.”

Our Dave Meltzer wrote: “Very saddened to hear about the death of Joe Koff, who passed away this morning due to cancer. Koff was one of the key people in keeping ROH alive both brokering the deal with Sinclair and as COO of the company under that ownership group. He was an absolute pleasure to deal with, honestly among my favorite main administrators ever. He helped the Young Bucks & Cody Rhodes do All In when he could stood in their ways and that show was monumental in hindsight in pro wrestling history.”

Matt Hardy wrote, “#RIP Joe Koff – I greatly enjoyed working with Joe during my time with @ringofhonor. He was professional & always delivered on what he promised. My thoughts & condolences go out to his family & loved ones.

Ian Riccaboni wrote, “I’d love to share the dozens of Joe stories I have. But the conversation always came back to our families, the pulse of the crew, and usually Battle of the Belts, most specifically Flair vs. Windham from the second edition. He had his priorities straight.”

https://twitter.com/IanRiccaboni/status/1846240124381589650
https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1846224753784197217

“The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened by the passing of Joe Koff, who, as the head of ROH Wrestling at the time, graciously lent much in the way of support, talent, and sage advice during Lightning One’s formative years. The NWA and I could not have had a better friend in wrestling than Joe, and much of our recent success is due to his wise influence. He will be sorely missed, and we send our heartfelt condolences to his family,” wrote William Patrick Corgan

wMandy Leon wrote, “A kind and good hearted man who genuinely loved professional wrestling so much and gave so many of us an opportunity and platform to do what we love. Forever grateful for you. You gave me the best years of my life working for ROH. We love you Joe.”

Former ROH executive Joe Koff passes away

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Joe Koff — who led Ring of Honor during the Sinclair Broadcast Group era — has passed away.

His death was announced on Tuesday by MLW, who credited Koff for the honor, integrity, and passion that he always showed while working in professional wrestling. Born in 1951, Koff was a lifelong wrestling fan and worked in the television industry for decades.

“MLW is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff,” the promotion wrote. “On behalf of MLW, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. Joe always led with honor, integrity, and a passion for the sport we all cherish. His legacy will live on in the hearts of everyone he inspired. Thank you, Joe, for your contributions and unwavering dedication to wrestling. Rest in peace.”

PWInsider reports that Koff was battling cancer for some time and, in August, decided that he was going to “discontinue treatment in order to enhance the quality of time he had left with his family.”

Koff got his first experience in wrestling when Championship Wrestling from Florida was produced by the TV station he was employed by in Tampa. Later, while an executive for Sinclair Broadcast Group, Koff (along with ROH’s Jim Cornette and Gary Juster) helped put together the deal for SBG to buy ROH from Cary Silkin in 2011. Without that deal, it’s likely that ROH would have gone out of business.

Koff had the job title of Chief Operating Officer in ROH until SBG sold the promotion to AEW’s Tony Khan in 2022. Following the sale, Koff reflected on his time running ROH:

  • As I look back on this amazing journey, there are so many people who joined this journey with me, our staff, our brilliant athletes that you will always know as Ring of Honor, our partners in production and distribution, our vendors and most importantly, you, our fans. I want to thank you personally for your continuous support, belief in me and our product, what we could do, what we would do, what we did!
  • It was the journey of a lifetime and I thank you for sharing it with me.

ROH releases statement regarding Taeler Hendrix allegations

Posted on by Josh Nason

On Wednesday, former Ring of Honor wrestler Taeler Hendrix (Taeler Conrad-Mellen) said on Twitter that she was taken off TV in 2017 due to her refusing to have sex with Jay Lethal (Jamar Shipman). 

On Friday, ROH COO Joe Koff released a statement to F4WOnline.com via their PR company:

“We were troubled to hear the allegations that surfaced last night on Twitter. We take these matters very seriously and will be investigating this situation thoroughly, reviewing all evidence related to the matter. Ring of Honor strives to provide an environment and workplace where male and female wrestlers are free from any misconduct or abuse. We will take appropriate action upon the conclusion of our findings.”

The statement was also provided to PWTorch who ran a story about the situation on Thursday.

When asked if the company would also release a statement from Shipman or provide a timeline in which their investigation would take place, their PR firm said the statement was all they had. At this point, Shipman hasn’t made any public statement. 

Conrad-Mellen made a more formal statement on Wednesday via Twitter:

“I know this is going to be on wrestling sites. My name is Taeler & this is my statement: attorneys on my behalf have an ongoing investigation. I know I’m not the only one & ppl that have known of this investigation have been supportive. I’ll continue to fight for what’s right.”

Conrad-Mellen was part of The House of Truth stable with Shipman and Truth Martini (Martin Krcaj) during her time with ROH. She joined the company in 2015 and departed it in April 2017. She has been active on Twitter in the days since the allegation, retweeting fan support.