AEW will be without its lead ring announcer for tonight’s episode of Dynamite.
Justin Roberts announced on Tuesday that he won’t be at Dynamite this week due to testing positive for COVID-19. Roberts wrote that he looks forward to returning next week.
“The look when you’re absolutely..positive you can’t fly to work for a few more days,” Roberts wrote. “Social distancing from Dynamite tomorrow like it’s 2020, look forward to watching on TBS 8/7PM and getting back next week!”
Roberts has been with AEW since 2019. In addition to working for AEW, Roberts also does MMA ring announcing for the PFL. Roberts most recently did ring announcing for a PFL show last Friday.
Tonight’s Dynamite is taking place at Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This week’s episode of Rampage is also being taped tonight.
Here’s what’s been announced for Dynamite:
TNT Champion Powerhouse Hobbs defends against Wardlow
Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm & Ruby Soho
The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn vs. Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Jake Hager
Jay White vs. Komander
The Elite speak
Chris Jericho & Adam Cole face-to-face confrontation
We have a feature on systemic prejudice in the U.S. as the lead story in this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Also in this issue:
The Dana White/Jon Jones story, explaning the economic realities, the economic fallacies and where things stand with both men’s arguments. We look at what does and doesn’t make sense economically, why Jones and Conor McGregor and all the top draws have lost value to UFC, plus exactly what both men have said about each other and where things stand.
The economics of what Jones has drawn in the past, and the numbers of recent UFC show.
The unwritten WWE rule about not criticizing other talent in a public forum outside of storyline-related reasons, why it was broken this past week, what was said, as well as looking at the ties beween the ownerships of the different wrestling companies with Donald Trump, statements released, and the key things no talent can say.
New WWE Network updates.
Upcoming guidelines for WWE shows, Paul Levesque talks COVID testing, notes on more WWE cuts, Vince McMahon sends out memo, original Gronkowski plans and why they changed and why now.
Upcoming Backlash and Takeover shows, an update on the XFL bankruptcy, how WWE is involved and more.
Update the Kairi Sane injury, Vince McMahon bio, Drake Maverick angle, people talked about for main roster, WWE hires new man t head the Middle East business, Kurt Angle talks why he’s not returning at this point to WWE, plus we look at the current market value of WWE and poll results, as well as WWE’s own track record.
Coverage of Saturday’s UFC show with the storylines and the business news, plus match-by-match coverage.
A large feature on the retirement of Stu Saks and the westling magazine era, the life and times and the glory years of Pro Wrestling Illustrated, the death of the magazine business, how VinceMcMahon tried to kill it early, and the different stages of the magazine era.
A feature on the wrestling career, and life of Danny Havoc from many of the people who knew him best in the industry.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
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WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
This week’s episode of the Bump features The Street Profits, Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Drave Maverick, and NXT ring announcer Alicia Taylor.
A special episode of The Bump will air this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Eastern time prior to the Backlash PPV event. Guests will include The Miz, John Morrison, Jinder Mahal, MVP and Paige.
WWE Backstage scored 112,000 viewers this week, down from last week’s 121,000 viewers.
WWE uploaded full video of this week’s New Day: Feel The Power podcast, which features a conversation about racial injustice with Andreas Hale.
Wrestling Inc reported that the same team behind the AJ Styles vs. Undertaker match — Michael Hayes, Triple H, and Jeremy Borash — also produced the Backlot Brawl from TakeOver.
John Cena has matched BTS’ $1 million dollar donation to the Black Lives Matter foundation.
FS1 will air the 2008 Royal Rumble on June 23. The 1996 Survivor Series, featuring the debut of The Rock, will air this coming Tuesday prior to WWE Backstage.
Other Wrestling
Justin Roberts, who has largely been absent from AEW television since the COVID-19 outbreak, returns tonight on Dynamite.
According to a tweet from Michinoku Pro Wrestling, Korakuen Hall will only be open for 497 people when they re-open for fans.
Dustin Rhodes wrote on Instagram that he is planning on opening a wrestling school.
On today’s episode of Talk is Jericho, The Inner Circle discussed the making of of their Stadium Stampede match against The Elite & Matt Hardy at Double or Nothing.
The latest Inside the NWA focuses on the legacy of Harley Race.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back today with Justin Roberts to talk ring announcing in AEW, the freedom he and the other performers are given there, the dtfferences between the backstage area in WWE and AEW, and plenty more.
All In has their broadcasting team set for the upcoming September event.
Their Twitter account today revealed that their broadcasting team will comprise of Impact backstage interviewer Alicia Atout, Impact and New Japan color commentator Don Callis, former WWE backstage interviewer and announcer Sean Mooney, ROH announcer Ian Riccaboni, PWG announcer Excalibur, ROH ring announcer Bobby Cruise and former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts. It wasn’t announced what roles each would have on the broadcast, though the Young Bucks did ask Don Callis to do announcing when they made him part of All In last month during a New Japan’s Dominion event.
Cody Rhodes talked to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio this past weekend about distribution methods for All In. Rhodes mentioned that there would be both internet streaming and pay-per-view options. Despite that, no specific details have been announced as of this writing.
All In will take place on September 1 at the Sears Center Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, which is 25 miles from Chicago.
