Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including updates on Abdullah the Butcher and Mike Rotunda, New Japan this weekend, Dominick Mysterio is super over, AEW Dynamite and NXT TV reports, ratings, Collision spoilers and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps: Start: Updates on Abdullah the Butcher & Mike Rotunda 16:53: El Hijo del Santo announces retirement date 23:55: Dave attends Mick Foley show in San Jose, notes on NJPW this weekend 29:27: Dave’s thoughts from AAA Heroes Inmortales, CMLL notes 35:00: Ratings, Tom Aspinall update 41:31: AEW Dynamite recap 1:08:22: WWE NXT notes 1:16:56: AEW Collision spoilers
WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda is battling a serious health situation, but he is not in hospice care.
The Rotunda family issued a statement today clarifying that Rotunda is not in hospice, as had been stated by his brother-in-law Barry Windham in an interview with Bill Apter. Rotunda suffered a massive heart attack in September, was in a coma for a week, and was hospitalized for more than a month. He’s since been moved to a rehab center — and his family is hopeful about his recovery.
Rotunda’s daughter Mika, who issued the statement on behalf of her family, asked fans to respect their privacy while continuing to provide prayers and good energy. Mika said her family is “deeply grateful” for the support they’ve received.
Mika noted that Windham misspoke during the interview with Apter but did not do so intentionally.
Our family would like to take a moment to clarify some information currently circulating online regarding my father, Mike Rotunda.
Yes, my uncle Barry did make a comment mentioning that my father is in hospice care while answering a question about our late family member, whom we lost two years ago. We want to make it clear that he misspoke—not intentionally.
My father is not in hospice, but rather in a rehabilitation center. He suffered a massive heart attack on September 20th, was in a coma for a week, and spent over a month hospitalized. By the grace of God, he has now transitioned to a rehabilitation center, where our family remains present, hopeful, and focused on his recovery.
It has already been a long road, and we know there is still a long road ahead—but our faith in God remains strong. Anyone who knows my dad knows that it’s his strength, work ethic, and athleticism that have carried him through not just this, but every challenge life has thrown his way. If there’s one person I have faith in, it’s Captain Mike.
We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the wrestling world and our local communities. At this time, we kindly ask for privacy as we continue walking this journey together—but we warmly welcome continued prayers, good energy, and healing thoughts for his recovery.
With love and gratitude,
The Rotunda Family
Rotunda and Windham were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame together as the US Express in 2024. Perhaps best remembered for his WWF run playing IRS, Rotunda starred for WCW/Jim Crockett Promotions and competed in Japan during his career. He is also the father of WWE wrestler Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy (Taylor Rotunda) and the late Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda).
Barry Windham is asking fans to pray for his US Express tag team partner Mike Rotunda.
In an interview with Bill Apter that was conducted on October 25, Windham stated that Rotunda is currently in hospice care. He did not disclose further information about the illness that Rotunda is battling.
“It’s kind of tough right now. You know, Mike is in hospice right now,” Windham said. “So, anyway, that family — I love that family. But, it’s so tragic.”
Every patient is different and hospice does not mean this outcome is guaranteed, but it’s a care option that’s recommended when a patient dealing with an illness is expected to live for six months or less. It aims to manage symptoms while maintaining the best quality of life possible.
Brothers-in-law Windham & Rotunda were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame together as the US Express in 2024. Both had runs in the WWF and WCW, with Rotunda likely best known for his time playing the character IRS in WWF.
Apter asked Windham if there’s anything he’d like to say to fans.
“Well, it’s been a great ride,” Windham said. “And I would like for you all to pray for Mike.”
Rotunda is the father of WWE wrestler Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy (Taylor Rotunda) and the late Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda), who was named after his uncle Barry. Rotunda also has a daughter named Mika.
Mike Rotunda says it’s less stressful for his family knowing that Bray Wyatt won’t be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year.
Rotunda recently spoke to Bill Apter about his son’s passing as well as his own upcoming induction alongside Wyatt’s uncle, Barry Windham. Rotunda said he believes WWE thought it was too soon to induct Wyatt this year.
He said:
With Windham passing, I thought they were going to immediately put Windham into the Hall of Fame, which he will be at some point, but I think that WWE reassessed stuff and thought it was too soon to go there with our family and the reactions and the stress on us.
We got a call from WWE and said Hunter wants to do a Zoom call. We were thinking they were going to tell us what was going to happen at WrestleMania and Hunter said, ‘You guys are going to get inducted. You and Barry. You were a part of the first ever WrestleMania.’
It’s very flattering, obviously, and actually less stressful on us because of all the stuff that we’ve had to go through with Windham passing, just the mental capacity of it.
Obviosuly, it’s a great honor because you are getting rewarded for what you spent 40 years doing.
Earlier in the conversation, Rotunda addressed the documentary on his son that will air on Peacock on April 1.
I called Triple H when Windham passed away because I didn’t want all kinds of internet crap going out about him and stuff so Triple H took the reigns and, you know, let everyone know that Windham had unexpectantly passed. Then later, Triple H called and said we would like to do a documentary so his kids know him when they get older.
He continued
WWE has been awesome. They just have been very helpful throught the process with Windham passing. And very generous and I can’t say enough about that. Along with The Rock, he was sending food here every other day, and people reaching out, Undertaker and so many people.
The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024, the first to be hand-picked by Paul Levesque, is set to include Paul Heyman, Bull Nakano, Barry Windham & Mike Rotunda, Muhammad Ali, Thunderbolt Patterson, and Lia Maivia. Our own Dave Meltzer wrote a subscriber-exclusive covering this year’s class earlier this month available now for subscribers.
Brother-in-laws Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham are joining the WWE Hall of Fame as a duo.
It was announced via The Ringer today that The US Express (Rotunda & Windham) will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame next month. They’re the third act that’s been confirmed for the 2024 class, joining Paul Heyman and Bull Nakano.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque shared a video where he informed Rotunda & Windham of their induction:
From the very first #WrestleMania… to the WWE Hall of Fame.
Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham are a legendary tag team with deep family ties to our business, and their influence will be felt for generations to come.
This is Rotunda’s first induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Windham was previously inducted as a member of The Four Horsemen in 2012.
During their time teaming together, Rotunda & Windham used Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” as their entrance music. They held the WWF Tag Team titles twice.
Rotunda & Windham competed at the first-ever WrestleMania in 1985, losing the WWF Tag Team titles to The Iron Sheik & Nikolai Volkoff. They’ll now be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on the eve of WrestleMania 40 night one.
Rotunda & Windham also had multiple reigns with the NWA Florida United States Tag Team titles.
Mike Rotunda is married to Barry Windham’s sister Stephanie. Their eldest son, the late Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda), was named after Barry Windham. They’re also the parents of Bo Dallas (Taylor Rotunda) and daughter Mika Rotunda.
Blackjack Mulligan, Windham’s father and Rotunda’s father-in-law, is also a member of the WWE Hall of Fame.
The 2024 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is taking place at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia after SmackDown on Friday, April 5. The ceremony will stream live on Peacock/WWE Network.
WWE has launched a new merchandise collection to celebrate the legacy of the late Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda).
The Bray Wyatt Legacy Collection launched on WWE Shop on Friday and includes several new T-shirt designs. The collection, which is in partnership with the Rotunda family, honors Wyatt’s legacy and will benefit his four children (Hyrie, Knash, Kendyl, and Cadyn).
Wyatt, 36, passed away unexpectedly on August 24. His death was caused by a heart issue.
WWE Hall of Famer Mike Rotunda, Wyatt’s father, told Forbes that he’s happy the new merchandise collection will help keep Wyatt’s spirit alive among WWE fans.
“I go do some autograph signings here and there and I’ve had so many people come up to my table supporting Windham with firefly shirts and guys with tattoos on their arms,” Rotunda said. “It’s pretty cool. This is helpful, what WWE is doing to keep that spirit alive among the WWE Universe which will in turn keep Windham’s characters alive in their minds. It’s awesome what they’re doing.”
Rotunda said celebrating Wyatt’s legacy will also help Wyatt’s younger children remember who their father was.
“Especially for Knash and Hyrie, this is important,” Rotunda said. “Kendyl and Cadyn know who their dad is because they’re a little older, but you don’t remember everything when you’re 3 or 4 years old. With the stuff WWE is putting out there, they’ll be able to look back and see exactly who their dad was. It’s awesome that they’re going to get a chance to relive some of their moments that their dad did.”
The father of Bray Wyatt feels his son will be coming back to WWE soon.
Appearing at WrestleCon over the weekend, former WWE and WCW star Mike Rotunda (IRS) told Sportskeeda that he feels Wyatt will be back “hopefully shortly.”
“You read a lot of stuff on the internet which I wouldn’t believe a lot of or, in my case, any of it. Bray Wyatt…I’m sure he will return to WWE, hopefully shortly, and we’ll go from there,” he said.
The 36-year-old Wyatt has been gone since February due to an undisclosed illness for which he has yet to be medically cleared. Earlier this month, Fightful reported that he is getting closer to achieving that status. The ailment was reported as both career and life threatening which is why there has been caution with bringing him back.
Wyatt last wrestled on a February 26th house show against LA Knight.
Rotunda also gave an update on his brother-in-law Barry Windham after he suffered a heart attack last December. Rotunda said Windham was “doing good and back up and running” and just did an autograph signing recently.
The effects of the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of COVID-19 led to a number of major changes and precautions in WWE.
Among the names advertised who didn’t appear on shows this week were Roman Reigns, Big E, Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins, Bianca Belair, Bobby Lashley, Queen Zelina, Shinsuke Nakamura and King Woods.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night covering the WWE Day 1 show, Stardom Dream Queendom and the rest of the news.
I’m more than halfway done on Hall of Fame ballot counting. There are four locks, five very close and a couple of others who probably won’t make it this year but still have a shot.
Our lead article in the new issue which goes through the COVID situation in WWE also looks at Madison Square Garden history, the ups and downs since wrestling returned to MSG in 1949. In particular, we look at history’s lowest crowds in the modern era, as well as look at WWE vs. AEW in the last four months in the marketplace, and the last decade of the post-Christmas tradition in the building.
We’re doing polls on three shows this week, Wednesday’s Stardom show,the NOAH show at Budokan Hall that starts in a few hours and WWE’s Day 1 show. We’re looking for thumbs up, down or middle along with a best and worst match from each show to [email protected]
Smackdown tonight is on FS 1 and it’s a best of show. AEW Rampage tonight at 10 p.m. has Anthony Bowens vs. Jungle Boy, Penelope Ford & The Bunny vs. Tay Conti & Anna Jay in a street fight and Cody Rhodes vs. Ethan Page for the TNT title People were raving about the last two matches, and particularly the women’s match.
The NOAH show starts at 2 a.m. Eastern tonight at 11 p.m. Pacific and will stream on the Wrestle Universe service. It’s the company’s return to Budokan Hall
Junta Miyawaki & Kinya Okada vs. Kai Fujimura & Yasutaka Yano
Akitoshi Saito & Mohammed Yone & King Tani vs. Manabu Soya & Nioh & Tadasuke
Katsuhiko Nakajima vs, Go Shiozaki for the GHC title
For those who like hard hitting wrestling, the main event will be guaranteed to be great. For those who don’t like hard hitting, pretty sure you won’t be happy with the main event.
For Day 1, the tickets out passed 10,000 today. As of this morning they had 10,131 out. They’ve moved a ton of tickets in the last three weeks which is very unusual for modern wrestling to start out so slow and then suddenly move a ton of tickets, which likely has to do with Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar and the storyline in play being a ticket seller.
GCW has its New Year’ Eve show from The Showboat in Atlantic City tonight starting at 8 p.m. Eastern on FITE:
Ninja Mack & Dante Leon vs. Blake Christian & Alex Zayne
Everett Connors vs,. Atticus Cogar
AKIRA vs. G-Raver
Colby Corino vs. Dark Sheik
Jordan Oliver & Charlie Tiger & Ellis Taylor vs. AJ Gray & Effy & Matthew Justice
Ho Ho Lun vs. Jimmy Lloyd
Allie Katch vs. Charlie Evans
A video of the old TV show To Tell the Truth where Betty White was a regular and the panel had to identify which woman was the world champion pro wrestler, which also tells you how unknown Moolah was at the time to the average person. (thanks to Ken Raftery)
The Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame announced Mike Rotunda as an inductee. Rotunda was a collegiate heavyweight at Syracuse University who was good enough to go to the NCAA tournament and then had a long career under a number of names, including his own name IRS, and VK Wallstreet. Dick Bourne, a Mid Atlantic Wrestling historian who has written books will be getting the Jim Melby award. Jim Ross will be getting the Gordon Solie award. Well, if there is anyone living who deserves the Gordon Solie award, it would be Jim Ross.
WWE
HBO Max will debut The Peacemaker with John Cena on 1/13. They will put the first three episodes up.
Michael Bisping on his YouTube channel said things were very bloody miserable this week because he and his entire family got COVID. He said since Monday he'[s been mostly laying in bed feeling bad, hurting all over,.
Irene Aldana vs. Aspen Ladd is earmarked for a 4/9 show at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Ryan Spann vs. Ion Cutelaba is set for a 2/26 show
Malakai Black will be the headliner for West Coast Pro on 3/11 in South San Francisco, CA at The State Room.
Bellator announced Benson Henderson (28-11) vs. Islam Mamedov (20-1-1 ) at lightweight for its 1/29 show in Phoenix. The show is headlined by the heavyweight title unification match between champion Ryan Bader (28-7, 1 no contest) and interim champion ValentinMoldavsky (11-1).
Aaron McKenzie (10-2-1) vs. Joshua Jones (11-5) in a lightweight fight will headline LFA on 1/14 at The Factory in Dallas on UFC Fight Pass. They also run 1/21 at The Factory in St. Louis headlined by Charles Johnson (10-2) vs. Carlos Mota (6-0) in a flyweight main event.
Lio Rush makes his debut with Prestige Wrestling on 3/13 in Sacramento, CA.
Kurt Angle has been added to the WrestleCon lineup for WrestleMania weekend.
Insane Wrestling Revolution from Wednesday night in Monroe, MI: Sam Beale b Kenny Urban, Rod Lee b Ace Evans, Malcolm Monroe III b N8 Mattson, Hornswoggle & The DBA & Mysterious Movado b Aaron Orion & Jack Price & Ben Boone, Konnor b Tanner Nix & Chris Clontz & Clucky, Trey Miguel b Chris Sabin to win the U.S. title, Madman Fulton b Dread King Logan, Tommy Dreamer & Rhino b Nate Bock & Kyle Barrett, John E. Bravo b Tommy Dreamer. The next show is 2/17 at the FOP Hall in Monroe, MI. (thanks to Leonard Brand)
UWFI Rules Contender series from Paradigm Pro Wrestling takes place on 1/5 at 10 p.m. and will air for seven straight Wednesday nights featuring Tom Lawlor, Gnaris Garvin and Tang Soo do competitor Alex Weir. Lawlor faces Jordan Blade in an intergender super fight in the main event on Wednesday.
PWA Black Label on 1/14 features Aussie Open vs. The Velocities in a rematch of Australia’s most talked about match of the year plus the return of Robbie Eagles. It will air live on FITE.
Harashima & Daichi Hashimoto & Kengo Mashimo beat Konosuke Takeshita & Yuji Okabayashi & Kuishinbo Kamen to win a New Year’s Eve trios tournament at Korakuen Hall. It has become an indie tradition to do a tag team tournament on New Year’s Eve at Korakuen Hall. Takeshita was also announced as Japan’s independent MVP.
Following Gerald’s Brisco’s admission Thursday that his services were no longer needed by WWE, Mike Rotunda and Sarah Stock have also been released.
The news was first reported by PWInsider and confirmed by our Dave Meltzer.
The moves come as WWE began releasing those who were initially furloughed as part of the April pandemic-related financial cuts.
The 62-year-old Rotunda retired in 2004 and was hired in 2006 as a road agent, reviving his Irwin R. Schyster character for various editions of Raw through the years. Part of a true pro wrestling family, he married the daughter of Blackjack Mulligan (father to Barry and Kendall Windham) and their two sons (Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas) who have both been with WWE for years.
The 41-year-old Stock was with the company for five years after being hired in 2015 as a producer and trainer at the Performance Center. Known as both Sarita and Dark Angel through her career, she has worked for Impact Wrestling, AAA, CMLL, and for both Stardom and Shimmer.
