Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including an update on the Briscoe family, RAW 30 with tons of changes to the show for a variety of reasons, the Bellas, why the cage match didn’t take place, thoughts on a lot of big matches over the weekend and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Briscoe family update
1:50: Benny Galant passes away
5:00: Steve Austin pitched match with Brock Lesnar, Royal Rumble thoughts
12:53: Notes from this weekend (NJPW vs. NOAH, Great Muta Final Bye-Bye, Rocky Romero)
29:36: Saudi Arabia attempted to buy Formula 1
31:07: Luke Rockhold says he’s coming out of retirement, Shingo Takagi vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima thoughts
Steve Austin had been pitched a match against Brock Lesnar for this year’s WrestleMania.
On Tuesday morning’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer said the match pitched to Austin was a match against Lesnar. Fightful reported on Monday afternoon that a match with Roman Reigns had been pitched to Austin for this year’s WrestleMania in Los Angeles.
“The match that was pitched was not Roman Reigns,” Meltzer said. “It was Brock Lesnar. It’s not on, something can happen now. It’s been talked about probably for months.”
Meltzer said that earlier when he had asked about a rumored match between Lesnar and Gunther, it was rejected, saying that wasn’t the idea, but the idea was a secret, with Austin was that secret.
Lesnar made his return to WWE on Monday, appearing during the main event between Austin Theory and Bobby Lashley for the United States title. Lesnar cost Lashley the match, reigniting their feud from last fall. Meltzer noted that it’s likely both will be in the Royal Rumble match this weekend and will feud, though it isn’t known if that feud will lead to a match at WrestleMania.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin has responded to rumors that he’s training for an in-ring return.
In a video from his home gym on Saturday, Austin noted that people have been asking him if the workout videos he’s been posting are because he’s training for an event. Austin said people can speculate what they want, but the reason he’s been working out is because he got tired of “looking like sh*t.”
People have been speculating, ‘Hey Steve, what are you doing? What are you training for? Are you training for an event?’ Speculate what you want for. I just simply looked in the mirror and realized I look like sh*t, so I called my diet coach up. And my macros are currently, give or take, roughly around 2650 calories, 300-320 grams of protein, 150 grams of carbs on a regular day, will spike at 420 on a load up. I still drink beer on Friday nights. Get three Broken Skull IPAs, and that’s pretty much it. I’m probably, as far as body weight goes, sub-232, the leanest I’ve been in forever. Anyway, that’s the bottom line, I’m out. I just got tired of looking like — when I looked in the mirror, I looked like sh*t. I got tired of looking like sh*t, so I’m taking actions to do something about it. I gotta go. Catch you down the road.
Fightful reported earlier this week that, following the retirement of Vince McMahon, WWE’s new regime has made an offer for Austin to wrestle another match. It’s not clear if that potential match would be at WrestleMania 39, an event in Saudi Arabia, or somewhere else.
At WrestleMania 38 this April, Austin returned to the ring for his first match in nearly 20 years. Austin defeated Kevin Owens in a no holds barred match in the main event of night one of WrestleMania 38. The match wasn’t officially announced in advance, with WWE instead promoting it as a KO Show segment and teasing that Austin could get physical.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including the B/R Live app which sucks, the world famous RAW report, Steve Austin likely wrestling at WrestleMania again, ratings and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the death of Anthony Rumble Johnson, Steve Austin perhaps returning to WrestleMania, injury updates, AEW and NXT previews, ratings, Billy Corgan, RAW report from Monday night, mailbag and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Anthony “Rumble” Johnson passes away
10:32: Stone Cold Steve Austin interested in returning for another match
17:00: Kevin Owens, Rey Mysterio, Abadon injury updates
18:39: NXT and AEW Dynamite previews
25:07: Billy Corgan on appealing to casual fans, Tyrus
*Full coverage of WWE Crown Jewel & New Japan Autumn Attack, business notes on both shows, how successful Crown Jewel was on Peacock, PPV, public interest and business notes on Autumn Attack, plus poll results and more. *What’s next for WWE and New Japan *Cain Velasquez granted bond, Daniel Cormier talks, and a look back at the situation *A look back at the 60s and 70s tag team of Kurt & Karl Von Steiger, including unique political moves, the night they won the AWA tag titles and why the team split up *Full coverage of Saturday’s UFC show, including the probe on the suspicious gambling patterns on one of the fights *Dragon Gate’s Gate of Destiny coverage *PWG’s show on Sunday honoring Alan Denkenson and featuring one of the best trios matches of the year and in PWG history *The most complete look at the TV ratings for the past week *Streaming numbers *AEW has great success in one international market, not in another *Next Stardom PPV show *Update on the New Japan Tokyo Dome show *Crazy story of a plot to steal the NWA title by one of the biggest stars of all-time *More on Andre the Giant carer losses *A very important note on streaming ratings and what it says for viability of WWE & AEW next deals *The Nick Aldis-Billy Corgan split *The story behind former wrestling sponsor winning $75 million and getting national publicity *Politician wants to honor former national hero wrestler who has been forgotten about since his heyday was 40 yeas ago *Notes on the Teddy Hart documentary *A look at the veracity of stories on the Hawaiian episode of Tales from the Territories *Taryn Terrell career noes *Wrestler and promoter arrested *Movie on Baron Von Raschke *Full Gear notes as well as matches to be added *Notes on MJF’s first major Hollywood role *A look at AEW ratings in 2021 vs. 2022, what is up, what is down *Bandido contract notes *AEW woman star filming a movie *More on skirmish backstage at Anderson Silva vs. Jake Paul fight *Upcoming Raw and Smackdown notes *Sasha Banks training with former WCW star *WWE injury updates *Ticket sales for upcoming AEW and WWE events.
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Monday News Update
Bryan and I will be back tonight with Wrestling Observer Radio. You can now watch it live on video by subscribing to our video site. We’ll be talking Steve Austin, Raw and all the latest news. You can also ask questions live during the show.
Regarding Steve Austin and WrestleMania, there is smoke to that fire and there are discussions happening. How they will transpire isn’t known past Austin looks in great shape right now.
Raw tonight is in Louisville, KY. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor for the U.S. title has been announced. They announced the match days ago but today it was announced for the title. Also Matt Riddle vs. Chad Gable There were 6,900 tickets out as of this morning so a solid crowd. The last time Raw was in the building was one year ago and the paid for that show was barely 4,000 so things are stronger. The football game head-to-head is the Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles are the last undefeated team left at 8-0 in the NFL.
We’re looking for reports from Louisville with Main Event matches and any dark segments to [email protected]
We’re also doing a poll on UFC 281, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
AEW officially announced today what we had noted previously about Joe Hand Promotions bringing Full Gear to 300 movie theaters including Cinemark, AMC, Regal, Emagine and Marcus Theaters in the U.S. as well as Landmark Cinemas in Canada and Cinepolis in Latin America. The show will air from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Results from last night’s WWE house show in Madison, WI:
Seth Rollins kept the U.S. title in a three-way against Matt Riddle and Bobby Lashley. Austin Theory interfered and attacked Lashley
A.J. Styles & Asuka b Damien Priest & Rhea Ripley
Dana Brooke b Tamina
Sheamus b Gunther via DQ in an IC title match when Imperium interfered and the Brutes made the save
Sheamus & Butch & Ridge Holland b Gunther & Giovanni Vinci & Ludvig Kaiser
Drew McIntyre b Karrion Kross in a street fight
New Day & Braun Strowman b Usos & Solo Sikoa
(thanks to Natalie and Jacob Groskreutz)
Titus O’Neil was on Good Morning America today as a celebrity judge for a best pie contest held in Tampa.
Vitor Belfort pulled out of his scheduled Saturday night boxing match wit Hasim Rahman Jr., for Misfits Boxing in Austin, TX. Belfort pulled out for undisclosed reasons. Misfits Boxing is KSI’s promotion.
Kurt Angle and Mick Foley were filming an episode of WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures today.
Other Notes
Combate Global has its final event of the year on Friday night on Univision and Univision Deportes starting at midnight Eastern. The main event has Cristian Perez (10-1) vs. Gilber Orodonez Huila (10-5) in a men’s lightweight fight and co-main is Maritza Sanchez (3-1) vs. Dee Begley (3-1) in a women’s strawweight fight.
The date of the Miyu Yamashita vs. Millie McKenzie match for Yamashita’s Eve title that we wrote about yesterday is 11/27 at Korakuen Hall. (thanks to Shannon Walsh).
ICW No Holds Barred from Saturday night in Westville, NJ: AKIRA b Bam Sullivan, Aaron Williams b Gary Jay, Kristian Ross b Chris Bradley, Brandon Kirk b Danny Demanto, Hoodfoot b Dr. Redacted, Krule b Matt Tremont for the IWTV world title, Kasey Catal b Mickie Knuckles to keep the ICW American Death match title (thanks to Leonard Brand)
Rhia O’Reilly said that she suffered a fractured sternum and some cartilage inflammation yesterday on the EVE show in London where she defended her Eve tag team title with partner Skye Smitson over Hyper Misao (Tokyo Joshi Pro) & Session Moth Martina. She didn’t appear a scheduled on yesterday’s second EVE show with Nightshade replacing her and defending the title with Smitson and they announced it was Freebird rule O’Reilly did attack Charlie Morgan with a chair on the second show. O’Reilly wrote that she hopes to be back in action for the 1/7 Eve show in London.
WWE is reportedly interested in having “Stone Cold” Steve Austin wrestle again.
According to a report from Fightful Select, the company has presented him with an offer for another match. It is not clear if the match would be for WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles, Saudi Arabia, or somewhere else.
While Vince McMahon was said to have been hopeful Austin would wrestle again, it was the new WWE regime led by Paul “Triple H” Levesque that made the offer. One source noted to Fightful that the two sides were initially far apart on terms, however.
Austin posted footage of himself working out earlier this week. This led to speculation on social media that he is training for another match.
During a discussion with the Brewbound Podcast shortly after WrestleMania 38, Austin spoke about possibly being involved in WrestleMania 39.
“I can’t imagine I would not be there in some capacity and I’m not booking myself on the show because I didn’t book myself on 38. That’s a Vince thing and I have a great relationship with him and if I get the call, I’ll be there.”
An animated series involving “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is being held up in development by WWE and Peacock, according to co-creator, actor and wrestling fan Dan Soder.
In the clip seen below, Soder appeared on Barstool Sports’ KFC Radio and revealed that during the pandemic, he and fellow comedian and wrestling fan Dan St. Germain co-wrote an animated show with Austin that was sold to Peacock.
“But now, WWE and Peacock have been bullsh*tting and it’s been 17 months on the sidelines. I keep calling these motherf*ckers and saying, ‘This is going to be f*cking funny,” he explained, going on to say that Austin is “way on board” and has been calling him asking for updates.
He said WWE wanted to be “creatively involved,” but he was hesitant about that because he and St. Germain wanted it to be done their way.
Soder hasn’t said anything about the project publicly until now, but is hoping he can get some public momentum behind it so it can see the light of day — even if it results in the project being scrapped.
Soder said he initially talked to his agent about the project after a pre-pandemic project fell through at which time his agent revealed Austin was a mutual client. They met via video chat and Austin was all in, providing notes and other thoughts throughout the process.
Soder didn’t want to give anything away about the plot other than Austin being the face of it and that it’s “dark and weird” which is why Austin liked it to begin with.
Soder, a stand-up comedian, has not hidden his love of wrestling during his run as Dudley Mafee on Showtime’s Billions. The creators have worked that fandom into his character, including when WWE’s Becky Lynch appeared as herself.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin will interview Charlotte Flair on the next edition of Broken Skull Sessions.
In an email sent out by Peacock on Wednesday, it was announced that Charlotte will be the guest on this month’s Broken Skull Sessions episode. The episode will premiere on Peacock/WWE Network on Friday, August 19.
Charlotte hasn’t appeared on WWE programming since May’s WrestleMania Backlash pay-per-view. At that event, Charlotte lost the SmackDown Women’s Championship to Ronda Rousey in an “I Quit” match. Charlotte gave up when Rousey had her in an armbar with her arm wrapped inside of a steel chair.
WWE announced a storyline injury update after the “I Quit” match, claiming that Charlotte would be out of action indefinitely with a fracture of the radius. The angle was designed to temporarily write Charlotte off TV while she got married to Andrade El Idolo. The couple had their wedding on May 27.
Sami Zayn is joining “Stone Cold” Steve Austin on the next episode of Broken Skull Sessions.
It was announced today that a new episode of Broken Skull Sessions with Zayn appearing as Austin’s guest will premiere this Friday (July 22). The episode will be available on Peacock/WWE Network.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Zayn signed a new multi-year contract with WWE. He faced “Jackass” star Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania 38 in April.
Zayn is currently involved in a storyline on SmackDown where he’s tried to align himself with The Bloodline (Roman Reigns and The Usos), calling himself the “Honorary Uce.”
The most recent Broken Skull Sessions episode prior to this featured Austin interviewing Jeff Jarrett.
The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, Diamond Dallas Page, Becky Lynch, Ron Simmons, Lita, Bubba Ray Dudley, and Cody Rhodes have also been past Broken Skull Sessions guests.
A conversation between Steve Austin and Jeff Jarrett will be featured on the next episode of Broken Skull Sessions.
It was announced today that a new Broken Skull Sessions episode with Jarrett appearing as Austin’s guest will premiere on Friday, June 3. Broken Skull Sessions is available on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else.
Austin and Jarrett have had issues in the past, with Austin refusing to work a program with Jarrett in the WWF in 1997. There was an incident when the two were working in the Memphis territory where Austin was looking at the low amount on his check and Jarrett walked up, slapped Austin on the back, and said something like, “Keep on staring at it, boy. It ain’t going to make it bigger.”
Jarrett was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jarrett returned to WWE in a behind-the-scenes role in 2019 but departed the company in 2021. He made a cameo appearance on an episode of SmackDown in Nashville this January.
Cody Rhodes was the guest on May’s episode of Broken Skull Sessions. The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, Diamond Dallas Page, Becky Lynch, Ron Simmons, Lita, and Bubba Ray Dudley have also appeared on the show previously.
An interview with Cody Rhodes will be featured on the next episode of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions.
WWE has announced that a new Broken Skull Sessions episode with Rhodes appearing as Austin’s guest will premiere next Friday (May 6). It will be available on Peacock in the United States and the WWE Network everywhere else.
After departing AEW this February, Rhodes made his return to WWE by defeating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 38 night one. Rhodes and Rollins will face off in a rematch at WrestleMania Backlash on Sunday, May 8.
In his return to WWE, Rhodes has set his sights on accomplishing the one thing in pro wrestling his family has never been able to do: winning the WWE Championship. Roman Reigns is the current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
The most recent Broken Skull Sessions episode prior to this featured Bubba Ray Dudley as the guest. The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, Rollins, Jeff Hardy, Diamond Dallas Page, Becky Lynch, Ron Simmons, and Lita have also appeared on the show previously.
Kevin Owens believes his career peaked at WrestleMania 38.
Appearing on After the Bell with Corey Graves, Owens spoke about never being able to top headlining the event against Steve Austin.
“Well, it’s all downhill from here, really,” Owens said. “I say that with the most optimistic point of view I can have, I mean that in a good way. It was really unbelievable, it’s still unbelievable. Sometimes I’ll have my moments where I’m not doing anything, I’m just kind of sitting around and I’ll just pull it up on my phone and I’ll specifically watch the moment where the ref rings the bell and I still can’t believe it happened. It’s really hard to process what happened, honestly. It’s hard to put into words.”
Owens also described a moment during the KO Show segment before the match that he rewatches often.
“I watch the moment where I say, ‘I”m looking for a fight.’ And it’s funny because that’s when he turns and gives me that glare and when I say, ‘I”m looking for a fight,’ you see people behind him start standing up and you kind of hear the buzz. Moments like that are special.”
Owens also reflected on his WWE career, noting that he has exceeded the expectations many had for him.
“One thing I’ll always hear is, ‘You outlived any expectations any of us ever had for you.’ The thing is, everyone knows you look at me, I don’t fit the stereotypical WWE Superstar. A lot of people thought they’d never take two looks at me, that’s it.”
Owens spoke about getting signed by WWE, then winning the NXT Championship, and later working with John Cena on the main roster. He doesn’t believe anything he has done or could do in the future will top headlining WrestleMania 38 with Austin, however.
“I don’t know what tops this, what can top it? You tell me, if you can figure one out,” he continued.
Steve Austin is feeling good physically after making his return to the ring at WrestleMania 38.
In what was his first match since 2003, Austin defeated Kevin Owens in an impromptu no holds barred match in the main event of WrestleMania 38 night one. Austin then also got involved physically at night two of WrestleMania, dishing out stunners to Vince McMahon, Theory, and Pat McAfee.
Oh, I’m 100 percent. I picked up a little bit of a cold the other day, but I’m back home in Nevada. Shoot, Sunday, I was 100 percent. And of course went back into action on Sunday, did a little extra physicality as a part of the show. But, you know, it’s just an exciting time for me to go back to a business that I really, really love. And, you know, I never thought I’d be back in a ring — but there we were headlining, main event for the — headlining WrestleMania for night one. And it was just truly an honor to be out there and really excited to be able to — just like the last few times I’ve been able to drink our beer, Broken Skull IPA, out in the ring. Couple of years ago we got a lot of exposure from that and just a real proud moment because when El Segundo [Brewing Company] and myself decided to come out with a lager, which is what everybody was wanting, which is really satisfying because I’ve drank everybody’s beer in the past. I’ve been drinking beer my whole life and I don’t speak technical beer language, but we’ve given all those other brands a little bit of a rub by using their beers. So, to go out there and drink our own beer was very satisfying.
Austin was also asked if we’ll see him in action again at WrestleMania 39 next year. Austin said he thinks he’s done having matches, but he’ll be at WrestleMania 39 in some capacity if Vince McMahon asks him to be involved with the show.
Well [laughs], for me to participate in WrestleMania 38, if you would’ve told me, ‘Hey man, you’re gonna be a part of WrestleMania 38. Not only that, you’re gonna main event night one.’ I would’ve said you’re full of sh*t and you’re crazy. and there I was in Dallas, Texas headlining main event on day one, so never say never. But I would really imagine that within the scope of that show, that’s gonna be a big show in a big-time city and it’ll be a two-night event again, so I’m not– I’m sure I’m done wrestling per se, but as a part of WWE, I can’t imagine I would not be there in some capacity and I’m not booking myself on the show because I didn’t book myself on 38. That’s a Vince thing and I have a great relationship with him and if I get the call, I’ll be there.
WrestleMania 39 is being held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on Saturday, April 1, 2023 and Sunday, April 2, 2023.
A new episode of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions is coming to Peacock/WWE Network this week.
The Broken Skull Sessions episode will premiere on Peacock/WWE Network this Friday (April 15). Bubba Ray Dudley will be Steve Austin’s guest on the show.
On March 2, Bubba Ray tweeted that he was interviewed by Austin for Broken Skull Sessions and the episode would be coming soon.
Last month’s Broken Skull Sessions episode featured Lita appearing as Austin’s guest. The Undertaker, Goldberg, Kane, Big Show, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Mark Henry, Jerry Lawler, Kurt Angle, Drew McIntyre, Bayley, Sasha Banks, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, The Godfather, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, Bobby Lashley, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, Diamond Dallas Page, Becky Lynch, and Ron Simmons have also been guests on previous episodes of the show.
Austin appeared at both nights of WrestleMania 38 earlier this month, including having his first match in nearly two decades. He defeated Kevin Owens in a no holds barred match in the main event of night one of WrestleMania.
